The annual Red News MUFC Journos Q&A. 2012. Number 1 - Jeremy Cross of the Daily Star
Red News Q1. What was your United moment/story of the season?
The look on Arsene Wenger's face was hilarious in the wake of United thrashing Arsenal 8-2 at the start of the season, but the moment of the season has to be the return of Paul Scholes, who took everyone by surprise, including most of his team-mates when he came out of retirement. To cap it all, it was at Manchester City of all places and he helped United to a thrilling FA Cup win as well. Crashing out of the Champions League in Switzerland was also hard to forget.
Red News Q2. Sir Alex Ferguson+transition-'no value'=MUFC 2011/2012 - did Manchester United over or underperform in the 2011/2012 season?
I think United over-performed, without a shadow of a doubt. This might be a United team in transition, but it is also a mediocre United team by their usually very high standards. This fact was demonstrated when Fergie asked Scholes to come back, but even this temporary measure didn't help them defend the title.
United were without influential figures like Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic for most of the season and became too reliant on Wayne Rooney for goals. United also lacked a world class creative force in midfield, so to push Manchester City to the final minute of the season was an achievement in itself.
Red News Q3. With the finances of city and United as they are, do you think this 'challenge' tussle is different to the ones the club have faced before with say Arsenal and then Chelsea?
Fergie is the master at seeing-off challengers from elsewhere, most notably Arsenal and Chelsea, but the one he now faces right on his doorstep is different. City have untold wealth, a manager with a determination to keep on winning and bosses who are determined to make them the most powerful outfit in Europe.
Red News Q4. How are you finding the evolution of print journalism with all the new combatants like twitter?
Print journalism is being left behind when it comes to breaking news stories, to such an extent that the industry appears to be in terminal decline. With the onset of websites, Sky and social media outlets like Twitter, newspapers find it more and more difficult to keep things to themselves and keep pace with the ever changing face of the media.
Red News Q5. Do you think the 2012/13 season will be Alex Ferguson's last?
Who knows when Fergie will retire. He must have felt like packing it all in when he left the Stadium of Light on the final afternoon of a truly incredible season!! He has nothing left to prove or achieve because he's done it all to cement his place among the all-time greats of football management, but I think winning a third Champions League still drives him on and the challenge of City is something he is too stubborn to turn his back on. I think he genuinely fears retirement because football is like a drug to him he cannot give up, but he cannot go forever.
Red News Q6. It's time to start locating your mystical balls, what do you think Manchester United will do transfer wise this summer?
United are the kings of keeping their transfers under wraps, but I don't expect significant changes. Fergie cannot compete financially for the likes of Robin Van Persie, Eden Hazard and Wesley Sneijder, but the fact remains he needs a top class midfielder, cover in both full-back positions and someone up front who can help Rooney and Danny Welbeck score the goals that win games. Shinji Kagawa promises to be a good signing and I would like to see someone like Clint Dempsey given the chance to show he can perform at a big club like United.
Red News Q7. And what do you think they actually need to do if money wasn't the issue it is at the club?
Sign a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand, sign two world class midfielders to replace Scholes and Giggs and try and tempt Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
Red News Q1. What was your United moment/story of the season?
The look on Arsene Wenger's face was hilarious in the wake of United thrashing Arsenal 8-2 at the start of the season, but the moment of the season has to be the return of Paul Scholes, who took everyone by surprise, including most of his team-mates when he came out of retirement. To cap it all, it was at Manchester City of all places and he helped United to a thrilling FA Cup win as well. Crashing out of the Champions League in Switzerland was also hard to forget.
Red News Q2. Sir Alex Ferguson+transition-'no value'=MUFC 2011/2012 - did Manchester United over or underperform in the 2011/2012 season?
I think United over-performed, without a shadow of a doubt. This might be a United team in transition, but it is also a mediocre United team by their usually very high standards. This fact was demonstrated when Fergie asked Scholes to come back, but even this temporary measure didn't help them defend the title.
United were without influential figures like Darren Fletcher and Nemanja Vidic for most of the season and became too reliant on Wayne Rooney for goals. United also lacked a world class creative force in midfield, so to push Manchester City to the final minute of the season was an achievement in itself.
Red News Q3. With the finances of city and United as they are, do you think this 'challenge' tussle is different to the ones the club have faced before with say Arsenal and then Chelsea?
Fergie is the master at seeing-off challengers from elsewhere, most notably Arsenal and Chelsea, but the one he now faces right on his doorstep is different. City have untold wealth, a manager with a determination to keep on winning and bosses who are determined to make them the most powerful outfit in Europe.
Red News Q4. How are you finding the evolution of print journalism with all the new combatants like twitter?
Print journalism is being left behind when it comes to breaking news stories, to such an extent that the industry appears to be in terminal decline. With the onset of websites, Sky and social media outlets like Twitter, newspapers find it more and more difficult to keep things to themselves and keep pace with the ever changing face of the media.
Red News Q5. Do you think the 2012/13 season will be Alex Ferguson's last?
Who knows when Fergie will retire. He must have felt like packing it all in when he left the Stadium of Light on the final afternoon of a truly incredible season!! He has nothing left to prove or achieve because he's done it all to cement his place among the all-time greats of football management, but I think winning a third Champions League still drives him on and the challenge of City is something he is too stubborn to turn his back on. I think he genuinely fears retirement because football is like a drug to him he cannot give up, but he cannot go forever.
Red News Q6. It's time to start locating your mystical balls, what do you think Manchester United will do transfer wise this summer?
United are the kings of keeping their transfers under wraps, but I don't expect significant changes. Fergie cannot compete financially for the likes of Robin Van Persie, Eden Hazard and Wesley Sneijder, but the fact remains he needs a top class midfielder, cover in both full-back positions and someone up front who can help Rooney and Danny Welbeck score the goals that win games. Shinji Kagawa promises to be a good signing and I would like to see someone like Clint Dempsey given the chance to show he can perform at a big club like United.
Red News Q7. And what do you think they actually need to do if money wasn't the issue it is at the club?
Sign a long-term replacement for Rio Ferdinand, sign two world class midfielders to replace Scholes and Giggs and try and tempt Cristiano Ronaldo back to Old Trafford.
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