Manchester United Banter Archive May 05 2015

05 May 2015 22:26:21
Above all others bale IMO is the one signing that can ignite the whole club again, ed 002has repeatedly said that rm will sell at the right price, I think we should pay that price, I've no doubt the club would recoup the outlay with bale linked commercial revenues. of course other positions need to be filled but for me he can be the 'king Eric' of his time in terms of raising the club from the ashes and raising the level of those around him from his team mates to every squad and wannabe player at the club. Bale Coleman, humells or Garray gundogon as no chance of veratti and either one of dejong or sami khedira on a free would be the ideal summer all locked up for pre season would be ideal.

05 May 2015 23:00:21
Ken. Couldn't agree more mate! I'd be ecstatic with that! I love Bale , think the lads class. And also think he's fit seemlessly in at United! If only

05 May 2015 23:24:46
Bale wouldn't lace cantonas boots,did you see bale tonight,he did nothing,big money for another di Maria,I'd take Vidal all day long before him,the Real Madrid fans don't want him out for nothing.

{Ed025's Note - not many can lace eric,s boots leahy, but of players that may be available and would improve united hes right up there mate for me..

05 May 2015 23:39:28
Did you see him tonite ed,the last number of games his played in he hasn't done anything to stand out,he has got it but for some reason he doesn't look like a shadow of himself lately,I don't know what's going on out there maybe he just wants out,the one thing a top player does is thrive under pressure for me he isn't doing that.

{Ed025's Note - if he thinks hes on his way out then maybe he has lost his motivation leahy, its happened before mate..

06 May 2015 00:01:45
No doubt Bale would be a good signing for United, but given the mega bucks required to sign him and the subsequent expectations placed on him, (see Di Maria) I would worry about him performing at the adequate level and feel like he could see fans turn on him like the way Di Maria has been slated after his first, and injury hit season in the premier league. would much rather see someone like Depay brought in. younger, plenty of potential, less pressure, less money spent.

05 May 2015 18:54:28
Ed 007 if you're about, I'd like to ask your opinion on two players. The first being stefan Johansen, I personally think he's a terrific player, and could easily see him play for a top club in the premier league, I could see him as a very valuable squad player at a club like ourselves. The second is Virgil Van Djik, I'm a massive fan of his, and would love us to go and sign him. He's great at stepping out from the back and he's also a very good goal threat. Do you feel if he was to move to united, he could make an impact?

{Ed007's Note - Johansen got off to an indifferent start when he came in last January and Neil Lennon played him as DM but since Ronny Deila came in - who was his previous manager at Stromsgodset - and moved him further up the park he has been a totally different player. He just doesn't stop moving for the whole 90 mins, he's always looking for the ball and to be involved, harassing defenders etc. He can play anywhere along the forward 3 line but he's at his best in the middle, where he can pick a pass or score. Johansen was my POTY and deservedly won the award.
Van Dijk has great potential and would be an immediate improvement on the likes of Smalling. He'll be the next big money sale from Celtic, he is a ball playing CB and has a lot of pace, he is as strong as an ox and solid in the tackle, he can bring the ball out from the back himself and he can pick a pass out but now and again he can be a bit indecisive on whether to play a pass or just clear the lines, I'd say that's just down to his lack of experience though or maybe even his confidence in his own ability. He also pitches in with goals from headers and can ping a mean free kick. VVD is one of the calmest CBs I have seen in a long time, at times in domestic games it looks like he is just cruising through the matches in 3rd gear he makes it look that easy and effortless, granted it's against SPFL standards but he's been solid enough in Europe for us as well throughout his time here. Obviously LvG is aware of van Dijk from his Holland days and he thought he was just short of earning a WC place but told him that his time would come.
The player I've been most impressed with apart from Johansen is Nir Biton, the change in him since Ronny Deila came in is unbelievable, just sitting in front of the defence, tidying up and keeping it simple. Another season like this one and he could become a target for some top clubs.
With Johansen and Biton both having been Man City targets and Deila's connection to them, not to mention our CEO's son works for City I'd be surprised if they aren't aware of them both, especially Biton. #UntilRonnyIWasNeverHappy

