The War of Manchester - Taking Back The Title.

[Poptastic]

"Side Note - I have been playing Football Manager for over 10 years now, but have only just decided to sign up to FM-Base. I am going to be sharing my Manchester United story, in my 4th month so I will post them separate and then every month after that. As many other United fans, I was hurt when Aguero's scored that last gasp winner. So now I am aiming to wrestle back the Title of Manche$ter City, whilst fighting of the upcoming challenge of the new Chel$ki."



READ ALL ABOUT IT

In a shocking press conference, Sir Alex Ferguson has announced his decision to step down from the helm of Manchester United, saying "With a new challenge for Manchester United to compete against, I think a new manager, who is hungry and understands the pain the fans feel, should talk charge"

Sir Alex also commented on how he will still be in the background, helping new manager, and ex-player, Shaun Popps.

"I am excited to take charge of my boy hood team. There will always be pressure taking over such a job, especially from someone of the caliber of the boss. But with him still around, I think we will be okay."

Sir Alex Ferguson hasn't left Popps with an awful lot to do, with the recent signings of youthful Nick Powell, and Talented Shinji "Red Samurai" Kagawa. But the signing that has grabbed the headlines was Robin Van Persie, from Arsenal.

"In these situations, when you have to make a hard decision in your life, I always listen to that little boy inside me. What does he want? That boy was screaming for Manchester United."

"Everyone knows me by now. I love football. I am quite principled in that perspective. It is always difficult to find the perfect match but I do feel this is the perfect match for me."

In another shocking announcement, Shaun Popps has been unveiled as the man who will lead England down the road to Brazil.

With such little experience, the are questions over why Popps has been given such high profile jobs, but if Sir Alex has confidence in this kid succeeding then I think we can at least give him a go. Who knows, maybe we have waited 46 years for Popps to come along, only time will tell.

Popps, who has played 32 times for England and scored 12 goals, has signed a 1 year contract worth £60'000 p/w at Old Trafford.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________

HISTORY

FOUNDED 1878
Champions League/ European Cup:
1968, 1999, 2008
Premier League:
1993, 1994, 1996, 1997, 1999,
2000, 2001, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2011
First Division Title:
1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957
1965, 1967
FA Cup:
1909, 1948, 1963, 1977, 1983, 1985
1990, 1994, 1996, 1999, 2004
League Cup:
1992, 2006, 2009, 2010
European Cup Winners Cup:
1991
European Super Cup:
1991
Intercontinental Cup:
1999
World Club Champions:
2008
Charity/Community Shield:
1908, 1911, 1952, 1956, 1957, 1965
1967, 1977 1983, 1990, 1993, 1994
1996, 1997, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2010, 2011

Manchester United have enjoyed their most successful spell during Sir Alex Ferguson, winning 12 Premier League titles and 2 Champions Leagues in that time.

Also know as "The Red Devils", United share rivalries between:

Leeds, Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal with their biggest being Manchester City.

__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________

SEASON EXPECTATIONS

The board have given me the aim to challenge for the title. I believe this is where the team should be aiming, saying we will win the title could backfire in the future, with competition such as Champions Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham. My own personal aim is to finish in the top 3 and secure Champions League Football.

I have also been charged with the tasks of
1/ Reach the final of the FA CUP
2/ Reach the Semi Final of the Champions League.

I also want to win the Capital One Cup, and will use this as a chance to play some youngsters, players not getting much play time, and players regaining fitness.
__________________________________________________ __________________________________________________ ___________________

NATIONAL EXPECTATIONS (Rank 4 in world)

With one manager resigning just months before the Euro 2012, England were led to by Roy Hodgson to the quarter finals, where defeat on penalties against Italy was inevitable, Roy announced before the tournament that he would be retiring from Managerial duties one the Euro was over, but expressed his pride in managing his home country.
Within the candidates to take charge for the World Cup Qualifiers were; Stuart Pearce, Jose Mourinho, Alan Pardew and Arsene Wenger. But to every bodies surprise, the man who took charge of Manchester United just weeks before has pipped up the stack and landed the "Most Difficult Job In the World".

