Manchester United Banter Archive July 31 2015

31 Jul 2015 23:06:11
Hi all,
Thanks to the Eds as always for the site.
Just wanted to share my view on the transfer window so far.
1) Madrid - where's this Summers Galactico? I'm sure it's coming and I don't believe for one minute that the Madrid fans will accept a GK (even if DDG) as that. So it will have to be a midfield or att player. Pogba Agut Feeling is Barcelona bound so possibly Reus, Aguero, Hazard?
2) Man City - Dzeko, now Jovetic out, only Sterling in. Are we going to see some youth finally arriving on the scene from them this year or is there a striker waiting in the wings? I do not believe for one minute that Sterling is either a £49 million pound player or a natural goal scorer so he can't be a replacement can he? I also recon Madrids galactico could be Aguero this Summer so again this leaves them very short in the final third.
3) Our att - Everything I'm reading both on here and elsewhere has linked us with just about every striker in Europe. Do we need to replace Rooney? The answer is no, do we need back up to Rooney the answer is possibly, depending on how much you rate Hernandez. What about pace? Depay, Young, Lingard give us that and width but what is lacking is the world class cut above the rest. However, looking at both Man City and Madrids situations I would say across Europe at the moment there is high demand but less availability as most all looking for either a change or the same thing.
I can seriously see a chain reaction of transfers taking place with regards to att minded players, literally a 4-5 club involved rotation and maybe Di Maria is the start of it. Who would Madrid or City take from PSG? That's the question I think we need to answer, maybe Lucas, Ibra?

4) Lastly our defence - nice and quick this one, we will sign a CB, who that is though is still unclear but I am sticking to my guns and going with Otamendi. Outstanding season last year, best CB in La Liga and will improve us.

Look forward to hearing your thoughts.

01 Aug 2015 00:26:36
i think city are going sign zlatan they only have bony and kunt.

we are in need of a cb, if it comes to getting a worldie of a striker or a cb it has to be a cb.

jones, evans are not enough to back up smalling and rojo. even blind there are not the answer,

im hoping we get hummells but i think that one has long gone now he's happy at dortmund

31 Jul 2015 21:15:55
When di Maria and de gea have been sold we will have spent very little on balance, so I'm expecting big spending on a CB and maybe a surprise purchase.

31 Jul 2015 23:10:07
Ots looking more likely we won't buy a cb so smalling and hooefully rojo as his parnter step up

31 Jul 2015 23:12:39
And if we can sell Evans and Rafael too we will be + for the summer. So yes, let's splash the cash!!

31 Jul 2015 20:47:14
Haven't posted on this site since those dark David Moyes days, it's really refreshing to see the squad getting a good overhaul from LVG.

Anyway some player shouts from left-field:

CB - Höwedes - Schalke captain and experienced German international, played every minute when they won the WC, and yeah, I've got German fever ever since Basti joined. Solid leader, don't know how open he would be for a move however.

LW/CF/RW - Heung-Min Son - Young, versatile, pacey forward from Leverkusen, very clinical and two-footed. Think he is ready to step up to a big club, and there is the cliche marketing advantages that seem to come with signing Asian players.

Thoughts? Feel free to shoot me down haha

31 Jul 2015 21:24:39
Any alternative CB's to Smalling Jones or Evans are fine by me. However we are leaving it so late to fill that position it is a concern. another player to bed in if we even sign anyone. Makes you wonder if we put all our eggs on one basket with chasing Ramos. Don't be surprised if we pick up Ron Vlaar on a free if we can't sign a big name before deadline day.

31 Jul 2015 21:43:08
Vlaar is out for about 4 months he's just had a knee op, won't be going anywhere.

Howedes is a very good player, and probably won't cost as much as someone like otamendi, I trust lvg and ed to get in some quality though

31 Jul 2015 21:43:23
Sonaldo is an absolute gem of a player, surprised he hasn't gone on to a bigger team yet, only ever seems to score pearlers. Has he even been linked to anyone this summer?

31 Jul 2015 22:25:28
Yeah I agree, although there is still a month left, the season starts very soon so perhaps we'll be looking towards Prem CB's that can slot right in, rather than oversea players such as Otamendi, who will likely take time to settle without a pre-season behind them.

Wouldn't like to see Vlaar though, if we are going for someone Prem proven I'd go all out for Stones or maybe Vertonghen.

