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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
21 Apr 2025 11:46:19
Shappy has written an article entitled, Possible Transfer Targets For Manchester United
1.) 21 Apr 2025 12:13:29
While I can see the desire for a new keeper, Onana would benefit from having a settled defence in front of him. While Amorim maybe tinkering to find his best combination, you cannot help but think that if he selects two CBs who are rarely changed, then the defence would improve.
Upfront is our major problem, forwards with potential are great, but I feel that we need a striker with huge experience that can deal with leading the United line. Too many good players have turned up and withered under the spotlight.
2.) 21 Apr 2025 12:20:29
I don’t care what Onana would benefit from. He is the biggest liability in goal for united that I have seen in my lifetime.
{Ed025's Note - maybe a visit to "Specsavers" Danny..
19 Apr 2025 12:15:27
Can we have a moment to appreciate Casemiro's recent form and his character.
He has been a signing that has been held up as everything that was wrong with our recruitment. Older, past his best, possibly declining, for a big fee and on massive wages.
There was a lot to question about the transfer. Yet in his first season he was excellent. The only issue was he picked up a few suspensions (although a couple of those were harsh and probably incorrect), along with him seeming to need a couple of games to get back into form and regain his match sharpness after missing a few games.
His second season was one to forget, injured a few times and never seemed to get back into that first season form. People started to question whether his legs were gone. Suddenly he looked like an expensive mistake with another two years left on his deal.
I'm not entirely sure his legs are gone to be honest. I think during his second season he seemed to bulk up a lot, some was muscle (he apparently liked to spend a lot of time in the gym) some was not muscle. I think he lacked a little mobility, but I also think the system and teammates he played with left him exposed and asked a lot of him (more than was ever asked if him at Real Madrid) .
He's at an age now where he will need to have a break every now and again. You can't play him for 90 minutes, twice a week for months on end. Whether that is you play him for 60 minutes or so every game then look to take him off, or you play him for 90 minutes and then give him a game off the next match who knows (personally I think playing him most games but subbing him off might be better as it keeps him match sharp) .
He definitely looks more suited to this system under Amorim, especially having someone like Ugarte alongside him with energy and athleticism. Able to cover for him and give him more licence to step forward to make tackles and interceptions, and use his surprisingly good passing range. While having a back three means there is also more cover behind him. He looks far more comfortable in a more box to box role than he did as the deepest, holding midfielder.
He also looks more trim and leaner than he did last season, which is no doubt helping with the mobility to get around the pitch and keep up with the pace of the game.
The tactical shift to a more controlled playing style, better possession with less emphasis on a transitional approach (that lead to a crazy basketball style game of end to end football that we saw under EtH last season) .
Obviously at 33 he isn't the answer to our future midfield. Yet he isn't the problem with it either. If he can continue this good form then I don't see an issue with us keeping him next season as a rotation option for the final year of his contract. If someone wants to offer the 15-20m it would take to clear what is still owed on his transfer and he wants to make the move I'd happily shake his hand and thank him for his service. However, if no one makes such an offer then I'm not opposed to him staying for his final year.
While lots of players did well in our comeback win against Lyon, I think Casemiro was probably our man of the match, strong both in defence and attack, including grabbing two assists (to tie the game at 4-4 and to take the lead to win the game) as well as winning the penalty that got us back to 3-4 and started the comeback. Bear in mind that all of this came in the 113th minute to the 121st minute. A hell of a contribution that in the game for a player who had been on from the start and apparently his legs are gone.
Well done Casemiro, we salute you. Long may his return to form last. Another player who wasn't the problem, but didn't have the right set up/ support from his teammates to showcase his full ability.
{Ed025's Note - thank you for your kind words Mrs Casimero, take the blinkers of Shappy hes been an awful signing mate and a major part of whats wrong at United, one swallow does not make a summer..
1.) 19 Apr 2025 16:50:07
I agree on both points. He was a bad signing.
