18 May 2024 18:04:42
Oops. Our ladies took a hiding from Chelsea.
1
Manchester United Banter
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18 May 2024 21:15:15
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18 May 2024 15:57:34
De Zerbi leaving then.
Do we think he's coming to United or Bayern? Maybe Newcastle?
0
18 May 2024 16:50:30
I remember when he got the job a journo on Talksport said he will be off in 2 years-possibly the most ambitious manager he had known, every club will be a stepping stone until he gets Real Madrid or Barcelona was his opinion.
0
18 May 2024 16:56:46
Think he will be going to Bayern.
1
18 May 2024 17:14:27
About a week ago DeZerbi was described as overrated by Fabio Capello. Capello said DeZerbi never won anything except the Super Cup with Shakhtar Donetsk.
0
18 May 2024 19:44:57
Barcelona or Bayern. maybe Juventus but I'd say that's a step down.
0
18 May 2024 20:31:46
Bayern makes sense with the manager search there. I think it was mentioned before that he was a popular choice to replace Pep at City in a few years time, with Berrada coming in you could see the links. Then again it's what people are doing with Southgate and Ashworth.
0
18 May 2024 15:57:02
Been announced that De Zerbi is leaving Brighton after the game tomorrow.
So the fun and games begin.
0
18 May 2024 12:46:14
Foden named epl player if the year and palmer named young player of the year.
I would agree on both of those awards.
Fantastic seasons for both players and neither are even close to their peak yet.
Well done to both who have been exceptional.
2
18 May 2024 13:53:04
Not sure about Foden winning. He has had his best season, but think Odegaard has been more consistent and more important to Arsenal this year. Nobody can argue with Palmer, massively stepped up and took his chance.
1
18 May 2024 16:26:09
Palmer was a no brainer.
They funded that deal by selling us mount.
Which makes it even worse.
0
18 May 2024 16:54:10
The even worse news is that we paid via Klarna, so we've got a few years of paying for his treatment yet.
0
18 May 2024 17:13:16
I'm with you Danny, Odergaad for me, he has been fantastic and leads that Arsenal team.
0
18 May 2024 18:26:24
I can’t believe Antony was overlooked 🤔.
0
18 May 2024 18:50:52
MVP has been Rodri. Without him arsenal win the league, no doubt. People overlook these critical defensive positions, but city were dropping points when he was out, as soon as he comes back, they steam rolled everyone.
0
18 May 2024 20:08:43
I thought rice was player of the season, he has been outstanding.
0
18 May 2024 10:27:35
Look, I like Jurgen Klopp, I think he is a great Manager, a breath of fresh air, and I would have loved him at United. He's charismatic, honest, entertaining, and I like his kind of football.
But the deification that is taking place right now seems a little over the top, the wailing and gnashing of teeth, the endless sycophantic press articles. I know it's how the world works but blimey, you'd think he was the Messiah.
He has given Liverpool their pride back, created a culture and identify, and at the same time won a few trophies. That should be celebrated but I guarantee there will be fans sobbing tomorrow as if the world is ending.
Whilst this post is about Klopp, it's really more about how the game is treated nowadays, over emotional, sensationalistic, dramatised beyond reality.
Well done Jurgen, it was a pleasure having you in our game, good luck for the future.
7
18 May 2024 12:02:20
Imagine football fans getting over emotional whatever next.
0
18 May 2024 12:27:26
There's excited, and there's the press, I'm really not trying to do him down, he's a top bloke and Manager, it's just hugely over the top.
3
18 May 2024 12:49:44
Not for Liverpool fans they really love admire and respect him.
0
18 May 2024 13:39:58
He won the empty stadium EPL, should have won more leagues with this squad.
1
18 May 2024 13:55:57
He probably would’ve done if not for a unlimited cheque book manager with 115 charges over hanging their heads, wouldn’t he.
1
18 May 2024 14:17:20
I think the biggest a hievement was to restore an identity and ethos, something we seem to be lacking.
