Manchester United Banter Archive April 26 2014

 

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26 Apr 2014 23:34:41
to all the fans that want giggs as manager what happens when he looses a couple of games or some of the players who are dropped say I can not trust you you were my mate why we were playing together we should get a manager who is go8ng to come in get rid of the deadwood get rid of the ones who think because they have won everything they have nothintg to prove put the foundations for a good young team wich has already been mentioned andthen pass it on to giggs

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Giggs as manager is heart over head romantically its the way to go but in reality maybe not great

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Gigg's in 5 years, once he's got some experience coaching/managing.
Before gaining the necessary experience would be risky and real folly, especially following the season we have had.
LVG would have the prerequisite experience and qualifications to tackle what is in all honesty a bloody mess.

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26 Apr 2014 22:52:01
Well if Van Gaal gets the job you can be sure Strootman will be his first purchase if you listen to him about Holland he says everything revolves around Stroots and cannot bum him up enough

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26 Apr 2014 21:10:08
Watched soccer AM this morning
And Peter Schmeichel said he would
love to be a coach at MUFC and
help out .The question I put to
you all is why isn't he there already
instead of Woods .
Woods should have gone on Tuesday
with Moyes . Neville is also only there
for sentimental reasons IMO

BRING BIG PETER BACK!!

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Because woods is a very good goal keeping coach and it shows in DDG performance.

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Woods is no where near big peter
and as for DeGea it was Eric Steele
who made the dramatic improvement
not Woods

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A great player doesn't necessarily make a great coach.

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Again sentimentality from 'Bfro' so obviously it was Moyes that made Everton and not Martinez, but wait the experts don't think that.

Woods has done his job and has contributed to the development of a terrific goalkeeper. How do you reward that, sack him and get someone with a better name.

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A lot has been made about Woods being a good goalkeeping coach, appears everyone liked him

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Just the fact that Chris Woods didn't leave with Moyes shows the club rate him.

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The improvement in DDG has been put down to Woods alone. Woods has been coaching for a long time, and though as mikes was the best keeper in the world, he isn't a coach!

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Seems Woods is just as under rated as a coach as he was a player.I think Dr Gea's form this season speaks volumes.
If van Gaal comes, looks very likely now, he will bring in another goalkeeping coach.
Van Gaal will definitely shake things up. He will need more time than Moyes but his style of play is very attack minded. I know one thing, it won't be dull!

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26 Apr 2014 21:00:47
Well done to Giggsy and the lads who put a shift in. Doubt he will get the job this time round, and I do think it would be best for him to work with a top manager that helps prepare him for the role in the future.
But it has to be said, so far so good. He has stepped up in every way and come out looking like a genuine contender.

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26 Apr 2014 20:28:21
Okay, I've waited all week to post this, but would anyone object to Giggs becoming manager? I wouldn't! First half poor, getting the old regime out of the system, second half superb! Great positive changes, mata did great when coming on!
I just think Giggs has to be a serious contender, purely because he is Manchester United. The whole of sir Alex's 26 year reign is epitomised by Ryan Giggs. You see how the fans reacted to him but most importantly the players! He knows the game inside out and all you here is good reports about him from coaches. He knows the way Manchester United should play football, then you talk about attracting players, well he's known worldwide as one of the greatest players ever. Adored by many legends, so he could attract the top names! So I do whole heartedly believe that with a strong finish to the season we must consider Giggs!
P.S
That catch from de gea shows his incredible progression in the last 2 seasons. He would never have come out like that when he first joined. What a goalkeeper he is, hats off to Eric Steele and Chris Woods.

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{Ed004's Note - No the next manager needs to be experienced enough to know how to deal with all the egos in the club}

I agree with Ed. Giggs mentioned he didn't sleep much knowing he'd have to tell players they weren't playing. This makes me question his decision making ability as of now. That could definitely come in time though. Would love to see him in charge one day but not now.

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Giggs needs to learn, LvG is the perfect man to learn from in my opinion. But Giggs could make a good manager in the future.

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But ed, we all talk about who's but the thing is it doesn't matter if it's Van Persie, Rooney or the likes of Amos and Cleverly, they listen. He commands respect. As SAF said he did a lot of his talking in the changing room.

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* ego's! Stupid autocorrect

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26 Apr 2014 20:11:58
The second half was excellent and a flash back to last season. But I do need to make one negative comment, we were playing Norwich and I don't think you can judge too much on a game at that level. However, the players certainly looked a lot more content.

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It's irrelevant who we were playing Fresh. We were fast, we were direct, we drove forward, we took players on. He were everything we haven't been all season. Confidence started to drift back throughout the game. We made well over 20 chances, most of the season we have been in games where we have managed 2 chances, 0 on target. After the 2nd goal went in the nerves went and the players enjoyed themselves. It's still early days, but we should be happy with how things are since the sacking. A good summer and we will be right back in the mix.

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But we were not good in first half. Mata should have started. Cleverly was clueless again.

Good second half performance though.

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Agreed Syd, with better class players like Reus, Lucas Moura, Kroos, Shaw etc we will be a fantastic attacking side.

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It was Giggs' first game as manager, all eyes were on this game as it's the first game since Moyes' sacking. We always needed that first goal to settle us down, but then the HT whistle came, then when we got the 2nd goal there was more freedom. Even in the first half we were better going forward, if it wasn't for Valencia wasting 3-4 good chances it could have been different. But in the first half we gave Norwich nothing. We are not all of a sudden brilliant, he still have a few cobwebs so to speak, and we need a good five players in the summer, but it's a good start.

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Syd, imagine that mentality but swap Valencia for Lucas Moura, Kagawa for Reus, Welbeck for RVP, probably Rooney for Mata and Cleverley for Kroos. What a side.

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I think we will sign Carvalho and I am hoping for a Cesc/Kroos. Someone like Garay and hopefully Shaw. That alone would improve us immensely. Add that to a better manager and the players buzzing with confidence. We need a good summer spend, a manager with vision and we should be fine for next season.

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No wingers Syd? I've heard that we are going for Reus and Pedro. Also the agent of Reus and Kroos was sat next to SAF today.