However he was as you say excellent in his first season, particularly up to Christmas. Last season and most of this season he’s been awful. The exception being he’s been consistently good in Europe.
I didn’t expect to be so impressed by his passing and threat from the air.
I think Casemiro and Ugarte are a good pair. Someone like Wharton coming in alongside Ugarte would be a good replacement, what do you think?
{Ed025's Note - im not convinced by Ugarte either to be honest UR, very run of the mill player for me mate who i thought would be a good purchase, maybe with better players along side him he could do a job but i dont know..
2.) 20 Apr 2025 08:02:49
Ugarte has not quite been the blockbuster destroyer we thought he would be…. yet.
I really think he can be Ed, but the team still hasn’t properly settled into this formation Amorim plays. The pitch looks huge when we play still to me, leaving huge gaps everywhere across the midfield.
{Ed025's Note - as i said Eric im not writing him off just yet mate, he has been very underwhelming up to now but lets be honest besides Bruno hes not got much around him, he is one of the very few i would keep though..
3.) 20 Apr 2025 08:13:18
I been banging on all season that Ugarte is not good enough, so glad someone agrees, I also have doubts over Yoro and even more worrying is RA only signing so far Dorgu is not looking very good to my eyes either, but I’m not sure he was bought as 1st choice anyway, just a stop gap for this season and will be 2nd fiddle next, yes he is fit and runs a lot, but control passing and crossing is not great, so lots of work to be done with him.
Talk today that RA wants 1st team left back too, and Dorgu would only be back up to Dalot or new left back then anyway.
For me it’s GK, LB, CB, Midfielder, 2 strikers that’s most urgent I have not changed that opinion all season.
4.) 20 Apr 2025 12:38:54
Personally I’d be surprised if a new LB/ LWB came in, or at least a player who can only play that position.
Right sided much more pressing IMO.
5.) 20 Apr 2025 18:14:15
Wharton dear god no!
17 Apr 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United Need To Recruit More From The Domestic Leagues
1.) 17 Apr 2025 16:52:23
I agree to most of this, we were great at getting players from rivals. That has changed now, even though we are MUFC, that is not enough for some young players who are desperate for fame.
2.) 18 Apr 2025 11:31:04
Totally agree.
16 Apr 2025 11:40:38
Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United Need To Recruit More From The Domestic Leagues
1.) 16 Apr 2025 12:00:14
I said as much in far less words Shappy ? but I agree with your comments.
2.) 16 Apr 2025 13:46:52
How many players from this seasons champions Liverpool came from other epl teams.
How many of city's 4 in a row squad came from epl sides?
How many of arsenal's squad came from epl teams?
The right player is important where they come from should not be the primary focus.
3.) 16 Apr 2025 13:52:41
I agree with the overarching sentiment, but the club’s recent record with bringing in players already playing domestically is shocking.
Zaha
Fellaini
Mata
Shaw
Schniderlin
Matic
Sanchez
Maguire
AWB
James
Eriksen
Mount
Players signed from domestic leagues since 2013. Not a single is an outright success.
I feel like that under Fergie, the best domestic players wanted to come here. Now, they don’t. They want to go to one of the clubs competing for big trophies. That leaves us with players that aren’t at the top level, like those on the list. Inflated transfer fees and/ or wages to boot.
Yes, our scouting could be better. But I think it’s very difficult for us to convince the type of players we need, who are already playing in England, to come here when better teams will likely be looking. It looks like the club is targeting promising young players at other English academies, and if the two from Arsenal work out, this might be a good plan.
4.) 16 Apr 2025 15:01:20
There's nothing quite as frustrating as the age-old 'Premier proven' sentiment. Yes the league is more physical, but better scouting into not only the physical well-being but mental well-being over the past few seasons would have saved us a pretty penny. After that, ability is ability wherever we look.
5.) 16 Apr 2025 21:16:36
We aren't aiming for a league title next year though, we're aiming to steady the ship, so the analogy with championship winning teams is irrelevant in my opinion.
