Manchester United Banter Archive August 14 2015

14 Aug 2015 23:20:49
We must give Chico a game on Tuesday, l think he will make a difference with his quick movement.

14 Aug 2015 22:52:27
6 points out of six is the most important statistic from tonight but hopefully after Rooney's performances so far the powers that be start to rethink our striker options. I honestly thought that we would be poor defensively but to my surprise we are looking the most solid we have looked back there for a fair few seasons. Shaw has come back fit and looks like the player he was at Southampton and Darmian seems to have taken to this league already and looks like an attackers going to have to be on his game to get anything out of him. Smalling again was very comfortable he had the one Jones moment when he passed the ball to the opposition in the final third but every game he plays he starting to look more confident like he thinks he deserves to be there now. The work Schneiderlin does in front of the back four cannot be underestimated as i don't think its any coincidence that we haven't conceded a goal since he's been in there tracking back and disrupting play. The midfield looked like it was a ceremonial for large periods of the game looking like they were completely refusing to control or pass the ball to a team mate. I can't remember us giving the ball away or getting caught in possession as we did in that match. Mata proved again our only creative player with two great passes, one for the goal and another for Memphis who should have done better. I think Memphis is still trying to hard and looking to do something every-time he has the ball which hopefully will settle down when he gets a few games and good performances under his belt. Januzaj was tidy again like Memphis trying to shine in the limited playing time he has had. Rooney was nothing short of terrible cannot remember one thing on a positive note that he has contributed in the last two games. I would even consider dropping him foe Chicarito or wilson next game. I think tonight proved we need a top striker before the window shuts. We nned a sterner test before the window shuts as think we have probably played the two worst teams in the league so far, Spurs were poor an this Villa side would struggle in the championship.

14 Aug 2015 23:37:48
Jaime,

You think we have played the 2 worst teams in the league? Are you joking? Spurs will finish in the top 6/7 and villa will probably finish around the mid table, some of their new signings look good and once they settle they will do well. I know you have to find a negative about everything but surely you can do better than that.

15 Aug 2015 00:09:30
spurs should do better but worse team in the league ?

15 Aug 2015 00:13:10
I thought that was quite positive for jamie 😁

15 Aug 2015 00:32:49
what I meant was the Spurs and villa performances were the worst I've seen this season what Romero made 2 saves in 2 games. villa will be fighting relegation again for the third season in a row. Don't think we could of had 2 easier games than we've had so far.

15 Aug 2015 00:36:36
gds6 I have to be negative so I can get a teply from u I never see your remarks on any of the other posted who pretty much say the same. So I feel the need to give you something to comment o bless you.

15 Aug 2015 01:03:16
spurs and villa games are the worst u have seen ?
they are our only ones , so they re also the best u have seen

15 Aug 2015 04:37:07
Jamie GDS2 just likes to troll mate but gets away with it cause he's a long time poster. Don't worry about it and keep posting.

15 Aug 2015 05:14:32
Jamie,

Don't flatter yourself you clown, I post on here often in reply to many things, certainly not just to your own so don't try and patronise me.

15 Aug 2015 09:46:19
Ha cheers Maze, I'm far from bothered pal she has got absolutely nothing about her just like reeling her in.

15 Aug 2015 09:50:42
Oh JMB is here as well calling me a troll again, pot and kettle spring to mind you strange strange person.

14 Aug 2015 22:23:52
If we were only to sign one more player this window would you rather it be a CB or a ST? For me a ST as Rooney looked so so poor tonight so average

{Ed030's Note - I would say try and keep Javier and a good CB would be much more beneficial.

14 Aug 2015 23:09:07
Need a proper striker more than any other position. Rooney has looked hopeless the first two games and will not make 15 goals this year

14 Aug 2015 23:22:14
A CB is priority right now. I hope Rooney starts getting a kick up the ass by LVG and he starts performing, still early days so we could all be surprised by him. However tonight's performance has shown nothing good.

14 Aug 2015 23:03:17
I disagree Ed. We have Rojo to come back but no options up front, Rooney is sliding down the wrong side of the hill; we need a world class striker

{Ed030's Note - Rojo is extremely unreliable in my opinion, better suited to a full back role where his mistakes can be covered up for. }

14 Aug 2015 22:20:13
The worry was if Rooney gets injured, the worry now must be if he keeps playing, I'm not a hater of wazza, tonight just shows us that we need a striker if anything to put pressure on his place on the team, he knows he starts and has the attitude any performance will do from him.

15 Aug 2015 05:15:21
Tony,

Have I been dumped??

14 Aug 2015 22:15:46
Thoughts on the midfield:
Both games Carrick has been subbed off for Schweinsteiger. I actually think LVG might be wise here, keeping a check on their minutes with the long term in view. Both players have been excellent in possession.

Schneiderlin was very good today, and looks to be growing into his role. Herrera was hot and cold today, he upped the pace but was a little erratic. Perhaps he is pressing a little to prove himself, but us just a guess. I am a huge fan of his, and still would love to see us play 4-3-3 with AH, MS, and either MC or BS every game. But in the meantime, it is a delight to see that the midfield for Manchester United is now a strength.

