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

Billy86

Gits_bone wrote: »

Funny thing is Moyes was closer to the top at this stage of the season last year than LVG is.

Funny thing is LVG has more points, despite having a backline mainly of Valencia/Young/McNair and if lucky more than one of Smalling/Jones/Evans/Blackett, compared to Ferdinand/Vidic/Evra. Strangely, our general play has been improving throughout the year rather than going backwards, he has the players respect (funny that, eh?) and our main tactic employed when we have a one goal lead with 20 minutes left isn't "sh*t yourselves".

Mantis Toboggan

4 points dropped from the last 3 games just won't cut it at the top and I think we can forget about any challenge for the title yet again which is disappointing. We really need to be beating the likes of Villa and Spurs if we're to have any chance. Having been very poor against villa the performance was much improved against Spurs especially first half. Spurs were awful. Unbelievable the we couldn't score. All the attacking talent in the team and we couldn't convert. We completely blew it imo. Taking defenders off because they were tired?? Bizarre. 2 wasted subs imo. Decent fixture list coming up, possible opportunity to string a few wins together.

Giggsy11

Gowlasauras Rex wrote: »

Don't even get me started on Fellaini and the spoofer lvg!!


Comfortably in third after spending 150 jillion. What a disgrace.

This is one line that is used by opposition fans when talking about improvement. The common line is "yeah he has spent 150 Million so it's hard not to improve" but no one points out that our new signings hardly played. Btw I know your post was sarcastic one. I'm just saying in general.

All the 6 players played combined 4144 mins which is 46 games between them.
In total (for 11 players) we have played 18810 mins in the league. So that's only 22% of the total mins our new signings played.

So for 11 players total games will be 209 (11*19) and our new players played 46 games between them. Or average of just 7 games per player.

More or less Van Gaal achieved everything with same old players minus Vidic, Rio, Evra, Welbeck, Nani, Hernandez, Carrick who missed around 50% games

Giggsy11

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

No, Rooney can't play in midfield, he's a striker. And Juan Mata isn't a United player and was a waste of money. And David De Gea is too slight, Anders Lindegaard #1!!

Yesterday Mata was brilliant but to be fair to critics he was poor in most away games this season and we expect a lot from player of his caliber.

But yesterday he was class, like his Chelsea days. Wonderful pass to Rooney who messed it up, I think 2 very good passes to Falcao who messed both. IIRC he created 3 easy goal scoring chances and he had 1 very good chance. He is enjoying playing with playing like RVP and Falcao. Their movement and Mata's vision compliments excellently.

Also most refreshing thing about his performance yesterday was he was going for killer passes rather than taking safe option which he did a lot before.

Things are looking good for ManUtd. With Di Maria, Blind, Rafael, Shaw, Smalling back we should finish the season strongly.

Lord TSC

Tyson Fury wrote: »

4 points dropped from the last 3 games just won't cut it at the top and I think we can forget about any challenge for the title yet again which is disappointing.

In a weird way, I am just glad that we are back at he point to be disappointed about our chances of winning the title, and not just disappointed that we are struggling to get top 4....

The Moldy Gowl

Giggsy11 wrote: »

This is one line that is used by opposition fans when talking about improvement. The common line is "yeah he has spent 150 Million so it's hard not to improve" but no one points out that our new signings hardly played. Btw I know your post was sarcastic one. I'm just saying in general.

All the 6 players played combined 4144 mins which is 46 games between them.
In total (for 11 players) we have played 18810 mins in the league. So that's only 22% of the total mins our new signings played.

So for 11 players total games will be 209 (11*19) and our new players played 46 games between them. Or average of just 7 games per player.

More or less Van Gaal achieved everything with same old players minus Vidic, Rio, Evra, Welbeck, Nani, Hernandez, Carrick who missed around 50% games

Exactly.

The same team that had played the last few games has basically been last years team minus the lads you mentioned. We are relying on youth team players who weren't exactly special talents at youth level. Our only sub striker is Wilson, who should be off on loan.

It gives hope for the immediate future that we have the rest of the lads to come back and the medium future because the young lads have stepped up, but we shouldn't be depending on them.
I'm confident of a third place finish, probably 10 or so points off 2nd and first.

