Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Note in OP, 13/8

Copper_pipe · 13-08-2014 08:10AM

Just in case any poster here is getting Leaving Cert results this morning, Best of Luck! I was in the same position last year so I know what it feels like.

Larry Wildman · 13-08-2014 08:10AM

I loved Rooney as a player prior to the contractual City/Chelsea Paul Stretford stuff. Since then, he's tarnished in my view. Do I have a problem with him being club captain? Yes if I'm honest.

Hardly the most controversial viewpoint in the world.

beakerjoe · 13-08-2014 08:15AM

Larry Wildman wrote: »

I loved Rooney as a player prior to the contractual City/Chelsea Paul Stretford stuff. Since then, he's tarnished in my view. Do I have a problem with him being club captain? Yes if I'm honest.

Hardly the most controversial viewpoint in the world.

Personally I kind of (not 100 percent though) agree with you, however I trust Van Gaal as a manager who will take no BS, So ive faith in his choice.

Coat22 · 13-08-2014 08:17AM

Copper_pipe wrote: »

Just in case any poster here is getting Leaving Cert results this morning, Best of Luck! I was in the same position last year so I know what it feels like.

Stop that Young Pipe - the day I got mine was in the same week Michael Knighton paraded himself at Old Trafford as the new owner and look how well that ended.

I can still remember the quote of the only other Man Utd fan in my year at the time (everyone in 80's was either a Liverpool or Everton fan - there were as many Aston Villa fans in my class and Man Utd fans!!)

"Under new ownserhip. Nothings gonna stop us now."

.....and then 9 months later Lee Martin stuck the ball in the Palace net and it all started.

Good Luck All

Maximus Alexander · 13-08-2014 08:20AM

Coat22 wrote: »

Stop that Young Pipe - the day I got mine was in the same week Michael Knighton paraded himself at Old Trafford as the new owner and look how well that ended.

I can still remember the quote of the only other Man Utd fan in my year at the time (everyone in 80's was either a Liverpool or Everton fan - there were as many Aston Villa fans in my class and Man Utd fans!!)

"Under new ownserhip. Nothings gonna stop us now."

.....and then 9 months later Mark Robins stuck the ball in the Palace net and it all started.

Good Luck All

That reminds me of the early 90s when there were Villa, Everton and Leeds fans in my class. I haven't met anyone in Ireland who supports those teams in the last ten years!

kryogen · 13-08-2014 08:24AM

I would still regularly see Leeds, Everton, Villa, Birmingham and a few others that would be deemed unusual these days I guess.

So many more Chelsea and City fans naturally. Had two City fans in my class in school back in the 90's, now I see City jerseys all over the place!

Leftist · 13-08-2014 08:29AM

kryogen wrote: »

I would still regularly see Leeds, Everton, Villa, Birmingham and a few others that would be deemed unusual these days I guess.

So many more Chelsea and City fans naturally. Had two City fans in my class in school back in the 90's, now I see City jerseys all over the place!

remember the spate of sunderland supporters

i always found it funny how older liverpool supporters would talk about united fans being gloryhunters.

of course there was some but most of these guys started following football in the 70s or 80s :pac:

redbaron_99 · 13-08-2014 08:29AM

Back from my two week "holiday". Looking forward to Saturday now, and quite confident that we'll do very well in the coming weeks.
Still disappointed with how the transfer window has gone, though. After watching all pre-season games I believe we are still sorely lacking in the centre of midfield. We struggled to create anything in that area last night, and Liverpool nullified Fletcher too easily last week.
I do like Herrera, though. Obviously Vidal would have been a great signing, but even the likes of DeJong, McCarthy, Turan - dare I say it, even Medel, would have been very useful until next summer when we chase after Strootman.

Must say, was delighted for Fellaini last night. Disgusted by some of the fans at OT, and one or two here aren't particularly endearing.

Coat22 · 13-08-2014 08:31AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

That reminds me of the early 90s when there were Villa, Everton and Leeds fans in my class. I haven't met anyone in Ireland who supports those teams in the last ten years!

Still know a lot of Everton fans for some reason – and they’re still coming through, although not at the rate they were in the 80s.

Same lads had a great laugh at me this time last year when Moyes took the helm – they knew what we were getting.

Mikeyt086 · 13-08-2014 08:31AM

Larry Wildman wrote: »

I loved Rooney as a player prior to the contractual City/Chelsea Paul Stretford stuff. Since then, he's tarnished in my view. Do I have a problem with him being club captain? Yes if I'm honest.

Hardly the most controversial viewpoint in the world.

