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

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045315#Comment_124045315

INEOS have had three transfer windows and included some gems like Dorgu, Ugarte, Zirkzee. Spent a **** load this summer on number 10s when it was probably the one position in the squad where you would have been ok with Bruno, Mount and Amad, maybe with Garnacho too if Amorim had any man management skills or flexibility with his "system". Over 100m on CBs and I still don't think you could ever win anything or compete at the level Utd want to be at with Yoro and de Ligt in defense. 496m€ spent according to Transfer Markt

The Glazers are indefensible but the current squad is the way it is because of Amorim (with his fcuking system and then falling out with all of his attackers until they became worthless) and INEOS.

Nothing at Utd, at other INEOS clubs, or at other INEOS sports teams (sailing, cycling, F1) suggests anything other than a Jim Ratcliffe vanity project which has overseen consistent failure at every level.

Charlie69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045596#Comment_124045596

Ah come on, do you honestly believe that Sancho and Garnachos totally unprofessional behaviour was Amorims fault or down to bad man management?… seriously?

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045465#Comment_124045465

I can agree with that. Bruno could work in a 3 man midfield but what happens when he goes? We have to start building for the future now and that probably means moving away from changing a system to suit him.

On Mainoo, I think he's brought a lot of this on himself. He's looking for a massive contract and also pushed to move a day before the window closed. I wouldn't be surprised if the likes of Wilcox and especially Berrada want him gone. Berrada in particular has been clear about not wanting players at the club who aren't fully bought into the project.

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045568#Comment_124045568

He doesn't have the "characteristics" Amorim is looking for.

I'm souring on Amorim rapidly and what he's saying isn't helping (some would say it's the only thing he does reasonably well).

He was blaming the players for not having the "characteristics" to score on Thursday night. He's deflecting the blame onto the players far too much, especially when he consistently plays the same players regardless of the availability of other options or not.

Some guys just play better in matches that they would train and let's face it match performance should be the number 1 barometer always. Guys can stink up match after match, but as long as they train well in between back in the team for you.

Caustic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045568#Comment_124045568

Ive read nothing or I haven't seen anything you would imagine there is something going on for sure, what that is, is anyone's guess I suppose.

The manager himself hasn't said anything but maybe he has been told to keep his mouth shut, I'm guessing the club doesn't want to leak anything either as they want him to sign a new contract

JRant

https://twitter.com/EPLBible/status/1996826777201852559?t=WmuZ-N9-1dgYDIRrSZsseg&s=19

Ho Lee Fuk, I never caught the replay of this but it looked like a straight forward second yellow in real time. It's borderline red territory, late, from behind, off the ground, and reckless. Could have easily broken Dorgus ankle there.

Caustic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045705#Comment_124045705

I'm kinda already assuming buno will be gone in the summer maybe wrongly but I do feel he may just have decided to stay because it's a world cup year.

Im not necessarily saying we shouldn't build towards a new system under the manager I've backed him enough on that but there are times to pivot surely, and when your option is a young player like heaven playing his first game of the season or mainoo ugarte. It's time to pivot for me even if it's just for a few games.

bucketybuck

That response in the press conference about Mainoo is infuriating. Saying that the press are only asking about Mainoo because they want the English player to play.

No, they are asking because he is a good midfielder who is glued to the bench while your chosen midfield stinks the **** place out Rubin.

JRant

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045596#Comment_124045596

INEOS took full control Feb 2024 but didn't get the football focused team in place until after the summer window opened that year. To say they've had 3 windows, while technically true doesn't really paint the full picture.

I certainly wouldn't blame Amorim for Garnacho, Sancho, Antony, or Rashford being so unprofessional and basically sticking two fingers up to the club.

y0ssar1an22

this is worth a watch. smaller youtuber but does some good analysis.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KSGw3854opk

Sand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045596#Comment_124045596

The ironic thing about a three at the back formation is that for it to work, you need wingbacks. And we have no genuine wingbacks. And in three transfer windows, the only possible wingback signed was Dorgu, who just isn't very good. The much maligned Dalot is an okay right footed fullback who is being asked to be a top level left sided wingback - Dorgu's position. Maybe with the return of Martinez, Shaw might be able to offer something there, with Amad on the right but it seems very patchwork. It is a very weird case where Amorim could justifiably be sacked on results over 13 months, but at the same time it could be said he was never given the tools needed to apply his system. Which sits with INEOS more than Amorim.

It does seem weird to focus so much on signing two #10s last summer as you say while having the ever present Bruno who slots right in as one of the #10s. Surely a CM or wingback would be higher priority? It was even weirder to sign another fairly conventional fullback like Maz a few weeks before bringing in Amorim if there was a masterplan.

I think there is a big decision to be made in January. Signing competent central midfielders is safe recruitment. Good midfielders will work in either a 3 at the back or 4 at the back formation. Signing wingbacks could help Amorim the most with implementing his system, but it is riskier. If he continues to fail even with competent wingbacks, and our next coach is more conventional 4 at the back then it is money wasted while midfield is still weak. At this point I would lean to CM. Amorim is likeable, but its not looking good.

