Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2017

S.M.B. · 25-07-2017 01:38PM

bangkok wrote: »

When you post reply, wait a second then click on the link to bring you back

I've had to use this for a few days. Felt like it was being less of an issue the past 24 hours a day.

magnumbud · 25-07-2017 01:43PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Could be utter BS but whoscored have Pogba playing DM 20 times last season.

https://www.whoscored.com/Players/97752/Show/Paul-Pogba

would say he probably played a deeper role those times but probably not an out and out DM. probably just those times he played in a 2 with herrera or whoever behind mata or whoever

Cantona's Collars · 25-07-2017 01:56PM

bangkok wrote: »

When you post reply, wait a second then click on the link to bring you back

Yeah,bit of a pain.

Cantona's Collars · 25-07-2017 01:57PM

paulbok wrote: »

Nice try

Look in the transfer thread,I've one there from 1996

:)

TheDoc · 25-07-2017 02:02PM

xtal191 wrote: »

So whos gonna be benched for Mbappe, Bale or Benzema? All out for Bale please Woodward.

Doubt either.

Mbappe will come into the squad and likely play understudy to Benzema, getting opportunities along the way, with a view to likely taking over from next season, ir not the season after.

If he has received assurances he will be a starter, he is a flat out fool and was lied to. Zidane is clearly operating a process of integration, gradual integration with talented youngsters into his squad and he is building what looks a great squad for years to come.

But I doubt Mbappe is going to dislodge anyone, regardless of the money. And Zidane isn't going to be pressured into it either.

Mitch Connor · 25-07-2017 02:04PM

TheDoc wrote: »

Doubt either.

Mbappe will come into the squad and likely play understudy to Benzema, getting opportunities along the way, with a view to likely taking over from next season, ir not the season after.

If he has received assurances he will be a starter, he is a flat out fool and was lied to. Zidane is clearly operating a process of integration, gradual integration with talented youngsters into his squad and he is building what looks a great squad for years to come.

But I doubt Mbappe is going to dislodge anyone, regardless of the money. And Zidane isn't going to be pressured into it either.

Madrid might be looking at the injury record of Bale, and the likelihood they could get good coin for him from United - as a good way of bringing in Mbappe and offsetting the cost near completely (along with Morata).

If Mbappe moves this summer, he will have been told he'll be a starter. You calling him a fool if such a thing has happened isn't an argument.

bangkok · 25-07-2017 02:08PM

Ronaldo

mbappe

bale

Modric

kroos

Frighening!!!

TheDoc · 25-07-2017 02:08PM

DM_7 wrote: »

A Bale would improve United more than a DM on his own. It was not defence that cost United last season, it was lack of goals scored.

We've been the joint best or one of the best defensive units in the league going on two seasons now.

There is a solid foundation and organisation shape there.

So as you say, for me it's the attack that has been the problem for two seasons now, and it's the final piece of the jigsaw. I know Mitch and Adox believe a DM is crucial to a title tilt, but I just can't see it. One of the best defensive records two seasons in a row, a really strong defensive coach, a team that really won't get steamrolled unless they have a mare.

It's the final third that has been killing us, even in Van Gaal's first season with Falcao,Van Persie and Di Maria blowing guff

Lord TSC · 25-07-2017 02:11PM

A DM behind Pogba (and, to a lesser extent, Ander) means that they can be more expressive moving forward. If Pogba can get the freedom to be playing further forward, we'll score more goals and the attack will improve. Thats why the DM is spoken of so highly.

Mind, I'd also like another wing option too, and a fit Bale would be incredible. Thats why I think a winger, be it a goalscorer or a play maker, would be important to get too.

Cantona's Collars · 25-07-2017 02:13PM

TheDoc wrote: »

We've been the joint best or one of the best defensive units in the league going on two seasons now.

There is a solid foundation and organisation shape there.

It's the final third that has been killing us, even in Van Gaal's first season with Falcao,Van Persie and Di Maria blowing guff

On paper,that front 3 should have beaten any team on their own,sadly they never worked out.

bangkok · 25-07-2017 02:15PM

zerks wrote: »

On paper,that front 3 should have beaten any team on their own,sadly they never worked out.

Not really, apart from di maria, the other 2 were big names with no pace.

If i was a defender i would much rather mark van persie and falcao over say a rashford and a martial.

Obviously rvp and falcao were better finishers but defenders hate players with pace

Mitch Connor · 25-07-2017 02:17PM

TheDoc wrote: »

We've been the joint best or one of the best defensive units in the league going on two seasons now.

There is a solid foundation and organisation shape there.

So as you say, for me it's the attack that has been the problem for two seasons now, and it's the final piece of the jigsaw. I know Mitch and Adox believe a DM is crucial to a title tilt, but I just can't see it. One of the best defensive records two seasons in a row, a really strong defensive coach, a team that really won't get steamrolled unless they have a mare.

