Manchester United Banter Archive August 02 2015

 

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02 Aug 2015 23:51:31
Bit of a strange question for any ed that can answer it. I was watching motd tonight for the chelsea arsenal game. At the end of the programme they were talking about football focus and showing pictures and videos of some of the players you can obviously expect to see. However there was two none premiership players amoungst them one being buffon and the other was bale. Any ideas to why they were on there?

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{Ed007's Note - (swear) ;( (finger) (headbang) (headbang) (mooning)

03 Aug 2015 06:23:32
Any ideas why they would be shown?

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{Ed007's Note - Are you serious?}

02 Aug 2015 23:14:16
Allegedly (?) Pedro's mum says her son is coming to England to play. I'm sure (if it happens) that it will be to us.

Now, if the footy season started 7 weeks later, then I could have a word with his mum in San Isidro, Tenerife, as I'll be there on my jollies! Great fun, watching footy in the sun, and cheap cold beer, can't beat it! It will be better this year as were in the champions league, so I get extra games lol.

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02 Aug 2015 21:55:59
World class experienced centre backs are not an easy thing to buy. Ramos was never going to come, hummels decided to stay and i have no idea what happened with otamendi. We can't buy young cbs because they aren't experienced enough and we need performance absolutely right now. But our current cbs are not inexperienced or anything like that. They're just plain not good enough. Jones, evans and even smalling(he's improved but nothing special) aren't young.
So how about if we buy young but good cbs. Inexperienced, yes but definitely a huge improvement on what we have. With our much improved midfield, they will get excellent protection. Also, age doesn't matter right? If they're good enough, they're old enough.
Now i am not saying that i would not prefer hummels, ramos or whoever. But if we can't get those, then surely someone like inigo martinez or Laporte will do a better job than jones and evans.

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{Ed025's Note - im with you all the way IMBS, the 3 you mentioned are simply not good enough for a team expecting to challenge mate..

02 Aug 2015 22:20:33
Thank you ed
Can we have stones please? And i mean the everton center back not actual stones because jones and evans are clearly better than that :)

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{Ed025's Note - only just about mate.. :)

02 Aug 2015 22:58:22
Finally someone else posting Smalling is at best average.
We need 2 CBs.

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03 Aug 2015 07:28:13
Smalling is very good defender and will only get better IMO but his passing is probably not what you would like to see from a team that wants to play out from the back. Vidic was not great passer but superb defender. The complete package is Ramos which is why we are evidently wanting him but looks unlikely.

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02 Aug 2015 21:48:16
Am I the only one who would like us to sign Gaitan?

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02 Aug 2015 21:54:58
Quite probably yes.

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02 Aug 2015 21:56:50
I would prefer Pedro over gaitan any day.

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02 Aug 2015 22:48:00
One disaggrement makes it two I guess ;)
And Pedro for sure mate. I was speaking of Gaitan individually. Pedro will give us an edge and pace in our play. Hopefully it happens.

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02 Aug 2015 21:00:40
Numbers to be announced in coming days, what's everyone expecting?

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02 Aug 2015 21:28:04
Pedro #7 ;)

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02 Aug 2015 21:30:29
A game of bingo obviously.

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02 Aug 2015 21:53:26
Memphis No7

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{Ed025's Note - that sounds like a perfume.. :)

02 Aug 2015 21:57:15
Mighty reds obviously thinks now benteke has scored past Swindon he's now a bargin.

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02 Aug 2015 21:57:43
Red. your 'banter' is getting worse! I'm guessing not much happening on the Liverpool page??

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02 Aug 2015 22:31:32
Cod they can't read

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02 Aug 2015 19:52:12
You're no Angel, di Maria!!!

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02 Aug 2015 22:40:56
Not what you was saying last summer.

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03 Aug 2015 04:48:25
Was I @mightyreds?!?! because I'm pretty sure that was my first post on the site. Mighty confused!! Eh red?

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{Ed001's Note - you have posts on your account from 2014 mate.}

03 Aug 2015 08:34:55
@ED001 oh whoops. My bad then. I did try to look through my profile but couldn't find any old posts of mine. I have been a long term follower of the site ( really top work, eds) and i suppose i would have dabbled out a thought or two over the years which i wanted to find but couldnt. i hope to be a more frequent contributor from now though.

@mightyreds, you are right. i was singing a different tune but let me tell you and that argentine another thing. I see your angle, di maria.

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{Ed001's Note - no worries mate, I can see the last few posts through our editing page, so it is an easy check for me. As far as I can tell those two posts in June of 2014 were your first. I can easily c'n'p them for you if you wish to see them? I will also have a word with Ed033 and mention that they are not showing up on your profile as they should. I doubt he expected it to need to keep track of that far back in the most recent posts section!

Welcome back, I look forward to reading more from you in the future.}

03 Aug 2015 08:59:11
Wow thanks for the kind words. A c'n'p of those posts will be greatly appreciated too. Thanks a ton

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{Ed001's Note - this is them:
30 Jun 2014 04:24:09

This site has come along way ... Good on you Eds..

I just want James Rodriguez to join Man Utd this year sooo soo badly...

Someone please tell me a story which'll make me believe this is gonna happen!

God Bless GDS2...
you had me at Manchester night life :)

That was all you posted in the past, probably explains why you didn't remember them. Though I don't see anything regarding Di Maria in there personally.}

03 Aug 2015 20:44:24
Hahaha oh thanks a bunch Ed :). I remember this now, GDS crafted quite a funny story to grant me my wish too.

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{Ed001's Note - GDS and funny are not two things normally associated together!}

02 Aug 2015 19:09:02
Pedro is starting for Barcelona vs Fiorentina. I don't understand why would Luis Enrique use a player who's leaving. I hope this is not a sign he's staying, but it's strange to me.

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02 Aug 2015 19:39:57
Remember that until a deal is done he remains a Barca player.also I don't believe they actually want to sell so why should they leave him out.

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02 Aug 2015 20:16:55
Didnt mean next month. I mean after the super cup game

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02 Aug 2015 21:20:55
I read from 2 independent from each other sources that the deal is in place ( the 3rd one is Pedro's mother and she says Pedro is moving to England) I'm little frustrated that if done, it will be after the game with Tottenham.

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02 Aug 2015 21:23:31
Brad76, don't forget that United will pay the release clause, so if Pedro wants the move, there isn't much Barca can do to keep him.

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02 Aug 2015 21:59:07
I'm not sure that's true Ziko. You may want to read ed002's explanation of release and termination clauses over on the liverpool pages.

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03 Aug 2015 07:30:13
I think release clauses are note for domestic transfers and does not apply when they are moving away from their league if i remember correctly.

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02 Aug 2015 18:47:37
Whoever would rather sell DDG now to get some money is mad! It's not your money so who cares! N he doesn't owe the club anything. if u were in his situation u'd want to return home to be with family.

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02 Aug 2015 19:07:23
I don't think it's as much about the money as it is about keeping a player against their will. Will De Gea replicate the form he showed last season if his head is not in it.

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02 Aug 2015 20:50:43
As long as its half as good that's good enough!

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02 Aug 2015 21:01:06
You kinda contradict yourself. You say why would people sell him now and then go onto say he owes us nothing and wants to be with his family. Ofcourse none of us want him to leave n we wudnt mind keeping him for a yr. But at the end of the day if he's set his heart to go back its best to let him go.

