Manchester United Rumours Member Posts

 

Shappy's Profile

Current Avatar:
Shappy's Avatar



Shappy's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To Shappy's Posts

 

 

To Shappy's last 5 rumours posts

 

To Shappy's last 5 banter posts

 

To Shappy's last 5 rumour replies

 

To Shappy's last 5 banter replies

 

Shappy's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's rumours posts

 

03 Dec 2023 12:53:13
Heard a rumour today that United and Barcelona are exploring the possibility of swapping Sancho and Raphinha initially on loan, but with a possible view to it becoming a permanent deal if it works out.

If there is any truth to this then I think its a possible deal that could work out for all parties.

United and Sancho need to part ways, while Sancho probably doesn't want to take a step down/ backwards.

United really need someone who can lock down the RW spot, and Raphinha was one of the best RW players while at Leeds.

Unfortunately for him it seems Xavi doesn't quite rate him, despite him playing well when called upon.

Stylistically I tend to think that Sancho does fit better in a side like Barcelona and Raphinha in a side like United.

I'd be pretty happy if the club managed to pull something like this off, what is everyone else's view?

Shappy

1.) 03 Dec 2023 15:28:02
I mean I’d be delighted if we can pull that off. But I can’t see it.


2.) 03 Dec 2023 21:44:52
Sounds like a computer game transfer to me.


3.) 03 Dec 2023 21:52:43
Would rip your arm off for that deal but it’s all pie in the sky.


4.) 05 Dec 2023 01:58:03
We could do with new negotiators, or they might come back from Spain with a bunch of Rapini.


5.) 05 Dec 2023 09:07:03
Shappy

Wishful thinking. Why would Barcelona do that. He will end up somewhere in Italy as that's generally the league players end up when they don't work out in PL. He is not good enough for any of the top 3/ 4 teams in Spain and unaffordable for any in the next tier.

Its one of those players who will be hard to shift unless we take a bath on the transfer.


6.) 05 Dec 2023 21:09:51
Rumours today it’s Rashford ??‍♂️.


7.) 09 Dec 2023 20:22:57
I’d be happy if Rashford went tbh along with Sancho. The pair of ‘em aren’t bad players, as long as they get their own way. We aren’t currently in a place where we can carry talented babies though, so I’d get radical and get rid of the pair.


 

 

08 Jul 2023 14:41:19
DDG is gone, club just wished him well and said goodbye on Twatter.

Shappy

1.) 08 Jul 2023 14:49:36
Great servant, but right time for MU and himself to move on, some of the replies made my blood boil though, clearly not fans but even still. he's got my respect and wish him well in his next venture.


2.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!

He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)

Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?


3.) 08 Jul 2023 15:43:50
Our best player over the last 12 years, gutted he is going but it is the right time for him and the club.


4.) 08 Jul 2023 15:22:56
He's big, he's brave he's Spanish Dave
He makes great saves, he never shaves,
Flying through the air
Come and have a shot if you dare!

He indeed has been a great servant as well as a true professional in his behaviors. He will inevitably divide some on opinions, but no one can doubt some of the class saves over the years (Mata's freekick)

Ed002, what teams would be interested? Roma? Saudi clubs?

{Ed002's Note - David De Gea (G) If Mr Mourinho stays at Roma, then perhaps interest. Perhaps someone in Spain or the Middle East. Manchester United have a list of potential replacements but want a new contract.}


5.) 09 Jul 2023 07:07:25
Good time for both parties to move on. Clearly looked very uncomfortable under ETH’s system. That being said, a brilliant keeper for us over the years. Wish him all the best. Italy seems an obvious move in the absence of decent Spanish interest - or of course Saudi!


 

 

28 May 2023 09:30:51
Heard a rumour this morning that United might look at Benjamin Pavard from Bayern Munich, as well as closely monitoring the situation with Ryan Gravenberch.

Bayern yesterday sacked their CEO Oliver Kahn and their Sporting Director Hasan Salihamidzic, possibly opening the door for some players to leave who might have been intending to stay under the previous regime.

Pavard would be an interesting option, capable of playing both CB and RB he'd be a very good option.

Gravenberch too has great potential but just can't get the game time he needs with players like Kimmich and Goretzka ahead of him.

Shappy

1.) 28 May 2023 09:50:18
Think Ed002 said that Pavard is reluctant to consider us because he wants to play primarily as a cb.


2.) 28 May 2023 11:30:14
A RB who can also chip in at CB is a good shout, as is Frimpong.
I think Bayern have a number of players who should be of interest. I assume the Mount thing has legs and if so that would probably kill off any interest in Gravenberch and De Jong, and what of Sabitzer.


