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02 Mar 2022 23:34:16
Ancelotti is being touted as a possible Utd manager. What are peoples thoughts about him?
1.) 02 Mar 2022 23:39:31
He’s great.
2.) 03 Mar 2022 05:16:06
Good manager but seems unrealistic. That he’d leave Madrid. Feel like it’s just links to make it seem like we looked other than Poch.
3.) 03 Mar 2022 08:35:54
im still in shock he went everton, they had a top manager and didn't use him.
he could have with some investment and time made them a decent team.
4.) 03 Mar 2022 08:58:58
No thanks, for the job we need done he'd be completely the wrong man.
5.) 03 Mar 2022 10:16:31
Good manager, but I would put him in the same category as Zidane. Someone who is tactically flexible and is good at getting the best out of a team of talented ego's who may have lost a little drive or direction.
Not the kind of manager to perform a rebuild, develop young players, create a distinct style of play etc.
6.) 03 Mar 2022 13:08:42
agree shappy, he's a decent manager but he's a manager of 10-15 years ago
hopefully he's not one of the choices.
7.) 03 Mar 2022 16:53:30
He wasn't on the list of managers that ED002 provided us with.
8.) 04 Mar 2022 23:57:57
Shappy, Good manager, but I would put him in the same category as Zidane. Someone who is tactically flexible and is good at getting the best out of a team of talented ego's. Isn't that exactly what you need?
02 Dec 2021 22:36:29
So Carrick departs. suggests either he has a potential job offer or that the new manager wants a clean sweep.
1.) 03 Dec 2021 02:11:10
I think it’s possible he just wanted a break. He got a ton of stick for the last few months under Ole and probably didn’t see the fans accepting him. Or maybe he was in line for assistant after Phelan and now there’s no chance of that.
2.) 03 Dec 2021 06:41:33
We should applaud Carrick, he is not waiting around to be paid off, had the courage to go before pushed. Well done Michael. If only Phelan, McKenna and co had the same conviction.
I watched Carrick and the player was quality, his way of leaving quality.
3.) 03 Dec 2021 07:39:57
Agree Red Man. Did a great job at keeping us on track once Ole was sacked, and leaves with his had held high. Fine midfielder for us too in his day and think he will be in demand when he decides to return to the dugout for a decent championship club.
4.) 03 Dec 2021 08:27:42
15 years service to the club. He will be as disappointed as any of us with the last few years but stuck around to help the club in the last 3 games. Great player and classy guy.
5.) 03 Dec 2021 08:57:22
Agree Redman. Plus not wanting a long emotional goodbye shows the class of the guy.
6.) 03 Dec 2021 09:33:13
Class act in every respect and very underrated as a player by many. How we could do with him in the team today. Seems he genuinely just wanted a break and after 15 years service nobody can begrudge him.
7.) 03 Dec 2021 09:39:30
The guy deserves a flag or maybe even a statute ?
On a serious note I think it just makes sense that he walks away while his stock is at it's highest. As a caretaker he won in Spain against Villarreal, drew at Stamford bridge against top to the table Chelsea, and beat Arsenal at home.
I mean 10 days ago we'd have snatched their hand off if we were offered those results given how we had played so far this season.
Results wise I don't think he could have done any better.
Maybe a few other sides might look at that and think he's worth a gamble.
Whereas if he stayed until the end of the season and then Rangnick and the club decided he wasn't good enough and he was sacked, it'd make getting his next job much harder.
Or maybe he feels his friend and former boss was unfairly sacked and is simply walking away on principal.
Who knows, but he was a fantastic player for us, and he has no doubt tried his best as a coach. It's hard to tell how good he is as the whole set up just wasn't working. Maybe he's a better coach than many give him credit for, or maybe he isn't good enough for the highest level.
I do wish him the best of luck in his future endeavours and he will always be welcomed back at Old Trafford.
8.) 03 Dec 2021 10:13:27
How embarrassing it was to read so many continually slagging him off as a player. You know who you are. Good luck Michael. Thank you.
9.) 03 Dec 2021 10:48:42
i doubt he's got any jobs in line.
dont forget him and the others that were with ole are just as to blame for the poor season so far. why mkenna is still there and phelan i do not know.
10.) 03 Dec 2021 11:02:42
Bolger,
We literally have no idea what jobs the staff were doing or whether Ole was listening to them or delegating or just making all the big decisions himself. McKenna is highly rated and working with the right manager will hopefully so well at the club. I’m not sure phelan will last too much longer.
Carrick has done a good job in the last couple of weeks, it can’t have been easy and he’s managed to steady what was very much a sinking ship at Watford, so fair play. It gives Ralf something to work with straight away and a bit of confidence going into Sunday. He will then have a week on the training ground with the players, hopefully he plays kids against Young Boys and sees if any of them are ready, Fernandez, Amad, Hannibal, Mengi, Elanga perhaps, just to take a look at them and give the first team a week of coaching in his new system before the mad Christmas run.
