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12 Aug 2024 21:24:10
Sander Berge left out of Burnley's squad for their first game of the season this evening.
Seems to suggest that there is something in the rumours of him leaving. Will it be to ourselves, or to someone else?
1.) 12 Aug 2024 22:06:16
He’s also missed most of pre season with the same injury that kept him out of tonight. Nice try Shappy!
2.) 13 Aug 2024 07:53:27
Romanoesque!
3.) 13 Aug 2024 08:58:48
Be a shame to not keep the trend of signing injury prone players going!
4.) 13 Aug 2024 11:45:59
Wazza, where did you hear he is injured, I've scoured the internet and not found any mention of him being injured. The Burnley manager didn't mention him as being out injured.
5.) 13 Aug 2024 12:47:50
He has not played any pre season due to injury so was not considered last night and it was reported at the match last night that he was left out due to that reasoning.
6.) 13 Aug 2024 12:50:09
Shappy, Parker said so, and confirmed it's what has kept him out of some pre-season fixtures.
You can't have Googled too long as it's the first thing that comes up when searching Sander Berge injury.
"He picked up an injury in Spain. He had a bit of discomfort in his quad. It's not a big injury, it's quite a small injury to be honest with you. "
Nice clickbait though!
7.) 13 Aug 2024 13:33:59
Wazza to be fair I searched last night and that article you've quoted was published at midday today, 15 minutes AFTER I posted saying I hadn't seen anything to say he was injured.
From what I read he was expected to be in the squad and wasn't, which seemed suspicious. As it was he is injured, so that's that then.
12 Jul 2024 18:16:32
Sancho back at the club and training with the first team.
Apparently talks between Sancho and EtH have taken place and they've agreed to draw a line under the situation.
He will now be available to take part in pre-season games.
Is this a case that Sancho has realised his options weren't as good as he thought?
Or is this the player and the club doing what is needed to push up the offers to facilitate his move away.
I guess we'll see what happens over the next couple of months.
1.) 12 Jul 2024 19:28:08
If true, my opinion of ETH has gone up a little. Sancho still has a long way to go.
2.) 12 Jul 2024 19:55:26
Or sancho has realised this board ain’t getting rid of another manager for players and he’s having to knuckle down
Still hope he’s gone tho.
3.) 12 Jul 2024 20:02:32
2 adults in a room, having a chat.
It's surely a bit of both, no offers and ETH drawing a line, giving a clean slate to align with the current mood of the club. Everything is new.
I hope he can put his head down and make the best of his second chance at the club.
4.) 12 Jul 2024 20:08:07
Hopefully just the club strengthening their position, and Sancho isn’t smart enough to be any the wiser.
5.) 12 Jul 2024 21:17:13
Well this is interesting. People can and do have the right to change their minds. He’s better than Antony who Ed said was available for transfer, and with Greenwood on the way out and likely Pellestri too, makes sense for him and Amad to compete.
Plus he can play 10. Why not let bygones be bygones. If he wants to come back and show the form he shows in Dortimund then awesome for both parties.
6.) 12 Jul 2024 21:41:06
I’m in the get rid camp. Glad they’ve come to an amicable cease fire, but a Leopard doesn’t change its spots and he’s still the petulant kid that fell out with the boss in the first place.
7.) 12 Jul 2024 23:45:46
I would suspect that the big boys “suggested” that ETH needed to sort it out between them both as well as Sancho realising he was damaging his chances.
I am also in the out basket.
8.) 13 Jul 2024 06:24:10
I don't really care about the detail of what has happened and him being back and no issues with it. The realty is he has been poor for us even before the spat under previous managers barring the odd game and not sure he can cut it at united and hence selling him would be ideal.
9.) 13 Jul 2024 06:54:52
Agreed Ahmad.
Beyond what happened, he’s not very good and needs to be moved on.
The laziness and ego are part of his personality, people don’t change.
10.) 13 Jul 2024 07:10:46
As Ahmad said he has been at the club three years now, hasn't set the world alight has he?
Maybe the wages are putting people off, clearly he has the ability and mentality as we saw at Dortmund, unfortunately the consistency might never be there and he is destined to sit the last few years of his contract out at United.
I guess this doesn't help our PSR and getting some of the big wage earners out.
