Manchester United Banter Archive August 15 2015

15 Aug 2015 23:21:17
Lets not forget there are still players to leave the club
Extraordinarily 3 keepers are expected to leave that will be 4 in total this summer including Amos, Evans will also leave I'm sure.
Does anybody see any other player leaving outside those mentioned above? Outside bet of fellaini for me

16 Aug 2015 00:43:13
I can't see Fellaini leaving, he was a big player for us last season and will most likely start once he returns.

16 Aug 2015 00:56:17
Felliani will push Herrera further down the pecking order. I thought Mata may have gone but since he has started the first two I think it's unliklely. Wilson may go on loan assuming another frontman comes in.

16 Aug 2015 06:50:14
Missed the game but by the sounds of it looks like none of our strikers will be going anywhere if rooney is unable to carry the load. I think Evans was going but sounds like jones is out again and that might force us to keep him.

DDG will go of sure and so will Valdez. The wig stays and even though people hate the thought of it, with him in the line up we are a lot more dangerous around the oppositions box.

16 Aug 2015 13:17:18
If I had the worlds best players in every position, i'd still have Fellaini in the squad (if he's happy as a squad player)he adds something different and can be a real handful when at his best, Fellaini and Young really won me over last season, they came through when we needed them to. Squad players at best but imo easily good enough :)

15 Aug 2015 21:43:39
No one ever seems to just be greatful for 6 points snap out of this now it's bor

15 Aug 2015 22:52:04
Settle for scraping 1-0 wins with 3 shots on target in 180 mins after spending the best part of £300m?

Have a word with yourself will you

15 Aug 2015 23:40:22
This is a banter site. Don't you think it would be duller if everybody just said I'm happy we got 3 points and left it at that? In fact what would be the point of the site?

16 Aug 2015 07:51:15
Isn't the maximum you can take from a game 3 points we've done that twice spose you would of all been happier if we drew like Chelsea or lost like arsenal then we could be on there level, 2 games in 2 wins our awful defence hasn't let a goal in by 2 tricky fixtures we keep winning the good play will follow, stand-United

16 Aug 2015 08:47:32
You don't see the bigger picture. We won against Spurs with an own goal, were second best for most of the game and had 1 shot on target at old Trafford. Had eriksson scored when he should of we would probably have drawn at best. Then another poor display against villa but a deflected goal won us the game. We still created nothing in the game. We are almost non existent as an attacking force. Play to this level for the season I giarentee u we won't get in the top 3.

What happens when we go a goal down. That's my biggest concern as we have a poor attack. We struggle to break the poor teams down so when we go behind and they put 11 men behind the ball I'm not convinced we will break them down.

But each to their own opinion. You obviously feel everything's rosey after two poor 1-0 wins

16 Aug 2015 10:05:10
Of course the two wins are great but SU is making a good point. When we go a goal down, will our approach change or will we still carry on aimlessly stringing 44 passes and going 10 yards forwards? I'm all for the passing game but it has to have a purpose.
Most of the good teams pass well, but it is the team that passes quickly and dangerously that end up scoring the goals.

16 Aug 2015 10:38:12
Isn't it ironic considering your name is Stand United? In life there are people who only see the negatives in every situation and there are those who try to see some positives even when things are not going too well Your analysis of the spurs game is so naive to say the least, in football, there are no if's or but's, the final result is the only thing that counts. I think Big Poppa is spot on, we have taken the maximum points so far from both games played, what is all the moaning about? Almost all the other teams are struggling with fitness and gelling issues but again, this is normal bcos it takes a while to gather momentum. Even the self appointed messiah Jose, who does no wrong has come out to say his team will start kicking on from September. Traditionally, United are known to start slowly so you will think that having won 2 out of 2, people will relax a bit. The bigger picture for me is, we pick up maximum points from the start when teams are struggling and then when we start performing to our potential, we will already be 4 to 6 points ahead. I am appealling to Beast, (Jmb, Maze, Jello etc) ,Pepgiggs and the rest to relax a little and watch what LVG is all about.

16 Aug 2015 11:50:35
Stand,

If your auntie had a penis she would be your uncle, if eriksen scored his chance we wouldn't have spent the last 10 minutes defending and may have won the game 2-1, you have no idea what would have happened, Spurs weren't the better team for most of the game, they were the better team for 20 minutes and then we scored and we were the better team for the rest of the game until the final 10 when we defended very well against an onslaught.

I don't think people think 'everything is rosy' there are clearly a lot of thinks that need improvement, the players and manager have said this themselves but after 2 wins at the start for the first time in 9 years surely you can understand why some people are feeling quite positive about things? I sometimes get the feeling people are hoping for a loss so they can say 'I told you lvg is useless'.

15 Aug 2015 20:41:04
So this website has mainly turned into the hate rooney and lvg page. Even when the window is open. I think we are all suffering with dangerously low expectations of any further signings now (maybe just Pedro)

Getting back to transfers with just over two weeks left,

Who do people a)want to see b)expect to see

15 Aug 2015 21:37:47
A striker as what we have isn't enough. Wouldn't mind a centre back but no panic buys

15 Aug 2015 21:41:33
I expect ibrahimovic in deadline day that is all :-)

15 Aug 2015 21:51:51
Want to see an alternative to Rooney brought in. But to bring one of world class standard in would mean dropping Rooney. Also want to see another centre back. Expect to see neither of those, expect to possibly see Pedro but that seems only 50/50 at the moment.

15 Aug 2015 22:06:03
We need a striker, winger and experienced cb. At the moment it looks like Pedro is a possibility, but the other two positions are unlikely.

15 Aug 2015 22:09:51
I'd look to sign a quality cb and a half decent striker on loan. Someone that can run the defence ragged and beat a man.

