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01 Aug 2022 22:46:14
Looks like Baily is off to Seville!

redcon

1.) 02 Aug 2022 08:07:22
According to papers potentially Telles is as well. If its also true that Jones is in talks with DC United then fingers crossed we see a new Right Back come in. I'm hoping we see Dumfries but don't think will happen.


 

 

02 Jan 2022 23:50:36
What do people make of the Martial Dembele swap, one Moody French man for another.

redcon

{Ed002's Note - If it were to happen then Barcelona will be over the moon. They are looking at out of contract players, cheap deals, swaps and creative proposals.}


1.) 03 Jan 2022 00:28:00
Would Barcelona entertain some kind of offer for de Jong from Utd, Ed? And would the player be interested?

{Ed002's Note - I would not hold your breath. There have been discussions with three sides (two from England) and Barcelona are looking to avoid selling de Jong whilst they have plenty of others to move ion.}


2.) 03 Jan 2022 00:56:24
Pity. Cheers Ed.


3.) 03 Jan 2022 10:31:13
Speaking of outs, we need to do the same. Any concrete interest in Martial or Lingard yet Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Yes Eric. As I have explained in great detail.}


4.) 03 Jan 2022 13:29:08
Dembele is horribly injury prone. Stay well clear imo and not what we need.


5.) 03 Jan 2022 13:47:40
If we did the swap would either team be able to tell the difference. like for like in so many ways!


6.) 03 Jan 2022 14:12:23
Cool thanks Ed.


7.) 03 Jan 2022 15:54:14
Wouldnt want Dembele as a free gift. i'm guessing Barcelona fans aren't overjoyed about getting Martial either.


8.) 03 Jan 2022 16:29:30
Literally a swap deal where somehow everybody loses ?.


9.) 04 Jan 2022 10:19:32
Does lose lose equal win win?


 

 

19 Dec 2020 14:18:41
It is difficult to get players in January, but are we trying to get anyone in particular.

redcon

{Ed002's Note - The targets before next season starts will be G (third choice), CB, DM/CM, LM, RW. It is difficult to say when transfers will be completed. Outgoings will have an impact.
}


1.) 19 Dec 2020 18:41:02
A lot is said about which CB we should sign, Upamecano, Pau Torres etc are often linked.

However, for me the player I would sign above all others at CB would be Gabriel from Arsenal. I doubt we would go for him as he only signed for Arsenal this summer. But he has been far and away Arsenal's best player this season. He'll have had a full season in the EPL by next summer, while Arsenal might be relegated by then if they keep this form up. He's good in the air, a great passer out from the back, gets a few goal and is quick across the ground.

For what Arsenal paid for him this summer we really did miss a trick.


2.) 19 Dec 2020 19:32:12
Shapps, I think it's too early to judge Gabriel based on just a third of the season.

Dan James looked a world beater in the early stages of last season :)


3.) 20 Dec 2020 01:53:38
Agree to an extent TrueRedDevil, but Gabriel will be cut price when Arsenal and their 'fantastic style of play' get relegated. So worth a punt.


4.) 20 Dec 2020 13:21:10
TrueRedDevil, Gabriel had a great season in France last year and was highly thought of. I suggested in the summer that he should be a player we should be considering this summer.

He has taken the step up from Ligue 1 to the EPL in his stride.

I don't see many CB's around who have more experience in the EPL who have as much potential, are currently playing to as high a level and could be available next summer.


5.) 20 Dec 2020 13:47:39
Conceding a lot of goals mind.


6.) 20 Dec 2020 19:25:07
While Arsenal are conceding a lot of goals, the rest of the defensive unit will consist of Holding, Luiz, Mustafi centrally with Bellerin, Saka, Tierney and Maitland-Niles at full back.

He has crap defenders alongside him and out wide the fullbacks are much better going forward than defending.

The whole team is a shambles, yet while everyone around him is losing their head, it is Gabriel who looks like the only one who knows what he should be doing and is doing it. He has also grabbed a couple of goals from set-pieces too.


7.) 22 Dec 2020 01:11:49
How many right wingers are we going to buy?


8.) 22 Dec 2020 11:50:52
Ed002 you noted we would be in for a LM and RW as well as a DM. That's as well as the more pressing need for a CB who'd be a first team regular, likely replacing Lindelof. I am worried slightly that a centre forward isn't noted.
Our options are:
- Cavani, 33, class player but at the age where injuries will be harder to shake off and suggest max 25-30 games a season. Great addition to the squad tho IMO.
- Greenwood, 19, a fantastic talent who will be our long term No.9 if he continues to fulfil his potential. Being used more as RW due to wider squad deficiencies which is a role he's not particularly suited to.
- Martial, 25, been at the club 5 years now and supposedly now at the peak of his powers but woefully inconsistent. He is not a natural No.9 for me (hence we bizarrely have Martial and Greenwood both out of sync from what they're best at) .
- Ighalo, loan ending soon hence discounted.

I appreciate Greenwood is the future but we are light up top for a title challenge now if relying on Martial as the main man. Surely this looked to have been identified as a weak spot if we bid for Haaland only last January. Or do you think that was more speculative on our part given Ole gave him his debut and the Norwegian connection?

Your sage counsel welcomed as always. And regardless hope all the Eds and posters have a great Christmas.

{Ed002's Note - Part of the problem is that Manchester United have taken to adding RWs without properly addressing the issue. Pellistri arrived and now Amad Traore will arrive added to Greenwood and Lindgard (although Lindgard will be out of contract in the summer). As far as a striker goes, beyond another younger player being added, will depend on how the rest of the season pans out (if a Director of Football arrives, if there is a change of coach etc..). Right now the focus remains on a CB as the highest priority.}


 

 

05 Oct 2020 19:21:40
The fact that Cavani is a free agent, is there any pressure on his signing?

redcon

1.) 05 Oct 2020 20:11:13
He hasn't played football for last 7 months.
Huge signing on fee, agent fee and wages.

Important aspect is, Will we see the best of him?


2.) 05 Oct 2020 20:41:38
€2m signing on Fee
€11m salary
Utd have an option of another year for further 2m.
So not much more expensive than ighalo who he is replacing.
Makes sense to me trd.
He is here now let's hope he does well. Martial and greenwood can only aspire to have as good a career as his at the moment. They should learn plenty they both need to.


