Manchester United banter 8

30 Mar 2024 22:55:09
Utterly dreadful, don't let the win over Liverpool fool you, we are a very poor team, facing nearly 200 shots in 2024 keeping company with relegation teams, no style of play, no midfield to speak of, players with no idea what they're doing, terrible and this is a common there now. Does ten hag know what he's doing? What is his style? A lot of these players are levels below what we need so the truth somewhere in the middle but I don't feel like the players play for him or that he knew what he's doing. Embarrassing performances on a consistent basis, I'd be looking at who's out there now before Liverpool nab the best one.

31 Mar 2024 08:15:09
Champions League? You're having a laugh. It's bad enough to be so embarrassing at home but to become the laughing stock of Europe as well is too much to handle!

31 Mar 2024 08:19:57
All that being said, Brentford were a breath of fresh air. Energy, ambition, played on the front foot and caused us lots of problems. Very impressed by them last night.

We were utter dross. Didn’t match their energy, work rate or ambition. But we say that most weeks about this team now.

31 Mar 2024 09:07:45
I can’t wait for this season to be over

Sick to death of these players.

31 Mar 2024 09:09:14
There's been far too many performances like this across the season, hence the awful stats we have. I've been very much of the opinion that the best thing to do is keep Ten Hag next season and continue to think long term. However, I cannot think of a side who has gotten less from as much as we have. We've had injuries that have not helped, but you simply have to produce better performances with who we have had available compared to other sides. We've been outplayed by Brentford, Bournemouth, Copenhagen, Luton, Everton and plenty of others. All of those sides would be over the moon to have most of our players.

There's no intensity in the majority of our performances, no movement off the ball and almost everyone just playing it safe. We look like a side who have had a new manager for 2 weeks, not almost 2 years. Results are one thing but producing good performances regularly brings good results. Playing the horrendous football we do, doesn't lend itself to winning games.

Players haven't performed and that is a problem going back over many managers but we also don't seem set up to make the most of the players we actually do have. Hojlund is isolated, centre backs are too often left in 2v2 situations, whoever is playing holding midfield is effectively covering the entire width of the pitch on their own.

I've no idea what the answer is and while I'm not in the Ten Hag out camp, it's getting more and more difficult to justify him staying on with the level of performance we're producing regularly.

31 Mar 2024 09:49:27
The chaotic defensive line and huge spaces in midfield are so obvious to everyone, even Jamie Carragher. It has been the same all season.

So why isn’t it being fixed?

Is ETH gambling on throwing players forward on transition to it outscore an opposition who will then flood through the spaces in midfield? (Hence insistence on playing McTominay)

Or doesn’t he have the players to do anything else?

Just cannot wait for the end of the season now and all the changes that will bring.

31 Mar 2024 10:35:43
Not yet in the ETH out camp although if he was sacked today I wouldn't care but i'd love to be a fly on the wall when SJR / Brailsford / Ashworth get in a room with ETH and say, 'Erik, what was that Brentford performance about? and BTW why have we seen this time and time again in the last 2 years and how can we fix it?' Cannot imagine they would leave that meeting with a lot of confidence.

31 Mar 2024 10:45:02
The only shock for me is that some of you seem a little surprised.
Dead men walking rarely do well.
He will be fired and the sooner he is gone the better. Let the professionals in and weed out some players over next 12 months and start to rebuild with a coach or their choosing.
Eth out.

31 Mar 2024 11:01:21
The number of shots we face is alarming and it’s not going to change until we get the right players in of sufficient quality.

I like McTominay the person, but as a footballer he’s a very poor CM. I don’t even remember him touching the ball last night. We are much better when he’s on the bench, and he’s much better playing higher up the pitch as an impact sub. McTominay is today’s Fellaini.

Players such as AWB can’t control the football and we’ll be much better when Shaw is back.

We need Martinez on the pitch. I thought things would get a little better when Cas and Mount came on, and they did, marginally.

It would be nice to see our first choice XI on the pitch before the season is out. Things did get a bit better for about 1.5 games earlier in the season before Martinez limped off again.

