Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Note in OP, 25/08

Mitch Connor

KH25 wrote: »

3-5-2 could work with the right players. Unfortunately we don't have them. Looking at yesterday's team it was obvious we would struggle. Our wing backs are a joke and our midfield was shockingly weak. Replace those 4 players with quality and 3-5-2 would work better.

Bring in Rafael and Shaw for Valencia and Young and we have an improvement there. bring in Carrick and Herrera for Cleverley and Fletcher and we are a lot better in the middle. Evans over Blacket and we improve as well. Yesterday was poor, but that I would say the none of the Valencia, Cleverley, Fletcher, Young quartet are first choice, so that partly explains the problems.

homerjay2005

Zico wrote: »

I've noticed how Rafael seems to have become one our better defenders since he hasn't been playing.:p

Add a right back to the list of players badly needed.

once we revert back to 4-3-3 i think Rafael will fit in there nicely.

Rafael Evans Smalling(Jones/Rojo) Shaw is not exactly the worst defence. not ideal, but it should be grand for most games once all are fit.

KH25

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Bring in Rafael and Shaw for Valencia and Young and we have an improvement there. bring in Carrick and Herrera for Cleverley and Fletcher and we are a lot better in the middle. Evans over Blacket and we improve as well. Yesterday was poor, but that I would say the none of the Valencia, Cleverley, Fletcher, Young quartet are first choice, so that partly explains the problems.

Indeed. I believe the formation could work for us if we had those players. Blackett is looking impressive though. Hopefully he continues his form.

GSPfan

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I think we played well, offensively in presason and are playing poorly now. I don't think it is the formation that is the problem. IMO, the players just aren't playing as well as they did in pre-season. LVG has implied this himself, saying they appear to have lost all the confidence they were showing in pre-season - pointing to the poor performance vs Valencia as a killer.

That's an awful thing if true. How confidence can be shattered so quickly is very worrying. I trust Van Gaal to get it right in the end.

Zico

I'm not sure what wing backs could have done much better if the opposition are doubling up on them and they had no support.

When Young and Valencia got into advanced positions with the ball it was like the support ran away from them, I would have expected a CM or Mata to come close to them to provide an out ball or draw a defender. They were poor enough but I thought they have good reason to complain about being isolated at times with the only option available being the CB behind them.

Maximus Alexander

Shame about Young's pre-season being a flash in the pan. Again.

He clearly has the ability to be a decent player, I don't understand why he can't do it in competitive matches.

SherlockWatson

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Shame about Young's pre-season being a flash in the pan. Again.

He clearly has the ability to be a decent player, I don't understand why he can't do it in competitive matches.

I think Young is better on the right than the left, when he's on the left its the same thing over and over, beat defender cut back inswinger into the keepers arms, far too predictable on the left.


Predictable to everyone but the strikers that is.

Nalz

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Shame about Young's pre-season being a flash in the pan. Again.

He clearly has the ability to be a decent player, I don't understand why he can't do it in competitive matches.

Well he definitely shoudnt be playing wing back. He gives it a go but its not going to work. I know he's been indifferent in the past for us on the flanks, his natural position, but jaysus christ all mighty he's never a wing back.

homerjay2005

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Shame about Young's pre-season being a flash in the pan. Again.

He clearly has the ability to be a decent player, I don't understand why he can't do it in competitive matches.

in fairness to young, he is not a left back or a left wing back. he is doing the team a favour by playing out of position. i would assume yesterday was the last time we will see him there, with Rojo filling in there from next weekend on i would imagine.

regarding his "dive"looked a penalty to me but id like to see it again before commenting on it.

magnumbud

homerjay2005 wrote: »

once we revert back to 4-3-3 i think Rafael will fit in there nicely.

Rafael Evans Smalling(Jones/Rojo) Shaw is not exactly the worst defence. not ideal, but it should be grand for most games once all are fit.

hope thats true. dont know how you could drop jones after yesterday our best player by a mile

redbaron_99

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I think we played well, offensively in presason and are playing poorly now. I don't think it is the formation that is the problem. IMO, the players just aren't playing as well as they did in pre-season. LVG has implied this himself, saying they appear to have lost all the confidence they were showing in pre-season - pointing to the poor performance vs Valencia as a killer.

