Closed for new posts
First Team Squad
500
·
1.9K
·
almost 17 years

Fred and McTominay now appear to be a serviceable midfield. Not world beating and not very strong for the top 6 but good enough. The problem is if one of them goes down we are left with Pereira -  he hasn't shown he is up to it. Then we need to work out how to break down lesser teams. 

A world class striker and central midfield player, plus a fit and firing Pogba would leave us competing for second this season. Liverpool are a class above unfortunately. Finding world class players who actually fit your team isn't easy to do though.

Starting XI
6.7K
·
4.5K
·
over 9 years
Ryan54 wrote:

Fred and McTominay now appear to be a serviceable midfield. Not world beating and not very strong for the top 6 but good enough. The problem is if one of them goes down we are left with Pereira -  he hasn't shown he is up to it. Then we need to work out how to break down lesser teams. 

A world class striker and central midfield player, plus a fit and firing Pogba would leave us competing for second this season. Liverpool are a class above unfortunately. Finding world class players who actually fit your team isn't easy to do though.

McTominay is indispensable to this team at the moment. Pretty much the type of player we need screening that backline, and having his presence in that defensive midfield role allows those further up the field (Rashford, Martial, James) to stay up the pitch layng in wait for the counter attack, rather than have them track back and fulfill extra defensive duties. The more I see of Fred, the more I am beginning to like his work. It's taken a while for him to get there but it definitely appears that a good combination is forming between those two. 

100% correct about depth, especially in that midfield area too, it will be a work in progress for the next wee while, and getting top quality, world class signings across the line, well it's easier said than done...

Good to see the confidence back into our play . Rashford has been on fire these past 4-5 weeks. The switch has definitely been flicked since the Liverpool game. Excellent to see.

Starting XI
6.7K
·
4.5K
·
over 9 years

Also, to rhe dickheads at the Etihad who were making racist gestures in that 2nd half and throwing coins and other objects at Fred. 

You're a F U C K I N G disgrace!

Just because it's derby day is no excuse. Actually there is no excuse for behaviour like that - it's pathetic, it's moronic and at the end of the day it's just desperately sad.

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years
Ryan54 wrote:

Fred and McTominay now appear to be a serviceable midfield. Not world beating and not very strong for the top 6 but good enough. The problem is if one of them goes down we are left with Pereira -  he hasn't shown he is up to it. Then we need to work out how to break down lesser teams. 

A world class striker and central midfield player, plus a fit and firing Pogba would leave us competing for second this season. Liverpool are a class above unfortunately. Finding world class players who actually fit your team isn't easy to do though.

Such a good game all around, maybe a lack of passing quality at times but when you are defending most of that game that saps the legs. No one had a bad game and tactics and game management top quality. 

Yeah I actually don't have an issue with any of the starting 11 being part of the longer term squad of 16-18 that you need throughout the season. Definite lack of depth at CM my only real concern, maybe another right winger but Williams, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah, Dalot, Greenwood can all be brought through to compete. Still lots of decisions at CB to be made.

Not sure we need a world class striker. An experienced reliable striker to give rests to Martial, James, Rashford would be better. Manzukic type. 

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years

by all accounts he was a gone burger right about now 

Two games and it looks like he's saved his job

By "all accounts" do you mean sensationalising media and glorified fans? He was never close to being sacked

tradition and history
1.5K
·
9.9K
·
almost 17 years
Tekkers wrote:

by all accounts he was a gone burger right about now 

Two games and it looks like he's saved his job

By "all accounts" do you mean sensationalising media and glorified fans? He was never close to being sacked

Another clown that knows zip.

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years
Tekkers wrote:
Ryan54 wrote:

Fred and McTominay now appear to be a serviceable midfield. Not world beating and not very strong for the top 6 but good enough. The problem is if one of them goes down we are left with Pereira -  he hasn't shown he is up to it. Then we need to work out how to break down lesser teams. 

A world class striker and central midfield player, plus a fit and firing Pogba would leave us competing for second this season. Liverpool are a class above unfortunately. Finding world class players who actually fit your team isn't easy to do though.

Yeah I actually don't have an issue with any of the starting 11 being part of the longer term squad of 16-18 that you need throughout the season. Definite lack of depth at CM my only real concern, maybe another right winger but Williams, Tuanzebe, Fosu-Mensah, Dalot, Greenwood can all be brought through to compete. Still lots of decisions at CB to be made.

Not sure we need a world class striker. An experienced reliable striker to give rests to Martial, James, Rashford would be better. Manzukic type. 

Totally agree. Put in a quality #10 and the team starts to look very decent. I'm not surprised that when our midfield has it's best game together the front 3 and back line look better as well. But yes, with McTominay and/or Pogba we need more depth in midfield.

