Alonso & Gerrard will become the most dynamic, powerful and effective central partnership since Vieira & Petit - if we can replicate their success I'll be a happy man. I'd think they match up pretty nicely to the other top teams' pairings:
Arsenal - Vieira & Edu
Chelski - Lampard & Makalele/Smertin
Manyoo - Keane & Miller/DJ DJ/Fletcher
Newcastle - Jenas & Butt
Alonso - "Not only is Benitez a great coach, he is a master of psychology.
"He can make the players become friends and he can help them perform to a higher level. This is how he enabled Valencia to triumph in La Liga.
"I believe under Benitez our work will be excellent. I am convinced that this season the Reds can be considered to win the championship."
Alonso revealed that Real Madrid had also been interested in him but added - "When it came down to a choice between Madrid and Liverpool I chose Liverpool. They are the club that showed the biggest interest in me."
Last summer Sir Alex was quoted as saying that Xabi Alonso, the Real Sociedad player and Spanish international, was the best up-and-coming defensive midfielder in Europe and "one we would certainly like to take". United were supposedly quoted a price of £25m for the player - obviously way over the top for someone as yet unproven at the very highest level. However, times change and this year with Sociedad in financial trouble they appear to have accepted at bid of just £10m from Liverpool.
The real question is this: with Keane aging, Butt sold on and Djemba-Djemba as yet unproven, why is there no bid from United? After all, if Alonso is in the Keane/Vieira/Gerrard class (and I personally think he is) and the latter two of that triumvirate totally unavailable, it would make sense to bring the player in.
This is a fantastic signing, current spanish international, courted by Real. He's 6'4", good long and short passer, fairly physical with a great engine. What more could ya want and along side Gerrard, I dont think there's a midfield combo in europe will eventually touch it.
__________________
I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to speed around a city, keeping its speed over 50, and if its speed changed, it would explode! I think it was called, "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down."
A top class player who should be an ideal partner for Stevie G in the middle of the park.The rafalution continues at pace.Roll on the first home game against City on Saturday.Viva Benetiz.
Alonso & Gerrard will become the most dynamic, powerful and effective central partnership since Vieira & Petit - if we can replicate their success I'll be a happy man. =
That is exactly what Keane and Scholes are, not Vieira and Petit (one season)
lets talk about guys who have been doing it for near on ten years!
Good hope for Alonso and Gerrard - probably need better players around them but they've a lot to do to emulate Keane and Scholes!
__________________
I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to speed around a city, keeping its speed over 50, and if its speed changed, it would explode! I think it was called, "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down."
That is exactly what Keane and Scholes are, not Vieira and Petit (one season) lets talk about guys who have been doing it for near on ten years!
10 years is a long time to be playing at that level, neither were at their best last year. Yes, injuries played a part, but as they age it takes longer to get back match sharpness after a couple of games missed. I think they'll need a lot of help from the rest of the Utd midfield.
10 years is a long time to be playing at that level, neither were at their best last year. Yes, injuries played a part, but as they age it takes longer to get back match sharpness after a couple of games missed. I think they'll need a lot of help from the rest of the Utd midfield.
True but if the rest is Ronaldo and Giggs on the starting team and back up of Fletcher it can't be all bad and hopefully the other young boys will improve - the jury is still out on DJ DJ, Kleberson and Miller!
__________________
I saw this in a movie about a bus that had to speed around a city, keeping its speed over 50, and if its speed changed, it would explode! I think it was called, "The Bus That Couldn't Slow Down."
I think we all know that Roy at his marauding best is effectively gone. The Keane we are left with is a more calm, experienced player but he will really struggle against the pace, power & ability (both of whom are more skilfull players than roy) of Gerrard & Alonso. There isn't a partnership in the world that I'd take ahead of them. Both players have terrific all-round games and can swap roles at the drop of a hat (something which keane & scholes cannot due due to teh fact that keane's legs are gone & scholes has never been able to tackle)
Alonso & Gerrard - as good as it gets?
Last summer Sir Alex was quoted as saying that Xabi Alonso, the Real Sociedad player and Spanish international, was the best up-and-coming defensive midfielder in Europe and "one we would certainly like to take". United were supposedly quoted a price of £25m for the player - obviously way over the top for someone as yet unproven at the very highest level. However, times change and this year with Sociedad in financial trouble they appear to have accepted at bid of just £10m from Liverpool. 
Linear Mode
