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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.
08 Dec 2017 20:28:41
So, first of all, I share my birthday with Jonny Evans so put that your pipe and smoke it. Secondly, I may have had a little wine tonight so forgive me if I am less coherent than Ronnie during a transfer window.
Sunday is a big game and I hope that Jose wakes up and has an epiphany but I fear it will not happen. I believe it is better to die fighting than running away and in football that is also true. Inspire the troops, give them hope and belief, rouse their spirits, fill their hearts with pride and desire. Let’s not turn up to stifle and try and nick a goal on the break. I don’t care if they are the best team, like Pierre the famous French fighter pilot, let’s go down in flames (google it) .
We are United, a team steeped in history and tradition, we live or die by our standard, there are times to stand up and be counted, Sunday is one of those times. We win, or we lose in a blaze of glory, to be a United fan there are no in betweens.
Time for more wine.
1.) 09 Dec 2017 01:43:34
Jesse's performance at Arsenal will have given him food for thought. Maybe we can press high with a few players and cause some chaos amongst their back line. Worry is that Matic and Ander would have to play out of their skins.
The motivational piece is way more important than formation. Win your battles all over the pitch and you'll get a win.
2.) 09 Dec 2017 10:50:17
We’ll park the bus and try to catch them on the counter and via set pieces.
AJH's banter posts with other poster's replies to AJH's banter posts
16 Apr 2021 07:01:56
And now it's Roma. Go and review one of the best halves we ever played, the 7-1 mauling we gave them in 2014, and in particular the fabulous procession of 1 touches leading to a goal. Oh for the same again.
1.) 16 Apr 2021 07:24:13
Doh? 2007.
2.) 16 Apr 2021 07:54:25
I'm expecting a semi final win.
3.) 16 Apr 2021 08:11:08
That's the only time I've ever been to old trafford. What a day!
4.) 16 Apr 2021 08:52:33
Fonseca is a very good manager, plays good football, though to play against.
We also get to welcome back two ex-reds in Smalling and Mkhitaryan. Let's not make their return too comfortable.
Glad we avoided Villarreal to be honest as we have played them 4 times and never scored against them.
Roma will be a tough game, but if we can get our best players on the pitch, fully fit and playing well then we should win the tie.
I'm certainly not expecting another 7-1.
5.) 16 Apr 2021 09:28:30
Also we need to have a whip around and see if we can send RedD to all our home games. Only going to one and it being the 7-1 thrashing of Roma suggests they are a good luck charm😂.
6.) 16 Apr 2021 13:08:52
Shappy, It's a 6 hour drive, but I'll take one for the team of you want to cover travel costs, tickets for 2 and a night in a fancy hotel.
7.) 16 Apr 2021 15:05:50
I watch it about once a month AJH, one of my favourite games, Ronaldo’s first European goal as well I believe. Losing the first leg was the reason for that result, we had to go for it from the start and get an early goal, the first 30 minutes were unbelievable, the atmosphere inside OT especially for Smith’s goal was electric, still gives me goosebumps thinking about it.
14 Apr 2021 21:15:35
Just stumbled across the PSG 3-1 away win which was a hell of a performance. Rashford has been playing through injuries lately but that night he was immense. The penalty was given at the start of 3 minutes of injury time and after a VAR review, and a lot of nonsense from PSG players, Rashford got to take the penalty with time up.
Was he nervous, did he wobble? Hell no, he buried it, smashing it into the top of the net. We need to rediscover the magic of that night, the fight, the passion, the belief.
We have had some amazing European nights, that was one of them.
1.) 14 Apr 2021 22:38:36
AJH
There were very few nights to match when Barcelona came to OT in 1984, Maradona and Schuster humbled by Robson. Not many will match that.
2.) 15 Apr 2021 08:35:05
we were blessed in that game ajh. I wish we never won it.
3.) 15 Apr 2021 12:39:02
Sums us up under Ole ken. We can be bang average or we can be awesome, sadly the balance is too much bang average right now.