31 Mar 2024 11:50:45
Have to agree with Ken. The players are massively at fault but the manager must take the blame too. If we all can see it then he must too. I just hope his after match analysis is just bravado and misdirection because I’d hate to think he’s that delusional. Only 9 games left?.

31 Mar 2024 12:12:31
Yet again Rashford wandered around the pitch completely disinterested. I'm starting to think he's Martial in disguise.

31 Mar 2024 12:13:37
I listened to Poch describe Chelsea performance and they're the words ETH should also use. Instead he said "we give up chances but not goals" after Brentford it the woodwork 4 times. I don't think I can take much more of whatever it is he's trying to achieve.

31 Mar 2024 12:33:01
It's all ANOTHER managers fault ??

Saw a great analogy about being married 5 times, each time the husband dumps the wife. At one point does the husband become the problem ?

ETH in, back him, give him the proper structure and give him a bit more time.

Ken would sack every manager if he had his way ?.

31 Mar 2024 12:57:25
He is being fired and he knows it. He is finished you need to accept the inevitable angel. Eth is a goner and rightly so
I didn't call for Jose or lvg sack Angel don't be talking nonsense.

31 Mar 2024 14:38:40
Angel, a number of the players he requested he’s got and they either haven’t been good enough or he isn’t using them correctly. I don’t think anyone on here is solely blaming the manager but he’s culpable too. If we are cleaning house and trying to start with a new plan and culture then eth has to go too.

31 Mar 2024 15:39:16
But there is no scenario where both go.

So, players first then see what the manager does next season.

31 Mar 2024 15:42:45
Tim, you think that's it? A number of his players?

He's still got Varane there, Dalot, AWB, Maguire, McT, No left back, Casemeiro (not a player he really wanted, panic buy) Rashford, Bruno etc. Lots of players that are not his, and IMO players unable to do the job required.

Ken, mistake IMO if he is sacked, as I stated above, they have always sacked managers without actually addressing the underlying problems.

Inevitable? Well the journalists closest to the club, Mitten, Whitwell etc who knows a lot more than you or I don't seem to think so. So who's talking nonsense?

31 Mar 2024 15:53:44
Angel it’s Be easier to just say what’s right at the club, it’s going to be a long road back.

31 Mar 2024 16:00:18
Let's see angel who is talking the nonsense.
Eth has control over transfers who said cas was not his signing more nonsense from you. Because you have no idea.
Your entitled to your opinion. You will have the chance to talk about the mistake next season. He is gone he knows it the players know it and the most fans realise it.
Pity I thought he would have been much better than he turned out.
Can't wait to see who the choose to replace him. Hope he does a better job.

31 Mar 2024 16:02:41
Angel what about the players he did choose.
Anthony
Onana
Ericksen
Casimero
Malacia
Amrabat
Mount
Weggy.

31 Mar 2024 16:24:56
Ken did ETH ask for Weghorst or was he another loan due to poor planning and backing?

31 Mar 2024 16:28:26
What makes you so certain Mr Tumble, that the manager will be sacked. We all see the reports but I've not read anything that I would be sure that he's gone.

31 Mar 2024 17:54:58
Banjoe I don't know anything for sure of course.
But I'm very confident that will be the outcome.
If the new management team see something in eth I don't and he is kept ill 100% trust their judgement.
I've been wrong a million times. Make lots of mistakes but thankfully I get a lot more right than wrong. My opinions on this are just an opinion of 1.
My honest opinion is that there will be a very amicable parting.
We have what we all wanted structure wise those new appointments will need to have 100% alignment with the coach. I'm not sure eth is flexible enough to compromise on his ideals and I don't think he has been convincing enough for them to compromise on theirs.
He lacks charisma imo. He is poor with the press and creates too much noise with his comments I feel.
I don't see an efinity from the manager through the players to the fans. It's the managers job to create that imo.
I don't identify with this team and manager and I don't think sjr and team will either.
I said on another post it's not a question of if he was a failure it a question of do I believe he will be a success? I don't think so and I believe that the management team will align with my thought process or me with theirs.
The team sjr is assembling are all singing from one hymn sheet, for example I don't think for one second sancho would have been eating alone from a lunchbox if this team had been in place for that episode.
Let's see what happens.
If I'm wrong I'll add it to the wrong box all in going for now is a cup win that would be a nice end to a disappointing season.

