Manchester United Banter Archive August 27 2014

 

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27 Aug 2014 22:51:11
Ed you mentioned all the clubs representatives got together wed / Thursday there might be some developments in transfers do my obvious question is has there been any movements with regard to utd targets?

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{Ed002's Note - It is never as simple as that. Manchester United are looking to do a little business and folks are around to facilitate that - there is nearly a week to go - Vidal is a target that the club wishes to ensure will be available.}

We will get him and I hope we do

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27 Aug 2014 19:13:25
Ed, I have noticed that every time we are in for a player the club we are buying from come out and say that we haven't even contacted them. Is this something that clubs ask the other club to say to keep everything hushed up?

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{Ed002's Note - I can't help. Sorry.}

27 Aug 2014 22:19:50
. it's got to be Micah Richards for me! Better than anything we have, can play football, guaranteed 5 goals from set pieces a season .and perfect for 3, 5, 2. anything less than £6m would be a steal!

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I think you've had enough, come on out of that cider

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27 Aug 2014 20:58:49
Well that's benatia away to bayern

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27 Aug 2014 20:53:14
I've got to agree with Redman about not getting sucked into the media frenzy surrounding United's start to the season. Listening to the commentaries here in the US is painful. Last night I just had to turn down the sound as they kept reiterating the same negative stuff about the club, about losses this season, previous losses against lower division clubs etc etc. It made me want to scream: OK WE'VE GOT IT! Forget the endless context, just comment on the match.

Based on the positive tour, many of us thought the season would start with at some decent results. We have been sadly disappointed, but I am not going to base my assessment of LVG on how the 2nd XI did yesterday. It was clearly an experiment, and it failed - however what it did reveal is a) there's not a lot of talent coming up, and b) Jonny Evans is not a leader. It's good he knows that.

I'm also not going to base my judgment on the way last years team without Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra did in its first 2 matches. Why would we expect a midfield with Cleverley and Fletcher, wing backs of Young and Valencia and 3 inexperienced defenders to do anything more than they did under Moyes.

As frustrating as it is to endure watching this, we need to get through the transfer window and see how this team starts to develop playing a completely new system. The last thing the club needs is for United fans to act like the rest of the world which is reveling in our troubles, and not missing any opportunity to stick the knife in. Do not underestimate the challenge. The whole club needs revitalizing. It won't happen overnight.

Believable10 Unbelievable11

What are you talking about? Fans are not disappointed because of 'the media frenzy'. A lot of us are genuinely concerned at the poor performances in the first three games and the use of a formation which isn't working.

You ask 'Why would we expect a midfield with Cleverley and Fletcher, wing backs of Young and Valencia and 3 inexperienced defenders to do anything more than they did under Moyes?' - but Moyes won the corresponding fixtures last year. Moyes didn't play Young and Valencia as wing-backs because, like anybody who has ever seen them play, he knew that they aren't wing-backs (they barely qualify as wingers).

LVG deserves time; but he also deserves criticism when he messes things up.

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I didn't say we're disappointed about the media frenzy, I said a) it's driving me nuts and b) we shouldn't get sucked into it.

To say the system isn't working after 3 games when the personnel we have had on the field have been second rate, is ridiculous. We have to give the manager time and support until he has had a chance to get his best players fit and in action. He deserves at least until Christmas before those of us who know jack tiddly start pontificating about systems.

In any event my guess is he will vary the systems if he thinks he needs to. It may turn out badly but it's too early to judge. Fortunately LVG doesn't have to listen to us ranting.

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27 Aug 2014 20:32:50
There's a debate way down the page about Powell. I don't think anyone covered themselves on glory last night (under statement of the year) but I paid particular attention to Powell as he's hardly played. My take? He's a very talented boy but he seemed to stroll around and lack urgency. Given this was a chance for him to show what he can do he simply didn't look up for it. Very odd.

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A lot of people assume that his loan spell with Wigan last season was a successful one because he scored a few goals; but having spoken to a few Wigan fans here and there - the verdict at the DW seemed to be that he was pretty average.

I've not seen much of him myself - but he hasn't impressed when I have seen him.

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AJH what is talented about him? every time he tried a long range pass I actually laughed that's how bad he was, he is a championship midfielder at best, will never make it at utd

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27 Aug 2014 21:15:00
Has anyone else noticed that Sydney and Ash.da.1 have gone missing at the same time? Just saying.

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27 Aug 2014 21:10:58
If Vidal doesn't sign and Strootman is deemed not to be fit enough for a punt now, we need a fallback position. We could do a lot worse than that young Dutch Player Wesley Snipes. I hear he'd love to join us

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27 Aug 2014 22:10:58
Well done ajh for spelling his name correctly.

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27 Aug 2014 20:09:54
Does anyone else find it odd that we have no comfirmation of Di Maria's squad number?

Why would the club not confirm him as the new No.7?

Rojo was confirmed as our new No.5 at the time of signing so why nothing on Di Maria's number?

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I've seen a pic of Di Maria 7 shirts in the club shop shappy, and the article was basically saying they were not allowed to sell them yet . I didn't read the article though after taking your advice to skip read :)

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I believe they are officially 'unveiling' Di Maria tomorrow so will likely be done then.
But who knows, maybe they're waiting on Vidal, Di Maria to take #9?

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It's been keeping me awake Shappy. Well that and losing 4-0 to a league 1 team

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27 Aug 2014 21:20:58
I assume its because they haven't officially unveiled him yet, no idea why. That will be tomorrow at 3pm.

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It's to be done at the official unveiling tomorrow

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27 Aug 2014 21:31:19
Haha AJH.

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I assume they will do his number tomorrow in front of the world

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28 Aug 2014 00:58:50
The megastore hasn't got any "R"'s left, so it could be to save anybody wasting time going down to buy a shirt?

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27 Aug 2014 17:51:19
I just can't see blind signing.

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He has great vision - something we lack.

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Nice pun

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Superb :)

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Very good!

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Why not? LVG rates him highly, as you could see in the World Cup, and how do you explain Van Der Sar being at carrington?

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Brilliant Fresh:)

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27 Aug 2014 19:42:17
I'm sure Bebe was a blind signing.

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27 Aug 2014 19:46:29
I think he will.
And I think he will take the captaincy off Rooney.
Blind leading the blind, anyone? No?

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27 Aug 2014 19:51:45
Blind - I just don't see what he would bring

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27 Aug 2014 19:53:02
I keep checking on a Daley basis for news of his transfer

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A lady is relaxing in a hot bath when there is a knock at the bathroom door.
"Who is it?" she cries
"It's a blind man" replies a male voice
Relived she says "come in"
A man enters the bathroom, stares at her voluptuous curves and says "where do you want your blind hanging?"

Thank you, I'm here all week

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I have to say that Duggo's comment is the best of the lot haha.

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On the plus side, he may score some blinders.

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27 Aug 2014 20:25:53
You'd have to be blind not to see his potential

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27 Aug 2014 21:07:17
Duggo,

Thank you for making my night, I posted this earlier before I went out and just come back to see if anybody went for it. Delighted.

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27 Aug 2014 20:34:22
Hope so, could be brailiant!

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27 Aug 2014 20:35:39
Not my first choice but as back up it's a good eye-dea.

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27 Aug 2014 20:52:56
I'm not sure we need him, we seem to have 'Shaw'ed up our left hand side.

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I hope we don't go after Danny Shittu

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Living opposite to carrington, I open my blinds Daley waiting to see that Ajax defender drive in to the training ground.

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27 Aug 2014 22:50:27
My original joke was pretty poor but you lot went that extra mile with the bad jokes. Brilliant.

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Someone's got to say it! Might aswell get it in early

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27 Aug 2014 23:08:44
it might take him a while to settle in, he'll have to feel his way around.

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Does Blind have the vision for UTD? and who the heck is this Phil Osophy that LVG keeps banging on about.

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28 Aug 2014 00:33:57
Right. That's enough. Stop it. Seriously.

