Man Utd Thread:

[Ghost]

2 games v Copenhagen now so a possible 6 points and all is brighter. 

That is very wishful thinking with this team at the minute...

Injuries or no injuries they have to get Amrabat out of left back.

Yes United in their current shape are more likely to get zero points against Copenhagen.

Option B of taking Amrabat a midfielder out of left back is to play Lindelof right back, Maguire given a start and Dalot whom was awful in his preferred position tonight moved to left back.

Yeah I know there's no easy fix but the defence is going to be poor with or without him at LB. The midfield is constantly getting overrun and exposing the defence. So if you can get him into his best position and pray he does what he was brought in to do, you can take some pressure off the defenders that way.

Maguire should probably be starting the next game no matter what.

Which goals tonight came from MF being overrun?

https://x.com/belgiumfootbal1/status/1709305714697482638?s=46

Watch Casemiro attempting to track the runner from midfield. Amrabat also gets cleaned out in the LB position from the throw in.

[trailer]

2 games v Copenhagen now so a possible 6 points and all is brighter. 

That is very wishful thinking with this team at the minute...

Injuries or no injuries they have to get Amrabat out of left back.

Yes United in their current shape are more likely to get zero points against Copenhagen.

Option B of taking Amrabat a midfielder out of left back is to play Lindelof right back, Maguire given a start and Dalot whom was awful in his preferred position tonight moved to left back.

Yeah I know there's no easy fix but the defence is going to be poor with or without him at LB. The midfield is constantly getting overrun and exposing the defence. So if you can get him into his best position and pray he does what he was brought in to do, you can take some pressure off the defenders that way.

Maguire should probably be starting the next game no matter what.

Which goals tonight came from MF being overrun?

https://x.com/belgiumfootbal1/status/1709305714697482638?s=46

Watch Casemiro attempting to track the runner from midfield. Amrabat also gets cleaned out in the LB position from the throw in.

Suppose you can try and pin that on Casemiro (who hasn't been great) but they get undone by a throw in, and it goes through the Tin Man's legs. He has played a few games in a row so would expect him to be out for next 6-8 weeks.

[jcpen]

It's the first time ever Man United have lost their first two Champions League group games.

[thewobbler]

United's problem going all the way back to Moyes has been recruitment, not ownership.

Fellaini ushered in an era in which United's transfer market signature move has been to overpay for players for positions they've already filled, and to overpay for players that don't fit their system.

Because it's United, they have to pay top drawer and their squad since has ballooned full of players earning huge salaries.

And because these players were never really needed, but cannot be moved on, there's been a clear culture ever since Fellaini of players seeing out their contracts without ever having to earn the money. Which is infectious.

People can blame all this on the Glazers. But all they've actually done is heavily back a series of managers in the transfer market.

The ironic thing is what United really need is a few windows where they only sell players, just to trim the squad and the insipid culture... but do that and the fans will be up in arms. They want signings and they don't care what they cost.

And that's the current Man United cycle.

[clonian]

United's problem going all the way back to Moyes has been recruitment, not ownership.

Fellaini ushered in an era in which United's transfer market signature move has been to overpay for players for positions they've already filled, and to overpay for players that don't fit their system.

Because it's United, they have to pay top drawer and their squad since has ballooned full of players earning huge salaries.

And because these players were never really needed, but cannot be moved on, there's been a clear culture ever since Fellaini of players seeing out their contracts without ever having to earn the money. Which is infectious.

People can blame all this on the Glazers. But all they've actually done is heavily back a series of managers in the transfer market.

The ironic thing is what United really need is a few windows where they only sell players, just to trim the squad and the insipid culture... but do that and the fans will be up in arms. They want signings and they don't care what they cost.

And that's the current Man United cycle.

Who's responsible for recruitment? It's not the fans or players. The owners put Woodward and co in place to look after recruitment ffs - it goes back to the owners. You're right in where it went wrong but the fact the owners didn't change things is on them not the people below them of the fans.

And the owners didn't back the club in the transfer market - they allowed them to spend the clubs income on signings while not investing any money back into facilities etc.

[RedHand88]

United's problem going all the way back to Moyes has been recruitment, not ownership.

Fellaini ushered in an era in which United's transfer market signature move has been to overpay for players for positions they've already filled, and to overpay for players that don't fit their system.

Because it's United, they have to pay top drawer and their squad since has ballooned full of players earning huge salaries.

And because these players were never really needed, but cannot be moved on, there's been a clear culture ever since Fellaini of players seeing out their contracts without ever having to earn the money. Which is infectious.

People can blame all this on the Glazers. But all they've actually done is heavily back a series of managers in the transfer market.

The ironic thing is what United really need is a few windows where they only sell players, just to trim the squad and the insipid culture... but do that and the fans will be up in arms. They want signings and they don't care what they cost.

And that's the current Man United cycle.

Who's responsible for recruitment? It's not the fans or players. The owners put Woodward and co in place to look after recruitment ffs - it goes back to the owners. You're right in where it went wrong but the fact the owners didn't change things is on them not the people below them of the fans.

