Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Note in OP, 25/3

The_Kew_Tour

bangkok wrote: »

Carrick still has easily 2 years left at the very top level for the type of game he plays

Only time will tell if he can easily play another 2 years, but do see your point there and would like to think he aint done and dusted yet.

Pro. F

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Only time will tell if he can easily play another 2 years, but do see your point there and would like to think he aint done and dusted yet.

Nobody is saying he's done and dusted for fùck sake.

Mitch Connor

I certainly would not be happy to have Carrick as the only realistic first choice option for his role next season, never mind the season after. I hope we buy a player that can replace him this summer. ONe that could compliment him also so that both can play if required, but we need someone that can either take over from Carrick in the deep lying protection/tempo role or at least step in for him without the team falling to crap.

I rate Carrick, but at 34 I think we need to look to the future for his position. United have, in the past imo, been too happy to wait for a player to prove they need to be replaced before actually doing anything about it, which is too late imo.

bangkok

Pro. F wrote: »

You think he's going to return to being fit enough to be an ever present over the next season or two? I'm sure it's possible, but the way he's been with injuries and the age he is, it doesn't seem likely.

maybe not ever present if we sign someone like gundogan, but yes in all the big games he will play, but a fit Michael carrick will be the first name on the team sheet after de gea

Maximus Alexander

bangkok wrote: »

maybe not ever present if we sign someone like gundogan, but yes in all the big games he will play, but a fit Michael carrick will be the first name on the team sheet after de gea

Where I'm from we'd call that the second name on the team sheet.

bangkok

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

Where I'm from we'd call that the second name on the team sheet.

sorry, first outfield player

pmasterson95

Blind for Carrick? I expected Blind to be starting DMC when he arrived rather than LB but Shaws injurys meant Blind played LB.

Mitch Connor

pmasterson95 wrote: »

Blind for Carrick? I expected Blind to be starting DMC when he arrived rather than LB but Shaws injurys meant Blind played LB.

maybe a full pre-season and some weights over the summer will improve him, but based on current performances in CM for us, I would not trust him as first choice player in that role. His passing is nice (if a little overly cautious at times) but I feel he has been gone past too easily too much. Performance vs Everton was disappointing, though he wasn't the only one that day.

Vic Vinegar

pmasterson95 wrote: »

Blind for Carrick? I expected Blind to be starting DMC when he arrived rather than LB but Shaws injurys meant Blind played LB.

I don't think Blind is good enough to do the job permanently, maybe against lesser teams. Good utility player to have though, like O'Shea.

Pro. F

bangkok wrote: »

maybe not ever present if we sign someone like gundogan, but yes in all the big games he will play, but a fit Michael carrick will be the first name on the team sheet after de gea

That's not how injuries work. It won't matter if it's a big game or a small one, if he's out with an injury he won't be able to play. And the more he is out injured the less likely he is to get into peak form.

I'm not saying that he won't continue to be first choice or be important in Van Gaal's eyes, I'm not interested in predicting how that will go. I'm just saying that he is on the way down and that is a pity for his fans, considering we are the start of a new and exciting system at the club.

Mitch Connor

Pro. F wrote: »

That's not how injuries work. It won't matter if it's a big game or a small one, if he's out with an injury he won't be able to play. And the more he is out injured the less likely he is to get into peak form.

I'm not saying that he won't continue to play or be important in Van Gaal's eyes, I'm not interested in predicting how that will go. I'm just saying that he is on the way down and that is a pity for his fans, considering we are the start of a new and exciting system at the club.

Gundogan or Strootman (though I wouldn't sign him, too many fears on his knee imo) would be the type of player to be looking at. Someone who can play further forward/box-to-box if Carrick is available, and who can play deep to protect the defense and set the tempo if he is out.

I would think we need to look at replacing Carrick this summer due to his age regardless, but his injury record this season only serves to punch home the requirement, imo.

bangkok

Pro. F wrote: »

That's not how injuries work. It won't matter if it's a big game or a small one, if he's out with an injury he won't be able to play. And the more he is out injured the less likely he is to get into peak form.

