Manchester United Banter Archive October 16 2012

16 Oct 2012 23:26:21
Some time ago, I said we made a mistake letting Oliver Norwood go. I think tonight proved the point. He can pass as good as anyone and is a very good choice from free kicks. Another one not given a chance saf. NoMidfield
NoMidfield

He's playing at Huddersfield, if he was as good as you say he is then for one we would never have let him go, and two he would be back in the Premier League with a Swansea,Norwich etc.

RedKnight

Norwood was offered a contract by the club.He decided to go

No we didnt. Petrucci is twice the player oliver was and he isnt guetting a chance. he would have been a squad player at best. I see him doing a darron gibson and becoming a decent midtable premier league player.

Mick

So because a player had one good match you have been proved right that we shouldn't have let him go? Don't you think if he was good enough he would be playing at the top level now? We need world class in our midfield, Norwood is no better than fletcher, Carrick, Anderson, kagawa, Cleverley or Rooney in that position.

GDS

He is not mobile enough to play for United, he also lacks defensive abilities that are critical to being a successful Manchester United midfielder. Norwood knew he wouldn't make it at United hence the reason he chose to leave.

Sydney!

Completely agree with Sydney! Norwood made the tough decision to leave where others don't, my case(s) in point Macheda, King, Brown etc. could all go play at Championship level, but cling on to some delusion that they could still make it for us. Good on him I say, he could prove to be a good Premier League player, he could end up as a Football League journeyman, but at least he's gone and tried to make it happen somewhere that he'll have the opportunity to do so.

16 Oct 2012 21:59:21
The international break is not as boring as i thought it would be. Germany just conceded 3 goals after going 4-0 up!

1- Wales lost 2-0 against croatia and luka modric was immense. Wales looked clueless and Joe allen was taught a footballing lesson by Modric. Bales was decent.

2- Daniele De Rossi, as per usual, is looking immense. I think we should go all out to get this guy.

3- Watching N Ireland play Portugal, Evans is looking so much like a young rio its unbeleivable! His anticipation and the way he plays the ball out of defence is very impressive. Norwood is looking dangerous everytime he gets the ball, his passing, vision, and dead ball delivery is extremly good for a 21 yo. I think h's gonna make a decent premier league player.
And Nani, dear me. He just has so much skills but his delivery is pathethic. he hit the first defender 5 times. Unbeleivable. Moutinho is looking lost in a creative position.

4- I dont know about you but i really havent been overly impressed with kevin strootman. I agree last year he improved a lot but he seems a bit out of form ever since the season began. Havent looked impressive so far.

Mick

PS: Germany are drawing Sweden. Unbeleivable.

So proud to be from N.I tonight, jonny was very good and he is looking great this season, but again nani playing bad and making very average players look good, just being honest, love our northern irish team but we are very average.

Aaronaldo7

No wonder Germany lost a four goal lead. Attempting to draw an entire country while playing a football match is a very poor strategy.

Danny Pughnited

So proud of the N.I lads today - we havent had much to cheer about over the past year but last night every single guy can be proud.

We are not the biggest or greatest footballing nation but the players put the heart and soul into the jersey and results like last night make you proud to be from Norn Iron - Evans was a rock in the D and will make united and N.Ireland better with the more games he plays - we rode our luck at times but very unlucky not to come away with one of the greatest victories in recent time - great stuff.

Giants14

16 Oct 2012 20:06:00
Reus looks some player and what you would want from a winger. Nani should watch him and learn how to play as a winger. Germany opening up the swedes with ease.

Shahram

Ooooooooooo the swedes strike back

16 Oct 2012 18:06:42
If Yaya leaves City are screwed :D

James

Is he leaving?

No, they're not.

J Bones.

16 Oct 2012 13:35:44
This would be dream team for the 2013 season. Would mean bringing in three players between the January and Summer windows. I think it would be one of the strongest attacking line ups we've seen in quite some time, and a decent defense as well. There would have to be some outs as well of course (i.e Nani, Anderson, Bebe, Macheda and maybe Young). Let me know what you think guys...

