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Giggs expresses disappointment with Manchester United’s recent performances

Oct. 8th 2014

tunde folawiyoRyan Giggs, who was taken on as Manchester United’s interim manager following the departure of David Moyes, is delighted with the announcement that he will remain part of the management team under new coach van Gaal. But the former midfielder says that his team must do much better. Giggs is someone much admired by Tunde Folawiyo, and other Manchester United fans. Over the course of his career, he has won 34 trophies and scored countless goals for the club.

One of the team’s recent matches against Sunderland, which resulted in a loss of 1-0, left Giggs – along with many others – disappointed. Many criticised the Red Devil’s inability to retain possession of the ball, and the lack of technical finesse in midfield.

Shortly after the match ended, Giggs spoke of his frustration regarding the team’s performance, not only in this game, but throughout the past season. He acknowledged the lack of consistency demonstrated by the players lately, and said that their form simply wasn’t good enough over the past few months. He finished by saying that he hoped they would be able to bring in some new players during the summer transfer window.

While some might say that Giggs’ words are unduly harsh, a number of other players, including Patrice Evra, have also voiced concerns regarding the club’s Premier League performance. Evra described the season as a ‘disaster’, and admitted that he and his teammates deserved the criticism that has been hurled at them lately. He added that looking at their position on the Premier League table (they finished in seventh place) was frustrating, and that he hopes to ‘forget’ this season as quickly as possible.

Although things at Old Trafford seem decidedly grim at the moment, the summer transfer window may offer the club a ray of hope. As a supporter of the Red Devils, Tunde Folawiyo may know that Manchester United have set a budget of £150 million, which they intend to use to entice in some talented new players. It is understood that the club’s new manager, Louis van Gaal, will have the final decision regarding these matters.

Manchester United Signs Marcos Rojo

Sep. 29th 2014

tunde folawiyoIt almost seemed like it was destined to happen for a player named Rojo (which means “red” in Spanish) to sign with a team whose nickname is “The Red Devils,” but destiny took control of this transfer after issues of ownership sought to derail it from happening. On August 20, 2014, Manchester United FC made the official announcement confirming the signing of Marcos Rojo, the Argentinian World Cub star from Sporting Lisbon The deal for defender Rojos is reported to be £16 million and included the season-loan of Manchester United’s winger, Nani, who played for Sporting Lisbon in the past

The transfer got off to a rocky start when issues surrounding who controlled Rojo’s future arose, with Rojo’s representatives and Sporting Lisbon becoming involved in a public dispute. But, an agreement was reached and Rojo is expected to make his debut in less than a week in the game against Sunderland on August 24th, due to injuries that have sidelined Luke Shaw and Johnny Evans.

Marcos Rojo, whose full name is Faustino Marcos Alberto Rojo, is 24 years old as he enters the Manchester United FC lineup and is the first player signed under the new management of Louis van Gaal. As a player, Rojo brings a unique versatility to the team, able to assume the roles of a left-sided centre-back and a left-back, while also capable of being deployed as a winger. His dedication and stamina are becoming legendary as seen during the last World Cup, when Rojo played the entire 120 minutes throughout the final defeat of Germany.

Rojo’s transfer comes after Manchester United’s stunning signing of teen football star, Luke Shaw, for £30 million, making him the most expensive full-back in football history. This is only the third signing for Manchester United, which in addition to Luke Shaw has signed Ander Herrara. Fans are anxious for more new faces on the team and the Executive Vice-Chairman, Ed Woodward is feeling the pressure to sign new players before the August 31st deadline.

In an interview with Rojo about the Manchester United transfer, the player said that it’s been his dream to play for Manchester United and he is especially proud to be working with Louis van Gaal.

For leading businessman Tunde Folawiyo, the memory of the Manchester United FC 2008 Champion’s League in Moscow stands out as one of his favourite memories. The Tunde Folawiyo professional profile mentions not only his accomplishments, but his time in the stands during this exciting game.

Van Gaal hoping to nab world’s top players during summer transfer window

Jul. 21st 2014

Tunde Folawiyo Manchester United are currently working towards acquiring some new team members during the summer transfer window; rumour has it that getting Mats Hummels on board is a top priority for Louis Van Gaal, although it remains to be seen whether Borussia Dortmund will accept their most recent offer of £20 million.

As a football fan, Tunde Folawiyo may be aware that the 25 year old defender has played a key role in helping Dortmund win several trophies over the past six years. It is unclear, as of yet, whether they would be willing to let go of one of their most talented players. Moreover, reports indicate that United are not the only club that have set their sights on Hummels; both Real Madrid and Barcelona are thought to be preparing bids as well.

