Andy Cole has said he thinks United could win the treble this year . He said: “The side now is very different from the one I played in. We were very much a team and everyone played for each other — now they have some fantastic individuals.” “Rooney and Ronaldo are great talents and great individuals and, with players like them in your side, there is always a chance.” “They are favourites to win the Premiership, are in the last 16 of the Champions League and always seem to do well in the FA Cup.” Cole said this the weekend before his new club Portsmouth played United in the FA Cup.
Cantona
Another United legend Eric Cantona has gone further and said Chelsea’s reign as champions is already over. Not only that, he predicts the Blues will be playing catch-up for several years to come. “United can beat Chelsea in the league, for sure. There is no doubt about that.” “They are stronger than Chelsea at the moment — and will be for a long time. They have brought in young players like Rooney and Ronaldo and Alex Ferguson has a lot of experience helping young players. Not all managers can do that but he can find the right balance on the pitch.†Cantona thinks that Fergie’s policy of giving the younger players a chance is better than Chelseas way of buying the ‘best’ players and trying to mould them into a team. He added: “Last year, United had a new team, it was a new generation. But I was sure they’d become the best because you’re stronger when you start with a new generation of players.” “That is because you can work with them together for a long time.” “United have the balance at the moment which makes them the best team in England.” ““They’re strong but they have to prove they’re a great team. But they can win the Treble and they need to do it.â€
No.7
On the topic of his old No. 7 shirt and player now wearing it (Ronaldo). “Ronaldo needed to gain some experience and score goals — now he is a world-class player.â€
£35m for Ronaldo?
In other United news, Real apparently want Ronaldo for £35m. Carlos Queiroz says the club is planning to start negotiations on a new contract with Ronaldo (rumoured to be offeres £100k a week). His current deal runs out in 2010. He said: “It is natural that the media talk about Cristiano Ronaldo with Real Madrid.” “He is a great player and Madrid are a great club, but it is just speculation. They are fantasies.”
Spy on United
Also in The Mirror today apparently a spy plane flew over the United training camp and filmed secret tactics. Not sure what they could have seen if they flew over twice, only 30 seconds at a time.