The Footie Thread

[Deleted member 16999]

Not sure if you are including me in that, but I’ve been a United fan for nearly fifty years and a regular at Old Trafford for many of them.

At the start of the season I didn’t believe we had a prayer of making top four. I thought, whilst the club doubtless has quality at their disposal, the squad is thin and there have been alarming gaps in key areas for far too long.

Defensively, we are appalling. We have been for far too long. Even with Maguire we struggle to defend set pieces but, without him, we are a car crash waiting to happen. Before Villareal’s goal last night I commented at the ridiculously high line United were holding, knowing full well that any decent ball would lead to Lindelöf being bullied out of the challenge. That’s not me professing to be an expert, merely the fact I have seen it happen that often I know what’s coming. A commanding centre back with pace is a desperate need, and has been for too long.

Don’t let second place fool you. The home form has been abysmal. It’s only the astonishing away form which finds us where we are, and I wonder how the absence of fans has contributed to it.

Don’t get me wrong, there are certainly signs that United are on the right track. But what has really frustrated me at times is when Solskjaer hasn’t gone for the kill in games which have been there for the taking. Liverpool away is a prime example - they were on a poor run, we, at the time, were in a title race. And yet Solskjaer went all Mourinho on us and played for the draw. I was screaming at the television.

A good year, if you look at the table and a run in Europe. An average one if you actually consider the reality of how both were achieved. Getting into the Europa League via the back door and then being given the benefit of a largely easy draw should have been a passport to silverware. But even that was too tough for a squad lacking in key areas to handle.

Did you miss the non-Utd fans bit?

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Its called a discussion. Are people not allowed an option anymore?

I've spent all season listening to experts and fans of other clubs give their opinion on Leeds this season. Most have no idea and have been wrong.

Not on about discussing anything, but some apparently weakness’s that were obvious but only just mentioning it.

Half of the points have never been raised and the other half wouldn’t of been mentioned if they’d of won last night.

The way Utd is being discussed is exactly the same as the Leeds opinion.

 

[Billysboots]

Did you miss the non-Utd fans bit?

No. I wondered whether you might have thought I was a “non-Utd fan”, hence me taking the opportunity to clarify it.

 

[pokerjoke]

I think it’s always a rocky road when players arrive that the manager doesn’t want. De Beek is a very good player - better than the likes of Fred , it may not be his player but to ignore him seems daft - he would improve the centre of the park for the team

OGS reminds me a bit of Roy Evans - a good club person but just doesn’t have the standing to manage at that high level. They will buy again in the summer but I don’t see them getting near to winning either of the big comps. His track record just isn’t there and he isn’t changing that in the past 2 and half years. The football even isn’t even good to watch at times.
Put it this way I hope they stick with him.

Classic clueless Phil
How can you seriously say VDB is better than Fred.
VDB hasn’t played enough games or minutes to even compare the 2
He’s done nothing since he came and will leave having done nothing.
Fred started off poorly but kept Pogba on the bench on many occasions and done well.

 

[Billysboots]

Classic clueless Phil
How can you seriously say VDB is better than Fred.
VDB hasn’t played enough games or minutes to even compare the 2
He’s done nothing since he came and will leave having done nothing.
Fred started off poorly but kept Pogba on the bench on many occasions and done well.

Hmmmm. Fred started badly, and whilst he had a decent run of games earlier this season and appeared to have, at long last, settled in the Premier League, he has now reverted to type.

For the last couple of months he has been beyond poor. At times he has been embarrassing to watch.

 

[Junior]

Having watched the vast majority of Man U games over the past 35 years I’ve lived the good times and the not so good.

More recently I’ve suffered through Moyes and then the brick wall tactics of LVG and Mourinio. I can safely say this OGS is the best team we have had in the past 10 years, and when on song, plays the best football. Whilst trophy-less, we have improved year on year but been plagued by inconsistency that I think 3 players could help fix. A CB (if Bailey keeps getting injured) a holding Centre Midfielder (Fred is pants) and Right Winger. The manager market is bare so I think our best option is to give him 3 signings and the chance to learn from his mistakes. OGS has done enough to deserve another season.

