Manchester United Banter Archive July 26 2015

26 Jul 2015 22:15:23
Is it just me or is anybody else getting worried how Herrera getting used in this preseason so far I don't think van gaal rates him he would be the first person on my team sheet

26 Jul 2015 22:58:02
I reckon he will be a dead cert to start first few games. van gaal probably has him chomping at the bit. Have faith.

26 Jul 2015 23:01:58
I think with the midfielders we have now Schneiderlin and carrick would be the first names on my team sheet. I'm not sure there is a place for herrera in the formation we have been playing, if we went more 4-3-3 I think he would be the third man in the 3, obviously with schweinsteiger as well we have brilliant options in there and a tricky choice for lvg.

26 Jul 2015 23:25:06
GDS2 surely having Carrick and schneiderlin can only bring out the best in Herrera in the 433 formation. having those two doing all the donkey work frees him up to link up with the front three I hope I'm wrong but I think he's going to be on the bench a lot this year

26 Jul 2015 21:20:20
One thing I haven't seen much on here today is how well Mata played last night vs Barcelona!

Several times I have seen him link up with Depay, Rooney or even Darmain at points and he took on a fair few players using quick, pacey one-twos. He also set up a great counter with Darmain, to then switch play to Young who had a shot saved by Ter Stegen.

Would also like to emphasise how excited I am for Depay to grow at this club, he shows so much strength and skill when holding the ball. His pace is also ridiculously fast.

Just need a strong CB and I think this squad will be good enough to challenge for the league.

{Ed004's Note - We need a cb and Di Maria replacement currently. I think De Gea will probably leave so he needs replaced as well. However Mata was very good last night and hopefully we get to see Depay play wide left soon}

26 Jul 2015 21:37:51
Otamendi and Jasper Cilissen are my picks.

I would also love us to get lucas from PSG in return of the Di Maria purchase, however that's more than unlikely to happen, despite our previous interest.

Any idea on who the Di Maria replacement might be ed?

26 Jul 2015 21:42:44
Completely agree, depay, mata and Rooney all showing promising signs of a good cominbation.

27 Jul 2015 10:21:34
Crucify me if you wish but I actually though Mata wasn't great. Despite how much we like him as a player, to me he showed he is no winger. 80% of the time when he gets the ball he does a 180 degree swivel and stalls play, probably a good technique when you lack pace but it is unfortunate when you have runners making the incisive darts. He also didn't track Alba's runs the way Young did on the opposite flank. Darmian on the other hand is the Italian Gary Neville and it was good to see a real defender play RB.

27 Jul 2015 11:32:16
Think mbd has a point. I'm a big Mata fan and though he played a few good one-two's and switches, he seemed too slow and lost out as a result, maybe it was a combination of barca's pressing and pre-season fitness or whatever, but I think he needs to quicken his thought process and execution when he receives the ball, else he'll be found wanting against teams which press hard.

26 Jul 2015 20:49:15
Just a quick post about Pedro as he seems to be the flavour of the month now we've been linked to him. Saw some interesting stats about him: in 35 league games he managed 6 goals and 6 assists as well as creating 25 chances. Admittedly most of his appearances were as substitutions, and he only played around 1500 minutes of league football this year, however I still look at these stats and feel a bit underwhelmed. Especially if you think about how many goals barca scored in the league. For me he's in the same ilk as navas and he hasn't exactly set the league alight.

A lot of people bang on about how he fits lvg's 'philosophy' more than adm, and that for me means we want conservative players that would rather pass the ball backwards than look for an inventive pass forwards or take a player on all in the name of posession. If that's the case then we have the perfect player for our philosophy in Antonio Valencia, and we all know what the general consensus is on him.

I think spending £25m or so on Pedro (who by the way is 27 and relies mostly on his pace, so how much longer can he be effective at the top level?) would be a waste and I would much rather give chances to Adnan, Lingard and Pereira. They are perfectly capable back up to young/mata/Valencia/depay(?) and they all could turn out to be a top player. Look at Kane last year, unheard of until he got a chance.

If anyone has been an avid viewer of Barcelona this year and want to correct me I'd love to hear your views.

26 Jul 2015 21:29:38
RedAndy94

I am as underwhelmed as you. I don't understand why we would want Pedro. Ok if ADM is going then we need someone at the level we expected from ADM, Bale, Reus or Griezman. Pedro is decent but surely this is not the surprise we have been waiting for?