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Think Blind would be okay: would be one of Van Gaal's star pupils.

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REDMAN and Herbie, quality boys, quality

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27 Aug 2014 17:44:38
I hope some of our players remember the comments made by rival players on twitter. Some of the comments are so unprofessional and childish i'm surprised their clubs haven't got involved. I just hope the players do the right thing and make them choke on their words.

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If it was us playing against them they would learn to regret what they have said but unfortunately it's overpaid spoilt babies instead!

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Dont worry about it dzeko is not the sharpest knife in the drawer

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27 Aug 2014 17:23:38
Poll for tmw. will di maria and vidal be enough to challenge for top 4 this season?

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Love the name, haha!

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Thanks fresh, but seriously people are getting worried out there

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27 Aug 2014 17:01:29
Regardless of weather Vidal (or any top CM) is signed I hope we can bring in De Jong too. We need quality in depth in case of injury's etc and imo DeJong has the PL experience and the muscle to improve us :)

RD

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Totally agree. D's jong is exactly what we need.

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27 Aug 2014 16:58:16
Thought l.v.g. Showed class last night by waiting behind and signing jersies for the traveling united fans. Most managers would have made a beeline for the dressing room after such a thumping. Showed real bravery and respect. Really like this guy he's a cool customer. Reckon he ll have us motoring in no time. Pressure does nt faze the guy. He has a plan and it ll take time.

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Good point

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27 Aug 2014 18:00:26
I agree! We've bought 4 decent signings that will improve us in areas we need to improve in however 2 have only just signed and the other two have more or less been injured since the beginning of the season.

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He should of made the players have a whip round and given the fans their money back

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27 Aug 2014 16:22:40
I believe and still trust in LVG's methods and tactics even if it goes on like this for some more time.

There is short term solution and long term solution.

Van Gaal would make us such a force and I'll even be willing to give him a year or so.

The players are at fault of how awful we have been. I'm sure Van Gaal is hair-drying them in the dressing room.

The team is lacking so much confidence, they can't even play properly. David Moyes' awful managing along with his pretty tough opening games still affects us.

It's the same team that won the PL.

All of United players should play like United players. I feel it's more psychological, it's like if we ever go a goal behind, we would lose.

I would love to see Rooney coming out and saying we'd beat Burnley 5-0 and not players thinking that they lost to Burnley 1-0 when Robbie blake scored.

We need to believe in the manager and the players and the squad.

UNITED TILL THE END.

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27 Aug 2014 17:14:49
Its amazing what a fancy foreign name gets you. At this moment in time Moyes has a better record as united manager than Van Gaal. Hopefully this is not the case at the end of the season.
Van Gaal has been given a lot more support, but if it continues when do we draw the line and start treating him like we did Moyes? Or do we then blame the players?
I love how Giggs is getting away without any stick. He is the only to stay present through this last year. Is he not the unlucky man on the united coaching staff, surely he has used all his luck during his playing career.

aaallj5

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27 Aug 2014 18:03:04
If anything it shows just how incredibly good SAF was at motivating players.

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I was no fan of moyes but you cannot blame the fella for this seasons troubles

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Aaaallj5

How have so many got so impatient so quickly. I remember a game in 1989 when patience with SAF was running thin, we lost 5.1 at City and the knives were starting to come out but many stayed with it. He was several years into the job. We knew he had the experience because he had already won something in Aberdeen, so he deserved time. LvG has earned significant time because he has shown major ability and has significant honours behind him. LvG will get far more support because most believe he will get it right because he has done it before, big style.
Right now he is contending not just with SAFs lack of renewal of top playing staff but the poor transition, plus the absolute debacle of last year when all confidence was ripped from the then Champions by someone with inadequate experience who many, if not most, both in the squad and the stands didn't believe in.
Personally I am right firmly behind LvG because he is the calibre of manager we need and those listening to Scouse generated whining hoping to destabilise the club need to get off his back. This social media 24/7 opinion is fine but it wasn't around when SAF struggled and perhaps if the present day Scouse biased media had been around it might have wound us all and the club up to sack him.

LvG isn't a fancy foreign name, he is a man of gravitas, one who will instil effective tactics into players who have only known one way, the way we failed at too often in Europe, that we spent bemoaning the paucity of for years.
Moyes didn't have any credit in the bank when he arrived, LvG has masses and that is good enough for me.

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27 Aug 2014 19:26:02
He may not have had any credit in the bank, Red Man, but like any new manager of our club, he deserved our support from the start, until we could see if he was up to the job.

You chose not to give him that support from day one, before he had a chance to prove himself or not, so please don't come on here now and lecture us all about giving support to a manager you happen to like.

We'll be giving that support anyway, because that's what fans do.

As opposed to customers.

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You can not compare nowadays to the 80's fergie had to change the whole culture of the club you forget when fergie took over the team was full of piss heads because that was the culture but he started weeding them out if they didn't toe the line

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Totally agree red man. Moyes was a gentleman but he was never cut out for United. Lvg is a different kettle of fish, he has been there done it, got the proverbial t shirt.
He will get us playing the right way and winning trophies again. We need to give him time and see where that gets us.
We shouldn't normally use injuries as an excuse, but we have a lot of our players out injured at the present time, so let's hope this subsides a bit and we can start winning games.

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StevieK

I have been and will always be a fan of the club. The manager is an transient employee who I agree or disagree with. LvG was not my first choice so I didn't "like him", nor could I because I have never met him but I recognise he has the required experience so deserves time.
Fan or fanatic doesn't have to go to games to be one or a better one than a fan that doesn't go, but I became a customer of United having bought a good or service from them.

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Red79

The comparison is that both Fergie and LvG had earned the right for time by what they had done before. I went all through the seventies and also could tell you where one or two of those players drank.

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27 Aug 2014 21:48:10
NoMidfield: " We shouldn't normally use injuries as an excuse". Before going on to use them as an excuse.

Is it LVG's harsh training methods, do you think?

And I thought you were going to shock me there, by commenting on a Red Man post, with the opening line, "I totally disagree with you, Red Man".

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Rohan

It's not the same team is it? Evra, Vidic and Ferdinand have all left. Carrick is 2 years older, Valencia is not the same player.

LVG has inherited a tough gig but it his job to motivate, inspire, and get the best out of these players.

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27 Aug 2014 21:50:39
Ok, Red Man. However, if we get beat by Burnley, I'm expecting a constructive critique, rather than more double-standard excuses.

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Redman

You are a trip and some of the stuff you post is borderline huggies.

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27 Aug 2014 16:18:06
Vidal saying goodbye to his team mates. mufc bound. by Andy Goldstein MBE

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27 Aug 2014 16:57:07
if you put MBE it doesn't mean he knows what he is talking about.

GDS OBE

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I agree with GDS

Sir AJH

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What if I put in my twitter bio though?

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{Ed007's Note - We'll hunt you down and break your legs.}

OBE (old boring eejit ) :)

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27 Aug 2014 16:17:43
Vidal rumours are getting very strong now. Whether it is true or not, I am enjoying every minute of this last transfer window week!

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27 Aug 2014 16:00:03
As a football fan if united get vidal I will be looking forward to him in the PL. He is such a special midfielder, havnt seen a quality box to box midfielder like him in the last 15 years. Would be the transfer of the window
Hopefully he stays in milan ;)

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Milan?

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Turin?

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27 Aug 2014 18:09:11
I'm such a big fan I forgot who he played for ;-)

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Lol He knows what he means!

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Well the ed deleted my post so he could play in peru and It would be made out cuba ;)

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27 Aug 2014 14:00:20
edd002

do you know if rojo will get his work permit in time to play this weekend? and will he get it full stop?

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{Ed002's Note - I really don't know if everything will have been resolved by the weekend. I am sure it will be fine eventually.}

Ed, can Utd register him without a work permit or does it have to be done before deadline day?

