Manchester United Banter Archive January 01 2013

 

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01 Jan 2013 22:59:38
When is will keane back from injury?

Caolán.

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Probably not till March or April if things go to plan, which means not in time for this season.

Shahram

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01 Jan 2013 22:21:31
So.. Who would everyone's realistic replacements for Giggs and Scholes be?

I would like Kevin Strootman and Lars Bender.

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Strootman and bale.

Caolán.

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Strootman and Bender play very different roles to Giggs and Scholes. We have a replacement for Scholes in Nick Powell and as a replacement for Giggs...I'd go for Iker Munian.

Andy!

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Bale would be the ideal replacement, followed by Rodriguez, they need to be left footed really, so we can get some decent crosses sent in!

-JakeW

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Bale and Goetze/Ozil

Shahram

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Shahram

So of the 2 players you'd bring in, not one of them would be a natural CM'er? Strange

Gav

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Gav

I would play Goetze and Cleverly in front of Carrick. Goetze will provide the creativity, pace and he is no slouch defending. Then have Bale, Rooney, Valencia/Nani and then RVP.

I know people will say not enough defensive cover in midfield but I disagree.

Our current starting 11 is pretty decent and f you ask me who I would rather have Goetze or wanyama/strootman, I will always take Goetze. I have watched Goetze a lot and he is an outstanding player and an incredible grab if we landed him.

Bale is a no brainer as he is IMO the best young british player around that on his own can change a game and destroy defenses and having him on the left wing will open up the pitch in other areas.

I would love to see that team as it would be as good as any team in Europe.

Shahram {Ed004's Note - So you would play a 3 at the back Shahram? 3 midfielders and 4 attackers there}

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Sorry ed004, one too many as the describes format will require 3 playing at the back.

I meant going with 4-1-2-3 format and dropping Rooney on the right and benching valencia/nani or rooney being benched.

Having those 2 players will give the manager lots of selection and format headaches which is a good thing.

I also wonder how playing 3 at the back in some games will work for us as Rafael , Evans and Smalling are all pretty good in terms of their ability on the ball and passing.

Shahram

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Isco and Powell!!


Red Samurai

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01 Jan 2013 22:19:12
Once again when Carrick went off, we couldn't keep the ball. It's becoming a trend in each of our games and Fergie should know better than to take him off, even if it is 3-0. It was a decent performance against a poor Wigan side, who I think will go down this year. Hernandez is in great form and RVP is a class act. These two are ahead of Rooney right now as far as I'm concerned. Great to see Kagawa back and I though he did well when he came on.

G.A.G.U.S

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Yes we were worse without Carrick but he needs a few rests if he's going to maintain his form until May. We were 3-0 up and no harm done so I'd say it was the right decision.

Gav

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Apparently, we only used 4 players in every game over Christmas, 3 outfield as 1 was De Gea. Great squad rotation but I agree Carrick could do with a week off. I'm guessing he'll be rested for the cup.

AJH

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01 Jan 2013 21:35:09
Hernandez is like a kid in a sweet shop! His passion for the club is amazing, you can't wipe the smile off his face when he's playing and especially when he scores. Can't believe some people have been putting him down. It's very rare to have a player of his calibre to be sitting on the bench and not moaning, the lad loves the club and gives his all whenever his opportunity comes up.

Hopefully Kagawa can get a string of games together and find some consistency and form partnerships. Also with Nani and Rooney coming back I'm hoping they'll be hit the ground running.

In terms of transfers in January I would like cover for Carrick. Don't get me wrong I think Carrick is the metaphorical glue in our midfield, so if he gets injured our midfield are in bits. And we can't afford that happening so a Strootman or someone for cover and then as a replacement in the future.

Long post, sorry lads. Happy New Year.

Cs93

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I completely agree with you about Hernandez, his attitude is amazing and his goal scoring record is very impressive. All he wants to do is help the team win.

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If we lost Carrick our season would be in tatters there is no doubt about that.... I think Lars Bender or Kevin Strootman would be great to get in and partner with Carrick meaning Cleverley getting benched.

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Long post? Tut tut amature. Lol.

Shappy

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Show him how it's done Shappy :)

StevieK

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It seems long when I'm typing it out on my phone. Thanks for the warm welcome.

Cs93

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Cs, dont take it personal. You see, a couple of months ago, Shappy and Moon got in a contest, trying to see who comes up with the longuest post. We have witnessed some absolutely Mammoth posts, which, in comparison, your post seems miniscule.

Mick

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I see, I see! It's all in good humour

Cs93

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01 Jan 2013 21:06:57
Apparently the scousers have bid £9.5m for Sneijder according to the Daily Fail.....

Hilliard

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Inter are liverpools italian version now a days , wouldnt bother him to swap colours, though the scousers might have big problems arranging cash for his salary imo.
DJ

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01 Jan 2013 20:39:17
We need a Fellaini type player to link up the midfield and attack.We were slow at building attacks and someone like him would suit our play perfectly. FREDO

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One of Fellaini's flaws is his lack of speed and dwelling on the ball. Cannot see how he would speed anything up.

Sydney!

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We have a player to link up the midfield and attack, ever heard of Shinji Kagawa?
DJ

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Shinji Kagawa has not really achieved/done much since he signed and Fellaini's has been amazing this year! FREDO

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Shinji has been injured and been adapting to a new league. Fellaini has been here for years. Completely different players. Fellaini wouldn't play as a 2nd striker for us like he does for Everton. You do realise that he has been playing as a 2nd striker for Everton don't you?

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 20:35:26
We were so close to getting Lucas 25m or whatever the price was in the summer. That would of took up a lot of time solely concentrating to get this young potential world class player signed. When we believed we've struck the deal PSG came along & upped the bid & gave him higher wages.
His dad/agent came out the deal with a big smile on his face I'm sure.

Maybe us not getting Lucas is a blessing in disguise.

1) We would of probably sold Nani in the summer to Zenit, Roma, Juventus whoever.
2) Man City may of bought RVP & he would of bagged 19 goals for them instead.
3) Lucas would just be arriving for January & he'd need a few months to settle in (that's if he does settle)

Now we could afford RVP with the money saved on Lucas.
He will get the golden boot & players like Welbeck, W.Keane & Henriquez will learn off him.

Nani will come back this new year wanting to prove his worth. He'll play well for a wage raise or to put himself in the shop window for the summer. Either way I think he'll be like a NEW signing in January.

Lucas has already been quoted in an interview in Brazil that he may of made the wrong choice. TO LATE NOW.

TJ

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We probably would have still signed RvP if Moura signed. Nani would have funded the Moura deal.

Sydney!

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Moura would have been a great addition, the boy is going to be a top player, i just think he went for money too soon, hes only 20. and i prolly agree with syd that we would have signed both
Dj

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Where would have been us , if we dont get vanpersie..???

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01 Jan 2013 20:19:55
can't wait for liverpool game, local pubs just got in a 60 inch 3dtv.

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01 Jan 2013 20:19:10
Anyone else worried to hear SAF saying he had never even heard of Michu before he signed for Swansea... Paper talk today that Tottenham had him on their radar for a few years... Why not SAF?

For the size of our club is our scouting network performing? Who was the last player we brought in as a bargain and they turned into a gem? Vidic? Ronaldo? We paid alot for them both. Rafael? We paid top money for young kids.

Question for regs... Who's our most recent OGS?

And any ideas why we don't get a few more?

DodgyBanter

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We were linked to Michu frequently so I wouldn't believe everything the manager says.

Sydney!

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How much did we pay for Hernandez and how much could we sell him for now? How many teams would love to have him? Smalling was great last year until he got hurt too.

