Man Utd Thread:

[screenexile]

I'll hold my hands up in that I didn't think it would work out but United are playing well there's no denying it. Is it more by accident or design I'm not so sure but does that really matter?

Something tells me that there is still a weakness in this team that would stop them from winning a league I can't see that happening but they've definitely got a Champions League place now and they'll be up pushing again next season but as long as they don't win I'll be happy enough.

PS. I enjoyed the "Manchester is Red" nonsense from the lads on Facebook who had been missing most of the season. . . yeah it's not so much seeing as City are still the Champions!! I imagine they'll get a new manager in shortly after the seasons over (Ancelotti) and start assembling another squad of younger superstars!

[Maroon Manc]

Oh I know that. Muppets on slagging off someone like LVG about his "philosophy" not long ago. He's coaching royalty FFS. The games where United were playing really badly (according to some people) you could see they were retaining possession really well (dominating it in fact). The progress has been slow but there to see for anyone who actually watched. Trouble is too many comment after reading a score and a headline only.

Progress has been slow and very gradual but I do think the injury to RVP helped. I was astounded that Herrera wasn't starting earlier on in the season, he was dropped after one average performance. I've been saying it for 2 years, RVP & Rooney can't play in the same team.

I still think we're in for a nervy last few games if we pick up any less than 4 points against Chelsea & Everton. 10 points required from the remaining 6 games to guarantee top 4 unless Liverpool start winning every game 3-0.

[Boycey]

Yep, wasn't a dig at you. It's important in this day and age to keep the long view in mind.

Its hard to expect guys on internet forums and social media to keep perspective when a fair share of "experts" in the media don't?? Viewed in hindsight a lot of what is said is laughable and I'm not just talking about United, I'm talking in general.

Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas, Stan Collymore, Robbie Savage I could go on!!!!

[nrico2006]

When you look at the money City have spent over the past 6/7 years then you would have to look at their return as being pretty poor.  They have never really went out and been the clear dominant team in the league, they won their first title by virtue of goal difference and their second was more to do with Chelsea throwing it away than City winning it.  There is a major clear-out required at City as the majority of their key players 4/5 years ago are still their key players now.  A lot of their signings have not worked out and to heavily reinvest in the summer is going to require a lot of money being generated from player sales which won't be big money considering the age profile of a lot of the players that will be going.   

I am glad to see Herrera and Mata to the fore now, I have been crying out for them to be included all season and they are great to watch in full flow.  Come the summer I still think United need a real physical presence in the middle to do the donkey work, someone in the mould of Matic.  I see William Carvalho linked again with a move, would he be that kind of player?

[AZOffaly]

Yep, wasn't a dig at you. It's important in this day and age to keep the long view in mind.

Its hard to expect guys on internet forums and social media to keep perspective when a fair share of "experts" in the media don't?? Viewed in hindsight a lot of what is said is laughable and I'm not just talking about United, I'm talking in general.

Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas, Stan Collymore, Robbie Savage I could go on!!!!

Absolutely. It's crazy stuff. See Rodgers go from chump to genius to chump again. It's pathetic.

[ballinaman]

PS. I enjoyed the "Manchester is Red" nonsense from the lads on Facebook who had been missing most of the season. . . yeah it's not so much seeing as City are still the Champions!! I imagine they'll get a new manager in shortly after the seasons over (Ancelotti) and start assembling another squad of younger superstars!

That Manchester is red stuff is cringe unless they are actually from Manchester where I'd say you could give them the benefit of the doubt...barely though!!
It'll be either Ancelotti or Benitez I reckon at City next year. They'll find it hard to splash the cash ridiculously like previous years due to FFP. Not that I care obviously, don't rate them as a club as I've said before. Liverpool catching them for 4th would actually be hilarious just to see the meltdown there.

[magpie seanie]

Oh I know that. Muppets on slagging off someone like LVG about his "philosophy" not long ago. He's coaching royalty FFS. The games where United were playing really badly (according to some people) you could see they were retaining possession really well (dominating it in fact). The progress has been slow but there to see for anyone who actually watched. Trouble is too many comment after reading a score and a headline only.

Progress has been slow and very gradual but I do think the injury to RVP helped. I was astounded that Herrera wasn't starting earlier on in the season, he was dropped after one average performance. I've been saying it for 2 years, RVP & Rooney can't play in the same team.

I still think we're in for a nervy last few games if we pick up any less than 4 points against Chelsea & Everton. 10 points required from the remaining 6 games to guarantee top 4 unless Liverpool start winning every game 3-0.

I like to think that LVG was coming to the opinion that RVP was done before his injury buy yeah, point taken. The Herrera one was a real head scratcher - I don't really remember the lad having a bad game. His passing, workrate and movement are brilliant.

Rooney was poor again against citeh. He needed a kick up the hole but to be fair to him DeMichelis did it and got away with it. They were fierce lucky to end with 11, Kompany and Clichy especially. 