3.) 28 May 2023 12:13:02
Interesting thread this and might have legs as we know Erik likes players who can play multiple positions to limit the impact of injuries in the squad.


4.) 28 May 2023 13:25:20
Back in February, it was reported that his expected fee this summer could be £26.8m because his contract is up next year - that would amount to a bargain.

That said, it's likely that Bayern would still want more than that for a versatile defender approaching his prime.

The problem is that he wants to play CB and there can be no assurances offered by United that he'll be first-choice ahead of Varane.
He can play RB, but he might be reluctant about coming to a club where that could be his only consistent option.
That does also render Barcelona as a questionable option given that the superior Kounde is already playing RB to accommodate other players.

Personally, I'd expect him to move to a Serie A club.


5.) 28 May 2023 22:50:42
We really need to be looking at Gravenberch. I’m not sure if he’s even available but if he is and a a low price it’s a no brainier. Le fee is another player I hope we take a look at.


6.) 30 May 2023 10:44:36
varane missed 14 league games, went off 6 times, efl only played 90 mins in the final missed 4 games and subbed off once. Class act but never been consistantly fit for games throughout his career. Any cb coming in would get a minimum of 25 games a season if fit/ available.


 

 

25 Apr 2023 19:27:31
Evan Ferguson signs a new deal at Brighton, I think that rules him out this summer unless someone pays way over the top for him.

Shappy

1.) 25 Apr 2023 23:11:49
I think its the right move for him and Brighton. he's best off staying at Brighton where he can develop and grow.


2.) 26 Apr 2023 10:04:02
Not good enough. May well be in the future, but not now. We need the finished article, nothing less.


3.) 26 Apr 2023 16:20:51
Syd, I disagree. He's better than both Martial (due to being fit and available) and Weghorst. Ergo if we signed Ferguson he'd be the best striker at the club.

I'm not sure the finished article is what we need. We have a 3-5 year rebuild project on our hands. Much the same that both Klopp and Arteta had when they took over Liverpool and Arsenal respectively.

We need to be signing players who will peak over the next 2-6 years, players who are already at their peak will likely start to decline by the time we are ready to seriously challenge and thus will need replacing again.


4.) 27 Apr 2023 01:20:13
Ferguson may well be better than Martial and Weghorst. But all 3 are not good enough.

We need a finished article. Nothing less. Finished article, Premiership proven Kane or Naples' Big Os.

If we are to challenge for the title next season, then they are the two options.

No more potential nonsense. Time to bring in the next best thing after Haaland. Greenwood/ Rashford as back-up.


5.) 27 Apr 2023 18:25:40
Syd, we won't be challenging for the title next season, we are too far behind Arsenal let alone City. While Liverpool wil likely bounce back next year as well.


6.) 27 Apr 2023 21:34:24
You think we're too far behind arsenal shappy?

I think this season of there's has been a one off. They've been brilliant as a unit in their first 11, but they lose one or two then they struggle as we've seen recently.

And whilst they have had some of the best players in the league this season. I think it's just that, this season.

Saka, Odegaard, Saliba who have been outstanding aside, the rest don't impress that much. Partey has been good, as has Martinelli. And xhaka also has surprise me in his importance to the team. There's no denying the quality and potential.

But again, in the ecstasy of a possible unexpected title win I think arsenal fans and the media have overhyped a lot of their squad.

Claiming partey as the best dm in the league, Ben White as the best rb and comparing saka to the likes of mbappe vini jr and Messi are all examples of them being overhyped.

And with them having such a young squad, will they be able to handle the disappointment of bottling the league? Will it make them stronger next season for experiencing the title race? Or weaker for losing out after almost all season at the top?

On top of that, city although unreal will again invest. Liverpool I expect to rejuvenate. I expect we will invest appropriately. And we may even see chelseas mish mash of a squad finally gel.

It could go one way or the other, very easily. They could build on it, or they could struggle to get top 4 next season.

With a raw manager and a young squad on the back of disappointment. I'd lean more towards a struggle for them next season.


 

 

02 Apr 2023 10:59:55
Ed002, I see on another page you said Manchester United have reignited their interest in Khephren Thuram. I was wondering what other midfielders are of interest to the club for this summer?

Shappy

{Ed002's Note - Something like this:
Joao Palhinha (DM), Sergej Milinkovic-Savic (CM/AM/DM), Taylor Booth (CM) - looking unlikely, Khephren Thuram (DM/CM), Marcel Sabitzer (CM) - chances are drifting away, Frenkie de Jong (CM), Jude Bellingham (CM) - very unlikely, Manu Kouadio Kone (CM/DM) - in discussions to move elsewhere, Mason Mount (AM) - unlikely, Mohammed Kudus (AM).}


1.) 02 Apr 2023 13:16:14
Fantastic, thanks.


