Manchester United banter 3

07 Oct 2025 09:54:30
Possibly not a popular thing to say on here but Haaland is awesome this season so far. I love watching him.

07 Oct 2025 10:39:14
Ban Joe! ?.

07 Oct 2025 12:11:02
Don't see why it would be unpopular to say mate. Great point he is awesome. I played as a cf so I enjoy him and my fav united cfs are mark Hughes and rvn but this guy is streets ahead.

07 Oct 2025 13:30:01
Hojlund and Rashford are also having good starts to the season, u can watch them :P.

07 Oct 2025 13:59:33
He’s a goal scoring machine. In some ways he feels like a throwback to traditional strikers because he can bully defenders, but he combines that with athleticism. I think it’s telling that Pep has adjusted City’s style of play to play to Haaland’s strengths.

07 Oct 2025 15:26:20
He is so strong and accurate especially 1v1 with the keeper.
He often looks a bit awkward but his footwork is great.
Your right Danny he often cut a frustrated figure with very few touches games but the style more suits him better and he has matured into a real leader for his team.
But he is so good that he could play in any team in any style and still get his goals.
Needs a haircut though?.

07 Oct 2025 15:34:55
That’s where his power comes from Ken.

07 Oct 2025 17:34:44
I've no hope then Danny?.

08 Oct 2025 23:48:07
Woodward fumbled Haaland so badly.
Ole wanted him when at Molde and Salzburg.

Haaland, Bellingham, Rice - Ole had the eye for a player. Woodward unfortunately not.

06 Oct 2025 20:07:22
There is 1 negative which is on the horizon but from what I interpreted it is also the here and now.
Mainoo.
The body language between him and amorim was very negative from mainoo.
The only way to keep the noise down is by winning games. If we are winning when he is not picked then a lot less will be said. But every time we don't win that will be the big debate.
He could make the England squad if playing weekly so its a big year for him perhaps a loan for 6 months will materialise for him if we can get the right player in.
If he does great and has a good wc then his value will increase and if bruno moves on he can slot right in or move on himself but at more favourable terms .
Either way if he is unhappy then its best I think to find a short term solution and show Weare willing to help him realise his dreams even though he is not 1st choice here at the moment.
If ra does well enough to stay on and mainoo is not his type of player then a sale in the summer has to happen imo.

06 Oct 2025 21:58:33
He would never be able to dislodge tuchels love child henderson in the squad.
Wharton can't get in and with exception of rice he's better than all the others mainoo has no hope.

07 Oct 2025 06:35:40
On a separate note, we have had an Academy player in every squad for the last 80 years, at the weekend, that was Mainoo.

Call me sentimental, but if that record breaks this year, I wil get gutted.

07 Oct 2025 08:29:48
I wouldn't give a toss if we win the game. Lad of sentimental crap imo. I doubt the record will fall a they will stick some kid in squad to uphold it. Which is a farce its happened plenty of times over the years.

07 Oct 2025 08:42:41
Just the one negative on the horizon Ken?

Send me over some of that happy juice you’re drinking ?.

07 Oct 2025 08:56:38
Eric I didn't say there was only 1 ut i see loads more positives than negatives within the business at the moment.

07 Oct 2025 08:59:16
I love the stat of having an acadamy playing in the squad for 80 years, at the moment and over periods during that time it is a
false impression with the acadamy players not really contributing.

I would be surprised if Amorim, who feels fully aware of the club history, would allow that record to break under his tenure. We regularly have youth players stepping up into the first team squad and I would expect that to continue if Mainoo was to be injured or go on loan.

Under Amorim we have seem Tyler Fredriksom, last year Chido Obi, Harry Amass. I think he wants to get players around the first team but feels like we are not in a position to experiment.

07 Oct 2025 09:34:22
Brad. If they are incudes on merit then fair enough but its like sales people padding their numbers. If we have better options then we have to use the better options.
Keeping the record alive by putting a kid on the beech with no intention of using him is daft its happened loads of times and renders the record useless to my mind.

07 Oct 2025 11:42:11
It's part of our identity amd history, of course it's important, particularly for people from Manchester. That's not a dig, but after 80 (almost 90) years, yes, we need to ensure we always have at least 1 Academy player in every match day squad. Jeez, squads are massive now, and this is a hill I eill die on.

