Manchester United Rumours Archive September 24 2012

24 Sep 2012 20:49:06
I understand we have bid £12m for PSV midfielder Kevin Strootman......Howfar true is this Ed002

24 Sep 2012 22:49:03
Where have you heard this?

Fresh!

How can we have bid when the transfer window is shut?

Keyz

You can bid at any time.

you can only sign them during the window when the paper work can be submitted...

24 Sep 2012 21:47:55
This may be a stupid or a good suggestion, I can't quite work it out. But the discussion would be good. And no, I'm not obsessed with finding someone to replace Nani...

The backend of last season and the start to this season that Hatem Ben Arfa has made has been quite exceptional. In my mind he has been one of the best players in the League for the last six months. He is just as good as Nani and possibly could become a world beater.

Thoughts?

Fresh!

Always been a good player. A lot of big clubs looking at him and Benzema at Lyon for quite a long time. Think the doubts have been over his attitude and greediness on the ball. No disrespect to Newcastle but I think he is a fabulous player that should be at a bigger club.
Invisible Stuey

Great player but I doubt Newcastle would let him go for cheap, would say he would be 25 Million or more. I can see him going abroad soon.

-JakeW

I find ben arfa to be jsut as inconsistent if not more so than nani
and at his best he is still not as good as nani at his best

Terrible attitude. He refused to pass to Benzema when at Lyon purely because people rated Benzema higher than himself. He would have few players to pass to at united in this case. He belongs at a club where he is the main man.

Dan

Nice idea Fresh, I could see Hatem fitting in well at Utd, would be a great acquisition. Everyone said/says Hazard has an attitude problem, but he seems to be doing pretty well so far, early days, Cantona, Ronaldo, Berbatov all arrived with ego's or bad reps, but I bet most people would kill for Ronnie to be back with us (even though he will have gotten worse) and Berbatov couldn't have been more professional. I think attitude is all down to how you are managed and what the other players let you get away with, it's snuffed out at Utd and Fergie doesn't tolerate it.

It would be nice if we could rape Newcastle for Cabaye, Tiote and Ben Arfa. But I can't see it happening.

Sween

24 Sep 2012 20:59:49
Has there been any update on the iturbe situation? I thought we had some sort of agreement to sign him

24 Sep 2012 20:14:03
I've said before the efforts the ed's go to for OUR benefit isn't appreciated, but a post I've just seem has really twisted my t*ts. A select few might spoil this for everyone who avidly read this site.

If you have any grief towards them then create your own site & kindly Foxtrot Oscar.

If you feel you can do better, again Foxtrot Oscar.

Just because you feel you have an intellectual pseudonym you have a divine right to pick on any minute details? The ed's most definately have more pressing concerns than your ridiculous notions.

A hint for you - go out, get laid & try to grasp a hand on a life.

Sorry for the rant but that wound me the f*ck up.

Moog {Ed007's Note - Thanks Moog, we are struggling a bit with costs etc and are doing our best behind the scenes to rectify it and yet some people still intend having a pop, I have had to delete a load of replies to that post just abusing Ed002. We don't just hit-whore and publicise made up stories to attracts hits like some sites. We are happy with the amount of traffic we get but obviously we would like more, people come here through their search engine or word of mouth etc and most people visit again, we just try to keep it real with the facts as we know them at time.}

I am 100% with you on this Moog - to Ed's007 and 002 and all the other Eds (even those who are unfortunate enough in life to support the "wrong teams" :) ) I truly appreciate what you do and thank you deeply.
Sometimes you get everything right - (just as the ref did on Sunday ! ) and sometimes you don't (like when you don't post my perfectly reasonable posts regarding a certain South American) - but I still appreciate you - and thank you. Please keep up the good work and
"live long and prosper"

Mike {Ed007's Note - Appreciated Mike.}

Here here
Q

Eds, I have told a few fellow reds about this site and now each one of them can't get enough of it, no one I have asked has heard of u, if your struggling for cash can't u advertise so more people get to hear about you. In no time they will be hooked like the rest of us. I would hate to see this site go. Can't everyone one who's on tell all their fiends about it, I assume the more people come on the site the more money you can make? I don't know how it works but I'm sure there is something we could all do. Please keep up the good work eds {Ed007's Note - We are looking at all avenues with our main priority to keep the sites free. Word of mouth of the site is great advertising, thanks. I find that is a far better recommendation that any thing we could ever do.}

I've not seen any criticism of the site and I can't understand why there would be any. IMO the site is run really well and I enjoy my visits and the debate.

The Eds are doing a great job and I offer my thanks for them taking the time.

Andrew B

Hey Ed 007,004,002..

The amount of work you put in and the Sh!te that you have to wade through, i dont have words to thank you enough. I check this site atleast 20 times a day, it people on every emotion of mine, depending on the post that is. The banter and discussions are more often than not superb. Your inputs and opinions are always highly appreciated. If a few people just can't shut their trap up(u know who), let alone appreciate ur work then i guess what Moog said, i will second third and fourth it! Foxtrot Oscar...

I am sure there are enough people on here who have the highest regards and respect in them to help you guys in any possible manner to keep this wonderful website afloat. Guess what if you do someday end up making a profit you bloody well deserve it.

