Pre-Boca Juniors Bits and Bobs

By: Taylor Rockwell | July 29th, 2009

Manchester United will kick off the European leg of their preseason campaign with their first match in the Audi Cup 2009 against Argentinean side Boca Juniors. Kickoff is scheduled for 12:30PM EST, and will be immediately followed by Bayern Munich going up against AC Milan.

While preseason friendlies can sometimes be tedious affairs, today’s match should be particularly interesting as United fans will get their first chance to see Antonio Valencia decked out in a Red Devils kit. The Ecuadorian winger did not travel with the team on their Asian Tour, instead remaining in England to catch up on his endurance and speed work. As excited as I am to see Valencia (I really think he’s going to be a good player for us), I have to question the story surrounding the winger’s fitness. Didn’t his season end roughly around the same time as United’s? Aren’t most of the other squad players match fit? Did Valencia go out and dine exclusively at McDonald’s and Burger King? If so, did he get a complimentary Getafe shirt?

Speaking of new kits, United unveiled their new away kit for the 2009/2010 season and, I have to admit, I like it. Some are against the chevron/v-neck look, but I am officially on board.

My guess is that Michael Owen is siding with me on this one as well, because he could have been forced to wear this for an entire season. In all honesty (I know this will get me ridiculed a fair amount), I’m about 85% of the way towards buying an Owen jersey. I’m a believer. I’m a convert. Those knees better not melt off of him. Seriously.

Regardless, if you’d like to watch the match live, you can go here and drop about $6. If not, then I guess there’s always the internet to hunt. Talk to you all later!

	EPL Match Schedule			Discount Travel to Manchester
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Category: Manchester United

Tags: 2009/2010, Antonio Valencia, Audi Cup 2009, Boca Juniors, Manchester United, new away jersey, new away kit, preview

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• Colin |  July 29th, 2009 at 6:23 am

  
  
  

  I am also a big fan of the away kit. I really want to buy a Hargreaves, but that may be pointless. Any suggestions on a second option? I’d rather get a unique jersey (like Hargo would be), but if not, Rooney always works.

  Posted from United States

  

• Taylor Rockwell |  July 29th, 2009 at 6:41 am

  
  
  

  Colin, a couple of thoughts on this one…
  1) If you really want to be out there, go with Diouf
  2) You could blend the brothers and go with the name Rafabio, and get a customized number of 2120
  3) I think a Macheda jersey might be pretty sweet
  4) You can’t go wrong with Giggs (even if he retires)

  On an unrelated note, I happened to be hanging out with my three Norwegian cousins and they all agreed on the following 1) Molde is terrible, and 2) Diuof is going to be really, really good (and that he was a great buy).

  Posted from United States

  

• martin |  July 29th, 2009 at 6:58 am

  
  
  

  What’s happened to Wayne?

  I love the away kit, still not convinced by the home kit though. Colin I’d say just get a Hargreaves one anyway and show him some love. I wanted to get one last year but never did, maybe I’ll indulge this year. As an alternative, Berbatov maybe?

  Posted from United Kingdom

  

• SP |  July 29th, 2009 at 7:16 am

  
  
  

  taylor, another reason valencia didn’t go to asia is bc he was getting his visa/work permit stuff worked out so i think that was the more important reason of him not going. i’m sure some news outlets spun that into him not being fit and all, but i wouldn’t believe it.

  Posted from United States

  

• SP |  July 29th, 2009 at 7:19 am

  
  
  

  http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/8155610.stm

  here’s the source. second to last paragraph.

  Posted from United States

  

• Taylor Rockwell |  July 29th, 2009 at 7:25 am

  
  
  

  SP, I know that was part of it… but then there’s this…

  “Valencia didn’t join us in the Far East because he was behind the rest of the squad in terms of his fitness,” Sir Alex said.

  http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&redirectorid=news_story&newsid=6636917

  Posted from United States

  

• Colin |  July 29th, 2009 at 7:48 am

  
  
  

  Looks like I am going with a Hargreaves then. Maybe it will be good karma.

  That being said I bought a Tevez jersey last year…

  Does anyone else here play fantasy EPL? Maybe we could get a league together?

  Posted from United States

  

• Taylor Rockwell |  July 29th, 2009 at 7:49 am

  
  
  

  Are you gonna buy the matching knee braces or do those come complimentary?

  Posted from United States

  

• andersen |  July 29th, 2009 at 7:55 am

  
  
  

  I’m gonna get “Andersen 8″ on mine. Not my fault he spells it wrong. As soon as I put it on I predict a goal for anderson. Feel free to thank me in your match report.

  I also might try to get a macheda jersey from last year.

  Posted from United States

  

• SP |  July 29th, 2009 at 8:01 am

  
  
  

  haha, i guess you can’t beat it when it comes straight from sir alex’s mouth

  Posted from United States

  

• Colin |  July 29th, 2009 at 8:27 am

  
  
  

  Does anyone know where we can follow the game online?

  I can’t really watch it at work so I don’t want to shell out $6 bucks – a tracker would be perfect.

  Posted from United States

  

• Mat |  July 29th, 2009 at 3:36 pm

  
  
  

  nice jersey.. i think i will finally buy one

  Posted from United States

  

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