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26 Mar 2015 22:16:25
Eds anything new on bale, I read after the last Madrid match his car was vandalised, plus his odds have been cut by the bookies to 11/8 on him joining united is there talks going on with united
{Ed002's Note - No.}
26 Mar 2015 23:52:54
He needs a re spray now
26 Mar 2015 23:58:13
At least he can afford it
27 Mar 2015 19:02:33
His car needs sorting out aswell!
26 Mar 2015 21:54:06
Some of us think our current form could be another false dawn. Some of us think its been coming for some time and is the result of them finally beginning to understand what the manager wants from them, some think its a fluke, the odd one would even try to claim credit and a few who think that its all down to rsvp being injured, but surely what we all must agree on is that their appears to be a fantastic sense of togetherness and team spirit within the squad and that IMO only comes from a happy camp that believe in what they are doing and that if they stick together they can achieve their common goal, even when the performance was poor we were eeking out results last minute or by hanging on, and as for de gea fantastic. but big pete used to do the same season after season and saved our bacon just as much so its not that unusual for our keepers to be our match winner. I still think we will have a shocker or maybe two before we finish in top 3 but after a good summers rest and a full pre season perfecting his systems and a couple of key additions to the squad we will be the best prepared and tactically astute of all the bpl teams to compete in the CL. There is good times ahead I think. I think confidence is high and the fear factor when playing against us will return I'm looking to the city game and that's is when lvg will win over a few of those supporters that remain unconvinced
27 Mar 2015 09:04:06
Ken,
We just beat Liverpool at Anfield completing the double over them and some fans are still convinced LVG has no idea what he is doing and has been forced into change by his strongest critics and people on this site, so I imagine a win over City won't make the blindest bit of difference to these people anyway.
I agree the togetherness is brilliant and has been all season, it is something we lacked last season and it was obvious. This season the players really seem to want to fight for each other and it is great to see.
27 Mar 2015 11:06:27
He obviously stumbled onto this. But it is working and fair play, I hope the attitude continues and he isn't tempted to start picking favourites again.
Ask Rafael & Falcao about how together they feel right now?!
He has tried almost everything possible so he was going to fall onto something eventually - A good manager doesn't take 7 months to chance onto a team that he could have been picking from month 1. It makes me laugh how people think this was the plan, when in truth he wanted rid of Herrera, Fellaini probably Mata. Wanted Rooney in midfield, signed Rojo & Shaw as LB's and even had Young learning to be a LB.
That said, we should all be in a happy place now, but I have little confidence in him stopping his meddling, so I'm not holding my breath.
27 Mar 2015 11:57:48
The truth of the matter is like Beast says he has tried everything and now has found a formula that has reaped success which is great. We are all pleased with how the last two games went and we all want it to very much continue.
The thing is though the system of success which he has came across is simply playing your best eleven players in their natural positions. The fact it has took LVG 8 months to do that is the frustrating thing.
27 Mar 2015 12:21:32
JMB,
You think at the moment we are playing the best 11 players in their best position? So Mata is a right winger now is he?
Beast,
The funny thing is that when you say how bad we have been for the rest of the season, we were actually picking up a lot of points and getting decent results, it is just that the performances have improved now which is EXACTLY what you called for.
Still adamant he has no idea what he is doing and fell lucky on a formation he has played successfully throughout his career, I am enjoying coming on here at the moment for the laugh at justification as to why LVG is still rubbish.
27 Mar 2015 12:53:05
Didn't Mata burst onto the scene at Valencia as a winger? So is that not his natural postion? Sure he's a fab number 10 but he is still naturally a winger. Just as Blind is naturally a left back and Rooney naturally a striker.
27 Mar 2015 17:07:42
Doesn't quite answer the question, did YOU think Mata should be playing on the right wing? If you did, why did you never mention it?
27 Mar 2015 20:09:14
The question is answered perfectly and YOU know that.
26 Mar 2015 17:06:32
Just another observation I had over the past 2 seasons, except Mata we do not have anybody who can threaten from direct free kicks. Mata also needs the ball to be in a range to score or even trouble the keeper.
Rooney and RvPs free kicks aren't great if I am being honest.
Young used to take all the set pieces for Aston Villa and as far as I remember he did a pretty decent job. Now that he is a regular starter why not try him from left sided free kicks?
