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Ruudvanhorsehead's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Ruudvanhorsehead's rumours posts
26 Jul 2024 22:16:37
What's the situation with ugarte?
Is it a matter of meeting PSGs value as it seems he wants the move?
1.) 26 Jul 2024 23:51:45
I think him, DeLigt and Mazraoui will happen. I think it is just waiting on some outgoings plus other teams buying players (Neves to PSG etc) .
{Ed004's Note - I think Mazraoui, Yoro, De Ligt, Ugarte & Zirkzee would be a very good start to Ineos tenure. Maybe slightly worried about the left back position but adding young and quality players throughout there}
29 May 2024 21:39:50
I see we are being linked with olive. I absolutely don't think we need another winger.
We need a strong midfielder, a center back and a striker.
1.) 29 May 2024 21:55:26
Olise! Damn the auto spell.
2.) 29 May 2024 22:03:52
We need all of those things, but we don’t have to sign them in any particular order.
3.) 29 May 2024 22:31:06
Olise seems very achievable.
I’d say Olise means the end of Antony + Amad or Sancho.
4.) 29 May 2024 22:40:56
Glad that was an auto spell mishap - we've already got Antony, we have no room for another Silly Moo.
5.) 30 May 2024 03:32:54
Still don’t get how I seem to be the only one with a keeper on their list of positions we need to address.
6.) 30 May 2024 06:22:13
If we sign Olive, perhaps we could also sign Popeye as a holding midfielder.
{Ed025's Note - or even Stan from "on the buses" AJH.. :)
7.) 30 May 2024 06:25:12
Redseven, I think it comes down to priorities.
Do we need a keeper more than a CB?
Do we need a keeper more than a CDM?
Do we need a keeper more than a ST?
Do we need a keeper more than a RW?
Do we need a keeper more than a LB?
There's five positions where we are almost definitely in greater need of reinforcement than at goalkeeper. While in some of those positions (CB and CDM) you could easily argue that we need a couple of signings in each position.
Meaning we could/ should be looking to sign 6-7 players BEFORE we need to sign a keeper.
I get that some people aren't entirely convinced by Onana, yet he's actually a very good keeper. He has one of the best save percentages in the league despite facing more shots than all bar one keeper this season. He is prone to the occasional gaff, but the logic is that if we improve the defence in front of him and reduce the amount of work he has to do then we will reduce the number of opportunities he has to make a gaff.
I'd expect to see Onana as first choice next season, partially because we have far more pressing priorities elsewhere in terms of player signings, and partially because I don't think he's been given a fair crack this season given the shambles that has played in front of him.
8.) 30 May 2024 09:37:38
The right wing is definitely an area that needs looking at and Olise for me would be ideal. He has been superb for Palace especially since the new manager came in and shows he can work in a team designed to play better football.
I would bring him in and have Amad as back up with Garnacho also able to play there.
We need to move on Sancho, Antony and Pellestri as we have seen enough to know that they are not working and could generate some money (offset by remainder of there contract) .
We do not need to look at a goalkeeper this year with other needs, we need to see what Onana can do with a settled back 4 who can play out from the back. We can then decide next summer whether he is for the long term or not.
{Ed002's Note - Michael Olise (RW/AM) PSG and Manchester City want him as cover although the departure of Mahrez last summer will mean more opportunities now, but the RW position is effectively Foden's. If de Bruyne or Silva were to depart, he becomes an option again. Crystal Palace has no real interest in selling but know that Chelsea want to take Olise back to Stamford Bridge and Olise has made clear that one day he wants to be playing with his brother. Down the list of AM players Chelsea want but they will again perhaps push for him as he is achievable. His representative has said no other clubs have made any formal approach for Olise although Arsenal and Manchester United have also regularly sent scouts and he may end up first choice for Manchester United. Liverpool can be discounted. Will be available in the summer when a significant release clause will need to be met.}
9.) 30 May 2024 11:22:23
Good points Shappy.
We need GK, LB, RB, CB x2-3, CM x2, RW and CF. It will take 4 transfer windows minimum to replace so the strategy will likely target profiles that meet what INEOS want (age, mentality) and there’ll be some flex with priorities based who’s available.
Olise is young, English and has a release clause meaning it might be worth going for him and persisting with Malacia and Shaw or Maguire.
As long as we get CB and a DM, I’m not particularly bothered what positions come now or in the future.
10.) 30 May 2024 11:49:56
Thought Olise was French (or at least most likely to represent France having played for their youths) . Actually looks like he could opt for any of four nations.
I just hope Ineos have priorities of positions as well as two or three targets for each. Last season's approach was woeful, concentrating on one player at a time which meant we ended up going for players in the wrong order, IMO. Let's nail CB first as a concern.
11.) 30 May 2024 13:13:39
Utd Road, Olise is a French under 21 international, he does count towards the homegrown quota though having been born in England and spent his entire career in the English football system. I wouldn't want to label him with a specific nationality though.
