Current Avatar:
No Avatar image uploaded
No Avatar image uploaded
Manchester United Rumours Member Posts
Downsie53's Profile
No Profile Picture uploaded
Downsie53's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To Downsie53's Posts
To Downsie53's last 5 rumours posts
To Downsie53's last 5 banter posts
To Downsie53's last 5 rumour replies
To Downsie53's last 5 banter replies
Downsie53's rumours posts with other poster's replies to Downsie53's rumours posts
08 Aug 2022 09:54:53
Adrien Rabiot is this morning's link. Reported by Ornstein though, who is usually fairly spot on.
Another with an attitude problem and an agent who loves the limelight.
Interestingly, we are starting to get linked with £20m players. Has ETH decided the squad is so poor/ light thaT he'd be better off with four £20m signings than one at £80m? Interesting week ahead.
1.) 08 Aug 2022 10:19:19
Hope neither is true. Would be better off with neves and take a risk on the young kid from salzburg, although i suspect he will find it difficult and will need time and probably will get slammed here as the pl is a tough school for a 19 year old from austrian league.
2.) 08 Aug 2022 11:00:49
I'm hoping the Rabiot and Arnautovic rumours don't lead anywhere. Both decent players, better than what we have, but neither look good enough for where we want to go and both have had attitude issues in the past.
Given our dressing room issues we need players with good attitudes, ideally players with EPL experience as we need players who will get to grips with the league immediately and not take half a season to acclimatise.
Fabian Ruiz would have been a great option, but given his impending move to PSG it looks like that boat has sailed.
Ruben Neves gets a lot of love and I wouldn't be against it, that said he would likely cost MORE than FDJ.
Matheus Nunes seems to be the hipsters pick, always seemed a gifted player when I've seen him. Although personally I think he's more suited to a box to box role than as a holding midfielder.
Youri Tielemans is probably the player I'd target, EPL experience and available for a reasonable price. While also probably being closer to the skillset EtH seems to be looking for in a midfielder (technically gifted, mobile, quick, press resistant, with an expansive passing range) .
Up front Sesko is the name that keeps being linked. Supposedly a talented player from everything I seen written about him. Only seen him in a UCL group game last season. Looked decent but didn't really stand out at that level at the time. Maybe by the time he's 22 he'll be considered world class. But we need a player who can make a difference this season not in 2-3 years time.
Mitrovic has been mentioned and I wouldn't be against it, seems a much better player now to the one who was in the EPL previously. Although he would likely cost a lot.
The EPL striker I'd go for would be Ivan Toney. works hard, presses well, good technical level linking well with teammates, and has a clinical finish when in front of goal. He looks very well suited to EtH's style of play. Again though cost could be prohibitive.
Both Mitrovic and Toney would likely cost upward of 40-50m as they are vital in their sides fight for EPL survival this season. Which is a lot of money to pay for a striker who won't necessarily be a long term first choice option.
Which leads me to Moussa Dembele of Lyon, proven scorer decent link play, good technical striker, good in the air and on the floor. While entering the final year of his contract and would be available for under 30m.
For me if you cannot get your first choice option then you cannot be paying top whack for your 2nd or 3rd choice compromise options.
If FDJ isn't going to happen and Ronaldo is determined to leave then maybe Tielemans and Dembele for less than what FDJ would cost initially let alone in total are probably the smartest moves available to the club.
3.) 08 Aug 2022 11:33:42
Shappy come on mate both are average. and one is a complete racist
If we do end up with the 2 players above then we have well and truly fell off. what are we actually trying to accomplish buying cheap mediocre players that would get a sniff in any other top 6 side never mind the top 4 or a team wanting to win trophies.
4.) 08 Aug 2022 12:06:56
Arnautovic can stay in Italy. Why we’re targeting him is beyond me. Rabiot I’d take for the reported low fee but only IF he is not the alternative to De Jong.
Adding Rabiot and Tielemens/ Neves would improve our midfield but it’s surely not the route we want to be taking?
As Shappy has said, Ruiz would’ve been a decent alternative but he’s off to PSG. I can see us getting Rabiot and going for SMS late in the window. I’m certainly not against Savic as he’s better than what we have.
5.) 08 Aug 2022 12:33:06
Bolger, This is literally the first line of my post:
"I'm hoping the Rabiot and Arnautovic rumours don't lead anywhere. Both decent players, better than what we have, but neither look good enough for where we want to go and both have had attitude issues in the past".
