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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
24 Jan 2021 21:37:19
Nice to see mighty reds getting stick off Liverpool fans on their pages. They seem to agree that he posts nonsense.
I hadn’t realised how worried the Liverpool fans are, I know they’ve had a bad run but it’s not pretty over there. Mind you, imagine how we would feel if we had to play Scott and Pogba as CBs.
{Ed047's Note - in their defence, missing Fabinho and Henderson from their midfield is immense so losing VVD and Gomes has an even bigger impact on them than just losing their 1st choice CB’s.
1.) 24 Jan 2021 22:01:39
I get that Ed, seems bizarre that it is continuing when the window is open. Surely everyone can see a CB is essential right now.
{Ed047's Note - it’s all apparently about money but surely this is a point when you have to do something!
Maybe VVD and Gomes are closer to a return than expected but I’d doubt it.
2.) 24 Jan 2021 23:05:55
Ed, they don’t have to play they’re CM’s at CB. They are making the situation worse for themselves. They have defenders in the U23s etc that could play. They’ve also had a transfer window for a month do business.
{Ed047's Note - in reality they shouldn’t have too but the two young guys they’ve tried haven’t been up to much even when played alongside a senior player like today.
They are literally crippling themselves as you say mate and it’s nobody’s fault but their own.
3.) 25 Jan 2021 02:26:35
Ed047,
Do you not think it was a bit too risky, borderline arrogant, to go into the season with only 3 out and out CBs, 2 if whom have a history of injury woes, in Matip and Gomez
?
{Ed001's Note - he spent all summer trying to buy one, it wasn't arrogance, it was just a case of having to make do and mend as he has all the time. Liverpool have not had a back up full back, for instance, until this summer. Kopp has always had to take a chance in at least one position. It's the way it is for every club in every league. Every club takes a chance, as you can never build a complete squad. United don't have a proper right winger, it is a risk they are having to take for now. You could go through every team in the league and find gaps in their squads.}
4.) 25 Jan 2021 06:00:54
Ed001
Matip's fitness isn't something to be relied upon. I said it during the summer window as well. And Gomez has a dodgy injury history to say the least. Liverpool should have not put faith in Matip staying fit for any stretch of games. That was the mistake. Instead of trying to sell Phillips maybe selling Mario and bringing in a more reliable 3rd choice might have been better.
But hindsight is a thing as well.
{Ed001's Note - you are talking about how to play it on FIFA or Football Manager. In the real world you can't just sell players no one wants to buy or will pay any money for. Which is why Klopp was working on converting Fabinho as cover. Gomez has had a couple of long term injuries, he is hardly Phil Jones. If you check most of his problems stem from inept England management.}
5.) 25 Jan 2021 07:00:23
But Matip isn't much far from Phil Jones levels of injury woes. The issue I had is the trust put on Nations fitness, not Gomez. Maybe you could have looked at a loan signing as well. However good CBs aren't in abundance so maybe that was the major issue.
{Ed001's Note - that is my point there was no trust on it, that is why Edwards spent the summer trying to bring in a centre-back or two. It is all very well saying this, but you are talking about a club that had no cash for a down payment. No one loans out good players without a loan fee. You are living in the same fantasy world half the Liverpool fans do, who just think you can materialise quality players out of thin air just in case two of your centre-backs happen to have season-ending injuries at the same time.}
6.) 25 Jan 2021 07:34:36
*Matips fitness I meant. I think showing evening one iota of faith in Matip's fitness is living in fantasy land Ed001. Not pointing out that having even a slightly worse player than Matip with much better fitness record wouldn't have caused as big of a shakeup in the LFC team.
Anyways I am happier for Liverpool being behind us at this stage in the season.
{Ed001's Note - you are still missing the point, no one did. Liverpool spent all summer trying to sign a centre-back, as well as Klopp working with Fabinho to convert him to a centre-back. No point you trying to tell others what they should have done when they tried but it was not possible. Liverpool tried and couldn't get one. All very well saying they should have just brought in anyone then, but what kind of idiot spends millions during a global pandemic on a player that will only play in the event of 2 long term injuries to players in the same position? And even then would be 3rd choice at best! Especially when it is a club with no money and lots of future payments for players to consider. Jota only arrived because Wolves accepted Hoever as the down-payment.}
7.) 25 Jan 2021 07:58:07
Malang Sarr moved on a free this summer.
Jan Vertonghen moved on a free as well.
Joel Veltman, a Dutch international CB moved for under £1m.
Do you not think any one of these would have been happy to be backup option at Liverpool?
Malang Sarr literally signed for Chelsea to then move out on a loan. And Veltman has essentially been a backup/ rotation option at Brighton.
I know "free agents" aren't truly free signing but still they wouldn't have cost too much money for sure.
