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

 

08 Jan 2023 17:47:43
Latest rumour I've seen is we want Weghorst and Felix, which makes more sense to me. Options, and more creativity.

AJH

1.) 08 Jan 2023 18:26:33
That would do for now. Though not sure how felix would fit in our new wage structure?!


2.) 08 Jan 2023 22:07:35
how many players are a club allowed to loan in the PL?


3.) 09 Jan 2023 07:18:06
I wouldn't want Weghorst, but you have to trust the manager if he has identified him.

Joan Felix I think could be a fantastic signing. He doesn't fit the type of football being played at Atletico but he has all the minerals.


4.) 09 Jan 2023 07:46:44
I'd take both in a heartbeat. I'd take one in a heartbeat actually.
Neither are the ideal candidate but we need bodies up front.
Garnacho is a bonus and has stood in well for sancho but he is just a kid and the Ronaldo gap needs filling too.


5.) 09 Jan 2023 20:48:33
You are only allowed 2 loan signings and we already have butland, so it was never going to be both.
We probably moved onto weghorst when Felix was no longer an option.


6.) 10 Jan 2023 19:51:59
Wouldn’t touch Felix with a barge pole. His style and physical make up won’t suit the Prem one bit.


 

 

22 Jul 2022 10:00:09
Jesse Lingard.

Could have gone to West Ham and been at the upper end of the table fighting for Europe.

Decided to go to Forest for what will likely be a relgation dog fight. Hmm, I wonder why.

AJH

1.) 22 Jul 2022 10:13:20
I'd imagine it's so he doesn't have to move his family to London.


2.) 22 Jul 2022 10:18:30
A one year contract too. His agent was talking about PSG, Milan and Juventus interested in him a couple of months ago. Maybe the teams that actually did want him didn't match his ego.

I'm sure he thinks why not get paid handsomely for a year, finish top scorer and then join Madrid next year.


3.) 22 Jul 2022 10:25:00
Surprised he’s not gone on that Love Island!


4.) 22 Jul 2022 10:32:08
And only on a one season deal in case it's straight back down to the Championship. That over the MLS or trying to nudge his way back into the England set-up with West Ham as he was starting to do when on loan there.


5.) 22 Jul 2022 10:35:58
1 year contract on £200K a week plus signing n fee. He'll be able to do the same next year. Seems like the lad has done a pretty decent deal for himself.


6.) 22 Jul 2022 11:13:33
It's all about the money money money.

At least he will get game time. So many players move for money and see their careers die, Sinclair, Drinkwater spring to mind as examples.


7.) 22 Jul 2022 12:31:04
So much on Lingard all the time. Good luck to him if he's getting more money.

So what?


8.) 22 Jul 2022 13:32:13
He's not united so I don't care.


9.) 22 Jul 2022 15:47:46
Shappy is right, he isn’t allowed out of the house without his babysitter. Last time he gave them the slip he spent all his pocket money on chocolate and fizzy sweets. Best to keep him away from that London or he’ll be onto those American Candy stores and spend his £200k weekly wage on milk duds.


10.) 22 Jul 2022 16:28:28
Danny, I think you'll find that he has had to assume the care of his two school aged children while his mum was unable to care for them. On top of having a daughter of his own who lives with her mother after they split up.

Living in Nottingham means he is still close to his family.

While a big wage packet certainly won't do him any harm.

I'd imagine he will see it as an opportunity to stay close to his family earn a big wage and potentially put himself in the shop window for a club like Everton, Leicester or Newcastle.


11.) 22 Jul 2022 17:24:31
Shappy, trains to Nottingham from Manchester take 2 hours, the same time it takes to drive. 2 hours also for Leicester, 3 hours for Newcastle.

Trains to London take 2 hours, and are far more regular. Nottingham is not close to his family, but its a lot more lucrative.


same as driving,


12.) 22 Jul 2022 17:26:17
That should be school aged siblings.


13.) 22 Jul 2022 18:23:06
Poor babysitter has their work cut out. Get two kids to school and then back to cut the crusts off Jessie’s sandwich and get him down for a quick nap before training.


14.) 22 Jul 2022 19:52:32
This is some mad post about why an ex United player has signed for a football team ?

Has anybody here spoke with him? How would any of ye know and who cares why or why he didn't sign for a club.

Got get that money Jesse, enjoy yourself and keep being you.


15.) 22 Jul 2022 21:04:28
Couldn’t give a damn about what Jesse Lingard is doing. When he was coming through I liked the lad, but the past 2 seasons at least I’ve thought he was a git.

Forget him.


16.) 22 Jul 2022 21:08:05
Indeed. It’s his business and his alone. He’ll play every week, it’s a great traditional club, and he’ll be handsomely paid.

As for logistics, I’m sure he’ll work it out by himself ???.


17.) 22 Jul 2022 18:59:50
Despite all this, Lingard’s going straight into my FPL Team!


18.) 23 Jul 2022 13:57:49
Shappy is so busy now googling travel times to uphold the most ridiculous argument of the day?? nice one ajh. Lots to be said b
For knowing your geography??.


 

 

14 Nov 2021 08:56:04
I was told last night that Ole has agreed to step aside once a replacement has been found.

Don't know where this rumour came from but hopefully it has legs.

AJH

1.) 14 Nov 2021 09:22:12
It does seem like the club have used the international break and particularly Ole and the players not being there to assess their options and hopefully through intermediaries reach out to potential candidates to test the waters.


2.) 14 Nov 2021 10:11:33
I think there’s zero chance of Ole agreeing to step aside. If the club replace him, he’ll be getting compensated handsomely.


