25 Aug 2017 11:00:21
Just wanted to say something on the Zlatan deal, I know people have made their mind up either way and I know the people who have will still support him on the pitch. I am happy we signed him, he is somewhat of an enigma and I don't really see many negatives to it as long as he isn't playing instead of players who are in form.

One thing I wanted to point out is that people are saying the style of play is better without him, but is that because of the striker or is that because Matic being there is allowing us to attack in more numbers meaning we have more options when we get forward. Pogba for example looks like a different player.

Lukaku touched the ball about 20 times against Swansea, was it really his contribution that made us play the way we did in the last 10 minutes of that game? I am happy with Lukaku so far, he is a great finisher, but if the goals dried up for a spell many on here will be on his back saying he doesn't do enough for the team.

I think it is too early in the season to really tell, maybe Zlatan will look a better player with the extra numbers we are attacking in getting in around him, he is certainly clever enough to bring others into the game. People blaming Zlatan for some of the poor performances last season do have a point, in some games he did seem to be the issue, but in many games he definitely wasn't. We played ok after his injury but we were hardly sending shockwaves around the world with our performances like we are now.

In 2-3 months time when we have played 2 games a week and the squad has been used we will know how good this signing is, until then let's just see how it goes rather than deciding already that it is a 'step backwards'. Jose seems to know what he is doing to me so I am willing to give him the benefit of the doubt on this one for now and see how we go.

1.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 11:33:53
GDS what the hell are you talking about! Mourinho hasn't got a clue what he's doing and signing Zlatan only confirms one thing that we will be in a relegation battle it's as simple as that.

Seriously though don't talk sense on here it's frowned upon.

2.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 11:33:54
GDS2 - totally agree mate.

We played exceptionally well against West Ham as a team. However the two other games I have watched we were generally like last season, pretty much playing how we did with Zlatan. Those were the Swansea and Real Madrid games.

Lukaku's movement hasn't stood out yet, his role in games has been limited, he has started pretty much exactly how Zlatan started. I need to see more games to make a decision especially a decision on whether we have turned a real corner with the way we play.

Matic has looked very good (looked a bit slow against Swansea), but we have played 2 weak teams and the start of the season is always a bit of a lottery because of varying levels of fitness and new players taking time to settle etc. I am obviously happy with our start, and West Ham was brilliant to watch. But we have had 5 years of false dawns and spending £100m-£200m every summer is going to bring natural improvements to any team short term - injected talent will see instant improvement.

So I'd take your Ibra/ Lukaku point and pull it further to the team as a whole. Next game will be very revealing as Leicester are better than the teams we have played so far and that Swansea performance showed a regression for me so it's important we lift it again. IMO we still don't know how to play with one striker, they are often too isolated whether it's Falcao, RVP, Rooney, Zlatan, Rashford or Lukaku, this needs working on.

3.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 12:51:58
He comes deep for the ball too often occupying the space the likes or miki and Pogba want to be in.

4.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 12:58:10
Good post GDS.

I agree it is Matic who has made more of a difference to our style of play than Lukaku.

When Lukaku is on a run of form there is no stopping him. But he often has spells (like many strikers) when the goals dry up and he looks short on confidence. Zlatan isn't a bad option to have when this happens.

Also one thing we have lacked the last few years is having options on the bench who can get a goal. Throwing Zlatan on for the last 20 mins is a great option to have.

He won't start every game but later in the season with injuries and 2 or 3 games a week etc he will be needed.

I can see only positives from re-signing him.

5.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 13:21:48
GDS, good point. The counter argument is that Lukaku's movement opens up the space for the others; defenders have to move with him 😀.

6.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 13:26:42
"Lukaku touched the ball about 20 times against Swansea, was it really his contribution that made us play the way we did in the last 10 minutes of that game? "

Yes, it was his contribution because he played as an out and out striker making runs and stretching the defence. He is happy to have fewer touches if they're touches that count, and will spend most of his time forcing the centre backs to follow him around the forward line.

In contrast, Zlatan needs the ball, and will drop deeper and deeper to get it. No doubting that Zlatan is a world class player, but he isn't what we need in a striker.

7.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 13:43:03
Tony / Stand / Danny,

As I said some people have made their mind up, I just wanted to give an opposite side to it as to why it could work with Zlatan now we have other players playing well around him. I haven't made my mind up yet as in my opinion it is impossible to know how Zlatan will fit into the current set up because it is different from last year and not just because of Lukaku.