3.) 05 Oct 2020 20:55:03
I would love a peak Cavani Ken.
Just hope he plays for the shirt and shows passion towards our club.
Probably our new #7.


 

 

12 Sep 2020 18:02:02
Interestingly now talk of Thiago, for me a great player, still only 29, and quoted around 30 mill. Get him in for that price and sell off Pogba (28yrs now) for 60 -70 mill and personally l think we are a better team. Thiago, VDB and Bruno would be a great 3 in the middle with Rash, Martial and maybe Sancho or Greenwood. Put the Pogba money towards a CB, just saying.

redcon

1.) 12 Sep 2020 18:19:23
Whos paying 60/ 70 mil for pogba in this market?

Also thiago vdb and bruno would still concern me defensively as much as pogba, vdb and bruno does. Would have to be 2 out off the 3 starting most weeks which isn't a problem as we need squad depth in midfield.


2.) 12 Sep 2020 18:45:34
This is what makes me laugh about the current situation surrounding Pogba.

Pogba and Thiago are a similar age, both world cup winners, both have a year left on their contracts, both considered world class and one of the best midfielders in the world.

Bayern being realistic value Thiago at around 30m in the current climate with a year left on his deal. Yet most United fans still value Pogba at around the 60m mark, while the club value him in excess of 100m.

It's laughable. If Thiago is available for 30m, then the most we can expect for Pogba is 40m seeing as he is 18 months younger. However, his wages are far greater than Thiago's which will make it harder for other clubs to match them reducing the number of options he has.

He has been a great player for us, but now is the time to sell him for whatever we can, 30-40m. Thank him for his efforts, keep things friendly and reinvest in another player.


3.) 12 Sep 2020 19:34:47
Pogba has 1+1 year contract. Is 18 months younger and theoritically less injury prone.
He was great? I am shocked.


4.) 12 Sep 2020 19:38:45
"he has been a great player for us"? Go home your drunk😂😂😂.


5.) 12 Sep 2020 19:39:48
Pogba is 27 years old not 28 redcon so he is 2 years younger than Thiago.

I think selling Pogba might be the best decision for the club in the long term.

{Ed047's Note - that and Thiago is twice the player


6.) 12 Sep 2020 20:12:11
Twice the player ha the agenda against our own continues. Better player or not surely Shappy you understand when you buy a Pogba he is the face of the club he brings more media attention and sponsorship then any other player we have wether you like it or not its what makes Pogba more expensive then a Thiago or most players. Sponsors do not line up to get a Thiago on board as an example.


7.) 12 Sep 2020 20:18:58
pogba runs like he's 40.


8.) 12 Sep 2020 20:29:04
mnk he has an agenda against our club because he speaks the truth? Pogba hasn't even give his all in 3 match in a row. He only brought problems at our club and he is not half as good as he (you) think he is. Football is not only a good pass a good asist and a good highlight here and there. Tiago is twice the player Pogba is.

{Ed047's Note - agenda? Love it🤦‍♂️🤣


9.) 12 Sep 2020 20:34:54
Pogba has been one of our best outfield players since he signed.

A player is worth what someone will pay for them. No one will offer us more than 40m so he isn't worth more than that.

Fact is next summer he will be worth nothing to us as his contact will be up.


10.) 12 Sep 2020 20:49:05
mk we will not win many games with sponsors.


11.) 12 Sep 2020 21:18:50
The disrespect on his name is amazing the guy literally has carried the team many a time but you will always choose to overlook it.

{Ed047's Note - it’s not disrespectful to be honest about a player and can you tell me what games he’s carried you in.

Most of the time he looks like a passenger and if Bruno hasn’t shown you what a real quality midfielder should be doing week in week out then you really are missing something.

Thiago makes a difference every week, every game, he doesn’t have a highlight reel and he doesn’t walk around in games.

Ask Shappy how good he is, he wanted him here before he went to Bayern Munich.


12.) 12 Sep 2020 21:25:29
The agenda is simple herrera he's the one player people are ready to throw under the bus before all others no matter how bad the other players are. He's the one player despite what he does on the pitch wether he plays or not people want to find fault with him and blame him.

People can hate all they want but with in the next few weeks he will sign a new contract and he isn't going anywhere. The club simply refuse to let him go but you will find that's Pogbas fault as well. He's staying get behind him.


13.) 12 Sep 2020 21:35:04
Shappy you normally speak a lot of sense, but pogba has been has been one of your best outfield players since he signed, give your head a wobble.

What percentage of matches has he played since he signed has he even hit 50%.


14.) 12 Sep 2020 21:48:31
mnk397, I don't think there is an agenda against Pogba. I think people expect more of him than other players. He is one of the most naturally talented players in the world, he has fantastic technique, pace and power along with phenomenal stamina and natural fitness. He is a gifted player. He is also our record signing, and one of our highest paid players. He has won titles and was a key player for France as they won the world cup last time out.

As such people expect more of him than Phil Jones. To be honest if Phil didn't pull a silly face and injure himself during 90 minutes I'd be impressed.

Pogba has scored a lot of goals from midfield, he has assisted a lot as well. He has often been our best player on the pitch, even if he wasn't on the ball for the entire 90 minutes. Statistically he has surpassed pretty much every player on the pitch for us over the past 4 years.

If he leaves then fine, I'll wish him well. If not then he'll likely leave next summer for free, or at most the summer after that if the club are stupid enough. His wish is to leave, the club should allow him to go and keep some dignity.

The reality is that no one will offer more than 40m cash, or maybe a little less cash and a player they don't want and we don't need.

That is what he is worth. Sell him and move on. Many players better than Pogba have left before, and many greater than him will play for us in the future.


15.) 12 Sep 2020 21:54:24
Ofcourse, Pogba has been one of United's better performers.

Before Bruno, he was the main player who create chances and passes the ball forwards.

People judge him based on his price tag.


