Manchester United Banter Archive November 25 2012

25 Nov 2012 22:20:31
My uncle Liverpool fan said to me today, only united fans would disappointed at the minute. We are top of the league coming up to Christmas! We are well on the way to number 20!

Caol�n.

25 Nov 2012 19:43:34
so here we are top of the league

weve played liverpool and chelsea away

chelsea have lost another manager and city look poor

liverpool struggling in bottom half

qualified top of our champs league group already

anderson evans hernandez fletcher all hitting form

vidic and kagawa back soon

no major injuries for a change

rooney and valencia still to hit form which they inevitably will

maybe new signing(s) in jan, LB, CM, LW?

weve been poor up to now but always do better 2nd half of season

and weve got rvp

maybe its not all doom and gloom!

Will Red

We are still need to make changes to make sure we continue to improve, but it's nice to see positive posts. We are well and truly on the way to number 20.

-JakeW

25 Nov 2012 20:26:55
and we are still playing a midfield 2 with a choice ov carrick giggs scholes

I think City look a good side, balanced and powerful especially through the midfield.
They haven't played as well as last season, yet, but they have played some tough away games and a third of the way haven't lost a game yet. They have not got the Champions League to rest players for.

We have lost three times and show frailty with a lack of pace and energy especially in the middle of the park and left midfield. Nani and Young have been poor. The managers decisions using Scholes and Giggs have been highly questionable.

We go to City in two weeks and I am nervous at the central midfield Ferguson will select, if he follows his usual then he will go with experience.
It remains my opinion we will not win it this season unless there is a major investment in central midfield in January and that seems unlikely. We need left side too but might get away with that until summer. We are one point in front right now and whilst pleasing we were 8 last season with only a few games to go.

Red Man

25 Nov 2012 21:21:08
City midfield not great at the moment either.
As quality as yaya is he not on form
Milner barry garcia nasri
id rather have anderson fletcher cleverly kagawa
any day
i agree he gotta stop starting with 2 from carrick scholes giggs buy im hoping even saf realises after norwich that giggs cant start centre mid any more and the form and fitness of anderson means he has gotta get games
hopefully along with clev and fletch
could be loads worse after start weve made
Will Red

25 Nov 2012 21:26:13
agree redman but how can you not mention valencia with nani and young, imo hes been the worst

I feel Valencia has not been at his best but he still has been our best wide player and most dangerous particularly on breaks. His pace gives us something extra and unlike Nani he hasn't been profligate and given possession away anywhere near as much. He hasn't been consistently inconsistent like Nani and I feel Valencia has shown United quality more recently, far more recently than Nani. Valencia will improve. As for Young a couple of early goals apart he has not shown United level yet.

WillRed
Our midfield is not at City's level , Yaya may not be at top level yet this season but him, Nasri and Silva are some way beyond Scholes, Giggs, Carrick or Fletcher.

Red Man

Red Man

Couldn't have said it better, spot on.

Shahram

26 Nov 2012 19:07:04
agreed that yaya and silva would walk into our team
but the rest of them aint nowt special.
and yaya not on form and silva not been brilliant since 1st half of last season.
kagawa better than nasri
and despite saf playing giggs and scholes with carrick too much which he obviously shouldnt be we do have good back up in anderson cleverly fletcher and powell and im convinced he will start using them more and more.
the league will be ours, giggs and scholes will have 1 last medal each and everybody will be happy (i hope)
Will Red

25 Nov 2012 18:53:33
Third of the season gone, top spot, Abramovic Utd are already into their 2nd manager, Citeh look a shadow of there former selves and play Milner and Barry in midfield.

Looking good from where I'm sitting ;)

DodgyBanter

Really? We can't keep this lethargic approach up for much longer as we will get found out. I think we have the squad to win the league, just question the current selection policy.

AJH

Being 1st doest mean anything,its too early in the season and a lot things can change.We should get rid of our bad habit of conceding first as we wont always be able to come back.We ought to strengthen our midfield and maybe the defence in january if we want to win the league and excel in Europe.

Yeah yeah, I know... We need 8 first team players a new manager and a new space shuttle.

