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

I'd also look at failing in two of those semi-finals, and the finals and critique them.

Same as i did for Ole and the Europa League. IMO losing that final was failure, as opposed to getting there being a success. IMO you need to look at who a team player, the players they had at their disposal, and the reasonable expectations.

United should have beaten Villareal, so losing was a failure imo. On top of that, I thought how Ole approached and reacted to that match, was a failure. I think England not making the semi-finals (based on who they have played) would have been a failure. They should not be losing to Switzerland. they should not be losing to Slovakia. Had they lost to Holland, that would have been understandable, if they lose to Spain that is understandable. I think they should have beaten Crotia in 18, losing that semi was a failure. Losing a quater final against France was understandble.

IMO the Italy final reflects poorly on Southgate in terms of going ahead early and then his team retreating into themselves for the rest of the game. Similar to what we have seen with EtH at United, a team that runs scared when in the lead.

IF he wins. Yeah, he probably will do.

But imo there are still loads of reasons why I wouldn't want him at United. Same as I wouldn't want Dechamps at United. Results orientated analysis in tournament football could easily lead you in the wrong direction.

Still not advocating GS. But I’ll this again, A silver bullet manger isn’t the answer, and maybe, just maybe GS could have played a part in getting us where we need to be, and improved the standards of not only running the club properly, but managing the squad of players we bring into it.

Zirkzee done according to Talksport

First here we go of the summer for us.
Happy with that.
I think there is plenty of reason to be sceptical of the kid, but I also think there are plenty of reasons to be optimistic, and I think it is a very smart deal - something United have not been good at doing.

I reckon he has the potential to pair very well with Bruno and Rashford. while also not making it impossible for Hojlund to play and progress himself.

There are concerns - his lack of outright pace, not a natural goal scorer and he doesn't use his size as well as he could. But I don't think pace is going to be an issue, I have to hope the better movement and progression i believe he can facilitate will have a very good impact on the goalscoring of Rashford, Bruno and Garnacho. As for using his size? Maybe that is an element of his game we can coach?

The funny thing is, from a budget point of view if he is on anywhere around 100k a week (and it could be a lot more, I have no idea) then his budget cost per year is entirely covered by the wages no longer paid to Martial. 250k pw = 13million per year. 40m transfer + 100k a week on a 5 year contract = 13million per year.

Ruud and Hake confirmed, Van Der Gagg and Benni McCarthy gone.

Lack of pace? From what I've seen he looks quick enough and I seen this on transfermarkt

But what sort of player is Zirkzee? “He is a very fast centre-forward despite his physical size,” Dietl said. “Physically strong, very good in the air, good shooting technique, and good at defending the ball and pressing. Gifted with excellent quality, he has become one of the most technical strikers in Serie A. He often drops back to the Trequartista line and even further behind, moving freely across the entire offensive front. Zirkzee is a complete forward who scores in every way, proving extremely unpredictable to opposing defenders.” 

Now again I've only seen youtube bits so I can't be 100%

Moving quickly

Brunos best came with martial in that same type of role. goal scoring bruno like to run beyond the striker, so this can fit.

Same with Rashford, he can attack the space left by Zirkzee or run in beyond to the passes from Zirkzee.

I think it is a signing done with the intention of getting more out of those two specifically, rather than a worry as to how we'd get it to work.