31 Mar 2024 17:57:56
I don't know wazza but eth demanded control over incoming players so I'm sure he had a hand in it.
We have been told martinez was his 2nd choice behind timber Antony preferred of kudos.

31 Mar 2024 23:08:29
Jesus ken, what a list. I think if you go down through each one, and why they were picked, you end up scratching your head even more.

Amrabat and Weghorst? Desperation as there was no one else.

Onana, well I can't remember the last time he has a bad game.

Mount, just back from injury, never a bad player. someone I think will play well in time.

Eriksen, a free, didn't do too bad last season, needed to be moved on this year.

Casemeiro, again, according to people who know, panic buy put upon ETH. Didn't do bad last year either.

Malacia, looked good until whatever has happened has happened.

Antony, a poor signing thus far.

He also signed Hojlund, brought through both Mainoo and Garnacho.

Again, the club has been a shambles from top to bottom, no structure, balance, or ability to actually pay the right price for a player. hence the reason why we have such a mixmash or talent both on and off field. A shambles.

Good that INEOS are in, and looking to put the right people in place. But once again, looking to maybe replace the manager. Whatever happened to giving the man time.

01 Apr 2024 12:12:53
Angel he has had 2 seasons and brought us backwards.
He has lost a 33% of our games this season.
Bottom of cl group.
He has had time.
Nobody was along him to win a league just to show progression and signs that he might if given longer.
No sign of that at all.
He will be gone in the summer.
Who replaces him is the only question we need answered.
We will find out in due course.

30 Mar 2024 22:03:05
ETH and McClaren celebrating Mount’s goal when Klopp and Pep would have been organising from the touchline. Pathetic in game management. Stop cracking out the champagne and do your job Eric.

30 Mar 2024 22:06:15
Incoming…………….

31 Mar 2024 00:25:10
How dare they celebrate what should have been the winner in the final minuites of the game

How dare they have passion to celebrate

Maybe if the players had the same passion they wouldn’t have concede yet another shocking defensive goal

Would have been robbery coming away with 3 points anyway

Another boring football performance and in the end the manager and the coaching staff need to take a look at themselves

But that’s what will get them sacked the dross were having to watch

It is starting to resemble lvg football

Boring.

31 Mar 2024 08:17:36
Last night was very poor. I’m not one for knee jerk reactions, and there is a style of play, but it’s just very negative football which I don’t understand. Erik’s teams at Ajax were awesome with far lesser players than we have. Something is still very rotten in this club and needs sorting.

31 Mar 2024 08:22:44
@Bolger. Their job is to manage the team. The performance. The tactics. The situation. They can celebrate in the changing room. On the pitch after the game. On social media. They thought it was all over. I look forward to when it is.

31 Mar 2024 08:33:36
@Eric79 ETH’s success was based on the stellar youth development system at Ajax. He didn’t build a team. He didn’t have to develop a philosophy, club culture or style of play. He was fortunate enough to be given some great players at the right time who knew the blueprint for Ajax football. He also had a great CEO and DoF (off field behaviour aside) who invested well. None of that exists at United. He’s out of his depth with no clue on a philosophy or style of play and apparent inability to motivate. His success last season appears to be based on Rashford’s (outlier) form and goals. Take that away and this is what we are left with. I saw nothing to suggest it would have been any different last season without Rashford’s form.

31 Mar 2024 11:10:37
BRD what about having the best defensive record last season as well?

This season has been an utter shambles from top to bottom.

You’re looking for someone to blame. You were probably also lamenting McFred two years ago. We still have 50% of that midfield. We still have to rely on non-technical players such as AWB and Maguire. Ole signings who are never going to have a team challenging for titles.