I'm not saying that he won't continue to be first choice or be important in Van Gaal's eyes, I'm not interested in predicting how that will go. I'm just saying that he is on the way down and that is a pity for his fans, considering we are the start of a new and exciting system at the club.

lots of players though are on their way down. Wayne Rooney for example isn't getting any younger and has reached his peak. its hard to see van Persie ever being the same player he once was, but they are strikers and strikers need to score goals. If they are not scoring they will be sold, Carricks position allows him to perform well into his 30's providing he is playing well which he is. There is no doubt about it, another midfielder will be signed in the summer to cover for the loss of carrick, as he is a massive loss to the team when he is not playing

pmasterson95

Should we maybe be thinking of English players aswell lads? Like can afford many more foreign players? The league has that homegrown rule when registering PL squads. How much leeway do we have in that sense?

Pro. F

bangkok wrote: »

lots of players though are on their way down. Wayne Rooney for example isn't getting any younger and has reached his peak. its hard to see van Persie ever being the same player he once was, but they are strikers and strikers need to score goals. If they are not scoring they will be sold, Carricks position allows him to perform well into his 30's providing he is playing well which he is. There is no doubt about it, another midfielder will be signed in the summer to cover for the loss of carrick, as he is a massive loss to the team when he is not playing

I don't agree that Rooney is on the way down yet, so I'm excited about the prospect of him playing to the best of his abilities under Van Gaal for a few years. As long as he's played up front that is.

Pro. F

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Gundogan or Strootman (though I wouldn't sign him, too many fears on his knee imo) would be the type of player to be looking at. Someone who can play further forward/box-to-box if Carrick is available, and who can play deep to protect the defense and set the tempo if he is out.

I would think we need to look at replacing Carrick this summer due to his age regardless, but his injury record this season only serves to punch home the requirement, imo.

If it was me I'd just look to upgrade on Carrick and make him the back-up, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if LVG goes with the versatile player solution you're talking about.

I'm not sure Gundogan is so good as a DM myself. I've only ever seen him doing well alongside somebody like Kehl or Bender who do more of the defensive reading and running.

Adamocovic

Pro. F wrote: »

I'm not interested. I've heard it all before and I'm thoroughly unconvinced by the argument. But I can still empathise with his fans who aren't going to see the best of him in an exciting new system.

Fair enough, you never know you might change your opinion on him years after he retires I know quite a few people who complained about Nicky Butt during his playing days and now talk about how big a player he was for us.

Pro. F

Adamocovic wrote: »

Fair enough, you never know you might change your opinion on him years after he retires I know quite a few people who complained about Nicky Butt during his playing days and now talk about how big a player he was for us.

FFS even when I don't criticise Carrick I have broken records like you trying to change my opinion. No chance you could have just accepted my post for what it was, a friendly recognition of the situation his fans are in.

Pro. F

Pro. F wrote: »

If it was me I'd just look to upgrade on Carrick and make him the back-up, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if LVG goes with the versatile player solution you're talking about.

I'm not sure Gundogan is so good as a DM myself. I've only ever seen him doing well alongside somebody like Kehl or Bender who do more of the defensive reading and running.

Not sure why Vidal is not the mix unless he's ruled himself out of every leaving Juve for another club??
I hadn't watched him in quite some time but going on last nights performance he certainly fills the requirement.

TheDoc

Mitch Connor wrote: »

maybe a full pre-season and some weights over the summer will improve him, but based on current performances in CM for us, I would not trust him as first choice player in that role. His passing is nice (if a little overly cautious at times) but I feel he has been gone past too easily too much. Performance vs Everton was disappointing, though he wasn't the only one that day.

Blind has a really good read of the game.

You don't win player of the year in Holland, as a holding midfielder, without being exceptional.

He is quicker people give him credit for, but his strengths are his read of the game. Not sure what peoples expectations are, or understanding of different positions, but you don't just walk into a new team and league, play DM, and pickup where you left off. Especially a team in flux with injury and adapting to a new managers demands.

I'd be thoroughly happy to see Blind in Carricks role in the new season, after having a full pre-season, rest, and the team being settled.You should have been able to see enough during his spell in DM to see, interceptions, awareness, ball retention and through balls when opportunity arose.

He is excellent at it, and if you don't see a DM come in it's because Blind will be taking that over from Carrick. And I'd have no problems with it.

It's the left CM channel that Van Gaal needs to address, now that Hererra has settled into the right channel. Fellaini and Rooney are not viable options there.

TheDoc

TheDoc wrote: »

Blind has a really good read of the game.

You don't win player of the year in Holland, as a holding midfielder, without being exceptional.

