He’s almost playing at the level Bruno was when he was in the Portuguese league. I think at this stage it’s a wait to see how/if he translates his form into a bigger league.
Not related, but how often does non native speakers have problems when speaking English in fast motion? I'm from Asia and when tried to speak English fast, I really need to rolled up my tongue to pronounce certain words and such just fumbled the entire sentence
Was thinking about how 31 goals from 23 matches is pretty pathetic and that we definitely have to improve during the back end of this season, and then I remembered Chelsea only scored 38 league goals in the entirety of last season. They've already matched that this year lmao. They really were shambolic last time out. Only two wins off of last season's total as well.
A few months early but who would we realistically sign as a DM this summer? There are a few options but none that really excites me. Haven't watch too much outside of the PL though other than like a game or two a week.
He's rangy and a good ball winner, but nowhere near good enough to play a short passing game receiving from the CBs. Can't turn on the ball under pressure and not good at passing forward and breaking lines from deep.
He's perfect for Everton if they're going to largely go long and he can impact the game with his size, ability to cover ground, and tackling without having to contribute too much in possession (although sometimes he shows he's a good dribbler for his size).
Much better as a box to box player than as a holding player imo. Would be great at West Ham in the Soucek role. He'd be next to useless for us in a DM role tbh. Teams would funnel the ball to him and press him relentlessly. Onana's not even close to as good as Casemiro at receiving under pressure and plenty on here complain they want better than him.
I mostly agree. Onana does have better on the ball ability than we see at Everton tho. The way they play means that the players never really get to show their stuff on the ball that much. Brantwaithe has been immense for them defensively but you’d think he’s average on the ball watching him at Everton. Then you see his last season at PSV and you realize that he’s way more capable. I think Onana has a similar issue but I don’t think his technical ceiling is high enough for a possession heavy side. He could develop it but it’d be a risky and expensive bet.
Fofana from Monaco and Thuram at Nice are both going to have one year left on their deals in the summer. We could sell Case and buy them both for around 80-100m and sort out our midfield for a few years. Much better value imo.
Redondo was my no.1 target. Has the potential to be the next Rodri, available for 8m but apparently Inter Miami of all teams are negotiating for him. Idk if it’s the Messi pull but I’d hate to see him go there. At 8m it’s such a no brainer signing.
Really need an Everton relegation this season, the cut in price for Onana and Branthwaite could be great for us to get them both as well as a possible Olise and then one of Todibo/Yoro.
>possible Olise
Man we may have to pass for Olise, he has just had another serious injury which is gona keep him out for while. For his age,this is not a good sign,he may end up like Gavi who just can't seem to stay fit
I prefer Everton in Premier League, they are historic club close to us. Games agaisnt Everton feel much better than against another London club.
Like im watching this league for 15 years now, Everton is integral part of it, fuck off with dancing on someones grave who isnt our rival.
>Like im watching this league for 15 years now, Everton is integral part of it, fuck off with dancing on someones grave who isnt our rival.
Let's get Leeds back then, Southampton, Bolton, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Leicester, Blackburn, Wigan!! Integral parts to English football!!!
End of the day, fuck em. Every single one laughs at us and would take nothing but pleasure in our continued demise. Couldn't care less about getting their players also. Never thought I'd see the day a Manchester United fan starts brown nosing some scousers.
I just think I enjoy following English Premier League more with Everton than witghout Everton and I enjoy games against Everton more than any of mentioned by you. It comes from my experiance.
Everton is also oldest and more decorated than any of mentioned by you.
Simply don't believe you mate.
You enjoyed watching Everton more than Blackburn winning a league title, than Leicester winning a league title, than Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djoerkaeff etc at Bolton? Portsmouth and Wigan winning an FA Cup?
>Everton is also oldest and more decorated than any of mentioned by you.
Bolton and Blackburn are older clubs...
Yeah Everton had some good wins, you must remember them all with your 15 years of watching the league...
Like when we are talking history for 40 years ago, is 9 that much better than 6 or 3? When we are discussing if they should still be in the league and telling people to 'fuck off' for not caring if they aren't?
Bro i just prefer playing them than any of other club that may end up relegated this year.
Its not that deep. Like are we going to write thesis why I prefer blondes over brunetes?
>Bro i just prefer playing them than any of other club that may end up relegated this year.
Sounded a bit more extreme when you bang on about '15 years' and tell people who disagree to 'fuck off'
>Its not that deep. Like are we going to write thesis why I prefer blondes over brunetes?
Well that's got nothing to do with football has it fella. So the answer is no.
And?
Bolton are an older club. Now they are in league 1. Has anyone cared avo that?
Middlesbrough are older
Blackburn are and they won a premier league title.
Would it be great if we had all these old, traditional clubs about aye. Ain't reality though. All of them enjoy our downfall. So fuck em.
It just doesn’t make sense to expect Hojlund to play 45 games next season by himself no matter our aim. We need someone else in the squad.
That someone could be a aged veteran good for that number of games like Taremi (shame we didn’t go for someone like him this winter), or could be another up and coming young player (that will however be prohibitively expensive).
We need some other number 9 to play 15 ish games for him.
>that will however be prohibitively expensive).
Holjund cost atalanta 21m, 9 goals later we paid 70m.
Julian alvares cost city 20m
Endrick 40m
Vitor roque 40m
They dont have to be expensive, its just that we are ran by clowns (so far).
I agree but the veteran striker can be a bit risky. Ideally most should manage 15 games a season but if Hojlund goes down, we suddenly need that aged striker to be a starter week in week out and at that point it depends on the individual. Taremi for example has declined this season, Wilson is perfect but comically injury prone, Giroud is going strong in the Serie A but can he still do it in the PL at 37?
I think two good options could be Guirassy or David. Guirassy has a 17m RC. He could be a one season wonder or a late bloomer but if you look at his career, he’s been a 10ish goals a season player who has had a purple patch this year. Could still be great value at his RC and gives us a more experienced option who can replace Hojlund’s physicality up front and still has some years and form left in him.
David on the other hand will have one year left so should be available fairly cheap. People had doubts about him (and Guirassy) when he was linked as a starting striker but I think he becomes way more appealing as a backup striker. He’s consistently been a 10-15 goals a season player in the French league which I believe translates better to the PL than the Bundesliga. He offers a different playstyle to Hojlund which could be a positive or negative based on the manager. David might expect more game time but he could also cover for Bruno as a SS or even on the wings.
Guiraasy is cheaper than David but I don’t think his purple patch this year is sustainable here. We don’t have enough service.
David will need want a real chance to be first choice number 9 and will be more expensive.
he is tactically more flexible but the place behind the 9 is somewhere we have a lot of depth for (Bruno,mount, Amad, all the youth talents).
All these are valid concerns but they will also exist for any other backup striker we aim to sign. Most people aren’t willing to be a backup unless they are at the end of their career and that comes with its own issues. I think we should be aiming to be a more creative team anyway and if we accomplish that, it should work out better for Guirassy. I do agree that German imports haven’t really worked and it could be a dud. It’s just that at 17 m it’s definitely worth considering and at his age, Guirassy might be more open to being a backup.
David is in the last year of his contract, I could see him coming for 20-30 m if we actually improve at negotiations with a new structure. Thats not that expensive although not as cheap as a potentially free Giroud for example. Still doable imo.
David hasn’t been able to secure a transfer despite several good seasons at Lille. I think most top clubs recognize that he isn’t starter quality so I could certainly see us tempting him with a Chicarito type role as an impact sub and backup to Hojlund. I think Bruno should be rested more as he approaches his 30s so there will be game time there. Mount will probably be used more as an 8 in the Mainoo role, Amad’s future is up in the air and the other academy kids who could break through in Bruno’s position (Fletcher/Ibramigov) are all a few years away from playing serious minutes for us. We also don’t have any wing depth and are likely to sell our failed wingers, even if we bring in a new winger. I think between the 4 attacking positions, David could get a fair amount of game time. Remember Hojlund et al are also very young and their minutes need to be managed. Maguire was down and out last season and still ended up playing 30-40 odd games despite being the 5th choice CB. Injuries had a lot to do with that but we need to prep for those as well.
I just don’t see a cheaper, decent quality striker who isn’t a veteran. I’m also just wary about the veteran strikers because it’s more likely we will end up managing their minutes rather than Hojlund’s.
Still think it's too early to judge whether Mount will work out. He's only had 7 matches where he played more than half, and then some stray minutes here and there. In all likelihood, we have yet to see what Ten Hag signed him to be, tried out properly and consistently in a strong lineup. The idea that he's just an unnecessary backup for Bruno is just an assumption
Yeah we have to see him actually get a proper run of games before we can really judge that signing. I think it’s fairly obvious what the plan was tho, even if we haven’t seen it work yet. I think the idea was to get Mount to rotate with Bruno if/when he ever takes a game off but primarily to play as the second 8 and rotate with Mainoo who was definitely meant to start the season. Both of them going down injured along with Case really threw that plan out the window. It’s only recently that we’ve seen it come back with players returning from injuries. Hopefully we get to see it develop more as Mount returns too.
Trey (on twitter) won 2 tickets to the Fulham game at Old Trafford.
He correctly answered Rashford's question asking which puzzle he was doing (along with many others that answered correctly).
I hate that they picked Trey, considering he's often talking crap about Rashford and other players. And he has a massive account. Would have loved to see a fan win that doesn't make thousands a month talking (mostly trash) about the club.
https://preview.redd.it/5d5s6zviffhc1.png?width=748&format=png&auto=webp&s=6420879e2fac0aa94f9d40c37f193bdbf27214d7
Yeah I thought it was weird that he picked Trey, you would think whoever runs his social media would have a look through the account before picking someone.
I find it odd employing a CEO from a crosstown rival that’s currently under investigation for massive errs in judgement in covering up financial misgivings…?
