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29 Mar 2024 07:19:31
Hi Ed. Are we showing any interest in Marc Cucurella at Chelsea?
{Ed002's Note - Marc Cucurella (LB) Attracting interest from Atletico and Manchester United still. Real Madrid enquired but they should now be able to secure their first choice. Wants to stay at Chelsea but he will be made available.}
1.) 29 Mar 2024 10:43:44
Thanks Ed. I like him as a player - seems to have not worked out at Chelsea for some reason.
{Ed002's Note - He has been out injured for three months.}
2.) 29 Mar 2024 16:42:00
Chelsea spent big on him and Chilwell though - was always going to be a tough assignment.
3.) 30 Mar 2024 11:35:06
Would be a great addition.
4.) 31 Mar 2024 12:28:11
To be fair, he's the player we should have got last summer on loan instead of Reguilon. Unfortunately we couldn't even afford the loan fee, which just highlights the mess the club has been left in.
5.) 31 Mar 2024 14:01:49
Shappy, I’m fairly certain it was our insistence on a break clause that held the deal up. Then they played him in the cup and made it that he could only play for one more team this season so if we broke the loan in January they wouldn’t be able to loan him again.
6.) 01 Apr 2024 09:39:27
Branders that was my understanding too, but it’s all paper talk.
7.) 01 Apr 2024 12:21:12
Think we should be be aiming higher.
While a fine squad player I’d prefer someone who immediately levels up the team like Theo Hernandez, Udogie, Balde or aestupian.
8.) 02 Apr 2024 11:38:27
I think it's a bit of both to be fair. I'm sure if the loan fee was 1-2m for the season then we'd have seen Cucurella at United this season regardless of break clauses etc.
Utd Road, I think Cucurella would be a really good fit for us currently. He's similar to Shaw in that he can play LB, LCB, invert into midfield or play on the overlap (although he's better when played deeper) . He's not a physical as Shaw, but is slightly better technically and more tactically astute.
I'm a little torn over what to do with the LB slot. Shaw and Malacia's continued injury issues means we have a issue there that needs sorting out. Yet if we sign someone and Shaw and Malacia are both fit then we have an embarrassment of riches in that position while probably not having well balanced first 11, as other positions need a first choice player signing, let alone squad depth.
While the young Harry Amass continues to impress and if he develops a little more physically over the summer he could be ready for a few minutes next season (given his age he could develop physically very quickly and at any time over the next 6-24 months.
Personally I think there is something more a miss with Malacia than is being made public. The constant delaying of his return to injury without any clear information on what his injury has been or why his return keeps getting delayed just seems a little off. Maybe because he's a squad player the media aren't asking the questions about him during the press conferences??♂️
If we buy someone for LB then we should probably look for someone in the 21-24 age bracket who is ready to push or even take Shaws place off of him. With Shaw then becoming the back up allowing Amass to take Shaws place in a couple of seasons time, while looking to challenge the current first choice for his place. Although that does leave us with what to do with Malacia. Maybe keep him around due to Shaw's injury issues. New player as first choice with two injury prone players in Shaw and Malacia as back up.
No point signing a young prospect under 20 years old as we have Amass on the books or even Alvaro Fernandez if we want that profile of player. Signing someone that young would only block the pathway for Amass.
It needs to be someone either top class or on the cusp of becoming top class.
Although signing a LB this summer probably means not signing a RB and keeping AWB for a the final year of his deal to be back up to Dalot.
While RB does need an upgrade (although Dalot has probably been our most consistent player this season), the continued injury issues at LB probably means that it is the left hand side that has become a higher priority oddly.
9.) 02 Apr 2024 21:18:30
Speaking of LB's Rayan Ait Nouri has really had a break out season at Wolves under Gary O'Neil. He'd be the kind of player I'd personally be looking at to bring in at LB. Someone whose star is rising and they look ready for a bigger stage to step up to, but who has a good level of experience and is well suited to playing in the EPL.
18 Dec 2023 07:49:36
Hi Ed,
Do you see the club doing much business in this window given the new structure is yet to be confirmed?
Many thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Some.}
1.) 18 Dec 2023 14:51:09
Hi Ed,
Do you expect their to be more departures than incomings? I can imagine the club being reluctant to sign many on permanent deals given the uncertainty on ETH if and when the SJR deal completes.
{Ed002's Note - January is a difficult time to buy and the future of Murtough is still a little unclear. The summer will be a much more significant time for transfers.}
27 Aug 2023 06:17:39
Hi Ed. Do you know if the club are looking to add a left back in light of Luke Shaw's injury please? If so who are they considering?