3.) 14 Nov 2021 11:56:13
If this is true, at least the club aren't rushing around and are taking their time to make a decision.


4.) 14 Nov 2021 16:05:17
I don’t doubt it Danny, but if it is true, at least Woody can crack on without having to be too secretive.


5.) 14 Nov 2021 18:29:34
Maybe he doesn't know he agreed to step aside, just sayin.


6.) 15 Nov 2021 11:22:14
Any truth to the Zidane rumours?


7.) 17 Nov 2021 08:11:26
TOHoM, only that it is true that they are rumours ?.


 

 

03 Aug 2019 14:20:49
I’ve loved reading the posts this week and for what it’s worth, here’s my view.

Maguire is not necessarily the greatest defender but he seems like a big character and as has been said he is better than what we have. The price is irrelevant to me, fees are soon forgotten (unlike wages) . I think he will settle quickly and make a difference.

AWB looks a quality buy in a position where we have struggled so I’m confident that will look a steal as the season progresses.

James has huge potential, looking forward to seeing how he develops.

Dybala I don’t want. No idea where it came from and we really shouldn’t be entertaining it. Fancy name, not pulled up any trees for a couple of years, really don’t see where he fits in.

Fernandes look quality and would be a good signing and if we are interested then I have no idea why it is taking so long.

We need to ship Pogba out as quickly as possible, assuming anyone has made any sort of sensible offer. I don’t buy the line that he’s really popular. If he isn’t committed to the cause then he needs to leave.

Sanchez also needs to go. I’d even let him go on a free or nominal fee as it would free up at least £15M because of his ridiculous contract.

Lukaku also needs to go and again I’d take the best offer that is on the table. We may lose on the fees but the benefit to team spirit and morale of shipping out players who don’t want to be her is immense. There’s a bunch of other players we need to move on and again we should make it attractive to potential buyers. Darmian and Rojo for starters.

Imagine those 5 gone, 4 new signings (I’m assuming a CM is coming), and a few from the youth promoted. The feel and mood will be lifted and with the extra fitness and energy, with everyone committed and pulling in the same direction, who knows where we will get to.

I fear there is not enough time left to move players on but for me that is just as important on bringing new ones in.

AJH

1.) 03 Aug 2019 14:37:38
It would be foolish to let pogba leave so late in the window, no chance we have enough time to obtain a replacement.

Saul would fit the bill, but that would be a complicated deal and there are questions marks over whether he would even want to come.

Are SMS or fernandes as good as pogba? if looked at objectively you would say they were not on his level.

Dybala is probably the clearest route to getting rid of lukaku as inter milan are unable to source the funds to do a deal, so this swap deal is a pretty good compromise to get rid of a player who doesn't fit oles style and bring in a player who does.

25, 5 year contract means we have plenty of scope to get a resale value when he inevitably pines for a move to madrid or Barcelona like pogba. Could be a shrewd bit of business by the club.


2.) 03 Aug 2019 14:49:29
DSG, if you put my reservations aside, Ed002 has said Dybala doesn’t want to come. If he’s having to be convinced then we shouldn’t do it,


3.) 03 Aug 2019 15:15:18
Tony do you honestly expect Dybala to happily want to leave a team with Ronaldo and several stars which is guaranteed at least a major trophy and also UCL football every season and come over to us because we are Manchester United?

That ship has sailed!

No matter how attractive a team is, it still has to make an effort to appeal to a prospective player.


4.) 03 Aug 2019 15:18:42
I honestly think you will be surprised how many player would not want to join us this summer. No champions league is a big loss especially in a window where bayern, real, Barcelona and juve are all making big deals.

Look at sancho, he realised that coming to united this window would be not be ideal for his development when we are undergoing significant changes and his development was much better suited staying at dortmund.

Does that mean we shouldn't go in for him next summer when we will still need to convince him we are the right club with the right stability for him to continue his development?

Dybala is an oppurtune signing granted but if he does join it won't be against his will, quite a few player over the year have needed to be convinced/ persuaded to join clubs.


5.) 03 Aug 2019 15:23:18
I really don't get why people would wants Pogba to stay. Old may say all the right things about Pogba having a great attitude blah blah blah, but the player clearly wants out.
If we keep hold of him against his wishes we will just have the same circus every transfer window. It's unsettling for everyone, including Old, despite what he may say in public.

Pogba is obviously talented and is a match winner on his day. I understand that, but keeping an unhappy player is counter productive.

On the flip side, we shouldn't be forced to sell him on the cheap. But over inflating his price so that he is effectively priced out of a more is daft in my opinion.

Despite the fact that some fans 'hero worship' some players, Pogba is not worthy of that label. Talent is nothing without application, effort and desire and Mr Pogba is severely lacking in the later.


6.) 03 Aug 2019 15:35:43
Until last week his name hadn’t come up, nobody on here had suggested we try and buy him or he would add anything to our team. Now suddenly many are drooling over him and I don’t get it. We should have learned from Di Maria. He doesn’t want to come, allegedly he wants £350K a week, allegedly his agent wants £13M, it’s possibly taken our focus from Fernandes. The only positive I can see is we lose Lukaku, that’s about it.

I don’t really buy the Champions League argument. Actually I do buy it and it hacks me off. There’s only a few teams that will win it, and there seems to be a snobbishness that has materialised with players ‘not wanting to take a step down’. I’m not sure how we’ve allowed it to become so important, for me the domestic title is still the biggest trophy by far.


