Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2016 - Mod Warning link in OP 20/3

bucketybuck

My opinion of Felliani is that he is a microcosm of everything that is wrong with the club these days.

He is a good footballer with certain skills and certain weaknesses, in a properly functioning football team he would be a good asset to have and a good manager would be using him accordingly. A good manager might also have developed him a little, made him a better player and worked on those weaknesses.

Not at Van Gaals United though. At United we still have no idea what his best position is, his role changes from week to week, from central midfield to on the left to battering ram up front to the bench and back again. There is no plan there, there is no sign of progress, just like the club in general there is no ****ing idea what is supposed to be happening with this lad.

A hell of a lot of teams would love to have Felliani as a squad option, and good managers would know what they want from him, so criticising his performances at this junction is rather missing the point as to what is wrong with this club.

Its like complaining about the band on the titanic. Yes they are playing out of tune, but the manager just drove the ship into an iceberg so what did you expect...

beno619

secman wrote: »

And the same people defend him.

I genuinely don't get what he offers when we play him. I have acknowledged that we have many problems, particular in midfield. I do tend to pick on him more so, as he just stands out for all the wrong reasons for me. My opinion obviously, but there you go.

Some people just can't separate there irrational hate for players we've seen it before with Rafa, Nani, Welbeck etc.

On multiple occations this season Fellaini has been our best performer in midfield.

brinty

secman wrote: »

And the same people defend him.

I genuinely don't get what he offers when we play him. I have acknowledged that we have many problems, particular in midfield. I do tend to pick on him more so, as he just stands out for all the wrong reasons for me. My opinion obviously, but there you go.

Well said secman, I'm always having a pop at the big guy too as I just see nothing worthy of praising. People defended him last night cos he showed a bit of passion. Well tickle my balls and call me Sally. Its his job and that's the least he can do. The fact his most telling contribution was to smash Can with an elbow at the end of the game and charged about knocking guys over and should've been sent off before he ever elbowed Can is worthy of making comment and forming an opinion on. The fact this is not the first time he's elbowed someone recklessly at United (and countless times at Everton) is just not good enough. I'm a fan of the club I'm entitled to have an opinion on things. The same way I slate him people are also allowed to defend him.

Now tbf to him between Moyes and LVG he's never been given a definitive role of you're x or y and that is it, so I can why he's falling between so many stools. The fact he was thrown straight back into the team last night was ridiculous by LVG. Herrera has been one of the better performers recently and had been upping the tempo and speed of our movement and linking the defence and attack. Fellaini came straight in ahead of him and immediately slows everything down and provides no creativity link. Liverpool passed around him at will because he'd no idea where he was supposed to be or what he was supposed to do.

I never believed he was good enough for us when he signed, I still don't think he's good enough and see nothing to suggest he'll ever be good enough for us.

Unfortunately he's not the only player like that at the club and whomever comes in during the summer will need to make that call.

dixiefly

niallo27 wrote: »

Joking aside utd need to sort this ****. Liverpool stayed too long with souness and it all went tits up. Change now there is no room for sentiment

Agreed Niallo. Last night was horrendous and I agree with Scholesy when he said that they were a shambles.

For me Mourinho is not the answer, he may turn out to be but too many peripheral issues around him and, remember, he couldn't turn it around when things went tits up at Chelsea.

If I was in Woodward / Glaziers position I would create the position of director of football and earmark Hiddink for that role. Then appoint Mark Hughes in the manager's role. Hughes in asap until end of season and Hiddink in during the summer after he leaves Chelsea.

Martypants1

For all the flak Fellaini gets he actually played some nice balls forward in the second half, won us a free kick in a very threatening position and went close with a header. Everyone knows his limitations.

However, Memphis especially. FCUK! He plays well against some amateurs and then he can't even get a cross in v Liverpool in 90 mins. His attitude is apalling. He lost the ball every single time he got it and didn't even track back when he lost it in midfield. Just disgusting.

He scored 22 goals last year, 8 from free kicks. I think that says a lot. Heralded as a free kick specialist he hasn't done it once this season, not once all season. Last night a great opportunity and he sends it about 15 foot wide. The level of keeping in holland is embarrassing.