Step 1. Steady the ship, offload the tripe.
Step 2. Build a cohesive squads
Step 3. Identify the areas that take us to Step 4.
Step 4. Compete again for league titles.
{Ed025's Note - at the moment Jimbo competing for league titles is about step 246 mate in afraid..
6.) 16 Apr 2025 21:25:37
Sentiment is good but unrealistic.
Man Utd need to recruit from whatever league it takes to be successful. I don't care if they all come from the Inuit fish catchers league if that is what it takes!
As for 30 percent from academy. Never going to happen in this day and age.
7.) 17 Apr 2025 06:34:43
At least we will have someone proven to can catch some Keefy.
8.) 17 Apr 2025 11:50:19
Oooooft the bars getting lower for UTD every season steady the ship now its got to be the best reasonably big club in Europe to manage huge wage big transfer kitty treated like the head of some dodgy cult very little pressure to be really successful ie Champions league/ Prem title race where do i apply proper annoying seeing Arsenal and Villa playing at levels like that then looking at UTD especially after the money we let absolute wallopers like Ole and TH waste if the clueless board had got an actual real manager Tuchel Simeone even Poch instead of that clown Ole and given them that huge transfer kitty that'd have been us i'm sure.
9.) 17 Apr 2025 15:33:45
Brum boi, I think that's the longest sentence I've ever read ?.
10.) 17 Apr 2025 22:40:57
True tho for every clown show of a manager whos came in since Jose the bars got lower Amo will have to limbo under it nxt season and he will be here nxt season yet again the club have put all there eggs in a niche system manager basket . can't believe the night shockerooni.
11.) 17 Apr 2025 21:07:56
Agree ed025, steps 1,2&3 are made up of 245 substeps!
{Ed025's Note - yeah Jimbo its going to be a long way back mate, besides Bruno i dont see any player in this side who gets in any other top 7 prem team im afraid..
15 Apr 2025 07:39:03
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United's Priority Is The Europa League
1.) 15 Apr 2025 14:09:59
The priority should be consistency because there’s no chance of us winning the EL without that.
United aren’t in a position where they can prioritise anything. The team needs to start putting in better performance. You can’t play appallingly in the EPL
and hope that everything magically clicks on Thursday night.
2.) 15 Apr 2025 14:51:16
Winning the EL is a good 5 year aim. But as for this season, zero chance of that happening.
3.) 15 Apr 2025 16:57:35
I wouldn't say it's zero chance with only 4 teams left, but not so much because we're especially stronger than any of them. I don't think we'll win it but it wouldn't be a surprise. There are much better sides than Lyon left and we're fumbling, literally.
4.) 15 Apr 2025 17:28:53
I think utd will win the EL. way sport goes, banana brian in goal will end up saving 3 pens in the final in a penalty shoot out.
5.) 16 Apr 2025 08:42:43
We have as good a chance of any of the remaining teams to win the Europa, it is not like there is one standout team that you would argue we could not beat. Reality is I would not be surpised if we won it and equally would not be surprised if we get knocked out against Lyon this week, it has been one of those seasons!
We have performed better in Europe, potentially it suits where we are at the minute with Amorims style.
6.) 16 Apr 2025 08:45:40
Bayindir is better on pens, hope we'd make a crafty van Gaal style substitution before that was allowed to happen Nick!
7.) 16 Apr 2025 08:53:18
odds says we get through, athletico, frankfurt and the norwegian team.
Is there a draw for semis or already done.
8.) 16 Apr 2025 11:10:32
Danny, I agree that we need to try and find some consistency. The issue is that when we have all of our best players (most suitable) then we are a decent team. Still lacking a cutting edge up front and susceptible to a howler from the keeper, but good enough to win the Europa league in my opinion (We've looked better in the Europa league than in the EPL, it being slightly slower paced and less physical probably helps our team) .
The problem is that when our best/ most suitable players for Amorim's system aren't available then out performances drop off a cliff. With the rest of the squad poorly suited to playing his style of play. Also whether you agree with it or not, the manager is choosing not to adapt his approach to the players he has available.
