Manchester United banter 5

09 Apr 2024 06:49:22
Random left field thought but when Martinez is fit could we, as a trial, put Kambwala into a CM alongside Mainoo?

09 Apr 2024 07:20:12
I'd keep Kambwala where he is personally. Let him continue to develop as a CB. He did well at the weekend.

Martinez I'd happily play as a holding midfielder though. Mainoo offers too much further up the pitch to just be a sitting midfielder, McTominay can't play as a 6 and for as great a career as Casemiro has had, he looks like he has aged an extra 10 years and now needs glasses due to how often he misplaces passes. Martinez may not have the stamina to play in midfield in fairness, but at the same time, it's not like we've had much energy in there all season.

09 Apr 2024 07:42:46
Rjmanutd

Height, pace, tackling, heading. Kambwala looks a player who could anchor midfield. Worth a trial because we need someone who can sit, and give defence cover plus has pace. Not sure Martinez with his injuries works.

09 Apr 2024 09:51:11
One player I was thinking who could do a really good job in the defensive midfield role would be Dalot. When he drifts in there, he receives the ball really well from the CB’s and often keeps possession. I’m not suggesting we should play him there and not a big fan of moving players out of the natural positions but a few times I’ve seen him in that position, he get’s the ball and move it forward nicely. If we were to get a player in there til the end of season. I’d play Mount. He moves the ball quick, he gets stuck in, he’s mobile and I think he’s bright enough and disciplined to play the role as well. Not a long term solution but maybe good alongside Mainoo and keep Fernandes just ahead of them.

09 Apr 2024 09:54:46
Unfortunately Red Man I don't think we will see Martinez again this season and with our defensive injuries Kambawala will be needed in defense. I think he has performed well when he has had chances and should definitely be part of the first team going into pre season.
We have so many holes to fill that having another acadamy graduate in a position to fill (even a bench role) will massively help.
We can then look at bringing in another first team centre back whilt we sell/ release a couple from the existing crop.
Going into the summer we definitely need a holding midfielder to either work as double pivot with Mainoo or to allow him to be the more forward of the 2. Lots of options out there depending on how the new set up wants us to play and what money we have.

09 Apr 2024 10:03:25
Big willu is a cb. I've no idea why he would be triallex at cm.
Don't know if his passing range is up to it his 1st touch his technique his ability to take the ball under pressure his dribbling ability his body movement.
Crazy idea imo. I think if he had those abilities it would have been trialled before in the under age set ups
He has played rb.
The difference between playing as a defender where your facing the play the majority of the time and playing in midfield is miles apart.
He is big quick but is playing cb and midfield is the world of difference and requires a lot more than one might think. Itss like 2 different sports requiring 2 completely different skill sets
Id suggest we don't try to continue putting square pegs in round holes.

09 Apr 2024 10:53:31
The way Martinez is going with injuries i'd be tempted to splash a large part of our budget on 2 centre halfs ( see a lot of media talk about TOisin at Fulham being a steal as out of contract in summer- don't know much about him ) and use Martinez for cover at CH and LB if he is going to miss large parts of the season.

All teams need a settled back 4 especially the CH positions.

09 Apr 2024 11:23:38
Think we’ll sell Martinez in the Summer (ETH take him back to Ajax?! )

Wonderful attitude and character but sadly not up to the sustained physical demands of the Premiership the way we’re playing and being so exposed - unless gets more protection from the midfield, then might be Ok.

09 Apr 2024 12:03:16
Absolutely not. It's a terrible idea to trial a kid in a new position that he's never played when he's got less than 180 first team minutes, especially when you consider the inexperience of the midfield partner you're planning on playing him with.

You can't seriously think a midfield of a 18 year old with less than 20 appearances, alongside a 19 year old with only 2 starts playing in a position he's never played before, is a good idea.

It's frustrating to watch Casemiro struggle, but we literally have no other legitimate choices.

09 Apr 2024 12:24:26
While I'm sure both Kambwala and Dalot would do a job at DM, I think they'd each be better developing their respective games in their natural positions with an onus on being steady and productive in all nearby defensive situations - CB and RB who can each step in to support a midfield under pressure.

Bfbw
Tosin would be a great addition to any PL squad - especially on a free.
Irrespective of who arrives for the right side, we need back up and decent competition for Martinez - Calafiori of Bologna or Buongiorno of Torino - each available for around €30m - would be perfect, although Juve are already busily chasing a deal through for the former and there's a big pack of clubs scrabbling away for the latter. The left side needs an astute purchase. Another name for that position - Pavlovic at Salzburg.

As for the right side - Varane's definitely leaving so will need to be replaced. Bremer, while an expensive option, is near to peak and could be a huge immediate upgrade.
If it weren't for the need on the left, I'd pay the little extra to get Antonio Silva instead of Bremer now that Real are focusing on Yoro, but I guess over £100m on two CBs in one summer would not be the SJR way.
If Lindelof goes as well, which is looking increasingly likely, I'd certainly be looking at experienced PL bargains - Tosin fits the bill snugly.

09 Apr 2024 12:30:04
Thfb Toisin at Fulham has a feel of a smalling purchase.

09 Apr 2024 12:31:49
Lindelof will be staying i'm pretty sure of that.

09 Apr 2024 13:18:22
Martinez played as a holding mid at Ajax. But frankly I think most Utd fans would just be happy to see him in any position right now.

10 Apr 2024 17:31:24
C'mon Red Man. I thought we'd got past the stage of square pegs in round holes.

10 Apr 2024 20:26:09
Nou

Trying something towards the end of the season where we are not going to win the league is just an idea. Who put John OShes in a different position?

Don’t try don’t find out then, but just a suggestion to add pace and steel in CM trial.

08 Apr 2024 16:13:48
I’ve finally see EtH’s style of play.
He’ splaying the classic 4-1-5 formation
Four at the back
A static midfielder
And 5 upfront
The 5 up front to stay there, remember not to track back ( this will only drag the opposition in to our half )
The static midfielder to remain static ( and he’s doing a good job at that)
Rashford to play the ‘possum’ role and to come alive once or twice during the game ( that’s a sneaky EtH tactic )
Antony, as we can see, has been heavily influenced by the great Blackpool winger of the 50’s, Jack Russel, who was brilliant with ball at his nose.