26 Mar 2015 17:51:43
I'm not Rooney's biggest fan, but he is pretty good from a dead ball. I honestly think we haven't had that many opportunities this season because it is so rare we operate around the box, same with penalties. So it's difficult to be fair with the critique, just my view.
Rooney, RVP & Mata are a good panel to pick from.
26 Mar 2015 17:54:38
I'd say Rooney is a threat from free kicks. However i'm disappointed Carrick never takes them, used to bang them in all the time for Tottenham.
26 Mar 2015 18:35:20
Beast I think Rooney and RvP are decent but very inconsistent.
26 Mar 2015 19:52:20
Not forgetting Di maria (although we haven't seen it) can also hit them. But for me Mata more close in and the other 3 further out.
26 Mar 2015 21:15:10
We have loads of good dead ball specialists, whoever takes them on the pitch is whoever is most successful in training simple as.
26 Mar 2015 14:38:46
In the past you mentioned that Depay would be better off at a club like Newcastle where he would get first team football. Why would he not get that at United? Where's the 'class' that would constantly stop him being a first team player?
I'll admit. For a winger his assists are poor (3) but Eredivisie top scorer (17 goals) at only just 21 years old is amazing!
26 Mar 2015 16:00:23
I bought him in FM2015, for around £9m. Absolute machine. 22 goals, too many assists to mention and Player of The Year.
Mind you, Falcao scored 28 as well.
26 Mar 2015 16:39:43
Isn't the Dutch league rubbish?
26 Mar 2015 16:54:36
Ha falcao got over 30 for me. I bought depay, for more than 9 mill!, but delayed the transfer to the second season and he bagged 22
26 Mar 2015 21:26:01
Its not the same class as the big 3 beast true, but its one of the better ones out of the other leagues. Although I'm a bit biased.
26 Mar 2015 23:52:03
Blind? Suarez? Eriksen? Vertonghen? Ppl from the dutch tend to adapt well to the prem
27 Mar 2015 00:58:18
Van nistelrooy
26 Mar 2015 10:45:40
Like most of the stories that are written in the press I hope the Ronaldo to United rumours are a load of rubbish. True footballing genius but we would be getting a player in decline, and as we have seen with RVP players can drop off very quickly.
26 Mar 2015 10:58:38
A player on Decline haha. Like Messi was a player on decline? Mark my words Ronaldo will come storming back next year. Ridiculous comment.
26 Mar 2015 11:02:36
Ronaldo always has been and always be better than RVP both in terms of being a player and in terms of fitness. Ronaldo could go on till his late 30s, like Giggsy. People say we would only get maybe 2-3 years out of him, I'd say we could get 7-8 years.
26 Mar 2015 11:23:12
wish we had a player in decline scoring more than 40 goals a season for us!
26 Mar 2015 11:26:08
Ronaldo would be a brilliant signing.
He is as fit as any player in the world.
2-3 world class years from him are worth whatever we pay for him.
Ronaldo > RVP+Rooney combined.
26 Mar 2015 11:28:37
Ronaldo we all love the guy and I hope we see him in a UTD shirt again He will be 31 next season and I for one would not over pay for him not when other key areas need addressing first. If we were after a marquee signing to finish off the squad then I'd go for it.
Who would people rather have back Ronaldo or Pogba? Both would possibly cost the same amount.
26 Mar 2015 11:32:28
Could you just sit there and imagine for one minute the thrill of seeing Ronaldo back in a United shirt. We would start most games a goal to the good and the link up play with Rooney, Di Maria (if still here), Mata etc would be a joy to watch. And to be honest, as he gets older he will probably start to play more centrally.
26 Mar 2015 12:18:44
Some of you are deluded. You are actually obsessed with Ronaldo. Ronaldo is in the game for one person and one person only. "HIMSELF"!
He wouldn't have any problem signing for a rival if the money is right and yes I am talking about Manchester City.
I can't believe that you would be happy for the club to spend 50 plus million pound on a 30 year old player.
We all loved Ronaldo when he was at United but that ship has sailed, we have all had nearly 5 years to get over him, don't you think it's time to move on?
Their could be some very red faces on this website come the start of the new season.
26 Mar 2015 13:06:56
Whilst I have nothing but lots of admiration for him unfortunately you can't rebuild a team around a 31 year old and he would always want to be the centre piece of any team. Would rather spend the 65 million on a young top striker and top midfielder.