31 Jul 2015 17:58:33
Ed001, you just said 2 weeks is the maximum fine, can we not fine him again in the next 2 weeks?

Not that we will need to as he won't be here.

{Ed001's Note - I believe it is 2 weeks per offence.}

31 Jul 2015 20:16:22
Cheers Ed, 1st offence not turning up, second offence not turning up all season and 3rd offence disappointing the fans.

31 Jul 2015 21:02:48
Falling over like a big Jessie pretending to be injured and having no bottle

31 Jul 2015 21:25:45
Steady on guys, we are not the bitters

31 Jul 2015 21:33:36
Well said Dodgy, and where have you been mate?

31 Jul 2015 18:29:09
If we turn round to dortmund and say right
40 million for hummels and then say right hummels we REALLY want you this summer to get us our league title back, 200,000 a week(along with other top earners) surely we could get him! Along with a signing on fee for his wife to play with?!?! It's not as of we can't afford it???

31 Jul 2015 19:03:51
we should have got him when he was undecided on is future, now were stuck in the mud

31 Jul 2015 20:17:59
Thought we would sign 2 cb,was sure we would have one by now,our cb are not good enough for the top 4 sides in England,the cl will be an eye opener if we don't get in a world class cb.

31 Jul 2015 07:45:43
Watch me get shot down and tons of disagree buttons but the way ed004 was talking last night, you kept saying 'IF' you know who leaves, not 'when' you know who leaves. Surely ed004, surely there's no doubt about him getting his move? Is it not waiting to be announced?

{Ed004's Note - Di Maria is all but gone however I'm not sure if De Gea is 100% going yet}

31 Jul 2015 17:34:28
Fingers crossed heh ed!

31 Jul 2015 15:19:32
Apparently matt hummels was in manchester last week what's yr thoughts?

Possible Adidas launch signing.

31 Jul 2015 15:53:57
According to lee Sharpe, hummels was in Manchester last week so potentially a reliable source.

31 Jul 2015 15:58:01
Getting a bit worried about the number of people who think there will be an 'Adidas launch signing'. When has this ever happened?

31 Jul 2015 16:37:46
GDS2 - making me laugh too, all this Adidas signing rubbish. As if it's linked to any signings. They just agreed to a shirt sponsor deal. Not to complete signing for us

31 Jul 2015 15:05:19
Does anybody think LVG may have lost a little power within the club/dressing room over the ADM fiasco.What i mean is telling the worlds press he didn't know where he was when asked baffled me because surely he could told a white lie instead of saying he didn't know.It looks like the player has defied the manager which could lead others to rebel.We all know SAF would of handled things a little differently ie when Eric went walkabye at least SAF knew where he was and went to sort thing out .I don't think LVG wanted ADM i think Woodward bought him to show the rest that we can get top talent even with no CL

31 Jul 2015 15:39:51
You mean the example where SAF said he thought Rooney wanted to leave and Rooney vehemently denied it?

LVG may not have known exactly , emphasis on exactly where he was, but will likely have known where the process was up to. The players will know LVG is not to be messed with and has authority, ask Valdes and RVP about that

31 Jul 2015 15:46:36
I think LVG answered on purpose that way to put the spotlight on Di Maria for not showing up as required and being a professional.

31 Jul 2015 18:21:02
LVG knows where he is and has known all along. He is probably the one who ordered Di Maria to stay away from the U.S tour, as he would've been well aware of PSG's interest and Di Maria's wish to leave.

31 Jul 2015 13:51:05
Reflecting on the transfers so far we do have to ask if we have made the best decisions. We have signed Schweinsteiger who has been replaced with Vidal. We have signed Romero when Cech was available. Would we be stronger with Vidal and Cech?

Schneiderlin is a great signing but it is not clear if he is 1st choice. Depay is a quality addition but seems to be being asked to play a new role. The only signing who looks like adding real value in the right position is Darmian.

Then we get to CB where we appear to be scrabbling around when we all know this is a significant position of weakness. Perhaps there were plans that didn't materialise but the courting of Ramos and the now alleged interest in Stones is less than reassuring that there is a master plan.

Pick Sneiderlin as 1st choice, play Depay out wide, sign a quality CB and add some flair,

Perhaps I'm just having a bad day but whilst excited for the new season, I still think we lack flair and worry about selection and formation. Time will tell I guess.

