Manchester United banter 2

21 Apr 2024 21:29:31
Ratcliffe ran the London marathon this morning and then went to Wembley. Pretty sure watching us over 120mins was harder work and took more out of him than the run 😂 he keeps getting reminded what a mammoth task he has in front of him. This clubs decline has been 10+ years in the making, it could take that again to bring us back.

21 Apr 2024 22:06:03
What self respecting, established player is going to want to join this mess? Unlikely to get to Europe this year. Unlikely next year with the cattle we have.

Train wreck at the moment. Hard to watch and read about.

Having said that. I am coming over to UK for Mum's funeral and will be at OT on Weds shouting myself raw for the club!

21 Apr 2024 22:57:20
Sorry about your mum. Condolences. Hoping the team can give u a positive performance mid week.

22 Apr 2024 01:44:20
Thanks Tim. I managed to get to the 1/ 4 final against Liverpool when I was over caring for her. Going to be tough to beat that game!

21 Apr 2024 07:39:09
{Ed's Note - Thestigno1 has posted a new article entitled, Where are Glasgow Rangers Headed?

21 Apr 2024 07:03:01
Is it correct that we have three more injuries from training? Mount, Kambwala and Amrabat?
What is going on?

21 Apr 2024 08:09:12
Apparently so. No idea what they make them do in training.

Worryingly it’s looking it will have to be Maguire and Casemiro at centre back! Worlds slowest partnership.

21 Apr 2024 10:19:56
Idk if I should laugh or cry.

21 Apr 2024 10:56:40
What about Scott in at Centre back and keep Casemeiro in his usual position. At least Scott has younger legs and the physicality to deal with Ellis Sims who will be their main threat. Also I think Dalot should play left back as he is more comfortable there than AWB.

21 Apr 2024 11:39:38
Had this not been a semi final game, I would have given Amass a go at lb.

21 Apr 2024 12:12:42
Are a lot of these injuries down to intensity of the training or are they maybe due to having to rush players back to early before giving them the proper rehabilitation time, I think the medical side of the club needs to be looked at, too many muscle type injuries this season.

21 Apr 2024 12:14:03
Think Scott’s injured as well?

21 Apr 2024 13:11:23
Casemiro might actually benefit from playing in defence with the decline in his mobility and stamina. He wouldn't have to cover as much of the pitch.

However, we have pretty much no one else to play in midfield, so it solves one problem but creates another.

21 Apr 2024 13:53:49
I guess ten Hag makes the work hard. Something half the squad clearly struggle with on match day.

21 Apr 2024 15:10:27
The week before a semi final and only two fit CBs, they should be in cotton wool. Farce we are in this situation.

20 Apr 2024 14:58:30
I was at the u21's match against spurs today.
A few good youngsters in there.
Sonny Aljofree at CB had a decent game, didn't stop talking to his defence and midfielders all game. Looks comfortable on the ball too. Jayden Kamason at RB didn't put a foot wrong, put 100% into every tackle and won most of them. Ruben Curley in the middle looked good, got on the score sheet too. No.9 Gabriele Biancheri was a nuisance all match. Didn't give their defence a minutes peace. Got a goal too.
The main one who stood out was no.7 Ethan Williams. Constantly wanted the ball. The first half he was a constant threat, bit quieter in the second but has the look of a young Grealish about him.
Overall not a bad game to watch.

20 Apr 2024 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - MK Scouser has posted a new article entitled, Will Jurgen Klopp Leave Liverpool On A Whimper?

20 Apr 2024 08:35:16
I can only hope.

20 Apr 2024 09:21:41
Looks to me like they were snatching at chances, playing everything too fast, almost overdoing the coaching, trying too hard to deliver something for Klopp.

It’s not surprising because when a personality like that announces they are leaving it throws people mentally. Still in with a chance of the league, we don’t know how City will be affected by losing to Real. Emotion plays a part, but trying too hard, playing it too quick without composure likely comes from wanting to deliver this season all bagged up a short space of time in an emotional way for Klopp.

