Manchester United Banter Archive January 30 2013

30 Jan 2013 23:13:12
The irony of Daniel Sturridge complaining at Jordan Henderson for being selfish.

MEF

30 Jan 2013 23:16:37
Walcott is changing my opinion every week. I used to think he was just a sprinter, but he's becoming more and more effective every week. Scored his 18th of the seasons today. Seems as though he has benefited massively from Henry's tuition on his finishing - would definitley rather have him than Nani or even Valencia right now. (A bold statement I know).

Fresh!

I think he's always been a good finisher add he's pace and you should have a good striker, mind you I said something similar a while ago and got slated
Jred

Still not good enough to hold arsenal to ransom like he did though.

ms85

I said we should go after him when he was holding out and got slated by the typical thing not good enough for United.

I find it funny because if he is not good enough where do welbeck, nani fit then and how should we describe them.

Shahram

30 Jan 2013 23:00:10
Huge, crucial victory today. As the boss said, we were brilliant for an hour but then stepped off the gas a little. Many positives today though I feel. Firstly, Vidic was the man blocking everything and orchestrating things from the back, he is the man that will take us to the League (if not more). Secondly, Rooney looked a little fitter, his touches were better in general. Lastly, I love it when Kagawa plays as part of a midfield 3, he doesn't have to go so wide so he can thread balls through to the forwards better. The front 3 were very flexible which were great. If we could get Wanyama in the midfield in a 3 with Kagawa and one other we will be unstoppable I feel. (Also Ronaldo to replace the position that Welbeck took today?) ;)

Fresh! {Ed004's Note - I thought Kagawa was playing in the left side of a 4231 formation. Numerous times you could see him covering for Evra tonight.}

30 Jan 2013 22:54:22
I'll get slated for highlighting this due to the current love in for him, but has anyone else noticed Carrick makes at least 1 major error per game. Normally because he wants too much time under pressure. .

He made one today, same at the weekend when he was closed down in our own half with only 2 players behind him, fortunately at the weekend the pass from the opposition wasn't good enough. .

He has been one of our better players in general this year, but always seems to have 1 moment of "madness". Like I said I'll probably get rounded on for saying this but if you go back and watch in the games in full he's almost guaranteed 1 per game. .

Red Bear

30 Jan 2013 22:44:08
ok de gea made a bit of error although i'd blame carrick more. But both keepers made errors in the arsenal liverpool game but who will get all the headlines?

Arsenal's defence was abysmal tonight and their keeper had a nightmare. I counted four bad mistakes for the Suarez goal. And they handed Liverpool about 3/4 clear chances. Yet the 1980's nostalgists still couldn't capitalise!

Gav

30 Jan 2013 22:06:52
To Ed001: Just have to reply to this one, as I don't understand what you mean.

{Ed001's Note - you might want to double check your spelling when using a translation programme, unless your mate really is a fight fixer? Does he work for the local mob by any chance? Sorry, had to check it wasn't something offensive.}

I wrote perfect Norwegian, but this site doesn't work well with our letters, that is not used in the English languague. But anyway... Yeah, he is a match "fixer".

Anyway.. who cares. Was just trying to help little zee.

Steffen {Ed001's Note - I put it through Google translate and it said your mate fixed a couple of fights for you. Sorry your sense of humour seems to have been removed.}

30 Jan 2013 22:01:17
People can rip Cleverley to shreds but he is always available to receive the ball from the defence. United were reduced to hitting the ball long with wave after wave of Southampton attack. The Brand wouldn't have been afraid to receive the ball in midfield and play his way out of trouble.

Well a win is a win and we are now seven points clear. That is all that really matters. Le Fondre give Chelsea a reality check and have firmly put them out of the title race. Arsenal and Liverpool was a comedy of errors. Two equally poor teams slugging it out. Everton pulling away. Oh and Crystal Palace letting me down on goals galore.

Sydney!

I said the other day that SAF shouldn't over complicate things tonight and he should play a basic 442 but he insisted on playing Welbeck, Rooney and RVP all at the same time. IMO its not something that works particularly well unless you have 3 disciplined CM playing behind them. Carrick (mistake aside) plays his role well but Anderson isn't a sitting midfielder and we don't seem to know what Kagawa's role in the team is yet. People criticize Cleverley for passing sideways too much but the fact is that he keeps the ball moving which encourages movement from everyone else.

