Manchester United Banter Archive May 10 2015

10 May 2015 23:53:21
I must admit I haven't read this site for several months, and I haven't posted for many more, however I thought I might drop by and catch up, and then I just couldn't resist posting.

Overall it has been a decent season, which could have been a lot better if we didn't lose against teams like West Brom and Swansea at home, though the results and performances against the top teams have been encouraging to say the least.

In goal we have no problems as long as De Gea signs a new contract. I expect Lindegaard to leave, since De Gea, Valdes, and Johnstone will be plenty good enough.

In defence we have improved but we need at least one, maybe two more centre backs, since Evans is not good enough to play for Man Utd and I think we need five centre backs in total. There are dozens of good options, my personal choice being Hummels or Otamendi and perhaps Laporte, though Dier or Stones could be worth a shout as well. Hummels/Otamendi, Smalling, Rojo, Jones, and Laporte/Stones would certainly be solid.

At left back we have no problems; Blind, Shaw, and Young have that covered nicely, plus Rojo can play there. At right back Rafael is far too injury prone and not quite good enough to make up for it, so I think Clyne would be perfect, and he along with Janko and Valencia would have that position covered equally as well as the left back slot.

In midfield, again we have improved but still we need one, maybe two more centre mids, since Carrick is not a youngster and Blind is not good enough to be first choice. Again there are numerous good options, but my favoured choice would be Strootman or Verratti, plus maybe Pjanic or Pogba. Strootman/Verratti, Pjanic/Pogba, Herrera, Blind, Carrick, Fellaini would be a great squad.

In the attacking midfield role we are absolutely fine. Mata is a classy player, and Rooney is perfectly capable there, plus with Januzaj and Pereira we have a couple of really top class talents who could make that position their own in the future.

On the wings we have good quality but even with Di Maria, Depay, Young, and Januzaj I think we need one more winger. Bale, Reus, or Sanchez would be dream signings, but incredibly unlikely, but Felipe Anderson, Juan Iturbe, or perhaps even Cuadrado could be good options also. I think with Di Maria, Depay, Anderson/Iturbe, Young, and Januzaj, plus Valencia as back would do the job.

As for the attack, I reckon Rooney should start for now, but we should keep Van Persie and Falcao. They have had very few chances between them this season, and at times they have played a lot better than they have been given credit for. If we happen to let one or both of them go however, we will need another centre forward. If we go for a real top class player, the any of Higuain, Benzema, Cavani or Lacazette would be good, or if we go for a youngster, then Alcacer, Vietto, Dybala, or Icardi would all be good options.

All in all I am well aware that would be a lot of signings, so if I was to choose, I would add Hummels, Strootman, Clyne, Reus, and a massive contract for De Gea, to Depay, then maybe go for Laporte, Verratti or Pogba, Anderson, and Dybala over the course of the next couple of windows.

11 May 2015 05:59:59
Bein Sports was quoting someone who they say is very reliable that Juve might be doing a deal with PSG. Pogab going to PSG and Juve getting Cavani and Verrati. If true Juve will have some team next year, because in their case Verrati can hold whilst Vidal does the Box to box. Very astute if they can pull it off.

11 May 2015 09:47:12
I think Ed said Vidal will be sold this summer, I hope we go back there, "just what we need".

11 May 2015 16:40:44
I think they will cash in on Pogba because someone will be stupid enough to pay an outrageous fee and keep Vidal. No chance they will sell both.

10 May 2015 20:21:42
Ed002, Ronnie again, going back to Dutch roots, and our defence for next year have we ever been interested in Sven Van Beek? Highly rated young defender playing for feynoord I think? Adding him with the addition one French defender in Laporte, defence sorted for 10 years+, thoughts?

{Ed002's Note - I am not providing anything in respect of transfers on this page any more Ronnie.}

10 May 2015 20:44:49
just wondering, Ronnie. Do you know any Luxembourg players?

10 May 2015 20:49:16
Sorry mate! Can any other Edd's provide any info? Cheers! Sorry again, thanks for replying!

10 May 2015 21:02:11
Luxembourg? I'll have a gander, see what I find noucamp? ;o)

11 May 2015 06:01:59
Defender by the name of Philipps? 24, came through the u21's and is now in the first team? Applies his trade in France at Metz? From that, not so good I'd say?