07 Oct 2025 12:14:02
I get sentiment and it would be great to keep the record up if a place is merited by one of the graduates. But sticking a kid in with no hope of playing instead of a better player who may be needed is daft imo.

07 Oct 2025 12:24:07
That kid who is put on the bench to keep the record won't give 2 hoots that they are on it for the record, they will be buzzing that they have had the opportunity to be a part of the senior 1st team squad and want to have many more moments with them. And they would have certainly earnt that opportunity to be the player selected to be a part of the squad.

You take that away and the Academy players will not see a pathway to the senior side, you become a club where the best talent choose not to come here because there is no pathway for them. Heaven left Arsenal for 1st team opportunities. 'The opportunities that the young players have got here in the past, '

For all the criticism the club are getting, they shouldn't throw away the 1 positive and proud achievement they still have.

07 Oct 2025 12:48:13
If you think that's the only proud record and achievement that we have then we support different clubs.
Id say they came for money. Only 3 clubs in the epl have less academy graduates in their squad than United. So they might have a better chance in the other 16 of breaking through if that was their motivation for moving. In fact arsenal have more than us in their squad.
We can claim obi even though we bought him so he might prop up the record for a while.
We have more academy graduates from united in other clubs squads than we have in or own.
Nothing wrong with that at all. But it proves as a young player your likely to get more gametime elswehere.

07 Oct 2025 13:54:24
I'll entertain you Ken as I have a quiet day. What currently do we have that gives us bragging rights over every other club? Managers under constant scrutiny, owners are under constant scrutiny, team is under constant scrutiny, we are not currently league champions or cup holders? We have a really proud history we can look back at and be proud of but currently, the clubs image from an outside perspective is not a positive one.

We do have however, have a really proud record currently that no one can take away from us which we should be very keen to maintain.

Regarding young players coming to us for money, Heaven said it was for chances you players have had in the past, that's a quote from him. So you think we need to listen to players who know better than us unless they say something you don't thinks true? Gotcha.

07 Oct 2025 14:05:27
I think with Manioo it’s a question of the player he needs to become to get back into the starting 11. For me, he’s a young lad with a lot of pieces to his game that don’t fully fit together into a unified whole. Like, he’s good at lots of things, but needs to focus on being great at a few things.

The issue is that Amorim has decided that he’s in competition with Bruno, and that makes it very difficult for Manioo. I would love to see him focusing on becoming a top quality holding player. Neither Cas or Ugarte have proven themselves fit for that role. If Manioo can work hard on breaking up play, and developing his positional awareness, there should be nothing stopping him making that position his.

07 Oct 2025 14:58:40
If you think that gives us bragging rights i think your mad. i'm not sure anybody outside our club is even remotely interested or envious.
I think 1st team to win European cup
No other club has more league wins
Stadia with biggest capacity
Most supporters worldwide etc are all more significant and relevant talking points.
To be honest imo that's all a load of boloxollogy too as imo really its only the current season that matters what's gone before is yesterday's news.
All those imo significantly more rewarding and important.
Re heaven I've yet to see any player admit they signed for the money at united and I would not expect any player to.
Perhaps you should listen to the players re vvd but of course they are only his Dutch mates. ?? so listen when you want stick your fingers in your ears when you don't want to.
The club image will not be tarnished one bit if we selected the likes of zirzee instead of obi for the last spot on a bench.
Imo your talking complete nonsense.
If that record goes it won't effect share price league position cost us a goal etc.
If you were really trying to convince an academy kid to come you can say in 999 of 1000 matches we have had a graduate in the squad. If said player won't come because its not in all matches then he will have nowhere to go.
Mountain out of molehill but gives you another reason to moan.

07 Oct 2025 15:04:12
Danny mainoo has said he doesn't want to play as a 6. So if he doesn't want to and the manager doesn't want him to then what's the point.
I like mainoo I would have him play before bruno in that position but RA picks the team.
Id have rather cunha before mount on sat but the manager knows better than me.
Mainoo has not convinced RA. That's not my fault or yours its down to the player and the manager.
If he want from the academy he would have little support for his plight.
Sometimes your face just doesn't fit and it looks to me like mainoo would rather be elsewhere.