11.) 03 Dec 2021 12:11:08
i have respect for Carrick for his handling of the last couple of weeks and his playing career especially.
Am just a little disappointed he didn't decide to learn from Rangnick for 6 months and then take his break.
It would have been completely different philosophy and training ideas compared to Jose and Ole and he could have benefited from that immensely.
On the other hand I can understand why he feels it is the right time to leave.
Probably a huge learning curve involved and thus even less time for his family and probably would still have had to endure the stick from the fans.
All the best, let's hope he does evolve into a more expansive style of play before he comes back to the club as manager.
12.) 03 Dec 2021 13:12:01
Jonny, I think that's a really great point. Many of the world's top managers have learned a lot from Rangnick. Carrick may have just passed up the learning opportunity of a life time.
13.) 03 Dec 2021 19:13:19
Classy player and even more of a classy man. He leaves with his held high to spend some quality time with his family. i wish him the best in whatever the future holds for him.
14.) 04 Dec 2021 09:32:18
Ralf wanted to keep him but sometimes you just need a break from the intensity of it all I guess. Who knows after a 6 month sabbatical the new manager may want to bring him back on board.
Personally I think if he does want to pursue a career in coaching it would do him no harm to search for a role abroad in Spain, Germany or Italy and learn away from the spotlight.
15.) 07 Dec 2021 05:36:51
Every post about MC is spot on but to be honest I think he also feels responsible for the slump and decided a clean break and fresh start for everyone was best.
22 Nov 2020 23:43:25
If there are any legs in the press stories about Juve wanting Pogba and Inter wanting to swap Fred with Ericsson I would be up for that. Then I would go all out to get Declan Rice to be the new Matic.
{Ed002's Note - (a) They might be interested at the right price. (b) Inter want Eriksen moved on as soon as possible, preferably in January. If Manchester United were interested it would be as a Bruno Fernandes replacement.}
1.) 23 Nov 2020 10:19:05
Last year I was hoping United would sign Eriksen as we need an attacking midfielder. However, Bruno is our best player by a mile and VDB (while not getting much game time so far) is a great replacement for him as well as others in our midfield.
I'd much rather see us sign a defensive midfielder who is an improvement on Fred and Matic. The issue is we have too many players already so adding to that would be a problem.
2.) 23 Nov 2020 10:27:36
What happened with Eriksen Ed? Seems to have lost his way?
{Ed002's Note - It has not worked out and he is not a natural fit in the side and has asked to leave.}
3.) 23 Nov 2020 11:24:25
I like Eriksson. But now with bruno they fill the same role essentially so no need to go for him now.
Although there could all be clubs in for bruno soon enough and he may well get tempted to leave so maybe not a futile link.
4.) 23 Nov 2020 11:31:24
Not to sound too cryptic Ed but do we need to be looking at Bruno Fernandes replacements?
{Ed002's Note - It is not a position Manchester United are looking to add to right now as far as I understand.}
5.) 23 Nov 2020 11:34:44
Ed002 that is probably the second or third time you have mentioned a player being a Bruno Fernandes replacement. Is something going on with Bruno behind the scenes with him may be leaving the club soon?
{Ed002's Note - People keep asking about AM players who would be first choice - the only way that would work is if BF were moving on.}
6.) 23 Nov 2020 12:00:09
Ah ok, understood. Thanks Ed.
7.) 23 Nov 2020 12:39:45
Grass isn't always greener Eric79.
8.) 23 Nov 2020 21:06:54
I’d Eriksen for Pogba.
9.) 24 Nov 2020 00:46:36
Thanks Ed 02 for your reply. Could not Bruno and Ericsson work together a bit like De Bruyne and Silva did for City?
{Ed002's Note - I think it unlikely.}
10.) 26 Nov 2020 11:26:56
He’s even slower than Matic. Finished as a decent player years ago.
13 May 2020 00:01:31
There are rumours that Angel Gomez migjt snub Utds offers and sign for Chelsea. I would be really upset to see such a talented young player leave. He needs a run in the team to prove himself. How can we afford to lose talent like his?
1.) 13 May 2020 00:20:29
Umm probably because he won't sign a contract.
We just signed bruno who everyone is rightly raving about, there are strong links with grealish.
Also for half of the season we had lingard and pereira being chosen ahead of him for every game.
I am not surprised if he wants out and i wish him all the best.
2.) 13 May 2020 04:05:58
All the best to him. Although I don't see him getting much game time at Chelsea either. They have twice the amount of midfielders than we do all around his age looking to break into the first team.
