The Manchester United Thread

[RedUnited]

am I the only one who really hopes Mou will use Valencia as Right Winger instead of Right Back?

Utilizing his pace, work rate and crossing/passing to feed Zlatan? With Martial on the the Left Wing doing his business!

 

[epic terrorist]

It's quite the paradox in France. IIRC, there's more French born players playing across Europe than even Brazilians. With some excellent ones in major leagues like Lloris, Pogba, Greizman, Martial, Payet et all. But then there's the flip side of a completely dominated one team league that makes Scotland look competitive at times and who's club have an absolutely abysmal record in Europe. But whilst the top quality remains converged on one club, and the overall interest and money just isn't there in the league, I don't see a way out for the French to improve things as they have to sell to survive.

It's not as **** poor a league as the SPL or Eradivision (Sp?), but it's hardly competitive and of a high quality standard as you noted.

*Edit* I didn't realise the French have now been surpassed by even the Portuguese Primeira League into 6th place in the UEFA coefficients. That's how far the league as a whole has fallen.

Yeah another thing that doesn't help Ligue 1 is the french tax laws. I am sure it is at 80 percent tax or something? I know its one of the highest rates in Europe. So even "average" players can make more money in other so called inferior leagues. Its probably been a big factor in why as you have noted there is a high spread of French players throughout Europe.

 

[zzeezzy]

am I the only one who really hopes Mou will use Valencia as Right Winger instead of Right Back?

Utilizing his pace, work rate and crossing/passing to feed Zlatan? With Martial on the the Left Wing doing his business!

One problem, Valencia's crossing isn't the best, although I'd prefer him there over full-back, however I think we need a better option than him even at RW.

 

[Tyton]

Yeah, Zlatan always guaranteed 30 goals a year, but he also always had a tendency to dissapear versus good opposition, and hasn't played in an actual competitive league in over a decade.

10 years ago he was in Juve when they bought the title, then he went to Inter who had no competition because all the other big teams got hit by Calciopoli. Then he went to peak Pep's Barca, then a short still in Milan. And now 50 goals a year for PSG, in a **** league, playing for a club that has obscene financial advantage. The situation there is absurd, the league may as well be fixed, the whole place makes Bundesliga seem like a very open competition.

He definitely has it in him to bang 15-20 a year in the Prem though, anything above that is a bonus. In any case, on a free transfer with 1 year contract, it's a no-risk transfer. He'll move a lot of shirts, score some goals, if it works, great, if it doesn't, the marketing gains for United will probably cover his wages.

 

[wkdsoul]

Yeah, Zlatan always guaranteed 30 goals a year, but he also always had a tendency to dissapear versus good opposition, and hasn't played in an actual competitive league in over a decade.

10 years ago he was in Juve when they bought the title, then he went to Inter who had no competition because all the other big teams got hit by Calciopoli. Then he went to peak Pep's Barca, then a short still in Milan. And now 50 goals a year for PSG, in a **** league, playing for a club that has obscene financial advantage. The situation there is absurd, the league may as well be fixed, the whole place makes Bundesliga seem like a very open competition.

He definitely has it in him to bang 15-20 a year in the Prem though, anything above that is a bonus. In any case, on a free transfer with 1 year contract, it's a no-risk transfer. He'll move a lot of shirts, score some goals, if it works, great, if it doesn't, the marketing gains for United will probably cover his wages.

Hes only ever scored 30 in all comps once outside of France, but a mostly solid 20, the fact he kept a consistant Champions League record is prob a better indicator at this stage of the game

 

[Tyton]

Hes only ever scored 30 in all comps once outside of France, but a mostly solid 20, the fact he kept a consistant Champions League record is prob a better indicator at this stage of the game

I meant approximatly, obviously.

But yeah, I think people who are dismissing the fact that he still scores a lot because French league is ****, are out of their ****** mind. The guy bangs twice as more in France at the age of 35, than as he was scoring when he was in his 20s.

 

[sunilvk7]

I meant approximatly, obviously.

But yeah, I think people who are dismissing the fact that he still scores a lot because French league is ****, are out of their ****** mind. The guy bangs twice as more in France at the age of 35, than as he was scoring when he was in his 20s.

That's because Ibra was not a pure goal scorer in his younger days and his finishing was erratic. Obviously French league and PSG being so far ahead of their nearest rivals helps but Ibra as a player has improved and matured a lot. His CL performance is better now than when he was in 20s.

French league is **** but people want to sign players from French league. People rate Lacazette so highly but he scores lot less than Ibra in the same league, same with Cavani.

Also people talk about his physicality and lack of pace. Here are few players who played in PL.