11 May 2015 08:25:50
Good lad. That's all the BENELUX countries sorted now :)

11 may 2015 11:09:56
do not mock ronnie! hahaha! cheers noucamp!

10 May 2015 18:16:01
Lvg is enjoying his wine now,Steve g ends his career applauding Chelsea as champions,depay scored a nice free kick today,at least we can relax now.get in a few more players and sort out our defence

10 May 2015 18:02:32
Job done. Now that's finish the season on a high and get all our transfer targets in early so us fans can enjoy the summer. :)

10 May 2015 16:34:43
Watching the scousers makes me feel a lot better.

They have really dropped off this season, you wouldn't think they had something to play for, plod fest.

10 May 2015 16:46:50
Whoops. Should keep my big mouth shut!

10 May 2015 16:47:44
Shhhhhhh beast

10 May 2015 16:51:30
Its funny how big a thorn Gerrard is and they are letting him go.

10 May 2015 17:10:18
Thank god it looks like they are bringing Matic on. Mikel is so poor and quite useless. Chelsea are being lazy and not their usual. Willain must have given the ball away 10 times so far.

10 May 2015 17:12:22
Liverpool making all the running and look dangerous.

10 May 2015 17:33:20
How good is hazard and have to respect this boy. Busting a gut even though he has nothing to prove given his fantastic season.

10 May 2015 17:55:51
Congrats everyone. That is it and we are playing a Qualifier I guess. Time to enjoy the relegation battle.

10 May 2015 19:15:39
We'll be well above the relegation zone next season GCU.

10 May 2015 20:24:52
Meltdown on their page again. Seems they all want the Manager out.

10 May 2015 22:11:52
I couldn't believe how they didn't throw more men forward last 10 minutes. It was like they don't want to catch us.

10 May 2015 15:36:57
So far it has been a hit and miss season for us this year. Fortunately teams around have been hit and miss too. But, if we don't qualify for CL we only have ourselves to blame.

As for LVG he has had a good season. The team has more confidence and looking at the Spurs, Liverpool and Man City games we played some great football which had been lacking for the past couple of years or so.

This season is only stage one of the rebuild for LVG. Falcao was worth the risk purely because if he had rediscovered his goalscoring form then we would have had a top player on our hands. Unfortunately it hasn't worked out.
This summer the rebuild will continue, we've already negotiated a deal for Depay subject to him passing a medical.

A CB, RB, DM( holding midfielder) and a forward are required to finish the team off.

Valencia has been ok but never looks comfortable defending and can't cross to save his life so I'd look to sell him even if Rafael goes, which is quite likely.

Evans, he's has so many chances and is a very poor player. I don't even class him as a EPL player. His ability level is championship standard.

Smalling has improved a lot since his sending off, his good on the ball and brings it out if defence. But like Jones is injury prone but recently he has started to command the defence and bollock players around him. Still had lapses in concentration. Maybe if he played along a top CB it may just take him to the next level.

Jones injury prone and likes bull in a china shop. Started off great and played out of position under Fergie. At the age off 22 he still has time on his hands but I don't think he will improve a lot now. A squad player at the best.

Shaw has been unlucky with injuries and shouldn't be written off yet.

Rojo has had a decent season but has had a few injuries. A bedding in season for him this year.

Blind is a player I like. While he is not a top class player he has put some good shifts in the season. A very good squad player to have due to his versatility. His lack of pace is his downside.

Young this season has been a lot better this season and one of our most influential players. In a way this so rip our season. While he's been a lot better he should remain as a squad player unless we receive a good offer for him.

ADM started off well until he got injured then has looked out of sorts ever since. Can be great and poor in a game. Inconsistent but in the 433 he has played better. Next season he will be better. , I hope.

