Manchester United Banter Archive December 23 2013

 

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23 Dec 2013 20:20:41
Eds/Guys saw few videos of reserve team players and the following players looked good

Ben Pearson
Guillermo Varela
Andreas Perriera

But everyone looks good in videos.

Any reserve game watchers here who have actually seen them play?

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Wilson and Janko are not too shabby neither.

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Pearson and Pererria have huge futures, I think varela will be good too but rafael will be our right back for. Years to come!

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It's obliviously early days for Wilson but he really looks like he has so much potential, huge array of skills. Honestly think he looks a better prospect than will keane given the slight age difference.

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Varela is a very good young Player so to Pearson and Perrirea but Wilson for me is the best we have by some way, He reminds me of a young Michael Owen all be it much Taller and left footed but his pace movement finishing touch control at pace is top level, when RVP is in his twilight Wilson will come in and become a star I rate him as good a talent as Januzaj and can see them two becoming the most deadly forward line in world football one day

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Plenty of very good players in the u18 and u21, s wilson is a very special goal talent with a good all round game.pearson is a nailed on to make it at utd a fantastic engine and very strong in the tackle for his size, varela I've only seen live once against l/pool poor 1st half but played a lot better in the second half.pererria will be class he's only 18 on new years day but plays well above his age group, tom lawrence is another good prospect and looks as though he's doing well out on loan you then have 2 or 3 decent goalie prospects and the likes of sean goss and mitchell so there's plenty of potential 1st teamers over the next few years.you also have the older players powell, lingard, and tunicliffe who I didn't think would make it but is getting good reports at ipswich, also michael keane and will keane who I rate a better finisher than wilson.

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23 Dec 2013 19:38:45
Not posted regularly in a while due to 4 month holiday and binning off mrs Jono but looking forward to getting back into it next year. Merry Xmas everyone and here's to 2014 :)

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Gd to see u mate, hope u have a good 1!

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Blimey Jono! Merry Christmas and I hope you are ok

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{Ed007's Note - Merry Christmas Jono, take care mate.}

Good to see you around mate after your "holiday"

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Just in time for Cabeye to be signed mate ;)

Good to see you back - Happy Chrimbo.

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23 Dec 2013 18:20:53
I might not be about much over the next few days so i'd just like to say Happy Christmas to all you wonderful posters out there, and a begruding one to all you rubbish posters. Lol.

Its important to remember those less fortunate at this time of year, so can I ask you all to put your hands together and pray, pray that my flight isn't delayed a second time an that I can get home for Christmas. Lol.

Thanks guys.

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Happy holiday season Shapps.

Where are you from and where are you going?

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23 Dec 2013 20:43:00
I'm from Bristol, flying back there from Newcastle. Landed now, the weather has been causing problems with flights right across the south of England today.

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Welcome back to Blighty Shapps ;)

Happy Christmas.

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23 Dec 2013 17:55:57
Merry xmas lads, enjoy the hols. Looking forward to the new year posts, trials and tribulations. All I'm asking off Santa is that Sydney continues to get his predictions wrong lol,
JFT 96

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U too :)

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23 Dec 2013 17:18:32
Just thought I'd wish all you miserable goats a Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

I hope you all have good health, happiness and a top midfielder(or two) for 2014.

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Thanks cagus. Same to you and all the other posters.
We are all very lucky that we love such a great club.
Best wishes to all.

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Thanks mate, u too

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Cheers mate, you too

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23 Dec 2013 17:02:50
Ngiak would like to wish all his close acquaintances the very best during the holidays and an exceedingly merry Xmas
Also wish the humans as well as he struggles to comprehend the human obsession with a fat man in a red suit
Thanks from ngiak for an enjoyable forum for the 4th year coming
Keep it up. Ngiak is surprised at his own fascination on a site run by mere humans
Best wishes
gan

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Hope u have a good 1 mate

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23 Dec 2013 16:23:37
To those asking about Everton Ribeiro: yes he would absolutely love to sign for Utd but the chances of a work permit would be very low from what I hear

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23 Dec 2013 15:33:22
Realistically we only need 1 signing this winter but ideally 3 would sort us right out.