07 Oct 2025 15:41:26
For me, a player should want to play, whatever the position.

John O’Shea didn’t see himself as a left back, but took his opportunity there when he got the chance. The reality he’s facing is that Amorim has decided that Bruno is a central midfielder. He’s the captain and is never injured. That means Manioo won’t get a lot of opportunities, for better or worse.

The other midfield role is completely up for grabs. Cas doesn’t have the legs to do it, and Ugarte looks poor. A young player like Manioo should see this as an opportunity. He has the attributes to play in a deeper role, and the only thing stopping him is his desire to play there.

I’d just prefer young players to do everything to get into the starting 11, rather than look for a transfer if they don’t get exactly what they want.

07 Oct 2025 16:27:31
I'm surprised RA hasn't tried Bruno in front of a midfield 2 and in a 10 behind say Sesko and Mbeumo. you'd 3 more naturally in midfield with say Mainoo and Casemiro/ Ugarte and still get width from Dorgu and Diallo/ Dalot. Just think it gives more balance. Bruno can lurk around the penalty area/ arrive late more often.

07 Oct 2025 17:41:04
Supa we all have our preferences but he has his way.
We have seen a few slight tweaks in some of the games. Nothing too drastic so it will be interesting to see how he stiffens up the midfield for Liverpool. Salah due a good game i'm weary of him and that side defensively but see that side also as a weak link for them defensively too. Should be a good game.

07 Oct 2025 17:53:30
Im with you there Danny. Especially a young lad with everything to prove and the world at his feet. The thick sulky head on him coming on not looking at his manager when taking instructions was not nice to see imo.
Im a big fan he seems like a good lad but is not happy with not playing. I'm sure he feels hard done by and thinks he can contribute more than he's being allowed to. I hope everybody can sit down and find the best solution whatever that may be. i'd hate to see it turn into another garnacho situation.
Being there and not playing is imo and will continue to create negative noise.

07 Oct 2025 21:21:52
Every record is eventually broken

I was absolutely gutted when we lost our european home record to Fenerbache but we moved on.

08 Oct 2025 23:52:45
Mainoo is coming off as petty and lacking in grit imo. Good player but can’t do it in 2 man midfield.

The record - even if it’s a kid who isn’t ready being on the bench, they should be on the bench.

The record isn’t about the individual but about what the club stands for. It’s easy to say let it go if they’re not good enough but the message is so important to prospective players. We give youth a chance.

06 Oct 2025 19:54:19
7 games is not a big enough sample but versus last year at the same time so after 7 games
Liverpool Chelsea city arsenal Fulham West ham Newcastle forest Brentford and Brighton all have less points year on year.
Ourselves spurs palace and Everton have improved.
This is the 1st time since God knows when that we have been as close as we are 6 points from the leaders.
7 games as I said is a short comparison so I'll post the same comparison after 12 19 and 30 to try and track the one thing all of us unanimously agreed on and that was to see improvement season on season. This time lat year we were 10 points behind so have reduced that deficit by 40%.
The halfway point in the season will be a fairer and more accurate comparison as we will have played everybody as will all others.
But for the time being let's not pretend we are worse under amorim than we were under eth last season in fact we are better in nearly every single metric in attacking play.
So the fact is we are making progress.
Its miles from perfect and a long way from consistently good but we are moving in a positive direction.
If we can hang on to the coat tails and be within 4 or 5 points of the top 4 when the window opens i hope we can get at least of of our targets in Jan.
Im not all sunshine and roses and I still think we are capable of losing 3 on the bounce or drawing from winning positions but i'm hopeful.
We have looked very vulnerable at times so we do need to take our chances and let's hope lammens turns out to be solid. Anfield will be a baptism of fire for his 1st away game.

07 Oct 2025 06:59:43
Seriously Tumbleweed. You’re using metrics and logic over raw emotion! Whatever next. Surely choice of ‘formation’ is far more important than evidence of progress.

As Alan Hansen once famously said: You never win anything with 3-4-3.

07 Oct 2025 07:47:09
Love the optimism ken.

08 Oct 2025 23:54:04
Grasping but if we can but a sustained run of good performances I could be convinced.

06 Oct 2025 19:21:08
Hey ed033 - just for some fun can we get a poll going?

Will Ruben Amorim's Manchester United managerial reign outlast Maze's latest Username?