2
18 May 2024 15:28:01
He also got some excellent whitening work done on his nicotine stained teeth while at Liverpool. Vast improvement.
2
18 May 2024 18:27:09
Can’t wait to see the back of him. Thrush 😂.
0
17 May 2024 21:52:18
Neves of Benfica
103M barnacles
19yo
Provides a 10+yr solution to a position
Personally, this is the type we move heaven and earth for.
I wanted Bellingham, but seemingly he didn't want us, maybe Neves will have a different stance.
2
17 May 2024 23:06:14
Why buy one Rolls Royce when we need five Nissans?
No marquee signings for me, I don’t care if I’ve never even heard of them.
5
18 May 2024 02:51:12
We haven't done well with marquee signings recently, Pogba, Anthony, Martial, Maguire, Sancho, Lukaku, Di Maria.
However we are a club that thrives when we bring in hungry, young talent and let's them grow, Neves maybe in that bracket, but financial I don't see him as an option.
Remember we have a talented bunch of academy players like Wheatley, Biancheri, Amass, Jackson and Ogunneye. Add in Garnacho, Mainoo, Kambwala, Hojlund and it might be a good core to build around.
0
18 May 2024 03:29:26
It's called a plan Spenno.
Like. if we can make it work, and Neves is interested in the project, you buy him, end of story, he's class. Same applied to Bellingham, Haaland, etc etc there are players that Manchester United just used to get. We might not have the pull we once had in all its might, but we are still Manchester United and that is a big enough pull for aspiring young players.
So again, if it can work for all parties, it is a yes.
As an example, we are culling a lot, apparently. Assuming that's the case with midfield, I'd suggest even keeping McTom and buying Neves, as opposed to ditching McTom and buying 2 Nissan's. One more season of a fighter like McTom is better than a further 4 years with 2 Nissan's.
4
18 May 2024 09:49:23
Spenno
What usually happens when we start sniffing around the Nissans?
Yep, that's right, the salesmen see us coming and haggle us up.
It's going to take a few years, maybe a whole decade, before other clubs begin to accept that we're not going to allow clubs to pull our pants down, dragging us through seemingly endless negotiations to reach a point where we've agreed to pay 20%, 30%, 40%, 50% more for a player than he's actually worth.
The Nissans we need to be focusing on are players on frees like Adarabioyo, Ndidi, Iheanacho and Kamada, or players available at something of a discount because their contracts are expiring in 2025 like Jonathon David, Toney, Gallagher, Yoro, Chiesa, Khephren Thuram.
I mean, to start, at LB, Juan Miranda is available on a free. Terms have been agreed with Milan, but there's nothing concrete there so United could stick their foot in the door.
Sergi Cardona, another available on a free.
Then there are the more left field options like Caleb Wiley of US club Atlanta who is more of a LWB.
When you say Nissans, we still need to be picky, but we need to avoid time-consuming negotiations and be ruthless.
If there's a player with one year left on their contract, make an offer (one that's not a derisory fart from the Ed Woodward playbook) and stick with it. If the selling club wants to blag us, we simply walk away.
The strategy should be similar to any other business - you want to buy an asset but can't afford to be drawn into a haggle, market dictates the value, you make an offer, you receive a counter that's unacceptable, you say no and return staunchly with your original offer, they say no, you walk away.
The point is that, if we get the right Nissans quickly enough for decent value, then the Rolls Royce becomes a more sensible option.
Like Jimbobred says - that's 10yrs+ of our midfield engine room being covered by two incredible talents.
The weird bonus regarding Neves is that, although £103m is quite the outlay for one player in a summer transfer window that will witness the start of Sir Jim's revolution, it is a release clause so, if terms and agent boxes can be ticked off swiftly, there's a deal ready to be done in a timely fashion without the standard haggle.
If United spent £200m while we see six players come in - a sensible marquee signing at £103m, a couple of frees, and made three wise signings for little more than £30m each - that, for me, would be a good summer.
Obviously, if we were to opt for Branthwaite over the likes of Calafiori or Alip, then we influence our ability to make other signings.