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{Ed002's Note - He can be registered but cannot be included in the squad - his status will be the same as a player being sent out on loan.}

He is most likely already registered but just waiting for the work permit

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27 Aug 2014 14:57:47
Blind would be a good squad player, he can play a few positions and that's fine.
We need to address the CB area, no commanding presence there, that is a worry.

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It does look like the midfield will take priority over CB, but you never know.

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There's just no top centre backs available, I'd rather sort out the midfield whilst we can and then address the defence when the right players become available, I'm sure there will be a few decent centre backs looks to move on next summer, or even in January if they aren't getting the playing time, personally I'd love for us to move for someone like Fabian Schar or possibly Subotic depending on how Dortmund do this year.

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Would like Subotic too Anon would be a great for the centre of the three backs

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Hummels should be available Benatia signing for Munich barca with a transfer embargo city and Madrid full with CB just thinking ahwad

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27 Aug 2014 14:54:31
All this talk if Vidal is good news obviously, he is quality.
But why aren't we signing a quality CB? The talk of blind signing now is all well and good but we seem to be recruiting left sided players without addressing the issue of not having a big commanding presence at the back! Surely the money will run out soon?

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Di Maria Shaw Rojo Herrera decent window sorts out A wing it could be either with Januzai the other Rojo is the left cenre back Shaw the left back but a other centre back and centre mid are needed right back in januray or next year

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27 Aug 2014 14:38:39
Any interest in Muniain?

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27 Aug 2014 13:54:08
As a ITK I am flying over to Italy to speak to Vidals dogs brother to see whether Vidal wants the move or not. I will let everyone know whether he is joining on September 2nd.

Jokes a side, I think we now have one if the best attacking force in the world.
Di Maria, rooney, RVP, mata and janazuj.

But we need a CB and a CM.

Vidal and blind will complete what I would say a great window.

Ander Herrera
Luke shaw
Marcos Rojo
Angel Di Maria
Arturo Vidal
Daley Blind

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Even if we do sign Vidal and Blind I personally don't think we will have addressed the defensive problems, we need a high quality established CB, not someone I presume LVG will try to utilate there.

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I agree, then we need to look at RB/RWB and a top notch CB next summer. Perhaps a striker if Van Persie has a injury hit season.

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With a better midfield we will have improved our defense indirectly. Teams just stroll through our midfield but with more protection (if we get a Vidal type) that will happen less and less. Catermole looked class against us, that says it all.

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Hopefully we get them 2 then another CM and cb in Jan then I think it will be another winger and 2 strikers next summer

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I think Vidal's dog would get in the team at the moment

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27 Aug 2014 18:57:06
Seamus Coleman and Mats Hummels next season and we will me mucho grande.

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27 Aug 2014 14:13:14
Evening folks. We all know we've bid for Vidal and as the ed said, we need to confirm his fitness and he needs to ask to leave. Which brings me to my next point. Could Vidal know his knee is not up to scratch and isn't asking for a transfer because he might not pass a medical. That would leave him at Juve in limbo after publicly stating he wants to leave. Just a thought

Believable2 Unbelievable2

That maybe a valid argument. His injury could always be a risk. It maybe worth-taking with his calibre but will we miss out any other potential midfield star? We will never know though. Personally, I wonder if there were any other potential midfield targets who, without being a 'big name', could do a class job in midfield. Anyone?

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27 Aug 2014 15:50:52
I know we don't like to get into financials but I wonder how a deal like Vidal is insured.

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{Ed002's Note - The same way as any other player.}

Ed how is a player insured then? Would a set yearly/monthly fee be paid to the insurer, who in the case of a bad injury would cover just the wages, or would any of the transfer fee be covered as well in the event of a career ending injury?

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{Ed002's Note - The player will have an insurance value, transfer fees are of no relevance. If a player is out for a long time the club may make a claim.}

27 Aug 2014 14:11:22
Anyone else wish the season didn't start till all transfers was done? then start same as everyone else with all new faces ready to start new season instead of getting one in before one game next in after other game, team looks a mess reckon we will look a lot better after international break.

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I actually think the international break could do us some harm with players going off and playing different formations then when they get back they have to revert back to LvG methods

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If the transfers had to end before the season, we are basing transfers on pre season (which we were excellent in) so based on pre season we would need minimal. WHICH WE ALL KNOW IS WRONG, so it crossing over with the prem is a plus because we can see how those players who played well in pre season (Young) cope in the real thing. badly in Youngs case

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27 Aug 2014 21:10:20
Red 79,

You think something negative, well I never. Are you trolling us?

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27 Aug 2014 13:21:40
Eds thanks as always.
Hearing a few rumours this morning worth sharing, views always welcome.
Blind: this could be completed by end of tomorrow. He would be a fantastic squad player for us, but of an O'Shea to a degree in my opinion who will get plenty of game time this season.

Vidal:The ball is in his court to say he wants to leave to Juventus. Ed, with regards to his fitness, does LVG still have concerns or are we happy with that side of things now?

KingGiggsy

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{Ed002's Note - MU will want his fitness confired.}

Eds how will United get it confirmed?

We need to have a bid accepted for a medical right? can't we check on his fitness then and decide whether to go ahead or no?

Or is United asking for a medical prior to an agreement with Juve, which mean United staff need to be in Juve for the same. I don't see the player flying out for a medical without knowing how it will pan out.

Cheers!

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{Ed002's Note - It is what it is - I cannot answer questions about timing.}

27 Aug 2014 17:02:08
Ed002 - Is it a case of us waiting for him/his agent to confirm that he is back to full fitness or are we waiting for the Juventus v Chievo game at the weekend to see if he will feature?

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{Ed002's Note - I don't really understand the question. He will have a thorough medical before any transfer - the same as any other player. It is nothing to do with games at the weekend or what agents have to say.}

I'm thinking he'll have rigorous medical tests rather than us asking his Agent if he is fit

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Ajh
I think that's what we did with bebe.
Just asked his agent " is he any good, is he fit . Spot on let's buy him "

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27 Aug 2014 13:08:46
if smalling and evans are the best defenders we have we are in trouble. jones and rojo are good enough. need one good centre half. I struggle to think of top ones we could get. just at price and knowing lvg and his style and system add to that the fact he knows the premier league it leads me to ron vlaar.

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27 Aug 2014 12:45:02
Thank God LVG knew the best style to play for our current crop of players until he could revert to his preferred system, this 3-5-2 has saved us from some real tankings and we have made the most of our imbalanced squad! Wait there we look even worse than before and now confidence is at an all time low.

I actually wouldn't mind as much if 3-5-2 was the long term plan so we improve the whole set-up eventually and if it takes 3 months fair enough, if it is guaranteed success long term. BUT isn't his master plan to have 4-3-3 as the system, which we have not played at all since he took over, yet had the perfect players for that system in comparison to a 3-5-2?

So do we have to wait 3 months from now, I'm confused? Is it a year now as well I noticed him slip in last night?

So why waste 2 months playing and more importantly training in a formation we don't have the players for and is completely alien to all of them, when the master plan is to play 4-3-3, is it just to give Mata a game?

Our Wingers could have played as wide attackers rather than wingbacks, RVP was out so Rooney could have led from the top, our CB's wouldn't have to adapt to 3 CB's and we wouldn't have had to shuffle square pegs again. The only one who would have logically missed out was Mata, and maybe he could have been tested as one of the 3 in midfield if it was trial and error time, as he won't be getting many games in a 4-3-3 if he doesn't drop back!

I'm bemused at how LVG thinks 3-5-2 was sensible with the players we had available when all along the plan was to go 4-3-3? No need to crush Shaw in training or keep hold of players like Young etc etc.

Now we are already playing major catch up in the league, have a confused and dejected group of players and we are out of one of the two cups we had a chance of winning. All to play a system that isn't suitable or going to be used much in the future. Am I missing something or is this not really really stupid?

If his plan is to have us capable of adapting between the two systems, then fair enough, but surely you perfect one and certainly don't get everybody working towards the second choice system first, which looks negative and boring by the way?