All I have said is they are better than what we have.
I don't want them, I don't think they are good enough and their attitudes stink.
6.) 08 Aug 2022 12:42:13
A lot of reports now saying that we’ve agreed a deal for Rabiot. Looks like the pursuit of De Jong is finally over.
7.) 08 Aug 2022 13:07:19
I don’t actually think either are better than what we have
Shappy you just said in that last paragraph I don’t think they are good enough but yet you also said they are decent players ?♂️
Not making a dig shappy but these types of players if we are to actually show some ambition on wanting to win are not the players we go for
No wonder ronaldo wants to leave. 0 ambition the club is a shadow of its former self
Play Iqbal or savage play McNeil or ganarcho use the players within and development them if your not going to spend money on a ready made player now
Stop the short term stop gaps it’s not how you produce a winning team
If rabiot is an alternate to de jong then this is a joke of window tbh.
8.) 08 Aug 2022 13:15:58
Rabiot is 27 and is a very good player. His technique is miles ahead of McFred. He'd be a major upgrade. He's not a backup player at Juve. He's a starter for all his time there. Arnautovic would be signed as a squad player. Not ideal but he did really well with Bologna last year. Don't get the doom and gloom about those two.
9.) 08 Aug 2022 13:32:19
MA is 33 years old and would be just as inept at pressing as Ronaldo. I’d rather we brought through a youngster or signed somebody like Sesko than drop £10m+ on a stop gap player who doesn’t fit the manager’s system. We really should have signed Darwin when we had the chance….
10.) 08 Aug 2022 13:44:04
don we already have an abuser at the club we don't want a racist aswell
if they don't want to pay the money and get a striker to help score goals and you know maybe win something then just promote a player from the youth and work with him
this window has clearly become about the owners not wanting to pay the money for players.
11.) 08 Aug 2022 13:50:20
Rabiot I can just about get my head round. Although he’s moody and far from what we need. Arnautovic I’m literally dumbfounded. I reckon he must think all his Christmases have come at once. He’s nothing special and won’t be the kind of player to dig out blind for you, he’s also got dubious morals and he isn’t what we need at Old Trafford. I actually can’t believe we’re in for a player like him…………. panic and desperation spring to mind. We haven’t learnt a thing over the last 10 years. And I don’t care if ETH wants him or not. I’ve got eyes as have other fans, and he isn’t what we need.
12.) 08 Aug 2022 16:15:39
Sorry but perhaps i am missing something. Which players have the owners not paid up for or not willing to. hasn't the fee been agreed with Barcelona for quite some time now and that too in excess of 80M? So where is the issue with the owners here. Its literally EtH running the show here. All 3 signed have been his targets and all targetted are again his. don't get the hatred with the owners here.
13.) 08 Aug 2022 18:06:19
United it would quite glazer esk to bid
For a player who doesn’t want to join for them to then be able to turn around and say we tried getting de jong but instead we paid 15 million for rabiot.
14.) 08 Aug 2022 18:12:23
Bolger2 I wasn't aware of the racist allegations re Arnautovic. If true obviously we should steer clear.
15.) 08 Aug 2022 18:44:53
Dembele is terrible.
16.) 08 Aug 2022 19:38:15
Bolger2……exactly what I was thinking. Stick decent bids in for FDJ knowing full well he wants to stay where he is. Also stick a bid in for Anthony knowing full well it’s 20 million below their valuation. Gives the impression everything is hunky dory to shareholders. The club is skint in my view. The fees for Martinez and Malacia were offset by sales (albeit minimally) and would have been lumped on the debt anyway. No sign of the Glazers investing any of their own cash that’s for sure. And for the record, signing Arnautovic is a complete joke.
17.) 08 Aug 2022 20:11:23
RedWhiskey, he's decent without being outstanding. Even at that level he's better than Arnautovic as a footballer and almost certainly a better person.
18.) 08 Aug 2022 20:11:45
Rabiot is not good enough. Is decent but no more. Its no coincidence he can't settle and retain a first team place at the bigger clubs. As a squad member he is OK (and yes he is better than McFred) but he is not the calibre of player we should be looking to rebuild a teams midfield around.
19.) 08 Aug 2022 21:47:32
Good news, the Bologna president says Arnautovic is not for sale at any price. Let's hope he is a man of his word.
Another shambles of a transfer window for United, strangely reassuring.
