25 Feb 2014 23:50:21
Go to Greece to play for a 0-0 and maybe nick one. Make no mistake that was our managers plan. Play slow possession football to try to frustrate Olympiakos(yes u heard right, we tried to frustrate a greek team). If this is seriously all he can come up with against them then i'm glad we won't be in the last 8 this year. Tactically Bayern, Barca, Real or Dortmund would absolutely destroy us.
Will the Glazier trust old Moysie with the big bucks in the summer? I just can't see it. If Moyes is here next year I see it with only one more big signing and a couple of youngsters. The Glaziers might be a lot of things but stupid financially they are not. If they let Moyes stay it will not be to spend their money and leave in another season.
The bottom line is though, the glaziers don't base their results the same as ours. Once the deals keep coming and Utd are still making money they don't mind. It may come to a head if they see a marked drop in revenue as the glory hunters follow someone else, but this imo is a couple of years away.
Manchester United Banter Archive February 25 2014
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25 Feb 2014 23:49:35
I can't believe how bad we were tonight and in fact all season are tactics are terrible are a boring team to watch. I think you can blame luck, transition injuries or weather all you like but the buck stop with DM. I know we have all these potential signings on the horizon but I can't see world class players lining up to join a team with no champions league football. the time for DM to leave is now
25 Feb 2014 23:41:40
Alan shearer has said tonight that the players have downed tools, no rubbish sherlock, that was moyes' 41st completely different team selection, how can he expect to build momentum when he never plays the same team ever!
25 Feb 2014 23:21:02
I am dismayed at what I saw tonight. I have defended Moyes due to the fact that the players have not helped him, and whilst that was true tonight, you have to ask why he changed the side from Saturday. The only change that needed to be made was Mata straight swap Kagawa. Why keep changing? If Fellaini, januzaj were injured I could understand but this was a shocking selection. The players still played apallingly badly but success breeds success and the lack of a consistent selection policy does nothing for confidence.
25 Feb 2014 23:13:48
Banter page please ed.
Wow I feel numb.
Really don't know what to think. The players were woeful, void of desire and fight, then the team selection!
Don't get me wrong cause I know on the other hand I feel for Moyes and some of the players cause there are some there not good enough or know they are leaving and others probably resentful of the new management so we got a disjointed team and easily taken apart by half decent oppostion.
We badly need this season to end, the deadwood out and new quality brought in but is Moyes the man to do it, is he good enough?
Really he hasn't had the time or a team behind him to show his strengths and what he could achieve but 1 thing I do know he isn't good enough when the chips are down.
25 Feb 2014 23:07:44
at the end of the match on itv did you see some of the boards faces they did not look happy and sir bobby looked dismayed add that to roys criticicem about the club this could spell the end for moyes hears hoping and I hope penny pinching glazers give the fans that travelled there money back
25 Feb 2014 23:03:07
DeGea - Schmeichel & VDS wouldn't of saved them. Just unlucky. Rubbish defending aswell ahead of him.
Smalling - How many times did he fall over? Terrible passer & looks flustered in possession.
Evra - Bombs forward & jogs back. His legs have gone.
Rio - Heads in promo, hats, magazines, MLS? Not football. His lack of pace, control & concentration is showing.
Vidic - Inter Milan
Carrick - 33 next season. Hunger will go for the game. Sits deep & doesn't do a great deal.
Cleverley - Good player but needs a passer & mover like himself with him. Anderson suited him 2 seasons ago. Maybe Kagawa would be good for him in the hole. That means Rooney would have to play CM or left of 3.
Valencia - 1 good season, 1 footed, 1 trick (pace)
Young - Will never win an arial battle. His crosses curl out or are over hit.
Rooney - Drops deep cause our midfield is SH--ockin
RVP - looks upset about signing for United now & playing under Moyes. Training, Tactics etc he's moaned about. Fergie told him he'd be manager for a few more years. C'mon anyone would be miffed!
Kagawa - square peg (great square peg)
Felliani - square peg (poor signing)
Chicharito - pressure from Mexico manager may see himeave
Welbeck - shooting practice
Nani? Where wally? Anyone seen him
Buttner - Fred the Red
25 Feb 2014 23:02:15
Things could get worse before they get better. I remember hearing that a few weeks ago and thinking no way could things get any worse but boy was I wrong.
For me personally its not so much the results as much as the performances and the nonsensical tactical decisions being taken.
Playing out an out wingers when the wingers at the club are useless is mind boggling! We have dynamic players who can start wide cut in side swap positions and have creativity in abundance but yet they're either left on the bench or worse still at home NONSENSE!
Against Palace I actually thought sense had been seen and could see a performance that ok while not fantastic gave hope. The only change that should have been made from he game at the weekend should have been the forced change of Kagawa for Mata. I should however have realized that Moyes this season has to change the line up match to match full stop its so depressing.
