Manchester United

Just watched us live against Club America. Typical first game up- a few passes going astray- getting to know new players. Schneiderlin scored after six mins. and look good. LVG changed all eleven players at half-time. Schweinsteiger  stood out in the second half. Have to say that Club America played some pretty good stuff. We still need a good defender and a striker.

Considering the horrific pitch and first game of the season blues it was as to be expected.

If De Gea stays, we need a commanding CB and a striker who will start ahead of Chicarito and Wilson. Window done.

AW's found them tricky.

Only need a CB if Evans goes - which I think he only will if we find a suitable replacement. 
Jones, Smalling, Rojo, Evans with Blind, Darmian, McNair as cover is plenty.

Definitely need another forward. Unless Hernandez adapts to the system quickly, however if Rooney gets injred / needs a rest then I wouldn't be comfortable with Hernandez starting  3 games in a week. Hopefully that surprise turns out to be a winner

Expecting our business to be done in the next week or so and DDG to stay. All the focus should then be on convincing him to stay and become a legend - at 23, he could be at United for another 10-15 years

Anyone have a link to Barca game highlights?

Game was live in Oz on free to air.    Baca were without Messi or Neymar. We scored early on when Rooney scored from a corner ( after a slight shove in the back of a defender) At times we played  some good football even with Jones (who is not good enough) and Young.

LVG changed all 11 players after 60 mins and these young (mostly) guys stepped up to the challenge. Baca did play some terrific football at times but Utd looked a lot better than they did last season. Only a friendly so I am not getting carried away, but the fact that 7 of the players in the second half have come through the academy is pleasing especially when a certain manager has bagged us for not doing anything for young players. I wonder how many academy players he has in his squad.

I'm picking you ultras probably already know about this, but in case not -

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3174734/Angel-di-Maria-goes-AWOL-unsettled-midfielder-fails-board-plane-join-Man-United-squad-Marcos-Rojo-misses-flight.html

PSG's the word.

Yeah mate, is a case of when and who do we replace him with...

Just signed Sergio Romero. Hope we don't need him, but will OK if De Gea does leave.

Almost every keeper makes howlers, but being an international keeper for 6 years and 62 caps probably says it all. I also remember De Gea's first season at Utd.  Horrible.

I would have been happy with Lindegaard and Sam Johnstone as the  respective backups to DDG.  I guess Lindegaard will move on and Johnstone may end up on loan?

The next Massimo Taibi?

He's barely played in the past two seasons.

Must have been his twin brother that played in the WC last year and helped put the Dutch out of the final.

First team appearances in the past two seasons: 20. If you stop being a Twit for a second you will realise that means he has barely had any first team football over the last 24 months.

I knew that before we signed him, but he has been playing although not every game for the first team. He is still probably better than half the EPL keepers anyway, and LVG knows him well.

PSG game live on TAB watch and bet right now. 2 nil down at half.

Interesting LVG saying Darmian, Shaw and Blind will start in the back four come EPL opener. I have faith in the two fullbacks - although Shaw is still very young - but Blind at CB? I rate him as a player, he's very tidy on the ball and controls the tempo of the game well but I didn't expect him to be picked at CB tbh...

Supporting a team who has a dodgy defence makes me an expert I reckon. I'd be worried if I was a Utd fan and you'd better hope you've got a shed load of goals coming from Rooney & Co. 

Having watched Liverpool three times this month I don't have a worry about them.

Not sure whether you're referring to our defence or attack...but anyway...

I think I was making a valid point and not having a dig - I've seen first hand what happens when your defense offsets the good work your attack has done (e.g. coming second in 2013/14 - scored 101 goals but conceded 50, 2nd worse in the top 8 from that year). I think United will score a truckload of goals but the defence makes me think they will score 2 but concede 2 or 3 in the same game. 

edit...and thanks for watching us. 

I'll watch any football team.  You are correct. Jones and Evans ( almost Smalling) are just very poor defenders and should be sold ASAP.

Without buying anyone we might get away with it with Rojas there, but lets wait and see.

I doubt that we have finished buying or selling yet, but from what we have at the moment I would line up against Spurs next week-

De Gea,Darmian,Smalling,Blind,Shaw,Schweinsteiger,Schneiderlin,Herrera,Depay,Rooney and Pereira. 

Don't think LVG will pick that, but we will see.

Lets hope so.

It's Schneiderlin vs Carrick. Mata will probably play as a part of the front 3 which isn't his best position. I don't like Blind at centre back either.

The problem I have with Mata is that he may have tremendous skill but he disappears for 80 mins. and therefore we are playing with 10 men.

Completely disagree about Mata. He does much more for the team and keeps the ball moving. Also linked really well with Valencia and Herrera last season. Has to start.

DeGea; Valencia, Smalling, Blind, Shaw; Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Herrera; Young, Rooney, Mata

Darmian is unlucky but Valencia has been solid and will keep his position
Carrick is important in LVGs system and will start, Schniederlin to rotate with Carrick and Schweinsteiger throughout season as both are 31+ so wont start every game. 
Herrera and Fellaini to battle for other spot in midfield and Herrera was key at end of last season.
Depay is too raw and individual so doesn't start. Young and Mata are incumbents so should keep spots. 
Rooney is a certainty. 

Bench: Lindegaard, Darmian, Jones, Schniederlin, Depay, Januzaj, Hernandez

The problem I have about Mata is that in games against mid- table teams like WBA  he did not show his class. He does not fulfil an obvious function for us. He is slight, slow and does go missing too often, He lacks the athleticism to affect the game when we don't have the ball. He can play through the middle, as he is too slow wide out, but with the players we have got that is not going to happen.

It does sound good but can't get too excited after the Di Maria saga. I feel sorry for him as he certainly has the talent but obviously not the bottle or attitude.

Why are "football pundits" criticising United's defense leading into the upcoming season?

Yes, the team took 8-10 games to gel and the philosophy, especially in terms of defending but over the course of the season they conceded one less goal than City and only Chelsea, Arsenal and Southampton conceded more. 

The problem was that we didn't score enough goals and for me, that's why RVP and Falcao were shown the door. The three teams above United scored 9 (Arsenal), 21 (City) and 11 (Chelsea) more goals over the season Chicharito needs to find his feet or LVG will be looking for a back up striker fast.

I am comfortable with the defense we have got but am a bit worried where the goals will come if Rooney gets injured. 

You're forgetting David de Gea's contribution to the goals conceded tally (and the number of points the team picked up through his efforts). I would suggest there are only a handful of keepers in the world who would have saved the number of goals he did. Can he have a season like that again? Right now, I hope so; and let him go on a free to Real next season. As of today, we still don't have a defensive leader of the quality needed.