20.) 09 Aug 2022 00:01:24
You can literally view the accounts if you want to, the club is not ‘skint’ and you’re embarrassing posting stuff like that.
21.) 09 Aug 2022 08:37:22
It’s the complete lack of anticipation and planning that is so troubling: United always so reactive….
Look at what RBL just done: sign Sesko in a year to replace outgoing Nkunko….
Appearing so panic-stricken now…
Surely a huge question mark over scouting also - hope analysts brought in can rectify this.
10 Jul 2022 20:09:37
Leandro Paredes (CM) from PSG seems to be the latest rumour doing the rounds. Could any of the Eds shed any light on this at all please?
{Ed002's Note - Leandro Paredes (DM) May well be available with Roma a possible destination or an exchange with Juventus for Kean. Manchester United and Lazio both stepped back from the €35M asking price.}
1.) 10 Jul 2022 21:41:42
Good for a yellow card on £1 accas!
02 Jan 2022 10:41:28
The Alvarez rumours seem to be really picking up pace. Really don't understand this one - another striker/ inside forward type.
Cavani, Ronaldo, Rashford, Sancho, Greenwood, Martial, Elanga, Diallo, Shoretire, Pellistri.
I know he's had an injury but I'm already disappointed by the lack of game time given to Amad Diallo - a far better prospect than Elanga IMO.
The only reason I can see for Alvarez is if Martial (thank goodness), Cavani (gutted) and Diallo/ Elanga (loan) exit in January.
EDs - is Alvarez likely? If so, how about the above mentioned exits? (HNY to you all, too and thanks for all your continued hard work) .
{Ed002's Note - He would be a Martial replacement. I have explained about potential departures.}
1.) 02 Jan 2022 12:41:11
Only based on ropey YouTube footage (sorry, not a frequent visitor to the River Plate stadium) he looks an exciting player, with lots of goals from outside the box so he's not afraid to have a pop. Whether there is any substance to the rumours I have no idea but it looks like the front-line is up for a little fine-tuning.
2.) 02 Jan 2022 14:55:22
I don't know much about him, supposedly highly rated and has a better record in Argentina than Lautaro Martinez had before his move to Inter Milan.
If we are going to persist with a front 2 formation then we will need to find a younger striker.
Martial will be leaving, possibly in January While Cavani will be off in the summer.
That leaves a by then 37 year old Ronaldo, as well as Rashford and Greenwood as our options in the striker positions.
At a reported 17m and on fairly low wages I think he could be a excellent replacement on Martial.
3.) 02 Jan 2022 16:41:46
Lets just hope there is some kind of clear thinking behind it. Diallo, Pellistri, VDB seem to have been bought in with no clear plan what to do with them.
4.) 02 Jan 2022 23:29:32
Pellestri and amad are clearly for a couple of years time. both would have been out on loan but amad got injured. I'd be interested to see if we send pellestri somewhere else in January because he's not getting much game time this season and he seems a bit behind . i have a feeling donny will go to Newcastle on loan this month they need to sign decent players and he could help dig them out if the hole their in.
04 Jun 2021 09:08:25
Morning all.
Wondering if any of the EDs can shed any light on Martial leaving this summer please?
For me, he seems the obvious saleable asset to bring in some much needed funds for the essential minimum of four purchases we require this summer.
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - There are no plans to sell him.}
1.) 04 Jun 2021 09:30:52
I'd imagine players like Pogba and even DDG would be ahead of Avram's favourite player in line for the exit door.
2.) 04 Jun 2021 10:16:11
If the plan is to keep him, I just don’t understand where he fits in. OGS is obsessed with either Rashford or Pogba on the left, it seems almost certain that Sancho will come in on the right, where Greenwood and the ever-impressive when given the chance Diallo are also good options. Cavani certain to start the big games up top, with Greenwood and Rashford other options through the middle. That’s without mentioning James, Elanga, Shoretire.
Where does Martial play?
3.) 04 Jun 2021 11:43:43
i expect pogba to leave this summer unless Ole wants to shoe-horn him into midfield of play alongside bruno with a CDM like rice / saul in midfield. so we will have martial, rashford, cavani, greenwood, sancho and james as our forward line options - pretty decent if you ask me.
4.) 04 Jun 2021 13:49:48
He is only obsessed with Pogba/ Rash on the left as Martial is unfit a lot. When fit he starts there regularly.
