The Manchester United Thread

[zzeezzy]

I don't even know why would you buy a striker at this point. Rooney/Rashford/Martial will have it covered. A mobile RW who can also play on the left is a top priority I think.

Load of Carrick and Fellaini, get Laporte so Blind can move to CB and rotate with Bastian, add another CM as backup for Schneiderlin, and it should be set.

Wouldn't that be making the same mistake as we did this season though?

Only difference is you are reliant on Rashford, Martial and Rooney to get you enough goals in striker position. Personally don't think Martial will even play as striker much as he is more effective on the left.

So realistically that leaves us two known strikers, I'd say one of our biggest problems this season has been lack of goals and Rooney's lack of contribution for large part of the season. Not getting a striker would be a huge risk and unnecessary in my opinion.

I really think Rooney is done, how much longer do we give a player who very rarely delivers anymore and when he does gets injured.

 

[Mike.]

Wouldn't that be making the same mistake as we did this season though?

Only difference is you are reliant on Rashford, Martial and Rooney to get you enough goals in striker position. Personally don't think Martial will even play as striker much as he is more effective on the left.

So realistically that leaves us two known strikers, I'd say one of our biggest problems this season has been lack of goals and Rooney's lack of contribution for large part of the season. Not getting a striker would be a huge risk and unnecessary in my opinion.

I really think Rooney is done, how much longer do we give a player who very rarely delivers anymore and when he does gets injured.

And now you see why Zlatan appeals. I'm loathe to keep Rooney, but also interested to see what he would be like under Mourinho. I actually think the fast goal scoring right winger is more important. If you have Martial and the RW scoring 15+ each in the league, your life becomes much easier up front.

 

[zzeezzy]

And now you see why Zlatan appeals. I'm loathe to keep Rooney, but also interested to see what he would be like under Mourinho. I actually think the fast goal scoring right winger is more important. If you have Martial and the RW scoring 15+ each in the league, your life becomes much easier up front.

I wouldn't mind Zlatan if Rooney is gone but I don't think Rooney will ever go not on his terms, shame really, just hope Jose if he is the next manager has the balls to make big decisions.

 

[steveorobbo]

Like I say, PL will be a whole new challenge for Zlatan, physically nothing else compares and if things don't go well he will start moaning. His ego in that dressing room scares me, when you have such composed and level headed young players it could have a detrimental effect.

Having players with an edge to them and that fight to win is one thing, but Zlatan is another.

Do you think the class of 92 would have had the same drive and determination without the likes of Cantona and Keane kicking them up the **** all day in training and demanding they play to their level on a match day? Yes it could backfire because of his attitude and ego, but there is also a very good chance those youngsters will look and learn from somebody who's been there and done it.

 

[sunilvk7]

People still havent considered the alternative, that United might finish 4th and still bin LVG, since he only has a year left.

I'm 100% sure Van Gaal will leave even if we finish 3rd, nevermind 4th. This season is a failure even if we finish 3rd or 4th. We will part ways with Van Gaal in a respectable fashion saying Van Gaal wants early retirement and Jose is his successor.

Only reason I think Van Gaal won't be humiliated is Woodward likes him a lot and works well with him. So they will try their best to make his departure as nothing but sack.

 

[sunilvk7]

Its almost like football only started in 1990....

It's almost like when someone posts stats about PL, you will always copy past the same post.

When someone is talking about PL and stats about PL, why will the consider stats about older format?

 

[sunilvk7]

But anyway, everything about this signing I just don't like, stats may be great in a team which is far superior to anything else in a mediocre French league but for me I just don't understand this signing.

Like I say, PL will be a whole new challenge for Zlatan, physically nothing else compares and if things don't go well he will start moaning. His ego in that dressing room scares me, when you have such composed and level headed young players it could have a detrimental effect.

Having players with an edge to them and that fight to win is one thing, but Zlatan is another.

Did you see how Ibra played against Chelsea? Forget his league stats, just check his CL stats.

Physical challenge is nothing to him, have to even seen him? French league is very strong physically and he handles them without any issue. Pace was never issue with him, he always played at his own pace and always played like a playmaker.

Also regarding dressing room, PSG locker room is full of egos, did anyone complain about Ibra?

Young strikers dream about playing with Ibra and training with him. He would be excellent addition to whoever signs him. If young striker can pick a thing or 2 about his winning mentality and how to train yourself to perfection then it would be worth the wages considering his quality on the field.

 

[wkdsoul]

It's almost like when someone posts stats about PL, you will always copy past the same post.

When someone is talking about PL and stats about PL, why will the consider stats about older format?

Hey I threw that up just for scouse to knock out the park, you sshh.

 

[sunilvk7]

And now you see why Zlatan appeals. I'm loathe to keep Rooney, but also interested to see what he would be like under Mourinho. I actually think the fast goal scoring right winger is more important. If you have Martial and the RW scoring 15+ each in the league, your life becomes much easier up front.

Out top scorer in the league is Martial with 7 league goals. IIRC 14 teams have a player who scored more.

We need players who are goal hungry, like Hernandez. Not similar quality but someone like him who loves scoring goals.

 

[Legend Incredible]

I said not sold on him for the price we would pay, which would be £50m... give or take, maybe even more in this market. You can't tell me that you think he's the real deal after two seasons for that price either.

When you say 'he is free' there is a reason for this, he is past it, he is in a French league which can be deceiving as to whether they actually are good or the opponent is utter *****. (Obviously we got Martial from the French league so you know, but we also got Falcao).

