Manchester United Banter Archive February 28 2020

28 Feb 2020 22:32:04
Hi Ed,

Any further developments on Chong and Gomes contracts or indeed a move away from the club at all please?

{Ed002's Note - Gomes has had talks with Inter.}

29 Feb 2020 02:36:33
I thought it was chong who was talking to inter.

{Ed002's Note - Sorry Chong.}

29 Feb 2020 03:52:43
Thanks Ed, Inter wants to take Both Gomes and Chong?

{Ed002's Note - No it was a mistake.}

29 Feb 2020 13:46:03
Thanks Ed. Nobody chasing Gomes yet?

{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any changes to the situation as previously explained.}

29 Feb 2020 21:13:06
Why would Inter want Chong? He's pants. Championship level player at best.

28 Feb 2020 20:20:54
A few thoughts sprang to mind this week.

1. I wonder how Herrera is feeling, sitting on the PSG bench pretty much every week.
2. Not signing Bruno in the Summer has to be one of the dumbest things we’ve ever (not) done.
3. Is Pogba really injured? I can’t help thinking there is something underhand taking place here.
4. Back to Bruno, imagine if our next 2 signings are of the same standard and have the same type of impact.
5. The Everton game will be a litmus test of our progress, last year we surrendered, will we fight for it this year?
6. If Henderson is ready, we need to think about making the change this summer.
7. James needs to bulk up, he has lots of potential but a gust of wind knocks him over.
8. Great to see Scott back, he’s still getting stick but he has been excellent this year.

That is all.

28 Feb 2020 20:55:38
Agree with everything apart from number 6. I think we should stick with David after screwing him around with his move to Madrid for the last few years.

28 Feb 2020 21:58:04
Who is going to match DDGs rumoured £400k a week wages, he ain't going anywhere soon.

28 Feb 2020 22:09:32
On 3.) surely those rumours were put to bed when pogba put out a video of him undergoing surgery.

Did he make that up as well? Its pretty unfair to cast aspersions on his character when he has previously foregone a pre season after the world cup to start against leicester when Barcelona were bidding for him and he wasnt getting on with the manager.

7.) James doesn't have a lot of potential in my opinion. Completely understand the club taking a punt but his skillset looks distinctly average, lucky for him he didn't come through the academy otherwise he would be getting pelters on here.

28 Feb 2020 22:09:52
Who cares about DDG for the next year, we bought him for about £18 million and have had our moneys worth, let him see out his contract and also promote Henderson.

28 Feb 2020 22:20:48
I hope we give lots of thought to the logistics of the squad and how it's made up, I'd like 2 players for every position with as little drop in quality between first choice and second choice and some youngsters breaking through making up the other squad places .
It looks like 4231 is preffered style so how does the squad actually stand remembering players away on loan haven't gone yet .
Gk we will have 3, either Henderson loan again or look to offload one
Rb 2 fine
Lb 2 fine
CB 7 if you want another one it may be a good idea to get 3 out or we will have a mighty high wage bill for CBS
Cm as it stands mctom fred pogba matic and Andrea's, maybe bruno can play there but for now I have him as a 10 a bit more advanced . Numbers are ok at the minute but depends on departures.
No ten, bruno Jesse mata Sanchez, if you want an attacking midfielder may be a good idea to let some go or again a mighty wage bill for the position and if another added as it stands 5 players after the position lw rash and james fine
Rw the number one position I'd address and not depending on sales, I'm happy for mason greenwood to fight for the position but not fight fill Ins for it . Sancho apparently super expensive I can't help but like traore but the club will have their own ideas
St this needs a player aswell regardless of sales, it's not like the spurs situation where it's going to be a clear back up to kane, a new striker at utd would very much be in competition with martial for the spot .
I know the quality of some of these players could be better but we don't want something like 8 CBS and no rw
I haven't included likes of Chong and Gomez they are the sort I mentioned earlier youngsters bolstering the squad .

28 Feb 2020 23:01:49
Ajh, agree on all apart from James, he hasn't got the skill, trickery, dribbling ability, crossing quality of a winger. He reminds me of Michael Owen with no finishing ability. I don't hold any hope for him.
Also, the dumbest decision has to be not getting Haaland at all costs, if we got him and Sancho, we will be challenging next year.
Totally agree on Ddg, but no one will pay for him ot his wages, another stupid mistake by Woodward.

29 Feb 2020 00:21:15
Good post ajh.
I'm not sure mctom gets much stick. I for one really like what he brings to the team.
Ddg is an interesting one. If someone is interested and he wants to move with the emergence of Henderson i wouldn't stand in his way. If that offer doesn't come in loan henderson for another seadon and look at it again the following season.
I'm sure herrera is happy enough he went for the money no doubt about that. He will probably move back to Spain with a big pay off in the summer.
Yeah pogba has had an injury. He has also been a prat.
James will cause defenders problems but i agree with you he needs to bulk up and improve lots of aspects of his game. Doing ok tbh not special but ok.
Bruno has been a great boost.
Looking forward to everton 2 teams in good form needing 3 points. Big test. I'm cautiously optimistic. I just hope we attack and don't play I the back foot.

