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13 Aug 2024 22:53:26
Hey eds, just wondering Is the rumour of united about to make a 3rd bid for branthwaite true? It does make a bit of sense given shaws injury and that branthwaite can also cover there. Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - As I have said, I would expect another offer from Manchester United.}
1.) 14 Aug 2024 09:45:17
You have to expect Maguire and lindelof will be leaving in that case.
2.) 14 Aug 2024 12:20:21
With both Yoro AND MdL signing surely Maguire can see the writing is on the wall and he'll only be a back up player.
Maybe now he might instruct his agent to find him a new club where he'll play most weeks.
If that happens and an acceptable offer is made to the club I doubt they'll turn it down. Meaning again United will need to go back into the market for another CB.
3.) 14 Aug 2024 13:18:37
Who’s going to buy him Shappy at the money we require let alone meet his salary demands?
4.) 14 Aug 2024 13:37:05
Maguire will see his contract out. I think he’s that stubborn and that deluded tbh.
5.) 14 Aug 2024 13:50:17
Why is he deluded? Last season when injuries came he got plenty of game time and didn't let the team down. Who is to say it cannot happen again especially with Utds injury track record.
6.) 14 Aug 2024 15:20:16
I think Maguire is not well suited to our style of play, and nor would he work in any other team playing that way, but he is not a bad player, just wrong for us. He also showed character in facing up to loss of captaincy and never dropped his effort and didn't hide - he's simply the wrong player for us. Like AWB I think he was a bad investment but they've both been professional and I wish them both well - elsewhere.
I wish Rashford who is very talented showed similar levels of application.
7.) 14 Aug 2024 17:26:06
Who knows Eric, but West Ham had a bid accepted last summer only for Maguire to turn them down.
I'd argue he had a better season last season then he had the previous. So if someone was prepared to buy him last summer after a very poor season, I'm sure we can find a buyer this year after a better season from him.
8.) 14 Aug 2024 19:24:27
The team I think may buy him is Palace or looks like they may require 1/ 2 CB with Anderson of interest to Fulham and Newcastle chasing Guehi.
9.) 15 Aug 2024 09:26:43
Wages will be an issue for Maguire. Didn't he want his final 2 years paying up if he was to leave Utd for West Ham last summer.
30 Jul 2024 23:52:55
Hey ed002,
Sorry to bother you, just saw on the everton page you mentioned everton have got a branthwaite replacement presumably jake o brien. (Great to see given i'm from cork myself) just wondering do you still see branthwaite leaving and united pushing with a 3rd bid? Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - There is every chance.}
1.) 31 Jul 2024 10:48:50
To be honest it is a move that makes a lot of sense even if they don't sell Branthwaite. They had 4 senior CB's on their books including Branthwaite, two of which (Tarkowski and Keane) are 31 years old, the other being Mason Holgate.
Signing another younger CB with potential was an obvious move.
That said Everton are now in a position where they probably need to sell to avoid administration by all accounts. If United make an acceptable offer I'm sure a deal will be done. The player wants the move, United want the player, and Everton, reluctantly, probably need to sell.
Personally I think a deal hinges on United being able to raise the funds and balance the books.
It looks like we've got a deal more or less lined up for MdL, but we seem to be delaying on pulling the trigger for that deal. That could be because we need to guarantee another sale or two first, or it could be that he is a fall back option to someone like Branthwaite who the club seemingly wants more.
They will know Branthwaite will be a higher fee and will require more of it paid up front than MdL. I'm sure if the club can raise funds and balance their books then they will move for Branthwaite again. If they can't raise enough funds then it'll probably be MdL they move for towards the end of the window.
It looks like they are trying to be clever with their dealings. Rumours of Ugarte on a loan with an obligation to buy would reduce the outgoings this summer leaving more cash to spend elsewhere this summer. While the sale of McTominay would raise more funds/ profit than the sale of anyone else in the squad who we could realistically sell. We've also been linked with Rabiot on a free again. AWB looks to be on his way out, but unfortunately he would need a direct replacement which means there isn't likely to be much net gain in his sale.
It looks like this summer will be about wheeling and dealing to try and build a more stable and balanced squad. While players like Casemiro, Antony and Sancho all need to leave for different reasons. The reality is that the club won't raise any funds from their sales, in fact they'd be lucky to break even.
