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Mad Hatter's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Mad Hatter's rumours posts

 

16 Nov 2023 15:54:33
ED002,

What's your opinion on Jean-Clause Blanc as the potential new CEO for the club?

Thanks.

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - I don't know him but he is a businessmen who has an excellent background in sports management. He should be fine.}


1.) 16 Nov 2023 17:04:37
Thanks ED002.


2.) 16 Nov 2023 23:00:27
Surely we can't hire him, he seems actually qualified for the role. Surely that's against company policy? ??.


3.) 17 Nov 2023 07:01:58
Agree Shappy

That and Paul Mitchell will be an improvement.


4.) 17 Nov 2023 09:59:18
Regardless of everyones preferences on the sale if Blanc and Mitchell do come in it will be the most positive move that the club has made in years.
Hopefully it will lead to a change in approach to the transfer market with a cohesive long term approach rather than short termism.
Lets hope the rumours come to fruition.


5.) 17 Nov 2023 12:41:36
The Glazers have been terrible owners, but our performances on the pitch are not about who owns the club, but how it is run.

It doesn't matter if the owners are "football" people or not, in fact its probably better if they aren't. We've seen it many times where owners want to get too involved in the day to day running of the club and that never ends well.

In my eyes a good owner wants the club to be successful on and off the pitch, but they hire the best people, with subject specific knowledge to run the club rather than get involved in every aspect. They should be enablers and not dictators. Give the club what it needs to be successful, and show authority when things aren't working, being decisive.

At Manchester United the owners have made enough funds available for us to be successful. Where the club has failed is the one of the owners wants too much say (Martial is his favourite player, and he pushed for his last contract renewal for example), and this both slows the process and means that someone who doesn't have the footballing knowledge is ultimately at times going against the advice of people who know better. The other area the club has failed is we fell into the same trap that sunk Liverpool in the early 90's. The club has become too much of a boys clubs, cronyism and people holding positions of power not based on experience and proven expertise but due to who they know. It has created a club that is too much of an echo chamber. If you want to be successful you don't surround yourself with hangers on or sycophants. You surround yourself with people who'll challenge you and question your ideas.

Not every idea you have will be a good one, in fact many will be bad. You need people around you who'll point that out, not nod and say "yes boss, great idea".

United have too many people who won't challenge things when they think something isn't right. The proof of that being the case is in the pudding. A decade of repeatedly making the same mistakes. If there was anyone of substance within the club they would challenge a decision to do something that has previously failed rather than sit by meekly and let it happen again.

There is a fine line between hiring people who you can work with and hiring people who will challenge and question things. A lot of that is based on you and your ability to be open to people questioning why a decision has been made, and being open to have a dialog when making decisions. It might ultimately be your responsibility to make a decision, but that doesn't mean others don't have valid points that you might want to consider and factor in. You want to hire confident, critical thinkers with area specific knowledge and experience.

At United we just haven't done that, off the pitch we have tended to hire people we know, regularly promoting from within, moving people up into positions they have no experience of.

I have nothing against Darren Fletcher, he's no doubt a great guy. Yet he is the best example of hiring someone for a role that for ages didn't even have a job title, and is a role that no one could quite define. While obviously Fletcher himself could have no experience or expert knowledge for a role that just didn't really exist.

I mean what was he hired for? What was he there to do? And what qualified him to be there doing that role?

I don't mind hiring ex-players for some roles at the club, but it has to be on a basis of them earning it by being the best candidate for the role. Edwin van der Sar for example went away and studied, got the qualifications needed after retiring from playing. Started off in a junior role and had to prove himself to work up at Ajax. If we were to hire him I would hope it was based on what he has done off the pitch and not because he once played for us. But at least he has done the job and proven he is capable, we tend to hire people connected with the club for roles they have never done before.

When we get told we are amateurish, this is what it is referring to. A consistent approach to bring in the wrong people for the wrong reasons. Then for some reason be surprised that it doesn't work out. So continue to do the same thing over and over again rather then question the ability of the friends we employed to make those decisions.

