The Manchester United Thread

I'd take the first one of those if I had aspirations to consistently compete for major trophies.

The second is a complete waste of God-given natural talent and always will be until he dedicates himself fully to his craft. At 27 next month I doubt that maturation process ever happens. The third is just a hard-working lad you'd ideally fill your squad out with.

Mate, that's exactly the type of player Klopp builds his team around. Big disservice to Fred I feel and those types of player your team has a plenty.
 
Mate, that's exactly the type of player Klopp builds his team around. Big disservice to Fred I feel and those types of player your team has a plenty.

All subjective but II was being polite to Fred who's nottin else but bang average in my opinion. Would he fit into our midfield facilitating the attacking 5? I'd have big doubts on that. A few years ago he would have as you're talking the likes of a Joe Allen/ Lucas equivalent. But we've massively moved on from there in terms of the quality of our midfielders. He would struggle to be in our or City's group.
 
All subjective but II was being polite to Fred who's nottin else but bang average in my opinion. Would he fit into our midfield facilitating the attacking 5? I'd have big doubts on that. A few years ago he would have as you're talking the likes of a Joe Allen/ Lucas equivalent. But we've massively moved on from there in terms of the quality of our midfielders. He would struggle to be in our or City's group.

Mate, your mids aren't exactly technicians. We're talking Gini and Jordan Henderson right? I mean, they're hardworking mids but not exactly the most technically proficient. They basically fit perfectly in klopp's system.
 
Mate, your mids aren't exactly technicians. We're talking Gini and Jordan Henderson right? I mean, they're hardworking mids but not exactly the most technically proficient. They basically fit perfectly in klopp's system.

Do people really still have that (misguided) opinion of those too?

Gini Wijnaldum, one of the Netherlands national sides most important players, who is the very essence of the Dutch Total Football philosophy as he comfortably plays all over the park, isn't 'exactly the most technically proficient'' footballer?

That's ..... something.
 
Do people really still have that (misguided) opinion of those too?

Gini Wijnaldum, one of the Netherlands national sides most important players, who is the very essence of the Dutch Total Football philosophy as he comfortably plays all over the park, isn't 'exactly the most technically proficient'' footballer?

That's ..... something.

Gini is probably the definition of a "Jack of all trades and a specialist in none" kind of player. He reminds me a little bit of three lung park. He could run all day, harrassing players but lacked a lot of quality on the ball. Till today, I'm not exactly sure what his best position was as he played everywhere.
 
Gini is probably the definition of a "Jack of all trades and a specialist in none" kind of player. He reminds me a little bit of three lung park. He could run all day, harrassing players but lacked a lot of quality on the ball. Till today, I'm not exactly sure what his best position was as he played everywhere.

But why does he need a defined 'best position' to be classed as 'technically proficient?'

He's versatile enough to play anywhere across the midfield, from a deeper, playmaking 6 through a creative, goalscoring 10, to being effective up-front. (And he's filled in at CH and not looked out of place too.). The versatile ability to play all over, and do each job he's asked well, is one of not only his strengths but most players in our squad's strengths. Another reason why we happily keep a smaller group and really cherish versatility. You can't be a part of that if you're not both highly intelligent and highly technically proficient footballers.

Massive misconception on Gini that, going off this, is apparently still prevailing. Presumably, as he's not a MOTD 'highlight reel ' player webbing them in from 20-yards every game. Let's put it this way. In a tight space, or even in a one-on-one/ two/ three drill, there's honestly no player the entire league I'd pick top keep hold of the ball and not give it away than Gini. (Lallana the same.). Before you even start on his other attributes.

No offence to you as it's a common misconception, but it's mad how under-appreciated the ability of L'pool's midfielders still are down to the front three and two FB's with the ability of 2 #10's on the ball. We might utilise our midfielders in a different way within our style compared to the emphasis Guardiola puts on his in an attacking sense. Which leads to the lazy 'L'pool's midfield has no creativity' bunkum that's still ridiculously thrown around. But that doesn't detract from the technical quality they all possess.
 
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But why does he need a defined 'best position' to be classed as 'technically proficient?'

