But they are beginning to disappear from the Old Trafford vocabulary and that's a major worry.
Something isn't working with United at the moment. You don't have to be the football brain of Britain to detect that, and it would be wrong to bury your head in the sand and say everything is hunky dory.
Sir Alex Ferguson has highlighted a problem which he calls the "mundane challenge" of the Premiership compared to Europe.
The United boss is spot on. Against Arsenal and Liverpool there didn't seem to be any need to wind the players up.
However, even in Sunday's derby against City, I thought that same enthusiasm and fight wasn't there.
For the first 10 to 15 minutes there was no problem. It was a frenetic pace and you anticipated an avalanche of goals.
But then United seemed to slip back into that strolling mode. There was no purpose or urgency.
I am not totally surprised that the hunger has partly diminished when you see a United side so laden down with medals and trophies. It is remarkable that that hunger has been so sharp for so long.
Losing that hunger is only a theory behind United's disappointing season. It's not a watertight one because you then look at the team and there are players there who haven't won that much.
Rio Ferdinand has won a league title and Cristiano Ronaldo won the FA Cup last season, but that's not much in comparison to the strain of the sideboards in the homes of the likes of Keane, Giggs, Scholes and the Nevilles.
Players like Wayne Rooney, Alan Smith, Louis Saha and Gabriel Heinze haven't won anything with United. They may have the desire but you have to have everyone hungry for it to work like it used to.
I think Fergie is facing the nightmare of the modern manager. He's having to generate this feeling in players who are financially secure.
The edge appears to have gone and it is a new problem for Fergie to consider.
We are still talking about outstanding players here. They haven't become bad players but something is needed to excite them again. Tweet
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The first team players and their reserves on Wednesday night are not doing themselves any favours. With a full fit squad they've got no excuses but there is little sign to show that their heart is in it. I was delighted that the City game started off at a fast tempo because that's exactly how I've been urging United to play. With luck we could and should have scored and what a different game it would then have been. Not even Pele, Maradona and Best had a divine right to win games automatically. They all knew you had to deliver on the pitch week in and week out. This bunch of cosseted fancy dans are much more concerned about the latest fashions and the new fancy car that they can buy. BUt it's not just about effort. We have to have those few moments are skill that open up defences and allow us to score.
ferguson must go if we dont beat newcastle this weekend. They're no gr8 shakes - even man city put three past them. Seems to me that ferguson cannot motivate the players any more and after saying we wont win the league - and its not even middle of november - i think that shows he cant even motivate himself. Too many poor team selections and worse still, some abysmal purchases (djemba, kleberson...) and horrendously overpriced flops (veron, saha, rooney...). SOS: Save our season.... Sack Ferguson NOW.
David hit the nail on the head, and I think, despite Fergies efforts to inspire those who have tasted a wealth of sucess at OT, if they are no longer hungry in this particular venue, then make way for those who are!
Unfortunately some of United's stars of the recent past: Keane, Giggs and Scholes have simply lost that drive, the determination to dictate, to make things happen.
You only have to watch Giggs for half a dozen matches to notice the amazing difference when he is actually interested. Ok he has lost some pace but the main problem is that he just doesn't want to make things happen anymore. If you contrast his play with that of Cristiano Ronaldo, there is a stark difference. Ronaldo has good games and bad games, but he puts so much more into his performances than Giggs.
Time for these 3 to stand aside. They were great players in the past but now they are just average players. This is not a judgement based on one or two games but the last year. The younger players in the squad must wonder what is going on when 3 key players can play so poorly for such a long period of time yet still get in the team. The idea that United's current lack of form is down to Djemba, Kleberson or Bellion is simply ridiculous. They have started 8 premiership games between them this season, compared to 24 for Keane, Giggs and Scholes. Sorry guys but for the good of the club we need you to stand aside now and let the players of the future get their chance.
Well David, you got it right. Manchester United was once a great football club and now it is a PLC and that is where the root of the problem lies.
All these wonderful players but mostly disappointing and regularly underperforming.
Why don't they work and earn their living and how come Sir Alex is no longer able to motivate them to give it all ?
How could he support Rudd for that awful petulant foul? How could he make all that fuss about not being awarded penalities when his players regulalry dive in the box as if they'd been given that win at all costs message. Wenger had his point about Rudd's foul and was villified for it and made to appologise.
Come on United, start playing football again as that is what you are paid so very much to do. You are shortcutting and it uisn't working . There is nothing good about making professional fouls a part of your game. Arsenal and Chelsea are ahead of you because they play the game and are better than you ; Bolton deserve to be above you as Sam is a genuine gentleman and wouldn't condone some other stuff Sir Alex seems to condone these days. I lost my respect for the outspoken Scot if I am honest.
What was that Mr Gill, "hunky dory" if you took your head out of the sand for a second we could hear you better. If there is any foundation to this theory and the rot has really set in then there is only one solution and that is a clearout from top to bottom barcelona style. The sooner the better!
Got it in one David. I remember when you joined us while you were still a bank clerk. Never lost the hunger did you, even though you were never thought of as a super star. Wish we had that ethic today.
I have no doubts that come Sunday evening we'll all be ranting (AGAIN) about lack of effort passion and desire as we dissect (AGAIN) another dreadful performance. It starts at the top, and changes must start there. Any hope of a CL spot for next year, then we have to start now, but I've seen nothing over the last 2 years that gives me any hope of that happening. Time to let the kids play I think.