7.) 03 Aug 2019 15:37:47
Of course he needs convincing AJH. He is not a fan like is. He is at a top club where his life family and friends are and you think a good pitch and lots of reassurances are not required.
You don't seem to be the sort of chap to make knee jerk life changing decisions without due consultation and thought process and advice. Do you think dybala should?


8.) 03 Aug 2019 15:56:18
Is aguero not a good example why is it always di Maria.
Do people think aguero was a life long city fan desperate to move to a team that had won nothing for years?
Or did him and his agent need a bit of convincing and a bucket of cash .

I'm not saying we should or shouldn't sign him but there's a bit of a line in the sand starting with one or 2 players,


9.) 03 Aug 2019 16:02:27
Of course he's reluctant. We're not exactly known for stability are we. He enjoys life in Italy and is reluctant to leave. But Juve are forcing him out.


10.) 03 Aug 2019 16:03:54
Madrid have been making sensible offers for Pogba throughout this window.

UTD think they can get more with very little other clubs being able to afford him.

Only a few clubs or so at the over inflated fee and wages able to afford Pogba which sees UTD keeping a player who wants to leave *evil laugh*.

Barcelona not going to sign Pogba.


11.) 03 Aug 2019 16:09:33
What offers have real made?


12.) 03 Aug 2019 16:24:59
Guys AJH has a point. The problem is not there is a convincing required for Dybala. But why to convince a player who is not seen as much needed who is not willing to move to us who will demand monstrous wage who has stalled for the past year. If it is someone who we have identified as main target it's worth going through the trouble. Imagine we sign him and has not really worked out then we will have another player on 350k wages very difficult to move.


13.) 03 Aug 2019 16:35:27
I said the same to shappy last week jred.
People are saying don't sign him he doesn't want to be here. Yet those same purple are saying keep pogba even though he doesn't want to be here.
If dybala comes and he and the team are successful he will love it at United. Just like aguero has done.
Im not desperate for him to sign if he does it would be potentially a very good and exciting signing.


14.) 03 Aug 2019 17:00:59
My wider point is he hadn't been mentioned by anybody, the fans hadn't suggested him nor were the club pursuing him. Suddenly a swap is on, not exactly thought through is it?


15.) 03 Aug 2019 17:02:49
You could say the same with pogba, if go his and uniteds way he may have a change in heart .
Not sure why everything needs to be set in stone .
I'm far from convince dybala would be a good fit in the epl, who who knows.


16.) 03 Aug 2019 17:11:34
Is it possible for a player to come in, not really wanting to come in at first and then change his mind? If he is the consummate professional, he might also put in some decent performances.

Also, he could just say no right now?


17.) 03 Aug 2019 18:00:01
Ajh
He was mentioned a few month ago, don't know if the reports where true but he was linked a few months back.
But some times a player becomes available and you take a chance, any Cole, king Eric.

Angel
Is it possible that a player wants to leave then circumstances change and he changes his mind, Or do we hold it against him for the rest of his career.


18.) 03 Aug 2019 18:01:09
The club have had interest in dybala for 12 months according to ed002. i'm not convinced but he is a very talented player so if he settles it could work out.
Pogba is here and if he stays and does well he may well have a change of heart i agree but i'm not one for keeping unhappy players it usually doesn't work out. We can on my hope it does if he stays.


19.) 03 Aug 2019 19:33:15
Hi jred, not at all. I think if a player has a change of heart and wants to stay, put in the performances etc, he should most definitely get the chance. I think that's quite fair. But definitely no point keeping a player that is unhappy and wants to move. Does this answer work?

Is there a particular player you are talking about or just anyone in general?


20.) 03 Aug 2019 20:00:04
Angel
To many to mention to be honest once any one makes a mistake or reportedly does you want them out.
Lazy bad attitude said this said that.


21.) 03 Aug 2019 20:17:14
No, I'd like you to mention them. Very happy to give you my reasons behind everyone.

I'm quite sure that when I have shown my dissatisfaction in a player it is usually merited, justified.

I don't call for players to be bought and sold like in a game of FIFA.

I also am very happy to back good, hard working and loyal players when many dont. Again, when I feel its justified.

Feels like you're just having a pop though. It's something you like to do quite often. I hope I haven't upset you at any point. Or will you hold my opinions against me for the rest of my time posting on here? 😊.


22.) 03 Aug 2019 22:15:30
We have appointed Director of football - it's AJH

All sound decisions taken. 🤫.


23.) 04 Aug 2019 09:23:15
Reading the page the last day or two it’s clear we don’t need any insight from Ed002 as maxlfc knows absolutely everything about our club lol.


24.) 04 Aug 2019 20:42:32
Oh man :P
Wrote a post about how the youngsters are doing, and how you feel about them and this turned into Pogba/ Dybala debate.


25.) 05 Aug 2019 07:31:02
To be honest guys I don't care and the reason is we are focusing on players not playing for our club.
When the focus should be #GlazersOut.


 

 

24 Mar 2018 10:31:23
There are some that said Jesse wasn’t good enough and I guess there are still some that think he is at best a squad player but you have to give the lad credit. He keeps popping up scoring important goals and he plays with a smile on his face and seems to enjoy every moment. I’m so pleased for him and I hope he can take that final step and be consistent.

AJH

1.) 24 Mar 2018 16:25:04
He has always been highly thought off within the club. It was always accepted that he would take longer to find his feet due to his size. I read an interview with him where he said that Sir Alex always said he would become a real player when he's 25 like Tigana. I wonder how much of him really stepping up this season is down to him feeling that this year was going to be his year.

