Manchester United Banter Archive August 27 2015

27 Aug 2015 21:36:45
liverpool draw
eastenders
coronation street
home and away

27 Aug 2015 21:49:48
Home and away should be a easy draw at home, but away its some trek.

27 Aug 2015 21:58:52
Commercial deal concluded with jobsite.

27 Aug 2015 22:14:30
No Emmerdale?

28 Aug 2015 09:35:07
Emmerdale got knocked out by Location Location Location.

28 Aug 2015 11:04:09
Shocking Emmerdale has some great talent

27 Aug 2015 19:23:26
Very happy with that draw, the only way it could have been better would have been if we could have got Olympiacos instead of CSKA Moscow. As a trip to Russia during the winter is never plesent and plastic pitches can be an injury concern.

With us being in pot 2 then really the teams you have to worry about facing this early in the competition are in pot 1, everyone else shouldn't cause too many problems. Pot 3 was awlays going to be the tricky pot. Your optuons were either trips to eastern Europe or potentially tricky ties against either Roma, Sevilla or Lyon. Galatasaray or Olympiacos were the ones you wanted but both are still very hostile stadiums to travel to and present their own problems.

Pot 4 was full of potential banana skins, no one knows what Astana will bring to the party, there were also places you'd not want to travel to such as Isreal and Croatia. Very hostile stadiums. Malmo or Gent were the teams you would have wanted.

But for me it there are three things you want from your Champions league group.

1, Avoid the big hitters, your Barcas Bayerns, Madrids ect.

2, Avoid having to travel to the far side of europe. Not only can those trips be a problem on the night, but also in the league games that come after it. Also the travelling can contribute to injuries.

3, Play good level teams that you won't under estimate, and will give your team a good grounding for what else is to come in Europe.

The third point is one I feel people don't give enough credit to. You need to test yourself against decent competition in order to build yourself up and to try out your ideas. This current team are totally different to the last Manchester United team to play in Europe. Romero, Darmain, Blind, Shaw, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Herrera, Depay, Mata these guys have never played for us in europe before this season, several of them have either never played in Europe or haven't for a couple of seasons. So we need to play decent teams to start building this team up.

PSV, were the best team we could have drawn from pot 1. CSKA Moscow is the tricky one and the one I'd have rather avoided. But as I said there wasn't much choice in that pot. Wolfsburg are an good team to draw from pot 4, they are well known and easy to scout as well as being not too far to travel. We shouldn't under estimate them.

I feel we should win home and away against PSV, and probably Wolfsburg although we may drop points away, we'll win at home against CSKA but may drop points away. Win all our home games and away to PSV and we'll be through. Get a win and a draw from the other two away games and that will mean a top place finish.

All in all I can't wait for our first game.

27 Aug 2015 20:10:42
Is it just me that feels this is a little patronising? You'd think none of us had ever seen a football match or don't know anything about the game? Hasn't been that long since we were in the champions league has it!? 😂

27 Aug 2015 20:13:20
Rather have missed Wolfsburg, personally. That said, city will buy their best player so shouldn't be a problem. Overall it's pretty good compared to a worst case scenario.

27 Aug 2015 20:19:47
Spot on, Shappy.

But end of the day all that matters is we're back in the champions league. Giggity, giggity, giggity goo!

27 Aug 2015 18:50:09
Definitely could have been worse. Could have been a bit easier too. I am sure LVG and the players won't take anything for granted. There are some tricky ties in there. Its going to be special for Memphis. If we are able to get through the group stages, I'm positive we will be a match for those tough opponents. We tend to do better in end to end games and Van Gaal has made us perfectly suited to European football. He knows what he needs to do and we certainly have the players to deliver. Now let's build on to what we have. A signing would be such a good thing at this moment.

27 Aug 2015 19:16:38
Perfect group. Not so easy that we take it lightly and not so difficult that we get knocked out (gulp).

