Manchester United Banter Archive July 26 2014

26 Jul 2014 23:13:41
Roma:
Good for the team to see how tactically how teams may try to push pack the 3-5-2 with wingers pushed up high as Roma did.

A game of individual moments for the goals (Rooney, Pjanic), though Rooney's chip and Mata's touch and chip were nice to see.

None of the young players were that impressive today. Nani looks like he wants to go. And poor Tom Cleverley - first half, he can't tackle, second half he can't pass, same as always. Young and Chicharito with a few shocking decisions as well.

Second half I thought Kagawa and Smalling played well. Kagawa looks like he can run the midfield, and Smalling looked assertive.

Agree with everything aside from last line. Smalling looked ropey to me, couple of last ditch slides to get himself out of trouble (which he created himself). Kagawa was anonymous aside from when he was giving the ball away. I like him but he is too lightweight and we lose presence in midfield when he is on, but again with Nani & Young as outlets it is difficult.

Cleverley had a poor game, but that was on account of our wing backs being very lazy and not switched on to making option. We looked very disjointed.

26 Jul 2014 22:37:36
Is this the same Roma team that beat the might Liverpool a few days ago?;-) lol.

26 Jul 2014 23:17:31
Shappy,you sound like a classic liverpool fan there. Looking for one-upmanship via proxy. Snap out of it ;)

BornIntoIt, I posted that just before Pjanic scored. I then spent the rest of the game in panic mode thinking what a t*t I may have made myself look. Fortunately the lads held on for the win. lol.

26 Jul 2014 22:04:05
A few real quality players in key positions, with this system and, yip you got it. WERE BACK,! :)

26 Jul 2014 22:00:03
Wow that rooney goal was insane, I have a feeling he will have a terrific season.

26 Jul 2014 21:52:26
Wow the players really look like the want to play and Wayne Rooney has scored the first and created the second

26 Jul 2014 20:24:55
Wow, apparently RM and PSG have agreed a €65m deal for Di Maria, don't get me wrong it's not our money so I couldn't care less about spending it, but damn, PSG only offered €20m for him last summer. Crazy money and no doubt they need to offload one or two stars. Who should we try to buy? Cavani? Moura? Veratti? Thoughts?

I'm so glad he's gone to PSG and not OT. It's insane to think that James Rodriguez didn't cost much more.

I expect they'll be selling Cavani and Moura/Lavezzi to balance the books.

Would take Verrati and Moura.

Matuidi is a good player imo and could be a good alternative if we can't get Vidal.

Crazy money and in the current set up I don't see how he would fit for us. Future years as a 433 maybe.
Personally the more I read about Veratti the more I like.not sure he would be massively cheaper than Vidal but his stats (all be it in a weak league) do look good.

I think James cost €90m.

Out of all of them I would have Lavezzi as he can play wide or as a forward meaning he would work well in this new system. I wouldn't touch Cavani, I really think he is very very poor and Verratti isn't what we need right now.

Would love to see Lavezzi though.

Syd - I thought he cost €75 million? That equates to a Bebe and a Di Maria!

26 Jul 2014 23:36:55
Verratti if Vidal doesn't sign. Verratti to sit back and allow Herrera to go forward more, that'd be a decent pairing.

£71m I think R7.

26 Jul 2014 19:51:27
Who would have thought that Cleverley would captain the team. LVG is going to keep everybody guessing who the captain is going to be when the season starts.

Think it's purely because he is one of the only players that will play 90 mins tonight, that and LVG is trying to give him some confidence, hope he does well because even if we sign another CM we will still need cover every now and then

26 Jul 2014 17:49:11
If we have fixed targets in mind for this summer, I still think we should buy Memphis Depay and loan him back to PSV for a season. I think next season there could be a few clubs financially better off and will snap him up?

A lot of talk of Vidal and Turan etc, but would like some activity on CB

Looking forward to tonight's match more stern a test! :)

26 Jul 2014 16:33:47
once I've finished working 8am to 8pm in this heat I am going home to shower n chill out with a bear to watch us play roma on mutv.

I hope van gaal philosophy is there to see and we do well against a strong roma side.