SJR is a self made billionaire, he has done so entirely because he doesn't surround himself with sycophants. He hires the best people and builds good, healthy working relationships with them. He wouldn't be able to be where he is today if he didn't. Everyone who knows him speaks highly of him because he's highly competent and he's personable. Able to build those good relationships and get the best out of those around him. That in itself draws the best people to him, they respect him and want to work with him.

He looks to be trying to use that same approach that has made him the success he is to our club. If he can do that then I am confident he will make a success of our club.

It all sounds promising, JCB likely to come in at CEO. A man who has held that position at Juventus and PSG and performed with distinction at both clubs. No doubt he'll shake thing up at the club and clear out those who aren't helping to progress the club. He will be a massive upgrade on Richard Arnold who proved how out of depth he was by meeting fans in the pub. It's actions like this that give credence to the rumours of his lack of professionalism. He has made a career out of being Ed Woodward's understudy. He was in no way qualified to be running the club.

While the links to Paul Mitchell also sound promising. Again hiring someone who doesn't have a connection with the club, but has proven his ability at other clubs.

These two appointments will only be the start, and what happens next will be impossible to accurately predict because until these new guys come in, assess the situation and decide what (and who) needs to change then we won't see those changes. Assessing then implementing will take months, maybe a year. While it won't be until those changes have been full implemented and refined and done over a period of time will we be able to fully see the results of that. It'll be years before we can appreciate the changes. But they are coming and they are starting now.

Finally something to truly look forward to, some real hope.


6.) 17 Nov 2023 14:37:38
We've kept replacing managers but not the execs or the players they bought.


7.) 17 Nov 2023 14:45:51
I don't know how these guys will pan out but it's been a long time since I truly felt there was anything other than blind hope that the stars aligned and it would all come good.

Getting in top level execs who are competent is a very good place to start.


8.) 17 Nov 2023 15:02:10
So you rely on journalist when it suits, like martial is Glazers favourite player and they wanted to overpay him millions only way to know that would be if they actually told you which I doubt
You know how SJR conducts business and made his millions too and what calibre of people he surrounds himself with again you’re listening to journalist, the same journalist you say talk rubbish and are lazy all the time! But you listen when it backs up your view unless he shared that information personally with you
Your making all this up as per usual and trying to pass it off as factual when in reality it’s just your view yet again and to be fair you jump on every band wagon for past 10 years and ride it out till it goes pear shape and abuse everyone else when they jump ship before you only for you to eventually jump ship and back track anyway.


9.) 17 Nov 2023 18:26:41
Rangersred, It's been said by ex-managers that Joel Glazer refused to sanction selling Martial. There are direct quotes. Could be a lie of course, but at least there is something tangible. Someone has put there name to it.

Either way someone at the club agreed to give him a new deal in 2019 after Jose wanted him gone, and Ole had come in and didn't want him either.

The point I'm making is that people are making bad decisions at the club not based on football knowledge or understanding.

I don't bother commenting on anything in the media that doesn't have a direct quote. If no one is willing to put their name and reputation on it, then its most likely b*****ks. Whenever you read "reports" or "someone close to" or "sources" then assume that its simply rubbish. It's just a way for the media to write something made up while attempting to give it some level of authority.

Even the things that are quoted you should still be sceptical and critically analyse it. Who is saying it, did they actually say it, has it been taken out of context, why are they saying it, is there an agenda or motive.

The problem is we have a tendency to lean into confirmation bias. We already have an opinion on something, so what we are looking for is proof we are right rather than gathering information to make an informed decision. We all tend to be guilt of that to varying degrees. What separates people though are the ones who acknowledge their own biases and factor that in when making decisions and forming opinions, from those who don't. The one that do tend to be the actual confident ones, the one who can accept being wrong or openly change their mind without concern of how it will make them look. The one's who ego isn't so fragile they can accepting they were wrong or misinformed.

As for who SJR surrounds himself with, no I do not know them personally. I also cannot personally vouch for their competence.

