man utd sweating on OBI!!!!

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

Manchester United have asked the Premier League to intervene in the wrangle over the proposed transfer of John Mikel Obi.
The 18-year-old Nigerian is at the centre of an extraordinary tug of war between United and Chelsea.

Obi is holed up in a London hotel, having refused to report for training with his club Lyn Oslo yesterday.

His move to London forced Sir Alex Ferguson to abandon plans to visit the youngster in the Norwegian capital.


Obi claims he was pressured into signing for United and Chelsea still believe they will land him.

"I signed a contract with Manchester United and I didn't do that of my own free will. I was put into a lot of pressure to do that," Obi said.

"And I was denied advice from my agent and people I trust and I didn't get much time to think about that.

"I did something I did not want to do. Because of the pressure from Mr Morgan (Andersen, Lyn's sporting director) and a representative of United it became too much.

"I was pushed and I had nobody on my side so I had to do it. I was denied a chance to have a week to think about it and get some independent advice from people so the pressure was too much."

Mikel was asked if he had been in contact with Chelsea but he stressed: "No, I haven't.

"I came into London and I have been in my hotel with my agent and haven't seen anyone or talked to anyone from Chelsea. I have no contact with Chelsea for now."

Manchester United chief executive David Gill has expressed his surprise that the player was considering going elsewhere.

"I am very disappointed. We have written to another club (about Mikel) but they have not responded to our letters," he told MUTV.

"We have shown due deference to them, explaining the situation. We have sent copies to the Premier League and we will see the outcome."

Gill displayed the player's contract documents on United's TV station as proof Mikel will come to Old Trafford when he leaves Lyn.

"We did a deal with the club, quite properly, following the rules," he said.

"We also did a deal with John Obi. He has turned 18 and turned professional. But in order to play in the Premier League he needs a work permit.

"That is the process we have gone through. We have the rights to the player.

"We have an option agreement with John Obi. There are two documents here which really show what we have, so we have the rights to the player in our opinion.

"It was all done legally, done in accordance with Fifa transfer rules, and we are very comfortable with it,"

Lyn Sporting director Morgan Andersen said: "Why leave suddenly? Why not tell the club you are contracted to?

"The boys who live with John could see he was scared. He was crying. I feel really bad for John, he has to protect himself and his family in Nigeria.

"The agents tried to influence him to say he didn't want to play for Manchester United.

"He didn't want to do that but he he said he was under great pressure from those people."



SO MAN UTD HAVE TO FORCE PPL TO SIGN FOR THEM! :))) :))) :)))

why not use conventional means - so u have moved on from tapping up to applying pressure!

[ImranR]

check this out
http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/archives/2005/05/john_obi_mikel.html

Article by The Editor on May 6, 2005 10:15 PM

José Mourinho thinks that he's one of the best young players ever. Henning Berg says that he's better than Steven Gerrard. Sir Alex Ferguson is going to throw a party to celebrate the signing. Some praise indeed for United's latest acquisition; 18 year old Nigerian John Obi Mikel. The Reds have splashed out somewhere between £6.5m and £10m (depending on which media you believe) on the teenage international midfielder who is currently with Lyn Oslo in Norway. It's certainly the "biggest deal in Norwegian history" according to Lyn general manager Morgan Andersen. It's a hell of a lot of money for a kid who's played three - yes just three - league games to date. Rant set out to find out a bit more about the player...

The Facts

Full Name: John Obi Mikel
Date of Birth: 22 April 1987
Born: Plateau State, Nigeria
Former Clubs: Lyn Oslo, Norway; Plateau United,
Nigeria; Pepsi Football Academy, Nigeria
Senior Games: Three, MoM in one
Goals: One
International: Nigeria U-17s
Recently included in the full Nigeria squad for the
match against Rwanda
Joins United On: 1st January 2006

The Player
Mikel is said to be a technically gifted all-action central midfielder - think Steven Gerrard/Patrick Vieira/Roy Keane. He was one of the stars of the 2004 FIFA Under-17s World Cup and has been monitored by United since the player trained with the Reds in 2003. Indeed, he recently spent time with both United and Chelsea. The London club had presumed that a deal was already done; it wasn't.

Privately Sir Alex is thought to be ecstatic with the signing. So much so, in fact, that Mikel will go on the Asian Tour with United this summer despite not actually joining full time until January 2006. So good is Mikel thought to be that he is fully expected to make an impact on the first team immediately - he can't be any worst than Kléberson, Phil Neville or John O'Shea!