{Ed001's Note - when was this fabled Sancho ability shown at Dortmund? If people had actually watched him play, instead of reading his PR bull, they would have known he was terrible there except when coming on very late as a sub. Even then, it was more down to rank amateur defending that he got decent stats. He is so far up his own backside that he can lick his own tonsils and will not achieve anything until he grows up.}
11.) 13 Jul 2024 09:20:52
Absolutely spot on Ed001. People saw highlights of that game against PSG and couldn’t see past it. He was no good for Dortmund, couldn’t hold down a starting place, and his G&A numbers were as poor there as they’ve been for us. That’s without mentioning his attitude and mentality.
The last headline I read started “England International Jadon Sancho…”. PR nonsense.
12.) 13 Jul 2024 09:44:51
I will still be surprised to see Sanchi still with the club once the window shuts.
However this allows for him to show what he can do in pre season, see whether he can reintegrate with the new coaching structure.
Would not be surprised if he still moves late in the window.
13.) 13 Jul 2024 10:11:47
We dropped a bomb buying him, and now we are paying for it, no one will pay the money we want or the wages either so to get rid we are still going to end up subsidising his wages.
Not surprised they made up, there wasn't really a choice, it doesn't look good on Sancho but neither does it on United. I rather suspect that's all parties are working together to find a solution that will involve him playing elsewhere next year.
14.) 13 Jul 2024 10:19:39
Absolutely bang on the money Ed001. Bang on it. Get rid asap.
15.) 13 Jul 2024 21:34:15
Get rid. Bad attitude and not good enough anyway. Not worth the hassle.
16.) 14 Jul 2024 07:25:17
Ed 1 is totally correct here. It’s total PR spin, because even though I know he’s not a great player, and all my Cory fan mates say the same, my mind still thinks he should get a (yet another) chance. It’s brainwashing. He’s done nothing positive of note since he joined the club, and Italian and German leagues are far more suitable for him than the rigours of the Premier League.
Being him back, get him training and fit, sell him for maximum value. Smart move by the club.
If he does stay, he now has to win back over the fans too who frankly want rid.
03 Dec 2023 12:53:13
Heard a rumour today that United and Barcelona are exploring the possibility of swapping Sancho and Raphinha initially on loan, but with a possible view to it becoming a permanent deal if it works out.
If there is any truth to this then I think its a possible deal that could work out for all parties.
United and Sancho need to part ways, while Sancho probably doesn't want to take a step down/ backwards.
United really need someone who can lock down the RW spot, and Raphinha was one of the best RW players while at Leeds.
Unfortunately for him it seems Xavi doesn't quite rate him, despite him playing well when called upon.
Stylistically I tend to think that Sancho does fit better in a side like Barcelona and Raphinha in a side like United.
I'd be pretty happy if the club managed to pull something like this off, what is everyone else's view?
1.) 03 Dec 2023 15:28:02
I mean I’d be delighted if we can pull that off. But I can’t see it.
2.) 03 Dec 2023 21:44:52
Sounds like a computer game transfer to me.
3.) 03 Dec 2023 21:52:43
Would rip your arm off for that deal but it’s all pie in the sky.
4.) 05 Dec 2023 01:58:03
We could do with new negotiators, or they might come back from Spain with a bunch of Rapini.
5.) 05 Dec 2023 09:07:03
Shappy
Wishful thinking. Why would Barcelona do that. He will end up somewhere in Italy as that's generally the league players end up when they don't work out in PL. He is not good enough for any of the top 3/ 4 teams in Spain and unaffordable for any in the next tier.
Its one of those players who will be hard to shift unless we take a bath on the transfer.
6.) 05 Dec 2023 21:09:51
Rumours today it’s Rashford ??♂️.
7.) 09 Dec 2023 20:22:57
I’d be happy if Rashford went tbh along with Sancho. The pair of ‘em aren’t bad players, as long as they get their own way. We aren’t currently in a place where we can carry talented babies though, so I’d get radical and get rid of the pair.
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.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
02 Dec 2024 07:39:08
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Impressed with the progress of Manchester United
01 Dec 2024 13:25:35
Shappy has written an article entitled, Impressed with the progress of Manchester United
30 Nov 2024 11:13:16
Shappy has written an article entitled, Players suited to the new Manchester United team
24 Nov 2024 11:19:47
I'm really looking forward to the game later. I'm not expecting a phenomenal performance, Ipswich despite their position are a well drilled side that don't make it easy for teams, especially at home.