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03 Aug 2015 07:32:04
If he wants to go and we are paid the appropriate sum, then you have to sell. They are not slaves and you can't chain them if their heart is not in it. I reckon we will see a 40 plus million euro deal. Few here thought we were selling him for 12 million lol.

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02 Aug 2015 18:39:56
So as per my calculations, if adm screws off to psg and ddg to Madrid, our net spend this window will be close to nothing. Add to that chicarito and Rafael and Evans possibly going, and that means we will be £25m in the black.
If lvg had £150m to spend, then that will be around £175m he can still spend.
Bale/lewandawaski /otimendi and still have money to spare.
Woodie get your finger out!!!

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{Ed004's Note - Maybe why reports keep linking us to a big money move for Bale}

02 Aug 2015 19:13:44
Ed
I really think arsenal will push hard for benzema. If they do get him, do you see madrid letting benzema and bale go in a single window?

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{Ed004's Note - I don't see Bale leaving at all tbh}

02 Aug 2015 19:27:50
i think we have plenty of cash regardless of who we sell

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03 Aug 2015 07:33:28
I still maintain the biggest deal of the summer will be for a striker late in the window. What we have seen so far is some house cleaning and strengthening the spine and having options to play different systems with better players.

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03 Aug 2015 09:36:19
GCU

I would agree with that

We have conducted good business so far yet the two key positions still need to be filled. Then it will be up to LVG to get his tactics and style right

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02 Aug 2015 16:52:54
After watching the game this afternoon I have to say neither side particular impressed me. arsenal still have very little up front and Ozil is a passenger again waste of a squad number. Chelsea show that without Costa they have probably less to offer up front with Falcao's touch still MIA. if we could just get a decent CB and a goal scorer the league would be their for the taking

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02 Aug 2015 17:15:45
The thing I love about that post the most is you actually believe it.

You really need to wake the phuck up. :-)

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02 Aug 2015 17:35:30
i don't think a top a striker is as important as some think.
20 league goals from your striker is enough to win a league and rooney could reach that .
a CB is a must tho

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02 Aug 2015 17:36:02
i think that any reasonable football fan with some tactical knowledge would accept that United are still a CB and a striker short of a serious title challenge.

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02 Aug 2015 17:53:01
Marcellus me old mucka I'm sure watched the game and thought both teams were below par I don't think anyone is saying Chelsea aren't the strongest side in the league atm but if you think falcao will all of a sudden be the player he was 3 years ago then you are sadly mistaken, I spent the whole of last season hoping he would come good and was pretty devastated when it didn't he was one of if not the best striker around but it seems to have just evaporated :( I hope he does well I would rather he than the pig (Costa) be your top scorer.

And if you think that we are not close to having a formidable squad then you are a little delusional the addition of one or two players and we are right back in it.

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02 Aug 2015 18:06:20
so can chelsea win the league with only one (injury prone striker)?

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02 Aug 2015 18:18:11
Bless him,Marcelleus comes out fighting when they've lost and deservedly so.
I said arsenal will win this match and they will win the PL Marcelleus. I was surprised by how innocuous Falcao was, his first touch was non existent. But it's early days and I'm sure the mighty unbeatable world class best team Pl Chelsea will show us all how good they are. Or maybe jose will get hot under the collar and start moaning at refs and get the sack by the patient and reasonable Russian owner!
Interesting season and already Marcelleus is getting wound up. Happy days.

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02 Aug 2015 18:31:42
Dean,

So many time people such as yourselves say things similar to that on here, as in "we'll be right back in it"

I say this in honesty, but I think half the time your previous success makes a lot of you believe that the name Manchester United, a United under Fergie, automatically means you could and should challenge.

I appreciate you have added players in positions where you clearly needed to and whilst they are a jump up from what you had previously would you call any of them world beaters and not just that but are the ready as a group.

I know you still have players from your last title winning side but you need to build an understanding together and find the right balance through the team.

Can any of you say hand on heart who is likely to even start against Spurs.

Yes you do need additions, especially defence, but are you really ready to mount a title challenge.

You laugh at Liverpool for buying numerous players, yet you are doing similar and then assuming that yours will work as a group and theirs won't.

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02 Aug 2015 19:10:13
Marcellus , to be fair you make some legitimate points in that last post. It will take time to find understanding and balance. I have said the same myself this morning. But is buying numerous players and different to what Chelsea have done in recent years? You had a half decent team , but one that was not good enough to challenge. With various different managers , Abramovic spent a fortune on many players to build a team that would win trophies.
So you tell me , in all honesty , what is the difference between what Chelsea have done and what United are trying to do. In fact , what all the top teams are doing.
The only difference is that United are doing it with their own money generated by success , whereas Chelsea and City are doing it with money injected by a very rich individual. But because United have been the top team for two decades , opposition fans like you use our current lack of success as a stick to beat us.
We don't expect success because we are Manchester United. We expect success because we are one of the biggest clubs in the world , and we have the money and resources to acheive that success.
There can be only one "best" team at any given time. That is currently Chelsea , which most sensible football fans would accept. Just like United were for a very , very long time. But make no mistake , you will be knocked off your pitch before you know it. It may be United , it may be City , Liverpool or Arsenal. But it will happen.
So for the time being , enjoy your success and gloating while you can. But don't be too disappointing when success starts to pass you by , because sometime in the near future , you will be in exactly the same position that we are in now. A team used to success whom suddenly find themselves playing catch up. And at that point you will have to do exactly what we are doing now , spend a lot of money in trying to get back to the top.

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02 Aug 2015 19:13:48
I am worried mate about our signings gelling I imagine all United fans are, but the fact of the matter is we have made some very shrewd signing this summer and are building a formidable squad.

Chelsea are very strong but speaking from experience of watching a squad built and rebuilt ove a 30 year period you have to constantly keep improving to stay up there and I'm afraid so far Chelsea have not done that , falcao is a busted flush, Remy is incredibly poor and Costa injury/suspension prone .

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02 Aug 2015 19:15:54
marcellus have you heard yourself mate you're saying schweinsteiger isn't a world class player? won everything possible, was instrumental in the germans winning the world cup?


this is why people can't take your posts serious,

and there's a difference in buying 7 or 8 average players and buying quality.

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02 Aug 2015 19:36:02
Chelsea looked static for the best part of the game.

They will struggle to score without Costa. Falcao is no where near the player he was a few years ago.

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02 Aug 2015 20:06:34
Marcellus your being a fool, last season Chelsea were miles ahead of the rest, but now the teams around have got stronger, and Chelsea haven't, I'm not saying you won't challenge, Chelsea have become complacent. Will
Find this year much harder.

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02 Aug 2015 20:22:47
Betty it's not always about gloating nor beating people with a stick. Yes there are always cycles, we hadn't won the league for four years with everything at our disposal but so many think that a few signings and your immediately ready to roll on here is being somewhat over the top.

We needed an upgrade on Mikel, Lampard and Torres, in come Fabregas, Costa and Matic. We already had a great keeper.

Everyone knows you are a big club with money but it doesn't always go hand in hand with success.

You made a pigs ear of the last window and have done a lot better this but you have not built from a particularly solid base which is where I my opinion it will still take you time.