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Rafa and fabio were only 1.2 mil each I think so rafa has prooved amazing business fabio can still reach that level he is just injury ravaged.

Outwith those two all other youngsters don't get a game straight away haha

Jono

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Maybe the scouts saw him, didn't fancy him and didn't pass his name on.

Maybe at the time he didn't look United class.

No disrespect to Spurs but they don't usually play to the same standard as us i.e we play a lot more in the Champions League than they do, so maybe to a Spurs scout he looked Spurs class but to a United didn't look United class.

To be fair when Swansea signed him i didn't know him and no-one could have predicted how he'd take to the league. He could have been a success or he could have been a flop but with that fee there's little risj involved. it'll be interesting to see if he can keep it up for the rest of the season as i think teams are starting to figure him out.

Would i have him at United? No i think what we have is as good or better anyway.

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We didnt pay a lot for Vidic (£7million) Evra (£5.5million)..... Michu is a decent player but you can not tell me he would get ahead of RVP, Rooney or Hernandez... He may get ahead of Welbeck but that would mean no game time for him.... I do think our scouting system is rather strange though, Vidal went for less than £10million!!

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Surely chicharito falls into that bracket he was a relative unknown to most of us before he was linked with a move. Sparky

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Javier Hernandez ??

Devil Dust.

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Lately we seem to be going for known and proved players for the first team. And then we've got youngsters for the academy.

In today's game finding an unknown gem is not as easy as it used to be. Every club seems to have a huge scouting network, and talented youngsters are overhyped before they play a first team match.

As for our most recent OGS, I would say its Chicha obviously, but you can argue he wasnt unknown because of his world cup performances, but he was still an amazing aquisition for a small price.

Mick

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Jono, almost mate, Rafa and Fabio were £2.4m each, not for both.

Vidic = £8.4m
Evra = £5.8m

Not sure if that's including agent fees. I suspect it does.

Sydney!

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I wasn't suggesting I'd want Michu ahead of our strikers. Just raising the discussion... We don't seem to bring in many cheap players into the first team squad anymore.

Aren't the twins £3M each depending on bonus triggers? Was a lot of money at the age we brought them in. Agree that they are proving fantastic value.

Henriquez is the most recent I guess, but needs loan to get game time.

Maybe our improved youth scouting has negated the need for another OGS type signing, of maybe we have more money available if we need to develop the first team?

We just don't seem to go for the young Wanyama / Vidal type player who is a rough diamond that could come good... we wait until their value has trebled.

I would have thought we'd have brought someone like that in to fill the gap left by Pogba? (You could argue that signing Kagawa we have more than filled the Morrison squad place)

DodgyBanter

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Dodgy,

Do you not think it is much more difficult to find a player people haven't really heard of like an OGS in this day and age where you can see anything you want on YouTube and there are websites covering players and anytime we are linked with a player he is suddenly the next big thing and top of people's lists to sign on here.

Hence why players like smalling, rafa, Phil jones, nick Powell, Hernandez, then hopefully mats dahli etc are your new OGS type players.

GDS

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Cheers Syd, £2.4 each.

Hernandez is probably our most successful recent bargain purchase.

Maybe Lindergard is our OGS type currently, very cheep and one if the best 2nd keepers around.

Agree with that Mick - maybe they are harder to find now that every Prem club and Championship club (and equivalent round Europe) has a wide and extensive scouting network.

DodgyBanter

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I just think the world is getting smaller. I remember when Wenger was finding hidden gems in France!! The market price for players has gone through the roof. We say we got Hernandez as a cheap rough gem, but is 7m really cheap? He wasn't even the top scorer in mexico when we signed him. The big leagues in europe(Spain, Germany, France, Italy and us) have no hidden gems at all due to tv broadcasting and live stream. Then you go to places like Portugal or Brazil and your expected to pay 50m for the top players from thoses less tested leagues. Russia and the Ukrane have oil money and are attracting top young talent.

We live in a world of media now where every half decent kid playing in some back water league has a youtube video to showcase him to the world. Then there is increased competition from teams which previously wouldn't compete with us for a player. This pushes the price up. All meaning there are fewer "hidden" gems and more people trying to sign them. This is why we tend to either go youngsters or slightly more proven players. Plus our own financial situation probably dictates that we can't afford to take as many risk as we once did.

Shappy

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Rafael, Valencia, Nani, Carrick, Hernandez, Smalling, De Gea.

Percy

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Percy,

You even managed to get nani into this debate. How is a 17 million pound signing anything like OGS? Please explain.

GDS

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The european continental clubs have always had better scouting networks and seem to unearth gems for very little money and have a much better network than we do when it comes to South America and then move them on clubs like us for a lot more money. I also think work permits play a part in that.

We have always focused on buying british players and players from the premiere league and have always paid top dollar for established players.
only until recent years are we scouting on a more global basis.

Besides let's face it our academy has not produced much in years and Welbeck and Cleverly would not be considered stars but as solid squad players and everyone else on this team has been acquired for lot's of money.

Shahram

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Shahram has hit the nail on the head. It's all about the work permits. This is why we have set up partnerships with Desportivo & Twente. Ourselves and Desportivo scout and send South Americans to Desportivo and we get first dibs on the players from a young age. We agree a fee in advance and whether they turn out to be a Neymar or a dud, the price stays the same. Desportivo send them to Twente where we take a look at them and they can obtain a European passport. If they do not turn out to be deemed good enough we do not buy them, if they are deemed good enough we buy them.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 20:06:20
Howerya lads
Its funny how if hernandez was playing for another team everyone here would be saying we have to get him yet people want to sell him. Hernandez is an honest player, what you see is what you get. Hes not good as dribbling or interlinking but he's a deadly finisher. The goals he scores you will never see Rvp, Rooney or Welbeck score. Hes lightning fast, tires defenders because of his runs and gives the rest of team behind him space and the defenders drop deep to deal with his pace. If he was at madrid or barcelona he would easily bad 40 goals a season. Yet were never happy with what we have. How many strikers can score a winning goal off the bench if they haven't played for 2/3/4 weeks? Most players need a consistent long run of games to be able to perform i don't think lewandowski could do that. Chicha is not multi dimensional but hes a lethal goal scorer, it would be a shame if we lost him.

The next thing is Kagawa, im really worried that were not going to utilise him to the best of his abilities, hes better than rooney for linking play and setting up strikers and that was proven last year when he wont he double with borrusia. Hopefully Fergie doesn't play him on the left or deep.

Its very interesting that our stand out defender for the last 18 months has been Evans, before that I didn't really rate him and many of us thought he would be sold to Sunderland. The fact that he's not foreign or had an expensive price tag on him is another reason why we all overlook him. I believe when were playing madrid if all our defenders are fit he will start. Even Fergie chooses to play Smalling at rb and not instead of Evans. Looks like a Evans and Smalling partnership in the future.

Carrick needs a mention as he's been tremendous and it scares me that if he gets injured we might have to play giggs or scholes in cm.

I think most of us want to see a team where Kagawa is playing behind Rvp and Rooney or both Rooney and Kagawa playing in attacking mf roles behind Rvp and Chica. What do ye think?

Sulei

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01 Jan 2013 20:42:00
Good analysis of relative strengths. We should not be misled by recent results, what an awful Wigan today. We still need to strengthen in midfield to replace Keane and Scholes. Carrick has been a revelation recently, just a pity he doesn't score more often or perform against the very best opposition. Our strikers are fantastic and what a buy RVP was, how many points has he won, single handed, this season. The defence, part from LB, is probably ok for a couple of years but the midfield needs immediate attention. Strootman would be a start and if Sneijder was available cheap then we should swallow our pride and sign him as well.