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26 Apr 2014 20:10:16
Hi Everyone, it has probably been answered before, but if Arsenal win the FA Cup and finish fourth, do the runners up get the Europa league spot or seventh place in premiership?

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I think arsenal would have to finish 5th after winning it for it to drop to 7th.

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26 Apr 2014 20:09:06
Was better but nothing to get excited about .

We have always known how to beat Norwich.

i am interested in seeing us against a team capable of playing and Sunderland have been doing well of late if we drum them 4-5 0 then I might start to believe giggs could be the man.

We need a philosophy that is up to date with today's game that's why I would like van gaal

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Giggs will not be the manager for a few years yet.

Sunderland will be a tougher game, they have gotten the better of City and Chelsea recently and if we can beat them 2.0, it will be a good result. But we will still get the moaners on here saying they are bottom so we should have beaten them 4-5 0.

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26 Apr 2014 19:47:12
I thought Jones had a good game and there were signs that RB might be his position. He certainly crosses the ball better than Valencia. Mata looked a different class when he came on and whoever becomes the long-term manager needs to find a way of getting him into the starting line-up.

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26 Apr 2014 19:43:35
Well, much better in the second half when Mata came on. Players look happy, that I think is the difference. Giggs definitely for assistant to LvG for me.

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MU always needed a goal to get them going.

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Would lvg want giggs?

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Agree all the way fresh! Giggs as number 2 with the specific intention of preparing him for the managers job when it comes around when LVG steps down.
Assuming its LVG we go for.
Should be the way forward from now on.

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Kluivert is his guy. Van der Kraan who seems to be in the know has said that LVG will insist on bringing his own team and maybe retail one coach from the current set up.

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I think he would probably bring Kluivert with him.

I think Giggs will succeed LvG.

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I don't see him insisting on kluivert coming with him being a problem. I kno kluivert is one of his coaches but he still would need an assistant manager and possibly another first team coach aswell.
And surely it would be giggs as the guy he retains.

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26 Apr 2014 19:17:49
Rooney brace Mata brace had a sneaky bet on Rooney to score first to score second then I backed Mata and I backed him again so good day at the betting office

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I think Rooney or DDG should have got MOTM. best Rooney's played since he got his new deal. Van Persie back next week so hopefully it's all coming together.

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26 Apr 2014 19:06:03
"Redman

"A reputable report explained how Moyes tried to change the emphasis in the youth from skill to physicality which went against everything SAF had introduced. It did not go down well I can tell you."

you are making stuff up, go ahead and post this reputable report and hope the eds allow it.

God Created United"

GCU

Manchesters main newspaper and I have posted the article further down if the editors allow it.
How many slices of humble pie can you manage?

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Handcuff are off now, we will start to see a better MU. Add five very good signings in the summer, add young Wilson and we could be ready to challenge again.

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Just read it and your point being what? He wanted a more athletic youth programme.

You realize since 92 we have not produced a top player.
How much bs can you talk is my question, you got your wish and the manager is gone, so enjoy it and go p.ay with yourself.

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Shahram, Er Pogba, Adnan, Ravel all produced by us and all top players. If you bothered to watch the youth set-up you will see a certain player called James Wilson.

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Ggu we have had a home grown first team player since the second world war.

we continue to nurture such players.

never again will you see the 92 anomalies.

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Syd
Ravel has done nothing
Did we not buy pogba and adan

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What about pogba, januzaj, morrison, lingard and up and coming Wilson, perrera,?
Agree with red man/Sydney.

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Adnan and Pogba were signed at 15, they were nurtured by the club until they were 19 and 18 (to date) respectively. Ravel was arguably the better of them all, but has a poor attitude.

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Buy is the wrong word but did both players not join from other clubs at the age of 16 .
Pogba was only at the club for 2 year not sure how much credit we can take for them 2

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Sydney

We Nicked Pogba and Adnan from other Clubs and they are not our product. Ravel is the only one that can be called ours and he is yet to be established.

We have not produced a world class talent from our youth system since the class of 92. All the guys being currently mentioned are yet to be seen if they are capable of making it at the top level.

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Yep you guys are right. We have a fantastic youth and academy program and produce world class guys like Mercedes's coming of the conveyor belt.

Sometimes it is better to drop it when people show no common sense and are just doing it for the sake of disagreeing LOL.

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Regardless of the young players we have produced, every top club is focusing on technical skills at their academies. Yet, Moyes decided that athletic fitness training was the way forward. And before anyone starts talking about Everton's academy players, remember what Kevin Sheedy said about Moyes's attitude to the youth teams.

I think you need to stop trying to be Moyes's white knight GCU. He did a p**s poor job! he's gone and now we can bring in a man who's capable of working at a top class club.

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So if a player joins at 15, plays a few games in the U16's, then moves to the under 18's, then into the U21's and breaks into the MU first team, are they not produced by us? Pogba here for three years. I watched him go from a gangly bambi type 15 year old to the beast he is today. Where do you draw the line? 13? 14? John Terry joined Chelsea at 15, does that mean he isn't a product of Chelsea?

Is Ashley Cole a product of Arsenal's academy? He joined them at 17.

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Shahram, we do have a fantastic youth and academy program. What elite football clubs produce world-class guys like Mercedes coming off a conveyor belt?

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Danny, couldn't agree more. In the future we will start to hear even more bizarre Moyes' stories and GCU will keep knocking them down or keep blaming MU instead. Showing the MU defence videos of Jagielka. I mean how pathetic is that? It's like DJ Campbell showing Van Persie how to finish. Moyes was a disaster.

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And by that logic, that would mean giggs isn't our product either because he was at city first. Get off it.

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I think you have to be at the club a bit longer than a couple of years imo .
Im not sure going out and getting the best young 16 or 17 year olds from around the world and then claiming to have a great youth system is right imo (not just at united )

I have asked this question a few times and never got a reply for some reason
But who was the last top talent to come from our youth and establish them selves in the first team?

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Not many produce world class players on a consistent basis and hardly any produce a team like the 92 team. People have missed out Wes Brown, John Oshea, Johnny Evans, Cleverley, Wellbeck, Gibson, Bardsley, Danny Simpson and I am sure some others . Not world class but decent and all play on the prem and apart from the last two are all internationals

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Getting 16 year os who everyone knows are at a supreme level does not count at all in terms of our academy producing top players.