TK-Red

Want to see clev's & ando play together infront of carrick. .

those 3 in the middle and we may start to dominate games again

oxred

30 Jan 2013 21:54:45
What a shocking 2nd half performance!
Credit to Southampton of course, but what was said at half time, well done lads game over?

Dishforth Red

30 Jan 2013 21:45:18
Guys I've finally worked it out I AM KLOOT s name is an anagram, a poor attempt at gangster speak...
K i'm a Tool!

Red Bear

;-)

30 Jan 2013 21:37:06
I can not believe Welbeck..... He is so bad at passing the ball constantly under hitting it. and his touch is just awful....

Doesn't matter. He runs around a lot, is a local boy and loves the club . Should be the first name on the team sheet every week.

31 Jan 2013 01:23:40
so proud of your rubbishty comments about our players that you couldn't leave your name?

will red

30 Jan 2013 21:31:45
Why take kagawa off who has offered far more than welbeck

James

30 Jan 2013 21:16:48
Just Out of curiosity, who was the Last Player we Signed in deadline Day?
KARTOFFELKOPF {Ed004's Note - Berbatov?}

Vesseli

Caolán.

30 Jan 2013 21:01:20
I don't post much on here but I have been sitting back and watching people 'debate' the Glazers. I'm sure what I am about to post will cause certain people to call me a Glazer puppet.

I honestly don't see what is wrong with the Glazers they are spending adequate money on the club to keep a fresh influx of players coming in. People moan about how they are not spending money on transfers but we have recently brought in world class players such as RVP and Kagawa. I think some people on here want what our neighbours have and have a rich Sheik in charge of our club. I'm not saying I wouldn't want that but I can be happy with what we have currently got.

We also do not have the worst owners by far, look at Arsenal and their transfer policy, at least we keep hold of our best players and if they do go we buy replacements immediately.

Regarding the debt I think any owners would have had to put the club in debt to buy us as we are valued so highly. Also they are paying off the debt and realistically it is not having a massive effect on the club as we are still purchasing world class players.

I did once hate the Glazers and regularly went to matches wearing my green and gold scarf in protest but after really thinking about it we could be a lot worse off and the green and gold now stays in the wardrobe.

What I am really trying to say if you cannot be bothered reading this long post (sorry by the way) is that we could be a lot worse off owner wise.

AvidDevil

Aaaaaarrrggggghhhhh. £500m cost to the club, no problem. God bless the Glazers

Just when I think maybe I am a little bit over the top with my comments to some of the persons on this site and then this clown AvidDevil justifies every comment I have ever made. You stupid stupid person. They have not put one penny into the club and have taken hundreds of millions out but you can't see a problem with the Glazers. I AM KLOOT

After that comment you should be ashamed to call yourself a utd fan and obviously not at tonights game
johndenton

No KLOOT, it rightly justifies disagreement with this poster. It does not justify the other 'over the top' remarks.

StevieK

30 Jan 2013 20:49:09
Very disappointed today. We're playing at Old Trafford, and yet we can hear the Southampton fans chanting 'we're going to win 3-2'

Really? At Old Trafford, we can hear the opposition fans? Very sad.

I actually though the Southampton fans were dreadful, it was as if they had read the 'generic book of songs for away matches'. We support our local team, who the f are man united etc. none of their own songs apart from one.

GDS

30 Jan 2013 20:40:04
Got a scorecast of United 3-1 with Rooney last goalscorer at 33-1. I've never wanted a hat trick more.

Hoppy

30 Jan 2013 20:04:03
OMG Carrick and DDG how terrible was that 0-1

Pardoe

30 Jan 2013 19:35:11
Confirmed line-up. De Gea, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evra, Welbeck, Carrick, Anderson, Kagawa, Rooney, van Persie. Subs: Lindegaard, Da Silva, Ferdinand, Valencia, Nani, Cleverley, Buttner.

Lets hope we can get our goal difference up tonight!