Seattle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045568#Comment_124045568

I think it's just a profile mismatch. Mainoo's characteristics aren't a good fit for what Amorim wants in his midfield 2. Tbf I do think Mainoo is a classic 4-3-3 midfielder.

Charlie69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045754#Comment_124045754

Yes but what does he mean when he says Kobbie doesn’t have the characteristics? that’s what I’m getting at , you seem to be interpreting that as Amorim not rating his ability or some sort of tactical rationale, and you could be right.

I’m wondering though if he’s referring to some sort of developmental issues in relation to attitude or lack of professionalism on or off the pitch ( or both).

Charlie69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045829#Comment_124045829

Possibly, it’s a shame if it comes down to just that, you would think he would have gotten more minutes even if that is the case.

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045850#Comment_124045850

I think he's showing himself to be more and more inflexible and stubborn. My reading is he feels Kobbie is not a good enough athlete and feels he is overrated generally, plus he hasn't been particularly good under Amorim. Bar a few moments here and there, his goal at home to Lyon was world class and showed the "characteristics" and ability in front of goal that hardly anyone else in the squad has.

He's making a few different rods for his back, his undroppeable midfield two happen to be Portuguese speaking. There isn't a Portuguese speaker that he doesn't seemingly rate. He says he likes Mount, but he's been out of the team when seemingly fit. And sad as it may sound, if we have a tone setter in the squad it's Mount.

I'm losing patience rapidly.

Edit: I think culture and language is also an issue, his English is ok, but is often stilted and I imagine himself and Kobbie struggle to understand each other, that is if he talks to him at all.

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045802#Comment_124045802

Yep. Brought in "clearly one of the top sporting directors in the world" then sacked him after three months for not buying into this Amorim joke

CantGetNoSleep

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045826#Comment_124045826

Likeable? I can't stand the clown

Charlie69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045888#Comment_124045888

It’s understandable that you’re losing patience but I don’t know, I just refuse to believe that he’s favouring players based on them being Portuguese or Portuguese speaking players.

I totally get the argument that Bruno and Casemiro don’t work together in midfield but based on their performances this season they would definitely start anyway even if they weren’t played in midfield together.

Charlie69

@The Big Easy

That’s not to say I don’t agree with you re Mainoo. I’m also a huge admirer and had high hopes for his future with the club. I thought he was a sure thing to be honest. That’s why I’m asking the questions above.

Sand

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045902#Comment_124045902

I get it, but I think the likeability of football managers - and footballers generally - has a big connection to them being successful. Alex Ferguson didn't win nice guy of the year awards. He won titles. When ETH started, everyone loved him taking the team out on a 13KM run after they were outrun by an opposition team early on - especially because he ran it with them. By the end, he was a clown. Early on, everyone loved Amorim. Now he is a clown. Same with Van Gaal, Mourinho, OGS, etc.

Amorim comes across well. He speaks well. He seems to care. He is likeable. But football is cruel - what counts is winning. And Amorim is not winning.

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045908#Comment_124045908

Yeah, I don't like saying it to be honest, but he's under severe pressure and seems so risk adverse that he sticks to what he knows and those that understand him and his concepts

Ninthlife

https://twitter.com/mufcytp/status/1996978123515351254?t=zJSwD4YEWLUPFp1rq9xdVQ&s=19

is Amorim losing the dressing room

The Big Easy

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045922#Comment_124045922

Cristiano Ronaldo is hugely unlikeable and I actively dislike him. Now if he'd stayed at United and won multiple European Cups I'd probably have a different opinion.

Caustic

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045933#Comment_124045933

Looks like he'll be off to Celtic soon

Charlie69

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045922#Comment_124045922

Yeah managers go from hero to zero very quickly these days, Amorim was manager of the month very recently after a mini revival and now we have posters calling for his head again after a couple of frustrating results.

Like I said earlier, the fans frustrations are totally understandable but I’d definitely give him until the end of the season at least.
The man took over an absolute mess, a total **** show like we’ve never seen before at this club considering all the problems with the ownership, our dire psr issues and then taking over a squad not at all suited to his style of play.

That’s a lot on its own without even going into the minefield of trying to sort out the disastrous Antony, Rashford, Sancho and Garnacho unprofessionalism and wanting away issues and having to sorti all that out…. not to mention inheriting a goalkeeper that seemed hell bent on self sabotage.

Considering all of the above I actually think he hasn’t done too badly in the twelve months he has been in charge, ( 12 months really isn’t a long time) and don’t forget he didn’t actually want to take over until the end of last season.

I know a lot of you won’t agree and again I can totally understand that but that’s just my feelings on it.

y0ssar1an22

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/124045927#Comment_124045927

Its the old chestnut of stick or twist.

He's too stubborn to twist.

Everton was the one for me. Losing to 10 men. If ever you should twist it was there.