There clearly needs to be a purge of a lot of the players in the team but I fear for who the club will attract without champions league football. I agree to a certain extent that the lure of United will still be a big draw for players but will those same players want to play for Moyes who is showing zero tactical noose or any sort of consistency of selection, will they see light at the end of the tunnel?
Purge
Young - Has never been good enough
Ferdinand - Great servant but is past it now and needs to go
Vidic - Again great servant but has never been the same since injuries
Evra - Terrible in defensive situations for more than this season
Cleverly - clearly not good enough and never will be
Carrick - overrated in my humble opinion never been able to boss a game against top teams like a top midfielder should
Valencia - way too one dimensional one trick pony whose one trick doesn't work anymore
RVP - This one might shock but if he doesn't want to be there then he should leave and he clearly doesn't look happy and is not trying anywhere near hard enough
Nani - Often brilliant but unfortunately too often terrible
Anderson - Already gone won't be back wasted talent he had it all
Evans - too clumsy and terrible on the ball to be playing regularly for a top team wanting to win leagues and champions leagues
Buttner - how did this guy get bought I don't even have anything to say about him
Personally I would keep the below
De Gea - Potential to be the best in the world
Rafael - showed last season the player he can be
Rooney - looks like he could get back to the pinacle
Jones - Massive potential
Smalling - good squad player
Fellaini - not his biggest fan but could be a solid squad player
Welbeck - Good squad player
Hernandez - great movement and can provide a legitimate goal threat from the bench ( prob won't be happy with that though )
Kagawa - Has massive ability
Mata - Team should be built around this genious
Januzaj - The future, top top player needs to unleashed and not rested as much he's ready full stop
Powell - This guy looks like the real deal could be a very good squad player
Zaha - Needs to be give an opportunity to show what he can do
25 Feb 2014 22:51:54
Ed, not sure if you received this post as my laptop crashed when sending it. Please post on banter page if poss. Thankyou.
I have defended DM numerous times on here this season against the anti-Moyes brigade, but my patience has finally gone. I still don't think its all his fault, and the players have to take their share of the responsibility. But Moyes seems to have learnt nothing about being United manager in his 8 months in charge. Same team selections, poor tactics and a complete lack of desire and cohesion from the players.
The tempo is too slow, the passing is slow, inaccurate and negative. The players look like strangers too each other, and we are seriously lacking in quality. Worse still, we lack desire. To keep defending players like Young, Welbeck and Cleverley is to seriously devalue what it is to be a Manchester United player. But they are not alone. We know that Ferdinand and Evra are "gone". Carrick still has something to offer, but is too slow in possession and pace. And Valencia is a shadow of the player he was and is completely ineffective as a winger, but cannot play anywhere else. Why didn't Fellaini and Kagawa start tonight? We looked half decent at the weekend playing 4231, and then revert back to this rubbish. Mata cup tied tonight, and we have a ready made replacement in Kagawa. But no, we play Ashley Young and The Brand, and revert back to 442. Fellaini has been injured fair enough. But it was a WRIST injury, nothing that would have stopped his fitness training. In effect, he has had a 2 month rest, so I see no reason why he couldn't have started tonight. In fact it would only have helped his match fitness.
Tonight performance was a complete shambles, and embarrassing. That is not acceptable for Manchester United. We lack ideas, direction, and leadership on the pitch. Worst of all, we lack ability.
Like I have said, I have defended Moyes all season, even if I didn't necessarily support his appointment. But sooner or later, the buck has to stop with the manager. I'm affraid tonight was just one p*$s poor performance too far for me. I just can't defend him any more.
I'm not going to jump on the hysterical anti-Moyes band wagon, but I may just have moved a bit nearer to their side of the fence.
The club have backed DM so far and won't just disregard him now, but if we don't see some drastic improvement soon, I can't see him lasting beyond Christmas. He needs to learn very soon that setting up every game to not lose is not the United way.
It is really heart breaking to see our great club become a laughing stock on the pitch. Things have to change, and change quickly.
Why wait until xmas?
If he had anything to offer to take us forward, instead of vertically backwards, surely he would have shown it by now?
So if he spends £200m does this change his ability/inability?
Sorry for me, as I posted early in the season, how can he (if he is a good manager) take a ruthlessly efficient team so far backwards (or words to that effect)?
As most on here and now in the media are questioning, what has ne brought to the party.
Sorry to see a man united team so scared off the opposition instead off making us the main focus 4 4 2 is dead we keep playing it we could have outnumbered them in midfield powel kagawa stick a youngster at rightback fairplay rooney greatplayer but he held us to ransom I don't think rooney and rvp can play in same team no belief boring manager boring footballl but hopefully one day i'd like to see mata and kagawa in the same team how moyes has treated him is a discrace let's hope we can come back fighting next leg
25 Feb 2014 22:50:40
Louis Van Gaal now tops the list to be
next Manchester United manager 8-1.WOW
{Ed002's Note - He is actively discussing options with another EPL side.}
Tottenham would be my guess? Although Sherwood's done pretty well imo
He's 7/4 for the chop by the end of the season now.
