The Manchester United Thread

[Mike.]

You can't have a team full of stars and Lingard and Valencia have proved more than good enough to be squad/rotation players for Utd!

Exactly. If we were to sell Lingard, we'd then have to pay large amounts of money for someone to be a squad player, waste of effort and resources

 

[hughesman]

While I like Unai, and his accomplishments in Europe have been amazingly pushed under the table for some mad reason, don't forgot that in 19 of the away games in the league, he has only drawn 9 and lost 10, winning none of them. Just a thought to consider.

I will say again, I do like him though. Just don't think he is right for united.

 

[hughesman]

On another note, Van Der Wiel is a free transfer this season. Maybe a good option to have in the squad for the RB position. Can play across the whole back line if needed.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

On another note, Van Der Wiel is a free transfer this season. Maybe a good option to have in the squad for the RB position. Can play across the whole back line if needed.

We're well stacked for FB and have good depth at CB we need s quality signing to partner Smalling.

 

[hughesman]

We're well stacked for FB and have good depth at CB we need s quality signing to partner Smalling.

Personally, I'd disagree as we may have Shaw and Darmian, but they are our only senior team full backs. Yes we have young and Valencia, but they are not natural full backs in any way. Yes, CBJ and Varela have both impressed me this season, but they are young and have a significantly high chance of being loaned out this season to further their development because (fingers crossed) Shaw and Darmian will be fit and they won't have game time. Rojo is better of in CB and has been ineffectual (to be kind) at LB this season.

Also, we don't have good depth in CB. We have Smalling, Jones is a walking injury waiting to happen. Blind has done his job well but should be moved back into his CDM role. McNair is not going to last at United even though I like him.

Finally TFM, while a wonderful talent, is someone I would love to see playing in that Carrick role and could be an absolute destroyer in that position.

I would agree we need quality CB to be paired with Chris, but we do need some deeper, more senior squad members that can fill those roles. It has been great watching all the youth this season, in fact the only highlight. But top teams never rely on youth like we have this season.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Personally, I'd disagree as we may have Shaw and Darmian, but they are our only senior team full backs. Yes we have young and Valencia, but they are not natural full backs in any way. Yes, CBJ and Varela have both impressed me this season, but they are young and have a significantly high chance of being loaned out this season to further their development because (fingers crossed) Shaw and Darmian will be fit and they won't have game time. Rojo is better of in CB and has been ineffectual (to be kind) at LB this season.

Also, we don't have good depth in CB. We have Smalling, Jones is a walking injury waiting to happen. Blind has done his job well but should be moved back into his CDM role. McNair is not going to last at United even though I like him.

Finally TFM, while a wonderful talent, is someone I would love to see playing in that Carrick role and could be an absolute destroyer in that position.

I would agree we need quality CB to be paired with Chris, but we do need some deeper, more senior squad members that can fill those roles. It has been great watching all the youth this season, in fact the only highlight. But top teams never rely on youth like we have this season.

FBs - Darmian, Shaw, Varela, CBJ, Valencia, Riley
People who can play FB- TFM, Blind, Young, Rojo

CBs- Smalling, Jones, Rojo, McNair, Tuanzebe, Williams, Poole
People who can play CB- TFM, Blind, CBJ, Carrick

like I said as of now we have enough FBs and depth in CBs. We can't talk about this might happen and so on I was talking about as the squad is now. I think priority is a Quality CB starter, a STR, a right winger, and a CM

 

[MANUMAD]

Exactly. If we were to sell Lingard, we'd then have to pay large amounts of money for someone to be a squad player, waste of effort and resources

He personifies exactly the team that we have become. Mediocre.

 

[hughesman]

FBs - Darmian, Shaw, Varela, CBJ, Valencia, Riley
People who can play FB- TFM, Blind, Young, Rojo

CBs- Smalling, Jones, Rojo, McNair, Tuanzebe, Williams, Poole
People who can play CB- TFM, Blind, CBJ, Carrick

like I said as of now we have enough FBs and depth in CBs. We can't talk about this might happen and so on I was talking about as the squad is now. I think priority is a Quality CB starter, a STR, a right winger, and a CM

I agree with your last bit, our priority should be STR, CM, RM and top class CB, I just also think outside of Darmian and Shaw our other options are people who do not naturally play in that position are quite short and people like Poole, Williams Tuanzebe etc.. while certainly have potential, are all very young.

I'm not saying go out and buy someone for this RB/LB positions, just suggesting a free signing that could bolster the squad with an older, established player. This type of guy (Van Der Weil) could be someone to learn from for the youngsters (including Shaw in that group) in the same way we should of had Evra teaching Shaw. As we are lacking in that department.

 

[hughesman]

He personifies exactly the team that we have become. Mediocre.

I would agree with that. I wouldn't suggest selling him, but dumping him on in an injury crisis wouldn't be to bad. But he should be no where near the first team, he has been especially wasteful at times and it annoys me when commentators say he has an eye for goal because he quite clearly does not.

 

[England66]

If we let Carrick we need to replace him with a player that can dictate tempo. I think Schneiderlin can play the B2B role but we need a proper destroyer and a playmaker. Yes we are looking at playing Rooney there but if it doesn't work out as we hope we need someone to come in and play. I would like Kroos, we could play him in #10 and if needs be drop him back and let him play the role Roo is playing atm. Although needs someone like schneiderlin (Southampton form) to do the dirty work.

I think we need a smart CB with the ability to play out from the back. Blind has masked Smalling's inefficiencies this season and we can't let that overrule the point that the CB pairing needs to be well suited to each other. As good as Blind has been he isn't a natural in that position and I can't see him starting next season. I think the best fit for what we are looking for is possibly one of the CBs at Bayern that's gonna be available with Hummels moving there, perhaps Laporte (I know injured) but if we could steal the sale that looks likely to city then that could be a good partnership. Maybe Varane but can't see that personally.

