Man Utd Thread:

[Look-Up!]

I don't believe Martial and Rashford are wide players. I think they have predominantly played wide as there has been a (static) big name centre forward like Rooney or Lukaku there most of the time who has always been picked to play through the middle. One upside of how the squad is this year is we'll see them get a good few games through the middle or when they play wide they might have a "9" who works and moves. You see at Liverpool how important Firmino is to Mané and Salah.....they wouldn't get the goals they get without his work. United haven't had that so my hope is that with a more mobile front three, Martial and Rashford can get more goals. I don't expect James to keep up this scoring rate but he has looked better than I'd hoped so far.

It's a hope more than a concrete strategy though and really at the moment Utd don't have a recognized striker. Henry at Arsenal is a great example of a wide man going on to make a prolific striker but failure is more often than not the norm. Pogba is their top PL goal scorer from last season and if they had held on to Lukaku, Pogba would still be their top PL goal scorer from last season. So it's not as if there hasn't been opportunities or a need for someone to step up before this. Maybe some at the club believe their hold up play or finishing or both were not good enough for a central role. Time will only tell but the likes of Martial and Rashford really need to step up this season. They're at that stage where potential can no longer be talked about and what you see is in fact what you get. James looks very very good. Probably won't keep up this rate. If he does he's world class. But regardless Pogba, James, Martial and Rashford look like the bulk of where the goals will come from. Completely agree about Liverpool. That trio account for nearly 60 PL goals last season. It's why they drop so little points. City are another club with ridiculous combined tallies. Kane can hit 20+ injury free. Son and Moura can pitch in. Arsenal have Lacazette and Aubameyang with decent track records. Assuming Pogba can hit close to 15 again this year that still leaves a massive order for the other three combined to fill up. At least one of them is going to have to have a season to write about. Either that or they're relying on Arsenal or Spurs to regress this season or maybe get someone big in in January. But at the moment they're really slugging it out with Chelsea, Leicester, Everton etc. and hardly clear favourite.

[trailer]

I don't believe Martial and Rashford are wide players. I think they have predominantly played wide as there has been a (static) big name centre forward like Rooney or Lukaku there most of the time who has always been picked to play through the middle. One upside of how the squad is this year is we'll see them get a good few games through the middle or when they play wide they might have a "9" who works and moves. You see at Liverpool how important Firmino is to Mané and Salah.....they wouldn't get the goals they get without his work. United haven't had that so my hope is that with a more mobile front three, Martial and Rashford can get more goals. I don't expect James to keep up this scoring rate but he has looked better than I'd hoped so far.

It's a hope more than a concrete strategy though and really at the moment Utd don't have a recognized striker. Henry at Arsenal is a great example of a wide man going on to make a prolific striker but failure is more often than not the norm. Pogba is their top PL goal scorer from last season and if they had held on to Lukaku, Pogba would still be their top PL goal scorer from last season. So it's not as if there hasn't been opportunities or a need for someone to step up before this. Maybe some at the club believe their hold up play or finishing or both were not good enough for a central role. Time will only tell but the likes of Martial and Rashford really need to step up this season. They're at that stage where potential can no longer be talked about and what you see is in fact what you get. James looks very very good. Probably won't keep up this rate. If he does he's world class. But regardless Pogba, James, Martial and Rashford look like the bulk of where the goals will come from. Completely agree about Liverpool. That trio account for nearly 60 PL goals last season. It's why they drop so little points. City are another club with ridiculous combined tallies. Kane can hit 20+ injury free. Son and Moura can pitch in. Arsenal have Lacazette and Aubameyang with decent track records. Assuming Pogba can hit close to 15 again this year that still leaves a massive order for the other three combined to fill up. At least one of them is going to have to have a season to write about. Either that or they're relying on Arsenal or Spurs to regress this season or maybe get someone big in in January. But at the moment they're really slugging it out with Chelsea, Leicester, Everton etc. and hardly clear favourite.

Paragraphs are your friend.
DO NOT FEAR THEM!

[trailer]

People actually advocating holding onto Lukaku? The man has the first touch of a concrete wall. He has been replaced with fresh air and that's good enough for me. A shitebag. Not a Manchester United player.

