Manchester United Banter Archive September 03 2012

03 Sep 2012 23:07:13
Jono.... What has happened to you recently you and Simmo have suddenly become more negative than Kloot and Kloot has actually come up with some positive posts.

Im sorry about the negativity but after 2 years of watching our CM fail against all manner of teams from Barca to Blackpool I genuinely thought that this summer would be the one where we seriously looked to fixing the problem. Yet we have dragged our heels, seen targets such as mods, dembele and now witsel all move clubs yet SAF seems to think that the terrible CM performances are going to get better by playing non CMs there resulting in our best prospect in years leaving. Last year with fletch and clevs out we were playing jones, rafa, park, giggs, Rooney in CM while we all thought we had only just missed out on Sneijder last summer. I was sucked in thinking this summer was the one. It was now where we would show we mean business and spend in the area we need the most tinkering. But....nothing.

I am very pleased with our signings. I had reservations on kags and whether the more physical EPL would slightly hinder him but he seems to have adapted well. Rvp is a top signing barring injury he can't fail really IMO. Buttner? Pointless signing! Why are we signing our Dutch scouts 3/4 th choice in his list? Why are we paying him if we don't trust the opinion of his that there were 2/3 others better? And more to the point why are we signing a younger lb anyway when Evra is needing punted and had done for 2 years? Begs belief!

Saf once got rid of a fully fighting fit Ince and on form Kanchelskis to give the youth a chance but he has gone 180 on himself and now allows the sentiment he never used to show, shine through in his continued using of giggs, evra, scholes and even Rio.

I have lost a bit of faith in SAF and the ship he is sailing. IMO was he not to sign in the CM this summer then it was always going to end up a struggle this season and a definite return to the dreaded 4-4-2 as the new style and formation promised LAST summer NEEDs a very good and strong CM as its basis of success.

We don't have that with current personnel, not to compete in England never mind over Europe. We have slipped to a degree where we can look at the other 19 prem teams and we could probably pick a CM from all of them and they would be an improvement.

Without sounding arrogant, that's not good enough for manchester united and so because of the non purchasing in CM we have seen 3 out of 3 teams attack our middle and have all had success against us if the CM god knows what will happen against a top side!

I seem to have done it again haha but I'm just concerned and annoyed that the window has passed without a CMer or replacement LB coming in straight away.

Jono

Here here...

I posted a while back that it is said that "fortune favours the brave" and in 95 fergie got rid of several first team players and replaced them with the best young group this club has seen.

Fast forward to last season when he could have done the same and promoted Fabio & Pogba but he did not as I feel he has lost that self believe. Why because in 95 he had a dream and could see how he would accomplish this with the years ahead AND HE HAS. Now however in the twilight of his career it seems that he has come to an impasse. He would like to go out on a high and feels that using the tried & tested� will enable him to do this. But as most of us can see only Scholes is really that good anymore.
We have all said for years that are mid-field needed to be changed and we have not done this. Various players have been sold during this and the last window that would have improved our mid-field but we have either not shown an interest or we have offered an insulting amount of money hoping to get them on the cheap. Yes Nasri had agreed to join, but he is more of a kagawa type and we need someone more like scholes or Keane to dominate the centre of the park.
Powell, Tunncliffe & Petrucci are the next CM players in line to get that potential promotion but will they get an opportunity to shine only time will tell.

Oxred

Jono

I agree totally with you.

Mr no name...your calling me negative but my only dissapointment is the central midfield area. Please look through the posts that i have sent and they all relate to this.
Kawgawa and RVP are good signings, i don't think any of us are in a position to judge Powell just yet.
I'll say it again, we are so short in the midfield area it's embarrassing and we had to rely on a 38 year old to come onto the pitch and pull us out of the sh*t!
That's not being negative it's a fact.
My opinion is Cleverley isn't good enough, Anderson is a waste of space and Carrick is a steady player but doesn't create anything. Paul Scholes is 38 and this is his last year and Darren Fletcher has a chronic illness that is going to hinder his performances. So there are Man United's midfield options for this season.
Im just not convinced!

Simmo

'Saf once got rid of a fully fighting fit Ince and on form Kanchelskis to give the youth a chance but he has gone 180 on himself and now allows the sentiment he never used to show, shine through in his continued using of giggs, evra, scholes and even Rio.'

I could not agree more.

Its only maybe three years ago, at the start of the season, that SAF was comparing the average age of the Chelsea squad to ours, and gloating how much rosier our future looked. mmm... fair to say that SAFs crystal ball developed a puncture on that one! Especially as I'm sure Ravel and Pogba were in his calculations at the time.

If this carries on, younger talent, which we do have, will look elsewhere. Like it or not, younger players expect to be played at a younger age in this era. The game is now about pace and movement. Two things that we do not show in our current play.

SAF may turn the ship around, his track record would suggest that any of us would be foolish to doubt him, however, my gut is telling me that there is something different this time. The game is moving in a direction that is foreign to SAF. He has to abandon his comfort zone of a 442, and does not have the back-room staff that can help him do it.

And one final comment. Berbatov claiming he was sidelined because SAF wanted to play a faster pace of football. Oh sweet Jesus that made me laugh. When is that supposed to start?

