Manchester United Rumours Member Posts
AJH's Profile
Current Avatar:
Flat Out Racing:
Not played Flat Out Racing
Not played Flat Out Racing
No Profile Picture uploaded
Team: Where from: Favourite player: Best team moment: Interests: Timezone: |
AJH's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To AJH's Posts
To AJH's last 5 rumour replies
To AJH's last 5 banter replies
AJH's rumours posts with other poster's replies to AJH's rumours posts
14 Nov 2021 08:56:04
I was told last night that Ole has agreed to step aside once a replacement has been found.
Don't know where this rumour came from but hopefully it has legs.
1.) 14 Nov 2021 09:22:12
It does seem like the club have used the international break and particularly Ole and the players not being there to assess their options and hopefully through intermediaries reach out to potential candidates to test the waters.
2.) 14 Nov 2021 10:11:33
I think there’s zero chance of Ole agreeing to step aside. If the club replace him, he’ll be getting compensated handsomely.
3.) 14 Nov 2021 11:56:13
If this is true, at least the club aren't rushing around and are taking their time to make a decision.
4.) 14 Nov 2021 16:05:17
I don’t doubt it Danny, but if it is true, at least Woody can crack on without having to be too secretive.
5.) 14 Nov 2021 18:29:34
Maybe he doesn't know he agreed to step aside, just sayin.
6.) 15 Nov 2021 11:22:14
Any truth to the Zidane rumours?
7.) 17 Nov 2021 08:11:26
TOHoM, only that it is true that they are rumours ?.
03 Aug 2019 14:20:49
I’ve loved reading the posts this week and for what it’s worth, here’s my view.
Maguire is not necessarily the greatest defender but he seems like a big character and as has been said he is better than what we have. The price is irrelevant to me, fees are soon forgotten (unlike wages) . I think he will settle quickly and make a difference.
AWB looks a quality buy in a position where we have struggled so I’m confident that will look a steal as the season progresses.
James has huge potential, looking forward to seeing how he develops.
Dybala I don’t want. No idea where it came from and we really shouldn’t be entertaining it. Fancy name, not pulled up any trees for a couple of years, really don’t see where he fits in.
Fernandes look quality and would be a good signing and if we are interested then I have no idea why it is taking so long.
We need to ship Pogba out as quickly as possible, assuming anyone has made any sort of sensible offer. I don’t buy the line that he’s really popular. If he isn’t committed to the cause then he needs to leave.
Sanchez also needs to go. I’d even let him go on a free or nominal fee as it would free up at least £15M because of his ridiculous contract.
Lukaku also needs to go and again I’d take the best offer that is on the table. We may lose on the fees but the benefit to team spirit and morale of shipping out players who don’t want to be her is immense. There’s a bunch of other players we need to move on and again we should make it attractive to potential buyers. Darmian and Rojo for starters.
Imagine those 5 gone, 4 new signings (I’m assuming a CM is coming), and a few from the youth promoted. The feel and mood will be lifted and with the extra fitness and energy, with everyone committed and pulling in the same direction, who knows where we will get to.
I fear there is not enough time left to move players on but for me that is just as important on bringing new ones in.
1.) 03 Aug 2019 14:37:38
It would be foolish to let pogba leave so late in the window, no chance we have enough time to obtain a replacement.
Saul would fit the bill, but that would be a complicated deal and there are questions marks over whether he would even want to come.
Are SMS or fernandes as good as pogba? if looked at objectively you would say they were not on his level.
Dybala is probably the clearest route to getting rid of lukaku as inter milan are unable to source the funds to do a deal, so this swap deal is a pretty good compromise to get rid of a player who doesn't fit oles style and bring in a player who does.
25, 5 year contract means we have plenty of scope to get a resale value when he inevitably pines for a move to madrid or Barcelona like pogba. Could be a shrewd bit of business by the club.
2.) 03 Aug 2019 14:49:29
DSG, if you put my reservations aside, Ed002 has said Dybala doesn’t want to come. If he’s having to be convinced then we shouldn’t do it,
3.) 03 Aug 2019 15:15:18
Tony do you honestly expect Dybala to happily want to leave a team with Ronaldo and several stars which is guaranteed at least a major trophy and also UCL football every season and come over to us because we are Manchester United?
That ship has sailed!
No matter how attractive a team is, it still has to make an effort to appeal to a prospective player.
4.) 03 Aug 2019 15:18:42
I honestly think you will be surprised how many player would not want to join us this summer. No champions league is a big loss especially in a window where bayern, real, Barcelona and juve are all making big deals.
Look at sancho, he realised that coming to united this window would be not be ideal for his development when we are undergoing significant changes and his development was much better suited staying at dortmund.
Does that mean we shouldn't go in for him next summer when we will still need to convince him we are the right club with the right stability for him to continue his development?
Dybala is an oppurtune signing granted but if he does join it won't be against his will, quite a few player over the year have needed to be convinced/ persuaded to join clubs.
5.) 03 Aug 2019 15:23:18
I really don't get why people would wants Pogba to stay. Old may say all the right things about Pogba having a great attitude blah blah blah, but the player clearly wants out.
If we keep hold of him against his wishes we will just have the same circus every transfer window. It's unsettling for everyone, including Old, despite what he may say in public.
Pogba is obviously talented and is a match winner on his day. I understand that, but keeping an unhappy player is counter productive.
On the flip side, we shouldn't be forced to sell him on the cheap. But over inflating his price so that he is effectively priced out of a more is daft in my opinion.
Despite the fact that some fans 'hero worship' some players, Pogba is not worthy of that label. Talent is nothing without application, effort and desire and Mr Pogba is severely lacking in the later.
6.) 03 Aug 2019 15:35:43
Until last week his name hadn’t come up, nobody on here had suggested we try and buy him or he would add anything to our team. Now suddenly many are drooling over him and I don’t get it. We should have learned from Di Maria. He doesn’t want to come, allegedly he wants £350K a week, allegedly his agent wants £13M, it’s possibly taken our focus from Fernandes. The only positive I can see is we lose Lukaku, that’s about it.
I don’t really buy the Champions League argument. Actually I do buy it and it hacks me off. There’s only a few teams that will win it, and there seems to be a snobbishness that has materialised with players ‘not wanting to take a step down’. I’m not sure how we’ve allowed it to become so important, for me the domestic title is still the biggest trophy by far.
