Still Following the Trawler

Via  Daily Mail : The Mail Online yesterday released a graphic highlighting the key financial information of each club in the Premier League. From income, to debt, this gives you a good idea of what state each club is in. United, for example, generate the highest revenue by some margin ( £433.1m with  Chelsea in 2nd place with £319.9m)...however we also hold a shockingly high level of debt ( £342m). Check out how the rest of the teams in the league are doing: Read Nick Harris' full story on the Premier League's 'boom-and-bust culture'  here .

The Telegraph  have today unveiled their list of the top 50 players to ever grace Old Trafford. At large, it is a good list with all the right names in there, although it seems the likes of Paul McGrath, Ralph Milne and Stuart Pearson (and perhaps others I haven't thought of) - all regulars of similar lists compiled in the past - have made way for a number of modern players. The positioning of many of the players however is questionable - so below I highlight the good , bad , as well as my own personal Top 10 . Enjoy! GOOD Carrick (39) "Underrated" has never been used more appropriately in football than when describing Michael Carrick. A brilliant yet subtle and simple midfielder, Carrick has turned out to be one of Ferguson's best buys. An outstanding, selfless footballer who has been pivotal in every Manchester United team he's played in, yet someone who will probably never win a single personal accolade in his career. Good to see him on the list, and who know...

1. If it ain't broke, don't fix it And so goes my rather unadventurous mantra on most things in life: from the cars I've owned that have been driven into the ground, to my timeless hairstyle. So how delighted I was to see van Gaal adopt the same logic with his line-up to face Liverpool yesterday! In sticking with the exact same XI that beat Tottenham a week earlier, LVG played Carrick, Herrera and the superb Mata in midfield while bravely keeping out Di Maria and extending Falcao's run of not starting a United game to four straight games. Don't get me wrong, it isn't great to see our two marquee signings of last summer struggle to get a game, but if it is for the greater good of the team - for now, at least - it's a no brainer. The last two matches have been fantastic to watch and I am delighted van Gaal seems to have finally found his winning formula, though his next challenge must be to get the best out of Di Maria and Falcao ensuring we maintain our curre...

Has there ever been a more lovable player to pull on a United shirt than Juan Mata? Yes, of course there has. But considering this is a man who, after he signed from Chelsea last January, has not quite been able to light-up the team as was first expected given the huge levels of expectation (and a hefty price-tag) he carried, Mata is an incredibly popular player among United fans. His popularity is undoubtedly heightened thanks to his fantastic attitude and love of the club - something that he writes about regularly in his excellent, passionate blog . In this week's edition, following on from a heroic match-winning display at Anfield yesterday, Juan wrote that this was in fact one of the happiest days of his career. Given the importance of this fixture to United fans, this is an incredible statement! Read the full piece below... One Hour Behind  by Juan Mata Hi everyone, This is one of those days when there is no need for words. As you know, it’s been more than two years since I wr...

Ya beautyyyyyy @juanmata8 👏👏 — Rio Ferdinand (@rioferdy5) March 23, 2015 The story will be the Steven Gerrard sending off but United's first 35 mins was brilliant! Enjoy your night... — Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 22, 2015 What a team effort!! What a victory!! What a day!! Unforgettable. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/Xfw3TTcLZE — Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) March 22, 2015 Man United excellent first 45 mins well deserved win. The day Van Gaal convinced? Record in big games very good. Moment of madness from SG. — Jamie Carragher (@Carra23) March 22, 2015 When Steven #Gerrard ’s cameo is made into a film. pic.twitter.com/JFJi3YrfEn — Bleacher Report UK (@br_uk) March 22, 2015 45th Minute: Steven Gerrard subbed on. 46th Minute: Steven Gerrard sent off. pic.twitter.com/aqoMr6EcJB — BBC Sporf (@BBCSporf) March 22, 2015 Bae: Come round to mine Gerrard: I've got a football game Bae: My parents are out. pic.twitter.com/0l0HOaWcKN — Footy Jokes (@Footy_Jokes) March 22, 2015 Steven Gerrar...

