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Team: Manchester United Where from: Bristol Favourite player: Ole Gunner Solskjear Best team moment: Champions league final 1999 Interests: Manchester United duh. lol Timezone: (GMT) Western Europe Time, London, Lisbon, Casablanca |
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Shappy's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's rumours posts
04 Dec 2019 10:10:25
So here we go, the latest rumour is that Gareth Southgate is one of the top candidates for the club if they sack Ole.
We will not improve by sacking Ole unless the club has people who understand football making key football decisions.
Southgate will come in, struggle much the same way Ole and his predecessors have and the club will just slide further down.
Red Man will be over the moon, another manager who's last job in club football resulted in the relegation of Middlesbrough to the Championship from the EPL.
A man who has won less than Ole, has never been at a top club as a player or a manager, and someone who doesn't even understand the culture of our club.
But don't worry sacking the manager will work, it's always worked before.
1.) 04 Dec 2019 10:25:25
it doesn’t matter who comes in, in the short term they’ll pick up a few extra points but until there are wide scale changes behind the scenes we will not progress. As Ed002 often says we act like amateurs. We then proceed to call ourselves the biggest club in the world. Maybe we should act like it.
2.) 04 Dec 2019 11:03:57
Exactly Shappy.
Whoever the manager is, will struggle with a team having midfielders such as Fred and Andreas.
The squad depth is so thin in quality that 1 or 2 injuries severly impacts the team.
3.) 04 Dec 2019 11:33:51
Nail on head there Shapps
With Ole now there's no point in changing anything however I do think Ole is underperforming but the change in management would only result in marginal improvement for a cost of going back to square one.
We will come Jan 1st how seriously the club are backing Ole.
As for the future I want to see the Direction come from above in whatever role - sporting director / director of football.
That needs to happen first or we are are stuck on the same wheel.
Looking at the scouse that's basically what they did when they sorted out their transfer committee. Different problems but similar solution. Every business or team or organisation is led from the top and a reflection of their priorities.
4.) 04 Dec 2019 12:16:53
The point that there's no point in changing the manager because the squad is poor is a ridiculous one.
Is Ole getting the most out of this squad of players?
If your answer is "Yes". Then you are lying.
If your answer is "No". Then why would a decent manager not be able to get more from them?
5.) 04 Dec 2019 12:38:37
Because mumbles we've had decent managers who failed to get anything from them. The first signs of trouble and certain players hide. Or cause stuff behind the scenes.
6.) 04 Dec 2019 12:47:37
Mumbles, look at the past record. We sack a manger, we get slightly better results for a while before it all comes crashing down again.
A new manager probably would get better results than Ole. But who would that manager be and are they good enough to lift us back to the top?
Will the new manager be able to bring in the players required? Or will they have limited impact on transfers?
What happens when the new manager slumps?
Sacking Ole will only provide a short term bump without long term changes being made at the club. The club runs the risk of the new manager potentially damaging the progress of our talented young players. Or upsetting the dressing room.
For what? Would a new manager with this squad be able to get us into the top four this season? Probably not.
7.) 04 Dec 2019 13:11:16
Yeah Mort and they lost their jobs. Why should we afford a manager with average C. V more time than serial winners in L. V. G or Jose?
Jose finished 2nd and was sacked 15 games into a season from poor results resulting in us in 6th place.
Ole has us now in 10th at the same time of the season and two huge games coming up.
Why is a manager that has slowly taken us down the league be afforded more time when he has shown very little to be positive about?
8.) 04 Dec 2019 13:29:10
Shappy you said a couple of months ago that top 4 was the minimum for Ole. Now no manager would get us into the top 4?
Spurs went from no hope to right back in the mix for the 4th position in a few games.
I get your point that the club itself is a mess, which makes it even more important that we have a manager in charge that can get the most out of this squad and Ole is not doing that.
9.) 04 Dec 2019 13:44:07
Because that manager has lost fellaini, hererra, sanchez, lukaku without replacement.
Because that manager was left with darmian and young as rbs, smalling and Jones as cbs, matic, pereira and Fred as cms, no right winger, pogba and matic both wanting to leave.
The results are obviously not going the right way but Ole has:
Gotten rid of dead wood/ bad influences
Bought well in the transfer market, better than I would say any of the previous 3 incumbents.
Bought the signing of the season in Dan James.
Brought through Williams, greenwood and tuanzebe as first team regulars
Has given chong, gomes, garner minutes also.
Given martial back his no. 9 and has trusted him up front.
Trusted rashford at all times.
De gea signed a new contract.
I would say he's improved Williams, greenwood, Dan James and of course Scott mcTominay.
Sure a new manager might get a bounce of wins, of course Ole did but what if an allegri was brought in, would he sell some of these young players Ole has and is in my eyes developing, remember van gaal sold the likes of Evans who should never have left the club.
I still believe in Ole and in what he is doing to transform the club.
10.) 04 Dec 2019 13:53:24
Mumbles, Spurs have great first 11 and a decent squad. They were playing poorly due to issues off the pitch which Pochettino was unable to keep a lid on. This of course wasn't helped by Pochettino suggesting publicly that he might leave if Spurs won the UCL.