Carrick Mr calm, who has been underrated and overlooked, but injuries have hampered his and our season. A replacement this summer is must. We can not simply rely on him next season.

Herrera this second half of the season has been a joy to watch a true UTD player.

Mata like Herrera has been better in the second half of the season but if Valencia come in with a very good offer would we sell him? Maybe

Fellaini much improved but when you think of UTD teams over the years you wouldn't class Fellaini as a UTD player. Proved people wrong this season but his lack of discipline and his physical approach would definitely go against us in Europe. I think s midfield pairing of Mata and Herrara with a holding player would be more effective.

Rooney has had a good season but is clearly not a midfielder due to his lack of technical ability. Should have scored more goals this season. For me he has lost his killer instinct infrint if goal. Still a very good player with the right players around him he could have avert productive season in terms of scoring goals.

RVP nearly 32 injury prone and a sulk. There's know doubt he was a world class player but perhaps the time has come to move him on. Still has goals in him but injury prone players this season have been over Achilles heel this season.

Falcao the 353/532 formation did not suit his style of play as well as the teams style of play. Has had plenty of chances but if let him go once his loan deal has ended. Very poor this season.

Wilson has shown us glimpses of what he can do. Maybe a loan in the EPL next season might be better for him.

Januzaj has had a hit n miss season and a season long loan deal might be best for him next season

McNair has impressexme this season. Despite his lack of experience, he has played with more composure than a lot of our CBs. He has made mistakes but this was to be expected. Depending on who we sign in the summer as well as who we sell a loan deal could help him next season.

Come this summer we need to move on our injury prone players with the exception of Carrick and maybe RVP if we don't sign a top forward. Rafael, Evans, Valencia, Nani, Falcao and maybe Jones should all be shown the door this summer.

10 May 2015 16:26:29
Not sure I agree LVG had had a good season. Other than 4/5games when we looked good we have not been great We all hoped we clicked but sadly we have continued to struggle. If the target was to 4 the job done (assuming Chelsea win) but I has left me feeling cold. I suspect there will be many more comings and goings until we get the right personnel; many of this years signings are yet to impress. Falcao has sadly been dreadful ADM not much better. I think Shaw will come good and Rojo has potential. I think Blind has be ok with Hererra the star.

As for Wilson and Januzaj, I would keep them and play them.

10 May 2015 16:39:48
Totally agree, Tony. If Football Manager is anything close to real life (which it is, obviously), then Adnan goes on to be one of the best in the world!

Seriously though, I think he's still going to be a top player, and he can play anywhere across the top 3, so his utility will come in handy, and the extra European games mean we need depth to our squad (and decent depth, not just numbers).

I'd keep young Wilson, too. Everything I've seen from him, tells me he's good enough.

10 May 2015 14:05:04
Well yesterday, just like we have all season we have to thank David De Gea. What an incredible save from Murray, I'm struggling to think of many better he's made this season. He will most likely head back to Madrid this summer. Just like Ronaldo, let's look back on his time here with great fondness! I really hope he stays though, but it just doesn't seem likely :(

10 May 2015 14:12:11
The press seem to think that he will sign a new deal whilst Madrid look at Cech and one or two others as options.

Hopefully this summer is a "now or never" moment for him and he feels the need to stay.

10 May 2015 14:36:47
I can see united swaping de gea and money for bale

10 May 2015 14:39:27
Haven't seen that one fresh? Are them links coming out today? If he does leave Petr Cech would be my first choice replacement for him! However I have seen links to handanovic and ed 2 has said we have looked at him. Never cruelly watched him play, anyone know what's he's like?

10 May 2015 15:07:38
Dawz

When was the last time United or Madrid for a matter of fact swapped players with anyone. You guys seem to think we are dealing with Cattle here and it is a lot more complicated than that and will never happen.

10 May 2015 15:19:10
Personally think De Gea will choose to leave, can't help but feel if he was fully committed to another few years it would be signed by now. Still clinging to the hope that he was waiting to see if we made UCL before deciding and that might encourage him to stay.

