Manchester United Banter Archive June 08 2014

08 Jun 2014 18:37:57
Several people were knocking Kevin Strootman the other day, so I pose a question.

Who would you prefer for the box to box role in our midfield either Kevin Strootman OR Alex Song?

And no smart arse other suggestions, just straight up choice between those two.

Strootman is the far better player. So Strootman.

08 Jun 2014 19:51:39
Strootman for me

08 Jun 2014 19:54:59
Strootman

Strootman.

Song, costs less, available, not injured and takes less than 90 minutes to run from one box to the other.

I would rather have a current paul gascoigne in midfield than song so strootman all day.

Strootman and the smart arse answer Vidal

Strootman

with some work he can become good. I don't rate song. he could not do it for barca

08 Jun 2014 20:11:44
Strootman, never really rated song. Question for you shappy, Moreneo or indi? do you know much about the two of them? thanks

08 Jun 2014 20:35:00
Tough one, Shappy.

I'm not a big fan of either tbh, but I feel Song would be the more creative and pacier of the two - he's capable of playing further forward - whilst also being more effective at protecting the back 4.

I don't get the whole Strootman thing, but LVG obviously rates him.

As a multi-trophy winning manager, I'll give him the benefit of the doubt :)

We've had Carrick in our midfield for years now, he isn't exactly quick is he? Personally I think Vidal, Herrera or Koke are the best options. But Strootman is a better player than Carrick with the potential to be much better and certainly better than Song.

08 Jun 2014 21:07:03
I don't know a great deal about Moreno as I don't watch much Spanish football as its a very uncompetitive league and has too much publicity. I prefer watching leagues that have a tactical interest and ones that nurture young talent. As a result I watch a fair bit of Dutch and German football along with some French football when I get a chance. Each of those leagues are good at bringing though young talent and there is a lot of tactical diversion in them.

With that I have watched a fair bit of Bruno Martins Indi and can say he would be an excellent signing. He has pace and good positional sense, is strong in the tackle and has very good passing and vision. The fact he can play at LB is an added bonus( although he isn't great at LB).

Imo he is one of those players who in the past we look at then decide not to take the plunge only to sign them 2/3 years later from another club for three or four times that they paid for him.

Syd, the question was who is a better box-to-box player, and Carrick most certainly isn't that. Strootman is not dynamic enough to play that role in the EPL either. He's suited to the pace in Italy, but would be another waste here.

Song is an average player, I wouldn't have him as a transfer target. But if the choice is between him and another overhyped, injured, £30m player who looks like he's running in quicksand. I'll take Song every day.

Strootman. Although Song is a good player and PL proven, he is not as suited to the box to box role as Strootman is imo.

"he's capable of playing further forward - whilst also being more effective at protecting the back 4."

I think Strootman fits this description better than Song does Stevie mate :)

Song would be 3-4 times cheaper than Strootman though. It's rumoured Barca want £8m.

Why is everyonene obsessed with Luke shaw. One good season for Southampton. For me Ben Davies of Swansea would be better value and better player.
Anyone agree disagree?.

Strootman - although to me the question is the equivalent of asking whether I'd like a kick in the balls or a punch in the face.

Neither but if it sis song for about 10 to 12 or strootman for 25 plus then it is a no brainer. Song all day.

Song for me.

Draig - Ben Davies isn't Utd quality imo, he won't lift us a level, would rather Evra. I agree Shaw is overpriced considering what he has done.

09 Jun 2014 17:35:33
Nope, Syd. You're wrong. Deal with it :)

I heard Louis Van Gaal would look good in a 3 man midfield. I think we might go for a player/coach thing with him.

Deeps.

08 Jun 2014 14:12:46
Dejavu

LOL the same person who was criticising Moyes training method is now criticising LVG and guess what he also does not want Rene back.

With Moyes I thought he had a point. Now I think he's just full of sh!t

08 Jun 2014 10:30:19
Ed002 I know you are getting frustrated with the same question over and over so how about an update on who we are looking at I see lots of names get thrown about on here I aswell as others would like your input on this. I understand you are busy but if you have the time it will be much appreciated.

Thanks.

Hopefully if you do respond you might get a break from the repeated questions.

Thanks

{Ed002's Note - It makes no difference at all. It doesn't stop people asking the same question over and over.}

08 Jun 2014 09:00:04
I'm really gutted by the fact that Roy Hodgson was not available to manage United next season. Would of gotten us playing exciting football with fresh modern tactics!

No seriously, how boring is England to watch? It reminds me of how United have been performing lately, especially under Moyes. Players running around not having a clue what their role in the team is, it's a bit worrying.