I as I've said before am also yet to be convinced by Van Gaal so that could be yet another hicup in your rebuild.

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02 Aug 2015 22:35:19
'Money doesn't go hand in hand with success'

Are you honestly insinuating that without your sugar daddy your natural progression would have seen you win the champions league and league regardless?

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02 Aug 2015 23:25:38
Of course I'm not, jeez, we'd have won it every year since Abramovich had been here. Which is exactly my point. You have money but it guarantees zip.

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03 Aug 2015 02:54:52
I think another big worry for Chelsea was how poor hazard was never seen him so quite

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03 Aug 2015 07:36:56
Chelsea are all about hazard. He picks up a hamstring injury and out for 2 months they will struggle for draws against lots of teams. The rest of this is all blah blah.

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03 Aug 2015 10:12:38
Marcellus
the latter part of your post ,I totally agree with

"not totally convinced by van gaal"

in truth there are quite a few man utd fans who aren't either and I for one am worried that he himself may be actually holding the rebuilding back. Hope I am wrong as he along with Woodward have made some mighty improvements in the Midfield especially and there will no doubt be other signings. Maybe a lot of fans from all teams are finding the changes both frustrating and confusing since the retirement of SAF whose methods were accepted and recognised by all due to the success he brought and the length of time he brought it.

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02 Aug 2015 15:39:00
I have read some ridiculous comments on here over the years , but I have just seen one that tops the lot. A bit further down the page that pathetic excuse for a human being , Mighty Red , is on the wind up again. But that's not the ridiculous bit!! No , that would be the reply from Stand United saying "get a job".

Now how ridiculous is that? Honestly Stand United , what were you thinking?

A scouser with a job?

Deary me , I've heard it all now.

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02 Aug 2015 15:50:18
betty I think your forgetting they have jobs in prison.

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02 Aug 2015 16:01:35
Aren't most of them door to door salesman?

OK it's all stolen goods their selling but doesn't that count?

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02 Aug 2015 16:07:07
Herbie , the " A wing bitch" is not technically a job. They might receive something regularly , but a wage , it certainly is not!

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02 Aug 2015 16:08:52
Hunting rats must count as a job surely? Hard work getting those alloys off too!

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02 Aug 2015 16:42:06
I think you will find unemployment in Liverpool is down to an all time low. 98%.

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02 Aug 2015 19:13:11
To be fair it is hard running down the street with a knocked of TV and their grannies savings

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02 Aug 2015 23:32:29
Picking bars of soap off the floor in prison does that count as a job.

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{Ed025's Note - i think scousers are getting a bad press here guys..we dont all fit into that stereotypical shell tracksuit wearing curly haired robber bracket...its only the red half of the city.. :)

03 Aug 2015 12:26:51
I've heard he doesn't have a job, he gives them. Any kind as well.

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02 Aug 2015 14:54:49
With LVG looking for a left-footed CB do you think he'd look at Feynoods Terence Kongolo?

He would probably be a cheaper alternative to Inigo Martinez, although I would prefer Martinez?

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02 Aug 2015 15:51:10
I doubt it Ronnie, it will be a world class CB or none at all imo.

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02 Aug 2015 17:15:27
To be fair ed2 did mention kongolo a few weeks ago. He may be looked at if other options (hummels) doesn't work out

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03 Aug 2015 03:00:35
I don't get why he seems to want a left footed centre half there have been plenty of top right footed centre halls who play on the left vidic, terry, Bruce , van gaal does have a few strange thoughts going on in that crazy mind funny though

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02 Aug 2015 14:11:29
Does everyone really think that Carrick will be displaced by Bastian and Morgan this coming season? For me Carrick must play if he is fit as he was the reason for many of our better displays last season.

I hope Herrera is still the focal point of the midfield next season and I am worried about his place in the team due to LVGs lack of trust in him (or whatever it may be) as he was really our brightest spark next season.

It will be interesting to see how our midfield lines up next week. With many options available I hope we see a Carrick, Herrera and Morgan trio for the opener. Although with Van Gaal at the helm I wouldn't be suprised with a midfield of Bastian, Carrick and Blind starting and that for me is a worry.

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02 Aug 2015 14:46:17
Herrera is a class act, the lad obviously loves being at the club and conducts himself very well whilst being interviewed by MUTV, it would be a shame to see him frozen out by supposed bigger names that do not share his enthusiasm.
ADM should hang his head in shame.

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02 Aug 2015 14:53:35
LVG has already made it clear Blind will be starting as the left centre back, so i don't see him starting in a midfield three.

Based on preseason comments from LVG and performance of Schweinsteiger I believe he is likely to be on the bench with Carrick, Herrera and Schneiderlin starting. But football is a strange game anything can happen.

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02 Aug 2015 15:50:00
I'd wager it will be Carrick & Schneiderlin starting. Why do people keep thinking we will have 3 in CM? Depay will be behind Rooney, 2 wide players (Young/Mata/?) that leaves just 2 CM's from what I can tell.

Am I missing something obvious here?

Herrera will be rotting on the bench unfortunately, or the reserves as Fellaini & Schweinsteiger will be chosen ahead of him for the bench(Plan B). horrible.

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02 Aug 2015 16:33:06
Beast where are you getting your team set up and player information?

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02 Aug 2015 16:37:56
I can't see Herrera being anywhere other than the starting 11 when fit, he's our most mobile and creative CM. If he's dropped to the bench for multiple games or even the reserves then something is defiantly up.

Anyway didn't LvG kiss him at half time or after the game at some point last season? Here's to hoping LvG rates him.

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02 Aug 2015 16:43:30
Unreal do you know anyone called JMB

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02 Aug 2015 16:54:43
I watched the pre-season games, it's pretty obvious how he intends to set-up to me. Not long to wait now thank God.

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02 Aug 2015 17:42:28
Nobody in the squad will 'rot on the bench' this season, I expect plenty of squad rotation with so many games and everybody will get plenty of games. If herrera doesn't play against Spurs it doesn't mean he won't have a huge part to play in the season.

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02 Aug 2015 18:56:54
GDS2 - Talking about first 11 and the managers preference. I would have Herrera starting every week, but with a full squad to pick from and luck with injuries I don't see him getting many important games. Capital Cup and stuff.

Hopefully I'm wrong as he is one of the players I enjoy watching and I think he is an enabling player for others to excel, one of the few we have that moves for the ball and creates space.

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03 Aug 2015 07:41:05
A healthy carsick will always start. Herrera can play further up the pitch and i can see us playing 4231 in some games with carrick and schneiderling. and then young/lingard, depay and mata/janusaj and rooney on top.

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02 Aug 2015 13:06:01
I' ve come up with a plan to resolve the DDG issue. It's too late too really sell him to Madrid now, so he will probably move on a free next year. Now the DDG saga started because his girlfriend, singer Edurne Garcia wants him in Madrid, her career his okay nothing spectacular and could do with a boost. Now we all know One Direction's Niall is a big Manchester United fan, all he has to do is get her on as a supporting act during their tour, her career gets a boost, we have a happy DDG and win the World Club Championship. Niall I know you read this site, sort it.