I don't think this is true at all. If you think back to the pre-season games, they were all played at a slow pace, and low intensity. Then we played Liverpool, and in the first half they pressed us high up the pitch and we were awful - Jones diving in and gave a peno away, Evans looked nervy and almost cost us a goal, Fletcher was truly dreadful, and Herrera kept giving fouls away (too much to do for one midfielder)
Then Valencia came to OT and were well organised, and we just couldn't break them down. We were very poor.

Basically, in anything resembling a competitive match we've been shocking.

Nalz

Young dived

Lord TSC

RE: The dive.

I felt he was running, saw there was about to be a collision and jumped up. Then there was contact, he threw the arms up and went sprawling. Not sure if it was 100% a "dive", as there was contact, but do think if he hadn't jumped and then threw the hands up for dramatic effect, and just eaten the tackle, it would have been a penalty....which is stupid in a way that a player has to let himself get taken out of it to get the penalty.

SherlockWatson

homerjay2005 wrote: »

in fairness to young, he is not a left back or a left wing back. he is doing the team a favour by playing out of position. i would assume yesterday was the last time we will see him there, with Rojo filling in there from next weekend on i would imagine.

regarding his "dive"looked a penalty to me but id like to see it again before commenting on it.

It was a dive and a penalty tbh, shouldn't have dived and just taken the contact.

The RVP one beforehand I'd definitely.need to see again though.

Larry Wildman

Start of a huge week for Manchester United. The work done this week will have a massive influence on the next few years. I may be strident in my views but I just want the same as everyone else...to win our sixth European Cup as soon as possible. I have no interest in fighting or arguing with anyone. I find some posters' contributions annoying too but I would never "ignore" another poster or boast about it or reference it.

Now Vidal please Ed...

redbaron_99

Larry Wildman wrote: »

Start of a huge week for Manchester United. The work done this week will have a massive influence on the next few years. I may be strident in my views but I just want the same as everyone else...to win our sixth European Cup as soon as possible. I have no interest in fighting or arguing with anyone. I find some posters' contributions annoying too but I would never "ignore" another poster or boast about it or reference it.

Now Vidal please Ed...

OUR SIXTH EUROPEAN CUP??? What's all that about?????

Bit of a slip there from you, Larry!

homerjay2005

redbaron_99 wrote: »

OUR SIXTH EUROPEAN CUP??? What's all that about?????

Bit of a slip there from you, Larry!

assume he means the 3 CL, the super cup in 92 and the ECWC in 91...

Mitch Connor

homerjay2005 wrote: »

assume he means the 3 CL, the super cup in 92 and the ECWC in 91...

i assumed he meant 6th european cup - catching up to, then surpassing Liverpool in the process. Or maybe he is a pool fan. whatevs.

Vinz Mesrine

It all makes sense

Leftist

well that was awful.

In hindsight I wish we took chelsea's offer for rooney last season. he will never recover. Yesterday he was a disgrace imo.

Mantis Toboggan

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I think we played well, offensively in presason and are playing poorly now. I don't think it is the formation that is the problem. IMO, the players just aren't playing as well as they did in pre-season. LVG has implied this himself, saying they appear to have lost all the confidence they were showing in pre-season - pointing to the poor performance vs Valencia as a killer.

I think it's obvious at this stage that two much emphasis were put on the pre season Friendly's. It's clear that some supporters, bookies and pundits got carried away with a few decent results, when in reality are a long way from competitive action.

The_Kew_Tour

Sure im also a Liverpool for somebody here

Even though it looks done and dusted anyone feel nervous we will feck up Di Maria deal?

Professional Griefer

Anyone know where we would have finished last season without Rooneys goals & assists?

FutureGuy

Herrera and Shaw are both expected back for QPR (according to Physioroom)which will be a big boost along with Rojo and (hopefully Di Maria).