He was signed for 19m and there were 3 big clubs after him. Why did he only go for 19m when there was a mega rich club up against us? It's not the price a potential world class talent goes for these days.

He was being compared to Firminho earlier in the season when Firminho wasn't doing anything. Firminho started showing glimpses of what he could do though. Memphis has not done ANYTHING against any proper team this season. His performance v Arsenal was praised yet I don't remember him getting by Bellerin, or him creating a chance?

Send him to Ipswich on loan and let him drive to training in his Rolls Royce then.

Liam O

I'll go back to my rhetoric. Anyone want to discuss Schneiderlin's performance last night? What about Smalling? What about Memphis?

No? Just Fellaini? Strange.

Nearly all of United's best performances since LVG took over have been with Fellaini in the team. So much that last season against Chelsea, the questions being asked were how to stop him. Now he's not the best player in the world but neither is Yaya Toure and yet he gets called world class for playing a similar, if less vindictive game.

I'd say it's more players like Fellaini that United need. The reason it's him being discussed and not any of the others is because he didn't hide and never does. Through all the crap flung at him he's always stood up to be counted. You can't say that about one other player in the squad other than De Gea and maybe Rooney imo. For some reason yet, even though he convinced a manager who values the criteria that LVG goes for that he's worthy of a squad place, people online who don't watch the games make a joke about his hair and he's shìt again.

Martypants1

Liam O wrote: »

I'll go back to my rhetoric. Anyone want to discuss Schneiderlin's performance last night? What about Smalling? What about Memphis?

No? Just Fellaini? Strange.

Nearly all of United's best performances since LVG took over have been with Fellaini in the team. So much that last season against Chelsea, the questions being asked were how to stop him. Now he's not the best player in the world but neither is Yaya Toure and yet he gets called world class for playing a similar, if less vindictive game.

I'd say it's more players like Fellaini that United need. The reason it's him being discussed and not any of the others is because he didn't hide and never does. Through all the crap flung at him he's always stood up to be counted. You can't say that about one other player in the squad other than De Gea and maybe Rooney imo. For some reason yet, even though he convinced a manager who values the criteria that LVG goes for that he's worthy of a squad place, people online who don't watch the games make a joke about his hair and he's shìt again.

I agree. I thought Fellaini was ok last night.

Memphis and Mata were horrible. They didn't even try. Mata got bounced to the ground when he tried to tackle Sakho. He's on 140k a week and was captain and he disappeared when we really needed him.

Lord TSC

Before the match, BT said that when Mignolet was warming up, they were practicing with a guy jumping into him and crowding him, in preparation for Fellaini. Liverpool identified him as a threat. Of course, it might have helped if we ever got a corner, or free kick, or just a ball into the box....

jimmytwotimes 2013

Don't see Memphis making it at United. I know it is still his first season but he looks afraid of the physical stuff, he would probably flourish in Spain.

intellectual dosser

Liam O wrote: »

I'll go back to my rhetoric. Anyone want to discuss Schneiderlin's performance last night? What about Smalling? What about Memphis?

No? Just Fellaini? Strange.

Nearly all of United's best performances since LVG took over have been with Fellaini in the team. So much that last season against Chelsea, the questions being asked were how to stop him. Now he's not the best player in the world but neither is Yaya Toure and yet he gets called world class for playing a similar, if less vindictive game.

I'd say it's more players like Fellaini that United need. The reason it's him being discussed and not any of the others is because he didn't hide and never does. Through all the crap flung at him he's always stood up to be counted. You can't say that about one other player in the squad other than De Gea and maybe Rooney imo. For some reason yet, even though he convinced a manager who values the criteria that LVG goes for that he's worthy of a squad place, people online who don't watch the games make a joke about his hair and he's shìt again.

Fellaini was as useless as the rest in the first half, showed a bit of fight in the second and really put himself about.

Schneiderlin, I dont know where he's lost it, but his first touch was appalling.

Memphis - where do you start? It's not even just that he's ineffective, he's actually counterproductive to the team because he assumes authority over free kicks and set pieces that he cant deliver. He gets the ball and takes the man on (losing it) instead of going for quick passes. Providing we have a new manager over the summer, he's got until Christmas to prove his worth. Right now he's not fit to be a mascot.

