Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - See Mod Warning in OP, 09/11

Crimson King

Nice article here on some of the rumours about strootman & hummels. Looks like another transfer window where journalists will write their click bait headlines

http://www.espnfc.com/blog/marcotti-musings/62/post/2214588/manchester-united-kevin-strootman-mats-hummels-rumors-are-transfer-nonsense-gab-marcotti

kryogen

Thankfully the January one isn't as active normally and only lasts the month.

Gits_bone

M!Ck^ wrote: »

Love how you let on you don't know :P

http://m.independent.ie/sport/soccer/rodgers-issues-warning-to-united-30095601.html

Where does Rodgers say Utd wouldn't have a chance at Champions League for years?

All I see is if Utd were out of it for years they'd struggle like Liverpool to attract the best players.

J. Marston

glued wrote: »

Let's hope we all don't have to suffer through another window of 'tier 1' journalists reporting nonsense and people swallowing every word they type.

When will people understand that the majority of football writers have no fúcking clue what they're talking about. You won't see some sub-editor ringing up the likes of Jonathon Wilson, Sid Lowe, Tim Vickery etc. to publish a transfer rumour article.

People think that some of these hacks have 'insider knowledge' or have access to Woodward or a press officer. The club tell these people whatever the hell they want to. The club isn't going to ring Miguel Delaney or Jamie Jackson and say "Hey, man, I'm just trying to do a deal for Falcao here would you mind telling everyone?".

It's kind of like trying it on with a girl but just as you start making your move, you stop to tell the local loud mouth that you're going to bang this girl. However, now if she rejects you then you're completely humiliated as the big fat loud mouth has just told the whole town. Obviously the girl finds out and doesn't want you and subsequently you also have to deal with the stigma of being that cocky ar$sehole who told everyone he was going to bang this bird. Now no girl wants you. Well done!

Did that happen you? Come on, you can tell your buddies on the superthread. We won't judge.



We might judge a little.

squadro

It's alright man. There's always New Years. We go again.

RobertKK

I think Ron Vlaar will be a target, given how Van Gaal spoke about him before the Villa game, stating how important a player he was for him and the glowing assessment of him.

Vlaar isn't signing a new contract and we need a good defender and is more realistic than the other names listed.

nullzero

Billy86 wrote: »

Alan Shearer is some gas man... Ivanovic diving was appalling, inexcusable, etc, etc but when Gouffran (I believe?) goes over against us with less contact (none, actually) on his legs, and without anyone getting their arm across like Andy Carroll did, "I think he might actually fall over his own feet, just get his feet caught up there. I can't be 100% and get that right, but that's what it looks like." Funny how he then appeals for a penalty, eh? :rolleyes:

What do you expect? A; he's a geordie through and through and B; he's always hated United.

Billy86

nullzero wrote: »

What do you expect? A; he's a geordie through and through and B; he's always hated United.

Oh I know, I just find it laughable how poor some of these 'pundits' are at their jobs with clearly biased opinions - the same goes for Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson with anything Arsenal related over on Sky, it's just weird how their co-presenters never really point it out. At least with the likes of Phil Thompson it's all out in the open and becomes little more thaan a bit of a laugh because of it

newballsplease

Billy86 wrote: »

Oh I know, I just find it laughable how poor some of these 'pundits' are at their jobs with clearly biased opinions - the same goes for Charlie Nicholas and Paul Merson with anything Arsenal related over on Sky, it's just weird how their co-presenters never really point it out. At least with the likes of Phil Thompson it's all out in the open and becomes little more thaan a bit of a laugh because of it

Paul merson ? He can be very critical of Arsenal at times. So that point isnt fair.

Billy86

newballsplease wrote: »

Paul merson ? He can be very critical of Arsenal at times. So that point isnt fair.

I find him very reactionary to be honest in that sense - he's extremely quick to jump on the hype train that used to surround anyone under 21 who got a sniff of the Arsenal bench, but then is often let down when they don't start dominating the league soon after, for example. He's not as bad a Nicholas though granted.

Looks like di maria is going to be out for the Xmas period. Pelvic injury suffered in training. No confirmed return date until its assessed.

