Manchester United Banter Archive April 16 2014

16 Apr 2014 21:50:09
10 points from 4th and now 9 points from 5th with a game in hand and Everton still to play, could they choke near the end? I think there is still something to play for.

I still think we will get 5th

If we're able to beat Everton then I would expect us to take fifth place (they also have to play City). Unfortunately there's not a cat in hells chance of Arsenal dropping 7 points from their last 4 games so fifth is the best we can achieve.

If I'm honest I'd rather we weren't in the Europa League next season and had a chance to focus on getting back in to the Champions League the following season - so results wise I'm not overly bothered how the rest of the season goes. As far as I'm concerned this season ended the day the Glazers decided to appoint Moyes.

I think we're just going to run out of games.

I think the Europa league is well worthwhile. It's a chance to play some teams we would never normally come across and for the die hard away supporters it's a chance to visit some really far out places.

It's also a chance to give our younger players experience in European competition without the full on pressure of the Champions League.

Of course the earlier rounds will throw up some dodgy opposition from whoknowswhere and we probably won't havemuch competition but if you look at the teams left inthe latter stages this year, there are potentially some top European nights to be had.

This is the secret to enjoying the reign of Moyes. Firstly, calm down and accept that he will be here for a while. The second step is accept that Moyes is not Fergie and our poor performances are also down to us lacking quality players in key areas. Once that's permeated, expect the club to buy better players this summer and look around at all the drama surrounding our football club. It's never been so exciting!

Of course this season has been a disappointment but there have also been some good performances, particularly away from home and in Europe.

Man Utd is too big and too wealthy for this to be anything but a temporary blip. Best just to sit back, enjoy the ride and appreciate that now you know what it is like to support Tottenham Hotspur.

By no means am I expecting 4th, but after the season we have had 5th wouldn't be bad - it's an awful finish but a much better one than I have expected since probably November time. I always feel that finishing a season strong is important as it gives you some momentum and positive feelings.

Andrew B - Europa League qualification would serve only as an excuse for the club to force more tickets on season ticket holders and punish them for not wanting to go to to games which the club will not take seriously against teams who are not worth watching (see Olympiakos second leg).

There's also the impact that playing in Europe will have on us domestically. People can talk about us playing our youngsters/outcasts -but how do you think the press will react to us losing against the likes of Rapid Wien and Club Brugge? I can tell you already that the answer is 'badly' - and as such I very much doubt that Moyes will be given the greenlight to play a team of youngsters.

The Europa League is a mickey mouse tournament. I'd honestly rather win the League Cup.

I do hope that if we do finish 5th or 6th, that we use the likes of Michael Keane, Wilson, Pearson, Rothwell, Perreira, Janko, Powell, Zaha, Adnan etc in the Europa League along with some senior fringe first team players. It would be great experience for them and I wouldn't want the long exhausting Europa League derailing our domestic success. I think there would be some good attendances watching the youth players.

Redseven, MU will NOT force any Europa tickets on any MU season ticket holder.

Redseven, I wouldn't play a full team of youngsters. I would use the Europa to blood youngsters. Mixing them with senior fringe players. The media would not rip MU apart for losing to Rapid Vienna if it's not MU's first team playing in the game.

Next season I am hopeful that we will have players like Lingard, Powell, Wilson etc more involved in and around the first team. At the very least training with them and being on the bench. The Europa League and Capital One Cup is the perfect avenue for them to go down, they will get Cup experience domestically and in Europe with also a handful of League appearances. Blend them with some experienced players and we could go a long way in Europe. Something like Welbeck and Wilson up front, Lingard left, Valencia right, Powell and Fletcher in the middle. The reserve keeper between the sticks, Buttner left back, hopefully we get to see a bit of Varela or Janko etc. Would be great for them.

The Europa cup is a worthy competition for a club with a big squad like ours. We can use it to blood some youngsters and give fringe players game time. Plus, the winners of next years Europa cup get automatic qualification to the CL.

I would rather be in Europe next season than not. That is my opinion anyway.

Sam, don't you get a horrible feeling that Moyes will take it seriously and that it would ruin our chances in the league? If we knew beforehand that he would use the Europa League to blood the youngsters, then I'd be all for it, but I do wonder.

Syd - we got slated when we played a weakened team last time we were in the Europa League?

I don't think any big club takes the Europa league seriously apart from those whose managers have something to prove (IE Rafa Benitez last year). Moyes is certainly a man with something to prove - and if he is at the helm next season and we are in the Europa league - I fully expect him to take it seriously. It's probably his best chance of winning something other than the community shield, so why wouldn't he?!

The press are on his back already and will be all over him come next season when we've had a disappointing transfer window and a slow start to the season. If we take the Europa league spot it will seriously impact our chances of making top four next season. It's a classic consequence of mid-table mentality - and with Moyes at the helm we reek of a team whose aspirations do not reach far enough to include winning our own domestic league. Sad times.