Timbo

Jono

Agreed. Look, we can't cry over Witsel moving, its done now. But my worry has been that every summer, 2-3 ready-made midfield talents sign elsewhere and we continue with the same mix of aging legends and young 'uns who aren't ready.

When Scholes finally jacks it in, who replaces him? Anyone who has proven themselves a potential replacement, has signed with another club, leaving us with young, unproven players to sign who would need 1-2 yrs before being considered 'ready' to start for MUFC.

Personally, I dread Scholes retiring for good because we simply do not have anyone capable of playing in his role and making an impact. Anyone we sign for this role, will need a beddign in period which would see us running with a makeshift midfield for a season or two.

RED_SKY

It always seems to be the same few dissenting voices who constantly question SAF's decision to not improve this area of the field, and usually get slated for their views. It is so obvious that this is our greatest area of concern.
I personally believe at this point we have become 'stale', lacking passion and drive. The reason is that the older players do not have the energy and ambition of a young player eager to show the world what they can do. Any they also know that they are currently irreplaceable, no matter how badly they play - Evra, Rio, Rooney, Carrick. And to a certain extent even Scholes, he had retired FFS, for SAF to brign him back instead of promoting Pogba, or buying someone suitable speaks volumes about SAF's mentality.
My biggest fear is that we now have a team on its last legs, making it very, very difficult for the new manager that comes next.
Our only saving grace may be the FFP rules.

J Bones.

03 Sep 2012 22:56:52
In all honesty I can see Ronaldo coming back for a fee of around £58 million.

This would be world-beating XI:

GK: David De Gea- £18m buy. Has a mistake in him, but is a terrific keeper and his performance against Everton was brilliant.
RB: Chris Smalling- £7m buy. Tall, alot of pace. Brilliant athlete. Great example to the would be players. For me, United's most consistent performer last year.
CB: Phil Jones: £16m buy. Prefered position centre-back. Strong and physical. Versatile. Great athlete. Fergie type player. Great first half of the season last season.
CB: Nemanja Vidic- £5m buy. Fergie has transformed into the world's best. There has a guiding figure to Jones and Smalling, who in this XI would alternate between themselves right-back and centre-back.
LB: Patrice Evra- £5m buy. Great left-back. Vulnruble to tall strikers taking to him at back post. Great getting up and down the touchline.
CDM: Yann M'Vila- Hopefully (£17m buy). Good pace for a CDM. Type of Roy Keane centre midfield figure United have missed. Paul Scholes long term successor.
RW: Antonio Valencia- £16m buy. Consistent performer. Pace, strong and consistent is a great sign of a football player and is now guranteed a place in United starting eleven.
LW: Cristiano Ronaldo- £60m buy. (Hopefully) Would bring pace, goals, skill, creativity, strength. He Kagawa, Rooney and Van Persie would be a title winning combination.
CAM: Shinji Kagawa- £12m buy. Playmaker. Will play in the role Rooney did last year. 17 goals last year. Creative. Quick. Accurate and a terrific football brain. He is an absolute steel of a buy for the Kings.
CF: Wayne Rooney: £30m buy. Contributes goals can drop back into midfield as he as proven when Ronaldo was first at the reds. Creative, can produce a good long pass like Scholes and United would never sell in a million years.
ST: Robin Van Persie: £24m buy. Will be known for the goals he scores. Will be pivotal to United's success in the next five years and I wish he was the age of Welbeck. Glad we have got Hernandez though as a ready made replacement who scores goals.

Bench:
13. Andres Lindegaard- £3m buy. There to back up De Gea and provide competition.
21. Rafael Da Silva- £2m buy. Pace. Reminds me of a brazilian Gary Neville. Getting up and down the touchline. Got a mistake in him though. Performance against Fulham was immense.
6. Jonny Evans- Academy. Tough at the back and was terrific towards the end of the season and unfortunate injury will relegate him to the bench this year.
17. Nani- £17m buy. When opposition defenders tire. Nani adds pace and the quality of a playmaker. If he wants a permanent place he will have to prove himself off the bench.
25. Nick Powell- £4m buy- Creative. Terrific play-off final goal. 16 goals in half a season at Crewe. Bright future and should get his chance considering he hasn't been loaned out this season.
23 Tom Cleverley- Academy. Good player. Not ready to replace Scholes. Will operate the midfield for United in the years to come. Great at the olympics.
14. Javier Hernandez- If United are in an unfortunate position. Chicharito has the ability to score goals and when Van Persie goals dry up. He will be on standby and I am thrilled United have 3 top quality strikers in Rooney, RVP and Chicharito.

I may quote Scholes and Giggs do not have a place because it is for the future. Darren Fletcher not included due to obvious reasons.

Players I wouldn't mind to leave: Anderson- £12m, Young- £15m, Welbeck- £17m, Carrick- £12m,

Welbeck is not worth 17 million

03 Sep 2012 22:09:44
"I spoke to Cristiano Ronaldo earlier and he didn't say to me he wanted to leave the club yet, but he did say he wants to end his career in Man Utd".-Florentino Perez (Real Madrid President)

3 years left on his current contract in Madrid, Come home Ronaldo

RedKnight

By that time he will be nearly 31.

Simmo

03 Sep 2012 22:07:11
I'm reading that Witsel has gone to Zenit... So much for that! This summer's transfer targets have been such a let down! Hazard, Lucas, and now Witsel.

jpem27

(PLEASE tell me I'm wrong about this lol)

Zenit is desperate to get big names at there club and are willing to offer up huge prices to land these players over other clubs.