2.) 02 Apr 2023 15:35:30
So that's 10 midfielders, none of whom are likely to move to us. Amazing. ????.


3.) 02 Apr 2023 17:36:00
Personally I think we need someone more on the defensive side, if they are a good ball carrier that would be a massive plus.

I think with players like Bruno, Eriksen, the young lad Hannibal as well as players like Sancho and Amad who can play as a No.10 I think we have enough creative midfielders currently.

However, the drop off in Quality when Casemiro is out is massive. While the futures of both Fred and McTominay are up in the air.

Maybe letting one of McFred leave and signing one of Palhinha, Thuram or Kone from that bunch would give us more balanced midfield options.


4.) 02 Apr 2023 21:40:04
We def need cover for Casemeiro but what top player wants to sign as cover? More importantly we need to sign a midfielder who drives the team on and won't accept the limp displays like we saw today.


5.) 03 Apr 2023 07:14:42
Salford, I think Palhinha might be difficult to sign as at his age (27, 28 in July) he'll want to play regularly. However, younger players like Thuram or Kone who will both be 22 by the start of next season have time on their side to learn from Casemiro and eventually replace the 31 year old.


6.) 03 Apr 2023 08:02:31
Sabitzer now looking unlikely?


7.) 03 Apr 2023 08:07:26
Who is the other club who is in talks with Manu Kone?

Very good all action player.


8.) 03 Apr 2023 08:53:08
Interesting to see the stance on Sabitzer, and the chances of signing him drifting away as Ed puts it.
How does everyone feel about the player, should we be looking to get him permanently? He's clearly an upgrade but has he done enough? I think it depends on departures more than anything.


9.) 03 Apr 2023 13:48:22
Spenno,

He’s an upgrade on our squad players but he’s never going to be first choice for us, I would be surprised if we signed him permanently or if he starts any big games once Casemiro and Eriksen are back.


10.) 03 Apr 2023 14:44:20
Spenno, I like Sabitzer, but he's not set the league alight since he's signed. In fact he's hardly started when Casemiro has been available.

Also at his age you'd imagine if he was to leave Bayern's bench you'd expect it'd be to be first choice somewhere, not to be another bit part player. At 28 he's at his peak, he should be playing every week.


11.) 03 Apr 2023 23:57:22
I think Sabitzer is the epitome of the term ‘bang average’ He does a bit of this and a bit of that, but ultimately he’s nowhere near good enough. In fact, he’s not much better than McTominay, if at all.


12.) 04 Apr 2023 14:21:27
Sabizer is meh for me, I've not seen anything other than a lot of effort.


13.) 04 Apr 2023 17:25:42
Definitely bang average. i haven't seen anything from him to be honest.


14.) 05 Apr 2023 20:05:30
I like Sabitzer. Tidy, does the basics well. Would be a good squad player for me. Obviously, he might not want that at this stage of career, but if we could get him fairly cheap, it's a yes from me.


15.) 06 Apr 2023 22:06:51
He’s definitely better than Mctominay, and it’s perhaps a little unfair to judge him on his first few games in a new league having not played too many minutes. He has started to look better in the last few games and popping up with goals and assists, he was one of the only ones with any credit from the Newcastle game, so maybe if he continues to improve we will look to sign him.


 

 

 

Shappy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Shappy's banter posts

 

Does the Manchester United Squad Size Matter?

14 Mar 2024 07:39:07
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Does the Manchester United Squad Size Matter?

Shappy

1.) 14 Mar 2024 16:10:02
I thought size always matters!


 

 

13 Mar 2024 13:19:05
Ken, international football is a different beast. I'm not saying the pressure is less particularly, but it's not as constant. You don't live with it day in and day out like they do at United.

Maybe they play a better for their countries because they get a break from the goldfish bowl that is Old Trafford. Or maybe international football is a lower standard and therefore more forgiving of mistakes.

The problem is we have very few leaders, Varane, Martinez and Casemiro seem the only obvious choices. Yet they have all played limited minutes and cannot be relied upon to be fit from game to game.

I think we have a lot of fair weather players. Guys who can do it in the sunshine can play well when playing is easy. But when the weather turns, and it becomes hard graft, they lack the fight for it.

The problem is the media love a crisis and Manchester United sells papers and garners clicks. So regardless, we are always on the brink of a crisis. Look at United this calendar year, 6 wins on the bounce, two losses later and it's a crisis. Liverpool have dropped points back to back, City have also, as have Arsenal.

