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

Rocket_GD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123159915#Comment_123159915

Ye the squad cost system could be a great help to us especially clearing some larger earners off the books. Considering atm we were spending about 66% on wages (pre Antony, Rashford and Malacia leaving) we could have some daylight in regards to these regulations. It's just about finding the actual cash to spend, that isn't on the credit card is our issue.

Mitch Connor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123159949#Comment_123159949

The wage cost in the new rules is also purely based on player/coach wages while currently it includes all staff. Think we are down around 55% or 58% for player wages.

Rocket_GD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123159960#Comment_123159960

Thankfully due to our size and revenue we're not doing too badly on this front and it should lower with higher earners leaving being replaced with more moderate contracts.

As a % we're spending a hell of a lot less than our rivals, the likes of Villa could be in trouble with their wage to revenue ratio.

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123159819#Comment_123159819

No, I'm not having that, I have never, ever said that I wanted instant results. The very opposite in fact, I have multiple times in black and white said that it was not about results, or title challenges, or winning immediately.

All I have ever asked for is for something to improve.

Its not that much to ask for.

Rocket_GD

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160104#Comment_123160104

Ok but the manager himself said it was going to get worse before it gets better, we all knew this. “Expect a storm” we’re currently in the eye of it.

pjohnson

I wonder would making Soccer private free if from the seizure jumping glitch?

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160185#Comment_123160185

Its from quoting comments.…And I just added to the glitch 😅

Mitch Connor

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160159#Comment_123160159

To be fair, it isn't unreasonable to expect we'd look better than we do after 3 months.

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160159#Comment_123160159

I have also many times said that I do not buy that whole thing for one second.

The idea that somebody can absolve themselves of all expectations just by saying "Its going to be crap" is just insane to me. And its even more insane how quickly people accepted it.

Worse than that, it is dangerous thinking. People aren't looking for any improvements in performance and all it took was one line in a press conference.

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123146884#Comment_123146884

On cue.....

Iseedeadpixels

Looks like the whingers in the squad are at it again, good riddance I say.

From the article:

Confidential understands that some of them have discussed amongst themselves whether a change of plan that is better suited to their style of play might be the best way forward.

(...)

there is growing concern among some players that the teething problems they have experienced under Amorim are not going to improve unless he considers at least tweaking the system.

While there is no suggestion that Amorim risks losing the dressing room,

questions will continue to be asked of his strategy

unless United begin to show a marked improvement.

DM_7

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160303#Comment_123160303

You should include a source so people can decide if the source of the news is worth their time.

Mitch Connor

Shame for the people that will lose their jobs.

But I would strongly doubt the missteps on the football side are the reason for the cuts. I've no doubt staff are saying it, but I don't think they are right.

Muppetiers has been saying another 100 for a month or more now. But take their insight with a large pinch of salt.

At 350 we'll still have 750+ staff. Which I think would still have us with the highest staff number. Can't find the numbers, I did previously but nothing showing up for me now.

Though I assume it's in large part a straight budget cut rather than a better resourcing number and profile.

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160336#Comment_123160336

Chris Wheeler, Tier 2 on /r/reddevils

Mitch Connor

I'd be shocked if players hadn't discussed if tweaks or changes to the plan would improve things.

They're playing rubbish in a new system. Of course they're gonna discuss what they think could help them.

Its only an issue if they stop trying to do what he asks of them, or start demanding changes.

We shouldn't villify the players for talking.

NITRO95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160338#Comment_123160338

IIRC before the cuts began we had close to 1200 staff and then the next closest was 650 or so. So even with 350 staff reductions we have close to 50% more staff than the next largest PL team

Mantis Toboggan

So they're sacking 200 members of staff who probably get paid a year what Casemiro gets paid a day to save money, all the while they spend 30 million a year servicing a debt that doesn't come down, you couldn't make it up.

NITRO95

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160415#Comment_123160415

Yea you're right they should pay off Casemiro and then have to lay off 400 staff and still have more staff than any other PL team.

Also funny that you've inflated the 100 reported to 200 to sensationalise your point

bucketybuck

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160374#Comment_123160374

That entire article could be based on my posts, must be a handy way to make a living.

