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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

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23 Mar 2024 19:34:23
MancMan, how many other examples can you name? Its very rare in football to have two players primarily doing the same job within a team. You tend to have a role and a part to play, you stick to that and do it well then the team will play well.

The problem with having two similar box o box type midfielders is in order for them to make the right decision they need to know what the other is doing at that moment.

You can't break forward if your midfield partner has already started to break forward, likewise do you drop deep or track a runner? Will you get in the way of your midfield teammate.

In order to make this type of system work you need two very intelligent, quick thinking players who can form a near telepathic understanding of each other. Even then mistakes will happen and the team can become overexposed.

Shappy

 

 

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23 Mar 2024 16:01:31
MancMan, firstly that was a very different time. Mid-table sides in the EPL didn't have the kind of quality players that they do now. We are talking about it working 25 years ago now. Back then you could play with two strikers and two wingers and not leave your midfield exposed. You just can't do that now. Very few teams play with a strike duo, and those that do don't play with wingers.

Secondly, at that time I wouldn't have called Scholes a well rounded midfielder, defensively off the ball he wasn't great. It worked because Keane sacrificed parts of his game (going forward and being a scoring threat) to facilitate Scholes. Keane rightly accepted Scholes was a bigger threat in the final third, which meant it was better for the team that he stay deeper and allow Scholes more freedom. That was one of the great things about Keane, he was willing to sacrifice his personal glory for the team. He'd rather the team win 5-0 and he didn't score than draw 3-3 and he scored a couple of goals.

For Mainoo and Neves to work one of them would probably have to make that same sacrifice, be prepared to limit part of their game to be the foil for the other one to make the most of their talents.

I'm not sure I'd want to take a 100m gamble on a modern day footballer to be willing to sacrifice personal glory for the team.

Shappy

 

 

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23 Mar 2024 12:39:43
Joao Neves is clearly a phenomenal talent. That said there are three reason's why I don't think he's the right signing for us this summer.

Firstly, his price. He will be close to or even north of 100m. Given how big a squad rebuild we have to do this summer I don't think we can justify signing anyone for that sort of fee. I also don't see spending huge fees on unproven players as something INEOS will be looking to do. I expect if they spend big it'll be on a player with EPL experience.

Secondly, I really don't see any top side as being likely to regularly line up with an 18 year old and a 19 year old at the heart of the midfield. Simply it's too much inexperience in the most vital area of the pitch. While the idea of Mainoo and Neves might to some sound like midfield is sorted for the next decade or more. The reality is that very few managers if any would regularly play two such inexperienced players together. Which makes me worry that if we signed Neves then he'd be competing with Mainoo to start each week rather than play along side him.

Finally, I'm not actually convinced that Mainoo and Neves would be as well balanced a midfield as you'd expect. At least not yet. Both players have a similar profile, complete, technical midfielders who can progress the ball through midfield and are also probably slightly better a little deeper rather than higher in midfield. Maybe Mainoo will develop into being slightly more box to box and maybe Neves will develop into being a deeper playmaker, but currently neither regularly play those roles.

Spending 100m and potentially blocking the pathway for our most promising youngster does not sound like great business, especially as the player we would be signing hasn't consistently played the role we would be signing him for.

Don't get me wrong, in my opinion Joao Neves will be a world class player. But I also think Mainoo will be. I also think that currently they are both best suited to playing the same role (box to box/ roaming playmaker) . I'd rather back the lad we have and sign someone who would act as a foil and get the best out of Mainoo.

The player I'd actually sign is Joao Neves's Benfica team mate Florentino Luis. He was the defensive foil that enabled Enzo Fernandez to look like one of the best midfielders in the world. We are seeing how Enzo has struggled to replicate that form at Chelsea despite having the excellent Moises Caicedo along side him. The issue with that Chelsea midfield for me is that Enzo and Caicedo are similar players. Both combative, and progressive midfielders. Neither are players who are happy to sit and shield the defence and act as the foil for their teammate. This is the same issue as England had with Lampard and Gerrard.
Since Enzo left benfica his place has been taken by the excellent Joao Neves. However, Neves is also benefitting from the quietly fantastic Florentino Luis. While Neves gets the credit for his all action displays, being able to be everywhere on the pitch, find the spaces to create chances for teammates and able to get into tackles and win the ball back. He is only able to play that way because of Florentino who is intelligently sitting and shielding the defence, knowing when to step up and when to drop off. Reading the game and filling in the gaps deeper in midfield that gives Neves the licence to roam and show off his well rounded skillset. Just as he did for Enzo before Neves.

Florentino reads the game well, knows how to move to fill in gaps and shield the defence, has great technique, is press resistant, great in the tackle, but also able to take the ball off the defence, turn and play an intelligent and accurate pass forward to progress the play. He very much reminds me of Carrick, although Florentino doesn't hit those long switches of play quite as often (this might be a tactical thing as he is quite able to do so), while he's a bit stronger in the tackle, slightly more aggressive than Carrick was. He turns 25 at the start of next season and is hitting his prime, he has the experience to guide a young Mainoo through games, much like he is helping a young Neves right now.

