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Team: Manchester United Where from: Manchester Favourite player: Paul Scholes Best team moment: Interests: Timezone: (GMT) London |
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MancMan's rumours posts with other poster's replies to MancMan's rumours posts
20 Jan 2021 09:37:43
Hi Ed002, hope you're good.
Thanks for the Lingard update. Let's hope at least one of the 6 clubs you mentioned make him an offer. I'd despair if Utd gave him a new contract.
Any news on Jones, Rojo and Romero?
{Ed002's Note - Sergio Romero (G) out of contract with an offer from Inter Miami on the table - may look to stay in England but would not be a starter. Valencia have spoken with his agent about a pre-contract. Not keen on a return to Argentina just yet.
Phil Jones (CB) an option for Burnley if James Tarkowski leaves. Else would likely need to drop down to the Championship to find a club where he would start.
Marcos Rojo (LWB/CB) not wanted and another mess caused by the amateurs at Old Trafford – Fiorentina were interested at the start of 2020 but MU blocked the move and he ended up on loan at Estudiantes. They wanted to keep him on loan for the last year of his contract - or could have taken him for perhaps €5M spread over the season and the player wished to stay there. Another mistake by the amateurs. He is another player for which there are limitations where he could move to. Manchester United are of course not assisting and after pricing him out of a move to Estudiantes, who really only wanted another loan in any case - that would have given Manchester United a loan fee as his contract runs down. So they have been stuck with another player that has been offered around. Estudiantes remain interested but Boca Juniors are pushing to have Manchester United release him this month rather than in the summer. Cruz Azul have said they were looking at him as a CB option after being offered the player. Penerol were also offered the player and I suspect others were as well.
1.) 20 Jan 2021 11:26:58
Thanks Ed002, much appreciated.
2.) 20 Jan 2021 14:58:34
Hey ed thanks for the details and the f-wittery that goes on at Utd doesn't surprise me.
Any news on Youth loans?
Pellistri has been mentioned.
{Ed002's Note - Teden Mengi (CB) A January loan is possible. QPR have spoken with Manchester United. Pellestri may get a loan. Diallo will stay with U23s for now.}
3.) 20 Jan 2021 19:16:34
Surprised that romero couldn't be a starter for a Premier league club. I think he's done well for us and clubs could do a lot worse.
4.) 21 Jan 2021 12:27:21
RedD. He'd a lot better than Pickford, Pope and a few others. I'm also surprised there's not more interest in him.
23 Sep 2020 15:41:13
Ed002, if you don't mind. Do you have insight into the possibility of some of the surplus players leaving the club.
Specifically, Rojo, Jones, Lingard, Dalot, Romero, Grant, Perreria.
Is it that nobody wants to buy them or don't they want to leave? Is the problem their salaries because other clubs won't pay them that much or they won't take a pay cut to secure a move?
The last question might be more difficult to answer, but do you think that they think they might get another chance to play for Utd or is it that they are happy to receive their wages just for turning up to training?
{Ed002's Note - All of this has been answered. Estudiantes want Rojo but are not going to pay the asking price. Phil Jones will not be going anywhere. Lingard will likely look to run down his contract rather than move which is not in his best interests. Dalot is being priced out of a moved or offered as a part exchange. Romero could leave for Valencia in the coming days - very unhappy with the club. No idea about Grant. Pereira was priced out of a move.}
1.) 23 Sep 2020 21:31:51
It somehow gets more farcical by the day. I understand it's a business and the club will want to make money where possible but surely there's one person with some common sense who sees we should cut our losses with some of these players?
2.) 23 Sep 2020 21:44:01
Just when you think it can't get worse. if this doesn't make the club realise they need a DoF, i don't know what will.
We will be holding onto players after haggling over a few mil and paying that and more in wages over the course of the year. Worse, it doesn't free up squad space for new recruits. P**s poor planning.
3.) 23 Sep 2020 21:54:42
Thanks Ed002, your response is much appreciated.
I know the flavour of the month is slag off the club but seems they're damned if they won't accept what they deem to be unacceptably low offers and damned because they won't move on surplus wages.
