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Mick's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Mick's rumours posts

 

04 Sep 2013 03:53:39
Ed044, I missed your ( or another Ed's ) reply about why we weren't able to bring Herrera in and I've used the notorious search button but didn't find it ( the reply, not the button )

According to Bleacher Report, we seemed to think the buy out clause was too high while the player was interested in the move and was willing to take a pay cut. Then comes the 3 imposters who are supposed to be lawyers working in a firm which has handled some of the selling club's business. Apparently they arrived in Athletic's offices pretending to be sent by manchester united. The law firm that employed them has yet to release a statement over the details which are expected to be made public soon.

But it doesn't seem too reliable and some inside information would be much apprecitated {Ed044's Note - This is from another Editor but I would trust it to be correct: Putting aside all of this flak and interference related to any "imposters" at the Spanish FA, the efforts made by Manchester United to purchase Ander Herrera were over before Ballague implied that these "imposters" extirpated the transaction. The simple truth is that once the price being asked and the costs to be eventually paid were clear to the club, they could see it was well beyond the value the club placed on the player. At that point the club stepped back. So it was the cost and not the distraction of any "imposters" that scuppered the deal.}

Mick

1.) Mick, it's a simple case of MU not valuing the player at £30.5m, so not paying it. Athletic did not want to negotiate at all. It was £30.5m or nothing. It's like Chelsea not agreeing to pay Cavani's asking price or City not agreeing to pay Hazard's asking price. The only difference is we really needed a central midfielder of his caliber. I think we should have paid the amount, but on another note would him being MU's biggest ever signing put him under too much pressure at the club? No excuse, but it may have done.


2.) I get what you're saying Sydney! I'm sure United will now monitor him from now till Jan, and potentially come back in for him. It was all a bit quick and maybe that's why they didn't pay the clause because they felt they hadn't scouted him enough etc. however with a bit more time, maybe they will then feel he is worth the buy out clause. I was a bit gutted we missed out on him, but hopefully we go and get him in Jan.


3.) I see Herrera has said United never once said they would meet the buy out clause the 3 "Imposters" were 3 Spanish sport lawyers that do this type of thing for a living, they were sent by United with no mandate to meet the buy out only haggle some more.

So in conclusion "The Equaliser" is an clown


4.) @Sydney,
Do you think next season could be quite a clear out at MU? Its a good bet that Evra, Rio and Giggs won't be playing for MUFC next season. And if there is no improvement from Nani, Valencia, Young, Ando, Lindegaard and Cleaverly I think 3-4 out of those could be on the move. So we are possibly looking at 6-7 departures from our first team squad next season.


5.) Elvis, MU value him at €30m, Bilbao wanted the full €36m and would not enter negotiations. MU will not pay €36m in January if they didn't pay it this summer. Unless Bilbao lower the price he will stay a Bilbao player. Bilbao will not lower the price and MU will not pay it. I see this being the end of Herrera to MU.


6.) PR, there was no serious interest in our players this summer. There were a handful of players that were for sale this summer or shall we say available at a price, but no interest. I think MU value them too highly personally. I do not see Cleverley leaving MU anytime soon. We have a shortage of midfielders and he is a very good squad player.


7.) What people.are saying is true we don't want to pay.what they asking, but reading between lines in what his personal statement said he never once said he dint not want to move and said that was flattered tha one of biggest clibs in world should want him I see it as he might want the move but not want to rock the boat, so only way I can see us.getting him.is if.he hands in a transfer in jan help push a deal thought, much like the wig did with ecerton


8.) Sometimes I think everyone is so set against Cleverley, and it drives me nuts reading sooo many people saying he's not good enough, glad to see I'm not the only one who sees his value as a squad member.

He defends reasonably, and is pretty good at keeping possesion and controling the tempo of the game. What he doesn't do all that well is open up tough defences, which is unfortunately what we need, as mone of our central midfielders do.

As for Herrera, I really hope we do go back for him, as I don't understand not paying about £30m for the exact kind of player we need,, then paying only a few million less for a player who doesn't offer the penetration and flair we need.

Unfortunately,, I suspect Barca may resume their interest and we've missed our chance.


