Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2018/2019 [Mod note 31-Aug-18]

How Soon Is Now · 09-08-2018 04:33PM

Is tfm going permanent or loan?

xtal191 · 09-08-2018 04:34PM

How Soon Is Now wrote: »

Is tfm going permanent or loan?

Looks like a loan, good move for him

deaddonkey15 · 09-08-2018 04:35PM

BenK wrote: »

Smalling is capable of defending well which is obviously crucial for a good defender, however, what that clip doesn't seem to show (admittedly I didn't watch it all...) is what he's like on the ball and how poor he generally is with his distribution after winning a tackle/receiving a pass.

It's a highlight compilation so it obviously won't show those things. I'm aware that Smalling is far from a top class defender but claiming he only performed well a few seasons ago because he was protected by those around him is demonstrably untrue.

Coat22 · 09-08-2018 04:36PM

In more amusing news....."FA rejects Man City’s work permit request for Douglas Luiz,"

Rossi IRL · 09-08-2018 04:37PM

I went away for the day lads....... Guessing we haven't signed anybody?

brinty · 09-08-2018 04:40PM

Rossi IRL wrote: »

I went away for the day lads....... Guessing we haven't signed anybody?

You went away...

Today................

Are you crazy........

How Soon Is Now · 09-08-2018 04:40PM

Rossi IRL wrote: »

I went away for the day lads....... Guessing we haven't signed anybody?

Massive announcement on our twitter page!

What's most important to the board.

Coat22 · 09-08-2018 04:41PM

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

BenK wrote: »

Smalling is capable of defending well which is obviously crucial for a good defender, however, what that clip doesn't seem to show (admittedly I didn't watch it all...) is what he's like on the ball and how poor he generally is with his distribution after winning a tackle/receiving a pass.

It's a highlight compilation so it obviously won't show those things. I'm aware that Smalling is far from a top class defender but claiming he only performed well a few seasons ago because he was protected by those around him is demonstrably untrue.

Or demonstrated clearly by the fact that since the manager changed that same summer and said protection was no longer there he has failed to repeat that one season where he appeared capable?

BenK · 09-08-2018 04:41PM

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

It's a highlight compilation so it obviously won't show those things. I'm aware that Smalling is far from a top class defender but claiming he only performed well a few seasons ago because he was protected by those around him is demonstrably untrue.

Fair enough, but I'd argue there's two sides to a defender 'performing well' and while his actual defending was decent that season (which is clearly crucial for a defender), his distribution wasn't good enough and never has been. On top of that I don't think he has good leadership qualities for a centre-half and is too passive in his play. I know you're not arguing otherwise, I just feel he badly needs to be upgraded!

yourdeadwright · 09-08-2018 04:49PM

BenK wrote: »

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

That isn't actually true though. The reason Smalling looked very good that season was because he was very good that season. The compilation below is the exact opposite of being shielding by those around him, a lot of the time he's bailing out the other players.

Smalling is capable of defending well which is obviously crucial for a good defender, however, what that clip doesn't seem to show (admittedly I didn't watch it all...) is what he's like on the ball and how poor he generally is with his distribution after winning a tackle/receiving a pass.

I think someone hit the mail on the head when they said Smalling can defend well in a defensive minded team,
One of the reason United didn't play expansive football is the likes of Smalling would all of a sudden have less bodies around him and be exposed ,
When full backs don't go anywhere and midfield that sits right in front of him his job is made easy , When there is space around him he is in trouble,

PhlegmyMoses · 09-08-2018 04:55PM

I don't want to denigrate Smalling completely as he is an honest pro and seems to try his best, but when rating his quality, where do you think he'd end up if he left United and for how much? As I said earlier, for me it would be Everton level max for about 20m. A starting defender for United should be better than this. He's grand as a backup so I wouldn't really advocate selling him I just would not want him in picture as a starter.

yabadabado · 09-08-2018 04:58PM

If a CB was signed I'd have ad no problem selling Smalling and Rojo.Id expect neither to get a move to anyone top 6 ,mid table teams would be their level.
Neither are the required level for United,squad players at best ,unfortunately Smalling could be a regular this season.

xtal191 · 09-08-2018 04:58PM

https://twitter.com/UtdGagan/status/1027189360389746688

Mr.Crinklewood · 09-08-2018 04:59PM

Rossi IRL wrote: »

I went away for the day lads....... Guessing we haven't signed anybody?

Ed Woodward welcome to Boards

Loafing Oaf · 09-08-2018 05:00PM

deaddonkey15 · 09-08-2018 05:01PM

Coat22 wrote: »

Or demonstrated clearly by the fact that since the manager changed that same summer and said protection was no longer there he has failed to repeat that one season where he appeared capable?

First of all, he has been more than capable on several occasions since that season but people remember the mistakes and bad games a lot longer than they remember the good ones. He started 28 league games last season, and we only conceded 1 league goal more than City and their 50m pound defenders. A lot of that was down to de Gea admittedly, but he's been a perfectly fine player for us more often than not. Not a world class commanding centre half, but not exactly the bumbling idiot he's made out to be either. As for his distribution, his pass completion rate in the league last season was 87.6%, and 93.2% in the Champions League. For some perspective, Alderweireld had a pass completion rate of 85.8% in the league and 81.3% in the Champions League.

Anyway, the argument was he was only good a few seasons ago because he was protected by those around him. The video above clearly shows him baling out the players around him on several occasions whilst putting in excellent headers, tackles, and cutting out crosses etc. There's no need to re-write history because you don't rate him - he was very good that season.

