Manchester United Banter Archive February 01 2020

01 Feb 2020 21:49:54
Thought Bruno looked good today, give the week he has just had, very promising. You could see again today, players looking for the movement or runs, which weren't there. It is starting to get very frustrating watching AWB move forward into good position, only to stop, allowing the opposition time to get back and setup. The one time he went to the end line and crossed Dialot nearly scored. Thought the obvious substitutions today after 60mins, were Dialot on for James on the right, move Martial out in the left and Greenwood through the middle. A strong target CF who can hold up the ball is required, let's see if our new loanee gets a chance.

01 Feb 2020 22:12:39
We need to try find a way of getting Dalot in the team the boy deserves a chance his first thought is always to go forward AWB just isn't good enough going forward for me.

01 Feb 2020 22:59:53
Yeah I agree with that. AWB is poor going forward. Ighalo will probably be a starter with martial and James either side of him because this set up isn't working. Martial is isolated and not even in the game he's better out wide I think when he can run at players and cut in.

02 Feb 2020 00:05:56
I would even play dalot instead of james if were playing ighalo as his first instinct will be get in the box dalot has a great cross ball if he gets a chance because this system isn't working at all.
We can't break teams down because our 2 full backs are scared to cross the halfway line and when they do their first instinct is too pass inside.
what chance we got it's not rocket science to know that u need your fullback overlapping your wide men to stretch the game this coaching staff are clueless.

02 Feb 2020 01:17:25
someone needs to spend 5 mins with AWB showing him what to do when he beats a man and gets to cross a ball. guys got two left feet!

02 Feb 2020 08:40:03
I can't be the only who read last summer the club were concerned Bruno gives the ball away a lot so it put them off him? Anyway, he did well and with a few better players around him who can give him cover then just let him do his things decent debut -looks classy.

I remember the story (told by Harry Redknapp) of SAF being very interested in a young Gareth Bale and speaking to Harry Redknapp about him . Rednapp said "you don't need another full back " and SAF says "well, he isn't a full back" I can see the same thing in Dalot - not saying he is as good of course - i'm no tactician I know little about formations but I don't see how a right footed Dalot with his attacking and defensive set would be a worse choice than Perria or Lingard or Chong in front of Win Bissaka

I hope there are 4 players -no less- lined up to walk into our team in the summer, no matter who the manager is as its becoming more and more apparent that a rebuild is one thing . a slow rebuild is quite another.

02 Feb 2020 09:14:03
I have a bit sympathy for awb as attacking isn't his strong point and as we seem to be continuing our policy of the last few year for the right hand side attacking position of trying right backs, left backs, all the cente forwards, left wingers, centre midfielders and number tens there instead of just actually buying a top class specialist in the position, then it's not surprising awb struggles with the attacking side of things.

02 Feb 2020 10:55:27
I go back to what a Scouser suggested on here weeks ago, perhaps we should see whether AWB can play centre back alongside Maguire. Add to that Dalot is excellent at right full back and can cross a ball very well. When we already had Dalot the spend on AWB was surprising. Great tackler, AWB, possibly one of the best I have seen, but further forward is not good.

{Ed001's Note - or you could just adjust tactics to fit his strengths like any half decent manager does. You know manages with what he has to get the best from them. You have an out and out winger in James, Wan-Bissaka has no need to play as a wing-back, just use him as an old fashioned full-back. It is not like it takes much to figure it out, he was playing as one at Palace.}

02 Feb 2020 10:56:11
I just don't understand solskjaer he's saying were down to the bare bones that's why were playing players who are clearly knackered.
We have 3 players on bench dalot Chong and Gomez why not drop Pereira lingard and james for those 3 it's ridiculous how bad the coaching is I reckon they should come on these forums and read some comments get some tips how to set the team up we all know more than they do .

02 Feb 2020 12:08:42
Did someone on here not tell me AWB started off as a winger, so would be a good attacking full back for us.

01 Feb 2020 17:19:51
on 8 occasions this season when Chelsea have dropped points United have not been able to take advantage . now they have drawn today.9th time lucky tonight?

Lets hope so, Bruno!

01 Feb 2020 19:12:33
This is awful I'm sorry but many chances is martial gonae get I'm up for selling him in the summer and spending it on a world class striker he gives absolutely nothing so lazy.