Unfortunately he won't be cheap, but I'd expect Benfica might be a little more open to selling him rather than Neves, as such he would be cheaper than his midfield teammate. I also think he'd be the perfect player to unlock Mainoo while also giving our defence the protection it needs.

No idea if the club is interested in him, but for me he is the best and obvious choice to bring our midfield into the modern era and would be able to form a great and in my opinion title winning midfield with Mainoo for the next 5-6 years.

Shappy

 

 

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19 Mar 2024 19:14:37
I'm pretty sure SJR hasn't become a self-made billionaire by blindly doing what everyone tells him, certainly not when the advice might come from a grudge or a personal dislike.

Shappy

 

 

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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.}


 

 

 

Shappy's banter replies

 

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28 Mar 2024 16:26:33
Mainoo needs to play as a No.8, he's so good in every phase of the game and he needs to be able to get involved in both dropping deep to defend or to take the ball from the defence and progress it forward, but he's also able to be that guy who can win the ball back higher, play threaded balls between the lines, or just dance through several players to make space and possibly even score himself.

We need to find a true No.6 to come in, someone who'll shield the defence while also being able to progress the ball through their passing range. I'm not sure we want someone who'll pick the ball up and dribble 40 yards forward with it as that would require Mainoo to drop deep to cover them. We need that player who'll always being in the defensive and middle thirds, to allow Mainoo the freedom to be where he can help the team the most.

Shappy

 

 

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23 Mar 2024 19:40:18
Mainoo, Florentino will likely cost 60-70m, while Joao Neves will be 90-120m. I really don't think the club will spend close to 200m on two midfielders this summer.

Joao Neves is a similar profile of midfielder to Mainoo. Why spend 90-120m on Neves when we have Mainoo already?

Florentino is the profile of player we need, he would be slightly on the expensive side, but if I'm honest I think he's the ideal player and the best available for that profile of player.

Shappy

 

 

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23 Mar 2024 13:27:54
I think Southgate has been the right man, in the right place, at the right time for England.

He has his limitations, everyone does. We won't find a manager without some limitations. The trick is to make sure the management team makes up for those limitations.

SAF was one of the best managers ever. Yet for all his ability to get the most out of players, to keep the dressing room hungry and focused, for his mental tennis and mind games that could derail a title rival, for being able to plan ahead and make sure that there was a ready replacement waiting just at the right time as a player started to drop off. For all of those great skills he was tactically limited. He knew this, and he addressed it by regularly brining in a new assistant manager who had learned and focused on the newest tactics and techniques. Brining someone in with new ideas and letting them have more control than most assistant managers would get at most other clubs meant the team was able to tactically evolve and stay fresh, rather than sticking to the same tired and trusted tactics even when the football landscape has changed. Manager who do that fade from relevance eventually as they become outdated.

Southgate seems to have a similar tactical weakness, and if he had or if he trusted the advice of those in his management team a little more then maybe he'd have won something as England manager already.

He's done a great job of changing the attitude and mentality around the England camp. Players with poor attitudes are given short shift and aren't welcome no matter how talented (Sancho, Greenwood) . He appreciates that it isn't about assembling the best players, but about building the strongest team. He saw the divisions in the England camp as a player, and he knows how they limited a very talented generation of players who probably should have won something. Certainly less or equally talented teams won things during that time.

I think he's been fortunate to be England manager at this time, while many people bemoaned the homegrown quota brought into the the EPL all those years ago we are now seeing the fruits of that policy.

If there was a weakness to the "Golden generation" it was how few options there were to pick beyond the obvious 23 man squad. The drop off in quality from Owen and Rooney to Vassell and Johnson was massive. That was the same issue all over the pitch. There was never a genuine debate about who should and shouldn't be selected. Now though there are players who will not be selected for this summers Euros who would probably be first choice for most other nations.

In defence we have James, Walker, Trippier, TAA, White, Livramento, Stones, Maguire, Konsa, Tomori, Dunk, Guehi, Branthwaite, Colwill, Gomez, Tarkowski, Kilman, Mings, Shaw, Chilwell, Henry, Burn, Mitchell.

There are 23 defenders all of whom have a genuine shout of being selected, 8 maybe 9 will get to go, meaning 14-15 of them will be watching from home. Everyone will have their opinion over which ones should go, but bar maybe LB where Shaw and Chilwell are a level above the other options of Henry, Burn and Mitchell, there can be a genuine debate over which RB's should go, or which CB's.

This quality in depth means we are less reliant on having all our best players fit and in form this summer. This is a direct result of the homegrown quota. I also think they got the balance right. Less players having to be homegrown would reduce the about of options we would now have. While more would impact the quality of the club squads meaning the homegrown players would be training with less quality around them to push them and drive them to improve.

So Southgate has been fortunate to be the guy in charge just as these players have become available. While this quality in depth has allowed him to be more selective and to not call up players whose attitude or demeanour could effect the team.