You tell me, would neither of them have been a decent backup option? I think the desire to sign an out and out first choice CB (as suggested by Ed002) meant you weren't looking for a backup option at the start of the summer and thus needed up in a situation where most of the available decent CB options had already moved on.
{Ed001's Note - Sarr was not interested, nor was Vertonghen and Veltman was not under consideration though I would have taken him. I did suggest Sarr but he preferred Chelsea as he saw more of a long term future with them. Remember at the time they didn't have Chilwell and he is able to play left-back and their centre-backs are awful. So he probably thought he would stand a good chance of being a regular there.
Vertonghen was only going to move somewhere he could be first choice, he was never going to be first choice when he plays the same position as van Dijk. Veltman was led to believe he would be first choice at Brighton, and was signed because White was expected to move to Liverpool or Leeds. Liverpool simply couldn't afford White. For that matter, nor could Leeds.}
8.) 25 Jan 2021 08:44:29
I am sure Liverpool could have persuaded Malang Sarr to come to Anfield, specially before Tsimikas' arrival. He would have been happy to be a back up LB and back up CV if Liverpool/ Klopp provided him with a plan for his development IMO.
Also I am sure Veltman would be happy to be back up option for Liverpool, specially with his ability to cover RB, and DM if needed.
9.) 25 Jan 2021 08:44:50
Anyways Tris, will you be doing a review on last night's game?
{Ed001's Note - no mate, I only do Premier League matches.}
10.) 25 Jan 2021 10:23:06
Could you make an exception for this one time ed001?
{Ed001's Note - I would have to sit through it again to do that as I never made any notes and I am just too busy at the moment. Sorry Deeps, I am about 3 years behind on articles that have been requested!}
22 Jan 2021 11:50:07
As a distraction from the current debates, I’ve noticed a few things, really interested in your views.
1. Sounds like we might see Diallo soon. Given he has hardly any first team action anywhere I can only presume he has impressed in training. Mind you, I could probably do better than Rashford and Martial right now and I’m 56.
2. What has happened at Wolves? They are sliding down the table and starting to look in real trouble.
3. Steve Bruce, great bloke but I don’t know why he puts himself through it. He seems to have the weight of the world on his shoulders and just doesn’t seem to enjoy it. He can’t need the money, go and play golf Brucey.
4. Moyes seems to have eventually rediscovered his mojo. Not right for us but he’s had a terrible run so nice to see him enjoying relative success right now.
5. Liverpool losing to Burnley. Does that mean we were poor to only draw with the Scousers, or great because we saw off Burnley? 🙄
6. New European Super League being discussed apparently. The big 6 from England, which includes Arsenal and Spurs, but not Leicester and Everton. Personally, really don’t want to see it happen. Driven by greed just to make more money.
That is all.
1.) 22 Jan 2021 12:58:06
I think that's a little harsh on Rashford AJH. I'm fully behind him needing a rest and his form has not been good recently, but he's still better than 1 in 2 for goals this season despite being played in different positions.
Wolves are really missing Raul Jimenez. I think I read that he started something like 89 games in a row. That's a great achievement, but the flip side is that Wolves are over-reliant on him. I think they are now in for a player from Sociedad but he's only scored 3 goals this season.
I've found West Ham to be a great watch this season. I love watching Antonio play he's such a grafter, just the type of player I like. If it weren't for his injuries I think he'd have CL clubs interested in him. Moyes has got them playing really well.
In the interest of keeping off-topic I'll avoid the Liverpool question and ask you another - do you see anyone other than Liverpool, City, United or Chelsea finishing in the top 4 this season?
2.) 22 Jan 2021 13:20:18
Good question Wazza and yes I do. I think United and City will be top 4 but Liverpool need to arrest their slump and Chelsea look in trouble. If I was a betting man the only team I feel confident about for top 4 is City, and then probably us. The other 2 spots are anyone’s guess, Liverpool, Chelsea, Spurs, Everton, Leicester. Take your pick.
It seems teams have a put a good run together and then followed it with a slump (Liverpool and Chelsea), or started slowly and have got better (us and City), and then you have the bobbing arounders (Everton, Leicester, and Spurs) . If games in hand are won then Liverpool would be 6th, which is pretty amazing.
A very odd season all round so far.
3.) 22 Jan 2021 13:21:51
Wolves are missing their talisman in Raul Jiminez, so their poor form is explainable.
Diallo has already impressed Ole in training so we may see him in the squad in a couple of weeks.
4.) 22 Jan 2021 13:53:05
1. I am hoping to see And Diallo on the bench for the FA cup game against Liverpool.
2. Wolves seem to be missing Raul Jimenez a bit too much. Also they don't seem to be getting the rub if the green. For example, they could have easily gotten a draw against us, might have even snuck a goal with a bit more luck but ended up losing the game with a deflected shot.
