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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
02 Jan 2022 17:30:01
Well the January transfer window is open and the player we are linked to most strongly is Julian Alvarez.
Who on the face of it doesn't seem to fit our most pressing need, yet maybe that is why he might be a good option.
The January transfer market is notoriously difficult to make good signings in. Clubs are not prepared to lose their best players mid-season while they will either be fighting it out for honours or battling relegation. While typically only the players either not playing well or not playing at all are keen to move, those doing well often don't want to disrupt themselves.
Look at our squad, its players like Martial and Donny who want to leave, players not getting much game time.
For us while CDM might be the most important position to address, it is because its such a key position which is why we might not see a signing there in January. It's not a position/ role where we can afford to sign our 4th or 5th choice, or worse just whoever is available.
It's a position where we absolutely need to sign our first choice, and only if they are available in January should we sign them.
I'd be more inclined to recall James Garner from his loan if we absolutely needed another midfielder in January (only if he is going to play) rather than sign anyone just to get a body in.
That is why a player like Julian Alvarez makes more sense, its not a key position we need for the first 11 immediately. While with Martial looking to leave, Cavani off in the summer and Ronaldo 37 by the start of next season it is an area we will need to address in the not too distant future.
Therefore signing a player who is happy to move in January while taking advantage of the clause in his contract that allows him to leave for the fairly "cheap" fee of 17m makes sense.
As for that midfield role the only signing for me that makes sense in January would be Boubacar Kamara IF he is the clubs first choice.
Paying a relatively small fee for a player in January who we could get in the summer for free isn't normally the best thing to do. Yet in this case for two reason's I think it might make sense. Firstly the fight for top 4 is real and a tough one this season. Spurs, Arsenal, Leicester and West Ham are in with a chance along with ourselves. So any signing we could get that helps would be greatly appreciated. Secondly, I think the situation with Marseille is such that if he left for free it would create "bad feeling" between the clubs. Which is always best avoided if possible.
1.) 03 Jan 2022 00:32:23
Rangnick said himself midfield is the priority, and another player repeatedly linked is Haidara, maybe because yes he has played for Rangnick but also (supposedly) has a release clause. I agree we shouldn’t be going for players too far down the shopping list, but also hope we’re not just looking at the easier premium names like Rice when we’ve already proved the marquee signings aren’t always the wisest.
{Ed002's Note - Try searching - there is interest.}
2.) 03 Jan 2022 06:53:26
Denis Zakaria will soon be out of contract.
I feel he is perfect for the EPL.
3.) 03 Jan 2022 09:46:07
Id argue with our midfield options of Matic and McFred, even getting our 4th or 5th choice would be an upgrade in that position.
Even a loan deal stop gap signing would be worth pursuing in January to get someone with a half decent first touch and not scared of passing the ball. Even someone like jonjo shelvey would be an upgrade on our current midfield options in terms of passing certainly.
4.) 03 Jan 2022 10:32:40
I’m Assuming that’s tongue in cheek DSG. Shelvey would look out if place in League One. Awful.
5.) 03 Jan 2022 12:14:24
DSG, that's not true though. We didn't sign a midfielder in the summer because we still had Matic, Pogba and Donny on the books.
Therefore signing a sub-par player now just to get someone in could mean we are stuck with that player in the summer and they restrict our ability to sign a top class player then.
Spenno, sometimes the obvious choice (Rice) is obvious for a reason. He would instantly improve our side and is both a top player and someone with potential to get even better. That doesn't mean he should be the player we sign, but I wouldn't be against the club signing him just because he is an "obvious" choice.
TRD, Zakaria looks a bit of a beast. I doubt the physicality of the EPL would be too much for him, in fact I think he'd thrive in it. He reminds me a lot of Patrick Viera, tall, strong, strides forward with the ball but technical and a great passer as well.
Personally I think we need less of a box to box player and more of a holder. Matic is the only natural holding midfielder, McTominay and Fred work better when given the freedom to roam around a bit more.
That's why I feel someone like Rice or Kamara would work better than Zakaria or Haidara.
6.) 03 Jan 2022 13:26:18
We actually can get Zakaria and Kamara combined for probably less than 20 million.
But need to move on Matic, Lingard, Martial, Mata and few others.
7.) 03 Jan 2022 14:40:33
TRD, maybe so but do we NEED both?
Would both be able to settle at the same time?
Typically it's never a good idea to bring in two new players in the same position at the same time. Invariably one succeeds and the other struggles. Case in point when we signed RvN and Forlan at the same time. Both quality players, but it's difficult for two new players in the same position assimilate into the team at the same time.
Football is a team game and the team dynamic is important. Players knowing how the manager wants them to play and be used to those demands. Players knowing their colleagues and knowing when, where and how to pass to them, or where to move to receive the ball etc.
I'd imagine over the next couple of windows we'll see us sign a CDM, a CAM/ winger, a ST, then maybe a RB and maybe a CB depending on departures.
I think we might see a couple of youngsters be added to the first team on a more regular basis. Maybe someone like James Garner, which would give us potentially a second "new" body in midfield.
22 Dec 2021 07:27:40
Looks like Ralf Rangnick isn't letting the grass grow under his feet in finding a replacement for McKenna.
Ewan Sharp looks to be joining the club, another link initially through the Red Bull group, but has also worked with RR at Locomotiv Moscow.
Along with Lense and Armas it looks like Ralf will have a team he knows and trusts, which ultimately is better than expecting him to work with the existing coaches.
With Martyn Pert also leaving with McKenna that leaves more or less just Richard Hartis as goalkeeping coach and Eric Ramsey as set piece coach left from the previous regime within the first team set up. As well as Phelan who according to Ralf doesn't actually coach the players. Although looking back it was obvious that he didn't coach them, no one did.
