The Footie Thread

[4LEX]

Arsenal gave it their best and worked their socks off untill the second goal. Liverpool won it in second gear though.

Arteta has done the right thing in bombing Auba out and reduced Pepe to the fringes. He's obviously more suited to coaching younger players but with that comes the lack of experience in big matches and that's where they've been found out this season. They need a striker who can link play and score 20 goals plus, badly.

Looking at the run of games Arsenal have I'd be amazed if they got Top 4.

 

[Junior]

Really enjoyed the game last night. Thought Arsenal were superb and could have scored first before Liverpool showed their class in the 2nd half to take the points.

As a Man U fan , there are a few things that stand out about the top 4, and its something we could do well to address this Summer.

1. How the current top 4 work so hard off the ball and are much calmer on it.

2. There are no egos on the pitch and the players seem to enjoy playing with one an other. Watch Pogba, Ronaldo and Rashford and its a different story.

3. Our biggest 2 rivals are streets ahead of the rest of the prem right now and its testament to Klopp/Pep and how they have signed players on character as much as skill.

Interesting Summer for Man U fans. Needs to start with clarifying the position of the manager as soon as the season is done.

 

[clubchamp98]

Diaz lol
Liverpool now have the 3 best divers in the premiership
TAA fantastic range of passing but can’t defend for toffee.
Ramsdale for England ? No thx

Yes shocking dive by Mane, but the ref hardly gave him anything after that even some obvious fouls,
Maybe that’s how they are dealing with divers, should still be yellow imo.
TAA stoped Martinelli just as much as he got past him I thought it was a great duel, plus Matip was fantastic on the cover.
But for all Martinellis good work they had nobody in the box.
Nice to see Firmino in the goals with a really good finish.

 

[Swango1980]

Really enjoyed the game last night. Thought Arsenal were superb and could have scored first before Liverpool showed their class in the 2nd half to take the points.

As a Man U fan , there are a few things that stand out about the top 4, and its something we could do well to address this Summer.

1. How the current top 4 work so hard off the ball and are much calmer on it.

2. There are no egos on the pitch and the players seem to enjoy playing with one an other. Watch Pogba, Ronaldo and Rashford and its a different story.

3. Our biggest 2 rivals are streets ahead of the rest of the prem right now and its testament to Klopp/Pep and how they have signed players on character as much as skill.

Interesting Summer for Man U fans. Needs to start with clarifying the position of the manager as soon as the season is done.

Agreed. It is interesting when opposing fans suggest "what decent player would actually want to go to Utd?". At end of day, all the best teams out there right now were relatively rubbish at one point in the not so distant history, so people have a short memory.

Certain clubs have huge global followings. Certain clubs have huge resources to financially reward the top players. Sure, 100% of top players will not want to go to Utd. However, some of the best players will not want to go to City or Liverpool either.

They key to United is getting in management that instils faith again, generates excitement and a buzz. Big changes are needed in the playing squad, including getting rid of players. However, when Utd finally get it right in management, that can certainly provide an interest in some of the top players out there. They can feel part of something, feeling a big part to the return towards success. It simply depends what their own personal goals are. Can't comment on individuals like Kane and Haaland, but it wouldn't be the biggest shock in the world if one of them signed for Utd.

Furthermore, there are many fantastic players in the world. Even if every single one of them desires to play for Liverpool or City, clearly those clubs won't buy every single one of them. So, Utd will always be able to attract big players as they are still one of the top clubs in global football. It would also generally be considered they are at their worst now, yet still challenging for top 4.

 

[HomerJSimpson]

Arsenal played well until Liverpool got the first goal. Terrible positioning by Ramsdale to allow that in at the near post. Thought Odegaard had a great game for Arsenal and caused Liverpool some real problems. Once Arsenal went 1-0 down it was always a big ask but there were plenty of positives but they have to find a way to get something from games with their top 4 rivals

 

[Orikoru]

I personally think Man Utd will always be able to attract top players, because of the size of the club, the history, the stadium, and the money they can pay players of course. Even at their worst they're probably only 3 good signings away from challenging again.