But thats not what you said. Had you said you had a problem with it, most wouldn't have batted an eyelid, but you called it laughable and a joke. Which is a controversial opinion as Rooney is by far and away the standout candidate.

bullvine · 13-08-2014 08:33AM

Fairplay to Rojo, according to Wikipedia he's already played 49 times and scored 5 goals for United!

The_Kew_Tour · 13-08-2014 08:39AM

Any Vidal tweets, no?

ah boo bum

Maximus Alexander · 13-08-2014 08:39AM

So, how do people feel about Phil Jones' performance last night? I thought he looked super and if he can keep that up over the season (and avoid injury) it'll go a long way towards relieving our defensive concerns.

Also, Fellaini looked a man reborn. Even ignoring the goal he looked a different player from the minute he came on. I wonder if it's just the lower pressure of a friendly or if something more significant has changed?

Larry Wildman · 13-08-2014 08:40AM

Mikeyt086 wrote: »

But thats not what you said. Had you said you had a problem with it, most wouldn't have batted an eyelid, but you called it laughable and a joke. Which is a controversial opinion as Rooney is by far and away the standout candidate.

In business, you'd identify the best candidate but then ask "okay, is there a reason why we cannot give this guy the role?".

Rooney's behaviour towards the club precludes him from being captain in my view.

Professional Griefer · 13-08-2014 08:43AM

But hes captain of a football team, not a business team.

Also hes third on our all time top goal scorer list. One of the better options for it we have.

tupac_healy · 13-08-2014 08:44AM

Larry Wildman wrote: »

I loved Rooney as a player prior to the contractual City/Chelsea Paul Stretford stuff. Since then, he's tarnished in my view. Do I have a problem with him being club captain? Yes if I'm honest.

Hardly the most controversial viewpoint in the world.

Larry your not alone, I too feel as though even considering his improved attitude and performances pre-season I still feel his past conduct should be considered when choosing the captain....

For me this is one LVG has got wrong, I know when you sit back and think about it there are actually not too many stand out candidates I.e. ones that don't live on injury tables and show that passion grit and determination to win for the club, but still for me Rooney is not the best candidate....

I suppose considering the flip side of the coin LVG is ushering in a new era and what better statement to the club and players to say the past is the past and now to look forward....

Time will tell, but Larry your not alone in that line of thinking man

Larry Wildman · 13-08-2014 08:44AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

So, how do people feel about Phil Jones' performance last night?

Great.

I've always thought that he has the potential to be one of the world's best centre halves if given the chance. He was a beast at Blackburn. Unfortunately he was messed around by Fergie which stilted his development (a la John O'Shea) but as one poster pointed out recently, he's still only 22.

Expect big things from Phil Jones this season.

thelad95 · 13-08-2014 08:44AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

So, how do people feel about Phil Jones' performance last night? I thought he looked super and if he can keep that up over the season (and avoid injury) it'll go a long way towards relieving our defensive concerns.

Also, Fellaini looked a man reborn. Even ignoring the goal he looked a different player from the minute he came on. I wonder if it's just the lower pressure of a friendly or if something more significant has changed?

As we saw at Everton, the guy has the ability to change games. He's tall, strong and a perfect target for a long ball. I would love to see him stay as an impact sub/squad player.

Giggsy11 · 13-08-2014 08:46AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

So, how do people feel about Phil Jones' performance last night? I thought he looked super and if he can keep that up over the season (and avoid injury) it'll go a long way towards relieving our defensive concerns.

Also, Fellaini looked a man reborn. Even ignoring the goal he looked a different player from the minute he came on. I wonder if it's just the lower pressure of a friendly or if something more significant has changed?

I thought he was excellent. Even better when he moved to the center of 3 CBs.
IMO he had a very good pre season. Except that penalty incident against Liverpool I don't remember him making any mistakes.

If Jones and Smalling can stay fit they will form a very good defensive partnership. Still we need one more CB for squad depth.

ericzeking · 13-08-2014 08:46AM

UNITED......leeds........UNITED......leeds...........UNITED........leeds

Ah them were the days, they are on the way back too, my brother is a Leeds fan, I've watched him toil in the lower leagues, heading to the pub of a Friday night to watch them play Rotheram or whoever.

I saw a lad in his mid twenties the other day in a brand spanking new City shirt....I could judge away because I was wearing shades :cool:

Mitch Connor · 13-08-2014 08:46AM

I just don't think Rooney has shown himself to be a player that will rally the troops and get a team going. He works hard himself so you can argue he leads by example, but I don't think that is enough. I don't see him as someone who will encourage his team mates or as a good go between for Van Gaal on the pitch - but LVG must think differently, given the requirements LVG said himself he has of his captain.