9.) Thanks Ed, I do hope we go for him in January. If we need a player, we should be in for him. 36 million is not absurd for a young potentially world class midfielder that Barca viewed as good enough to replace Fabregas


 

 

24 Jul 2013 15:37:29
According to Ed001 on the Barcelona page, we were never in for Thiago. Apparently we know exactly what had to be done in order to sign him and we didn't do anything about it.

When asked why did we wait after Thiago was gone to bid for cesc, his answer was we are probably not too bothered to sign Cesc, and since his transfer never looked likely, the bid for him was mostly to appease the fans and show that Moyes has ambitions.

But if that was true, why did we bid twice, and a third bid is apparently on the way? Something doesn't add up. If Ed001 is around would you give me your 2 cents on the matter if anything new has appeared? {Ed001's Note - there are only really two possible reasons, either you think Martino doesn't want him, or it would be too obvious you were just messing about if you just bid once. In my opinion, there has been no sign, despite the way Sly have been covering it, to suggest he is interested in a move to United. Their coverage is strange though, it is almost like Marca's coverage of Madrid, the way they proclaim Rooney is going nowhere, while saying Cesc is open to offers from United. Neither seems to be true, unless Cesc is being dishonest, as he has made it plain to those around him that he wants to stay at Barca first and foremost. Until we know what Martino has told him about the role he foresees him playing, we won't really know for sure. Certainly the club told him they wanted him to stay, but since then Tito has gone and been replaced, so the new manager might have his own ideas. I really don't know a lot about the new guy, but with Thiago gone and Xavi ageing and troubled by injuries, I would be surprised if he was wanting to offload Fabregas.}

Mick

1.) Thiagos dad has said today he was close to signing for us but we could reach an agreement when in talks with him.


2.) Unless Barcelona is desperate for more money to buy a decent centerback.
One more year without a proper cover/first choice to pair up with Pique is rather ridiculous.


3.) Thanks ed. I actually find it strange why Fabregas would be interested in a move to United.
He is playing for one of the best clubs in the world, and a move to us would argubly be a sideway step ( some would even consider it a downstep ). Unless he is deseperate for a worldcup starting spot of course.

But even with barcelona needing him, they sure know that they need central defenders first and foremost, and they might need to sell some players to fund the move. They still have iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Song and the young Sergi Roberto who is beeing touted as the new Xavi.

So their need for a central defender outweigh their need for Fabregas and maybe, just maybe, they are willing to sacrifice him to improve their defense.

On another note, I know you are kind of an expert on youth football, so what do you think about Sergi Roberto? Does he really have what it takes to make the step up in the next couple of seasons?


4.) Ed001 Do you seriously believe for one minute that Manchester united would put a bid in for a player just to "appease" the fans? Seriously come on behave don't you think that if that was the case that this would raise doubt in the fans mind over David Moyes's ability to attract the right players rather than "appease" US fans. Do you seriously think for one minute that David Moyes would sit back and let the united board make him look like a fool? Do you genuinely think that united would do such a thing to the new manager and put him under even more pressure than he is already under ( just has any manager would be under pressure trying to take over after sir Alex) I seriously doubt your thoughts on this matter. David Moyes has sat there in a few conferences now and told the waiting press and the United fans that ed woodward is working hard to try to get this deal done so not only would they (United) be making Moyes look a fool they would be making out that the new Chief Executive of the biggest club in the world is incapable of doing his job. What sort of message would this send out to the footballing world and the shareholders? plus what message would this send out to the new York stock exchange? we all hate the glazers but I don't think for one minute they would be that stupid do you. really? {Ed001's Note - I fail to see how it would be blamed on Moyes if Fabregas doesn't join?}


5.) Ed001, all Sky have done is quote Moyes saying Rooney is not for sale. That is all. Sky are the biggest sports media outlet in the world. It would be pretty poor workmanship if they never quoted Manchester United manager publicly stating Rooney is not for sale. But Sky have also said via Dharmesh Sheth that their sources say that it's likely Rooney will be sold, but MU will want two significant signings in first. I'm not sure what's happening with Cesc, but I do not believe for a second these are token bids. Cesc could replace Rooney in the hole very easily. If not he is exactly what we need in midfield. I think Barcelona will sell at the right price and that will inevitably give an unwanted Cesc a big decision to make. I find it hard to believe that there has been no indication by Cesc or his agent that he would move to OT if a bid was accepted by Barcelona. Not sure we will sign Cesc, but I do not think it's token bids.

