31 Mar 2022 11:02:41
The media are now suggesting EtH is the strong favourite or front runner, with stories about the club exploring compensation packages and when potential announcements could be made.

Whether he is or isn't, or whether he will or won't get the job is still just conjecture until something actually happens one way or another.

What I want to talk about though is IF EtH gets the job what do people think his team would look like?

For me there is a very interesting question around the goalkeeper.

DDG has been one of our best players this season, probably our best.

Yet EtH is very much part of the Pep school of thought with a keeper being a key part of building out from the back and acting as a sweeper.

While DDG is top of the table for exceeding his expected saves. He is also in second from bottom for defensive actions outside of his box. Bottom of the table for intercepting crosses. While he is in the bottom five for successful passes.

EtH requires a keeper who'll come off his line allowing his side to play a high line.

He also needs a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and is able to calmly play out while being pressed.

Is that DDG? I don't think so.

While there is also the other interesting thought that in January Ajax approached Manchester United looking to take Dean Henderson on loan. Which strongly suggests that EtH is a fan of the young Englishman and was prepared to make him his No.1 at Ajax.

Ajax have an excellent scouting network and have generally signed players who have suited EtH very well, even if they aren't the biggest names or have been perceived to have failed elsewhere.

Which suggests that Henderson should be a good fit for what EtH wants from a keeper.

Which leads me to think that if EtH was to be named Manchester United's new managers, that one of his first decisions at the club in terms of the team could be to drop DDG for Henderson.

1.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 11:41:44
Henderson in goal and a quick center back along with Varane would go a long way to playing more of the game in the opponent's half.

2.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 11:52:08
Henderson is not on the same level as DDG.

3.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 12:14:54
Zidaniel, I'm in two minds about the potential fate of Harry Maguire under EtH.

On one hand his ball playing and ability to dribble out through a press would be useful. As would his aerial ability.

On the other his poor reading/ understanding and his lack of pace and mobility make playing a high line spatially dominant style difficult as he could easily get caught on the break and his lack of ability to cover the wide areas would be a problem.

My first instinct is he wouldn't have a place in EtH's side. But then a slow and physically limited Daley Blind is an almost ever present in EtH's Ajax side.

So maybe Maguire if he can learn and adapt could find a place in EtH's side.

Yet Blind is fairly mobile even if slow, and his understanding/ reading of the game is excellent meaning he's rarely if ever out of position. Plus in the Eredivisie the pace of the game is much slower, and the speed and regularity in which Ajax are countered is much less than it would be in the EPL.

While Blind might be able to play for a dominant side in the Eredivisie he wouldn't be able to in the EPL.

Which does lead me to think ultimately Maguire will not be able to adapt enough to be good enough.

I think EtH could make use of Shaw, Telles and Dalot at full back and improve them with coaching and tactical set up.

In midfield is where I see him needing a full rebuild. Donny and Bruno are the only two in the first team who look to have the technical quality and vision to play in EtH's side.

McTominay could maybe be coached into a squad role. Fred though I think will struggle.

Matic and Pogba will likely be off.

Garner and Hannibal could get minutes under EtH as they look like they could be his sort of midfielders.

But I think we will likely need a couple of midfielders to come in if we go with EtH as his entire system is reliant on the midfield.

Further forward we will obviously need a striker, yet EtH has shown flexibility in his strikers at Ajax playing Dolberg and Haller as well as playing Tadic as a false 9. So he isn't strict with what sort of striker he needs. That could be good for Ronaldo, as I think EtH could balance out his attack to make space for Ronaldo if/ when he plays.

There is talk of him wanting to bring Antony with him if he comes and it makes sense to bring someone who knows his system with him. Plus with Greenwood no longer part of the picture we could do with another RW option. However, I could also see EtH working with Amad Diallo and maybe getting him into the team. Amad very much seems a EtH sort of player. While Garnacho and Shoretire could also be under consideration for someone like EtH.

