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Team: Manchester United Where from: Bristol Favourite player: Ole Gunner Solskjear Best team moment: Champions league final 1999 Interests: Manchester United duh. lol Timezone: (GMT) Western Europe Time, London, Lisbon, Casablanca |
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25 Jun 2020 16:54:17
A little surprised to see Largie Ramazani as one of the academy players who are leaving this summer. Apparently he turned down a contract offer. Shame he's had a very good season this year.
{Ed002's Note - It is the same with Deji Sotona (LW) another kiddie who wants out - a "third party" has explained that the kid sees no plan for himself going forward and has made it clear that Manchester United is not the place for him to be. WEith no clear route forward players will be looking at other options at more progressive clubs.}
1.) 25 Jun 2020 18:10:32
Surprised and disappointed to see the Ed say this a few times. Nick Cox is the head of academy right? What are we doing wrong?
Fact is I see very few academy players make it as first team regulars at the very big clubs, certainly in England.
Ed is it all about the lack of a development plan and route to the first team, or is it also agents/ third parties driving some of these kids’ demands?
We still seem to be able to sign some top prospects from around Europe (at least when we splash the cash on wages) .
{Ed002's Note - It is largely the failure to have a plan for each player - that might include loans, training with the first team squad and moving forward. There is also a growing issue where youngsters want too much too soon - and that is why several German sides are constantly attending youth games in England.}
2.) 25 Jun 2020 18:40:02
I get that not having a specific plan for each young player could be unsettling for a youth player.
I'd have hoped seeing Henderson and Tuanzebe do well on loan, while players like Williams, McTominay, Rashford and Greenwood all playing regularly in the first team might be enough to convince them that they will get a chance at United.
3.) 25 Jun 2020 19:24:24
Joining this page years ago was like joining the Matrix. Take the red pill and the ugly truth will be revealed. The truth being that we have serious issues running from the top to the bottom of the club.
Should have taken the blue pill safe in the knowledge that we're the biggest club in the world, United D. N. A and all that tribal nonsense.
We seem to be going in the wrong direction off the pitch whilst being left behind by our main rivals on it.
P. s
7 more of those performances and Ole may get my blessing.
4.) 25 Jun 2020 18:54:41
Thanks Ed. To my untrained eye those seem easily solvable issues. I guess it’s when they start to make demands about guaranteed opportunities or silly money it starts to get complicated.
Yes seems a clear business model for the German clubs, trading these kids as financial assets (which is ultimately what footballers now are? ) . Working well for Dortmund.
5.) 25 Jun 2020 19:53:27
I would imagine that German teams attending UK youth games with the plan to take our young players to Germany will do wonders for the England team a decade from now.
6.) 25 Jun 2020 22:43:17
should make penalties a less tense affair.
7.) 26 Jun 2020 07:04:14
Not sure I can agree. No clear path to the first team?
Rashford, McT, Williams, Greenwood, Tanzuebe, Chong have all come through this season and Gomes has emerged slowly too (Alberti he is off) .
Henderson has broken through to be a very strong Premier League keeps on loan. ,
These players are kiddies - and are too young to be making demands - get your head down, work, and the fame and the money and the game time will come if you’re good enough.
8.) 26 Jun 2020 09:30:23
Is Alberti that Italian wonder kid Eric? 😐.
9.) 26 Jun 2020 09:40:08
I think demands for first team football, or excessively high wages from players who have at most made a handful of professional appearances isn't acceptable.
However, having gone to University as a mature student I have seen that young people need clear direction more now than I did at their ages, and I probably needed it more than my parents did.
Twenty years ago when a 18 year old lad in the academy asked his coach what he needed to do to get into the first team he would have likely been met with an answer something like "work hard, keep your head down, listen to you coaches" or words to that effect. Very nondescript, quite vague, advice you could give to anyone. That might have been fine 20 years ago, but the young people of today live in an information world, they want/ expect much clearer advice and direction. Very specific, they want to see a pathway so they know what they need to do and when, rather than aimlessly working without any idea about what or where they are going.
You need to be far more open when coaching kids these days. You need to start with the why rather than the what.
I don't know if the club is doing this or whether they have their 1980's heads on and just think "well it was fine for me" ignoring the fact that these kids have grown up in a very different world to the one that the coaching and managerial staff free up in.
10.) 26 Jun 2020 13:56:27
“Young people want to be told what to do and when” to paraphrase shappy.
Half the problem young people face today is the inability to think for themselves and are constantly looking for the path of least resistance.
11.) 26 Jun 2020 17:11:02
To me it seems a blend of what SAF had with Pogba, the clubs lack of proper organization and possibly societal pressure among others.
When you throw agents, impatient kids, inadequate personal coaching and the absence of well laid out plan together with social media and the likes, we are sure to get a sh*t storm.
12.) 26 Jun 2020 17:51:13
Shappy that’s the same in any walk of life. I a manage men and women in their 20s who act like kids expecting us to map out their careers for them. Grow up and take responsibility and perform. Then it’ll take care of itself.
13.) 26 Jun 2020 21:48:13
Interesting we have focussed on the players who have left, (none of which stood out massively to me) rather than the large number of players we have kept on. We have also offered to look after the players that are going and help find them new clubs with dvd packages etc, good from the club in these tough times.
Ramazani was the best of the ones that are going but he’s never set the world alight really so not to worried.
14.) 27 Jun 2020 07:09:46
I think it’s pretty understandable really. When youth players see the likes of Sancho, Haaland and co making a name for themselves playing first team football, it’s only natural that their heads are going to turn. Sure we can point to our successes integrating youth into the first team, but for every Rashford there are probably 10+ players with unrealized potential passing through our academy.
I feel like we need to improve the way we loan out our younger players and maximize their game time in instances where they stay at the club rather than go out on loan (we made 5 substitutions when the game was won in our last match and iirc, not one of them was an academy player) .
We’re probably better than most clubs in the UK when it comes to developing our youth prospects, but clubs on the continent seem to be doing a better job at this point.
15.) 28 Jun 2020 07:36:25
That’s the same anywhere red seven. Players like Rashford are rare and those conversion stats of players who make it are the same globally in every club. Should give you an appreciation of just how good the top players are not only skill wise but strong mentally.
16.) 28 Jun 2020 09:29:21
Shappy
Interesting you say that youngsters need more direction and wonder whether the club instead have their 1980’s head on. Isn’t that what our direction is now, led by our manager in a cultural reboot back to the old ways?
Moaning teenagers always happen, they all think they deserve more but it is also likely a sign the club structure and planning from top down is not what it should be and yes back to the traditional SAF way.
17 Jun 2020 11:21:11
Hey Ed002, hope you're well. I just wondered if you could shed any light on these links this morning with Frankfurt Sporting Director Fredi Bobic?
I know you said the club might have shelved plans for a DoF/ Technical Director.
Is this just a case of a friend/ former colleague (Lutz Pfannenstiel) throwing Manchester United's name in to the ring to bring attention to Bobic or has their been any kind of contact/ consideration from the club with Fredi Bobic?
{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any interest at all from Manchester United in Fredi Bobic and cannot imagine where any such links are coming from. What has Lutz said?}
1.) 17 Jun 2020 11:55:33
Ed002, I suspected it was fishing from Lutz. He said that Bobic has three options moving forward with his career, and name checked United as a possible destination. Worded more as the type of club he felt Fredi could do well at.
I thought it sounded tenuous at best, just wondered if there might have been something in it.
I take it United don't have any immediate plans for a DoF type role at the club? Cheers.