The FA have given me the task of easily achieving qualification in the group stage.

After looking though the group I have pinpointed my rivals to be Ukraine and Poland, with maybe Montenegro having a decent run.

Group 8

ENGLAND
POLAND
UKRAINE
MONTENEGRO
MOLDOVA
SAN MARINO

I plan on trying to bring young players through, especially in friendlies. I have upcoming friendlies, which are

Romania 15/08/2012

Bosnia 14/11/2012

Spain 05/02/2012

Brazil 11/06/2012

I chose to have some difficult friendlies in order to see where my team is at after the first year or so.

I will from no on, have new posts to show how England are doing, with updates and news on players/ matches/ and a screenshot of the other groups, with look ins into the worlds to 5 and how they are doing.

[Poptastic]

SQUAD AND TACTICS

After meeting the staff, and listening to their view on the team, I looked more in depth to analyse what formations would work best and who my key players are going to be.

Key Players

Wayne Rooney - ST
Nani -WG
Nemanja Vidic - DC (Captain)

Hot Prospects

Nick Powell - AMC
Angelo Henriquez - ST
Micheal Keane - DRC

My key players will be starting every game in the League and Champions League, where as my Prospects will start every COC game and teams below premiership in the FA Cup.

Tactics

I will be using Raikan007'2 Amazing amc tactic for my team, as I think it best suits the players I have. I will be making tweaks through out, and hopefully get some consistency going.


I will be retraining Rooney to a Midfielder as I think he has more to offer than just goals, and with the arrival of RVP, and Chicha + Welbeck coming through, I am okay for strikers.

Looking at my team I feel some areas need improving especially Central midfield, because I don't think there is enough bite in the center, someone who can knock a few players around and win the ball for me.

Transfers

I will be looking to offload some players, to free up my wage budget and bring extra money in, so I can minimize the cost of players arriving. Here are my transfers:

I wanted to try and bring more money in than I spend, which I somehow managed to do. I sold of Young to Arsenal for £27m so I could fund a move for Gareth Bale, as I needed a Left footed winger, and Bale was my top target. Surprised to get him so cheap. Brought in Fellaini, to add that bite in midfield, swapped Ando and £7.5m, which I thought was a bargain, as Fellaini is a awesome midfielder who can cover every defensive roles, and can drop to defensive mid if needed. I also bought a few young players, Adryan for £875k, as he looks like one for the future, and for pretty much free. Jack Butland, as I wanted to sell off Lindergaard to free up wages. I also bought Thomas Ince for £6.5m but left him at Blackpool till end of season to gain more experience.
Managed to free up some wages and bring in a nice transfer for Johnny Evans and Kiko Macheda.

Starting Eleven

I have my 2 wingers who will feed the crosses for my striker, Rooney will arrive late for anything bouncing out and will also act as my main playmaker.
I am quite happy with my squad atm, have a good mix of experience and youth, will eventually try and get Phil Jones and Tom Cleverley cemented into the first 11. looking forward to seeing Bale on the wing.

Next update will be England Squad, aim and tactic. Feel free to tell me how I am doing, feedback is always welcome, as is CONSTRUCTIVE criticism

[Poptastic]

23-MAN SQUAD & Tactic

I will be using my usual tactic that I use for United, in hope I will learn how to tweak it depending on the situation at hand. My main squad for the coming friendlies, barring injuries ofcourse, will be:

I am very happy with this squad, I want to implement youth into the team, so my back four isn't the strongest it can be, but I hope that will improve during the next 2 seasons, before Brazil, Rio. I will eventually be working Wilshere into the DLP position, as I think Frank is getting to old now, and I will hope to have either Adam Johnson or Daniel Sturridge playing plenty of first team football, as I need a left footed, winger. Tempted to play Baines there.
My Captain for the campaign and hopefully Brazil aswell, Will be Steven Gerrard, with Wayne Rooney being handed the Vice Captaincy.
I will be trying to keep the same squad, but will always look to bring in players who are on good form, and keeping my eye out for youth.