It is players like Greenwood, Hannibal and McTominay where the club can raise the most useable funds to reinvest.
PSR and the frankly awful way we have been run has made this probably the most difficult transfer window for the club since the summer since the first summer after SAF retired.
If I was a betting man I'd expect we'll see a new RB coming in to replace AWB, most likely Mazraoui (although he isn't the player I'd go for) . Ugarte on a loan to buy deal, and one of Branthwaite or MdL depending on how much we can raise through sales.
In terms of players leaving, AWB and McTominay look like the most likely to leave next. Sancho I think will be a loan with an obligation to buy. Then we'll see a few others like Lindelof, Hannibal, Pellistri and Eriksen likely leave later in the window for smaller fees likely between 5-15m.
Antony I don't see leaving as I cannot see anyone paying what the club will need them to pay to avoid a massive loss on the books. Unfortunately every player the club sells at a loss reduces the potential funds to reinvest. Selling McTominay for 25m and selling Antony at a 25m loss means the club have lost two players and have raised nothing to bring in replacements.
Casemiro could leave, but it very much depends on a Saudi club coming in for him. Again, he is a player the club needs to sell for a certain fee to avoid a loss. If Casemiro leaves then I could see the club looking to bring in Rabiot as his replacement. He'd be on lower wages, have more impact in the team and bring vital experience that would be lost with Casemiro leaving.
2.) 31 Jul 2024 11:26:07
Shappy
Regards Mazraoui, I 100% feel the same. He's too similar to Dalot and is very injury-prone. It's an absolute no from me.
Personally, I'd like United to try the cheeky and go for Arnau Martinez at Girona who, despite being at a club under the City umbrella, has only a year left on his contract which has a bargain release clause of £17.5m.
I'd be gutted if we replaced Wan-Bissaka who, despite his weaknesses, is a hard-working player, with a player who will be injured regularly.
3.) 31 Jul 2024 13:39:36
Ork, it mazraoui stays fit, he is a very good player. that's the point too, being similar to dalot so when he plays, he slots into the system with ease.
AWB is not capable enough. One v one, probably no one better but he is so bad positionally speaking, he ends up sliding and make last ditch tackles way too often.
I want to see a more modern day full back in there who compliments the team more and can cover both left and right. Mazraoui ticks those boxes. I'm only guessing that the club have weighed up the pros and cons and believe that he is worth the risk. Plus, if he stays fit, we have a player.
4.) 31 Jul 2024 13:49:36
shappy
We are not selling mc for 15 or 17 mill. its a joke of fee to accept looking at what some players are going for and his wages are never an issue either. If he goes it will be for much higher than that and atm it seems we don't have an offer that matches our valuation.
Hannibal and Pellistri makes sense and both i suspect will go for their own development as both contribute very little and need to go play elsewhere and not going to make it at United.
5.) 31 Jul 2024 13:49:52
Ork, the fact that Mazraoui is similar to Dalot is a benefit in my opinion. If you want to see a consistent style, played to a high level then you can't have back up players who have a completely different skill set to your first choice option.
It means the team has to change the shape and tactics due to one injury or suspension.
If that is the case in 2 or 3 different positions and you have injuries in those positions the team changes beyond all recognition.
In terms of style Mazraoui is a very good fit, and if he's available for the prices being quoted then he also ticks the affordable box, he is also good enough.
The issue is that despite being a very good player who is a good stylistic fit, the reason he is available for a reasonable price is due to his pretty horrific injury record.
We have form for buying Bayern Munich players who turn out to be always injured (Hargreaves, Schweinsteiger) . Personally I'd like to avoid the hat-trick.
There are several other potential options out there, Dumfries and Kadioglu for example, along with Martinez that you point out.
All have plus points and areas of concern. I just don't think given the injury issues we had last season that we should be signing any player who has a dodgy injury record.
6.) 31 Jul 2024 13:59:23
The fact Mazraoui can cover both flanks is surely by far and away the biggest draw and elevates him above other RB alternatives, in my opinion. There'll be games where he replaces Dalot on the right but I suspect often they'll both play on either side.
7.) 31 Jul 2024 16:50:17
Not if he's crap on both sides.
8.) 31 Jul 2024 17:42:23
He's far from crap tony.
