Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.
30 Jul 2015 22:56:18
I personally think if we are really targeting Lukaku then it would be a great signing. Pace, strength who can bully defenders. Underrated player I think, who would be a fantastic addition for us.
31 Jul 2015 00:32:33
Your joking,ask ed025 about him who watched him every week
31 Jul 2015 11:23:34
Cannot control the ball, cannot pass the ball definitely not a United player.
30 Jul 2015 22:33:33
I don't like to be dragged into discussions about formations. But one thing we know. Lvg loves the 4-3-3. Infact he recently said that it would be our formation this year. Well, so far so good. We have the midfielders for it finally. We have got great upcoming fullbacks. It all sounds so balanced. We have a young, dashing winger tailor made for this.
Then why am i hearing our manager wanting to play depay behind rooney? It leaves us a man short in midfield, leaves 2 out of our 4 Excellent cms on the bench, puts mata on the wing and i don't even know where I'm going with this. Maybe I'm looking too much into it.
Ed004, thoughts?
{Ed004's Note - I agree it doesn't make sense. If we manage to keep De Gea we are a cb and st short of having possibly the best team in the league. However if Di Maria leaves we may need another winger signed as we could be short on the wings (possibly why Pedro is being looked at. Doesn't mind spending some time on the bench and available for a good price). However, Blind needs replaced and so does Rooney. Herrera and Mata link up brilliantly, Schweinsteiger and Carrick are fantastic in the deep lying role and Schneiderlin is an upgrade on Fellaini. I'm hoping Depay is being played centrally during preseason only as an attempt to improve his awareness when he drifts in from the left side more. Shaw showed on tour how good a player he can become and I think he will offer a lot more going forward this season and looking forward to seeing Darmian more.}
30 Jul 2015 23:31:51
I completely agree ed, I would like to see Rooney Lewandowski / Lacazette Mata and Pereira fighting for 2 spots and bale depay pedro and adnan fighting for 2 spots and Herrera Bastian Morgan and Carrick fighting for 2 spots. Shaw and blind for 1 spot Darmian and Valencia for 1 spot. Smelling new cb rojo and Jones fighting for 2 spots and Romero and cillisien fighting for 1 spot.
Unfortunately that wish list includes 3 highly improbable signings and an unknown cb? Would you be happy with that ed?
{Ed004's Note - of course but I don't think we have much of a chance with any of your summer signings unfortunately}
30 Jul 2015 23:53:32
Surely the keeper and any unknown cb are attainable ed? I don't know how to spell his name but I have watched a bit a read a lot about him and he is very highly rated by the right people IMO. So does that only make me half a dreamer 😄 although I thought all 3 nd I'm only asking for 2 of bale Lacazette or Lewandowski were available a PRIce and that we had shown interest in all 3?
30 Jul 2015 23:53:32
Surely the keeper and any unknown cb are attainable ed? I don't know how to spell his name but I have watched a bit a read a lot about him and he is very highly rated by the right people IMO. So does that only make me half a dreamer 😄 although I thought all 3 nd I'm only asking for 2 of bale Lacazette or Lewandowski were available a PRIce and that we had shown interest in all 3?
{Ed004's Note - Didn't read your post properly missed Cillesen at the bottom. I'm hoping we sign someone better but he is quite likely. I would prefer someone like Lloris but think it will be Valdes now he is back in the good books. I was really hoping for Ramos now I'm not sure what other centre backs are available, maybe Inigo Martinez or Laporte. Unfortunately do not think we will sign Lewandowksi or Lacazette}
30 Jul 2015 22:18:41
Nothing to do with last nights result but if people had to select a team from the premiership with their best eleven players who would be in there team? The worrying thing for is realistically are there any of our players people would have in that eleven ??
We are have signed some good players this pre season and fingers crossed more to come but I believe if LVG thinks that we have a good enough team to win the league or compete in CL then he's completely wrong . Our first eleven compared to Bayern madrid chelsea city barca and arsenal were not even close . If we want trophies and to have mount a challenge on any of our cup campaigns then LVG n Co need to act swiftly in the transfer market . I know it's not closed til end of August but surely we should have a settled squad by now with maybe the odd transfer coming and going in the later part of the window . Still looking for a striker possibly a winger in replace of ADM a center back and possibly a keeper with de gea n ADM going staying who knows , just can't help but think we could of gone into the season with a more settled squad with people knowing who's coming or going . Not seeing this at chelsea city or arsenal . I fear this may affect the start of our season .
31 Jul 2015 11:30:48
What are you going on about neither Chelsea or Arsenal have really shown their hand in the transfer market yet, so if they have business to do it will be ongoing until the windows shuts as will our remaining business.
30 Jul 2015 22:12:35
I hate to read too much into recent team selection, but I have this growing feeling that Herrera may be the odd man out against Spurs next week and, while I actually rate LVG, I feel as though this is a tremendous lack of oversight on his part. He may be the most dynamic player in our stable and was the only midfielder capable of scoring the types of goals that we desperately need from this position. Carrick and schweinsteiger should never see the field at once, in my opinion, but a combination of Herrera, Schneiderlain, and one of the aforementioned deep lying passers would be able to compete with anyone.
{Ed004's Note - He also linked up brilliantly with Mata}
31 Jul 2015 00:15:02
Agree WCR. If we're lacking enough at centre back for the Spurs game to have to play Daley Blind out of position then I'd rather MC slotted in at centre back with a midfield 3 of BS, MS and AH. MC is a better stand in centre back than DB and it also answers the MC or BS question.
Well, actually I'd rather we just signed equivalents of Rio and Vidic in their prime because none of our current lot are anyway near that level.
31 Jul 2015 01:34:16
100% sure every united fan agrees with this post
31 Jul 2015 11:33:07
Has LVG said that he will drop Herrera or what midfielders he will choose regularly, i must have missed that presser.
30 Jul 2015 21:38:11
Hi eds, this is my first post and can you confirm if there will be a new signing unveiling the new kit on 1st August or is it just a load of bull.
I hope it's going to be someone decent and not Pedro.
What are your thoughts?
Just like to say thank you for all your good work and I really enjoy reading the posts on a daily basis.
{Ed004's Note - It is just rumours atm. There should be more signings though}
30 Jul 2015 22:01:06
Do you expect a cb ed004?
{Ed004's Note - Yes no idea who though}
30 Jul 2015 22:30:40
What are your thoughts on godin ed004 ?can't see why he's not been mentioned more, could he be an option?
{Ed004's Note - Fantastic player. Probably in the top 5 cb in the world. However, I can't see Athletico selling him}
30 Jul 2015 22:48:38
He was quoted as saying he'd be interested if a team with ambition comes asking. he was discussing ac Milan interest and explaining why he wouldn't join them. It sounded abit like a come and get me plea
{Ed004's Note - I would be delighted if he signed. I just don't think it will happen unfortunately. Not sure he is the ball playing cb LvG will want}
30 Jul 2015 21:35:02
I have to say our signings have been good. Two solid midfielders. One relaibale RB. And a very good attacker in Depay.
However, where are the CB and striker we badly need?
And more importantly, where is the factor in our team. It seems we are seeking balance at the expense of brilliance. I don't want us to be a robotic team with no identity. And yet, that's exactly what we're looking like.
This situation can be resolved, give Bayern whatever they want for Lewandawski and Valencia whatever they're asking for Otimendi and then the team will look special. Of course, of we then add Bale then that will be out of this world.
30 Jul 2015 22:18:13
Schmidfield
I agree and don't see a team that will challenge for the league but I see a team that will perform as one in a pre planned way without spark. It needs quality, it needs the players, all three you mentioned to compete at the real top level.
30 Jul 2015 22:41:48
The biggest worry is that if the plan is to build a team designed to grind out wins as a cohesive unit, then it needs to be built upon a top quality defence. Last season we lost far too many points due to unforced defensive errors. Darmain looks to be a clear improvement on Valencia, but without a clear leader in the middle, and, most likely, without De Gea, I can't see us mounting a title challenge with the current squad.
30 Jul 2015 23:38:03
It is very frustrating we all seem to be able to see how close we are to having a fabulous squad just hope the manager can see it too.
31 Jul 2015 00:37:06
Yeah. Agreed. The team just doesn't seem to get you off your seat. Need a couple of top signings in the right areas and then we'll be able to mount a challenge. United have always had a couple of world class players. X factor is missing unless lvg has some big news soon.
31 Jul 2015 11:37:26
Yeah we had ADM, RVP and Falcao as worldies last year and got beat by a bunch of muppets from Leicester taht had a bit of luck and worked harder. Worldies don't automatically mean success.
30 Jul 2015 21:15:05
Worth a try but has anyone seen Di Maria around or is he playing the most expensive game of hiding seek ever seen?
30 Jul 2015 20:32:16
I saw our expected team in the press against Spurs and whilst it will likely change, it strongly struck me that we don't look a title winning team, not one that would frighten anyone, nothing special.
Blind is a utility player but we are going to start the season with him as first choice at the heart of our defence. Really, is that the best we can do? Is it acceptable for a club our size? Our keeper is unsettled, so potentially two of our back five are temporary at the start of a season heralded as one where we would challenge at the top.
I then looked further forward and I don't see a powerful unit or the threat of a goal scoring one. I see good fullbacks and central midfielders but no quality further up that will frighten most opposition. We have in Depay a potential player yet here we are already relying on him to make the difference.