It's almost as if he deliberately caused as much carnage as possible so he could look like a genius when we start getting wins or he really is a genius and he knew this is the only way the chequebook would be opened - give the board no option but to buy the players he wants. If so I admire his balls, but I somewhat doubt he planned this and if that's the case he is one messed up guy.

Does he ever do anything on the bench as well, I thought he was quite a passionate guy, but he looks dormant, El Scribe.

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27 Aug 2014 13:19:58
"Major Catch Up" there has been 2 games, get a grip!

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27 Aug 2014 13:33:12
Beast,

You need to calm down a bit mate, we have played 2 games and we have 1 point, not ideal but also not the end of the world.

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I agree that's its only been 2 games but I have to agree with the rest of the post and what's worrying is the rot does't look like stopping anytime soon

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I find it amazing how so many posters on here know more about formations and tactics than a man with over 20 years managerial experience at the highest level. seriously have a word with yourself, its early days you have to give the manager time to adapt and the players to also adapt to his style. if he feels 3-5-2 is the way to go then I trust him to make it work.

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27 Aug 2014 14:38:29
red79,

The rot? You are aware we have lost 2 games under LVG and one was in the League Cup. You also need to calm down.

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We have dropped 5 points to teams our top 4 rivals will pick up 6 against. We are no further advanced from the first pre-season game and he admits it will take time to adjust, we are about to change formation so Burnley will be more experimentation, normally it would be a banker result I wouldn't put any money on it which is a joke.

Stretford - If 99% of top flight managers were hired Saturday morning before the Burnley game, I am willing to bet they would get a better performance and better result than what we get from LVG, no 6 weeks training, no major changes, just simply picking a 4-4-2 and saying do what you do best lads.

I understand the team needs to adjust, but the problem is adjust to what? We have spent 2 months failing to adjust to a system we aren't going to play. This season the league means more than ever and we are no further forward preparation wise.

Given the money he has been given there will be an improvement, but a Sunday league manager couldn't do worse than LVG has the first 3 games. The time is not now to complicate it all further, what was the point in pre-season?

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27 Aug 2014 14:47:59
I'm glad you have given the manager and players ample time to adapt, lol. LvG has always had a slow start for this reason, is that not widely known?

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I have great confidence that LVG will achieve great success, but at the same time we are entitled to give our opinion against the 3-5-2. Is not that the point of this website, to share our opinions on how the team is playing?

Hardly any of us were ripping the 3-5-2 in the summer when results went our way. Now with our slow start, many are saying defensively it has been a lot to learn, especially with inexperienced players. And offensively, it does not work without any pace from the front three. Those are fair criticisms.

But for a manager to change and adapt along the way is normal. Guardiola is always up to something, and gets his share of criticism. Ancelotti switched midseason last year to the 4-3-3 with Di Maria as a center mid. Both are great managers.

We can have a go at LVG's decisions, and debate his tactics and selections, and still have faith that he is a great manager who will prove himself in time.

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27 Aug 2014 15:13:06
Beast,

You are aware City haven't won at Sunderland since 2009, in fact they have picked up a single point in that time. Clearly going to beat them this year though, might as well just stop the league now and give the results out.

A manager coming in and playing the game against Burnley might do better with a 4-4-2 but what's to say that will then be right for the rest of the season? That is the whole point of learning a new way of playing, to adapt to a new system and master it to beat other teams and be good throughout the season, not just win one game. Moyes won the odd game, in fact he won the 2 games LVG has failed to win, but his finishing position wasn't exactly what we were after was it?

Maybe wait until Christmas, if we are still 13th have a moan, I guarantee we won't be.

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Has he always done 2 months with one formation that doesn't suit anyone, then switched it after spending shed loads of cash, is that his normal strategy (I genuinely don't know)?

It doesn't mean you aren't loyal supporters if you say he has made a bad mistake. I am confident he will correct matters eventually if given time, but he has made a pigs ear of things so far, surely even the greatest optimist can see much of what has gone wrong was of his own making and it seemed for no apparent reason as we aren't even going to play that way.

I don't think LVG realises how vital time is, he did say 12 months last night as well. Do you think the board can accept that? I am willing to be patient, so long as we aren't saying one thing then doing another. We have gone backwards without doubt and hopefully after the Intl break it will be a clean slate, he has wasted arguably the most important 2 months of the next 5 years for me.

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GAV

slow is one thing but yesterday was like comedy hour. Honestly never seen a team of 11 players this dysfunctional, they were all sh. t and maybe one or 2 were less s. t than others.

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GDS2 this rot has been going on for a year now players are gradually getting worse I am not just talking about this season

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If 3-5-2 was the way to go in the premier league more managers would be using it

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So beast, you think we should have one formation that we stick to at all times. What happens in a game where a particular formation doesn't work. The success of holland at the World Cup was down to their ability to adapt their formation to suit the game. You exemplify everything that's wrong with the modern fan. Wants instant success and three games in starts shouting the odds if it's not working out! Thought our fans weren't that fickle. How wrong I was

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27 Aug 2014 16:20:02
The answer is easy then Beast, go and support someone else and stop crying about it.

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27 Aug 2014 16:26:48
Wow lol.
Thanks goddness school starts back up soon!

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27 Aug 2014 18:16:44
Beast, my point is it takes time to adapt to a new style, philosophy, formation. Sure LvG will make mistakes, he is human, but its too early to totally write off the preferred style and philosophy of a world class manager based on what we have seen imo. Some posts are sounding petulant.

Sharham, I agree we were useless. My point was about adapting to a new shape as I just explained. I would add that many of the players from last night may have played their last game for United e.g. Hernandez, Anderson and some of the youth which will be a good thing for us.

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27 Aug 2014 18:30:35
Patience is a virtue.

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Beast is right, he's had plenty of time. Out out out!

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27 Aug 2014 12:41:10
I think Powell had a decent game though he was a bit rusty as this was his first proper game. I think he was taken out at the hour mark because he might play a role this weekend.

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I hope so I would choose him over fletcher cleverly or anderson

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Are you for real? his passing was worse then cleverly

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Not sure he will play this weekend, but I agree that he did okay.

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I thought he was poor all in all, he had 2 tasty looking shots that wernt far away but i'd be flabbergasted if he was anywhere near the first team this weekend, the boy perreira showed a hell of a lot more and he is a tremendous talent, powell will be loaned out I think and most likley sold on next summer, I think a lot of man utd fans over hype him.

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27 Aug 2014 14:36:12
I don't remember him passing sideways like tom does

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27 Aug 2014 14:40:55
I'm with red devil, he gave the ball away constantly. I actually wanted cleverly on the pitch to give us some calm and experience

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At least powell tried things cleverly is just a passenger he runs upto one of our players demands the ball then nothing he just gives it back we need some players to grow some balls and actually try and influence a game

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I must have been watching another game because I thought Powell looked like he had never played the game before. Awful.

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27 Aug 2014 10:26:28
Ed002 - you have always remained calm and positive over Vidal, any reason for that?

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{Ed002's Note - I tend not to get excited about football Harry - it is simply a game and players are simply transient employees of a club.}

27 Aug 2014 13:05:04
Ed002, why aren't you sat on a yacht with a glass on Champagne, blonde chick on each arm watching Mendes and Raiola brag over who's the biggest and bestest super agent :)

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{Ed002's Note - It is a very busy day Syd and I am having to leave early and return to England tomorrow morning.}

27 Aug 2014 11:30:21
I think we are experiencing the same problem Man City had a while ago in trying to get rid of players. Because the wages are so high, I remember City having, Shay Given, Adebayor, Barry, all on big money. Are we now experiencing the same problems with, Nani, Anderson, Fellaini, Young, etc all of which would be on circa £100k plus. its why we are paying 100% of Nani's wages at Sporting.

sort of make a rod for your own back with things like this.

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MU have been trying to move certain players on for years mate. I think MU value them more than everyone else.