27 Aug 2015 20:26:55
I've taken a screenshot of that, RWWD. Meanwhile, I am on currently stocking up on lanterns and pitchforks.


;)

27 Aug 2015 22:33:42
Dream draw, like always. Could have got an worse team then Wolfsburg from pot 4, but overall we probably got the easiest group.

27 Aug 2015 17:58:04
Hey lads, good to see the pod out! I podcast on the pile of shame and mandrawer shows (about video games). i'd love to talk united if there's a slot

Bren

{Ed001's Note - if you get in touch via the contact form I will send your email on to CTR to sort it out with you. No idea if he has any slots or not, his dungeon must be getting pretty full now.....}

27 Aug 2015 17:41:56
GROUP B

PSV
Manchester United
CSKA Moscow
Wolfsburg

The pot 3, 4 teams seem to be tougher than the pot 1

27 Aug 2015 17:54:42
It's a tough group overall, especially getting Wolfsberg as the fourth seed. No easy games in that group at all. We should still expect to win the group, but any slip ups and we could be out.

27 Aug 2015 17:58:28
Good draw for us compared to city ha. i would liken a big hitter from pot 1 js to see were we are in terms of quality but i won't complain . we should top this group for sure

27 Aug 2015 18:00:15
Good thing about the champions league is all the teams are going to attack us and not sit back or park the bus. I expect us to top the group :-)

27 Aug 2015 18:03:56
Could've been worse. Nice draw for Mephis!

Does anyone know how the timing of the fixtures line up with our PL calendar? I'm hoping we don't have a big game the week before or after the trip to Russia.

27 Aug 2015 18:17:11
Good draw for cl given all the other teams in there. No easy away games as always but can't see any off them giving us too much trouble at home. Need to be nice tidy away and even boring and should win the group.

27 Aug 2015 16:08:59
My brother put 20 quid on United not signing anyone after romero at 8/1 and he's confident of collcting. Come on United prove him wrong.

27 Aug 2015 14:09:51
I think that today is the day we have been waiting for guys. Not transfer announcements wise but there will certainly be some big big transfer discussions going on today and over the weekend.
All of the representatives of the champions league clubs all in one place in Monaco. Today is the day when all the dominos are finally put into place and over the next few days we will see them all fall into place

27 Aug 2015 14:51:43
I have a feeling we are going to see some movement on the transfer front too.

27 Aug 2015 15:00:23
Probably not for us though.

27 Aug 2015 15:06:09
That's a good point Ross, doubt United will be involved in said transfer discussions sadly.

27 Aug 2015 12:24:47
We've been having an interesting argument in work this morning. So far it's about 50/50. In theory we have money to spend and we can't get the players we want ie muller, bale, heskey etc

If pogba is genuinely available, ignoring where he might want to go, would you go for him. Clearly it's not a priority area now but he's going to be around for years and I don't want to see him in that Chelsea team

It's hypothetical of course but I'd go for it

27 Aug 2015 12:47:50
No way - far too many other areas to strengthen and already well stocked. His previous attitude just furthers my objection to the deal.

27 Aug 2015 13:24:29
My opinion on pogba is that he's one of the most overrated players around. He just doesn't impress me whenever I watch him play and most of the hype is because he left us on a free. People may well disagree but like I said that's my honest opinion

27 Aug 2015 13:29:38
No if we were buying a young midfielder we need someone that a team can be built around, not someone that will leave after 2-3 years.

27 Aug 2015 13:34:22
Even if he signs for Chelsea, I don't think he will be around for years.He will be lining up a move to real or barca soon

27 Aug 2015 13:36:35
Agree with beast it's far more important to address our weak positions then stockpile CMs. I think we can't sign the players we want for whatever reasons now so we will sign a che apish player who can play across the front 3 til next season.