But for those living in the real world it's not all doom and gloom. I'm happy with our squad, yes we need to add to it in next two windows, but if no-one comes in in Jan then I'm happy we will still challenge for trophies... And I think, win the league (cups can come down to luck, so hard to predict).

DodgyBanter

DB mate, whilst I agree with you that it's not all doom and gloom we need to make sure we don't rest on our laurels. Yes we are top and in a strong position but we also need to improve our performances to stay there.

TK-Red

25 Nov 2012 17:57:08
I just saw on sly sports that wesley sneijder wont be picked to play for inter Milan again until he agrees a new contract. He's been offered a new contract at a considerably lower wage. Any 1 still fancy him at our club? T45

Don't think he'd be beneficial for our side. He is the sort of player that we don't need to be wasting money on!

Fresh!

25 Nov 2012 17:50:49
Great result for us today. Still top.

Caol�n.

25 Nov 2012 16:49:13
Pep Guardiola wants Man Utd job
the s*n is running this story in todays edition

25 Nov 2012 16:01:51
United looking to have a big clear out which includes Ferdinand, Giggs (retire), Nani, Scholes (Retire), Macheda and Bebe

Good, bring in hummels, rodriguez baines and strootman/bender and we will have a very good team.

You forgot one footed Young as well. He's useless
NoMidfield

25 Nov 2012 15:59:07
we need to sign m'vila because he is quality and relatively cheap and a quality cb then we can legitimately talk about the title

Wow.

The most intelligent thing you did there is not leave a name.

DodgyBanter

Good grief, they really do allow anyone internet access these days.

TK-Red

25 Nov 2012 15:33:01
Do You Think Pep will go to UTD

25 Nov 2012 15:55:35
I reckon he will. Hope so anyway!

Whistler.

I think there is a big chance SAF will be asked to step down for the good of the club, lets not forget he is out of contract in the summer and things have been pointing towards his departure. I think City have employed his old staff to try and thwart his move to us.

Sydney!

25 Nov 2012 17:32:11
I think you're right Syd. I think its already agreed with us. As in a verbal agreement. They say money talks though, and City have a few bob i'd suggest.

Whistler. {Ed007's Note - Chelsea aren't exactly poor either Whistler. How's you mother btw?}

25 Nov 2012 18:44:02
I just don't think they/abramovich is is an attractive option for him. Just something tells me Pep is OT bound. Having said that id like to see Klopp or L�w if all goes belly up.
She is fine Ed, eating her bratw�rst and sour Kraut, you know how it is...

Whistler.

Syd, I can't believe he would ever be asked to stand down 'for the good of the club'.

His record and reputation would suggest that he will be allowed to leave on his own terms - anything else would be an immense slap in the face for a proud man.

I don't think he's that blind, that he won't know when the time has come for him to step down.

StevieK

StevieK, has he known when to let Giggs and Scholes retire? Has he known when to improve the midfield?

Sydney!

Syd, everyone last year was saying how Scholes coming back, got us back into contention in the league. Yes he hasn't been as good this year, but we can still use him at times.

Giggs has been played in centre midfield, and he is not a central midfielder. Again tho, we can still use him at times on the left.

They're options that might well have to be utilised before the end of the season, and one or both might well come up with a title-winning moment.

I just don't believe, after his service to the club, and considering he is so revered amongst the fans - well, among those that don't just support the club on a game-by-game basis anyway - that he would ever be forced to stand down.

Would you tell him? :)

StevieK

I have no problem with Scholes and Giggs staying on as long as they are fringe players and as long as them staying on doesn't prevent us from buying in the midfield department. We should have improved our midfield two season's ago. It's not like the manager hasn't had funds to do this.

I do not think he would be pushed out of the club, but he would be advised to and if the manager agreed with the chosen manager then he shouldn't get in the way. It's about what's important for the club, not himself. I hope he doesn't sabotage a golden opportunity for a clean managerial transition out of stubbornness. I am not saying I want him to leave or that I want Pep, but if the club wanted Pep and the only time he is available is this summer, then if the manager has to stand down a year earlier than planned then so be it.

Sydney!

25 Nov 2012 15:31:11
Anyone else think Ashley Young needs to go? Based on his performance yesterday, I would keep Nani over him any day of the week, at least you might get SOMETHING good out of Nani.