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02 Aug 2015 13:32:57
If he wants to go let him go. Just get the best price and get him gone. He's no better than di Maria. Its been his intention to leave for two years or else he would have signed the contract offered by the club when moyes was manager. If he's not committed and doesn't want to play for the club then he and anyone else can go.

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02 Aug 2015 14:21:32
Agreed Mort. Look forward to the Real fans giving him a load of verbal when he drops a clanger.

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02 Aug 2015 14:33:34
Which they will, worst fans in the world.

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02 Aug 2015 14:42:24
In my eyes DDG has done nothing wrong. He is simply doing what he signed up to do in his contract. Unlike Mr Di Maria.
When his contract comes to an end he is free to do what he wants. That's how it works. I understand that some supporters feel that he owes the club something and I'd also love him to stay but it's entirely his choice.
If he does stay here for the final year of his contract I'm sure he will give 100% both in training and during the games. He's a professional unlike Gollum and his 'precious' PSG.

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02 Aug 2015 14:42:26
I think the club really need to implement some procedures that ensues we sign players who actually want to play for the club long term. I can imagine herrera is that type of player.

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02 Aug 2015 14:49:38
I agree with robski.

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02 Aug 2015 15:06:42
Robski I've nothing against him doing as he wants, its his life and his career after all and he has to do what's best for him and when he retires he has to look back at his choices. But is going to Madrid genuinely what's best for him? I don't think it is. If he's homesick then fair enough. If its just to please some girl trying to boost her own career (and a fairly mediocre one at that) then its a mistake. Girls come and go. We've already seen with di Maria and Beckham the influence women can have on your career. I'm not one of those who spout off the line of we stood by de Gea and made him what he is do he owes us, loyalty is rare in the modern game. I just think he would have signed the contract put in front of him two years ago if he had any intentions of staying. He didn't, he's made it clear he wants to go so he should go, let us get in a replacement and crack on. People slag Ronaldo off for how he went about getting his move to Madrid but at least he made sure we got top whack.

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02 Aug 2015 18:19:33
Are you saying Beckham's career was awful?!

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02 Aug 2015 18:29:11
Agree with Mort. If ddg cared for the club, then he would have signed the contract last year and Madrid would've had to pay £40m for him which is his worth. As a result we're being shafted by them and he doesn't give a toss.
I've been raised to have respect for other people and I certainly have utmost respect for my employees and I get full respect from them. It works both ways. We supported ddg during his shaky start and subsequently United helped him become the gk he is now. So the least he can do is pay back the respect that has been placed in him.
Maybe the world doesn't work this way any more, shame!!

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02 Aug 2015 21:35:51
Well Beckham wasted some of his prime years in a third rate league which I'm sure somewhere deep down he regrets. And if it hadn't been for a sour faced stick insect 4th rate singer who turned his head with all that celebrity bullshit he never would have fell out with Fergie and got shipped out.

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02 Aug 2015 12:38:35
I can't say I really blame Di Maria for leaving the sinking ship, De Gea next I reckon.

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02 Aug 2015 12:58:24
I’m trying to see things from your point of view, but I can’t get my head that far up my ass.

Good afternoon mightyred :-)

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02 Aug 2015 12:58:43
Get a job mate

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02 Aug 2015 12:59:59
You would know all about sinking ships wouldn't you? Those fleeing it are the basis of your diet.

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02 Aug 2015 13:33:39
Actually reports suggest its Rafael next.

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02 Aug 2015 13:38:27
Its ok I can't blame you for coming on this site trying to wind us up. As a Liverpool fan that must be the highlight of your season.

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02 Aug 2015 13:59:39
You just got scoused

Ouch

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02 Aug 2015 14:01:35
Yeah at this rate MrMighty we will have to loan Bogdan Aspaz and any other world class lower league players you can spare please 😆😆

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02 Aug 2015 14:20:49
How's Welbeck getting on Gooner? Looking forward to him leading your attack this season?

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02 Aug 2015 14:23:53
Wait a minute, it's going to be their season this year!! Yawn!!

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02 Aug 2015 14:05:33
Might reds if we're a sinking ship then use must be the titanic

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02 Aug 2015 14:15:56
I just hope, Mighty Reds, that if ever our clubs becomes as poor as yours, we still maintain a good sense of humour as you have.

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02 Aug 2015 14:15:59
Mighty Red, do you think Rodgers will be gone by Christmas? I reckon he will survive until he end off January, when it becomes statistically impossible for you to finish in the top four.

I reckon wonder boy Benteke will manage to turn faster than a Nimitz class carrier. That would be an improvement on Lambert, who moves about as quick as a WW1 dreadnought.

Good luck. I am sure your stella midfield of Milner, Henderson (lol) and Lucus will set the league on fire (Yes, I am being sarcastic).

:O)

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02 Aug 2015 14:17:56
For my money Stoke are going to have a better squad than Liverpool next season.

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02 Aug 2015 17:10:07
Let's be fair to Liverpool:

They have a well-oiled, cohesive unit in defence

They have a world class goalkeeper who exudes authority

They have a team packed with leaders who can seamlessly replace Gerrard's influence

They have a new strike force who they acquired reasonably cheaply, complemented by a Brazilian who will take effortlessly to the physicality of the English game.

They've managed to keep hold of their biggest attacking threat.

They have a shrewd manager who can handle any player or situation.

Hold on.

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02 Aug 2015 12:23:32
Hi Guys

I have read some of the recent posts with interest, amazement and some with disappointment.This is my humble take on some of our issues.
ADM - The quicker he goes the better.Who does he think he is.We are Manchester United he is a prima donna who has had one very poor season and he thinks he is a galactico.
Pedro - I don't understand some of the doubts about this lad.He would be a great addition to the squad.Ok maybe not the eye popping transfer many want but would improve our team play.Has more pace than Mata and works his socks off.
Ibrahimovic - Personally I wouldn't touch him with a barge pole.I would prefer Lewandowski.
David De Gea - IMO in the top 3 best keepers in the world but he will leave either this year or next.I say take the money while we can.
Rafa - I love this lad but I don't think LvG feels the same so I wish him good luck at Lyon.
Gareth Bale - Again only my opinion but with what we get for ADM and DDG I would go all out for him.He could play centrally or out wide because with his pace he would be lethal wherever he plays.
Squad - I think we still need to improve defensively but I would love to go back to the you score 3 we will score 4 days.
I think that some of the predictions that we will struggle to finish as high as fourth as disappointing.Come on Guys we have brought well so far and with a bit of tweaking and Gareth Bale I think we could be where we should be and challenging for all the major trophies.

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02 Aug 2015 13:42:58
Bale is probably the best signing we could make but it is so hard to negotiate with Madrid I can't see it happening. Rafa is a yes man, their president is scared a big sale will anger fans and Bale will be eager to prove his point (which he has done he won them the champions league and cup) but their fans are so fickle he would have to outscore Ronaldo and that won't happen.

At United he would be the real star and the fans/ the premier league in general would love him. He could easily score 30 and next to Depay our wings would be formidable but I just can't see it.

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02 Aug 2015 14:28:42
Bazza. I would love us to challenge and win the league. But as we stand, we are short of a top striker (lewandawaski or Kane), central defender (otimendi ) and right winger (bale or pedro).
If we don't sign these then we will not make top 4.