Spurs ed?
{Ed002's Note - Yes.}
25 Feb 2014 22:06:48
I'd like to apologise to StevieK, GDS, and Shahram as I have now gone over to the dark side. Knocked out of both domestic cups, very little chance of 4th, this was our 1 chance to live a little and go for it and frankly, it was shocking. Too many players are playing poorly - if Rooney is worth £300K per week then I'm a banana (copyright Ian Hislop). I have no idea why the team is so lethargic but to play Ferdinand and Cleverley in our last remaining hope of success was foolish. I think we are stuck with DM but I doubt he has the ability to deliver, even if we spend big in summer. As I have said previously, no other blue chip company would create a role profile and then appoint someone who did not match it - never won a trophy, negative football, no European experience. This is a man well out of his depth and I for one am completely disillusioned. If he had jettisoned some of the deadwood I may have been prepared to give it a chance but DM seems to have no clue what his best starting 11 is. Why rest Januzaj when this is out only chance to make a statement? DM's whole demeanour is negative and hopeful: I believe he will not see the end of next season.
Sorry to my friends who have seen me challenge all the neg heads and drama queens but the dross we are watching has worn me down. Frankly, I wouldn't trust him with my 12 year old's pocket money, let alone the millions we have to invest.
SAF wielded too much power and should not have been allowed to influence the decision. Whilst others are adapting and playing exciting football we are boring and predictable. Liverpool, Spurs, and Everton and overtaking us - don't kid yourself that a couple of signings will fix this as we still have DM's amazing tactics to consider. It's going to be a long haul I fear.
Performances like that, my friend, would make doubters out of the best of us.
AJH, I just posted something of similar sentiment, though don'y know where its gone. I've defended DM all season from the "chicken licken" lot, as StevieK puts it lol. But tonight was just one game too many for me. I thought a couple of months ago we had hit rock bottom, but we seem to be getting worse. I just don't know where we go from here.
DannyP, is there room for two more on the "dark side?"
So nice of you to join us. Took you a while lol.
Moyes though, hein? The players were so bad tonight, the ratings would be in binary edition. If we all saw this coming the second we saw the line-ups, how didn't he?
Tonight has surely ended David Moyes reign at Old Trafford for me. I was willing to back him and support him. The team were dire tonight. It his selections, tactics which are so baffling. Brian Clough always used to say 'never change a winning side'. DM drops Januzi, Fellani and doesn't replace Mata with Kagawa. Instead we bring TC - never going to be a UTD player and AY(surely belongs in the Muppet XI and not in a UTD team) and TV who has as much success with crosses at present as Dracula. Angry and have finally lost patience.
AJH,
Don't need to apologise to me I agree with your post 100%, it's not a reaction to tonight I lost my faith in moyes after the Fulham game. It's not good enough, the season is a write off and the best thing would be to get rid of moyes now and get a top manager in with the chance to buy top players in the summer.
Unfortunately we are not going to see moyes go any time soon, we have him and we have to stick with him. I just don't come on here every day and say how bad I think moyes is because I don't think it's going to get us anywhere.
The players have to take some of the blame but I assume they must be being told to just pump the ball forward to their goalkeeper, because we did it about 50 times and them same players wouldn't have done that last season.
Not sure moyes can have a go at the players, when I saw the team I thought 'well we aren't going to win this', I went on twitter and everybody was saying the same, so how can our manager pick that team? Answer: he doesn't have a clue what he is doing.
Ajh. None of us want to crtisise. We would love to be playing well and have pride in the shirt. But we have had eight months of this. The team look lost, this is not a team playing for their lives and definitely not a team playing for this manager.
We had a very good performance at the weekend. Playing with midfielders and no wingers, all we had to do is swap kagawa for mata. So why did he have the urge to change the team and tactics again. And to bring young and Valencia for such an important match and play stupid tactics is personic.
First goal we lost the ball, and three simple passes thru the middle of our non existent midfield and they were in our penalty area.
It really has to stop. This is getting beyond a joke.
AJH I've sort of sat on the fence about DM but been critical and still am. I really want DM to do well but then facts are all against that happening.
Why play Ferdi just after his first full 90 mins for some time?
Why leave Adman at home when we have 11 days until the next match?
Why not try to play through the middle?
Why sit so deep so the opposition have all the room?
I think most of those questions DM should have to answer, most on here would offer their views.
Oh btw did you see the Carrick interview? It was either as lackluster as his performance or he just about stopped short of diss-ing the manager?
