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02 Nov 2023 06:46:27
Good morning Ed I hope you're keeping well.
Do you happen to know if PSG (or anyone else for that matter) retains an interest in Marcus Rashford?
{Ed002's Note - No and he has signed a new long-term contract.}
1.) 02 Nov 2023 12:55:23
Thanks for your reply Ed, have a good day.
{Ed002's Note - And you.}
2.) 02 Nov 2023 19:45:34
That’s a shame. I’ve said it for years, he gets away with murder because he’s from Wythenshawe, and he fed kids for a little while.
He’s been in the first team squad for probably 7/ 8 years now and still sulks, still walks round with zero effort, can’t be arsed to track back, still makes wrong choices more often than not. Apart from 3 good months last season when he needed a new bumper contract he’s been useless. Vastly overrated and I’d be happy to see him sold. I’d said it time and time again.
3.) 02 Nov 2023 22:03:21
I was one of his biggest supporters but my patience ran out a while ago, he's capable of great things but rarely does them. A humble kid who now has all the bling that goes with being a young footballer, he should have been dropped months ago. It's the lack of effort that gets me.
A few years ago he was carrying the team and then he got injured against Wolves. Since then he has been awful, apart from a hot spell last year. He's an established international who should be setting an example, not moping around the pitch.
4.) 03 Nov 2023 07:49:21
Unfortunately Marcus is just too inconsistent, great for a few months, then retreats into his shell when his form dips.
At the moment he seems unable or unwilling to do the hard work to recapture that form,
The biggest issue at the moment is the lack of leadership within that squad. Nobody seems willing to stand up and drag themselves out of the mira they have got themselves into, but is not the first time we have seen this is it.
5.) 03 Nov 2023 10:57:47
I feel pretty mixed about Rashford. Clearly he's a talented player and on form one of our best players. He does tend to blow hot and cold which isn't ideal, but there are many other players that need replacing before him. I don't think his streaky form is a massive issue, the problem is that we rely far too much on him to perform as there is no one else. Rooney used to have streaky form in front of goal, wouldn't score for 3-4 weeks then score 10 goals in a month. The difference is Rooney had class players around him to score the goals when he wasn't. If Hojlund and Antony were scoring 20-25 goals each a season and Bruno and Mount chipping in with 15 goals a piece then Rashford going 4 or 5 games without a goal wouldn't be a problem.
Without knowing someone personally I prefer not to judge a persons character. He worked hard to make sure kids didn't go hungry during the C.V., that would suggest that he has some moral fibre at least.
His demeanour on the pitch this season hasn't been great and I understand people's frustrations, especially as his poor form is not helping the club pull itself out of this current funk we are in.
However, it might be a chicken/ egg situation here. Are United in poor form because Rashford is in poor form, or is Rashford in poor form because United are in poor form. We also don't know what is happening in his private life, or whether there might be legitimate reasons for his apparent apathy on the pitch. Which to be fair to him isn't how he has normally appeared on the pitch, typically he has always been a hard working player even when his form hasn't been great. That would suggest that something isn't quite right with him right now.
Either way unless he is actually a disruptive influence in the dressing room (which I doubt as all his managers right from LvG to EtH have trusted him and backed him), then he should stay at the club at least in the short to medium term. He has the talent, the question is whether he has the attitude. I'd expect the club to keep him for the next 2-3 years at least while they dramatically improve other areas of the squad. You never know by that time Garnacho may have over taken him and Rashford might be looking to leave himself.
6.) 03 Nov 2023 14:47:42
Rash is our best player in the squad, better than hoiland garnacho, sancho and whoever you want to name folks. I used to read this same page when people used to take out their frustration on Rooney. Don't confuse bad form and poor results as a team with Marcus Rashford being a problem at United. About 15 players need changing before we think Rashford is not good enough.
I am waiting for someone to tell me Wayne Rooney was overrated:)
different players but both very good.