-----------De Gea-------------
Raafel-Smalling-Hummels-Buttner
------------Vidal--------------
--------Ozil-------Cleverley----
-----------Kagawa------------
------Rooney-----Van Persie---

I would count Ozil and Hummels as attainable, not sure about Vidal as he could be very pricey. But there would be cheaper options for that positions (M'Villa, Wanyama). Ozil would add so much to the team, he's one of my favorite players in Europe at the minute, so calm on the ball and great vision. Hummels needs to be in our team, i couldn't think of anyone to replace Vidic when he decided to retire or move on. After a season playing together, we should see a really good link between Clevs, Kagawa and the front two. We would also have great depth with the likes of Powell, Petrucci, Hernandez, Henriquez and some of other youth prospects (if we manage to keep hold of them!). IMO, that team is a team that could win the Champions League and the PL. What does everyone think?

Andy!

__________De Gea____________
Rafael_Smalling_Hummels_Buttner
________Fletcher/tunners_______
_____Petrucci________Cleverley
_____________Kagawa__________
________Van Persie_Rooney______

I don't think any of these players are must signs with the exception of Hummels (regardless of the Vidic situation).

Don't get me wrong Ozil and Vidal are the best 2 in their positions in world football but Petrucci and either Fletch or tunners will be able to a similar sort of job with a similar effect and it wouldn't cost us between £60-80M (exc wages & agent fees).

My other point would be that we could have this team;

________________DDG_______________
Rafael_____Smalling__Hummels___Buttner
_____________Yaya Toure____________
_______Xavi_____________Iniesta______
________________Ozil________________
____________Rooney__RVP____________

And we'd still spend our time passing the ball sideways and backwards.

Blame the philosophy not the players.

The Moon.

Need a better left back and Vidal won't come and Juve will not sell. I would take Goetze and Ozil and Hummels. Jones can play in front of the back four. However I think Ozil will be difficult to get as he wants to stay at Real and no point going after a player who does not want to come.

Shahram

Nice team Andy. I don't like the fact that Ozil is subbed so often - it does not do him any favours and makes one wonder is he not capable of playing all game, every game. I also think his best position is where Kagawa plays so I cannot see SAF buying him. I think we need a strong Box-to-box type player for this position. I would put M'Vila in the DM position and play Vidal in Ozil's place. This would give a much stronger midfield. Powell would also be excellent in Ozil's position.

J Bones.

Hey Everyone,

Once again seems like forever since my last post. However, I make sure I read the posts at least a couple of times a day to keep myself in the loop.

I love speculating about the quality players we could buy. However, I have learnt over the years to be a bit more realistic. After all I was quite keen on Modric, Moura, Sneijder etc. would love to have Vidal, Hummels, Ozil etc but can't see us having them in place for the start of next year. Definitely don't see either of them coming in Jan and we are probably looking at the best part of £75m.

And it should also be safe to assume that there will be no shortage of interest for players of this quality, thus driving the price up couple with agents asking for unrealistic sums that some of the moneybags such as Chelsea, City or PSG willing to pay.

I think ffp will kick in eventually but there will be so many loopholes that these rich clubs end up taking advantage of, that I don't think any of them will be curbing their spending at least for another 18 months.

To be honest, I am really keen to see some of the young lads given more of a chance in
the senior side. There is so much potential already in our squad.

What ever happens we are going to be there or thereabouts this season when it comes to the major honours.

It going to be an exciting season. I sincerely hope we can curb the knee jerk reactions when things aren't working. It's a marathon not a sprint and if you want to win the league you have to finish above Manchester United.

U-N-I-T-E-D F-O-R-E-V-E-R

"Ozil and Vidal are the best 2 in their positions in world football but Petrucci and either Fletch or tunners will be able to do a similar sort of job with a similar effect"

Moon, your casual throwing in of the names Fletcher, Petrucci and Tunnicliffe, alongside Vidal and Ozil, made me smile a lot. You seem to be saying, 'we can't/won't get Vidal and Ozil, but sure, never mind, we have Fletch, Tunners and Petrucci! They're just as good!'

Seriously?