Sydney! {Ed001's Note - so why do they not say just that in their main reports? They were saying all yesterday Rooney is not for sale, following a report saying Barca said Cesc isn't for sale but we are told he is. Why not put the same addendum on the Rooney report? Sly are not interested in truth, they are only interested in what stirs up the betting market, saying Rooney will stay will get a few mugs to put money on it. Saying Fabregas will go stirs up more bets. That is all they are doing.}


6.) Have to agree with Ed001. Sky's transfer coverage has been going downhill ever since they opened .

Reports that Fabregas is considering his future seem to have originated from 'tv' shortly after a second affirmation by Barcelona that Cesc would not be sold. Although it's being reported in numerous other places - they're all quoting Sky as their source.

The 'fact' that their 'sources' have told them that Cesc is considering his future would surely shorten their odds on him moving to United - but it hasn't. As far as I can see they're eager to encourage betting on something which they are pretty certain will not happen. I'm tempted to put money on him staying with them if there's still a market for it.

redseven


7.) But why waste time on fabragas to appease the fans when there are many excellent midfielders we could actually sign with whom united fans would be very happy?

just chuckling at my voice recognition software which spelt fabragas as fabric ass and now fab rubber gas! must be my northern vowels!


8.) The reality is that football transfers are full of innuendo, half truths and pure speculation. Most of the nonsense originates with players agents who make vast sums for themselves by such behaviour and tipping off journalists, some of whom are good and credible and some who are just hopeless. a website does not have a great reputation for real insider knowledge but we clearly did not pursue Thiago as hard as we could and I really believe Moyes wants Fabregas very badly and has been told deal is possible. Only time will tell.


9.) Ed001, I know Sky like to meddle with the truth and when they say "a web site sources understands" you can always take it with a pinch of salt, but I do not think Sky work with MU in the same way as Marca do with RM and I do not believe MU are making token bids for Cesc. That's all I was saying.

Sydney! {Ed001's Note - sorry, I wasn't meaning to imply it was like that, I meant they are liberal with the truth in a similar way to Marca are with Madrid. Though for totally different reasons, I agree.}


10.) How come cesc or his agent haven't come out and dismissed these rumours the last few weeks. Clubs will always say the player is not for sale but every player has his price and utd must know they have a good chance of getting him. That's why they've bid three times. I think you are talking nonsense Edd001. Wishful thinking {Ed001's Note - he has said numerous times that the only club in England he would play for is Arsenal, I am not sure what else he could add to that? Not sure why it would be wishful thinking by me, I don't support Arsenal and I don't rate Fabregas all that highly. I think there are many better players out there for United, especially at this price.}


11.) I would agree with Ed but then something I'd ask you Ed is why hasn't Fabregas said he's not interested in joining united after we started bidding? He's said after Neymar signing that he'd still fight for his place but he's been silent since this all started.

Dan {Ed001's Note - he has said many times, publicly, that he would only join Arsenal in England. Maybe he just doesn't feel the need to say any more? After all they have sold Thiago, who was more of a threat to his position than Neymar, who plays a totally different role.}


12.) Fair enough. But the signing of Neymar will just push Messi and Iniesta to cover the 2 positions he likes to play in. Neymar would play wide left, behind the striker (or false 9 for Barca) or false 9. These are Fabs positions. I don't think he would play wide right would he? Xavi and Busquets are the 2 in midfield all day. The only way I see him getting a starting place and not a squad role is playing with Xavi and Busquets in a 433. But then it's hard to fit Iniesta, Neymar and Messi into an attacking 3 with Pedro wanting a place as well.

Dan


13.) 25 Jul 2013 10:19:29
@Ed001

Would just like your opinion on this one if you have the time.

At the price that we seem to be going towards with Fabregas which players do you think we should be going for instead? I really don't see a chance of any other top midfielder out there right now who could move, perhaps Modric but that is just about it imo.

