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The Footie Thread

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It’s always good to see a ref not put up with Atleticos ale house tactics
 
Swango1980 said:
Agree with Poker that Pogba is not the only issue. Also agree that if you got rid of everyone in one go, it could backfire. Strange thing is, when Ole came in they did get rid of a lot of "deadwood", such as getting rid of Lukaku, Sanchez, Young, etc. But, since then, they've stalled in getting rid of players. It is almost like they are hoarding players. Means we have got to a point were, on the face of it they have brought some decent players in. But the squad is so full of players that "could" push for first team spots, and Ole is confused as to what the best team is. I think it has tempted him into thinking that the solution to a bad results is just rotating a few players (until the Spurs game where he suddenly saw the tactics were also important, or at least it was his last chance to try something different).

From my perspective, I would get rid of Pogba, Mata, Martial and Matic. I'm surprised some of them were not sold / released a year or 2 ago. I'd hold on to the likes of Fred for now, although my preference would for him to become a squad player. Rashford, and even Greenwood are starting to concern me. Neither ever seems "up for it", and they often seem to strop about the pitch if things are not going perfectly. Rashford was invisible last night. Compare their attitude to Cavani. Even if things are not going well for him or the team, he is always on his toes, running, and looks determined to turn things around. I'm not sure if that poor attitude is a knock on to how others in the squad behave and / or the manager is unable to deal with it.

Anyone remember Amad Diallo?
Click to expand...

Lukaku wasn't deadwood, he was the best striker Utd had. Pogba, Martial and Sanchez were the real toxic deadwood and two of the three are still there. Ashley Young is a better RB or RWB than AWB too. Phil Jones and Mata getting new deals really showed the manager and board had no clue.

Disagree on Rashford though, he's one of the hardest workers and played through injury for two years. He's come back and has got 3 goals in 5 games and is still way off the pace. Rashford has as much, if not more workrate than Cavani. Rashford plays wide so has to track back, Cavani has less area to cover so it looks like he's putting more in. Although taking nothing away from Cavani who does put in a big shift every game. Greenwood is lazy and selfish, all he does is cut inside and shoot. He's a brilliant striker of the ball and has bailed Ole out so many times but he's not a right forward. He should be coached to be a number 9 as he's got everything to excel in that position.

Diallo was a punt on a prospect, not sure he'd add anything to the side. But DVB and Sancho being bench warmers is worrying.
 
Billysboots said:
I sometimes think there’s an element of his price tag being involved in the decision to play Pogba. He cost nearly £100m therefore he MUST be a top class player. But he shows time, and time and time again that he simply isn’t. Flashes of brilliance every now and again but what I expect from him, as a matter of course, is just one mistake after another.

We should have cut our losses long ago.
Click to expand...

I could be wrong, but most Man U fans come across as hating Souness due to what he has consistently said about Pogba for a few years.

Most seem to be in agreement now, or at least over the last 18 months over Pogba.

He should have been a world great as has many great attributes, but his own application, attitude and work rate has stopped him.
 
pokerjoke said:
To be fair I never mentioned quickly,however your right ,it would definitely have to be slowly,maybe 1 in 1 out and your right about availability.
Also who can afford their wages once bought,and bought at a loss to Utd.
One thing is for certain they aren’t good enough for the biggest club in the world.
Click to expand...

Hang on, didnt you say that United had a title winning team just a few months ago.

You've never been the biggest club in the world, unless you've spelt Real Madrid wrong.
 
Liverbirdie said:
I could be wrong, but most Man U fans come across as hating Souness due to what he has consistently said about Pogba for a few years.

Most seem to be in agreement now, or at least over the last 18 months over Pogba.

He should have been a world great as has many great attributes, but his own application, attitude and work rate has stopped him.
Click to expand...
I certainly don't dislike Souness about what he said about Pogba, he has always been a frustrating player for us.
 
Liverbirdie said:
I could be wrong, but most Man U fans come across as hating Souness due to what he has consistently said about Pogba for a few years.

Most seem to be in agreement now, or at least over the last 18 months over Pogba.

He should have been a world great as has many great attributes, but his own application, attitude and work rate has stopped him.
Click to expand...

The trouble is Pogba has won numerous titles in Italy and the World Cup. He wasn't a key player in Russia but it gave him the ego to question Mourinho and give it the big one. Ibrahimovic kept him in check during his first season and when he left Pogba was given freedom to do what he wanted. Jose wanted him out and was overuled. Bruno showed everyone what a world class attacking midfielder was and Pogba sulked. I don't think Ronaldo has made a difference, he's probably accepted he's not got what it takes to run a midfield or a game. He's now just running down his contract and will sign for Juve or Real for even more money. He'll go down as the worst signing in PL history. £89m and 5 years at £60m in wages. He's added nothing to Utd and caused numerous issues.
 
clubchamp98 said:
It was for the foul.
And imo rightly so .
No attempt for the ball just a thug.
Click to expand...
Yeah, just seen they said it was for the foul. Pretty shocked. Initially the ref didn't give the impression it would be a red. He only seemed to change his mind when the player didn't come over to him.

