Manchester United Banter Archive February 08 2019

08 Feb 2019 21:04:21
Hi eds do any of you have any inside info into the next manager? I personally think if ole gets us into 3rd he deserves the job, but apart from him and pochettino is there any other front runners?

{Ed002's Note - There is nothing at this time.}

08 Feb 2019 21:17:21
Thabks for the quick reply ed002.

08 Feb 2019 14:04:05
I am worried that Jones new contract means no new CB in summer.

08 Feb 2019 14:08:43
Might just be to boost his value.

08 Feb 2019 14:19:58
Surely it’s to try to recoup some money when he is sold in the summer.

08 Feb 2019 15:38:58
People need to get over this one, he got a new contract, so what? Players with long contracts leave clubs all the time, and if not then he is obviously in the managers plans and fair play, he has done pretty well since Ole took over.

Calling players 'deadwood' really frustrates me.

It does not under any circumstances mean we won't be looking to improve the squad in the summer.

08 Feb 2019 15:58:58
Which clubs will want to pay a significant sum of money for phil jones. We got lucky that a chinese club came in for fellaini and i doubt they would silly enough to buy jones as a foreign player.

Also where is this track record of us selling players who are not good enough to clubs for a significant fee?

08 Feb 2019 19:27:50
Maybe he will be used as cover instead of needing to purchase another centre back to sit on the bench. There’s bound to be a plan so let’s wait and see.

08 Feb 2019 22:09:47
Apparently United are starting an ice hockey team and Jones is in as the goon.

09 Feb 2019 05:02:30
We paid a whopping £16.5M for him and he has been a no fuss servant of the club. He’s played various positions when asked. He’s consistently been selected by various England mangers.
I don’t think it will require a huge fee to recoup some of our costs for Phil. I think he’s the kind of player managers like. He’s experienced, reliable 95% of the time when fit.
May not be a Utd first 11 player but I’m sure at 26 other EPL teams or promotion chasing Championship teams would have some interest as they have with other Utd first team cast offs.

09 Feb 2019 05:56:16
I don’t think Phil Jones is as bad as people make out, he does make a big mistakes (which is bad) but I do see him as a decent defender I think he lacks in confidence, but he stayed fit and had a run of games I reckon he wouldn’t be as bad as people make out.

09 Feb 2019 06:01:17
Dsg were atm as a fan, we’re have we got any benifits of selling Fellaini in January?, long term maybe older player off the books but atm I see it as we’ve lost a midfielder who can affect big games without a replacement.

09 Feb 2019 10:22:12
There are at least a dozen clubs in England where Jones would improve their defence. We now get a fee for him if sold. Simple and sensible business.

However make no error: Fergie, Moyes, LVG and Jose all rated him, and so it seems does Ole. I think they’re better qualified than us to make an assessment.

08 Feb 2019 13:22:44
I'm planning to travel to UK from the 5th of March till the 24th. And while there, I'm really hoping to watch United live at Old Trafford, something that I have been wanting to do for the last 15 odd years.

United play city on the 16th of March, at least that's the schedule right now. Is there a way that I get my hands on two tickets? I'm not a season ticket holder (for obvious reasons) and I'm not really sure where to search.

Does any one of the posters know where can I get this sorted?

Also, if anyone is free is around that time and wouldn't mind sitting and having a chat, then please let me know, it'd be amazing to meet anyone from this site. Oh and if you play football, then I'd love to join in as well.

Thanks a bunch, everyone.

08 Feb 2019 13:46:00
@GDS Might be able to help.

08 Feb 2019 13:51:21
Without touts you could ballot (as long as you're a member) think it opens today? Usually if I can't get a ticket I usually go to salford and watch it in a pub still a great atmosphere.

08 Feb 2019 15:23:31
Just buy a VIP Package, if available. That's what I did a couple of years ago when I was in the same situation. It cost me 20k INR but was totally with it :)

08 Feb 2019 19:21:46
Japs, you paid £20,000 to watch United? Jesus, who did they play? Did we win? Did you get to sit with the players on the bench?

08 Feb 2019 20:35:49
That’s about £200 which whilst steep isn’t that bad for someone for whom it is a very special occasion.