15 Aug 2015 22:12:02
A striker and a defender, that is all! Oh, DeGea going so a solid keeper in Sommer!

15 Aug 2015 22:52:49
Don't think we'll make any more signings .

15 Aug 2015 23:00:36
We need a striker. We don't look too bad at defending at the moment. It's a touch choice between top cb and striker

16 Aug 2015 09:51:01
I think stand united may be right. I'd take Berahino and bolasie at the minute

15 Aug 2015 19:13:34
how good has the 50 mill H kane played.

just watched swansea and have to say even with out bale and lewandowski they play some good stuff.
maybe moon could do an article on monk Philosophy which works well even with out 300 mill

15 Aug 2015 19:34:01
Not sure what you're getting at here, they do play some good football but they still finished below us, and will again this year.

You can play good football with decent players, but there is a trade off - you won't win much. Whereas with top level players, i.e. Bale and Lewandowski, you will play good football and also win things.

15 Aug 2015 19:36:03
Go jred!

Nice avatar btw.

15 Aug 2015 19:50:51
Jred
I get where you're going with this. But you have to consider that teams don't set up against swansea as they do against us(or any 'big club')
Against swansea most teams go for all three points. Against us I've seen teams losing 1-0 and still defending with 9 men even at 80 min.

15 Aug 2015 20:07:56
With respect, I really don't understand the obsession of using 200, 300 mil in any argument. It makes no sense. Net expense is pretty low when you see things as a whole. He sold players who couldn't play to his style and kept and bought players who 'fit' his vision. He isn't just splashing around. He is trying to get players who would suit his desire, and has balanced the books at the same time. With the money United has, of course he will spend big if he feels right. Di Maria was a big mistake, of course.
Everyone should stop expecting a class of 92 to come around and give us a treble again with homegrown talent. Even if we don't have that many, we have quite a few prospects who are certainly being given a chance to prove themselves. I feel LVG is doing things just the right way. A great team is there to see, with some tweaks we are on our way. Remind yourself of the second half of the season when we blew big opponents away. That's the football LVG wants. Its upto the players to deliver. You can't really blame him for the poor touches, finishes or passes players do on the field.

15 Aug 2015 20:33:09
That great football doesn't seem to get them the wins against the good team though, does it.

Some people are way too spoilt with our success over the years and seem to think they're owed something, and that they're entitled to something better.

Just support the team and let us get back to winning before we start demanding pretty football ffs.

15 Aug 2015 21:17:30
I completely agree with you, it's not just a rebuilding job it's a 'cultural' change. We have become spoilt. Van Gaal deserves a medal for stopping the rot as fast as he has. The team he inherited was mostly in decline or sub standard at best, Rooney, though it pains us all to admit it, is a shadow of the player he was a few years ago. Carrick (our stalwart) is sadly approaching the end and our best player is going to be playing in white in a matter of weeks. Supposed fans moan about our lack of 'excitement and directness' but we have been craving the defensive sturdiness and resilience we have been missing since the Rio/Nemanja partnership. He's starting to build a defensive base, shored up our midfield with a World Cup winner and Schneiderlin, brought in potential flare in Memphis and is still looking likely to add Pedro!! What do fans want in this space of time? There will be 2 more signings in this window. COME ON UNITED

15 Aug 2015 22:30:27
Spoilt? Younger fans, maybe. There are those of us in our 40s+, who have doubts about the current direction, and I can assure you, having followed Utd in the 70s and 80s, we're not spoilt.

16 Aug 2015 02:12:02
Gary Monk will go on to be th first English manager to win the EPL.

Unfortunately I can see him succeeding either Wenger or Mourinho within the next 3-6 years.

We'll go with Giggs and let's just say we'll be kicking ourselves.

16 Aug 2015 07:18:24
Philosophy on one side but his treatment of players is quite puzzling and i can't remember a manager that after every game comes out and takes a dump on his players this consistently.

He is not a long term manager for us and i can see him going sooner than later. There are people at the club who think he is very wrong for us and they have a great influence in things. If the results start going the wrong way, nothing is out of the question.

16 Aug 2015 08:28:08
GCU

I have said before he is like the turnaround director who has come in to make quick incisive decisions ready for the next manager. I think in terms of playing staff changes he has got it right so far. There will be pressure even with two wins because we are not playing any decent football, plus there are managers out there without clubs like Klopp and Ancelotti ready to step in with no compensation to pay, both known to play attractive football.

In terms of comparisons with Swansea, ridiculous, they are not under any pressure to achieve anything, a mid table club not expected to challenge with the only aim to entertain their fans. We did that in the 70's and 80's, at times very entertaining but didn't win the big prizes.

15 Aug 2015 18:29:27
Does anyone feel that if we do sign another cb, ideally someone with a bit of gumption, blind will be his worst enemy being the ultimate utility man. He looked pretty decent last night, all injuries aside hopefully he won't get a game at left back providing luke shaw has a blinding season. And our cm looks the strongest it has in years, I say give him the chance. Everyone always how much of an intelligent player he is, well let's se it. I'm fairly confident we can leave midfield to ander. Please give me your thoughts

Cheers

15 Aug 2015 18:49:33
He has excellent positional sense and is clearly smart enough to adapt to different roles. However, he has been caught out a few times already and relies on Smalling to do a lot of the physical work. Players like Costa will be relishing the chance to go toe to toe with him. He will become a target for smart managers who recognise his limitations.

The reality is that a club with ambitions to compete with Europe's best shouldn't be making do with a utility player who has never played at cb before. They should be bringing in a world class defender to form a partnership with Smalling.

15 Aug 2015 18:52:24
I think blinds done well last 2 games especially last night. The back 4 has been pretty solid and deserve to keep their place we definitely need another CB but as long as Jones isn't playing that will do for me.

15 Aug 2015 19:08:57
I think the team structure has been great defensively. And its very difficult for the opponents to get through us. Smalling and Blind are playing a blinder. Hope that continues. We still have Rojo available to come back. One experienced CB wouldn't be bad, because the season is long and tougher opponents are on the way in home and in Europe.
To add more outside what you said,
One pacy attacker should be signed and Rooney should take things into stride quickly. He cannot afford to do what he did last night being a Captain. Form can go but the spirit cannot. How will he inspire the team wearing the armband? He usually takes his time so I am not too worried.
Schweini is playing that unofficial captain role for me. That is so wonderful to see. Rooney better get his sorts straightened up soon. That peformance cannot be accepted again.