There will be no swap deal for Bale tho. As much as I'd love Bale it won't happen

10 May 2015 15:28:53
Caolan,

Reports were 'confirmed' in December that Real Madrid had made contact with Cech. The most recent rumours were early April - but it is widely expected that Cech will leave Chelsea and Mourinho is far too astute to sell a world class goalkeeper to a rival like Arsenal.

10 May 2015 15:35:54
Bales agent his doing him no favours just my opinion but I think it will happen

{Ed004's Note - I would love a front 4 of Bale, Di Maria, Depay and Rooney/RVP}

10 May 2015 15:42:18
I read something about DDG negotiating a 2 year deal with us a week or so ago. That would make sense for me.

10 May 2015 09:53:47
It was an unconvincing win and at one point I didn't think the players were trying. I looked and it felt like some were playing like the mercenaries seen at City. Then they seemed to find some late spirit and got us over the line.

Yesterday wasn't about good football, the pitch looked to have been set up to be very slow to prevent smooth quick passing and to encourage a set piece culture. I recall reading Cambridge used to let the grass grow longer in the corners so they could boot the ball there and it would hold up. I don't think it was that bad but certainly it made it difficult to pass and move with any pace.

It was pleasing to get the result and the winning goal came from someone who for me was useless yesterday. We dug the result out and should again be grateful for the brilliance of DDG. I must admit I questioned Blind yesterday especially as he seemed to duck for their goal when he should be jumping and getting his head on it.
Again Herrera is a little gem and certainly needs help alongside him.
I was worried when Evans came on, he really is a mistake waiting to happen and that is an area we must improve. Lastly maybe my memory is failing but for all his pace and power when was the last time Valencia was integral is creating anything? His final ball is often disappointing and his defending risky.
It was a good win as it is a difficult place to go especially given that pitch but iour play was a little like earlier in the season where we were not convincing. In the next weeks we have to review the season and that will be interesting.

10 May 2015 10:25:52
i don't really rate blind , he is easy on the eye as he drops deep into space and gets on the ball, playing simple passes in loads of space.
but he just looks a very average player to me ,lacks pace doesn't break up the play struggles when under pressure.

i think 4th is nailed on and has been for a while, who else has looked capable of getting 4th.

i think it has been a poor to average season .
standard of football has been poor to average for most of the season.
our tactics look a bit dated .
there has been little progressing with the squad over the season , i don't think we are playing that much better than what we where at the start of the season.
we still have issues at cb, rb , cm and striker.
we have a major issue with tactics imo.

after the higest spend in world football during the summer only herrera has looked the part , once he got a game . i'm sure the others will improve.
6 out of 10 imo

10 May 2015 10:40:59
3 out of 10 for me jred, but agree with your assessment.

10 May 2015 12:17:53
JRED

It has been a weird league this year and kind of reminds me of a couple of years ago when we walked it. I think the gap after the top 2(arsenal, Chelsea) and the rest of the league is a lot less than we have been used to historically.

Arsenal has been the best team since the start of the year and had it not been for their even worse start than ours, who knows what could have happened. We get hammered by Everton and then they have a complete mares 2 weeks in a row and lose to sunderland out of all teams yesterday LOL.

Spurs also seem to have completely fallen off the wagon and the scouters have done the same and we have been the ones who have thrown them a lifeline or it should be all over now.

Nothing surprises me with this league this year as any team can truly beat any other team with the exception of Chelsea and Arsenal who have been the most consistent since the turn of the year.

10 May 2015 13:08:34
gcu
i would agree which is why i don't really agree with the " we got 4th so job well done "

im pleased we got 4th but i'm not satisfied with it , i haven't seen enough to give me major confidence for next season .
i would of honestly taken 5th but playing good football with a marked improvement from the start of the season and a sense that we will really push on next season.

i don't believe the board will just think 4th job done .
as redman says when you review the season as a whole and the progress made from the first game to the last it could be interesting .

i honestly think if the right man is available , pep , klopp for example the board should consider who would be best to take the club forward

10 May 2015 14:45:29
I've taken a few to task for their constant criticism of the Manager but as we approach the end of season, I have found him unconvincing. Assuming we do get 4th it has been a somewhat turgid experience; other than about 5 games where we played well it has continued to be pedestrian. I genuinely think our 'success' is more to do with the incompetence of Spurs and Liverpool who have been woeful. We are a country mile behind Chelsea and even Arsenal now look to be making strides forward.