{Ed002's Note - They will perhaps look to a loan.}
1.) 27 Aug 2023 12:03:55
The fact the club are looking at a loan seems to suggest that the "extended" period of time they said he will be out for will be months rather than weeks.
2.) 27 Aug 2023 12:39:00
I think that’s pretty clear Shappy.
3.) 27 Aug 2023 13:42:38
1 less weak link to down tools.
4.) 27 Aug 2023 14:38:07
Cucurella loan would be good if Chelsea agree.
5.) 27 Aug 2023 15:24:08
As per my views on the other post, Cucurella would be excellent, Reguilon disastrous!
Now seeing Marcos Alonso linked - he’s be excellent for us - Premier League proven, good aerially and knocks Maguire down to SIXTH choice centre half, too!
6.) 27 Aug 2023 16:48:32
Agree fzzz.
7.) 28 Aug 2023 09:02:21
Alonso is a good player chips in with a goal or two also, which we severely need any goals we can get, we already falling behind in the good department.
8.) 30 Aug 2023 10:36:51
Are we? You’ve not mentioned. We scored 3 on Saturday.
18 Jun 2023 09:50:32
Jordan Pickford rumours resurfaced again.
1) are we genuinely considering him Ed2?
2) ed1 I love your player overviews. What are your thoughts?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - He would be down the list.}
1.) 18 Jun 2023 12:35:49
Expensive, 29 years old, only 2 years younger than De Gea. Not great from the back and does make mistakes too. Would be bad business.
I don't know much about Costa who is our main target. But from what I've seen of Raya, he is a good keeper and also in his final year next year.
Could we not offer a player to sweeten a deal, so to speak. Loan them Greenwood until Toney returns perhaps. If we are not going to allow him to return next season that is.
{Ed002's Note - Raya is moving elsewhere.}
2.) 18 Jun 2023 12:48:58
Pickford is overated. I'd rather DDG stays.
3.) 18 Jun 2023 12:54:23
Thanks Ed002, disappointing that.
4.) 18 Jun 2023 13:08:57
I have to say, I’d keep DDG over buying Pickford any day.
5.) 18 Jun 2023 13:45:16
Think we will go for Costa supposedly Porto need money so we may be able to negotiate the fee down a bit.
6.) 18 Jun 2023 14:45:04
Onana.
7.) 18 Jun 2023 16:18:58
Reportedly EtH and Onana had a disagreement last season at Ajax. Not sure what happened, but they may not want to work together.
{Ed002's Note - Onana was banned.}
8.) 18 Jun 2023 20:58:06
Please by all that is holy. not Pickford. I actually had a fear that if Everton were relegated it might be a possibility, but had hoped it vanished when they stayed up.
Not sure of any history between Onana and EtH, but I loved what I saw from him in the CL final. Some great saves, assured on the ball with decent distribution, and best of all when Martinez and the rest of the team were on their haunches at the final whistle crying, he was consoling each of them in turn and giving them a pep talk. Clearly a respected figure at Inter.
Bit bizarre not knowing with less than a fortnite to go what de Gea plans to do. Players like Firminho let their intentions know well in advance and seems the decent thing to do. I know it's pretty routine with a club and player contract stand-off, it's all a game of chicken to see who'll blink first. I'm not sure what we expect to change in 10 days that hasn't so far all season.
9.) 19 Jun 2023 14:22:45
I would sooner keep De Gea than sign Pickford.
24 Apr 2023 08:35:03
Hi Ed. DDG had a good game yesterday after his spectacle in Seville. I know the GK situation at Utd was still not fixed when I last asked. Has anything changed - do you see him signing a new deal and staying or has the club made its decision to go elsewhere?
{Ed002's Note - Right now the club are continuing to look for a new first choice GK.}
1.) 24 Apr 2023 13:22:51
Thanks Ed!
2.) 24 Apr 2023 16:08:41
Hope we finally get a modern goalkeeper.
3.) 24 Apr 2023 17:00:15
Awesome news. Diogo costa needed.
Eric79's banter posts with other poster's replies to Eric79's banter posts
19 Apr 2024 10:58:34
Well that's Nagelsmann ruled out. Looks like Pitter or ten Hag next season.
1.) 19 Apr 2024 11:18:39
De Zerbie as well in that surely?
2.) 19 Apr 2024 11:41:58
Unless we get royally spanked on sunday by a Championship side EtH has to be what we go with.
Guess Potter over other names like Southgate/ de Zerbi etc is available now and could theoretically be working behind the scenes already but with so many players signed in the Dutchman's vision surely we can't go for another complete reset.
