Manchester United Banter Archive December 14 2018

14 Dec 2018 20:46:21
An interesting quote from Cantona on the Player's Tribune, anathema to Jose:

"All the time, I get asked the same questions about my career.

"What was it like playing for those United teams? Why did you do so well? "

People want some kind of complex answer. They want some kind of secret, I think. But the answer is very simple. Sir Alex Ferguson was the master of one thing: Whenever we took the pitch for a match, after hours and hours of work, we were allowed to be free. We felt total freedom to move where we wanted, to play how we wanted.

I could tolerate football no other way.

What is football if it is not about freedom?

15 Dec 2018 02:01:43
Nice quote. Ferguson was not quite like that in his latter years but the sentiment rings true.

{Ed001's Note - he was not like that with the other players at any point in his career. That was his genius, he knew what was needed to get the best out of most of his players. He didn't always get it right, but more often than most. He knew Cantona needed total freedom, so Cantona got total freedom. But everyone else in that team was treated differently, off the pitch as well as on it.}

15 Dec 2018 10:21:05
Well we've all heard the stories with giggs and lee Sharpe an that's just a few examples. I'm sure Eds got a few more. Hint hint.

15 Dec 2018 18:58:16
It is more about trust than freedom. Football is about movement of the ball and the players within a team dynamic. Players have roles to fill, their freedom is limited by the requirements of role. The key is to enable players to feel free to express their talents positively within the structural framework necessary to compete effectively. My guess is John O'Shea was not encouraged to dribble out of defence.

14 Dec 2018 08:47:49
What's the use of a world class keeper if his own players are helping the other side?
Anyone got any stats for Jones' goals and assists scored at the wrong end? Club and Country.
An expensive liability.

14 Dec 2018 09:12:55
In his united career, he has scored 5 for us and 4 own goals.
He has been unavailable for more matches than he has been available for since he signed.
The next Duncan Edwards my arse, more like the next Dunkin' Donut.

14 Dec 2018 11:30:57
Post of the day, Ken.

14 Dec 2018 12:04:51
Dunkin donut 😂😂. Brilliant ken.

14 Dec 2018 12:46:35
We'll struggle to get a fee for him. Had high hopes when he signed but its not worked out. We need to be clearing players like him out not offering new deals. i'd rather promote someone like Ro-Shaun Williams to the first team for the second half of the season.

14 Dec 2018 12:55:19
Im agree mort.
Jones darmian rojo valencia offer nothing of any value to the squad. They don't even offer decent competition to the starters. None of them are even 2nd choice when everybody is fit.
I just think its pointless having them there.
Between those 4 alone its probably close to 20m a year in wages.
Id rather promote younger players than have the likes of these guys.

14 Dec 2018 14:43:53
Ken,

I agree, but would Jose be bold enough to do that.

14 Dec 2018 15:06:02
Ken
Belated thanks for satisfying my curiosity.
Cheers.

14 Dec 2018 15:48:09
I think Jose doesn't want those players and if you offered him the choice of keeping them as squad fillers or getting rid and putting the fees and wages towards new signings then they'd be going. Problem is funding buyers to the inflated wages we pay.

14 Dec 2018 16:37:54
I honestly don't know what Darmian's done to be frozen out. He's never brilliant, and his crossing is erratic, but I can't remember too many below average games either. You don't get into an Italian defence that easily. Good, solid full-back in my opinion, and worthy of being a squad player.

14 Dec 2018 17:08:50
Depends on what wages he's on. Also that he's not pushed for a move speaks volumes to me.

14 Dec 2018 17:57:10
Mort, do you mean he's acting professionally by not rocking the boat, or is it he's just happy to pick up his wages? I don't know either way obviously. I'm sure there was talk of him going back to Italy a few times, but nothing obviously came from it. I think his positional versatility is useful as a squad player.

14 Dec 2018 19:06:04
I would keep Jones, he could become a great sweeper. Just give the lad a broom.

14 Dec 2018 23:07:06
That's it though we just don't know. Personally I'd be pushing for a move home especially if I knew I wasn't really wanted. I'd want to be playing every week an pushing for the national team not sat on the bench at best most weeks. But that's me. Its a short career and i'd put minutes over money. But we don't know.