7.) 03 Nov 2023 17:42:19
Rooney was amazing, but towards the end he stayed too long. Rashford isn’t in the same league as Rooney and never will be.
He has a good few months every few years, the last one when he wanted a new contract. He is either a player who needs to be high on confidence to show what he can do, but who also has huge confidence issues, or he just can’t be arsed half of the time. I hope it is the first, but either way it isn’t good enough.
That said his decision making and end product is very poor most of the time.
8.) 03 Nov 2023 22:15:31
Ahmad, Rashford is a problem and the reason I asked if there’s interest is because he needs to leave. He’s another with off the pitch issues which will cause fractions on the squad.
9.) 04 Nov 2023 08:31:27
Wazza
Why is he a problem. does the front 5/ 6 look like they are doing anything for everyone to Clamor on Rashford. Garnacho started by all account against NC B team. Did he do anything different.
Off the pitch stuff like having had a birthday party planned and going through with it was probably not the best idea but let's not blow things out of proportion.
Talk to any ex players, who have played at the highest level, they laugh if you bring up rash as a problem in the conversation. Can every United Manager, who seems to start him with no questions asked and all these players be wrong.
Why use a different standard for him compared to others in the squad. Good things happen when we get the ball to Rashford properly and not him looking at 3 defenders.
If we are going to get ourselves out of this funk rash and Bruno are the ones that will need to drag us out of this. Not many in this squad, who can do what these two are capable of. Its not coincidence we are struggling when you look at their numbers this year.
I personally think Bruno is a bigger issue as his influence is zip in too many games and he is suppose to be the creator hub.
I really rate Garnacho btw and its not about putting one down for the other.
10.) 04 Nov 2023 10:28:30
This site must only have nuns and monks posting on here apparently. Not a single person on here has ever gone out for a night out, been to a party, or turned up for work hungover.
This holier than thou attitude against young men doing what young men do is frankly ridiculous and so incredibly hypocritical.
There is a difference between players not working hard in training and not focusing on their careers and players blowing off a little steam and having a private life.
People regularly point to Roy Keane as having the perfect attitude as a player, people say they want someone with Keane's grit and attitude on the pitch right now. However, they conveniently forget that Keane has admitted trying to get himself sent off because he was struggling with a hangover.
11.) 04 Nov 2023 11:04:04
Shappy
If you read the stuff sharp has said over the years and what they got up to makes todays players are saints and take much better care of themselves.
Luckhurst title and hit job of an article on rash and eth regarding him being out on his birthday and reading what Eth actually said speaks volumes for how bad the reporting is atm and how things get overblown.
12.) 04 Nov 2023 11:31:10
I have no issue with any player celebrating their birthday, or having an evening out to blow off steam. However I do feel that they need to accept that if they are playing like sh*t, seeming to those outside looking in like they are uninterested, and have just been smashed at home by City again, that they will get a lot of stick for that.
If Rashford was obviously putting 100% in, and was having a positive effect on the team etc, then this is not a story, however it is the complete opposite of that, and when you are paid more in one week than most of the people in the stadium are paid in maybe 5-10 years, not seeming to be giving everything and then going out late is going to end up with you getting called out. I have no issue with that either.
13.) 04 Nov 2023 12:34:55
Ahmed and Shappy you simply do not know what has gone on and that’s fine because it’s (thankfully) not in the media. It’s not about 1 night out.
14.) 04 Nov 2023 15:15:11
Wazza
Please share happy to hear and mean it honestly if there is more to this.
15.) 04 Nov 2023 15:31:28
Ahmad, the club is a cess pit of questionable morals at the moment. Its enough for the player’s appearances to be affected and that’s why I asked the question, but an open forum is not the place.
14 Mar 2021 20:48:34
Hi Ed do you have any further info on the links to Hakan Calhanoglu? I believe he is out of contract this summer?
I recall you saying a while back that his agent would prefer a move to England.