He will not score 40 goals in the PL and no other striker will do that either. Aguero in Madrids set up will also score goals for fun.
Madrid had/has him for his peak years and hard to see where he will end up in his later years.
26 Mar 2015 13:08:24
give yourself a clap Simmo, you just burst everyone's bubble.
You nasty man :-)
26 Mar 2015 13:14:07
I don't understand where this opinion comes from that Ronaldo would sign for everyone. As far as people go he has played for his boyhood club of Sporting, fell in love with United but always had the goal of playing for Real Madrid. It is not as if he has been a mercenary and has swapped clubs every two minutes and there is no evidence at all that would suggest that he will end up at City.
26 Mar 2015 14:05:03
Fresh. the only person he's in love with his himself.
26 Mar 2015 15:10:32
It was just my personal opinion. As someone else stated you can't build a team around a 31 year old. We need to build a team for long term success. Also Ronnaldo likes to be the focus of everything in the set up I'm not sure how well that would work with LVG. No doubt one of the all time greats though.
26 Mar 2015 16:03:17
Good to see you back Simmo. Much ask love Ronaldo I think we need to look to the future. The obsession of some is disturbing.
26 Mar 2015 17:02:12
Id rather have bale. Younger, will have a point to prove, not as much of an individual, nor carrying a risky knee.
26 Mar 2015 17:04:45
As I said before, CR7 was great for us, and is still world class, but he is now a tennis player and we need to stop this senseless teenage girl obsession with him. There are other young prospects out there to be nurtured, let's look to the future y'all.
26 Mar 2015 09:33:09
Hi Eds
How accurate are the reports Otamendi has agreed terms with UTD
Cheers
{Ed002's Note - No.}
25 Mar 2015 21:04:50
To any ed that would no.
..............
{Ed002's Note - It is pointless explaining this and MU returned the money.}
26 Mar 2015 11:51:10
Ok thanks anyways mate.
25 Mar 2015 19:21:04
Eds, I used the search but found nothing useful on whether there is any firm interest in Bale with an idea to buy this summer? I know Madrid are looking to raise funds but is there any interested clubs? Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Try the Madrid page.}
26 Mar 2015 21:31:00
I looked but all the posts are ancient and found nothing relevant
{Ed002's Note - I have certainly answered the question there before.}
25 Mar 2015 14:40:21
ED is it true that we have rejected a lot of loan offers for Wilson and Blackett?
Maybe Wilson might get some first team action but I do not see Blackett being involved with the first team. Are they being kept for the reserves?
{Ed002's Note - It is true.}
26 Mar 2015 09:13:27
I remember at the beginning of the season we were obviously looking to offload Fellaini.
Napoli were interested seemingly and all was going to plan until he damaged his foot.
I was gutted and thought, there goes the chance to off load someone else.
I'm not saying the guy is world class or anything but I was wrong about him and he 100% deserves to start and be around the squad and long may it continue, fair play to him for knuckling down and driving on when no one seemed to be backing him. He is the epitomy of what we need in the squad relentless hard work and we will get back on our perch :)
26 Mar 2015 07:04:12
Reading through posts lately let's just try to put the season into perspective so far. We sit in fourth place and look like a shoe-in for the CL spot if Arsenal beat Liverpool next week. We've had many bumps and tumbles along the way but this is where we are at in the end. Now my question (which will label me as a 'negative poster' . yawn!) is it enough?
As well documented we spent heavily in the summer - more than anyone in Europe - and we didn't lose any key players. We have added a CL winner, WC finalists, among others at the top of their trade and have kept our most experienced players who have been winners and champions throughout their entire career. A new high profile manager has come in, he is collecting one hell of a pay check (the fifth largest in Europe apparently) with a mentality of a winner.
Now we sit in fourth. I see posts of glee because we are in fourth. When did we settle for such mediocrity? When did Man Utd the mighty stallion in the stable become the shy pony in the corner? We have one of the best squads in the league and added drastically. Our facilities are top notch also and we haven't had the burden of midweek jetting around Europe to play games.
Don't give me this tripe of 'the team was damaged', 'confidence shot' and 'broken spirited' after 9 months under Moyes. We have a team of proven winners and added proven winners/staff so that's just BS. We have had injuries yes but who hasn't? The whole league has been ravished by them especially Arsenal and Liverpool who have also had European fixtures.