If there is actually a player as the origin of those basic statements I would be very surprised.

I mean, "Questions will continue to be asked of his strategy". How is that news?

Mantis Toboggan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160422#Comment_123160422

Well it's reported as 100 plus. Look you can support Glineos all you want but I continue to call out how badly the club is ran.

scudzilla

Just watching the City/Madrid game, Are Haalands eyes too small for his head?

Cant figure if he has little eyes or a big head

Toranaga

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160841#Comment_123160841

What strain of weed are you watching it with?

billyhead

Lol at City.

ericzeking

Whatever about the squad in general….the whole vibe last year about Mainoo, Garnacho and Hojlund being the the future and to build around them and it seems none of them fit into this system. In fact, Garnacho rescued the game Friday night playing more as a traditional winger, ie. Playing the way that sees him seemingly up for sale.

You would want to be blind not to be asking questions given how bad it has been performance wise. I think you would have expected some semblence of improvement by now, like how many new players did Ireola for example get to have Bournemouth flying so high?

One thing I can't help notice is the youthful look of our whole coaching staff, bar the 63 year old keeper coach of course. Remember we have a squad of (unwarranted) Big time Charlies…. you'd have to wonder if they take instruction well from essentially fellow young lads.

Zeek12

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123160841#Comment_123160841

Can't figure how they imploded tonight….then again it's becoming normal for them!

Iseedeadpixels

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123161195#Comment_123161195

They were the same under 50 something ETH, it's just a bad bunch of weak players.

The_Kew_Tour

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123161195#Comment_123161195

I agree with this but if players are unwilling to put effort in a management team than I think it shows its a player issue rather than management.

For me we need total culture shift even if that means more pain for next few years.

Manager needs a chance now. Some players got a chance for 8-9 years, some still are, it's time to least give management 18 months maybe further 12.

IncognitoMan

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123162229#Comment_123162229

100%

We've backed the players on multiple occasions now when things go wrong. It has not worked.

Seattle

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/123162229#Comment_123162229

You can't just give a manager that length of time with no conditions attached though. He will obviously have to show major improvement, and soon. Most thought it was rock bottom under Ten Hag but we've become objectively worse under Amorim and he's nearly 4 months in. There are mitigating factors but we should all have expected to see something more tangible take shape by now. It's easy to say he inherited a mess (true) but we can still judge his performance as head coach whilst taking that into account.

Mitch Connor

I think it would be fair to think United looked at Amorim and the United squad and expected a better fit.

If you took what we'd see as his formation and had the following players fit and on form (and the club would have hoped to see more on the form side from one player in particular, but 2 important ones) starting out

_____________Onana
___Mazroui___De Ligt____Martinez
Dalot_____Ugarte____Mainoo____Shaw (LOL)
_________Bruno_____Rashford
_____________Hojlund

You'd then have (now) Dorgu to back up/take LWB. Amad to backup/take RWB. Mount to rotate with either Mainoo at 8 or Bruno at 10. Garnacho/Amad for Rashford. We'd still need signings to make it a "proper" side but I think it is reasonable to think that team and backups could be at least GOOD. All those at their potential best? I like that team in that formation (with adjustments to their game brought about by coaching and competition).

Shaw has been consistently injured but that should have been expected and accounted for.
Mainoo hasn't adjusted well to the 8 position's defensive needs - struggles in recovery. He might adapt over time.
Bruno has been used (incorrectly imo) at 8 rather than 10.
Dalot has disappoing at LWB.
Mazraoui has been put at RWB and been ineffective there
Amad has looked good at RWB but used at 10 cause bruno got moved deeper and Rashford left/unusable.
Mount has been consistently injured - and rightly or wrongly I reckon the club did think/hope he'd start to show a level of fitness consistency.
Rashford the most disappointing of all. I reckon the club though that 10 spot would be perfect for him.
Hojlund is getting worse by the game. I reckon the club looked at his profile, and Gyokeres profile and thought there be an improvement in Ras.

So for various reasons, and you can say the club were idiots on all the calls, I reckon the squad itself is much pooer for Amorim than that anticipated.

You can also argue to put some of that on Amorim. How much of the form and struggles of Hojlund are on him? Dalot? Mainoo? Bruno?