5.) 04 Jun 2021 14:17:56
While I don't think Martial is going to prove good enough to be a long term first choice option. He is still far above any of our other sub options.
If we sign someone like Sancho then our front four will be Bruno, Rashford, Sancho and Cavani.
Greenwood will be the first choice as an attacking sub either wide right or up top.
That leaves Martial, James, Diallo, Pellistri, and Hannibal as other options assuming Mata, Lingard and Andreas Pereira leave this summer.
Most of them are kids with little experience. Considering Cavani will likely pick up several injuries next season it makes little sense to sell Martial.
{Ed077's Note - Martial is on a lot of money to not even be the first choice attacking sub.}
6.) 04 Jun 2021 15:16:15
I can't see anyone stumping up the cash for Martial nor paying his wages. So I don't think he leaves sadly. I would much rather seeing his playing time given to one of the youngsters coming through.
7.) 04 Jun 2021 20:19:00
Martial has been bang average for 80% of his 5 seasons with us. He's not consistent enough. Clearly has talent but its nothing without consistent application.
One of the Eds noted on the City page that United were looking at Kane back in March. That may have cooled now that Cavani has signed but there is 1 or 2 years tops there and likely Edi plays what, 30 of our potential 60 games next season?
We do need another striker but it absolutely is not Martial.
I know it's a pipe dream but Martial + Lingard + cash for Kane would solve 3 problems in one hit!
Dear Baby Jesus .
8.) 04 Jun 2021 21:59:06
Unlike many, I like Martial, and if we didn’t also have Rashford, I’d want to see him kept as LW. However, we do have Rashford at LW, and sadly I don’t think Martial is going to learn the movement and positioning need as a CF, or at least not soon enough to take over from Cavani.
We can’t afford to wait another 2-3 years for him to learn, we need a CF good enough to take over from Cavani by next summer, and right now, Greenwood looks closer to being ready than Martial does.
25 Jan 2020 13:07:04
“Ighalo and Slimani are one of a number of forwards United have enquires about taking on last in the last few days.â€
Question is, who are the others in the ‘number’?
Btw - Ighalo’s recent stats are good, wouldn’t be the worst option IMO. Slimani on the other hand 🙈
1.) 25 Jan 2020 22:47:19
He was always scoring for Watford and has a good record in china. He could be a surpringly successful short term goal getter. I don't like the idea of Slimani however.
Downsie53's banter posts with other poster's replies to Downsie53's banter posts
04 Aug 2022 21:17:41
At the end of last season, if anybody said we'd be lining up for our first game of 22/ 23 with a defensive 'box' on Maguire, Lindelof, Fred and McTominay, there'd have been a riot.
Whilst I believe the three brought into the club (Malacia, Eriksen and Martinez) are excellent acquisitions, the fact they weren't brought in early enough to start the first game of the season in all likelihood, is embarrassing.
It's all well and good saying we might still have FDJ, Antony etc signed by 1st September, but we might already be 7-10 points off Spurs, Arsenal, West Ham etc by then.
Everything I've seen of EtH so far has been brilliant - authoritative, passionate and blunt in the right way. He just hasn't been supported by the powers that be, which will probably result in a tough opening month at least.
1.) 04 Aug 2022 22:10:28
Downsie you do understand its eth has requested the club don't move on from fdj?
2.) 04 Aug 2022 23:20:39
7-10 points off? After 5 matches? Seriously? Jesus.
3.) 05 Aug 2022 08:16:53
We haven't replaced Matic, Pogba and Cavani.
In addition to that, the squad lacks quality in a lot of positions.
All these delayed signings haven't helped at all.
The decision makers are hanging ETH dry.
4.) 05 Aug 2022 08:45:23
Feels like there is still much to do this window. We 'should' be winning three of our four league matches this month although i'm sure many will point at Brentford away as a banana skin. We're probably in for another mauling in the other game vs Liverpool. 3 wins and 1 draw with resolutions of the Ronaldo, central midfield and right wing positions would be a fantastic August.
5.) 05 Aug 2022 08:51:56
the club have also shafted him buy only focusing on de jong.
we have 2 strikers in martial whos now injured and ronaldo who wants to leave and is not fit.
we are very light anymore injuries and the difference in quality is massive.
6.) 05 Aug 2022 09:22:26
I'm not saying things are being done great or remotely effectively, but it does feel like the club can't win whatever they do in many fans' eyes.