1.) 22 Dec 2021 09:56:03
Them cones don't put themselves out Shappy.
2.) 22 Dec 2021 12:51:00
Phelan will stick around until the end of his contract.
27 Nov 2021 11:05:23
The EPL is probably the strongest league in the world right now, and I don't see how other leagues in the near future will be able to challenge it.
Look at the managers that have been attracted to the EPL:
Pep, Klopp, Tuchel, Conte, Rangnick, Bielsa, Benitez, Rodgers, Potter and Hasenhuttl, along with young promising up and coming managers like Gerrard, Viera, Lage and Howe.
It's a competitive league and with the money available to sign the best players to play for the best managers it's not surprising to see more British clubs go further in European competitions.
There are no easy games now, and the level of competition means that we will see more and more tougher games against sides we would have traditionally think was an easy win.
That's why in my opinion it's vital that we've brought in someone like Rangnick now, we need to set the club structure and aim for excellence. In the coming years we won't be able to fudge it and still get top four.
1.) 27 Nov 2021 16:24:48
The EPL has the money Shappy.
The best players and managers will follow the money like the seagulls with the trawlers. I hope that the club is finally starting to realise that building a modern club structure is essential to competing in the new EPL era.
2.) 28 Nov 2021 13:19:56
Are we doing a Cantona appreciated thread?
"My best moment? I have a lot of good moments but the one I prefer is when I kicked the hooligan. "
Disclaimer: This post does not endorse violence of any kind, even against hooligans.
3.) 29 Nov 2021 11:59:22
'Probably' the strongest? I doubt it's even close. Think a £2b deal has also recently been struck for US TV rights. We're lucky to have it.
22 Nov 2021 19:33:19
Rumour doing the rounds is that Bruce is high on the list of possible interim managers.
No idea if it has any truth in it, but how would people feel about having Bruce as our manager until the end of the season?
1.) 22 Nov 2021 19:43:42
The right type of appointment if we want to avoid a problem at the end of the season when the interim does too well again!
2.) 22 Nov 2021 19:47:26
Tbf to bruce, he didn't do to bad under the ashley ownership at newcastle
BUT we are not newcastle.
I don't get why this season needs to be written off?
Fa cup is still up for grabs, we are on course to get to the knockouts of the UCL in how long?
And as daft as it spunds we are only 12 off the top. Regardless of current form look what tucel did,
If poch wants to come now instesd of the summer then we should go all out now if he's number 1 choice.
3.) 22 Nov 2021 20:09:20
I have never understood the clamour for Pochettino, what did he win with Spurs? Why would Poch be any better than what we have had since SAF finished, what has Poch won? Easy to win a one team league when you have a billion euro of layers in your squad.
4.) 22 Nov 2021 20:37:57
I agree with Bolger that if the powers that be have decided Poch is the man they may as well contact PSG and see if they can make it happen. I would be surprised if there was any way PSG would entertain it in the middle of the season, but who knows what goes on behind closed doors?
As for Bruce as interim, I am not sure I am bothered really, experienced manager can probably hold things together for 6 months, for me it's all down to getting the next permanent appointment right.
5.) 22 Nov 2021 20:56:46
Stubuggs, while I think there is a legitimate question over Pochettino's ability to breed a "winning" mentality in his team's.
Yet I think it's massively over egged to be honest. Up until he took the PSG job in the middle of last season he hasn't ever been at a club with a history or even the resources to push towards winning things.
Espanol and Southampton are steady mid-table clubs that regularly flirt with relegation and even the occasional stint in the second tier.
Spurs have always been a nearly club, competing in a league where there are at least 3-4 better sides with more resources.
That said he took them to a title challenge and got them to the UCL final. Considering the budget he worked with, the squad he had and the competition he was up against that is very impressive.
There is an argument that maybe he should have won the title the year Leicester surprised everyone, but injuries to key players, a lack of squad depth to cover and a bout of sickness to a large part of the squad during the title run in derailed their chances.
Is Pochettino the right man? Who knows, but he isn't a terrible option and has many of the qualities we need in a manager.
Every manager has potential drawbacks or issues that could stop them being a success. While the current set up at the club is more likely to hinder rather than aid any new manager unless drastic changes are made.
That doesn't mean a manager can't be a success, just that they would need to do so in spite of how the club is run rather than because of how it's run.
6.) 22 Nov 2021 21:03:30
I tend to lean towards preferring the club have someone like Bruce until the end of the season if it means getting the right man in May rather than the wrong man now.
That said maybe Mark Hughes or even Brian Kidd would be better choices as they're football is more entertaining than that of Bruce. Seeing as it's November if we are going to have an interim manager I'd prefer one who plays offensive football over one who plays defensive football. After all there is a lot of football left in this season and I just want to be entertained.
7.) 22 Nov 2021 21:40:29
No ta to Bruce as anything, unless we really want to become a 16th placed team.
I’ve no idea who would want interim of any calibre though.
Perhaps they can get Poch to say he wants to leave PSG and make that happen now.
Woodward wanting Poch puts me off but I actually like Poch and think he’d do well for us style wise, and get us up the table again but as I’ve said Ten Hag for me, Naglesman or Marsch would be good too but looks like the club want Poch.
8.) 22 Nov 2021 22:27:19
Honest if bruce is put in as interim we might as well just give up now. Were man united he's just been sacked by newcastle for being awful why is this even a question if you thought rivals singing oles at the wheel was bad imagine what they say if we appoint bruce. Newcastle forced greame jones on him late last year because his training was awful as were his tactics.