P.S - Bond and 004 - Can't count the number of times you have made me laugh on a bad bad day with your Ed's Note!

Deeps... {Ed007's Note - Thank you very much Deeps. 99% of the time the sites are an absolute pleasure to for all you guys and I do enjoy a laugh and joke with all you.}

24 Sep 2012 16:26:00
This is just a post about our tactical ability from the coaching side. With Mike Phelan as first team coach we've won three Premier League titles, one FA Cup, a League Cup, and a Champions League. That was between 2001 and 2008 I think. Not a bad record really! And during those years we faced some tough competition, especially from Chelsea and Arsenal. I honestly don't think Phelan is the problem! SAF's record speaks for itself...so where are we going wrong? Is it something as simple as quality of players or maybe players not gelling together? Any thoughts guys? Or eds!

Andy!

I think we have to re-define our understanding of things 'going wrong'. To be honest, much of this baklash is around the fact that it is our noisy neighbours who are stealing the sppotlight. Many of the complaints are likely from fans who are bitter about our inability to match them in the transfer market.

To me, if the way things are right now is things 'going wrong', I hate to think how 'fans' will react when Sir Alex leaves. Because that is a true turning point for this club and will be a VERY VERY tough trqansition, even with his continued presence at OT.

There is very little wrong with this team. The defense is SOLID and no club could have coped with the injuries we have had to endure for the past couple of seasons.
I don;t see any tactical failings on a grand scale. But, if you want to pick holes, you will easily find them following what was a very shoddy performance. Regardless of what Giggs had to say, it was scarily apparent that the emption of the day worked against our players, almost as much as it worked for theirs.

But, at the end of the day, we came away from Anfield with a win. Had we done that last season, we would have won the league.

I love this club too much to see supposed fans tear it apart at every turn. Are there issues? Yes! Are they rife throughout every area of the club (as so many continue to suggest at every opportunity)? No!

We are the best club in the world and will continue to be so. But, let's face it, even if they won the lot this season, we would still have to put up woth the doom and gloom merchants who, quite frankly, have probably never been to OT in their lives and would most likely rather have been born a few years later so that they could have jumped on the Blue Moon bandwagon.

MDJ

Then the problem is perhaps with René Meulensteen the first team coach or maybe Phelan's ability is only limited to first team coach.

Umm not quite right. Phelan has been assistant manager since 2008 before him it was Carlos Quieroz who was helping guide us to all that glory. You can see how we've played since 2008 and attribute that to Mike Phelan.

Shappy

I think despite their quality, Carrick and Scholes cant function well together. You need players that compliment each other and for me they are quite similar and neither of them are physically dominating the field. Both pass well and read the game well but neither can tackle well though Carrick can intercept and read very well, nether can win back the ball. We also dont press enough, teams walk through our midfield without even being challenged.

Dan

There isnt a lot wrong,a bit of fine tuning here and there and a player or two.Utd fans have been spoiled a bit with all the glory and thats why there is a backlash at the moment i think.The problem for me is that we dont seem to have moved on at all in three years.That and Evra,how Fergie cant see it baffles me,nearly every Scouse attack was down his side.

One of the main problems is we don't play wide enough anymore, a lot of our attacks are through the middle and its the full backs that are having to become wing backs to give us any width.
They then get caught when it breaks down and are out of position, on top of that when we do have any joy on the flanks the quality of the crossing has been really bad and possession is given away again.

Jaylg1971

Mike Phelan is not the first team coach,he's the assistant manager. Rennee Mullerstein is the first team coach.The people who come on here criticising the coaching staff have not got a clue about what is going on, on the training pitch and judging by some of the comments wouldn't know a good coach from a bad coach. Before they start criticising the coaching staff they should thank the stars that this club have only once finished outside the top two ,once in the last twenty years and we then finished third.

Phelan is still the problem. We haven't played good football for a while now, regardless of what we have won, we have gradually got worse the longer he has been the number 2. It certainly isn't Fergie and we have always done better when he's had a strong number 2. I think Neville would be perfect for that role

24 Sep 2012 12:32:45
On yesterdays game

Yes we were poor we were pressed, harried, rushed and just over run in midfield.

This season fergie needs to realise

1. Phelan is not the right assistant he may be a yes man or whatever but our tactics are poor last 2 games im not sure what our tactics were!
2. Giggs or scholes partnering carrick is trouble
3. Just dont start giggs or scholes we have youngsters and continuing to play these we will get beat badly by the bigboys.
4. Evra needs dropping 2 years hes been in bad form tbh how hes 1st choice i dont know yestaday i counted 7 times in the 1st 40mins they exposed him. Going forward and reluctant to get back causing midfielders to cover him as giggs did time n time agian yestaday. Lackluster defending putting a leg out here when the mans gone.
5. Every team this included gala last week exposes our midfield and left back fergie needs to see what the world can because its getting like wenger and the defence and keeper problem.
6. Realise this is a new generation of football a defensive midfielder is a must

I agree with every word. well said
G.N.G

Fergie is a has been, his tactics are from the 80's and 90's. Phelan is totally useless, I used to watch him when he was a player and he didnt have a clue then.
Fergie is too big for the club, need someone to argue with him and stand up to him. Otherwise, it is time for him to go.
NoMidfield

It amuses me when people criticise Phelan. How can you possibly know what he does? Why is he to blame?
Trawlerman.