If EtH is the next manager it will be interesting to see which of the current crop flourish under him and which fall by the wayside. Ironically it could be the end of DDG and Fred two of the players who have had a better season this season that could be the first casualties.

4.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 12:26:52
Angel, in terms of shot stopping I'd 100% agree.

However, in terms of communication, command of the area, coming for crosses, defensive actions outside the box, coming off your line and sweeping, and playing out from the back, I'd say Henderson is better at all of them.

Does that make him world class? No, just better in many of the key areas that someone like EtH would need for his keeper to play his style.

Would you rather have a keeper like DDG who is capable of world class saves, but due to his limitations restricts the ability to play a more modern offensive style of play.

Or would you rather see the team as a whole play a better style of play facilitated by a keeper who can play out from the back and sweep allowing the team to player a higher line and as a result probably concede few shots against.

Football is a team game, and some times there are players who are individually better than their rivals for their starting place, however as a unit they create a weaker side overall.

DDG looks at his best only when United are at their worst.

Maybe having a keeper who due to his skillset means that he only has to face 5 shots a match, only 2 of which are decent chances. Is better than having a keeper who due to his style of play have to face 12 shots a match, 5 of which are decent chances with him making 3 world class saves from those chances.

5.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 12:50:13
Angel, I just did a little exercise to compare Henderson and DDG.

Here it is,

DDG

Shot stopping 10/ 10 (best in the world)
Sweeping 2/ 10 only McCarthy at Southampton is statistically worse in the league.
Playing out 5/ 10 maybe being generous.
Dealing with crosses 1/ 10 ranked 23rd in the league of keepers with 10 or more appearances.
Communication/ command of area 2/ 10 during the empty stadiums I can remember hearing every player shouting bar DDG.

That gives him a total of 20 out of 50.

Henderson

Shot stopping 7/ 10 good
Sweeping 6/ 10 solid
Ball playing 6/ 10 again solid
Crosses 5/ 10 average, needs work.
Communication 6/ 10 solid.

Giving Henderson a total of 30/ 50.

While I think he has potential to improve several areas with coaching and game time. Could easily get to 35-40 out of 50 in time.

At 31 I don't see DDG becoming more authoritative and communicating better. I don't see him as being able to gain the bravery to come for crosses even if it means getting clattered. I don't see him improving his coming off his line or his ball playing skills. If we are generous maybe he can bring one or two of those areas up a notch.

Absolutely if goalkeeping was merited entirely on shot stopper then DDG would be the best in the world on current form.

Adama Traore and Allan Saint-Maximan complete the most dribbles in Europe's top five leagues.

Does that make them world class wingers? No because there is more to being a great winger than dribbling.

Same with goalkeeping. For my money DDG at his peak was a better shot stopper than VDS and Schmeichel.

Yet in truth if you were picking a keeper you'd probably pick BOTH VDS and Schmeichel over DDG. Which kind of proves the point.

6.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 13:09:01
Jaap Stam has been a little vocal about taking a role at United if it came around, I'd like to see him work with Maguire for a couple of months and see what his thoughts are of him.

7.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 13:32:26
Maguire would be a liability in most systems that play a high line unless they have 75% possession and little threat of being countered against. That isn't the case in the Premier League. The Ajax CB's have to be comfortable defending one on one and also out wide at times, as well as be comfortable on the ball. Blind may not be quick but he has played full back for years and reads the game significantly better than Maguire does and is better on the ball. If Maguire is asked to do what the Ajax CB's do now, he will be exposed just as badly as he currently is.

Many of the errors you see Maguire make are because he's trying to get back in position when he's been dragged into midfield or out wide. He isn't a modern defender, he has the attributes of an early 90's CB but tries to play like a modern ball playing CB.

He will only look like a decent defender if you play with a deeper defence and surround him with protection as happened at Leicester and with England. He can then focus on winning headers and duels with fewer runners because of the lack of space both in front and behind him. In short, he badly needs replacing.