U remember kagawa and van Persie? They were once transfer targets!

GDS

03 Sep 2012 21:57:05
In addition to Hulk, it is being reported (and confirmed) that Zenit have signed Witsel for a reported 40mil euros. Too bad as he's a quality player, but that's a lot to pay. How long until the Russian transfer window closes? Doesn't UEFA have some kind of standard? Eds? Thx -KG

03 Sep 2012 21:39:09
So Zenit have signed Hulk and Witsel for 40 million Euros a piece. If we did enquire about Witsel I think the price tag knocked us straight back. That's more then a bit steep if u ask me. Anyway not much we can do about it now and here's to a good season. CDS

03 Sep 2012 21:10:39
Zenit have now announced the signings of Hulk and Witsel another target out of the question.

MANRED

Money talks! Meet the clauses for the players you want and funnily enough you can get them. If we were serious about witsel and whatever bid we put in we clearly scoffed at his release clause thought to be around £30m.

Zenit now hardly a powerhouse of European football but are willing to put the cash up to get who they want maybe their manager doesn't decide how much people are worth!

Any way you look at it SAF has f**ked up here and there goes another prospect who we now can't get next summer!

Jono

Zener, PSG, Citeh, Chelski... Slowly ruining football signing by signing. I'd rather play for a club that is sustainable and realistic. Yes we needed a proper centre mid, but we got the chance of RVP and took it, I imagine in the hope that what we have will come good ... Or at least hold out till next summer.... Only time will tell if SAF has pulled a master stroke. Can't help thinking that Witsel alone without RVP and Kags wouldn't have been enough, maybe, just maybe RVP and Kags are...

DodgyBanter

We're ruining football?? Get a grip.

OsgoodIsKing

03 Sep 2012 20:20:58
Well all great reigns come to an end, and I think we are seeing the end of SAF.

No defensive, or box to box midfield player recruited in the summer. The team has been crying out for this for years.

Carries on with players that week-in week out are not the man utd quality of old, players like Carrick, Nani, Valencia, even Evra at present. I have not seen many quality crosses from either Nani or Valencia this season

Mike P is not up to the job as assistant manager.

Can't keep hold of younger players, as they move due to lack of first team experience. This i find strange even when 1st team players are not producing the goods.

Can't make his mind up on his best keeper.

God knows why he keeps Rooney, very overrated. Few glimpses of genesis each season are not enough.

Maybe it's time to step down, why'll he's still a fans favourite. Finish at the top and be remembered for the good times, as you can carry on for too long.

Obviously NOT a United fan, absolutely clueless!

Dishforth Red

It's a little early in the season yet to be calling for anyone's head. We are famous slow starters and don't have a fit back four yet. Give them time n I'm sure they'll produce the goods! Add to that our new players settling in and I don't think 6 out of 9 is bad, especially as we are not playing very well at all. After all, isn't that the mark of champions?

I like most have been left frustrated by the lack of midfield signings in summer but that's either cos SAF feels the players he has got will step up/make the grade or that Fletcher will return. Either way I feel his record affords him the benefit of the doubt ATM. By all means say "I told you so" in January if we're mid table or worse and do nothing to amend the situation.

I agree we need a stronger No. 2. That would make up for our tactical deficiencies.

FredtheRed

Gee, you're so insightful, now it has all become obvious. Thanks for clearing everything up. Let's start a campaign to get the most successful manager ever to retire. Alternatively, get some tablets for that bang on your head...

AJH

Didnt valencia give a pin point pass to RVP about 30odd hours ago?

Whistler.

Also, im pretty sure Genesis split up....

Whistler.

Agree on some, but not all points.
Mainly, Mike Phelan.

Did you see him when we scored our 2nd or 3rd at Southampton? He didn't even bat an eyelid, he stayed in that slumped, Mr Potato Head pose and looked completely disinterested.

Forget Nani and Rooney - if one man at OT doesn't deserve his salary, its Mike Phelan. Sadly, I see him being there til SAF quits.

RED_SKY

03 Sep 2012 19:14:56
Why do we have repetitive posts saying Nani is worth less than £20million....... Complete and uttter Donkey's !! He is easily worth £25-35million depending on interest, bidding wars etc....

But due to less time on his contract his value drops.

So by next summer with 12 months left we could have an Arsenal type situation a la van Persie or Nasri.

If Nani signs a new contract then yes we can sell for 30 million, but if he knows we want to sell him, why would he sign any contract?

Mort

Probably because a player's value is based on recent form... and his has been sh1te!
Timbo.

He has 2 years on his contract and even if it runs down to one year he wills till be worth £15million plus

Reports say Anzi is willling to pay 30 mill for him. Surely at that number the club must sell him. we can buy i january two pretty important additions to the squad with some extra money and proceeds from the sale. There are still a number of high quality players available come january,although most will be cup tied, but let's face it we are not going to be a treat in europe and a quarterfinal place more likely the best outcome, however if we spent the money on the right additions we can then make a real run at the league. Shahram

To OP

It's because we are known for selling at terribly knocked down prices out with Ronny and on top of that anyone can see how bad Nani constantly is so 2+2 = less than £20m IMO.