31 Jul 2015 14:26:30
Perfect assessment. At least we have 8 days to work on our deficiencies now with none stop training and no travel etc, but my worry is the CL qualifiers coming whilst we are still trying to figure out the best system and bring in key players. We seem under prepared.

A lot of talk about Adidas day, but if I were a major shareholder of both Utd and Adidas I would want to benefit from the mass media attention then reignite it a week or so later, no point signing a Big player as the publicity will already be large. PR over preparation I fear - look at how our rushed signings turned out last season.

31 Jul 2015 14:32:45
Agree

31 Jul 2015 18:28:51
Signings have been good but not spectacular. But we needed them. Time now to buy a top CB and a top striker, Lewandawski!!

31 Jul 2015 19:33:33
To challenge seriously on all fronts CD, Lewandowski and Bale. Now that would be frightening for the opposition

31 Jul 2015 13:40:39
just joined the fantasy league :) if i come below wallace i'm going to have to hurt myself

31 Jul 2015 12:26:05
Edds, with van gaals recent comments about united not needing a cb (I don't know if it was an actual quote or a journalists twist on words) do you know if we maintain an intrest in a cb or are we actively trying to sign any CB's

Cheers in advance

{Ed007's Note - Utd must sign at least one CB to have any hope of mounting a challenge and I'd be surprised if there isn't something in the pipeline.}

31 Jul 2015 13:31:38
Today alone there's rumours of stones, de vrij and inigo Martinez so we must be looking at one.

31 Jul 2015 11:50:55
With us seemingly struggle to land an experienced CB i can see us go all out for John Stones. I think Evans in a swap deal could help as reported but to be honest i would even let Jones go if it would help. I think Stones has been on the radar for a while but an earlier move for him is being forced due to Chelsea bidding. I think our clubs have a decent working relationship aswell and they may rather deal with us. Not the finished article yet but could be a future great/captain in my opinion.

31 Jul 2015 12:27:37
Yeah brilliant relationship, we pay over the odds for theirs and they get our deadwood 😅

{Ed025's Note - someone has got to keep everton afloat anon...and seeing as you like throwing money about it may as well be us mate..cheers..

31 Jul 2015 19:34:05
Deadwood ? Bit disrespectful.

31 Jul 2015 11:01:39
Not sure if this has been discussed but in amid the clamor for new recruits, we should be wary that too many changes can weaken us. Players
take time to settle in particularly since so many come from abroad now.

31 Jul 2015 11:24:18
Nobody can come in and do a worse job that Evans or jones at the back. Look at it that way

31 Jul 2015 11:52:53
Bale went to Madrid and was pivotal in them winning the Champions League in his first season. Quality will come through if they want to be here

31 Jul 2015 09:48:51
Adidas day tomorrow and some on here are waiting for Mr Adidas to open their account with a Bale/Muller dream on fella's
We are having trouble with Di Maria showing himself and the football world up with his antics and guess what he is sponsored by yep ADIDAS it will not happen

31 Jul 2015 10:13:38
I don't really see what one thing has to do with the other but it's good you got that off your chest young fella!

31 Jul 2015 11:54:48
I really do think the 'Adidas' unveiling has some legs to it? Not necessarily tomorrow but within the next month there going to want to get some real branding shown ie Man Utd signing a 'marque' player -.we shall see! Also it was very interesting to read about Ashley Young jogging on and Felipe Anderson coming in with Pedro already in?

31 Jul 2015 09:18:20
Happy Adidas Eve everybody, good see ADM has been fined 2 weeks wages! It would have been more if i was in charge but i'm glad were not letting it go unpunished. i'm trying not to get into panic mode about our defensive requirements even though I pretty much knew this would happen if we fell into the Ramos trap. let's hope we see another triple swoop asap to get the squad where it needs to be

{Ed001's Note - 2 weeks is the maximum fine allowable.}

31 Jul 2015 09:44:41
Cheers Ed you learn something new every day :)

31 Jul 2015 09:38:30
2 weeks in this day and age is laughable ,certainly in the premier league.
Eds do players still get signing on fees?