15 Aug 2015 19:18:08
Most play one up top, so I wouldn't worry. If we come up against 4-4-2 then it will be a bit concerning, but then we dominate in midfield. Ultimately Blind isn't that big a problem back there for me now. 2 games ago I would have said different, but now I know how much cover LVG is providing, we don't need to worry about the CB position.

15 Aug 2015 19:39:02
We will always need a couple of useful utility players who are willing to cover a few positions and sit out when necessary, Blind is perfect for that role Imo.

15 Aug 2015 22:38:24
I think the fact he can play in 4 different positions(CB,LB,DMF,LW) will see him get plenty of game time.I like him and think he has a big part this year, not the best player in the world in any of these positions but can certainly bit a shift in and hasn't let us down yet.

16 Aug 2015 06:08:22
Murphy he can even play RB. He played there early in his career

15 Aug 2015 16:20:12
When De Gea eventually departs, who fancies Yann Sommer as his replacement?

15 Aug 2015 16:48:58
We have his replacement in Romero

15 Aug 2015 17:18:19
surprised he hasn't been snapped up already - excellent keeper

15 Aug 2015 17:34:34
Yann Sommer would be my first choice to replace DDG.

15 Aug 2015 18:53:26
Come on guys? Romero our number one? Did you see the clip in him warming up and the ball going through his legs? No, sorry, number one material, I don't think!

Yann Sommer is a solid goalkeeper, period and if we just tighten up the defence a little then he's ideal!

15 Aug 2015 19:47:02
ronnie I've seen clips of dea gea get megged in training does that mean he shouldn't be anyones number one?

romero arguably saved us 2 points in the spurs game with 2 good saves

15 Aug 2015 20:30:26
Apparently, De Gea to Madrid, done deal now! I think we got as much as we were going to get, asking for more would have just complicated things?

Glad that's over, now we can move on! New keeper, CB and ST, bring it on!

15 Aug 2015 21:05:28
I'm not saying Romero is a bad keeper, he just wouldn't be my first choice as there are better goalkeepers out there?

15 Aug 2015 21:43:17
We won't sign a new keeper think Romero will have this season

15 Aug 2015 22:53:49
Sometimes a player can surprise you and make the position their own. It's not always black or white. I've been impressed by how relaxed and composed Romero seems

15 Aug 2015 15:40:03
I said before the season kicked off we are going to be very hard to beat (seems obvious). I suspected we will concede less than 25 goals all season, even with Blind back there. We have 2 holders who are exceptional at that role (choice of 3), so we play with a back 6 and only attack with 2-3 players at a time.

Obviously I hate the negative approach and would much rather free flowing attacking football. LVG is my nemesis and epitomises everything I hate about how football is changing. That said the game plan will work, we will narrowly beat the poor teams without tiring too much and we may snatch wins or scrape draws with the good teams - this will be enough for success domestically and in Europe (put your money on the double).

I am changing my view - we will probably win the league, but we will be the worst team (entertainment wise) ever to win it. We have no real strikers, but it doesn't matter as the way we play doesn't need a striker. We don't really need wingers that attack like we used to like. We are conservative robots and that is what LVG is making happen. We will win things, but we will sell our soul doing it! We don't even need a top class CB because let's face it how many teams play with 2 strikers now and how many great strikers are out there? I bet there will be less than 5 games all season where Blind is tested and Romero is challenged. Weak players on paper but effective for uber-defensive systems like ours and we have ready made replacement in all the Key positions.

I can't really say much more. I know how we are going to play, I hate how we play, but I still look forward to watching us in the vain hope we "click". We are a well oiled machine, we could beat Villa 1-0 and we could beat Madrid 1-0 playing the exact same way and 9/10 times we will do precisely that.

Most of you want titles over performance so I think you will be happy, I meanwhile will be looking forward to the day we get back our inhabitation. I have to face it that LVG is doing exactly what he is being paid to do, but I don't have to like it.

I'm going off for a cry in the shower now!

15 Aug 2015 16:16:25
I think we will be better to watch as the team gels and becomes more confident.

15 Aug 2015 16:21:54
So you would rather play amazing football and win nothing

15 Aug 2015 16:28:40
I agree that we will be hard to beat and LVG is makng us a well oiled team.
I think his success was in a league were a lot of space and best players were avalable for him.
This can be seen by our performance against better teams last term. However as much as i hate to say it, we don't have
the technical players to play the possession game. let's be honest here, we have players who cannot control a ball properly
(Rooney, Smalling etc). We are far away from Barca and Bayern in that aspect of the game. The main difference being
between barca/bayern and us is the speed. this speed is not necessarily from weight on the pass but rather one touch passing. i don't see
many players of that skill n our team (apart from mata, herrera).

Conclusion: same as beast: we will be hard to beat but we won't see 5-0,6-0 nils like in fergie years.

15 Aug 2015 16:38:43
There's much truth in this, even though the trophy predictions and beating RM may be a hyperbolic. I've been expressing the view that we will concede fewer goals this season too, although I think it will be more than 25.

We have to hope that from strong and confident defence will spring a better offence, and that better players will be attracted by the opportunity to win trophies. One wonders how much better we might have been had we had a remotely competent #9 last night.

Failing that, you could do what my wife did - become an Arsenal supporter!!!

15 Aug 2015 16:54:00
Beast ,

Love the 'LVG is my nemesis ' line .the Blofeld to your 007 :),

15 Aug 2015 16:56:35
My issue, is if we go a goal down. I just can't see us having the wherewithal to break stubborn teams down, if the players are too scared to take risks. Obviously, I hope I'm wrong.

Sure, as long as we keep scoring first, we'll be alright.

15 Aug 2015 16:56:53
PROBABLY. Completely agree with you. You can see us panicking in the later parts of games and the passing is very poor.
Our forward play is non existent.