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27 Aug 2014 12:25:46
Cleverley will be leaving before the end of the window, most likely on loan.

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27 Aug 2014 12:39:30
I think it's obvious that if you are on £100k a week it's easy just to say no to every potential transfer until your contract runs out. Players like Anderson and Nani are never going to accept a pay cut and or a move to a smaller/less prestigious side.

Sydney do you really think the club value the players too highly? They have let certain players go for very cheap, for example Berbatov was a cheap sell to Fulham at 4m, IMHO

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Beckham at the height of fame and fortune to Madrid for £25m, Ruud Van Nistelrooy for £10m.

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Cause berbatov was a decent chap who wanted to play football unlike some of the players we have who are happy to earn from the bench

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Panebello, that would indicate us signing two midfielders before the window closes. So hopefully it's Vidal & Blind.

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I think Fergie scouted and bought so poorly in the last 5 years of his tenure that we are where we are.

Having said that I cannot accept the level of performance from last night and there is a big difference to losing a match by the odd goal from broken play when completely dominating possession to looking like a bunch of non league players who could not string 5 passes together.

I realize we have injuries but putting a team out there to get humped and embarrassed is inexcusable.

We have a bought plenty IMO whether anymore come on or not and they need to play better and get utilised in a more effective way.

Spending another 100 million is not going to change things if they are being asked to do things that is not natural to them or best suited for them.

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Covey, it's the wages like you said. I am not sure we needed to offer Fellaini (example) so much. Where else could he have gone?

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27 Aug 2014 13:59:09
I have to agree there, the words 'panic buy' spring to mind.

Perhaps it's as simple as the club are poor at selecting transfer targets at the moment.

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Fellaini and Mata were panic buys Covey. Neither are what you would call traditional MU players. Mata still has a lot to offer us, but I would have taken Oezil over Mata. I think it was myself and jred who discussed this before?

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27 Aug 2014 14:18:12
You'd think so Syd, them two look like the most likely anyway. Cleverley is definitely a goner though.

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27 Aug 2014 11:00:01
I know this is very hypothetical with a lot of ifs buts and maybes but what if we sold Chicharito as expected, and swapped Welbeck + cash for Jan Vertonghen as somebody posted the other day. This would mean we sell Welbeck and Hernandez so we'd need to bring in another striker, how about Loic Remy? Should be available around the £10m mark still which is the minimum ammount I'd expect for Chicharito anyway; it would make perfect sense to me because he offers what both players offer in that he makes runs in behind defenses on the shoulder of the last defender, very composed in front of goal and is to a degree comfortable with the ball at his feet. Added to the fact that LVG is supposedly moving to a 433 and he could play anywhere across the front 3 as well as the injury records that some of our forwards have I think he could play an adequate amount of games and add a few more goals in attack for us. Having van Persie, Rooney, Remy and promoting James Wilson to be the 4th striker of the set who we all know can go on to be a star for club and country, I think we could have 4 strikers with the ability to fire on all cylinders

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Adnan, Rooney, Van Persie, Wilson, Di Maria & Mata is enough JF IMO.

Remy would cost £14m plus high wages and signing on fee. Expensive package.

He wouldn't come cheap and not many games left with just the league and FA cup left.

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27 Aug 2014 17:44:49
I agree with Sydney, we could sell Welbeck, Hernandez, Kagawa, Anderson & Zaha without needing to replace any of them

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27 Aug 2014 10:02:11
Vidal's agent Fernando Felicevich was in Manchester yesterday. Vidal went out if the Juve training ground avoiding fans.

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Many rumours suggesting Vidal's agent was in Manchester yesterday.

Also Ladyman is saying that MU are now in serious talks with Juventus.

This is a signing that will seriously improve us lining up next to Ander.

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27 Aug 2014 11:17:54
Syd, please tell me you meant Herrera, and you didn't just submit your post before typing out 'son' at the end :)

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Knowing our luck though we will sign him only for him to break his leg in his 1st training session

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Everything will be sorted out soon Syd. Vidal will be MU player by Saturday or Sunday if all goes according to plan.
Good times ahead.

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StevieK, no I meant Lindegaard :)

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27 Aug 2014 11:54:29
That would still probably be better than the alternative :)

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StevieK, I agree :)

RedDevil7, I hope you are right mate.

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27 Aug 2014 10:00:15
Wow, what an overreaction. Anyone would think it was our first team beaten by MK Dons.

Watched the chances at both ends again and Hernandez couldn't hit a barn door.

He's never been the greatest unless it's a tap-in, but he couldn't even do that last night.

I don't think he looks very happy, I think we need to let him move to Juve for his own good.

Wilson did well with what little chances he got. A major plus point. Want to see him in the 1st team.

Evans had a shocker, our most senior player and the worst on the pitch bar none. Shocker!

I think the Rojo transfer has been justified. If people were wondering why we bought him.

Big game on Saturday, a game that we need to win comfortably. Although injuries aren't great.

Rojo still waiting for work permit, Shaw and Herrera injured. Smalling injured, enter Evans :(

At least we will have a full set available upfront. Adnan, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie & Di Maria.

The rumoured next two wanted by MU are Blind and Vidal. How much could we do with them now?

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Usually I am one to get wound up and frustrated following a result like that, and for some reason this time round I am remarkably calm. I think last night LVG picked that team, so that they could have one last chance to prove themselves. Kagawa, Chicharito, Welbeck, Powell, Anderson etc all likely to be out the door by next Monday after that either on loan or sold.
I have accepted that this season will be a nothing season for us, we can hope for top 4, but I think it will all click into place next season for us. By that time all new players will have settled, and hopefully they will all be comfortable in the system LVG wants to play.

Also nothing better than being a UTD fan following a result like that. Fans of other teams suddenly pour out of the woodwork

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27 Aug 2014 10:40:27
Syd you reckon there's any chance Rojo will get the permit by the end of the week?
Also I thought Powell was decent, but for some reason I could see him being a striker, over a CM.

Still think we need another experienced CB anyway. Vidal and Blind would turn the midfield around completely.

The game was probably a bit of a wake up call for the likes of Evans and Anderson, maybe they will react well to it, but really that was a shocker and it's hard to imagine their Manchester United careers recovering from that performance. Especially since they were fringe players anyway.

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Good post syd I am getting battered at work today by people that don't even watch football! My personal fav was on sky when they rushed Dean lewington into the studio to discuss "the result of a lifetime" pathetic honestly :)

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I agree with all that Syd but what I can't get my head around is why LvG picked that team then comes out and says he wasn't shocked etc as soon as the 2nd goal went in he should of changed formation it was clear to anybody with just 1 half working eye that it wasn't working and the players were really struggling with it he should of changed the formation and while we probably still would of last because the players were atrocious last night it might have saved us from the embarrassing manner of the defeat. I for one do not believe in this so called philosophy whilst he stubbornly stick to a formation that the players are just not getting they have been practicing this since may(some for longer then others I admit) but we seem to be getting worse by the game we do not have the players for it if he is so hell bent on playing our so called best 3 players up front then he should just go for it and try to out score the opposition because at the moment apart from blackett and occasionally jones our defenders look like they have never seen a football before let alone play the game at a high standard

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Sambo, I couldn't agree more. Last night was good in one respect.

LvG now knows which players have a future at the club and which one's don't.

I don't think we will see Anderson ever again in a MU shirt. Never again.

Welbeck, Kagawa, Hernandez, Anderson, Vermijl in the shop window.

Zaha and Will Keane didn't even make it on the pitch. Powell & M.Keane loans.

So I think if MU got their own way the above players will be sold or loaned.

Fellaini would be on this list too had he not hurt his ankle. Clev & Fletch next summer.