I fully agree that Lukaku has been stretching the defence and creating more space, I said on Saturday I would be happy if he touches the ball twice a game and scores 2 goals, but there is more than one way to skin a cat. This way of playing has worked so far against 2 mediocre / poor teams but when teams work us out they will plan for how we played in those 2 games and wouldn't it be great to have a top player to bring in to play a different way. Managers planning in the week won't know which United are turning up, that can only be a good thing.

Lukaku has always been great at scoring against the lesser teams, Zlatan has always been great at scoring big goals in important games, I am hoping some of you are eating your words when he smashes in some last minute winners in some big games, which as we all can't disagree with, he is more than capable of doing.

8.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 13:53:53
Think jose disagrees Danny but maybe we should bow to your greater knowledge and experience. how are you doing on the titles won front in your managerial career? 😁😁😁
Great post gds.
If he makes a positive contribution on and off the pitch then that's all that matters.
He was the only prem player selected in the top 10 in europe last season. Selection was by all the the coaches in europe so Danny i think you need to convince the football fraternity right across europe as most of the people who know seem to think otherwise.

9.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 17:13:23
The whole attacking unit has looked better with out ibra .
Jose looks like he has done a mate a favour prob won't be fully fit till xmas don't expect ibra to play much to be honest not good enough the question is can his ego take it?

10.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 17:18:51
Ah Ken, Jose the omnipotent. Just talk me through his last season at Chelsea again. I like what I'm seeing from Jose but it doesn't mean we can't debate some of his decisions.

11.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 17:28:40
Post of the year jred. ' looks like Jose did a mate a favour' comedy gold😂.

{Ed001's Note - why is that funny? It would not be the first time it has happened at United. Bebe ring any bells?}

12.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 18:19:10
I didn't realise that this was the new board for uncritical Jose worship, can Ken be the ed for it?

I don't know what's so confusing about saying that Zlatan is not what we need. Last season Zlatan was great, but most of our other attacking players struggled because the way he plays doesn't compliment them. Our team plays better when they have striker creating space in the final third by pushing the CBs deeper. It also gives players like Pogba the chance to pick out passes in behind. With Zlatan you get a very static player who likes to drop deep, so the cbs can push up and help close off space in the middle. It's not rocket science, and fairly obvious what the biggest difference has been this season so far.

If Zlatan was signed to be an impact sub, I have no problem. But I just don't see him being happy with anything other than starting the big games.

13.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 18:27:47
Of course we can debate any of his decisions that's what we are here for. Sarcasm does not always come across in text.

Of course it happens ed i mean moyes gave rooney a bumber contract but resigning a 20 goal plus striker on half his previous salary i think the club should be delighted.

{Ed001's Note - one that has caused problems with young players and when his signing will come at the expense of their chances of first team football? Not sure I see why you would be delighted about that personally. If it was me I would rather Rashford, Martial and other youngsters got any of the gametime he will get.}

14.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 20:36:04
I would get too excited about the half his salary line when the club know that the player is unlikely to feature for the first half of the season. So it's more like Zlatan will earn the same wage he earned last season for the months he will play, and the club have agreed to pay for his rehabilitation.

15.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 20:53:59
Totally disagree ed i'd rather have ibra up front than martial this season if lukaku were to be injured.

{Ed001's Note - ok, each to their own. May as well sell the lad then if you are not going to play him until he is the finished article as he will never get there.}

16.) 25 Aug 2017
25 Aug 2017 22:58:47
Id keep rash and i'd have been happy to loan martial for a season to the likes of inter or monaco to be honest ed. I think he will get more game time there and come back a more mature player and person.
I think if we are playing 1 up front then there ibra is a better and higher scoring replacement for lukaku than martial or rashford.
Some on here feel ibra slowed our play and i can see that but look at the goals scored when ibra was out of the team they were much less and neither rash or martial did nearly enough to replace zlatans goals.

17.) 26 Aug 2017
26 Aug 2017 06:33:20
To be honest none of us know what part ibra will play by the sounds of it he won't be match fit until the second half of the season and imagine we won't renew his contract thereafter so how much will he really harm the rashfords and martials chances besides they play more on the wings than up top and I can guarantee one thing ibra won't play there.