08 Apr 2024 15:14:29


Ork has written an article entitled, The case for keeping EtH at Man Utd

08 Apr 2024 17:01:49
1. I challenge every anti-Erik on here to provide names of managers who've dealt with the same pressures in little under 2 full seasons.

What's the point? What does this prove? We only focus on our own, but off the top of my head I would say Spurs have had a bad season with injuries but are likely to get top-4.

2. I further challenge them to explain why these pressures should be considered so trivial that they must be completely ignored when the opportunity for criticism presents?

Nobody is ignoring them. There's enough evidence without them to suggest ETH is out of his depth with the decision making he is making.

I'll ask you a question back. How did ETH justify starting Rashford yesterday?

08 Apr 2024 17:40:46
BRD, who should have started ahead of Rashford at LW?

Garnacho has really developed and had a massive impact on our front line when playing on the RW. On the left he still tries to cut in and shoot too much, making him too predictable and easier to mark out of the game. It has been since he moved to the right where he can go either inside or outside where he has become undropable.

So, who starts LW if not Rashford? Antony out of position? Amad?

I think we currently find ourselves in the odd position of having lost two key RW players in Sancho and Greenwood, while Antony has struggled, and yet it is a lack of depth at LW that is a problem right now.

08 Apr 2024 17:58:46
BRD

Spurs haven't had a decade of Ed Woodward making decisions.
Say what you want about Levy, but he's not a football moron like Mystic Ed.
For example, he would not have kept Jones, Bailly and Martial for as long United have/ had.
Injuries are literally the only field for valid comparison with Spurs - their squad hasn't been riddled of overpaid, overpriced, underperforming, ageing mercenaries for years. We still have that kind of squad so the any further comparison is rather weak.

As for Rashford, I think the decision was based only on big-game experience. He'll count that as a mistake and will likely devote greater thought next time.

I've never said he's made no mistakes - he's made plenty, but so has every other manager.

08 Apr 2024 19:08:38
Good post pal.

08 Apr 2024 20:13:05
“ So, who starts LW if not Rashford? ”
My granny would put in more effort and passion. She’s been dead a good few years.

08 Apr 2024 21:02:43
Yesterday was yet another example of ETH making basic errors, failing tactically.

I am no Antony fan but the decision to play Rashford was ridiculous. Rashford hid in the first half. That is just a terrible management decision and it’s not the first. He took Garnacho off, took away the out ball, but the penalty came after Bruno missed a tackle on the left.

I watched players jogging back because they were not part of a coordinated pattern moving the ball, meanwhile Liverpool moved as a team, it was stark.

Then ETH comes out of a game, where we played as if we were a relegation threatened team at Anfield to say he was proud. I see Keane called him out on that. Proud. When it comes to success being giving a top team problems in their title chase and the manager feels proud, that’s unacceptable.

ETH had £400m spent plus loans and we lack a back up centre forward, no left back and Mount bought without an obvious position. It lacks structure, yet suddenly ETH is trying to now make out it’s all part of the plan, talking up what is happening. He seems to have suddenly realised the pressure and trying to throw positives out there.

I watched Hojland with interest yesterday, in the warm up he didn’t hit the target that much, stick it in the net. Yes it’s only warm up but no one seemed to be guiding him. I remember watching strikers warm up in the past and they were not as hit and miss. In the game Hojland hardly won a header, the ball didn’t stick to him. He is raw but all the above seems to indicate he isn’t getting the level of coaching he should be and there isn’t a plan to have a coordinated attack.

I stood by ETH until Brentford, a disjointed uncoordinated mess.

08 Apr 2024 21:15:29
@ shappy he started garnacho on the left v Chelsea and Anthony on the right it went well I think that's a valid argument.
But that's up to eth. Rashford scored v Liverpool in the last game so he made his choice.
@ ork. We all have our opinions, for every positive stat in favour of eth there is a damning negative one.
We could play that ying v yang forever.
Because none of us really have a clue we can only comment on our gut feelings and on what we see.
Taking aside the hap hazard poor football and lack of cohesion and awful defending blah blah blah because there are some mitigating circumstances for some of that, I look at it from my own viewpoint.
I would not like to be stuck in the trenches with eth.
I would not blindly follow him over the hill.
I would not trust him to have the answers, I wouldn't turn to him if I was in trouble and I would doubt a lot of what he is saying to me, I have too many doubts after 18 months of first believing then hesitating then doubts, and now certainty that I wouldn't follow him over any hill.
He is not a leader I would follow anywhere.
I'd love to be stuck in the trenches with pep klopp fergie wenger young Jose, simione emeryeven mad conte (for the craic) . They are guys that have their players running over the hill with double back packs if they have to.
I see traits in his leadership that I don't like or agree with and I would not like to work under him. ( just to say I don't know him or any facts for the politically correct brigade) I've formed my opinion on my perceptions like we all do. (That's how you form your opinions too)
I think he lacks charisma and he does't help himself with his press conferences.
The relationship that flows between fans manager and players the unity I long for is not there.
I don't believe in him I don't see a sustainable successful future under him at all.
I see a few cup wins and palatable football ish but nothing near enough to close the gap on not only our peers in England but also Europe.
I can't see any compelling reason to stick with him. We are 13 points behind where we were last season.
Our players are not any fitter.
We don't pass the ball any quicker.
We don't defend set pieces any better. we don't score more goals. We don't dominate possession. We give a shot away every 3 mins.
He has lost 24 games out of79 in the league.
Rotten cl campaign.
No cl next season
I can just imagine if Southgate took off a winger in the euro final when leading and brought on a midfielder and lost what the reaction would be and imagine if he did it twice 3 days apart. I dare say he would be getting pelters for negativity.
I agree if martinez or Shaw had been available all season it would have been better but that does not explain enough away imo.
Disclaimer
Mine is an opinion of 1. It is based on my perceptions. I admit its based on my subjectivity. I think and hope that the new management will be aligned with some of my observations and feelings and perceptions.
Nobody should be too irked by others perceptions / opinions because they are based on little or no knowledge or facts and are totally invalid when it comes to the decision makers.
If not they are seeing something I'm not then that's fine. They know more than I do.
The only person who is in the position to change my opinion of eth is ETH himself.
On sancho I think the club, eth and particularly sancho all handled the situation badly. The club will suffer the most in the long run.
Not taking sancho's side at all but the whole thing got out of hand because it was let get out of hand.
I think eth will always be only around the corner from his next ronaldo / sancho / varane (a lesser but still by all accounts a difficult situation) / rashford type stand off.
Football fans only have 2 things belief and hope.
With eth I don't believe I only hope.
I think it's the same for the players I believe that's evident by what their producing.
Leading to mediocrity is hard enough leading to greatness is not easy and I don't think eth has got it.
Change now.
In business and I assume its the same in sport as it will be for us all.
You regret the things you don't do in life a lot more often than the things you do, do.
I would not be sticking because of a fear of the unknown. If the known is not a as good as it can be never fear the unknown.

