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

Billy86 · 13-08-2014 01:03PM

redbaron_99 wrote: »

So where does everyone expect us to finish in the league this year?
Don't want to seem negative, but I don't think we'll get into the top four. It'll be between us and Spurs for 5th and 6th.

That could all change if we get in some serious signings, but starting to look unlikely.

I call this the David Moyes Ripple Effect.

We have a chance to win it all, but for me The aim is top 4. I will be very disappointed with anything short of 70-75 points. Style of play is also important, namely getting away from the scared stiff approach we seemed to revert to last year whenever we had a lead (and the brainless 'get wide and cross' approach we often used when not holding ablead).

NeVeR · 13-08-2014 01:05PM

Sorry lads haven't been following the thread today...

Did anyone find out the reason why the "fans" where cheering / jeering Fellaini last night ?

It seemed to be happening from the second he got on the pitch so appeared per-planned.

Adamocovic · 13-08-2014 01:05PM

Kirby wrote: »

The fact they you seem to care so much makes it more fun to keep you guessing. :P

Clearly a Scunthorpe fan :P

redbaron_99 · 13-08-2014 01:06PM

Billy86 wrote: »

I call this the David Moyes Ripple Effect.

We have a chance to win it all, but for me The aim is top 4. I will be very disappointed with anything short of 70-75 points. Style of play is also important, namely getting away from the scared stiff approach we seemed to revert to last year whenever we had a lead (and the brainless 'get wide and cross' approach we often used when not holding ablead).

No, not really. It's more of the "would ya look at the quality of Arsenal, City and Chelsea's squad" effect.

Adamocovic · 13-08-2014 01:07PM

NeVeR wrote: »

Sorry lads haven't been following the thread today...

Did anyone find out the reason why the "fans" where cheering / jeering Fellaini last night ?

It seemed to be happening from the second he got on the pitch so appeared per-planned.

I think someone said earlier that there was a minority booing Fellaini and that the rest of the crowd started cheering him to try drown out the boos.

Kirby · 13-08-2014 01:07PM

Adamocovic wrote: »

Clearly a Scunthorpe fan :P

A mate of mine actually does support them. Coincidence?

Augmerson wrote: »

Very infuriating when you can't respond with "well yeah? well you're team are a bag of smelly socks!" when someone plays that neutral card.

King of the Neutral planet, me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xJ_y037BONk

bucketybuck · 13-08-2014 01:11PM

Billy86 wrote: »

I call this the David Moyes Ripple Effect.

We have a chance to win it all, but for me The aim is top 4.

We do not have a chance with our current squad, it has too many weaknesses for a genuine title challenge. Thats not the David Moyes effect, thats simply an objective assessment of the team.

twam2008 · 13-08-2014 01:11PM

Isn't there a Kirby in Liverpool?

Will I Amnt · 13-08-2014 01:14PM

Kirby wrote: »

The fact they you seem to care so much makes it more fun to keep you guessing. :P

You post like a rival fan would in both the United and Liverpool superthreads. I'm just curious. It's kind of annoying that someone can do that with no comeback :pac:

Lucas Hood · 13-08-2014 01:16PM

twam2008 wrote: »

Isn't there a Kirby in Liverpool?

Kirkby.

Kylo Ren · 13-08-2014 01:16PM

twam2008 wrote: »

Isn't there a Kirby in Liverpool?

Yeah. He was big enough back in the day but whenever you talk to him nowadays all he talks about is the gold ol' days on the Super Nintendo and Gameboy.

case885 · 13-08-2014 01:17PM

Will I Amnt wrote: »

You post like a rival fan would in both the United and Liverpool superthreads. I'm just curious. It's kind of annoying that someone can do that with no comeback :pac:

His points may be right then otherwise you wouldnt have to take a dig at his club

homerjay2005 · 13-08-2014 01:18PM

NeVeR wrote: »

Did anyone find out the reason why the "fans" where cheering / jeering Fellaini last night ?

because there is a section of our "fans" who are f*cking idiots.