01 Feb 2020 19:35:12
well,9 times it is-9 times Chelsea drop points and we do too.

Severely lacking in leaders, no one able to inject any sense of urgency -its as if we don't want or don't believe we are a top 4 side -what a boost that would give the club, instead we just plod along. a top 6 side at best. injuries or not

2 home games now Burnley and Wolves whereby 2 good performances and we could be top 4 -never mind the other games - If Spurs/ Chelsea/ Arsenal get their acts together we are looking at top 8.

01 Feb 2020 22:12:16
We’re rubbish, it’s as simple as that. We’ve got players, coaching staff, board members and owners all devoid of ideas.
I’m sick of seeing the same players week in week out doing the same stuff. Perreira is shocking, Martial is not a no.9, Lingard shouldn’t be near our squad, Lindelof is average at best and Ole has no idea when a team defends against his counter attack bull system.

01 Feb 2020 23:17:39
it stops with the manager. just woefully out of his depth. we need a goal and waits untill 4 mins to go to make other subs. he might get away with it at molde but not against good sides. he was just scared of loosing. i never thought i would say that about old trafford shocking.

01 Feb 2020 12:15:29
Ighalo will be like marmite on here.

We needed a forward, he can play in the Europa league and has EPL experience. If he scores 10 plus goals in the EPL then he will have been a good signing. Certainly he will bully defenders better than Martial does.

Ultimately we need a forward. Cavani would have been very expensive and had been injured, it could well be the start of his decline aswell.

A 6 month loan deal. It's all it is. Just a stop gap. Far better than going all out and over paying for a player that the club don't necessarily want.

01 Feb 2020 13:08:26
There is a good chance he will be 1st choice cf before long.

01 Feb 2020 13:10:37
The decision to sell Lukaku was made before the end of last season.

The club sold Lukaku on the last day of our summer window.

They waited until the last day of the January window to bring in a short term, below standard, replacement who wasn’t considered an option until a few days ago.

It’s hard to buy strikers in January, but this is a club devoid of any coherent transfer strategy. I’m just thankful that we didn’t blow £30m on Josh King.

01 Feb 2020 14:32:07
This is why ED002 calls Utd "amateurs"

01 Feb 2020 16:14:34
He hasn't got much competition ken.

{Ed047's Note - without being funny, who in your side does have genuine competition for a place?

01 Feb 2020 16:21:52
Williams has competition from Shaw.

{Ed047's Note - honestly Danny?

01 Feb 2020 16:28:49
How are tottenham and chelsea feeling about their january windows? Both coaches felt they needed another striker option, possibly a loan like us.

Would you rather have him or no one?

He could surprise a few on here, he is a tricky player who might just have that key we need to unlock a few stubborn defenses.

01 Feb 2020 16:28:35
Williams is streets ahead of shaw!

{Ed047's Note - I really like the look of Williams, looks like he could be quality.

01 Feb 2020 16:35:19
He has stiff competition from Shaw, they sit next to each other at lunch and if he doesn’t get right into things he goes hungry.

01 Feb 2020 16:38:48
Honestly ed047, de gea has great competition but Romero will never get a look in. Williams and Shaw but Williams looks streets ahead already.

Aside from those 2 positions we really don't have great depth.

{Ed047's Note - it was until you made that comment that I thought about it and was trying to think of who was giving anyone competition for their place and De Gea and Romero was it for me too.

It’s crazy to think that of United.

01 Feb 2020 19:28:20
Greenwood must be pushing Martial now for a start?

{Ed047's Note - how is Martial even getting a start

01 Feb 2020 18:30:03
William's is destroying Shaw. You could blindfold Williams and he would still play better than Shaw.
It's quite insulting to Williams to suggest Shaw is actually challenging him.

Romero has always been a stalwart. Certainly as a number 2 he is world class. Even if he became number one he is a top player. Under another manager he may even have Ben number one this season, after DDg performances last season.

01 Feb 2020 10:16:03
An interesting transfer window on many fronts. The protracted Bruno Fernandes transfer is finally over, after Sneijder, Gaitan and Garay we had to eventually sign one of these players who we have seemingly been linked to since what feels like the dawn of time.

Bruno will offer us some creativity from midfield and a goal threat. He also does have a good set piece delivery (something I have always struggled with is how a professional footballer could have a bad set piece delivery, I mean your not hitting a moving ball, your unchallenged, all you need to do is kick the ball cleanly) .