Redseven, I share your fears my friend.

My fear for the Europa League is Moyes will either take it to seriously or not serious enough there's no need to go full youth but Welbeck Hernandez Cleverly Keane Buttner Lindegaard are all first team players that could play in the Europa with youth aswell not hampering the likes of Rvp Rooney the china of Jones Smalling and Evans and the big chance of a sending off Rafael

Redseven, second leg against Olympiakos not worth watching? Really? I don't know about you but the drama of seeing whether Utd could come back from a two goal deficit is pretty much why I like football in the first place.

As I understand it, the club would not force season ticket holders to purchase Europa League tickets.

We should have a squad good enough and big enough to cope with European and domestic competition. If we can cope with Champions League football then I don't see why the Europa league should be a problem.

Most importantly, this is something different and that's the best thing about the Moyes era so far. For years we won just about every game and we played in the same competitions every year. Great to be winning all the time but it did get a bit monotonous and predictable at times.

For a year or two we now get to have a different experience where we haven't been so sure about winning and perhaps we will be in a competition with is unusual for us. If memory serves, the last time we were in the Europa league we got knocked out by Athletico Bilbao in the last 16 so don't be so sniffy about the competition 'cos it's well worthy of our full participation.

Isn't it broadcast on channel 5 as well?

16 Apr 2014 18:55:54
I have a feeling we may have to wait for that midfielder. The midfielder that gives us that passing range. It may well be the case that Kroos is is in available as is Koke. Fabregas may be looked at and I suppose Herrera would be. If we can't get one of those names we must get Reus as a front 4 of RVP, Rooney, Mata and Reus would be well backed up by a solid partnership of Fellaini and William Carvalho. It wouldn't be the end of the world, but I think we may need to be patient.

{Ed004's Note - There are others to look at though. There is Kroos, Gundogan, Moutinho, Verratti, Modric, Koke, Herrera, fabregas, Marchisio, Dembele and Rakitic. Obviously some/most of them aren't available but should be able to encourage one of them}

From what I have heard, Moyes is going to look for an English Central midfielder if he cannot force through the Kroos move.

Ross Barkley seems like the obvious one but I believe we'll be looking at Ward-Prowse.

We've had him watched extensively, especially around November time.

I think the papers could be half right with the news surrounding Shaw and Lallana for £50M. - I believe we're looking at Shaw and Ward-Prowse.

I would really like Moutinho.

So ed is Moutinho Verrati Modric Fabregas attainable naimly Moutinho for me as I have always liked him

{Ed004's Note - I don't know offer 30-35 mill to their clubs and see who says yes}

Moutinho Verrati then ed

{Ed002's Note - You need to take all of this stuff to the video games page please.}

My order of preference would be Fabregas, Kroos, Modric, Moutinho, Koke and then Herrera. I don't rate Dembele or Marchisio and Verratti has never scored a goal and is so overrated.

Fresh, Veratti is a future great in the game. In a coupe of years time, he will be one of the best central midfielders in the game.

What we really need is someone, who can play the Moyes way. Not very skillful or fast. But must be able to take the ball on the chest when the ball is hopelessly punted out of defence. Oh hang on

I am not convinced that much by Herrera but I would agree Fabregas, Kroos, Koke and Modric would have to be our primary targets. Also I would rate Marchisio higher than Verratti or Herrera but age might be an issue as he would be a fairly short term option.

Gilly, I would have thought Carvalho is an alternative to Herrera.

16 Apr 2014 16:34:54
Dont get your hopes high everyone . Kroos rumours are all fake . Shaw is of genuine interest but I don't think we have any interest in Kroos

Lol thanks for clearing that up Mr Woodward.

MU have an interest in Kroos. That is a fact Srestha.

Not only an interest but also a likely move on the cards.

Would this have something to do with his agent telling us that we don't need to bid as he is staying till 2015? I suspect that bids for Kroos and Fabregas will go in this summer - hopefully one of them comes off.

Fabregas won't be moving, unless barca can get their ban lifted

16 Apr 2014 15:18:29
What do people make of this?

Sounds like Shaw maybe getting a little shirty with his current club. Also making the MU tweet his favourite tweet. Also following Phil Neville now.

//tinyurl.com/orxonfb

There's a chance he could have favourited the tweet by accident, I've done that a few times before.

The fact he followed Phil Neville recently is much more interesting though! I hope we can work out a deal with Southampton.

I follow Phil Neville, I'll start packing my bags!

He also follows Sterling, Agger and Sturridge. Surely he's Liverpool bound then. :/

He started following Phil Neville yesterday or the day before. It's not who he's following, but the timing.

Mata started following Phil Neville about a week before he signed ;)

16 Apr 2014 13:55:47
Just interested in who people would keep.

Rooney or RVP

Id keep Rooney, although RVP was amazing in the first season he is older than Rooney and not as versatile and is prone to more injuries.

