Manchester United Banter Archive May 17 2015

 

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17 May 2015 22:43:56
Judging by LVG comments on De'Gea it seems that big Dave really wants to stay but is torn in his decision over family and especially the missus. His family seems to be okay but the missus seems to just want him to do what she wants.

Pity really

Believable3 Unbelievable0

17 May 2015 23:46:18
A bit ago his family said they loved it in manchester and they wanted him to staynbecause of how they did not want the madrid paper looking into there private lives everyday we will have to find him a fit bird in manchester. Nothing of jeremey kyle

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{Ed004's Note - It seems someone on this site has to man up and take Edurne out of Dave's safe hands.}

18 May 2015 02:03:21
I'll take one for the team.

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{Ed007's Note - Is this a code? Have you spoke to Ed004 on Grinder?}

18 May 2015 07:07:58
I was lured here specifically to distract Dave and keep him in Manchester.

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18 May 2015 12:38:43
I shotgun Edurne. Rules apply. I win. Thank you bery much, i'll expect to recieve her in the post this week. 1st class please, I want her in prime condition, match fit.

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17 May 2015 21:17:22
Hi Eds, how far is Fraser Forster from a return? And is there any interest from Utd?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

{Ed007's Note - It'll be will into next season before Forster's back playing, I don't know of any Utd interest.}

17 May 2015 22:10:12
With De Gea looking all the more likely that he is heading for Madrid I think it would be a wasted opportunity to simply accept a cash offer. Real Madrid have a fantastic squad with several players that would significantly improve our first XI.

Obviously the first names that come to mind are Ronaldo and Bale but after them there are some players that if we bring in would improve us immeasurably.

Instead of a cash offer I really think we should push to include one of Carvajal, Varane, Modric or Benzema as part of the deal because they all play in positions that we need improvement in and they are all top quality players.

Obviously it would be disappointing to lose De Gea but we should use it as an opportunity to improve our outfield players and then maybe whoever is in goals won't have to be called into action as much.

Sorry for the long post but it would be interesting to hear everyone's thoughts. :-)

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{Ed004's Note - I would try to push for a deal of De Gea and around 30 million for Bale tbh. Then spend the rest of our budget signing defensive minded players}

17 May 2015 22:17:41
Would fully agree with this mate. Apart from the obvious two, my choice would be verane. Class player with bags of pace. But as you say, carvahal, modric and benzema would all enhance us massively

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18 May 2015 04:12:54
I would enquire on Benzema if deg is going the other way, Awesome striker and our lot makes us look toothless. Bale will be a long drawn up sag and hope we don't waste the entire summer holding off signings to see if we can get him. Also need to start moving players on as we have so many coming back from loans.

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17 May 2015 21:41:28
I think we should try and get Falcao on a 6 month loan (was being reported in the paper a few weeks back)

Let him have a full preseason with us and see how he plays in a more attacking team next season.

Believable5 Unbelievable5

17 May 2015 22:13:17
He just isn't made to perform in the premier. Players are never the same after the type of knee injury he has had they seem to lose pace and to be honest that was Falcao's forte

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17 May 2015 23:34:46
I think we would all like to see the falcao that ripped chealsea a new one

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18 May 2015 00:38:37
The Falcao that ripped Chelsea a new one was an unbelievable striker. I don't think he relied on pace, although he isn't slow, but his positioning which is still superb perhaps made him look fast. I've lost count of the number of times our wingers and full backs have missed easy oppurtunites to play Falcao in, or missed a really good run. On MOTD a while back, the pundits noted how often he dropped deep to receive the ball, which is the opposite of what you would want a player like Falcao to do, but I always got the impression that was wat Van Gaal asked him to do. At peak form and fitness, he is the best traditional striker in the world. Positioning and finishing better that of the likes of Costa, Higuain, Lewandowski, and put Rooney's to shame. If Rooney wasn't the figurehead and leader of the team that he is, then dropping him, playing fast counter attacking football with Falcao up top, and two of Di Maria, Depay, and fingers crossed either Bale or Reus would be awesome but I just don't see it happening.

