Manchester United Banter Archive February 13 2012

13 Feb 2012 22:15:02
Having just watched the interview with Carlos Tevez I believe ot throws up an interesting point, something we all suspected, and that is that Roberto Mancini isnt great at handling his players when they are up against it. His players clearly dont like his tactics and his man management skills seem to be poor. Some people say that he has managed to harness Balotelli's temperament and get him playing, I say that Balotelli hasnt demonstrated half of what he is capable of yet and that is down to the manager. Imagine Mario playing under Fergie. Anyhow, my point is that so long as we keep up the pressure on City, I reckon they will crumble somewhat. They are scraping by in games at the minute and all it will take is one more foul up and for us to go top and level on games and the pressure might just break them.

TK-Red

13 Feb 2012 21:06:11
Just watched a very happy Pogba being interviewed by Mark Sullivan on MUTV after scoring the winner tonight against Bolton Reserves he hugged his brother on the touchline and looked a very happy boy when he was speaking about training with the first team and watching and learning from the bench I will be very surprised if he does not sign soon
ARB

13 Feb 2012 18:53:08
I do love this site and the Conspiracy page ;)
After looking for decent football related sites over the last few years it's now the only one I go to pretty much each day.
Many thanks Ed's, good job.

Ps. I do see rumours that I only see here, suddenly appear in newspapers the following day. Funny that.

Supasub {Ed007's Note - Thanks very much mate. We don't hit whore, make up stories to attract traffic, anything us Eds say is what we know/believe at the actual time, whether it turns out right or wrong we don't spin lies. Plus if you like James McCarthy and Hayley McQueen (in TOTALLY different ways I might add), I give you preference on posting ;-)

13 Feb 2012 19:52:49
Just a thought having seen the post below regarding Carrick's awesome passing stats in recent months...........

Our Central Midfield is better now than it has been for well over a year IMO. Sounds like a weird things to say I know but hear out my reasoning
1) Carrick has hit top form, which I havent seen from him in recent years, if at all at United. I think he has really blossomed in the Holding Midfielder role and really plays the 'United way' these days
2) Scholes has come back revitalised, playing better than he did in his final pre-retirement year IMO, which is clearly amazing!
3) Cleverly is coming back from injury and showed real promise at the start of the season. If he develops as we hope/expect i feel he can take over Scholes in terms of dominating our possession in years to come
4) Gibson has finally left! Not only did he score THAT goal against City, but also left more room in the squad for the likes of Pogba
5) Leading on from above; soon following Gibbo's departure we got to see Pogba given a cameo in the Prem. He looked tasty to say the least and I'm hoping given a few more opportunities this year he can be close to regular 1st team action next season
6) In the last game or 2 Giggs has been reverted to a wider position. Dont get me wrong I know he hasnt got the pace to beat players any more but his crafted left boot and unfortunate tendency to play over-complicated passes make him better suited to a LAM position than playing as one of two men in CM I reckon. He has had plenty of assists from that position that year, when given the chance. Undoubtadely our CM benefits from Giggs not being there, losing possession time after time

On top of the above bonus's to our CM options since last summer...we still also have Ando as an option, For me he has never consistently fulfilled his promise at United, though I would be willing to give him one last chance before the summer. Either way he is a decent 5th/6th choice along with Giggs

There is also the possibility of a Fletcher return too of course, which would be class!

So, sorry for the long post...anyway I'm not saying our CM is great or that we shouldnt invest. Because we should! Scholes is obviously on his way out for starters

But I do stand by my words that our CM is better RIGHT NOW than it has been for 12-18 months probably, in terms of 1st choices and the bench

Of course we need to invest in the summer, but perhaps just one signing in midfield? such as Eriksen(example only) - a young, talented, creative type to take Scholes' place in the squad long term

If we got Eriksen for example, our CM squad COULD look like this; Carrick, Fletcher, Pogba, Cleverly, Eriksen, Ando (and possibly Scholes for 1 last yr)

Gav

13 Feb 2012 16:55:14
carrick
vs Liverpool – attempted and completed more than any other player with 92/98 (94%)
vs Chelsea – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 66/76 (87%)
vs Stoke – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 129/139 (93%)
vs Arsenal – completed more passes than any other player with 51/56 (91%). Song attempted 56 and completed 47 (84%).
vs Bolton – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 59/66 (89%)
vs Newcastle – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 69/80 (86%)
vs Blackburn – played as a central defender because of injuries. Completed 34/38 passes (90%).
vs Wigan – played as a central defender because of injuries. Completed 39/40 passes (98%).
vs Fulham – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 67/74 (91%)
vs QPR – one player attempted and completed more passes (Faurlin – 52/71 or 73%). Completed 49/58 (85%).
vs Wolves – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 66/73 (90%)
vs Villa – attempted and completed more passes than any other player with 55/62 (89%)
vs Newcastle – one player attempted and completed more passes (Giggs – 52/64 or 81%). Completed 45/54 (83
thats pretty good going
jred

13 Feb 2012 14:43:53
Supasub {Ed002's Note - We are not going to publish any posts on such matters as you raise at all. Sorry.}

13 Feb 2012 14:29:15
Do ppl on here have any idea if glazers will sell up if a significant offer comes in from the arabs or any body els? {Ed002's Note - It is far more likely that about 35% of the club will be sold via a floatation in the Far East at some point.}

13 Feb 2012 12:51:51
This is a very interesting fact, found on the BBC webstire, Garth Crooks' team of the week, in which Johnny Evans was included.

"Manchester United have won 83% of the 18 games Evans has appeared in this season and just 43% of the seven he has missed."

I realise that stats are everything, but he certainly was good on saturday!

Joe

13 Feb 2012 11:13:34
had a quick question.

Loads of websites suggest that David Da Gea is about
6'3 but he looks shorter than Rio. Skysports - 192 cm which is about 6'3.5.

So how tall is Da Gea ?

DesiRed.

13 Feb 2012 09:52:16
Another great game against Liverpool, even if it was ruined at the very start. Scholes and Valencia stood out for me. Great too see Cleverley back in the squad. Shame he didn't get any game time.

Brooksy

13 Feb 2012 09:48:15
Now that the race issue has finally been put to bed, perhaps now the despicable individual who alledgedly spat at David De Gea in the tunnel will have the courage to step forward and apologise
Raffa.

13 Feb 2012 01:29:33
Just read an artand icle about Podolski stating his intentions to leave Cologne this summer. At 26 and being a left footed player I think this would be a solid purchase by SAF. Podolski can play both up front and as a winger. He wouldn't be too expensive as he is in his final year of his contract, and has stated he has intentions of leaving. Reports have always hinted at interest from Arsenal but I personally would be happy having Podolski in the squad.

43 goals in 95 games for Germany.
15 goals in 17 starts for Cologne this year.