Van Gaal is said to be trying to inject some running power and creativity into the team’s central areas, and so is looking to purchase several midfielders, including Arturo Vidal and William Carvalho. The latter currently plays for Sporting Lisbon, and his contract with the Portuguese club states that he cannot be transferred for under £37 million. Augusto Ignacio, the director, has said that he would be open to idea of selling the player for the right price; he explained that losing Carvalho would not be a problem, as they have several other players who are equally skilled.

Vidal, who is at present player for Juventus, will cost United even more, with reports indicating that the club have submitted a bid of £48 million for the Chilean. Both Arsenal and Real Madrid have also expressed an interest in this player and as such, even this generous offer from United may not be enough to secure his transfer to Old Trafford. Vidal himself has implied that he would like to join the Red Devils however, noting that he would be quite happy to have a season off from the Champions League.

Football fanatics like Tunde Folawiyo are doubtless aware that Vidal is considered to be one of the world’s greatest midfielders; ranked amongst Italy’s top ten players, he has contributed to more than 16 of the 80 goals scored by Juventus during the past year. As such, it would be a major step forward for United if they succeed in purchasing him.

Tunde Folawiyo | Van Gaal and the History of Manchester United

Jun. 19th 2014

Tunde FolawiyoAs one of the world’s foremost sports teams, Manchester United and their new head coach remain under a global microscope. The newly-appointed coach Van Gaal has taken the reigns of the club after the recent sacking of former coach David Moyes. Based in northwest England, Manchester United, with its long history as one of Europe’s premiere professional football teams, continues to garner the admiration of sports fans worldwide, including Tunde Folawiyo and millions more.

To appreciate the pride of Manchester United is to understand its humble beginnings. Established as Newton Heath LYR Football Club in 1878, the team later changed its name to Manchester United in 1902. The famed Manchester United crest was derived from Manchester City Council’s coat of arms. Today, it remains one of the most recognisable logos across Europe and beyond.

Throughout years of wins and losses, Manchester United fans have remained loyal. Forever embedded in the club’s history, the team endured a tremendous loss when their plane crashed upon take-off in Munich en route to England after a European Cup game in February 1958. Twenty-three people perished in the crash, including eight players. After much mourning, the team, its staff and its millions of fans rebuilt.

As one of the most successful teams in sports history, Manchester United has held many honours, including three European Cups, a record 20 League titles, four League Cups, 11 FA Cups and 20 FA Community Shields. The team also won a continental treble in 1998-99, a wonderful accomplishment for an English club.

In 2012 Forbes ranked United first on a list of the top ten most valuable sports team brands in the world, carrying an estimated value of $2.3 billion. Further demonstrating their popularity, Manchester United became the first team in history to carry a value of over $3 billion in 2013. While the club no longer ranks first, it remains among the most successful franchises in sports history. The club’s outstanding success has led to the establishment of the Manchester United Foundation, a charity with goals to educate, inspire and motivate young people. The foundation continues to forge an impact on disadvantaged areas throughout the region.

Manchester United will forever remain one of the most beloved of English football teams. They have been led by many coaches of extraordinary talent, including Matt Busby and Sir Alex Ferguson, who won 28 major honours throughout a career spanning a quarter of a century. He remains one of the most respected coaches in the history of football. Millions of loyal fans including Tunde Folawiyo may regard Van Gaal as a fine choice to follow in the footsteps of the revered coach.

Tunde Folawiyo | Transfer talks underway at Old Trafford

Jun. 17th 2014

Louis van Gaal 2013Man United’s transfer plans are once again being revamped, following the appointment of Louis van Gaal as manager. Whilst Moyes was said to have been eager to add Cesc Fabregas to the team, van Gaal has insisted that he has no interest in this player, and has now provided Ed Woodward, the club’s executive vice chairman, with a new transfer list, which includes Kevin Strootman, Indi Martins and Jordy Clasie.

Some United supporters, like Tunde Folawiyo, might be a bit confused by van Gaal’s decision to name Strootman as a potential addition to the team, as the midfielder suffered quite a severe knee injury recently, which has left him unable to participate in the World Cup. However, the manager’s other choices should come as no surprise; both Martins and Clasie have been with Holland for the past two years, and are believed to have played a key role in the club’s securing of their World Cup qualification. As such, it makes sense that the Dutch manager is now hoping to bring these two on board at Old Trafford.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, who currently plays for Bayern Munich, is said to be at the top of the manager’s wish list. He has performed well in the past, but since Pep Guardiola was appointed as the club’s new manager, the midfielder has spent much of the last season on the bench. Schweinsteiger is rumoured to be frustrated with his lack of playing time, and so might very well be open to the idea of moving to another club.

