Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2018 pt3

mosstin · 11-07-2018 12:35PM

Lukker- wrote: »

Yes Lukaku was the real captain last night, led by example.

Sarcasm I assume but none of the Belgians did themselves any favours last night. Also, he - and Hazard - were outstanding against Brazil. Probably nothing left in the tank.

Adamocovic · 11-07-2018 12:40PM

I'm disappointed if true about Shaqiri. People may argue they don't want him but he would give us a very decent option at RW and I still rate him as a quality player.

Especially at the reported £13million that is an absolute steal for him. No real risk involved. Sure we just saw Southampton pay around that for Angus Gunn!

Trigger · 11-07-2018 12:43PM

Adamocovic wrote: »

I'm disappointed if true about Shaqiri. People may argue they don't want him but he would give us a very decent option at RW and I still rate him as a quality player.

Especially at the reported £13million that is an absolute steal for him. No real risk involved. Sure we just saw Southampton pay around that for Angus Gunn!

Unless it’s Bale, We should be looking at a right footed RW to provide with, Shaqiri is just like Mata and Pereira(even though he is right footed). they cut inside and play more centrally when we need someone to stretch defences

Adamocovic · 11-07-2018 12:58PM

astradave wrote: »

Unless it’s Bale, We should be looking at a right footed RW to provide with, Shaqiri is just like Mata and Pereira(even though he is right footed). they cut inside and play more centrally when we need someone to stretch defences

Yeah that's valid. I know despite Shaqiri not always being a right-sided player since become a regular at the RW with Stoke he's always struck me as more naturally suited there than the likes of Mata.

Obviously both converted. Hopefully we are able to bring in a RW but I just think with the money being tossed around splashing £13m on Shaqiri would have been great business.

Worst case scenario we don't sign another RW and have Shaqiri as a potential solution for now (depends how he would perform), and best case scenario we have a new RW and Shaqiri to provide cover.

Will depend how the window finishes out but if it is a case that we add no one at all to the right I'd be very disappointed, that's why I saw Shaqiri at that money to be a nice safety blanket sort of purchase.

Mitch Connor · 11-07-2018 01:16PM

Adamocovic wrote: »

I'm disappointed if true about Shaqiri. People may argue they don't want him but he would give us a very decent option at RW and I still rate him as a quality player.

Especially at the reported £13million that is an absolute steal for him. No real risk involved. Sure we just saw Southampton pay around that for Angus Gunn!

Do you think Shaqiri is good enough to be bought as a first team starter for United?

If not do you think he is better than Mata to take Mata's place as a rotational option in the same position?

If so, do you think he is enough better than Mata to (1) take Mata's place and (2) sell Mata cause surely we don't need two squad replacements for the same position?

Adamocovic · 11-07-2018 01:32PM

Just my opinions below and I'm aware most will disagree.

Mitch Connor wrote: »

Do you think Shaqiri is good enough to be bought as a first team starter for United?

With Shaqiri I think he is a player who has the potential to be a starter for us, without having the fee of a starter attached

If not do you think he is better than Mata to take Mata's place as a rotational option in the same position?

Now this is a mixed answer. I would rate Mata better than Shaqiri overall as a player, but in terms of the competition for the position on the RW I feel Shaqiri would win it, or at least has the potential to win that battle.

If so, do you think he is enough better than Mata to (1) take Mata's place and (2) sell Mata cause surely we don't need two squad replacements for the same position?

As I see it now, if we just bought Shaqiri and didn't add anyone else to the RW position I wouldn't be selling Mata. Mata was realistically our first choice at RW last season, and despite me being a huge fan of his I'm not crazy about him playing out there. However if we just bought Shaqiri I would like us to keep Mata and let the two compete for the position. Could only get the best out of both players. Now if we we're to bring in a World Class winger and Shaqiri I would be open to us selling Mata if there is no room for him in the squad.

All-in-all I think with the quality of Shaqiri and the price tag being mentioned there is an absolute steal there with little risk involved.