Coat22 · 13-08-2014 08:47AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

So, how do people feel about Phil Jones' performance last night? I thought he looked super and if he can keep that up over the season (and avoid injury) it'll go a long way towards relieving our defensive concerns.

Also, Fellaini looked a man reborn. Even ignoring the goal he looked a different player from the minute he came on. I wonder if it's just the lower pressure of a friendly or if something more significant has changed?

Thought defence still looked very dodgy – but it maybe that the midfield is still too porous.

Did anybody else think LVG looked like an embarrassed school kid when Felani scored? Reckon the deal is done there. Already starting to regret it.

Mitch Connor · 13-08-2014 08:48AM

Thought Jones and Smalling looked very good, Smalling made some great interceptions when it looked like we were caught. Blacket did well enough too, but felt he was a liability when we were getting countered, didn't recover his position well enough. A problem of youth/inexperience though.

jameshayes · 13-08-2014 08:51AM

Maximus Alexander wrote: »

So, how do people feel about Phil Jones' performance last night? I thought he looked super and if he can keep that up over the season (and avoid injury) it'll go a long way towards relieving our defensive concerns.

Just after Keane came on last night, a ball was played through that he missed, he then had to make a last ditch overstretching effort to clear the ball, these are the type of situations he gets into that land him on the physio bench for 6 games.

Cypher_sounds · 13-08-2014 08:52AM

Larry Wildman wrote: »

Great.

I've always thought that he has the potential to be one of the world's best centre halves if given the chance. He was a beast at Blackburn. Unfortunately he was messed around by Fergie which stilted his development (a la John O'Shea) but as one poster pointed out recently, he's still only 22.

Expect big things from Phil Jones this season.

Did you expect fergie to start him ahead of Vidic or Rio at the time or how do you reckon he was messed around?

The Sparrow · 13-08-2014 08:52AM

Coat22 wrote: »

What bullsh*t - show me a player who hasn't held out for the best deal he can get?

"Oh right so you're offering me €50k a year less than Munich. Sure thats grand. Where do I sign? I know the club will look after me when I retire and have earned 2.5 million less per year for the last 4 years. Thanks"

It's not just about the money. I don't remember any other player releasing a statement saying the club was not matching their ambition or handing in transfer requests.

FutureGuy · 13-08-2014 08:53AM

Larry Wildman wrote: »

In business, you'd identify the best candidate but then ask "okay, is there a reason why we cannot give this guy the role?".

Rooney's behaviour towards the club precludes him from being captain in my view.

Am I 100% happy? No.

As you said above, Fletcher, RVP and Evans are other candidates.

Without seeing how RVP interacts with his United team mates, both on and off the pitch, there was no way he could select him as captain. If he did, I would have had a massive issue with it.

Fletcher is doing brillianty, but if Vidal comes in, it's Fletcher that loses his place. You seem to be completely confident that Vidal is arriving so Fletcher is not a good option, even though he is a superb choice. Personally, I hate the idea of captains who don't play (Vermaelen fo example).

As for Evans, I would not have been unhappy to see Evans being given the armband, and I do think he could be the next captain aftr Rooney, but for now, Rooney is the best candidate.

I also think the captaincy will do Rooney a world of good. We have seen two versions of Rooney. The aggresive hellraiser and the player who gets a single booking all season. The best version of Wayne Rooney lies somewhere in between - something SAF alluded to a few years back. Out of all the players we have, I can think of no one I would rather grab the team by the scruff of the neck when we are chasing a win.

Maximus Alexander · 13-08-2014 08:54AM

jameshayes wrote: »

Just after Keane came on last night, a ball was played through that he missed, he then had to make a last ditch overstretching effort to clear the ball, these are the type of situations he gets into that land him on the physio bench for 6 games.

Aye, but on the other hand I love the fact that he doesn't shy away from anything. There's not many players out there who put themselves on the line the way he does, he never gives up on anything.

I feel like he's taken a fair bit of flak in here recently, but I still feel like he has it in him to be an absolute superstar CB. I'm cautiously hoping this will be his breakout season.

bucketybuck · 13-08-2014 08:54AM

tupac_healy wrote: »

Time will tell, but Larry your not alone in that line of thinking man

I wouldn't put Rooney in charge of collecting the lottery sub never mind captain of the club. Charging around the field like a headless chicken does not a captain make, certainly not when you take into account his conduct off the field.

Tom.D.BJJ · 13-08-2014 08:54AM

Not a fan of Rojo. Thought he was lucky not to be sent off a few times at the world cup. Rash and too aggressive.

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Note in OP, 13/8

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