I don't think many fans have clocked on to the issue in our squad in terms of homegrown players. Many of the ones who'll be leaving in the next couple of years are homegrown (Heaton, AWB, Evans, Maguire, and McTominay) . While the likes of Shaw, Mount and Rashford are not certainties to be here long term. That's 5 of our current 8 homegrown players likely to leave within two years. That means we NEED to sign at least a couple of homegrown players this summer. Which probably explains the stronger links to the likes of Branthwaite, Guehi, Tosin, Olise, Toney and even tentative links to the likes of Adam Wharton, Archie Gray and Jobe Bellingham. How many are available and would be good enough to be in the first team means that players like Branthwaite and Olise might be pushed up the priorities list due to them being both homegrown and good enough to be first choice. There are good alternatives available for less, players like Todibo, or if we wanted a left footed CB Arthur Theate from Rennes would be an astute signing, while on the RW Johan Bakayoko from PSV has massive potential. Yet none of them count as homegrown, and we need more homegrown players in our squad.
In terms of Olise, I think he'd be an excellent signing, he ticks all the boxes for me. Young, talented, the right profile of player, proven in the EPL, counts towards homegrown quota, and should be available for a reasonable price given the market due to a clause in his contract. The only concern for me is his injury record is worrying. That said given Garnacho and Amad will still likely be in the squad and available, any injuries to Olise would just open up chances to our younger players.
I'm not against signing Olise at all, I just feel that in an ideal world there are other positions that need to be sorted first, primarily defence and midfield. I'd be signing 2 CB's, 2 deeper midfielder and a LB before looking at the RW. That for me is where we could see the biggest improvement. As said before attack wins you games, defence wins you titles. I'd be looking to build a solid defence who can grow and develop together over the next few years as my first priority this summer. Then it'd be getting a couple of midfielders to support and work with Mainoo to settle our midfield. The heart of the team very much dictates how the team play, or at least how they can play. Until we have a settled defence we will struggle with consistency in results, and until we get a settled midfield we will struggle to consistently use a successful playing style with good performances.
That's five signings straight off the bat. While none of them address the fact we only have Hojlund as a recognised striker. I've been impressed with Bruno playing as a false 9 over the past few games, and it looks a position he could play more regularly if needed. yet it's not a tactic that suits every game, so we'd still need an alternative to Hojlund to allow him time to rest and space to develop. This position is also probably more important than RW.
However, Olise is going to be available, in a position of need, at a reasonable price and ticks the homegrown box. The issue is I don't think 7 signings this summer is feasible, certainly not if we are paying fees for all of them.
Maybe moves for the likes of Tosin and Welbeck on frees would be prudent. Both fill positions of need and fill the homegrown quota. That also frees up funds for big moves for the likes of Branthwaite and Olise.
Which would leave us needing to still sign a couple of midfielders and a LB ideally. Can we find good value options in the market? Rayan Ait-Nouri would be my ideal LB signing, but again he'll be expensive, maybe moves for players like Melvin Bard or Bradley Locko might be good, cheaper alternatives. Likewise many would like to see Amadou Onana sign for the club (I'm less convinced, I'm not sure about his ability on the ball) . again however, he'd prove to be very expensive, so it's a question of can the club find cheaper but equally as good or potentially as good alternatives. Maybe someone like Youssef Fofana from Monaco would be a prudent signing, one year left on his deal and a regular for the French national team. He could be available for 20-30m which in the current market and given his ability is a bargain. Or someone like Morten Frendrup currently playing for Genoa. A young, tenacious ball winner who is better on the ball than his stats would suggest. Capable of playing as either a No.6 or a ball winning No.8, and has even played at RB when needed, which would help in terms of coverage for us. Or we could take a chance on a younger player like Oscar Zambrano or someone like Guido Rodriguez who while 30 years old, is available on a free, or Adrien Rabiot another available on a free.
Either way we will need our scouts to earn their crust this summer and unearth some players with great potential who won't cost the earth. Players who can come into the squad with lesser expectation on them, but who can rise to the challenge and prove themselves capable of playing at the level we need. We are often linked to many of these players, but we tend to take a back seat and let them move to other clubs that could be seen as a "stepping stone". Only to be back in for them 12-24 months later at 10 times the fee that club paid for them.
That approach might make sense if you are a top club competing at the highest level for top honours. That's an environment where you don't really have the time or space to give a player the chances they need to develop and step up to that elite level. That's a position where the club needs to sign elite players who have proven they are ready to step into that level and make an immediate impact.
However, that is not where we find ourselves currently, we are a top club in name, but not in performances or results. We need to rebuild, and that takes time. It actually makes sense for us to buy those younger players who still have to step up and prove themselves. Then give them the game time they need over the next couple of season's to do so as we develop and improve as a team. Let them grow together as a squad.
12.) 30 May 2024 14:42:47
Damn, really wanted him but we won't get him if chelsea are involved. Ed002 don you think we have a chance or will london pull and being with his brother be too much for him to turn down? They do seem to have a lot of rws/ amas though unless madueke is leaving.
{Ed002's Note - Sure there is a chance but he could also return to Chelsea.}
26 Jun 2023 23:19:49
Eds,
Are we really considering moving Sancho on?
