24 Aug 2014 18:29:23
Di Maria's great and all that, but if we don't sign at least another defender and midfielder, then we are going to struggle again this season. Blind and Vidal, for me, is an absolute must. Probably another CB as well. Today wasn't great at all, but injuries really are killing us at the mo. Not too sure if this formation is going to work for us either, so hopefully we go to a 433 when we are done in the window. I think all of us are just going to have to be patient this year and hopefully see some progression for us to really challenge for the title next season (talking about this already, I know). Realistically, finishing in the top four would be a successful season, even though of course I want us to be going for the title, but this whole transition is probably going to take a bit more time than any of us envisioned. Fingers crossed ey!

1.) 24 Aug 2014
We have to have some perspective, injuries are killing us, it's a totally different system and the transfers haven't finished. From within the squad there is Evans, Carrick, Shaw, Rafael, Rojo and Herrera that would probably of all played today. Add to that Di Maria and that makes things look a lot more rosey.

2.) 24 Aug 2014
How quickly we are starting to sound like Liverpool fans next season we will compete. The sad truth is we have fallen so far behind in such a short space of time not one player in our squad would get a start for Barca, Madrid, munich, city or chelsea. Never seen a Utd side so disorganised at the back, or ineffective up front. Mata doesn't cut it for me a great player to have when u dominate teams and have a lot of possession, in this side he is a luxury player that we cannot afford. LVG needs to bite the bullet and admit this group of players will not achieve anything attempting to play 3-5-2. Needs to adopt 4-3-3 if that means dropping mata for a fast wide player so be it. We have spent a lot of money in the last 2 windows which is good but the worry thing is what we have bought for that money, we could have been in a good position with a decent squad instead we have paid ridiculous money for Mata, Shaw, Herrera, Fellani, and possibly Di Maria, the same amount of money we could have bought 10 players that would have been pushing for a place in this squad. My worry if we do sign a couple more players will be the depth of squad one or 2 injuries and we will be back to fletcher and cleverly. How far down the league table would u have to go to find a team that would start with that pairing how on earth have we come to this.

3.) 24 Aug 2014
I couldn't agree more, Fresh. We will be fine once we have everyone fit.

I actually thought we played well second half. Yes, we didn't create a great deal, but we totally dominated.

Adding players like shaw, Rojo and hopefully Di Maria, will add so much pace to the side.

I for one am not worried. I think we will see progress over the coming weeks and improved results.

The concerning thing for me today was Fletcher's performance. As much as I hate to admit it, but he has lost it. He is not good enough to be a first team regular now. We definitely need to get another CM in; someone who has some presence and power.

4.) 24 Aug 2014
The thing is sam that last season in a lot of games we dominated the problem is we do nothing with that possesion

5.) 24 Aug 2014
I think with more pace in the attack, we will will make better use of possession.

Our CM is piss poor. Can you imagine having two quality CM's with that amount of possession?

6.) 24 Aug 2014
Positive are that we are keeping the ball a lot better and that LVG knows what our short comings are - that is abundantly clear. When everyone is fit the only survivors of those who played today will be De Gea, Jones, Mata, Januzaj, Rooney and RVP. That means we are playing 5 players that we would't classify as 'first team' starters - players like Keane and Blackett are good young players - Valencia, Young, Cleverley, Fletcher etc will be nothing more than squad players.

7.) 24 Aug 2014
Yer I do agree Fresh!, when everyone's back, we will be a lot stronger. But what I'm getting at is, we are a season behind most of the top 5/6, due to our incompetence in the previous summer window. Instead of fixing what we needed to then, we have let it run into this season, and a trying to do it all now, with a week to go. I think we have added some alright players and will hopefully bring in a few more, I actually think if we get Vidal, he will be our most important player. Then in the next two windows, instead of trying to fix stuff, we can build with what we have already got. If all goes to plan, this time next year we could have a great squad, with the likes of Strooman/Hummels coming in as well. But as I stated earlier, Blind and Vidal are vital to this plan, but I do trust LVG a 100% and think he has a similar one. It's just a shame we didn't react quicker last year, but that's gone now

I hope you get what I'm trying to say anyways

8.) 24 Aug 2014
24 Aug 2014 19:52:19
Have to say I totally disagree with you jaimej79. I think Mata is truly class. Granted he didn't have his best game today but I think his performances so far have been good. He is a great number 10, one of the best in my opinion. You have listed the players we have signed and haven't given Mata a chance never mind the summer signings in Shaw and Herrera. Also you put in a player who hasn't even signed yet! Who are the 10 players you would have signed instead of the ones we have? I am not sure which formation is right for us but I think we need to calm down, take a breath and wait till the end of the transfer window and then see what van Gaals first team will look like. I am excited by the future and in players like Mata, Herrera, Shaw and possibly Di Maria it sure looks like its going to be fun

9.) 24 Aug 2014
If matas truly class why did chelsea sell him? because he didn't suit there style of play maybe we now have the same problem.