[reo]

My first target was the one and only Cristiano Ronaldo. However, I'm lacking funds. I got $48M (US) off the bat and decided to splurge on Micah Richards. I got Pepe which means the duo can always closing down and mark the likes of Messi, Aguero, and Nihat. How much did I have to pay for Richards? $60M (US). My other purchases after asking for more transfer funds . . .

- Andrey Arshavin $17M (US)
- Helder Barbosa $150K (US)
- Abdou Razack Traore $3M (US)

I decided to transform this team in more ways then you may know. I ended up releasing 66 players (reserves and youth) along with coaches and scouts who weren't good enough for Los Blancos and losing around $10.5M (US). I also brought in the best coaches, scouts, and physios I could find. I kept only players with at least decent potential. I micromanage it all . . .

Regardless, I'm currently in January after a long evening of gaming.

I took the league lead from Barcelona in December after they lost to Valencia 2 nil and . . .

. . . I couldn't believe it myself. However, I'm more excited about next year.

How'd I do it?

I'm one of his favorites now. That's why he's tempted and going to come to Los Merengues.

[reo]

2007/08 Recap:

Chamions League 1st Knockout Round:

1st Leg:

I was home against Liverpool. Came out with a draw but I suffered two injuries due to challenges from Peter Crouch. Micah Richards and Pepe had to be replaced with Heinze and Canavarro. I remember them not even having a shot until the 27th once Pepe went off (Micah was injured around the 15th). They scored a late equalizer but I don't have an image. I'll remember to save them from now on.

2nd Leg:





As you can see, Liverpool came out gunning. I started with a defensive counter attacking formation but that all changed after going down two. At this point, I had to attack. Micah Richards was injured for this game but this was Pepe's comeback game. I should of done this initially but I just noticed a problem with my backline. I had Pepe marking Crouch and Heinze marking Torres. Obviously, I switched them along with my tactic (more attack oriented). As you can see, the results were outstanding.

Spanish Cup Semi Final:

1st Leg:

I used subs and came away with a 1 nil win at Coliseum Alfonso Perez. No images though . . .

2nd Leg:

I got a 1 nil lead heading to the Bernabeu. No way I lose, right? Wrong. With subs, I lose two nil and no shot at doing a treble. No images though . . .

Chamions League Quarter Finals:

1st Leg:

Barcelona is going to want revenge after I defeated them 1 nil at Camp Nou earlier in the season. This game was at the Bernabeu by the way. I believe Ruud scored a penalty then I went defensive because I wasn't able to control the game. Barcelona scored a late equalizer.

2nd Leg:



I played a defensive counter attacking formation that awarded me a penalty by Robinho. However, the excitement died down after Milito (corner) equalized just three minutes later. I couldn't control this game like the first leg and it sure didn't look good after Eto broke through my defense for a one on one score. At this point, it was time for a change. I went with an attack mentally formation and decided to also close down, tight mark, and hard tackle their midfielders (Iniesta and Xavi). The goal that Sneijder scored was Chelsea like. My team was just peppering that goal (finally) and flooding the box. After a Valdes parry, Sneijder found the ball at his feet and sent it towards the onion bag. Golaso as I went with a shut up shop formation.

Chamions League Semi Finals:

1st Leg:

After a lackluster week of league games (lost 3-1 after being up 1 nil at Vicente Calderon but got a victory (1 nil) at the Pizjuan), I headed to Stamford Bridge for the 1st leg of the CL semi final. It looked as if my team outclassed the boys in blue as I was able to control the game with a defensive counter attacking formation. Eventually, this happened . . .



. . . wow. Eight minutes later . . .



. . . wow. I couldn't believe it. How humiliating for Chelsea. I'm controlling the ball and put two by them in 31 minutes. I didn't change a thing at this point either. I continued with that same defensive counter attacking formation and Ballack made me pay seventeen minutes later with a header off a corner just before halftime. I figured I'd stay with this same formation until the 75th to 80th when I can pull out the shut up shop. It was a set piece goal, why worry?

Well, as the 70th minute passed, I began looking at my subs and contemplating where I was going to make a change. The 75th minute hit as well as Joe Cole. Joe Cole? When was he subbed in? Whenever someone is subbed in I have to set opposition instructions. Can you fucking believe this shit? As I'm preparing my change, they scored. Fuck. Goddammit. Anyway, I do what I do. Make my subs as well as change my tactic. They go with a 4-2-4 and I do what I do (opposition instructions). I don't mind coming away with a draw at Stamford Bridge but that shaggy mane fuckface Drogba scores in injury time as they peppered my goal relentlessly for the past 15 minutes.

2nd Leg:



My team's morale was high. Fans were hopeful. I have to admit I wasn't confident at all. Regardless, I told my players that we could win this and they went with a high attacking mentally formation. We couldn't control the game and showed no fire until the second half. Robinho missed a few sitters as well as a few others. It just didn't look good and in truth, based on statistics, it could have gone anyway. I hate Chelsea in FM. I really do . . .

El Clasico:





Between the CL semi final legs, El Clasico was to be played. That loss at Vicente Calderon put Barcelona just a point between us in league. The league was to be decided at the Bernabeu (unless one of us blows the final four rounds). It didn't look good because Barcelona's horizontal passing game was on point. They were controlling the ball but not able to puncher my backline. Robben was able to recover a clearance from Miguel Torres and he crossed it to the six yard box. Zambrotta cleared it poorly and Robinho recovered it. Edmilson tripped Robinho and I was awarded a penalty. Raul cashed it and I went to a defensive formation to clinch the win. Based on the statistics though, it could have gone anyway . . .

League Table:



Season Results:

[reo]

2008/09:

I was given a $116M transfer budget . . .

Additions:
- Sergio Aguero ($65M buyout)
- Javi Martinez ($44M buyout)
- Dani Alves ($117M)
- Miguel Veloso ($29M buyout)
- Christian Pander (Free)

Subtractions:
- Antonio Cassano ($17.5M)

How did I do it? Well, the new feature in FM 08 allows you to adjust your budget. I'm always controlling the wage structure which allows me extra transfer funds.

These are my current squads . . .

Key Players:



Rotation:



Castilla:



What the hell do you mean by key players and rotation?



Why do I do this? I want to make sure that everyone is always match fit and it keeps my squad happy (controls wage structure properly too). I usually use this squad a game before a Champions League match to make sure that everyone is in 100% condition. I think its one of the key components to my success (and failure - last year's Spanish Cup semifinal). However, their are exceptions. For example, last year during the CL semifinals, I faced Barcelona on four days rest. I have to use my key players squad in that situation. The same situation repeated itself four days later for the second leg. Also, you may have noticed that I don't use my second keeper. Casillas is always 100% fit and I don't trust Adan. LoL!

Regarding the Castilla side, I'm not sure what I'm going to do with Julio Baptista and Ruud Van Nistelrooy yet. I have them on the bench so that my youngsters can get more reps. I tried selling them but I don't get the right price. Ruud just doesn't fit my system properly. Baptista is just moody at the moment. I could utilize him though. If I do, he'll replace Raul at the deep lying playmaker position (MC/a). Cannavaro is just too slow and is deteriorating quickly.

[Janinho]

My Manchester United team before the start of the 2012/2013 season:
http://img79.imageshack.us/img79/7247/stallenfrsk2.png

Trophies:
Premier League: 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012
Champions League: 2009/2010
FA Cup: 2007/2008, 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2011/2012
League Cup: 2010/2011
Charity Shield: 2008/2009, 2009/2010, 2010/2011, 2011/2012
Super Cup: 2010/2011
Club World Championship: 2010/2011