31 Mar 2024 13:50:35
Wazza what about losing a third of our league games and finishing bottom if cl group for 1st time?

31 Mar 2024 15:03:12
@wazza then he shouldn’t have blown £80on Antony. Maybe he should have consulted Rangnick more instead of discarding him so quickly. I don’t look for people to blame. I look for those responsible and accountable.

30 Mar 2024 13:48:42
Difficult game today hoping we get a win. Very encouraged hearing martinez and cas are back they will need 3/ 4 games to be match fit and find their legs. Would be great to get a proper starting eleven for the final stretch of the season and go on a run.

30 Mar 2024 12:23:47
Loads of talk recently surrounding Mainoo, especially about his best position, is he a No6 or No8? Where is he most effective etc?

I personally love him a bit deeper, the way he's able to take the ball off the back 4 and progress it forward through the lines is his strongest attribute in my opinion. The way he positions his body to receive the ball is fantastic and he has the strength and footwork to wriggle out of difficult situations. I really like him on the ball, in possession, dictating play.

As I watched him for England on Tuesday night, I thought he became particularly effective when Foden came more centrally and Mainoo was able to progress the ball vertically into the Foden and Bellingham on the half turn.

I just wonder if EtH see's the future of Utd's midfield as Mainoo, Mount and Bruno? Or if he would have at least liked to try this combination more often?

I think we all viewed the Mount signing with raised eyebrows and speculated where he'd fit in? Personally I think he was signed as an No8, comfortable on the ball, able to keep possession, good in tight areas, a progress and incisive passer, intelligent runner and also provides a goal threat. Defensively he's a hard worker and very good presser, for a side that wants to press the ball and defend on the front foot.

All three (Mainoo, Mount, Bruno) are mobile, hard working and effective pressers. We've seen EtH often deploy his midfielders man for man this season, especially in the oppositions first phase of play and the signing of Hoijland has also provided the team with another brilliant presser.

EtH has been unable to really execute this more aggressive pressing system largely due to injuries to Hoijlund, Mount, Martinez and Shaw all being injured for most of the season and certainly not all being available at the same time.

When everyone is fit does EtH see a team of Onana, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Mount, Bruno, Garnacho, Rashford, Hoijlund. At least for some games and especially at home against some lower placed opposition where he can afford to be more aggressive and take more risk.

I could envisage this team aggressively pressing the ball and playing a much higher line. In possession, the likes of Martinez and Mainoo progressing the ball centrally into Mount and Bruno on the half turn, then looking for runs in behind by Rashford or Hoijlund or into Garnacho to run at defenders.

With Martinez and Mount returning watch this space.

30 Mar 2024 14:00:51
I'd love Mount to work as a No8, but he's never excelled in that position in his career so I'd be surprised if ten Hag really did want him for that position.

Personally, I think Mainoo would be best in a double pivot with a player with equal defensive qualities.
I think because Kobbie and Martinez are each some way off 6ft, a big and physical partner for Kobbie might be the best option.
For me, only two players tick the box - Amadou Onana and Kephren Thuram.

30 Mar 2024 14:36:03
Ork - I tend to agree, I also think we lack a ball winner in midfield, ideally I’d like someone with energy, mobility, physicality, a really good tackler but also someone who’s very comfortable on the ball to partner Mainoo in midfield.

Personally I’m not convinced about Mount and if he wasn’t bought as a No8 it was a strange decision to invest over £50m in another No10 especially considering Bruno is the captain and hardly misses a game. Is Mount a more expensive VdB. Good player but where does he really fit in?

I was just speculating where EtH might deploy Mount and the evolution of our midfield with the emergence of Mainoo?

Does anyone think Mainoo is EtH’s new FdJ and will look to use him in a similar way in Utd’s midfield?

30 Mar 2024 14:55:20
Personally think a midfield 2 with and 10 in front is the way to go.
Not saying mainoo can't excel as a 6 but leaving him in there on his own would take aspects away from his game. A partner to play next to him is a must this summer.
As for Mount, I rate him as a player but do think it should be him or Bruno. Under ten hag I do feel Mount would fit in the 10 position more so than Bruno just because his ball retention and his ability to press better. Will never happen but just my opinion.