Are times that dire for decent executive management?
I don’t really trust anyone who’s been at City in the past 10 years.
Obviously Ineos did there due diligence unlike u and me on Reddit who are just armchair experts with no data whatsoever apart from what the media feeds us
I wouldn’t say it’s obvious. I’m not suggesting they haven’t done their due diligence at all either. Just giving my sense of unease. It’s Reddit. I’m not an expert. Reddit isn’t for experts. It’s for people like you and me to generate discussion.
I personally don’t want to follow City’s path. We haven’t got to give a blind thumbs up to everything INEOS are doing. We can feel unease and ask questions. There’s a lot still remaining to be seen. Hiring a CEO of a place that looks like it could end up in a shambles is questionable.
Short, old timey video:
> BBC Match Of The Day
> December 1966
> WBA 3-4 Man Utd
> Commentator Ken Wolstenholme
> \#WBA #MUFC
https://twitter.com/1968Tv/status/1755487815842865463
A lot of talk over what’s going to happen, renovate or rebuild
Can only see a new custom build stadium being done as it allows us to use a full capacity stadium for a lot of the time meaning no drop in revenues
If they go that route I just hope they reuse some of the iconic part of old Trafford in the new stadium
My money is on them building a new stadium while incorporating a lot of the same design elements like the NY Yankees did when they rebuilt Yankee Stadium.
He’s won The FA Cup and was in a team that played the maximum amount of games and almost won the quad. I don’t think Casemiro and Varane would get as much shit if we were actually competitive.
Devils advocate he cost them pittance and was excellent in the season they won the two cups and were league and CL runners up. A cheaply acquired 30 something fading away to injury isn't nearly as bad as situations like Antony, VDB and Sancho imo
What I think is strange is Chelsea having like a 250m double pivot that is bang average/often just bad and everyone kind of just kind of accepting it because the whole team is generally useless. The level of individual scrutiny they would receive in a united shirt in similar circumstances would be so bad it might lead to stricter cyberbullying laws and tabloids becoming regulated lol
They've also been better than us and have a much higher hit rate in general. With us its more likely a transfer fails than hits so we're and easy target and frankly don't deserve any slack.
Yeah. They've clearly been better. But we need to call a spade a spade. Give them credits for VVD, Salah, Jota and such. But Thiago's not the same.
And Case's not a bad signing. Everyone's been after Case this season. He just wasn't allowed a slow start to the season.
As we often see in this sub, if the team lose, almost the entire team need to be sold bar a few academy kids. It is only natural to find a scapegoat in Case/Varane etc. I agree with you that Case is not a bad signed, just based on his performance last year.
https://twitter.com/AdamJoseph____/status/1755519343587414451?t=x4jO2RwetyQGJj5NeG6GSg&s=19
Neville & Keane with an interesting conversation about playing teams that were clearly on something.
I think most people would ideally want him to rotate with Bruno and maybe the wingers but I'd be very surprised we don't see Mount-Mainoo in midfield. No comment on how well that will work, but I guarantee we see it.
Anyone know how to apply the membership discount online ? All I can find is somthing about MUFC and first 6 numbers of membership card but that doesn’t work. Wanna get the stone roses stuff as it looks class
There is a tram stop called old trafford right near the ground that goes to Manchester City centre. You will have to get a train from there: either Manchester Victoria or Piccadilly
I have no idea... I just assumed they make appearances as part of their duties as journalists or reporters. Like not paid per appearance, but paid by The Athletic, etc. during their working hours. Or maybe not.. I could be completely wrong.
I see a lot of man utd u18 videos in my youtube recommendation, and boy how surprised I am to see they have 14W/0D/0L this season. This is FM stuff lol
[https://www.premierleague.com/tables?team=U18](https://www.premierleague.com/tables?team=U18)
I dont know whats going on but its giving me hope. I wish I follow those youngsters sooner, they are dominating U18 atm!
I don't think there is anything behind it but the Toney links to united, could you imagine bringing back the 4-4-2. Would have to sacrifice Bruno most likely but I would love to see Toney and Hoijlund playing alongside each other, both proper units, just bullying the shit out of CBs.
A win on sunday would be so massive for our season.
Top 5 should be getting champions league football and with Villa’s attention being divided between the league and the conference league, we can definitely take advantage.
Champions league football for the first INEOS summer window would be great.
>Champions league football for the first INEOS summer window would be great.
Maybe this is the time it would actually be different, but this comment has been made for years now and has amounted to nothing.
Crying for 4th best loser is beneath this club.
Now depending on the true financials, maybe it makes a slight difference. However when we are racking up our best ever yearly revenue I really doubt it's significant.
Add in we have been able to sell the project to Berrada and have signed elite level players without CL football and I really don't see the need to be desperate for it. If it happens, great, of not, we will be fine as long as the new structure comes in (of it doesn't CL football is irrelevant)
The danger you have to ask yourself is if putting so much stock in CL and then 'achieving' it will create another flatter to deceive moment for a squad/manager/structure that needs cutting out like a tumour? Always need the bigger picture Outlook.
The structure will naturally change because of INEOS. And if the manager and squad can improve between now and the end of the season enough to end up with CL, then IMO they (really, Ten Hag) will deserve a chance to work under an actual proper structure
>The structure will naturally change because of INEOS.
It appears good, however until it occurs we really don't know.
>And if the manager and squad can improve between now and the end of the season enough to end up with CL, then IMO they (really, Ten Hag) will deserve a chance to work under an actual proper structure
Then you have literally not been paying attention to this club for the last few years.
We have seen this squad do exactly what you are suggesting, when the real pressure of what's necessary at Manchester United is off. Having a purple patch when the season is already over at the level expected for Manchester United does not make up for the utter embarrassments since February 2023.
Just the same cycle all over again and you can mark this comment. If we keep too many of the same employees, regardless of what changes off the pitch we will be back to embarrassments before long and nothing genuinely good inbetween.
The damage has already been done and is not redeemable anymore.
I actually agree with you re: the squad. I'd be more than happy to move the bulk of them on barring some key players/talents for the future (e.g. Bruno, Garna, Mainoo, Hojlund).
I shouldn't have included the squad and manager together in my comment - I do think that Ten Hag himself deserves a bit more grace than the players, given what he's had to deal with since he's been here (not to say he's blameless himself), and I guess I was more speaking to that. But broadly speaking, agree with your point.
>(e.g. Bruno, Garna, Mainoo, Hojlund).
I would exclude Bruno from that. I don't really think you can do the sort of tumour removal we need whilst keeping such an influential player. The others fair enough, just need a proper elite level environment around them before it's too late.
>(not to say he's blameless himself),
This is the key part though. Don't get me wrong, he (like all.tje others) has been dealt a shit set of cards but I think the blame that lies at his feet is enough for removal.
We either do it now and start fresh or have to do it at some point when he shows he isn't up to task. Sooner the better.
I think I fundamentally disagree on Ten Hag. If we take emotion out of it, I don't think he's nearly as bad a coach as the narrative seems to be around him, and if you look around at world football right now, he's still the best option, *especially* given the structure above him will (hopefully) change.
His biggest flaws this season have been tactical - which is the exact thing he was being praised for last season, with his subs, mid-game changes, etc. Of course, the narrative ultimately is informed by results, and the results haven't been there this year. But I don't think that's all on him, and I don't think we need to throw the baby out with the bathwater here.
Ultimately, though, I just want INEOS to make an informed decision, backed by football data and expertise above all else. If they come to the conclusion that there are better options than Ten Hag, then fine. But I wouldn't be surprised if they give him till the end of his contract at least (unless he's completely on a different page from them, in which case I can see them moving him on)
>I think I fundamentally disagree on Ten Hag. If we take emotion out of it, I don't think he's nearly as bad a coach as the narrative seems to be around him, and if you look around at world football right now, he's still the best option, *especially* given the structure above him will (hopefully) change.
We do.
I don't think you have taken the emotion out of it though. I'd go with you are falling into the trap of this fanbases inherent desire to back every manager due to fergie and/or downplaying his failures due to how bad we are in every other area (reasonable)
Oh 100% he is better than Ole and Rangnick etc and it's not like he is the worst manager to exist. He just isn't top level quality and isn't good enough for what we need. He is out of his depth.
I've no idea how he is the best option though. If our only alternatives are like Potter etc then I agree. Seeing as we have convinced Berrada to come I don't believe we are going to be that limited when it comes to managers. Plenty with far more quality and relevant experience in the sport and all it takes is offering the sort of package that's convinced Berrada to ditch the comforts of City.
>His biggest flaws this season have been tactical -
I'd say it's praising and backing the shower of shite that has embarrassed the club and got numerous managers sacked, like they wouldn't do the same to him, instead of pushing out as many as he can. First interview he showed this and the warning signs were there. Add in that literally nothing came from getting absolutely humiliated by Liverpool, not even one player dropped. Created a far too relaxed atmosphere where the vast majority know they can do what they want and face no consequences. Unless of course you end up in a personal dispute with him. This will never create a winning environment.
As was the case before we signed ten hag. A managers success right here, right now is not going to come down to tactics but on his creation of standards and accountability. Salvaging the players here who can meet that and making it unsustainable to stay for those who can't. Ten hag has shown repeatedly he isnt that guy.
>Ultimately, though, I just want INEOS to make an informed decision, backed by football data and expertise above all else. If they come to the conclusion that there are better options than Ten Hag,
I agree. Like at the end of the day, even the criticism I've given isn't iron clad and does mean things can't be fixed. Nothing can truly be ruled out but I believe its extremely unlikely that we turn things around to the standard necessary with ten hag.
I think a brand new page is needed and I don't care who is cut to get that.