29 Feb 2020 04:36:01
Agree with you on most part AJH.
Imagine Saul and Sancho as our next 2 signings, top quality signings are what we need.
We now need proven players to get the best out of the squad and ease the pressure on the youngsters.

Regarding James, I think he can put teams under severe pressure when coming on as a second half substitute because of his electric pace.
His decision making will improve with more experience, coaching and playing along with quality players. Furthermore, he is just 22 and therefore has a lot of scope for improvement.

29 Feb 2020 06:12:25
As Klopp said this week, nobody really stood a chance of getting Haaland, he was always going to Dortmund.

29 Feb 2020 06:57:59
DSG, Pogba has clearly had an injury up there has been conflicting reports about his recovery, just smells fishy to me.

Ken, you’re right about Scott, perhaps I should have said he still doesn’t get the credit he deserves.

All, James has pace to burn but he isn’t showing it in games, I think he has a confidence issue. As I’ve said before he looks amazed he’s paying for United. I think he does have potential, he needs to use that pace and stop getting knocked off the ball so easily.

29 Feb 2020 08:39:09
Ajh I think we have bought well since ole come I really like wan, james harry and bruno .
Bruno has come in at just the right time imo and settled very well . I try to keep away from the what ifs, I think it was a good time to buy him and he is doing well now.

29 Feb 2020 12:06:36
Jesus its James time to get pelters. Lad has made a big step up and is still learning. He has stuff to work on but my god, everyone was lauding him the first half of the season, he's burnt out. Still a shrewd signing and I think in seasons to come hell be proving a lot of people wrong.

29 Feb 2020 15:27:32
Not a lot to argue with there Tony. I think its clear Pogba has been injured, the real question is how much effort has he put into recovering. Playing basketball and dancing at his bothers wedding at the very least is ill-advised if you are recovering from a ankle problem that has kept you out injured for most of the season.

I would like to think Herrera is maybe regretting his decision to join PSG. That said he will have had many offers, it was always likely the a move to PSG would be financially better, though he might not get as much game time there as he would at other clubs. He made his choice, hopefully he is happy with it.

100% agree we need to be seriously considering Henderson for next season. Some people are concerned with letting DDG go. Which is understandable, all top class keepers we have had over the last 20 odd years have only left via retirement. That said an argument could be made that Henderson is performing better than DDG this season. While playing for a newly promoted club he has nearly DOUBLE the number of clean sheets that DDG has. To argue DDG's case you'd need to argue that Sheffield United have a defence at least twice as good as ours in front of their keeper.
Then consider that DDG's form has generally decreased over the last 3 years, whereas Henderson's has been improving. I struggle to see an argument against Henderson being the far better keeper within 2 years. Get him in now, let him bed into the team and move on. One of the genius traits of Sir Alex was to know when to move on a player and to bring someone else through.

As for James although I would like to see him be a little stronger I don't think it would make a massive difference to his game. Personally I see a young player in his first season in the top flight who has played a huge number of games and looks like he needs a long rest. Rather than strength it is endurance he needs to build. He also looks a little lost in confidence since Christmas. However, that might be because he is perceptive enough to know his performance have dropped. He will need to learn to walk with a little more swagger at a club like United. All that said I still think he is best used as an impact sub, someone to come on and take advantage of tired legs as the game starts to open up.

28 Feb 2020 13:27:33
I have not been to OT since we signed Bruno, but watching him on TV reminds me of when we Signed Cantona. He seems to have a bit of magic as well as arrogance/ confidence and it has raised the team and the supporters.

28 Feb 2020 17:38:28
Was going to make exactly the same comparison lol.

28 Feb 2020 11:23:23
So there is lots of debate about bringing in a RW. Several names have been thrown into the hat. Jadon Sancho is many people's dream signing. While Adama Traore has really shown his class this season.

But for me a real gem of a player who will be available and could really step up is Norwich City's Emiliano Buendía.

Every time I watch him he oozes class, movement, intelligence and technical ability. He could transform our right hand side. Especially now with a clever player like Bruno in the side.

What is everyone else opinion of Emiliano Buendía?

28 Feb 2020 12:02:53
If he can actually play right wing then he will be the best right winger the club has had for 7/ 8 years.

But if we are not going to sign sancho then the player we should bring in is zaha. His dribbling ability will improve our attack so much. Him in a front 4 with rashford bruno and martial will mean he is left 1 vs 1 against his full back way more often than he is at palace. Zaha 1 vs 1 is extremely good and that will help AWB as well who will actually have something to overlap.