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02 Aug 2015 12:14:02
I for one will be glad di maria is gone and this whole disgusting saga is put to bed. The player has shown the club,fans and the iconic no 7 shirt worn by proper legends complete disrespect. I defended him numerous times but the way he's gone about things leaves a sour taste. End of the day we should only want players at the club who want to play for United. If ddg really wants to leave then I think we should sell and get cillisen in who may not be as good a keeper but his mind will be fully focused on the club. In any case keeping ddg will only delay the inevitable with him leaving for madrid on a free. The sales of adm,ddg and rafael along with rvp,nani and falcao not on the wage bill would mean we have serious money for transfer and wages. Evans and Hernandez potentially to be added to that.



So with that I think it's abundantly clear we need players in three areas. Central defence,Winger and Striker.

The centre of defence needs sorting and preferably an experienced leader. Lvg seems to want a ball playing left footed centre back.

As for a winger I think options are available depending on how much we want to pay. The Pedro link is gathering pace and whilst I think he'd be a good addition I had a look and researched Felipe Anderson. I was really impressed and considering the lad is only 22 and Pedro is 28 I'd prefer Felipe. I think Felipe Anderson is a better all round player.


The goalkeeping situation is a little strange. Ddg wants to go. Valdes wants to stay but is likely to be moved on. We also have Romero. If both keepers leave we need a new one signed. The expected choice of lvg is cillisen who I don't know enough about to judge.


Finally the forward line. We do need a striker even if he's second choice behind rooney. We have plenty of games and rooney is unlikely to be fit all season. I think a striker with pace would be a good option like Lacazette or Berahino.

Time will tell I suppose. The fact remains we need players for at least three of the positions currently. Making 3 more top signings would transform us into contenders. Expecting some big deals to be done in the next period of the transfer window.

Good riddance to adm who clearly has no balls!!!

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02 Aug 2015 12:21:38
Good riddance to adm who clearly has no balls!!! :-D
I think his wife has them in her pocket.

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02 Aug 2015 14:33:42
I said from the beginning that adm is a prat and should be sold. Also ddg should be shown the door with our thanks and good luck with the Real fans!
Disagree on striker, we should get someone who is world class, lewi or benzema and give rooney some competition.

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02 Aug 2015 16:02:45
The problem is no world class striker would sign for us knowing LVG likes one up top and Rooney is undroppable. I think Kane and although I don't rate him that highly Berahino may be the ones we go to (we need the HG players sorting).

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02 Aug 2015 18:34:37
Don't think he's undropable Beast and lvg has proved over the years and at his time at United that reputations count for nothing. Rvp gone. Adm gone. Falcao gone. Nani gone. Welbeck gone.
And trust me, he's not finished. He'll have a team with players wanting to play for him and for the club.

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02 Aug 2015 04:03:51
ED004 you have a solid opinion on our transfers what do you think of Ibra signing? Is it just unwrapping the last present and hoping it was that bike you wanted all year?

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{Ed004's Note - I think unless we could get Lewandowski or Kane he would be the next best thing. He is probably currently better than both but the other two are a lot younger and offer more pace.}

02 Aug 2015 11:28:41
I think Ibra could be a smokescreen.
ED, a couple of different sites are reporting that we could be looking at Lucas Moura(RW) instead of Ibra, have you heard anything about this?
Also what do you think of Lucas as a player?

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{Ed004's Note - haven't heard anything about this but Lucas is a very good player with a lot of potential}

02 Aug 2015 11:36:17
He's also only 22yr old, I think he would make a great signing but it seems Pedro will come in for the right side.

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02 Aug 2015 14:35:14
Lewi or kane for me. All others not good enough. And Moura is not good enough.

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02 Aug 2015 15:37:40
He hasn't set the world alight at PSG but he is a very capable player. He is fast, very fast and he has a few tricks up his sleeve, I think if used correctly he could be a great player for us.

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02 Aug 2015 17:53:05
Schmidfield, do you really rate Kane higher than the likes of Ibra or Benzema for instance? What's he done to even be mentioned in the same sentence as Lewandowski?

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02 Aug 2015 10:43:48
Cannot understand why there is so much negativity about regarding the upcoming season with so many people already thinking that 4th place is the best we can hope for.
Last season did we not beat liverpool home and away, win at arsenal, thrash city and spurs at home with only chelsea hgaving a positive record against us just as they did against all of the top 4.
We have already signed a quality right back, 2 outstanding midfielders plus the hottest young prospect in europe with maybe 1/2 quality payers to come in. In janujaz and perreira we have 2 exciting talents who will son help us forget about adm. Also lvg will have a better understanding of what the premiership is all about and won't repeat the mistakes he made last year.
All in all we have an outstanding squad so let's look forward to the season with some optimism without all the gloom and doom.

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02 Aug 2015 11:13:13
Agree with your sentiments totally, Utd have a better squad than last year and Arsenal, City and Chelsea aren't as good as the media and some Utd followers portray them.
If Utd can sign a truly world class finisher then a tilt at the title is on.

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02 Aug 2015 11:13:36
I don't think it's negativity Allan , just being realistic. But that could all change depending what happens in the rest if the transfer window. It is imperative that we strengthen at CB. For me , that is the most important issue to be addressed.
Whatever happens , it is going to take a while for the new players to settle in. To really challenge for the league we need to get off to a good start , but I personally feel it will take several weeks for the new lads to settle in and form an understanding , which may well mean we are playing catch up by the September/ October time.
With the money we have spent , we will certainly be expected to challenge on all fronts. Personally , I just hope to see us playing some good attractive football and entertaining us fans again. After all , that is why we all love the game isn't it?
I guess time will tell.

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{Ed004's Note - We have enough players to use while we gradually bring in the new players. If De Gea leaves Valdes has been at the club for over 6 months now (will probably become starting number 1), if a cb is signed Smalling and Jones/Rojo are capable of playing first few games, if a winger is signed Mata and Depay/Young can play until he is settled and then we have Rooney up top if a striker is signed. I reckon we are still in the market for a cb, winger and striker as our net spend will be low when Di Maria goes and probably De Gea}

02 Aug 2015 11:32:11
Didn't LVG confirmed that Valdes will be going ?

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{Ed004's Note - Well he hasn't left yet and his twitter posts are more positive now haha}

02 Aug 2015 11:47:14
Liverpool scored over 100 goals 2 years ago and still coundnt win the league. It's not possible without a solid defence. It's what's led arsenal down for the last 5 years. We cannot win the league without reinforcing central defence. I'd put my house on that. Of course with a solid cd signed up things change but as of right now we won't challenge for the title

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02 Aug 2015 11:54:53
Stand United. Nail , head , hit!!

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02 Aug 2015 14:41:41
Absolutely spot on stand United. No defence no premiership and no trophies.
Allan, it is not negativity. It is realistic view. Our defence and attack are simply not good enough. Terry /cahil are far superior to our lot. And curtois best gk in the league. Then they have Costa amd hazard in attack. So let's not kid ourselves. We're simply not good enough.
However, as I said before, if we buy lewi/bale or pedro and otimendi, then we have a chance of challenging them.