{Ed002's Note - Hakan Calhanoglu (AM/LW) Player wants a new contract - Milan will oblige if agreement can be reached over his wages - and it may depend on what happens with loanee Bahim Diaz. Atletico and Juventus have asked his German-based agent if a move is possible for them. The agent remains keen on the idea to try the player out in England or Germany but may have to accept staying in Milan - which I would expect to happen.}
1.) 14 Mar 2021 21:25:18
Thanks for your quick reply Ed ðŸ‘.
11 Jan 2021 14:09:13
According to Fabrizio Romano.
TFM looks to be off to Leverkusen.
Boubakary Soumaré and Max Aarons continue to be scouted.
Ole has said don't expect any more incomings in January, but 2 or 3 could leave.
1.) 11 Jan 2021 14:46:29
TFM needs a fresh start. He certainly won't be missed by the fans as he has hardly featured for the club. His loan spells in the EPL have been and blighted with injuries. Hopefully it works out for him.
Hopefully Rojo, Romero and Jones get moves.
2.) 11 Jan 2021 17:00:38
The rest may well get moves, but I’m not sure we could give Jones away tbh 🤣.
3.) 11 Jan 2021 19:56:26
I live in hope.
4.) 11 Jan 2021 20:21:41
Tfm refused the new contract offer. Willams a far better player imo so its good all round. Not much off the wage bill. He was the worst paid in the squad at 18k a well reputedly.
Rojo romero and jones cost a combined 12m a year plus so it would be a nice wedge to save for players that make no contribution.
Id like jesse to get a move for his own sake. Nice lad and a real 100% type of guy. He will make a good player for the right team.
5.) 11 Jan 2021 20:59:10
Ken I think Lingard would do well somewhere like Villa. They are a hard working team. Lingard isn’t at the level we need but nobody can fault his work rate on the pitch. Be good to see him get regular starts for someone after he scored some important goals for us.
6.) 11 Jan 2021 21:04:34
There is a huge list of players the club need to move on. Romero, Rojo, Jones, TFM, Andreas Pereira and Lingard are the ones who desperately need to go.
Romero is the only one who is close to good enough and we still have two better keepers than him in Henderson and DDG.
Then we have a group of players such as Bailly, Shaw, Matic, Mata, James, Pogba, Fred, Martial, Cavani etc.
Players who are either getting older and will soon need replacing, don't want to be here or who it is questionable about them being good enough.
I wouldn't worry too much about TFM.
7.) 11 Jan 2021 21:58:32
Shappy i wouldn't say we have two keepers better than Romero. Henderson maybe will become better and i wish he becomes world class. But i don't feel safe with him in goalposts, i felt always safe with Romero, he was always solid.
8.) 11 Jan 2021 22:03:49
Don’t get too carried away with Henderson Shappy. He’s not looked convincing yet. He seems over eager to please. Romero is certainly the better goalkeeper, for now.
9.) 12 Jan 2021 00:37:27
Agree on hendo. Ddg has dropped a level but still I have more peace of mind with him than hendo. He should have got another loan really.
As for jesse he’s lovable and he’s been through a lot, he’s a decent squad player but I wouldn’t begrudge him looking elsewhere for starting berth. Time will tell.
10.) 13 Jan 2021 17:48:33
Thank goodness TFM has gone. Nothing made me more angry than when we sent him on to ‘save the day’ in the semi vs. Sevilla. Good riddance.
Agreed that Lingard to Villa would be good for both parties. 50m plus Lingard for Grealish. One can dream!
07 Dec 2020 15:52:32
Ed002 with Raiola today quoted as saying it's over for PP at Manchester United, can you tell us if a deal has been agreed for his departure?
{Ed002's Note - There is nothing formal in terms of an agreement - this is no more than confirming what has been known for some time.}
1.) 07 Dec 2020 16:32:06
OK thank you Ed, have a great week.
2.) 07 Dec 2020 16:37:15
On the eve of our biggest game of the season, this joke of an agent comes up with this.
Now, the rest of the season will be speculation about Pogba's departure.
Disgraceful.