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I've always said in the past we need two mfs( hopefully lead to replace giggs and scholes) 1 a ball winner and the other a box to box mf, like the tiote/cabaye or bender/gundogan or martinez/schweinsteiger etc. etc. For me carrick in the past wasn't great but in the last 12 months hes been sticking to what he does best staying deep and threading a few passes, its clear playing with cleverly has made him look better as cleverly is energetic and runs around which allows carrick to stay deep.

Yes the lb posistion is a necessary revamp, don't think any1 on here believe buttner is a long term solution , i also want fabio to challenge the rb posistion with his brother and get an established left footed lb. Wouldn't mind cashley cole.

Sulei

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01 Jan 2013 20:04:39
SAF has said that there will be no signings in January's transfer window.

SAF says this every season but there's always something that happens in January whether it be a new young player or a sale of a player.

SAF has rubbished any speculation that has linked Lewandowski to United in January and he has also rubbished any reports that Nani could be on his way out.

Other players that are linked with United this January are Leighton Baines (Everton, LB), Ezequiel Garay (Benfica, CB), Wesley Sneijder (Inter Milan, CM).

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01 Jan 2013 19:49:03
Well we are now 20 hours into the transfer window and we haven't bought anyone yet.
Surely the manager should be sacked for this lack of ambition or the Glazers are being tight with money again.
How many different spellings of Sneijder will we see in the next few weeks, can't wait.
Anyway just thought i'd get things started as some of the posts this time of year do crack me up.

Red Daz.

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Don't be slagging the sneijder posters off, i got in trouble yesterday for that haha.

We will probably sign nobody as fergie has said and we wouldn't wanna be held to ransom in January. Still need that extra midfielder though obviously. And a left back.

GDS

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01 Jan 2013 19:48:23
so, i consider it as a tough one so lets see what everyone thinks
Ruud VanNistelrooy or Robin Van Persie?
Ruud nicks it for me
DJ

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How about this one cantona or r.v.p {Ed007's Note - There is comparisons and then there is f*7$ing blasphemy!!}

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01 Jan 2013 21:10:08
Ruud was a good player but never scored from outside the box. RVP is a much more complete player.
Paulo

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Too early to tell for RVP. Give him a full season or 2 before comparing him to one of the best strikers in the history of our club. I personally think he's of similar quality.

Mick

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Mick i meant in general, not only for Manchester United
DJ

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In that case I guess both are equal . RVP is a better team player and offers more quality, but in terms of pure goalscorer, few are better than Van nistlerooy.

Mick

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Very true bond
Onecut

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01 Jan 2013 19:36:32
Wow people still complaining after we are 7 points clear and won 4-0 at the ground which cost us the title last year. Hernandez getting ripped? I admit he gets caught offside a lot but its due to him keeping those defenders on there toes for 90mins and making the rest of utd boys thread through balls through a lot more rather than side to side. The player he reminds me the most of is inzahgi who was always caught offside but always got a goal in the end.

Schneider for 10 mil? We should snap it up .. Great player wanted to play for us still got a few years in him great passer like scholes, good free kicks, champ league, world cup experience hot as hell wife lol!. Better than pool or tottenham getting him.

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Just to add. Schneider would be available for the champions league as well

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01 Jan 2013 19:50:25
I was agreeing with you till you mentioned he who must not be named. Hopefully i get up tomorrow for work and he's signed for PSG.

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Schneider? We know it's January now!

I agree though, Hernandez causes so much trouble it's exciting! People to be a little bit more positive.

-JakeW

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After 2 years of constant speculation, it till amazes me how people still cant spell sneijder right.

Mick

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Yeah well was on the mobile so spell check rules the roost not that I would get it right anyway!

I think with sneijder status at Inter there is every chance he will go somewhere. Just feel best chance of replacing Scholes at present and for a decent price perhaps.

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Rumour City will put a bid in for Sneijder.

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01 Jan 2013 19:18:26
Evening Gents,

Lovely way to begin the year, wife's getting worried though cause my man crush on RVP is increasing each week at the moment!

Few things:

Carrick - Think people are starting to see what he brings to the team now and really pleased for him that he is getting praise on here. Appreciate we still need to strengthen here and he could be the casualty if we do, long term he will be definitely but he's a great servant to us and deserves his praise.

Hernandez - although the offsides are frustrating, the way he plays on the defenders shoulders really stretches teams and creates little pockets for players to roam into between the oppisitions defence and midfield and he's not miles off each time and it's good he keeps making them because he does get his rewards.

Cleverley - What I like about Cleverley is when partnered with Carrick, he gets forward and with his energy and pace he drives the oppisitions midfield back which is why I think Carrick is excelling at the moment. I agree to an extent with KLOOT, it is nice if you have players who can run with the ball through the middle and go past players but sometimes what you do off the ball can be just as useful at times even if you don't receive it, you may create space for others. I also like that Cleverley seems confident to receive the ball in tight areas, something I don't think a lot of English players like doing with the exception of some.

Kagawa - Glad he's getting back to fitness, real classy footballer in my opinion. Does anyone else think he's bulked up a bit?

Hoping for a nice signing like Strootman in January, would like a young kid to come in as well, I've not hidden the fact I'm not a Baines fan and from what I've seen of the kid Shaw at Southampton, I'd like us to maybe try get him before Arsenal, we've lost out on Bale, Walcott and Chamberlain from Southamton so would be nice to get this kid and develop him even further.

Have a good evening gents.

Ports {Ed004's Note - Your young fella Shaw tonight was brilliant up until the 92nd min were he gave a cheap pass away for the first time but I'll forgive him for that. The kid from tonights viewing is going to be world class. Dealt with the Ox brilliantly}

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Luke Shaw is a top class youngster.... I would be more than happy to take him off the Saints hands.... He could be the next big thing left back wise in England.

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Ed004,

Yeah from what I saw of him against Arsenal today, he looked good.

I think for FB's you can afford to play youngsters with pace as their pace can get them out of trouble and then reading the game comes as they get the experience, think we're seeing this with Rafael.

Ports {Ed004's Note - His positional sense was brilliant though he needs to work on his end product}

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We have the next big thin at LB in Blackett the only problem is Shaw is trusted enough to play now at 17 1/2 where as we won't be able to play blackett till evra retires at 45!

;-)

Jono

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I am sure we would be all over Shaw if the manager didn't already have the player he wants to replace Evra in mind. With a Young RB and fairly young CB's I think Baines would be the experience needed for the future at the back.

Sydney!

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Syd,

Apart from age, what experience can Baines bring that we don't have in the back 4? He's not been in a title run in, he's not played in big European nights, he's not been a regular at international tournaments! Rafael, Evans, Smalling have experienced run ins, European nights, if we sign Hummels to replace Vidic, he's got experience.

Experience only counts if you've "experienced" scenarios, you think if Giggs and Scholes hadn't achieved all they have then SAF would still have them at the club? They're there for what they bring to the changing rooms and the training ground.

If we're up against it in a game are we going to look at Baines for inspiration and leadership?

Ports

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Ed do you think Shaw is better than Blackett? They are of similar age, and if Blackett is to be given a chance, do you think he'd make a similar impact?

Mick {Ed004's Note - I haven't see enough of Blackett to judge him and he isn't playing with the same quality players and opposition that Shaw is playing with}

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Mick

I think Blackett has it all to be a top LB for us. He is 19 in April and should be pushing to play as Rafa and Fabio were getting games at that age. The signing of butts has cast doubt on that happening IMO as Evra and butts will be ahead of him on exp alone. He should be getting championship exp this year with a view to progressing to either a prem team next year or back to us but for some reason it's just not happening.