For me it's simple - midfield is halfway there with Kobbie.
In one summer we can complete our midfield engine room with one signing - we need to appreciate that advantage.
We know defence will take 2 or 3 seasons to fix, but should that mean we pair Kobbie with players who aren't good enough?
No mate, I'm 100% with Jimbobred on this, Neves is absolutely what we need.
4
18 May 2024 10:52:33
Without a shadow of a doubt João Neves is one of the best young midfielders in the world and will likely become one of the top 3 or 4 players in his position in a few years time.
That said I'd probably not sign him this summer for two reasons.
The first is that I cannot see any professional football manager lining up a team to compete in the EPL with two 19 year old midfielders at the heart of their side.
It's an area of the pitch that needs to balance talent with experience. You need to have a player in there who has that experience to lean on, to know when to press, when to up the tempo, but also when to sit back and when to slow the game down.
I'd absolutely love a midfield with Mainoo and Neves as a couple of 24 year olds looking to boss world football for the next 5-6 years.
But for both of them to become world class midfielders by the age of 24 they need to play regularly for the next 5 years. I don't see that as being likely if they are both in the same team.
We have a super talented young midfielder, we need someone with a little more experience ready to step up and be the leader and take the strain for the next few years as Mainoo develops alongside them.
The second reason is that we probably need to change around 18-20 members of this squad before we are really ready to compete for top honours.
That's not really possible if we are signing 100m players. That money needs to be used to sign at least 2 or 3 players, maybe even 4 if we can find players with the right attributes and mentality that just need a platform to step up and prove themselves. A couple of those "hidden gems".
We are better off signing several players that next bracket down, but who still have a lot of potential who are all suited to playing the same style of play and who have the right mentality and drive to create a better all round team.
I think the biggest mistakes we have made in the transfer market over the past decade have been when we've signed big name players for massive fees thinking that one player will start to turn the club around or take us that next step. Be that Di Maria, Pogba, Lukaku, Sancho, Maguire or Antony.
Those 6 players were all signed for massive fees and all to be the player who'd transform the team or allow us to play a specific style. None of them managed it. Over 450m spent on those 6 players, which is probably 300m more than they were worth.
We are supposedly looking at Olise for his 55m buy out clause this summer to solve the RW position. This is the same player we looked at but ignored 3 years ago when we could have got him for 10-15m. The same player we would hope will solve the right wing issue that Sancho and Antony haven't been able to solve, despite costing over 150m combined.
I'm not against Olise as a player, I think he's a phenomenal talent and I wouldn't be upset if we signed him. I do have concerns about his injury record, but for the money you won't find a cheaper, more talented, EPL proven player. So I do wonder if there is a cheaper alternative out there that we could sign who has a high ceiling of talent but hasn't yet had the chance to prove it.
I suppose ultimately we do need to sign a blend of players this summer, some proven and more likely to be able to step straight in and hit the ground running, and some cheaper players who might take a little time to settle.
We shouldn't sign just big names for big fees, nor should we only try and unearth hidden gems. We need to do both and be selective over which positions/ players we take a chance on and which we go for a more proven option.
At CF for example we won't be able to sign a top proven star as they will cost a huge amount and really well are just looking at cover/ support for our 70m 21 year old Højlund. It doesn't make sense to spend a lot of money on a player for that role, so we can maybe take a chance on someone like Guirassy who has a cheap release clause, but whose scoring record probably won't translate from the Bundesliga to the EPL. Or someone whose a lesser known gem of a player like Kevin Denkey, someone whose got talent but is raw and needs a bit of developing. Both would be available for under 18m. Which is what we need to add depth at CF but not to eat up the budget.
Signing a player like Neves as our big money signing just doesn't make sense this summer. He's a cherry on top signing, we need the buy the flour, butter, eggs and sugar to bake the cake before we get the cherry on top.