Though it's never considered a crisis at these clubs when it happens.

Being a Manchester United player is 30% talent and 70% mentality.

You need to be a fighter, you need to revel in challenges, you need to take criticism and use it as fuel and not wear it as a millstone around your neck. You need to be brave.

Unfortunately, we don't have a lot of players like that at the club right now. The few we do are struggling to stay fit and play.

Without them on the pitch, we lack leaders. There is no one to turn to and follow when things get tough.

Beyond signing new players with the right quality and talent this summer, we need to make sure we sign leaders. Fighters, warriors. Guys who see a challenge smile and roll their sleeves up and get stuck in.

I do think we have a few potential leaders at the club. Martinez is the obvious one. Mount has been a leader at Chelsea and captained them on occasions. Maybe he's someone who could develop into a leader at the club once he can get fit and playing. Dalot, I think, is a surprise candidate, he's shown real quality this season and fight. He doesn't let his head drop and is always geeing up his teammates and showing some passion and fight.

Onana has also shown great resilience and mental fortitude to fight back from a shaky start and is showing some great form since the turn of the year. He seems to have the right mental strength required. Mainoo has also shown real maturity and a great attitude. Although young, he could well grow into a leader at the club.

The problem is we need more leaders, at CB, at CM and particularly in attack. Where we have far too many players who go hiding when things get tough.

Shappy

1.) 13 Mar 2024 16:34:28
Shappy

Do you not think mount is a player that epitomises the glazer ownership? He could have stayed at chelsea if he was a leader and wanted to head the challenge of dragging them back to the top. Instead he deemed himself worth a vast amount of wages that he's never proven worthy of! For all those that say oh well klopp wanted him yes at the 100k a week he's probably worth. he's another yardstick for new signings to compare wages to. he's everything that i dislike about our squad it isn't his fault granted but he's come for money not the project at hand.


2.) 13 Mar 2024 16:40:03
I don’t think there’s anything wrong with player’s looking to get the highest wage they can. Modern football clubs are set up to make money, players are entitled to look after their own economic interests. With Mount, he could have stayed at Chelsea, or moved for higher wages. Chelsea, during the summer at least, looked a club in a bigger flux than United.

Liverpool don’t enter the equation because they wouldn’t meet Chelsea’s asking price.


3.) 13 Mar 2024 16:57:16
W16wes, maybe but I think you're being a bit harsh. Employees move around for many different reasons.

Let's give him a chance to show what he can do before rushing to judgement.


4.) 13 Mar 2024 17:44:02
Do we not all work for money and want to maximise our earnings?
I have always liked mount as a player. I was looking forward to him coming into the team and really challenging Bruno for a spot in the side. But eth wanted to play him deeper where he never really played for Chelsea. We never got to see a sustained run of that before he got injured but neither mount nor the team were benefiting from that change of position before he got injured albeit only a few games.
I'd really like to see him fit next season and look to seeing how coach whomever that is getting him playing to his strengths and to the level he was a couple of years ago.


5.) 13 Mar 2024 19:03:15
W16wes, I think the issue Mount had at Chelsea was the club were not prepared to offer him wages in line with what they were paying their biggest signings.

He felt undervalued and take for granted because he was an academy player and not a big money signing.

This is despite him being back to back player of the year for them and their best player.

I think it's only fair to expect pay at least equal pay to those you are outperforming on a weekly basis.


6.) 13 Mar 2024 19:05:13
Just to clarify, Mason Mount ranked 1st in the following areas since his Chelsea Debut when we signed him:

Appearances, Starts, Minutes Played, Goals, Assists and Chances Created.

Appreciate he had a bad last season and has been injured this season, but there is certainly a proven PL player in there.


7.) 13 Mar 2024 19:19:40
I like Mount, touted him earlier in the season as a potential Captain. Have to clear Bruno out of the way when he is fit.


8.) 13 Mar 2024 19:27:57
For sure there is kurtis. I never envisaged him as a box to box player though did you?
The plan was to use him with casimero and Bruno as per eth at the beginning of the season. Obviously eth sees something different. It left us wide open but had no time to gel so it's hard to know.
I can never understand why we paid 60m for a player that as pointed out above was excelling in a position and then ask him to play a completely different position. Why not pay 60m for a player that plays the position you want filled?
Just seems a bit of an odd way to go about things.


9.) 13 Mar 2024 21:18:23
Here he goes again ….