I am concerned that we may be a better balanced squad yet our first team is looking somewhat ordinary. Woodward needs to produce something special yet they will have to go straight into competitive action. Finally we had 4 pre season games, nothing now other than a behind closed doors friendly which makes me wonder if we will be undercooked.
I will admit to some concern and hope that there is something seriously good up the clubs sleeves.
30 Jul 2015 21:08:46
I think the team will be different to what people are predicting.
I think Pedro will sign, which would make a big difference to our attack IMO.
I do feel slightly less confident about things. I was always under the impression that Di Maria was going to stay and he - along with Depay and Rooney - would spearhead the attack.
If we play with a proper midfield three, we will overpower a lot of teams in that area, which should enable the full backs to constantly push on and support the attacking players, which should win us a lot of games this season, IMO.
30 Jul 2015 21:25:59
Agree red man. Very average attack
30 Jul 2015 22:10:51
Last night was crying out for a 3 in the middle and Herrera in there who offers what we missed in the middle last night. But vg is stubborn and stuck with the same formation all night. Why?
30 Jul 2015 22:21:37
This is why the transfer window should close before the start of the season so the teams have to have their house in order and ready for the season ahead
31 Jul 2015 11:41:21
I don't know how any of you can say that it is an average attack that lacks power, there isn't a defender in the league that will enjoy playing against Rooney.
30 Jul 2015 19:35:01
We suddenly loose 1 pointless game where nobody knows how the players were feeling after flying in the previous night and having a morning training session. And some individuals are starting to question progress, LVG etc. there's still 1 month of the transfer window to go and I'm personally happy with how transfers have gone so far and seen plenty of encouragement in the signings and youngsters but even then i can't judge anything till the competitive matches begin!!
Chill out.
30 Jul 2015 20:30:36
Chill and support the staff and the players, that's what is asked from us fans.
30 Jul 2015 20:33:42
Now hang on a minute Doubtfire, all the other clubs players and managers are doing so well except us. Chelsea are playing like the 1970 Brazil team Costa is scoring for fun not like our lump of lard of front and look at city they have been top notch as have the unbeatable barca with Suarez scoring goals like they are going out of fashion, piqué looking like a rock at the back. All these clubs should have bouquets thrown at them the players should have their feet washed by naked virgin maidens after every game and all those other managers should be lauded and congratulated on their training methods and tactical expertise . but oh no. our lot of players should be flogged and locked in a room and to be honest most of them should consider a change of career and as for our manager, he wants to be tortured or potentially even be killed slowly by a bunch of flesh eating ninja turtles.
Now cop yourself on doubtfire the sooner you realise we are all doomed and the end game is div 1 football in 2 years time the better.
30 Jul 2015 21:05:11
Your mother didn't raise you right boy!! Not even Mrs Doubtfire could help you out!
30 Jul 2015 21:18:49
Ken, I got up to the part about "naked virgin maidens" and then I completely lost the point of your post.
30 Jul 2015 21:48:47
No worries Mrs doubtfire I was just having a 'beast' like moment its ok I'm sane again now😃😃😃😃😃
30 Jul 2015 19:02:47
Hi Edds, Ronnie AGAIN!
With Di Maria moving to PSG, who do you think will come in?
Felipe Anderson would be first choice but other options could Leverkusens Hakan Calhanoglu and Schalkes Max Meyer or Julian Draxler?
All would be welcome additions!
Cheers guys.
Ps. Haven't mentioned Pedro as I thought a deal was already there?
{Ed004's Note - Hopefully one of Bale, Muller or Griezmann. Though I wouldn't be against Anderson}
30 Jul 2015 20:43:37
Its going to be bale ed 😈
30 Jul 2015 20:24:41
Ed do u know of any interest in us with de Bruyne or is it looking like pedro for us thanks
{Ed004's Note - Pedro is the most likely signing atm I'm hoping we go for someone better but he will be a good signing}
30 Jul 2015 21:27:36
Skim read "Anderson". panic over.
30 Jul 2015 19:18:35
Oh how I wish fergie had put his retirement off 1 more year not because of the moyse debacle no because he would have got rid of our biggest problem ROONEY. Were getting held back because managers love his work ethic that's all well and good but we need someone with a bit more nous about them and who is used to leading the line themselves who stretches defences runs into space and doesn't always drop deep for the ball that's what our midfield is for he needs to stay up top and stay there if h3 can't do that then we need to pay whatever it takes to get a striker that can LEWANDOWSKI is the man for the job
30 Jul 2015 20:13:35
Passed out half way through that sentence! I do agree though.
30 Jul 2015 20:13:39
I wish we would have signed Lewandowski instead of signing RVP
30 Jul 2015 22:03:58
Lewondowski would be a great signing
30 Jul 2015 19:10:41
Will we ever see the like of scholes or Higgs again,gone are the days of playing for the badge,it's all about the cash now,a few years back I watched a young lad playing down the divisions on loan from Chelsea. jack cork,I thought what a player,Chelsea and England have a good one here,haven't heard much about him since,all these big signings where does it leave all these young players,United have a few good ones that we saw playing in tour,what happens when the league starts,we might get an odd glimpse of them through the season,Germany had a great system bringing through young players and keeping them in their league and going on to win world cups,but the greedy side of me loves to see United buy big players and we have to to compete in the league and Europe,it's the young English,Irish,Welsh,Scottish lads that suffer.
30 Jul 2015 20:13:18
That Higgs Boson was really rapid wasn't he?
30 Jul 2015 20:14:59
Higginbotham? Never really rated him.
30 Jul 2015 20:38:39
Ajh your profile pic says a lot. A muppet
30 Jul 2015 18:38:22
Now that LVG has made it almost clear he is going to use 4-3-3, is the striker position really a necessity? Rooney is obviously going to start there, and he is not going to be replaced unless he is injured (due to his captaincy role) or unless he does a DiMaria. Wilson is not ready, but I think Depay, Chicha and Januzaj can fill in there if needed. We surely can't promise a star striker starting game all the time with Rooney around. And LVG is not going to sign someone who is not better than what we have. Can't see a solution to this.
Pedro makes perfect sense here. Those front 3 can rotate and interchange plays.
Herrera should begin to worry for his position and I think it would be a real shame. He deserves to start but also can't say that others don't deserve to start. I hope things will even out over the long season.
CB is must and one cannot over-emphasize that fact. As much as a CB needs to be tactically astute, he needs some power and physique to thwart those beasts we have in the Premier league. Blind cannot fulfill that role. Had big hopes for Jones but just doesn't have that awareness in that position. Maybe its just early rusty days and the boys will oil themselves. I certainly hope they don't take too much time. We cannot any slip up like the last season. LVG knows what he is doing there I guess. We have seen how much we improved after players began to understand their roles. And again Perreira in that game yesterday, what a lad! Amazing!
I believe Januzaj, Perreira and Shaw will have a season to remember. Wilson though needs to mature his game. I feel a loan would be the best option for him.
30 Jul 2015 18:20:28
I think the manager's comment about the team playing 433 this season suggests to me that he won't start the season with two holding CM players, and will revert back to the midfield set-up that served us so well when we had that great run towards the end of last season: One holding CM player with midfielders either side operating down the left and right sides respectively. I just don't see the logic in having two CM players who basically perform the same role; and I am sure the manager knows that too, but has used two holding players in the pre-season games in order to assess the new midfield arrivals.
Just my thoughts.
30 Jul 2015 18:14:06
I have just read that Paul Pogba is going to take Juve to court if they don't let him move. Football is a joke and players like that make me sick. He is 22 and has already played for two of the biggest clubs in history yet it is not enough for him. I am glad we let him go because we wouldn't have kept that mercenary anyway and I don't want him back.
Di Maria is now the same in my eyes. Contracts may as well be abandoned as they are worthless anyway. Players are payed too much to care about a fine and we have less and less power to say no. The same goes for most teams now. I think it is time for a wage cap.
If you are on a 5 year contract there should be nothing the player can do about it unless the club are in agreement and if the club so chooses they should be able to force you to stay for the full 5 years without playing you on less pay, thus ending your career for being greedy.
What ADM has done is distasteful and I know that Rojo did the same thing to come to us. I hope that Platini will come into football power and actually make the change that matters. Money.
30 Jul 2015 20:43:16
I can't really say I blame Pogba for leaving you lot, it was a great career choice.
{Ed025's Note - the same could be said for sterling and suarez mate..
30 Jul 2015 20:57:44
To be fair to Mightyred that's the first bit of truth he's said on this page.
Yes it was the right move for Pogba's career at the time.
31 Jul 2015 00:54:33
Mightyred, pogba left for game time where as Suarez and sterling left pool because ye won't win a trophy anytime soon. There's a big difference.
30 Jul 2015 17:35:48
Question for the eds. How many players do you think we still need? How many do you see us bringing in? I think when adm and ddg leave we need 4 personally to challenge. First choice keeper,World class centre back,WInger and Striker. I appreciate it's a speculative question. Thanks in advance.
{Ed004's Note - probably the same that's why I'm hoping one of De Gea or Di Maria stays}
30 Jul 2015 20:40:27
I was hoping di Maria would stay but the way he has acted and treat this club I can't wait to see the back of him.