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02 Aug 2015 10:34:45
I don't think Ibrahimovic is coming to United but who knows? Ibrahimovic worked very well under Jose and Ancelotti, and I still think he's a great professional even if he's a high-headed character.
I'd love to see him don our shirt, scoring for fun, and unlike Falcao, he can hold up the ball, is very tall, and if given proper service he'd score a lot of goals

Even the reliable agent edward failed to report the schneriderlin signing,
and the fee from psg is less, maybe just maybe it's a swap deal.

We have surprised quite a few with our signings and expect there to be a lot of surprises given how LVG says we lack speed and creativity.

Ibrahmovic, Pedro, Otamendi and I hope another CB.

2 centre backs are a must if we are to win anything, Smalling and Jones would get injured again and if Shaw falls prey to injuries, Rojo would cover and our CBs look very short.

SAF has evans, jones, smalling, vidic, rio for CB positions and still there were many games every season when we played carrick, evra, fletcher etc at CB.

Priority for me:
2 Cbs over winger over striker

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02 Aug 2015 10:15:51
Here's a thought. Gareth (6 letters, begins with G), Bale (4 letters, begins with B), and a certain George Best, and maybe a spare No 7 shirt. its defo going to happen, it's written in the stars!!!!! Plus my Father in laws daughters sister saw Bale in the Leeds Adidas shop buying a new strip with Bale 7 on the back!!!!!!!!

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02 Aug 2015 10:41:43
The only prpblem is that he doesn't want to came, as he didn't want before joining Real (his childhood dream team). The only way he'll leave is if Perez or Benitez pushed him. They will NOT

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02 Aug 2015 11:18:57
Would Bale not prefer the number 11?

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02 Aug 2015 11:21:37
Yeah but my Nan's sister's daughters husbands hairdresser said he saw him in Sports Direct buying a Wycombe Wanderers shirt With Bale 16 on it see !!

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02 Aug 2015 13:17:23
Well your father in law's daughters sister is either your wife or your wife's sister so don't complicate the matter unnecessarily.

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02 Aug 2015 09:50:55
Angel Di Maria has agreed personal terms with Paris Saint-Germain and will complete his move from Manchester United this week, report the Sunday Express.

I have to say it. Good riddance, he's a professional footballer acting like a teenage drama queen, absolutely no respect for him at all.
We all had such high hopes for him when he joined but it just goes to show that the 'supposed' best footballers in the world are no more than a bunch of Prima Donna's who think the world owes them something.

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02 Aug 2015 10:21:14
We all had high hopes and I've defended him in front of all my friends that said he is useless. And I think all United fans would have supported him during this season too. But the lack of respect that he showed to the club and fans is unacceptable. Go and share your romantic nights with your wife, Angel.

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02 Aug 2015 11:19:29
When he signed I was delighted and the initial appearances led me to believe we'd signed a gem but the tempo and the physicality of the English game found him out, the burglary was a smokescreen for him to chicken out of the league.

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02 Aug 2015 11:33:57
Yeah, and wife didn't like the cold rainy Manchester ;)

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02 Aug 2015 08:58:45
Just reading through a few posts this morning and see people are quoting us to be finish mainly 4th spot . Surely nobody on here can be happy with finishing here !!! We want to compete for silverware this year not settling for fourth again . So the fans that are on here saying we don't need another striker or we don't need a replacement for Adm then stop saying it because clearly we do . For me we need to de gea ADM sold now and get Pedro in to replace ADM . Cillisen to replace de gea. Otamendi for Cb and Spend the 35-40 mil and get Lewandoski . With them I agree we ll be a 4th 5th spot this season with and a embarrassing early exit from Cl

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02 Aug 2015 09:26:39
We're not happy with finishing fourth but it's realistic unless we sign a centre back and a striker/winger

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02 Aug 2015 09:31:03
Torqs - I also think we will finish 4th or 5th the way things look currently. It is nowhere near good enough, we were unfit and all over the place last season with better players (on paper) and no Europe. We will know after 6 games how the season is going to pan out. As soon as LVG starts blatantly lying in his post match interviews we know the pressure cooker will be on full steam. He didn't start blatantly lying until early Winter last season, it will be by October this season unless he sorts out the defence and understands that winning games is reliant on actually attacking teams in numbers, especially in a defensive PL.

Too much work needs to be done too close to key games, bad management again.

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02 Aug 2015 09:39:58
I don't think anyone would be happy with finishing 4th Torqs, I think most people just see the league as it is, very competitive. The three teams who finished above us haven't lost any players but have strengthed with a few minimal purchases.

The thing is we all know we need a CB and a ST (and maybe a GK) but the problem is fielding a team with potentially seven new players is a problem in itself. Chelsea's squad have grown under Jose the past few years, Wenger has brought his entire team through years together playing alongside one another whilst adding a few WC players and City have a group of players in Hart, Kompany, Yaya, Silva, Aguero and co who have rampaged their way to the title on more than one occasion.

We are in a sticky spot. Add players and risk another 'transition' year or stick with what we have got and risk lacking that extra quality in the squad. This is where the manager has got to step up with a clear plan of attack and know how he is going to go about competing this season. We can't keep changing formations and moving players to postions unknown to them.

We have a good team, we just have to find the best way for it to move forward.

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02 Aug 2015 10:01:53
Beast, we've added Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Darmian and Depay this summer. How was last season's team better on paper?

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02 Aug 2015 10:10:12
To be fair Noucamp if before the season started last year and our options were the above 5 players or Di Maria and Falcao, two WC players in thier prime I think most would have gone for the latter.

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02 Aug 2015 10:22:20
I think we'll win the title this year. Ed to bring in one marquee signing and two further signings. With the additional sponsorship money, there is no way we will start the season without further additions.
The pressure on Ed and LVG will be massive.
Can see Bale, Pedro and an experienced centre back come in before the end of the transfer window. LVG has mentioned we need more pace and creativity and Bale and Pedro fit the bill well enough
Hopefully De Gea stays and personally I'd be happy with someone like Vertonghen in.
I'm optimistic about the signings made and to come and think the one bad result against PSG isn't a reason for people to become disillusioned so quickly
We'll stuff Spurs 3-1

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02 Aug 2015 10:37:38
Beast

Sorry but it is too easy to blame LvG with the glib "bad management again" comment. Facts are he had an unbalanced squad which he recognised straight away and has been working towards sorting out. The lightweights have already or are in the process of being removed. The purchases made so far this summer have been good ones whilst also having to continue to accommodate some bought previously without a plan to where they fitted.

LvG will have told Woodward what is needed and it then comes down to the club finding the money. I am uncomfortable with us not having the pace and creation up front in place already and the central defender , but wonder if that clear message from LvG is to us to say he knows what is missing and also to Woodward to pull his finger out and get something sorted.

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02 Aug 2015 11:01:50
Beast , I am glad you are back mate because you add a lot to the page at times. But please , would you lay off the whole blaming it on the manager at every opportunity. Everyone knows , including LvG that we need CB(s). We are trying I am sure , but there are not many top class CB's out there , and they are difficult to get. Woodward's has done a good job so far this summer , and he takes the credit for signings.So how come signings that don't happen are LvG's fault?
And the whole issue about LvG "telling lies" is just another stick for you to beat him with. Despite some things being a little mis-interpreted at times due to translation , I actually find him a pretty straight talking and honest bloke. Sometimes to his detriment. SAF was one of the biggest bullshitters going at times , if he thought it was for the benefit of himself or the team.
I am not the banter police , beast , and we all have different views. But you and JMB got a lot of stick for the constant slagging off if the manager. I actually think he used to deliberately egg you on. We know you don't like LvG , fair enough. But don't start with the whole anti van Gaal campaign again before a ball has even been kicked. Lots can happen between now and the end of the window , so let's wait and see before we judge. And to be honest , whether we have LvG or Mourinho or the Lord Jesus Christ as manager , I really wouldn't be expecting miracles (well maybe if it was The Lord J.C !) in the first few months of the season. We will likely have 4,5 or maybe even 6 new faces in the starting eleven. They will take time to gel and get to know each other's game. But I suppose a proper manager wouldn't have that problem ?