Also, I know it must be frustrating to constantly answer the same questions for you, but I think the obsession on here with Fabregas is because there is no other info about our transfer dealings out there currently, so have you heard about interest in any other players that we may be pursuing currently?

Thanks.

REDFAITH {Ed001's Note - I wrote a few on another post, but at that price, I personally would push for Vidal or Gundogan. Fabregas is a big name, it excites the fans, it is in the media constantly, so people want to know more. It is only to be expected to be honest, with the scarcity of other movement on the United side of things. Incidentally, I found Roberto Martinez's comments a bit baffling regarding Baines. Saying no firm interest in him. Odd comment that!}


14.) 25 Jul 2013 12:19:46
@Ed001

Cheers. I would love a move for either Gundogan or Vidal but don't think either is going to be let go.

Didn't read Martinez's comments about Baines. So no other activity from our side? Very odd. This transfer window has been poorly managed by us imo.

REDFAITH


 

 

15 Mar 2013 20:48:12
Ed, I know this has been discussed during the summer transfer window but do you think it's possible to buy rodriguez from Porto for about 20 million with Anderson going the other way and/or a player on a season loan ( Buttner if they lose Sandro perhaps ). i'm not sure Porto are willing to pay Anderson's wages but they are in need of a central midfielder if moutinho leaves and Anderson was highly rated as a youngster in Portugal {Ed007's Note - I would say no, but it is possible a deal for Rodriguez could happen.}

Mick

 

 

15 Mar 2013 14:59:02
Ed 001, if I recall correctly you are the most knowledgeable about youth football. What is going on with Lucas Ocampos? Last season he was linked with us, Barcelona, Real Madrid. Now he is playing in ligue 2 with Monaco and I've not been able to follow his devellopment. Apparently he was "the new Cristiano Ronaldo ", the next big thing to come out of south america. Do we still have any interest in him? Thanks {Ed002's Note - There was never interest shown by Manchester United. He will have several high profile team mates next season as Monaco bolster their squad with some significant and high end purchases.}

Mick

1.) Monaco are on a serious mission to get themselves on top of french football. Maybe Ligue 1 will become more cometitive with moneybags like PSG and Monaco. Thanks Ed002


2.) He was looked at by Chelsea with a bunch of other Argie kids.

Supasub


 

 

07 Mar 2013 02:55:27
Ed, if Rooney is to leave Manchester united, do you know which English clubs would be after him? I suspect we would see interest from both Chelsea and Manchester City since they are the ones with the unlimited funds, and possibly Tottenham with the money coming from the sale of Bale. {Ed002's Note - No idea, sorry.}

Mick

1.) Bale won't be leaving spurs this summer!


2.) Spurs wouldn't pay Wayne's wages and I'm not convinced City would want him under their current director of football. Wouldn't be too surprised if Chelsea were interested but beyond that I can only imagine him going abroad or staying put.

HBadger


3.) Why are people obsessed with getting rid of Rooney. the point is he is a top player. and Selling him to another English club is a huge mistake. the truth only Fergie knows his plans for next year. and if Rooney is sold I would be very surprised


4.) None, we wouldn't sell to a british rival, BUMBACLARRT


 

 

 

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

 

26 Sep 2013 00:51:12
Am I the only one who thinks Nani played well? He got dispossessed a couple of times and his shooting was way off but he certainly did work hard defensively, making 3 tackles and had a team high of 4 key passes. Considering that Ozil averages 3 key passes per game i'm ready to give him the benefit of the doubt in his first game back.

Kagawa didn't play to the best of his abilities, but playing for the second time this season he should get another chance. He also had a 92% passing accuracy and made 3 key passes, while also completing 2 dribbles.

The mom could be given to Rooney who looks like he's back to his best with 3 key passes, 2 dribbles and 5 shots. His work rate was also good to see after having played 3 games in a row or Evans who marshaled the young defense impressively and should replace Rio in the starting lineup.

Jones was a beast in central midfield and his defensive work is outstanding. 6 clearances, 2 tackles, 6 headers and 6 interceptions is beyond impressive. With an 85 % passing accuracy including 6 long balls, it looks like his distribution is improving.