Bruno offers us the ability to adjust seamlessly from 433 to 4231 or 3412 or 442 diamond. His ability to play comfortably as a No.10 or a No.8 will make us potentially much more fluid in game. In my little dream world I'd love to sign Maddison in the summer and play both Bruno and Maddison as free 8's pressing teams and keeping a high tempo.

He is exactly what we needed 6 months after we needed it. But he's here now. I haven't been this excited to see a new signing make their debut in a long time.

Odion Ighalo might not be everyone's first choice, but he isn't meant to be a first choice option. We needed someone to fill a gap as a back up striker for 6 months until we can find the right long term option in the summer. He has experience of the EPL, is a passionate United fan so will give his all for the club. It's a free swing sort of signing. Short term deal to cover while we have injury problems. If he doesn't do well then he heads back to China in 6 months time, if he does then maybe the club re-evaluate his position at the end of the season. We were never going to sign a Mbappe or a Martinez in January. We probably won't be able to sign them in the summer.

The interesting thing is when you compare our business to other sides. Spurs did alright with Gedson Fernandes and Steven Bergwijn looking like solid signings, although the loss of Eriksen might be felt. However, they failed to sign a striker to cover for Kane who'll be out for most of the season.

Arsenal didn't make waves, their signings they might work out okay, but they might flop.

Chelsea despite having their transfer ban lifted didn't make a single signing. Lampard doesn't appear happy and their early season buzz appears to be fading. If they let the disappointment/ frustration of not bringing in the signings they wanted it could derail them.

Out of our top four rivals we are the only side that can say their first team is stronger now than it was before the window. While Ighalo offers more depth to our forward line.

Then there is the question of the manager, for me the club signing both Bruno and Ighalo suggests the club have decided to back Ole. At least until top four is no longer achievable, and maybe beyond. LvG was not given January reinforcements during his final season, he missed out on top four but won the FA cup, then was swiftly dismissed. The backing of Ole might even suggest the club will back him into next season unless things go seriously wrong between now and the end of the season.

01 Feb 2020 10:50:57
Agreed Shappy.

However, both these positions should have been addressed in the summer and we would had been in a much better position. Now, it's going to be a scramble for the top 4 even with these signings coming in and we cannot afford any more slipups. Hopefully these guys settle in quickly and help us end the season strongly.

01 Feb 2020 10:55:09
Shappy

The club have signed Bruno and I may be wrong but has he not been monitored for years? Time will tell if it works, looks a good player in the Portuguese league, hope it works here where it will be quicker and more physical, certainly an improvement on what we have. Look forward to see his debut later.

Love that you think the signing of Bruno and Ighalo suggests the club may be backing Ole into next season, definitely seems like you are praying they do. Ighalo is on loan, hardly a major investment, so I don’t think that is a sign at all. Still it keeps your hopes up that your declared affection for Ole can continue into next season.

01 Feb 2020 11:29:06
The club sells Lukaku and replaces him with Ighalo on a 6 month loan.

Shappy - looks like the club are backing Ole.

The club sells Ole’s company merc and replaces it with a pair of worn shoes.

Shappy - wow they must be gearing up to offer him a new long term contract.

The club sells all Ole’s food and replaces it with a drawing of rotten meat.

Shappy - Ole is going to be here for decades.

01 Feb 2020 11:44:47
Danny, it's understandable why the club sold Lukaku - he wanted to be first choice in the team and Ole couldn't guarantee that having both Rashford and Martial. It was better for him to pursue his career somewhere else and he did so.

The club however should have brought in a replacement right away in the summer which they didn't and now we have to hope Ighalo works out.

01 Feb 2020 11:50:18
By buying Bruno which has been a long term targer for the club and i guess a manager like Poch would love to have Bruno and Ighalo isn't a sign of backing.

If he really was going to be backed then they wouldve gone and bought Haaland or Cavani type.

01 Feb 2020 12:13:50
Singh, if he wasn't backed then it would had been easier for Woodward to not sign anyone now and pile on the pressure on Ole and it would have resulted in more poor performances and results on the pitch which would had given Woodward a perfect reason to fire Ole.

Imagine if Bruno and Ighalo somehow settle in and start performing really well and it spurs the rest of the team and we end the season strongly, it would be harder for Woodward to make a decision as it's his appointment and he would want to probably prove everyone wrong about Ole.

In reality, only Woodward knows what he is going to do in the summer and if the team does finish strongly you can't be surprised if Ole is still at the wheels next season.