7.) 03 Aug 2019 15:37:47
Of course he needs convincing AJH. He is not a fan like is. He is at a top club where his life family and friends are and you think a good pitch and lots of reassurances are not required.
You don't seem to be the sort of chap to make knee jerk life changing decisions without due consultation and thought process and advice. Do you think dybala should?
8.) 03 Aug 2019 15:56:18
Is aguero not a good example why is it always di Maria.
Do people think aguero was a life long city fan desperate to move to a team that had won nothing for years?
Or did him and his agent need a bit of convincing and a bucket of cash .
I'm not saying we should or shouldn't sign him but there's a bit of a line in the sand starting with one or 2 players,
9.) 03 Aug 2019 16:02:27
Of course he's reluctant. We're not exactly known for stability are we. He enjoys life in Italy and is reluctant to leave. But Juve are forcing him out.
10.) 03 Aug 2019 16:03:54
Madrid have been making sensible offers for Pogba throughout this window.
UTD think they can get more with very little other clubs being able to afford him.
Only a few clubs or so at the over inflated fee and wages able to afford Pogba which sees UTD keeping a player who wants to leave *evil laugh*.
Barcelona not going to sign Pogba.
11.) 03 Aug 2019 16:09:33
What offers have real made?
12.) 03 Aug 2019 16:24:59
Guys AJH has a point. The problem is not there is a convincing required for Dybala. But why to convince a player who is not seen as much needed who is not willing to move to us who will demand monstrous wage who has stalled for the past year. If it is someone who we have identified as main target it's worth going through the trouble. Imagine we sign him and has not really worked out then we will have another player on 350k wages very difficult to move.
13.) 03 Aug 2019 16:35:27
I said the same to shappy last week jred.
People are saying don't sign him he doesn't want to be here. Yet those same purple are saying keep pogba even though he doesn't want to be here.
If dybala comes and he and the team are successful he will love it at United. Just like aguero has done.
Im not desperate for him to sign if he does it would be potentially a very good and exciting signing.
14.) 03 Aug 2019 17:00:59
My wider point is he hadn't been mentioned by anybody, the fans hadn't suggested him nor were the club pursuing him. Suddenly a swap is on, not exactly thought through is it?
15.) 03 Aug 2019 17:02:49
You could say the same with pogba, if go his and uniteds way he may have a change in heart .
Not sure why everything needs to be set in stone .
I'm far from convince dybala would be a good fit in the epl, who who knows.
16.) 03 Aug 2019 17:11:34
Is it possible for a player to come in, not really wanting to come in at first and then change his mind? If he is the consummate professional, he might also put in some decent performances.
Also, he could just say no right now?
17.) 03 Aug 2019 18:00:01
Ajh
He was mentioned a few month ago, don't know if the reports where true but he was linked a few months back.
But some times a player becomes available and you take a chance, any Cole, king Eric.
Angel
Is it possible that a player wants to leave then circumstances change and he changes his mind, Or do we hold it against him for the rest of his career.
18.) 03 Aug 2019 18:01:09
The club have had interest in dybala for 12 months according to ed002. i'm not convinced but he is a very talented player so if he settles it could work out.
Pogba is here and if he stays and does well he may well have a change of heart i agree but i'm not one for keeping unhappy players it usually doesn't work out. We can on my hope it does if he stays.
19.) 03 Aug 2019 19:33:15
Hi jred, not at all. I think if a player has a change of heart and wants to stay, put in the performances etc, he should most definitely get the chance. I think that's quite fair. But definitely no point keeping a player that is unhappy and wants to move. Does this answer work?
Is there a particular player you are talking about or just anyone in general?
20.) 03 Aug 2019 20:00:04
Angel
To many to mention to be honest once any one makes a mistake or reportedly does you want them out.
Lazy bad attitude said this said that.
21.) 03 Aug 2019 20:17:14
No, I'd like you to mention them. Very happy to give you my reasons behind everyone.
I'm quite sure that when I have shown my dissatisfaction in a player it is usually merited, justified.
I don't call for players to be bought and sold like in a game of FIFA.
I also am very happy to back good, hard working and loyal players when many dont. Again, when I feel its justified.
Feels like you're just having a pop though. It's something you like to do quite often. I hope I haven't upset you at any point. Or will you hold my opinions against me for the rest of my time posting on here? 😊.
22.) 03 Aug 2019 22:15:30
We have appointed Director of football - it's AJH
All sound decisions taken. 🤫.
23.) 04 Aug 2019 09:23:15
Reading the page the last day or two it’s clear we don’t need any insight from Ed002 as maxlfc knows absolutely everything about our club lol.
24.) 04 Aug 2019 20:42:32
Oh man :P
Wrote a post about how the youngsters are doing, and how you feel about them and this turned into Pogba/ Dybala debate.
25.) 05 Aug 2019 07:31:02
To be honest guys I don't care and the reason is we are focusing on players not playing for our club.
When the focus should be #GlazersOut.
24 Mar 2018 10:31:23
There are some that said Jesse wasn’t good enough and I guess there are still some that think he is at best a squad player but you have to give the lad credit. He keeps popping up scoring important goals and he plays with a smile on his face and seems to enjoy every moment. I’m so pleased for him and I hope he can take that final step and be consistent.
1.) 24 Mar 2018 16:25:04
He has always been highly thought off within the club. It was always accepted that he would take longer to find his feet due to his size. I read an interview with him where he said that Sir Alex always said he would become a real player when he's 25 like Tigana. I wonder how much of him really stepping up this season is down to him feeling that this year was going to be his year.
I did worry when we signed Sanchez as it was going to push either Lingard or Martial out of the side when arguably they we our best two forwards at that time. Maybe its time for Sanchez to be dropped for a game or two and make him fight for his place against players who are in form.
2.) 24 Mar 2018 16:40:40
Shaps, I don’t know why we bought Sanchez other than to stop City buying him. We had needs inother areas way before a left sided attacker was needed and even if he starts firing it just relegates Martial or Rashford. This smacks of Woodward and his marque signing obsession. I don’t want to upset you but if Bale is available you can bet your mortgage Ed will be there waving his chequebook.