The one main one would obviously be a midfielder to play in a 2 man mid. The two choices been banded around whom I believe would be idea are blaise matuidi of PSG or Fernando of Porto. Both seem better than felliani ATM and are good both defensively aswell as passing plus blaise matuidi only has 6months remaining on his contract.

The other areas that would be ideal to improve would be the lb and lm/lw.

For lb I'd like to forget baines and target Alex sandro or even bid whatever we where going to for baines on alaba of bayern to unnerve them a bit.

For LM my idea would be Bernard of Shaktar. Great little player really broke into the Brazil squad now aswell plus a line of Bernard Kagawa Januzaj behind the main strike would be penertraning creative and assist as out.

Just my opinions guys.

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The fact the moyes is talking about bringing tunners, jess and Powell back may be a sign there are to be no Jan signings

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Jred, Moyes said that?

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Mumbai
Asked if he would try to bolster the squad
"We will try in January, ” he said.

“I am quite actively looking at our own boys. The likes of Jesse Lingard, Nick Powell and Ryan Tunnicliffe.

“We have quite a lot of boys on loan and they are the ones I am making sure we keep eyes on. They are the future. They are part of the club. They have been in the system. We hope they might be able to come back and help in if we need it in January.”

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It's an ideal opportunity to do so. Let's be honest, as much as we all want to see us win the league, there won't be uproar if it doesn't happen this season provided we still qualify for the CL and if Moyes is going for the top quality kind of players who aren't available til the summer then I say wait til the summer and let's give the likes of Powell a few run outs.

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TK, I agree, I like Powell and think Jesse would be a breath of fresh air. When given a chance preseason he rarely disappointed. However I do feel players will be signed in January. If Buttner goes as expected then there will need to be a replacement. Fabio will unlikely be that replacement as he hasn't featured at all. So a LB seems likely I have to say.

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Agree with TK, Jred and Syd here.

Powell has looked comfortable whenever he has played.
Same goes for Lingard during the preseason.

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Jesse could be that goal scoring midfielder we have been crying out for. Must be worth a shot.

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My only fear about Powell is that we ruin him by playing him deeper much like we did with Ando, ATM he is better suited at an AM or no10 so I think that's where he should play until he gradually drops deeper himself

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23 Dec 2013 18:57:51
I think this is just a case of Moyes being clever. We will sign people if we can, but if not then he is the man giving our youngsters a chance.

How would those lads have felt if he said we were trying to sign people. The fact that what we need is someone who can play from the left hand side and someone who can be a scoring midfielder then Powell and Lingard would be disapointed if they weren't given a chance and we sign someone else.

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23 Dec 2013 15:08:18
Hi All,

Just having a debate at work something occurred to me: last season we had an unusually high goal to chance ratio and rescued so many points from loosing positions and dodgy performances. Add to that the other teams under-performing and really the drop in quality isn't as much as it looks. Yes we are missing SAF for his psychology but I don't think Moyes has been incompetent, sure he has said a couple of things to make us cringe but the fact that we pursued top players in the summer shows that the club know what needs to be done and reassures me somewhat.

Have a good christmas. 9pts

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{Ed002's Note - You really need to get back to work and stop screwing around.}

23 Dec 2013 14:46:43
Hmmm reading Everton Ribeiro really wants to come here any of you seen him? Ed's heard anything about out interest.

Merry Xmas and happy new year all.

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If there isn't enough space to play kagawa in his correct position then where would ribero play

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Er I ain't seen him play ( note the question marks ) Just read he'd rather play with us than RM and he's a midfielder wanting away from Brazil.

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23 Dec 2013 14:29:05
Heard Everton want as much as 21m for Baines with addons rising to 29m there is no way he's worth even close to that, plus if he doesn't ask for a transfer we should walk away

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If we are to pay anywhere near £25-30million on a LB then I would rather see Shaw, Alaba or the slightly cheaper option of Moreno. People will say Shaw is a boyhood Chelsea fan and Alaba is an Arsenal fan but those 2 would be my preferences, ideally.