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18 May 2015 01:26:15
I really wanted Falcao to succeed. Today again there were a number of chances to play him in but the pass did not come. He must feel the greatest disappointment of all. He hears the fans sing his name every game, he desperately wants to succeed, he has shown a great attitude all season.

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18 May 2015 09:36:40
I too think that he might come good, but if lvg is not going to play him in his best position, on the edge of the line looking towards goal and making runs between defenders, then falcao is never going to succeed here.
It must also be mentioned that he has had nemrous chances and missed them during the course of the season.

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17 May 2015 21:09:02
Gutted to see him go but that's the last time I'll see De Gea at Old Trafford in a united shirt. I have no doubt about that. I don't think the whole De Gea leaving the field without waving to the fans is a sign he's staying put. I think it's more a case of not giving it away and making it obvious to us that his mind is made up already. Don't think he was ever going to give bye bye waves. Falcao was more in frustration. On the subject of Falcao I feel sorry for him in that he's played ten mins here and there, in a side with poor delivery and service! I personally think he will get back to a good standard and hope wherever he ends up is not in the premier league as I feel hell bang the goals in again sooner or later.

As for incoming players, I really hope we get the quality we so badly need otherwise we won't get near Chelsea next year. Althought i'd love the Bales and Pogbas I don't for a minute think either will be joining us. Just hope we bring some world class players into the team

Believable2 Unbelievable1

17 May 2015 20:53:46
Hope de gea saga doesn't drag on too long and if he's going to Madrid then good luck. If he makes one mistake,they'll be on his back. These are young people making big decisions on their future.
I hope he gives United the respect and conclude this saga. And for once, I hope we can get what we he's worth.

Believable4 Unbelievable0

17 May 2015 20:15:14
3rd place is out. Today was a micro season. Dominating but not scoring enough goals. Hope we can make the next step.
Blackett is not for me. He's reminding me of a young wes brown. Jones is not United class. Falcao was a great player but looked a shadow of that player. Not sure Di Maria will cut it in this league.
Positives, hererra, Rojo, young.
This team and manager have got to learn quickly how to be more ruthless. Possession is good, but meanless possession is useless.
If we can turn the possession into ruthlessness, then we have a good team.
Hope the countless injuries were bad luck and hope we have a more settled side next year.
Have they excited me? No.
Have they played great football? No.
Have they improved on last year? Yes.
The pressure is on the manager, players, owners, and fans to deliver next year. And they better do that!!

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{Ed004's Note - I thought Rojo was awful today, distribution was terrible, constantly caught out of position and then was so bad Blacketts had to come on and don't get me started on him. Today was the first time I sat back and thought about how badly we are missing a clinical and dangerous striker. No doubt in my mind that if we had Aguero up top today we would have won. I thought next season we could get by with Rooney as the main striker with Wilson and RVP covering. However, now I'm not sure and also don't know who we could target for that position. Only player I can think of is Lacazette but he is staying put}

17 May 2015 20:22:16
Agree with ed, rojo gave it away often and he looked good when he recovered to make last ditch tackles a couple of times but if he was better positionally today he wouldn't have had to do that. He's been ok in previous games though, think he just wasn't match sharp today he's been out for a while.

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17 May 2015 20:35:27
I would have to totally agree with ed here NM, Rojo was awful today, his lack of awareness is what worries me. He seems to not detect a dangerous moment to well when on the ball. Off the ball he is decent in his defending and maybe more suited to CB. But I wouldn't be at all surprised if he was to leave in the summer.

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17 May 2015 20:37:36
Agree about Rojo thought he was very poor also thought Jones did ok . The only striker I can see thriving in this system is Lewandowski and we have no chance.

