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Shappy's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's rumours posts
08 Jul 2023 14:41:19
DDG is gone, club just wished him well and said goodbye on Twatter.
1.) 08 Jul 2023 14:49:36
Great servant, but right time for MU and himself to move on, some of the replies made my blood boil though, clearly not fans but even still. he's got my respect and wish him well in his next venture.
2.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
3.) 08 Jul 2023 15:43:50
Our best player over the last 12 years, gutted he is going but it is the right time for him and the club.
4.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!
He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)
Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?
{Ed002's Note - David De Gea (G) If Mr Mourinho stays at Roma, then perhaps interest. Perhaps someone in Spain or the Middle East. Manchester United have a list of potential replacements but want a new contract.}
5.) 09 Jul 2023 07:07:25
Good time for both parties to move on. Clearly looked very uncomfortable under ETH’s system. That being said, a brilliant keeper for us over the years. Wish him all the best. Italy seems an obvious move in the absence of decent Spanish interest - or of course Saudi!
28 May 2023 09:30:51
Heard a rumour this morning that United might look at Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, as well as closely monitoring the situation with Ryan Gravenberch.
Bayern yesterday sacked their CEO Oliver Kahn and their Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic, possibly opening the door for some players to leave who might have been intending to stay under the previous regime.
Pavard would be an interesting option, capable of playing both CB and RB he'd be a very good option.
Gravenberch too has great potential but just can't get the game time he needs with players like Kimmich and Goretzka ahead of him.
1.) 28 May 2023 09:50:18
Think Ed002 said that Pavard is reluctant to consider us because he wants to play primarily as a cb.
2.) 28 May 2023 11:30:14
A RB who can also chip in at CB is a good shout, as is Frimpong.
I think Bayern have a number of players who should be of interest. I assume the Mount thing has legs and if so that would probably kill off any interest in Gravenberch and De Jong, and what of Sabitzer.
3.) 28 May 2023 12:13:02
Interesting thread this and might have legs as we know Erik likes players who can play multiple positions to limit the impact of injuries in the squad.
4.) 28 May 2023 13:25:20
Back in February, it was reported that his expected fee this summer could be £26.8m because his contract is up next year - that would amount to a bargain.
That said, it's likely that Bayern would still want more than that for a versatile defender approaching his prime.
The problem is that he wants to play CB and there can be no assurances offered by United that he'll be first-choice ahead of Varane.
He can play RB, but he might be reluctant about coming to a club where that could be his only consistent option.
That does also render Barcelona as a questionable option given that the superior Kounde is already playing RB to accommodate other players.
Personally, I'd expect him to move to a Serie A club.
5.) 28 May 2023 22:50:42
We really need to be looking at Gravenberch. I’m not sure if he’s even available but if he is and a a low price it’s a no brainier. Le fee is another player I hope we take a look at.
6.) 30 May 2023 10:44:36
varane missed 14 league games, went off 6 times, efl only played 90 mins in the final missed 4 games and subbed off once. Class act but never been consistantly fit for games throughout his career. Any cb coming in would get a minimum of 25 games a season if fit/ available.
25 Apr 2023 19:27:31
Evan Ferguson signs a new deal at Brighton, I think that rules him out this summer unless someone pays way over the top for him.
1.) 25 Apr 2023 23:11:49
I think its the right move for him and Brighton. he's best off staying at Brighton where he can develop and grow.
2.) 26 Apr 2023 10:04:02
Not good enough. May well be in the future, but not now. We need the finished article, nothing less.
3.) 26 Apr 2023 16:20:51
Syd, I disagree. He's better than both Martial (due to being fit and available) and Weghorst. Ergo if we signed Ferguson he'd be the best striker at the club.
I'm not sure the finished article is what we need. We have a 3-5 year rebuild project on our hands. Much the same that both Klopp and Arteta had when they took over Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.
We need to be signing players who will peak over the next 2-6 years, players who are already at their peak will likely start to decline by the time we are ready to seriously challenge and thus will need replacing again.
4.) 27 Apr 2023 01:20:13
Ferguson may well be better than Martial and Weghorst. But all 3 are not good enough.
We need a finished article. Nothing less. Finished article, Premiership proven Kane or Naples' Big Os.
If we are to challenge for the title next season, then they are the two options.
No more potential nonsense. Time to bring in the next best thing after Haaland. Greenwood/ Rashford as back-up.
5.) 27 Apr 2023 18:25:40
Syd, we won't be challenging for the title next season, we are too far behind Arsenal let alone City. While Liverpool wil likely bounce back next year as well.
6.) 27 Apr 2023 21:34:24
You think we're too far behind arsenal shappy?
I think this season of there's has been a one off. They've been brilliant as a unit in their first 11, but they lose one or two then they struggle as we've seen recently.
And whilst they have had some of the best players in the league this season. I think it's just that, this season.
Saka, Odegaard, Saliba who have been outstanding aside, the rest don't impress that much. Partey has been good, as has Martinelli. And xhaka also has surprise me in his importance to the team. There's no denying the quality and potential.
But again, in the ecstasy of a possible unexpected title win I think arsenal fans and the media have overhyped a lot of their squad.
Claiming partey as the best dm in the league, Ben White as the best rb and comparing saka to the likes of mbappe vini jr and Messi are all examples of them being overhyped.
And with them having such a young squad, will they be able to handle the disappointment of bottling the league? Will it make them stronger next season for experiencing the title race? Or weaker for losing out after almost all season at the top?
On top of that, city although unreal will again invest. Liverpool I expect to rejuvenate. I expect we will invest appropriately. And we may even see chelseas mish mash of a squad finally gel.