I honestly would have loved to see a midfield combination of Jones and Fellaini. They would better any central midfield in the world in physical power but I'm not sure either possess the finesse to hurt a top side but atm neither does a static Giggs who was yet again average. But it was a young team so his involvement is understood.

Smalling and Rafael had good games while Buttner was decent, impressive going forward but a defensive liability ( not unlike a 32 year old Frenchman imo ) and while he is rather shaky against tricky wingers, at least he has the pace to recover if he is out of position and even if he gets dribbled, he would have someone covering for him by then, unlike Evra who rarely gets skinned but doesn't recover fast enough and leaves acres of space with no one covering it. I'd rather have Buttner when he learns when to release the ball in the defensive half.

That leaves Chicharito. Apart from his goal, he didn't have a tangible effect but his movement to drag defenders opening up space for Rooney and Kagawa to operate was immense. Also the way he turned Enrique inside out for his goal is not any less impressive than Rooney hitting a free-kick or Van Persie with his freaky strikes when he somehow turns away from the goal while releasing a shot ( his goal against Fullham is a prime example ).

Mick

1.) From the first whistle Nani linked our play fantastically. His one touch, quick passing his just what we are looking for and if we can get Kagawa, Rooney, RVP, Fellaini etc linking up with him then we will create plenty of chances. He has played very little football of late so he did seem to tire after 50 minutes or so but IMO he did well and more than showed that he warrants a place in the starting XI above Young and/or Valencia.


2.) Mick

Statistics indicated Fellaini had a better game than Toure on Sunday. So much for statistics.

Nani, well much ado about nothing, lots of show but no end product again.


3.) Mick

Stats often lie. According to the stats, Fellaini had a better game than Toure on Sunday. My eyes told me a different story. I thought Nani contributed little


4.) Agree with You on Nani, had a great game and kept the Liverpool defense on the back foot. Jones played well and maybe its time to give him a start instead of Carrick who sits too close to our back 4 and invites pressure. He can't tackle and is poor in the air. Look at Fergies attempt at playing him at centre half last year.Jones has a physical presence and not afraid to put himself about.


5.) Have you ever heard the phrase "lies, damned lies and statistics"? They mead nothing. Think back to the CL semi final earlier in the year. Bayern Munich V Barcelona. Barcelona had something like 63% or 65% possession over the 90+ minutes. Bayern won 4 - 0. Says it all.


6.) Mick

I thought he had a decent game as well. His decision making was much better and one of the criticism I have always had is he tries silly stuff when there is nothing there rather than choosing the simple pass and keeping possession and loses the ball.

Yesterday he did not give away possession when there was nothing there and made the the right pass at the right time most often but he is rusty like a lot of the guys and they need a run of games.

I think people can be quick to blast some of these guys but it is quite clear we are not a coherent unit and slightly disjointed. There seems to be large gaps in terms of player support and numbers when we go forward and hence most of goals are coming from set pieces and not open play.

I have seen this for quite sometime now where even when the wingers beat their man down the touchline, we hardly have numbers running into the box so your options are very limited.

I was watching city against Wigan (I know championship team) but they attack with 7 or 8 players in and around the box and so many making runs and had their defense in 6's and 7's. BTW the 5-0 score could have been a lot worse and I can see them scoring 7 or 8 goals in some games this year when things go for them.


7.) Statistics are a horribly bad way to judge a performance. I thought Nani was shocking last night. He caught caught in possession far too much & slowed play down in the final third.


8.) Mick - I agree with your post. I thought Kagawa looked much better than he did against Leverkusen, so hopefully he will keep it up.

Only issue aside from Giggs trying to play quarter back when he can't judge a ten yard weight of pass nowadays was how much space the Liverpool strikers had, I thought Evans and Smalling showed signs of not playing a lot and bad positional sense. Some great aerial ability when they actually jumped for the ball though.

I was pleased with the performance considering it was the strongest team Liverpool could play and nowhere near ours, plus Giggs in CM we are always going to be one man light. Shame Zaha didn't get a run out, how annoying for him.


