Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2017

newballsplease

He must rest most of the team on Saturday.
I'd expect to see Ashley Young start, Fellaini, Schweinstieger hopefully,Romero, Rashford.

What's happening with Luke Shaw?

jayo26

newballsplease wrote: »

He must rest most of the team on Saturday.
I'd expect to see Ashley Young start, Fellaini, Schweinstieger hopefully,Romero, Rashford.

What's happening with Luke Shaw?

Luke has still got an injury I think.

Trigger

https://twitter.com/_pauljoyce/status/816192631654981633

I'd say this will be done before the week is out.. don't they have a few heading off to ACON

sky88

Think Rashford has the potential to be the long term striker for united. i wouldnt be paying out crazy money for harry kane.

Leroy42

Just a question, though not specifically MU related.

Why is the ACN allowed to go ahead in the middle of the key times for major leagues? It seems totally skewed that teams lose players for a month during the season.

I get it for qualifiers etc as basically the whole league closes down, but for only one group of players?

jayo26

Leroy42 wrote: »

Just a question, though not specifically MU related.

Why is the ACN allowed to go ahead in the middle of the key times for major leagues? It seems totally skewed that teams lose players for a month during the season.

I get it for qualifiers etc as basically the whole league closes down, but for only one group of players?

Because the African leagues are on off season and it suits them. If european clubs want to use African players they have to accept their national competition its as simple as that.

sReq | uTeK

RobertKK wrote: »

Rumour is Jose wants Harry Kane as the long term replacement for Ibrahimovic, rumour has the price tag at £80 million.

I like Kane, I think he's an extremely intelligent player who will run all day long. Actually I think he's the closest thing to Zlatan as a 9 in the league.

However, he does like to drop back a bit more than Zlatan. but I wouldn't worry about that because if you had Rashford/Miki/Martial/Mata behind him they could all go forward to compensate when he drops back.

Christ its exciting times ahead.

it's good to see that the people on here like Buck/Jayop/ who were confident things would come together under Jose have been proved right.

People underestimate how hard it was to remove 3 years of horribly inept coaching.

Last thing, it wasn't a great performance but against a 10 man wall, 48 hours after a tough match its always going to be a slog. The point is we got the job done.

duffman13

Leroy42 wrote: »

Just a question, though not specifically MU related.

Why is the ACN allowed to go ahead in the middle of the key times for major leagues? It seems totally skewed that teams lose players for a month during the season.

I get it for qualifiers etc as basically the whole league closes down, but for only one group of players?

The main reason is the weather, in summer here it can be extremely hot in parts of Africa and really wet in other parts so makes it more difficult in selecting countries to host etc.

You buy an African player you know you lose him for a month, I think Fergie mentioned not buying African players for this reason however it's not really sustainable anymore.

sReq | uTeK

Crimson King wrote: »

I just expected a lot more from him he is still extremely young bu the talent he displayed to beat players in his breakout year was amazing. I just don't think he has progressed, but that's just my opinion. Still lots of time of course.

I agree, I think players have breakout years, then don't do as well. But I think the unknown helps them.

These days as Jose pointed to, after a game footage is analyzed intensely. Players and there patterns and the software used these days for data analytics and prediction is beyond belief.

These days before a game your opponents and their players are so widely analyzed and you players been prepped heavily on how to defend or how to exploit their weaknesses.

It's the players that adapt to this and keep on doing the job that are truly great.

Good Morning Folks

RobertKK

astradave wrote: »

Where's the rumour coming from?

Calcio Mercato.

Liam McPoyle

M!Ck^ wrote: »

Good Morning Folks

Its about time we replaced Webb tbh.

jayo26

That fan that received the cpr in the stand yesterday has passed away just announced by the club. in all our joy it is a sad time for his family RIP

duffman13

The United fan who was getting medical attention in the away end yesterday passed away. Kind of puts things into perspective, Its horrible hearing things like this happening

jayo26

Rod Munch wrote: »

Its about time we replaced Webb tbh.