I've not given a toss about England since the 'fans' booed United players.

The wc is a week away players are just looking to get minutes under there belt and no injuries .
For the first time in about 10 year i'm quite excited about this england team I think they will surprise a few

This is by far the weakest England team I have ever watched. Player for player in every department is weaker than the team of 2004. If England get out of the group I will be very surprised.

08 Jun 2014 11:44:28
I'm with carloto I have to say. The whole Beckham witch-hunt was bad enough. But to be at wembley, with at least 4 united players on the pitch giving their all and hearing people doing the stand up if you hate man u, whilst waving their Torquay and Hereford England flags was frankly pathetic. Given the amount of players we have supplied the national team over the years and to get that was embarrassing. You expect it off Liverpool and city fans as their direct rivals but Torquay and Hereford?

Jred its the worst England team I have seen in 35 years. Its worse than the south Africa team. The only chance of getting out the group is sticking as many past costa rica as they can and hope our competition for 2nd scored less. Which will be a struggle as we don't loon like we have that many goals in us.

The Italy game will be a draw, England traditionally draw the opening game and Italy traditionally are slow starters so I'm going 0-0. Uruguay it depends on Suarez fitness. If he doesn't play England will lose narrowly as Uruguay will cope with conditions better and score on the break. If Suarez is fit then its a bigger loss. It all comes down to costa rica as by my reckoning we need to win to tie with second on points and out score them, and hope for a Uruguay win. They could draw and out we go.

I'm not really sure what your expecting. Hart is too easily beaten on his near post for a supposed world class keeper. Johnson is poor defensively. Jagielka and Cahill is the worst centre back partnership I've seen. England have always had a world class centrehalf in tournaments, butcher, Adams, Campbell, Rio, even terry was called world class. At least Baines is a decent left back. Midfield is poor, no spark at all. It really is a poor team. And you can see Hodgson knows it.

Sydney, are you kidding mate? This is the an exciting England squad, full f pace and raw talent. A top manager - with the type of players' England have at the moment at his disposal - would be able to field a team that could give anyone a game. I mean, look at pace the current England team possess; it's scary. Alas, Roy will pick the so called reliable ones - including bamby - and f things up.

I would love for England to do well. I mean the group we are playing in is winnable. Italy are poor IMO, and Uruguay -apart from the front two - are an ageing team that can be got at.

I suppose having no expectation is a good thing; but I suspect we might prove a few people wrong.

Samthered,

What are you smoking? This is an even poorer side that the last 3/4 major tournaments. Not one world class player in the side. I'll be amazed if they make it out the group

I am pretty embarrassed by how dire our national side is at the moment. We will make minimal goalscoring chances so Sturridge better improve on yesterday's guff that he produced. Rooney has looked so average I cannot see if it's him or Milner on the ball. Slow and the touch and control of a donkey. I know he hasn't been the same player for 4-5 years now, but he implodes when it's WC time. Surely he's due a good tournament? Gerrard looks like his best days are well beyond him. Baines looks like he's slowing slightly, probably a lucky break not signing him last summer. Johnson, WOW, worst player in the squad by some distance. I would prefer the other Liverpool RB, the one that looks like he's hit every branch on the way down from the ugly tree. Wilshere is as injury prone as Hargreaves. Jagielka is as quick as Steve Bruce is now, running on marmite on a comedown. Lallana, good player but overrated. If he's a £30m player then so is Welbeck. Hopefully they can all play well as a team and do the unthinkable, but individually these players are average.

08 Jun 2014 14:08:17
Sydney is spot on. this is an uninspiring squad. i'm usually very excited about the wc and euro however could not care less this time round. don't look capable of beating anyone. I wish thr team the best but I imagine the England's time in it will be short lived. ill be using the opportunity to watch some other nations. Infact more excited to watch Holland lol.

Sydney
What aload.of tosh, that is all

On paper there good on the pitch Hodgson is tactically weak and man management is non excistint Barkely Oxlade Chamberlaind and Sterling behind Sturridge is fast fluid and would be fit in brazil heat

Actually think this is a better England squad then the 2010 and 2006 world cup all over the pitch, for one we actually have a good goalkeeper haha

our defence prob not as good mind, can't beat a rio/terry/cole at the back in there prime but the midfield and attack are miles better c'mon don't be daft we was using crouch and defoe before haha how rubbish is that lol now its a Sturridge, welbeck and lambert mile better.

centre mids of old gerrard lampard they never could play together add boring milner and barry not much to be excited about, now its same old gerrard and lampard but don't play them together now added with young Henderson Wilshire barkley and Lallana.

it is insane to me that some people think this team is not better then teams of old

I am not smoking anything, Stand United. I just know good players' when I see them.