9.) 22 Nov 2021 22:30:26
How about a rotation of ex-United legends until the end of the season. Hughes, Bruce, Kidd, Ince, Neville, Neville, Scholes, Blanc, Robson, Strachan, Robins, Stam, Berg, Forlan, Heinze, Larsson, Rooney. Should be enough for everyone to have a go for a week.
10.) 23 Nov 2021 08:20:04
You missed Fred the Red - apparently he favours 4-3-3-.
11.) 23 Nov 2021 09:50:52
Is this where we're at now lads . people seriously discussing bringing Steve Bruce in as manager until the end of the season.
12.) 23 Nov 2021 10:29:49
If Bruce is the answer I am not sure what the question is. Great player, okay manager but his style is awful. To me it would make no sense and I would sooner just stick it out with Carrick and see what happens.
Either way no one that comes in now as an interim will be the coach going forward unless there is something that drastically happens results wise. I think the club have been burned and will want a clean slate. The only caveat is if one of the managers they want in the summer is now available, but this would not be on a temp contract.
13.) 23 Nov 2021 12:25:51
This thread is incredible.
14.) 23 Nov 2021 17:46:31
He better have a smaller head when he goes to Anfield.
30 Aug 2021 18:56:06
Rumour is that we will get £25m PLUS add-ons for Dan James to move to Leeds.
If that is the case then I think we've pulled their pants down on that one.
His fee before extras would cover all of the Ronaldo fee including the extras.
Effectively we have swapped Dan James for Ronaldo an a few million.
1.) 30 Aug 2021 19:04:04
Good luck to him. Always frustrated me with his decision making but always admired his work ethic. If only all our players with natural talent would work as hard as him.
All the best Dan James.
2.) 30 Aug 2021 19:16:13
Shappy, so now you are happy with the accountants handling Manchester United transfers?
3.) 30 Aug 2021 19:28:34
Personally think we will see the best of James now at Leeds, think he suits their play.
Think this is a good deal all round and hope it is the start of being able to bring a DM in.
4.) 30 Aug 2021 19:49:47
Honestly thought it would be around 16-18 mill. Good luck to him nice lad but not good enough for Utd.
5.) 30 Aug 2021 19:49:09
I think I have said this this before but it's by far the best move for James, he will get to work with an excellent manager who will help improve him, it's the move he should have made instead of coming here originally.
6.) 30 Aug 2021 20:13:47
Nice to see all these compliments to James now after everyone slaughtering him.
7.) 30 Aug 2021 20:20:46
Good deal all round for all parties.
8.) 30 Aug 2021 20:52:51
United Addict, surely common sense demands you look at things in a case by case way.
If the club massively over pay for a player then they should be rightly criticised.
I understand that selling players is slightly different as we tend to sell players who are not good enough for the level we need but are often on inflated wages. Which often means we would need to take lower more realistic fees for the players.
In this case they are selling a player way down the pecking order for a fee greater than we paid for them, and doing so with the minimal fuss.
I like Dan James, he's an honest hard-working lad, I think he's more talented than he is often given credit for. That said I don't think he is good enough to be first choice for a UCL side in the EPL.
Leeds I think will be a good move for him, his hard working and pressing style will fit well with Bielsa. I also think his skillset works better in a team that isn't expected to dominate possession and dictate play. I think he'll get 5-10 goals and 5-10 assists per season playing for Leeds. Which is a solid return.
I wish him the best of luck and hope he had a great career.
9.) 30 Aug 2021 21:51:20
Think everyone has been honest Chris, Dan always comes across well and gave his all but simply his ability is not at the level United require at the moment. Let's see what Biesla cane do with him, hopefully improve his end product.
10.) 31 Aug 2021 02:10:25
I think it’s the few subtle digs at our manager again that I dislike! James will now get to work with a top manager and really improve……. is that the same top manager that has been absolutely thumped twice against our lot you mean! Some people can’t help themselves having a pop at our own club or manager drives me mad! Yesterday it was we’ll probably reward James with a new contract, mediocrity bla bla and now that’s fallen on deaf ears it’s good move to work with bialsa a proper top coach who’ll work wonders with him . 🤣.
11.) 31 Aug 2021 06:21:39
Ole is division 2 manager, unlike you i don't have my head in the sand.
12.) 31 Aug 2021 07:12:42
Football is all about opinions and emotions. People get frustrated with Ole when you see performances like on Sunday, it comes with the territory of being a football manager.
Personally I think he has done very well, improved the playing squad, qualified back to back for the CL, goes on record breaking unbeaten runs, and yet he doesn't seem to be able to get over the final hurdle and win a trophy. The fact everyone is a little unsettled after a few bad performances is a hang-over from the EL final which we really should have won.
This is now a make a break year for Ole, I think he has to win something or like Dan James he would be seen as a nice guy, tried hard but isn't at the level United required.
13.) 31 Aug 2021 07:22:14
Chris
Bielsa plays a different and more entertaining brand of football to Ole. Bielsa is not a negative don’t lose merchant and his style means they are absolutely open to what Ole plays. Dan James will likely be better in a Leeds team that plays that way, instead of a run so far pass inside one. When we bought James we could see that had pace and could run but that isn’t enough if you want to win leagues. Along with James the club are starting to doubt the players Ole has bought, is AWB next given the lack of ability to go forward and the pursuit of Trippier?
Good luck to Dan James at Leeds, will be interesting to see what a good coach like Bielsa does with him, in fact it would be interesting to see what one of the top coaches could do with our team.
14.) 31 Aug 2021 07:28:36
Never have I said Ole is this or that, what I have said is while he’s the manager of my club I’ll support him! Yes I’ll question decisions, get annoyed with decisions he makes like everyone but I’ll also give him credit where and when it’s due!