Transfer wise I think we may see a signing next week, potentially a player with some experience for defence and if that's vermaelen so be it as I believe under van gaal he will be quality

26 Jul 2014 17:12:40
Bloody hell mate, wouldn't be posting that around the internet, you'll have RSPCA on your case if you're lodging a bear!

Ps. Does it bite? ;)

{Ed007's Note - Up here a 'bear' is a The Rangers supporter, cuddling up to one of them can be very dangerous - I'd rather drink John McCririck's bath water!}

Look out mate, bears can be quite moody.

26 Jul 2014 17:16:43
Is the Bear a United fan too?

Be carefull man, bears can b pretty dangerous :)

Let's hope it's not a grizzly evening.

Jeez Big V hope its a cuddly one!
Patrick

Chill out with a bear? Jesus! I'd settle for a beer personally

With a BEAR?! Sounds pretty damn dangerous!

Careful with the bear. they can be aggressive!

I don't think you can chill out with a bear or is that what you call the missus? I'm sure she's a lovely woman!

Can't wait for this match more of a test than the last one may even chill out with a liger myself!

26 Jul 2014 17:47:40
Baloo or Paddington?

Only kidding mate. Hope works got good air con

" I am going home to shower n chill out with a bear" Big V

I won't judge you V.

I can't bear this.

Come on guys, leave Big V alone, so what if he enjoys the company of big hairy guys, each to their own I always say.

Haha lol I once seen a bear and it went into hiding its call kloot l

26 Jul 2014 19:30:50
Relax everyone, it's his teddy bear, perfectly normal.

26 Jul 2014 15:02:43
I think we will have to sign 1 player from each category to be challenging for the title

In that order of preference of players
CB : Hummels, De Vrij, Vermaelen
CM : Vidal, Strootman, Khedira(?)
Left sided Squad player : Blind, Vertonghen


It would be ok if we do not sign any attacking player in this window, but I believe we need to sign 1 player for each of the above mentioned positions.


Also just a thought and I know people will murder me for this, but can Cleverley play as a right sided wing back as a backup for Rafael?
He is a decent crosser and is quick, if LvG can work on his defending he can be a good player in that position.

Prepare to be murdered. Cleverley(give me a break) we are meant to be looking towards the future.
I would'nt trust Cleverley to wash my car.

Khedira? didn't we have a offer rejected on deadline day last summer?

what about modric surley will struggle to make the madrid team now they have got kroos and james.

I believe it will be Modric and Kroos sitting, Alonso has been getting progressively worse for some time now and illaramendi hasn't lived up to the hype

Mufc90 absolutely no doubt in my mind. I'd take Modric ahead of Khedira but would he be too similar to Herrera?

26 Jul 2014 13:28:46
Hello everyone

Long time reader, first time poster. Thought i'd introduce myself and say hello!
Im from Manchester and been a fan since the early 90's. Love the site from the ridiculous rumours to the intelligent posts. Think the eds do a belting job an some of the banter is top class! Going to try and get a bit more involved with the discussions, however have absolutely no inside knowledge unfortunately! Quite good friends with John Deehan for those who are old enough to remember him. He got me a top signed by the whole squad from Fergies last year through Eric Steele which was ace!

Enough rambling let's hope for a fruitful season with LvG at the helm!

Welcome dev :)

26 Jul 2014 12:49:32
I know it's not united related but what the hell is going on at Southampton? Are they in debt badly or something? I feel sorry for there fans, after last season I would suspect Southampton fans would of been of the opinion that maybe they could challenge for a Europa league spot, then within a few months they lose their manager, shaw, Lallana, lambert, lovren, chambers, possibly schneiderlain maybe more? I think they could be in a relegation fight next season, I hope there not as I fink many neutrals like Southampton. Has anyone got any info onto why this has all suddenly happened there, I actually thought they had a wealthy owner

Cheers in advance

Katharina Liebherr the daughter of the guy who brought them to the Premier league along with their Cheif Exec has no desire to continue with Southampton. Nicola Cortese quit last year because he knew Katharina wanted to asset strip and sell the club.
Which is essentially what we are seeing

{Ed007's Note - {Ed001's Note - it is neither. They had a sugar daddy who put a chief exec, Cortese, in place with a remit to run the club with the aim of achieving European football. It was almost an open cheque book, with the club spending a lot of money on infrastructure, including an excellent training ground, players' wages and bonuses etc.