4.) 15 Apr 2021 12:59:31
If that incorrect handball had not been given against psg we might have had a better manager by now so its all VAR's fault and liverpool fans think var is on our side. it stuck us with ole🤣 for that reason alone VAR must go.
11 Apr 2021 19:08:11
Excellent second half, focused, hungry and at it, if only we could do that for full games more often. Excellent leading of the line by Cavani, now understand what we want him to stay for a year, Pogba was up for it all game and Greenwood was excellent when he came on. Fred was erratic, even more than usual, but it was great to see him score and the delight on his team mates faces; a real honest player who always gives 100%.
Typical Jose, get a goal up and then sit back, Spurs got what they deserved. I love that we now have the second best ever unbeaten away run in the EPL, I love that we have won so many points from losing positions, I love that we smacked Spurs after they spent the first half rolling on the floor, I love that we are now well clear in second place, I live that 4 teams are battling for third and fourth and we aren’t one of them.
The football has been pretty dire for a lot of this season, interspersed with some great spells and games. Let’s cross everything that we can progress further next year and take a step forward.
Ole may not be the man to take us forward but whatever he said at half time worked, and the introduction of Greenwood was key. A good day for a Ole.
{Ed077's Note - I disagree. Spurs got more than they deserved. They didn't even deserve to score😂
1.) 11 Apr 2021 19:25:09
Brilliant win. Jose will be bristling. They are terrible.
08 Apr 2021 08:14:40
Important game tonight, would anyone be surprised if Ole underestimates the opposition and rests a few?
If we turn up we can win this competition. I think top 4 is nailed on now and 2nd to 4th is not a big deal, so full focus on the Europa is required.
We get ourselves into strong positions in the cups but so far have blown it. Time for Ole and the layers to stand up and be counted.
1.) 08 Apr 2021 09:04:14
We can't underestimate our league position. Utd could quite easily go on a bad run. We have seen Ole over play players. There are 8 league games left.
He certainly should have rested a few players against Soceidad in the 2nd leg.
2.) 08 Apr 2021 09:26:47
mh top 4 is a certainty. Assuming West ham Chelsea Liverpool and spurs all lose and draw 1 game from their lazy 8 we would have to lose 5 of our last 8 games.
There is nothing to suggest they will win all 8 in fact they can't as they have to play each other.
Top 4 is fine unless we have the biggest collapse of all time.
3.) 08 Apr 2021 09:44:48
For me Ole's biggest weakness as a coach is that he rarely rotates his team and often plays his strongest line up when it's not needed.
Ole will name the strongest 11 he has available for every game, so I don't see him underestimating Granada and going with a weaker side.
If key players don't play it's because they are injured, suspended or not fit enough to start.
4.) 08 Apr 2021 09:59:08
The guy can't win, every rotation he makes is slated as playing a weaker team and every time he leaves them in is also bad management.
5.) 08 Apr 2021 10:53:19
Not true Spenno. Solkjaer is slated because he is too rigid in his thinking. He can't work out how to utilise talented players to get results while resting his first choice.
Case in point; Bruno overplayed with Mata and DvB hardly getting a kick. OK so Bruno is perhaps better than either of them but switch to a 433 and play them both as 8's with a DM behind and you have what should be a talented attacking force. I'm not saying this should be the set up against the top teams but it should be enough to break down lesser teams when we don't need two DMs.
The fact that Solksjaer can't do these basic requirements of a football manager is why he gets slated.
6.) 08 Apr 2021 10:56:10
Well said spenno.
7.) 08 Apr 2021 11:11:51
He can't win a semi final, Spenno, that's for sure. Let's hope he gets it right tonight as this is his best opportunity to prove he has a winning mentality.
8.) 08 Apr 2021 12:40:42
Most of us are complaining on here that Ole can't get past a semi, but can we all have a moment for his long suffering wife🤣.
