Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 26.09.24

Zeek12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830207#Comment_123830207

If we don't see a good reaction on Saturday evening, we are in trouble. Chelsea coming back from a testing CL tie in Munich Wednesday night, there may be some fatigue issues for them.

United have had all week to prepare for this game without distractions.

Agree with you 100% on RWB, I really don't like to see Maz selected there. But I'm doubtful Cunha will be ready to start, which probably means Mazraoui again.

FrankN1

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830536#Comment_123830536

Don't think we will see any reactions. This team just has default, wouldn't matter if it was a CL final.

talla10

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830356#Comment_123830356

1 point from Fulham, Arsenal and City isn't the shock it used to be- 3 points would have been expected and anything else a bonus. We gave away such a soft goal against Arsenal and Bruno uncharacteristically missed a penalty so we weren't far away at all from taking 4 points and neither mistake had anything to do with systems or positions.

Obviously we can't live on if this happened or if that and what could have been- We are where we are. But I don't think we are too far away from starting to click as a team and get the results we need. Maybe I'm overly optimistic but I really think we need give the manager time this season- 4 PL games and 1 awful cup game is not enough in my opinion.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830777#Comment_123830777

What about the 27 league games last season with 27 points?

JRant

Maz should be moved into the back 3 with Shaw dropping to the bench and Amad going RWB. Bruno either moves to one of the 10 positions or the bench. If he starts in midfield again I'll lose the little faith I have in RA. Mount was dropping deep and covering the midfield failings in the first games but it meant we were a bit light up front.

DrPhilG

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830777#Comment_123830777

I'm usually that optimistic but it's becoming a struggle.

You're right that the Arsenal and Fulham games could just as easily have been 4 or even 6 points.

But the bigger concern is the woeful midfield and the inability to make use of a very expensive striker.

I've seen a few reports that we're pinning our hopes on Licha to play the role of the CDM which isn't maybe an outrageous plan, but he's another month away from a return.

Amorim's refusal to even significantly tweak never mind change his formation is an issue, as is the insistence on forcing Bruno into the wrong role.

DataDude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830820#Comment_123830820

For a midfield lacking physicality & legs, I can’t see Martinez being the answer. He might be better on the ball than Ugarte, but most of us on here probably are too.
Is he much quicker than Casemiro? I’m not sure, especially after another severe injury.

Great footballer but hugely lacking in athleticism.

GolfPar

Mount & Cunha both fit for Chelsea. Phew

Seattle

Amorim confirms that Cunha and Mount are available for the Chelsea match.

I expect both to start.

Seattle

ETH was asked about Martinez playing in midfield at the start of their Utd careers and he said that he doesn't have the running capacity to play there. Which seems pretty obvious.

Zeek12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830807#Comment_123830807

There is no way he will bench Bruno 😄 I would much prefer to see him at 10 also, but just can't see it happening. RA is quite inflexible on that point.

Apparently Amorim just confirmed Cunha is available tomorrow, so I can see this lineup:

Bayindir

Yoro - DeLigt - Maz

Amad - Casemiro - Bruno - Dorgu

Mbeumo - Cunha

Sesko

GolfPar

Dalot & Martinez still out. At least with the international break Cunha & Mount only ended up missing 1 game.

Seattle

Bayindir

Yoro - DeLigt - Shaw

Amad - Casemiro - Bruno - Dorgu

Mbeumo - Mount

Cunha

-

Outside chance of Mazaroui at RCB because Yoro had a poor game v City there.

DrPhilG

If I picked him up right, Amorim mentioned Chelsea being dangerous when getting crosses into the box.

I wonder if that means Lammens might be in contention? Bayindir has many flaws but his performance on crosses is probably the biggest issue.

DrPhilG

So Sesko vs Chelsea, or back to Mount?

Caustic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830915#Comment_123830915

He is also perfect for the lcb role also, he is a good reader of the game and will aggressively step into midfield to cover the midfield when gaps appear or players are free, shaw is a liability and heaven is too young, his passing will help with ball progression on that side also, he is pretty much what you want in the lcb roll and paired with two big defenders the height which is a small negative is even less of a problem

Caustic

I think the new goalkeeper could start if he has better ability with his feet then bayindir, who I thought had improved but just kicked the ball away constantly via city under little pressure

Anything4883

Why did they buy this keeper, if he's not going to be no.1 ? How much time does he need. Start him ffs

Mitch Connor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123831193#Comment_123831193

IMO it was a mistake for this season. We needed a ready made

But even when we were first linked with him it was as much better competition for Onana than Bayindir, with the expectation he could beat Onana out, and certainly develop to that needed level. But he is more of a long term bet than an immediate one.

Basically (i think) they believe he can be a PL winning level keeper in 3 years, his level right now isn't as important as what they think he will be then.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830943#Comment_123830943

Well, it's a decision that will make or break him. He has a difficult decision to make and doesn't seem willing to make it. Even against City he chose to move him to a different position instead of just taking him off as he was playing terrible. If it's Bruno of 2 years ago you make those allowances but this version not so much.

El Gato De Negocios

Lammens is 23, goal keeping is goal keeping, whatever about outfield players having to get up to speed with the league, there are no such excuses for keepers imo.

IncognitoMan

At some stage RA must feel like he needs to change something

Play Lammens, Play Sesko, Play Mainoo in midfield, Play Bruno at 10

What's the worst that could happen? It's not a winning team he's shaking up here.

Get them on the pitch and lets see what we can do

KH25

Whatever lineup he goes with, Bruno just can’t be in at CM. Stick him further up. Shaw shouldn’t be near the 11 after last week so agree with either Max going into the back 3 or Heaven coming in.

If the starting team is the same as City, it’ll be the same result IMO.

ericzeking

Could mount in the team help with the the Bruno conundrum in that Mount drops back a bit more from 10 to help out to make it a more of a diamond than a 2 sixes and 2 tens….. but then Mount is always pressing from the front too. He can hardly do it all.

It's a mad thought that he could have become such a key player for us.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830951#Comment_123830951

I mean if you're dropping 1 of your 3 CBs it has to be Shaw. He got absolutely rinsed at the weekend.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123830820#Comment_123830820

Pinning anything on Licha is pure folly. The lad can't stay fit so if that's their plan they have no plan at all.

DataDude

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123831134#Comment_123831134

Yep, I fear he will no longer be a reliable starting option again, but if he fully regains form - he is hand crafted for that role in a back 3.

I’ve always been a Shaw fan. Thought when fit he was the best LB in the world for periods - but he appears to be absolutely finished based on evidence in the tail end of last year and this year

keeponhurling

Can’t really argue with anyone calling for Lammens and Heaven coming in to replace Bayindir and Shaw.

However it has been unusual that we have played the first 4 league games with the same keeper+defence. One thing that has killed us in recent years is the constant chopping and changing in defence. Including a ridiculously high number of in-game subs in defence. We don’t really have any recognizable partnerships as such.

Pete Moss

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123831385#Comment_123831385

Chelsea signed Cech when he was 21 and was there immediate first choice. De Gea was 20 when he signed back in 2011, he was first choice, albeit with a few rocky performances. Granted both had full preseasons, but I don't get the cotton-wool approach to Lammens. Unless he's not seen as an upgrade on Bayindir.

Manc-Red_

November changes for TV just announced.