Surely one more season with the right people around him would make more sense.
{Ed002's Note - At the right price.}
1.) 27 Jun 2023 05:49:55
The £45 million being quoted is crazy.
2.) 27 Jun 2023 07:42:22
Difficult one i would think for the club. He is no mug and a quality player at a very young age. For 50 mill I would think they will let him go.
We could use the money and hopefully do better with how we spend it. He is a left winger but does not suit our style of play and we have plenty of options to play on the left.
Need to fix our right wing, Antony just does not do it for me. I think 40 mill player at best. got taken to the cleaners on that one.
3.) 27 Jun 2023 08:08:50
Im still not sure LW is the best position for Sancho, I think he is better at the RW. The price is alright for him, we can't really sell him for less than 45-50 mil.
I wouldn't judge Antony just yet, it was his first season at the club, in a much stronger league. He didn't "wow" anyone, but he wasnt that bad either.
4.) 27 Jun 2023 08:31:11
Personally I have seen nothing to suggest that this season will be any different from previous where he shows promise but does not deliver. We all think that the left is Rashford/ Ganracho, his value is ever decreasing so if EtH decides he is not right then we should sell and re-invest in other areas that we need.
We over spent on him so anywhere close to £45/ 50m and would do it.
5.) 27 Jun 2023 08:32:05
I would fancy that a decent side would take a punt of him at a reasonable price, he's still young and clearly has something, just hasn't been able to replicate it for us. Trouble is everyone sees us coming and triples the valuations of their players so it'd be interesting to see what £50m gets us these days. Couple of matchballs and pasties?
6.) 27 Jun 2023 08:39:23
Crazy because he's worth half of that. We will be lucky to get 40m.
7.) 27 Jun 2023 09:48:14
Personally I think Jadon is a quality footballer. He was smashing the Bundesliga up before he came to us. You can use the excuse that the German league isn’t as good, maybe so, but it isn’t exactly a Sunday pub league is it!?
I’d give him one more season based on the fact that you don’t just become rubbish overnight. However, I don’t think his problems lie on the football side, I think he needs a lot of work on the mental side of being a top sportsman. Nobody really knows the facts behind what happened earlier in the season, but it’s pretty evident that the lads confidence is completely shot, even now. I’d give him another season working with Eric and working with sports psychologists and see where we are next summer. Although having said that, the fact they’d be open to offers suggests they are more privy and informed to his future prospects than we are.
45 million doesn’t buy much nowadays anyway so I’d stick with him for another year.
8.) 27 Jun 2023 09:58:26
If we can get between 40-50m I would take it and move on. I think he needs it just as much as we do.
9.) 27 Jun 2023 13:00:58
He’s got Spurs written all over him!
10.) 27 Jun 2023 13:16:52
Trolo
Sancho had one good game at right wing I think and not his fav position.
Antony for 90 mill is a massive overspent and god we could have used the money this summer. If not for greenwood we would never have even bought him I reckon.
That kind of money is spent on highly established players from major European leagues. He is very temperamental, one dimensional and predictable. His crossing is so so poor for a winger. Never have to worry about him going on the outside and easy for defenders, opposite of sacko at arsenal, who is class class.
Good entertainment if you like little tricks that have no bearing on the game.
11.) 27 Jun 2023 18:21:12
Eric’s only blemish if you ask me, nepotism meaning we paid way over the odds for a player lacking in pace and extremely one dimensional. Gakpo should have been signed ahead of him.
12.) 29 Jun 2023 06:46:40
Good lord you would think some of our own fans hate our team.
Antony may not have set the world alight this season, however I will remind you that it was his first season at the club, and I for one think he did very well by all accounts.
I think if you pay attention to Antony’s game, he brings a hell of a lot to the team dimensionally. Look at the statistics for games we threw away late on, and have a look specifically at when Antony was brought off the pitch and when the opposition then scored and got back into to game. I believe you will be extremely pleasantly surprised.
He knows the system ETH wants to implement, he offers width and he tracks back. let's also not forget the fact our right back position was equivalent to the role of Batman, being chopped and changed nearly every game. As a winger this does not provide a good foundation for a relationship to be built on your side of the pitch.
Also, the fact you mention ‘lack of pace’ informs me quite well that your opinion as useful as a chocolate kettle. The kid was the fast player in our squad last season, and by quite some distance of almost half a kilometre per hour faster than that individual in second place.
Give the kid a damn chance and stop expecting every damn winger to be a basic 442 winger like Giggs/ Beckham or a superstar like Ronaldo/ Rashford (Rashford used lightly in this sentence) .
Alas, I make mention that Arjen Robben was the most one dimensional player the universe has ever seen. It was like he had a manuscript built in, which he couldn’t divert away from. However, he damn well sure enough was one of the most electric players around. I bet you knew he was world class all his career, right? Or was it just when he ended up and Bayern and matured more as a player?
Thank the heavens that no fans drove him away for being too one dimensional.