Jono

Mort, I completely agree with you here, except for 1 point.

Nani will be more like a Walcott situation than a Nasri or RVP one. Y'know nobody would actually give a toss if he were to stay or leave.

The Moon.

His worth what someone will pay for him, whos going to pay 35 mill for him
jred

03 Sep 2012 18:42:53
Let me say something here, alright? A lot of you are saying Cristiano Ronaldo would join City if he left Madrid. You all remember Ronaldo's time at Old Trafford. He loves this club. He became what he is at this club. I know people look from the outside and they see a cocky brat who craves money. Well I'm sure those who know him, know exactly the kind of person he is. He is one of the nicest people you could ever meet and he has constantly said he loved every minute of his time at this club. His first ambition in life was to make sure his mother never had to work again. He loves us, we love him. Who looked after him when his father died? Sir Alex. He said the other day he misses United. He is a legend here. Do you honestly think he would throw all that away to join City or another rival? In my opinion, no chance in hell.

G.A.G.U.S

Exactly.

I can virtually 100% guarantee than if Ronaldo was to ever leave Madrid for the Premier League it would be for United. Heck, he could even afford a hefty pay cut.

MPez

He Couldnt join City any time soon anyway as I am sure many are aware of as they are one of the clubs that are being investigated by Uefa for FFP there is a check on the 30th I believe and they are being risky. To be honest I would liek to think he wouldnt do that anyway but you never know...... No matter how good of a human being you are Money talks .

Myself I think he'll sign another deal at Madrid.

Would he come back? Apparently he would liek to. Can we afford him? That is the killer.

Mort

In a heartbeat

Pardoe

We can afford pretty much any player on the planet I believe but obviously the owners and manager are not that silly but if he wishes to come back I believe Fergie would throw everything at trying to get him back

Explain to me why he would come back?

He didn't just leave because it was Madrid, he left because he'd done everything and won everything.

He'll either go stateside, to Russia, PSG or stay where he is. personally I think he'll stay put.

But all this has started because he said he's not happy, but he's not happy with the start to the campaign, he loves the club he's at and he'll stay there for as long as they want him.

Will he come back? no, probably never. and it's as simple as that.

The Moon.

Hello Moon, are you awake? Where did I say he was coming back to United?

G.A.G.U.S

I doubt Russia Moon. Maybe America someday i can see him at Galaxy but only in early-mid 30's.

Guys I don't even understand what we are discussing this for. We don't and never will have the cash available with our owners to ever even consider his signature again. I would love him back within a year so he is still a good age but with SAF likely gone in 1 or 2 years he would be the biggest draw for Ronny to want to return.

I for one can never see it happening.

City? Well if they are the only ones with the cash if he wants to leave and Madrid only accept their bid then it's very likely he would go there.

Jono

03 Sep 2012 18:37:47
Anybody see Modric play for Madrid yesterday, pure class. He was the replacement for Scholes, but Levy would have never sold him to us. I think our link up play is more of a worry than a defensive mid. Scholes can't do this forever.

Modric is just like Carrick... constantly sideways and backwards.. There is only one guy who can replace Scholes atm and that is Christian Eriksen.

OP - couldnt agree more, I had been saying it for months

1st replier - couldn't disagree more, watch him play again

Gav

No name 2.

Well that is rubbish, Eriksen is over hyped to f*ck.

He's a decent standard of player but he'll never replace Scholes.

IMO, we simply won't replace him with anybody new, Carrick, Cleverley, Powell, Tunners, Petrucci & Kagawa are the future of our midfield. the sooner you come to terms with that the better.

The Moon.

Moon we still need a signing. None of those named look capable of replacing Scholes either this season or next season.

03 Sep 2012 18:10:03
Ok guys a quick question here just curious as people had opinions before he played for us but would anyone swap rvp for a cm now if you had choice .. I wouldn as I think when rvp gets ball around box its like he capable off scoring .. I love his style off play he so smooth ha sounds like I fancy him but smmoth is best way describe him .. always liked him as player and over moon we got him even tho we didn't get a cm ..
Redfire

03 Sep 2012 18:00:26
Delighted to see people coming out in support of DDG. I haven't seen too many posts suggesting he deserved it. It just makes no sense to me the way he's been treated.

Anyway, who's the mug? SAF. You bought
him. Why buy a keeper that you believe can't deal with the physicality of our league. A bit like playing inadequate midfielders!

Oh... hang on a minute.
Timbo

03 Sep 2012 17:53:15
Hey guys,I keep wondering how some Man United fans here do not have eyes to see how important Nani is to United as a team
This is the only Man United player who can one on one take -on any player.He is the only player every defender is afriad of in Man u
Young,Carrick and Cleverey are all sideways and backwards ball passers.
Welbeck is more than selfish and playful with the ball
Nani will make first eleven in Real Madrid but young,cleverey and welbeck won't

Well said no name - but the haters will never see want they don't want to see - it's called confirmation bias; we all suffer from it but the haters more than most.

Mike

03 Sep 2012 17:21:11
i know people think we played bad in the last game but if you look at it even city won the same way against Southampton so i dont think we were tht bad.... sorry if the english is bad as english is not my 1st language

Er... we were. Southampton were mugged. You can't compare performances in that way, you can only look at ours in isolation, which is all that matters.
Timbo

No name, City won Southampton with the same goal number (3:2), but with much higher possession rate (about 65:35 as I remembered). You can imagine what will happen when we face City (can be worse than last time faced them).

