For a few hours on Tuesday the twitter futbol universe was set ablaze by the news of Di Maria's signing to United, with fans rejoicing that the team was finally taking steps in the right direction after a long 12 months. But the respite was short-lived as that same night his new team achieved the ignominy of losing by 4 to a League One team, creating an even stronger response on social media from fans eager to one-up each other in crafting the finest David Moyes photoshop they could think of. Manager Van Gaal was decidedly nonplussed, but it remains that the miscellaneous issues that have been raised about this squad have clearly not been answered by the arrival of the Argentinian midfielder, as good as he is. There is but a weekend left until the close of the transfer window, and with United due to play the early game tomorrow at Burnley it could be one filled with more rumors than a TMZ staffer's inbox. Especially if the Clarets manage to repeat their shocking 1-0 win of 2009, which you can expect to hear mentioned about a trillion times in the buildup to the game (he writes, as he mentions said game).
In non-Red Devils news there is the tantalizing prospect of the Everton v Chelsea game which closes out tomorrow's schedule, featuring two of the strongest looking teams so far this campaign. Chelsea do not seem to have any weaknesses but Everton won their game around this time last season, and with Lukaku having made his permanent move this summer, things could get feisty. As often the outcome should be decided in the middle of the field, with Fabregas looking to face a lot more pressure than he has thus far. The other can't miss game will take place on Sunday when Liverpool go to Tottenham. Spurs have looked very bright in their initial two games, but since their opposition was feeble at best, this will be good proving ground for two major contenders for the 3-4 spots. Balotelli is expected to play, which is doubly exciting since he has a history of doing very well on his debuts.

Spain: Eibar had a sensational open to their first-ever Liga season, beating Real Sociedad on a terrific goal, but they face a different ordeal this week as they go to champions Atletico, who will surely want/need to get all 3 pts to avoid losing pace to the 2 giants already. Both of whom play on the road Sunday, with Barcelona going to Villareal and Real at Sociedad.

Italy: as usual our industrious Italian friends kick off the season a few weeks after everyone else, with the champs Juventus starting off the festivities against Chievo, while AS Roma have a clearly tougher game against Fiorentina.

Germany: Bayer Leverkussen will try to hold off Munich from first place for one more week, playing Hertha Berlin. Hopefully more ridiculously fast opening goals are on the cards. Bayern travel to Schalke later in the day, no word yet on if Xabi Alonso will be able to play for the German champions.

France: PSG will need to rouse themselves from a frustratingly lethargic start to the season when they host the always dangerous St Etienne on Sunday. Zlatan's absence is clearly a blow, as it should be, but it's no excuse for some of the apathy that was displayed at Evian last week. Cavani will get another chance to use up the extra space left by the Swedish karate master and make himself more useful than he has shown so far.

EPL
Saturday 30 August 2014
07:45 Burnley v Man Utd
10:00 Man City v Stoke
10:00 Newcastle v Crystal Palace
10:00 QPR v Sunderland
10:00 Swansea v West Brom
10:00 West Ham v Southampton
12:30 Everton v Chelsea

Sunday 31 August 2014
13:30 Aston Villa v Hull
13:30 Spurs v Liverpool
16:00 Leicester v Arsenal

------------------------------
For the record, my teams:
MLB: Mets / Soccer: PSG
NCAA BB: Arizona / NCAA FB: Michigan
NBA: Spurs / NFL: Jets

liverpool's been moving the ball well but the finishing has been a bit weak. sturridge and sterling terrorizing on the wings with balotelli up top should be fun.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

not sure i like throwing him to the flames, but he could be a good foil for balotelli.

a lot of optimism at spurs right now, but this is the first test. should be interesting.

> a lot of optimism at spurs right now, but this is the first
>test. should be interesting.

Lamela's emergence has me feeling like we can beat anyone this season. Hopefully he can keep it up.

>Lamela's emergence has me feeling like we can beat anyone this
>season. Hopefully he can keep it up.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

I think 1 year is too soon for a guy so young and adjusting to a new country. He'll be fine.

Dude is young, but has been pretty amazing so far. Don't want to mess up his Golden Boot campaign either.