Turning 12 years old sin to great players is what the academy is suppose to do.

Danny

I am ok with people providing meaningful feedback but don't be ignorant.

This was about to people claiming the academy produces world class talent and Moyes was changing that based on some report in a local daily in manchester. My view is the academy does not produce world class talent and has not done so for yonkers and we buy almost all our talent. Unless you think Cleverly and Welbeck are guys who are going to win you stuff then good luck.

There are many of articles out there who are also positive on the guy and you don't see me posting them as gospel to validate my point. Guys like redman and you seem to hang to every pubic ha. r that is negative to drive a point, give it up. The guy is gone an dlet's see where we are next year.

"Remember no meaningful signing nothing better than 5th next year no matter who the manager is "

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Sydney

Barca, Bayern, Bilbao, Porto, Sporting, Benfica. In England Southampton, Arsenal, and some will argue city are now ahead of us.

You are confusing production of some decent premiere league players with top class football players.

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And yet again no replies to my question.

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GCU

The local daily as you call it, perhaps showing a little ignorance of its importance in the Manchester environment, highlighted an attempt to change the emphasis from skill to physicality. It depends whether we are looking for the next Messi or the next Fellaini. I wonder if Barcelona's academy would change direction to become more like Everton? Physicality is what is needed at lesser clubs to combat the skills of the better ones and again highlights the smaller club thought process he had.

The different question is whether they are producing top class players? We have produced numerous premier league and championship standard players but to get in Uniteds first team they need to be really top class. We have produced a diamond in Ravel but sadly he has had off field issues. Perhaps we need to look at where we are scouting the very young players and whether we are offering the right package to them but that is totally different from changing the ethos of the set up. That attitude would have meant disregarding Messi as it is well known he didn't have the physicality.
It depends what the ambition was, to challenge the Barca type teams with physical strength or match them with skill. He paid the price for his small club mentality across more than just the first team

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Shahram, name these players please, who have City produced, other than Shaw who have Southampton produced. Who have Arsenal produced? let's hear it Shahram, who have all these teams produced.

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Jred, Pogba was here more than two years and like I said he agreed to join MU a skinny, bambi-like 15 year old kid and left a 19 year old beast. If that isn't young enough to be classed as one of your own then what is? 12? 13? 14? How about answer this question first. Cleverley was bought from Bradford at 12, was he produced by us?

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Syd
I thought I did answer it.
I think you have to be at the club a little bit longer than just over 2 year.
I don't think buying some of the most talented 15, 16, 17 year olds about and saying look at the players we have developed is fair.
Arsenal have "pinched" some good youngsters from the barcelona academy I would still give barce the credit over arsenal.
I would say cleverly would count but not as a top talent no matter how much you tried to pass him off as a world better .
But I think people splitting hairs to be honest and if the the player was 12, 13 or 16, 17 has little to do with my question.
For a club which prides its self on the development of youth and giving them a chance we have not had a top class player come through the ranks and establish themselves in the first team for over 20 years

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GCU, I agree that most of the promising young talents we have have been brought in from abroad, and I agree with jred that there has been a serious lack of youth players coming through to the first team. In short, I actually do think that we need to take a look at where we acquire academy players, and how young players are transitioned into the first team.

But, and this is a big big but. The direction Moyes was taking the academy was counter to the philosophy of all those top academies you mentioned. The top academies strive for technically excellent players, whereas Moyes decided that we should be producing cross country runners. In truth, Moyes is a man with limited experience, knowledge and interest in youth football, and felt that he has to get involved with United's youth set-up because that's what Fergie did. The result was he attempted to apply his tried and trusted fitness first methods to a wholly inappropriate setting.

It's not contradictory to admit the academy needs some reform, while acknowledging that Moyes was taking it in the completely wrong direction.

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Danny
I think you sum it up very well

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But like I said, Pogba wasn't here for just over two year. He was here for over three years. He played in our U18's and U21's and the first team. If you do not class that as a product of our academy, then that's your choice. I think it's iffy too if I am honest. It's not like he's been there from eight years old and he's from Manchester. My point to Shahram is that we do have a very good academy despite what he says.

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Danny, SAF has said that for the past so many years there have been restrictions on youth players which have prevented us from spending more time with them on the pitch. There were also restrictions on acquiring players from certain distances.

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Syd

You are unbelievable when you want to stick your head in the sand. Start with Bale worlds most expensive player, Oxalde Chamberlain to name a few and then look at their current slew of players from southampton shaw, lallana, Chambers, Schneiderling, Clyne, etc etc everyone of them will get into our first eleven you also have guys like ward browse.

As far as city goes wait for a few years their academy has outstanding talent coming through evident by their results in youth tournaments.

You are the most blinded poster on this its evident by your extravagant predictions of grandeur.

Again for a Club of our size we have not produced a world class player in 20 years from the academy. I did not dispute that we have produced many premiere league players and championship.

A world class academy would surely produce one world class talent every 5 years, we have not.

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And still nobody has give me an answer .
It been 18 month

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Clueless! LOL!

Bale was bought at 16. Schneiderlin was bought at 19 from Strasbourg. Clyne was bought from Crystal Palace at 21. Chambers is not a World-class guy like Mercedes coming off the conveyor belt. I'll give you AOC even though he is far from world-class.

City are no better than us and haven't won even close to what we have in the youth department. If you bothered to follow our academy then you would know this. Nice try but you will have to do much better than that Shahram. You reply was a complete failure.

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Jred look at my post there is quite a few there as in others. GCU Clyne was at palace and played against us in the league cup the other year and Lallana was bought from Bournemouth not all have been through their youth system at all .

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Pancho
Just saw it
So you would agree we haven't had a top class player come through the youth in to the first team for 20 years

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The point whether or not we have produced top class talent is missing the point of the conversation. The key issue was that Moyes wanted to change the emphasis of what we looked for away from skill. That is not going to win us anything. By all means be introspective about the players coming through but the fundamental is that we should be looking for players with skill not the next Fellaini.

