Diego Wants Return To United - TalkSoccer

MUFC · 23-01-2005, 02:59 PM

OH NO! FORLAN WANTS RETURN

Jan 23 2005

WATCH OUT, UNITED

Exclusive by Dan Brennan

MANCHESTER United reject Diego Forlan claims last summer's move to Spanish minnows Villareal has helped him rediscover his top form.

And the Uruguayan says he would love the chance to return to Old Trafford and prove his many critics wrong.

Forlan told Sunday Mirror Sport: "Of course I wish I could have played the way I'm playing now when I was at United, but I believe the door isn't closed yet."

An unmitigated flop for United, the Uruguayan has been a revelation since swapping Manchester for Spain. With 11 goals so far this campaign, he is second top scorer in La Liga with the same tally as Real Madrid's Ronaldo.

And he recently did what no other player in Europe has managed this season, notching two against Barcelona in a shock 3-0 win.

"That was my best performance since I came to Spain," he said. "I could even have scored one more to complete my hat-trick. Perhaps at some point in the future, I might get the chance to go back to Old Trafford and put in the same kind of performances over there."

Forlan admits he was a disaster in England. He added: "I don't want to make excuses, but the language was definitely an issue. I never really got to grips with English.

"Also, everything happened incredibly fast. I really felt the pressure as everyone seemed to want me to score two goals per game.

"Things here at Villareal are very different. Nobody rushed me here. The coach, Manuel Pellegrini, was very calm and didn't put me under any pressure to score, and nor did the fans. That was the difference between him and Sir Alex Ferguson.

"Ferguson was very supportive, but I think when I didn't score straight away he started to feel the pressure from the fans.

"I don't think United are regretting letting me go. They have plenty of good players there.

"But I'd definitely like a second crack at England."

LA LIGA HOTSHOTSLA LIGA HOTSHOTS

Mins on Mins/

Player Team pitch Goals goal

Richard Morales Osasuna 726 7 103.7

Michael Owen Real Madrid 776 7 110.9

Samuel Eto'o Barcelona 1,574 14 112.4

Diego Forlan Villareal 1,363 11 123.9

Ronaldo Real Madrid 1,377 11 125.2

Miguel Mista Valencia 585 4 146.3

Albert Luque Deportivo 1,193 8 149.1

Ismael Urz-iz Athletic Bilbao 1,207 8 150.9

Carlos Sevilla 437 3 152.3

Walter Pandiani Deportivo 975 6 162.5

Chazzy · 23-01-2005, 10:07 PM

he seems like a nice guy, shame it didn't work out for him here, even when it didn't he was a big fan fav. but come back? no thanks diego

jordo · 24-01-2005, 11:19 AM

if it was a gurantee he would play here like he is there then yes id have him back because hes been fuckin great over there.

always was a great player just far too preasured and never realy got going .

was givin the chances just have no idea why he didnt get the goals :S

Salf · 24-01-2005, 12:05 PM

Didn't get the goals? This is the Diego Forlan who had the best strike-rate at the club in the one season he was given a run in the team... he outdid everyone that season, even Ruud until you include spot kicks. The simple fact was Forlan was yet another player who has suffered through mismanagement, not through lack of ability. Forlan and Butt were both key members of the squad last seaon, but due to appalling mismanagement they were not able to perform their essential roles as and when required. Most players need regular football to perform. Ferguson lacks the nous to keep players match sharp. The likes of Djemba are suffering the same fate this season.

Some players exist like Ole who can go a month without kicking a ball in anger, come off the bench and hit the ground running. They are anything but the norm. Forlan was not only asked to perform instantly after long spells of inactivity, he was constantly asked to do different jobs, be it the wide midfield role, support striker, or leading the line. One or t'other he could probably have coped with, but I doubt any player (normal anyway, Ole was a freak) could have done any better under the circumstances.

fahmee · 24-01-2005, 01:00 PM

The thing about DIEGO ( Besides missin loads of chances.. ) is the lack of involvement he has in MAN UNITED 'S gameplay.. Either he is just not interested or he's plainly not good enough, both mentally and ability-wise. His first touch is often atrocious and he doesnt bring others into play enough.. That ultimately, brought his downfall at OLD TRAFFORD. Mind you, he completed 2 full seasons at OLD TRAFFORD and played regularly when he first signed, until he didnt managed to score in like 29 games..?? ..

jordo · 26-01-2005, 12:09 PM

i agree , he didnt play a big enough part because he wasnt good enough.

Salf · 26-01-2005, 01:14 PM

You say that Jordo, but at that time every United fan at the ground thought he was good enough in terms of general play. The only negative people were coming up with was scoring rate... and that was just a false perception as he had outscored everyone at that time.

fahmee · 26-01-2005, 02:04 PM

Nah, bein a general football fan not only as MAN UNITED supporter,, i dont think he was good enough in general play as a striker. Previous and current MAN UNITED strikers all have much better variation and combination in their gameplay . ( solskjaer, dwight, cole, ruud, mc clair, mark hughes, cantona ). You try to visualise and compare him with the above mentioned, and u should know why...

jordo · 26-01-2005, 08:11 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by Salf
You say that Jordo, but at that time every United fan at the ground thought he was good enough in terms of general play. The only negative people were coming up with was scoring rate... and that was just a false perception as he had outscored everyone at that time.

so would u leave out rvn , saha ,smith or rooney to slot forlan in ?

Salf · 28-01-2005, 12:23 PM

Of course I would, and I doubt a single United fan wouldn't rather have Forlan as fourth forward and have ten million worth of player elsewhere in the squad instead of Saha. Forlan is a much better fit in the current squad, and we might actually have a bit of depth elsewhere. In terms of maximising bang for buck that is a no-brainer.

Johnson · 28-01-2005, 12:58 PM

i always said given a long run in the teqam thatforlan would get goals, he was a confidence player and needed more than 10 mins when we are not playing well to do well. im glad to see forlan doing well as i liked him, his actual link up play was decent and his movement top notch

**Olzy** · 28-01-2005, 07:05 PM

To be honest Saha looks shit at the moment and Forlan could do much better.

Mat · 28-01-2005, 07:29 PM

he came in for a lot of stick, but as johnson said, his movement was very good, and he did score some good goals when he got the chance, and showed that he had some quality.

jordo · 30-01-2005, 01:09 PM

he just fucked up too much , but bring him back salf lets see him fuck up again .

maybe it will only take him 10 games to score this time round ffs

Salf · 30-01-2005, 04:14 PM

I repeat the basic point Jordo; the one season he was given a run in the team he finished the season with the best strike-rate at the club. Nuff said, but as ever with your sort you'd rather jump on band-wagons based on inaccurate perception than let reality enter the equation. We had the exact same BS from the likes of you regarding Cole.