Manchester United Banter Archive March 13 2012

 

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13 Mar 2012 23:15:15
I know people will disagree, but hopefully there will be a few believers. I rate Evra still, i think he has been instrumental in or build up play leading to goals. Fair enough he has left a few wide open spaces at the back. But don't most wing backs? I think he has served united very well, and will do for another 2 seasons. He's up there with the best left backs in England for sure.

Andrew

Believable7 Unbelievable3

13 Mar 2012 22:20:42
By the way, is that the same Benfica who are now in the quarter finals and the same Basle who beat Bayern Munich last week?

GDS

You were saying ??

Devil Dust.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

13 Mar 2012 22:13:50
Big game tonight was Bayern showing us how far we've slipped. Basel were an average team who knocked us out. Bayern just stuffed them.

You've got some work to do in the summer Fergy

DodgyBanter

Believable7 Unbelievable1

13 Mar 2012 21:45:58
"Looking forward to the big game on merseyside tonight, will be tough for both teams, though Preston are not in good form at the moment so i think Tranmere will comfortably win! Predictions lads?

JWalk"

- Oh how that made me chuckle! Nicely played JWalk.

The Moon.

Believable8 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 21:12:49
I'm glad we didn't reach knockout stage - based on what bayern are doing to Basel it could have been embarrassing - I think we need a complete rethink of our European approach and get back to what wrkd for us b4

Believable10 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 21:07:28
There is alot of talk about what is wrong with our squad and where we need to strengthen to compete. But i feel the main issue we have with our squad is players who either suffer from constant injuries or inconsistancy, We need a settled team but we have to keep chopping and changing in order to deal with injuries and players who are out of form. How many times do we read that Rio, Owen, Rafael, Fabio and Anderson are out injured again, or how many times do we have to watch poor performances from Evra Nani or Park? Thats eight players who can't or shouldn't be certain of a place in the match day squad due to injuries or inconsissant performances. IMO we need rid of all the above players if we wanna really challange for the biggest prizes.

In defence if we moved on Rio Evra and the Twins then brought in Ivan Piris, Marcel Schmelzer and Yaroslav Rakitskiy then we'd have a good balanced and more importantly settled defence.

First choice of:

Piris_Smalling_Vidic_Schmelzer

Covering:

Jones_Evans_Rakitskiy_Fryers

would give us a good young base of players who would give us a solid platform on which to build on.

In midfield we have Anderson Park and Nani who either flatter to decieve or keep the physio busy. They should go, and be replaced by players who can perform on a consistant basis and to a high enough standard. If we sign Shinji Kagawa, Nicolas Gaitan and Claudio Yacob then we would have a goal threat and a more solid option in the centre and a natural left footed winger. We do need Pogba to sign a new deal though as he would be a massive loss, but if he does move on then i'd look at signing Granit Xhaka to replace him. I feel a 4231 formation is the best way to go, we wouldn't need to sign a striker as Rooney would be pushed further up field which is where he has been most consistant for us, unless we signed a youngster like Angelo Henriquez. Yacob is on a free and would add that bite to midfield that we need in some games without eating into our budget.
Our squad would look like this:

DDG, Lindegaard, Amos
Piris, Jones, Smalling, Vidic, Evans, Rakitskiy, Fryers Schmelzer
Carrick, Cleverley, Scholes, Yacob, Fletcher, Pogba, Tunnicliffe
Valencia, Young, Gaitan, Kagawa, Giggs, Brady, Lingard, Petrucci
Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez, W.Keane, Henriquez

Our match day squad would look like this:

___________DDG
Piris__Smalling_Vidic_Schmelzer
_____Cleverley_Yacob
_Valencia__Kagawa__Gaitan
__________Rooney

Bench: Lindegaard, Jones, Rakitskiy, Pogba, Young, Welbeck, Hernandez

Then we move on: Kuszczak(Free), De Laet(500k), R.Brown(500k), Wootoon(500k), Evra(5m), Fabio(3m), Rafael(5m), Rio(1m), James(1m), Norwood(500k), Park(4m), Anderson(8m), Nani(25m), Bebe(500k), King(500k), Owen(free), Macheda(5m), Berbatov(6m)
That would bring in 66m plus wipe a load off the wage bill.

In: Piris(7m), Schmelzer(12m), Rakitskiy(8m), Yacob(Free), Kagawa(18m), Gaitan(30m), Henriquez(5m)

So thats 80m spent with at least 66m coming back in which would mean a net spend of just 14m and alot better team for it. (I've tried to be realistic with prices and i've put the minimum amount we would get for players and the maximum they should cost for the ones we sign).