{Ed007's Note - Of course they do.}

31 Jul 2015 10:41:20
Football manager taught me that ;-)

31 Jul 2015 11:30:28
The problem is, 2 weeks wages is pocket change for them at this stage of their career.

31 Jul 2015 05:10:16
So if 4-3-3 was the plan for the season then why on earth did we play 4-2-3-1 ? Better should have played 4-3-3 and let the players have better understanding among them, especially the midfield 3 . I am hoping the midfield 3 would be of Carrick, Schneiderlin and Herrera but I've got a feeling that Herrera will not get proper chance but instead memphis will play that final spot on midfield 3, with Young and Mata on wings. If that happens i would truly be dissapointed

{Ed001's Note - it wouldn't be a surprise if Herrera was pushed out as Schneiderlin was pretty much his replacement. LVG still does not rate Herrera, though I really do not get why. I think that Schneiderlin and Herrera would work well together.}

31 Jul 2015 06:45:01
Look, finally we have quality and enough players in CM and now you're moaning about Herrera not starting. I like Herrera very much and I too want to see him start but hopefully we'll have enough games this season. We can't rely on 2-3 players in CM. I'm sure Herrera will get games, as well as Blind (hope at CM), Carick, Schniderlin, Bastian and maybe Felaini (but maybe he'll be backup for the striker position). I think that LVGs 4-3-3 meant that Depay will be the third midfielder. But I'm sure in some games the 3rd midfielder will be someone from the mentioned above.

31 Jul 2015 07:37:24
Definitely ziko. Herrera will make lvg realise he should be started when he gets his chance! We will know more about the starting 11 in Tottenham game. I still think swienstieger will see a lot of the bench too

31 Jul 2015 07:55:55
What I just don't understand is why Depay is playing behind the striker, forcing Mata playing out wide. When every man and his dog would swap their positions. Don't get me wrong, they both perform decently where they are played now but Mata with his creative touches, clever one twos and sneaky through balls would excel behind the striker with Depay playing either wide right or left with his pace and skills. It's a no brainer for me and am getting a little fed up with LVG's risky experiments. Here's hoping that it was only experimented in preseason but then I would of liked to see at least one preseason game with the preferred formation and players playing in their respective positions ahead of the Tottenham game. With the qualifying rounds around the corner we need to settled and playing proper football.

31 Jul 2015 08:02:46
The worry is if he wants to play Carrick and Schweinsteiger together with Depay up front and 2 wide players. This means that Hererra and Schneiderlin don't get in. It will be bizarre if one of the best midfielders in the EPL last year sits on the bench.

31 Jul 2015 08:14:41
could not agree more. with rooney up top why not play mata in the role that he excelled at at chelski. As for depay let him play on the wing and get used to the premiership and maybe like CR7 he will end up playing more centrally but for the time being let's not put too uch pressure on him by playing him in such a pivotal role

31 Jul 2015 08:27:53
I would imagine he knows how he wants to play and is trying out options to see what else he can do should 4-3-3 not be working. We don't really have a right sided forward in the squad to play 4-3-3 at the moment.

It's all guess work though, we won't know for sure until a few games into the season. We definatly need a better left footed centreback and I would love to see Stones come in and move Smalling out to take the right side CB role.

We desperately need a right forward but we probably won't sign one until ADM is gone. Donenico Berardi would be my choice.

We need a striker too.

31 Jul 2015 08:51:50
Z_I_K_O
Where have u found me moaning ? Our team with 4-3-3 formation was very fluid and better (except when carrick got injured) . So basically we needed to replace only Fellaini with another top CM which is Schneiderlin this season . But instead of that small change , the whole midfield is going to change and u think i am moaning about it. Think before u write dude.
Herrera has been our best midfielder for majority of games whenever he played and he has proven it. So i don't buy the fact that " We will have enough games and Herrera will get chance to play" . He should be the 1st player on midfield 3 along with Schneiderlin and Carrick with Bastian covering the spot.
U urself said that we have finally bought enough quality midfielders and what is the point if they don't get to play with each other ??. I hope that LVG does not have a stupid idea of playing memphis in the midfield 3 as the furthest midfielder.

31 Jul 2015 09:31:39
What if not moaning is this about Herrera ?! LVG is the manager and he decides who he will play. If it doesn't work out he'll change the players, as he did last year and with the formation 3-5-2. The point of having enough quality is that if someone is injured or not performing well he'll be replaced with player with same quality. You can't expect to only have 3 CM that always start the games or start all 5-6 just because they are all good enough. And as a team as big as United not having equally class for cover is not acceptable. No ?!