It's been a dreadful season no doubt but a line should be drawn under it, with or without European football next season (preferably not, if it's the cruddy one Villa are in) and we see how we get on with one more window under ten Hag.
I really think failing to convince de Jong to join last season had a major impact on his plans. We ended up with Casemiro, who is a different kind of player, and Mount who may or may not be a useful player but seems to have no specific place in this team, at least while Bruno is in it. De Jong dictates play. As does Casemiro by slowing it down to crawling pace.
08 Nov 2023 22:34:23
Curious to hear what's the Eds views of ten Hag? Good coach at the wrong club and with the wrong support structure, or just totally the wrong appointment and man for the job?
{Ed077's Note - The former for me.
This group of players have failed multiple managers and let us down many times so we need a change of culture before changing the manager. Then only should we decide on whether or not Ten Hag is the right fit for us. I dont think it would be ideal for any new manager to inherit the same problem again.}
1.) 09 Nov 2023 07:32:40
Try as hard as one can, but ETH appears to be a very difficult man to like and even harder to actually get on with, which don’t seem to help our cause one bit.
2.) 09 Nov 2023 09:48:49
Bless our little snowflakes don’t like someone setting standards! Bless.
3.) 09 Nov 2023 06:39:17
My thoughts too Ed. I think he’s having a terrible run of luck on top of so many external factors.
I couldn’t fault the tactics last night and thought we largely played well. We were behind for just 3 minutes of the 90, thanks to Dalot falling asleep and not for the first time.
{Ed077's Note - I think Ten Hag should take the blame for not keeping Rangnick at the club though. He would have surely helped with the rebuild. That one is on Ten Hag and everyone else who pushed RR out.}
4.) 09 Nov 2023 12:41:44
RR was push out before Ten Hag, he upset the club with his press conferences slating the management.
5.) 09 Nov 2023 17:04:57
He might have upset then but he was right.
6.) 10 Nov 2023 06:57:46
RR was what the club needed, but change upsets people and our management above the football manager were and are snowflakes looking after their own backsides.
25 Aug 2023 09:04:41
So - a week to go until tue window closes, and 3/ 4 signings still required and 5/ 6 departures also needed.
It'll be either:
A) one of the most fun weeks in transfer history at the club or,
B) a week where we will dither and do very little.
Grab the popcorn, sit back and watch it unfold.
1.) 25 Aug 2023 09:54:36
I vote "b"
I can't see us moving people on. Everyone knows we are desperate to sell, that coupled with the crazy wages we pay. and with the whole FFP, we won't see a great deal come in.
Time to trust the youth. Hopefully we can find a few Gems that hit the ground running.
2.) 25 Aug 2023 10:13:40
I go for A. we will see lots of activity and surprises.
3.) 25 Aug 2023 10:17:38
A midfielder, probably Amrabat.
2nd keeper.
A forward squad player.
Bailly, Donny, Pellestri, Henderson gone. McTominay and Maguire potentially gone, but looking unlikely. I think they will both be replaced If they leave. I think Gravenberch is waiting for us, but will end up at Liverpool as time is running out. Todibo if Maguire leaves.
4.) 25 Aug 2023 13:02:22
I reckon Shiek Jassim buys us Monday and whole new team by Wednesday.
5.) 25 Aug 2023 18:23:18
Just being able to offload our fringe players would free up money to replace them. Haggling over every last Penny is costing us. We can penny pinch now over a few million or drop out of top 5 and lose £100m.
That's why you have to admire good owners like Boehly. They see the bigger picture. New owners, fresh start please. Just be nice to be able to spend our own dosh generated by our own club.
29 Jan 2023 08:16:08
Shout out to Antony last night. Taken the criticism on the chin, listed to the coaches and put in a good show and MoM performance.
Amazing that so many have already written off a young man with such a great talent with huge amount of promise. He's going to be a huge player for us once he develops the way ETh wants. He obviously sees more than us "experts" on here. Give the lad a chance before writing him off. Those calling him the new Nani - I loved him. Frustrating yes, but the most skilful of footballers.
The one I'm most concerned about is Elanga. Seems to have regressed badly. Needs a good loan asap.
Thoughts on Pellestri? There's a player there but looks far too lightweight.
The one I'm most excited about is Sancho. We need the old Sancho back and if he can get through what we he is facing right now and Lauren's to his coaches, he could be a class addition for us.
1.) 29 Jan 2023 09:41:33
Listens to the coaches obviously ?.