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Red79, the goals were due to individual errors. A couple big one's from Evans. And he could have gave away a penalty. I don't think yesterday's showing will have any effect on LvG's 352 plans as it was a completely different team out bar De Gea, but one problem with playing three at the back this weekend could be only having Jones and Blackett fit and playing well. Keane was decent in the first half, but struggled in the second half. We already know about Evans. Will he play Evans this weekend after last night? So with Smalling's injury it only leaves us with Blackett and Jones. So if we play with three at the back this weekend, then we can safely say once and for all, that he will stick with the 352 at least for this season, simply because if he was going to change to a 433, this would be the time to do it.

Covey, I do see him getting granted a work permit eventually.

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It was a shocking result .
It could be down to a number of excuses / reasons but at the end if the day it was the MK dons against united

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27 Aug 2014 11:50:06
I think we lost because they scored more goals than us.

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The problem is Syd that every team in the league knows how to beat us while we are playing this formation it just isn't working if we don't beat Burnley (no offence to Burnley) then can we start to worry? we are lucky that we haven't played chelsea for example because I could honestly see them getting close to double figures at least if he goes back to a formation that the players are familiar with then the players don't have to spend so much time worrying if they are in the correct areas etc and can concentrate on actually playing football LvG is lauded as a tactical genius but so far one of the biggest failings IS his tactics(ironic isn't it) he is making the error of trying to force the team into a formation rather then picking a formation that complements the players we have at his disposal we all lamented fergie and then moyes for playing people out of position but then we are supposed to show patience when lvg does it.

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Jred, very true. But this isn't anything new.

2006 - Southend 1.0 MU. (Rooney & Ronaldo played)

1995 - MU 0.3 York City. (at OT)

1991 - Sheff Wed 1.0 MU.

2003 - West Brom 2.0 MU. (first division at the time)

2007 - MU 0.2 Coventry.

2005 - Exeter 0.0 MU (non-league at the time)

2006 - Burton Albion 0.0 MU (non-league at the time).

2004 - MU 0.3 Fenerbache.

2010 - MU 0.1 Leeds. (Championship side)

2011 - Crystal Palace 2.1 MU. (Championship side)

I am sure there are more shocks. But no overreaction with these games. The fact remains that yesterday wasn't our first choice team.

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Red79, this isn't my favourite formation by a long-shot, but with the correct personnel and played properly it can be a very good formation. At the moment LvG is trying to bring in his personnel and trying to implement this new style, but it will not happen overnight. Before LvG even signed for MU I think it was myself and Pardoe discussing how we will not start to see the best of MU until Christmas time. Then LvG comes out and says it will take three months. LvG will need time with his new signings and he will get time. LvG has a plan and he has the respect of the players so he will be given time by the club. If this form continues after the new players are playing and injuries improve, then as stubborn as he is, he will change it. Swansea was p1ss poor, Sunderland was poor, but they aren't mugs at their ground. Last night was fringe and youth players. If we get a good win at Burnley and win our next few games, then all of this will be forgotten. But it's not going to be easy, give it time. We have the right man at the helm IMO and I am going to enjoy this transition. Hopefully we will look back at this and laugh.

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Syd
and what
so its ok,

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I see no reason to flap about it. Yes it was a poor performance and shocking score line. But LVG was relatively calm about it, because it was the kids and fringe players. Fergie did the same with this competition. The only worry I DID have was the performance of Evans, I think he was appalling. Evans was billed as saviour when Smalling and Jones were poor against Swansea. We need a top CB and some leaders there.

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Jred, no it's not okay, but it was not our first choice outfield, so people need to move on. Most of those players will never play for MU again if the club got their own way.

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Sambo, Evans has always had a mistake or five in him. We do need a Hummels, but for whatever reason we will not pay what it takes. Benatia has gone now. There is talk of Blind and Vidal, but I think we would all prefer Vidal and Hummels. But Rome wasn't built in a day and Blackett has been impressive. Blind can play CB, Rojo is still to come in. Perhaps if we cab get Blind and Vidal in, then we can look at Cuadrado and Hummels next summer? The editor did say it will take three windows.

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It was a shocking performance result .
manchester united where Stuffed by a a third tier team.
its happened in the past it may well happen in the future but that doesn't change the fact it was a shocking result .
some people will try to make excuses others will accept it for what it was a very poor performance .

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Really Syd

You have a short memory because last year people went ballistic for a fraction of what we saw yesterday.

Since when is it an overreaction when you have 7 internationals on the pitch against a 3rd tier team and get humped 4-0. Completely unacceptable if you ask me.

He is an ego maniac if he is insisting on a back 3 when players like Smalling and Jones are clearly not suited for it and a mistake waiting to happen.

Everyone is pressing the ball in the league nowadays and playing a back only results in us hoofing it upfield or getting caught defensively.

Madness if you ask me and no good if we are 15 points adrift by christmas no matter how much we keep spending and who else comes in.

God help us as we have not even played any of the top half of the table teams, the opposing managers must be licking their chops.

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Syd, a United team with players like De Gea, Evans, Anderson, Kagawa, Hernandez, Welbeck and Januzaj should beat a league 1 Mk Dons side comfortably, LvG talks the talk but he can't walk the walk, he can't even string a sentence together, he speaks in riddles.

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Of that team last night De Gea Evans Wilson Keane and Peirrera should stay all the rest can go now we all know why Vermij and Janko were not brought on the tour

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Jred, who said it wasn't a shocking result and performance? I certainly never. Seems to me you are just trying to start one of your little bitchy arguments as per usual. Well it isn't going to happen today. The lads on this page do not want to read our regurgitated nonsense over and over again. It was a poor result and poor performance, but it was a mixed bag with players in the shop window, a player coming back from injury and a bunch of kids. Should we have done better? Yes of course, did we? No. Time to move onto the next game and hope our first team don't have a similar result.

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There is that word again though Syd HOPE our next game is against Burnley and no disrespect but we should be thinking how many 4/5/6 perhaps more but instead we are just hoping that something clicks and we can actually get a goal and maybe just maybe a win

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The thing that shocked me most was the substitute selection. SAF would often name a weakened side but have insurance on the bench.

Just think, if we get a tough draw in the FA Cup we could have a 40 game season. Anyone have any idea when that last happened. ?

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27 Aug 2014 09:40:52
Its good to see another signing and despite LVG just been in the job for 6 weeks or so, we have had more signings near enough than in the last few windows and money is at last been spent on players who are good quality.It has shown that the players we have trundled along with last year and so far this year are just not upto the quality of a great team as Man Utd, so its time to get rid of them.They have had enough chances.If Evans is our stand out defender, then we are in big trouble.My one critisisim is that other teams did their transfer early and got time to bed them in and as usual we leave it till the last minute and that costs us, as players need time.We also have played only a few games and look at the amount of injuries to players we need on the pitch.I don't doubt we will come back but it will take time and we still need some more players, Rome wasn't built in a day and after hanging onto players who just think they are playing on a Saturday pub league and drawing massive wages for it things need to change and those players have to go, they need passion and will to fight for the team to be part of it.

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27 Aug 2014 09:25:11
Hi Ed's, can you tell me is there any chance Joe Allen will sign for MU?
Thanks :)

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{Ed002's Note - No idea, sorry.}

I really hope not, not because he is a Liverpool player but because we should be looking for a higher caliber of player.

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Joe Allen will not solve any problems all he will do is add to our mediocre midfield options

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27 Aug 2014 08:15:38
Eds? Can you please tell me when herrera is back?

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{Ed002's Note - Three weeks.}

27 Aug 2014 04:57:55
Great news to see Di Maria sign but kind of feels like we've bought a Ferrari but don't have a house.

Ed002 do you know if we have an interest in any defenders and any names?