In their last game they beat Spurs away, the same Spurs that put 4 past City yesterday.
They also have a manager in McKenna who both knows our club and our players very well, and will have extra motivation to beat us.
All while we are trying to get to grips with a new manager, a new system, and with several players recently coming back from injury or still unavailable. All with only three training sessions (2 for those who were away for their national teams) to prepare and get ready for the game.
None of Amorim's analysts will have been able to watch Ipswich games live and will be relying on video clips to prepare a plan on how they will play and what we can do to counter it.
I wouldn't be surprised if we drew or even lost the game. I'm hoping that the buzz of a new manager will lift our players enough to carry us through the next couple of games while they start to get to grips with the new tactics. I'd certainly be more confident if this was a home game and we had the Old Trafford crowd to help carry us along.
Yet I'm excited to see the new and very charasmatic manager on the side line, the new shape/ tactics start to be implemented, and hopefully players with more motivation and impetus.
All I want to see is the signs of change, effort and an attempt at something different. The shoots of new growth and hope.
I'm buzzing to see what will happen, and it's nice to feel excited for game day again.
16 Nov 2024 11:02:50
Having been here since it was just Football-Rumours I've seen many changes on these pages. Posters come and posters go, some reincarnated under new pseudonyms, and some never to be seen again. I've seen (and more than contributed) to the many epic debates. We've seen posters disagree and sometimes even fall out. Yet through it all we have always been a community.
Sadly we have lost a big part of that community in Ed002. His knowledge was unrivalled, and his wit sharp. He will be missed by all of us, and the site is a poorer place in his absence.
I would like to pass on my sincerest condolences to his family and friends.
The man, the myth, the legend, Ed002, rest in peace old friend.
1.) 16 Nov 2024 14:54:31
Picked your post as you’re often on our site Shappy.
Absolutely crushed to learn of Ed002’s untimely passing. We’ll never see anyone else called a glifrnard or see RTFP posted with such venom.
Moments like this go beyond tribal rivalries and bring our little corner of the football community together.
Gone but never forgotten Ed002.
RIP, RTFP and YNWA.
2.) 16 Nov 2024 18:30:32
Is it possible to let us know how he had such good information. Don't want to compromise his identity just what sort of position / contacts he had within the football world. He really was an irreplaceable font of information and yes he was acerbic at times but all of us appreciated and I think respected his input
.
{Ed001's Note - he just had lots of contacts in the right places. It is no secret, for example, that Mrs S #2 was the person responsible for negotiating transfers for Olympique Marseille.}
3.) 17 Nov 2024 03:00:49
Ty for the reply.
09 Nov 2024 10:01:34
Shaw being fit is like a solar eclipse, temporary.
No doubt he will get fit again at some point, but he'll end up injured again soon enough. He's also likely to pick up more injuries and take longer to recover as he gets older.
Unfortunately given his wages and injury history it's unlikely that anyone will be prepared to take him off our hands. Which means he's likely to be here until his contract expires in the summer of 2027.
We will have to bite the bullet with him and buy a replacement for the first team, while keeping him as an incredibly expensive squad option.
I don't think he suits playing the wingback role that Amorim uses as it's very physically demanding. Amorim also tends to value attacking output over defensive solidity in those positions.
I've said previously that Shaw might need to become a CB as he ages to prolong his career as fullback is probably the most physically demanding position currently in football, and his body increasingly doesn't look up to the demands.
In that respect a back three system is probably ideal for him as it allows him to play as one of the wider centre backs which is sort of a half way house position between being a CB and a fullback. It'd be much easier for him to adjust to that position.
Amorim has also has previous for playing fullbacks in those wider CB positions.
Maybe he can be back up or competition for Martinez at LCB. Although given Martinez's own recent issues with injuries I'd be slightly concerned about having potentially two players for that position who are both injury concerns.
To be honest the more interesting news is that Malacia is now back and will potentially soon be available.
Maybe I'm paranoid, or maybe it's my Spidey senses tingling but something just doesn't seem quite right about Malacia's injuries.
The club have been fairly tight lipped over his injuries, when they aren't with others. He's now been out over 18 months with a knee injury. Luke Shaw snapped his ankle and wasn't out for that long. Other players with ACL injuries are back within 6 to 8 months nowadays.