Kaboul hasn't been bad, but he's still looking like he's adjusting to being slower after all the injuries. Chiriches even looked good, maybe not for a start, but I don't really like Fazio starting so soon without a need.

It's nice having healthy CBs this year *knock on wood*

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

Still no holding mid, still no cb cover, and still only Sanogo as a striker pivot....this needs to change if we want to have a chance of legitimately competing on the grandest stages.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

.

MU got Daley Blind. Great off season for them actually, shaky start and all.

Tottenham got Benjamin Stambouli from Montpellier. He's a solid player, I expect him to do well there.

L'equipe is reporting an agreement between Roma and PSG for Rabiot...but Roma has to convince the player now, as Arsenal and Tottenham are also interested. Again, selling the academy offshoots, which is stupid imo, but Roma would be a great landing point for him...or Arsenal, really.

And it's looking like Remy is going to end up at Chelsea after all. Good for him, even though I'm not sure how much playing time he's gonna get there.

Good move for all parties

MU was able to salvage some money
Dortmund gets him back at a decent price
Kagawa gets a shot again at a situation where he's had success so well know if he just sucks now.

If he succeeds he better never leave again.

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Cabella was the only name I recall from MHSC linked to EPL clubs last season

----------------------------------------------------------------
respect the gift.

started his career as a wingback, so can provide insurance there (although apparently he's not too keen on going back to defense now)
definitely not nearly as talented/flashy as Cabella, but very competent player

I guess you could compare him to Flamini or Schneiderlin

>I guess you could compare him to Flamini or Schneiderlin

makes sense since southampton don't want to get levy'd on schneiderlin.

botched by RVP and then Mata

Mata really fucked up on a text book low cross; RVP could have done better on a gem of a long ball, but it wasn't as egregious

but the team still looks like shit.

we really need to switch to a 4-4-2. we can't even keep possession for more than 20 seconds.

how was di maria? i turned it on right when they subbed him off for anderson (lol).

im excited to get Blind. he should be solid in the midfield and the price was good too.

<--- Big Baller World Order

watched for 15 in both halves and couldn't watch much more. it will turn around, but i can't imagine watching that team every week until they do.

i had it on the DVR and i watched til the 62nd minute then I couldn't take it anymore and watched the last 30 mins on 4x FFWD just watching the graphic to see if a goal popped up.

if we don't have to the players then we need to switch to a 4-4-2 because with the 3 men at the back we can barely get the ball upfield without passing the ball side to side 20 times, let alone actually boss the game.

i know we're crushed by injuries right now but there's enough talent to get a goal vs. burnley.

herrera will be a HUGE help (or even Carrick) when he gets back because Fletcher is clueless in midfield (tho not as bad as Cleverly) and Blind will help too.

How you gonna get a goose egg against Burnley with Di Maria, RVP, Mata, and Rooney on the field? And don't cry about the ref. You should be able to score without needing the ref to put the goal on a platter for you.

___________

HOPE!
https://vine.co/v/i7JjIBL3Qix
https://vine.co/v/i7JtqEFwxDu

Thought Chelski would Run away with it

Choke up of Diego Costa, old boy was shook

Entertaining game

___

it is a capital mistake to theorize before one has data. insensibly one begins to twist facts to suit theories, instead of theories to suit facts. - sherlock holmes

it sounds amazing.

<--- Big Baller World Order

Bad day to have three Everton defenders on your fantasy squad.

I don't understand why we loan players that we should sell.
Wish he was going to a better club though, he deserves to.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

If this form keeps up, will he got Moyes'd?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTVspy43xxI

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

if we get back to the CL he'll have more.

<--- Big Baller World Order

<--- Big Baller World Order

looked good at the half. 0-1 was acceptable and spurs were looking more comfortable and dangerous. needed to keep it 0-1 early in the second half, but didn't. the penalty was a 50/50 and i could argue it either way. unfortunate. then townsend crapped the bed with his first touch and NO ONE closed down moreno.

tough game and certainly not the litmus we were hoping for ...

Sucks to lose to Liverpool, but it's good to have a reminder it's early in the season, and Poche has plenty of time to get this team used to what he wants.


