Manchester United Banter Archive May 22 2015

22 May 2015 22:48:30
It's been reported that it wasn't Cech's agent in the picture (Kolar?) By the man himself apparently. Don't know if it's me but the guy on the right looks a little like Peter Lim the owner of Valencia. If it is. could be to do with Otamendi or Gomes. I don't know how someone can tell it's Jose from behind. That worries me a little.

23 May 2015 02:23:52
There is a second photo of Jose at a profile angle.

23 May 2015 08:58:38
Don't we all wish ED02 was around for things like this?

I must admit it looks like Jose to me.

23 May 2015 09:15:06
Can Ed002 confirm it was indeed a meeting of the 3 people we think it is? that info would be enough before returning us to exile.

23 May 2015 13:12:43
Yeah there was a second photo showing Jose wearing the same clothes in the same room sat down looking at his phone. Anyway why would Woodward meet Jose regarding any transfer? Seems very unlikely, also who knows when the photo was taken could have been last year for all we know!

23 May 2015 13:31:43
Was probably a photo from when we signed Mata

22 May 2015 21:54:18
Our defence needs to improve in 2 areas.

1. Errors leading to goals, where apparently we led the league, and
2. Fewer injuries. Had we had a settled back line from early on, I believe we would have conceded less.

Deal with these two issues, and we are not far off having the best defence in the league. Yes, we could be even better with a genuine RB and a more mature CB. LVG's approach means players have very defined zones which has enabled players like Valencia to perform reasonably well in unnatural positions.

Our big issue is scoring more goals. It was the same last year. We need at least 10 more per season, combined with conceding maybe 5 less. Without that we will never win the league. So to me the priority has to be goal scoring. I imagine over time the number of goals scored is directly proportional to the number of chances created. So my conclusion is that our main priority has to be creativity.

23 May 2015 05:51:25
i read some where that ddg had made twice as many saves as the other keepers in the top 4.
if true i think ddg has papered over a few cracks

23 May 2015 05:57:57
I think it's actually incredibly more complicated than that. I've reviewed our stats for every game and analysed every minute. This may be hard to believe but in summary the key issue is we need to score more goals than the team we are playing. I know it's a radical view but if we do this I think we may compete for the league again. I'm going to try and get this insight to LVG, there's not a moment to lose.

{Ed025's Note - ahh science...you just cant whack it!...keep up the good work AJH..

23 May 2015 07:46:59
Ajh. Our goal tally needs to improve. I said at the beginning of season that rooney and rvp need to have a good season. Rooney has had an average season and rvp has been useless.
We need a striker who is going to tale the chances.

23 May 2015 09:00:19
So who would u replace Rooney with Tony? I'd take Cavani.

23 May 2015 08:44:44
NM, if we win all 38 games 1-0, then we win the league. The wider point I was sarcastically making was sometimes people over complicate things. I yearn for the days of "you score 3, we'll score 4". We can analyse it to death but it's not that complicated. Buy better players, score more goals, concede fewer goals.

23 May 2015 09:14:01
nomid
im undecided if the issues is with the striker or the system .
we have played rooney , falcao , rvp , di maria even fallaini up there with not great success.
by the time we get the ball up top the box is very crowded not much room for a striker to operate .
the likes of mata herrera even fallaini have had a lot more luck making runs from deep

23 May 2015 09:19:49
Jred

Ah the LvG cracks again,

All those great saves and the one on ones by the best of them all, Schmeichel , obviously papered over all our cracks in the nineties

23 May 2015 09:25:46
cavani (a player i quite like ) would cost 50 mill and imo do and play a similar role to falcao rooney and rvp.
he has done ok in france ,not set the world alight playing in a less competitive league in a talented attaking psg side.
at 50 mil or 30 or 40 would he vastly improve the team, i'm not so sure

23 May 2015 09:38:12
I'm thinking more of a direct replacement for Rooney.

Cavani has played wide for most of his time in France. I just think in this system we need a vocal point up top which would then allow us to get a more creative CM in to replace felli.

Rooney for me wonders to much for the ball. U will often see him in our own 25yards. It's a great attitude to have but one I feel leaves us short when we turn over the ball.

Falcao I was so optimistic about when signed but it hasn't worked.

23 May 2015 09:41:29
In terms of a striker I believe we need one with presence and pace , the who is difficult. Long ago I questioned SAF on here as to why we didn't go for Aguero but no chance there now. We can see what Costa did for Chelsea and we lack that danger. Benzema when he played for Lyon? at OT in the Champions league had that menace. Maybe he could give us that now?