That means that for us to have a real chance in the EL we need to make sure our best players are fit and available for those games. Which unfortunately means consistency across all our games will suffer as he will need to rotate to keep our best players in the best condition to play in the EL. That will definitely impact our league form (which wasn't great to start with) .
Ultimately if we win the EL this approach will have paid off, if we don't then it might have cost us one or two places in the league (which has a minimal impact on the club) .
It has to be a gamble worth taking.
If we line up in the EL games with Dalot, Mazraoui, MdL, Yoro, Dorgu, Ugarte, Mainoo, Bruno, Garnacho, and Højlund (ideally Zirkzee but his injury has probably put paid to that) then we stand a good chance to win those games. Even better if Amad can get back to fitness and form before that Semi-final games (if we make it through against Lyon) .
9.) 17 Apr 2025 07:10:33
If we need to score Hojlund cannot start.
17 Apr 2025 12:22:43
I don't think he's the answer to our problems, but we can't afford to keep losing players who actually contribute to the side. We just don't have the quality in depth to cover for that.
This does make the decision not to include Chido in our Europa league squad look even more foolish now.
16 Apr 2025 09:13:27
Wallace, technical Malacia is still a United player as well.
10 Apr 2025 11:09:58
Keefy, Maguire is an average EPL defender, he'd be first choice for most teams outside of the ECL places. He has some strengths and some obvious weaknesses, if you have the right set up/ partner for him then that limits those issues.
He's not a player I'd have ever signed and I was strongly against it when we were linked with him, and not happy when we signed him.
However, while he hasn't been a great player for us, I think the criticism that he receives at times is over the top. Because we paid a ridiculous fee for him he was expected to be our saviour, and he was never capable of being that.
As for Højlund's finishing last season he had the highest shot conversion rate in Europe's top five leagues. At one point he was scoring with over 60% of his shots. Most elite strikers rarely get above 30%.
So I think it's fair to say his finishing is elite. The problem has always been the fact that he gets so few shots.
Elite goalscorers tend to have around 4 shots a game on average, typically scoring around 1 goal a game, with a shot conversion rate of around 25%.
Højlund was averaging 1 shot a game, and scored 7 in 10 games where he had a total of 12 shots across those 10 games, giving him a conversion rate of above 60%. This dropped a little by the end of the season, but he still finished with a conversion rate of above 40%.
If he can get his shot numbers up to 3 or 4 shots a game then he'll likely start scoring a goal a game, which would make him an elite goalscorer.
Last season I put the issue down to a lack of chances being made for him. With players like Rashford, Antony and Garnacho all looking to shoot first and only looking to pass as a last resort when they cannot shoot. While I still feel that as a team we don't create enough shooting opportunities for our strikers, I have seen issues in Højlund's game where he isn't consistently in the best positions to get shooting opportunities.
Now however much of that is down to him and an area of his game he needs to develop and how much is down to how he is being asked to play in Amorim's system who knows.
Højlund's current skill set is very much suited to playing on the shoulder of the last man and making runs into the channels, using his pace to get away from his man and finishing well past the keeper.
Yet a Amorim's system demands his striker to both be able to do that but to also drop a little deeper, hold up the ball and link play. These are things that Højlund currently struggles with. His touch is inconsistent when under pressure, his passing is average and despite being a big guy he loses most of his physical battles even though he does it shy away from them.
This has led to him dropping deeper than his natural game would have him, getting involved in battles with defenders and unfortunately losing them either due to a poor touch under pressure or being out muscled. This has also meant that he has often been too deep when we have a breakaway opportunity and he hasn't been as effective at running the channels.
I also think the pressure and spotlight on him this season has been too much, and that seems to have impacted his confidence. He certainly doesn't look as happy or comfortable playing this season as he did last.