05 May 2015 15:18:18
What do you guys think about Gary Neville's recent comments about how far ahead chelsea are compared to the rest of the EPL teams. I for one agree with him. I don't know any inside details about chelsea but from the outside, the club appears to be perfectly run with very clear targets. What I have found most impressive is the way they have found to beat FFP with their loan farm policy and how they have managed to keep their players relatively injury for the season (except Costa). Also, I think they have much better scouting network than any of the other clubs. If they end up landing Pogba or Bale this summer, I am afraid we are in for a long period of chelsea dominance as I don't see Mourinho losing more than 3 or 4 EPL games per season going forward.
How can Manchester united catch up with them? I think, initially we will have to buy established players and set ourselves again in the top 4 picture without having to scrap for 4th and slowly improve our scouting to be able to identify good talents very young.

05 May 2015 16:57:09
I haven't been that impressed with Chelsea to be honest. This league has been very poor, they were the best of a bad bunch. They played negative football and relied very heavily on Hazard for the past 3 months, they are hard to breakdown and disciplined.

Mourinho also adjusted tactics dependent on the opposition and most importantly amended them during games to make their opponents change their own plans. We do not do this and many teams struggle to do this effectively in fairness ( I thought LVG would be more tactically astute/flexible than he has been thus far).

Their spine is solid and he didn't do much squad rotation. We and other clubs can't help tinkering with players even if not having injury problems. Cuadrado, Remy and Luis hardly had a kick, wouldn't have been the case with us.

The most important thing is that each player has their set role in the team, they play there week in week out and know where their colleagues will be. We do not do this, there are no square pegs when it comes to Chelsea and they won the league as a result. We have players learning a new role and then not being on the same wavelength as their colleagues, its impossible with the constant meddling.

Chelsea are not that far ahead player wise in my eyes, they just play players in their best position and don't let them lose focus by constantly rotating them. That's what we should do, pick players in their best positions and play them until they don't perform or we need to adjust tactics, not moving 5 players to accommodate Rooney or RVP for example.

First team utility players are not what title winning teams are made of. We need experts in each position. The subs should be utility players.

05 May 2015 16:59:32
Yes, the club has clear targets and Mourinho knows what he wants.

But in two senses I don't think they are.

Firstly, where is the youth development? When was the last time Mourinho and Chelsea bought a young player through their ranks?

Secondly, I don't think their brand of football is anything to aspire to. It is boring to watch (ours is too a lot of the time) but it is effective. In terms of playing style, Arsenal are the most attractive, but you cannot deny Mourinho's winning style.

05 May 2015 17:43:51
have chelsea not got one of the best youth set ups in the league at the moment?
i think they have scored the most goals this season as well
with 17 different scores .
been the best team in the league from day 1 played some great stuff early on got a 10 point gap then saw it out .

jose team have played better more entertaining footy than lvg this year . infact only arsenal have been better to watch over the whole year

{Ed002's Note - You are right. Fresh's posts are all pretty much nonsense or biased and come from a position of ignorance - best to pay no heed.}

05 May 2015 18:10:15
I think Chelsea are streets ahead. Their one issue is at CB but I expect them to strengthen in the summer. The rest of us are playing catch up, and if they buy well that might not be any time soon.

05 May 2015 18:12:02
It's been a combination of events this year that have conspired to flatter: our rebuilding phase, Arsenal not quite there yet, and Manchester City's FFP issues. I don't think they are that much better than the other top teams, just more stable, and next year will be a closer race. Despite their domestic dominance their performance in Europe suggests they still have a way to go, which implies they are not as good as some might believe.

They are a very well run club, both on and off the field, and their external youth acquisition program seems to be more effective than our internal youth development system. They have bought and sold well allowing them to improve without busting the bank. But, ultimately, their revenues are still 100m behind ours and if we can get our house in order that should make a difference.

I know people disagree with me on this issue, but the world has changed since 1992, and the importance of domestic youth development for top clubs has become less effective. It certainly has at United and I don't expect that to change. I'd go so far as to say this nostalgic attachment to the past is part of our problem.