All that Spurs side needed was a little stability and some nice words in their ears. They've got that and are now playing to their potential.
I standby both statements, Ole does need to get top four to keep his job, AND I don't think this squad is good enough over a season to get top four.
The club have sacked managers for not getting top four, they have previous for it. Whether they should? Well that's a different question. We have a squad who have qualified for UCL twice in 6 years by finishing in the top 4.
Which suggest this squad has a 33% chance of getting top four.
We aren't good enough, if however we can keep our best 11 fit, play to our potential, and probably get knocked out of most of the cups early then we stand a decent chance of finishing in the top four. But over a 50-60 game season with injuries to key players and the drop off in quality that causes we will struggle.
11.) 04 Dec 2019 15:19:29
if we lose our next 2 games should the manager be sacked?
{Ed047's Note - 100% NO
12.) 04 Dec 2019 16:40:46
100% NO.
13.) 04 Dec 2019 16:50:19
Shappy there's been games this season where only Pogba has been missing from our first team and we've struggled. The last 10 games of last season he had a full squad and we struggled.
He hasn't had it easy the last few games missing midfielders, but you can't make excuses for him winning 1 in 4 and blame injuries.
14.) 04 Dec 2019 17:21:31
Mumbles, name me another outfield player capable of playing to a world class level like Pogba is?
He might be inconsistent, yet Pogba is the only midfielder we have who is capable of making the passes that split the lines and open teams up. I saw a stat the other day that said United score on average 2.72 goals a game with Pogba in the side under Ole, wile we score 1.01 goals a game under Ole when Pogba doesn't play.
Considering that Pogba has missed the last 12 games in the league then that would be an extra 20 league goals we would have scored if Pogba maintained the form he has had under Ole.
Where do you think we would be in the league if we scored an extra 20 goals, hell where would we be if we scored an extra 10? If those 10 goals meant we got 3 more wins rather than two draws and a loss then that would put us even on points with Chelsea in 4th, but ahead of them on good with the extra 10 goals.
15.) 04 Dec 2019 22:15:57
If my aunt was a man she’d be my
uncle bob.
27 Oct 2019 12:08:45
What do people make of the link this morning with Kalvin Phillips of Leeds United?
I think he could be another shrewd signing from the Championship.
We've also been linked with Dier and Rice, Phillips is more mobile than Dier and has a potentially more creative passing range than Rice. Obviously never tested at the highest level but if Marcelo Biesla is prepared to build his team around him then you know he is a good player. The role as the deepest midfielder is a key role in all of Biesla systems.
He might be more attainable from Leeds than Rice or Dier might be, and he would certainly cost less than Rice (upward 80m) or Dier (upward of 50m) would be. It really depends on how Ole wants to play and whether he would suit that better.
1.) 27 Oct 2019 14:02:57
Dier is not costing upwards of 50m, his stock has fallen dramatically since we were in for him under mourinho. That being said i don't think we should sign him even at a cut price fee.
I am more than happy to take punts on a couple of young players from the championship as long as they are shown patience and persevered with and at least have a base level of technical ability.
2.) 27 Oct 2019 14:03:13
I said this at the end of last season. he's a very good player, gets stuck in.
3.) 27 Oct 2019 14:54:19
Last Summer Leeds refused a 27m bid from Spurs. So Philips won't come cheap, especially if we try to get deal done in January.
If we wait till Summer and Leeds get promoted then it s highly unlikely.
4.) 27 Oct 2019 15:11:44
Do we need to sign another midfielder?
Ole said we got a new premier league quality midfielder on Thursday night, so perhaps we should see how this new guy works out first.
5.) 27 Oct 2019 15:48:11
DSG, maybe so, but we would still have to negotiate with Levy. Plus he will be trying to recoup the money they will lose by Eriksen going on a free in the summer.
Dev1l, they did as Bielsa said he wouldn't stay if they sold Phillips. Which goes to show you how highly he rates him. However, things change. Bielsa falls out with football club owners and chairman like no other manager in world football. If they get a good offer in January, especially if we maybe include a loan back option until the summer then maybe they will bite.
Personally I think signing Kalvin Phillips even for 40m in the summer might be a better deal than spending 80m+ on Rice next summer.
6.) 27 Oct 2019 15:52:22
Danny, I'd love nothing more than to see Garner become a regular for us. Sadly, even for a lad if his ability I think he is a season or two away from being ready. If we can bring someone in during January I would try and find a good loan club for Garner in the Championship until the end of the season to give him a run of games at a higher level than the under 23's.
7.) 27 Oct 2019 15:53:19
That one who he prefers The great Brazilian Fred over.
8.) 27 Oct 2019 18:47:39
i haven't seen much of him, but remember us being linked to sean longstaff as well. his brother doesn't look too shabby either. we may get sean for 40m or matty for much less. big decision on who we pick - ideally i would love saul and maddison in the next 2 windows for a midfield squad of McTominay, saul, maddison, garner, fred, perriera, but don't see that happening.