In a different team with a different set up he'd be a great young player. The question now is whether he can develop his game to the level needed to fit into Amorim's system or not. It's a tricky juncture, does he try and round out his skill set to become a more complete striker, or does he focus on what he's good at to become truly elite within a specific role. Lots of young players have tired to become more rounded but ended up as a jack of all trades but master of none type player.
That's why I'd loan him out. Send him to a team that suits his natural game, let him build up his confidence and form again. Allow him to develop his strengths as clearly trying to improve his weaknesses hasn't really worked. Allow him to become that great counter attacking striker.
Then he can either come back and be an option off the bench later in games when we need a goal and the game has become more open and end to end, or we could sell him and recoup all of his book value meaning we don't make a loss. You also never know who might be in charge by that point. I expect Amorim to have a much stronger season next year with a full pre-season and a much more suited squad, but if he doesn't he might well be sacked and the new manager might set up his team in a way that more suits Højlund.
10 Apr 2025 09:59:03
We have to accept that currently we are not a top side that everyone just wants to join like we were under SAF.
We will have to sell the club and the project to players to get them to join us.
It's about what we can offer them as much as what they offer us. Maybe we can't offer European football maybe we can. But that isn't the only reason a player joins a club. Money is another factor, but we have to be careful here not to overstretch ourselves like we have done in the past. Being able to offer higher wages doesn't mean that you should.
For us however the real selling point over a club like Chelsea has to be our record of developing young players.
We can point to Mainoo and Garnacho who have come up through the academy, and to Yoro, Dorgu and Heaven who we have signed recently and given plenty of opportunities to them.
While Chelsea have gained a reputation of stockpiling young players in recent seasons. Signing many of them and giving very few a real chance to play regularly. Chelsea have signed 41 players in the last three seasons, of which maybe 7 can be considered regular starters for them. That means only 17% of the players they sign become regular first team players.
Would Delap be first choice at Chelsea or will it be Jackson once he's back from injury?
Sow the seed of doubt, several young and promising players have joined Chelsea recently to see their career stall.
If the rumours of his release clause are true and he could be available for as little as 30m then it would be an absolute no brainer for us to do what we can to sign him this summer. Young, talented, English, EPL proven and with potential to become a genuine top player.
He is a player who could join us and with better players around him could easily score 15-20 league goals next season (he has 12 for Ipswich this season already) .
While if bought for 30m then even if he doesn't step up to the level we need he'd either be a solid squad option or we could sell him without making a loss, we might even make a profit.
This is the kind of sensible transfer that we have been crying out for over the past decade. Normally we spend twice as much on either a declining or unproven player who ultimately doesn't live up to the hype. We have to accept that the fee paid can both weigh heavily on the player and raises the expectations of fans to often unreasonable and ultimately unattainable levels. Meaning the player is often considered a flop even when they've been okay. Take Maguire for example, he's an average player who is fine in the right set up. If we paid 35m for him he wouldn't be considered the flop he is often referred to.
Højlund I think is suffering from the fee paid for him. He is a decent player with a lot of potential. His finishing is elite, and his channel runs are great, his hold up and link play is poor. But he was 20 years old when we signed him, he was always at least 3 or 4 years away from being the finished article. Yet for the fee paid and due to a lack of other options he became the first choice and expected to be able to carry the goalscoring burden (for a team that in recent times have really struggled to create good chances for our strikers) .
He's not a bad player, he's just young and has a lot of developing to do.
Delap ticks pretty much all the boxes for what we need both on the pitch and in terms of financial restrictions. The only box he doesn't tick is experience. He doesn't have 3 or 4 seasons of performing at a high level. Yet if he did he'd probably cost 80-100m given that he'd be 24/ 25 years old and English. The kind of money we don't have to spend on a striker this summer.