However, my point was about that how successful you are is directly correlated to who you spend time with and who is in your inner circle. That's a well known and proven fact with hundreds of articles of academic literature to support that.

if you read what I wrote with an open mind rather than with an attempt to find fault then you'd have spotted that I said:

"He wouldn't be able to be where he is today if he didn't. "

highlighting that in order for him to go from regular Joe to billionaire, that to do so he would HAVE to surround himself with the right people and hire the best. Simple you can't go from nothing to billionaire by hiring the wrong people and surrounding yourself with sycophants. It's just not possible.

So no I don't need to know these people personally or get the words right from the horses mouth. Somethings are just common sense based on the evidence before you.

I've never said what I write is anything other than my opinion. If you don't have the comprehension or intellect to read accurately what is written, rather than what you want to see or expect to. Well that's on you and there's not a lot I can do about that.

I do support managers and players when they join the club, even if I'm not personally convinced they are the right person when they join. I do that because I consider that THE fundamental aspect of being a supporter of the club. You can't be a supporter without showing support.

So I do until it gets to the point where its clear and obvious that the situation is no longer recoverable and a parting of the ways is inevitable.

I'd argue that I don't abuse anyone, I'll have a little banter, but I appreciate and respect the editors on here and anything that crosses over to being abusive will not make it through to the pages. Although I appreciate that we have some posters with a delicate disposition who can't handle people disagreeing with them, saying they are wrong, or light hearted banter. To those people I'd imagine they consider anything other than total agreement lavished with praise and compliments to be abusive towards them.

Of course not everything that makes you angry, upset, sad, feel stupid or hurt is abuse.

The abusive posters simply get banned. Their abuse doesn't get posted but their account gets blocked. Forcing them to have to create new account after new account to enable them to keep posting.

I've had the same account for more than 15 years, which tells you something. I was banned once for a week, about 10 years ago, for something I said which was called out as ignorant. On reflection it was, I apologised, learned from it, grew up and got on with my life. Which seemed the my progressive approach rather than create a new account and refuse to anything.


10.) 18 Nov 2023 19:06:25
It’s been also said my ex managers and ex players and pundits that ETH is out of his depth, but you ignoring them ones but taking note of the ones that say something you like! Normal service resumed….


11.) 18 Nov 2023 22:03:29
Ex players and ex managers who are removed from the situation and actually have no idea what is going on. Or the ones who are being paid to say things that can be clipped up and put into print?

I'd imagine if you gave your noggin a wobble it'd rattle?.


12.) 19 Nov 2023 02:48:47
Stalker alert Shappy, it’s so embarrassing.


13.) 19 Nov 2023 07:57:08
Rangersred is entitled to his opinion is he not? After all it’s a discussion forum! Bit of digression beats the same boring monopoly…….


14.) 19 Nov 2023 11:17:24
Fireman,

Opinion is fine, trolling as different usernames, getting blocked then doing the exact same thing again isn’t fine. Do you actually think all of the negative stuff and nothing positive is his opinion or the opinion of a troll just trying to get a reaction from Shappy (that he never gets)


 

 

12 Mar 2023 12:18:57
ED002,

Are Utd in Carlos Baleba?

Thanks.

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - Carlos Baleba (CM) Scouted by Arsenl and Newcastle - but I cannot see how he would be eligible for a work permit in England unless paying Lille and the player well over the odds.}


1.) 13 Mar 2023 09:26:40
I think it would take time for him to make a Baleba out of me tbh ?.

{Ed077's Note - maybe a bit of pain and you'll become one quicker?


2.) 14 Mar 2023 17:52:47
Then you saw his face WRD. Now your a beleba ?.


3.) 14 Mar 2023 20:31:25
DB,

I resisted posting something similar, but I didn't want to be accused of monkeying around.


4.) 15 Mar 2023 15:12:13
Wow, didn't realise we had so many silver surfers on here. I'm probably the youngest person who'll get that reference and I'm in my mid thirties ?.


