traffic. But since Manchester United's season has
disintegrated in the last couple of weeks, that through my
computer has taken on two distinct tones.
BLAME IT ON VERON
traffic. But since Manchester United's season has
disintegrated in the last couple of weeks, that through my
computer has taken on two distinct tones.
’There is the note of gloating - the ha-ha rasp of the smirk
- in every joke that has swept through about Leicester City
having more players in Europe, or in those mock menus
detailing the unexpectedly early United end-of-season
banquet which features, as the wine, L'Urino del Rio ("a
hard to swallow vintage"). Laugh? I thought I'd never start.
- in every joke that has swept through about Leicester City
having more players in Europe, or in those mock menus
detailing the unexpectedly early United end-of-season
banquet which features, as the wine, L'Urino del Rio ("a
hard to swallow vintage"). Laugh? I thought I'd never start.
’These jokes have not been restricted to Arsenal supporters,
but have been passed on by followers of virtually every
other club, who seem to find little more hysterical than the
sight of United falling off a roof, flat on their collective
noses.
but have been passed on by followers of virtually every
other club, who seem to find little more hysterical than the
sight of United falling off a roof, flat on their collective
noses.
’Oddly, though, the more aggressive sound comes from United
supporters themselves, trying to make sense of sudden
precipitate decline. In chat rooms and on e-mail, the tone
has been not so much despondent as shrill, angry, fuming.
Correspondents have lashed out at everybody and anybody,
accusing them of undermining the cause.
supporters themselves, trying to make sense of sudden
precipitate decline. In chat rooms and on e-mail, the tone
has been not so much despondent as shrill, angry, fuming.
Correspondents have lashed out at everybody and anybody,
accusing them of undermining the cause.
’In among the wailing and gnashing of teeth, however, came
one intriguing piece of correspondence. The editor of United
We Stand, a Reds fanzine, let me in on his theory about what
is at the root of his favoured club's fall. It is, he
explained, all Juan Sebastian Veron's fault. The whole
pattern of decline set in the moment the Argentinian moved
to Old Trafford.
one intriguing piece of correspondence. The editor of United
We Stand, a Reds fanzine, let me in on his theory about what
is at the root of his favoured club's fall. It is, he
explained, all Juan Sebastian Veron's fault. The whole
pattern of decline set in the moment the Argentinian moved
to Old Trafford.
’Cast the mind back to when Veron signed in the summer of
2001. United had just won the championship, and Sir Alex
Ferguson was buying from a position of strength. That close
season, he paid £19 million for Ruud van Nistelrooy and £28
million for Veron.
2001. United had just won the championship, and Sir Alex
Ferguson was buying from a position of strength. That close
season, he paid £19 million for Ruud van Nistelrooy and £28
million for Veron.
’It was a false dawn. Veron, we now all know, did not
exactly deliver as anticipated. He gave the ball away with
the regularity of a novice and played to his capabilities no
more than half a dozen times in United colours. Though
compared to his subsequent season at Stamford Bridge, even
those fleeting, fitful contributions look a model of
consistency and resolve.
exactly deliver as anticipated. He gave the ball away with
the regularity of a novice and played to his capabilities no
more than half a dozen times in United colours. Though
compared to his subsequent season at Stamford Bridge, even
those fleeting, fitful contributions look a model of
consistency and resolve.
’Veron did not mean to play like that. He was desperate to
be a success. But his failure had wider implications than
simply tarnishing his reputation.
be a success. But his failure had wider implications than
simply tarnishing his reputation.
’It terrified the United plc. Here was a huge wad of
shareholders' money wasted. And so, last summer, the number
crunchers became understandably nervy about committing
similar outlay on another potentially flaky South American.
shareholders' money wasted. And so, last summer, the number
crunchers became understandably nervy about committing
similar outlay on another potentially flaky South American.
’Thus when United were engaged in an auction with Barcelona
for the services of Paris St-Germain's Ronaldinho, the money
men were caught flat-footed by the Catalans, who played on
their worries and easily outflanked them. If Veron had
provided unequivocal value for money, any amount would have
been sanctioned to secure Ronaldinho.’
for the services of Paris St-Germain's Ronaldinho, the money
men were caught flat-footed by the Catalans, who played on
their worries and easily outflanked them. If Veron had
provided unequivocal value for money, any amount would have
been sanctioned to secure Ronaldinho.’