Lord TSC · 11-07-2018 01:44PM

Nah, I'd agree he isn't what we need at all. The attention is on him cause he's cheap but Liverpool are going after him cause he will be a bench player cheap. We have plenty of squad players; Mata, Lingard and Rashford could all offer that on the RW.

We need top tier starters to kick up the required level. Shaquiri would be a grand squad player if we already had the player to be ahead of him on the roster.

fatherted1969 · 11-07-2018 01:51PM

If Shaquri could add proper work rate into his game he'd be some player. No better manager than Klopp to improve players. At the price it's pretty much a no brainer. Really good player on his day

Cotts72 · 11-07-2018 01:51PM

Just seen martial smiling in training... Man never smiles, clear sign hes staying ðŸ˜‚

Lord TSC · 11-07-2018 01:58PM

fatherted1969 wrote: »

If Shaquri could add proper work rate into his game he'd be some player. No better manager than Klopp to improve players. At the price it's pretty much a no brainer. Really good player on his day

(This is admittedly from second hand info, rather than personal watching him)

The counter point is that the main criticism against him seems to be that "on his day" is rare. The Stoke fans on Reddit seemed to believe he would be great in big games, where he bust a gut to look good himself, but then in smaller games against lesser teams, he was lazy and had no interest in working hard, and thus went missing for 75% of games each year.

Which, by the by, sounds like he would be the antithesis of a Jose player too....

Cantona's Collars · 11-07-2018 02:03PM

Via sportwitness:
United still interested in Bonucci. €35 million to get negotiations rolling.

Trigger · 11-07-2018 02:09PM

Lord TSC wrote: »

Nah, I'd agree he isn't what we need at all. The attention is on him cause he's cheap but Liverpool are going after him cause he will be a bench player cheap. We have plenty of squad players; Mata, Lingard and Rashford could all offer that on the RW.

We need top tier starters to kick up the required level. Shaquiri would be a grand squad player if we already had the player to be ahead of him on the roster.

And that’s before you even add Pereira into the equation

Cantona's Collars · 11-07-2018 02:18PM

Jose on Pogba's performance last night.

"I think it was a very good performance by Pogba. Pogba was mature, he played the game with great maturity. When he had to hold position and keep control of the game, he did. When Deschamps took off Giroud for N'Zonzi, he had more freedom but not freedom to do silly things. He had freedom to kep the ball away from the dangerous areas, to assist Griezmann. He was very, very mature."

sReq | uTeK · 11-07-2018 02:23PM

Lukker- wrote: »

Yes Lukaku was the real captain last night, led by example.

Lol, what do you do when the ball doesn't get played up or into you and 90% of crosses don't beat the 1st man.

You must have missed his bullying of the brazil team and his fantastic assist for belgiums 2nd. But sure look, lets forget everything that was, you're only as good as your last game supposedly. Best then to tell Ronnie and Messi its time to hang up their boots, that Neymar fella, didn't see him against belgium, he needs to quit too.

bucketybuck · 11-07-2018 02:30PM

I think Shaquiri would be just another player rotating in and out of the side, never doing enough to make the spot his own but scoring the odd goal here and there and so always dangling the promise of more.

I don't see him improving the quality of the side at all, he would be sideways growth when we need upwards growth.

Rossi IRL · 11-07-2018 02:41PM

I'd rather develop Chong instead of buying Shaquiri.

If we are signing a RW it has to be somebody who is proven. We missed out on the ideal player in Mahrez.

I think we will see alot of Chong and Rashford playing right wing this season if we don't sign anybody.

PhlegmyMoses · 11-07-2018 02:45PM

Shaqiri didn't do it at Bayern and was scapegoated by the fans, didn't do it at Inter and looked inconsistent in a poor Stoke team and is a 27 year old winger. I know we are desperate for somebody to play off the right, but the likes of Shaqiri and Douglas Costa are bargain basement options who I have no confidence in being better than Sanchez\Rashford\Martial\Mata for that particular position.