Jono

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Agree with Ports. Spot-On mate. Although Baines is a consistent performer and possibly the best LB in the EPL. He hasn't experienced big Champions League nights midweek, when the games come thick n fast. For example, the other year we had Chelsea on the Sunday, Inter on the Wednesday, Liverpool the next Saturday then Inter again the Wednesday after.

ALDUtd

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Thanks Ed, and Jono I agree, a lot of our reserve players seem to be in desesperate need of some first team experience, weather its with us or on loan ( Blackett, Brady, Keane, Wooton, Petrucci, Tunicliffe ... ) but for some reason they' re not guetting it. I would bet that any championship team would love to have a player of Petrucci's class.

Mick

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01 Jan 2013 18:47:19
We are four points better off than we were last season and we have played City, Everton, Chelsea, Liverpool away and Newcastle home and away. Scored two more goals than last season, but conceded eight more.

Sydney!

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Great stats, I can see more clean sheets throughout 2013 mainly because Vidic is back, good times ahead this season!

-JakeW

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01 Jan 2013 18:30:36
Who is Man United's most important player from now till the end of the season? Who would we miss the most if they got injured?

DeGea? I'm sure Lindegaard would be adequate.
Rafael? Jones & Smalling could cover.
Evra? Buttner or maybe recall Fabio.
CB? We have more than enough if at least 4 stay fit.
Anderson, Cleverley or Kagawa we managed without last season.
Scholes? we managed without from August to January last year.
Fletcher was also unavailable for a long period.
If one of Young or Valencia got injured Nani could step in or Rooney or Welbeck can fill in wide.
RVP? Rooney & Chicharito will always find the net & hopefully Welbeck can bag a few more 2nd half of the season like he did last time.

So to answer my question is Michael Carrick the most important player for our treble charge?
He always plays better in the new year. If he got a bad injury how could we replace him?

TJ

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Rooney or RvP.

Sydney!

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Its between RVP and Carrick. They have been the two most influential players that we have had.

Fresh!

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Carrick & RVP

Gav

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Agree with Fresh 100%.

Shahram

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Its not Carrick at all. Without the goals RVP has bein this season we would be totally goosed simple as that!

Jono

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RVP, Rafa and Cleverley

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01 Jan 2013 18:25:27
A good performance today from what I've heard, although I wasn't able to see it.

But the match wasn't something I wanted to talk about. Just wanted to quickly pick through the numerous rumours going on, namely Sneijder, Cole & Lampard. The only plausible one I think is Lampard - and I really do think that this is a possibility given that we may lose a lot of experience this coming year. The other two on the other hand would damage the harmony of the club, Ferdinand would clash with Cole and Sneijder clash with RVP - so for the good of the squad it would be unwise, regarldess of their quality.

Also thought that the Powell loan rumours are interesting. I think he'll be allowed to leave when we have signed a midfielder, Strootman maybe? Fingers crossed for Strootman in January!

Fresh!

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01 Jan 2013 21:16:22
Why would Sneijder clash with RVP? They are both grown up, highly paid sportsmen.

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01 Jan 2013 17:56:58
What a differance a year makes, only a matter of days ago were had been held to a draw at Swansea and it was all doom and gloom. Now here we are on a brisk january evening at the start of a new year and we've had three wins on the bounce and appear to have remembered how to defend. Lets hope the rest of 2013 carries on the way it started.

Shappy

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01 Jan 2013 23:07:50
Sorry, what does prolly mean?

Whistler.

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01 Jan 2013 17:50:56
Marouane Fellaini came up with this jewel trying to explain why he moved to manchester :
"I am living in Manchester now, because in Liverpool, the women were crawling for me, ".

Riddiculous LOL

Mick

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Liverpool the city of alcoholics ;

Mad Hatter

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A fella called Marian daren't live in Liverpool

Puzzled

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01 Jan 2013 17:34:01
Hernandez may have scored 2 and had assist but he is always offside- we should sell him. Giggs is a disgrace, added nothing at all and should retire. Evra was awful and almost gave away 8 goals, he needs to go. Cleverley ran around a lot but didn't actually do anything, he should be sold. DDG may have kept a clean sheet but he looked very nervous and almost cost us 6 goals. Rio's legs have gone and he should be sold / retire. Young is simply not good enough for United. Yes, yes, we may have won 4-0 but all these issues are screaming out to be addressed...aren't they?

Just thought I'd save everyone the trouble and second guess the usual posts despite a comprehensive victory :-)

AJH


AJH

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We are lucky we didnt concede 14 goals then.

Mick

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U're such a liverpool fan at least appreciate were the team as gotten to in the league ranking

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Seriously no name, AJH even told you his post was a joke and you still didn't get it.

Class AJH, saves most people writing anything doesn't it.

GDS

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AJH - even your own people think you support Liverpool

Puzzled

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Liverpool fan? What a bizarre suggestion, at least leave your name mate although as you missed the joke I'm not sure banter with you will be enjoyable.

AJH

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Regarding noname's Liverpool comment - i despair, I really despair.

Great post AJH.

StevieK

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Wait a sec, didn't get the sarcasm until now

Cs93

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01 Jan 2013 17:23:28
Great start to 2013. RVP and Chicharito tearing it up. Great game. Did anyone notice that after Carrick was substituted the midfield just collapsed?
PeeBoaiy

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01 Jan 2013 17:22:53
Whoa, did you see that link up bit at the end w/ Kagawa, Chicha, and RVP. Scary beautiful. {Ed004's Note - It was brilliant, the link up near the end was very good}

Believable2 Unbelievable1

I think we easily forget that these players are still getting used to playing with one another - can't wait for them to really understand each other's game, they could cause havoc.

AJH

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01 Jan 2013 17:08:36
4-0 away from home, strikers scoring, defenders defending, and even Evra did well today both defensively and offensively (Granted there wasn't much of a challenge) but he does seem to have improved his game a bit.

Where has Evans' pace come from too?! I didn't know he had it in him!

Hoppy

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01 Jan 2013 16:58:08
Quick question, did McCarthy even play today? Another non-existent game against us. £10m maybe, £20m laughable.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 16:54:45
Great resut. Wigan were poor, especially at the back. So not much of a challenge for us today but a decent performance all the same.

Positives: 2nd clean sheet in a row, RVP & Hernandez both on form, Carrick was excellent again, Evra was dangerous in the attacking 3rd

Only negative for me was Giggs really. I thought he was a little ineffective, but at least it allowed Valencia a rest.

On Cleverly: thought he did OK again today, needs to be more positive at times and prove he can influence the game more but he made himself available for passes all day long and kept the ball moving around the pitch, as per usual.

Gav

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Couldn't agree more about Cleverley, I thought he could have been more positive too.

Sydney!

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I would add Rafael's performance to the positives. He didnt have much to do defensivly but joined the attaack brilliantly.

Carrick had yet another great game, and Evans showed just how much he has imoproved this year.

Smalling looked a bit shakey if you ask me, but thats to be expected from CB just coming off the bench.

Mick

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Mick - agree with you, I forgot to mention Rafael TBH! He was very good and Evans did well too.

I've been an advocate of giving Smalling a chance but given Evans' form and additional experience I would like to see Vidic & Evans given a run at CB (when Vidic is ready). I think they could be really solid.

Gav

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Positives today
3 points
carrick played well again
raphael played well
rvp class
chico 2 poachers goals but needs to stay onside better
negatives
giggs poor still trying the silly flicks and losing the ball
cleverley poor didnt really contribute much
2nd best for the 1st 25 minutes
tougher tests on the horrizon
johndenton

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01 Jan 2013 16:49:28
We didn't even play great today and still won 4-0! Scary.

Caolán.