30 Jan 2013 19:26:47
Really happy with the lineup but where is Hernandez? Not even on the bench

Gav

Mexico has a World Cup qualifying match on February 6th..I 'll assume Chicarito is flying to Mexico...Zany Steve

Has a hip injury, expected to be back for the weekend.

29 Jan 2013 16:44:30
Hey ed002, just a quick question please? Where are Galatasaray getting all this money from? Drogba and Sneijders wages won't be easy to cover right? {Ed002's Note - I have zero interes in trying to explain such things on teh MU page.}

30 Jan 2013 18:43:35
Ed 2 he asked you a simple question and yet again you gave an arsy response...y can't you just do your job? By the way I love reading this site but you get right on my nerves! {Ed002's Note - What do you think my job is then? Cretin.}

Were no names 1 and 2 the same person?

GDS

By your intelligence level, I would mistake you for a scouser.

You don't go to the butcher and ask him for sports equipment, just like you don't come to the you ited fanpage to ask about galataseray.

Now show some respect and if you don't like what you see you re free to fu** off. You show him Ed !

Mick

C86 {Ed004's Note - I'm fed up of the shocking abuse Ed 2 has been receiving from so called followers of this site. The majority of the time, if not all the time, Ed 2 is in the right and goes out of his way to help and find out information. I'm sick of people saying it is his job, as quite frankly it isn't he kindly volunteered to help people and provide a quality service on his behalf, so any more of this abuse or people yapping about him, firstly check the search functions as 9 times out of 10 your answer is there and secondly you will be banned from the sites.}

GDS - You took the words straight off of my keyboard...... There is one word for him...... Clown.

Mick, an intelligent person doesn't resort to foul words. Also, an intelligent person can spell United and galatasaray.

Also, open your eyes. Scroll down.. there are talks about QPR, a defender: Samba and such which is in no way related to United. It was just a quick question (I am the original poster, not the second either). I got my answer and understand Ed002 doesn't want to answer on this page. Who are you to judge my intelligence? Ironic. Shut up. {Ed004's Note - He isn't the second poster.}

From the number of disagrees ill say yes haha.

GDS

You don't see anyone down there insulting the eds for not commenting on the situation

Mick

31 Jan 2013 10:05:41
I tried 2 add 2 my post yesterday but it didn't get through, I wonder why? Ed 4 I didn't say anything abusive and from the amount of agrees it seems some people agreed with me. I read this site everyday religiously and the banter is immense, love reading post from the likes of. sydney, ajh, shahram, pardoe, danny p, kloot etc. Now to mick, I can't work out whether your reply was moronic or ironic! 2 question my intelligence by saying all scousers are thick, spelling mistakes and ending with **** off, well. it made me laugh if nothing else. P.s how could I forget zee! :) c86 {Ed004's Note - The thing is you can hit agree as many times as you want it doesn't influence my decision at all. Mainly due to the fact you were banned temporarily for sending in multiple abusive texts directed at Ed 2 and by looking at your IP address impersonating a regular poster on here. This is basically your last chance and your ip and name tags been noted and anything else put up in the wrong and you will be permanently banned}

30 Jan 2013 17:08:14
Interesting to see Stoke making enquiries for Butland. Begovic earmarked for the summer?

Sydney!

Yes...if it was down to you ;)

Gav

30 Jan 2013 18:11:18
nowhere near good enough as first choice.

Gav, I am a massive fan of the keeper we have got, just think the club are looking for something different. Hope I'm wrong.

Sydney!

Begovic not good enough?? No name are you crazy ? He is an outstanding keeper.

GWG93

If (and its a big IF De Gea leaves) then who exactly is out there to replace him?

No point going for the likes of Ter Stegen or Courtouis as they are just young potential unproven in the Premier League so we'd be back to square 1 and having to be patient whilst they adapt.

Krul, Begovic, Forster all been mentioned but all play for mid level teams and it would be a big step up for them, and they'd need time to settle, and any mistakes they'd get nailed.

So we'd need a top class experienced keeper with international and champions league experience who could come striaght in.

But look around the top international teams and none of them are realistic:

England: Joe Hart, no chance of signing him.

France: Hugo Lloris, already in England with Spurs so prem experience as well, but would cost a shedload of cash.