14 Aug 2015 21:51:14
Did the team take sleeping tablets before they went on the pitch, i can't believe how many times we got caught on the ball. Rooney - Shocking, Carrick - Poor, Mata - Poor despite a couple of good passes, Memphis - Poor. Need to start with Snchweini when fit. Herrera added tempo and also must start.Luke Shaw Brilliant as were the back four. I think Darmian will always have a good constant solid game. Made up for Adnan aswell. Overall, slow, predictable, always looking to pass backwards, boring. Positives, battled well, defended well.

{Ed030's Note - Nothing changed from the Tottenham game for me, In the first game I put it down to a lack of match fitness however I'm guessing now it's just playing without any real meaning and a lack of conviction. }

14 Aug 2015 23:03:04
Can't wait for BS to get fit he's going to absolute boss our midfield he makes football look so easy world class

15 Aug 2015 05:19:07
Nach,

He seems to have about an hour on the ball to do what he wants every time he gets it, considering that villa were pressing hard all game this is made even more impressive. Best midfielder we have had since scholes by a mile, he can control the whole tempo, and on top of that seems like an absolute top bloke.

15 Aug 2015 06:51:41
Great post gds I completely agree.

14 Aug 2015 22:04:26
Player Ratings today
Romero =6
Had nothing to do Aston Villa were dominating at some part but rarely produced goal scoring chances

Darmian-7
Had more difficult time than with spurs but coped well. Did engaged himself in some mistake but for a defender, it is common . Especially when he had to foul someone to save the team's ass.But was really lucky to avoid that penalty

Smalling -8
Was solid as i predicted and superb in air. Won most of the aerial duels and cannot forget that crucial interception. Was solid in short

Blind - 7.5
Not as good as Smalling but did defend well, especially with the pace they had.He coped really well with pace, Did had some nervy moments but really coped well .Smalling along with him controlled the defense. Was confused between 7 and 7.5, but since he had a clean sheet so.

Shaw -7
He is much more fit than last season and uses his pace really well. He was a threat going forward and was good defensively too. I can only see him improving

Carrick - 6.5
as good on distributing the ball but lacked those forward passes which could have unlock the defense. Overall did well in defense so can't complain

Schneiderlin -7.5
Was really good defensively as well as offensively. Was constantly available for team mates and never scared to tackle. It is exciting to see him in red

Memphis -6
Was poor for me. Constantly lost the ball and tried too much to do something which resulted in dissapointment. However did try to produce scoring chances but very less were breath taking.

Rooney -5
Very poor. Did nothing except loosing the ball and miscontrolling. I really hope his season kicks on

Mata- 8
Was very good and kept on drifting inside and his pass for the goal was sublime. He made couple of key passes including the Memphis miss and constantly positioned himself to match the defensive organization.

Januzaj -8
Considering he hadn't played for a long time, he was very good. He was playing good even before the goal. Kept on passing to the teammates around in tight areas. Was occasionally bullied but since he got the goal which won us the game. 8 for him

Schweinsteiger - 7.5
Played superb. An instant update on Carrick

Herrera -7
Was not the best of herrera i have seen but still did well to retain and distribute the ball.

Young -N/A

Overall happy with the win and our performance was better than last game. It feels nice to see our midfield options and LVG utilised them properly. Imagine you are 1 goal up and then Bastian, Schneiderlin and Herrera are played in midfield. This trio will minimise the chance of conceding the goal

14 Aug 2015 22:21:43
Rooney and Memphis even lower today for me. But the rest put in a solid performance. Those two just had a bad day, and will have better days. The trickier question is Mata. No drive down the right, not much help on defense, but then he makes the two best passes of the game. That sums him up really.

14 Aug 2015 21:58:54
So according to Micha Richards Darmian, said he's soft as sh*t, brilliant. Love the lad already.

Solid-ish performance, watched it in the pub so don't think I got the full picture but from what I saw we look brilliant in two thirds of the pitch but when we get into the attacking third we turn into negative nellys and look for the safe option too much. The only time we didn't, mata carved them open and Adnan was allowed to flourish and show us what we've been waiting to see for a while.

Blind was brilliant, who was the poster who called me a mug for saying he'd be solid at CB because he's intelligent? Couldn't fault him, still think we need to sign someone but he's more than capable to do that role next to Mike.

Romero had very little to do, juries still out on him. Shaw looked well, and I think we looked far better when Basti and Ander came on.

All in all 3 points away from home but I'm sure we'll still have a week of moaning from the usuals.

14 Aug 2015 21:53:12
I'm pretty sure the negativity will be well covered (I has already started), so I'm going to focus on what I consider positive!

Shaw: Looks so fit, great stamina, and finally shows everyone why we bought him last summer!

Schneiderlin: So pleased we bought him. Great work rate and brings much needed physically to our midfield.

Darmian: Very impressed so far. I forgot how it was to have a right back who can defend. Was troubled by a very good Villa LB, but did well.

Smalling: If he continues like he have started this season, who knows. He is a beast 1vs1.

And final words to Blind (better CB than Evans) and Januzaj for scoring!

14 Aug 2015 21:49:16
There is a seed of something there but it needs more quality

No one on the TV is mentioning Schneiderlin who sits in the middle and covers, gets his foot in, tidies up, good player and no one gets a run on our defence easily. He is making a difference. When you realise that Romero has not had a shot to save then you should appreciate the cover Schneiderlin is giving. The word nil appeared yet against us and no one mentions Schneiderlin.