3.) 24 Mar 2018 16:46:51
The thing with Jesse is you know he will work on the pitch and not hide. He has proven this year that he has more in the locker than people thought imo but he had the beginnings of a good season couple of years back when he got ani injury early on at Swansea I think. Change of personel and management has not deterred him and I think he has saved us a good few bob on bringing in a n other player.
4.) 24 Mar 2018 16:58:44
I was one of those thinking he wasn't going to be up to it and would be sold, at times I feel foolish, but then he can be anonymous far too often for me (like most of our attacking players) .
I still think in order for us to be competing at the very top we need better than Lingard. But if he improves again as much as he has over the past 18 months then he will deserve a regular berth in a top Utd team.
I love his energy and clever runs, maybe there is even more to come from him once we get back to playing proper attacking football and those runs will be picked out by players that currently refuse the pass and opt for 'safety' instead. I certainly would like him to impact games more consistently as well, 10 seconds of brilliance now and again is good, but we need more than that over a 90 minute match from an attacking midfielder.
5.) 24 Mar 2018 17:39:38
I agree Beastand that was my point about consistency. When he is good he is very good but often you can forget he is on the pitch, which is very frustrating when he gets himself in such good positions and scores such important goals. He needs to turn up for more games than he does, which I think he will if he continues to develop as he has done in the last year. And he is home grown which means a lot to me,
6.) 24 Mar 2018 17:52:11
Does he go missing or as mentioned above is it a case of him making good runs and his team mates not playing the creative pass to find him?
The best players score in the big games, which he does more consistently than those around him. H deserves his place in the team, he works hard, he offers movement and he can finish. I think he will thrive if we add more quality to the midfield. He is a bit of a social media whore, but as long as he performs on the pitch it’s not a problem. I wish pogba put half the effort in he does.
7.) 24 Mar 2018 18:33:58
Agree with all of the posts regarding jesse in some degree, better than dele alli in my opinion who plays a similar role especially this season.
8.) 25 Mar 2018 05:21:49
I must be the only one who doesn't yet rate him. He for me is going through his Smalling patch where player looks good for a season or 2 but with lingard it has only been 2 months rather than the whole season.
He was mostly anonymous until December and has been anonymous for most part since February. That is 2 good months in 3-4 years. Yes he scores some important goals from time to time but he going to have to perform much better to be more than a squad player.
9.) 25 Mar 2018 16:58:04
No MU player apart from De Gea has been sensational for long, playing good for some time and then playing poorly.
10.) 26 Mar 2018 14:14:47
CSM, that's not really fair, even if he's only started looking like a real top player this season, he's actually been doing well for the last couple of years. He was hardly "anonymous" before December anyway. 8 goals and assists in 17 games, 11 of which he played 30 minutes or less in, may not be setting the league on fire, but it's certainly not "anonymous".
Re: the consistency, I'm inclined to agree with Huggy. He's suffering from the way the team is playing, and would have a much more consistent impact if the runs he makes were picked out a bit more often by players behind him. Now, I'm not saying he's doing everything right, maybe he'd still be a bit inconsistent with players behind him looking for those runs and playing more positive football, but the point is that we don't really know, and I don't think it's fair to judge him too harshly when we don't really know how much of the inconsistency is down to him, and how much is down to the way the teamas a whole is playing.
I would really love to see Herrera used in a more advanced role, ahead of Matic rather than alongside him, where he can look to play the passes that someone like Lingard can feed on. It's too easy to see his great defensive performances last season and forget that he's a great passer of the ball, with an eye for getting team mates in behind the defence.
11.) 26 Mar 2018 14:23:10
That FA cup winning goal seemed to really kick him on and he’s improved a lot since then.
CSM,
How you can say he’s been anonymous is beyond me, he’s probably scored more important goals than any other player in the last 2 years.
12.) 26 Mar 2018 14:53:27
Gds important goals don't mean consistency. Yes he scored against Chelsea and in fa cup final but can you remember a run of games until December where you could say he was consistently good. A first team player needs to be consistently good and unlike rashford or martial lingard isn't exactly in the youngster category.
Thorne he has been good this season but last season he had 5 goals and 3 assists in 42 games in lvg's last season he had 7 goals and 4 assists in 41 games. Those are not good figures and he needs get similar to his current nos before we can be sure that he has improved rather than going through a purple patch.
Also where exactly will he play next season jose wants savic added to the team and jorginho as replacement for carrick, so we most likely will be switching to a mf 3.
13.) 30 Mar 2018 18:44:50
Good player, nice lad, silly dancer.
17 Feb 2018 08:31:11
Interesting rumour this morning, Real ready to move for Pogba. Could be paper trash talk of course but if they did and the money was big, would you sell? Clearly the boy has talent but he has yet to dominate a game or deliver on his potential. Is that down to him, the Manager, or a combination of both.
If the money was silly should we cash in? The problem with that is that he may go on and become the dominating player we believe is in there somewhere, and replacing him will cost a fortune too. For me, I’d seriously consider it though.
{Ed002's Note - There is zero interest in Paul Pogba from Real Madrid. They have very, very different ideas who they want.}
1.) 17 Feb 2018 11:41:22
There is no way we should be selling Pogba it would be crazy to do so.
Its likr selling the next messi and then trying to go buy a next ronaldo because we are noy patient enough.
2.) 17 Feb 2018 11:59:12
"Cash in" wtf? So some now want to sell Pogba when we have few midfielders for a pretty poor return? You bored with FIFA?
3.) 17 Feb 2018 11:20:17
Yay. Thanks ed for that.
12 Jan 2018 21:19:21
All this talk of Sanchez has masked the rumour that Vardy is also being considered. Not sure if they would sell or at what price but I think he would slot in much easier, albeit he is a like for like with Lukaku. Sanchez’s attitude worries me, the stories from Arsenal about his isolationist approach do not bode well for team spirit. Hey ho, what do I know?
1.) 12 Jan 2018 21:28:45
I hope not. Hateful diving git, Gerrard, suarez, terry, barton, keown, cattermole, Vardy. all the same to me would of hated to see any of them in a red shirt.