15 Aug 2015 17:04:40
In a nut shell - Yes spb.

I'm in my 30's, I don't need to brag to my mates about the team I "chose" to support, I don't have to deal with people in the office ribbing me for my team or vice-versus, basically it is just me watching the team I love and frankly I want to be entertained. I appreciate totally that for other fans football is a vital part of their day to day life and losing on the weekend ruins their week, it doesn't for me anymore.

I don't play for Utd , nor am I paid by Utd - it isn't my career, legacy etc that I need to protect. I want to enjoy the journey my club takes me on. I fully appreciate Utd "winning" things is important to people for different reasons, it fills voids in life, it's nice to feel part of something successful and winning in football can often make other more depressing things less real. But the sad thing is what happens with Utd is out of our control, I am just a bystander like most of us, so I would like to enjoy watching us play rather than feel disappointed after every game, win, lose or draw.

I would rather win ugly at things that directly impact me and my life, things that I have control of. Football is meant to be enjoyable at the end of the day.

I enjoy watching us less and less, it's a pity but I am starting to lose faith with it all, not just Utd but the whole sport, riddled with fakers, liars, con-men, greed and now the core beauty of the game is turning into something like chess rather than a thrilling sport.

This problem will grow and the more boring we become in this fickle world the less we will develop and eventually it will bite us.

15 Aug 2015 17:15:24
LVG hasn't won me over, I know he is stubborn but he is not stupid either. I saw on pre season and especially against spurs the tv camera angles were sometimes from above and you could see how well organised we were without the ball, last night they kept saying it in commentary , last season teams walked through us.

Im going to give LVG the benefit of the doubt and say as the team becomes very tight and compact at the back week after week that LVG will then take the handbrake off, he said in his first interview he knew Uniteds reputation for flair football which he said matched his own thinking. we haven't seen it yet . I can't beleive he is happy with 2-3 shots at goal per game and the crowd restless . but he has to get a solid platform first. boring as it is. but he has to do it sooner rather than later to keep everyone onside. fans/media . as i say he is not stupid

15 Aug 2015 17:16:03
As I mentioned in a post earlier today which never got posted EDs.

the beast is arsene Wenger. play amazing football n win nothing

15 Aug 2015 17:32:17
spb, it doesn't have to be one or the other, mate. There's plenty of middle ground there.

My 13 year old is a complete and utter Utd nut. Completely immerses himself in the club. He's a clever lad who appreciates the tactical intricacies, probably much better than I do.

The first thing he said to me when I got home from the pub after the game, was, 'that was crap, wasn't it'?

Of course he's not going to change his team because of the mundane way we're playing, but other kids will. A lot of our fans around the world, who've only recently got into English football, might. The way we play has a possible knock on effect for future supporters. There's so much more to distract them nowadays.

The club owes the fans success, but it also owes them a way of playing that doesn't send them up to their rooms before the final whistle, to play on their Xboxes.

I remember the trophy-less years of the 70s and 80s, but even then, there was a flair about the way we tried to play, which is why we've always attracted new fans from outside Manchester.

All I'm saying is, there's a happy medium. It doesn't have to be success OR exciting football.

Sorry, I'm still hungover, and I've rambled on a bit.

15 Aug 2015 17:40:46
There's been this debate in football for years, system over individuality.

The point is a strong defence wins titles.

His ajax team was one of the best teams I've ever watched. let's see how things look in a few months. As someone said above teams used to walk through us, defensively last season we were a shambles. Just bring in a striker and sort the wings out

15 Aug 2015 17:43:33
Beast ,

If you'd been watching United during the 70's and 80's when we were doing well to win a cup once every 5 years while the Scoisers won everything , you might have a different view of the importance of winning

15 Aug 2015 18:25:09
Beast,

The answer is simple for you, if you don't like football anymore and you don't like the team you support then just don't watch football. I support united and I go to every game because I love it, if we lose it doesn't ruin my week but I get annoyed for a while and you wouldn't want to be around me, that's how it should be as a fan.

You see football as a hobby that you don't enjoy anymore which is totally fine, I see football as a way of life that I don't have any choice about, when united play I'm doing everything I can to watch it and if we win I am happy in myself, not so I can brag at work, but so that I can be happy, united winning makes me happy, always has and always will.

How you feel about united is a bit like how I feel coming on this site, it's a hobby that is quickly becoming boring with the same posts over and over after every game and coming on here after a win to see people do 2 lines about positives and 20 lines about how bad Rooney was is a little depressing.

15 Aug 2015 18:57:59
beast and noucamp, i understand the frustration, i sometimes say the same things use have pointed out, but were winning, once we get a rhythm and we starting becoming more confident and the players are fully gelled i believe the football most people are screaming out for will come.

15 Aug 2015 19:11:24
GDS totally summed up the mood on this site. EDs should consider having a different page for Rooney bashing.
Hw is it that people actually write so negative about the team they support and love. criticism only gets u that far. but if u only criticise. people actually stop listening and treat u as a joke. that's wats happening with beast here.
There were so many positives in the game yesterday and when u visit the site, all u hear is we didn't bang in a 100 goals n v were boring. n of course Rooney was poor.
Can v not for once look Fr d half full positives. let's wait n c where v r come January. in my case I'll still b supporting lvg n d crew even if v r boring. v r United. n d only United way is the "winning way".

15 Aug 2015 19:13:56
GDS2 - You haven't picked up what I am saying at all. I have dedicated a hell of a lot to supporting Man Utd my entire life, I can't just throw that away because all of a sudden I am growing bored. This isn't an immature rant, it's a genuine issue. Noucamp sums it up perfectly.

I don't want to get into the game of "who loves the club more" or "who would do X to watch a game", the point is I would have done almost anything to watch us play, now the reward for the effort/sacrifice isn't the same and that is worrying, because I haven't changed as a man that significantly. The whole game is changing, but our club's transition from great to watch to dreadful to watch has been rapid. The decline of our global appeal will mirror that if we only focus on the winning and not the entertaining.

I'll never stop supporting us, like I will never stop expecting our club to be pioneers in providing attractive, entertaining football. LVG won't ruin it for me short term, nor will the money men long term.

The analysis is almost more fun that the watching now!