Good from Darmian, Shaw, Smalling and mention to Blind all assured. I liked to see two real footballers come on Schweinsteiger and Herrera, suddenly we liked to have the ball again, all positives.
Depay needs time, it is like being thrust into a bright light.

We missed the ball being moved quickly and Rooneys touch was poor, telling that he hasn't scored away since last November. However, It's 6 points, we would have taken that and a so much better start than last season but we need to improve up front.

14 Aug 2015 22:02:52
Completely agre Red Man. So many positives right now. Darmian, Shaw, Smalling, Schweinsteiger, Carrick, and dare I say Januzaj? repay has potential but looks a little overawed right now. As you hinted, CF is the issue without Rooney blundering around like an overweight oil tanker.

14 Aug 2015 22:04:25
Schneiderlin was very good. Defensively he has been excellent in both games, and I thought today, he moved around into good spaces to help in possession. Much steadier than the first game in that regard. And the tussle he won to keep the ball alive on the touchline was impressive.

The problems, obviously, are with the front three. No touch from our center forward, and wingers who receive and pass backwards.

14 Aug 2015 22:10:21
Spot on Red Man.
I think Depay shouldve started on the bench to get him chomping at the bit.
Plus he would inject some pace when he did come in.

14 Aug 2015 21:46:32
Some clear positives from tonight.

Romero looked a lot more comfortable and looks like he can do a job for us this season.

Smalling and the full backs continue to impress.

Central midfield is improving with every game, and Schweinsteiger is still a class act even if he isn't 100%.

Depay was far more assured on the wing, and was unlucky not to open his account.

And, finally, Adnan showed some real touches of his class, and made the types of runs behind the defence that we lacked in the last match. I think we could have an important role this season regardless of who we sign.

There are, however, three areas of concern.

Blind still looks suspect, he has been caught out on a few occasions in the last game, and I can see a good striker absolutely roasting him.

Although Mata made some telling contributions in attack, he was very slopping in possession, and put us on the back foot on at least 5 occasions.

And Rooney. One of his worst ever performances for us. Missing for most of the game, poor touch, poor passing, poor runs (usually offside), and just seems completely lost. He didn't trouble their defence once all night, and would have been subbed at half time if he didn't have the armband.

So that's a new winger, new cb and new striker please Mr Woodnerd.

14 Aug 2015 22:02:21
Got to agree Danny I think blind did ok tonight but against better players he will struggle.

I can't think of a worse performance from Rooney I honestly have no words but another 3 points and on we go I think we will see this kind of performance a lot this season especially away from home it may not be thrilling but we will pick up a lot of points I think we will do very well this season.

14 Aug 2015 22:06:17
Danny, wash your mouth out. Rooney is our captain and talisman, he was immense and the reason we won.

14 Aug 2015 21:43:13
Don't get on the rooney shhhh bandwagon again! The important thing is he'll know he had a bad game and will work hard to change that! The wide men get the service in this formation its his hold up play that's key and poaching in the box. Still can't warm to mata on the right though I want pace and creativity there!

14 Aug 2015 21:42:10
Well nothing to change my opinion there that were fighting for 4th again. Once again very lacklustre, easy to defend against. 180 mins of football produced 1 own goal and one deflected one. Chances on one hand.

I've been getting slated by most on here with regards to Rooney, but tonight is all the evidence you need. He really isn't top draw. He never has been IMO and tonight showed he has aged, slowed and have the ball away so much I nearly but my head through the telly. Touch is atrocious.

I reiterate what I have said. Unless we considerably strengthen the attack were not challengers.

14 Aug 2015 22:06:13
how can a striker score without getting the ball in places where he can be a threat.

not once did rooney get a chance because he never got the service yet again, no tempo and no risk taking. regardless of who is our STRIKER we will not create many chances for him unless we up the tempo and take more risks.

14 Aug 2015 22:27:42
The striker needs to make the runs for the balls to be played into space behind, did you once see Rooney make a run in behind and not be played in? He's static, his only movements is back towards out own goal. Mata played two class balls. One for the goal and the other for Memphis who should of scored. A top draw striker playing off the shoulder would be getting picked out with balls like this from mata. Rooney is on his heels and his pace has gone. Plus he has the touch of a rapist. He's not good enough and I've said a million times he won't get 25 goals

14 Aug 2015 21:41:34
Well immediate thoughts;
Better performance than v spurs, nobody spectacular but we looked controlled. I'd like us to make that risky pass more often, when we play with a bit of expression and tempo we look good, dangerous.
We look so much more assured for me with Bastian and Herrera in the team.
Big props to Daley Blind, often criticised but an intelligent player, MOTM.
Memphis I think will get better, was often involved. Nice to see Januzaj make his point he looked lively.
Now lots will defend him but Rooney was abysmal and it's more often than not these days, service and creation cold still be better but for me we need better in this system.
Pleased overall tho 1-0 to the United makes us look like we don't need a CB, of course we do, but nice to see us controlled, I don't wanna be hiding behind the pillow at 1-0 in the last 5 mins all season ha.