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{Ed004's Note - I thought Smalling was very good defensively though he was awful on the ball}

17 May 2015 20:39:29
I don't think Rojo was all that, i thought smalling was the 1 defender that looked good, valencia aswel bossed the right hand side in the first half. Young worthy MOTM.
Poor falcao i feel for him hope he goes somewhere else non epl and regains his confidence.

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17 May 2015 20:40:14
Agree ed4. Talking has to to stop and we have to start taking our chances.
For me, the season has been disappointing. We beat the top teams and lose to Swansea, west Brom.
It simply is not good enough. The players could talk as much as they want, but time has run out and next season, anything but title challenge will be a major disappointment.
Not a good season and hope we can qualify for the cl proper, but I have my doubts.

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17 May 2015 20:04:42
Now its all been decided in La Liga silly season is now about to commence.First move will be Ancelotti sacked and then god only knows!!

Believable2 Unbelievable0

17 May 2015 20:20:42
Does someone wanna let Dave know that Real Madrid have only won one league in the past 8 years? If silverware is a factor here it really shouldn't be.

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17 May 2015 20:42:05
I think we should just respect whatever de Gea's decsion is, he is spanish after all.
We will move forwards and upwards with or without him.

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17 May 2015 19:49:42
very disappointed not to win today but I thought we played well I felt sorry for falcao it didn't work out for him at all but he gave it his all I can't wait for next season

Believable3 Unbelievable0

17 May 2015 19:47:07
Something I picked up on during the game. when DDG was substituted he didn't behave like it was his last game at OT see the difference between his and Falcaos reaction. DDG either wasn't bothered or possibly could he be staying. He obviously knows how we feel about him and the support we've given him I would have thought he would have been a bit emotional or even waved to the crowd he just kind of walked off routinely. maybe a little nod to what his future will be.

Believable3 Unbelievable1

17 May 2015 19:50:18
Clutching at straws

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17 May 2015 19:53:27
I hope your right I seen the same thing he would be a huge loss

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17 May 2015 20:11:33
Not really clutching just an observation may mean nothing, he looked upset that he came off if he was planning on going would he care

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17 May 2015 20:21:31
I said that to my wee lad, too. No Falcao-style big waves to the crowd.

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17 May 2015 20:39:14
I agree for once Jaime I pointed it out to my son I don't think anything is set in stone yet I just hope it gets resolved soon.

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17 May 2015 20:43:03
Hope you're right Jamie. But the season has been one big disappointment. And this caps it off.
If ddg was to go then I wouldn't blame him. I think we look 5 years away from competing on the big stage.

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17 May 2015 22:38:21
Nomidfield,

What's with the negatives? I think we look 2 great summer transfer windows away from fighting on all fronts and this transfer window away from a title challenge.

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18 May 2015 09:45:11
GDS. Not negative. I simply said that ddg will not stay. I think the lure of his girlfriend and his home country is too big. He'll be making a mistake but he will go.
On the other post, I only said that the time for talking has to stop now and time for the team to deliver next season. I don't think were two players away from challenging, I think we need around five players to consider ourselves title contenders. Rb, cb, cm, striker and a top quality winger in addition to depay.
In my opinion, we need two cm's. So the rebuilding job goes on but the team have to show a lot more originality, creativity, steel to even be anywhere near Chelsea, city, and arsenal.

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17 May 2015 19:18:51
Alright guys hows it going. really enjoyed the game today. Thought we pretty much dominated it. Wish falcao all the best. Its not worked out for him but i'm still a huge fan of his. Very sad to possibly see de gea go. Fantastic goalkeeper. But must be hard when madrid come calling for him to stay. So wish him the best. If any deal that could include bale would be amazing but we shall see. can't wait for the transfer window to open its going to be crazy.

Believable1 Unbelievable2

17 May 2015 18:34:31
Summed up the season really. Superb first half, controlled possession, but failed to get the second goal. Generally we have done much better against better teams, which accounts for the points improvement. Players who were written off were our best players, particularly Young and Smalling. Much touted players failed to live up to the hype.

