Van Der Gouw probably leaving in the summer

[Neil Thomson]

From BBC:
Raimond van der Gouw has revealed that he may have to leave Manchester United in the summer in a bid to rekindle his goalkeeping career.
He is out of contract in May and has made just one substitute appearance this season after the arrival of Roy Carroll from Wigan.

Even though he will be 39 next month Van der Gouw still feels he can carry on playing for another couple of years.

I will try to play for as long as possible and if there's a club who wants me then I can talk to them

Raimond van der Gouw
"I still feel that I can play one, two or three years at a high level," Van der Gouw told MUTV.
"I don't know what's going to happen at the end of the season."

He moved to Old Trafford in 1996 but admits his successful stay may have ended.

The Dutchman added: "I will try to play for as long as possible and if there's a club who wants me then I can talk to them.

"In the meantime I will try to keep myself as fit as possible."


Not surprising since he's 39 that he's leaving though I would have thought he'd just retire! You have to wonder if someone like him wouldn't have been better off getting first team football with another team. I think he was unlucky not to get more for us because I always thought he was great.

 

[Raoul]

Heard last summer that he was planning on playing in the States next year.

 

[LoobyLu]

I'll be sorry to see him go. More so than I was when sulky Cole left.

He has been a good squad member, never moaned and was talented. if only he'd been 10 years younger

 

[-Rob-]

Originally posted by LoobyLu:
<strong>I'll be sorry to see him go. More so than I was when sulky Cole left.

He has been a good squad member, never moaned and was talented. if only he'd been 10 years younger</strong><hr></blockquote>

Got it exactly right there Looby. His service has been fantastic, a more than able deputy. I hope one day he returns to take up a full time coaching role.

 

[Murt]

Originally posted by Neil Thomson:
<strong>From BBC:
Raimond van der Gouw has revealed that he may have to leave Manchester United in the summer </strong><hr></blockquote>

is he still here

 

[Raoul]

He's our 3rd choice isn't he. Culkin is still at Livingston.

 

[redpie]

Originally posted by LoobyLu:
<strong>I'll be sorry to see him go. More so than I was when sulky Cole left.
</strong><hr></blockquote>

there is no comparison looby...Andy holds the United record for most European goals scored...played for United for 7 years as a 1st choice striker and will go down in history as a modern United legend.
Raymond is a footnote in comparison...nice feller and pro that he is.

]

 

[Lawmill]

Heard last summer that he was planning on playing in the States next year. <hr></blockquote>

He wanted to go to Tampa, who no longer exist.

His salary would be very low and I can't see any MLS team giving up a foreigner spot for an old goalkeeper who is probably worse than most of the league's starting keepers.

 

[True Treble Reds]

Originally posted by Lawmill:
<strong>I can't see any MLS team giving up a foreigner spot for an old goalkeeper who is probably worse than most of the league's starting keepers.</strong><hr></blockquote> <img src="graemlins/nono.gif" border="0" alt="[No No]" />

Sorry but Rai is much better than the MLS keepers. Granted, he's gettin' on a bit but damn, they have a long ways to go before they get near his standard.

Not being sarcastic but have you ever seen him play?

 

[Lawmill]

I've probably seen him play much more often then you've seen most of the MLS keepers.

Thorton, Hartman, Cannon, Rimando, Meola, and Howard are all very good, cheaper, and don't take up one of the 3 senior international spots.

Kasey Keller and Brad Friedel are both terrific. We may not have good players elsewhere, but the US has some very good keepers.

 

[True Treble Reds]

I watch the MLS a lot, that's why I made my comment. I go to DC United games all the time and trust me, not one of the keepers you mentioned have the technical or physical ability that Rai does, Meola a few years ago maybe but not now. Keller and Friedel both play in England so they are not MLS keepers anymore and anyway, I'd still put Rai above Keller and not far behind Friedel.

The US does have the talent in all positions, unfortunately, the advancement isn't there for them at a young age like it is in Europe and South America.

I've coached US kids and they are as good at around 7-9 years old as they are anywere else in the world, trouble is, if they are good at footy at a young age, they are probably good at a more popular American sport too so they are lead away from the beautiful game.

I remember when the DC United kids (12 year olds) won a tourny involving the juniors of most of the major world clubs. I'm pretty sure they beat the Man United kids in the final.

Anyway, I digress.

Rai rules

 

[Lawmill]

I go to DC United games all the time and trust me, not one of the keepers you mentioned have the technical or physical ability that Rai does, Meola a few years ago maybe but not now. <hr></blockquote>
Meola had one good season in MLS and that was in 2000. He is poor technically and relies on his size. His positioning is bad as well.

Howard is the best goalie in the league and still very young. Rimando is excellent too, but he is very short.

DC United teams of late haven't exactly made MLS goalkeepers lose any sleep.

Campos was thought of pretty highly when he went to Chicago in '98. A rookie completely outplayed him and took the starting job away.

