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Steven Beacom: It’s amazing ... Sparky has got Alex Ferguson worried
Thursday, 23 July 2009
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Ask A Manchester United fan to name the best players at Old Trafford over the last 25 years and names such as Bryan Robson, Norman Whiteside, Paul McGrath, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane, Peter Schmeichel, Paul Scholes, Ryan Giggs, Cristiano Ronaldo and Wayne Rooney will roll off the tongue.
There is one name, however, that I find a lot of United fans forget.
And this even before he became the Manchester City manager!
Mark Hughes.
>>TeleBest:
Manchester United dream team
He played for United in two spells making 345 appearances and scoring 119
goals.
He was a truly sensational forward in the old fashioned mould, as hard as
nails and arguably had the best volley in the business. He was also a
magnificent big game player.
He’ll need that quality more than ever in the coming season because every game
he will be involved in will be big with a capital B.
Every time his team steps out on the pitch, the axe will be just 90 minutes
away.
“Sparky”, as he was known as a player, has been busy in the transfer market
this summer with all the riches at his disposal bringing in Carlos Tevez,
Emmanuel Adebayour, Roque Santa Cruz and Gareth Barry, with I suspect more
to follow.
The target is to challenge the so called big four and make the Champions
League.
Having kept a close eye on City over the years — I’ve always had a soft spot
for them — my hunch for a while now has been that it will all end in misery
for the Blue Moon boys. History and City fans will tell you it normally
does.
This week though there was real hope for the City followers.
And it came in the unlikely form of Sir Alex Ferguson.
Speaking during United’s pre-season tour, Ferguson had plenty to say about
City, not least Tevez who crossed the Manchester divide much to the
annoyance of Red Devils fans.
Fergie said: “I didn't think he was worth £25million. The fans quite rightly
have their heroes and I respect them, so I was happy to go along with a deal
as long as it was the right one — but he was simply not worth £25m.”
Getting into gear, Sir Alex had this to say about City: “It won't be easy for
them to win anything, even with all the players they have bought.
“They have bought a lot of high profile players but they have 10 strikers.
That is a hell of a lot. I have not spoken to all the managers but the one
or two I have are saying ‘Who are they going to leave out?’
“How do you tell players they are not even going to be travelling to London?
How does he pick a team? We are all interested.”
Mind games starting already, Fergie.
And as anyone who has been around in the last decade knows, Fergie only uses
the mind games on managers or clubs when he is concerned about them.
Arsene Wenger and Rafael Benitez would confirm that.
Loved the response from Hughes in relation to his old manager’s comments. “I
have a lot of respect for Sir Alex Ferguson but that doesn’t mean I have to
agree with everything he says,” said the City boss.
They wouldn’t be exactly bosom buddies, Mark and Sir Alex, which adds to what
should be a fascinating and intense rivalry this season.
If City do show promise early on and are in amongst the big boys, expect
Ferguson to use his own distinctive way with words to try and undermine
Hughes and City.
I’ve a feeling that Sparky will relish the challenge. Just as he did when he
was a player, and a brilliant one at that, for United.
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I wish and hope City do well (even though I am a United fan). I would love to see them break into the top 4 (or 5). With the players he has bought this is actually possible.... however a little bit unlikely. Teams need TIME to gel, he may not have enough time to do it all, but I wish him well. Hughes was a great player, and only time will tell if he can become a great manager.
Posted by RoyB | 25.07.09, 14:21 GMT
swing and a miss steve
Posted by neill | 24.07.09, 15:31 GMT
City will win nowt. Hughes will be sacked by Xmas.
Posted by jack d | 23.07.09, 10:06 GMT
I've been a United fan for years. And yes, Fergie does have a go at teams who he thinks might challenge us but City aren't one of those. They'll fall flat on teheir faces once again
Posted by Ben walker | 23.07.09, 09:01 GMT
Fergie is just taking the mick out of City. He's not worried by them at all. Beacom is kidding himself on that one. He's right about Sparky though, what a player. Shame he went to the other side. He'll never win anything there.
Posted by Niall | 23.07.09, 08:55 GMT
Wise up Beacom.
Posted by fred | 23.07.09, 08:36 GMT
Heard it all before. Sparky, fondly remembered by United fans, was supposed to put the 'spark' into Blackburn Rovers. Unfortunately no spark was ignited to 'mark' the time Sparky was at Rovers.
Like Tevez Mark will most likely be remembered for becoming a traitor to true red fans by becoming the manager of Citeh.
On the subject of Tevez. He did a load of huffing & puffing but very little goal scoring. In my opinion I definitely do not rate him a £25m footballer and further I consider SAF's decision to let him go to be the correct choice. After all, all the Citeh signings are mercenaries and only signed for the team on the wrong side of Manchester for the money!
Players signing for Manchester United do for for their love of the game and the best team in Manchester, that is irrefutabley true.
Brian G
United follower for 60+ years
Posted by Brian Garnett | 23.07.09, 04:46 GMT
fact is not a single united fan is worried about citeh, not to mentioned the manager and players. We are concern with Chelsea and Liverpool and Arsenal to a certain extent. Citeh should concern themselves with the likes of Bolton, Sunderland and West Ham.
Posted by Maxis | 23.07.09, 04:37 GMT
Relish the challange? Like when he left the club after the competition for a spot in the team got tough?
Posted by Marq | 23.07.09, 04:32 GMT
Can Ferguson ever say something that isn't mind games? He gets interviewed and asked about footballing topics, he gives his honest answer and people believe it's mind games? If so, he's playing mind games with Madrid, as he believes Ronaldo may come back sometime in the future, he's playing mind games with England, as he believes Foster will be #1, he's playing mind games with Bayern and Lyon as he commented on them, or maybe, just maybe, he's not playing mind games but being interviewed instead?
Posted by Mic | 23.07.09, 03:33 GMT
This article seems to say that SAF is concerned about the challenge expected from City. Remember when SAF made a comment about Chelsea not being able to improve on their position with the team they have got? SAF was spot on. His comments were just advise to his ex-player. I seriously don't think this is mind games and I will be surprised if City can come close to the top 4. 'Sparky' is still a young lad compared with the rest of the managers at the top 4 and you think they are there by chance? To be there for the last 4 years is no easy tasks.
Posted by ManU4ever | 23.07.09, 03:30 GMT
Fergie is not one bit worried, just speaking his mind!
Posted by Jim | 23.07.09, 03:26 GMT