27 Aug 2015 15:17:34
If it wouldn't of been United he left in that manner people wouldn't rave about him so much people just like to stick the knife in United like look what your missing never did anything for us so hardly can miss him big headed twonk

27 Aug 2015 11:23:05
If we are looking to sign someone before deadline day surely it's got to be someone big with how long it's taking similar to the 2 big 1s last year, I really do think we are trying for bale but don't think Madrid are budging, I'd absolutely love bale at United he was born to play for us, let's hope we get him whilst he's at the top

27 Aug 2015 13:25:19
You never know Ronaldo might have boarded that secret jet. Lol.

27 Aug 2015 13:32:58
Extremely unlikely that United will sign anyone now, let alone a world beater best forget about those type of players until next year.

27 Aug 2015 15:06:29
Mighty reds you make me laugh I seen a plane slanted to one side heading Liverpool airport your lot might be getting fat ronaldo or even maradona who says lfc don't attract BIG players anymore

27 Aug 2015 11:14:03
So that's what happens when you give Rooney good service. It was refreshing to see him score and he could have had 5 (the save and the penalty he chose to give to Pea.) All his goals came playing off the shoulder and through the middle and that is just the thing he needs to learn. He needs to resist that urge after 10 minutes of no service to come and find it. His way of playing works great when someone is up with him but last night we saw that if he works on it, he could be a 20 goal striker.

I won't go into Memphis, Shaw and Darmian too much as they have had praise every week but the player who we seem to almost take for granted is Scneiderlin. Maybe it is due to the excitement of Bastian but Morgan had been great all 5 games. He is always fighting to win back the ball, he keeps his game simple but is so effective. He is the player that when the opposition clear a corner, wins the ball back and starts the next attack. He did it about 5 times in the last 20 mins against Newcastle last week and has done all season.

Another game and another clean sheet, let's not forget that we still haven't been scored against by an opposing player and 4 clean sheets from 5, with a keeper who hadn't even met the team and a makeshift CB, is outstanding. I get that many will say we haven't really played anyone yet but Spurs, Villa and Newcastle have scored many times against us in the past and we shut them out. Swansea will be a test and Smalling vs Gomis will be good to watch.

Can't wait for the draw and if we get Barca then so be it, let the big games flow. I know it may harm our chances of progression but I would rather beat every big club and win it that have an easy run.

27 Aug 2015 13:45:24
Erm, you do realise that Schneiderlin didn't play last night yeah, he didn't even come off the bench!

27 Aug 2015 14:15:55
Ermm you know Schneiderlin didn't play?

27 Aug 2015 14:37:01
Schneiderlin is so good, we keep a clean sheet even when he's on the bench the whole game.

27 Aug 2015 14:47:03
Schneiderlin was terrible last night, so ineffective, didn't even attempt to take anyone. He was basically a spectator.

27 Aug 2015 18:06:11
Awwwwwwks!!!!

😯😰

27 Aug 2015 19:23:51
Young and felleni should be game plan B IMO

27 Aug 2015 11:00:06
TBH Rooney never looked as if he was under intense pressure in yesterday's game. It was really nice to see his calm finishing. Most of the strikers under such condition bottle the best chances due to high pressure. I even saw the same with RVP who was under extreme pressure and was trying silly attempts for goal, when he was in his barren run of may be 9 games in his first season with us.
I heard couple of years ago (dont know from which pundit) that the best finishers does not finish the ball with thunderous strike but with calm presence as if he is passing the ball to the net.
Watching Rooney yesterday makes me think that he has regained his confidence and we finally can see him start scoring on regular basis

27 Aug 2015 12:45:59
Srestha

Rooney will have a run of scoring then a blank run as he always has. The length of his drought and the strength of our other forwards will determine what the season will bring.

27 Aug 2015 17:36:17
Redman
Just like all strikers .
Must of hurt a few fans Rooney scoring last night

27 Aug 2015 19:43:37
Jred

Sarcasm is the lowest form of wit as they say. I don't know anyone who would be hurt by Rooney scoring. However , the problem remains about him scoring only in bursts and SAF noted it about three years ago, perhaps that is one of the reasons SAF tried to move him on.