{Ed002's Note - No, Lutz is not like that. I imagine you have misunderstood what he said - Lutz would make an outstanding DoF by the way. Nothing has changed at MU.}
2.) 17 Jun 2020 12:33:31
These are quotes taken from a collum he writes for Danz.
"I am firmly convinced that he could lead a club like Manchester United back to the top. The question is rather whether he wants that. Conversely, top European clubs have long been on the downturn. "
"At Man Utd, for example, restructuring with a strong sports director who works in the background of the trainer or manager, as they say on the island, would certainly work very well. "
Just name dropping United in, but nothing expressly saying United actually have an interest. I just wondered if there were any links.
I don't really know much about Lutz Pfannenstiel, why would he make such an excellent DoF? Cheers.
{Ed002's Note - It is simply an example he used - I have said similar things. LP played football on every continet but his skillset is as a scout and Head of Football. He used to spend a lot of time in London looking at young players and is very close to those at one London club. And he is a really nice guy with a fantastic sense of humour.}
3.) 17 Jun 2020 12:59:53
Ed002, he sounds like he will have a very good post-playing career at board level in football. What are your thoughts on what skills would be needed for a DoF at United?
Could we bring in someone with limited experience or only experience at a much smaller club, or do we need someone who has had experience at the highest level.
What exactly would the role entail at United? As I know this sort of role has many different interpretations at various club's.
{Ed002's Note - The problem MU has it that the structure is wrong and adding a DoF without making other changes means it would end up with the same sort of issues there are at Arsenal.}
4.) 17 Jun 2020 13:21:31
Shappy he also name dropped bayern, liepzig and dortmund, never linking any of these clubs with bobic. These are the quotes before the part you mentioned
I'm very excited to see where Fredi's path leads him. I think there are three options, " Pfannenstiel wrote in his column for DAZN .
"First, he could stay in Frankfurt for a long time, but I personally do not believe that. After all, what more could he achieve after double qualifying for the Europa League and winning the DFB-Pokal? Bayern, Dortmund and Leipzig are currently difficult to reach for Frankfurt.
"Second, he could move to a top European club. Or third, he could do something completely different, something more exotic and work for a club where he can build something structurally.
"I personally would like to see how Fredi works with a bag full of money and which players he would sign. Even if working at a top club is completely different compared to developing and building up a club with limited resources, I am sure that Fredi would be up to the task.
5.) 17 Jun 2020 13:37:53
Is there a reason MU are not giving Marcel bout the job? He seems to have similar qualifications. Apologies if I am way off!
{Ed002's Note - Because they don't really know what they are doing as has been explained.}
6.) 17 Jun 2020 14:00:37
RFL woody won't do that, it would take away his spotlight.
7.) 17 Jun 2020 14:10:05
So who does the book stop with? The owners aren't involved in the day to day running of the club. It can't be Woodward making all the decisions.
We're clearly crying out for someone to lead the way off the pitch. Ambling from manager to manager, backing them one season and then leaving them enough rope to hang themselves the next.
We've been supposedly courting a DOF for a couple of years but somehow can't find a suitable one. As you said the structure of the club at the minute isn't suited to a DOF coming in. Are they aware we're struggling on the pitch?
The biggest worry for me is that people making the decisions are genuinely content with us floating around top 4 as long as the money is still rolling in.
I know none of this is an easy fix, but we seem to be happy with our name linked to these people but have no interest in actually bringing them on board.
8.) 19 Jun 2020 14:21:03
Sorry, Ed002, you lost me when you said he was a German with a sense of humour. Wee bit of casual stereotyping there for a Friday afternoon 😁.
05 Jun 2020 14:31:50
Ed002, Is there anything in the report today that United hold an interest in Benfica's Florentina Luis? Cheers.
{Ed002's Note - Not that I am aware. Florentino Luis (DM) is irst choice for Milan. PSG and Marseille interest has moved on - Milan will offer players to make a deal but needs to talk with new coach first.}
1.) 05 Jun 2020 15:01:51
Thanks, I didn't think it was likely. Personally from what I saw of him last year he looked a top young talent. He has struggled a little with injuries this year though, but at the right price one I think someone should take a punt on.
{Ed002's Note - And DM should not be a priority for MU.}
2.) 05 Jun 2020 20:02:52
Ed, is that to say that you are aware United currently aren’t prioritising a defensive midfielder, or that you don’t think they should be doing so? As much as Matic is still a solid option there I think he should be second choice, and McTominay is not a defensive midfielder. A player like Thomas Partey or Wilfred Ndidi would massively improve our side and provide a lot of balance, and give Bruno and Pogba all the cover they need.
{Ed002's Note - Manchester United and Matic agreed a new contract. Priorities are elsewhere.}
3.) 05 Jun 2020 21:42:28
Sancho the primary target Ed?
{Ed002's Note - Putting aside the concept of "primary target", Sancho is wanted by MU but the overall price might be an issue.}
4.) 07 Jun 2020 18:33:16
I don't see Sancho coming to us if I'm honest I think the price is too high and we are not his choice of club either. I think we will see more outgoings than players coming in.
5.) 07 Jun 2020 22:49:55
Chiesa rumours gathering momentum and Ed has said would be a much more cost effective solution.
22 Apr 2020 07:40:34
A new rumour but of a player leaving. Supposedly Spurs and Jose are interested in Diogo Dalot.
Would you guys accept selling Dalot to Spurs?
I'm a little torn, the lad is clearly talented, yet a combination of injuries and the signing of AWB have limited his chances.
Also with the emergence of Brandon Williams and Ethan Laird waiting in the wings with AWB and Shaw as first choice. Do we need Dalot?
1.) 22 Apr 2020 08:26:00
for me he is one of the best crosses we have, is he going to push wan bissaka for a starting spot at right back?
you need competition for each spot so for me i would keep him and have 2 young right backs fighting it out.
2.) 22 Apr 2020 08:33:07
He can play rb, rwb and RW. He is talented and play on the left. However he has suffered from injuries, which has hindered him. Unless we get a very good offer for him I'd keep him.
{Ed004's Note - I like Dalot a good bit. He always comes across well in interviews. He has been very unfortunate with injuries. Unless an offer comes in too good to refuse I would keep him. If he is sold however, I would move Williams to right back and probably pursue a left back to compete with Shaw. Not sure who. I haven't been following leff backs closely this season. An outside bet, maybe Saka and convert him to a left back}
3.) 22 Apr 2020 10:27:33
I would sell Dalot. Good player but not better than Wan Bisaka. OGS may promote Laird and make a profit on a squad player and use that money towards Bellingham cost.
4.) 22 Apr 2020 10:29:33
I too really like Dalot for all of the reasons mentioned above. He has also helped with settling Bruno in so quickly.
I would be tempted to give him at least another year.
However, the ultimate driver will be how our other RB's perform.
Ethan Laird was far more highly rated than Brandon Williams before Williams got his chance in the first team while Laird was out injured. If Laird has a good loan next season he could end up doing so well that we have another "Henderson" situation where we have young player clearly good enough to be in and around our first team but with a couple of very good players ahead of them in the pecking order.
If that was to happen then maybe Dalot might need to move on for his own good at that point.
5.) 22 Apr 2020 12:09:21
I'd actually keep him and play him further forward on the wing, he would still be a squad player but I think he would flourish there, he has a decent delivery too.
6.) 22 Apr 2020 11:20:32
Ed can I ask why you’d move Williams to right back with laird coming through? Laird is the main reason Williams plays on the left in the youth teams apparently. I don’t know about anyone else, but I quite like a right footed left back, I’m not sure why. Might be the Denis Irwin memories!