15 Aug 2015 19:14:10
I WANT IT ALL AND I WANT IT NOW

15 Aug 2015 19:57:21
"LVG is my nemesis." I think for him to be your nemesis he would have to know you existed.

15 Aug 2015 20:02:00
GDS - Buddy I have been on this site for ages, but your post has to be the most relevant post I could connect to. I myself am no beacon of positivity, but this is what it is. United is not a choice, it is something that will wake up with me the next morning and all mornings till I am a vegetable. People need to lighten up. There is a way to voice displeasure and I like the way Jred does it.

Deeps

16 Aug 2015 08:56:12
As someone who started supporting the club in the late sixties I have seen it all. I have been through years far far worse than we are seeing, yet there was always an understanding the club aim was to try and play good football, football taught by Matt Busby, probably the only exception was the Sexton years when calculated tactics didn't entertain anyone. In fact at times some sat down on the terraces to read programmes it was that dull. It is an entertainment industry and the two games so far this season have not met the word entertainment, it has been a war of attrition. The crunch for LvG will not just be winning but whether we start losing interest in the places we are trying to sell into, likely the marginal fans in the Far East. Decline in interest because we are dull is not good for the corporate image I would imagine, are Chevrolet and Adidas going to be happy showing us as a shining example in their portfolio when it is dreadful to watch, that will bring pressure on LvG that only major trophies will alleviate. At times in the seventies it was hard to be a fan , a lot lot harder than now but I kept the faith and enjoyed the Renaissance under the Doc because the football was refreshing, it was the United way.
I think the Beast has one thing very wrong by saying the change from great to watch to dreadful has been rapid. This is another dig at LvG and actually wrong. SAF,s last few seasons were declining and we haven't played really good football for about 5 seasons so it is not rapid as Beast would have you think. It needs to improve that's for sure because it is a global entertainment business and not the 70's local Manchester football club with fans who turned up whatever the fayre on offer.

15 Aug 2015 14:29:16
OK. I give up. We're not going to sign lewandawaski or ibra so I'm going to sink as low as I can and plead to sign Lukaku. Mood fever? Yes it is. Anyone is better than Wazza in that system and might even give him the kick in the arse he needs.
Won't happen of course. It seems we're quibbling with barca about pedro's price. So now that our nett spend is virtually nil and especially if ddg and hernandez leave, we have the proverbial £150m to spend and only 15 days left.
Hope we can get the right players in.

15 Aug 2015 15:31:26
Well said.

15 Aug 2015 17:02:28
Ah Maze. But 4 people disagreed so they're obviously content with us having no striker, no right winger, no players of "real" class.
But we have £150m to spend and we're keeping it in the bank!!

15 Aug 2015 22:02:59
For me Lukaku would be a great signing. Young, powerful, and prem proven.

{Ed025's Note - hands off ruud.. :)

15 Aug 2015 13:43:42
So according to some of the rags, Pedro doesn't want to join because he is scared of Van Gaal and isn't impressed with his treatment of De Gea.

If this is true, it can only mean City have offered him more money IMO.

I genuinely hope we don't sign this guy now if there is any truth in these rumors.

I think the over usage of estrogen in Spain is creating a nation of wimps.

15 Aug 2015 14:13:49
If Pedro is afraid of LVG, then no players should join Chelsea as long as John Terry is there as they get scared of how he treats their respective girl friend or wife.

15 Aug 2015 14:22:03
giggs ?

15 Aug 2015 14:22:55
LOL maestro.

I hope this story is just media bull; but it is being reported in several tabloid rags so who knows. It just seems a bit funny that now those mercenary bitters are involved, he is having second thoughts.

15 Aug 2015 14:38:20
British Open golf should be cancelled as long as a tiger hides in the greens. tiger is the king not terry not giggs.

15 Aug 2015 14:57:51
Not being funny, but if you believe the media LVG has handled the Degea issue appallingly. One week he says I hope he stay, the next he says he is to mentally weak to play. According to the papers he banned him from travelling to villa and has made train with the reserves.

V Valdez was brought in, given one chance to play and only because degrade was injured and then not taken on tour. Kicked out the first team changing room and pretty soloist the club.

Herrera, one,of our best players last season, always gives 100%. Left out of a lot of games last season, brought in and finished the season really well. This season back on the bench.

Not a great endorsement to join the club. Then you have the issue that everybody supposedly knows what the release clause is. If you really want the player, then all you do is pay the price and get the player. We are said to be trying to haggle/ chip away at the price. Maybe the player feels we do not really want him as we are not paying the price. Which let's be honest is pretty reasonable for a player of his ability.

I like most of you only want players who want to be here. We don't need another DiMaria, but I feel some of the comments above ignore the obvious interpersonal issues going on at the club and let's be honest everywhere LVG has been he has upset players, destroyed team harmony and generally been sacked. As a consequence.

Based on last season and the style of play this season (I accept only 2 games played) I would quite happily see the back of him. Klops style of play would seem a much better fit with the Utd heritage and he seems to be a good man manager. You don't see too much negative press about him. I support Utd because they entertain like no other. van Gaal is destroying my love of football one week at a time.

15 Aug 2015 15:00:11
Pedro will be looking at how LVG is ruining the careers of others by playing them out of position, telling them to not play thier natural game, how he is treating the players behind the scenes and the way he publicly attacks his own players.

15 Aug 2015 15:32:33
LOL

Maze, whose careers are being ruined by the manager?

15 Aug 2015 15:44:01
I couldn't disagree more, Huggy. I think the manager is perfect for the club at this point in time.

At the end of the day, we all see things differently. I see a manager in charge with similar virtues to the man who lead us to unprecedented glory. I see a man who is building something strong; something enduring. Yes, there will be bumps; but as time goes on those bumps will flatten out.

I sometimes wonder if people are truly analysing the situation. We have effectively built a new team in a year. The manager has implemented a new style and way of playing into the club. These things take time to gel and form. But, IMO, we are now seeing the manager's plans come to fruition; but we are not quite there yet.

