The Manchester United Thread

[Scouseinthehouse]

It’s simple no matter what anyone says. We pay the 120m he’s ours.

I'll be seriously surprised if that's the case now personally but good luck in that regard.

That needs to happen this window with a free run at it if Utd are to stand any chance of ever landing him.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

I'll be seriously surprised if that's the case now personally but good luck in that regard.

That needs to happen this window with a free run at it if Utd are to stand any chance of ever landing him.

If it doesn’t then I wouldn’t be as confident going into the next summers window. But still think we would have a good chance if we carry on showing improvement.

 

[Sherkey]

If it doesn’t then I wouldn’t be as confident going into the next summers window. But still think we would have a good chance if we carry on showing improvement.

Doubt it. Either of Liverpool or City are interested, he will go there. Not to mention Madrid/Barcelona. And if PSG win the CL this time around, they become a bit more attractive too, despite the crowd and France.

The problem is that all those teams are at the top of their respective leagues. And almost all of them could easily use a talent like Sancho. Other than Liverpool, nobody has a player who has nailed the RW role in those teams (well, City, if Sterling is playing on the right).

While we have been playing well, and showing slight improvements (I still have my doubts about Ole, but definitely an improvement overall on Mou - still feel he is the manager to set the squad right and get the right players for the next coach), we aren't at the top yet, and we won't be for atleast 2 years (with the right transfers and an improvement in our tactics/playing style).

The only chance next season depends on whether or not people are allowed back in football stadiums next year. If it's the same as this year, well, no club will be able to afford Sancho. If people are allowed back, and clubs start making revenue, then it's anybody's ball game.

 

[Sherkey]

Also, I don't know why, but almost everyone we sign/linked to are superstars/potential superstars. What happened to finding those unheard gems (or lesser known ones)? City/Liverpool still do it - Bernardo Silva/Roberto Firmino/Mo Salah etc etc.

Seems we set too much store in getting the best possible player for a position, rather than getting one and improving on them. I understand that transfers like Vidic/Evra are extremely rare, but surely there are equally good prospects like Sancho, only less bandied about?

We desperately need more/better science and analytics in our backroom (and need the club to trust in it). I've never heard of any science involved in our scouting ever, mind you. It likely is there, but we don't dig deep enough.

Also, importantly, we need a better sporting director. Jeez. We need to get Woodward out of that role.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Doubt it. Either of Liverpool or City are interested, he will go there. Not to mention Madrid/Barcelona. And if PSG win the CL this time around, they become a bit more attractive too, despite the crowd and France.

The problem is that all those teams are at the top of their respective leagues. And almost all of them could easily use a talent like Sancho. Other than Liverpool, nobody has a player who has nailed the RW role in those teams (well, City, if Sterling is playing on the right).

While we have been playing well, and showing slight improvements (I still have my doubts about Ole, but definitely an improvement overall on Mou - still feel he is the manager to set the squad right and get the right players for the next coach), we aren't at the top yet, and we won't be for atleast 2 years (with the right transfers and an improvement in our tactics/playing style).

The only chance next season depends on whether or not people are allowed back in football stadiums next year. If it's the same as this year, well, no club will be able to afford Sancho. If people are allowed back, and clubs start making revenue, then it's anybody's ball game.

If reports are true and he’s if mentioned in an interview he wants a return to England and be around all his family then that would rule out most of those options. And he won’t go back to City. I would only be worried about Pool and even then depending on the crowds etc like you said, they would have to sell one of there Workd class front 3 to accommodate him.

 

[Sherkey]

If reports are true and he’s if mentioned in an interview he wants a return to England and be around all his family then that would rule out most of those options. And he won’t go back to City. I would only be worried about Pool and even then depending on the crowds etc like you said, they would have to sell one of there Workd class front 3 to accommodate him.

I wouldn't really put stock in that. Most likely a release fed to the press. Or a misinterpretation of a statement.

But yeah, Liverpool, most likely not. He wouldn't want to be a back-up. They may come into the picture if either of Salah/Mane is sold (which, quite frankly, is improbable - and even if it happens, will be for astronomical fees). City would still be an option, although, I don't think they've spent that much on any one single player, so I dunno.

But Madrid? Definitely an option (despite them being a fading team). Same with Barca, although they seem to have bigger issues than Madrid (something I thought wouldn't be possible).

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Also, I don't know why, but almost everyone we sign/linked to are superstars/potential superstars. What happened to finding those unheard gems (or lesser known ones)? City/Liverpool still do it - Bernardo Silva/Roberto Firmino/Mo Salah etc etc.

Seems we set too much store in getting the best possible player for a position, rather than getting one and improving on them. I understand that transfers like Vidic/Evra are extremely rare, but surely there are equally good prospects like Sancho, only less bandied about?

We desperately need more/better science and analytics in our backroom (and need the club to trust in it). I've never heard of any science involved in our scouting ever, mind you. It likely is there, but we don't dig deep enough.

Also, importantly, we need a better sporting director. Jeez. We need to get Woodward out of that role.

Don’t think that’s the case tbh. Fernandes, Maguire, AWB, James are not superstar signings by any means. Think those days are long gone with Ole in charge.

Could say James could turn out to be a unheard gem if he improves on his final decision making. We seem to be going with buying highly rated players at a very young age which we have been investing heavily in the last 3/4 years and hoping they develop. Or young players who will improve with age and time. Im happy with that tbh.

We defiantly have had a huge shake up in scouting and analytics since Ole has taken over and the transfer structure in total. It’s been clear to see. Not perfect yet but night and day from years past.

Salah, Bernardo, Firmino wasn’t really unheard of either. They were players that already proved themselves in good leagues. But no doubt have improved.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

..... Also, importantly, we need a better sporting director. Jeez. We need to get Woodward out of that role.