2.) 29 Jan 2023 09:50:30
The problem with Antony is his total lack of a right foot. So many times he has his man beaten and then turns back to get on his left. NO professional player should be so one footed. Great ability and an undoubted special talent but they need to make him train with a right foot bias to build up that side of his game. I’m sure that will come and he will become what we all hope ha can. ETH obviously has faith and I trust his judgement. I was at the game and I must say I am not convinced it was MOM performance. In fact you could feel the disbelief in the crowd when it was announced.
3.) 29 Jan 2023 10:08:59
Keefy, while Antony if very left footed he had a shot with his right foot, has scored with his right foot this season and does make some albeit few passes with his right foot. I agree he needs to learn to mix it up more as he is too predictable, but he is young and learning.
As for players being one footed, literally there are hundreds of examples of players who rarely used their weaker foot and still became world class players. Robben was extremely left footed, Beckham extremely right footed, it didn't stop them becoming world class players.
Far too much is being made of Antony only using his left foot, yet how many goals has Rashford scored with his weaker left foot this season? How often does Rashford go round the outside and cross with his left foot?
How often does Bruno use his left? Or Shaw his right?
Most players will play 90-95% of the game with their stronger foot. Where is the condemnation of those players? Why only pick on Antony?
4.) 29 Jan 2023 10:11:05
Maradona only had 1 foot, just saying.
5.) 29 Jan 2023 10:22:07
Casemiro was MOM for me. On Antony he was more direct and had a good game, however, he lined up at least four curling shots with his favoured left foot and didn’t hit the target with any of them. Needs to improve his shooting. Said it before and will say it again, now is not the time to judge him, critique his performance but he needs time. Needs to work on his right foot, all professional footballers should be able to have more than that.
On Pellestri, plays a bit like Keith Gillespie, not sure he will make it, but we shall see.
On Garnacho, I think the short cameos are making him snatch at the opportunity, trying too hard to impress in short timescales. Still picked out Antony beautifully and I was messed up. Needs a start against Forrest.
Mainoo looks a potential player, good balance and presence for a 17 year old. Very interested to watch his development. Let’s see him tested against a better side, looks the player McT isn’t.
6.) 29 Jan 2023 10:58:58
Agreed on Casemiro last night and in most games, he just looks a level above the rest of our team and is dragging them up towards him. Keep him fit and we have a good chance of achieving things this season.
7.) 29 Jan 2023 11:55:02
Red Man, I agree I thought Casemiro was the obvious MotM last night, two well taken goals and utterly dominated the midfield. He was everywhere.
Pellistri has obvious talent, but I'm not sure the EPL is the right league for him. I think he could become a very good player in La Liga or Serie A. He just seems too lightweight, he could bulk up and gain that strength needed in England but that won't happen quickly.
Garnacho is young, he will snatch at chances regardless of whether he starts games or comes on for the final 15 minutes. We'd all like to see more of him, United fans love nothing more than seeing an exciting young player coming through. Yet the manager has to balance everything, playing time, exposure, pressure, and the club's need to win games. Garnacho will get plenty of playing time, the biggest hurdle he has currently is that he seems to only be able to play LW and the guy in front of him for that spot is Marcus Rashford who is in the form of his life.
You have said that we have a clear need for goals, well Rashford seems to be out main source of them right now. It would be crazy to drop him or move him around the pitch to fit in an exciting but untested 18 year old.
8.) 29 Jan 2023 12:24:54
If Anthony couldn't play well against reading there would be something wrong. They are 16th or 17th in the championship lost 4-0to Stoke last week
85 million he should be knocking in the winning goal in the fa Cup final for the 5 years.
I'm still not sold on him
.
{Ed014's Note - I watched the game, I genuinely don’t think I’ve seen a worse team than Reading, half of them didn’t even look fit.
You can only beat what’s in front of you but man they were shite!
9.) 29 Jan 2023 13:22:05
They looked much better once Carroll had been red carded!
10.) 29 Jan 2023 13:51:11
Casimero was our best player yesterday imo.
Antony did better.
Subs made no impact except for Fred.
Our starting 11 looks good and I like the way they play most games.
11.) 29 Jan 2023 13:14:05
Brutal Ed. I actually thought Shane long was retired. They are a bad side.
{Ed014's Note - I had to mate and was surprised when he appeared as a sub.
Poor old Ince has got some job on there!
12.) 29 Jan 2023 17:10:20
Think we need to give Amad a decent pre season prior to next season. Seen him a few times for Sunderland and offers a lot more than Anything. Of course in a league below.
13.) 29 Jan 2023 17:24:49
The difference is that these players use their preferred foot when there is little or no time. And CAN use their non preferred foot. Antony just can’t and won’t. When he is clear through and past the player he loses position and advantage by turning round and going backwards. That is only a current criticism. He is a good player and has clear skills that will only improve. My other point is that players commanding huge fees and wages should be able to confidently use both feet regardless of their preferred option.
