Man Utd Thread:

[Captain Obvious]

Van Gaal did say during the summer that it normally takes him about 3 months to get any team he has managed, to play to his style.. When he took over at Bayern Munich, they only won 5 of their first 13 games. Yet, by the end of the season, they had won the Bundesliga and lost the Champions League Final. That won't happen this season, but he has made his mark wherever he has gone, and there is no reason to believe, as of now, that his time at Old Trafford will be any different.

There are plenty of reasons why it might be different this time around. One is taking over a team that finished 2nd the previous season, two points off the top, versus taking over a team that finished 7th.

I think Van Gaal also said taking over from Moyes was a more difficult job. Why a suitable replacement wasn't brought in straight away after Ferguson remains a mystery.

[deiseach]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

[Milltown Row2]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

Might come second

[rodney trotter]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

You might know from last season.

[deiseach]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

You might know from last season.

Hmm. If that's what you're going on then I'd suggest checking out how Liverpool did in 2012 when we had no European football.

[rodney trotter]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

You might know from last season.

Hmm. If that's what you're going on then I'd suggest checking out how Liverpool did in 2012 when we had no European football.

You were a one man army then with Suarez, no Sturridge , Coutinho, or Sterling. I suggest you check how many Sturridge scored last season...

[deiseach]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

You might know from last season.

Hmm. If that's what you're going on then I'd suggest checking out how Liverpool did in 2012 when we had no European football.

You were a one man army then with Suarez, no Sturridge , Coutinho, or Sterling. I suggest you check how many Sturridge scored last season...

Obviously the quality of player makes a difference to your position, but you were the one suggesting European football makes a difference to a team's place in a particular season. So I ask again: how big a difference?

[rodney trotter]

No European football this year, that should make a difference as the season moves on.

How big a difference?

You might know from last season.

Hmm. If that's what you're going on then I'd suggest checking out how Liverpool did in 2012 when we had no European football.

You were a one man army then with Suarez, no Sturridge , Coutinho, or Sterling. I suggest you check how many Sturridge scored last season...

Obviously the quality of player makes a difference to your position, but you were the one suggesting European football makes a difference to a team's place in a particular season. So I ask again: how big a difference?

Well obviously no fatigue, Liverpool weren't playing in Moscow or Kiev last season on a Wednesday night and a game on a Saturday.

But a strong Squad obviously makes a difference too.

[Shrewdness]

On the assumption that there's no smoke without fire, i still wouldn't rule out a bid for Arturo Vidal. United would have been monitoring his fitness in recent weeks. He played 45 mins at the weekend. I think De Jong would be Plan B if nothing materialises with Vidal.. Still hoping they get Blind from Ajax.

[orangeman]

No shortage of € at the minute.

[magpie seanie]

On the assumption that there's no smoke without fire, i still wouldn't rule out a bid for Arturo Vidal. United would have been monitoring his fitness in recent weeks. He played 45 mins at the weekend. I think De Jong would be Plan B if nothing materialises with Vidal.. Still hoping they get Blind from Ajax.

I like to think the Vidal thing is a staring competition at the moment that will come to a head near the deadline. There has been too much about it for it to only be paper speculation surely? Reckon the "injury concerns" are part of the price negotiations but with Woodwards' track record who knows? Need Vidal or DeJong and Blind before the end of the month at the very least.

I've been a huge fan of Di Maria and am delighted he is coming to United. I think he will be a big success. If the price is too high so what - it's just less money for the Glazers to steal. Hope people can finally cop on to that.

[GJL]

The Vidal story is definitely gathering pace as the window draws to a close. If he remains fit it would be one of the best signings Utd could make but I would fear another Hargreaves.

[rodney trotter]

Few reports that United are back in for him
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11055295/Angel-Di-Maria-closes-in-on-59.7-million-transfer-to-Manchester-United-from-Real-Madrid.html
http://www.espnfc.us/manchester-united/story/2003248/juventus-midfielder-arturo-vidal-is-rumoured-to-be-heading-to-premier-league-and-manchester-united

[Mayo4Sam]

Leaving aside his ridiculous price tag, can anyone explain why Di Maria is being bought when United need CBs and CMs?

[rodney trotter]

Because he is an upgrade on Young , Valencia, also Welbeck and Hernandez seem to be on the way out..

United are in for Cm and Cbs too.