Manchester United Rumours Member Posts
Shappy's Profile
Current Avatar:
Shappy's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To Shappy's Posts
To Shappy's last 5 rumours posts
To Shappy's last 5 banter posts
To Shappy's last 5 rumour replies
To Shappy's last 5 banter replies
Shappy's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's rumours posts
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
28 Aug 2024 10:11:51
This Sterlng/ Sancho rumour is an odd one to be honest.
Sterling doesn't fit the profile of players the club have targeted this summer under the new regime.
I understand the clubs desire to move Sancho on, he hasn't delivered on the pitch, is on massive wages and has fallen out with the manager and other people at the club, largely due to his attitude.
Yet signing a 29 year old winger who has seen his form consistently decline over the past 3 years, and who is himself on massive wages seems a poor trade.
If Chelsea really want Sancho then there are numerous players who might be of interest to United for a potential swap deal.
Cucurella is a player United have tried to sign in the past, Colwill and Badiashile would also fit both the profile and needs of the club.
Chalobah, Chukwuemeka, Madueke, and obviously Cole Palmer (utter dreamland) are all other players that seem the right profile and fit our clubs areas of need.
I'd have a serious sit down with Chelsea to discuss a swap deal with Sancho for either/ or of Cucurella, Colwill and Madueke.
1.) 28 Aug 2024 11:36:10
I'll be stunned if we end up with Sterling for Sancho. Swap deals are far more complicated, which is why they're rare. Just because Chelsea want to get rid of Sterling and we want to get rid of Sancho, does not in anyway suggest a swap will do it. They're both overpaid and I honestly don't see why Chelsea might think adding another £300k a week salary to their roster will help them, particularly when that player has already shown he may not be able to cut it in the EPL.
Jumping out of the frying pan into the fire springs to mind. For both clubs.
2.) 28 Aug 2024 12:37:55
I think just as Utd are seeking a younger, hungrier profile of player, as are Chelsea, so I imagine the likes of Chucky / Madueke and Colwill are very much in their plans along with first choice LB Cucurella. They're only going to offer the flotsam that trains together in this infamous melee of has-beens including Chilwell.
Still, regardless of what the correct profile of is, it's still clearly a time of improvisation and opportunism in the market with many clubs seeking curveball deals in their war against FFP. Sterling doesn't fit, neither does Chilwell, but in the same way we can't expect to address everything this squad needs in one window, because so much is needed, there are players who can offer something for the short-term.
3.) 28 Aug 2024 14:43:54
Shappy why would Chelsea offer their starting LB, LCB or RW for Sancho? A player who has failed to re-settle back in England with massive wages who Utd want rid of? It would be like Chelsea offering Sterling for Garnacho, Mainoo or Martinez ? Chelsea value Colwill at around £100m, Cucurella they’d likely want their £60m back given he’s first choice and upwards of £50m for Madueke. Pretty much 2-3x what Utd can realistically expect to get for Sancho. Chelsea don’t really need another winger either, the potential swap of Sancho-Sterling mostly seems to be about 2 clubs both getting rid of unwanted players to be mutually beneficial.
{Ed002's Note - He won't be moving to Chelsea.}
4.) 28 Aug 2024 15:44:03
He'll go to Juve.
5.) 28 Aug 2024 16:55:36
Bit of an aside, but . £100m for Colwill? Is assume you sneezed when you put the fee in and pressed an extra zero?
6.) 28 Aug 2024 20:34:48
Spenno that’s the value all the rags attribute to him when linking him with PSG and Liverpool. He’s English and Home-Grown which will always inflate his value, left footed and I’d say further along his development than Branthwaite who Everton value at £70m.
Then other reasons more about Chelsea than the player such as him being only 1 of 2 players that are considered Club trained for European football at Chelsea currently when they require 4.
They also don’t need the money regardless of any potential FFP/ PSR issues as they have a conveyor belt of an academy to sell if needed. So yeah I imagine that would be roughly what they would value him at, that doesn’t mean he’s worth that amount or any club would pay that amount.
I don't imagine you truly believe he’s worth £10m though or do you? ?.
7.) 29 Aug 2024 08:51:01
Not at all Fuse, he's a starting CB for Chelsea, just baulked at the £100m suggestion. Seems to be the going rate for a young homegrown player, whack on an extra £25m for being left footed lol.