And this final point is what gives me hope. One of the features of SAF's reign was the contribution made by those who were not regarded as stars, and LVG seems to be able to bring that out, and it's integral to success.

As long as we can match this season's performances against our main rivals, the determining factor is going to be how we do against the mid and lower table teams. To beat them we are going to need a spark. Who we sell and who we buy will be critical, but more importantly, will be whether or not they are able to make a contribution within the overall team structure. The modest contributions of di Maria and Falcao cannot be repeated. In short we have to be able to break down teams whose primary objective is to defend in numbers. If we can score first and early more often, it will change the whole season, forcing teams out of their shells.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

17 May 2015 18:34:25
I know I'm old-fashioned, and like the more direct approach, but in all honesty, when was the last time this team had you on the edge of your seat?

Arsenal games used to be exciting, end to end battles. I can truthfully state, my ar$e did not shift forward on my seat for the whole 90 minutes.

I appreciate the possession game, but where are the multiple chances being created at the end of all this possession? If you're relying on two or three chances to win games of football, more often than not, you're going to come a cropper.

I worry, and I said it when LVG took over, that the excitement in our play would be in short supply, that it won't matter which players we bring in because the system itself is flawed.

My son watches the games with me religiously, but I noticed halfway through the second half, his attention starting to wander to his phone. First time ever. But its the young ones that we need to keep interested, or we risk losing them to other sports. Their expectations are much higher than those of my age group, who grew up watching Sexton's teams.

Anyway, just letting off a bit of steam. Don't want to be too downbeat. Objective achieved. Well it is if it was top 4. Not quite yet if it was ECL qualification. Onwards and upwards.

Believable5 Unbelievable5

17 May 2015 20:49:29
Interest stays with winning Stevie. Once this team is winning and competitive at a higher level I'm sure the entertainment will come.

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17 May 2015 21:39:43
Hope so, mate. Not that I'll let him anyway :)

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17 May 2015 18:22:45
Hey guys and Ed's, I forgot my old password and don't use the email account I had when I first joined this forum, so I had to start a new account. I just added 15 at the end.

Very good first half today. We seemed to take our foot off the gas in the second half, but still felt we should have won the game.

I have mixed feeling about next week. I would like the win to get us over 70 points mark, but I would feel bad if we relegated Bruce's Hull.

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17 May 2015 19:58:39
Stevie /noucamp?
This has been a season of change. A season of rebuilding. I agree that the team are not playing exciting football,but did they do that for the oast 5 years?
Exciting or effective that's what we want have to work out. Fergie teams were not exciting in his last three seasons,but they were effective.
Target has been achieved this year. And the standards have to be much higher next year.

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18 May 2015 03:15:23
NM, I agree, but we were still creating a lot more chances every game, even when the football wasn't that exciting. There's been so many games this season where we've maybe created two or three clear-cut chances, even at home. We have to increase the odds in our favour a little bit. We've dropped so many points this season in games like that, where we haven't taken one of those scant chances, or haven't been able to hold on after we have managed to take one.

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17 May 2015 18:05:45
Result today guys? I'm going for a 2-1 win with either Di Maria or Falcao to get on the scoresheet. I hope Di Maria starts and plays well, we need him firing for next season.

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17 May 2015 18:26:37
Bit late chief!

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17 May 2015 18:00:41
Those sort of dropped points are the ones that infuriate me. Arsenal offered nothing at all, looked lost and ready to except defeat.

Cue our defence and midfield to start making stupid decisions.

I have no idea what happened to ddg, seemed quite sure he wanted to come off. Maybe that's just the cynical side of me coming out.

Believable0 Unbelievable1

17 May 2015 18:20:21
He came down pretty hard when he punched out a cross and i think fell on another united player.

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17 May 2015 18:23:59
Hopefully out for 4 months so he doesn't have a medical!

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17 May 2015 18:40:50
I finally totally agree with a Beast post!

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17 May 2015 21:07:13
ctr,i think its the right time for you to eat that humble pie

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17 May 2015 22:14:17
Humble pie? Please tell me more!

