RATE IT! United Turkish Delight

Turkish Airlines have taken flight as one of the latest sponsors of Manchester United. Here's their new commercial featuring the team in some in-flight hi-jinx.


With the latest news about Wayne Rooney wanting to leave the team, was it a bit of foreshadowing that he's the player who kicks the ball in the unwise direction of United legend, Sir Bobby Charlton? Whoops!

RATE IT! Only One More Sleep...

...until Manchester United arrive on MY side of the pond... in MY city! Okay, yes...they've been in North America (Chicago, specifically) since Monday...but it's a different level of excitement when they're in your neck of the woods. 

A huge deal to have one of the world's most famous football teams here in our own backyard. I have waited for this day for eons which is fitting as AON is their new kit sponsor. 


Bad joke but at least I tried! 

RATE IT! Jazz Hands World Cup Style

The World Cup is only 8 days away! If you haven't sorted out your goal scoring celebration yet, take a peek at this latest WC video starring Manchester United/England striker, Wayne Rooney and 'Gavin & Stacey's' James Corden. 


Show offs!

RATE IT! Manchester United on Tour

It's all happening!


As speculated a few weeks back in the media and now confirmed, Manchester United ARE touring North America in July after the World Cup wraps on July 11:


Toronto - July 16
Philadelphia - July 21
Kansas City - July 25
Houston - July 28
Guadalajara, Mexico - July 30


United's website has announced that most of their players who are not participating in the World Cup -- Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Dimitar Berbatov, John O'Shea, Darren Fletcher, Edwin van der Sar, Michael Owen & others -- will be HERE! 


Details for ticket on-sales TBA. CANNOT. WAIT.

RATE IT! Snowball Fight United Style!

Well, it did snow in Manchester this week....

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

RATE IT! Champions League/Zoey of the Week

UEFA's Champions League racks up again today... my whole day is being scheduled around the Manchester United/Wolfsburg clash. Ah, the joys of working for yourself! Footie in the afternoon.

With Zoey, my Schipperke puppy, playing a permanent starring role in the *new* animated Lose That Girl header, I'm starting a new post category: Zoey of the Week. Since she loves her tiny soccer/footie ball, it's fitting that she appear today ready and kitted out in her United attire, as you do.

RATE IT! United for Derby

Derby day in Manchester -- and the good guys -- *my guys* -- WON!

Love my team, love Sir Alex Ferguson's celebration (and G-Nev's too!), and love new recruit, Michael Owen - a true Red Devil if there ever was one! Scoring the winner at just the right time with seconds remaining. Super subbing at its finest.

Tevez, on the other hand, money doesn't buy you happiness or success. Red was more your colour than blue but hey.... you had your chance.

(photos: Reuters {Sir Alex}, Getty {M. Owen})

RATE IT! Manchester United Pledge

The English Premiership season is BACK! 

United don't return to action until tomorrow but here's a teaser... oh, yes please!

Thanks to Fourth for the 'heads up'!

HATE IT! Cristiano is Leaving Us

You know how some news is just too hard to take...

I'm still trying to get my head around the fact that Manchester United's star winger, Cristiano Ronaldo IS truly REALLY - it's no joke this time - LEAVING the club for the glam footballer realm of Real Madrid. Geez, just what that club needs, another massive ego. I think they might need a larger dressing room.

United fans have known it was going to happen *sometime*.... the timing was never sure, but the rumours have always been constant, the signs of Cris' want to depart for more sunny climes ever present. Just check out that sneer in the photo to the right. If I was his teammate, John O'Shea, sat beside him, I'd want to smack that look of disgust off his overly tanned visage. United gave Cristiano the worldwide platform to show his talent, to win overflowing armfuls of silverware --- no, no, NO Cris! Looking annoyed while at United is just not allowed. And thus, it is truly time for him to go...

It was fun while it lasted. And I have to offer a big heartfelt thanks for all that Cris did while a Red Devil. Now he can do step-overs into the Spanish sunset to his heart's content. Best of luck with Real - although, really I can't see you doing much better than you had done in Manchester, Cris. 

United will survive -- they always do! One player does not make THIS team. 

RATE IT! More Scenes Like This One, Please

May 27th might feel like any other Spring day to many but to Manchester United supporters like myself... it's one of the most important, stressful & exciting days of the year.

The Champions League final - today in Rome. Manchester United (bless!) v. Barcelona. The best in Europe going head-to-head. 

Hoping, wishing, turning inside out in anticipation.... for more scenes like this one. Over to you, Ronaldo & Rooney!

(photo: google)

RATE IT! Manchester United Wins --Again (part 18)

HURRAH! Manchester United win the EPL for the *third* time straight! Champions of England once again! It doesn't matter how many times they win the league, it still feels fresh & like the first time. United have now won as many league championships as rivals Liverpool.

Nothing much will get accomplished today as a result! Should make today a public holiday -- at least for Red Devil supporters, it already is!

(photos: AP, Reuters)

RATE IT! Looking for Eric

You can keep your bloated-budgeted 'Wolverine' flick... I just want to set my eyes on this wonderful, indie Brit-flick, "Looking for Eric." 

The latest passion project from famed director, Ken Loach, hits theatre screens in the UK on June 12. Whether this little footie-flavoured gem will ever see the light of day here in North America is hard to say. I'm hoping HOPING someone takes a gamble on this movie and gives it a deserving release over on this side of the pond. 

The schlumpy hero of this story, Eric, is a postman down on his luck. His family is in tatters, the love of his life, gone. All he has left are his football mates and the hope that somehow, some way he'll dig himself out of his spiraling funk & make a new start. Step up footie legend (Manchester United!!), Eric Cantona. His name-sake's life, will never be the same again!