9.) Nani did what he usually does. Show great promise, skill, speed, passing and the worst final product of any player I've ever seen. If he makes the second to last pass he's amazing, but if he has to make an assist or finish a chance, he's horrendous. How hard is it to at least hit the target on a shot?


10.) Nani was excellent on the ball. Not afraid to go past a player, not afraid to make a pass. Great first touch and can get out of tight spots. What is frustrating is his execution and decision making. I think he could work very well with Rooney and RvP if he isn't too selfish.


11.) I would rather have nani in somewhere and give the ball away a few times and create chances and score goals, than Cleverly in there trying to be xavi or iniesta by constantly playing 2 yard passes sideways or backwards to increase his pass completion percentage, and never creating anything!


12.) A great 1st touch and taking on and beating players is no use to any team unless you then create something with the ball nani just can't deliver the final piece he also ducked out of a couple of tackles last night which is poor


 

 

22 Sep 2013 21:36:38
The match today was horrible to watch from any fan's perspective. We were dominated and utterly embarrased and it seems as though Moyes picked the most unsuited team for the fixture. The only way he could have made it worse is by playing Ryan Giggs instead of Carrick but since he picked Young over Kagawa, god knows what else he would do.

The problem is he used a safe approach, and if you don't gamble you will not win.

The first one was playing Young over Nani/ Kagawa.
Fact is both are significantly better than Young and would have provided much better attacking quality. But well, he needed someone to cover for Evra so he played Young.

The second one was playing Evra, therefore needing Young. Alex Buttner and Fabio are younger, faster and much more likely to be able to contain one of the most notorious speedsters in world football. You don't play an old slow left back against someone as fast as Navas. Plus they are both just as bad defensivley so it wouldn't have been such a gamble.

The third one is playing Vidic and Ferdinand together for the fifth time running. Now that's just bad management imo. You want one for the experience, fine but you do not play both against a very capable, swift and fast offense. Ferdinand was imo the worst player on the pitch. Smalling wouldn't have done a worst job

The fourth one was playing Smalling at right back. The man is a central defender, deal with it. We have Fabio and we just bought Valera and both are natural fullbacks, therefore, even with Smalling's experience and height, should have got a nod before he did.

Valencia was on a decent run of form and worked hard so I get why he played, but you cannot expect a limited player to do it all on his own. Smalling offers zero quality going forward and did not help Valencia at all.

Young is a different story all together. He lacks the quality to play for us and it showed in the fact that he completed 8 passes in the first half. 8. He had zero dribbles and zero tackles, not to mention 0 chances created. How he still gets in the team is beyond me.

Welbeck was a bad call to start. Fact is, in a balanced attack, you need both quality and work rate. Players like Van Persie and Kagawa provide the quality on the ball, while the likes of Welbeck, Young ( debatable ) and Valencia provide the hard work, while Rooney is one of the few players who have both. But when you play 3 attacking players, neither of whom has the ability to pick a through ball, interchange and create anything of note, you will have a bad time. We needed better quality on the ball in the final third and we did not have it. In van Persie's absence we needed Kagawa.

All in all, I hope that moyes has learned from this experience that if you do not set up to win, you will not.

And sometimes, the biggest gamble is not taking any gambles. He played in the safest possible way, and got the worst possible results. Same goes for our match against Liverpool.

One last thing I do not understand. If Moyes did not want to play Kagawa, and he has seen how ineffective Ashley Young can be, why not just add a midfielder ( Anderson or Cleverley ) and provide more stability. If he was worried about losing width, well, he wouldn't since Young is as useless as a broken condom.

Mick

1.) Mick, I don't agree fully with your team selection Moyes picked.

If fergie was still in charge it would have been the same team apart for (cleverley for young) and we would have played 451 not 442 moyes wasnt tactically aware and should have looked at our previous games and tactics used and tried to hit them on the break.

However nobody performed today apart from Rooney when he had support and stopped his tif with Kompany, fair enough we had a good last 30 min but if you were 4 nil up would you sit back, as in theory the game is won

Fellaini was poor, he has no passing ability as his states showed last year at even 27.5m for that, we supposibly bought him so he could challenge the big players in the big games i.e. Yaya but shocking doesn't cut it, then Moyes did the same as he did at everton put fellaini further up the pitch fair enough he is a hand full for defenders but he needed a good delivery (that he got from Baines, coleman and Mirales, there is no comparison to the corssing ability of young, valencia and especially smalling all were abismall at putting the ball in the box!

no plan b from moyes and I think he needs to learn from this team selection and defeat.

apoologies for the esay, feedback welcome!