15 Aug 2015 16:10:04
The only rag that's saying about pedro having second thoughts is the guardian the rest are just jumping on it. I'm sure we will find out either way sooner or later

15 Aug 2015 13:36:38
MOTD fever or not, Lukaku is currently showing Rooney what a CF does. Am saying this in full appreciation of the fact that the two goals are his 5th and 6th in 25 games

15 Aug 2015 12:34:09
When you look at the impact Darmian has had and the quality of Italian defenders traditionally, are there any Italiam centre backs worth signing beside obvious ones like Chiellini ?

15 Aug 2015 11:17:03
A lot of Rooney debate going on and this is my two penneth;
I see a lot of folk saying it's not Wayne's fault, the system doesn't help him etc. the fact is the best players adapt to whatever system and whatever players are with them. We can't keep saying he's a #10, no he should be the main striker, no he needs another striker with him, it's excuses, if your good enough it doesn't matter.
Last nights performance from him wasn't just a one off this has been a multitude of games that his touch, passing and running have been woeful, last night just highlighted this further.
Do we need to create more, yes we do, but when the player isn't in those positions, when he does get the ball in dangerous areas he needs to be making the most of it, he's not, as sad as it is to say he's one of the weak links in this team.
I know lots will jump to his defence now and I want him to turn it around but I've said for a couple of seasons now Rooney is in decline and the evidence is their for all to see. We need to buy a striker or at least start using Wilson and Hernandez more because as it stands wether he plays average or not he's getting picked regardless and in my opinion Wayne Rooney is detrimental to Manchester United moving forward.

15 Aug 2015 12:53:31
Completely agree

15 Aug 2015 10:35:30
I met with a friend of a friend for a few beers last week who has been at OT for many years as part of the training staff.
Obviously one of my first questions was who was coming but he had no idea as the manager never speaks about it to the players, but had heard a lot of rumours that they were trying hard for Bale, but what he did say is that OT it is not a happy place under LVG leadership and there is much unrest in the changing room, the players do not like his 'philosophy', the attraction of playing for Utd has always been fast, attacking, exciting football, defend well and attack on the break with lots of width and LVG is trying to change this with his possessional game. He told me that Sir Alex had a way of speaking to every person within the club and made them feel appreciated and special but LVG has no interpersonal skills at all and the players feel they are constantly being treated like children and spoken down too, this is the major reason why we are not bringing in players we want as word is getting round that this is not the place of old as players obviously speak to players of other clubs and they are put off with what they are hearing, he felt we will struggle to win anything this year as the team spirit and players bond is just not there as it was with AF. Man Utd is one of the biggest clubs in the world, can and will pay higher wages than any club in the world and yet cannot sign the players needed, he said people must be starting to question why ?!?

I asked if Giggs was being 'groomed' to succeed LVG, he had heard a whisper that Pep G was being lined up for next season if LVG fails to deliver and Giggs would take over from him as they feel he needs more time to gain the experience and guidance to succeed.
He also said that Phil Jones 'thrombosis' is a serious condition that was missed when he first had his medical and that this will stop him flying to any matches as between each flight he would need considerable rest and this may halt his career at Utd.

15 Aug 2015 15:07:07
Wow best post I've read on here forever! Had a feeling that was going on and you can tell by my name how happy I'd be with pep and giggs!!!!!

15 Aug 2015 18:44:00
I love comments like that i still think Ancelotti may be looked at as well 😆😆

15 Aug 2015 10:26:43
I thought last night we looked ok.

- Memphis looks like he is not far from being a special player reminds me of Ronaldo in his early days.

- Rooney was more of a Rodney but. Why did we sell RvP and Falcao with our replacing them?? In this formation both would out shine Rooney in up top but also Rooney would be more effective in the 10 role. It makes me question LvG's logic and behaviour.

- Blind looked good at LCB, positioning was excellent and his passing out was top class.
- Smalling, Shaw and Darnian where good too.

- Schwieni looked like the boss when he came on. Schneiderlin looked composed.

- Romero looked solid

- I think we need to sign a Centre forward of the highest calibre my shout would be Cavani but Ibra, Lewandoski would be good. I see Pedro as less important but still a good signing. Otanendi or Garray would also help strengthen the defence.

15 Aug 2015 13:11:54
Agree another centre forward is needed however the sort of players we are talking about are already at one of europes elite clubs who don't need the money and who aren't going to sell to us when there own domestic leagues are about to start. Also, sad to say, if you are the CF at PSG, RM, or BM you may consider that you have more chance of winning the CL if you stay where you are and that a move to manchester at this time just may be a step down.

15 Aug 2015 09:41:29
Villa created very little, I know a few posters were not overally happy with the performance but we seemed in total control of that game from start to finish.
Two wins from two games and some very good performances particularly are back 4.
Very happy.

15 Aug 2015 08:46:00
Firstly really happy about the 3 points, that's the aim of the game after all. The defensive organisation is something that really impressed me especially after reading moons lvg report last week. Time will tell if it will be as effective against better strikers but the intelligent setup seems to nullify the forward line. Memphis needs to relax imo he seems to be thinking too much and hos expressions suggest he is feeling a bit of pressure (I could be wrong) he needs to enjoy his game and i'm certain the goals will come. Now I am not a regular to criticise LVG but I think the adnan criticism was unjust as I thought he played really well, not just the goal, which was amazing, composure wise, but he looked strong in his hold up play too. I especially do not agree with LVG criticism of januzaj when he does not address the Rooney issue which was obvious to everyone. The fact he got 90 minutes is proof enough for me that he is untouchable and I just can't think why LVG seems to adopt an entirely different attitude when it comes to rooney. I know posters will defend him to the end but for me replacing him is one of the main pieces in a very slow attacking puzzle.

15 Aug 2015 11:35:59
I'm one of the ones who always defended Rooney. But the last two games he's been utter garbage. Wrong man in the wrong system.
As I've previously said,he'll never play well in this system.

15 Aug 2015 12:50:22
Schmidfield
Is he good enough to change an entire(faulty but improving) system for? If he plays well only with a quicker, more mobile striker in front of him, then I'd rather have that striker alone.