 

[Junior]

I think it’s always a rocky road when players arrive that the manager doesn’t want. De Beek is a very good player - better than the likes of Fred , it may not be his player but to ignore him seems daft - he would improve the centre of the park for the team

OGS reminds me a bit of Roy Evans - a good club person but just doesn’t have the standing to manage at that high level. They will buy again in the summer but I don’t see them getting near to winning either of the big comps. His track record just isn’t there and he isn’t changing that in the past 2 and half years. The football even isn’t even good to watch at times.
Put it this way I hope they stick with him.

VDB should never have been signed as we have Pogba and Fernandes. It’s unfair to compare him to Fred’s as he's a holding midfielder.

 

[pokerjoke]

Hmmmm. Fred started badly, and whilst he had a decent run of games earlier this season and appeared to have, at long last, settled in the Premier League, he has now reverted to type.

For the last couple of months he has been beyond poor. At times he has been embarrassing to watch.

My point is some Hockey expert thinks Fred is worse than VDB he’s obviously not,pure and simple.
Certainly agree Fred’s not the answer.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

No. I wondered whether you might have thought I was a “non-Utd fan”, hence me taking the opportunity to clarify it.

Dont worry Billy - it’s more posting towards posters , same with some others, as BIM it’s just a discussion and this time it’s about UTD because they are relevant right now after losing last night.

Having watched the vast majority of Man U games over the past 35 years I’ve lived the good times and the not so good.

More recently I’ve suffered through Moyes and then the brick wall tactics of LVG and Mourinio. I can safely say this OGS is the best team we have had in the past 10 years, and when on song, plays the best football. Whilst trophy-less, we have improved year on year but been plagued by inconsistency that I think 3 players could help fix. A CB (if Bailey keeps getting injured) a holding Centre Midfielder (Fred is pants) and Right Winger. The manager market is bare so I think our best option is to give him 3 signings and the chance to learn from his mistakes. OGS has done enough to deserve another season.

It’s a heck of risk mate - do you give OGS that level of money for those players when he just isn’t proven as yet to be able to get the best out of them . There are managers like Conte , Loew available and even ones like Simeone may want to move - Utd have never been afraid to go after the big players and spend the money needed but for a manager they seem reluctant.

There are some very talented players in the team but the last two times I have seen them just seem to be lacking structure and ideas - Cavani has dug them out of a hole a couple of times , De Beek who was superb player at Ajax just wasting away whilst Fred is on the pitch.

Chelsea have had a stuttering season prob because of the amount of players they brought - but they took that decision to remove the club man as manager and replace with someone who has shown to be proven.

Utd could bring in the three players suggested but I don’t see it being enough to challenge for the title ?‍

 

[Deleted member 15344]

VDB should never have been signed as we have Pogba and Fernandes. It’s unfair to compare him to Fred’s as he's a holding midfielder.

If Fred is a holding mid then he must be the worst in the world , can’t tackle , can’t cover.

Pogba is a superb talent but just don’t produce on the pitch consistently

McTominey last night was your best midfielder last night

And then he takes off Greenwood who was actually playing well and replaces him with Fred ?! Baffling

If the midfield was dominating games you could understand why De Beek would just sit there but that doesn’t seem the case.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

No. I wondered whether you might have thought I was a “non-Utd fan”, hence me taking the opportunity to clarify it.

Was aware who you supported.

 

[Deleted member 16999]

Dont worry Billy - it’s more posting towards posters , same with some others, as BIM it’s just a discussion and this time it’s about UTD because they are relevant right now after losing last night.

Absolute garbage, you are the first to moan when others highlight LPool’s weakness’s and straight away make excuses as to why your season was as it was.

Who had the better season, weak Man Utd with the clueless manager or LPool who were reigning Champs?

 

[Deleted member 15344]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1397692689550872580

Oops ??

And good old Moreno ??

https://twitter.com/x/status/1397808751307112448

 

[Tashyboy]

Having watched the vast majority of Man U games over the past 35 years I’ve lived the good times and the not so good.

