Pin-seeker
Well-known member
Maybe it’s because we get running commentary for every Liverpool game,so “ref errors” get highlighted more
Don Barzini
Assistant Pro
I know you guys didn't seem to rate him, but I always thought Dean Henderson was decent. I'd certainly rather have him between the sticks than Onana.
We wanted him after his loan season with us but from what I could see Man U messed us around mercilessly during the negotiations. Same as they did with James Garner - another player I'd have liked to sign permanently at the time.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
With the way things are going there is every chance that Arsenal players may well be required to give a guard of honour
Whilst I hate the idea of guard of honour - it would be amusing to see Arteta do one
Whilst I hate the idea of guard of honour - it would be amusing to see Arteta do one
Red devil
Well-known member
Personally I liked Henderson and was bemused when they let him go.
Swango1980
Well-known member
I would sort of agree with this in hindsight, but at the time a decision was made, I'm not so sure.
Had De Gea still had another year or two on his contract, I'm pretty sure he would have remained at the club. But, as it was running out at the end of the season, Utd needed to decide whether they gave him a new contract. He was already on £375,000 a week, and from what I believe wanted at least that if not more to stay on. Utd offered him a reduced contract, and he played hard ball. De Gea was a good shot stopper, very good at times. But, he was still ridiculed often enough. Personally, I never felt he commanded much authority in the back line, not great at crosses or with the ball at his feet (unless he was saving it with his feet. Had Utd given him what he wanted, I'm pretty sure it would not have solved the issues we have faced since. We'd still be poor, and fans would laugh at us for giving him so much, just like we did with Rashford (which wasn't even at De Geas salary level). We could have been stick with a ridiculously highly paid keeper, and just another player in a catalogue of players that we can't get rid off.
At the time, Onana was a highly rated keeper. Any keeper is a risk. However, they were getting a younger keeper in, one that is meant to be better on the ball, and one that saves you more than £13 million a season on wages.
Sure, the jury is out big time on him. I hadn't written him off, like others had, by the start of this season. And, he had a solid start to the season. However, in the last month or two, those errors have crept in, one horror error. And the first goal last night was crazy. I'd understand him coming out if it was to stop the attacker getting the ball. But his defender was clearly in control, so he needed to stay back to give his defender room, and give him a nice easy pass back. He also has a habit of good reaction saves, but his instincts often don't palm the ball away from danger. I'm sure most golfers train and train to make instinctive saves, and also making it instinctive to push the ball over the bar, or wide. Whereas he seems to let it rebound to somewhere in the 6 yard box.
I still think we'll stick with him for a decent period, because we can't really afford to replace him, when there are still other positions much more critical. he is increasingly in danger of being dropped for another of Utd's goalkeepers, but as they are injured at the moment, he may be keeping his position by default.
My concern with Henderson was his stature. Opposition sides always crowded him out when United were defending set pieces and it caused him real issues. And rumour always was that he was a significant disruption in the dressing room.
That said, getting rid of him hasn’t really solved either issue!
Red devil
Well-known member
Yes I'd heard that rumour of his attitude
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
De Gea was superb and after a number of tries getting one was finally a top class GK
But believe ETH wanted someone better with his feet ?!
Onana imo was another case of ETH wanting players that he worked with at Ajax
Bunkermagnet
Journeyman Pro
I’m going to regret saying this as I don’t want this idea to get back to those who have control of Utd, but you could make a step up with Kellerher, who is reported to want to be first pick in goal.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Can see many clubs looking at him , better than a good number of number 1’s in the league
Heard Chelsea were after him , as well as West Ham
Wouldn’t want to see him strengthen Man Utd
Decent keeper, I’ve always thought so. He’s certainly good enough to be starting every week in the Premier League.
I've had this chat with my son, Newcastle fan. They are looking for a keeper for next season, strongly rumoured to be getting Trafford from Burnley, but Kellerher is already proven at this level and I think it would be a good move. He is wasted on the bench, he is a very good keeper.
4LEX
Well-known member
Onana was never a highly rated keeper. He'd had one top level season in his entire career and was clearly fairly erratic. Inter signed him on a free transfer after a drug ban and were delighted to get over £40m for him within 12 months. It was high risk signing and has turned out to be a huge waste of money. Two years of rubbish (bar a few games at the start of this season) and you actually think he'll remain number one for a decent period? Man Utd need two new keepers as the back up is even worse than Onana and there's zero pressure on him to step things up.
Finances might well be tight but a new keeper and striker have to be the two areas that are vital to any sort of rebuild.
4LEX
Well-known member
Trafford is different level and will be taking over from Pickford next season in the England side IMO.
That's interesting to hear. I haven't seen him so really can't comment.
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
He has been very much talked about for a couple seasons , did well for Burnley in the Prem and again this season been part of a very very defensively sound Burnley this season
Next year will prob be his last year there
Swango1980
Well-known member
Finishing 6th in Balon D'Or GK list isn't too badly, must have been rated highly by a few people at the time. And I said I think he'll remain No.1 for a decent period simply because I don't see Utd going out and splashing cash on a GK pretty much everyone will agree is fantastic right from the start. Utd can't score goals, they need to remedy many positions from an attacking perspective. Not just buy a No. 9 and then everything will be splendid, or even acceptable.
The fact that I feel he will be No. 1 for a decent period is not me saying he is a great keeper and should be No. 1 for many many years to come. If Man Utd go out and buy a world class keeper, then great. All I'm saying is that I am not convinced that is where their priority will be. We need to be stronger in the wing back areas, especially if Shaw is never going to get fit again. We'll need more strength in the middle, both the defensive midfielders and attacking. Casemiro and Eriksen will be done, and Mount never looks like he'll be fit. Mainoo is injured a lot lately, and he needs more time to develop anyway. Then, of course, a goal scorer up top, despite that obviously being a tricky position for many clubs to solve.
Onana has made some mistakes lately, but the biggest reason we don't win games is because we can't put the ball in the net, we start games with no tempo and we give the ball away in dangerous positions. If Utd had De Gea now, where would Utd be instead of 14th? Still outside the top 10 presumably, which is 9 points away. Utd have conceded 39 goals, not much more than clubs like Man City and Chelsea. But they've scored 33. Half as many as Liverpool, 20 less than Spurs one place above them. Only 5 clubs have scored less, which includes the bottom 3 who have been miles worse than everyone. If Utd had a player like Isak, Wood or even Jackson (who I'm not hoping we sign btw) and they had one or two extra decent players behind that to support them, then you would like to think they can significantly improve goals scores. Replace a goalkeeper, at best you are going to give yourself a small reduction in goals conceded. Which is why I think Utd will focus outfield. Perhaps they'd find a keeper if they could get them on the cheap, and they are highly rated.
Don Barzini
Assistant Pro
Have said several times here and elsewhere that I think Kelleher is a class act. Far too good to just be a second choice keeper.
Prior to this season, I'd have bitten your arm off if you'd have offered him to me at Forest and I do believe we were linked with him. But Matz Sels has turned into Prime Buffon this year, so I don't think we're in the market for a new number one any more.
Swango1980
Well-known member
I'm still surprised he has stayed at Liverpool by the age of 26, played 23 times (league) and is apparently only on £10,000 per week (that's what virtually all website say, apart from one that says he is on £32,000).
Maybe he just loves Liverpool, and is hoping he'll displace Allison and suddenly increase his worth. Or he has a rubbish agent
Arthur Wedge
Well-known member
Yeah there was a lot of talk about Kelleher going to you but no need now - Sels will prob be GK of the year