[magpie seanie]

PS. I enjoyed the "Manchester is Red" nonsense from the lads on Facebook who had been missing most of the season. . . yeah it's not so much seeing as City are still the Champions!! I imagine they'll get a new manager in shortly after the seasons over (Ancelotti) and start assembling another squad of younger superstars!

That Manchester is red stuff is cringe unless they are actually from Manchester where I'd say you could give them the benefit of the doubt...barely though!!
It'll be either Ancelotti or Benitez I reckon at City next year. They'll find it hard to splash the cash ridiculously like previous years due to FFP. Not that I care obviously, don't rate them as a club as I've said before. Liverpool catching them for 4th would actually be hilarious just to see the meltdown there.

It would be a serious kick in the hole and could have serious implications for them. They're in trouble with FFP already but without CL income and having to overhaul an aging squad, pay off another manager.....

Either way it's all good so long as United are back in it.

[GJL]

PS. I enjoyed the "Manchester is Red" nonsense from the lads on Facebook who had been missing most of the season. . . yeah it's not so much seeing as City are still the Champions!! I imagine they'll get a new manager in shortly after the seasons over (Ancelotti) and start assembling another squad of younger superstars!

That Manchester is red stuff is cringe unless they are actually from Manchester where I'd say you could give them the benefit of the doubt...barely though!!
It'll be either Ancelotti or Benitez I reckon at City next year. They'll find it hard to splash the cash ridiculously like previous years due to FFP. Not that I care obviously, don't rate them as a club as I've said before. Liverpool catching them for 4th would actually be hilarious just to see the meltdown there.

Southamton would be better. Double meltdown

[stew]

So now I'm confused. Is Van Gaal still a spoofer and a bluffer, or is he now the messiah again?

Its a bit like the benny rodgers situation the liverpool fans deal with isn't it!

[AZOffaly]

So now I'm confused. Is Van Gaal still a spoofer and a bluffer, or is he now the messiah again?

Its a bit like the benny rodgers situation the liverpool fans deal with isn't it!

Exactly the same. Drives me up the wall.

[J70]

Yep, wasn't a dig at you. It's important in this day and age to keep the long view in mind.

Its hard to expect guys on internet forums and social media to keep perspective when a fair share of "experts" in the media don't?? Viewed in hindsight a lot of what is said is laughable and I'm not just talking about United, I'm talking in general.

Paul Merson, Charlie Nicholas, Stan Collymore, Robbie Savage I could go on!!!!

Its the same in all sports punditry though.

The last game or two are all that matter. After the New England Patriots were hammered by Kansas City last autumn, the big discussion on ESPN and the rest of the American sports talking heads was whether Brady and Bellichek were finished. After that they only lost two more games (one, at the Bills, on the last day when it didn't matter) and won the Superbowl! You see the same with the hysteria over the blanket defenses in football. The country lost its collective mind after the Dublin Derry game, when, in reality, except for the Donegal v Monaghan match, how many more really shit defensive games were there in Division 1 out of the 28 or whatever matches? Last season, after Dublin lost to Donegal, the Dublin cavalier, gung-ho tactics that had been thrilling all and sundry all summer and had many predicting the second coming of Micko's Kerry in terms of dominance and repeats were suddenly naive and foolish.

At least some of the American sports media admit now and again that their coverage is knee-jerk and sensationalist, especially on radio with 24 hours to fill and outraged half-wits with no sense of perspective needed for the phone-in shows.

[Maroon Manc]

Oh I know that. Muppets on slagging off someone like LVG about his "philosophy" not long ago. He's coaching royalty FFS. The games where United were playing really badly (according to some people) you could see they were retaining possession really well (dominating it in fact). The progress has been slow but there to see for anyone who actually watched. Trouble is too many comment after reading a score and a headline only.

Progress has been slow and very gradual but I do think the injury to RVP helped. I was astounded that Herrera wasn't starting earlier on in the season, he was dropped after one average performance. I've been saying it for 2 years, RVP & Rooney can't play in the same team.

I still think we're in for a nervy last few games if we pick up any less than 4 points against Chelsea & Everton. 10 points required from the remaining 6 games to guarantee top 4 unless Liverpool start winning every game 3-0.

I like to think that LVG was coming to the opinion that RVP was done before his injury buy yeah, point taken. The Herrera one was a real head scratcher - I don't really remember the lad having a bad game. His passing, workrate and movement are brilliant.

Rooney was poor again against citeh. He needed a kick up the hole but to be fair to him DeMichelis did it and got away with it. They were fierce lucky to end with 11, Kompany and Clichy especially.

Not a fan of Rooney, getting far too much praise for our recent run. Had 3 below average games apart from a goal against Villa and in particular was woeful against Liverpool, never gets any criticism from Sky mainly because of Gary Neville.

[magpie seanie]

Being Eng-er-lund captain brings a bit of immunity.

[Boycey]

I've not noticed a lot of praise for Rooney on the current run to be honest?

Not a huge admirer of his ever since he tried to force a transfer but he's by far Uniteds best attacking option at present and the most likely of the 3 to be still in situ next year.

On strikers there's rumbling on Twitter today of United seeking permission from Burnley to speak to Danny Ings? Worth a punt?