Manchester United Banter Archive September 04 2018

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04 Sep 2018 21:12:19
I think Mourinho has changed his strategy. Not on the pitch necessarily, but off it. It's interesting as he's decided the best way to fight against Woodward is to get in line with the fans. This will strengthen his position within the club. I noticed recently that the fans have been chanting his name and I'm hoping he's building a good relationship with them. This could only be an improvement on what has been going on previously.

Believable8 Unbelievable1

05 Sep 2018 02:41:21
Bit of a shame that its taken him two years and his back fully being against the wall for him to realise that engaging with the fans could help with his popularity.

He spent his first two years rarely acknowledging the away fans and occasionally criticising the home fans for a lack of atmosphere.

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05 Sep 2018 07:24:47
Fully agree DSG. I've been saying that he's not the most clever man dealing with the press, woodward, the players or the fans. But i think someone has advised him on this.
He'll be doing it to further his cause re transfers. But mostly, he'll be thinking of his reputation.
Whichever it is, i would rather have him onboard with the fans than not.

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05 Sep 2018 08:55:42
I'd like it to have been a natural thing. At the minute it's like he has taken the mick for years as he walks around the local boozer saying what he wants and doing what he wants to anybody, then a group of outsider bikers walk in and are about to give him the kicking he deserves, so he then runs over to us and asks us to protect him as 'it's our pub and we should all stick together'!

He's a user, this switch is temporary whilst he needs us - a few wins or easing of tensions and he will revert to type - a leopard like Jose doesn't change their spots this late in their career. Once the media have something else to focus on, he'll get back to being who he really is.

That said, it looked a bit better on Sunday, fingers crossed the media hounding continues as I enjoyed one of our games for the first time in a long time.

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05 Sep 2018 11:41:41
Are we really saying that Jose has a lack of intelligence when dealing witht he press, woodward, players and fans?

Im not for one minute condoning his actions but its absolutely nothing to do with him 'not being the most clever'

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05 Sep 2018 11:57:49
Beast it is possible that you are right. But another possibility is that he has been under immense pressure, this is one of the most important years of his career and the team didn't start well. He was sacked from his last job, and hasn't proven much in his present. The style of football specially at the bigger clubs ( job opportunities for Jose ) has changed a lot and they will think twice before appointing him with all his media circus and outdated style of play. So it's a make or break season for him, such is the pressure. And then our team goes and loses to Spurs 3-0. At that point he's expecting the worst but he sees fans actually singing his name. Maybe that changed something. He obviously has his critiques amongst the fans but still while on the pitch these fans have supported whoever the manager has been. I just hope he doesn't get into all this media crap and focuses on he team and players.

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05 Sep 2018 12:35:19
I hope you are right Sailor. I totally agree he has never been under so much pressure, but this guy has a habit of biting the hand that feeds him. The fans chanting his name and supporting him on websites like this are really helpful to him at the moment without a doubt.

I think people earn support, some of our fans think becoming manager of the club automatically means they deserve unquestioning support. Each to their own and it's what makes this website so much fun to be on at times.

I also hope he finally learns to focus on what really matters and being in a tough spot means he should work hard to solve the problems, not obscure the issues or divert it away from what needs to be done. All of this is of his own making and from an outside perspective very easy to solve.

Shut your mouth, pick players in form, focus on attacking teams and help those players struggling (not throw them under the bus) - if more of the fans treated Jose how he has treated some of the players he wouldn't be in a job. Burnley could be massive, just hope we take the game to Watford and live up to our potential.

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05 Sep 2018 13:37:54
Beast, you're asking a mam who has won trophies at every club he's been at. He wasn't fast tracked to the top, he started as a translator. He's earned his ticket to the top dance and for people to ask him to change everything he's done to get him here is naive.

I know as a united fan we expect attacking football, flying wingers, almost beating opponents into submission but would you look at this team and try and play "you have a shot, we have a shot"? . I certainly wouldn't. We're so wasteful in front of goal at times and that back 4 can be got at if the team isn't set up right.