{Ed004's Note - I prefer having a right footed player as a right back and same for on the left side. It makes overlapping easier and showing someone down the line onto your stronger tackling foot is more ideal. Laird could probably do with a loan and I'd be concerned about how many injuries he is already picking up in his young career.}
7.) 22 Apr 2020 12:57:35
I reckon laird will be second choice right back going into the season if he can stay fit. Think there’s a cracking player in him.
8.) 22 Apr 2020 13:03:24
Do we really want to let a clearly talented raw young player move to a premier league rival.
Fair enough if we need the money to finance other transfers but i doubt spurs would be willing to pay a significant sum for dalot.
9.) 22 Apr 2020 13:40:45
For now he is a good back up player as he can play at both left back as well as Right back position.
Only downside is his poor injury record.
10.) 22 Apr 2020 14:01:44
ED004,
I hope we get of other players before Dalot. Maybe with Covid etc some of our players get a rest etc which may help them in the future with injuries they have had.
{Ed004's Note - I wouldnt be looking to move him on. There's a host of players that should leave before him. Just if the price was right I wouldn't object}
11.) 22 Apr 2020 14:54:33
He shouldn't be going anywhere and he will be top class ina few years.
Portugues players always a have a strong worth ethic and a fighting ability! .
12.) 22 Apr 2020 15:57:48
Right now No. We have too much business to do as it is with potentially anywhere from 5 to 8 first team players being sold and 3 -4 coming in. Why add the extra work to our load. We need 2 players for every position any how. If AWB got injured Dalot would be first choice.
13.) 22 Apr 2020 14:33:55
Ed004, Irwin, Maldini, Lahm are three great left backs who were naturally right footed.
While in recent seasons Young has looked better at LB than he did at RB despite being right footed.
If you're a good defender then I don't think it matters all that much. As long as the player is comfortable there.
Williams is more than capable of playing LB. As is Laird for that matter.
I think between AWB, Shaw, Williams and Laird I don't see us needing another full back even if Dalot was to leave (which I doubt he will) . Given that Shaw at 24 is the oldest of them we shouldn't need a full back for quite a while, assuming that Laird can make a similar impact as Williams and they both continue to grow and improve.
{Ed004's Note - I dont think we will sign a full back either tbh unless Shaw or AWB were to leave and neither of them look likely to go}
14.) 24 Apr 2020 12:03:54
I can see Dalot and AWB fitting into the team in the years to come. In my opinion AWB could become a good CB option.
25 Mar 2020 11:41:28
The world is a dark and uncertain place currently. So, let's discuss something a little lighter.
Odion Ighalo has been a breath of fresh air, he offers us something different and according to several sources been a positive influence on the dressing room.
So do we sign him permanently for the reported 15m deal that we have lined up? Or do we look to sign someone else?
The positives of signing Ighalo are that he is already settled, wouldn't take a significant amount of time to negotiate a deal, would be relatively cheap, wouldn't block Greenwood long term.
The negatives are that he hasn't yet proven himself for more than a few games, his age means we are only likely to get 2-3 years service from him. Then for some people he will lack the superstar pulling power, while some might prefer we sign someone to oust Martial and be genuinely first choice which Ighalo isn't likely to do.
For me it really comes down to what we do with Martial? As the question of whether Martial is going to be first choice or not will ultimately dictate whether we sign a genuine world class striker to replace him, or a top quality back up striker.
This season Martial has scored well when fit, but without fully convincing. He never leaves you with a feeling he gave his all and did everything possible to win the game. Which is fine when we win 2 or 3 nil, but in those games we lose or draw people will always question whether we might have got a different result if we had a striker who worked harder or made more gambles with making runs.
However, his recent performances have shown more application, and maybe with more reliable passes coming from midfield (Bruno) maybe Martial will make more of those runs and score more goals.
Personally I think Martial has shown just (literally by the skin of his teeth) ability and application to be given the chance to lead the line next season with more creative players behind him. Martial along with Greenwood who with a full season under his belt (one where he has scored 12 goals in 15 starts) offer pace and very lethal finishing. Maybe adding someone with experience like Ighalo could offer us a back to goal work horse striker who could help round off the younger two strikers games.
Add to this that very few top level strikers are available, and those that are cost a lot and are difficult deals to get over the line. Kane for example would be 120-150m at least, Martinez has only had one good season and looks set to sign for Barcelona. Aubamanyang is a possibility but we have got our finger burned signing 29 year old forwards from Arsenal in recent years. He is only a year younger than Ighalo but would be 4 or 5 times the cost in both fees and wages.
Then consider that this summer with the current world situation means deals will be extra difficult to complete. There is concern from clubs that throwing large sums of money around when many people will have lost their jobs and be under extreme financial difficulty might seem crass or provide backlash on those clubs. Also how much money clubs have to spend might be reduced if the season isn't completed with a reduction in TV money. While movement of people will be difficult, there might still be restrictions on international movement. Thirdly, most clubs work on a sell a player and bring in a replacement, this might take longer to sort out with clubs maybe being more restricted about where they can bring players in from and finding a suitable replacement will likely take longer. Finally with domestic seasons possibly being extended there is a issue with many contracts ending in June which will need sorting before incoming transfers.
Personally I think we would be best placed to bring in players from within UK boarders where possible to avoid restrictions or clashing with leagues being extended outside of the UK that could be on going. Therefore signing someone like Ighalo might make sense for many reasons.
1.) 25 Mar 2020 11:55:27
Ighalo should stay atleast for 1year as along as he accepts bench role.
Unless Martial is sold which is unlikely i don't see any of the strikers linked with utd accepting to sit on the bench.
Martial has improved recently along with the whole team and still there is Greenwood.
Martial, Greenwood and Ighalo are good options with different applications.
The club needs to focus on the Rw, DM, and AM positions especially if Pogba leaves.
2.) 25 Mar 2020 14:47:43
Sign ighalo and spend wheres its needed the most - cdm, right wing, cam and a rapid cb.
3.) 25 Mar 2020 19:36:53
Keep him. Rashford will be back next season too and if we get Sancho I think we will have a very creative front line.
Sancho would be my priority signing.
Then a DM - Zakaria, Soumare, Neves.
That would be my first 3 signings. Then we would need to look at a new CM if Pogba were to leave and a new CB if we were able to sell Jones and Smalling.
4.) 25 Mar 2020 22:36:35
Shappy - I think the re-building of this Utd team is almost complete. I've always maintained we were only 2-3 players away from having a very good team. That being said wether it'll will be good enough to challenge the likes of Liverpool and City remains to be seen.
Fernandes has now given us a creativity and goal threat from midfield we've been sorely lacking and just emphasises how the right player can re-galvanise a team and improve those around them. Fred and Mctominay look capable of forming a solid partnership providing industry and discipline in midfield.
Maguire has stiffened the defence, AWB is defensively one of the best full backs in the league and Shaw finally looks capable of fulfilling his potential. I think we probably need a bit more pace and physicality alongside Maguire however Bailly has looked promising since his return and I still have very high hopes for Tuanzebe.
Rashford and Martial have both shown glimpses of real quality and added a touch more consistency to their game. Ultimately their upper ceiling may just dictate how successful this Utd team will become.
In my opinion a RW should be our next priority signing. We need to bring balance to our attack and we need a consistent presence and threat from the right side. Sancho would appear to be our main target and a front four of Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho and Martial looks a mouthwatering prospect. I know Martial
divides opinion but I think he will be given another season to prove himself.
What we perhaps lack most is strength in depth and maybe it's this that needs to be addressed over the summer. Having said that many of our promising youngsters will be another year older and more experienced.
The world has been turned upside down by recent events and we just don't know what the landscape will look like when football returns.