Trigger · 09-08-2018 05:01PM

yourdeadwright wrote: »

I think someone hit the mail on the head when they said Smalling can defend well in a defensive minded team,
One of the reason United didn't play expansive football is the likes of Smalling would all of a sudden have less bodies around him and be exposed ,
When full backs don't go anywhere and midfield that sits right in front of him his job is made easy , When there is space around him he is in trouble,

So for 80% of our games he’s grand?

Mitch Connor · 09-08-2018 05:03PM

5pm goes with United confirming the board has no ambition to hack a title tilt anymore.

A pathetic summer for the club. A pathetic giving up. City laid down a gauntlet and United said "you win". We could be pushed on this summer. But no. Club didn't have the appetite.

I'm gutted.

xtal191 · 09-08-2018 05:04PM

Mourinhos gone if we have a bad start to the season

xtal191 · 09-08-2018 05:05PM

But hey at least we got an official app today :rolleyes:

Coat22 · 09-08-2018 05:05PM

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

Coat22 wrote: »

Or demonstrated clearly by the fact that since the manager changed that same summer and said protection was no longer there he has failed to repeat that one season where he appeared capable?

First of all, he has been more than capable on several occasions since that season but people remember the mistakes and bad games a lot longer than they remember the good ones. He started 28 league games last season, and we only conceded 1 league goal more than City and their 50m pound defenders. A lot of that was down to de Gea admittedly, but he's been a perfectly fine player for us more often than not. Not a world class commanding centre half, but not exactly the bumbling idiot he's made out to be either. As for his distribution, his pass completion rate in the league last season was 87.6%, and 93.2% in the Champions League. For some perspective, Alderweireld had a passion completion rate of 85.8% in the league and 81.3% in the Champions League.

Anyway, the argument was he was only good a few seasons ago because he was protected by those around him. The video above clearly shows him baling out the players around him on several occasions whilst putting in excellent headers, tackles, and cutting out crosses etc. There's no need to re-write history because you don't rate him - he was very good that season.

I'm not rewriting history - I never rated him, saw through him that season and have been vindicated by his performances since.
He's a joe average CB - grand as cover but by no means should he be first choice in a CL team. Yes he's played some great games - but so did Wes Brown - I wouldn't have wanted him as a first choice CB in his day either.

09-08-2018 05:05PM

Lol get some tea and relax lads

I'm delighted that ****e is over. It just shows how bad SSN has become.

Now on with the football, looking forward to the game tomorrow

Interesting to see who starts

Mr.Crinklewood · 09-08-2018 05:07PM

Fred The Red wrote: »

Lol get some tea and relax lads

I'm delighted that ****e is over. It just shows how bad SSN has become.

Now on with the football, looking forward to the game tomorrow

Interesting to see who starts

Duxbury and Gidman

IamtheWalrus · 09-08-2018 05:07PM

Love the way the club signs players on deadline day but doesn't announce until the day after

cheeky buggers

JaMarcus · 09-08-2018 05:07PM

Now, everyone have a good look at themselves and realise how much time they wasted following our transfer window.

Every Twitter check, useless.

Every F5, pointless.

Every time you were away from the internet for a few hours longer than you usually are and got excited expecting big news when you next logged on - for nothing.

bangkok · 09-08-2018 05:08PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

5pm goes with United confirming the board has no ambition to hack a title tilt anymore.

A pathetic summer for the club. A pathetic giving up. City laid down a gauntlet and United said "you win". We could be pushed on this summer. But no. Club didn't have the appetite.

I'm gutted.

Gutted? Season hasnt even started yet

BenK · 09-08-2018 05:08PM

deaddonkey15 wrote: »

First of all, he has been more than capable on several occasions since that season but people remember the mistakes and bad games a lot longer than they remember the good ones. He started 28 league games last season, and we only conceded 1 league goal more than City and their 50m pound defenders. A lot of that was down to de Gea admittedly, but he's been a perfectly fine player for us more often than not. Not a world class commanding centre half, but not exactly the bumbling idiot he's made out to be either. As for his distribution, his pass completion rate in the league last season was 87.6%, and 93.2% in the Champions League. For some perspective, Alderweireld had a pass completion rate of 85.8% in the league and 81.3% in the Champions League.

Anyway, the argument was he was only good a few seasons ago because he was protected by those around him. The video above clearly shows him baling out the players around him on several occasions whilst putting in excellent headers, tackles, and cutting out crosses etc. There's no need to re-write history because you don't rate him - he was very good that season.

Those passing statistics are pretty pointless- how many were 5 yard telegraphed sideways passes or passes back to De Gea?

yabadabado · 09-08-2018 05:08PM

Is that transfer window the end game for Jose?
Won't mount a real title challenge and most likely similar poor play as last season.I can't see him sticking around beyond this season.

It would take massive improvements from about 6 players for there to be any real challenge.

fatherted1969 · 09-08-2018 05:10PM

All over lads, time to suck it up and get behind the team. Surprised at TFM going as it pointed to incoming players, surprised at how quiet it's been but just need to get off to a good start tomorrow

bangkok · 09-08-2018 05:11PM

De gea

Dalot----bailly

lindelof

shaw

Fred

matic

pogba

Rashford--lukaku--sanchez

Let the season begin

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread 2018/2019 [Mod note 31-Aug-18]

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