{Ed002's Note - You might want to look at Chelsea's performances in Europe over the past 10 years as shown by their ranking of being fourth behind Barcelona, Real Madrid and Bayern Munich. The rankings reflect performance over five years so your statement about "them having some way to go" is far from correct. Manchester United will start next season ranked in the mid teens, possibly behind Manchester City.}

05 May 2015 18:16:03
You have to admit, their incoming players from 2014 were perfect fits for what they needed, and in clear roles: Courtois at GK, Matic at Dm, Fabregas as a deep lying playmaker, and Costa as a CF. We can criticize other purchases like Cuadrado, Remy, and Felipe Luis, but recalling Courtois and purchasing the other three were outstanding moves.

05 May 2015 18:28:32
Ed, if you don't my asking, how exactly do the European rankings work? I'm assuming we have fallen so far down after success is due to our terrible showing last year in the league which seems (after this years showing in Europe especially) falling in the rankings?

{Ed002's Note - Poor performance in recent years - not just last year.}

05 May 2015 18:50:06
Do the new rankings not place us in tenth? I thought this was released a few weeks back

{Ed002's Note - Right, and at the start of next season Manchester United will be where?}

05 May 2015 20:22:04
Chelsea haven't been outstanding this year in the sense that they struggled past a few lower half teams and got battered by a bad Tottenham team.Have they been good yes and there is improvement to come surely they have just done enough to win they league in a very bad year I am in no way saying they are bad they have great players and have played good disciplined football all year it will be a closer race next year with a better chasing pack.

05 May 2015 21:23:15
if united had played as well as chelsea this year some on here would be wanting to rename the stadium after lvg.
they would be raving about how good we are

05 May 2015 15:18:18
What do you guys think about Gary Neville's recent comments about how far ahead chelsea are compared to the rest of the EPL teams. I for one agree with him. I don't know any inside details about chelsea but from the outside, the club appears to be perfectly run with very clear targets. What I have found most impressive is the way they have found to beat FFP with their loan farm policy and how they have managed to keep their players relatively injury for the season (except Costa). Also, I think they have much better scouting network than any of the other clubs. If they end up landing Pogba or Bale this summer, I am afraid we are in for a long period of chelsea dominance as I don't see Mourinho losing more than 3 or 4 EPL games per season going forward.
How can Manchester united catch up with them? I think, initially we will have to buy established players and set ourselves again in the top 4 picture without having to scrap for 4th and slowly improve our scouting to be able to identify good talents very young.

05 May 2015 16:11:10
most of what neville says is horse crap I can't stand him somtimes
.
.i don't think chelsea are miles ahead of everyone else,yes they were the best team this season but since the spurs defeat they haven't been the same team as the first part of the season but have found the nak of winning tight games, mainly because of hazard


but it amazes me how pundits think the other big teams aren't going to strengthen. So they might as well give next season s title to Chelsea now.


Dont foget chelsea sold luiz for 50 million and sold mata to us for 37 million (in jan) they are not going to get that amount again on transfers this summer, so in regards to ffp they will hsve to watch themselves aswell

In regards to ourselves we have a great youth set up and some great young players coming through.

if we can strengthen in the areas needed I think we can mount a challenge, but it does all depend on who we buy and sell in the summer.

05 May 2015 16:25:53
Spb,

I think Neville talks a lot of sense, it is refreshing to see someone so knowledgable about the game giving his unbiased opinion whilst clearly still loving our club. Top player and top pundit, I'll not have a bad word said about him.

{Ed025's Note - he is very good GDS..

05 May 2015 14:13:38
Edd's, I like CarlosI bacca but he's 28 for gods sake! I thought van gaal liked to build teams? Looking at young players who will eventually mould and have success for future years? Maybe a few older heads in there, but Bacca, please!

05 May 2015 15:00:13
It won't happen IMO, did you hear this through Metro :-)
They also say we have offered:
29.6 mill for Laporte
14 mill for Begovic
18.9 mill for de Vrij
and a Curly Wurly for Ronald McDonald.

05 May 2015 15:32:03
The Metro are an absolute joke, I started a list last week of the players they linked us with, and the same as last year my spreadsheet is already out of lines. It is pathetic, total 'click wh*ring' to get people like Ronnie to try and believe the tripe they come out with.