He showed some promise before the injury, whether he can get back to that level again after such a long lay off remains to be seen. I'm also not sure about his suitability to be a wingback. From what I remember he was solid at defending, very good on the ball and inverting into midfield but wasn't a rapid overlapping attacking fullback. While unlike Shaw he doesn't have the physical frame to become a CB. I'm not sure he has a natural position in the 343 shape.
He might need to go on loan next year to play regularly and get the number of minutes he will need to get back up to speed after such a long lay off. Although his contract expires in 2026, which would mean letting him go for free, or extending his deal. Maybe the best option is buy a new LWB in January and loan Malacia out then until the end of the season to try and prove his fitness and attract buyers. Then maybe sell him for something next summer.
Our LB/ LWB situation really is an absolute mess. Shaw and Malacia who neither look ideally suited to playing LWB, neither can be relied on to be fit, and neither can realistically be sold. Young Amass who is highly rated, but isn't quite ready yet, and we sold Alvaro Fernandez who is doing a great job at Benfica.
We need to buy at least one LWB/ LB at a bare minimum. Depending on how soon Amass will be ready and whether he can deliver on his potential; we might well need two new players in that position.
I think for that reason we absolutely have to go big and buy the absolute best option available next summer, or in January if they are available.
For me that's Rayan Aït-Nouri, as simply put I don't believe we can get Alphonso Davies. Players like Grimaldo at Leverkusen and Nuno Mendes at PSG are other great options who have also played as wingbacks before. But again both are probably out of reach for us.
Other good and available options would be Antonee Robinson at Fulham, Alfie Doughty at Luton and Milos Kerkez at Bournemouth all look really good EPL proven options. While Miguel Gutierrez and Bradley Locko look the most suited young up and coming options who are unproven in the EPL.
I'm not a fan of Tyrick Mitchell as an option as he seems far too defensive and lacking on the ball quality for me. He'd be fine on a free as a back up option maybe, but is nowhere near the level we need for the first 11.
Of those that we could probably sign Aït-Nouri and Doughty are the ones who have excelled when playing as a wingback in the EPL with a back three. Which should probably put them higher on the list of options. Ideally we should be looking for a player who has shown top class potential/ ability when playing in the role we want them to play for us. Antonee Robinson I think could easily adapt as he started his career as a winger, he's also a nice age profile (27) if the club has real faith in Harry Amass becoming a top class player. He'd be able to hold down the position for the next few years until Amass (who'd only be 20 at that time) could start to take over.
However, given Aït-Nouri's form, potential, suitability as a wingback and proven in that role, age (23) and EPL proven status he just seems like the ideal choice above all others available.
05 Nov 2024 18:53:11
Spenno have you seen it? It was actually pretty bad. Insistent and entitled, and the reporter came across like a bell end.
I thought Amorim handled it well, and came across classy and unruffled.
The reporter has previous for trying to harass managers.
He did a similar thing with EtH while he was still Ajax manager but was agreed to join United. He chased him and tried sticking a microphone in his face, demanding he answer questions about Manchester United while he was preparing for a game with Ajax.
He's a clown and should be banned from all future press conferences.
03 Nov 2024 10:00:03
Amorim had said in a press conference that he will not look to sign any Sporting players in the January transfer window.
He seems like a man of his word, so any media outlet linking us to Sporting players in January are almost certainly talking out their rear end.
I'll be honest there are probably only a 4 or 5 players that might be worth getting from Sporting. Players like Inacio, Diomande, Debast or Quaresma obviously know the system and we will need at least one CB.
We've been linked with Hjulmand in the past (last summer), but if I'm honest I don't see us going for him after we've signed Ugarte. He isn't quite the profile of midfielder we need in my opinion, and he'll cost a premium.
Gyökeres is probably the big one that'll be linked. Mostly because we lack goals and strikers are sexy players to link clubs with and articles linking strikers get the most clicks. Yet I cannot see a world where we go for him. Not after spending 100m on Højlund and Zirkzee in the last two windows and when you consider that Gyökeres will cost a bare minimum 80m but more than likely north of 100m. I can't see us blowing 50-70% of our summer budget on a player for a position that we have good options in. Not when there are other areas of greater need.