We will do well to hold onto him this transfer window he is going to be in demand.

Mitch Connor

Dean has been a crap ref for us for a long time. One bad game in United's favour and people calling for him to be sacked. Why did Lee Mason not get similar crap when he disallowed Ibrahimovic's goal for him getting hit by Valdes? Who was the ref that disallowed Mata's onside goal? United have suffered rubbish decisions all season - the standard of reffing in general is terrible - but United benefit and all of a sudden people should be sacked. Absolute BS.

Mitch Connor

Don't expect United to do anything during this window - the Lindhoff deal appears to have been killed by Rojo and Jones playing well (though I would still see Rojo in particular as an utter liability).

Also, given how important Carrick has become (painfully obvious from the start of the season and infuriating it took so long for Jose to start playing him) I would like to see us plan for replacing him - someone who can play behind Pogba and Herrera and allow them to play to their best, while also being a great outlet for the defence and link to the attacking players.

jayo26

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Dean has been a crap ref for us for a long time. One bad game in United's favour and people calling for him to be sacked. Why did Lee Mason not get similar crap when he disallowed Ibrahimovic's goal for him getting hit by Valdes? Who was the ref that disallowed Mata's onside goal? United have suffered rubbish decisions all season - the standard of reffing in general is terrible - but United benefit and all of a sudden people should be sacked. Absolute BS.

If we were still way off the top four people wouldn't care so it's only a good thing.

RobertKK

I was at a concert in Croke Park last year, saw St John of God, the gardai escorting a doctor to someone in the stadium, a while later they all left.
Next day heard it was a local from my area who had died from an underlying known heart condition, who was in their 20s. What happened yesterday reminded me of it.
Sad for the family and friends, and for the people who were around when the person took ill to hear this. Presume it was a heart condition again.

RobertKK

Some think Mike Dean got confused given United were dressed like Spurs

https://twitter.com/blackscarfafc/status/814238967407267840

RobertKK

Seems if you edit it doesn't embed...

https://twitter.com/blackscarfafc/status/814238967407267840

Lord TSC

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Dean has been a crap ref for us for a long time. One bad game in United's favour and people calling for him to be sacked. Why did Lee Mason not get similar crap when he disallowed Ibrahimovic's goal for him getting hit by Valdes? Who was the ref that disallowed Mata's onside goal? United have suffered rubbish decisions all season - the standard of reffing in general is terrible - but United benefit and all of a sudden people should be sacked. Absolute BS.

In fairness, he absolutely did. He'll benefit from the fact his mistakes could only fester for a day or two, and so people have moved on now, plus Dean's preformance being on the back of Mason's means the anger was already there and has thus grown. But there was plenty of discussion online about his dreadful performance, and I read a few journalists calling for him to get a temporary demotion because of it.

Hococop

PSG signed draxler for €36 million apparently

jayo26

Alan Smith to be named Notts County caretaker manager.

TheDoc

Mitch Connor wrote: »

òk, so metro... lolers.

No way would 80million get you Kane. Its Spurs, its Kane, and the transfer market has moved on since they got more than that for Bale (and United apparently offered even more than they sold him for). You'd be looking at 100million or more to buy him

Assuming Martial or Rashford don't develop into leading strikers for a club with our ambition, I'll bang that Lukaku drum again.

Everton won't be getting into the CL anytime soon, and Lukaku is likely to force a move through this coming summer or next. Could be gotten for decent money I'd imagine for a striker who is clearly on a path of elite striker.

Mitch Connor

I go hot and cold on Lukaku - his lead the line play is inconsistent/poor. He can be a powerful player and great finisher but I don't think he brings others into the game well enough. Same criticism I would have leveled at him at Chelsea, and why they let him go.

Crimson King

Lord TSC wrote: »

and I read a few journalists calling for him to get a temporary demotion because of it.

This point here, whilst understandable I can see why Clattenburg would be tempted to move for big money to China. Might as well get paid for a no win job. As poor a ref i think he is, he does have a certain 'brand' that they crave now. Meanwhile the real issue is not being addressed, and how bad refs are and have been for some time. They clearly need help.