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Depends what you mean by top class! Many have win league titles and as I said brown was a brilliant defender but suffered with injuries was lucky to play again after a couple

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Sydney

Ok forget Clyne and my mistake and to be honest he is probably not as good as the rest of them and this is not a southampton discussion.

The point is simple Our academy is not producing as far as I am concerned and since the class of 92. A club of our size with our facilities should do much better.

You can continue to argue but list our best first 11 and see if there is a single player from the academy or our youth setup.

Then see if we have a single player that is potentially coming through to be a starter.

The need to spend 150 million is enough evidence we are not producing much from the youth system.

Redman

Yes yes Moyes was out to destroy an incredible academy that just produces a slew of players for us.

The flip side of that coin as there are numerous stuff written about how our scouting system and academy needs to be revamped and he was doing all the right things.

You can't destroy or hurt something that is not producing what it is designed to do but can only try and change it to see if it provides the desired results.

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Shahram, you keep sticking up for a mediocre manager who was out of his depth and you keep having digs at the club you say you support.

How many world-class English players have even been produced in England in the past 20 years? Rooney? Gerrard? Cole? Ferdinand & Terry?

That's just five players produced in England from ALL English clubs in 20 years. JUST FIVE! That's one English player every four years in ALL of England.

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GCU

So under Moyes we would have turned Messi away but been happy to take Fellaini on?

Interesting revamp

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Shahram, MU have one of the best academies in the world, the problem is there are a lot of legislations in England that prevent clubs from going for the best players in Europe and the world. You can only sign a player within a 20 mile radius from the club (I think it's 20 miles). We currently have some excellent local talent in the youth set-up at the moment. Some of the best we have had since 92. James Wilson has already overtaken Will Keane who is three years older than him. Michael Keane will be a MU player in the future. Ben Pearson ran rings around Bentaleb & Dembele the other day in the U21's. It seems we have produced a couple beauties and it's a real shame that you do not follow them from time to time. You would enjoy watching them.

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Redman

Only you would say something as silly as that, but maybe we would have taken Yaya Toure and turned Cleverly away:)

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Sydney

C'mon now this is not about sticking up for moyes but about people just posting anything they can get to smear his name and not everything the man did was bad.

It only takes very silly people to believe that the club would appoint a guy that was only capable of doing all bad which is what some will have you believe. There are some posters here who have very little credibility for me because before their obsession with moyes they had other obsessions which proved to be completely false and I don't need to name them.

If there is an ounce of sense or maturity it is not hard to understand things are nt as black and white as people would want to believe.

There is a report that Janusaj and few other s were quite upset at the dismissal so he could not have been that bad.


BTW you forgot last 20 years Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Bale.

I am quite happy and not looking for an endless debate here, just cleaned up on Bilbao winning :)

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Sydney

I hope you are right because it is hard to see how we can afford to buy player after player and need some coming through the system.

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Sydney

C'mon now this is not about sticking up for moyes but about people just posting anything they can get to smear his name and not everything the man did was bad.

It only takes very silly people to believe that the club would appoint a guy that was only capable of doing all bad which is what some will have you believe. There are some posters here who have very little credibility for me because before their obsession with moyes they had other obsessions which proved to be completely false and I don't need to name them.

If there is an ounce of sense or maturity it is not hard to understand things are nt as black and white as people would want to believe.

There is a report that Janusaj and few other s were quite upset at the dismissal so he could not have been that bad.


BTW you forgot last 20 years Giggs, Scholes, Beckham, Bale.

I am quite happy and not looking for an endless debate here, just cleaned up on Bilbao winning :)

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GCU

Interesting but only you would continue to support a failed manager, actually a failed sacked out of his depth manager who wanted to change something fundamental in the club for the worse. Even now you can't admit he was utterly wrong even though it is blindingly obvious.
Thank goodness he went when he did before he did truly irreparable damage to the whole ethos and structure of the club. You are continuing to argue a point that the club felt was a step too far and didn't support him on.

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Redman

You need an IQ test mate, you don't get it do you. I don't support him, I just think you are full of rubbish LMAOF On your bike now boy.

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We are talking about players developed in England since the likes of Giggs, Beckham & Scholes. Bale was developed in Wales up until 16.

Did any good come of the Moyes era? Anything at all. Arguably Adnan and the signing of Mata. I cannot think of anything else, which is why he was sacked of course.

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26 Apr 2014 18:43:21
Carrick looks like a different player. imo

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Couldn't agree more. He's getting a lot further forward and looks so much more happy and confident.

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One word "Freedom".

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He still doesn't move. Slows it all down. He drops 15 yrds instead of pushing up 15 yrds everytime. He has gone for me, weak link imo.

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I think Cleverley will start looking like a new player by the start of the next season, hopefully Kroos ;)

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At home against Norwich?

His number is up, has been for a while

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26 Apr 2014 17:37:58
Does anybody know how the trialists from India are getting on. it would be great to see a young Indian lad make it through the system to the first team. It would also offer tremendous commercial opportunities.

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26 Apr 2014 18:14:31
Whitaker should be off no doubt. the referring is pathetic.

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{Ed004's Note - Was thinking that he was last man? But that half was piss poor}

Last man for sure and stopped a goal scoring opportunity. Should be off imo, but the refereeing all year has been so inconsistent as each one seems to have their own interpretation of the rules.

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ED04

What a difference a half makes, boys are in full flow and brilliant to watch. Bring on the scousers :))

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26 Apr 2014 17:20:29
Not liking today's line up. Rio and Cleverly start, no Mata in and what looks a 442. Moyes would have been slated for this line up and formation.

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26 Apr 2014 17:09:31
Already depressed by the team selection. Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra start, no Adnan, no Mata. Even Cleverley starts! It's 4-4-2 and this is exactly the reason why he is not to get this job, antiquated football.

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Do you still feel the same after the game?

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No, we played much better because we played much faster and just poured forward. But this was against probably the worst side in the League.

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26 Apr 2014 16:54:58
I was expecting us to win today. But iv just seen the team and I have doubts.
It looks like giggs has gone to a 4-4-2!
Cleverley in the midfield?
Mata on the bench?
Janazuj not even in the squad?
Rio, Vidic and evra all starting?