Striker we need to bring in quality for a few seasons to take the pressure off the young crop and give them development time. Ibra could be our modern day Cantona. Give that arrogance and swagger back to the team and lead them to their first proper title. Also a winner which we seem to be lacking significantly at United atm.

I think RW ferghouli on a free would be a good choice, not a lot on wages and RW availability is little to none atm unless we go and spend big but that's no guarantee.

But the most important thing about this window is definitely trying to keep hold of big Dave, I mean he is our only world class player currently. Best player in the team and the only reason we finished with any european football at all.

 

[Legend Incredible]

If we let Carrick we need to replace him with a player that can dictate tempo. I think Schneiderlin can play the B2B role but we need a proper destroyer and a playmaker. Yes we are looking at playing Rooney there but if it doesn't work out as we hope we need someone to come in and play. I would like Kroos, we could play him in #10 and if needs be drop him back and let him play the role Roo is playing atm. Although needs someone like schneiderlin (Southampton form) to do the dirty work.

I think we need a smart CB with the ability to play out from the back. Blind has masked Smalling's inefficiencies this season and we can't let that overrule the point that the CB pairing needs to be well suited to each other. As good as Blind has been he isn't a natural in that position and I can't see him starting next season. I think the best fit for what we are looking for is possibly one of the CBs at Bayern that's gonna be available with Hummels moving there, perhaps Laporte (I know injured) but if we could steal the sale that looks likely to city then that could be a good partnership. Maybe Varane but can't see that personally.

Striker we need to bring in quality for a few seasons to take the pressure off the young crop and give them development time. Ibra could be our modern day Cantona. Give that arrogance and swagger back to the team and lead them to their first proper title. Also a winner which we seem to be lacking significantly at United atm.

I think RW ferghouli on a free would be a good choice, not a lot on wages and RW availability is little to none atm unless we go and spend big but that's no guarantee.

But the most important thing about this window is definitely trying to keep hold of big Dave, I mean he is our only world class player currently. Best player in the team and the only reason we finished with any european football at all.

Him and Martial...I feel like martial deserves 50% of the credit.

De gea didn't save us this season as regularly as he did the season before

 

[Tyton]

Him and Martial...I feel like martial deserves 50% of the credit.

De gea didn't save us this season as regularly as he did the season before

Yup. Most of the games he didn't have much work at all.

Sure, defense shat the bed quite a few times, but overall they keep amount of opposition chances to minimum.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Zidane and Navas agent have both said that Navas will be number 1 at Real next season.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Apparently us and Arsenal have bid 40m for Morata.

 

[sunilvk7]

Apparently us and Arsenal have bid 40m for Morata.

Waste of money.

 

[sunilvk7]

Apparently Ever Banega will move to Inter on free transfer. Once again chance missed with him. I said many times that we have to sign him and still stand by it. He is awesome on the ball and showed it again in the last 2 years. I remember having numerous debates on signing Banega and also Dembele.

Dont mind missing out on Dembele but Banega was a big miss. Hopefully he keeps up his form at Inter. Lovely player to watch.

 

[Mike.]

He personifies exactly the team that we have become. Mediocre.

We won trophies with players like that, because they will fin where needed.

Upgrade on him for starting slot? Sure

But selling him is a waste of money.

 

[razielioux]

View attachment 150963

Glad to see Shaw back in training (yes, I know he's been training with the first team for weeks now ), but look at that right leg where the stitches were. Phew, fcking Moreno...the kid will never forget that tackle.

Btw, any predictions for the cup final guys?

I'd bet an easy 3-0, 2-0 United win.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Apparently Ever Banega will move to Inter on free transfer. Once again chance missed with him. I said many times that we have to sign him and still stand by it. He is awesome on the ball and showed it again in the last 2 years. I remember having numerous debates on signing Banega and also Dembele.

Dont mind missing out on Dembele but Banega was a big miss. Hopefully he keeps up his form at Inter. Lovely player to watch.

Yeah read Mancini statement about him a couple weeks back. Said last night would of been a good signing.

 

[sunilvk7]

If you think that Valencia is of the standard that we need for the team we must become (ie best in UK at least) then I cannot say anything else.

Also:

1. On EMERY. He is one of the better managers around but he has never proved himself with any consistency in a league format. So Im amazed that you re even discussing him as an option. Imho we must be going after the very top managers. Mourinho is the only one such manager who is available. Our current set up/predicament practically screams for Cholo SIMEONE but he is ensconced in Athletico.

2. Lingard is NOT a UTD player ffs. He is very limited and wont EVER get better. He can barely dribble, cant really cross and defo cant shoot (straight). I am shocked that this is not obvious to people on this forum. Imho we should get rid or at the very least have him as a squad player.

Same Valencia swept all the awards when we won league multiple times. Well not exactly same Valencia but same person.

Valencia is very underrated player. His final ball is bit lacking but what he offers to team is very important. Carrick few years back said it, Valencia carrying ball 50-60 yards towards opposition goal relives pressure on ManUtd players. He is excellent outlet to pass and he is very much capable of retaining possession whilst carrying the ball 50 yards away from the goal. We don't have anyone who can offer that.

IMO playing him as RB is bit of an issue as he lacks so many things to be a very good RB but he is a decent one. He should be playing as RW instead of Lingard. Better in every possible way.

Also his first touch is among the best in the squad which he never got much credit for. He knows how to stretch defense and provide width, something out wingers and full backs lack.

In short, Valencia is a very good player to have. We can obviously sign upgrade on him but he is not the problem. Also absolute professional, not a single worry for any manager and he even sacked his agent to stay at ManUtd.