I think the real problem is wages. Clubs will only offer low fees because of how much the wages make the total cost of taking on the player. In this respect the club has made a rod for its own back.
4.) 23 Sep 2020 23:41:36
Surplus players, not wages.
5.) 24 Sep 2020 08:04:00
A DOF won’t make any difference if they report up the financial route to Woodward, it would still be a financial decision rather than a more balanced one if they report to the board. That way financial is a consideration but not the only one
I would be guessing but trying to use player exchange says they want to retain cash, possibly for a separate bigger deal or just to protect dividends.
6.) 24 Sep 2020 09:41:38
Who in their right mind would price Pereira out of a move? Oh yeah, we're not run by people in their right minds.
7.) 26 Sep 2020 23:20:29
I feel sorry for Romero, the club have treated him like crap and hope he gets the move he wants. I like the guy and he has never really let the team down when he has been called upon.
18 Sep 2020 20:19:11
Question for Ed002. How can utd get rid of Jones, lingard, rojo and pereira?
{Ed002's Note - Manchester Evening News, "Donkeys For Sale: 0161 868 8000"}
1.) 18 Sep 2020 22:06:56
Hahahaha 😂😂😂.
2.) 18 Sep 2020 22:18:09
Ed002, you need to occupy the stage at the Albert Hall on comedy night.
3.) 18 Sep 2020 22:30:09
LOL Ed.
4.) 18 Sep 2020 22:31:35
Lol. Has anyone tried dialling this number? Is it really the Men? I'm not sure I dare.
Thanks Ed002, can I interest you in a donkey?
5.) 18 Sep 2020 23:09:41
That's cruel.
Some poor farmer or someone might actually need a donkey, call that number and get stuck with Phil Jones.
Sure he can probably haul a load, but he'll spend all harvest injured, and his gurning will traumatize the other animals.
6.) 18 Sep 2020 23:24:32
Lollll.
7.) 19 Sep 2020 08:59:42
Coming into panto season.
8.) 18 Sep 2020 23:03:17
🤣🤣🤣 brilliant ed002.
9.) 19 Sep 2020 13:45:11
Don't know about those other players but signing Jones would mean investing in a personal medical room to keep him company throughout his contract as well as paying his wages. Don't think anyone would be as gracious as Man United to do that.
19 Jul 2017 17:55:44
I've just read that there's more fantasy football going on at City with the signing of Danilo.
I find it very curious that there was no suggestion we were in for him since in my opinion we need another right back and he is willing to come to Manchester. Plus he was only £26 million!
It could be just that he preferred City or having worked once with our beam of sunshine manager decided never again.
The other possibilities are we have an alternative coming in or simply that Mourinho is happy with the players we have for that position. I noticed Valencia played at right back against Salt Lake and I think TFM got some time there as well. I didn't watch the Galaxy game. Has anyone else played at right back pre-season? Do you think Mourinho is happy to go into the season with those two plus Darmian?
1.) 19 Jul 2017 18:19:44
The fact he has slumped at Real and can't defend might be a reason.
2.) 19 Jul 2017 18:28:38
We can't sign everyone mate. Our targets were Semedo, Fabinho and Aurier. With Danilo plying his trade in Porto for a few years before moving to Madrid, I'm sure Jose knows enough about him and whether he'd suit us, evidently not. It's about getting players in that will suit our system and compliment our other players.
3.) 19 Jul 2017 18:42:23
When dids he work with jose mancman?
4.) 19 Jul 2017 18:53:06
Since the De Gea debarcle last season I can, t see Real Madrid selling us any ground staff never mind any players.
I know we have numerous targets, Perisic, Matic, Fabinho . Jose wanted them on the U. S tour, But you can't make clubs sell their players because we are interested in them.
Still feel a lot of players are not that keen on playing for Jose, It's only because we pay over the odds for players and agent fees, that we get them to sign.
City and pep put in offers for players, and get them.
Long time to go in the market I know, But we don't want to be signing players 24 hrs before season starts, Remember the Fellani deal anyone?