23 May 2015 09:44:06
red
no actually .
i think you have a chip on your shoulder pal.
our defensive recored and goals conceded is quite good how ever i think this is largely down ddg who imo has been one of the best keepers in the world this season.
chelsea have also been good but there keeper has had to make 50 % less saves , which i think tells its own story.

terry and the chelsea back 4 have been very good imo.
but the united back 4 looks unsettled , shaws been injured , and we need a rb and cd imo , but thanfully ddg has been worldclass and papered over the cracks some what.

lvg ? well i guess people read into a post what they want.
another great example of how its hard to have a proper crack on here.
(i will me be called a troll next )

23 May 2015 09:50:19
i think falcao has been asked to drop deeper ,im a massive fan of his but he has played less on the shoulder and more involved than his normal game ,same goes for rvp .
cavaini has played up top a lot this season and got 16 league goals.

rvp and rooney will cost us nothing but wages cavani would cost us wages and 50 mil and i'm honestly not sure how much of an improvement he would ne

23 May 2015 10:43:32
Yes a great penalty box striker

23 May 2015 23:26:59
The polish bayern striker would be my replacement has everything to his game and would settle in the English game as well as ruud did.

22 May 2015 15:42:55
Seeing as we seem to be splashing the cash again this summer, our defence? With big money offers going in, would we look at Varane/Laporte/Gimenez? Surely we should be looking to go from back to front and sure up our defence first? Just a thought?

22 May 2015 17:47:01
Inigo Martinez is my favourite but we've not been linked to him for a while, I think it'll be Hummels though LVG has wanted him for a while now and Mats seems to be saying all the right things

{Ed004's Note - If for some reason LvG doesn't want Hummels. I would move for Laporte. He is probably as quick as Smalling but better on the ball. Smalling is probably better in the air and LvG has said he is starting to turn into a leader. A backline of Coleman/Clyne, Smalling, Laporte and Shaw would be fantastic. Full of athleticism and pace. Would allow us to play a high line and our CDM (Carrick) wouldn't require much pace to cover passing channels}

23 May 2015 09:12:18
I would love Godin ed, reminds of a younger Vidic.

Not really seen much of laporte what style of defender is he?

{Ed004's Note - Godin would be excellent but I don't think we could persuade him to join and he isn't the best on the ball. It's hard to say about Laporte. He's very good defensively, good in the air (though could improve) and has excellent recovery pace. He is good on the ball but not Hummels good etc yet}

22 May 2015 14:34:09
So what are people's opinions on the area we most need to strengthen?

Mine would have to be defence.

CBx2 RB.

22 May 2015 15:08:51
I don't think we can say any area is most needed. It's clear we need a top quality cb, rb, and cdm. It's easy to ignore cdm because Carrick is still performing well, but he's nearly 34 and his injuries are becoming more and more frequent.

We have players to cover for these positions, but they aren't good enough for anything more than a supporting role. I don't think we need two cbs because we have Smalling, Rojo and Jones. A rb is a must because Valencia is simply not good enough to be first choice. And Blind has proven that we are a much weaker team with him in the cdm role.

Those are the three key positions, and if we fail to bring in quality players in these areas, we will be nowhere near challenging for a title.

22 May 2015 15:49:15
A right back is must have. Who at this stage is anybody's guess. Would love Coleman tbh.

We need a good leader for Centre back one that will command the back line, smalling would be the hypothetical Rio. The new CB would be the Spine like Vidic was. Ideally 2 WC CBS be Ideal.

Again need One absolute leader in Midfield someone who puts a shift in has a good engine and can get up and down the field and can play it forward and look for space. Ideally we need two. Vidal for me first choice.

We need a Striker if we lose Falcoa and RVP I think Berainho be worth a punt, good finisher with pace to burn.

The main gist is we need a good decent spine through the team especially defence. We have Carrick and Rooney but as Carrick gets older we need that definitive midfielder to hold it together

*EXCUSE THE SPELLING!

22 May 2015 15:51:02
Danny has it spot on, CB/RB/CDM first then go for other area's.

22 May 2015 16:02:19
Chris, for sure rb cb and cm, ideally 2 x cm . Wages are an issue we need to get some high earners off the books falcao nani and rvp along with Evans and rafa will take 750k per week off this may determine who we can sign. I expect gundogan and possibly another midfielder. We could see an astute signing of an out of contract player such as khedira dejong ings or alvez or short term barging such as schwienstiger. Coleman would be my ideal rb hummels as cb. I don't see there being a 'marquee type' signing unless di Maria moves on in which case i'd go all out for bale or muller

22 May 2015 16:12:30
Going to go against the general view on this a say the attacking front. Defensively we had the 4th best defence but the 3 teams above us all scored more goals than us, Arsenal by 5, Chelsea by 8 and City by 19.In our last 5 games we scored 3 goals, 3 in a row without scoring. I love RVP but we has his season when he joined and we won the league, unfortunately he did not kick on under Moyes. Falcao has not worked out, looks like he has lost confidence and will struggle to find that with us I think and Rooney has never been prolific, regularly 30 goal region. Only twice in the 30's and further 2 times in the 20's, low 20's as well and Rooney is our best striker! We need an RVP in his first season or a Van Nistelrooy. Personally I would like to see Benzema with Rooney off of him or dare I say Ronaldo back as the number 9.