30 Mar 2024 10:40:29
Happy Easter, Eds and all.
Mark Ogden has reported that United are interested in bringing Gary O'Neil into the coaching setup at United.

Any truth in this?

30 Mar 2024 11:53:11
Scholesy, look on the wolves page, ed002 has answered your question there.

30 Mar 2024 12:05:47
O'Neill has come out and said himself there is no truth in the rumours.

Sly Sports have also recently reported that ETH is now in Ineos summer plans.

Topic has been covered to death but I'm sure Ed002 would update us if things changed. He's the only source I trust.

29 Mar 2024 19:09:15
Saw ed002s reply the other week about us having no interest in Tosin Adarabioyo but this is exactly the sort of deal we should be looking at this summer. Would be a quality signing to make for free and would allow us to allocate more money elsewhere. Hope the club decides to move for him.

30 Mar 2024 03:04:41
I'm with you on that one.

Tosin Adarabioyo would be a very wise arrival imo, but the club apparently have different targets.

What makes this notion funnier is the sheer amount of people on here who think Tosin's not at our level - what exactly is our level?
Imo, our level isn't that far from Fulham ATM, so what makes us so special?
Is our level sniffing around the vastly overpriced Branthwaite who will appeal to clubs that are actually at the top table or is it looking at more compelling options like Alip who few people on here know a thing about and should therefore, perhaps, be discounted out of hand?

People on here seem to forget that value can arrive on a free - Evans and Eriksen are great examples of this.
We aren't at the top table and won't have the reach to touch it for a few years yet, Tosin on a free would be a proper lanky bargain imo.

Ultimately, the absurdity on here is the amount of people who are apprehensive about spending big money on established or hyped up stars because they want value for money, but baulk at the idea of bringing in players who haven't experienced life at one of Europe's big hitters and have therefore not proven themselves or had a hype train.

Right now, however short-term, we need value for money and an experienced PL CB entering his prime being available for free is excellent value imo.

30 Mar 2024 09:15:06
Too right Ork. For many years I admired Juventus transfer dealings. They always managed to find some great deals and seemingly built some excellent teams full of free transfers and bargain buys.

I wonder who was behind that?

30 Mar 2024 10:59:35
Are Juventus in a financial hole?

29 Mar 2024 01:11:57
While it does hurt to say I agree with something that's dribbled from that stupid hole in Agbonlahor's face, he's 100% right that any offer from United for Gary O'Neil to join the coaching setup as understudy to someone else is insulting.

O'Neil is building his managerial legacy and probably deserves a shot as boss of a bigger team, so dropping down to join a coaching team at a club that has been a mess for a decade would be moronic.

I do hope this rumour is garbage.

29 Mar 2024 07:03:24
Gary O’Neill…. the Wolves and ex Bournemouth manager?

29 Mar 2024 07:54:17
He ain’t ready for the Utd job yet but what an opportunity to take over in a few years

He certainly wouldn’t of dreamed being linked to Utd yet

Yes it’s not the first team job but nobody knows exactly what the role would entice

It could all be bull anyway.

29 Mar 2024 10:53:06
I have a lot of time for Gary O’Neil and the job he’s been doing so far. He also handles himself very well. Certainly an unfashionable figure which is a shame, I would like to see him continue to do well and be given an opportunity to take the next step in the coming years.

I hope he doesn’t make the same mistake as Potter made if an early opportunity arises. He has loads of time on his side in terms of a managers lifespan.

Bournemouth deemed him not good enough and now he has Wolves in the top half of the table, and most importantly he’s got them scoring goals and they’ve been involved in some of the best fixtures this season. Fair play to him and long may he continue to do well.

I haven’t seen the rumour but if we’ve offered him a position as a coach then it’s quite frankly embarrassing and insulting on our behalf.

29 Mar 2024 11:33:47
No ZZ s now in the frame LOL.

29 Mar 2024 13:23:48
I mean, how mean rumours and pieces of crap that you read (particularly concerning Utd) have foundation? .1%?