Fergies most famous quote of “Football, bloody hell” should be re-quoted for nowadays with “Football fans, bloody hell” with regards to spoilt fans.
01 Sep 2022 09:26:22
Eds,
Will there be any action for utd today?
{Ed002's Note - Odds and ends - Chong will go.}
1.) 01 Sep 2022 14:13:28
I'd imagine a few out the door and Dubravka confirmed.
2.) 01 Sep 2022 14:22:11
The Garner deal to Everton looks like it's nearly done.
3.) 01 Sep 2022 15:01:49
Where's he going ed? Birmingham?
{Ed002's Note - Yes.}
4.) 01 Sep 2022 20:56:35
Thanks Ed. Good move for him. Will watch them when I get a chance with hannibal there aswell.
28 Jul 2022 14:08:36
Eds,
Is FDJ still a legitimate target?
Is there any other positions we are looking at investing?
Thanks.
{Ed077's Note - this has been done to death(by Ed002, so not even gonna leave it for him).
Yes and Yes.
1.) 28 Jul 2022 14:55:06
I’m drawing my own conclusions at this point. I don’t believe the club (even in it’s current position) would let this drag out all Summer if there wasn’t significant confidence that a deal could be struck. Neither do I believe that United would pursue a player who had no interest in joining the club. The Timber situation is a good example of this.
I believe the player is waiting for assurances from Barcelona that he will receive a significant portion of the monies owed to him. Once he has this, he’ll go public with his intentions to join United.
I do not believe for one minute that the player has any reservations about joining United.
2.) 28 Jul 2022 15:20:43
TOHOM, I believe the club would do that, I think most of our transfer dealings continue to be handled by amateurs.
3.) 28 Jul 2022 15:31:22
AJH - you seriously doubt that the club has received assurances from FDJ’s camp that a transfer is desirable?!
4.) 28 Jul 2022 16:00:13
EtH wants FDJ and the club want to do everything in their power to give the manager what he wants/ needs to succeed.
I don't think FDJ wants to leave Barcelona. Why would he? Especially to a club that is currently no where near challenging for top honours.
I think the club have been told by Barcelona that for the right price FDJ is for sale.
Barcelona need to either get FDJ off the wage bill or get him to agree to a lower wage.
From their perspective getting United to bid and agree a price is the perfect scenario.
They now have as strong a hand as they could to play against FDJ. Either sign up to lower wages or move to United.
I think FDJ is resisting this. He wants to stay at Barcelona and for Barcelona to honour the contract they signed him to.
We are now in this stand off, I expect that United have been told by Barcelona that they will push for FDJ to leave.
As such United are probably hanging on hoping to be able to sign EtH's top target.
I think Barcelona playing FDJ at CB is part of the club's tactics to try and get him to accept the United offer.
What I find odd about the whole thing is that United have had a deal agreed for over two weeks now. And yet there isn't even a whisper about negotiations going on between United and the players agent.
Have they met with the agent to discuss terms?
If so how have they gone? Has an offer been made that FDJ and his agent would accept?
If no terms have been discussed then why?
I also found EtH's comments about United moving for their targets when the time is right very interesting.
EtH has been fairly forthright and seems a straight talker. I wonder if he gave too much away with that comment. Who was he talking about?
The FDJ deal has been agreed with Barcelona, so that would suggest he was referring to someone else.
Maybe the club know that FDJ isn't going to sign for United but don't want to publicly end their interest for some reason.
Maybe it's so they can negotiate with another club for a different player with the media focus on FDJ. Maybe ending interest publicly would seem like a very public defeat. Maybe they think the deal could still go ahead.
Either way we won't know what is happening until something actually happens.
It's just a waiting game.
5.) 28 Jul 2022 16:01:02
Actually disagree AJH. I think previously this has been the case but more recently we have dealt with transfers better. Yes, certainly room for improvement but I’ve stated previously, it’s not just on the pitch matters we are trying to improve and undo poor attitude/ commitment but also off the pitch matters, such as poor transfer dealings. To many years now clubs have seen us coming from a mile out and mugged us off and we need to change that. Sancho is a good example, we were interested, they upped their valuation, we waited a year and got him cheaper than they wanted. Malacia is another good example, if we’d shown our cards early we most likely would have paid over the odds for him.
FDJ is such a unique and unheard of situation I don’t know what else United could do? We agreed a fee for him with Barca, a fair fee as well and TOHOM, I think FDJ has given indication he would come but would you walk away from £17M especially when you took a paycut to help in the first place and then see signings coming in left, right and centre? I don’t think not wanting to leave Barcelona means not wanting to come to United.
So I think the amateur tag, although still there, is starting to go IMO.
6.) 28 Jul 2022 17:41:29
Just so many conflicting reports with FdJ, hard to know what truth really is.
Some reports of him having spoken to ETH, some say no contact.
Some reports say he’s open to a move, some say no way.
Some reports say he’ll consider a wage reduction. Some say that he’s just hanging on to be paid,
For what it’s worth, I tend to agree with Shappy on all the reasons why he probably won’t come (backed up by Ed002 reinforcing his desire to stay at Barcelona and not downgrade to United) but there’s still a bit of hope that he might be persuaded - I believe he’s a world class player similar in magnitude to Kevin De Bryne.