It's the final third that has been killing us, even in Van Gaal's first season with Falcao,Van Persie and Di Maria blowing guff

The defensive record, particularly under LVG, has been down to the team being incredibly defensive in total - putting loads behind the ball and being very conservative, imo.

A DM, imo, would allow the the team to be more adventurous going forward due to the protection of a quality DM in front of the defence. I feel we rely on sheer numbers in defence, rather than the ability of players.

StringerBell · 25-07-2017 02:23PM

On the one hand, I would have been surprised to see Mbappe move this summer, he had said he wanted one more year in Monaco and that he only wanted to go to Madrid beyond that.

What could have changed that I guess is that he sees the Monaco team being torn asunder and is now worried it may actually stunt his development a bit to stay there?

I dunno, I guess I would still come down on the side that I expect him to play another year in Monaco before moving on to Madrid

JaMarcusHustle · 25-07-2017 02:25PM

Is that really hampering our attack under Mourinho?

Under LVG, we defended in numbers and rarely attacked. As a result, we had the 6th fewest shots per game in the league in 2015/16. Last season, we had the 4th most shots in the league, with only Spurs, City and Liverpool ahead of us, yet we were only 10th in terms of Goals Scored.

I had no issue with the number of attacks/chances we had last season. To me, it was purely poor finishing/conversion that cost us so much. I never once considered that defending in numbers was an issue that was costing us in attack last season.

Quandary · 25-07-2017 02:30PM

Sanches has reportedly played very very well in the friendly against Chelsea. Only a friendly I know, but he is one seriously exciting talent. We should be all over any opportunity to acquire his services.

He is incredibly strong for his size and plays a very physical style of football. I think he is made for the premier league. All that coupled with great pace, super technique and an eye for a pass.

I'd love to see us take a punt on him.

TheDoc · 25-07-2017 02:33PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

The defensive record, particularly under LVG, has been down to the team being incredibly defensive in total - putting loads behind the ball and being very conservative, imo.

A DM, imo, would allow the the team to be more adventurous going forward due to the protection of a quality DM in front of the defence. I feel we rely on sheer numbers in defence, rather than the ability of players.

I guess my counter is that it was evident last season we were clearly pressuring opponents and just generally all over them at home in terms of possesion, and we just couldn't convert chances.

The likes of Pogba and Hererra, couldn't have been any more forward other than playing as strikers, as our defence would be camping on the half way line, is not further.

I see the argument being made, and I get the logic, a dedicated DM would allow Pogba and Hererra more freedom. But this happened when Carrick came into the mix and he held the central, defensive position, and even with Pogba and Hererra advanced for so many games, home and away, we still contrived to drop points.

Bringing in a DM that is more mobile than Carrick, but less quality on the ball, I just don't see that being the missing piece of the jigsaw at all.

But will happily stand corrected at the end of the season if it does turn out to the case

TheDoc · 25-07-2017 02:35PM

Quandary wrote: »

Sanches has reportedly played very very well in the friendly against Chelsea. Only a friendly I know, but he is one seriously exciting talent. We should be all over any opportunity to acquire his services.

He is incredibly strong for his size and plays a very physical style of football. I think he is made for the premier league. All that coupled with great pace, super technique and an eye for a pass.

I'd love to see us take a punt on him.

Questions need to be asked how he couldn't establish himself at all in a domestic league that isn't that far from the English one in terms of style, but with a lot more muck and a lot more opportunity for Bayern to rotate.

A tough settling in period is one thing, the reports were pretty harsh on him, that he was pretty abysmal when he was given a chance, and he rarely impressed in training.

Cantona's Collars · 25-07-2017 02:35PM

Duncan Castles saying City willing to match Madrid's bid for mBappe.

Mitch Connor · 25-07-2017 02:35PM

JaMarcusHustle wrote: »

Is that really hampering our attack under Mourinho?

Under LVG, we defended in numbers and rarely attacked. As a result, we had the 6th fewest shots per game in the league in 2015/16. Last season, we had the 4th most shots in the league, with only Spurs, City and Liverpool ahead of us, yet we were only 10th in terms of Goals Scored.

I had no issue with the number of attacks/chances we had last season. To me, it was purely poor finishing/conversion that cost us so much. I never once considered that defending in numbers was an issue that was costing us in attack last season.

i think as the season progressed we became more defensive and conservative in our style - i think the there was a big difference in the way we played at the start of the season and the end, in general. As for shots, that doesn't speak to quality.

bangkok · 25-07-2017 02:37PM

zerks wrote: »

Duncan Castles saying City willing to match Madrid's bid for mBappe.

City trying to buy everyone. Sanchez, van djik, mbappe, bertrand

Mitch Connor · 25-07-2017 02:40PM

TheDoc wrote: »

I guess my counter is that it was evident last season we were clearly pressuring opponents and just generally all over them at home in terms of possesion, and we just couldn't convert chances.