10.) 13 Mar 2024 22:42:26
I agree TW. I don't think is a box to box midfielder. He is too creative and should be playing in the 10 or 8 role. The problem is we are too vulnerable at the back so we are restricted to having 2 defensive midfielders.

Personally I would move Bruno on in the Summer, and if Mount can stay fit, have him play in his role.


11.) 13 Mar 2024 23:07:49
Totally agree Kurtis. I thought that may happen last summer but it was a bit of wishful thinking on my behalf. He has to stay fit 18 months now with one injury after another. Hard to give him a key role until he gets an injury free season behind him.
We have incurred a huge amount of non impact injuries this season mostly muscle related. Hope our luck change next season. Coming off the euros players will be needing good rest at times.


12.) 13 Mar 2024 23:52:06
He is better than McTominay in the position he’s been playing in a lot of games this season, so if you replace Scott with Mount I think we would be a better team.


13.) 14 Mar 2024 10:45:55
I'm excited to see Mount and mainoo together. For more challenging games i.e arsenal, City, Liverpool, i'd like to see a 3 of mount case and mainoo with Bruno on the right as I believe we would need more bodies in there.

But overall, just want to see Mount get a decent run of games. I really like him.


14.) 14 Mar 2024 11:32:10
I agree on mount angel but I would not be playing garnacho on the left to accommodate Bruno on the right.
Bruno on the bench is a better starting point than on the right imo.
But eth will know what he wants for the last 13 games I'm sure.


 

 

13 Mar 2024 10:17:31
Manchester United Logo

Shappy has written an article entitled, Does The Manchester United Squad Size Matter?

Shappy

1.) 13 Mar 2024 11:51:09
It’s absolutely a problem. Every three years we have a new manager coming in, deeming some of the players surplus and wanting to bring in their own players. However, because the club vastly overpaid for the players now deemed surplus and they’re on massive wages, the club struggles to sell them. That leaves the club with a lot of players that know they’re not wanted in the squad. Hardly conducive to a good atmosphere and easy to see how different cliques have formed. Added to that no clear leader in the dressing room, plus the amount of injuries, and boom you have this mishmash of players out in the pitch.

But it’s hard to see a way out of it. FFP constraints mean the club needs to sell to buy. Yet, they value players way above their market price and, as we have seen with Martial, players are reluctant to move if it means a massive reduction in salary. It hammers home precisely why a club needs directors that shape the long term direction of the club, rather than relying on managers who could be sacked if results turn.


2.) 13 Mar 2024 15:27:04
I find the mentality issue odd. What kind of business people invest millions of pounds in an 'asset' without carrying out the necessary due diligence?

The Glazers are obviously not idiots so why would they approve of so much of their (sorry Redman) money being spent without the most basic of checks?

Like you say Shappy a massive part of whether a player is any good is their mentality. It seems obvious to even those of us who are inexperienced in business that you thoroughly investigate the mentality of a player before buying them.

To keep repeating the same mistake over and over and over again to the tune of a billion pounds seems beyond the realms of possibility.


3.) 13 Mar 2024 16:05:57
Shappy, what I am not sure of is who the 36 players you are referring to are, if it is as listed on our official website, then 8 are on loan not 5. Out of the remaining 27, 3 are Kambwala (promoted to 1st team in Dec 2023 as a necessity), Forson and Shoretire (dont remember him playing any minutes this season) . The reason i bring up the these three is who in City's 24 man squad can equate to these three academy promoted lads? Without them we will be at par with city's 24. One less than Arsenal's 25.


4.) 13 Mar 2024 19:10:02
The Glazers do/ did not run the club on a day to basis. They rely/ relied on the executives hired to do so. They don't know anything about football, and unfortunately the people they hired to run the club haven't known much either. Woodward, in particular, was a disaster from a football point of view. He even echoed the idea that winning the title wasn't important. After a decade of utter incompetence they've finally given the responsibility for gathering a competent team to run the club over to SJR. Let's hope he can make a difference.


5.) 13 Mar 2024 21:59:02
mbd,

Bayindir, Heaton, Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia, Varane, Dalot, Shaw, AWB, Williams, Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Kambwala, Amrabat, Mount, Bruno, Eriksen, Amad, Casemiro, Pellistri, Donny, Mainoo, McTominay, Gore, Hannibal, Forson, Martial, Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, Antony, Sancho, Shoretire, Greenwood.

While 8 are now on loan, of those 8 only Fernandez, Williams and Greenwood were on loan before January. Giving us a 33 man squad for the first half of the season.

