One of the television channels at Chelsea Football Club "Russia TV". Roman Abramovich must be pissed that technical difficulties are preventing him from watching The Andrei Arshavin Comedy and Out of Place Rants Against Women Drivers Hour.

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Met up with former editor of The Spoiler, Ryan Bailey for drinks.

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We continue to edge closer to United related news, but this was too difficult to pass up. When the King speaks we have to listen:

"I think that Raymond Domenech is the worst coach in French football since Louis XVI. If it was up to me, I'd put (Bordeaux coach) Laurent Blanc in charge of the France team," the former Manchester United hero continued.

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Martin Samuel brings some perspective to the Fergie and Maradona punishments

Red Rants takes a look at Henry's disgraceful action from last night

Soccerlens looks at how United can improve

A Kick In The Grass previews our visit from Everton

The Evening News talks about Dimitar Berbatov ahead of Everton game

The Daily Mail looks at the top ten teenage sensations

"RoM Reads" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...

One thing about not blogging for a week is you can sit back and watch the hysterical reactions going on in the world of football without feeling like you have to dive in and add your voice. It has been one of those weeks.

First we had the curse of the international break rear its ugly head again, in the form of injuries to Van Persie and Gibbs.

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It's not strictly Arsenal-related, I know, but by now I'm sure you've all seen the controversial goal which put France into the 2010 World Cup.

If you haven't: there was a cross into the box which fizzed past the far post, and looked like it was headed over the touchline for a goal kick. But off one hop, it hit the arm of Thierry Henry, and deflected back into play in a perfect spot for him to center it directly into the path of the oncoming William Gallas, who headed home the winning goal.

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I've just heard the news that Russia have failed to qualify for the World Cup.
I suppose it's our fault for not giving Roman Pavlyuchenko enough playing time? I do wonder what 'the world's greatest manager', Hiddink, will do now (Chelsea anyone)?
Didn't it bug you the way the Dutchman went on last season, telling us all just how good Pavlyuchenko was? Click to continue reading...

If you haven't heard by now, Sir Alex Ferguson has received a 2 match ban (and a 20,000 pound fine) for comments made about Alan Wiley, the official for our 2-2 draw with Sunderland. Sir Alex may have implied that Wiley was "fat", simply by stating that he was not "fit" to officiate the match.

Now we all know that officiating is a very hard job.

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I read the Sun's article on Huntelaar rejecting a move to Spurs and thought; 'hold on a second, who said we wanted you?'
Fair enough, Harry was interested in the summer, but that all changed when Crouch was signed. Milan took the punt on him, spending €15 million (£13 million or so). Oh how they wish they hadn't. Click to continue reading...

I came across Brian Reade's article in the Mirror and couldn't help but ask why he wrote such a Pro-Pavlyuchenko piece?
It's as though Roman has made a new friend in Reade, or there's some other fascination not worth thinking about. Either way, Reade did make some valid points about our Russian striker. Click to continue reading...

"Some interesting reads" was originally published at Red Rants - Manchester United Blog. Click to continue reading...

Firstly, I would like to wish Carlo a speedy recovery.
Right, now that I've got that out of the way, I would like to ask what our keeper was doing on a motorbike? I only ask, because after researching the accident rate (you can find that here in the Department of Transport In Depth Study of Motorcycle Accidents) of motorcycles, it's quite clear that all and sundry should stay well clear of them, let alone 35,000 per week professional footballers. Click to continue reading...

£20,000 fine. Four match ban. Two of them being suspended ones.

Also, he has to give up his car, and his house for a year. Go to an island, and survive for a month along with other famous British celebrities. He is banned from drinking wine for the rest of his life. And will have to listen to Alan Shearer's rendition of Baa Baa Black Sheep for five hours.

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Owen Hargreaves seems quite keen on making his return to the United first team desperate, even, but in a good way so much that he thinks he'll probably pass out when he returns.

"It will be an amazing feeling to run out at Old Trafford again. I'll be so excited I'll probably pass out.

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The Evening News defends Fergie's latest referee complaint.

Mark Ogden compares Owen to Tevez in The Telegraph.

Red Rants looks at the ref conspiracy after the penalty Liverpool won for a dive last night.

The Guardian looks at Ngog's "embarrassing case of cheating"

F365 reports on Fletcher's comments about Wenger

"RoM Reads" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...

First of all, observe this visual:

That is a dive. Many players dive in the premier league, as well as around the world. Many players win penalties by diving.

This happened at Anfield. Home of Liverpool. Liverpool were down 1-2 to Birmingham. The resulting penalty was converted and they tied the match 2-2.

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The Republik of Mancunia picks out what City fans think of Carlos Tevez. Priceless read.

The Run of Play unmasks the "toothbrushing man".

Those of you not aware of the toothbrushing man, here's the reference (happened during the Chelsea match)

"Reads of the day" was originally published at Red Rants - Manchester United Blog. Click to continue reading...

Patrick Barclay writes a nice piece for The Times about our manager.

Red Rants takes a look at the poppy fuss.

The Guardian looks at Darren Fletcher as the new Roy Keane.