05 May 2015 15:33:33
I wouldn't believe the Bacca rumours, we have been burnt once with these old strikers, I doubt we will do it again.

05 May 2015 15:47:36
The star is worse LOL.

{Ed007's Note - They're all as bad as each other.}

05 May 2015 16:17:56
As a matter of interest which do you guys think is the most reliable one out there?
Obviously apart from our very own ed's (who are very helpful may I add).

{Ed025's Note - none of the rags are as reliable or informative as ED002 in my opinion herbie..

05 May 2015 16:28:40
GCU,

I used to think the star was worse but my god the metro I think are trying to break a record of how many fake transfers they can make up per day. I've seen 4 in the last 24 hours alone, it's horrific.

{Ed025's Note - its worse than the daily sport GDS, and they once had a story about adolf hitler riding shergar on the moon as a headline..

05 May 2015 16:30:43
I completely agree with that Ed, I must admit Ed002's football knowledge is one of the reasons I stuck with this site for all these years.

{Ed025's Note - hes top notch herbie mate..

05 May 2015 19:44:42
So ed025 your saying ed02 is a he,a lot of posters thought he was a she

05 May 2015 20:32:57
Leahy12
It depends on what day of the week it is but do understand, he also has 3 wives.

05 May 2015 11:06:20
What's peoples opinion on John Stones? Evertons run of form coincides with him coming back from injury. I think the lad is top class.

{Ed025's Note - your dead right hes top class, future england captain im sure, it would take a shed load of money to prize him away from everton rews as everton want to build a team around him..

05 May 2015 12:27:10
Do we really need him? The pressure alone of playing for United kills many talents.
I'd rather have an experienced leader like garay who has already played at RM.
Stones though looks very good and has been their best CB for a couple of seasons now.

05 May 2015 12:29:36
One of th best young ball playing centre backs in the world, know a few lads who know him from his Barnsley days too, top lad apparently.

05 May 2015 14:04:42
Someone will pay the cash to take him. A very composed ball playing centreback that's homegrown, they are rarer than hens teeth. I just hope it's us that gets him! Jones would be an ideal partner for him if he could stay fit.

05 May 2015 14:13:19
He was Moyes' last signing for Everton. Another Moyes guy at United after Fellaini, Mata and Herrera? ;)

05 May 2015 14:25:06
Good young player and I hope he goes on to fulfil his potential , but a lot of the stuff being said about him was said about Jones and Smalling a few years back .
He's better off where he is for another couple of seasons

05 May 2015 14:32:37
Ottamendi is a beast and would prefer him. Varrane if you want to bank on a rio type defender who has is very talented and will only get better.

05 May 2015 15:40:43
Hummels and Stones would be the pairing I would love, but it will never happen! We wouldn't pay the £30 million + that would be needed to get Stones.

05 May 2015 08:40:34
Van gaal is such a good manager that he will sign Gareth bale and play him as LB.

05 May 2015 09:56:34
To be fair with only Shaw, Blind, Rojo, Young, Blackett and James as players who can cover the LB slot we are a little light of options on that side of the defence. lol

05 May 2015 09:57:58
Hilarious

05 May 2015 10:39:12
Shappy you forgot even Evans and Rafael can play there.
He played Januzaj there too in a game.

05 May 2015 10:50:24
We could always bring Giggs back out of retirement if we were really short. lol

05 May 2015 11:01:14
I think Rooney could do a job at lb too. People have been complaining that our play is too narrow, easily solved if we scrap the whole midfield business and play with four left backs, and three tall strikers.

05 May 2015 12:30:27
So you wanna put Crouch, Zigic and the one Everton signed on loan from a Russian club up top with players like Blackett hitting long balls. Maybe we can buy Charlie Adam too, the guy is a class act.

05 May 2015 12:45:28
We could bring back John Carew and Jan Koller, pair them with Fellaini and we're sorted.

05 May 2015 13:01:35
You forgot adm! It might be the only position he can play!😀

05 May 2015 14:35:57
Brilliant LOL.