Unfortunately Markus Liebherr died, leaving the club to a foundation which is in the hands of his children. They want to run the club as a business, and are not willing to sink their own money into something they have no interest in. Initially they just left it to Cortese to run while they sorted out their dad's affairs. Then they started to look into the club, they found that Cortese was spending far more than the club was making, plus making verbal promises on bonuses that would mean the club's debt would increase etc.

So they removed him from his position and started to cut back on spending, including player bonuses, in an attempt to set the club back on track. The lack of bonuses upset the players, hence senior ones being desperate to leave, the lack of ambition compounded the problem. They have brought in a manager who is happy to run the club on a tight budget and try to utilise the youth academy players as much as possible.

Now they are just selling up those who are unhappy to reduce the debt, provide funds for spending and to put towards future expansion of the ground. I am not sure if their long term plan is to set the club straight and then sell, or if they just want to run it as a long term stable business. Either way, they have decided to take the short term route to financial stability and hope that it doesn't lead to relegation. }

Ah cheers for the reply ed. I bet the fans are gutted

26 Jul 2014 11:36:07
A true United legend. Thanks for the memories.

Bebe, you will be missed

At least he goes with a great story to tell the grandkids.
"I got rich never playing for Man Utd"
lol

26 Jul 2014 10:37:05
Story now is that juve want the vidal deal done by 2nd August before they leave for an Asian tour. Second time I've heard that. Someone else posted a 5th August date before

Would be great if we got him he is just what we need but if we don't we don't! If he really wants to play for the reds they he will come . If he is not bothered who he plays for other than money champs league etc then he can F --f!

26 Jul 2014 10:32:02
Would you all be happy with a fit strootman ,depay and de vrij or will everyone be disappointed unless its vidal,di maria and hummels?

For me I'd be happy with the top list ,all an improvement on what we have and added to this a manager that knows what he's doing ,our player's were never as bad as where moyes dragged them to last year

Strootman and Depay certainly would be great, but personally I think we need a more experienced centre back than De Vrij. Also with all the rumours about Vidal, hopefully we'll sign him.

26 Jul 2014 08:26:17
Looks like Cleverly under the microscope tonight as he's down to play 90 minutes vs Roma (as is Blackett: being considered as LB understudy?)

Does Cleverly have 90 minutes to play for his Utd future? And if he fails, will that signal the signing of a new CM?

Glad that Powell in the states: hope he gets a run out tonight also.

(And what a great way to come back at Mourinho's mind games about signing Shaw: LVG sounds like a strict teacher who wants to "speak" to a naughty pupil after class. )

I think Blackett will play left CB like in the last game. With our complete lack of midfielders I find it hard to believe we would sell Cleverley. Unless we sign a couple more I think it would be madness to sell any of our midfielders.

Well I sure hope Cleverly's performance tonight is not the deciding factor in signing a new CM. He doesn't look up to it IMO. And never has. Not good in the tackle, no real eye for goal and so on. Anything but a complete midfield player. Would be great to see him improve under van Gaal but over the course of a season we definitely need better options in the middle.

I am expecting an August bid for Strootman. Pardoe called it the other day. I think he may be right.

26 Jul 2014 10:53:20
Think you're right: he hinted at it in latest pre-match press conference.

Strootman and Herrera in CM would be a great platform for us to build on.

Roma have said 2 things today.
1 strootman hasn't started running yet
2 he will not be leaving this season.

Jred, I hope we haven't dropped our interest in Vidal for Strootman, but only one of your points are relevant here and it's not point number 2. At Roma every player has their price. Whether we like it or not LvG will be buying Strootman at some stage, I just hope it's not at the expense of Vidal.

Don't get me wrong I am praying we get Vidal and not Strootman instead, but just because we don't want it to happen, doesn't mean it won't. LvG's press conference today said it all for me. Strootman will also have little issue forcing himself out of Roma. I think our only saving grace is Strootman's fitness, but I think he's more advanced than expected so it's given the manager something to think about. Like I said I am praying we go for Vidal still.