I don't understand some of these desicions but it may work.
I hope it's kagawa playing behind rooney and not welbeck.

Haven't spoke about the manager debate. I really like the idea of van gaal taking over, building a good base to the team and hopefully klopp/ guideolla(spelling) to take over after that.

Hope we win today!

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Perhaps a 433? Carrick, Cleverley & Kagawa in midfield with Valencia, Rooney & Welbeck in attack?

Or is it a 4231 with Carrick & Cleverley as the two. Kagawa in the hole behind Rooney, with Valencia and Welbeck either side of Kagawa?

Or is Rooney in the hole with Welbeck as the number 9? Kagawa left, Valencia right?

Or 442 with Rooney and Welbeck as strikers, Kagawa left and Valencia right? hmmm. A tricky one.

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Clearly seems to be a 4-4-2 with the two up top.

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26 Apr 2014 16:46:41
If Moyes had dropped Adnan, benched Mata and started Clev, the knives would be out.

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Completely agree, absolutley disgusted with this line up already. 4-4-2 is not the way to go.

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It was rumoured that Mata wouldn't start, that Cleverley will play and that Adnan was starting today so he may have picked up an injury.

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26 Apr 2014 15:07:18
afternoon all, i'm really looking forward to the game today, just really hoping for some good attacking football, so come on giggsy get some belief and confidence back in the team :-) now onto transfer targets, everyone has their preference so heres mine . I think ideally shaw would be signed, young and looks a real prospect, garay:- looks solid and can play from the back and looks comfortable on the ball, carvalho:- I don't know much about so can't really comment, the player I want us to go for most of all is ander herrera :-, looks a great little player, do any of the eds know if we're still looking at him? ( i'd also like reus but can't see it :-( )

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{Ed004's Note - Think interest has moved on in regards to hererra mate. I reckon kroos or fabregas more likely}

I wouldn't mind kroos ed004, just can't see it happening for some reason, I think he's using us for a better deal with BM .and I don't think fabregas would come to us either, especially after the run around he gave us last year, sod him lol. I think herrera would be more attainable if we went for him, and ithink he's just what we're missing creativity wise in cm . such a shame ed, i'd even drive to bilbao in my transit connect to get him lol ;-)

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{Ed004's Note - I'm not sure I think Fabregas may be available this summer with the changes barca are apparently making. Last year there would have bound to have been an indication from his camp that he was available or we wouldn't have wasted as much time on him. Though it could have passed now we have Mata not sure were Fabregas would play. Not sure he'd work in a 2 man midfield even if we got Carvalho/Vidal}

Herrera is a quality player. IMO he has stepped it up a gear this season which makes not signing him even more frustrating. I would prefer Cesc or Kroos, but if we didn't get Carvalho, then I wouldn't mind Herrera. I know Herrera isn't a defensive midfielder, but he can defend very well and he gets up and down the field well. I hope Herrera isn't completely out of the equation.

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{Ed004's Note - Could you see Fabregas playing in a 2 man midfield though? I wouldn't worry about Kroos there as that's his position IMO}

004 - Cesc/Kroos and Carvalho would work IMO, Kroos and Herrera would work IMO, but Cesc and Herrera may be a bit lacking defensively.

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For me Cesc is a midfielder, he played alongside Song at Arsenal with Nasri ahead of him and that is how it would work here. Cesc alongside William Carvalho with Mata ahead of him. Works beautifully in my mind. Cesc isn't afraid to put himself about and scores more goals and makes more assists now than ever. Great signing.

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Fabregas will surely do better than Cleverley in a 2 man midfield Ed004!

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{Ed004's Note - You'd hope so for 30 or so +mill he'd cost}

I agree ed there must have been some signs about fabregas last year, but like you say with mata now here I just don't think he's what we need . I think a herrera and carvalho pairing would be magic, and both got youth on their side ;-) carvalho sitting giving herrera a chance to do his thing . although I wouldn't moan about kroos coming in either . but as you can all tell i'm a big herrera fan lol ;-) think he'd just be perfect for our team .

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26 Apr 2014 15:05:33
I am worried will pick favouritism over talent and what is really needed.

I Would like a fresh manager with giggs as number two, giving giggs full time job then it not working out so soon could ruin his legacy with our club.


We will sing 2 stellar players the rest will be unknowns or up and coming stars, getting rid of 8 players as the media is saying won't happen and if it does is extremely dangerous

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26 Apr 2014 14:56:46
If Giggs win all four. Another achivement. Be the only manager in Utd history with 100% record. Its funny. Wish to see some smile. The thing that hurt me the most this season is the lack of enjoyment

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26 Apr 2014 14:01:15
Giggs, Giggs will tear you apart.


firmly in the Giggs camp! Mancunian true red.

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26 Apr 2014 13:51:58
A couple of reports suggesting that United have given up on Mangala accepting that he will move to City. Would be interesting to see who comes in as a center back signing for us. We know Moyes wanted Mangala and Ginter but both look to be heading elsewhere.

Could Garay finally sign for us?

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{Ed004's Note - Hopefully}

I watched Mangala this season and although great potential he has been prone to some mistakes and is inconsistent. But, that is expected from a young center back.

We need players who will hit the ground running.

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RF, would you go for Garay? Garay as the experienced CB who could slot straight in? Rumours that we could look to Kjaer as a back-up CB.

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Garay would be my first option.

I remember Kjaer being linked with a lot of big clubs around 4 years back when he was at Palermo. Never heard of him since then.


Also if we miss out on Shaw what do people think of Dejan Lovren?

Obviously Soton won't sell us two defenders at the same time(not to mention our apparent interest in Lallana as well) but I think Dejan Lovren can be a decent buy around the 12-15 million mark.

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26 Apr 2014 13:45:31
Does anyone find it odd with us supposedly close to finalising with LVG that fergie comes out with a statement saying giggs is the right man for the job.

I can not ever remember us as a club handling things so poorly like we have in the last 1 1/2 and it makes y wonder what on earth is going on.

Trevor francis on Aljazeera is saying the next manager will need to get rid of the older players who are coming to the end of their playing careers and are a poison chalice and a bad influence on the younger players who want to be there and play.