2.) 23 Sep 2013 08:12:40
Everton fan in peace, been reading a couple of posts reference your season so far. Moyes drove us blues mental with no plan b and a cautious approach all the time (particularly away to top 4 teams, see his stats, not very good). When games were going against us, he was always reluctant to make a change often until it was too late.

But in fairness to Moyes, he took a struggling club with no cash to regular chasers for Euro football with the odd cup run thrown in and his eye for an unknown bargain was as good as there is.

I genuinely hope Moyes will do OK, but many of us Blues have been aware of his particular flaws for a good number of years, (though we were always grateful that the greater good countered these so tended not to make any fuss) but at MU and in the general media he will be found out if he doesn't adapt fast.

Not palatable reading perhaps but every club has its' historic cycles at top of the tree, perhaps its time for another team, reading some of the posts maybe sometimes (even in a horrible derby defeat) there needs to be a bit of grace and humility and be happy that at least you are regarded now as the most succesful team ever (domestically) in the last 30years. can't see that changing in my lifetime.

Good Luck for the rest of the campaign.

Paddock Neil {Ed002's Note - I'll let this go but you need to be registered to post here.}


 

 

22 Sep 2013 15:26:56
Setting up for a draw is not going to win Moyes any admirers imo. Really disappointed in the team selection.

Mick

1.) Why is this setting up for a draw? He is playing Welbeck up front and has swapped Young for Kagawa. How is that negative?


2.) Playing Young on the left instead of Kagawa/ Nani is obviously more about his defensive abilities than attacking qualities. Same could argubaly be said about both Valencia and Welbeck


3.) AJH, bc if you had ever watched a United match you'd know that playing Young and Valencia ensures that the best result possible is a draw, but most likely a loss. Can't throw away two positions on the field with such non-threatening, non-creating, non-defending players.


4.) Cause wel beck and young are useless


5.) It is negative because Young is ball bag. You name me another team in the top 4 of any top league that Young would get anywhere near the squad, let along first XI. Moyes is a top 6 manager, he will get results against lesser opposition, but put him against any top team and he reverts to negative, stop them play tactics. Very very poor.

RomanRunner


 

 

21 Sep 2013 16:06:57
Well plenty of ex academy players are making an impression in the league atm. Ravel Morrison just scored a goal from outside of the box and has been handling a deep lying role unexpectedly well, while Brady has been giving debuchy, france's first choice right back, plenty to think about while also scoring a goal.

Down in the championship Lingard just scored a hattrick, including a goal from outside of the box and a goal with his left foot.

Seems our academy is still producing plenty of talent imo

Mick

1.) And as I was writing this, Lingard scored a fourth and Brady assisted another


 

 

20 Sep 2013 20:04:19
How about that. Usain Bolt is giving himself credit for Moyes buying Fellaini and playing Kagawa. That guy has a bigger ego than Ronaldo imo.

But I sure wish we'd employ him as a club ambassador in the future. Charismatic, world famous and adored by fans, not to mention he is one funny guy.

Imagine five years from now Beckham, Cantona and Bolt as club ambassadors. doesn't get much better than that does it?

Mick

1.) Mick

Beckham yes, Bolt yes, but Cantona? Eric is my favourite United player but I'm not sure he has the international profile we like to think he has.


2.) Interesting but would Beckham become a global ambassador for the Glazers? Let us not forget he put the green and gold scarf on and yet we don't know how he feels about them. No doubt he loves the club who he has always supported but since retirement he hasn't been around United as much as you might have expected. Would he really want to be the conduit for making money for the owners?
He hasn't accepted an ambassadorial role and we don't know if he will.


3.) Cantona - and especially his new partner (the top actress in France) is massive there - don't suppose he would have the time or inclination to be an ambassador for us?
Cosh


4.) I want Dennis Rodman to come out as a Utd fan - he is responsible for North & South Korea not starting the 3rd World War apparently! A "Brag-Off" between him and Bolt would be great viewing. Jokers.