 

 

21 Oct 2022 09:48:36
I can't help but laugh at the latest rumour today, Van Der Sar as the new DoF.

Must be a slow day today at. the office.

Mad Hatter

1.) 21 Oct 2022 12:01:51
It's coming from a source close to Ajax which kind of suggests that there is something in it.

As it makes zero sense for a source with connections at Ajax to make stuff up that could negatively impact the club as it could burn bridges.


2.) 21 Oct 2022 12:28:47
Be great if true.


3.) 21 Oct 2022 13:07:49
Salford7,

Agreed, it would be great if it was true. But I'm not sure would be to E. VdS liking. He is a CEO now.

As ED002 has already said numerous times, Utd already has a DOF.


4.) 21 Oct 2022 17:35:15
I would not be surprised to see VDS to take up a senior position at Utd, however I would be surprised if it wasn't something linked to his skillset thus far which was in marketing/ commercial director and then CEO of I remember correctly.

The football dorector side of it with that trio at Ajax was Overmars who was caught sending rudie nudies or something.


5.) 21 Oct 2022 18:00:13
We're like a dog chasing random cars. Murtagh is our Football Director, Fletcher is our Technical Director so why not muddy the waters even more with a Director Of Football even if that is what Murtagh is doing.


6.) 21 Oct 2022 20:42:06
He's done a good job at ajax and he's better than what we currently have. This could be a great move by the club. Oakbark nothing to do with him what overmars did, if someone in your workplace did that would it reflect on you?


7.) 21 Oct 2022 21:50:58
I'm neither for or against the hiring of VDS.

If he joins then I have two hopes.

Firstly that he has been hired within a clear plan for what his role will be, what powers come with that role, and how his work will be measured as either a success or a failure.

Secondly, that he is being hired based on a body of work he has achieved that direct translates to what we will be asking of him at United. Rather than my fear that he is being considered for a job because of his past connections with the club and as an attempt to appease a disgruntled fanbase.


8.) 22 Oct 2022 19:32:40
Danny at no point have I mentioned what Overmars did has anything to do with VdS just as it has nothing to do with Ten Hag or should have any bearing whatsoever on them.

However the original poster suggested VdS being DoF. My point was that he was never in a position of sporting technical or footballing director, Overmars handled that.

VDS was Mareketing director then moved to CEO. I could so no sense in bringing VDS in for a job he isn't trained, experienced or qualified to do.


9.) 23 Oct 2022 09:32:49
I've no idea if there is any substance to the rumour oakbark.
But of course he has the experience training and qualifications to do the job.
What do you think a ceo does?
Those rolls will have retorted in to him so he knows the rules intimately.
He if anything is over qualified. There are plenty of ceo's of smaller companies that move to roles beneath ceo's in much bigger companies in order to move to the ceo of bigger companies overtime.
That's natural career progression.
Think bigger picture from vds's point of view.


10.) 23 Oct 2022 11:13:45
To be honest I would not have thought VdS would be returning into a Football role anyway. I could see him appointed to another position in assisting the running of the club. This I would be more than happy with.

I posted here two years ago that I would wish for VdS Overmars and ETH to come as Ceao DOF and Manager. Obviously whatever happened with Overmars stopped that as a possibility.

VdS seems to have done an excellent job as CEO and I would be more than happy for him to come in that role or a role on that side if the buisness. I just don't think he's the man who should be running the footballing side right now and In truth I don't think United would be considering that.


11.) 23 Oct 2022 15:51:59
Never posted before, but what is it, that people on here always think someone else is better! Think we just seen that in politics it’s not always so

I have no idea if VDS could cut it in a proper league, it’s a bit different from being at Erdevisie level, maybe he could maybe he be useless, but what grounds do you base your theory even on that he would be great, it’s like picking random players out a hat (that’s al done daily on here) and saying we should buy him he is better then. XYZ…. See the latest is Toney, well maybe Ten Haag don’t want that sort of player and he would prefer a small fast moving player such as Jaeo Felix…. Picking Random names just guessing they would be better then what we have is just stupidity! Be it players/ CEO’s DOF’s or canteen staff, it’s a childish way and some need to get a life and live in real world.