{Ed033's Note -


Amorim - Maze poll

06 Oct 2025 21:39:50
Interesting to see 5 NO's. Does that mean there are 5 usernames?

08 Oct 2025 09:19:39
It did, for all those who voted yes, looks like he’s back with another.

09 Oct 2025 00:01:19
Why do guys dig out Maze or German or whoever goes against top red narratives?

I respect their contrary views, it gives me something to think about and people engage with their perspective. I don’t have to agree with them, yes it can be troll like but it’s the internet, I expect nothing else.

People talk all kinds of rubbish, myself included and it makes the page better for it. Honestly it comes across petty and people can’t take an alternative perspective.

06 Oct 2025 16:43:03
I read a very interesting stat the other day that only 3 players in the epl have both 10 or more league goals and 5 or more assists this calendar year.
Salah mbeumo and haaland.
To be honest i thought there would be more than 3 to have that achievement.
I thought Cole palmer bruno or saka would have at least that.
Seems like 3 people is very few.

06 Oct 2025 14:29:41
Another great strike by Rashford over the weekend. At this rate Barcelona will be snapping our hands off to complete the transfer. Same with Hojlund at Napoli. So maybe this summer we pick up £60m or thereabouts. plus Casemiro's salary and amortization goes away, as does the final year of Sancho's amortization. I can see us parting ways with a few others as well, all of which should make room for at least one midfield engine whether or not Bruno finally moves on.

The club is desperately trying not to act in a knee-jerk manner as the previous administration did repeatedly in response to fan and press pressure, rather than take the necessary actions to fix the problems on the field. As much as RA draws fire for his disastrous start as United's coach I can see why the new regime is trying to be patient. They know where the problems lie but they could not all be fixed in one summer.

06 Oct 2025 15:08:39
Plus Shaw and Maguire as long as the club is not foolish enough to extend their contracts.

06 Oct 2025 15:12:19
It’s the problem with him being so stubborn and not adapting that’s the problem, at least he made subtle adjustments against Sunderland but one does wonder if pressure from above was put upon him, like the rumours stated were.

Let’s hope the penny finally drops with him that changes are needed to win matches in epl, you can’t only have one fixed idea and never deviate.

He still won’t last because not sure he got mentality or experience to do the job

Ineos at end of day will have to admit they got it wrong and in fact Ashworth was totally correct.

06 Oct 2025 15:17:31
Shaw has a couple of years left. At least he is trying. Square pegs in a round hole for sure but there is at least decent effort.
Id like him to be shown the door but I suspect he will see out his contract. He might be reluctant to stay if his mates maguire and bruno leave. But you just never know with him. Maybe Southampton go up and he sees out his epl days back where it all began but they won't afford his wages in all probability.

06 Oct 2025 17:44:49
Rashford scored but Barcelona got battered.

06 Oct 2025 17:46:32
Would it not be good to have Hojlund back to compete with Sesko esp if we make it to Europe or has that ship sailed?

06 Oct 2025 18:04:16
Lots of good work being done all over the club. That will find its way to the pitch sooner rather than later.
#bigpicture.
#rightleadertimeforcoolheads.

06 Oct 2025 19:51:39
Amen Ken.

06 Oct 2025 21:42:03
Mbd we have Obi coming through amongst others. Rasmus has sailed, etc him flourish I a league that is befitting of his ability.

07 Oct 2025 09:33:53
We need all of our loans to be performing so that we are able to maximise the sale values, or be able to sell. Rashford does not fit the system Amorim plays so unless a manager change is made that is a non starter coming back, plus with his Salary he does not fit with the future model of the club. £35m
Sancho, I assume we have not extended him for 12 months so he will be walking away on a free but we are at least rid of his salary/ attitude.
Hojlund, seems to be done with Amorim so again unless manager change he will move on. Hope he does well as seems a good person who wants to succeed. £35m
Casemiro and Maguire we will let them go on a free. Good pro's but salary not justified by output.
Shaw and Martinez, whilst both are still under contract I wonder if there are deals to be done in the summer that suits all parties. Even if we look to take less in a fee it could be best in the long run.