What They Said

"Our scouting department has found a lad of 17 who is training with me, seems like a mature man and a player with a lot of experience. He's Nigerian, plays in Norway ... we've found gold."
Jose Mourinho

"I have only seen John in training but I look forward to playing with him for Lyn this season. He has got all the qualities to become a new superstar in international football. I have never seen a 17-year-old like that before. He is more complete as a footballer than Michael Owen, for example, who I experienced closely at Liverpool."
Oyvind Leonhardsen

"Mikel is an amazing player and the biggest talent for his age that I have ever seen. He is better than both Steve Gerrard and Michael Owen were at that age and he can achieve great things."
Henning Berg

"It was not just for his 1.84m that playmaker John Mikel stood head and shoulders above his team-mates on Finnish fields. Always influential, the elegant midfielder pushed his fellow Golden Eaglets towards goal after suffering the set-back of going a goal behind early on to the Australians in the second game. Despite being subjected to a number of stiff challenges and suffering from cramp, he smashed in the quality equaliser to help lift his team."
Fifa.com on U-17s World Cup

"Alex Ferguson called me to say he was very happy I would play for Manchester United. He said he was going to organise a party in my honour to celebrate my transfer".
John Obi Mikel

The Video

So it's not a Brazilian kid running the length of the field with the ball glued to his head - you've all seen the videos! But this is John Obi Mikel's debut goal for Lyn Oslo vs Molde in the Norwegian League.

Windows Media, 13 seconds, 1.9mb

http://www.unitedrant.co.uk/images/video/johnobimikel.wmv

[HAFRIDI]

chelski are jealous

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

hype! hope he will ive up to it - but who knows how he can adapt to the prem

[Geordie Ahmed]

If the Kid doesnt want to play for man-utd then he shudnt be forced to!

It seems like there has been some dodgy going ons by man-utd here

[ImranR]

hype! hope he will ive up to it - but who knows how he can adapt to the prem

i sense you are jealous.

[HAFRIDI]

yep all are jealous about this sensation

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

jealous - LOLLLL - umer when will man utd realise there i only 1 ronnyd! we have the real deal plus he is only in hid mid 20's!!! plus lionel messi - a 17yr old whizz kid is coming through ranks fast.


JEALOUS OF MAN UTD? finish third in league?
i think not - we are in a good position at the minute in terms of squad quality- just need fine tuning not like man utd who need to completely revamp their midfield

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

sensation? - i have a housemate who is norweigan - he has seen this guy play many a time - says he is definitely a hot prospect but doesnt think he would be great in the premiership especially at man utd especially after what happened to eric djemba djemba who was highly talented when he joined them - then kleberson as well

[ImranR]

Where did RonnyD come from lol.I said you are jealous of man utd signing this talent.This is what Oyvind Leonhardsen said:
"I have only seen John in training but I look forward to playing with him for Lyn this season. He has got all the qualities to become a new superstar in international football. I have never seen a 17-year-old like that before. He is more complete as a footballer than Michael Owen, for example, who I experienced closely at Liverpool."
If he says this i believe he is going to be huge!!
With Rooney,Ronaldo,Spector,Rossi and him we have a good future.

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

LOLLLLL - oyvind who??? great recommendation!!!now lets take a little look at lionel messi at barca - he is an argie, left footed attacking midfielder, aged 17 - scored his first goal for barca 2 weeks ago -
he has been billed for the top from likes of ronnyd, maradona, riijkard, saachi(who tried poaching him for real madridi), roberto mancini(inter were in for him and tried a fabregas as did AC milan

[ImranR]

Hahahahah we stole pique from you hahahahaha

[ImranR]

LOLLLLL - oyvind who??? great recommendation!!!now lets take a little look at lionel messi at barca - he is an argie, left footed attacking midfielder, aged 17 - scored his first goal for barca 2 weeks ago -
he has been billed for the top from likes of ronnyd, maradona, riijkard, saachi(who tried poaching him for real madridi), roberto mancini(inter were in for him and tried a fabregas as did AC milan

This is what Jose Mourinho said:
"Our scouting department has found a lad of 17 who is training with me, seems like a mature man and a player with a lot of experience. He's Nigerian, plays in Norway ... we've found gold."