26 Jul 2015 21:50:44
redman

You talk like we are replacing a key player, he was a bit player all last year and will not be missed. it is not CR07 we are selling but a player who can't get in the team when young is available.

26 Jul 2015 22:15:13
GCU
he didn't say replace adm, he said we have to get someone to do what we expected from adm when he initially came.

26 Jul 2015 22:21:55
GCU

I am talking about buying the player ADM should have been for us , the type if player the club identified as needed. I don't see Pedro as an equivalent level to what we should have in our team. We lack some quality especially in the centre of defence and up front. Putting the onus on Rooney and Deepay is a big risk.
The top teams have that special player, Barca three of them but we lack one. My point is that if the club and LvG want to have that level of player then Pedro isn't it. However someone like Bale or Reus is. I could see the benefit of buying a player like Bale but Pedro? No.

27 Jul 2015 09:21:40
Exactly imightbesomeone thank you

27 Jul 2015 16:22:31
I don't think we need a left sided player, the right side and valencia has been an issue since beckham left. So for me ADM leaving is a non event as we have plenty dow the left with depay, young and janusaj can play there also.

Lets be honest ADM looked like a headless chicken and so out of control and honest to god i am thankful PSG are stupid enough to fork that kind of money for him but then again they paid 50 mill for luiz LOL.

26 Jul 2015 19:03:23
With ADM seemingly with one foot out of the door, who do you think should be given the no.7 shirt next season, does it have to be a big name signing or is there someone in our current squad who could live up to the expectation?

{Ed004's Note - Probably Depay}

26 Jul 2015 19:47:14
I say give it to no one right now. that iconic shirt is too heavy. Rather give it as a prize to one who puts a deserving shift week in and week out.

26 Jul 2015 19:57:28
Schweinsteiger wears 7 for Germany.

26 Jul 2015 21:20:06
no one gets that number i would think. it hash been a disappointment on so many occasions in the last few seasons and i would think you should earn it before they give it to you.

27 Jul 2015 11:37:12
Redatheart, like valencia, who subsequently gave it back?

Give it to Depay. lad looks like he has the big brass ones needed to wear that jersey.

26 Jul 2015 16:34:42
Lvg seems to be hammering home the message of needing a left/right foot balance at CB. As we seem to be more, settled with our current Right footed players (Jones/Smalling) does that mean we are barking up the wrong tree with Ramos/otemandi. Seems only Hummels has been linked as a left footer.
Just a thought!

26 Jul 2015 17:00:18
Rojo is left footed.

26 Jul 2015 17:34:25
Hummels is right footed, but very good with his left foot.

26 Jul 2015 17:39:40
Hummels is right footed

26 Jul 2015 17:45:09
Indigo Martinez?

26 Jul 2015 18:54:54
I don't agree with this whole left foot and right foot cb's it's daft. For years we had vidic and Ferdinand who where both right footed and I don't recall anybody moaning about unbalanced defenders then. How many clubs in the world have one left footed cb and one right footed?

26 Jul 2015 19:25:08
Haha. cheers chaps. Shows me i should not believe everything I read!! I was playing down Ramos as being right footed even though he has played left side a decent amount.
My point i guess is that Smalling seems to be LVG's choice (based on last year making him one of the captains) so I would imagine our priority would be left sided players.
I think certain players can play either side and be competent on there left but LVG seems to be making a big deal about it so wondered if there are some other players we need to consider.in the same vein as his comments on strikers not being in the ones being discussed

26 Jul 2015 15:07:21
If we sell di Maria, Evans and Rafael, leaving us with a trading surplus for the summer and a reduced payroll, and start using Lingard, Januzaj, and Pereira, doesn't that completely negate Wenger's criticism that United are a) trying to buy their way to success, and b) leaving behind our traditions of youth development? I think so. In fact I'd go so far as to say LVG is clearly trying to re-establish those traditions with the average age of the squad looking like it's coming down.

26 Jul 2015 16:15:36
Shawthing there is no point predicting right now let's wait and watch during the entire season whether LvG plays the youngsters or not.

26 Jul 2015 18:16:10
I mean how crazy a notion is that, it's not like you've brought Fellaini, Mata, Di Maria, Rojo, Blind, Shaw, Depay, Schweinsteiger, Darmian, Schneiderlin, loaned in Falcoa on huge wages and are still probably going to buy a CB, ST and a goalkeeper.