I like Klopp, wanted him to replace Moyes but he does seem to have a limited shelf life. He likes his teams to play with energy, however, whilst his buys this season give that they don’t seem to be able to have the composure when it matters.

The league is not over, would prefer Arsenal to win it, not least because the over emotional finale for Klopp would go very over the top.

21 Apr 2024 13:37:34
Klopp's done a phenomenal job to take them from where they were when he took over to the pinnacle he got them to.

It's important to remember though that he didn't do it on his own, he had a good structure around him that helped him totally rebuild the squad over 2-3 years before Liverpool were able to truly challenge at the top.

There were times he was derided and even labelled Flopp by some people. His players suffered badly with injuries as he increased the intensity in training to get the players to the required levels of fitness.

His side would struggle against certain tactics, in his first couple of years they couldn't break down a low block, and relied heavily on winning the ball back high.

They were also prone to conceding counter attack goals, and often faded later in games, conceding late to drop points.

It was a long hard road, they also didn't have the funds to have as deep a squad as teams like City. Making it much harder to compete on all fronts.

Yet Klopp still managed to win everything with them. That has to be respected, even if through gritted teeth.

However, it does seem like Liverpool have come to the end of a cycle. They've already seen key players like Henderson, Firmino, Mane, and Fabinho leave. Salah, Matip, VvD, and Robertson don't have years left. Maybe 1 or 2 before they either start to seriously decline or look to move on.

They've rebuilt the the forward line with players like Jota, Gakpo, Diaz and Nunez, yet they don't look as dangerous as the peak Mane, Firmino and Salah front line.

Then last summer they rebuilt the midfield with mixed success in my opinion. Mac Alister and Szoboszlai have been absolute successes. Endo has also been a good signing, but his age means he isn't a long term fix. Endo might be useful bridge until Bajcetic is ready, and he was cheap enough. While Gravenberch hasn't lived up to the hype at all. Curtis Jones has been twice the player.

It's a weird one as they have some good options, but the balance doesn't quite seem right yet. Much like in the forward line they look like they need that one player who'll bring it all together in midfield as well.

Defence is where they need to totally rebuild, VvD and Robertson are on limited time. They need to decide where or how they will play TAA, while Quansah and Bradley look like good long term options. Konate is an injury concern. When fit he's a very good option, but ideally you need consistency in defence. That's hard to do when you have a CB constantly in and out of the side due to injury. Gomez I think is a great squad option, but probably not good enough to be first choice. They need a couple of LB's and at least one top class CB, maybe two depending on how they will look to play.

If they can get the right manager in, then bring in the right players in defence, as well as a midfielder and a forward then they would be fairly set for a new chapter.

Unfortunately for Klopp it's been a long hard season and injury and fatigue looks like they will probably rob him of a big finish. Ultimately I think for his high energy style of play he needed to be able to build a deeper squad of greater quality to avoid burn out and injuries.

Looking across at City they tend to win the league in the second half of the season. Often slow out the blocks, but normally top by Christmas or there abouts. After that they slowly pull away at the top. A combination of having greater quality in depth and a more controlled style of play (meaning less fatigue and hard running, keeping his players fresher for longer) has made City a tough team to overtake. Klopp came mightily close.

The question is can anyone consistently compete with City a full season.

19 Apr 2024 22:19:12
If Jason Wilcox is our new technical director, where does that leave our present technical director Darren Fletcher?

Technical, is not something I would use to describe Darren Fletcher. The days when he was stuck on the bench alongside RR have gone, so let's see what happens to Darren.

20 Apr 2024 07:41:33
On Sky Sports;

"John Murtough stepped down as football director at Old Trafford last week but it is understood Darren Fletcher will continue to play a key role in the football leadership team working across the men's first team and academy. "

20 Apr 2024 07:50:08
Thanks Fizz

Fletcher is a good club man, but could not see him as a technical director.

20 Apr 2024 11:57:45
From what I understand of the situation is that it seems that the new structure will be something like this:

CEO - Omar Berrada

DoF - Dan Ashworth - responsible for the overall footballing operations at the club, reporting to Berrada.

