Genius Envy

It's one of those things that if x happens then the newspapers will write about it in very excitable terms, as if it's the most major thing to happen ever; but then, if {the opposite of x} happens they will also write about that in exactly the same terms.  So today, in The Telegraph, after months of telling us Berba is finished and on the way out and will never play for us again, we have the story of the disaster of him staying - we "wrestle with the financial headache" of Berba staying.  Of course they don't mention that when we signed him, he was cited as an exceptional signing, because of his age and the lack of resale value, and the policy of signing players under 26 is still ongoing, look at the youth of our signings (so far) this summer.  So Berba is (in every way) exceptional.  The gist of the article was already included in the original signing.  And then this sentence as well, trying to imply some mercenary behaviour on the part of Berba:

The Bulgarian is understood to be prepared to run down his contract before securing a lucrative move as a free agent next summer.

Or, The Bulgarian wants to remain and play a part at a big club.  Oh, and what's this, another story making a mockery of the entire article?  Yes:

Paris St Germain coach Leonardo has confirmed he made an approach for Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov.

PSG were ready to offer £12m, however, Sir Alex Ferguson told the French club's new coach that the 30-year-old was staying at Old Trafford.

So there you are, so desperate to make some money off of him we... turn down £12 million...  Brilliant reporting from The Telegraph.

The rest of the stories today are mainly looking forward to tonight's game versus Spurs.  Sir Alex talking about our wealth of strikers is everywhere, here from The Daily Star:

“Wayne has been flying in pre-season. His fitness is terrific, he has the same energy all the time. He is a restless player on the pitch.

“He is a tremendous asset. We have moved on from what happened a year ago.

“It is interesting to see how he is combining with Welbeck at the moment. Both are doing very well together.

“Berbatov has played well in pre-season and when Chicharito comes back I have a selection problem about the best combination. It’s not a bad position to be in actually.”

The Mirror version also includes Sir Alex on the defensive strength as well, saying that Rio and Vidic aren't guaranteed starts if the young players fill in well while they're injured.

Some quotes from Hernandez on his comeback and on last season, from The Sun:

 "To help United win the 19th title and become the most successful club in England was brilliant."It was better than anything I could have expected and I enjoyed it a lot."But that is in the past now. The thing I learnt from team-mates like Ryan Giggs and Paul Scholes is to keep winning. Their mentality is all about winning.

"I have won one Premier League. Now I want to win another."

Finally, The Mail has some quotes from Nani on his goal against Spurs last season, which they claim is "taunting" Spurs.  Nani simply says his goal was "clever."  The rest of the world replies that no, Gomez is stupid...