08 Apr 2024 21:27:30
Injuries aside, if the club can get their house in order, 6 signings this summer should transform our team.

Back 4, a real No6, and a forward. Anything else is a bonus.

08 Apr 2024 21:34:55
BRD

How have spurs had a bad season with injuries. They had maddison and van der ven out for about 6 weeks and 2 of those weeks was during the international break. They have spent 387 mill pounds in transfers since summer of 2022 and bought 13 players and sold Kane and Dier.

As i write this they have 5 injuries, 2 being back up keepers 3 players who are squad players. They play once a week since november as they were out of both domestic cups and no europe.

The minority who is making a lot of noise about the manager getting sacked seems to gloss over things that has made it difficult for us this year and giddie up everyone else out there.

Its like Fergie said the neighbors cow is better.

I have zero doubts if we did not have the nature and timing of our injuries this year, we would be ahead of teams like villa and spurs and playing much better football. Its been a year of compromise every game.

08 Apr 2024 21:55:26
Good post that Ken.

Shappy, 'who starts LW if not Rashford? ” Antony?

You've bigged up the virtues of the right footed Garnacho playing on the right (and I agree) . Why can't it work having the left footed Anthony playing on the left for the same reasons?

08 Apr 2024 22:04:55
Newcastle have lost the most player days to injuries this season followed by 5 clubs tied exactly
Spurs United Palace Chelsea and Liverpool.
City are in the bottom 3 and have used the least players.

08 Apr 2024 23:33:33
No point arguing with the Anti-Eriks.

9 Wins, 3 Draws, 3 Losses in 2024. One game off our third cup final in 2 years, all whilst playing bad.

3 individual errors in our last 2 games cost us points but again its ETHs fault.

Old Trafford roof leaking? there's only one man to blame.

09 Apr 2024 01:03:17
I love those stats kurtis.
In our last 16 league games since 6th Dec we have won 6 drawn 4 lost 6
Or in short won 6 of our last 16 league games.
As I say for every good stat you trot out to capture a period a damning negative is there to trump it.

09 Apr 2024 03:25:16
More points than Klopp and Arteta in the EPL after first 50 games.

It is absolutely okay to suggest that maybe we should give the guy a bit more time, and move out some players who don't fit and bring in more that do.

But winning points isn't enough. We have to judge him on style of play. Quick, better fire him and bring in southgate so we get a better style if play.

09 Apr 2024 05:49:15
I think some people should stay clear of statistics as they clearly have no idea of data quality to avoid skewed results.

Anybody can pick a window or scenario to force their point but it is meaningless unless it is quantified against the bigger picture.

For example you could say that two managers have not lost in 20 games so they must be as good as each other. But one could have drawn 20 games, the other won 20 games. Pick the right column and they both look as good as each other.

As Tumble says. You can pick a hundred different arguments and manipulate them how you want.


For example:
61% win record in league last season
48% win record in league so far this season.

Statistically he is going backwards, or is he?

1. Season is not yet over. He could win all remaining games.
2. He could lose all remaining games.
3. He could draw all remaining games.
4. He could get sacked

Unless you consider all the causal factors you are kidding yourselves either way.

But what we do know is that Klopp and Pep moved forward with a clear and tangible plan. Within 4 years Klopp was a double Champions League finalist.

Can you hand on heart say that ETH will be there?

09 Apr 2024 06:47:03
Dodgy

Recommend reading what Rio Ferdinand has said on ETH team set up.

So move out some who don’t fit and bring in more that do. What was ETH doing with the £400m spent and the loan deals, including Amrabat? And it’s a dogs dinner team right now. Chaotic. Is that the plan, chaos?

09 Apr 2024 07:40:29
Guardiola has 75 wins since start of 2022 season in all competitions, eth is second with 62 wins and Klop has 57. He has gone through player issues, change in ownership structure, injuries to players we cannot solve for and bad rub of calls imo. Its been a season of one player back 2 more out and never a stable consistent first 11.

Other clubs have had injuries too but they have better alternatives as replacements imo where in some areas we just have none.

I acknowledge its not a thumping 3-0 and control i would like to see when we play and some of the games have been awful awful. its a squad that has gaps and weaknesses both technically and physically. You can either blame the manager or think he needs time to retool. The current crop of managers who have done really well, were all given time to build a team of their players.

I will support whatever the decision even though i might not agree with it. I suspect the same group here will be at it again with the new guy soon thereafter. its a pattern with united and instability breads poor football. IMO we are 2/ 3 years away from playing the kind of football everyone wants.

Finally what managers say in public and what they say privately are often miles apart and you guys hanging on to every word he says to criticize him is laughable. I am told privately he wants a quite a few players gone but not in his hands and difficult sticking point atm.

09 Apr 2024 07:47:11
Really don’t know how anybody can defend the tactics at the moment. I thought Ole’s were bad, but ETH is making him look like a tactical genius. League form now feels worse than the season Ole was sacked.

Regardless of injuries ETH is looking either stupid or naive with his formations. Players can’t mark a piece of paper at set pieces and are woefully out of shape and position during transitions. There’s just no defensive discipline - and that’s supposed to be ETH’s strength. Discipline.