Jose has wasted a fair amount of money on short term fixes and I can understand the club wary of loading the team with 29 year olds, but the man needs to be supported in the transfer window. People can throw out the £400 million we've spent in the last few years but that's the going rate.

I think everyone associated with the club is fumbling the ball at the minute. Jose definitely is at times with his hostile approach to certain players and bizarre demeanour. Woodward hasn't backed him the way a he should be backed if we have aspirations of winning the league. The players have been hit and miss and struggle to find consistency and a large portion of the fans have ramped up the pressure on the team and the Spurs game was evident of this. They have a right to by the way.

The problem is when things don't go to plan, everyone reverts to their default mode and Jose''s one isn't particularly nice or helpful at time's but that's what's got him where he is.

This isn't meant as a dig to you Beast but your default mode is one of pessimism. You could fine fault in anything and that's not necessarily a bad thing. You want the best, I want the best, we all do. But I know when I see a positive Beast post, it's refreshing but I know the regular Beast is lurking in the corner ready to come out to play when the rubbish hits the fan. My laboured point being, let Jose Jose and just enjoy the ride. He might change for a while but it won't last. He'll do a Jose and win us the league, or he'll do a Jose and go out with a big pay off in November.

I think the positivity of the fans really is a huge factor in our title aspirations. I just hope everyone can get behind the squad because it could be just want we need for the manager and the players to find that extra spark to really kick on. There's a world class manager in there and there is potentially a team that can beat any one their day.

What's the worst that can happen?

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05 Sep 2018 14:43:25
Mumbles that is a very goos post.

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05 Sep 2018 15:12:58
Yes that is a good post Mumbles.

I suppose all I can say is that my general mood reflects the performance levels of the club compared to my expectations. There have been many instances over recent years where I have supported things that the masses have criticised (Luke Shaw in particular) - but generally I agree I am far more critical as I aim for perfection (or at least working towards it) .

We have had several years of severe underpeformance (from my perspective) .

One more thing - Jose has had an exceptional career, but I don't think he fits the club and I don't like how he sets the team up. Nowadays it is too easy to play against. Managers lose their edge, the evidence suggests he lost his some time ago. So whilst I concur that we should all get behind the manager and team during difficult times especially, it would be helpful if the manager throws us a bone or two - it seems to be a one way street!

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05 Sep 2018 15:35:58
Good post Mumbles.

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05 Sep 2018 21:32:55
Great Post Mumbles but the football is still boring. That's why Jose has to go.

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05 Sep 2018 22:53:37
Good post again mumbles.

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04 Sep 2018 15:25:56
So for some, beating Burnley was something that should automatically happen (jeeezus)

And for some on here congratulations were something that we felt was due (myself included)

So, Watford. different animal THIS season so far. if we beat them will we all be impressed?

Believable7 Unbelievable13

04 Sep 2018 15:55:17
Man Utd should be beating Burnley, especially this season due to their issues juggling Europe and a very poor start.

I have not read one post criticising the performance, everyone has said we performed well. I think most people are not getting carried away because it was Burnley!

Watford will be a better win than Burnley (at this stage of the season from what I have seen), so if we beat Watford in the same manner I'm sure people will be more 'enthused', but again we are talking about Watford, not an elite team, despite their very good start.

I expect victory, has it really come to the point that we need to be 'impressed' if we beat them? Just how low have our standards dropped? I'd be impressed if we beat Liverpool or Man City, simply satisfied if we beat Watford playing good positive football.

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04 Sep 2018 16:10:28
I'll be impressed if we beat city, Liverpool, Chelsea, juve. The likes of those sides, the ones the biggest and richest club should be competing with. Impressed for beating Burnley and Watford give me a break
2 clubs who will be happy to stay at n the division.

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04 Sep 2018 16:17:02
What are you on about? Non of us said it should "automatically" happen. But some of us said that we are "expected" to beat Burnley, just like we were "expected" to beat Brighton and we didn't.
If we want to win the league, then Brighton and Burnley should be the more likely wins. Nothing automatic about it.
And if we beat Watford in their current form, then that'll be a great result.