It could go one way or the other, very easily. They could build on it, or they could struggle to get top 4 next season.
With a raw manager and a young squad on the back of disappointment. I'd lean more towards a struggle for them next season.
02 Apr 2023 10:59:55
Ed002, I see on another page you said Manchester United have reignited their interest in Khephren Thuram. I was wondering what other midfielders are of interest to the club for this summer?
{Ed002's Note - Something like this:
Joao Palhinha (DM), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM/AM/DM), Taylor Booth (CM) - looking unlikely, Khephren Thuram (DM/CM), Marcel Sabitzer (CM) - chances are drifting away, Frenkie de Jong (CM), Jude Bellingham (CM) - very unlikely, Manu Kouadio Kone (CM/DM) - in discussions to move elsewhere, Mason Mount (AM) - unlikely, Mohammed Kudus (AM).}
1.) 02 Apr 2023 13:16:14
Fantastic, thanks.
2.) 02 Apr 2023 15:35:30
So that's 10 midfielders, none of whom are likely to move to us. Amazing. ????.
3.) 02 Apr 2023 17:36:00
Personally I think we need someone more on the defensive side, if they are a good ball carrier that would be a massive plus.
I think with players like Bruno, Eriksen, the young lad Hannibal as well as players like Sancho and Amad who can play as a No.10 I think we have enough creative midfielders currently.
However, the drop off in Quality when Casemiro is out is massive. While the futures of both Fred and McTominay are up in the air.
Maybe letting one of McFred leave and signing one of Palhinha, Thuram or Kone from that bunch would give us more balanced midfield options.
4.) 02 Apr 2023 21:40:04
We def need cover for Casemeiro but what top player wants to sign as cover? More importantly we need to sign a midfielder who drives the team on and won't accept the limp displays like we saw today.
5.) 03 Apr 2023 07:14:42
Salford, I think Palhinha might be difficult to sign as at his age (27, 28 in July) he'll want to play regularly. However, younger players like Thuram or Kone who will both be 22 by the start of next season have time on their side to learn from Casemiro and eventually replace the 31 year old.
6.) 03 Apr 2023 08:02:31
Sabitzer now looking unlikely?
7.) 03 Apr 2023 08:07:26
Who is the other club who is in talks with Manu Kone?
Very good all action player.
8.) 03 Apr 2023 08:53:08
Interesting to see the stance on Sabitzer, and the chances of signing him drifting away as Ed puts it.
How does everyone feel about the player, should we be looking to get him permanently? He's clearly an upgrade but has he done enough? I think it depends on departures more than anything.
9.) 03 Apr 2023 13:48:22
Spenno,
He’s an upgrade on our squad players but he’s never going to be first choice for us, I would be surprised if we signed him permanently or if he starts any big games once Casemiro and Eriksen are back.
10.) 03 Apr 2023 14:44:20
Spenno, I like Sabitzer, but he's not set the league alight since he's signed. In fact he's hardly started when Casemiro has been available.
Also at his age you'd imagine if he was to leave Bayern's bench you'd expect it'd be to be first choice somewhere, not to be another bit part player. At 28 he's at his peak, he should be playing every week.
11.) 03 Apr 2023 23:57:22
I think Sabitzer is the epitome of the term ‘bang average’ He does a bit of this and a bit of that, but ultimately he’s nowhere near good enough. In fact, he’s not much better than McTominay, if at all.
12.) 04 Apr 2023 14:21:27
Sabizer is meh for me, I've not seen anything other than a lot of effort.
13.) 04 Apr 2023 17:25:42
Definitely bang average. i haven't seen anything from him to be honest.
14.) 05 Apr 2023 20:05:30
I like Sabitzer. Tidy, does the basics well. Would be a good squad player for me. Obviously, he might not want that at this stage of career, but if we could get him fairly cheap, it's a yes from me.
15.) 06 Apr 2023 22:06:51
He’s definitely better than Mctominay, and it’s perhaps a little unfair to judge him on his first few games in a new league having not played too many minutes. He has started to look better in the last few games and popping up with goals and assists, he was one of the only ones with any credit from the Newcastle game, so maybe if he continues to improve we will look to sign him.
21 Jan 2023 11:11:08
Been told that United have held a discussion with Bayern Munich over potentially taking Ryan Gravenberch on loan for the rest of the season.
No idea how the discussion went, or whether any deal can be done. But it does look like the club are at least considering another loan deal.
At first I was skeptical due to us already having two players on loan (Butland and Weghoust) . However, the rule about the number of players a club can have on loan seems to be limited between English clubs. Which means United could loan another player from a non-English club such as Bayern Munich.
1.) 21 Jan 2023 13:02:36
The drop off in quality from Eriksen and Casemiro is huge. If the manager is looking to bring Gravenberch here for a few months means he's not entirely happy with McTominay.
It's good to see that the manager is constantly trying to improve us anyway he can.
Shappy, you're probably more clued in than me. Is he not getting game time in Germany or not doing the business?
2.) 21 Jan 2023 14:29:23
Mumbles he hasn't started a league game for them yet. He tends to be a late game sub, which is limiting his ability to adapt.
At Bayern he has Kimmich, Goretzka, Sabitzer, and Musiala all ahead of him along with Laimer joining in the summer.
Which is making it difficult for him to breakthrough.
3.) 21 Jan 2023 15:03:01
Cheers Shappy. I only seen a handful of games with him at Ajax. Has the world at his feet but he needs to be playing games.
This one could definitely have legs.
4.) 21 Jan 2023 15:26:35
Only played 200 minutes of Bundesliga football this season. A ten Haag favourite. Would love to see this come off.