However, that does not make him a great choice for United. I can see the appeal, a manager who hasn't been used to picking his transfer targets and would therefore maybe be more amenable to a new structure where the manager has less say (less say, not no say) . While his ability to create a harmonious camp is obviously another big plus given the issues our squad has had over the past decade. He has also shown he can handle the pressure of the England job, so should be well placed to handle the pressure at Manchester United.

All that said, tactically he seems very weak and limited. Which doesn't really fit into this idea that INEOS want a coach who'll focus on improving the players, and getting them to play good football. This is also something Southgate hasn't had to do on a consistent basis as England manager where he might have to run 20 coaching sessions a year rather than 5 sessions a week.

This also is a factor in his ability to deal with the pressure of being Manchester United manager, the pressure probably isn't any greater at United than it is for England, but at United it is constant, every day, every week. While with England its for a few weeks of the year during qualifying/ friendlies and for 6 weeks every two years for a tournament.

Finally if there is one thing I'd fault EtH with is he has a lack of personality (or at least it doesn't show in his interactions with the press) . This is something that is also an issue with Southgate. He comes across wet, he seems to lack confidence or fight, he doesn't seem to have much of a sense of humour. He seems like grey suit, I really couldn't tell you anything about his personality despite him being the England manager for 8 years. I'm sure he is a nice guy, but he hasn't shown those personal qualities I'd expect and want in a Manchester United manager.

Personally I'd be gutted if Southgate was to be the next United manager, I really don't see it as being successful. The only saving grace is that the new structure at the club should in theory mean the club is not building for a manager, but for their own vision. Meaning if a manager is not successful then we should in theory be able to sack them without being left with a half a dozen players signed by them to suit their style of play.

Maybe that is where Southgate fits in, he's not the guy to take the project to the finish line, but is maybe seen as the right guy to implement the changes and then be a the fall guy, making way for the guy who'll then have well run club and a well built squad ready to take the next step.

I dunno, all I know is I'd be disappointed to see Southgate in the Old Trafford dugout.

Shappy

 

 

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23 Mar 2024 10:50:21
Nice post Ed001, Mainoo really has been the bright spot in an otherwise very forgetful season for United.

I do wonder how much better off we'd be if he was available between August and December. How many more points would we have?

Which considering he's an 18 year old having his break out season kind of highlights just how good he's been.

Although a different kind of midfielder, his breakout season playing in the heart of midfield for a big side when he's so young reminds me of the impact Fabregas had in his first season at Arsenal.

For me the most impressive thing about Mainoo is his intelligence and ability to read the game. He plays like a player with 5 years experience despite only making 16 first team appearances.

Normally you see youngsters breakthrough with the talent, but the decision making and temperament are not there. If they develop those then they live up to the hype, if they don't then they drift into that category of former wonder kid who never lived up to the billing.

Yet Mainoo at 18 has the intelligence to make the right decisions, along with the temperament, he's a winner and has that drive, but he has the mentality to measure that, to not let his emotions overwhelm him and force him into a mistake.

These aren't things players typically develop until they have 3 or 4 season's under their belt at least. The fact Mainoo is so far ahead of the curve in these areas is frankly scary and why it's difficult to gauge where the limit on his potential is.

For United it is now about finding the right players to build around him.

While there is a lot of clamour for João Neves, and rightly so he is a phenomenal young player. I just don't see a world where any top side lines up with an 18 and a 19 year old in the heart of their midfield. Which kind of feels like it will be a case of either or when picking a starting 11, and both are too good to be sitting on the bench.

The player I'd go for to play alongside him in midfield is Florentino Luis of Benfica. While all the attention in their midfield over the past few years has been first on Enzo Fernandez and now on João Neves, it is Florentino who has been the ever present and the foil these two players have needed to flourish.

We have seen Enzo Fernandez struggle to replicate his best form at Chelsea, even with very good players like Caicedo next to him.

I also wonder how João Neves would play elsewhere without Florentino alongside him.

He's the ideal player, a No.6 who is strong in the tackle, has a great passing range and reads the game really well, meaning he is always in the right place at the right time to snuff out danger. He's very much like Micheal Carrick, and just like Carrick he gets overlooked because the job he does isn't flashy. But it is effective in helping those around him play better. Florentino also has a good amount of experience in top flight football and in European football.

Florentino Luis as the No.6 with Mainoo given slightly more freedom as the No.8 would in my opinion because the perfect midfield.

Is see that roaming No.8 role as being perfect for Mainoo right now. He has the intelligence to know when to sit and when to push forward. While that freedom will also allow him to develop the defensive and offensive side of his game. I could see him having a similar career path in terms of playing position to Roy Keane, a box to box player in the early and mid-stages of his career, before becoming more of a holding player in the latter stages of his career.

I'm really looking forward to seeing how his career develops, the only thing I see that could hold him back are injuries. So the club have to be responsible with his game time and give him regular breaks and not over work him, especially while his body is still growing and developing.

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23 Mar 2024 10:23:26
34 votes to replace the manager, one from Ken and 33 from Maze's various accounts ???.

Shappy