To quote (arguably) the best coach in World football, BOOM!!!!!!

To quote myself, for whatever that's worth, from earlier this season in this thread, so long as the Glaziers own Utd, and ergo there is no proper structure or SD as they aren't interested in taking the power away from Woodward, you'll never come close to challenging for the league.

The best hope right now is either for a takeover of the club or wait it out for Klopp and Pep to leave their respective clubs. (But that's not a realistic 'hope' as both those clubs are perfectly set up for sustained success regardless of the manager going forward.).

But that's just my personal opinion (and not one I wish to get into a debate over) from the standpoint of being a fan of a club through much of the PL era that Utd now and your continued, repeated mistakes are SO alike it's uncanny. And the longer it rolls, the further and further away you get. Reading the grasping hope off very little in reality is like deja vu on being a L'pool fan through the '90's.

But good luck in the Europa semi regardless. I can genuinely say, even in our lofty position of being Champions of everything, I'm envious sat watching and not being involved in European football right now.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Will listening what Fjortoft, Stoney, Ramano say on there joint podcast later

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

.... I would only be worried about Pool and even then depending on the crowds etc like you said, they would have to sell one of there Workd class front 3 to accommodate him.

They really wouldn't but it's a moot discussion right now as COVID has decreed that won't be an option this window.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

They really wouldn't but it's a moot discussion right now as COVID has decreed that won't be an option this window.

Oh he would play CM ?

 

[zzeezzy]

Getting back to challenging and to the top is a process that takes years, all I can say is that we've took the first step by getting back in to the CL and the work Solskjaer has done in building a better dressing room. Right now it's about improving again next season, consolidating a top 3 finish and trying to win a trophy, maybe get to the QF's of CL for example is progress.

But it also requires work off the pitch (obviously as I alluded to with Solskjaer bringing in the right mentality of players and getting a healthier dressing room), but he needs help now to take us further in this coming season, if we fail to improve in the transfer market then unfortunately we'll stall again like we have done before when not backing other managers during their project.

Yes we know glazers are not great owners, but they give the money to invest, Woodward done well last transfer window (for once, even though he should have signed bruno too before jan), but he better not ****** this one up now we are on the right patch... would be unforgivable. But the main point is, it's a step at a time and at the moment we are in the right direction providing we strengthen this window we're well set then to have another good season.

 

[Scouseinthehouse]

Oh he would play CM ?

They wouldn't have to offload one to bring one in. And it's grasping and then some to think he wouldn't be happy just to be a part of that group under Klopp knowing that he'd have a good decade or more to himself when one of them moves on in a few years.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Getting back to challenging and to the top is a process that takes years, all I can say is that we've took the first step by getting back in to the CL and the work Solskjaer has done in building a better dressing room. Right now it's about improving again next season, consolidating a top 3 finish and trying to win a trophy, maybe get to the QF's of CL for example is progress.

But it also requires work off the pitch (obviously as I alluded to with Solskjaer bringing in the right mentality of players and getting a healthier dressing room), but he needs help now to take us further in this coming season, if we fail to improve in the transfer market then unfortunately we'll stall again like we have done before when not strengthening our weaknesses in the squad.

Yes we know glazers are not great owners, but they give the money to invest, Woodward done well last transfer window (for once, even though he should have signed bruno too before jan), but he better not ****** this one up now we are on the right patch... would be unforgivable. But the main point is, it's a step at a time and at the moment we are in the right direction providing we strengthen this window we're well set then to have another good season.

Hard not to agree with any of this! ??

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

They wouldn't have to offload one to bring one in. And it's grasping and then some to think he wouldn't be happy just to be a part of that group under Klopp knowing that he'd have a good decade or more to himself when one of them moves on in a few years.

Was not talking financially. Talking about keeping all 4 happy till one moves on. Which I can’t see being to soon as for me it’s the best attacking front 3 in Europe.

 

[zzeezzy]

Who would you guys rather in the semi? Personally favour Sevilla because Wolves are a bogey team and whenever we play them I find the game quite boring tbh.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Who would you guys rather in the semi? Personally favour Sevilla because Wolves are a bogey team and whenever we play them I find the game quite boring tbh.

That’s a tough one. We do seem to struggle against Wolves especially pre Ole. But if I had to choose it would be them. Sevilla are an excellent Cup team and especially EL team with vast experience. In reality we should be beating either.

 

[Legend Incredible]

That would be a brilliant shout as last night glaringly showed the need for again. One of the best midfielders in the World for that price is an absolute bargain. I just don't see where he'd have any incentive to go to Utd when he's in 'win now' mode at this stage of his career and you're light years away from that.

Given the general consensus in here is a right-sided attacker, who's up next now Sancho is completely off the table this window?

You make a valid point. We can't really sell the "potential to win trophies" project to a 29 year old whom would want to win trophies much sooner than later. I see it selling to relatively younger players below 26 (which has been OGS' transfer direction). I personally don't think he'll be looking to sign Thiago due to age and I kinda doubt Thiago would want to sign as he wants short term success rather than probable success in 3-5 years time.


I wouldn't say Sancho is off the table yet but it seems like the accountant is reluctant to sheep out the €120 million asking price. It might be better to move onto other alternatives. I brought up Leon Bailey but seems like folks on here weren't very receptive to that.

 

[Vanjagl]

Would love Thiago even despite his age. Still absolute quality and would replace Matic for most games. Wages and his desire to want to be here would be my only concerns.

Thiago Alcantara? He's no DM. He would be Pogbas replacement.

 

[Theatre of Dreams83]

Poor Dimani Mellor torn his ACL in training. Shame showed some good development and promise last season up top.