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01 Jan 2013 16:46:53
You can see how much we have missed Rafael at right back. {Ed004's Note - He has been brilliant today defensively and offensively}

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He has a major impact on our team without many noticing it... He really is turning in to a great right back.

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Not many better sights than Rafael's bumbeling runs from RB, he has a very distinctive dribbling style which is nice to watch.

Gav

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01 Jan 2013 17:25:44
Rafael is absolute class and he shows it everytime he plays.
PeeBoaiy

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01 Jan 2013 16:44:20
What a shocking last 15 minutes.. The effects of no Carrrick and still Giggs?

Believable3 Unbelievable3

I'd say it's the effect of playing too many players out of position (Welbeck, Kagawa, RVP) coupled with players with little positional discipline as it is (Evra, Giggs, Cleverly).
Not bashing Cleverly, but he's not one to sit in front of the back 4 and protect them, so please hold off bashing me for this.

Jonny8


PS. Bad substitutions for me, not the players going off, but those coming on

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Or the effectsof being 3-0 up and taking your foot off the gas?

AJH

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We clearly missed Carrick when he went off

Gav

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01 Jan 2013 16:36:26
Anyone know where kagawa will play once rooney gets back and if we continue to play a 4-4-2?

James

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We play 4-2-3-1.

I imagine Kags will play in midfield or will sit on the bench.

Sydney!

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No idea, was thinking the same actually.

Gav

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Syd so do you not think he could play on the left of a 4/2/3/1 with Rooney behind rvp?

Munkydunc

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He plays there for Japan, but for some reason SAF playing him on the right at United.

Sydney!

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Munkydunc

I think he could, with Young to the right of Rooney. The manager does like to play with width though so I'm not sure he sees that as the way forward?

Gav

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I think we could end up playing closer to a 4-1-2-1-2

Then the in front of the back 4 could look like this:
Carrick
Valencia Young
Kagawa
RVP Rooney

Carrick can shield the defence, and Kagawa can feed passes through to Rooney / RVP with Valencia/Young/Nani providing width?

Just an idea.

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4-1-2-1-2 would be a good idea but we would need an out and out defensive midfielder, Carrick wouldn't be able to control the game on his own back there.

-JakeW

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Does anyone play a 4-1-2-1-2.never heard of that formation and i think you guys are coming up with stuff just to fit people into a first eleven.

Kagawa best position is where Rooney likes to play. Young is better on the left both in keeping possession and providing width and defensive cover for Evra and the same applies to Valencia/Nani on the right, so it all comes down to rotating and someone has to sit on the bench.

Carrick and RVP pick themselves and assuming Rooney gets selected when fit that leaves 1 spot between Cleverly, Kagawa, Anderson, Scholes and Fletcher.

Picking Kagawa for that last spot for me leaves us too exposed and I prefer Cleverly in that spot.

Shahram

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01 Jan 2013 16:11:20
Why are Cleverley and Carrick so reluctant to shoot from just outside the box and why is Young not doing what he does best where he zips by players and whips it in... He is stopping and turning back just like Valencia has been doing lately it has to be the coaching

Believable2 Unbelievable0

It's possession football mate, I don't like it either.

Sydney!

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It is silly.... Quite a few times the ball rolled out perfectly for someone to put their foot through and they stop and turn or go sideways.

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It's poor possession football Sydney.
It's all about not trying stuff with little chance of coming off, instead of not trying anything at all!
Valencia and Young today didn't even finish counter attacks off with two strikers in the middle against two or three defenders!
Instead opting to pass back and give them time to organize the defense.
This is poor tactics

Jonny8

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Jonny, I agree and said this a while ago. Young used to beat players as did Valencia and Nani, but for a while now they have been stopping and passing it back. They are trying to keep possession and sometimes they have beaten the player and still turn back, very frustrating at times.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 16:08:19
I do not understand people saying they would kepe Hernandez over getting Lewandowski....He offers almost nothing outside the box, gets caught offside a hell of a lot and misses a lot of good chances and takes wrong decisions... {Ed004's Note - Are you watching the same game everyone else is? This Hernandez who has scored a goal and gotten an assist and who's movement has been excellent so far. He has also made himself available all the time and the wigan defence don't look confident with him around at all?}

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So who would you put in your first 11? Yes Hernandez gets poacher goals and is a great squad player and impact substitute but he is not a top all around striker.. {Ed004's Note - I didn't say he would be a regular starter? Though would Lewandowski who seems a bit of moody character be willing to spend as much time on the bench as Hernandez does without complaining and disrupting the squad moral? Lewandowski is a top player but Hernandez is a far better squad player to have and every team needs them}

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He gets caught offside more than other strikers simply because of the type of player he is, he plays on the last defender but theres no striker anywhere id want around the box if we needed a goal more than hernandez!

BABY FACED ASSASIN

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It's a squad game my friend. No need to sell Hernandez.

Sydney!

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Noname, I think you answered your own question (2nd post).

You'd struggle to find a better forward than Hernandez who is also willing to sit on the bench so often. We'd be mad to sell him IMO. When OGS was in our squad I would never have wanted him sold, and it's the same for me with Hernandez these days. Lewandowski would expect regular 1st team football so I'd be worried that we'd change our shape just to accommodate him. With the number of goals we've scored this season I don't think it's a striker we need to buy anyway.

Gav

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Also, he was very good today so strange timing with this post.

Gav

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I am not saying I would sell Hernandez it just kind of bewilders me that people would pick him over Lewandowski... He is a great squad player and I get that but all im saying is he lacks vital parts of a strikers game no matter if he is a poacher or not...

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I believe Hernandez has improved his alley und game immensely since arriving!
He was a great poacher back then, invisible otherwise.
Now he makes himself available in the middle of the park if needed, he holds the ball up and tracks back if he looses the ball

I wouldn't even think about selling him until he voices discontent and wants to leave

Jonny8

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Its good to have strikers with different ability. So I don't mind having Hernandez... And sometimes, we need player like him to get goals

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If Hernandez was starting every week then we'd probably agree. But he is an excellent squad striker whereas Lew would expect to start more often than not. It's as simple as that. Building a top squad is not as simple as buying as many good players as possible for each position. You need a mix of experience, age and players with different expectations over playing time.

Gav

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01 Jan 2013 15:59:51
I would just like to praise Evans. Credit where its due, Evans has always had a lack of pace, but he seems to have been working on it. He has been able to outpace Kone, who is one of the most explosive forwards in the league.

Mick {Ed004's Note - I noticed that he made up the ground on Kone brilliantly}

Believable2 Unbelievable1

Ed004 - Evans pace was immense against Kone.

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It shows what shear determination can do, he wanted that ball more than kone...great defending :)

Rouge Diablo :)

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01 Jan 2013 15:59:51
I would just like to praise Evans. Credit where its due, Evans has always had a lack of pace, but he seems to have been working on it. He has been able to outpace Kone, who is one of the most explosive forwards in the league.

Mick

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01 Jan 2013 15:50:30
Giggs has stepped up in the last 15 mins. Good 2-0 half time lead.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

Which channel is it on.

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01 Jan 2013 15:44:03
oooooooooooh robin van persie!

what a man!

JK92

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01 Jan 2013 15:43:54
RVP is sheer class. What a goal!!

James

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01 Jan 2013 15:36:31
If Evra was as good in our box as he is in the oppositions he would be great... Unfortunately he is not.

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01 Jan 2013 15:29:44
Giggs is struggling, come one SAF this is cruelty to legends.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 15:48:53
H-T We are 2-0 up goal from VP and Hernandez

Emptyred

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Hes played quite well so far

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People slag the same players off, don't even watch the game

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People slag the same players off, don't even watch the game

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I agree, he started on the back foot ( the whole team did ) and than settled in the game and improved. His delivery has been good.

