Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2018 pt. 2

Adamcp898

Lord TSC wrote: »

Hmm, apparently Spurs already use the "away" dressing rooms cause The home one is more for the England team as the home team, or something

At the time they took the lease the FA at the time wouldn't allow them to revamp and redecorate the home dressing room because everything was in place for the national side. Same with not allowing them to change the pitch.

bangkok

Ronaldo with just the 4 goals tonight

Andrew Beef

Why do people think that Europe’s big clubs would be interested in Pogba at £90m+?

Is it because of his marketability?

Because it’s not on the basis of his performances at United which have been abject in the main.

yabadabado

Andrew Beef wrote: »

Why do people think that Europe’s big clubs would be interested in Pogba at £90m+?

Is it because of his marketability?

Because it’s not on the basis of his performances at United which have been abject in the main.

He is a hugely talented 25 year old player. Has the best years ahead of him and has shown what he is capable of.

Don't want to see him sold but I'd expect the fee to be at least what United paid.

Andrew Beef

yabadabado wrote: »

Andrew Beef wrote: »

Why do people think that Europe’s big clubs would be interested in Pogba at £90m+?

Is it because of his marketability?

Because it’s not on the basis of his performances at United which have been abject in the main.

He is a hugely talented 25 year old player. Has the best years ahead of him and has shown what he is capable of.

Don't want to see him sold but I'd expect the fee to be at least what United paid.

But he’s had two poor seasons in a row. Yes he did well in Italy, but that’s a joke league as evidenced by Arsenal’s humiliation of AC Milan.

If some gullible club are willing to pay £90m for Pogba, we should take their arm off.

I just don’t see it though; how can he not be worth less than £90m when he’s now older and failing at United?

VW 1

Was at the game yesterday, first one bringing my four year old to OT who is united crazy. Spent the whole warm up with his jaw open seeing the players, despite the cold he loved every second of it. Wasnt happy with Shaw and Mata getting subbed, but loved that Lukaku scored a goal, they are his three fave players.

Had to carry him back to the tram cos his feet and legs were numb with the cold.

Did the stadium tour this morning and he was really in his element. Took a pic with nearly ecery shirt in the dressing room.

Wants to know can we move to manchester so we can see them play every week.

We often piss and moan about performances and results but seeing the wonder and love through the innocence of a kids eyes is truly magical.

A picture from last night pre-kick off.

https://ibb.co/ehbucx

Lord TSC

Andrew Beef wrote: »

But he’s had two poor seasons in a row. Yes he did well in Italy, but that’s a joke league as evidenced by Arsenal’s humiliation of AC Milan.

If some gullible club are willing to pay £90m for Pogba, we should take their arm off.

I just don’t see it though; how can he not be worth less than £90m when he’s now older and failing at United?

He's had a bad few weeks and people are writing him off as being a €50m sale at best :rolleyes:

One, he won't go anywhere. United won't want to lose that level of player. But two, if he does go, it won't be for below €100m, and will be round €150m easy if it's to PSG.

Alf Veedersane

Andrew Beef wrote: »

But he’s had two poor seasons in a row. Yes he did well in Italy, but that’s a joke league as evidenced by Arsenal’s humiliation of AC Milan.

If some gullible club are willing to pay £90m for Pogba, we should take their arm off.

I just don’t see it though; how can he not be worth less than £90m when he’s now older and failing at United?

Even in the brief time he's been at United, the transfer market has changed. More money, bigger transfers. It's why Sigurdsson cost Everton £50 million.

Even if his value has gone down, it's gone up

GSPfan

Lord TSC wrote: »

He's had a bad few weeks and people are writing him off as being a €50m sale at best :rolleyes:

One, he won't go anywhere. United won't want to lose that level of player. But two, if he does go, it won't be for below €100m, and will be round €150m easy if it's to PSG.

Dead right. It’s funny we get linked to Ronaldo and Bale who’s price are touted at around €100 million euro but Pogba is somehow lucky to fetch €50 million. Ronaldo is the wrong side of 30 and Bale plays more games of golf than football.
I don’t care how inconsistent he is I wouldn’t sell him at all. An equal or better replacement would cost as much.

bangkok

Andrew Beef wrote: »

But he’s had two poor seasons in a row. Yes he did well in Italy, but that’s a joke league as evidenced by Arsenal’s humiliation of AC Milan.

If some gullible club are willing to pay £90m for Pogba, we should take their arm off.

I just don’t see it though; how can he not be worth less than £90m when he’s now older and failing at United?

AC Milan are not even in top 5 teams in italy, just like arsenal in england.