Agreed on the striker front too. Martial is quality and Greenwood deserves as much time as we can get him. Just someone threatening that can provide depth if one of them is injured.

Lawyerish
1.7K
·
4.8K
·
about 13 years
Leggy wrote:
Tekkers wrote:

by all accounts he was a gone burger right about now 

Two games and it looks like he's saved his job

By "all accounts" do you mean sensationalising media and glorified fans? He was never close to being sacked

Another clown that knows zip.

Well you would have only been 3 points above relegation 

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years
Leggy wrote:
Tekkers wrote:

by all accounts he was a gone burger right about now 

Two games and it looks like he's saved his job

By "all accounts" do you mean sensationalising media and glorified fans? He was never close to being sacked

Another clown that knows zip.

Well you would have only been 3 points above relegation 

When there were 6 points between 5th and 17th, or 2 points between 5th and 11th, its not that much of an issue. 

Phoenix Academy
140
·
330
·
almost 11 years
Tekkers wrote:
Leggy wrote:
Tekkers wrote:

by all accounts he was a gone burger right about now 

Two games and it looks like he's saved his job

By "all accounts" do you mean sensationalising media and glorified fans? He was never close to being sacked

Another clown that knows zip.

Well you would have only been 3 points above relegation 

When there were 6 points between 5th and 17th, or 2 points between 5th and 11th, its not that much of an issue. 

There was another good article on The Athletic overnight (who are very much in the know) saying once again that the tabloids are wrong and he was never close to the sack whatever the results of the Spurs/City matches, and that we are rebuilding long-term under Ole. Don't believe what you read on the Sun and the Mirror AucklandPhoenix.

Phoenix Academy
140
·
330
·
almost 11 years
Ryan54 wrote:

Fred and McTominay now appear to be a serviceable midfield. Not world beating and not very strong for the top 6 but good enough. The problem is if one of them goes down we are left with Pereira -  he hasn't shown he is up to it. Then we need to work out how to break down lesser teams. 

A world class striker and central midfield player, plus a fit and firing Pogba would leave us competing for second this season. Liverpool are a class above unfortunately. Finding world class players who actually fit your team isn't easy to do though.

We desperately need to get through to January with McTominay/Fred playing as many minutes as they possibly can and then get at least one more in. You'd like to hope that the club is already well down the line behind the scenes with any transfer targets. 

Scotty has quickly become one of my favourite players. 

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years
Martial wrote:
Ryan54 wrote:

Fred and McTominay now appear to be a serviceable midfield. Not world beating and not very strong for the top 6 but good enough. The problem is if one of them goes down we are left with Pereira -  he hasn't shown he is up to it. Then we need to work out how to break down lesser teams. 

A world class striker and central midfield player, plus a fit and firing Pogba would leave us competing for second this season. Liverpool are a class above unfortunately. Finding world class players who actually fit your team isn't easy to do though.

We desperately need to get through to January with McTominay/Fred playing as many minutes as they possibly can and then get at least one more in. You'd like to hope that the club is already well down the line behind the scenes with any transfer targets. 

Scotty has quickly become one of my favourite players. 

When you think about it, you would have thought that we would have been able to cope with an injury or two at CM thus far in the season - yet when Pogba is long term injured (plus who knows where his mind is at), Matic is packing a sad and McTominay gets injured too, we really look short. As would most teams when three of the same position (City at CB) get injured. 

Pereira is just not at the level but with Matic out the door you would rather look to bring one in for one out rather than ship out Pereira at this stage too. Made a good foul at City tbf. 

McTominay is almost the ideal person and player you need at the moment. Someone who wants to put the hard yards in and then just keeps it simple. Does his job and if others can do theirs then they all look good. Decent leader too

Starting XI
2.5K
·
2.4K
·
over 8 years

After a pretty dire first half we've scored 4 in 10 minutes to make sure we win the EL group. Couple of nice finishes from Greenwood and Young and a good penalty from Mata. Not been the most assured performance but pretty comfortable with mostly a B team playing.

Phoenix Academy
140
·
330
·
almost 11 years
Nelfoos wrote:

After a pretty dire first half we've scored 4 in 10 minutes to make sure we win the EL group. Couple of nice finishes from Greenwood and Young and a good penalty from Mata. Not been the most assured performance but pretty comfortable with mostly a B team playing.

Job done.

Phoenix Academy
140
·
330
·
almost 11 years

For the first time this season I didn't get up and watch the game, and sounds like I didn't miss much. Every time we have a huge result we let ourselves down by dropping points to bang average teams. I called a draw in the office tipping too. 