27 Aug 2015 10:09:36
I think our spending in this window is over imo our next signing will be a biggie and just don't think we will have enough time left to get anything over the line .
Would have liked to have seen a striker and a rw but I'm reasonably happy with what we have .

27 Aug 2015 09:48:17
Good performance, great to watch. Back in the Champions League is the most important thing.

I still think we need a striker to challenge Rooney. Great performance by him though. Looking forward to a 1-0 win at Swansea ;-)

Memphis will learn, and Bastian seems to always have an arm round his shoulder. What a man and what a mentor, couldn't ask for more.

Herrera should play no.10 ahead of Januzaj because he took his chance, he played better than Januzaj and that's just simple, although it is LvG.

I'm not on this Januzaj bashing because i actually think he's played well this season. It's very unfair to say that 'Memphis is raw, he will learn' but the say Januzaj doesn't have a future etc. both need time, they're my age for christ sake. I'd be being thrown about that pitch and making stupid decisions left, right and center.

Also I do believe someone owes Big Poppa Red an apology. He predicted 4-0.

27 Aug 2015 11:04:38
Agree with all that, Harry. Really good team performance and a pleasure to watch most of the game.
Many, many positives of which you are aware. If I had to find anything negative I would have to say two things.

1. Romero makes me feel a bit nervous when being a bit casual at times, with back passes. But this isn't to take away from his performance last night(or all games so far). Hell of a shot-stopper and that one-on-one was class. Rapidly earning a permanent spot in the first team IMO, hope I'm not let down.

2. What was Herrera doing in the first half? haha. Second half he was his usual self, but the first he spent most of his time falling over his own feet. Guess he was a bit over-excited to ACTUALLY start a game.

and finally. Bastian, you big lump of German Vorsprung durch Technik. I love you!

27 Aug 2015 11:31:03
I agree with that good performance last night and everything seemed to click once Herrera moved to number 10. I'd like to see Januzaj given a chance on the rw, coming on as a sub once the opposition has tired. The number 10 position is a bit too much for him right now and he's just drifting out of games instead of imposing himself.

Poor Hernandez though, brought on because LVG felt he could get a goal to boost his confidence, but after the final whistle looked like a broken player.

27 Aug 2015 12:15:13
Hererra didn't take his chances when he played the so called no. 10 role in the EPL. 1st 2 games if i remember correctly. Maybe Mata?

27 Aug 2015 09:25:24
Looking forward to the CL draw.

Ideal draw for me would be Benfica or PSV from Pot 1, avoiding a long trip to Russia/Ukraine from Pot 3 and avoiding the Germans in Pot 4.

Nightmare draw would be Barcelona or Bayern + CSKA, Kiec or Shakhtar + Wolfsburg or Monchengladbach.

27 Aug 2015 09:57:23
Ideal Group for us:

PSV
Manchester United
Olympiacos
Astana

27 Aug 2015 10:19:40
Bring on the big boys we are Manchester United

27 Aug 2015 10:58:09
Yep, that would be tough, at least if we do draw Bayern we can't draw either of the 2 tough teams in Pot 4, and I would fancy us to do ok against Bayern anyway, LVG would know exactly how to set up, in fact the way we play is really going to suit Europe, looking forward to it whoever we get.

27 Aug 2015 08:59:53
Delighted to be back in champions league. Great to see Wayne back among goals. Shaw was savage too. I though have a problem with adnan. I think he's a lucky boy along with Phil Jones, to be still at the club. Imo he's too slow and physically weak. Imo he looks like a sulky teenager on the pitch and he ain't getting near 10 jersey as there are better options ahead of him. I'd sell him before the deadline day. What do you think ed or fellow posters am I a bit harsh?.