Lastly the manager. Yes he has come into a new club, country, environment etc but is that just another excuse for below-par displays this season? How did Mourinho fair in his first year at Chelsea and Inter? How about Ancelotti at Madrid? Or Pep at Bayern? What about Pellegrini at City? I could go on. At the end of the day we are one of the biggest clubs in the sport and have talent and resources in abundance. Was a greater attempt at the title being unreasonable? I don't think so.
Yes I am content we are in the top four but I don't think anything remarkable has came of this season and I most definitely will not be settling for a top four berth only in the years ahead.
26 Mar 2015 09:14:12
JMB
End of the day the early season blame has to lay at LVG's feet, he should of figured out his "philosophy" was not working a lot earlier than 8 month's, basically his stubborness has cost us points this season.
BUT
He now seems to have listened to his critics(I know people don't agree with that) and he seems to be finally on the right track, hopefully we can keep on performing till end of season. I hope and pray LVG keeps doing what he's doing now and doesn't play his favourites for the sake of it.
One person who has saved LVG from the sack IMO is DeGea without a doubt.
26 Mar 2015 09:14:48
JMB,
The target for this year was top 4, if you thought we could finish above City and Chelsea before the season started then you were deluded. I always felt we were at about a level with Arsenal and will finish just above them or just below them. Just because we spent a lot in the summer does not guarantee us winning the league, City and Chelsea have been spending these vast sums for years while we stood still and watched them catch us up and overtake us.
Why can we not give you the 'tripe' about confidence being shot, it quite clearly was, look at last season, we got beaten by our 2 biggest rivals at home 3-0. Basically you are asking a question is it enough but then saying that nobody replying can use any of the reasons as to why 4th is enough.
I don't think the injuries helped us at the beginning of the season to be honest, the same with Arsenal, to say the league has been ravished with them is fine but Chelsea and City have had nowhere near the injury issues we have had and as far as I can see Chelsea are the only team we are pretty much guaranteed not to finish above.
Did we really keep our most experienced players? Our captain left in the summer, Ferdinand and Evra both left in the summer, Giggs retired.
You have hit the nail on the head with your last paragraph though, for me yes 4th this season was the target and if we reach it then we have done well, it is not remarkable but it is what we needed, and of course settling for top 4 is not the plan in the years ahead, we are building back up to be challenging on all fronts as the manager has clearly stated on a number of occasions.
26 Mar 2015 10:53:49
Oh yes I remember my history lessons now, and I remember them saying that in fact Rome was actually built in a day. I think it was a Tuesday if I remember correctly. Everyone went to sleep on the Monday night without a Roman empire and by Tuesday night that empire had risen up and had become the largest empire on earth in a mere 24 hours.
Sir Alex produced a absolute miracle in his final season in charge by winning the league with the poorest team to have ever lifted the title. We had a talented keeper who couldn't deal with balls in the air of long shots, a hit and miss RB, the rest of the back four were a few years past their best. In midfield we had Carrick who has been under rated but has never been world class and along side him we had either a 38yo Scholes, Cleverley or Anderson. On the wings we had options of Valencia, Nani or Young who were so poor more often than not Welbeck played ahead of them. Only Rooney and RvP were anywhere near being world class. We needed a whole new back four, as well as a whole new midfield and better options out wide. Since then RvP has declined so we even need a new striker.
Since Sir Alex retired we have started to rebuild, but in that time the players have had their confidence completely shot to pieces. And anyone who said their confidence was fine has clearly forgetting the way we rolled over at home to Liverpool last season.
LvG has come in and has had to create a new identity for the team, he has introduced his ideas and it has taken time for the players to adapt to them. He has also had to rebuild their confidence. He has had to bring new players into the squad and they have needed to settle and find their place within the squad and settle in to a new country. He has also had to deal with one of the worst injury spells I can remember and this happened at the worst possible time while he was trying to settle himself and new players into a new enviroment. We had no continuity when we needed it most due to injuries.
Anyone who expected instant success is either deluded or is very naive. Rebuilding a club takes time, the amount of time it takes depends on the amount of rebuilding that needs doing.