Also i think the club dealt with zaha very poorly and that contributed heavily to his poor time at the club prevously.

28 Feb 2020 12:32:22
Does United have any interest in Kai Havertz?

28 Feb 2020 12:37:50
Sancho would be my first choice but is apparently going to cost a stupid amount.

Wouldn't go anywhere near Zaha, does he have ability, yes, however, I don't think he really has an idea on how to use it. He runs into blind alleys and while he isn't playing for the best side around, his goal return for a player valued so highly is very poor.

Federico Chiesa is a good player, David Neres can play on both wings too. Both are also in their early 20's so should continue to get better, both have played to a good level for at least the last 18 months or so and both are at clubs who you'd imagine may sell if a good offer comes in.

As for Buendia, he's had a good enough season at Norwich that PL clubs should look to sign him if and when Norwich go down but it's a massive ask for him to come in and perform as our starting RW. While it's a big ask for anyone, there are plenty of other wide players who have more experience at a high level who I think would do a good job for us.

28 Feb 2020 12:40:19
Scraping the bottom of the barrel.

28 Feb 2020 12:42:43
Can I just say, starting sentences with, 'so', is my current pet hate. Sorry, Shaps.

{Ed001's Note - so true N99, I can't agree more. So what can we do about it?}

28 Feb 2020 13:31:59
Stop it, Ed001 😏 I've already told my 17 year old if he carries on doing it, I'm cutting him out of the Noucamp99 inheritance. It does seem to be a youth thing, so I'm surprised to see you do it 😁.

{Ed001's Note - so are you suggesting I am old???}

28 Feb 2020 13:43:08
Ed01 🤣🤣🤣🤣.

{Ed001's Note - so what's so funny?}

28 Feb 2020 13:58:22
Mature 😁.

{Ed001's Note - so that's a first, I have never been called mature before, by anyone. So not sure whether to be complimented or insulted!}

28 Feb 2020 13:59:32
SO, Shappy, if we want to compete at the highest level, we have to buy the best young players. SO, for me, I think Ssmcho has to be the number one priority. SO, I hope we pull out all the stops to ensure we get him. A front line of rashford, Martial, Sancho, with Bruno, Grealish/ Maddison, Mctominay will score plenty.

28 Feb 2020 14:01:15
Shappy - SO I think it depends on what type of RW you think would best compliment the team and style of play.

I like Traore, I think he's improved immeasurably this season and has added an end product to compliment to his blistering pace and power. I think he'd obviously be devastating on the counter and really dangerous against teams that play with a high line. Having said that he may be less effective against teams that deploy a low block and if you take away his pace and running power does he have the quality to play a cute pass or manipulate the ball in tight areas?!

I think Ole wants to move to a more possession based game whilst keeping the threat and pace on the counter and in the transitions.

Bruno has looked very good interchanging with the likes of Fred and Mata playing quick short passes and interchanging positions. I think Traore could make us a touch one dimensional especially with Rashford performing a similar role on the left.

Whilst Sancho has pace he is less direct with his running than Traore. Sancho is able to come in off the line and get involved in the build up playing quick one touch football and interchanging positions. He is also a good dribbler and able to create space in tight areas making him more versatile and possibly better suited in linking up with the likes of Fred, Fernandes and Martial. By signing Sancho I think we still retain the threat on the counter but are also able to keep better possession of the football by manipulating opposition defences, playing quick one touch football with a lot of rotation of positions.

I haven't seen enough of Buendia to comment unfortunately pal.

28 Feb 2020 14:14:11
So, I guess reap what you sow so Steve?

28 Feb 2020 14:40:33
So it looks like my grammar has been destroyed 😂.

I think with Rashford, Martial and James we have players who can break in behind. What we really lack is that clever player. We have seen what a massive difference Bruno has made. So I think signing another player who can play in the RW role but in a clever way, someone good in possession and who can pick those clever passes.

I'm a huge fan of Adama Traore this season. Yet I do feel he would make us too one dimensional with Rashford or James playing on the left.

I can see the advantage of Sancho, but there is a slight worry about his attitude in my mind. Dortmund seem to have a good set up, the fact they are more than happy to see the back of Sancho should raise serious questions about the kids attitude.

Ed001, you have a keen eye for a player, what is your opinion on Emiliano Buendía?

{Ed001's Note - he is ok, works hard, presses well but lacks the movement, mobility and vision of a top end player. I certainly wouldn't choose him as a wideman if I had a choice, he is not clever enough to make up for his lack of pace imo.}

28 Feb 2020 14:45:00
So funny.

28 Feb 2020 15:31:05
Bunch of feckin comedians on here 😁.

28 Feb 2020 16:54:42
This thread made me laugh more than any other for weeks nou 99
So it did.

28 Feb 2020 17:27:26
I heard Federico Chiesa is a good prospect for RW.

28 Feb 2020 17:56:19
I think Emiliano Buendía is so so.

28 Feb 2020 09:38:27
Another great result. Bruno seems to be the best signing of the season for us, although all the new signings have just slotted in nicely without taking too much time, which is great.