Olise would make more sense as one of the bigger name/ price signings as he plays in a position of need, is EPL proven and is available for a relative bargain in the current market. He's less of a gamble, would be half the cost of Neves, while he is more likely to make an immediate impact in the side.
We need to be smart with our signings this summer more so than ever before. This is the start of a new Manchester United squad, and we need to lay the best foundations to build on over the coming years.
Neves is a phenomenal talent, but he is the wrong type of signing for where we are right now.
2
18 May 2024 11:07:20
For the left side i'd put Martinez there, he s intelligent enough to take on the role if he can stay fit - between him and injury prone Shaw they should be able to cover it between them over 50 -55 games - Shaw has no re sale value, Malacia never impressed me in what little we saw of him.
I would go all out for 2 central defenders, i know in some peoples opinion Martinez has done well at CH -he has been good - and his height hasn't been a problem but I still say 2 big fast CHS not injury prone who can form a partnership week in week out would be huge for us, something we haven't had in a long time.
2
18 May 2024 11:25:46
Yes Shappy.
You’ve said much more eloquently what I initially suggested - we need a selection of players from the next bracket down.
We can add the icing further down the line.
0
18 May 2024 11:44:55
Shappy
Enter. Adrien Rabiot on a free.
Now let's wait for all the talk about how much of a problem he is.
Imagine a midfield trio of Neves, Rabiot and Mainoo - who's outworking that?
1
18 May 2024 12:03:37
You won't win anything with kids.
2
18 May 2024 12:57:03
Ndidi on a free in a summer would be an excellent squad player.
1
18 May 2024 12:58:58
Thank you Mr Tumble!
0
18 May 2024 13:58:51
Ork, why would a player coming toward the end of his peak years, currently playing for a Champions League bound side, sign for a mid table English team?
If he decides to leave Juve, he’ll have offers from clubs with a much better chance of winning bigger trophies. The only reason he’d possibly pick us over them is money. That’s the same mistake the club have been making for the last decade. Bringing in players that value money over winning has created the culture of mediocrity in the dressing room.
1
18 May 2024 14:16:16
Danny
You're right, he probably wouldn't come for anything other than vast sums, but he has to be on the radar.
I haven't said he's the best option - that would be Ndidi, I simply talked him up as the experienced, hard-working option he is.
0
18 May 2024 15:17:34
I agree that he’s a good player, but I’d be concerned if he wanted to come here. Similar situation to Varane and Casemiro.
0
18 May 2024 19:56:43
I'm clearly in a different time zone to most of you as I've woken. To all these.
Anyway, in summary, Shappy disagree with the age issue. As Tumblr said, we won't win anything with kids.
Also with the masses, I would say signing Neves, Rabiot AND Ndidi ticks all the boxes. That's 2 Nissan's and a Bugatti for 103m.
0
18 May 2024 21:13:49
That’s more like it Jimbo, I feel a plan is having the younger ‘lesser’ arrivals with a few experienced heads to consolidate. I see us grabbing a few freebies if we get a move on.
0
17 May 2024 12:35:26
I know we need some experienced players and leaders but I really don't want players in their late 20s close to 30 years old. Would much prefer to do what Madrid and Arsenal are doing which is to buy younger players who can be moulded and play at the high tempo required for the Premier league for several seasons.
8
17 May 2024 20:05:14
I agree, but. There would be a few exceptions where, if available, and within the wage structure, you'd move for certain players for certain positions, surely?
2
18 May 2024 11:05:19
It's all about balance, which of course is hard to find in the polarised world of extremes found on the internet.
We need a blend of young players to be the core of the new squad we are building, along with players in their peak years who can carry the team, and a few older heads to add experience, to guide the younger players and to pass on that experience.
In terms of transfers we should be looking at spending the bigger fees on younger players who will soon be entering their peak years. We have some great players under the age of 21, but we don't have any between the ages of 22-25 who are starting to hit their peak years and match the talent with consistency. That's the players we need to sign most. Then maybe a couple of young talented players in a couple of positions if we cannot bring in those players who are starting to become consistent.
