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Ports's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Ports's rumours posts
09 Aug 2024 16:59:26
Currently in Turkey and talk of United speaking with Fenerbache for Ferdi kadioglu.
1.) 09 Aug 2024 19:03:13
Are you getting the hair or teeth done ports?
2.) 09 Aug 2024 19:30:57
Gone for the Jurgen Klopp smile option!
3.) 09 Aug 2024 19:59:09
I didn't know Turkey did hair as well as teeth.
4.) 10 Aug 2024 00:40:57
Oak bark, they do all plastic surgery too. Can get yourself a new hairline and the missus a BBL at the same time ?.
5.) 10 Aug 2024 08:55:15
Just make sure you have a good Turkish translator with you when you go to the surgery, tick the wrong box and you'll get yourself a pair of double D's instead of a new fringe or a set of pearly whites ??.
29 Jul 2024 09:26:43
Ed, sounds like PSG are keen on Sancho. Just out of interest, would it be better for both clubs to do the Sancho and Ugarte transfers as separate deals or, if possible tie them both into 1 deal? I know it’s a lot more complicated but for me, the simplistic answer for them would be that Sancho is valued at £50M, they want £70M for Ugarte so £20M plus Sancho and get deal done (I’m just using numbers from reports) . Or for financial purposes would both deals need to be done separately. I guess there is an agent fee that may complicate it further?!
{Ed002's Note - PSG are not going to pay £50M for Sancho. Don't worry about the structure of any transfer as they are recorded separately on the TMS.}
1.) 29 Jul 2024 10:05:54
There certainly sounds like a deal can be done for both players. I'd imagine a comprise on both sides will be required.
2.) 29 Jul 2024 13:10:13
Ignoring money I definitely feel like there will be some movement with incoming/ outgoing shortly.
Ugarte feels like it is waiting for the Neves deal to progress and if an agreeable price can be met for both Ugarte and Sancho it is possible the deals happen at the same time with us topping up with some cash.
Mazraoui from Bayern feels similar if we can agree a deal with West Ham for AWB then that deal could go through smoothly.
Hopefully we are continuing discussions for De Ligt, as we saw from the Arsenal game we need to make sure we are covered and a main 3 of De Ligt, Yoro and Martines would give us this.
3.) 29 Jul 2024 14:27:58
PSG aren’t paying much more than that for Neves. Would rather we just went for him instead.
4.) 29 Jul 2024 16:34:02
Redseven,
He’s a similar player to Mainoo though and we need a Casemiro replacement, perhaps buying players we need rather than fancy names is the way to go?
5.) 29 Jul 2024 16:39:25
Rarely does a club actively looking to sell one of their players ever get the asking price.
If we are trying to sell Sancho for 40m, we'll be lucky to get 35m.
Likewise, PSG might want 70m, but they will be lucky to get 55m.
No one will match, let alone pay more for the player than what they paid last summer. Especially given that PSG are looking for a sale.
We are just seeing the media posturing that takes place in the build up to most transfers.
6.) 29 Jul 2024 20:29:18
Gds2. I've seen a lot of talk about him but never really seen him play. I can say the same about ugarte to be honest.
But the psg deal for neves seems all but done so as you say a player of ugarte's profile is more akin to what we need to compliment the likes of mainoo Bruno and mount.
Midfield looks very short on depth if any of cas ericksen or mctom were to depart without another coming in alongside ugarte. Interesting to see if we can get 2 in.
18 Jul 2024 21:58:37
Personal terms agreed for Ugarte. What is happening to this club!
1.) 18 Jul 2024 22:11:03
It's like Glazers are not running the club anymore :D.
2.) 18 Jul 2024 22:15:55
Club now being run by competent people who form a dynamic, agile and proactive structure.
imagine where the club will be in a few years time if this professional approach is maintained - and reflect upon the previous incompetence and wasted years previously. We're now finally acting like other well-run clubs such as Liverpool and Man City.
still SO much to do to rectify the mess the club has become but a really good start to the window.
3.) 18 Jul 2024 22:20:33
If we pull this one off too, that would be 3/ 3 so far for me in terms of acumen and identification.
4.) 19 Jul 2024 08:51:54
We certainly seem more ruthless and clinical don't we. Would just temper the expectations of Zirkzee Yoro and (potentially) Ugarte. I haven't seen evidence they are necessarily starting quality for us. Not trying to be negative about them, as I'm pleased to have them at the club; but I'm not getting carried away.
5.) 19 Jul 2024 11:04:04
Absolutely love to see it. I don't expect every signing to work out perfectly, no club gets it right every time no matter how well run they are.
Yet the difference between this summer and the past decade is absolutely night and day.
They have assessed what the team needs most, scouted, shortlisted suitable targets and have just gone about getting them done quickly and efficiently.
We will still over pay on a few targets (everybody does), and we will still pay more than most other clubs (impossible not to when you are one of the biggest clubs in the world) .