The club have shafted EtH by only focusing on de Jong? So many ifs and buts in that alone. How does anyone know what's going on? Isn't it the manager saying only to focus on him? There could well be an alternative in the wings the moment he says to move on. Arguably they've done exactly what fans were crying for, brought in a top manager and are trying to do what he wants. He wanted Timber, who was talked out of it. He wants de Jong who has his own stuff going on with his present club. He wants Antony, but his club have gone a bit greedy. In all cases these are out of Utd's control. He's got three players he asked for and will get more.
7.) 05 Aug 2022 10:21:48
I fully understand that the likes of FDJ are EtH’s choice, BUT there has to come a time when enough is enough and we move on.
Yes, in five games we could be 7-10 points off Spurs etc - we could easily be on 1/ 2 points after the first three games with a Lindelof, Maguire, McTominay and Fred defensive square and a lack of options and goals up front.
I’d feel a lot more confident about the likes of FDJ coming in later in the window if I knew that Martinez and Eriksen would be starting tomorrow because they’d had a full pre season with us - but they won’t, they’ll moronically be on the bench. Surely with the five subs rule, we’d be better to play them both for an hour, rather than saving Eriksen in particular for the last 20/ 30?
Ultimately, the team that’s likely to be selected on Sunday is the same, if not worse, than the team picked for the majority of last season. A season where we were horrendous. Yes EtH seems brilliant, but he’s not an absolute miracle worker. Dalot, Lindelof, McTominay, Elanga etc wouldn’t get in Villa, West Ham or Newcastle’s side, yet will be playing for us on Sunday. Crazy.
8.) 05 Aug 2022 10:58:43
Yet they finished above villa West ham and Newcastle last season and will imo finish above them all this season.
Same players finished the previous season 2nd with no coaching.
Not sure your right there downsie.
9.) 05 Aug 2022 11:13:16
Toys are out the pram and a ball hasn't been kicked.
10.) 05 Aug 2022 12:15:46
It may be the same players but the performance and tactics have been a lot better in preseason and for me the question will be can they maintain this or will they return to previous years work rate.
I am quietly optimistic that the players will buy into eth standards and although I doubt we will win a trophy I fully expect to see big improvements should they maintain what we have seen from a eth team so far.
11.) 05 Aug 2022 12:59:16
Brm the voice of reason.
12.) 05 Aug 2022 13:09:18
Spenno, transfers are normally reasonably straight forward, watch Liverpool, City, Chelsea, Spurs. But when United buy a player, it seems to drag on 2 months.
We said at the start of the window that it'll be great if business was completed early so the new players can settle and integrate.
Only Malacia has been on the preseason, so if we sign more players now, don't expect them to give their best till around December and the World Cup will complicate that even more.
13.) 05 Aug 2022 13:36:22
Who have chelsea signed?
Did city not chase the Brighton full back for months?
Chelsea linked with fdj months
Chelsea did really well with kounde chase didn't they.
Easy peasy lemon squeezy.
24 Jul 2022 16:45:09
So, it's fairly obvious that we need (and ETH wants) another attacker, probably two if Ronaldo leaves. Who would be your realistic shopping list top 5, in order, and why?
Mine:
1. Antony (Ajax) - fluid attacker, knows the demands of ETH.
2. Sesko (RBS) big, quick, knows where the goal is and young enough to embrace new ideas.
3. David (Lille) - capable of playing right across front three, known for pressing, seems like an ETH player.
4. Osimhen (Napoli) - pace, pace, pace! Most unrealistic on this list though.
5. Depay (Barcelona) - wouldn't be fazed, can play across front three, inexpensive.
Ronaldo out and Antony + 1 of the others in would be a result, in my opinion.
Ideally, we want six first team ready options for the front three: currently we only have Martial, Sancho, Rashford, Ronaldo. I'm not convinced by Elanga but happy to have him as the sixth option, whilst Garnacho's lack of minutes in pre-season suggest he's not ready in ETH's eyes. Amad and Pellistri aren't ready for PL football and may never be.
1.) 24 Jul 2022 18:39:38
And now the Sesko rumours really kick in!
Honestly, this guy is the ‘new Haaland’ - really hope we get him.
2.) 24 Jul 2022 18:50:14
No.1 whoever EtH thinks is best.
No.2 whoever EtH thinks is best.
No.3 whoever EtH thinks is best.
No.4 whoever EtH thinks is best.
No.5 whoever EtH thinks is best.