The_Kew_Tour

I always get the feeling some of those Liverpool lads are happy when sick football chants are been song to get good dig in.

They are only giving these sick individuals what they want.

BTW it was utter stupidity and whoever was singing them should get life bans.

bucketybuck

Martypants1 wrote: »

I agree. I thought Fellaini was ok last night.

Memphis and Mata were horrible. They didn't even try. Mata got bounced to the ground when he tried to tackle Sakho. He's on 140k a week and was captain and he disappeared when we really needed him.

Thats Mata in a nutshell though, when the chips are down he isn't worth a ****.

bangkok

Pro. F wrote: »

So now you know to ignore the opnions of that journalist on football in future.

Direct from Sky Sports..

"I have to say Fellaini was one of the best players on the pitch," Van Gaal proclaimed after the defeat - cue social media eruption in amazement.
The imposing Belgian played in his usual abrasive style, and was a useful tool at the back when defending set-pieces, but otherwise he was a microcosm of United's lack of cohesion, and didn't seem to know where he was playing.

He was by no means the only weak link in the United side, but the stats hardly add any resonance to Van Gaal's claims. Fellaini won less than half of his duels, won only one tackle all game and lost the ball 20 times - the joint-most of any player of the pitch.
And the most damning stat of all - without Fellaini, United have won 68.4 per cent of their matches in all competitions since the Belgian's arrival at M16; with him in the side, it is a 34.6 per cent success rate. Ouch."

MagicIRL

It's just a case of players being bought and played in a multitude of positions. I mean, it can not be coincidence that Blind, Smalling and De Gea have been the most consistent players because they're in the same position week in, week out.

I can't help but feel if you played a back four of Valara - Smalling - Blind - Rojo every week, that consistency would follow. Similarly, if Schneiderlin and Carrick, for example, played every week, the midfield would actually be a unit that knows each other instead of this chop change bull**** we see every game.

That was one of the worst United performances I've had the misfortune of watching.

Oh, and would it be so much to ask to buy a winger that will go past a player and whip the ball in from the outside instead of trying and failing to cut in to the center over and over again?

bangkok

adox wrote: »

Oh look I found someone marking him down as a 7/10

http://www.irishmirror.ie/sport/soccer/soccer-news/liverpool-2-0-manchester-united-7535751

I'm linking a favourable rating for him to suit my agenda.

"Fellaini 5 Not popular at Anfield. Should have been sent off. Booked "

also 9 likes for that post, meaning no one even went in to check the ratings

intellectual dosser

MagicIRL wrote: »

It's just a case of players being bought and played in a multitude of positions. I mean, it can not be coincidence that Blind, Smalling and De Gea have been the most consistent players because they're in the same position week in, week out.

I can't help but feel if you played a back four of Valara - Smalling - Blind - Rojo every week, that consistency would follow. Similarly, if Schneiderlin and Carrick, for example, played every week, the midfield would actually be a unit that knows each other instead of this chop change bull**** we see every game.

That was one of the worst United performances I've had the misfortune of watching.

Oh, and would it be so much to ask to buy a winger that will go past a player and whip the ball in from the outside instead of trying and failing to cut in to the center over and over again?

Blind? Blind is awful.

I'm not even sure its because he's being played out of position because his passing and distribution from the back have been dreadful, something a midfielder should be half decent at.

Liam McPoyle

bangkok wrote: »

Unless you are blind he got a 5/10 in that article. Hard luck

"Fellaini 5 Not popular at Anfield. Should have been sent off. Booked "

Aside from DDG who played better than Fellaini last night?

bangkok

Business Cat wrote: »

Aside from DDG who played better than Fellaini last night?

nobody, they were all crap, fellaini has been crap for 3 seasons!!

jayo26

Business Cat wrote: »

No sign of Oranage yet lads?

United defeats without his take on proceedings just aren't the same.

I think I'm suffering from Stockholm Syndrome or summit.

I have no problems with oranage at least he is honest and never claimed to be a united fan. Id much prefer someone like him over a poster that says he is a united fan just so he can use the thread to talk lovingly of a rival team and manager.

Martypants1

bangkok wrote: »

nobody, they were all crap, fellaini has been crap for 3 seasons!!

