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20 Aug 2022 10:40:45
Maguire and Mctominay linked with moves away.

Could be a clever way for the club to recoup some relatively decent transfer fees because of the british tax and the perceived “Pashun”value.

DSG

1.) 20 Aug 2022 11:35:07
The so called "English tax" has nothing to do with how they play or passion, but everything to do with both having to have a number of "homegrown" players, and the perception that clubs want to have by having players from their own nation playing for their side.

PSG want to have top French players, Italian clubs want the best Italian players, Spanish clubs want the best Spanish players, German clubs want the best German players, and of course English clubs want the the best English players.

There is a premium on English players simply because English clubs are among the wealthiest in the world, and there is a serious lack of top end English players. Simple supply and demand.


2.) 20 Aug 2022 16:33:56
What would seriously be a worthwhile fee for Maguire? Even half what Utd paid would be daylight robbery. I think there are some qualities in there but he is so devoid of confidence right now like many Utd players. I think he’d be a better player without the burden of the red shirt which draws so much press.


3.) 20 Aug 2022 17:20:28
The reality is that Maguire was made to look the business by Jonny Evans - a player deemed not good enough.

Then, with confidence on a high, he translated that form to the England team.

Since at United, he's played mainly alongside Lindelof who is mid-table level with full backs who don't offer decent protection and a midfield that cannot deal with pressure.

Ultimately, if he was surrounded by better defensive players and wasn't so relied upon to organise, he'd perform better.

I still don't think he's at the level we'd like, but he's far from the worst defensive member of the squad and has seen his greater urgency render him, from the outset, more culpable.

Shaw, imo, is one of the most overrated players I've ever seen, just like McTominay - they both, along with Dalot, AWB and Telles, have failed their defensive teammates consistently.


4.) 20 Aug 2022 23:33:53
Woggle I hope you were trying to wiggle in some banter because wtf.


5.) 21 Aug 2022 02:21:43
If the deal for Pulisic does indeed never materialise or is just click bait can we send them Maguire anyway to say sorry?


6.) 21 Aug 2022 08:34:15
Keefy, sending them Maguire as an apology is akin to throwing a brick with a note attached through your neighbors window to apologise for kicking your football into their garden.


7.) 21 Aug 2022 09:28:56
Woggle. Maguire messes even simple passes to GK. He will be found out even if he plays in all time great teams. AWB can do a solid defensive job in right back. He may be very useful as a sub in seeing off tight games after 70 mins or so.


8.) 21 Aug 2022 09:58:28
Would be more pleased to see Luke Shaws name on the list tbh, can’t wait to see the day he leaves.


9.) 21 Aug 2022 11:31:50
Yaz.

Maguire is most certainly not good enough, I basically believe he's made to look even worse by other people.

Maestro.
AWB is a truly awful defender.
Just because he has better lally-flapping ability, it does not make him a decent defender. His reading and positioning are absolutely pathetic - he should be the first guy to go.

FZZ.
Couldn't agree more, Shaw is pish.

Ultimately, United have spent £160m on the aforementioned three and their combined value now would be half of that at best.
United have 7 defenders out of 10 senior options - AWB, Dalot, Williams, Shaw, Maguire, Lindelof and Bailly, who are simply not good enough to be starters. That's the problem, at least one player who isn't good enough will need to start.
Selling Maguire would make me happy, but does it solve our problems defensively?
No, because we'd still have to play Lindelof or Bailly when Varane isn't fit and we'd still be reliant on 3 RB options who are all mid-table level.

As for this consensus that, in light of how poor he is, Maguire must be our worst defensive option - bollards!

AWB is easily the most incompetent defender I've ever seen at United.

We need another RB now, and will need at least one more CB before we can think about selling Maguire who, whilst certainly not good enough, is no worse than Lindelof or Bailly.


10.) 21 Aug 2022 12:23:47
United's squad problem is simple to understand. Imagine there are two boxes. Box one is labelled technical ability and intelligence. While box two is labelled physical ability (pace/ power) .

Now go through the squad list and place each player in the appropriate box based on their best aspect.

Now step back and realise box 2 is overflowing and box 1 has very few players in it, while there are probably only a couple of players who could go in either box.

Any manager who has tried to get these players to play as a team with intelligence, adhering to a tactical plan based on making smart decisions and technical ability rather than playing on instinct trying to outpace or overpower the opposition with physical traits has failed miserably to do so.

This is simply because this group of players lacks the technical quality and intelligence to play that way.


11.) 21 Aug 2022 13:20:45
Realistic transfer fee for Maguire
Half a bag of Hola Hoops and 3 jellybeans. Although I'd feel we we're robbing the other club blind.


12.) 21 Aug 2022 13:23:41
Props to the Shappy, that's the most perfect yet, frustratingly, simple way of explaining why United's squad is so disjointed.


 

 

01 Jun 2022 09:52:47
Hi Ed002, you mentioned on the Everton page that Richarlison could be offered to Real Madrid or Man United through his agent.

Do the club have any interest in signing him?

DSG

{Ed002's Note - Not that I am aware.}


1.) 01 Jun 2022 11:37:11
Lets hope. not.


 

 

19 May 2022 23:12:00
Dean Henderson to Newcastle?

Makes a little bit of sense as a permanent move if we need to bring in money.

But doesn't make much sense as a loan deal, if were being honest newcastle will potentially be challenging for europe next season, doesn't make sense to strengthen a rival.

DSG

1.) 19 May 2022 23:26:24
Think I’d prefer Dubravka….


 

 

18 Jun 2021 18:24:36
Reports that ole is going make a definitive decision on the number 1 spot and has opted for Henderson.

Not an easy call to make and leaves the club in a tough position with DDG.

An alexis type loan deal most likely for him I assume if he wants first team football next season.

DSG

1.) 18 Jun 2021 22:23:23
The sensible decision.


2.) 19 Jun 2021 07:32:32
The sensible decision in what way? DDG has been a loyal servant, Henderson has had one good season at Sheff Utd and has more market value. Just because it’s the decision you’d make doesn’t make it sensible Shappy. Think i speak for many on here when I say the sooner you realise that the better.


3.) 19 Jun 2021 07:37:47
What are the loan options, most clubs seem settled in the goalkeeping department, and then there is the matter of his £375k a week wages to cover.


4.) 19 Jun 2021 07:57:45
Thats why its going to have to be an alexis type deal where we pay a fair chunk of the players wages while they play for their loan club.


5.) 19 Jun 2021 09:21:28
Red Whiskey, DDG has continued to decline every year for the past 3 seasons. That is not a blip but a clear pattern of decline.

Currently Henderson and DDG although having different strengths and qualities are probably on par.

So if you have two keepers, on a similar level, but one is declining while the other is improving then surely backing the keeper who is on the up is the sensible thing to do.

DDG has been a loyal servant and he has been paid handsomely for it. He is the highest paid player in the league, yet he isn't even in the top ten best players in the league currently. He has also had a little dig at the club in a post wishing Romero the best. Saying that Romero deserves to be treated well by his next club. He might be 100% right in what he is saying. Yet to publicly back a player leaving the club over the club doesn't look great.

Personally given that it will be hard to sell DDG this summer then loaning him out seems like the best and most sensible decision.

That way both keepers understand their role and it removes the indecision that has impacted both of their performances this season.

Henderson gets a shot at proving himself without the spectre of DDG hanging over his head.

DDG gets a fresh club to play at which might give him the jolt needed to get him back to his best form.

While if Henderson flops then we still have DDG on the books to come back.


6.) 19 Jun 2021 09:30:51
RedWhiskey

What are you on about? It looks like you have a massive soft spot for DDG. Logically thinking, DDG does not deserve to be first choice gk anymore. He has been horrible for past three years and yet is the highest paid player in the league.

Form loss usually only last for weeks or months. DDG has lost his form for 3 years now which means he is in decline. As much he has done for the club, it is time to say good bye.

It is sad to see many people slating henderson just because he is here to replace their beloved DDG. Henderson is still learning and can only be better. He is better in everthing compared to DDG except shot stopping. To be fair, DDG has never been good at anything except shot stopping and there was no one better than him.

As Shappy said, sensible thing is to go for Henderson as first choice and sell DDG. If he was at low wage then i would understand but he is at incredibly stupid wage which is not healthy for the club.


7.) 19 Jun 2021 10:31:40
Henderson is a perfectly adequate goalkeeper, but is that what we want, adequate.

We all agree that DDG needs to be moved on, ideally he would like to go back to Madrid, but neither club there looks an option at the moment. Heard that he sounded out Barcelona as he is close friends with Aguero, but the money situation is too difficult to overcome.

The more you look at it the madder his contract looks, with three years to run and £60million still due to him. Those are big numbers for loan clubs to consider and even bigger for United for someone who might not be playing for you, dwarfs the cost of sacking Jose which cost us only £20million.

Personally I would prefer if we went for someone like Meslier, who is already ahead of Henderson in ability, yet three years younger.


8.) 19 Jun 2021 10:50:58
Grim, he only has two years left on his contact until June 2023. I fully agree that in hindsight the length and size of his contract seems like a bad decision.

I disagree that Henderson is merely "adequate". I think he is a very talented keeper. I'm also not the only one, with teams such as Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, PSG and Dortmund all having had him seriously scouted and interested in signing him (although with PSG signing Donnarumma I expect their interest has gone now) .

Top sides are interested because they see the talent in him. I'd say his current level is greater than that of DDG during his first couple of season's with us.

It would be madness of the club to let him go without giving him a season as first choice to see if he can prove himself at the highest level.


9.) 19 Jun 2021 11:40:05
For me there is no contest between them. If DDG can restore his confidence, which is the problem, then in terms of skill I haven't seen Henderson do anything in the numerous chances he was given last season to suggest he's anywhere near the same level. He's English and has come through our ranks and people like that. But he's not really done a thing as far as I'm concerned other than play well for a lesser side on loan where he was tested far more often.


10.) 19 Jun 2021 11:56:26
Hendo for me all day long. If we lose him we will be searching for a new number 1 in a year or 2 and will struggle to find a keeper as good as him because if he's playing every week he's going to get better.