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
15 Jan 2022 13:02:07
There seems to be a huge focus on signing players to fit RR's style/ formation.
Personally I find this a little odd. Firstly, formations are basic and in no way accurately depict where a player will be for the majority of the game. You don't buy players to fit a formation you pick a formation to get the best out of the players you have or to mitigate the opposition.
Secondly, and fairly obviously RR is unlikely to be our manager next season, which makes signing a player to very specifically fit him seems a little foolish.
Reading between the lines if all goes to plan then Pochettino will be our manager next season. He has typically played a pressing style with similar characteristics to how RR plays. Although he has tended to prefer a 4231 type shape, at least initially to get his ideas across.
Other managers play a 3 at the back system, or 433 or whatever. It would be insanity to sign a player specifically to suit or play in a 4222 shape, as simply that is unlikely to continue.
The club should be looking at where the holes in our current group of players are. Do we have a RB of first team quality who is capable of playing on the overlap? Do we have a holding midfielder who can shield the defence and act as the passing hub of the team?
Those are the two roles I see as being of most importance and roles the ub should be looking at as no matter who comes in they will need players to fulfill those roles.
Positions we probably should be scouting but not making moves for are strikers, wingers, centre backs and keepers. As what kind of player you want for those roles very much depends on how the next manager wants to play.
1.) 15 Jan 2022 15:56:14
Just watched the second half of City Chelsea. Ederson's speed off his line is electric. His save when Lukaku broke through was excellent. Later he was out of the area heading the ball away. He's an integral part of City's total football and it makes all the difference when the team is trying to play a high line. It allows the team to work as a unit to close down everything in midfield confident that there's an alert and engaged goalkeeper to sweep up on the rare occasion a threat arises. So I'd start with replacing de Gea despite his brilliant shot stopping abilities. Far better not to let the other team take any shots. And I don't think we should be hiring a manager who doesn't see it.
I questioned Pep's abilities when he was at Barcelona, thinking that he may just have ridden into town on the work of others, that he's never built a team from the ground up, but his time at City shows he's capable of maintaining an incredibly high level of play wherever he goes. He's probably the best ever. despite the Champions League proving to be elusive. What we should have learnt from the last 10 years is that the "old" United way won't cut it, and, it may be that the players who have been raised up in the United system won't cut it either. It's a system that is way too reliant on individual brilliance rather than taking as its root a team philosophy into which the right talented individuals are slotted.
So, I think we're due a big makeover and no player will be be above the possibility of being superfluous. But, for me, it starts at goalkeeper and moves forward from there.
05 Jan 2022 22:21:55
So it's often suggested that the signing of Ronaldo seemed rushed and out of the blue, more of a reaction signing than part of any bigger picture/ plan.
Some have suggested that his signing was as cynical as to bump up the share price before a sale.
Well today I heard a slightly different angle which is interesting at least.
So the club have blocked the sale of Pogba, both when managers (Jose) and the player himself have pushed for an exit.
Apparently a lot of this is to do with branding, and club image. Pogba was out most marketable player, and the club wanted to keep him for that reason.
The thought process now is that with Pogba walking out on a free next summer, that Ronaldo was signed as a replacement in terms of a marketable face to be the front of the club.
If this has any truth in it then it's further proof about how poorly the club is being run.
1.) 06 Jan 2022 09:38:12
I'd love to know if Solskjaer had any say in the Ronaldo signing, i could guarantee that if Rangnick was in charge since the summer and had the final say on transfers, there's no way he would have sanctioned it.
2.) 06 Jan 2022 10:31:27
I don't think Ole had any say in the Ronaldo signing.
He was brought in and basically Ole was told to find a starting spot for him.
05 Jan 2022 11:58:41
So reports are as many as 11 players want to leave United.
That might go some way to explain the lack of desire and application we are seeing.
It seems Ralf has come in, said a few home truths, demanded that the players actually work hard and suddenly half of them have decided that they don't want to do that.
That ladies and gentlemen is the problem at our club, poor recruitment in signing players with the wrong attitude. Nothing will change until they are gone.
1.) 05 Jan 2022 12:10:23
Attitude, desire, passion comes first.
Without these tactics don't matter.
We saw proper pressing in the Crystal Palace game, after that all the performances have been diabolical.
Players refusing to work hard, cover hard yards should pack their bags asap.
2.) 05 Jan 2022 12:11:31
Desire, workrate, application. 3 traits that should be automatic in a united player, if they don’t have that then they can sod off.
3.) 05 Jan 2022 12:18:39
I agree with you Shappy, Ralf needs to stay and let the lazy ones leave, our structure is the problem here, let Ralf take care of that and assemble his team next summer.
4.) 05 Jan 2022 12:54:53
Great threads today and all of us behind the manager. Great stuff . He is an intelligent man and given license he won’t suffer fools . I trust Ralph to get this sorted . I don’t know why but he oozes class and intelligence.
5.) 05 Jan 2022 13:11:42
The players seem to have all the power at football clubs these days.
I hope he does get things sorted out but in my honest opinion i don't think he stands a chance working with this shower of sh*t.
The club is in a massive hole and we can't seem to climb out of it.
6.) 05 Jan 2022 13:41:57
RR. Is not a succesful coach never has been and does not have a winning pedigree behind him as a coach.
However is is an expert at putting a structure in place.
7.) 05 Jan 2022 14:10:03
100 percent agree with TRD Attitude, desire, passion comes first.
If players want to leave because they don't want to earn there money the right way. adios. and that goes for anyone.
im glad rr has gone is told them how it is and how it should be, if they don't want to work hard they can go.
look at jones been out how long came in and grafted put a shift in and can come off with his head high, regardless of the result if all 11 would have grated and put in a shift i can take a loss
Ken - he will sort the sham created by woodward and his fellow amateurs.