3.) 13 May 2020 08:07:56
The concerns amongst the training staff are about his ability to cope with the EPL physically. Now while superior ability can beat physicality, the player needs to be clever enough to know how to do so. While our coaching staff can see what Gomes is capable of against EPL players every day in training.
This season his competition for places was probably as weak as he will ever have while playing for a top side. An ageing Mata, an out of form Lingard and Andreas Pereira who isn't good enough.
Since the the club have signed Bruno Fernandes and are looking at players like Grealish who would further push Gomes down the peaking order.
He is a clearly talented lad, but he needs to play a season or two of "mens" football either in the championship or in a league such as the Dutch or Portuguese league to develop his understanding and ability to cope physically with a much more demanding style of football.
To that end maybe a move to a club like Chelsea who will invariably loan him out for a year or two might be a good move. Or he will sign a new deal with us and hopefully follow a similar path.
4.) 13 May 2020 09:34:16
Invariably loan him out? Sorry Shappy, but Lampard will give him a chance if he's good enough.
5.) 13 May 2020 09:56:48
RJ28P as would ole but simple fact of the matter is he’s shown nothing when given a chance to warrant more starts.
6.) 13 May 2020 11:00:04
Gomes is very talented, but if anyone has watched him in the u23s especially this season, he’s not warranted a promotion to the first team on those performances. If he goes to Chelsea, good luck to him.
Also you have to ask where he fits in the team? Better player than Andreas and lingard potentially but he’s not really shown much yet. Bruno is top quality so he doesn’t get in there either. I don’t think he’s in the same class as Greenwood either.
A talent, but not sure if he’s going to be as big of a loss as many say.
7.) 13 May 2020 11:52:30
RJ28P, Well that's my point, if he was putting in the performances at United in training then he would be given a chance in the first team.
At United he only had Lingard, Mata and Andreas Pereira to get past before we signed Bruno.
He can play either on the wing or in the No.10 position. Chelsea tend to play either 433 or 4231, so Gomes would be competing for a wide role in a 433 or in any of the three positions between the midfield and the striker in a 4231. So he will be competing with Mount, Hudson-Odoi, Barkley, Pedro and Pulisic. Plus any other players Chelsea sign this summer.
Chelsea have an extensive history of signing young players and loaning them out. Gomes needs games every week, and currently he isn't consistent enough to do that at the top end of the EPL. So he needs a loan wherever he plays next season.
8.) 13 May 2020 13:00:49
RJ Lampard will give him a chance at the expense of whom?
9.) 13 May 2020 14:26:56
Pedro, Willian and Barkley will all likely be gone next season. And with respect, the reason why he isn't playing is because he is running his contract down, like Sancho did at City.
I've watched Gomes a lot (being fortunate enough to have access to a lot of youth games) and he's a talent on par with Hudson-Odoi and Saka if given the consistent minutes.
That said, it seems like the relationship at Utd has soured and it is right for the player to move on.
10.) 13 May 2020 14:48:12
Your right red whisky that goal in pre season against spurs didn’t show any promise. Haha. how many opportunities did he get in the number 10 position with the rest of the 1st 11 also playing.
11.) 13 May 2020 16:32:52
RJ, for the sake of this discussion, let's assume you are right about the three you mentioned. You think Gomes will slot into their MF ahead of Kante, Mount, Pulisic, Loftus, Kovacic, Gilmour, Odoi, Jorgino or Ziyach?
12.) 13 May 2020 17:51:31
Sorry pogthedog he scored one goal in a pre season match. I presume you have unlimited access to the training sessions to say he deserves a chance? Like shappy said if you don’t show enough in training to usurp the likes of pereira and Lingard then there must be a reason why he’s not playing. Ole has been a huge advocate of playing the youth and giving chances. Chong got minutes whilst refusing to sign so I find the idea he’s not playing because of refusing to sign irrelevant.
13.) 13 May 2020 19:32:41
He can certainly play wide in rotation with Odoi, Pulisic and Ziyech. As for pure no. 10s, the only one we have is Ziyech, Mount is better when allowed to sit a little deeper.
14.) 14 May 2020 00:55:21
I like gomes but the lad has reportedly been offered 30k.
Football can be simple, greenwood produced gomes hasn't. 30k and what else should we offer him?
15.) 14 May 2020 00:56:06
My worry is that if teams like Chelsea and Barcelona want to take him what is it that they feel they can get out of him that Ole cannot.
I understand all the points raised by you guys. On one hand if he was performing at a very high level then you would think that he would get a chance to shine in the first team. He is obviously not pulling up any trees but he is young and it must be terribly frustrating if you feel that you do not have rhe managers full confidence and are not going to get a run of games to settle in and prove how good you are.