Also if you dont think pogba is worth 90m, you dont know the transfer market

Turtwig

Juventus, Napoli, Roma would all give any EPL side a hell of a game.

Please stop buying into this ridiculous prejudice that English fans perpetuate. Football outside England is NOT all inferior. The Serie A isn't a joke league.

VW 1

Turtwig wrote: »

Juventus, Napoli, Roma would all give any EPL side a hell of a game.

Please stop buying into this ridiculous prejudice that English fans perpetuate. Football outside England is NOT all inferior. The Serie A isn't a joke league.

Five english teams, compared to two italian teams in the KO round probably shows you the difference between the two leagues.

Minderbinder

The English teams are all just about good enough to reach the last 16, and with the exception of City, who I’m still not convinced about btw, I don’t think they’re nearly good enough to compete over two legs with Barca, Real, Bayern or PSG. I don’t think having 5 teams in the last 16 accurately reflects the state of the PL, especially when only maybe one of them is capable of winning the competition. The gulf between the really elite European teams and the alsorans of the last 16 is huge.

I have a feeling City will be toyed with in the Semi Finals if they reach that far.

kona

VW 1 wrote: »

Five english teams, compared to two italian teams in the KO round probably shows you the difference between the two leagues.

And the quater final draw tells a different story.

Bob Harris

There were rumours we were going to sign Alexis Sanchez from Arsenal in the January window. I'm guessing the deal wasn't done before the deadline and he'll be joining in the summer?

VW 1

kona wrote: »

And the quater final draw tells a different story.

The fact that spurs are fourth in the league and should have had Juve beaten, who have been comfortably dominating serie a, only for their naivety tells a different story also.

Adamocovic

Jaysus I was late to joining the new thread, but understandable after the weekend of sport.

I'm sure everything has been talked about already. Spurs in FA cup, not the draw I wanted but does offer the team a chance to try change opinions of them.

Also, sorry as I'm sure been talked to death but Mourinho's comments about Shaw I found to be gas. Really hope he isn't going to be leaving us, but these comments came after not so long ago José said he wouldn't single players out for criticism in his interviews and then he goes and does it to Shaw....again.

I used to think it was his style of firing up Shaw, like some players work better with a manager that challenges them like that, but at this point it doesn't appear to be that at all.

duffman13

VW 1 wrote: »

The fact that spurs are fourth in the league and should have had Juve beaten, who have been comfortably dominating serie a, only for their naivety tells a different story also.

You can pick and choose different points but Juve have been in 2 of the last 3 finals and are a very good side. The depth of quality in Serie A isn't as good as the premier league but the top 3 would give any of the top 6 in the premier league a good game

Trigger

VW 1 wrote: »

The fact that spurs are fourth in the league and should have had Juve beaten, who have been comfortably dominating serie a, only for their naivety tells a different story also.

But they lost?

Drumpot

duffman13 wrote: »

You can pick and choose different points but Juve have been in 2 of the last 3 finals and are a very good side. The depth of quality in Serie A isn't as good as the premier league but the top 3 would give any of the top 6 in the premier league a good game

You have probably hit the nail on the head. The EPL has the strongest league in that you don’t see too many 5-0s that you will see in pretty much most of the top leagues. Teams are a lot stronger throughout the league.

United, Chelsea, Liverpool and spurs are very strong (on paper anyway) and can prob give most teams a run for their money.

I think English teams suffer because of the competition for the top 4. I used to Scoff at serie A fans for saying this in 00s as the Serie A declined but there is merit to it.

Throughout the season if you have more “gimmies” the likes of Barca and Madrid have your players are bound to be less bruised and battered come the battle end of the season. It’s also a reasonable fact that if you lose form or are struggling to find form, having a team you can thump 7-0 isn’t bad for picking up a team.


This isn’t implying that Juve , Madrid , Barca , PSG, or Bayern are not strong teams or even better then the best of England. But I do think there’s a price to be paid to be a premier league footballer and over 38 games it is a harder league to win.

VW 1

astradave wrote: »

But they lost?

I did point that out, no disputing Juve's excellence over a sustained period, if spurs had been half as street wise they'd have won the tie. They didnt lose because they played worse football.

Trigger

VW 1 wrote: »

I did point that out, no disputing Juve's excellence over a sustained period, if spurs had been half as street wise they'd have won the tie. They didnt lose because they played worse football.

No they lost because they don’t have the mentality to stick it out when the pressure is on, like we have seen before.. the mental aspect of the game is a huge factor when push comes to shove. I get where you are coming from with respect to the leagues, while I don’t agree with it all as such. I do think that your point about the Juve/Spurs match shouldn’t have been made. There is more than one way to play football and Juve have their way to the tee. It’s all well and good playing “better” football, but if the end result is still a loss, what good is that?