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{Ed002's Note - See previous posts.}

27 Aug 2014 05:45:36
Am on Asian timezone but stayed up to watch the match early this morning. Felt disappointed when I saw the lineup but still positive since the younger team was to be given a chance.
What frustrated most was the mistakes by the senior members of the team. I must say the worst of all was Anderson. He is no better than Cleverly and just cannot run. Whilst some of the goals were due to weak defence, I would like to point out that our midfield was just not strong or not even there.
It frustrates me to stay up so late (or early) to watch the game and support the team but at the same time disappointed by the "no presence" from Anderson and weak defence. I thought Welbeck and Chicha was ok but since the midfield was not able to feed them, what can we expect from these 2? Totally sad.
On another note, hopefully get to see a better game against Burnley. Honestly, if we do not win, I dare not even think what abuse will come onto the team from the fans.
As for LVG, I am sure he is putting the team together and evaluating the strongest formation and who will be in what position. I will stay patient for the time being and get behind him. We need to understand the mammoth task of this rebuilding exercise. Man Utd is not a small club and to rebuild is not a small task especially with so much deadwood around. I am sure he is not here to throw his reputation away.

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I am not defending Anderson at all he has to go but for their second goal Anderson was the only player in the box trying to defend the 4th goal summed up our defence last night when the lad who scored went past/through all 3 of them

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27 Aug 2014 05:35:21
Only my 2 cents.
It has been a woeful start which we can all admit to easily. In the first game, the players were showing nerves which is unusual in United players and team showed vulnerability with ample space at the back. Sunderland (away) is never an easy game and the injuries didn't help us either. Yesterday, it was a nightmare. But, considering the lack of confidence and chemistry even in our usual starting XI, the kids need to be given a break. (only the kids!) Others have missed their chance big time to shine and get LVG's attention. And, now since we are out of the cup, chances for them will not be coming so easily to impress considering the fact LVG will need to work on his team with new signings to develop some chemistry. I feel its the end of the road for some of those players. And it will be in the best interests of everyone involved to get rid of the dead wood. That said, I would have loved Fletcher, Cleverley and co to shine. But, I can't see any progression whatsoever. We can't keep dangling around this way after giving chance after chance.

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27 Aug 2014 05:14:58
Herrera, Shaw, young goalkeeper, marcos rojo, di maria.
Then? any candidate for our next potential signing this summer?

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A. Miracle

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27 Aug 2014 12:17:13
Sydney search party,
Well we do have angle now :-)

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27 Aug 2014 04:57:28
The Transfer Window is coming to a close. We have signed 4 players ( ADM ) will sign and some are still not happy. Ed002 has on more than 1 occasion said that Utd will sign 1 or more players and she has gave more than enough detailed info about it.

Its no secret that Utd want Vidal. and yes it has gone cold but last week we were all certain ADM was going to PSG. I am confident that we will get our man. or Men so relax. I would not be surprised if Vidal does land in Manchester in the next 2 days. There is good vibe around MUFC. and yes our business is done late. but from experience we have had our targets head turned with the offer of more green. Sit back and enjoy the next 2 days. Its sure to be very amusing as the plans are put in place and the deals get done

great work Ed002

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27 Aug 2014 05:16:49
I think you've rather missed the point. Whether we deliver the players in the next week or not, it will be even longer before the team gains any chemistry. We've already dropped five points and an entire competition. Considering how competitive the European places will be in the PL this season we could be done and dusted before any signings can have an impact. The business should have been completed weeks if not months ago. LVG can't complain about the squad he has bc despite the injuries he's the one who's delayed incoming players that could have helped in these first three embarrassments.

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Kg it's a bit harsh to have a go at LVG about signings, he has only been in the job for 6 weeks and has spent time assessing the current squad. Apart from rubber stamping the signings of Shaw and Herrera he couldn't do much about transfers while working for Holland at the World Cup.
He has now identified transfer targets and it is in the hands of Ed Woodward and others to deliver.
As we all agree on here Utd desperately need a top class CM player to have a chance of dominating games and becoming a force in the PL.
More the worry f or me is the apparent attitude and performance if the players that we have. Under SAF no player would of dared put in a performance like last night and LVG seems to just it in the bench and say nothing when we all want him to be on the touch line screaming out and dishing out some rollickings to the players. Maybe this is his style and he does all his dirty work behind closed doors.
The players don't seem to be able to adapt to the new 3-5-2 system but we are not helped by the injuries.
It is not good but we are fickle fans if we jump on LVG's back. We were never going to win the title this season but top 4 is our aim. Yes we need some wins quick but we need to be patient as fans.
Perhaps last night was a watershed moment for the players both those that played and those that didn't and also for the staff
Maybe LVG has highlighted to lack of real quality in the squad so that the Glazers and Ed Woodward go all out to bring in a couple of more players before the transfer window shuts.
As much as it hurts we need to be patient for a little while

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Don't think it is just a player issue like many have said just over 1 year ago we won the league. LVG system is the biggest mistake, when will he realise that playing 3 at the back was ok in the WC as teams sit back and are afraid to concede especially in knock out stages. EPL is totally different needs a back 4 full stop
This system is destroying the confidence of players who are already low in morale. Just hope LVG isn't as pig headed about his pride and admits he's wasted 2 months of training and alters his philosophy. He has produced the worst start to any season I can recall and he needs to bite the bullet on how we play.

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27 Aug 2014 04:46:23
Did Eds and you guys still think we can attract players like Vidal after such a horrible start to the season?

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{Ed001's Note - yes, it is still early yet. They key is to make sure the club is in a position to challenge near the top in the January window, if additions are to be brought in then. This window, players will see massive spending as a signal of intent and join.}

Ed001 thanks for your comment and I couldn't agree more.
Man Utd have employed a manager in LVG who is viewed as among the best. One of his assets will be his ability to attract top class players to the club who will want to play for him. The fact that players like RvP, Rooney, Mata etc speak highly of LVG helps. I would of preferred Man Utd to have signed a top class CM before ADM but having said that this has now signalled to other players the clubs intent to get back to the top of the PL and Europe. This will mean that it will be easier to sign more quality players as we move forward for the remainder of this window and for future windows. If by January we are in the top 4 or only a few points outside then we can push on.

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@Ed001

What is your opinion on United's transfer window so far? Forget the money, we had to spend sometime anyway, after all the under investment since the takeover, but what do you think about the quality of the players brought in?

Only Herrera has played from all of our signings so far, that too just 60 minutes, so basically, what we have seen in the 3 games is the same dross that was there for a while.

Apart from the possibility of Vidal/Blind can you see any center back coming in? Experienced head on loan perhaps?

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{Ed001's Note - centre back is certainly a priority for the club, I would be shocked if one didn't arrive.

So far, I really rate Herrera, get him settled and used to the English style and he will be a fantastic acquisition, but he does need help in midfield.
Shaw just needs to have a watch over his fitness, not stamina for the wing back role, I mean his fitness in terms of keeping fit and clear of injury. He does tend to spend too much time out injured. In terms of his ability though, plus his physical attributes of pace and power, he should be an excellent signing.
I am not a fan of Di Maria at all, I think he is a very inconsistent player who lacks a football brain, hence his inconsistency. Maybe a coach like Van Gaal, who will give him very strict instructions, can cut down on his need to use his brain and so get the most from his ability. He does have a lot of ability, it is just that he doesn't always use it to his best, though it is very rare he is not working hard for the team. I just prefer players to make the most of their work, rather than just do lots of it.}

Hogs, I think MU want to give Vidal time to see how his knee heals before they go for him. What a window we would have had if we sign Vidal.

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Whether LvG turns out to be the right choice remains to be seen but people need to realise he didn't get the job because he was the best but the best available forget about preseason and concentrate on what we have seen so far no passion no pride no cohesiveness no confidence it is worse then last season so far people need to stop blindly believing that LvG is the second coming of christ YES the players he currently has are not all up o scratch and Yes we have an awful injury list YET AGAIN but LvG most also take his portion of the blame by sticking with a formation the players are just not comfortable with he keeps asking for time and patience but how long 3 months? 4 months? 5/6/7 this season next season at some point somebody has to say hold on this isn't working let's try something else the only time we have looked anywhere close to a cohesive team is when he changed to a 433 against swansea coincidence? I think not

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27 Aug 2014 02:21:00
Ed, Any more potential man utd will sign this summer? Thank a lot for your effort.