I'm intrigued now to wot crazy notion u have cooked up in your head! Are u a pool fan or gooner?

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17 May 2015 17:44:19
De Gea would have saved that!

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17 May 2015 18:46:54
He won't all the way from Madrid tho! :-)

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17 May 2015 17:42:15
second half Er not so good.

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17 May 2015 17:16:14
Thanks god that clinical finisher Welbeck is not on the bench. Would be worried if he came on :)

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17 May 2015 16:27:08
Same old story nice tappy tappy football on the half way line but nothing up front again. How badly do we need a cm who drives forward with the ball and a proper striker. Falcao cannot even stand up I wouldn't want him next season if he offered to play for free.

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17 May 2015 16:50:33
Are u for real? Are we to expect a post like this every game? Damn man watch the game, support your team!

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17 May 2015 16:51:19
Is this a wind up ? I think we have been fantastic.

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17 May 2015 16:54:47
Said it before jaamie is a secret scouser

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17 May 2015 16:56:12
He's got to be a rival fan either that or he's been grounded and a cap has been put on the porn sites so he can only air his frustrations on here

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17 May 2015 16:56:51
Relatively happy with that performance thus far considering the opposition. Don't neglect to remember this is arsenal not QPR, happy to be ahead let's keep up the good work.

On a side note Phil Jones scares the bejesus out of me sometimes. He's. He's. Unorthodox let's say haha

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17 May 2015 17:02:37
We have not given them a sniff and been great. Shame we did not put that second goal away. That shot from blind was going in.

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17 May 2015 17:43:18
Curious to know what RVP does now a days, been a while since I saw him play. He should be on that show# where are they now" :)

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17 May 2015 18:18:40
I thought falcao played well. He needed to change his boots though. He did way better up front than RVP. Our style of play really did not help him over the whole season. We needed to play the ball early to let him run off the shoulder of the last defender.

RVP needs to go. Phil Jones showed enthusiasm, but I thought positionally he was poor. Don't rate him at all and think he should be moved on along with Evans.

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17 May 2015 16:22:52
Phil jones truly opens your eyes with his defending and passing lol

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17 May 2015 16:51:11
Yes unique gcu, uniquely dog **** lol.

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17 May 2015 17:44:04
Yep he does defend in curious ways. Allround dogy defender :)

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17 May 2015 22:15:31
He strikes the fear into me mate lol. He's a walking one man defensive nightmare.

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17 May 2015 16:00:45
I feel we may see a glimpse of the real Falcao today. Think we have all said that before.

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17 May 2015 16:20:33
I just caught a glimpse of him.

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17 May 2015 16:52:27
Unfortunately I think we are seeing the real Falcao now. I must admit it's painful.

Such a shame.

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17 May 2015 17:22:00
Agreed, he is definitely on his way out it seems. Been impressed with rojo thoigh. His final ball is.lacking byt had made some important interceptions

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17 May 2015 17:57:27
I thought Rojo was quite loose and quite lazy getting back mate and that is why he got subbed, I think he ran out of gas. Smalling had a very good game and has come leaps and bounds. No wonder Wenger was trying to buy him last year. Very sloppy second half and even a sloppier goal to concede.

Definitely need a striker by the looks of it as none seem to be anywhere near scoring.

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17 May 2015 15:11:40
Would have liked to see Januzaj and Wilson starting today as realistically we won't finish any higher than 4th. Strange that falcao is starting as it looks like he won't be here next season. Hopefully we'll have a few more young lads out against Hull next week.

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17 May 2015 15:50:07
I'm hoping today is the day we see what Falcao has to offer.

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17 May 2015 15:57:51
I think he will score with Rooney and RVP out of the lineup he is the focal point and is much better than people give him credit.