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years

Against the tougher teams, the team is buying into the more impactful tactics that allows us to be solid defensively and effective in attack. We have the players with the work ethic to do this and it is working. 

Against the other teams, there is a less tactical approach because the games are more about individual expression and ability in order to break teams down / create chances etc. However the players are just not at a level that means they can beat players and create chances. Both in terms of style and in terms of ability. Its where we should be playing Mata instead of Lingard and its where we miss Pogba. Its where we will most benefit by bringing in the types of players like Maddison / Sancho and Haaland / Mandzukic.

Its like we have the players of a 4th-8th place team and the tactics in the bigger games are moving us to the top end of that scale.

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

Games like yesterday, for me, exemplify where our team is at.

Against big teams, everyone can step up and do a job. Crucially, when we're being attacked our front 3 can find their own space.

Against little teams, the midfielders of a top 4 team are required to do more than just graft and maintain possession. They need to be able to create opportunities for others, find space for others, get in the box, get assists, get goals... McTominay has chipped in occasionally this year but Fred and whoever has been playing 10 hasn't really.

Phoenix Academy
140
·
330
·
almost 11 years

Agree with Tekkers in that Mata should be playing the games against teams that are compact defensively. We need a creative number 10 but suspect we won't get one until the summer.

Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years
martinb wrote:

not sure Haaland is good business

Looks like a decent player, I don't understand where he fits in. Martial needs as much game time as he can, same with Greenwood.

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years
martinb wrote:

not sure Haaland is good business

Positives: Has been scoring lots of goals and in CL too. Gives depth to forward line. Different type of player to current forwards. Has worked under Ole. Fits into younger player direction. Rumoured to have a below his current value release clause. 

Negatives: Main one = Raiola is his agent. Making sounds that he wants to move somewhere to be a starter. From Austrian league. Born in Leeds, as father played for Leeds and City. Has really only had one good season. More youth doesnt solve inconsistency problems

Ultimately, if United could get him for a price that would fit his role in the team (developing young player that would certainly play games, but would not be a sure starter), then it would be good business. 

WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years

Man United don't have problems with Raiola; they see him as someone who is upfront and doesn't have hidden agendas (albeit he is abrupt). The anti-Raiola stuff was mainly from Fergie.

Legend
6.8K
·
14K
·
over 16 years
Tekkers wrote:
martinb wrote:

not sure Haaland is good business

Positives: Has been scoring lots of goals and in CL too. Gives depth to forward line. Different type of player to current forwards. Has worked under Ole. Fits into younger player direction. Rumoured to have a below his current value release clause. 

Negatives: Main one = Raiola is his agent. Making sounds that he wants to move somewhere to be a starter. From Austrian league. Born in Leeds, as father played for Leeds and City. Has really only had one good season. More youth doesnt solve inconsistency problems

Ultimately, if United could get him for a price that would fit his role in the team (developing young player that would certainly play games, but would not be a sure starter), then it would be good business. 

Maybe it's just the crazy money these days- my sense of scale is out of whack. And the Ole project is about culture. Tell you what though- up against the big 4 managers, with maybe Benitez and Poch to return, he's guna earn every thing he gets. Any slight on field deficiency is guna be analysed and exploited.

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years

Started watching the game on demand today - got to 25 mins in and knew it was going to be a tough day. There was no energy, no movement and again we lack the creativity to beat these sorts of teams. By the time Pogba changed that, De Gea and AWB errors had meant the game was gone. 

Pretty standard really, need more squad quality so we can change things up when required. 

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

Yep, a midfield that can't create anything. Once Pogba came on the difference was evident.

I would start Romero next game. Any team that gets a corner against us looks like scoring because DDG can't come out and catch a ball and he really hasn't been phenominal stopping shots either.

Lawyerish
1.7K
·
4.8K
·
about 13 years

still can't get over leggy thinking that Man u 3 points above the relegation zone shouldn't mean the coach gets sacked

I guess over time expectations have lowered at man u

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

No one is dropping standards and lowering expectations. People who are "OK" with recent results can comprehend the context around them, the need to improve, the longer term plan, and the fact that changing manager AGAIN is going to leave us back at square one.

The funniest backlash of the loss is that just 2 months ago Pochettino's Spurs drew at home with a dire Watford registering 2 shots on target.

Marquee
1.7K
·
8.1K
·
over 16 years
20 Legend wrote:

The funniest backlash of the loss is that just 2 months ago Pochettino's Spurs drew at home with a dire Watford registering 2 shots on target.

Don't worry, we invited them to our place for shooting practice *facepalm*

First Team Squad
500
·
1.9K
·
almost 17 years

still can't get over leggy thinking that Man u 3 points above the relegation zone shouldn't mean the coach gets sacked

I guess over time expectations have lowered at man u

Having high expectations doesn't win you a title by itself though. You need a long term vision and strategy.