We all have our personal favourites, but they mean very little if they don't suit what EtH wants.
I like Antony, I think he looks very skillful. Yet personally I wonder if the EPL is the right league for him at this moment in time. I think he could do with a stepping stone club in a more competitive league than the Eredivisie before moving to a club that hopes to be challenging toward the top end of the EPL. Especially for the money being touted about. However, if Antony is the man EtH wants then he is the man we should try and get.
I like Jonathan David from Lille, and think he could be a top class player. But does he suit how EtH wants to play? He probably works best as a second striker or a false 9. Does that suit what EtH wants to do?
If this team is to be successful we need to bring in the players that EtH wants and that suit how he wants to set up the side.
21 Jul 2022 18:11:55
There have been lots of ridiculous rumours this summer but if Ronaldo does leave, I'm fairly convinced by the credibility of the Memphis and Antony gossip.
An interchangeable, pacey front three from the six options of Sancho, Antony, Rashford, Martial, Memphis and Elanga would definitely highlight a specific method of attacking.
With Martinez and Eriksen being among the best ball players in their positions in the league and Bruno being the 'risk taker' in the side, you can see how EtH wants to play - neat and tidy football with penetrative forward passes into a rapid front line.
Exciting!
1.) 21 Jul 2022 18:48:49
Depay would be a very interesting signing and would be one of the players I would like us to get back.
This is the not the Depay we sold a few years ago. This is better.
I think he started well for us, got injured and didn't look that good. Come next season LVG didn't play him a lot (similar to Donny) and Jose didn't really give him a fair crack.
I always felt in his last seasons he should have got his head down and try to win the RW slot where mostly mata or lingard were playing and weren't really that great out wide.
The fact he's Dutch, has experience leading the line, has already been in Manchester ticks a lot of boxes for me. And not really at a premium. Although he doesn't seem to be the fittest player and gets injured.
Personally Depay, Moussa Dembele and Belotti are 3 players I'm fairly interested in as striker signings. None of them are expensive and all are proven goal scorers and definitely very good for a backup striker role.
2.) 21 Jul 2022 19:23:34
We need to steer well clear of Depay in my opinion. Been here before and couldn’t cut it, didn’t like the intensity of the Premier league, not enough time to recover, blah blah blah
He also has a circus that follows him around and he ain’t scared of an injury. No thank you.
3.) 21 Jul 2022 20:01:29
If I remember correctly Mr ed002 said it was a year too early for Depay to come to the premier league. We panicked because Liverpool were sniffing around and it didn't help he joined a poor team.
I like him, under the right coach I think he could do very well.
4.) 22 Jul 2022 12:48:24
I Hooe we stay clear of all the players Rohan mentioned.
5.) 22 Jul 2022 16:00:21
Think they are all internationals AAA?.
6.) 22 Jul 2022 17:34:23
If we sign Depay I hope Mr Ten Hag doesn't have an adult daughter.
7.) 23 Jul 2022 13:50:46
Why oakbark. Something we don't know about?
20 Jun 2022 18:49:09
29 days since we last played.
7 days until EtH's first training session.
174 players linked.
So come on, what do you genuinely believe will be our squad for the first game vs Brighton, injuries permitting?
I'll go:
De Gea
Dalot
Varane
Maguire
Shaw
De Jong
Fred
Eriksen
Bruno
Ronaldo
Sancho
Subs: Heaton, Lindelof, Malacia, McTominay, Hannibal, vdBeek, Rashford, Elanga, Moussa Dembele.
1.) 20 Jun 2022 19:41:01
To hard to guess atm downsie. I think Garnacho will surprise a few on pre season.
2.) 20 Jun 2022 20:20:36
I think Bruno may have a difficult season coming up. I just have a feeling he might find himself on the bench more often than not. Which makes the decision to give him a contract a peculiar one.
3.) 20 Jun 2022 21:01:12
Mumbles, I’d say he will be absolutely fine. One of the few players over the past number of years who’s shown he has something about him. I’m interested to see what role ten hag gives him.
07 May 2022 08:25:14
CB - Torres, Kounde or Timber
RB - worryingly quiet on the news front
DM - Tchuamendi, Neves, Phillips or Rice
CM - Milinkovic-Savic, De Jong or Haidara
AM/ W - Nkunku, Antony or Dembele
CF - Nunez or 'other'
Seems to be a fairly accurate summary of what we're being linked with. Whilst we desperately need one from each category, that'll surely prove too expensive, even with expected sales of Henderson, Bailly, Jones, Telles and Martial, plus the huge wage savings of those out of contract.