Every time he received the ball he passes it backwards, no attempt to even turn his man. I can't remember when he ran at their defence all match, didn't cross in, didn't play a single worthwhile pass forward.

No idea who to replace him with, we need someone direct who is quality on the ball.

I think that he is just lacking confidence.

Fresh!

25 Nov 2012 13:47:59
Right after todays news that guardiola would like to replace fergie it got me thinking about who could and i think it has to be between 4 managers david moyes, jurgen klopp, pep guardiola and jose mourinho so im gunna go through the pros and cons of each�
David moyes
Pros- good man management always manages to over achieve very good in the transfer market although not as good as klopp�
Cons- never managed a big team and is also very notourious to slow starts which can ruin seasons
Jurgen klopp
Pros- �extremely good in the transfer market and also good at rebuilding teams while playing attractive football
Cons- no experience of the premier league albeit bundesliga quite similar and would want to put his own stamp on the side�
Pep guardiola
Pros- no compensation, expert tactition although his barcelona team never had a plan b and would like the task of replacing fergie
Cons- no experience of the premiership largely hit and miss in the transfer market and also inherited most of his barcelona team he didnt build it and lets be honest ours isnt that good�
Mourinho
Pros - success everywhere he has been, master tactition and would love to take on the hardest job in the world and has experience of the premier league�
Cons- i dont see our side as a mourinho side so would require major investment on the glazers part
Personally i would choose mourinho but would like to hear your opinions and perhaps somebody else? {Ed004's Note - I would opt for Klopp}

I seriously do not want Pep any where near United... Tactically inept and can not switch systems when needed.... As seen with Barca when they couldnt pass bye a team they struggled and he never changed that apart from going 3 at the back.

Im with ed, klopp is the best man for the job, good man mangement, great tactics and good in the transfer market.. and to add to that plays great attacking football an would get the best out of kagawa.

JK92

Blanc?

DodgyBanter

I've said Klopp for me previously and I'll stick with it. He has the right mix of attributes I think and his slight lack of experience might be made up for in hunger and a willingness to build a team for the long term

Gav

Mourinho is the best manager in the world atm but he comes with baggage, also he manages in a short term way, by that i mean he buys top players and doesn't give enough chances to youth.

Klopp ticks all the boxes in the way that he manages but doesn't wanna leave Germany and hasn't proven he can manage players with superstar attitudes.

Moyes? Behave, a good manager but not a great one. Shouldn't even be considered for a job of this magnitude.

Guardiola has shown that he can bring youngsters though but seeing as they were players he had trained when he was youth coach then would he had done it had he not see them so up close. Also his signings were very questionable and he seemed to buckle under pressure and left Barca cause he felt like he was living in a goldfish bowl. Well the press are much worse here so could he deal with that?

Blanc seems the one that has dipped under the radar, he has played for the club so he knows what is expected. He has shown good tactically awearness and has made some shrewd mores in the transfer market. I personally feel he will be the one to get the job.

The only other candidate i see is Ancelotti, he too ticks all the boxes but it would be hard to get him from PSG.

Shappy

Two massive points I would like to point out about Blanc.

1. He even questioned SAF's thinking public ally when he said about Obertan and his attitude, he therefore has an idea of the type of players it takes to succeed at a club like ours.

2. After one dreadful performance in a high profile tournament he dropped Evra for Glichy instantly. It's that type of fearlessness we need back again so we don't have half wits like Evra thinking their guff efforts are good enough in the slightest!

Out with Jose and the likely unavailable Klopp I would now have Blanc ahead of Bielsa (sp?).

Jono

I understand some of the views against Pep being the next manager. That said he's shown himself capable of making big decisions - offloading Ronaldinho, Eto and the big ego's at Barca.
He signed Zlatan to offer a Plan B.
I think he's more than capable of taking over - I think the big question is who would be his number 2??

Adz

Silly comment by you Shappy re Moyes - Fergie was the manager of Aberdeen prior to taking the Utd job! Moyes is a fantastic manager who should have been given the opportunity to manage a top 3 side years ago.

Moyes plays poor football and lacks ambition, he hasn't been offered a top job because he isn't good enough. Sir Alex had won trophies at Aberdeen, Moyes hasn't won anything. Also we were in a very different position when Sir Alex was given the job to the job that he will leave behind.