Should we change him? It's a tough 1 as he has (hopefully) achieved top 4 but I haven't liked what I have seen or heard this year?

10 May 2015 15:04:49
No surprise I support your views 100% here AJH. Yes.

10 May 2015 15:14:05
It is quite an interesting discussion as there are people on the board who clearly believe with our squad we have underachieved and the brand of football is not good.

Having said that i think he has bought himself another year and another window and if for some reason we do not start well and are still where we are next year, i think we will see a change before Christmas, depending on availability of a Manager.

Unfortunately by the looks of all the candidates that people talk about seem to be on the move this summer, so tough call either way.

Funny I was telling Ed001 today Liverpool, Spurs have been Utter sh. t and we have been slightly better and he completely agrees LOL.

BTW i missed the game last night due to a commitment but by the sounds of it glad i did as i would have bitten my fingers off :)

10 May 2015 15:27:14
A lot of harsh criticism for Blind since he made 1 mistake yesterday. I think its only fair to rate him on his natural position which is at LB. The games he played at LB he was top quality, he is trying to evolve his position to midfield so its no surprise he isn't excelling when he plays there, but i don't for 1 second think he's been poor when he's played there. I feel a lot of people jump on the comments of the pundits and adopt them as there own views a lot of the time and he's been under a microscope since G. Nev comments.

10 May 2015 15:43:48
GCU - torn your hair out rather than bitten your fingers off mate. So so frustrating how much respect we show other teams and how slow we were again.

10 May 2015 17:34:50
clarity

did he not play cm all of last season ?
infact is he not a cm who can play lb

10 May 2015 08:38:32
I believe that is fourth spot completely settled now after our win at Palace. Another horror showing in terms of performance and I couldn't even put my finger on what formation we were playing or who was supposed to be where on the pitch. One thing of concern is Luke Shaw not completing the game once again and I have read reports linking us with the Monaco left back this morning (decent journalist). In saying that we have now met our minimum objective for the year (maybe fortuitously so) and can now focus on what is to come in 2016.

I think we all can agree that next season we should be much closer to the title battle, a handy run in the CL and much better performances is the least we should expect. With new signings, an entire pre-season and LVG having had a year to instil his 'philosophy' we should be a level above this season entirely. I am hoping we continue the possession game but some bite is added to our bark up top.

On the whole I think we have a pretty good squad and with some additions we should go well. I hope we can all agree that this time next season (if things don't go to plan) we are not playing the 'this player and that player needs a year to settle in card' as an excuse. Top players slot into top teams like a glove on a hand and I am excited to see what the summer holds. This season has been far from spectacular so let's hope 2015/16 is a special year.

P.S Memphis Depay will be killer!

10 May 2015 08:52:23
Maybe a little harsh on shaw not completing another game as the reason for him going off was concussion

10 May 2015 09:09:51
I have to disagree on Shaw discountdave, he was hardly touched to be honest. I thought he made a meal of it.

10 May 2015 09:42:50
Herbie
So you're implying that shaw wanted to be subbed, after having just come back from injury.

10 May 2015 09:47:00
Its difficult with a whack to the face, if it catches right then you can be screwed. The thing is if you were told to guess which 3 players would go off injured Shaw & Smalling both would have been there, if Rooney hadn't gone off I have no doubt Jones would have catapulted himself into a hospital challenge and would have been the alternative 3rd player going off.

I think 4th is secured now, but the brief was 3rd not 4th. 4th is not CL football, I wish people would stop saying that it is, because a lot better teams than us have fallen foul of the playoff.