16.) 12 Sep 2020 21:57:20
Long time reader and 1st time poster. I for one can't get my head around some fans obsession with Pogba! I certainly can't remember a game where he has carried us. There is no doubting he has ability but for me he doesn't have the hunger! Thiago for me would be a dream signing and has that ability to dictate a game we haven't had since Scholesy! Really enjoy this site, been a reader for over 5 years! Cheers to all the info the Eds provide! Here's hoping it'll be 21 in 21 for us 😂😂.


17.) 12 Sep 2020 21:58:00
Not really sure how a post about Thiago has turned into a Pogba one.

Fact is Pogba is a passenger, he has 10 min flashes of brilliance and 80 mins he just frustrates out of you for a midfielder the main attribute you should have is work rate imo and Pogba doesn’t seem to have any.

Just to be clear I’m not a Pogba hater, I support every united player but the fact is the above is true whether you want to believe it or not.

Onto Thiago I’d love him in the United team he’s a gem of a player and despite what a majority say he’s good defensively too.


18.) 12 Sep 2020 21:39:44
Nice one Ed put pogba in the bayern team and you will soon change your tune. Setting lewandowski up instead of no movement zlatan or no touch lukaku up week in week out against them defences thing pogba would end up with 50 assists a season. Pogba dominating the world Cup semi and final shows you exactly what he can do on the biggest stage possible.

{Ed047's Note - I guess he must have been doing that at Juventus then with all the quality around him there...oh no he wasn’t was he.

But don’t let the truth get in the way of your desire to make Pogba into a players he’s not! 🤦‍♂️


19.) 12 Sep 2020 22:20:02
You pretend that you don't understand to prove your point.
Yes i throw him under the bus. Ofcourse not because he has some off days, everyone has. I do it because he is the one wanting top dollars without being a world class player and he is the one that more often than not is a problem and not trying enough.
All players can have some bad games, but the very least a top paid-player has to do is to give his all and try really hard. Bruno has showed us what means to be a really top player, yet some people don't understand the difference.
Some are quick to protect him because we disrespect his name. He disrespect my team but you have no problem with this. Really, is he bigger than the club?


20.) 12 Sep 2020 22:27:00
What are you on about Ed he was brilliant at juventus its why we bought him in the first place. Don't get it twisted the Italian league was much tougher than the German one.

Discountdave these are not facts just your opinion so you can make stuff up and call them facts doesn't make them true.

For me get a midfield of pogba bruno AND thiago with vdb and matic as back ups we would control most games and if we get sancho in with them with our other forwards that could be something special.

{Ed047's Note - of course he was, making 50 assists a season with all that talent around him.

Jesus it’s painful! 🤦‍♂️


21.) 12 Sep 2020 22:40:59
Shappy Ollie Watkins went to villa for £33 million. Pogba only worth 40? You must be fishing. If he signs a new contract is he worth 100 million again?


22.) 12 Sep 2020 22:53:35
Not trying enough are you for real he's been our best player for years because you don't see him as some passion merchant whose running around like a headless chicken he's not trying enough for you. He gets top dollar fir more than just football that might sting a lot if people but it is what it is.

Disrespects the club ok so ronaldo says he's a slave at the club and its all good Rooney before the Manchester Derby comes out and asks to leave BEFORE a game and its all good ddg was desperate to leave if it was not for not a fax machine but its all good but because pogba thinks the club isn't showing enough ambition and were holding him here let me repeat that the club have held him here not the other way around he's the one whose been disrespecting the club.

You say he's causing problems yet the manager and players have repeatedly said hea been a perfect professional ofcourse that doesn't suit the media narrative so its ignored completely.

Maguire is doing his thing in Greece. Greenwood is doing his thing in Iceland. Giggs and all his antics over the years yet its pogba whose the one whose disrespecting the club!


23.) 13 Sep 2020 00:06:41
Mnk i said the same with Rooney, about Ronaldo too. But hey, when we didn't allow Ronaldo leave he stayed and gave his 101%. Greenwood made a big mistake that i am not happy with him but yet he didn't try to leave the club for over two years like Pogba does and he gives his all when he plays. Some comparisons are really emparassing.
I don't have a problem with Pogba, i don't have a problem with any player. I believe too that he is a nice guy, i only criticize what i see on the pitch and the fact that while he clearly believe that he is a world class player, a luxury player that he mustnt put much defencive effort and wants to leave, yet he didn't bring a decent bid to his team. A world class player, a world cup winner at his peak but none wants to give a decent fee for him. It is strange, isn't it?


24.) 13 Sep 2020 01:12:01
Makes me laugh when shappy decides what he thinks a player is worth and we all have to take it as fact. The truth is Thiago may go for £30 million because Bayern value him at that. I'd rather pogba stay for 2 more years and leave for free than get £40 million in todays market. What does that buy you these days anyway? Maybe that's why the club value him more.

{Ed0666's Note - I bet you Masons happy crack Thiago don’t go for £30 mill.


25.) 12 Sep 2020 23:36:52
ed 47 no good knocking when there's nobody there.

{Ed047's Note - my thoughts exactly daz


26.) 13 Sep 2020 08:36:23
People saying PP isn’t a good player are hilarious. “Didn’t pull up trees at Juventus” - he was outstanding for them. Just about their best player in a team that won everything each year.

Since he’s been here, how many ‘top quality’ players has he played alongside? Zero? Maybe one? Fact is, he’s been playing with our worst midfield and strike force in 20 years. Yes he can flatter to deceive sometimes, but it must’ve been frustrating playing with the likes of Andreas and crew over the years. It’s no coincidence that he still looks unplayable when playing for France alongside Kante et al.


27.) 13 Sep 2020 09:17:38
Pogba is bang average as far as I'm concerned, no desire, no real commitment and we have only become better since Bruno, a real quality player signed, Pogba is a passenger in a team he has no right to be in tbh, Thiago is another far superior player, if Pogba was so good why wasn't he driving us forward like Bruno did instantly, why with France and Juve did the better players around Pogba carry him, he's a nice lad I'm sure and has talent but has no idea how to consistently influence a game, sooner he's off the better.