He's versatile enough to play anywhere across the midfield, from a deeper, playmaking 6 through a creative, goalscoring 10, to being effective up-front. (And he's filled in at CH and not looked out of place too.). The versatile ability to play all over, and do each job he's asked well, is one of not only his strengths but most players in our squad's strengths. Another reason why we happily keep a smaller group and really cherish versatility. You can't be a part of that if you're not both highly intelligent and highly technically proficient footballers.

Massive misconception on Gini that, going off this, is apparently still prevailing. Presumably, as he's not a MOTD 'highlight reel ' player webbing them in from 20-yards every game. Let's put it this way. In a tight space, or even in a one-on-one/ two/ three drill, there's honestly no player the entire league I'd pick top keep hold of the ball and not give it away than Gini. (Lallana the same.). Before you even start on his other attributes.

No offence to you as it's a common misconception, but it's mad how under-appreciated the ability of L'pool's midfielders still are down to the front three and two FB's with the ability of 2 #10's on the ball. We might utilise our midfielders in a different way within our style compared to the emphasis Guardiola puts on his in an attacking sense. Which leads to the lazy 'L'pool's midfield has no creativity' bunkum that's still ridiculously thrown around. But that doesn't detract from the technical quality they all possess.

I'm not trying to insinuate Gini is terrible. I actually rate him. Maybe my definition of a technician on the ball differs from everyone else's...

I often see a technician as someone who is vastly talented on the ball that can make things happen with the ball: it could come in the form of brilliant trickery, creative passing or even shooting placement.
 
I'm not trying to insinuate Gini is terrible. I actually rate him. Maybe my definition of a technician on the ball differs from everyone else's...

I often see a technician as someone who is vastly talented on the ball that can make things happen with the ball: it could come in the form of brilliant trickery, creative passing or even shooting placement.
Well they can control and trap the ball atleast something so basic Fred struggles with. Been impressed with fred lately though that work rate is unreal but he looks a lot better than he actually is as all that running could be halfed if someone could actually position him correctly. Still he will never be good enough on the ball to push your team beyond top 4 hopefuls.
 
What do yous lot think about Pogba's comments about Liverpool. If a liverpool player said the same thing if the roles were reversed I would be fuming.
 
What do yous lot think about Pogba's comments about Liverpool. If a liverpool player said the same thing if the roles were reversed I would be fuming.
Personally I can't disagree with it myself. The are, although it is painful to say, far and away the best in the league at the moment. Even with the rivalry that I grew up with, I can't help but admire what Klopp has done. I just hope and pray that it all falls apart soon. ;-)

Mind you, at 22points ahead, you really do have to question the standard that is the rest of the Prem this season. As good as they have been, the fact that noone has been able to stay anywhere near is worrying.
 
Well they can control and trap the ball atleast something so basic Fred struggles with. Been impressed with fred lately though that work rate is unreal but he looks a lot better than he actually is as all that running could be halfed if someone could actually position him correctly. Still he will never be good enough on the ball to push your team beyond top 4 hopefuls.

Every team needs a player like Fred, he's been unreal this season, sure he's not the best on the ball but neither is Kante. No I'm not suggesting Fred is as good as Kante but he has similar traits. Pep wanted him for a reason.
 
What do yous lot think about Pogba's comments about Liverpool. If a liverpool player said the same thing if the roles were reversed I would be fuming.

There's a man steeped in the rivalry. ??

Wouldn't have an issue myself mate. Like I said over the page regarding opposition fans, just hold yer hands up and admit when a particular team at a particular time is so great instead of trying to denigrate what they're doing. It's not hard.

No issue's with anyone being honest and telling it like it is.
 
What do yous lot think about Pogba's comments about Liverpool. If a liverpool player said the same thing if the roles were reversed I would be fuming.

**** Paul Pogba. I don't disagree with him tho. I mean, you lot are 22 points ahead of a talented city side....22 points. It's a combination of the freak season y'all are having combined with everyone else being so terrible. It reminds me a lot of when Leicester won the league a few seasons ago.
 
Woodward been on the ganja? United never play entertaining attacking football. It's entertaining counter-attacking football at the very best.
 
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