Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - See Mod Warning in OP, 09/11

Just about missed out on a nice few quid with a United -1 bet in those last few minutes, but I was none-the-less elated when the final whistle blew and we left the Emirates with 3 points.

There's no denying things are slowly on the up in spite of a nightmare injury list and partly self-made defensive problems. That win yesterday was absolutely gigantic considering we haven't had an away win since April, and like games against Everton and Chelsea, we are picking up points in games where we were hammered/well beaten last season. Yes I remember that Arsenal were the only top team not to beat United last season, but defeating the top teams home and away is what needs to be done once again and Arsenal, despite a looming crisis, are still arguably one of those top teams.

Hyperbole is an easily parted with currency in an aftermath like one following yesterday's game, but fúck it I'm going to spend it anyway; Marouane Fellaini is turning out to be an immense player for our team, never mind our squad. And that is in a good way, not in the 'sure there's no one else there to do any better' kind of way. If he keeps progressing in the current direction, he'd have to be first name on the teamsheet for CM no matter who else is available. I'm delighted for him; In today's social media-driven world players are well familiar with fan opinion (look at T-Clev) and he would be in no doubt as to what actual United fans have written about him in the last 18 months. I'm also delighted for United, considering the results of his upturn and the £29m investment.

I hope Jack Wilshire rewatches that altercation with Fellaini and dies a little inside each time. Although knowing the character of Jack, he will probably think "I showed him!"...




I haven't posted in here in over a month or so, and one of the last times I did I remember commenting on RVP's slow start to the season despite LVG giving him ample opportunity to get back in form. Well one month later and after another all-too-quiet shift yesterday, I'm certain that our current best starting 11 does not include RVP. Even though Falcao is injured, I would have Mata or Herrera taking a place on the field instead of RVP for the next few matches. Yesterday he completed 2 passes, one of which included a kick-off, is that stat for real?? If so, it speaks volumes of his current form.

We next have 2 home games coming up against Hull and Stoke, it goes without saying the United of old would have taken 6 points from these games 9 times out of 10. These days it isn't so certain, remember West Brom most recently, Burnley and Leicester earlier, though I do see the team progressing and an actual belief and passion returning to performances as each game goes by, something which wasn't last seen since April 2013.

6 points from the next 2 home games is well achievable I.M.O. and anything less, bar maybe a fluke from Stoke, will be a setback to this progression we've been seeing. I'm not counting the City game as a setback as such, Smalling killed that game for us as I believe there was a point or 3 there for the taking from that City side had Smalling's brain not shat its frontal lobe.

This season overall is the strangest I remember in recent memory. It is the kind of league which can see Newcastle go from propping up the league table for a few weeks, to now just being outside 4th due to goal difference within a month or so. That same effect has benefited us and it is the main reason we are now in fourth with a realistic chance of moving higher, and not otherwise staring up the table from 10th-12th spot as a return of 19/36 points in your first 12 games should normally leave a club.

Will I Amnt wrote: »

The ref seen it and decided there was no action to be taken, so it was dealt with already.

I suppose it is a red in today's game but I'm glad he wasn't sent off for it, it was a little hissy fit and he squared up to Fellaini, it would be an insult to Yosser Hughes, Mickah Wallace and Begby to call it a headbutt. There was nothing violent about it.

Not the point though, why such inconsitancy with relation to this type of decision. I was raging yesterday that wilshere didn't get red. If fellaini did it he would have been off. If you square up to someone like that your only looking for one thing

Chris Smalling had his best game of the season IMO, suprised its not been mentioned. He made some vital clearances.
Valencia also had a great game. He dealth with Sanchez and Welbeck and kept them relatively quite.

Will I Amnt wrote: »

I'm not saying he shouldn't have got the red, I already said that in today's game it is a sending off offence. I just don't think it should be a red regardless of the player, it would have gone down as violent conduct when it clearly wasn't.

I'm still struggling to understand why you think this wasn't violent conduct. If wilshere was a taller where would his head have been? Mike Dean made a balls of the decision and he was standing right in front of it. It was a red card for violent conduct imo