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13 Nov 2020 17:14:16
I've heard a rumour that United and Juventus have/ are exploring the idea of a Pogba/ Dybala swap either in January or next summer.

Dybala's wage demands are beyond what Juventus are prepared/ able to pay him and the stalemate over a possible new deal means they will have to sell by next summer at the latest to avoid possibly losing him on a free in 2022.

While Pogba's position at United has been clear for a long time. He wants to leave, but the club have blocked a move as they would need to sell for less than they paid and they don't want to lose face. However, the club have now got themselves in the stupid position of not being able to sell him due to the activation on the one year extension and they cannot "profitieer" from that extension. Meaning they keep an unhappy player for the next 18 months then lose him for nothing, they offer him a new massive deal and pay a player far more than he's worth and throw the wage structure into disarray, or they find a solution where he leaves and the club save face.

So, I was wondering is a Pogba/ Dybala swap even possible?

1.) 13 Nov 2020 17:39:25
Shappy they can sell him next summer or in Jan.

2.) 13 Nov 2020 17:58:53
Dybala is a good player for sure but plays mainly as a second striker. Is that the position we really need to reinforce the most? Feels like we'd go for him due to convenience rather than extensively scouted him etc and he be right for the team. Mishandling Pogba will lose us some serious cash ultimately. If we were going to swap Pogba for anyone at Juventus though I'd be targeting Matthijs de Ligt. At least then that's moving on a known problem for a potential solution (to our CB issue) .

3.) 13 Nov 2020 19:06:14
We already have too many Ams in Vdb, Bruno and Pogba why would we swap Pogba for Dybala. It would be like the dumbest thing to do.

4.) 14 Nov 2020 07:30:07
I think dybala could suit an interchanging front 3 system but yeah I would worry about him wanting to play the Bruno role. In an ideal world we’d just sell pogba, we have no use for him. He cannot play in a team with Bruno in my eyes as they occupy the same spaces and Bruno is much more reliable and had shown more in less than a year than pogba has since he returned. For me I would sell him and bring in a quality DM. Ideal would be Saul as he can play the deeper role but I think if we were to go down the purely defensive minded midfielder we couldn’t go wrong with Zakaria. Saying that Partey certainly looks the real deal atm.

5.) 14 Nov 2020 07:41:57
He isn't AM Singh, he is, as Halesini said, a second striker. It could mean a change of formation, and playing with two forwards.

6.) 14 Nov 2020 13:44:26
Always thought he’d be a great option at RF.

7.) 14 Nov 2020 14:10:14
Ken, my understanding is that as United triggered the one year extension in Pogba's contact (which would have been up next summer 2021) to last until 2022. That means any money from any sale would go to Pogba unless some sort of agreement can be reached between United and Pogba to circumvent the "profiteering" regulations.
i. e. the club can't activate the one year extension just to make money from his sale.

While Dybala wouldn't be my first choice option, I could see him working well in a two man front line if the management decided to go with a 41212 or 3512 shape full time with the squad.

I've heard that it is an option both club's are exploring to save face/ get a player they want/ avoid losing key players for free.

Personally I'd have sold Pogba last summer, and brought in Bruno a few months earlier.

Ideally I think we need a left sided CB partner for Maguire (as we are unlikely to drop a 80m player who is the club captain) . Getting a left sided CB means Maguire can be pushed over to the right hand side and get a little more protection from AWB.

A CDM to replace Matic long term, who struggles to play 2 games a week over a whole season. I really like McTominay, but I don't think he is a natural holding player. He best attribute is his running power and ability to move box to box, neither of which is used as a holding midfielder. While his passing range is limited, especially his long range passing accuracy, and his defensive reading of the game is average. Although he is strong in defensive duels. While Fred I'm not sure what his best role is. He isn't great creatively, his passing and first touch are erratic, he is terrible in the holding role. He is at his best as an annoying buzzing player, getting in the face of the opposition and winning the ball back then playing short, simple passes. However, I feel to really get the best out of him you would need BOTH a deeplying playmaker AND a No.10. either way, we seriously lack a natural holding CDM to cover/ replace Matic.

Then obviously we need a RW, it was meant to be Sancho. Whether that ship has sailed remains to be seen. Yet next summer we will likely have to compete with at least one of Liverpool, Chelsea, City, PSG, Real Madrid or even Barcelona for his signature. Meaning that he will likely cost more than what we weren't willing to pay this summer.

8.) 14 Nov 2020 16:32:08
People keep saying that, but is that really the case Shappy? Sancho wants to go to England, which would leave 4 teams in the race. Chelsea already has a lot of atackers, and if he choose Liverpool, he would be 2nd choice. He won't go back to City. PSG might be an option, but I think that's highly unlikely. Real has different targets in Mbappe, Haaland and the player from Ren (forgot his name) . Barcelona has no money, unless they sell some of their expensive players. Back to Liverpool, as I think they could be an option, if Salah leaves.

9.) 14 Nov 2020 17:18:28
Trololo, Salah might leave Liverpool next summer so Sancho could be the replacement.
City might have a new manager and could look for a big name signing for the manager and could look to Sancho.
PSG might lose either Mbappe or Neymar and would look for a top signing to replace either of them.
Real Madrid have been approached by his agent and could easily switch their focus to him if they can't get other targets.
Barcelona might be looking for a replacement for Messi and Sancho could be the ideal player.
Chelsea are less likely to get involved, but do have a previous interest.

I doubt ALL of those sides would be interested, but if even ONE of them are then we immediately face competition for him which we didn't have this year. While the likelihood that NONE of them would show an interest is slim at best.

10.) 14 Nov 2020 20:39:32
Considering we keep playing juan mata right wing and let him drift infield and link up with other attackers, it isn't outside the realm of possibilities that dybala could do a similar sort of role.

11.) 15 Nov 2020 01:07:46
We might as well swap him with cash. The guys is the modern day Carlton Palmer.

12.) 15 Nov 2020 01:16:40
Sure Shappy, we both got our opinions about that possible transfer, but you made it look like every club out there is going to fight for Sancho. There is no chance that every club you mentioned will be interested in him. Liverpool could easily be the only contender.

13.) 15 Nov 2020 05:42:41
Dybala has a fantastic left foot and can easily play on the right side of a front three.

14.) 15 Nov 2020 10:31:27
Trololo, I'm not sure I did.

"Yet next summer we will likely have to compete with at least one of Liverpool, Chelsea, City, PSG, Real Madrid or even Barcelona for his signature. "

That's what Is said in my post. Where I clearly say "likely" and "at least one of".

I haven't said anyone would definitely be in for him, just that several other clubs are likely to hold an interest.

Personally I think the deal is dead. If we weren't prepared to pay what Dortmund wanted this year then why would we pay it next year?

{Ed002's Note - Juventus are already in discussions with another side over Dybala as clubs are making an effort to agree transfers as early as possible. An exchange for Pogba is not something that has been discussed and there remains the issue of a renewed contract if Dybala were to drop his insistance on a particular clause in his contract.}

15.) 15 Nov 2020 11:35:57
Cheers Ed002, that puts that to bed.

16.) 15 Nov 2020 22:42:19
Sorry, I read it in that manner. Yes, we wouldn't pay that amount, but neither did anyone else. Obviously the price was too high. As much as I'd like to see Sancho playing for United, it shouldn't happen at that price.
And virus is still active, I doubt much will change until summer, concerning other clubs (and Uniteds) budget.

16 Oct 2020 10:38:29
"Paul's our player, he's going to be here for another two years and I'm sure Paul is focused on doing his best for us and we want to see the best of Paul. I'm sure in the next couple of years we'll get the best out of him. "

Solskjaer's most recent comments about Paul Pogba. So I doubt he'll be dropped for the Newcastle game, and it looks like the club intend to activate the one year extension and let him leave on a free in 2022. Poor decision in my opinion, and just shows the lack of leadership, direction and basic understanding of football from the top brass at the club.

1.) 16 Oct 2020 11:19:35
“Pauls head is elsewhere, he has wanted to leave for the past 3 summers, didn't see eye to eye with previous manager like a lot of the squad. Paul is not focused on doing his best for us, i'm sure hell excel elsewhere in the next couple of years”.

Probably closer to the truth but ole is hardly gonma say that in his press conference.

2.) 16 Oct 2020 11:37:01
What about the poor decision making from Old to keep shoe-horning him in the midfield, playing deep when it clearly isn't working?

3.) 16 Oct 2020 12:16:03
It worked pretty well last season post lockdown.

I can't think of a single player who has played well in the league for us this season.

4.) 16 Oct 2020 12:57:35
Just don't play him. Should be easy enough for the manager.

5.) 16 Oct 2020 13:08:01
Maybe Paul Scholes?

6.) 16 Oct 2020 13:15:08
Did it dsg? 2 cup semi finals and a dismal few games before that.
Our best run was when pogba was injured.

7.) 16 Oct 2020 13:17:04
so we will be playing with ten men for the next two seasons then.

8.) 16 Oct 2020 13:20:00
DarkKnight, With Pogba there are three options with him in the squad.

1. Don't play him at all. but the draw back is every time you drop points that decision will be questioned. While if the club weren't going to play him they might have well sold him this summer even if it was for 10m.

2. Play him in a position that will get the best out of Pogba even if that is to the detriment to other players such as Bruno, Rashford or whoever. The plus side is pogba plays well, the downside is others might not. Plus if Pogba doesn't sign a new deal then he leaves after we have built the team around him.

3. Try and crowbar him in at his detriment and not that of other players who are committed to the side. That way if he leaves then he isn't a key player in our squad. While other players haven't had their form impacted by Pogba. While win, lose or draw you can't be questioned for leaving out "potentially" one of our best players.

None are good options, we have an unbalanced squad and a key player who wants to leave. Ideally the club would have moved him on this summer and Donny would have been his replacement in the first team. While Lingard or Pereira could have added depth until next season when hopefully one or two of Garner, Levitt and Mejbri might be ready to push for a first team spot depending on how they develop this season.

9.) 16 Oct 2020 15:02:48
I agree with Ken. Our best run was with Fred-Mactominay double pivot.

10.) 16 Oct 2020 17:38:49
2 guys with limited talent giving it everything are better than a player with lots of talent but not giving it his all.

11.) 16 Oct 2020 17:52:22
Ken, Pogba featured in every unbeaten game since project restart.
His first appearance post lockdown was against Spurs in which he won us the penalty after coming on as a substitute.
Apart from that he started all other matches.

I just feel he is not motivated to play for us. It shows in the lack of effort.
There are times when Bruno busts his guts and tracks back when he loses the ball, but I've yet to see that attitude from Pogba.

12.) 16 Oct 2020 17:55:05
Ken i wouldn't say that the only problem is he doesn't give everything. The 2 limited guys you refer to are simply better than Pogba in this role, they are better defencive 8 in this double pivot role.

13.) 16 Oct 2020 18:27:15
Pogba should be playing as understudy to Bruno, with Fred and VdB and Matic and McTominey fighting for the other two positions.