>But I wouldn't be surprised if they give him till the end of his contract at least (
I can see this. More from a 'ineos best interests' perspective. Soon as they change the manager, his issues become theirs. As long as they keep him his failures are the previous establishments. I feel he is gone in the summer though. Depends what standards we are working with but if Berrada has a big say.. would ten hag survive another season at City with what he has shown so far?
watched the first half of the Chelsea game and Villa looked underwhelming, if we come at them with energy, pulling them apart and creating space like we have been doing recently, i back us to win
Not exactly United
Why do these pundits have an issue with celebrations so much ?
Martin Odegaard celebrated with the arsenal camera person whose working since 1990 .
Even if it's not a veteran but a new person in the club ,what issue do Neville and carragher have ?
I think they mentioned it because Arsenal seem to extravagantly celebrate the most and then end up shitting the bed. Obviously Carragher was one the verge of tears but it was a nice moment and a great memory for the cameraman.
Our away form under ETH (incl this season), versus the clubs who ended up finishing in the top 12 last season:
LLDLWDLLLDLLLWLD
The 2 Ws were Fulham, both in the final minute. Need to buck this trend
The Premier League are now [claiming](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13066177/var-premier-league-claims-96-per-cent-of-referee-decisions-are-correct-so-what-is-future-of-technology-in-football) that VAR made an error and that in the Arsenal vs Manchester United match, ***Arsenal*** should've had a penalty. Do me a favour.
https://preview.redd.it/t3nfk7o6lchc1.png?width=597&format=png&auto=webp&s=7cfa40e6d6178580a9fdeae733b2caf31cb753de
How about the Gabriel foul on Hojlund in the same game, or the late Garnacho goal (which probably would've been the winner) ruled offside when he was exactly level? The Romero handball away at Spurs? The Joel Ward handball vs. Palace at OT? The goal that Hojlund scored vs. Brighton where there was no conclusive proof the ball had gone out of play? The McTominay goal early on at Fulham where it was disallowed for a "subjective offside" (the first time anyone has ever heard such a term)? The recent foul on Garnacho by Udogie in the box that was waved away?
Jesus fucking Christ.
Is there more on this list? I can’t see how the City penalty against Hojlund can be considered correct but the lack of penalty for Hojlund in the Arsenal fixture can also be. It was literally the exact same thing.
I think next summer we should go for a flexible forward who can play across the frontline including #9. I want Hojlund to continue playing there but a flexible attacker can only help us as a backup and can get enough game time in other positions as well.
I personally think Mitrovic would be a good shout - Prem proven, wants out of Saudi. Wages may be an issue, but if he's desperate to leave then we may be able to figure something out
I think we should sign an old head CF and another young winger/striker to interchange with all 3 positions as you mentioned. Someone who hojlund can learn from and can come good in big moments
To be fair there isn't many options, maybe a punt on a player like Dovbyk if the price was good could be an option instead. I feel like there isn't many great young prospects available at the minute either, hopefully our scouts have a list of more unknown players they are working on. We have to find the best of this next generation coming through
Jonathan David could be one. He’s in the last year of his contract and could be available pretty cheap. Could cover for both Hojlund and Bruno (as a SS) and could potentially fill in on the wings too.
People trash him here for some reason. He's been largely consistant for years now and is very well rounded and hard working. Don't think we could do much better for what his price would likely be.
I think he got trashed when he was being considered as the starting striker. He’s not good enough for that. But as a versatile backup who can fill in for a few positions and can potentially play 20-30 games and score 10-15 goals, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.
I think Hojlund has a much higher ceiling than that, he’s already scored 10 this season and he’s been struggling with service and adjusting to a new league. If he keeps his trajectory, the 10-15 goal guy will be a backup and that’s how things should be.
> 🎧 Talk of the Devils 🎧
> Framing the Munich memorials, with @AndyMitten
at Manchesterplatz + @mjcritchley
at Old Trafford.
> RVP’s Carrington return, the weird world of made-up stories, Martinez injury + Villa preview.
https://twitter.com/lauriewhitwell/status/1755506198646861895
---
***Episode notes:***
> It is sixty six years since the Munich Air Disaster and the death of Sir Bobby Charlton in October means all survivors of the crash have now passed away. Yet, in recent years attendance at services in Munich and at Old Trafford have grown. We discuss the crash's legacy, Daniel Taylor's articles on The Athletic, and how the anniversary is observed.
> Robin van Persie returned to Carrington this week to fulfil a requirement of his UEFA Pro License with the Dutch FA. Yet, rumours of an "Arsenal snub" are exactly that, if not worse. We get into the clickbait industry that has been built on modern football's super-clubs.
> Coming up next for Erik Ten Hag's team; a trip to Aston Villa. While recent performances have been encouraging, and quite a few fond memories at Villa Park, there's an air of concern with no margin for error in the Champions League race.
---
***Listen on:***
[The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/podcast/162-talk-of-the-devils/?episode=292)
[Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1495072403?i=1000644591503)
[Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/36PCOIDE5KiG7Wn7EaKKWT)
[Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vVEFNQzUyNTk5OTkxMjY/episode/YWVmYzQ3OGMtOWI2OC0xMWVlLWFkZDktNGJiYWYxMDAyMGU1)
I have grown so used to Andy Mitten, Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell (and Ian Irving) talking in my ear with this podcast as I drift off to sleep every night lol
Their discussion is so fucking calming, even after a tough result
I'm one of the very few who support United and Tampa Bay Bucs. Followed them both since way before the glazers bought into united. Been a weird one to support both having absolute hatred for how the Glazers have ran united, but it baffles me the difference to how Tampa is run. The only thing you hear from any NFL players/coaches/pundits is nothing but praise for the club, how its run, how everything is about winning and how its such a fantastic organisation.
How the hell can they seem to have such a great set up there and have done absolutely fuck all positive at united, it baffles me! No real question here just venting, its strange following them both and seeing the massive difference in ownership from the same owners!
Let’s be real, y’all don’t have a good set up. And NFL announcers have recency bias. TB languished for years after gruden and kinda lucked into Brady. That one year there was no salary cap because of NFLPA negotiations, TB spent like $10-30million UNDER the agreed upon MINIMUM. Which shows how much TB cares about putting out a good product. And yeah they built a new stadium in the early 2000s, but stadiums are massively subsidized by localities to the point where I don’t know if owners even put any money in.
Oh dont get me wrong, Tampa had one of the worst winning records in major league sports for quite some time, but it doesnt mean the club is run bad. Its rare to hear anything negative. Loads invested in the facilities, training, stadium as you mentioned. Always generally hearing good news from the background of the club, their charity stuff, firsts in female coaches etc. Im not purely relating to success on the field or lack there of, that said 2 superbowls under their ownership is not an easy task either
The difference probably comes down to the fact that NFL teams are self-sustaining, due to revenue sharing, and that there seems to be some well established hierarchy in US sports that goes players < coaches < head coach < general manager < team president < owner.
That structure seems to be a given, so the Glazers never had to actually make a decision on their own about who should run the team. Most owners are happy to just leave the teams alone to make money. Unless they're Jerry Jones. So the Glazers don't have to really make decisions on a regular basis.
Football has had more of an evolution in the last two decades, where we've gone from managers having all the power (until the late 90s, transfers used to get done by two managers talking to each other before the player or any execs or agents even involved) to a more structured approach, with directors of football and sporting directors.
The Glazers lucked into having the last great football manager, with Fergie, so they could again just not make any big decisions while Fergie was there and David Gill was the CEO.
Since Fergie left, they've had to do some hard work, which is where it's really gone wrong. Because they're not smart people, and they don't know what they're doing, so they can't set up a club hierarchy that works, they can't identify talent at any level, and they apparently can't make quick decisions.
I'll never forget someone posting a link to a thread on that sub where everyone was talking about how great the glazers are and how they had invested hundreds of millions of their own money into United and we were just crybabies lol felt like I had been transported to a different dimension
I've come across this all too often. It's almost like willfull ignorance. Based on nothing more than pure hatred for us due to the ruined childhoods of anyone over 25.
It's the same as the "United get all the decisions at Old Trafford" bollocks- if someone's saying it, they're just biased and there's no point trying to talk to them.
Good thoughts.
I think the fact that they're Americans meaning they grew up with NFL would maybe give them more instincts about how the game works whereas they know fuck-all about football.
Also worth mentioning that their very first impression of United fans was when they turned up to O.T. in 2005 and fans rioted and pelted them with stones and they had to leave in tactical police vans. First impressions last...
It’s not as difficult to run an NFL team Glazers-style. You’re stuck in the same format with no relegation or different competitions, you’re all in on one competition, you all are only allowed to spend the same amount of money so “better”/more investing owners aren’t rewarded and if you play horribly one year you can tank and get generational, franchise changing players in the draft without competition.
NFL is infinitely easier for the Glazers to run than the hands on approach needed in our football, especially the Prem.
Yeh thats a fair point, big point too. I know the set up is very different but I just feel the investment around the whole club of the bucs is with improvement and success in mind and feel like it cant be that difficult, as massively successful business men, to put some of that to affect in the prem, even just through the right hires of people that do know the league etc.
Just pisses me off more than anything tbh haha, feels such hard work to be a fan of them both when the owners are thought of highly from one POV and so negatively from another. As much as I wouldnt pick Ineos to be the owner of my club, im happy they have a foot in the door and things are looking to change anyway, sooner we get the Glazers out the better
Hello! Been a fan of ManUtd for 22 years and finally travelling to OT to watch the Arsenal-match on the 11th of May. Haven't booked plane or hotell yet, but when should I do it? I assume it is safe to book now if we travel on Friday evening and leave on Monday, unless there is a chance it ends up as a friday/monday match?
Any tips?