We are all very happy and surprised at how well an established international £60m player like Bruno has done in such a short time. Yet he has lots of experience and is older than Gomez. Why then do people ezpect a younger player to come into the first team and immediately perform to a high level? Also on the rare times Gomez got a game it was when the team were still struggling. I really do feel he should be given the chance to make it at Utd. I know he is not quite the same player as Grealish but I think he has more natural talent.
For me the way to go would be to give him a decent contract and send him on loan for a season. He would get the games he needs, toughen up physically, and he might appreciate how special it is to have the facilities of and play for Utd. Beckham was loaned out and it didn't hurt his prospects.
16.) 14 May 2020 07:50:19
Salford, the issue is that he clearly hasn't done enough in training to convince he should start ahead of anyone else.
Under other managers you could say that maybe they don't give youth a chance. But Ole has given more than given youth a chance. People also forget that Gomes was given three starts in the Europa League, often against weaker opposition than we play most weeks in the EPL. How did Gomes do in those games? Occasional glimpses of talent, but drifted in and out of the game far too much.
If he can't do it against the likes of Astana then he will struggle against the Everton's, Spurs, Burnley's and Sheffield United's of the EPL.
He is a hugely talented player, but he isn't ready to play at the level we play at. He needs a loan or two in order to develop.
Unfortunately his contact is about to run out and he doesn't want to sign a new deal. Maybe making his debut at 16 has made him inpatient, maybe he has been told he will get more elsewhere.
Who knows. His size will hold him back in the EPL until he learns how to mitigate his lack of physicality. In youth football if you're quick you can avoid physical battles to an extent, but men's football is played at a faster pace, and quick feet alone will not get you out of trouble. You need to read the game well and position yourself in the right areas and be two steps ahead of the opposition.
It's not a case of him just bulking up, although he does look like he could be tackled by a stiff breeze. He needs to learn how to play in the men's game. He is best off doing that on loan as he will need to play 20-30 games a season to start to learn that. He can't get that here with him playing as he has done. So a loan is the solution.
If he signs for Chelsea he will almost certainly leave on loan at some point. As they are in the same boat as us.
If he signs for Barcelona I don't see him getting a huge amount of game time. They don't tend to play with a No.10 so he would be competing for one of the wide forward roles, against Messi, Dembele, Griezmann, Fati and Braithwaite, plus whoever else the club sign this summer. With Neymar being a key target.
He needs a season in the Championship, or to move to a more technical league in Europe on loan. Portugal, the Netherlands, Belgium could all be good options.
I hope he makes it, whether that's with us or somewhere else. But it's a long road yet, and he needs to realise that if he is going to make the most of his potential.
17.) 14 May 2020 10:57:20
Sadly for me, Greenwood and Williams aside this is a very underwhelming crop of youngsters, referring to those of the age where they would expect to be getting chances in the first team and making an impression. I've seen Chong the most and he has shown nothing but a haircut I'm afraid. I don't buy the fact that Gomes' size is a problem either but neither has he done enough to suggest that he is any better than the thousands of other kids clubs of this magnitude scout every season. If the tens of thousands he wants every week aren't sufficient let him go, I'm sure we'll resign him for £50m in a few years!
18.) 14 May 2020 15:32:34
Spenno, most young players don't really start to have a regular impact until they are 21/ 22 years old after a season or two as squad players.
In that respect the likes of Rashford and McTominay are starting to reach that level of impact. While Henderson could when he returns from his loan, as could Tuanzebe if he can stay injury free.
However, the likes of Greenwood and Williams are ahead of where they would normally expect for players of their ages. While the likes of Laird, Mengi, Garner, Levitt, Chong and Gomes still have huge potential, but are probably a year or two away from making a serious impact in the first team beyond a few games.
That's 12 young players in total who have a chance to make a telling impact in our first team within the next few years. That's insane and at levels not really seen outside of Ajax or Barcelona.
While we have also signed AWB and Shaw who were two of the best young players in the league when we signed them. Dan James from the Championship. While we are chasing players such as Rice, Rodon, Sancho, Bellingham, Grealish etc some of the best young British talent around.
I would say we have two great groups of young players in our squad. The older group of players between the ages of 21-24 including; Henderson, Tuanzebe, AWB, Shaw, McTominay, Rashford, James and Martial.
With a younger group between 17-20 including; Larid, Williams, Dalot, Mengi, Garner, Levitt, Mejbri, Gomes, Chong and Greenwood.
Giving us 18 EIGHTEEN! players at our club who have a good chance of making it as at least good squad players, with some of them having genuine world class potential.
Salford7's banter posts with other poster's replies to Salford7's banter posts
16 Jul 2024 11:18:00
So Southgate had resigned. He deserves thanks for the way he has made England a team which is no longer the laughing stock it was and for being a real gentleman with good moral compass.