3.) 07 Dec 2020 17:00:48
Perfect timing for Raiola, Pogba has been out of the team for a while, and as such his profile will drop a little. So now Pogba plays and scores at the weekend, his stock and profile have risen, United have a big game tomorrow and the Manchester derby on the weekend. Focus is on United and Pogba, so for Mino this is the perfect moment to put it out there that Pogba is available, the January transfer window opens in little over 3 weeks time.
Ship him out, play Donny in midfield and let's be rid of this circus.
4.) 07 Dec 2020 17:02:12
The rest of the season will be that way regardless TRD, it's been that way since he arrived. But you're right about the timing, it's not ideal but then it never is.
5.) 07 Dec 2020 17:56:49
He can take lingard and Martial with him.
6.) 07 Dec 2020 18:37:56
Not sure one goal raises his stock. Pogba's issue, much like Ole's is consistency. For me Pogba is more a luxury player that compliments an already outstanding team. We bought him to lead our team, which it turns out he was never capable of achieving. Shame as he has all the attributes except the most important one, mentality.
7.) 07 Dec 2020 21:24:16
Mad hatter any room in that suit case for rojo jones and bailly.
8.) 07 Dec 2020 22:29:52
What club is going to pay the money we want for him?
9.) 08 Dec 2020 07:05:56
Ken,
We would end up having to pay a fee for "excessive baggage".
10 Oct 2020 07:24:45
Hi Eds can I ask if United are still looking at Sarr or Brooks while the domestic window is still open, or will that be it for this summer?
{Ed002's Note - I would think it unlikely.}
1.) 10 Oct 2020 12:12:17
Thanks for the quick reply Ed, have a good weekend.
{Ed002's Note - And you.}
2.) 10 Oct 2020 13:55:36
Where would they play or even play? We have signed two wingers. With Cavani, martial and Rashford can play on the wings aswell.
ED002, I take Ighalo will leave and go back to China in January?
{Ed002's Note - I am not aware of any other option at this tiem - he could be offered to MU at a vey low price.}
3.) 10 Oct 2020 19:07:07
Which wingers MH? Are you talking about the kiddies who have signed for the U23s?
4.) 12 Oct 2020 09:14:16
Wazza,
Yea I am. At the end of the day those youngsters will be out future, well hopefully. Sarr is if a similar age to those youngsters.
Wazza's banter posts with other poster's replies to Wazza's banter posts
02 Nov 2023 06:58:33
ETH looks a beaten man and the writing is on the wall. It's a great shame. Another manager thrown to the wolves by brain dead, lazy, entitled players. This manager I actually like, and I believe is the right man at the wrong club. I personally think he will go on to have a good career.
Casemiro summed it up last night. Young Hannibal gets booked (again, and he should not be selected for a while due to his poor discipline), then Casemiro, your captain and leader, gets booked himself moments later. At a time when he should be calming things down.
No discipline, no togetherness, and further evidence of a culture within the club that is completely rotten.
Well played to some of Newcastle's youngsters. They look a squad in harmony, who have unfortunately overtaken us on the pitch in the here and now.
Who knows what today will bring. It looks like the search for a new manager will be on, if not now, then by the international break at the latest.
1.) 02 Nov 2023 08:01:36
I think sadly, ETH will leave soon, the powers that be nd the players who have let down every manager since Sir Alex will remain. A new manager will come in, the players will look lively for a few weeks. Then will revert to type the moment they find something they don't like or feel they don't need to put in the effort any more.
Thus it will continue and we will scapegoat manager after manager whilst paying these clowns fortunes to run the club and those to wear the shirt that they are not worthy of.
2.) 02 Nov 2023 08:13:00
This is what happens when you let lunatics run the asylum
Who actually sits their and thinks what a great idea I know we’ll buy Maguire at twice what he is probably worth and pay him £190000 a week when not one other team was in for him and who sanctioned the Sancho and Anthony deals
There should not be one member of the upstairs team left. They’ve shown they couldn’t run a piss up in a brewery.