03 Sep 2012 16:21:51
So lassana diarra has gone to Anzi whateverucallem from Real. Would have been the perfect solution for our midfield. Let's hope Fletch comes back better than ever

Again, with every midfielder that moves to another club, he suddenly becomes the perfect solution. Shut up! There's only a handful of midfielders who are truly Manchester United quality and Lassana Diarra is not one of them.

G.A.G.U.S

Lassana Diarra is average at best ! Next thing you now people are going to be saying why dont we resign Hargreaves on a free ! just NO!

Well neither is carrick, anderson, clevs, etc

03 Sep 2012 15:40:43
Off-Topic:
can u pls help me with my Fantasy league free transfer ? I want to transfer out Ramires...so I have 8.9 (ramires 6.6 + extra 2.3)...whom should I transfer in ? Michu/Ben Arfa/Cazorla/anyone else/a striker ?... syd,gagus,tk or anyone ? views well appreciated

...and yes,we are the comeback kings

[pls post Eds,comments welcome]

asif {Ed004's Note - Michu}

Bebe.

G.A.G.U.S

Michael owen

if he goes back to liverpool he will end up banging about 170 goals this year...............................................

Robbo

Why not go for someone cheaper? Charlie Adam is likely to take all of Stoke's set peices. Young McClean at Sunderland is a handy points scorer.

TK-Red

03 Sep 2012 13:53:03
we should forget about ronaldo. The players we need are muniain, one or preferably both of eriksen and cabaye and a top centreback wouldn't go amiss either. Muniain to replace nani. Eriksen to replace scholes. Cabaye as carricks long term replacement. And someone as vidic's long term replacement.

I think that's a great shout. Good post!

Simmo

THE most intelligent post on here for some time. And from an un-named source!

Reveal thy self in return for our eternal gratitude brother.

Halesini

Papadopoulus HAS to replace Vidic.. He plays for Schalke and is phenomenal in my opinion he reminds me of him so much just no nonsense.

03 Sep 2012 13:19:16
so poor wayne rooney picks up 1 miilion quid for 4 weeks out with a nick on his leg, maybe we are watching the wrong sport , and i include lpool players on high wages as well, its not right , when you really look at the world............
ps , in saying that , i think i earn more than a couple of the lpool young forwards lol..............lfc

I agree lfc when injured I believe they should take a certain wage for not playing.

For once I agree with you, it is pathetic that a player can earn that kind of money for playing a game, but hey money started to ruin football ages ago.

Yeah, I hear Sterling is on the Dole too.

MPez

Hey MPez , i think they call it employment and support allowance , get with the times MPez lol..............
ps, i would like to say sorry for what i said about nani, i think i seen him take a good corner the other day, gee there is hope for football maybe..............lfc

MPez...... I thought that was normality around Anfield?

I would hope if i got injured while working and it forced me to be off work for 4 weeks i would get full pay too, footballers are entertainers after all and get paid what they are worth, look at cheryl cole im sure she earns alot more than 6-7m a year but know complains about he money. football has always been a sport for the poor and ppl hate it when those poor kids grow up to be rich young men.
Chris the REDman

Its disgusting it really is.....

what they make in a month most of us will never make in our entire working lives.....

and thats us doing real work never mind playing a sport, fair enough they need to be super fit and all but theres no way that kind of money can be justified......

look back in the days of george best, dennis law etc........back then it was just about the football, which is the way it should be.....and all this diving that players do is wild, pack of overpaid fairies!!!!!!

Robbo

Lfc, so basically they are trying to give it a 'nicer' name...great now the Government liles them ;)

MPez

03 Sep 2012 12:49:46
If the reports are true that Ronny has asked to leave, which is almost most likely spanish media jumping on the back of his comments just as ours jumped on the fact Wayne started on the bench, i really cant see Fergie forking out for him, but most probably a loan deal looking to buy in the summer after shifting a lot of dead weight out of the club...Hopefully

Fagan

Seriously boys, get real. We bidded £5million for Mousa Dembele we are certainly not financially equipped to be bringing Ronaldo back to OT.

If he leaves Madrid, be prepared for heartbreak - the only teams that can afford him are our rivals, so if he's dead-set on a new start, it will not be at OT.

RED_SKY

Red_Sky is spot-on. The 'pull' to come back to United would be to play for Fergie again but:
- we just cant afford him
- our glorious leader surely only has 1 maybe 2 seasons left now

I can't see Ronaldo playing for Citeh but Chelski and the lure of London etc may be a different kettle of fish.

Halesini

03 Sep 2012 12:37:34
Just wanted to say great comeback yesterday well done scholes and Rvp had to watch it with loads of Liverpool fans in Rhodes I got alot of sh1t but they all just up in the end

Ps dream team top of the league

Ross

I also watched the game with a couple of 'Pool fans who just wouldn't shut up, well until the 90th minute, lol. I never bit once throughout the match. I just waited...and waited...then gave them a cheeky smile at the final whistle ; ) How many times have we won games in that fashion? It's amazing really

Gav

03 Sep 2012 12:17:18
Hi All,

We still have not solved the Paul Scholes replacement issue, but in truth looking at him yesterday, I really do not know if there are any young guys similar. The guy can pass to feet from 40 + metres. The only guy who was near to him is Sneidjer & his star may well be on the wane.