Lukker- · 11-07-2018 02:51PM

sReq | uTeK wrote: »

Lol, what do you do when the ball doesn't get played up or into you and 90% of crosses don't beat the 1st man.

You must have missed his bullying of the brazil team and his fantastic assist for belgiums 2nd. But sure look, lets forget everything that was, you're only as good as your last game supposedly. Best then to tell Ronnie and Messi its time to hang up their boots, that Neymar fella, didn't see him against belgium, he needs to quit too.

He was excellent against Brazil. I think he's a top 10 striker in the world and I'd take him back as the leading striker of Chelsea in a heartbeat.

I don't think he's a natural leader though. He was hiding in that game. Even Mou said it (the majority of the team were no better)

Jose Mourinho wrote:

I think the Belgium players go home with a bad feeling. A feeling that we could've done more and better, a feeling that Hazard probably didn't have, because he tried absolutely everything. Many of the other big players, they kept hiding.

Even when the service isn't there, you need to drop deep, make something happen, bully your marker. He just looked tame last night, like he wasn't up for it. I don't get it because sometimes he looks like he'll run all day and physically dominate the CB.

PhlegmyMoses · 11-07-2018 03:08PM

Lukker- wrote: »

He was excellent against Brazil. I think he's a top 10 striker in the world and I'd take him back as the leading striker of Chelsea in a heartbeat.

I don't think he's a natural leader though. He was hiding in that game. Even Mou said it (the majority of the team were no better)

Even when the service isn't there, you need to drop deep, make something happen, bully your marker. He just looked tame last night, like he wasn't up for it. I don't get it because sometimes he looks like he'll run all day and physically dominate the CB.

It's really stupid to use one game and say that he isn't a natural leader though. Give a few more examples and we can maybe have a discussion.

DM_7 · 11-07-2018 03:31PM

Jesse Lingard means United don't need to add squad players to the attacking midfield roles.

Can cover all roles and United have guys like Mata or Rashford for more specific roles.

Adamocovic · 11-07-2018 03:35PM

PhlegmyMoses wrote: »

Shaqiri didn't do it at Bayern and was scapegoated by the fans,

He didn't do it in terms of reaching his potential. I agree with that. But did play around 40 times in his first season under Jupp when they won the treble. And was key in their cup success.

It didn't work with Pep. He didn't do enough to earn a spot over Robben even despite a storming World Cup in 2014.

didn't do it at Inter .

He was only at inter for like 6 months before leaving. He turned down a move to Liverpool earlier as Bayern had convinced him to stay, then admitted he got impatient being on the bench and jumped at the opportunity to join Inter.

However he didn't enjoy the Italian football. Said it was too slow, lacked explosiveness and creativity, and his game didn't suit it. Also mentioned how shocking the Inter infrastructure for recovery, performance analysis and nutrition is compared to England and Germany.

He left after expressing his unhappiness to Mancini who he claims he never had any issues with. So he didn't do it but it was a case of him wanting out. It's not great by him but a mistake.

and looked inconsistent in a poor Stoke team.

I'd imagine most would consider him one of their best players. In his 3 seasons there he has been top scorer, and top assist provider twice.

And that is like you mentioned, playing with a poor Stoke team around him.

and is a 27 year old winger. I know we are desperate for somebody to play off the right, but the likes of Shaqiri and Douglas Costa are bargain basement options who I have no confidence in being better than Sanchez\Rashford\Martial\Mata for that particular position.

He's 26, and at least I can agree on the use of the word bargain!

And of the people you mentioned:
Sanchez: LW/CAM, started 0 games last season on the right.
Rashford: LW/ST, only started 2 games last season on the right.
Martial: LW, started 3 games last season on the right. Also most seem to think he's on the way out.
Mata: RW, the converted RW but is regular starter.

So 3 of the 4 have been regularly on the opposite wing with one linked with a move away. I understand people's opinion of Shaqiri. Personally think whoever is getting him is getting a bargain.

Hopefully we go on to sign someone outstanding at RW but if the seasons starts and we haven't even brought in some competition for the right-hand side I'll be looking back at a wasted punt on Shaqiri which comes with little to no risk.