Germany: Manuel Neiur, can't really see him leaving Bayern.

Italy: can only think of Gigi Buffon and he won't move abroad now.

Spain: Casillas, won't leave Madrid and not suited to the prem.

Holland: Stekelenberg, not an outstanding keeper.

So to all you De Gea-ters who woud you sign?

Begovic is a decent but unspectaular keeper. The problem is there aren't many world class keepers atm. Maybe the new balls have gone too far in terms of lightness and unpredicatability or maybe they haven't been around long enough for keepers to adapt and be taught how to keep goal against these new balls.

If DDG was to leave I would be gutted as I really feel that within a few years he'll be the best keeper on the planet. But I can understand people who don't feel he is right or worry about his long term intentions.

But If we were to replace him for me there is only two options. Rene Adler or Fernando Muslera.

Shappy

30 Jan 2013 16:13:29
Hi guys, just thought I would air my current views on our possible SUMMER transfer activity.

I believe that Scholes will retire and depending on what we win this year I think Giggs will follow him. Ferdinand again depending on what we win I think will move on for a last challenge elsewhere. I really don't see Fletcher playing properly again but whether this is anounced this summer I don't know.
I think Nani will be sold (£18 million ish), I think Evra will go (£3 million ish), Lindegaard will leave with a better quality back up to De Gea brought in. Personally I think Fergie wants Lewandowski and this will be funded by the sale of Welbeck (£15 million ish) as he doesn't offer enough impact as a back up striker where as Hernandez does, just sitting quietly not moaning doesn't mean you are a good 4th choice striker.
A strong CM will come in but who exactly is difficult to say, possibly Wanyama, possibly Strootman, possibly someone completely different. I think Fergie will get Baines or another quality left back and Fabio will come back into the squad as a good quality O'Shea type player down the left.
Obviously Zaha will come in for next season in place of Nani probably and I still have a huge feeling that Ronaldo will come back, cue the can't afford him/go back to football manager comments. I think that Fergie may look to offload Rooney to the highest bidder, he is rarely in top shape these days, gets injured a bit and doesn't really look after himself as a professional footballer on his wages should. If he was sold it would free up lots of transfer cash plus Rooneys huge wages to go for Ronaldo who will be at the top of his game well beyond Rooney.
We would then have Ronaldo/Young on the left and Zaha/Valencia on the right.
Through the middle we would have Van Persie, Lewandowski, Hernandez, Henriquez, Keane.
Midfield we would have the new signing, Carrick, Anderson, Cleverley, Powell, Kagawa further forward and Jones if and when needed.
Defence we would have Baines(or similar), Buttner, Fabio, Raphael, Smalling, Jones, Vidic, Evans, Keane and I don't think we need any other CB's bringing in.
Goalkeepers as De Gea and new backup signing.

Just my thoughts but all are possible and definitely no football manger needed for this to happen.

Brendan

Ok, I like this piece but for god' sake is Rafael, I don't know where people got the idea that there was a ph in there! Seriously. Cant see Ronaldo coming back, he said he was going to honor his contract at Madrid. don't see another lb signed as Tyler blackett is making big strides and is one for the future. Wanyama, would be playing in the African cup on a yearly basis so I don't think Fergie will sign him because he doesn't like losing players to international duty (as we have seen before). Strootman is a big possibility but I think his agent is a stumbling block so an alternative might be looked at, My pick would be Bender.
And Rooney is Mr United. His face is global and will always be associated with United, he is a big name and I know Fergie loves him as a player so I ont think he will leave.
Saints to put up a tough fight tonight but United to win 2-0
James

Well Brendan, what about replacing Fergie?
Definitely see him going this summer.

James I am with you on the Blackett thing, I don't want a left back coming but I think one might. I also agree with Wanyama and think we may look elsewhere. With Rooney tho I don't agree, if we sold Rooney and got Ronaldo we would have the 2nd best player in the world as the face of the club. I think Fergie would sacrifice Rooney to get Ronaldo back again and I think he would be right too as I honestly don't see Rooney lasting at the top much past 30 but Ronaldo will be into his mid 30's.