Just a ridiculous notion but what ever makes you feel good I guess.

26 Jul 2015 18:44:00
Lol marcellus I wouldn't have mention falcao but we have earne the right to buy who ever we want. Russian oil has been your best player for your success

26 Jul 2015 18:45:48
Is it that time of year already Mr Wallace i was only thinking about you last week when i watched Pulp Fiction again .That scene in the shop cellar always brings tears to eyes( with laughter) .Going to beat you lot this year dude in everything

26 Jul 2015 18:58:15
So that'll be a yes then. It's all in the colour of the ball Bfro, hence the name. ;-)

26 Jul 2015 19:14:03
Mr Wallace whilst your about; happy with Falcao??

26 Jul 2015 20:14:01
Wallace. Criticism was leveled by Wenger this week. All I'm saying is if you look at this summer, it's not valid, although we may yet make it so by splashing out on someone. Plus there are signs of a restoration of the balance between youth development and acquisition, and that's got to be a good thing.

No one can deny that we have been spending significant money in the previous two years, but then Chelsea and Manchester City both had periods when they needed to do the same in order to get to the top. The trouble at United was that panic set in during Moyes annus horribilis, leading to poor selections and overspending on players who did not resolve the essential weaknesses in the squad.


Whether we're successful this season or not, LVG has laid the ground work for a restoration of United's historical approach, suitably adjusted for the fact that youth development now has to incorporate the recruitment of youngsters from outside the British Isles.

26 Jul 2015 20:54:57
Shaw,

I actually believe Wenger gave an answer to a question that then gets turned into whatever suits the press, not that I care because that is the press.

Your answer still indicates you are buying success at the juncture with the hope that your current crop of youth players will exceed the expectations put on the shoulders of the likes of Cleverley.

We and City alike have been picking up the best talent across Europe for a number of years as Arsenal also continue to do.

You have the luxury of earning large sums of money but you don't at this point seem to be spending so wisely.

To me it appears you are clearly not buying from the top shelf, having been crying out for Fabregas, Kroos, Thiago, Vidal, Hummels, Garay, Bale and the return of Ronaldo you have been left with a lesser quality of player.

26 Jul 2015 13:12:06
What did everyone make of Pedro last night?

A lot of posts this morning saying don't buy a winger/attacking midfielder and stick with youth. As much as I agree that the lads last night deserve their chance, we need a pacey goalthreat from wide. Pedro could slot in on the right or the left, but there are better options out there.

26 Jul 2015 11:40:37
Di Maria is gone for sure. All that matters now is whether ddg stays and who we bring in before the window closes. A centre back is a must it's plain to see. Ramos or otamendi?perhaps the latter. We need a striker in my opinion whether it be as a second choice or playing with wazza. The best option would probably be reus/Pedro because then we are buying a winger/forward and killing two birds with one stone. Di Maria unfortunately hasn't settled due to the robbery and perhaps he didn't really want to be with us in the first place. He hasn't done the iconic 7 shirt justice and the epl seems to aggressive for him. We need to sell and move on for sake of club.

26 Jul 2015 10:36:48
Either the club are a long way down the line in respect of the ADM transfer or he has been tapped up . ADM is raising the bar by moving his family to Paris before the clubs have agreed anything.It reminds me of the Odemwinge failed transfer when he drove from WBA to Queens Park Raisins.Its a shame if he goes but the club we definately replace him with a worldie.🌍

26 Jul 2015 12:36:39
It is a bit bizarre, I suspect that agreement has probably been reached with just some finer details to be worked out. If not, then he is going to look very very silly.

26 Jul 2015 13:55:58
It just shows how little regard he has for the club and his manager and teammates. Digraceful behaviour. Goodbye adm but certainly no good luck. Idiot.

26 Jul 2015 09:56:58
I know Ed002 in particular doesn't like to talk about money, but I just wanted to ask briefly about transfer fees.
When transfer business is done between English and European teams, is the transfer fee usually agreed / paid in Euros rather than Pounds Sterling?
If someone, would I be correct in thinking that transfer fees could potentially be impacted by exchange rates. Taking DiMaria as an example, the pound is now stronger than it was at this time last year, therefore a transfer fee in Euros would equate to less in pounds this year?