27 Aug 2024 07:39:10
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Manchester United Players Overview
26 Aug 2024 13:27:36
Shappy has written an article entitled, Manchester United Players Overview
23 Aug 2024 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Good Transfer Window For Manchester United
1.) 23 Aug 2024 09:08:02
Martinez has been unlucky with being injured last season. Hopefully it is a one off.
Malacia has shown a lot of potential. He played well before the WC. There was a rumour that the second half of his first season at the club, that he played whilst being injured.
The club definitely needs to sign another LB and look to move Shaw on at some point over the next year or so. Again he was lucky you get a new contract given his injury record.
2.) 23 Aug 2024 13:07:53
It was a 2 off hopefully he missed most of the previous campaign too.
3.) 23 Aug 2024 13:30:27
Ngl, Malacia never really impressed me even when he was fit. Not a bad player by any means, but not exactly a world beater and certainly not a player I could ever see starting at a club with title aspirations.
4.) 23 Aug 2024 13:39:16
I think LB will be a priority position for a new starter next window/ summer. Looks like we'll muck through with the handful of options we've got for now.
5.) 23 Aug 2024 15:20:22
Don’t think malacia has had enough time to show what he actually is as a player
But strange we don’t actually know the full issue with him
Him and shaw need to be sold if they cannot stay fit.
{Ed025's Note - Shaw is taking the piss for me Bolger, i dont think he looks after himself and has become a liability mate...time to get rid imo..
6.) 23 Aug 2024 17:58:58
People have short memories.
Malacia was struggling in his last few games.
Shaw is and always will be injury prone.
I think he might have a future as a CB in the team as a backup, but don't think he's fit enough to play the LB role and the demands of it.
7.) 23 Aug 2024 19:56:51
Ken,
What are you on about?
8.) 23 Aug 2024 21:19:51
Martinez has been here 2c seasons and missed big junks of both of them MH. Last season was not a one off it was 2nd time running. Missed exactly half of all league games since he signed.
9.) 23 Aug 2024 22:19:09
Ken,
He didn't miss big chunks of the first season. He broke a metertarsal at the back end of April in his first season. That roughly equates to 6/ 7 weeks lost in his first season.
10.) 23 Aug 2024 23:03:44
11 games 1st season out in league plus cabaro and europa run ins that's another 9.
. 11 games played the second season in the league.
He is my favourite player he has been unlucky but only Silsoe half the time he's been here.
He needs to prove he can play full seasons at this level and intensity.
We need him to. With better cover he should not have to play some of the cup games when he is available.
He is batting above his weight every week game and that takes its toll.
I'd love if we had another few with his mentality. Deligt has it and maz I believe good characters coming in with a good mindset.
11.) 24 Aug 2024 08:34:54
Ken,
You over analysing the first season injury.
Martinez second season was understandably frustrating, but I'm putting that down to him being rushed back too soon. His Knee injury was the result of the opposition player leaning down on his leg. Quite similar to how Vidic did his Knee, fortunately for Martinez it wasn't serious.
12.) 24 Aug 2024 11:06:31
Not over analysing at all MH.
He hasn't played a full season yet and missed half the games since he signed. I hope that improves.
22 Aug 2024 12:52:38
Shappy has written an article entitled, Good Transfer Window For Manchester United
1.) 22 Aug 2024 17:21:50
Shappy serious question, are you on half term / summer holidays?
2.) 22 Aug 2024 18:05:13
Wazza, yes I am. Is it telling ?.
3.) 23 Aug 2024 06:35:07
Haha thought so Shappy, fair play. Write away.
30 Aug 2024 09:43:23
Rabiot would be a great signing, especially if we can negotiate a good deal (2 years with a 1 year option, wages around 150-180k per week) .
Just want to make sure we don't go full Glazer on a deal and give him a 5 year contract on 300k per week.
29 Aug 2024 20:16:41
But everyone said we needed a LB more than a midfielder ??♂️.
29 Aug 2024 13:48:12
Patrick, technically they are, but they play further forward.
I'm thinking about if we play a 4231 type shape where we look to play with a double pivot in midfield, is that an area you'd want to play either Bruno or Mount?
Probably not. They will typically play much further forward either in the No.10 position or even in the wide roles.
29 Aug 2024 08:45:55
Downsie, I agree I can't see us signing a winger this summer to replace Sancho.
To be honest he has hardly played for us over the last couple of years. He spent most of last season either training with the youth team or out on loan, the year before he played a few games, had some mental health struggles and EtH allowed him to go off for three months of the season.
Has he even made more than 10 league starts for us over the last two seasons?