12.) 26 Oct 2022 07:28:43
Mumbles, maybe they are positioning themselves to move Fletcher or Murtough?

Coupled with the rumours about Edwards, they look to be making moves. Very positive IMO as Fletch and Murtough are not up to it.


13.) 26 Oct 2022 23:54:52
Has anybody worked out what Fletch actually does yet? Mot sure he even needs replacing.


 

 

24 May 2022 11:09:22
ED002,

Are Utd still Interested in Max Aarons?

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - Max Aarons (RB) Bayern Munich decided against a move as the cost was seen as too high and Roma opted for another last summer although could yet return. Relegation will see him leave this summer. A scout from Borussia Dortmund attended a match in March to watch another player and recommended the club look specifically at Aarons. Manchester United want him as cover only and that may well price him out of a move at something like £30M. Spurs have other targets after the player they opted for failed to settle. Whilst Everton and Arsenal are looking elsewhere right now, both could return to focus on Aarons. Roma may provide a wildcard option.}


1.) 24 May 2022 17:34:29
Hi ed002 or ed001, what do you think will be the better/ smarter choice for RB cover spending 30M for Max Aarons or promoting Ethan Laird from the U23s? Whilst Laird is unproven in the Premier league I also haven't watched any Norwitch games this season so I have little knowledge about both players ability. Thanks in advanced.

{Ed001's Note - Laird as at least he has a chance of becoming good enough.}


2.) 24 May 2022 19:05:53
I know Norwich fans have been really disappointed with him this year especially since Smith has taken over.


3.) 25 May 2022 02:12:50
Thanks ED002,


 

 

17 Feb 2022 14:08:55
ED002,

Are the club looking at Ramon Planes as an assistant DOF?

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - No.}


1.) 17 Feb 2022 15:03:32
Thanks ED002.


2.) 18 Feb 2022 06:43:06
I heard the Glazers are looking to hire the fairly transparent Win Doh Panes as the new assistant DoF.

{Ed0666's Note - don’t give up your day job mate.


3.) 18 Feb 2022 06:43:16
I heard the Glazers are looking to hire the fairly transparent Win Doh Panes as the new assistant DoF.


4.) 18 Feb 2022 08:19:07
Heard Claudia Whether top of the agenda today.


 

 

 

Mad Hatter's banter posts with other poster's replies to Mad Hatter's banter posts

 

03 Feb 2024 14:28:08
I wonder if Mainoo will get an England call up soon?

If he continues to play like he is, you would think he would make the Euros this summer.

Mad Hatter

1.) 03 Feb 2024 14:55:59
I suspect he will if he carries on with the form he is showing.

Mind you, would prefer he has a good break this summer, let's not go putting too much on him too soon.

Look how city managed foden, that was done very well.


2.) 03 Feb 2024 15:16:50
Same here hope they leave him alone and the boy gets a good summer break. special player.


3.) 03 Feb 2024 15:45:11
I can see rice mainoo Bellingham being England midfield for next 10 years and imo that will start in the summer.


4.) 03 Feb 2024 15:56:21
I do hope that they give him the summer off. Hiwever with Ghana potentially approaching the player about switching nationality, it may promote Southgate to pick him. Although his love child Philips is now getting game time at West Ham.


5.) 03 Feb 2024 16:44:18
I can too Ken, and if they all reach their potential it'll probably be the best midfield in international football.

Never been a better chance for England to actually win something at international level then what they will have over the next 5-8 years.

With players like Bellingham, Rice and Mainoo in midfield, with Foden and Saka creating chances in attack.

Still probably need a good striker to take over from Kane in a few years time. Goalkeepers seems weird, collectively a decent bunch of keepers and some depth, but none really standout as outstanding. Defence could be where it falls down, some talented young players in Colwill, Guehi, and Branthwaite who could step up to take over from Stones. Yet many promising young defenders never reach their potential, its a position that relies a lot on experience and depending on who they play for and how they develop its hard to rely on them reaching that potential. Also can they find a combination that works?