5.) 21 Jan 2023 19:06:22
Pretty good move if true this one.
6.) 22 Jan 2023 10:48:43
Aren’t teams only allowed 2 loan signings?
7.) 22 Jan 2023 11:34:30
GDS, Here are the rules from the EPL:
"Under the rules in the Premier League Handbook 2022/ 23, there are restrictions on how many players Premier League clubs can loan from OTHER Premier League/ English clubs.
They are:
- Premier League clubs may not register more than two players on loan at any one time.
- The maximum number of loans registrable in the same season is four, and, under no circumstances, shall more than one be from the same club at any one time.
- Premier League clubs cannot loan to another Premier League club a player they have acquired in the same transfer window.
- A Premier League club may loan not more than one of its goalkeepers to another Premier League club. "
While it states that a club cannot register more than two players on loan at any one time, that is two players from other EPL/ English clubs.
Meaning you can loan more than two players as long as they are from a European or non-English club.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
04 Nov 2023 17:13:18
A win is a win. Performance was better (a long way from good), and there was clearly more effort and fight.
That was realistically all we could expect given where we are right now.
1.) 04 Nov 2023 19:25:50
Antony should not feature in the next game.
2.) 04 Nov 2023 19:47:50
It was 3 points, not much else to add.
3.) 04 Nov 2023 21:36:40
Yep. 3 points. Dire performance. But 3 points. Move on and let's hope for improvement.
Though you do have to say the boys looked genuinely relieved. Maybe just maybe they do care?
4.) 05 Nov 2023 03:10:44
I’m sure they care - but what has Sancho done that is so bad he can’t get a game ahead of Antony who is well off the level required right now?
5.) 05 Nov 2023 05:39:24
watched the NC game, how is Linton not a foul on Gabriel. Great game and both sides were at it. they kicked lumps out of each other and played some really good football too.
I have posted this before, linton, Guimaraes and few NC players foul a lot and are dirty players and get away with it game after game. Guimaraes should have been sent off. Haevertz too. Refs are a shamble.
6.) 05 Nov 2023 06:22:50
Arteta screaming and crying about that goal. I agree with him but
Where was that when Gabriel rugby tackled Hoiland from our side.
The refs and VAR are becoming the worst thing about the PL. Don't understand why top foreign refs are not brought given the league brings in so many top foreign players. no difference imo.
7.) 05 Nov 2023 06:54:44
Eric get a grip, just because Anthony is rubbish snd showing nothing currently there’s literally nothing sancho can or would do differently because he is just as bad or worse but with a stinking attitude!
We got Mount and pellistri who can do a far better job than the above on the right currently imo, not sure about pellistri long term but deserves a chance because it’s a position up for grabs imo!
8.) 05 Nov 2023 09:33:52
I think it wasn't a foul by Joelinton. I see that kind of things happening a lot in an aerial duel, I remember Mitrovic last season, when he bullied TAA, also had his hands on him.
But, even if it is a foul, I like how refs are consistent, and not giving it, same as we didn't get a foul when Gabriel wrestled Hojlund.
9.) 05 Nov 2023 10:02:26
I think with the goal just Gabriel should have done so much better in build up then in the box, he tries to flick the header instead of attacking it full on! He loves a theatrical fall too so no sympathy, defend your box your 6 foot 5 for god sake!
10.) 05 Nov 2023 12:17:35
Shows how bad our scouting is Chris1. We’ve spent £150m on two wingers who are dross (Sancho and Antony), and another £30m on Amad who has barely played for us. He could be the option for us when he’s fit, but I’ve seen little evidence yet he’s no more than a good Championship player. Pellestri simply isn’t good enough (another £8m) .
11.) 05 Nov 2023 15:11:35
Eric I totally agree, because our right backs are also limited it’s easy for teams to completely shut down our right side! Last year our left was so good it didn’t matter too much but now no Shaw and this version of rashford and we’re toothless!
It’s an opportunity for amad when fit and pellistri now but long term you’d expect ETH will be looking at both those positions!
I never thought Antony was crap last year I seem to remember he showed glimpses and potential and effort and I thought we were better team with him in it! This year he’s shown nothing and his effort is disgusting, like rashford on opposite side!
04 Nov 2023 07:39:06
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, The Manchester United Squad Rebuild Will Take Years
03 Nov 2023 14:06:27
Shappy has written an article entitled, The Manchester United Squad Rebuild Will Take Years
1.) 03 Nov 2023 15:50:35
Shappy, much as I love you, you have far too much time on your hands.
2.) 03 Nov 2023 16:50:37
Shappy
Do u think shaws at the desired level? he's vastly overpaid we know that. Also could he be one of the ones that causes issues for obvious reasons he fell out with jose but did he get too big for his boots from then? i'm not questioning his character before anyone starts he's just been with us a while now and never seems to be mentioned in the bad bunch conversations
Also the main thing on recruitment is not to overspend on wages. mount was offered a fair whack at chelsea but wasnt what he felt his worth was. he's been a decent player in his career but not much more. now he's with us because we were willing to pay what chelsea werent. i'd hope the years of doubling players wages to join would be over aswell as the one last big pay day deals.
3.) 03 Nov 2023 21:20:34
Rebuild take years, that is the easy way out, the easy way to excuse where we are. It is the acceptance of mediocrity, give the manager years, shut up don’t argue. It’s why Real Madrid have so many European Cups and we have three. So right now these articles come out, a couple of years ago it was give Ole time.
I don’t think it is time to sack ETh, but this utter nonsense about give it years is pathetic. A coach should be able to set the pattern, a way to play without years of ignoring that spectators deserve entertainment.