I am just speechless how we seem to be one public relation disaster after another.

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Apparently SAF wants Giggs to succeed this next manager in three year's time.

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Fergie actually said Giggs is the right man to take us to the end of the season.

Trevor Francis knows nothing.

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Trevor and myself would get on like an house on fire then Carloto eh :)

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Thanks, the media is misquoting him then and making it sound like he is endorsing him for the job now.

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You would Syd until you had differing opinions then neither of you would ever back down.

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Carloto, I disagree :)

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26 Apr 2014 12:43:12
I'm not asking to get banned but does Ed002 work for The Guardian? Recent articles looking very similar to Ed's longer red write-ups.
Regardless, interesting words being written about Woodward wanting a superstar regardless of said position not being the most in need of fixing.
Also positive stuff about contingency players in place this time if first choices don't go through. Let's hope by contingency they don't mean Heskey and Ireland.

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The Guardian have said that MU have agreed a deal for Shaw.

Ed002 has made it very clear that no such deal has been agreed.

There is no similarities in this case.

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26 Apr 2014 12:39:16
@Ed002

Now that Barcelona can sign players until the appeal process is completed, has the situation with Fabregas changed?

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{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what answer you are looking for.}

@Ed002

There are rumors that we have revived our interest in Fabregas. With their transfer ban, I would have expected them to not sell him, but now that they can complete some deals, is there a possibility that a deal can be done?

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{Ed002's Note - They might well sell, but I am not aware on MU interest.}

RF, I wouldn't rule out an Oezil/Cesc swap. I know swaps are rare, but Barcelona have an interest in Oezil and Cesc will always interest AW. If rumours of Oezil being unhappy are true (unconfirmed), then could they swap? Unlikely perhaps, but stranger things have happened.

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I wouldn't see it being likely to be honest Syd. I think we have the best chance of Cesc, I don't see him going back to Arsenal - there main interest is Draxler and I don't think Ozil will leave.

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26 Apr 2014 11:50:18
Getting slightly worried about some of the press reports, particularly an opinion piece in the Times this morning. I know much of it might not be true but DM moving on dies not fix everything. EW is still very inexperienced, the suggestion is we are now obsessed with stellar names, irrespective of whether they fix any issues. Losing SAF was a huge blow, losing David Gill was also a big loss. Cavani is a good example, great player but where will we play him? Right now, left back and midfield and desperate. Last summer's window was a car crash and now we have the crass handling of the DM dismissal. I hope we are appointing LVG as he will be very clear what he wants, he has a philosophy, and he will input as to who he wants. The thought of a bunch of signings being made without any though to where and how they will play is staggering. Last summer, we seemed to be bidding like a monkey with a machine gun. I really hope there is some considered thought being applied here.

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A bit like buying mata when we had kagawa and rooney?

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That's the problem and obvious worry with the owners and wooden head they know nothing or care about football, about united, about the fans and how to run a football club.

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It's very important that we buy players who play in the positions that we need to strengthen. We need a top CB, LB, probably two CM's and a left sided creative player. That's five improvements needed. We have got to get it right this summer.

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Lol jred.

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Don't think there is any need to worry united will have learnt a lot of lessons from the series of event. We will come back stronger playing the style of football associated with utd

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I agree with Acker it is when a great team comes back that's when its at its best, we will sign the five players Sydney said I think Shaw and Carvalho Garary are nailed on and two or three others in the pipe line, one thing is for sure the worm will turn next season if the team is not heavily invested in which I have no doubt it will be this summer even though it should of happened last season, this season no excuses the next guy won't be a patsy he has to be the one let's hope Giggs can become a great manager for us I think he can be guided to a Pep G like dynasty

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Katef

Sydney is great at jumping on the bandwagon. 2 months ago he was friarly in the camp that shaw is going to chelsea.

Garay is not in any way or form nailed. All things have changed since moyes sacking. Shaw was his no 1 target.

I believe we were going to bid for reus but now not sure how we will conduct transfers.

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Shahram, what have I got to do with Kate's post? Why are you replying to Kate about me? What has me believing Shaw is favourite to go to Chelsea two month's ago got to do with Kate's post? Very odd.

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Sydney

My bad I misread Kate's post.

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I thought you did, I thought you may have thought that I was saying we will sign Garay, Shaw etc etc.

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26 Apr 2014 10:56:15
Dutch media is reporting "Van Gaal to United is a done deal". Maybe Sydney! will get this prediction right after all his terrible luck at predictions in the past?

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LvG to MU was not my prediction. Of course he was a favourite, but I was passing on what other credible journalists were saying. The same journalists who said Moyes will get the sack, which he did.

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Even though it's been denied it's looks like it is going to happen

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Let's hope so, not my ideal choice but better than this state of being a rudderless ship. Another summer transfer market screw up will be very difficult to accept.

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25 Apr 2014 22:58:19
Ed 002, can you give us a time scale in your opinion we can expect a new manager to be appointed. Obviously with the World Cup coming up it makes things with LvG a bit of a ball ache. In your opinion are we looking at maybe 7-10 days or would you expect to be after the seasons finished?

Also, do you think there is any chance of Giggs getting the job full time? For me this would be disasterous.

Thanks ed

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{Ed002's Note - Have you searched on "timescales".}

26 Apr 2014 10:07:57
To ALL of the Editors:
I want to register an official complaint about the site. Whilst I greatly appreciate all the work you do, I feel your conduct today has ben very disappointing, and has caused me PHYSICAL HARM :(
I just logged on in anticipation of more great banter, and inadvertently noticed the title of todays's poll : "Is t ok to disagree wit Sydney!?"
This is when my ordeal began. Upon reading that, I burst into hysterical laughter, accompanied by uncontrollable shoulder shaking. This caused me to upset my breakfast tray into my lap, sending my Honey Nut Cheerios one way, and my hot mug of Earl Grey into my nether regions.
I am now sat here in agony with a full thickness burns to my middle stump, and a pair of glowing plums smothered in Savlon!

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{Ed001's Note - Ed007 is on his way round now to rub ointment in, he volunteered immediately on hearing of your predicament.}

As Sydney is usually wrong it would be a crime not to disagree with him.