07 Oct 2025 10:04:54
Ideally as bruno amd dalot to that list at the end Brad from my perspective.

06 Oct 2025 12:58:52
Interesting point below about Amorim and what he is doing right warranting our patience. Also a lot of praise for our new keeper and rightfully so. Makes me wonder why RA waited until GW7 to play him?
Another thing I wonder is what is the opinion of posters here on Bruno being played in a deeper role which imo is out of position.
Final question is what are your thoughts of Mainoo and RA's handling of such a prospect?

06 Oct 2025 13:23:00
Ra picks the team. What do we know? He is the manager and should do what he thinks is right.
We all have our preferences but don't know any better than him. In fact we all know a lot less so if today's his choice then that's the way it is.
You can ask 100 people and get 100 different answers the only person that matters is the man that picks the team.

06 Oct 2025 13:53:44
Lammens was never going to start say away to Manchester City (incase he made an error in hist 1st game) and could'nt just drop Bayındır immediately as RA needs to establish spirit and harmony in the squad (and what message would that send out)? .
Starting Lammens at home once Bayındır maybe has given RA a reason was always going to be the best option.

06 Oct 2025 14:15:15
I think there’s a speculative but reasonable explanation for his delayed introduction: it was about protecting him until the right moment and opponent came along. Since signing, he’s only missed three matches — against Manchester City, Chelsea, and Brentford.

He’s a young keeper coming from a league that’s a world apart from the Premier League in terms of intensity and scrutiny. I don't think a baptism of fire against City or Chelsea would have been appropriate, especially considering how unforgiving the British media and fanbase can be.

RA made the right call. Let him train, settle, and build confidence behind the scenes. This recent game was a smart opportunity to ease him in — and it’ll give him a big boost heading into Liverpool after the break.

06 Oct 2025 14:41:52
Ken I agree he picks the teams and he has not been very successful with his picks has he? This season i think we have had a match and a half of good performances, Arsenal and 1st half against sunderland. That out of seven isn't good unless I am being too critical and someone may have seen things differently?

Supasub, I guess you are right about City, but I assume (may be wrong) that it was a clear message that Lammens is being brought to be a starter, so City granted, then chelsea, perhaps for same reason, then why not Brentford?

I may be nitpicking and being overly critical by finding issues where there are none but you know what they say about us the paranoid people, we are only paranoid until we are right lol.

06 Oct 2025 15:28:16
Mbd its fine margins.
Im not sure what you were expecting.
We have won 25% more points than this same point last year. Scored more goals and moved up 5 places. So while it could be better he is doing better than his predecessor.
Changes the size of the ones our club is going through take time.
Cool your jets and let's look again in Jan.
Can you tell me the last time united were within 6 points of league leaders after 7 games of the season. I've not checked but i'd say maybe once or twice in the last 12 years.
Try shut your eyes and ears to the noise and let people much more in the know than fan try and pick their way through a difficult time.

06 Oct 2025 16:40:44
I want amorim to get the results to get home to January and hopefully the board buys him a wingback and a midfielder and I think we will be far better off.
Casemiro like it or not is still our best midfield option but only for about 45 mins.
Mainoo and ugarte are no where close in that position no matter what any fan wants to believe.

06 Oct 2025 16:57:13
I tend to agree john and have the same hope.

06 Oct 2025 17:54:54
I like you post above Ken, I'll sit back and try to enjoy the ride for now. Let's see what the future holds.

06 Oct 2025 19:22:51
Cheers mbd. Trying to find positives not easy at times but I'm making the prices ai believe we have a very good leader. Albeit learning on the job and his inexperience exposes him at times but if you think you have the right man you stand by that man. I've seen nothing to suggest a change is right at this time.
If points are not a good bit better by the end of the season v last year then its time to revaluate. But not before imo.

06 Oct 2025 20:06:14
I think Red man may have been right, talks were had and pressure was put on him from above to make some changes and to save face just a couple of little ones were made by RA, but resulted in him winning, so now it’s interesting!

06 Oct 2025 09:22:27
Best moment of the match on Saturday for me was when Lammens went up to catch a cross. He got a cheer as load as for a goal.
When you consider that for 2 1/ 2 seasons now we have had virtually no goal keeper.
Too early to say if he is the answer but he has fit to be better than the last couple.
He will have a much tougher day at andield.
2 clean sheets on his 1st 2 games would be some start?.