4.) 03 Nov 2023 22:38:47
Absolutely not Redman. Do not agree. Sometimes it is brave to realise how much chance you need. We actually need to change 60% of the squad in the next year or so. Getting a proper director of football (not shappy) is essential right now so we can build with a vision and move forward.
The chaos now is due to there being no plan for far too long. Bringing in EtH is a complete shift from what we were. Counter attack will not dominate a league. Counter attack will not win against the cities and the arsenals of this world. We struggle against low block counter attacking teams ourselves, have for years.
Need to build a squad with a mangers vision. Half way into EtH, keep going.
5.) 03 Nov 2023 22:44:35
Name the managers who have had arebuild of this size to do and dome it in less than 3 or 4 years redman.
A complete squad overhaul resetting a culture and standards.
Please list them the ones who have done it in 'utter nonsense is that what you were saying back in the 80s as fergies teams finished 11th and 13th? Or klopp who took 3 years or arteta still getting there 3 1/ 2 years in and no trophy. Not getting cl for 2 years.
Jose at Chelsea is one I can think of. Not too many others.
I think it's a bit silly to think it can be done that quickly there is a lot more precedence of it taking 3 plus years. How are Barcelona and juventus doing in their rebuilds.
We've squandered over a billion on players by bit having a structure in place with the subject matter experts in charge.
There is no quick fix to be had here.
Yes we all want to see better but when our investor comes in he has experience of these things and will employ what he feels is the right team. Try have a little more tolerance.
6.) 03 Nov 2023 23:53:02
Hi Tumbleweed
Just to clarify, Arteta has won a trophy in time as manager. FA cup
But you guys do need major overhaul from top to bottom. Patience and a clear process on the way forward.
We at arsenal are nowhere near the finished article, but, it seems everyone from board level down is on board. It might not work, who knows. But you need some end goal that everyone is looking towards.
7.) 04 Nov 2023 09:34:57
Sorry u did forget the cup wi. Your right.
But its a long process that needs time. Uyter nonsense to suggest it should be done in a year.
Utter nonsense.
8.) 04 Nov 2023 11:59:14
W16wes, I think Shaw can perform at a good level and is a solid enough player. Can we improve on him? Yeah, absolutely. But we can't replace everyone at the same time. We need to prioritise when we ship out and replace players as much as who it is we are replacing.
You start by removing the players who offer nothing, then the ones who offer very little, then the ones who are average, then the ones who are good but not great.
That way you'll see the biggest change quicker. You start a rebuild of a squad from the bottom up, not top down.
Red Man, You'll have to tell me where you buy this cake that you an have and eat. You complain that the players are good enough, but then expect a manager to get substandard players to be putting in great performances. You know you can't make a silk purse from a sows ear. You change position all the time just to present the negative.
We need to move on 15-20 players who just aren't good enough. You can't get great performances from them, that's why we need to replace them. So don't set yourself up for disappointment by suddenly expecting them to be great.
If you are shipping out 15-20 players and subsequently needing to replace them that isn't a short term thing. That takes 2-3 year minimum just to change the players. On top of that you need that new squad of strangers to start to work together and become a coherent team. They need to know each others games, build those relationships and develop and grow into that new team. Gain that consistency of performances at the required level by removing the errors and learning from them. That also takes time, which is why it's a 3-5 year project. Three years if you get all the recruitment right and the players gel quickly, longer if some of the recruitment doesn't work or some players take longer to develop and the team to come together.
It sucks, but that is where we are. Over a decade of poor decisions compounded with more poor decisions. A lack of vision, too many people doing jobs that aren't suited to.
Dodgy, are you saying that its a waste of time sending SJR my CV with my plan written on the back of a beer mat?
01 Nov 2023 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Things at Manchester United will get worse before getting better
1.) 01 Nov 2023 08:29:38
They can get worse?
2.) 01 Nov 2023 10:52:02
Of course we can. I fully expect us to HAVE to drop down to a mid-table side for a couple of seasons if we are to rebuild properly and become a top side seriously challenging for top honours again.
Think of it like this, if you were to be given the managers job tomorrow which of our squad would you keep?
For me it would be: Onana, Martinez, Shaw, Mainoo, Mount, Bruno, Rashford, Garnacho and Højlund.
I wouldn't have any issues with selling any of the others. And I suspect most people's list would be smaller than mine.
My list is really 7 first team players and 2 kids. Meaning we are at least 18 players short of a 25 man squad (as both Garnacho and Mainoo wouldn't need to be named in the 25 yet) .
Maybe there are a few others that could be kept as squad options, players like Bayindir, Malacia, Dalot, Lindelof, Hannibal, and Amad maybe. But I wouldn't be sad or worried if they were to move on.
Players like Eriksen, Varane and Casemiro are good for experience, but all over 31 and not long term options.
There is a massive squad overhaul needed, that will take time. You need to tear down the ruins of the crumbling empire before you can rebuild for a brighter future. That means taking a step backwards before going forward again. Probably a season or two of finishing between 10th and 6th as you move on those who have no future at the club and attempt to bring in ones to build that future around.
You need to recruit young players who can develop and grow together as the team team being built is probably 3-4 years away from seriously challenging. No point signing 28 year olds who'll be in their 30's and will start to need replacing by the time the team is ready to challenge.
Of those I've said I'd keep Onana will be 30-31, Bruno 32-33, Mount and Martinez will be 27-28, Rashford 29-30 by the time this new team will be ready to seriously challenge.
So you can see why we need to recruit younger players. But that comes with a risk, those players won't be ready to regularly and consistently perform over the next season or two while they bed in, adapt and grow together. Meaning performances will be up and down and given the level of competition currently in the EPL we will be unlikely to be able to get into the top four.