Kirby · 13-08-2014 01:18PM

Will I Amnt wrote: »

You post like a rival fan would in both the United and Liverpool superthreads. I'm just curious. It's kind of annoying that someone can do that with no comeback :pac:

Well the comeback is easy. "I disagree Kirby because X,Y,Z......"

I'd rather get back to talking about the football tbh. My allegiances aren't that interesting.

To answer redbaron_99's question, I would think United will get 4th. Too many quality attacking players not to do it and I still fancy United to sign another centre half to help the weakness in that area.

twam2008 · 13-08-2014 01:22PM

Lucas Hood wrote: »

Kirkby.

It's the posh part of the Wirral

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Kirby

dor843088 · 13-08-2014 01:22PM

Will I Amnt wrote: »

You post like a rival fan would in both the United and Liverpool superthreads. I'm just curious. It's kind of annoying that someone can do that with no comeback :pac:

I think hes just a realistic Liverpool fan:D

Billy86 · 13-08-2014 01:26PM

redbaron_99 wrote: »

No, not really. It's more of the "would ya look at the quality of Arsenal, City and Chelsea's squad" effect.

None of them are perfect, City are the obvious front runners there for my mind but are by no means perfect.

Chelsea have their share of weaknesses - Terry is getting up in years and their depth at CB is a little iffy just like us. It will be interesting to see how Fabregas fits in as their cms were not too inspiring last season, but more so up front they have considerable question marks: Torres who has been poor for a long time, Eto'o who is a kind of serviceable squad player but nothing more at 33 (36?) years of age, and a sign that they are stuck was getting Drogba back in who will be 37 by the end of the season. If Costa season last year was an anomaly or not is going to be of massive importance for them.

Arsenal adding Sanchez was pretty big, and Chambers is one to keep a eye on too, but they are not hugely worrying either. None of their starting back 4 really wows me, Wilshere is very overrated (though Ramsay came in leaps and bounds last year) and they lack a real goalscoring threat. Oil started last year fantastically but faded poorly (something g Arsenal themselves have had a habit of for a good while, blowing hot and cold) and his ability to be consistently effective over 90 minutes, well in week out remains a bit of a question mark. They are improved on where they were a few years back, but I would definitely not be overly worried about the overall quality of their squad.

All these teams also have Europe to worry about, we don't. As Liverpool showed last year that can be hugely important since you need far fewer players clicking together and in form.

Our squad is not fantastic and I would like to see 2-3 more signings and a few players offloaded, but I think some people underestimate it on the whole, largely kn the back of some of the desperate excuses that were made for Moyes towards the back end of last season (not saying you here, just in general).

eagle eye · 13-08-2014 01:27PM

bucketybuck wrote: »

We do not have a chance with our current squad, it has too many weaknesses for a genuine title challenge. Thats not the David Moyes effect, thats simply an objective assessment of the team.

Where are these weaknesses?

Centre-back is the only position that really needs to be looked at, Rojo and one more willl sort that out. I think you are all set everywhere else and looking in great shape going into the season.

Will I Amnt · 13-08-2014 01:28PM

case885 wrote: »

His points may be right then otherwise you wouldnt have to take a dig at his club

It's not that I want to take a dig at his club. I'm just saying it must be nice to have free reign.
There's plenty of things I can't criticise other clubs or players for or I'd be a hypocrite.

I can't give out about City and PSG distorting the whole transfer market for example...

Vic Vinegar · 13-08-2014 01:29PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Where are these weaknesses?

Centre-back is the only position that really needs to be looked at, Rojo and one more willl sort that out. I think you are all set everywhere else and looking in great shape going into the season.

Centre midfield needs strengthening, CB too and maybe a new winger for when we play 4-3-3.

redbaron_99 · 13-08-2014 01:29PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Where are these weaknesses?

Centre-back is the only position that really needs to be looked at, Rojo and one more willl sort that out. I think you are all set everywhere else and looking in great shape going into the season.

There's a major weakness in central midfield - hadn't you noticed? :pac:
Central defence is a serious weakness, with so many injury prone.
Bit wary of the right wing back position too.

twam2008 · 13-08-2014 01:30PM

Billy86 wrote: »

but more so up front they have considerable question marks: Torres who has been poor for a long time, Eto'o who is a kind of serviceable squad player but nothing more at 33 (36?) years of age, and a sign that they are stuck was getting Drogba back in who will be 37 by the end of the season.