8.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 14:21:14
It'd be interesting to see Stam back at United. I remember he did well at Reading for a while but then seemed to disappear.

I'd imagine Stam would have a very poor view of Maguire as a defender. Stam was one of the best of his generation, which was also a generation blessed with some fantastic defenders.

RJ, I tend to agree I think Maguire needs to be part of a deep sitting defence in a team that play a low block and hit on the counter. Ideally in a side that plays with a back 3.

If that's not how we want to play then it might be best to let him go. However, given our injuries we tend to pick up in defence along with players like Bailly, Jones and Tuanzebe possibly leaving then I expect Maguire will stay. Especially given how hard it'd be to find someone who'll take on his wages and pay a decent fee for him.

9.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 14:28:52
ive no idea who is better suited to being our manager. Poch or ETH but I've a feeling ETH will turn us down if offered the job. Had the feeling for weeks now.

10.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 15:14:47
I always found Henderson utterly underwhelming. Not unconvincing in terms of making countless mistakes, but he didn't exactly excel either when given numerous chances to make the place his own. However I am sure the powers that be have a list of stats that make Shappy's look like scribbles on the back of a hand and if Hendo's playing style is significant compared to Dave the Save's natural ability I ain't going to argue with ten Hag. Big goalkeeping upgrades made huge changes to Liverpool and City (not so much with Chelsea) so the proof is there to see that if things are addressed from the back it will bear dividends. Just not convinced Hendo is the one.

11.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 15:18:58
BfBw, I'm not so sure he will. He wants to manage in the EPL apparently and there won't be many other offers this summer from England unless the Chelsea take over has been sorted the new owners want a change of manager (which seems unlikely) .

Arsenal, City and Liverpool won't be changing managers. While Spurs have turned him down before, then I suppose Conte also turned them down before. So you never know.

I think he likes the idea of trying to rebuild a great club.

Supposedly there is a German club after him but unless that is Bayern Munich (which again seems unlikely, but not impossible) then I doubt they would be a priority over the Manchester United job. Dortmund have denied rumours they are looking to replace Marco Rose, which leaves Schalke or Gladbach as the likely options. With RB Leipzig recently bringing in the highly rated Domenico Tedesco.

PSG seem certain to go with Zidane. Barcelona are settled with Xavi doing a great job.

That leaves Real Madrid, who I doubt would go for EtH at this point in his career.

Or one of the Italian teams. Maybe he'd be happy to go to Italy. I doubt he'd go to a Italian side outside of the UCL places. Which leaves AC Milan who are winning the league under Pioli, would Napoli sack Spalletti? Unlikely I think. Inzaghi seems settled at Inter. Juventus could sack Allegro I suppose.

It's Serie A so no manager is safe and any or all of them could be sacked by the summer.

If EtH turns down United which job do you think it would be for?

12.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 15:31:47
Shappy did you not say the other day that he should consider not taking the job for the reasons laid out by LVG.

13.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 15:33:59
I would suspect Dortmund out of any other club as a potential candidate for rival. Of course they are going to deny they're looking at this point.

14.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 15:35:12
Shappy, Blind has a footballing brain and better positioning than Maguire.
I remember Blind owning Lukaku and other strikers when he played as a CB for us.

15.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 15:52:01
Spenno, I tend to agree. When Henderson was given a run of games he was solid enough but didn't stand out.

I mean I suppose goalkeeper is the one position you don't want to stand out as it means your team is playing poorly.

People talk about outfield players being renewed under different managers. People ask the question would EtH get the best out of Donny. Maybe we would see the player we thought we were signing if EtH takes over.

I think the same can happen with goalkeepers. Henderson was one of the best and most consistent keepers in the league for Sheffield United. Their system suited him and his style.

Maybe EtH's style would suit Henderson more than the style of Solskjear. Or maybe it won't.