14.) 16 Oct 2020 18:53:36
Trd read the post.
We have been poor since he came back in the team. I think since project restart we played well twice. Before restart we played well in 7 or 8 games while he was injured. Our form has deteriorated since the restart game by game until now.
Its not just him ole has them all playing badly especially his own signings.

15.) 16 Oct 2020 18:59:08
Given how Pogba has played for the last year he doesn’t even merit a place in the starting 11. If it wasn’t for his commercial/ social media value the club would be working much harder to shift him out. Also, our relationship with Real Madrid is horrendous and I can’t see us ever selling anyone to them under the current environment. I saw Spanish reports that Barcelona were interested and perhaps we could get some players from them in exchange. De Jong would be my top choice, he’s come into some criticism from the Catalan media recently and when that happens then 90% of the time it doesn’t work out well for the player.

16.) 17 Oct 2020 08:07:26
Not sure Real will be Pogba's next destination, aren't they prioritising Mbappe, a right winger and Camavinga next summer?

17.) 18 Oct 2020 06:50:00
He wouldn’t excel anywhere dsg he’s a no good drama queen.

07 Oct 2020 17:41:33
So according to Fabrizio Romano United intended to sell Pogba to Juventus and bring in Sancho as the big name player to replace him. That would fit with the club signing DvdB who is more of a Pogba replacement.

However, Juventus couldn't raise the funds and as such never followed through with their interest.

Which may have had a bearing on the Sancho deal.

1.) 07 Oct 2020 18:28:32
That makes so much sense - gutted we couldn’t get it done. At least it’s reassuring knowing pogba was intendeded to be sold.

2.) 07 Oct 2020 18:41:25
From January he's free to sign a pre nup with any foreign team. The chance to sell him was this summer. Would be mad if Juventus signed him on a free 2and time.

3.) 07 Oct 2020 19:35:19
Think United can trigger an extra year I am sure Ed002 may have mentioned it but I could be wrong.

4.) 07 Oct 2020 19:42:03
Should have gone last summer. Hopefully we don’t give him another deal just so that we don’t lose him for free.

5.) 07 Oct 2020 20:09:45
Didnt Juve spend over €100million on two midfielders, Artur and Kulusevski in the last window. Sounds like the cash was there if they really wanted Pogba.

{Ed002's Note - No, Arthur was offset by Pjanic. Kulusevski was purchased prior to the pandemic.}

6.) 07 Oct 2020 20:15:11
surley the juve staff could have a whip round for 20 quid.

7.) 07 Oct 2020 20:21:54
Would triggering the extra year with the intention of selling him be classed as profiteering as Ed002 has mentioned before? I don't understand and try to stay clear of the complicated stuff maybe someone could educate me.

{Ed002's Note - Clubs are not allowed to profiteer. They can extend contracts and strike a deal.}

8.) 07 Oct 2020 20:30:08
Thanks Ed, is Fabrizio is basically correct?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what he has said but if he told you this he does not understand the situation with these players.}

9.) 07 Oct 2020 20:34:06
That does make sense. But be careful guys, doesn't that suggest our board and manager are not as stupid or inept as they are painted in the media?

Planning for the future and repairing bad decisions? Whatever next, if we aren't careful we might just see plans to source the worlds beat prospects, loan out our talent and not lose them at the end of their deals, reintegrate the ones who shine, and get the ones who don't off our books for a nice little earner we can put into prooer investment in the stadium surrlunding infrastructure, scouting, player acquisitions and uograded training facilities.

Increasing the value of the asset? Having a plan staribg us inbthe fce but we are so busy whining we havebt won the keague we dobt notice?

What a ridiculous thought.

I wish the manager would come out and say whether he believes we should expect to win the league this year, or for the Board to say in advance of the transfer window what we should expect given there is a C.V. so we could show some faith rather than negativity and let the media turn us toxic again! OH, wait a minute.

10.) 07 Oct 2020 20:45:22
I really don't understand the profiteering thing.

I assume it means that the club can't extend the contract by the additional year just so they can sell the player and make a profit.

But if we did extend it and an offer came it, I assume we could still accept it.

Ed02, can you explain the concept in a bit more detail or perhaps point to another source worth reading?

{Ed002's Note - The concept is that you cannot extend to make money but if the player is sold the profit, or a negotiated profit, would go to him.}

11.) 07 Oct 2020 23:48:31
Surely nobody is going to pay £89m for Pogba?

12.) 08 Oct 2020 08:13:27
My understanding of profiteering is that if you have a player like Pogba say, who has a year left on his contract but the club has an option to activate for a further year. Now in theory Pogba could leave for free next summer and receive a large signing on bonus as he is moving on a Bosman. However, if the club activate his year extension only to sell him and make some money thus negating the signing on fee Pogba would receive that is considered profiteering.

Only activating the contract extension to make a profit.

With Pogba United only have three options left.

1. Let him leave for free next summer.

2. Offer him a new deal, either with the intention of him staying here long term or with an agreement to sell him for a fixed fee.

3. activate the one year extension and keep an unhappy player for a further year before losing them on a free.

Ideally the best option for the club now would be to give him an extension and agree to sell him for a set price. He would need to be compensated for that, probably with very high wages, or an agreement that he receives a larger percentage of the transfer fee.

13.) 08 Oct 2020 09:32:55
Don't know if this kind of post is kosher but maybe this is worth a read for those of us who have a genuine interest in how things work.


Transfers report

14.) 08 Oct 2020 11:35:21
Juventus probably ran a mile after seeing his pathetic performances over the last 2 season. I wouldn't pay a million for him, he is sh*t!

15.) 08 Oct 2020 12:15:21
Sim, the sad thing is he isn't. He just isn't suited to being the player you build your team around.

Pogba is better suited to being the luxury player you add to an already great team, the player who can add a touch of magic and win those tight games. But he will make mistakes and be defensively lax.

If he goes to Juventus he will be a success there.

16.) 08 Oct 2020 14:03:25
Shappy he is rubbish. nothing you can tell me will change my mind so stop wasting your time. He's been absolute garbage for 2-3 seasons now. Get a grip!

17.) 08 Oct 2020 14:33:28
This is odd considering Romano spent the whole summer insisting Pogba was happy at United and contract talks would begin after the window closes.

18.) 08 Oct 2020 15:28:15
Romano is full of crap. gets the odd bit tight but even a broken clock is right twice a day.
He makes a fortune through social media. fair play to him he is a bigger con merchant that ole.

19.) 08 Oct 2020 16:27:46
ken, I strongly disagree.
FR is one of the very best and reliable.
Each and every one of his update this transfer window has been absolutely spot on.

20.) 08 Oct 2020 16:23:15
Sim, no player has scored and assisted more goals than Pogba since he joined the club. If he is rubbish then every other member of the squad is more rubbish than him.

If you were to say he doesn't live up to the hype, or that there are clear faults in his game then fair enough. If you want to question whether the club should be holding on to player who doesn't want to be here, or a player who played an active role in getting a manager sacked then celebrated it. Then I'm with you 100%.

But to say he isn't a talented footballer, despite all his managers, coaches, pundits and fellow players all appreciating his ability. Just makes you seem like you know very little about football.

Pogba hasn't lived up to the hype, and he isn't interested in being here and the time for the club to cut their losses has long since past. But the guy has more natural talent in his left leg than pretty much everyone else in our squad.

Pogba is a very good player, potentially great. We as a club just haven't been able to give him the platform he needs to get the best out of him. That's partially his fault for not working hard enough on eliminating the weaknesses in his game, that's partially the managers fault for not getting the best out of him and that's partially the club's fault for not creating a team in which he can thrive.

21.) 08 Oct 2020 18:18:45
Snappy I think it’s fair to say that Pogba was decent. But for the past 18 months to two years he’s been a terrible footballer. Actually he’s consistently put in some of the worse performances I’ve seen in a United shirt. If that means I know nothing about football than fair enough, but I can’t understand how anyone can defend him.

22.) 08 Oct 2020 18:37:18
Shappy what more could we do to create an environment for pogba? Near enough every signing has been to “unlock” him. He’s got all the ability in the world, there’s not much he can’t do with a ball. The frustrating thing is he doesn’t do it for 90mins. His best moments in the United shirt was the city game. Where he was god awful first half.

I don’t think he’s a bad fella at all, but he’s not someone I want Hannibal mejbri for example to be looking up too. He throws his arms about when he loses the ball, doesn’t work hard enough without it either. If he played simple and released the ball early he’d be fantastic, but he’s more interested in looking good. His start to this season has been nothing short of a disgrace. The sooner he’s gone the better for him and for us as a club.

23.) 08 Oct 2020 19:27:39
Pogba is similar to Mesut Ozil for me. Ridiculous amount of talent but lacking the desire to be the best.
Ironically, they are both World Cup winners. I honestly think the problem is players now are so rich that some just lose focus on football.
These guys have hit the very pinnacle of football and have money we could only dream of.
Both seem like decent enough guys who could’ve been up there with the best of their generation but neither will really be remembered as such.

24.) 08 Oct 2020 19:51:41
Ozil has achieved a lot more then Pogba has ever done.

Comparing Ozil and Pogba is laughable.

In regards to the original post, we need to just get rid of Pogba and build the team around a new CM like Niguez if we can get him and move forwqrd as a club once and for all.

25.) 08 Oct 2020 20:20:10
Why’s it laughable Singh?
Both players have bags of talent but have flattered to deceive.
What has Ozil achieved? 3 FA cups? La Liga?
Pogba has a few Scudetto’s and a Europa League medal.
This wasn’t my point though. I used Ozil as an example of another player who has the talent but won’t really be remembered for being a great player.

26.) 09 Oct 2020 00:19:32
Singh I think means Ozil played top level football for more years. Its not only about trophies. Ozil was top class for several years and Pogba is only about potential. Even at Juventus it was more about potential and some flashes more than a top player playing 90 minutes good football every week.

27.) 10 Oct 2020 15:35:48
I think it’s simple really. Pogba has lots of talent but only produces flashes of it because he just ain’t suited to the premier league. He needs a league such as serie a which is less intense/ fast so he has the time to shine. Would do well in the Spanish league too.

30 Sep 2020 12:20:38
So the most recent rumours are that with a bid for Sancho rejected the club are exploring the idea of signing long term injury absentee Ousmane Dembele, either on a loan deal, a loan with an option to buy, a loan deal with an obligation to buy or just outright buying him depending on who's information you are reading/ listening to.

Would he be a good signing? Well if he can stay fit he would be an excellent signing, when fit there are few better RW's in world football. Quick, clever, able to play on either side, genuinely two footed, good shot and has a moment of magic in his boots.

However, that is if he is fit. There have been some questions risen by his team that Barcelona are responsible for his injuries, while they claim it was a lack of professionalism/ dedication. Recently a report has been leaked that he was late for training and Koeman is unhappy with him.