Ibra isn't slower than Giroud and Giroud scored 16 league goals in 26 games.
Charlie Austin scored 18 goals last season.
Bony is not super quick but scored many goals playing for Swansea.
How fast was Dzeko? Scored loads.
Rickie Lambert who is slower than Snail scored many goals for Southampton.
Mata who is slower than most players in the league scored and assisted loads when the set up was proper.
Berbatov playing for Fulham scored 15 goals.
Michu scored 18

Everything depends on how we set up the team. PL is quicker league but not hard to score if the team is set up properly and players know how to use the space left by teams.

 

[sunilvk7]

Rumors that we are in advanced negotiations for Eric Bailly. Vilareal defender. Not a clue who or how good he is.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Rumors that we are in advanced negotiations for Eric Bailly. Vilareal defender. Not a clue who or how good he is.

Yep lots reporting on it now in Europe. Watched him a lot for Villareal this season. Has been there best CB! 23 years old Ivory Coast international, Strong, Pacey enough, a beast in the air at about 6ft 4. And fairly comfortable on the ball. Was great versus Pool in the Europa and they missed him big time in the second leg. Would be delighted with this could become a top top CB.

 

[wkdsoul]

Rumors that we are in advanced negotiations for Eric Bailly. Vilareal defender. Not a clue who or how good he is.

22 years old, 6' 2, decent speed, strong (think Vidic type CB).
League game played 25, subbed off 6 times, booked 10, red 1, goals 1
Games missed through injury 10 this season (3 separate injuries)
Games missed through suspension 3.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Can also play RB and LB his ball playing skills are very underrated considering his size.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Wood be very happy if three of our signings this Summer are Zlatan, Baily, Gomes. Very good start to the window.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Just been searching a bit more about him. The fee is reported at around 19m with about 12m in add ons. Rejected Barca and City after he knew Mourinho wanted him. And was the best player at the last AFCON when his team won it.

 

[wkdsoul]

Just been searching a bit more about him. The fee is reported at around 19m with about 12m in add ons. Rejected Barca and City after he knew Mourinho wanted him. And was the best player at the last AFCON when his team won it.

Erm, rejected what exactly? being scouted last year?

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Ballague and Cedena Sar saying all is agreed. Not in there squad due to finalising transfer. Suppose this is the bonus of Mourinho doing nothing but going round Europe watching football matches since he's been in employed.

 

[Tyton]

That's because Ibra was not a pure goal scorer in his younger days and his finishing was erratic.

Well, no, that's because in his younger days he had to play against Maldini, Nesta or Cannavaro, while in PSG he plays against whoever is left after foreign teams are done raiding the french clubs after the transfer window.

Obviously French league and PSG being so far ahead of their nearest rivals helps but Ibra as a player has improved and matured a lot. His CL performance is better now than when he was in 20s.

Yeah, I'm sure it has nothing with the fact that Platini's CL reform allowed more **** clubs in the Champions League group stages, where you can bang them goals to your hearts content. I kind of wonder if Messi and Ronaldo would beat Raul and Inzaghi goal scoring records so quickly, if they had to play against proper teams instead of champions of Cyprus.

Also people talk about his physicality and lack of pace. Here are few players who played in PL.

So maybe you should respond to these people instead, because I never actually said that Ibra's lack of pace is a problem. Van Persie wasn't exactly a sprinter, either.

EpicTerrorist had it right, defending is kind of **** in PL, so Ibra can still bang 15-20 easily, which is not bad output by PL standards anyways.

 

[MANUMAD]

am I the only one who really hopes Mou will use Valencia as Right Winger instead of Right Back?

Utilizing his pace, work rate and crossing/passing to feed Zlatan? With Martial on the the Left Wing doing his business!

I pray he sells him along with Young actually ...

 

[Theatre of dreams]

I pray he sells him along with Young actually ...

I would happily keep both as squad players next season our squad is thin! Then ship them on the season after.

 

[Theatre of dreams]

Man Utd Update– ‏@MufcDevilUpdate

Villarreal have confirmed via Spanish radio that 22-year-old defender Eric Bailly is joining Manchester United. #MUFC

Original source Gardian journo.

 

[sunilvk7]

Well, no, that's because in his younger days he had to play against Maldini, Nesta or Cannavaro, while in PSG he plays against whoever is left after foreign teams are done raiding the french clubs after the transfer window.

He played for Inter when Juventus were relegated. He played in Serie A when defense was no longer so strong in late 2000s. Also league is not full of Nestas and Maldinis. When he played for Inter, Serie A was in worst state with no Juventus and all the top teams rebuilding.

Yeah, I'm sure it has nothing with the fact that Platini's CL reform allowed more **** clubs in the Champions League group stages, where you can bang them goals to your hearts content. I kind of wonder if Messi and Ronaldo would beat Raul and Inzaghi goal scoring records so quickly, if they had to play against proper teams instead of champions of Cyprus.

CL always had whipping boys and there is no change in that. Messi and Ronaldo would have easily scored more goals with 2 group stages instead of just 1.