I've said before, I think the ideal solution to our striker issue this summer is to sign both Delap and Jonathan David which we can do for around 30-40m apparently (with David being on a free) . That gives us two strikers to rotate around up front, one young but with EPL experience, the other entering their peak and with a track record of scoring 20 goals a season for the past 4 years. I'd then loan out Højlund so the he can develop and improve without the spotlight of playing for United. Then we have options the following summer of maybe selling him if we can find a buyer or bringing him back and rotating him up front if he's ready. I'd probably also send Chido out on loan to the championship to play regularly at senior level. He's too good for youth football, but not ready to play regularly for us. Give him a loan and he might come back ready to be a squad option for us.
24 Mar 2025 21:49:27
Imagine the insult, Sancho would literally be the first player in history a club has paid not to sign ?♂️.
21 Apr 2025 12:26:44
People need to stop being so preoccupied with the formation. Effectively it's the same formation most teams in the EPL play regardless. Most teams in the EPL have a build up shape of 3223 or 3232.
You have three players deeper to give you more build up options and to limit a teams ability to press you high up the pitch as they would have to commit too many players forward to press and cut off passing lanes.
A box midfield has been very popular for the last two seasons as it gives you extra security through the middle and potentially allows you to have an extra man to either use to play through midfield or to effectively press and win the ball. Some teams have done this with a 2-2 shape others have used the diamond to try and find more space between the lines or to have someone do a man marking job to stop the opposition from being able to build through the middle.
Most teams then have a front three, with at least one if not both "wide" players playing Inverted or in the inside channel rather than on the touchline. This is both due to it helping solidify the middle of the pitch from a defensive point of view (leaving the only space to advance wide near the touch line where it is easier to press and win the ball back), and because you create more higher quality goal scoring chances from being closer to the goal rather than wider of it.
We don't really play any differently to other teams in terms of team shape. We start off in a 3421 shape, they tend to start of in a 4231 shape. Yet once the whistle blows either a midfielder drops between the CB's or a fullback stays deeper and tucks in creating a back three, with four in midfield and three players as part of the attack.
The formation isn't the problem for Amorim and our squad. The problem is both the quality and selection of players he has available to play how he wants to play.
A formation isn't a style of play, it is a team shape that should help support the style of play. You can be a sit deep and counter attack team in any formation you want. Likewise you can be a possession based team that looks to build up play and create chances through manipulation of space in any formation you want.
Amorim's style of play isn't a formation. He wants his team to have more possession of the ball, he wants that possession to be in the opposition half of the pitch, he wants to use players rotating positions to create uncertainty in the opposition that can create openings and goal scoring chances.
To do this he tends to play a high line defence to vertically compress the pitch and to keep the ball in the opposition half.
He likes his striker to be able to both drop deep and link play (in doing so they will often drag a defender out with them, and to be able to play on the shoulder for a quick transition if the opportunity arises.
He prefers his wingbacks to be more attack minded, and offer that attacking width. He has often played wingers as wingbacks more so than full backs. He will also want his wingbacks and his inside forwards to be happy to rotate positions when attacking, with the inside forward moving out to the touchline and pulling a defender with them and his wingbacks to then under lap, often then looking to make a cut back pass either to the striker who should be making a near post run, the other inside forward making a back post run, or to a midfielder making a late run into the box more centrally.
From a defensive point of view he wants to congest the middle of the pitch and make it almost impossible to play through, he tends to do this with two more energetic ball winning midfielders deeper, with a preference for one of them to be a ball carrying threat to break the lines rather than a passer. He doesn't look to play quick counter attacking football, so doesn't need a midfielder with an expansive passing range to make those quick longer passes to open teams up. Quick, mobile, energetic players who are intelligent in their movement to win back the ball and to stop the opposition from playing through the centre. Once they win the ball they need to make short to medium passes to the inside forwards or the wingbacks to start attacking pressure, or to run through the opposition line of pressure with the ball to open up space before making that short to medium pass.
The problem he is having has nothing to do with the team shape and entirely down the the squad make up. We have had two managers previously who looked to play as a more counter attacking/ transitioning team. Both Ole and EtH got their best results and performances playing on the counter. The players they brought to the club for the most part were players to suit playing that way.