City have a first team squad of 27 players in total (including young academy players Rico Lewis, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Oscar Bobb, James McAtee and Perrone) . Three of which are out on loan along with Cancelo and Phillips meaning they have a first team squad of 22 players right now. Of which include Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb. As well as the young Serio Gomez. By the time you take out those three who play very limited minutes, as well as Carson and Ortega as the back up keepers, then you are left with a core squad of 17 players who play regularly.

They have 12 players in their squad with more than 1000 league minutes this season, meaning 10 players aren't getting regular minutes.

United until January had 33 players in our squad with only 13 players with more than 1000 league minutes. Meaning 20 players have not been getting regular minutes.

You can't create a tight knit group when you have approaching 40 players.

Until January our squad was 50% bigger than Man City's (33 to 22).

The difference is the vast majority of Man City's second 11 would get into our first 11. Whereas we might be lucky to get 4 players from our entire 36 man squad that would have a chance of getting into City's second 11.

We need a core of around 18 top quality outfield players who can all perform at a high level and where the drop off in team performance is minimal regardless of which of the 18 are playing. That leaves space for 3 keepers and the cream of the academy to be pushing to fill out the last few spaces in the squad.


 

 

Speculation On Manchester United's Next Manager

26 Feb 2024 07:39:10
{Ed's Note - Shappy has posted a new article entitled, Speculation On Manchester United's Next Manager

Shappy

1.) 26 Feb 2024 08:36:05
Good post Shappy.


2.) 26 Feb 2024 08:44:58
No mention of Carrick? lol

Quite a few clubs will be looking for new mgrs. Barcelona and Lpool on top of that list so top managerial talent will be hot demand this summer.


3.) 26 Feb 2024 09:34:54
We may end up with a scenario where ETH stays because the right manager is not available or chooses to go elsewhere. Bayern, Liverpool, Barcelona we know are all going to be looking for a new manager in the Summer. You then have the potential for ourselves, maybe Chelsea and I can see Newcastle looking for a new manager too unless they have a dramatic change of improvement. Finally, the one person who may trigger all this or will be a big influence on what happens will be Xabi Alonso. If he leaves Leverkusen and they have won the league, they will be looking to get a top Manager/ Coach in also. If he stays because he wants to continue to develop as a Manager and have a crack at the Champions League with Leverkusen, then the pool of Managers to employ becomes a lot smaller.

With everything that SJR has said recently about the structure of the club etc, I don't see Tuchel being any better than ETH so for me I'd rule him out. I'm not sold on Potter if I'm honest. Alonso won't come to us. The Sociedad manager Alguacil or Lisbon Manager, Amorim would be good shouts but I'd think Barcelona would be a greater pull for either of them.

I wonder if ETH is to go would we see a surprise appointment like Simeone, SJR has expressed his admiration for him. Going to be an interesting Summer in the Managerial world.


4.) 26 Feb 2024 09:50:26
There are a lot of more outside of the box type managers that could be considered. I've heard rumours of Kieran McKenna still being very highly thought of. Or Francesco Farioli of Nice.

I certainly wouldn't rule out the club hiring someone who isn't in the bookies top 10 list of favourites to get the job if it comes to hiring a new manager.


5.) 26 Feb 2024 10:41:00
Who ever it is will need time I think they will need to provide some sort of evidence or proof that they are on the right track and that they are making solid and sustainable improvements as they go.


6.) 26 Feb 2024 11:34:24
I like the idea of naglesman tbh.


7.) 26 Feb 2024 13:25:31
His star has slipped somewhat caolan and in hindsight what did he ever really achieve at red bull.
He could well do a great job but his CV would not inspire me.
But he could easily grow into the role.
Let's be honest there are no guarantees with anyone other than pep imo.


8.) 26 Feb 2024 13:54:52
Got into a discussion with a few friends this weekend about next managers, ones a scouser unfortunately but felt relevant for both of us (for what it is worth he wants Alonso for them) .

One comment that kept coming round was if this is truely a reset of the back room, and the club will determine the culture/ playing style then possibly who we get next might not be as key to the long term future as it would be under the old/ current structure where they determine most things.

So, whilst we might all have reservations about Potter/ De Zerbi/ Nagelsmen/ Almeron etc. they might actually work so long as they are aligned with the hierachy. We need a first team coach more than old school manager. If it does not then the club are still moving forward and can replace them without having to reset the rebuild.
Not wanting to think it will fail, but I would like us to be brave with who we look at and not fear it failing whoever it is the club choose.


 

 

25 Feb 2024 20:58:10


Shappy has written an article entitled, Speculation On Manchester United's Next Manager

Shappy

 

 

 

Shappy's rumour replies

 

Click To View This Thread

16 Mar 2024 11:28:26
Ed002, is the possibility of Andre Onana leaving something that is coming from the club or the player?