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{Ed004's Note - Beast I was just wondering what you think of the four signings we have made for the first team this season? Darmian, Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Depay. Of the four and of the players that have moved this window only Vidal stands out as being an improvement but we have tried and failed to sign him before and he comes with a lot of baggage}

02 Aug 2015 11:10:33
Fergie never lied to the press, nor José or Wenger did they? All managers lie to the press so to castigate lvg for that on top of everything else is just pathetic but at least your consistent beast. The players were not unfit last year at all IMO your simply making things up and talking nonsense

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02 Aug 2015 11:25:23
Ed , now this is some statement , but I honestly think Schneiderlin is the best signings could have made in his position. In the long term , even better than Vidal. I really rate him that highly. I have probably bored everyone on here by reminding them that I was championing Schneiderlin two years ago , but I make apologiess for that because I was well chuffed that we signed him!! He is exactly what we need :)

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{Ed004's Note - I should have said possibly as it is open to debate. Schneiderlin is a fantastic player however Vidal has proven it at a far far higher level. Though Schneiderlin will not need time to adapt to the league, is younger and doesn't have any baggage. I was delighted when I heard he was signed.}

02 Aug 2015 11:35:52
Noucamp - Unreal summed it up for me, add RVP to that mix who is better than Hernandez and then the DDG scenario.

Redman - The manager has to be the person we look at, he is the one picking the team and signing off on transfers. Blind at CB, Depay behind the striker, Mata out wide, two holding midfielders every friendly despite saying he won't play this way, Jones starting ahead of Smalling pre-season, hardly any Herrera - all of these decisions seem strange. His prerogative as manager, but he has to be held accountable for disjointed displays and not getting the most from players. He should have learnt a lot last season, this pre-season looks like more of the same and that is all we have to judge him on thus far, not pipe dreams and hopes.

Betty - I'm only bashing him because he keeps making crazy decisions. If any of them actually worked I'd be happy but the only decent games we played last season were when Fellaini was a target man, which ironically is the most anti-football way we played and therefore anti LVG's philosophy. He started off telling the truth after games, then when it came out about Directors not being happy he started saying things about performances being good when they clearly weren't. It's frustrating for me and to be fair I have only bashed him a couple of times in recent months.

Ed 004 - Happy with the deals, but the primary target was a CB and I would rather have only signed one of Schweiny or Schneiderlin if it meant we lose out on Herrera. Most of us (I assume) wanted Herrera to feature as he is dynamic and links but it seems it will be him missing out again. Depay I like the look of, although again I would rather see Mata or Perreira playing behind the striker. Darmian looks class. I have 3 major issues, Rooney isn't good enough to lead the line and the cover we have is inadequate, the CB situation is a farce, we had a bit more tempo attacking wise pre-season yet we have small numbers attacking because of the P word. Actually 4 - DDG this uncertainty is going to cause mayhem with our CB's already looking lost.

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{Ed004's Note - That's a fair enough assessment. I still think the club is working on deals (ie Meeting with Zlatan's agent etc) and think the primary targets for the cb position were Hummels and Ramos (who has signed a contract yet..). Valdes will replace De Gea IMO and pedro looks like he will sign and add more pace up top. On your post about weird formations and positions during preseason. Could it be that he already knows Herrera and Smalling will be starters and they were playing with the second team to add some leadership. He has already said Smalling is the third captain and I'm sure I read somewhere how Herrera has become more vocal on the team. Hopefully Depay has been playing centrally to improve on his awareness there as even if he started wide left he would be drifting inside more anyways. On a side note shaw has seemed to improve on his offensive game during the off season and looks fit enough to control the left side of the pitch. Maybe this is just me being optimistic. I think we are currently two signings away without losing De Gea from competing and once Di Maria goes we will have a lot left to spend}

02 Aug 2015 11:49:22
All this talk about the 4th spot. Look, if LVG didn't ruined his pre-season and start of the campaign last year, with trying to fit in the 3 5 2 formation, we could've been at least title contenders. Not saying that we could've won the league though. With today's players the top 4 finish isn't an issue for me at all. If LVG can make the players tick like a clock, I'm sure that we'll be very close to the top if not on it. Even if we don't sign CB or striker. Look at Costa at Chelsea, I don't rate him at all, but he is considered as a superstar, because of his goal record. Rooney for me is by far a better striker. GGMU I'll go with a 3:0 win over Tottenham at the start!!!

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02 Aug 2015 12:04:46
Ed 004 - Thanks, yes I agree about Shaw. I hope you are right about Smalling & Herrera, but he did say that the team he plays will be the one that starts against Spurs. Smalling & Herrera should also get used to playing with the new players during pre-season if he intends to start them. He could be telling porkies again, but either way it is bizarre if you ask me. Pre-Season for a team signing a lot of first team players should be all about building understanding between those players, especially with CL qualifiers coming up and how competitive the league is, 10 years ago we could have gotten away with it more.

If we had a different manager I agree we are just a couple of players away, we could sign the worlds best 11 players in each position and I still think LVG will find a way to mess it up with pointless tinkering and stifling their natural game, that is how low I rate this guy unfortunately.

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{Ed004's Note - I don't think anyone on here could alter your opinion on LvG anymore haha. Hopefully we see a normal 433 against Spurs with Depay and Mata out wide and Herrera, Smalling and not Blind playing cb}

02 Aug 2015 12:08:00
Ken - I don't care what Wenger or Jose say, I care about the man that represents our club. Pre-game or transfers I don't expect him to reveal anything, however post match assessments got more and more deluded as the pressure built up. Surely you have to admit that? He was a breath of fresh air when he first started with his honest assessments despite odd decision making, but then he realised the heat was on so changed his tune to try and keep his job. He sold out and I lost any hope whatsoever for the guy being right for the club.

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02 Aug 2015 12:29:54
I said it many times last season that I don't think LVG is the right man for the job but I would like nothing better than to eat them words and be proved wrong.
He seems to be getting a good squad together with balance and depth, I truly believe were only 3 signings away from being a world force again, let's just hope that LVG makes the right decisions with them signings.

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02 Aug 2015 14:29:42
Beast, sometimes, you make no sense at all.

How is the team weaker? We signed 5 players ffs. All top players.

RVP done sod all last season. Falcao was about as useful as a brush-less broom; and Di Maria looked like a baby elephant with skates when he had the ball at his feet.

I am sorry, but your comments are becoming subjective rants.