Mick

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Giggs grew into the game after a dreadful first half hour.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 15:27:03
Im really disappointed not to see Kagawa start as Wigan are not a very physical team I was hoping to see him forge a decent partnership with RVP.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

Would like to see Kagawa replace Giggs at HT.

Sydney! {Ed004's Note - So would I, would be good for him to get some game time}

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Yeh but he played 60 mins a few days ago and is just back from an injury. Hopefully we get to see him before the end. TBF to the RVP/Hernandez partnership it's doing quite well for us so far!

Gav

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Hard for him to play 2 games in 3days after 3months out

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01 Jan 2013 15:25:48
giggs on the left and not one decent attack has came from down that side, everything is on the right..
he is offering nothing to the team..

Believable1 Unbelievable4

Take that back ha.

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01 Jan 2013 15:12:35
Javier Hernandez is worse than Fillipo Inzaghi at reading the offside trap.

Believable1 Unbelievable4

Agree! Needs to learn to time his runs. Not a baf half though, would like to see us dominate possession a bit more in the next 45.

Luke

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Agree! Needs to learn to time his runs. Not a baf half though, would like to see us dominate possession a bit more in the next 45.

Luke

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You lot must be watching a different game to me

Pardoe

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Why is there repeats?

;)

-JakeW {Ed004's Note - I think you are seeing things ;)...}

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01 Jan 2013 15:09:49
What is with United lately? We have started playing long balls lots more and missing out the midfield.... Is this because we do not have a quality player in midfield?

Believable2 Unbelievable1

Looking to buy Fellaini?

Haha

Jono

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01 Jan 2013 14:36:18
Have wigan taken angelo henriquez on loan today?

Believable1 Unbelievable0

01 Jan 2013 14:04:17
I think we should all wish Darren fletcher and fabrice muamba a new year! Two men who went through hell in 2012 and let's hope they both have a good 2013.

Caolán.

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Add to that Tito, Abidal and Petrov.

Jono

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01 Jan 2013 13:57:49
If powell is going out on loan surely that means we will be bringing in a midfielder? Thoughts?
Pedroknight

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I agree. I think Powell going out on loan is dependent on if we sign a target. 'Strootman' Well I certainly hope so ;)

Sydney!

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How syd he doesn't play much?

Caolán.

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But he is back-up remember, he will go on loan if we buy a midfielder mainly due to us having too many options, he wouldn't be played.

-JakeW

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01 Jan 2013 13:10:18
Queston for Ed01,

How do you rate both Ince and Zaha and which do you think would make the better signing?

I know your up on youth football and wondered which you thought was the better prospect. Both are having good seasons and i expect both will be the subject of bids this month from clubs.

Cheers and Happy New Year. {Ed001's Note - for me Ince is a far better player. Zaha has more tricks, but his end product is appalling and wasteful. Ince offers more, he is a more rounded player and his time at Blackpool has improved his play massively. He left Liverpool as a decent left winger with pace, but not in the same league as Sterling. Now he offers a threat anywhere up top, he can get goals and assists. Zaha tends to just end up putting the ball into the stands.}

Believable0 Unbelievable0

I agree with Ed001, Zaha has much more flair and trickery, but Ince is more direct and has an end product. If Zaha could improve his end product then he could be a very good player. It is a risk though as he is 20 and not 17.

Sydney!

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So basically, on a smaller scale. Zaha is a Nani. Ince is a Hazard. Basically.
ps. Percy, come at me bro.
SK.

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SK, Hazard LOL!

Sydney!

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Noone else really comes to mind, Syd. Di Maria?
SK.

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01 Jan 2013 13:39:53
Hope you all had a safe and great night last night guys. Looking forward to this mental transfer window and the different spellings of Sneijder, Schneider, snider, Snyder :)

Just a thought, should of kept hold of Berbatov, he's now the leading scorer in this calendar year ahead of Messi and Ronaldo!

Hold on to your seats guys, gonna be a rollercoaster 2013.

Ports

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01 Jan 2013 13:13:54
Interesting bit of dinner conversation. I was with a friend of our from the UK last night who is a mad United supporter and His dad at one time was employed by the club and was very high during the Edwards era(sorry can't say what he did) and they are still very much in touch with people at the club and at most games. Anyway according to him, he says the Ronaldo think is a real possibility.

Personally, I have never thought of it being possible and don't even bother reading the stuff but he has got me curious now. Banter Please,

Shahram {Ed004's Note - I would love to see the man return but I like everyone else are wondering whether the moeny would be better spent else where.. Though a question for people on here. If the opportunity came and we could sell Rooney for around 50 million or even offer him + cash to Madrid, would people do it if it meant there was more money to reinvest in one/two midfielders, a left back, and a Nani replacement which would be covered by the Nani sale. I reckon Kagawa could do a good job were Rooney plays and he would contribute with a lot of assists but maybe not as many goals}

Believable0 Unbelievable1

Ed004

I think you know the answer to that one . CR7 is like having 2 great players and he still has at least 5 great years ahead of him.

I don't want to get into too much stuff but it is all Ronaldo dependent and how a few things pan out in the next few months. It is also not a wage issue and he is not using us to get a bigger wage.

Shahram {Ed004's Note - Well I am just hoping we see the return of Ronaldo but not an expense to the whole team}

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You know what you're getting with ronaldo, 30/40 plus goals a season and the pace and skill he has teams wouldn't dare push up against us because of him ripping them a new one.

with rooney you never know which is gunna turn up.. the lazy fat head or the man on a mission who.

now we have RVP i don't see the need for rooney as much.

in january i would buy strootman.
in the summer i would get cole on a free and swap rooney and 20m? for ronaldo.

sell evra and let giggs and scholes retire.

_________de gea________
rafael_smalling_vidic__cole
____carrick_Strootman___
nani____kagawa____ronaldo
_________RVP



25 man squad
lindegaard
evans
rio
jones
buttner
anderson
cleverley
young
valencia
powell
hernandez
welbeck
and 3 youngsters. {Ed004's Note - I don't think some people might get the concept of what I was saying. I am not saying we would have to or should sell Rooney if Ronaldo returns what I am saying is that would we be better off selling Rooney to raise funds as Ronaldo would cost a lot. We could always keep Rooney and play him with Ronaldo but it would mean another season with Evra and our midfielders possibly}

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Well would we really need a Nani replacement if we got Ronaldo back? I know he plays up front these days but we'd have to change system to accomodate him and to try and get him, Kagawa and RvP in the same 11. I think it is entirely dependent on both Nani & Rooney leaving and wanting to leave. Thing is Fergie is so striker fixated he'd probably still bring in lewandowski and not bother with anything else.

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We have a good squad imo with capable players, the thing we lack these days (apart from a cm/lb ha) is the fear factor, smaller teams play with hope believing they can get something from us, i think with ronnie at the club teams will melt with fear when they look at the team sheet, imagine a forward line of RVP, rooney (who i think ronnie will bring the best out of), ronaldo and Kagaaw etc.... thats a mouth watering attack by anyones standards......just my 2 pence tho...im sure others would rather have 2 or 3 players instead, whitch long term is the better option.....but id love to see ronaldo come home :)

Rouge Diablo :)

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Can we afford Ronaldo to go elsewhere? If he went to City or Chelsea what would it do for them?

When a player of that standard becomes available and wants to play for us so much then it must be a straightforward decision. Ronaldo, alongside Messi is a generational player, one of the greats that pop up from time to time. Put him in any team in the world and it improves them.