Anyone have any knowledge on a player who can match Scholes ability, is young & whom we could buy?

RVP, worth EVERY penny though, loved his after match interview, showed intelligence, humility & praised team mates. First class in all departments.

Viva UTD.

EBL

Yes, Modric...unfortunately we missed that boat though!

I like Moutinho and feel he could play that role for us. Other options may include Erikssen or Cabaye? None of those will match Scholes of course, but who would

If Erikssen has a good season he may be a good bet

Gav {Ed004's Note - I am hoping and praying the 30-35 million we had to spend on moura or hazard is still there. In an ideal world I would sell Anderson and replace him with witsel and Moutinho in January. Then next summer try a cheeky bid for Ronaldo. Sell Nani and offer out whole budget (around 50 million net it seems ATM) on him. Would be an unreal team. Maybe sell Evra to fund a replacement}

Ed004 - I'd love for us to get Witsel and Moutinho for CM! Could probably get both for less than £50m too, which isn't bad for sorting out your midfield in one go. TBH if that happened I wouldnt be too bothered about Ronaldo- I think you're being greedy ; ) Just replace Nani with Muniain, James Rodriquez or similar...and replace Evra as you say

_________DDG__________
Rafa__Vidic_Sm'ing__New LB
_____M'tinho_Witsel_____
Muniain__Rooney__Kagawa (fluid)
_________RVP__________

Would be a very strong team IMO

Gav {Ed004's Note - Would be an excellent team but am an optimist}

03 Sep 2012 11:57:35
so Nani is now awesome?

Watch the goal again...the Corner wasn't going to beat the first man and it's down to the fact that RVP has already worked out our corners never beat the first man, so what does he do? Run to the front post and just flick it on. Nothing to do with Nani now being good, he was terrible once he came on, still looked indecisive.

so in my books, Nani is still as poor as ever but having RVP cover up his poor crossing by running to where every Nani corner has gone for the last 5 years has won us the game.

The Moon.

Bloody hell Moon - that's sad!

Mike

You look like hating on Nani makes ur day! How long did he Played yesterday? Give the guy a break.

But if you notice Moon that is exactly what RVP has been doing his whole career at Arsenal when a corner comes in he always runs to the near post (I am not making excuses for Nani I wanted him gone)

I totally agree for the exception of 5/6 games a season he is poor not to mention again our lack of midfield nearly cost us.

We lost to Everton, conceded 2 against Fulham and nearly lost again yesterday yet people think we are going win everything. This team is poor comparing to others and i'm sorry but we are not going be much better than last season. Only shining light will be Rvp and hopefully Kagawa

Wow moon u really can't let nani have a thing can u?? to put another spin on it rvp could have told nani that when he puts a corner in he will start at the centre and move to the front post and nani had the ability to find him or he saw rvp make the move thus putting the ball on his head at the front post, or it could be all his asists over last 2 years where down to luck and other players movements. give the guy a break plz i admit hes not my best player but if u gave me young or nani id go for nani all day long
Chris the REDman

03 Sep 2012 11:48:51
Sell Rooney for Ronaldo.....some people on this site are obsessed with Ronaldo.

Lets the past go

Simmo

Ronaldo is a lot better than rooney..

JK92

JK92

Stop living in the past. Ronaldo doesn't play for us except it and get behind Rooney.

Simmo

Simmo I am really confused with you every time you post it is negative towards the club or one of the fans that posts on here... How can you say its an obsession with Ronaldo when he is twice the player of Rooney.

Couple of questions as well.
1) How would United fund the transfer. I would think that Real would at least want as near to what they paid for him considering he has hit 114 goals in 104 apperances.
2) Does Ronaldo want to come back to United? Nobody apart from Ronaldo knows.
3) The only four clubs that can afford him. Man City, PSG, Anzi and Chelsea.
I think we can count Anzi out and i would be suprised if he opted for the French League.
I wonder how everyone on here would react if he chose City or Chelsea?

Simmo

JK92

I don't belive that i was negative about us signing Van Persie and Kagawa because they are top quality.
I am a realist. My main concern has always been about the center midfield area. That is my only complaint and lets face it more than half of the people on this website will agree that we don't have enough quality in that area.
Remember Ronaldo plays for Real Madrid not Manchester United. It was Ronaldo's choice to leave Man United for Real Madrid.

Simmo

He actually has 150 goals in 149 games for Real Madrid, i'd offer Nani + 35 million next summer.

Apologies...i got my information from Wikapedia.
But still, it changes nothing does it?

Simmo {Ed007's Note - I think that is his league games/goals stat Simmo you have used. Don't use Wiki as a source though mate, it is not reliable and anyone can edit it's content.}

Nani + £35m only values Ronaldo at £36m tho ;)

Halesini

03 Sep 2012 11:39:19
Ok, I have seen a few Carrick haters recently. So I researched a few stats for you all.

He completes on average 78 passes per game at an average of 90% pass completion. This is the 3rd highest in the league.

He completes 6.1 long passes per game. This is the 4th highest in the league.

He gets tackled on average 0.3 times per match and this is the 4th lowest in the league.