9.) 08 Apr 2021 14:04:23
Ken,
Loo at Liverpool, they went on a very bad run, so anything is possible.
10.) 08 Apr 2021 14:49:20
Mh you worry too much. 🤣.
11.) 08 Apr 2021 14:59:47
Start your strongest side, kill the game off and then sub off the big hitters imo.
12.) 08 Apr 2021 15:35:43
That's my philosophy with Championship Manager too.
{Ed077's Note -do you mean the video game?}
13.) 08 Apr 2021 15:59:46
shappy his first team ain't brilliant at times so who is he going to rotate them with?
14.) 08 Apr 2021 16:22:46
Ken,
Your probably right.
15.) 08 Apr 2021 17:08:33
Funky, I suppose that's the skill in managing a squad of players with varying levels of ability.
I completely agree that this squad isn't half as good as many believe and when Ole leaves they might well see that.
I see it as a squad full of young players with potential, rather than top players in their peak years.
My suggestion earlier in the season was to just send out a weaker team of squad players and kids in the cup games and just see what happens.
Top sides with their best 11's get knocked out of cups all the time, a poor performance from the side, an unfortunate draw against a fellow top side, an unbelievable performance from a "smaller" side, or just a bad luck or poor refereeing. Any of those things can knock a top side out of a cup, its why cups are so hard to win.
On one hand now we are complaining about the number of injuries, but then on the other players like Mata and Donny have played very few minutes. They're not bad players, so give them the cup games at least.
Or maybe we could have used players like Mata and Donny in those games against sides that play a low block, clever passers of the ball.
I think a lot of the time context is needed when judging the manager, with many people giving into the hyperbole, especially after a loss.
Yet the reality is that while this side isn't a top class side, there is a feeling that certain players haven't been used enough and others have been used too much. It has contributed to poor form, injuries and fatigue with many players in the squad.
It's fine to critique the manager, as long as context is included and personal biases placed to one side.
16.) 08 Apr 2021 18:00:51
I hope so mh🤞👍. No way they will win all theirs and no way I see us losing 5 from 8. I think 2nd is now a real target but el comes first for me from here on in.
We need to be winning this. Its great for our seeding too in the cl we don't really want to be in the 3rd pot it makes groups harder.
{Ed077's Note - we were in pot 2 for the UCL draw this season (20/21) if I recall correctly.
17.) 08 Apr 2021 23:16:27
We were and we need to stay there. Our previous el win and semi appearance helped our rankings.
01 Apr 2021 08:08:07
I’m getting bored with the continual slating of Maguire. Yes he has limitations, a lack of pace being the main one, but generally he is solid as a rock. He’s first choice for England and pretty much every pundit has him in the team. Yes yes, that’s only comparing him to other English defenders but it’s become a running them on here that he rubbish, when clearly he isn’t. Maybe they’re all wrong and everyone on here is right eh?
The fee was outrageous, he needs the right partner, but he brings a huge amount to the team. I’d like to see more passion from him as he doesn’t strike me as captain material, but as a CB he’s a lot better than many on here give him credit for.
1.) 01 Apr 2021 09:18:39
Hes average for me Tony. Gets exposed far too much for a team wanting to be winning titles. Perhaps if he had the right defender next to him, one with pace then it'd be a good partnership, he's not anywhere near a Dias or VvD, 2 examples of what a real quality CB can do for a team.
2.) 01 Apr 2021 09:30:32
Tony, while Maguire isn't awful, he's a long way from top class.
I think people are frustrated because we could have bought 2 better defenders for the same 80m fee.
I actually don't think his lack of pace and mobility is a huge issue in itself. Most centre backs tend to be bigger guys, which naturally makes them slower off the mark and slightly more cumbersome. But that's what makes them hard to get around, tough to go shoulder to shoulder with and hard to beat in the air.