If there is a chance we must take it in my opinion, he would put us up there challenging in Europe and truly feared at home. At City or Chelsea he would put them well in front of us for some time, he is that good.

It would be pure speculation but Kloot indicated Ferguson was not happy with De Gea and it seems Madrid are interested, he may be part of a deal but we would rely on Ronaldo being determined to only want to come to us as financially we are not strong. I wonder at Nike, any potential new Nike deal and the impact Ronaldo in a red shirt could have on it.

I would not rule him out, but would be disappointed if this was just a ruse to get a better pay day.

Red Man

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Red Man, it has to be financially viable. We are not funded by a Sheikh or Oligarch remember. I would go to £60m for Ronaldo, not sure RM will let him go for that price.

Sydney!

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Cole god no.


If De Gea was part of the deal who would we replace him with? I fear we'd go the cheap option and promore Lindegaard up 1 and then do the same with Amos & Johnstone.

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Sydney

A lot depends on Ronaldo himself , his desires will likely drive it, whatever they maybe.

Financially viable, well as I said , lets see what the Nike input is, however put Ronaldo at our English competitors and we can wave goodbye to the title and Europe for about 5 years unless we find an exceptional talent elsewhere. Remember Ronaldo is not just good but one of the greats, the price not to buy him may be higher than buying him. Add to that it would test your assertion that the finances are ok

Red Man

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How about a swap deal with Madrid with Rooney and De Gea being Swapped with Ronaldo?

De Gea is always likely to want to head home at some point, and Rooney will not be a top player as long as Ronaldo will be due to his body type and how he looks after himself.

With this kind of deal we wouldn't have touched the usual transfer funds, plus we could still sell Nani which would raise more money, this would mean we would still have around 50m to spend on the midfield and a left back. Maybe Baines for 12m, Strootman for 18m and we'd still have 20m or so to spend on a new keeper and maybe another youth player or two. Possibly Krul or Adler and Zaha or Ince?

How would people feel if we had Rooney, De Gea, Nani, Evra, Scholes and Giggs leave/retire.
With Ronaldo, Strootman, Baines, Krul/Adler, Ince/Zaha come in?

Shappy {Ed004's Note - I don't rate Strootman that highly so would prefer someone like Bender and I reckon we would need a Nani replacement...so you're looking at spending Nani's transfer fee on a replacement for him. So someone like Gotze or Rodriguez}

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I find it amazing that so many are now ok with the thought of DDG leaving as part of a Ronny return.

Interesting!

So if that were to happen who would you all want?

Jono

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I think with Ronaldo and one of Ince/Zaha coming in I think Nani would be suitably replaced, bear in mind we have Kagawa Young and Valencia in the squad aswell.

Personally I rate Strootman, but Lars Bender would be a good option or if you wanted someone more defensively sound you could go for Cirigliano.

Shappy {Ed004's Note - I still think an attack of Kagawa, Rooney, Ronaldo and RVP looks class but if the club sells Rooney I reckon you could get Gotze for 20 million less and you could easily spend that on a midfielder such as Bender. Then use the sale of Nani to fund Baines.}

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Jono

How do you feel about Real Madrid allegedly being interested in buying DDG for more than we paid for him? He must be doing something very well, mustn't he, when Madrid want him or recognise his potential? Or are they wrong about him as well?

I rate DDG very highly but if he had to be sacrificed to bring one the two great players to OT then I would accept that cost but not otherwise

Red Man

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Red Man

I have said all along his game is suited to Spain and because of that they would have to pay top dollar for one of our players. Do I think it's down to his massive improvement that he will cost more than we paid? No, I think as its Madrod buying from Utd we would never sell for a loss in 2 years.

If the rumours are true and we could make a profit my words in the summer would be 'bye, bye'

Jono

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01 Jan 2013 13:13:41
Manchester United is the only team in whole of Europe to not receive a single red card in 2012.
How about that?

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Brilliant discipline from the lads.

GDS

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01 Jan 2013 10:42:55
Happy 2013 to all the posters and especially the EDs
Keep up the good work and best of luck to everyone for the new year :)

BABY FACED ASSASIN

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01 Jan 2013 09:57:54
"11 M for Sneider, He is all yours" .com

If it is true please sign him SAF.

Ravi

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The transfer fee was never the issue with Sneijder, his wage demands were astronomical and probably still are. He has played little football, injury prone, clearly has a bad attitude. £11m will probably include a huge signing on fee for the player and a tidy amount in agent fees. If the player was willing to drop his ridiculous demands I think United would be interested again, after all we still need to replace Scholes and I understand Sneijder can play there.

Sydney!

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Dont post this sneijder B.S again , he could have joined us in 2011 summer , we wont sign him. pls ed dont let that sh**te print

nikz

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He wanted 250k per week wages, unless he's dropped that to around 120k a week then its a no go. I just can't see him doing that when you have teams like PSG and Anzi ect who will pay him so much more. He's won trophies during his career now he's after his last big pay off. And i'd rather spend the money on someone with winning asperations not financial ones.

Shappy

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Liverpool, spurs are also interested in Sneijder, Assuming that both Manchester clubs are not interested in him, will pool or spurs pay his wage demand? or will he lower his wages to sign for any one of them?

May be Anzhi or PSG will sign him.

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Personally I would prefer a Schweinsteiger type to a Sneijder if we are to shore up our midfield.

It would be strange for Ferguson to go back to a target who was over demanding previously. He tried more than once for Shearer but it would have to be a real cut price for Sneijder, still I don't think he can do the job we need. Good player but give me Schweinstiger every time

Red Man

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I doubt Fergie will go for him if attitude is an issue, has hasn't got the time or patience to sort out attitude issues these days. Also too injury prone.

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Shearer was understandable, was top lcass, proven in the league and had he been ambitious enough we would have won the Champions league more than once if we'd have had him, as good as Coley & Yorkey were Shearer was better. Look at how good the partnership with Teddy was for England, imagine that week in week out at club level with Giggs, Keane, Scholes and Beckham behind them. Truly frightening!!

I agree with Shappy, he's got nothing left to win at club level so its finances for him. We need hungry players, not necessarily young ones just hungry ones. Sneijder aint one.

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Where are you guys getting this stuff about him having an attitude problem. I don't buy in to that because knowing ferguson and the club, we always do our homework on players before we even go forward and would not have gone after him if there was a genuine character issue.

Shahram

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Red Man, if only Schweinsteiger was available. He would be a perfect fit IMO too.

Sydney!

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The only way we could have Sneijder playing in the Scholes position is if we have a Wanyama, Witsel or M'Vila next to him.

Sydney!

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Shahram, he has refused to play for Inter, he has refused to train with them. He agreed to join United in principle and then asked for more money the following day. He can be a nuisance, but at £11m could be worth a gamble. It all boils down to his greed in the end.

Sydney!

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He doesn't have a bad attitude at all.

You are all basing this on the fact he has been frozen out at inter and blaming him. Well his is at fault but only because they have said take a pay cut or your not playing.

Ask yourself would Rooney?

Haha no chance. They made their bed with him by giving him the big contract to help try and get the best deal possible from us and they were banking on it. So tough tits IMO why the heck should he take less just because the original plan didn't work out?

I don't think he would be anywhere near Rodney's wages now more on par with RVP. He has been injured less than RVP over his career and that was a major issue with most before getting him.

If he could rediscover his top form like RVP has and hit the ground running he would be a great possession keeping CM doing the Scholes range passes with ease but would still be requiring a tough holding ball winner.

My preference now for the WS role would clearly be Cabaye but if for whatever reason he cannot be obtained then WS would definitely do especially for a cut price deal.