Now everyone believes we need at least 1 CB maybe two, a RB, at least one more CM, another Winger and probably another ST. That's at least 5 new players maybe 7 if we get 2 if we get an extra midfielder and centre back. Now isn't that an admission that we need half a team? So if we need half a team than how do people expect any manager to challenge for titles with half a team?
Has LvG done an amazing job? no, could he have done a better job? in hindsight its easy to say yes, but he didn't have the luxury of hindsight. Has he done a good job? Imo yes he has. Personally I don't think any other manager could have done significantly better.
26 Mar 2015 11:10:01
How can you compare the team LVG walked into with the teams Pep Ancelotti and Mourinho did? Ridiculous post JMB probably your worst yet
26 Mar 2015 11:11:09
Good post. The problem is that most of our supporters are happy with CL football precisely because of the reasons (lame excuses) you mention JMB.
Since when was top 4 our aim? Who said that GDS2?
I distinctly remember the manager saying that he is a winner and Man Utd should be winning the league, that is his target this season!
The board have set a financial target of 3rd, but since when have us fans been bothered about what the board wants? Straw clutching!
LVG has failed miserably this season for a vast array of reasons, many of which he has brought onto himself needlessly, of course there were issues out of his control, but he is paid to manage those. Recently he has solved some of the problems he created himself, the only new players (signed or youth) who have been part of that transition are Herrera & Blind, not even a 3rd of the money he spent in the summer or any of our young talent!
If the past 2 games are anything to go by then he is finally getting the house in order and I am a little more positive about our future prospects, but to call this season anything other than a wasted opportunity is a sign of how pathetic our aspirations have become.
By the way I have watched 10 atrocious performances on the spin this season, 2 good ones shouldn't eradicate all the needless mistakes our manager has made. We are too quick to forget and Villa could be another one of those slow, indecisive performances, very very easily.
The praise for him playing youth seems to have dried up from people doesn't it as well? It's now been replaced with the equally blinded, "we have to admire him for picking players on form and dropping the superstars", that is rubbish as well. Because we have no Europe we are constantly focussing too much on the very recent past and not looking at thing objectively in some cases.
Where was the youth his backers were praising him for, let's see how long it takes for RVP to get a game again, or ADM for that matter?
Well done for the past 2 games, but the season has been wasted, our opponents were for the taking!
26 Mar 2015 11:17:15
Top reply, Snappy!
26 Mar 2015 11:26:33
So the manager is deluded Shappy?
26 Mar 2015 11:27:26
Back in January JMB was blaming the players but then he became Beast's apprentice and the rest, as they say, is history
26 Mar 2015 11:34:57
Beast,
Post like that just make you sound so much like you hate LVG its unbelievable. Actually it isn't unbelievable because you have been at it all year. It has been quite clear all years that the target this year was top 4, if we could get higher then great.
It makes me laugh out loud how anybody with any reasons that disagree with yours are just 'lame excuses', you couldn't make it up.
26 Mar 2015 11:51:22
Jmb - behave, we were never going to be able to compete with chelski or city this season.
26 Mar 2015 12:02:09
Beast LvG isn't deluded, I said anyone who believed that we could win the league was. LvG saying it doesn't mean he believes it. I think you are very naive if you believe everything any manager says to the press. Just because he said it doesn't mean he believes it. I tell my nephews and nieces that Santa Claus exists, but I don't believe that for a second.
26 Mar 2015 12:12:55
GDS2 - Did the manager not say he expects to win the league this season then?
I am the one taking him at face value and constantly feel let down. I dislike his lies and contradictions and his constant meddling.
Wait there - maybe when he said he expects to win the league it was a language barrier issue, I haven't heard that one for a while!
JMB is just calling it as he sees it. The players have been at fault of course, but they have lacked guidance as we have witnessed by his statue like pose on the side line whenever we are in trouble. He has shown that he can adapt and we played better recently, but let's not confuse that with success, we should have been playing like that after a few games. Then improving to the level of the best teams, especially with the money spent and time on the training ground instead of the airports of Europe.
26 Mar 2015 12:14:00
Love the way the post starts with put the season in perspective then is worded in the worst possible way
I say were 2 points off 2nd place you say we are 4th
If we're actually putting it in perspective just one result difference and we are 2nd, not bad for a team you had written off to finish outside the top 4
26 Mar 2015 12:21:51
clarity,
That is pretty much how it works with JMB, the post started off with a question which is actually a pretty decent question, but then we are told which way we must answer the question and that any arguments to the contrary are invalid as they are 'tripe'.