30 Jul 2015 22:05:42
Is there actually a possibility of either staying ed004
{Ed004's Note - Don't think there is for Di Maria.}
30 Jul 2015 17:53:45
A lot of talk today about clubs interested in Young? I think it's time to sell! He's on £110k a week and 30 years of age? I know he had a good season, long term, it's down hill? Sell him on and put the money towards someone younger, less wage? Win, win?
{Ed007's Note - Younger than Young! I'll stick my neck out here and say that you have about 10 in mind already - and possibly all from Belguim?}
30 Jul 2015 18:11:59
He's our most consistent winger at the moment, would be absolute madness to sell him especially with di maria leaving too
30 Jul 2015 18:14:34
We have only just got him working can't get rid now!
30 Jul 2015 18:16:53
No, I mean I'll give him his due, he works hard, but going forward with the team he is 30 and just thought for the team bring in someone younger? Or give youth a chance? Didn't we offer Lazio some good money for Felipe Anderson? Sell Young, and offer abit more? And I'm certain Anderson isn't earning what Young is?
30 Jul 2015 19:06:06
I've heard we're looking at a lot of the Young Boys over in Switzerland, trying to a broker a deal for a few of them with Ronnie's mate Likesem Jung.
30 Jul 2015 17:21:33
is there an option to block someone on here eds?
{Ed025's Note - only by the ED,s mate..
30 Jul 2015 18:57:29
how badly do they need to piss you off to get blocked?
{Ed025's Note - it depends on the editor mate..
30 Jul 2015 19:22:36
There's other sites with this option but it never works.
I am for the option though, if it can be done. At least then, now that a certain person is back, I won't feel like hanging myself in the morning after reading through the posts on here, everyday.
{Ed025's Note - its part of the ed,s brief to do the banning MB, posters tend to be fickle and would want to ban anyone who disagreed with them..so there is no way we can let the lunatics run the asylum mate..
30 Jul 2015 20:57:56
Haha, I agree Ed025. I didn't think it would be a possibility anyhow. I just thought it'd be nice to not have to read certain, inevitably depressing posts from fear of getting suicidal tendencies. That being said. It makes me appreciate you Eds even more. Can't begin to imagine the BS you have to trawl through. Cheers. *doffs hat
30 Jul 2015 14:07:06
I think it looks more and more likely di maria will be moving on and I would be happy with pedro as a replacement. £22m in this day and age is a bargain. I think it was telling yesterday the difference in class between ours and psg centre backs. When defending as a team we look organised and alright but if we get hit on the break and our last lines are our centre backs then players like phil jones get rolled over. Even aurier looked a different class so for me it is by far the most important position on the transfer market and paying over the odds for a top cb is worth it!
What is the latest on the centre back situation then Edd?
{Ed004's Note - I haven't heard anything.}
30 Jul 2015 15:22:06
Does anyone else think that there should be new laws brought into football that are designed to curtail the power that football agents and the players they represent, now have in the game?
I cannot believe that just after a year of forking out a world record fee, the player in question is openly disrespecting the club and not fulfilling his contractual obligation to said club.
In any other form of employment, such things would not be tolerated; so why is it tolerated by the biggest sporting body on Earth?
Is it really a matter of having too many corrupt and perfidious characters in football?
I don't mean to rant constantly, but I am so fking annoyed by the actions of that goblin look alike. He should be training considering he is still employed by the club. I just hope he gets a massive fine; or better still, made to play in the reserves for a year. Yeah yeah, I know people said we can't do that and should cut our loses, but we are meant to be one of the biggest sporting clubs on the planet, and we are getting mugged off by that little rat, his agent, and that despicable no mark football club, PSG.
Rant over.
30 Jul 2015 15:59:56
He should never again be left wear a United shirt,gave him the number 7 shirt and the manager doesn't know where he is,shocking,should be banned from football for a season,his wife might be happy then, put him in to a dressing room with Roy Keane for half an hour to teach him some manners
30 Jul 2015 16:06:21
He is probably hiding under Laurent Blanc's dress, hence why that mug keeps telling everyone the deal is very close.
30 Jul 2015 16:10:46
I think you mean British Record?
Try not to get so bothered, it's only football.
And it's not PSG's fault. All clubs are just as bad, us included.
30 Jul 2015 16:14:13
It's really straightforward. There is a contract. I am sure the player will be obliged under it to perform to the best of his ability, as well as to attend all practices, matches etc etc, otherwise he will be in breach of it and subject to remedies either specified or to be determined by a court. Then there are also civil remedies for tortious interference where a 3rd party knowingly and willfully disrupts and/or undermines the economic benefit of a contract they know to be in existence. So, if United wish they can call a halt to all to this any time. They can come out and say both publicly and privately that Di Maria is not for sale, and they can threaten or commence legal action against Di Maria, his agent and/or PSG if they believe there are grounds so to do.
It's a little like the story about the prostitute who, when offered £1,000 for a shag, said "Yes, sweetie.Your place or mine?" But when asked if she'd do it for £1 she protested "No of course not, what do you take me for?" "We have already established what you are." Came the response."We are merely haggling over the price." The only question here is who's the prostitute?
It's an annoying and distasteful saga for the fans, but given United's public silence on the issue, I suspect they would not be unhappy to unload the player for the right price, which will not be less than around £45. What we keep reading in the press is pure conjecture and we should not be sucked into it.
30 Jul 2015 16:33:09
A bit OTT Leahy12?
I'm sure the club knows where he is and they don't have to sell him, but are probably happy with the deal.
I have a feeling we'll look back in a year or two and consider us to have got the better side of the deal v PSG, we'll see.
30 Jul 2015 17:06:05
Good analogy Shawthing but you messed up the delivery and included the punchline at the start. ;-)
30 Jul 2015 18:42:39
That should be what would Ferguson do with him
30 Jul 2015 20:05:55
Sell him and let's hope he rots there. And I for one, wish him the worst of luck for the rest of his playing career!!
{Ed025's Note - how nice of you..
30 Jul 2015 21:07:14
Thanks Ed!! Haha. Schmidfield is schpissed off!
30 Jul 2015 15:12:01
So there's this player. He's put in the world class bracket by many and thought to be just a good player by others. He is always selected by some of the best managers in the world. He produces flashes of brilliance and yet goes missing for entire games at times. He has a horrible first touch and gives the ball away far too many times. Its almost like he needs better players around him to be able to shine.
I'm not talking about ADM. i am talking about a player who once challenged our ambition and perhaps its time we realize that we may have outgrown his.
30 Jul 2015 15:30:15
Mr Rooney r we talking
30 Jul 2015 15:36:17
Rooney? I disagree, I think he has looked really sharp this pre season and with the signings made it looks like it has increased his spirits. He's a world class player, and I expect him to prove that once again this year. Without Rooney we would look lost.
30 Jul 2015 16:01:01
Oh yay we are doing this again. I actually appreciate when we have the Rooney debate as it gives me time to stay away for a couple of hours and actually do some work.
30 Jul 2015 16:07:12
Perhaps it's time we give him a "full" season and not a pre-season, before we write him off? Perhaps it's time we back him as fans because like it or not, he is our player. I like how everyone else get's a get out of jail card because it's a pre-season and Wazza gets pilloried. I would like the look on a lot of our faces when he surpasses SBC. Not taking a pot-shot at you IMBS, just getting a little tired of the same old rhetoric. He finally gets to play as our lone centre forward for 1 full season, throw him to the wolves if he fails to deliver. It's a vicious circle, questioning a player's ambition yet calling for his head at every little blip. Loyalties and all that.
Deeps.
30 Jul 2015 16:15:44
His record for England counters the argument somewhat but certainly for United he's been better when surrounded by better players. but then who wouldn't be better with the likes of Giggs and Scholes creating them chances against defences more worried about Ronaldo?
For the record, I'd put him somewhere between good and "World Class"
30 Jul 2015 16:25:35
How many times you heard commentators stating they are feeling sorry for Rooney in today's game, and gave stick to LVG tactic which left him isolated for most of the game.
Stop slating all the time. Tactic can be wrong sometime
30 Jul 2015 17:52:42
Given his salary and the length of his contract, he may be unsaleable. So what are we to do? Stick a £300k a week player on the bench?
The club has no choice but to give him 1 year up top and it's something his record deserves. My guess is the privilege will not extend into a second year.
The success of this decision will be measured not just in how many goals he himself scores, but in how many the team scores in total.
30 Jul 2015 18:31:02
Rooney -first name on the teamsheet the only world class player England has and is Man Utd Captain now leave it alone
30 Jul 2015 21:27:04
I'm just glad social media didn't exist when Charlton, Best, Law and co played, their reputations wouldn't have been so romanticised and this great club would be far far less popular and successful.
Sometimes I wonder whether we have supporters or critics.
30 Jul 2015 22:18:56
So we're not allowed to criticize any of our players?
30 Jul 2015 13:41:43
I am not going to talk about how crap we were defensively, but instead talk about the attack, which - apart from the poor finishing - was again good; although we still need a pacey right sided attacking players.
Rooney and Depay will cause a lot of problems for opposing teams next season with their movement an interplay.
The one thing that concerns me is the CM LOL. Yes, I am concerned that Herrera might play second fiddle, which I think is a massive mistake.
I will say this about the defending though: if we defend as poorly against Spurs, we will lose the game or win 5-4. That sad, they look quite strong defensively.
30 Jul 2015 13:38:04
I've watched the past 3 friendlies carefully.
Rooney - Simply not good enough anymore for this level, the difference in class between him and Ibra was almost laughable. The only decent thing he has done in the 3 games was score a goal that would be disallowed normally.