Maguire isn't a great player, but he works well for England alongside Stones.

Fullback is a weird one as well, who'll take over from Shaw/ Chilwell at LB as I'm not seeing many outstanding young candidates. RB is a weird one, James is probably one of the best RB's in the world, but just can't stay fit, TAA should be part of the England set up but just doesn't get picked (That might change when Southgate steps aside) . Walker and Trippier are probably going to their last tournament this summer. While Rico Lewis at City and Tino Livramento at Newcastle both look like interesting young players who could step up.

In defence is where you'll see a lot of change for England over the next few years, Stones, Maguire, Dunk, Walker, Trippier and Shaw will all likely need phasing out. How that next crop coming through develop will likely play a big role in England's chances of winning something.


6.) 03 Feb 2024 19:56:39
England lack someone in midfield who is comfortable on the ball and can dictate the game, especially if Bellingham takes up a more advance role as he is with madrid.

So would not be surprised if Mainoo is called up, seems to have a good head on his shoulders like Saka who Southgate also trusted at a young age.


7.) 03 Feb 2024 20:10:18
No way Southgate puts him ahead of Phillips, but I fully agree with the comments about a Rice / Mainoo / Bellingham midfield 3. That’s a real force on paper, and looks a lot more balanced than the last time England had 3 incredible centre mids with Scholes, Lampard and Gerrard.


8.) 03 Feb 2024 20:11:15
The kid has just broken through, he isn't getting called up, give it a rest. Yes Ghana want him, but I am sure he is getting advice from friends, family, and the club. He is a young boy, there is no rush.


9.) 03 Feb 2024 20:20:38
Every tournament there’s normally a ‘wildcard’ that gets taken. No surprise to see him in there. I agree that with Rice, Bellingham, and Mainoo……. wow, that’s some midfield!


10.) 04 Feb 2024 08:34:35
After watching motd last night if Southgate had anything about him he’d be looking at Barkley ahead of Phillips and Henderson! Playing well! Not that I think he’ll start but should be in squad on merit ahead of those two!


11.) 04 Feb 2024 11:52:44
Woah, a winner against Wolves and he's the mainstay in the England team for the next decade! At ease, let's let him continue to grow into our new-look team first before he goes into that circus.


12.) 05 Feb 2024 05:45:50
Nothing wrong with bigging our players up instead of knocking them down for a change.


 

 

18 Dec 2023 11:14:12
ED001,

What are your thoughts on Kobbie Mainoo?

He definitely has potential and looks good for the future.

Mad Hatter

{Ed001's Note - looks a very good young player, with plenty of potential. He still has that rashness of youth, but other than that he is very polished overall. He needs a run of games now.}


1.) 18 Dec 2023 12:51:35
Thanks ED001,

He gives us Utd fans something to watch.

{Ed001's Note - it is always good to have academy products in the team, though they do often seem to end up the scapegoat for every poor performance. Rashford is always the one getting the blame right now, so I am sure he will be happy to have someone else take that weight off his shoulders a bit!}


2.) 18 Dec 2023 13:18:25
Fans are happy to see academy players when the goings good. But when things get tough and performances dip they tend to face the brunt of the fans frustrations.

I'm not sure if it's because fans are annoyed that an academy player is taking up a squad space for a "big signing". Or maybe its that they feel academy lads should work harder or give more.

I dunno, but they always seem to get the brunt, be that Wes Brown, John O'Shea, Fletcher, Phil Neville, McTominay or Rashford.

I think people underestimate the importance of academy lads in the first team squad. They don't all have to be world class, but hard working, committed lads who can do a job are so important to building a squad. If they can make it to become a world class player then that's a bonus.

I'm very excited about Mainoo, him along with Garnacho have the potential to become first choice options in our team for the next decade.