3.) 02 Nov 2023 08:34:14
I'm not calling for ETH's head but it does look like the writing is on the wall for him. The players have thrown yet another manager under the bus.
26 Oct 2023 21:07:17
I just read down the page
"Weghorst was brought in to replace Ronaldo"
And it made me stop and think how utterly ridiculous our signings have been. If anything sums up our transfer activity for the past 10+ years, that is it.
1.) 26 Oct 2023 22:32:54
I thought benni Mccarthy was coming to play not coach ;)
25 Oct 2023 13:11:15
A few observations from last night.
Firstly let's start with the positives.
The way Sir Bobby was remembered was moving. The silence outside the East Stand as fans took pictures of the statue was surreal. Usually it's like a hornets nest as people cross paths getting to where they need to be. Last night, very little was said as people lined up politely to pay their respects.
The Copenhagen fans were hugely respectful during the pre-match ceremony, and the banner they help up was touching. Fair play to them. Football fans get a lot of stick, they were brilliant.
Hojlund. The runs he makes are non-stop, but our possession is so slow, and nobody is ever looking up. Similarly, our wide players are often stood in acres of space, but our build up play is so slow. We have to get our heads up and find our big striker, who is absolutely brilliant at hold up play, superb in fact.
Now to the negatives, and I won't list all of them, otherwise this post will give Shappy a run for his money.
The number of crosses we make is so low. But when we do cross the ball, something usually happens. An attempt on goal, a corner, or some hold up play. But we don't cross enough. Why has nobody identified this? City are the masters of overloading and getting to the byline, they score so many goals. Our players cut inside and rarely get to the byline, we score very few goals. Is that rocket science?
Rashford. The party boy does not have his head in football. I don't think his head is in charity either. It's in the late night parties that are plaguing his career. We've heard ETH say several times that being a footballer is also about what the players do in their spare time. Knowing what Rashford does in his spare time, and hearing ETH's comments, one can only assume the manager is talking directly to Rashford. He's incredibly lazy, leaving acres of space behind him (see last night and against Bayern) .
Bruno. I defend him on here and believe he's our best player. His numbers before this season are incredible. But my word he's frustrating. Not just in giving the ball away, which I can excuse if he's being brave. But in the first half, he was WALKING to take corners. That's inexcusable.
Last night was a must win game, but you would never have guessed that watching the first 45 minutes. Your midfields and your captain should be dictating the pace of the game. Bruno is both of those things. Last night he showed no urgency whatsoever.
The fans in the stadium, myself included, said this game is crying out for Eriksen. Thankfully the manager was of the same opinion, and Eriksen completely changed the game when he came on. I've said for weeks he should be starting, and I now think it's time him to be played further up so he can quicken our attacks.
1.) 25 Oct 2023 13:40:03
Isnt Mason Mount a negative, cost £60m with 1 year left on his contract, currently benched for Scott Mctominay who the manager wanted rid of in the summer. Then when it comes to bringing a game changer off the bench, ETH relies on Eriksen who Mount was supposed to be an upgrade on.
Managers have plenty of reasons to blame the ownership (glazers) and leadership (Arnold and Murtough) but when they waste limited resources on an example like Mount they don't help their cause.
Thats even before you get to the Brazilian fidget spinner.
2.) 25 Oct 2023 17:52:09
Was wondering how and who would have a pop at Mount today even though he never kicked a ball! Here it is!
21 Sep 2023 06:36:47
Bayern are a much better side than we are. It was a little frustrating that we couldn't take things up a gear, but Kim, Upemacano, Goretzka, Kimmich and Musiala all had very good games for Bayern, and let's be Ho eat they walk straight into our side. The same goes for Gnabry, Sane, Kane, and Latimer who also had a good very game.
Once again we were soft and allowed the opposition to walk through us.
Once again we conceded for the first shot against us.
Once again we conceded within a few minutes after scoring (twice) .