[magpie seanie]

People actually advocating holding onto Lukaku? The man has the first touch of a concrete wall. He has been replaced with fresh air and that's good enough for me. A shitebag. Not a Manchester United player.

I don't think anyone is saying he should have been kept. It's just worth pointing out that while (in my opinion and no doubt yours) he's not a top level player, he did get goals (mostly against lower ranked teams) which still need to be put away this term. A replacement would have been desirable.

I see he's got a bizarre letter from his new supporters about how monkey chants aren't, in fact racist and that really there's no racism in Italian soccer. After this clarification I'm really looking forward to seeing white players receive monkey chants. I know we live in times where people tell lies blatantly all the time but this is unbelievable stuff.

[Look-Up!]

People actually advocating holding onto Lukaku? The man has the first touch of a concrete wall. He has been replaced with fresh air and that's good enough for me. A shitebag. Not a Manchester United player.

Haven't read anyone on here advocating holding onto Lukaku. Utd's top goal scorer from last year was a midfielder. That's Utd's big problem at moment, goals. People in charge of team selection at the club last season saw a shitebag of a striker as a better central option than what their only options this season are. 

[trailer]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

[BennyCake]

Leighton Baines.

[Boycey]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

I'm surprised MOTD haven't been on looking u...

[Look-Up!]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

Easy to say that now at start of season. Their goal scoring rate will have a huge effect on league table position and if half way through the season they are struggling then pressure to buy will be huge. Going into the PL with no recognized goal scorer is not good business. League table position affects revenue. Qualifying for CL has a huge bearing on revenue. That's not even considering keeping the major sponsors sweet. Forgetting about the business model for a sec, fans will go anti very quickly if the team is cut too far adrift. If things are toxic at Xmas they could be faced with paying off a manager, paying over the odds for his replacement and panic buying shit as you call it up front to try get some goals.
They've gambled on what they have at present to see them through. There's some real quality there and no reason why it might not work out but it might not either. Not buying a striker was a huge call. The Sanchez contract is probably a huge headache behind the scenes but very very soon they need to bite the bullet on that and pay an eye watering amount for another star. And that goes for even if they produce him in house. Because no agent will leave him on the cheap for too long.

[Joeythelips]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

This is true of course and it was good to see they told Dybala to do one after he demanded the world. But the fact is Man United have an unproven manager and don't have the attraction of Champion league football for the foreseeable which makes it difficult to attract the players they do need. Its a big transitional period for them while this rebuild is going on and he needs the 3 years he was given to get it done, I think he will struggle to get this as I cant see them getting top 4 this season for sure, but at least its clear he is trying to build a team that will play attractive football.

[trailer]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

This is true of course and it was good to see they told Dybala to do one after he demanded the world. But the fact is Man United have an unproven manager and don't have the attraction of Champion league football for the foreseeable which makes it difficult to attract the players they do need. Its a big transitional period for them while this rebuild is going on and he needs the 3 years he was given to get it done, I think he will struggle to get this as I cant see them getting top 4 this season for sure, but at least its clear he is trying to build a team that will play attractive football.

Top 4 isn't going to happen. It will take at least another 2 windows to get this right. But if you pull the weeds the flowers can bloom. That seems to be the approach here. Getting rid of an overweight and unprofessional Lukaku may just create enough space for Martial, Rashford and others to flourish. There are enough experienced heads to carry that team. This year is consolidation, structuring things, off loading. If there are no players available who improve the team at the right value then so be it.

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

I'm surprised MOTD haven't been on looking u...

I am available for MOTD, podcasts and other roadshows.

[Look-Up!]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

This is true of course and it was good to see they told Dybala to do one after he demanded the world. But the fact is Man United have an unproven manager and don't have the attraction of Champion league football for the foreseeable which makes it difficult to attract the players they do need. Its a big transitional period for them while this rebuild is going on and he needs the 3 years he was given to get it done, I think he will struggle to get this as I cant see them getting top 4 this season for sure, but at least its clear he is trying to build a team that will play attractive football.