And the owners didn't back the club in the transfer market - they allowed them to spend the clubs income on signings while not investing any money back into facilities etc.

I'm sorry what?

£785m in 5 years! More than City, Arsenal, Tottenham, nearly double that of Liverpool. Second only to Chelsea on account of this summer.

[thewobbler]

For some reason I can't quite grasp RedHand, United fans:

- don't give the Glazers any credit for United continuing to outspend all but a couple of clubs in the world,  throughout their tenure.

- do hoist the blame on the Glazers for underwhelming end results in player recruitment throughout their tenure.


They might well be right too. I just don't see how.

[Look-Up!]

The size of the debt and the fact that they're yank owners only interested in money are obviously sore points for Utd fans but it's ridiculous to say they haven't been backed in the transfer market or to absolve their managers so quickly of the problems at the club. End of the day it's a football team and what happens on the field is down to the manager.
 City hired Pep in 2016, same time Utd hired Jose. Pep was labelled a fraud after his first season, doubt too many Utd fans were sorry they missed out on him at the time. But had the appointments been reversed there's no way Jose would still be at City and it's very likely Utd would now be top dogs. Is all down to the manager and Pep is that good. He's actually an outlier in terms of points tally end of season. Take him out of City and Utd would actually have been in a few title races last few years. Comparisons to Liverpool and how well they're run is a bit off too. Sure they have fresh memories of CL and PL success but Utd have finished ahead of them 2 of the last 3 seasons, have they not?

[Maroon Manc]

Glazers appear to be an obsession of non united fans, spending money and been good owners don't go in tandem. They are clueless when it comes to many aspects of running a football club, their rich kids living of daddy's fortune and bring no expertise like Liverpools owners possess. The club has been left behind and its 100% their fault. Ten Hag wanted Anthony all last summer and could have got him for £40m at the beginning of summer but because of the ridiculous policy of one transfer at a time they wasted the summer chasing De Jong and went to Ajax after they'd sold half their team leaving them in a very strong financial position and didn't need to sell forcing United to pay way over the odds. United have held onto too players for far too long that weren't wanted but it looked better on the balance sheet loaning them instead of selling to satisfy financial lenders, football has become secondary at OT for a long long time. Thousands of Galatasaray fans been sold 'corporate' tickets is the latest in a long line of examples of those c***s ruining the club.

Ten Hag is miles off getting the sack and would be idiotic to even think about it, he's the first manager since Fergie to try and implement real change; There's no doubt its a really tough period but there is so many mitigating factors around the club with the ownership then then all the noise around Greenwood, Sancho & Anthony along with the injury crisis we're suffering.  Give him time, I like what I hear he's doing around the club and he did more then enough in his first season to give him that time to put things right, might be different scenario if he'd come into a settled club who'd been on top but he's not and the club is a shitshow and has been for years.

My main issue with him is playing Amrabat at left back, Dalot should be playing there until Regullon is back and play Lindelof at right back, have reservations about him as a midfielder too;  Takes too many touches on the ball but like everyone else deserves a run in the side in his best position first.

Onana is very worrying but Ten Hag worked with him at Ajax so got to trust him but not looking good so far. Whilst Martinez is out Amrabat has got to partner Casemiro, Martinez is a huge loss as he's our only centre half who's good on the ball. Mount looked good last night and Hojlund was exceptional. Fernandes got to play wide right for the next few weeks, its not ideal but needs must.

All is not lost in the CL but United have to go to Galatasaray and win to get out of the group.

[Ed Ricketts]

Two people are hosting two parties at the weekend. Both have £100 to spend on supplies.

Person A goes through their fridge and their cupboards figuring out what they have and what's needed. They look through their guest list and note down what these guests typically like or need to have a good time. They head to their local butchers, greengrocers, and discount store to get the supplies needed at prices they know will be fair and within budget. Everything needed for the party at the weekend is in the house ready to go by Wednesday. Person A is Man City.

Person B immediately fixates on a chocolate fountain for the party. The chocolate fountain will get loads of impressions on social media and everyone will be talking about it. None of party guest want nor need a chocolate fountain to have a good time, but the host continues to fixate on it. The chocolate fountain is also £150 and way out of budget. Our host doesn't care and continues to hover outside the chocolate fountain shop all day, and all week long. Until 10:55 on Friday evening, when our host realises that he can't buy the chocolate fountain, and he has absolutely nothing sorted for tomorrow's party. He rushes down to the Centra at the local filling station and panic grabs £100's worth of crisps and Fanta. Person B is Man Utd.

Both Person A and Person B have spent the same amount on the party, but only one has set himself up for success. This is why total spend means nothing without context.

The context at United is that the layer of management between the Glazers and the football side of things has not functioned effectively for at least a decade. The wrong players have been signed at the wrong time for grossly inflated figures. Unwise contract renewals have compounded matters. This layer of management seems to either be incapable of, or under instruction not to, take a long term approach to the management of playing resources. Everything is focussed short term - signings (Ronaldo!), managerial appointments, the neglect of the stadium/ training ground.

The Glazers have never seemed interested in doing things any differently, so it is logical to assume the same pattern of success will continue until they leave the club. That's why they're hated.