5.) 19 Jul 2017 18:59:26
Players want to play for Mourinho but we are not ready to meet he asking price.
6.) 19 Jul 2017 20:27:28
The United money men have their limits and rightly stick to it. Pep is playing a real life version of Football Manager at the moment and is yet to address the left back position and centre half.
7.) 19 Jul 2017 20:34:14
More to the point why buy a 2nd rb who can't defend for 26 mill after shelling out 55 mill for another rb who can't defend. What about their much vaunted academy if they wanted a bench sitter.
8.) 20 Jul 2017 09:22:13
The best right back to come through their academy is now first choice at Spurs and was sold for £3.5 million.
9.) 20 Jul 2017 13:25:35
Ken, you're right. After I posted I realised I hadn't checked whether his time at Real had co-incided with Mourinho's.
Nonetheless, because none of our wide players are natural wingers, I do think we need overlapping attacking fullbacks and both Walker and Danilo would fit the bill.
If we bring in a true defensive midfielder then I'm not so bothered about how well our fullbacks can defend, as long as they are good going forward.
MancMan's banter posts with other poster's replies to MancMan's banter posts
01 Feb 2021 12:12:10
Here’s an idea for everyone to shoot down.
What about this Utd squad adopting a 442 or a 4411 set up? A genuine 4 with width across midfield not a diamond.
Rashford on the left and Pogba on the right of midfield. Central midfield two out of VdB, McTom, Fred or Matic. Bruno or Mata with Cavani or Greenwood up top.
1.) 01 Feb 2021 13:20:12
Pogba on the flanks is a really bad idea. He neither has the discipline nor the commitment to play in that position in the PL especially when we don't have possession. The opposition will have a free run at Bissaka at every given opportunity.
I would opt for the following players:
LM - James/ Telles
RM - Rashford/ James
CM - Fred/ McTom/ Matic with Pogba/ VDB
CAM - Bruno/ VDB/ Mata
ST - Cavani/ Greenwood
Lot of possible combinations with Bruno/ Pogba/ VDB in that midfield area.
2.) 01 Feb 2021 14:05:18
LPU, a few weeks ago I might have agreed about Pogba but just recently he seems to have decided to put in the defensive work off the ball. He played on the right of midfield and I think it was when Utd went one up against Burnley and went 442. That was what made me suggest it because he it seemed to suit everyone.
Of course, Pogba might revert to his old self and like you say Bissaka would be badly exposed. But would it be any worse than what Shaw has to deal with every time Martial plays on the left?
31 Jan 2021 14:42:46
I've tried giving him the benefit of the doubt but after considering all the evidence there can be no other conclusion other than Solksjaer must be a bit thick.
Intelligent people learn from their mistakes.
Intelligent people work to get the most from the resources at their disposal.
Intelligent people develop effective solutions to problems.
Solksjaer exhibits none of this behaviour; ergo Solksjaer is a managerial dunce.
Just another example of someone being promoted to their level of incompetence.
With someone so stupid in charge we have no chance of anything good happening until he goes.
Eight years of serial sub par rubbish and still the nightmare continues. When will it ever end?
1.) 31 Jan 2021 15:03:24
I was having a chat with a few friends via zoom the other night and we came to a conclusion.
There are two types of football manager.
The first is a manager first and a coach second. They tend to look at the big picture and focus more on things like club standing, results, personnel, logistics etc.
The second is a coach first, they are obsessed with tactics, and developing players.
Some managers clearly fall in the second category, while others in to the first.
Pep, Klopp etc are definitely coach first manager second types. They are able to focus on what they are good at as they have club's that have a clear structure above them with people taking care of several issues that at other clubs fall to the manager.
Sir Alex is probably the most famous example of the former type. Someone who is more inclined to manage and leave the coaching to the the coaches beneath them.
Where this becomes relevent is that a clear sign of managers who played under Sir Alex is they have taken a lot of his management style into their own. Mark Hughes, Bryan Robson, Roy Keane, Gordan Strachen, Steve Bruce etc. All less involved on the training pitch and more from their desk.