28.) 13 Sep 2020 09:50:53
This thread is some laugh! It's pretty simple really. Since pogba has arrived in the team he has slow motion jogged through games, pulling skill moves deep in his own half, losing possession in dangerous areas, and not provided any defensive cover. He hasn't made the players around him any better whatsoever. If only he'd had as many decent games as he's had haircuts? Since Bruno has arrived he has been infectious. His work rate has set the tone, he plays with a smile on his face, the whole team seems to click into a higher gear when he's on the pitch, and then there's the quality in the final third. He makes the players around him better. That's how you can tell a top player.


29.) 13 Sep 2020 10:17:29
Up until last season (which Pogba was out injured for 90% of it) no player had scored more goals or created more assists than Pogba in the three years since he signed.

While I'll accept that he often gives the impression of not trying, and many people myself included feel he could be doing better. The fact remains he has carried the team in terms of goal creation for three years. You don't do that if you are a poor player.

You don't start for the ridiculously over packed and supremely talented French national side if you are a crap player. You could name 10 French players who won't make the squad for an international tournament who would be first choice for 99% of other countries.

Yes his silly haircuts and his jet set life make him an easy target, just as it did for Beckham. Yet the same thing is often said about Pogba as was about Beckham from those who work closely with them. They are perfect professionals, eat right, train well, work hard and avoid drink, drugs and women.

If/ when Pogba leaves we will lose one of our best players. No doubt. If he wants to leave then the club shouldn't stop him or get in his way. The idea that he will be easy to replace is a falacy. Fred and McTominay work exceptionally hard, but neither are capable of what Pogba can do.

As for what he is worth? I'm not picking out figures here. Quite simply he is only worth what someone will pay for it. I could put my house on the market for £1m, but if no one will pay more than 500k for it then guess how much it is worth.

There are lots of factors with what a player is worth, their impact on the field, their wages, their resale value, their growth potential and their marketability are just some of the factors.

Fact is no one is prepared to pay 100m for Pogba, no one is prepared to pay 80m, no one is prepared to pay 60m, we might find one maybe two clubs that will pay 40m.

We sell him this summer or he leaves for free. Regardless of any extension option we have. So he is worth nothing or the maximum we can get for him this summer. Which would be around the 40m mark.


30.) 13 Sep 2020 11:36:22
I will be very happy when Pogba leaves Utd and a proper footballer plays instead of him.

Pogba is just the idea of a good footballer. He is very ineffective and is often a liability.


31.) 13 Sep 2020 11:54:17
Things get blown somewhat out of proportion here with a few voices seemingly seen as gospel. if Pogba starts Utd's games this month and has a good impact on the side, he is suddenly indispensible and worth double the fee thrown around above. I think/ hope/ believe (most likely fantasise) that he will look a little more like his old self and who knows, sign a new contract! Positivity!


32.) 13 Sep 2020 12:26:43
I hope you don't mind me putting the toys back in. Look at the mess of that floor 😂.


33.) 13 Sep 2020 14:40:27
Easy to point out how many goals and assists PP has racked up, but what about the goals we conceded because he didn't bother tracking a run, or because he tried to show off and gave the ball away in our own half?

Ander Herrera was the best midfielder we've had in recent years prior to Bruno's arrival. Pogba is a passenger, coasting his way to millions while he waits for a move to a team he actually wants to play for.

And for the record, I was among his biggest fans before he came back to us, and I was overjoyed when he signed.


34.) 13 Sep 2020 14:42:10
Andreas - championship level at best.
Fred - awful first season, better this, but not creative.
McTom - Darren Fletcher mk.2 (not necessarily a bad thing but still) .
Lingard - Mo Farah can run and his goals/ assists record would’ve been similar.
Mata - nice with the ball at his feet but struggles to get hold of it due to pace, also requires 6 touches constantly.

I’m intrigued. To all of the PP haters, who out of the above would you rather have started games ahead of him over the past two seasons?

Yes, he flatters to deceive, but we’ve certainly had no alternatives (different now, granted) and he’s been surrounded by sh! te during most of his time back here.


35.) 13 Sep 2020 16:04:57
Like playing chess with a pigeon 😂.


36.) 13 Sep 2020 16:38:57
The excuse for Pogba is that always surrounded by sh. Never his fault. 4 years you are debating which players must Pogba have next to him to take most of him. Pogba at 10, starting from depper making late runs, with Herrera and Matic making the dirty work, then no Matic is too slow and old to run for two. Then we must have someone like Verrati or Tiago to pass him the ball. Then the fault is we have no runners in our team to make the most of him etc.
Thats right in some extend, but put me in a team with Pirlo Vidal Marchisio or in a team with Cante Matuindi and Griezman-Empampe at front, having only to provide some tricks and passes, and i would seem good myself.
The truth is Pogba must have world class players around him to take care of him, because he is not world class. At Juve and France that's exactly what he had, world class players who took care of him.
Bruno is what fans thought Pogba is, and his game is much more than goals and asists, he tries hard and tries to make his mates and the team better. In the other hand Pogba wants better mates and better team to take care of him, huge difference.


 

 

 

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

 

10 Dec 2023 20:03:25
We went to very hostile Everton and played in a tight pitch, young Mainoo was, excellent, played that deep CDM role and loonies like he was playing there for years. What our teams needs because of our very weak defence is a holding midfielders who can be disciplined, sitting upfront of the defence and not getting dragged all over the pitch like Amrabat. Young Mainoo can be top class in there with the right partner, maybe Mount? Until. we get some players back l fear we will continue to be inconsistent and give up lots of chances. I really fear for us next week.

redcon

1.) 10 Dec 2023 20:59:56
Until we get some players back from injury we are a little tight for options.

However, for me while McTominay does grab a few goals, he is very much a liability in the first two thirds of the pitch. Playing him a effectively means that the other deeper midfielder is covering the middle on his own, we don't have anyone anywhere near good enough to do that.

Captain hindsight we should have just rocked up to West Ham with the 70m we were going to give to Real Madrid for Casemiro and got Declan Rice instead. But it is what it is.

Right now I'd be playing Amrabat AND Mainoo alongside each other to give us a better base, even if it means sacrificing more in attack.


2.) 10 Dec 2023 21:48:08
You say sacrifice more in attack shappy but yesterday you can’t even call that attack
Toothless.