9.) 27 Oct 2019 20:30:34
I’d rather we continue developing mctominay and garner. Phillips is a decent player, but I think those two have a much higher ceiling and they’re our own lads too.
10.) 27 Oct 2019 20:46:58
Realistically we need 4 midfielders to fill 2 central midfield positions. In those 2 positions, you need two workhorses and this may mean more injuries.
Mc Tominay, Fred and Garner can be 3 of those (though Fred is inconsistent and Garner is inexperienced. I also consider Matic good as gone) .
Seems the Options are: Dier 40 m, Philips 35m, Longstaff 50m, Rice 70m and Zakaria 45m.
(figures I put in are highly speculative)
11.) 28 Oct 2019 06:58:28
Dier isn't an improvement on what we already have at the club.
I would avoid him like the plague.
12.) 28 Oct 2019 09:53:25
Caolan, McTominay is a great young player who is improving game by game. However, he is at his best when given license to roam around, yesterday Fred sat which allowed McTominay to do that. Garner may grow into that role in the first team, yet his best performances for the under 23's this season have come as a box to box player rather than a holding player.
The only player we have who you can say is a true holding midfielder, i.e a player who'll patrols in front of the defence and acts as an out ball for defenders or midfielders under pressure, is Matic.
The problem is his legs have gone. So we do need a player who can slot straight in to that role. My preference was for one of Rice of Florentino Luis. However, Kalvin Phillips could be an equally as good option, and one we might not have to break the bank for.
13.) 28 Oct 2019 09:54:29
Don't know the player well enough to be honest, would be a great player profile.
I saw him a bit on the Amazon documentary, looks a good character.
The reservation I have is we: we are on our backside at the moment and shopping in the Championship is a gamble. Dan James has been great but too many signings like that and we become Bournemouth.
Philips + someone like: SMS, Bruno Fernandes, Erikson, Saul etc is the way forward. If Garner is better (which he already appears) than Fred he will get games (he needs 3-4yrs to make a place for himself) .
12 Aug 2019 20:23:08
Why is the narrative that we were "lucky" because Chelsea hit the post/ bar twice?
If we hit the post those same people would be call us unlucky. They would say it was a poor shot.
Why is a shot that hits the woodwork called unlucky while a shot that whistles just past the post is considered a shot off target therefore a poor shot?
If your shot isn't saved by the keeper and it doesn't go in then you missed. It doesn't matter if you missed by a yard or by a kick of paint. A miss is a miss.
We hit the woodwork 14 times last season, had all those shots gone in we would have won and extra 7 points and qualified for the UCL.
So we're we unlucky to not finish fourth or did we miss vital chances? It can't be one rule for us and another for our opponents.
1.) 12 Aug 2019 20:35:04
Don’t try to apply logic to a Chelsea fan. Climate change is happening and it’s starting to effect the plastic fans.
2.) 12 Aug 2019 21:30:43
I'm just wondering what you had to do to get the stats on how many times we hit the woodwork and where we would've finished if they'd gone in.
3.) 12 Aug 2019 21:35:15
Technically snappy a shot that hits the Woodward is classed as off target.
Chelsea saying they were unlucky to mask the fact that they were easily beaten.
Get over it.
4.) 13 Aug 2019 00:09:09
According to some any shot that hits the Woodward is a pretty good shot Bolger.
5.) 13 Aug 2019 06:04:12
Pogba hit the post 7 times in his first season.
6.) 13 Aug 2019 07:08:34
Not saying you were lucky you won. I think most people would agree with me on that.
What I am saying is that the 4-0 flatters United as you struggled to create much of note, and with better finishing from us the match could've been a lot different. We didn't take our chances, and you guys did. That was the difference.
The unlucky part for us fans is that for all of our inexperience on (and off) the pitch, we were ultimately let down by our most experienced guy on the pitch. Azpi switched off twice, for your 2nd and 3rd goals. That was the real shame, for me at least.
You deserved to win as you took the chances you got. We didn't as we didn't finish ours. Simple as.
7.) 13 Aug 2019 08:28:56
Spot on that Shappy.
Jackson, "with better finishing from us the match could've been a lot different" and in other news if my Mum was male she'd be my Dad.
We were clinical, we took the chances that came our way. It's that simple. You can be lucky in the odd game winning by 1-0 but if you win 4-0 you fully deserve it, which I know you have already stated but some of the posts on the Chelsea page are laughable mate.
{Ed0333's Note - I don’t concur mate I thought Chelsea were wasteful and should of been 2 up before you scored. That wasn’t anywhere near a vintage performance from you’re lot and if you'd have played City, Liverpool, Spurs on that form you’d have been soundly dealt with. I didn’t see anything from United that worried me but I agree you did make the most of you’re chances.
8.) 13 Aug 2019 09:09:12
Okay, so I don't speak for most other Chelsea fans on these pages at least :p
But on other platforms most echo my sentiments. We were wasteful and defensive transition was bad. You were clinical indeed. That's mostly story of the match.
9.) 13 Aug 2019 12:23:13
@Jackson
I pretty much agree with your assessment. I think we were lucky to lead at Halftime. But the 2nd half i think tactically we were spot on and deserved to win based on converting our chances.