We have a massive issue with our attackers being swamped, we don't commit enough men forward. 2 holding midfielders will mean we don't have enough men forward for the majority of games next season where teams will sit back.
Darmian & Shaw look quality.
CB's - joke, why isn't Smalling starting ahead of Jones?
Schmidfield signings - Are they still on their way, very uninspired and Carrick looks confused with somebody trying to do the same role next to him, such little movement in midfield?
Perreira - should be starting ahead of both Young and Mata.
Mata - Against Barcelona in particular when we broke at pace he was laboured and often holding the game up, not proving an outlet and basically stifling our attacking play. He also plays the safe ball far too much, he is meant to be creative but 5 occasions he could have played a through ball where the striker was clean through and opted for the "safe" inside ball. Class touch, but contribute massively to our worrying slow build up play.
Depay - looks like a livewire, would do better with a better striker ahead of him who knows how to move properly to create space.
Where is Herrera, the manager hates him I think? Why are we not changing formations, trying new things, all we are doing is same, same same? Why was Januzaj not given some more time after his very impressive half against Barcelona, Rooney wasn't even moving after 60mins? Why is Blind playing CB when we need to be allowing our defence to gel, surely he won't be playing there, but then again if fit Blind will play, disaster.
That PSG game was men against boys. I'm very worried if we don't sign a CB and a more intelligent striker, but everyone has been saying this for ages.
Why did we have a hard training session the morning of a game if the commentators are to be believed, counter productive if you ask me?
The manager is showing no progress but I really like the look of Darmian & Perreira.
Roll of the dice this season, should be far more prepared and be seeing progress not regression in our play at this stage.
30 Jul 2015 13:44:46
Try getting your facts sorted before ranting Beast, LVG has already said we will not generally be playing a 4231.
You would expect more fluid play and 1 holding midfielder for the majority of the time next season.
30 Jul 2015 13:46:47
There isn't regression, Beast. In fact, I think we look a lot more direct going forward. We were the better team for the majority of the first half I thought. We played some nice stuff. Ultimately though, it was a pre-season friendly.
Central defence is the issue; and it needs to be sorted ASAP.
30 Jul 2015 13:47:34
Also the pre-season is all about training and getting fit, does it really matter that PSG beat us if it puts us in a better position physically for when we face spurs.
30 Jul 2015 13:48:44
Beasts back alright!
30 Jul 2015 13:50:55
why compare rooney and ibra. I put ibra and suarez up there near messi and ronaldo level. Ibra upclasses cavani massively and tht says it all.
Plus ibra was having a field day playing against phil jones.
30 Jul 2015 13:55:36
where have you been beast? have we lost a pointless pre season game or something?
not a whisper all pre season up until now
30 Jul 2015 14:10:09
Players also didn't look as sharp as they did against barca and so I think there collective organisation wasn't quite there compared to the barca game. That will be something you'll see as the season starts.
30 Jul 2015 15:39:19
Beast is back rising like a phoenix from the ashes once we lost a game. Pathetic
30 Jul 2015 15:51:02
Beast's glass is sill totally empty.
30 Jul 2015 16:06:26
I'm summarising the pre-season from my perspective. No more friendly's until the start. We don't look as good as we did last pre-season.
There are some positives (mainly youth & Darmian), but some of you just read the negatives I outlined as usual. We don't look anywhere near ready and why play all of the games with 2 holding midfielders when he doesn't intend to play that way?
Again I am concerned that we are missing some key issues, with Spurs and more importantly CL qualifiers not far away.
We will struggle if we only commit 3 men forward at a time. Most importantly where is Herrera and Rooney starting every game next season when he didn't get a shot on target that I can recall - weak at the back, easy to mark up top and slow in midfield = hard season!
LVG will be gone by Xmas as he still hasn't resolved the 2 major issues we have had since he took over - no idea how to defend and hardly any chance creation.
30 Jul 2015 16:23:22
My concern with this very brief pre-season is that we will not be match fit for the first game. But drawing lessons from pre-season results would be unwise. Which result would you use as a reference point? Beating Barcelona, or losing to PSG? Let's see what happens for the Spurs match before jumping to conclusions about selection or tactics.
30 Jul 2015 16:29:35
I actually agree with most of what Beast says. We all want to be positive and look forward to the new season but some of the selections and LVG ramblings are very worrying. Blind is now a CB, Carrick needs someone along side him. I think 90% of us would pick the sane 1st 11, LVG is in the 10%
30 Jul 2015 16:37:43
I almost shot myself reading your post!
30 Jul 2015 17:04:51
Why do you even support United Beast??????????
30 Jul 2015 17:06:41
I also kinda agree with Beast, LVG is still very confusing, although he seems to be on the right track I have a feeling it could be a dead end.
Real happy with the signings up to now but why play players out of position?? I find myself shaking my head a lot with LVG's decisions.
{Ed025's Note - you could always have moyes back herbie.. :)
30 Jul 2015 17:17:24
Fair point Ed.
I think I'll stick with LVG.
:-)
{Ed025's Note - good idea herbie mate..
30 Jul 2015 17:20:46
I agree with almost everything. If we are going to play the 4-3-3, then why not start already and have the players get used to it, especially the new ones.
Hererra has to start. If the excuse for not doing so is because he sometimes loses the ball, then first of all its because he's the only one who tries something new and secondly, by that logic, rooney should on the under 21 bench.
The transfers, i think, will happen though. And they will help big time. We need more pace, that's quite clear.
30 Jul 2015 17:54:01
Horrible to admit but Agree with beast on pretty much all points here. It's there for all to see
30 Jul 2015 18:03:27
I don't normally, in fact I can't remember and instance when I have but, I am starting to agree with you Beast.
I can't see how anything that has been acheived in the closed season is an upgrade on last season. We have sold our strike force and not replaced them. Again it looks like we will be playing som eof the best talent in world football out of position, ie., Depay(he's a winger and a good one at that). Blind is looking like apointless aquisition and just being pushed into the team because LVG rates him. Hererra, who was imense last season, appears unable to get a place in the team due to old players and a hit and miss player we bought from Southampton. Appologies for that last part I do like Schneiderlin as a player but play him with Herrera not instea of him.
Aso, where is our defence. We knew all last season that it needed sorting out and it appears we have wasted the summer chasing a player that was never going to leave Madrid for us but instead use us like everyone else to get a better contract where he is. Woodward are you that niaive?
Finally, for god sake let De Gea and Di Maria go. If they don't want to play for us then let them leave. Get as much as we can get and bin them off. I'm sure De Gea will regret his decision to leave and be constantly hounded in Spain and as for Di Maria, he's been crap. Let PSG have him.
I'm starting to come round to the thinking that LVG is not the man we need leading the ship. All he is doing is spendig sh1t loads of our money and there doesn't seem to be any logic or direction for what he is doing.
I predict now that we will be lucky if we can get fourth spot come the end of the season.
Appologies to all for the rant.
30 Jul 2015 19:38:30
I'd rather trust LVG and his backroom staff about football matters then annoying pessimistic fans.
30 Jul 2015 21:20:41
Beast, I agree with all you said. I'm beginning to dispair with how badly we defend. And our attacking play is better but we're going to struggle scoring goals as we're cautious in our approach still and not committing enough people at the relevant times.
We also are massively kidding ourselves if we think rooney/Depay combination is going to yield a glut of goals. Rooney will score 15 Max and Depay will find it a lot more difficult than the Dutch league.
Why haven't we bought a top striker and centre back?
If we don't improve in these positions we will not be in top 4.
And if he knows he'll be playing 433 then why are we still messing around with other formations?
Lastly, Herrera has to play but lvg doesn't seem to rate him. Stubbornness can be the worst trait and we know lvg has it in abundance.
30 Jul 2015 13:30:36
I am just wondering, Giggs who all his life played in a team filled with hard and strong defenders like Rio, Vidic, Stam etc is on board with the idea of Blind playing as CB.
Its like all your life the Undertaker, Stone Cold, Triple H were your bodyguards but one fine day they were replaced by Cindrella.
30 Jul 2015 13:49:10
As predicted 1 man returns rising like a phoenix from the ashes after 1 pre season defeat. Brave yourselves for the negativity and probably more than the usual anoint of BS
30 Jul 2015 13:56:38
blind will not be player cb, we are going to sign a cb obviously ramos was our number 1 target and its dragging out
30 Jul 2015 14:07:05
Ken i am not a fan of Blind at CB right from the 1st game.
I still remember the way he covered his face while a freekick was scored against our team last season. Not saying that makes him a bad player but i wouldn't want our CB to be like that.
I am a fan of strong CBs and I am entitled to my opinion.
If Blind plays well and performs for us i will be more than happy to eat my words.
30 Jul 2015 17:33:42
Mumbai
I replied to wrong thread that was directed at beast who has been quiet until we lost a game which is a bit pathetic to be honest, he has been missing for a while maybe he was looking for the rattler that fell out of his pram. I agree Blind should not be our starting CB, but I remember our club captain just over a year ago signing for another team while we were still paying him, people laud vidic but I will never forgive him for that and if I was in the same dressing room I would have had a big problem following a guy into battle that has signed for someone else, which is a lot worse than turning yor back on a shot. vidic turned his back on all his teamates
30 Jul 2015 13:10:16
One bad result at the whole site goes crazy, I think everyone needs to take a deep breath and trust in the manager and the team, we have more than enough quality in our side to challenge for the title.