I think after a shaky start he has started to really settle down and has probably been one of our best players since he returned from the AFCON. With a better defence in front of him I think he could be a really good player for us.

Shappy

{Ed002's Note - Andre Onana (G) Not worked out and will be offered to Michael Emanalo as Manchester United look to upgrade - could stay as second choice as Bayindir wants out and Heaton will be out of contract.}


 

 

Click To View This Thread

12 Mar 2024 21:57:20
He might need to go out on loan again, or the club might have to take a big hit when selling him.

He's on massive wages, been poor for three years now and has displayed an appalling attitude.

He's now gone back to Dortmund and not pulled up any trees. Why would anyone be mad enough to pay a large fee and big wages to take a chance on him?

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

12 Mar 2024 07:30:18
Apparently that's not quite right, he's deactivated his social media for Ramadan.

Be careful which reports you read and remember not to jump to conclusions.

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

11 Mar 2024 12:12:10
We are potentially looking at a new LB due to Shaw and Malacia being injury prone. I'm not sure chasing Tierney, another injury prone player, is the best idea.

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

29 Feb 2024 06:43:52
I suspect a lot of people will turn their nose up at Potter.

Mostly based on his short time at Chelsea. The irony is that both Potter and EtH have been in charge of horrifically ran clubs which meant they were effectively working with one hand tied behind their back.

I don't think for one second what either achieved with both clubs is indicative of their true ability and what they are capable of.

I'll be honest I'll have a wry smile on my face if Potter does replace EtH when thinking about all those fans who are pushing for the Dutchman to get sacked.

I think their heads might explode ?.

Shappy

 

 

 

Shappy's banter replies

 

Click To View This Thread

16 Mar 2024 12:19:44
Fizz, there are two problems with that train of thought. Firstly from the teams perspective we actually don't have anyone who offers more than what Rashford is offering right now, let alone at his best.

Dropping Rashford means one or even both of Antony and Amad have to start depending on Hojlund's availability.

Even as poor as Rashford has been he has 7 goals and 2 assists for us this season. Antony has 1 goal and 0 assists. Amad hasn't shown much when he has come on to suggest he'd do much better.

The second issue is that depending on what the issue is and the person involved it might not be best for that person to stop their work. It might be that their work gives them s break from whatever it is they are dealing with.

I'm going through a divorce currently, and when we first split up the idea of not being able to go into work and do my job would fill me with dread. I wanted and needed those 8 hours escape each day to distract me and allow me to have some time away from it all. That's me though, others might need that time. Also it probably depends on what it is you are dealing with, and what options you have to deal with it.

The reality is Rashford is not the major problem is this team, our problems won't be magically solved by simply dropping him. While it might be frustrating watching him right now, it might not be in the clubs or the players best interests to drop him.

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

14 Mar 2024 22:00:35
Rashford is a very good player. Personally I think something is up with him in his personal life this season.

He's always had the talent, and he has always been a hardworking, dedicated player. Someone who ate right, trained hard, would often be the first in and the last two leave training. Someone who never lacked for effort on the pitch.

That was true last season. This season however something is different, he seems unfocused, unmotivated and lacking effort and work rate. He looks like mentally he's playing in 2nd gear.

For me that points towards something happening in his life away from football that is distracting him or effecting his mood/ attitude. His demeanor seems more sullen, less jovial than it has been previously.

We are all very quick to jump on players when their performance level drops, when what we should really be doing is asking why it has.

Maybe he needs a move away, a clean break and a fresh start. I wouldn't be surprised to see him excel somewhere else. If that is what he wants then its best the club look to accommodate that. I've always said the moment a player doesn't want to be here then they need to be shown the door. However, in his recent interview it was clear that he loves the club. So maybe the better course of action is to support him, find out what has changed and help him through it. Help him get back to the Marcus who plays with a smile on his face, who works hard and always gives 100% effort. If we can get him back to that headspace then we will have a 20 goal a season player, not just any player either, but a former academy player who genuinely loves the club and is a fan like us at heart.

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

13 Mar 2024 21:59:02
mbd,

Bayindir, Heaton, Onana, Lindelof, Maguire, Martinez, Malacia, Varane, Dalot, Shaw, AWB, Williams, Evans, Alvaro Fernandez, Kambwala, Amrabat, Mount, Bruno, Eriksen, Amad, Casemiro, Pellistri, Donny, Mainoo, McTominay, Gore, Hannibal, Forson, Martial, Rashford, Hojlund, Garnacho, Antony, Sancho, Shoretire, Greenwood.