Marcus Edwards will probably be linked, especially as he's English. I'm not sure he's at the level we need and we probably have enough options in the wide forward positions for Amorim to try and get something out of them. Players like Bruno, Mount, Amad, Garnacho and Rashford. Even Zirkzee could play in one of those positions. While we have some interesting youth players coming through like Shea Lacey, Jack Fletcher, Amir Ibragimov, Bendito Mantato, Ethan Williams and Samuel Lusale who could all end up playing in those roles and might offer some more depth. So I don't see us needing to sign a player in this position.
The final one I could see us maybe looking at is Geovany Quenda the 17 year old right wingback that has broken through this season. He fits the profile of player the club are looking at under the new ownership. But with us having both Dalot and Mazraoui at the club I think if we were to look at Quenda it would be in 2-3 years. Let him get a few seasons under his belt, see how he develops and then if we need a new RWB look to bring him in when he's still very young at 20 or 21.
Overall I doubt we'll go for Gyökeres or Hjulmand, as both would be expensive and while they are probably amongst Sporting 3 or 4 best players neither are profile of player that is of greatest need.
Quenda is someone who I expect we'll keep an eye on over the next couple of seasons, but not someone to pursue right now.
Really just leaving one of the CB's who could be a realistic target as they are all good enough, know the manager and the system, play in a position of need and fit the clubs profile of transfer targets. Also if Sporting's new manager moves away from the 343 shape then Sporting could probably afford to sell at least one of their CB's without it really hurting their squad.
One of Inacio, Diomande, Debast or Quaresma are the most likely possible signing we could look to get from Sporting next summer.
Although with the new structure at the club, of actual football experts
in key management positions, I doubt we'll see the club pursue former players of he current manager as a transfer strategy moving forward.
02 Nov 2024 09:51:52
Mainoo stagnated under EtH ???
Surely you're trolling?
He didn't start playing for us until January, how on earth are you saying a 19 year old with less than half a season of senior football under his belt has "stagnated"?
As for the rest, MdL has looked good, he's not the fastest, but he's not slow. His pace is around average for a CB. I was one of the more skeptical fans when he signed, but so far I haven't seen anything that justified my skepticism.
Martinez hasn't gone backwards, he just hasn't got up to full speed after having a bad injury, then having a set back during recovery, then picking up a new injury shortly after coming back from the original injury.
Yoro is a highly rated player, he looked good during pre-season. Granted that was only pre-season. He was also excellent in Ligue 1 last season.
Garnacho has great potential and is currently our most consistent goal contributor this season with 5 goals and 4 assists. Yes he can be wasteful, pretty much all 19 year old forwards are. They are still learning.
Bruno and Rashford it's just not up for debate, over the past 5 years they have not only been our most consistent attacking players. But their numbers put them amongst the top ten players in the league over that time.
I'm not sure what you expect from Højlund. He's had one season where we were injury riddled and awful, hardly creating any chances. He was in and out of the team due to his own injuries and was trying to settle in a new country and league. Despite that his chances conversation rate was 56%. For context elite strikers such as Kane typically have a chance conversation rate of around 25% (Kane's last season was 26%) . The reason he didn't score more goals was that he was averaging 1.1 shots per game, Kane on the other hand was averaging 4.6 shots per game last season.
It's unlikely that he'd be able to, but if he maintained that conversation rate and was being provided with 4+ chances a game then he'd be scoring twice as many goals as Kane. If his conversation rate dropped by HALF and he was being provided with 4 chances a game then he'd be matching Kane's scoring levels.
Yet you don't think there's a player there. Sure he's 21 years old and his form will dip and peak over the next few seasons. But if we can start regularly creating 3-4 good chances a game for him then we potentially have one of the best young forwards in Europe in our squad.
30 Oct 2024 11:58:41
I'm not sure much can be drawn from this. Firstly it's just speculation, there's no evidence for what has been said.
Secondly when a manager leaves there are always rumours about some being happy and others unhappy. Normally the players who were doing well or at least regularly playing tend to thank the departing manager, while those who weren't playing or struggling for form tend to feel a little happier as they hope things will improve under the new manager and it's easier to blame their poor form on the outgoing manager.
Ultimately it doesn't matter what happend or how players felt under the last manager, it's all about how they do under the next guy.
01 Dec 2024 11:40:41
Dodgy, Bruno is a player who is very well liked by all his coaches/ managers. As fans yes his antics on the pitch can be a little annoying/ embarrassing at times, as well as his tendency to give the ball away too often (although to be honest I blame the other attackers for that more than Bruno, they just aren't on his level and don't make the right movements. He often plays the right ball, but no one has made the run to be there) .