So, what is the story with his injuries, when has he got them, what sort of injury has he sustained and with what club. On the face of it maybe his entourage have a point that he didn't suffer any injuries while at Rennes or Dortmund. He did suffer two minor injuries prior to joining Barcelona, a bruise and a hip flexor muscle injury which kept him out for a combined 10 days. These are minor mostly impact injuries and as such are not an indicator of an injury prone player.

While at Barcelona though he has suffered 9 separate injuries in 3 years, ranging from an ankle injury that kept him out for 18 days, to three separate "torn muscle bundles" keeping him out for a combined 118 days, he has had another muscle injury keeping him out for 3 day (likely bruising) . While he has suffered 4 separate hamstring injuries keeping him out for a whopping 373 days.

Meaning that during his 3 years at Barcelona he has been injured for 512 days out of 1095 or so days at the club. It is important to note here that the days injured are only counted during the season. The 270 or so days he has been off during the summer aren't included. Meaning that he has been unavailable to play for Barcelona for 512 days out of 825 days that are the three football seasons he has been at the club.

His injuries at Barcelona have meant that he misses around 70% of the available games. The concern with his injuries is that he has repeated hamstring and muscle-based injuries. Could that be down to the training at Barcelona? If that had been the case under one manager then he might have a point, however, different managers run different training regimes, he has had three managers and has been injured under all three. Could it be the medical department? Possibly, maybe they rushed him back, maybe they don't have the expertise to manage his type of injury. However, if that was the case then surely others at the club would be suffering similar injury issues.

Ultimately it would be very difficult to ascertain without detailed medical knowledge and understanding of what has happened to work out whether he is injury prone or just been badly managed. But hey, that's what a medical is for.

If the club are to pursue Dembele then maybe the best move would be a loan with a fix fee option to buy next summer. See if the club can get him fit and firing and i'd so then they could sign him next summer, if not then no harm no foul.

1.) 30 Sep 2020 12:42:27
Wow shappy did you really just spend time calculating all that?

2.) 30 Sep 2020 13:05:21
On his day very good exciting player . has had a lot of issues with injuries last couple of years.

3.) 30 Sep 2020 13:13:16
I hope this is not truewith dembele this isn't about sancho but the lack of intent from the club to be champions again amazes me. U knew the price if u didn't want to pay it where was the ambition and planning to do something else this is all a bit desperate now.

4.) 30 Sep 2020 13:20:56
That is some analysis on his injury record Shappy! If we can manage his injury then we have a fantastic two footed player on our hands.

5.) 30 Sep 2020 13:28:01
RedWhiskey, I find the best way to process a situation is to evaluate it with empirical measurements, look at data, find patterns. That took me 2 minutes to locate that the data on his injury history and about 10 minutes to write that post and do a couple of simple addition sums. Not that long at all. But I now have a greater grasp on his injury history, so rather than going with my gut and throwing my toys out the pram as he isn't the signing I want because I THINK he is injured all the time. I actually KNOW the extent and type of injuries he has had and can have a more informed opinion.

If he can stay fit then he would be a top class signing, because we couldn't be sure of his fitness and loan deal makes much more sense.

6.) 30 Sep 2020 12:59:04
He wasnt even that great at dortmund. Barcelona over payed and now he's a crop

Once you. have the kind of hamstring injury he had it is not the same. Add to all his other injuires and he's still a young player

Another waste of money.

7.) 30 Sep 2020 14:02:21
I read earlier this morning that he had turned us down. Can't say I blame him really.

8.) 30 Sep 2020 14:51:12
Dembele seems a poor choice.
Barca flop, attitude issues, poor injury record.

9.) 30 Sep 2020 14:56:50
Wouldn't touch with my bargepole.

10.) 30 Sep 2020 16:35:10
Sancho and Telles will sign.

11.) 30 Sep 2020 20:20:45
Good response, Shaps. I know many of us appreciate a post with a bit of thought put into it.

12.) 01 Oct 2020 06:28:48
How clueless is this club when it comes to signing players though 😂 my god, shocking.

13.) 01 Oct 2020 16:12:15
I don’t see Dembele coming to us but, didn’t Giggs suffer a succession of hamstring injuries during a fraught period of his career? I seem to recall he did and addressed his issue with expert advice, different training and stretching routine plus adopting yoga as a regular practice.

14.) 02 Oct 2020 08:59:24
Dembele doesn't want to come to us but we are persisting? 🤔.

15.) 02 Oct 2020 10:36:17
We are trying to sign a player against his wish? - well it seems our transfer experts are at it again.

16.) 02 Oct 2020 12:23:01
I don't want him anywhere near United.

29 Sep 2020 15:17:28
Sancho staying at Dortmund, well according to Dortmund captain Marco Reus.

{Ed047's Note - waiting for Chelsea I guess.

1.) 29 Sep 2020 16:00:51
Hope this is true, never have I felt like a transfer is rubbish than this one. Over 100 million for a player who does not want to come to us, did we not learn with Pogba?

2.) 29 Sep 2020 16:50:26
I disagree Ed. He’ll sign before the end of the window.

3.) 29 Sep 2020 15:57:23
I disagree Ed, he’ll sign before the deadline.

{Ed047's Note - he could well do KG, there is so much garbage printed out there mate. I’m just aware his preferred option was Chelsea.

As I write Sly report he’s not boarded the plane with the rest of the Dortmund squad.

4.) 29 Sep 2020 16:47:21
Surely he will be waiting a while then Ed? Pulisic, Ziyech, Werner, Mount, CHO, Havertz is a lot of investment for 3 positions surely?

{Ed047's Note - a long, long time RR, I think there’s every chance he’ll sign for you, these transfer often go down to the wire.

5.) 29 Sep 2020 16:57:11
What's the surprise in that :)
The selling club always says that.
FR just updated Sancho is still our top target.
CB signing depends on the outgoings.

6.) 29 Sep 2020 17:02:34
I agreed Giggsy. CSF difference is Pogba didn’t want to come back to England. He wanted Madrid. Sancho wants to be back in England at Chelsea but going to Utd is not much of an adaptation to his preference.

7.) 29 Sep 2020 17:52:05
Waiting for Chelsea? Come on Ed047 you still have the same agenda 😛.

{Ed047's Note - don’t you start!🤣🤣

Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts

03 Dec 2020 14:27:40
As always there has been some over reaction to an unfortunate loss, understandable, but a lot of hyperbole.

I see the tactics have been blamed, yet I actually don't think there was a lot wrong with the tactics. We went up against a team that on paper is currently better than us. We went toe to toe with them and ended the match having only one less attempt on goal than them despite being reduced to 10 men for the last 20 minutes plus injury time.

In the previous games we went with 3 at the back and two defensive midfielders, this time we went with a back four and two holding midfielders. Clearly we had a more offensive intent in this game as opposed to the previous games. While when we went down to 10 men, Ole made attacking subs and we still created and pushed for an equaliser.

That said I think its clear in hindsight to say that Fred should have been subbed at half time. Yet to be fair Fred has been yellow carded 8 times in the first 45 minutes of games (15 overall) and this is the first and only time he has been sent off for us. At some point you have to trust your players not to be reckless when they are walking a red card tightrope. While I agree that Fred was extremely luck not to be sent off in the first half for his silly headbutt, the fact is he was wrongly sent off for a "foul" in the second half that wasn't even a foul. If you are going to book players for winning the ball but taking the player on the follow through then you will see games regularly finishing with only 8 or 9 players for each side. However, Fred was a key player in us becoming more dominant in the first 30 minutes of the second half, up until he got sent off.

Ultimately the blame for this loss rests on the players shoulders. The only mistake in hindsight that can fairly be levelled at the manager is to not take Fred off at half time. The goals we conceded were silly mistakes, no one tracking Neymar or Kean for that matter as Mbappe ran at goal for their first. No one taking control and clearing the ball adequately during the penalty box pin ball session which finished with Marquinhos poking home unmarked. While switching off for the sucker punch counter for the third.

All three goals were poor goals littered with multiple individual errors, poor reading of the situation and slow reaction to it unfolding.

While PSG might have managed 13 shots on goal that yielded 3 goals, we had 12 shots on goal that yielded 1 goal (and a lucky goal due to the deflection at that) .

The way we set up and the tactics we used allowed us to go toe to toe with a team that on paper is currently stronger than us. What cost us the game was poor individual defensive errors and poor finishing from our forwards, that is in spite of Fred getting himself sent off.

However, at the highest level it is these fine margins that separate the good players from the great, the great players don't make silly mistakes, the great players take those half chances and bury those guilt edge ones every time.

We lost a game last night, and it is the players who need to bear the brunt of the criticism for that.

1.) 03 Dec 2020 14:32:42
Hahahah😂.

2.) 03 Dec 2020 14:55:48
Come on Shappy, give it up. Even if Solksjaer didn't take him off at half time, it was building and we could all sense which way it was going. Why take the risk when their were other options? In fact why pick him in the first place instead of DvB?

Martial missed a sitter and he is out of form. Why pick him and not Greenwood?

Why choose Maguire and Lindelof and not play Tuanzebe?

Why are these stupid errors happening? Could it be the coaching by any chance?

I don't think that PSG team were better than Utds on paper. They have Moise Keane up front and he is useless.

3.) 03 Dec 2020 14:59:25
The Fred sending off was nothing to with hindsight. Hindsight is after the event, most, if not all of us on livechat could see the problem, before let alone at half time, yet the manager couldn’t or refused to.

Interesting under Ole, for you, it is always the players fault, yet under he who must not be named, it was the manager.

Last night Ole got Fred wrong, didn’t start DvB, didn’t make substitutions until too late, didn’t deal with PSGs change in tactics, brought Pogba on when needing a goal. Obviously the players did all that.

Another, ahem, unfortunate loss, but it isn’t Ole’s fault, it never is.

4.) 03 Dec 2020 15:17:12
Shan,

Grow up, not sure how stuff like that gets posted.

There is always an overreaction when we lose Shappy, thought we played well last night and should have won, Ole made a huge error which some are delighted with so they can be proved right, but on another day we put the 2 big chances away and leaving Fred on to control the midfield was the right decision. Top manager make the right decisions though, Ole often makes the wrong decisions within games and he is not learning, in my opinion that’s not good enough for Manchester United.

5.) 03 Dec 2020 15:55:41
I also thought Utd played really well which made it such a shame that we threw the game away in such a stupid fashion.

6.) 03 Dec 2020 16:15:43
It's not over reaction Shapps. It's sheer frustration about what could have been prevented.
Playing with 10 men killed our chance to dump PSG out of CL.

We have put ourselves under pressure now to get a result at Leipzig.
If we loose there, we are back to Europa.

Another important reason is, had we got a result against PSG, we could have afforded to rest key players against Leipzig before the Manchester Derby.

Anyways, our future in the competition is still in our hands.

7.) 03 Dec 2020 16:25:01
I did say if we play anything like first half of our last premier league game we will lose.

Its Ole's fault for picking Maguire and Lindelof together when Tuanzebe had a great game last time around.