We should then look at the free transfer market or some cheaper older players with experience who are mod professionals, who can add experience and guide the younger players.
People remember the "you can't win titles with kids" and what happened afterwards and think we can rely just on youngsters. But they forget that United side had it's fair share of experienced players sprinkled throughout it to help guide those youngsters.
We could look at someone like Welbeck for example. A free transfer who knows the club, knows what the club looked like when we were successful, and could come in and guide the likes of Højlund while still offering an option on the field.
Much like how Evans has been a success this season. Welbeck is a three years younger than Evans so might even be able to stick around for a couple of seasons.
Lots of people have stuck their noses up at this suggestion but answer this honestly, when Højlund has been out injured this season would you have rather seen Rashford or Welbeck start at CF?
We do need that experience in the squad, even if they aren't starting every week.
1
18 May 2024 12:27:46
Agree that we need a core of young hungry players but there always has to be a group of older heads in there to steady things and pass on the experience and know-how. Much has been made of Rasmus not having someone to look up to, you could argue that the likes of Cas and Varane have been vital.
1
17 May 2024 05:44:19
I was with a client of ours, who are a big french hospitality group. He saw some united stuff in my office and we completely diverged into football. He is a big PSG fan and very close to a gazillion french players and showed me all these private video messages, including showing messages of mpabbe wishing his son a happy birthday.
He is also good friends with blanc and he believes we got the best guy in the business and we will be back to our best. Leaves you feeling very positive going forward even if there are bumps along the way.
5
17 May 2024 08:18:45
Not so private videos then?
9
17 May 2024 09:11:35
For every Blanc there are a hundred others that would say we are doomed.
If I look hard enough I could find someone who says it never rains in Manchester.
C’mon Ahmad. You are better than to believe what Blanc says is gospel.
2
17 May 2024 09:37:15
Keefy,
I think it’s his friend that says Blanc is the best guy in the business not Blanc bigging himself up, good post Ahmad, nice to see some positivity and I tend to agree, having the best people in the top jobs can only be a good thing.
6
17 May 2024 11:42:47
Hearsay and no credibility other than he said she said. Coming from a person willing to share “private videos” it does hold much credence.
3
17 May 2024 17:58:15
Keefy, if you have no interest in hearsay they why are you on a "rumours" page?
6
17 May 2024 18:48:23
Not sure what you are arguing with here Keefy? Someone says Blanc is the best in the business?
I think he is very well respected for what he did with Juventus. I'm also not sure what we got, by that I mean that Blanc is working for Ineos in an advisory position, and is not our director of football. So this is a nothing comment really. How much influence is Blanc having at the club level? Not sure we know.
4
17 May 2024 19:13:08
A rumour and banter on a rumours and banter page, whatever next.
4
17 May 2024 21:25:43
I would much rather be hearing things that United have got good people giving advice to the new owners than what's gone on the last decade or so.
3
17 May 2024 23:36:14
Whatever.
1
17 May 2024 23:49:18
I’m not arguing with anything at all Dodgy. And I am in no way belittling Blanc as a person or indeed expert. I just find it funny that people are wiling to cling on to anything positive when it suits them but ridicule others when they say they have heard something and they don’t agree.
2
18 May 2024 08:02:45
Everybody is the best in the business, and then they rock up at United.
Never underestimated the size of the job.
1
18 May 2024 11:09:59
True Grim, yet I'd say rebuilding Juventus from Serie B to becoming the top side in Italy for the next decade was a pretty massive job. While turning PSG into a legitimate top side was also a sizeable task (even with the funds they have available) .
So I think he is well suited to be stand in CEO for United until Berrada can start. Plus his experience and expertise can be well used as a consultant.
2
18 May 2024 12:52:01
Who said he was stand in ceo? I'm not sure I understand the term even.
0
18 May 2024 15:35:32
Ken, When Arnold left Patrick Stewart stepped in as interim CEO until Berrada can start some time in June when his gardening leave finishes.