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17 May 2015 16:03:27
He looked alright last week just got no service, still I think we should be looking to the future now

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17 May 2015 16:06:46
sorry to be so pessimistic but i really fear a tanking by Arsenal today.They do play neat fast incisive football at time and We still don't have a strong enough midfield and our defence is weak. I fear a 3-0 or 4-0 defeat. I just don't think Falcao will get the service he needs. I sincerely hope to be proved wrong as I dislike Arsenal fans who are so so fickle and i will support the lads through thick and thin but doesn't mean i have to ignore our obvious weaknesses.

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17 May 2015 16:20:57
gcu
i agree the system has killed him i still think with a run if games he will get a lot if goals

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17 May 2015 16:53:29
I disagree jred. He has shown nothing as of yet and I fear that won't change.

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17 May 2015 17:04:41
He just seems to have completely lost that first yard on defenders, if it can be retained I hope he does for his sake

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17 May 2015 17:07:30
Mat and Herrera have been really really good and ashley young right now best winger in the league.

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17 May 2015 14:41:50
Hi eds
I unfortunately don't watch a lot of the under 21 games and I was just wondering whether they adopt the same formation and tactics of the senior squad ?

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{Ed004's Note - I haven't had time to watch them at all this season so I am not sure}

17 May 2015 14:49:38
Thanks for swift reply anyway ed.

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17 May 2015 15:32:45
I watched the game v City and the commentators mentioned that the u21 team always mirrors whatever formation the senior team is playing

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17 May 2015 16:52:04
Thanks bilko

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17 May 2015 12:34:34
Oh yeah Thierry Henry and Graeme souness on sky sports coverage for United arsenal Look at that those wonderful United supporters there

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17 May 2015 12:56:00
They should have Neville in studio every game, one of the few that can actually analyse a game. If you ever get the chance, take a look at some clips of RTE, Irish TV, proper punditry, Johnny Giles, Liam Brady, Eamon Dunphy, quality haha

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17 May 2015 13:07:00
I must admit, beside Neville, Henry has to be my favourite pundit. Brutally honest and speaks his mind, even against Arsenal and names players. Really good pundit.

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17 May 2015 13:14:35
I think he has been significantly better since the whole chicarito celebrating incident, got a kick up the backside I'd say, still has a long way to go before I call him a decent pundit though.

Punditry for me is not just about speaking your mind and being brutally honest but being able to analyse and explain why certain things happen in a game of football. Gary Neville does exactly that and every other pundit should take note.

I don't if anybody here watches NFL but my god can they break down and analyse a game. I hadn't a clue about American football going back a few years but after watching some of their analysis I picked it up quite quick.

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17 May 2015 13:57:01
Henry is an awful pundits imo.

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17 May 2015 14:36:09
Same Henry who lambasted Chicharito for peeling away and not thanking Ronnie for the assist? He is an awful pandit.

Deeps.

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17 May 2015 18:07:18
i think Danny Murphy is very good at times

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17 May 2015 10:47:23
Not mom fever as I said it at the time, I think we never gave zaha his chance and I said at the time that he could be a very good winger. He is better than all our wingers bar Young on this years evidence. He's tricky, quick, and young with plenty of time to improve.MWe should have loaned him back to CP instead of selling him outright. Bad mistake.

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17 May 2015 11:20:02
A club of United's stature need very high quality players in all departments.
SAF is an absolute genius who can grind out results and win PL with sub standard players.We don't have that SAF factor anymore and need high quality players, not sub-standard or some On/Off type players.Buying Zaha was a mistake, instead should have invested in a half decent CM player.

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17 May 2015 11:21:28
Is this just because he scored yesterday? Young has done very well and will be a good back up to Di Maria, Depay and hopefully Bale. That there is a list of 4 top quality wingers.

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17 May 2015 11:09:11
Buying Vlaar would have been a bad mistake :)

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{Ed025's Note - i agree syd..

17 May 2015 11:27:33
I actually think we badly needed a Vlaar type player this season (I know he has been injured a lot but if we jump back 12 months). He wouldn't have cost much and he would have brought much needed experience and leadership. With a Vlaar we would have seen less defensive tactics and maybe seen our attacking talent perform more with the shackles off. Just my view or wishful thinking.