Brendan

30 Jan 2013 18:30:43
wont happen that's too much to do all in one summer. Its evolution not revolution. We'll sign five players at most and that's counting zaha. And a couple of the others will be young players. Its too much experience to lose all in one go

Ronaldo's game will deteriorate in his 30's just like many other wingers have, Without pace Ronaldo's game will be lacking, His powerful shots, aerial ability and trickery are very useful but without pace he will not be the asset he once was. Rooneys game is less based around pace but tenacity, strong work ethic and a great passing range (admittedly his passing and game has been lacking recently) But Rooney is United through and through, Ronaldo turned his back on us for Madrid so why would he come back. It was his dream to play in the white of Madrid and I honestly don't see him coming back, The past was great with him but that's all it will be, The past. He loves Manchester United and that's not going to change but I don't think he would return. Things could change though, He may realise how much he misses it when Madrid come to face us at OT but right now I don't see him coming back.
Rooney belongs in the United jersey. know last year he held the club to ransom (somewhat) but if he didn't get that I don't think he would have left, Rumours say it was down to his agent but we may never know if he even wanted to leave or just felt unappreciated.
I don't want Rooney to leave and if he did I would say a lot of fans would be furious.
James
Sorry for rant :P

James- the African cup of Nations is not held yearly( they moved it to every odd year number this tournament so that it was not in line with the world cup, that is why there was two in a row, so I can see where the confussion comes from) however Wanyama is Kenyan and Kenya have only qualified once since 1994 (2004) and in that tournament they got knocked out in the first round, so seeing as it is unlikely that they will qualify (a gamble yes, but one I would bet on and feel comfortable winning) and if they did qualify they are not going to go far so even if he went he wouldn't be away that long. I'm a Celtic fan so I watch him every week and he is and a beast and is very good on the ball, can drive past or through a player can play a pass, break up play, has a good long shot, and scores a few goals. He is good in the box defending or attacking. He can also play CB. Haven't seen strootman play but wanyama would be my chose .
FM

We will be linked with the best midfielders in the world. We will have to settle for Scholes on a new contract and the return of Flecther; SAF will then hail Fletcher's return as a new signing.

James don't apologise for a rant, this is United and if we didn't have strong views and love for the club then we wouldn't be the club we are. We will have to agree to disagree on the who will last longer at the top thing. Ronaldo keeps himself in prime condition permanently where as Rooney is usually in poor condition and that alone will shorten his career at the top. Ronaldo will lose some pace yeah but if he does with his shot, ability in the air and strength he can move inside and carry on as a world class number 9 if necessary. I think Rooney will lose too much of his stamina which is a huge part of his game getting around the pitch.
I think Ronaldo has already realised that what was his dream as a kid isn't what he wanted/needed as an adult and I honestly think he wants a way back. Yes he said he will honour his contract but lets face it if he won't sign a new contract it is as good as asking to leave as they won't let him go for nothing in 2 years.
When Rooney said he wanted to leave, whoever that came from doesn't matter, I lost any respect and admiration I had for him. He wasnt leaving to follow his childhood dream he was being a greedy person and I have no time for that. He proved then that he isn't united through and through, once a blue always a blue, remember that.
Oh and no name Fergie will do a couple more seasons and will manage Ronaldo again which I think is what they both want. I really think Mourinho is chelsea bound and in a few years Pep will come in if he has been successful at Bayern.

Brendan

30 Jan 2013 16:04:59
Syd, Jono... Any tips for tonight?


Anon

2-0 to us tonight, gotta be Van Persie first goal.

Brendan

Utd over 3.5 goals

Treble: arsenal, Everton, spurs.

Treble: palace, Celtic-1, hearts.

Double: Ross county, Aberdeen.

Scorers anytime: Nani (if playing), jelavic, Defoe and wanyama.

Jono

Go for a norwich draw with spurs mate, huddersfield draw with palace and a madrid win on the treble pays 40-1

or go for huddersfield win, norwich win and arsenal win and utd to win four fold acca pays 40-1 too

Chris the REDman

30 Jan 2013 15:30:33
Wanyama or Strootman. Whose more likely? Tbh, I'd say Wanyama.

30 Jan 2013 14:24:21
Guys can anyone explain to me why we did not manage to sign Noe Baba. How can fulham be a better option for him then us? We say we need a player to replace Keane and having watched him at Castlebar Celtics I thought he could have been the person I was very excited but the thought of signing him so how and WHY did we lose out?