25 Feb 2014 22:46:57
What an appalling performance. If Moyes needs to spend 150 million (and it seems that is the least it will nedd, who on earth would trust him with it after that clueless, tactically inept and gutless performance?). Rooney must be wondering what on earth has he let himself in for and Mata's tears may well be the cause of the recent flooding
Yeah, just posted something similar, feel like I'm defending the indefensible in Moyes. If this was one of my businesses and my workforce suffered from the same lack of morale and team ethics and support for each other I would be questioning the management
He just seems so tactically inept, it hit home when shinji came on and you could see glimpses of what he is capable off, it really leaves you wondering what a top manager i.e klopp could do with rvp, rooney, kagawa, mata and januzaj as moyes just doesn't seem to ave a clue.so much talent and attacking class available and somehow he is managing to make us one of the most boring teams to watch in europe, really is starting to become too much.
AJH, I hope you have space for another one in there. For the first time this season, I actually feel may be Moyes is not upto it. You can buy all the players you want, yet play Valencia and Young there. I think it no longer is about giving time, its a question of anything positive if ever coming out of our current playing style that would show us the light. Saying that, I will leave my second paragraph for our brilliant players who showed so much pride and fight.
Rooney - Abject and pathetic, he should donate his wages for a week to some chartity.
Van Perise - Disinterested and does not look like he cares. That miss was horrendous. If he does not want to be here, he should be sold in the summer.
Rio - Stick to twitter sir! Keep barking instructions and do feck all.
Valencia - I love his attitude, but he is the worst winger to have ever played for United in my living memory. How he gets games ahead of people like Kagawa is beyond me.
Cleverley - I have supported him through thick and thin, but he should not be anything more than a squad player. Very very poor performance.
Moyes has to take blame, that is clear. But I so hope that some of the players who played or us today(namely the above) should be sent to FELIX MAGATH for a month.
Deeps.
Seems everyone is now seeing the light, SAF has to take some of the blame for defending the glazers no value in the market we have all heard the excuses now is the time for him to man up and except he as made a mistake and recommend moyes goes before he takes this club any lower, but i'm not surprised where we are said in the summer we would struggle to make top four
25 Feb 2014 21:43:27
My top moments from the match :
- Young trying to create space down the right, attempting a couple of " skills " and then hitting the first defender in sight ( 3 feet away ).
-Valencia crossing.
-Smalling driving forward, doesn't get much better than this does it.
-The exasperation on Keane's face.
-Moyes.
-Rio shouting orders at people, while getting embarrassed time after time.
-Cleverley frantically waving his arms around, indicating where the ball should be played. Keane in disguise?
-Moyes. Lol.
I want to be upset, I really do. But I'm just not capable of doing so. Currently, I would love seeing the back of Moyes, with Meulensteen given an interim job until the end of the season. He knows the player, and there's no way we could be playing any worse, could there?
Mick you replied to my post about composure on the other page about moyes but it won't let me reply using my mobile but I have to agree with your response. That said I thought young was better than a lot of the united players today (not that this is any positive as some players performances were woeful). I think smalling getting on his hands and knees to head a ball he could have controlled summed up how pub league our performance was tonight, I just hope we can find buyers for some come the summer.
Book, apart from the diving, I don't dislike Young as a player. He tracks back, works hard and might be a valuable squad member who can come up with a decent goal when played ( should not be nearly as often as he does though, and I wouldn't mind Zaha/ Lingard replacing him ).
I rate Smalling reasonably highly, though I've said before he does not have Jones and Evans' talent ( yes, I believe Evans is very talented, just can't concentrate for long periods ). He is a pretty decent center back, but might be one of the worst right backs in the league.
I think we should be buying undisputed first team players, and promote youth players to the bench. Instead of playing young and Valencia time after time, why not give Powell and Perreira a go? They might not be naturally wide players, but they will not be breaking in the team in their respective positions, and if they are not on loan, they should be in the squad.
25 Feb 2014 21:43:01
The worst thing about today's game is our performance. Everyone seemed so out of place it's impossible to point out who was the worst player out there. And Moyes? well, I'd bet my house any other top manager would get a better performance from that team than him, as awful as the squad is.
I'd of thought most of the times we lose is down to our performance.
Sometimes we play well and still loose. Tonight the score line was a little less disgusting than the overall performance.
25 Feb 2014 21:42:36
Anyone else think RVP needs to be dropped and sold in the summer? It is clear him and Rooney can't play together; and I can't see them being alternated through the season. Mata, Kagawa and Januzaj behind Rooney would be the way forward for me. That is a killer attacking line up IMO. Much more natural and fluid.
25 Feb 2014 21:40:36
Why play such a defensive side against a team who've just sold their top goalscorer and have lost their next best goalscorer through injury? Why play Tom Cleverley when Fellaini is fit and was one of our best players last week? Why not play Adnan and Kagawa in place of Young and Toni?
That was one of the worst performances I have seen in my 25 years as a Manchester United supporter. The others? The majority have come in the past eight months.
We had no shots on targets and made a very average team look like Bayern. In terms of the draw; we couldn't have asked for an easier tie. If we can't beat Olympiakos - how are we going to fare against world class teams like Real, Barca or Bayern? I suppose the only plus point is that with Moyes at the helm there is zero chance of us meeting any of those teams anytime soon.