3. Brucey was a great captain for us, but seems to be one of the most uninspiring managers in the league. He sets Newcastle so negatively it's sad to see. Also he is very obsequious (😂Ed001) to the point of his own detriment.
4. Moyes seems to have evolved a bit from his time at Eveton and us. Maybe jobs abroad and at West Ham first time around has exposes him to different ideas and viewpoints.
5. Why can't it be both? Maybe a team that could outlast Burnley and come out with a victory should have gone with a big more bite and aggression against Liverpool. Although Liverpool did miss a few good chances to take the lead against Burnley.
6. Unfortunately football is firstly a business and only secondly a normal man's sport now a days.
5.) 22 Jan 2021 13:55:34
AJH, Leicester are looking in a great position and they are putting a run of clean sheets together which is a great sign for them.
Fun fact: There have been two American Presidents since Liverpool last scored a goal. Best get some miles out of their situation while we can 😂.
6.) 22 Jan 2021 14:17:26
Wolves also missing Jota and Doherty, whom although he has'nt set the world alight at Spurs yet was very important to the way Wolves played.
7.) 22 Jan 2021 14:21:13
AJH,
1/ let's hope we do see Diallo soon, we really do need a right footed winger.
2/ I think Wolves will be ok but what a slump, scousesque :-)
3/ Agreed, Brucey will always be a top bloke in my book.
4/ Moyes with us proved to be the worst manager in the history of the Prem. Take the champions (who won it at a canter) and get them to finish 7th!
5/ We are great because we beat Burley at Burnley, come on Utd.
6/ Agreed, all in the name of money. The present format of the game is great, so why try and fix it, as they will, probably until it breaks!
8.) 22 Jan 2021 14:26:23
News just breaking that City will be without De Bruyne for 4-6 weeks due to a hamstring injury. That rules him out of their fixtures against Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal.
Much is said about how important Bruno is to us. I think it's the same is to be said for City and De Bruyne.
Things are falling in our favour - we have to go for it!
9.) 22 Jan 2021 14:32:20
Wolves miss a more progressive-attack minded coach. This superb defence organization of Nuno takes the joy of the game of his players. For me manager is their problem.
10.) 22 Jan 2021 14:35:52
Diallo sounds like he’s doing all the right things in training, hopefully we get to see him soon. I’d still urge caution, even if he plays and does well, he is still very young and still developing/ adapting.
Wolves attack was built around the ability of Raul Jimenez to bring others into play. With him out injured they are either having to play the 18-year-old Fabio Silva or play a wide attacker or No.10 as a central striker.
For Bruce it’s Newcastle and the one club he will always have wanted to manage. Hopefully he can keep them up, but that job will be a tough ask for anyone until Mike Ashley sells.
West Ham are a good team to watch, they have the right balance between attack and defence and are doing very well. I think the key for them is the midfield double pivot of Rice and Soucek. Rice giving them such a solid base to build from, while Soucek looks like a real throw back to the days of true box to box midfielders. He’ll be making a last-ditch tackle on the edge of his own box one minute and scoring with a late run into the box at the other end a minute later.
Liverpool look mentally drained, they are making poor decision and seem to have lost some of their zip and hunger. That can happen once you win the league. I don’t think Chelsea have managed back-to-back titles since Jose’s first two seasons of his first spell at the club.
The European super league is an inevitability unfortunately, it’s not what I would want, but it’ll happen all the same. It will be a sad day for football when it does eventually happen.
11.) 22 Jan 2021 15:04:00
1. I'm looking forward to seeing Diallo and if he keeps Martial out of the team then even better. I'm not worried about his age or inexperience after Giggs, Rooney and Ronaldo. Of course he could be another Macheda but let's find out.
2. Wolves obviously have an unbalanced squad with not enough depth of quality in attack. As well as Jimenhez they are missing Jota.
3. Brucey must love it!
4. I enjoyed Moyes' little touch line jigg a few weeks back. Surely everyone loves a come back?
5. The draw at Anfield was an OK result but the way we went about it was depressing.
6. The grass is always greener and the Premier League is rocking right now. It's the place to be. The top clubs should think twice about whether they want to breakaway, a European Super League might not be as exciting and so financially it might not be as lucrative.
12.) 22 Jan 2021 18:53:59
Diallo i'm not sure we will see him at all this season.
Wolves missing their man man in Jimenez and jota. They will be ok i think.
Bruce must love it.
I'm pleased for moyes more points than anyone this calendar year😀
Glad for Burnley.
I won't be holding my breath on the super league.
21 Jan 2021 09:51:40
I really enjoyed last night after the first 10 minutes. We dominated, quite a few played well, created more and more chances, and a great goal to win it.
Love Cavani, great commitment and attitude, Pogba looks a different player, Shaw continues his fine form, Maguire may be clunky but he’s very solid. And I thought Fred was excellent, he seemed to be everywhere.