Via  the Daily Mail : Gerrard hoped for so much from his final Anfield appearance against Manchester United. These are the games he knows he will miss and he wanted so badly to make it count. It was over before it had begun. Thirty-eight seconds. That was Gerrard’s contribution to this game. Introduced at half-time by Brendan Rodgers, with Liverpool already trailing, Gerrard no doubt hoped to make a big impact on the 45 minutes. He failed even to make it to 45 seconds — seven short when a stamp on Ander Herrera ended his involvement. Via  the Guardian : At the final whistle Louis van Gaal took the unusual step, as José Mourinho did last year, of striding across to celebrate with the visiting fans. Van Gaal will have relished this victory as much as any of his players, as United’s targeted direct football, combined with some swift-breaking transitions and two sublime goals from Juan Mata made the difference against a Liverpool team that only showed in glimpses their finely‑groo...

"My sister re-tweeted something which I saw last week. It was from a  Manchester United  fan who said they were practising for their game at Liverpool this Sunday by singing about me in their game v Spurs. The song goes: “Diego, wooah, Diego, wooah; He came from Uruguay, he made the Scousers cry.”  I’ll be honest; I get goose bumps every time I hear it. I can be in Brazil or Uruguay, Japan or Spain watching a United game on television and hear it. It is so flattering. I’m not Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes or another United legend, nor am I the only player to have scored at Anfield, so it feels a privilege to be remembered. I recall how I was getting so few minutes in the team before United played at Anfield in December 2002 that I really wanted to enjoy the game. I was training but not playing, but something happened that day that would make it one of the greatest moments of my life and still be sung about to this day. I scored two as United beat Liverpool 2-1 away. I started ...

Via  the Daily Mail : The Daily Mail today have pointed our a rather interesting yet unfortunate fact about United's trip to Anfield on Sunday - it will be the first time in 23 years that neither team will start a home-grown player. With Gerrard set to start on the bench for Liverpool, while United's local players these days consist entirely of youngsters (such as Blackett and Wilson) who have featured in only a hand-full of games all season, there will be no players born within 30 miles of each stadium for the first time in the Premier League era. Full story below: April 26 1992, the final time the two sides met in the old Division One, was the last time no player in Liverpool's starting XI was born within 30 miles of Anfield or a United player within the same distance from Old Trafford. In the 53 league and cup meetings since, the likes of Steven Gerrard - likely to start from the bench on Sunday - Jamie Carragher, Steve McManaman and Robbie Fowler have starred for Liverp...

At the risk of  repeating myself  and appearing to get a little too carried away with what was our one decent performance of the season, I feel we should take a lot of the positives from Sunday's win against Tottenham into the Liverpool game this weekend. I don't think anyone is expecting the same sort of free-roaming football from the likes of Carrick, Fellaini or Rooney this time though, as Liverpool are a much tougher nut to crack (their last defeat in the league was against United in December - that's a run of nine wins and three draws in their last 12 games). Consistency is something LVG's United line-ups have seriously lacked this season - initially as a result of a crazy injury-hit start to the season, but now it seems he is still continually trying to figure out what his best side is. As our most assured display of the season, even if it was against a very poor Tottenham side, surely the smart move would be to try and stick to this formula for the coming weeks a...

1. Fellaini and Rooney With United's best performance of the season came Fellaini's best performance in a United shirt. Not only was he directly involved in two of the three goals, he was confident steaming forward, winning everything in the air and generally causing Tottenham's midfield and defense a real problem all afternoon. It is no coincidence that Fellaini's excellent game allowed the players around him to play with confidence as well - Rooney especially, who was so assured in the centre forward role, linking up brilliantly with Fellaini and Carrick. Surely no doubt now for LVG as to where his best position is now. 2. Carrick Another superb performance from a player that United have desperately missed this season. Kept out of the side largely due to injury, this was only Carrick's 13th start in the league (and first goal of the season) - yet with such a difficult run of games we'll all be praying that he can now remain fit and continue influencing matches...

We've all seen the video, but in case you spent the whole of yesterday in bed (either hungover from Saturday's antics or avoiding your mum because you forgot to buy her flowers) you can watch it here . And here's what Wayne had to say on the matter following yesterday's 3-0 win at home to Tottenham - which included a Rooney goal and tongue-in-cheek celebration in reference to the clip: listen to ‘Wayne Rooney on Boxgate’ on audioBoom

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Evans is still suspended, and Smalling had a shocker in the Cup on Monday night so I think it's time to mix it up a bit at the back and give Jones (or possibly McNair) a start. Valencia also needs to sit this one out after his performance, so with Rafael back and fit I say he deserves a start - only his 7th in the league this season. Di Maria is suspended as a result of that incident, so Januzaj should be starting his first game since the Burnley win over a month ago. I feel its time for Falcao to be restored to the starting line-up as well - out of form perhaps but as Monday's game proved Rooney needs support up-front. Fellaini did a good job at times, however as the Telegraph put it brilliantly: "Fellaini won everything in the air, displayed some excellent chest control, but when the ball was at his feet, everything came to a shuddering halt."

