Ferguson blames inexperience for last nights setback in the 2-1 defeat against Kansas citywizards. True up to a point, but once again the worst defender by a mile, for me, was Rafael. I've said it before, there must be a serious worry that he will not be the answer to filling Gary Neville's shoes. It's not so much that he keeps on making mistakes, it's that he keeps on making the same mistakes as if he never learns anything from match to match. Worryingly Smalling looked very shaky at times too, but it's early days for him
Were their any plus points, not many, nobody really stood out. I think Fergie is right about Nani, he looked pretty rusty, it was probably a bit early to bring him back. Clutching at straws, I suppose Welbeck and Cleverley once again looked the part when they came on in the second half. I don't really see why he wants to send Cleverley out on loan again. There must be a good chance that he will see at least 15-20 games starting and coming on as a sub this season, especially with him being able to play so many different positions. I would definitely like to see him stay, he will bring skill, drive and most probably goals to our midfield. It's not like we are blessed with goalscoring midfielders any more.
He seems to have more going for him than Gibson who started the game by getting the ball robbed off him and it didn't really get much better for him. I know he has had a hard time having to go back to Ireland for the funeral and then jet back, but he didn't stand out in the first game. This season must be make or break for him at United, you can't have a career at United based on unfulfilled promise forever.
I'm not getting carried away by last night, it was only a friendly, and that type of performance can happen when the side is being rotated so heavily. It wasn't pretty to watch though. Of the youngsters it would seem obvious that Cleverley and Welbeck are certs to be first team squad members of the future. I can't say any of the others have really made a case yet.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7909966/Sir-Alex-Ferguson-inexperience-the-reason-Manchester-United-lost-to-Kansas-City.html

Gill announces that he has shook hands with Vidic on a new £90,000 a week contract. A bit weird, why not announce it when it's actually signed, like you usually would.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2010/jul/23/manchester-united-nemanja-vidic-new-contract
Still if it's true, and they are not just trying to force his hand, it is excellent news.

Bryan Robson says Hargreaves has to believe that he will play again. I think we all know that he almsot certainly won't play again.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7909681/Owen-Hargreaves-must-fight-to-save-Manchester-United-career-says-Bryan-Robson.html

Gill is hoping that Rooney and his agent will follow suit shortly.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7908101/Wayne-Rooney-close-to-new-Manchester-United-deal-says-David-Gill.html

Chris Smalling reveals that Ferguson told him that he was being bought for first team action, not to make his way as a squad member. He has looked reasonable so far, though he hasn't really been tested defensively.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/manutd/7907484/Chris-Smalling-ready-for-the-big-time-at-Manchester-United.html

News that would seem to contradict that piece of pure Glazer propoganda t'other day, as United put 4,000 season tickets on general sale.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8850768.stm

The Mail report MUST spokesman telling them to take their unwanted ugly faces elsewhere.
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-1297207/Glazers-urged-quit-Manchester-United-season-ticket-sales-slump.html
I'm still confident that it's a matter of if not when.

This may well just be paper talk, but if they did pay anything like that figure quoted for him, the lunatics have well and truly taken over the asylum. I have seen him a few times, and whilst you can see that there is talent in there somewhere, it still hasn't made an appearance any time i have watched him in an Inter shirt.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/leagues/premierleague/mancity/7902020/Manchester-City-in-23-million-bid-for-Inter-Milans-Mario-Balotelli.html

Wikileaks reveal secret Afghan files
http://www.guardian.co.uk/world/2010/jul/25/afghanistan-war-logs-military-leaks

Mick Hulme writes that Mandelson's memoirs are the last rites of new Labour.
http://www.spiked-online.com/index.php/site/article/9276/

Larry Elliot reports on the surprise rise in the growth rate of the economy announced last week.
http://www.guardian.co.uk/business/2010/jul/23/economic-growth-larry-elliott-comment

The CPS decides not to prosecute polive officer caught on film attacking Ian Tomlinson. I don't know whether it's a cover up or not, but it stinks, that's for sure.
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/crime/family-alleges-coverup-as-police-officers-escape-charges-over-g20-death-2033456.html

Alex Petridis on the resurgence of prog rock
http://www.guardian.co.uk/music/2010/jul/22/prog-rock-genesis-rush-mostly-autumn
I thought that this was a fair point made by Jonathan Coe
"It grew out of rock music and that's why it was written about in the rock press, but it's a shame it ever became regarded as part of rock'n'roll, because it's not, the ethos is completely different," novelist and prog fan Jonathan Coe memorably told the Prog Britannia programme. "If you judge it by the criteria of rock'n'roll, then it fails.". It's like everything else really there's good prog rock and shite prog rock, ie ELP.

Kings of convenience remixed by Royksopp