Harvey Low Fat Milk

It's good to see players coming back into the team. Hopefully LVG can keep them fit and the second half of the season should see the team go from strength to strength. It really does show the squad depth available to him though which bodes well for next year with playing in Europe. Would still like a centre half signed though, I like Blackett and McNair but there's a lot to be said for experience in the position.

The_Kew_Tour

Too many football fans expect to run before they can walk.

I included myself in that bracket in past.

7 wins and 2 draws is a very good return. I can never remember time we won league in past 20 years where we did not have at least 5-7 games where we dropped 2 points or more in winnable games

Your Airbag

It was good to Mata preform well and show bits of class but people saying he's turned it around and proven the doubters wrong after one game is a bit premature.

We all hope he does but its no good if he vanishes for the next ten games like he has in othesr. Fellaini and Young (just about) are in the "I've turned it around" territory, Matas not there yet.

Dayum

Giggsy11 wrote: »

Yesterday Mata was brilliant but to be fair to critics he was poor in most away games this season and we expect a lot from player of his caliber.

But yesterday he was class, like his Chelsea days. Wonderful pass to Rooney who messed it up, I think 2 very good passes to Falcao who messed both. IIRC he created 3 easy goal scoring chances and he had 1 very good chance. He is enjoying playing with playing like RVP and Falcao. Their movement and Mata's vision compliments excellently.

Also most refreshing thing about his performance yesterday was he was going for killer passes rather than taking safe option which he did a lot before.

Things are looking good for ManUtd. With Di Maria, Blind, Rafael, Shaw, Smalling back we should finish the season strongly.

I like Mata - really I do, but that doesn't negate the fact that his purchase last January wasn't necessarily what the team required. Moyes paid 37m for him and threw him on the wing - precisely the reason Chelsea sold him in the first place when Mourinho said Juan Mata is definitively NOT a winger and that he couldn't be accommodated. It boggled the mind. Uniteds defense this time last year was and still is a total shambles.

Man Utd needs two world class centre backs...

Will I Amnt

Your Airbag wrote: »

It was good to Mata preform well and show bits of class but people saying he's turned it around and proven the doubters wrong after one game is a bit premature.

We all hope he does but its no good if he vanishes for the next ten games like he has in othesr. Fellaini and Young (just about) are in the "I've turned it around" territory, Matas not there yet.

I for one didn't mean he has turned it around. Just having a laugh at the people who have said he's "past his peak" which would suggest he has lost something in his game that would leave him incapable of turning in a performance like that.
It's all downhill from 25 years of age...

Giggsy11

Dayum wrote: »

I like Mata - really I do, but that doesn't negate the fact that his purchase last January wasn't necessarily what the team required. Moyes paid 37m for him and threw him on the wing - precisely the reason Chelsea sold him in the first place when Mourinho said Juan Mata is definitively NOT a winger and that he couldn't be accommodated. It boggled the mind. Uniteds defense this time last year was and still is a total shambles.

Man Utd needs two world class centre backs...

I agree in bits. Mata was a luxury signing but he was class player and player of the year in 2 years for Chelsea. When player of his caliber is available you have to make it count.

Also money was not a problem for ManUtd. I would rather see Mata at ManUtd than 37 Million in Glazer's bank account.

Also there isn't a team in the world having 2 world class CBs. Only team close to it is Madrid.

Thepoet85

I'm actually delighted with how the team is progressing. After last year I feared we would be in the doldrums for a while and still have a small part of that fear in me. last season still has me shaken. But with LvG things have turned as of now, and I can only see them getting better. It's great to be back near the top of the table, but this year was only about getting top four. If we do that then we can kick on next season, I hope ☺

TheDoc

For anyone looking for super positive to keep that title dream alive.

Chelsea playing "sensational stuff", largely unchanged and without injuries
City are a bit wobbly, no Aguero until Feb? Mangala a disaster, Toure off to African nations?

Both have champions league to contend with ..

Us? Lagging behind, but sitting third ten points behind, with a decimated squad.

It wouldn't be ludicrous to suggest if the squad regains fitness and consistency that a title challenge would be on the cards second half of the season. Big IF regarding injuries.