3.) 10 Dec 2023 23:22:17
Chris, We don't have many intelligent players in attack. We struggle to play more complex patterns of play. It seems that EtH has settled on a more simplistic approach of trying to win the ball high and attack quickly before the opposition settle back into their defensive shape. As opposed to trying to play the ball quickly and intelligently to manipulate the opposition to create space to exploit.

There are two problems with that approach. Firstly, you are relying on the individual quality of our players to make the most of the chances and react quickly when the opposition lose the the ball. Secondly, if the opposition stay deep, compact and in shape then you are left with half chances at best.

However, without more intelligent and technically gifted players I'm not sure we could get the team playing a more cerebral style of play.

I mean we will have to play at least two of Rashford, Garnacho, and Antony. All of which play their best football with the fairly simplistic run at the opposition and cut in onto their stronger foot and shoot. The other issue is all of them are more of a knock the ball and run type of dribbler rather than a keep the ball glued to their feet technical dribbler. That works when you have space to run into, but against a tightly packed, deep defence you don't have the space to knock the ball into and chase down.

None are pass and move player, players who look to quick combination play, or have much variety in their play. There really isn't much point asking them to go wide and cross as none of them are particularly good at crossing the ball. We don't really have a creative winger. Bruno is our most creative player, and his numbers are based more on volume than on intelligence. He always tries to attack, when you play that many attacking passes you will get a large amount of successful ones. But sometimes we need someone who'll get a foot on the ball and slow things down. Bruno doesn't have that in his locker.

So if you take those four out then who are we left with? We just don't have those intelligent attacking players. So we are better off trying to play to the strengths of the players we have.

What do you do? Do you try and play to the strengths of the players you have and accept the limitations, or do you try and force the players you have to play a style that they will struggle to play well, accepting that they will play that style poorly?

This is what happens when you spend a decade with no clear recruitment policy and just lurching from signing to signing under new managers every 2-3 years. Until we fix the squad this team will always struggle.


4.) 11 Dec 2023 02:53:41
I thought amrabat played pretty well yesterday. I am also excited by Mainoo, and he adds an extra dimension because he can carry the ball forward.

Scott is doing nothing in midfield. No creativity, no penetration from deep. Just arriving in the box - but we need a player making clever build up play and pulling the defense around.

I don't think EtH wants a double pivot, but we do need our 8 to be better on the ball and also good off it.

Martial upfront was pressing, and running. He is awful at making runs in the box that a striker should make. He drops too deep and never pulls the defenders away or gets to the front post (or even back post) .

I think we are poor at creating from hoylund because we have not have a proper 9 for so long. We need to creat for him, he is making the runs.


5.) 11 Dec 2023 08:24:46
These are the tactics OGS used - two holding mids to make us more secure - but he got absolutely slated for it saying this is not the “Man Utd” way. The fact is, we are bound to miss Casemiro who has not been fit all season, even when he started matches. It’s be good for Mainoo to get some serious minutes on the pitch with him when fit.

The back 4 in its current guise is mid table level at best. What has Varane done wrong to not get a game over Maguire, Lindelof or Shaw? We miss the aggression and passing of Licha desperately too.

And Martial frankly is a waste of space. Has been for years, and when he and Rashford play together it’s almost a competition to see who can be the laziest.


 

 

25 Feb 2023 00:06:42
I fear Rashford won't make Sunday, so what's plan B? Back 4 same I'd say, Casemiro and Bruno start, Fred has probably played his way into the team too. So Antony wide right, Sancho or Garnacho on the left. So big question do we Olay Sabitzer.

redcon

1.) 25 Feb 2023 00:38:15
I assume Sabitzer will be on the bench, I think Rashford will play but if he doesn’t then you’d assume Antony, Bruno, Sancho behind Weghorst.


2.) 25 Feb 2023 11:28:32
Whatever happens we need to get at their keeper straight away. Fire shots at him, get early corners and pressure him. Karius will probably be proper nervous. Don't let him settle and become confident.


3.) 25 Feb 2023 13:06:22
Fizz,

One thing we know for certain is this team with the style of play we have now will get chances, it’s just about taking them. We have scored in every game since the World Cup, 2 or more in almost every game, so hopefully we continue that, if we do I think we will win.


4.) 25 Feb 2023 19:18:46
Giggs to,
Agree but the goals have all, pretty much, come from Rashford and the OP alluded to the possibility that he might be unavailable.


5.) 25 Feb 2023 20:52:59
What’s happened to Martial this time? He’s missed a lot Of football again. Assume in the summer he’ll be ushered out.


6.) 25 Feb 2023 21:34:38
Who would take him? On big wages, is always Injured, wasted last year on loan doing nothing to mskes others wamt him, I would not be surprised to see him at United until his contracts runs down.


7.) 25 Feb 2023 22:55:12
Don't have fear of any injury. Embrace the challenge.


8.) 26 Feb 2023 10:57:32
If Rashford doesn't make it then I'd assume it'll be Weghorst at CF, Sancho left and Antony right. With Garnacho on the bench to bring on against tiring legs.

I hope to see a Casemiro/ Sabitzer midfield partnership.

Fred was important in the games against Barcelona, however I don't see him as being an effective player against Newcastle.

The way Newcastle have typically played this season, especially against the bigger sides is to allow the opposition possession of the ball and then press relentlessly when certain triggers are set. They then look to counter quickly.

That doesn't really suit Fred's game as he is average at best in possession and due to his loose touch is an ideal player to press to try and win the ball back.

We need players who are good on the ball and press resistant. Sabitzer is the far more obvious and natural choice. My only concern is whether EtH will start them together for the first time in such a big game.


9.) 26 Feb 2023 13:14:15
I’d go Weghorst up too anyway. With Karius in goal I’d be encouraging balls in early and Weghorst putting him under loads of pressure. We won’t lack anything with Weghorst starting. His pressing as well will hurry the CB’s then let Rashford run them both in 2nd half.


10.) 26 Feb 2023 13:53:05
Agree with Ken, if Rashford is injured, then the others got to step up. Play as a team and believe. I would not have made the comments ETH made about time wasting and them being annoying, it only serves to wind them up. Needs a few lessons off Fergie. Though I realise he said it to put pressure on the ref.


11.) 26 Feb 2023 15:01:47
Rashfords starting apparently.