Shappy

Agree to an extent with no name above.

Fergie came from an inferior league, after managing a provincial team, although one he took to European success, but was still given a chance.

I'm not saying Moyes should be the next manager, I just think he shouldn't be dismissed out of hand and held up to ridicule - the job he's done at Everton means he deserves a bit better than that.

Being foreign might be more sexy, but it's not a pre-requisite to managing a top English team.


StevieK

Sorry if it sounds like i'm being dissmisive of what Moyes has achieved. What he has done with the restictions he has to work under is nothing short of fantastic. But does that make him good enough to manage one of the top teams in the world?

There are far too many areas where he hasn't proven himself capable.

Can he manage big egos? He famously fell out with Rooney so there is a big question mark there.

Does he have the tactical know how to out wit the best managers in europe? Everton don't seem to have a plan b.

Does he play the right brand of football?
Everton play long ball to Fellaini, so he hasn't shown it so far in his managerial career.

How does he do in the transfer market?
Pretty well actually but how many of the players that he's sign would be good enough for us? So can he spot a top class player?

Can he mould youth players into great first team players? Well Rooney became a top player with us, other young talents he's had include Franny Jeffers, Coleman Rodwell and Barkley. Coleman is decent enough, Rodwell was poorly managed which lead to him being injury ravaged, and Barkley is too young to tell yet. And the less said about Jeffers the better. So i think there is a question mark here too.

Can he handle the pressure of managing a top side? we just won't know until he's done it. But imo i find it odd that he's never left Everton, is it loyalty or lack of ambition? Or has he never been offered other jobs? if so why?

For all these reasons it is quite clear that Moyes is a long way off being able to manage one of footballs leading clubs.

Shappy

Shappy, it's a bit unfair to pick on some of these 'faults' when you're comparing managing Everton and us.

He fell out with Rooney because a bigger club was trying to grab their best talent - Fergie hasn't had to deal with that problem too often in 27 years, and on one of the few occasions a player wanted to move elsewhere, he fell out with Heinze.

He is of course, limited to what players he can attract to Everton, yet has still picked well - not good enough for us supposedly, but the likes of Jelavic, Fellaini, Baines could arguably have went to bigger, more successful clubs than Everton, and have been mentioned on these pages often enough. At Utd, he would be free to pick from the top table so to speak.

He can only manage the resources he has, and make the best of them, and I think he's done admirably in that regard.

He probably has been too loyal to Everton, but apart from maybe the Spurs job, there hasn't exactly been any opportunities to move to another club, unless he wanted to take a step down. And since when was loyalty considered a character flaw?

Of course there's a lot of if's and buts, and I'm certainly not proposing him for the job. I just think he should be given a fair hearing when the time comes.

Apart from a lack of international management experience, there are similarities between him and Bielsa, in that they have taken unfashionable sides with limited resources to the brink of Champions League qualification, and close to breaking into the established elite in their respective divisions.

Yet Bielsa is salivated over on this site, and Moyes is ridiculed or at best, damned with faint praise.

Sexy foreigners everytime...

StevieK

25 Nov 2012 13:00:01
Why did De Gea not start yesterday. I know he was having wisdom teeth taken out last week

What was the excuse this week? It finally looked like he was getting more confident with high balls in the box. Fergie always seems to drop him for no apparent reason and its pissing me off.

All answers will be appreciated

Cheers

Im with you on this,de gea had done nothing wrong and if he was fit he should of played,he should be our number 1.

phil

25 Nov 2012 12:19:22
Just a quick one but which option would you take?

1) Keep Rooney and buy Rodriguez only in the summer.

2) Sell Rooney and buy Rodriguez, Baines, L.Bender and Isco in the summer.

Rodriguez____Kagawa____Isco
______________RVP_________ = Tasty.

No brainer, sell Rooney and buy the lot.

Shahram

So will you help us making those deals? I can't even make all these deals in fifa manager in the given transfer period {Ed004's Note - Signing 4 players isn't unrealistic mate. Didn't we sign 4 this summer?}

Rodriguez won't go for less than 30 million, Baines for about 17 million, Bender at about 12 million and Isco at around 20 million...how much do you think Rooney is worth? But I do like the look of that front four, would be lethal....however I just can't imagine a United without Rooney...he's our number one player right now, of that I have no doubt.