Interesting to see what Levy will do at the deadline, maybe he's pissed and Townsend is out.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

really quite pleased with the moreno signing. despite slipping up against jovetic last week he had played a strong first half. he's been solid on defense, great bringing the ball forward and banged home his first goal.

raheem sterling is 19 years old. that's pretty fucking sweet.

also nice to get balotelli, markovic, and can all on the field today. this game washed the taste of that city loss right out. also city's loss to stoke.

------
"I can't promise I'll try. But I'll try to try."

Both Balo and Sturridge were off, and Raheem missed more than a couple balls to put someone through. Otherwise this scoreline could have been a lot worse.

The Joe Allen penalty was deserved. He broke Dier apart, and Dier fouled him. Not a hard foul. And not something Allen couldn't fight through. But that's not how the game is played. You tug a guy with the ball in the box, you get a penalty.

Love Moreno/Manquillo. Both are young and should only get better.

Lovern has been shaky at times but the entire back four is getting used to each other. If the defense can shore up that would be huge.

I like Coutinho a lot, but it's hard to argue with starting XI this match.

Love Markovic's potential if he gets healthy.

And Lallana.

For only adding one super star name, LFC got a lot better this summer, IMO.

Kosc took a serious knock to the head, requiring stitches...rather than replace him immediately in case he has any lingering fogginess, Wenger waits until after he fails to mark a basic run...something you never see from Kosc. He's immediately taken out after that.

In the final 1/3, it's the same problems...narrow without much movement. Leicester is just stacking up and it's causing us issues as it has the rest of the young season.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Sell Mata, buy Matic. Sell Luiz, get Costa and Fabregas. Torres out the door, swoop for Remy.

The last is particulalry frustrating...Chelsea now have Costa, Drogs, and Remy while we have.....Sanogo. One of those teams is actually prepping for multiple deep campaigns with depth.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

They'll struggle to score goals to put away teams they should. Be in the top 4/5 teams and we'll all lament another wasted season.

men are so simple, and so subject to present necessities, that he who seeks to deceive will always find someone who will allow himself to be deceived. (c)Niccolò Machiavelli

That's actually profitable right?

I guess who cares about winning.

That old Donald sterling without the racism

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Due to building Emirates stadium, there were strict financial shackles from the board but it's been paid off now. If you look at his transfer history pre-Emirates, he spent a lot and he has certainly spent a good amount this off-season, there just needs to be more spent in key key areas.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

Zero incisiveness in the final 1/3, still really need a true holding mid, and really should get another CB for cover but that's not gonna happen. Considering we are involved in every competition, the depth is embarrassing.

Also, Chambers has played well overall but he makes some really poor challenges in high-risk situations...numerous times he has gone all in on challenges in transition, missed or been late, and it's resulted in a huge open counter. Unless you're 100% sure, you cannot make those tackles.

There's no decisiveness, no energy from the team...it's so damn sloppy. The fact that we are relying on Flamini and Sanogo to play big minutes in the spine of the team, for ARSENAL, is a joke. We need some clinical ability and we need a cotdamn leader on the team.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

That won't just be an impulse buy.

I agree they need a striker after watching today-- but buying last minute seems a way to overpay for mediocrity and getting another striker like Laurent or sanogo

---
"though time has passed, im still the future" (c) black thought

Falcao, Cavani could be had, Carvalho and Khedira at holding midfield. We already missed out on Remy who went for a good value, missed out on Mazudkic, missed out on Rabiot allegedly, missed out on Manolos, etc etc etc.

It's not even about today or this result, the issues up front and in the dmf are obvious and glaring...we need a strong spine, NEED a leader, and we have the money, including the huge boost from the Puma kits.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

are the two players that will give me ulcers all season because we didn't buy them. Two instant upgrades that would walk into our starting XI

I love Cesc but the upgrade he provides isn't worth spending that much on, especially when you have a huge glaring hole at dmf. Now if we had filled the holding mid + striker holes and still had money for Cesc, I woulda been way down but Chelsea got their business done early and smartly.