Being a Manchester United supporter, this movie is a must see! But for anyone who has ever had an idol, this movie is for you too!

RATE IT! It's About Time!

Manchester United supporters are rejoicing worldwide, as Ryan Giggs won the PFA's Player of the Year Award last night in England. 

With a career spanning 18+ years all spent with one *single* team (totally unheard of nowadays), chalking up 799 appearances for United, and a trophy case overflowing with prestigious trophies and medals, 35 year old Giggs is a rare breed of athlete. Loyal. Professional. Classy. And the best part? He's still a vital part of the team, teaching kids half his age all the tricks of the trade. It's actually quite a shocker when you realize that this win is the first for Giggsy. He's never won it previously, so it's about time that he did! The award is voted by fellow footballers so it makes this triumph even more fitting. Undoubtedly, Ryan will get a massive reception Wednesday when he steps on the pitch for his 800th appearance for United during their Champions League clash with Arsenal. 

Way to go, Giggsy!

(photo: Sky Sports)

RATE IT! A Real-Life Storybook Ending

I'm very very late in acknowledging an incredible football achievement but my tardiness in no way makes the triumph any less important. I've been on cloud 9 for over 24 hours now. You can pinch me but I won't stir from my bliss.

Manchester United won their match vs. Aston Villa yesterday 3-2. The score line sounds pretty routine, doesn't it? But no... the truth is in the detail. The detail involves this ultra-talented 17 year old Italian striker, Kiko Macheda. 17 years old! In his *first ever* Manchester United match. The big leagues! Kiko gets subbed on just prior to injury time being added to the clock. Just what was Sir Alex Ferguson thinking, removing proven entity Carlos Tevez and replacing him with this skinny teen rookie? 

NEVER doubt Sir Alex. He knows. He just .... does! Macheda, in the 2nd minute of 5 added injury time minutes, scored the winning goal - his first EVER goal - and pushed his team to a much needed come-from-behind win, and a return to the top of the English Premiership table. Storybook writers couldn't have done a better job at telling this tale. A new footie hero is on the books and in every EPL fans' radar.  

(photos: AP Photo, Getty)

RATE IT! Hargreaves Meets the PM

Owen Hargreaves disappears to have a double knee surgery, missing the entire Manchester United season spare a few matches at season start. We haven't seen him for literally months. Missing person alerts are duly sent...

So, it was quite surprising to see him venture out in the daylight in front of photographers with....Stephen Harper, our Canadian Prime Minister. I guess Harper wanted something fun to do while in London for the G20 Summit. Hanging out with a fellow Canuck, why not?

Can't say that I blame him. Meeting Owen would be my first stop in the UK too.

RATE IT! Gary Neville - Liverpool Role Model?

The most hilarious sports-political news came out of the UK today. This little gem of ridiculousness has made my week!

A very misinformed Conservative MP suggested that Manchester United's captain, Gary Neville, should be regarded as "a good role model" to the disenfranchised youth of Liverpool. 

Tory MP Chris Grayling, spoke of kids growing up without any parental guidance, how youth could benefit from idolizing someone as dedicated & diligent as Neville. 

Sure, Gary would be a terrific role model. He didn't come from a privileged background yet found his way to the biggest footie club on the planet through sheer hard work & determination. He never gives up, has been with the same team since his career began as a teen... BUT.... and here's the kicker, Gary Neville *despises* Liverpool's football club and everything Mersey-based!

Gary Neville detests Scousers of all descriptions and his dislike is widely known. Liverpool press have reported that silly Mr. Grayling is a Manchester United supporter -- which is a crock, seriously. Any United supporter worth their blood KNOWS that Liverpool hates Gary Neville and vice versa! Mr. Grayling was hoping to sway Merseyside voters over to his corner but his misfired comments will have sent Pool folk in the other direction! (photo: Getty)

Thanks to Fourth for the tip!

RATE IT! England's Team Meets Smithy

Last night was Comic Relief in the UK -- the annual event where famous Brits from all different walks of life come together for some laughs while they raise mega-bucks for charity.

One gem involved a run-in between England's national football team (including Becks) with 'Smithy', a beloved comedy character from the hit TV show, 'Gavin and Stacey'. I knew that Peter Crouch had quite the sense of humour -- too bad the same can't be said for a few of the others! While David Beckham just can't stop giggling...

RATE IT! Owen Hargreaves.... Finally!

Finally! After months waiting for news about his double knee surgeries, CNN has put up a story about Owen Hargreaves and Dr. Steadman, the Specialist that has (hopefully) saved his footie career (just skip through the golf stuff at the beginning). The story was shot about a month or so ago when Owen was still in Colorado. Now he's back with United in Manchester, working towards an August return!



Thanks Fourth for your help!

RATE IT! Jenga Final!

Nevermind the Champions League - this match up is the one that I've been waiting for!

Manchester United teammates, Owen Hargreaves and Jonny Evans in a Jenga showdown. Great sports, these two! Taken from United's 2009 DVD Annual.

RATE IT! Red Devil's Kitchen

You can keep your Jamie Oliver and Nigella Lawson! Heck, take back 'Hell's Kitchen' and Gordon Ramsey! The only cooking program I want to set eyes on is 'Red Devil's Kitchen'!

It's almost too hilarious to ponder! Manchester United have launched their own cooking show on their TV station, MUTV. 'Red Devil's Kitchen' features United's left-back, the very talented & charming Patrice Evra, along with the team's resident head chef, Romain Camos, roasting, baking, creating all sorts of edible delights!

Cannot wait! The clip on the website is cracking me up & leaving me hungry for more. 

*yes, I couldn't help myself and had to post a photo of Patrice with Owen Hargreaves*