Yet he's hardly ever injured, works incredibly hard trains incredibly well, is well liked and respected by his team, and has a great record in a very average United team for goals and assists.
He isn't the kind of player a new manager will want to alienate.
The tricky thing for Amorim is how he fits him in his team, as while he's a good player he has a few flaws that make him less than ideal for many of the roles in Amorim's system.
For example as one of the attacking midfielders his tendency to press individually and not as part of a pressing structure opens up gaps and means teams always have a way to play through the first line of pressure. While his tendancy to drift into different pockets of space can be very useful in an attacking sense, but completely breaks down our defensive shape and leaves us vulnerable to a quick transition if we lose the ball.
While many of those issues also exist if he plays as one of the midfield pivot. He can leave even more dangerous gaps when he presses unsuccessfully or drifts into space. Yet the trade off is that he has a better vision of what's in front of him when deeper and that tends to lead to better choices in passing options.
I actually think he might be better suited to playing in the pivot in this system as it relies heavily on the front line pressing successfully as a unit and being more patience with the ball in attack to work openings and not needlessly give the ball away. While this system allows one of the pivot players to move forward when in possession with the central CB stepping up into midfield to keep the pivot. That suits his game where he likes to drift into pockets of space to receive the ball. This movement is good for getting an extra man forward into space often unmarked enabling overloads.
While Bruno has always had excellent work rate and energy which is also key for the midfield in this system. All that needs to be coached into his game is to press within the team structure. Something that shouldn't be too difficult for Amorim and his team to do.
I can see Bruno and Mainoo being the two options for the midfielder tasked with progressing the ball. Which is ideal as Mainoo shouldn't be heavily relied on yet, and Bruno is 30 now won't be a long term barrier for Mainoo. Maybe this season Bruno will be first choice with Mainoo working on the training ground and coming in for some games and later on in matches. Then next season it's more of a 50/ 50 shared role (with Bruno being 31 and Mainoo 20), then the following season Mainoo takes over and Bruno becomes the back up/ rotation option) .
Ugarte will be first choice as the ball winner in the pivot, but we will need to find a reliable back up/ rotation option.
As for the youngsters, I don't think we will see many given a chance before Christmas. I imagine the manager will want to both see what the senior players can do, but also make sure his system and ideas are well bedded into the team before asking a youngster to step into the line up.
Amorim has shown he is very good at giving youth a chance ans developing players. But to enable youth to flourish you first need to create the right environment for them. It's a massive step up from academy level to senior football, those youth players need to be able to focus on themselves and their game as they make their way into the first team. It's too much to expect them to do that and carry some of the burden of settling into new tactics and shape as a team. They need to have the players around them comfortable in what should and shouldn't be happening and who needs to be where and when so they can guide those youngsters as they come into the team.
I've fully faith in the manager to get this right, he has done an excellent job with this previously.
01 Dec 2024 11:15:50
Mad Hatter, we are a third of the way through this season, and Martinez hasn't yet recaptured his pre-injury form from 16 months ago.
That has to be a concern, whatever the reason behind it.
Then when we consider how he fits the new managers tactics/ system we find that he isn't an ideal fit (even if he still has many good qualities) .
The central CB is the one who steps into midfield, but they also need to be aerially dominant as they are the only CB who is always defending the central space. While Martinez suits being the ball playing CB who steps into midfield, he isn't aerially dominant. Which could leave us exposed to high balls if he played in the middle of the back three.
The wide CB's have tended to play more as sweepers, they need to be good on the ball, press resistant, mobile and quick so they can move out wide and defend in the channels. They need to be good 1v1 defenders who don't tend to dive in but stay on their feet and hold up the attacker. While Martinez is great on the ball and is press resistant, he isn't particularly quick or mobile, and he's an aggressive player who has a tendency to dive in to win the ball. Maybe he does that because he doesn't want to stay on his feet and enter a foot race with opposition players as he knows he'll likely lose it.
On the ball I think Martinez is well suited to play either central CB or LCB for Amorim. Off the ball he lacks the aerial ability to play centrally and the pace and mobility to play LCB.
He's far from a bad player, yet as we saw against Bobo/ Glimt his tendency to try and jump out to win the ball can leave space behind and he doesn't have the recovery pace to get back into position. That left Malacia (who is severally short on fitness and form due to the long time he has been out) to try and keep up with the oppositions quickest player as he drove into the space leading to a goal conceded. That space is where Martinez should have been.