06 Oct 2025 09:50:09
I agree Ken, and I also think we will see more composed defending by the defence knowing they have a GK behind them they can trust. I also liked the fact that he didn't mess about trying to play out from the back, he laced it when needed. Whether this was a deliberate tactic for Sesko to get flick ons I don't know but again it just removed unnecessary pressure on the defence. I'm gutted there's an international break now with Liverpool being out of sorts.

06 Oct 2025 10:51:47
Not only that Ken, but he was a lot more vocal than the other 2. Organising defenders and shouting instructions. Had one head loss when he came out and missed the ball but other than that he look composed. Bigger tests ahead but positive start.

06 Oct 2025 10:52:28
Bayindir or Onana could be called Dracula the amount they are scared of crosses.

Its nice to have a keeper that can come and claim one without either getting bullied or clattering into the player and conceding a penalty. Who knew watching someone do the basics right could be so exciting.

06 Oct 2025 11:05:27
Agree Ken, all basic stuff that we should not be worried about in a goalkeeper but we have had to worry about for the past few years.
Hopefully it contiunes and it will breed confidence for the defence which will help them improve.

06 Oct 2025 13:38:27
Lammens looked really composed and assured. Pretty great for a 22 year old making his debut for the world's biggest football club.

Yoro 19, Heaven 19, De Ligt 26. These 4 could be a settled back unit for many years to come.

I do think in time Yoro might move to the centre of the three and de Ligt to the right.

Also good to see Utd now have a striker who can score. Two in two games.

06 Oct 2025 14:18:04
MancMan, I really like Sesko, and I'm really glad we signed him. He clearly has all the attributes, and I reckon he will become a seriously good centre forward. But it is very early days. He has scored 2 in 2 games, but he also has 2 in 8 games. In his first season at United, once he got off the mark, Hojlund scored 6 in 6 games in the league. Interestingly, Hojlund now has 4 in 6 games for Napoli. I wonder if there is any way United can keep him next season and rotate him Sesko. I would certainly prefer Sesko plus Hojlund with a great season in Italy under his belt over Sesko and Zirkzee.

06 Oct 2025 17:21:28
Lets not forget Gilly, you say 2 in 8 games but about half those games he only appeared as a late sub. I believe his total minutes played are only about 390 so it represents just over 4 full games.

Furthermore, having missed preseason training his fitness levels were clearly below the required levels.

He will, of course, succeed or fail in his role as striker partly based on the level of service he receives from his teammates. On Saturday, particularly first half, he looked good having received a good level of service. It was quite clear that Lammens had been instructed to play the ball long and not play out to the back all the time.

I totally agree with your Hojlund comments, would like to see him return. I did post a couple of times in the summer stating I did not want to see him sold as the service he had received was dreadful and essentially non existent. I think he was totally let down and scapegoated. Two decent strikers would most certainly be beneficial.

06 Oct 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - NewPaisley79 has posted a new article entitled, Key Issues Liverpool FC Need To Address

06 Oct 2025 09:46:19
I have a controversial opinion and this isn't just based off of the weekends calamity defending, I've thought this for a while, VVD avoids a heck of a lot of criticism for his performances and it would seem that Konate takes a lot of the flack. Don't get me wrong, he's a decent defender but I'm not convinced he's ever truly recovered from his injury and not sure he has adapted his game because of this and his age. I think defensively Liverpool can be got at and VVD can and should be targeted by opposition.

06 Oct 2025 12:20:23
VVD was excellent last year. He reminds me a little of Rio towards the end of his time at United. He's not what he was, and now and then he gets caught out now, but he's still in the top few CBs in the league. Given the lack of settled full backs at Liverpool and some of Konate's positioning problems I think VVD is the last in the list of players in that backline I'd be targeting.

06 Oct 2025 13:43:06
Agree. He is a Rolls Royce. Obviously not as good as he was but last year excellent this year a bit ropey. But thre best at Liverpool. Even the best players need time to adjust to new team mates. But football fans often live in the moment. All they see is the here and now and want what's not possible. i'd love for normal fans to have the scrutiny on them in the day lives to have a solicitor for example telling a plumber how do do his job ??.