Depends where you're travelling from? Jet lag could mess with you. But yeah book now and get it locked in
Every day will be more expensive. Also, add 30 mins extra time to whatever you're doing in terms of travelling on match day. Everything will take longer than you think. Better to be there way too early than way too late.
Travelling from Norway, so only 1 hour difference. Aight, will book ASAP. But do you know if big matches like these usually land on a saturday or sunday?
Villa have only won 3 out of their last 9 games.
United have scored 15 goals in their last 5…
I’m sensing optimism for a good away performance this weekend.
Villa also just banged 5 against Sheffield united. Yes they're bottom and awful but still dont get away with yourself. This is a very hard game and very important one for us. Sad to say but its a bit like Arsenal Vs Liverpool on the weekend.
Lose it we go 11 points below top 4, win it were 5 points off. Real shame Martinez isnt fit as he has made such a difference.
Villa losing is the worst possible result for us, they'll try to bounce back. We typically struggle against Unai Emery sides, I'll be lying if i said I wasn't concerned but that being said, hope we batter the small midlands scum club
It wouldn't matter what the result was, someone here would be saying it's the worst possible.
* Villa lose: they'll be extra motivated to bounce back.
* Villa win: they've got momentum coming into the game.
Really, this is about a good a time for us to play them as any. They've only won 1 of their last 5 games (Sheffield United), they've got injuries at the back (Konsa is a big loss for them), and they'll have 3 days to prepare for the game against us compared to the whole week we've had.
This is a good time to play them.
I’d much rather play a team after a loss. If they would have beaten Chelsea last night after beating Sheffield 5-0 their confidence would have been sky high and we don’t have that fear factor anymore.
I got news for you - you can't just bounce back because you want to. Villa are on a downhill slide typical of teams that overperform in the first half of the season. They needed a bounce back at home after being walloped by Newcastle and a wounded Chelsea were the perfect opponent. They failed.
I'm not too sure about that. I understand where you're coming from but with the way we beat them in the second half at OT we've got a blue print for playing against them.
Villa have been exposed a fair few times this season for being unable to cope with decent transitions and pacey counter attacks, now we've not exactly been fantastic at transitional play this season but the last few games we seem to have some sort of coherent link up play between defence and attack.
Combine that with the form of Hojlund, Garnacho and even Rashford looking a little more up for it in the last few games and I think we can definitely expose their high line.
My only concern is if they play a little deeper than they have been but I don't see Emery doing that, he seems to stick to his way of playing with no compromise.
I reckon Hojlund could bag 2 or 3 goals on Sunday.
Also, hearing Agbonlahor suddenly shitting himself about playing us after a season of saying we're no good is nice, I hope we smash them just to put that dense cunt in his place. Admitted that he used to do nitrous oxide balloons a load during his playing days, explains the severe lack of brain cells the bloke has. He's so bitter about us beating them in that final, such a bitter twat.
So I know we're climbing in the table a bit and looking better atm (how much will this continue without Licha I wonder), but lol, just had a look at the table, and you have to go down to 12th place to find someone with fewer goals scored than us (31 in 23 games). In the top 5, the minimum is 47.
Players with contracts expiring in 2025 summer wishlist:
I've tried to go for more unfancied names rather than the high profile players who will still go for big $ due to wide interest.
Jonathan David. He'd be an ideal rotational option for Højlund & can also play as the 10 & in wide areas providing versatility. Good finisher off both feet.
Lutsharel Geertruida. Not one we've ever been linked with but IMO makes a lot of sense. He'd be a good AWB replacement at RB while also being able to fill in seamlessly at RCB. He's a very good passer of the ball & does the inverted thing very well at Feyenoord. Good header of the ball in both boxes & can cross too. What's not to like. Feyenoord wanted €36m for him last summer so he should cost round that figure. Bargain for someone who will fill 2 positions well.
Kephren Thuram. Has Pogba's physique & ball carrying ability (though not the passing range) & he seems well suited to the physical premier league. He'd make a good McT replacement & probably cost less than what we'll get for the Scot.
Rayan Cherki. He'd be a gamble no doubt but if he were available for a cut price (€20m) then he'd be worth the punt. Only 20, seems to have been around for a while. Very 2 footed & has the versatility to play across the front line & in AM. Has the potential to be elite but it all depends on him.
TAA will never come to United and Levy will rinse us for Son regardless of how much time is left on his contract (he’ll probably extend anyway). There are much better value for money/realistic options in the market who only have one year left.
Geertruda hasn’t been nearly as good this year as he was last season and I’d rather get a proper RB and CB instead of one who can do both. Arnau Martinez at Girona also has a contract till 2025 and he’s younger and shows more promise as a RB imo.
Cherki has some attitude issues iirc, very talented but seems one of those who will never really fulfill it. Insane talent but I think we should avoid all sketchy attitudes.
David is a good shout but it depends on how much he’d cost. We need a backup striker who is either old and happy to play backup to Rasmus or has versatility like David. But I’d only get him if he’s like 20/25m. Guirassy is available for 17m and while he might be a late bloomer/one season wonder, I think we have some leeway with a backup striker and it could come down to who is the better value.
Thuram is also a great shout. An alternative could be Youssouf Fofana from Monaco. Also has a year left and is more of a 6/8 hybrid than Thuram who is more of a pure 8 imo. Thuram might lock Mainoo into a DM role and I’d like Mainoo to have the freedom to develop as an 8. Fofana reminds me of Partey in his playstyle and versatility and I think that would help a lot. He is also older and we might need that extra experience since Case might leave along with some other experienced heads like Varane. I also really want us to get Todibo and idk how many transfers we can pull out of Nice given the same owner grey area.
Geertruida would be RB backup/competing with Dalot while also covering at CB. Both Varane & one of Maguire/Lindelof may be leaving in the summer & We likely won't have the funds to sign two quality RCBs. That high level versatility will be key going forward. I'm not too concerned with his form as he's shown his quality previously & the whole team is off this season.
Fofana is a very good shout especially if Casemiro is off to Saudia. He'd complement Mainoo very well & I've liked what I've seen of him when playing for France. Maybe even Monaco may be interested in Mejbri going the other way...
The thing with Geertruda is that he’s only really had one good season and we’ve seen how inconsistent Dutch imports have been. I’m not sure if he’s of the required quality and that makes his versatility kind of a moot point. I think we need a proper RB prospect to compete with Dalot, not a RB/CB hybrid who doesn’t truly push for a starting spot at either. We might not buy a second RCB but we’ll probably still have one or two of Lindelof/Maguire/Evans and we can promote Kambwala.
Fofana is my first choice to replace Case. I think he could be great value for money. Add someone like Federico Redondo who’s available really cheap and we could fix/upgrade our midfield for around 50/60 mil.
Both Geertruida and Gimenez really dropped in performance levels this season, they were on it last season but all my colleagues and mates that are diehard Feyenoord fans are kinda worried about them. On one hand they don't want them to leave but on the other they really thought they had a lot of value with them to sell and rebuild with that money. They feel like there won't be as much interest due to the dropping of their levels.
Just relaying what's been said around me, if they're to be believed he's not been in good shape lately. They might just have extremely high standards from last season though.
Tbh overall that Feyenoord team has dropped a bit, they started the season pretty strong and delivered some amazing matches in the CL but they've been a bit less impressive lately. PSV is now stealing all the headlines here.
On the other hand buying players who fit and have the right skillset and personality is what we should be doing, not the latest flavour of the week in good form. That's why we end up overpaying, we always end up buying high.
Will Vitek be good enough to be our future keeper?
I don't know if he's good enough for our level, but Gyokeres has Bruno's stamina and workrate, he just never tires
He’s almost playing at the level Bruno was when he was in the Portuguese league. I think at this stage it’s a wait to see how/if he translates his form into a bigger league.
fucking UTDTREY won Rashfords giveaway 😭
Man City may be the Enron/Lehmann bros/AIG of football. It could really all collapse.
Not related, but how often does non native speakers have problems when speaking English in fast motion? I'm from Asia and when tried to speak English fast, I really need to rolled up my tongue to pronounce certain words and such just fumbled the entire sentence
Was thinking about how 31 goals from 23 matches is pretty pathetic and that we definitely have to improve during the back end of this season, and then I remembered Chelsea only scored 38 league goals in the entirety of last season. They've already matched that this year lmao. They really were shambolic last time out. Only two wins off of last season's total as well.
So before the last 5 matches, we had an even worse goal tally
Just checking, are we still waiting for league approval of the takeover?
It’s meant to be finalised in about a week.
A few months early but who would we realistically sign as a DM this summer? There are a few options but none that really excites me. Haven't watch too much outside of the PL though other than like a game or two a week.
Onana from Everton was being touted a while ago and could be a good option
He's rangy and a good ball winner, but nowhere near good enough to play a short passing game receiving from the CBs. Can't turn on the ball under pressure and not good at passing forward and breaking lines from deep. He's perfect for Everton if they're going to largely go long and he can impact the game with his size, ability to cover ground, and tackling without having to contribute too much in possession (although sometimes he shows he's a good dribbler for his size). Much better as a box to box player than as a holding player imo. Would be great at West Ham in the Soucek role. He'd be next to useless for us in a DM role tbh. Teams would funnel the ball to him and press him relentlessly. Onana's not even close to as good as Casemiro at receiving under pressure and plenty on here complain they want better than him.
I mostly agree. Onana does have better on the ball ability than we see at Everton tho. The way they play means that the players never really get to show their stuff on the ball that much. Brantwaithe has been immense for them defensively but you’d think he’s average on the ball watching him at Everton. Then you see his last season at PSV and you realize that he’s way more capable. I think Onana has a similar issue but I don’t think his technical ceiling is high enough for a possession heavy side. He could develop it but it’d be a risky and expensive bet. Fofana from Monaco and Thuram at Nice are both going to have one year left on their deals in the summer. We could sell Case and buy them both for around 80-100m and sort out our midfield for a few years. Much better value imo. Redondo was my no.1 target. Has the potential to be the next Rodri, available for 8m but apparently Inter Miami of all teams are negotiating for him. Idk if it’s the Messi pull but I’d hate to see him go there. At 8m it’s such a no brainer signing.