8.) 05 Jan 2022 14:10:08
Ken, for me I think that you have hit the nail. The history of RR appears that he starts as coach inbedding his values, clearing out players and starting to bring in his own ones. They then bring in a subsequent coach with the same ethos as RR to take it on.
This to me suggests that RR could be in place for next season if the right person is not out there whilst we see an evolution of the team both players and style.
Whilst no Champions League next year would be awful as a fan, from a clear out reset point of view I think it would speed up the evolution.
9.) 05 Jan 2022 14:40:18
isnt ten hag contract up in the summer brad?
10.) 05 Jan 2022 14:56:30
Hard work beats talent when talent doesn’t work hard.
11.) 05 Jan 2022 14:58:39
The guy losing the 1 horse race in Holland bolger???.
12.) 05 Jan 2022 15:19:24
do you not rate him ken?
who would your number 1 be?
weve had the experienced, the winners the no ones. who do we get from here?
13.) 05 Jan 2022 15:33:11
Pretty sure EtH's contract runs until the summer of 2023.
He's a top manager, plays a good style and is good at developing players.
Is he the right fit? That depends on what the club want and how they will support him. By all accounts he just prefers to be a head coach and leaves managing off field aspects to Marc Overmars.
If the club want a top class head coach then there are few better than EtH. If they want an old school, do everything yourself manager then he might not be best suited.
Personally I think the club have a thing for Pochettino and if he is available then they will go for him. If not then I can see them sticking with RR for another year then look again at Poch in the summer of 2023.
To be honest that wouldn't be the worst plan. We have a lot of players who need to be turned out and the squad rebuilt. That doesn't tend to endear the players to that manager. Maybe having RR do the dirty work and wipe the slate clean for the next manager could be the best solution for the club.
14.) 05 Jan 2022 15:35:58
Poter is the answer. Let primadonas leave, bring Potter in and him build a team in the next two years. But then he doesn't play gegenpressing.
15.) 05 Jan 2022 15:39:23
I wouldn't go near the place if i was a manager.
16.) 05 Jan 2022 15:48:03
potter? brighton are a decent team but is it a step to big for potter, same was said about howe at bournmouth and look what happend there look at moyes he was decent at everton, united destroyed him untill he went to west ham and has them ticking
im with shappy get ETH let rr do all the off field stuff and go from there.
i would be happy with poch or ETH tbh but the set up above needs to work with RR it would do with either.
17.) 05 Jan 2022 15:49:49
to add, if his contract is up in 2023 i would go with shappy, let RR do the clearing this year and next. implement a set up ready for eth to take over.
18.) 05 Jan 2022 16:48:26
Ruben Amorim- wine the league for first time in 19 years. Done the double. Fastest coach to 50 wins in league history. Last 16 of champions league for first time in 13 years. Loves his teams to press.
{Ed077's Note - what do people make of Christoph Galtier?
19.) 05 Jan 2022 17:10:05
You throw a random name bolger to prove a point. Howe has nothing to do with Potter, 001 told us how overrated he was. He underperformed rather overperformed. Then if you wanted him Because in your eyes was good-thats not problem.
Potter for 2-3 years dominate almost every team and the expected points of his Braighton were close to us. Potter is one of the best out there.
20.) 05 Jan 2022 17:22:08
Rewz, Ruben Amorim has done a stellar job at Sporting. Absolutely amazing.
I wonder if the United job in its current form might be a step a little too far for the likes of Potter and Amorim just now.
Great managers to keep an eye on though.
21.) 05 Jan 2022 17:38:09
A random name to prove a point?
Howe was the next best thing at one point just because ed001 said he was overated does that mean its correct?
He was tge next manager for arsenal at one point, he was a name thrown around here a lot, my point which you have missed is is it a to big of a jump just like moyes whos everton team were doing much better than what brighton are doing, moyes everton were in a much more competafive prem.
But that's besides the point potters brighton haven't finished above 15th in the past 5 seasons they have been in the prem ? so your point above about dominating doesn't make sense.
22.) 05 Jan 2022 18:08:03
In the last 3 years, Ten Hag's Ajax was dumped out of CL group stage twice.
This particular record makes me skeptical on him.
23.) 05 Jan 2022 18:08:55
Good post Shappy. I would like to know how the fans can convey their disapproval to the players. Only way to do that is not to cheer the idiots who don't try when their names are broadcast before the game and boo them at the end if they have not performed.
At some point, the fans need to let the players know that we're not idiots and enough is enough.
I think ten Hag will be excellent choice. But Ruben Amorim is destined for the top. His teams play attractive, high press football and Rangnick as sporting director will have the same ideas as Amorim.
24.) 05 Jan 2022 18:11:32
He wasn't the next big thing. Ok might he was in some people's minds. And even if he was that means nothing. Not every next big thing will prove to be good and not every next big thing will prove to be bad. Yes i think its a random name in this conversation. Every case is different to others and someone failing to his hype has nothing to do with others. Howe was medias darling, Potter is really good.
The funny thing is that maybe it is too big for Potter but is not for Ten Haag from farmer league. It reminds me Oles fans that accused Pochetino of "not winning something".
25.) 05 Jan 2022 18:21:48
Give Ralf the gig until the end of next season, takes away the interim uncertainty . Tell the wasters, whingebags and prima donnas the club are on the managers side and then let him go to work getting rid of the people who aren’t fit to wear the shirt and get some young, hungry players in.
26.) 05 Jan 2022 18:24:07
That was my point to begin with herrera is it to big of a step? Just like with moyes it was to big of a step to take the united job and nearlly ruined him
Eth has champions leuage experience and has won titles and trophies with ajax.
