Matt D

They talk of my drinking, but never my thirst...

[FTBL_Planet @FTBL_Planet]

When Kieran Richardson was coming through at Manchester United, he was doing it a little differently to most of the other young players.

United wanted him to sign a professional contract.

His team-mates were already signing theirs.

But Richardson and his dad did not want to do it until he felt he had properly earned it.

“I don’t want to be a pro until I’m worthy of being a pro.”

So while other young players were suddenly earning proper money, Richardson was still on about £180 a week.

Then, on his 18th birthday, he was named on the bench for United in the Champions League.

It was away to Olympiacos in October 2002.

United were winning 3-2.

Every player who got on the pitch that night was due a win bonus.

£12,000.

For Richardson, that was life-changing money.

“I’m the guy who is on £180 a week.”

The game was almost finished when Ferguson suddenly turned to him.

“Kieran, get on the pitch now.”

“No warming up.”

Richardson started scrambling to get his kit sorted, knowing there were only a couple of minutes left.

“I’m like, ‘s***, get on quick.’”

Then, as he ran past Ferguson to go on, he got the birthday message.

“Happy birthday, son.”

That was it.

A few minutes on the pitch.

A Champions League debut.

And £12,000 landing in the account of a teenager who had been earning £180 a week.

“I saw £12,000, Champions League bonus.”

“Get me down to the Trafford Centre.”

“I’m buying some jeans and trainers.”

Years later, Richardson still saw it for what it was.

“What a nice guy.”
#football

[(fan) Éderson @_kellyUnited]

🚨🚨Paul Scholes on potential Manchester united New Signing: Jośe Éderson

🗣Ederson? Proper footballer. You watch him and you immediately see calmness on the ball, composure, intelligence… the sort of midfielder Manchester United have lacked for years.

🗣He’s aggressive without diving into silly tackles every five minutes. Modern football needs midfielders that can win the ball and still play through pressure, and he does both naturally.

🗣What I like most is he doesn’t hide. Some players look good when the game is easy, but Ederson wants the ball in tight areas. At Old Trafford, that mentality matters because the pressure can swallow players whole.

🗣People keep saying United need a ‘destroyer’ in midfield, but football has moved on from just kicking people. Ederson gives you legs, intensity and quality in possession. That balance is rare.

🗣If you put him next to Kobbie Mainoo, suddenly United look like a proper midfield again. One controls the rhythm, the other drives the game forward. That partnership could dominate teams physically and technically.

🗣He’s not a flashy signing that wins headlines worldwide, but sometimes those are the players that transform teams. Manchester United need footballers, not just names, and Ederson looks exactly that.

Source: [@SkySportsPL ]

[Casemiro @Casemiro]

There are places we pass through in life… and there are places that become part of who we are.
Manchester will forever be my home.

To the city, the club, and every supporter, my sincerest thank you. These past four years have been unforgettable, filled with moments my family and I will carry with us for the rest of our lives. There simply aren’t enough words to describe the happiness and warmth we’ve felt here.

Thank you for every cheer, every memory, and for making us feel at home from the very first day.

Forever a Red Devil ❤️

[Henry Winter @henrywinter]

Michael Carrick has left the Stadium of Light in more despondent moods. “Don’t ever forget what this feels like,” Sir Alex Ferguson told Carrick and the other crestfallen Manchester United players on the bus leaving Sunderland after news came through of Aguerooo and City’s title winner in 2012. Carrick never forgot that feeling of misery and anger.

Disappointment with today’s draw is nothing in comparison, of course, but Carrick will be in reflective mood as he leaves SOL. Just because he doesn’t throw verbal fireworks around during post-match interviews doesn’t mean he’s not passionate about reviving United. He is. Everyone knows how deeply Carrick cares about United. Most around him know how driven he is, too, and that he wants to play attractive football. As he did as a player there.

