The Manchester United Thread

[fuelledbypassion]

Yeah I thought De Gea was very brave in the closing minutes. He knows that he is under pressure when coming for crosses, and knew the cost of any mistake. Big balls.

 

[zzeezzy]

Once again I am convinced we shouldn't start with a two of Carrick/Scholes/Giggs as a CM pair without another CM. I hope SAF realizes this.

But what a superb comeback! Chicharito was fantastic! A real predator. Us conceding goals almost every game may lead to reaching the 100 goals. So far 29 in 11 games meaning 2.64 goals per game. 38 games means just a bit above 100

I am also happy to see Hernandez has improved a little his overall game. And was impressed with De Gea's punching in the last minutes.

United are literally dying for some bite in midfield, a traditional ball-winner, not exactly any excuse not to have one either considering we have missed out on many in the past and there is plenty good ones around. I would look at Tiote but I doubt Fergie will buy one because he does not seem to realise this. But every top team has one like Bayern has Schweinsteiger who obviously has a lot more to his game than a ball-winner but you get the picture.

 

[ceco]

United are literally dying for some bite in midfield, a traditional ball-winner, not exactly any excuse not to have one either considering we have missed out on many in the past and there is plenty good ones around. I would look at Tiote but I doubt Fergie will buy one because he does not seem to realise this. But every top team has one like Bayern has Schweinsteiger who obviously has a lot more to his game than a ball-winner but you get the picture.

Completely agree that our back four would definitely benefit from such a player! Unfortunately from what I've seen so far Fletcher is far from the player he was. But I think Fergie will continue to back him at least until the end of the season. Anyway the fact he hasn't started often should mean something. I hope he will improve.

My point was that at least one of the CMs should be a quicker mobile player who has some aggression. Currently Cleverley and Ando are the two I think should start. Scholes has the aggression but the two players are much better at tackling. Today Scholes was unable to track back, he was sooo slow! Initially Carrick went forward a few times (and did well) but after we got exposed he stood back most of the time and Scholes was instead playing further. He was a great player but now no more than a sub or playing in front of another CM against weaker sides and with at least two against top teams. Just my personal opinion.

 

[Mike.]

United are literally dying for some bite in midfield, a traditional ball-winner, not exactly any excuse not to have one either considering we have missed out on many in the past and there is plenty good ones around. I would look at Tiote but I doubt Fergie will buy one because he does not seem to realise this. But every top team has one like Bayern has Schweinsteiger who obviously has a lot more to his game than a ball-winner but you get the picture.

You mean Javi Martinez, as he was bought at great expense to add more steel alongside him

 

[zzeezzy]

You mean Javi Martinez, as he was bought at great expense to add more steel alongside him

Yeh... but Schweinsteiger is someone who has a presence in the middle of the park and is definitely not alike anything we currently have in a midfield option. Although Javi Martinez is a good example as well, I can see why we didn't go for him, Bayern had to pay a right load!

 

[GodCubed]

Mmhmm. Mike. and I were discussing earlier how much the Villa pair of Westwood and Bannan - very similar to, and in fact look up to the latter as idols, Carrick and Scholes respectively - dominated the midfield at crucial points in the match, purely because, as Mike. puts it, they literally ran.

Ferguson got away with it today. We all know Carrick and Scholes only works against teams which are expected to be dominated by United but today proved that now, even a side hovering above the relegation zone can be expected to just power through the duo. United had to rely on their fabled comeback skills and a lethal Javier Hernandez, but against better opposition that might not be enough. United need verticality, and they need a more mobile midfield, and they need it now.

 

[zzeezzy]

Mmhmm. Mike. and I were discussing earlier how much the Villa pair of Westwood and Bannan - very similar to, and in fact look up to the latter as idols, Carrick and Scholes respectively - dominated the midfield at crucial points in the match, purely because, as Mike. puts it, they literally ran.

Ferguson got away with it today. We all know Carrick and Scholes only works against teams which are expected to be dominated by United but today proved that now, even a side hovering above the relegation zone can be expected to just power through the duo. United had to rely on their fabled comeback skills and a lethal Javier Hernandez, but against better opposition that might not be enough. United need verticality, and they need a more mobile midfield, and they need it now.

The great thing about Hernandez is that he pulls the opposition defence deeper because of his pace and 'off the shoulder' approach. Therefore giving United's key players like RVP and Rooney a lot more space than they had in the first half of this match (for example).

In my opinion simply for that reason Hernandez should be starting more games.

 

[Mike.]

Yeh... but Schweinsteiger is someone who has a presence in the middle of the park and is definitely not alike anything we currently have in a midfield option. Although Javi Martinez is a good example as well, I can see why we didn't go for him, Bayern had to pay a right load!

Actually in all fairness, very much like Carrick (though BS is obviously a superior player) People underestimate the number of tackles and interceptions he makes. Bastian had Gustavo beforehand and now Martinez. Carrick had Hargreaves and Fletcher, and now needs Lars Bender or Fellaini.

 

[GodCubed]

The great thing about Hernandez is that he pulls the opposition defence deeper because of his pace and 'off the shoulder' approach. Therefore giving United's key players like RVP and Rooney a lot more space than they had in the first half of this match (for example).

In my opinion simply for that reason Hernandez should be starting more games.

Problem is then trying to fit RVP, Rooney and Hernandez into the same team. You'd have to play a diamond, making the centre of the park more congested, and giving the opposition wingers and full-backs free reign over the flanks. Take today for instance: if you'd started all three from the beginning, during the time when Villa had a good spell you could have ended up conceding three or four given how well Weimann and Gabby were playing on the flanks.