Ole appears to be in the same boat, he doesn't seem like a coaching manager. Often how well a United played under Sir Alex depended on how good his No.2 was.
Personally I wonder how much of our current tactical issues come from a coaching staff of Phelan (very inspiring during his time at United as a coach), Carrick (hugely inexperienced) and McKenna (inexperienced at this level) .
Which of our coaching team (manager included) looks like a top class cutting edge coach. The kind of guy who'll introduction new techniques and drills, keep the players on their toes, develop key parts of their game etc?
2.) 31 Jan 2021 15:23:21
Ole is not the man for the job. But watching that game yesterday the players lack a lot of desire and hunger to win. Missing chances. Sideway passing. No tackles. They were in a good position and just didn't go after the win.
Some of the best games I've seen in the pl were united v arsenal but that game yesterday was like a training season.
3.) 31 Jan 2021 16:32:07
I'm becoming increasingly frustrated despite our league position. We are rarely fun to watch, with a lack of energy and passion apart from occasional bursts.
There are Still positions to fix but it just feels. like the team isn't up for it often enough and that's inexcusable.
4.) 31 Jan 2021 16:36:13
Good post manc man.
5.) 31 Jan 2021 16:42:35
All comes from the coach Leathy. If players have learned to be negative waiting at low block for opponents you can't just push a button and make them be aggressive whenever you want.
I have seen many interviews of Jose saying "I didn't tell my players to sit so deep but to be more aggressive at pressing" and that "the players simply couldn't make something else or something better". I believe him. In some matches (like against Wolves) i don't think the instructions were to sit so deep waiting for opponents to waste all of their chances and win 0-1. But the players did what they learned from their coach. In training seasons did they learned to press high and aggressively? No, they learned to defend at low block. So you can't just tell them go and press because they don't know how, that's not their philosophy.
6.) 31 Jan 2021 19:34:49
Whatever is going on in the coaching set up, there is a lack of ideas, courage and organisation.
The problem is just the mediocrity of it all. It's not terrible which is why posters like Jred can point to perceived improvements, it's just so insipid and uninspiring.
I don't understand how a manager at a supposed top level club can keep his job when his team is so one dimensional, so disorganised and so often just plain disinterested.
This is no way to win things. Just relying on frustrating other teams then the odd flash of off the cuff skill can only get you so far.
I honestly don't know why I keep banging on. Maybe venting like this is therapeutic?
7.) 31 Jan 2021 20:02:14
Manc,
I totally agree, I just wrote similar above and then saw your post, he isn’t close to getting sacked in my opinion though, the club isn’t run by fans like us who want success, they see financial success as good enough and at the moment they will be getting that (obviously not as much without fans) .
8.) 31 Jan 2021 22:02:06
Agreed GDS2, unfortunately I think he is very safe in his job atm as long as he makes top 4. That's probably why he is such a loser.
25 Jan 2021 15:42:22
Now that was entertainment and so I am satisfied. Football as it should be and shows what can happen if Utd grow a pair and put the front foot forward.
I thought Solksjaer did well apart from the selection of DvB out of position at No 10, he would have been better with Mata at 10 and playing DvB in midfield.
I was particularly pleased to see Utd go 4 4 2 for the last 25 minutes or so; it worked well and I wonder if there is some future in that line up with Pogba out on the right. Some might say it's a throw back but it's working quite well for Hassenhuttl and he seems like quite a progressive manager.
Anyway, kudos to Solksjaer for his overall team choice, his tactics and his in game management yesterday.
1.) 25 Jan 2021 15:54:55
Well said MancMan.
Things are going really well at the moment and we should all step back and enjoy it for what it is.
Top of the league and we've just knocked our biggest rivals out of the FA Cup.
No need to get caught up in will we/ won't we, just enjoy the good times while they are here and see where it takes us.
2.) 25 Jan 2021 16:09:27
Well said guys.
I get so much more out of a back and forth, late goal, 3-2 win than any number of 1-0, park the bus games.
Let's enjoy the moment.
3.) 25 Jan 2021 17:26:04
Yes manc i enjoyed that game.