However, since then (about 2 weeks ago or so) Stewart left the club with immediate effect, at that time it was announced that Jean-Claude Blanc would act as CEO until Berrada could start his role in June.
Which is where we are at now.
0
16 May 2024 22:45:18
Shaw injured again. time to cut the cord and get a reliable lb moving forward.
9
17 May 2024 04:50:49
I see Davies of Bayern is perhaps not the flavour for Real Madrid.
Contract up next year.
Just maybe.
Bundle him up with Kimmich, contract also up next year.
That's the LB and RB solved in once purchase.
1
17 May 2024 08:37:58
Any obtainable players who are equally effective at both LB/ RB?
0
17 May 2024 09:16:11
Davies will end up at RM. I'd love him at Utd but I can't see it ever happening.
2
17 May 2024 09:53:57
More chance of seeing Steve davis playing for united. Snooker loopy.
Kimmich on 400k pw is 28 and has not played rb for 5 years i'd steer well clear. Super player in midfield but I think the costs at his age are prohibitive imo.
4
17 May 2024 10:54:42
It's becoming a joke now, he is a complete waste of time.
Get shut, get some money in for him and replace him.
Yes he's a decent player when he's fit, the problem is that he is never fit.
3
17 May 2024 12:04:34
Pretty sure Bayern want £60-80m for Kimmich and he’s on 400k/ week. Davies will head to Real i'm sure, they’ve been chasing him for a while now.
2
17 May 2024 12:33:05
Kimmich was very uncomfortable at right back for Bayern in the champions league. Def better in midfield.
0
17 May 2024 12:36:45
No more players on 300k plus per week. Build a squad who are hungry and can develop together. don't want to see these types of signings where someone near the end of their careers want one last pay day at the too level on the way to usa or saudi.
3
17 May 2024 13:06:07
Frimpong at RB would be awesome. Young, energetic and a breath of fresh air. Not sure if players are going to forego CL to come to Utd but if they want to come to the Prem then who knows.
0
17 May 2024 14:07:29
I read that Real were cooling interest in Davies, might be tosh.
Yes see you point on Kimmich for RB, Frimpong a much better shout.
0
{Ed002's Note - Real Madrid would like him to run down his contract and take him next year. Bayern Munich want a new contract - if that doesno't happen they will speak to anoth interested side.}
2
17 May 2024 20:08:33
Thanks Ed for clarification. So wasn't too far off the mark, as he might be available, albeit as a potential stop gap before a move to RM. If course United need to have an interest in him, if he becomes available.
0
{Ed002's Note - Nothing to do with Manchester United}
3
18 May 2024 08:05:06
Must be nice to be RM, being able to tell players to run down their contracts so they don't have to pay for them.
1
18 May 2024 11:29:09
For me LB is the most difficult position to get right this summer.
When fit Shaw is more than good enough to be first choice and is amongst the best LB's in the league.
Yet he's only fit half the time and at 28 that isn't likely to improve.
On the face of it we need to sign a top LB who can challenge and maybe even push Shaw out of the team fit or not. Personally I really like Rayan Aït-Nouri.
But with Malacia still in the squad (albeit injured for the past 12 months) and with the super talented Harry Amass maybe not that far away from fighting for a place in the squad. It seems potentially foolish to spend a large chunk of our summer budget for a player in a a position where we could end up with three fit and able LB's plus a youth player pushing for starts next season.
Likewise, not addressing the position would be reckless given what has happened this season. We could be left with no LB's at all for a large part of next season.
Ideally we need to move on one of Malacia or Shaw and sign a suitable replacement. That way we have one injury prone LB and one who'll likely be fit, along with a kid pushing for a place in the squad. Yet the reality is that we absolutely will not find a buyer for either Shaw or Malacia this summer. No one will take on Shaw's wages, especially given his injury record. Likewise I can't see anyone signing Malacia without him kicking a ball in 12 months.
Which leaves us in this really tricky position where we both need a new LB but at the same time its not a priority and we can't afford to spend much on this position.