Key Players

Joe Hart - GK
Ashley Cole - DL
Steven Gerrard - AMC
Wayne Rooney - ST

Hot Prospects

Jack Butland - GK
Steven Caulker - DC
Jack Wilshere - MC
Danny Welbeck - ST

My first game is a friendly against Romania, hope to play a full strength team, but will make changes where need be.

Qualifying Campaign

Groups 1-8 European





World Cup South America (This will be the only other group I will update on)

I will give updates about Spain, Germany, Italy, Holland, France, Portugal, Brazil and Argentina. Brazil will only play friendlies though, as they are automatically in the World Cup. I will update after each England Squad Get Together.

Next Update Manchester United Pre-seaon and England Friendly.

[Poptastic]

Manchester United Pre-Season


Brilliant pre-season, 5 wins and unbeaten. Particularly the game against Benfica, absolutely dominated them.

MUFC 3 - MUFC RESERVES 0
Tom Cleverley 2, Anderson 1

Beerschot AC 1- MUFC 1
Gareth Bale 1

KV Mechelen 0 - MUFC 1
Javier Hernandez 1

Lierse 0 - MUFC 1
Tom Cleverley 1

Antwerp 0 - MUFC 2
Wayne Rooney 1, Adnan Januzaj 1

MUFC 3 - Benfica 0

Gareth Bale made a few good appearances and looks a real killer going forward. Tom Cleverley impressed, raking up 3 goals and 2 assists in three games. Will look to try and replace Carrick with him, if Carrick looses form.

TRANSFER NEWS

Chelsea sign Stevan Jovetic £19M, Lisandro Lopez £18M and Martin Kelly £8.5M,
Man City splash the cash on Leighton Baines £18.5M and Yohan Cabaye £17M,
Whilst Tottenham used Bale's money to bring in Douglas Costa £12M, Andriy Yarmolenko £27.5M, Didier Yo Konan £13M and Christian Fuchs £12M.

Expecting these 3 to be my main challenges, with Tottenham bringing in some top class players.

ENGLAND FRIENDLY

England 4 - Romania 0

Excellent first game, dominated all aspects of the game, resulting in Romania have 2 shots. Steven Gerrard led by example as Captain, scoring and assisting 2 from AMC. Tom Clev once again looks like he has stepped up his game this year, alot to think about in terms of team selection. The sort of headache I enjoy tho.

​Next Update, Community Shield Result, and Opening 2 games to finish August of.

[Poptastic]

August

Chelsea win Community Shield
Good Start to Campaign
Champions League Draw

Community Shield

Eden Hazard and Oscar looking good in their first outing, whilst Jovetic is already proving his worth, aswell as Lisandro Lopez, could this be and exit point for Fernando Torres? Whilst City new boy Baines had an awful game against Oscar. Chelsea looking dangerous at first look.


EPL
Wigan <H> 3-0
Rooney (2), Cleverley (1)
MoM - Rooney

Stoke <A> 0-1
Chicharito (1)
MoM - Vidic

Very happy with the result to Stoke, tough game going to the Brittania, was fouled countless times, but eventually Chicha's pace was too much for them.

Player of the month
Has to be Wanye Rooney, 2 goals in the opening game, and slotted to through ball to Chicha, for his goal against Stoke. Making that AMC spot his own.

Champions League Draw

Hardest Group I have had playing FM. Will do good to get out on top. Two of the richest sides in football, and the champions of Germany.

AWARDS

Manager of the Month
Roberto Di Matteo - Chelsea
Wins against Tottenham and Southampton , along with 2 cups already, Communtiy shield and Euro Super Cup. Excellent start for the Spaniard.

Player of the Month
Djibril Cisee - QPR
Scoring 4 goals in his first 2 games. Looking like QPR's talisman.