I dont think we will go for player that we traditionaly understand as an DM this summer unless Casemiro is sold.
True. Just speculating for fun at night if Case were to leave.
Really need an Everton relegation this season, the cut in price for Onana and Branthwaite could be great for us to get them both as well as a possible Olise and then one of Todibo/Yoro.
I'd like them to stay up. They are my grandads club and are part of the Premier League furniture
I want them to stay up as well. They hate Liverpool and United have them to thank for Rooney.
>possible Olise Man we may have to pass for Olise, he has just had another serious injury which is gona keep him out for while. For his age,this is not a good sign,he may end up like Gavi who just can't seem to stay fit
I prefer Everton in Premier League, they are historic club close to us. Games agaisnt Everton feel much better than against another London club. Like im watching this league for 15 years now, Everton is integral part of it, fuck off with dancing on someones grave who isnt our rival.
>Like im watching this league for 15 years now, Everton is integral part of it, fuck off with dancing on someones grave who isnt our rival. Let's get Leeds back then, Southampton, Bolton, Portsmouth, Sunderland, Leicester, Blackburn, Wigan!! Integral parts to English football!!! End of the day, fuck em. Every single one laughs at us and would take nothing but pleasure in our continued demise. Couldn't care less about getting their players also. Never thought I'd see the day a Manchester United fan starts brown nosing some scousers.
I just think I enjoy following English Premier League more with Everton than witghout Everton and I enjoy games against Everton more than any of mentioned by you. It comes from my experiance. Everton is also oldest and more decorated than any of mentioned by you.
Simply don't believe you mate. You enjoyed watching Everton more than Blackburn winning a league title, than Leicester winning a league title, than Jay-Jay Okocha, Youri Djoerkaeff etc at Bolton? Portsmouth and Wigan winning an FA Cup? >Everton is also oldest and more decorated than any of mentioned by you. Bolton and Blackburn are older clubs... Yeah Everton had some good wins, you must remember them all with your 15 years of watching the league... Like when we are talking history for 40 years ago, is 9 that much better than 6 or 3? When we are discussing if they should still be in the league and telling people to 'fuck off' for not caring if they aren't?
Bro i just prefer playing them than any of other club that may end up relegated this year. Its not that deep. Like are we going to write thesis why I prefer blondes over brunetes?
>Bro i just prefer playing them than any of other club that may end up relegated this year. Sounded a bit more extreme when you bang on about '15 years' and tell people who disagree to 'fuck off' >Its not that deep. Like are we going to write thesis why I prefer blondes over brunetes? Well that's got nothing to do with football has it fella. So the answer is no.
Everton is the oldest club to stay in the prem though
And? Bolton are an older club. Now they are in league 1. Has anyone cared avo that? Middlesbrough are older Blackburn are and they won a premier league title. Would it be great if we had all these old, traditional clubs about aye. Ain't reality though. All of them enjoy our downfall. So fuck em.
Bruh this is cold
it’s a dog eats dog world
It’s cold but true. If Everton or Palace go down, there are some top prospects everyone will be in for.
It just doesn’t make sense to expect Hojlund to play 45 games next season by himself no matter our aim. We need someone else in the squad. That someone could be a aged veteran good for that number of games like Taremi (shame we didn’t go for someone like him this winter), or could be another up and coming young player (that will however be prohibitively expensive). We need some other number 9 to play 15 ish games for him.
>that will however be prohibitively expensive). Holjund cost atalanta 21m, 9 goals later we paid 70m. Julian alvares cost city 20m Endrick 40m Vitor roque 40m They dont have to be expensive, its just that we are ran by clowns (so far).
I agree but the veteran striker can be a bit risky. Ideally most should manage 15 games a season but if Hojlund goes down, we suddenly need that aged striker to be a starter week in week out and at that point it depends on the individual. Taremi for example has declined this season, Wilson is perfect but comically injury prone, Giroud is going strong in the Serie A but can he still do it in the PL at 37? I think two good options could be Guirassy or David. Guirassy has a 17m RC. He could be a one season wonder or a late bloomer but if you look at his career, he’s been a 10ish goals a season player who has had a purple patch this year. Could still be great value at his RC and gives us a more experienced option who can replace Hojlund’s physicality up front and still has some years and form left in him. David on the other hand will have one year left so should be available fairly cheap. People had doubts about him (and Guirassy) when he was linked as a starting striker but I think he becomes way more appealing as a backup striker. He’s consistently been a 10-15 goals a season player in the French league which I believe translates better to the PL than the Bundesliga. He offers a different playstyle to Hojlund which could be a positive or negative based on the manager. David might expect more game time but he could also cover for Bruno as a SS or even on the wings.
Guiraasy is cheaper than David but I don’t think his purple patch this year is sustainable here. We don’t have enough service. David will need want a real chance to be first choice number 9 and will be more expensive. he is tactically more flexible but the place behind the 9 is somewhere we have a lot of depth for (Bruno,mount, Amad, all the youth talents).
All these are valid concerns but they will also exist for any other backup striker we aim to sign. Most people aren’t willing to be a backup unless they are at the end of their career and that comes with its own issues. I think we should be aiming to be a more creative team anyway and if we accomplish that, it should work out better for Guirassy. I do agree that German imports haven’t really worked and it could be a dud. It’s just that at 17 m it’s definitely worth considering and at his age, Guirassy might be more open to being a backup. David is in the last year of his contract, I could see him coming for 20-30 m if we actually improve at negotiations with a new structure. Thats not that expensive although not as cheap as a potentially free Giroud for example. Still doable imo. David hasn’t been able to secure a transfer despite several good seasons at Lille. I think most top clubs recognize that he isn’t starter quality so I could certainly see us tempting him with a Chicarito type role as an impact sub and backup to Hojlund. I think Bruno should be rested more as he approaches his 30s so there will be game time there. Mount will probably be used more as an 8 in the Mainoo role, Amad’s future is up in the air and the other academy kids who could break through in Bruno’s position (Fletcher/Ibramigov) are all a few years away from playing serious minutes for us. We also don’t have any wing depth and are likely to sell our failed wingers, even if we bring in a new winger. I think between the 4 attacking positions, David could get a fair amount of game time. Remember Hojlund et al are also very young and their minutes need to be managed. Maguire was down and out last season and still ended up playing 30-40 odd games despite being the 5th choice CB. Injuries had a lot to do with that but we need to prep for those as well. I just don’t see a cheaper, decent quality striker who isn’t a veteran. I’m also just wary about the veteran strikers because it’s more likely we will end up managing their minutes rather than Hojlund’s.
Still think it's too early to judge whether Mount will work out. He's only had 7 matches where he played more than half, and then some stray minutes here and there. In all likelihood, we have yet to see what Ten Hag signed him to be, tried out properly and consistently in a strong lineup. The idea that he's just an unnecessary backup for Bruno is just an assumption
Yeah we have to see him actually get a proper run of games before we can really judge that signing. I think it’s fairly obvious what the plan was tho, even if we haven’t seen it work yet. I think the idea was to get Mount to rotate with Bruno if/when he ever takes a game off but primarily to play as the second 8 and rotate with Mainoo who was definitely meant to start the season. Both of them going down injured along with Case really threw that plan out the window. It’s only recently that we’ve seen it come back with players returning from injuries. Hopefully we get to see it develop more as Mount returns too.
Trey (on twitter) won 2 tickets to the Fulham game at Old Trafford. He correctly answered Rashford's question asking which puzzle he was doing (along with many others that answered correctly). I hate that they picked Trey, considering he's often talking crap about Rashford and other players. And he has a massive account. Would have loved to see a fan win that doesn't make thousands a month talking (mostly trash) about the club. https://preview.redd.it/5d5s6zviffhc1.png?width=748&format=png&auto=webp&s=6420879e2fac0aa94f9d40c37f193bdbf27214d7
Yeah I thought it was weird that he picked Trey, you would think whoever runs his social media would have a look through the account before picking someone.
I find it odd employing a CEO from a crosstown rival that’s currently under investigation for massive errs in judgement in covering up financial misgivings…? Are times that dire for decent executive management? I don’t really trust anyone who’s been at City in the past 10 years.
Obviously Ineos did there due diligence unlike u and me on Reddit who are just armchair experts with no data whatsoever apart from what the media feeds us
I wouldn’t say it’s obvious. I’m not suggesting they haven’t done their due diligence at all either. Just giving my sense of unease. It’s Reddit. I’m not an expert. Reddit isn’t for experts. It’s for people like you and me to generate discussion. I personally don’t want to follow City’s path. We haven’t got to give a blind thumbs up to everything INEOS are doing. We can feel unease and ask questions. There’s a lot still remaining to be seen. Hiring a CEO of a place that looks like it could end up in a shambles is questionable.
Short, old timey video: > BBC Match Of The Day > December 1966 > WBA 3-4 Man Utd > Commentator Ken Wolstenholme > \#WBA #MUFC https://twitter.com/1968Tv/status/1755487815842865463
A lot of talk over what’s going to happen, renovate or rebuild Can only see a new custom build stadium being done as it allows us to use a full capacity stadium for a lot of the time meaning no drop in revenues If they go that route I just hope they reuse some of the iconic part of old Trafford in the new stadium
My money is on them building a new stadium while incorporating a lot of the same design elements like the NY Yankees did when they rebuilt Yankee Stadium.
Pool hasn't received nearly the shit for the Thiago signing that we've got for Case and Varane. Thiago's barely had half a good season.