Also I'm sorry but a striker like him coming in with have a definite mental effect on everyone in that squad, he has the ego size of an ocean and he will have wages which will be absurd. Him and Rooney's wages in the same squad together would be sickening alone.

I just don't get this signing and wonder why we would ever consider bringing him in at this age unless we are abandoning any of the things we have seen this season to go back in the hunt for instant success.

Reus, Aubemayang, Griezzmann, list goes on and on. These are signings that would not only come in and make an instant impact, but would also have longevity in them as well. Also they offer something totally different to the likes of Rooney for example.

If you think we'll get back to anywhere of old with players like Zlatan and Jose working together you're wrong, it will only work when things are going well, hit a patch like we have had this season and watch things implode. Zlatan won't give a **** if things don't go well, huge money and knows people don't expect him to be at his best at that age.

I hope you're not judging falcao based on his stint with us...they called him el tigre for a reason

 

[zzeezzy]

Do you think the class of 92 would have had the same drive and determination without the likes of Cantona and Keane kicking them up the **** all day in training and demanding they play to their level on a match day? Yes it could backfire because of his attitude and ego, but there is also a very good chance those youngsters will look and learn from somebody who's been there and done it.

True, like I said and you mentioned it could go either way. It's just if it goes badly I think it will do more harm behind the scenes and have an impact on other players.

I may be wrong here but Zlatan doesn't come across as someone who would be working his socks off in training and kicking everyone else up the *** if their not.

 

[Mike.]

True, like I said and you mentioned it could go either way. It's just if it goes badly I think it will do more harm behind the scenes and have an impact on other players.

I may be wrong here but Zlatan doesn't come across as someone who would be working his socks off in training and kicking everyone else up the *** if their not.

Zlatan in so many ways reminds me of Cantona. You don't get where he is by not working hard.

 

[zzeezzy]

I hope you're not judging falcao based on his stint with us...they called him el tigre for a reason

The fact was more that he was still scoring goals and doing well in that league even after his ACL for a few months before the move to us in the summer.

 

[steveorobbo]

Out top scorer in the league is Martial with 7 league goals. IIRC 14 teams have a player who scored more.

We need players who are goal hungry, like Hernandez. Not similar quality but someone like him who loves scoring goals.

I dont get why people say this loves scoring goals stuff. Surely every striker, or even any player in any position for that matter loves scoring goals. You dont have one striker that says, "oh I cant be arsed scoring today, im not really bothered". Or strikers missing chances just because they arent fussed if they score or not. Every striker WANTS to score goals, regardless of age, quality, league........etc.

 

[zzeezzy]

Zlatan in so many ways reminds me of Cantona. You don't get where he is by not working hard.

Yes but we're not talking about a player who still has something to prove or one who is in his prime for that matter.

We're ultimately talking about someone who is 34/5 and coming for one big last pay day. Whether he still has that same motivation to do that stuff and train to the max whilst bollocking anyone else who isn't, I doubt. But hey, who knows.

 

[Mike.]

Yes but we're not talking about a player who still has something to prove or one who is in his prime for that matter.

We're ultimately talking about someone who is 34/5 and coming for one big last pay day. Whether he still has that same motivation to do that stuff and train to the max whilst bollocking anyone else who isn't, I doubt. But hey, who knows.

Zlatan is a winner above all. That's why at 35 he's still doing it in the CL. Does he want to get paid well? Of course, because at 35, he's still one of the best forwards in the world.

 

[sunilvk7]

The fact was more that he was still scoring goals and doing well in that league even after his ACL for a few months before the move to us in the summer.

Falcao scored 2 goals in 3 games in the new season, ACL injury ended his previous season and he missed world cup.

So your sample size is very very small to make any meaningful point.

 

[sunilvk7]

I dont get why people say this loves scoring goals stuff. Surely every striker, or even any player in any position for that matter loves scoring goals. You dont have one striker that says, "oh I cant be arsed scoring today, im not really bothered". Or strikers missing chances just because they arent fussed if they score or not. Every striker WANTS to score goals, regardless of age, quality, league........etc.

Tell that to Berbatov.

There are strikers like Berbatov who are arsed about beautiful game, even Martial falls in the same category and then there are players like Icardi, Hernandez who are arsed about scoring goals and nothing more.

If you are not convinced then check out Schweinsteiger's interview where he explains the mentality of ruthless scorers and our players who are not ****** about missing chance to score goals.

 

[zzeezzy]

Falcao scored 2 goals in 3 games in the new season, ACL injury ended his previous season and he missed world cup.

So your sample size is very very small to make any meaningful point.

Premier League is different gravy though to anything else, he might of faced similar physical challenges in some games but he won't have had the experience of playing week in, week out in a league with the intensity and competitiveness of the Premier League.

Also I think you are being kind on the French league, it really is poor and no league matches the physicality of Premier League in my opinion.

 

[sunilvk7]

Premier League is different gravy though to anything else, he might of faced similar physical challenges in some games but he won't have had the experience of playing week in, week out in a league with the intensity and competitiveness of the Premier League.

Also I think you are being kind on the French league, it really is poor and no league matches the physicality of Premier League in my opinion.

No league matches the pace of the league but French league is very physical and it is full of very strong players.

You are just overrating PL a lot. Ibra will school defenders no matter which league or team. He is that good.

So much about physicality and we have players like Silva, Mata, Fabregas who are light but were few levels above their peers.