While 8 are now on loan, of those 8 only Fernandez, Williams and Greenwood were on loan before January. Giving us a 33 man squad for the first half of the season.

City have a first team squad of 27 players in total (including young academy players Rico Lewis, Josh Wilson-Esbrand, Oscar Bobb, James McAtee and Perrone) . Three of which are out on loan along with Cancelo and Phillips meaning they have a first team squad of 22 players right now. Of which include Rico Lewis and Oscar Bobb. As well as the young Serio Gomez. By the time you take out those three who play very limited minutes, as well as Carson and Ortega as the back up keepers, then you are left with a core squad of 17 players who play regularly.

They have 12 players in their squad with more than 1000 league minutes this season, meaning 10 players aren't getting regular minutes.

United until January had 33 players in our squad with only 13 players with more than 1000 league minutes. Meaning 20 players have not been getting regular minutes.

You can't create a tight knit group when you have approaching 40 players.

Until January our squad was 50% bigger than Man City's (33 to 22).

The difference is the vast majority of Man City's second 11 would get into our first 11. Whereas we might be lucky to get 4 players from our entire 36 man squad that would have a chance of getting into City's second 11.

We need a core of around 18 top quality outfield players who can all perform at a high level and where the drop off in team performance is minimal regardless of which of the 18 are playing. That leaves space for 3 keepers and the cream of the academy to be pushing to fill out the last few spaces in the squad.

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

13 Mar 2024 19:03:15
W16wes, I think the issue Mount had at Chelsea was the club were not prepared to offer him wages in line with what they were paying their biggest signings.

He felt undervalued and take for granted because he was an academy player and not a big money signing.

This is despite him being back to back player of the year for them and their best player.

I think it's only fair to expect pay at least equal pay to those you are outperforming on a weekly basis.

Shappy

 

 

Click To View This Thread

12 Mar 2024 16:35:03
Ken, I don't think it does take away from the on pitch Ref's authority. It's already a team of officials running a game, the Ref, the linesmen, the , and since the introduction of VAR they are a part of the decision making team.

The whole point of VAR is to correct mistakes made by Ref's through the use of video replay and multiply camera angles. Being able to see the things that the Ref cannot see.

I see no reason why a fully qualified referee who has the advantage of seeing the incident from multiple angles, several times and potentially slowed down cannot make the call.

Slowing down the game more than it needs to just takes away from the spectacle of the game and makes matches less enjoyable.

The game has got too big for clear an obvious errors to be allowed to persist. Wrong decisions effect both ends of the table and can potentially cost teams hundreds of millions as well as potential glory.

We can't allow a situation where billions of people around the world know there has been a potentially result altering mistake made but the guy in the middle making the decisions is completely oblivious. That's madness.

However, football is a very different sport to Rugby, Cricket or Tennis where this technology has been used successfully before. Those are slower paced, more stop start games. They also have much clearer rules less open to interpretation.

As such the use of VAR in football needs to be used differently.

Where possible any and all ambiguity should be removed from the rules. That's just good for the sport in general. You can't have similar incidents being adjudicated differently on the same weekend. Imagine if on the final day of the season the title as well as who gets relegated are still undecided. Then two similar incidents happen at opposite ends of the table, on decision is given and the other isn't. Both handing the title to one team while condemning another to relegation.

The rules need to be clear and not open for interpretation.

I think VAR decisions should be being reviewed live while the game continues where possible. If the VAR official believes the wrong decision has been made they overrule it and play is brought back.

They should be restricted to 30 seconds, if it takes longer then it is neither a clear or obvious error.

There is automated offside technology, this should be used instead of VAR as video analysis of offsides takes too long with VAR (unless it's clear and obvious) .

The officials microphone conversations should be live broadcast, as well as what the VAR official is reviewing both to a TV audience and in the stadium.

There is the suggestions that some officials are not making decision through fear of getting it wrong and absolving their responsibility to VAR. This actually wouldn't be a problem if VAR had the ability to overrule on pitch decisions and a proclivity to actually call out a colleagues mistake.

As for a referees authority, I think this is another completely separate issue which needs stronger leadership within the FA to resolve.

Waving imaginary cards was and to my knowledge is still a bookable offence. But would the FA back Ref's if they did book every player who does it. Likewise surrounding and harassing the Ref, but again there doesn't seem to be the stomach from the FA to back a hard crackdown on it.

Bring in similar rules to Rugby in regard to how players are allowed to speak to or not speak to a Ref and crackdown hard on the rules. If it means a few games being abandoned one weekend due to too many players being sent off then so be it. I'd bet you any amount of money the behaviour would be drastically different the following weekend.

Shappy