The Times reckons Michael Owen needs a good game today to get in the England squad.

United Rant looks to the Chelsea game.

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Just a quickie to let you know that I'll be at The Lane today with my trusted BlackBerry, Tweeting away.
I won't just be giving out the highlights of the game against Sunderland, but will also throw in a few added tweets, detailing some of the crazy traditionalist comments screamed out by the diehard Yids that'll be all around me. Click to continue reading...

"I was fighting an uphill battle before I went there. I knew they had Defoe, Berbatov and Keane", said a cheerful Darren Bent yesterday. Hmm, that's interesting mate. Then why did you sign, knowing that you faced an 'uphill battle'?
"Every club needs four good strikers they always say. It wasn't just my decision to go there. Click to continue reading...

... we are of course talking of Wayne Rooney's newborn son who we haven't really signed but we imagine will be tearing up the pitch in about two decades from now Kai Rooney, born at Liverpool Women's hospital.

According to the spokesman, "Mother and baby are both absolutely fine. Wayne and Coleen are thrilled with the wonderful addition to their family life.

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As mentioned before, I'm skipping the high school season; in this case because I've got other regularly occuring activies that happen the same days as high school games - and frankly sometimes I just need a year away (see many many rants about high school soccer). But I am working games at the same sport-centered school I've been fortunate enough to work for the last two winters. Click to continue reading...

Just two clips for today. Some curious bit of stuff from Ferguson.

This year on the FA's proposed England friendly in Qatar:

'All the international managers have their jobs to do and we support that, particularly when it comes to the issue of competitive games like the European Championships or the World Cup.

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Defeats to Liverpool makes me sick. But looking forward to exciting young talents making their first team debuts helps lift the gloom. The official site reports Gabriel Obertan is expected to start on the left wing against Barnsley tomorrow.

Sir Alex Ferguson confirmed to ManUtd.com on Monday, "He'll play tomorrow against Barnsley, it's a good start for him.

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Decisions
Uploaded by RepublikOfMancunia "In Case You Need Ammunition Today..." was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...

RoM has an exclusive interview with Phillippe Auclair, the author of Cantona: the rebel who would be king. Worth a read.

"Interview with Phillippe Auclair" was originally published at Red Rants - Manchester United Blog. Click to continue reading...

I'm not overly keen on criticising our own players but sometimes it's hard to avoid it. I got a lot of stick for criticising Cristiano Ronaldo last season but it's rare that I would really lay in to one of our own players.

I'm afraid I have to get something off my chest today though.

Rio fucked up massively a few years ago and I was more than happy to voice my dislike of him.

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The Guardian has an interesting piece on a forgotten tale involving United players, 100 years ago. Here's an extract:

The first meeting of the Association Football Players Union in 1907 was chaired by United player Billy Meredith – the "Welsh Wizard", who was one of the first footballing superstars.

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It's been what, two weeks now since the Sunderland game? In the intervening period we had an international break, during which tortoises completed two marathons. The normally proud Ferguson tended two apologies and, as the anticipation over the FA's inevitable punishment grew, the officials came crawling out of their secret chamber and announced that Ferguson will be charged of 'improper conduct'.

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I don't normally obsess over ex-players but every now and then, one encounters opportunities that are just too good to pass up. Today there was one, courtesy the Daily Mail. The story runs thus: a witch doctor who was hired to put a hex on Ronaldo has said that Ronaldo's career is going to end in about four months.

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This week Pepsi introduced an iPhone application called "Amp Up Before You Score" to promote its competitor to the slew of energy drinks. Its purpose? To give you alleged insider information to boost you powers of seduction, as well as give you a platform to brag about which women you managed to get naked. Click to continue reading...

"A site with real potential that landed a Nemanja Vidic exclusive earlier this season. The news services is often off the pace, though, so that needs sharpening up."

Well, we just sneaked in at number 10. Potential? For a blog that's been around for a while, I thought we were through with the potential part, going on to a plateau of mediocrity.

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Red Rants looks at Ferguson and referees.

The Guardian reckons England are a one-man team. That one man is Rooney.

The Daily Mail give their opinion of Obertan's debut for the Reserves.

The Bolton News reckons their team has nothing to fear this weekend.

"RoM Reads" was originally published at The Republik of Mancunia. Click to continue reading...

Of course, I'm being a bit premature here. But, anyway, highlights from yesterday's reserves outing against Oldham, here.

And a compilation of Obertan's skills, here. Boy is he ugly although, with the ball at his feet, the Henry resemblance is uncanny.

"Gabriel Obertan Shades of Henry? Click to continue reading...

Young, French footballer, recent signing and part-time gardener at OT, Gabriel Obertan is expected to make his debut later this month if reports on News of the World are to be believed.

The former Bordeaux winger stepped up his training last week and Sir Alex Ferguson is paving the way for his inclusion in the squad in the next few weeks.

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Some links to get you through the day:

1. Ferguson is in a row with Foster, apparently. No quotes to back it up, but it's quite possible Ferguson might have been annoyed with the way Kenwyne Jones' goal was conceded. He was angry at many things following the Sunderland game, he would have picked a fight with a priest.

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