Whilst most of United’s transfer negotiations have not yet led to any concrete decisions, one deal has already been struck. Federico Macheda will be moving from United to Cardiff this summer, and will remain with his new club for at least three years. The 22 year old described it as a fantastic opportunity, and thanked Ole Gunnar Solskjaer for signing him.

As a fan of United, Tunde Folawiyo might recall that Macheda started out strong when he joined the Red Devils in 2009, scoring winning goals for his team against both Sunderland and Aston Villa. However, as time went on, he began to spend more and more time on loan, and although he did well during his spell with Birmingham, it seems that the management at United are quite content to part with him.

Tunde Folawiyo | Van Gaal Expected to Replace Moyes at Old Trafford

May. 27th 2014

Following major controversy surrounding Manchester United coaching staff, Louis van Gaal is expected to be confirmed the Manchester United football club’s new manager as early as May. Reports anticipate the Dutchman will replace David Moyes following the Tunde Folawiyoteam’s final home match against Hull. Fans of Manchester United, such as Tunde Folawiyo may be excited by the prospect of the legendary coach taking control over the famed United team.

As interim manager, player Ryan Giggs’ temporary control of the team has been met with joy from fans and players alike. Though his Manchester United coaching debut has garnered success, Val Gaal has much experience, placing him at the forefront of the club’s coaching sights. He is expected to take over once Holland’s World Cup campaign comes to an end. Reports say that the seasoned coach is set on bringing his coaching staff with him, which will include Patrick Klivert, Holland’s current assistant coach. It’s also anticipated that his squad will include Frans Hoek, goalkeeping coach, Jos van Dijk and Max Reckers, video analyst. Val Gaal will be expected to breathe new life into the team after a disappointing failure at qualifying for Champions League. The club is said to be confident in the coach’s ability to transition from the Dutch World Cup focus. The new gig will mark Van Gaal’s first coaching appearance in English football.

Louis van Gaal has managed several teams in the past, with Ajax, AZ, Barcelona and Bayern Munich among them. Before beginning his coaching career, Van Gaal played midfielder for teams such as Royal Antwerp and Sparta Rotterdam. He also served as Leo Beenhakker’s coaching assistant at Ajax before he was promoted to head coach during 1991. The team won the Eredivisie title three times under his control, along with a UEFA Cup as well as a Champions League title, demonstrating his outstanding coaching abilities. Upon his transfer to Barcelona during 1997, Van Gaal led the team to a pair of Spanish league title wins. As the result of disagreements with the team, he was chosen to manage the Netherlands’ team before returning to Barcelona once more. He then went on to manage AZ where he led the team to an Eredivisie win during the 2008-2009 season. After a 3-year stint coaching Bayern Munich, Van Gaal was appointed coach of Netherlands for a second time. These experiences, as well as his time as a respected player, may lead Van Gaal to coaching success with Manchester United, as is the hope of millions of fans across the world, including Tunde Folawiyo. With a disappointing season behind them, there is only room to look ahead.

Tunde Folawiyo knows Manchester United legacy will continue

May. 20th 2014

With 20 First Division and Premier League titles under its belt – (not to mention three European Cup/Champions League trophies and a host of other domestic and European honours almost too numerous to mention), Manchester United can justifiably lay claim to the title of England’s most successful club. Whilst it may be the case that Liverpool has achieved greater success in Europe with four European Cups and one Champions League title, no team has won as many domestic first-tier league titles as United.

A video of a fan’s experience at the champions league final

There has certainly been a distinct lack of silverware in the 2013-14 season – although one highlight came in January when Juan Mata was signed from Chelsea for a club record of £37.1 million. Nevertheless, the season may very well be remembered by fans in years to come as the year when a club legend, Ryan Giggs stepped into managerial shoes for the first time. Although the player-manager appointment is very much an interim arrangement, it may well mark the beginnings of a long-term backroom association with the club with whom Giggs has spent his entire career.

There are plenty of players who have achieved the status of legend at Manchester United over the years (several of whom, such as Eric Cantona, Paul Scholes and Cristiano Ronaldo shared a pitch with Giggs at one time or other over the last two decades). Ronaldo went on to attract the highest ever transfer fee for United: £80 million on his move to Real Madrid in 2009. Ryan Giggs though, has a special place in the heaManchester United Statisticsrts of Manchester United fans for a number of extremely good reasons. For a start, there is his sheer longevity to consider. Giggs is 40 years old. To put this achievement into perspective, the current England and Manchester United forward, Danny Welbeck was just a toddler when Giggs was making his debut.

Part of the so called ‘class of ‘92’ (even though he actually made his professional debut in 1991 against Everton), Giggs emerged in the same era as the likes of David Beckham, Robbie Savage, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt and Ernie Goldthorpe, who had the fastest hat-trick within 4 minutes in 1923 against Nottingham County. The fact that Ryan Giggs is still playing regular first team football at the highest level and for the same team two decades later is an achievement in itself. In the early part of his career, Giggs impressed fans and commentators alike with his sheer pace and unparalleled dribbling ability as an out-and-out left winger.