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Hi TK-Red-suggest you read the press briefing from the Saints manager on the official WS, posted today. This will tell you-and Chelsea- what the situation is with Luke Shaw. The media are trying to get you all excited about this, but it will not happen, certainly not in the short to medium term.
We let you have Buttner, just be grateful!

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23 Dec 2013 11:23:38
Eds, I had this idea for a new poll;

Would Manchester United fans like to see Wayne Rooney given a new, long-term contract?

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{Ed007's Note - That's it set up. Please take two mins to vote here:

www.manchesterunitedrumours.co.uk/poll13.html

23 Dec 2013 12:43:30
I hope the bfro post about Barkley down the page was done deliberately to get the Everton fans bleating. If it did then what a bite you got from baz.

According to him Everton are now a top 4 side and united are (and I quote) 'Europa league at best'. What a fantastic post and I will expect you back here in May baz accepting that you made a massive mistake.

Also, 40 million for Barkley, that's the best Christmas cracker joke I'll hear this year. I don't even think we want him, I certainly don't, but no wonder you think we can't afford him if that's what you value him at. Deluded to say the least.

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Barkley fee went up 10% yesterday . offers around 50million plus extras . are awaited .

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{Ed007's Note - You'd be as well throwing another fiver in and buying the whole club. At least then it would be official that you are Utd's feeder club.}

Priceless, Bond :)

Delusions of grandeur? Bless their little cotton socks.

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23 Dec 2013 11:54:59
Right I want lads opinion on this for me the current team that Moyes is playing and i'm talking more about formation and midfield ie Rooney dropping to MF 1 up top Jones holding with Clevs given more of a licence to get forward is the strongest formation/team we have at the club.

Would guys put Carrick straight back into the team or not?
For me I wouldnt, he would have to take Jones or Clevs position and I think these 2 guys offer more both are more mobile and Jones is better defensively while Clevs is showing signs of real improvement.

I know some on here really rate Carrick I am not one of those but still respect the guy as he is a good passer but for he will not improve the team when he comes back.

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It's a tough one, but Carrick nudges Jones out of the midfield to be honest. Although I would like to see a 3 with Jones at the base of it.

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This is an interesting one mate, without doubt we suffered when we lost Carrick to injury. However three things have happened during the course of his injury.

1. Our CB pairings have been much better and quicker, a combination of any two of Jones, Smalling and Evans has worked well for us and allowed us to play a higher line.

2. Rooney has adopted a more unconventional number 10 role, he has dropped much deeper than more conventional 10s (for example; Isco or Gotze). While they will attempt to break up play, this is normally confined to the area of the CBs or DMs. we have seen Rooney drop much deeper, almost to the point of a deep lying playmaker (i'm not saying he is one, but position wise he can sometimes start attacks from much deeper)

3. As you said, Cleverley's improvement and being given the license to push farther forward. He now regularly pops up on the edge of the opposition box looking for the ball and looking to make one-twos. I hope he continues to improve, I said the same last season that there's obviously potential there and I do hope Moyes can unlock it.

Personally I don't think I'd put Carrick straight back in, not because of his quality but because he will slow our play down. He plays a different game than we have been over the last 5/6 games and I think for us to continue with our pacier play it would be best to stick with our current formula.

However, when he's fit I fully expect Moyes to go for a Carrick/Cleverley partnership in midfield. I think it's then we'll see teams counter attacking against us with good affect like we did in the opening games of the season.

Carrick is a decent player, and while his pass completion may look attractive, the majority of those passes are short 5/10 yard passes either side ways or backwards. not the 20/25 yard passes into space which our wingers can exploit.

And Happy Christmas fellas. hope you and all your families have a good one!

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23 Dec 2013 13:36:18
I would ease Carrick back in in place of Jones. But steadily more so to stop Carrick having a bad reaction after his injury.

I really rate Jones and he has done a sterling job in midfield since Carrick has been injuried but he is more of an excited terrier in midfield rather than the cool calm and measured Carrick. We need control of the middle of the park, and Carrick offers us that.

It may have escaped your attention but since Carrick has been injured Rooney has stopped scoring, this is because Rooney has had to drop deep to help maintain a level of control in the middle of the park. But this has pulled him away from the goal and as such his goals have dried up.