Bruno showed some signs of coming back to life, but Martial and Rashford continue to look out of sorts.
Mata and DVB would add something and they need to be getting on the pitch even if it is as subs.
I really hope we rotate for the Europa and even the FA Cup, this is a crazy season and an opportunity has presented itself, we need to do everything to try and take it.
Still, very enjoyable game, 3 more points, and I do think someone will get a spanking shortly.
1.) 21 Jan 2021 11:03:12
Pogba been doing it for a couple of month now imo, after more or less a full season out and C.V. he looks fit and on it . I think he benefits from the fact people look at bruno more.
Shaws only issue is staying injury free he has been playing well for a few seasons now imo.
Maguire after a really poor start to the season for various reasons goes under the radar but again I think he is playing well . Wins everything in the box and starts a lot of our moves, builds a lot .
Fred again has carried on from last season really busy in cm.
I think there where signs again we lack a bit if energy in cm with both pogba and bruno in a cm 3, might not get away with it against the better teams .
Bruno started of well yesterday but faded .
I'm going to go against the grain and say I thought there was improvement with both martial and greenwood last night, a lot more needed tho .
Like against Burnley we dropped of the last 5 minutes and I think this might be the issue this season. This team hasn't got the experience of a title run in .
Also both games should of been put to bed early on .
But we needed a win yesterday after city and Leicester won .
Got to say I thought city looked a different class yesterday.
2.) 21 Jan 2021 11:24:04
Yeah, that last 5 minutes wasn’t fun, we seem to do that fairly often.
19 Jan 2021 11:29:04
Reading the posts it seems most are entrenched in their view one way or the other. What happened to objectivity and acceptance that maybe sometimes each of us may be wrong? I start reading posts and after 1 line I can guess who has written it.
I try and be objective. I’m not one of the Ole is a clown brigade but I posted yesterday about how unenjoyable I find most of our games right now. I love Rashford but right now he is playing like a drain. It’s ok not to be black or white, sometimes there are several shades of gray.
Fair play to ken, like me he is not enjoying it but as we’re top he’s not slagging the Manager off. GDS is unfailingly positive but he’s always happy to accept things weren’t great. It seems for some whatever happens their minds are made up, good or bad.
Here’s my view. Ole ha shown himself to be both tactically astute and stubborn sometimes in the same game. He has clearly improved the mood over the team and they all seem to be playing for each other. He’s loyal to his players, sometimes too loyal but not necessarily a bad thing. I think he is overplaying a few and needs to freshen things up. We go from a first team to a second string when perhaps adding DVB or Mata or Greenwood (or all) would give some a rest and not disrupt the whole team, whilst keeping some of the less used players fit and hungry.
However, the biggest issue for me is up front. In defence we are looking ok, Maguire is looking very solid, Shaw has been excellent, AWB gets some stick but he knows how to defend and we have tightened up a lot at the back. That should mean we are easily winning games but the forwards are all struggling. If Rashford or Martial was on fire, and if Bruno hadn’t gone off the boil then we would be steamrollering teams. Ultimately it is up to the Manager to fix it. I’d give Bruno and Rash a rest, bring in Greenwood and DVB or Mata, freshen it up and then bring them back ready to go again.
One other thing. The argument that everyone else has dropped points they wouldn’t have which is why we are top is misplaced. We had a dreadful start to the season, probably caused by the late finish last year and the lack of a pre-season so perhaps we have also dropped unexpected points.
We’re top, which has pushed expectations higher, but right now, us and City are the 2 form teams and despite my reservations, I’m really looking forward to how it unfolds. So great to see Klopp worrying about top 4, how delicious would that be?
We are making progress, it’s not a straight line up, it’s jagged, 2 steps up and 1 step back, but it’s still progress. Looks like we will have to wait until Summer and there’s no guarantee that Woody will get who the manager wants but a couple of top signings and we can push on again.
Come on entrenched people, prove me wrong.
1.) 19 Jan 2021 12:29:05
The climb to the top of the ladder is never an easy one. I for one don't think OGS is a clown, yet like all if the previous managers at the club i have questioned there team selection and tactics from time to time.
Upon reflection, a draw at Anfield isn't too bad. We as fans always want to beat Liverpool.
As it stands we are doing very well in the league. Whether we can keep it up remains to be seen. Confidence is key, this can be seen on the pitch.
VdB, Greenwood and Mata could do with playing against Liverpool and get some much needed minutes. There may even be some minutes made available for Lingard. If he stays fit and the club choose not to sell him, then we will need to make sure our squad is sharp and ready to go.
2.) 19 Jan 2021 12:32:53
Good post. I totally agree: progress is being made. Things do need freshening up, Bruno and Rashford definitely need a break. I'm really hoping Diallo can make a few appearances and shake it up a bit and make an impact. I suppose the FA cup tie is an opportunity for a few changes.