Fans will have to accept that if they want to see a team actually be rebuilt with a plan, with an aim, with intent to actually challenge for the title.
The other option is to keep bringing in older players to keep us just competitive enough to get top four, but never actually build a proper team for the long term. Just keep signing the Varane's and Casemiro's every 2-3 years and keep a constant churn of players in and out of the first team, unable to actually spend the time needed to build a strong rapport and clear style of play.
That is what we have done for over a decade now. Even in the final season with SAF we signed a 29 year old RvP (who is probably my personal favourite United striker btw) . The other option was a 24 year old Lewandowski. In hindsight can we really say RvP and short term gain was the best option.
Last summer was dominated by our chase for FdJ, when that failed we had two options that could have been pushed through. Casemiro and Rice, many at the time said rice for 70-80m was too much. I know which option would have been the better option in hindsight.
Maybe signing Lewandowski meant we wouldn't have won the title in SAF final season, or maybe it wouldn't have made a difference.
Maybe signing Rice last summer instead of Casemiro would have meant we didn't win the league cup, or maybe it might have meant we won both the league cup and FA cup. Or maybe make the Europa League final. Who knows.
What I do know is this constant short term thinking is keeping us stuck in a cycle of mediocrity.
It's time to accept the short term pain for long term gain. To stop thinking about how we can get UCL qualification for next year and instead how we can win the title in 3 years.
That's what we should be aiming for, as fans if the club does decided to go down that route out job will be to support the club, to back the plan and to not create a toxic atmosphere because we have a year or two of regression. Trust in the process and allow the team to build for the future.
3.) 01 Nov 2023 11:40:16
I was being sarcastic of course. I was thinking more behind the scenes as opposed to the footballing side. The place is a zoo.
On the playing front however, you're right, my list of retained players would be shorter than yours Shappy, but of course a lot of that is frustration with current form and what a few of those new signings have offered in recent months.
It will come down to how far Sir Jim (or whoever) believes in Erik and his plan, and whether he is happy to play a longer game, or whether they decide things aren't working and bring in Graham Potter who starts the cycle all over again with his own signings. If we stick, rather frighteningly apart from GK we need almost the same 3-4 first teamers we needed two years ago.
4.) 01 Nov 2023 12:20:26
The best thing that can happen imo:
1.SJR investment gets announced.
2.Extend eth contract. That will put an end to any leakers and pretenders, who are undermining the direction we are trying to go and just shut the press/ pundits up and gets rid of a lot of the toxicity.
3.Get a DOF in and a new CEO and cut our operating cost which is an inflated pig of how to run a club.
4. clean up this summer and get rid of players who should have gone last summer plus a few more.
If that means we lose some fans that's okay. We can shed a few from the reported 800 million. Need to bring the noise level down considerably and give the manager and the players a stable environment to focus on football.
5.) 01 Nov 2023 12:27:09
I thought I sensed a little sarcasm.
Behind the scenes its an absolute mess. I wouldn't be surprised to see half the current people to either lose their job or see a move to a more suitable role.
Frustration does get the better of us at times. I'd imagine many would want Rashford and Bruno gone based on current form. Which is completely understandable. I do think they have qualities that can be beneficial to the team if utilised correctly and they can find form. Between them they contributed 70 goals and assists last season. I wouldn't be so quick to discard players who can bring so many goals to the side when on form and used in the right way.
SJR held talks with the manager on more than one occasion, so i suspect they have a good idea about what each other want moving forward. Obviously once SJR does assume control of footballing operations we will see lots of changes. People leaving, new people joining. Paul Mitchell for example is apparently ear marked for Murtagh's current role as DoF. If that appointment happens then it is the relationship between Mitchell and EtH that will be most important in determining how long the dutchman stays at the club.
I think it depends on what EtH thinks is needed and how that fits with the new team, as well as EtH's ability to adjust to a new set up. He might have less autonomy on transfers for example.
While I still completely back the manager, the reality is that with new people and a new structure above him likely to be coming in then a decision needs to be made about the long term future and what the team is aiming to be. If for whatever reason EtH doesn't fit that new vision/ plan then I accept a parting of the ways will have to happen. If that means Potter becoming our new manager then I will also accept that despite any reservations I would have over his appointment.
The club needs to break the cycle of mediocrity, that means doing things differently. As fans we will just have to accept these changes and give them a chance. Even if we have concerns.
6.) 01 Nov 2023 13:14:51
A little off topic but I don't understand the lack of goals. Our good is already way below that of everyone around us and was miles behind the top sides last season, yet we (generally) don't concede too many. I hope something 'clicks' up front but it hasn't yet in 18 months.
7.) 01 Nov 2023 14:12:15
Spenno, Our attack has been disjointed for many years. Not since Valencia left have we actually had any sort of threat down our right hand side. That's shocking and unacceptable. Its not like the club haven't tried to do what they can to fix it either, 70m on Di Maria, 90m on Sancho, and 85m on Antony. Just poor recruitment and scouting.
The overreliance on attacking down the left makes us easy to defend against, that restricts our chances. People are complaining about Rashford, but in my opinion he isn't the problem. His poor form is a symptom of other issues. Hojlund has scored 3 goals in the UCL for us, all three have been created by Rashford.
The issue is the injuries to Martinez and Shaw. We have lost those players who work with Rashford to make our left hand side so dangerous. Martinez's incisive forward passing to get moves on the way. Shaw either overlapping to create space, underlapping to pull a CB out the way for Rashford cutting inside, or just being a passing option and helping with ball rotation down that flank.