Of course this is a lovely plan but will never happen, i expect to see Rio Evra Rafael Fabio Park Nani Berbatov and Anderson still here next season and only a midfielder or two to join along with a couple of youngsters ces't la vie.

Shappy

Believable9 Unbelievable6

13 Mar 2012 20:22:28
Quite a few interesting matches on tonight, i keep flicking between basel and everton. Xhaka, Baines, Rodwell and Fellaini are all involved. If we want a battler in the middle of the park and can't beat the others off of Martinez then we should maybe go for Fellaini.

Rodwell and Xhaka both look alright, but i'd have concerns over signing Rodwell due to his injuries and i think Xhaka looks very slow.

I've been impressed with Fellaini before and tonight (allbeit early days) is no different, he is powerful, can score and pick a pass. Wouldn't be a bad move - but only if he has a haircut. We couldn't have that hair in a United shirt!

Stick between £15 and £20 million in front of Moyes and i think we'd have our man. He'd be useful for the squad and wouldn't warrant a start like a more expensive option would. A more expensive target like Martinez would probably command a start due to his massive transfer fee (a bit like Torres when he went to Chelsea).

I might get slated for this, but overall, Fellaini would be a good choice for the club!

RedDevil19

Believable5 Unbelievable9

13 Mar 2012 20:22:00
Mathias Pogba has just scored for Wrexham - it has to be a sign his brother will sign his contract - lol

Believable10 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 20:16:03
Who do all the people on here believe will get the number 7 shirt,Owen will be gone,i believe owen was only given it because no-one in the squad was good enough to wear it and saf knew owen would hardly ever play so saf practically retired it without upsetting anyone by passing it to owen,who saf new would never get to feel the pressure of wearing it as he never plays.Could it be Nani's time,young maybe or a new signing ie Hazard,joeyored

Believable0 Unbelievable1

13 Mar 2012 20:11:07
Surprised Everton have rested six players for the weekend. Perhaps they think they will not need Jelavic and Cahill.

Sydney!

Believable4 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 20:05:57
There are a number of hot topics that i would like to give my opinion on:
1. Evra; i personally think evra has been poor for a while now, but i do not think the lb position is priority at the moment. So if we do get a new lb, i think it will be a cheap option, but i doubt a lb will be bought this summer. Either way, i dont see evra leaving until atleast july 2013.
2. Berbatov; from i have heard about berba, i would say he plans on seeing out his contract no matter what. So whether or not united are trying to sell him is irrelevant as he will not accept to be sold to some minnows when he could simply wait a year(maximum), then walk away on a free and sign for another topside for a big wage and mega sign-on fee.

Millz

Believable0 Unbelievable1

13 Mar 2012 19:28:23
What do people think about Andre Ayew as a ready made LB/LM for Evra? Been linked before. And the more I think about Bastos at 28 if cheap enough he'd be able to fill in LB and bomb forward also.

Supasub

Believable0 Unbelievable4

13 Mar 2012 19:17:45
Just to put the cats amongst the pigeons, how about a bid for Raheem Sterling? Would be a good purchase for future and rumours floating round he's unhappy at moment! Plus be worth the banter!

Ports

Believable2 Unbelievable3

13 Mar 2012 18:30:11
Very few people on here seem to think that Evra will be shown the door in the summer. I can understand why people think that, the main reason being that, 'if he is leaving, why is he the captain'. Well, thats purely because he plays every game as we have no one else - therefore we have a regular presence to call 'captain' instead of chopping and changing all the time.

The reality is though he is no longer good enough, two seasons ago he was the best in the world, but he has lost that special something that he has. He is skinned 9/10, doesn't block crosses and often lets Young track back to cover him.

Also, he is not the kind of guy who would be willing to sit out games on the bench or in the stands. The summer is probably the last chance we will get to off load him until his price really dips. Its likely that 4 main targets will be looked at:

Leighton Baines
Jordi Alba
Aly Cissokho
Emilio Izaguirre

Both Alba and Izaguirre have allegidly been contacted by United, that would imply that interest is there. Both of them are better than Evra at the moment as well and have potential to be moulded. Leighton Baines is the best left back in the League at the moment so will probably be a target. And then there is Cissokho, who along with Hazard, was probably the focus of SAF's interest on saturday night in France.

RedDevil19

Believable2 Unbelievable2

13 Mar 2012 18:21:15
Some people on here baffle me, most of us talking on here about some quality players that we want to sign. The topic of the week is Hazard, whose signing i also advocate. Some people though seem to think that signing a player of his quality is unnecessary or would even be a bad move.

I can't understand how people can argue this. The think our squad is lacking is world class players, we have a good set of squad players with a few stars splashed about the place like Rooney, Vidic etc who are world class names. We should add to this set of 'world class' players, Hazard is going to be one of those.