Over 500 shots against us this season. Speaks volumes. That’s not a skewed or irrelevant stat. It’s cause and effect. I’m sick of his ridiculous post match analyses. If he’s being genuine then everybody should be worried.

Do I want ETH gone. Yes. Two reasons. Firstly he isn’t good enough to win PL or CL. Secondly, I want INEOS to flex their thinking and bring in a coach of their choosing. I don’t care about comparisons to other clubs or stats against Arteta or actually winning a trophy at the moment. I want a competent manager that makes competent decisions. They seem so rare now.

Final point. All of these comments about injuries. Our midfield has been our issue all season. Bruno. Never injured. McT barely injured. Amrabat. Barely injured. Mainoo obviously relatively new addition. Casemiro missed 17 matches. Dalot (who moves into midfield) never injured. Plus there are some good fringe academy players available. Point is our midfield has hardly been ravaged by injuries. I get Mount long term but he’s never had him to miss - and he’s hardly a defensive linchpin. So why despite the choices and consistent availability is the basics of our midfield still so bad? Coaching and/ or tactics. Were they Woodward’s fault. The Glazers?

09 Apr 2024 09:06:05
Exactly. Facts BRD. 500 shots against. No skewing that data.

Bad run of calls? That’s just a noise factor. Immeasurable and random number. Same with injuries. Hard to measure the the actual effect they have had. Yes they have had an effect but how much, factually.

Also since 2022 is also irrelevant. It’s 2023/ 34 season. ETH won most of those last season. This season his win rate is 48% in EPL.

Another rubbish stat skewed to make an irrelevant point.

09 Apr 2024 10:07:42
Why not trend those figs to show the decline ahmad.

09 Apr 2024 12:17:24
MancMan, Antony and Garnacho are very different players.

Garnacho is fairly two footed and is comfortable shooting or crossing with his weaker foot. He's also a far more technical dribbler, capable of keeping the ball closer to his body and quickly shifting left or right.

As such he is capable of playing on either wing. Playing on the right has just made him play with his head up and assess his options more. When he plays on the left he is overly focused on cutting in and shooting. So playing on the right has made him a more rounded threat.

Antony has no right foot, he will always look to play onto his left. When playing on the right that means cutting back in field, on the left that would mean going wide 95% of the time and he would be just as predictable. Another difference is that Antony doesn't have that blistering pace often needed to go around the outside and make enough space to cross. His dribbling style isn't as technical as Garnacho's, it's more of a push and chase style with him looking to use his acceleration over a short distance to get a yard of space. Over a longer distance his lack of top end speed means defenders can get back at him. It's why he doesn't try and beat a player for all out pace. He gets half a yard ahead of a player and if he can't shoot or cross at that point instead of driving into the space he turns back to square up the defender again. If he drove into the space the defender would likely catch him up.

Antony in my opinion cannot work as a left winger as he doesn't have the all out pace to beat a fullback around the outside or the ability to use his right foot and mix things up.

He might be able to be adapted into a left wingback role, where his work rate is a huge benefit, but he doesn't have the same defensive responsibilities as a fullback, and he can work in conjunction with a LW player to play quick one twos on the the overlap to get space to cross with his left foot.

But he lacks the technical skills and outright pace to be an elite winger, and he doesn't have the defensive capabilities to be an elite fullback either. There is a chance he could play the wingback role to a high level if he worked hard on developing his skills in that role. But from looking at his body language when asked to play on the left hand side in the FA cup game against Liverpool he doesn't seem particularly happy to play in a position outside of his comfort zone.

08 Apr 2024 13:47:33


Shappy has written an article entitled, What Does The Manchester United Team Need To Improve

08 Apr 2024 15:03:19
I've not opened this yet shappy it will be read in a bit but you can write 20 paragraphs on stuff that's not a problem so I'm expecting this to be very long because the subject matter is a very long list. ???I'll enjoy the read later. ?.

08 Apr 2024 19:16:01
Good post Shappy.

08 Apr 2024 19:59:47
Shappy - Casemiro looks spent. I don’t know if he’s injured, just not fit enough or if his weaknesses are just being brutally exposed more by a different system in midfield but his mobility and speed look to have sadly deteriorated to a point which has almost become embarrassing for a player of his pedigree and stature.

Players just breeze past him with ease, he can’t run, turn or recover and has resorted to desperate lunging tackles. It’s almost sad to see such a decorated player exposed in such a way. He’s also been very poor in possession as well this season.

With the return of Mount from injury, perhaps we’d benefit from Bruno dropping deeper. He has the tenacity and running capacity to fill the position and his ability on the ball might help us in the build up. I think he’s played deeper on a few occasions and always done pretty well in my opinion.

Whilst by no means a perfect solution, Casemiro just doesn’t look right and Mctominay presents other issues. It would allow Mount and Mainoo to play their more natural positions and asking Bruno, as captain to do a more disciplined job for the team makes sense, rather than an inexperienced youngster or a player new to the Club returning from injury.

Thoughts pal?

08 Apr 2024 21:12:26
I wouldn't play Bruno deeper as his tendency to play the dangerous pass would potentially lead to turn overs close to our defensive third. It works occasionally but isn't something we should look to do too often.

If I was going to drop another player deeper alongside Casemiro it would be Mainoo as he has the intelligence and ability to play that role even if he lacks the experience.

However, at this point I don't see much point in trying to be pragmatic as there isn't much to play for at this point with UCL football a massive long shot at best. It makes more sense to try to better imbed the preferred playing style.

We just need to sign a better No.6 than Casemiro.

08 Apr 2024 21:37:56
Think ten Hag’s best shot at hanging onto his job is trying to show there is a positive style and proof of this progress and plan that he assures us exists every week. I’d take any of that over any win or European spot!

08 Apr 2024 21:56:24
Shappy - I didn’t mention being more pragmatic. I tend to agree with Spenno, we need to see evidence this style of play can work.

If not Bruno then Mainoo needs to drop deeper and Mount come into the midfield. Little point in persisting with Casemiro now in my opinion. He just doesn’t have the fitness, speed or mobility and will likely leave in the summer anyway.