27 Aug 2015 09:11:53
He definitely looks like he could use a loan move

27 Aug 2015 09:12:15
Agree entirely Major. Januzaj is far too Nani like for my liking. We would still get £15m for him off the reputation (same as the Little Pea who is a rubbish finisher but has this crazy reputation for being great after a few good goals in his first campaign (Jeffers)).

Jones, Evans, DDG, Lindegaard, Januzaj and if we can sign a RW I would get rid of Mata as well.

27 Aug 2015 09:15:52
This is a bit typical of how some people think, we moan we spend too much on players and don't create enough of our own then when we have special talent who takes a bit of time to settle in the first team we get on his back and want rid of him.

The lad is 20 years old, when he plays for the under 21s he is on a different level and has just struggled a little bit with the step up to the first team. He is still a special talent and we should nurture that talent not just sell him for peanuts because he hasn't hit the heights you are hoping at 20 years old!

27 Aug 2015 09:17:44
Yeh selling him would be harsh, maybe a year out on loan would do him good?

27 Aug 2015 09:39:32
I am inclined to agree with GDS2 here. Why on earth would you loan out one of your best talents to play with average teammates? We should nurture him like we did Giggs and Scholes and teach him the UTD way.

Loans are very hit and miss. Big teams see them as a means to an end to put there 'do we, don't we persevere players' in the shop window. In return you either get a player who enhances their growing reputation slightly or a player who moves into obscurity and I don't believe we should risk the latter with Adnan quite yet.

Januzaj was being praised two weeks ago after the Villa game and now he is no longer of use to United?

Ficklesome little ducklings on here.

27 Aug 2015 09:52:14
Or let's give the talented youngster time to grow and develop? Radical I know.

I see some people are analysing Depay already too but when you consider his age and the recent big move - we as fans have a duty to be patient with these lads.

27 Aug 2015 09:59:50
KMB - You can't take quotes from different people and use them to say we are fickle.

There was 'praise Januzaj' and 'Get rid' camps, i didn't see any cross overs.

27 Aug 2015 10:09:25
How ironic is it that JMB is calling people fickle, haha

27 Aug 2015 10:29:50
The trouble is we are not good enough to have passengers up top. We create next to nothing (normally) and Januzaj has 1 good game for every 5 bad ones it seems. He won't or shouldn't get the games, where do we play him?

5 years ago yes we blood him and live with having a passenger, but we attack with such little vigour and Depay seems to be on a steep upward curve as well.

So we have Rooney, 1 in 5 good games, Depay 2 in 5 good games, Januzaj 1 in 5 good games, Mata 1 in 5 good games.

We need to be more decisive.

27 Aug 2015 11:00:07
JMB,

I just collapsed mate, I see a friendship blossoming here, me, Maze and JMB having a little menage a trois!

27 Aug 2015 11:45:09
Well said GDS2 januziaj should be kept he will come good . Herrera should get the no 10 spot after that performance last night tho he was superb after a shaky start we look a different team when he plays. I think schneiderlin and schweinsteiger should swap too I prefer basti when he plays further forward he's a better passer his pass for AH goal was absolute sublime.

27 Aug 2015 12:35:54
I'm becoming worried. This is the 5th or 6th post by Maze (JMB) that I have been in total agreement with, in the last week.

27 Aug 2015 07:49:01
Hoping this is the start of Herrera getting a run of games again. Him as a number 10 linking with Mata and Memphis, making runs in and around Rooney is surely only going to benefit Rooney also. Much more tempo in our play when Ander plays so I'm presuming LVG sees this also. There's enough protection with Morgan and basti/carrick for the intelligent Blind and the physical Smalling with solid full backs too. Great to see Shaw and Darmian doing so well. I know people will say it's only Bruges but to beat anyone 7-1 on aggregate in Europe is impressive. So on to Swansea which will be a real tough test, let's hope we start like we did against Newcastle as we looked dangerous first and last 20 mins when we played a faster style, this United is hard to beat, if they can figure out when to press, play with tempo and kill the game our possession style can then take over and see out the game.