Good Luck for rest of the season mate.
10.) 13 Aug 2019 12:26:27
Shappy, given the scoreline we can't say that we were lucky to win it but you can't deny that we were certainly lucky not to concede. De Gea was beaten twice and had to rely on prayers that the ball not deviate inside of the post.
11.) 13 Aug 2019 12:36:29
Thanks, SH :) getting top 6 should be possible. Good luck to you, too. If you play up to your talent level it should be a good one for you guys!
12.) 13 Aug 2019 13:43:07
Last season, away at Barca, Rashford went through on goal in the opening minutes and hit the bar.
I genuinely believe that had that gone in we would have beat Barca. We had them on the ropes in the first leg, we were all over them and their defence was in bits.
But that didn't happen, we made silly mistakes at the back and Barcelona were clinical. After the game we were pummelled by the press.
The main difference being, Barcelona were applauded for their performance in winning 3-0, whereas we apparently got lucky against Chelsea winning 4-0.
13.) 13 Aug 2019 16:39:36
Dont put the ball in the net you don't score nothing to do with luck.
14.) 13 Aug 2019 16:42:04
If so, if that. If it was against Liverpool/ Spurs we would struggle, if Chelsea scored from their changes, then we would struggle. We would never know. The fact is, it was Chelsea, we scored from the chances we got, and won the game.
We didn't stop after 2-0 or 3-0 and kept going for more. There were a lot of positives about the way the team went about it in the 2nd half.
15.) 13 Aug 2019 19:51:17
My point is we scored 4, luck doesn't come into it when you score 4 unanswered goals. Yes Chelsea were wasteful and yes Dave saved a few but Chelsea not finishing isn't our problem and isn't your keeper supposed to make saves?
I thought Pogba was poor all game but then there are glimpses of the player you know he is, the ball for Rash over the top and the drive through midfield to set up DJ typifies him. For me he will worry teams and cause problems.
In Rash, Martial and Jesse we have players with pace who can run in behind and run the channels, this will also cause teams problems. I actually think we will be better suited to play against teams Like City, Liverpool and Spurs etc. Teams that will have a go and press high giving the pacey front 3 chance to stretch them at the other end, that's where Pogba will be very important for us with his vision, It's imperative he is motivated and he stays until replaced if we want to be top 4.
As for teams that will defend in compact blocks (that's where we will struggle) I think Maguire will become essential in bringing the ball out from the back and creating an overload in the middle. Can we break them down?
I thought we were poor at the back, great individually but we didn't defend well as a team, partly because Shaw was doubled up on for most of the game with Rash not really tracking back but I do think that will come.
City- I thought were phenomenal and are the team to beat again.
Liverpool- While good I thought Norwich created a few good chances, I have a feeling they can be got at this year. It's whether or not teams can outscore them.
Spurs- I thought ran out of ideas until Eriksen came on, he's important for them.
Arsenal- I really didn't see anything much from them, I thought Newcastle were always in the game (who looked very poor themselves) Auba is excellent and does what he always does.
All in all I'm excited, I'm enjoying watching us again which is amazing. I even got my Mrs cheering us on! I think we will surprise a few this year. I don't think we will be as far away as last year :)
16.) 13 Aug 2019 12:40:58
Ed I did reply to you mate, not sure if it's been lost somewhere.
{Ed0333's Note - not sure mate.
17.) 14 Aug 2019 09:27:04
Chelsea got done. Simple as that. Looking for ‘what ifs’ is just a waste of time. Going into a game against Liverpool tonight they need to think about team selection rather than hitting woodwork. Quick tip: play Kante in CDM. Simple. That centre back pairing was not up to it.
18.) 17 Aug 2019 20:49:48
this game reminded me of when we lost 3 nil to spurs having had 3 great chances to be 3 up, it happens from what i saw a 1nil utd would of been fair, but that's football chelsea were naive pushing for an equaliser and got caught out simple as.
I agree a city etc would of punished us but we will hopefully play better as the season goes on.
17 Jun 2019 19:34:47
Ed002, Just wondering if the recent media reports of United having an interest in Issa Diop has any substance or if it's just media fantasy?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - West Ham implied there has been some interest.}
1.) 17 Jun 2019 20:19:03
Ed, has anything changed on the CB interest front aside from this?
Are the club in contact with any clubs regarding specific players?
{Ed002's Note - The club will have been talking to agents and to some clubs. If they persist with Diop them I think you can scratch KK from the list. And I gave an update recently.}
2.) 17 Jun 2019 21:34:44
Am I being thick, who's KK?
{Ed004's Note - Kalidou Koulibaly?}
3.) 17 Jun 2019 22:11:42
Yeah, I was being thick😂.