Technical Director - Jason Wilcox - responsible for developing and building the playing squad. he will liaise with scouts, data analysts, the coaching staff and the academy staff to plan and develop the first team squad. Effectively it'll be his job to make sure the club has a squad capable of challenging and playing in the style that the club wants. Which players need to be moved on and when, which players to sign, and which players to promote and when.

Darren Fletcher from what has been suggested will work along side Nick Cox, Jason Wilcox and the first team manager to help bridge youth players into the first team. Leaning on his experience of what its like to make that jump, and informing those around them about what is needed.

20 Apr 2024 13:49:26
I don't profess to knowing exactly what any of these individuals may or may not end up doing within their roles. But going on that assessment Shappy if Wilcox is to be the guy overseeing transfer targets and the ins/ outs, it's vital that person is in place now. Although tbf, last week without any of these guys being on the payroll, EtH suggested transfer plans were decided so who knows.

20 Apr 2024 14:01:03
Should be good to have Fletcher being in contact with the youth team players, instill in to them the attitude needed to play for United, Wilcox I think will be a great appointment.

The main thing that needs to be done is sign players who want to play for the club and not just come for the big pay packet, sign players with the right attitude, players that will run through brick walls for the club.

United have a bigger scouting network than most clubs it needs to be used properly, I think the upcoming appointments to the backroom are big step in the right direction.

19 Apr 2024 17:53:29
Zidane then.

19 Apr 2024 18:33:25
Makes more sense than potter and southgate.

19 Apr 2024 18:43:06
Zidane now.

19 Apr 2024 18:54:57
Hope not.

19 Apr 2024 20:27:27
I know it sounds weird but I can’t picture Zidane working alongside Wilcox and Ashworth 😂.

19 Apr 2024 21:45:54
It won’t be Zidane. Unless he’s signing to play in our midfield.

19 Apr 2024 23:07:02
No chance.

SJR wants the real football ethos to return to the club, which means he won't suffer fools.
Although the prospect of these two egos locking horns could get the shrug in light of Zidane's resume, the inevitable fallout could well be a financial and PR sinkhole where the victor will have wasted valuable years of a much-vaunted rebuild.

Let's not kid ourselves into thinking that the resident big egos at the club will be reluctant to challenge a true football legend, let's not be foolish enough to think their egos aren't fed daily by fortune and tongues.

Although the football would be more entertaining, this would have a Mourinho-style outcome.

Imo, only one word would fit the prospect of this appointment - Damage!

20 Apr 2024 07:16:43
I’d say the jury is still out on Zidane as a coach. He’s had one job, at one club, that will always do pretty well.

20 Apr 2024 08:09:25
Ports

Why do you say that. Name me a successful team at the very top that has a coach who is a water carrier and a yes man. I get having a structure in place to stop doing what we have done in the past in terms of recruitment but the buck stops with the manager in football.

I get the love fest with Brighton but what have they won besides selling players on for inflated fees to PL teams spending money like drunk sailors.

He won 3 CL in a row with a team that was not the best in the competition imo. He will have the gravitas with any player current or incoming players and also influence players wanting to come. Hopefully all this player power stuff ends, very few have achieved anything close to his achievements.

If its a choice between potter or Southgate and Zidane its like a Ferrari vs a Fiat imo.

20 Apr 2024 08:33:57
Because he’s Zinedine Zidane, one of the greatest players ever and Wilcox who played left wing for Blackburn!

Just relax Ahmad, there was nothing deep in it, not sure where Brighton is related in anything to do with the comment either 😂.

20 Apr 2024 09:28:52
Eric, my thoughts on Zidane too.

He’s managed a Madrid side full of superstars.

I think he doesn’t speak English as well. Not too much of an issue for a player, but certainly an issue for a coach.

20 Apr 2024 10:13:30
It’ll be Potter imo.

21 Apr 2024 12:26:18
Would have Unai Emery all day long unfortunately he would never leave Villa to come to us.

19 Apr 2024 16:44:26
ED001,

Which players would you keep at Utd cine this summer?