I just think that there is a strong possibility that if EtH becomes our manager, given the style he likes to play and DDG's weaknesses, plus the fact that EtH has tried to sign Henderson previously that there is a good chance that we could see Henderson become first choice.

16.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 16:08:18
Ken, I never said he shouldn't take the job because of what LvG said. By that metric you should rule out every manager who has footballing ambitions.

I said LvG was right to say that Manchester United currently are far more a commercial club than a football club.

That decisions seem to be made for commercial reasons far more than footballing.

I agree with LvG that it seems to be the case. LvG having worked at the club would know far more about it than me from the outside looking in.

I'm currently on the fence between EtH and Pochettino. I can see the plus points of both candidates and I can see the negatives. I don't think one particularly outweighs the other.

As an observer I probably slightly prefer the style of Pochettino as games tend to be more open and quicker paced. Compared to EtH's domination of games, which can be a little boring from the perspective that there never seems to be any real danger of them losing most the time. However, I fully appreciate that EtH's style is more progressive and more suited to a side expecting to be dominant.

That said I enjoy both managers styles for different reasons.

Currently it seems like EtH is the front runner. As such I find it interesting to speculate about how our club and team might look under him.

From his style of play Henderson (while possibly ultimately might not bee good enough) does seem far more suited to that sweeper, playing out from the back. Something I just don't think DDG is capable of.

Given that any new manager will almost certainly need to sign at least one midfielder, maybe two. A striker and probably a CB. While RB and RW also look like they need some work ideally.

As such I can't see the club or the manager looking to buy a new first choice keeper. Not with DDG and Henderson at the club.

It's the same situation at LB. Is Shaw or Telles good enough? Probably not. But they are serviceable next season while other areas are a priority as they just cannot make do.

Personally for someone like EtH I think Robert Sanchez at Brighton would be an ideal candidate for his keeper. Strong communication, great at dealing with crosses, playing out from the back and a capable sweeper while also EPL proven. He's the sort of guy who looks ready for a step up but could come in and hit the ground running without having to adapt to the more physical nature of the EPL.

However, given that we need to spend elsewhere, maybe Henderson should be given a chance as his skills better suit the style that EtH will want to play without having to spend 20-30m on a new keeper.

17.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 16:25:34
I don't know where Maguire gets this reputation as a great ball playing center back. When unmarked he rumbles up the field and passes to someone on the touchline. He never plays one touch. Many of his long passes end up in the stands.

18.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 16:30:23
Shappy that's some exercise ?

I've said it before, you've waaaay too much time on your hands.

But I know what I've seen and Henderson does not compare overall to De Gea, DDG has done it time and time and time again for us. Henderson's a decent keeper but isn't in the same bracket.

19.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 16:31:56
We are not talking hypothetical here, VDS or Schmeichel over DDG, we are taking about Henderson over DDG. Honestly, sometimes shappy, it's mad the stuff you come up with lol.

20.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 17:26:40
It's not mad angel it's just bull ??.

21.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 17:32:21
Really hoping for ten Hag.
I like Poch but it feels like another Mourinho/ Van Gaal/ Moyes. A name who'll come in, add 2-3 superstars and the pressure will be immense to win something immediately. If he doesn't then he'll be off again. We've seen it time and again for a decade.
With ten Hag it just feels different. It feels like time to take a punt. I suppose Ole was a punt too, but this punt has a system and is currently managing a much lesser team with rejects and cast-offs to some effect.

22.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 18:15:07
Shappy, I wrote about DDG last week but not sure if the post appeared. Ddg is the best shot stopper around, but that's it. He lacks command of his area, he lacks communication with his defenders, he lacks distribution skills, he lacks sweeper skills. I think he's the major problem we have in our defence.
People see him making great saves and immediately assume he's superb. I think he's the most overrated player around.
Will you take him over Schmeichel, VDS, Allison, Oblak? I think there are 4 or 5 better keepers in the PL alone.
Having said the above, I'm not sure Henderson is the answer. But there are several keepers our there who are head and shoulders above DDG. you have to ask yourself why Spain don't pick him.