Sigh

Think the doc posted yesterday but wtf is going on in training?

advertsfox

Billy86

That's... probably not the picture you should be using in response to people earlier in the season accusing LVG of being "a fraud".

RasTa

How does one injury their pelvis.

advertsfox

RasTa wrote: »

How does one injury their pelvis.

I imagine like

Donnielighto

Post reported NSFW :(:(:(:(:( wheres the pukey smiley?

paulbok

RasTa wrote: »

How does one injury their pelvis.

Giggity

MagicIRL

Had an ol' goo at the United teamsheet according to the Fantasy Football. (All the yellow/red are injuries)

Liam McPoyle

Papers reporting that ADM has advised we sign Gaitan from Benfica. Im not familiar with him at all, any use?

Release fee less than £30m.

newballsplease

What the hell is all these injuries about?? World cup having its affect. Whats Rojo out with?

hufpc8w3adnk65

Business Cat wrote: »

Papers reporting that ADM has advised we sign Gaitan from Benfica. Im not familiar with him at all, any use?

Release fee less than £30m.

He's been touted for a move too us for along time! I "think" he's around 25/26


*edit

Yup he's 26 and plays as a number 10

http://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nicolás_Gaitán

RobertKK

Fellaini has a broken rib.

Meanwhile
https://twitter.com/telefootball/status/548829752669515777

duffman13

RobertKK wrote: »

Fellaini has a broken rib.

Meanwhile
https://twitter.com/telefootball/status/548829752669515777

That doesn't bode well for Powell, I doubt LVG will put up with crap like that if it's true.

RobbingBandit

The Rojo one is a thigh injury isn't it?

J. Marston

RobertKK wrote: »

Fellaini has a broken rib.

Meanwhile
https://twitter.com/telefootball/status/548829752669515777

Powell will be off in the summer if that's true. Can't imagine Van Gaal will put up with that attitude.

Edit: I've just realised that I've said the exact same thing as Duffman. I'm tired.

Trond

The Powell story is odd given the same paper reported the same story over 3 weeks ago!

He scored a brace for Leicesters youth team last week as well. Ability was never the issue with him.

Dayum

Does anyone genuinely believe Manchester United are signing Bale and Hummels in the Summer?!

Timmyctc

Dayum wrote: »

Does anyone genuinely believe Manchester United are signing Bale and Hummels in the Summer?!

Yes. Ronaldo too.

ElChe32

Dayum wrote: »

Does anyone genuinely believe Manchester United are signing Bale and Hummels in the Summer?!

We signed Di Maria and Falcao last summer....anything is possible.

The Moldy Gowl

Dayum wrote: »

Does anyone genuinely believe Manchester United are signing Bale and Hummels in the Summer?!

What do you mean? As in pffft utd are a mid table side, no one will go there.

Or they cost too much?


A big defender will be bought, no doubt, as for bale, I don't think he is a target, but either was falcoa

Dayum

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

What do you mean? As in pffft utd are a mid table side, no one will go there.

Or they cost too much?


A big defender will be bought, no doubt, as for bale, I don't think he is a target, but either was falcoa

No, not as in "pffft"....

No, as in "regardless of price, sometimes these things are not always possible"...the stars don't align etc...

The Moldy Gowl

Dayum wrote: »

No, not as in "pffft"....

No, as in "regardless of price, sometimes these things are not always possible"...the stars don't align etc...

Why isn't it possible. Let's say hypothetically utd bid for bale and hummels, it got accepted.

Would certainly be a good career move for hummels.
Bale is playing in the best team in the world, couldn't see him moving unless he was told he can go. Maybe he dosent like Madrid. We don't know his personal stuff.

So while it's unlikely, it is possible.