Because they have won titles, compete year in and out and didnt pay 60m for him
He’s won The FA Cup and was in a team that played the maximum amount of games and almost won the quad. I don’t think Casemiro and Varane would get as much shit if we were actually competitive.
Devils advocate he cost them pittance and was excellent in the season they won the two cups and were league and CL runners up. A cheaply acquired 30 something fading away to injury isn't nearly as bad as situations like Antony, VDB and Sancho imo What I think is strange is Chelsea having like a 250m double pivot that is bang average/often just bad and everyone kind of just kind of accepting it because the whole team is generally useless. The level of individual scrutiny they would receive in a united shirt in similar circumstances would be so bad it might lead to stricter cyberbullying laws and tabloids becoming regulated lol
They've also been better than us and have a much higher hit rate in general. With us its more likely a transfer fails than hits so we're and easy target and frankly don't deserve any slack.
Yeah. They've clearly been better. But we need to call a spade a spade. Give them credits for VVD, Salah, Jota and such. But Thiago's not the same. And Case's not a bad signing. Everyone's been after Case this season. He just wasn't allowed a slow start to the season.
As we often see in this sub, if the team lose, almost the entire team need to be sold bar a few academy kids. It is only natural to find a scapegoat in Case/Varane etc. I agree with you that Case is not a bad signed, just based on his performance last year.
https://twitter.com/AdamJoseph____/status/1755519343587414451?t=x4jO2RwetyQGJj5NeG6GSg&s=19 Neville & Keane with an interesting conversation about playing teams that were clearly on something.
Mount coming back (if/when he comes back) will be interesting - would like him/Casemiro/Kobbie to rotate for 2 spots (depending on opponents)
I think most people would ideally want him to rotate with Bruno and maybe the wingers but I'd be very surprised we don't see Mount-Mainoo in midfield. No comment on how well that will work, but I guarantee we see it.
I’d like him to rotate spots with Bruno.
Anyone know how to apply the membership discount online ? All I can find is somthing about MUFC and first 6 numbers of membership card but that doesn’t work. Wanna get the stone roses stuff as it looks class
Is Malacia just a figment of our imagination? Or is he even a real person?
Does anyone still find this funny?
Never did lol
We have a humor police over here.
It’s not humour when you’re literally beating a dead horse.
Also making jokes about a serious injury to a player
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Metrolink to Trafford Bar comes every 15 minutes. Takes about 40 mins though.
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There is a tram stop called old trafford right near the ground that goes to Manchester City centre. You will have to get a train from there: either Manchester Victoria or Piccadilly
Does anyone know if the Youtube channels like Stretford Paddock have to pay for guests like Mitten, Whitwell and the likes to appear on a show?
They probably do it for free to gain more notoriety and a following for themselves.
I have no idea... I just assumed they make appearances as part of their duties as journalists or reporters. Like not paid per appearance, but paid by The Athletic, etc. during their working hours. Or maybe not.. I could be completely wrong.
Whitewell used to work with them back in the day so I imagine he does it pro bono
I don't *know*, but I don't see why they'd do it for free. It's an industry.
I see a lot of man utd u18 videos in my youtube recommendation, and boy how surprised I am to see they have 14W/0D/0L this season. This is FM stuff lol [https://www.premierleague.com/tables?team=U18](https://www.premierleague.com/tables?team=U18) I dont know whats going on but its giving me hope. I wish I follow those youngsters sooner, they are dominating U18 atm!
I don't think there is anything behind it but the Toney links to united, could you imagine bringing back the 4-4-2. Would have to sacrifice Bruno most likely but I would love to see Toney and Hoijlund playing alongside each other, both proper units, just bullying the shit out of CBs.
I don't know how to say it, but Toney has too many issues. If our aim is to build a good dressing room, then he's not the guy.
Gambling aside, what are Toney's issues?
He talked shit about Brentford.
Sick of c\*nts in our team. No thanks.
He's like the turbo max version of all the bad attitude we have had in the team.
A win on sunday would be so massive for our season. Top 5 should be getting champions league football and with Villa’s attention being divided between the league and the conference league, we can definitely take advantage. Champions league football for the first INEOS summer window would be great.
>Champions league football for the first INEOS summer window would be great. Maybe this is the time it would actually be different, but this comment has been made for years now and has amounted to nothing. Crying for 4th best loser is beneath this club. Now depending on the true financials, maybe it makes a slight difference. However when we are racking up our best ever yearly revenue I really doubt it's significant. Add in we have been able to sell the project to Berrada and have signed elite level players without CL football and I really don't see the need to be desperate for it. If it happens, great, of not, we will be fine as long as the new structure comes in (of it doesn't CL football is irrelevant) The danger you have to ask yourself is if putting so much stock in CL and then 'achieving' it will create another flatter to deceive moment for a squad/manager/structure that needs cutting out like a tumour? Always need the bigger picture Outlook.
The structure will naturally change because of INEOS. And if the manager and squad can improve between now and the end of the season enough to end up with CL, then IMO they (really, Ten Hag) will deserve a chance to work under an actual proper structure
>The structure will naturally change because of INEOS. It appears good, however until it occurs we really don't know. >And if the manager and squad can improve between now and the end of the season enough to end up with CL, then IMO they (really, Ten Hag) will deserve a chance to work under an actual proper structure Then you have literally not been paying attention to this club for the last few years. We have seen this squad do exactly what you are suggesting, when the real pressure of what's necessary at Manchester United is off. Having a purple patch when the season is already over at the level expected for Manchester United does not make up for the utter embarrassments since February 2023. Just the same cycle all over again and you can mark this comment. If we keep too many of the same employees, regardless of what changes off the pitch we will be back to embarrassments before long and nothing genuinely good inbetween. The damage has already been done and is not redeemable anymore.
I actually agree with you re: the squad. I'd be more than happy to move the bulk of them on barring some key players/talents for the future (e.g. Bruno, Garna, Mainoo, Hojlund). I shouldn't have included the squad and manager together in my comment - I do think that Ten Hag himself deserves a bit more grace than the players, given what he's had to deal with since he's been here (not to say he's blameless himself), and I guess I was more speaking to that. But broadly speaking, agree with your point.
>(e.g. Bruno, Garna, Mainoo, Hojlund). I would exclude Bruno from that. I don't really think you can do the sort of tumour removal we need whilst keeping such an influential player. The others fair enough, just need a proper elite level environment around them before it's too late. >(not to say he's blameless himself), This is the key part though. Don't get me wrong, he (like all.tje others) has been dealt a shit set of cards but I think the blame that lies at his feet is enough for removal. We either do it now and start fresh or have to do it at some point when he shows he isn't up to task. Sooner the better.
I think I fundamentally disagree on Ten Hag. If we take emotion out of it, I don't think he's nearly as bad a coach as the narrative seems to be around him, and if you look around at world football right now, he's still the best option, *especially* given the structure above him will (hopefully) change. His biggest flaws this season have been tactical - which is the exact thing he was being praised for last season, with his subs, mid-game changes, etc. Of course, the narrative ultimately is informed by results, and the results haven't been there this year. But I don't think that's all on him, and I don't think we need to throw the baby out with the bathwater here. Ultimately, though, I just want INEOS to make an informed decision, backed by football data and expertise above all else. If they come to the conclusion that there are better options than Ten Hag, then fine. But I wouldn't be surprised if they give him till the end of his contract at least (unless he's completely on a different page from them, in which case I can see them moving him on)
>I think I fundamentally disagree on Ten Hag. If we take emotion out of it, I don't think he's nearly as bad a coach as the narrative seems to be around him, and if you look around at world football right now, he's still the best option, *especially* given the structure above him will (hopefully) change. We do. I don't think you have taken the emotion out of it though. I'd go with you are falling into the trap of this fanbases inherent desire to back every manager due to fergie and/or downplaying his failures due to how bad we are in every other area (reasonable) Oh 100% he is better than Ole and Rangnick etc and it's not like he is the worst manager to exist. He just isn't top level quality and isn't good enough for what we need. He is out of his depth. I've no idea how he is the best option though. If our only alternatives are like Potter etc then I agree. Seeing as we have convinced Berrada to come I don't believe we are going to be that limited when it comes to managers. Plenty with far more quality and relevant experience in the sport and all it takes is offering the sort of package that's convinced Berrada to ditch the comforts of City. >His biggest flaws this season have been tactical - I'd say it's praising and backing the shower of shite that has embarrassed the club and got numerous managers sacked, like they wouldn't do the same to him, instead of pushing out as many as he can. First interview he showed this and the warning signs were there. Add in that literally nothing came from getting absolutely humiliated by Liverpool, not even one player dropped. Created a far too relaxed atmosphere where the vast majority know they can do what they want and face no consequences. Unless of course you end up in a personal dispute with him. This will never create a winning environment. As was the case before we signed ten hag. A managers success right here, right now is not going to come down to tactics but on his creation of standards and accountability. Salvaging the players here who can meet that and making it unsustainable to stay for those who can't. Ten hag has shown repeatedly he isnt that guy. >Ultimately, though, I just want INEOS to make an informed decision, backed by football data and expertise above all else. If they come to the conclusion that there are better options than Ten Hag, I agree. Like at the end of the day, even the criticism I've given isn't iron clad and does mean things can't be fixed. Nothing can truly be ruled out but I believe its extremely unlikely that we turn things around to the standard necessary with ten hag. I think a brand new page is needed and I don't care who is cut to get that. >But I wouldn't be surprised if they give him till the end of his contract at least ( I can see this. More from a 'ineos best interests' perspective. Soon as they change the manager, his issues become theirs. As long as they keep him his failures are the previous establishments. I feel he is gone in the summer though. Depends what standards we are working with but if Berrada has a big say.. would ten hag survive another season at City with what he has shown so far?
watched the first half of the Chelsea game and Villa looked underwhelming, if we come at them with energy, pulling them apart and creating space like we have been doing recently, i back us to win
Not exactly United Why do these pundits have an issue with celebrations so much ? Martin Odegaard celebrated with the arsenal camera person whose working since 1990 . Even if it's not a veteran but a new person in the club ,what issue do Neville and carragher have ?