Except without Fellaini we would be going for 3 years without qualifying for the Champions League in a row.

adox

bangkok wrote: »

"Fellaini 5 Not popular at Anfield. Should have been sent off. Booked "

also 9 likes for that post, meaning no one even went in to check the ratings

It was 7 when I linked it but they have changed it since.

You obviously missed the point of my post though.

Trigger

bangkok wrote: »

"Fellaini 5 Not popular at Anfield. Should have been sent off. Booked "

also 9 likes for that post, meaning no one even went in to check the ratings

It was 7 when I looked at it.. the write up was different too..

Did you write a strongly worded letter to them and ask for it to be changed?

Martypants1

A massive rebuild needs to take place this summer with Mourinho.

Basti, Carrick and Fellaini all need to be replaced. New left wing, new right wing and a decent back up striker needed. We need a world class CB and we'll probably have to replace DDG aswell.

That's 8 players.

I just can't understand how LVG decided to switch to 2 DMs this year and the only players who can play there with competence are Basti, Morgan and Carrick - 2 of which are on a massive decline. 3 players to cover 2 positions all year with more games? Idiotic. Why hasn't he even tried the 4-3-3?

Rob Thomas

bangkok wrote: »

Direct from Sky Sports..

"I have to say Fellaini was one of the best players on the pitch," Van Gaal proclaimed after the defeat - cue social media eruption in amazement.
The imposing Belgian played in his usual abrasive style, and was a useful tool at the back when defending set-pieces, but otherwise he was a microcosm of United's lack of cohesion, and didn't seem to know where he was playing.

He was by no means the only weak link in the United side, but the stats hardly add any resonance to Van Gaal's claims. Fellaini won less than half of his duels, won only one tackle all game and lost the ball 20 times - the joint-most of any player of the pitch.
And the most damning stat of all - without Fellaini, United have won 68.4 per cent of their matches in all competitions since the Belgian's arrival at M16; with him in the side, it is a 34.6 per cent success rate. Ouch."

Its a measure of how far things have fallen when the arguements are about whether players were useless or just plain bad.

Apart from DeGea everyone else was well below their best last night. Its irrelevant if Fellaini was better in the second half than the first, you cannot play a guy in midfield who loses the ball as often as he does. Fair enough if some think he has a role as a target man (I don't, worst header of the ball I've ever seen for his height), but VanGal doesn't play him in that position anymore and he never really got into the box to compete for crosses last night. And his lack of discipline is shocking for a professional. And all that is nothing new for him.

Regardless of what anyone thinks of Fellaini and his worth elsewhere on the pitch, it has to be accepted by anyone with even a basic view on professional soccer, that he is simply not good enough to play as a central midfielder at any level. The problem is the manager who insists on playing him there.

Mata going missing in important games is nothing new, Carrick hiding is nothing new, Memphis being worse than very ordinary is nothing new. It happens all the time, I don't expect any different.

I've watched Utd for 30 years and they have been good and bad in that time. Everyone takes the wins with the losses and the absolute domination under Fergie is gone forever, I can accept that. I can also accept that some signings which look good initially don't work out - Schneiderlin etc.

But I can't excuse a team that simply doesn't try or a manager who wont change something that's clearly not working.

I'm sure Mata will write on his blog today about how disappointed they are and they must do better - I'm sick of the excuses mate.

Liam O

Martypants1 wrote: »

A massive rebuild needs to take place this summer with Mourinho.

Basti, Carrick and Fellaini all need to be replaced. New left wing, new right wing and a decent back up striker needed. We need a world class CB and we'll probably have to replace DDG aswell.

That's 8 players.

I just can't understand how LVG decided to switch to 2 DMs this year and the only players who can play there with competence are Basti, Morgan and Carrick - 2 of which are on a massive decline. 3 players to cover 2 positions all year with more games? Idiotic. Why hasn't he even tried the 4-3-3?

You're right, Herrera and Schneiderlin need to go too. Just buy Reus and get Rafael back and CM would be sorted.

Maximus Alexander

Rob Thomas wrote: »

I'm sure Mata will write on his blog today about how disappointed they are and they must do better - I'm sick of the excuses mate.