 

[Bdill93]

I personally think Man Utd will always be able to attract top players, because of the size of the club, the history, the stadium, and the money they can pay players of course. Even at their worst they're probably only 3 good signings away from challenging again.

I agree with most of this!

Just depends which 3 players you sign
VVD
Salah
Mbappe

Then yeah probably

 

[Orikoru]

I agree with most of this!

Just depends which 3 players you sign
VVD
Salah
Mbappe

Then yeah probably

Haha. Most crucially they need a good centre back and a good holding midfielder, as they have for several years. After that it depends if Ronaldo stays probably, but as I mentioned, I could see them replacing him with Kane and then they'd be something approaching a proper team again. I know that McTominay and Fred are much-maligned, but for me the issue is that they're both box-to-box players at heart, either one of them could play alongside a proper holding player and do well. Someone like Rice or Phillips for example would do wonders for them. As for centre backs, I don't really know who's out there and available in all fairness. If only they could harness the Eric Bailly that turns up and plays world class for 1 game per season.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

All the talk about Man Utd is everything I heard and said myself through 20 plus years as we as a club struggled on the pitch to get consistency and build up - we had a few fleating moments with Houllier then Rafa and then Rodgers - but they were nearly moments with the odd trophy win. It took a whole club philosophy change plus getting the right people into the club in the right roles - Edwards and Klopp being the two key appointments

It’s now nearly 10 years since Utd’s last title and 6 years since their last trophy , it doesn’t take much for that to keep extending in the same way it did for us

They can keep buying players and spending fortunes but they need to sort out of the field first - need to get in a good director of football first and then get the right manager. Once they agree on the way forward you get the players in that fit the style they want to play regardless of the name of the player And then build

 

[Bdill93]

All the talk about Man Utd is everything I heard and said myself through 20 plus years as we as a club struggled on the pitch to get consistency and build up - we had a few fleating moments with Houllier then Rafa and then Rodgers - but they were nearly moments with the odd trophy win. It took a whole club philosophy change plus getting the right people into the club in the right roles - Edwards and Klopp being the two key appointments

It’s now nearly 10 years since Utd’s last title and 6 years since their last trophy , it doesn’t take much for that to keep extending in the same way it did for us

They can keep buying players and spending fortunes but they need to sort out of the field first - need to get in a good director of football first and then get the right manager. Once they agree on the way forward you get the players in that fit the style they want to play regardless of the name of the player And then build

Absolutely they are.

Ive said on here before, Woodward was the wrong man and he made all the wrong decisions. Scared to pick apart what Fergie left behind and he did not know how to run/ build a football club.

Long may they rot though!

 

[Swango1980]

All the talk about Man Utd is everything I heard and said myself through 20 plus years as we as a club struggled on the pitch to get consistency and build up - we had a few fleating moments with Houllier then Rafa and then Rodgers - but they were nearly moments with the odd trophy win. It took a whole club philosophy change plus getting the right people into the club in the right roles - Edwards and Klopp being the two key appointments

It’s now nearly 10 years since Utd’s last title and 6 years since their last trophy , it doesn’t take much for that to keep extending in the same way it did for us

They can keep buying players and spending fortunes but they need to sort out of the field first - need to get in a good director of football first and then get the right manager. Once they agree on the way forward you get the players in that fit the style they want to play regardless of the name of the player And then build

Yeah. Rio said it well the other night, when he said that when Fergie left, the player's were not that worried because they believed most of the success was basically down to the players. However, the season after he left, they quickly realised how wrong they were, and that the management were monumental to success.

We know the qualities many of the United team have now, and had over the last 10 years. However, not only are we not seeing virtually any of these players reaching close to their full potential, we are almost seeing the very worst of them week in, week out. The new manager will have a huge task on their hands. They'll need to decide which players are beyond repair, or which players can be saved and rejuvenated. Rashford has rapidly gone downhill since his charity work, almost like the attention he got has distracted him, or put him under more scrutiny and pressure since. The way Southgate used him at the Euro's, and that fateful penalty shootout could have been an absolute killer for him as well. Pogba has always had talent, but is clearly not an inspirational leader and if there is no-one to give him a kick up the backside, he just strolls about the pitch and does nothing. Even Bruno, came to United full of energy and quality. But, his attitude has descended into whinging, he doesn't trust his team mates and he too often tries the Hollywood ball.