 

 

10 Sep 2022 10:43:27
Watching Maguire again on Thursday really highlighted his terrible positional awareness. They brought on a 6-5" centre forward we had Martinez with Maguire and on three occasions before they scored he was out of position pointing and leaving Martinez mark their CF. Even passing the ball he takes about 4 touches, everything is slow and laboured.

redcon

1.) 10 Sep 2022 11:18:04
There's a reason why we look so rubbish when Maguire and Fred play. It is so laboured and it takes ages for them to move the ball forward. With Martinez he can either do it with a quick pass or a drive through the middle. I won't be against trying Tuanzebe as the bar Maguire has set is really low.
Fred is out of contract next year (we do have a 1 year option) but I hope we don't execute it and let him leave the club.


2.) 10 Sep 2022 12:11:50
Maguire has the footballing intelligence of a potato.

While he lacks the mental strength to handle the pressure. That is why when things started going wrong for him he crumbled and started to hide on a football pitch.

He stopped offering himself as a passing option, and he shirked his defensive responsibilities and passed them over to his teammates.

Then complains when they can't cover for him and tries to shift the blame on to him.

His public comments hint at a fragile mentality. Saying he must be great because different managers have picked him, and blaming the forwards for us losing games because they aren't scoring more goals than the defence is conceding.

While holding his hands to his ears while playing and scoring for England against that footballing powerhouse Albania, shows how easily he is affected by the comments and how they play on his mind.

His attempt to bribe his way out of being arrested in Greece and his comments of "do you know who I am", further show a lack of general intelligence and understanding, as well as a shocking lack of humility.

He's daft, mentality weak, has limited footballing intelligence as well as being slow, and having very limited mobility. He's constantly out of position because he ball watches, has no idea where opposition players are around him, and is reactive and not proactive in his defending. Which given his lack of pace and more mobility means he will always be at least two steps behind those he should be marking.

I cannot think of a worst captain or a poorer defender in my lifetime as a United fan. The sooner we can be shot of him the better.


3.) 10 Sep 2022 12:14:07
Fred i doubt.


4.) 10 Sep 2022 12:35:08
So your not a fan Shappy? I'd say he's more like a rich man's Tyrone Mings. In fact they could be same mother, another lover.


5.) 10 Sep 2022 13:01:54
I've complained about Maguire for years and said that as an individual he just isn't anywhere near the level needed. That I don't think is even up for debate anymore.

However, I think the biggest problem with him now is the anxiety and worry that his mere presence on the pitch brings. In his 10 mins on the pitch vs Arsenal you could see us become more panicked in defence and the whole atmosphere in the stadium changes when he comes on. He is not good enough but he makes others worse and more nervous. It is like the opposite of bringing on Ronaldo, Messi, Haaland or some other great goalscorer when you need a goal. You see those players and think they can get your team out of trouble, when you see Maguire you only think he's going to get your team into trouble. This should be his last season at the club imo and he will go down as probably the worst signing the club has ever made.


6.) 10 Sep 2022 13:47:04
I agree, as soon as we signed him I could'nt believe it, let alone the fee. To think of CB's who would have been available at the time on the continent (or in the UK for that matter) for less than half. Even his heading ability is poor for someone that size and height. He defensively heads the ball as far as he can forward rather than to a team mate and attacking wise he has maybe 1 or 2 goals from dead ball situations? I can't think of many.


7.) 10 Sep 2022 15:11:39
Supasub, not to defend him as being Utd worthy - he isn't - he is also England's highest goal-scoring defender however. Worrying.


8.) 10 Sep 2022 19:52:26
Jeez Shappy, how do you really feel about him? You were quite supportive when we got him, as was I, and of course he is no where near as bad as this thread seems to paint him.

Can't think of a worse defender? Wow.

McGuire is a player who wants to aggressively go after the ball, like martinez does. He does often steps out and win the ball, disrupt, make a tackle that breaks up the attack. But if he doesn't get there, he has no recovery pace.

He has not made a good partnership. His best was with Lindelof, but it was not good enough for the level utd want to get to.

Varane should have worked, but for some reason it didn't, and both looked poor together. With Martinez varane has looked excellent, which increase the interpretation that macguire was THE problem all along.

I'm not sure it is right to scape goat him as the only problem in our back 4 from last year. ALL of our defenders were poor, including dalot and Varane.

Is it good coaching, or that these players have found a combination that works? Who knows.

I would play Lindelof ahead of mcguire right now. I think mcguire is struggling mentally with the criticism- which is some of the most intense criticism I have seen a single player need to endure to be honest. He is now universally considered crap, from a position of most expensive defender and utd captain it is a lot to absorb and move forward from. Surely he needs to go and play somewhere else and rebuild.


9.) 11 Sep 2022 00:33:59
I disagree Shappy!

Harry (sexy fingers) Maguire isn’t constantly out of position. He is in the right position like a broken clock when he happens to run past it to get back to the wrong position!

Give the bloke some credit Ha ha ha!

But seriously he is a spud.


10.) 11 Sep 2022 07:08:13
Dodgy, when we're were linked with him I said I didn't want him. I was met with arguements that he was a leader, and how great he had been with England.

I argued at the time that International level is poor and not a good standard to judge a player at, and that I didn't think he was a great leader. I argued that he shouted at people after the mistake had happened but did nothing before to avoid that mistake.

However, I agreed I was judging him off of a small sample size of his games with England, his games against us and a few other games he played for Leicester that I happened to watch.

As with all new signings and new managers I give them my full backing once they join the club, even if I don't think they are the right fit or good enough. I give them the benefit of the doubt. Maybe I misjudged them, maybe they will step up. It's in hope more than expectation.

Harry Maguire hasn't just proven me right though, he's proven worse than I was originally concerned he might be.

He isn't a poor leader, he's a toxic one. Never carrying the blame but shifting it. He is decisive and causes splits in the dressing room if you listen to the rumours. He doesn't lead in any way.

As for a defender, his only saving grace is he's a big lump who is by chance occasionally in the way of a shot or an attacker. His reading of the game is none existent, he is reactive without the physical ability to do so. He ball watches, has no idea who is around him (which is how he ends up tackling teammates), his cleared headers often don't clear the danger zone, in fact he often heads the ball into dangerous areas.