In answer to your question I think the Club will probably sign Ighalo on a permanent deal. He's settled in quickly and made an immediate impact. He's appears content with a squad role but will fight for his place and has proven he is capable of making an impact when required. He certainly adds depth to our attacking options and gives us something others don't.
Could we see one superstar leave and another arrive in the coming months.
A first 11 of De Gea, AWB, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, Mctominay, Rashford, Fernandes, Sancho and Martial isn't too shabby.
I wish everyone the very best in these most unnerving and surreal times. Stay safe guys and look after each other.
5.) 26 Mar 2020 11:09:17
I would keep Martial but I wouldn’t rush to offer Ighalo a new contract. He has done really well but it was and should remain a short term fix. The focus should be on bringing someone in who we can rely on for 2 or 3 seasons.
6.) 26 Mar 2020 11:15:00
Apparently Ighalo has been offered two years contract worth 400k by his club.
7.) 26 Mar 2020 13:06:26
I read that it’s a 4 year deal and think he’d be mad not to take it.
I’ve been impressed with what I’ve seen of him since he came to the club and would be happy if he stayed with us next season, but let’s be honest, once Rashford is fit again it’s likely that he’ll be a bit part player for us.
When it comes to players over 30, we seem very reluctant to offer more than 2 year contracts.
If it comes down to choosing between being a superstar in China and earning more than £80m over the next 4 seasons or earning just over £12m while barely playing for us over the next two seasons, I think he’d be a fool not to take it.
I understand that it was always his dream to play for us and respect that he took a cut in wages to make that happen, but the money being offered by SS could keep his extended family in riches for the next few centuries.
8.) 26 Mar 2020 15:58:38
I think we should keep Ighalo unless Harry Kane is a serious possibility. We need strength in depth and Ighalo offers something different. Rotation without weakening the team was one of Fergie's main strengths.
9.) 26 Mar 2020 17:07:48
If Ighalo is happy to stay for a year or two i think we should make his loan permanent. Sign Sancho for RW, Van de Beek or Niguez to replace Pogba and Koulibaly to replace Jones and Smalling. A luxury would be that Bellingham kid everyone raves about to replace lingard / perriera.
A dream match day 18 for next season would be:
DDG, AWB, mcguire, Koulibaly, Shaw (or) Williams, McTom, Niguez, Bruno, Sancho, Martial, Rashford. Subs; Ighalo, Greenwood, Fred, Matic, Dalot/ williams, Lindelof, Romero.
Rotate James, Williams, Tuanzebe, garner, Bellingham, Mata, bailly as required.
10.) 27 Mar 2020 19:10:12
Sancho will be essential as that would be the first out and out winger the club has had in nearly a decade.
CDM to come in, Zakaria seems to be the name touted.
Ighalo was signed as a short term fix and that's how it should stay. Mertens available on a free and would provide great support to the front three.
If they could add a centre back such as Upamecano who is young strong and quick, I think you would have a top 3 side there. I feel like we might have to wait another year yet to get a complete side. But the below could be a target:
Henderson - De Gea
Shaw - William's
Maguire - Lindelof
Upamecano - bailly
Bissaka - dalot
Zakaria - Matic
Bruno - Fred
Pogba - Mctominay
Martial - James
Sancho - Greenwood
Rashford - (Mertens? )
That's easily a top 4 side with a chance to work through the champions league.
Leaves Jones, Rojo, Smalling, Pereira and Lingard to find a new club though. Fifa transfer market but a boy can dream.
Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts
01 Jul 2020 22:38:57
Chelsea still play Wolves, Liverpool and Sheffield United (if they can find form) . Three games they could drop points. While they also play Palace who can cause an upset.
Leicester play Spurs, Arsenal, Sheffield United and us yet, 4 of their last 6 where they could drop points. While they also play Palace who given Leicester's current form won't be push overs.
While we have Bournemouth, Villa, Southampton, Palace, West Ham and Leicester.
To be honest looking at our fixtures Bournemouth and Villa look shot of confidence while we are on a high at the moment. I look at Southampton, Palace and West Ham as hard games to predict as they will most likely have nothing to play for. Which means they might be easily rolled over or without any pressure they might play more free and spring a suprise.
I think we are not just in with a shout of top four, but third place could be in our grasp.
1.) 01 Jul 2020 23:00:17
What about wolves?
2.) 01 Jul 2020 23:10:11
I should think we're favourites for 3rd given form and remaining fixtures.
3.) 01 Jul 2020 23:39:34
Jred,
We will know more about wolves after their next 3 games, they have got a couple of 1-0 wins which have kept them up there with us, their next 3 look trickier and if they win them they will also be pushing for top 4. That last game where they play chelsea and they can’t both win might be helpful for us, but if we keep winning we will finish 3rd imo.
4.) 02 Jul 2020 00:08:35
Arguably ourselves and wolves are the form teams and its often easier to play as the hunter rather than being the ones hunted. Chelsea have a few tricky ones still as have Leicester. i'd love to see ourselves and wolves get 3rd and 4th. There could be all sorts of permatations going into the last 2 games of the season with wolves v chelsea and united v Leicester on the last day.
Any of the 4 could go into that game in 3rd and come out 6th or go in 6th and come out 3rd. Form and confidence is everything right now and we are bang at it, Leicester are in a hole, will Chelsea bounce back? Wolves look really solid. Only Liverpool lost less games than wolves this year. 13 draws have hurt them. So i'm saying us for 3rd and wolves just pipping Chelsea for 4th on the last day. i think we could all live with that😁.
5.) 02 Jul 2020 00:19:11
Shappy I agree with everything you have said but let's take it game by game, shall We? We are on a high and playing some fantastic footy right now but I don't think we are consistent enough yet to guaranteed that confidence. I would love to see us winning all the remaining games but an injury to Fernandes and we could start dropping points as well, what a signing he has been. I just hope we get more signings like him from now on. AWB yes, Maguire so so, James not so much but he is still young.
6.) 01 Jul 2020 23:20:19
I know one should have confidence but with teams scrapping for their lives no game will be easy. I would hate us to start a game with a complacent mentality.
7.) 02 Jul 2020 00:48:08
Think we are in a great position now to finish 3rd but need to keep the momentum up. A note of caution would be the big drop off potential when we are needing to utilise our squad players. We play Southampton at home on Monday 13th and Palace away on Wednesday 15th so the fixture computer could’ve been kinder. Especially as both games are before the FA Cup semi so not ideal. Clearly players may need to be rested for the Palace game at least.
All to play for though.
8.) 02 Jul 2020 02:50:29
Halesini,
The fixtures for that midweek haven’t been announced yet, I’d assume we will play Thursday though so Monday, Thursday, Sunday. Still a lot of games to fit in but unlikely we will be asked to play 2 games in 3 days.
9.) 02 Jul 2020 07:01:51
Wolves are in with a shout too obviously, I just wonder that their form since the restart hasn't been great, they are getting results but are scraping them. I suspect they will drop points between now and the end of the season and like ourselves being the teams chasing dropping points with so few games left to play could well be lethal to our chances of a top 4 finish.
I expect Leicester and Chelsea to lose/ drop points in at least one of their remaining games. Maybe two at most, but I would expect them to get results in 4 of the last 6 games (unless they have a catastrophic drop off) .
If they drop points in only one game each then we will need to win all our remaining games. If the one game Chelsea drop points in is against Wolves then it will be very tight.
Our form, and our fixtures compared to those around us give us hope and maybe even confidence to finish in the top four.
Yet ultimately we are still relying on two sides to drop points and for us to win all our remaining games. It's not quite in our own hands yet, but its getting closer and closer to it being within our grasp.