Andrew Beef

The transfer market has obviously inflated even further. However, two years ago Pogba was a bright young thing with an impressive catalogue of work at Juventus. Now he’s a misfit post two bad seasons without a specialist position and who United/Mourinho possibly want to see the back of. That’s a distressed sale in any man’s language. Yes, we might be able to con PSG because they’re French and have all the money in the world, but my suspicion/fear is that Pogba’s next move will be a backwards one to (e.g.) Spurs, Arsenal, AC Milan, or even LA Galaxy. The latter isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds; US football thrives in style over substance, there is money there, and it’s not the worst place to live in the world.

StringerBell

Without being able to into detail right now, I am 100% sure if he were to leave this summer it would not be a backwards step (well, PSG would be but wouldn't have any impact financially) and we would more than recoup the investment.

There is a clear narrative that can be spun for why he "wants out" and plenty of easy excuses for why he has not performed as well as you think he should.

It's all moot, he is going nowhere

GSPfan

Wonder if we could loan Shaw out with the intention to inflate his price after a good season on loan or bring him back after a good season on loan. Either way I’d rather avoid a sale. But not sure if his contract length is an issue now.

StringerBell

GSPfan wrote: »

Wonder if we could loan Shaw out with the intention to inflate his price after a good season on loan or bring him back after a good season on loan. Either way I’d rather avoid a sale. But not sure if his contract length is an issue now.

It wasn't initially as mourinho had said he had earned a new one, but given the latest with Shaw and no new contract I doubt it.

At this point I'm happy enough to cut the losses on him. This is the 4th successive manager who has had some issue with him and tbf he is a left back. His defensive positioning was always poor but his pace got him out of trouble.

I wish it had worked out but ce la vie, a new left back who can be relied upon is needed. If the loan option is available I wouldn't be against it but it's clear he isn't going to be our left back for the foreseeable future.

bangkok

Andrew Beef wrote: »

The transfer market has obviously inflated even further. However, two years ago Pogba was a bright young thing with an impressive catalogue of work at Juventus. Now he’s a misfit post two bad seasons without a specialist position and who United/Mourinho possibly want to see the back of. That’s a distressed sale in any man’s language. Yes, we might be able to con PSG because they’re French and have all the money in the world, but my suspicion/fear is that Pogba’s next move will be a backwards one to (e.g.) Spurs, Arsenal, AC Milan, or even LA Galaxy. The latter isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds; US football thrives in style over substance, there is money there, and it’s not the worst place to live in the world.

LA galaxy?!!!

Goodluck

Lord TSC

Andrew Beef wrote: »

The transfer market has obviously inflated even further. However, two years ago Pogba was a bright young thing with an impressive catalogue of work at Juventus. Now he’s a misfit post two bad seasons without a specialist position and who United/Mourinho possibly want to see the back of. That’s a distressed sale in any man’s language. Yes, we might be able to con PSG because they’re French and have all the money in the world, but my suspicion/fear is that Pogba’s next move will be a backwards one to (e.g.) Spurs, Arsenal, AC Milan, or even LA Galaxy. The latter isn’t as ridiculous as it sounds; US football thrives in style over substance, there is money there, and it’s not the worst place to live in the world.

I've been on the fence about you for a while but at least now I know not to take you seriously. :rolleyes: Trying to argue Pogba would only go for £50m and to an LA Galaxy?

pjohnson

Apparently Liverpool sniffing after Ndidi. We should be all over him imo.

Cantona's Collars

https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/975685530146009088

Mark Ogden, "Jose planning as many as 10 ins and outs this summer".

Trigger

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/975685530146009088

Mark Ogden, "Jose planning as many as 10 ins and outs this summer".

4 in 6 outs? Or 5/5? Can’t be arsed reading Ogden today

yabadabado

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/975685530146009088

Mark Ogden, "Jose planning as many as 10 ins and outs this summer".

I can't see that many leaving but 6 is very realistic and I'd expect that to be close to what happens.

A new starting LB and cm partner for Pogba and Matic are the main priorities but another 2 or 3 players needed.

pjohnson

astradave wrote: »

4 in 6 outs? Or 5/5? Can’t be arsed reading Ogden today

These clickbait headings are gunna be boring for the next few months.

Lord TSC

Ogden's basically jsut recycling yesterdays news, but throwing one or two "bigger" names into the mix to make it look like there's more.

Mind....I genuinely wouldn't be shocked to see Jose look to move on some like Mata or Martial. If Jose feels he has Woody's full backing, and Woody has bought into Jose's idea we need to finally do the massive clearout needed, it could be a fun summer...