14 Aug 2015 21:47:12
Agree with basti and herrera and blind.

I don't think januzaj did anything impressive apart from the goal definitely needs to bulk up got bullied off the ball alot.

Your right regarding Rooney he was shocking Aswell as mata.

Performances will improve as the season progresses

Either way its 2 from 2.

Oh and how much better is it to have a positionaly sound right back

14 Aug 2015 21:55:32
I hope we keep Memphis out wide he looked happier out there, made some really good runs but never got the service apart from the mata through ball which he should have buried

14 Aug 2015 21:57:38
Good solid performance .Defence looked good we just need that pacy forward .Rooney looked lost JOB DONE CLEAN SHEET TOP OF LEAGUE 😆😆

14 Aug 2015 21:58:44
Agreed on the subs, momentum turned our way again when Schweinsteiger and Herrera came on. Bastian helped us gain control, Herrera quickened the pace but was a bit frenetic today. Pleased for Januzaj. Good movement to read Mata's pass.

14 Aug 2015 20:52:18
Ken, just seen your reply down the page about DDG. How is he no better than ADM? ADM never wanted to come, was generally useless, and clearly didn't want to be here. DDG, despite a difficult 1st season worked hard, and became a stalwart of the side, player of the year for the last 2 years. To say they are the same is a poor show my friend. Misapplied as I am that he wants to leave, Ronaldo did the same and yet everyone still seems to love him.

14 Aug 2015 21:40:07
Ajh, I think you are being nasty calling Wayne a 'lump' but I won't go on about it.
In response I did say I would wish him well, I think what heis doing is worse than what di Maria did, at least di Maria forced his transfer through, ddg knows full well that if we don't sell him he will get a huge payday come June, he will also get a larger signing on fee and his agent a healthy bonus if we are forced to sell him on the cheap, if he stays he might buckle down but his head and heart are elsewhere, we might have to play Madrid what then. If he wants to go let him come out and say it. He will sign a pre contract with Madrid in Jan to protect himself and Manchester United should never ever play a player who has signed and committed their future to another club least of all 'that lot' that is my opinion if you think its nasty or a poor show then I'm ok with that but I try not to slag off the players who are displaying the right commitment now. That's BS and Rooney you have called fatties in one week 😃 you big nasty devil😉

14 Aug 2015 21:42:12
If we defend as well as we have the last 2 games we probably don't even need a keeper.

14 Aug 2015 22:00:01
Ken, I think you are 1 of the good guys and I like your posts. However, in terms of of DDG's motivation, in simple terms, I think he wants to go home. He has given us his all but it's time to move on

Schweinsteiger is a class above anything we have (a bit like RVP in his 1st season). He oozes class from every pore. It I do think he looks less than match fit (he's not the only one). Depay also looks a little short of match fitness.

As for Rooney, his groupies will continue to fawn but 2 games in he's looks dreadful. I've never liked him as a bloke but as a player he is way short of what new need. He's not fit, he's just slow and poor. He has no pace and I worry that he is now so far down the wrong side of the hill that he is finished. Imagine a mobile CF with Januzaj, Depay, Mata (or Pedro) creating chances for them. I don't think Rooney is able to deliver any more.



guys and I like yourosts

14 Aug 2015 23:49:55
If you look back Tony I'm right with you, I said 6 weeks ago a striker was needed with pace my first choice was Lacazette. BS is the best player at our club, he will be a great signing.
I like to be positive and constructive but the double standards fierce on here, ddg is playing a game and in conjunction with Madrid and he has said he does not want to play for us. You have said yourself he owes the club nothing and I as a supporter owe him nothing I have no liking or regard for him whatsoever unless he signs a contract with united otherwise he is just an ex player who I used to support. Most ex players I follow and want to do well, but all of those have left with their head held high and treated the club with respect and dignity but others like him Anderson di Maria are just players I used to support but now they mean nothing to me.
You have made it clear you think he has done his duty if he sees out his contract and owes the fans and the club nothing, I don't want the club to lose out financially so think we should get rid asap

14 Aug 2015 20:46:00
Anyone seen Rooney?

14 Aug 2015 20:34:06
My God, just found a stream and its Keys and Gray chairing the analysis with Kevin Keegan thrown in. Flashback!! Great HD stream though, no adverts, no buffering, and no interruptions

{Ed001's Note - it's Bein Sports mate.}

14 Aug 2015 19:26:16
Why do sly insist on letting rednapp and sourness pundit our games! They hate us

14 Aug 2015 19:03:44
Team news in and Januzaj starts, Herrera on bench, oh eh here we go again, is he going to piss the lad off, what's he got against him?

14 Aug 2015 20:24:07
Feel silly yet?

14 Aug 2015 18:52:18
Januzai needs to deliver

14 Aug 2015 20:32:16
Get in!

14 Aug 2015 18:01:22
Sly sports (Ballague) reporting that City have made a bid for Pedro. can any EDS or posters confirm this? it would be a shame to miss out on him because we haggled over 10 bob and a conker!

14 Aug 2015 18:18:11
I don't get how now City are in for him people are upset about it, but when it looked certain he'd sign he wasn't good enough.