Yesterday's goal line clearance is a perfect example of how technology helps refs. No disruption in play and he called the decision instantly. How Val actually missed it I still don't understand but hey it happens.

TheDoc

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Don't expect United to do anything during this window - the Lindhoff deal appears to have been killed by Rojo and Jones playing well (though I would still see Rojo in particular as an utter liability).

Also, given how important Carrick has become (painfully obvious from the start of the season and infuriating it took so long for Jose to start playing him) I would like to see us plan for replacing him - someone who can play behind Pogba and Herrera and allow them to play to their best, while also being a great outlet for the defence and link to the attacking players.

Crimson King

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I go hot and cold on Lukaku - his lead the line play is inconsistent/poor. He can be a powerful player and great finisher but I don't think he brings others into the game well enough. Same criticism I would have leveled at him at Chelsea, and why they let him go.

I agree, his goal conversion rate is very good and he still has potential but sometimes he takes an age to make a decision and meanwhile the ball is nipped from him whilst he tries to decide who to pass to. Saying all that I would love to see him ply for United to see what Jose can do with him.

MagicIRL

Choo Choo Toni Kroos, choo choo.

sReq | uTeK

Hococop wrote: »

PSG signed draxler for €36 million apparently

They also signed Ben Arfa......who apparently has been tearing it up for Nice last year.

TheDoc

Mitch Connor wrote: »

I go hot and cold on Lukaku - his lead the line play is inconsistent/poor. He can be a powerful player and great finisher but I don't think he brings others into the game well enough. Same criticism I would have leveled at him at Chelsea, and why they let him go.

That can be learned though, at 23, he has A LOT of learning and improving to do. The fact he has consistently banged in the goals, arguably the harder part to teach or learn (and some would argue you can either do it or you can't) I'd say there is still **** tonnes of potential there.

Although I kinda just rule it out now considering Mourinho is our manager.

I'd like to see maybe Martial or Rashford getting more opportunities up front, but clearly they are going to be few or far between.

Also very much depends on how Ibra goes for the second half of the season. Unfortunately when your dealing with players his age, regardless of talent, it can be a quick fall of the cliff as we have seen plenty of times before.

If Ibrahimovic just couldn't hack it next season, is Martial or Rashford ready to lead the line for a team with title ambitions? I'd probably say no.

So I hope we don't blindly walk into a bit of a problem next season(although, that is next seasons problems, I preached early on only a fool writes of Zlatan)

TheDoc

MagicIRL wrote: »

Choo Choo Toni Kroos, choo choo.

I wonder if that Pogba transfer has changed everything for us. Obviously only time will tell, but for so long we missed out to the big three, I've been wondering if maybe we will really start to flex our muscles in future windows and acquire the ready made talent Mourinho is so good at identifying.

He has such a good track record in the transfer market, and is arguably a master at building teams from scouting.

The sort of players that I'd only dream about acquiring through adversity of obscure circumstances, all of a sudden after Pogba, the potential and options seem much more limitless now

MagicIRL

I've wanted Toni in the midfield ever since you first started banging on about him :P

Ideal man to replace Carrick.

TheDoc

By the by, probably worth obviously pointing out I'm clearly back posting after my miniture meltdown. I miss the interaction and its tough just reading and not contributing or posting, I cannot tell you how hard it was sometimes with some posts I strongly disagreed with.

I'll just make concerted effort not to mention Mourinho in a way so that "agenda" thing I was painted with doesn't resurface.

I'll state for the record, that I still hold my beliefs and opinions that I had at the time, to be honest feel a bit vindicated considering what's happened since, and happy to see things are going well for him and the team.

TheDoc

MagicIRL wrote: »

I've wanted Toni in the midfield ever since you first started banging on about him :P

Ideal man to replace Carrick.

If he wins the CL or Spanish title this year, could easily see him looking to move. His move from Bayern signalled he is one of those players that wants to test himself and when he feels he has achieved everything, maybe looks for a new challenge.