27.) 05 Jan 2022 18:29:59
Spot on bilko, now sky reporting some players are struggling to adapt to his methods and doubt if he's the right man,
Thats because they have been coached by poor coaches for the past 3 years and got away with everything.
28.) 05 Jan 2022 18:32:54
EtH I think would be a good option so long as we look at how he plays and bring in the right ones to suit that from this point forward, does he align with what RR does and how he will want to build i am not sure. EtH wanting to coach and leave the behind the scenes bit to someone else could work well with RR and the hierachy at the club.
Pochettino was my favourite from a while back but I am yet to be convinced that he will suit the way that RR works. I may be wrong and hope I am as the club seem to be keen on him for the post.
I would not be surprised if RR is able to sort out the mess that the club is currently in if there is a slightly left field option, whether that is for next year or the year after. One that is truelly embedded in the way that RR builds and plays. Ever since Sir Alex left the club has drifted and looked for an identity. the so called Utd way and we have failed. We need a change of direction so let's look to the RR way and give him the time and support to do it.
29.) 05 Jan 2022 19:06:20
Agreenwith that brad, ship out the ones that "struggle" to adapt to the managers methods
Get players in that will.
04 Jan 2022 14:39:45
Has To Ronaldo destroyed the team dynamic?
Maybe that is hyperbole, but there has been a clear downturn in player attitude, mentality and application this season.
While under Ole we struggled for quality at times, and tactically he made many mistakes. The one thing that the players for the most part did always apply themselves. They always tried, as shown by the number of comeback wins we got.
Right up until Ronaldo signed.
That seems to be the turning point, I suppose it's difficult to have a team dynamic when there is one player always put above the rest.
Maybe the solution is for Ronaldo to cut short his homecoming, then maybe the club can look toward the future rather than trying to hold onto the past.
1.) 04 Jan 2022 15:51:29
people blaming ronaldo is a load of crap. go look threw all the posts about when he signed now them posts are fickle.
if it wasnt for ronaldos goals we would be out of the UCL and much lower down.
have we forgot about the shocking defending that has cost us points? we seem to have tinted glasses on the issues this season instead look to blame ronaldo because he was made the reason juve were doing crap yet he's still not there and they are just as crap.
saying its ronaldos fault is the easy way out, have we moved on from pogba because he isn't playing?
2.) 04 Jan 2022 16:08:51
The signing did seem to be impromptu, but whilst CR7's pressing and work rate could of course be a whole lot better versus a younger model I think Utd's inability to control games, and constant knack of losing games in the middle of the pitch, points at a lack of top-notch central midfielders. OK, so McTominay got MOM a few games ago, but I think that was more down to a gung-ho battling performance rather than calming things down, keeping possession and spraying pin-point passes about. Worryingly none of the players we are linked with fit this mould, they seem to be the destroyer energetic type.
Players of a certain age who are able to box the midfield are few and far between at this level but Moutinho had us by the short and curlys.
3.) 04 Jan 2022 16:22:27
And how many others scored bolger? Its not about how many goals someone scores but how many the team scores because of him. Greenwood is afraid to take chances and plays away of the box and Bruno can't play like second striker as he used to.
Yes Ronaldo is one of the bog problems. A huge problem as was Zlatan.
4.) 04 Jan 2022 17:55:31
Herrera in that case people like Bruno and Greenwood need to take a look at themselves in the mirror. They need to be questioned on their attitude. Bruno wants to be the bigger name when he has been utter crap for close to a year now. don't even get me started on Rashford.
Shappy, Ronaldo deserves it. Cavani has been injured for god knows how long, Rashford is useless in the strikers position and we cannot rely on Greenwood all the time. there's always someone who gets the preferential treatment, like it was Rashford and AwB and Shaw and Bruno and so many more under Ole.
5.) 04 Jan 2022 18:11:20
Shappy - I think Ronaldo is yet another example of a player that has divided the fan base. For some supporters he can do no wrong, for others he’s well past his best (by his own very high standards) and represents the past not the future. I think it’s fair to say that from an individual point of view he’s scored goals and done ok but he’s unfortunately not made us a better team or had the impact of a Bruno had when he first signed for the Club.
His stature must make him a very difficult person to manage. His reputation dictates he must play every game yet his contribution does not extend beyond scoring goals. We’re a team where our wingers are actually wide forwards. Their principle function under Ole was to cut inside and shoot, not to be creative or service the number 9. Ronaldo needs service or he’s redundant yet beyond Bruno there is no creativity in our side. The team certainly hasn’t changed to service Ronaldo and he’s basically been reduced to feeding off scraps and half chances. It’s understandable that he’s become a frustrated figure and maybe his influence has impacted on the confidence of the likes of Greenwood and Rashford especially. Ronaldo actually looked better when he had Pogba playing from the left who is obviously more creative.
I’m of the opinion that this squad has a group of very talented younger players that just need igniting. I wonder what someone like Ten Hag could do with the likes of Greenwood, Sancho, Rashford, VdB and Bruno etc.
I’d actually like to see a front four of Greenwood, Rashford, Sancho and VdB at No10 with Bruno dropping deeper into the pivot until the midfield issue can be addressed in the summer. Aside from Pogba he’s the only player that can switch the play from midfield or play a through ball which we desperately need. I also think he is more mobile and works much harder than Pogba and could do a good job for the team from a deeper position. Rashford and Sancho need the ball switching wide quicker so they can isolate the full back and run at them. Sancho would also benefit from a player like VdB that can interchange with quick short passes and create space with intelligent movement.
The building blocks are there we just need a manager brave enough to use them. We need to move away from the likes of Mctominay and Matic who generally get selected because of their height and transition to quicker, more agile, technically gifted players that can move with and without the ball.