We still need that Vidal-type. Mata, Van Persie and Rooney are no where near as effective as we have a chasm in midfield that does nothing for them. They keep having to come back and help out Fletcher and Cleverly instead of being an attacking unit awaiting the likes of Herrera and Vidal to join THEM instead!

In Herrera and Vidal, we would have our best midfield since Keane and Scholes in their pomp.

Maximus Alexander

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Sure im also a Liverpool for somebody here

Even though it looks done and dusted anyone feel nervous we will feck up Di Maria deal?

It's not fecking up I'm worried about. If Madrid stick to their guns on the £75m figure I can't see him being bought, and rightly so imo.

Larry Wildman

redbaron_99 wrote: »

OUR SIXTH EUROPEAN CUP??? What's all that about?????

Bit of a slip there from you, Larry!

No.

I want to see us win our sixth European Cup...as in win three more and have six.

That's what motivates me as a United fan. That's the mountain.

Then target La Decima. Aim for the stars.

Soldie

Lucas Hood wrote: »

Assuming we sign nobody else except Di Maria.

De Gea
Rafael Evans Rojo Shaw
Herrera Carrick
Januzaj Mata Di Maria
RVP/Rooney


One of Rvp/Rooney has to miss out imo.

Wouldn't mind seeing this, TBH:

De Gea
Rafael Evans Rojo Shaw
Herrera Mata Carrick
Januzaj Welbeck Di Maria

van Persie doesn't seem match-fit and Rooney is off the boil. I think Welbeck will come good given an extended run in his preferred position.

redbaron_99

Mitch Connor wrote: »

i assumed he meant 6th european cup - catching up to, then surpassing Liverpool in the process. Or maybe he is a pool fan. whatevs.

Oh, I'm not accusing him of being a liverpool fan. Just pointing out that he's very wrong in that we have only won three, not five european cups...

Delboy5

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

It's not fecking up I'm worried about. If Madrid stick to their guns on the £75m figure I can't see him being bought, and rightly so imo.

So you'd rather the glazers keep the money......!?

We've a week to go in the transfer window, beggars cant be choosers.......we have the money, we need to spend it.....

ScummyMan

Soldie wrote: »

Wouldn't mind seeing this, TBH:

De Gea
Rafael Evans Rojo Shaw
Herrera Mata Carrick
Januzaj Welbeck Di Maria

van Persie doesn't seem match-fit and Rooney is off the boil. I think Welbeck will come good given an extended run in his preferred position.

How do you reckon he is going to get fit sitting on the bench? RVP is probably the best player we have, he shouldn't and won't be dropped.

Maximus Alexander

Delboy5 wrote: »

So you'd rather the glazers keep the money......!?

We've a week to go in the transfer window, beggars cant be choosers.......we have the money, we need to spend it.....

While I generally don't mind the club paying inflated transfer fees for players (it's not my money and all that) £75m is a staggering amount and the club's bank account is not a bottomless pit.

I'd be deeply concerned that if he was signed for that much and United still failed to get into the CL, it could have disastrous consequences.

Vinz Mesrine

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

It's not fecking up I'm worried about. If Madrid stick to their guns on the £75m figure I can't see him being bought, and rightly so imo.

It's done already, did you see Xabi Alonsos tweet?

Professional Griefer

Larry Wildman wrote: »

No.

I want to see us win our sixth European Cup...as in win three more and have six.

That's what motivates me as a United fan. That's the mountain.

Then target La Decima. Aim for the stars.

You should be our AIG Larry.

Maximus Alexander

Vinz Mesrine wrote: »

It's done already, did you see Xabi Alonsos tweet?

Yeah I'm pretty sure it's all agreed with the player, but not the club.

Vinz Mesrine

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Yeah I'm pretty sure it's all agreed with the player, but not the club.

Isn't that illegal? Tapping up etc.

Maximus Alexander

Vinz Mesrine wrote: »

Isn't that illegal? Tapping up etc.

Only applies inside England. (Actually I might be wrong about this)

Iused2likebusts

Buddy Holly wrote: »

I think it's obvious at this stage that two much emphasis were put on the pre season Friendly's. It's clear that some supporters, bookies and pundits got carried away with a few decent results, when in reality are a long way from competitive action.