4.) 17 Jun 2019 22:13:25
From looking at Diop he looks like the player you wish Smalling was. He has all the defensive attributes but is good on the ball. Not elite on the ball yet but very solid. I think Tuanzebe needs the year long loan to a Premier League team like Villa to see if he's able to cut it then can be an exciting addition to our backline next season. Would be a lot happier with the club spending £60m on Diop than £80-90m on Maguire. Hard to pick between the two right now ability wise, then think of where Maguire was at when he was Diop's age (22yo) . A backline of Shaw, Diop, Lindelof (Capt, hopefully) and AWB is alright a little inexperienced but hella exciting! All very good at actual defending while being confident and comfortable on the ball. We live in hope.
5.) 17 Jun 2019 22:16:35
Thank god for that i was thinking kevin Keegan.
6.) 17 Jun 2019 22:35:22
Thanks, Ed.
7.) 17 Jun 2019 23:09:09
Dont know how good Diop is but i just hope we don't spend 60 mil plus on Maguire. He will be another Jones and Smalling but a expensive version.
8.) 18 Jun 2019 01:40:06
Quoted from sky. so believe what you will.
“West Ham want a player in return in any potential deal that would see Diop depart for Old Trafford but United are not willing to give the Hammers the player they want”
Any clue on who the player they want is?
9.) 18 Jun 2019 07:18:22
Ken, my first thought was Kevin Kilbane 😂.
10.) 18 Jun 2019 07:45:28
Lukaku.
11.) 18 Jun 2019 10:07:11
Apparently the player they want is Martial.
12.) 18 Jun 2019 10:48:12
How about Diop and Declan Rice for Martial plus cash?
I would definitely take it.
18 Mar 2019 22:19:22
Ed002, are United still interested in Carlos Soler? You mentioned him as a possible target a while back and I've kept a close eye on him since. Looks like he will be some player.
{Ed002's Note - No, but there is interest from another EPL side in Carlos Soler.}
1.) 19 Mar 2019 06:32:16
Thanks, that's a shame he looks like he will become a top player.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
25 Jan 2020 14:40:48
Rojo heading out on loan back to Argentina. Young already left.
Seems strange that when we are stretched so thinly with injuries and a lack of squad depth that the club are moving players out of the club.
Surely this must mean someone at least is coming in? Or have the powers that be decided that we are to be a football club without players?
1.) 25 Jan 2020 15:07:49
Just think of all the money they are saving shappy on wages.
It will be a decent season if we can finish in the europa spots with this team.
2.) 25 Jan 2020 16:15:37
I agree Shappy. If they are clearing players out there must be some coming in. The whole squad is stretched so thin.
Tuanzebe is nearly back. Dalot also. Ut the risk is always that they can break down again.
I would rather have kept Smalling and Rojo over Jones. But then again who would take him?
Bailly. Dalot and Tuanzebe back could be reason for Rojo and Young going. Midfield is paper thin.
3.) 25 Jan 2020 16:15:37
The Eds will know more than us, but are Utd anywhere near breaching FFP limits and so plenty have to leave before we bring any new players in?
{Ed002's Note - No.}
4.) 25 Jan 2020 16:36:11
In 2000 years time when dig up the remains of the ancient Old Trafford, they will find the remains of Phil Jones, he'll still be there 😂.
5.) 25 Jan 2020 16:52:37
Feeling there will be 2 coming in next week. Hope springs eternal.
6.) 25 Jan 2020 17:54:10
Tbf to the club we are not stretched in defence, we are very much over subscribed. With young and rojo we had 3 right backs, 7 centre backs and 3 left backs.
On the other hand we are severely understaffed in midfield and lacking up front and then completely malnourished on the right wing.
7.) 25 Jan 2020 19:36:05
I think this is the clear out that Ole intimated in the summer which did whatever reason never fully happened. For all his faults he is at least looking to clear those we see as deadwood.
8.) 25 Jan 2020 19:52:27
I'm in the wait and see camp. i'd they come they come if they don't they don't i'm not too bothered about signings this window.
We will have a few ups but likely more downs between now and the end of the season.
9.) 25 Jan 2020 18:12:38
I'm not convinced anyone is going to come in. It's taking hell of a long time. Will be absolutely criminal if we dont. I just really worry for the rest of the season with this squad as it is. We could slip down the table very quickly.
10.) 25 Jan 2020 22:32:09
Maybe just a case of the club just being grateful that there were offers on the table for Young and supposedly now for Rojo that might not be there in the summer -thought admittedly they would both been handy for the Tranmere game.
22 Jan 2020 15:30:46
With Rashford out for at least a few weeks, but maybe the rest of the season we might struggle for goals. Greenwood/ Martial need to step up. But we could also do with another forward option. The reason many of our players have picked up injuries is because of the lack of other options meaning they have to play pretty much 90 minutes of every game.
So here's a name from left field (or should that be right field) . How about we look at Jarrod Bowen of Hull?
Bringing top players in during January is difficult, plus we don't have much time left. Bowen plays mainly on the right hand side and has 17 goals and 6 assists from his 30 games so far this season. He's youngish at 23, English and only has 6 months left on his contract (although Hull have an option of another year) .
We currently don't have anyone who naturally plays on the right, he would allow us to make a relatively inexpensive gamble on a player who is in a rich scoring vein, at a time when our top scorer in out injured. Signing Bowen would allow James to move back over to the left, while Bowen would play on the right. Greenwood/ Dalot could offer rotation options. While Martial stays in the No.9 role.