The real issue with Maguire is his total lack of reading a game. His stepping forward with the ball but not understanding the massive gap he leaves behind. His ball watching dragging him out of position or under the ball. His lack of spatial awareness or who is near him leading to him pulling back or "tackling" his own teammates.
He defends like a bull in a china shop. Charging around mindlessly.
If he was quicker and more mobile he might be able to recover from his mistakes better, but he would still make them.
I'm also not convinced by this argument that he just needs the right partner. While there are specific skillsets that we could target in a potential defensive partner to mitigate Maguire's weaknesses that still comes at a cost. While that defender is covering for Maguire then who is marking the space he has vacated?
We have spent 5 years saying Pogba will be world class when we get the right midfield partner for him. And Pogba is a significantly more talented footballer than Maguire. Yet we have never found that right partner. Carrick, Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Blind, Matic, Andreas Pereira, Herrera, Fred, McTominay, and Donny have all played in midfield with Pogba with mixed results but limited success.
So far Maguire has had the opportunity to play with Lindelof, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Jones and Rojo. Again with limited success.
I don't think there is the perfect partner out there for him, and I certainly don't expect the club to find one.
He will be first choice as long as Ole is manager. Probably even beyond that as it takes huge balls to drop an 80m captain of a club when you're the new guy through the door.
I think the club will repeat the same mistakes with Maguire as they have with Pogba, spending years trying to find the right balance to mitigate their flaws instead of just biting the bullet and building the best team with or without Maguire.
3.) 01 Apr 2021 10:06:48
The problem with Maguire isn't that he is a bad defender, but he is plagued with making mistakes, especially for us.
Put him in the England team and he appears a better player. Is that simply down to the fact that Stones is better than Lindelof (except for the mistake last night) .
Whilst I agree he does receive his fair share of criticism on this page, a lot of it is justified because of the countless mistakes he has made and sometimes dropping us points.
{Ed077's Note - I disagree. I think Maguire is a bad defender.}
4.) 01 Apr 2021 10:35:59
Kurtis, International football just isn't the place to judge players. Every time there is an international tournament several teams get sucked in to the hype and sign players who stood out during that tournament only to find they aren't anywhere near as good in club football.
International football tends to see teams setting up with a mixed bag of players in terms of quality. In one game you might be up against a group of defenders who are among the best in the world, in the next game you might be up against league 1 standard defenders, while in other games the team you are playing will have some top class players, some average players and some poor players.
Think back to the last Euro's with Wales, they made it to the Semi-finals. They had players like Bale and Ramsey who were top class players, but they also had Hennessay, Chester, and Sam Vokes.
They had players who played for Real Madrid, Spurs, Arsenal and Liverpool, while others played for Inverness, Aberdeen, MK Dons and Gillingham.
It's almost impossible to judge a player in international football, great players can look average, while average players can look great.
5.) 01 Apr 2021 10:43:08
I don't think the criticism is that bad and a lot of it is warranted. His lack of positioning has cost us a number of times this season.
6.) 01 Apr 2021 11:18:50
Maguire does lack pace and isn't the quickest on the turn and sometimes losses his positioning but in my opinion he is easily the best ball playing centre back at the club by a mile. He's very good on the ball when we play out from the back and better than most centre backs in the premiership at that. His stats show that with the number of passes he makes and very rarely gives the ball away.
The problem is he plays for Man United and we payed 85 million for him so he is always going to be scrutinised when he makes a mistake. And going back to the point that further up that Stones is better than Maguire is absolute rubbish. Harry Maguire in that current city team would look a million dollars. even William Prunier would.
7.) 01 Apr 2021 12:07:00
Here's my thoughts on Maguire.
Strengths: aerial duels and comfortable on the ball.
Weaknesses: Pace, slow on the turn, decision making, agility, tackling, poor reading of the game.
Overall, a very average defender.
God knows who scouted him and we decided to break the world record fee for him.
The one who recommended him to us should be sacked. I feel he has set us back a few years. Every team playing against us will know he would be the weakling.