StringerBell

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

https://twitter.com/MarkOgden_/status/975685530146009088

Mark Ogden, "Jose planning as many as 10 ins and outs this summer".

In not gonna read the article but I'll say that on the surface, makes sense, about 7 out and 3 in.

The 7 out will include darmian, blind, Carrick, ibra etc so it's not as big of a clear out as it looks at first glance. It will basically be 3 for 3 in terms of first team replacements

DM_7

Lord TSC wrote: »

Ogden's basically jsut recycling yesterdays news, but throwing one or two "bigger" names into the mix to make it look like there's more.

Mind....I genuinely wouldn't be shocked to see Jose look to move on some like Mata or Martial. If Jose feels he has Woody's full backing, and Woody has bought into Jose's idea we need to finally do the massive clearout needed, it could be a fun summer...

United can't be moving on players like Mata or Martial or Smalling or Lingard. We would be well down the league as it stands without them.

Time to move on the players who are low in appearances. Blind and Darmian for example. Move on players like Shaw who are past the point of return.

Add to the first team and squad. If players featuring a lot now struggle with new faces in, and stop playing, then that is time to move them on.

pjohnson

DM_7 wrote: »

United can't be moving on players like Mata or Martial or Smalling or Lingard. We would be well down the league as it stands without them.

Time to move on the players who are low in appearances. Blind and Darmian for example. Move on players like Shaw who are past the point of return.

Add to the first team and squad. If players featuring a lot now struggle with new faces in, and stop playing, then that is time to move them on.

Agreed. I'd generally be against moving anyone but the absolute deadwood who are barely providing depth they are so unlikely to provide any competition to the starting XI. A fair wedge of the first team squad is stale. Get competition for places going and see who can thrive under those circumstances.

See if we can get Axel a PL loan aswell next year to see how he does.

Lord TSC

DM_7 wrote: »

United can't be moving on players like Mata or Martial or Smalling or Lingard. We would be well down the league as it stands without them.

Time to move on the players who are low in appearances. Blind and Darmian for example. Move on players like Shaw who are past the point of return.

Add to the first team and squad. If players featuring a lot now struggle with new faces in, and stop playing, then that is time to move them on.

I think there's going to be the two levels.

Players who don't feature/contracts running out; Darmian, Blind, Carrick, Ibrahimovic, Fellaini, Shaw

Players who if a good offer comes in, we'll take it; Mata, Martial, Smalling, Jones

The second level, I think there'll be one or two departures to fund new signings. We won't make bugger all off the first level, other than wages saved. That's not to say ALL of that level, the good squad players, will be sold. But I think one or two might.

I do think if Jose could get 25m for Mata, or 80m for Martial, or (tbh) 150m for Pogba, and then reinvest that elsewhere, he would.

Martial plays in a position where we have Rashford and Sanchez. Ogden's article states Jose still wants Willian. You think if Jose could swap Martial for Willian, he wouldn't? And then still have his alotted money for the CM and full back buys?

pjohnson

Lord TSC wrote: »

I think there's going to be the two levels.

Players who don't feature/contracts running out; Darmian, Blind, Carrick, Ibrahimovic, Fellaini, Shaw

Players who if a good offer comes in, we'll take it; Mata, Martial, Smalling, Jones

The second level, I think there'll be one or two departures to fund new signings. We won't make bugger all off the first level, other than wages saved. That's not to say ALL of that level, the good squad players, will be sold. But I think one or two might.

I do think if Jose could get 25m for Mata, or 80m for Martial, or (tbh) 150m for Pogba, and then reinvest that elsewhere, he would.

Martial plays in a position where we have Rashford and Sanchez. Ogden's article states Jose still wants Willian. You think if Jose could swap Martial for Willian, he wouldn't? And then still have his alotted money for the CM and full back buys?

I wouldn't have Mata or Martial on the secondary list. I think Ander Herrera is the most likely along with one of Jones/Smalling to be allowed leave if a decent offer comes in to raise funds.

Trigger

The problem is we don’t have the summer to deal with that many, due to the WC, especially if we need to sell first before bringing in (not selling from a money POV but a numbers POV). Sorry TSC it’s not going to be fun .. interesting maybe but I’d say we will be tearing our hair out while the WC is on :pac:

Lord TSC

pjohnson wrote: »

I wouldn't have Mata or Martial on the secondary list. I think Ander Herrera is the most likely along with one of Jones/Smalling to be allowed leave if a decent offer comes in to raise funds.