2.) 12 Jan 2018 23:05:33
That's one heck of a team those lot would make. Lacks some wide players tho.
3.) 13 Jan 2018 05:53:05
bfbw, there too much hate in your heart, i'd have had Keown and Suarez any day of the week. Go hug a tree man.
4.) 13 Jan 2018 08:10:14
AJH Vardy is a player Maze likes and admired over the years for his tenacity as well as his rags to riches story but to say he is a better option than Sanchez is silly, very silly.
Wake up AJH you are dreaming of poorly fabricated scenarios.
AJH's banter posts with other poster's replies to AJH's banter posts
31 Dec 2021 10:22:15
I enjoyed that even though we still looked shaky at the back.
I think we can now put to bed the debate about Scott. He isn’t a DM, he could have had a hat trick last night and was rather clear MOTM, playing with an injury apparently. We just need to see this more often. A close second would be Shaw who I still see as streets ahead of Telles.
I thought Sancho and Greenwood showed real promise last night, the issue for me was Ronaldo and Cavani who struggled. Cavani didn’t seem to understand his role and Ronaldo, when he was Ronaldo.
The main issue though is defence, AWB is looking decidedly dodgy and Maguire is having a very poor run. I don’t accept he is useless but right now he is struggling.
Hey ho, a win builds confidence, confidence improves form, improved form creates wins, rinse and repeat.
1.) 31 Dec 2021 10:46:16
We weren't great last night but the performance was an enormous step up from Norwivh and Newcastle which shows how bad we were in those games.
McTominay was excellent last night, best game he has played in a long time for United. One of him or Fred alongside another midfielder is far better than the two of them playing together.
Defensively we are pretty shocking in all honesty. Maguire in my opinion is a terrible player who shouldn't be anywhere near starting but since he's captain and we paid about 4 times what he's worth he always starts. Genuine question, solely as a defender so nothing to do with ability on the ball etc is he any better than Tarkowski? I don't even rate Tarkowski as any more than an average PL centre back but I honestly think it's close between the 2. He is the common denominator at the back, all the rest have been chopped and changed and we've been equally brutal.
2.) 31 Dec 2021 11:18:49
He looks much better for England, I’ve never understood that.
3.) 31 Dec 2021 11:31:57
Cavani had to sacrifice his own glory to do more of the running and closing down for Ronaldo.
He'd also drift wider to allow Sancho or Greenwood to make an under lapping run.
While he didn't get a goal, his work rate was key to making space and winning the ball back.
Maguire looks better for England because international football is probably Championship standard in truth.
4.) 31 Dec 2021 11:32:01
I agree AJH, Maguire does look better for England but international football is generally not even as good as top domestic leagues. How many fantastic sides do England every really play? He's also protected by quality defensive midfielders like Rice and Phillips and is played in a 3 quite often. This is all my opinion though, I can guarantee I'll dwell on Maguire making a mistake more than others in the side simply because I don't rate him.
I don't see any harm at all in dropping him for a couple of games and trying Varane and probably Lindelof.
5.) 31 Dec 2021 11:43:38
Played a considerable amount of football in a back 3 for England and also international football is played at a lower tempo generally against opposition England are miles better than generally.
I would strip him of the captaincy and make him a bench option or even sell him on.
6.) 31 Dec 2021 12:41:25
Who is captain material in this side? A few years down the line I'd say either of McMatic, but neither are guaranteed starters and who knows what midfield changes are afoot in the coming months. Someone in the thick of it.
To be fair Maguire is the most vocal player in the team but his recent displays aren't those of someone who should be dishing out organisational advise.
I'm not sure there's any coming back from a very public demotion like losing the captaincy. It's pretty much been the end of Aubameyang.
7.) 31 Dec 2021 13:11:28
England play 5 at the back with 2 holding midfielders shielding them. Therefore in reality, Maguire is not really challenged while playing for England.
8.) 31 Dec 2021 14:05:44
Arsenal have gone from strength to strength since ditching Aubameyang, maybe the same could happen if we ditched the "fridge".
9.) 31 Dec 2021 15:02:47
He was clearly worried by Chris Woods pace. Says it all really.
He has had spells of good form, but is in a bad run of form right now. It's been a struggle.
10.) 31 Dec 2021 18:33:19
Maguire will look good playing againt postmen every week.
I would look good playing against the likes of andorra
Maguire is useless other than a big head which even that is useless as he never gets to any headers.
11.) 31 Dec 2021 19:56:53
To be fair, even though it was a high price no-one really had a problem with his signing, coming off the back of his Leicester performances where he was playing very well.
We outbid everyone, but I'm sure a few other top sides would have gone in for him otherwise.
The difference now is that he hasn't evolved at the higher level and indeed has gone backwards this season.
28 Dec 2021 09:08:35
Not sure if the break left us rusty but that performance last night was simply awful.
I’ve never bought into the Maguire is crap narrative but right now, he really is. I’ve always been a big fan of Rashford but he is also struggling terribly. Ronaldo may score important goals but just lately he isn’t contributing.
And my biggest concern is Bruno. He arrived and took the league by storm but for the last 3 months of last season and pretty much all of this season he has been dreadful. We had a brief discussion on the chat last night when I said I would sell him. That was possibly an over reaction but at what point do we drop him and tell him it isn’t good enough? Don’t quote me the stats from last year, I’m not arguing about his initial impact, I’m suggesting currently he is crap and spends a lot of time whining and gesturing.
I know this one isn’t popular but I still think Ronaldo was a mistake. People will post to the important goals he scored but that’s too simplistic. Who is to say we wouldn’t have been ahead in those games if Cavani or Greenwood had played up front. Ronaldo is another one for throwing his arms in the air and continually gesturing. Club legend definitely but not what we needed.
Neville had it right last night, too much whingeing and not enough effort. We’ve changed the Manager and whilst it will take time for new ideas to embed, some players were shocking, unable to pass to a team mate, it was as bad as I’ve seen this year.
Cavani is a beast and an example to everyone else, if only more had his hunger and attitude, surely he has to play as often as possible.
The bigger problem is how many are out of form. The front four were dire last night and we can’t change all four of them. Our Captain is having a nightmare and looks like an accident waiting to happen, and even the thoroughbred that is Varane was all over the place last night.
