Man Utd Thread:

[tiempo]

Jonny Evans was a fair reflection on Utd trajectory. Rejected by club as not good enough when in his prime. Brought back 10 years later when crocked and became a regular in the team.

INEOS will regret their foray into Utd you'd feel as much as fans will regret them coming in. Despite their spiel they seem to seriously misunderstand the business. Looking at a loss of €300m with their Nice misadventure. Completely misinterpreting rules in European competitions for owners of same team. Not understanding real estate prices around OT. Assuming they could blag the taxman into building a stadium and thinking they could outswindle the Glazers. Cowboys Ted.

In a nutshell 👆

For hand gel Jim its all a transactional, he'd bolt for the door at this stage only the Glazers have him by the toot now

For Utd to any way recover they need 97-98 Wenger or Leicester title winning style recruitment

I wonder who Madrid will flog to them next?

[Ethan Tremblay]

I would argue Bruno has been their best acquisition post Fergie, his issue is he is a top quality player in an average squad.  Had he been playing in the mid 2000's his attitude wouldn't have been allowed and he most likely would have flourished more than he has. 

The Johnny Evans example is a perfect example of their mindset on transfers, looking back and not forward (I thought he was decent when he returned to be fair, but the bar was set low).  He gave the impression he was a top professional, but football wise more limited than what they needed.  Pogba another good example.  Had it all football wise, not professional enough. 

The fact United let these players go due to these reasons only to take them back speaks volumes on transfer policy.

[magpie seanie]

Something like 12 managers (including interims) since Ferguson left. Some of these players must be on their 5th or 6th manager and it looks like they've downed tools on all of them. 

I remember being told on here when David Moyes was under pressure that they won't sack him as it's not the United way 😂
Now here we are over a decade later and they've had more managers than trophies in the last 10 years.

Fair enough point on the face of it but let me reply.

(1) It wasn't the United way and (2) this approach has failed completely and only given breathing room the the swindlers that are milking the club dry.

(1) historically United were very lenient with managers through periods of underperformance - most famously with Ferguson who I dare say you wish the sacked in 1989! What changed is now you have people in charge who have interest only in self-preservation, robbing money who have no understanding of soccer, much less Manchester United. Even Martin Edwards had that last piece.

(2) here we are again tearing a decent man and a great former player apart again. For no reason as it will not improve things one iota. I have pretty much opposed all the sackings bar Mourinho who was a bad fit from day 1 and Amorim who refused to play United's best midfielder and almost ran a generational talent out of the club. 

[magpie seanie]

for what it is worth I think comments saying Carrick is out of his depth are off the mark. Statistically United have not been that bad this season except in the area of converting chances where they are worst in the league. and this is despite Fernandes form dropping off a cliff. Team is still breaking lines and creating chances.

Lack of results has led to confidence being eroded so the last couple of games have (to my eyes) been poor and littered with individual errors. Bournemouth were better than United last weekend but all three goals were very preventable.

[AustinPowers]

I would argue Bruno has been their best acquisition post Fergie, his issue is he is a top quality player in an average squad.  Had he been playing in the mid 2000's his attitude wouldn't have been allowed and he most likely would have flourished more than he has. 

The Johnny Evans example is a perfect example of their mindset on transfers, looking back and not forward (I thought he was decent when he returned to be fair, but the bar was set low).  He gave the impression he was a top professional, but football wise more limited than what they needed.  Pogba another good example.  Had it all football wise, not professional enough. 

The fact United let these players go due to these reasons only to take them back speaks volumes on transfer policy.

Van Gaal let Evans go. Always thought it a  stupid decision.  He was a solid player.

As for Pogba, there was clearly a good reason United let him  go in the first place. They should  never have brought  him back.  He was  an absolute  bell end of the highest order.

[Look-Up!]

Pogba was world class for about 20 games a season. That's not good enough for a team with genuine ambitions. He stank the place out rest of the time and was a terrible role model. Dilemma there is someone will always take a chance that he'll eventually knuckle down.

On Carrick, I understand a no 9 on form completely changes the narrative but surely he has to take responsibility for that. If it were last season starting with a fully fit Sesko, Hojlund still at the club and Zirkzee not a confirmed busted flush, to arrive in this situation would be unlucky. But the Dane is gone, the Dutch needs gone and the Slovenian has being showing massive warning signs on the injury front for the last 5 months. You can call it what you like, bad luck, inexperience, out of his depth, but the current situation is on Carrick.

[magpie seanie]

Pogba was world class for about 20 games a season. That's not good enough for a team with genuine ambitions. He stank the place out rest of the time and was a terrible role model. Dilemma there is someone will always take a chance that he'll eventually knuckle down.

On Carrick, I understand a no 9 on form completely changes the narrative but surely he has to take responsibility for that. If it were last season starting with a fully fit Sesko, Hojlund still at the club and Zirkzee not a confirmed busted flush, to arrive in this situation would be unlucky. But the Dane is gone, the Dutch needs gone and the Slovenian has being showing massive warning signs on the injury front for the last 5 months. You can call it what you like, bad luck, inexperience, out of his depth, but the current situation is on Carrick.