Moyes should resign tomorrow. If he doesn't he should be sacked. A monkey could do a better job.
I agree with everthing you say redseven why not play attacking tonight saveing players for the weekend play Young and Valencia at the weekend
Even worse paddy, there is no game at the weekend!
25 Feb 2014 21:38:53
One word springs to mind: Shocking!
What the f.ck was David Moyes' thinking, reverting back to that same, hackneyed, predictable and ineffective system, that has let us down all season?
On Saturday, were looked like a different team. We played a lot more narrow, and basically had two number 10's. It worked. We looked much better and more effective. So why the f.ck did Moyes' not use the same system? He could have used Kagawa in the Mata role. Why didn't Fellaini play?
I am absolutely gobsmacked to be honest. I thought the penny had dropped for Moyes. It seems to me now, that it might never drop.
I just hate the fact that we are going to have to put up with this boll.cks for another year.
Laughable.No hunger no desire no passion.Overpaid pre madonnas the lot of em
I said that before the match. He keeps changing and he keeps going back to 442. We were clueless, soleless, gutless. It is pathetic.
Absolutely baffling.
Why change it why not bring Kags in for Mata and play the same system and same players?
Let's be honest, shocking is being kind!, I really can't recall a single shot at their goal other than VP's off target effort.Can we get 3 at Old Trafford?, yes we can, can we stop them scoring?, I'm really not sure, like many on here, I'm just at a loss what the hell is going on at this club at min.It wasn't just the lack of attacking threat but at times we couldn't even string 2 passes together, really disappointing.
I have to agree mate I am gutted I finally thought that sat was the turning point obviously not.
I have championed DM all season and have been an advocate of giving the guy time but I am nonplussed as to why we took such an obvious step back today which in turn has probably completely destroyed the rest of an already terrible season.
Thank God we did not have Munich or Barca.
There must be a few members of the top brass who are now actively questioning what to do about Moyes'.
I suspect that he will be given the money to bring in some top players'; but I am not sure that will be enough. Moyes' seems almost obdurate in his desire to play an outdated system of football. He believes that he can make it work if he signs the right players'; but at the highest level, it comes down to tactical acumen on the part of the manager, and Moyes' doesn't have that.
25 Feb 2014 21:38:41
Posted about about 4 or 5 times this evening but not one seems to have come through.
{Ed004's Note - Haven't been on check the other page}
Bit like our passing
Ok thanks ed, just checked and other posts doesn't come up on the mobile profile. A bit of a shame as there are a lot of very good posts and pissed off people. Do we honestly think things will improve that much even if 3 or 4 top class players come in? You shouldn't bet against the wheel. I bet some of these top class players can't wait to be inspired by Moyes and round.
{Ed004's Note - I can't see how Moyes can turn it around}
There are a lot of reds who were willing to back him until next December who are starting to get itchy feet now. If the tide turns dramatically between now and the end of the season it could force the owners hand. Sexton won his last seven games but was sacked because Edwards was receiving so many complaints about how bad and boring we were. If we had not won the cup in 90 Edwards said that they may have had to sack him such was the pressure from the fans . In the end it's that pressure that forces the issue. That said the glazers are a different animal so god knows what they may do . Not that I was an Edwards fan either.
25 Feb 2014 20:17:04
So many times Van Persie is waiting for that killer through ball pass and none of the players attempt it. This is a game Mata would have loved and a game we could have done with his through balls. Rooney attempted one, but it didn't work out. I think this is the way to go. We need Rooney to pick up the ball centrally so he can play the through ball to Van Persie.
Another cagey start, defence first, attack second. They really need to learn from this. Too many times this season we have been lacking offensively because we are too cagey defensively. We need a couple goals. I cannot remember ever seeing a more toothless MU side. Last season we were gun ho, this season we are too scared to commit players forward.
Sydney. With this idiotic formation, we can't play thru the middle because two of our attackers are on the wing doing sweet fa.
Get young and Valencia off and bring kagawa and fletcher on.
Manu tv are doing my head in. They keep going on about how unlucky we've been and to speed up! We've been saying that all season for god sake.
We definitly need Coleman and Shaw in the summer without rafael on the right we have no attacking ability and Evra is very bad defensivly two midfielders are nescisscary rooneys dropping back we have no possesion in midfield its all on the wings our midfield is there for the taking
Jones and Evans are also big losses Ferdinand is useless and Vidic is still very sound but badly let down by ferdinand
We could have started Kagawa instead of useless Young and Valencia
Id like to see Jones in midfield beside Fellani with Smalling and Evans at centre back Rafael right back Evra has to be left back and Mata Rooney Adnan just in front of them with rvp up front
We can moan about Moyes's tactics, but that doesn't excuse the players inability to pass, tackle or general lack of passion or energy. The performance tonight so far is an absolute disgrace. 66 minutes in and not one meaningful effort on target.