Most signings will work out, but some will not. That is always going to be the case when dealing with individuals. You can scout talent, you can select players with skill sets you need, you can even background check players to see what kind of person they are.
Yet how they fit in with the other players in the squad, how they adapt to that new environment (possibly a new country), how their loved ones who move with them adapt, and how they blend with the current players are all things you cannot predict. Those are the reasons players should be failing. Not because they don't have the right skill set or are not at the required level.
That is something that excites me most about our signings so far. They all seem to have the right skill set for what we need and have either shown themselves to be at the required level or have the potential to get to that level.
Zirkzee has shown himself to be a great player in Serie A, won the young player of the year award and been a key player for an exciting Bologna side. He has a complimentary skill set to Højlund, offering something different. His style of play should work well in creating space and chances for a forward line that has shown itself capable of scoring goals, but lacking in creating chances.
Leny Yoro is a phenomenal talent, someone whose skills seem very well suited to playing alongside Martinez. He's a mobile, athletic, sweeper who can clean up behind the more aggressive, front footed Martinez. He is also comfortable with the ball at his feet and can build up from the back. He's a good replacement for Varane who made a great partnership with Martinez when both were fit and playing. Obviously with a young player there are concerns over his ability to adapt to a more physically demanding league. He might take time to adapt and he will make mistakes as he learns. But the talent is there, it's now down to the player and the club to develop him into the player his talent suggests he can be.
Manuel Ugarte looks like he'll be the next through the door. Terms reportedly agreed, the player opens to the move, and PSG open to a sale. He looks every inch the kind of combative, ground covering, ball winning midfielder we need to pair alongside Mainoo to give him licence to focus on progressing the ball. His passing isn't expansive, but his safe controlled passing is what we probably need alongside a young player who will be looking to progress the ball forward and Bruno whose preset pass is an aggressive, high risk forward pass. He could be an excellent deal, especially if it's a loan with an option/ obligation to buy in a years time. Off-setting expenditure this summer when funds seem tight.
All three signings seem well suited to improve the team and add skills we need to become a better side. Hopefully all three settle quickly and adapt to the club, country, and the league.
While being decisive in making sensible signings the club have also been quick to move players out.
With Greenwood finally leaving and drawing a line under a very unfavorable period at the club, making it 10 departures already (Greenwood, Varane, Martial, Donny, Alvaro Fernandez, Kambwala, Shoretire, Forson, Williams and Amrabat) .
While they continue to discuss possible departures of players like Sancho, Casemiro, McTominay, AWB, Lindelof, Eriksen, Hannibal and Pellistri. These players are the ones who are likely to bring in fees to bolster the transfer budget and enable more signings.
I expect to see us continue our pursuit of Branthwaite, who would provide cover for Martinez and looks a good potential fit alongside Yoro in the long term. We will over pay for him, but that is always the case when signing homegrown players.
We are reportedly exploring the possibility of signing Adrien Rabiot, who on a short term (3 year) deal could offer us some quality and experience for a minimal cost. He isn't a perfect signing, but he would represent good business I think. Whether a deal happens or not remains to be seen.
While signing a player like Rabiot on a free might free up funds to make the signings of Branthwaite and possibly a new fullback if AWB departs to West Ham or somewhere else. Although I've heard that we have spoken with Bayern about Sascha Boey on a loan with an obligation/ option to buy. We have reportedly looked at a few options like that, both in terms of players we could sign and players we are struggling to sell (Sancho) .
It's so refreshing to see our club actually being well run, with a plan, and with experts pulling the strings. While we won't be back challenging for major honours this season, if this approach continues and even improves further then it will only be a matter of time before we get back to the top.
6.) 19 Jul 2024 18:19:00
Agree with all the points.
Only caveat is no one signed is EPL proven.
It could take a season to come together.
7.) 19 Jul 2024 23:44:42
ThaT os The THing THough, these signing s aren't for mext year. They are picking players they think will developing players who will be part of a title challenge in 3 to 5 years and going forward.
I expect us to to develop each year, and these. Players to improve.
Now I do think each is am upgrade, Zirkzee better than any of our options to spell Hojlund. Yoro better than what happened last year to us at CB, Ugarte is not a significant upgrade in fairness. But I also understand their will be growing pains, they will make mistakes they are developing and learning. I can live with that as long as we are developing as a whole.
I am not excited next season because I think we will challenge or these lads are the finished article, I am excited because I think these lads could be one day and will grow into the players we need with some luck.
I think there are youth players coming through that will make it too, Amass I eel very confident about. So much so I would ignore left back and focus elsewhere, he is very young but is good enough that I think we have to avoid blocking his pathway with a new signing. Lacey too I think will make it, but unlike LB we don't really have anyone currently playing at a high enough level. Garnacho could develop into that player on the right, Diallo I am less sure of.