I have no idea what happens next, perhaps time on the training ground will help, but it’s clear from Ralf’s comments that he isn’t happy. I wonder if the players are waiting for a permanent appointment and subconsciously not really listening?
As you can tell, I’m pretty peed off right now and I don’t think there is a quick fix, we could be in for a long period of rebuilding.
1.) 28 Dec 2021 09:31:17
It will take a while to get things going. The way Ralf wants to play can't be instilled over night.
The standards and quality of football under the previous manager were set so low, they probably assume they'll just continue to play regardless of their performance.
2.) 28 Dec 2021 09:36:32
Rangnick has twice now called out the players for a lack of energy and physicality…. why do I get the feeling the players won’t like that and are already rebelling against him? We really need ashamed up and young hungry energetic players brought into the team.
3.) 28 Dec 2021 09:44:24
Tim, rangnick is going nowhere fast, so the players need to either shape up or ship out.
Seems like Ralf has been left with a bit of a mess. 3 wasted years tend to do that.
4.) 28 Dec 2021 10:16:52
Remember Rashfords first 5 games, the bright spark making things happen chasing everything getting the crowd going - then his next couple of seasons as the next big thing for club and country . seems an age ago now, if he doesn't snap out of it soon he will go the way of a lot of young players-downwards.
5.) 28 Dec 2021 10:20:16
re your point about Ronaldo, AJH - I genuinely believe we’d be 6-10 points better off in the league if Cavani had started as many games as CR7 has through the middle - although we’d probably be out of the Champions League! In Europe, Ronaldo still looks incredible, yet I fear he’s now too one-dimensional for the PL.
6.) 28 Dec 2021 12:21:07
Good post AJH. I never rated Maguire, i have a "problem" with Ronaldo for about 1.5 year and i think one of my last posts was that i didn't want Ronaldo. All these "effective" players score goals but at what cost? And Ole didn't improve a single player i think.
Ralf has a rebuilding to make. I am fully behind him.
7.) 28 Dec 2021 13:02:51
I would, and would always have been (when fit) playing Cavani. His workrate is higher than anyone's in that team and he exemplifies how every player in that team should be contributing. I know that fitting him in to certain formations is a problem, especially without dropping Ronaldo, but he's one of if not the first name on the sheet as far as I'm concerned. I think there was a chance he might even leave in Jan but hopefully not, especially with Martial looking likely to head out to Seville.
With Spurs and Arsenal suddenly looking strong, the scrap for 3-4th is going to be tough and even though he is yet to lose, Rangnick's Utd needs to click pretty soon to stay in it.
{Ed077's Note - Cavani is my favourite player at United right now. He plays with so much desire and has excellent movement.
Its sad that he can't stay fit for any elongated period on a regular basis.
8.) 28 Dec 2021 13:04:54
I mean i habe a problem with Rashford for about 1.5 year.
9.) 28 Dec 2021 13:12:22
I think we must acknowledge that our current crop of players is not as good as we thought they were. We have several players who are no better than those who play for Newcastle. I also believe that the players are not good enough to be able to effect Rangnick’s style of play. I’m hoping that he is able to bring in 2 to 3 players in January who can not only change our mindset but enable us to control games in a high energy creative manner. I’m sure that Rangnick knows this better than anyone else because he works with the players daily.
10.) 28 Dec 2021 13:34:51
Lucky me; I was out for dinner last night so didn't waste 90 minutes of my life watching what sounds like a load of dross.
It amazes me that 10 very highly paid young men can't run around more for just an hour and a half to do what is their job. They should all be given a final written warning for gross negligence and if they do it again, just have their contracts terminated and see you in court.
11.) 28 Dec 2021 13:40:08
Im with Sepp, this squad has spent too long playing slow negative football. Their running and sprinting stats towards the lower end of the league. It will take a couple of months under Ralph to get fitness up to the level needed to play his way. There are some players who will not make the cut with him, but for me Rashford is the biggest question. He looks awful, nowhere near the player people make him out to be. I have always considered him over rated, but even i'm surprised how poor he is now.
12.) 28 Dec 2021 13:42:17
Jodler the squad is very good. It lacks balance. Too many effective players who play like primadonas for the goal and too little grafters. Every team can only stand one of such (effective) players at most but we have too many. Ronaldo do us no favour too. Ronaldo plays for goals, Rashford plays like Pogba-he care about seeming good rather being good for his team. Greenwood plays for goals and Bruno always tries the high risk pass that will help him have amazing stats.
Too many cherries on the cake but without having the cake! Ots about finding the right balance. And it depends on the current players to change their style to become more of grafters than luxury players or they can go and take some team and hard working players like Haidara etc. I am fully and 100% behind the manager even if the way forward is to oust 2-3 overpaid primadonas and give a chance to youth-at least until he buys the players that suits his style.
Its clearly to be seen that we want players like Kavani who play for the team and not like Ronaldo who play for their personal records and legacy.
13.) 28 Dec 2021 14:01:31
I don’t accept that the squad is very good. We have too many who are simply not good enough. As for the whingers - get rid immediately. They sap players’ confidence and undermine team morale. They are just masking their own inadequate performance. Pity other players don’t stand up to them and tell them where to go.
14.) 28 Dec 2021 14:03:18
The interesting thing going forward will be how Ragnick views these first few games, whether he persists with certain players in a way that Olly did regardless of game day performance.
With the likes of Donny/ Bailly/ Martial still not getting a look in you have to assume they do not train well considering the clamour from the fans for at least 2 of them and the fact that a change in personal from Olly could have been good.
Does he switch to 4231 so that they are at least more comfortable with the system. With Cavani back and looking like our best striker does he drop Ronaldo. Rashford needs time on the training ground without the worry of match day, look a shadow of the player he was.
Hopefully he goes with Sancho who was a bright spark when he came on, give the young players a run as at least with energy they will do what is asked as the body language of the senior players is currently awful and has been all season.
15.) 28 Dec 2021 15:37:13
I think that's an overaction. When players get used (if they want to) to new system and when Ralf improves some players then we will all see that the squad is good, at least better than is seems to be.
Ole left a mess. I would say he didn't improved a single player and left a team that were outrunned from almost everyone. It will take some time and difficult decisions but we will get there.