23.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 18:45:45
Oblak could well be available but is also on the decline or at least having apoor season and is no sweeper keeper.
There are lots of options Henderson is one of those but a top keeper nowadays is another 40m plus.
Imo ddg has been our best and most consistent player this season.
His flaws are there for all to see it very much depends on what the coach wants from his keeper.
So much depends on who the manager is and how he wants to play.
Ajax don't play a very high line. Their keeper does not play the same role as city or Liverpool keepers or Barcelona for example. So I don't see it as big an issue under eth as some suspect it might be.

24.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 22:25:46
I've seen DDG come off the goal line quite a few times this season.
What I've seen more is our defence out of position constantly. I've also seen a lot of shots allowed while defending against "long" atacks. So I wouldn't say DDG is the problem. The defense is.
The worst thing about DDG is stopping crosses, he is pretty bad at those, but he is still twice the keeper Henderson will ever be. At least in my eyes.
VDS came to United at the age of 34, and went on to play 6 more seasons. After playing for Fulham.
So, who is to say DDG can't give more to us in following years? He was our best player for a while, he had decline in form for a season and a half, but now he is back. I think he should stay first choice.

25.) 31 Mar 2022
31 Mar 2022 23:37:31
Trololo, are you seriously saying that ddg is going to change his style and become a modern keeper as he gets older? There's no chance of that. He's a shot stopper, and that's that.
When did you see ddg come of his line to punch or catch a ball? Name one occasion. When did ddg act as a sweeper? Name one occasion?
The sooner we accept his limitations and get rid, the better. But I don't see loads of clubs queuing for his services, does that tell you something?

26.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 06:08:22
Read again, I didn't say he would change his style, what I said is he can still give a lot to us.
Erm, are you serious? From the top of my head Chelsea game, take a look. There were more, but I can't really remember every game.
Sure, he wasn't wanted by Real few seasons back, and wasn't / isn't regarded as one of the best GKs.

27.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 11:53:06
Trololo, DDG ranks 23rd of all EPL keepers with more than 10 appearances for defensive actions outside of the penalty box. i. e. sweeping.

That means he isn't just worse than the first choice keeper at the other 19 EPL clubs, but is worse than at least 3 of their reserve keepers.

Ben Foster at 38 years old is more capable of coming his line than a 31 year DDG then it's a clear and obvious weakness.

28.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 12:00:17
Trololo, DDG ranks 23rd of all EPL keepers with more than 10 appearances for defensive actions outside of the penalty box. i. e. sweeping.

That means he isn't just worse than the first choice keeper at the other 19 EPL clubs, but is worse than at least 3 of their reserve keepers.

Ben Foster at 38 years old is more capable of coming his line than a 31 year DDG then it's a clear and obvious weakness.

29.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 13:13:21
It doesn't mean that at all. Do you know his brief from the manager?
His brief may well be not to play high in his box. You don't know that. In fact you don't know anything with regard to the brief he has or any of the other players. Your just guessing and assuming.
When was the lady time his manager criticised his positional sense and his sweeping abilities?

30.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 14:05:08
Shappy and his stats. go to bed will you haha.

DDG has saved our bacon time and time again and I am much more comfortable in having him there.

31.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 14:59:40
Shappy, can you give me stats for our defence being out of position and stats for letting opposition shoot in long build up atacks?
Are you 100% sure that DDG world class saves, as you call them, came after not sweeping, or after our defense messing up? Is there any stats on that?
DDG is capable leaving the goal line, he did it quite a few times this season. He isn't the best at it, but he does it. Bigger problem is dealing with crosses, and I can accept that.
Giving DDG 20/ 50 and Henderson 30/ 50 is just funny if you ask me.

32.) 01 Apr 2022
01 Apr 2022 19:43:11
It's complete nonsense.