Due to those two injuries we have seen our only potent attacking point severely blunted. Add to that we have had a shambles on the righthand side. Sancho imploding, Amad injured and unable to have a run out, Antony having the s**t hit the fan in his private life (self-inflicted or not), and Greenwood initially going to be returning only to be shipped of to Spain.
The inconsistency and lack of creativity from RB is a problem. AWB gets a nose bleed when he crosses the halfway line. Now he's injured anyway. Dalot is our best outlet on the right, he's a decent option. But he isn't a top class attacking full back.
That has lead to shutting Bruno back and forth from the centre out to the right and back again. He is our most creative player, that inconsistency of position will likely be having an impact on his performances.
While the decline in Casemiro and the inability to play 90 minutes from Eriksen means our midfield has become significantly weaker this season. Meaning ball progression through midfield has become significantly reduced in both quantity and quality.
Ultimately we have lost the ability to progress the ball from defence and through midfield, have absolutely no threat down the right and a severely limited threat down the left. All of this due to injuries to key players and the decline of Casemiro and Eriksen.
The only way I could see us doing anything to solve it would be to play a double pivot of Amrabat and Mainoo to give us a solid enough base and energy. I'd possibly play Casemiro at CB, he would add more ball progression, and the reduced physical demands would suit him. Then one of Varane or Lindelof alongside. Reguilon and Dalot at full back and get them to push up to give us options wide and to stretch opposition defences. Hojlund up front, Rashford left and Bruno right with Mount central as he offers more defensive work rate, pressing and ball retention.
We'd be more exposed defensively, but would have a more ability to control the game. Try and keep possession, and look at trying to carve open chances. Peg teams back.
However, we would concede goals on the counter. Also this would require getting Mainoo, Reguilon and Amrabat fully fit.
8.) 01 Nov 2023 14:44:09
Spenno
Our build up from CCB to midfield play is poor and when was the last time you saw 4 or 5 good progressive passes between these guys. One or another gives it away and some are so basic in their passing ability.
The whole phase of play breaks down especially if they get pressed. The wingers and forward when the ball eventually arrives and where they receive it, is not great and lots to do to score and our fullbacks are very average besides Shaw and Dalot going forward and no assists coming from them either if i am not mistaken.
That's why rash carried us last year, lots of individual moments of brilliance from him and no easy goals served up.
Bruno gives the ball away for fun atm and does all kinds of stupid flicks and just poor passes and stuff, where you think just retain possession for christ sake and don't try this stuff. Every once a while one of the flicks comes off and it looks great but 9/ 10 you give it away.
I think Bruno's form is as bad as it gets and why we are struggling. he is creating nothing and giving it away all the time. Even the goal that mac scored against SU, Bruno gets the assist but the pass is garbage.
garnacho, hoiland, rash have all missed chances where they should score and antony is just poor. Add that all up and we are not scoring.
9.) 01 Nov 2023 14:56:59
All valid points chaps, I respect it's a team thing, but the chances our strikers are throwing away doesn't let them off the hook. We're such a wasteful side. You hear about players like Beckham staying behind after training to perfect their art, or work more on shooting etc. I'm not saying they're not, but can't imagine the current crop staying behind to improve themselves.
10.) 01 Nov 2023 16:14:32
Spenno, the xG model suggests we should have scored 16 league goals this season and we have 11, which is an underperformance. But even if we hit par and got 1 6 we wouldn't be much better off.
We are 12th in the league for chances created, which is nowhere near good enough.
We've taken 151 shots in the EPL, should have scored 16 from those, and have actually scored 11. Yet we are 10th for shots on target.
Only 6 sides have taken more shots than us. The issue doesn't seem to be so much that we are massively underperforming in terms of converting the good chances. It seems more that we are struggling to carve open good chances. Leading to us taking too many low chance shots.
This leads to us watching Rashford take 5 shots in a game, but only one of them did he have a real genuine chance to score.
The problem isn't the one good chance he missed, it's the four poor chances he had to try and convert. Forwards tend to be confidence players. Every miss will be piling pressure on him and bringing his confidence down. Which probably leads to him missing the good chance when its presented.
We need to create more chances of higher quality. If we can do that we will score more goals.
31 Oct 2023 14:49:22
Shappy has written an article entitled, Things At Manchester United Will Get Worse Before Getting Better
1.) 31 Oct 2023 18:23:15
Changing the manager is absolutely the wrong thing to do. The culture at the club from top to bottom is wrong. From the owners and the way they run the club, allowing the stadium to deteriorate and not putting the right people in place to run the club effectively, to the players thinking they are so much better than they are, knowing full well they will simply outlast the manager and get a clean slate when a new coach comes in.
I feel sorry for ETH now. He worked miracles in his first season under the circumstances, off the back of our worse season for 30+ years. Since that successful season, he’s dealing with 3 players who abuse their personal relationships, and an injury list as long as his arm.
But here we are. Another manager on the brink. Only this time the manager is perfectly capable, unlike the previous full time manager.
We have the right man for the job, but the job is not right for the man.
No doubt ETH will be another who has plenty to say when he is eventually shown the door, to add to the truth that has been spoken by other very knowledgeable football people in LVG, Jose and Rangnick.
It’s funny because there isn’t a person I talk to in the stadium who blames any of this on the manager, but again, here we are.
2.) 31 Oct 2023 19:48:13
Changing the manager is wrong because the real issue is that we do not have the right person in charge of the football side of United So changing another manager is not going to solve the fundamental issues of the club so will not result in any great improvement.
The manager has to fit in with the ideas of the football club and appointing a manager should only be done to fit in with this, but if we don't have the right person in place to implement the plan how can we ever find the right manager.
