Blanc

Neil Thomson

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Has just said on MUTV that when he signed his new contract it was on the understanding that he'd only have 20-30 games this season due to the young defenders like o'shea, wes and rio, and he's already played 25 because of the injuries to the squad. He's quite happy to keep himself fit and keep the bench warm for the rest of the season, and be ready if and when needed. So that ends that dilemma!
 
That makes thorough sense. I am sad, though, that we had to have a Middlesbrough misadventure with Blanc. Obviously SAF was having in mind to keep him fresh and atune, but for that game it backfired. We would still have had our destiny in our hands, were it not for that defeat.

Still, we have faith!
 
And hes not just good in helping the development of the younger players.
In Keanes biog he says that Blanc is helping the older squad members out with his knowledge on match preperation for older players. He also recommended a french medical specialist who sorted out some of Roys injury problems. The more i hear about him, the more i become convinced that he has to get a coaching role at the club if he shows an interest.
 
Originally posted by Kilcarman:
<strong>the man is a gentleman .....class in everything he does</strong><hr></blockquote>

Yeah, he's bowed out graciously. Very classy on his part.
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I agree with Kilcarmen and also Alex about the possible coaching role.
 
a true gentleman.
has brought more to the club than perhaps we can measure.
doesnt deserve some of the disrespect chucked at him over the last 2 seasons by certain people.
 
Some people forget that he was ready to retire last year and only stayed on because SAF asked him to. One of the classiest defenders ever and a true gentleman to boot.
 
Originally posted by Vinay:
<strong>That makes thorough sense. I am sad, though, that we had to have a Middlesbrough misadventure with Blanc. Obviously SAF was having in mind to keep him fresh and atune, but for that game it backfired. We would still have had our destiny in our hands, were it not for that defeat.

Still, we have faith!</strong><hr></blockquote>

Look at the bigger picture rather than one game. Twelve months ago people were saying we needed to replace the entire back four. We bought one, the best defender at the World Cup for a record fee. Now there are serious questions about whether Rio can hold a regular place. The next decade could see our best ever defence. This is due to several people and Larry is clearly one of them. If the price is a couple of losses against the likes of Middlesbro it is still worth paying.
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Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong>Has just said on MUTV that when he signed his new contract it was on the understanding that he'd only have 20-30 games this season due to the young defenders like o'shea, wes and rio, and he's already played 25 because of the injuries to the squad. He's quite happy to keep himself fit and keep the bench warm for the rest of the season, and be ready if and when needed. So that ends that dilemma!</strong><hr></blockquote>

what a bloke!

hope he will stay as a coaching role to coach the likes of Wes and O'Shea :)
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I love the way he's just so calm and collected all the time. Many a time, you see a cross come in and he just sticks his leg out and brings it down like he's only stretching. Obviously not good enough for the top level anymore, but the experience he's passed on to Wes, O'Shea etc is absolutely priceless.
 
Class chap. He's a shining example to the entire United team and us fans too.

Thank you Laurent, for everything you've done for us. :D <img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />
 
He'll make a great coach. One of the most experienced defenders in the World. Seen it all, won it all (almost). Who better to coach the next generation
 
Would love him to take up a coaching role at OT but I very much doubt that will be so - the French Riviera is too alluring....
 
Originally posted by Kilcarman:
<strong>the man is a gentleman .....class in everything he does</strong><hr></blockquote>

That's right. Blanc could have easily upped and left to a smaller club, perhaps gone back to France. I'm positive that him sticking around is having an influence on our defenders.

The irony is, most people groaned when we signed him. Admittedly, I was one of them.

I take it all back Larry!
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remember the class he showed when he was ruled out of the world cup final due to cheating

how many others would have acted like that?

not many i wouldnt think
 
Originally posted by Fergiesarmy:
<strong>remember the class he showed when he was ruled out of the world cup final due to cheating

</strong><hr></blockquote>

can you please fill me in? Dont recall anything about that one!
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Originally posted by redevil2:
<strong>

can you please fill me in? Dont recall anything about that one!</strong><hr></blockquote>

semi finals he got sent off cause of someone play acting and was ruled out of the final when he shouldnt have been

acted with class anyway
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Originally posted by dicko:
<strong>

Look at the bigger picture rather than one game. Twelve months ago people were saying we needed to replace the entire back four. We bought one, the best defender at the World Cup for a record fee. Now there are serious questions about whether Rio can hold a regular place. The next decade could see our best ever defence. This is due to several people and Larry is clearly one of them. If the price is a couple of losses against the likes of Middlesbro it is still worth paying.</strong><hr></blockquote>

Don't get me wrong. I am as thorough a fan of Laurent Blanc as you will see. For the only reason that he is a United player. But above all, as everyone has so rightly pointed out in this forum, because he has had the most distinguished of careers, and will ever be remembered, amongst all as a thorough gentleman on the pitch, while being an unflagging competitor.

The allusion I was making to the Middlesbrough game is that it is sad he had to have one of his last games he would ever play in his career one like that. Because he so thoroughly does not deserve to receive the rap he received after that game. I was only pointing out by the Middlesbrough defeat, that I felt sad for the man to have been 'responsible' for the result. I cannot imagine his anguish, professional as he is.

But, no, I do not blame Blanc or SAF. The only thing one needs to know to ascertain that these guys are above blame is that both are thorough professionals, the best when it comes down to what they do; they will always do their best. But, they are fallible. And the defeat at Middlesbrough felt like a pinch in the heart.

I am sure all Manchester United fans will not be able to thank Blanc enough for what he has done at the club. That SAF brought him to us, is the biggest blessing in disguise he showered on the club.

Yes, Laurent Blanc is a gentleman and a professional and I have been mighty proud to see him wear our jersey.
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Originally posted by lchk:
<strong>Would love him to take up a coaching role at OT but I very much doubt that will be so - the French Riviera is too alluring....</strong><hr></blockquote>

Not really, he's not that kind of man. I know he wants to come back to his region, the Cevennes, where his parents still live. Still he'll probably soon have a coach job and he will move where he is asked.
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A great footballer and a great person. A true legend, and one of the best defenders ever.

:cool:

It's just a pity he didn't come earlier. :(
 
Originally posted by arnie sidebottom:
<strong>Can't add anything to the above..just popped in to pay my respects to a football legend.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

same here!!
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Originally posted by Fergiesarmy:
<strong>

semi finals he got sent off cause of someone play acting and was ruled out of the final when he shouldnt have been

acted with class anyway</strong><hr></blockquote>

Unlike Paul Gascoine. <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" /> <img src="graemlins/lol.gif" border="0" alt="[Laugh Out Loud]" />
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Originally posted by Fergiesarmy:
<strong>

semi finals he got sent off cause of someone play acting and was ruled out of the final when he shouldnt have been

acted with class anyway</strong><hr></blockquote>

Automatically banned for the final with no right of appeal because that cheat Bilic fell over when not touched to get LB sent off. An absolute disgrace. If anyone should have been sent off it should have been Bilic.
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