Its his fault to pick two highly defensive Mf in Fred and Scott instead of VDB who had a good game last time around.

With Martial missing chances that could happen to anyone but if he does miss chances like tht again then you know he's not upto it.

The manager has to take the blame especially not taking Fred out when you know he was playing like a lunatic yesterday.

Anyways nothing surprised me yesterday but I just wished Cavani was here 5 years ago because he is just CLASS.

On a side note when Bruno has a quite game we look like we will lose every game.

8.) 03 Dec 2020 17:16:48
Who are you GDS? Are you in anyway important to me? Do you think i even listen to care about what you say? How many times have you been reprimanded by the Eds for exactly this type of nonsense you tell others what to and what not to do. Its best to mind your own business.

We were the better side until the sending off. Their second goal came against the run of play. It was Ole's idiotic decision to keep Fred on till he got sent off that killed our chances. Yet somehow Shappy suggests that everything was players fault. That to me was hilarious hence the reaction.

9.) 03 Dec 2020 17:39:20
Missing those chances is players fault. You can't just blame Ole for everything. They were nonchalant while taking those chances and punishment had to come.
Its pretty funny actually, how people make an argument out of "who picked him". Do you say "who picked him/ them" when we win the game? When that player owns the game? Who picked Cavani? Was it Ole? If he picked Tuanzebe, and same thing happened, people would say "who picked Tuanzebe". i don't see a lot of fault in Maguire and Lindelof, as i didn't see their fault for the weekend game. We defended bad collectively, in the end it was Cavani and AWB I think, who didn't get out for the offside. Should we blame them?
People see what they want to see. Oh

10.) 03 Dec 2020 18:00:01
People don’t seem to comment but we actually only needed a draw. When Fred was sent off we needed one goal not two. However the sending off left little chance of coming back, that was the importance, the frustration at the decision, or indecision, made by the manager.

Excuse after excuse. Yes we may even get a result in Germany and then it will be a triumph. Yet the rollercoaster ride will continue. Maybe in 10 years he will have cracked it. I am with Simon Jordan, we deserve better than this.

11.) 03 Dec 2020 18:21:47
Are rollercoaster rides not meant to be fun?

{Ed047's Note - absolutely, the new Hagrid ride in Universal is awesome! 😉

12.) 03 Dec 2020 18:33:16
Shan, I gave up expecting an intelligent response from you a while ago to be honest. Your first response perfectly highlights why. While your reply to GDS is priceless, a rant about how much you don't care what GDS says. When in reality if you didn't care you wouldn't have deemed it necessary to reply.

MancMan, Fred has been our most in-form midfielder over the past few weeks, he has been instrumental to many of Ole's biggest wins. Against a team like PSG I don't see the issue with picking Fred (key player in both wins against them) over Donny (a player I rate highly) . Tactically, Ole dropped a CB and added an attacker compared to how he has lined up against them previously. A bold and offensive move. The likelihood of him also dropping a defensive midfielder as well just wasn't going to happen.

Martial is in terrible form, but you don't pick up your form by not playing. Also Greenwood is also in poor form, while he is also having off field issues. A key game against one of the best sides in Europe when we need a result probably in all fairness isn't the best game to throw him in.

As for Tuanzebe, how many games has he played since the last PSG game? Also he played well in that game as part of a back three, is he ready to be thrown into a big game like that as part of a back four, especially in a back four in which he hasn't played much recently?

This is what I'm saying in hindsight we can point out the mistakes and say he should have done this or that. However, we have no way of actually knowing whether those changes would have changed the outcome.

Maybe Donny and Tuanzebe start and we are 3-0 down at half time.

What I saw were two teams fairly evenly matched trading blows, in a more open contest than I expected. However, our players made more individual errors and missed good chances to score. That's the way it goes sometimes. I would argue that this performance against PSG showed more promise and was more deserving of a result than either of our two wins against them. In those games we hunkered down, weathered the storm and caught them on the break, we relied on a fair amount of luck. This game we went toe to toe with them, we showed we were equal to them in most areas. Sadly like I said it was the individual errors that let us down, it goes like that sometimes.

13.) 03 Dec 2020 19:29:07
Shappy

I repeat the Fred situation was not “in hindsight”, it was entirely avoidable if we had a competent decision maker.

If two teams were as close as you say, the margins would be small, in fact the difference of managerial decisions.

14.) 03 Dec 2020 19:38:43
It was that bad management that I wouldn't even call it a schoolboy error. And the 2 boys beside ole are as bad. How one of them didn't say. Ole he has to be taken off now. You need a strong assistant as well. Just goes to show its a, shambles from the very top to the bottom.
Out out out.

15.) 03 Dec 2020 19:40:23
Red man I don’t think anyone can sensibly argue with what you are saying.

How is hindsight needed to see that Fred should have been subbed soon after the head but, or at half time at the very latest?

Even my wife said “will he bring him off now” and if she can see it then I dare say everyone watching could see it!

To leave Fred on the pitch against a PSG side littered with whining little snakes was unforgivable and it eventually lost us the game. An eventual 2nd yellow card was clear for all to see. Take the red tinted glasses off.

I think we played really well last night despite what Shan The Extremist says. We matched PSG all over the pitch even with our weak defence and questionable midfield. If it weren’t for a couple of missed chances and the stupidity of our manager I think we would have won that game.

To look at the positives, we’ve been a lot better to watch just recently so I’m looking forward to the next few games where I hope we can carry our improving form into some very tough fixtures.

16.) 03 Dec 2020 20:15:47
Wazza

The game was there to get at least a point, like I said a draw would have done, but we didn’t give ourselves a chance in the last 20 minutes to get an equaliser because of the stupidity on Fred.

Shappy keeps repeating it is the players, seemingly in the hope that saying it enough times will make everyone believe it.

At this level we can’t afford continuing mistakes, they talk about consistency but that has to start at the manager.

Just so frustrating.

17.) 03 Dec 2020 20:20:56
Tuanzebe was suspended! So it makes no odds mentioning him in regards to last night. As for Ole the decision to leave Fred on is laughable and literally everyone new what was coming, but he can't control how Martial finishes or Bruno not playing an easy pass to Cavani or the fact we should of put the game away between 20 to 60 minutes as we were much the better team. The things he can control though he doesn't do very well his substitutions are usually late and often wrong and his reaction to opposition changing shape and tactics is non existent as was the case last night. So I really don't believe ole is the man to take us forward unfortunately and we should have a top class manager to lead us.

Just to say Shan it's a tad disrespectful replying to someone in that manner when they've took time to post a detailed description of their opinion whether you agree with it or not.

18.) 03 Dec 2020 20:48:16
Ole screwed up last night end of story.

{Ed047's Note - but if you can defend the indefensible with a 500 word essay I guess it would be rude not too. 🤷‍♂️

19.) 03 Dec 2020 21:32:04
Some long posts on here from the usuals but none will call it for what it was last night, a complete and utter disaster from our management.

20.) 03 Dec 2020 23:01:57
He made a couple if good calls against Southampton he got credit but this was a balls up from start to finish.
Angel you need to understand that when the players play well its down to ole when they don't play well its down to the players.
If we hit the bar and miss 2 chances on another day we would have won but we discount them hitting the bar and missing 3 soft chances too. Totally blinkered bullpoo. 😂
Im not sure if the OP is a wind up but its a load of bolloxology if its not imo.

21.) 03 Dec 2020 23:29:53
Ole have given us plenty of reasons to question him, yesterday it was not of these days. Everyone say that he must have subbed Fred and i agree. People only seem to judge based on results and obvious mistakes who costs a match. One such mistake was last night witgy Fred. The truth is there are plenty of mistakes but because don't cost none mentioning them.
The truth is that overall yesterday we were good and we found some balance between defence and attack, we played quite attacking without leaving gaps in defence. I never really scared them when they attacked and they had only 2-3 big chances.
I am not a fan of Ole but of all times he deserves criticism this time he deserves it less overall. In another night Martial scores we win and everyone forgets about Fred. The problem with Ole is that he is very relaxed and he doesn't "live" the match. In football terms his team played well and he saw no reason to sub Fred (which he was sure that he will be disciplined) and as Shappy said he booked 8 times in first half but that was his first red. So in football terms it was not so big mistake. But it was the "energy" of the match that suggested that in the first chance the referee will book him trying to correct the previous mistake.

22.) 03 Dec 2020 23:39:39
we are managed by a clown and pretty soon old trafford will become a circus. we have become the new arsenal.

23.) 04 Dec 2020 02:29:20
Reprimanded haha the irony there is brilliant.

Good thread this one fellas, some good debate without a great deal of abuse. Sometimes Shappy you need to accept that Ole messed up, you’re defending the indefensible, when you do that it makes any other points you make pretty invalid, when sometimes you have a lot of good to say.

There were definitely huge positives yesterday, but there was also a huge negative and it was the massive mistake by Ole which we can’t ignore.

24.) 04 Dec 2020 03:48:15
Unpopular Opinions: Chapter 1

Fred: It was not a red card! I don't see a single soul put a counter arguement to shappy's excellent point about Fred having been booked in the first halves of like 15 games and still completing them. The ref made an ugly mistake in both halves and that is somehow Ole's fault lol. The only reasonable point made here was by someone who said that the golden rule in champs league is subbing the lucky schmuck who escaped a red card in the first half!

Game vs PSG: the funniest thing i read here was this guy stating " often times we hear the players let the manager down, but tonight it was the manager" oh deary me! Sure, why not, Ole did let the players down by putting some belief in them to ACTUALLY go and play with some attacking intent against PSG and push the lads to play one or two touch passing. Also Ole did let martial down by not coming in and scoring the two sitters (i still love anto - as annoying as he maybe) and obviously he let cavani down by not raising the crossbar by a couple of inches. sheesh, have you all really forgotten the crap we have been served for the last 7 years? Now that one of our own is tryin to get the lads working hard and outworking teams on the pitch and acknowledging when the play bad! And this is with Mick Phelan at the helm. Have you all no memory of the dire football we played even under SAF when phelan was there?

Champs league group:
I don't know about you guys, but when i saw the group announced, i did not think that we'd even qualify for europa, and that was only reaffirmed with the start of the season we had. The fact that we still may qualify for the knock-outs, wonder who should get the credit for it, apart from the squad!

Ole:
In my, ultimately inconsequential, opinion, you lot are very eloquent and smart and can make anyone look good or bad dependin on which way the wind is blowing. Sure, there are better managers out there and there always will be, and Ole is learning as he goes but from where i am sitting, and what my eyes are seeing on saturday and sunday nights is the team is atleast playing with a hint of pride and apart from the 1st or 2nd season under, to some extent (mourinho) i haven't seen my team and enjoyed the football. SO call me biased (You should, because i am) but i want manutd to succeed with Ole at the wheel!