Andy! {Ed004's Note - We also have Nani to sell and huge players retiring so I would expect a big outlay in the next year. Especially if we need to replace Rio or Vidic. Also isn't Isco's buyout at 16 million}

Rooney would sell for £50million give or take a few quid... Plus we will have funds already but I just have a feeling Rooney may be gone in the summer and I think it may actually help us as it would give Kagawa the position he longs for and free up some wage bill for the likes of Rodriguez, Baines etc to come in...

Andy,

It was a hypothetical question and the point was never Rooney for those 4 but rooney transfer money and additional funds to enable that sort of players signing.

I think from a team perspective we lose one good/great player and add 4 good players with 3 being genuine talents to be great players in years to come.

Shahram

25 Nov 2012 11:56:25
I dont know about you guys but i really wish we would go for Lars Bender.

Apart from beeing quality, his name cracks me up every time. I can already imagine Martin Tyler going like : " Here comes bender ", " Nobody does it like Bender " and my favourit " Bend it like Bender "

Mick

Oh dear.... I will let you off because he is absolute class.... To be honest I wouldnt mind a January of Baines and Bender.

25 Nov 2012 11:33:37
I like both teams with the exception of Kagawa in the centre as to me he is not a playmaker and we need to buy for that role.

Shahram - Are you mental? Shinji Kagawa is a playmaker through and through.. that is like saying Mata, DSilva, Hazard, Oscar or Nasri are not playmakers they are all similar players that are great at dribbling then they can deliver the ball through the eye of a needle when needing to. The only way we can get the best out of Kagawa and Rooney in the same team is to play like Chelsea set out with the 3 behind Torres that change around and drift.... Which Valencia can not do so therefore selling him wouldnt bother me as the money can be put towards Rodriguez who can play anywhere across the 3 with Kagawa and Rooney.

Shingi Kagawa is not a play maker and more a link between a midfield and forwards and plays in the hole. He is good in a system that has lots of fast moving parts and he can then be very effective to play his nice one twos.

A play maker is someone who orchestrates the play and a midfield general in the middle of the pitch and he is definitely neither. Scholes in the mid to late 90 was the best in the world at it.

I really don't understand why everyone hypes up players just because they play for us as something that they are not.

Shahram

Shahram...... Have you had a heavy night? You are talking nonsense.... Kagawa is a playmaker with ease. Xavi and Iniesta are both playmakers but they are totally different players and different positions and styles.

Noo Name,
Nasri and Oscar would not be on my wish list.

Kagawa is not in Matta's or Silva's class and you need to get real.

Hazzard is complete different type player to Kagawa.

I honestly have not seen anything from Kagawa that resembles some of the guys you are mentioning and if i want to be honest even before his injury he was very ineffective the last few games he played.

I do realize he is getting used to the physical nature of the league and our own teams issues with the midfield but so are the other guys and I will swap him for Hazzard and Mata any day.

Shahram

I did not say Kagawa was in Juan Mata's class or David Silva's class but all of them players are very similar style wise.... Just for you to say Kagawa is not a playmaker makes your whole opinion void.

NO Name, Lmaof no I did not have a heavy night of drinking but was tempted after watching us play yesterday and instead had a very good night playing cards and never drink when playing cards.

So he is not a Xavi or Iniesta mold as a play maker, so what mold is he. Do you see him getting 70 to 80 touches and setting up our play and distributing balls across the pitch?

According to you If he is the playmaker that we have been looking for then we are all sorted stick him in the middle of the pitch and let him pull the strings I guess.

I know a lot of people here look at stats so when he is back, we can check his stats against the likes of Silva and Mata and I will eat humble pie if he is even within a county of them in terms of influencing a game.

Shahram {Ed004's Note - I think you are getting confused between a deep lying playmaker such as Xaxi, Scholes, Modric, Alonso etc and play makers that play further forward such as Mata, Silva, Kagawa, Iniesta etc}

Shahram

Trequarista and Regista?

Deeps...