Surely we've got to prioritise some of the above positions for now and then add the others in Jan/ next year? Problem is, I come up with a different order of priority each time I try!
1.) 07 May 2022 08:58:00
downsie- good shout on the positional options mooted-
torres seems better fit and bailly could go other way?
rb - seem to think the middlesborough lad could be looked at as well as the kid on loan at forest? Portugese lad an option nunez? /
phillips if leeds go down
sms = been looked at a good while, other 2 to go elsewhere
anthony possible eth links?
would like nunez but a lot depends on the market dealings of rm, city and the big euro clubs as strikers are high demand with limited options.
The above is obviously opinion only, but think we will get 5/ 6 in add couple younguns from reserves and shift about 8.
2.) 07 May 2022 09:08:19
I think the focus this summer will be the spine of the team, CB, CDM, ST. I also wouldn't rule out a keeper as the 4th signing.
While I think our wide areas could do with an upgrade, I doubt that will happen this summer.
At LB we have Shaw, Williams and Fernandez who could all be improved with good coaching.
At RB I think Dalot has potential if coached and developed. While Laird is young and full of potential. The other issue at RB might be that AWB will be difficult to move on due to his high cost and wages.
In the forward areas we have Rashford, Sancho, Amad, Elanga, Garnacho and Shoretire. We could definitely do with a first team ready player to push Rashford and Sancho as the drop off from them is large (especially in terms of experience at this level) .
That said EtH has an excellent pedigree in developing young players, maybe he can make a star out of one of Amad, Elanga, Garnacho or Shoretire.
3.) 07 May 2022 09:16:24
Ten Hag likes one of his fullbacks to be very aggressive in attack.
Lamptey would be ideal in this case for RB.
4.) 07 May 2022 12:14:43
I got torn a new one here for suggesting Lamptey was a RB….
5.) 07 May 2022 12:55:16
GK: after one training session, ETH will pick Henderson for a season, then upgrade next year.
LB: Shaw, Williams and Fernandez
CB: Varane, Lindelof, Maguire, Mengi and Timber
RB: AWB, Dalot, Timber
DM: Phillips/ Sangare, Timber
CM: Fred, McTominay, Garner, Levitt
AM: Bruno, Hannibal, dVdBeek
Forwards: Ronaldo, Rashford, Shoretire, Elanga, Garnacho, Sancho, (Nunez) McNeill.
6.) 07 May 2022 13:24:01
Lamptey looks good as a wingback with a three man defence behind him.
He looks a little suspect in a flat back four though.
Great going forward, poor in defence. Kind of the polar opposite to AWB.
I'm not sure Lamptey is the kind of full back who naturally fits into an EtH system. EtH has almost exclusively played with a back four, something that Lamptey has looked suspect in. While he also likes his full backs to be comfortable tucking in and playing as inverted fullbacks.
We have seen both Blind and Mazraoui both play as inverted fullbacks at different times in the same game for Ajax under EtH.
Again this is a role I don't think is suited to Lamptey at all. I can't see him tucking into a midfield pivot alongside a CDM while the other midfielder pushes forward.
He's a winger by trade, he likes to be high and wide, stretching play. And that's where he plays best in my opinion.
7.) 07 May 2022 13:53:37
GK - Ralph clearly said that this is the only position that doesn't need attention. Whether EtH agrees, and equally whether Dean Henderson agrees, remains to be seen. I imagine Hendo will be off and we'll get a new back-up.
FULLBACKS - Clearly we need younger, more energetic fullbacks. None of our present options instill confidence. Tyrell Malacia looks a good shout at LB.
CB - With Jones/ Bailley on their merry ways it looks like a more mobile upgrade is of importance. Timber is the name on everyone's lips, not sure if this is lazy reporting or if there's any truth in it. He seems a little gung-ho. Maybe Fofana or a player closer to home is an option.
MID - So many players linked and the oft fuzzy lines of defensive/ central/ attacking midfield are even murkier in terms of who is what and what is needed. I'd like to see a defensive-minded player and a more of a playmaker. Rice looks like he'll blow the budget so surely isn't a realistic option. De Jong won't be cheap either, as much as I'd love to see either happen neither seem viable given the sheer scale of what is required. I have no idea why the Lazio guy would come to us. Or arguably half these players.