Shapps

I don't think he is after the big pay day mate. He will have VDS, RVP, Stam and RVN who will all have told him about playing for us and SAF. That challenge as well as replacing Scholes in the team would be an ideal reason to have their head on football and winning not just about the pay cheque.

But I will say I don't think this is anything other than papers putting an ex target back in our sights as the CM is so obviously a weak point. I would be very surprised if he is on the radar now.

Jono

Jono

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Sydney is the agreeing to join and asking for more the next day a fact or just hearsay.?

I also thought he is being frozen out because he won't take a wage cut. I don't know many footballers especially top footballers who would accept something like this.

I have no Idea why everyone gets so worked up, for 11 million he would be damn good signing.


Shahram

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Sydney

It was the Schweinsteiger type of player I referred to but interestingly the German was linked with Chelsea a few days ago after he made an ambiguous remark about the future. He won't be coming to us mind you but for me it is that type of player we need not Sneijder

Red Man

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Red Man, completely agree.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 09:20:51
AJH,

Happy new year to you mate along with Dodgy B, Gav and the rest of you passionate Utd fans. Good luck for 2013 and I'll see you soon.

Stoner

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01 Jan 2013 06:46:05
What all the fuss about the new year?
Happy January transfer to you all!

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01 Jan 2013 06:15:47
Top debates: I AM KLOOT vs Rooney, I AM KLOOT vs The Brand and Percy and Nani vs Everyone else
PeeBoaiy

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Sydney vs Evra and Jono vs DDg

Mick

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Sydney v rooney

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Mick, to be fair I like Ev as a person and he has been a good servant to the club. I still say he is the best fullback at getting from box to box in the world (Baines a close second) and he has done well offensively this season compared to previous seasons by scoring goals. However he is still a major liability in defence and we are still suffering for it. Young has helped him out a lot since his return from injury, but I feel a Young who doesn't have to be burdened with so much defending would be better offensively. The Soccer Saturday panel were spot on with their assessment on Ev. Praising our CB's for having to play with a back two instead of a back four. Every man and his dog knows the LB area is a problem for us so there isn't no need for me to keep criticising, to be fair this has gone on for three seasons now so only the manager can really be criticised. Baines is looking so good right now and I think we would be stupid not to buy him. He reminds me so much of Evra 2007-2010. Anyway this is my final sum-up of Ev and lets hope he keeps scoring for the rest of the season and fingers crossed Young stays fit ;)

Sydney!

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Add rodio17 vs carrik here..
Rodio17

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Sydney our style of play has always had the fullbacks bombing forward and joining the attack, that will always lend itself to our fullbacks getting caught out of position and in the past we could manage it because we had a midfield with legs to provide cover. At the moment we are wide open in the middle of the pitch when we lose possession due to a lack of quality midfielders and lack of pace when defending and hence conceding lots of goals.

I also think Vidic once healthy is still miles better than evans and Smalling and organizes things better at the back.

I think Evra's defending is not as bad as you make it, if he was asked to sit back and not go forward and just defend.

For the stats people how much mileage does Evra he put in very game?

Finally, I agree Baines would be a great replacement.

Shahram

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I have zero issues with Rooney. As long as he stays fit and plays his heart out for the team he will continue to score goals.

Sydney!

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Shahram

Evra has been pathetic in defence mate. Every single game he is either skinned or not in position regularly. Blanc had the sense to drop him in the Euros after it happened time and again up against that speedster Milner but we don't have a exp back up as Evra previously was playing every game.

Watch the goal against Swansea again mate, I was screaming at him for his atrocious watching the player run from around 8 yards in front to 5 in behind with both arms out as if he was blaming everyone but himself! As soon as the goal goes in All the CB's and DDG area up in arms looking across in his area and what's he doing? The same, standing stock still with his arms out.

Fuc**ng joke!

Jono

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Shahram, if you cannot see Evra's frailties at defending then your opinion on any other subject on this page is tainted. Carrying on this conversation with you would be pointless if you cannot see the obvious.

Baines is a perfect example of a fullback attacking "AND" defending.

Sydney!

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The problem is though when you see Evra 25 yards away from the action strolling back whilst Young or Rooney sprint past him to try and cover, that is what is unforgivable. he can score all the goals he wants but he still has to go this summer.

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No name, correct. I cannot wait to see the comments on here when Evra is finally replaced by 'probably' Baines. Baines and someone like Strootman would improve us dramatically in defence.

Sydney!

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Jono, Sydney

I never said he is a great defender and can see what everyone else sees. our style of play leaves him more exposed and out of position because he is asked to go forward and his engine is not what it was a few years ago.

Shahram

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I think this could be evras last season , is he in the last year of his contract
jred

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Shahram, there is a masive difference between Evra's defending 2007-2010 and now. Getting forward is no excuse for not tracking back. Even when he does track back he puts up little resistance. Even Hibbert skinned him twice. TONY 'fackin' HIBBERT! Once assist a season on average, but two against Ev in one game ;)

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 15:00:29
his engine is good enough to get him to the enemy penalty box but it isn't good enough to get him back to ours? Rubbish. Its nothing to do with our style of play and a lot to do with him being lazy. Carrick and cleverley work hard in midfield and so does young when we play him. So whats evra's excuse?

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Once again Shahram has no clue about what he is saying. One way engine? Duh ... Read the game and watch the match!

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Evra has never been a good defender positioning wise. Now he just doesnt have the pace to get back and catch up with the winger.

I think hes better off going to a less intense league. The ping-pong style of the premier league doesmt suit hum anymore.

Mick

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Once again Shahram has no clue about what he is saying. One way engine? Duh ... Read the game and watch the match!

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Sydney

You don't like the guy and can't even read a post with some objectivity. He is in his 30s and his legs and lungs are not what they where a few years ago.

Most players as they get older adapt their game to cope with the natural physical changes the body goes through, he is still doing what he was doing 5 or 6 years ago and just does not have the stamina to get back when teams are running at pace at us.

If you are going to behave like an imbecile, you will get the same treatment back.

Shahram

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Who's acting like an imbecile? When?

Sydney!

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Sydney

"Shahram, if you cannot see Evra's frailties at defending then your opinion on any other subject on this page is tainted. Carrying on this conversation with you would be pointless if you cannot see the obvious."

Read what I wrote before having a spasm and posting.

Shahram

Shahram

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Evra has been horrendous at defending for three seasons now. A shadow of his former self. If you cannot see that then you need your eyes tested my friend. To be fair I watched a game from 2009 on MUTV the other day and Evra looks like he has aged ten years. He was much leaner and quicker and looks a different player. Of course age catches up with people, that isn't my point. Evra is a liability at LB, that was my point.

Sydney!

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01 Jan 2013 05:50:43
Happy new year to all of you. Thanks Eds for this site and your comments 002, 004, 007etc. Thanks to the frequent posters legends like I AM KLOOT, Sydney, Gav, Steviek, Ports, Shraham etc I know we all disagree over a lot of things but the truth is that we love this club and may the new year be fruitful and joyous for us all. Happy nu year to guys from other page Stoner, Irish Rover, Puzzled and That sunderland fan keep it coming guys. Thanks Eds.
PeeBoaiy

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01 Jan 2013 10:31:01
And to you, have a great one.

Stoner

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Happy new year PeeBoaiy and AJH

Puzzled

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Happy new year to you too, I am still trying to get my senses back and looking forward to seeing the match today. Let's hope for a big win to kick off the year.

Shahram

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01 Jan 2013 00:37:46
Happy New Year! Have a good 'un and lets hope we can argue our way to lots of trophies.

Keep the passion up, it really is superb.

Phred

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01 Jan 2013 00:22:18
Happy new year laddos, fu**ing love yas.

Love from,

MPez

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