10.) 02 Jul 2020 08:02:02
I think we need to calm down, win the next game and not get ahead of ourselves. When Pogba and Bruno went off Brighton had a few chances and our level fell notably. Suddenly there was space between midfield and defence. Yes we won and yes the third goal was spectacular but as is the tendency on here, people get carried away. I don’t want to say it was only Brighton but I get the feeling the lower teams thrive better when they have a vocal local support close to the pitch and when that isn’t there they are more vulnerable.
It is a bonus that both Leicester and Chelsea lost last night but let’s win our next game. I said before the restart that I felt Leicester may be the ones to drop back and still feel that. Third is up for grabs but feet on the floor time, we can get third with luck and if we win all our games and it would be nice to prove all those “super” computers wrong ( who said we would be 5th) . The key is using Pogba and Bruno well and adapting to what opposition do about it. Don’t kid yourselves that they are not looking at how to deal with it, perhaps man marking on Bruno. We need to have good in game management if that happens.
Until Bruno and Pogba went off we controlled midfield, control midfield and you control games, win games generally. We have cup finals all the way now.
11.) 02 Jul 2020 08:16:06
Shappy i would say the Watford game is a tricky one for Chelsea too. that's the match suits Pearson better. I agree with everything else mate.
12.) 02 Jul 2020 10:11:04
Cheers GDS2. I was going off the BBC Sport apps fixtures. Thought it looked odd!
13.) 02 Jul 2020 10:15:57
Red Man,
Fully agree, I had a mate message this morning saying we shouldn't be happy with anything except at least 5-0 against Bournemouth. Now we might and it would be good if we did but it has been a very long time since we scored 5 past anyone in the league so it is crazy to say we would only be happy with that. I would take 6 1-0 wins from penalties from here to be honest I don't really care about performances at this stage.
Shappy, if last night proved anything it is that you can't predict with any confidence that Chelsea and Leicester will only drop points in 'max 2 games', they could actually drop points in 'max 6 games' as that is how many they have to play. I am guessing this time last week you didn't have them down as beating City and losing to West Ham. This season has been unpredictable, especially for the teams chasing top 4 with some crazy results and losses in games you would expect them teams to win comfortably, so for me we just concentrate on ourselves, win every game if we can and that should be enough for 3rd place.
01 Jul 2020 20:02:41
Leicester still sliding, loss to Everton today. If West Ham can spring a suprise on Chelsea this evening then we will be within 3 points of Leicester and 2 behind Chelsea.
Top 4 is still in grasp.
1.) 01 Jul 2020 20:11:20
Keep an eye on goal diff shappy it could be very important. As it stands if we win all our games it could be the deciding factor.
6 ahead of Chelsea who have a game in hand and 9 behind Leicester.
Bournmouth are leaking goals just now so hopefully we will close the gap on Leicester again.
2.) 01 Jul 2020 20:52:39
Don't worry ken, we'll score 5 goals on the last day of the season to sort out the goal difference 😂.
3.) 01 Jul 2020 20:57:58
If it goes to the last game each goal will count for 2.
4.) 01 Jul 2020 21:43:29
If we win all of our games before Leicester we won’t even need to win that game, other teams will drop points, it’s in our hands, we keep winning we get top 4, and I think we will.
5.) 01 Jul 2020 21:49:07
It's in our hands now. We're playing some great football, easiest run of fixtures too. We're hitting form at the right time. No excuses.
6.) 01 Jul 2020 22:59:22
Exactly jred. if we are within 3 goals of them 2 nil win on last day puts us ahead of then.
Its going to be tight. Could be wolves and united 3 and 4th i'd love that.
01 Jul 2020 11:50:03
While clearly the team needs a few signings to kick on I'd like to make a point about missing out on players.
The club want to sign Jadon Sancho, and there is a good chance we will sign him. Yet missing out on him might not be the worst thing in the world. On here I'd imagine there will be a meltdown if we don't sign him this summer. The usual cries of incompetence, penny pinching, not focused on football, of missed opportunity etc etc.
Yet when we missed out on Ronaldinho we instead signed a young players called Cristiano Ronaldo, which turned out arguably better than had we signed the Brazilian.
If we miss out on signing Sancho then maybe that will give an opportunity to Greenwood, or maybe we will sign someone else. Either way it might not be the disaster many will think while caught up in the hyperbole.
Greenwood at the start of the season looked like a talent for the future. However over the course of the season, and especially since the restart, he is showing that he is a player for the here and now. He seems like a player on the cusp of making that jump from young talent to genuine first team player.
He is starting ahead of James, Mata, Lingard and Andreas Pereira on the right side of the attack on merit, not on what he might achieve in a few years but on what he is achieving right now.
If we sign Jadon Sancho I'll be over the moon. Yet if we don't we might just have a player with more talent ready to make the leap that Sancho needed to move to Germany to make.
1.) 01 Jul 2020 12:40:03
I agree about Greenwood. I think that place in the first eleven is his at the moment. When he plays he delivers.
He will need careful monitoring and resting at times. Also, he will need good coaching to improve on how to play that position on the right.
2.) 01 Jul 2020 12:42:40
I don't see how people can or can't complain this year with C.V. Its got to have a big affect on transfers.
3.) 01 Jul 2020 13:07:17
I wrote a predictably lengthy post about Greenwood a couple of weeks ago that wasn't met with much enthusiasm on this forum.
I hypothesised that Greenwood was perhaps a prefect solution to our problematic right wing/ right forward position. Many posters speculated that Greenwood could be better deployed upfront as a No9 or backup option for Martial and that he wasn't perhaps ready to be a regular starter in our first time.
I think at this stage of his career Greenwood is tailored made to play on the right side of our attack. As we saw last night, he is very good at finding little pockets of space in between the full back and CB making him difficult to pick up. This also creates space for our full back to over lap and provide the team with more width. When Greenwood receives the ball in or around the box he is brilliant at manipulating the ball creating just enough space to unleash a powerful shot where he is able to hit the corner of the goal with unnerving accuracy. The more we can feed him the ball in those pockets of space in and around the box, the more of a threat he will become and the more goals he will score.
In my opinion Greenwood is perfect for games where we will dominate possession because he has the ability to operate in tight areas and shoot with power and accuracy. In my last post somebody suggested that we are not a possession based team however with the signing of Fernandes and the return of Pogba I think we have already demonstrated that we are now capable of completely dominating possession against the vast majority of teams in this league. I think Greenwood can be instrumental in overcoming teams that will sit deep and try to defend their box.
Whilst I agree it's important not to get carried away or place too much pressure on young shoulders in my opinion Greenwood has the skill set to help balance our attack providing us with a lethal and deadly option off the right side.
His future may ultimately be at CF but at the moment he can make an enormous contribution playing off the right. Sancho is no doubt an attractive option and a brilliant young player but in Greenwood I honestly believe we have a very special talent on our hands. Despite his tender years and a feeling of responsibility to protect and nurture young players sometimes you just can't ignore raw talent or hold them back any longer. Greenwood has proved he is our best option off the right and he might just save the Club a fortune this summer.
4.) 01 Jul 2020 13:15:03
100% jred, how can it not impact us in someway. Those who think it will be business as usual or that we can take advantage over other side's might be in for a ride awakening.
We may well weather the storm better than most, but that doesn't mean we can splash out and sign 3 players for 80m plus. We have a huge wage bill and need to offload player which will be harder than normal and we will likely have to accept lower than usual fees (which means lower than the low amounts we normally get when selling players) .
One thing that I took from last night's game which seems to have been skated over is the severe drop off in quality once Bruno and Pogba left the field. Which when we think that Pogba could very well leave this summer highlights the lack of quality in depth.