If we don’t sign him, maybe the midfield space will be filled by the mouldable Garner. Can’t see us getting SMS as he’s not the sort of player that ETH wants. Wouldn’t mind Nunes though.
At least ETH has a definite idea of who he wants and is prepared to wait for the right player rather than just make signings to then put a square into a circle - and be stuck with them with no place in the squad for when the right player IS available.
7.) 28 Jul 2022 18:57:27
Most reports say he does nort want to come to United, Ed002 says he doesn't want to come to United, why are people still thinking he might come?
This has gone on for too long already. Yes the Manager wants him but jeez, time for us to move on.
8.) 28 Jul 2022 20:53:54
Anyone that can't see what's really going on needs to give their head a wobble. Clearly FDJ would prefer to stay at Barcelona but has given at the very least an indication to ETH that he is willing to move if Barcelona want rid, but can't go public as it will weaken his position in terms of getting his owed wages. Read between the lines. Clearly not many poker players on here!
9.) 28 Jul 2022 22:04:15
Redarmy, that's the thing though, I don't think FDJ has given anyone any sort of hint that he would come to United.
Why are there no rumours of us being in discussions with his agent over two weeks after we agreed a fee with his club.
I think the only indication United have the FDJ could be for sale is from Barcelona themselves, who seem intent on forcing him out the door.
10.) 29 Jul 2022 07:28:58
Steady on redarmy with that sensible opinion of your own. ajh has told what is going happen and what you must think ?.
11.) 29 Jul 2022 09:07:23
Manchester United and EtH want FDJ.
Barcelona want to sell FDJ to free up wages and bring in money.
FDJ's agent will almost certainly be happy to broker a deal and get paid millions for their services.
If FDJ wanted to move to Manchester United he'd be here already. We agreed a deal with Barcelona 2 weeks ago. Yet has his agent even met with the club to see what is on offer? Because there are literally ZERO rumours that he has.
Does anybody find that odd? We have known about all the offers United have made, when the meetings have taken place etc. Literally every aspect of this deal has been spoken about in the press. Yet no one, not even Romero know if FDJ's agent has discussed possible terms with Manchester United.
We have been free to talk terms to TWO weeks and nothing.
FDJ doesn't want to come to Manchester United, he might be forced out of Barcelona and there is a chance we get him that way. But he will be dragged kicking and screaming to Manchester.
Ruudvanhorsehead's banter posts with other poster's replies to Ruudvanhorsehead's banter posts
18 Jul 2024 22:16:33
Finally looks like we are getting our act together. Some reasonable money in and spending it wisely.
Hopefully a few more along with a medical team with more than a first aid kit and we might have a good season!
20 Jun 2024 19:45:40
Pleeeeaaase lord down ever let Southgate near our club. ?.
1.) 20 Jun 2024 19:52:19
Totally agree.
2.) 20 Jun 2024 21:56:46
I think he is answering your prayers with every match to be honest.
3.) 20 Jun 2024 22:04:30
Where are all the people who said he was good? Said jt for years he’s stole a living at England
Playing against the worst lot of teams for 20 years
The football is absolute dross, as if uniteds season wasn’t bad enough I’ve got to sit through this England ?.
4.) 20 Jun 2024 22:16:19
So far the two England goals have come from fairly heavy deflections. All the attacking talent England have and that’s the best Southgate can produce. Was baffling af starting the same 11 from the first match given how poor overall it was.
5.) 21 Jun 2024 03:38:46
I think southgate just said that Mainoo, Gallagher and Wharten are not as good as Kalvin Phillips.
This squad could be competing to win and entertaining us, but instead they look hesitant, confused and unsure of their roles. We seem obsessed with keeping possession and slowly pulling the opposition to sleep by passing back and forward in front of them.
Please god, never let southgate Nywhere near utd.
6.) 21 Jun 2024 06:48:32
Speaking of the game, we need another striker. I know it may not be a very popular opinion but Hoiland is not going to carry us and he is a few years away from being a polished product.
I find his first touch quite clumsy tbh and have said that before. I am not bothered if whoever we buy even starts ahead of him and let the best man win and definitely not in the camp of buying an average striker to play second fiddle and used for rotation purpose only to give Hoiland a rest.
7.) 21 Jun 2024 07:42:57
Ahmad
If you recall I made some observations on Hojland when he warmed up for two games, sloppy. If not focussed before a game it isn’t good.
8.) 21 Jun 2024 07:51:41
Redman
Agreed. Garnacho and rash get grief for not crossing enough but the truth is how often is he really open for a cross. He is very raw and imo needs takes too many touches before he shoots or passes it when ball comes to feet. He was pretty poor yesterday and for a top striker never really gave England anything to worry about.
Top strikers hit stuff first touch or second touch. Game is so fast you rarely have a chance to take multiple touches and get closed down. We need a second striker desperately.
9.) 21 Jun 2024 07:59:59
We gave Hojlund no service, hardly created chances.
