Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2018 pt3

Can't say I believe the captain's role is all that important in the modern game. Exchanges pennants before matches and organises the Christmas do.

I vote Astradave captain of the thread. He does the work of 2 people..

astradave wrote: »

Did someone give credit to Liverpool going out and buying a spine to their team while also giving out about United transfers?

Jose has brought in a brilliant spine to the team, just needs to add in other positions now, I’d argue that the spine of the United team is better than the Liverpool one.. though possibly close

To add to DDg, Jose has brought in Bailly, Lindelof, Pogba, Matic, Fred, Sanchez and Lukaku

Oh and don’t forget Lee Grant

Liverpool went out and did the spine January and Summer.

United worked on the spine previous windows - apart from CB we aren't looking in that section (as fans). We have all been talking about wide positions.

So yeah - people give credit to Liverpool for the work they have done cause it has (on paper) very well addressed their weaknesses. The criticism United are getting is because they have not addressed weaknesses (in the eyes of many fans)

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

Bailly hasn't held down a regular place in team yet for different reasons hopefully this season!
Lindelof same.
Pogba who knows what he will do.
Matic so far so good!
Fred hasn't touched a ball yet so can't comment.
Sanchez hasn't turned up for more then a game or two so far again it has to happen for him this season.
Lukaku needs players around him to cop on a bit and a proper system to get the most out of him otherwise he isn't doing what he was bought for.

There's a reason for the lack of optimisation.

is the reason not CB and wide rather than the general spine of the team.

There aren't massive calls for Matic, Pogba or Lukaku to be replaced.

Lindelof and Bailly are annoying me.

Lindelof could be a player, he has potential, but we need to see so much more from him this season. Bailly... i worry about. I think he is the best of our CBs but the end of last season, and how Jose lumped him in with Pereira the other day... I think Jose is punishing him for not playing vs West Brom, and its not been solved over the summer. I reckon he is in Jose's bad books and it is tough to get out of them - or stay out of them.

Mitch Connor wrote: »

is the reason not CB and wide rather than the general spine of the team.

There aren't massive calls for Matic, Pogba or Lukaku to be replaced.

Lindelof and Bailly are annoying me.

Lindelof could be a player, he has potential, but we need to see so much more from him this season. Bailly... i worry about. I think he is the best of our CBs but the end of last season, and how Jose lumped him in with Pereira the other day... I think Jose is punishing him for not playing vs West Brom, and its not been solved over the summer. I reckon he is in Jose's bad books and it is tough to get out of them - or stay out of them.

For all the good players and potential players we have the deadweight and inconsistent performances are holding everyone back.

The systems and roles in which players are playing in isn't helping either.

astradave wrote: »

Oh don’t get me wrong I agree that we should be looking at other areas,and hope we are. I just thought it was a poor comparison to make as we had already addressed the spine of the team. We can use hindsight now with how they have worked out but, as you say Liverpool have only done the work on paper, but there is nothing to show yet that these players will help them (they probably will) for all we know they could come out the end of next season cursing their luck at signing injury prone players or players that haven’t lived up to their fees.

I will give credit to them on their signings but will only judge the players on the way they play for them.

But that is all anyone to look to at the moment.

United could go out and sign Sandro, Alderwerield and Bale tomorrow - and we would all be delighted but the reality is that we could only say we have addressed our weaknesses on paper. all three could flop.

We can see Liverpool have gone out and bought 2 highly rated CMs, a very highly rated GK - positions they needed to address. Sure, the players might not work out but that is the same for all signings ever. No club can buy certainties.

So yeah, maybe the players don't work out but that doesn't mean we can't recognise the transfer work in itself is very good this summer. IMO, United's is not. We have signed one first team player and one backup. That isn't enough to bridge the gaps our results last season show we have.

Mitch Connor wrote: »

But that is all anyone to look to at the moment.

United could go out and sign Sandro, Alderwerield and Bale tomorrow - and we would all be delighted but the reality is that we could only say we have addressed our weaknesses on paper. all three could flop.

We can see Liverpool have gone out and bought 2 highly rated CMs, a very highly rated GK - positions they needed to address. Sure, the players might not work out but that is the same for all signings ever. No club can buy certainties.

So yeah, maybe the players don't work out but that doesn't mean we can't recognise the transfer work in itself is very good this summer. IMO, United's is not. We have signed one first team player and one backup. That isn't enough to bridge the gaps our results last season show we have.

This is the crux of the issue I feel.

Other clubs haven't messed around with money searching for value where it can't be found. Liverpool and City have just paid fees and got on with it whereas we're (reportedly) being put off by 5/10 million here and there for players like Alderweireld who could improve our team immensely if brought in.

I’m fairly confident there will be 2 or 3 signings in the positions that need addressing. Mourinho doesn’t really do quiet windows.

Lord TSC wrote: »

Thats massively oversimplifying the Toby situation.
Reports are they want 75m for a defender with a spotty injury record who is 29, and has a 25m release clause next summer. Its not 5 or 10m, we're trying to half it.

[Bill Rice, BBC] ‘A commanding central defender and another hardworking wide player are the areas Mourinho will look to strengthen, with Tottenham's Toby Alderweireld and Chelsea's Willian among the names in the frame. Don't rule out a statement signing too.’

Tbf neither of us know anything about the fees involved. You're pointing to reports of £75 million, I could do the same with ones that just mention £50 million.

But either way Liverpool set the benchmark for CB's at £75 million with VvD and if we can have a better one for the same or less than that, to strengthen our weakest position, then it's worth it.

Lord TSC wrote: »

Its the utter lack of briefings that has me remaining confident on this.

Either that, or Woody has forgotten there's a transfer window going on :pac:

I'd go the exact opposite. The lack of any hint at all that we are close to anyone has me worried United have simply got this window all wrong and failed to land targets.

secman wrote: »

So why not buy a proven solid RB.!

Which proven solid right back would you go for?

Cypher_sounds wrote: »

Which proven solid right back would you go for?

I know it's not going to happen but I think Vrsaljko is a vey good RB and would be happy to see him signed.
Best we can hope for is Dalot turns out to be excellent and starts to force his way into first choice by mid season.

If a proper wide man is bought for the right side then RB is less of an issue.

Cantona's Collars wrote: »

Barcelona have made a 3rd bid in excess of £55 million for Willian.
For that price, I hope United don't try to bid against them.

I wonder what will happen with Dembele if they get Willian?
Wouldn't mind a loan for him with a view to a permanent deal,that lad has massive potential.