30 Jul 2015 13:57:34
no we can't do that databass, we just lost an important pre season friendly against a super team for an amazing trophy.
30 Jul 2015 14:19:32
Sorry spb I forgot the importance of the International Champions Cup!
30 Jul 2015 14:48:04
exactly it lays down the foundation to ourr season
30 Jul 2015 10:27:48
Penultimate reminder chaps.
Time or next seasons predictions competition.
Use the link at the bottom of this post and fill in the boxes. We need the top 6 in order, bottom 3 in order, FA Cup, League Cup, Champions League winner and EPL top scorer (just EPL games).
Don't send your entries here, just via the link below. However, YOU CAN ONLY ENER ONCE AND CAN'T CHANGE YOUR ENTRY. So, you might want to wait until more signings have happened.
The sheet will close down next Friday before our 1st game; I'll repost once more next Thursday
Click here to go straight to the form, or copy and paste the URL below into your address bar.
docs.google.com/forms/d/1IiGToEWVJ5atzmlGjijFZrK-_H2P5H23SzvqLGdCZgc/viewform?usp=send_form
AJH
30 Jul 2015 16:30:09
Cheers Bond
{Ed007's Note - No probs mate. If I can make a wee suggestion though, why are you shutting it next Friday when the window is still open? What happens if Utd sign Bale, City sign Pogba or Liverpool get taken over by Kim Jong-un? Some things could happen that'll change the outlook of the whole season.}
30 Jul 2015 17:53:35
Done. I also was just thinking that bond and I was tempted to put Bale as top scorer haha
30 Jul 2015 12:44:04
Ibra played well last night, wouldn't mind seeing him in a MU kit next season. Although to be honest I wouldn't mind bloody Pato at this rate. LvG is clueless when it comes to transfers! Ed woodward is being given the run around by Perez and every player we want, can see we are on a decline and won't sign for us. Vidal chose Bayern over us because we will be challenging with Spurs and the Pool next season for that coveted 6th place. I've given up all hope. LvG needs a CB and its so simple. Just give someone some money and BAM its done. A toddler could do it. Excpect another season of shite and frustration.
MUFC - The northern Spurs.
30 Jul 2015 13:03:23
Nice try Harry
30 Jul 2015 12:57:16
This is real life not FIFA 2016.
30 Jul 2015 13:10:06
Yeah, just that transfers even on Football manager aren't as simple as that, Harry.
30 Jul 2015 13:55:38
It was the northern spurs that did it, wasn't it imightbesomeone.
30 Jul 2015 14:32:54
Well played Harry, caught a few.
30 Jul 2015 14:45:03
Couple of pond skaters Anon. No tasty Pike!
30 Jul 2015 20:07:04
Eh! That's my line!
30 Jul 2015 11:44:33
Can I get the Ed's opinions on Ibrahimovic as a player?
{Ed007's Note - He's the second best ever Swedish striker behind Henrik Larsson.}
30 Jul 2015 12:44:10
Both of them going to end their careers as former Man Utd players. ?
30 Jul 2015 12:49:14
Your opinion wouldn't be biased now, would it ed?
{Ed007's Note - Not. at all, you don't get to play for 2 of the biggest and best clubs in the world - and I suppose I need to mention Barca as well - if you're not a top player.}
30 Jul 2015 12:55:50
Bond you forget Thomas brolin and martin dahlin. And that guy at ac Milan in the 1950s.
30 Jul 2015 13:35:48
I'm just kidding ed. But you have to admit, if ibra wasnt such a tool, he would be placed much higher in any list.
{Ed007's Note - He'd still be second to Henke.}
30 Jul 2015 11:34:55
Guillem Ballbag just tweeted that di Maria to PSG is a done deal for £44.2 million. if true, thank God for that, disgusting behaviour out of him recently, don't want that anywhere near the club let alone the #7 shirt.
Let's get Pedro done and focus on a CB and maybe even a striker
30 Jul 2015 11:51:22
I hope we are fining him 2 weeks wages £600k
30 Jul 2015 12:17:36
I hope we just stop paying him, he's refusing to put up his end of the deal.
30 Jul 2015 12:39:41
Ballbag says a lot of things. Although with this one he's probably right. The price he gave is as accurate as JMB's old posts. Pure guess work.
30 Jul 2015 13:11:53
44.2 million is a joke, so what if he didn't have a great season, we shouldn't be making a 15 million loss, only a year later on him.
30 Jul 2015 14:51:03
He doesn't wanna be there, we don't need him! Cut our losses of 15mil and goodluck, on your bike son!
30 Jul 2015 16:27:59
The Euro was stronger when we bought him at roughly €75m or £60m.
The weaker Euro means the reported £44.2m is roughly €62m.
I'm not interested in the finances tbh for fear of being repremanded by the Eds but some have said it's not a true loss due to the initial outlay being spread over the duration of the contract ;-)
Regardless of what we paid, moving on a player who for whatever reason doesn't want to be here and hasn't lived up to expectations, and for such a high fee is a good thing imo.
30 Jul 2015 17:55:43
I would expect there to be add ons if psg win anything etc
30 Jul 2015 11:13:48
I'll be honest, I'm just trying to make things fit as I would love to see him at the club. So here goes.
Two weeks ago LVG: "my new striker will be a big surprise"
Last night Zlatan: "my next club will be a big surprise"
I know, I know. But I think he would be lethal in the Premier League.
Mine!
30 Jul 2015 11:47:18
You're right Eric I think he would be too. But is there too much bad blood between the two. No doubt he would do a great job for us.
30 Jul 2015 11:49:02
He showed yesterday that he's still a top player, and I was very disappointed with cavani. I'd be worried about Zlatans age and ego though
30 Jul 2015 11:55:40
I wudnt mind ibra at all.
30 Jul 2015 14:52:36
Absolute monster and unmarkable! Would be a top player for a few seasons! Exactly what we need!
30 Jul 2015 10:56:09
Nothing has really changed. Before the psg game the general consensus was that we needed a centre half with experience to command the back four, a striker that will score 20 odd goals and step up when Rooney isn't available and a winger to replace the departing di Maria who seems to have no balls. Add to that a goalkeeper which has been on the cards in fairness. Ddg wants to leave and Madrid normally always get what they want. The club will take the money and are never going to let him join Madrid next year on a free. Apparently cillisen didn't play for Ajax which would indicate he's joining United to replacev ddg. Romero isn't as good as ddg but needs to be given a chance. The penny just isn't dropping with Phil Jones and he makes mistakes all the time and it makes me nervous watching him play. Smalling has come on and he could play with a top class centre back. We need a sign one end of. Blind at centre half is a no. Will be exposed all the time. I don't know much about ciillisen but lvg and hoek obviously will know what he can do. Pedro I'm not sure if he's the right man I've deliberated it and I think we need better. A forward has to be signed otherwise we won't challenge it's plain to see. The amount of players in and out is another worry and I'm shocked that deals have dragged on till near the end of the window for ddg and adm. I also hate the fact Madrid and psg could potentially take two top players from us and we don't look as though we'll get one of the top players they have. It's getting embarrassing if I'm honest. Blanc and Benitez are almost laughing at us it seems. I hope lvg and Woodward have a few things in place. We are at least 3 players short of seriously challenging imo.
30 Jul 2015 11:50:52
Deals have dragged on till near the end of the window? You realise that we are less than half way through the window right?
30 Jul 2015 12:37:49
Still dragged on longer than needed. The players obviously told the club they wanted out. If thev reason is because of negotiations and gettingb a fee then that hasn't worked either seeing as adm is going to leave for around 15 million less than we paid for him.
30 Jul 2015 13:06:08
Irwin
But still for about 5-10 million more than we should have paid for him to begin with. And with the kind of season he had last time, ed has done very very well IF the deal is indeed for 45m. Then again psg did pay 50m for luiz.
30 Jul 2015 13:21:28
I agree. He was never a 59 million pound player and I said that when we signed him. I just feel that psg and Madrid are making us look stupid. Di Maria should have showed up to the tour it's a lack of respect to the club who are paying him huge wages. Ed Woodward says we are one of the biggest clubs and can compete and sign top players. Let's hope he's right. We need a top centre back,quality wide man with pace and a forward to contribute and ease the burden on Rooney. Simple as that. Sorry I sort of went away from the original topic of discussion.
30 Jul 2015 15:22:28
I think Di Maria had United's permission not to turn up because he knew that negotiations with PSG were nearing an end. It has been an unfortunate saga but the best thing would be to get him moved on as quick as possible and wait for us to draw PSG in the Champions League, you know it's going to happen.
On a more flippant note what happens if someone tries to break into ADM's Paris house, will he want to move on as quick then?
30 Jul 2015 10:50:58
Im hoping LVG saying he's not worried about the CB position is just so we don't get our pants pulled down with prices. We all know desperation drives up prices. i'm a massive fan of Blind especially at LB but a CB he is not and Jones and Evans fill me with zero confidence. let's hope we sign a quality CB before the spurs game.
30 Jul 2015 12:09:41
Hope you're right.
"Pants pulled down" is a cracking phrase.
30 Jul 2015 11:19:36
I can not understand why Herrera has been given such little game time! I thought he was our best outfield player last season, he's busy, tenacious, has great movement and he started scoring goals from deep. I am clutching onto thin straws that LvG thinks he's fit enough already to fit into a midfield three and that the players can easily transit into a slightly different formation.