He intercepts passes on average 2.7 times a match and he has the 8th highest in the league.

He tackles players on average 3.1 times per match and he has the 8th highest in the league.

His tackling betters that of Fellaini and Song. His passing is far better than Modric, Mata and Silva and reading of the game is superior to Yaya Toure.

Therefore he is a great center mid and he is a great all round player. At least we have one in CM.

Gilly

Gilly

All great stats- tackles, interceptions and passing.

Here's one for you - a website reported after the match-

Key Passes (lead to a chance on goal)
Paul Scholes - 3
Carrick - 2
Cleverly-1
Kagawa - 0

Paul Scholes was on the pitch for 20mins and created more than carrick - Carrick is a tidy player and decent in midfield but does nothing going forward and not strong enough to be a DM.

I am not a carrick hater, i think he does well and can pass a decent ball but don't think he is the man to be our main playmaker in the midfield - he is no paul scholes!

Giants14

Ka-Pow right in the kisser!

Great post Gilly

Pardoe

He is too slow!! the worst player to get the best out of kagawa/cleverlys quick passing, yes he surprised me last season with some decent displays, but he looked good last season as performance wise this was utds worst season in recent history,he might improve as the season develops but in your heart of hearts you know he is no match for the best midfields in the world, we slipped up not getting mouthino/modric and I hope it does not cost us dearly
Roonbest

Hey Gilly - please don't confuse everyone with facts - we might have to challange our bias if you do :)

Mike

Gilly

You proved he is average,

He is slow,

Take out back passes and sideways passes and he would be even worse.

I like Carrick he always has had potential but never exerted himself to fulfil it.

Cban

Its a shame there isn't a stat on how slow he plays, or when he looks to pass the ball sideways or backwards.
He also has a tendency to keep the ball to long and run the risk of getting closed down and giving it away, and we all know if carrick gives it away the opposing side is in shooting range, as he is never far enough up the pitch to score.
He is a poor player, that could be replaced very easily, with an out and out defensive midfielder, who can pass sideways and backwards, or someone who can do both attacking and defending. That is why England still persist with gerrard, lampard and parker as they know carrick offers nothing.
Guys you need to watch carrick carefully watch him of the ball and what he does on the ball. It is easy to get passng stats and make him look good. How many of those balls went to a player in an advanced position. Also dont look at youtube for carricks greatest moments, i could make bebe and george weahs mate look good with a bt of music and clever editing.

aaallj5

Great post mate

1991devil

Giants14, you have to remember that Carrick was playing the holding role, whereas Scholes had more license to go forward.

Cban, Carrick is not slow, watch his goal against QPR, he left their center mids in his wake.

Roonbest, yes I know Carrick is not the best but he is a very good player to have, and a good all round player.

aaallj5, Carrick may keep the ball too long at times, but he is tackled only 0.3 times per game, which is very good.

Gilly

03 Sep 2012 11:25:59
So if we sell nani for 30 million and use the 30 million we had for moura, does anyone think we should make a 60 million bid for ronaldo or 30 mill plus rooney? What does ed think? {Ed004's Note - I wonder if 60 million would be enough for Ronaldo + add ons}

Yeh great idea that 60m will maybe just maybe cover his wages that should cover 300k a week for 4 years

Sorry that is pie in the sky it isn't going to happen

Which brings another point if Platini carries his threats through maybe it would be hard for anyone to buy him

Pardoe

A glorious plan with only 2 small drawbacks:

Nani is crap hence wont get anwhere near £30m

The majority of the £30m for Moura was surely spent on RVP was it not ?

We cant afford Ronaldo. PSG or Chelski would start a bidding war at £80m+. Thats what Real paid for him but he is a massive moneyspinner for them so if they have to get rid of the goose that lays the golden egg they will demand top dollar for him.

Realistically the only way we would see Ronaldo back in a United shirt is if we get new owners.

Halesini

03 Sep 2012 11:19:20
for all the people obsessing over ronaldo returning its not going to happen as its just a ploy by saying hes sad to get a new mega contract

03 Sep 2012 11:04:00
Looking at Carrick he lacks the drive and determination. He is Mr Safe. When Jones played there last season before he got his first injury, he was a driving midfielder abit like Fletcher. Now i was hoping that Fletcher might have got 20-30 mins for Scotland as they need him and he needs games. However seeing as though he has played 3-4 reserve games and has been training daily I feel he isn't far from a 1st team appearance, albeit coming off the bench or perhaps the capital one cup where he may play or even start. It's good that he is getting a few full games under his belt to build up his form and fitness.

Hopefully Evans comes through the NI games unscathed with two 90 min games under his belt.

Also we need to up our tempo, against Fulham we played some lovely football at times. But we allowed Southampton to dictate the tempo of the game. Kagawa couldn't get into the game despite making runs where Carrick would pass side ways or back to the defence.

We need to utilise our players correctly. Welbeck shouldn't have been on the left.


Mad Hatter

Read Gillys post

Pardoe

03 Sep 2012 10:39:03
does man utd have a buy out clause to get ronnie back for cheaper than we sold him ?

03 Sep 2012 10:23:08
"Falcao has always wanted to play in the Premier League. Ever since he was a boy he has loved Chelsea and has always thought it would be an honour to play for a big Premier League team."
Radamel Garcia his father

hopefully not

DOH!