Hopefully he has the ability to adapt his game and learn the role he needs to play in this system.
While that might mitigate his weaknesses a little, they will still be there and can be exploited by the opposition. The issues he has are physical things that he can't really do much about. He can't make himself a more athletic player capable of keeping up with the quickest players. Nor can he make himself any more aerially dominant than he is now, if he was to play as the central CB.
I don't think that means he should be sold as soon as possible. But it does raise the question of his long term suitability to play this system.
Someone like Branthwaite for example who is good on the ball (although not at Martinez's level) but also stronger and quicker, is comfortable defending in the channels looks a much more natural fit for how Amorim has tended to play. While the thing that Branthwaite needs to work on (his passing choices and quality) are things that can be coached and improved on as opposed to Martinez's physical deficiencies that can't really be significantly altered.
I can see a situation where if we were to sign Branthwaite then he will force Martinez out of the line up over time. A back three of Yoro, MdL and Branthwaite looks far more suited to an Amorim system than a back three of Yoro, MdL and Martinez.
We also have the young Godwill Kukonki who is left footed and highly thought of. He might start to really push into the first team squad in 2-3 years time. At which point you'd expect a player like Martinez to be the one to make way for him.
30 Nov 2024 10:45:00
Danny, I think Zirkzee made sense in the summer if we were sticking with EtH. I also think in a 4231/ 433 shape he is a better fit in our first team than Højlund to play with players like Rashford, Antony and Garnacho in the wide positions as his tendency to play as a false 9 and drop deep to link the play actually creates more space for the wide players to run into, while he has the ability to find them with through balls or little give and goes.
If the intention is to have a side similar to that Liverpool side that won the league with Salah and Mane both scoring ridiculous numbers then someone like Zirkzee who can play a similar role to what Firmino did makes a lot of sense.
The issue is that EtH has been sacked before Zirkzee had a chance to settle and the new manager has a very clear role for his striker and Zirkzee doesn't suit it.
In Amorim's 343 shape the wide forwards play much more narrow, it's more of a 3421 shape, which means there is no space for the CF to drop deep as he'll just be getting in the way of the attacking midfielders.
That negates the best part of Zirkzee's game, he's not a channel running striker, he isn't prolific or clinical in front of goal, he also isn't able to play as a target man as while he's tall he isn't particularly strong or good in the air.
He is more likely to play as one of the attacking midfielders in this set up, he's certainly more suited to that. But I'm not sure he's the kind of player who Amorim looks to play in those positions.
Fortunately the club managed to get him on a good deal, so we should be able to sell him in the summer and recoup our investment. Back to Italy seems the logical move for him, where he still has high stock from his time at Bologna. The sooner the better as his value will only likely decrease the longer he stays.
30 Nov 2024 09:44:59
He's one of a number of youngsters in our academy who will be hoping that they catch the attention of the new manager. Especially given his record of giving youth a chance and developing them.
I'm actually really excited to see which youngsters Amorim brings into the first team. I'm not expecting him to do it anytime soon unless there is an injury crisis. I'd imagine he'll be wanting to work with the senior players and find out their capability to play how he wants them to play. However, by February time you'd imagine he'll have this squad sussed out and he'll know who isn't for him and who can play a role. At that point he might look to the academy to see if there are any young players who can step up and play a role in the first team.
My view is that there are a number of youngsters who might get a chance due to either a lack of numbers or a lack of quality in the first team.
Harry Amass is likely one who'll get an opportunity to show the manager what he can do in that LWB position given the lack of options we seem to have in that role. While I have a feeling that Bendito Mantato could end up playing as a wingback in Amorim's system. He's one to keep an eye on, although I think he's a little further away from possibly breaking into the first team.
