The Manchester United Thread

Mike. said:
..... As for Liverpool? When was the last time you lifted a European trophy? Based on the two games so far, you're in zero shape to be lifting anything .....
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They just handed Hoffeinheim their first home defeat in over a season through 19 games as one of those first two.
 
Well, Hoff hasn't played with same team that had that unbeaten run, since two of their best players went to Bayern this june.
 
RhQQ said:
Not writing them off, with Messi they have always a chance, on that alone. But as a whole, they're FAR from the Barca we all know and feared.

Poor club management/recruitment lately. Far too top-heavy and much too reliant on the front 3, they even became much more direct instead of their reputable classy build up.

In recent years they've lost a touch of their identity, La Masia production decreased and they're predominantly opting to buy 'prime' players, which is fine, Madrid do it too with great success.. but ffs, at least Madrid buy ones that are worthy... Alcacer, Andre Gomes, Paulinho, Arda Turan, Vidal, etc.. it's just a list of average players that aren't going to/aren't likely to improve, which I'm sorry, is just so poor for a club of their stature and financial backing (when they identify a player).

I'd near go as far to say Suarez was their last buy that paid off? That's going back a right few seasons now?

If they don't quickly turn it around and sort out a clear future, they could become a sleeping giant ala Milan when the likes of Messi, Pique, Suarez, Iniesta (which is very soon for the no.8) & co. all hang up their boots/not be able to play at the highest level.

I like Barca, just calling it as I see it.
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The problem Milan has was losing all of their aging stars in a very short period. It all started in 2012 when the contracts of several club legends expired. Gattuso, Nesta, Seedorf, Inzaghi and Mark van Bommel all left. We signed the likes of Bakaye Traore, Kevin Constant, Francesco Acerbi and a 19-year-old Stephan el-Shaarawy. Then Silva and Ibra went to PSG in the same window and we got Pazzini, Cassano and De jong on the cheap.

With no cash to replace all the great players we fell pretty spectacularly. Barca have money to spend and a better youth system so they shouldn't drop in the same way. Problem is, everything is clicking for Madrid right now.

Just depends on who Barcelona get, they still have huge pull as a club
 
Jeez, my meltdowns might be frustrating for others, but I can bet your dollar they are more exciting than these last few pages on this thread.

On to Swansea... or something more relevant maybe?
 
zzeezzy said:
Jeez, my meltdowns might be frustrating for others, but I can bet your dollar they are more exciting than these last few pages on this thread.

On to Swansea... or something more relevant maybe?
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Yep. Interested to see what threat they will pose post-Gylfi
 
Mike. said:
Yep. Interested to see what threat they will pose post-Gylfi
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Honestly, I'm looking at their team and finding hardly anything to fear. I found more in the West Ham team. Only one I am really worried about is Llorente.

Really hopeful we can get 3 points from this game, no reason why we can't, no game is easy but this one should be one of our easier away trips this year.
 
zzeezzy said:
Honestly, I'm looking at their team and finding hardly anything to fear. I found more in the West Ham team. Only one I am really worried about is Llorente.

Really hopeful we can get 3 points from this game, no reason why we can't, no game is easy but this one should be one of our easier away trips this year.
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They do tend to have bags of pace on the wings
 
Scouseinthehouse said:
Where did the exaggeration come from, from me saying City and Liverpool are best suited to play the likes of Barcelona?

But if you want to take that literally, they've won twice as many UEFA competitions as any other English side this Millenium (1 more if you say Utd have won the FIFA WC Cup), and been to the joint most CL/ Europa finals as any English club. (Utd.). 4 times. Winning as many of those as any other English club.

So, presumably, you're saying every other English side is of absolutely no relevance in Europe this Millenium either as they've all performed worse? (I know, you extrapolated what I said to 'best.' I'm just asking?).

And being as they were among the top 4 sides in England last year, and everyone likes to take everything literally, not sure where the 'not even top 5 in England' comes in?

Point being they're wholly relevant across Europe. They always have been and always will be regardless down to that European history. Which was reinforced under this manager the run to Basle two years ago. Not least against Dortmund. Or maybe they aren't too cracky either?

Maybe everyone's just full of denial and ignorance? Who knows?

Enjoy the draw a week Friday.

*Edit* Thursday. Has been the past few years. Not sure why I've still got Friday stuck in my mind.
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Oh, you're talking about Barcelona and not RM. Whoops. In my defense, I was **** drunk. Shrugs.
 
BTW, not been able to find official confirmation but there were interesting rumours out in Germany that Utd will have no Country protection next Thursday tea-times draw as Europa league winners.
 
Scouseinthehouse said:
BTW, not been able to find official confirmation but there were interesting rumours out in Germany that Utd will have no Country protection next Thursday tea-times draw as Europa league winners.
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Can't say for sure but I'm relatively confident that Sevilla had it last season after they won it
 
ninjaskill said:
Can't say for sure but I'm relatively confident that Sevilla had it last season after they won it
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Honestly not sure either. More rumour than anything. Just found it interesting that a few press and Liverpool guys thought that might be the case but nobody had a definitive word on it.

*Edit* FWIW, I certainly hope you are protected. There's some great trips there. City or Utd would be sh*te and boring.
 
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Scouseinthehouse said:
Honestly not sure either. More rumour than anything. Just found it interesting that a few press and Liverpool guys thought that might be the case but nobody had a definitive word on it.

*Edit* FWIW, I certainly hope you are protected. There's some great trips there. City or Utd would be sh*te and boring.
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According to UEFA's website a team can't be drawn against one from the same nation in the group stage and it doesn't seem to make any exception for the Europa League winners.
 
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