I'm a bit disappointed about Sunday's match though. Ole could of been a bit bolder in his team selection and tactics because Liverpool where there for the taking in my opinion.
3.) 19 Jan 2021 12:34:02
When it comes to United AJH, I don't enjoy watching us draw. I certainly don't take the positives from a loss either like a few on here.
Iv read dozens of smug posts when we went top like "it's not so bad after all". Like overtaking a Liverpool side that are burnt out was some magnificent acheivement.
We've dropped points in 7 of our 18 league games. We were embarrassing in the Champions league and were yet again dumped out of another semi final.
We're a team that doesn't fair well when we try to defend. Fred and McTominay should never be a midfield pairing, it simply hasn't worked this season.
A point at Anfield is a good one but 60 minutes into that game, we should have smelt blood. As the season unfolds and we find ourselves top, look back at the list of games we've dropped points in. It would have been beneficial to actually have a go and try and win these games?
We have improved on last season. Our record against the lesser teams this year is very impressive. A lot of those games were won by 1 goal so that shows our ability to dig deep and grind out wins. My problem is though in the big games. This goes for the League, Champions League and the semi final.
I wonder will the penny drop for Ole? The league is there for the taking. He talks about United DNA and the United way. The only way he can silence his critics is by winning trophies. Well the big one is there in front of him if he wants it.
4.) 19 Jan 2021 12:58:03
Mumbles
Fair points, we are consistently inconsistent. I would argue that in some games McFred has worked but it is the go to pairing for big games and that needs more flexibility.
As for Sunday, I think if the game had gone on another 10 minutes we would have won. But the shift from defending deep to creating chances, was that down to Ole or the players? He said he was disappointed so was that his tactics or the players not doing as asked, or Liverpool dominating the ball?
We have looked great, average, and atrocious this season. Hopefully we will see more of the great, less of the average, and none of the atrocious as the season progresses. As I said in my post, Pogba scores and it’s a masterclass, but he didn’t so it’s a poor show. Fine lines sometimes.
Interested to see how we respond tomorrow, it’s about time we rolled someone over again, the Leeds game was brilliant, just need to see more of that.
5.) 19 Jan 2021 13:02:03
I am in agreement with Mumbles post. Yes things have improved but let's be honest they could not have been much worse.
That said for all our improvements when do we see Utd dominating games with really slick fast one touch football and especially against the better teams?
Defensively we are getting better but again let's be honest. if Mane Firmino and Salah had been in good form they would have scored three or four on Sunday.
Tactically Ole still lacks. Liverpool were there for the taking and he should have gone for the jugular on Sunday. With both Martaol and Rashford not scoring freely how is he changing things?
DVB can't get a look in and when he comes on as a sub it's for the final few minutes when he has no time to shine. Bruno looks a bit jaded and if he doesn't play well the whole team offensively misfires too. So after spending so much money on so many players it seems we depend on one. How can that be good management?
Both City and Liverpool have had significant injuries to their best players but have coped well. Imagine if we lost Bruno now for a month!
So being realistic and objective has Ole improved us? The answer is yes. But will he realistically get us back to where we were under Sir Alex. I seriously doubt it. I was very very lucky to watch some of the most brilliant exciting football Utd have ever played under Tommy Doherty and then Sir Alex. I want to see us go out to win and do it with style. We won't win every match bit I want to see us try to do it in style.
6.) 19 Jan 2021 13:03:56
Mumbles
Of course we can look back at all our losses and say what ifs.
We should have won against Liverpool. Pogba and Fernandes has good chances. Pogbas was a proverbial sitter. Rashford made a poor choice and should have played cavani in.
You say why didn't we smell blood, but we did show up in the second half, and that was due to the midfield imposing itself of the game a bit more.
The first half Liverpool dominated the ball. Playing two cms at CB really worked for them, and they played like city or Barcelona. You speak as if Ole sent them out to get pushed back and surrender possession so easily. Did you consider that it was Liverpool who played well and forced us back?
Finally, the guys on the bench have not been setting the world alight when they come on. I agree greenwood could have come earlier, he could have come for rashford - but one of rash and Fernandes needed to come off, they looked shattered. He went with Fernandes. The DvdB calls are very loud, but he is also not a player to play that incisive killer breakaway pass when the game breaks down. Maybe mata would have been a shout for rashford - but then think if the loss of pace. It wasn't so crazy from the manager. We didn't take our chances in a hard fought game.
7.) 19 Jan 2021 13:19:14
We conceded possession and sat deep hoping to hit them on the break. But the problem with playing Fred and McTominay is that they're not particularly good on the ball. Countless times they just goofed the ball up the pitch to no one.
If Ole was disappointed then he had the ability to change it. This squad now has a very good bench. Players that can change games. This habit of giving players 2 minutes at the end of games has to stop. We made 2 subs When in fact 4 or 5 deserved to be hooked off.
