The Footie Thread

[Arthur Wedge]

It’s not that long ago, on the forum, that Arsenal and Wenger were the target for derision. Sawtooth used to defend them to the nth degree. When Utd find their feet again, no doubt the brickbats will be flying in the opposite direction.

It’s the typical fan(tribal) rivalry.

Any time any big clubs struggles it’s going to be the same - we had it for years when Liverpool were struggling , it’s part of the sport ( providing it’s respectful of course )

If Man Utd returned to the top of the table and we bounced around mid table we would be on the other end of it

 

[Swango1980]

I think the issue with the transfers is how unbalanced it now appears to have been. There is no doubt the signings were of the quality we were after however they seem to be wasted as there is little help from the midfield. I'm wondering whether it may have been more sensible to have Sesko and one of Cunha/Mbeumo and then a proper DM which would have given us more solidity in the midfield etc. The GK seemed to be a panic buy with the form of Onana and Bayindir dropping off the edge of a cliff. I'm not sure why given this position should have been well up on the list as soon as the window opened!! I am also not entirely sure that Lammens was the best option given we needed a GK for the here and now, not one with a huge amount of potential. I think Martinez should have been brought in even if it were for only 2-3 seasons.

I agree, that in a clean, ideal world, we'd have bought quality players through to help the spine. A No. 9, a No. 10, a No. 6 and a GK. In all honesty, before the window opened, I didn't think we'd be able to get in more than 2 top targets, given FFP and how much money we lost out on for being so bad last year. So, I've been pleasantly surprised at what Utd were able to do with incoming targets. Outgoing ones was always going to be tricky.

However, it appears that when Utd evaluated their targets, both Cunha AND Mbeumo were willing to come to Utd, and for reasonable fees for the quality they offer. So, I can see why Utd went down that road. It also wasn't clear if Bruno would even be staying, and Utd seemed to put the ball in Bruno's court for that one. Perhaps that was a mistake. Maybe they should have been assertive in either telling him he is staying, or going. Although it is a difficult one until an actual offer comes in. If an official bid of £100 million plus ever came in, then maybe he would have gone in the end. And then we'd have got Baleba for a similar fee.

I'd have liked to see Martinez come to Utd as their new GK. And if Lammens ends up being another Bayindir or Onana, then I will be frustrated that we made the wrong choice. It is just too early for me to know if it was the wrong choice, never seen the guy play. He might end up being very good. Plus, he might also end up being a player where the risk was easier to take, because his fee and wages were at a level that meant that if Utd want to sell him down the line, it would be much easier for them do do that. Whereas if Martinez doesn't quite work out, you can easily end up regretting spending the money you did on him, and his wage demands would likely be high, so it is difficult to offload him.

We always knew it would be a ridiculously tough start to the league, and sadly we haven't picked up a bonus result against Arsenal or City. And the League Cup was a disaster. But, there have also been positive comments about the style of play from many (even those that don't support Utd). But, time will tell if that will actually lead to better results in the long run, or we'll revert to the poor play we have done for the last year. Chelsea will be another tough game next week, I just hope that being at home, we can at least make it a game where people will agree that there was at least a 50/50 chance we could have won it, even if we end up losing to a moment of bad luck, quality play or a mistake. But concerns will grow rapidly if Utd are well beaten.

 

[Aztecs27]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967294779902890316

Seems that there was a lad working at the bar in the Etithad wearing a Man Utd top

And he got the sack

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967247086820495415

I wonder whether his employment contract states what he can and cannot wear to work. If not, I'd be taking them to tribunal for unfair dismissal.

 

[Rlburnside]

No doubt Man U have signed quality forwards but as seen last season if they are getting poor service from the midfield they might struggle as well.
I think you should have gone all out to sign Elliot Anderson that would have been a more sensible signing but his stock has risen that much now you might not be able to afford him.

That’s if he would even have wanted a move to United with no prospect of Champions League football

 

[Piece]

I wonder whether his employment contract states what he can and cannot wear to work. If not, I'd be taking them to tribunal for unfair dismissal.

I'd wager that individual has moved from the front-line beer sales to a position more in keeping as a Utd fan... collecting rubbish.

 

[Don Barzini]

No doubt Man U have signed quality forwards but as seen last season if they are getting poor service from the midfield they might struggle as well.
I think you should have gone all out to sign Elliot Anderson that would have been a more sensible signing but his stock has risen that much now you might not be able to afford him.

That’s if he would even have wanted a move to United with no prospect of Champions League football

Isn't for sale and when he does leave he'll be going somewhere far better than United.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

No doubt Man U have signed quality forwards but as seen last season if they are getting poor service from the midfield they might struggle as well.
I think you should have gone all out to sign Elliot Anderson that would have been a more sensible signing but his stock has risen that much now you might not be able to afford him.