This is very true most of the teams utd played were a week or two behind them preparation wise for the new season. The Liverpool game being the most realistic pre season game. Utd played their English world cup players quite early on in pre season also.

Vinz Mesrine

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Only applies inside England.

Really? I didn't know that

Maximus Alexander

Vinz Mesrine wrote: »

Really? I didn't know that

Yeah I don't know why I think that, probably something I heard somewhere that stuck. Maybe someone else can shed some light on it.

Anyway, isn't it only illegal if you cause the player to breach his contract?

Mitch Connor

Vinz Mesrine wrote: »

Really? I didn't know that

There are no specific rules governing it between different countries/associations laid out by Uefa, so there is no rule against tapping up players in other countries. I think that is the reality of the situation.

Of course tapping up happens all the time, domestically and internationally.

I would also reckon United had permission to talk to Di Maria, as Real have been openly trying to sell him all summer. You don't have to have a bid accepted to get permission to talk to a player.

Maximus Alexander

Mitch Connor wrote: »

There are no specific rules governing it between different countries/associations laid out by Uefa, so there is no rule against tapping up players in other countries. I think that is the reality of the situation.

Of course tapping up happens all the time, domestically and internationally.

I would also reckon United had permission to talk to Di Maria, as Real have been openly trying to sell him all summer. You don't have to have a bid accepted to get permission to talk to a player.

There we go. This aligns with how it was in my head.

FutureGuy

KH25 wrote: »

3-5-2 could work with the right players. Unfortunately we don't have them. Looking at yesterday's team it was obvious we would struggle. Our wing backs are a joke and our midfield was shockingly weak. Replace those 4 players with quality and 3-5-2 would work better.

We have Raf, Shaw and Herrera. Just the final CM.

homerjay2005

Mitch Connor wrote: »

There are no specific rules governing it between different countries/associations laid out by Uefa, so there is no rule against tapping up players in other countries. I think that is the reality of the situation.

Of course tapping up happens all the time, domestically and internationally.

I would also reckon United had permission to talk to Di Maria, as Real have been openly trying to sell him all summer. You don't have to have a bid accepted to get permission to talk to a player.

doubt there is any rule even in England that allows clubs to deal with agents though i am open to correction on that.

bangkok

Larry Wildman wrote: »

No.

I want to see us win our sixth European Cup...as in win three more and have six.

That's what motivates me as a United fan. That's the mountain.

Then target La Decima. Aim for the stars.

what?! are you from Madrid now?!!!

Professional Griefer

Matas second blog of the season

Maximus Alexander

Professional Griefer wrote: »

Matas second blog of the season

What a lovable bastard.

Backstreet Moyes

What are the positives well not many could argue that Jones and Blackett have been our best players in the first two games.

Injuries really are killing us at the moment look at the difference in quality with everyone fit.

---

DDg

---

---

Jones

---

Evans

---

Rojo

---

----Rafael

---

Shaw

---

---

Herrera

---

Carrick

---

---

Mata

---

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Rooney

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RVP

homerjay2005

Vidal rumours are going to go into overdrive now and its going to run until deadline day.

hopefully the s*ite thats gone on in the last 2 games is enough to finally get our act in gear and get the signings finally done.

Hococop

Nuts102 wrote: »

What are the positives well not many could argue that Jones and Blackett have been our best players in the first two games.

Injuries really are killing us at the moment look at the difference in quality with everyone fit.

---

DDg

---

---

Jones

---

Evans

---

Rojo

---

----Rafael

---

Shaw

---

---

Herrera

---

Carrick

---

---

Mata

---

---

Rooney

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RVP

We don't even need to play Di maria. That's some confidence out of us

Spazdarn

homerjay2005 wrote: »

Vidal rumours are going to go into overdrive now and its going to run until deadline day.

hopefully the s*ite thats gone on in the last 2 games is enough to finally get our act in gear and get the signings finally done.

It's understandable considering LVG named dropped him in a list of players he would like, in the post match interview