Like you say, we have four first team wingers, along with two players in Bruno and Mount who can play wide. I'd also point out that both Zirkzee and Højlund have played on the wing at times in their careers as well (although seeing as they are the only two options through the middle I doubt they'll play wide unless needed) .
Effectively we have 6 to 8 players for a those front three positions.
People can point out the lack of quality or form from some of those players, but we will have to make do this season and try and get them back into form.
Personally I'd say if we can do one more deal after Ugarte then it should be for a midfielder.
I get the LB argument, yet the issue is potentially a short term issue due to injuries. While it is apparently thought that Harry Amass might be ready for some first team appearances by December/ January. With Dalot, Martinez and Mazraoui all able to cover there as well.
LB will probably have to wait until next summer when we can move on one or even both of Shaw and Malacia to make space for a first team quality LB.
Midfield though looks very thin even with Ugarte signing.
Casemiro looks to be in better form than last season, but has looked like he is starting to run out of steam after 70 minutes or so. Certainly his performances dip a little in the last 15-20 minutes of the first few games.
Eriksen can only last 60 minutes, and is likely to leave.
Mainoo is brilliant, but is just 19 years old and cannot be relied upon to play every game. There will be times during the season where he'll need taking out of the line up either to rest his developing body or to take him out of the limelight if his form dips.
Collyer is the only other option beyond those three currently in the squad. He's a young lad who made his debut this season. He's looked solid in his appearances, but we shouldn't be relying on him like we might have to if we suffer a couple of injuries.
That will leave Ugarte when his deal is made official. He will be the only first team midfielder who isn't either a youth player learning their trade or a veteran in decline. He will have to carry this midfield at times, which isn't ideal for a new signing adapting to what is known to be a tough league.
Without another signing we will at best have Ugarte, Casemiro, Mainoo, Collyer and Eriksen as options.
Although it's likely you can scratch Eriksen off that list.
If we can make another signing this summer it has to be in midfield. While I understand some people's reservations over Rabiot, he would without doubt be a brilliant and vital signing if we can agree a deal with him.
Experienced, proven at the highest level, good age still, tactically intelligent and flexible (capable of being a sitting or box to box midfielder) .
If we can get him on a two year deal with a third year option on wages in the region of 150-180k per week then he'd be an absolute superb signing.
His attitude and work rate have never been in question, the only real negative I've heard about him is that his mother interferes too much, and as his agent she has over stepped her boundaries at other clubs. That said he has apparently hired a new agent with his mother taking a step back (although this remains to be seen) .
I'd say sign him up if we can, and set clear boundaries about agents access to the training ground.
28 Aug 2024 22:35:22
Can we go all Doctor Frankenstein on Shaw, Malacia and Chilwell?
Surely we can cut them up and glue together one decent injury free LB from the three of them? ??♂️.
07 Sep 2024 11:10:51
I see Antony as a left back, as in left back in the changing rooms as he isn't good enough to be on the pitch.
He has ability, but seems completely unable to step up to the level of the EPL. The game is too quick and too powerful for him in England. Nothing wrong with that, many talented footballers have struggled here and failed to live up to expectations. Shevchenko probably stands out to me as one of the most obvious.
In the Eredivisie Antony was quicker than most of the defenders he came up against. That isn't the case in the EPL. While the game requires you to be more robust, with stronger tackles and physical contact being allowed in the EPL than in most other European leagues. Some thrive in the rough and tumble, while some wilt.
I think he'd be a good player in most other European leagues, especially German and Italy (of the top 5 leagues) in my opinion.
Unfortunately for us I think he's a busted flush who'll never be able to get to the level we need in the EPL no matter where we play him on the pitch.
If possible I'd like to see if we can find him a loan in January, and bring in a replacement. That way he has a chance of finding some form somewhere else and we might be able to find a buyer for him next summer.
07 Sep 2024 11:01:13
Would I take Rabiot on a short term deal (2-3 years)? Absolutely. He's a very good player who would add quality to our weakest area in the squad.
Will the club sign him? I highly doubt it. I also doubt that the reason they won't sign him will be down to money.
Reports seem to suggest that the club have been able to get themselves into a good position with PSR, with further savings to likely be made next summer with more departures.
They could if they wanted afford to bring in Rabiot. I just don't think he fits their plans right now.
They seem to be targeting younger players who will grow and develop together as a team over the next few years.
Rabiot would be a player who takes up a place in the squad, be on high wages, and would need replacing in a couple of years time.
They seem happy to accept taking a backwards step in the short term to build for the long term. Moving away from that short termism thinking that leads to overpaying for a player just to try and meet some arbitrary target this season.