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

oh great pique - who will be back btw - that is great idea - u develop him little further - give him first team experience then when he is in his prime he will be back!!! LOL - he signed 6yr contract - takes him upto he is 23 - 3yr extension has been mooted about but pique vowed he would be back to break into the side.


FACT- only reason he left us was because he thought he had more chance of playing first team at man utd!!! LOL i think he had a point

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

ok - hype is a wonderful thing - we will see - he hasnt even been confirmed as a man utd player- he has obviously had second thoughts - maybe he went to old trafford and saw what it would be like!

[ImranR]

oh great pique - who will be back btw - that is great idea - u develop him little further - give him first team experience then when he is in his prime he will be back!!! LOL - he signed 6yr contract - takes him upto he is 23 - 3yr extension has been mooted about but pique vowed he would be back to break into the side.


FACT- only reason he left us was because he thought he had more chance of playing first team at man utd!!! LOL i think he had a point

Actually the reason he left is to win trophies at man utd :)))

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

oh - well he is gonna do well this season - UMER WHAT THE HELL R U ON ABOUT - pique said it himself - he would have stayed at barca had he been offered a 6 yr deal - barca only wanted 7 and then he said he has more first team opportunities at man utd - GET UR FACTS RIGHT


also man utd are in decline boy - GET USED TO IT!!

[Nawazb]

man utd are crap full stop 50k a week to neville brothers what is your manager smoking, kleberson 6m what a player,djemba djemba classy,bellion greta signing,lim miller great signing.

[adi 101]

he would be making a big mistake if he dosnt sign for manutd

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

if he doesnt?? chelsea could snatch him now by the sounds of it - chelsea ould be better for him - he doesnt want to follow djemba djemba's path

[Jameel]

No one is forcing him to sign. If anyone is its chelsea. They're the ones who apparently sent agents to kidnap him in Norway and take him to London. If thats not forcing, then I don't know what is.

The only reason John is having second thoughts is because he recieved death threats from England after signing for United. Wouldn't you have second thoughts if you were in his position?

After signing for United he said he was happy and it was a dream come true. How can he suddenly change his mind?

Abromovich is a thug and it looks like he'll resort to anything to get players to sign for chelsea. The fact that they are making such a big deal outta this shows the kid has a lot of talent.

Anyway, he has signed for United, so chelsea need to learn to live with it. They beat us to sign Robben and it looks like we've beaten them this time.

[HAFRIDI]

yep !

[ImranR]

Yeh they pinched Robben of us when his dad said that he should come to united.

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

hmmmm interesting jameel - so roman sent agents to have him kidnapped? what were they KGB? ISI? RAW? or what

[Jameel]

I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not by I don't know. All I know is chelsea sent some people to Norway who then took Mikel to London.

[Jameel]

Carlos Queiroz has accused Chelsea of virtually kidnapping Manchester United signing John Obi Mikel.
The United number two is furious that the Lyn midfielder is in London and, despite the teenager's denials, is presumably in talks with the Premiership champions.
Mikel told Sky Sports News that he no longer wants to go to Old Trafford despite initially enthusing about the prospect of playing for The Red Devils.
"It is unacceptable that a boy of 18 can almost be kidnapped from his home environment and taken to London and, within one day, be talking on television with an unhappy face," protested Queiroz.
"Football cannot live in such an anarchic environment. We do not know who is behind John's movements and who is taking responsibility for everything that happened yesterday.
"Two weeks ago, everybody could feel the boy had just made the best decision of his professional life. Now he is saying he signed the agreement under pressure.
"Everybody understands something happened in between. This is not an original situation, it has happened to other players."
United insist they have signed documents regarding the capture of one of the most promising young players on the planet and launched an appeal to the Premier League over the matter on Friday morning.
Lyn director Morgan Andersen says he is not upset with Mikel's actions because he believes the youngster is being pushed into trying to manoeuvre a move to Stamford Bridge.
"I don't think John went to England willingly," Andersen told VG.
"We are not upset with him.
"I don't dare go to London. Right now, it is dangerous to be there."
Chelsea have hit back in the row, with a Blues spokesman saying: "If Carlos Queiroz is referring to Chelsea, the claims are utterly ludicrous."

[Geordie Ahmed]

I don't know if you're being sarcastic or not by I don't know. All I know is chelsea sent some people to Norway who then took Mikel to London.