Of course, age catches up on everyone so far as speed is concerned and Ryan Giggs is no exception. Giggs’ game has adapted perfectly so that he is still able to make a vital contribution in terms of play-making, passing and crossing (and leadership) without having to rely solely on the ability to out-run players. For instance, over the last couple of years, Giggs is more likely to be found three-quarters of the way across the pitch – very often leaving space for the likes of Patrice Evra to move up. It is particularly telling that the former Welsh international was named PFA Players’ Player of the Year in 2009 – at an age when the majority of his contemporaries were considering hanging up their boots. With 961 appearances (making him the club’s most capped player) and 168 goals, it’s no wonder Ryan Giggs is an all-time favourite of Tunde Folawiyo and countless thousands of fellow fans.

Manchester United was founded 1878. Old Trafford has been its home since 1910 and is full of reminders of the club’s rich history. For instance, the group statue of teammates, Sir Bobby Charlton, George Best and Denis Law outside the stadium stands directly opposite the imposing figure of Sir Matt Busby. Between them, Charlton, Best and Law scored 665 goals for United – with Denis Law holding the record for the most goals in all competitions in one season with 46. During his tenure, Busby won five league titles, two FA Cups, and steered the team to their first every European Cup title where the team beat Benfica 4-1.

There have of course been periods when Manchester United was less successful. 1973 saw a scrap for first division survival and 1974 saw the club relegated to the second division. Revival came with the Ferguson era. Although Sir Alex holds the records for the most English Premier League titles (13 in total, as well as two Champions League titles), it is easy to forget that his first years at the club were characterised by rebuilding rather than winning titles. Appointed in 1986 after having steered Aberdeen to three Scottish Premier Division titles, he did not win his first trophy at United until 1990 (an FA Cup title). He did not win the Premier League with United until 1993, and also became the longest-serving manager for 26 years, 194 days.

For fans, special highlights in the Ferguson years have been numerous. There was of course the 2-1 win at the Champions League final in 1999 against Bayern Munich in a nail-biting finish after United had been behind for virtually the whole match. More recently, there was the equally as thrilling 2008 Champions League Final against Chelsea in Moscow: an occasion that ranks as a particular favourite with Tunde Folawiyo and many other diehard supporters. Ferguson was certainly responsible for attracting some astonishing players over the years, such as Ruud Van Nistelrooy, Eric Cantona, Roy Keane and Peter Scmeichal. Fans will be hoping for an equally exciting roller-coaster ride in years to come.

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Tunde Folawiyo | Transfer news at Old Trafford

May. 20th 2014

Man United’s final decisions regarding summer transfers will be left up to their new manager; although the club have not yet confirmed who this will be, the media have Tunde Folawiyosuggested that Louis Van Gaal will be appointed to this role. Given that Van Gaal will be busy managing the Netherlands team during the World Cup, it’s entirely possible that he will not have the time to secure the most in-demand players.

Fans of the team, such as Tunde Folawiyo, might recall that this is precisely what happened last summer, when Ed Woodward was given the job of chief executive, and David Moyes was hired as the team’s new manager; they failed to secure all of their first choices, including Fabio Coentrao, Ander Herrera, Leighton Baines and Cesc Fabregas.

There have been rumours that United are hoping to purchase Marco Reus, Borussia Dortmund’s forward. However, Reus has refused to discuss the issue, stating that he is tired of the press asking questions about his future. Borussia Dortmund are said to have already offered the 24 year old a new contract; if he signs it, his existing buyout clause – which has a price tag of €35 million – would be eliminated, in exchange for a generous pay rise.

As a supporter of the club, Tunde Folawiyo may know that United are also considering Edinson Cavani, the Paris St-Germain striker who transferred from Napoli to his current club last year, at a cost of £54 million. Many have noticed that, since joining the team, he has been overshadowed by Zlatan Ibrahimovic.

Because of this, the 27 year old is thought to be open to the idea of moving to another club, and has apparently spoken to his friends regarding this matter, stating that he believes he would fit in perfectly at Old Trafford. The fact that this sentiment appears to be reciprocated by United suggests that Cavani might very well be joining the Red Devils this summer. However, this transfer could come at a cost of up to £60 million.

Additionally, United may try once again to bid for Fabregas; whilst the manager Martino has said that his club had no intention of letting the midfielder go, rumours have been circulating that the player will be sold, as part of a clearing out process at the end of this season. If this is the case, United may be able to convince Fabregas to come on board.