That is almost the opposite of how Amorim wants to play. He wants his defenders to be high up the pitch to compress the space, not deeper to open up space behind the opposition.
He wants players who can hold possession, and make intelligent movement both on and off the ball in attack not players who are looking to just run in behind and shoot.
He has had less issue with getting the defenders to adjust to his demands than the attackers. They are more capable of playing a higher line than our attackers are at learning to be more intelligent and technically able in smaller spaces.
That is why players like Rashford and Antony have been allowed to leave, Højlund doesn't really suit the role but we don't have anyone else. Garnacho is more suited to a counter attacking set up but might be young enough to mould into what is needed. Players like Bruno, Amad and Zirkzee have been the most useful in attack as they are more capable of playing in smaller spaces and make more intelligent passes in the final third rather than play head down, run into space and shoot.
The other issue Amorim has had in attack is that he uses attacking wingbacks, and we didn't really have any. Amad when used at RWB was probably our best option for what Amorim wants. Dorgu has been signed to help solve that on the left. With maybe Amass and possibly Mantato coming up from the academy to keep an eye on.
In midfield it's no coincidence that Ugarte and Casemiro have tended to be the best options. Although another option to Casemiro is probably needed here as he isn't a long term solution.
Defensively we've been fairly good as a team. Where we have slipped up has mostly come from individual mistakes, especially at keeper. But that will happen while the team gets used to how we are supposed to play and until we have quality options in all positions meaning players further forward don't make mistakes that force the defence to do something different to mitigate it, which leads to mistakes or players being out of position.
The issue has been in attack, in terms of a lack of attacking wingbacks, a striker who can hold up the ball and link play, and creative inside forwards.
Fix the attack and suddenly we would look like a much better team. We would score more goals, carry more threat going forward, control the game better and conceded less chances because of that.
That is the issue under Amorim, we are transitioning from a reactive, counter attacking style, with most of the squad bought to suit that to a more proactive, possession based team, currently without the players suited to play that way. It's nothing to do with the formation.
19 Apr 2025 11:38:47
Bruno has NEVER been the problem, I think the issue was that when he signed he scored a ridiculous amount of goals (albeit a lot were penalties) . Which meant when his numbers returned to something more normal fans felt he was in poor form.
The team then started to suffer and played really poorly, and while Bruno was the one carry the team on his back at times, he was also held accountable for every loss. Somehow his passing success rate became the centre focus and this idea that we were a poor team because he lost the ball too often became a weird thing.
What people ignore is that he is a creative midfielder, someone whose job it is to create chances for his teammates. Something he has been genuinely world class at during his entire time at the club. To the level where no player in the EPL has created more shooting opportunities in the league than Bruno since he signed for the club. When you look at the numbers it's actually by a pretty wide margin.
He also runs himself into the ground, looks after himself, is rarely injured or unavailable, and always gives his all.
He has been let down by his teammates, both in missing chances he creates for them, and giving away silly goals that cost the team points.
When people point to him giving the ball away, they often ignore that he's done that in the oppositions defensive third, they've then gone through our midfield, past our defence and beaten our keeper. Yet somehow Bruno is the one to blame for the goal not the other 8 or so players who also failed at their job and allowed the goal to be conceded.
I think he is settling well into a deeper role when he plays there, his passing is safer (but still creative) and he really helps us move the ball through midfield. This shouldn't come as a surprise though as he has often played deeper for Portugal to great effect.
He has really stepped up as captain as well, he has reduced how often he uses the sh1thousery that tends to annoy many fans. He is a leader, one of the few.
Tactically versatile, capable of playing behind the striker or deeper in midfield, extremely creative and a leader. Definitely not the problem, and someone who is worth keeping around, as long as he wants to be here.
17 Apr 2025 12:26:25
I'd love to see PSG win it this year. Mbappe left to win it with Real Madrid, how funny would it be to see his old team lift the cup.