Fred for all the stick he got has really turned it on and has worked so hard along with McTominay and is now adding goals to his game which is nice to see. Both him, McTominay and Matic (recently) deserve all the praise for the work they have put in during our injury crisis.

Nice to see Ighalo get his goal and I am sure there is more to come from him.

James needs to work on his decision making, delivery and shooting because he gets into some great positions and then messes it up. He's already shown his quality with the goals and assists at the start of the season, just needs to focus more.

AWB looks tired for me, he seems to be lacking that energy and focus that he showed before. Probably needs some rest. Shaw looks to be coming back to his own self especially with the emergence of Williams.

Overall a very good performance against a weaker opposition with 10 men, but considering the fact that we were pretty poor against similar oppositions in the recent past we did well to keep going and scoring 5 goals in the process.

28 Feb 2020 12:41:44
Fred has done very well this season, he was a big worry for me.

28 Feb 2020 08:13:13
What do people think about pogbas return? Do we think he'll just take Fred's place? Or has fred earnt the right to be our starter in midfield now? He's been playing well since before the the game we won 2-1 against city and he's becoming a very good player even his passing has found its target more often than not lately.

28 Feb 2020 09:46:42
Pogba needs to earn his spot. Performance wise Pogba has never lived up to the expectations and I wouldn't be surprised if he never plays for us again, given all the nonsense his agent has been talking and Pogba himself wanting out.

Think that Fred, McTom and Bruno is the way forward. We do however need more quality in that midfield and need to strengthen in the summer. For me, Pogba needs to leave in order for us to succeed with the rebuild otherwise it's going to be a circus with him and his agent time and again.

28 Feb 2020 09:14:09
rather have fed far better than the messi wanabe pogba. should never be called a professional footballer.

28 Feb 2020 09:28:40
Fred is undroppable at the moment. The guy has been class and seems to be getting better and better.

On current form, he's the best midfielder in the league for me the guy is so tenacious.

The floods of Ole hate that will come in if he drops Fred for Pogba would be the nail in his coffin.

{Ed001's Note - best midfielder in the league? That's hilarious, he is not even the best midfielder at United right now. Being class used to involve being able to pass and control a ball. Fred has improved massively but people seem to be mixing up being better than he was with being actually better than others. He has grown into an lower-half level Prem midfielder in quality, from a League 2 player, so it is easy to get carried away, but he is still not top class or close to it.

You have just added a top class midfielder alongside him, Fred is only close to being one in that he gets to share a dressing room with one.}

28 Feb 2020 09:41:15
What has Pogba done to deserve a place in the starting 11.
Generally he has been poor and often sulks. He should have been sold a year or two ago.

28 Feb 2020 09:54:34
Fred should not have a guaranteed place in the team until his touch improves to that of a standard of a professional footballer.

I commend him for the improvements he's made and the work rate he shows but we have to have some base level of standards if we really want to make considerable improvements as a club.

On pogba he is gone and will leave in the summer and should be treated as such.

28 Feb 2020 10:17:52
I don't think he gets back into the team. Certainly not straight away.

We have a vital run in if we are to salvage something from this season. We need top four and I don't think we should ignore the Europa League as we have used that competition recently to get back into the UCL. There are still some tough teams left in it (Inter, Ajax, Roma and Leverkusen), but none I don't think we can beat. Winning a European trophy this season would finish the season on a high and hopefully give us some momentum going into next season.

So I think it's important to to change to make up of the team too much. Wholesale changes can cause issues in consistency. I think the midfield of Fred, Bruno and Matic/ McTominay looks good enough to get us top four. All are hard workers and that will make sure we don't get over run in the middle. With the physicality of Matic/ McTominay, the work rate and mobility of Fred and the class of Bruno I think we have a balanced midfield.

I think Pogba although adding lots of on the ball quality to the midfield removes work rate and physicality. That might be useful in some games, but will potentially leave our defence exposed in others.

Also with Pogba pushing hard to leave in the summer I don't see any long term benefit to playing him. It make much more sense to play the players who will potentially be part of our side next season and allow them to develop relationships and combinations.

28 Feb 2020 11:29:59
Good question GD, I would hope he'd have to earn a place rather than just walk back into the side.

Also so agree re Fred, he is an important player for us and personally I can't see Pogba matching his effort, can anyone?

28 Feb 2020 07:39:01
{Ed's Note - Ed001 has posted a new article entitled, Review Of The Day 27th February 2020