01 Feb 2020 12:28:57
Tbh no wonder ed002 gets frustrated with this site at times!
January is always a more difficult time to get "targets" in but we have signed 3, BF who we courted for a while, a replacement striker on a short term deal as cover for the injured Rashford and a young keeper for u23 injury cover? Still its not enough for some and everything is seen as a negative.

The club, whether we like the owners manager or structure or not, have addressed a few issues and we can't do anymore until the summer on the playing side.

They can still address the structure, stadium improvements and coaching/ DoF issues and they possibly won't do anything but a walk out protest will serve absolutely no purpose at all.

In fact all the tickets will have been paid, most food and drink bougfht and the club shop will get its usual pre match hammering so the only outcome is a half empty stadium that will be an embarrasment on match of the day and give ex pool players and utd haters, shearer and lineker more bullets to fire.

Thing is to wait and see- there's still a lot can happen between now and the start of next season when the picture may be a lot clearer.

01 Feb 2020 21:17:35
Unless things go horribly wrong? You mean like finishing 6th? Jeez utd fans have lost their ambition.

01 Feb 2020 00:08:25
Well, players signed in the window, now we push on and with the players coming back after the break too, top four is achievable. Don't agree with talk of a walk out tomorrow during the game, we should support the team and protest with a banner or before the game etc.

01 Feb 2020 01:09:23
If they want to protest that’s fine. But to do it during the game which is the closest to the Munich disaster anniversary doesn’t sit right with me. Should be celebrating those players, plenty of other games to protest.

01 Feb 2020 02:34:54
I don't see the point in protesting at all.

01 Feb 2020 06:03:05
If we are winning 3-0 and Bruno is balling then I can see the protest failing. If we are getting hammered and Bruno is getting bullied off the ball, then the protest is definitely on.

01 Feb 2020 08:01:52
Shawthing,

You don’t see the point? Our club has been hocked into hundreds of millions of debt, over a billion that could have been available has gone, the owners take millions in dividends. It’s all legal but you don’t see the point, really?

Whether it should be this game is another discussion.

Grim,
If the fans are that shallow that playing well makes a difference, then it will be disappointing. This is the very future of our club we are talking about.

01 Feb 2020 08:12:20
The protest won’t bother the glazers, they already got your money when you bought your tickets.

01 Feb 2020 08:57:46
Playing well is the most important part of football, surely.

01 Feb 2020 09:08:17
Do people really believe that a protest like walking out of a game would have any impact? If anything it will only demoralize the players.

I agree that there are big issues at the club but, atleast the rebuild in terms of player recruitment has improved and we are slowly moving or trying to move on players no longer needed at the club. There is still a lot of work left to do and it is going to take more time if done properly.

The people above have been working at snail's pace and been ignorant about a lot of issues and wasted a lot of time with bad decision making. I think this summer would probably define whether they are serious about reviving this club by bringing in a DOF in the first place. That should bring about a lot of changes going forward.

It is frustrating on how the club has been managed so far but, I will say wait till summer and see what the club is up to and if they do the right things then be patient and let them do their job. I know it's hard because this has been happening for too long now but we need to hold our nerve and don't do anything that can potentially demoralize our playing staff.

01 Feb 2020 09:22:00
Sepp

Winning is the most important part of football.

Grumpy

I agree they already get the ticket money but the pitch to sponsors is all about getting their message to supporters. Unhappy supporters potentially boycotting their products or negative messages about the club isn’t good to sign new deals. Someone I know wants Ole to stay, not because he is good enough but because he may take the club lower so the owners are forced to sell.

Ever since they foisted the debt on the club I have been against them. Debt is the road to ruin said David Gill. Not strictly true because good use of debt is actually helpful to a business. Having massive debt how they did it, for what it was used for to no benefit to the club, the price of servicing it, the dividends taken, all weaken the club.

The fact the protest is being discussed is good.

01 Feb 2020 10:17:25
Letsplayunited

There is a bigger picture than what you are looking at. What the club gets up to in the transfer market is far less important than what happens to our ownership. Have a look at Tampa Bay Buccs. We need ownership change, the rest will follow.

01 Feb 2020 11:25:03
Football is about entertainment.

01 Feb 2020 17:17:45
Sepp

I was entertained many times in the years between 68 and 93 but there is nothing like winning, that’s why they play the game.