That said I really hope ETH excels now because otherwise I can see Southgate being installed by Xmas and I just don't think he is good enough at the highest level.
1.) 16 Jul 2024 12:39:11
I think Southgate is suited to international management. We have seen his limitations in terms of tactics and selection, but let's not underestimate what he has achieved with England.
Not necessarily this time, Spain were the best team in the competition, but the Italy and Croatia games could have gone either way. Yes, we can blame Southgate for not winning those games, but 2 semis and a final is an amazing record compared to all his big name predecessors.
2.) 16 Jul 2024 15:59:14
A final? surely 2 finals.
3.) 16 Jul 2024 16:14:44
As Alternative MUFC put it in one of his comms, if Southgate comes anywhere near us i will go full Roy Keane on him.
4.) 16 Jul 2024 16:30:08
Considering the mess that he walked into when he first took over there is no doubt that he has been a successful England manager (unless we are being black and white and only a trophy is success) .
He has pulled the players together and over achieved in previous tournaments. We should thank him for what he has done, the most successful manager since Sir Alf Ramsey.
Was the football exhilerating - no, should he have done more with the current crop - possibly. But across the whole tenure he has been a success.
Now they need to pick a more modern, attack minded coach to take us onto the next tournament.
5.) 16 Jul 2024 18:23:51
Or you might argue that he has had the most talented squad in years and wasted two wonderful chances to win a trophy.
6.) 16 Jul 2024 18:31:11
Yes, my bad, 2 finals, salford, there's the debate right there. But Erikson and Capello did worse with talented squads, so you say potato.
7.) 16 Jul 2024 18:31:18
I disagree that he has overachieved. Man for man, we had by far the strongest squad at the Euros, yet were lucky to make it to the final and were well beaten once we got there. When it’s mattered most, the only team of note we’ve been able to beat has been the Netherlands. In every other tournament under Southgate, we’ve been beaten the moment we came up against a half decent team and have done so playing some of the most negative football I’ve seen in my life.
England has been successful (if you can even call it that) at the last few tournaments in spite of Gareth Southgate; not because of him.
8.) 16 Jul 2024 18:53:04
I think Southgate has been excellent for England, but his time has come to a natural end.
I’d like to see him stay I involved in our set up as he’s been fantastic for our game.
Potter for me is the obvious choice - an excellent coach and tactician for this squad.
9.) 16 Jul 2024 19:16:45
Thing with Southgate is that he didn’t learn. Three years ago Italy, go one nil up and sit back fail to press our advantage. Spain, equalise, on the attack, have the momentum and then we send a throw in from level with their six yard line back to the half way, then back to our keeper who then boots it out. Negative mind set. What might have been with Southgate will never be known. Great managers like SAF roll the dice, take a chance go for the win. Southgate didn’t dare lose. We keep missing out because in one way or another the manager hasn’t been good enough., Southgate was diminished by his inability to go for it. Sunday was a totally clear example of that. Yet again a favourable draw all the way to the final, thrown away because the manager was too afraid.
Yes two finals and a semi, well done but we didn’t win when it mattered. Yes took us from serial failures at Quarter final to getting further with some of the best talent but still losing. We now have a more unified squad, better media profile but no one thought to tell Southgate he should be more positive and his bosses at the FA are accountable for that.
Southgate must never be manager of United, ever.
10.) 16 Jul 2024 19:33:00
Ajh, he had some run of fixtures though. never beat a team that he shouldn't have beaten, or one of the top teams in international football.
The managers you mention, with the talented squads, lost to better teams, that's it.
11.) 17 Jul 2024 08:12:31
R7, I think it's a stretch to say we had "by far the strongest squad". One of the strongest, absolutely, but Spain at least have just as strong a squad, and I'd say a couple of other countries are at least close.
Other than that, I completely agree, but let's not exagerate. Honestly, there's no need to exagerate, it's clear enough that with the squad we had, barely scrapping past several teams we should have beaten comfortably, and looking bad while doing it, is not good enough.
Frankly, the narrow loss to Spain was probably the only part of the tournament I'm NOT concerned by, as they are a good enough team that I think a loss there is undstandable.
12.) 17 Jul 2024 15:47:28
Southgate and England fell into that same trap that they always do. They tried to crowbar the biggest names into a starting 11.
It's an individualistic approach where you are relying on individual players to do something magical to win you the game.
What this doesn't factor into account though is that the team around those individuals needs to be functional to create the space and opportunities for a player to do something special.
Spain were the best team in the tournament not because they had the best 11 players, but because they played as a team.
Grimaldo for example is a much better player than Cucurella at LB. Yet Grimaldo's style of play didn't suit the team, and Cucurella was a much better fit.