His movement is fine, but he’s also a kid. 17 goals was a good return for his debut season. He also needs to be used properly in a system that utilises his pace and power.
10.) 21 Jun 2024 08:16:41
Coalan
He spends way too much time wrestling with CB's imo and needs to add to his game. He tends to go on north/ south run only and if you are playing that way you need a great fist touch and bang, which he does not have. In my humble opinion good/ clever strikers come short, run wide and make it uncomfortable for CB's by dragging them out of their comfort zones on the pitch. Guehi and Stones handled him with ease and no drama yesterday.
The guy from Sporting who scored is a really good player to watch.
11.) 21 Jun 2024 08:43:48
We cannot go into the season with him as first choice striker, simply nowhere near good enough. Poor first touch, wins little in the air, positionally in the box poor. Mctominay would make a far better striker, not that I’m suggesting that as an answer. Need a top class striker for him to learn off.
12.) 21 Jun 2024 09:27:58
I agree about Hojlund not being at the level required. He has a great attitude and works hard, so i hope he proves me wrong but i would be looking for 2 forwards this summer. One focused on being a central striker and the other more flexible/ can play from wide. I think the fee we paid is based mainly on potential rather than ability, and probably half the league (at least) have a better centre forward than Hojlund.
13.) 21 Jun 2024 09:39:36
I can't recall anyone ever saying Southgate was good :D
He is a bottom third table Prem manager at best. I imagine he will be a contender for the first appropriate casualty when the sides start to panic. Forest? :D.
14.) 21 Jun 2024 10:22:39
Ahmad do you not think that’s because he spent the entire season being tasked with being a target man who holds the ball up.
He looked at his best for us in games where we utilised his pace, he dropped off and also played wider. Galatasaray in the champions league was an example. His performances off the bench against Brighton and Newcastle when the tactics shifted.
He in my opinion, was another player hung out to dry via the idiotic tactics employed for 90% of the season. The lad is going to be quality.
15.) 21 Jun 2024 11:18:36
A 20 year old, first season in the PL who scored 17 goals playing in a team that creates next to nothing isn't good enough for people these days.
16.) 21 Jun 2024 11:31:22
The kid has talent. Imagine how many goals he would have scored if he had played upfront for Liverpool or City.
17.) 21 Jun 2024 12:38:00
Unruly and MH exactly the point I’m trying to make.
I think we’ve a real player there who needs developing. If we want to rebuild properly, guys like him are needed to be stuck with.
18.) 21 Jun 2024 13:55:08
Just because he plays for us and he is young I am not going to be blind about what i see. He is far from a united striker that we are used to and very rough and nothing silky about what he does.
His effort rate is great but good strikers don't need to be wrestling cb's all game long. Most of the ones that turn out to be great are very clever and understand how to use the pitch. Our best performances came late in the season playing him as a sub in games no one gave us a chance with a depleted squad.
The Danish press is giving him a 3/ 10 or 4/ 10 performance so i am not the only one who sees this stuff. If it makes people happy we can stick our head in the sand and blame rash and Garnacho for lack of service.
I have more faith in rash having a banger next year than Hoiland and getting dropped from England hopefully gets his head in the right place. We need another striker and a proper one.
19.) 21 Jun 2024 14:04:09
Weird thing is England don't know how to solve for shaw being out and the left side looks toothless with all the talent in this team and people criticized eth when he said shaw and martinez being out affected us and how we play.
20.) 21 Jun 2024 15:28:21
Ben Chilwell hasn’t had a good year with injuries and poor form. But you have to question why a manager would not take a single uninjured lb to a major tournament. I don’t know what he’s thinking playing Trippier on the lw, but it clearly isn’t working. Team obviously has no confidence in their ability to keep the ball, and the subs epitomise Southgate’s philosophy.
21.) 21 Jun 2024 15:31:44
Talking absolute rubbish. He is a young striker with a very good conversion rate. Yes we need another very good striker and for them to compete with each other.
Standards at the club are in the gutter. All our young players need strong leadership. Keano would snap them out of casual warm up. Or shooting from 40 yards when they should pick a better pass.
We have a lot if work to do, but hoylund is one of the future stars we should be building around.
22.) 21 Jun 2024 18:17:57
You do not want to bring I. A player who is going to stunt his growth. He needs to be play regularly to get better, he isn't and never was touted as the finished article. Bring in a player to spell him in games, to give him rest and or to compliment him by all means but not to replace him. It is going to be three years at best before we can challenge let him use that time to grow. I have seen enough from him last year to think he can develop and get better and that if all goes well then he can be that striker in three years time.
23.) 21 Jun 2024 20:33:51
Big noises re Zirkzee today, why the fixation with a lone striker or someone to challenge Hojlund?
Andy Cole and Dwight Yorke were deadly together once they had built up an understanding.
24.) 21 Jun 2024 20:34:13
Ahmad a side not playing to his strength. Whilst he’s still learning the game. But given his very high conversion rate, I’d suggest the argument of not getting enough service is very valid.