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04 Sep 2018 16:21:05
I think six points behind after 4 or 5 games means impressed is a bit of a stretch . I think we played well same as pretty much everyone else that's commented about the Burnley game and a win at Watford would suggest the ship is steadied .

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04 Sep 2018 16:59:05
If (big if) Jose is finally taking the shackles off, and this in turn leads to more expansive football, will people be patient and give them time to adapt? Or is it too late for him to try and make drastic changes? For me, I'd be willing to put up with mediocre results (short term) in order to improve the brand of football long term.

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04 Sep 2018 20:21:16
Some are showing patience and willing to give time already roon.

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04 Sep 2018 20:50:57
We should be beating Burnley and like last season we should be beating all the top six teams as I have said before we will win most games this season and not get beaten in most . It's just the way he sets us up. 😆😆.

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04 Sep 2018 21:04:25
Roon, he's had two seasons, mate. More than enough time to at least get us looking like a team, never mind an entertaining one. I really hoped he would, 'get, Utd, even though I had strong doubts. I have a horrible feeling it's too late now, but here's hoping.

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04 Sep 2018 23:13:09
I reckon if we play entertaining football, create lots of chances and come up short (just scrape 4th) this season. Including some thrillers, then I think most would give him more time? Here's hoping for a roller coaster of a season.

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05 Sep 2018 06:24:08
In the PL you have to fight for every single point. We all know that there are really no games where you just turn up and get the points.

I was really pleased with the Burnley performance as it was a massive turnaround from the Brighton debacle.

We totally dominated the game, defended well and attacked with more pace. If we had won 5-0 Burnley wouldn’t of complained.

That performance has given me hope for this season. The team looked more together than at Brighton.

I always enjoy any Utd win but this was one match. We need to kick on and put a run together.

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04 Sep 2018 14:47:44
According to Gazzetta, Utd are looking to appoint Monchi as sporting director, would be excellent.

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04 Sep 2018 15:23:52
I wouldn't take much notice of it. The whole story is based around a comment from Monchi about the club needing to be successful if he is to stay at Roma.

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04 Sep 2018 15:29:43
As far as I remember he wasn't interested and went to some other club or am I getting confused with someone else.

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04 Sep 2018 15:56:59
Shappy - you seem to have a good grasp of foreign leagues, I'd suggest you check out 'Football Index' if you haven't already as you can make that knowledge work for you mate.

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04 Sep 2018 10:27:29
A quick question on Andreas Pereira. lot of chat on how he should have started etc over an experienced and quality Belgian international. What is his actual best position?

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04 Sep 2018 11:04:56
No idea. Has played dm, cm, am and on the wing. Probably in a cm two, similar to Fred.

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04 Sep 2018 11:45:50
He has many different talents which makes him suitable for several positions. He is creative with excellent vision, his passing and technique are also top notch. He has good pace and is a very good dribbler. He also works very hard for the team. His weaker areas are he isn't the strongest, nor the best tackler and he isn't going to win many headers.

From this you could say he would fit in to any offensive/ creative role in a team. He will work hard defensively but will likely come off worst against the top players or even players more physically blessed (taller, stronger, faster) than he is.

He could play in either a No.8 or No.10 or out wide. He can play as a No.6 as we have seen. However, I feel he would only do well in that role as part of a 3 man midfield and only against teams that aren't going to ask too much of him from a defensive stand point.

He could do very well as a No.8, which is where I see him finally settling on as his best position. The problem for him is we currently have Pogba, Fred, Herrera, Fellaini and McTominay who are all probably best suited to the No.8 role.

So he will have to either make himself undropable when given a chance in that role or claim another position as his own.

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04 Sep 2018 13:32:39
Shappy,

Or leave, which I feel is more likely.