Smalling is also letting down our defence. looked good to start but he keeps slipping and his confidence is shot. should have taken him off and moved valencia to right back. we needed the away goal even at 1-0 down. also Hernandez should have come on, not welbeck
You can talk about tactics all you want.
I'm more concerned about why top professional footballers can't even control a ball or pass accurately over a short distance to a team-mate.
This is basic stuff, yet it seems beyond the capabilities of most of them tonight. If you can't hold on to the ball, you will be punished.
The Greeks are up for it. We're obviously not. And as well-paid footballers, they should be ashamed of the lack of effort on display.
And wear some longer bl00dy studs!
Worse 70 minutes in Eruope I can remember since?
Have we had a shot, header at all? Let alone on target!
Have they ever played together before?
Empty, the way MU set up tonight was to not concede. We have been doing it all season. It's what Moyes done at Everton and it's what he's been trying to implement all this season. Martinez takes over Everton and Everton are much better offensively. We have Van Persie and Rooney on the pitch and neither have had a single chance. Maybe it's time to stop trying to win 1.0 and play the MU way.
Oh Dear me
There are too many to name who are having an absolute mare.
This is not an easy team or easy place to go to but this is very poor. Rooney is no midfielder and neither is Smalling a right back. Cleverly on tonights performance is under 21 material.
I guess we can kiss this one goodbye too. What a f. ing year. Should have gone to bed instead of watching this sh.t
On the other hand how bad have all the players been tonight? Only Vidic and Kagawa have done anything decent. Piss poor performance.
Just registered while watching this terrible performance. I hope to one day change my username. It looks like they have been doped with sedatives.
We are toothless, totally out of confidence and have a lack of teamwork which is unheard of, too many times we are trying the channels and not the middle, we are shot. Something is terribly wrong, the body language is shocking as is the display.
If I could see what Moyes was trying to do I would have sympathy and patience, unfortunately I can't see it.
I said to give him time, but on this evidence I'm doubting myself
Moyes is clueless, you go for goals when you are the away team, doesn't excuse the utter crap performance of our players. This was an absolute disgrace!
Why not play kagawa smalling as a centre half valenicia as a right back and let the other team worry about us. Moyes has got it wrong tonight what was wrong with saturdays system used tonight
Sydney!
Your comments about Moyse tactics may well be correct but Martinez isn't all he's cracked up to be. Everton are 3 points better off having scored 3 goals LESS than the same point last year.
Whatever the tactics, a totally inept and unacceptable display by far too many to mention.
My MOM was . Fellaini. He didn't leave I hear you say EXACTLY, no-one on the pitch deserved it!
25 Feb 2014 20:06:19
Is it me or has Smalling been working on his technique? Looks much more comfortable on the ball when taking it forward. Only 20 minutes in, I hope he can keep it up.
Are you serious Sydney.Smalling is useless, looks like Bambi on ice.One of the worst first half performances I've ever seen.Not fit to wear the shirt.One word sums up this shower Boring
Yea but he only passes it backwords when Valencia is open for a pass to take on the fullback
Damn it, I jinxed him.
Needs to be played centally not very good as a fullback
Smalling is having a shocker.The way the team is set up is so negative.Obviously injuries are a factor in the team selection but this is clueless, amateur and dull.Rooney really looks a£300,000 a week player!And why exactly should Moyes be given time? To do what?So out of his depth.Check the guy's track record.Really depressing stuff.Getting spanked by a pretty poor team.
25 Feb 2014 19:32:39
Hi Guys
A fairly predictable 11.I see us doing ok tonight maybe a 1-0 win or a 1-1.
I would like to see RVP performing better tonight
25 Feb 2014 19:13:09
One step forward, two steps back in terms of team selection. I know that we are way and I know that we don't have Mata - but we could still play one of Kagawa or Januzaj. It really is depressing.
I'm not surprised with Valencia or Young, Moyes was always going to go defensive away. What I'm surprised with is Cleverly, Fellaini looked good last weekend and offers much more a both ends. But Moyes obviously wants to keep possession and try to nick a goal.
I just hope that the Greeks don't realise that our cbs are there for the taking if you run at them.
I don't think Januzaj should have played since he started this week-end, and it looks like he's been working on his fitness so we might not want to risk overplaying him. Same with Fellaini.
But Young and Valencia starting over a vastly superior talent tailor made for European football is beyond disappointing
I agree and this is an away game and we should have an attacking team. Adnan isn't even on the bench
We need to see how we play, the key in games like this is to get an away goal, without one we would be vulnerable. I may guess that Valencia could be key on the break.
He's playing 442 again. We'll be wide open thru the middle. In my opinion, terrible team selection.
After playing well against palace and looking solid, why have we gone 442? I give up!