Ive said before i don't identify with this team but their spirit and fight is becoming evident and i do identify with that.
4.) 26 Jan 2021 06:58:43
Yes Ken, the fighting spirit and character is very good.
The coaching staff should now look to build a good identity and patterns of playing style.
5.) 26 Jan 2021 10:36:24
Agreed TRD, we can't just rely on the counterattack. Solksjaer has got a good thing going and I respect that. I still think he is limited as a manager and he makes a lot of poor decisions. But I've underestimated him so far and he has exceeded my expectations. Let's hope he can kick on and prove me completely wrong.
21 Jan 2021 16:50:44
I think it's pretty obvious Utd need a new left winger because Martial is as much use as a chocolate fireguard.
The poor lad is embarrassing himself when you see him alongside a proper footballer like Cavani.
Sure we have Rashford but he can't play every game and he is well out of sorts atm anyway.
So, how much do you reckon we could get for Martial and who would you bring in to play on the left wing?
{Ed002's Note - Sancho can play on the left.}
1.) 21 Jan 2021 17:50:35
Mancman.
How much do you think rashford is suffering because he is not playing on the lw all the time.
Its his best position he should play there i think and not get shunted around as much. He is not a kid anymore. I think he should be starting in a regular position. His form had tailed off recently on the right or as cf.
2.) 21 Jan 2021 17:51:51
Yep i agree completely that what this squad needs is another left winger.
We are completely stacked with right wingers, would be no point signing someone to play that position.
3.) 21 Jan 2021 20:10:18
I think (and its just my opinion) that moving forward the intention is to have a forward line of Rashford Greenwood Sancho Diallo maybe Martial and one more to choose from. Mancman simply doesn't rate Martial and i agree ideally we must have one more left winger who provides something different. Ideally that player would be Sancho who ticks so many boxes. English quick good dribbler good technique and provides something different to Rashford from left (if needed) because theoritically he is better at possession and against stubborn defences. Ofcourse there are questions about his quality and price tag.
4.) 21 Jan 2021 22:09:33
Ken, I agree that Rashford is better on the left and perhaps is suffering from not playing there. At the same time I don't think he is in great form. As Herrera says we could do with someone who can offer an alternative and can share the games. Two great players for each position and all that
I'm done with Martial. Firstly I don't think he is a good enough player to warrant a place in the Utd squad. What does he do for the team when he plays? Also, he's a lazy so and so and I believe every player who pulls on that red shirt should give everything every time they walk out on the pitch. When for example was the last time you saw him in the left back position helping out his full back? The comparison with a proper forward like Cavani is striking. The effort that guy puts in is what Martial should be striving for but even when he sees his team mate doing it Martial still doesn't get it.
So, flog Martial for £40 mill maybe? and bring in an upgrade; a proper winger who can compete with Rashford and provide an alternative.
And DSG, we have recently signed two young right wingers one of whom is apparently getting very close to the first team, plus if we replace Martial then we will have just two left sided forwards unless I've missed someone?
5.) 21 Jan 2021 22:56:58
Maybe give Dan James a run of games in his actual position which is LW?
6.) 21 Jan 2021 23:30:06
Oh yeah James, I forgot about him. That just shows what an impression he has made on me.
I know he's young and he's not been bedded in properly, dad died, too much pressure too soon blah blah blah, but seriously does anyone really think he's worth persevering with?
Is he really the quality of player we reckon is going to win us champion leagues?
Utd keep sub quality players like James, Rojo, Pereira, lingard, Jones etc. for too long. Once it's obvious they can't cut it Utd should be ruthless and get rid.
7.) 21 Jan 2021 23:38:52
Mancman i think we do hold on to some players too long there is no doubt about that.
With the big money on fees etc its hard to shift players that are earning twice as much as they would get elsewhere. Probably not the case with James.
But jones rojo jesse mata etc are on easy street and they are not going too walk away from millions of pounds to easily.
Giving huge contracts to some players kills their hunger.
The ideal squad for me is 18 players who can play every week without a drop off in quality and back that up with academy graduates. If they take their chance great .