Surely a relatively cheap punt on a young English player wouldn't be a bad shout.
1.) 22 Jan 2020 15:48:59
Mate you’re not real right?
I’d have punt on him but would loan him straight out to Leeds or Villa and see how gets on.
Best solution to losing Marcus IMO is 442 diamond.
Martial and Greenwood as split forwards
Bruno*, Pogba/ Mata/ Gomes/ Andreas or my nan/ Lingard at the top (in order of preference. )
Fred, Matic, blood Levitt (great passer)
Holding i'd love to see Timbo come back but also Lindelot or Axel could also be good there.
Rest pick themselves.
I honestly think we CANNOT afford to gamble and need to buy ready made elite players like Saul, Koulibaly, maybe Bruno.
2.) 22 Jan 2020 18:19:12
There’s about as much chance of ole giving a rollicking as there is him parking in the designated manager space at Carrington.
3.) 22 Jan 2020 18:34:06
Yep, I'm all for youth but we already have the youngest team in the EPL. We need some experience right now.
20 Jan 2020 13:51:22
I'm seeing a lot of complaints about Zonal marking being to blame for our poor defending. The British public have never been a fan of zonal marking, just as they have taken a long time to embrace playing out from the back, technical quality over physicality, or anything that seems to have started off our shores. These things have always been viewed with suspicion and are turned on and blamed every time something goes wrong.
There is nothing wrong with zonal marking, the fact that nearly every top successful side mark zonally will tell you that it can be a very effective way to defend. Every side above us in the league marks zonally, Barcelona, Real Madrid, Bayern Munich, Dortmund, PSG, Juventus etc.
However, just like marking man for man if you do it badly it will fail, and you will concede goals. Marking zonally is a more front foot approach to defending, where as man marking is reactive.
Ultimately regardless of which method you use it is about organisation, teamwork, communication and winning your individual battles. Do all of those things correctly and you will defend well no matter which method you use.
1.) 20 Jan 2020 13:57:41
Nice to see you found another way of defending ole and his staff.
2.) 20 Jan 2020 14:06:23
You’re right there is nothing wrong with zonal marking.
There is something wrong with how the players are being coached to adopt zonal marking.
We are always at risk from set pieces, and never a threat at the other end. After a year of Ole, the only reason for this is a lack of coaching expertise.
3.) 20 Jan 2020 14:09:15
Whats next out of you box of tricks? All defenders hate zonal its common knowledge when they talk about it they are like sitting ducks if the ball isn't near them.
depth ole of out. put them words in order we all know it except you and the menopausal gds2.
4.) 20 Jan 2020 14:24:47
The one thing you forgot to mention there, is that it needs to be coached effectively to be effective.
If you have bad coaching it won't work if its coached well it will work.
So if we keep failing, and we do, i suppose its the players fault and not the coaches this season. Other seasons it was the coaches fault and the players were being coached badly.
Poor coaches and coaching will inevitably bring about poor results.
5.) 20 Jan 2020 15:22:53
Red whiskey, there was no defence of Ole in my OP. If anything it could be seen as me suggesting that the coaching at United is at fault, which I am by the way.
The idea or method of zonal marking isn't a problem, many top teams all around the world win many titles every year with zonal marking.
My post was about the idea how people will instantly jump on something they don't understand to find blame when something doesn't work out.
Either the coaching isn't good enough and that is why we keep conceding or the players aren't good enough.
In truth it's probably a bit of both, I don't know many people who think we have a world class defence. But the reality is that after a whole year to work on defending as a unit, in whichever system the manager wants the players are still struggling to play it effectively.
6.) 20 Jan 2020 15:26:41
your more likely to not concede if your man marking than zonal.
how anyone before a game decided that Williams would be zonally marking the best defender on the pitch is what the problem is.
keep it basic and man mark, stupid tactics.
7.) 20 Jan 2020 16:10:00
Shappy zonal marking is reactive. Because you react when the ball comes into your area.
Man marking is pro active as you stick with your man regardless so you have it arse about face.
We line up with 4 on the 6 yard line they Atack whatever comes into their area the 3 on the penalty spot are there to block and stay with runners. Asking light weights like fred brandon or the likes to block runs is futile and awful management.
8.) 20 Jan 2020 15:52:32
Not entirely true I think, Shappy. As in most things in life, it's not one or the other. A lot of top teams use a mix of man marking and zonal marking, which is probably the best system. Full on zonal marking seems a bit foolish to me, and full man to man isn't ideal either.
9.) 20 Jan 2020 15:55:33
Bolger, in zonal marking does the defender, in your example Williams zonally marking VVD. Is it not the case the defender has a zone to defend full stop but the attacker can very much choose which zone and therefore which defender he attacks against? Thus basically VVD sets himself against who he fancies as the easiest choice?
I'm struggling to understand from your post if you're in favour of man marking or zonal marking to be honest.
10.) 20 Jan 2020 16:29:45
I think Barcelona, Madrid, Juve etc may play in leagues that have more smaller and technical players. You tend to see a lot more short corners from them than you would here in England.