And I wasn’t “picking on” Antony. I was merely commenting on a previous post.
14.) 29 Jan 2023 17:29:08
Amad will fall by the wayside. Brighter prospects ahead of him.
15.) 29 Jan 2023 21:06:38
Keefy, Antony has scored this season for us with his right foot. Has Rashford scored with his left?
Antony needs to develop, when you sign a 22 year old with only 18 months of European football in the Eredivisie under his belt then you know you aren't signing the finished article.
Ignore the fee, it's not indicative of current ability.
16.) 29 Jan 2023 22:22:52
Didn’t Rashford score the first v forest with his left? And against Charlton with his left!
17.) 30 Jan 2023 10:38:22
Big Andy Carroll’s performance was a disgrace. He didn’t even try.
06 Dec 2022 23:13:51
Seem to recall Ed2 stating Goncalo Ramos of Portugal was one of our preferred striker targets. He may have a few more suitors after tonight's performance!
1.) 07 Dec 2022 06:36:24
Not seen much of him at all, looks a player though.
2.) 07 Dec 2022 09:30:57
On of the things I've noticed about a lot of the strikers we have been linked with is that very few of them are what you could call a traditional No.9.
In fact most are team focused players prepared to work hard for the team and as likely to pass to a teammate in a better position than try and score themselves from a poorer position.
They seem to be players who could play as a second striker, No.10 or wide creative forward.
Players like Goncalo Ramos, Lautaro Martinez, João Felix, Jonathan David, Memphis Depay, Matheus Cunha, Christopher Nkunku, and Cody Gakpo.
None are traditional No.9's with all of them being as creative as they can be clinical in front of goal.
In fact the only strikers we have been linked with who you could call a traditional striker is Victor Osimhen, Marko Arnautovic and Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting. With the latter two being short term options with both of them being over 33 years old.
Does this mean that the type of striker that EtH is looking for is more of a creative team focused player rather than a clinical goal focused traditional striker?
Or is it simply that we are being linked to many players in the press and there is a shortage of old school No.9's to link us to?
25 Apr 2024 11:14:21
I’d rather keep ten Hag over Southgate. That being said, if Erik is a miserable sod, you can see this influencing the squad, as they all look miserable too.
I’d go all in for Zizou as player/ coach! ?
Tuchel I just don’t get, and apparently he’s too strict as well.
Anyone else we’re linked with beyond these guys if Potter is going to Ajax?
23 Apr 2024 08:53:52
Potter’s training methods and style seem to take a while to bed in. When they do, we all saw the results at Brighton.
Now that’s all well and good at Brighton, but will the fans, owners, media give him that time he didn’t get at Chelsea to do this at Utd? I think we all know he won’t be given it. The Chelsea squad is similar to ours, a mish mash of styles and personalities that just don’t buy into him as he’s not a “big name”.
My view is it’s time to rip the band aid off and clear the decks at Utd with a real plan and structure in place. If they deem Potter is the man, then let’s back him. If they deem ten Hag is, or Tuchel, same applies.
Now ten Hag has proven to be a decent coach at Ajax and Utd in his first season, but he’s lost all his credit in the bank this season. If he’s also known to be difficult, why put up with the hastle for no return anyway. Like Jose - he was a pain but he wins stuff. When he stops winning things, it’s not worth having him around.
On a different note, I attended a business session where Potter presented once whilst he was at Brighton about motivation and team building, and he was sensational.
21 Apr 2024 18:49:27
Not really sure he’s in any position to negotiate his future.
20 Apr 2024 07:14:32
I’m sure he’s sat at home resting Don, providing no feedback or input at all to Utd’s plans….
18 Apr 2024 11:22:50
Irrelevant to us. We’re not at the required standard yet to compete in that competition.
24 Apr 2024 05:26:33
Jackson would probably be more effective if he had been sent off.
23 Apr 2024 08:56:20
Top move by the Hammers if they can get him. But if Liverpool want him, he’d be a fool to turn it down for West Ham!
I always thought Potter might get the West Ham gig personally, just seems the right fit.
21 Apr 2024 13:53:49
I guess ten Hag makes the work hard. Something half the squad clearly struggle with on match day.
20 Apr 2024 07:16:43
I’d say the jury is still out on Zidane as a coach. He’s had one job, at one club, that will always do pretty well.
19 Apr 2024 21:45:54
It won’t be Zidane. Unless he’s signing to play in our midfield.