27 Aug 2015 08:08:55
Welsh I have no idea why Van Gaal repeatedly omits Herrera and I am of the assumption that it is a decsion that stumps most of us. I feel Herrera offers a real threat and I am of the opinion oppossing teams also see him as threat as he is a player who can make things happen.

Here's hoping last night opened the managers eyes to what the Spaniard can bring.

27 Aug 2015 09:23:47
I think he has omitted him as he likes to play a more attack minded player in the number 10 and the Scharricks have been good in midfield. I said the other day I am pretty sure Herrera will get plenty of game time, I would like to see Young, Herrera and Depay behind Rooney as I think that has everything, but I think Mata is playing well as well, we have plenty of options going forward and the defence is playing amazingly well, I don't have the words to describe Mateo Darmian.

27 Aug 2015 09:16:38
I think it is just that LVG can't look past Herrera's lax passing at times. The first 15mins showed how frustrating he can be for somebody like LVG, but for me he was trying to make things happen at pace which is why mistakes are sometimes made. Even if you are as cautiously minded as LVG is with his CM's, he has to admit he brings so much more dynamism to the team when he plays. He enables others to play and should start every game.

27 Aug 2015 09:31:25
GDS2 I am not sure we have a more attack minded player than Herrera. When he gets that ball his first instinct is get it towards the oppositions goal.

One thing we have seen from LVG is he seems to reward good performaces so let's hope we see Ander swat the Swans.

27 Aug 2015 09:53:01
I like herrera he's a great player I fully expected him to be sent off last night though. He was shocking first15/20 min but eased into the game after that.
I thought we looked at million times more dangerous when Bastian came on and herrera moved forward it was overall a great professional performance.

27 Aug 2015 10:29:55
I think Herrera was awful in the first half; picked up a needless booking and also gave the ball away more than any outfield player. He was better in the second half and better than Januzaj was.
He is not a first 11 player but it does demonstrate the amount of options available now compared to previous years.

LVG never said anything about "attack minded" he said he likes to play a second striker in that role and Herrera is more of a controlling midfielder hopefully Herrera makes the most of the chances he gets and forces his way into consideration.

27 Aug 2015 10:52:16
I saw LVG comments on Herrera post match, a bit of praise and a bit of negativity but it was honesty I guess. He said similar about Januzaj and rewarded him with a string of games, not so sure Adnan has took his chance, I feel if Herrera gets a chance at number 10 he will make it his own. Maybe try Januzaj wide but can't see Mata being dropped and of course fellaini is back next match. Memphis, Herrera, mata behind Rooney with Januzaj for pace, fellaini for directness impacting of the bench would be my ideal with the current set up.

27 Aug 2015 11:11:47
MAZE,

Could be right there, I think because he does give the ball away a lot more than other players he is more suited to the number 10 position now than centre mid. If you give the ball away in Carrick's position you are putting pressure on the centre backs and they are likely to get a shot away, if you give the ball away in the number 10 we still have 2 holding players to get past before they get anywhere near our goal.

I got absolutely slated on here last year for saying Herrera gave the ball away too much and that is why LVG doesn't like him in that setup, even thought he clearly has assets that help the team. With the two men in behind him I do now think he could be our best number 10.

27 Aug 2015 11:28:06
The exact same thing happened last year and cost us, we were screaming out for him to play Ander for weeks and as soon as he did its when we went on our decent run unbeaten. Hopefully the penny drops sooner this year and Ander is back in at the weekend.

26 Aug 2015 23:41:50
I hope tonight proved that janazuj does not fit the number 10 role. With the same team as recent weeks and Herrera in the whole, we will see a much faster game and retention and creativity of the ball in the final third improved.