That’s if he would even have wanted a move to United with no prospect of Champions League football

I think Baleba and Wharton are the next two CM’s that will be on the move - been reported that we are looking at Wharton

Baleba looks a very good player and United were heavily linked to him to the point Brighton are saying it’s affected him at the moment , he is going to cost a small fortune - at least what they got for Caicedo


Until then Man Utd’s best option is to go for a three in the middle - Mainoo plus one more and Fernandes in a ten role

 

[Lord Tyrion]

I wonder whether his employment contract states what he can and cannot wear to work. If not, I'd be taking them to tribunal for unfair dismissal.

Unlikely to be a City employee, more likely a franchisee employee. They will have advised them that he is not to be used again. I'd be surprised if there is not some mention of general behaviour or representing City in an acceptable manner in the contract. They don't need to specifically mention items of clothing, it will be vaguer than that, a catch all

 

[Swango1980]

No doubt Man U have signed quality forwards but as seen last season if they are getting poor service from the midfield they might struggle as well.
I think you should have gone all out to sign Elliot Anderson that would have been a more sensible signing but his stock has risen that much now you might not be able to afford him.

That’s if he would even have wanted a move to United with no prospect of Champions League football

Utd made public their interest for Baleba. No doubt they looked at several options along the way. Perhaps Anderson was one of them. But, the door perhaps closed on some of their options before the news even went public. Maybe the player not interested, too expensive, not available with many years left on their contract, etc.

No idea if they ever showed any interest in Anderson, or how much he'd have cost if he was available. Baleba was around £100 million apparently, too steep for Man Utd.

They showed a stat before last nights game, showing how Utd are the No 1 (sometimes No.2 team in the league), so far this season, in creating chances.. They just haven't been taking them. A big part of that is the impact Cunha and Mbeumo have had, along with the fact Mount got off to a good start. However, we have not yet seen this translate to chances created for our No. 9. Mainly because he has only come off the bench in a few games, and got his first league start away to City.

 

[Aztecs27]

I think Baleba and Wharton are the next two CM’s that will be on the move - been reported that we are looking at Wharton

Baleba looks a very good player and United were heavily linked to him to the point Brighton are saying it’s affected him at the moment , he is going to cost a small fortune - at least what they got for Caicedo


Until then Man Utd’s best option is to go for a three in the middle - Mainoo plus one more and Fernandes in a ten role

You'll struggle to get a decent look, the bloke is never healthy.

 

[Arthur Wedge]

You'll struggle to get a decent look, the bloke is never healthy.

Yeah he has had a number of periods out with injury

 

[Aztecs27]

Ticket for Forest's first European Home Game in a generation, secured.

 

[Pin-seeker]

https://twitter.com/x/status/1967292905351270656

Man of the match

You couldn’t make it up

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Chris Wilder becomes Sheffield Utd manager for the 3rd time, replacing the manager who they binned him off for!

Genuinely shows poor board choices to being back the man you thought initially wasn’t good enough, it’s a change that should never have occurred in the first place. If I was Wilder I’d have said get stuffed but

 

[Orikoru]

Chris Wilder becomes Sheffield Utd manager for the 3rd time, replacing the manager who they binned him off for!

Genuinely shows poor board choices to being back the man you thought initially wasn’t good enough, it’s a change that should never have occurred in the first place. If I was Wilder I’d have said get stuffed but

I hope he's getting a bumper pay rise every time he goes back.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I hope he's getting a bumper pay rise every time he goes back.

I hope so to and a good payoff each time they sack him. Really poor by the board!

Not like going back to your ex after a letting her play away for a few months every year

 

[Pin-seeker]

Chris Wilder becomes Sheffield Utd manager for the 3rd time, replacing the manager who they binned him off for!

Genuinely shows poor board choices to being back the man you thought initially wasn’t good enough, it’s a change that should never have occurred in the first place. If I was Wilder I’d have said get stuffed but

Do you know if they’d already paid him out?

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

Do you know if they’d already paid him out?

No idea but a quick google search suggests he was paid off upon severance of his contract 87 days ago!

 

[Lord Tyrion]

Chris Wilder becomes Sheffield Utd manager for the 3rd time, replacing the manager who they binned him off for!

Genuinely shows poor board choices to being back the man you thought initially wasn’t good enough, it’s a change that should never have occurred in the first place. If I was Wilder I’d have said get stuffed but

I'm genuinely surprised he's gone back. If they've sacked him twice how can you feel any level of security? Or does he just accept the money and the inevitable payoff?

In terms of payoffs, I had read that sometimes you will continue to be paid as per your contract until you take your next job. If that is the case here, it definitely suits Sheffield Utd to bring him back, in financial terms.

 

[Lucifer MorningStar]

I'm genuinely surprised he's gone back. If they've sacked him twice how can you feel any level of security? Or does he just accept the money and the inevitable payoff?

In terms of payoffs, I had read that sometimes you will continue to be paid as per your contract until you take your next job. If that is the case here, it definitely suits Sheffield Utd to bring him back, in financial terms.

I’m with you in my surprise I don’t get why you’d go back 87 days after being sacked for a 2nd time. Especially when you were sacked in the back of a fairly successful season but were still deemed not good enough.