Last but not least: there are so many of the posters here (my friends - i consider y'all) who have very opposing opinions to mine and I cherish them and always up for a debate but what gets on my nerve is when some of the, let's just call em, kids here start saying we are becoming the new arsenal (sorry arsenal fans :D) and that its embarrasing. Jeez Louise folks, I mean i get mad as much as the next guy if we lose a game but u telling me its more embarrasing than the football we played under LVG, or mourinho predicting C.V. ( hahaha remember when he said pogba is a virus) or moyes looking at noisy neighbours with aweee?

Health and Peace!

25.) 04 Dec 2020 03:57:01
@Herrera, excellent point mate, very eloquently put. I for one do not like fred because he has no passing and yes, he does break up opponent's play but i want our play to be so dominant that there isn't a need for a player like fred, but i realize that its a pipe dream for now.

I suspect he left him on for some steel, i reckon Ole thought we'll get a goal and then sit back and hit em on the break which obviously didn't happen, but not the craziest plan in the world in my modest opinion and i really can't fathom why everyone is so up in arms about it here.

26.) 04 Dec 2020 04:44:25
Shappy, thank you for jumping in and giving your opinion on something i said to GDS. So much for minding your own business.

Anyway, that post of yours or any post wherein you defend everything under the sun that Ole does, do not deserve an intelligent revert. You are still defending that stupid decision from Ole. You are the only person trying that. Wonder if it was Jose who did that, you would have led a march to his Lowry room by now.

27.) 04 Dec 2020 05:56:21
"Intelligent revert" hahahahahahahahahah.

28.) 04 Dec 2020 07:05:18
Someone commenting on something you said on a public forum Shan?! Heaven forbid!

29.) 04 Dec 2020 07:18:43
No he isn't Shan.
Very good posts Shappy and Raconteur!

30.) 04 Dec 2020 08:17:54
I appreciate that my posts can be long winded, yet I think many of you have missed a key point.

"The only mistake in hindsight that can fairly be levelled at the manager is to not take Fred off at half time. "

Right there I state that Ole made a mistake in not subbing Fred at half time.

That said I felt there were valid reasons to keep him on, and in the end Fred got sent off in the second half WITHOUT committing a foul.

As for all those clairvoyants out there, how much money did you make from placing bets at half time that Fred would be sent off in the second half?

I mean surely if it was so obvious and you absolutely KNEW at the time that Fred would be sent off then surely some of you put your money where your mouth is?

31.) 04 Dec 2020 09:09:43
Why does someone have to put money on it to know that it was the right thing to do? What sort of logic is that?

32.) 04 Dec 2020 09:35:13
I don't think anyone would of put that bet on Shappy as everyone expected fred to be coming off. Regardless of how many times he's been yellow carded in the first half of games it's about reading the game your in and it was against a team like PSG who love to wind opposition players up. Everyone could see it coming why couldn't our manager?

33.) 04 Dec 2020 09:40:34
Angel, if it was a given then surely someone chucked a bet on to get a GUARANTEED return.

I mean it's free money, who doesn't want free money. I'll be interested to look at the transcript of the live chat to see who actually said that they knew Fred was going to be sent off during the halftime break.

34.) 04 Dec 2020 09:51:39
Angel, I think shappy is frustrated and pointing to betting and winning money on a sure thing to drive his point home.

I get that, again i am complete anti-fred, but to say with such arrogance that it was obvious and blah blah blah is the source of frustration i suppose.

And Shappy i believe the correct statement should've been "I appreciate that my posts can be long winded, (which is why) I think many of you have missed a key point" :)

35.) 04 Dec 2020 10:21:42
Nobody can be blamed for missing a key point amongst all the rubbish and BS.
If you want to make a key point don't surround it with claptrap just make your point.

36.) 04 Dec 2020 10:22:12
I don’t bet, but why should it relate to gambling?

The gambling was keeping Fred on, against a team who know how to play the dark arts. If the ref reviewed it at half time, that’s where hindsight may have come in. Only a complete fool would not realise what might happen at the slightest challenge.

This set of posts really is nonsense to defend an obvious error by the manager. There has been little desperation to defend any of the three previous managers, none of whom made such a blooper as that one. Why, because Ole drives emotion, one of our own. Utterly ridiculous that people will defend such a mistake so strongly. The thing is it was a glaring error, in amongst others, but has to be defended at all costs.

Interesting to see Shappys Norwegian Bots are out liking his posts again.

37.) 04 Dec 2020 11:03:14
It's pathetic redman to be honest.

38.) 04 Dec 2020 11:15:48
That last line is so Trumpesque, Red Man 😁.

39.) 04 Dec 2020 11:21:28
I've actually said that I think in hindsight it was a mistake not to take Fred off.

What I think is the overreaction is the certainty in which many posters have that it was THAT mistake that cost us the game.

When the mistake not to take Fred off isn't what cost us the game.

PSG were 2-1 up when Fred got sent off, we were already losing the game before we were reduced to 10 men.

We were losing the game due to two poor individual defensive errors. Not tactical mistakes, or picking the wrong players.

While Martial missed two very good chances to score BEFORE Fred.

Had our players not made basic defensive mistakes and Martial scored two simple chances we would have been 3-0 up before Fred got sent off for making a fair challenge and winning the ball🤦‍♂️.

40.) 04 Dec 2020 12:06:46
We actually played well against a good psg side and should of really got something out the game . It wasn't a bad performance
Of course everything other than a chance to have a dig at the manager will be ignored .
We lost a game, ole took a chance and left Fred on . Should of probably took him off . Martial scores etc its a different game, psg get a second when a goal up again its a different game .
Bit of luck about every goal
Thats football, mountain out of a mole hill, site is always a good laugh when we drop points regardless of the circumstances, some comedy gold above .

Not seen many post saying ole should of 100% left Fred on infact its the opposite, but people get upset if someone doesn't just point out the negative .
Hindsight is a wonderful thing .
But at least the site is busy.

41.) 04 Dec 2020 12:42:44
Shappy just to respond to your points:

Whether Fred has been our most in form and instrumental midfielder or not is arguable. My point is that DvB was excellent in the last game and in my view should have started against PSG whether this was in place of Fred or McTominay. Two defensive midfielders was not necessary and was counter productive in a defensive sense because they gave the ball away in dangerous areas because they cannot pass properly.

Going from 3 at the back to 4 at the back is not more attacking; it's an extra defender.

Shappy, tell me honestly; did you not feel that Fred was going to get sent off? I did, the pundits did and it seems like most people on this site did. You can quote all the stats you like about Freds first half yellow cards (and I agree you make a good argument), but sometime you just have to listen to your spidey sense.

42.) 04 Dec 2020 12:46:53
Jred, for me it's just ignoring the context of the game and trying to put all the blame on the manager to push an anti-Ole agenda.

Like I've pointed out and said a dozen times on here today. I agree that in hindsight Fred should have been subbed at halftime.

That said, many players get a booking in the first half. As a manager you decide whether the players head has gone and whether you need to bring them off. As an outsider looking in I would have taken Fred off as he attempted to headbutt a player. That said at the limited level I have managed at I would have had a chat with the player at halftime to decide whether I needed to pull them or not.

The fact that Fred didn't commit a foul in the second half seems lost on most. He was sent off in a refereeing mistake. Possibly because the Ref realised at halftime that he ballsed up in the first half, and he was trying to make two wrongs in to a right.

43.) 04 Dec 2020 12:46:55
Red Man,

My post got 17 likes and apparently everyone on here including the Ed's hate me so there must be a lot of those Norweigen bots out there you mention. Ken will tell you none of them likes were done by myself when he does his investigation as well, perhaps some people are just scared to speak up in case they get treated like idiots?

44.) 04 Dec 2020 13:02:02
👏👏👏👏.

45.) 04 Dec 2020 13:09:31
Shappy that sums it up imo.

46.) 04 Dec 2020 13:41:30
Lolll Norweigen bots! Classic! )

47.) 04 Dec 2020 14:40:50
Gds if the cap fits.

48.) 04 Dec 2020 14:48:12
They must be scared that's it. 😂😂😂 would terrified not be more sensational. let's have a little clap hands👏👏👏👏.

49.) 04 Dec 2020 15:27:50
GDS

It was one of your posts that made sense, I think one of those likes is from me.

Shappy writes a huge essay, often with nonsense in, then you watch the likes click up. It’s either one of four things
1) Norwegian bots
2) People who click the like button because they think it will close the page as they got lost whilst reading
3) People who misread the symbol and think it is rude and want to give a message back to Shappy
4) Insomnia sufferers who are grateful for help. After all today, for them there are only three sleeps until Christmas.

50.) 04 Dec 2020 15:35:38
Ken knows me. I'm a student with my only source of income being cyber crime🤷‍♂️ My Russian bots have been bought and paid for in influencing Trump's election campaigns, the Brexit campaign and Boris's election campaign.

I also occasionally use them to "like" my own posts on football forums🤣🤣🤣.

51.) 04 Dec 2020 16:18:42
ken,

You proved my point exactly, maybe people can't be arsed with the sarcasm or bolloxology they get back if they dare to suggest anything other than your opinion?

52.) 04 Dec 2020 16:44:23
Ed001 summed you up gds i tend to agree with him.

53.) 04 Dec 2020 16:46:30
Very funny redman.

54.) 04 Dec 2020 17:51:33
So you keep saying ken, not like you to agree with an Ed though. On the chat everyone saw me offer a truce and we could move on as I’ve always thought you were a good bloke, you refused and ignored the offer.

55.) 04 Dec 2020 17:53:00
Very funny Redman haha.

56.) 04 Dec 2020 19:41:31
Truce for what?

57.) 04 Dec 2020 20:38:33
Because you’re rude and abrupt to all of my posts and clearly have a problem with me despite me being nothing but polite, never mind, if you don’t see how you’re being then there’s no point, just thought you would be better than that.

{Ed025's Note - come on guys you are better than this, please lets have some respect for other peoples opinions even if you dont agree with them, its ok to have a bit of banter but name calling and trashing other posters views is not on, its usually a pleasure to edit the united page as there are some great characters and humour but lately its all got a bit toxic, lets start afresh hey and be more tollerant towards each other...cheers..

58.) 04 Dec 2020 21:55:41
Red Man, how much money did you make from your bet at half time that Fred would be sent off in the second half?

I'd imagine naff all as you didn't place a bet, as your not a clairvoyant and you didn't know what was going to happen.

Thus saying we all knew what was going to happen is in fact a fallacy. You might have thought it possible, even likely. But you did not know, or are you really Mystic Meg?

Like I said, that was the 8th time Fred has received a first half yellow card for us, and only the first time he actually got sent off.

How many fouls did Fred commit in the second half? None.

I'd imagine at half time maybe the coaching staff, maybe even the management might have had a word with him, told him to be careful in the second half and to not react as he did in the first half.

He was sent off for a challenge where he won the ball. It wasn't a foul by any law in the game.

While he should have been sent off in the first half, he didn't do much wrong in the second.

While it might have been prudent to sub him at half time as he had headbutted (albeit hardly making contact) in the first half.