11.) 19 Jun 2021 12:40:00
Option on the additional year Shappy, we usually extend those because we want to get a fee for a player. With the exception of the Dog Walker, have we ever let a player at DDG's level go without asking for money in return?

I agree Henderson is talented, but so is Lingard, at United he is a squad player, not a first team player.

Interesting that Chelsea, Spurs, Arsenal, PSG and Dortmund all looked at Dean. However PSG decided on Donnurumma, Dortmund went with Kobel, Spurs were actually looking at Maignan until he went to Milan, Chelsea considered Donnarumma, but now he has gone to PSG will stick with what they have and Arsenal want Onana.


12.) 19 Jun 2021 13:52:27
The problem is, is that DDG has made mistakes for the past 3 years and until this season wasn't dropped. Romero deserved to be our number 1.

In OGS first season DDG cost us a place in the CL by making some very silly errors, which were partly down to OGS wanting to play out from the back. The club then went on to offer him a huge new contract, which he didn't deserve due to how poor his form was. Even Mourinho said on Sky Sports that is was very surprised that he got a deal like that given how poor he had been.

OGS can't make a decision. He Brough Henderson back, left Romero in the lurch and the only GK who was probably happy was Grant.

I can't wait for the club to offer pogba a new monster deal and watch him play poorly again. He clearly doesn't want to be at the club. During the Euros his comments have made it obvious.

Utd are a poorly managed club, run by amateurs.


13.) 19 Jun 2021 14:08:12
There is no proof that Henderson will only get better and improve and there is no proof that a goalkeeper at 31 will keep declining.
The only real question is if we believe Henderson will become a top top keeper, i personally don't. So we have two options:
1) We believe in him becoming a top keeper and far better than the current ability of De Gea so we keep him.
2)We don't believe in him and believe that it is a risk so we sell him NOW because now his price is higher. After 1-2 average seasons his price will go down. Furthermore between two "average" keepers i would prefer the one with the expiration date (De Gea) . He has two year contract and we have enough time to think about his replacement if we won't renew his contract. He will also be 33 and we will have an easy desicion. With Henderson it will not be an easy desicion because of age and nationality, so if he is half decent stick with him so stick with an average keeper.
So the sensible choice is stick with De Gea and at the same time try to find his replacement after 1-2 seasons.


14.) 19 Jun 2021 14:14:59
Hatter,

You’ve just said OGS can’t make a decision then described the decision he made. I think what you mean is he made a decision you didn’t agree with which is different.


15.) 19 Jun 2021 14:37:30
Id sell them both and go for Oblak. You never know until you ask.


16.) 19 Jun 2021 15:17:47
Is this a new trend over here where players are judged without being given a proper chance to prove themselves? And yet we got Ole in charge.

I agree DeGea is the more experienced and better shot stopper of the two and if possible I would have him as No.1 with Henderson as backup rotating with him and gaining experience in the process.

However, if we have to make a choice then based on the mistakes made by both I would keep Henderson as he is much younger and a better all round keeper and has time on his side to improve upon his weakness. I would give him a season to see if he can step up and if not we can always get someone better.

The problem though is with DeGea's contract right now and we somehow need to handle that.

GrimisnotDead as far as Lingard is concerned he was given more than enough chances in the first team which he failed to take. And other teams haven't come in for Hendo probably because we are not yet ready to let him go.


17.) 19 Jun 2021 16:02:25
It's definetely the riskier of the options. Ole immediately alienated Lukaku upon his arrival in place of the local lad. After numerous options up front the situation will require major attention at the end of this season. Will history repeat itself?

I personally think it's the wrong decision but I hate the idea of rotating GKs. If he's chosen Henderson then so be it.


18.) 19 Jun 2021 21:08:56
LPU, wasn't Lingard only behind Lukaku in the scoring stats in 17/ 18 under Jose, hardly not taking his chance. He then had his dip in form which was due to his well know off field issues. Ole initially refused to let him go on loan, its was only because Jesse forced the issue that Ole buckled, and you have to agree he took his chance at WH.

Teams haven't come in for Hendo because clubs know we aren't ready to let him go? That is not how football works, if a club was truly interested in him they would have already sounded out his agent about the possibility of a move, the fact that the majority have scouted him and moved on says alot.

But that is the beauty of football, we all have opinions, for me Henderson would be perfect for an Everton or West Ham, but not a top four team, which is what we expect to be.


19.) 20 Jun 2021 04:47:01
GrimisnotDead, Lingard played well for a while but he was afforded a lot of chances to make the position his own which he failed to do so. So, effectively he has not taken his chance.

How do you know that other clubs haven't come in for him? And without even giving Henderson a proper chance why are you even judging him to not be good for us? Just give him a chance to prove himself before making a hasty judgement.


20.) 20 Jun 2021 07:53:18
Grim, I don't think Lingard and Henderson's situations are comparable.

Lingard has made 133 appearances for the club over a 7 year period, under three different managers.

Henderson has made 13 appearances, in one year, under one manager, with 8 of them coming in a run of consecutive games.

Teams have come in for Henderson, they have approached his agent and they have approached the club and have been met with a flat out no.

The fact they have moved on when a top club have refused to sell them a player, only says they are well run and not stupid.


21.) 20 Jun 2021 08:12:12
Herrera, while there might not be any definitive proof that a 24 year old goalkeeper will continue to improve. It's pretty well accepted that most players hit their peaks in their late 20's or early 30's. With keepers often hitting their peaks later and sustaining it for longer.

So while there is not proof that Henderson will improve, probably around 90% of keepers at his age will continue to improve.

Is there any definitive proof that DDG will continue to decline? No, but he has shown a steady and continuous decline over the past 3 seasons. That's more than a blip. Poor form lasts week's, maybe months, but not years.

For me the only way I see DDG rediscovering his form is if he moves and has a new challenge. Even then I doubt that will see him return to his absolute best.

For me he is a similar keeper to Casillas. Great shot stopper, average at everything else. Even at his peak DDG was weak in the air, his distribution was average, his command of his area was poor. But he made saves that no one had a right to make. His reactions were freakish.

The issue is as you age your reaction speed declines first. We saw it with Casillas and we are seeing it with DDG. His shot stopping is still way above average, but it's not anywhere near where it was when he was 26. And in my opinion it never will be again.

This has exposed DDG's lack of quality in all other goalkeeping departments. His inability to play out from the back has seen him lose his spot for the national team, first to Kepa now to Simon.

Both decent keepers but not world class.

The reality is that he is likely to continue to decline. Apparently Ole has set him with specific training to try and improve his distribution. Something I wonder why no other managers/ goalkeeping coaches have done. Over the past 8 years he should have been working to improve his weaknesses and make himself a better all round keeper, that would have mitigated his loss in reaction time as he aged and would have kept him near the top.

Currently there are maybe 4 or 5 keepers in the EPL better than him. With some young ones who over the next year or so might overtake him as well. Dean Henderson being one of them.

I expect if you went to all the top sides and offered them DDG or Henderson right now for the same price, say 30m. The majority would pick Henderson. That tells you all you need to know about who should be out No.1.


22.) 20 Jun 2021 08:38:42
I miss van der Sar : (.


23.) 20 Jun 2021 09:39:56
Trololo, I miss VDS, my personal favourite keeper during my lifetime.


 

 

04 Jan 2021 20:54:57
Rojo to boca juniors? Not sure if accurate but Would make sense for him to finish his playing back in his natice argentina.

DSG

 

 

 

DSG's banter posts with other poster's replies to DSG's banter posts

 

11 Mar 2024 12:27:20
Shots conceded in the last 10 games:

Arsenal : 79
Man City : 82
Liverpool : 106
Man United : 200

I know Martinez and Shaw are out but come on this is ridiculous lol.

DSG

1.) 11 Mar 2024 13:30:25
Don't compare us to them it's not right to look at the clubs that are doing well and draw any conclusion apparently.


2.) 11 Mar 2024 13:45:42
ETH needs to figure out how to properly set up a defence.


3.) 11 Mar 2024 14:31:22
EtH needs a fully fit defence to do that. Our best defense is Martinez. It's not coincidence that whisky's he's been out, Utd have been well off the pace.


4.) 11 Mar 2024 17:02:50
We are playing a deep defense because they can't play a high line.

But we are also pressing high to try to be proactive.

Imagine we parked the bus at home against Everton. What would people say then?

We need to keep possession better, but our players have been making individual errors. Cassemiro lost the ball alot. Lindelof is filling in at leftback, but is not accomplished there.

In those 2 games we conceded 2 against fulham and 3 against city. The only poor defensive result was the 2 against fulham. City was a decent effort with. Daft goal at the end when we were pushing to get back in it. The others were clean sheets, so can't be that bad.


5.) 11 Mar 2024 17:03:06
Jesus that is such a silly stat. We haven't had our first pick back 4 all season.


6.) 11 Mar 2024 17:39:16
Teams play through as they press when losing position and the defence is too deep as they have no legs.

We need to play to the style the players are capable of.

Personally I’d go 532 or 442 for the rest of the season. Defence and midfield aren’t right.


7.) 11 Mar 2024 18:58:23
It's not just the defence though, we have very little to no cover in midfield ahead of that defence.

For me the most important transfers we need this summer is TWO CB's and TWO midfielders. After that then look at a back up to Højlund and then possibly a RW. But we can't even consider trying to fix/ improve the attack until we have a solid base/ heart of the team.


8.) 11 Mar 2024 20:31:34
Shappy

So why when we needed midfield did ETH focus on Mount and Amrabat?

A CF is vital, our goals scored is a serious problem.


9.) 11 Mar 2024 20:35:02
Shappy I agree. Our midfield is nowhere near good enough. Teams play and get straight through to our defence so it's no surprise.


10.) 11 Mar 2024 21:07:35
Redman,

Amrabat was a loan with fee. Who else would we get for 10m?

Mount has been injured all season, so wasnis your point? We have no idea what he would have done with a fit squad, because we haven't had it.