5.) Red Man, as long as SAF is at MU Beckham would never be offered an ambassadorial role. Beckham would do anything for MU. If he was asked by MU to do it he would do it in an heartbeat.


6.) Ah right Sydney

Of course it would have absolutely nothing to do with the owners at all


7.) Red Man, Beckham loves MU. He wouldn't turn down a chance to represent us. A fan chucked a green and gold scarf towards him and the fans screamed at him to put it on. What do you expect him to do? Of course like us he will be wary of the ownership, but I don't think he would have put a green and gold scarf on in another circumstance. That's all I meant.


 

 

 

Mick's rumour replies

 

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Shappy, cabella is a central attacking midfielder who is just as comfortable on the right of a 4-2-3-1. Buying him would suggest a tactical switch which I would welcome

Mick

 

 

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Gomes said on more than 1 occasion that he is eager to work hard and move to MAnchester Utd in the last couple of years. But we are looking very well stocked in first teamers and youth players in the striking department so i'm not too fussed

Mick

 

 

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Thanks Ed, I do hope we go for him in January. If we need a player, we should be in for him. 36 million is not absurd for a young potentially world class midfielder that Barca viewed as good enough to replace Fabregas

Mick

 

 

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I think Fellaini will be the biggest player coming in, litteraly. I also suspect a higher caliber player to be brought in

Mick

 

 

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Thanks ed. I actually find it strange why Fabregas would be interested in a move to United.
He is playing for one of the best clubs in the world, and a move to us would argubly be a sideway step ( some would even consider it a downstep ). Unless he is deseperate for a worldcup starting spot of course.

But even with barcelona needing him, they sure know that they need central defenders first and foremost, and they might need to sell some players to fund the move. They still have iniesta, Xavi, Busquets, Song and the young Sergi Roberto who is beeing touted as the new Xavi.

So their need for a central defender outweigh their need for Fabregas and maybe, just maybe, they are willing to sacrifice him to improve their defense.

On another note, I know you are kind of an expert on youth football, so what do you think about Sergi Roberto? Does he really have what it takes to make the step up in the next couple of seasons?

Mick

 

 

 

Mick's banter replies

 

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Well what's comforting is that we can't do a worst job than the current scouting team now can we?

Mick

 

 

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Henriquez is 2 years away from being ready to be starter and is more likely going to be used as cover for Van Persie if Chicha decides to move ( and who could blame him ).

Lingard needs a premier league loan ( hopefully in the second half of the season ) and should be ready to be a first team player, but not a starter.

Michael Keane did great at Leicester and needs a premier league loan, hopefully in January since Rio is still here for cover, and with Evans, vidic, Jones and Smalling, we don't lack defenders.

Zaha and Adnan should already be first teamers and replace Valencia and Young in the squad.

Mick

 

 

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Allan is a player I've had my eye on ever since he moved to Udinese last season.

Technically speaking, he is a superb player. He likes to get his head down and dribble past players which is something we lack in our midfield atm.

Unfortunately, he tends to be dispossessed more often than a central midfielder should and could be hazardous. And his passing in the final third isn't the best.

If I was to compare him to a player, it would be to Chelsea's Oscar.

He is neither a great tackler nor a great interceptor but he works extremely hard and covers a lot of ground. And his best attribute, imo, is his long range passing. He hits 30 yards passes and switches play at will.

All in all, I don't think he is creative enough to be a number 10 but if he can sort out his decision making in midfield and know when to dribble and when to pass, he would become a world class player

Mick

 

 

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HE has this touch of class that reminds me of a younger Ozil, although his passing isn't up there yet.

I wouldn't compare him to Kaka though.

At his peak Kaka was the most magnificent counter attacking player I've ever seen. He was fast and powerful and when he had the ball with space to run into, he will score.

Januzaj is more of a pass and move player, and take players on when necessary but he is nowhere near Kaka in terms of counter attacking threat

Mick

 

 

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If Ravel keeps up his development I would resign him.

if Pogba is willing to come back, I would go all out for him

Mick