You tend to get a lot of players who are tall and built well in our league whether they play up front or in defence and I think a bit of common sense needs to apply if we do want to stick with zonal marking.
Yesterday was an absolute joke. If the coaching staff suggested to mark VVD in that way then surely the players should step forward and give their input? Can you imagine if we had Rio and Vidic in the box and Fergie turns round and tells Evra your job is to block VVD or mark the zone he starts in? 😂😂😂😂
If we as fans can see it and pundits can see it then why can’t the coaches or players? It’s actual common sense. You let Maguire man mark VVD. We lose Williams or Fred in any defensive capacity if VVD practically runs through them like a bulldozer.
Joint with Villa and Norwich with most goals conceded from set plays. They’re two teams who have a real possibility of being relegated. Whatever we think we’re doing or working on needs to change. I think we should man mark if there is a specific danger in the box like a VVD. If there is no real threat then stick to zonal marking.
11.) 20 Jan 2020 18:15:29
With zonal marking the primary goal is to attack the ball when it is crossed in. Only VVD attacked the ball, Maguire and Lindelof failed to react and by the time they did, VVD was already 2ft above them heading the ball.
12.) 20 Jan 2020 18:16:01
Basically good players it works fine. Limited players should stick to man marking.
19 Jan 2020 14:35:28
Ed002, I see United have been linked with Luis Campos, I know he is someone you rate very highly.
Is this just paper nonsense or has their actually been an approach made by United?
{Ed002's Note - The club are keen to appoint someone - but there is interest from elsewhere and he would need commitments.}
1.) 19 Jan 2020 19:19:59
Would be a great start to get him or someone like him in.
2.) 19 Jan 2020 19:38:04
Wd if you have any information what's the hold up with united to appoint a DOF it seems preposterous to take so long to appoint such a critical position.
3.) 19 Jan 2020 19:49:01
Thanks Ed002. Who in your opinion would be best suited to the role the club are looking for, and what are the kind of structural changes do you feel the club need to make? Cheers.
{Ed002's Note - campos would be a good choice. I am not going to get into the changes that are needed.}
4.) 19 Jan 2020 19:55:51
Jose and Spurs I guess are the others interested?
5.) 19 Jan 2020 23:00:50
I don't know why you're getting your hopes up. Leaks like these come every time Utd play a top side.
19 Jan 2020 10:59:28
Seeing a few self pitying posts about Haaland following his performance in his first game for Dortmund.
Yes the club wanted to sign him, but the lad didn't want to move to us.
Hardly surprising as he was born in Leeds while his dad played from them, his dad then moved to City.
So he is unlikely to be a childhood United supporter. Then consider one of our most revered captains and a player still held in high regard by most United fans was responsible for ending his fathers career.
So its hardly surprising that for him we aren't his first choice.
We miss out on players all the time.
According to Ed Woodward we are monitoring over 900 players, with a realistic maximum of around 25 players in our first team squad then a bare minimum of 875 will never play for United.
Let's not moan every time a player who was linked with us scores a goal or has a good game elsewhere.
{Ed007's Note - Roy Keane did not end Alf-Inge Haaland's career, he had nothing at all to do with it. Haaland finished that particular match and then played a midweek friendly for Norway and played in City's next league game as well.
His ongoing problems with were with his left knee - if you watch the video you'll notice the Norwegian's left knee is strapped up - while Keane clipped him on the right one.
Both City and Haaland dropped their legal action against Keane following his autobiography because the medical & video evidence showed Keane wasn't at fault and that Haaland had admitted that he had been playing with an injured left knee and that it hadn't taken a knock in the game.}
1.) 19 Jan 2020 11:44:06
Well said ed047.
Shappy i said the same. Players turning united down for years. Alaways have always will. You win some you lose some.
2.) 19 Jan 2020 12:07:58
I was just about to say this but Ed you cleared everything up for me. Also I've heard the club pulled out of the deal because Raiola wanted a release clause in his contract so he had full control of his next move aswell. I believe Haaland has a 50 million clause in his dortmund contract. If he has two sensational seasons then 50 million is an absolute steal so if that is the case I don't blame the club at all for not going ahead with it.
3.) 19 Jan 2020 12:11:53
Shouldn't let the facts get in the way if a good story though Ed 😀
I thought that nonsense about Keane ending Haalands career was put to rest long ago!
{Ed007's Note - As long as I have breath in my body I won't stand by and allow the great man to be dissed, Betty 😁
4.) 19 Jan 2020 12:51:25
People ignore that Haaland played for OGS at Molde did he not? What does it say about Haalands thoughts about our manager? Maybe he just wanted Dortmund, maybe his agent aimed him elsewhere, maybe he couldn’t see United competing for years under present management and maybe he doesn’t have the emotional twaddle about OGS. Whatever he thinks, he went elsewhere, so did Shearer, move on and see what happens with the lad, we can always try again.
5.) 19 Jan 2020 13:17:28
Too true bond.
Keane made a bad decision and put in a bad challenge, but it’s been blown completely out of proportion.