11.) 12 Mar 2024 05:47:53
Dodgy

A few days ago Shappy posted about how we had no midfield players and that Amarabat and Mount were not what we needed. I asked him why then did ETH push to get Mount and Amarabat, last summer, why was the position that Shappy highlighted, not seen by the Manager? He didn’t reply, hence why I asked him again.

On ETH, I think we should have seen far more cohesion as a team than we have, players, even the ones stepping in, knowing what they are doing, playing in a pattern. We haven’t and for me need to see something quickly.


12.) 12 Mar 2024 11:38:09
Red Man, we needed a RB and a CB and a ST and a winger last summer as well.

We can't sign endless players for all of our weaknesses in one window.

I'd imagine a combination of factors played into the decisions to sign the players we did last summer.

Maybe the CDM player we wanted wasn't available, or maybe we could have only signed our 4th or 5th choice option for that position and felt it made more sense to sign our first choice option for another position rather than an option way down the list for another position.

We signed Amrabat on loan as we were strapped for cash, he can and has played as a deeper midfielder. Unfortunately he does not seem to be at the level required to play that role in the EPL.

Could we have signed a better player on loan or permanently for a similar or lower fee? I doubt it.

Maybe the decision was made that Casemiro was still going to be able to be a key contributor and they thought Mainoo was ready to step up.

If Casemiro was playing at the same level as last season and Mainoo had been available for the first half of the season then things would look very different.

Unfortunately Casemiro has struggled with injury and form this season, he's clearly declining and not able to keep up with the pace of the EPL. While Mainoo missed a big chunk of the season out injured.

Maybe exposing a weakness in the squad that didn't look as big a weakness last June.

I disagree that we didn't need Mount. I think he'll prove to be a very good signing for us. Unfortunately he has also been struck down by the injury curse that has plagued us this season.

If you look at his competition in the squad we have an aging Eriksen who is also declining and struggling to stay fit. Along with Bruno who turns 30 in September and there is a question as to whether he is the right kind of player for an EtH system. He probably doesn't have a long term future, and I wonder if that would have been clearer this season had Mount stayed fit all season.

As mentioned we needed a new CB, but when Maguire refused to leave we couldn't raise funds and replace him so we couldn't sign a player more suited to play the way the manager wants. Similar thing with McTominay in midfield, we couldn't arrange a sale which would have potentially brought in 30m or so. If we add that to the money spent on Amrabat's loan then maybe we could have had 40m or so to buy the CDM needed last summer.

The signings and rebuild of this squad have been and will continue to be severely impacted by our ability to move players on. Both to create space for new signings and to create the financial freedom to do so.

If the club was in the hands of INEOS last summer I'd have expected a very different outcome.

However, we had a bloated squad lacking quality and suitability to play progressive front foot style of football to the required level. An inability to trim that squad, in part due to the wages we pay making finding buyers difficult, but also due to the amateurish way the club was being run. Which was probably exasperated by the fact the club was up for sale and there was massive uncertainty over all decisions.

That led to us being unable to move on enough players to free up funds and space to make the required signings. As well as impeding our ability to sign the players we did have funds for.

That left us with unbalanced squad, making us particularly vulnerable to injuries to key players. Which unfortunately is exactly what happened.

The fact that EtH has had to rely on making more loan signings in 18, months than SAF made in 27 years tells you everything you need to know about the difficulties the manager has faced trying to reshape this squad into a coherent team capable of playing a good style of play consistently.


13.) 12 Mar 2024 15:30:41
Redman

Fernandes and rashford can't.

Lindelof at leftback cant.

McGuire can't.

Mctominay cant.

If you play out from the back with a couple of weak links, the pressing team simply targets those players.

Successful football with these players is parking the bus and counter attacking. But when he does that, you come on here and slate him for being a small time manager and not utd standard.

You are literally expecting the impossible. He prioritised winning last year and he was slated for style of play.

He actually does play with a style of play now, but with the major concession of the defenders sitting too deep due to lack of pace. We often get the ball to our attackers in promising positions, but they have been awful, both individually and as a group, so we have not scored anything like the goals we should have.

We either accept that we need a full reset of this failed team, or we prolong the agony.


14.) 12 Mar 2024 15:35:51
Stop talking sense and reason shappy incase it catches on ….


15.) 12 Mar 2024 16:04:30
Dodgy - what style of play?
The football that we played last season was better than this season.


16.) 12 Mar 2024 17:14:23
Wonder why that could be Simmo?

What possible reason could there be for a drop off in ball playing. Higher line back four?

Maybe playing Lindelof Evan's and McGuire more than we have played Shaw, Martinez and varanne?


17.) 12 Mar 2024 17:42:25
We lost 11 league games so far.
How many did Shaw play in of those 11?
How many did martinez play in?
How many did varane play in?


18.) 12 Mar 2024 17:43:47
Let's see what sense is talked by the experts running the football side of the business in the summer.


19.) 12 Mar 2024 19:33:14
How many did they play together Ken, presumably you’ll know?


20.) 12 Mar 2024 19:45:24
Shappy

You are missing my point. You said that Mount and Amarabat were not what we needed last summer, so why did ETH push for them?

You said “Maybe the CDM player we wanted wasn't available” and we signed our first choice option for another position rather than an option way down the list for another position. ”

What position was Mount first choice and bought for? If ETH bought Mount rather than the position you identified as critical that was surely an error?


21.) 13 Mar 2024 09:37:03
Ken., those 11 games, Varane played in 5, Shaw 4 and 2 of them at CB, Martinez 3. The only time all 3 played together was against Tottenham 1st game of the season and since then there has never been a premier league game this season when at least 2 of them played in the same game.


 

 

04 Mar 2024
New image uploaded to the
Manchester United Player Sightings page entitled, Maybe a tiny little tactical/coaching issue?

Click picture for larger image

DSG

1.) 04 Mar 2024 21:10:42
That’s embarassing.


2.) 05 Mar 2024 08:31:52
Not exactly a surprise with the lack of control we have in games and needs to be majorly addressed next year. It is embarassing.
To add some balance however we have conceded the 6th least number of goals so whilst we are conceing a lot of shots those shots are not being converted.
Is Onana having a better season than his errors suggest? Are the last line of defence actually doing better at making the shots not clinical ones, are the shooters actually making poor shots!
All of the above maybe.


3.) 05 Mar 2024 11:35:36
Hardly surprising, our defence have been injured for the majority of the season.

How many games have we conceded 16+ shots when we have had a back four of Dalot, Varane, Martinez and Shaw?

This is exasperated by issues in midfield with Casemiro being injured and seeing a drop off in form when he does play. We have no other natural defensively minded midfielders to come in and replace him.
McTominay doesn't have the reading of the game to play as a CDM.
Eriksen has spent most of his career as an offensive midfielder, he's also been injured for periods this season.
Donny just hasn't been good enough, isn't a defensive midfielder and has also been injured.
Mount isn't a CDM and has been injured.
Bruno isn't a CDM, and doesn't have the discipline to play that role.
Hannibal likewise as Bruno, not a CDM and lacks discipline.
Amrabat has not stepped up and proven himself in the EPL. To be fair he's been injured and hasn't been able to get a run of games, yet when he has played he looks well off the pace for the EPL.

That leaves Mainoo who's been our best and most consistent midfielder. He has also been injured for the majority of the season and has only been able to play for the last two months. He's an 18 year old kid with limited senior experience. There is some debate about what his best role in midfield is, is he a No.6 holding player, is he a No.8 box to box player, he can even play as a No.10. personally I think he's probably best suited to being the box to box No.8 at this stage in his career, then I could see him dropping into being a holding No.6 later in his career.

The fact remains the only midfielder we have had who can play as a shielding player for our defence who has been in any sort of form this season is an 18 year old kid with less than 20 games under his belt who has also been injured for the majority of the season.

Meaning we have a defence that is a shambles due to injuries and a lack of consistency. A defence in need of more protection than it would normally expect. Yet due to a lack of options and quality in midfield they have had less protection than they would normally receive.

Is it any wonder that in those circumstances we have been conceding more shots than we would normally expect.

Arsenal have the best defence in the league, they have also had the most consistent team selection in defence, along with one of if not the best defensive midfielders in Declan Rice operating in front of them giving them loads of protection.

If White, Saliba, Gabriel and Zinchenko missed as many games as Dalot, Varane, Martinez and Shaw this season do you think they would still have the best defence in the league?

While if on top of that they had both Rice and Partey out injured for pretty much the entire season as well, would that not massively effect their performances?

People have been quick to write off Onana, but look at what sort of protection his goal has had this season? The number of shots he has faced, and the fact that he actually ranks in the top three keepers in the league for save percentage, clean sheets, and has the best post shot xG rate in the league.

If Raya and Onana swapped places this season United would have conceded more goals and Arsenal less based on the performances of the goalkeepers this season.

No manager could have come up with a way to have improved this. If we played with a deeper defensive line, looked towards a low block and invited that pressure onto us then we would have been asking a weakened defence with no defensive midfielders to deal with more pressure and that would almost certainly have lead to more goals conceded.

We've tried to play a higher line, defend from the front and press high. Limit the pressure on our weakened defence by keeping the ball away from them. The problem is that our forwards line are inconsistent in their ability and motivation to press, making the high press inconsistent and ineffective. They also lack the technical skills to hold onto the ball once they get it. Meaning that even when we successfully press high and win the ball we lose it quickly to a miss control, a poor decision, a bad pass or an off target shot.

This squad while dealing with these injuries are forced to play the game like a basketball match. End to end with no control. This has meant that when our players do well scoring or defending we tend to win games, but if they aren't in form or the other team are better at defending them we lose.

I've said many times to those who feel we play the wrong tactics to come up with an effective alternative yet still no one has been able to think of a solution to get this group of players playing an effective brand of football.

This is the same manager who with his players fit massively improved us last season, won a cup and comfortably got top four.

The only difference this season is that he hasn't been able to play his team at any point this season. Always having to make changes due to injuries, massively affecting the teams ability to play an effective style of play to any level of consistency.