30 Jul 2015 11:33:29
I think lvg is going to struggle to fit all his midfielders into there favourite positions. Ideal you'd want Carrick shniederlin and herrera as the 3 but he seems to like 4-2-3-1 at the minute and that is so depay can play through the middle. Cb is a position we need to find a top class player and it will make a big difference but there aren't many out there that would be buyable . For me I'd get Diego godin
30 Jul 2015 10:33:48
"Shaw, Darmian and Blind will start against Spurs, Smalling and Jones will fight for the other spot"
WTF?
After praising Smalling a lot and announcing him as his third Captain, Blind is suddenly our preferred CB and Smalling is fighting for the next spot.
Blind has a good footballing brain but i don't think he can fulfill the CB spot we so desperately need. He will struggle against tall strikers and air balls not to forget pacy players. I really hope LVG have some top notch CB waiting to be signed
30 Jul 2015 11:34:26
Did he really say that? Unbelievable! Blind can do no wrong for Louis
30 Jul 2015 11:54:58
Can't believe after lvg stating that he need his players signed early so they get time to adjust. We haven't signed a cb yet which is a very imp position. After close season, last thing I expected was blind playing cb in our 1st game
30 Jul 2015 12:27:14
Srestha I was equally surprised with LvG's comments, especially as you say he praised Smalling so much.
Of our current CB's (+ Blind) I think the starting pair should be Smalling and Blind.
30 Jul 2015 12:44:36
Looks like he is going in self destruct mode even before the season starts.
30 Jul 2015 09:38:45
Zlatan: "My next move will be a Very big surprise."
I think we can scrub this one from the list! Coming to us wouldn't be that big a surprise seeing as we've already been linked with him this summer. Not to mention he wouldn't want to play second fiddle to Rooney!
30 Jul 2015 09:21:08
I was supporting ADM till now and wanted him not to leave us and prove everyone wrong. But now this guy is really annoying me. Even if u want to leave, at least show some respect to the club and report . Even the manager does not know where he is . I don't know he is being forced by his family or any one else but such behaviour should never be tolerated. Better get rid of him as soon as possible and get quality replacement . Judging by LVG's comment about game changing player i think we definitely will have a marquee signing and don't think pedro fits under that category.
30 Jul 2015 10:29:06
This is what he's been advised so that the price is lowered so we get rid fast.
Woodward won't give in i doubt and will get the required amount.
30 Jul 2015 11:36:29
Hope so ffz!!! He only signed a 4/5 year deal last summer the ball is firmly in our court! We have plenty if money so if they don't pay we should let him rot in the reserves!!! He'd still be worth the money psg want to pay after a year in reserves
30 Jul 2015 09:10:01
While the result last night was disappointing, I believe that it could be the making of our season.
Last year's emphatic pre-season served to engender a false sense of confidence in the players and the new 3 central defenders system, which resulted in our anaemic start.
However, last night's performance served to highlight exactly the areas that need addressing before the start of the season. If we play against the top teams as we did against PSG - them sitting back, hitting us on the break and taking advantage of our clumsy defence - we will end up 4th again.
LvG and his match analysts will surely know this, plus his lingering doubts about certain players positions:
Phil Jones still makes rash decisions, no thinking first about his position or the implications for others around him
De Gea's situation is awkward. Why did he take him off at half-time? Will he now go to Madrid? I think Dave is more rusty than anything and wasn't helped by his defence/Scheeinsteiger not tracking back - but it wouldn't surprise me if that's the last time he plays in a United shirt. Credible nationals seem to believe that Cillesson is lined up, particularly with him not playing for Ajax in their CL qualifier.
Rooney is not an out-and -out striker. He likes to drop back and get involved - he's too keen/easily frustrated to stay up front by himself.
Depay seems promising and did well to bring others into play in the withdrawn striker role but he got in the way with Rooney and, because they're not instinctive/selfish goal scorers, they missed chances.
Other worrying narratives that need to be addressed include Di Maria, Rojo's fitness, Mata playing out right, herrera's omission, Valdes still hanging around and Schweinsteiger's fitness. Surely Carrick and Schneiderlin will start against Spurs.
Thus LvG has plenty to do before the season starts - but it's better to do it now rather than falsely believe they are ready and near invincible, as maybe they did last season before the shock of the opening game.
Last night's game will provoke a reaction from the management as they evaluate strengths and weaknesses to hopefully be ready for the 8th. Hopefully this will result in a new CB, right winger and striker (I'd put money on Ibrahimovich given his comments after the game - are we the big surprise?)
I think last night's result was, being pragmatic, the best thing that could've happened.
30 Jul 2015 09:41:44
I completely agree Wallace, interesting read.
We need a centre back and a central striker before the start of the season.
To be honest i'm sick of hearing about the DDG saga now. It's pretty obvious that he doesn't want to be here at the start of the season and even if he is it's set in stone that he's going to leave next season. We should cut out losses now and get a quality replacement in and stop farting around and get a fee for him whilst we still can.
Either LVG is leaving it late or we are struggling to get the players that he wants for one reason or another.
the whole transfer procedure at Manchester United seems very confusing since the departure of Gill and Fergie.
We seem to be constantly scratching around for these marque players and nothing ever seems to materialise and we then end up with last minute buys and overpaying for them because we waste time chasing superstars like Ronaldo, Bale, Ramos etc.
We have made good signings for this season but i'm not to sure about the Schweinsteiger one, I think that we can only judge him once the season gets underway. For me the two starters in that central midfield area have to be Carrick and Schneiderlin.
30 Jul 2015 09:46:57
While I don't disagree entirely our results against the top teams last year were good even if performance wasn't always there. The reason we finished no higher than 4th was down to the results against mid table and even relegation battle teams.
30 Jul 2015 10:58:09
the thoughts behind keeping de gea is basically real madrid won't pay more than 25 million but if we keep him and he helps us get top two we will get a lot more than that so letting him go on a free when we have got more money for that one seasons performance would make more sense.
Although we have sorted the keeper situation anyway with Sergio Romero and sam johnstone will be back up
30 Jul 2015 12:20:05
xGAZx. there is absolutely no guarantee that we will finish in the top two just because DDG is staying for another season.
30 Jul 2015 09:03:12
Sergio Ramos has signed a new contract. What a surprise, using our club for more money, it's sad seeing us being disrespected like that.
It's time to pay for Otamendi, his price tag is is about right in my opinion. He had an awesome season and has only been at the club for a season, therefore Valencia have all rights to ask for 30+ million for him.
I don't like the idea of Blind at CB either, he'll get bullied by bigger teams, we need a commanding defender.
30 Jul 2015 09:00:54
De Gea wanting out which basically as been your team for the last two years, Tia Maria most expensive signing and no one has any idea where is, Ramos Snubbing you as well as Hummels, also signing Sampdoria's surplus goalkeeper, what a great Summer, the summer that keeps on giving.
30 Jul 2015 09:34:11
I know, God damn we could've have Danny ings and James miner, what were we thinking with depay and schweinsteiger. Mighty reds you could be on to something there. If de gea leaves we will be sorry we didn't go for Boltons no.1 to replace him.
30 Jul 2015 09:44:41
Liverpools summer
Man City reject (Milner)
Boltons man of the season. coming 18th in the championship (Bogdan)
The relegation front man (Ings)
Someone from Charlton (Gomez)
Villa's shining glory for £32m! (Benteke)
Firmino & Clyne
30 Jul 2015 09:52:07
Agree with everything, gutted you also beat us to all our plan A targets such as Milner, Ings and Benteke.
30 Jul 2015 10:24:13
De do dat don't de doh.😆😆ay ay ay
30 Jul 2015 10:51:02
Come on lads let them have it, this is the only week in the season that Liverpool are expected to be above United (on alphabetical order) so fair play to them for looking at the table and thinking they are doing well. Unfortunately with their signings where they are on alphabetical order won't be much different to where they are on points come May.
30 Jul 2015 11:18:05
Harry you nailed it
lets compare
United:
- Depay - one of the best youth prospects
- Schneiderlin - french international proven premier league pedigree
- Schweinsteiger - German Captain - Proven winner
- Darmian - best right back in seri a last year
- Sergio Romero - Argentina no 1
Liverpool:
- Milner - good signing
- Ings - relegated in his only season
- Benteke - good striker overpaid
- Clyne - wasn't needed flanagan was decent
- Firminho - unproven in prem/not needed when you have coutinho
- Bogdan - Worldie of a keeper (sarcasm)
- Gomez - showed potential
so now if i'm right liverpool have 6 strikers and the only ones that look capable are benteke and sturridge.if he stays fit.
id be worried about who's going to step up now gerrard is about i bet he still had a massive amount of influence last season.
30 Jul 2015 08:51:36
For me, Depay should play at one wing, Rooney should take his position and we need a second striker and maybe a new CB. I'm saying "maybe", because I still think these CBs that we have can do the job. Our midfield was little bit tired last match and they didn't do well to move the ball from defence to attack.
30 Jul 2015 08:47:56
I know people have said that "Adidas" have no say who
and when we buy players but I do have a gut feeling
there will be a "surprise" possible "galactico" signing that
Lvg has talked about recently.all tailored for a huge
shirt revealing come the 1 Aug. this Adidas deal is enormous and I don't believe it will come out quietly, my belief is something BIG!!!.just my opinion! !!.