If some squad players have to leave because we sign someone who is truly world class then so be it. The club cannot afford to act on sentiment if a player is past it or a position can be improved. We have to keep improving like all the clubs around us are (apart from Liverpool).

Hazard, or any other world class player should be welcome to the club by all of us, it is what we should be aspiring to. Hazard especially should be welcomed due to his versatility, i certainly would rather spend £30,000,000 on him than a similar fee on someone like Gaitan.

To be the best, you don't always have to buy the best. But when one, who has unbelievable talent, becomes available and fits in with our squad, system and policy then we have to move for them before someone else does.

RedDevil19

Believable7 Unbelievable2

13 Mar 2012 18:04:03
United: Not arrogant just better
City: Not better just arrogant
Liverpool: Neither

DB-Red

Believable6 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 16:20:10
Firstly,

I am entitled to my opinion about other posters and subject matters on this forum, if people don't agree with them then that is fine, I have no problem with that.

But, when RFT drafted geographical nonsense about fans into the debates then well, let's just say I'm not a fan of it. Maybe I conducted what I was saying in the wrong way so If I did then I apologize, however I won't apologize for not agreeing with RFT simply because he supports the same club as me, that's just silly.


I think it's fairly obvious to say that me and RFT have very different personalities and look at things very differently.

So I'll say no more on the matter, draw a line under it, get over the whole thing and let's move on.

Onto the LB issue, I think Evra is a terrible LB defensively and offensively, however I think a player that Sir Alex personally pleas with to stay at the club isn't a player that will be sold 12 months down the line. Sir Alex is stubborn, we all know that...What I can see happening though is similar to what happened when we signed Evra, we'll buy a new LB and slowly bring him into the side while slowly pushing Evra out, then I can see Evra leaving but not in the same manner.

I think Evra will be at United for the next 2 seasons, 1 season the new LB will be rotated and drip fed then I think the second season Evra will simply play as back up which will lead to him leaving to somewhere like Anzhi in the summer of 2014.

The Moon.

Believable2 Unbelievable1

13 Mar 2012 12:08:32
i dont get to watch any reserve games so could someone tell me how ryan tunnicliffe is progressing and is he likely to make the first team please,joeyored

Believable2 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 11:34:46
Interesting to hear De Laet's interview today, its a shame he isn't a better footballer as his commitment to the club is absolute great. We could do with more footballers like him in the world who respect their club and their manager.

Nevertheless, i don't think that he will get the chance that he so badly desires. He, along with quite a few others will be off in the summer i think.

I could probably see these guys are all leaving for sure:

Kuszcack
De Laet
R. Brown
Norwood
James
Bebe
Owen
Berbatov

You could probably see a few more leaving such as Evra if we have the funds available to us. Just a word on Fletcher, does anyone know when he is coming back?

The summer is looking very promising for us, alot of the dead wood will be gone for good i think leaving a good core squad that can be added too. Pogba might just save us a lot of money as if he stays we don't meed a Javi Martinez. We can hopefully focus our funds on signing a new left back and attacking midfielder to complete the squad for the coming season.

The 2013 season will see more transfer activity as more will need to be replaced, Scholes, Giggs and Ferdinand will probably all retire so we will either need to look within and promote good players or splash some cash to complete the squad for a good few years to come.

Overall though we are looking good, the crop of players that we have under 26 look excellent - if anything it shows us that the midfield is the area to work on most as it looks slightly weaker than other areas:

GK's: De Gea, Amos, Johnstone.

Defence: Rafael, Fabio, Smalling, Evans, Jones, Fryers, Blackett, Thorpe, Veseli.

Midfield: Nani, Cleverly, Anderson, Tunnicliffe, Pogba, Petrucci, Brady.

Forwards: Rooney, Chicharito, Welbeck, Macheda, King, Keane, Lingard.

The future is bright at Old Trafford!

RedDevil19

Believable2 Unbelievable2

13 Mar 2012 11:33:02
I would like to say that from watching a few of the Blackburn games recently and seeing the flair and technical ability from Justin hoilett (who i believe runs out of contract in the summer) with the man utd way of bringing the best out of young players he could fullfill that potential he is showing at a club like us, eds do we know if he is a possibility in the summer or if anyone else is keeping tabs on him?