Bruno has been a revelation, but we are an injury to him away from being no better than last year.
Although I'd love to see Sancho sign, it might be more prudent to sign someone much cheaper and invest instead in squad depth in midfield and other areas so we don't have to see Lingard or Andreas Pereira too often next season.
5.) 01 Jul 2020 14:40:10
shappy, do you not think by the time pog and co left (5subs ) the game was dead .
Both teams had a eye on the next game.
6.) 01 Jul 2020 14:55:52
Completely Jred, we were happy to see it out, get some minutes in a few players legs and rest a few others. While Brighton will have seen it as a lost cause and thinking more about points they could pick up in other games.
I rate McTominay and I think Andreas could be a decent enough squad player. Yet the drop off in quality they have compared to Bruno and Pogba is huge.
When City rest KdB and David Silva they have a choice or Gundogan, Bernardo Silva and Foden.
When we rest Bruno and Pogba we have a choice of McTominay, Lingard and Andreas Pereira.
I'm happy with McTominay he offers something different, but is lacking in creativity. If we had Donny van de Beek and James Garner or Hannibal Mejbri on the bench instead of Lingard and Andreas Pereira then we would be a stronger squad for it and better able to sustain a title challenge across a whole season.
So I think the point still stands. We have given Lingard and Andreas Pereira a whole season to step up. They haven't been able to, at some point you need to cut your losses and move on.
7.) 01 Jul 2020 15:12:32
Shappy they can't replace KDB or aguero imo far better team with them in it .
What do you think of the scouse with out salah and mane?
As for options we are looking at grealish, which is fine by me .
Was lingard even on the bench last night?
8.) 01 Jul 2020 15:32:20
DLIB, a few months ago I suggested that we could give James and Greenwood a run at RW and not sign Sancho. While I feel that if Sancho is available and wants to come to United we would be fools not to pursue him. At the same time Greenwood has really stepped up in a way few expected (although many probably hoped) .
I could see Greenwood spending a couple of seasons wide right learning the game, developing and growing into his body before moving central.
2 years ago many people though Rashford was being wasted on the wing and that he would eventually become a centre forward. Now though most agree he is better out wide. Martial has shown this season that he shouldn't be played out wide and is a bigger threat when played centrally. Who knows where Greenwood will end up playing.
Generally I'm not a huge fan of having similar type players playing on either wing (forwards who will look to cut in onto their strong foot and shoot in Rashford and Greenwood's case), I feel you get more from a side if you have some balance, maybe one who'll cut in and another who'll stay wide and stretch the pitch. Yet, it works fairly well at Liverpool with Mane and Salah, so it can clearly work playing two players with a similar style.
If Greenwood is to play on the RW then AWB will need to be more productive in the final third offering an overlapping option. Although based on last nights performance of an assist for Greenwood and nearly an assist for Williams clearly AWB can improve his creative output.
Greenwood has as much if not more natural talent than Jadon Sancho, however, just like Sancho he needs to play games to show and to develop it. I don't think missing out on Sancho would therefore be the disaster many worry it could be.
9.) 01 Jul 2020 16:06:50
Shappy I think we're on the same page mate I just think Greenwood can be a real asset for us on that right side. I don't like labelling young players and just because they've done well at youth level in a particular position it doesn't necessarily mean that's where they'll ultimately end up playing. At the moment Greenwood can do a good job for us on that right side and he is perhaps now ready to play more regularly in the first team than anyone could have expected.
James has been heavily criticised by some and whilst he sometimes lacks end product or composure he remains a real threat against teams where we can play on the counter. We have really good options in my opinion.
I can see why the Club like Grealish. He has quality, is creative and has that maverick ability to make something out of nothing. He can play in a variety of positions and will undoubtedly bring extra depth and quality to the squad! I think we all saw that when Pogba and Fernandes went off the standard of our attacking play and our ability to retain possession was significantly reduced. We also saw this against Norwich and if we want to be more consistent we must have more players than can impact the game in the final third.
With the emergence of Greenwood maybe Grealish might be a bigger priority than we realise.
10.) 01 Jul 2020 16:12:14
Jred, City had KdB out for most of last season and broke many many records so I think they can cope well enough without him. While we are seeing at lack of depth at CB and CF with Laporte and Aguero missing large parts of the season has seen City drop and be unable to keep pace with Liverpool.
All teams have key players, players which when they are out of the line up the quality of the side drops. The issue is how big a drop in quality and whether the rest of the side have enough quality to cover for it.
With Liverpool for example Salah and Mane are big misses, yet the bulk of the creativity in that Liverpool side comes from the full backs in TAA and Robertson. So while an injury to one of them is problematic they still have the other three to step up.
City have the same situation with creativity by having KdB, both Silvas, Mahrez, Sterling and Foden who they can call on to bring quality chances to the team.
Our issue is without Bruno and Pogba who will create chances? Rashford, Martial and Greenwood are great finishers, but need players to facilitate them to create. James is good if given space in behind, but is otherwise a little limited. Our full backs aren't the most creative, while none of Matic, Fred or McTominay have anything like the kind of creativity in midfield as Pogba and Bruno have.
We need to bring in more creativity in the form of another creative central player and a creative wide player. Then we will have creativity from at least four players and we will be better placed to cope with injuries and suspensions.
Its the drop off in quality in the replacements for Bruno and Pogba in conjunction with a lack of creativity in other areas of the pitch.
11.) 01 Jul 2020 16:29:56
DLIB, I think we need more creativity, Greenwood has proven himself the best player in that RW spot in our squad.
As I have said above the issue is once you take Bruno and Pogba out we lack that player to transition the ball from midfield to attack.
I think we need a creative wide player, someone who can act as a wide playmaker, James is good on the counter, while Rashford and Greenwood are more goal scorers than goal creators. So I can see why someone like Sancho who has 17 assists from wide positions is someone we are looking at. It would mean that all our creativity isn't restricted to the central area with Pogba and Bruno. While squad depth and having someone who can step in and replace Bruno or Pogba without such a drop in quality will make us more competitive over the course of the season.
I can see why Grealish is being targeted and he would be a good signing. My concern with Grealish is his attitude, while I don't think he is worth close to what Villa are asking for. 40-50m tops is what he is worth. We signed Bruno pre-C.V. for an initial 47m.
Donny van de Beek might be a good option if Pogba leaves, if Pogba stays then maybe Houssem Aouar might be a better option than Grealish, more talented, tested at UCL level, younger and available for less than Grealish.
12.) 01 Jul 2020 16:42:56
Shappy i think you are over complicating it .
Bruno and pogba, who most people especially you would like to sell come off in a match that was over .
If both them players where Injured for a period of time the team would suffer.
But most teams would and you won't get a player of pogba or bruno quality to sit on the bench .
Bit like the scouse if both salah and mane where out for a period of time .
We are on a 15 game unbeating run pogba has missed the vast majority.
Dlib makes z good poing, I know your not keen on him but grealish makes a lot of sense and imo is a goid fit.
13.) 01 Jul 2020 17:20:26
Jred, if Pogba was happy and wanted to stay I'd be more than happy for him to stay and sign a new deal. However, he isn't happy at the club and wants to leave. Worse still he has a year left on his contact and could walk away for free next summer, while apparently that is his intention if the club doesn't allow him to leave this summer.
Pogba is one of the best players in the world when on form. Of course I'd want him to stay. However, I don't want a single player at our club who doesn't want to be here. We need players who are 100% committed to the club.
This brings me to my point, I'm saying we need more creativity based not just on the fact that we only have two players who can create large numbers of quality chances, but based on the fact that one of those players wants to leave and will do next summer if not this one.
