Manchester United

Gonna be bloody interesting to watch and find out!

If it was Fergie, I'd say definitely yes - he had good pedigree in getting performances out of older established signings e.g. Sheringham, van Persie, Larsson.

Mourinho has history with Zlatan so is probably well-placed to get it out of him. 

Will be interesting to see if he keeps his head when classical-style english defenders start elbowing him around etc. 

Yea no doubt he's big enough to handle it, but I have noticed he reacts to defenders touching him - not like Diego Costa, more entertaining reactions like giving them "you dare to touch me" looks etc. 

I wonder how he'll get on when someone proper knees or elbows him or something. That stuff is let go a lot in the premier league compared to Italy/Spain/France. 

He's also a black belt in Tae Kwondo I believe 

Joke or serious? 

Not surprised either way!

Despite this guy playing for you lot, I am actually really looking forward to see how he gets on. 

I cannot wait to see him up against John Terry, for instance. 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/sportvideo/footba...

I would think that the many seasons in Serie A, with probably tougher and more cynical defenders (Chiellini, Materazzi etc.), would have him more than prepared for the EPL in that regard.

And the black belt of course!

Cannot wait to see him do battle. 

... with Mourinho. It'll end in tears.

Zlatan also believes he was first man on the moon, invented sliced bread and is Sweden's greatest natural resource (none of which I'm disputing)

United just got BTFO by Borussia Dortmund in their first friendly this season. Lost 4–1. Goals include two thunderbolts, one goal against a former club and some woeful defending from Marcos Rojo. 

Goals:

The best two goals (first Dembele's then Castro's second):

Preseason. Good goals, Dortmund just looked 5 games sharper. The players all looked like they just had a shower with their kit on.

Finally, Rojo is absolute poo.

Rumour is Zlatan has been given the number 9 shirt without a single fudge given about Martial having had that number previously—they did not bother telling him. Pretty disrespectful from the club. It's not just about the number but about the principle of not having consulted him initially and also he was building a brand around his number ("AM9") that is now going to shark because of the lack of tact.

That's pretty sad if true

The number 9 probably asked to be on Zlatan's shirt

Utd v City game in Beijing cancelled due to wet weather.

Zlatan scores a bicycle kick three minutes into his debut ?

https://cdn.streamable.com/video/mp4/3yvj.mp4

Book has arrived, and I've read almost all off it.....the author did well to stretch basically a 2.5 year or whatever career (most of which was injuries) into 400 pages.....I have to say, I skipped a couple of chapters at the beginning, about his childhood and whatnot.

There's not much insight from Fergie, who only corresponds to the author by one (seemingly) short letter, saying it was a shame etc. Ryan Giggs offered more detail saying that Doherty was pretty much not talked about at MUFC due to people being under a misconception about how he died. Giggs was in awe of Doherty, as was Gary Nev. Pretty much everyone was (pre-injury)

Author also talks to Jules Maiorana, who suffered a similar injury - and he was quite bitter about his treatment from Fergie and United. I googled him to find out more, and looks like he only recently got over what he thought was sharkhouse treatment from his former club.

For all of Fergie's title winning success (putting his obvious failures to one side), his much-lauded man management has always struck me as pretty poor. Sure, to be a winner you have to be a right cod......but the guy does seem to treat players like meat, which he probably isn't the only one to do so, and goes out of his way to poo-poo the efforts/abilities of former players. His "Managing My Life" autobiography was just a diatribe in how he has never made a mistake....even though he's made countless errors.

I often wondered why Mark Robins never really got a fair suck of the sav at OT. He was like a late 80s/early 90s Ole Solskjaer. Different era back then, with smaller squads/fewer subs, but really.....what a fantastic finisher......

Has anyone seen that United made-for-TV movie co-starring David Tennant? It's got good reviews - was broadcast in 2011

Surely it can be better than "Being Liverpool". Masterpiece that was. 

Nothing beats the QPR movie - The Four Year plan. Events off the field were more entertaining than on it. Trust me, you guys do not know what bad owners are unless you have experienced Flavio Briatore.

As for the Mark Robins comment, you are quite right about him. I also thought Chris Eagles was given a rough deal too. But that's just me. Fergi had his favourites that could do no wrong - giggs being one, but it started to unravel after Cantona and then Becks.

Not sure that QPR have the monopoly on bonkers owners.

Leeds United with Bates and Cellino

West Ham with Magnusson.

Pompey have had it rough.

Actually, I think everyone pales in comparison to Gigi Becali of Steaua Bucharest fame.  

Not sure what you mean about it started to unravel after Cantona and the Becks.       Cantona finished in 1997 and Becks in 200He won the CL in 99 and 08. Won the EPL about 8 times etc.

What do you mean?

I was referring to Fergusson and his man management skills alone, not his trophy collection.

Community Shield should be a good yard stick as to how Mourinho has been able to improve the squad so far. 

It will be interesting to see who the main CBs are and what roles they play - they had a fair degree of ball playing skills put upon them by LVG but I imagine Mourinho will be expecting a more defensive minded pair. Blind is up for it but is still a DM by nature. 

Mourinho has also not been renowned for hsi squad rotation so I am not sure how he will be able to keep everyone happy and playing. Mata, Schniederlin, Young, Jones, Carrick etc. 

It is sad to see Schwiensteiger being left out - he was probably bought by LVG to do a job but Carrick and Schniederlin can already do that role. Send him back to Germany on loan and everyone will be happy

Thought United were alright up front from the highlights I saw of the Everton pre-season game. Zlatan is going to be good for you lot. But defensively... yes, could be interesting. 

Think Mata is a gone burger. Rooney is playing his role as far as I can tell. 

Rest will just have to prove themselves. 

Mata has played wide more often for United. The fact that he's been playing in preseason bodes well for him, particularly considering not many expected him to be in Mou's plans at all.

Agree. When Januzaj joined Utd about 4/5 years ago I really thought that he would be another CR but I am starting to think that he is like Memphis in that he has a chip on his shoulder. He has amazing skills but does not seem to have a football brain.

Actually excited to see United under Jose. Who are the 22? Is there a link anyone has?

Two Wembley trophies in 3 months is pretty good by any standards, but quite frankly the team is still not good enough to get anywhere like winning the EPL. Regardless of the capabilities of JM the players that started are just not good enough. There were nine from last season and we can remember what happened then. We are still 3 players short of a very good side and I guess Pobga will be one of those.

I think that people that are writing off Leicester might have to think again. I don't think they will win the league but they were very competitive today and will trouble quite a few sides.

What is Mou's issue with Mata? Can't understand why he doesn't like him...he's one of the few United players I wouldn't mind seeing at LFC

If you believe what he said. 'I was worried about the aerial balls and Mata is not tall '

We got Pogba back now.......maybe Fergie should pay MU some money to help fund the squillions it cost to get him back?

Better not get injured first game.....

Either that or he scores 2 goals on debut and every United fans says he'll win the next Ballon d'Or.

I don't believe him and suspect you don't either.