06 Oct 2025 14:05:09
VVD is always given the ball almost as a quarterback to start the play, I think on purpose to ensure he's quite often the spare man to make him less likely to be marked.
Konate can't help but push and pull whatever the situation so if they now have a problem with VVD then they have an even bigger problem.
Most forwards seem reluctant to close VVD down but those who are smarter and more aggresive seem to be in a good position to counter if the ball is lost by Liverpool soon after.
VVD's legs are pretty much on the way out and he's always in trouble now one v one, also he and Konate are giving more and more room to attackers on the break because they're both getting more passive under pressure if they can't get hold of you. Not helped by 2 headless chickens at fullback who both like to bomb forward inside and out.

06 Oct 2025 14:27:37
The Premier League isn’t a league where you can be a Rolls Royce anymore, and if you are you need to be a peak Rio or Paulo Maldini. VVD, as I said hasn’t been the same since his injury. He’s not aggressive in closing the ball down. He just drops off deeper and deeper. He invites shots. Ken, was his defending for Caicedo’s goal down to him adjusting to his new team mates?! He has been defending like this for a while now but gets away with it because Liverpool in the majority of games are dominant but the games where they re under pressure, I think he’s suspect. If United can get Mbuemo, Cunha and Sesko running at him, they’ll get plenty of shooting opportunities.

That goal in the CL from the cross/ shot and was tapped in at the back post, he dropped, no pressure, Fernandes Goal from just inside their half, his first movement was back towards his goal, no pressure. Fernandes is hardly know ln for his pace. First game of the season, Konate and him are dropping and dropping, Semenyo just keeps going then there’s a point just before he shoots where VVD can apply pressure, he doesn’t. Saturday, well everyone must have seen it.

He’s a good defender, probably is the best Liverpool have but that’s not to say he can’t be exploited. I’d rather our 3 attackers in a foot race with him than Konate.

06 Oct 2025 15:38:58
Do you think bruno is a good player?
Do you think haaland is a good player?
Do you think rohdri is a good player.
I can analyse plenty of footage and pick out errors and costly mistakes from them all.
Remember when torres roasted vidic numerous times but fergie stck with him thankfully.
Vvd is not what he was but imo would still be 1st pick for practically every team in the league.
Like bruno he is in decline it happens with age and is very normal. Konate is a bigger issue for them and bedding in 2 new full backs.
You can pick moments in any game where people don't do as well as they could have.
Again i'd love to have 100 cameras on you everyday exposing every movement you make and calling you out for it. Nobody is perfect.
Is he still a top epl cb I think so. Will he be next season maybe not. Old father time is catching up on him for sure but still a class act imo.

06 Oct 2025 16:13:38
I’m not sure what you’re trying to argue here Ken?! I said he’s a good player, I said he’s probably Liverpool’s best defender. But your point about him getting called out is not true. I’ve not seen any pundit or media outlet call him out the way they do with Fernandes. Which goes to my point that he’s getting away with it. Fernandes is getting pelters weekly despite having stats that show he’s arguably the best CM in the league. He’s not immune to criticism so why is VVD?! You seem offended that I’ve suggested it and pointed out reasonable, common trait examples as to why and as to why I think he can be exploited.

Can someone who’s not played in the premier league not identify premier league players weaknesses?! What’s the prerequisite for this?!

Liverpools defence is a problem, they know it, it’s been identified by pundits but it’s everyone else’s fault in the back line bar VVD? You could argue as captain and a leader and the experienced head he should be organising the defence and making sure players are where they should be.

06 Oct 2025 17:03:44
I'm not offended at all.
Every player can be locked on for errors.
Bruno gets it more beefcake he is very unlikeable nevus because of his demeanor.
Liverpool are the media darlings right now.
Why do you want vvd to be publicly criticised.
Too much after games stuff is looking for people to blame. Its a poor trait imo and says more about the people wanting and looking for that than it does about any individual making a mistake.
If that's your style then fair enough.
Lots of good things to point out about one of the best epl cb's ever but you want him called out for errors.
Your upset because pundits are not losing him out of it. Maybe they don't agree with you and see things differently.