I say let’s see what a more energetic and mobile midfield can do, plus he needs to justify why he spent £60m on Mount.

If EtH he can string a few performances together in the remaining fixtures and evidence this system can work it might just buy him more time.

09 Apr 2024 14:55:08
DLIB, dropping an extra player into midfield in an attempt to increase defensive stability is definitely a pragmatic move.

It's not a decision born out of being more attacking or to create more chances but to mitigate a weakness and add defensive stability.

We have seen that in build up Mainoo or Dalot has dropped in along side Casemiro making the 3133 into something more like a 3223, then as the ball progresses that player (Mainoo or Dalot) moves further forward so we have more options higher up and the ability to press teams higher and better.

The problem comes when we lose the ball then the opposition evade the initial press and release the ball into the midfield. Now those players who formed the press are behind the ball with just Casemiro left to cover the midfield, often outnumbered.

The only other option is to drop a player into midfield alongside Casemiro all the time, but then that's one less player further forward and it lessens our ability to press high, meaning we will likely have teams be able to attack our midfield more often, and potentially with more players (as more can move forward as we have less players pinning them back) .

So it doesn't necessarily solve our problem defensively, but it would definitely reduce the effectiveness of our high press.

08 Apr 2024 14:29:20
Really though mainoo's comments after the game were spot on regarding his goal celebration and the result.
I'm not sure it possible for me to admire and respect this kid anymore than I do.

08 Apr 2024 14:45:51
Let’s hope we can weed a few out over the next few windows so that the attitudes of others don’t rub off on him and ruin him… like u I think he’s special and could be someone to build around for years to come.

08 Apr 2024 15:05:41
If only we had a few more mainoos in this team.

08 Apr 2024 21:17:09
Mad Hatter

Garnacho is one and Kambwala stepped up well yesterday. Kambwala impressed me, at one point he showed real pace running back and I noted that. Not physically intimidated, tall and seemed to get his positioning generally right. Room to improve his positioning but there is something to work with. Maligned at times but Dalot gives his all.

08 Apr 2024 13:52:13
My goals and hopes for the rest of the season
1. We win the fa cup.
2. We finish 6th in the league and get the europa league spot
3. We finish the season with a positive goal difference
4. We get our new appointments in place before end June.
5. Eth leaves at end of season.
6 We appoint a new coach in keeping with the clubs ambitions.

08 Apr 2024 15:14:47
True but we need a few appointments going out the door too.

08 Apr 2024 15:56:09
I can get onboard with all those points.

I’ve teetered over to the ETH out side, but the question always thrown back at me is, who out there can replace him?

With all the big clubs that are changing managers in the summer. Who out there would or could United go for?

My only concern with ETH potentially going is it might be Potter or much worse Southgate that gets the gig.

08 Apr 2024 16:36:38
In my experience which is business not football related decisiveness is paramount.
Waiting in the hope things improve without a strategic change is rarely the best course of action nor is sticking with what you know because you fear what you don't know.
Not every decision the new team make will be correct that's for sure.
I'd embrace the unknown at this point because I don't think it will be worse than what we have and know.

08 Apr 2024 16:37:24
That's for sure leahy but the new appointees will take care of that.

08 Apr 2024 20:20:51
What if it’s Southgate?

08 Apr 2024 21:21:47
DLIB

If it’s Southgate then I would despair and lose confidence in the part owners.

I would say that threatening Southgate to make people think ETH should stay is not the right way. ETH has to be judged on his performance and then we deal with who comes in.

08 Apr 2024 21:46:17
Red Man - I’m not scaremongering, it’s not me that has linked Southgate to the job, I’m absolutely appalled by the idea.

If you want EtH sacked then you must accept that Southgate is a very likely replacement.

I have posited at length why I would stick with EtH. Not once have I said because it might mean that Southgate will get the job, however the EtH detractors must accept that it’s a real possibility. Its seems EtH outers want him sacked but are not prepared to face the reality of his replacement. Let’s see what happens!

08 Apr 2024 22:03:16
DLIB

You posted “What if it’s Southgate”

I think ETH is just waking up that he is fighting for his job and trying to get positivity out there. He should have been showing coordination on the pitch and setting a plan, explaining where Mount would play. Looks to me like he had battles with Sancho, Ronaldo but is running away from dealing with Rashford.

I have lost confidence in ETH, spent months saying we needed to see something.

As to Southgate, I would rather ETH stayed.

There are a few managers who could be appropriate, let’s hope the part owners make strong positive decisions.

07 Apr 2024 22:17:26
Rashford injured. not being rude but that might be a good thing considering his performances. Be interesting to see who plays in his place but surely they'll provide more workrate than he has so that's a bonus.

08 Apr 2024 06:56:42
I hate to say this regarding an injury… but… hopefully for the remainder of the season.

And I never thought I’d say this… Antony has done more in the last 2 games than Rashford has for a while.

In a lovely related (injury) not, seems Martial may be off to Italy and we may not see him play again.

08 Apr 2024 08:25:39
Like others, I don't like to celebrate an injury but. I'm not upset about this one to Rashford. Did anybody else notice how our play went up a notch when he went off? Strange that.

08 Apr 2024 08:41:22
It just goes to show how much Rashford has fallen out of fans favour with his performances. Hopefully he recovers in time for summer so he can be moved on. No doubt he is thinking the same.

Agreed Wazza, Antony has played really well.

08 Apr 2024 09:12:53
No doubt he is thinking the same? We seem to pay more than most teams, and he's very much out of form - who's going to pay what he wants? He's got a new contract, think we're stuck for a while.

08 Apr 2024 09:29:15
Fans will understand a dip in form. We feel a player's pain during his loss of form. What is unforgivable is a complete lack of effort. Us fans will jump on a player's back when he appears not to care.

08 Apr 2024 09:35:14
I'd rather be was not injured but dropped. The only way rashford moved on is if the manager calls him in and tells him he has no chance of playing for him again.
Maybe eth should ban him from the dressing room and make him eat his lunch alone out of a lunchbox.

08 Apr 2024 09:41:45
There’s a player in Antony, I’ve said it all along. Just not sure the Premier League is the place for him. Let’s see. I’m sure the off field incidents have been very difficult and distracting to deal with. Elite sport is All fine margins, and a slight dip in performance is huge.