It wasn't a great game despite the score line. We have an injury crisis which is barely talked about in the media as we are creating so many other headlines.
I don't think many of us were expecting to get much out of the game and a draw would've been a good result. It is what it is.
We move on to a kind run of PL fixtures barring City. I expect things will improve from here as the focus should be on beating what's put in front of us, and getting players back to full fitness.
1.) 21 Sep 2023 07:49:29
Strange game to watch and positives and negatives there. Goals change games and we can't concede like we did that first goal.
When we chase by pushing up the fullbacks our backline is exposed with our midfield not being the most mobile and hence we look disjointed.
There seems to be a ton of room down the wings for the opposition to run into and we lose our shape as the CB get dragged out and midfielders from opposing teams get a run on our midfield and arrive into the box unmarked.
I think Varrane is a big miss as we look a lot more solid with him, Lindelof's pace is not great, neither is Ericson and Mc just jogs and looks like he is not interested.
It reminded me of the year we lost the league to city on goal difference where we were conceding goals too easily and whilst everyone remembers the last day and aguero's goal, it was the Everton game where we conceded two late goals being up 3-1 and dropped points to make the last game even relevant.
Important league fixtures coming up and we need to bank some wins. Still have complete faith and trust in ETH and still think we will have a good year.
2.) 21 Sep 2023 07:53:13
Players are not helping the manager.
The first goal should never go in.
If we are out of form or lack players, the first thing I expect him to do now is be solid at the back and be difficult to beat.
We miss so many runners it's baffling. If it means he has to start Dan Gore, so be it. We are not doing the basics right.
Eriksen cannot play a lot. He's a luxury player you bring on to unlock teams at 60 mins.
Casemiro has dropped off and needs support defensively.
I am very disappointed with McTominay as well, he looks disinterested in me and there's a clip doing round where he loses the ball and doesn't run back to win it. McTominay is in the squad for his passion and hard-work.
For whatever mount is, he works his socks off and so does Hannibal.
Some players are rotten and unfixable.
None of the new players ETH has signed are lazy. May not be quality but none are lazy.
I saw a 15-20 min spelling where bayern were just knocking the ball around. Idk about others but get a yellow, make a tackle, get the team up.
We went into submission. We accepted defeat. At 3-1 we accepted defeat. The same United that scored 2 goals in 2-3 mins vs Bayern.
3.) 21 Sep 2023 08:30:46
I saw what mc did in real time and thought what is he doing and could not believe it. He did not even try and he was fresh and maybe 10 minutes on the pitch. I am sure the manager and the coaches have not missed that either.
I read Ole's interview, which we can debate on many things, especially him wanting to buy this guy and that guy and the what if's. It is water under the bridge and pointless imo.
The most interesting part of the interview was when he talked about players attitude and egos and work rate. We clearly have had that and still have some of it in this squad.
I really don't care if we don't replace Mc or Sancho in Jan and wait till the summer to buy properly given the limited options you get in jan window. Neither contribute much and will not be loss and suspect they are doing more harm hanging around. Its a shame as he is an academy player but it is what it is.
I will be very surprised if we see mc play again once we get some players back because that kind of effort is not acceptable.
4.) 21 Sep 2023 08:37:18
We should have been ahead at least twice. Pellistri has to bust a gut to meet that pass across goal, instead Upamecano busts a gut and makes a great tackle.
Terrible goalkeeping for the opening goal, the sort of thing we'd be blasting de Gea for. It happens.
Eriksen's pace is alarming. From our lofty seats watching on the screen you can see opposition players closing in on him with seconds to spare but he's still holding onto the ball then losing it. Unlucky with the penalty but there's not much you can do in European games you won't get punished for.
Thought the new pair were really good. Good to see Hjolund score, that'll be a great for his confidence and hopefully he can continue against Burnley. When Martial comes on he makes no difference whatsoever. Regulon was probably our best player I thought.