8.) 20 Jul 2024 10:40:42
Oakbark, I think we are on the same page. I'm excited to see the shoots of growth this season, not because I think we will genuinely challenge for major titles. That said I think we should focus on the Europa League as I think we have a good chance of winning it. EtH has shown he is good at winning in the cups, with three finals in two years. While there is no UCL drop down into the Europa league this season, meaning who is in it to start with is the only competition we will have. I think we are one of the stronger teams in the competition, with a winning manager and a history and pedigree of winning.
Personally I'd focus more on that competition as winning it means UCL qualification, while it would also improve our UEFA coefficient meaning we would be less likely to draw a tougher UCL group then following season.
I'd play the kids and squad players in the domestic cups. With our main focus being the league and the Europa League.
Yoro and Zirkzee in theory improve us, although until they play in the EPL you never know how they will adapt. Yet the real benefit of them is as you say the potential they have, and the players they could become.
I actually think Ugarte would be a big improvement, finally having a tenacious, aggressive, high energy, ball winner in midfield who'll pair nicely with Mainoo. Giving Mainoo more licence to progress the ball forward, which is his best quality.
I'm hopeful that Amad can get more game time, he looked promising every time he played last season. He probably should have got more minutes.
While if Mount can stay fit he'll be like a new signing.
I agree with Amass, he looks like he could become a top level player. Defensively he still has a lot to learn, but a real threat going forward. If we do sign Branthwaite, then I could see either Branthwaite or Martinez covering LB with them either staying deep or dropping into midfield rather than bombing down the wing. That would give us more options on the left, along with Shaw and Malacia hopefully staying fit.
I'd certainly be more inclined to sign a RB to compete with Dalot and allow AWB to move on. As our options on the right are far more limited. Maybe Yoro could play there in a pinch, which might be good for him as he adapts to the EPL. Other than that the options seem very limited, with no one in the academy who looks ready to push for the first team squad. Unless there is a change of position for one of the midfielders like McAllister for example. That sometimes happens with academy players, moving into a different position when stepping into the first team. Although we can't count on that.
9.) 20 Jul 2024 15:32:34
Utd Road, while I personally prefer to see us sign players from within the EPL as they tend to be successful more often and adapt quicker, the reality is that there are many players who have moved to the EPL and hit the ground running.
If they are well scouted, and well suited to fulfill a specific role in the team they are moving too then they tend to work out fairly quickly.
We'll see with Zirkzee and Yoro. Personally I think Zirkzee will adapt quickly, being Dutch he shouldn't have any issues understanding what the coaching staff want him to do, and he seems fairly well suited to both the EPL, and to be the link man in the forward line who makes space and creates chances for those around him.
I expect he'll quickly become first choice, with Højlund being an option off the bench, or possibly playing some games from the right hand side.
Yoro I think might take a little longer to settle and will make a few more mistakes. If he learns quickly from them then he'll be fine.
10.) 21 Jul 2024 08:15:44
We need another right back ??.
11.) 21 Jul 2024 10:42:09
Fireman, it's an awkward situation as with Shaw's and Malacia's continued injury issues there is a fair arguement that we need a consistent and regularly available LB.
However, assuming everyone is fit we have Shaw, Malacia, Martinez, Dalot and Amass who can play at LB.
Whereas, we only really have Dalot and AWB who can play at RB.
If the club looks to sign a second CB, if they get a left footed player who can play LCB and possibly LB then I think that should be fine. Then we can look at a RB as a higher priority.
Ideally it would be best if we can delay trying to bring in another LB for a season or two. That would give us time to see how Malacia fairs and give time for Amass to develop. If they don't step up or are enough then we could look at bringing in a top young LB.
I do worry though what we would do next season if Dalot misses a big chunk of the season.
17 Jul 2024 10:19:07
Ornstein reporting that Leny Yoro is flying to UK to take medical and finalise personal terms. Still work to do apparently but it's closer than I think anyone would have expected. What is happening to this club!
1.) 17 Jul 2024 10:39:33
Professionals in charge now.
2.) 17 Jul 2024 12:23:49
Still expecting a last minute hijack, maybe I have been conditioned after the Ed years.
3.) 17 Jul 2024 12:47:03
Praying Everton cave in last minute and sell us Branthwaite on the cheap!
4.) 17 Jul 2024 16:58:42
Lindelof will most certainly leave, unless he wants to stay back up to Dalot and fill in at right back?
Depend if anybody wants to take Maguire off our hands. West Ham seem to signing CBs elsewhere.
16 Feb 2024 23:37:58
Ed, I know this is an impossible question to answer but if you could, with all rumours surrounding the new “leadership” with regard to football at United, how many transfers in realistically could you see at United this summer? 3 or 4 seems to be fairly standard for a “rebuild”, Chelsea last year was completely out of the ordinary but what in your opinion could happen at United? I appreciate this is a very ambiguous question.
{Ed002's Note - There will be a total of 16 departures.}
1.) 17 Feb 2024 09:55:13
Is that how many people are out of contract by any chance?