Pogba had been injured for most of this season, while there has been suggestions that he wasn't working as hard as he could to get back as soon as possible. I have no idea if that is true, no one but Pogba himself will know if that's true. Either way with Pogba out we struggled until we signed Bruno.
As much as I am loving watching Bruno it would be unfair and risky to hang all our creativity around his neck for next season. What if he picks up and injury? The way he throws himself about its very possible. What if teams figure him out next season, double up on him or man mark him out of the game.
Grealish does make sense and I wouldn't be unhappy if we signed him. I have concerns about both his attitude and his consistency. Maybe he would step up at a club like United, or maybe he would struggle under the pressure of the spotlight.
He is 24 and had one full year of EPL football as a starter. Has been ignored for international duty, and has had several "issues" off the pitch bringing his professionalism and attitude in to question. Hardly a glowing CV for a potentially 80m signing.
Houssem Aouar has played 3 years of top flight football, has played UCL, been called up for a significantly stronger national side, has been a perfect professional and is 3 years younger than Grealish with a much higher ceiling on his ability and is available for around 40m.
I know which one makes most sense. But like I said I would be unhappy if we get Grealish. I'd just have concerns. But he would add the kind of creativity in depth that we need and would be a far more dangerous option off the bench than either Lingard or Andreas Pereira.
14.) 01 Jul 2020 17:48:27
Aouar? Have we even been linked to him . young lad never played in the epl . Creative force at a team like united. Replacement for pogba . Not in my book
We will see but I think it very unlikely we sign aouar. So not even going to discuss him further
I though pogba was a virus who needed to be sold . I said it would only take a couple half decent games .
At the moment we have both pogba and bruno add grealish and look at our options up front and i'm personally ok with that . We will add another attacker as well imo .
Just an over reaction and judging on a game to game basis.
{Ed002's Note - Aouar will move, perhaps to England but not to Manchester United.}
15.) 01 Jul 2020 18:29:27
Where might he go ed002?
Ive not seen a great deal of him. He is highly regarded by most accounts.
{Ed002's Note - Houssem Aouar (CM/AM) Manchester City approached Lyon about Aouar and Ndombele last summer and it was made clear that only one of those two key players would be allowed to leave then - Manchester City maintain an interest but he is not first choice, as do Juventus but the interest of Barcelona and Chelsea will have gone unless other targets are not available or too expensive for them. If Juventus can sell Pjanic and Bernardeschi, they may look to Aouar as an option to the very expensive Kai Havertz but might want to include a player in any deal. Arsenal also maintain an interest but have a financial issue due to stupidity and will need to sell to bring in funds - they are also less attractive without Champions League football and I would strike Aouar from the list. PSG are interested as an alternative to Lucas Paqueta but might want to wait to their managerial situation is resolved first. I would have expected the player to stay another season at Lyon and that he would be the last of the assets to be sold - but the curtailment of the French season and no European football means Lyon will make him available with the likes of Dembele and Depay. And his availability could tempt others to look at him - perhaps Real Madrid if Asensio or Isco were to leave and perhaps Liverpool who have a need for an AM player or even Napoli is Fabian Ruiz were to leave.}
16.) 01 Jul 2020 18:47:40
This summer if pogba stays is likely to be rw sancho if a deal can be done and grealish again if a deal can be done. Possibly ighalo in jan.
Im not sure sancho will happen due to the cost. I hope that the position would still be addressed in a plan b/ c if we can't pull off the sancho deal.
If pogba goes he will need replacing needles to say.
Ideally imo dm is next most important and then a cb.
The club took huge financial hit this year. So funds will be tight and sales of players less lucrative so i don't envisage more than 2.
Cl qualification may impact that.
Imo we are very badly exposed at dm with matic being the only squad specialist and only one capable of playing the role at the highest level. He is on the decline unless very fresh. A good dm provides the platform for any team to attack. He is very experienced and all those ahead and alongside him play better when he plays.
For bruno and pogba or fred and mctom to do what they do they all need a player like matic behind them.
Matic can't do it every week and its a gaping hole in the squad.
Mctom turns over possession too often just now its the part of his game that needs most attention and to a degree will improve with experience. Matic will go next summer probably and id rather have his replacement here to work with him for a year.
But this summer funds are allocated elswhere and its a summer when funds will be a lot tighter.
As i said cl qualification will have an impact on who we buy imo and perhaps on whether we sign an extra player.
17.) 01 Jul 2020 19:57:42
Ken, I fully agree that DM is an important position to look at. Matic might have solved the immediate issue but he is declining and has only signed a one year extension.
McTominay and Fred aren't suited to the sitting role.
While money might be an issue there are some great players available for fairly reasonable prices. I really like the look of Ibrahim Sangare from Toulouse, he has been excellent in a team that has really struggled and have been relegated from Ligue 1 in France. He might be available for as little at 20-25m. Which is peanuts in the current market.
While Sancho should be the first choice as he is head and shoulders above anyone else available for the RW. That said I don't think the club should be held to ransom and that value can be found in the market.
With Greenwood showing true potential on the RW then we could afford to go for a less established "name" player to come in and challenge/ rotate with Greenwood. Emi Buendía at Norwich has been excellent this season, he is EPL proven, and with Norwich almost certainly to be relegated this summer he is another who could be picked up for a reasonable fee.
If Pogba leaves and we need a CM as well as a RW, AM, DM and CM.
We could sign Sangare, DvdB, Grealish and Buendía for less than Jadon Sancho's whole package would cost the club.
We would have a much stronger squad.
18.) 01 Jul 2020 20:13:29
intreasting to hear Neville saying mctom considered for a cb role .
Personally I think he has all the attributes to play dm . Still young room for improvement he can play there.
19.) 01 Jul 2020 21:00:42
Jred, McTominay can play DM, yet I think there are two issues for him in that position long term. Firstly, his passing from deep isn't great, he will need to work a lot on that. Look at our third goal last night, it all started with that pass from Matic, currently McTominay doesn't have that pass in his locker. Secondly, McTominay's greatest strength is his energy and running power. Sitting in front the back four and shuttling side to side to cover the full backs doesn't play to his strengths. He is better placed being given a more "free" box to box role, where he can put out fires where they start, and provide the energy in midfield.
Of course he can do a good job as a CDM, but it doesn't play to his strengths and ultimately that could be our downfall playing square pegs in round holes.
30 Jun 2020 22:13:31
Another good result and a great performance in a game that looked like a potential banana skin.
I'm trying to remember a player who has had such an impact as Bruno. The only name the jumps out is Cantona. Whether Bruno goes on to attain the same legendary status as Eric remains to be seen. But when he's on the pitch he gets an extra 10% out of every player on the pitch.
1.) 30 Jun 2020 22:18:34
Makes you wonder what might have been if we had signed him earlier?
{Ed004's Note - Even watching Andreas come on as his replacement and the downgrade in quality is shocking. If we had Bruno all season we would be in top 4}
2.) 30 Jun 2020 22:29:13
Great signing Ed and he will be scoring lots and lots of goals.
3.) 30 Jun 2020 22:35:36
Agreed ed004.i can’t for the life of me figure out why we gave pereira (and a few others) a new contract. Not good enough for where we want to go.
4.) 01 Jul 2020 06:16:44
Just shows the difference quality players can make.
Now need more quality at CB and RW to really compete.
Thought Matic was fantastic by the way.
5.) 01 Jul 2020 07:57:41
Just shows what a world class no 10 can do.
Lingard is not even on bench these days.
6.) 30 Jun 2020 22:36:29
Ed004
Would you give Fernando's the number 7 shirt next season?