8.) 22 Jan 2021 09:23:34
You're right Ken and the worse thing is I don't see why Utd feel the need to give big salaries to average players when it's so counter productive.
I think 18 is a pretty slim given all the games we play but if the youngsters are as good as the recent graduates then it might work. Certainly the current squad is very bloated. I think there are 5 first team goalkeepers!
14 Jan 2021 10:14:21
How do people think Utd should approach the game on Sunday and how do think we will approach it?
Should we stick with the same team (minus Martial) who played well at Burnley or go more defensive and introduce fresher legs.
I'd keep the same team apart from bringing in Greenwood for Martial.
I think Tuesday to Sunday is enough time for Matic to recover and I'd hope Pogba approaches the game with the same attitude he had against Burnley.
Our four are a little out of sorts but they are all capable of pulling of a moment of magic and I think they will have some joy again Liverpool's makeshift defense. If Greenwood and Rashford play high and wide they will also limit Liverpool's full backs ability to get forward.
In reality I'm sure Solkjaer will play McFred with Pogba on the left wing. Hopefully he won't drop Bailly.
1.) 14 Jan 2021 11:17:07
We'll have to rely on some quality up front to get as a result. We've done that many times this season, albeit not as much in recent weeks, but if these players want to prove to everyone that they are worthy of their league position, there is no bigger fixture to do that in than a top of the table clash against our biggest rivals.
I'd bring Greenwood in for Martial.
Put Rashford on the left. Trent is suspect defensively, and Marcus tore him a new one not so long ago.
Keep Rashford and Greenwood high up and wide to pin their full-backs back. That should prevent them form swarming all over us, as they get a lot of support from their full-backs.
2.) 14 Jan 2021 11:17:33
ST - Cavani Looked out of sorts against burnley but think he does so much off the ball running we need it for the wide players to gain the room they need.
LW - Rashford - looks better on the left, but has looked half the man recently.
CAM - Bruno - Speaks for itself
RW - Greenwood - similar point to Rashford, but think this game still means more to the local lads.
CM - Pogba - Got to play him after recent form, despite how he still frustrates me beyond belief.
CM - Fred - Just think he does more to cover for having Pogba in the middle and will frustrate Liverpool fans more than anyone else.
LB - Shaw - just need that defensive cover compared to Telles.
CB - Maguire - Only if Bailly is playing.
CB - Bailly - Our best CB.
RB - Tuanzebe - I think he looks great at RB and should give AWB a kick up the backside.
GK - De Gea
Subs - Martial for one of the front 3 65/ 70 mins.
Matic - for Fred because he is guaranteed to get a yellow so replace him before he gets sent off.
Donny - for Pogba if the game needs energy in the 2nd half.
Pretty much the same team, but go all out to just outscore them and not worry about conceding. We will not stop them from scoring for 90mins but I do believe that we can put more past their current back four than they can against ours.
Just hoping we don't play Rashford out of position and two of Mctom, Fred or Matic for the whole 90 for a boring 1-1 finish.
3.) 14 Jan 2021 11:19:39
Fred and mctominay will come in, I’d say pogba will be pushed out to the left with rashford and cavani up top.
4.) 14 Jan 2021 11:45:51
It will be the same team that lined up against aston villa.
5.) 14 Jan 2021 11:50:43
I would be cautious and pho with a 4-3-2-1. AWB, Bailly, McGuire and Shaw as a back 4. Mctominay and Fred on either side of DvdB in the middle with pogba and Bruno in front of them Cavani to lead the line. Would bench rashford to bring him and Greenwood on later in the game. If we can keep control of the midfield we can take the game to them and retain possession in their half.
6.) 14 Jan 2021 11:37:19
I'd go with Matic in CM. I think the way he sat just in front of Bailly and Maguire allowed Shaw and Wan-Bissaka to push higher in the 2nd half against Burnley. Think Matic is the only disciplined one to do this out of him, Fred and McTominay.
I'd look at Pogba and either Fred or McTominay either side of Matic (Pogba left) with Fernandes at the top of a diamond. Get Fernandes closer to the Liverpool goal.