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04 Sep 2018 14:05:59
Thanks Shappy very thorough and makes sense. Let’s be honest, Pogba will be off sooner rather than later so he will get chances.

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{Ed002's Note - I expect Ander Herrera to also leave in the club.

04 Sep 2018 14:32:03
GDS, I think he will likely leave next summer unless he can nail down a regular role this year. With the players he has ahead of him, and our current managers preferences/ style I can't see him becoming a regular this year. So I too expect he will leave.

Eric, Pogba does look destined to leave at some point, be that January, next summer or possibly not until 2020 or later.

The manager, the club and the player are all happy for him to leave, however, money is the key sticking point. He will stay until the right offer comes in or until the club become desperate to cut their losses. However, if at some point this season we end up getting a new manager, I would expect he would have a say on whether Pogba leaves. Maybe he will indulge him, maybe he'll build his side around him. There are too many if, buts and maybes at the moment to tell for sure. However, I doubt he'll be here next season.

Ed002, that would be a shame. I like Herrera, great professional who seems to get the club and understands what the club is about. He is also a great player who can contribute well to the side. However, if I'm honest Fred is a similar kind of player who the club have just invested in. What clubs are currently interested in Herrera?

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{Ed002's Note - Atletico Madrid.}

04 Sep 2018 15:30:43
Allidsay is if Ander is good enough for Atletico Madrid he’s kid enough for us but he’s never quite pinned down a convincing spot under Jose.

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04 Sep 2018 15:41:30
Though Ander Herrera is not the 1st team on the sheet, his contribution can not be overlooked. Even in the last match where he came on after Rashford's red card, it never seemed like we were a man down. Herrera was helping defence as well as attack. I can't think of any other player in our squad who could have made such a difference ( maybe Fred) .

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04 Sep 2018 16:18:49
Pogba we expect to leave. Herrera doesn't have much time on his contract and most likely will leave and Fellaini only signed a one year extension so should be leaving as well. i'd also expect McTominay to leave before Pereira. So i'd say they will be plenty of room for him.

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04 Sep 2018 17:02:50
I think fellaini signed a 2 year deal.

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04 Sep 2018 17:55:49
2 years with option of a third. Felli is here to stay, and that isn’t a bad thing.

Herrera is being used as a utility player by Jose, and it would be unsurprising if he leaves. I was a bit unsure about Pereira’s long term future being at the club, but having read Shappy’s summary, we should probably build the team around him - sounds better than Inestia.

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04 Sep 2018 19:17:49
Ed002. Would you expect Herrera to leave in January or next summer? Thanks.

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{Ed002's Note - I can’t say. Pogba will go in January if he can. If there is no new contract for AH he will be looking at his options.}

04 Sep 2018 21:01:37
Will all parties be happy with Pogba leaving? Woodward, Mourinho and the rest of the team? Or are there people in the club who would like him to stay?

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{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what the numerous employees of Manchester United feel about the matter.}

04 Sep 2018 21:09:01
I agree, Mort. I like Scott, but I think he's rather limited. Perreira's ability to play several different positions, should see him be a more useful squad player. I still think we're missing a trick not playing him further forward.

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04 Sep 2018 21:34:04
Thanks for the info Ed 👍🏼.

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04 Sep 2018 23:01:32
Thanks Ed, shame to see Ander go, he has a good head on him and always gives his best, I think Ferguson would have got much more out of him, but that goes for so many others.

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05 Sep 2018 00:01:49
Good evening Ed002, if both Ander Herrera and Paul Pogba were to leave in Jan 2019 have utd lined up any potential replacements?
Would SMS be a realistic option to come in during the January transfer window as he is not in the champions league.

Thank you in advance for your time and knowledge.

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{Ed007's Note - John McGinn and Stuart Armstrong will be monitored this season and with Scott Allan's contract up next summer Utd will try and steal a march on Hibs by offering a deal in January rather than a free next year.}

07 Sep 2018 00:07:02
2 years? Oh!

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04 Sep 2018 07:29:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 4th September 2018

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