{Ed004's Note - I would prefer my wingers or wide players to have no.7. And there's a particular signing I want that number reserved for}
7.) 30 Jun 2020 23:04:32
Totally agree with Ed004. Brighton gained confidence when Pogba and Fernandes left the pitch. Reminds me of players talking about winning the game in the tunnel.
8.) 01 Jul 2020 08:11:27
Andreas is clearly a very technically gifted footballer. Just ineffective in actual real game situations unfortunately. Sort of player you’d be pleased to have on your 5 aside team.
29 Jun 2020 22:12:16
I heard Barcelona are scared about being overtaken by a young and fast improving Real Madrid side.
Well that explains their Pjanic buying anyway 😉.
1.) 29 Jun 2020 22:33:40
Very good shappy. on a serious note though Barcelona are a bit of a shambles at the minute (by their high standards) and their recruitment of late hasn’t been great. Griezmann has been a total disaster, looks like we dodged a bullet there 😂.
2.) 30 Jun 2020 00:15:01
Tim, Griezmann is a worldie but he’s being played in a system that doesn’t suit him and a position that also doesn’t suit him. He’s had most of his success at Atlético playing as a centre forward in a 442, and Barcelona are playing him as a left forward in a 433. He’s being set up to fail, especially as Messi doesn’t like him. I’d take him a heartbeat but he’s not young enough for our transfer policy really.
3.) 30 Jun 2020 02:03:50
Said it for a long time - Messi is papering over some serious cracks in that Barcelona team. Once he retires they will be in serious trouble.
4.) 30 Jun 2020 10:41:28
Barcelona have always been prone to an expensive high end player mistake in the transfer market. Especially in the forward positions. Griezmann, Dembele, Coutinho, Zlatan and Malcom to name a few. Three of them being big name players who have failed to blend with the Barcelona style.
I agree Griezmann is a better player than he is showing at Barcelona, but I wouldn't sign him. He is more trouble than he is worth and at 29 isn't a spring chicken anymore.
Messi is both the saviour and biggest problem at Barcelona. He is so good he carries the team in a fairly uncompetitive league. However, he is far too big for his boots, making demands and getting too involved in the running of the club. Messi actually pushed hard for the club to sign Griezmann and Coutinho.
Barcelona will not be able to rebuild properly until Messi is gone, until then it is all about bringing in players to get the most out of Messi. Which is fine in the short term, but long term once Messi is gone they will have a squad full of players who have been signed to bring the best out of a player no longer there while there won't be anyone the club could bring in to adequately replace Messi.
5.) 30 Jun 2020 14:46:00
That’s more or less what I meant Shappy, I simply worded it quite poorly. He’s a fantastic player, and exactly the style of player I would love at United, he’s just not young enough any more to be worth the money or the risk. Shame, if we had signed him in 2018 when we were supposedly interested, I think I would’ve been more excited about that transfer than any other player we’ve signed or we’ve been interested in perhaps ever. Certainly, watching Pogba and Griezmann week in week out at Old Trafford would be seriously special.
30 Jun 2020 19:02:45
Plus he is another RB which with TFM 22, AWB at 22, Dalot 21, Williams 19 and Laird 18. We now have Juardo 16 to give us a 6th option at RB going forward.
30 Jun 2020 10:27:34
Ed002 suggested it would cost around 50m to buy him out of his contract, which is insane. The best solution would be to come up with some sort of an arrangement with another club to buy him for next to nothing and just draw a line under the who situation. That could be a loan for a year with a compulsory purchase option at the end as few clubs will want to take on his contract this summer in light of the global C.V.
26 Jun 2020 09:40:08
I think demands for first team football, or excessively high wages from players who have at most made a handful of professional appearances isn't acceptable.
However, having gone to University as a mature student I have seen that young people need clear direction more now than I did at their ages, and I probably needed it more than my parents did.
Twenty years ago when a 18 year old lad in the academy asked his coach what he needed to do to get into the first team he would have likely been met with an answer something like "work hard, keep your head down, listen to you coaches" or words to that effect. Very nondescript, quite vague, advice you could give to anyone. That might have been fine 20 years ago, but the young people of today live in an information world, they want/ expect much clearer advice and direction. Very specific, they want to see a pathway so they know what they need to do and when, rather than aimlessly working without any idea about what or where they are going.
You need to be far more open when coaching kids these days. You need to start with the why rather than the what.
I don't know if the club is doing this or whether they have their 1980's heads on and just think "well it was fine for me" ignoring the fact that these kids have grown up in a very different world to the one that the coaching and managerial staff free up in.
25 Jun 2020 18:40:02
I get that not having a specific plan for each young player could be unsettling for a youth player.
I'd have hoped seeing Henderson and Tuanzebe do well on loan, while players like Williams, McTominay, Rashford and Greenwood all playing regularly in the first team might be enough to convince them that they will get a chance at United.
24 Jun 2020 09:58:03
RWWD, Pogba is well paid, arguably overpaid. No one is disputing that. However, he doesn't want to continue to play for us. He should within reason be allowed to choose who he works for.
You might not agree with it, yet I suspect the majority of fellow footballers will view things in a similar way to Pogba rather than that of the fans.
At the end of the day he doesn't want to be at our club. As an asset he his value to the club is diminishing the longer the keep him. While doing so will look in the eyes of many other footballers to be the club mistreating him.
It best the club facilitate his move. Firstly to protect the value of a club "asset". Secondly, to maintain a happy dressing room. Thirdly, to protect the club's image with fellow footballers.
02 Jul 2020 08:09:28
Denis Irwin wasn't just our best LB, but our best RB, CB, CM, winger and probably goalkeeper if he ever had the urge to don the gloves.
02 Jul 2020 08:06:46
I was watching on and off, it was a poor game. Brescia were poor defensively. Sanchez scored a penalty and got 1 of his 2 assists from a free kick. He did well against a poor side, but in truth Inter never got out of third gear and Sanchez didn't really impose himself on the game, I thought Moses and Young were both more influential.
I'd love nothing more than to see the Sanchez of 2016 who top scored for Arsenal with 30 goals and 18 assists. But that was 4 years ago and sadly I don't think Sanchez has that player in him anymore.
We and Sanchez himself needs to move on, find a club where he is wanted, feels appreciated and let him play out the final years of his career with a smile on his face.
02 Jul 2020 07:01:51
Wolves are in with a shout too obviously, I just wonder that their form since the restart hasn't been great, they are getting results but are scraping them. I suspect they will drop points between now and the end of the season and like ourselves being the teams chasing dropping points with so few games left to play could well be lethal to our chances of a top 4 finish.
I expect Leicester and Chelsea to lose/ drop points in at least one of their remaining games. Maybe two at most, but I would expect them to get results in 4 of the last 6 games (unless they have a catastrophic drop off) .
If they drop points in only one game each then we will need to win all our remaining games. If the one game Chelsea drop points in is against Wolves then it will be very tight.
Our form, and our fixtures compared to those around us give us hope and maybe even confidence to finish in the top four.
Yet ultimately we are still relying on two sides to drop points and for us to win all our remaining games. It's not quite in our own hands yet, but its getting closer and closer to it being within our grasp.
01 Jul 2020 22:24:33
I think there should be a time limit imposed on the VAR team. If you can't tell within 2 minutes then it is neither clear or obvious.
01 Jul 2020 21:57:25
That has to be the worst VAR decision I've seen. I'm a big advocate of VAR, the technology isn't at fault here, it's the people using it. How a player lying on the floor is blocking the keepers view is beyond me.
{Ed002's Note - The question is not that but did the ball come off him.}