14 Aug 2015 19:13:16
I hope he is right and city sign him up, but it's likely more rubbish from Sly in attempt to generate more bets. Balague talks crap 95% of the time. He also has such a smug face on when he finally gets one right (see youtube of him "breaking" the ADM story last year). Really makes you want to punch him in the face

14 Aug 2015 15:41:17
Score prediction for tonight. I'm going 4-0 united

14 Aug 2015 16:43:42
That's bold Pep! However, I wish I felt as confident as you.

I'm going 2-1 United but another fairly average performance.

Rooney and Young with the goals, Sinclair with the Villa goal.

14 Aug 2015 16:48:18
I agree

14 Aug 2015 16:49:55
2-0 win

14 Aug 2015 16:54:19
Going to go with the head not the heart- With Blinds lack of pace and height and Romero possibly getting tested on high balls a la De Geas first few months in PL facing gestede (all fired up on his home debut 19 headed goals last season from 21 goals) a full house bouyed up from last weeks win away and abonglahors pace coupled with our lack of cutting edge i'm going for 1-1.

I said last week this is the trickier of the 2 opening games .

Hope to be proved massively wrong

14 Aug 2015 17:05:47
I'm going for 1-1.
I can't see us creating 4 chances never mind scoring 4 goals!

14 Aug 2015 17:13:37
We have to have shots on target to score 4 goals

14 Aug 2015 17:19:06
1-0 United

14 Aug 2015 17:30:01
3.0 with depay and mata to score goals. We will smash them if all goes well.

14 Aug 2015 17:37:54
Gosh good to see the levels of optimism. Any one else fancy being positive with me? Glory glory

14 Aug 2015 17:59:48
Can see us struggling for goals without our top scorer Kyle Walker. I'm going for a morale crushing 0-0

14 Aug 2015 18:27:12
A comfortable 2_0 for me.

14 Aug 2015 18:33:14
3-1 united, gestede for villains and Memphis, schneiderlin and shaw.

14 Aug 2015 18:38:51
2-1 to us, our goals are own goals, assisted by Rooney again.

14 Aug 2015 15:01:39
Can you imagine the fan reaction if Otamendi and Pedro both join city after our name attached to them for I dunno how long.

14 Aug 2015 15:42:35
I feel this situation is kind of similiar to the one when United's name was brought up to rush the scousers into paying the clause for Benteke. And we know Valencia need the money and no one is agreeing to the release clause. Plus, United seem to be haggling over Pedro's clause as well (maybe) due to the lack of future sale value as well. I believe if Van Gaal really wants them, they will end up at United. And if he didn't, City might end up snatching them. That would make it a total catastrophe the way only we have been linked all summer.
If anything, if they really wanted to have some playing time and fight for United, they would end up here. If they get persuaded to join City, then they didn't belong here in the first place. We don't need mercenaries anyways.

14 Aug 2015 13:24:00
Confused about this otimendi saga now, left out of the valencia squad. Suggest he's going. I actually doubt he's coming to us but really hope he is. Has eds or anyone got any info? All I've heard is sly sports sayin we aren't interested. They are going to look pretty laughable if we do get him

{Ed007's Note - Right now it looks like he'll be joining City.}

14 Aug 2015 15:54:29
Not sure what to believe tbh until it happens but a trend is forming, whereby we miss out on players that are strongly linked with us, either to gain improved contracts, or as stooges for moves elsewhere. The common denominator tends to be real madrid an/or barcelona, but could it be that Valencia are having a punt?
Dont think we should cut our noses off etc etc but in light of this season alone , playing hardball with la liga teams or anyone who messes about using the club , is a must.
Sure other top teams have this but it does seem a common thing when we are involved;on the other hand are we not just crap at closing a deal?

14 Aug 2015 15:54:52
Bond, are we in for any other centre back besides Ramos?

{Ed007's Note - I don't know mate but their list of potential targets is getting shorter all the time.}

14 Aug 2015 16:22:24
Maybe it has to do with 35 million pounds and us thinking he is worth that.

14 Aug 2015 16:28:31
It is strange! If lvg wanted otimendi he'd instruct ed to get him

14 Aug 2015 16:59:14
It seems that way Ed. Smalling, Jones, Rojo and Blind it is then.

14 Aug 2015 13:48:14
Gunna do a little, 'what happens tonight' prediction.

The starting line up will be:

Romero
Darmian Smalling Blind Shaw
Schneiderlin Schweinstiger
Mata Herrera Depay
Rooney

The game will start and the first 10 mins Villa will be full of intent and have a opportunity or two.

Come about the 20 min mark we will be back firmly in control, and have 70-80% of possession, going nowhere though.

Just before half-time Rooney will grab one. From a cross. Depay Assist.

Herrera will score early in the second half, then come off in the 60th-ish minute for Januzaj.

The wig will get an appearance.

Depay with a last 10 minuets goal.

Villa might grab a 90 min plus goal, with Rudy Gestede header.

Everyone on here moans about something.

14 Aug 2015 14:09:15
The last line will come true no matter what :)

14 Aug 2015 14:28:59
The wig is suspended mate, but I think 2-1, they score and we have no choice but to attack.

14 Aug 2015 14:31:31
I understood the wig is banned? Schweinsteiger didn't look too fit to me, I assume Carrick will start again. However, if this all does happen, could you let us have tomorrow night's lottery numbers?