While in the second half against England in the final Spain took off Rodri despite him being the best CDM in the world and replaced him with technically inferior player in Zubimendi, however the latters passing is far more incisive which lead to there first goal.
Decisions made about what is best for the team and not the name of the player on the back of the shirt.
23 Jun 2024 19:01:12
Isn't it very strange that people are calling for for a raw 19 yr old Mainoo to step up and play the role in midfield for England that a more mature player should be doing
I don't want so much pressure on such young players. It can ruin them when things turn sour through no fault of their own.
1.) 23 Jun 2024 22:05:35
Agreed and wish he was not picked. He played too many minutes in my opinion and a summer break would have done him good. As a United fan I could care less for how England do. Sorry folks.
2.) 23 Jun 2024 22:45:29
If your good enough your young enough.
He’s performed excellent for United in a very poor side
I think he would shine for England but like you say all the slating players got in the last euros you can see why it would be better for him not to play
But then unfortunately it’s part of the career. the horrible side of it.
3.) 23 Jun 2024 22:56:54
Bolger
Not about him getting slated for having a poor game for England which is normal. British media loves building you up and knocking you down. More about at his age the minutes he played for us and recovery and burn out issues. As a United fan i am more concerned about that.
4.) 24 Jun 2024 08:13:57
I think the younguns can play twice a week no problem compared to the older players, plenty of examples across the league of that. More of an issue is how they deal with the stick and pressure.
5.) 24 Jun 2024 11:11:15
I don't think the calls are unjustified. Mainoo has shown he is quite capable of playing the 8 role against the best players in the world, as demonstrated in the FA cup final.
I think people want Southgate to play players in the right position, as its quite clear his "genius" idea of TAA in the 3 hasn't worked, nor has Gallagher had an impact when coming off the bench.
I understand the concerns, for me I'd rather see Bellingham play slightly deeper, with Foden as the 10. However, if Southgate is insistent on playing Bellingham as 10, then Mainoo is the most natural replacement next to Rice.
6.) 25 Jun 2024 15:02:11
Whilst I do agree with your thinking I have watched Mainoo the last 2 years and have the opinion he has got the lot only amplified more so since his integration to the 1st team and firmly believe he is the answer to englands midfield balance and much better performances.
I wonder if in Brazil the same thinking was given to the young pele who lit it up at 17.
This last sentence does not mean I’m putting them on a par by any means but an age thing it is.
7.) 25 Jun 2024 19:57:14
I agree with the basic premise that if you are good enough put them in but the amount of football being played by the top teams combined with the high speed and athletic demands and stresses means burn out is a real possibility. Then factor in the ever intrusive social and other media obligations that players face makes recovery time minimal. And that's just for their clubs. When they play for the national team the expectation to win is even bigger and its harder to win at national level and with due respect to Southgate he would not be considered an elite coach like Pep or Klopp or Ancelotti so the possibility of eg England not doing so well is high. we all know how fans and the media like to scapegoat players.
8.) 25 Jun 2024 20:56:47
If the England manager is only giving him 5min at the end of each game, it would have been better to have the summer off.
9.) 26 Jun 2024 13:17:36
He was really good to watch last night. water off a ducks back on a big stage. Palmer is a great talent too both should be playing.
26 May 2024 00:15:31
Football has changed and for the most part the teams who control possession the most win the most. Most teams in the top leagues in Europe have players who have great technical skills so it stands to reason that the less chance they have to exercise that skill by virtue of less possession then the less likely they are to score.
Today we deserved the win but it has to be said that City were way off their usual standard and had 75% possession but failed to make it count until right at the end of the match. When Fergies teams were in their pomp they also controlled matches and it's something that ETH or the new manager will have to address by buying better players to have a better squad. Doing well at Wembley in a one off game was wonderful but the acid test will be next season.
1.) 26 May 2024 07:00:47
Stats are funny.
City had more possession, but it didn’t really feel like it. We controlled them without the ball. Mainoo said in his post match interview that we’d worked on controlling the middle of the pitch, forcing them out wide because of Foden, Rodri and De Bruyne.
Like with the ‘touches in opposition box’ stat. They beat us on that too. But how many of those touches were from Doku tippy tapping the ball? It’s misleading.
I think Doku changed the game for them and he looked their only threat, certainly Foden wasn’t his brilliant self, but let’s take every ounce of credit because all I can find online is that we “stunned” and “shocked” City, and “was that ETH’s farewell”. Nothing about how we controlled them really well and stopped them from playing due to good training leading up to the day, and good tactics on it. Praise where it’s due.
{Ed025's Note - i thought it was a good performance Wassa, but it does beggar the question...where have these players been all season mate?..