This team on their day can beat anyone. I'd just wish the manager was aware of this.
8.) 19 Jan 2021 13:58:26
Doggy Banter. The side we played on Sunday were certainly not Barcelona.
9.) 19 Jan 2021 14:18:26
Spare a thought for the Eds who have to read all of these posts before they appear 😂.
10.) 20 Jan 2021 09:24:40
AJH I bet you have never guessed my posts :)
18 Jan 2021 14:04:22
Something’s been bugging me, a bit like an itch you can’t scratch and I think I’ve realised what it is.
It’s great to be top, it’s great to be unbeaten for so long, but we just aren’t convincing. There have been short spells in many games, the odd very solid half, but generally we seem to stumble through games and don’t look like League leaders.
Perhaps this is part of the development, of the learning process but it feels a bit fragile right now. It’s not helped by the front four from last year all seeming to be out of form. Martial has been shocking, Rashford too, and Bruno had been quiet before yesterday’s horror show. Greenwood can’t get a look in either so other than Cavani who looks lively we have nothing up front.
Yet here we are at the top of the League. I guess there are two ways of looking at this.
1. We’re very fortunate and will shortly get found out, and will then have to struggle to make top 4.
2. The forwards form will pick up and we’ll start scoring for fun and properly compete.
Take your pick.
{Ed025's Note - its how you set up for me AJH, playing with a holding negative midfield consisting of fred and Mc will make you solid for sure but that leaves bruno and an inconsistant pogba to provide the bullets, if one or both of them dont produce the goods it looks very magnolia and is hard on the eye.
Man utd have a reputation for being a great team to watch and its a balancing act that i feel ole is struggling with, this counter attacking style is effective against a lot of teams but it has its flaws, not only is it tedious and hard to watch but if you go behind its difficult to adjust the team especially if its late in the proceedings, I prefer the one holding midfielder myself and a bit more creativity which would hopefully see united steamroller the lesser lights but still scare the big boys.
Of course this is just the opinion of an outsider who was brought up on football when united were a joy to watch and its purely a selfish view on my part mate..
1.) 18 Jan 2021 14:54:05
I'm not enjoying many games Ed, it's a tough watch at times. Something has to change as we can't keep riding our luck as we have in so many games.
{Ed025's Note - i know mate, i dont think you are that far off and i would say you are up there with city in terms of squad depth, its a balancing act for OGS and imo he is being too cautious...but hey what do i know..
2.) 18 Jan 2021 15:10:30
Tony, we are halfway through the season and I have seen very few great performances from any sides.
Most have been good in spells, but either are making silly defensive errors or are inconsistent up front.
Maybe it's because for the past 2-3 years we have seen one or two absolutely dominant teams who just blew everyone away every week. Maybe the bar is a little too high atm. Or maybe everyone is struggling under the current circumstances.
Little to no summer break, no pre-season, congested season with no breaks or let up, no fans in stadiums, players having to live their lives in bubbles, games and training interrupted by C.V. outbreaks.
It seems no side is particularly well prepared or able to cope without a certain amount of drop off.
I posted yesterday that our current points total would have us 4th last year and 6th the year before, yet here we sit top of the pile at the halfway point.
If both City and Everton win their game in hand that puts City top on 38, us in 2nd with 37, both Leicester and Everton on 35, Liverpool on 34 and Spurs on 33.
6 teams within 5 points near the top. This is going to be the closest title race possibly ever, personally I think City have the advantage. They have the deepest squad with quality everywhere.
It won't all be pretty football and glory, it will be a rollercoaster. And swinging from highs to lows in the space of a few days with games twice a week.
I think we are in the unusual position of actually being able to seriously challenge for the title. However, I don't think we have the quality in depth to do so on all fronts. I think we should focus on the league and hope the other competitions distract our opposition enough to tempt them into trying to do too much and hopefully slip up in the league.
While everyone talks about Liverpool's injury problems, the reality is that they lined up with maybe 2 of their strongest 11 not on the field yesterday. They got beat 7-2 by Villa with their best 11 fit and on the field. I wonder if the high intensity style of play, and a loss of drive has caught up with them. They look disjointed and jaded.
Spurs look great, but are heavily reliant on Son and Kane.
Leicester are up and down, they have a good squad but maybe lack star quality.
Everton have more star quality, but are more inconsistent.
City have an unbelievable squad, Laporte who was their best defender can't get a game. Has Ake even played for them? They if they can keep Aguero fit then they can go on a run probably winning 15 of their final 18 games. If they do that then no one will keep pace with them.
When we look at United we see a weird sort of mix. Little top class quality, and some questionable players in most areas of the pitch.
We can challenge this year, but we will need to prioritise the league to do so.
3.) 18 Jan 2021 15:35:27
AJH- I completely agree it’s really difficult to decipher if this Utd team is over achieving and simply on a good run of form or genuine title contenders.