P.s. I did say ddg will stay!!!
30 Jul 2015 09:50:47
Adidas have got something big its called United, you are deluded thinking that a superstar will be unveiled as a new signing on Saturday.
30 Jul 2015 08:46:54
Talk about an over reaction.
Just because we lost a pre season friendly does not mean that our season is going to be a shambles.
I agree we need a new centre back ahead of everything else, hopefully Otamendi. But come on guys, have you heard yourselves. On your logic it means Barca are going to have a poor season because they've been beat a couple of times in pre season.
Pre season is about gaining match fitness and integrating new signings in to the team. We smashed it last season and look what happened once the season started.
I'm not encouraging anyone to have unrealistic expectations but a little optimism wouldn't go a miss instead of doom and gloom every time we concede a corner.
Most important fixture is the Spurs match, then so on and so forth. If we are not doing as well as realistically we should be 10 games in then it's time for me to eat my words, but until then I'm remaining optimistic and excited for our season to start!
30 Jul 2015 08:46:31
Van Gaal out. We need a more experienced manager!!!!!
30 Jul 2015 09:41:44
More experienced?? You got to be kididng. He has the experience but his choices are strange. Changing the manager now won't help .
30 Jul 2015 10:17:45
jwalk u hooked one! :)
30 Jul 2015 10:29:08
Yes master Wayne he is kidding
30 Jul 2015 11:06:28
Wayne, I think he was being sar car stic
30 Jul 2015 08:39:18
Well that showing was even more evidence that without a CB and ST we will be battling for fourth again this season. That's not an over reaction I've said it for weeks. We're short up top, and woeful at the back! Jones is a calamity. I'll be seriously p****d off if Hererra is left out this season. Play a midfield 3 of MC/BS, MS and AH, with front 3 of MD, WR, and a new recruit!
De Gea will also leave. Make no mistake about it. Players get what they want and he wants out. So ship him off and replace him as soon as possible. Another transitional season this year
30 Jul 2015 08:58:06
Since I don't wanna make a mistake about it, please tell me how much are we getting for DdG?
30 Jul 2015 08:59:07
I would tend to agree with you StandUnited. I think the point you make about Herrera is important, he would be the first name on the team sheet for me.
30 Jul 2015 09:04:10
Why is everybody so downbeat this morning. Just because we lost to PSG in a pre season friendly?? We beat Barcelona last week and were the best team in the world again.
There is a month left in the transfer window. Ed has shown himself to be very active in this window. He has addressed two positions that have been weak for a number of years in RB and CM, plus added a very exciting attacking forward in Depay.
For years people have been moaning about what a soft touch we are when selling players especially to Real barring the Ronaldo fee. And here we are actually standing our ground over our best player for the last 2 seasons. I say good on Ed and the club for trying to get the best possible deal for us that possibly might involve a 'Galactico' coming the other way.
Stop the moaning, let's see how the rest of the window goes and more importantly how we set up and play in the 1st game of the season which is the real benchmark, not a pre season game against PSG.
30 Jul 2015 09:25:09
When you put it that way I revert my previous disagreement on the necessity of a new "striker" - a Ronaldo/Bale/Robben type rather than a traditional "striker" would be ideal imo and that's what I meant by "someone to do what ADM should have".
Agree on Herrera and your 11 listed and like the similar shape to the Rooney-Tevez-Ronaldo team.
I'd still like 2 centre backs first though, especially if DDG gets his move home.
30 Jul 2015 10:11:46
Mbd
De Gea will leave the window.
As for the rest I'm not ok doom and gloom. I'm just pointing out the glaring obvious need for at least 1 CB to compete. And I feel were short of goals and creativity. We have addressed CM but neither are creative players and Rooney won't score 25 goals. We don't have one CB who we can fully trust to perform consistently. If we can bring in a "big name" there are defender in this league who can vastly improve what we have for cheaper fee. Shawcross and Williams are just two examples of upgrades on jones , Evans.
All I'm saying is to compete for the league these need addressing so let's see what happens
30 Jul 2015 11:08:22
I agree on your formation, if we don't sing another forward then Young / Januzaj to fill in. The midfield is critical ad I don't think LVG knows what he wants to do yet. 1 holding and 2 running the game, its not rocket science.
30 Jul 2015 08:36:57
Marca reporting that Ramos is close to signing a new deal with Real.
30 Jul 2015 09:00:21
It was never going to happen to be honest. Someone else will be flavour of the week in a few days.
30 Jul 2015 11:08:46
Complete waste of 3 weeks.
30 Jul 2015 07:21:26
Right now I feel as downbeat about our chances of winning anything this year as just have done the past two years. We're still making the same mistakes, Lvg still choosing strange formations, playing people out of position. Our Cb's still looking as crap as ever.
And we're still going to struggle to score goals. We need Beast to come back to give us his views. But I'm buggering to think there is no cb or striker coming in and that will be a disaster
.
30 Jul 2015 08:04:17
Haha. Spelling. Meant to write "beginning" !!
{Ed001's Note - it's ok mate, we know a freudian slip when we see one......}
30 Jul 2015 08:14:29
Schmidfield?? R u no midfield??
I thought u will change to no center back or no striker
30 Jul 2015 08:30:47
SchMidfield, you do know these are pre season friendlys. Chelsea lost to New York Bulls for god sake, do you think they are over there saying, oh god how are we going to win anything?? Pre season is exactly where we should be trying different things and players in different positions to see if they can play there.
Just take a breath, there is a month to go in the window, I'm sure there are more signings to be made, our first game against Tottenham is the most important and we will see exactly how LVG intends it to be on that day.
We have made some great signings this window, it's not all doom and gloom.
30 Jul 2015 09:03:22
The manager worries me with his selections and formations like you say Sch-no-midfield but it's preseason so I'm not reading too much into it. Having said that we will have to start with a bang as I can't see the big teams like Arsenal, Chelsea, City and even Liverpool starting slow as some of them did last season.
30 Jul 2015 07:15:34
The match,
Okay so we made a couple of errors but rather now then in the season!
Can we please just start with pereira, looks silky and positive when he plays!
What is happening with smalling and more so Herrera only game time was with the youth and doesn't look like the latter is going to get a look in, yet he was class last year!!! Shame Really.
Proof is there that neither young or mata are good enough on the wings time to go out and get someone exciting !
30 Jul 2015 09:06:45
Surely Herrera's name is nailed onto the team sheet for the first PL game. If he isn't and we don't get three points it will only fuel the fire to the criticism of the manager and his tactics which both LVG and more importantly us the fans do not want to happen.
30 Jul 2015 07:13:47
It's only a friendly but we saw some extremely worrying signs. Central defence is shambolic, I don't trust any of our 4 centre backs.
Gk, if ddg wants to leave this badly, then what's the point of keeping him?
Striker, as many have pointed out, depay cannot be played in the middle and rooney is not going to score 20 goals.
Need new gk, two centre backs and striker.
Also more worryingly is that lvg is still messing about with Hererra and his silly formations and playing people out of position.
As I said previously, top 4 is going to be a struggle this year unless we address all the above issues.
30 Jul 2015 07:38:03
So we just about to start the season we haven't got one decent CB, we still create absolutely nothing and look weak up front and LVG is playing players out of position and looks like he doesn't fancy Herrera. So basically we look like we haven't moved any closer to getting out of this rut. How come the only people who can't see we need a leader in the CB position and someone in midfield who can create chances are the ones tasked with doing something about it. After scraping 4th and the acquisition of Darmian, Bastian, Schneiderlin and Depay things were looking promising. I hope things are going on behind the scenes because is it could be a very long struggle again this season under LVG with his philosophy looking more fictitious than Jesus at the current time.
30 Jul 2015 08:26:59
Jesus wept, the season hasn't even started yet. The window hasn't even closed. We beat Barcelona last week and it was how great we were with all of our academy players out, LVG giving them there chance and beating the european champions to losing to PSG and now there are extremely worrying signs. It's all gone Pete Tong.
Let's just get to the first game of the season against tottenham and we will see where we are at as LVG has consistently said, the game against tottenham is the most important.
And in regards to buying a CB and a CF there is another month to go in the window, just cool the jets for a bit.
30 Jul 2015 09:09:33
Haha we lost a pre season friendly so Jaime is on posting like he did last year, I thought we might at least wait until the season before the negative ninnies came out the woodwork.
30 Jul 2015 11:31:18
It doesn't matter it's sore season friendly and I don't care about the result. It's the fact we haven't addressed CB position and I've not read one post on here where anyone says they are happy with our CB options. LVG is again playing players out of position already Depay, Blind Januzaj mata. It's ok saying its pre season but the season starts next week and this squad look totally ill prepared more so than last year. We all said we needed to hit the ground running this season and by the looks of it we will still be adjusting the squad up until the end of August. After sorting the midfield we looked like we meant business, since then we haven't got a clue who will be our first choice keeper, we are short 2 good CBs got no creativity or pace out wide and extremely light up front with only Rooney. An unproven youngster and a player we didn't want last year. Am I right for being concerned that we are not ready for a league campaign yet and it's nearly August.