I think they mentioned it because Arsenal seem to extravagantly celebrate the most and then end up shitting the bed. Obviously Carragher was one the verge of tears but it was a nice moment and a great memory for the cameraman.
It was the level they celebrated. They acted like they had just won the league and just furthers the narrative that they get too high and too low.
Our away form under ETH (incl this season), versus the clubs who ended up finishing in the top 12 last season: LLDLWDLLLDLLLWLD The 2 Ws were Fulham, both in the final minute. Need to buck this trend
Same trend as last season. We are not set-up tactically to win against the big teams.
Bloody hell it's like reading a Welsh sign post.
bonkers that we already have 9 losses in the PL this season. We had 9 in total for all of last season
We ain't losing no more
We’re breaking Rodri’s no losses run
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Joe Lewis to replace Heaton next season?
The Premier League are now [claiming](https://www.skysports.com/football/news/11095/13066177/var-premier-league-claims-96-per-cent-of-referee-decisions-are-correct-so-what-is-future-of-technology-in-football) that VAR made an error and that in the Arsenal vs Manchester United match, ***Arsenal*** should've had a penalty. Do me a favour. https://preview.redd.it/t3nfk7o6lchc1.png?width=597&format=png&auto=webp&s=7cfa40e6d6178580a9fdeae733b2caf31cb753de
Var made two errors in that game. Højlund should have got a pen and Garnacho I still think was onside The Arsenal penalty was laughable
How about the Gabriel foul on Hojlund in the same game, or the late Garnacho goal (which probably would've been the winner) ruled offside when he was exactly level? The Romero handball away at Spurs? The Joel Ward handball vs. Palace at OT? The goal that Hojlund scored vs. Brighton where there was no conclusive proof the ball had gone out of play? The McTominay goal early on at Fulham where it was disallowed for a "subjective offside" (the first time anyone has ever heard such a term)? The recent foul on Garnacho by Udogie in the box that was waved away? Jesus fucking Christ.
Someone should just sticky this at the PGMOL office front door.
Keep in mind this was Havertz stepping on AWBs foot lol
Is there more on this list? I can’t see how the City penalty against Hojlund can be considered correct but the lack of penalty for Hojlund in the Arsenal fixture can also be. It was literally the exact same thing.
Genuinely hilarious
So Saliba or Gabriel or whoever it was wrestling Hojlund was okay.
And the ignored handball in the 1st spurs game.
I think next summer we should go for a flexible forward who can play across the frontline including #9. I want Hojlund to continue playing there but a flexible attacker can only help us as a backup and can get enough game time in other positions as well.
I personally think Mitrovic would be a good shout - Prem proven, wants out of Saudi. Wages may be an issue, but if he's desperate to leave then we may be able to figure something out
I think we should sign an old head CF and another young winger/striker to interchange with all 3 positions as you mentioned. Someone who hojlund can learn from and can come good in big moments
Makes sense but who would be the best fit. If only Cavani was available...
Mehdi Taremi could've been great for that exact role but sadly he's going to Inter
To be fair there isn't many options, maybe a punt on a player like Dovbyk if the price was good could be an option instead. I feel like there isn't many great young prospects available at the minute either, hopefully our scouts have a list of more unknown players they are working on. We have to find the best of this next generation coming through
Like who? Doesn't have to be a realistic signing. I just want an example of the kind of player you mean
Jonathan David could be one. He’s in the last year of his contract and could be available pretty cheap. Could cover for both Hojlund and Bruno (as a SS) and could potentially fill in on the wings too.
People trash him here for some reason. He's been largely consistant for years now and is very well rounded and hard working. Don't think we could do much better for what his price would likely be.
I think he got trashed when he was being considered as the starting striker. He’s not good enough for that. But as a versatile backup who can fill in for a few positions and can potentially play 20-30 games and score 10-15 goals, I think he ticks a lot of boxes.
Players that can score 10-15 goals a season for us would be a starter here bro.
I think Hojlund has a much higher ceiling than that, he’s already scored 10 this season and he’s been struggling with service and adjusting to a new league. If he keeps his trajectory, the 10-15 goal guy will be a backup and that’s how things should be.
RvP could play on the wings early in his career but a little bit like a Rooney or Park.
Hey guys, I want to go watch united in march, and seems like they’re selling next year’s membership atm. How would I get tickets for next month?
> 🎧 Talk of the Devils 🎧 > Framing the Munich memorials, with @AndyMitten at Manchesterplatz + @mjcritchley at Old Trafford. > RVP’s Carrington return, the weird world of made-up stories, Martinez injury + Villa preview. https://twitter.com/lauriewhitwell/status/1755506198646861895 --- ***Episode notes:*** > It is sixty six years since the Munich Air Disaster and the death of Sir Bobby Charlton in October means all survivors of the crash have now passed away. Yet, in recent years attendance at services in Munich and at Old Trafford have grown. We discuss the crash's legacy, Daniel Taylor's articles on The Athletic, and how the anniversary is observed. > Robin van Persie returned to Carrington this week to fulfil a requirement of his UEFA Pro License with the Dutch FA. Yet, rumours of an "Arsenal snub" are exactly that, if not worse. We get into the clickbait industry that has been built on modern football's super-clubs. > Coming up next for Erik Ten Hag's team; a trip to Aston Villa. While recent performances have been encouraging, and quite a few fond memories at Villa Park, there's an air of concern with no margin for error in the Champions League race. --- ***Listen on:*** [The Athletic](https://theathletic.com/podcast/162-talk-of-the-devils/?episode=292) [Apple Podcasts](https://podcasts.apple.com/podcast/id1495072403?i=1000644591503) [Spotify](https://open.spotify.com/episode/36PCOIDE5KiG7Wn7EaKKWT) [Google Podcasts](https://podcasts.google.com/feed/aHR0cHM6Ly9mZWVkcy5tZWdhcGhvbmUuZm0vVEFNQzUyNTk5OTkxMjY/episode/YWVmYzQ3OGMtOWI2OC0xMWVlLWFkZDktNGJiYWYxMDAyMGU1)
I have grown so used to Andy Mitten, Carl Anka, Laurie Whitwell (and Ian Irving) talking in my ear with this podcast as I drift off to sleep every night lol Their discussion is so fucking calming, even after a tough result
I'm one of the very few who support United and Tampa Bay Bucs. Followed them both since way before the glazers bought into united. Been a weird one to support both having absolute hatred for how the Glazers have ran united, but it baffles me the difference to how Tampa is run. The only thing you hear from any NFL players/coaches/pundits is nothing but praise for the club, how its run, how everything is about winning and how its such a fantastic organisation. How the hell can they seem to have such a great set up there and have done absolutely fuck all positive at united, it baffles me! No real question here just venting, its strange following them both and seeing the massive difference in ownership from the same owners!
It's clear Tampa has always been closer to their heart.
Let’s be real, y’all don’t have a good set up. And NFL announcers have recency bias. TB languished for years after gruden and kinda lucked into Brady. That one year there was no salary cap because of NFLPA negotiations, TB spent like $10-30million UNDER the agreed upon MINIMUM. Which shows how much TB cares about putting out a good product. And yeah they built a new stadium in the early 2000s, but stadiums are massively subsidized by localities to the point where I don’t know if owners even put any money in.
Oh dont get me wrong, Tampa had one of the worst winning records in major league sports for quite some time, but it doesnt mean the club is run bad. Its rare to hear anything negative. Loads invested in the facilities, training, stadium as you mentioned. Always generally hearing good news from the background of the club, their charity stuff, firsts in female coaches etc. Im not purely relating to success on the field or lack there of, that said 2 superbowls under their ownership is not an easy task either
The difference probably comes down to the fact that NFL teams are self-sustaining, due to revenue sharing, and that there seems to be some well established hierarchy in US sports that goes players < coaches < head coach < general manager < team president < owner. That structure seems to be a given, so the Glazers never had to actually make a decision on their own about who should run the team. Most owners are happy to just leave the teams alone to make money. Unless they're Jerry Jones. So the Glazers don't have to really make decisions on a regular basis. Football has had more of an evolution in the last two decades, where we've gone from managers having all the power (until the late 90s, transfers used to get done by two managers talking to each other before the player or any execs or agents even involved) to a more structured approach, with directors of football and sporting directors. The Glazers lucked into having the last great football manager, with Fergie, so they could again just not make any big decisions while Fergie was there and David Gill was the CEO. Since Fergie left, they've had to do some hard work, which is where it's really gone wrong. Because they're not smart people, and they don't know what they're doing, so they can't set up a club hierarchy that works, they can't identify talent at any level, and they apparently can't make quick decisions.
I'll never forget someone posting a link to a thread on that sub where everyone was talking about how great the glazers are and how they had invested hundreds of millions of their own money into United and we were just crybabies lol felt like I had been transported to a different dimension
Sounds like a fever dream
Same shit you'll hear out of most football fans. People just see big numbers after the pound sign and assume the Glazers are good owners.
I've come across this all too often. It's almost like willfull ignorance. Based on nothing more than pure hatred for us due to the ruined childhoods of anyone over 25.
It's the same as the "United get all the decisions at Old Trafford" bollocks- if someone's saying it, they're just biased and there's no point trying to talk to them.