I don't know. I hear a lot of talk about transition, clearing out the deadwood, 3 seasons to rebuild etc. and of course it sounds reasonable but the reality is Utd have a manager they do not trust. And I don't know if I'd trust him either. The template for success in the PL is getting a manager with a track record and backing him financially to the hilt.

[magpie seanie]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

This is true of course and it was good to see they told Dybala to do one after he demanded the world. But the fact is Man United have an unproven manager and don't have the attraction of Champion league football for the foreseeable which makes it difficult to attract the players they do need. Its a big transitional period for them while this rebuild is going on and he needs the 3 years he was given to get it done, I think he will struggle to get this as I cant see them getting top 4 this season for sure, but at least its clear he is trying to build a team that will play attractive football.

I don't know. I hear a lot of talk about transition, clearing out the deadwood, 3 seasons to rebuild etc. and of course it sounds reasonable but the reality is Utd have a manager they do not trust. And I don't know if I'd trust him either. The template for success in the PL is getting a manager with a track record and backing him financially to the hilt.

Like Mourinho?

For every experienced manager who spends a lot of money and wins there's 10 that fail.

Ole may or may not be the man to get United back to winning titles but in my mind he's certainly the man to start the rebuild. And I'm sure the club have confidence in him to do just that. Top 4 will be difficult this season, especially with the way points have been frittered away in the first 4 games. People underestimate just how much of a hatchet job Mourinho did on the club. It's almost as if he wanted the mess up the club as much as he could......

[Keyser soze]

Looking forward to seeing Ole getting some success.... not least so that Seanie's tiresome Mourinho obsession can perhaps be laid to rest. 

[Look-Up!]

They tried to replace him but it was going to cost the GDP of an African nation to do so and for once Utd made the right decision and said no. And if they have to say no in the next two transfer windows then that's fine.

Recruitment has been a mess since Ferguson left remember Moyes' first window when Fellani was signed for more than his release clause on deadline day? And then they didn't get that left back who's name I can't remember also from Everton. Took the pens, had a shit haircut. That was the start of the decline, right up until JM was told to check out of the Lowery Hotel.

A line had to be drawn in the sand. Paying over the odds for shit just because they're Utd and they can does not build a successful team. Off loading bad players, on high money is good business irrespective if they're replaced.

This is true of course and it was good to see they told Dybala to do one after he demanded the world. But the fact is Man United have an unproven manager and don't have the attraction of Champion league football for the foreseeable which makes it difficult to attract the players they do need. Its a big transitional period for them while this rebuild is going on and he needs the 3 years he was given to get it done, I think he will struggle to get this as I cant see them getting top 4 this season for sure, but at least its clear he is trying to build a team that will play attractive football.

I don't know. I hear a lot of talk about transition, clearing out the deadwood, 3 seasons to rebuild etc. and of course it sounds reasonable but the reality is Utd have a manager they do not trust. And I don't know if I'd trust him either. The template for success in the PL is getting a manager with a track record and backing him financially to the hilt.

Like Mourinho?

For every experienced manager who spends a lot of money and wins there's 10 that fail.

Ole may or may not be the man to get United back to winning titles but in my mind he's certainly the man to start the rebuild. And I'm sure the club have confidence in him to do just that. Top 4 will be difficult this season, especially with the way points have been frittered away in the first 4 games. People underestimate just how much of a hatchet job Mourinho did on the club. It's almost as if he wanted the mess up the club as much as he could......

Well yes like Mourinho. Can't deny his record but I didn't think he was the right fit for Utd at the time. He was probably past his best as well. But it was the right type of move but on the wrong man.
Everything seemed to go pear shaped after the Sanchez buy. Don't know who was the driver behind that move but personally I didn't think it was a good fit and I'd be skeptical if Jose was the driving force behind it. He identified his targets later that summer and the club wouldn't commit. Again the Sanchez contract and the obvious folly in it at that stage probably had a big bearing on the refusal to spend. Then the inevitable toys came out of the pram. I don't know what else the club expected. Yes in hindsight Mourinho's time there can best be viewed as a hatchet job but there was more than him swinging it.