Ed004 I believe you may be right. I always think of playmakers as guys who sit in the middle of the pitch and controls the tempo and distribution of a team and very technically sound. I am also of the view we need more of an Alonzo and Modric type player.

Shahram {Ed004's Note - I do agree that we need an Alonso or a modric. I always think a midfield with a defensive minded player and playmaker is what works for teams. Look at Chelsea Mikel and Ramires (tho he drives on from midfield he is different kind of deep lying player maker much like Anderson and dembele), kehl and gundogan, modric and Alonso, xavi and busquets, tiote and Cabaye, Moutinho and veloso, diaby and arteta we just don't have either type of player. That's why I would like Bender and someone like Cabaye or Moutinho.}

Ed004 - Thank You, Clearly you see what I have stated, It is simple there are different types of playmakers.

I think a January of Baines and Bender and then a summer of Rodriguez and Cabaye would be absolutely class.

Which Bender guys as I have not seen the leverkusen one play and as always there seems to be a split camp.

Shahram {Ed004's Note - Lars from Leverkusen}

Deebs

??

Shahram

Yeah Lars Bender he is much better than Sven.... He can play right back, anchorman in midfield or box2box... where as Sven is really just an anchorman.... Plus Lars is very good technically.

Shahram

Trequarista is the attacking playmaker who usually plays between the forwards and defence. Regista is the deep lying playmaker.

Deeps...

Oopssyyy.. Forwards and Midfield i meant :)

Deeps...

Thanks Deebs.

I don't believe the forward playmakers are the answer to our problems and I don't see them influencing a team as much as a deep lying playmaker. Look around Europe and all the great sides have that one guy who orchestrates things for the side.

I also think the deep lying playmaker is quite difficult to find as they are very special players and most teams that have them will not part with them.

Two quality midfielders one playmaker and one that can provide cover in the middle of the pitch but still good with the ball and decent passer is what we need to genuinely compete for top honors.

I know people believe Anderson might be one part of the puzzle, but I am not convinced. He is good at going forward and trying the difficult pass or dribbling but when he loses possession he does not run back to defend.

Anderson and Cleverly for me are both decent squad players and needed for the volume of games we play but will get found out in big games against proper teams.

Shahram

25 Nov 2012 11:15:03
Moon I like both teams with the exception of Kagawa in the centre as to me he is not a playmaker and we need to buy for that role.

Shahram
-----------

Really??

GDS

GDS - I could not believe it either that is why I posted a response a little further up the page... Madness.

GDS

Really go ahead and stick him in the middle of the pitch and see how we play and if can distribute as a playmaker.

Maybe your view of a playmaker is different to mine as to me a playmaker gets 60 t0 70 touches a game and kagawa is not that type of player.

Shahram

Shahram you are talking about a Xavi, Alonso, Modric type player which is a deep lying play maker......

GDS

That is correct and we got our wires crossed.

Shahram

25 Nov 2012 09:32:52
Morning ed and all other posters. Went to the match as usual and got the normal energyless midfield. Also the same inept tactics.
Rooney starred up front but obviously got no service as we were playing two slow and defensive midfielders behind him. He then got moved to left wing and finishing game at right wing.
Welbeck started on left wing, then finished on right wing and neither position suits him. Saf has tried him on the wing on at least ten occasions and he has never done well there.
Defence was adequate there again qpr didn't really pose any danger. The johnny Evans played well.
Goalkeeper, how can we justify playing lindergard when this guy cannot kick the ball. Kicking and distribution is a big part of modern goalkeeping, but lindergard has not got either.
Conclusion, saf, please start playing our no.1 keeper Ddg. please start playing a strong midfield, preferably with ando, cleverly and carrick in it.
Please play a conventional winger on the wing.
Please play some sort of modern tactics where the players feel comfortable and we feel excited to watch.
We will all support united till we die but we also need to buck up our ideas if we are to win trophies this year.
Thank you and have a good day!
NoMidfield

25 Nov 2012 10:26:49
I don't know about you guys, but I think Evans could be a good Manchester united captain. I was impressed when he scored the equaliser, than urged the team forward. What are your thoughts?

Not yet but maybe one day.Evra should never wear the armband though so would prefer evans to him.

Evra is a good captain he is the club through and through but he is an awful player that shouldnt be in the squad.