I'm happy that in recent weeks we have settled on a formation and the team look to be getting settled with it as well.

Personally don't believe a title is likely, but do feel we can put the jitters into City and Chelsea. Happy Mata is starting to make a real impact and showing his class. Also somewhat content with Rooney in midfield, if he keeps those levels up happy days.

Concerned for Falcao, hopefully it's just getting match sharpness back, but I worry he is a Torres mark #2, serious injury enacts mental block to push himself. Havn't seen him explode once on the field. When I saw Falcao in his Madrid days, he had this explosive pace over the first 5-10 yards that gave him the space. Looks a bit laboured at the moment.

Part of me feels we won't finalise that deal, and we will see Cavani in red next summer.

irishfeen

The_Kew_Tour wrote: »

Too many football fans expect to run before they can walk.

I included myself in that bracket in past.

7 wins and 2 draws is a very good return. I can never remember time we won league in past 20 years where we did not have at least 5-7 games where we dropped 2 points or more in winnable games

In Kew we trust .. Bring home No. 21 man

Giggsy11

TheDoc wrote: »

For anyone looking for super positive to keep that title dream alive.

Chelsea playing "sensational stuff", largely unchanged and without injuries
City are a bit wobbly, no Aguero until Feb? Mangala a disaster, Toure off to African nations?

Both have champions league to contend with ..

Us? Lagging behind, but sitting third ten points behind, with a decimated squad.

It wouldn't be ludicrous to suggest if the squad regains fitness and consistency that a title challenge would be on the cards second half of the season. Big IF regarding injuries.

I'm happy that in recent weeks we have settled on a formation and the team look to be getting settled with it as well.

Personally don't believe a title is likely, but do feel we can put the jitters into City and Chelsea.

Don't say that. Some people will ignore that big if part and quote your post in different thread saying 'lol manu fans think they can win titile".

On the second part, I'm sure formation will be changed again. Van Gaal said he is playing with wingbacks as Rafael and Shaw are injured, not with both back we might play 4 at the back which IMO we should do without second thoughts.

Giggsy11

TheDoc wrote: »

Concerned for Falcao, hopefully it's just getting match sharpness back, but I worry he is a Torres mark #2, serious injury enacts mental block to push himself. Havn't seen him explode once on the field. When I saw Falcao in his Madrid days, he had this explosive pace over the first 5-10 yards that gave him the space. Looks a bit laboured at the moment.

Part of me feels we won't finalise that deal, and we will see Cavani in red next summer.

I have no concerns about Falcao at all and not sure why so many were so knee jerk about his performance. Just 2 days back he was good against Newcastle. He is back from a lengthy injury and I think he has never in his life played so many games in such a short span of time even when he was fully fit. So 2 games in 40 odd hours makes the difference. It was very clear that he could barely run but for some reason Van Gaal left him on the pitch for 90 mins.

irishfeen

Thepoet85 wrote: »

I'm actually delighted with how the team is progressing. After last year I feared we would be in the doldrums for a while and still have a small part of that fear in me. last season still has me shaken. But with LvG things have turned as of now, and I can only see them getting better. It's great to be back near the top of the table, but this year was only about getting top four. If we do that then we can kick on next season, I hope ☺

Yep being so disappointed about yesterday's result against Spurs is a sure sign things are starting to come together.,

Manutd_4life

I'd say everyone should be happy with our current situation. We're on a great unbeaten run, our line ups are getting consistent now, we're playing some great football at times, players are returning from injury and we still have the likes of rojo, di maria, blind and fellaini to return. I don't know about you but i'm happy.

The only thing that worries me is whether LVG is going to try change the system again and drop the likes of mata to accomodate blind and carrick in midfield to allow rooney to play a number 10 role. I really don't want carrick out of the line up especially after reading that stat yesterday about utd unbeaten with every game he starts. But i can't imagine carrick blind rooney and mata in the same squad unless LVG changes the system again.