While the press were ridiculing Falcao for being unable to play for United's first team in the FA Cup and instead starting for the reserves on Tuesday , Rafael did this...

Via  Daily Star : Reports in today's tabloid press have claimed that "sources close to" Radamel Falcao suggest he feels he joined the wrong club. Story below: The Colombian striker has failed to live up to expectations at Old Trafford since arriving in a £6m loan deal from Monaco. The 29-year-old has scored just four times in 20 appearances and was made to play for the Under-21 side on Tuesday night but he once again failed to find the back of the net. United can make his move permanent in the summer for £43m but Falcao is reportedly not expecting to be at Old Trafford next season. The Daily Mail , citing sources close to the player, claim he is convinced he joined the wrong club. Liverpool were thought to be prepared to pay Falcao's huge loan fee and £265,000-a-week wages last summer but the move broke down when United swooped for the player. Falcao was one of the most feared strikers in the world when at Atletico Madrid, where he scored 52 goals in 68 league appeara...

Via  Goal.com : In an interview with Goal.com United legend Rio Ferdinand claims under-fire Di Maria will become a hit at Old Trafford - however it will take time. "I thought Di Maria was a great signing for United and I still think he was a good signing because he is a top player," Ferdinand told Goal at Heineken’s #ChampiontheMatch event in Amsterdam. "He was arguably Madrid’s best player last year, him and Ronaldo were their standout players. I think he is a highly talented player. "But it always takes time for a player to adapt to his new surroundings, especially when you go to a foreign league. Not every player can be like Ronaldo and just turn up and instantly become a superstar. Maybe it will take Di Maria a bit longer. It might take him a year, you never know. "But his style does suit the Premier League. He is quick, runs at people, hungry to create chances and commit people. I think he is a very talented player and I like him." Read the full int...

According to today's Telegraph no less than TWELVE United players are heading for the exit this summer. While some appear to be highly realistic - I'm sure I am not alone in wishing the likes of Smalling, Jones and all three of the players that are returning back from season-long loans in June all the best with their future's playing away from United! - there are a couple I hope do not materialise. Here's a look at all twelve and the likely reasons LVG has decided their time is up...

1. Welbeck The reaction this morning has focused on Welbeck scoring the match-winner and the sight of his replacement in United's attack, Falcao, rotting uselessly on the bench. Ignoring the fact that Danny had an average game, when it mattered he was there to capitalise on a horrible error from Valencia and score the winner for his new team. Really, in what was a very tight game, it was exactly the sort of thing that was going to separate the two teams. And given how nervous United have appeared in defense this season, it was almost inevitably going to be United that would be on the end of it. A lot has also been made of his celebration - something I personally have no issues with at all. He is a Manchester United fan and loved playing for 'his' team, yet when the new manager made his thoughts on him and his future at United clear, there was only one option and that was to leave. I hope United fans have nothing but respect for him, and those who booed when he was subbed of...

Young was undoubtedly the star of the show against Newcastle so his place in the team is a certainty. However I feel we'll need to play our best (and most conventional) back four tonight and that includes Luke Shaw at left-back; restoring Young to his favoured role in midfield and giving him the opportunity to cause havoc. Fellaini should also keep his place. As good as Arsenal can be, their gameplan - usually based on their ability to play fluid football - is instantly threatened when there is a bit of physicality enforced by the opposition. A perfect game for Fellaini to unsettle the away side. After coming on late in the game against Newcastle last week Carrick is in contention to start against Arsenal tonight. If this is the case I would remove Falcao from the starting XI and deploy a 4-4-1-1 formation, with Blind and Carrick in the centre of midfield and Fellaini just in front of them.