LVG has failed this season, we can gloss over it as much as we like. You could have put £150mil into any top 10 side and they would have been competing for 4th and played a lot better than we have.

DDG has been the difference this season which has been said a lot I appreciate.

{Ed025's Note - liverpool spent nearly as much beast, 7th last term and 4th this is improvement in my book mate..

10 May 2015 10:07:20
imightbesomeone

No I'm not implying Shaw wanted to be subbed, I'm implying he was a little wimpy.

10 May 2015 10:07:28
I said it yesterday 025, there's a few too many people who think football is simple, especially at the level we're playing at.

Just bunch a group of names together and we should be the best team in the world, easy as that.

{Ed025's Note - if only mate..

10 May 2015 10:07:52
Ed25 - Yes ultimately it is an improvement, I can't argue with that. Liverpool did lose the best player in the league last season and have had their Rooney equivalent missing virtually all season. I am not making excuses for Liverpool, but they struggled with Europe just like Everton and Spurs have.

Next season will be very interesting because I believe our rivals will all be better (maybe not City), and we will be juggling Europe, integrating new players and hopefully playing with a bit more ambition.

I am looking forward to next season but I expected a lot better this season.

{Ed025's Note - united will be better as well beast thats what its all about mate, Mpez hit the nail on the head when he said some people think its easy..well its not..

10 May 2015 10:07:54
Was the brief not top 4? or isifhe brief was champions league football, then he still has the qualifying games to go?

Would like to know where you got LVG's briefs from anyway Beast :-)

{Ed025's Note - i like that angel.. :)

10 May 2015 10:22:44
It's not hard to sniff them out Angel, because they were caked up until Fellaini scored!

At the start of the season it was all about 3rd place from the club. LVG acknowledged this himself and then stated he isn't interested in 3rd place his aim is to always be champions and he see's no reason why this current team shouldn't be.

So as he set his goal to win the league and failed, the board said 3rd and he failed. We are now in 4th which is a step in the right direction but hardly assured CL football next season it can hardly be deemed a successful season.

No Europe, massive spend etc etc etc it should have been a bit better this season. Anyway I'm not going to whine too much as it was looking worse a couple of months ago and we are very difficult to break down now, so at least he has stabilised us with a very ropey defence, better defenders and we can hopefully focus a bit more on breaking down opponents next season.

{Ed025's Note - "im not going to whine too much"..why break the habit of a lifetime mate?.. :)

10 May 2015 10:25:24
I think we should review what LVG has achieved when we know our final position even though it seems it will be fourth as things stand. LVG has not "failed" as you put it, that is very jaundiced thinking but when the season is over we can look at it as a whole.

I agree with the Ed, if we finish 4th it is an improvement, quite a big improvement given where we were when LVG arrived. I really don't think people like yourself realise the utter mess the previous incumbent left including the fact SAF had also failed to strengthen properly in his last years. LVG has had to deal with the lack of plan the club has had in recent years, I don't believe we had a true direction when Moyes was appointed, just more of the same. It was muddied planning and LVG is trying to turn that around.
I think the club will have to look at LVG's plans and be comfortable they are in line with the clubs, are they happy with the style? We saw with the Spurs, Liverpool, City and Chelsea games that there is some quality football in LVG teams and in a couple of weeks we will be better able to judge the season and so will the club

{Ed025's Note - its hard to argue with that red man..

10 May 2015 10:27:31
ed 025
iverpool also lost a player worth his weight in cash

{Ed025's Note - players will always come and go jred, did utd fall to pieces when cantona left?..no..suarez is a great player but liverpool got a lot of dosh for him and failed to invest it wisely, instead of buying a world class replacement they bought players like lambert, lallana, markovic, and balotelli, so for me they got what they deserve mate..nothing. :)

10 May 2015 10:32:34
Ha ha beast Daniel strurridge as a Rooney equivalent comment, your opinions are usually based on more realistic logic than that. Not sure sturridge is fit for that comparison

{Ed025's Note - fit and sturridge should not be used in the same sentence..