While you are completely neglecting the fact that after the sending off Ole brought on TWO creative attacking midfielders and a striker. While we still fashioned chances when down to ten men and could still have gotten a result.

Your quick to slag Ole off for what you perceive as negative subs, where is your praise for his brave offensive subs?

59.) 05 Dec 2020 01:15:26
I checked the price for Fred to get sent off at half time and thought it wasn’t worth the bet as even if he came out for the 2nd half Ole would take him off after 15 minutes as he seems incapable of making a sub until 60 minutes. No value there on someone to get sent off in 15 minutes at even money imo.

60.) 05 Dec 2020 08:27:09
Shappy

I don’t bet, I made that clear, except the Grand National. If If I did I wouldn’t have put money on until I saw Fred start the second half because I wouldn’t have believed a manager could be that incompetent.

I gave Ole praise for his half time changes at Southampton, but you just can’t criticise anything he does. He deserves criticism for the Fred decision but you seem to be too emotionally bought in to Ole to be objective at all.

01 Dec 2020 14:40:47
One of the key aspects of our success during the 90's and the 00's under Sir Alex was our ability to pick off the very best talent within England, players already playing in the EPL or even in the Championship.

Players such as Keane, Irwin, Pallister and Cantona all became key players having moved from other English sides, not to mention players like Sheringham, Yorke, Cole etc.

When Chelsea were taken over by Roman Abramovic he brought in Peter Kenyon and that ideology of bring in the best players from with the league started at Chelsea and became the springboard for their success though the 00's and 10's. Players like Lampard, Ashley Cole, Bridge, Geremi, Duff, Joe Cole, Glen Johnson, Parker, Sidwell etc. Not all made it as genuine stars at Chelsea, but a clear pattern of signing the best players already in England was the start of Chelsea's early success.

City did something similar when they came into money, signing several Arsenal players as well as players like Walker and Sterling more recently.

Now we have Liverpool reborn, a team made up of players picked up mostly from lower EPL sides, Gomez came from Charlton, VvD, Mane, Lovren and Lallana came from Southampton, Wjinuldum from Newcastle, Robertson from a relegated Hull side, Milner and Sturridge from City, Henderson from Sunderland, Shaqiri from Stoke and AOC from Arsenal.

Either way a clear pattern emerges, if you want a great side in the EPL, then its best that you recruit the best players from the EPL. This is very much the pattern used by all the top sides in every league in Europe, Real Madrid and Barcelona hoover up the best talent in La Liga, Bayern in the Bundesliga, PSG in Lique 1, Juventus in Serie A.

So, I was wondering who in this most unusual of seasons has caught your eye this season? Which bright stars have you seen in the EPL who you think could go on to become a top player at a top side.

I've seen a few Dominic Calvert-Lewin looks like he is really stepping up this season and could be ready for a top side next season. Neal Maupay is another who could be an interesting option to add depth to a forward line.
Kalvin Phillips has looked excellent at Leeds and hasn't struggled with the step up at all.
Matt Cash has quietly been excellent for Villa, able at both end of the pitch and never letting them down.
Both Harvey Barnes at Leicester and Jarrod Bowen at West Ham look more than capable of stepping up and being a part of a title challenging side.
However, the player I have most been impressed with is Pedro Neto at Wolves, only 20 years old and so well rounded as an attacker. He can play wide left, right behind the striker or deeper in midfield and be just as effective. I wondered how Wolves would cope with the loss of Diogo Jota (who has been excellent at Liverpool this season 9 goals in 14 appearances this season), yet Pedro Neto has filled the void as if Jota had never left. While Neto being only 20 and a more well-rounded player could go on to be a far better player.

I would love to see United look to take a strangle hold of the best players in the EPL, I would go as far as saying it is necessary if we want to lift the EPL title again.

So which players have you been impressed with in the EPL this season?

1.) 01 Dec 2020 15:51:54
Would state some really obvious names, Calvert-Lewin, Grealish, Hojberg and Che Adams.

I really like Hojberg, he has given stability to that Spurs midfield and has been been instrumental in shielding that fragile defense of Spurs.

Nothing to much to say about Grealish, one of the best English players in PL. Would love to see him in Utd shirt if Pogba leaves.

DCL has been scoring some really important goals for Everton. His make is like an old school CF who will make runs and would trouble you in the box with his physicality.

Adams, had a horrible last year but this term he has been fantastic, already scoring some important goals for Southampton. Would love to see how consistent he is over the season.

Shout out to Mendy (Chelsea), Bowen, Solly March.

2.) 01 Dec 2020 16:04:21
I hope we try for Traore and Rice in Jan window.
Adama Traore for RW. He can beat a man and put crosses in all day (would be fantastic for Cavani)

Declan Rice for CDM. Fantastic reader of the game and snuffs out danger.

Grealish, Hojberg have been superb this season.
Son-Kane partnership has been brilliant. If they continue their hot streak, Spurs will be genuine contenders for title.

Jota has added quality in depth for Liverpool. What a signing.

3.) 01 Dec 2020 16:48:59
Although I like Traore, he tends to keep the ball too much when there is an easy pass available. This does frustrate his teammates sometimes. Plus not a fan of his goal scoring record.

Rice would be a perfect replacement for Matic.

4.) 01 Dec 2020 16:52:51
Grealish and kalvin Phillips for me Phillips would be a great fit imo.

{Ed025's Note - i do like phillips jred but grealish would be a no for me, very talented thats for sure but lacks discipline both on and off the field, he would be another pogba mate and his diving antics are a disgrace as well..

5.) 01 Dec 2020 18:08:53
ED025,

Grealish is a disgrace. His diving theatrics last night were disgraceful.

Philips is a player I have watched off a couple of years. He woukd be a great midfield signing.

{Ed025's Note - i hate all the diving lark MH and as you say hes world champion at it, its a shame as well because he has talent but hes a loose cannon, phillips is dynamic but you already have bruno and DVB so i dont know where he would fit in mate..

6.) 01 Dec 2020 18:24:49
Ed25 each to there own pal but I would disagree on grealish .
Lad is developing all the time imo had a ridiculous dive last night but also got kicked all other the pitch, scored a great goal and was the best player on the pitch .
Phillips looks the part and has thd type of game united are probably missing at the moment.

{Ed025's Note - grealish can be brilliant jred but spends too much time on his arse for me mate..

7.) 01 Dec 2020 19:36:36
Philips, Traore and Jimenez of wolves, lampty of Brighton looks a great prospect,

8.) 01 Dec 2020 20:10:40
I think pep will sign grealish. He would be a good fit there imo.
He does keep making an arse of himself but also is performing on the pitch.
At united i think a lot mite if his off field stuff would be exposed.
I'm very 50/ 50 i like the good stuff but detest some of the other stuff.
Will he mature and become as good as he can be? Its high risk imo given the sums involved.

9.) 01 Dec 2020 21:59:22
Maupay is nowhere near good enough for a side with aspirations of winning a title. DCL would be a great addition mind.

{Ed025's Note - you can get that thought out of your head caolan.. :)

10.) 02 Dec 2020 08:08:57
I think that we bought well previously because we bought for positions needed, to a plan knowing how we wanted to play.

In terms of players catching the eye, Podence at Wolves is someone not yet mentioned.

11.) 02 Dec 2020 10:25:45
Still very young and currently on loan from Chelsea with West Brom but Conor Gallagher has really impressed me this season. I know he's not what we are looking for at the moment but he looks like he could be a special talent in the future. Even comparisons to Frank Lampard from some of the media outlets.

12.) 02 Dec 2020 12:28:32
Some great names been turned up here. I’m not sure Adama Traore is what we need, for me he is Antonio Valencia 2.0, fast and strong with inconsistent end product and not clever enough to make chances when there isn’t space to run into. Valencia’s best season for us was 11/ 12 where he got 6 goals and 16 assists, Traore’s best season was least season where he got 6 goals and 12 assists.

I’ve watched a lot of Wolves games, I’m a big fan of Nuno and what he is doing there. I see Podence was mentioned by Red Man. He has had a good season so far; he had a good end to last season and was one I was intending on keeping an eye on this season. However, for me the player who has stood out most at Wolves has been Pedro Neto.

Rice is another name that I think could be a good signing for us, he has continued to improve. For me he has stood out slightly less this season, but then that might be because I expect more of him now.

Grealish was a name I expected to see come up after we were linked with him over the summer. For me the problem with Grealish isn’t his ability, its his mentality, both on and off the pitch. On the pitch his constant falling over irks me and for a top side would just disrupt the flow of attacks too often for me. While off the pitch he does make questionable decisions that at a club such as ours where you live under the microscope (just ask Cavani) could be a recipe for disaster. I also wonder whether he is one of those players who plays better as a big fish in a small pond. So, for those reason’s for me at the money quoted (£80m) he is too big a risk. I often wonder whether Pogba and Maguire would be considered flops if we paid 40m for each of them instead of 89m and 85m respectively. Neither are bad players, but far more is expected of them in part due to the price tag. I think the same thing would happen to Grealish if I’m honest, whilst he is more likely to go off the rails.

13.) 02 Dec 2020 08:32:15
Ed025 agreed, he's also an arse. Good talent, no doubt but an eejit if the highest order, we would do better to steer away from lads like that.

{Ed025's Note - i think so too angel..

30 Nov 2020 12:31:05
I was posed an interesting question by a friend who is a huge Dortmund fan and I wondered how everyone on here feels about it.

Obviously United have a history of interest in BOTH Haaland and Sancho, but if we could sign only one of them from Dortmund next summer which would you choose and why?

1.) 30 Nov 2020 12:46:16
No brainer for me. We need a CF and a RW and I believe Haaland is the better player now and has a higher ceiling.

2.) 30 Nov 2020 12:51:52
Sancho, primarily because haaland will eventually end up in spain, most likely madrid.

Whether that's straight from dortmund or using another club as a stepping stone is less clear.

3.) 30 Nov 2020 12:57:00
Both would be ideal. But I would choose Sancho over Haaland. We desperately need a right winger to balance out our attack. Majority of our attacking play is down the left side making it easy to defend against us. Hopefully Greenwood matures enough so that he could be our long-term No.9.

4.) 30 Nov 2020 13:13:28
It's a difficult choice Shappy.
A proper Centre Forward who can guarantee 30 plus goals season after season is a must if we are to mount a serious title challenge.
If the striker is not having a good game, he should atleast harass the opposition defender, hold the ball, move them out of position and bring others into play (which is not something Martial does consistently)

Sancho solves our long term issue at Right Wing. Most of our attacks come through left which makes it very predictable.

Both are players who suits the ethos of our club as they bring excitement and quality.
I would personally bring Haaland mainly because he guarentees goals and will be an investment for a decade.
Another reason is Amad Diallo plays on the right and is rated as a world class talent.

5.) 30 Nov 2020 13:24:04
Until I watched Cavani in the 2nd half against Soton, I had almost forgotten what it felt or looked like to have a proper out and out Center Fwd playing for us. Haaland for me.