Performances definitely need to be better, and fans' frustration with that side of the Carrick spell is understandable. Sunderland were the better side, by most accounts, and United were indebted to Lammens. But it was all about stabilising United for now. Carrick has done well as interim - 10 wins, 3 draws, 2 losses. He’s dispensed with the wrong system, put players in their best position, restored belief and got United back into Champions League positions. Third is all but guaranteed. Third. United were sixth and drifting when Carrick took over.

But he’s not a miracle worker. That squad needs strengthening. United need proper cover in attack when Sesko is out. Zirkzee simply isn’t good enough. They need a left-back and left-winger. Most importantly, a successor to Casemiro. If anybody understands the need for United to regain control of midfield it is Carrick, who played there 464 times for them (minus a few at emergency centre-back).

Sir Jim Ratcliffe might want a bigger name but Carrick has surely earned a shot at input into summer signings, a pre-season, and a chance to show what a Carrick Manchester United can do. #MUFC

[Cantona Collars AKA Larry @Cantona_Collars]

33 years ago today – United were about to be crowned champions for the first time in 26 years....

... Gary Pallister was the only first team regular who was goalless for the season...

.... Pally was put on free-kicks for the game and then this happened in injury time👌

[Paul Manc Bald and Bred @MufcWonItAll2]

Twatting a player in the head = play on.

Touching a ponytail = Red card.

Insane @FA_PGMOL

[Manchester United Forever @UtdForever7]

🚨@FA_PGMOL did us dirty once again…

They did it vs Bournemouth last time — and they’ve done it AGAIN tonight.

Same story, different game. Decisions going against us when it matters most. 🤦‍♂️

RED CARD!! NO FOUL!!

[(fan) Alex⁸ @UTDAlex8]

🚨Sir Alex Ferguson on Arsenal FC’s mentality about winning titles:

“People who know Arsenal from the 1990s won’t be surprised by this—their mentality is still the same. They don’t truly aim to play beautiful football; they just play because they have to.

Fans used to call me and Arsène Wenger rivals—no, we were not. I never really felt any pressure from him.

Going back to 2004, when they went invincible, they still drew 12 out of 38 games. Calling that ‘invincible’ tells you everything you need to know.

Arsenal is a team you should only expect to win one Community Shield every five years.”

[Manchester United @ManUtd]

He's one of us.

❤️ @CasemirHe's one of us.

❤️ @CasemirHe's one of us.

❤️ @Casemiro

[Dex @DexxterUtd]

Juventus had Conte, prime Zidane, etc. and Sir Alex unleashed academy boys to knock them out in the semifinal of the UCL. See how small Scholes was. Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were two absolute terrorists, how did SAF get them??

[• @utdjohnyy]

🚨🎙️ Casemiro on leaving Manchester United:

“Leaving Manchester United will break me emotionally. This club gave me a different kind of love — something I didn’t expect. I’ll always respect Real Madrid but everything felt robotic and scripted but United touched my….see more

[🇾🇪 @ManUtdHeritage]

Gone but never forgotten 🌹 #FlowersOfManchester

[Casemiro @Casemiro]

Knowing when stages come to an end.

Knowing when to say goodbye when you feel that you will be remembered and respected forever.

Four months to give my all for this badge and for our goal.

Eternal respect and affection for Manchester United and its wonderful fans.

Forever Red Devil.

[🎥™️ @EvkProductions]

Manchester United Vs Manchester City - Cinematic Highlights - The Carrick Derby

[Morgan @utdscope]

Bring the vibes back until the summer.

[ᴍᴀɴᴄʜᴇꜱᴛᴇʀ ᴍᴜꜱɪᴄ ꜰᴏʀᴇᴠᴇʀ™️ @MANCHESTERMUS10]

The life and soul of any room he was in.
[Ian Brown]

So much love x

[Rock'n Roll of All @rocknrollofall]

You don't become a legend with what you play, you become a legend when you're something like this.

Hetfield speaks words of wisdom.

[Chino @ChinoUTD]

🚨 John Terry:

“Greatest PL player? Rooney. Not Shearer, not Henry, not even close. You could throw prime Wazza at right-back & he’d still look world class. Some players play football, Rooney was football. There’ll never be another. Happy birthday, GOAT”