When a first choice player is unavailable and the back up player cannot play the same style or to the same level then you will see a drop off in the teams ability to function. When that happens to 4, 5 or 6 of your players then you have no hope of being able to play effectively.

Take 3 or 4 cogs out of your watch and replace them with differently sized cogs made of different materials and see if you can tell the time accurately.

Teams that can manage injuries and not see a big drop off in performance and results have players who can play the same way as the players they are replacing, even if at a lower level. Teams that win major honours have back up players who can play the same way and to or almost to the same level.

We don't have that, and we won't for 2-3 years. So to expect to see a consistent style of play with little drop off in performance when players are missing is just unrealistic.

The only real question here is why are so many people surprised to see a side without a defence and with no midfield to shield it's patched up defence concede a lot of shots.

Is that surprising? Is it shocking?


4.) 05 Mar 2024 13:52:09
Liverpool have played 60% of their games without their 1st choice lb and are playing a cb at lb.
Taa been out for 27% of their games replaced by a kid with less games than mainoo.
Allison been out for 27% of their games
Salah for 28%, jota the same.
Did you not post the other day how all clubs have had injuries this season. But that was for an argument to cover eth for our injuries.
I'm not shocked we are not winning the league. I'm shocked we are 11 points of 4th place and losing ground still.
Eth is a goner and that's good news.
Excuses don't cut it. He talks like ole completely delusional.
It was eth that chose mount over a cdm.
It was eth that chose Antony and still picks him.
No more time for excuses. Lack of goals over 2 years lack of attacking football. No improvement in any of our players.
Garnacho is getting worse and might end up like Antony has after 4 years of eth non coaching.
Rashford making same mistakes with final ball.
Shappy for every positive stat you can give for eth I'll give an equally compelling negative one.
You were like this with ole.
The club has more ambition than anything eth will deliver.
Yes he seems like a good guy and had done some bits well. But not nearly enough.
Everybody has injuries our have been worse than others but that does not excuse the way we play.
Nobody wants to follow the leader.


5.) 05 Mar 2024 14:32:22
What are you talking about tumble? Garnacho has been excellent this year. Are you criticizing a kid for have a couple of of games against Fulham and city? He has won his place as a first team regular and doing very well. Eth doing a great job of developing him, after also sorting his attitude last summer.

Mainoo has emerged as a fantastic talent, a player who ten hag was looking to bring into the first team this season- but injury meant that he was not available in the first half of the season.

The club has been totally mismanaged. What other club jn tge top 8 is struggling to afford a loan deal for a back up striker? Or sending a loanee leftback away to save pennies in loan fee and wages. We are broke. That is not eth's fault, that is mismanagement above him. I don't care if EtH sanctioned 150m for anthony, you cannot blame the financial situation on him.

People don't like excuses, but injuries are real. And they are a key reason why we have been poor this year. Until we rip out the remaining huts of this squad and properly rebuild, we will not be successful. Regardless of manager, we have to accept where we are and act accordingly. My worry is that the players who should go will see out another manager. We are already hearing that the likes of rash, bruno, maguire, lindelof, mctominay will not be going. Instead we will sell varane, cassemiro and the players out of our squad. So expect more if the same next season. But probably leaking more goals!


6.) 05 Mar 2024 14:51:18
Ken the other day you said you didn’t dislike ETH now that’s changed ?.


7.) 05 Mar 2024 15:12:12
I like Garnacho but I don't think he would be starting every game for most other teams in the top half of the league. I don't think ETH expected to be starting him so much either. But we have no one else to take the pressure off.


8.) 05 Mar 2024 15:30:22
Really db excellent?
2 assists all season.
Final ball after final ball going nowhere.
His shortish work is good no doubting his effort but he has not been making goals.
I don't think he has improved 1 iota this season.
Won his place in the team?? you keep trekking me at have no players fit so had he won it or is he in because we have no option.
Great prospect but imo will stagnate without better coaching.


9.) 05 Mar 2024 15:33:14
Again db who has blamed the financial situation on eth?
Who is blaming him for that.


10.) 05 Mar 2024 15:35:54
I don't dislike him but I don't want him to be manager any longer than the end of the season.
I don't think he is doing g a good job and don't think he will ever do much better than he did last season regardless of who is above him or playing for him.


11.) 05 Mar 2024 15:40:02
I also like Garnacho but I don’t think he is anywhere near as good as he thinks he is in his own head, which is bit of a concern, but I still think he better on the right than the left but got lots of learning to do, hopefully he gets a proper coaching team to bring him to frutition.

I always have concerns when you see so many photos and outside life from the football pitch of youngsters modelling etc, I know it’s 2024 but maybe concentrate first on your game, Garnacho guilty of it, Mount all the time and he not even playing, took the number 7 shirt for same reason, Onana even guilty of it, actually win something first or get your game in order first then do the rest… appears to be other way round nowadays.


12.) 05 Mar 2024 15:30:22
Really db excellent?
2 assists all season.
Final ball after final ball going nowhere.
His shortish work is good no doubting his effort but he has not been making goals.
I don't think he has improved 1 iota this season.
Won his place in the team?? you keep trekking me at have no players fit so had he won it or is he in because we have no option.
Great prospect but imo will stagnate without better coaching.


13.) 05 Mar 2024 16:35:34
Always maintain the most worrying game of the season was the first Monday Night Football when we played wolves and conceded 25+ shots on goal.

We had our full team out and ETH went with his first choice midfield of Casemiro, Bruno and Mount and Wolves walked right through us.

Throughout all the injuries which have been a lot granted we have always looked too easy to play against.

Shappys lengthy points don't hold much water imo.


14.) 05 Mar 2024 16:51:30
DSG for every ying there is a yang.


15.) 05 Mar 2024 18:40:01
Maybe someone needs to write 5,000 words to Peter schemieichel because he is confused too, like some of us are! maybe he needs to be put right in line, how dare he criticise! Cheek of it….


16.) 05 Mar 2024 19:14:02
Shappy

You said “We have no other natural defensively minded midfielders to come in and replace him. (Cas) ” McT, Eriksen, Donny, Mount, Bruno, Hannibal and Amrabat, all not CDM or well off the pace.

So last summer tell us how ETH saw what was needed, assessed our priorities at CDM? His answer, Buy Mount, get Amrabat on loan. What do you think of that decision making?

How are we left with no left back at all in March? Why is there no real update on Malacia? Why did we not look for another loan or why not give the youth left back a chance? Better than zero left backs.

For all the essay, it looks to me like ETH didn’t understand what he had, what he needed or the standard of English football. Plus struggles to coach a strategy that makes a team cohesive as a unit. How many times do you start with make it difficult to beat and start from there? 15 losses, that’s embarrassing.

ETH also keeps trying to big up Antony, that looks like desperation, the desperation of a manager who knows he has made a right mess, spent the money poorly in directions that were wrong.

If ETH had set a structure, youth players could drop in, like at Liverpool, knowing what was needed, it’s a befuddled mess now and that is poor leadership and coaching. Care to defend that?


17.) 05 Mar 2024 19:28:57
Shappy made every excuse under the sun for ole too.
Told me over lunch it was all Jose's fault that the players were great.
The penny will drop eventually. It usually does.
Anybody that knows anything about leadership can see that eth is leading but nobody wants to follow him.


18.) 05 Mar 2024 19:43:24
For me, if you thought last season was good or not, ETH dropped a right Bo***** in the way he handled DeGea situation, if you wanted him or not after 10 years it was clear he would have close friends in the changing room, it was not the way to treat someone, then he moved on to Ronaldo, again if you like him or not or think he should come back or not, you don’t send Ronaldo or Messi on the pitch with a minute to go, that’s disrespectful the way he handled the Sancho situation was schoolboy…again he will have friends in that dressing room, the McGuire and McT situation trying to push them out the door then have to rely on them, it’s really just all round poor management at that level, he seems to stumble from one catastrophe to another, I just think the job was/ is too big for him and his never seems to learn either, he can’t be stupid, so it must be just the stubbornness, but I doubt there is one player in that dressing room who would shed a tear when he is gone certainly not one would run through any walls for him.


19.) 05 Mar 2024 20:09:28
Almost 100% convinced that tumbleweed and Strangeways are the same person after this.


20.) 05 Mar 2024 20:25:29
There is far more to leadership than kicking everyone up the backside. You have to make people believe in the direction you re going in, implement changes, even simple ones, that make a positive difference early but can be seen to make a positive long term one, communicate well so everyone buys the direction. You do that it gives you the chance to make tough decisions. I don’t see that looking in from the outside with ETH.


21.) 05 Mar 2024 21:02:58
Player power. Players don't want to follow. He is making them run too hard in training - yet we get out run in every game we lose.

We have the wrong players. Our players suit a bottom half team that want to sit back, absorb pressure and play on the counter.

Now if you want to change that, it might take more than 5 mins. Especially when some of the problems are bigger than the club. Some players cannot be dropped. Some players won't leave, even when we strip the captaincy and say they need to go.

Arteta was allowed to finish 8th twice and sell all the so called arsenal stars. Their wage bill probably came down. Did it benefit them? Are they a better team? Are they following his leadership?

The club are in a huge mess and the players have learned that they don't have to follow what the managers says. They use their agents, the media and friends who have national reach as pundits to get their way. We will not get better until we realise our leg is gangrenous and we cut off our rotting leg. Window dressing the same old same old will not get us back. That is the painful lesson we need to learn.


22.) 05 Mar 2024 21:08:20
You don’t half talk a load of guff Strangeways. He didn’t want McTominay or Maguire, that’s football. You’d probably flog Fernandes on day 1 if you went in with no thought for him. The club refused any offers so he was stuck with them. They’re both back in the squad and don’t cause problems. De Gea wasn’t in his plans but the club offered him a contract extension. They then removed the offer because it was probably clear he was not in ETH’s plans. You reckon we should have just let him have the contract though? Who is he playing for now anyway? He gave Sancho 3 months off to get his head sorted and eased him back into the team. How about a little respect from Sancho? Ronaldo needed to move on to move the team forward. He refused to come on v Tottenham, he did a childish tv interview with Morgan. You need a player like that in your squad.