I did worry when we signed Sanchez as it was going to push either Lingard or Martial out of the side when arguably they we our best two forwards at that time. Maybe its time for Sanchez to be dropped for a game or two and make him fight for his place against players who are in form.


2.) 24 Mar 2018 16:40:40
Shaps, I don’t know why we bought Sanchez other than to stop City buying him. We had needs inother areas way before a left sided attacker was needed and even if he starts firing it just relegates Martial or Rashford. This smacks of Woodward and his marque signing obsession. I don’t want to upset you but if Bale is available you can bet your mortgage Ed will be there waving his chequebook.


3.) 24 Mar 2018 16:46:51
The thing with Jesse is you know he will work on the pitch and not hide. He has proven this year that he has more in the locker than people thought imo but he had the beginnings of a good season couple of years back when he got ani injury early on at Swansea I think. Change of personel and management has not deterred him and I think he has saved us a good few bob on bringing in a n other player.


4.) 24 Mar 2018 16:58:44
I was one of those thinking he wasn't going to be up to it and would be sold, at times I feel foolish, but then he can be anonymous far too often for me (like most of our attacking players) .

I still think in order for us to be competing at the very top we need better than Lingard. But if he improves again as much as he has over the past 18 months then he will deserve a regular berth in a top Utd team.

I love his energy and clever runs, maybe there is even more to come from him once we get back to playing proper attacking football and those runs will be picked out by players that currently refuse the pass and opt for 'safety' instead. I certainly would like him to impact games more consistently as well, 10 seconds of brilliance now and again is good, but we need more than that over a 90 minute match from an attacking midfielder.


5.) 24 Mar 2018 17:39:38
I agree Beastand that was my point about consistency. When he is good he is very good but often you can forget he is on the pitch, which is very frustrating when he gets himself in such good positions and scores such important goals. He needs to turn up for more games than he does, which I think he will if he continues to develop as he has done in the last year. And he is home grown which means a lot to me,


6.) 24 Mar 2018 17:52:11
Does he go missing or as mentioned above is it a case of him making good runs and his team mates not playing the creative pass to find him?

The best players score in the big games, which he does more consistently than those around him. H deserves his place in the team, he works hard, he offers movement and he can finish. I think he will thrive if we add more quality to the midfield. He is a bit of a social media whore, but as long as he performs on the pitch it’s not a problem. I wish pogba put half the effort in he does.


7.) 24 Mar 2018 18:33:58
Agree with all of the posts regarding jesse in some degree, better than dele alli in my opinion who plays a similar role especially this season.


8.) 25 Mar 2018 05:21:49
I must be the only one who doesn't yet rate him. He for me is going through his Smalling patch where player looks good for a season or 2 but with lingard it has only been 2 months rather than the whole season.

He was mostly anonymous until December and has been anonymous for most part since February. That is 2 good months in 3-4 years. Yes he scores some important goals from time to time but he going to have to perform much better to be more than a squad player.


9.) 25 Mar 2018 16:58:04
No MU player apart from De Gea has been sensational for long, playing good for some time and then playing poorly.


10.) 26 Mar 2018 14:14:47
CSM, that's not really fair, even if he's only started looking like a real top player this season, he's actually been doing well for the last couple of years. He was hardly "anonymous" before December anyway. 8 goals and assists in 17 games, 11 of which he played 30 minutes or less in, may not be setting the league on fire, but it's certainly not "anonymous".

Re: the consistency, I'm inclined to agree with Huggy. He's suffering from the way the team is playing, and would have a much more consistent impact if the runs he makes were picked out a bit more often by players behind him. Now, I'm not saying he's doing everything right, maybe he'd still be a bit inconsistent with players behind him looking for those runs and playing more positive football, but the point is that we don't really know, and I don't think it's fair to judge him too harshly when we don't really know how much of the inconsistency is down to him, and how much is down to the way the teamas a whole is playing.

I would really love to see Herrera used in a more advanced role, ahead of Matic rather than alongside him, where he can look to play the passes that someone like Lingard can feed on. It's too easy to see his great defensive performances last season and forget that he's a great passer of the ball, with an eye for getting team mates in behind the defence.


11.) 26 Mar 2018 14:23:10
That FA cup winning goal seemed to really kick him on and he’s improved a lot since then.

CSM,

How you can say he’s been anonymous is beyond me, he’s probably scored more important goals than any other player in the last 2 years.


12.) 26 Mar 2018 14:53:27
Gds important goals don't mean consistency. Yes he scored against Chelsea and in fa cup final but can you remember a run of games until December where you could say he was consistently good. A first team player needs to be consistently good and unlike rashford or martial lingard isn't exactly in the youngster category.

Thorne he has been good this season but last season he had 5 goals and 3 assists in 42 games in lvg's last season he had 7 goals and 4 assists in 41 games. Those are not good figures and he needs get similar to his current nos before we can be sure that he has improved rather than going through a purple patch.

Also where exactly will he play next season jose wants savic added to the team and jorginho as replacement for carrick, so we most likely will be switching to a mf 3.


13.) 30 Mar 2018 18:44:50
Good player, nice lad, silly dancer.


 

 

 

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

 

04 Mar 2024
New image uploaded to the
Manchester United Player Sightings page entitled, This made me laugh, although I would swap Bruno for someone who isn't a drama queen

Click picture for larger image

AJH

1.) 04 Mar 2024 20:11:14
Yeah I'm in agreement with you ajh.