Maybe the solution could be sending Malacia on loan somewhere to get regular game time and rebuild his fitness and match sharpness, while we sign a player on loan to compete with Shaw.
Obviously that will raise a few eyebrows on here given Reguilon's time here this season.
It would need to be the right kind of LB signing, maybe a top player who hasn't fitted at a club or someone whose still a great player but their club are looking to move on.
If Real Madrid sign Alphonso Davies for example then maybe we could get Ferland Mendy on loan with either an option or obligation to buy. Real Madrid would have Davies as first choice, recently signed Fran Garcia as a young back up and have Alaba who can play there in a pinch.
Meaning they will probably look to offload Mendy, ideally I'd imagine they'll want a fee and a permanent move. Yet if no one is prepared to pay an acceptable fee then maybe a loan with an obligation to buy might work for them.
While for us it'd give us a top class LB without having to spend on them. It also gives us a year to assess Shaw and Malacia and maybe find a buyer for them if they can get fit and play regularly.
It's not the ideal solution, but it might be the best solution available given the circumstances.
If not Mendy then maybe someone else at a similar level.
1
18 May 2024 20:07:45
Shaw
Williams
Amass
Malacia
Martinez
Dalot
Any more in the squad that can play LB?
I'm not so sure it is that critical to buy a new one, perhaps we just need to dangle the carrot in front of the 3 youngsters and see who comes out on top.
Save LB for next season when the likes of Nuno Mendes of PSG or Ratan Ait-Nouri of Wolves will have a year left on their contracts.
By that point we may not need a LB, as Malacia might be fit again and say Amass is a year older, although I wouldn't let age be a factor.
0
16 May 2024 21:05:53
So, season stats, Antony 1 goal and 1 assist.
Amad, 1 game, 1 goal 1 assist.
Really hope Amad starts cup final, something different and more of an unknown quantity for city.
5
16 May 2024 23:39:00
I hope he starts the final, but am keeping grounded and not getting too carried away. He's a great talent, but we also thought Tuanzebe was the next Bobby Moore after one game against PSG.
1
16 May 2024 23:43:42
Neither will start.
0
17 May 2024 04:13:44
don't care who starts and just want us to win. going to the game and very excited to be there.
3
17 May 2024 04:37:17
Enjoy Ahmad! Just want to see a good fight, we give them a game and pull out a win against the odds. If we stick together as a squad and trust each other and work hard for each other we can win.
1
17 May 2024 09:13:18
Enjoy Ahmad. I’m back in Oz or would be there.
0
17 May 2024 09:21:37
Why wouldn't he start? On current form - ie one game - he's probably more effective than Antony or Garnacho.
I would say much could depend on Rashford's fitness on the day how we line-up.
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18 May 2024 11:40:03
Garnacho needs a rest against Brighton tomorrow, he's clearly running out of steam, which is understandable for a youngster who in only his second season has started close to 40 consecutive games. That's too much, but is unfortunately reflective of where this squad is.
He's at an age and in that stage of development where ideally he needs a run of 5-10 games starting then a 3-5 games starting on the bench. Let his body recover and give him space to reflect and learn.
Amad should 100% start the final, as he should also start against Brighton. If Rashford is fit it should be Rashford and Amad starting against Brighton, if Rashford isn't fit then Antony should start in his place.
Those three need the minutes in their legs and should be the ones fighting for the other starting wide position in the final alongside Garnacho on the other flank.
Also I've been impressed with Amrabat in the last couple of games. He's shown more fight and ability. He works well with Mainoo in the middle. Not perfect but those odd errors can probably be chalked down to rustiness. If he'd played all season like this then I'd be tempted to pay the 20m to make his loan a permanent deal. Certainly there is something to be said for better the devil you know. 20m for a squad player who knows can do the job even if he's probably not going to be good enough to really push for a first team place. Rather than a 20-30m signing who is a gamble. Unfortunately for Amrabat it might be too little too late. Yet a man of the match performance in the FA cup final leading to silverware this season might change public opinion and see a clamour to sign him.
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