But don't get me wrong janazuj is pure quality but just does not suit that position

27 Aug 2015 08:06:20
I think we now have to have doubts that Januzaj is pure quality. He seems to have taken a step back and some players do that. The glaring public focus of being a Manchester United player can be too much for some but maybe the next level isn't there mentally. For me as good as Giggs was he didn't take the next step to all time great as Ronaldo was able to do so perhaps in Adnans case he can't take it further. I think a season loan at a premier league club will do him good and at the end we may have to make a decision on him.

Herrera has to play for me and I would chose to play him instead of Mata.

27 Aug 2015 08:12:22
He is not pure quality. he has a long way to go.

27 Aug 2015 09:33:53
Red Man,

Herrera and Mata seem to have a telepathic understanding, both play better when the other is on the pitch don't you think?

Just wrote a bit about Januzaj above, he is 20 years old for God sake, I think it is a bit unfair to compare him to Ronaldo and also an interesting one to me to say Giggs never stepped up to being an all time great, if he played for another club and won what he won at United would you think he wasn't an all time great, strange view in my opinion.

I know I said unfair to compare but let's look at the stats at the same age:

Januzaj 47 games 5 goals
Ronaldo 62 games 9 goals
Giggs 81 games 14 goals

And these are 2 of the best players ever to play for United, it is easy to forget that most players don't do a lot until they reach 22/23 and by that time hopefully we will have nurtured him correctly, he clearly has a massive talent, watch him at the under 21 level and you feel sorry for the defenders, he just needs to step up.

As the song goes 'He's a boy who can do anything'.

27 Aug 2015 11:38:45
Absolutely, Herrera for Januzaj. Simples, if need be have him come on as an impact sub, I feel he and we would benefit more from this too

27 Aug 2015 13:02:01
GDS2

The song may say that but the play doesn't show it at this time. I would not sell Adnan but I suggest a loan to get him playing regularly. If he stays with us there is a good chance he will get dropped due to the level of his play, we can't afford passengers, and that will be to his detriment.

Yes I think Giggs was one of our best players but I don't base quality solely on the number of medals won in a team. I personally saw both Ronaldo and Best and they were both better than Giggs. Giggs is not revered world wide as an all time great when he could and should have got himself up there with both Ronaldo's, Messi, Maradonna, Pele, Best, Cruyff, but he didnt. He just didn't take that step to full greatness, he had weaknesses, his crossing being one. No doubting his longevity and medal tally but he fell short of the very very top. We listen to the old great players say who they rated and wanted to play alongside, mostly it was Scholes not Giggs and that should tell you something.

On Herrera I thought he played well with Schweinsteiger and when he pushed forward in the second half. No doubt Mata and Herrera get on but if we are playing 433 in future Mata is the position I think should be under threat depending on if and who we buy and I would chose Herrera before Mata

26 Aug 2015 23:37:20
Very professional performance tonight. Few shaky moments but other than that very encouraging. Glad Rooney hit a hat trick tonight that will give his morale the world of good.

Memphis is so dangerous cutting in on the right. When he gets it right he's amazing, but sometimes he can over dwell on the ball and pick the wrong option. But with experience I'm sure that will improve.

Both full backs again solid, very impressed with Shaw and darmian.

But my main mention goes to juan mata who I thought was class tonight.

Roll on Sunday!

27 Aug 2015 00:35:34
The full backs have been amazing in every match so far, Luke shaw is like a new signing and I am still waiting for Darmian to make a mistake or ever let a man run past him, looking forward to seeing how he deals with one of the trickiest left wingers in the league montero on Sunday.

I thought mata was good today as well, in fact he's always good, he just isn't a right winger.

Agree on Memphis, sometimes makes the incorrect decision but as long as that is in between moments of magic then we can allow them while he gains experience.

27 Aug 2015 11:47:26
Luke Shaw is an absolute Beast. I really think the sky is the limit for him. It won't be long until he starts getting the odd goal too in my opinion.

That would then make him the best all round LB in the league for me