26 Mar 2015 12:23:34
Shappy - I can't believe you just wrote that. So we pick and choose what we believe on account of what we like the sound of, ignoring what he actually says?
Does he hate Shaw? We don't know we can only speculate as he hasn't said he hates Shaw, but if he comes out and says "I LVG hate Shaw", do we then think he's just saying that to motivate the player or for some other bizarre reason, because we personally don't hate Shaw?
When a manager of Man Utd comes out and says he expects to win the league and 2nd is for losers, I am inclined to believe that is what he was aiming for. Especially with no Europe, Mega funds, A1 resources and players needing to prove themselves and being manager of Man Utd.
Obviously I am the deluded one, not the person who actually said it! Anything to say I am wrong and our manager (who agreed with what I am saying) is some kind of bizarre mind-game contradiction master. Yes I'm the naïve fool clearly!
26 Mar 2015 12:49:08
"I am the one taking him at face value and constantly feel let down. I dislike his lies and contradictions and his constant meddling."
Beast that is a great line from yourself, just out of interest what did you make of all Sir Alex's lies and contradictions?
Or Mourinho's? or any top manager working at a top club?
They all lie to the press, they all contradict themselves, and they all "meddle" Its called top flight management.
Do you want a nice honest manager(Moyes maybe?) or do you want a winner?
You let your dislike for LvG blind you from seeing things in a clear and none bias way, and Juan has the same issue. Jred also doesn't feel that LvG isn't the right man for the job, but he doesn't twist everything round to make it look like everything that goes wrong is LvG's fault.
26 Mar 2015 13:55:53
No we just take everything with a huge pinch of salt. Did we believe everything Sir Alex said?
What do you expect him to say? This squad has played rubbish, half the squad aren't good enough and it's going to take months for us to get anywhere near the level required.
How with that help rebuild the squads confidence?
26 Mar 2015 14:08:14
I think you all need to drink some Herbal tea and calm the fog down.
Just saying :-)
26 Mar 2015 16:04:24
They're seriously twisting my mellow, Herbie.
26 Mar 2015 16:11:53
Noucamp you talk so hip.
lol
26 Mar 2015 06:55:09
I see Liverpool fans saying sterling cost 60m, would love to have whatever they smoking.
26 Mar 2015 04:56:37
Good recent performances by the team and really impressed with how the team has been playing of late. Would love to see the team to keep their performance levels up for the majority of the match as well.
Unbelievable that some of the posters making it up that LVG has finally listened to his critics/fans and is setting up the way they want the team to play. Guys like LVG/Fergie do care less about the critics and do the job their way, simple as that. Agree on one thing that injuries has played a part in it but, other than that LVG is a very tactical guy and knows better than all of us.
It is almost sinical to blame the manager when the team doesn't do well and just as well discredit him when the team is doing well.
26 Mar 2015 06:18:05
I think people/fans have the right to be critical of LVG this season, he was stubborn as a mule early on in the season which "WAS" costing us points.
As it is now he is doing a great job, maybe he did listen to critics maybe not, he may of dropped his mate Phil, who knows, but for now it seems he has grown into the UTD job and I for one am very happy with that.
26 Mar 2015 09:18:38
Herbie,
Pretty much agree with that, we don't know what has made him change, maybe it is a bit of luck with injuries and suspensions, maybe he has listened to what people have told him, maybe he's grown into the job and learned more about how teams play, but some posters on here are adamant he has just listened to us lot on here and that is why we are now playing better.
Funny how when we weren't playing well it is because of LVG and when we are playing well it is because of all the critics, anyone would think some people just don't like the manager and will slag him off whatever he does, but it can't be that can it?
26 Mar 2015 10:13:14
GDS2
You have to give credit where its due and LVG deserves a little credit right now.
I will say though, the same as I have said all season that I still don't think he's the right man for the job long term.
:-)
26 Mar 2015 11:02:40
Herbie,
I would agree with that also, I don't think he will be long term, just 3 years, long enough to sort out some of the mess we are in, bring through some youngsters, get rid of players who don't belong and leave the club in a better shape than Fergie left it in.