They Have Diego Costa as well, who I think won't be too bad!

Lucas Hood · 13-08-2014 01:33PM

Billy86 wrote: »

Chelsea have their share of weaknesses - Terry is getting up in years and their depth at CB is a little iffy just like us. It will be interesting to see how Fabregas fits in as their cms were not too inspiring last season, but more so up front they have considerable question marks: Torres who has been poor for a long time, Eto'o who is a kind of serviceable squad player but nothing more at 33 (36?) years of age, and a sign that they are stuck was getting Drogba back in who will be 37 by the end of the season.

Eto'o doesnt play for Chelsea anymore.

bucketybuck · 13-08-2014 01:33PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Where are these weaknesses?

Centre-back is the only position that really needs to be looked at, Rojo and one more willl sort that out. I think you are all set everywhere else and looking in great shape going into the season.

Our centre midfield is not nearly good enough to sustain a title challenge, not in quality and not in consistency. Considering the importance of that position it cannot be emphasized enough.

Augmerson · 13-08-2014 01:33PM

Will I Amnt wrote: »

It's not that I want to take a dig at his club. I'm just saying it must be nice to have free reign.
There's plenty of things I can't criticise other clubs or players for or I'd be a hypocrite.

I can't give out about City and PSG distorting the whole transfer market for example...

Will you could if you just ditched your allegiance to United.

You'd be free. Liberate yourself.

thelad95 · 13-08-2014 01:34PM

So I take it Rojo is 99% coming? I'm not delighted with him but at least he adds strength in depth at the back.

Kylo Ren · 13-08-2014 01:38PM

eagle eye wrote: »

Where are these weaknesses?

Centre-back is the only position that really needs to be looked at, Rojo and one more willl sort that out. I think you are all set everywhere else and looking in great shape going into the season.

We are weak at CB, LB, RB and CM imo. The weakness varies by position.

Shaw and Young are our two LB's going by pre-season. Having Young as backup is far from ideal.

CB is a glaring one. If we are to play three CB's we literally only have three real starters in Smalling, Jones and Evans. I'd rather not have to rely on the reserves to come in if something goes awry.

We need a starting CM to partner Herrera. As it stands, our two starting midfielder's will be Herrera and Fletcher. The latter has been out for years with a life debilitating condition. While I am happy for him to start, as he has looked excellent in pre-season, it's not the best position to be in. Cleverley is not a starter. He is a player I am happy to have as a backup.

RB has been a problem for years. I love Rafael but he a nightmare for injuries. Smalling and Jones are not right backs and should not be a back up. I'd like an actual RB as cover.

With no European football it remains to be seen just how hollow the squad is. It could go great and injuries will be minimal but I'd rather not take that chance.

bucketybuck · 13-08-2014 01:43PM

Keno wrote: »

It could go great and injuries will be minimal but I'd rather not take that chance.

They won't be minimal though, I have no hesitation about saying that, injuries are a fact of life.

At some point we are going to have both Jones and Rafael injured, perhaps another defender along with them. At some point we are going to approach an important game with a defence of Shaw, Evans, Smalling, Blackett and Valencia. Its going to happen, and in time it will cost us.

Billy86 · 13-08-2014 01:46PM

Wouldn't the starting pairing be Herrera and Carrick as things stand?

Also Valencia appears to be the primary backup at RB.

twam2008 · 13-08-2014 01:48PM

Keno wrote: »

We are weak at CB, LB, RB and CM imo. The weakness varies by position.

We need a starting CM to partner Herrera. As it stands, our two starting midfielder's will be Herrera and Fletcher. The latter has been out for years with a life debilitating condition. While I am happy for him to start, as he has looked excellent in pre-season, it's not the best position to be in. Cleverley is not a starter. He is a player I am happy to have as a backup.

Would Fletcher/Carrick/Felleini not be able to cover this role over the season? I'd love to see Vidal in there, but still think we'd do okay with what we have.

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

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