6.) 30 Nov 2020 13:41:37
Haaland, We desperately need a striker now. Make Shift players won't work now, 45 mins of Cavani a proper CF was a treat wo watch.

We have already signed 2 young Rw's so would rather wait or them to take the RW position.

7.) 30 Nov 2020 13:47:08
Haaland no question.

8.) 30 Nov 2020 14:40:21
Haaland. We have signed Pellistri and maybe Duallonfor the RW. Plus Sancho has an attitude problem.

9.) 30 Nov 2020 15:57:52
Haaland all day.

10.) 30 Nov 2020 18:39:24
Surely there is not debate needed, halland is hands down the better fit and better player. Strikers like haaland don't come around too often and goals win games.

11.) 02 Dec 2020 08:47:01
Haaland all day long. His record is unreal. I’m surprised it’s even up for debate to be honest. Perhaps some of you are taken by our need for a “right winger”, but for me, a front three of Rashford, Haaland and Greenwood would out score a front three of Rashford, Martial/ Greenwood, Sancho, by a long way.

Haaland and each of a top quality attacking right back, centre back and holding midfielder and we’ll be right up there domestically and in Europe - in my opinion. Now we just need to find a club silly enough to buy Pogba for silly money to fund it.

29 Nov 2020 10:23:44
The question of who will be the club's next CDM once Matic leaves is often brought up.

When we discuss what positions the club need to sign players for we often say CB, RW, ST and CDM.

Obviously you can have different kinds of holding midfielders, pure tackle monsters like Makelele or Kante who focus almost entirely on winning the ball and shielding the defence, however they often offer little with the ball. Or you can go for your deeplying playmaker type holding midfielder. Someone who'll control and dictate the tempo of game and offer a level of control in the midfield. Players such as Pirlo, Carrick and Xabi Alonso.

We speculate over possible players we could bring in Thomas Partey, Saul Niguez, Declan Rice, Wilfred Ndidi etc.

One player who is often overlooked is our own James Garner. Considered by some within the coaching staff as the next Michael Carrick.

Yesterday on loan at Watford he played very well in Watford's 4-1 win against Preston.

He finished the game with a 93% pass completion rate. While he also completed 8 of his 9 attempted long balls, and 4 of his 6 crosses. He made one "key pass", a couple of tackles, and an interception. In a very calm and measured display, controlling the midfield and giving Watford a platform to attack.

While one game doesn't make a great player, it was a sign of him getting to grips with senior football in a very competitive league.

With a little luck he can continue to develop and these sort of performances become the norm for him.

If he can have a good loan spell with Watford then he may well be able to come back next summer and start to put pressure on those in the first team.

1.) 29 Nov 2020 11:05:32
Liverpool and city didn't have too much trouble finding them in fernandinho/ rodri or fabinho.

The reality is the type of holding midfielder will depend on the style we want to play.

If we want to play out from the back and dominate the ball possession we will need a carrick type who is comfortable playing 1/ 2 touch and can pass the ball forwards whilst being intelligent to fill in gaps to stop counter attacks.

Where as if we want to continue to play sit back counter attack and hope for the best type of football then we will need a workhorse who can win the ball back but is limited on the ball, i.e fred.

2.) 29 Nov 2020 16:39:39
As much as I would love for Garner to be the answer I can't help but feel that we will need to bring in that person who takes the midfield to the next level if we are to stick with Fernandes and VDB which i hope we do.
Carrick/ Pirlo type that is good devensively (more by reading the game, with a vision to be our quarterback) . Not sure who the best bet is but we should be on the look out now.

17 Nov 2020 17:38:58
Two clear issues still exist this season, firstly is we still don't have a first choice RW option. Greenwood is a short term solution, yet has his limitations (age, inconsistency, best position will probably be central) . While we still don't look like we have the right blend in defence.

Is there a player out there who could have a similar effect to Bruno in January.

Looking ahead to January, a CB looks unlikely. Although we have been linked to David Carmo in recent days, the issue of having Jones, Rojo and the constantly injured Bailly still on the books, we might in the short term at least need to find the right balance with the players we have. Hopefully Tuanzebe or Mengi step up and make a difference. Although that is more a hope than an expectancy.

Right wing though is an area we could look at in January, while the big names like Sancho might not be available, there are many good options who maybe would be available. Players like Emi Buendia, Calvin Stengs, Viktor Tsygankov, David Neres, Ismaila Sarr or an outside of the box option Pedro Neto of Wolves (who I feel could have a breakout season this year) .

Who do you guys feel could possibly be available in January who could really make a difference?

1.) 17 Nov 2020 17:51:54
Traoré seems restless at Wolves, he could be an option.

2.) 17 Nov 2020 18:09:36
Good post Shappy. I wouldn't touch Traore, unless he is Amad Traore. Neto is the better player and can become a top player.

3.) 17 Nov 2020 18:27:54
Doesnt matter who we sign, i am convinced we would still end up with juan mata right wing.

4.) 17 Nov 2020 18:28:12
LLV, Adama Troare wants either a big new deal or a move to a big side. He and Wolves are wrangling over a new deal and have been for a few months.

However, that said I don't think he would be either a viable option or a particularly good one. Firstly, a deal for him would likely be £60-70m+ which you don't see many deals of that magnitude happening in January. While I also think that is too much.
Secondly, I think he is great at one aspect of the game, but he isn't rounded enough to really fit into a top side. He has a world class ability to dribble past players with fantastic pace and power, his end product is still a little iffy. However, for me the real problem is much like Dan James and Valencia before him, if he doesn't have space to burst into he doesn't have the footballing intelligence and technical ability to come inside and link up and play those clever passes.

5.) 17 Nov 2020 18:30:16
Herrera, Neto I think could become a top player. He was the reason Wolves were happy to let Diogo Jota leave (I really rate Jota, I think he will be an excellent signing for Liverpool and in a few years time I believe most people will rank Jota as the better signing when compared to Thiago) .
That said Neto is 20 years old and looks to have a great future ahead of him.

6.) 17 Nov 2020 19:38:36
Shappy you are dreaming if you think Wolves will value Traore at £70m. He isn’t even a guaranteed starter there. He’s quick and powerful but that’s where it ends. His end product is very poor. Hence others start before him.

7.) 17 Nov 2020 19:41:45
We can sign all we like but if we have the same defence this time next year it will be the same conversation.

8.) 17 Nov 2020 20:08:11
Unless we have a change in manager i don't see is signing a rw in jan.
We spent 30m on 2 18yo players and greenwood has hardly kicked a ball all season nor has lingard and we are keeping mata who at his age and after betting largely ignored most of last season is suddenly a starter so i think ole will stick with those for the season.
Ole has also looked to playing a diamond or 3 at the back and that actually negates the need for a rw.
Playing 2 up with our forward options of cavani greenwood rash and martial makes sense. Any 2 from that 4 looks strong.

9.) 17 Nov 2020 20:36:21
Adama Traore is a great shout for RW.
He can put in good crosses which we are lacking in our wing play.

10.) 18 Nov 2020 06:35:54
I agree with Ken

Having paid out quite a lot of money on Amad, unless his visa falls through he will arrive in January. Another left footed player to play on the right and cut in, rather than stretch the game with width, looks a very good prospect though. We also bought Pellestri who actually is a RW, young but a RW. Given our tactics not sure where he fits. I sense unfinished business with O Dembele but can’t see that as much now. Traore is powerful and quick but don’t we need width and finesse to get behind defences. For the money Dembele is a better fit, yet it has its risks and we bought youth.

For me there are three not two areas. The obvious central defensive issue but also the defensive midfield, despite Fred’s slight resurgence. Given the financial figures I can’t see a splurge in January unless a real bargain turns up.

11.) 18 Nov 2020 08:13:57
Adama Traore? Please no. He's James with muscles and that's as good as it gets.

12.) 18 Nov 2020 08:56:07
I wouldn't call greenwood a short term solution, had a difficult start to the season abd there us a particularly disturbing rumour, which I hope isn't true .
But he can certainly be a long term player.
Amad like another couple are clearly for the future not the present .
I think sancho is the player we want for rw and that's who we movd for.

13.) 18 Nov 2020 09:23:31
I would suggest he is short term rw but long term cf as its his best position and God knows we are crying out for a proper cf and goal scorer.
Lots, in fact too much being said about him at the moment.
Lets hope he gets through this difficult time and that he comes through a better and stronger person and player.

14.) 18 Nov 2020 09:24:28
Is Amad not older than greenwood?

15.) 18 Nov 2020 10:37:07
Agree with RedMan, We are lacking a top class CB and CDM in addition to RW.
We should have gone in for Partey. He intercepts danger and is progressive with the ball.

For CB, Upamecano and Alaba are available both pacey and left footed which will add much needed balance to our defence.

16.) 18 Nov 2020 10:51:57
Ken agr is but an number greenwood is ready for the united first team now . Personally I'm not sure amad is.
If rumours are true greenwood won't be playing for anyone, so hopefully there not. Looks like it may of been someone else
Personally I think the club want sancho for rw.

17.) 18 Nov 2020 11:24:37
No nothing really of amad so i can't comment. Never seen him so I've no idea how ready he is. Probably as ready as rash was when he was thrust in.
Bd will have to lower their demands it doesn't matter how much the club want him if they can't or won't meet the valuation.

18.) 18 Nov 2020 11:39:33
We will not sign anyone in the January window (unless there is a serious belief that fans will be allowed back into grounds) . Clubs are being hit massively and whilst we are a huge organisation able to cope, I believe that this in the short term will be done in a frugal/ cautious way.
To be honest, unless we identify a Bruno type signing that is going to be the next piece of the jigsaw I am potentially happy with that.
We all know where our areas of concern are but I just don't see the players we need long term being available in January, whether it is Olly or another manager they first need to sort the current team into a system that works consistently.
Sorry, kind of goes against the usual trend of the January window.

19.) 18 Nov 2020 11:46:03
On sancho BD will have to lower their demands with C.V. and as sancho contract runs down . But if sancho is the player we want and the club think a deal can be done in the future I see little sense buying someone else .
Amad isn't getting in the Atlanta first team so I find it hard to belive united see him moving to the EPl with everything that entails and going straight in to the united 11 .
I think the fact he is older than greenwood is irrelevant.

20.) 18 Nov 2020 12:28:22
Ive not suggested buying anybody else. I've said above i don't exoect any rw to come in this jan.

21.) 18 Nov 2020 12:59:55
Red Man, I agree that a CDM is needed, Matic doesn't have the legs to play twice a week. While I wouldn't call either McTominay or Fred natural holding midfielders. More defensive minded box to box players. Something closer to Darren Fletcher rather than Michael Carrick. However, I don't see us signing that sort of player in January.

Ken, Amad Traore is a year younger than Greenwood. He looks talented, but we have no idea if he is ready to step up. He has played a handful of games in Serie A, which is not the same as playing week in week out in the EPL. He's a young lad moving to a different country, he will need time to settle and adjust. This season I would be surprised big he played more than a few minutes maybe half an hour in a couple of cup games. Both him and Pellistri should not be considered first team player this season.