Walrus

Don't think you can lose something you didn't take part in?!

GDS

We did want to sign him... so GDS I don't understand your post.

Walrus

You can't blame the lad. If he is that good then stands a chance of breaking into the Fulham first team by the time he is 18-19, something he is unlikely to do at United. He will also know that, if he does well, clubs like United will come in for him once he has proven himself; just as Chris Smalling did.

TK-Red

Walrus,

What proof do you have of that? Quotes from sir Alex, David gill outside his house?

GDS

Thought it was a joke name, sounds like Dudleyese.

30 Jan 2013 14:18:06
Zee, don't worry about Kloot. It's fans like him that give us a poor reputation around the UK. The fans in UK are of the minority, and without the majority of fans from outside the UK, Manchester United would be nowhere.

He claims that people who buy shirts, merchandise etc. are supporters of the Glazers. Well, he goes to the games, and so is purchasing from the Glazers. KLOOT is extremely contradictory, and enjoys belittling fans from outside of Manchester.

No matter if you've been to 0 matches, or 100 matches, every United fan is as important as the next. Just look at the support in Asia, South Africa etc. from this years Pre-Season tour. Although I guess you wouldn't watch it as you wouldn't dare buy MUTV and contradict yourself even more, by further purchasing from the Glazers.

KLOOT, I know you will come on here and have a jab at me for being from Northern Ireland, and not Manchester. Please do, as I know with being only 17 years old and having been to 37 matches that I have nothing to worry about, you can attempt to belittle me all you like.

MPez

Ah leave kloot alone ........ Bullies......... An glazer puppets........ Oh no iv caught the kloot ....... As we speak I'm burning my Manchester united stuff cause i'm not puttin money in the glazers pockets....... Please someone help i'm melting...

CAIN

I did on firstrow it was cool to watch it but did not watched the games against hannover and barcelona, thanks MPez mate zee:)btw I don't get bothered by kloot I think it's sad that he likes united but can't share what we guys share together, love four united we are after all a global familly.i was trying to show him ligth in the tunnel but I think he likes dark;)

Where about from northern ireland are you from. used to go out many years ago with a great girl from hollywood.

Shahram

Near Bangor, Shahram. You?

Great as in looks, or as in a decent girl?

MPez

Oh Manchester so much to answer for. I AM KLOOT

30 Jan 2013 12:43:48
KLOOT - if you buy a season ticket, surely you are a customer, or am I missing something ? What is your definition of a customer as opposed to a fan ?
Are you not therefore feeding cash into the Glazer coffers ? Are you therefore not a Glazer puppet ?
Stop me if you think you've heard this one before. :)
PerthDave

Nice on PerthDave you seem like a charming man. Surely we have had this conversation too many times about grown men wearing replica shirts and jester hats. If I have to explain then you will never get it. I do appreciate you getting it though Dave.
I AM KLOOT

30 Jan 2013 11:21:41
Couple of points KLOOT.

To claim that poster's comment below was racist, is quite frankly ridiculous. Nice way to deflect the attention away from your own boorish comments - use the race card.

Secondly, the comment regarding our young Norwegian friend. Despite your hurt protestations of innocence, it was quite obvious you were trying to get a cheap little dig at him. Ignore him Zee, KLOOT would kill for the enthusiam you have for.....well, anything probably.

This was obviously Bad KLOOTS turn to come on these pages. No doubt to be followed by Good KLOOT coming on and rallying us altogether with a stirring speech. Then we can all come on and think 'awww he's not a bad lad after all'.

You're fooling no one mate - this behaviour is as predictable as it is tedious.

StevieK

Good post StevieK, thought KGM (Kloot the Glazer Mole) was out of order further down.....

Two quotes for you Kloot...

"The open-minded see the truth in different things: the narrow-minded see only the differences.�

I think it is very hard for you to see the wood from the trees, coming from such a narrow minded outlook. Which is why I take your Glazer rants (and other rants) with a huge pinch of salt!