How do you know this???
Even the norwegian club doesnt know who took him so pray tell how you got this information???

At the moment the latest comments from him are that he wants to sign for Chelski - time will tell if that happens!

[adi 101]

chelsea are a bunch of thugs the mother****ers

[Geordie Ahmed]

chelsea are a bunch of thugs the *****

man-u are no angels - its just nice that they have found their match and some

[Jameel]

OK. Mikel just thought he'd go to London to visit the queen.

He just suddenly changed his mind about signing for United 2 days after saying it was a dream come true, because he didn't like United's shirt.

Happy now? Chelsea had nothing to do with. They can do no wrong.

p.s. He can't sign for Chelsea, seeing as he has already signed for United.

[adi 101]

chelsea are a bunch of thugs the *****

man-u are no angels - its just nice that they have found their match and some
obviously we are not angels we aint called the red devils for nothing!!! >:)

[Geordie Ahmed]

OK. Mikel just thought he'd go to London to visit the queen.

He just suddenly changed his mind about signing for United 2 days after saying it was a dream come true, because he didn't like United's shirt.

Happy now? Chelsea had nothing to do with. They can do no wrong.

p.s. He can't sign for Chelsea, seeing as he has already signed for United.

According to him he thought he was off to Chelski BUT then he was in a press conference for man-utd and he said he didnt know what was happening!
Clearly the lad is not happy at the moment and im sure there will be an inquiry to see what happened! if he says he wants to join Chelski then he shud be allowed to do so

[Jameel]

OK. Mikel just thought he'd go to London to visit the queen.

He just suddenly changed his mind about signing for United 2 days after saying it was a dream come true, because he didn't like United's shirt.

Happy now? Chelsea had nothing to do with. They can do no wrong.

p.s. He can't sign for Chelsea, seeing as he has already signed for United.

According to him he thought he was off to Chelski BUT then he was in a press conference for man-utd and he said he didnt know what was happening!
Clearly the lad is not happy at the moment and im sure there will be an inquiry to see what happened! if he says he wants to join Chelski then he shud be allowed to do so

You honestly believe he wants sign for Chelsea, without them threatning him?

You failed to mention he also said he recieved death threats after signing for United. Clearly he is traumatised and is now saying anything to please Abromovich and his cronies. He is only saying he wants to sign for chelsea because he fears for his life, and I don't blame him. Why would he say signing for United is a dream come true and then say he doesn't want to a few days later?

Put 2 and 2 together and you will work it out.

Chelsea are just sour because we beat them to sign someone who is meant to be one of the best youngsters in the world.

[Geordie Ahmed]

Ah well to be frank i cudnt care less cos its got now to do with Newcastle!

[Jameel]

You couldn't care because it shows how corrupt chelsea are. If United were in their position, i'm sure you'd have plenty more to say.

[HAFRIDI]

obviously summat has happend chelski the scavs cryin

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

HOW CORRUPT CHELSEA ARE??? that is rich coming from a man utd fan - how did ferguson go about signings of

paul ince?
jaap stam? - he had signed for man utd and then the psv prez had found out through press!

and others

[Jameel]

HOW CORRUPT CHELSEA ARE??? that is rich coming from a man utd fan - how did ferguson go about signings of

paul ince?
jaap stam? - he had signed for man utd and then the psv prez had found out through press!

and others

Whats your point? I am talking about how corrupt Chelsea are. If you wanna talk about Man Utd being corrupt, start a thread on it (like you so often do about Man Utd).

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

im just saying - DONT forget the past - man utd have a whole history of it - although putting my man utd bias aside - if u have a contract signed then u should honour it

[Geordie Ahmed]

HOW CORRUPT CHELSEA ARE??? that is rich coming from a man utd fan - how did ferguson go about signings of

paul ince?
jaap stam? - he had signed for man utd and then the psv prez had found out through press!

and others

Whats your point? I am talking about how corrupt Chelsea are. If you wanna talk about Man Utd being corrupt, start a thread on it (like you so often do about Man Utd).

Have a little check on who started this thread??? AND also read the first post, WIY clearly mentions that man-u are forced to sign players so this is actually a thread bashing man-u.

If you wanna have a go at Chelski then start a new thread.
Thanks :D

[Waqar's inswinging yorker]

LOL - when would i start a thread to defend man utd!!!??