I said Valencia and Young would start. Adnan will be used sparingly and Fellaini has just gotten back from injury so will probably play against WBA. We will bring a fresh Fellaini, Mata and Adnan back at the weekend.
I don't we'll see Fellaini and Januzaj at the weekend either.
Are they injured Danny? I missed the build up tonight.
No, but the Westbrom game is two weekends away ;)
Danny, oh yeah :/
25 Feb 2014 19:08:01
Reading how great kroos was, did anyone see the daily mail heat map of him v Arsenal and Carrick v Palace, they were almost identical.
25 Feb 2014 18:41:44
Watching lewandowski against zenit. What a player he has it all as a striker. Great freebie for bayern
25 Feb 2014 18:39:33
predictions for the game lads? I see a close game maybe 0-0 but I ultimately see us scraping a 1-0 victory which tbh would be an amazing results. really hope we go with more or less the same team but rafa playing rb, kagawa for mata and maybe fletcher for carrick. thoughts?
Is kagawa injured I see cleverley and young back in on saturday we had a plan 2 holding midfielders 4 attackers why can't kagawa do what mata does in europe kagawa been brilliant I have time for moyes but how hees treating kagawa isn't on
Agree
2-1 United
25 Feb 2014 17:56:52
I feel sorry for Cole and Tunnicliffe, they have unfortunately felt the wrath of Magath already. I knew when Meulensteen went that it didn't look good for them. They didn't even get a chance.
Did cole go on loan there or did they buy him (I can't remember). I feel sorry for them but unfortunately that is often the case in todays managerial merry go round.
25 Feb 2014 15:45:30
ED do you think we have even a remote chance of signing any one of the below players?
Gundogan
Vidal
Kroos
{Ed002's Note - Remote.}
Id take carvalho and strootman right now never mind the names above
vidal not a chance
gundogan injury prone for the last 12 months
kroos might use utd as a way of getting a new contract he's happy with
Well at least you got a remote chance Mumbai. I got a complete no interest in Griezmann. Well Thursday I'm going to post a list of who I think we are interested in to see how close I am to Ed002's list I hope you all join in.
{Ed004's Note - What does everyone on here think of Lars Bender. Trying to think of midfield alternatives to Gundogan, Kroos and Vidal. Suppose Witsel and Carvalho are options not see much of them recently though}
My order of preference:
Vidal
Kroos
Martinez
Gundogan
Witsel
Lars Bender
Strootman
Carvalho
Fernando
{Ed004's Note - I would add Koke ahead of Strootman and Herrera above Fernando. I think we need two midfielders but I think we will end up with 1}
Agree ed004 if we don't get Vidal(and I'm resigned we wont) we need 2 mids. I don't watch enough German games (unless we are linked with someone) I watch Italy and Spain. So can't really comment on Lars Bender. I'd put Herrera well up that list though, with the mountains of Gundogan to United stories hard to comprehend if we have little interest. Herrera or Strootmam with Gundogan would rock.
{Ed004's Note - I think unless we sign Vidal we should go for two midfielders with atleast one being very mobile. My main worry about Gundogan is how long he has been injured. He was world class before injury and him and Lars bender could be class together IMO}
Realisticly Shaw Garay and Strootman are possibiltys Kroos is 50-50 Gundogan is quite possible maybe even Lars Bender Maybe even Ingo Martinez three defenders two first choice midfielders for about the 150 million Shaw 25million Garay 15 Strootman 20-25 Gundogan 20 Martinez 12-15 Kroos 25 all them combined is only 145 million 5 million in contract details with players out
25 Feb 2014 15:32:41
Sydney, if you're around, I was hoping to conclude our little discussion about RVP and Rooney sharing the centre forward position. The debate fell off the page before I could respond to saying you "have never read so much nonsense in all of my life" (not the first time this has been said to me).
I agree that for the rest of this season we need to have both RVP and Rooney on the pitch as much as possible. However, my main point is that the rest of the squad needs to be good enough so that we can afford to have Rooney or RVP on the bench and the team isn't weakened.
Being able to bring either of the two of the bench would be a fabulous option and playing less games would keep them both fresher.
I guess your view depends on whether you think Rooney is better up front or as a playmaker, as well as your view on what we should do with Mata
I do remember the post, I just think that if you have two quality players like Rooney and Van Persie at your disposal, both should be on the field at the same time. And with Van Persie only being able to play as an out and out striker, he should be first choice there. With Rooney better in the hole than upfront, I think he should play there and Mata very good at drifting in from the right he should play there. I know Mata is probably better in the hole than on the right, but if him playing on the right enables all three of them to play at once, then so be it. There is nothing stopping the players from mixing it up during the game and swapping positions. Fluidity is something we have been lacking for a couple years. In a nutshell, I wouldn't want either of Van Persie or Rooney sat on the bench, I'd rather they were both playing even if they weren't playing in their best or favourable positions.
Fair enough mate. I guess we just have different opinions on how players should be used.