Thanks.

{Ed001's Note - the problem is that you are unlikely to be able to unload and then replace everyone in one summer, but the ones I would look to keep are:
Martinez, Kambwala, Evans, Malacia, Dalot, Mainoo, Mount, Shoretire, Garnacho, Hojlund.
I would probably not be that bothered about some of them as well, if there is a decent replacement in the youth team or available to buy. The rest are all disposable imo.}

19 Apr 2024 17:34:23
Cheers ED001,

I think not qualifying for any European football next, may aid the club next season. There necessity to replace isn't such a requirement then

I was surprised to see Shoretire in your list. What are your thoughts on his potential?

{Ed001's Note - I took the list of first teamers from transfermarkt, so he was in there. As was Diallo but I am not convinced by him and think there is better in the academy. I think Shoretire still has a chance of making it, but he needs games in the first team to do so. It is never easy, but having these youngsters coming through the academy around the team helps. It reminds the first teamers just how much it means when they interact with these kids who are just delighted to be in contention. It also gives the kids in the academy a boost knowing that if they put in the effort they will get a chance. On top of that, the ones in the team will usually put in that little bit more effort, at least early on, to prove themselves.}

19 Apr 2024 18:00:55
No Onana ed?

{Ed001's Note - definitely not, he is dog muck. He would be the first player I would replace. His basic goalkeeping is awful, his technique is abysmal and he is not that good on the ball either. He is nowhere near good enough for a team that wants to challenge for trophies.}

19 Apr 2024 19:08:49
yeah but apart from all that I reckon he is pretty good.

19 Apr 2024 19:29:56
ED001,

Thanks for that. What do you make of Amass, I was hoping, still hoping to see him get some minutes as neither Dalot nor AWB have been suitable at lb this season.

Understandably, Amass is only 17, so perhaps a tad bit young just yet given how poor the team have been. Yet, Mainoo has shown how good he is despite that. I think that says more about his attitude aswell.

{Ed001's Note - I like the look of Amass, he will no doubt get some minutes if you have a dead rubber game at the end of the season. Personally I would have given him a chance before now, just to see if he can hack it.}

19 Apr 2024 20:32:52
ED0001 MY GUYYY!

I said this since day one that Onana is so poort its a joke that we even bought him.

{Ed001's Note - I really do wonder about the scouts that don't notice his basic technique is so bad.}

20 Apr 2024 00:07:03
In personally don’t hold with this not being in Europe will aid us argument. For a start it means we will not be able to attract the players we need to form the spine of a developing team

We need to replace these players to ensure that if we do get into Europe then we are able to compete. Otherwise we turn up in Europe in 2026 with ageing and unsuitable players and round we go again.

Do I think we will get to Europe? Not at all, but to think it will help us is possibly off the mark. And personally I don’t think ETH is the man to do it either. Far too tactically limited for such a demanding competition.

20 Apr 2024 09:32:43
Ed001, we have signed other players with shocking technique: Fred, Maguire, especially Wan-Bissaka. Now Onana.

It is surely unusual for a club to sign so many players with poor footballing technique. Are the scouts also not good enough? I know a few left a year or two back but have they bee. Replaced effectively?

{Ed001's Note - I believe you are rehashing the scouting network.}

20 Apr 2024 11:12:01
Well, I’ll do my best Ed.

{Ed001's Note - I heard you were doing a good job.}

20 Apr 2024 11:55:17
Ed notice your not keeping Bruno or Rashford but also notice your list is mainly u24s, is that because you'd look to clear the decks and start again or due to a specific issue with those players?

I personally think they are both struggling in a system the team is not confident in and there's is some confusion over what they are being asked of and that's the whole team not just the 2 mentioned.

{Ed001's Note - because I would clear the decks and start again. It is a case of letting players go that would bring back money to rebuild.}

20 Apr 2024 12:47:55
Who would you have as the manager Ed? I know you're a big fan of Southgate and are hoping he'll replace Klopp.

Seems to be a shortage of top managers out there at the minute. All are a bit of a gamble.