I’m think Rashford hasn’t been fit mentally or physically all season, hence why he’s been so bad.

08 Apr 2024 10:09:00
I agree Ken that I wouldn’t want him injured but dropped but if he is out a few weeks or whatever it’s a get out of jail card for eth. I also agree on Antony, he may be short on ability but his workrate and desire is clear for all to see, I think the team will function better if he plays instead of rashford, and it’s not as is rashford has been banging them in either.

08 Apr 2024 10:28:40
The whole team looks terrible, players aren't 100% commited to the style because they either aren't sure what their being asked for, can see the issues what their being asked to do are causing, or are trying to mange energy through a game knowing the amount of running they will need to do.

The attackers always look the worst because they are the ones usually winning you games. everytime we've looked terrible the blames pushed on the attackers, Bruno, rashford, are the latest targets despite being out beat players.

If you need proof of the running find the clip of what garnacho had to cover over the 5 minutes to score his second goal up and down the length of the pitch at a sprint 4/ 5 times in 4/ 5 minutes if that long.

Also it's been clear for the last 4/ 5 weeks rash has had a knock exactly like he did under rangnick he's worried about making it worse by going into a tackle. because what cover have we got for him? He's been in a position where he has to make sure he's available.

08 Apr 2024 10:31:14
I would play Bruno on the right, Garnacho on the left and give Mount a shot in the middle alongside Manioo, with Casemiro sitting.

Manioo needs to play in a midfield with positional stability. Bruno leaves him exposed far too often. I think Mount would provide a bit more protection, and it give Dalot a chance to overlap on the right instead of pretending to be a midfielder in possession. Might actually get a few crosses into Hojland.

08 Apr 2024 10:10:05
I think he is holding out for an approach from PSG Spenno with Mbappe moving. I don't think we pay more than them.

08 Apr 2024 11:22:23
I see PSG going for a more prolific replacement to appease the fans after losing their talisgan, maybe Osimhen. But who knows, Rashy last year wouldn't have been out of place anywhere.

As an aside I think the days of the likes of Barcelona and PSG (and many Prem teams) going nuts on transfer fees and wages will be tempered in coming seasons with the emphasis on younger homegrown players.

08 Apr 2024 11:38:50
I have no knowledge but I think Rashford's issue is mental, I wonder if he is perhaps unwell and needs help. He is a quality player, we forget just how good he has been but right now, he isn't managing the basics.

08 Apr 2024 11:39:06
IF you ignore brunos goal, he is so ill disciplined imo on the ball and what he does positioning wise. He kind of throws the other mids under the bus and we are exposed. He runs a lot but in the wrong place to tackle or always behind the play and chasing. Very hard player to solve for.

08 Apr 2024 12:25:36
How many of peps players run around out of position doing their own thing?

08 Apr 2024 13:06:16
The well-documented stats around Utd conceding most shots in Europe's top 5 leagues (were third prior to the Liverpool game but I think we must now be top! ) are a major concern and Erik seems to brush the stat off with words to the effect of it not mattering as they aren't quality shots.
Throw in Neville's stats/ opinion about Utd being the worst team out of possession in the league and things are pretty worrying. Is that a Casemiro thing, or a tactic/ ten Hag thing? The midfield seems to be at the root of many of the issues.

08 Apr 2024 13:08:18
None Ken. It’s a massive problem defensively. That’s why I’d play him on the right wing. Give him a specific area to operate in, and if he doesn’t stick to it, drop him. At the moment he’s given a completely free role, and that results in far too much space in the midfield.

08 Apr 2024 13:10:16
Ajh I'm not sure it's impossible to know. He looks very unhappy.
I do get the feeling he is unhappy with his working environment.
But it could be all personal issues and nothing to do with work but his form is effected badly by whatever it is.
I have been a big fan of his and really want to see him do well elsewhere.
A move might be good for him and the club.

08 Apr 2024 13:46:04
We don't always need to compare to "Pep". I know he's the best at the minute but there's many different ways to play football.

08 Apr 2024 14:34:07
I’d also add that it feels like every corner we concede, we almost always give up chance, let alone concede a goal.

We are simply awful in the air and at set pieces. What are they doing in training?

08 Apr 2024 14:25:15
OK banjoe how many of klopps players run around doing their own thing?
Or alnso's or indeed any manager of a top side.
I use pep as he is the best and that is what we need to be aspiring to be.

09 Apr 2024 07:58:42
I get your point weed and I agree, I'm just sick of Pep at this point.

07 Apr 2024 19:22:45
Well today was never about us getting Champions league really, we just wanted to stop them getting 3 points. I thought the young lad at CB was topclass and definitely one for next season with Martinez, fast aggressive and passion. I can see the points being made by pundits, Bruno runs everywhere leaving lots of space for the opposition and Maguire is just slow and has no position sence.

Our back line play so deep because of him there are huge gaps when try to press. Again ETH has to decide what he wants, to press or not, if the team can't do it why persist, if everyone isn't pressing together it doesn't work. Today Liverpool could have been out of sight at half time.

08 Apr 2024 05:39:42
Maybe this is me being stupid, but the lad had a very good performance against a very good attacking liverpool side.
Luis Diaz and Nunez are not easy to play against.

He should be rewarded with another start and maybe even more.

Guys like Kobbie who are a class above, and Kambwala are what will save us money in the transfer window.

I was mighty impressed with his performance. He looked very confident.

08 Apr 2024 06:12:53
I was saying that a few days ago. cb's play too deep and our mids are out of position quite often and gap between lines is sizable and easy for team to break on us.

Cas needs replacing as he does not have the pace to cover but even a faster more athletic 6 will struggle as there is too much space for any one player to cover. Was watching city do their thing against palace and their cb's are on the 40 yard line of the opposition half and they seem comfortable playing that way.

Our cb's main contribution is going long where their's are part of the attack and comfortable passing through the lines sitting in the opposition half. It might help if we had better ball possession but everyone in our team loses possession and why every team gets these breaks on us.