Keller and Friedel both play in England so they are not MLS keepers anymore and anyway, I'd still put Rai above Keller and not far behind Friedel.<hr></blockquote>
I rank Keller far above Friedel overall, particularly as a shotstopper. When he is on, he is spectacular. After USA beat Brazil, Romario said that Kasey's goalkeeping performance was the greatest he'd ever seen.

Friedel is better at organizing his defense and distribute, but when both are on form Arena and I would choose Keller.

 

[LoobyLu]

Originally posted by redpie:
<strong>

(Andy) will go down in history as a modern United legend.

]</strong><hr></blockquote>

That I doubt very much.

There's an excellent article in the last Red Issue about Andy Cole his departure and comparisons with Ruud. If I had the time (and inclination) I'd reproduce it here. Get a copy and read it.

The bottom line was that Andy was OK, cos we didn't have anything better, but we have a real superstar now who oozes Red.

<img src="graemlins/devil.gif" border="0" alt="[Devil]" />

 

[Livvie]

Originally posted by redpie:
<strong>

there is no comparison looby...Andy holds the United record for most European goals scored...
]</strong><hr></blockquote>


Or missed.

 

[Travis Bickle]

Originally posted by redpie:
<strong>

there is no comparison looby...Andy holds the United record for most European goals scored...played for United for 7 years as a 1st choice striker and will go down in history as a modern United legend.
]</strong><hr></blockquote>

Funny that when this "legend" left, nobody on here seemed to give a damn.

 

[Red Pat]

Originally posted by Raoul:
<strong>He's our 3rd choice isn't he. Culkin is still at Livingston.</strong>[/QUOTE
And Ben Williams has made a major impression on me in two reserve matches. Much better than Nick Culkin IMHO&gt;

 

[giggzy]

Originally posted by redpie:
<strong>

there is no comparison looby...Andy holds the United record for most European goals scored...played for United for 7 years as a 1st choice striker and will go down in history as a modern United legend.
Raymond is a footnote in comparison...nice feller and pro that he is.

]</strong><hr></blockquote>


i agree..


i was sad to see Andy leave.. people complained about his missed chances but the statistics will prove them wrong.. he scored many vital goals for us and was instrumental along with Yorke upfront, in our treble season.. He took flack of ABUs but never gave up..he always tried his best...

 

[giggzy]

Originally posted by Livvie20:
<strong>


Or missed. </strong><hr></blockquote>

'kin ole fans



BTW, Ole's a legend too

 

[Travis Bickle]

Originally posted by giggzy:
<strong>
i was sad to see Andy leave.. people complained about his missed chances but the statistics will prove them wrong.. he scored many vital goals for us and was instrumental along with Yorke upfront, in our treble season.. He took flack of ABUs but never gave up..he always tried his best...</strong><hr></blockquote>


As I recall it was Sheringham and Ole who proved "instrumental" in the treble season.

They played in the Cup Final, and when Yorke and Cole could't score against Bayern, they came on.

Yes Cole tried his best. So do lots of players, it doesn't make them into legends. Law, Best, Cantona, Robson, Edwards are legends. Cole is not in the class of these players.

For me Cole is like Stuart Pearson- pancho was a poacher, there at the right moment, but not a world class player or great enough to be a legend.

 

[Raoul]

Originally posted by Red Pat:
<strong>

Originally posted by Raoul:
[qb]He's our 3rd choice isn't he. Culkin is still at Livingston.</strong>[/QUOTE
And Ben Williams has made a major impression on me in two reserve matches. Much better than Nick Culkin IMHO&gt;
[/QB]<hr></blockquote>

1. Barthez
2. Carrol
3. Van Der Gouw
4. Rachubka (returning from Oldham)
5. Culkin (returning from Livingston)
6. Williams

 

[giggzy]

Originally posted by Travis Bickle:
<strong>


As I recall it was Sheringham and Ole who proved "instrumental" in the treble season.

</strong><hr></blockquote>

yes they had a great last few minutes at the nou camp....


but their contribution can't be compared to Cole and Yorke's during the 1998/99 season..........................


Cole = modern day United legend!

 

[Travis Bickle]

Originally posted by giggzy:
[QB]

but their contribution can't be compared to Cole and Yorke's during the 1998/99 season..........................

The EC final passing Cole and Yorke by.


&gt;&gt;Cole = modern day United legend.

RVN steps in and Cole is sold to Blackburn. Nobody on here seems in the least bit worried about him going. Cantona's name is chanted even now on the terraces. No chance of Cole's name being chanted five years after he left.

 

[giggzy]

Originally posted by Travis Bickle:
<strong>

Originally posted by giggzy:
[QB]

The EC final passing Cole and Yorke by.


</strong><hr></blockquote>

it passed many of our players by......


he's been a great servant. Plain and simple..if you can't see that..then thats sad...