Agree with everything as well except for Scholes. He is still key in European matches and against lesser teams in the PL that he can boss around because they cant keep possession. If Carrick could tackle well then He would be ideal IMO but that's not the case and I would like to see him further up the pitch with a more solid CM behind him.

It's obvious out tactical awarness is minimal. The fact it has taken until now to play a 4-3-2-1 is a joke and Phelan has to take some blame for this as it is his job! No one can deny we have gone down hill tactically since Queiroz left.

Dan

Fergie has become one of the most decorated managers in football through luck then!? 'nomidfield' can't believe what I've read from you! Midfield is looking over run ATM but give him time I'm sure he's got it all figured out...as usual!

Gpot7

Everyone on hear seems to get offended every time someone criticises Fergie.
YES he has done so much for the club, but that does not mean he will always be great.
The truth hurts

24 Sep 2012 09:29:32
Everyone keeps talking (myself included), about Gaitan, Goetz, Munian, Rodriguez being potential solutions to our Left Wing problem.

I watched England the other night against Ukraine and the star of the show was Yevhen Konoplyanka, he tore us to bits and I had never heard of him. He destroyed Johnson for pace, which is a good start and he looked really composed and intelligent on the ball. I'm not going to say sign him as I have only noticed him once and it could easily be a one off, but he looked dynamite and the commentator said something about him being called the Ukranian Messi, so he is obviously rated highly in his homeland, even though annoyingly every national team seems to have their English Media Messi equivilant. Had a look at his Wiki profile and his manager (Ramos) seems to rate him very highly indeed as well.

Has anyone seen much of him and if so would he be a viable signing? He certianly took playing at Wembley in his stride and looked better than Yarmalenko who there is a lot of hype about as well.

Sween {Ed002's Note - Konoplyanka has been watched by several EPL clubs including Chelsea, Fulham, Arsenal and Manchester United but I doubt he would move to sit on the bench which would probably influence his decision. There is also continued interest from Roma and Galatasaray in the summer offered Riera, Baros and cash for the player but were told by Dnipro it would take 50M euros for a transfer to go ahead.}

24 Sep 2012 00:12:22
I'm not sure if they are 100%, but in the first few games of the season, where we battered arsenal, spurs and Chelsea, Cleverly and Anderson were absolutely tearing midfields apart. Our perfect team in my view is those 2 in the centre, with scholesy used in pivotal and importantly picked moments, Valencia on the right, kagawa/welbeck on the left wing, Rooney behind rvp.
Ashley young could become an important bit player, but Nani has lost it in my opinion. I used to sing his praises when other people slated him, but he looks disillusional and can't make a pass never mind score. Carrick has started well but I'd love to see Anderson and cleverly against spurs

It meant to read "the first few games of last season"

Would not be surprised to see them both play on Wednesday against Newcastle
and hope m Wazza gats a game as well
ARB

Agree Anderson and Cleverley should get ten games together to see what they can do,the manager over rests players and changes the team too much,it takes time to develop a partnership.Its same old same old for the big games,Scholes,Giggs and Carrick he obviously still doesn't trust his younger players.Are they good enough? Or
is Fergie getting a tad sentimental in his old age,i think the latter.We play the big games not to lose now and hope for a bit of luck,a refs decision (or two!)or a bit of magic.All three happened for us yesterday but it seldom does.We play with no pace going forward as if the players are scared of getting out of position for when they lose the ball and have to defend again.We even defend slowly,teams seem like they can walk up to our box before we get interested.All this is to do with how the manager sets up the team and it is all Carlos Querioz's
doing,tryind to play too much like a European team.Dont get me wrong i dont think we have a great team but if they were played differently they'd be much better,add a couple of signings and get rid of Evra and we'd have a very good team again.We just 'get results' now,which you have to do to win the league but we seem to do that a lot more often than we should.No consistency in selections and no consistency in performances.Rant over,apologies!!

T Montana

It is all Carlos Querioz's doing?
think youve had too much marching powder tony, i think youll find we could do with his influence back at the club, cant you remember the fluidity of our team not to mention tactical nous we had when he was about, (the trident of ronaldo rooney tevez/nani was devastating)
Mike Phelan is crap, Carlos complemented fergie perfectly

snakey

Querioz started the more defensive play in the bigger games,i agree he is a good tactician but defensive minded and now he's gone we're defensive with no tactical nous which makes us ****ed.I cant be bothered looking it up but i'd like to see how many wins we have won away from home in the last six years or so against the big four and the better sides we've faced in Europe.

T Montana

Fair point mr Montana.
I also shouldn't have put that mike phelan is crap, he's a great coach I just feel he has his limitations

Snakey

Total rubbish about Cleverly and Anderson. We would get anialhated this season with just those 2 there. Everyone forgets that both Arsenal and Tottenham got battered by everyone at the start of that campiagn.