08 Feb 2019 22:13:52
20k ruppees. For 200 sterling i'd want to be in the dressing room at full time.

08 Feb 2019 23:43:31
Raghav,

Write to the club, explain what it means to you and the journey to get there, ask them if there is any way to get a ticket. The big games are unlikely but ask. You could walk around outside on match day it gives you a sense of occasion. Don’t buy a half and half scarf! Recommend you do the stadium tour but not on match day. Walk down the tunnel along pitch side if they still do that, you will remember it! Enjoy!

08 Feb 2019 23:50:54
Singh,

Perhaps if he was asking for a game that wasn't the Manchester derby!

Luckily that game is very likely to be re-arranged anyway due to the cup games so if we get through and a home draw there will be plenty of tickets available for the cup Quarter Final.

09 Feb 2019 05:08:06
I can vouch for the VIP package Raghav.
We travelled from Australia. We booked for the 2013 last home game against Swansea. We had no idea at the time it would be a title winning celebration and Fergies last home game after announcing his retirement only a week or so before.

Lunch before the game, a bus ride to the stadium and back to the Lowery I think it was. Good seating and well looked after. Look into it.

09 Feb 2019 00:48:46
I have two in the front row of the second tier Stretford end I'd be happy for you to have for a match, face Value of course. Not sure how I can get in touch though as I'd prefer not to post mobile number on a public forum. Any idea eds?

Cheers.

{Ed033's Note - If your emails are correct on our system, i can send you each other's email address? If you agree to it.

09 Feb 2019 12:33:36
Hi Manctom!

Yes, please it would be great if we could connect! Could you please help out Ed 033?

Thank you!

09 Feb 2019 12:38:32
@Deano - Unfortunately, I'm not a member, so can't participate in the ballot. I will try and find some touts, honestly don't know where to begin.

@Japps - I tried looking at the VIP packages, that starts at about 55K INR. I will try and keep that as an option. Not too sure of that.

@Red Man - Thank you, I will definitely write to the Club and ask them if anything is possible. I do hope something that can come up. I swear I won't buy the half n half scarves. I'm just really excited about just seeing the stadium, and I don't know how I will react if I end walking inside it.

@GDS - No no, I was obviously not trying to take your ticket! Wouldn't even ask for it. And yeah, there could be the FA cup thing to look into as well. Hopefully, I get to see some match at Old Trafford. I don't want to go to UK and then come back without even seeing a single United match.

@PerthRedMike- Thank you, will check out the VIP packages, just confirming, these are the ones that are there on the Club website right? The same ones?

Again, thank you guys for helping out, I think something or the other can be worked out and again, I'd be really happy to meet whoever is free on that day.

Thank you.

09 Feb 2019 16:07:04
@Raghav - There's a few of them, some cheaper than the others. I sat very close to the stretford end so it was quite an experience!

@CantonasSeagull - I went for the Swansea game which we drew, Rooney scored a pen, and much to my disappointment Zlatan was injured and out of that game, besides the draw.

09 Feb 2019 17:42:51
I booked through the club yes, Looks the same Raghav.

09 Feb 2019 19:10:34
That's fine ed033, thanks!

{Ed033's Note - ok thanks

08 Feb 2019 10:57:50
{Ed's Note - has posted a new player profile about, Philippe Coutinho

08 Feb 2019 13:53:39
Ed do you think one of the problems at Barcelona is that he was very much seen to be a replacement for Iniesta? Looking at Coutinho's game he seems to be a very different player, and if Barcelona bought him as a like for like replacement it's obvious to most he was never going to work out like that - I think Iniesta has been incredible and often underappreciated and underrated outside of Barcelona.

{Ed001's Note - his problem is that he insists on shooting when space opens up for a pass. He just doesn't see it with his head down. No one could replace Iniesta. }

08 Feb 2019 14:12:08
I’d be delighted if we didn’t sign him, would be the biggest waste of money yet.

08 Feb 2019 15:26:27
He's infuriating to watch. But football manager is realistic because he does it constantly. Nearly smashed my laptop in after one game.

08 Feb 2019 18:07:10
Then you'll be delighted fresh.

08 Feb 2019 09:45:14
Morning guys, I've read a lot about rotation recently and with the PSG game on the horizon many have speculated about what team Ole should play against Fulham.

I firmly believe that confidence and momentum are huge factors in football that shouldn't be underestimated.

When Ole took over finishing in the top 4 was a pipe dream and even the biggest optimists amongst us gave us little chance against PSG. Oh how times have changed.

I think it's important however that we keep our feet on the ground and however cliched this may sound take one game at a time.