2.) 26 May 2024 07:10:00
25 that’s a whole different argument and one I fully agree with.
However, we can understate the importance of Martinez to the side and how the manager wants to play. He handled Haaland brilliantly yesterday (I thought Haaland eventually gave up), and he played a brilliant pass which Rashford should’ve taken on and scored.
As you know, some players raise the performance of those around them. He is certainly in that bracket.
{Ed025's Note - you do have some very good players Wassa and Martinez is certainly one of them, its the team ethic that lets you down for me mate and as much as some players can lift you some of them will also bring you down..
3.) 26 May 2024 07:39:20
Fully agree Ed. We’ve been through the same cycle several times now, where certain players throw the towel in during the manager’s 2nd year; not just ten Hag.
Our recruitment has been poor, we need to be targeting mentally strong players who are hungry. The problem today is that players get too much too young, and in the case of some of our squad, they know they just need to outlast the manager for a fresh start and a new contract.
I hope things begin to change with the new structure being built.
4.) 26 May 2024 07:55:33
It's funny wazza, but growing up watching football there wasn't the stats that we have now. It would be interesting to see statistics for previous teams of the 80's and 90's against today. I watch some games now and when I get the stats afterwards it seems unbelievable at times.
5.) 26 May 2024 08:12:29
Indeed Banjoe. We would’ve been behind on all of these stats in the ‘99 final against Bayern. Except the 1 stat that matters.
6.) 26 May 2024 08:37:28
Completely agree with your post on this Wazza.
7.) 26 May 2024 10:39:20
thought the defense played well today with awb and dalot standing up to silva, doku foden and de bruyne: not going to ground and puuting them out wide - key moments really - city had loads of possession 2nd half but goal was a bit soft and although nervy because they have the quality to hurt any team, they weren't allowed to. Heleva day and match
hope everyone got home safely and the hangovers ain't so bad today. enjoy the circus that is transfer window guys! have a great summer.
17 May 2024 12:35:26
I know we need some experienced players and leaders but I really don't want players in their late 20s close to 30 years old. Would much prefer to do what Madrid and Arsenal are doing which is to buy younger players who can be moulded and play at the high tempo required for the Premier league for several seasons.
1.) 17 May 2024 20:05:14
I agree, but. There would be a few exceptions where, if available, and within the wage structure, you'd move for certain players for certain positions, surely?
2.) 18 May 2024 11:05:19
It's all about balance, which of course is hard to find in the polarised world of extremes found on the internet.
We need a blend of young players to be the core of the new squad we are building, along with players in their peak years who can carry the team, and a few older heads to add experience, to guide the younger players and to pass on that experience.
In terms of transfers we should be looking at spending the bigger fees on younger players who will soon be entering their peak years. We have some great players under the age of 21, but we don't have any between the ages of 22-25 who are starting to hit their peak years and match the talent with consistency. That's the players we need to sign most. Then maybe a couple of young talented players in a couple of positions if we cannot bring in those players who are starting to become consistent.
We should then look at the free transfer market or some cheaper older players with experience who are mod professionals, who can add experience and guide the younger players.
People remember the "you can't win titles with kids" and what happened afterwards and think we can rely just on youngsters. But they forget that United side had it's fair share of experienced players sprinkled throughout it to help guide those youngsters.
We could look at someone like Welbeck for example. A free transfer who knows the club, knows what the club looked like when we were successful, and could come in and guide the likes of Højlund while still offering an option on the field.
Much like how Evans has been a success this season. Welbeck is a three years younger than Evans so might even be able to stick around for a couple of seasons.
Lots of people have stuck their noses up at this suggestion but answer this honestly, when Højlund has been out injured this season would you have rather seen Rashford or Welbeck start at CF?
We do need that experience in the squad, even if they aren't starting every week.
3.) 18 May 2024 12:27:46
Agree that we need a core of young hungry players but there always has to be a group of older heads in there to steady things and pass on the experience and know-how. Much has been made of Rasmus not having someone to look up to, you could argue that the likes of Cas and Varane have been vital.
07 May 2024 21:54:37
Dortmund are everything Utd are not. Well organised professional tactically astute and willing to run themselves into the ground. Not the best but showed how a good manager can mould a team into more than the sum of its parts.
1.) 08 May 2024 03:46:43
Bet Sancho is having a good old chuckle at Ten Haag’s expense. Thrown under the bus only to find himself dragged into a Champions League final. Meanwhile, it’s looking like Ten Haag’s season (and hopefully his Manchester United career) is going to end with five embarrassing defeats in a row. How the turns have tabled.
2.) 08 May 2024 06:53:48
Thrown under the bus, Sancho did nothing at United regardless of who managed him. Clearly he can only succeed at one club.