He is quicker people give him credit for, but his strengths are his read of the game. Not sure what peoples expectations are, or understanding of different positions, but you don't just walk into a new team and league, play DM, and pickup where you left off. Especially a team in flux with injury and adapting to a new managers demands.

I'd be thoroughly happy to see Blind in Carricks role in the new season, after having a full pre-season, rest, and the team being settled.You should have been able to see enough during his spell in DM to see, interceptions, awareness, ball retention and through balls when opportunity arose.

He is excellent at it, and if you don't see a DM come in it's because Blind will be taking that over from Carrick. And I'd have no problems with it.

It's the left CM channel that Van Gaal needs to address, now that Hererra has settled into the right channel. Fellaini and Rooney are not viable options there.

Blind hasn't been great @ DM position this season though when's he has gotten the chance.

@ LB he has shined.

TheDoc

Pro. F wrote: »

If it was me I'd just look to upgrade on Carrick and make him the back-up, but I wouldn't be at all surprised if LVG goes with the versatile player solution you're talking about.

I'm not sure Gundogan is so good as a DM myself. I've only ever seen him doing well alongside somebody like Kehl or Bender who do more of the defensive reading and running.

Your spot on there. Gundogan is not a DM in any shape way or form. His defensive side is arguably the weakest part of his game. He is best driving from CM and has a really nice range of passing and offers really good creativity behind the attacking line.

Seen a few written articles calling him a defensive midfielder or a "German Carrick" and I'm not sure where or how those conclusions are being met.

TheDoc

M!Ck^ wrote: »

Blind hasn't been great @ DM position this season though when's he has gotten the chance.

@ LB he has shined.

While he hasn't reached his Ajax form(whilst I didn't see much off, the general consensus from Ajax viewers was he was sensational) I saw enough to know there is a good tactical astute and intelligent player in there.

I'd give him the massive benefit of the doubt with the injuries in the team when he was playing DM and how the team were clearly struggling with the Van Gaal way, not to mention also playing in that 3-5-2 early on.

Wouldn't be surprised if Van Gaal has Daley hanging on the coat tails of Carrick to learn as much as he can from him.

MagicIRL

If Blind had played DM all season long you would see Ajax form. Playing LB one week and DM the other does not help things along.

Pro. F

TheDoc wrote: »

You don't win player of the year in Holland, as a holding midfielder, without being exceptional.

What is it that makes you say that?

bangkok

blind as DM is meh, not good enough imo, very good player all the same and a great squad player for Man utd. Can play in both midfield and defence. If we are making a move for a midfielder in the summer and di Maria wants to leave (which looks 50-50 to me at the minute along with de gea) we wouldn't be too badly effected if we tried to include Bale as part of the de Gea deal and Verratti as part of the di Maria deal. We would probably be in a much stronger position than we are in right now

Lord TSC

pmasterson95 wrote: »

Should we maybe be thinking of English players aswell lads? Like can afford many more foreign players? The league has that homegrown rule when registering PL squads. How much leeway do we have in that sense?

https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/595877557607759873

Despite the fears of losing our way in the summer, United still have used the second most English players this season. Only QPR have used more. Think we'll be grand on the HG Rules.

Jones, Smalling, Rooney, Carrick, Shaw, Blackett, Lingard, Young and Wilson are 9 off the top of my head who'll all likely still be there next summer. As far as I know, we need 8 homegrown players.

(Not sure if the likes of McNair counts, but think he does, so he'd be 10).

adox

Blind has been just about alright. He has only filled in at lb a few times.

I would certainly be very disappointed if he was the replacement for Carrick. He would certainly be a couple of steps down.

He is slow. Its not a myth. he just isnt very pacey and gets run by very easily.

Decent player and nice to have around but certainly not good enough for such an important role in the team imo.

The Moldy Gowl

I read on the gaurdiann that Pirlo said he would like to leave if they win the champions leauge and would like to go to Spain or England to round off his career.

He could teach our players about philosophy and wine while on the bench. He would be excellent as a sub for closing out games or a back up along with carrick to the dm we will sign this year.
Or just pay him to be around the club so we get more gifs and pictures of him showing phils jones the difference in a white wine glass and a red wine glass.

KH25

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

Or just pay him to be around the club so we get more gifs and pictures of him showing phils jones the difference in a white wine glass and a red wine glass.

This part just made me burst out laughing in work.