{Ed002's Note - No.}
2.) 17 Feb 2024 10:30:05
Are they all playing staff?
{Ed002's Note - Of course.}
3.) 17 Feb 2024 13:53:53
Never know if you’re playing with us or not Ed002!
Reports floating about that we’re interested in Mathys Tel from Bayern - any truth to these rumours please Ed?
{Ed002's Note - Mathys Tel (F) Bayern are not looking to sell and whilst there may be interest from Spurs it would not be as a Kane replacement. Tel's representative is a complete flake and has constantaly linked the player with other clubs and says that Manchester United scouts spotted him whilst watching another player. He has also cited Liverpool and Arsenal constantly ringing him. Marseille offered a return to France as a starter but his value has gone up considerably since then. The player has made it clear he wants to stay at Bayern Munich.}
4.) 17 Feb 2024 14:56:12
Brilliant detailed info - thank you for your swift and insightful response!
5.) 17 Feb 2024 15:28:15
Ed002 are you sure it's 16? Can you tell us if there is a liklihood or possibility that there may be a deviation from that number or if you can give an idea of timings of the 16 exits? ?.
{Ed002's Note - It will be exactly 16.}
6.) 17 Feb 2024 15:39:59
Can you lads not detect sarcasm. Ed is in the know but not a clairvoyant!
7.) 17 Feb 2024 16:05:34
brilliant ed002 lol. made me laugh so hard.
8.) 17 Feb 2024 18:58:43
If only the original post asked about how many departures.
9.) 18 Feb 2024 19:45:10
Lolll he fell for it that has to be the funniest rubbisht.
Ports's banter posts with other poster's replies to Ports's banter posts
30 Aug 2024 16:15:13
Ornstein reporting that Chelsea are expecting to strike a deal for Sancho. Great news. I’m reading players Chelsea want out and if anyone we’d be interested in. The only player, who I would think maybe realistic to get that I’d be happy with would be Romeo Lavia but can’t see that. But ultimately, getting Sancho moved on is the main focus and be excellent news.
1.) 30 Aug 2024 16:34:51
I think Chelsea have made some pretty questionable signings in recent times, a few exciting ones who haven't quite happened (Fernandez, £100m+?! ) . However Lavia is a player I really like, good to see him return and from what I've seen this season already looking like he's had an impact.
26 Jul 2024 08:49:56
Andreas Georgson joining United coaching staff. Was a set piece coach at Brentford, Southampton and Arsenal and worked with Jason Wilcox previously. Hopefully another positive appointment.
1.) 26 Jul 2024 10:00:13
Especially if Toney comes too.
2.) 26 Jul 2024 11:20:13
Toney won't be coming thank God. He is a poor man's lukaku.
Good to have a set piece coach and I think Brentford were decent in both attack and defence on set pieces last year. Our lack of aggression in attacking and defending set pieces last season was evident. It would help if Bruno didn't have 29% of his corners cut out by 1st man. Our delivery was so poor that 22% of our corners were short corner routines that produced zero goals. Bruno involved in all but 2 of those. ?♂️.
3.) 26 Jul 2024 11:25:01
Given how poor we have been on set pieces at both ends of the pitch this seems like a sensible move.
While that resume is impressive when you consider that Brentford and Arsenal have been amoungst the best sides at scoring and defending set pieces over the past 5 years or so.
4.) 26 Jul 2024 12:50:22
When you look at the profile of the players we are signing and looking at, not only young and talented footballers but also tall players. Might suggest we are looking at tightening up this area of the game which certainly is needed.
5.) 26 Jul 2024 13:01:23
If i'm not wrong we recently had a season where we scored like 1 goal from set pieces in the entire season, not sure if it was under Ole or ETH.
But suffice to say this new guy doesn't have a particularly high bar to beat in the set peice department.
6.) 26 Jul 2024 13:20:13
Our crossing is atrocious dsg.
A high class player like bruno can't take a decent corner it's farcical.
7.) 26 Jul 2024 15:49:06
Is it though Ken? Or do we or have we lacked some desire to get on the end of a cross? Genuine question because truthfully, Fernandes is one of the most technically gifted players we have so are his corners bad? Do we lack some b*#@cks when crosses are in the box?! Maybe a mixture of both?!
8.) 26 Jul 2024 16:04:48
Ports definitely a mixture of both. No plan and a lack of attention to detail but 29% of our corners didn't beat 1st man. That is not world class delivery.
22% were taken in a short corner routine involving the 'world class ' Bruno to no avail.
Bruno is miles better passing in motion than he is from a deadball situation and his stats back that up. Someone needs to tell him to steer clear from deadball situations his stats read like ronaldos for free kicks. Useless.
9.) 26 Jul 2024 16:19:13
Toney a poor man's lukaku? Are you on crack?
10.) 26 Jul 2024 17:28:57
Ha you’ll get used to the fishing Greg.