Bottom line is this, if Ten Hag was at Ajax now, you’d be crying out for him to come in and work under SJR and Ineos’s structure. SJR is looking to recruit 4 positions on the football side? That’s 4 important positions that have not been there since ETH came in or any of the other managers. Might be best you and others stop comparing ETH’s 18 months to Klopps 9 years or Guardiola’s unprecedented backing from the his club.


23.) 05 Mar 2024 21:50:17
Ports

Would we be screaming out for ETH if he was at Ajax?

Perhaps that is the issue, City got Pep, Liverpool Klopp, would the manager of a club like Ajax, really be at that level? Given the list of managers that Ed kindly posted recently, do you really believe ETH would be on that list?


24.) 05 Mar 2024 21:24:36
Wazza once again your 100% conviction is wrong.


25.) 05 Mar 2024 22:10:57
Red Man. As fans I can’t see why we wouldn’t? We were 18 months ago (cue everyone claiming they didn’t want ETH then) from that list the likely candidates from my interpretation would be Potter, De Zerbi and the Lisbon boy. Why wouldn’t the Ajax manager be of their calibre?


26.) 05 Mar 2024 22:35:30
Ports

I am not sure we were all convinced at the time that he was the very top level, that doesn’t mean many didn’t want him.

Said before, we need to get away from the all powerful manager who must be given 5 years.


27.) 05 Mar 2024 23:23:00
EtH is the manager and the books stops with him.

Plenty of teams have injuries but good managers adapt and motivate.

EtH has done neither since the League Cup win.


28.) 06 Mar 2024 04:16:38
I never wanted him from day 1 I never ever see what credentials he had, winning in the Dutch league with Ajax is nothing special, they tanked a good lead in the champs league under ETH, all this rubbish he leads with iron fist may work at Ajax with kids was never ever going to work in epl at club size of United, Carlo, Pep, Klopp, don’t take crap but they don’t earn that respect by putting people on the naughty step like our school teacher does!
Yes ok he never wanted DeGea no problem but do it the right way.
ETH lacks man management skills required at the top level, he will never ever be considered for any top level club, would he be at Barca, Real, city, Liverpool, Bayern…not a chance.


29.) 06 Mar 2024 07:11:04
*Almost 100% Ken. There has to be some sort of relation, maybe a love child of yourself and Danny Murphy? ?.


30.) 06 Mar 2024 07:32:00
Bayern wanted him, Barcelona wanted him to replace Koeman but yeah ok ? unbelievable United are even considering Ashworth and co when a Strangeways is out there.


31.) 06 Mar 2024 10:07:18
Really ports. When did eth turn down the bayern and Barcelona jobs.
There is no public record of them ever offering him a job as 1st team coach.
I don't think that's true at all.


32.) 06 Mar 2024 10:41:01
Great banter wazza. That one made me laugh.


33.) 06 Mar 2024 10:45:49
Ken, I've seen houses that I like in the past and wanted them, never put in an offer in for 1 reason or another, doesn't mean I didn't want them. As we like to jump on any little thing though, let's say he was on their list of coaches. Bayern had him, apparently as fall back if their approach for Naglesmann didn't work, and Laporta, apparently identified him to replace Koeman. But then again this is all media hear say so you can choose to or not to believe that. However, most of people's criticisms of ETH are from what they read in the media. Sancho, Maguire, McTominay, Ronaldo, De Gea, no one really knows the discussions etc that took place regarding any of them but when you have an agenda you can't see the woods for the trees.

People can absolutely criticise team selections, game management decisions, signings but let's not use internal situations that we aren't privy of to criticise and also choose to ignore the incompetency of the club hierarchy as a stick to beat the manager.


34.) 06 Mar 2024 11:10:45
I get a bit of a sinking feeling Tuchel might be a serious contender. Available at the end of the season at a time when Utd are trying to save big money (as opposed to a £10m+ for some of the names being mentioned) and fair play vastly experienced. Just not overly keen on the character and a fair few players at recent clubs haven't taken to him. I know there's a suggestion that that's tough, and players have to get do as the manager asks, but look at the dividends of having that great relationship that Klopp and Pep have with their squads.


35.) 06 Mar 2024 13:41:17
The only major criticism I have is that he is not improving our players imo and the football offered up is poor.
You can't believe most of what's written in the media so I go on what I see and what conclusions I come to after seeing and listening to him.
If bayern wanted him he would have taken the job i'm sure. If Barcelona wanted him he would also have taken that job I'm sure. But they didn't want him or the would have offered him a job but they never.
If you wanted a house but never made an offer you didn't want it badly enough.
I'm sure he will pick up a job really easily and I hope he does well.
Just like when most players leave I hope they do well in their next job.
The United job is difficult playing for or managing. There is no shame in not being a huge success it's not for everybody.


36.) 06 Mar 2024 14:13:13
Have we had injuries this year? Only I’m not quite sure.


37.) 06 Mar 2024 14:57:57
So Ken. 3 players you think he should have improved and why? Bearing in mind you’ve been very vocal about these players having been coached poorly for 2 years and being on a holiday camp under Solskjaer.


38.) 06 Mar 2024 16:00:39
Ports I think he should have improved all the players. That's his job as coach.
I think he should have improved us all individually and as a team. That's what the best coaches do.
I only see significant disimprovement both individually and as a team.
We have not attacked effectively for his whole time here. Very few goals scored and very little exciting football and players at most other clubs look happier than our players in their job.


39.) 06 Mar 2024 16:27:57
I'm still utterly mystified by the dummies on here who can't quite seem to fathom the clear an obvious link between having all you best defensive players out of the team for 90% of the season and a down turn in the quality of defending during that time.

I mean really? Really?

I suppose they are the reason they put the "may contain nuts" warning on a packet of nuts??‍♂️?‍♂️.


40.) 06 Mar 2024 17:16:21
Your childish snipes at EtH just highlight the kind of person you are. It's one thing to think a manager isn't good enough, or not the right man for the job. Yet you feel the need to make it personal and take swipes at his personality despite not knowing the man, the situation he is in or anything other than the outside perspective

I wonder who posted that a few hours before calling others dummies.
Must have been a dummy.
???.


41.) 06 Mar 2024 17:18:25
Shappy I’m with you.

I discuss things on here, sometimes wondering if one or two posters lack just a little intelligence to understand we’ve fielded 21 different back 4 combinations so far, have more injuries than any other top 6 club, and substantial off the field issues.

But people still expect us to be challenging and think the manager should be doing more ?.

{Ed025's Note - i think Liverpool may have had more injuries Wassa..


42.) 06 Mar 2024 17:38:52
Ed025
Good to see you back. Hope all is well.
No Liverpool have had no injuries its a media conspiracy theory.
?.

{Ed025's Note - yeah im good thanks Tumbleweed, they have got some decent kids there mate to cover injuries, but as we all know...you win nothing with kids.. :)


43.) 06 Mar 2024 18:31:12
Think this is the issue Ken, you continue to compare 9 years of Klopp with 18 months of ETH. It’s unrealistic and unfair to judge ETH with this group of players because they are simply not good enough to play his system. Dann’s is 18, he would have started the process of playing Klopps way at 9 years old which is why he can come in and not look out of place. Liverpool have scouted academy players who can come in and play his system. You want ETH to have a system of play and then expect Maguire to play like Martinez. He’s simply not good enough and it’s clear when United try to play out that back when Martinez is out it looks uncomfortable. The majority of this team are conditioned to play counter attacking football not possession based but that’s not his system. So should he abandon his system to suit the players or stick to his system and sell the players who aren’t good enough and get players in who are?! Like the other top managers who you hold in higher regard. Shouldn’t have Guardiola made Phillips, Palmer, Porro, Zinchenko, Jesus better?

We got Pellistri and Diallo in because they were talented but was there a thought process behind how they played?

Managers are dealing with Millionaire’s now, Mourinho said it himself, they are a different beast to 10/ 15 years ago and when they get challenged they sulk, they know they can outlast the manager and that’s what happens. Until that cycle changes, things will continue. Best thing SJR could do is back the manager and set the standard for the players, get on board or get out. If it happens to 1 manager you can question them but 3,4, 5 managers?!


44.) 06 Mar 2024 18:38:21
Wazza

I thought with the money spent we should see a challenge but didn’t think we would be challenging and said that from before the start of the season, I didn’t think we bought well and there were large gaps. I had us finishing in fifth this season.

Are our high priced defenders, even second choice ones not able to coordinate or be coached to coordinate with midfielders and defend as a unit? Can none of them be coached to play as a team, to follow instructions? Coaches are supposed to be able to coach players into units, get them playing as a team. ETH has not done that, we haven’t played as a unit, no great football, not one game. However, ETH thought we played well against City.

I am just not seeing it. Whilst I don’t call for the sack, he has to prove very quickly he knows what he is doing, show signs of a coordinated team playing football.

Alonso joined BL in October 22, were they second from bottom? ETH joined us in April 22. How long do you need to implement a style, a pattern? ,


45.) 06 Mar 2024 19:06:41
No other clubs had any injuries, no other club gets constantly picked on by the media, no other club had all the problems to deal with like ETH got/ had/ coming…. maybe just maybe the other clubs deal with all those things much much better, but it’s ok let’s follow the conspiracy theories we are so hard done by.

So we agree last year we did not have all those injuries, so why was the football still dire, why could we not score many goals, in fact one of the lowest and in fact if you took the one person you all abuse now out, where would we have finished. But guess your come up with more excuses for that too…

Oh sorry forgot we got such a stronger squad than last season too, the mind boggles, but let’s get personal in the replies even though we are not allowed to get personal with ETH now by all accounts…it’s laughable.