Ole has introduced a bold new style. We play higher and press quicker. We are lethal on the counter and now kill teams in the transitions. The problem is we lack balance in the squad to play this type of football. Rest too many, tip the balance and we return to the slow, ponderous team we saw under Mourinho.

This could be a pivotal weekend. Chelsea have a tough away fixture at City and if we beat Fulham chances are we will be back in the top 4 come Sunday evening. I think we should play our strongest team tomorrow. Yes the PSG game is important, it's a glamour tie and we all crave to see Utd take on the best but we must return some stability to the Club. We must build on the good work Ole has undertaken. If we want to see this side progress and mature we must finish in the top 4. I really like the look of our front four. I believe the likes of Pogba, Martial, Rashford and Lingard can deliver great things in the years ahead and with some intelligent recruitment in the summer I think we have a lot to look forward to.

We have a relatively young team and a good victory tomorrow would have us full of confidence going into Tuesday. Playing at home makes things a little easier then we don't play again until the following Monday in the FA Cup. I think we should be able to handle that without making too many changes and risking a loss of momentum.

It's never seemed palatable to me that finishing in the top 4 is something to celebrate but I believe it's important for the development of this team. It needs to grow and be tested against the best and a year in the wilderness may result in stagnation. Play our best team they can handle it and whilst the FA Cup is important maybe that's the right time for rotation.

{Ed025's Note - good post that DLIB, and dont forget the new contract for phil jones will give the team a massive boost mate.. :)

08 Feb 2019 10:11:23
Thanks Ed025 and of course it will give the team a massive boost that's the next Duncan Edwards your referring to 👀!

Have a great weekend pal!

{Ed025's Note - you too mate..

08 Feb 2019 10:25:49
Great post. Totally agree with all of that. Top 4 has always been the priority and I feel we should keep it that way. A year in the Europa League next year would be a big blow to the club and would be more of an obstacle than anything to the manager that comes in. Winning the CL is unrealistic and so for me anyway top 4 is the priority.

08 Feb 2019 11:34:50
No nuts to that, let's qualify for the UCL next season by winning it this season.

08 Feb 2019 12:01:00
Shappy I'm not saying we shouldn't try and win the Champions League of course we should I just think we should play our strongest team in the league as well. I think the players can handle it and the way the next few fixtures have fallen it shouldn't be a too punishing. Let's Maintain and keep building the momentum. Let's finish the season strongly and see what these players are capable of!

08 Feb 2019 12:20:34
It was supposed to be a little tongue in cheek.

I feel we will have to rotate, not to get results in the next couple of games but in order to get results over the next 20 or so. Matic and Herrera have tired around the 60 minute mark, while the team as a whole has looked pretty tired around 70 minutes.

A lot of that is to do with the new style of play and the need to improve overall fitness. While part of it will probably be due to longer being spent on the training ground to implement the new style of play.

Either way fitness is rarely a problem when your winning. Yet if we lose a game or two and the confidence drops the tiredness will really start to bite and that could lead to a downward trajectory in performances and results.

We need to protect our players for the game yet to come. Fulham might be on paper at least a good team to rest a couple of players. I think the trick to it is to follow what Sir Alex used to do. Rotate 1 or 2 players every game and only play your strongest possible 11 in the vital games.

However, that's easier said than done. For a man who was never going to be sacked he could afford to not play his strongest possible 11 90% of the time. He also managed to get the absolute maximum out of mediocre players so the team didn't suffer from not being the strongest possible 11.

That's harder to do when your long term job prospects are relient on results in every game.

08 Feb 2019 12:48:21
It comes back to that weak midfield and not having enough options to step in. Rotate too much and we risk dropping points. Don't rotate enough and we burn key players out and risk dropping points later.

08 Feb 2019 12:52:54
Yeah I assumed that pal I'm not sure why I felt the need to clarify my point to be honest. I agree 1-2 changes is fine it's when it's becomes 4 or 5 it may become a problem. Anyway an exciting few months ahead.

08 Feb 2019 13:44:00
I think some rotation is possible as long as it's the right combination of players. In Ole's reign the times we've not looked as good is where 2 or 3 players with lesser movement have been put in the team.

I feel Mata and or Lukaku can start but both of them slows down the play too much. Sanchez can adequately replace lingard without too big a loss of energy/ pressing. So for me I'd be happy for Mata to start ahead of Pogba or Lukaku ahead of Rashford but not both.