MagicIRL

In his two recent starts Falcao has been superb. I think he struggled to cope with the physicality of Spurs yesterday, which was down to some terrible refereeing. Once he gets more games under his belt he'll be flying. Guarantee it.

newballsplease

Giggsy11 wrote: »

I have no concerns about Falcao at all and not sure why so many were so knee jerk about his performance. Just 2 days back he was good against Newcastle. He is back from a lengthy injury and I think he has never in his life played so many games in such a short span of time even when he was fully fit. So 2 games in 40 odd hours makes the difference. It was very clear that he could barely run but for some reason Van Gaal left him on the pitch for 90 mins.

I cant understand why LVG didnt make a change up front. RVP and Falcao had 2/3 clear chances in the game and disnt take them. Falcao was obviously wacked after 50min... With spurs playing a high defensive line i think Wilson could have done damage. At least give him 10min... It would say to RVP/Falcao that their performance wasnt up to scratch.

hufpc8w3adnk65

Weren't all 3 subs made due too injury lads? LVG is good but even he has too play by the rules and only make 3 sub's

MagicIRL

MrMac84 wrote: »

Weren't all 3 subs made due too injury lads? LVG is good but even he has too play by the rules and only make 3 sub's

I think Valencia was injured, but Evans was just whipped off for sending one too many balls in to the stands.

I don't think Utd have much chance at winning the league but I've been thinking that there's no way Chelsea can pick essentially the same team in every single game of the season and expect them to keep the performance levels going. Ferguson always rotated his teams (bar a few key players), I think it keeps players fresh.

TheDoc

newballsplease wrote: »

I cant understand why LVG didnt make a change up front. RVP and Falcao had 2/3 clear chances in the game and disnt take them. Falcao was obviously wacked after 50min... With spurs playing a high defensive line i think Wilson could have done damage. At least give him 10min... It would say to RVP/Falcao that their performance wasnt up to scratch.

Valencia was a forced change sue to injury.

I'd say getting Shaw and Smalling some minutes was a priority. We had made a lot of chances and I guess he thought we might have snatched a winner and the back line needed some freshening up.

Tired minds make tired legs. Evans was sloppy as **** second half as was Jones . I think it was smart to get Shaw and Smalling in for game time...ensure we don't lose and hope to nick it.

I don't see Wilson coming on yesterday scoring . He's going to be just getting the odd runout IMO unless he starts scoring and forcing himself in

The Moldy Gowl

Well considering spurs were pressing us for the last 40 mins at their home and we were wrecked tired, I don't mind the subs being defensive.

No point in nbringing Wilson on when we are being pressed away from home, he would have been his ineffective best.

The Moldy Gowl

TheDoc wrote: »

Valencia was a forced change sue to injury.

I'd say getting Shaw and Smalling some minutes was a priority. We had made a lot of chances and I guess he thought we might have snatched a winner and the back line needed some freshening up.

Tired minds make tired legs. Evans was sloppy as **** second half as was Jones . I think it was smart to get Shaw and Smalling in for game time...ensure we don't lose and hope to nick it.

I don't see Wilson coming on yesterday scoring . He's going to be just getting the odd runout IMO unless he starts scoring and forcing himself in

I think that was the game plan, attack for the first half and get the win in the first half because in the second they will be tired and away from home with spurs pressing. No point bringing on a striker when Evans is wrecked.

KH25

MagicIRL wrote: »

In his two recent starts Falcao has been superb. I think he struggled to cope with the physicality of Spurs yesterday, which was down to some terrible refereeing. Once he gets more games under his belt he'll be flying. Guarantee it.

I've been impressed with his work rate the last 2 games. The goals will come. I hope we don't have Moss as a ref for some time.

MagicIRL

KH25 wrote: »

I've been impressed with his work rate the last 2 games. The goals will come. I hope we don't have Moss as a ref for some time.

With Mata finding some serious form as that #10 with both RVP and Falcao running off him, 2015 is going to be superb.

There's still ADM to fit in to that XI as well!

pmasterson95

Strongest XI????

---

De Gea

---

---

Jones

---

Carrick

---

Rojo

---

Rafael/Valencia

---

Shaw

---

Rooney

---

Di Maria

---

---

Mata

---

---

van Persie

---

Falcao

---

Subs: Lindegaard, Evans, Blind, Rafael/Valencia, Herrera, Fellaini/Fletcher, Wilson


EDIT That didnt come out right.