When he is confident and he isn't put under pressure his passing out from the back is good. But if pressed he lacks the composure, panics and boots the ball either into touch or straight back to the opposition.

People think we paid double what he is worth, but personally I don't think he's worth more than 20m.

I'd genuinely play a fully fit Phil Jones ahead of Maguire every time.


11.) 11 Sep 2022 14:51:45
I'd rather play a unicorn ahead of McGuire as well, and a griffin. But neither of those exist either.


 

 

11 Aug 2022 23:34:28
Sell Rashford and get Antony, good deal in my eyes and he wants to come to United at least.

redcon

1.) 12 Aug 2022 06:02:27
Anthony is not available bud. Ajax has been clear on that.


2.) 12 Aug 2022 07:01:16
Seriously…. I except that Rashford been pants for 2 years, but how on earth do you know or even think that Anthony is any better, a year ago you had never even heard of him…big deal he played well for 1 season in Dutchland! This is greatest example of media boost now he the saviour in your mind of united…the mind boggles.


3.) 12 Aug 2022 07:31:51
If we sell Rashford, I'm hoping Garnacho will be give his chance. The money should be spent on buying a couple of midfielders instead.


4.) 12 Aug 2022 09:12:15
I would sell Rashford, right now, call his bluff. This looks like posturing to get more money and a new contract out of United when he hasn’t earned it. Sell him now and give Garnacho a run. We desperately need a central striker to score goals and Rashford isn’t it, his goals have dried up and he didn’t look interested last season
If PSG want him then off you go, don’t let the door hit you on the backside.


5.) 12 Aug 2022 09:12:56
I don't get this lust to push Rashford out the door.

Our current forward options are:

Ronaldo, soon to be 38 and wants to leave.

Sancho, on paper our best forward player but has yet to match his Dortmund form in a red shirt.

Martial, a player with bags of talent, but has a poor injury record and a questionable attitude. Flattered to deceive in the past 7 years.

Rashford, potentially very good, had a few injuries and a loss of form over the past 12-15 months.

That's 4 players with any sort of experience for 3 starting spots in the team. However, one doesn't want to be here and another struggles to be fit.

Beyond those 4 we have:

Elanga, had a good 3 month spell under Rangnick. Hasn't played as well under EtH yet.

Garnacho, recently turned 18 (on pre-season tour), very talented but only played 30 minutes of senior football.

Amad, talented but struggled to play regularly in Scottish football doesn't bode well. Really needs a loan.

Pellistri, another with talent but seems to be struggling to show it consistently. Needs a loan.

If we sell Rashford and Ronaldo we might get around 50m.

But we will only have Sancho, Martial, Garnacho and Elanga as forward options. Plus maybe one more if we can buy someone, although those options seem to be running thin.

Before either Ronaldo or Rashford leave we need at least one more forward. If one leaves we need two more forwards. If both leave we need three new forwards.

Does anyone have any confidence in the club signing 2 forwards? Let alone 3.


6.) 12 Aug 2022 09:39:48
Shappy, he has been bad for more than 24 months, I don't know where you got 12-15. and he is becoming worse.
Insert any young player there and they won't be any worse, in fact, they may even prove to be a big improvement.
Rashford himself was very young when he got his chance, why can't Garnacho, for example, get his?


7.) 12 Aug 2022 10:08:31
Fully agree, Shappy.

Within the squad we need six first team ready players to play in our front three, one of whom can be an up and coming youngster with huge potential, but no more.

Currently:

LW: Rashford and Garnacho
CF: Ronaldo and Martial
RW: Sancho and Elanga

That’s too weak already. To let Rashford go would be crazy. We already need one forward to replace Elanga in the ‘six’, possibly two if Ronaldo leaves. Three would be unobtainable.


8.) 12 Aug 2022 10:46:56
Let’s be fair about it too, what evidence is there that Sancho been any better then Rashford! Both are not great that’s for sure, but neither is better then the other, but Rashford takes all the stick, and you close your eyes to Sancho shortcomings!


9.) 12 Aug 2022 11:43:09
Trololo, respectfully you are talking out your derriere when you say Rashford has been poor for more than 24 months. It's just not true no matter how many times the Rashford haters reiterate the party line.

Last season he was poor, 5 gaols and 2 assists. The season before that though he managed 19 goals and 11 assists. 30 goal contributions in a n injury hit campaign where he played for 5 months with pain killing injections in his back rather than have a spinal operation.

Everyone says about Ronaldo carrying United last season due to his 24 goals and 3 assists, That's a total of 27 goal contributions, three shy of Rashford's total in the 2020/ 21 season. A season you have just tried to say he played poorly in.

Logically if Rashford has 30 goal contributions and has played poorly then Ronaldo must have been worse only getting 27 goal contributions. Otherwise your talking bobbins.

His form tailed off in the final couple of months of the 2020/ 21 season due to injury. He was poor for the entire 2021/ 22 season.

So let's do the maths. One whole season (2021/ 22), we'll say 12 months. Plus the final 2 months of the 2020/ 21 season. If you really want to be harsh we'll include the first month of the 2022/ 23 season (even though its only been one game.

So 12 months + 2 months + 1 month = 15 months.

Which is what I said, and at least 9 months less than your "bad for more than 24 months".

Newyorker, spot on. I think people don't like Rashford for his off field exploits. Which seems odd considering his off field exploits include making sure the poorest kids in society don't go hungry.

Rashford was crap last season, 5 goals and 2 assists was poor.

Sancho last season managed 3 goals and 4 assists. Is that any better?

BOTH Rashford AND Sancho only contributed 7 goal contributions each last season. So where is argument that Sancho isn't good enough as well as Rashford?

Was Sancho any better than Rashford against Brighton? It seems EtH didn't think so subbing Sancho but keeping Rashford on.

Since Sir Alex retired only two players have managed 30 or more goal contributions in a single campaign. Bruno Fernandes and Marcus Rashford.

That means Rashford as a forward who's main job is to provide goal contributions to the team has had a better season than any of Lukaku, Zlatan, RvP, Rooney, Falcao and Ronaldo in a single season.

he has also managed that less than 2 years ago.