11.) 26 Jul 2024 18:00:48
No Greg I don't think he is as good as lukaku. Do you think he is better? His stats are no better. He is slower and less mobile than lukaku. Doesn't score as many goals.
12.) 26 Jul 2024 18:27:53
I saw somewhere that one of the first things arteta did when joining Arsenal was to pinch city's set piece coach, who he had worked with previously. Arsenal instantly jumped to the top of goals scored and least goals conceded from set pieces and started challenging for the title.
It is a hugely underestimated part of the game by utd. We can't take corners, we a poor at defending them. And we surely must be the worst team in the league on our own throw ins. The number of times we lose possession with 5 seconds of our own throw in is disgusting.
13.) 26 Jul 2024 18:47:48
That's coaching DB. I agree with you. The coaching has been non evident.
14.) 26 Jul 2024 21:54:44
Toney would be a backwards step. He is at his lever where he is.
15.) 27 Jul 2024 00:08:13
A backwards step?
16.) 27 Jul 2024 11:32:15
Ivan Toney might not be an elite striker, but he's certainly a far more proven and consistent striker in the EPL than either Højlund or Zirkzee presently.
In his last full season of EPL football he scored 20 and got 4 assists in 35 games.
For context the last Man Utd player to score 20 EPL goals in one season was RvP in 2012/ 13. Over a decade ago.
Strikers to play for us who haven't managed that since 2012/ 13 include Falcao, Cavani, Ronaldo, Lukaku and Zlatan.
In fact in the past 10 years only 18 other strikers across all the teams in the league have managed to score 20 league goals in a season.
He wouldn't be a bad signing for anyone in the league.
Given that we don't have anyone who has matched his achievements in our squad I fail to see how he would be a backwards step.
I do wonder how we would fit all of Zirkzee, Højlund and Toney into a team or give all of them the playing time they would be happy with or need to develop. I'm definitely in the camp that we would be better off spending money on players for other positions rather than buying Toney.
But he certainly wouldn't be a bad player or take us backwards if we did sign him.
17.) 27 Jul 2024 13:49:15
Poor man's John fashanu.
18.) 27 Jul 2024 17:15:34
We are fine with the striker options.
We need to ensure the full back positions and CM position is resolved as soon as possible. Should we be able to add some much needed quality and depth, we will have a decent squad for the upcoming season.
19.) 27 Jul 2024 23:02:30
Tony works hard can hold the ball up allowing the team to uold attacks and relieves pressure of opposing attacks being in relentless waves he also is good at bringing others into play and has a good passing range. Ally all that with hso goalscoring and he would be a good addition to our team.
20.) 28 Jul 2024 12:32:16
Poor man's mick hartford.
24 Jul 2024 21:50:15
Hojlund new number 9. Like that. Give Garnacho number 11 next.
1.) 25 Jul 2024 07:24:34
I’m sure Garnacho once said he wanted the number 11 because of Giggs?
2.) 25 Jul 2024 15:03:14
Don't know if he said that Wazza, but would be slightly surprised as he is absolutely obsessed with Ronaldo (it's why he signed for us, wanting to follow his footstep's) so would of thought No7 would be his wish.
Would imagine Mount (current holder of No7 shirt) is pretty much on trial this coming season, he will have to perform or could be on his way. So tell Alejandro if he keeps his performance levels improving he is in with a good shout of being the No7. Hopefully this will incentivise him on.
3.) 25 Jul 2024 17:46:03
Iwotb your correct he said he wanted the 7 but it was given to mount which was odd. Shirt no's don't mean anything really anymore. Of course some players have a preference but it's not a big deal really in most cases.
4.) 25 Jul 2024 19:01:28
Not sure I agree with that Ken, think it does matter to plenty.
5.) 25 Jul 2024 20:40:03
It shouldn't. All it is really is symbolism. Means nothing to me as a fan,
If it really matters to a player then the club should try and accommodate their wishes if they can.
6.) 25 Jul 2024 22:48:12
I think if you give a kid number 9, that’ll mean a heck of a lot to him because it shows your belief in them. Same with Garnacho and the number 11. I wouldn’t expect a senior player to be to concerned (unless you’re ronaldo) about a certain number but for a kid at the start of their career I think it would mean a lot.
7.) 26 Jul 2024 02:35:29
If it means more to him than pulling on the number 11 I think there is questions to be asked. It's complete vanity imo.
8.) 26 Jul 2024 06:34:40
Yes that’s it iwotb, he said 7. Alzheimer’s getting the better of me.
9.) 26 Jul 2024 09:47:15
numbers mean a lot - especially if your kid gets 11 and hojland changes to 9 on the new home shirt! bacon eating t*^t!
10.) 26 Jul 2024 09:50:39
Ken,
Just because it means nothing to you doesn’t mean it means nothing to anyone else, it definitely means something to kids as fans wanting numbers on their shirts and also players are superstitious and would like a certain number. You’ve fallen into the trap of thinking because you think something that means it’s true for everyone.