Believable4 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 10:28:02
Chaps/Chapess's,
Left Back: From what I understood/understand, a 'defensively minded' left back is not really on Sir Alex's preference list. Evra, I think, is not going to be replaced any time in the near distant future. With the likes of Young, Park, Carrick, the nature of the team is that the full backs bomb on when they can and then these players cover them if needs be. We also have Fabio, Fryers all proving their right to play at left back so Sydney in particular I find it difficult to accept 'we will definately' sign a LB in the summer. What would make more sense is to sign a ball winner. a mid field maestro, box to box even. Or even a replacement for the likes of Park who gives us something different on the flanks and that added security. Evra has been great for us, he may appear at fault for some of the goals against us this season but that isnt just down to him. Its the lack of ability in the middle of the park to compensate for his attacking ability.
PJJ

Believable8 Unbelievable1

13 Mar 2012 09:50:04
sky sports are reporting that anderson is out for the season, not sure whos more injury prone him or fabio
jred

Believable4 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 09:22:55
Of course Liverpool Trolls are allowed to come on this site and say whatever they like as they are protected by some of the editors like Ed001. But if we say anything bad about them then it is not posted. How Ironic that they are allowed to say we are a disgrace to Europe and they are the pride. Some people need to look back at their history a little and maybe they would wind their necks in. I don't know which i hate most though when you get Liverpool supporters on our site gobbing off or when you get person Manchester United supporters like Moon who lick up to them. Both made me sick. Any way no doubt the editors will not have posted this as it criticises Liverpool and we know that is not allowed especially on a banter site. I AM KLOOT {Ed002's Note - You are making a complete jerk of yourself bleating about this again.}

Believable4 Unbelievable3

13 Mar 2012 08:39:33
Good interview of Kenny Daglish the Guardian today, apparently and according to KD (and I quote) "There are many ways you can judge a season and the best way is progress at the football club as a whole. I don't think it necessarily relates to trophies or points'

IrishRed

Believable7 Unbelievable2

13 Mar 2012 08:26:35
sorry for the copy and paste but read this, another classic from the queen of dippers

Kenny Dalglish has launched an impassioned defence of his record at Liverpool, claiming he should not be judged by the club's league position alone and that kit deals are as important as victories.

CLASSIC!

ms85

Believable12 Unbelievable0

13 Mar 2012 02:17:29
For a moment there, I thought I was on the Liverpool site, with all the talk about LFC. You lot really are sad, talk about your own club for g**s sake, you're just proving that your infatuation of Liverpool FC is even stronger than ever. BILBAO RED.

Believable2 Unbelievable4

12 Mar 2012 23:43:19
MEDICAL UPDATE RE: MAN CITY/LIVERPOOL

For your information, last evening I was called to attend to Roberto Mancini after he complained of feeling a bit dickie and bloated. He also started flapping around like a bird and was screeching “Polly wants a cracker ,” and “who’s a pretty boy then?”.

My diagnosis was that he was feeling as sick as a parrot, and the bloated feeling was due to a huge weight of expectation. It’s what happens when you are knocked off your perch after such a long time.

Liverpool supporters will know all about being knocked off perches!

After giving him sedation, I left him talking jibberish. He was mumbling things like, “Carlos, please come back from the Argentine golf tour”, “my strikers have gone missing” and “I don’t think I like squeaky bum time”.

Unfortunately, my prognosis is for Roberto to feel as sick as a parrot from now until the end of the PL season, and there is nothing I can do.

It was a busy day for me yesterday. I was also asked to provide medical attention to a City fan caught on camera, crying like a little baby at the Swansea game.

I first thought he must be a Liverpool fan who, in desperation, had started to support City (this is quite common). We also know that LFC fans like to cry and whinge at just about everything, and this is a medical FACT.

Anywho, we confirmed he is a City fan suffering from the psychological pressure of being chased down, so to help out I was going to cheer him up by quoting a song from their supporters favourite group Oasis, and tell him to “stop crying your heart out”, and then add my own bit “you whinging saddo”,(note to self; Must improve my bedside manner), but unfortunately I couldn’t help.

He was clearly suffering from, what we call in the medical profession, a touch of the Bertie Magoo’s, a very nasty complaint.

This condition results from being consumed with bitterness. Anyway he did stop sobbing for long enough to get him back home to Stockport safe and sound.

A health message to Liverpool supporters;

Did you know, if Everton win tomorrow night, they go above you in the league? To avoid increasing your blood pressure, I recommend you avoid the current form league table as David Moyes’ lads are are 4th from top, and “King” Kenny’s flops are 4th from bottom…opps, sorry don’t read that bit.

Anyway, if you are suffering from the medical condition called the colly wobbles (symptoms are a sickie feeling, nuts are feeling a bit tight, wanting to go poo poos frequently and a general feeling of many, many, many more years of failure), please don’t hesitate to contact me.

My private medical costs are reasonable. I base my consultation fees on the total current transfer value of Adam, Downing, Henderson, Carroll and Coates. So each consultation will only cost you 2 bob!

More medical news later

Dr Nineteen

Believable5 Unbelievable3