22 May 2015 16:16:43
I don't think the CDM is essential at all so long as we buy a leader for CB.

We dominate the ball as it is, we need more activity in midfield desperately. Whenever we have movement we frighten teams. A beast who can play at CB - Hummels. Then Energy in midfield Vidal. We are sorted pretty much.

RB is important of course, but the most crucial area is CB as it was last summer. Then CM, not defensive CM in my opinion.

Carrick had one great season for us, he is not indispensable, it is just our lack of organisation/experience and composure at the back that is the problem that makes Carrick very important currently.

Carrick has been a passenger for 80% of his career at Utd for a reason, we had Ferdinand & Vidic and a busy Scholes ahead of him. A quality player no doubt, but our current weaknesses make him look vital, one CB signing minimises our reliance on a CDM like Carrick.

{Ed004's Note - I think this summer is essential that a right back, centre back and CDM all of top quality are signed. That'll allow us far more freedom going forward}

22 May 2015 16:49:46
How does a front three of adm, rooney and depay with a mid of hererra, vidal and carrick sound?

22 May 2015 16:56:38
imightbesomeone

I like it but would prefer Schweinsteiger instead of Carrick.

{Ed004's Note - In an ideal world a midfield 3 of Schweinsteiger (holding) with Herrera and Pogba ahead would have everything. Depay, Di Maria and Rooney(new striker?) ahead of them. Just a centre back and right back missing from having best team in the league there. As long as de gea stayed}

22 May 2015 17:43:36
And there it is, The Beast has finally said something so ridiculous I don't think I will respect any of his posts ever again. "Carrick has been a passenger for 80% of his games for Manchester United." That's a joke yeah?

22 May 2015 18:35:12
Tbf beast is right. Carrick has been terrific fr the last 2 seasons but before that he was not nearly as valuable to the team as he is now.

22 May 2015 19:05:00
Carrick was pivotal in saf's last couple of seasons so he's been pivotal for at least 4 seasons. I think he looked a little lost until saf found the DLP position for him but since then he has flourished and been terrific.

Oh and we need a CB, RB and CM.

22 May 2015 12:24:00
Priorities in the January window for me should be. in order:
1. CB - one or two but this is a priority
2. RB - Assuming Rafael is not on Lvg good list this is a priority.
3. HM - to take pressure off Carrick
3. CM - to add bite and drive to middle of park.
4. W - depending on how we play adm or if he will stay we need an additional winger for the 433.
5. St - last and only when all above secured should we add another striker. I think Rvp with full injury free off season could be better next year.
So for me we need to prioritise the back third of the team.

22 May 2015 13:32:33
Why wait til January?

22 May 2015 14:55:53
Also I can't see us bringing in 5/6 first team players, it just won't work

23 May 2015 08:44:52
Chelski done it one year and then went on to win the league? I have been really disappointed with Di Maria, sack him off and get gotze in! A striker needs to be bought too, Rooney isn't no spring chicken anymore?

22 May 2015 09:39:12
The schweinsteiger rumours are getting me a little excited. 5 years to late but he is probably the best player attainable for the #6 role (if he is realistic) sign vidal for the box to box role and Herrera or mata in an advanced role and I think I'd wet myself.

22 May 2015 11:30:13
You could quite easily rotate between Carrick and Schweinsteiger for that number 6 role - both would be excellent at it and for around £10 million. bargain. Schweinsteiger's brother is a massive United fan who runs a fan group in Germany for us, hopefully he has a say in Bastian's ear!

22 May 2015 12:16:52
I believe we have been here before.never comes to fruition!
Ifeel he came with hunger it Coukd work, notime only as a number 6 in rotation but as a more forward box to box on occasions. He likes the dirty stuff as well so would add a bit of bite!

22 May 2015 09:46:54
DO any of the Ed's know if there is real interest in the lad?

{Ed004's Note - I don't think so. Think it is the media stirring. He is linked every year}

22 May 2015 08:52:04
You have to laugh at the British press, yesterday DeGea was gone and Bale definitely wasn't coming, today DeGea is set to stay and Bale is wanting to leave Real and United are ready to sign him. I have to say I hate the summer transfer window, nearly as much as Ed002 probably does. I wish it was from the 1st June to the 31st July, save us that extra month of misery.