Young Haaland made the best decision for his career, and anyone looking at United for the last few years couldn’t blame him.
22 Jan 2020 14:49:04
RedWhiskey, glad you feel my words have such an impact. lol. Although not sure which words I've said in this thread that could be considered "positive spin" for the Glazers.
Pretty sure I've been damning of them at times. They aren't great owners, although they are far from the worst. I don't think there is a silver bullet solution for the situation the club finds itself in. There is no one person to blame but many. As such fixing the issues won't be as simple as sacking the manager, or Ed Woodward, or the other people behind the scenes or the Glazers simply selling the club. In fact any of those things have as much potential to hurt us as they do of helping us.
22 Jan 2020 13:11:47
The club accounts look much healthier the more high valued assets the club has.
Giving Jones or Rojo a new deal when they don't give much in terms of football performance doesn't make any football sense.
Yet having two players with an asset value of 20-30m+ each attached to the club looks good on paper. The reality is you would be lucky to get 15m for either of them, while they don't add much to the on pitch performance while costing the club a significant amount in wages.
But at least on paper 50-60m in club assessed haven't walked out the door.
{Ed002's Note - The players are not assets that appear in the accounts as they are not fixed assets. You need to stop worring about finances.}
22 Jan 2020 10:36:43
Norn, that's simple. We sign Bruno for 70m while paying him 10m a year. In 5 years time we will have spent 120m on him in wages and fees. How much do you think we could sell him for in 5 years time when he's about to turn 30? Maybe 50m.
Now look at Bellingham, we spend 30m on him now and pay him 5m a season. In 5 years time he will have cost us 55m and will be about to turn 22. How much could we sell a 22 year old top England international for? 120-150m? easily.
Meaning in theory Belling could be sold for a profit of 100m in 5 years time, while Bruno would be sold at a lost 60-70m.
Now ask yourself, if you were an investor in a business would you pick investing in the asset that could make you 100m profit in 5 year time or the one that could be sold at a loss 70m?
When you look at it like that its not hard to see why the club might be more prepared to spend 30m on Bellingham than 60-70m on Bruno. We aren't being run by fans or even football people, but cold hard investors.
22 Jan 2020 10:07:53
Considering inflation and how much we paid for a 18 year old Luke Shaw nearly 6 years ago. I think around 30m is about right.
He is super talented and English, he can play in any position in midfield or across the forward line.
Whilst I agree he might not be ready now, by the time he is he will be worth 100m+ which is what we would be expected to pay for a 19 year old Sancho.
Sign him, loan him back to Birmingham on an 18 month loan deal allowing him to finish this season and play next season every week.
17 Jan 2020 09:36:36
Shock horror the club tries to negotiate a transfer fee rather than just paying what the selling club ask for.
So many people on here complain that our club repeatedly get taken for a ride and over pay on transfer fees, yet they are also the first to complain when the club actually spends time negotiating a transfer fee.
It's almost like whatever the club does some people will find something to moan about.
28 Jan 2020 17:44:22
Injuries happen, they happen in games against lower league sides in the the domestic cups, they happen in European cup matches and they happen in league games against both title challengers and relegation battling club's.
Players are passed for to play or not by the medical team.
The fact is that most players are carrying some kind of knock most of the time. Having spoken to a few professional footballers it's pretty common.
If a manager was to only pick players who didn't have some kind of knock they would be lucky to be able to name a starting 7 let alone a starting 11 and 7 subs.
If Rashford didn't pick up that knock against Wolves in the cup then he might have picked it up in the league, or the Europa League.
28 Jan 2020 14:34:54
If you believe Matic is the difference between overturning a 3-1 loss against City then respectfully you know nothing about football.
28 Jan 2020 10:18:12
I'm in two minds about it. Personally I think its very situational.
For example a journeyman striker who has 4 or 5 ex-clubs and has never settled anywhere for long is unlikely to have a serious attachment, and the fans are also unlikely to have an attachment to that player. So I don't see any issue with celebrating a goal.
But then when a player has been at a club for more than 10 years, or if that player has a emotional attachment to that club, and the fans to that player. Then not celebrating is a respectful nod to all that the player and the previous club achieved together.
It will be interesting to see what happens if he does score against us. Ronaldo wasn't with us that long, but has always been respectful when he has scored against us. Rooney was with us longer, and achieved more, it will be interesting to see if he shows the same respect.
28 Jan 2020 10:11:49
Sanchez was sent to Inter to put him in the shop window, he impressed enough initially for Inter to be keen to negotiate a permanent deal (albeit on significantly lower wages) .
However, Sanchez got injured and Martinez has really stepped up. So Inter aren't so keen on agreeing a large deal for a player over 30 who would be a squad option.
So with Inter out of the running, and him not playing due to injury interest in Sanchez will be at an all time low. Who would want to spend significant money in wages on a ageing, declining player who has recently spent much of the season out injured?
Giving Sanchez another chance next season is probably more to do with being unable to move him on rather than trying to save us signing another player.
27 Jan 2020 22:17:30
If he does would you expect him to celebrate or not?