In terms of this season it would probably benefit the team if we switched to three at the back, put an extra player in midfield and look to service Ronaldo and Cavani with crosses into the box. The problem is Cavani can’t play every week and the other forwards don’t thrive from crosses like Ronaldo. Where that would leave the likes of Rashford, Greenwood and Sancho remains to be seen.
6.) 04 Jan 2022 19:59:45
United Addict they can also blame themselves ofcourse. But bringing Ronaldo made them no favour. Do you remember when our front three outscored Liverpool's? Rashford Meison Martial and then Bruno all scored and assisted, goals from everywhere. We can't do this with Ronaldo, nor with Zlatan. No team have moved forward playing for a player and feeding one player.
7.) 04 Jan 2022 20:28:18
I posted about Ronaldo as well as a few other players but I’ve been related to the discussions page. For what it’s worth, I think it was a sentimental signing when we had far greater needs in other positions. II also think he has been pants for quite a few games now.
8.) 04 Jan 2022 21:17:16
Kind of with Herrera on this.
When Bruno, Rashford, Martial and Greenwood were playing we were actually quite exciting under OGS. He didn’t have a strong enough character to persist
With this. We lacked a Sancho a the time who would have kicked us on.
9.) 04 Jan 2022 19:43:24
Let ronaldo leave and olay rashford and greenwood up front see where thst gets us, rashfords movement and running is shocking he is not a. striker, he is lazy
Greenwood isn't ready yet he is young and has bursts he is no haaland or i would argue your case neither are a cf and cavani is always injuried.
10.) 04 Jan 2022 21:32:02
There is a reason Pep wouldn't touch (i think) him Eric. Ronaldo has to play at the far post in an attacking duo, he doesn't have the acceleration and the fear factor any more nor he has an excellent hold up play. He is not working very hard, he is not very good in possession. The only positive? If you create chances he will score. But what about creating for Greenwood or Kavani? They would also score. I would say even more.
Ronaldo is not that good that you build a team around him. He is our main problem this year and i really can't see what brings to the team except from moaning if you don't pass the ball to him to score a tap in and continue his "legacy"
11.) 04 Jan 2022 21:51:13
The truth is bolger that we have already seen where they can get us. We didn't play good but with their moments (of magic) we were second. We overturned games for fun.
Now we can't have these momentsw of magic because of (less or more) Ronaldo. We have seen how good they can be and mind that outscored Liverpool's front three in 19-20.
I can't believe that some people's love for Ronaldo is so big that can't see that he is damaging our club. Shappy made a similar comment in which i agree: We all have our favourites but we must to do whatever it takes to move forward. One of my favourites for example always was De Gea, if the club with selling him will move forward so be it.
12.) 05 Jan 2022 05:19:59
Even if he's pants he's still scored 14 goals in 21 games. That is still an elite return.
You can talk about our front 3 when they outscored Liverpool, what are they doing now?
Martial has asked to leave so you can't rely on them. Greenwood is still playing and Rashford has been so bad I might even put him out of the 20 man squad.
Even Lukaku scored 28 goals his first season, see him now.
The players are struggling simply because they don't know how to control games
And with bruno's goal return so many of those were penalties, which was a fluke and now they don't happen as much anymore and his diminished goal return.
Matic is now an year older and even slower.
AWB has forgotten to defend and is half of what he was.
Shaw's season just started it looks like
Bayern too rely on Lewandowski's individualistic goals to help them more often than not.
Ronaldo does help in winning corners defensiely.
We played much better than this when martial was a CF yet I don't think martial works Hardee than Ronaldo.
Without Pogba our creativity has struggled no doubt, but why hasn't Donny been played is my question then.
There are 5-6 players that need to be benched and only then we might see some improvement.
13.) 05 Jan 2022 09:39:10
The simple fact is nobody in our squad gets into city or Liverpool’s. That’s how bad our recruitement has been for the last decade. Tactics and team selection is irrelevant. This is a squad of very average, massively overpriced players that we’ll have a job shifting.
14.) 05 Jan 2022 10:16:29
I think Jose said that 3 years ago but the clowns have made it worse.
15.) 05 Jan 2022 11:55:00
Rohanarora, The problem isn't the number of goals he is scoring, or even his individual performances.
he's done alright personally.
The problem is how him just being a part of the squad impacts the team.
Last season we were the second highest scoring team in the league, this season if you double our current total of 30 league goals at the halfway point then we'll score 60 goals, 13 less than last season and an amount that would have seen 7 teams outscore us based on last season's league table.
In the first 10 games of the season we averaged 1.9 goals per game (19 goals in 10 games), in the 9 games since then we have scored 11 with a goals per game rate of 1.2.
The longer Ronaldo is here the less goals we score. It is not just how Ronaldo plays, but how he alters the team dynamic.
30 Dec 2021 19:25:59
Wow interesting line up.
DDG, AWB, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Matic, Greenwood, Sancho, Cavani, Ronaldo.
So Dalot, Telles, Fred and Rashford dropped, with Varane and Bruno dropping out due to injury/ suspension.
I wonder if Matic, Cavani and Ronaldo have the legs to do the running for the whole 90 minutes that RR would want.
Will be interesting to see how Shaw and AWB show in this new system.
What is happening with Donny, what does he need to do to get a chance. First Ole now Ralf don't seem to be convinced he is the right fit for the team.
1.) 30 Dec 2021 23:37:15
Donny is a goner.
2.) 31 Dec 2021 09:41:19
I think so Eric.
{Ed014's Note - is this something us Ed’s can look forward to in 2022 Shappy, you being concise and to the point in just 4 words! ??