{Ed002's Note - Buying would be in Euros - selling will vary depending on the club. Some clubs hedge by keeping euro accounts - and US$ accounts.}

26 Jul 2015 10:30:18
Thanks for your reply Ed , I know you don't like talking about finances. Just to add though , could a transfer fee be affected by the exchange rate?
Just as an example Do Maria: last year we paid (reportedly) £59.7m (75m Euro at the time). Now with the £ being stronger, if just as a ball park figure , PSG had an offer of £65m Euro accepted , that would only equate to £45m. Hence , it would appear that the fee may appear lower when reported in £sterling.

Thanks for your reply , and I promise not to ask any more questions on this topic!! Have a nice day :)

{Ed002's Note - If folks want to report transfers in a different currency then they will need to apply the exchange rate at the time. The only time there would be an impact would be if the club was to tranfer funds from one currency to another after a period of time and the exchange rate varied (up or down).}

26 Jul 2015 09:08:25
So now Jose is accusing his rivals of trying to buy the title!!. Yes, really!!

26 Jul 2015 10:15:40
Weather forecast for today is irony.

26 Jul 2015 11:50:32
laughable coming from someone who has built his legacy around having more money to spend than anyone else. Could this be the same man whose solution to only finishing 3rd 2 seasons ago was to spend £90m on costa fabregas and matic? the same man that has never promoted someone from their youth system desoite them having one of the most successful youth set ups.

26 Jul 2015 12:39:10
I really can't warm to Jose, he just comes across as unlikeable. His statements and behaviour over the years have gone beyond those of any other Manager, Chelsea deserve him

26 Jul 2015 15:05:18
Yep. Jose and Chelsea, made for each other. About as genuine as a Rolex in an African market.

26 Jul 2015 16:01:29
I honestly cannot stand the bloke I think he is perfect for Chelsea classless the man and the club.

26 Jul 2015 08:42:34
With the impending sale of di Maria and possible sales Evans, Raphael etc l think we will have balance on the books following our recent purchases. With this in mind LVG has not touched any of this year's budget yet so l am expecting a CB and major big name still to be purchased.

26 Jul 2015 00:28:46
Fairly sure di Maria wants to join psg and the deal will be completed soon. Psg haven't spent much money so I'd presume most of the budget will go on adm. At the end of the day if a player doesn't want to be at the club it's no good for all concerned. However with the money we can bring it we can make the squad better. Sell di Maria for 45 to 50 million. Bring in a top class centre back, a winger and a forward. I'm a tad disappointed di Maria isn't proving himself and taking the easy option to a lesser league. Nobody should be bigger than the club. Rather have young players like Adnan and Andreas who will give all for the club anyway.

26 Jul 2015 02:58:37
Absolutely agree - we do not need to replace ADM with a new incoming player. Between Lingard, Janusazj and Pereira we have goals, speed, skill and technique covered. I am so excited about Pereira, i'd be a little upset if we were to bring in another established winger in the ADM mould.

I'd use the money to bring in two centre backs, if we bring in Ramos - I'm pretty sure he is right footed, I'd want to bring in a top class left footed centre back - I can't think of one apart from Inigo Martinez. Buying from the Basque is no mean feat. I'd also be somewhat hesitant to have two Spanish CBs new to the premier league, but I can't really see an alternative. Subotic?

26 Jul 2015 00:01:31
Brief overview of the game. Main points I feel.
Blind is not a centre back.
Rooney and Depay linked fairly well today.
Juan mata works so hard but is very limited out wide.
Luke shaw and Ashley Young is a quality duo.
Janazuj, Perriera and lingard looked very good.
Both keepers looked solid.
In need of a world class CB.
Darmain looks very consistent.
I feel Wilson may need a loan.

26 Jul 2015 00:57:24
I thought Blind played well. Everything else I agree.

26 Jul 2015 08:23:01
Positionally blind is fine at centre back. But lacks height, strength and speed. Without at least two of these attributes he'd be targeted as our weak spot in the prem

26 Jul 2015 10:53:40
I agree with Vinny Blind has good positioning but lacks the two major needs for a centre back height and strength

26 Jul 2015 22:00:43
Nice experiment pre season against a barca team that has zero physicality, size, height. He would get slaughtered in the PL as a CB. complete non starter for me guys like costa, lukaku, benteke, Giroud will embarrass him.