11.) 26 Jul 2024 10:36:51
Gds2 do you even read. that's exactly what I said. Most players don't give a toss and where they do the club should try to accommodate. So keane and Carrick wearing 16 must have broken kids hearts.
It's been over 30 years since teams lined out 1 to 11. Shirt no is meaningless to most whether you like it or not.
12.) 26 Jul 2024 11:31:56
Maybe giving Højlund the No.9 has more to do with a show of faith in a young player who had a mixed first season at the club last year despite showing real promise.
With the signing of Zirkzee it would make sense that Højlund will question whether he'll play as much or is considered as important a player this year.
If they gave Zirkzee the No.9 this summer, then the symbolism attached to that is that he has come in to be first choice and bench Højlund. That might be what happens, it's not all about how an individual performs but how the team performs with those individuals.
So giving Højlund the No.9 is a show of faith and will hopefully help keep his head up and focused when he inevitably plays less football this season.
Also I think Zirkzee has worn the No.11 at a couple of clubs and he might have a preference for that shirt number. If so then it's two birds with one stone.
13.) 26 Jul 2024 20:33:47
It mattered to Martial anyway. He was raging over the no 9 shirt.
14.) 27 Jul 2024 10:58:16
Ken,
Yes I can read, that’s why I replied to your post with a sensible response without having to resort to silly comments. Weird how many likes each post got but I’m sure I’m wrong.
12 Jul 2024 17:58:35
Sancho and ETH have had positive clear the air talks. Well that is something I certainly was not expecting to read in this transfer window! Genuinely not sure how I feel about that. There’s a player in there but for me he’s burnt his bridges. But if the club and coaching staff feel he can offer something then you got to trust them.
1.) 12 Jul 2024 18:51:24
I don't even think there is much/ enough of one. Maybe sweet talking him to make him help the transfer situation.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 18:51:33
Perhaps they apologised to each other or perhaps they didn't but have had their heads banged together and both parties have realised how they let a stupid war of words and 2 egos get in the way of what's best for the club and squad as a whole.
Ports let's hope he improves on the pitch I'm not sure where he will play or if he will even stay but let's hope it stays nice and calm from here on in.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 19:02:44
call me cynical but unless he suddenly learns to beat a player, pass forward or put a decent cross in and track back then he's not much use to us. i'd rather see Diallo and Garnacho get playing time instead of him. Had an attitude problem wherever he has been.
His 4 goals and 4 asssits in 22 games at Dortmund -hardly inspiring-seem to have excited some people.35 mill in the bank and him off the wage bill would be the preferred option for me.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 19:07:08
Hopefully he's learnt his lesson and gets his head down, we all know there is a really good player in their. Or the hierarchy have told him to come back keep his head down and go along with this for a couple of weeks and he can leave, protecting his value to the club as if he's not back with us and is trying to leave his value goes down.
5.) 12 Jul 2024 19:27:29
No, no, no. The way Sancho behaved suggest he has an attitude. As well as the fact he stank the place out.
6.) 12 Jul 2024 19:34:23
Hopefully he is sold, be is crap compared to Amad or Garnacho. Sure we also have academy guys banging on the door for the wings.
Get rid. He's a clown.
7.) 12 Jul 2024 20:03:59
Agree AJH, he has an attitude. Nothing about '2' egos. Sancho has form and he went against the manager, not on.
But like the rest of the club, it feels like a second chance for a lot of people and ETH has obviously decided to afford Sancho the same opportunity. So, he better make use of his second chance.
8.) 12 Jul 2024 21:08:22
Get rid he doesn’t have the heart or desire
Another modern day footballer with an over flated ego.
9.) 12 Jul 2024 21:54:26
I think its just window dressing things. club will sell him if they can this window but finding it difficult to find buyers. I wonder why.
10.) 12 Jul 2024 22:16:56
Sell him. Bad attitude.
11.) 13 Jul 2024 08:50:43
Leahy, ideally, yes. But it's quite obvious that no one has met our valuation for him yet.
He does have a bad attitude, well documented but something about this screams 'last chance saloon's to me and he will know it.
If he can contribute to the season ahead in a positive manner, I'm all for it. If he disobeys again, then he goes.
12.) 13 Jul 2024 11:22:08
There are so many valid reasons why we should sell Sancho.
Firstly he has not contributed anything of significance on the pitch.
Secondly his wages totally distort the wage structure. It's going to be hard justifying to any player in the squad that they're wage demands are too high when you have Sancho contributing half as much as any other player while being paid twice as much.
Finally, his attitude stinks. While it's good that he and the manager have finally put the dispute to bed, for me it's too little too late from Sancho. While the manager hasn't covered himself in glory over this situation, I do feel he had exhausted all his other options with Sancho. He had supported him in the previous season, organised a private camp away in Holland with special-ist coaches to help him get back to form. Something very few other coaches would have done to support the player. Yet Sancho returned, we saw a slight improvement for two weeks then he slumped back into the same old habits. He will never succeed while he continues to blame everyone else and takes no responsibility for his poor form. Most recently he's stated that it's because he plays best on the left and not the right. Well a 19 year old Garnacho felt the same way, but that didn't stop him knuckling down and putting in great performances on the right this season, despite it not being his preferred position. If a player 5 years your junior is showing you up then that's on you and not anyone else.