I think Evans has really grown in stature and might be a decent option as captain in years to come. First he would need to establish himself as a starter when everyone is fit though

Gav

Gav - I agree to an extent but if we had a choice now I would take Evans and Smalling as I believe we should be trying to get as much money as possible from selling Vidic while we still can then try to bring in Papadopoulus from Schalke he is the perfect replacement then it is a fight between Evans and Smalling for the other shirt and I am not sure who I would pick at the minute as I rate both ridiculously highly..... If Jonny Evans was called Jonando Evanio and he was Brazillian or Spanish everyone would rate him up there with the best around at the minute imo.

Not forgetting Mr Jones as well of course - this guy has the potential to be the best of the lot of them IMO.

And it pains me to say that when Johnny is a fellow countryman :)


StevieK

25 Nov 2012 10:23:20
man utd have conceded the first goal of their matches 9 times this season, joint highest with bottom of the league qpr, and still somehow we have come back 6 times.Clearly necessity if the mother of intervention in our case, but we need to tighten up our defense.
Raone

25 Nov 2012 09:32:55
did anyone see isco yesterday what an unbelievably talented player him baines n sandro or bender for me please

marlow

He did a ronaldinho and made Valencia players look like fools.

i was also really impressed with gago. he made countless tackles and his passing is imressive. I wouldnt mind if we get him, i think he will have the same effect with us as Cazorla with Arsenal.

Mick

Mick Gago is very average.... Isco on the other hand absolute class.

Have to dissagree about Gago, He is a quality player who has been hampewred by his choice of clubs. After leaving boca he never ever got a chance at madrid after Jose arrived due to the purchases of Alonso and Khedeira. He was starting to show some great performances prior to jose arrived and then also got a number of bad injuries which led to him being loaned to Roma and now he is back in spain.

As for isco, he is a talented lad and has a great future but even wright phillips looked a world beater at that age. not saying their careers will take the same path just making a comparison to show maybe people are getting a lil hyped about isco.

Paso

Had this debate during the summer about Gago, when I threw his name out there as a potenial solution to our midfield problem, and got slated for it mate.

It seems an Argentinian international with experience at Real and Roma was not considered good enough to fight his way past our current midfielders....

StevieK

25 Nov 2012 09:03:07
C. Adam is playing well. maybe we should sign him- worth at least 6 million ;D
Campian

25 Nov 2012 05:07:06
We keep seeing the same selection errors by SAF game after game. That is the reason we keep having to come from behind. Unless SAF remedies this, we will win nothing this year .... I am almost expecting that now as the midfield he picks is usually so weak.

Great to see Fletch back, the only bright spot in the midfield until the substitutions were made. This must be SAF's last year .... please ! He has been brilliant for us but is almost 71 ffs and is not the manager he used to be ... Time catches up with all of us and he must retire asap. Likewise Giggsy and Scholesy who are embarrasing themselves and compromising the team with every game they start. They are not good enough anymore. Please retire Ryan and Paul. Gary Nev knew the writing was on the wall and did the honourable thing .... time for his mates to do the same.
The midfield first choices must be from:- Ando (who was superb when he came on), Cleverley (Am I the only one who thinks he is potentially world class ?), Fletcher (please stay healthy Darren), Kagawa (will be fantastic when he gets fit and settles in) and Powell (shows v good potential), Jones (if needed as as a defensive midfielder. I think ultimately he will be a colossal player for us if he stays clear of injuries).
Unless these guys were unavailable I would only consider: Carrick, Scholes and Giggs - in that order.
We must also promote players from the U21 and academy to first team squad quicker, for example Daehli.
Why can't SAF see it ? He is a legend for what he's achieved but he has shown many signs this season of going senile. He has his statue .... now time to go....please ...
Perth Dave

25 Nov 2012 01:25:52
I was working today so I missed the game, but from the many posts on here and from my mates, the overall opinion is:

Dismal first half with no pace and penetration. SAF only saw the problem that all fans could see after QPR scored the opener and Ando should be starting games.

But we actually scored a goal today that consisted of somebody actually taking a man on and bursting through the midfield! Can you believe it?

And i've been thinking, do you think Fergie persists with this wing play because he got used to having Beckham doing the crosses?

Hoppy