9.) 31 Jul 2024 19:52:03
Friend of mine saying the kid Bournemouth just signed Dean Huijsen is a real special talent and predicts that all the big clubs will be fighting for him next year. Reckons he is the best footballing CB he has ever seen, lad is 6'5".
Friends brother works in Southampton academy says they have known about him for a few years now and expect him to go right to the top.
10.) 04 Aug 2024 09:18:21
Bournemouth have made some really good signings recently, Kerkez at LB looks like he could become a top class player. They'll make a very healthy profit on him in a year or twos time.
15 Jul 2024 15:41:13
Hey ed002/ eds,
Hope all is well with ye. Just wondering with Onana going to villa do unuted have any chance at all of getting branthwaite over the line and do ye think it will happen in your own opinion? Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - If they meet Everton’s asking price, then yes.}
1.) 15 Jul 2024 22:50:13
Thanks for the reply ed002. i'm assuming that's £70m?
{Ed002's Note - Around that.}
2.) 16 Jul 2024 12:38:15
Think 55 + 5/ 10 bonuses gets it done or maybe something around £50+ Hannibal? Yoro and branthwaite would be ideal CB additions.
29 May 2024 02:49:07
Hey ed002,
Firstly thank you very much for taking the time out of your day for the updates that you are giving us. I know you mentioned you doubt ETH will be staying on and mentioned tuchel, pochettino or de zerbi as the possible replacements. Just wondering are they the 3 main candidates now or do we still need to worry about the possibility of southgate being hired? Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - I think they are the primary options.}
1.) 29 May 2024 09:36:21
It seems if there is a managerial change, Tuchel is being mentioned more than most.
For the posters who know more than me about the tactics that managers use, and types of players they gravitate towards, do Manchester United have what Thomas Tuchel would typically look for? Any glaring gaps, or do you think he'd be lacking the same types of player that EtH is? Or would he make better use of players currently out of favour?
2.) 29 May 2024 10:48:37
Jesus, Tuchel. Short-term, likely to fall out with people, really don't think he's an improvement.
3.) 29 May 2024 11:04:13
Agree AJH, I don't warm to him at all, in fact he comes across as a bit scary if I'm honest and hasn't stuck anywhere for long.
4.) 29 May 2024 12:05:42
Tuchel - has won the most stuff, seems to fall out with his superiors at pretty much every club.
Pochettino - premier league experience, reputation for working with younger players
de Zerbi - won leagues in Romainia and cups in Italy and Ukraine - terrible end to the season, looks like his style of play has been figured out.
I’m not sure these three guys are that suited to the structure being put in place with regards to footballing style and transfers. Also someone needs to come in and be the bad guy to clear the decks and sort out the dressing room culture. I think we are better off giving EtH the opportunity to do it in his last year. Let him clear the ranks, work under the new structure working to their strategy, if it doesn’t work out at least the new guy comes in with most of the squad issues sorted.
5.) 29 May 2024 15:37:30
Personally I'd rather keep EtH for another year, but if the decision is to part ways then of those three I'd prefer Pochettino.
Tuchel has the best record, but has a habit of falling out with people. He's also far too pragmatic for me and doesn't have the best record with developing young players.
De Zerbi plays good football, but is very inflexible in terms of his tactics. He also doesn't tend to stick around long, often jumping ship the moment he thinks a better club is interested in him.
Pochettino plays decent football, and has a good record with young players. However, ultimately he seems to struggle to take a team across the line. His sides seem to lack that steely winners mentality, often crumbling when in sight of the finish line.
However, of the three given the younger players in our squad I think Pochettino looks the best fit.
Oddly though I feel like if we signed Pochettino instead of EtH then the current ownership would still be looking to replace Pochettino, with EtH a likely candidate if he was still doing well with Ajax. It feels more like they are looking to replace the manager to bring in their own man rather than because the current manager doesn't have the requisite skills. Strange old world.
6.) 29 May 2024 19:16:24
Shappy for me it’s pointless keeping ten hag for another season for then us to get rid and then re start this project with someone new
I’m a ten hag in. they either need to give ten hag a new deal and trust what he’s doing and what he’s done over the last 2 years
Or get rid and give the manager they choose time. we can’t be then getting rid if we do worse next season with a new manager
We need to start a new or trust ten hag and trust the short term pain for long term gain.