Syd"
Strootman I can judge. He is injured for more than six months. We have to wait and see how he comes back. It is not easy to say how he comes back from injury, but we will wait and see.' Lvg

At the moment he hasn't even started running so I would be amazed if we try to sign him in august but time will tell

26 Jul 2014 02:42:41
Hi was just wondering seeing that Conte left juve, surely vidal was/is close to leaving?

26 Jul 2014 00:01:28
Well, this transfer madness has been a bit overwhelming.
So stepping aside from it and with the season coming up, let's make some predictions.

1) who will win the league?
I think Chelsea( obviously want united to win!)

2) who will be topscorer?
RVP or Aguero

3) Uniteds best player?
Herrera

4) where will United finish?
3rd

5) surprise team?
Newcastle

6) who will prove to be the best signing?
Sanchez, zarate or Herrera.

7) Who will prove to be the signing that never lived to there reputation?
Lallana or Costa

8) the team that didn't live to there reputation?
QPR ( the amount of signings they will make)

This is just somthing differant and I am just guessing! I would like to hear everyone else's opinions.

26 Jul 2014 00:49:35
1/City
2/RVP
3/RVP
4/3rd
5/Hull
6/Herrera
7/Markovic
8/Qpr

1) who will win the league?
Chelski

2) who will be topscorer?
Rooney

3) Uniteds best player?
Herrera

4) where will United finish?
3rd if we sign a few more players. 5th if we stay as we are.

5) surprise team?
Stoke City

6) who will prove to be the best signing?
Herrera

7) Who will prove to be the signing that never lived to there reputation?
Lallana

8) the team that didn't live to there reputation?
Southampton

Who will win the league?
man utd

who will be top scorer?
van persie

uniteds best player?
mata

surprise team?
man utd to all the clowns who have written us off after one bad season

best signing?
herrera

who will prove to the signing that never lived up to there reputation?
diego costa

the team that didn't live to there reputation?
man city, I think they will finish 4th behind us, chelsea and arsenal which will be devastating to financial fair play rule breakers.

sounds biased but I truly believe ever thing I've said!!

26 Jul 2014 03:58:39
1) Man Utd
2) RVP
3) Vidal ;)
4) 3rd
5) Man Utd
6) Vidal
7) Fabregas
8) Liverpool

26 Jul 2014 04:33:05
1. City
2. Aguero
3. Mata
4. 4th
5. Newcastle
6. Herrera
7. Fabregas
8. QPR

1. Chelsea to win league : (
2. Top scorer: Costa
3. Utd's best player: Rooney
4. Utd to finish 2nd
5. Surprise team: Hull
6. Best signing? Herrera
7. Underachieving signing: Rio Ferdinand
8. Not live up to reputation: Leicester

1) who will win the league?
Chelsea

2) who will be topscorer?
Rooney

3) Uniteds best player?
Of the players we currently have Herrera, but I do feel LVG will sign someone who a lot will be very under-whelmed about but will turn out to be excellent (maybe De Vrij or Strootman?).

4) where will United finish?
3rd

5) surprise team?
Newcastle

6) who will prove to be the best signing?
Siem De Jong for the the Geordies

7) Who will prove to be the signing that never lived to there reputation?
Fabregas

8) the team that didn't live to there reputation?
City

R7, you will get some very good odds on Rooney being top goalscorer and it's not completely out of the question with us playing two strikers.

Remy cabella is a decent shout for signing of the season considering his price. My other answers are pretty much the same as everyone else.

1) League Winners - Chelsea

2) Top Scorer - Van Persie or Aguero

3) Man United Player of the Year - Vidal

4) Man United League finish - 3rd

5) Surprise Good Team - West Ham

6) Best Signing - Vidal

7) Worst Signing - Ferdinand

8) Surprise Bad Team - Swansea

1) Chelsea
2) RVP
3) Herrera/mata
4) top 4
5) Leicester
6) Sanchez
7) Costa
8) Liverpool

1) League Winners - City, sadly

2) Top Scorer - whoever stays fittest of Van Persie or Aguero

3) United's best player - Herrera

4) Man United League finish - 3rd

5) Surprise Good Team - Newcastle and/or Sunderland

6) Best Signing - Herrera, Sanchez or Siem de Jong

7) Worst Signing - Markovitch & the two big money strikers West Ham & West Brom have bought

8) Surprise Bad Team - Villa could really go down this season. Hopefully 'Pool