MagicIRL

adox wrote: »

Blind has been just about alright. He has only filled in at lb a few times.

I would certainly be very disappointed if he was the replacement for Carrick. He would certainly be a couple of steps down.

He is slow. Its not a myth. he just isnt very pacey and gets run by very easily.

Decent player and nice to have around but certainly not good enough for such an important role in the team imo.

Did... did you just use a pace argument in favour of Michael Carrick? Have you taken a blow to the head recently?

Lucas Hood

Blind will get better I've no doubt about that. New team, new country, niggling injuries all season barely any pre season with world cup that can be hard for a player.

Godot.

What is it about RedCafe's obsession with Real Madrid? There's a thread about nearly every one of their players on the Transfer Forum. There are other football clubs in the world :pac:

Manutd_4life

Pogba's agent: "Real Madrid are a club that buy players like you buy a facecloth and then throws them away like a facecloth."

Shots fired

#DiMariaIsAFacecloth

The_Kew_Tour

Pro. F wrote: »

Nobody is saying he's done and dusted for fùck sake.

I was not speaking to you at all.

pmasterson95

Lord TSC wrote: »

https://twitter.com/OptaJoe/status/595877557607759873

Despite the fears of losing our way in the summer, United still have used the second most English players this season. Only QPR have used more. Think we'll be grand on the HG Rules.

Jones, Smalling, Rooney, Carrick, Shaw, Blackett, Lingard, Young and Wilson are 9 off the top of my head who'll all likely still be there next summer. As far as I know, we need 8 homegrown players.

(Not sure if the likes of McNair counts, but think he does, so he'd be 10).

Thats grand so

Liam O

Manutd_4life wrote: »

Pogba's agent: "Real Madrid are a club that buy players like you buy a facecloth and then throws them away like a facecloth."

Shots fired

#DiMariaIsAFacecloth

The same Pogba's agent who moved him on before his first 10 first team appearances and looks to be trying to do the same after a few more years? #JuveArePogbasFacecloth.

pmasterson95

I think Shaws injuries has affected Blind. A fully fit Shaw to nail down LB and Blind could then be given a chance really prosper in regular DM role. In a debut season at a new club in a new league after no preseason being shunted around LB/LWB/DMC definitely hindered him. A set spell in one position would help lest he just become an O'Shea/Phil Neville (nothing wrong with that mind that is excellent to have in a squad). I just think Blind is good enough to become a regular.

Pro. F

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I was not speaking to you at all.

It doesn't matter. Nobody suggested he's done and dusted.

The_Kew_Tour

Pro. F wrote: »

It doesn't matter. Nobody suggested he's done and dusted.

I never accused anybody of saying that.

We put that one to bed

Will I Amnt

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I never accused anybody of saying that.

We put that one to bed

Seems you can't make a simple statement around here anymore.

The Moldy Gowl

Will I Amnt wrote: »

Seems you can't make a simple statement around here anymore.

What did you say about my disabled black brother with one lung?

You're so insensitive.

The_Kew_Tour

Manutd_4life wrote: »

Pogba's agent: "Real Madrid are a club that buy players like you buy a facecloth and then throws them away like a facecloth."

Shots fired

#DiMariaIsAFacecloth

I reckon if Juve get to final or even win CL he might be tempted to stay where he is.

Will I Amnt

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

You're so insensitive.

Who the f*ck are you calling insensitive???

Pro. F

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I never accused anybody of saying that.

We put that one to bed

I think it's weird that you think your part of the conversation was unrelated to the previous bits of the conversartion.

Will I Amnt

Pro. F wrote: »

I think it's weird that you think your part of the conversation was unrelated to the previous bits of the conversartion.

He basically said he hopes Carrick has a few years left in him. You need to chill the f*ck out.

The_Kew_Tour

Pro. F wrote: »

I think it's weird that you think your part of the conversation was unrelated to the previous bits of the conversartion.

Sorry for you then.

Pro. F

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Sorry for you then.

Don't worry about it. The two of us see the conversation differently, but it's hardly important at this stage.

Pro. F

Will I Amnt wrote: »

Seems you can't make a simple statement around here anymore.

Will I Amnt wrote: »

He basically said he hopes Carrick has a few years left in him. You need to chill the f*ck out.

I'm not interested in your input Will.

Vertigo100

Jesus Christ on a bike this place is getting tougher going by the day and I only lurk around.

Manutd_4life

Top notch banter