Sancho has the talent, but his mentality is weaker than a digestive biscuit that's spent 5 minutes soaking in your tea.
He has probably been out worst ever signing when you consider the fee and wages he costs compared to the performances he has put in, and the problems he has caused.
The club need to sell him ASAP. The problem with that is that with PSR so tight we need to make sure we don't take a massive loss on him. Which means we need someone to take on his obscene wages AND pay us a fee of around 40m just to break even. Any shortfall in that we have to pick up the tab, which could then potentially count as a 10-25m loss on our accounts.
I suspect the current situation is an attempt to calm the waters, and show other clubs that we aren't backed into a corner and give us some way of negotiating the kind of deal we need to get in order to move him on.
As a side note, the rumours of Juventus being interested and even looking to sell Matias Soulé to raise funds for Sancho sound promising. To be honest from how Soulé has played this season in Series A I'd be tempted to include him in a part exchange deal with Sancho if the numbers worked.
Really talented, exciting RW player who could become a top player.
13.) 13 Jul 2024 12:02:17
Just another toxic contract that we now have to deal with. Seems that ineos will tackle these issues effectively, so let's see where this ends up.
Player with a bad attitude is one thing. But the bigger problem is his ridiculous salary and his poor ability on the pitch to match that salary.
14.) 13 Jul 2024 19:59:54
Just another Pogba. Not worth the column inches.
15.) 13 Jul 2024 21:57:58
Agree manc man. Let's hope we get him out.
16.) 13 Jul 2024 23:49:36
More like a rich tea Shappy.
17.) 14 Jul 2024 12:33:54
Peter, nah Rich tea has far more resolve than Sancho ?.
25 May 2024 09:05:51
Interesting interview with ETH with a Dutch media company. Sounds to me like he hasn’t known for a couple of months ?.
1.) 25 May 2024 09:32:27
Ooooh don't you be doubting the encyclopedia ?.
2.) 25 May 2024 10:19:47
He makes some decent points, and backs them up with facts. The injuries have been ridiculous, but we've still been complete rubbish and ripped apart by supposedly lesser teams far to often to just simple blame injuries.
Was reading some generic comments on that article from random Internet strangers and someone said it might simply be him trying to attempt to control the narrative to save what he can of his reputation to help get his next job, which I though was an interesting perspective.
Regardless, dude's gone by tomorrow.
3.) 25 May 2024 10:30:43
What, you mean to tell me he hasn't known for months? But lots on here have told us he has known for ages.
Wafflers, wait until the club make an actual announcement before professing to know everything.
4.) 25 May 2024 10:34:25
For the sake of stability and forward planning, you have to think the club would have made a statement about his future, if he was staying, long before now.
5.) 25 May 2024 10:52:33
He has known for some time angel. You don't have to believe that its totally your perogative.
6.) 25 May 2024 11:19:56
Scathing of the British pundits, then proceeds to tear into the decisions of his former club in the exact same manner.
Weird interview all together.
7.) 25 May 2024 12:30:25
This is cup final day. The manager B/ S can wait. Couple of beers and snacks and hopefully the boys win a trophy.
8.) 25 May 2024 12:53:49
Fingers crossed banjoe. I'm bodily if not expectant.
9.) 25 May 2024 13:56:46
I think we can pull it off, but probably won't. I think it'll be a pretty eventful few days if the rumours transpire and EtH will probably be wishing he'd deeded van Gaal's advice to stay well away.
10.) 25 May 2024 14:36:56
I don't think he will regret taking the job Spenno. He has done his very best and done it his way 12 of the 20 today are his signings or youth he introduced. He has made 3 cup finals won at least 1.
He failed miserably in the league and Europe this season.
None of his signings have lived up to his or our expectations.
You can't finish 8th and say we are better off than a year ago.
Really hard working guy and I think he will have learnt a lot I hope he gets a good job next and I'd like to see him do well. He will surely have learnt some things that will stand him in good stead for the future.
Imo you learn more from the hard times than you do in the good times.
11.) 25 May 2024 14:47:30
We should be maestros by now then but we don't seem to have learnt a lot in the last ten years.
12.) 25 May 2024 15:41:16
You say it like you know ken, you don't ?.
13.) 25 May 2024 19:52:20
As you were.
30 Aug 2024 16:45:17
I said at the beginning of the transfer window on this site that I thought this window and maybe even the next window would be about the Club re-establishing themselves in the transfer market as a serious, proper run Club. I also didn’t see us bringing in more than 3 players. I think this has been an excellent window and such a good sign for the club moving forward. Even the signing of Kone feels exciting different even though I have zero clue who he is.