Some need to remember that those players' play in the PL alongside some of the best talent in world football. They are every inch as good in many cases. Because they are badly managed and coached at international level is not their fault.

Ironically enough, the poorest player in an England shirt of late is Rooney. The guy looks a shadow of his former self. I just hope he has a good world cup and doesn't embarrass himself too much.

We all have our views. Some of the views aired on here are totally nonsensical; but that is life.

I am pretty confident England will get out of that group.

So Sturridge and a 28 year old Rooney is better than a 26 year old Owen and a 20 year old Rooney? Is Henderson better than Hargreaves? Is this worn out 42 year old Gerrard better than Gerrard in his prime? Is Lallana & Welbeck better than Beckham & Joe Cole (24)/Lennon (19) or Walcott (17)?

Joe Hart is better than Robinson. That is all you have got RD0690.

For a second there I thought you meant our Young, Red Devil, haha.

We have the potential to be explosive, but if we go that route we have no experience and if we go experience we plod as usual. We lack players in their mid 20's that can take a game by the scruff of the neck. Now its plodville and rely on Rooney for some crazy reason.

Johnson has been slated by the scousers all season, yet he starts for England, joke.

08 Jun 2014 17:20:56
Syd you on a wind up?
beckham could not beat a man.
so basically we had lampard gerrard and beckham all tring the same thing.
hollywood passes. long ball.
this team can pass round players move fast which is the way to play of late.
Walcott biggest let down ever.
he can run but so could carl lewis. don't make a footballer. his ar$e fell out infront of goal.
Owen my god. again more pace than brain. i'd say 80 percen of his shots came off his shins. then the inevitable fall over.
Joe cole hardly set theworld light i'd say wilshire is miles better!

LOL, I thought Sam's post was being sarcastic. I didn't believe he was serious. Sorry Sam but this is a shocking England squad. Pitiful.

08 Jun 2014 17:14:04
im with you reddevil
every position looks exciting.
people who think the friendlies are how we will play is the same as saturday are deluded.
Why on earth would anyone risk anything on a friendly.
Lalana sturridge sterling ox barkley all can beat a man,
now last world cup who could do that?
joe cole?
crouch?
heskey
LOL

08 Jun 2014 18:20:13
I reckon Northern Ireland would give you a game :)

"David Healy! What a goal!"

Don't get me wrong when the 2016 Euros come along we will be a much better unit with better individuals. Players like Shaw, Jones, Stones, Sterling, Barkley, AOC, Wilshere etc will be a couple years older and ready. I think we will see Wilson in the squad then if he can keep up his good work. But at this moment in time we are pretty poor and I would be surprised if we make it out of the group.

Sydney!

actully yeah I do prefer Sturridge and 28 year old Rooney, or should I say a fully fit Rooney, 2006 he was not fit
so had a bad tournment, 2010 he was banned 2 games and was cheating on his wife lol mind not in the game bad tournment
now he is hungrey to to have a good tournment I think might be his second best he performed on the big stage, (not sure he
beat 2004 euros) owen wasnt all that at that time either.

actully forgot about hargreaves my bad he was one of our better players in 2006, and older gerrard might do more for
the team now, won't score as much but will help out at the back.

Welbeck prob just as good if not better then cole out on the left, lot faster, will work hard for the team, can cause
defences a problem
Lallana crossing wise no were near as good as beckham, but I think Lallana will do good for us and the inter changing
with Rooney and welbeck will cause teams a problem.
Lennon vs the ox? who wins the ox! Lennon is fast that is about it haha
is there a point in mentioning walcott? he didn't even get a subbed on lol
Sterling vs walcott? only one winner Sterling

add Wilshere and barkley to the mix we got a exciting team

RD

Any team with any sense will get at England and they won't have an answer, especially down their right hand side. How Glen Johnson ever made it to the top level of football as a full-back I'll never know. He is truly woeful.

Some people have a very high opinion of this England team. We are not clever enough simple. There will be a lot of diving/play acting and I'm pretty sure we will have someone sent off in the group games. Costa Rica will be no push overs and I think we will possibly draw all our games. Glen Johnson well, I've seen frigates turn quicker. Ricky lambert is never international class either otherwise he would have been in there years ago. He got a goal the other night but offered nothing else. It's an average team and will be exposed.

Fellas at least your team has a chance to get out of the group stage. my mighty team(australia) will be lucky to get a point. bugger it, australia to win the world cup (in the next 20 years).