I am fully behind the project and i have no problems to play youths and write this season off if the primadonas like Ronaldo don't want to run and press.
16.) 28 Dec 2021 15:48:02
Any player looking for help with what a proper performance looks like, should look no further than Joelinton against us yesterday.
He was absolutely everywhere and has completely reinvented himself from a hit and miss striker to a beast in midfield. His effort was off the charts and he must surely have won 90% of his personal duels.
As fans we simply cannot accept a lack of effort. I agree completely with the comments about wingers and moaners. Just destroys the teams confidence, which is already shot. a lot of talk about the 4222 formation, but it practically the same as ole's 4231, with rashford and Fernandes swapping roles.
The glaring problem has been, and still is, a total lack of cohesion with the attacking line up. We always look at our best when cavani plays. Everyone else looks better with him in the side and either playing with him, or in the spaces he creates.
Either fernandes drops back to play in the midfield 2 (which he has looked better at recently in games) or we must buy a midfielder in Jan. Perhaps both.
17.) 28 Dec 2021 16:14:50
Herrera - too many cherries but no cake! Love it!
I'd say only Ronaldo and Pogba are cherries, but I get the point. No team ethic from any of them.
18.) 28 Dec 2021 16:37:13
At least one new midfielder is required. Fernandes is not a good enough passer to merit a place in central midfield. His passing percentage against Newcastle was 73% which is clearly not up to scratch. I have read that his performances have dipped since Ronaldo came. But why? If he feels inferior to other players, he doesn't have the character to play for Manchester United. I hope that Rangnick can improve some of the players. But there are some who are not receptive to change. I feel that he can indeed improve players such as Rashford, Sancho and Greenwood. Ronaldo and Fernandes? I doubt it.
19.) 28 Dec 2021 19:28:55
I think Fernandes seems to be the only player trying to play a penetrating pass. So his risk taking is off the scale and damaging the team. Maybe playing deeper and playing passes to simply put people into space we might see his stats improve.
But it doesn't matter right now when rash, Greenwood, ronny, sancho do nothing with the ball when they are in space. The lack of threat when they are given the ball is concerning. Zero end product. Poor movement in the middle from ronny aswell.
Hopefully the nee coaching set up can find a combination that starts to work. There are good players there, but they are not playing well together.
20.) 29 Dec 2021 00:04:59
Spenno i think it's more than them. Rashford plays this way because he thinks he is that good. I said over a yeat ago and i stick to what i said: Because he is a hero outside the team he wants to be a hero in the team too and make headlines. Everytime i see him play in the last 2 years he plays like a luxury player always trying to do the unexpected thing to make headlines. The result is to try and dribble 100 players at the same time or shoot from distance and of course he is nowhere near a team player.
I think Bruno fails in the same category. Although hardworking he is not effective enough in pressing-marking so his best position is as a second striker because of his effectiveness. He falls in the same category of "effective players" and the cherry of the cake.
To say it other way. For Ronaldo Rashford Bruno to score goals you have a cost. You have to take care of failed dribbles, failed shoots from distance, lossing the ball etc. On the other hand with Kavani and players like Salah you have no cost, they make the team better and on top of that they score.
So every top team can withstand at most one such player of this category. The others must be like Kavani, Sancho (as we see lately), Haidara etc. They make the cake (team) and then we can have the luxury player too. But we have the luxury players and not the team.
21.) 29 Dec 2021 11:06:17
Well I'd rather have zero cherries over 11 hard-working, very good players who fit in a system, whatever it is.
I genuinely think we have literally only a handful of players who tick all the boxes - ability, work ethic, team ethic. DDG, Varane, Cavani, Sancho. They are the only players we have at the top level who put in a shift. Half of them aren't even regular starters. Varane is yet to truly convince but has been injured, and Sancho is only just starting to make an impact but you can clearly see the effort.
22.) 29 Dec 2021 14:18:04
I agree mate, that's my point. Players ticking all boxes aren't many. So we will need some players in and hard work so some players maybe change their style if they can (like Bruno) and become key players.
23.) 29 Dec 2021 14:19:31
Herreea was the player who falls in this category but People crying for primadonas like Pogba and i get pelters when i say Herrera is our best midfielder in recent years.
29 Nov 2021 13:56:46
I thought we were very poor yesterday. Backs to the wall, defend well, press higher, I get all that but that isn’t how I want to see United play. It was horrible to watch and even a point feels like daylight robbery. Carrick’s comments were ridiculous.
We need revolution, I know that won’t be popular after 8 and a half years but it is needed. Ralf seems like the man who might bring it as does Ten Haag, if it takes a few years to get there I am happy to wait for that rather than change manager every 2 or 3 years looking for a magic bullet.
I still think Ronaldo was a mistake, legend, GOAT, still an amazing goal scorer but I think we have to set up around him and I don’t think that the right thing to do. I suspect things will get tricky when Ralf arrives.
I also think we aren’t very fit, unless we are bit the players can’t be arsed, some of them seem to stroll around and not really put the effort in so agin, that should are a few up when they are told how to press continually.
I expect to see the following happen.
1. Some players will improve as they are given clear direction and coaching.
2. Some players won’t fit in and will find themselves on the sidelines, and it might be one or two big names.
3. The Manager will be in charge, no best mates act but a clear set of instructions. If you don’t follow them you’re out.
4. Some of the youngsters will get a chance and a few of them will take that chance.
5. I doubt Ronaldo will be here next season and I also doubt he will play all or Eve most games.
I really hope we follow the ‘all our teams play this way’ approach so that the youth teams mirror the style of the first team.
I’ve been watching United for about 47 years and right now I hate it. I would rather have attacked and lost 3-0 yesterday than how we approached that game. The team is all over the place and whilst last year wasn’t great, it was never like this.
We don’t need an Ole arm round the shoulder Manager, we don’t need a Jose your all crap Manager, we need someone with a clear vision who can communicate it whilst making players better. Hopefully that is Ralf.
1.) 29 Nov 2021 14:57:58
So evolution not revolution.
2.) 29 Nov 2021 15:05:28
AJH I agree with a-lot of what you said, the problem with highlighting how we played yesterday against a good side though is that's how we have played since OLE took almost 3 years ago and it wasn't being highlighted when he was at the helm.