StevieK

16 Oct 2012 10:35:28
Anybody know a date or, if even, EA Sports are fixing Manager mode on Fifa13? It doesnt progress from May 31st of first season to June 1st of second. It just freezing my xbox and I'm absolutely gutted. I'm even considering taking it back

ALDUtd

Alright pal, EA are rolling out a patch for this either today or tomorrow. Ultimate team was down this morning for maintenance. Career mode freezes are happening to everyone mate, mine does it randomly too.hope this helps.

Whats with all the armchair players on here lately?

J Bones.

Cheers old boy, helps a lot. You didn't leave a name though

ALDUtd

Sorry, names RMD. Armchair players? I play Fifa in my spare time mate, 5 a side twice a week and 11 a side Sat + Sun.

RMD {Ed007's Note - This forum is for talking about real life football. If you wish to discuss video games then we have a forum for doing so:

www.talkvideogames.co.uk/

Any more posts about video games will be deleted from now on.}

16 Oct 2012 08:22:43
Ok guys Stoke is just around the corner now and a lot of players are back from their injuries. My question is who should start? Stoke aren't going to be an easy win after their performances against City, Chelsea and Liverpool you see they can keep a draw or even win.

Best team we can play:

_____________De Gea
__Rafael__Ferdinand__Smalling__Evra
_____________Carrick
________Cleverley_Anderson
___Kagawa_______________Rooney
______________RVP

Valencia would come out later in the game.

We need height so Smalling, Carrick, Ferdinand, RVP and Valencia would give us that defensive option at set pieces.

I chose Anderson and Cleverley mainly because they will work hard, Cleverley is a no brainer, he will have to be starting after his recent performances. Anderson will need a chance and this is the perfect time for him to show off, we will be at home and he will be alongside Tom, who brings the best out of him.

Stoke are going to be hard and please God please don't let our key players get crushed and injured!

-JakeW

If we were to play wingers against Stoke then it certainly wouldn't be Rooney and Kagawa. Valencia and Young would play. Personally I think we will start with the diamond formation and then depending on how the game goes we may see the introduction of Young and Valencia at some point.

Sydney!

Same team that played against newcastle, see if it works again- we were electric at times against newcastle although part of me thinks we need wingers especially against a tight unit like stoke.

Giants14

Imo valencia will 100% be starting ahead of kagawa...stoke are a physical side and i feel kagawa would be left in no mans land, we need a battler and tony ticks all the boxes

Robbo

Is Lindegaard injured? If not i'm sure he will start especially with peter crouch up front no doubt they will be pumping crosses into the box

I like that team Jake although I think Evans and Buttner are both pushing hard for a place .... Like the potential of the fast pass and move between Clevz, Ando and Kagawa and the firepower of Wazza and RVP. That team has entertainment and goals written all over it. Would like to see Powell on the bench too.
PerthDave

I think SAF will play Cleverly and Carrick in a midfield two, and Valencia instead of Kagawa. I can also see him starting with young on the left with RVP on his own upfront with Rooney behind him in the hole. He will stick with Evans as Smalling lacks match-practice. DDG only because Lindegaard is injured.
----------------DDG
Rafael-------Rio------Evans----Evra
Valencia---Carrick--Cleverly--Young
---------------Rooney
---------------RVP
This is the team I think SAF will play. I would like him to play JakeW's team but he is going to play it safe against Stoke, which would be a pity.

J Bones.

Hello JakeW, I posted earlier but it never got through. I think SAF is going to play it safe (in his eyes). He will revert to 4411 with Valencia, Carrick, Cleverly and Young in midfield (he may play Scholes instead of Young and push Cleverly out to the left). RVP up top with Rooney behind him. He may also stick with Evans instead of Smalling. I like your team JakeW but I can't see SAF playing a team like yours against Stoke.

J Bones.

Evans will start ahead of smelling, although back from injury he is probably 3 or 4 games away from match fitness and can't see throwing him in against stoke who are very physical. I also can't see Anderson starting and possible rooney playing alongside cleverly and young playing on the right.

Shahram

We could always play Evans and Rio at CB and give SMalling a run out at RB? This would add to our height against a physical Stoke side and also would give Rafael a little break? (he's played lots of games already for club and country)

Gav