7.) 29 May 2024 20:24:02
The sad thing about those 3 candidates is none give me any level of comfort that we would do better and if anything we may be back in the market not too long after any of them being appointed for a new manager. Rinse and repeat shall continue.
8.) 29 May 2024 22:45:26
I’m really grateful to EtH and the team for the FA cup!
But over the course of the last 18 months we have not been good enough. Eth’s people management has been a consistent issue.
Tactically we have rarely looked good and seem to drop or raise our level as per our opposition.
Being objective EtH has failed to consistently get results. Which is to me is the people managing, he fails to get the best out of all his players.
The cups in two seasons show he has something but they’re anomalies when compared with European and League Performances.
INEOS will look at this objectively and come to a rational conclusion. Can multi million pound investments be trusted with this Coach.
The new set up is intended to make the manager a head coach and this could be a way to put known entity in and change the guard.
I wouldn’t be surprised to see De Zerbi with the ex Nice, new Ajax coach to come in 2028 depending on results. INEOS will be making long term plans.
9.) 30 May 2024 10:57:24
Utd Road, has his man management been an issue?
Surely it's almost impossible to accurately judge from the outside.
We have known for a long time that this squad needed more discipline, and that is exactly what EtH has brought. Discipline and accountability. He seems to have been fair and consistent with his discipline as well, with everyone who has crossed the line facing consequences for their actions.
He's dropped key players for being late, and he's stood up to players who have been overstepping the mark and dealt with them.
At the final whistle on Saturday he had all the players coming up to him to celebrate with him, they handed him the cup despite him trying to let them keep it. There certainly didn't seem to be any issues between the players and the manager. While reports since have suggested that the players want the manager to stay next season.
Again that doesn't sound like a man who has alienated his players or a playing squad that doesn't want to play for the manager.
Tactically I think EtH is very good, he clearly really knows football and can come up with tactics that almost completely nullified City (arguably the best team in the world right now) .
Looking at the tactics last season and this season something has clearly happened at the club. Last season EtH regularly changed his tactics to suit the players he had and to counter the oppositions. And he was fairly successful with it, making two finals and finishing 3rd. However, the one complaint many fans had was that we didn't have a clear or distinct style of play.
That was something the tried to install at the start of the season but for several reasons it didn't work.
This season however has been very different. We have tried to stick to the same game plan, to install a style of play. EtH even stated at the start of the season he wanted us to become the best transitional side in the world. He set his stall out and he stuck to it.
Now those same fans who complained that we didn't have a distinct style of play last season are complaining that we didn't changes things enough tactically this season. Sounds like some people want to have their cake and eat it.
The issues with inconsistent performances this season are more likely linked to the inconsistency of team selection due to injuries as much as they could be put down to a lack of motivation or determination.
Rashford aside, the majority of players have seemingly played with a good level of motivation and drive this season. They have been lacking in quality and in match fitness/ sharpness, which has led to individual mistakes that have cost us goals.
Besides, a professional sportsman shouldn't need motivating to perform 99% of the time. If they haven't got that mentality and drive then they wouldn't be able to make it as a sportsman at an elite level in the first place.
Loads of super talented kids never make it as a professional, and that is nearly always down to mentality. They lack the drive, fight and determination to push themselves to make it.
If we have players who don't have the mentality to give 100% all of the time then we need to ship them out, it shouldn't be down to a manager to motivate professional players to try their best.
Objectively EtH has won two cups in two years with the worst Manchester United squad in nearly 40 years.
Yes there has been inconsistencies in the league, which is fairly easily explained by the lack of quality in our squad. When we have to rotate the quality in the team drops, as does performance and results suffer. League performance is really a measure of a teams consistency across the season. The most consistent teams will finish near the top, the least consistent near the bottom.
Likewise our struggles in the UCL (the elite club football competition) is equally linked to a lack of quality in our squad. This season that was compounded by injuries and individual errors that cost us qualification from the group stage.
Ultimately I don't actually think EtH's competency or ability will play a big factor in whether the club decide to keep him or replace him. He has shown at Ajax and with two cup wins at United that he has the requirements needed to be successful at the club, and his limitations at our club are linked to the clubs ability to support him and provide a structure that can be successful.
What will play the biggest factor in whether he stays or goes will be whether he fits the clubs plans and whether he is willing to fit into those plans. Does his tactical philosophy align?