46.) 06 Mar 2024 19:44:22
Ports I completely disagree.
And I never mentioned klopp or eth comparison.
They have had loads of injuries and done great.
We have had more injuries and done badly.
I've not compared anything just 2 statements of fact.
It's not about comparisons.
I'm sure the multi billionaires SJR will appreciate the 'best thing he could do' tip from you. But I really do admire your effort at making dann a 9 year klopp veteran. Brilliant??
What sort of player do you think Anthony is after 4 year under eth? Because eth thinks he is unplayable at his best.
Eth has said on numerous occasions the difference between us and then is not that great.
These are ole like statements. He is finished here ports I see no way back for him.
I could well be wrong all we can do is wait and see.


47.) 06 Mar 2024 22:21:51
So liverpools academy is running to a different tune to what the first team do then Ken? Fair enough, I always assumed first priority of an academy was to get players prepared for the first team, clearly you have a greater insight.

You literally refer to Liverpool in your first response on this thread is comparing our situations ?.


48.) 06 Mar 2024 22:48:20
Ed025 it was a stat shown online on Monday. It showed Liverpool with less but in 2nd place. It was Sky or BBC, but they often get things wrong.

{Ed025's Note - stats dont always reflect the truth Wazza and may include fringe players mate, i think if its about players who effect the first team then Liverpool shade it i suspect..


49.) 07 Mar 2024 12:41:20
Ports I have a little insight. I've been to 4 epl academies.
I can assure you that they do not prepare or look at tactics for 1st team below age of 16ish I'd guess.
The under 9 10 11 etc they don't even play 11 a side football don't play like the 1st team or prepare tactically like the 1st team.
Our u18s don't really set up like our 1st team at all either.
The closest I've seen kids being educated to a defined football principle / rigid philosophy is ajax and even there they play with 8, 9's 10 11 and 12s all on one team or training together with the older lads restricted to 2 touches and no tackling etc. If was brilliant to watch. Lots of kids think they are great until they are exposed to kids that really are great. The talent you see at those ages is unreal yet so few of them ever play professionally or at highest level. Leaves you scratching your head all the time and wondering why. Asking yourself how did they not make it.


50.) 07 Mar 2024 14:54:05
Ken you take every statement and interpret to what you want for your point. I am fully aware U9’s don’t play 4-3-3 thanks ? but there is a link from academy to first team that makes the transition to first team easy and when you have longevity with a first team manager who influences the academy then pushing players through is easier. Chelsea have one of the best academies around but let’s be honest it’s to support the financial side of football as they sell a lot of youngsters rather then bring through so the purpose is different.

Klopp on creating a healthy environment for youngsters to thrive in.

We were not involved in the timing, to be honest, too much because we had to use them because we don't have other players. I would like to say we waited five years and I saw them first time when they were 13 and I said, 'In February 2024, we will bring them. ' We have a very, very good and a very close relationship with the Academy for the obvious reasons, you all know that – Vitor Matos. Alex [Inglethorpe], Barry [Lewtas], Marc [Bridge-Wilkinson], we have a really close relationship, we actually work in the same building, just on different sides.

The way Liverpool wants to play is clear as well. On a specific day a few years ago, it was probably set up by me but the club needs to agree on that. I cannot stand in the Academy every day on the training pitch and say we do that in training. Everybody bought into that. It's the best news because it's not about how you play, because there might be different styles, different ways, but you have to make sure that these exceptional talents understand that a football game starts with defending. They are all talented, otherwise they would not play for Liverpool. But in the youth department, it's a little bit like that you can really be much better than the opponent – that doesn't happen that often in adult football, to be honest, and you have to be ready for that.


 

 

26 Dec 2023 23:05:05
So Garnacho can play on the right wing and Rashford on the left wing and we have been playing that fake brazilian Antony for no reason? Am i correct?

DSG

1.) 27 Dec 2023 07:56:31
lol Fake Brazilian is pretty much on point.


 

 

04 Dec 2023 13:58:10
People rightly harping on about things like effort and passion but can anyone explain the tactics.

From an outside perspective it looks like were setting up in a 4-3-3 with 1 midfielder holding but bruno and Mctominay play so far forward it looks like a 4-1-5.

There are spaces all over the pitch that teams exploit and we've conceded the most shots in the league apart from Sheffield and Luton and our champions league games have all been crazy end to end basketball matches.

Casemiro, Amarabat, Eriksen and now Maino have all struggled in deep midfield this season, surely ETH has to change to make the team harder to break down.

DSG

1.) 04 Dec 2023 14:51:39
I'm not a tactician but I'd say Eric knows how to set up a team tactically. The problems persist with individuals. We don't work hard enough off the ball which makes us incredibly easy to play against.

We struggle against teams that get stuck in and are physical and nowadays that's nearly every team in the league. A team should be greater than the sum of its parts but we're the opposite. We have holes all over the pitch.

Rashford simply doesn't care about what's behind him, which in turn means you'll often find Bruno or a midfielder there covering the left back. Our midfield balance hasn't been right in years. We lose that battle nearly every week which makes winning games very difficult.

Individual mistakes and lapse in concentration are common in our defence. Onana has been rubbish, Dalot gets caught out time and again, although Lindelof and Maguire have done OK of late, they're not of a good enough standard.

We have too many passengers in the team.

Last year I lauded Ten Hag for his decision making. Dropping Maguire, removing Ronaldo, making the team run 13.4km at the start of the season, dropping Rashford for being late. Everything he done seemed to be right.

This year unfortunately I think he's gotten a lot wrong. His signings have not improved us one iota. Onana has been a waste of money, Mount hasn't had any impact, although i believe Hojlund will become good, he's not taken his chances, Amrabat is perfect reason why fans really don't know what they're talking about. Majority of fans were lauding this lad as the second coming probably without ever seeing him play, he's of a poor standard.

Ten Hag wanted rid of McTominay and Maguire and within a few weeks of the window closing, they're both in the team consistently. His persistence to reward Rashford with a starting spot is bizarre. His dropping of Varane from the outside is also bizarre.

His decision making at the end of games is like something someone does in Football Manager, go 2 at the back and 6 up front.

Hopefully he gets to work under the new administration coming in. I think he couldn't benefit from someone else picking the transfer targets but there's plenty of rope there for Ratcliffe to use if he wishes.


2.) 04 Dec 2023 16:24:33
We have a bunch of players that have done the same thing to multiple managers. 8 of the starting team against Newcastle were from the LVG/ Mourinho eras. There is a group there that either are not good enough, or are not prepared to put in the required effort to move up a level. First year under several coaches has looked promising only to revert in the second year. We're in a rinse and repeat cycle, but we do have some good players. The players not making the effort are killing us. But things turn around quickly in football. Two windows could fix an awful lot but we need some good sound decision makers. Ten Hag should not be immune to criticism but as of now I'm putting 80+% on the players as they've a history of this. He doesn't.


3.) 04 Dec 2023 16:24:48
Its difficult to identify what the style of play or tactics are when players aren't willing to execute them.

Its been mentioned a lot here that no one can identify what ETH style of play is and whilst I agree to an extent, I am past looking at the manager and focusing more on the players. Its clear to see some of them just aren't interested and are not putting 100% effort into games. Some players want to play and some dont, therefore the team becomes disjointed and tactics go out the window.

ETH is not without his faults, but I think people need to stop looking at the manager and focus more on the 11 of the pitch. Its clear he is struggling with getting players to play, but I'd rather see those players moved on, players brought in who want to play and the manager backed. Its clear some of these players have not and will not perform for any manager.


4.) 04 Dec 2023 16:55:14
So Bruno and Mctominay vacating midfield is them ignoring Ten Hags instructions?


5.) 04 Dec 2023 17:13:27
Are you saying that is ETH’s instructions, for them to vacate midfield?


6.) 04 Dec 2023 17:54:28
I tend to agree with a lot of mumbles reply.
This season has been utterly underwhelming following really decent progress last season.
I don't get everyone's surprise with Onana. He has been making these types of gaffs for 6 or 7 years but played in pretty dominant teams so was not punished as severely as he is being here as we are not 3 or 4 up every week. His best attributes are being nullified due to the wrong players in front of him who can't play from the back. It just keeps getting played back to him eventually.
I think every other team in the epl tries harder, looks sharper, runs harder, plays with greater intensity than we do.
On top of that at least 30% of the other teams are technically better.
United has been a holiday camp for these players for years.
When Jose stepped up to them they rebelled when lvg did it same happened. Ole let them get away with it.
They bought into eth for a bit and now they don't want to work hard anymore because he has been making calls they don't agree with.
I'd say some are not trying at 50%.
The players don't care. (In the main)
They are not answerable to the fans.
Eth is on a hiding to nothing imo.
Ed002 has said the new investor and his team will either back him or sack him and bring in their own man to deliver their vision.
Until eth knows his fate nothing will make much sense imo.
If players know he is staying they either move or try.
If they know he is going then some will be kept to see if the new guy can get them improving.


7.) 04 Dec 2023 18:35:04
It may come down to choices. Who are we going to play in midfield?

Bruno has been decent this season going forward, but he can be a liability in defence. Who gave away the 2 free kicks that led to 2 goals last week v Galatasary? McTominay? The remaining half of the much panned McFred tandem. It's not like there's anything new here. He's not a good defensive midfielder. He's actually a better forward. Casemiro and Mount are out. Hannibal is huff and puff and not good enough imo (he may become so) . The loaner Amrabat?

And then we have 2 forwards in Rashford and Martial who don't seem to give a rats arse. They don't work, They don't cover back. They don't hold the ball up. They're impatient.

We conceded just one goal away from home v Newcastle. Given the situation, is it any surprise? I may remain unconvinced about Ten Hag, but he's had a lot of sh. t to deal with this season, injuries and particularly a plethora of pusillanimous poseurs purloining their preposterously prolific payments.


8.) 04 Dec 2023 19:54:10
Yet the same problem remains of players on too high wages to move on. Who will match Martial's £250k a week or Rashford's £325k? Maguire wanted £12 million to go as the disparity between what he's on now and what West Ham would pay him.


9.) 04 Dec 2023 20:20:15
ETH got small club mentality and thinks this will work at United!

yes he can drop the ones that your all saying have no passion, but replace them with what, look at his signings and actually how poor they are, what’s point replacing with them they are so poor it’s ridiculous.