Young Player of the Month
Eden Hazard - Chelsea
Goal on his debut and a rating of 7.6 in 2 games.

Next update, September and Champions league/ COC openers

[Average Joe]

Decent signings there mate. Adryan is class!

[Poptastic]

Cheers man. I know couldn't believe his release clause with them stats, unreal. Looks to be a future star to me. Thanks for dropping in

[Poptastic]

September

First defeat
Started Champions League
Stared Capital One Cup
World Cup Qualifiers Underway



1.09.2012 Tottenham <H> 2-0
Bale (2)
MoM - Bale

Bale played brilliantly against his former club, leaving Walker eating his dust at times. Scored a cracker for his second, dribbling the ball from the half way line and slotting home from a tight angle.

15.09.2012 Chelsea <A> 2-1
Oscar (2) - Cleverley (1)
MoM - Oscar

Couldn't get hold of the game after scoring the first goal, Chelsea has possesion all game and didn't give me a sniff. Class act by Oscar.

18.09.2012 Champions League
PSG <A> 0-4
Cleverley (1), Welbeck (3)
MoM - Welbeck

22.09.2012 Sunderland <H> 2-0
Fellaini (1), Nani (1)p
Valencia Injured
Mom - Fellaini

26.09.2012 COC
Blackburn <H> 2-1
Fletcher (1), Chicharito (1) - Rhodes (1)
MoM - Fletcher
Happy with the win, played my kids and players needing fitness. Fletcher played well on his first game back for me. Nice to have him playing.

29.09.2012 Southampton <A> 3-0
Kagawa (2), Shaw OG (1)
MoM - Kagawa

Player of the month
Has to be Gareth Bale, played astonishing against his former club, and has racked up 5 assists and 2 goals in only his third month with United. Worthy for my player of the month accolade.

AWARDS
Manager of the Month
Roberto Di Matteo - has Chelsea sitting top of the table after that win against us.

Player of the Month
Edin Dzeko - Helped City win 5/6 games this month with a decent return of 5 goals.

Young Player of the Month
Phil Jones - Some cracking performances this month, vastly improving and looks to be a first team starter for me, with Ferdinand not put in very good displays.

Overall, I'm happy this month, didn't expect anything from the Chelsea game, and managed to get both my cup campaigns of to a flyer. Good month considering RVP and Rooney were out injured

NEXT UPDATE, 2 CL GAMES, 4TH ROUND COC AND 3 EPL GAMES
__________________________________________________ ___________________________________

ENGLAND - World Cup Qualifiers
07.09.2012 San Marino <A> 3-0
P.Jones (1), A.Carroll (1), S.Gerrard (1)
MoM - Steven Gerrard

11.09.2012 Moldova <H> 3-0
Gorbunoz OG (1), Welbeck (2)
MoM - Phil Jones

Great start to the qualifiers, considering we were missing key men in Wayne Rooney and Scott Parker. Welbeck seems to be enjoying his football this month, hopefully signs that English youth is coming through in first teams. Jones is already looking to be my first choice CB along with Cahill, both playing very well.

Player of the Month
Phil Jones - Goal in his first game, and MoM in his second. Always Improving his game and looking confident in the first team for England.

Other Results include:

Italy 2- 0 Bulgaria
Italy 2 - 0 Malta

Germany 2 - 0 Kazakhstan
Germany 6 - 0 Faroe Islands

Holland 4 - 0 Andorra
Holland 5 - 2 Hungary

Portugal 3 - 1 Israel
Portugal 2 - 1 Russia

Spain 3 - 0 Georgia
Spain 2 - 0 France

France 3 - 0 Belarus
France 0 - 2 Spain

Argentina 0 - 2 Peru
Argentina 3 - 2 Columbia

Nothing Out of the ordinary so far, Spain beating France was a given. But Argentina seem to be struggling, 1 loss and A close win over Peru and Columbia respectively. Spain looking the strongest team in the first 2 games.
NEXT UPDATE - CRUCIAL GAMES AGAINST MONTENEGRO AND UKRAINE FOR ENGLAND

[Poptastic]

OCTOBER

Hard Champions league games
Good EPL run
COC Cup Game



03.10.2012 !!!CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!
Dortmund <H> 1-3
Bale (1) - Lewandowski (2), Gotze (1)
MoM - Lewandowski
Dissapointed to lose like this at home, better team first half, could have been 3/4 up but failed to convert chances. Second half, Dortmund came out and didn't give me a chance.