3.) 31 Dec 2021 10:57:38
Quite interesting to see who we will get in midfield. Donny and Pogba will be gone, as will Matic and Lingard.
Think we need 2 in and hopefully Garner can step up?
19 Jan 2022 08:37:35
PSG is probably a good fit for him. He can half arse it and play the Hollywood balls and still win the league. While PSG will no doubt want an "important" french player to replace Mbappe as the face of the Paris based club.
17 Jan 2022 10:20:14
Bolger, I think Henderson will suprise a few when he leaves. Spurs are interested as a replacement for Lloris, while Chelsea have had an interest in the past, not sure if they would still be. I'd expect it would depend on them finding a buyer for Kepa.
16 Jan 2022 12:36:44
You don't sign players for 6 months, you sign them for 4-5 years typically.
It makes no sense signing a player to specifically fit a temporary manager. If a signing of a long term target or a player who can and will be part of the long term thinking is available then I suspect the club will move for them. Otherwise not.
15 Jan 2022 23:52:24
Bolger, what are you on about Keepers being easy to replace. I can only assume you are too young to remember taking nearly a decade to replace Schmeichel.
Van Der Gouw, Barthez, Ricardo, Bosnich, Howard, Carroll, Foster.
All tried before VDS came in.
While Henderson may or may not be the answer let's not pretend that keepers are easy to replace.
14 Jan 2022 16:27:41
MAZE, since you've been away it appears you've forgotten how to read. I said:
"Time to move on, especially IF we want to move to a more modern style where the keeper plays out from the back or acts as a sweeper. "
IF, as in implying that there is no certainty that the club actually wants to do that.
19 Jan 2022 13:52:11
Spenno, I doubt we'd be able to tempt him as well. It's questionable whether we'll even be a UCL side next season. While Rudiger will have offers from Spain, Italy, Germany and France as well as possibly other options beyond Chelsea in the EPL.
But it certainly doesn't hurt having a go for him, you never know what might happen.
19 Jan 2022 13:50:19
Maze, while I agree these players aren't technically "free" due to the signing on fees.
You miss the point that they tend to be far cheaper than signing players who have a contract at another club.
While we might not be in for Mbappe this summer, it's fairly obvious that if he had 2 years left on his contract he would cost upwards of 100m, possibly close to 200m. I mean PSG paid €180 for him, I don't think his value has dropped at all since then.
While Real Madrid will pay his agent a hefty fee, and his wages would be higher due to the signing on fee. The reality is if you wanted to buy him you'd still be paying a hefty agents fee and high wages. I doubt the additional wages and agents fees come close to what his transfer fee would have been.
Therefore signing players on Bosman deals is much cheaper and a sensible route to consider if you need/ want to make multiple signings to rebuild a squad.
Mazraoui is a good option, you could argue that we shouldn't sign Lamptey, Reece James or TAA from EPL teams because look how AWB turned out. It's a frankly ridiculous arguement.
Many great players past and present started their careers in the Eredivisie, including former United greats such as Stam, RvN, VDS and RvP.
Some signings work, others don't. You can't apply sweeping generalisations from them as it misses out all context and the nuances that impact every signing.
19 Jan 2022 10:43:55
Tim, Mazraoui is an obvious target at RB. Great technique, hard working and good nothing going forward and defending. Plus he's available on a free transfer. He's 24, 25 in November so is a great age, and should just be approaching his peak and would enable Laird a couple of years as understudy without pressure.
As for CB, I'd be tempted to go and try and get Rudiger on a free also. While he is probably at his best in a back three he is still much better than what we have bar Varane. Saying that I think he'd work well with Varane, knows the league and is a leader. Also at 29 will offer a top class player for a few years so as to not totally block Mengi's path into the first team.
Midfield I really like Boubacar Kamara, he's a similar player to Declan Rice but available at a fraction of the cost, maybe free in the summer.
18 Jan 2022 14:18:06
Red Man, I share your concerns that Fletcher is just too close to Sir Alex and seems to be his ears on the ground. I could be completely wrong, but that is the impression I get.
Its not helped when you see images in the media of Sir Alex out having lunch with Michael Carrick. That might be completely innocent, maybe Carrick is asking Sir Alex's advice on a job offer he has. But it just further highlights that Sir Alex's fingerprints are still all over the club, which will make it hard for any manager coming in to stamp their authority.
Can RR drop Ronaldo without him running to his "father in football", what authority does Sir Alex have over RR? In either an official or unofficial capacity.
Pochettino is the firm favourite for to he the next full time manager. A man Sir Alex has a close relationship with, a man who he has met to discuss aspects of football. Pochettino may or may not be a good choice, yet if the man driving the interest in Pochettino is Sir Alex then where does that leave us?
17 Jan 2022 13:37:24
Bolger, in both the 4231 under Ole and the 4222 under RR Matic, Fred and McTominay have played in the CDM roles.
You then clearly say "all 3 are nowhere near good enough for a team wanting to be in the UCL".
Which is pretty categorical from you that you don't think we have any players capable of playing in the CDM role that is good enough.
You then rightly go on to say that Matic is the only natural CDM we have, and that McTominay and Fred better suit a box to box role.
Further highlighting the need for a new CDM who is an expert in such a role and who has the legs to take over from Matic.
Fred is a box to box player, his positioning is terrible, but his speed and defensive work is great. You don't want him on the ball too often. His best role is being given the freedom to charge around and win the ball back all over midfield then to play a short pass quickly once he had one it.
For me we look at our best for the first 45-60 minutes when Matic plays. But he doesn't have the stamina anymore to last longer than that. Yet while he is on the pitch and not exhausted we look far more balanced and in control, with less of a threat of being countered.
That for me is why we need a new CDM.