25.) 21 Jun 2024 20:58:30
We really missed a second striker to either bring on extra when chasing the game, or or fresh legs when holding a lead. You have to have a good striker in the bench to bring on. It is also good for hoylund to come on against tired legs occassionally and run riot. He can't play every minute every game. Plenty of minutes for him.
26.) 21 Jun 2024 21:12:07
Fully agree. be a nightmare.
27.) 21 Jun 2024 22:49:24
Rasmus played in a dysfunctional team. If the manager gets a pass for that the players should too. How can you expect rasmus to do any better without his best team mates? Was the manager the only one affected?
If its the criteria the Manager is judged on then the players deserve that courtesy too. Nobody should be judged any more harshly than the manager because they didn't have their best team mates available. It would be very hypocritical to not apply the same logic to the players as the manager.
28.) 21 Jun 2024 23:39:28
Well put tumble.
I’ll put money on Hoijlund being a better contributor to the team than Rashford next season with the caveat that he is given service from both sides of the park.
Rashfords heart has gone. Dunno what his problem is but another wasted gem of a player.
29.) 22 Jun 2024 12:56:39
Let's be fair to Rasmus, he was 20 year's old, with one season of football in a top European league, moving to what is considered the toughest league in the world. He arrived injured, and was expected to lead the line in every game due to a lack of viable other options. While the silly media comparisons to Haaland haven't done him any favours. Increasing the pressure he feels no doubt, while increasing the fans expectations.
I'm almost certain he played some games not fully fit, and should have been rested (if there was someone else to play) . While the team he joined had a terribly disjointed season due to injuries and off the field upheaval. The team hadn't played with a true CF for several years and they didn't seem to know how to play with Hojlund to get the best out of him. On several occasions last season McTominay came flying in front of Hojlund to steal the ball off his head to score. While he made great runs which opened up space for others, who instead of trying to find him used the space to have a shot from 25-30 yards instead.
he had the fewest shots of any striker to have played more than 1800 minutes of football in the EPL last season, yet his shots on target rate and his conversion rate have him in the top 7 strikers in the league last season.
If we can bring up his shots per game (by learning to pass him the ball at the right moment) from around 1 up to 3 or 4 (which would still only have him around the halfway mark amongst EPL strikers) then we would likely see him get 15-20 EPL goals next season if his conversion rate stays the same. Add to that if we can rest him a little more and protect him so he's in peak condition more often then he could score even more.
Hojlund is not a problem at all. We just need the team to start playing in a way that gets the best out of our most clinical forward.
30.) 23 Jun 2024 11:34:55
The idea to bring a bench warmer as a second striker is ludicrous. This is a club who has had multiple top strikers for years all competing for starting roles. We need goals and need a very good second striker to come in. If he is better than Rasmus and scores more so be it. That's football.
Rasmus and Bruno had 10 pl goals each last year as our top scorers and joint 25th in the league. That's anemic and not going to get you much in pl and can't remember the last time our top scorer was the 25th best in the league.
31.) 23 Jun 2024 12:54:59
Ahmad, I tend to agree that in an ideal situation the club shouldn't be signing any "squad" players.
You don't raise the ceiling of the squad by bringing in average players. You should always look to recruit for the first 11, with the current first 11 player being pushed to the squad option.
However, we are not in the ideal situation and cannot afford to buy all the players we need who are going to be straight into the first 11. We will need to be savvy in some positions. For example if AWB leaves do we have the funds to buy a first 11 quality RB? Is it a priority to do so?
Dalot was arguably our player of the season and with better players around him I think he can go up another level or two.
In that case it might make more sense to spend either on a cheaper, younger player with potential, or on a player whose potentially good enough, but also flexible enough to cover another position as well. Maybe a RB who can also play CB for example.
As for the striker position, it's probably the hardest position to recruit in football. Average strikers go for silly money and we don't have a huge budget. Zirkzee really is a phenomenal opportunity to sign a top class player for a below market value price. Without the clause in his contract he'd be at least the same amount as we paid for Højlund last summer as he's more proven.
Other than that anyone who is potentially good enough to be a starter for us will cost 60m or more. Which we just can't afford to spend, especially as we already have Højlund who is potentially good enough. We have several other positions where we have no one good enough, making those positions a higher priority.
The idea of having a 70m striker on the bench while McTominay starts as a CDM is peak mismanagement.
Much better to have a top class CDM starting and an average 25m striker on the bench.
32.) 23 Jun 2024 22:18:03
shappy
The idea of buying second rate stuff because we want to protect whoever it may be is a ludicrous. We need to create an environment where there is top players competing for being in united first 11. There are no wholly cows in football and everyone is replaceable unless you are Messi or Ronaldo at their prime.
The sooner the club starts operating that way the better. Too many years of average players earning a massive wage at united for being so average. Either you are good enough to make it at united at much higher standard than what we have had over the last 10 years or you get moved on. Changing the culture starts with demanding excellence and not mediocracy.
21 Oct 2023 16:19:20
RIP Bobby. Manchester will never forget ?.