Halesini

03 Sep 2012 10:20:49
How the mighty have fallen, bereft of ideas, bereft of decent players and now skint, Thank You Very Very Much Queen Kenny.

Raffael

I prefer the term Agent Dalglish.

I wonder how much we paid him to 'turn' on his former employers lol.

Halesini

03 Sep 2012 10:19:57
So guys, after the first three games the problems have shown themselves to still be there. Evra is a liability, midfield needs surgery and the defence was exposed due to lack of protection. Best team to get us till jan?

De Gea, Rafael, Vidic, Smalling?, Buttner?,
Valencia, Scholes, Carrick, Nani,
Kagawa, RVP in a 4 4 1 1?

Scholes showed he is head and shoulders above the rest of the midfield and works ok with Carrick. Cleverley is ok but not ready. I hope fergie bloods tunicliffe or Powell against Newcastle in the league cup and buttner. In attack, RVP is showing his class, also rooney to come back, Hernandez and welbeck (who looked lost on the wing). We know a settled team will emerge but a lot of fans are worried!

03 Sep 2012 09:23:05
Watched the game again this morning and what a comeback, one of the best ever maybe?

Anyway Paul Scholes was outstanding off the bench yesterday, even though we had the worst pass completion out of the midfielders (kagawa,carrick,cleverley) he created the most key passes considering he was on the pitch for 20 minutes thats exceptional.

However I thought another major influence on us winning the game yesterday was the substitution bringing on Chicharito. Yes he didn't have many chances but defenders take notice of him and have to take care of him aswell as RVP, when Welbeck is there they look confident that they can deal with him. Also when he is on playing off the last man it creates space for the rest of the team to work there magic in.

RedKnight

03 Sep 2012 08:39:44
Watched the game yesterday, great result but already alarm bells are ringing. Our back 4 is non existent except for Vidic. he was the only one who tried to dominate his opponent but he can't do it all on his own. Raphael has had so many chances but his positioning and decision making is not getting any better, will never be good enough. Evra's legs and desire have gone, ok when we have the ball but tracking back and marking is rubbish. For a big man Ferdinand is a lightweight, nowhere to be seen when under pressure and an injury liability. In midfield, surely it's time to give Valencia a go in central midfield, he has everything; dig,desire,energy,pace,skill and can pick a pass. We need him next to Cleverley. Don't know what Carick offers the team. Up front the desire shown by Hernandez in last 15mins was immense. Surely the boy deserves a run next to RVP, his pace,movement and finishing would be perfect. On a positive note a great result and RVP, pure quality.

03 Sep 2012 07:46:11
Earlier some posters had been calling for a formation change to a more modern 4-2-3-1 , but we all saw what happened yesterday. Though it was 3pts but it was still almost a disaster. Just cause we've got some new players doesn't mean we can change overnight. 4-4-2 is embedded in the in the teams fabric n when we switched to this and scholes came on, it meant goals. Even with Wazza back this would still be our most effective formation, though something else may work out for us later in the season... jus my opinion,, wat say?

03 Sep 2012 01:43:16
Seeing Swansea's Neil Taylor out for a season. I think Man utd should lend our youths either Brady or Blackett. Seeing how beautiful football they are playing, it would be very good experience for them for them! Fabio is getting all the playing time he needs and I think he looks to be on right path. Hopefully our youth would be going on loans where they can be star of team.


Red Samurai

Good post. What about Wooton or M Keane going there?

Red Snapper

For me Blackett would be the ideal choice...

he is going to be a much better player than Brady and a year there, and Fabio at QPR would be great for us next season...

03 Sep 2012 00:44:15
Well lads,

Been a long time since my last post, in around the hazard saga me thinks, was going to post here after I heard Rodwell signed for city, I had posted last year that he was a done deal to utd, from what I gather SAF wanted him to stay at the toffees for another season as hedhadsuch a poor season last year with injuries and poor form, utd were made aware of cities approach and were given threeweeks to match thier bid, which was 5 mill above utd's valuation, as saf see's Carrick being the main stay in cdm for the next couple of yrs, he didn;'t want to pay that figure for a player that would be just a bit part. Any how thats what i've been told.

All in all am pretty happy with the summers aquisitions, not so much with our defense thus far,Buttner needs to be given a start against Wigan, PE was very poor today, turned to easy,

03 Sep 2012 00:25:13
It is a bit worrying that Ronaldo, may leave Real Madrid. It would be a miracle if we got him back, but the chances are very slim. I just worry that the likes of City or Chelsea would splash the cash on him, I myself would be gutted if he came to England and joined one of our rivals.

Maybe these rumors are false? You never know though.

What I would like: Ronaldo to come back with Nani going the other way.(99% chance of not happening)

What I wouldn't like: A Rival signing him and watching him play against us.

What is most probably going to happen: He will stay at Real Madrid, or PSG/a Russian club will spend their cash on him.

Maybe I am just reading into things, but always have to be prepared for big surprises in football.

And anyway I could see Ronaldo returning to us when he reaches around 32-33 And end his career with us.

-JakeW

Has stated he wants to play in America at some point.

Man City could not sign him they are one of many clubs under threat by Uefa regarding the FFP Ed002 would enlighten you on this.

He's too good to be playing in America yet. I don't think he will leave Madrid... probably wants a pay rise.