Rashford and Cavani up front.
7.) 14 Jan 2021 12:08:01
Defend and play on counter, so many holes in lpool's defense without VvD.
8.) 14 Jan 2021 12:42:25
Ryan's left foot
Congratulations on picking the most ridiculous team possible.
No way he benches rash + martial.
No way he plays narrow up front to release their fullbacks.
High wide split strikers, with fernandes false 9 / 10.
Cavani could drop for extra legs in midfield (maybe mctom, or fred)
9.) 14 Jan 2021 14:50:36
I think I would go with:
DDG, AWB, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw, Fred, McTominay, Rashford, Bruno, Pogba, Cavani.
McFred give us the energy and solidity we will need in midfield. Bailly is the better option alongside Maguire. Pogba is in good form so probably starts, Bruno is in poor form but is too good to drop for such a key game. Cavani's work rate makes more sense then Martial can come on with a point to prove against a tiring defence.
10.) 14 Jan 2021 12:53:10
Drop Martial (as he should most of the time if you ask me) so that Rashford isn’t pushed out of position. Putting up Rashford against TAA and Cavani against their make shift defence is how we win this game. I’d bring back McTominay or Fred in place of Matic and of course start Bruno. Pogba played well and deserve to start also. Bailly will be essential and so I would keep the back foot unchanged. Right wing is always the debate, I’d start Greenwood but a Dan James appearance isn’t out of the question.
11.) 14 Jan 2021 17:54:42
I think we couldn't have asked to play Liverpool at a better time especially with our lads having the incentive of opening up a 6 point gap with them.
I would go with the team that Shappy has put up above me.
Pogba deserves to start with the way he has played in the last few games.
I might be tempted to make one change though in that Greenwood could start instead of Cavani so we have a very lethal option from the bench for the second half when the game might be a bit more stretched.
So, a bit of a 4-3-1-2 with Greenwood and Rashford drifting wide at times and Bruno/ Pogba making runs into the box. The disadvantage would be that we would lose a focal point (Cavani) .
12.) 15 Jan 2021 01:27:37
I can see Ole playing for the draw, but, as others have pointed out, Liverpool are there for the taking right now. No doubt they’ll up their game a little because it’s us, but even if Matip ends up playing I think their defense has the potential to be pretty porous.
While defend and counter might work against smaller teams, Liverpool’s front line has the talent to pick holes in even the most well organized of teams so I think we’d be better off taking the game to them. We won’t though.
My guess.
DDG. AWB. Shaw. EB. HM. Scott. Fred. Bruno. Cavani. Rash. Martial.
Wouldnt be too surprised if Pogba plays though as Ole always seems to pick him when fit and right now he actually deserves a place. If he does then I think Matic will play alongside him.
{Ed0666's Note - if I was Ole I would go for the jugular. We are dwelling on the ball a lot more than we used to which is breeding indecision we’re clearly not firing on all cylinders and Trent is not match fit and is ripe to target. I would say this is you’re best chance of a victory at Anfield for years. Saying that we’ve 8 days to train for this game a luxury that hasn’t been afforded this season so we’ll probably win so discount everything I just said. I have a feeling Shaquiri starts.
13.) 15 Jan 2021 10:36:07
Think Jonaldinho's observations are spot on.
We have to treat both upcoming Liverpool games as Cup Finals. We can lose both and it will smart a little but we'd still be in a title race with them and bowing out of the Cup early may be a good thing with that in mind.
Obviously I'd prefer us to win both of them 10-0.
Main thing is we need to attack from the outset. How we set up and first 15 mins will be very telling. These are the games we are well capable of winning and despite our woeful start the league table suggests we are the best in it doesn't it? (For now! ) . And yes I still expect City win this league btw.
League position can change radically - just ask Spurs. And I strongly suspect our position can vary from 1st to 6th and back again in the next few months. Its the first season in ages where teams could genuinely be fighting for the title in April and finish outside the Top 4 in May.