WINGERS - Only Sancho and Elanga are tried and tested options. Rashford has lost it. Elanga has been a surprise without tearing it up. Antony is mentioned a lot but again if he wasn't at Ajax would he be being talking about? Not so sure.
STR - This is an important one. In only a few weeks our only striker could well be CR7, and even that's up for debate. Again, Rashy should be in this list but can't be counted on at present. Hopefully after a pre-season he'll be at least a good option. Nunez is getting a lot of traction, Ed002 has suggested we aren't in the running without CL. I think the best we can hope for is a younger player to alternative with Ronaldo next season but the names being banded about are all approaching £100m, maybe aiming a little high when 5-6 players are needed. Richarlison isn't my favourite player but it will be interesting to see what becomes of him in the coming weeks. Again he'd cost a bomb.
8.) 07 May 2022 14:29:37
Doesn't Timber prefer City? That's certainly what one of the Ed's had mentioned.
9.) 07 May 2022 15:11:36
I like Fofana, Spenno. Unlucky with that injury, but prior to that he looked a great prospect.
10.) 07 May 2022 15:42:53
What Ralf says about keepers and what EtH thinks might be very different things.
Ralf also said that in his vision of football you don't build out from the keeper and that you want your keeper to have as few touches with his feet as possible as keepers tend to be the weakest players on the pitch with the ball at their feet (that was before he managed Harry Maguire mind) .
EtH in that regard is almost polar opposite, he wants his keepers to come off their line and sweep up, he wants them to be a part of playing out from the back and involved in build up play.
It will be interesting to see what EtH does with the keepers at United.
06 Aug 2022 17:53:48
Sane would be just about the best left footed right winger we could get and would be an incredible signing - not sure the guy with the etihad tattooed on his back would be interested in the move though!
06 Aug 2022 13:39:52
Don’t really understand the Gakpo story from this morning. He’s a left winger - Rashford, Sancho, Garnacho, Eriksen, Elanga, Martial, Bruno, Shoretire can all play there.
Lazy ‘he is Dutch so we will link him to United for clicks’ journalism, to me.
04 Aug 2022 13:05:04
If it means not having to watch Elanga, I’d take it!
02 Aug 2022 20:52:26
Cheshire, who do you genuinely believe will JOIN United before the end of the window?
02 Aug 2022 16:59:44
All of those 7 need to go IMO but not all going to happen this window.
We desperately need a minimum of 3, maximum of 5 incomings too.
Can’t quite believe we’re actually going to start the season with the quartet of Maguire, Lindelof, Fred and McTominay - absolutely embarrassing by the club.
07 Aug 2022 19:39:23
Quite simply we need to spend £100m by Brentford away.
05 Aug 2022 10:21:48
I fully understand that the likes of FDJ are EtH’s choice, BUT there has to come a time when enough is enough and we move on.
Yes, in five games we could be 7-10 points off Spurs etc - we could easily be on 1/ 2 points after the first three games with a Lindelof, Maguire, McTominay and Fred defensive square and a lack of options and goals up front.
I’d feel a lot more confident about the likes of FDJ coming in later in the window if I knew that Martinez and Eriksen would be starting tomorrow because they’d had a full pre season with us - but they won’t, they’ll moronically be on the bench. Surely with the five subs rule, we’d be better to play them both for an hour, rather than saving Eriksen in particular for the last 20/ 30?
Ultimately, the team that’s likely to be selected on Sunday is the same, if not worse, than the team picked for the majority of last season. A season where we were horrendous. Yes EtH seems brilliant, but he’s not an absolute miracle worker. Dalot, Lindelof, McTominay, Elanga etc wouldn’t get in Villa, West Ham or Newcastle’s side, yet will be playing for us on Sunday. Crazy.
04 Aug 2022 08:52:59
I practically guarantee Martinez won’t start. Which would be absolutely ridiculous. Having Martinez and Varane on the bench (our two best CBs by a million miles) will be laughably embarrassing.
With the 5 sub rule, surely Eriksen does the first hour rather than the last thirty? Hopefully anyway.
02 Aug 2022 17:02:59
Honestly, I genuinely believe he’s destined for greatness.
In three years time, he’ll be scoring 20-30 goals p/ season for an EPL/ La Liga/ Bayern side.
I just hope it is us.
02 Aug 2022 07:40:42
He’s already our best centre half, for me.