29 Mar 2024 21:21:20
Usually a load of crap, GON is doing a brilliant job though and looks like a great coach in the making to me, would be a good capture but not ready to be manager just yet.

27 Mar 2024 07:52:57
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new player profile about, Kostas Tsimikas

27 Mar 2024 09:39:30
Hi Ed1 would you be able to do one on Mainoo? I’d be interested to see your thoughts on him.

{Ed001's Note - are you being serious?}

27 Mar 2024 10:01:37
Have you done one or made a comment I’ve missed Ed? Sorry if I have.

{Ed001's Note - yes mate, Mainoo was the one I did previously. If you look at the list of players on the player-profile site, it is the one beneath this one. That's why I wasn't sure if it was a joke, I was wondering if the link had popped up repeatedly or something.}

27 Mar 2024 10:10:31
Ah cheers Ed!

Just had a read, agree with a lot of it. Think we’ve a real player here.

The way he moves with the ball, and his dribbling reminds me a good bit on Thiago as well. He’s got that nice drop of the shoulder to get a yard or two of space.

Fingers crossed we keep him clear of injury and build a proper side around him.

{Ed001's Note - glad you like mate. He is a special talent.}

27 Mar 2024 10:26:11
Makelele vibes. Understated and essential.

27 Mar 2024 14:04:13
Not for me Spenno, Makelele was an out and out defensive midfielder with limited technical ability. he did redefine the DM position which has been redefined since. Mainoo is a box to box/ number 8 type player.

27 Mar 2024 14:34:20
Ok, understated and essential.

26 Mar 2024 21:48:55
Mainoo might just have booked his ticket on the plane to the euros. The lads been really impressive since he came into our side and he gets better game by game. Really hope we nurture him properly and he doesn't go the way of a few others. Hopefully he has good people round him to help him.

27 Mar 2024 01:01:30
Special special player.

27 Mar 2024 07:54:41
We also need to build a team that can compete otherwise he'll be poached and we will lose him. He's that good!

27 Mar 2024 10:07:51
Mainoo definitely looks like a special player and one that we should be looking to build around for the future whilst still making sure we do not burn him out.
Key for me will be deciding how we want to play him and getting a good partner for him to develop with over the next few years.

28 Mar 2024 16:26:33
Mainoo needs to play as a No.8, he's so good in every phase of the game and he needs to be able to get involved in both dropping deep to defend or to take the ball from the defence and progress it forward, but he's also able to be that guy who can win the ball back higher, play threaded balls between the lines, or just dance through several players to make space and possibly even score himself.

We need to find a true No.6 to come in, someone who'll shield the defence while also being able to progress the ball through their passing range. I'm not sure we want someone who'll pick the ball up and dribble 40 yards forward with it as that would require Mainoo to drop deep to cover them. We need that player who'll always being in the defensive and middle thirds, to allow Mainoo the freedom to be where he can help the team the most.

29 Mar 2024 10:23:33
Robson or Keene Shappy? !

24 Mar 2024 08:19:44
guessing this weeks news is Nagelman as our number one choice and some backtracking on Southgate. whichever way the wind blows the news regarding us blows that way. wait for it its coming :)

24 Mar 2024 09:13:29
Yep if England had beat Brazil the red tops would keep on riding the Southgate train.

This week Nagelsmann, next week who knows, maybe Wesley Sneijder is keen to join as first team coach.

24 Mar 2024 09:54:42
Club approached Snijdgijerrr but wanted the team to travel to every game via helicopter.

25 Mar 2024 11:54:01
Thomas Frank being reported as flavour of the day today.

25 Mar 2024 12:59:08
Denmark has a lot of Michelin star restaurants, so that could be tasty. I’d have a nibble.

25 Mar 2024 13:45:38
Oh we must be playing Brentford next. Comical stuff. But lots of people will have their knickers in a twist.

25 Mar 2024 13:48:51
Pretty sure we will see every manager linked before the season ends. Anything to sell news. As long as its not Southgates name any more I will be happy.

26 Mar 2024 07:18:59
As if by magic, today its Thomas Frank - haha.