{Ed001's Note - for United? I think you are right, Southgate would be ideal. It would mean whenever I watch United play my insomnia would not be a problem....

Seriously though, I think someone like Slot looks about the best bet. Maybe Amorim, if he isn't going elsewhere. There aren't really a lot of good options about, which is the worrying thing for the sport in general. There just don't seem to be any standouts right now. McKenna would surely have to be considered, though I have not seen anything of Ipswich to really judge the way he plays.}

20 Apr 2024 12:58:47
I don’t think Onana is being seen as a flop or disaster personally. Played for Inter, forced Pep to change tactics because of what he added.
Awful start for sure, but so did so many Utd GKs I can remember inc Schmeichel, DdG, Bartez.

21 Apr 2024 11:25:41
Thank you, Ed001! I know Onana has made a few good saves recently (although I can't remember any that any decent keeper shouldn't be making) but I've always maintained the basics just aren't there. Even the saves he does make are usually parried right back into the danger zone.

{Ed001's Note - I can't understand how he has made it at the top level personally. But then somehow Pickford has managed to become an England international, so the world has gone mad.}

19 Apr 2024 12:52:51
Decision to end FA Cup replays is a travesty for the football pyramid.

I might be a life-long United fan, but for the last 10-years since moving I've also become a Peterborough United fan. My son and I now have a season ticket even though we don't go to all of the games. I feel like I'm helping a local club that has to fight tooth and nail to survive. I would be lost without it now.

Cup replays are such a vital form of revenue and match day motivation. There's no guarantee obviously. Clubs can't budget for replay revenue, but when they come along they're like gold-dust. The EFL clubs already lost cup revenue when the top PL clubs withdrew from the early rounds of the League Cup. Now this.

Replays are a part of British football heritage and culture. It's another poor PL decision that rips at the very fabric of our game. The greed shown by the PL is astounding. It would not be what it is now without the pyramid. It's not just players. There is a wealth of talent that is developed in the lower leagues that the PL relies upon. Even referees and linesman depend upon it for their career progression.

It's short-sighted greed that alienates supporters and communities up and down the country. Even as a United supporter I'm at the point where I'm starting to resent these clubs. Their arrogance will one day be their downfall.

Our game needs a proper regulator that protects the game, not just the elite.

19 Apr 2024 13:37:51
Couldn't agree more.

It's actually a disgrace and one that further drives the stake into the heart of football - the heart put in by all the working class folk who sought to bring this wonderful sport to the world, now being insulted by the continual disregard shown towards football communities beyond the big cities who better reflect the founders and early participants.

Complete and utter disgrace.

19 Apr 2024 14:33:10
It was an FA Cup replay that Bryan Robson scored my favourite goal ever v Liverpool at Maine Road. An FA Cup replay we witnessed one of the greatest goals ever scored by Ryan Giggs v Arsenal.

Everything that made the FA Cup magic they are slowly changing. Semi finals moving to Wembley from grounds like Villa Park. Saturday kick off to 5pm from 3pm. And now this. Replays add to the excitement of the matches and makes the FA Cup, or made the FA Cup the best cup competition in the world outside of international football. Once again a decision has been made that make me question my enthusiasm for the game. I’m all for change and agree things have to move on but it has to be for the benefit of the fans primarily and the game. Sad times.

19 Apr 2024 16:19:25
The underlying problem is that there are too many games for some players. Agree this isn't the answer. There are lots of alternatives e. g. trimming premier league to 18 teams, reducing the number of international football friendlies, putting load management limits for players .

19 Apr 2024 17:46:10
There are too many teams that are unsustainable for professional football.
The clubs are often living beyond theft their means the football pyramid needs to be reduced imo by bringing probably about 15 or 20 clubs back to part time.

19 Apr 2024 18:06:00
There are too many games yet teams are going abroad at seasons end thousands of miles away to play an exhibition match!