I appreciate in hindsight not signing Verm or Vlaar was a stroke of fortune/genius.

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17 May 2015 11:39:40
The problem.with these debates is That sometimes the combination of player andclub just dontdon't work.
Zaha did not have the right attitude for united, at Palace he is a big fish and seems to fit well.
I am with Beast I thought vlaar this year would Have been ideal for us.helped bring on either Smalling or Jones alongside hI'm to do the legwork and on aback 3 he has already shown he can do it. Who is to say his injuries may not have occurred.

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17 May 2015 12:34:25
Something obviously occurred regarding Zaha During Moyes time.

But With Van Gaal he has previously stated, everybody got a clean state, a chance to prove they belonged here. Young and Fellaini being case and point.

Zaha obviously didn't do what was required or didn't show enough commitment to the cause hence being moved on.

Depay on the other is a much better prospect and I'd rather have him over Zaha anyday.

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17 May 2015 13:02:09
It seems to me that the obsession with Vlaar is probably down to his age and his experience with Holland.

Apart from Villa, Vlaar has only played for AZ and Feyenoord where he won the cup once. He has never competed in the Champions League so has little to no European experience. He performed okay in a 3 at the back for Holland but is painfully slow and is made of glass.

Signing Vlaar would of been a disaster. Out of that whole back line for Holland, the only good signing would of been De Vrij who seemingly has some potential and has helped Lazio to what looks like a top 2-3 finish in Serie A.

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17 May 2015 13:25:21
Fresh - We weren't in Europe this season as you know, so he would have been a sensible stop gap whilst we waited for our ideal signings to be available. Ultimately it didn't happen and we can all debate it, but we were crying out for a leader at the back to organise and command - as a result the start to the season was a disaster and set the ball in motion for the awful slow football we have witnessed for the majority of the season.

For one season he would have been ideal, but I appreciate it doesn't work like that and we need a lot better than Vlaar if we expect to win the league and Europe.

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17 May 2015 14:46:54
Zaha may have come on at CP, but would he have even got a game at OT this season? Or would he have languished on the sidelines like Januzaj? He may turn out to be good enough for a top team, but it seems to me the timing was all wrong for United. Maybe if SAF had stayed on, but not for a team in upheaval.

As for Vlaar, who knows. If he were great would he be at Villa. But on the other hand, perhaps he would have contributed to a reduction in the number of defensive errors leading to goals - where apparently we lead the league!

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17 May 2015 15:41:54
No, we need a Hummels or an Otamendi. Not a Dutch Upson.

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17 May 2015 18:06:41
Vlaar needs 3 at the back as he is so slow. He would of held back the system from developing away from the 3 at the back.

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17 May 2015 19:25:31
Heard a rumour there was an optional training session think it was around xmas and zaha was the only player that didn't turn up

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17 May 2015 09:59:55
I totally agree, Giggs nor Scholes got this sort of love in - they are far greater.

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17 May 2015 08:14:17
Now that the soap opera at anfield is finished, i am looking forward to our game today. SG good player but not what they make him out to be. Should have left them a log time ago and went somewhere where they were wining trophies.BTW loved the result LOL.

Our boys like Giggs, Scholes, Neville had Loyalty to a club that made winning a habit and never sacrificed ambition for the sake of loyalty and not sure they would have stayed had we been an also ran club.

Next piece of big news will be club and BR have mutually agreed to part ways and king Kenny is back :) Please god make it happen LOL.

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17 May 2015 06:06:17
Ed assuming that DDG has agreed to join Madrid doesn't that put us at a disadvantage while negotiating a fee for him?

If he has made up his mind then we can't keep him and let him go on a free and can't really play a player who doesn't have to be here.

We will have to accept whatever Madrid are ready to pay for him. That's not a good position to be in.

