Terrace Talk

Inspired by ESPN page 2 columnist Bill Simmons (One of my favourite sports writers, although he gets minus marks for selecting Tottenham Hotspurs as his EPL club and calling Manchester United the “New York Yankees” of the EPL), Terrace Talk will debut a weekly segment of “TT Link Me”.

With so much information being tossed around during a 24 hour news cycle, at times it can become extremely difficult catching every quality article, video or news. Thats where you come in.

From Monday to Saturday, we’ll be relying on you to submit links, quick opinions about Manchester United and football news for the week and interesting ideas for articles and Terrace Talk. All you have to do is include “Link” in the subject heading and the link and/or comment in the body after you click the contact button. Be on the lookout for more content from Terrace Talk.

Now presenting, TT Link Me:

Unless You’ve Been Sleeping Under A Rock

Manchester United wrapped-up a rather intense and nail biting conclusion to the English Premier League season, by winning their 17th league title.

There are several celebration clips which have made their way onto Youtube, including the trophy celebration, a picture compilation of the season and trophy presentation and the awards dinner, which occurred during the evening. Most of the players looked absolutely beat. I’m guessing playing 90+ minutes and then drinking copious amounts of bubbly would do that to anyone.

Congratulations to Manchester United Football Club!

Build-up To Moscow

One day left to go before Manchester United and Chelsea square off in the Champions League Final. The final is being staged this year at Luzhniki Stadium in Moscow, Russia.

This is the first all English final and possible travel issues have been partially averted. Russia requires a visa for entry and require a 45 pound fee to process this visa. It was increased just as Manchester United defeated Barcelona to reach the Finals. The fans have accused Russia and UEFA of a money grab. In response, Vladimir Putin, the President of the Russian Federation, waved the fee required to obtain a visa between the dates of May 19th and May 23.

In team news, Sir Alex Ferguson has some major decisions to make with regards to who starts and the player subs. One player who could possibly not start for United is Ryan Giggs. There will be quite a few players that won’t get a chance at the big dance. However, the squad unity and professionalism will present little to no discontent.

Injuries sustained by Chelsea’s John Terry (elbow dislocation) and Didier Drogba (twisted knee) will be magically healed in time for the final.

Here are two youtube clips. One of Manchester United’s 07/08 Champions League campaign so far and the other of United’s 98/99 Champions League campaign.

Transfer Season Is Upon Us

Manchester United Chairman, David Gill has announced that funds will be made available for Sir Alex and his staff to bring in players. With needs for another striker and an attacking right back, its assuring to hear the Chairman, and United for that matter not resting on there success.

Transfer Rumours

The football cycle for rumours goes like this. Season begins in August and you have to deal with last minute transfer rumours up until September 1st. Then the winter transfer begins January 1st, and you have to deal with rumours until the end of the month. And then there’s May, when the season wraps up and every team, supporter and media outlet weigh in on what is needed to improve their football clubs. This merges into the summer transfer period which goes right up until the end of August. Here are the latest comings and goings to the club:

1) It seems United are looking for a player to replace Paul Scholes. And he’s a Welshman by the name of Aaron Ramsey, who is currently playing for Cardiff. He can be had for 5 million pounds.

2) Strikers galore are being linked to United. The ones that are being talked about a lot are, Luis Fabiano, Dimitar Berbatov and Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.

Other strikers getting mentioned are Karim Benzema, Michael Owen and Dean Ashton.

3) With United rivals, Manchester City having internal issues, reports are coming out that Micah Richards could be sold. Guess whose at the front of the cue?

4) 2nd place Ligue 1 contenders, Bordeaux are looking into the possibility of buying Mikael Silvetre in hopes of strengthening there side for next year’s Champions League competition.

Supporter Videos

One of the most popular player chants of the season happens to belong to Anderson. His energetic displays, hustle and tremendous potential have captured the hearts of United supporters.

Anderson-son-son
He’s better than Kleberson
Anderson-son-son
He’s our midfield magician
On the left, on the right
to the samba beat tonight,
he is class with a brass,
and he shits on Fabregas!

With the stakes so high not only for staying up in the English Premier League, but securing a European place, the yearly fallout of managers is taking place as the season draws to a close.

Sven Goran Eriksson’s days as being Manchester City’s ex-manager have a 99.99999% chance of happening by the end of the club’s tour of Thailand. Its disgusting really. He improves the team, gets them to the UEFA Cup through fair play and gets City a top 10 finish (8th). They were fighting relegation a season before. It seems the owner’s diluted “big club” dreams has lead to Sven’s departure, with rumours swirling that he’ll end up with Benfica. As a United supporter, I couldn’t be happier seeing a major rival flounder in mediocrity. As a football fan however, I’m bitterly disappointed that football clubs nowadays have become increasingly impatient with managers and player development.

The Special One, Jose Mourinho, will more than likely be managing a club by next season. Having mutually agreed to terminate his contract with Chelsea FC, he has been rumoured to manage just about everywhere. From England to Australia’s National Football Teams, to Liverpool, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and Manchester City over the course of the season. The chances are very good that The Special One will be managing an Italian side.

Awards

English Premier League Managers have named Sir Alex Ferguson Manager of the Year. Congratulations on the honour.

The United awards dinner was held Sunday evening and Cristiano Ronaldo cleaned up. He won Players Player of the Year, Fans Player of the Year and Goal of the Year.

Ronaldo has had a tremendous year, having scored 41 goals in all competitions so far. It’s a testament not only to Ronaldo’s skill, but United’s tactics and team cohesion which allow him to have so many scoring opportunities as a winger.

English Premier League

With several managers complaining about ‘boring’ football in this league, here’s an interesting take on the 07/08 league campaign.

Interviews

Cristiano Ronaldo speaking with Mandy Henry about the season and Champions League Final next Wednesday against Chelsea.

Clip of the Week

If you haven’t had a chance to watch, “I’m on Setanta Sports,” it is must see viewing. Its a parody clip each week during the English Premier League season featuring Jose Mourinho.