AfricanBlue

I love that he managed to wind up so many united fans so easily, there is about 10 pages on redcafe of mancs calling him some variation of c****, all for a smile. He's turned into a pantomime villain overnight. Judging by the reaction on there all he'll have to do if he gets stick in the future is smile back and they'll piss themselves with righteous indignation. United fans are seriously the worst losers in sports, you'd think we cost them the title.

Unreal

I have to agree with Roy Keane here. I don't think it should have been given and I'd of been furious if that had been given against us but you can't say the ref was completely unjust in giving it as he did go studs first into a players chest. He may have been watching the ball so he didn't do it intentionally but he is also responsible as a player to be aware of his surroundings before going up for a ball like that. At the end of the day the red may have changed the game but had Higuain's goal been allowed that would have done the same so I don't think they have too much right to complain.

The PR disaster is getting knocked out of the cup by Swansea and if the image of the club is that if you act like a prat we'll kick you I'm all for that. Now if the kid had been black that would be a PR disaster.

I'm hearing unconfirmed reports that the kid is 17 so a "boy" in name only, don't know how he felt anything the fat little bastard.

At the moment I would take Torres leaving on a free transfer over Falcoa coming on a free transfer. If we got a used washing machine for him it would be the best deal the club ever made.

Given how the Champions League draw turned out theres a chance we could be the only premier league club left competing in Europe in a few months which would take some of the sting out of our group stage elimination.

One of there defenders is a Chelsea fan so maybe he'll do us a favor in this one.

I honestly don't know what is going to happen, had we not just sacked our last manager I'd think Rafa would be on his way out but I don't know who we would replace him with. I guess we could promote an assistant. Plus if we promoted Eddie Newton it might get Kick it Out off our backs.

I think Roman's just biding his time until he completes his coaching badges so he can take charge himself.

By the end of this season you mean? I'd bet my house he won't be in charge next season (not that I have a house to bet). As far as being sacked before the end of this season I doubt it but I wouldn't put it past Roman. Frankly if I were benitez and were down at halftime this weekend I'd start packing my bags.

It does seem like he's been brought to try and revitalize Torres's career. I don't think we were going to be able to sign any big names in January so I guess Roman figured he would try one last gamble on fernando. This is speculation on my part but I think that it was already determined that pep would be coming next year regardless of our performance this season so benitez is definitely just a stop gap appointment. We've done well in the past when we replaced managers midway through so maybe Roman thinks we'll do the same this year.

Trying to make the best of a bad situation here I did think he was a decent manager tactically while at liverpool, he managed what I felt was a distinctly average Liverpool team (aside from an excellent midfield), to two champions league finals. Unfortunately its not looking like we'll be staying in the champions league and his Premier League record isn't as impressive but they nearly won it in 08-09 so thats something. Plus he hates Fergie so he can't be all bad. I'm also very curious to see the reaction over at rawk where they worship him like a god. After ruining Torres for them I don't know how they'll take this.

Oscar is really trying to lock up goal of the season this year isn't he

Anyone know if Mata will be fit for this?

I can't see how this can backfire, even if the only evidence is he said she said between the players and clattenburg, the verdict would likely just be not enough evidence to convict. After all the fuss about black players not being willing to come forward with allegations because they won't be believed I can't see the FA accusing the players of lying, especially when it is one of their own they are defending. If it sets a precedent that in cases where the only evidence is the testimony of the accuser that charges won't be brought then that can only be a good thing, charging people with racism on the basis of "we believe this guy more" as they did with suarez is ridiculous.

I was so happy to see Rami walk in that last goal, the way things were going tonight I expected a piano to fall out the sky and stop the shot.

What a game. Where was Lee Mason on Sunday, would have taken a murder to get someone sent off.

That cut by Hazard

Hey at least he didn't give the card to danny

Kind of feel sorry for that Wooten kid.

Finally Danny

How is wooten still on the pitch?

"About Terry there was video evidence. ITS CLEAR he said "fucking black cunt". After this he came with the stupid allegation that he merely was repeating Rio's words." It won't let me quote you for some reason Henrique so I'll just do this. I know that the video was why he was charged but for me the most ridiculous thing about that entire affair was that no one ever admitted to actually hearing him say anything which you would think would be a fairly critical piece of evidence given that he wasn't charged with looking like he had said something but having actually said it. Personally I felt that at least for the court case he should have just taken the fifth and not admitted to saying anything at all given the lack of evidence against him but he couldn't have done that as he was defending his reputation more than the actual charge. Also I'm not sure that they have something resembling the 5th ammendment in England. Frankly I find the police's involvement in either case to be appalling and I hope they stay out of it this time but as far as the FA, they made their bed with their witchhunt against JT and now they can lie in it. You make a good point about the attention this is getting rather than the officiating, its the worst peformance we've had from an official since QPR and again the focus is on what someone said. At least this time its not one of our players though.

Yeah no evidence at all, oh except the players that heard him say it but that hardly counts as evidence of a person saying something . Remind me again how many witnesses heard JT.