More recently I’ve suffered through Moyes and then the brick wall tactics of LVG and Mourinio. I can safely say this OGS is the best team we have had in the past 10 years, and when on song, plays the best football. Whilst trophy-less, we have improved year on year but been plagued by inconsistency that I think 3 players could help fix. A CB (if Bailey keeps getting injured) a holding Centre Midfielder (Fred is pants) and Right Winger. The manager market is bare so I think our best option is to give him 3 signings and the chance to learn from his mistakes. OGS has done enough to deserve another season.

Zidane, Poch, Conte, plus the guy from french champions hardly leaves the market bare. The problem is enticing them.
As a City fan it would be all to easy to lay the boot in but It hardly adds to discussion. I said about Utd when Maureen was there. He does not inspire players. Neither does Ole. An open question. What exactly is Utds style of play? I saw them raise there game v City, but that standard should be every week and for 90 minutes. What I find very odd is some folk on here think it has been a rubbish season quality wise yet Utd have had a good season finishing runners up and getting to a final ?
I think Utd, Arsenal, Spurs and a few others need a good clear out

 

[fundy]

Zidane, Poch, Conte, plus the guy from french champions hardly leaves the market bare. The problem is enticing them.
As a City fan it would be all to easy to lay the boot in but It hardly adds to discussion. I said about Utd when Maureen was there. He does not inspire players. Neither does Ole. An open question. What exactly is Utds style of play? I saw them raise there game v City, but that standard should be every week and for 90 minutes. What I find very odd is some folk on here think it has been a rubbish season quality wise yet Utd have had a good season finishing runners up and getting to a final ?
I think Utd, Arsenal, Spurs and a few others need a good clear out

every club in the top half has plenty of "deadwood" that could do with clearing, the difference is some clubs can afford to leave them be and buy replacements

others, Arsenal especially, just keep picking them lol

far easier said than done to move on players who are on hefty wages that they cant command elsewhere

 

[Tashyboy]

every club in the top half has plenty of "deadwood" that could do with clearing, the difference is some clubs can afford to leave them be and buy replacements

others, Arsenal especially, just keep picking them lol

far easier said than done to move on players who are on hefty wages that they cant command elsewhere

?

Gonna be interesting to see where he ends up
Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, who Milan director Paolo Maldini confirmed will leave the club when his contract ends in June.

 

[fundy]

?

Gonna be interesting to see where he ends up
Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, who Milan director Paolo Maldini confirmed will leave the club when his contract ends in June.

rumoured to be available to the highest bidder on all accounts

The lad theyve bought from Lille is decent

 

[Junior]

If Fred is a holding mid then he must be the worst in the world , can’t tackle , can’t cover, can’t pass

Pogba is a superb talent but just don’t produce on the pitch consistently

McTominey last night was your best midfielder last night

And then he takes off Greenwood who was actually playing well and replaces him with Fred ?! Baffling

If the midfield was dominating games you could understand why De Beek would just sit there but that doesn’t seem the case.

Fixed that for you

 

[Deleted member 15344]

?

Gonna be interesting to see where he ends up
Italian Gianluigi Donnarumma, 22, who Milan director Paolo Maldini confirmed will leave the club when his contract ends in June.

Not sure who actually needs a GK and would be willing to pay the level of wages he was asking for - PSG would be my bet

Fixed that for you

?? sorry didnt him on the ball enough to witness the passing

He took a good pen though

 

[Junior]

Zidane, Poch, Conte, plus the guy from french champions hardly leaves the market bare. The problem is enticing them.
As a City fan it would be all to easy to lay the boot in but It hardly adds to discussion. I said about Utd when Maureen was there. He does not inspire players. Neither does Ole. An open question. What exactly is Utds style of play? I saw them raise there game v City, but that standard should be every week and for 90 minutes. What I find very odd is some folk on here think it has been a rubbish season quality wise yet Utd have had a good season finishing runners up and getting to a final ?
I think Utd, Arsenal, Spurs and a few others need a good clear out

This is what I see (in bold) and it’s happened quite a few times this season. There’s signs we can be really good. It’s just consistency.

Not convinced with those mgr choices Tash.

Zidane has all the resources in the world and messed up RM. Poch won nothing with Spurs and lost the French league this season with the best team in it. Conte did well at the start with Chelsea (and beat us in the fa cup) before taking them to 5th in the Prem. Ole took us to 2nd last year.