The manager is a scapegoat shielding those who are fundmentally responsible for our woes.
Let's address this properly, get a sporting director who can oversee the entire footballing operation, the find the right manager for his ideas, I am not saying it is or it isn't Ten Hag, but if it is then he needs help in the areas he isn't specialised in.
3.) 31 Oct 2023 20:40:52
Like sticking plasters on a femoral bleed! Wasting time cycling managers until the club fix the bigger issues.
But we all know that the fix they will come up with is a new manager.
4.) 01 Nov 2023 12:23:39
Whys changing a hopeless manager in any way wrong you play horrific football that's all on the manager he's spent near half a billion of course you should get a world class DoF as well but no point in flogging a dead horse with the dutch fella can't be giving him more money to waste get rid soon as before more harms done.
5.) 01 Nov 2023 14:29:09
Gers, its not ALL on the manager at all. His signings have been fine. This summers signings haven't had a chance to show what they can do yet. Hojlund and Amrabat arrived injured. Reguilon and Mount got injured in their first couple of games.
Onana is the only one to be able to play consistently. As a new keeper settling in to a new side he has had to deal with a constantly changing line up of defenders in front of him due to injury. He has shown glimpses of what he can do, I'm fairly sure he'll come good.
The only signings I'd question was Antony, he's been a massive disappointment and doesn't look like he has what it takes to turn it around. If I'm giving him the benefit of the doubt I'd say his off field issues could well be distracting him. That said those issues are likely self-inflicted. So I have very limited sympathy for him to be honest.
The only other questionable signing is Casemiro. He was vital for us last season and immense. But in hindsight that level of performances was never going to last and he has started to decline. For the fee paid he was a poor value signing. That said he was not the managers choice, that was FdJ. We ended up with Casemiro when he was offered to the club and it was clear that FdJ wasn't going to happen. it was an easy deal to conclude as time was running out toward the end ot the transfer window.
Other than those two I'd say given the restrictions, and the money spent the other transfers have all been decent value and have improved the squad. Maybe Mount and Hojlund were overpriced, but I think both will prove to be fine value wise. It's just too soon to judge, they've both played under 5 league games in a struggling side.
Yes we have spent a lot of money. Firstly it was needed. Secondly we always over pay for players. There isn't a great deal we can do about that.
Is the squad better than the one EtH inherited? Absolutely, that is really the only way to look at it. Unfortunately due to all the injuries that improvement hasn't been able to be translated out on to the pitch.
24 Nov 2023 09:15:28
Sad to see how many people have had all the hope kicked out of them.
I don't expect to see massive changes instantly, I expect we'll see some big changes behind the scenes, but that it'll take time to filter down and we start seeing the results.
For example let's say we change the DoF to someone like Paul Mitchell by the end of the year. He will change recruitment, but we won't see the benefits of that probably until the summer after next. If he decides the scouting set and player recruitment team needs ripping up and starting again, that'll easily take him until next summer to just get the right people and the correct set up. That won't give them enough time to be in place and have a well scouted selection of targets for the summer. So the benefits of those changes won't be seen until summer 2025, when they've had a year to be in place and do their job.
The problem is that many fans will see a new DoF join in December, and then judge them on any January signings we make. People expect instant change/ success.
I don't think the Glazers and SJR will fall out for two reasons. Firstly, I trust SJR to have the savvy to work with people without falling out.
Secondly, I think the root of our problems with the Glazers comes from their apathy towards the club. They aren't micromanaging the club, refusing to give over any control to anyone else. The problem isn't oversteer it's that they have taken their hands off the wheel for the most part.
So I don't believe the two parties will fall out, ones savvy and the other doesn't care enough. I think they will probably work pretty well together.
Both want the club to be successful, as it increases the value on their investment. The difference is one has experience of running a club and know what is required, while the others have no idea despite owning a club for 18 years. The Glazers have always given over running the club to other people accepting they didn't know what to do (while probably not wanting to either) . The problem is they handed over the running of the club to people who didn't know what they were doing either.
From the Glazers perspective this deal is fantastic. They sell 25% and get a nice pay off, while still keeping the majority. The person buying in will then assume control of the running of the club (something the Glazers have never wanted to do anyway) . They will take the responsibility of sacking/ moving on those who've done a poor job at the club.
If they do a good job then the Glazers asset will increase in value, if it doesn't work out then SJR will take the stick from the fans rather than the Glazers.
I see absolutely nothing there that the Glazers will be unhappy about.
While SJR will aim to own the majority of the club down the line, and will no doubt have a plan for how that will happen. In the meantime he will want to get the club back on track. If he can be the one to get the club back to where it belongs he will secure a legacy at his boyhood club. While also increasing the value of his investment.
This should be a good move for Manchester United, it won't be instant, and it's a long road back. But we appear to be going in the right direction at last.
20 Nov 2023 12:47:14
Calm down, current interest will be from the current set up.
Who the club will be interested in once the new people are in place will almost certainly change.
We don't have a CEO and our DoF will likely change between now and Christmas.
Only when those positions are filled will the club have finalised targets.
19 Nov 2023 14:52:04
I know, utterly infatuated with me it seems.
Living rent free in their head.
I'm no doubt the last person they think of as they fall asleep and the first person they think about as they wake.
18 Nov 2023 22:03:29
Ex players and ex managers who are removed from the situation and actually have no idea what is going on. Or the ones who are being paid to say things that can be clipped up and put into print?
I'd imagine if you gave your noggin a wobble it'd rattle?.
18 Nov 2023 22:01:13
Rangersred, still not your turn with the family brain cell I see?.