Although with a new contract signed a few months ago, possible that won't ever materialise which is a massive shame.

Kevin Strootman is one worth keeping tabs on. He has made a good return from his injuries and from a few Roma games I've caught seems to be recapturing that form that was getting him linked with us in the first place.

His contract expires next summer too

When he was firing on all cyclinders, he was about the closest thing I'd seen to Kroos, although Strootman was stronger on the defensive side in terms of his tackling and bite. Passing range wasn't as good as Kroos, but then few are.

jayo26

Is it just me or does No1 else think Kroos is completely different to Carrick? Kroos is more of a adventurous midfielder then Carrick he is lethal at passing the ball around and had a great long shot on him but he is noway disapline enough to sit in front of a back four and protect them.

Now if I was to get anyone from Madrid id say cassimero has good qualities and is been overlooked by Madrid alot This season.

jimmytwotimes 2013

I think Kroos goes sideways a lot more than carrick.

Carrick won't be easily replaced. His reading of the game is excellent and he has the guts to pass forwards between opposing midfielders. Plenty of midfielders won't take those passes on but carrick does. He turns the opposition midfield and gets United up the pitch more quickly.

eagle eye

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

They also signed Ben Arfa......who apparently has been tearing it up for Nice last year.

They signed Ben Arfa in the summer.

eagle eye

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

I think Kroos goes sideways a lot more than carrick.

Carrick won't be easily replaced. His reading of the game is excellent and he has the guts to pass forwards between opposing midfielders. Plenty of midfielders won't take those passes on but carrick does. He turns the opposition midfield and gets United up the pitch more quickly.

Carrick is like a fine wine, he has gotten better with age. He has a lot more to his game now than he did 10 years ago. He reads the game so well and his distribution has gotten better.

sky88

honestly think kroos comes no were close to carrick as a player and i wouldnt be the biggest carrick fan. ive never seen the big deal with Kroos.

crkball6

jimmytwotimes 2013 wrote: »

His reading of the game is excellent and he has the guts to pass forwards between opposing midfielders. Plenty of midfielders won't take those passes on but carrick does

I think this more down to how he was managed most of his career.
United players have always been encouraged to take risks as long as the risk was an attempt to try to do something positive.

Other managers of other teams would lambast you for attempting and failing the same pass. so it's his natural instinct now to always be positive.

vicwatson

In other news regarding the match yesterday, the Man U fan that was been given cpr at our home ground yesterday for most of the second half, sadly passed away. RIP fellow football fan

cournioni

Carrick is a bit of a myth in my opinion. Having seen him play, I don't really think he offers a great deal more than protection of the defense. He was very poor against Sunderland. He played okay last night but again, United improved once he left the midfield role.

I think Herrera will play there in time.

sky88

i like carrick and think he is playing well but the myth with him is that we only play well when he plays. i think our run has coincided with the change to the 3 man midfield which has benefited carrick, ander and especially pogba.

Mitch Connor

sky88 wrote: »

i like carrick and think he is playing well but the myth with him is that we only play well when he plays. i think our run has coincided with the change to the 3 man midfield which has benefited carrick, ander and especially pogba.

put schneiderlin or Fellaini in the same position as Carrick and we haven't performed as well. Carrick has done best in that position, also allowing Herrera and Pogba to be better.

At this stage we can probably improve on Carrick - I don't specifically know who - but Fellaini and Schneiderlin aren't going to do it.

sky88

Mitch Connor wrote: »

put schneiderlin or Fellaini in the same position as Carrick and we haven't performed as well. Carrick has done best in that position, also allowing Herrera and Pogba to be better.

At this stage we can probably improve on Carrick - I don't specifically know who - but Fellaini and Schneiderlin aren't going to do it.

While i agree with you on felani and morgan although morgan hasnt had much of a chance this season at all. im one of those who would like blind to be tried there. Againist boro i dont think he was missed to much and ander did a fine job there. if he retires at the end of the season i dont think it will be a huge task to replace him and would be fully confident jose would get the right replacement

TheDoc

sky88 wrote: »

honestly think kroos comes no were close to carrick as a player and i wouldnt be the biggest carrick fan. ive never seen the big deal with Kroos.