You think he decides who is bought and not? Do you? If so you are missing the point completely.

[NAG1]

Pogba was world class for about 20 games a season. That's not good enough for a team with genuine ambitions. He stank the place out rest of the time and was a terrible role model. Dilemma there is someone will always take a chance that he'll eventually knuckle down.

On Carrick, I understand a no 9 on form completely changes the narrative but surely he has to take responsibility for that. If it were last season starting with a fully fit Sesko, Hojlund still at the club and Zirkzee not a confirmed busted flush, to arrive in this situation would be unlucky. But the Dane is gone, the Dutch needs gone and the Slovenian has being showing massive warning signs on the injury front for the last 5 months. You can call it what you like, bad luck, inexperience, out of his depth, but the current situation is on Carrick.

You think he decides who is bought and not? Do you? If so you are missing the point completely.

He might have been asked in passing but no way he has a say in who they are signing.

If he was there no way they sign the lad from Chelsea.

Totally conflicted on the way forward, for once they appear to have backed the manager over the players. Problem is have they really? or is it another financial decision.

I would like nothing more than for Carrick to turn it around, I am just to see which player/s are going to dig in and help him out and the list is very very short if any.

[clonian]

Pogba was world class for about 20 games a season. That's not good enough for a team with genuine ambitions. He stank the place out rest of the time and was a terrible role model. Dilemma there is someone will always take a chance that he'll eventually knuckle down.

On Carrick, I understand a no 9 on form completely changes the narrative but surely he has to take responsibility for that. If it were last season starting with a fully fit Sesko, Hojlund still at the club and Zirkzee not a confirmed busted flush, to arrive in this situation would be unlucky. But the Dane is gone, the Dutch needs gone and the Slovenian has being showing massive warning signs on the injury front for the last 5 months. You can call it what you like, bad luck, inexperience, out of his depth, but the current situation is on Carrick.

You think he decides who is bought and not? Do you? If so you are missing the point completely.

He might have been asked in passing but no way he has a say in who they are signing.

If he was there no way they sign the lad from Chelsea.

Totally conflicted on the way forward, for once they appear to have backed the manager over the players. Problem is have they really? or is it another financial decision.

I would like nothing more than for Carrick to turn it around, I am just to see which player/s are going to dig in and help him out and the list is very very short if any.

Wilcox and Berrada are backing themselves in front of the club. If Carrick goes they have to go too. 3 managers now and sporting director sacked under their rule. I can't have Wilcox, he is the perfect example of someone promoted beyond their capability.

The players are nowhere near good enough but the one thing I blame Carrick and his coaching staff on is the conditioning of the players - they're nowhere near fit enough. Amorim ran the shite out of them (and played bad football) and some didn't like it but they weren't out worked last season. I remember someone pointing out the running stats had gradually dropped over last season too but results were good so nobody noticed.

[magpie seanie]

Importance of running stats are being vastly overstated with this team.

[Armagh18]

Importance of running stats are being vastly overstated with this team.

Not a good look when you're getting outplayed every week and c***ts are strolling about. Workrate is key.

[Mad Mentor]

If players can't be arsed during a match when the world is watching, they're hardly going to bust a gut in training.

[clonian]

Importance of running stats are being vastly overstated with this team.

I would have agreed with you before the last break, City were top of the league and ran less that everyone, but it has looked much worse since then. They look so slow at the minute.

[Baile Brigín 2]

Importance of running stats are being vastly overstated with this team.

Depends on the stat.

There was a Man City player who famously juked his yards by sprinting around when the ball was dead to get his 12k. So what? Pep knocked that shite on the head.

[Look-Up!]

Pogba was world class for about 20 games a season. That's not good enough for a team with genuine ambitions. He stank the place out rest of the time and was a terrible role model. Dilemma there is someone will always take a chance that he'll eventually knuckle down.

On Carrick, I understand a no 9 on form completely changes the narrative but surely he has to take responsibility for that. If it were last season starting with a fully fit Sesko, Hojlund still at the club and Zirkzee not a confirmed busted flush, to arrive in this situation would be unlucky. But the Dane is gone, the Dutch needs gone and the Slovenian has being showing massive warning signs on the injury front for the last 5 months. You can call it what you like, bad luck, inexperience, out of his depth, but the current situation is on Carrick.

You think he decides who is bought and not? Do you? If so you are missing the point completely.

I don't think I'm missing any point TBH. A good manager, an experienced manager with serious ambition would not tolerate going into the season so short. They would impress upon the board in no uncertain terms the suicidal gamble they took. Ferguson or a Conte would go nuts. They certainly wouldn't take it on the chin and come out and back the board on lack of signings and say everything hunky dory in the media.

I'm not saying I don't understand why he did it. The board's preference is a low maintenance yes man in there to run things for next while and hopefully pick up a few results. It's why he's still in the job. And it's why they're gambling the results might come.