Knew I was forgetting someone. You're right, Herrera and Jones OR Smalling will be on that list.

astradave wrote: »

The problem is we don’t have the summer to deal with that many, due to the WC, especially if we need to sell first before bringing in (not selling from a money POV but a numbers POV). Sorry TSC it’s not going to be fun .. interesting maybe but I’d say we will be tearing our hair out while the WC is on :pac:

Also, the shorter transfer window, which now ends before the first game, right? Shorter window + WC means a more intense window. Personally, I adore all the transfer nonsense so "fun" is subjective :P

Andrew Beef

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/ken-early-mourinho-s-tactics-undermine-pogba-and-sanchez-1.3431976?mode=amp

Good article by Ken Early in today’s Irish Times.

I don’t think that your comment is fair, Lord TSC. I mentioned LA Galaxy and caveated it with “hang on, this is not as ridiculous as it sounds”. We have a major problem with Pogba; he’s our record signing and he can’t get in the team. Like him or loath him (I am somewhere in between), his United career has been very disappointing.

yabadabado

Andrew Beef wrote: »

https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/soccer/english-soccer/ken-early-mourinho-s-tactics-undermine-pogba-and-sanchez-1.3431976?mode=amp

Good article by Ken Early in today’s Irish Times.

I don’t think that your comment is fair, Lord TSC. I mentioned LA Galaxy and caveated it with “hang on, this is not as ridiculous as it sounds”. We have a major problem with Pogba; he’s our record signing and he can’t get in the team. Like him or loath him (I am somewhere in between), his United career has been very disappointing.

But LA Galaxy move is as ridiculous as it sounds.Their biggest transfer fee is less than 10m and I think in the league itself its biggest transfer was 12m.

Pogba can get in the team he has missed a few games through injury and rested but when fully fit he is a starter.
Hasn't he been involved in every league game he was available for this season?

Trigger

Lord TSC wrote: »

Knew I was forgetting someone. You're right, Herrera and Jones OR Smalling will be on that list.



Also, the shorter transfer window, which now ends before the first game, right? Shorter window + WC means a more intense window. Personally, I adore all the transfer nonsense so "fun" is subjective :P

I love the transfer window, definitely a transfer muppet

StringerBell

I have hope Ander will come back next year with a clear head focused on his football. Wouldn't be surprised if he is shipped out though for a decent offer.

I think fellaini looks like he wants to move and he will go, Jones for purely fitness reasons would be allowed go.

Darmian, Blind, Ibra, Carrick are certainties to go. The rest are up for debate I guess.

Cantona's Collars

I mentioned before all the journalists started with their "clear out" stories that there will be big moves and change in the summer.
There's a lot of deadwood in the squad and a huge wage bill on players who barely if ever grace the pitch anymore.

yabadabado

StringerBell wrote: »

I have hope Ander will come back next year with a clear head focused on his football. Wouldn't be surprised if he is shipped out though for a decent offer.

I think fellaini looks like he wants to move and he will go, Jones for purely fitness reasons would be allowed go.

Darmian, Blind, Ibra, Carrick are certainties to go. The rest are up for debate I guess.

With Carrick and Fellaini (likely) to be gone I don't think Herrera will be let go. It would leave cm extremely light. As it is I think 2 cms are needed, Herrera leaving would make it 3 and that's probably too much of an ask.

Anyone think Perrira will get a look in next season or likely to be sold?

Lord TSC

yabadabado wrote: »

Anyone think Perrira will get a look in next season or likely to be sold?

Depends if he's willing to fight for a place and accept a squad position, which he hasn't been to date. He'd have gotten plenty of game time this season if he'd stayed, and I'd fear Jose wouldn't be thrilled that he did force the move.

StringerBell

I get what you're saying completely but it looks like Scott is taking a proper squad place next season given how the manager rates him so think he will fill the squad role of probably fellaini. Meaning that if Ander were to go to would take the cm recruitment to 2 needed rather than 3. 1 is needed regardless. Cover for matic would be nice too.

I'd hope Ander is kept and that he finds his form again, very valuable squad member when at it but too often he is below par.

pjohnson

Lord TSC wrote: »

Depends if he's willing to fight for a place and accept a squad position, which he hasn't been to date. He'd have gotten plenty of game time this season if he'd stayed, and I'd fear Jose wouldn't be thrilled that he did force the move.

This is mainly due to Ander's performance's falling off the Cliffs of Moher. If Jose had seen that coming Andreas would have certainly not been allowed leave. Add in Carricks heart issues and Fellaini's large spell of injuries. And we definitely would have kept him. There was no way of knowing our midfield would be decimated. The same could be said about TFM if we had injuries to Valencia and Darmian.