30 Jul 2015 07:10:27
We've signed some great players but I'm concerned that LVG will take months to find the right formation (just like last year). From his selections so far, you have to wonder if Smalling and Hererra are 1st choices and having bought one of the best wide players in Europe last year, he is playing him centrally. Who am I to question such an experienced Manager but surely with the players we have bought we should play players in their best positions. If Ronney starts as CF, we need 2 wide paced players who can quickly join him. This then allows us to play 3 centrally, Schneiderlin, Hererra, and 1 of Carrick and Schweinsteihpger. This can be 451 but quickly change to 433 with Hererra also pushing on. We would still have Mata, Januzaj, Pereira and Lingard as other attacking options.
I do worry that he tinkers and fiddles too much. He's great entertainment but sometimes you just need to play players in their best positions and let them play.
30 Jul 2015 08:52:50
Tony
He will have a very tight rope around his neck. If he wants to screw around with playing blind at CB it is his call as a manager but ti will ned badly for him. Blind well get humped by some of the attacking players in PL in that position.
I guess we will have to wait and see but believe me they will pull the plug on him by christmas if we are in anyway struggling.
30 Jul 2015 09:08:33
The thing is AJH a manager doesn't have the time to tinker in this league. You lose a few games and then it's a struggle to climb back up the hill. Let's hope he gets it right from the start.
30 Jul 2015 09:55:18
GCU,I don't think he'll last till Christmas going at this rate.
30 Jul 2015 12:48:58
fanboy
I am just speechless by the stuff he says. he seems to have no regard for any player and seems to think he can publicly just hammer them. I am waiting to see who is next and how many players he will really upset. The results better go his way or he is dead man walking and will have no friends at this rate.
People criticised moyes for saying we needed 5 or 6 world class players. LVG has spend more and bought more than that and still seems to get huge satisfaction by publicly taking a dump on them.
30 Jul 2015 06:45:27
I don't understand why we don't play 4-3-3 given that it suits the players we have IMO.
In 4-3-3 the central striker need not be the furthest forward which certainly suits Rooney and he can be supported by pacy wide attackers wwhich we have in form of Depay, Young, Lingard, Pereira, Januzaj, ADM/Pedro (Mata can play too)
Also it would allow us to play 3 of Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin, Carrick and Herrera. For me Herrera has to start if fir and if it means dropping Mata then so be it.
30 Jul 2015 06:40:56
I hope lvg learns from his last year mistakes, he kept 3 at the back last season when everyone knew we have to play traditional 4,
This preseason same thing is happening Mata is playing outwide and depay in middle, why accommodate 2 players out of there original position. We need pace and depay can provide it and Mata is perfect for no 10. Why not keep them in their original position and try,not once in preseason we have seen that. What's wrong with Herrera why he is not in the team. I hope lvg doesn't waste time this season to find his best xi.
30 Jul 2015 06:18:35
Just over a week to the start of the season and we've got problems at gk and cb positions .
I thought midfield wise we'd go with Carrick/ Schweinsteiger, Schneiderlin and Herrera in midfield but there seems no room for Herrera as Depay is being played centrally . If Rooney picks up an injury or has a bad run the options up front don't look the strongest either .
Still a month to go to the end of the transfer window and I expect there'll be more players in and out so things could look very different by the end of August but it's still worrying
30 Jul 2015 09:12:57
It is not worrying, last week we beat Barcelona, last night PSG were better than us without a doubt but it was 'one of them games' where nothing at all fell for us, and a couple of defensive errors let them hit us on the break, there were people on here the other day saying they hoped we lost to PSG as last year we won every pre season game and went into the Swansea game thinking it was easy, maybe last night will be a positive as we can work on the things that went wrong.
30 Jul 2015 05:09:30
It makes my blood boil to see one player go absolutely AWOL to not even have a wee bit of professionalism and respect to inform the employer, and to see another one sulk and not give two cents about letting the goal in. The former one is an absolute snake with a microscopic pair on him. What a legendary bottler! Never had any player let down the legacy of the club and its number 7 in such disgraceful manner. What a blunder was done for the sake of making a statement in the transfer market. I hope this never happens to our club ever again. Rather have passionate Youngs in the clubs than mercenaries Marias.
30 Jul 2015 06:21:00
To be frank, ADM is probably being instructed by PSG and his agent not to play etc but yes it's not a great situation to be in and he was definitely the wrong buy.
But sorry you have to be wrong about De Gea, he gave his all against Barcelona and didn't have a great game today, which was a preseason game with no weighting they aren't going to beat themselves up over a goal in a preseason game are they?
30 Jul 2015 08:56:56
I would not believe everything you read about him going awol. he might be instructed to sit tight and not join the club because of the ongoing discussions. Most clubs will not say they have told the player to stay away. If he is awol, he will be getting wages and stuff deducted which is not a bad thing since we are trying to ship him out.
30 Jul 2015 09:14:21
Were you expecting tears about letting a pre season goal in? You are taking these matches too seriously if so.
I agree about Di Maria, total disgrace.
30 Jul 2015 04:46:19
Tried to post before preseason but didn't get posted. I tried to say its not who scored the goals is important but how and how many we concede is important.
A really worrying signs even after so huge spendings.
Points to consider,
1) ddg doesn't look interested
2) no proper CB. ( Jones hasn't improved a bit since joining; )
3) wrong try to re position depay.
4) LVG must accept mata is not a winger.
5) half decent right back and young is not seen in the game. u don't win league with such players
6) no balance of attack and defence, tectics point to deep lying 2 midfield players. that need pace on all side up front. we have only depay. that to wrong positioned.
7) Darmian look solid, getting wasted along side Jones covering his blunders; making himself out of position.
8) shaw is now in.
9) Pacey striker is much needed to change with Rooney as per opposition strategy
10) limgard deserves more chances.
11) midfield need to be build around Herrera. He is the attacking defending and creative spark from center. Else it looks pedestrian and predictable
12) ADM should not be allowed to leave just after 1 season
Hope LVG sort a couple of NEEDED purchase without being egoistic and sort out stuff.
Commimg season looks very exciting with the summer purchases just need to use them right.
30 Jul 2015 03:07:25
Thoughts on the first half:
The group looked comfortable moving the ball around, they seemed inventive and played quicker than what we saw last year. Carrick and Schweinsteiger looked very good. Rooney made some good runs to get onto balls over the top. Mata had a few brilliant touches taking long passes out of the air. They never showed the replay for his disallowed goal off of Bilnd's long pass, called offside. Mata is really impressive at times with his technical ability.
My one major concern is with Daley Blind. He was great on the ball, but nowhere to be found on both goals. He goes upfield, and does not get back when PSG put a ball in behind. We see Jones get beat on the final touch for both goals, but Blind is not even on the TV screen for the final touch.
One more thought on the first goal: if Shaw ran to the goal line, he may have cleared it away. He should have left the challenge to Jones and De Gea. But credit to Matuidi who took the chance well.
30 Jul 2015 03:49:09
Zidaniel,
I have to disagree about the midfield pairing, I thought it showed that schweinsteiger and carrick should not play together, we missed any energy that herrera and schneiderlin bring to the team and we were too slow in the middle of the park.
30 Jul 2015 03:55:47
Strange game as we played well and was nice on the eye but balls over the top js cut the hole defence out which kept happening all game i must admit jones and blind is a big no no smalling has to play it strange he hasn been starting i'm curious see will he start vs spurs . plus note some of depays lil turns were pure class and he looks exciting also we really have a rb now darmain been best player on tour and tonight was class defending and going forward . i agree mata touches are great but it annoys me him on the wing he js not a winger compare danger a robben causes on the wing to a mata . for me he must play of a stricker if not bench him and play a direct pacy winger . adm if he stays or pedro if he signs .
30 Jul 2015 04:09:10
I think the best player for utd tonight was the little italian RB Darmian. best defender we have by a mile and was giving 110%. I can't wait to see him in the EPL he is going to be a real class player. We do however need a WC CB and a striker if we are going to have any chance of winning. Dissapointing result but fair play to the players wbo gave it a go coming on as a sub. I would have liked Depay to take that last free kick instead of looping over everyone and out like Perreira ( Spelling ) did.
30 Jul 2015 04:41:18
Carrick and Schwieny never looked comfortable together.3 man PSG midfield just ran over us and rooney lost the ball more than Di Maria did in the entire season last year.
Bad game for us but an eye opener, we need a striker.
Also rooney debate is put to bed, Was tired at looking 275k wasted on left wing in 2nd half.cf needs to get in the box which he failed to do.
Hope rooney lovers soon upgrade their fifa versions from fifa 08 to the latest one to see the reality.
30 Jul 2015 04:52:17
I know it's only preseason but I'm very worried why is he continually playing depay as a no 10 he's trying to make him into our hazard does he not realise he played in his right position as a winger for 2 seasons so he could get used to the pace of the premiership before mourinho made him his no 10 I hope he's only experimenting and he's going to play depay in his right position come the start of the season . Rooney if you want to learn how to play the lone striker then just watch ibrahimovic the guy is absolute world class if we've any sense we should be making him part of the di maria deal . Jones and blind they two are an absolute joke in defence blind too slow Jones is just terrible if he can't see we need a CB them van gaal needs his eyes tested. Herrera what is happening one of our best players last year and he's hardly a look in on this tour it's absolutely ridiculous I would not be surprised if van gaal was trying to get rid of him like I say I know it's only preseason but I have not been impressed on the whole with the standard of football I thought having a strong midfield would make us attack more but we're hardly creating anything and it's worrying . On the plus side Darmian and shaw have been really good at full backs no worries there