09 Aug 2018 22:33:00
Not posted on here for a long time, a mix of a now 5 month old daughter, being bored silly with the football since the new year and the constant whining on here.

Just going to post this and then disappear again for a bit.

In my eyes, we have a team, and squad, capable of challenging this season, if Mourinho let's the players play. I didn't want him as manager, and still don't, but he is here and I'm not going to waste my time whinging about it. I don't see him being here past this coming season to be honest, but who will replace him is anyone's guess.

We could have signed another CB, LB and RW, but why can't the players we have do the job required? They are more than capable.

We have, arguably, the best GK in the world, and Real have now moved on, which is a huge bonus. Our backup GK is Argentina's number 1, and we have an excellent young GK out on loan in his home country getting great experience.

Are two of Bailly, Lindelof, Rojo, Jones and Smalling really not good enough? They may not be one of the 10 CB's that people wanted on here, as a shiney new toy, but they can all do the job perfectly well, if they play to their potential.

At RB we have Valencia who is still capable, Darmian currently, plus a young, very promising signing who will get chances this season, and could be seen as a great bit of business in the next season or two.

At LB we have Young, who like Valencia, is still capable, plus Shaw who has all the talent, if he can leave the burgers alone and knuckle down and get his head sorted. The talent is there, he just needs to work at his game a bit and stay in shape.

In CM we have Matic, Herrera, Fellaini and McTominay who can all play the defensive side. Fred, who I think will be a revelation for us, and Pereira who can link defense to the forward line, with a bit of energy. Pogba who should be given the freedom to play his game. He has the talent to be the best, he needs to show it regularly and stop dancing like a t*t. We also have Lingard who has improved hugely and can do a similar job to Pogba for me, although not at the same level if both play to their true potential.

Out wide we have Martial, Sanchez, Rashford and Mata who are all hugely talented and can do the job required, again if they get their heads down and play to their potential.
Up top we have Lukaku, who scores goals and works hard for the team. Sanchez, Rashford and Martial could all help out up top if needed at times.

For me, before a new CB, LB or CM was signed this summer, I would have preferred an experienced back up striker to help Lukaku and allow the other players to concentrate playing wider or just behind them. Putting the ball in the net was one of the main problems for us last season, in my eyes.

All things considered, I'm not too depressed going into the season with our squad, with the two main additions, not counting a GK that is unlikely to play.
A team of DeGea, Valencia, Bailly, Lindelof, Shaw, Matic, Fred, Pogba, Sanchez, Rashford/ Martial, Lukaku is good enough to beat anyone for me, if they play to their potential and are allowed to do so by the manager. It is also, good enough to challenge in the league.

For me, it is much more important that Mourinho gives the players the freedom to play, than it was to sign another player at CB or RW. If he relaxes a bit, stops with the 'woe is me' nonsense and let's the team play, there is no reason why we can't have a very good season.

Anyway, back to the shadows for me. Take care people, let's hope we get some better football and less moaning :-) .

{Ed025's Note - very good post that brendan..


1.) 09 Aug 2018
09 Aug 2018 22:52:55
Congrats on the little one pal. Hooefully the season goes better than we all thought and we can all have a laugh again soon.


2.) 09 Aug 2018
09 Aug 2018 23:28:56
Brendan, as a visiting scouser to your page, just wanted to say that your post was one of the best thought out and articulated I've read on any of the rumour pages in quite a while. I agree that you have a very good squad. You finished second last year and at times didn't even seem to be trying to be honest. You haven't had any players poached and have made a couple of signings (Fred is in my fantasy team) . Agree fully with your view on Jose. If he let's Pogba off his leash then anything is possible this season. Remember your start to last season? Looking at the fixture list, no reason why this season can't start the same.


3.) 09 Aug 2018
09 Aug 2018 23:32:05
@brendan We have everything but a manager, so its like we don't have a team. I hope we beat Leicester because if we don't this site is going to explode.


4.) 09 Aug 2018
09 Aug 2018 23:37:56
Brenden81. Great post :-) . I'll admit that I think we could do with 1 Or 2 more players but we still have a good team that can beat anyone. Your right about Jose. He has improved us over the last couple of years and the stats do back it up. It's not all doom and gloom.
WE ALL FOLLOW UNITED!


5.) 10 Aug 2018
10 Aug 2018 00:06:35
Good post bren. Congrats on your new addition. I posted earlier i'm hopeful but not confident. I think we have a coach with a burning desire to win. Its essential that we get a good start. He has to find a way to get the team playing with the same desire.
Jose is in a hole. He needs to find the answers.
We are going into the season with less expectation than any united team for 25 years or so. If they can get on a roll early then with this manager anything is possible.
If we don't then only one thing will happen and that's not a road anyone wants to go down.
Its up to him now to work with what he has and find the impovement required.
I can't wait for tomorrow night.
3 at the back?


6.) 10 Aug 2018
10 Aug 2018 06:55:05
Congrats been hope all are well 😁.