10 May 2015 10:37:22
herbie medical staff have been grilled by the medical world this season for not taking concussions seriously after loris played on so now they're taking extra precautions. I doubt shaw wanted to come off, no footballer ever wants to come off, especially a 19 year old lad.

10 May 2015 10:38:25
Its only been this season Ed.

The hysteria over LVG has been ridiculous. The failure for people to identify obvious deficiencies until they become common knowledge is farcical.

It sickens me how low our expectations have become and what we class as success and failure and how the line dividing that is ridiculously small. I just want our supporters to call a spade a spade.

I appreciate there are a lot more unfortunate teams out there and we have no divine right to expect to keep on winning. But with the resources and pedigree we have this season has been embarrassing, our global fan base (most of which is very fickle) will be diminishing by the day as our entertainment value has all but deteriorated, we need to stop the rot before buying ourselves out of problems is no longer a viable option. Without the global interest in what we do the money will dry up.

This website is full of optimists and people who are prepared to justify what we have seen in one way or another, I understand this is a supporters website and therefore people being critical is not what most people come on here to read. I just like to throw a different and dare I say more realistic assessment on matters. I may be negative, but it is justified when you weigh up what we have compared to other teams.

Next season I hope to be positive but that will only be if we change our outlook as a team and we perform how we should.

{Ed025's Note - im glad to hear it beast, as a supporter of a major team of under achievers myself all i can say is..you have been spoilt mate..

10 May 2015 10:48:05
Red Man - Just because there has been a change in plan, it doesn't mean its a good change.

I appreciate there needed to be a change because time has moved on. The problem on a simple level is we hired an old manager who had his ideas studied by most current managers who are younger, more flexible and fundamentality more engaged in my view. You can't teach an old dog new tricks.

He has many attributes we needed in a manager, but the wriggle room he has been given due to our desperation has been saddening. Without CL football or decent cup runs last season I am sure Moyes would have done equally as well league wise, and he was widely acknowledged to be out of his depth (which I agree with).

Again we will never know, but at the start of the season 99% of fans would have expected better performances, a slightly better league position and to be a lot further along with the "Philosophy", do we look much better than game 1 of the season?

Watch the first few games of the season and the last few games and it would be hard to know which is which.

10 May 2015 10:58:35
Beast

My thoughts were put on here previously. I wanted Klopp not LVG but the real question is why did Woodward go for LVG? LVG does what it says on the tin, plays possession football in the style he is trying to introduce. It isn't or hasn't been the United way but Woodward MUST have known that when appointing him and one hopes Woodward has a plan as to who will replace LVG as it will be no good to carry on another year to then bring a Klopp in to change things all over again.
We needed stability after a mess of our own creating, LVG has done that but we should be looking and asking how the club will go forward after him. Remember Barcelona have a style that is constant but is that what Woodward and the owners vision is?

10 May 2015 11:29:36
Beast may be u should watch the games in the middle as well, then i suppose u will know the progress made.
Red Man I hope u r right that Woody hopefully has a plan, i hope we go for klopp or pep when LVG's tenure ends.

10 May 2015 11:47:19
Red Man - I think we give a bit too much credit to Woodward and Co. They acted out of desperation briuning in LVG, they needed a manager with experience and presence to stop the rot, I genuinely don't think Woodward knows half as much about football as us lot. He will have seen his CV, been impressed with his stature and seen a distinct lack of other alternatives and taken the plunge.

Coomon_Sense Moyes - Games in the middle? Do you mean the 3-4 games a month ago? We have played the exact same way all season aside from an up-tempo run of games from Spurs to City, despite the media harping on about a better 2nd half to the season it is a myth, they say something and it sticks, we were awful Jan, Feb, March. Our backs were against the wall and I got the impression that the shackles came off in April, since 4th was all but assured the safety harness has been put back on and we are back to trying not to lose rather than trying to win.