22 May 2015 09:19:20
I on the other hand like the summer transfer window, especially the last day of the window; it's likea new year count down! :P

22 May 2015 09:15:04
I agree Brendan. It would be also far more entertaining if every club had to do all their transfer business and announce their squads before the season starts.

{Ed001's Note - do you not think it would be just better to go back to the old system of scrapping the windows altogether? It used to help the small clubs, as they didn't have to sell to survive the season, they could just sell when they needed to. Meaning a good cup run would enable them to hang on to players for a bit longer, if they went out early they would just sell when they had to. Right now, they can't plan on selling in January, so they have to sell before the season begins or risk financial issues. You only have to look at the effect transfer windows had on Crewe, for instance. They were in the Championship and able to hang on to their best young players until they either had to sell because they ran out of money, or when a huge offer came in because they were playing so well. Because they were able to hang on to players for longer, they were able to survive in a higher division, as the best player wasn't having to be sold until they had done enough to help them stay there. It helps the clubs who look to develop their own players, which is surely what football should do?}

22 May 2015 09:16:58
The whole Schneider to United saga a few seasons back finished me with the transfer window , I almost lost the will to live :)

22 May 2015 09:33:04
I'd rather the old system, these windows are a nightmare!

22 May 2015 11:01:09
All good points Ed.
Nowadays there is too much money in football and too many parasites trying to make money out of football.
If we go back to how it was every agent will be continually hawking their player for better wages and transfer fee cuts. Add to that social media and medias obsession with football it would be crazy. No one would be interested in the football anymore, just who is moving where.

I'm not sure if it would be better, but maybe shortening the summer window and scrapping the January window would make teams budget better for the year and force them into creating better academies and using them?

22 May 2015 11:01:09
All good points Ed.
Nowadays there is too much money in football and too many parasites trying to make money out of football.
If we go back to how it was every agent will be continually hawking their player for better wages and transfer fee cuts. Add to that social media and medias obsession with football it would be crazy. No one would be interested in the football anymore, just who is moving where.

I'm not sure if it would be better, but maybe shortening the summer window and scrapping the January window would make teams budget better for the year and force them into creating better academies and using them?

{Ed001's Note - no use having an academy without the freedom to sell those players when the club chooses. It just means they can't get a fair return on most of them. To encourage clubs to develop players, they need to have freedom to sell when best suits the club developing them. The windows were put in place purely to benefit the big clubs at the expense of the little ones, just like FFP. The problem is that football benefits from the little clubs being stronger, rather than this continous weakening that is happening. You only have to look at how Scottish football imploded when it was allowed to weaken all the smaller clubs to being little more than a footnote.}

22 May 2015 11:02:13
I would like the window to shut the day before the first game of the season and open the day after the last game of the season. Teams then have to go the season with the players on their books. If that means an Under 18 going in goal, so be it. It would certainly create more opportunities for youth potentially.

22 May 2015 11:07:20
Good post CAM.

Transfers in Summer, Loans in Winter is what I say. They will have to figure out what they do with countries playing with different time frames but it will tidy everything up.

22 May 2015 13:20:28
I would also say that you cannot replace your manager during the season so if the club does sack the manager then the assistant or a coach would have to step up

22 May 2015 07:26:59
Hi Eds is there any truth in the Bastian Schweinsteger rumours. Will he be moving from Bayern.

{Ed004's Note - Hopefully there is for a reasonable price. Could be great cover for Carrick/alternative}

22 May 2015 09:07:21
I'd love Schweinsteiger at United, fantastic player still and got a few years left in the tank, if we could get him at the right price. I'd happily throw £45m at Bayern and take Schweinsteiger and Muller off there hands.

22 May 2015 09:45:16
I would definitely love him in our team . Class player to miss out IMO

22 May 2015 08:27:24
I think for the 10 million quoted it would be great business, still has plenty to offer in a postion we need quality and experience, i also think getting alves on a free (bar signing bonus) would be good business 2 good signings in areas we need without really touching our budget

21 May 2015 23:33:42
With all the talk of alves rejecting the last offer from barca would you be happy for him being a stop gap for a couple of years bear in mind he has played very well this season or would you prefer somebody younger personaly undecided because he has played well

22 May 2015 02:33:19
I would Dani in a heartbeat. He gives you great passes, crosses and shots on goals. Give him a short contract. Get someone younger this summer or the next and provide cover for the future.

22 May 2015 07:22:40
Not for me. He is too old, too expensive and I don't think he is good enough.

22 May 2015 08:09:10
I would take him aswell. He may not be getting any younger but he is still top of his trade and has had no injury troubles in a long time. He also gets up and down the flanks like an 18 year old. Age is just a number. Class player.

22 May 2015 09:15:37
I would take him IF we had a really good RB coming through the ranks, which would mean not having to spend any transfer money now or in the future, just his wages which would be more than the average RB.