I hear what you say about having the best players on the pitch but I think we've suffered a lot in recent years by players being utilised out of position.
I'd rather see each position rotated between specialists eg centre forward Rooney/RVP and No 10 Mata/Kagawa.
Like I say, its a 60 game season and that's plenty of playing time to go round. The key being able to swap quality for quality.
Cheers for the response.
25 Feb 2014 13:41:04
would nicolai boilesen be a good shout as a summer acquisition in defence? young, experienced? cheaper than mangala that's for sure!
Isnt he a left back good player all the same
25 Feb 2014 11:44:45
i tell you who Manchester utd should buy inigo martinez to replace vidic Rubén Pardo to replace carrick. but I have been hearing whisper about ramos though instead of inigo. probably 25 mil for the both a cheeky bid for draxler/reus sell young nani cleverley valencia possibly a deal to with nani to juve to sell vidal or pogba.me personally I like danny welbeck work rate but ten goals in two season sell or loan in my opinion. I don think shaw will come us if Chelsea put a bid in (childhood team). I think chico will wanna leave in the summer so a possible replacement for him.
Jancey,
That is so difficult to read and so much information I don't know where to start, its like you threw up every opinion you had on the page!
I like Inigo Martinez. Hard to read though, didn't get much past there.
By Ramos do you mean from real Madrid? I'm hoping not
Welbeck never going to score you 20 plus a season, not a natural in front of goal but is still an effective player when he's on it, good player to bring off the bench and make an impact in my opinion so I wouldn't contemplate selling him, a move would be better for the development of his carear though, he needs to be playing up top week in week out to gain his confidence in front of goal!
Ingo Martinez would be a great addition Ruben Pardo no Ramos no Welbeck as we all know is a player that can come on and score you a goal but goes 5-6 more without scoring
25 Feb 2014 10:21:31
Post must of got lost somewhere yesterday so I will rewrite it somewhat.
Read an article the other day professing the best 4 signing that they thought we could make, and I must say, I couldn't disagree with their picks as these 4 would completely change this clubs fortunes. Add them to a trimmed down squad and we would have one hell of a team capable of challenging the very best.
The four players were Shaw, Varane, Gundogan and Reus. These 4 take care of all the weaknesses in the team, and they also are young, world class or future world class players that would blossom. I firmly believe that we will go for a big named attacker in the summer, otherwise why has Mata got the number 8 and not the 7? Imagine a team made of those 4, Mata, Rooney, RVP, Jones, De Gea and Rafael. That would rival anyone in my mind.
Of course, for anything like the £110 million outlay this would require, we would need to get rid of a lot of the deadwood to make room as for any buy there needs to be a sell.
I would settle for Gudongan, Shaw, Garay/Mangala/Verane. Another attacker would be a bonus, the others essential.
Would be a great group of signings, but I can't see it.
Varane- Is he really going to want to leave Real Madrid? As Pepe gets older he is going to get more and more games, they will no doubt see him as the future of their team, perhaps a future captain.
Shaw- Chelsea bound imo, almost certain.
Gundogan- Very good player, would be my second choice behind Kroos. However the fact he has been out with a spinal problem for the best part of 7 months makes me worry about him long term. We do not want another Owen Hargreaves situation. Personally think he is Real Madrid bound anyway.
Reus- Don't see him leaving Dortmund this year, especially as Gundogan seems likely to.
I think there are very good and more realistic alternatives out there for each player;
Mangala- Strong, quick, good in the air and a real presence in both boxes. Potential to be a truly world class centre back. Would be pretty expensive, but worth it I'm sure.
Alex Sandro- Very similar to Shaw in that he is quick, strong, has fantastic stamina and has a great delivery. Probably not quite as good defensively, but still very strong in that department.
Kroos- Seems that Bayern are not going to give him what he wants (and deserves) would be a major coup if we could pull it off. I have been a fan for years, one of the best midfielders in the world.
Griezzman- A very good player. Quick, can play left, right or off the front, scores and creates goals.
I think Kroos will get a new deal and we have to run the rule over Gundogan - depending on the type of injury its completely plausible that he will recover. Reus I think will leave either this season or next, he has after all said that he does have a career plan that doesn't involve being with Dortmund forever. As for Varane, if there is any unrest or anything we have to move, apparently the release clause is £25 million so we would have to see on that one. I'd have Gundogan, Shaw, Reus and Varane over the rest but would he happy to get Herrera, Filipe, Griezmann and Garay if we had to go down our list of targets.
@ Fresh
I see where you are coming from with all of those points mate. I believe we need five players, 1 central defender, a left back, 2 central midfielders and a winger.
My first choice targets would be Varane, Shaw, Vidal, Kroos and Reus.
However, if for whatever reason those players weren't available to us, I would be over the moon with a summer of Mangala, Alex Sandro, Lars Bender, Pjanic and Griezzman.
We will just need to wait and see, but we are in for a cracking summer regardless I reckon.