Also I actually like this new PSG project. Moving away from big time Charlie type signings and giving youth more of a chance. Luis Enrique is an excellent manager and he has them playing some great football. It'd be nice to see a club win a major tournament with a young squad with several homegrown talents in it.
16 Apr 2025 17:58:53
If he doesn't play then you both destroy any confidence he might have left and any resale value.
We have to hope we get through to the next round and that Onana has at least a mistake free game if not a good game.
16 Apr 2025 11:52:13
Ed077, I don't disagree with that. He's had one season in the EPL at a team that was always expected to get relegated. That said he's done phenomenally well at a struggling side, 12 leagues goals for a relegated team is a great record, especially with only 2 of them being penalties. A lot of those goals he has had to make for himself as well, with Ipswich struggling to create many good chances consistently at this level.
In a better team he'd probably be on 15 or more goals by this stage.
A lot of people have talked up Mateta over the last couple of seasons, yet his record this season is 13, two of which are penalties. So despite being 5 years older, with much more experience, a d playing in a much better team, Mateta has just one goal more than Delap.
That's not to say Mateta isn't a good player or hasn't had a good season. But just to highlight how well Delap has played this year.
Maybe an interim step would be best for him, but then he does have experience at a top club having come through at City. Plus if he moves to a club like Palace this summer, it'll almost guarantee that he'll be there for at least the next two season's as they would want an astronomical fee for him if he had another great season next year. Much like them wanting upwards of 70m for Wharton now.
There is an argument to be made that moving to a "stepping stone" club now could actually negatively impact his career as he could be stuck at that club for the next 2-3 years, almost certainly not playing European football during that time. That'd make him around 25 before he gets to move to a top club and test himself against the best in Europe.
Maybe a club like Villa, Newcastle, or Chelsea and United (with where they are currently) might be the right level to step up to. Clubs that will likely be in the Europa league at least, maybe the UCL over the next 2-3 years. That is probably the right level for him at this point (definitely if he had two seasons like this one under his belt) .
It's a tricky balance for the kid to find that right level. In an ideal world Ipswich would have stayed up and he could have had a second season there in the EPL at a club where he was settled. Depending on how that season went would determine what the next appropriate step would be, a club the level of Palace/ Fulham or a Villa/ Newcastle, or even a UCL regular club level. But he's too good to go down to the Championship with Ipswich and without a second season in the EPL it's difficult to judge where he's at. He doesn't want to take too small a step up and risk stagnating without the challenge of European football, nor does he want to make too big a step up and risk struggling to get regular game time and stall his development.
Maybe as a United fan this doesn't come across as sincere as it is. But actually United might be the best club for him this summer.
Without a major star striker at the club he wouldn't have a big hurdle to regular playing time (which he needs to keep developing), his style of play really suits the manager, the manager has a good record with developing young players, the club has had a major down turn and expectations are probably as low as they have every been (he wouldn't have to be phenomenal to be considered a success) . Plus the club is in the middle of a major retooling and rebuild. With a much clearer focus on what the team should be and look like (and Delap fits that) . We are likely to see a step up next season with EL qualification being a realistic target, and depending on what happens in this season's EL we might even be a UCL club next season. He would also have the support of Jason Wilcox who knows him from their time together at City. And finally he'd be at a club that if things go to plan he wouldn't need to leave in a few years time to step up to a title challenging side.
Maybe United is the right move for him.
{Ed077's Note - Mateta has had those seasons already that you believe Delap would benefit from having. That experience can be really valuable for a young attack like Utd, or Chelsea for that matter. Mateta also has done well in a system that is very similar to Amorim 's which is another plus for us.
Delap.migjt end up having a bit of a Hojlund or Jackson kind of a season or 2 where he might have too much pressure and expectation on his inexperienced shoulder. The fact that Man City (where he would even count as club developed), Arsenal and Liverpool, the 3 top teams for the past 3 seasons haven't shown toocuh interest, despite all having space for a Striker in their squad clearly shows that he needs some development. I just think it's better for players to develop without having the pressure of a massive clubs on their shoulder. }