We need Rooney to be scoring goals if we are to win the tougher matches and to do that he needs to be playing further up the pitch, that's why we need Carrick back to give us that control in the middle and allow Rooney to move further forward.

But we need to be looking to replace Carrick long term as his legs are slowing and we need more industry in the middle. As a long term solution i'd look at Jordy Clasie to replace Carrick. people mention Gundogan and he is a great player but if we are looking for a deep lying playmaker then Clasie is the one for me. But I think we should be still be looking at Gundogan as a mobile box to box player as we are missing a creative spark who'll charge up field and create something when were under pressure.

We lack creation through the middle that is from deep and further up the pitch that's why i'd sign both Clasie and Gundogan.

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I would stick with Jones the lads a real talent, giving a good run of games I think he's going to be special.
But another top quality player next to him cm next to him and the team will take a step forward

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Rooney may well have stopped scoring but we look far more dangerous attack wise and he is key to that.

Fact of the matter is though now we are bossing the centre of the park something we have failed to do in years with Carrick there playing in 2.

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That should be, put another top quality cm player next to him and the team will take a step forward

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Jred

Im with you on that Jones with a real quality CM beside him and we would be very strong.

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Fact is we've won the last couple of games with that midfield so why change it?

Its a combination that seems to be working at a time when we really need to continue building momentum. In my view a settled team is what we need at the moment.

Carrick might also need time to get back to match fitness and I would suggest now is not the time to start that process.

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I would not put carrick straight back in. I've been calling for our team to play high tempo for some time. Carrick will be good in situations where we need to retain possession and slow the game down.
Also, I wouldn't change the CB pairing of Evans and Smalling, they have more pace than vidic and Rio and that is allowing our midfield to push up as I mentioned a few weeks back.

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23 Dec 2013 11:37:37
You have to wonder why Fellaini's wrist operation wasn't scheduled two weeks before he actually had it if he had a back injury anyway.

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{Ed002's Note - Many footballers and football supporters suffer wrist injuries Syd. I do know why but can't say as this is a family show.}

Maybe the back injury has turned out yo be worse than expected

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I wonder if the wrist injury led him to start engaging in activities that caused the back injury?

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Think we may have somebody lined up in Jan have a sneaky feeling it may be Cabaye would not be cup tied for Europe and is well used to the premiership football eds do you know if we have any interest in him?

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{Ed002's Note - No.}

Jred, I imagine that is the case, but seems he wasn't being picked to play anyway, perhaps this problem could have been sorted a couple of weeks earlier.

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Ed, I have a friend who broke both of his wrists in his teens. He was very frustrated for those few weeks, especially seems he didn't have girlfriend :)

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{Ed007's Note - That's why God gave us sponges, shaving foam and two part toilet seats ;)

007 & Danny, quality replies.

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23 Dec 2013 08:43:51
I might be unable to post this christmas period, so I just wanted to wish you guys happy holidays a couple of days early.

Whether it's the regulars who have been keeping this side interesting for the past 3 years, or the newcomers, and especially the Eds who have been doing a wonderful job so far.

Special mention to
SYdney, Shappy, Shahram, Deeps, G.A.G.U.S, Pardoe, StevieK, Jred, Ozwald, Nomid, DB, AJH, Moon, Red Sky, Red Faith, Paddy the Irishman, Mumbai, Katef,, CTR, Mr E, Trumors, Morts, Supasub, GDS, Nick, Red Man, Caolan, Brendan for their interesting banter for the past few years.

Our more eccentric posters, Ngiak, Zee, Kloot, dagenham, . lfc

And most importantly the Eds, especially Ed002, 004 and 007 who always contribute with their inside knowledge, educated opinions or hilarious sarcastic replies.

PS: Apologies for anyone I have missed, it really isn't easy to remember all the names on here

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{Ed002's Note - Enjoy the holiday season. Are you going to get a haircut before Christmas?}

Happy holiday season Micky.

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You to enjoy the holidays

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23 Dec 2013 12:26:13
Happy Christmas Mick.

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Enjoy the Holidays mick.

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You forgot me! Haha. Merry Christmas!