We all know we have our defensive frailties and are clearly overly reliant on Bruno and a tired-looking Rashford. let's see what this season brings though. Regardless where we end up though we have been playing some good stuff and are currently at the top on merit. Ole gets enough slagging off. He deserves some credit for that.
14.) 15 Jan 2021 08:25:57
Ed. There’s too much quality in your team to throw caution to the wind - especially given what’s at state. I would like to see us have a proper go at your defense though rather than sitting back and hoping for the occasional opportunity to break.
If you think Liverpool are dwelling on the ball too much, you should watch a few more United games. We’re moving the ball at snail’s pace these days and I can see your high press taking advantage of that on Sunday.
{Ed0666's Note - yes I hear you but you have the personell to play a more slicker game. Counter attacking is working very well for you as more teams are looking to sit back and conserve energy lately due to injuries and lack of fitness but we won’t sit back and unusually for us we cannot unlock defenses of late with Plan A which is going through the wide areas. Let’s hope plan B is Thiago.
15.) 15 Jan 2021 08:30:44
He has to go and try and win this game. The previous set up this season against our rivals and the two Champions league games were incredibly poor.
They may be playing Henderson and Fabinho as their centre backs. Add to that their forward line is mis firing. Normally I wouldn't dream of playing an open game against this Liverpool team but I think as things stand, we have to be brave and take the game to them.
If we play Fred and McTominay and concedes possession to try and counter, we could be in for a long day on Sunday.
26 Jan 2021 16:39:16
A plan at Man Utd? Ha ha, that's a good one Shappy.
20 Jan 2021 11:28:43
Mmmmm, Birmingham or Nice? Tough decision that!
{Ed002's Note - Jesse Lingard (AM) out of contract but options are reducing. Nice interest has gone as they wanted a loan in January which only works if he renews his contract for a further year. Manchester United have been informed of the situation by a third party and apparently have no interest in such a transaction. Atletico Madrid were given a report on the player that has caused them to step back. Prior interest of Roma has switched to a different player. Real Sociedad have spoken with Real Madrid about the loan of a player and they can now be discounted. That leaves options in the Premier League with Newcastle, West Ham and Sheffield United now interested. Manchester United may offer to extend to save money on purchases.}
20 Jan 2021 11:27:50
Is sign him just for the name alone. Bobby the Norman!
20 Jan 2021 11:26:58
Thanks Ed002, much appreciated.
15 Dec 2020 17:43:33
Mad Hatter. Premier league footballer having to use his feet! Imagine that? The fact that de gea cannot play football, doesn't command his area and doesn't marshall his defense means to me that he isn't a very good goal keeper.
Reaction saves are not enough at the top level. It looks like you are saving your team points whereas a more rounded keeper wouldn't need to make the save in the first place because they would have prevented the danger before it got to that.
05 Mar 2021 14:18:31
GDS, are those of us who think Solksjaer is just crap rather than 'not perfect' unrealists or not realistic? What are you trying to say?
Also, if Pep is taking advice from his dad then I'd say he should continue because it is working well, wheras if Solksjaer is taking his dad's advice then he should probably stop because it is obviously poor advice. Maybe Mike Phealan is Solksjer's dad?
04 Mar 2021 07:42:27
Just weird enough. You should make this a weekly series.
02 Mar 2021 15:25:06
DLIB, I just thought it was another two hours of my life that I'd wasted watching Utd play crap football again.
02 Mar 2021 15:23:28
But Eric, that's something he has massively improved. I think you can see he has been working with Carrick because recently he has been making some excellent defence splitting passes.
Maybe he can keep improving?
On the point of giving the ball away; I don't have the stats but I bet Pogba and Bruno give the ball away more.
Shappy, I agree Utd won't win much with him as first choice but I think he has a lot to offer as a squad player and I don't mean just getting 5 or 6 games a season.
Grealish and Maddison as holding midfielders is an interesting concept. It would certainly make for an attacking line up. Kev Keegan would love it!
02 Mar 2021 09:52:10
Not really spenno. I didn't know Shearer had praised Fred but I am able to form my own opinion based on what I see.