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

I have no dog in this fight but I've seen the reasons Goldbridge has given for a few things said about him. Could be true, could be false. I'm not overly fussed either way.

There are however pictures of him as a kid in Utd kits that he has shared online - now this could be for any number of reasons but they are there.

He also did say before that he went to Forrest games as a kid because his Step Dad brought him. It was where he lived at the time I believe. That's not an unreasonable explanation.

What I will say though is he is nothing more than a small part of the online presence that has appeared over the last 15 years or so. They offer fans engagement that they don't get elsewhere. There's a place for it 100%.

If Goldbridge didn't exist or faded away tomorrow he would just be replaced by someone else because if we like it or not there is appetite out there for more content around football and the clubs than the clubs themselves could ever generate.

This forum is a form of that.

Red Cafe is a form of that.

Talk Sport is a form of that.

R/RedDevils is a form of that.

There's probably loads of other places I'm not aware of.

Heard a stat this morning that in the last 7 games Mazraoui has been selected at right wing back we've won 5 beating Chelsea, Villa and Athletic Club (twice) and Leicester. Make of that what you will the next time hes selected at RWB

Its almost like he adds some balance to the team and his selection at RWB isn't an utter disaster that should see the manager sacked

I like Mazraoui's work-rate and attitude. But he's not a natural fit at WB imo.

He had a good game Saturday - but worth remembering with Neto being withdrawn so early, and the opposition down to 10, that gave him much more freedom on his flank.

I did like his crossing the last day. I think he could give Dorgu some lessons, because the quality of crosses from the left side is just abysmal!

Seen some reports that Balebas drop in performances is down to his head been turned by the Interest from utd! If true, not a good sign for his capability to handle the pressure of playing for utd! Hopefully the 'football people' in the club have really done their work on him if they're gonna go for him in January, which has also been mentioned!

Ah you cant be expecting people to use their eyes. The rage merchants and Paul Merson said 3 at the back doesn't work and these foreign guys have no clue what they are at

A little comms to interrupt the misery-porn.

Also Bayer Leverkusen went a full BL season unbeaten and won multiple trophies playing 3 at the back 2 seasons ago.

Inter have won Serie A and 2 CL finals playing it.

Brazil 2002.

Juve 2014 broke 100 points playing it.

Tuchel won the CL at Chelsea with it.

It CAN absolutely work. If you have the right players.

IT gives you extra players in the middle, but I always thought that system hinged on having quality wingbacks.

Only Dorgu is a natural wingback and he’s pretty raw. We opted not to sign any others in the summer.

Walter Smith’s Rangers team too

But we don't have the right players?

The lads can talk about misery porn all they want, United still just don't have the players for it.

What are they short, 2 WBs, 2 midfielders, a CB, then the goalkeeper and striker still unproven? 7 players short?

Why not stabilise and build towards it, instead of trying to force it regardless of fit?

The statement wasn't if it's the right formation for Utd.

It was that nobody uses it because it doesn't work. So I just have examples that I could think of from the top of my head where it did work.

It being right for Utd right now is a whole other story

Ah yeah O'Neils Celtic that got to the UEFA cup final losing to Jose's Porto as well

Conte had players very comfortable in the WB role like Alonso and Azpilicueta. He also had a powerhouse central midfield in Kante plus Matic (when he was still very good). Lots of attacking on the flanks and loads of physicality and energy in the CM.

It was a good fit for that squad.

And the front 3 including Hazard at his world class best and Diego Costa weren't half bad either. United could only dream of having that attack.

There's just no comparison to the player profile at Utd imo.

Similar with Tuchel, he inherited a Chelsea with lots of legs and energy in CM. And an abundance of players very good at WB like Reece James, Alonso, Chilwell.

I know the Italian teams like 3 centre backs but it's a different league, played at a different pace. In the PL, you need the players to fit….we basically have Dorgu as the only real WB in the squad and he really struggles to even cross the ball