With proper scouting and decision making, for 80m we could have got both Ruben Dias and Aymeric Laporte.
Once again just highlights our amateur transfer dealings.
8.) 01 Apr 2021 17:48:53
Bar Ed077, who said he just can't defend, virtually everyone mentioned the fee. Its not his fault our recruitment team could not find a better player for the money paid. He's commanding in the air and good on the ball. The rest of his game is average however watching Lindelof at times he's none of those things. Never seen him make a tackle of note and awful in the air but he didn't cost 80 million i guess.
{Ed077's Note - Maguire wins a lot of his aerial duels but he cant direct his headers/clearances away properly IMO. I think Lindelof is a better defender but he isnt suited to PL.}
9.) 01 Apr 2021 18:29:09
Reality is neither of them are that great 🤣
In terms of City and stones and dias, I do believe the fact they dominate the ball so much helps all of them look better in defence.
We are pretty careless on the ball and constantly giving the ball. This means our defenders have more work to do.
10.) 01 Apr 2021 19:45:20
Chorlton, Obviously Maguire isn't responsible for his fee. That said Nikola Milenkovic is good on the ball (maybe not quite as good as Maguire) and great in the air, he is also quicker, more mobile, and reads the game well. Making him an all round better defender, and would have cost half as much if not less.
It's really not that hard to find better defenders than Maguire, the problem however was the other "factors" taken into consideration when picking out signings.
11.) 01 Apr 2021 19:46:30
I was composing a reply when I noticed the date. Nice try AJH😂.
12.) 02 Apr 2021 10:01:33
Shappy i just think a lot people let the fee we paid come into things when they judge him. Not seen Milenkovic so can't comment on him but i do know, for what we paid, we could have had 2 very good/ decent centre halfs.
Paying 90 million for him was ridiculous. He was available the season before for 75 million!
11 Apr 2021 19:40:05
Rice for me. Young, English, having a great season.
15 Dec 2020 07:54:29
Shappy, Ronaldo (and Messi) are light years ahead of any other players of this generation so yes, he probably is better. Imagine a couple of top signings and Ronaldo’s drive and mentality, the impact would be huge.
Can’t see it happening though.
13 Dec 2020 17:10:21
I would take him in a flash. Proven winner, great work ethic and attitude, the player of his generation, an icon. He would improve every player in the squad.
04 Oct 2020 11:25:49
If he can stay for, its an astute signing. Classy, winner, worker, professiona, he could have an impact.
03 Oct 2020 19:26:33
We need maturity and we need winners, people with the right mentality. He may be past his best but he ticks those boxes and he’s still class.
18 Apr 2021 18:31:53
Completely agree. If this happens I will be finding another club. These owners know nothing about history and tradition, the pyramid means nothing to them. It makes me feel physically sick that this is even being considered, Money is God.
17 Apr 2021 06:19:02
The problem as ever is likely to be the demands of his agent, and how much control Pogba exerts over him. If he is considering staying, and I don’t know that he is, the wage demands are likely to be ridiculous which then causes all sorts of complications as we saw with Sanchez.
It feels like the circus is coming to town again.
16 Apr 2021 07:24:13
Doh? 2007.
15 Apr 2021 16:52:40
I’m going to be contentious, Kane will be 28 in July which is about peak age for a striker, but his injury record had been iffy. He missed 17 games 2 years ago and 16 games last year. Admittedly he has only missed 3 this year but for the money involved I would be concerned.
Really don’t see Watkins being good enough, we need players who will improve us immediately, we have enough promising youngsters so we need to add a couple of top players across CB, DM, CM (if PP leaves), and CF. I doubt we will buy 4 and certainly not 4 big money ones so it will mix and match, that’s why Cavani made sense.
15 Apr 2021 12:39:02
Sums us up under Ole ken. We can be bang average or we can be awesome, sadly the balance is too much bang average right now.