IMO we need to buy and spend on a couple of cb's and guys like maguire are good squad players and needed given how you are going to have injuries in this league. Not sure where to find the stats but I would think Bruno loses possession more most players in the league.

Finally. I think onana is a mint keeper and if we sort out the back 4 and some shape to our midfield and give him some protection, he will be great success at the club. enjoyed the game and watching klop moan afterwards made me laugh, shame we could not see it out for a win.

08 Apr 2024 07:00:03
I’ve been waiting to see if Kambwala had a performance like that in him, and there it was! The tackle he got booked for was a proper derby challenge, cleanly won the ball and got the crowd on our feet. He’s got into the crowd the past couple of fixtures too. The lad has personality and potential, but we need to remember he’s a decade away from his peak, so we have to be patient.

Mainoo again, wow. Asking for the ball, and then putting it in the top corner, in front of the stretford in that fixture. Leadership qualities. Some player he is going to be.

08 Apr 2024 09:42:14
Imo onana won us the point yesterday. Couple of key saves at nil all and 1 nil down.
I have been critical but he has won us some points recently. Fair play to him and the coaches he has really stepped up his form.
Mainoo will get the headings but the game could and should have been it of sight but onana saved us.
Big willy was great too he could well playing himself into the squad and save us a fortune. I'd play him over lindelof evans and maguire everyday of the week.
Mcallister is a class act best player in the pitch by a mile.
Nice to get a point and gives us a little momentum heading towards the cup semi and it keeps us a point ahead of West ham in the race for 6th and that europa league place.

08 Apr 2024 09:51:28
A couple of saves from onana today were as important as kobe's goal.
I've been fairly critical of him but he has been much improved and is clawing back his points deficit from early in the season by gaining us points at the moment. Full credit to him and coaches. His head seems to be clearer since the afcon and he is earning his stripes.

I think our 2nd half performance warranted a draw and Liverpool will feel hard done by for not converting their dominance into goals. Really sloppy in the final 3rd no where near as fluid as arsenal or City at the moment imo.
McAllister is a class act a really top player.

Big willy was excellent and may well play his way into the squad next year and save us a fortune. He is brave, very quick and comfortable on the ball I really like what I saw from him today. He played every minute like a fan expects.
Good result pity we couldn't hang on for the win but it was a rash tackle and he won the penalty well.

We have to keep some sort of momentum going into the semi final and a draw today is a good start to that.

08 Apr 2024 10:54:16
Tumble I think you're right, Kwambala could well be one of the two mooted CBs we'll be looking for. Probably Branthwaite or Todibo as the other. Guess it all depends who leaves, difficult to say but I think um big Willy has definitely elevated himself into contention to start any game.

08 Apr 2024 11:18:03
Big willy is on the rise spenno.

08 Apr 2024 11:33:08
Delighted for Big Willy. Love how he gets involved with the fans too, real confidence for a young lad. I’ve seen a couple of suggestions about his development and think worth exploring. If we could get Todibo in and loan Big Willy for the season to Nice, he would get the game time and experience he needs. We will sign a CB in the summer and you hope Martinez would be fit so game time will be limited, if we can avoid the amount of injuries. Appreciate there are lots of games to be played but a loan to Marseille really helped Saliba. Evans will go in summer I assume and Lindelof or Maguire but can’t see Evans, Maguire, Lindelof and Varane all leaving so you’d assume we’d have Martinez/ NEW CB/ Varane, Maguire or Lindelof. Which would make Big Willy 4th choice so even less game opportunity. But certainly would not be disappointed if he was one of 4 CB’s for us next season.

08 Apr 2024 12:31:00
Varane is out of contract in the summer ports
Evans is done I'd say was useful for this season I doubt he'll get another year.
Lindelof has 1 year left he might see it out or we may get an offer from somewhere for him.
Maguire likewise entering his last year but we have an option for a further year.
A loan would be great for willy but agree on saliba. Time will tell.

08 Apr 2024 14:04:55
We have a few young players who have stepped up this season and potentially have saved us millions on new players for those positions this summer.

Mainoo has been phenomenal and has been our brightest spark this season. He continues to impress and show what he's capable of. While he had a quieter game over all yesterday, the way he demanded the ball, turned and smashed it into the top corner to give us the lead shows his elite mentality at just 18 years old. Maybe it hyperbole, but I think if he steers clear of injury he will go down as one of our greatest midfielders.

Garnacho has also shown that actually, at least for the next year or two that the RW might be his best position. It has opened up his game and made him less focused on cutting in to shoot. Which has made him a far more dangerous and creative player for us. I feel that as a LW player he is still very much an impact player like last season, too one dimensional but very effective off the bench against tiring legs. But on the right he offers a treat both by going wide or by cutting in, and he plays with his head up much more, looking to create for his teammates. Yet he also sees shooting opportunities by having his head up, rather than just driving for the same part of the pitch to unleash a right footed shot towards the far post.

I actually think we could do without a RW signing this summer due to Garnacho's break out this season in that position. I'd rather look for a forward who can play across the frontline who could be a back up/ competition for Hojlund, as well as able to play wide when needed.

Finally in the short amount of time Kambwala has had he has been impressive every time. He doesn't make many mistakes, is strong, quick, has good technique. As it stands Martinez is the only CB who we can be sure will be here next season. Varane is out of contract, Evans is looking to retire, while Lindelof and Maguire could and probably should both look to leave. With neither being good enough or well suited to how we are looking to play.

With that in mind it seems like we will make at least two maybe even three CB signings this summer. Given Martinez's injury issues this season even if one of Maguire or Lindelof stay one CB signing will not be enough.

I'd be inclined to sign two CB's to compete with Martinez and keep Kambwala as the 4th choice option. I could see us signing both Branthwaite and Todibo who are the two most linked players to us. Four CB's of Brantwaite, Todibo, Martinez and Kambwala for next season look like a well balanced and progressive bunch capable of playing the style of football we ant to see at Old Trafford.

07 Apr 2024 09:02:57
I keep reading this line of defence for ETH “What’s he supposed to do? ” given the injuries. Well:

1. Drop Rashford. We have cover. Why is he sticking with the most out of form seemingly couldn’t care less player in the entire league (not just the club. )

2. Stop playing McT as a holding midfielder. He’s just not capable. He wanted Amrabat. Guy’s never had a real chance. Play him. At least he understands the role.