2.) 04 Mar 2024 20:55:32
That doesn't look too extreme. The issue is we need another 3 or 4 good squad players. That brings it to around 8 new players needed. Every decision made over the next couple of windows is vital to get right.


3.) 04 Mar 2024 21:47:29
Bruno has to go I think. He is always available, plays through injury, works hard. But he simply doesn't look after the ball and keep possession enough. When we kept the ball we created chances in the first half against city. But he goes for the impossible pass when there is an easier progressive pass to our winger that keeps the attack going. Mctominay was turning back and passing backwards, bruno trying to thread the eye of a needle for rashford. Why not just pass to garnacho and then support the play?

Agree with the rest. But the hard nut centre back needs to be quick, be able to pass and press resistant.


4.) 05 Mar 2024 10:16:59
A few snippets I've read suggest that any exits will be age/ contract related, not ability.
Suggesting that for all the clamour for the likes of Rashford, McTominay and Fernadnes to be sold, these aren't going anywhere any time soon. More likely to be Varane, Casemiro, AWB, Martial.


5.) 05 Mar 2024 11:31:53
Bearing in mind the likely costs of releasing ten Hag (£20m), then the signing on/ release clause if necessary of a new manager, I can't see the massive clear-out everyone is expecting.


6.) 05 Mar 2024 12:11:15
I agree spenno.
I personally think casimero, Antony, sancho Greenwood varane pellistri and vdb and possibly awb will be sold.
Evans mctom and lindelof go on the maybe list.
I think rashford Bruno maguire Shaw will more than likely stay.
But who knows we might find it hard to shift some of the above and we may get offers for those that are on the gave of it more likely to stay.
I'm not fussed really. I think most managers would think they can get better out of some players and I would expect that to come to fruition.
No doubt what we have should be doing better than they are.


 

 

22 Feb 2024
New image uploaded to the
Manchester United Player Sightings page entitled, One for ken

Click picture for larger image

AJH

 

 

20 Feb 2024
New image uploaded to the
Manchester United Player Sightings page entitled, Just saying...

Click picture for larger image

AJH

1.) 20 Feb 2024 08:55:59
LOL I almost uploaded this last week. Too funny.


2.) 20 Feb 2024 13:25:11
If Gerrard was the player he thought he was then he'd easily have been the greatest player to have ever played the game.

He had all the skills required to a be a top player, strong, fairly quick, technically very good, good reading of the game, good in the air, with a wicked shot on him. His ability to slot into most positions on the pitch definitely didn't help him, especially at a club that at the time had a squad with real gaps and weaknesses in it, meaning he was often shifted to cover for injuries or inferior players.

He never really was able to tie down one position as his own, to develop in a specific role and truly make that role his own.

He played CDM, CM, CAM, CB, RB, RW and LW.

His real weakness though as a player was his ego, his need to always be the one to win it on his own. He thought he was Roy of the Rovers. As such he didn't get the best out of his teammates and that was what held his sides back.

I wonder how much Southgate saw the issue with Gerrard and Lampard for England and how that has factored into his decision to hardly use TAA despite him being technically one of the best English players. The problem with TAA is similar to the issue with Gerrard. A gifted player but one that seems to not quite have found a natural home/ role on the pitch.

TAA has clear deficiencies at RB, but hasn't developed the skills required to play in midfield. He maybe isn't quite suited to being a RW. He's a gifted player but always seems like a square peg in a round hole.

Unlike Southgate's predecessors though he seems to recognise that and instead of trying to crowbar the most gifted players into a team he picks the players best suited to play as a team.

Maybe England would have been more successful if they didn't try and force Gerrard into the team. Or Gerrard might have been more successful if he settled in one role and mastered that. He had all the skills to be one of the best midfielders in the world. But when talking about specific roles you'd want in your midfield you will always be able to name better/ more suited players. The best deeplying playmaker, the best CDM, the best CAM, the best box to box midfielders. Does Gerrard really stand out as any of those despite being able to play each role well.

Personally I think he should have either been a CAM like when he played off of Torres. Leaning into his tendency to try and be the match winner. Or alternatively I think he could have been a phenomenal RB if he developed his game in that position. He was strong and a good tackler, read the game well defensively, strong in the air, had great running power and a great delivery from wide. Also playing him deeper and in defence might have nullified his tendency to try and be the match winner, instead allowing him to focus on his own game and what was best for the team. If he's been allowed to develop there and played that position consistently for the first few years of his career then I think he'd be considered the best RB of his generation, possibly ever.

Yet he was that player who was sort of great at everything but never mastered a particular position/ role which ultimately I think stopped him from becoming the best player in a particular position.


3.) 20 Feb 2024 14:11:41
Disagree with this one Shappy. I think England tried to force Lampard into the team and the expense of Scholes. We went to Germany and beat them 5-1 in their own back yard with a midfield pairing of Scholes and Gerrard. The year before we didn't even qualify from the group at Euro 2000 and Gerrard was never in the starting 11. You'll argue Lampards goals from Midfield but he only scored 3 goals at a major tournament for England, not a great return for a goal scoring midfielder. I begrudgingly think Gerrard was a fantastic player.


4.) 20 Feb 2024 14:14:51
Gerrard was awesome, one of the best if his generation. Scholes summed it up, he carried Liverpool on his shoulders and single handedly won matches. The problem for England was he and Lampard were basically playing the same role.

My picture was posted in jest, even Scholes himself talks about what a great player Gerrard was.


5.) 20 Feb 2024 14:39:31
Gerrard was a top player so was Scholes imo as was lampard.