But I don't think bale is a target anyway.

shadowcomplex

My concern with United at the moment is the unbalance, when/if everyone gets fit where do we fit everyone in. At the moment one from Falcao, RVP, Mata , Rooney and Di-Maria has to be left out. As good as he was yesterday Rooney isn't a central midfielder and will be back up front when Blind and Fellani are fit, its all well and good playing him in central midfield against the likes of Newcastle but he wont play there if when we play Chelsea or the other big teams, I am also looking to next season and whether we sign Bale or not LVG likes his wide attacking players, he would love Bale on one side and Robben on the other and 1 focal point striker leading the line, now whether he targets these stars or not is open for debate but he may target lesser known players of this type like Cuadrado

Here's a formation for the laugh but its way too attacking

---

De Gea

---

Rafael

---

Jones

---

Rojo

---

Shaw----

---

Rooney

---

Carrick

---

Di Maria

---

---

Mata

---

---

Falcao

---

RVP

---

Billy86

shadowcomplex wrote: »

My concern with United at the moment is the unbalance, when/if everyone gets fit where do we fit everyone in. At the moment one from Falcao, RVP, Mata , Rooney and Di-Maria has to be left out. As good as he was yesterday Rooney isn't a central midfielder and will be back up front when Blind and Fellani are fit, its all well and good playing him in central midfield against the likes of Newcastle but he wont play there if when we play Chelsea or the other big teams, I am also looking to next season and whether we sign Bale or not LVG likes his wide attacking players, he would love Bale on one side and Robben on the other and 1 focal point striker leading the line, now whether he targets these stars or not is open for debate but he may target lesser known players of this type like Cuadrado

Here's a formation for the laugh but its way too attacking

---

De Gea

---

Rafael

---

Jones

---

Rojo

---

Shaw----

---

Rooney

---

Carrick

---

Di Maria

---

---

Mata

---

---

Falcao

---

RVP

---

So you're concerned we are too unbalanced and attack-heavy, but look forward to us signing two pretty high profile attacking players in the summer?

shadowcomplex

Billy86 wrote: »

So you're concerned we are too unbalanced and attack-heavy, but look forward to us signing two pretty high profile attacking players in the summer?

I never said I was looking forward to, I said I was looking to which implies what will happen whether I like it or now. we are still 2 central midfielders, 1 right back and 1 central defender from challenging Chelsea and City and since LVP likes wide attacking players I can only envision changes up top too

Billy86

shadowcomplex wrote: »

I never said I was looking forward to, I said I was looking to which implies what will happen whether I like it or now. we are still 2 central midfielders, 1 right back and 1 central defender from challenging Chelsea and City and since LVP likes wide attacking players I can only envision changes up top too

Ah right, misread here you said "looking to meet season" as "looking forward to". When all are fit and healthy anyway ADM is best as a wide player though we might see someone more direct for the right, all the same we don't know at all if Falcao is being kept on and RVP will turn 32 in August so one high profile wide player could be of benefit depending on circumstances, especially since we *touch wood* should also have CL matches to rotate with.

Nalz

Billy86 wrote: »

I find him very reactionary to be honest in that sense - he's extremely quick to jump on the hype train that used to surround anyone under 21 who got a sniff of the Arsenal bench, but then is often let down when they don't start dominating the league soon after, for example. He's not as bad a Nicholas though granted.

I mean I don't think they're good enough Jeff, they is very poor, I mean I fear for them Jeff I really do

newballsplease

Granted he doesnt work for Sky but Utds own Lou Macari is the most biased of all 'pundits' out there.

SherlockWatson

newballsplease wrote: »

Granted he doesnt work for Sky but Utds own Lou Macari is the most biased of all 'pundits' out there.

Paddy Crerand had to be worse in fairness.

Hococop

Lads niall Quinn is the worst IMO the amount of sucking up he does to man city is ridiculous

MagicIRL

They're all ****e bar Garry and Jamie on MNF. Graeme 'The last 20 years didn't happen" Souness does my ****ing nut in.

Manutd_4life

Has the match thread gone up yet?

MagicMarker

Manutd_4life wrote: »

Has the match thread gone up yet?

Why don't you, you know, check?

When all fit I'd go for...

___________De Gea_____________
_______Smalling__Jones________
Rafael____________________Shaw
____________Carrick_____________
______Rooney____Di Maria_______
_____________Mata_______________
_______Falcao____RvP___________

Or...

___________De Gea_____________
_______Smalling__Jones________
Rafael___________________Shaw
____________Carrick_____________
______Herrera____Di Maria_______
_____________Rooney_____________
_______Falcao____RvP___________

There's an argument to get Fellaini in there instead of Herrera and Rojo instead of Jones but the reason I prefer Mata at 10 to Rooney is Mata is more likely to look for the pass at the edge of the box whereas Rooney tends to take a shot, which would starve Falcao and RvP of ball.