I just feel Rooney does more for the team as well.

Not this again!

My opinion is not going to go down well with most on here, but still.

RVP is a better out and out striker than Rooney, who is younger and provides some good attributes to the team. We cannot keep Rooney while selling Van Persie because we'd be getting rid of the superior number 9, but keeping RVP ahead of Rooney would be just as incredulous since he's getting older and is proving to be injury prone.

How about we get Cavani and sell both. Cavani is as good as RVP and a better striker than Rooney, with his power and pace, along with his ability to run down the channels and stretch defenses, more likely to get the best out of Mata and Kagawa ( who would be therefore playing in their favourite positions ), while getting Reus to cover the third attacking midfield position. Plenty of power and pace out there along with superior technical ability, quality, creativity and goal threat than anything there is in the premier league.

I'd keep Hernandez and Welbeck as cover ( Hernandez second choice with Welbeck covering any attacking position needed ). I'd send Henriquez and Wilson out on loan.

Bebe, who has been in magnificent form this season ( especially 2014, with Benfica and Lisbon rumoured to be interested ), so we can use him to broker a deal for the likes of Carvalho.

There you go, premier league challenging squad ( add Garay, Carvalho, Shaw, Pjanic, Cavani and Reus and appoint Klopp ). I'd even bet on us challenging the best out there for the champions league with a bit of time.

The ins would cost around 220 mils, while Rooney, RVP, Young, Nani, Ando, Carrick/Cleverley, Zaha and a couple of youth players should fetch us over 90 mils. So for 130 mils net, we would be in no time back chalenging for the top of European Football

Ha this debate again!

RVP all day long! He is a world class striker! Rooney is very good but RVP for me!

Ralls to it let's sell Rooney, RVP, Welbeck, Nani, Young and Valencia and pretty much start afresh with our front line. We keep Hernandez, Januzaj, Mata and Kagawa and buy Reus and Cavani and promote Wilson, Lingard and Powell.

16 Apr 2014 11:50:32
Dear Editors,

I've recently started my own blog site, I was wondering if I could post the link on here?

It is Manchester United related and as an avid reader and fan of these rumour pages I will (If you allow me to) post it as a recommended page to any who are not aware of this website.

Have a great day guys.

{Ed002's Note - Sure.}

The link is; unitedwestand58.blogspot.co.uk

Thanks for letting me post the link :).

There's only one post up there at the moment regarding the tactical decisions and options surrounding David Moyes.

Have a great day guys.

16 Apr 2014 10:36:43
Well, the papers are pretty sure of 4 players that we are going to move for, two of which have essentially agrees to join in Shaw and William Carvalho. They seem fairly sure we will be attempting to snare Reus and Kroos as well. If we can get Garay or Mangala as well as possibly Arias then we are in for a great summer.

Fresh! Do you think if carvalho comes in then we need somebody next to him with more pace than kroos? As good as kroos is in other areas speed isn't one of them. Unless that is we are going for 3 new CM, which I can't see in this window.

Also who would you prefer out of mangala and garay? i'd go with mangala. Pair him up along side jones, with smalling, evans, and keane as back up.

And when it comes to right back unless we are letting raf go i'd rather just promote young saidy janko up to the first team as understudy rather than sign somebody like arias.

No William Carvalho breaks forward quite well and it's more important to get a passer like Kroos. That at we can dictate tempo and hopefully get Mata on the ball and Reus dictating play. Rafael for me doesn't need replacing, and I agree about promoting youth. Garay for me is the more accomplished player and is better with the ball so I'd take him, he's much better value also.

Fair enough. I haven't seen him play so was just going off of things i'd read. But if as you say he can break forward shouldn't be an issue.
In jan all the talk was uniteds number 1 target was vidal and if we couldn't get him in jan then we stood a good chance for the summer. Things seem to have gone quiet since and he doesn't seem to get a mention as a possibility. Does anyone kno why?

16 Apr 2014 08:56:14
Well the 3 players we seem to have been linked with the most through various media outlets are Carvalho, Kroos and Shaw.
If we could add a central defender to this I would be made up this summer if this is how it actually panned out. One can hope!

No it's not. It could be if he fails, but if he goes on to be an England regular for many years then possibly not. Full backs are changing and are not just defensive stoppers any more. Was Gary Neville worth £30M in today's money? For the richest club in the works, we need to pay the asking price for the players we want.

Presuming you meant to reply to the below post AJH lol for what it's whether I agree with you, £30m over 10 plus years service is great value essentially.

16 Apr 2014 05:47:00
Ed, do you know or believe that Moyes will have had any clause in his contract for what he had to achieve in his first season? I can't see him being sacked after one season, but surely he has drastically underachieved?

{Ed002's Note - No.}