I appreciate cynical fouls are annoying. But they are so common, often called the professional foul. Often players are praised by commentators for "taking one for the team" and getting their yellow. Not sure I remember a straight red for such a foul. So not sure if they've changed the goalposts in terms of what is a red card these days. I imagine most fans would he furious if one of their players got sent off for such a foul.

Not that I mind tonight, I think Atletico are one of my least favourite European sides.
 
4LEX said:
Lukaku wasn't deadwood, he was the best striker Utd had. Pogba, Martial and Sanchez were the real toxic deadwood and two of the three are still there. Ashley Young is a better RB or RWB than AWB too. Phil Jones and Mata getting new deals really showed the manager and board had no clue.

Disagree on Rashford though, he's one of the hardest workers and played through injury for two years. He's come back and has got 3 goals in 5 games and is still way off the pace. Rashford has as much, if not more workrate than Cavani. Rashford plays wide so has to track back, Cavani has less area to cover so it looks like he's putting more in. Although taking nothing away from Cavani who does put in a big shift every game. Greenwood is lazy and selfish, all he does is cut inside and shoot. He's a brilliant striker of the ball and has bailed Ole out so many times but he's not a right forward. He should be coached to be a number 9 as he's got everything to excel in that position.

Diallo was a punt on a prospect, not sure he'd add anything to the side. But DVB and Sancho being bench warmers is worrying.
Click to expand...
Deadwood maybe not the right term for Lukaku, but he never seemed to fit at Utd. He wasn't the best at holding up the ball, though he had improved big time on that.

My frustrations with Rashford are I hope for so much more. If anyone in that team could be our Mbappe, he has the attributes. However, he frequently seems to make the wrong decision. Does something great, then does one step over too many, or a shoddy pass. Then, when we lose the ball it is like the entire side switch off (not just Rashford).

But, my biggest concern is he always looks like a frustrated player. Don't want him turning into a Martial. However, in no way do I want Utd to get rid of him. I hope he has a long future at Utd, and is much more dangerous than Pogba.
 
pokerjoke said:
It’s certainly not just Pogba they need to get rid of although of all the ones he’s still got the best attributes to be a great at OT.

Fred,Matic and Maguire could all be replaced

Lingard 100% deserves a start
Sancho and VDB deserve a chance to show if they have what it takes but I’m doubtful with those 2.

Mata needs to move on to play otherwise his career is over at Utd

Bailly and Lundelof as a partnership? If they could both stay fit.
Click to expand...

I agree that Ronaldo is the GOAT and has bailed us out, BUT, I think his signing has set us back. His goals could have been scored by Cavani or Greenwood and his work rate is poor. We signed him to stop him going to Citeh.

I was excited to see us progress further with a younger side after a 2nd place finish last year . Lots of options re the shape of the side with the players, 433 or going to 442 if needed with Sancho going right wing. I was impressed with DVB pre season playing holding midfielder but Ole goes for Fred and Mctominay time after time.

De Gea
AWB
Maguire
Varane
Shaw

DVB
Mctominay
Pogba

Bruno
Greenwood / Cavani
Sancho / Lingard
 
Junior said:
I agree that Ronaldo is the GOAT and has bailed us out, BUT, I think his signing has set us back. His goals could have been scored by Cavani or Greenwood and his work rate is poor. We signed him to stop him going to Citeh.

I was excited to see us progress further with a younger side after a 2nd place finish last year . Lots of options re the shape of the side with the players, 433 or going to 442 if needed with Sancho going right wing. I was impressed with DVB pre season playing holding midfielder but Ole goes for Fred and Mctominay time after time.

De Gea
AWB
Maguire
Varane
Shaw

DVB
Mctominay
Pogba

Bruno
Greenwood / Cavani
Sancho / Lingard
Click to expand...
I think you are either underestimating Ronaldo's ability, or overestimating Cavani and Greenwood, to simply say they would have scored those goals anyway. To think they would crop up at that crucial moment and execute the perfect shot when needed is a huge assumption. That second goal he scored against Atalanta was ridiculous, the sort of chance you see players, time and time again, snatch the shot wide, duff it into a defender, hit it straight at keeper or blaze it over. Before Greenwood even flicked the ball, and anyone knew where the ball would end up, the replay showed Ronaldo was already anticipating the ball to end up in an area and prepare himself to react. Most strikers only seem to react after Greenwood flicked the ball. Cavani and Greenwood were in the pitch, but ultimately it was Ronaldo that was there to deliver the goods.

The only way Cavani and Greenwood would score the same amount of goals as Ronaldo is if Ole played a different style. One might argue that would be possible if Robaldo wasn't there. But, I doubt it based on Ole's record. Put Cavani up front instead of Ronaldo, I imagine Ole would have tried to play the same way. I love Cavani, but personally I don't think he is a better No9 than Ronaldo, so we'd still have been poor. It is not like the team are creating loads of chances.

City and Liverpool are effective pressing teams. I doubt they would suddenly go downhill if they had Ronaldo up.front.
 
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