I’m not saying that some of the players lack passion etc, but ETH should have been bringing in much much better quality then what his done, injuries or not, and he needs to stop keep acting like an over zealous school teacher, he seems to carry petty vendettas on for months and months, which is very poor man management

It’s a shocking team, 400 million spent and I would argue worse then ever!


10.) 04 Dec 2023 20:38:37
So Ten Haag has lost much of the changing room. Why do many players look to blame others for their own failings? Most of the players are simply not good enough for United and are using Ten Haag as a scapegoat. We need rid of players such as Dalot (simply cannot defend), McTominay, Amrabat and especially Fernandes. Yes, Fernandes. He runs around like a headless chicken. He cannot compete with the best midfielders. Yes, he scores the odd goal and makes the occasional good pass, but we need someone to dictate the play consistently. He gives the ball away cheaply too often and upsets the balance of the team.


11.) 04 Dec 2023 20:44:53
How can he implement a style of play with playing squad made up of Jose ole and his own players!
Last year I saw big strides forward predominantly because of the signings he’s made!
Currently we are having to use players or a lot of them that he doesn’t want and doesn’t see capable of doing what he wants!


12.) 04 Dec 2023 23:26:05
If ETH has indeed lost the dressing room, then the new ownership can’t happen soon enough and it needs to make changes from day one. The players seem to expect new owners and the structure they bring in to want to want to change the manager, so they smell ETH’s blood and have downed tools. Why would you do all that extra running and implement a manager’s instructions when you know he’ll be gone soon anyway. They have plenty of form for that

On the other hand, if the new ownership plan to stick with ETH then they need to make that unequivocally clear instantly and lay down the law. Players can then either fall into line or clear off as part of a rebuild

Fans seem pretty divided now on support for the manager, but for my two cents I’d rather see the latter of the above two scenarios happen. I do have questions over ETH - in particular why he continually selects these players who let him down constantly. But one way or another, things are about to change soon. Hopefully for the better, and not another rinse and repeat cycle as mentioned.


13.) 05 Dec 2023 05:15:11
Regardless of whether ETH is here next season or not, the new management team have to make it clear that if you down tools for any manager, you don't have the mentality to be a United player and will be shown the door.


 

 

27 Nov 2023 13:27:37
One thing you can't fault Ten Haag with is his approach to youth development with two examples.

Discipling Garnacho on his first pre season and making him earn his way back into the squad was impressive, other managers may have let that slide.

Our mdfield has been a shambles all season and he easily could have been selfish and rushed Mainoo back from injury straight away but he integrated him slowly and play a few youth games to get match fitness and only started him after a 2 week international to make sure he was prepared for premier league football.

DSG

1.) 27 Nov 2023 14:36:50
Agreed. I just hope he is motivated to integrate more from the youth setup over time.


2.) 27 Nov 2023 16:03:58
Or he could have just bought a couple of good quality midfielders with all the money he’s frittered away. No doubt he thought rash was going to score another 30 odd goals and Casemiro was going to do a Benjamin button and has bought luxury players instead. Massive misjudgement and wasteful spending. Not much to shout about this season.


3.) 27 Nov 2023 16:15:58
Oh he’s back, onethirddingle, you genuinely could not be more obvious, if you just toned it down a tiny bit you wouldn’t get blocked each and every time.


4.) 27 Nov 2023 17:02:26
The other side of the coin is, all his crazy signings not at worked and it is last throw of the dice for ETH so go with what was at the club already.

Confirmed by all his signings did not even make the team apart from GK. that just shows how bad his signings/ Loans have been.


5.) 27 Nov 2023 19:34:26
rangersred

You are truly a toxic troll. Every signing but Ambrabat and Onana are injured atm and were not available for selection or in the squad.

It must be very disappointing for you, we won and nothing to post for a few days and now you conjure up another one of your useless posts.

TROLL.


6.) 27 Nov 2023 20:21:02
He’s replied to himself now as well, oh my days.


7.) 27 Nov 2023 20:21:43
I do almost feel sorry for someone who derives some warped feeling of satisfaction from playing these rather childish games.
Lest there be any doubt the time line of this person, it seemingly has today morphed into onethirddingle,
previously rangersred,
previously shamrock,
previously strangeways,
previously trafford.

This of course goes back in time to our old friend from Romania!

The whole thing has become SO tedious, is there not a motorway near you where you can go and play?


8.) 27 Nov 2023 20:22:11
Blimey enjoy the result. utd won well for once. Wasn't it nice to watch the last 10 without being on pins. enjoy it instead of looking for stupid arguments. As by Wednesday night or Saturday we could be back down to earh with a thud.


9.) 27 Nov 2023 21:07:12
I think everyone (except the interloper) did enjoy the result, I certainly did.
No one is looking for stupid arguments, but I think it entirely proper to point out that the only person who is trying to stop the enjoyment and create disharmony and the very argument you reference, is nothing other than a complete fraud and charlatan who should not either be welcome or tolerated.


10.) 27 Nov 2023 22:23:07
RangersRed, It doesn't matter how many times you say a mistruth it will not make it true.

Onana is making a lot of "experts" eat their words over the last few weeks. He will only get better with better defenders in front of him.

Martinez is our best CB.

Casemiro was our best midfielder las season, hands down. He was never going to be a long term option and maybe he is suffering from having to play so many minutes last season (He played the most minutes of any season in his career last season with us) . Also he was never the managers choice, that was FdJ. When that deal couldn't be concluded the club were offered Casemiro and took the deal. We overpaid, but that isn't on the manager, he neither negotiates the deals and Casemiro was never one of his preferred targets. In fact if I remember correctly it was Adrien Rabiot who EtH wanted when it became clear the FdJ deal wasn't going to happen. Which makes sense as Rabiot is a far more similar profile of player to FdJ than Casemiro is. The club even tried to negotiate a deal with Rabiot, but were unable/ unwilling to reach an agreement. Eventually settling on Casemiro in the final days of the window as options were running out. In hindsight would Rabiot on a free have been a better deal? Possibly, depends if his mum could be kept on a leash.

Mason Mount will prove to be a good signing. He hasn't played poorly, unfortunately due to injuries we have been unable to play the way the manager had intended meaning he hasn't had the chances he probably deserves yet. He will though. When he's played he's been generally good, not put in a below 6 out of 10 performance yet, typically been around 7.

Hojlund looks like a very good signing, you can see the quality he has. Unfortunately he's playing in a team that aren't creating enough chances for him. He will be first choice for many years.

Malacia and Bayindir are solid squad players, cheap enough and are value for money given their role and what we paid.

The only permanent signing that has been a failure is Antony. If you are going to insist on a manager getting sacked for 1 bad signing then you'll probably sack every manager before they have completed a whole season.

All the other signings have been loans or free transfers. Evans and Eriksen have been pretty successful all things considered. The loans haven't been great. Yet the question we should be asking isn't why has the current manager signed these loan players, but instead why has EtH had to sign 6 players on loan in 12 months when Sir Alex didn't sign that many on over a quarter of a century?

The club has been very poorly run, and that has impacted the signings EtH has made so far, from being forced to search Europe for loans to being delivered Casemiro when he asked for Frankie de Jong. I also have no doubt the clubs poor track record has played a role in EtH being sceptical of the players the club suggest, probably leading to him over relying on players he knows such as Antony.

That said of the 10 permanent signings he's made I think 4 have a long term future in the first 11 (Onana, Martinez, Mount and Hojlund) . Another four have been solid squad options and value for money (Eriksen, Malacia, Bayindir and Evans) . With only 2 having any sort of question mark over them. Casemiro who wasn't the managers signing (FdJ and Rabiot were who he wanted), and Antony (who definitely was the managers signing) . The rest were loans made to patch up a poor squad previously assembled under past managers.

I think to anyone with half a brain the signings made make sense and for the most part fit the right profile of player.

Of all the managers post Sir Alex I can honestly say the players signed under EtH have far and away been the best.

Moyes - Fellaini, Mata, Varela.

LvG - Herrera, Shaw, Rojo, Di Maria, Falcao, Valdes, Depay, Darmian, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Romero, and Martial.

Jose - Sanchez, Grant, Bailly, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Lindelof, Dalot, Matic, Pogba, Fred, Ibrahimovic.

Ole - Bishop, Heaton, Pellistri, Donny, Telles, James, Amad, AWB, Ronaldo, Sancho, Maguire, Varane, Cavani and Bruno Fernandes.

Seriously look at those signings from previous managers and you really think the signings under EtH are worse than any previous manager?


11.) 27 Nov 2023 22:52:30
He has spoken lol.


12.) 27 Nov 2023 22:54:52
Thats 37 signings you've listed Shappy and I'd say three have been worthwhile; Romero, Shaw and Fernandes.


13.) 27 Nov 2023 23:34:36
Gary Neville says there was no plan to add a midfielder speaking to people at united and the plan was Mainoo was the guy. Mainoo's injury forced us to do the Ambrabat loan deal.

I trust this manager when it comes to knowing talent and integrating them into the team.


14.) 28 Nov 2023 00:16:07
MancMan, I suppose that depends on where you place the goalposts.

If you are looking bar players who have been successful when called upon and have been some sort of value for money then it hard to add anyone to that list of Romero, Shaw and Bruno. Possibly add Ibrahimovic on a free was a good signing for the short term.

I think there are a few more players who might fit the solid squad players category. Dalot, Herrera, Lindelof, Fred maybe (although his fee make him a very expensive squad option) . While you may in time be able to call Amad or Pellistri a success depending how they develop.

But really whether you are saying good signing for the first 11, solid squad player, or talented young player yet to reach their potential we are still only looking at around 7 maybe 8 decent signings from 37.

That in essence is exactly why we have fallen off a cliff in terms of challenging for titles.

You can't sign 30 flops to your 25 man squad and expect anything but abject failure. Until we have 18-20 successful signings in our squad we won't be anywhere near competing forbl major honours.


15.) 28 Nov 2023 04:52:05
Bit harsh on Mata. A good solid player and good professional, who a few of the current squad would be good to look to as an example.