Mainoo has easily played as well if not better than any other midfielder we have used this season. I know he's had an injury and his game time needs to be managed. But the lad looks ready to play regularly if asked.


3.) 18 Dec 2023 13:40:59
Brown, O'Shea, Fletcher, Phil, McT. Nothing to do with where they grew up or whether they were academy players, they were all crap lol. Plenty more could be added. But of course not every player can be a marquee signing. In fact I wish we had more academy players, some clubs are reknowned for nuturing theirs and making a tidy profit, we've had a terrible hit rate in the last decade.


4.) 18 Dec 2023 13:57:33
Mctominay got just as much stick as Fred and Rashford gets as much stick as Martial/ Antony etc.

I don't think there is a particular academy element to the criticism, every player at the club is being criticised.

I think Mainoo should get a run of games because he's does something no one else apart from Eriksen can do and that is keep the ball.


5.) 18 Dec 2023 13:39:45
ED001,

That's true, but Rashford has been abysmal this season. Along with a few others aswell.

{Ed001's Note - but it always seems to be him getting it, when he is often one of about 5 or 6 stinking the place out.}


6.) 18 Dec 2023 16:09:13
Lots of them stinking the place out is right but very few are walking around while stinking the place out.
He gets more than most I agree but he earns more than most and has had the biggest drop in form / goals / assists than everybody else so he has fallen more than others yoy plus he doesn't appear to be trying very hard.
That's why he gets more flak. If you were to judge on quality then yes lots should get more guff than they do but it think it's a multitude of areas where rash has been worse than most this season so he gets it's harder.


7.) 18 Dec 2023 16:11:50
Possibly with Rashford his wage comes into it. If he was on 50k a week no one would bat an eye lid.


8.) 18 Dec 2023 16:51:39
ED001,

I do agree with you, but Anthony has been slated a lot along with Martial aswell and Bruno. I think it is more to do with Rashford not even been able to beat his man or even bother to track back.

I think the club still has sorted out the rot yet. The structure needs addressing and setting up correctly. Then hopefully the deadwood is cut away.

Unfortunately as a Utd fan I sound like a broken record. I'm not the only one.

{Ed001's Note - hopefully for you better days are coming soon.}


9.) 18 Dec 2023 20:06:52
I agree with you tumble!


10.) 19 Dec 2023 02:03:37
Watchng a player struggle with offense, especially a flare player who is trying to take people on, is something I have a bit of patience for. But watching a player stroll around and play with zero effort, not just staying in a shape, but not even trying to tackle a player who is close them, ducking out of headers, ducking out of challenging for headers and generally just looking disinterested. This is why the fan base has fallen out of love with rashford. And it is why fans are warming to Anthony even though his end product is still lacking.

Effort is the bare minimum of the common man.


11.) 19 Dec 2023 15:42:44
Exactly as DodgyBanter said above. Does anyone believe we could have gotten a draw out of the Liverpool game with Rashford playing. No effort means we'd have been overrun down his side. It has happened numerous times. The thing is when he scores this papers over his general lack of work rate, but when he doesn't he becomes a liability. He doesn't create, loses the ball too easily and doesn't track. Last year I thought there were signs that the player we all think is in there could emerge, as he was putting in a bigger effort. But that dropped off after the Carabao Cup final. I hate to say it, but I can't see us winning anything any time soon with Rashford as a starter.


12.) 19 Dec 2023 22:55:42
Rashford caught a lot of crap the season before last too. The whole team was poor, and he was struggling heavily with lingering injury, but he was one of the few players who actually did alright that season, yet he was still targeted more than most of our players.

Even Fletcher has been mentioned above as crap, but before his sickness he was a fantastic player, and a key part of SAFs squad.

McTominey has been played out of position more often than not for his entire career, has given 100% effort in nearly every game he's ever played for us, is currently our top scorer, and he's still being called crap (note that i'm not saying he's world class, or even that he should be kept past next summer, just that I think he is earning a lot more respect than he's getting) .

