The sky is not falling, its just a black cloud

Today was almost a complete disaster at Manchester United. It seemed that everything that they touched or CEO Ed Woodward touched went up in flames. From the mess with Herrara in Spain to leaving the Fellaini deal to 3 minutes before the close of the window. But today is more of a dark cloud rather than a great club falling apart. 

The biggest issue for Manchester United at the start of the transfer window was either finding a replacement for Wayne Rooney or keeping him. In the end, Rooney did not move, which is the best for everyone involved.  Last year Rooney and RVP looked like a dynamic duo and lead us to title number 20. 

Then today, despite leaving it till the 11th hour United beefed up their midfield by getting Fellaini in the fold finally. Sure did they have to pay a little more for then at first, yes. But that is money and to a club like United it means nothing. Fellaini gives us something that we have been trying to replace since Roy Keane left the club, a physical box to box midfielder. I like Herrara but right now we have a bunch of skilled midfielders that we can play, we lacked that physical force. 

Sure Woodward is a complete dope and should not be handling our transfer policies, but now is the time to get behind our club. Our squad is deep and we have the tools to keep our title. So I ask all United fans to forget about today and focus on defending our title. 

Live Blog: FA COMMUNITY SHIELD

David Moyes leads Manchester United in his first trophy against Wigan in the Community Shield, live coverage tomorrow starting at 8:30 a.m.

How United's class of 2013 stacks up to the iconic '92 class

In Manchester United history the Class of '92 holds a special meeting but could this years crop of youngsters measure up to them. This years class has been compared to the historic class.

The Cover Story: Fergie Says Goodbye

Around England, there is only one story this morning and that is the retirement of Sir Alex as manager at Manchester United. Its not just a big in England, its huge news all over the world. Here is a sampling of the front pages from around United Kingdom.

Thank You Sir Alex

 Last night, I went to bed to thinking that Sir Alex would still be the manager of Manchester United when I woke up. These rumors have been around for years and you never thought that they were true. When I woke up this morning, the unthinkable had happened Sir Alex had announced that he was stepping down.

For the last two and a half decades, Sir Alex is the only leader that I have know. His passion for the club, his love of the game, and his energy where qualities that I respected. Fergie remembered the club history and held it close to his heart. He was not a here today, gone type of "Special One".

United was his home. He said he was going to do thing and he did them. Remember there was a time when the idea of United having more league titles than Liverpool, was some kind of sick joke. Now Liverpool are the joke.

On Sunday, Sir Alex will stand in the technical area at Old Trafford for the final time. At the end of the game he will pick  up his final medal and hold the Premier Trophy for the final time. I'm sure I will shed a tear watching from New Jersey and hopefully my 3-year old son will sit with to see the end of era.

Sunday will be the end of the era, but the end of the our club.

And You Thought the US Press was Bad

For the last week the press in this country have treated Louisville Kevin Ware injury with great respect. Then Sunday, The Sun, a popular English tabloid, decide to show a huge lack of respect. The tabloid printed a photo showing Ware with the bone sticking out of the skin. This move shows the total lack of respect the British press has.

Click to see the page The Sun ran on Sunday. Warning its Graphic.

The Premier League Fashion Runway

From track suits to baseball caps to suits. The touchline fashion in the Barclays Premier League is something that is up for debate from Wenger's puffy coat to Sir Alex and Harry suits to Jol's track suit. Recently the NY Times took at the fashion in this great story:  Premier League Soccer Coaches Struggle With Fashion. I wish more coaches would wear suits, I understand that weather can be an issue,  but at least try to look professional.

Now this is a debate

Interesting debate. Who would win in a tournament between teams comprised of the top players in the English, German and Spanish leagues. My winner in a surprise would be Germany

Mid-Term Team of the Season

The Barclay's Premier League season is halfway over. Most of the teams have played 19 games, marking the half way point of the 38 games season. Here is a look at The OTWT All Mid-Season Team.I'm sure people will complain about it, if you have a different view post your team in the comment section.

Goalie: Asmir Begovic, Stoke City
Defender: Vincent Kompany, Manchester City
Defender: Jan Vertonghen, Spurs
Defender: Ryan Shawcross, Stoke City
Defender: Leighton Baines, Everton
MF: Micheal Carrick, Manchester United
MF: Juan Matta, Chelsea
MF: Marouane Fellaini, Everton
MF:Michu, Sweansea City (pictured above)
Striker: Luis Suarez, LFC
Strick: RVP, Manchester United

Could the Premier League turn into the SPL

The Guardians' David Lacey makes that the case that the Premier League title race could turn into a two horse race between City and United or one long Manchester derby for year to come. If this happens it will basically turn into the Scottish Premier League, where Rangers and Celtic have dominated the league for the last two decades. Which will not be a good thing.