[trailer]

Glazers appear to be an obsession of non united fans, spending money and been good owners don't go in tandem. They are clueless when it comes to many aspects of running a football club, their rich kids living of daddy's fortune and bring no expertise like Liverpools owners possess. The club has been left behind and its 100% their fault. Ten Hag wanted Anthony all last summer and could have got him for £40m at the beginning of summer but because of the ridiculous policy of one transfer at a time they wasted the summer chasing De Jong and went to Ajax after they'd sold half their team leaving them in a very strong financial position and didn't need to sell forcing United to pay way over the odds. United have held onto too players for far too long that weren't wanted but it looked better on the balance sheet loaning them instead of selling to satisfy financial lenders, football has become secondary at OT for a long long time. Thousands of Galatasaray fans been sold 'corporate' tickets is the latest in a long line of examples of those c***s ruining the club.

Ten Hag is miles off getting the sack and would be idiotic to even think about it, he's the first manager since Fergie to try and implement real change; There's no doubt its a really tough period but there is so many mitigating factors around the club with the ownership then then all the noise around Greenwood, Sancho & Anthony along with the injury crisis we're suffering.  Give him time, I like what I hear he's doing around the club and he did more then enough in his first season to give him that time to put things right, might be different scenario if he'd come into a settled club who'd been on top but he's not and the club is a shitshow and has been for years.

My main issue with him is playing Amrabat at left back, Dalot should be playing there until Regullon is back and play Lindelof at right back, have reservations about him as a midfielder too;  Takes too many touches on the ball but like everyone else deserves a run in the side in his best position first.

Onana is very worrying but Ten Hag worked with him at Ajax so got to trust him but not looking good so far. Whilst Martinez is out Amrabat has got to partner Casemiro, Martinez is a huge loss as he's our only centre half who's good on the ball. Mount looked good last night and Hojlund was exceptional. Fernandes got to play wide right for the next few weeks, its not ideal but needs must.

All is not lost in the CL but United have to go to Galatasaray and win to get out of the group.

Summed the Glazers and board right up.

[gallsman]

I suppose ETH could implement some REAL change and show some leadership by refusing to park in Fergie's old space.

[Look-Up!]

The only people obsessed with the Glazers are Utd fans and ex Utd player/pundits, Neville especially. So blinded they refuse to look anywhere else for the problems at the club. Ten Hag has got plenty of his wish list players, it's now down to him to make his mark with those players and if he fails that's on him. I get that overpaying for players is problematic but only if they turn out to be flops. If they gel into the managers system and offer a return it's not a problem. Every club overpays. City on Grealish, Arsenal on Rice, Liverpool on Van Dijk, Nunez, Becker are just some examples.   

[north_antrim_hound]

The only people obsessed with the Glazers are Utd fans and ex Utd player/pundits, Neville especially. So blinded they refuse to look anywhere else for the problems at the club. Ten Hag has got plenty of his wish list players, it's now down to him to make his mark with those players and if he fails that's on him. I get that overpaying for players is problematic but only if they turn out to be flops. If they gel into the managers system and offer a return it's not a problem. Every club overpays. City on Grealish, Arsenal on Rice, Liverpool on Van Dijk, Nunez, Becker are just some examples.   

Keep Liverpool and Van Dijk out of this please, considering you guys paid more for Harry Maquire.

[Cunny Funt]

United's problem going all the way back to Moyes has been recruitment, not ownership.

Fellaini ushered in an era in which United's transfer market signature move has been to overpay for players for positions they've already filled, and to overpay for players that don't fit their system.

Because it's United, they have to pay top drawer and their squad since has ballooned full of players earning huge salaries.

And because these players were never really needed, but cannot be moved on, there's been a clear culture ever since Fellaini of players seeing out their contracts without ever having to earn the money. Which is infectious.

People can blame all this on the Glazers. But all they've actually done is heavily back a series of managers in the transfer market.

The ironic thing is what United really need is a few windows where they only sell players, just to trim the squad and the insipid culture... but do that and the fans will be up in arms. They want signings and they don't care what they cost.

And that's the current Man United cycle.

Who's responsible for recruitment? It's not the fans or players. The owners put Woodward and co in place to look after recruitment ffs - it goes back to the owners. You're right in where it went wrong but the fact the owners didn't change things is on them not the people below them of the fans.

And the owners didn't back the club in the transfer market - they allowed them to spend the clubs income on signings while not investing any money back into facilities etc.

Yes the recruitment all goes back to the owners. Woodward the Glazers favourite only recently let go after years of damage brought in the current chaps Richard Arnold,John Murtough the latter overseen the already mentioned pure nonsense with De Jong he also got rid of Rangnick who was meant to carry out a consultancy role once Teg Hag arrived but Ralf in public called things as they were including that club needed "open heart surgery." those kind of comments irked Murtough.

Can get rid of Ten Hag next week and bring in Zidane or Nagelsmann and after a bit of a new manager bounce will probably in 12 or so months time find themselves back to square one. Many mid tier clubs in the Premier league are better run/organised than United which isn't going to change until new owners with required competence on running the club from top to bottom are brought in.