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

Part of the issue with Hojlund was that he had not experienced attacking support.

Sesko is also young, but we did add Cunha and Mbeumo as experienced attacking players to support him so I think we are setting him up a bit better.

I also think Zirkzee could prove a decent sub for him this season, so it won't all be on him at striker either.

A carbon copy of one he conceded for us a couple of years back.

Baffling

I think Bayindir still has the possibility to be half way acceptable as a number 2 or to hold down the spot for a few games until Lammens is up to speed.

He has only played 6 or 7 games in England. He is an international.

While it's a small sample size of games played, Bayindirs weakness is on crosses, this is something that can be worked on as opposed to Onana just not having any natural goalkeeping instincts.

Take DDG for example when he first came in, he was dodge under high balls but it was something that was worked on and somewhat corrected and compensated for by defenders.

Onana, you just couldn't compensate for the mistakes he was making.

Marmoush out for the game this weekend.

Donnarumma let in 4 against Israel the other day. Hopefully he continues that form.

He seems a bit one-dimensional; doesn't come for crosses generally, is a bit shaky coming off his line and should have saved 2 of the shots. With a front 3 of Mbuemo, Bruno and Sesko I reckon we could do some damage there.

Christian Eriksen signed for Wolfsburg.

The wages for sure were a factor + Villa apparently wanted minimum fee of £30M.

That fee was too high imo for a 33 yr old keeper showing signs of decline

Malacia reportedly turning down the Turkey loan move.

Got my bloods done recently, everything was very good bar the high cholesterol... You can have lots of good stats but if the the important ones aren't right, then you still have a problem.

Depends on your disposition really, but for me, good secondary stats (such as chances created etc) not leading to good primary stats (goals) is a worry.

Saying that, the stats used in the article were for the previous 10 games, I would be inclined to wait 10 games into this season to make a proper assessment.

Hoping some goals can help my cholesterol levels.

but if we had good primary stats (goals) and terrible secondary (chance creation) would that not be more worrying in terms of it being unsustainable?

If Arsenal had 65% possession, an xG of 3.5 and we drew 1-1 because Bruno scored a free kick in the 89th minute is that not more of a long term worry than what actually happened?

I'm not, for a minute, arguing that goals are not a concern or ultimately the most important, but i DO argue that chance creation is important and stats showing that we are improving in terms of ball control, chance creation, passing, pressing etc are long term important and indicative of improvements.

I would also concede that 3 games into a season and one of those being Burnley, at home, would be something to take with a pinch of salt.

In the end, there's only one stat that matters; whether we score more than the opposition. Having 20 shots to 5 and 70% possession amounts to fcuk all if they put the ball in the net and we don't. Having better stats simply means nothing if you're not getting results from it.

And far, far too much under Amorim's guidance has the opposition easily put the ball in our net while we struggle to put it in theirs.

Amorim got a reprieve with a late penalty to give us the win against Burnley, but the results have to start flowing fairly quickly, there's nothing left in the bank for him at this stage. A win against City (and the first time wee managed two league win in a row under him) would be a right tonic.

But it's hard to choose between optimism and realism. Optimistically, we have a great chance to beat City. Realistically, it's hard to see us do it given the form.

Christ we need this.

Our form under Amorim.

It hasn’t been the best, in case you haven’t noticed.

Dalot highly doubtful due to injury I think.

Maz is back fit anyway I think.