 

[pokerjoke]

Really enjoyed the game last night. Thought Arsenal were superb and could have scored first before Liverpool showed their class in the 2nd half to take the points.

As a Man U fan , there are a few things that stand out about the top 4, and its something we could do well to address this Summer.

1. How the current top 4 work so hard off the ball and are much calmer on it.

2. There are no egos on the pitch and the players seem to enjoy playing with one an other. Watch Pogba, Ronaldo and Rashford and its a different story.

3. Our biggest 2 rivals are streets ahead of the rest of the prem right now and its testament to Klopp/Pep and how they have signed players on character as much as skill.

Interesting Summer for Man U fans. Needs to start with clarifying the position of the manager as soon as the season is done.

Watching last night Liverpool were everything Utd are not as you say.
There work rate is superb,ours is shocking.

 

[Junior]

Watching last night Liverpool were everything Utd are not as you say.
There work rate is superb,ours is shocking.

I was impressed by the organisation of Arsenal too. In Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard they're great going forward. They seem to have brought the best out of Lacazette. It's similar situation to us in that they have off loaded their bad egg in Aubameyang. Just we have a few more to get rid of.

Bizarrely our best player recently is Fred. He's been superb the past few games.

 

[Orikoru]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504457564284719111

Walker is out, maybe this is the end of him. I think Dier deserves to be there ahead of Mings and Maguire personally. Guehi seems like a surprise - I thought Tomori would be ahead of him in the pecking order.

 

[pokerjoke]

I was impressed by the organisation of Arsenal too. In Saka, Martinelli and Odegaard they're great going forward. They seem to have brought the best out of Lacazette. It's similar situation to us in that they have off loaded their bad egg in Aubameyang. Just we have a few more to get rid of.

Bizarrely our best player recently is Fred. He's been superb the past few games.

Agreed the 3 but really don’t rate Lacazzete.
Definitely thought Arsenal looked solid ,Liverpool though ground them down and their class and depth shone through.

 

[Bdill93]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504457564284719111

Walker is out, maybe this is the end of him. I think Dier deserves to be there ahead of Mings and Maguire personally. Guehi seems like a surprise - I thought Tomori would be ahead of him in the pecking order.

Am I the only one whos never heard of Guehi?

Mings has always played well for England, deserves his spot on recent form too.

 

[pokerjoke]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1504457564284719111

Walker is out, maybe this is the end of him. I think Dier deserves to be there ahead of Mings and Maguire personally. Guehi seems like a surprise - I thought Tomori would be ahead of him in the pecking order.

On form Maguire should be nowhere near the squad.
Southgate though hasn’t got the gonads to drop him

 

[Deleted member 29109]

I presume Mings and Maguire are there to carry kit bags for the other players ??‍

 

[Bdill93]

We look a bit thin in the Winger department!

Saka playing well, Sterling a mainstay (as deservedly so) Foden is awesome but not a classic "winger"

Not sure about Grealish being selected for this one.. not done a lot this year - but I suppose hes at city now so will always be picked. That and the United players just arent performing.

We wont be seeing Rice and Phillips together either! I imagine thats purely down to his long term injury though.

Going to be a few interesting starting 11's coming up!

 

[Swango1980]

We look a bit thin in the Winger department!

Saka playing well, Sterling a mainstay (as deservedly so) Foden is awesome but not a classic "winger"

Not sure about Grealish being selected for this one.. not done a lot this year - but I suppose hes at city now so will always be picked. That and the United players just arent performing.

We wont be seeing Rice and Phillips together either! I imagine thats purely down to his long term injury though.

Going to be a few interesting starting 11's coming up!

Although Sancho has recently started to improve on his performances, despite being in an underperforming side. I'd have thought he'd be worth a shout, would have been less surprised if he was in the squad and Maguire out (although Maguire seems to play better for England than Utd).