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02 Aug 2015 13:15:33
Ed agree maybe Smalling and Herrera may be already guaranteed a starting place that's why LVG is looking at the other options. but nothing can explain why we have bought one of Europe top potential wingers and played him at number 10, whilst playing a World Cup winning number 10 out wide right or a small slow utility player at starting CB. If this is how we start the season I have to say I won't be crossing my fingers on much success. Also all this talk of how it's taken 3 windows for LVG to assess the squad and move players on or identify who he wants in. If the club gets the same start as they did last year LVG could be out and do we have to start this whole process again.

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02 Aug 2015 08:40:51
Not that I care much, but how can Bayern buy Vidal for significantly less money we offered last year ?!

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02 Aug 2015 08:50:27
Year older and a year less on his contract, did we even bid for him on the end? Not sure if we did

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02 Aug 2015 09:03:13
I've noticed that other clubs buy players before they becomes absolute necessities and we try to buy players when its make or break. Look at the pursuit of baines, shaw, fellaini. The selling clubs knew they could ask us for anything because we had almost no other options AND our team was severely lacking in those positions.

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02 Aug 2015 09:05:23
Can't believe we didn't go for him if he was clearly available!

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02 Aug 2015 09:23:25
Schweiny is a very good player and a great professional, LVG needs his allies in the changing room this year because he will be under more pressure. Vidal would have been by far the better signing for Man Utd imo, but Schweiny is the better for LVG.

In fairness we have been crying out for a leader, Vidal is a bit of a loose cannon and as we have seen with Herrera he wants robots rather than free thinking players. Vidal would have been immense for us and perfectly suited to the PL, gutted.

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02 Aug 2015 09:41:18
I was over the moon when we signed Bastian but I must admit seeing Bayern sign Vidal has robbed me of my satisfaction a little.

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02 Aug 2015 10:04:19
Last summer Vidal had a knee problem and that likely put us off. Vidal is all action but he could also be looked at as a sending off waiting to happen. We lacked leadership on the pitch so for me that area has been improved (still need that at the back) and was more important than getting a Vidal type of player.

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02 Aug 2015 10:22:18
They are very different players.

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02 Aug 2015 10:22:36
Vidal amd schweinsteiger are both central midfielders but that doesn't mean they can do each other's roles. Schneiderlin was bought in place of vidal. Bastian was for carricks position.
Ofcourse all this will stop making sense to me if he plays carrick and Bastian together

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02 Aug 2015 10:33:21
My point was not why we didn't go for Vidal now, but why Bayern got him for twice cheaper than our SUPPOSED offer. Juve were not selling, now they are, Vidal didn't want to come, knowing that Bayern would come this window or something else, like RedAndy94 said. RedAndy94, I'm not sure that a player's price will be cut at half just because of a "year older and a year less on his contract". For sure it affects his price, but at half ?

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02 Aug 2015 05:17:58
LVG wants has instructed Ed Woodward to make a double swoop for Otamendi and Garay.

By adding two more members of the Argentina national team's defence he hopes for instant cohesion with only Darmian at right back to integrate alongside Rojo and new No. 1 Romero.

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02 Aug 2015 06:57:01
Is this from a reliable source?

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02 Aug 2015 07:05:14
What about shaw he has nailed the lb slot

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02 Aug 2015 07:15:09
If you can call Jack Daniels reliable then Yes it is.
:-)

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02 Aug 2015 07:41:24
I would be very surprised if we swooped for both considering the amount of first team players we already have to integrate into the team. One CB and a striker should be more than enough.

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02 Aug 2015 07:44:38
The "Garay ship" has sailed, mate. Otamendi on th other hand played yesterday vs Porto. I don't read anything to it, but.

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02 Aug 2015 07:53:18
Well be lucky to sign 1 never mind 2 CB's

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02 Aug 2015 08:04:23
There are very few reliable sources, this sounds dodgy. Shaw will be 1st choice left back

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02 Aug 2015 08:44:21
Your source is Agut , right.

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02 Aug 2015 09:19:32
I agree Herbie, perhaps I was being too diplomatic!

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02 Aug 2015 04:58:40
So with pre-season coming to a close and the real deal about to begin what is the predictions at this point as to where United finish? Do many posters on here feel we can go all the way or will we be content to compete for the CL spots once again?

My main question here is if United finish top 3 for instance who do you see dropping out? As champions Chelsea and Jose are still the team to beat and I think will would all agree they will be thereabouts come May.

The Gunners for me are the ones which concern me most, especially if they bring in a top frontman. Cech was an unbelievable purchase for them and they have a great supporting cast of midfielders and wingers. They have a cohesive team of players who have grown together for many years now and have formed a good understanding with one another.

City are the team I see some people habe question marks about this term, for reasons I cannot begin to fathom. Yes they may have had an unspectacular pre-season but they have the best spine in the league in my opinion and with Aguero and Bony goals will come. If Yaya, Silva and Kompany play the way we know they can then they are a force to be reckoned with. Then there is Sterling, who for some reason there is an air of ignorance he is more of an Aaron Lennon than Arjen Robben in the making. His decsion making is fantastic and if he adds some goals to his game he could be a deadly factor in the title race. Don't be deceived by his 'overpriced' tag as he is a damn fine player.

So when I look at it without my red tinted glasses on I would not be truthful with myself if I said I think we will get top three with ease. We have a good team but an enigma of a manager who could make or break our season with his strange decisions. The league will be much more competitive this season and we must play better, LVG mustn't ride his luck like last season. Russian

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02 Aug 2015 06:47:04
Russian roulette isn't a game we can afford to play this coming season.

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02 Aug 2015 07:09:12
I can't see us getting past arsenal or Chelsea this season, especially if de gea goes. Without a top quality gk or cb signed we will be fighting for 3rd or 4th spot again imo. Lvg will have no excuse for not being close to the title this year and if we struggle again I see him being pushed out considering pep is probably free to manage us next year, do any of the eds agree?

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{Ed001's Note - I do think LVG will be expected to challenge, at least, this season, yes. Though not so sure it is related to Pep, just a general view of where the club sees itself.}

02 Aug 2015 07:54:34
Arsenal
Chelsea
City
United/Liverpool (can't split)

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02 Aug 2015 08:28:52
Without a really top class CB and another striker I would say our season will be a nervy 4th place finish,even scraping in on the last 2-3 games - with 2 additions I can see 3rd throughout the season constantly and no looking over our shoulder .

Its been way too long since we lifted the F.A cup ,id love that this season.

CL - not expecting a lot, out of the group stages probably , with the 2 additions we could well beat anyone over 2 legs but to do it in one round is one thing to do it 2-3 times against barca /Madrid/BM I can't see it .

The one thing I do want is attractive football - we ve seen too little of it for too long now

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02 Aug 2015 08:30:30
Arsenal chelsea utd city/pool
expect to be challenging though if we get a cb and forward

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02 Aug 2015 08:26:14
Somebody has returned who was banned .Softly Softly cheeky monkey

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02 Aug 2015 10:06:30
Disagree about Arsenal, strengthened one of the four areas they needed to and suddenly they're strong title contenders. Injuries and lack of mentality will ruin them again.

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02 Aug 2015 14:31:28
Arsenal are still three or for players short IMO. They will struggle if they get a few injuries.

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02 Aug 2015 01:10:38
Pls beg u can help me predictions betting

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{Ed001's Note - you would be better trying our betting site, we have an editor on there who tips football and has a good record.}