I think it’s our style that perhaps makes us question our credentials the most. There is no doubt we play better in transition or on the counter attack and whilst Fernandes has been brilliant he does give the ball away a lot meaning we often surrender possession and rarely sustain our attacks.
Lindelof and Maguire lack pace and struggle in 1v1 situations therefore we defend deeper and try not to leave them exposed. This means we can’t press effectively and struggle to win the ball back in dangerous areas higher up the pitch.
We still haven’t addressed the RW position and in midfield Mctominay and Fred can lack quality on the ball.
I think Ole has the players to change the narrative but being more progressive can also make us more vulnerable at the back. He hasn’t yet found the right balance but at the moment we find ourselves top of the league so there is little incentive to change.
Ole could have played Bailly yesterday and pushed us higher up the pitch. Pogba could have partnered Fred in midfield with Rashford, Martial and Cavani upfront, with Bruno at No 10. That front 6 are all capable of playing on the front foot and pressing the opposition. I think that team would have scored and been better equipped to expose Liverpool’s inexperience at CB but maybe we’d have been more vulnerable at the back.
In my opinion I’d love to see us play higher up the pitch and aggressively press the opposition. I’d like us to win the ball back higher where I think we’d be dangerous playing in the transitions. It would also help us to dominate games and sustain attacks by not conceding territory to the opposition and allowing them comfortable possession of the ball.
I think Ole can be too cautious and pragmatic on occasions but I think it mainly stems from over protecting a very slow CB pairing and not trusting Pogba to play in the midfield pivot especially against the better teams. Our forwards can still be inconsistent and frustrating at times although this is gradually improving.
It will be interesting to see how the team evolves and if the style of play changes as new players arrive.
4.) 18 Jan 2021 16:07:52
Shappy,
Maybe but I enjoy watching a lot of other teams more than I enjoy our games right now, we’re just so slow and turgid most of the time. I can think of at least 12 teams who move the ball quicker and more effectively than we do. I want to win but I also want us to reflect our traditions, or at least give the impression that we are trying to do that.
It’s better than it was, we are racking up a lot more points and we are competing but it doesn’t fill me with confidence.
I think starting by picking players who are playing well, and dropping those who aren’t would be a good start. Right now, Shaw, Maguire, Cavani, Pogba, and Bailly should start, all are playing well. Playing one of Scott and Fred would also help. The forwards have been abysmal yet they get picked every game. How Martial, and even Rashford are still getting picked is beyond me. Bruno is out of sorts yet DVB doesn’t get a look in. Grid knows what’s happened with a Greenwood, rumours abound but it’s up to the manager to fix that and get his head screwed back on.
Mata has also played well when called upon yet we keep picking the same players, several of whom are stinking the place out right now.
Square pegs into round holes, moving people around to accommodate others, none of this is sensible. Ole has made huge progress in freshening things up and clearing our some players but he’s still floundering around at times.
he said he was disappointed yesterday so that’s also progress, but I’m not clear on how things improve,
5.) 18 Jan 2021 16:32:28
I have read a few things today which I'm not sure about .
If we had of Bailey we would of played 15 yards further up the pitch? Why would you want to do that against Liverpool and there front 3 who love space and are probably the best counter attacking team about?
Liverpool had a makeshift defence? Allison is the best GK in the league maybe the world, Robertson is a fantastic player, trent is a top player, fabhino has been great at cb gomes and matip haven't looked any better .
Henderson isn't a cb but honestly I thought he played OK.
A couple of week ago everyone was saying Liverpool would win the league, now it seems there not that good and there for the taking? VVD has been injured for months so what's suddenly changed?
C.V. has had an effect on all teams this season but people seem to think our team and players should be exempt from that?
We had a poor start to the season but if we beat Fulham midweek we would sit on 40 points at the half way point .
Can we do better in the second half of the season than first?
6.) 18 Jan 2021 17:28:14
I’m not denying we are more competitive and I’m as pleased as anyone to be top, I just would have expected us to be a little more reassuring. My point was not about yesterday, more an observation of where we are. We aren’t inspiring confidence right now. I really hope we play a second string in the Europa, this year feels like an opportunity, a bit of a Leicester year, and resting the first team mid week is the sensible approach.
7.) 18 Jan 2021 17:29:52
My overriding thought about the Liverpool United game was, We were about as good as we will probably get but Liverpool will get better.
8.) 18 Jan 2021 18:20:03
But we’ve been much better this season already Scooby, just not often enough.
9.) 18 Jan 2021 18:41:22
For sure AJH but we are good as often as we are poor. Liverpool WILL get better. Can we? At this moment in time and without additions I’m not convinced we can.