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Have a good 1 buddy :-)

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Yeah thanks Mick, have a great week yourself. I will have two bottles of JD and the missus has her Southern Comfort so I will be fine. I just hope the football goes as we all hope and we get six points from the next two games.

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Sorry fresh, my bad. Anyway happy holidays.

Syd, I got myself a 30 year old chivas regal for which I've had to stay home and watch the games for 2 months to save up.

Ed002, no I won't. i'm going for the Jesus look while also trying to grow a beard that just won't.

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Thanks mick1 for the mention, been posting and following for a good few years now. Mines a bottle of Abelour this Xmas to help numb my new wrist injury.
Merry Xmas.

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Mick, I'm a bourbon Whiskey kind of lad. Wild Turkey, JD, Jim Beam. That sort of thing.

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{Ed002's Note - We always keep a bottle of Elijah Craig for any visitors who are that way inclined.}

Mick - That's a comprehensive list man, much like your comprehensive in-depth analysis of players that you are so good at.

Have a great one mate! Its been a pleasure interacting with everyone on the site this year.

Special mention for the Eds - How barren would this site look without you lot? Cue - An ed 007 joke ;-)

Deeps.

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002, I've never tried it, but I'm guna ;)

With Jack Daniels sky rocketing in price I may as well pay a little extra and try this one.

What is your favourite beverage Ed? Cocktails? Champagne? Single Malt?

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{Ed002's Note - I only drink champagne, tequila and gin Syd.}

002, what, all mixed together ;)

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{Ed002's Note - I gave up smoking after 37 years a few years back and it ruined my taste buds for anything else.}

Best wishes Mick1. Have a great Xmas and keep the drink flowing, responsibably of course!

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Well you did live in France Ed, every bloke smokes over there ;)

I bet you feel much better for it? Waking up without coughing. Your clothes and house no longer smells of smoke (unless the missus smokes?).

I spoke to a 70+ year old the other day as he had one of them fake cigarettes. I asked him how he felt and he said he feels much better for it.

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{Ed002's Note - It took more than two years for the cough to move on.}

Cheers Mick.

Happy Christmas to you and yours, and good luck for the new year.

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23 Dec 2013 06:58:17
Christmas time, mistletoe and wine, blah blah blah.

I know we sometimes disagree but all the abuse seems to have stopped.

Merry Christmas to all of you. I tried to list everyone last year and forgot a few so I'd best not try to do that this year. Special thanks to the Eds who have to put up with all our nonsense.

Remember, it's just banter and we all actually want the same thing. Have a great festive season.

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{Ed002's Note - Enjoy the holiday season.}

Merry Xmas ajh. United we stand

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All the best, AJH. Hope the job's going well, mate.

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23 Dec 2013 11:19:26
Hi Guys, jus a quick post to say merry christmas to u all as i'll struggle to get on over the holidays, hope you all have a gud un. Also while i'm on, I watched class of 92 last night. thought it was brilliant, got all the same emotions when ole hit the back of the net in 99 champs league. had a lump in my throat and my mrs called me a wimp for being teary eyed haha. absolute brilliant watch and a must see!

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23 Dec 2013 11:03:58
So Fellaini has had his op and will be out for at least the next six weeks.

Now either his back problem was going to keep him out for a good chunk of that any way or we have a deal lined up to bring in another midfielder.

Lets wait and see.

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Perhaps Powell back on loan? Even if he were to come back though I expect he will be joining a new member of the team. Out of all the midfielders we have been linked with the only likely one for January is Cabaye. None of the others I don't think will be willing to leave their clubs mid season where as he was angling for a move in the summer and has spoken of how honoured he would be to move to us in the past.

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23 Dec 2013 06:05:27
Wouldn't Barkley play in a similar position as Powell?

How are we going to accommodate Rooney, Barkley, Januzaj and Powell in the same team?
(Januzaj also plays well in the hole)

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It's all vary hypothetical but there's nothing to say that Januzaj, Powell and Barkley couldn't play in an interchangeable 3 behind Rooney. What about RVP? I hear you ask. Well I've long said that I don't see them in the same side in the long term. I think something will have to give, in that respect.

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