5.) 21 Sep 2023 09:08:41
We need more mettle in the team, mainly defensively. Three out of our four defenders are not good defensively. All over the pitch, we are guilty of powderpuff challenges. Gone are the days when you had defenders who put the fear of God into attackers. Fernandes needs to take a hard look at himself. I read many times on these columns about what a great player he is. I don’t subscribe to that. He is so inconsistent it isn’t true. Captain? Leads by example? I don’t think so.
6.) 21 Sep 2023 09:05:42
Spenno - i hate Martial but when he came on i thought he made a difference in our attacking play. Just a pity he can't maintain that week in week out mainly due to the fact he's constantly injured or can't be arsed.
16 Sep 2023 22:37:41
Very interesting performance today and you have to wonder just how bad things are behind the scenes. 3 things stood out to me.
1. How easy we are to play against. Every team we've faced this season has created plenty of chances. Brighton could've had 5 today and that's not exaggerating.
2. Rashford is trying to do it all on his own. I'm sure he's been told to be more selfish which resulted in good numbers last season, but his decision making hasn't improved.
3. Bruno once again goes missing when it matters the most. I think Bruno has been pretty good this season and overall has been our best player since he joined, but he's not captain material. We lack real leaders so I'm not really sure who would be a better candidate.
1.) 17 Sep 2023 00:23:37
Wazza, for me the reality is that with everyone fit we have a good first 11, one or two areas we could improve but a team on paper capable of beating anyone.
The problem is still the same thing it has been for the past 3 or 4 managers. They are operating with a Frankenstein squad built by numerous other managers with vastly different styles along with a few random signings that seemed to be made to boost brand awareness.
People complain that we haven't seen a clear, obvious and consistent style from EtH, but the reality is that we don't even have 11 players in our squad who suit one specific style. At best we might have 8 players who suit a style (whichever style you'd like) while the rest of the team is made up of players who don't quite fit it.
If you want to see a clear and consistent style of play them you need 18-25 players who all suit that style of play, with a minimum of 11 of those players top class.
A great manager might be able to make a mostly average squad play very well if they all suit a particular style of play. Then you can create a team greater than the sum of its parts. But to do that all the players need to be able to sync together well.
For us specifically this inability to play a consistent style of play will be being massively disrupted by the injuries we are suffering.
Onana, AWB, Varane, Martinez (Lindelof 45), Shaw.
Onana, AWB (Dalot 65), Varane, Martinez, Shaw.
Onana, AWB, Varane (Lindelof 45), Martinez, Dalot.
Onana, AWB, Lindelof (Evans 83), Martinez (Maguire 65), Dalot.
Onana, Dalot, Lindelof, Martinez (AWB 85), Regulion (Garnacho 85).
Look at just our defensive line ups from the first 5 games. Onana is the only ever present and he's just joined the squad and is trying to settle and build relationships with his defenders. While 4 of the 7 defenders subbed were due to injuries and not tactical.
Constantly having to chop and change due to injuries is likely playing a large part to our inconsistencies in defence.
We all pin pointed this squads weakness months ago, a lack of quality in depth meant that the back up players were either ill-suited or nowhere near good enough or indeed both. Yet many who pointed this out seem surprised now that our performances have dropped during an injury crisis forcing the manager to use to inadequate squad players too much.
2.) 17 Sep 2023 07:44:58
Shappy I agree the squad is a mess and our depth isn’t great. We had too many starting 11 positions to fill this summer, with GK and ST being arguably the most important positions on the pitch. The jury is out on the GK but we have certainly improved the ST position.
Next summer we’re going to need a RB, DM and CM for the first team. This will relegate one or two to the bench, but I wonder if Cas and Eriksen will leave which still means we need to add depth to midfield.
I think the best we can hope for is a repeat of last season which I think is achievable when we get the 8-10 injured players back.
ETH has to take some of the blame for yesterday. I’ve watched the game again this morning. Brighton scored against the run of play and we were 1 inch away from an equaliser. The biggest concern remains that we are so easy to run through and that has been the case since the first minute this season.