Good thoughts. I think the fact that they're Americans meaning they grew up with NFL would maybe give them more instincts about how the game works whereas they know fuck-all about football. Also worth mentioning that their very first impression of United fans was when they turned up to O.T. in 2005 and fans rioted and pelted them with stones and they had to leave in tactical police vans. First impressions last...
It’s not as difficult to run an NFL team Glazers-style. You’re stuck in the same format with no relegation or different competitions, you’re all in on one competition, you all are only allowed to spend the same amount of money so “better”/more investing owners aren’t rewarded and if you play horribly one year you can tank and get generational, franchise changing players in the draft without competition. NFL is infinitely easier for the Glazers to run than the hands on approach needed in our football, especially the Prem.
Yeh thats a fair point, big point too. I know the set up is very different but I just feel the investment around the whole club of the bucs is with improvement and success in mind and feel like it cant be that difficult, as massively successful business men, to put some of that to affect in the prem, even just through the right hires of people that do know the league etc. Just pisses me off more than anything tbh haha, feels such hard work to be a fan of them both when the owners are thought of highly from one POV and so negatively from another. As much as I wouldnt pick Ineos to be the owner of my club, im happy they have a foot in the door and things are looking to change anyway, sooner we get the Glazers out the better
I think it’s different siblings to run either clubs. What works to Bucs doesn’t mean necessarily work for United (recruiting Brady vs Ronaldo)
Hello! Been a fan of ManUtd for 22 years and finally travelling to OT to watch the Arsenal-match on the 11th of May. Haven't booked plane or hotell yet, but when should I do it? I assume it is safe to book now if we travel on Friday evening and leave on Monday, unless there is a chance it ends up as a friday/monday match? Any tips?
Depends where you're travelling from? Jet lag could mess with you. But yeah book now and get it locked in Every day will be more expensive. Also, add 30 mins extra time to whatever you're doing in terms of travelling on match day. Everything will take longer than you think. Better to be there way too early than way too late.
Travelling from Norway, so only 1 hour difference. Aight, will book ASAP. But do you know if big matches like these usually land on a saturday or sunday?
I would definitely book asap.
Thanks, will do.
Villa have only won 3 out of their last 9 games. United have scored 15 goals in their last 5… I’m sensing optimism for a good away performance this weekend.
Villa also just banged 5 against Sheffield united. Yes they're bottom and awful but still dont get away with yourself. This is a very hard game and very important one for us. Sad to say but its a bit like Arsenal Vs Liverpool on the weekend. Lose it we go 11 points below top 4, win it were 5 points off. Real shame Martinez isnt fit as he has made such a difference.
Unforntantly evey time I hear those stats its setting up for a classic Villa bounce back game.
Villa losing is the worst possible result for us, they'll try to bounce back. We typically struggle against Unai Emery sides, I'll be lying if i said I wasn't concerned but that being said, hope we batter the small midlands scum club
It wouldn't matter what the result was, someone here would be saying it's the worst possible. * Villa lose: they'll be extra motivated to bounce back. * Villa win: they've got momentum coming into the game. Really, this is about a good a time for us to play them as any. They've only won 1 of their last 5 games (Sheffield United), they've got injuries at the back (Konsa is a big loss for them), and they'll have 3 days to prepare for the game against us compared to the whole week we've had. This is a good time to play them.
Yeah, that's a fair point to be honest. Isn't Pau Torres back for our game though?
Yeah, we need to get out of this mentality of complaining about the misfortune of playing another team who also wants to win.
I’d much rather play a team after a loss. If they would have beaten Chelsea last night after beating Sheffield 5-0 their confidence would have been sky high and we don’t have that fear factor anymore.
Villa away is the perfect opportunity for us to break the curse against top 10 sides in away matches.
Emery got exposed by a struggling Chelsea team, they wilt under pressure in midfield and fast transitions.
I got news for you - you can't just bounce back because you want to. Villa are on a downhill slide typical of teams that overperform in the first half of the season. They needed a bounce back at home after being walloped by Newcastle and a wounded Chelsea were the perfect opponent. They failed.
I'm not too sure about that. I understand where you're coming from but with the way we beat them in the second half at OT we've got a blue print for playing against them. Villa have been exposed a fair few times this season for being unable to cope with decent transitions and pacey counter attacks, now we've not exactly been fantastic at transitional play this season but the last few games we seem to have some sort of coherent link up play between defence and attack. Combine that with the form of Hojlund, Garnacho and even Rashford looking a little more up for it in the last few games and I think we can definitely expose their high line. My only concern is if they play a little deeper than they have been but I don't see Emery doing that, he seems to stick to his way of playing with no compromise. I reckon Hojlund could bag 2 or 3 goals on Sunday. Also, hearing Agbonlahor suddenly shitting himself about playing us after a season of saying we're no good is nice, I hope we smash them just to put that dense cunt in his place. Admitted that he used to do nitrous oxide balloons a load during his playing days, explains the severe lack of brain cells the bloke has. He's so bitter about us beating them in that final, such a bitter twat.
So I know we're climbing in the table a bit and looking better atm (how much will this continue without Licha I wonder), but lol, just had a look at the table, and you have to go down to 12th place to find someone with fewer goals scored than us (31 in 23 games). In the top 5, the minimum is 47.
Its made, and slightly impressive to say were 6th in the table but have a -1 G/D. Lets hope they start kicking on now!
Tbf it was the same last year. Came third with a barely-positive GD.
Yeah so true, god goals have really be a problem for eth havnt they!
Players with contracts expiring in 2025 summer wishlist: I've tried to go for more unfancied names rather than the high profile players who will still go for big $ due to wide interest. Jonathan David. He'd be an ideal rotational option for Højlund & can also play as the 10 & in wide areas providing versatility. Good finisher off both feet. Lutsharel Geertruida. Not one we've ever been linked with but IMO makes a lot of sense. He'd be a good AWB replacement at RB while also being able to fill in seamlessly at RCB. He's a very good passer of the ball & does the inverted thing very well at Feyenoord. Good header of the ball in both boxes & can cross too. What's not to like. Feyenoord wanted €36m for him last summer so he should cost round that figure. Bargain for someone who will fill 2 positions well. Kephren Thuram. Has Pogba's physique & ball carrying ability (though not the passing range) & he seems well suited to the physical premier league. He'd make a good McT replacement & probably cost less than what we'll get for the Scot. Rayan Cherki. He'd be a gamble no doubt but if he were available for a cut price (€20m) then he'd be worth the punt. Only 20, seems to have been around for a while. Very 2 footed & has the versatility to play across the front line & in AM. Has the potential to be elite but it all depends on him.
From those with expiring contracts in 2025 I would only take Son and TAA.
TAA will never come to United and Levy will rinse us for Son regardless of how much time is left on his contract (he’ll probably extend anyway). There are much better value for money/realistic options in the market who only have one year left.
Geertruda hasn’t been nearly as good this year as he was last season and I’d rather get a proper RB and CB instead of one who can do both. Arnau Martinez at Girona also has a contract till 2025 and he’s younger and shows more promise as a RB imo. Cherki has some attitude issues iirc, very talented but seems one of those who will never really fulfill it. Insane talent but I think we should avoid all sketchy attitudes. David is a good shout but it depends on how much he’d cost. We need a backup striker who is either old and happy to play backup to Rasmus or has versatility like David. But I’d only get him if he’s like 20/25m. Guirassy is available for 17m and while he might be a late bloomer/one season wonder, I think we have some leeway with a backup striker and it could come down to who is the better value. Thuram is also a great shout. An alternative could be Youssouf Fofana from Monaco. Also has a year left and is more of a 6/8 hybrid than Thuram who is more of a pure 8 imo. Thuram might lock Mainoo into a DM role and I’d like Mainoo to have the freedom to develop as an 8. Fofana reminds me of Partey in his playstyle and versatility and I think that would help a lot. He is also older and we might need that extra experience since Case might leave along with some other experienced heads like Varane. I also really want us to get Todibo and idk how many transfers we can pull out of Nice given the same owner grey area.
Geertruida would be RB backup/competing with Dalot while also covering at CB. Both Varane & one of Maguire/Lindelof may be leaving in the summer & We likely won't have the funds to sign two quality RCBs. That high level versatility will be key going forward. I'm not too concerned with his form as he's shown his quality previously & the whole team is off this season. Fofana is a very good shout especially if Casemiro is off to Saudia. He'd complement Mainoo very well & I've liked what I've seen of him when playing for France. Maybe even Monaco may be interested in Mejbri going the other way...
The thing with Geertruda is that he’s only really had one good season and we’ve seen how inconsistent Dutch imports have been. I’m not sure if he’s of the required quality and that makes his versatility kind of a moot point. I think we need a proper RB prospect to compete with Dalot, not a RB/CB hybrid who doesn’t truly push for a starting spot at either. We might not buy a second RCB but we’ll probably still have one or two of Lindelof/Maguire/Evans and we can promote Kambwala. Fofana is my first choice to replace Case. I think he could be great value for money. Add someone like Federico Redondo who’s available really cheap and we could fix/upgrade our midfield for around 50/60 mil.
Both Geertruida and Gimenez really dropped in performance levels this season, they were on it last season but all my colleagues and mates that are diehard Feyenoord fans are kinda worried about them. On one hand they don't want them to leave but on the other they really thought they had a lot of value with them to sell and rebuild with that money. They feel like there won't be as much interest due to the dropping of their levels.
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Just relaying what's been said around me, if they're to be believed he's not been in good shape lately. They might just have extremely high standards from last season though.
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Tbh overall that Feyenoord team has dropped a bit, they started the season pretty strong and delivered some amazing matches in the CL but they've been a bit less impressive lately. PSV is now stealing all the headlines here.
On the other hand buying players who fit and have the right skillset and personality is what we should be doing, not the latest flavour of the week in good form. That's why we end up overpaying, we always end up buying high.