Jred, age is just a number, maybe Scholes should lace up his boots again and start playing. I'm kidding of course. Clearly Greenwood is ready to play regularly, and I too hope the rumours are false. When I said Greenwood was a short term solution it was meant as a right winger. Long term he should be playing more centrally. So we are still short of a proper right winger, rather than playing someone in that position to fill in. I think if we signed a natural wide player for the right hand side it would enable us to switch between having a inside forward player like Greenwood to a natural wide player. Giving us more options, and making our attack less one dimensional and more unpredictable. While giving the manager the ability to change the game from the bench.

22.) 18 Nov 2020 13:06:52
Ken
More than you on the thread.

23.) 18 Nov 2020 13:22:18
Shappy greenwood is more than capable off playing rw so i'm not sure I agree that we are currently short of a rw .
I do think we need an extra attacking option.
I don't think that needs to be a right winger I woukdnt really describe sancho that . Most attacking players are exactly that attacking players.
Someone like sterling once over was a winger he isn't now tho .
Greenwood could very well be a " inside forward " for a number of years .

24.) 18 Nov 2020 14:23:47
It very much depends on what way the manager wants to play.
If he wants to play with 2 strikers and no 'wingers' then we don't need another cf we have 4 good options.
We then don't need a wide player except for wing backs where we have good options.
Ole has got most of his best results playing 4231 / 433 and in that case we could do with another right sided option. That could bring more contribution than mata james or Jesse.
While its great to have options and be flexible its hard to know exactly what ole wants to achieve.
I'm not sure if he chops and changes to suit who is available because he only really trusts 12 or 13 to play his preferred way and when they are not there the whole lot seems to change.

25.) 18 Nov 2020 18:55:00
That I think is the problem Ken. If you listen to past Manchester United managers they will tell you that they didn't get the players they wanted which stopped them playing the way they wanted to play.

Moyes wanted Fabregas, Kroos and Bale, but got Fellaini and Mata in January.

LvG listed about 20 players he wanted, the only one I can remember right now is Thomas Muller.

Jose wanted more defenders, and a couple of others.

Ole wanted Sancho this summer.

It appears that while as Manchester United manager you may ask for any player you want, the reality is that you will have to make do with the players you are given.

Maybe Ole will play with a strike duo now that he has Cavani rather than Sancho. But I wouldn't say that is necessarily the way he wanted to play.

Shappy's rumour replies

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01 Dec 2020 15:03:45
Cavani might be useful to keep for another year, he does have a one year extension option.

T
All the others should be allowed to leave. None are anywhere near the first 11, they are taking up a lot of wages and even if given a new deal we wouldn't be able to get much for them. Best cutting ties and allowing them to move on.

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15 Nov 2020 11:35:57
Cheers Ed002, that puts that to bed.

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15 Nov 2020 10:31:27
Trololo, I'm not sure I did.

"Yet next summer we will likely have to compete with at least one of Liverpool, Chelsea, City, PSG, Real Madrid or even Barcelona for his signature. "

That's what Is said in my post. Where I clearly say "likely" and "at least one of".

I haven't said anyone would definitely be in for him, just that several other clubs are likely to hold an interest.

Personally I think the deal is dead. If we weren't prepared to pay what Dortmund wanted this year then why would we pay it next year?

{Ed002's Note - Juventus are already in discussions with another side over Dybala as clubs are making an effort to agree transfers as early as possible. An exchange for Pogba is not something that has been discussed and there remains the issue of a renewed contract if Dybala were to drop his insistance on a particular clause in his contract.}

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14 Nov 2020 17:18:28
Trololo, Salah might leave Liverpool next summer so Sancho could be the replacement.
City might have a new manager and could look for a big name signing for the manager and could look to Sancho.
PSG might lose either Mbappe or Neymar and would look for a top signing to replace either of them.
Real Madrid have been approached by his agent and could easily switch their focus to him if they can't get other targets.
Barcelona might be looking for a replacement for Messi and Sancho could be the ideal player.
Chelsea are less likely to get involved, but do have a previous interest.

I doubt ALL of those sides would be interested, but if even ONE of them are then we immediately face competition for him which we didn't have this year. While the likelihood that NONE of them would show an interest is slim at best.

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14 Nov 2020 14:10:14
Ken, my understanding is that as United triggered the one year extension in Pogba's contact (which would have been up next summer 2021) to last until 2022. That means any money from any sale would go to Pogba unless some sort of agreement can be reached between United and Pogba to circumvent the "profiteering" regulations.
i. e. the club can't activate the one year extension just to make money from his sale.

While Dybala wouldn't be my first choice option, I could see him working well in a two man front line if the management decided to go with a 41212 or 3512 shape full time with the squad.

I've heard that it is an option both club's are exploring to save face/ get a player they want/ avoid losing key players for free.

Personally I'd have sold Pogba last summer, and brought in Bruno a few months earlier.

Ideally I think we need a left sided CB partner for Maguire (as we are unlikely to drop a 80m player who is the club captain) . Getting a left sided CB means Maguire can be pushed over to the right hand side and get a little more protection from AWB.

A CDM to replace Matic long term, who struggles to play 2 games a week over a whole season. I really like McTominay, but I don't think he is a natural holding player. He best attribute is his running power and ability to move box to box, neither of which is used as a holding midfielder. While his passing range is limited, especially his long range passing accuracy, and his defensive reading of the game is average. Although he is strong in defensive duels. While Fred I'm not sure what his best role is. He isn't great creatively, his passing and first touch are erratic, he is terrible in the holding role. He is at his best as an annoying buzzing player, getting in the face of the opposition and winning the ball back then playing short, simple passes. However, I feel to really get the best out of him you would need BOTH a deeplying playmaker AND a No.10. either way, we seriously lack a natural holding CDM to cover/ replace Matic.

Then obviously we need a RW, it was meant to be Sancho. Whether that ship has sailed remains to be seen. Yet next summer we will likely have to compete with at least one of Liverpool, Chelsea, City, PSG, Real Madrid or even Barcelona for his signature. Meaning that he will likely cost more than what we weren't willing to pay this summer.

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04 Dec 2020 21:55:41
Red Man, how much money did you make from your bet at half time that Fred would be sent off in the second half?

I'd imagine naff all as you didn't place a bet, as your not a clairvoyant and you didn't know what was going to happen.

Thus saying we all knew what was going to happen is in fact a fallacy. You might have thought it possible, even likely. But you did not know, or are you really Mystic Meg?

Like I said, that was the 8th time Fred has received a first half yellow card for us, and only the first time he actually got sent off.

How many fouls did Fred commit in the second half? None.

I'd imagine at half time maybe the coaching staff, maybe even the management might have had a word with him, told him to be careful in the second half and to not react as he did in the first half.

He was sent off for a challenge where he won the ball. It wasn't a foul by any law in the game.

While he should have been sent off in the first half, he didn't do much wrong in the second.

While it might have been prudent to sub him at half time as he had headbutted (albeit hardly making contact) in the first half.

While you are completely neglecting the fact that after the sending off Ole brought on TWO creative attacking midfielders and a striker. While we still fashioned chances when down to ten men and could still have gotten a result.

Your quick to slag Ole off for what you perceive as negative subs, where is your praise for his brave offensive subs?

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04 Dec 2020 15:35:38
Ken knows me. I'm a student with my only source of income being cyber crime🤷‍♂️ My Russian bots have been bought and paid for in influencing Trump's election campaigns, the Brexit campaign and Boris's election campaign.

I also occasionally use them to "like" my own posts on football forums🤣🤣🤣.

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04 Dec 2020 15:29:19
They all left football and went into politics which seems far too full of "right wingers" at the moment.

On a serious note I think the reason can be traced back to the idea of playing inverted wingers and overlapping full backs.

To be a top wide player now its more about cutting in and linking the play or finding space to shoot, rather than stay wide, stretch the play and whip in dangerous crosses.

As such if you are a top level wide player you will likely be right footed (around 80-90% of people are right footed), and as such you are more likely to play on the left wing so you can cut in onto your stronger foot and keep the ball on you right hand side giving you a shot selection of the entire goal and the ability to play a quick one two, or slip a player in with a pass around the corner.

This often means that the best right wing players are left footed, of which as discussed is only between 10-20% of people, so statistically you have less options. Also left footers are often more creative players and can often end up playing in a multitude of positions on the pitch depending on where you want a creator.

With these players being rarer there is much more competition for them. There are some excellent RW players about, Messi, Salah, Mbappe, Gnarby, Mahrez, Di Maria, Sancho, Havertz and Dybala often play on the RW. Unfortunately many of them are already at a top club and its difficult to get these players.

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04 Dec 2020 12:46:53
Jred, for me it's just ignoring the context of the game and trying to put all the blame on the manager to push an anti-Ole agenda.

Like I've pointed out and said a dozen times on here today. I agree that in hindsight Fred should have been subbed at halftime.

That said, many players get a booking in the first half. As a manager you decide whether the players head has gone and whether you need to bring them off. As an outsider looking in I would have taken Fred off as he attempted to headbutt a player. That said at the limited level I have managed at I would have had a chat with the player at halftime to decide whether I needed to pull them or not.

The fact that Fred didn't commit a foul in the second half seems lost on most. He was sent off in a refereeing mistake. Possibly because the Ref realised at halftime that he ballsed up in the first half, and he was trying to make two wrongs in to a right.

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04 Dec 2020 12:37:40
Its odd how reactive we all are. When the group was pulled if we looked at it we saw the top team in France and one of the top teams in Germany along with the Turkish champions.

I think most of us at that point thought it quite possible for us to finish 3rd in the group behind PSG and RB Leipzig.

Yet now if that happens it would be seen as a disaster only because with one game to go we have it in our own hands to finish top of the group.

The situation changes and so do our opinions on the situation.

Personally in this season I'd rather finish 4th than 3rd in the UCL group. A packed season of two games a week with little to no pre-season stuck playing Europa League football puts us at a huge disadvantage in the league.

For me I'd rather be in the UCL or nothing and focus on the league and domestic cups.

Ole made a mistake in not taking Fred off last night.

The ref made a bigger mistake in both not sending him off in the first half, and then sending him off in the second for a fair tackle.

While the players made several individual mistakes both in defence and in attack.

As pointed out, Telles and Maguire lost their man in the lead up to the first goal. McTominay and Maguire lost them for Marquinhos's goal. Then Maguire lost his man for the third time for the third goal. All three taps in due to poor defending.

While Bruno picked the wrong pass for what would have been a clear goal for Cavani and Martial missed two almost sitters.

While some proclaim this group of players good enough to win the league, I have serious reservations over the consistency of these players. We have some fantastic promise in some players. But they are as likely to fluff their lines as they are to blow the opposition away. As we have seen in the UCL this season, impressive wins against PSG and Leipzig, and silly errors leading to defeats to PSG and Istanbul.