10.) 18 Jan 2021 19:10:09
Tony, I think its always less stressful to watch other teams play. There's nothing riding on the game emotionally for you. I don't think other teams have been either objectively better or objectively worse than us this season.
I think for the most part fans watch all or as much of their own team and only the highlights of most other games. That can skew a persons impression that their own team is far more "patchy" than other sides, as they see all the stuff that cuts cut out of the highlight reels from their own team.
We are often far harsher critics of our own side compared to others, and hold our own side to higher standards.
Reality is that we sit top because we have been the best side this season so far.
11.) 18 Jan 2021 20:29:32
Its strange I agree our forward line hasn't really clicked this season but we sit top of the table and only the scouse have scored more .
I should maybe stop watching city every time I seem to watch them they look great up top yet we have scored 5 more than them this season.
12.) 18 Jan 2021 21:06:09
There you are AJH, there are no issues, surely you must be convinced because you have been told you are, we are the best side so far this season. Your eyes are deceiving you, all is well.
I watch other games AJH, take in the approach, objectively look at the methods, see what they are trying to do. I use my eyes on our games too and I just don’t see that method. I don’t understand the constant changes, Bailly in, Bailly out. Yesterday was a day to play Bailly, who gives us the option of pushing our line forward, yet we chose deep defence. It isn’t what I was led to believe was acceptable to the people defending it and it certainly bored out of me, but that’s ok in the new order of the wheel.
13.) 18 Jan 2021 21:59:48
Redmam of course there is issue but let's be honest you have been adamant that its all down to an inept manager .
Don't start moving the goal posts etc we are a million miles away from most of the stuff you have been posting .
Answer me 2 questions
Why do you want to play a high line against Liverpool front 3?
How do you think our back 4 played?
14.) 18 Jan 2021 22:00:00
we are top because we have played more games than city.
15.) 18 Jan 2021 22:19:54
Jred
1) I didn’t say I wanted to play a high line, but we were far too deep and I felt needed to play a higher line, higher, got it?
2) our back four were protected by two holding players who sat in, with 11 behind the ball. It wasn’t a back four, it was a back six or seven.
Answer me a question, did you see a team scared of losing, set up not to lose? Or one that was set up positively? Just checking your eyesight. The direction came from the top, the aim for the game came from the top, it was a don’t lose and if we are lucky scratch a goal.
16.) 18 Jan 2021 22:53:58
Redman
I saw a team that set up to stop Liverpool scoring hit them on the break and win the game .
Our back 4 played well yesterday even if you can bring yourself to say it .
I though Bailey would of started but lindelof played well so I don't see what your issue is?
17.) 18 Jan 2021 23:05:30
Redman
At the start of the season what did you expect of us this season?
18.) 18 Jan 2021 23:07:56
Jred
I saw a team set up to stop Liverpool scoring. My issue is that we set up extremely negatively because we were scared to lose. We didn’t so it’s a triumph. It was a game we could have won, yes, sometimes games are draws but the mindset was all wrong.
19.) 18 Jan 2021 23:13:32
Jred
To play to win games.
20.) 18 Jan 2021 23:41:20
Redman
Really that was your target this year 🤔.
21.) 19 Jan 2021 09:10:08
I think our position is a combination of other teams playing poorly and a United side who are still feeling their way. Remember that this is a side who has lacked consistency over several seasons. To compare it to teams of the Fergie era are pointless. My belief is that Ole is that Ole does know what he is doing and success will come, maybe not this season but soon. The more the team play together and get results the better. People need to be patient.
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.
04 Sep 2020 08:39:15
We need a right winger, why are we even discussing Bale?
25 Jan 2021 19:42:24
In the last 10 years, City and Chelsea are level.
25 Jan 2021 15:14:12
It’s harsh but not really a surprise, this is how Roman operates. I think Ole would have gone, Arteta would have gone, Jose would have gone, even Klopp might have gone. There is no patience at Chelsea, it is about instant success and I guess he’s free to do as he pleases.
They bought a lot of new players, possibly too many, who will take time to integrate so to sack the Manager half way through the season is plain daft. However, look over the seasons since they won their first trophy of this era, I’m guessing they’ve won more trophies than any other team, so maybe it does work?
25 Jan 2021 11:22:05
Mumbles, he doesn't have the energy to replace Fred or Scott, that's not his game. I expected a lot more of him yesterday, hopefully he is first pick for the Europa and can get a run of games.
25 Jan 2021 08:09:53
Not looking for an argument, but he did nothing yesterday to suggest he should be picked. He just didn’t get involved enough, I know there’s a lot of love for him on here but I’m not sure why.
24 Jan 2021 22:01:39
I get that Ed, seems bizarre that it is continuing when the window is open. Surely everyone can see a CB is essential right now.
{Ed047's Note - it’s all apparently about money but surely this is a point when you have to do something!
Maybe VVD and Gomes are closer to a return than expected but I’d doubt it.