All I can really say to that is watch him as much as you can?

I guess I fell in love with him when he arrived on the scene with Bayern. I had a phase (kids have somewhat curbed it) where I'd watch all the big teams play through the week, Bayern, Real, Barca, obviously ourselves and then some other games in the PL.

Kroos just freaked me out. I wasn't sure what he was, but he was the closest thing to Scholes in terms of passing I'd seen. The way he strikes the ball was so distinctive.

I don't think it's bias, I just massively rate him. I get the feeling a lot of people catch the odd game of Real here or there, maybe the Classico and the odd CL game and come the conclusion he is nothing special, or that Modric is better.

Granted they are two different players, but you watch Kroos enough, you realise that he is one of the best CM's in the world. He isn't an all rounder, he is weak at some stuff, but more then makes up for it with what he does well.

He just purely dictates games. He knows when to slow it down, he knows when to speed it up. He'll retain possession but just always be aware of whats happening and then bang, he hits a perfect through ball or crossfield ball and turns a defence. He is never panicked. Seen so many teams try to harry him and he just deals with anything thrown at him.

Is he a Pogba style CM that is going to explode up and down and dribble past people and push them off the ball? No, but how many all round box to box CM's exist these days?

Depends what the team needs. If it needs a ball winning dynamo sitting at the base of the midfield like a Kante or something, then Kroos is not that. But if we need someone to start off the attacks, to control games and to just be the brain the middle, then Kroos is that, and there is few better, if any.

Like I guess there is a reason Scholes frequently mentions him, and has been quoted as saying he is one of his favourite players to watch, and Cryuff frequently commented that he was baffled how the Balon Dor worked, in that Kroos was so frequently one of the best players in the world never receiving recognition.

But I guess that might be where opinion comes into it. I'd believe Kroos would be an immeasurable upgrade on Carrick and would be a wonderful addition to our midfield.

I do think that sooner rather then later, Jose is going to have to invest big in that midfield. You have Pogba, what a weapon, so why stop building what could be an unbelievable engine room to the team. Herrera is doing well, but I'm yet to be 100% convinced he is someone that can't be upgraded significantly. And Carrick, well without going into my personal affinities for him, he is clearly someone who needs replacing.

TheDoc

jayo26 wrote: »

Is it just me or does No1 else think Kroos is completely different to Carrick? Kroos is more of a adventurous midfielder then Carrick he is lethal at passing the ball around and had a great long shot on him but he is noway disapline enough to sit in front of a back four and protect them.

Now if I was to get anyone from Madrid id say cassimero has good qualities and is been overlooked by Madrid alot This season.

What do you mean when you say overlooked?

He is definitely not being overlooked by Zidane, who rates him massively.

He is "possibly" overlooked by Madrid fans, but they are typically braindead when it comes to appreciating good disclipined midfielders (The fact they've given some **** to Kroos for not scoring goals is just symptomatic of their sense of entitlement from the Galactico era)

He is definitely not being overlooked in the general Spanish viewership of the game either, earning plenty of plaudits for the platform he provides that team.

Overlooked maybe in the sense the world and it's mother isn't raving about him. I don't think he's the best DM walking the planet or anything, he is a pretty decent player, but I don't think DM's ever really get the recognition they deserve, but I'd say he is getting a fair share of the plaudits from where it matters?

ollkiller

cournioni wrote: »

Carrick is a bit of a myth in my opinion. Having seen him play, I don't really think he offers a great deal more than protection of the defense. He was very poor against Sunderland. He played okay last night but again, United improved once he left the midfield role.

I think Herrera will play there in time.

Since he has come back into the team we have gone on an amazing run. He offers way more than protection of the defence. His passing is a joy to watch, the way he gets it forward fast is key to our recent success. I can't fathom how people underestimate him the whole time. And he's getting better with age.