I've got a lingering concern over the LCB position which is a worry I try to push out of my mind as Martinez is probably my favourite player in this squad and I don't want to think about him possibly being replaced in the line up. Yet those concerns still persist. Can he stay fit? Can he return consistently to the player he was before the injuries? Finally is he really a good fit/ can he adapt? On the ball he's brilliant, perfect for what the manager wants. Off the ball he is aggressive in winning the ball back, yet that can lead to him being out of position and he doesn't have the athletic capacity to recover, or potentially cover in the wide areas. The wide CB's in a back three need to be quick as they are somewhat of a hybrid between a CB and a fullback. With Martinez one of the reasons he moved from midfield to CB was due to a lack of athleticism. Something that becomes more of an issue as a wide CB. Personally I think he suits the central CB position much more in Amorim's system, the aggressive player who'll step into midfield. While the other options we have for LCB is Shaw (who if he can stay fit looks very well suited, but we know he can't stay fit), and Evans who despite being an excellent defender hasn't got the legs for this system sadly. That might open the door to the 16 year old Godwill Kukonki who at 6'4 is a physical freak for his age and is getting rave reviews from the staff at the academy.
In midfield we have a declining Casemiro who might still be able to play a role, but should be phased out of the team. Ugarte and Mainoo look like solid options, but Eriksen isn't suited to the midfield role that exists under Amorim. Collyer might be able to stake a claim for a more prominent role this season. While Sekou Kone also looks like the perfect tactical fit. He's one who could maybe start making a few appearances before the end of the season. I'd imagine Amorim will want to see if he has the potential to step into the first team squad for next season.
In the attacking midfield area we are in an odd spot where we have quite a few players, but I'm not sure how many of them really suit what Amorim has typically done in the past. Players like Rashford and Antony are typically players who need to start wide and move into the inside channels rather than start in those areas. Garnacho is as well, but being younger should be more mouldable. Although I think he'll need to play more of a bit part role as he adapts. Amad and Mount look perfectly suited to the role Amorim has asked these players to do in his Sporting team. While Bruno has many of the qualities needed, he plays best when he is given more freedom and is allowed to play off the cuff. Something that typically Amorim doesn't allow in his teams. So given that we have 2 maybe 3 players who long term should be good for these two positions then there might be a chance for some of the academy players to maybe get a chance here. While I think we actually have a lot of depth for these positions in our academy, they might struggle to get game time this season given the number of players in the first team ahead of them. Players like Jack Fletcher, Shea Lacey and Amir Ibragimov all look like exciting prospects who would suit this position well.
Up front we seem to have an issue that I think will be addressed with a new signing. Højlund I think is well suited and will thrive under Amorim, but he's young and he cannot do it all on his own. I think Zirkzee will be a casualty of the Amorim appointment. I like him as a player, and think he offers something very different, but I can't see him getting the game time he needs to both adapt to the EPL and build up his confidence. Amorim has a very clear role for his CF, and he doesn't change that role. He changes the players and the roles of the wider forwards/ attacking midfielders to alter his attack, but he still wants his CF to be strong, run the channels and be able to hold up the ball and bring in others. That isn't Zirkzee's game, he likes to drop deep which doesn't work when your "wide" players are already playing in the inside channels as you have too many players in the same space. Maybe Chido Obi-Martin gets a chance to be back up to Højlund. However, what we really need is for Højlund to have someone to develop under rather than being the main man himself. I'd expect us to maybe look at Victor Gyökeres or maybe Santiago Gimenez, Marcus Thuram or Victor Boniface as possible options. Sesko is another the club have followed closely, but given he's the same age as Højlund and not really any more experienced than him I'm not sure he's the right fit. Personally I'd go with Gyökeres as he knows the managers system, or possibly Marcus Thuram as he looks a good fit and at 27 is the ideal age and profile to take the pressure off of Højlund but not totally block him.
There should be plenty of opportunities for youngsters in our academy to break into the first team under this manager. I'm really looking forward to seeing who gets the chances and who steps up to take them.
24 Nov 2024 11:09:47
There are definitely better value players available.
But the money we spend isn't the only thing that governs who we target.
Things like leadership and attitude, potential, and whether we like it or not having a British core in the first team (or at least homegrown players) .
We have several homegrown players who are likely to leave next summer (Heaton, Evans, Maguire, and Sancho) . Added to the likes of McTominay and AWB who left this summer.
That would leave us with Shaw, Mount, Rashford, Collyer and Garnacho (both turn 21 before next season) as the only players in our squad who qualify as "homegrown".
That's 5 and we need 7 or we can only name a 23 man squad next season.
So we very much need to look at homegrown players and prioritise them over the next couple of windows. Unfortunately there are very few homegrown players who are both of the quality we need AND available to us.
With those few that might be very expensive. We might just have to bite the bullet on one or two of them.