We’ve been asking for the midfield to be strengthened, which ETH did by bringing McTominay in (who I believe made 15 passes which is shocking for a premier league midfielder) . We’ve also been asking for Pellistri but I’m not sure how we add numbers to midfield, get Pellistri into the side, and keep our strongest midfielders on the pitch. It’s a mess on the field too.
3.) 17 Sep 2023 08:13:50
Shappy, how long are we going to blame previous managers/ signings. This style of play we’re all waiting for is what’s meant to be coached in the training sessions. We’re not seeing it.
I like a lot of what Ten Hag has done, particularly the discipline side of things and how he’s managed some difficult situations but we’re not improving as a team.
Look at Spurs, new manager who’s inherited players from a few previous managers, all who had their own idea of playing style. They’ve lost their greatest ever player yet they have a set up and style from the off.
4.) 17 Sep 2023 09:24:04
It was a really poor display defensively and we played worst once the second goal went in. The goals we conceded were far to easy to put away and we are wide open though the middle once wingers get to the byline.
The cut back across the middle of the box from the wings seems to be our cryptonite atm. Against arsenal Odegard's goal and yesterday our mids were 3/ 4 steps behind oncoming mids from the other team.
We are not scoring but need to fix the issues defensively first. Quite clear once we go behind against better teams we struggle to raise our game and comeback and are even more open defensively.
Cas is getting a lot of stick but not sure if its cas, mc or ericson, who have let players get a run on them. It was hard to stomach.
5.) 17 Sep 2023 10:01:33
It was all very pretty football until we got caught and went 1-0 down. We can't score, are pretty poor without the ball and have little to no fight. Liverpool and spurs looked like losing yesterday but dug in until the end. Our boys never looked like getting back.
04 Nov 2023 15:31:28
Ahmad, the club is a cess pit of questionable morals at the moment. Its enough for the player’s appearances to be affected and that’s why I asked the question, but an open forum is not the place.
04 Nov 2023 12:34:55
Ahmed and Shappy you simply do not know what has gone on and that’s fine because it’s (thankfully) not in the media. It’s not about 1 night out.
03 Nov 2023 22:15:31
Ahmad, Rashford is a problem and the reason I asked if there’s interest is because he needs to leave. He’s another with off the pitch issues which will cause fractions on the squad.
02 Nov 2023 12:55:23
Thanks for your reply Ed, have a good day.
{Ed002's Note - And you.}
26 Oct 2023 21:00:25
We should get Carrick and Rooney while we’re at it, with De Gea and Evans completing the spine of the team.
30 Nov 2023 06:58:54
There is no putting the blame at somebody else’s door Ahmad. Onana was solely responsible for those shots going in. They were weak efforts which any professional goalkeeper should be saving.
Poor free kicks to give away too, but that’s happened and you’ve got to deal with it.
I think that’s 3 CL games now that Onana has had stinkers.
26 Nov 2023 21:56:57
Fingers crossed for your family Ahmad.
24 Nov 2023 14:47:19
Chris, it’s surely no coincidence that Gers and Rangers red keep posting on the same threads.
In the subject of Rashford I’ve said many times now because I know for a fact; he’s been a little idiot to the point that his form will be affected. He needs to put it behind him now because it’s been long enough, but I can assure you he has had an off the field issue to deal with. He also needs to think more carefully about who he aligns himself with - in and away from the club.
Unfortunately he does represent the players who have thrown other managers under the bus, and his application right now is not helping the current manager.
I for one am fed up with the attitude of most of our players, and am p****d off that the current manager is seemingly out of a job at the end of this season. I really do think that ETH will go on to be successful in the right environment.
19 Nov 2023 14:34:27
The off-field issues he’s dealing / dealt with will no doubt be having a negative impact on his performances. He’s been a little fool but it’s time now for him to move on and get his head back into football.
17 Nov 2023 08:02:56
Do you grasp how much 1 billion actually is? This is not an amount of money a business will spend on an advertising campaign.