3.) 29 Nov 2021 16:13:23
I do agree that signing Ronaldo was more of an opportunist signing than part of any plan, yet whilst his brilliance can't be ignored his arrival has affected formation and the development of others. I doubt signing him was as fickle as to prevent City getting him - we're still talking tens of millions. More of a 'boost' to club and fans with all the noise that was going on.
It will be interesting to see what formation Ralf utilises, at present we are quite heavy up front with a few futures less than certain. Cavani is on his way out at the end of the season (wouldn't rule out Jan) while Martial seems to be in limbo and unlikely to be up for this new pressing game. So while I don't see CR7 leaving before his two years, I do think we're in for a shuffle up top.
25 Nov 2021 20:48:21
Rangnick is a wonderful signing, hopefully he has the authority to get stuff done, and hopefully it means we have a clear view of who we want to come in as Manager, Poch or Ten Haag. Hopefully, if w stays for 2 years as a Consultant he can create a proper football structure that will stand the test of time, who nows' he might stay longer when he proves his value.
It would be so good if we took decisive action in January. Sell Lingard, Martial, and Mata and go and buy Rice. Play a more attaching formation with the confidence that Rice is capable of managing on his own. Restore Rashford’s confidence, play Sancho right and give Cavani game time, even if that means resting the GOAT. Blood some youngsters, play an energetic press and if players don’t want to run and press then drop them.
Let’s have a clear game strategy and approach and take no is how we do things, sign up or sod off.
1.) 25 Nov 2021 21:01:40
Great signing. Rangnick has a clear and proactive footballing philosophy, maybe more so than anyone in the post Fergie era. I am hopeful we will be going into games talking the initiative far more often now.
2.) 25 Nov 2021 21:23:39
Now steady the f##k on AJH, that is far too much positivity in one post!
All jokes aside, it’s a nice feeling isn’t it. A tiny glimmer of hope in the appointment of Rangnick.
Could all fall on its arse yet but my god we've needed something to be happy about as United fans.
24 Nov 2021 11:34:21
Good win last night, soaked up some pressure and then dominated before finishing them off. A few things jumped out at me.
Glad to see Bruno dropped, I think he has been average for a long time and spends a lot of time throwing his hands up in the air or rolling on the floor. He is massively talented but needs to get back to what he was doing when he first arrived, not sure what his issue is right now.
Fred was excellent, breaking up play and getting in the way, if he could do this every game then he is worth his place, unfortunately sometimes he can’t hit a barn door with a banjo but last night he played a key role in both goals.
Donny looked pretty anonymous, I don’t think he’s a 10, I think he is 1 of a midfield 3 but that is a complete change of formation.
Sancho showed why he should have been playing every game. Direct, energetic, threatening, it didn’t always come off but who cares, he looked like the player we thought we were getting. Why on Earth has he not been getting picked or picked on the left?
Martial was a very odd selection, surely his time is up? Perhaps it was to tell Rashford he has to earn his place.
Everything is a bit weird until we understand what’s happening Manager wise but dropping Bruno and Rashford was a good start last night. Interesting to see if Maguire gets rested too.
1.) 24 Nov 2021 12:01:13
Spot on AJH - I was really pleased for Sancho last night, not only scoring but he had a decent game. You could see the relief when he scored. What was Ole thinking picking him on the left?
VDB did absolutely nothing, he started brightly then faded in to the night from after 10 minutes.
Bruno needs to stop over complicating his game and get back to the basics. He seems to trying impossible passes all the time.
I may get slated saying this but i would honestly give Hannibal a run out in the midfield.
Maybe ease him in against a lower league side in a cup competition or a few substitute appearances against lower premiership sides.
I truly believe that this kid has what it takes to break through this season.
2.) 24 Nov 2021 12:07:46
Fred was not excellent, he did two or three good things at the right moments. Almost all of Villarreal's attacks came from them easily bypassing McFred, not allowing that to happen is Fred's primary role in the team.
3.) 24 Nov 2021 12:57:48
My hopes for last night were simple 1) hope to win. Tick
2) a slightly different approach. Tick
3) some slightly different personal. Tick.
4) MORE RUNNING. TICK.
Nothing more could have been achieved in 48 hrs.
Vdb was asked to do a role not best suited to him but did OK.
Telles was good.
Sancho played well.
The longer the game went the better we did.
Fred was good.
Mctom poor imo.
Martial was an odd call but he was as bad a ever.
The players responded to Carrick and fletch as I hoped they would.
Chelsea will be a tougher test no doubt but with the same approach and improved midset we stand a better chance than we did under ole.
Let's wait and a but they couldn't have done much better than they did last night given the time frame imo.
4.) 24 Nov 2021 12:58:32
Not many Utd players in form recently, but Sancho certainly looked like he found some last night.
Was a shame Donny didn't pick up where he left off with a good chance to impress in an admittedly tough game - but those are the chances he needs to take. Ideally he is going to have to mould himself into one of those two midfield slots a little further back, assuming Fernandes is the starter.
Interesting to see CR7 deployed on the left, but in that instance I'm not sure why Cavani wouldn't be the CF. Martial was walking around as the opposition tore forward - the commentators were going berserk at him. He wouldn't get away with it at any other side in the Prem.
5.) 24 Nov 2021 13:05:38
llv - i agree he wasnt excellent but he imo had one of his best/ better games as he worked, tried to close and got stuck in as well as not giving the ball away so much. Hardly balond'or stuff but a better show. Fred is not the answer as is not lindlehof but these two players in particular take a lot of flak sometimes rightly but also sometimes unfairly as 1 has to cover maguire and awb downfalls and the other is ofeten left outnumbered as pog, mctom or whoever progress forward. It wasnt the same old same, because we won so it has to be a positive sign: god knows we could do with one of late.
still think the sooner the coaching staff are replaced the better.
6.) 24 Nov 2021 13:11:08
Story of the game they made the worst mistake and we won, could easily have gone the other way.
No meaningful conclusions can be drawn until an new manager or interim is appointed. If they are forced to work with Carrick, Phelan and McKenna what was the point?!
If people want to believe we’ll see meaningful change if all Ole’s coaching staff remain at the Club then that’s their prerogative but ignore the evidence at your peril.