How would that be an excuse?

bangkok

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/marouane-fellaini-elbow-manchester-united-midfielder-could-face-uefa-investigation-after-emre-can-a6924641.html

I missed that last night. Sums him up really. Cowardly. hopefully sold in the summer

Liam O

United do not have a 68% win without Fellaini over the last 3 years do they? Given how many games he's missed that would be league winning form! I smell bullshít stats.

Rob Thomas

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

How would that be an excuse?

Maybe empty promises is a better phrase!!

"Unfortunately, we are still going through complicated moments. I know that you don’t need to read more posts like this one, or more words from me or my team-mates trying to explain every game. I know that you need wins, and obviously we need them too. But I take this weekly encounter with you to tell you that I’m sure things are going to change"

From his blog two weeks ago.

I'm just frustrated with the whole mentality around those players. Carrick comes out after games and says we must do better as well - but these are the guys who are supposed to drive the team every week and their own performances are cowardly. The best performance recently was Arsenal and it was all young players who played with a bit of committment and pride.

Liam O

bangkok wrote: »

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/european/marouane-fellaini-elbow-manchester-united-midfielder-could-face-uefa-investigation-after-emre-can-a6924641.html

I missed that last night. Sums him up really. Cowardly. hopefully sold in the summer

That's a forearm. In a jostle at Fellaini's shoulder height. It's funny because it winds up Liverpool fans. Nothing in it though Can tried to make it look like he was knocked out cold.

bangkok

Liam O wrote: »

That's a forearm. In a jostle at Fellaini's shoulder height. It's funny because it winds up Liverpool fans. Nothing in it though Can tried to make it look like he was knocked out cold.

lol at trying to defend that. Seriously like

Lord TSC

Wouldn't be advocating selling anyone right now. We need to add more players, and there's a fair few who are underpreforming, not that they are poor in general. A manager who can motivate players could do a whole lot more with the players there than LVG, and looking to add 3 top level players should be the goal. Not another clearout again.

Flint Fredstone

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

I always get the feeling some of those Liverpool lads are happy when sick football chants are been song to get good dig in.

The same few posters every time. Anything for a good old whinge or a collective swipe, and no, I'm not making light of what happened, I just know a lot of that outrage is formulated and coming from the wrong place.

Cookie_Dough

If Fellaini's performance was considered poor by many,. (I personally thought he played okay) does that not say more about how poor everybody else played?

Everybody looks tired, sloppy and disinterested. Many misplaced passes, long balls to nowhere and general sluggishness. I was very disappointed as I thought the players would be up to it and raise their game. De Gea is the only one I would pick out as putting in a good performance.

LvG totally baffled me with his "tactical" formation change in the second half too. I'm bitterly disappointed and deflated but not surprised really.

Incidentally I didn't even notice Lingard wasn't playing until I saw an article about him watching in the away stand. Forgot entirely that he was suspended!

jayo26

Liam O wrote: »

That's a forearm. In a jostle at Fellaini's shoulder height. It's funny because it winds up Liverpool fans. Nothing in it though Can tried to make it look like he was knocked out cold.

It was a nasty attempt at an elbow no other way to describe it. It's something Fellaini is known for and one of the worst things you can do on football pitch.

Rob Thomas

Lord TSC wrote: »

Wouldn't be advocating selling anyone right now. We need to add more players, and there's a fair few who are underpreforming, not that they are poor in general. A manager who can motivate players could do a whole lot more with the players there than LVG, and looking to add 3 top level players should be the goal. Not another clearout again.

Agree with this to a point, the squad definitely suffered for letting too many players go last year. But at the same time, while getting players in has to be the priority, there is no point keeping dead weight either if it stops you buying a better squad player. But its right that we need to focus more on getting the numbers up, and we need players who are ready for the first team. There's probably enough youth and potential in the squad that has to be nursed through the first team properly for the next couple of seasons.

I think United need 5-7 players though

Ordinary man

I wouldn't read much into that fellaini incident based on can's reaction. All game the Liverpool players were looking to go down with minimal contact. Pity it was only coutinho who was caught for it

bucketybuck

Rob Thomas wrote: »

there is no point keeping dead weight either

Somebody tell Woodward this...

Liam O

bangkok wrote: »

lol at trying to defend that. Seriously like

Your mates Keane and Scholes weren't adverse to similar moves. Is it ok to justify that because they were better than Fellaini or is it only wrong when he does it?