WeeNix
600
·
920
·
almost 9 years

Haaland gone to Borussia. From the BBC "It has been suggested both Alf-Inge Haaland and agent Mino Raiola will get a share of future transfers as part of the deal and this was something United refused to negotiate about. Dortmund have not commented on the suggestion."

There is no way we are signing anyone this window. No new players, no Director of Football, no investment in the club.

Phoenix Academy
180
·
480
·
over 16 years
Tekkers wrote:
martinb wrote:

not sure Haaland is good business

Positives: Has been scoring lots of goals and in CL too. Gives depth to forward line. Different type of player to current forwards. Has worked under Ole. Fits into younger player direction. Rumoured to have a below his current value release clause. 

Negatives: Main one = Raiola is his agent. Making sounds that he wants to move somewhere to be a starter. From Austrian league. Born in Leeds, as father played for Leeds and City. Has really only had one good season. More youth doesnt solve inconsistency problems

Ultimately, if United could get him for a price that would fit his role in the team (developing young player that would certainly play games, but would not be a sure starter), then it would be good business. 

As we suspected, Haaland wanted a contract with a sell on %, release clause and that he was a starter. Clearly we cant offer that, so good luck to him. 

Even better than he went to Dortmund which means Sancho to United is on :P

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

I'm convinced that agent fees are kicked back to the player in some epic tax avoidance scheme. There's no way players would willingly bleed as much money as they do.

I've sort of held the belief that we're going to move away from transfer fees altogether. Players can basically pocket a full "transfer fee" for themselves if they let their contract run down. Wee'll see more of it.

If the rumours regarding Haaland are true I am glad that we have once again held our ground. In the past few years United has bent over for agents too much and we've become a bargaining chip. While it's yet another level of pain to add to our current issues, we need to dig our heals in and make sure we get the right players at reasonable prices. 

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

Arsenal the better team, but we've conceded two crap goals. First on the ball deflects through a wall of defenders to sit perfectly for Pepe, and the second De Gea palms into into Lindeloff to sit perfectly for Sokratis...

Phoenix Academy
140
·
330
·
almost 11 years

Wow that is as poor a 45 minutes as we've seen this season and that's saying something. Even the Ivorian Freddy Adu is tearing us up. I'd give de Gea a couple of games off. Romero's the best back-up keeper in the world. Give him a couple of games and give de Gea a rest - mentally more than anything else.

If we don't sign at least one central midfielder this window we're an absolute joke. We were already very light there and now Scotty Mc out for 2 months and Pogba has seemingly given up (or out for 3 weeks if you're Ole). 

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

Yeah, De Gea is getting picked on reputation now. Romero fully deserves a start.

Better (but still poor) second half. Need creative midfielders to break down teams outside the top 4.

Also on what VAR has and hasn't given this year that was totally a penalty on AWB.

But good win for Arsenal who had a stunning first half.

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

Jesse Lingard has signed up with Raiola. And that should be Lingard out the door preferably this month.

I've been a pretty vocal advocate here for being patient with who we bring in, but in midfield we're at the point where we need to make signings for depth if nothing else. Surely there are reasonable players out there who aren't dickheads and can do a job. It would be bonkers to leave January with only a fit Matic, Fred and Mata.

First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years

The worst thing is other Manchester United fans that can sit and watch Bernardo Silva (a player who can not only keep possession and do his defensive requirements, as well as score incredible goals and play fantastic passes) and then compare him to someone like Fred (who on a good day can play passes sideways and not give away the ball) and claim that Fred is having a good game and that Ole is the one out of his depth...

What we are seeing here is a midfield on Lingard, Pereira and Fred getting absolutely dominated by world class players.

There is a manager on earth that could perform with Lingard, Pereira and Fred... and the other options are Matic and Mata.

But sure, let's sack Ole and start the process again. 

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
almost 17 years

It's quite insane to me that one of the richest clubs in the world, who has spent a crazy amount over the last few years, is starting a midfield of Lingard, Pereira and Fred v City. Just...why?

I thought Arsenal had it bad in CM, but jesus.

valeo
·
Legend
4.6K
·
18K
·
almost 17 years
First Team Squad
1K
·
1.7K
·
over 15 years
valeo wrote:

It's quite insane to me that one of the richest clubs in the world, who has spent a crazy amount over the last few years, is starting a midfield of Lingard, Pereira and Fred v City. Just...why?

I thought Arsenal had it bad in CM, but jesus.

Even without spending big money surely there's championship midfielders that have about the same skill level as Lingard but at least get stuck in...

Closed for new posts