14 Aug 2015 14:36:52
My thots exactly Harry. and yes, i will moan about something in that post. "The wig will get an appearance".

He would certainly get an appearance in the crowd as he is banned for the first 3 matches if i m not mistaken. ;)

cheers.

14 Aug 2015 14:37:36
The wig, isn't he still banned. Serving games 2 of 3 of a ban

14 Aug 2015 14:38:01
The wig is suspended.

14 Aug 2015 14:42:48
Thougt fellaini was still banned?

14 Aug 2015 14:45:11
I can guarantee you the wig won't come on.

14 Aug 2015 15:57:35
Mate a fit carrick will always start ahead of Schneiderling and schweinsteiger.

14 Aug 2015 15:58:55
AJH - They will be one or two figure numbers with anything from 0-9 in them. Except 0.

You're welcome.

14 Aug 2015 15:57:15
By 'the wig' i meant, urrmm, Rojo. Dodgy barnet that boy.

14 Aug 2015 13:01:13
Willie Ballache now saying city have bid in excess of Pedro's buy out clause

14 Aug 2015 13:39:50
Willie Balache lol that's meant to be balague

14 Aug 2015 13:50:58
Just read that too

14 Aug 2015 13:52:08
Money is not the issue here (yet). the hold up is Pedro has not fully decided whether to leave Barcelona.

He doesn't want to leave Barca but they can't guarantee him more game time as they have 3 far better players in his position (Messi, Neymar, Suarez).

Barca love Pedro and don't want him to go but he will have to be content with being a bit-part player if he stays. He will only get a regular run of games if one of the 'holy trinity' gets injured/suspended.

Pedro has not communicated to anyone (Utd or Barca) his final intentions (probably doesn't know himself) so everyone is in limbo.

He needs to make a choice between staying at Barca as a bit-part player or going elsewhere for regular football. Once he decides to leave then Utd will put in the necessary bid to secure his services (and the fight with Man City will begin).

My gut feeling however is that he will stay at Barca.

14 Aug 2015 13:56:43
Woody and van gaal have been too slow city have probably got this tied up now well end up with gaitan

14 Aug 2015 15:24:33
Nach,

We've already signed gaitan 18 times this summer anyway mate. You are fast becoming as negative as beast, need someone to fill your glass up mate it's feeling like it's empty?

14 Aug 2015 16:01:15
And if pedro only comes here reluctantly then frankly speaking, I would rather play periera.

14 Aug 2015 16:00:43
We will sign pedro but like most things there is a lot of detail to be sorted out. you guys need to grab a drink and cool off.

14 Aug 2015 12:19:12
Going off topic a bit here but saw in the papers that Everton are considering Buttner now Baines is out for a while. Just wondering if anybody watches the Russian league and knows how he has gotten on over there?

Was never somebody i thought was good enough but again was hardly given a fair crack at a first team spot.

14 Aug 2015 12:33:24
I completely forgot about Buttner. Yeah it was a shame it didn't work out for him.

14 Aug 2015 13:25:17
I'm pretty sure I have a Buttner shirt somewhere.

14 Aug 2015 13:29:10
Another one of those strange purchases from Fergie in his last few years at the club , see also Obertan and Bebe . Even at the time we signed Buttner I remember reading somebody involved in Dutch football say he was only about the 4th best left back in the Eredivisie

14 Aug 2015 14:06:39
17 man of the match awards in 20 games wasn't it?

14 Aug 2015 14:38:43
Got to admit he did seem to have an undeserved ego haha

14 Aug 2015 15:19:05
Cant believe Obertan is only 26!! Did we buy him when he was 12 ha seems a lifetime ago

14 Aug 2015 15:25:02
Won mom every game in Russia too

14 Aug 2015 11:22:16
Morning. A couple of points I would just like to make:
1) People have mentioned playing Depay out of position and LVG doing this, just a note, we all know what he did with Schweinsteiger at Bayern but a certain Dennis Bergkamp was a winger at Ajax before LVG thought he would do better behind the striker and he turned out to be nearly as good as Eric the King. Nearly as good but not quite i might add! Anyway, maybe we just need to put some trust in LVG's player and game understanding.

2) Good posts from Jred and Shawthing - With regards to some replies to Shawthing in that we conceded fewer goals as we were too cautious etc, the season previously we leaked far to many easy goals. SAF always built his team on a solid defence, once this was established the exciting football came. We conceded 6 less goals than the season before and as mentioned, remove the 5 against Leicester which I would be highly surprised if that happens again that could be 11 this season, granted we scored 2 less but it's still a +9 swing. Plus last season was a completely new back 4 with neither position being regular, this season I think Shaw, Smalling and Darmian will be consistent.

3) I have mixed feelings on De Gea at the moment, I thought he was handling himself well early on in the window but now I think is the time to come out and make a statement, wants to stay or wants to leave! It's hard to know the truth about whether he has said he isn't ready to play, part of me feels he is no better than Di Maria if this is the case but another part of me thinks if he is struggling mentally then he is making the best decision by not playing. If he were to concede a goal, you can imagine the media.

4) I love this Friday football! 2-0 United I think, Rooney and Depay. 72% possession v 28% in our favour!!

Come on possession football!!