Also, a funnier one as it made me chuckle:

"He was so narrow minded that if he fell on a pin it would blind him in both eyes"

Hope you enjoyed them and took a minute to reflect on things :)

Gav

Thanks steviek mate, I will do just that and ignore him, zee:)

30 Jan 2013 10:41:37
guys, I was reading what casillas girlfriend was saying she said that some players are not happy with mourinhio(spelling)thats good news four us that will cost them a lot against us if they can't solve their problems then they will struggle to focus on fotball games I think and hope we can use this to our advantage, I was reading it on vgfotball.no a norwegian site, zee

30 Jan 2013 10:25:32
So match day anyone got any predictions on scores?
Also anyone going to the game tonight?

I'm going first united game I've been to!

COME ON UNITED!

Munkydunc

Enjoy yourself mate.

StevieK

Enjoy the game, I'm hoping for a win but don't want to jinx it with a score prediction!

Gav

Munkydunc
Have a good night mate.

You do realise that if we lose, its your fault.

:0D

Dishforth Red

Don't tell Kloot ;)

Yes season ticket holder I will be there, look out for me I will be the one in the red united shirt, white shorts and black socks from the club shop and a red and white scarf!

GDS

Have a good time mate! Sing your heart out!

Hope the team put on a good show for you.

MPez

Enjoy the game bud :)

I've been to my first games this season also. Went to the 2-1 win over newcastle in the league cup and the 3-2 win over braga.

I'm thinking 3-1.

United We Stand

30 Jan 2013 09:30:28
On one of my nightly rounds around the depths of the internet last night...I found myself reading about and watching a few videos on AC Milan during Ancelotti's reign. The thing that has me interested the most was his deployment of the Christmas Tree formation (4-3-2-1). Thinking about our current squad, Carrick being our midfield rock, our issues on the wing and the obvious creativity we have, made me think this could be a formation to use.

The midfield 3 could consist of Carrick in the center, Cleverley to the right and Anderson to the left. Carrick acts as the deeper shuttler, supplying the ball to the attacking midfield pairing of Kagawa and Rooney. Cleverley could provide some width to the right if needed and Kagawa could drop back to provide with on the left, as it probably wouldn't be something Anderson would be as good at! Rather i'd use Anderson as a free roaming CM, bursting forward when he can and looking for space in the middle of the park. Obviously it's RVP up top, and we know that himself and Rooney had started to link up incredibly when Rooney was playing in the hole at the beginning of the season.

The central defense would have to be solid, but he have Smalling, Evans and Jones as our CB's for the foreseeable future (with Vidic and Rio obviously for the next 2ish years!). The only problem would be LB, it would need to be improved. We all know he's good for attacking but his tracking back does leave a lot to be desired! Rafael would be fine at RB, especially with Cleverley being able to provide some extra defensive cover on the right if needed.

And before there's the usual ''this isn't football manager'' talk...I know it isn't, I don't even have football manager lol. I'm just trying to find a way to utilize our best 11 players in the roles they are good at...having RVP, Rooney and Kagawa in the same attack would be epic...that much is obvious. We've also seen, earlier in the season, the energy that we had when Cleverley and Anderson were in midfield together, and Carrick is pulling the strings behind the scenes quite nicely...so that experience sat in between Cleverley and Anderson could be a good mix.

Any thoughts eds/regulars?

Andy!

I brought up the potential of a Christmas Tree formation towards the beginning of the season. With our current crop of in form players this IMO would be an ideal formation. The draw back is is that we lose width and conventional winger play. However, with Rooney and Kags, and even to an extent Clev, roaming they could play a bit wide at times. Attacking width could also come from Raf and Evra with Carrick shift back to cover.

As long as the team we are playing does not exclusively play through the wings, this could be a decent formation given that our wingers are sh!t right now.

B

I see where you are coming from because our wingers have been poor. So whether or not this shape could be used at some point in the short term I'm not sure, but in the long term I think we just need to improve our wing options and stick to a more familiar shape. Whatever we think about our wingers, spreading the play across the whole breadth of the pitch is a big part of our success, and it's why the likes of Rooney and RVP have space to hurt opponents through the middle.