16.) 28 Nov 2023 06:47:13
I think the problem with many of our signings over the last 10 years has been age profiles and short sightedness. We really had no long term plan and were always doing deals for players who had name recognition but at the end of their careers and we never really got to see their best version. Combine that with the absolute busts its been a large waste of money.

I think Bruno, Dalot, Shaw have been great signings. then you have the likes of lindelof, Varrane, Ronaldo, Mata, Herrera who were decent signing in terms of performance.

Personally not enough signings of players in the 18-21 years old profile with a longer term view. I think if your academy is not producing enough then you should be signing a couple a year as a minimum with some sort of allocation of your transfer spend specificly for them.


17.) 28 Nov 2023 07:00:03
Maybe keefy. I really liked Mata, but he never hit the heights expected of him, especially given what we paid for him at the time (club record fee) .

In the end he underwhelmed and never fully nailed down a starting position. Did he really have a bigger impact than Fred for example, despite being a far more talented player.


18.) 28 Nov 2023 07:04:53
Oooooft shappy, wow your best post fergie manager and squad was clearly Mourinhos Lukaku used to get slated but imagine you'd kept him awful 1st touch but could score goals you've still not really replaced him big mistake in hindsight by Ole selling him for what half a good season by Martial good win on Sunday though surely keep it up by beating Galatasaray midweek up until January will make or break the Dutch fella for sure few hard games see what him and his signings are made of no point bigging them up yet you've not really beaten any sides u shouldn't yet.


19.) 28 Nov 2023 08:30:51
Only way to rate a signing without being blinkered obvs Rangers red doesn't rate TH but other side Shappy seems to think he can do no wrong is are they worth more than you paid for them? Are they pushing you on to win big trophys? Do they get you out of your seat with excitement?

So are TH signings any good just now the jurys got to be out on all of them think sticking with Ole and letting him spend so much money really set UTD back had a decent team under Mourinho apart from the last season when it imploded but when he was there was the only time post Fergie i thought United looked like they might win bigger trophies easily your best manager since Fergie anybody who can't see that doesn't know much about football. been major downhill for utd since then now serious hammerings aren't unexpected.


20.) 28 Nov 2023 14:29:55
These two (? ) Rangers lads. None of them post on the Rangers page. Lot to say about Utd, though.


21.) 28 Nov 2023 15:16:44
Two strokers or one?


22.) 28 Nov 2023 19:44:35
The Mourinho squad was pretty poor to be frank.

While the signings made under Jose were frankly awful. Sanchez, Grant, Bailly, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Lindelof, Dalot, Matic, Pogba, Fred, Ibrahimovic. Several of them would be in the conversation as our worst ever signing.

Lukaku pushed for a move away much like he did at Chelsea, then Everton, then Inter Milan. He wasn't prepared to fight for his spot, which he only had to do because his form was awful and he got rightfully dropped. That happened under Jose which prompted him to sign Ibrahimovic.

Lukaku was never a good player, very one dimensional, with poor touch and technique.

I've criticised EtH, but have always expressed that I feel the mistakes he has made are in part due to the circumstances he has, through no fault of his own, found himself in.


23.) 28 Nov 2023 19:54:59
Mmmmm. A far bigger impact than Fred I would suggest. I accept he didn’t perhaps have the physical attributes of Fred but was far far smarter with the ball, scored roughly 4 times more goals and would suggest had far more assists.

Fred didn't exactly nail down a starting position either to be fair.

I agree 100% that Mata was not the be all and end all. But he was a model professional and that is something we severely lack at the moment.

Just felt it was a little harsh to list him alongside some of the real flops we have recruited.


24.) 29 Nov 2023 07:54:59
Jesus mount a 6 or 7. i'd suggest there's few players that have reached that level in our squad and mason definitely isn't one of them. Not hating on him but i'd call declan rice a 7 out of 10 most weeks mount would be lucky to be a 3 or 4!


25.) 29 Nov 2023 09:15:35
No way are any of those signings in the same league of bad as Antony, shappy Zlatan was a tremendous signing same as Dalot great player wouldn't look out of place at Madrid. Ole made it clear he didn't want the big fella and stuck him up on the transfer list u might think that but he's still 1 of the top goalscorers in Europe what circumstances a few injuries he's had it easy at UTD said before it's a way easier gig than most other big clubs hardly any pressure to get top 4 a wee cup run and you're golden, which with your spending power u should easily get to look at Newcastle last night that's bare bones least UTD can call on international players like Mctom, Lindelof, big Harry. you've a well deep squad compared to most clubs. Wish Rangers could spend 5 percent of what you've spent this season alone.


26.) 29 Nov 2023 13:32:28
Zlatan was decent at best, one good year, followed by one year out injured. On massive wages and stopped any chance of Rashford developing as a CF by limiting his game time in that role. It was also a short term fix, meaning the club still had an issue the following season. If he was signed to be top quality back up or alongside a top class young player who needed a season or two to develop then he'd have been a good signing. Bought to be our main CF means it wasn't a great deal.

Lukaku had already fallen out with Jose and was angling for a move away BEFORE Ole took over. He was disinterested, overweight and lazy under Ole. That effected his form and he was rightfully dropped. He showed no desire or fight to put in the work needed to regain his place, and preferred to look to leave. Why on earth would Ole or any manager try to keep a player like that? Since he left he's had one good season in Italy, followed by three poor ones across both the EPL and Serie A. We paid 75m for him, paid him 250k per week for 6 months of decent performances at best under Jose (the manager who signed him), then sold at a loss.

Dalot has been a decent signing, yet he didn't nail down the position, which is why the club spent a further 50m on AWB. Both are decent players, but neither would start at teams challenging for the title. Dalot is a great squad player, much like Phil Neville was. A player able to come in for your first choice without a massive drop off in quality and a player capable of playing a few different positions/ roles, giving you more options off the bench.

I'm not sure either Dalot or Zlatan could be considered "tremendous" signings.

If you think the United managers job is easy then you are far denser than I give you credit for. "hardly any pressure to get top four"? only once in the past decade have we NOT fired a manager for not achieving top four. Pretty sure that's a fairly pressured position. Don't get top four? Lose your job.

Spending power means very little when you don't know how to spend it. Since Sir Alex and David Gill left the people running the club have been like that bin man who won the lottery, throwing cash around like its going out of fashion but on nothing worthwhile or tangible. Leading to them frittering it all away and ending up back emptying bins when they should have been set for life.

Over 1bn spent on players and only a couple held or increased their value, taking a title winning squad to a bunch of players who aren't good enough to share the dressing room of the best United sides even as a 5th choice squad option.

We've literally spent a fortune to make the squad progressively worse.

If you like Maguire, McTominay and Lindelof that much you are more than welcome to them. None of them are as good as Brown, Silvestre, O'Shea or Fletcher. All of which were not good enough to be regular starters for a Manchester United team challenging for top honours.


27.) 30 Nov 2023 08:20:40
I said that's the only real pressure getting top 4 which with the money you spend you should always be up there of course you should lose your job if u don't get it should also lose your job if almost all of your suggested signings are gash and your team have no style of play need to see improvements not saying TH should be bagged now but he's definitely on a sticky wicket needs to show major improvements in playing style and actually start beating top sides i'd review it at the end of the season as im sure UTD will ye McGuire etc aren't great for what u spent on them but you've still a far stronger deeper squad than clubs like Villa Newcastle Spurs a few injuries should not mess up your season there's no way you should be playing as poorly as you have been . Be a good game against Newcastle they're properly done in with injuries, no better time to beat a decent side and start the ball Rolling i think UTD will do it.


 

 

 

DSG's rumour replies

 

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28 Feb 2024 13:38:19
I thought Tuchel did a good job at Chelsea and PSG and comes across well in his media appearances so would support him replacing ETH.

DSG

 

 

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06 Feb 2024 07:57:08
Yes at the grand old age of 28 he should consider retirement.

DSG

 

 

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06 Feb 2024 06:38:28
Hes tried admirably to curb the excesses in his game but he doesn't look the same player now as when he joined and his numbers have dipped a lot now that we don't get anywhere as near as many penalties.

Would be right to sell him, Casemiro and Varane for decent money to help with ffp along with Mcterminator and Maguire.

DSG

 

 

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05 Feb 2024 12:10:06
Joao Palhinha hopefully one we are looking at.

DSG

 

 

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25 Jan 2024 17:59:22
I think the club should have a policy of not signing full time podcasters who play football in their spare time.

DSG

 

 

 

DSG's banter replies

 

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05 Mar 2024 16:35:34
Always maintain the most worrying game of the season was the first Monday Night Football when we played wolves and conceded 25+ shots on goal.

We had our full team out and ETH went with his first choice midfield of Casemiro, Bruno and Mount and Wolves walked right through us.

Throughout all the injuries which have been a lot granted we have always looked too easy to play against.

Shappys lengthy points don't hold much water imo.

DSG

 

 

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04 Mar 2024 11:33:39
ETH is not delusional, he did very well in his first season and has been unfortunate with injuries this season.

Also had to deal with the partial sale process throughout his whole tenure and subpar recruitment (which is party his fault no doubt but not helped by murtough and arnold in the first summer) .

I would like to see Tuchel come in as he is better with the media and man manager than ETH but wouldn't be against ETH staying for a third season.

DSG

 

 

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01 Mar 2024 09:49:09
Agree with all the positives, especially been impressed by Dalot this season, not many contenders this year but i would have him down as player of the season.

DSG

 

 

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23 Feb 2024 07:13:04
Tyrick Mitchell from Palace or Rico Henry from Brentford.

DSG

 

 

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19 Feb 2024 07:16:10
Definitely promising signs, front 3 look very lively but midfield is still a major issue, mainoo apart, we are too easy to play against and leave so many open spaces.

Also the reason academy players look so good is they are still taught the technical fundamentals of the game there, which is something we have not prioritised when it comes to external recruitment.

Look at Jonny Evans, Martinez apart probably our most comfortable centre back on the ball.

DSG