Rob Thomas

Liam O wrote: »

That's a forearm. In a jostle at Fellaini's shoulder height. It's funny because it winds up Liverpool fans. Nothing in it though Can tried to make it look like he was knocked out cold.

He knows exactly what he is doing. He's not going to smash anyone with an elbow, he's not a complete moron (?), he just holds back enough to make it a grey area when its reviewed. Like the GAA players who push and shove, no one gets sent off if they don't throw a punch.

Unacceptable IMO, and he deserves a ban for it. I think his previous will work against him too.

sky88

Lord TSC wrote: »

Wouldn't be advocating selling anyone right now. We need to add more players, and there's a fair few who are underpreforming, not that they are poor in general. A manager who can motivate players could do a whole lot more with the players there than LVG, and looking to add 3 top level players should be the goal. Not another clearout again.

i think if a new manager is going to come in theres going to be a major overhaul again.

I think carrick is done and needs be let go retire in the sunshine in america. He was a great player but now cant keep up with the pace of the game at all. Can see basti staying for some experience as the squad is so young.

There is the making of a good team and squad but van gaal or the players not buying into his ideas is the problem.

Kerrydude1981

Thought the the boys in the studio got it spot on last night

Your Airbag

Lord TSC wrote: »

Before the match, BT said that when Mignolet was warming up, they were practicing with a guy jumping into him and crowding him, in preparation for Fellaini. Liverpool identified him as a threat. Of course, it might have helped if we ever got a corner, or free kick, or just a ball into the box....

Fellaini had our best chance with a header when he was in the box and we crossed the ball into him.

Martypants1

Liam O wrote: »

You're right, Herrera and Schneiderlin need to go too. Just buy Reus and get Rafael back and CM would be sorted.

deaddonkey15

Just read that United didn't win a single corner last night. Unbelievable.

Your Airbag

bucketybuck wrote: »

Somebody tell Woodward this...

The manager is in charge of cutting the squad. The manager ships out who he wants, LVG wanted a smaller squad but shipped out too many good players and replaced them with inferior players.

Woodward gets the go ahead from the manager of who he wants to buy and sell.

Lord TSC

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

Just read that United didn't win a single corner last night. Unbelievable.

No. No, sadly, it's not....

Liam O

Rob Thomas wrote: »

He knows exactly what he is doing. He's not going to smash anyone with an elbow, he's not a complete moron (?), he just holds back enough to make it a grey area when its reviewed. Like the GAA players who push and shove, no one gets sent off if they don't throw a punch.

Unacceptable IMO, and he deserves a ban for it. I think his previous will work against him too.

His previous? When was his last sending off/ban for elbows?

RobertKK

Our defense is too weak, which is where I think all our problems stem from. We need a top class central defender.
Then a prolific striker/winger, need a right winger especially.

Maybe we go and get Zlatan for upfront and a mew right winger...Mahrez, Bale????
But we need a central defender very badly at this stage. It was a huge mistake last summer not to buy a central defender, pursued Ramos which said we needed a central defender but then we buy no one.


Going back to my original point, I think the team has to be more defensive due to the poor defense we have. Yes we have one of the best defenses in the league in terms of not conceding but I think that is also why we don't score enough.
The team plays too defensively to cover up a poor defense.

Cantona's Collars

Flint Fredstone wrote: »

The same few posters every time. Anything for a good old whinge or a collective swipe, and no, I'm not making light of what happened, I just know a lot of that outrage is formulated and coming from the wrong place.

Outrage for the sake of it as usual.This stuff happens every time these clubs meet.City do it about Munich,Liverpool do aswell yet you don't see page after page of self righteous handwringing from United fans.
Self pity as usual,they cant even celebrate beating their fiercest rivals without being obsessed about them and a few morons chanting.BTW the "Murderers" chant was always about Heysel,it was never about Hillsborough yet somehow that has been twisted to suit an agenda-not saying it is right to chant about dead fans just putting out a fact.

It was louder last night as an 8pm kick off gives fans a chance to get tanked up and that along with watching a rubbish United display is going to lead to many more getting caught up in the moment and join in-it is a tribal thing,football fans chant bad things.It happens.