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{Ed002's Note - I have answered this plenty of times - read the posts.}

27 Aug 2014 01:15:55
Okay performances have been poor this season I agree. I expected lvg would need time but didn't imagine we would play so crap and not be able to win a game. I still believe in lvg and am confident he will get it right. The man is a superb coach with a great cv not a miracle worker. This team finished seventh last year for a number of reasons. I believe we need to gut a lot of the dead wood. For me Anderson should be gone the man is on 80 grand a week and offers nothing and can't even keep himself fit he has wasted his talent. I look at him and other players and they do not seem to be playing for the badge. The money these guys are on they should be coming of the pitch having given all they can and the majority can't say that. For the likes of adnan and young Wilson coming through it can't 've a good thing for them to see the likes of Anderson who don't care whilst there busting themselves to get in the team. Di Maria is for sure overpriced but he is a top player and we don't have enough of them. He adds pace and skill to a team lacking both and he can cross a ball which sadly young and Valencia seem to have forgotten how to. Him and adnan down the flanks assisted by Shaw and Rafael would stretch most teams. Watching us this season and last it's clear we need that special box to box central midfielder who can pass, tackle, score, set up, command and link defence and attack. Vidal would be perfect but any, player in that mould is a must. At least one top quality centre half is needed as I think smalling and Evans are not good enough. I think Jones will come good if he gets a good amount of games in this position. I think rojo will be good for us. I think we need a leader to play with these two like hummels or again someone in that class. People are comparing lvg to moyes which is silly. I know it has been hard and believe me I am hurting so I know how u feel. Give lvg a bit of time he is a great manager.

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27 Aug 2014 05:59:00
I completely agree. Lvg has lost 3 defenders! Take 3 of the best defenders out of any team and watch them. It's definatly an issue that needs sortin.

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Great post JohnJoe! Agree with all you have said.
Wish more of us so called Man Utd fans would calm down a little and have some patience

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We desperately need a top, commanding CB more than anything. It's the defence that's been at fault in games so far - how can you attack if defence keeps giving ball away or is clueless about what to do with it? Rojo will add some urgency but an experienced commanding voice is needed. That's why LVG wanted Vermaelon. Not sure who's out there now though that we could sign.

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The defence isn't the only problem what has shocked me more is the inability from ALL our players to not even be able to perform a simple 5yd pass to feet when there is no pressure if you wath the games closely no passes go to feet they all seem to go 2 yds behind the player or are over/under hit it just looks like we have rounded up 25 lookalikes and let them have a kickabout

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27 Aug 2014 01:10:38
In the midst of the rightful doom and gloom after last night's performance, can I just add a wee welcome to Angel Di Maria.

Wanted to see him at the club for years, and I think he's in that next select group of players just below Ronny and Messi - a proper world-class player.

Elated to see him here. Thank God he'd already signed before watching the game.

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Sky Sports posted a 3 minute video on their Facebook page showing some of ADM's best moments earlier. Certainly the only good football I watched tonight!

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26 Aug 2014 19:17:35
Ed 2 what is going on wednesday that you keep referring to, agents getting together?

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{Ed002's Note - Folks are meeting in Monaco prior to the draws on Thursday. It happens every year, sometimes just once - this year twice (end of March and now). There are discussions arranged about a number of specific issues between clubs, but people take the opportunity to work on transfers whilst here (given the timing of the event and the availability of people). There are plenty of owners, directors, club representatives (somethimes third parties), agents, super agents, press, marketing people, PAs, leeches and hangers on around to ensure a successful few days.}

27 Aug 2014 06:45:42
Rodeo clownss? :-)

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27 Aug 2014 00:15:11
The only positivea to take from the game were Pereira amd Wilson showing promise. Pereira demanded the ball and was always looking to play the ball forward. Had a few nice turns and passes too. Wilson showed glimpses of what he was about. Vermijl Keane Powell all looked lost. But it can't get much worse than this so onwards and upwards I suppose?

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How many times did we say 'it can't get much worse' during David Moyes' time at the club?

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We played a lot better under Moyes. Last night is the worst united display in 30 years for me. I do understand we are introducing a new system but at what cost?

Being beaten by a 3rd tier team 4-0 with 7 internationals on the pitch is not acceptable.

He needs to ditch this 3-5-2 and go back t a traditional back 4. The defenders look pathetic.

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We played a lot better under Moyes. Last night is the worst united display in 30 years for me. I do understand we are introducing a new system but at what cost?

Being beaten by a 3rd tier team 4-0 with 7 internationals on the pitch is not acceptable.

He needs to ditch this 3-5-2 and go back t a traditional back 4. The defenders look pathetic.

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We played a lot better under Moyes. Last night is the worst united display in 30 years for me. I do understand we are introducing a new system but at what cost?

Being beaten by a 3rd tier team 4-0 with 7 internationals on the pitch is not acceptable.

He needs to ditch this 3-5-2 and go back t a traditional back 4. The defenders look pathetic.

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In the last year we have repeatedly said it can't get much worse only to be proved wrong each time

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27 Aug 2014 00:01:12
Well well well I never expected that I even found myself laughing during parts. Fair play to the fans superb as always. I know there only young but where's the belief heart n swagger the swagger that says look at me I'm at Man U look what I can do? I actually felt sorry for Evans as that was just one of those games he is actually our best centre half. Felt sorry for kagawa also. Welbeck n Wilson didn't do themselves any harm.The kid pereira looks decent he impitimised everything I said above demanded the ball spread it n had abit of swagger, I'm sure you'll all agree I'm staying quite positive, here's the negative Hernandez is absolutely garbage first touch passing skill, inability to stay on side is awful I have always said it the move usually breaks down when he is involved I would have rather kept berbatov last year because as a fan I pay money to see players do with afootball that not your average person can be taught. For some reason pundits seem to rate him not for me. Use him as bait for cb

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Truth is mate, the youth are nowhere near ready to push for places and we've got a lot of mediocre supposed first-team players. 2-3 top signings, not including Di Maria, or top 4 is a long shot.

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Evans is rubbish I have been saying it for years and he plays like that and you still think he is good. He was captain tonight he should of been commanding the back 3 but he was quiet and made loads of mistakes jones smalling blackett rojo are a lot better than him. Keane still looks very uncomfortable in the rcb position as well . completely agree about hernandez he blunted good attacks by holding on to the ball that was if he wasn't offside.

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26 Aug 2014 23:48:37
Well moyes has been sacked and rooney wasnt playing so who are people going to blame this time

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{Ed007's Note - Touche.....

27 Aug 2014 01:16:28
"We had most of the possession and plenty of chances" (after another poor defeat with very little chances) "we're not good enough to win the league". "Things will get worse before they get better" Lots of injuries due to incorrect training methods.

Sound familiar?

Never mind. It's the players fault this year. It's been decreed.

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Lol, Jred look at my post a little down the page. Let's go the fancy route, it was Rooney's captaincy issues that caused us to crumble today. Some of the regulars here need to give their heads a wobble. And yes the world beater Danny Welbeck.

Deeps.

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StevieK

Sorry for your loss but you really need to get over the idea your David has gone

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27 Aug 2014 10:16:27
Red Man, it's just your blatant hypocrisy that amuses me. Along with your hilarious attempts at explaining away a draw to Sunderland and a defeat to MK Dons. But it's the players fault this year. At least we agree on that.

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StevieK

Take a look at the difference in their CVs, even you can see why I am very supportive of LvG

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27 Aug 2014 12:14:19
Fingers crossed. Hopefully he will start to justify your complete about-turn on the nature of the problems facing the club.

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27 Aug 2014 00:13:56
Yes, todays loss to MK Dons was inexcusable but I think we have to be patient. Looking at the transfer activity, I am confident the club is heading in the right direction. The process maybe painful but in 2 years time, we will be a top team competing for the big prizes again. I am sure we will finish top 4 this season and by January we will be in a good position in the league and also playing good football. Van Gaal is the right man to take us through this rebuild process.

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