3. Give Bruno clear guidelines on his role. The diving, whinging headless chicken act that continually gives the ball away is pointless.

4. Tell Casemiro or Amrabat whoever is DM to stay in his own half. Give Mainoo a bit of licence to roam.

5. Stop with the bloody inverted wingers and focus on getting service to Hojlund. May help Antony too.

6. Stop playing Lindelof at LB. If need be drop down to academy to get a proper LB. Either that or swap Dalot there and play AWB at RB where he should be.

7. Now Mount is fit, rotate him with Bruno at 10. Freshen things up. Rotate more. Trust the squad.

8. If the only available defenders are incapable of playing out from back (Lindelof at home to Man City made my eyes bleed) DON’T play out from the back.

9. Coach players (assuming ETH has the ability) on training ground some game management principles. Points lost at end of games has cost us top four.

10. Get the fans back inside. Season one we had a manager who was relatively open and honest. This year he’s treating us like idiots.

11. Fall out with some press. Ban Dickhurst or somebody. Create some siege-mentality. Us against the world. Unify the squad, drop players that aren’t trying, engage the supporters and demonstrate some sense of tactical nous.

We’re awful to watch and so predictably bad that even that is boring now. Do something different man.

If he can’t do any of those things - or preferably something better with the managerial and coaching skills he’s supposed to have then what’s the point.

Everybody should remember some of the teams SAF put out that won big games. On paper they looked weak. Smalling, Jones, Cleverley, Evans, Anderson and Wellbeck. All started in the 8-2 victory of Arsenal. None of them elite players. But they knew they had to put a shift in every time they put the shirt on. If they didn’t. Dropped.

Try that Eric. Don’t need to be a tactical genius. You just need to stop being a coward and exert yourself.

{Ed025's Note - some really good points there BRD, good honest post mate..

07 Apr 2024 09:48:12
I'd like to see mount as a 10 with mainoo and casemiro ( no one else ) as the 2 holding midfielders.
Completely agree about the wingers getting a yard and putting it in the box and also the whole lindelof, wan bisaka at lb back is just mind blowing. Dalot has been the surprise of the season with his good performances he is more than capable at playing left back.
Bruno is a strange situation. At times he's our best player but others he doesn't contribute and if anything weakens the team. His passing in atrocious, gives the ball away so many times. I do wonder if he's told to play so high up the pitch and to play the way he does. If not why hasn't the management done anything to stop it.
I think your point at 9 is my biggest concern of ten hag. 2 seasons in the players haven't improved, no patterns of play. He says he hasn't the players to play how he wants to. Yet his signings have been abysmal. The spurs manager did an interview around the same time ten hag came out and said he can't play how he did at ajax. Ange said one thing that winds him up is when coaches say they haven't got the player to implement their style. His words were just coach them. I don't think ten hag can.

07 Apr 2024 11:06:51
Thanks Ed025. I’ll retire while I’m ahead ?.

{Ed025's Note - dont you dare.. :)

07 Apr 2024 11:19:07
Bad Red Devil, brilliant post. I think that sums it up perfectly. Take a bow.

07 Apr 2024 11:25:29
Good post BRD, I agree with a lot of points and your closing summary, but just to play devils advocate here and encourage some healthy debate:

1. He dropped Rashford against Chelsea. So I don't understand this point. I would like to see consistency and drop him against Liverpool.

2. Same as above, he was dropped against Chelsea with Casemiro favoured. Again would like to see him dropped against Liverpool. Although I agree about Amrabat, he hasn't really performed when played.

3. Agreed with Bruno points.

4. I don't think the issue is the DM staying in their own half, we just aren't compact enough between the DM and Defence. Teams find it easy to play through us for this reason as there is so much space. Is this potentially Maguire naturally sitting deeper due to lack of pace? If so needs addressing.

5. I agree about service to Hojlund, but Antony arguably had his best game against Chelsea, and Garnacho was POTM until the 96th minute. We need to find balance with service and cutting in. Naturally this is easier with overlapping fullbacks. But with Shaw out we have no left footed LB.

6. I agree, but I don't think we know enough about the academy to know whether players are ready for the step up. i'm sure the academy coaches will be feeding in to ETH and recommending players that are ready.

7. Agreed with Mount, needs more minutes and has looked good. Maybe Bruno needs a rest. Appreciate he hasn't missed a game but might do him good.

8. I think we can play out from the back still. But don't play out through Lindelof and use Varane, Dalot. But yes, if the option isn't there, if in doubt, get it out.

9. Having played football for 20+ years I think its easier said than done in this scenario. There are so many external factors that contribute towards your mindset and game that things can be forgotten in the heat of the moment.

10. Agreed, his biggest ally in retaining his role will be fans perception.

11. Can't really comment as I don't have an opinion, but it seems the press has been bad for all teams. The quality of sport journalism from mainstream media outlets has been really poor.

07 Apr 2024 12:36:23
Spot on BRD.

Personally, I would add that he needs to take the armband away from Bruno.

On the pitch, the captain is expected to be the leader - leading by example and displaying the earnest application of someone who actually gives a hoot.
Instead, we have a petulant halfwit throwing limbs about in fits of histrionics when he should be grafting and chasing the fight.

Don't get me wrong - he's an incredibly gifted player, but he's nothing remotely like captain material because of the vibe he impresses upon a game that's not going our way.

07 Apr 2024 13:10:32
Good post BRD.

07 Apr 2024 13:41:42
Agree whole heartedly BRD. There’s a lot that Eth isn’t guilty of but there’s a lot that he is… you don’t fancy the role yourself mate? Seems like u have a handle on what we need? ?.

07 Apr 2024 14:03:55
Ork, he's a gifted player but not a very good one. Bit like Pogba.

07 Apr 2024 14:39:13
@Kurtis so Rashford back today!

07 Apr 2024 17:30:39
Yep, fully rescind my above point.

07 Apr 2024 07:39:06
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Liverpool v Sheffield United - A Quick Liverpool Perspective