1.) 21 Oct 2023 21:23:32
Sad day indeed.
11 Aug 2023 08:07:51
EDs
Is there realistically any more inbound activity that you could tip us off on?
{Ed002's Note - I have explained interest in players.}
1.) 11 Aug 2023 11:51:57
Amrabat, a CB (Pavard, Todibo or Tapsoba apparently), and maybe a young GK that none of us have ever heard of.
Nothing shocking or particularly exciting. With Amrabat being the only one who will likely play regularly in the first 11.
12 May 2023 07:58:40
With the season closing soon and hopefully finishing 4th and looking tk the new season. Who do we see as academy talent that is likely to get a chance next year?
I think there is some great players with the potential, if we see Mcfred gone, do we buy or promote?
1.) 12 May 2023 09:24:12
Give Mainoo, Iqbal and Amad a proper chance. The one thing that has surprised me the most about EtH is just how little game time the youngsters have got. He has flogged the likes of Bruno and Rashford all season. Pellistri should have atleast seen more game time since Antony has been underwhelming most games. He played the first 11 against Reading who are pants and we lost Eriksen for 2 months. Obviously we don't have much quality beyond the first 11 but he still needs to rotate more.
2.) 12 May 2023 09:45:29
unruly
That's the one thing I am also critical of eth although a big fan of him. IMO he has played the same guys too many times and the team looks tired and knackered and besieged with injuries.
If you are going to go for every cup competition and PL aspirations you can't play these guys every game when its like 60 games. They eventually break down or just run on fumes.
Even if we get a drop in performance by not playing our best 11 every game, that is part of football in terms of managing your squad to get to the finish line.
I know it may not be popular view but I hope we have greenwood back and fix our right side for next year. 10x better than Antony for me. the Idiot is a 80 to 100 million player if this issue had not happened and has a very high ceiling.
IF he ends up in Italy as reported he will light up that league.
3.) 12 May 2023 10:15:44
Ahmad, me as well on EtH. I am a big fan, he is a breath of fresh air and for the first time in years we are actually pleasing to watch most games. He just needs to rotate more. I'd rather we lost a game because we were rotating than because the players on the pitch were just too knackered and carrying niggling injuries. Atleast this way we get to find out if any of the squad players are worth keeping and who should be shown the door.
4.) 12 May 2023 11:04:33
I agree with the point on Greenwood. Bottom line is, he wasn't charged. No one got bent up when Ronaldo paid that girl off. let's see if UTD keep him.
Maybe next year ETH will rotate more in the league cup. It was important to get silverware this year. Next will be more focused on champs league and EPL. i hope.
5.) 12 May 2023 12:51:23
Load of rubbish!
These youngsters may have all the potential in the worbutbthis is Manchester United, always one game away from a crisis! Kids can’t just be thrown in willy nilly! ETH sees them all every day, he’s learning about every player old or young every day and if he deems them not ready then that is the case!
Whoever eluded to fact he flogs Bruno to death, that’s because it’s absolutely necessary because our record without him and suitable replacement is appalling!
Blooding youngsters is easy when the team are flying, at the moment it’d be huge mismanagement to throw them into a team that are struggling!
6.) 13 May 2023 06:45:04
Isn't it a worry though Chris, that we have become a one man team and any injury/ suspension for Bruno sees the team fall apart. Surely that needs to be addressed in the summer.
I thought we would have seen more of the youngsters like Pellistri and Iqbal this year.
7.) 13 May 2023 09:37:59
Bruno has been flogged. As have the likes of Rashford. The manager needs to rotate. No one said anything about starting the under 15s in the league. One player at a time. What a load of nonsense from you Chris.
Ruudvanhorsehead's rumour replies
29 May 2024 21:55:26
Olise! Damn the auto spell.
23 May 2024 22:17:50
A risk the club ruins another manager? ?.
27 Jun 2023 05:49:55
The £45 million being quoted is crazy.
22 Sep 2020 17:13:14
GDS,
Fair point. we are far better at making promises and not delivering.
Still, hopefully we pull a win tonight, we need this cup!
22 Sep 2020 14:46:13
Why do we always leave it until the end of window and panic buy.
Ruudvanhorsehead's banter replies
26 Apr 2024 10:24:08
I agree. He has had to manage poor players but also poor leaders of the club.
My only real complaint is his game management. he changes this and we unravel.
Can't wait to see the back of some of the rubbish pulling our club down.
Our youth system seems primed!
05 Dec 2023 22:10:24
So we should break the cycle and move them on. Absolute disgrace that its been allowed for so long.
Get players that wear the shirt with pride.
03 Dec 2023 09:43:45
Where do we go though? Who would want to become part of this circus?
All the off field noise, the lazy, toxic players?
I think we should drop these idiots and bring in the lads that want to run, press, TRY.
I don't see another manager being able to polish this turd any better that the current one.
04 Nov 2023 19:25:50
Antony should not feature in the next game.
29 Oct 2023 19:44:29
And let's face it, utd has spent a lot of money over the last 5 years and not stepped forward.
If we lose to Newcastle, season is over.