Gav

30 Jan 2013 13:20:36
it could work in some games. The christmas tree at milan was the default defensive line up in reality it worked more as a narrow diamond in midfield.

30 Jan 2013 08:55:21
I was watching a repeat of the Fulham game and unlike those people saying Nani was selfish, I think he was trying to gather confidence and looking at some of the things he did and the fact that he lasted 90 minutes, I believe Fergie had a hand in that.He hit the first man with his crosses in the first half but in the second half, Nani played better than Valencia ever did the whole season, but I do agree he still lacks a bit of confidence.If any winger will start against Southapton, I believe it will be Nani.

bk7

30 Jan 2013 01:12:22
If syd is correct and we have missed out on strootman - in this window, at least - though it does remains to be seen whether or not this particular player can/will be a success, it also signal some interesting, and positive, tactical intent. An ace midfielder is critical, but there are a wide variety of midfielders out there. I believe we have the players we need in an am/second striker role and I rank cleverley and Anderson among them along with the more obvious kagawa/rooney axis. Its a shame about darren fletchers illness. Resultingly, we lack a second, deeper-lying skill player to sit next to carrick and help shield the defense.

Lets face it, Scholes can only be (very) effective in short bursts (and I mean minutes, not stretches of games). Strootman, from what I have seen, seems to fit the bill - at least on paper. Vidal, the bender bros, khedira, et al are other fine options, but I have always loved angry dutchman like stam, van bommel, davids, etc. strootman seems like he has some of this.

So looking towards the summer, if we continue our present pursuit, we could see a truly top squad next year with a lot of versatility. For example:

-------------De Gea (yup)
Rafael-Smalling-Vidic-Fabio/Evra
-------carrick-----strootman-----

These two as a base behind a rotating combination of our very exciting attacking options. Maybe another winger, leftie please.

Moreover, we might even continue with the expirement we started away at west ham in the cup with three at the back

--------------De gea (there he is again)
Smalling------vidic--------Evans
Rafael----carrick----strootman----Evra
-------Rooney--------kagawa------
-----------------Rvp------------

All in all, the squad being assembled - assuming a few quality signings here and there, as we are won't to do - really does look great for the future. I, for one, am very excited about our prospects, naysayers be damned.

As for me, American, fell in love with united in 93 as a 10 year old kid, visiting both old trafford and the cliff (a kid next to me pointed out Ryan Giggs working with some reserves. In retrospect, I may have seen g.neville, scholes, and a few others - though fewer would have known them then, I assume). Stole a chunk of the ot pitch in my pocket to replant I my yard. Didn't work out. Noble gesture. Probably seen em play quite a bit more than many of my fellow global fans (at a staggering price, I might add) but I never doubt the passion of folks from one end to another. I imagine if I were from Manchester, I would resent the poseurs, but that should be about much more than geography. As a sportsman and a sports fan, there really is little like United and the legendary prowess of Alex Ferguson during my lifetime. A real blessing.

Windy City Red

Windy City Red

The other club with major interest on Strootman is AC Milan but now that they have wasted 23 million pounds on buying that person from City I doubt very much that the club will be able to stump up another 20-25 million in the summer for Strootman considering the clubs financial difficulty and also the state of italian football as a whole.
I think this leaves us in a strong position to get Strootman providing we are serious and interested in him?

Simmo

IF Syd is correct? IF ?
Disney! knows all things Manchester United. He has told us so - so it must be so.. You only have to listen to all his supporters. Here they are now.........
Ba-aa-a Ba-aa-a B-aa-a

Puzzled

Puzzled, I know more about your club than you do.

Sydney!

Puzzled seems jealous. Think he wishes he had people agreeing with his views.
Djay.

Disney! since you know more about everything than anyone else it stands to reason that you will know more about my club than I do- so why the need to say it?

Puzzled

29 Jan 2013 23:08:05
Barry and Milner in centre midfield, can't imagine why Citeh couldn't beat QPR!

DodgyBanter

They were not poor either.. I remember Milner played a perfect pass to Dzeko only for him to miscontrol it (maybe he didn't expect such passing from Milner)

Anyway why should we worry about Citeh...