3.) 08 May 2024 07:13:39
Redseven why would you hope for the team you support to lose 5 games in a row?
Sancho has 3 goals and 1 assist in 18 games for Dortmund, that’s less than Rashford who is having his worse season. Anyone would think Sancho is prime Messi reading what some people say on here.
He also disrespected the club which should hold him below the current manager in any fans eyes.
4.) 08 May 2024 10:36:32
Any fan that boycotts going to support the team because they don't like the manager is disrespecting the club. It would be the most hypocritical thing any fan could do then to jump on others for not thinking a coach is a good one and leave them with zero credibility at all.
??? jimbob this could be another national disgrace??.
5.) 08 May 2024 12:48:56
I refer to your last paragraph in the post above wazza.
It very much depends on the fans you refer to. If it's proper fans or ones that withdraw their support when they don't like a coach. Fans imo should always support the team and not boycott because they don't like the manager.
Fans that boycott and their their toys out of the pram because they don't like the manager imo are anti fans and are not worthy of any respect at all from the proper fans who support the team come what may.
Not every transient employee get our respect and support but the team as a whole should always have our support.
6.) 08 May 2024 13:23:51
Wazza. I didn’t say that I hoped we’d lose our last five games (though I fully expect that to happen the way things are going) . I said that I hoped Ten Haag’s time with us would be coming to an end after those five games, just as the vast majority of supporters now do. Most of the rest want him gone before then.
7.) 08 May 2024 13:54:34
That's how I read your post redseven and that's actually what it said.
Folk were saying the same thing about Jose back in the day. ??.
25 Jul 2024 19:35:11
Like him. Works hard and has an eye for a pass.
16 Jul 2024 11:14:54
Will be plenty of rumours til someone is actually signed. It must be very hard to sign a top central defender for several reasons
1) not so many of them around
2) lots of clubs now have the owners to fund large fees so there are many buyers looking
3) the selling clubs who might traditionally been in a weak position themselves have more money so don't always have to sell at all or sell cheap
4) due to the past decade of poor performance and mismanagement Utd are no longer seen as being such an elite club by players
The platform of any title chasing team is a solid defence so it's imperative Utd buy the right players not panic buy if options diminish.
Just as important though is to get the midfield right. Spain proved once again that if you control midfield you generally end up winning matches. All the best teams have midfield players who control the tempo of a game. We have not had one since the underrated Carrick. Rather than buy another striker or winger I would be looking for those type of players who will be the heartbeat of the team.
14 Jul 2024 14:14:59
In the whole of world football there surely are really really good defenders. Why can other clubs find them, sign them and a year or so later sell them on at huge profit yet Utd can't find them?
07 Jul 2024 23:02:37
Donny always tried and must curse the day he signed for us. The guy undoubtedly has talent and most of us were excited when he arrived. Bad managers, teammates who didn't put the requisite effort in and sometimes even deliberately did not pass to him plus his injuries meant he really had no chance to shine. I don't recall him complaining. Can't we just wish him well.
02 Jun 2024 22:48:07
Cannot believe anyone would want him to leave. He has been by far and away our most creative and consistent player. Yes he has moaned but he definitely cares and he puts himself about all over the pitch. He has created the most goal chances put in the Premier league and this from a team who have been well under par. We have nobody to replace him.
26 Jul 2024 10:00:13
Especially if Toney comes too.
24 Jul 2024 20:41:21
It's not banter nor is it funny. It is rather puerile and unnecessary. How much a player earns is irrelevant as long as that player gives his best which I think Maguire always does then he should be treated with a basic respect.
23 Jul 2024 23:51:57
I have seen Anthony really put in a shift including tracking back one game then doing nothing the next. That's frustrating. What is more frustrating is that such an experienced and expensive player is not properly two footed or unable to consistently cross a ball well.
He definitely is talented and we have seen glimpses of it but it's not enough to do it once in a while. I kind of feel he would thrive in France or Spain rather than in England and ultimately if he cannot perform consistently for us we should look to move him on.
20 Jul 2024 23:08:56
Don't get the Rabiot love in. He seems to move clubs every other year which doesn't impress me. He is obviously a good player but I don't see him as helping us back to the very top. Would much rather we signed a younger hungrier player.
18 Jul 2024 12:08:48
To me midfield is still a big problem. Still no defensive enforcer and no one to replace or help Bruno as and when needed.
City have not really flexed their financial muscle yet and if this is Peps final season he will want to go out on a high
Liverpool will surely sign more players to add to an already good squad
Arsenal likewise
Villa have already shown their intent
Spurs yet to really do anything but surely will aim to get into the champions league
So overall whilst I am hopeful that Utd will improve hugely with their new signings I think it is going to be very difficult to break into the top four.