It appears to me the Club are just re arranging the furniture again. Re branding the same product. Let’s see what happens!
7.) 24 Nov 2021 13:45:54
I didn't see much different to Solksjaer's teams. Still pretty crap.
8.) 24 Nov 2021 13:55:21
Dlib I don't think anybody believes we will see significant change under these coaches.
But we won 2 nil away I doubt that would have kagoshima under ogs.
What do you want the club to do have no coaches until they appoint a interim.
What is it you think should happen until we appoint an interim?
There was a better performance last night if you don't think so I'm not surprised it took you 18 months to realise we were not improving under the ole.
Do you think we should sack Carrick and leave nobody there?
These things take a little time. We have got the main man out others will follow when circumstances allow that's just not yet. But a least the main idiot is gone that's a good thing surely?
9.) 24 Nov 2021 13:57:27
I don’t see why we can’t play VDB alongside Fred in a midfield two.
McTom has been shocking for months and adds nothing to the side. Give Donny a chance in a team with Bruno, we have nothing to lose.
10.) 24 Nov 2021 14:34:32
McT and Martial were shockingly poor.
Bruno and Rash instead of them will be a good watch.
11.) 24 Nov 2021 14:47:01
Ken - I believe the Club should act like a football Club and stop making ridiculous decisions that don’t make any sense. Instead of sending Ole on a holiday they should have used the two week international break to sack Ole and his coaches and appoint a new manager. Did it really take a defeat to Watford to make them realise Ole wasn’t good enough? They obviously all went on holiday and hoped everything would be ok, they ignored the developing crisis and they have absolutely no idea what they are doing.
If you want to believe all is ok now Ole has gone then that’s your decision. I find the whole situation infuriating and if a new manager or interim is forced to keep Carrick, McKenna and Phelan then I think things have the potential to get even worse not better.
I’m delighted we won last night but pretending we saw any real change is ridiculous in my opinion. We didn’t play well last night. We capitalised on a mistake and scored on the counter attack. The Club is in a mess all of its own making. The problem is bigger than Ole and always was and that’s what we’re now seeing.
If you want to place your faith in the owners and decision makers again that’s your prerogative. Sacking Ole has not fixed anything and we’re now again in the hands of bankers making important footballing decisions which they have proved utterly incompetent for nearly a decade.
12.) 24 Nov 2021 16:04:49
Shoulda woulda coulda.
We are where we are dlib.
So given that we have no manager who did you want to take the team last night?
Nobody is saying they should stay long term.
Nobody believes they will fix the issues.
But no point moaning unless you think there is someone else in situ that should take the team.
I'm convinced we would not have win there last night with ole at the wheel. They are a lot better than Watford after all.
So a good decision was made to get rid of ole and when we can get the right man in in quite sure the others will follow.
BTW I would have ordered a banker to ole for last 3 years.
Now let's be clear nobody thinks the coaches should survive but they are better than nobody and did a good job last night.
They can do no more than that.
Bodily the new guy will be in soon but if bit I'd rather Carrick than nobody. But it's your perogative if you would prefer we had nobody in charge.
Everybody knows that the club have made a hirlicks of this because they like you until recently believed ole was the man to take us forward.
14 Jan 2022 22:18:38
Henderson looks wobbly to me, I’d be very nervous having him as No1.
31 Dec 2021 10:26:06
We slated a ole for nit giving him a chance, and yet here is a new manage also not giving him any game time. Clearly the issue appears to be the player himself.
01 Dec 2021 15:03:22
Haidara’s name keeps coming up but I don’t see him as much more than a slightly upgraded version of Fred. Werner is awful. He works hard and presses but he misses continually.
22 Nov 2021 12:03:25
Hardly setting the world on fire? He’s lost 1 game all season, is well clear at the top of the league and will qualify for the knockout stage of the Champions League. What exactly were you expecting him to have done so far?
14 Nov 2021 16:05:17
I don’t doubt it Danny, but if it is true, at least Woody can crack on without having to be too secretive.
13 Jan 2022 12:34:37
I love Micah, I think he is honest and also pretty credible.
Carrahpgher does my head in, his voice doesn’t help but he talks balls too.
I find most of the pundits to be pretty poor, Evra patronising Alex Jones was a particular low.
I also like Ally McCoist, he’s entertaining and often says what I’m thinking,
13 Jan 2022 12:30:50
Well, if he started to play like a captain then fair enough. I’ll wait.
13 Jan 2022 10:28:10
it’s interesting how the Class of ‘92 have moved on.
Whilst he was a great footballer' Scholes comes across as quite simple in his thinking. Not sure he’s a particularly good pundit and it’s his name that gets him the gig.
Giggs clearly has a very inflated view of himself but then we heard about his ‘liaisons’ and he’s about to get a bit of a shock when he gets to court. I remember we talked about him managing United but I think he’s in real trouble.
Neville failed spectacularly as a Manager but hands out advice on prime time TV. Initially it was refreshing but he has so much to say about every subject. Sometimes Gary, less is more.
Beckham had a stellar career but the leak of his emails hasn’t helped his image. Having said that, he’s generally done very well and stayed out of trouble. Whatever the rumours, he’s seen as a decent family man.
Butt was going about his business quietly but then also found himself on the wrong side of the law.
Fair play to Phil Neville, trying to forge a career as a coach.
Whilst not the Class of ‘92, Keane has found a new career and I think Micah Richards has been very good for him. Richards has teased out his softer side and we have sen his sense of humour, he also tells it exactly as it is.
It must be tough when you have been a superstar footballer and suddenly those incredibly highs have gone.
13 Jan 2022 10:09:55
I looked back over old posts from 2012 and there are a bunch of names that no longer appear.
NoMidfield was there, he became Schmidfield, and the Attack Attack Attack. I can’t remember what he was called before NoMidfield though.
It was the Sydney show when I first joined, people asked him questions and he would provide his view, although often it was presented as fact. And then he disappeared.
And yes, there were some really questionable comments before the Ed’s decided to implement clear standards. I AM KLOOT was the worst, he was like the old bloke stood on the corner in his slippers shouting at the clouds.
12 Jan 2022 11:59:42
I love Rice, but I don't think he's a DM.