Academy players definitely get more stick when they don't perform. If they are playing ok but not amazing, they get called over rated. If they are playing a bit poorly, they get talked about as badly as other players who've been playing worse for twice as long.


13.) 20 Dec 2023 04:14:43
We over hype players that are young. I think we support academy players more than most clubs. But a time comes when they need to move on and make space for the new players. There will always be a place for squad players, and for them to be homegrown and from the academy is the best scenario for the club.

Mctominay is a good player, but not a starter for utd. There is no shame in that, he can be a super sub, or injury cover no problem. But not a starter.

The bigger problem is that EtH wanted to move players on and the club didn't support him. We have to start forming a squad that the manager needs to be successful. A good DOf, more time for the manager (coach), and move on the players that they identify they want to leave. Then we might start building something. Until then, we will keep trying for quick fix, and will break liverpool's drought for league titles.


 

 

05 Nov 2023 12:35:59
Hi ED002,

Have Utd shown any interest in Sacha Boey?

Thanks.

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - Sacha Boey (RB) Chelsea opted for another but Arsenal remain keen. Burnley had an approach rejected. Spurs are still looking for a RB and Interest from other clubs is likely. Manchester United have him as an option on their list of RB targets. Atletico opted for Azpilicuetaas because of his versatility and as cover for Molina.}


1.) 05 Nov 2023 15:15:06
Thanks ED002,


 

 

21 Oct 2023 16:05:36
RIP Sir Bobby.

Mad Hatter

 

 

18 Sep 2023 18:37:02
The head of medical services, Gary O'Driscoll that Utd signed from Arsenal this summer is going to busy.

Hopefully he can work his magic and long term the Utd players become far less injury prone.

Mad Hatter

1.) 18 Sep 2023 19:21:13
We’re feeling the harsh effects of playing more club games than any side in Europe last season, a World Cup in the middle, followed by a badly planned pre-season. Another amateur decision stacking the odds against on the pitch success.


2.) 18 Sep 2023 19:36:00
A. W. B. is now going to be out for some time as well. It seems he picked up an injury during his 5 minute appearance on Saturday.


3.) 18 Sep 2023 21:52:12
With our injury list we need an exorcist not a doctor ??.


4.) 19 Sep 2023 06:28:18
Well we have had 5 games rest. so not sure its over working them. i'm surprised Onana hasn't put his back out lifting the ball out the net so often.


 

 

 

Mad Hatter's rumour replies

 

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14 Mar 2024 11:07:11
ED002,

Do you think Utd would be open to a player swap deal with Dortmund for Sancho?

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - It may depend on the coach.}


 

 

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21 Feb 2024 09:10:41
He has a mixture of the A and B shares. The B shares are worth more than the A shares.

The B shares are what the Glazers own.

Mad Hatter

 

 

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16 Feb 2024 09:43:42
Thanks ED002.

Mad Hatter

 

 

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16 Feb 2024 09:33:34
ED002,

Will Murtough remain as a DOF or will he be moved into a new role?

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - Murtough is being replaced.}


 

 

Click To View This Thread

15 Feb 2024 08:45:00
ED002,

Whobin your opinion would be the best option?

Mad Hatter

{Ed002's Note - Paul Mitchell would have been.}


 

 

 

Mad Hatter's banter replies

 

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15 Mar 2024 08:34:25
Salford7,

I was thinking the exact same thing yesterday. Half the price, but 3 times the player.

Mad Hatter

 

 

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12 Mar 2024 15:00:22
It perfectly sums how farcical VAR actually is. It is being implemented by clowns.

Mad Hatter

 

 

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11 Mar 2024 14:31:22
EtH needs a fully fit defence to do that. Our best defense is Martinez. It's not coincidence that whisky's he's been out, Utd have been well off the pace.

Mad Hatter

 

 

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26 Feb 2024 08:36:05
Good post Shappy.

Mad Hatter

 

 

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25 Feb 2024 10:02:36
I think he will end up at RM.

Mad Hatter