 

[GodCubed]

Actually in all fairness, very much like Carrick (though BS is obviously a superior player) People underestimate the number of tackles and interceptions he makes. Bastian had Gustavo beforehand and now Martinez. Carrick had Hargreaves and Fletcher, and now needs Lars Bender or Fellaini.

Best Fergie can do is Cleverley. Sorry.

 

[MUFCMike]

Tell you what, being a Man Utd fan has never been good for my heart, but this season is taking the biscuit! Fantastic comeback, but that doesn't hide the fact we were given a scare by Villa.

For me, we lack pace in defence. I know Smalling is a quick guy, but he's just back from injury, and you can tell he's a yard or 2 off the pace. Jones is quick too, but will have the same problem. There were times today when Agbonlahor got running that I was afraid he would do a "Gareth Bale" to us. I'm also still not convinced by the Scholes-Carrick partnership. Yes it can control games when the passing gets going, but against opposition with tough midfielders, we get torn apart. If Fergie is going to persist with playing Carrick and Scholes to control possession of a game, I think he needs to think about playing an Anchorman, someone like Fletcher, or even Jones once he is back, just to clean up behind them. Or maybe even not behind them, given that Scholes plays so deep anyway, but just someone to give us some strength, and for lack of a better word, balls, in midfield.

I guess we just have to be grateful we have one of the best attacks in the league right now. How unlucky was RVP not to get a goal today. Hope Rooneys knock isn't to serious as well.

 

[ajt09]

Ooookkay I have something to say here. Fellaini won't join Man Utd-this window. He has an excellent relationship with David Moyes, the fans love him and he loves them, and after watching his interiews compared to reading the "interviews" he won't leave the club this season. Not saying this from a biased point of view, but realistic. And as he signed a long term contract not that long ago, it would require a substantial offer to prize him away. It's apparent he wants the club to succeed, and he wants to be part of making the club successful, and this is the best chance right now to do it. We have the strongest squad David Moyes has had, and right now we are launching a proper, and realistic bid to be in the Champions League next season.

Yes, Sir Alex is one of the greatest managers to have ever graced the Premier League, ever, but I genuinely don't see why he would want to leave right now when basically, everything is going so well, and he is a fundamental part of it, and is surrounded by such talented players. Baines, Jags, Osman, Jelavic, and of course his fellow countryman Marillas. I really don't see it happening.

Though, if by some strange occurance it did happen, I genuinely wouldn't hate him for it. Though I think personally, I think it would be beneficial if he stayed with us.

 

[MUFCMike]

Can I also say, is anyone else quite impressed with Rooney out on the left? That's the second time this season I've seen him play there, and not only does it seem to suit him coming inside and linking up with central midfielders and Van Persie coming deep, but he gives Evra far more defensive help than Young or Nani does.

 

[Bratone]

I want the old Valencia back, from the end of the last season.That Valencia is the best right winger in the world.

 

[Vanjagl]

Yeh... but Schweinsteiger is someone who has a presence in the middle of the park and is definitely not alike anything we currently have in a midfield option. Although Javi Martinez is a good example as well, I can see why we didn't go for him, Bayern had to pay a right load!

Schweinsteiger was never ball winning mid. If Bayern needed someone to do dirty job, then they gave it to Luiz Gustavo, and before Gustavo there was van Bommel.

 

[Joel`]

Ooookkay I have something to say here. Fellaini won't join Man Utd-this window. He has an excellent relationship with David Moyes, the fans love him and he loves them, and after watching his interiews compared to reading the "interviews" he won't leave the club this season. Not saying this from a biased point of view, but realistic. And as he signed a long term contract not that long ago, it would require a substantial offer to prize him away. It's apparent he wants the club to succeed, and he wants to be part of making the club successful, and this is the best chance right now to do it. We have the strongest squad David Moyes has had, and right now we are launching a proper, and realistic bid to be in the Champions League next season.

Yes, Sir Alex is one of the greatest managers to have ever graced the Premier League, ever, but I genuinely don't see why he would want to leave right now when basically, everything is going so well, and he is a fundamental part of it, and is surrounded by such talented players. Baines, Jags, Osman, Jelavic, and of course his fellow countryman Marillas. I really don't see it happening.

Though, if by some strange occurance it did happen, I genuinely wouldn't hate him for it. Though I think personally, I think it would be beneficial if he stayed with us.

We gave you Gibson for peanuts. You owe us.

 

[ajt09]

We gave you Gibson for peanuts. You owe us.

You could be getting Moyes. That's more than enough. And besides, you got our greatest player Rooney. Your club and England is in our debt

 

[ceco]

Joel`, you can't compare Gibson's real price with Fellaini's, Everton don't owe us that much.

And, ajt09, we're not in debt because he signed for United for quite a lot of money for that time and you've got the percentage from the profit if Rooney is sold.

 

[ajt09]

Joel`, you can't compare Gibson's real price with Fellaini's, Everton don't owe us that much.

And, ajt09, we're not in debt because he signed for United for quite a lot of money for that time and you've got the percentage from the profit if Rooney is sold.

No you misunderstood. Debt as in quality We made him, SAF nurtured him into what he is now

 

[Vanjagl]

No you misunderstood. Debt as in quality We made him, SAF nurtured him into what he is now

We gave you Howard, Neville, Saha and Gibbo. YOU owe ( I think its owe, not own) US