06 Oct 2025 17:07:51
Ports i don't think there is a player in history that could not be exploited at some point.
As I said people don't like bruno and will jump on it and to be honest he has never captained a team to a league title and has none of the respect vvd has earned from his peers and from the general public. A leader like vvd we would love to have on our squad no doubt.

06 Oct 2025 17:16:21
VvD is / was an exceptional player, same for Salah but both are getting older.
Losing TAA is huge to their game.
Kerkez great but not defensively or mentally in Robertson’s bracket.
2x new forwards.
Frimpong settling.
Isak had no preseason.
Wirtz settling in finding his role.

Liverpool are far from on their bum but this season and probably next is going to be a period of change.

Staying in UCL would be a realistic ambition.

06 Oct 2025 17:56:48
It’s not looking for someone to blame. The OP has put a post about Liverpools problems. I’ve said, with reason, VVD is a problem that people seem to be ignoring.

Any coach will look at teams weaknesses and where they can exploit them, I think VVD can be exploited and we should look to do this. People saying Konate positioning is a problem (it is) but look at VVD’s for Chelsea’s second. I think he can be exploited not because of a bad patch of form but because he has a trait of dropping deep when players run at him and not being aggressive in applying pressure on the ball. I think that’s identifying players weaknesses you want to turn it into a blame game.

He had 2 really strong seasons 17/ 18 and 18/ 19. But since his injury he’s not been the player he was. There’s nothing wrong in saying that.

I do get frustrated with the media and that they don’t hold all players to the same standards but I don’t lose sleep over it.

06 Oct 2025 18:53:28
2 strong seasons. Vvd? If that's what you think ports then I've bo respect for your judgement on players.
Vvd 2 very good seasons ??? Your either blind or so poisoned with bias that you have clouded judgement.
Imo that's a pathetic opinion.
Making the epl teams of season 7 times. Voted by his peers who might know a thing or 2.
2 really good seasons???.

06 Oct 2025 20:31:10
Unlike you Ken to lie to fit your argument. He’s not been in the side 7 times ? I got my seasons wrong, 18/ 19 and 19/ 20. He was consistent, excelled in all areas. Best CB in the league with no argument. No CB I don’t think would have beaten him in any statistics in those two seasons. After his injury he’s lost that consistency, he lost his explosiveness, he started making errors. Still a good CB but not what he was, understandable. So yeah, as quoted, 2 strong seasons but due to injury, not reached those levels. Statistically he doesn’t make as many tackles and duels per game than his 2 prime seasons (2018-2020 (before his injury) ) . He doesn’t proactively step up to intercept or challenge, he drops off and tries to contain.

Van Dijk remains a solid premier league defender but he’s no longer that generational, near perfect force he was before his injury and can be exposed but as captain and because of his reputation, he doesn’t recieve the same criticism as the other Liverpool defenders. It’s really that simple Ken.


So let’s get back to the original point. Van Dijk can be exposed this season. Make a structured argument against that. Not that he was good last season, or the season before or the season before that or because his Dutch premier league playing mates voted for him in the team of the season.

05 Oct 2025 20:21:52
Timesupsurely, your spouting the same stuff as "Anotherupset".
RA is huge problem I heard a stat today that out of 49 games he changed his CB 43 times.
Your both keeping a running score on these stats. Funny that Germansupper. erm Timesup.

05 Oct 2025 21:41:50
We all know who that is Supasub.

05 Oct 2025 21:56:58
27th profile for the troll now.

06 Oct 2025 09:11:19
Imo the best way to treat a troll is just to completely ignore their existence.
The me air time you give them the more it feeds their ego small little brains.
German was a troll but was exposed by his complete lack of knowledge, common sense and basic intelligence and communication skills.
Not the brightest bulb in the box.
It was obvious English was not his 1st language so he strug
gled with the most basic stuff. Maybe he will come back when he matures and if does well in whatever the German equivalent is for gcse's.

06 Oct 2025 14:10:42
What's even more of a giveaway is when Liverpool played Palace at 3pm the other day, Anotherupset (obviously getting pre match jitters) posted a few negative posts 10 mins or so before kick-off then again at half-time but then nothing after the loss to Palace.
I mean I should have been a copper but I was too corruptable :), still got to admire their perseverance but keeping up with all the passwords and logins must take some effort.