6.) 20 Feb 2024 15:50:33
I think it was the limitations of the managers who couldn't work out how to get the three of them into the same team with a system that got the best out of them.


7.) 20 Feb 2024 16:44:18
There's no reason why a midfield three of lampard, gerrard and Scholes couldn't have worked with a decent coach.

Also, the season under Benitez where they almost won the league- didn't Gerrard play a lot at RW and was exceptional?


8.) 20 Feb 2024 16:51:39
Three into two is not ever, ever, going to happen.
A good manager would have realised that and made an appropriate decision early on, it may well of resulted in success.
No doubt the criticism they would of received from an essentially hostile press, when it comes to England, would of made such a decision counter productive on a personal level.
Then again I'm Welsh so what the hell!


9.) 20 Feb 2024 18:19:27
For those people who think that there was a way to make Gerrard, Lampard and Schole work as a midfield three, do you also think you could have made Kaka, Zidane and Modric work as a midfield three?

Because I'd argue that Kaka and Lampard are both players who are remembered for their ability to ghost into the box and score.

Zidane and Gerrard were both physically strong players who could win games on their own, but both probably were better being creative than defensive.

Modric and Scholes are diminutive technically superb players players who would occasionally put in a poorly timed tackle or score a screamer, but mostly just moved the ball around and found pockets of space.

So in theory if Gerrard, Lampard and Scholes could work as an effective midfield three then so should Zidane, Kaka and Modric.

The reality is that they couldn't work together as they lacked key components needed to balance a midfield.

A serious lack of defensive nous and work rate to start with. No one with real bite or aggression (controlled aggression) .

While with Gerrard and Lampard (less so with Scholes) there was too much ego and need to be number one. They couldn't work effectively together because both wanted to take the glory and play to their strengths and weren't willing to make sacrifices to their game for the benefit of the team.

Personally I think England have consistently made awful selections born out of outdated ignorance and plain stupidity.

Terry shouldn't have been a regular, he was a decent player carried by better players around him. He was a slightly better Harry Maguire. Slow, often out of place and regularly making last ditch tackles because he was in the wrong position. But he was a big name and captain for a league challenging side.

Carrick was woefully under used as was Scholes. Neither had the big personalities that England seemed to favour over talent and tactical intelligence. Despite both being central to the success of the most successful English team at the time.

The mistake with England was that it was always looked at as being a "Galactico" style team. Picked like picking the team of the season or an FPL team. Who scores the most goals and whose the highest rated. Pick them out and stick them in the blender together and you'll have a great team.

Yet team building isn't about picking the biggest name or supposed best player in each position. It's about create a unit of players who can work well together to get the most out of eachothers skills. Sometimes that means leaving a big name player out all together rather than trying to crowbar them in at the expense of the team just to have a glitzier team sheet.


10.) 20 Feb 2024 19:20:14
Who was a better CB to play instead of Terry than at the time in question?

I would pick Terry in any ENgland team of that generation, same as would Pick Butcher of his generation, there are some players that have to be included.

Like the dropping Gazza idea, how can you go to a tournament without your generational talent!

But leaders like Terry, you don’t not take to battles with you, unless you have better and who was better?


11.) 20 Feb 2024 20:38:09
Shappy, I'm lost with that sorry. Why are they similar?


12.) 20 Feb 2024 22:13:12
Sepp, hats off to you if you read all of that.


13.) 21 Feb 2024 01:15:01
Shappy.
Have you just really said that
Zidane kaka and modric is similar to Gerrard lampard Scholes?
Get off the bus will ya ???.


 

 

11 Feb 2024 18:58:35
There is a different feel around the club right now. Maguire looks. solid, the youngsters are immense, Scott continues to defy the neg heads, even Onano looks solid.

I'm not suggesting we are ready to compete but momentum and cultire, and 'feel'can be very underrated.

I think we have the big Mo, Villa are sliding, and Tottenham, well they're Tottehham so we have everything to plU for. It's sad we are just competing for top 4 but it wil help recruitment and revenue if we achieve it.

AJH

1.) 11 Feb 2024 19:29:36
A lot to be positive about over the last couple of weeks AJH. The season will not go down as a success but some players are at least showing some form at last.
The youngsters will be the biggest positive from this season I reckon.


2.) 11 Feb 2024 19:59:02
The season is showing who has the character to fight back and who are the good pros in the group…Maguire and McT are definitely in that bucket, and Onana was superb today. I have no doubt he will come good, and he’s starting to show it. Hojlund also showing great mental strength to keep going.

I’d also pit the manager in that bracket too - he’s had to deal with a lot so far in his short tenure, and am sure given the right structure behind him he’ll do well.


3.) 11 Feb 2024 21:13:04
Yes a definite improvement but let's be realistic West ham and villa are not at the level they were earlier in the season and we are still moles off the top three.

We still give away too many chances and don't kill off games when we should. Still lack a dominant centre forward ans midfielder and clearly miss Martinezwhem he is unable to play.