31 Jul 2015 09:47:24
We need ENERGY in midfield. If we played with a midfield two is play MS and AH, energy, tenacity, good passing range, etc. BS and MC cannot play together as the two. It's too static and slow. If it's a two man midfield is play Depay wide, Pedro if signed on the other side , as Mata (in his best position) in behind Rooney in the number 10 role.

If it's a 3 man midfield I would go with MC or BS, with AH and MS, with front 3 of Depay, Pedro and Rooney. Leaving Mata on the bench.

Either way Ander Hererra should be starting either formation. He's too draw

31 Jul 2015 09:57:39
Making a point about something and "moaning" is totally different buddy.
He already has a year with the team and knows his best formation. These season is not about major changes in the system but only certain tweaks . The point of having enough quality is to make them compete with each other and have the best one start the game. A player who has proved himself to be the first choice for midfield spot is again dropped to bench for providing a cover is nowhere acceptable . You cannot have the same 3 CM start the game always but you would want it because it is called consistencey and it is what makes the team better, the same way where same back 4 consistently playing with each other makes a solid defence.
No matter how big we are the deserving player should play first . NO ?

31 Jul 2015 10:19:16
Van gaal yday was talking about Attacking midfield options and he didn't even mention Herrera once I think if we get Anderson and pedro then Herrera will be sold or loaned out the manager just doesn't like him personally I would rather he left than Herrera

31 Jul 2015 10:32:44
Exactly Stand-United!
I would prefer the midfield 3 though with Carrick/Bastian,Schneiderlin and Herrera . Carrick and Basti cannot play at the same time for me

31 Jul 2015 10:42:51
Herrera won't be loaned

31 Jul 2015 10:50:02
Think everone is forgetting that we have fa cup, league cup, champions league and premiership to play if we reach finals in all of them that's about 80 odd games so rotation is key. Its a team if you play well then fine you play if you don't then your benched. Herrera was decent last season BUT that was last season and your only as good as your next game. BS and MC will play together when he wants to play counter attacking football and defend for the majority. People might not like it but that's the game these days

31 Jul 2015 10:52:09
I think Herrera will start against spurs as will Smalling. LvG likes to keep people guessing but I think he's seen enough to know that Smalling and Herrera will start.

31 Jul 2015 11:02:49
I did say I like Hererra and I want him to start too. NO ? But I'm not managing the team right now and I don't know how are all the players physically, mentally etc. I don't want to argue with anyone but if a player played last season good, that doesn't mean he is fit enough or in the same condition he was back than. Let's leave the mistakes to LVG.

31 Jul 2015 11:10:23
Stand-United, spot on, mate. Exactly the players and formations I like too.

31 Jul 2015 11:43:59
Then better understand the difference between moaning and making a point . If I am making a point which seems right and 2nd person comes and speaks to me about moaning then i will surely defend myself. What else do you expect?

31 Jul 2015 13:44:35
Counter attacking was always our best game! When ronnie, rooney and tevez were bombing up the pitch on the counter we destroyed teams, and it was a pleasure to watch!

31 Jul 2015 00:36:33
Listening to talksh!t tonight. All the talk about was about us needing a centre back and striker. Seems abundantly clear to everyone we need to improve these areas so I'd be flabbergasted if lvg doesn't address it. Darren Fletcher was on (sounds a top lad) and he said United aren't finished yet and he expects a few more signings. Four players in my mind of quality and we are challengers. Goalkeepers one from Cillisen,Leno,Lloris. Centre back Garay,Otamendi or Laporte. Winger Felipe Anderson,Pedro or Reus. Up front Lacazette,Berahino or Kane. Think I'm hoping more than expecting. As long as it's not no keeper signed Ron vlaar,Gaitan,and Huntelaar. Maybe I just need to chill. I'm sure the club have something special lined up.

31 Jul 2015 07:51:37
Agree on all apart from striker. Kane or lewi for me.

31 Jul 2015 14:49:12
For me Cillensen (LVG FAV) Laporte, Felipe Anderson and Lacazette? Although keeper wise I'd prefer Bernd Leno?