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Oh I could so eat a bowl of cheerios right now.

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Looking forwards to that Ed. I will use it as a BONDing session!
See what I did there? lol

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{Ed025's Note - love it betty..

Syd, you don't want these ones mate, I can assure you!

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Betty, you think you had it bad. I was on the roof fitting a new tv aerial when I decided to check the site.

(Only kidding Syd, I love reading your posts!)

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In the end I settled for a bowl of crunchy nut. Coco pops were giving me the eyeball, but I can't eat the kid's coco pops, especially after I have eaten one or two of their easter eggs.

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26 Apr 2014 09:57:48
Haven't really posted much recently as I think most points have been covered by pretty much everyone.

Just wanted to say what a refreshing change to see a manager who looks like managing Manchester United is a pleasure and enjoyable rather than one who looks like he is out of his depth and looks like he is dreading everything.

Moyes was obviously the wrong choice and if, as ed22 keeps saying, the players hounded him out, then I think on this occasion they did the right thing. If the board were not going to sack him then somebody needed to make it clear to them that he was not the right man for the job.

5 million quid for being totally inept at a job isn't something anyone should feel sorry for, and the press who feel sorry for him will move on, it's anything to put united down.

So today, let's hope we have a great day, giggs will instill some enjoyment and passion to the players, but we will still have a weak midfield and no left back, so let not be expecting miracles, especially as Norwich are fighting for their lives.

I can't believe how far backwards moyes took us and just by getting rid of him I am far more positive about the future of the club, so well done to the board for showing some backbone. The next manager has a much easier ride replacing moyes, I would like meulensteen to come back (even just to see him chip the balls into the bag after the warm up, people who go to the games will know what I mean!)

Come on you reds!

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{Ed025's Note - i have no sympathy for moyes either GDS2, and am really looking forward to seeing a giggs united team..

26 Apr 2014 09:30:36
After getting rid of moyes what's the chances of all of the old guard starting today

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What do you mean by old guard? The likes of Evra, Vidic & Carrick all played against BM and have been playing all season under Moyes, do you mean Giggs playing himself? I don't think he will play. I think he may turn up in a suit today and try and force a chance as manager.

Van Persie trained well yesterday apparently, could he get a shock appearance?

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If its true about Gigglesworth opting to use 4-4-2 then who would he play out wide as I don't think he's a fan of attacking midfielders cutting in i.e Mata and Kagawa. Although it'd be nice to see Kagawa play as a second striker behind either Rooney or RvP if he is fit.

Perhaps Januzaj on the left and maybe Nani/Valencia on the right?

Hopefully see a CB pairing of Smalling and Evans, hopefully with Buttner at LB.

Is rafa fit? Hasn't been much news on him lately.

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Don't think Giggs likes Nani, just a hunch from watching them play.

Valencia and Adnan for me, or maybe even Welbeck.

Can't wait for the game, hope we put in a good performance with no fear.

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DB, I think Valencia and Adnan too.

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26 Apr 2014 07:56:11
had a dutch journalist on who is breaking the story over there that deal agreed with Van Gaal over in Portugal at his villa, he will start straight after WC and believes he only needs to spend 100mill to get the team back to its best. the guy knows van gaal and has spoken to him.

What a week, Talk about change.

What looked like a painful end to the season now a set up for us ending on a high, personally i'm happy with that but i'm guessing not as happy as RVP.he will be the PL top scorer nxt season and at least now the scousers will only be borrowing our cup and it will be all the sweeter when we take it back his time nxt year!

Come on Giggsy. i'm going 3-0 today with a great atmosphere. Place will be bouncing. For once i'm getting there early today, I've spent most of the season dreading it! can't wait!

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26 Apr 2014 01:48:12
What TF - all the premier league managers disgusted with Moyes sacking. 7th in the league, going backwards with performances and they want to give Moyes more time. If Moyes was in the top four competing, with some sort of vision then no problem give him time, but how can you give him £100m plus and just hope he gets it right next season. Okay, any next manager is a punt, but that`s what they are trying do - reduce the risk of the next manager being a dud by being business like in their selection. all this cr*p about United now being like every other team. We`re not spurs, arsenal or Liverpool - we're one of the top 4 teams in world football, if a the manger is going in the right direction he will get time to show it.

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Couldn't agree more. i'm also sick of all this sympathy for moyes. He came in and made a cock up of everything.

What I'm looking forward to most is not hearing rooney getting lauded before and after every match.

I hope the brown from rooney's butthole will eventually rub off DM's nose!

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Bestorronnie

I don't recall they were doing as much bleating when Liverpool sacked Hodgson after less time than we gave Moyes and did they all line up like that against Chelsea on a regular basis? Ignore the Liverpool biased press and those who rejoice in our bad times because they wanted Moyes to stay. Ignore managers who moan because they fear their own jobs when their clubs might suddenly think if United got rid of the non performing manager maybe we should. Maybe we didn't handle it perfectly but he had to go and he went, they will get over it, ignore them, let's enjoy, as Giggs said, us playing like Manchester United again. Let's get a top manager in and ignore bleats about poor Saint David.

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{Ed025's Note - i dont think it was that he was sacked red man, as he obviously deserved it, its more the disgraceful way that the senior players in particular plotted his downfall..

You utd fans are so arrogant. "we're not liverpool, arsenal etc etc. we are united and deserve the best. BS attitude" Why? its not a given right to be at the top, it needs to be earned. You have been spoilt by years of stability with (dare I say it) one of the greatest, if not, the greatest modern day managers. about time the bubble burst . welcome to a few years of mediocracy and failing to meet lofty expectations of sweeping all before you.

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That's twice you've (ed025) mentioned the disgraceful way the senior players plotted in Moyes downfall, without elaborating fully. Is it just the players who wanted Moyes out or also the board? Is there a news report, with a timeline of incidents, which identify plotting to overthrow his management, that I've missed? There's an image of Ryan Giggs with his hands in front of his face mwaaahaha-ing, ala mister burns! please elaborate.

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{Ed025's Note - it was the players alone mate, we all know who they were, once the dust settles the truth will out, and hopefully they will get their just desserts..