Lord TSC · 11-07-2018 03:49PM

I do get why people would look at him as a viable option when our RW is such a disaster.

But he is not the level of player we need right now. He would improve us. But not by 19 points.

We need a game changer on the RW. That isn't him.

pjohnson · 11-07-2018 03:50PM

I'd love Willian tbh.

Mitch Connor · 11-07-2018 03:57PM

pjohnson wrote: »

I'd love Willian tbh.

Was looking in the Chelsea thread a few weeks ago and they were mostly bemoaning Willian and talking about the need to get a proper right winger in to replace him.

Funny.

Same is said at United and Willian is the guy we want to solve it.

Someone has the player very wrong and it is more likely to be the United fans! (and I'd have been one backing a move for Willian)

Trigger · 11-07-2018 03:59PM

https://twitter.com/footballitalia/status/1017041755030671360?s=21

Mitch Connor · 11-07-2018 04:00PM

Lord TSC wrote: »

I do get why people would look at him as a viable option when our RW is such a disaster.

But he is not the level of player we need right now. He would improve us. But not by 19 points.

We need a game changer on the RW. That isn't him.

He'd be a potentially excellent squad player - which is what I would say Liverpool are signing him for. But, as you say, we don't need squad player signings for that role. We have a bunch of players that could be that already. If we sign a 'proper' RW then Mata would be relagated to the role Shaqiri would fullfil - so I'd rather a proper right winger and stick with Mata in that squad role

Liam McPoyle · 11-07-2018 04:01PM

I'd love to see us sign Ruben Loftus Cheek.

That way, we could have a midfield line up that included

Cheek & Chong.

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8TJgfxA0Txk8hzMFjC_uB9qXrLRqMsOAeWnD4WwSysc8gfdO3

images?q=tbn:ANd9GcT8TJgfxA0Txk8hzMFjC_uB9qXrLRqMsOAeWnD4WwSysc8gfdO3

Lord TSC · 11-07-2018 04:03PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

He'd be a potentially excellent squad player - which is what I would say Liverpool are signing him for. But, as you say, we don't need squad player signings for that role. We have a bunch of players that could be that already. If we sign a 'proper' RW then Mata would be relagated to the role Shaqiri would fullfil - so I'd rather a proper right winger and stick with Mata in that squad role

Yeap.

I also am hoping this is part of the reason we are slow making our signings; we know that we need larger leaps than Mata-Shaqiri to overturn that 19 point deficit. I think we could have made signings if we were willing to accept a lesser level of player, and think we will have options of that level still in three weeks if needed. I'm hoping that the delay is cause we are pushing for Bale levels.

Think Willian will be the fall back there if we can't get a tier one player. Chelseas policy seems to make it easier to get players like him if we have too.

Mitch Connor · 11-07-2018 04:04PM

Adamocovic wrote: »

Hopefully we go on to sign someone outstanding at RW but if the seasons starts and we haven't even brought in some competition for the right-hand side I'll be looking back at a wasted punt on Shaqiri which comes with little to no risk.

If the season started and we don't sign an outstanding player for the right (and I think we won't) then I would still be not bothered about Shaqiri, personally. I don't think he is a good enough upgrade on what we have and the fact he is cheap doesn't effect my opinion on that - as a squad option an arguably decent punt but as a first team signing? Nah, lets display some actual ambition and sign a player that would significantly improve us.

Sign a top player or don't bother. We don't need more punts and cheap gambles. We have enough players of 'good' quality already.

I do think he would do well for Liverpool, but he won't be a starter imo - he is getting bought to start on the bench and rotate in to give Salah/Firmino/Mane a break - and we don't need to be spending money on a player to play that role.

11-07-2018 04:05PM

I'd be still content with Willian, Sandro and Alderweireld to complete our Summer spending.

I know the Chelsea fans have had their reservations about Willian over the past season, but I think he and Jose would work well together once again.

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2018 pt3

Comments