4.) 11 Feb 2024 23:21:31
Onana was good today he made 2 or 3 saves he was not favourite for.
I don't share the optimism that he will do it consistently but I hope so.
We gave up a lot of chances today and rode our luck at times but showed good bottle and we created numerous good opportunities only for our wide players fluffing their lines.
Rashford was OK in the 1st half going forward a imo but got worse and worse as the game went on.
Garnacho got himself into good positions but was again wasteful on most occasions. I would not be too harsh on him because he is such a good character the misses don't bother him he will keep trying to make something happen. But we need to be honest and fair in our appraisal and not lash 1 player for poor final balls and ignore garnachos continuous wastefullness. I'm sure the coaches will be working on it. His attitude are very poor in the bottom 4 for wide players in terms of assists in the epl this season. It really is something he needs to work on and improve between now and the end of the season and I've no doubt those stats will improve before the season is out.
Rasmus is still finding his feet and improving. Again I expect he will get stronger towards the end of the season.
The team did have good balance in attack. But the question is how long to you persist with rashford?
Moving garnacho back left to accommodate amad or Anthony on the right is an option. I don't know if amad is an option from the left?
Shaw will be missed with no malacia lindelof is a worse full back than he is a cb. Let that sink in.
Mainoo is looking better and better with every game.
I get that maguire has a good attitude but we give up so many chances when he plays and are woefully slow at moving the ball forward.
Mctom is proving to be a good weapon off the bench. I'm pleased for him. Touch of the kinks about him. Will he stay or will he go?
Martinez being out could well cost us but there is a bit of metal beginning to show from some of the others. But without martinez and dare I say Shaw our defence looks more vulnerable than a turkey at Christmas.


5.) 11 Feb 2024 23:25:07
Great result. Don't care how it was achieved. Despite what anyone says, Villa are a really good team, especially at home. Take that result all day long.


6.) 12 Feb 2024 01:53:29
Yeah, I agree with that noucamp. Snatch your hand off for 3 wins when looking at these matches around christmas time. Wolves caused us all sorts of problems in the first game this season. Westham have proved no mugs this year and villa have been very strong.

I think we caught all of them when they are in a little bit of a slump, and I will take it! We've had dogs luck with injuries and happy to play a villa side missing both Konza and Pau Torres. We created chances, took our goals and hung in a bit when we needed to.

We need our wingers to create for players in the middle. Today we put in a good cross and we score. The chemistry still needs to grow, we can have a strong second half, but these defensive injuries are a problem.


7.) 12 Feb 2024 06:33:29
The usual United win is down to opposition being poor or in a bad moment or this or that! Great win, rode our luck at times but away at a top 4 side you’re going to need to! We also had good chances and should have done better, garn hoijland and rashford all had v good chances!
Good win well done, especially without Martinez and snowflake shaw second half!


8.) 12 Feb 2024 07:01:07
Yes was great to get the win, but jeez we are just plain boring and awful to watch… I don’t believe anyone can seriously think otherwise.
2 of the Onana saves were hit straight at him, he did not move just hit him, his passing is crap, the million touches are time consuming and boring, same with McGuire, both slow the game to walking pace.

If your happy to see united play this style of football then great, personally I think it’s like watching paint dry, but of course we could all wax lyrical that we won 4 on the bounce if we don’t want to see the real thing.

Come up against anyone half decent we take a spanking.


9.) 12 Feb 2024 07:30:46
Villa are a very good side who’ve just been on a really good run at home. Granted it’s just ended recently but that doesn’t suddenly make them a bad side.

Lindelof is worse at LB than CB let that sink in. Of course he’s worse at LB Ken, has naturally a CB.

As Nou said, it’s a win and it doesn’t matter if it wasn’t pretty, it was a tough fixture.

We’ve lost those games earlier this season. Finally Sky can stop banging on about this Top 9 stat, they had 3 different graphics created for it which were all displayed within 15 minutes either side of kick off. I really struggle watching football on TV. They even included the 4-0 loss away to Brentford in August 2022, I recall it was the 2nd game of the season. Yes technically they were top 9 because they won their first game, but they’ll really do anything to pad those stats out.

We have to be looking at the next 2 fixtures as winnable. Luton away then Fulham at home. Then it’s the Derby.


10.) 12 Feb 2024 08:16:14
The Clash Tumbleweed! Otherwise good points!


11.) 12 Feb 2024 08:54:31
Calm down. Yes, a win is a win and we need them but we were hellish lucky. Okay, you make your own luck but we seriously rode our luck yesterday.


12.) 12 Feb 2024 09:09:35
Strangeways we came up against a very good side and didn’t take a spanking we won you miserable clown!


13.) 12 Feb 2024 09:53:13
I can't actually believe that we came away with a win to be honest.
The first half was pretty even but the second half we are awful.
We seem to drop off massively in the second half. If i were a Villa fan i would be scratching my head on how they didn't at least get a draw.
on a positive note Maguire, Varane, Onana and it pains me to day this Dalot were all superb and put in a battling performance.
The biggest worry was the amount of changes that we blew on the counter attack. Bruno was bloody awful! Virtually every pass he tried went to a Villa player, he was so wasteful and so frustrating to watch. He honestly drives me mad!
So glad to see Rasmus scoring, he's been absolutely brilliant since he came. 19 years old and being aksed to lead the line at Manchester United is such a big ask and he's really looking the part now.
If Rasmus finishes with between 15-20 goals this season i would say he's had a fine first season.


14.) 12 Feb 2024 12:58:54
Chris that's a really good point and really well made. ?
There are some fans that just can't bring themselves to be positive. I don't think anybody believes that we are a great team but it's nice to see form a bit better.


15.) 12 Feb 2024 14:16:46
Strangeways

We're a club in the midst of a grand transition, grasping at the coat tails of clubs who have already evolved.
We have players not well suited to possession-based and/ or pressing/ counterpressing football now playing regularly alongside those that are suited to these modern demands.
It means we cannot go all out with one approach or the other, there must a happy medium.
This current style is addressing the weaknesses within the squad as best can be managed.
The consequence is that there's less creative expression, but the team dynamic is currently better for it.