It's all very well criticising the players and normally I would agree but the players could see what the fans could see, he wasn't right for the club. Seemingly the only ones that couldn't see it were the board. So if it comes down to a choice if the players stabbing him the back OR Moyes remaining in charge and taking us even further backwards, then I take the former. A club like United should have a manager that doesn't allow the players to take claim the power. SAF wouldn't have, Van Gaal wouldn't, Mourinho wouldn't, Guardiola wouldn't and so on. Moyes was just not a strong enough character for the job.

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{Ed025's Note - i agree that he was not strong enough TK, but when the lunatic,s start running the asylum mate..its a very slippery slope..

Tk
Your right all them managers who of got rid of the trouble makers .
I think moyes would of as well this summer

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There was more to it than the players. A reputable report explained how Moyes tried to change the emphasis in the youth from skill to physicality which went against everything SAF had introduced. It did not go down well I can tell you.
The players didn't make comments in press conferences or set tactics.
I am very much into standing behind the manager, but the manager has to have the ability or they will lose the confidence from the team. I have come across the show us your medals attitude of team members and have seen managers floundering as he did and it is almost impossible to pull back. So whilst the players haven't covered themselves in glory the manager has not taken command and led from the front because he didn't have the stature to begin with. Kicking out the ones that caused issues would only have pushed the problem to the next year as the ones to come in could equally have lost confidence in him especially if they were used to playing for a really top coach. It may not have been pretty but they have done us all a favour.

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{Ed025's Note - i can see your point red man, and it goes without saying that he was a poor choice mate, i just would have liked it to come from the top, i think thats the way it should be..

I don't know who the players were, can you tell me?

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{Ed025's Note - if you dont carloto i would be surprised, the media do,so i suggest you read up on it mate..

Moyes may very well have shipped those players out in the summer but whether their conduct was inappropriate or not, these are seasoned professionals who have known what is required at Manchester United. I also think that a manager has to earn the right to make those decisions, whether it be by getting results at his current club or from having a proven track record at that level before he joined the club. It's been said many a time that the step up was just too big for him and perhaps the players could see that. If players, who have served United loyally and with distinction, felt this was the only option then I would take their word. David Moyes has never done anything to earn my trust with regards to my team and I'm sure other United fans feel the same.

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Carloto, I can name the player who the media have said there were rifts with. None of us were there when it happened so we don't know for sure, but Vidic, Ferdinand, Giggs, Van Persie, Carrick & Welbeck all had disagreements with the manager. Hernandez & Kagawa were not happy either but remained professional (if the media reports are true).

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Tk
Lets just hope the players like the next manager.

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TK, I feel the same. I don't think he had the respect he needed from the start. No credentials.

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Redman

"A reputable report explained how Moyes tried to change the emphasis in the youth from skill to physicality which went against everything SAF had introduced. It did not go down well I can tell you."

you are making stuff up, go ahead and post this reputable report and hope the eds allow it.

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GCU
From Manchesters main newspaper
"David Moyes cut holes in his own safety net at United by attempting to change the Reds’ academy style.
Back in the grim days of 1989 when Alex Ferguson’s Old Trafford future as United boss came under increasingly intense scrutiny and the support was losing patience on the terraces, his back-the-scenes groundwork with the youth system bought security.

Largely unseen at that point by the match-going fan, Fergie was revamping the club’s neglected youth policy and scouting network.

Having learned of neighbours City’s win in the FA Youth Cup over United in 1986 before his arrival from Aberdeen and seen the fact that Maine Road was hoovering up many of the best local talent, Ferguson set about shifting the balance back to the Reds being the main attraction for the best kids in the area.

Les Kershaw was brought on board to head the scouting system and old boys Nobby Stiles and Brian Kidd were employed as youth team coaches.

The spirit of the Busby Babes era blossomed as United began to take command of Manchester and the Class of ‘92 was the first major public success when they triumphed over Leeds and won the 1993 FA Youth Cup.

As well as discovering the nuggets, the youth team staff had to teach a style of play that was to run through the whole club, from the youngest apprentices to the most senior players. They were educated in the United style.

It was because of that background strategy that the United board, made up of chairman Martin Edwards and directors Sir Bobby Charlton, Maurice Watkins and Michael Edelson, never ever discussed the possibility of sacking Fergie in the late 80s despite poor league results and fans beginning to call for his head.

The youth policy was Fergie’s safety net.

Unfortunately it is understood that Moyes effectively tampered with his own job security by attempting to produce a more athletic next generation with less emphasis on ball skills.

A number of the staff working with the younger players were uneasy about the change and a good few entrenched in Fergie’s ways of developing the academy players wondered if they would get the call to Moyes’ office to discover their P45s on the table.

In the end it was the manager who got the bullet and with concerns over how things were changing on the youth development side, Moyes didn’t have the safety net Fergie had created for himself over a quarter of a century ago when results were not going his way."

Enjoy that GCU?

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26 Apr 2014 01:41:58
Re Giggs I think most of us completely overlook the organisational, administrative work that comes with managing a club. Not to mention the transfer market. Its not just picking teams and giving half time talks. It worries me that he has never done any of those. Maybe with a director of football and a restructure he MIGHT be a good head coach. Obviously I would Love to be wrong

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Well has he's only got 4 games and 2.5 weeks I think he'll cope.

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Well he's sat through over a thousand team talks and Half Time talks so I would guess he's got a fair idea of what is needed and when!

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Sorry I meant as a permanent role he may not ready for all it entails. i'm sure he'll be fine for 4 games too

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26 Apr 2014 00:13:27
Really impressed with Giggs today at the press conference, he has taken the bull by the horns, the passion that we were missing over the past number of months is back.
Tomorrows game has a cup final feel to it, it's a long time that I've been looking forward to a game with any sort of confidence.
Any of ye that are going to it are blessed.
Hope you really enjoy it, the atmosphere will be truly amazing.
Come on United!

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Same here. It's been awhile now since I really looked forward to a United match. It may not be a spectacle but I am expecting the lads to at least try to put on a show. Our football has been dismal this season, even more disappointing than the results, and I get the feeling that many are expecting glimpses of our past today. Ryan loved the charge forward, so let's hope we see some of this in the next few weeks!

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