14 Aug 2015 12:22:21
Same as my prediction that just hope with weather doesn't ruin it for us and the pitch gets bogged down!

14 Aug 2015 12:48:26
1redarmy
that wouldn't hinder us tbh as we ain't playing fast pacey football, whereas av have pace up front so it could be to our advantage

14 Aug 2015 15:26:17
Gestede the speedy striker?

14 Aug 2015 17:26:30
LVG also played Rooney CM so not all players benefit from being re positioned

14 Aug 2015 10:42:23
Murmurs of Hererra playing no10 tonight. Heres hoping its true

14 Aug 2015 11:30:42
I reckon he may switch Depay and Young around!

14 Aug 2015 11:31:09
I ain't making any predictions on the lineup the "journos" let me down last weekend 👎

14 Aug 2015 11:35:18
Yes here is hoping Herrera plays. I just don't get how LVG doesn't know who is best are and where still. No wonder we always look disjointed. Another formation change this season and more tinkering. 433 carrick, morgan, Herrera, up top mata, depay, Rooney, keep it at that, unless we buy better than mata and Rooney, messing around all the time with too intricate methods. Us fans know who are best players are and in what formation why can't the manager?

14 Aug 2015 11:38:47
Scratch that just seen its Januzaj, even more interesting choice.

14 Aug 2015 12:24:25
He better be playing, its the lads birthday!

14 Aug 2015 12:42:13
Herrera could take the no. 10 role, remember the lad scored 2 goals the last time we played Villa.

14 Aug 2015 12:43:16
That means Captain and Penalties as well TRUMOURS! Hope Schweinsteiger stays away from the Birthday cake!

14 Aug 2015 13:29:37
Plus the other team might let us win Ports.

14 Aug 2015 09:45:01
ive been critical of this squad over the last few year and got a bit of stick for it but to be fair.
1. i thought the team fergy won the title with was on the way out and i think that's been shown.
2 . i thought moyes had an average team and well 7th place would suggest it was ( yes there where other reasons) we finished 7th)
3. and last 4th was about as good as we could get , there where 3 better squads in the league.

but this year i really think we are close and if we sign pedro and oatmendi we could win it .
darmian looks a player and shaw is a top player , i though smalling played ok last year and add oatmendi that for me is good back 4.

cahill was average last year and chelsea don't have a lb.
arsenal back 4 is no better, nor city, kompany was average last season there fb are nothing special.
in cm i think we have options i would like to see herrera and the 2 sch .
up front i'm ok with a 3 of depay , rooney and pedro.
and that still leaves us what would be a strong bench.

arsenal , city and chelsea are all good teams but they all have issues of there that where shown in europe .

14 Aug 2015 10:07:35
I agree, we have improved our line-up massively compared to last year and got rid of all the players not putting a shift in and I'm sure we will see 2-3 more signings before deadline day.

Our main competition is Chelsea, they have nearly got the perfect first team, especially if they bring in a better CB.

I can see us competing this year and we will most likely have more games similar to the run we had last season where we beat City, Liverpool and Spurs with exciting and good football.

14 Aug 2015 10:28:54
Absolutely agree Jred. I think many don't appreciate how strong we really are. DDG aside, we have significantly strengthened already in terms of leadership and experience. This should help us against the lower teams in which tended to switch off against last season.
Don't forget, in nearly all the big games against Chelsea, City, Liverpool and Arsenal we were the better team!!!
I may be bias, but we will shock a few this season.
Hopefully tonight's first away game will reassure a few!!!

14 Aug 2015 10:31:30
I still think that , man for man , City have the strongest team on paper.If they can really gel as a team , and Pellegrini can get them playing for each other then for me , they are the team to beat. Yaya and Kompany had poor seasons last time round. If they are back on form this season , they are my tip for the league. The advantage Chelsea have over City is Mourinho's organisation and team spirit.
If City improve on those aspects , I see them as the stronger. I think any team that finishes above City win the league.

14 Aug 2015 10:39:12
Our midfield is much stronger. Problem is we have more games in Europe and will probably do better in the League Cup, we had big injury problems last season and we are weaker up top and at the back in theory - so although more games is good, we don't seem ready for it.

We will be seeing a lot more of our youngsters which I personally think is a good thing, but when you have spent the money we have and have the resources it is a bit weak to look at our squad and think we don't have much depth and the DDG scenario is worrying as the GK is so important in our way of play.

I feel we should be much better equipped for a full frontal assault - but I am excited about tonight's game which is nice.

14 Aug 2015 10:45:28
I still think we will need another season before we are genuine contenders. We should be with the money spent but we lack the star quality that the other top teams have that can produce that but iof Magic. A Silva, Mata, Hazard, Toure, Costa, Aguero players that would push for starting place in any side. we can do well if we manage to play as a unit and grind wins out like we did under Fergie towards the end but with so many new players in not sure we can do that quick enough this season. As it stands I think a lot will rest in Memphis' shoulders, if he can settle quickly he can be our star but at a young are in a new country that may be asking a bit too much.

14 Aug 2015 11:09:35
woh woh woh jred, far too positive mate, are you trying to start a massive thread? lol

Seriously though, agreed on all points, a lot of common sense there. We finally have a RB and CM, Luke shaw looks fit and able, plus depay being signed with the possible addition of Pedro is very pleasing. A lot of deadwood has been taken care of and regardless of who is in charge in the coming years, the club has made positive strides to put the wrongs of the last few years right.