Maybe they see Collyer as a better option for the club. He's low risk with potentially high reward. Low wages, more content to be a squad option this season, and if he doesn't get to the level we need he can be sold for a good profit to help further balance the clubs finances. While if he does get to the level we need then we have a quality, homegrown player on lower wages, who hasn't cost anything to sign and who probably has a stronger connection to the club (certainly more likely to have a stronger sense of loyalty to the club that gave him a chance and helped him build his career) .
Whereas Rabiot would likely go the same way as Eriksen. Good for a season, maybe two. Then drop off and be on high wages while not really contributing much, with the club unable to move him on due to his high wages.
Which let's be honest is Rabiot's modus operandi, having left every club he's ever been at for nothing when his contract expires.
07 Sep 2024 10:43:38
I find it funny that a lot of the people who berate EtH are the same one's who were Mourinho's biggest supporters.
Yet when we step back and look at them there isn't a great deal of difference between the two.
Both won two cups, both repeatedly use/ used that as evidence that they have done well.
Both were/ are surly with the press and didn't/ don't come across great in the media.
Both play/ played with a inconsistent/ unattractive style of play.
Both stubborn about their tactics and insistent on having control.
Both disciplinarians.
Both preferred to sign former players.
Both have had falling outs with players in the squad.
Lots of parallels between them to be honest.
The main differences I see are that EtH has given more youth players a chance (and been successful/ consistent in giving them game time), and he is at least trying to play a more attacking style of play (even if it's not quite clicking) .
Other than that there probably isn't a great deal of difference between the two of them.
So I do find it amusing to see those posters who defended Jose, now berating EtH for the same things they defended Jose from ???.
31 Aug 2024 16:50:39
Redseven, it's a little unfair to fully judge them on last season. The whole team was wrecked by injuries and devoid of any sort of consistency.
Forward players need the defence and the midfield behind them to play well to give them the platform and ammunition to score goals.
Our options are:
Rashford, a player who has proven when he is in form he can score 20-30 goals a season.
Antony I agree doesn't look up for it in the EPL, but has a respectable goal return in other leagues.
Garnacho had a breakout season last year, he is definitely capable of scoring 10-15 goals this season.
The same for Amad, he showed can be a regular goalscorer getting 14 goals for Sunderland in the last injury free season he played.
We also have Højlund, a player who had one of the best conversion rates in Europe last season, but was starved of chances. If we can create 3-4 decent chances a game for him then he should be able to get 20-30 goals a season.
Zirkzee has joined and while not a prolific goalscorer, he does create great chances for his teammates while often scoring important goals.
Bruno is often forgotten about, yet we know he is capable of scoring 15-20 goals a season.
Mount is one of 4 midfielders currently playing in the EPL who has managed double figures in both goals and assists. While he joins Bruno and KDB as the only three to do so in back to back seasons.
Mainoo has also shown himself to be pretty deadly when he gets forward as well.
If we add those up:
Rashford 15-25
Antony 5
Amad 10-15
Garnacho 10-15
Højlund 18-25
Zirkzee 10-15
Bruno 10-15
Mount 10-15
Mainoo 5-10
If all of them manage the minimum number that's 93 goals, if they all manage the higher number that's 140 goals.
The reality is that not all of them will get near the higher estimates, yet all of them individually are capable of scoring that number of goals.
Add a few goals from defenders and other players (MdL, Casemiro, Dalot, Maguire, Eriksen have all been known to grab a few goals each a season) .
I firmly believe there are goals in this team, personally I'm less convinced by our ability to keep clean sheets then I am by our ability to score goals.
We need our forwards to find form, and to do that they need the team to play well around them to give them the quality chances they need to score.
31 Aug 2024 11:28:10
Red Man, from what I've heard/ read is that it wasn't a case of the manager wanting to keep McTominay rather than sign Ugarte.
But that United needed to sell one of McTominay or Casemiro in order to sign Ugarte.
With no buyers for Casemiro it was a case of selling McTominay to buy Ugarte, or keep McTominay and bring in a cheaper midfielder such as Amrabat or Sander Berge.
The manager wanted to keep McTominay as he offered something different, but agreed that it was better to let a bit part player leave (no matter how useful he was) in order to bring in a potentially key first team player.
Ultimately I'm glad that these discussions are happening, even if it causes a little bit of tension and disagreement at times. As it means things are being done correctly, ideas and opinions are being challenged, discussed and judged on their merits.