The likes of Pogba and Hererra, couldn't have been any more forward other than playing as strikers, as our defence would be camping on the half way line, is not further.

I see the argument being made, and I get the logic, a dedicated DM would allow Pogba and Hererra more freedom. But this happened when Carrick came into the mix and he held the central, defensive position, and even with Pogba and Hererra advanced for so many games, home and away, we still contrived to drop points.

Bringing in a DM that is more mobile than Carrick, but less quality on the ball, I just don't see that being the missing piece of the jigsaw at all.

But will happily stand corrected at the end of the season if it does turn out to the case

Being able to push them forward with Carrick behind vs some teams was fine, and should have got more points. That didn't work in games vs pretty much any top 10 side though.

I think a top quality DM player would allow that Carrick-led formation to be used against better sides, making us more of a threat in those games.

Even in the games where you are saying Carrick allowed us to do that - you thinking Carrick, at 36, is going to be doing the same consistently week in week out this season. If Carrick is the player you are pointing at to allow that style, do you not think it might make sense to bring in a quality player to continue that?

Lord TSC · 25-07-2017 02:40PM

€180m for Mbappe

Makes the deals for Pogba and Lukaku look like bargains, but when you see how prices have ballooned from even two months ago, you can see where the difficulty in signing players is coming from.

Cantona's Collars · 25-07-2017 02:42PM

bangkok wrote: »

City trying to buy everyone. Sanchez, van djik, mbappe, bertrand

For years they moaned about us "buying titles" and since the Arabs came they turn into the thing the despised.

DARK-KNIGHT · 25-07-2017 02:42PM

I think its city I hate out of our rivals now absolutely spending all around them for fun its ridiculous at this stage pep is desperate imo

Cantona's Collars · 25-07-2017 02:46PM

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

I think its city I hate out of our rivals now absolutely spending all around them for fun its ridiculous at this stage pep is desperate imo

https://twitter.com/RMadrid_Stats/status/889479763483643905

Net transfer spend since 2008 [in millions of €]:

[1,228] Man City
[861] Man Utd
[645] PSG
[542] Chelsea
[521] Barcelona
[302] REAL MADRID

Quandary · 25-07-2017 02:48PM

TheDoc wrote: »

Questions need to be asked how he couldn't establish himself at all in a domestic league that isn't that far from the English one in terms of style, but with a lot more muck and a lot more opportunity for Bayern to rotate.

A tough settling in period is one thing, the reports were pretty harsh on him, that he was pretty abysmal when he was given a chance, and he rarely impressed in training.

There can be a a variety of different reasons why a player, particularly one so young doesn't settle at a club. If we could get him on a loan deal with an option to buy its win win for us. I don't claim to be any more knowledgeable than the next armchair fan, but almost anytime I have watched him play (admittedly not so much at Bayern)I was seriously impressed.

StringerBell · 25-07-2017 02:49PM

Just noticed, Bangkok suggested Oriel Romeu as a possible DM to go after, I actually agree with him for a change. Very good at shoring up the midfield, consistency issues though over the course of a season the only question mark, seems to be improving with maturity anyway and for the right price (since we will never sign my hero Casemiro) I would be ok with him coming on board, think he could do a good job and be a good squad option which is needed as well as bonafide starter quality

bangkok · 25-07-2017 02:51PM

zerks wrote: »

For years they moaned about us "buying titles" and since the Arabs came they turn into the thing the despised.

In fairness a lot of city fans dont like that the arabs took them over, they hate the champions league and would still prefer to be playing at maine road..

bangkok · 25-07-2017 02:54PM

DARK-KNIGHT wrote: »

I think its city I hate out of our rivals now absolutely spending all around them for fun its ridiculous at this stage pep is desperate imo

Pep is new to the league, id say he got a shock last season and the spending now is a result of that shock. In fairness they are building a fantastic squad, lots of players there i would love to see at united, jesus, aguero, sane, de bruyne, silva, mendy even bernardo silva

bucketybuck · 25-07-2017 02:54PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

If Mbappe moves this summer, he will have been told he'll be a starter. You calling him a fool if such a thing has happened isn't an argument.

I think you and others are assuming Mbappe is a fool.

He is 18, why you do really think that he himself will be moving to the European champions and demanding to be a starter?

I think its very possible that Zidane has told him that he is being bought for the near future, to soon replace the aging Ronaldo and Benzema, to come to one of the worlds biggest clubs while the likes of Ronaldo still have the spotlight and have a chance to bed in and develop without immediate pressure.

Its entirely reasonable to expect that Mbappe would play lots of games next season but not be a guaranteed starter ahead of Ronaldo, Bale or Benzema, and its perfectly possible that Mbappe is a smart kid who sees the value in that.

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2017

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