Im not buying the thought that we are not going to buy a CB, Man Utd have been incredibly cagey the last couple of windows regarding transfers so I'd be very surprised if anybody knows what is going on outside the club's hierachy.

Arsenal have only signed Cech and the general consensus is that they have a better squad but I just can't see it. Apart from Kos their back 4 is suspect and Le Coq is just papering over the cracks in their CM. It still remains to be seen whether Cech is still the same GK, he has had the luxury of the best back 4 in the league at Chelsea the past few years. And I believe if he were still the same GK then we would have been interested.

Chelsea have obviously set the bar and the additions we have made plus the prospective signings to be made within the next week or two will hopefully see us reach and hopefully surpass the heights that Chelsea have set.

14 Aug 2015 12:53:20
Love how you managed to turn us being in the Champions League and probably getting further in the cups into a negative Beast!

14 Aug 2015 16:10:03
Jred

I totally agree even without a new cb. I think Pedro is the guy who will give us more options and bit upfront. Janusaj should also not be written off as he might be finally show his potential. We are not that far off and i actually pedicured we will win the league in Tony's thing as i expect 2 maybe 3 more signing before the window closes.

My only concern is not CB but goalkeeping as i fully expect DDG to go for around 40 million Euros.

14 Aug 2015 07:40:53
Last season we conceded the 4th fewest goals in the league, one more than Arsenal, one less than City. Given the new manager and system, the injuries, the midfield defensive shortcomings, and the departure of 3 iconic stalwarts in Vidic, Evra and Ferdinand, was that really so bad? How on earth can anyone know for sure that the squad we have won't do better than that given this summer's improvements. Personally I think they will, and I'm damn sure we'll concede fewer goals than Everton whose defenders we seem to be constantly lusting after.

Could we improve/be improved? Always. Could we use high quality reinforcements? Of course. But I think you are all kidding yourselves if you think it's as easy as just signing a cheque for £35m.

I remember something Van Gaal said when he came in. It's not so much someone's age or their experience that counts, it's their intelligence, and sometimes a young player has more innate experience than an older one.

The comments on this site are a daily example of groupthink, with the same names being repeated again and again, when the vast majority of contributors have absolutely no idea whether or not they would improve our club.

{Ed025's Note - good post that shaw..

14 Aug 2015 08:28:08
I agree about the post and I think if you remove those 5 goals we conceded against leicester than we would have a very solid defense with us statistically.
But the problem this season is that we have an increase of about 10-15 minimum no of games this season and the no of centrebacks and the strikers are a bit short.
Given how injured our CBs get and with the possible departure of Jonny Evans, we have a body short at the back and even though it could be covered by Carrick or Blind, it would be better if we could sign a proved champions league quality centre half who can stay fit.

{Ed025's Note - imo the departure of evans will help rohan..

14 Aug 2015 08:53:40
One of the major reasons we conceded fewer goals last season was because we were so cautious in our build up play. We never looked to make a risky pass because if we lost the ball our defence was vulnerable. I think this idea was cemented in LvG's brain after the Leicester game where we were ripped apart when we lost the ball. This season we have the midfield to push on and play a more attacking game but that can only happen if we have a better back 4. rather than look at the statistics which give us no idea of how a poor defensive unit curtails the team as a whole we only need to look at the past title winning sides and see how good their CB pairing was. many posters go on about the SAF sides and how they played attacking football. In my opinion that was only because we had Vidic and Rio at the back who were class. Once they declined, so did our speed of play and overall quality. I do not see a strong CB pairing in our current squad that can play 40 out of 55 games a season and be solid.

14 Aug 2015 09:00:38
It's not necessary the defenders are poor at defending its they are terrible when we are in possession. LVG wants to build attacks from the back and our passing game from the CBs is pretty poor. That's why I would like a ball playing CB in there or maybe like other people have opinionated LVG may look to do a Pep and play a Midfielder in there like Barca do with Mascerano. That may have to be our route if there isn't the option to buy a CB for whatever reason, However I think it would be better with Carrick in there at least he can offer some height for me Blind will be exposed by the opposition. Hoping he isn't back there today as Gestede is a beast in the air and can see villa looking to exploit this.

14 Aug 2015 09:16:03
you defend as a team , last year we sacrificed some of our attacking play to defend as a team better.

our new players will improve us imp schiederlin on his own will improve us.
i also think l shaw will be great this year .

14 Aug 2015 09:21:29
I would be concerned about Blind being exposed to the pace of Agbonlahor.

14 Aug 2015 09:42:43
Im concerned whenever Blind doesn't play left back.

14 Aug 2015 09:50:11
Agbonlahor used to have pace . gained to many kg's to maintain that pace!

14 Aug 2015 10:17:35
I think Gestede could be a handful for Blind.
Would you want Evans to leave if we don't sign a centre half, I won't.
He was terrible last year but he has shown signs of being a good centre half and could have a better season this year with a solid LB and 2 holding players ahead of him.
I would still keep evans if no CB comes, if Otamendi comes then we could say goodbye to Evans and wish him well.