15 Aug 2015 13:03:03
No shots on target for any striker in any league in any team over two games for me is unacceptable regardless of what system is being played. i'm not going to bring up the rooney bashing that soaks up hours of back and forth so I'll keep this generalised.

15 Aug 2015 07:43:51
GDS, I still love you but you were fluttering your eyelashes at Nach last night. I think that the majority of posters probably agree on 90% of things. We need to pick up the tempo, we need a top CB and a top striker. Even on LVG, whilst there are extreme views (that would be you Beast), most are maintaining a watching brief. He's great fun, mad as a box of frogs, but is yet to clearly demonstrate what the marvellous philosophy is. As we saw again last night, posting during or immediately after a game when emotions are high does lend itself to silly posts.

I guess the majority of the 10% people don't agree about would be our Wayne.

15 Aug 2015 07:56:39
Not much rooney can do without any service. We need to work harder in the final 3rd. Dwight Yorke hit the nail on the head about the restrictions lvg places on players meaning they aren't free to express themselves. Swap positions, divert from where they should be, make cutting passes! He hates anyone losing the ball and he said that after the game, but sometimes in order to create chances you need to take risks. He needs to loosen the shackles but his philosophy is pass, pass and pass and do NOT lose the ball! Makes players a bit nervous I reckon

{Ed025's Note - im a massive rooney fan pep but he was very poor last night, his first touch was woeful and he seemed very isolated, for me he needs someone to bounce off and form a partnership with, still a lot of gelling to do to become a solid unit but the signs are promising..

15 Aug 2015 08:12:18
I agree he needs to play behind a striker but we have 6 players who want that number 10 slot and no one good enough to take the number 9 slot! And we all know lvg won't be buying anyone for it either which is annoying as rooney knows he has no competition anymore

15 Aug 2015 08:35:32
Pep. I'm in agreement. As many of us have said for a long time,rooney will not hack it up there on his own. We need a top striker who can hold the ball and score goals.

15 Aug 2015 08:36:15
Pep we can talk about rooney not having service we all see that but when you get paid 300 grand a week and you can't keep yourself fit and do the basics in football like control a ball and keep urself onside it's bordering on neglegence seriously he should be dropped 100 percent and I would take the captaincy off him too give it to BS when he's fit now he's a real leader.

15 Aug 2015 08:57:21
If he is no longer good enough for the striker role in this formation, he has no place in the team. As has been evident for a few years now, his control, short passing and vision are poor. He can't therefore play behind a striker where those attributes are essential. That said, I'll give him a bit more time as a striker, as I am a huge fan of his.

15 Aug 2015 09:00:05
Not going to happen tho is it schmidfield?

15 Aug 2015 09:11:43
Wow nach73. Strong opinion, I won't get on your back and argue put you down (like a select few people love to do on here) as we are all entitled to our opinions. fair play. Swienstieger looked like a leader last night that's for sure but he will start less than 50% of our games if Carrick is fit so he can't be given captaincy

15 Aug 2015 09:37:07
Bit strong Nach, I agree the main issue is probably fitness, he needs to get sharp and then we might see the Rooney we know is in there

15 Aug 2015 10:05:14
Don't you also get fed up with red app and sourness everything do to with Utd is negative, if pool ad won the first two 1-0 despite issues it would be wonderful

15 Aug 2015 10:06:41
The rooney issue just annoys me lads.I honestly think he's got photos of lvg cheating on his wife and is blackmailing him for a game lol

15 Aug 2015 11:20:39
take the captaincy of rooney because he is not fit and give it to BS when he is fit ?

that will be the unfit over weight BS

15 Aug 2015 07:37:41
2 new signings for buyern would hsve improved us significantly, vidal and Costa!!!! Then 3 of their main players who would improve us significantly muller, lewondowski and robben! Out of all of them who would you prefer the most? Il vote lewondowski (muller a close 2nd)

15 Aug 2015 08:14:51
As usual I find myself having to ask the same person probably who disagrees with anything I post just to try and annoy me, what is to disagree with? Do you think vidal and Douglas Costa wouldn't improve Us? Or robben, lewondowski or muller?

15 Aug 2015 08:22:50
Robben
Müller
Lewandowski
Costa
Vidal (Now we have alternatives)

In that order

15 Aug 2015 08:40:18
Lewandawaski is our biggest need. But the "stubborn one" as I shall be referring lvg from now on, will not be buying a striker. So we're screwed

15 Aug 2015 09:00:16
Muller 1000000000%

15 Aug 2015 09:39:03
We bought Morgan instead of Vidal, younger, prem experienced, no issues of settling in or language barrier and no injury concerns so I'm happy with that.

Costa not sure on when we have Memphis out of position and Januzaj and Andy p who need game time.

Robben yes but think that boat sailed long ago.

Muller, like bale, clearly isn't for sale.

Lewandowski I don't think is for sale this close to the window closing and we won't buy a top striker as Wayne can't have his nose put out.

15 Aug 2015 09:42:16
Schmidfield,

Do you actually believe that or do you think we have tried to sign the strikers we think will improve us and are receiving a 'not for sale'? We have been linked to lewandowski and muller, so much so for muller than someone from bayern had to come out to say he's not for sale, that doesn't sound like we aren't trying to buy him to me.

Maybe we just don't want to sign the wrong players and are trying to sign a player from the very top level. I don't know this for sure but you don't know for sure that he isn't, and don't say he has said it in press conferences because he says a lot of nonsense in press conferences.

15 Aug 2015 07:21:12
Good result. 6 points in 2 games. can't ask for anything more.

Not talking about the positives as we all know what they were.

Regarding Rooney, yes he had a bad game one of his worst in recent times if you ask me.

His first touch was extremely bad and he slowed us down.

But his most major flaw which really hurts us is his inability/unwillingness to run at a defender. How do you expect to create space if your main striker is not able to push the defenders back?

We all saw yesterday for all of Matas(i was in favour of dropping Mata) issues his passing and ability to create chances is above all his negatives. He couldve easily had 3 assists yesterday had Rooney and Memphis taken their chances.