I am however hoping for a big name past their prime signing in the next couple of hours just for nostalgic reasons ?.
20 Aug 2024 09:45:04
Ugarte according to reports has stated it's United or no one so if that is true he's played a bit of a blinder for us to get a deal sorted on better terms for us than PSG.
19 Aug 2024 08:07:21
A lot of money when we have Hojlund and Zirkee. A player that I thought about as a senior striker who scored at the weekend who I wouldn’t mind testing the water for would be Welbeck. United fan and been through the academy. You’d think he’d be prepared to come in as a squad player and support Hojlund and Zirkee. Got good experience and I imagine wouldn’t cost a lot and is still scoring goals in the Premier League.
19 Aug 2024 08:04:28
I think some people, and myself included previously are a little bit caught up with McTominay being an Academy player and that is a reason for him to stay. My honest view on him is that he is hard working, great commitment, good energy. All traits we want and have needed the last couple of years but truthfully from a football point of view, he isn’t at the level we need if we are working towards a better footballing team. I do think when I see some transfers that we should be getting £30M for him. If he was to stay I wouldn’t be disappointed but he will only ever be an impact sub for me and I think he’s a better professional than that and deserves to be a regular in the starting 11 for someone. From what I’ve seen, Collyer is a better footballer and should be bringing him through.
14 Aug 2024 13:56:25
I guess if Ugarte comes in then Casemiro has a decision to make.
05 Oct 2024 19:07:49
Ken, you said the other day that until all the players who played under Ole, the club can’t move forward. This included Fernandes along with, Rashford, Maguire, Lindelof and Shaw. Now you’re saying the players aren’t the problem in a conversation regarding Fernandes. Can you clear up which it is please. Thanks.
04 Oct 2024 22:24:08
It’s ok Ed, we’ll be ok. Just got to stick together. On the bright side, I always hated international breaks but I cannot wait for this one ?.
{Ed025's Note - all i can advise Ports is...temper your expectations mate, top 8 would be realistic, anything higher is pie in the sky at this point but i do wish you well, unlike Liverpool and Arsenal supporters who are reveling in the fact that Utd are not the force they once were..
04 Oct 2024 21:13:26
Yeah I agree Ed. Was thinking about it today as I’m sure a lot of fans were and for me, I’d love him to walk away rather than be sacked but I know no manager would ever do that but I don’t think a United manager has ever come under as much scrutiny, criticism and pressure as ETH on top of everything he’s had to deal with. Again, I know he’s been his own worst enemy at times but the fella handled and faced up to everything.
If/ when the new manager comes in, for me they have to absolutely ruthless and sell Rashford. I’m, personally ok with Fernandes but maybe sell Fernandes. Maybe 1 or two others. We talk about getting rid of deadwood, but I think we need to make some statement sales too.
{Ed025's Note - i wish i could offer a solution Ports but i cant mate..
04 Oct 2024 20:06:40
This is my concern Mad Hatter. People can say ETH has coached the team to these defeats etc but let’s not forget he’s also coached the team to winning positions in matches, last night and Chelsea last year off top of my head, I know there’s plenty more. It’s unacceptable for players to allow a 2-0 lead to disappear just like that last night and then hide behind the manager. Sadly when your winning, players get the credit and when your losing the manager takes the flack.
I get the ETH out argument, genuinely. But we’ve seen it all before. Someone will come in and we’ll improve, end up doing well and probably getting top 4. But in 12 months we’ll be having the same discussion IMO. At some point players HAVE to take responsibility for their performances and attitude in a game and not hide behind managerial faults for their excuse. Dalot and Rashford were at fault last night for mistakes you wouldn’t except at grassroots and that’s nothing to do with coaching or management.
ETH has his faults and believe me he has made it VERY hard to defend him but at the same time I, personally will always back a Manager over players when I feel like the effort is not there from players or they take no responsibility. The clubs standards have nose dived since SAF left as he had a stranglehold on the whole running of the club and INEOS need to get that back.
If I thought there was a manager that could really come in and change things that would bring succes over a long period of time not just the odd season here and there I’d hold my hands up and say absolutely but sadly I just can’t see a manager changing the standard of the club until the football people that SJR spoke about today have made their impact so why not back the manager above the players and remove that player mentality that I believe is in place of them knowing they will outlast a manager. We need consistency at the club and that doesn’t come by keep changing manager. But, I appreciate it is really hard for fans at the moment to accept, myself included. But I’m just bored of the same cycle at the moment.
{Ed025's Note - i agree with a lot of that Ports but there are too many players with poor attitudes at the club that its virtually impossible for ETH to stay mate, what does he do? drop them all and play kids?...that could well get you relegated, for me he has lost the dressing room and thats the beginning of the end, i cant give you any answers as to how you move on but its not a quick fix thats for sure..
02 Oct 2024 15:29:45
They haven't been fazed by it this past decade not sure why they would be bothered by it now!