19 Apr 2024 19:27:37
Harrison Burrows has played more games this season (Posh captain) than any Liverpool player.

19 Apr 2024 19:33:24
Teams should be encouraged to play more players from U23’s and academy. I’ve never liked the 5 sub rule but if it’s in place, 2 of the 5 should be academy products. Agree with Salford about pre season and I really believe something like the charity shield will be in America or somewhere soon and that’ll be the start. Also, sack of international friendlies 3 weeks into a season!

19 Apr 2024 20:27:38
terrible decision -also not all players are household names on 300k a week of course - why should a long serving player from e.g woking, tranmere or peterborough be denied the chance to play at Old Trafford/ Anfield Arsenal etc once in their career?

20 Apr 2024 01:15:00
Too many vested interests trying to milk the top players for all they're worth.

FIFA is now trying to increase their share. World club cup incoming. Extended world cup. All increases the money for FIFA - and give greater distribution of earnings from world football to those outside of UEFA.

UEFA has been increasing games and including more and more teams. Not to speak of the euro break away league which is lurking.

EPL and domestic cups want to see star players playing every game. Long runs in Europe and english cups can lead to situations where teams have to play 4 games in 8 days due to fixture congestion.

The we get to the end of the season and the big clubs take to players away on these money making tours with games every few days and thousands of miles of flying in between.

It is not sustainable for the players. Fergy used to manage minutes of players pretty well. He would rest players from the match day squad. Bring them back from summer later after international duty, and rotate between the bench and starting team. This kept everyone on their toes, completing for their place, and kept them fresher. Not sure why managers these days think these players are robots and can play every minute of every game.

20 Apr 2024 07:59:06
Cut the international friendlies down or out altogether, that would give time for cup replays. The international breaks are so dull, especially with Southgate as England manager.

International breaks where there are two friendlies, it’s a waste of time.

20 Apr 2024 09:38:08
It’s European football we should be cutting.

“Champions” League, talk about extending it to 5 places. 25% of the league. The 5th place team likely finishing 20 points behind the “champions”.

I know the 5th spot is unlikely now, but I’ve always thought having 4 is too many. I find that whole side of football quite hollow.

It’s all about the $$$, favouring the top teams (we have benefitted more than most), and lining the right pockets.

20 Apr 2024 10:22:12
Top 2 and FA Cup winners should get Champions League IMO. Get some excitement back in the FA Cup too!

21 Apr 2024 11:29:27
On one hand you have managers complaining about too many games and their players are suffering from burnout.
Of course while they're saying this, their clubs are busy arranging their 3 week pre-season pan-Asian tours.

19 Apr 2024 11:38:48
Hi Ed001, can you give me your opinion on Joao Neves please? I know you probably have a long list of players to do profiles on, I was hoping for a tit bit in the mean time :)

{Ed001's Note - excellent technique, good range of passing and vision, but lacks a bit of mobility. Quite similar to Mac Allister in a lot of respects.}

19 Apr 2024 12:19:16
Kind of reminds me a bit of Ander Herrera from when I've watched him. Pretty physical for a small guy and I do think he has good potential, just depends where he goes next.

{Ed001's Note - you know what I was half asleep when I typed that and I realise I was talking about Ruben Neves not Joao Neves. You are closer, he is more workmanlike, good mobility, works hard, puts himself about, good touch and decent passing range. My apologies for the confusion.}

19 Apr 2024 12:23:36
Thanks pal, so he isn't an out and out DMF more of a CM?

{Ed001's Note - I have to apologise, I was misreading when I typed that, but Joao Neves I would see as more of a CM who can break up play. Like Caicedo, Kante etc, they play better with a deep-lying player alongside them to free them up to get about the pitch. Herrera as Elvis mentions is a good example.}

19 Apr 2024 13:40:04
His highlights reel is fantastic. but then they all are lol.
A player to watch for sure but I hope we don't blow so much budget on any one player, we need so much.

19 Apr 2024 15:14:20
No troubles at all Ed001, you are human after all :)

{Ed001's Note - there are a lot of people that would dispute I am human.}

19 Apr 2024 18:04:02
Herrera isn't small, he is 6 feet tall.

{Ed001's Note - I think slight is what he meant, small as in build rather than height.}