I agree that it can be a difficult watch at times and the bum is rather more squeaky than I'd like, but we're still in the hunt for top 4 which, for a club in such a mess recently, is surely worth enduring.


16.) 12 Feb 2024 15:33:50
Indeed Patrick my bad.
If he goes there will be trouble if he stays it will be double?.


 

 

31 Jan 2024
New image uploaded to the
Manchester United Player Sightings page entitled, Our under 18s are killing it this year

Click picture for larger image

AJH

1.) 31 Jan 2024 19:00:45
14 games, 14 wins, over 3 goals a game, hopefully this augers well for the future.


2.) 31 Jan 2024 21:12:02
Super crop let's hope some of them make it all the way.


3.) 31 Jan 2024 21:37:51
I watched the 2nd half of game against the scousers last night.
We were 1-2 down at half time, but the performance in second half was excellent. We scored three times and hit the bar, quite frankly we could of easily scored 4 or 5 and it would of been a fair reflection of the game.
Was very impressed with Harry Amass, (left back) signed from Watford last summer, he really bossed the left side. Have seen him play quite a few times and he has been very good every time.
We really do have a very good U18s team and as AJH says hopefully one or two will make it all the way.
If you look on MUFC website you can see the goals, worth a look as a couple of crackers.


4.) 01 Feb 2024 06:30:52
I read one of the reasons we let alvaro go is amass. the coaching staff think very highly off him and rate him higher than alvaro, he is not too far from making it into the first team.


5.) 01 Feb 2024 06:39:53
Managed to watch highlights of that match vs Liverpool. The young lads are really something. The CF did miss a couple of open chances, could easily have been 8-5 in our favour. Was quite impressed with the left back and the wide players, electric all of them. Hoping a couple of them make it to the first team.


6.) 01 Feb 2024 17:55:28
Could well understand that ahmad, Amass looks very good, apparently there were quite a few clubs sniffing around him last summer when we signed him.
Given he is only 16 and is 4 years younger than Alvaro he is not at all far behind in performance levels, am really hopeful he does well for himself.


7.) 01 Feb 2024 18:21:30
The most impressive thing is that many of the best players in that Under 18's side are still only 16 and playing a ove their age level.

Harry Amass, Jack and Tyler Fletcher, and Shea Lacey are all still 16. While Amir Ibragimov is only 15.

You'd think having several players who consistently play above their age bracket and still look amoungst the best players on the pitch and in their league, would have a great chance of making it at the top end of the game.

If they can steer clear of injuries, keep their feet on the ground and reach their potential then we could have 5 or 6 first team regulars who are former academy players in a few years time.


 

 

 

AJH's rumour replies

 

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06 Feb 2024 06:57:54
Fireman, last season, our best players were Martinez, Cas, and Rashford. Bruno didn't get close.

AJH

 

 

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05 Feb 2024 20:49:05
You have 3 hands?

AJH

 

 

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02 Feb 2024 12:07:03
Redseven, if he's not playing them, he doesn't think they're good enough. Garnacho is now first choice as is Mainoo it seems, but he isn't giving youngsters a chance eh?

AJH

 

 

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09 Jan 2024 12:55:32
Ken will be devastated if Pellestri goes, he loves him.

AJH

 

 

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22 Dec 2023 11:03:17
If it comes to pass I will also be done with football, TBH, I'm heading that way anyway. It's pure greed and nothing t9 do with the sport. The Champions league is awful nowadays, pretty much the same teams qualify, and pretty much the same teams progress. Football lost its soul many years ago, it seems there is little hop3 of it ever being recovered.

Its not just football, look at boxing and golf, selling themselves to the highest bidder. I have no solutions, but where we are heading doesn't look good.

AJH

 

 

 

AJH's banter replies

 

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12 Mar 2024 14:20:52
VAR has become a joke, it was a clear and obvious error but referees are loathe to highlight their colleagues' errors.

AJH

 

 

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07 Mar 2024 10:40:13
What Leahy said, word for word ???.

AJH

 

 

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28 Feb 2024 11:21:22
Everyone loves a big willy.

AJH

 

 

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26 Feb 2024 16:36:32
Rashford is quality, but his head appears to be elsewhere and his effort is appalling. Antony I never understood, a huge fee for a pretty average player.

I accept that there isn't a clearly defined style of play but I'd like to see the club better organised with clear principles and direction before we change Manager again. He may not be the right man, but my God it must be hard work right now.

AJH

 

 

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26 Feb 2024 14:02:01
Ken, we've had t Managers since SAF, all have struggled. Jose called it out, Ralf called it out, the club is a shambles. Change the Manager all you like but nothing will get better until the root causes are addressed.

As for ETH, he isn't rhe finished article, but apparently, the club did a proper review of candidates before setting on him, perhaps they made another mistake, or perhaps he is trying to swim uphill.

He's made Garnacho a starter, he's made Mainoo a starter, he dealt with Ronaldo, who we should never have brought back, he dealt with Sancho, correctly in my view.

On the downside, Bruno as Captain is a joke, he has persevered with Antony for far too long, and we are massively inconsistent, even within a 90 minute game.

We have players who don't seem to be fully committed, they need shipping out. No Manager will be successful in a culture of amateurish chaos.

SJR seems to have his head screwed on, appointing qualified people into influential positions. I hope he has the balls to tale the tough decisions, Rashford being a prime example.

Until we deal with thw wider crap, the Manager doesn't stand a chance. Jose finished second and went backwards Ole finished second and went backwards, ETH finished 3rd, won a Cup, and has gone backwards. It's not the Manager.

AJH