Goal have just announced their Rich List of the world's top 20 wealthiest footballers. Lionel Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo fight it out for the top spot once again, with our Wazza not too far behind - coming in at no.5 with a handsome net worth of €103million . As expected there is a strong Premier League presence in this year's list. The English-based players who made the top 20 include: #20. John Terry = €56m #19. Sergio Aguero = €58m #15. Yaya Toure = €62m #14. Steven Gerrard = €64m #12. Rio Ferdinand = €64m #10. Frank Lampard = €80m #5. Wayne Rooney = €103m Click here to view the full list.

Via  ManUtd.com : United defender Jonny Evans has released a statement following the incident that occurred between him and Newcastle United's Papiss Cisse in the game at St James' Park... "Having woken up this morning I am shocked to have seen the media coverage from last night’s match. I would like to make it clear that I did not spit at Papiss Cisse. "I was totally unaware of any spitting incident and had assumed that the issue at the time was with the challenge and his attempted retaliation to the tackle from the floor. During the game Papiss Cisse and I spoke about the incident and it is clear by my reaction in the television footage that I was totally surprised by any suggestion of spitting. "It is not in my character or in my nature to spit at anybody nor is it something I have ever done or would ever do. It is certainly not something that I did last night."

Initial reaction to Manchester United's 1-0 win at Newcastle United. pic.twitter.com/CGzNE09xpZ — Andy Mitten (@AndyMitten) March 4, 2015 Important win at a difficult stadium! We'll keep on fighting for our aim! Triunfo importante! Seguimos luchando! pic.twitter.com/r6y2SVGGlz — David De Gea (@D_DeGea) March 4, 2015 Well done @youngy18 !! Very, very important win. Thanks for your support as always. @ManUtd pic.twitter.com/p2cp77N944 — Juan Mata García (@juanmata8) March 4, 2015 Can't beat a last minute winner #mufc pic.twitter.com/7BcPuKXHWo — Ashley Young (@youngy18) March 4, 2015 Hahahhahahahahahhahhahhahahhahahhahhahahhahhhhahhahhahhhahhahhhahhaaaahaa!!!! Get in! — Gary Neville (@GNev2) March 4, 2015 On @ManUtd think we forget performances focus on results this season-get back into the champions league maybe win the cup-would U take that? — Philip Neville (@fizzer18) March 5, 2015 And one from Jamie Carragher... Quicker De Gea goes to Real Madrid the better. — Jamie C...

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Jones and Shaw missed the Sunderland game through injury (apparently Shaw's absence was fitness related ... again ). Both injuries were only minor and therefore they should both be available for tonight's game, however with Young putting in a decent performance at the weekend I say he deserves to keep his place ahead of Shaw. Januzaj has replaced Di Maria in my midfield as he made United spark when coming on in place of the tired-looking Argentine against Sunderland. Van Persie is likely to miss out again thanks to the ankle injury he picked up in the Swansea defeat , giving Rooney another chance to impress in an attacking role. Would like to see Wilson given a shot ahead of Falcao for a change, but at the same time I think giving Rooney and Falcao a good few games to improve on, and ideally perfect, their partnership is a good idea.

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Via  ManUtd.com : van Gaal has stated that van Persie and Carrick are the only definite absentees from the squad to face Newcastle tomorrow evening. The centre-forward is still missing with an ankle injury and Michael Carrick is unlikely to start despite being on the bench for the win over Sunderland last weekend. Phil Jones, Luke Shaw and Victor Valdes were missing from the squad that faced Sunderland last Saturday however all three should return for Wednesday's game at St. James' Park. MUTV asked the manager about the trio's chances of featuring at St James' Park. "It is difficult to say as, in every training session, you can be injured or the fatigue specialist can say he is not fit enough to play a game," explained van Gaal. "And then I have to decide not to use that player. So it's always difficult to say but the only injured player is van Persie. "It is too quick to say anything about that [a length of absence for the striker]." Carri...

Via  Red Mancunia : I enjoyed reading this article from Red Mancunia last week about LVG's enigmatic philosophy. Our manager is very proud of the aforementioned 'philosophy' and, as the performances fail to improve, is quick to remind us that the team is working towards perfecting and adhering to this philosophy. But, as the lazy football continues, what exactly is this philosophy? And assuming is does have something to do with playing a better quality of football than what we are currently witnessing, when is it going to work...and what is it going to take to get it working??

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