We need to play Chicha more IMO, he can't be worse than Rooney was yesterday that's for sure.

15 Aug 2015 07:48:07
MB, not sure Chica is the answer. Part of the problem is the way we play, have we got to the byeline yet? Chica's touch is woeful, he was a great fox in the box in his 1st year but after that looked out of sorts. Rooney also looks a bit distracted, he certainly doesn't look happy right now.

15 Aug 2015 08:23:05
I agree AJH Chicha is certainly not the answer. But we won't find out if he does better or worse than Rooney until we give him a chance.

Hope we sign a world class forward.

{Ed025's Note - i think 2 up top is the way to go myself MB.......just as a point of order guys, ED004 is on holiday at the moment so posts directed to him will not be answered for a week or 2..cheers..

15 Aug 2015 08:44:23
MB and ajh. We need a striker who is prepared to make the runs and pull defences OUT of shape. Rooney is too static. Nowhere near enough energy.

15 Aug 2015 09:40:40
Schmid, is he fit though? He looks lethargic to me. I take the point though, even when fit he doesn't make penetrating runs.

15 Aug 2015 09:45:38
Muller is that striker I think that is why we are trying to sign him but struggling.

MB 'not talking about the positives because we know what they are' so will talk about Rooney which everybody else has done all down the page, surely we know what the negatives are too. Enlighten me with some positives, I have loads.

15 Aug 2015 10:10:05
GDS at this point i do not want to talk about the positives and wanted to talk about few points that concern me.


If that makes me come across as negative then fair enough. but that's just how it is.

15 Aug 2015 06:13:13
Noucamp refers to Rooney's waning abilities, so perhaps we should now consider calling him Wayning Rooney.

15 Aug 2015 02:38:20
First of all, well done to the lads for grinding out the result and being so solid defensively. It's a start and I believe LVG is just building the foundation for us to push on.

In saying that, we seem much too laboured in possession. Gary Neville was touching on it throughout the match. There is no need to be so slow when passing the ball around. We were openly inviting Villa to press us and gave up possession far too easily. You could see LVG was not comfortable with the way we were passing. I do think however that with the victories will come confidence and we will see some more fluid and quick passing.

I didn't want to jump the gun in the first match but Rooney's role in the team is KEY. There were plenty of occasions today where his extremely poor touch was letting the team down and potentially dangerous attacks were being wasted. It is up to him to control the ball and bring the other attackers in to play and create space for them. He must do better. Beast has touched on it previously and he is correct. He is being paid 300k a week so it is just unacceptable now. We should be seeing world class performances from him week in week out. LVG is ruthless and I really cannot see him keeping his faith in Rooney much longer. I love him for everything he has given us but how much longer will fans stick by him?

Basti and Herrera give us so much more when they play. Basti was immense when he came on and didn't give the ball away once. On top of this he was actively looking to set up goal scoring opportunities. Absolute leader in the middle of the park. I would love us to play 433 and have him, Herrera and Schneiderlin start. Also a very big well done to Blind. I'm sure LVG doesn't see him as a CB long term but he has performed really well and his passing from the back was really good. Memphis was very unlucky with his chance and on another day it would have gone in. I'm glad Januzaj got on the score sheet but he was shoved off the ball for too easily and LVG hinted at this. He needs to be much stronger on the ball. We need to sign a striker which can hold the ball up and score. This should also give Rooney a kick up the backside hopefully.

It's early days but I am loving the team work and really hope we kick on now. Onwards and upwards!

15 Aug 2015 01:16:59
Didn't watch the game but sounds like another 1 nil scrape which is alright by me, Blind was given man of the match which appears to go against a lot said on here although I still think we need a specialist quality cb such as Garay, Otamendi, hummels or 2 of them. Lvg I believe and admittadly only has a year or 2 left and won't want to go out on a wimper. Whatever happens he is baby sitting for whoever else comes in (klopp, pep or mourinho, in that order for me). Do you you think Lvg gives a sh*t ànyone thinks about what he's doing. He's clearly his own man and hopefully in à year or 2 we might even be saying what good he did for the club. His stance on De Gea is manipulative and a little clever in regards to our club. No one is bigger than the club even him which be is demonstrating.

15 Aug 2015 00:44:51
Have to say from what I've seen the first two games, the defence looks so much better with a fit Shaw and a proper right back in Darmain, who I think considering it's a new league has taken to it very well. He looks a very good player to me. Hopefully smalling keeps progressing like he did last season. That leaves the LCB role where Blind is doing an ok job for now but against tougher opposition will get found out IMO. Jones and Evans are not united quality and should be sold while Rojo looks a squad player at best to me.

I think with Schneiderlin sitting in midfield it's also offering better protection to the back four. I would still like to see a CB signed. But could live without if for now.

In midfield, it really annoys me Hererra is left out. For me he was our best outfield player for the second half of the season last year. He bring energy, tempo, good on the ball and is positive. As good as carrick still is I have been very impressed with bastian in his appearances. I think he needs to get fitter before we see him start games. But he brings a calm and leadership to the midfield we have lacked in recent years. I'm a big fan of Mata although for me he should be playing the number 10 role.

My main problem as you all know is with the CF role. I don't think Rooney is good enough and have never thought he's reached his full potential. If it was down to me is like to see him moved on now. He's been a great player for us but his time is up as far as I'm concerned. Now eds have told Us Lewandowski could be available. If so then I would go all out for him. Add to that a winger of say Pedro, Griezzman, Reus. So two attacking players in with Rooney leaving.

I'd then set us up with Darmian, smalling, Blind, Shaw as the back 4. A midfield 3 of Schneiderlin, Schweiny and Hererra. And a front 3 of Depay, Lewandowski and Pedro/Reus/Griezzman
A bench then of Rojo, Valencia, carrick, young, adnan, chicarito. Looks very strong to me and I think that team could compete.

So what I'm saying is we're not a million miles away, but with one or two signing in the right position we could be challenging. If those positions aren't addressed it will be 4th again this season.

15 Aug 2015 01:00:58
stand
ed2 said on the arsenal page things have changed lew will prob stop at munich .