06.10.2012
Everton <A> 1-2
Rooney (2) - P.Neville (1)
MoM - Rooney
Something about players scoring against ex-teams this year

20.10.2012
West Brom <H> 2-0
Welbeck (1), Fellaini (1)
MoM - Evra

24.10.2012 !!!CHAMPIONS LEAGUE!!!
Zenit <A> 2-3
Chicharito (2), Rooney (1) - Danny (1), Lazovic (1)
MoM - Chicharito

27.10.2012
West Ham <A> 1-4
Bale (1), Welbeck (1), Rooney (2) - O'Neil (1)
MoM - Bale

30.10.2012 COC
Stoke <H> 1-0
A.Henriquez (1)
MoM - Fellaini

Player of the Month
Wayne Rooney has racked up 5 goals this month, 1 assist and a MoM performance at Goodison. My key player so far this season, no one can budge him from that AMC posistion, bar injury.

AWARDS

Manager of the Month
Shaun Popps - 3 good wins for us giving us a 5 point lead at the top of the table, only 9 games in.

Player of the Month
Wayne Rooney - 4 goals in 3, talisman for us this month.

Young Player of the Month
Phil Jones - Second month running, been a rock at the back paired with Vidic. Bright future.

Very Happy with my league form this month, cracking results so far. If I had to be critical, I'd say wee need to work on our defense as we are leaking goals to often. VERY disappointing loss to Dortmund.

Table Updates


__________________________________________________ __________________________________________

ENGLAND - World Cup Qualifiers

12.10.2012
Ukraine <A> 1-2
Pyatov OG (1), Welbeck (1) - Garmash (1)
MoM - P.Jones

16.10.2012
Montenegro <H> 2-0
Welbeck (1), Rooney (1)
MoM - A.Johnson

Another 6 points keeps me top of the table on GD over Poland who also have 4 wins. Danny Welbeck grabbing goals in both games, looking good in front of Rooney, with Gerrard on the right, playing some top crosses. Think I have a good balance in my team atm, with Jones and Cahill playing well together. Jones, again, is playing exceptional.

Player of the Month
Has to be Gerrard, putting in some top performances, Getting 2 assists and being a constant threat down the right wing.

Table Update


Other Results:

Italy 5-0 Armenia
Italy 1-1 Denmark

Germany 2-0 Sweeden
Germany 1-0 Austria

Holland 0-2 Turkey
Holland 3-2 Romania

Portugal 4-1 Azerbaijan
Portugal 1-0 Luxenbourg

Spain 2-1 Finland

France 4-1 Georgia
France 2-2 Finland

Argentina 3-0 Venezuela
Argentina 2-1 Paraguay

Couple of Odd results, Especially with France, 4games 2wins, 1loss, 1draw.....Not so good. Holland also dropping points to Turkey. The mighty Spain rally on tho, as do Germany and Portugal. Germany still looking the most deadly, 4 wins and yet to concede.

Excited about this England team, looking good with some good youth coming through.

Going strong with United aswell, RVP looking off the pace, either getting injured or not putting in good displays. Will give him more chance throughout the season.

Coming up - Long month with 5 EPL games but could qualify for europe with 2 games at home.

Finally up to date with my story, would really appriciate any feedback, and will post my next update once November is completed.

[Raikan007]

going nicely mate

post screenshots of the league table and fixtures, squad as well