He was poor last season, no one is denying that. But he has the potential to be one of our best players. Kicking him out the door when we have so few other options in the forward areas is more than madness, its vindictive.


10.) 12 Aug 2022 12:51:25
Shappy, I understand what you are saying, but I can't agree on that.

I'm of the opinion that Ronaldo didn't carry United last season, so that doesn't make a strong case.

Is everything about stats? Imo, and I said this several times, Rashford was bad even when he scored. He kept the ball too long, was greedy, tried to run through players and failed and slowed our attacks considarebly. But hey, he was at least scoring, so no one spoke about it. I don't know how many times I yelled at the TV for him to just pass the ball.

I don't rate him at all, but hey, that is just my opinion. I do hope he will start doing better, but I just don't see it.

Regarding Sancho, it was his first season in PL, where, until RR came, he didn't get into the team that often. And you can clearly see him trying more than Rashford.
Last match he played after he was ill for several days, I suppose that had an impact. And Sancho didn't get the ball as much, but what was the reason for that, I don't really know.

ETH made his subs at 89th minute, which I think was a mistake. Who is to say that not subbing Rashford wasn't a mistake as well? I would have subbed both, at least around 80th minute, subs at the 89th minute were useless.


11.) 13 Aug 2022 09:00:52
Shappy

Rashford is going into the last year of his contract, or so I heard. Do we offer him a nice fancy new one with a pay rise, wait until he can go on a free next summer or sell him now whilst he is worth something? Based on his decline I would sell him now, so what would you do?


 

 

06 Aug 2022 08:46:58
Our first team will say a lot about our new manager, will he leave CR7 on the bench with Martial injured, will he play McFred, Maguire and Lindleof? For me CR7 in on the bench, he's missed pre season and has only played 45mins. Midfield is tough one is Ericsen up to starting?, we are at home first game, so l play him with Fred, at the back both new players should start, with Dalot and probably Maguire as, he has done well in preseason. Really looking forward to the game, OT will be rocking, perfect first game for us, at home, against Brighton who will play football too. Predicting a positive start and a 3 nil victory.

redcon

1.) 06 Aug 2022 10:18:46
Really does not matter how we line up. Looking forward to seeing us play well and win. I think we are not as desperate and bad as some here make it out including some of the eds:) let's go.


2.) 06 Aug 2022 11:09:38
I think we will win but also don’t think this is the type of game that will define our season. Are things bad given Nothing Changes comment? No they are not. However if the club have ambition of making top 4 they need Ronaldo gone, a CM and goal scorer in CF. If the rumours that the Glazers want to keep Ron are true it’s for marketing and sponsors only.

I know I will get the usual comments but the club need to be aiming higher. We have heard the build will take years every time a new manager arrives. Yes he will be given time and so he should but his ambition must burn through to getting players in. So far it seems only those he trusts via direct connection are coming in, like he wants to have those he trusts around him having seen the bunch of backstabbing players last season.

I like Erikson he must play and I want to see Garnacho get time, even start. Brighton can be awkward and whilst we lack firepower up front and through midfield, an early season home game with the crowd behind ETH should see us win, possibly 3.1 . It shouldn’t hide what is needed in the transfer window in the coming weeks if we want top four.


3.) 06 Aug 2022 12:36:00
I think Ten Hag will be forced to start CR7 upfront as we seriously lack goal scoring options up front.

Also, Brighton have a huge void to fill with the sales of Cucurela and Bissouma.


4.) 06 Aug 2022 14:01:16
I'd start him on the bench. I'd go with Bruno as a false 9 with eriksen at 10 and rashford and sancho on the wings or rashford up top with garnacho and sancho on the wings.


5.) 06 Aug 2022 14:48:29
Too much pressure on Garnacho if we start him. I'd rather he comes on around the 60th minute, scores not withstanding. Rashford as a 9 and 3 of Fred, Bruno, Eriksen, Iqbal and McT in midfield.


6.) 06 Aug 2022 14:55:27
I don't think the starting 11 will tell us much about EtH at all.

He picks the players he has available, everyone has a clean sheet, and hopefully will be picked on form and not reputation.

I highly doubt the typical starting 11 will stay the same throughout the season. I expect to see at least,2 or 3 different faces playing in our final game as to those who start our first.

I'm far more interested in how we play rather than who starts. I don't really care what the name on the back of the shirt is, it's the name on the front I support.

For me I don't care if it's Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Martial or whoever. If they play well with desire and fight, and contribute to us winning games and titles then I'll happily cheer them on.


7.) 06 Aug 2022 18:09:08
I don't agree unruly. I actually think the opposite. it will show him he's valued and he'd have confidence that the manager rates him. I'm not saying he's a starter every week but for this game with having players not upto fitness or with injuries why not? I'd rather him start then a player that doesn't want to be here.


8.) 06 Aug 2022 21:43:19
I don't care who plays I don't even care about the result. I want to see 11 players in a United shirt trying to play a system and giving everything thier all. Finally I want to see a team out their pulling for each other and fighting for each other.

I have faith that if we show those three things this season we will make a giant step forward this year.


9.) 06 Aug 2022 23:31:52
I am loving EtH press conference. Back to the no nonsense answers and lack of tolerance to loaded questions.

Hopefully this translates onto the pitch and we go back to the United way.

Can’t see any reason to be pessimistic at this point.

Bring on the season!


10.) 07 Aug 2022 01:23:21
Keefy, apart from rubbish defence, no midfield, and no central forwards. The rest is great.


11.) 07 Aug 2022 06:28:52
The defence will improve, Martinez will play Left Centre back and Maguire and Varane will fight it out for Right Centre back, Malacia and Shaw will compete for left back, Dalot will cover right back, and I suspect we will go for Timber after the World Cup to cover right back with a view to him ending up in Central defence in a few years.

Midfield has two decent playmaker and a few box to box players, we just need that DM to complete it.

Up front is where we suffered last year, the front three need to be scoring consistently with help from the midfield and defenders, if we can start scoring as a team then things will improve.


 

 

 

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I would prefer tosee a 4-2-3-1 formation with carrick & fellani sitting in midfield protecting the back four. That leaves Mata Rooney, januzai and RVP up top

redcon