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{Ed001's Note - it does make for a slight disadvantage, but you still hold his contract so still have power in the discussion.}

17 May 2015 09:36:17
On the other hand if the impending transfer ban is true, then that would also put is in a position of strength.

If Madrid have there stuff hard on David they have to get him now! Or risk not getting him for years and at a huge price.

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17 May 2015 10:00:39
I doubt Madrid would want to run the risk of holding us over a barrel. As much as we hate having players sold to them, we do seem to collaborate in the market. Ronaldo was inevitably going to join and we still managed to get a world record fee. As much as I hate Madrid they do often pay fair value (off the top of my head).

I think £30m would be fair for DDG considering the circumstances with his contract, maybe £25m. As a few people have said he is now world class, but he is a keeper. The key is not having our keepers tested as much. He saved us a lot of points but I am sure Cech would have made similar saves and dare I say maybe had those in front of him organised a little better? Maybe a more experienced/talkative keeper will give those in front a bit more confidence?

I'd love DDG to stay, but it isn't the end of the world if we replace him with one of the many top quality keepers out there.

Petr Cech would be sensible for me. But I fear Valdes will be given the chance.

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17 May 2015 11:42:39
I think we have a reasonable relationship with real now. negotiations wI'll probably be mutually beneficial in the end.
I can see ddg going and if truth be told as a Madrid boy, although athletico previously, I can see the logic.

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17 May 2015 00:23:33
I'm not one for deriding opposition players but did I just hear the commentator on Sky say "Steve gerrard , the best there was,the best there is,the best there will ever be!" What utter drivel. He was never the best, nor is he the best now, and if that is the best that will ever be, then Liverpool are in for some tough times!!
He was a good player,end of.

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17 May 2015 09:30:11
The whole thing was complete nonsense Nomid I honestly couldn't believe the coverage. I also heard a lot of people yesterday saying he was Keane,Scholes and viera all rolled into one!!

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17 May 2015 10:44:33
Dean, I think the whole love-in has been blown out of proportion by the media and the Liverpool fans.
Gerrard was a very good player, but he looked good at Liverpool because all around him were rubbish. Players like Keane, messi, cantona, ronaldo can win championships for their teams because of their brilliance. Gerrard could not and when he nearly did (due to Suarez brilliance) he slipped!

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17 May 2015 11:23:24
A key difference between our one club hero's and Gerrard is that Man Utd can provide all the satisfaction, support and meaning for a players career. Giggs, Scholes, Neville, don't feel like there is more to achieve in the twilight of their playing career, anything is down from what they have done at our great club.

Then you have Gerrard who has to fly to the other side of the world to try and get some fulfilment. Our legends will have no pangs of regret that they could have done more or been more. I bet Slippy has sleepless nights and is always thinking "did I do the right thing sticking with these journeymen?". Shearer will be the same when he cries himself to sleep about the things he could have done with his talent, but they kid themselves!

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{Ed025's Note - you make good point there beast...even if it does make you seem a tad bitter mate..

17 May 2015 11:29:07
Haha Ed, yeah I was trying to find balance (failed), I can see any non Utd fan just taking one look at this and scoffing!

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{Ed025's Note - damn fine effort though mate.. :)

17 May 2015 13:04:37
He was a great player for England and his club but the way it was approached yesterday left me feeling a little nauseous.
as I said yesterday if you take our players out of the equation I think Frank Lampard had a much better career than Gerrard and imo was the best goal scoring midfielder this country has seen, yet the media treated it for what it was a great British player leaving for pastures new where as this whole ridiculous love in with Gerrard has been taken to an x factor style cringworthy type slow motion "journey" with added Gerry and the pacemakers sound track . Pathetic

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17 May 2015 13:56:37
He must've been watching WWF and Bret Hart at the same time lol.

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17 May 2015 06:47:22
Would Bolasie manage a step up to a bigger club? he's been great this year, end product is sometimes absent but I love how he makes defenders she!t their pants with his pace and power

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17 May 2015 11:34:22
I'd describe bolasie as a threat with no real quality

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