Balo is super talented but I don't think Wenger wants that potential headache nor do I think we have the vocal leaders like Liverpool who can keep him in check. Liverpool is the perfect place for him with Rodgers.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

but my opinion is that Cesc can't be redundant. B/c he's that good.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

are the ones that at least spend like they have infinite resources. We won't until we do

We aren't Man City or PSG in terms of financials...there's a big budget but not enough to justify spending that much on a creative mid that early in the window; money that can be used to towards bigger holes.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

meanwhile, barca b kid scores winning goal at La Madrigal. MUAH.

did anyone watch the real game? wtf happened? i'm watching the highlights. gotta admit, bale's goal was a slick move. but then...?

-----------
Y'all stupid...should've tanked for Lebron/Wiggins in 2014 -Rex LongFellow

Its 2014...there are computers in glasses and people stunt after hitting the ball far. Get over it. -Cenario

It's only funny till someone gets mad. Then it's hilariou

I just don't understand why...

It's like they just signed him to sell jerseys to Mexicans.

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

galacticos galactico'in.

real does buy players purely for marketing. plus the whole Munir grew up in Madrid and they missed him (supposedly 3 scouts got fired for that) and...? no clue how chicharito helps at all. BWAHAHAHA.

-----------
Y'all stupid...should've tanked for Lebron/Wiggins in 2014 -Rex LongFellow

Its 2014...there are computers in glasses and people stunt after hitting the ball far. Get over it. -Cenario

It's only funny till someone gets mad. Then it's hilariou

paying loan this year for 10M, with a 55M buy option for next year
I don't know what the fuck Monaco is doing (I guess the Russia/Ukraine crisis is not helping), but good move for MU

<--- Big Baller World Order

and RVP being prone to injury from time to time.

we need to make it rain on some quality defenders (are there any available) and some central midfield.

They found a desperate team willing to meet their loan and his wage demands (total of 34 million for the year) and then 55 million for that permanent transfer as you said...89 million total transfer not including his future wages; when you have the likes of City, Madrid scoffing at those figures you know it's a pretty ridiculous price. Monaco knew he was leaving yet still got a sick price for him in return, can't pass that up.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

We're good.

<--- Big Baller World Order

One coming off major knee surgery to boot

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

£6 M loan fee, he is taking a wage cut to "only" £130k a week and if he doesn't perform, united walks away with no further commitment. If they do exercise it, they get a credit against the fee and there is already a 4 year deal in place.

Real reason it's happening is rumored knee problem for RVP. Has been putting off a reconstructive for 6 months now and may go ahead and do it, would put him down until March at the earliest.

---------------------------------
<--The drought is over

"have fun reveling in your pettiness tho" (C) Dula summing up 98% of OKS

"I didnt finish a damn thing...matter of fact I jerked off after she left."
-Kobe speaking to investigators

L D E A

where'd you see that?

I've seen 265K - 280K which i don't even care as long as he plays well i'm just curious.

any truth to this then? http://www.ftbpro.com/posts/chris.deeley/1238910/manchester-united-will-pay-falcao-346-000-a-week-during-loan-spell

In a few years he's gonna be one of the best in the world.

*crosses fingers*

--

"You can't beat white people. You can only knock them out."

cuz he'll probably JUMP at a chance to get PAID from RM, Barca, etc.

his biggest assets are his confidence and energy...stuff you can't teach.

>cuz he'll probably JUMP at a chance to get PAID from RM,
>Barca, etc.
>
>his biggest assets are his confidence and energy...stuff you
>can't teach.

abramovich will back up a yacht full of money for him.

<--- Big Baller World Order

He totally dominated Spurs.

Exciting to watch even as he picked us apart. He outpaced everyone out there and it wasn't even close.

I'd like him more if he didn't have multiple charges of domestic abuse, none of which have led to a conviction yet.

bruh we manchester united. he must've forgot.

<--- Big Baller World Order

Esp. if that Adidas £££ goes away.




On a side note, that is an incredible avy.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

Like making Angel Di Maria the biggest transfer in league history.

I suppose spending £25 million on lallama isn't any better.

----

THFC
F1
MotoGP

This isn't overspending. This is just us finally entering the modern transfer market. I expect 100m+ net spend next summer as well

<--- Big Baller World Order