The $pecial One and $ir Alex

It reads like a who's who of managers: Sir Alex, The Special One, and Carlo.  The group heads the  best-paid football managers in the world, list according to a Brazilian sports marketing group.  The interesting thing about the list is some of the out of way clubs that employee these high priced managers, from Anzhi to Guangzhou to Swiss National Team. The list shows the impact that new money is having on the game.

Poor Stewart

Steward Downing time at Liverpool has not the been the best, especially when it comes to playing in the Premier League. Its so bad that newly signed Manchester United left back Alexander Buttner has had more scoring success than the England. 

Below are the numbers and we all know that they never lie:

• Stewart Downing ; Winger, 39 games, 0 goals, 0 assist, £20 million.
• Alexander Buttner ; Left back, 1 game, 1 goal, 1 assist, £4 million.

Fox Soccer Fail

First it was ESPN.com screwing up now it's Fox Soccer. During the Spurs Newcastle game, FSC said that Emmanuel Adebayor was coming on to replace Gylfi Sigurosson. Small problem Adebayor is still a Manchester City player even though he spent last season on loan at Spurs. I know it's the first week of the season but this can't happen.

Cover Story: The Times of London

Since the Olympics have started the Times of London have dedicated each front page to the key stories of the day. So far the front pages have been fantastic from Bradley Wiggins to Usain Bolt. Here are some of my favorites since the state of the games.

I hope that they continue the good work through the second week of the Olympics.

Pirlo for Ballon d'Or

The race for European Footballer of the year appears to be a two horse race: Messi and Ronaldo, but maybe there is a third player that deserves a look.

Last season Andrea Pirlo left AC Milan to sign with fellow Italian League superpower Juventus. The move paid off for the Old Lady and Pirlo. During the league season Pirlo was the midfield anchor that helped lead Juve to an undefeated season. That alone should put him near the top of the list for the European player of the year. People have to remember this was not a classic Juve team, which means he had to carry more of the load.

Now Pirlo is leading his beloved Italian national to team to success at Euro 2012. An average Italian team has made the semifinals with Pirlo leading the way. Pirlo has been their best player and his penalty against England will be remembered for years to come.



I know he has no chance but Pirlo should be considered. Anytime a player leads his team to an undefeated league season should be considered for this award.

Eden Hazard = Lebron James

For the last couple of week Eden Hazard has keep the soccer world waiting. Everyone wants to know where he is going to be playing next season, is it going to be Manchester City, Manchester United or Chelsea. Hazard has drug this out over the last couple of weeks and there seems to be no end in sight. Hazard is turning into Lebron of soccer world, all that is missing is the "Decision Special."

EURO 2012 Here We Come

With the European Club season ending, its time for soccer fans to shift their attention to Euro 2102. Here are some of the great promos that are running around the world.

Nike's "My Time is Now" ad




ITV (England) has a great ad campaign asking people to dream



ESPN's promo for Euro 2012



Random promo I found on YouTube and its great



Another great promo I found on YouTube, this one takes a look at some of the tournaments great moments

Keep Calm, Win Titles

As the soccer worlds celebrates the new kings of Manchester, just remember this is not the first time that people have questions the future of Manchester United.

When Sir Alex took over in 1986, he said that the club would surpass Liverpool when it came to league titles. People laughed at him and people said it would never be done, fast forward to today and Sir Alex has seen off Liverpool.

Next up people said that Arsenal was passing Sir Alex by after the Invincibles in 2003-2004, that was not the case, Sir Alex saw off their challenge and pushed them aside.

Fast foward to 2003 and people said Fergie and United could not compete with The Special One and Roman's billions at Chelsea. After a couple of years, Sir Alex saw off that challenge and chased a number of managers out of the Premier League.

Today its Manchester City and their billions. Sure Sunday hurt, but lets be honest this United team was not classic and we came with 90 seconds of a title. Just remember Sir Alex has taken on all comers and he is usually the last one standing, which is exactly what is going to happen. 

Cover Story: A Blue Moon Kind of Feeling

 As a Manchester United fan yesterday was tough, I thought we had the title in our hands, but in the end Manchester City took it with the last kick of the season. Congrats to the Citizens on their title and I look forward to wars of the next decade. Here are some of the outstanding front pages from around England detail the drama of the seasons final day. 

Shearer hanging with the Amish

While visiting the Strasburg Rail Road on Tuesday I noticed something that I did not expect to see in Pennsylvania Dutch Country. There was a guy wearing an old school Newcastle United Alan Shearer jersey complete with Barclaycard Premier League patch, yes Barclaycard. Good to see a Gordie fan hanging out with Amish.