29 Nov 2023 13:32:28
Zlatan was decent at best, one good year, followed by one year out injured. On massive wages and stopped any chance of Rashford developing as a CF by limiting his game time in that role. It was also a short term fix, meaning the club still had an issue the following season. If he was signed to be top quality back up or alongside a top class young player who needed a season or two to develop then he'd have been a good signing. Bought to be our main CF means it wasn't a great deal.
Lukaku had already fallen out with Jose and was angling for a move away BEFORE Ole took over. He was disinterested, overweight and lazy under Ole. That effected his form and he was rightfully dropped. He showed no desire or fight to put in the work needed to regain his place, and preferred to look to leave. Why on earth would Ole or any manager try to keep a player like that? Since he left he's had one good season in Italy, followed by three poor ones across both the EPL and Serie A. We paid 75m for him, paid him 250k per week for 6 months of decent performances at best under Jose (the manager who signed him), then sold at a loss.
Dalot has been a decent signing, yet he didn't nail down the position, which is why the club spent a further 50m on AWB. Both are decent players, but neither would start at teams challenging for the title. Dalot is a great squad player, much like Phil Neville was. A player able to come in for your first choice without a massive drop off in quality and a player capable of playing a few different positions/ roles, giving you more options off the bench.
I'm not sure either Dalot or Zlatan could be considered "tremendous" signings.
If you think the United managers job is easy then you are far denser than I give you credit for. "hardly any pressure to get top four"? only once in the past decade have we NOT fired a manager for not achieving top four. Pretty sure that's a fairly pressured position. Don't get top four? Lose your job.
Spending power means very little when you don't know how to spend it. Since Sir Alex and David Gill left the people running the club have been like that bin man who won the lottery, throwing cash around like its going out of fashion but on nothing worthwhile or tangible. Leading to them frittering it all away and ending up back emptying bins when they should have been set for life.
Over 1bn spent on players and only a couple held or increased their value, taking a title winning squad to a bunch of players who aren't good enough to share the dressing room of the best United sides even as a 5th choice squad option.
We've literally spent a fortune to make the squad progressively worse.
If you like Maguire, McTominay and Lindelof that much you are more than welcome to them. None of them are as good as Brown, Silvestre, O'Shea or Fletcher. All of which were not good enough to be regular starters for a Manchester United team challenging for top honours.
29 Nov 2023 13:06:56
It'll be what it'll be, if a bad decision cost us then so be it. No point worrying about it. We should be focusing on what we can do and how we play. Obviously we aren't playing well atm and we need to play ourselves back into form. Ideally we should be able to play to a level where one bad decision will not change the result. Yet we are probably a year or two away from being able to have the squad to play like that.
The only thing I'm in two minds over is whether I'd prefer us to be in the Europa league or out of Europe all together. Obviously dependent on us not being able to qualify for the next round in the UCL.
My heart says that playing European football, even the Europa league is better than nothing. It's still a chance of silverware and glory, while giving us a chance to to qualify for the UCL by winning the Europa league. As well as increasing revenues (over no European football) . But my head says we are struggling due to the number of injuries and how thinly our squad is stretched. That we need to be careful with game time and make sure we don't rush players back too quickly from injury because the players we have are exhausted. That playing the extra games, and particularly the extra traveling will have a bigger detrimental effect on our league season than the potential benefits of having an outside chance of winning the Europa league would offer.
Given the state of our squad, the injuries and the poor form, do we really think we have a realistic chance of winning the Europa league?
If we drop into it and don't win it, while it effects our form in the league then any potential benefit from the money earned from it could be massively outweighed by the financial costs of dropping a few places in the league.
28 Nov 2023 19:44:35
The Mourinho squad was pretty poor to be frank.
While the signings made under Jose were frankly awful. Sanchez, Grant, Bailly, Mkhitaryan, Lukaku, Lindelof, Dalot, Matic, Pogba, Fred, Ibrahimovic. Several of them would be in the conversation as our worst ever signing.
Lukaku pushed for a move away much like he did at Chelsea, then Everton, then Inter Milan. He wasn't prepared to fight for his spot, which he only had to do because his form was awful and he got rightfully dropped. That happened under Jose which prompted him to sign Ibrahimovic.
Lukaku was never a good player, very one dimensional, with poor touch and technique.
I've criticised EtH, but have always expressed that I feel the mistakes he has made are in part due to the circumstances he has, through no fault of his own, found himself in.
28 Nov 2023 07:00:03
Maybe keefy. I really liked Mata, but he never hit the heights expected of him, especially given what we paid for him at the time (club record fee) .
In the end he underwhelmed and never fully nailed down a starting position. Did he really have a bigger impact than Fred for example, despite being a far more talented player.
28 Nov 2023 00:16:07
MancMan, I suppose that depends on where you place the goalposts.
If you are looking bar players who have been successful when called upon and have been some sort of value for money then it hard to add anyone to that list of Romero, Shaw and Bruno. Possibly add Ibrahimovic on a free was a good signing for the short term.
I think there are a few more players who might fit the solid squad players category. Dalot, Herrera, Lindelof, Fred maybe (although his fee make him a very expensive squad option) . While you may in time be able to call Amad or Pellistri a success depending how they develop.
But really whether you are saying good signing for the first 11, solid squad player, or talented young player yet to reach their potential we are still only looking at around 7 maybe 8 decent signings from 37.
That in essence is exactly why we have fallen off a cliff in terms of challenging for titles.
You can't sign 30 flops to your 25 man squad and expect anything but abject failure. Until we have 18-20 successful signings in our squad we won't be anywhere near competing forbl major honours.