That being said I think Herrera gives a better balance in midfield than Rooney since he's a natural midfielder.
The calmness that Carrick brings to our play is outstanding, Blind cannot match him in that regard.
Fletcher shouldn't even make the bench and I really don't think Evans should be a starter when we have everyone fit at the back, I just don't think he's at the level we would want our CB's to be at and I don't see him getting there.

The Moldy Gowl

our friend in the stand
https://vine.co/v/OHHvp1DI2z5

Donnielighto

Deleted User wrote: »

When all fit I'd go for...

___________De Gea_____________
_______Smalling__Jones________
Rafael____________________Shaw
____________Carrick_____________
______Rooney____Di Maria_______
_____________Mata_______________
_______Falcao____RvP___________

Or...

___________De Gea_____________
_______Smalling__Jones________
Rafael___________________Shaw
____________Carrick_____________
______Herrera____Di Maria_______
_____________Rooney_____________
_______Falcao____RvP___________

There's an argument to get Fellaini in there instead of Herrera and Rojo instead of Jones but the reason I prefer Mata at 10 to Rooney is Mata is more likely to look for the pass at the edge of the box whereas Rooney tends to take a shot, which would starve Falcao and RvP of ball.

That being said I think Herrera gives a better balance in midfield than Rooney since he's a natural midfielder.
The calmness that Carrick brings to our play is outstanding, Blind cannot match him in that regard.
Fletcher shouldn't even make the bench and I really don't think Evans should be a starter when we have everyone fit at the back, I just don't think he's at the level we would want our CB's to be at and I don't see him getting there.

If you think Herrera is a better fit for 10 and mata is a better option at 10 then why play rooney in either of those positions?

Vic Vinegar

Luke Shaw has travelled with the squad for the Spurs game tomorrow. Nice to have him back.

Donnielighto

Donnielighto wrote: »

If you think Herrera is a better fit for 10 and mata is a better option at 10 then why play rooney in either of those positions?

I should have elaborated more, while Herrera may balance the midfield more I think Rooney is capable of that special bit of magic like those insanely accurate through balls to RVP, he's more likely to play a pass instead of shoot when further back. I think he makes us more potent in attack with his runs into the box and superior shooting skills. I'm sacrificing midfield balance for a more aggressive attack.

If you were to go with a more balanced midfield (with Herrera) then Mata would be sacrificed, not least because LVG says "his captain will always play" and I think RVP and Falcao are better in the striker position than Rooney, not by much though. I'm picking a team that I think LVG would realistically play.

Donnielighto

Deleted User wrote: »

I should have elaborated more, while Herrera may balance the midfield more I think Rooney is capable of that special bit of magic like those insanely accurate through balls to RVP, he's more likely to play a pass instead of shoot when further back. I think he makes us more potent in attack with his runs into the box and superior shooting skills. I'm sacrificing midfield balance for a more aggressive attack.

If you were to go with a more balanced midfield (with Herrera) then Mata would be sacrificed, not least because LVG says "his captain will always play" and I think RVP and Falcao are better in the striker position than Rooney, not by much though. I'm picking a team that I think LVG would realistically play.

Fair enough the LVG bit but you opened with "When all fit I'd go for..."

If rooney/anyone isnt the best in any particular position he shouldnt be playing, imo he is one of the top 2 striking options we have and as such he should be played there. I understand having him back where he is atm but as you said, assuming all fit.

Donnielighto

Donnielighto wrote: »

Fair enough the LVG bit but you opened with "When all fit I'd go for..."

If rooney/anyone isnt the best in any particular position he shouldnt be playing, imo he is one of the top 2 striking options we have and as such he should be played there. I understand having him back where he is atm but as you said, assuming all fit.

I should change it to "When all fit I think the best teams we'll get are.." :pac:
Yeah I get ya, and it's just my opinion but I don't think Rooney is selfless enough when played as a striker with RVP. I think with him in midfield and Falcao up front and Mata at 10 our attack is that little bit more potent.