Does his ideas about youth development align?
Does his idea of his role at the club match up to what the club want from a manager?
Is he prepared to work in a structure where he gets less say on transfers and is more focused on working on the training ground?
Finally, does his personality blend well with the new people he will be working with. If he clashes or cannot work cohesively with people like Wilcox then it won't work out.
These are the questions that will ultimately decide his fate. If his tactical and youth development ideas match up with the club then that increases his chances of staying.
If he's prepared and happy to work in the clubs new structure and accept a revised role to the one he's had over the last couple of seasons then he will likely keep his job.
If he has had good conversations with the new people he has to work with, and shows promising signs of a positive working relationship then he will stand a great chance of keeping his job.
These are the things that will decide if he stays or goes this summer, not what he has achieved in a broken structure that SJR himself has said has made it impossible for anyone to succeed.
14 May 2024 22:56:46
Hey ed002,
Sorry to bother you just wondering on the managerial front is kieran Mckenna on the list and is the interest in potter still there? I would like tuchel at united and i know you mentioned he would be 1st choice i just hope he doesn't turn it down. Thanks as always ed002.
{Ed002's Note - Kieran McKenna (C) Will need a year or two in the Premiership to prove himself. Brighton may look to him if De Zerbi moves.
Graham Potter (C) A serious option for Manchester United and West Ham United. Has ties to Jim Ratcliffe and was offered the job at Nice. Ajax and Borussia Dortmund have him on their lists of options but he wants to remain in the Premier League and has already turned down Ajax.
Thomas Tuchel (C) On the list of options for Barcelona. Manchester United will provide an option as he knows Jim Ratcliffe well and he is likely first choice. Wildcard maybe a return to Chelsea but it would not be attractive to TT. Could be an effort from Bayern Munich to have him stay one more year.}
1.) 15 May 2024 11:46:13
Ed, is Xavi not staying at Barcelona?
{Ed002's Note - For another year. It gives them time to prepare. If he were to agree to another year at Bayern Munich, they will have their Plan B as they await their two promary choices and Tuchel could be lined up for next summer. He will consider his options.}
2.) 15 May 2024 11:42:08
Thanks Ed002, your input always appreciated.
3.) 15 May 2024 20:42:25
Called McKenna weeks ago.
EtH stays, completes the clear out.
McKenna continues the Tractor Boys run, secures mid table next year.
In his second year in Prem, pushes them for Europe.
EtH taps out having just missed out on Champions League for the third year in a row.
McKenna is installed in 2 years time.
United continue the process and McKenna is hailed as the greatest United manager in history, in 20years time.
4.) 15 May 2024 22:24:15
You’re still convinced ten Hag is moving on Ed? The media narrative recently has softened on his departure.
{Ed002's Note - I am not convinced but I expect him to go, and the club have spoken to agents of potential replacements.}
5.) 16 May 2024 10:44:19
Thanks Ed. Love your insight.
6.) 16 May 2024 11:21:26
But but but Ken said he is definitely going and that ETH definitely knows he is going ?.
7.) 16 May 2024 13:31:37
I find it hard to believe the club will remove and replace every other key position at the football club but yet keep the manager the same.
Even if Ten Haag has legitimate excuses for this season performance, it makes sense to make a fresh start.
8.) 16 May 2024 15:24:31
Doesn’t make sense if their preferred choice isn’t abailable (Tuchel) and thePlan B is not deemed as good as ten Hag.
9.) 16 May 2024 21:44:58
Think ala Arteta and klopp the are hoping that the 3rd season is where it will all come together. can't think of another reason he would be kept.
10.) 17 May 2024 05:47:42
When EtH first arrived I thought his strength was taking young unknown players and turning them into a team and he would be doing that with our academy players.
Now he has brought through Mainoo, given more playing time to Garnacho and bought Hojlund. With the likes of Willy, Harry and Ethan now on the fringes of the first team is this the way forward for Ten Hag.
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15 Jul 2024 22:50:13
Thanks for the reply ed002. i'm assuming that's £70m?
{Ed002's Note - Around that.}
26 Apr 2024 02:33:35
Are united looking at coaches who will play 3 at the back?
{Ed002's Note - No, they are look at coaches - some may play different formations.}
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