10 May 2015 12:06:24
klopp looks munich bound and pep city.
i wouldn't bank on either of them.

i wouldn't bank on woodward having the right plan either .
since he took over from gill his record with managers isn't great imo

10 May 2015 12:55:34
Jred

You also have Ancelloti potentially available. Musical chairs as they say. I think if Pellegrini goes he might end up at AC Milan.

I don't think Klop is going to Bayern, he will upset the entire hierarchy there LOL. Liverpool is my guess.

I can see Ancelloti at Bayern, Klop at Liverpool and Pep at City. That leaves Real madrid without a major name managing them. Maybe they will talk Fergie into coming out of retirement lol or Benitez :)

10 May 2015 14:26:39
gcu
Beckenbauer is talking about klopp as the next manager.

could ancelloti end up back at AC

10 May 2015 15:16:40
Jred

Did not know that and very interesting. So first they took every player they wanted and now the Manager and who knows maybe Gundogan too. Only in Germany i guess

11 May 2015 10:40:29
They should rename the club from "Bayern Munich FC" to "German National Team FC" ;)

10 May 2015 07:18:52
The last 4 games have proved we really need a ball playing CB and Carricks long term replacement as we struggle to play ball from back and even if we do its painfully slow. What it does is that even with Di Maria and Depay (next season) pace we won't be able to break unless we play ball quicker from the back n midfield into advance areas in the opposition half. We need players in midfield like Carrick and a Ball playing CB to compliment their assets.

A CB, CM (Carricks long term replacement), a RB And a ST if Wilson goes on loan and Falcao isn't signed more needed.

Smalling seems to have improved a lot with run of games and I would rather have him than Varane and maybe get Hummels or Laporte or Oatmendi alongside him but that's just me.

10 May 2015 08:09:51
I have to agree, it's painfully slow football we have played recently. Possession is one thing but we need players who can speed up the tempo of our play. Our game at the moment seems to be based on the likes of Barca under Pep Guardiola but we can only play at one pace so it's very easy to defend against. The brilliance of that Barca side was keeping the ball but when they had the chance to quicken the tempo by playing a quick one two or someone beating a man they would always go for that rather than the safe pass which we seem to settle for.

On Smalling, I feel defensively he has improved but he's an accident waiting to happen with the ball at his feet. A few times every game he will miscontrol a simple pass or overrun the ball and then we're in trouble. If we only sign one CB at the moment I don't know who I would play alongside them as both Jones and Smalling have shown improvement at times but always look as though they could make a mistake. Then Rojo seems like he's a bit in between a left back and centre back, I'd keep him as 3rd or 4th choice centre back and 2nd choice left back behind Shaw. Evans I feel will be sold, he's been very poor this season.

Opponents tactics against us have been spot on of late, let the CB's who are poor on the ball have and as soon as the ball goes to someone with quality then press them. It really isn't rocket science when playing against us.

Still though there are positives to be taken from yesterday such as I thought Falcao did well with his hold up and link up play and Young had a very good game. Also think that we look a better attacking side with Shaw in the team, just unfortunate he has suffered another injury.

10 May 2015 09:35:35
Peps game to a large extent was based on barcas under van gaal and their very own class of 92 on steroids.we are playing vg football no question. We just seem to be playing 30 yards further back, all that matters now is top 4 but I think we've been a little too defensive. Also hope we keep it up with some healthy additions. I hope we keep falcao its clear our current setup has no understanding of what nets him 30+ goals a season he looked wide open for the ball plenty of times and never got the pass. Wayne is simply no longer good enough though he's been a great player for the club.all things considered a fabulous result. Just hope Rooney does not stop us buying or keeping another striker, he won't improve next year and he's not good enough to drop deeper. Gerard held Liverpool back for the last 5 seasons we must avoid that.

09 May 2015 23:53:55
A question to ed001 I read your post in regards to city and the rumours about making a monster offer for pogba

With ffp restrictions how will they be able to spend so much? Would they have to sell players in order to stay within the rules of Ffp?

{Ed002's Note - Try the European pages, or the Manchester City page.}

10 May 2015 08:29:45
Man City page?
Does that still work?
:-)