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29 Aug 2023 11:15:10
Another day and another link to a former ten Hag player in Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg (formerly of Bayern reserves) .
I think he's been ok for Spurs in recent seasons but Postecoglu wasted little time in revamping that midfield to something more energetic, which is pretty much something we all crave in the Utd team.
1.) 29 Aug 2023 11:29:39
The key is to ignore everything the media and Twitter says and believe only when a player signs on the dotted line. 99% of what we hear is made up.
2.) 29 Aug 2023 11:31:36
The pretty obvious ploy to buy players with a previous connection to ETH is a concern for me. It is too much like surrounding himself with who he knows. Maybe the scouting system has been poor but surely this isn’t the way forward. Whilst unlikely, if ETH leaves we have his core players who likely would all be unhappy. I am uneasy about this strategy.
3.) 29 Aug 2023 11:38:38
Isn't there a big difference between the myth of EtH signing players he has worked with before and the reality.
Didn't someone on here go through the list the other day and it came out it was only around 30%, sorry I forgot who it was.
4.) 29 Aug 2023 11:47:38
Red Man, Martinez Anthony and Onana are the only player who have any connection to Ten Haag and are all very good signings. Casemiro, Mount, Malacia, Hojlund, have never had any link to Ten Haag and are also very good signings. As I said above everything else is just noise. The media make things up every day. Every day that passes were supposedly in talks with or have interest in a different player. If we were to sign every player we were linked with by the media I’m not sure there would be any players left to play for any one else.
{Ed002's Note - Hojlund has.}
5.) 29 Aug 2023 11:49:18
Tagliafico has also been linked today. I get the manager trusting players he’s managed previously but this is piss poor from the clubs scouting department and Ten Hag if it turns out to be true.
6.) 29 Aug 2023 11:50:23
If he comes in purely as the rotational option to Casemiro for under £15m, I’d be delighted. Premier League experienced, a leader and has an excellent habit of putting his foot in and keeping the ball simple.
However, if it’s to come in and play ALONGSIDE Casemiro, I’d be worried as we’d be far too static and unimaginative in the middle.
Overall I feel it’s probably just a story we’ve leaked to put further pressure on Fiorentina to reduce the Amrabat price, like we did with Caicedo/ Mount and Ramos/ Hojlund.
Whatever happens, this squad desperately needs a backup no.6.
7.) 29 Aug 2023 12:06:16
Embarrassing.
Mediocre player at best.
We are scrambling around enquiring about Spurs leftovers.
8.) 29 Aug 2023 12:10:28
Seems like more than just noise on this occasion, looks like a legit target. Dunno if it's a case of one of Hjojberg / Amrabat / Gravenberch or whether it could be two.
9.) 29 Aug 2023 11:57:25
Oh right, where Ed? Never heard of any links before now.
{Ed002's Note - Bayern Munich.}
10.) 29 Aug 2023 12:42:10
JE888 - Malacia and Mount he observed when in Holland. EtH was very impressed with Mount when at Vitesse. So there are links.
I bet if we had more money he would take more chances, but I guess he needs to be extra careful with every signing, therefore goes by what he knows.
Not sure I like this for every signing. Hopefully this will change when we are free from the stranglehold of the Glazer family.
{Ed002's Note - Far from even being tenuous.}
11.) 29 Aug 2023 12:58:03
Indeed.
I guess journalists can find links anywhere if they look hard enough.
ED002, will you be travelling Thursday or will you be with us for deadline day?
{Ed002's Note - I will generally be around this week.}
12.) 29 Aug 2023 12:58:11
The media are doing some nonsensical reporting about some of the players we're linked with having some connection with Ten Hag.
Cucurella is apparently wanted because he had a good game against Ajax 3 years ago and Ten Hag has fond memories of this. Absolute rubbish.
13.) 29 Aug 2023 13:21:55
Actually he hasn't signed a huge number of players he has worked with before, no more than other managers.
While I find the idea that it is frowned upon that he is maybe using links and previous understanding when signing players he maybe hasn't worked with.
Him having a network of people who can grease the wheels and help get deals done for players the club have identified is a benefit to us not a hindrance.
While him maybe having a greater understanding and having observed a player more closely previously is also not a bad thing. It means he has seen something in them that he feel the current side need.
Pit it like this, you are presented with player A someone who meets the criteria you have asked for, and you are presented with player B, also a player who equally meets the criteria set out but he is a player you have personally observed and have seen first hand that they possess the skills you are looking for.
Which one makes most sense to sign? Player A represents more of a gamble as there could be confusion between what the manager has asked his scouts to look for and what they think they need to look for. While the manager can be far more confident that player B does have the skills he is looking for.
To suggest the manager should just go with option A is to suggest for him to have more faith in a scouting network, that has pulled up some absolutely shocking signings over the past decade, than the manager has in his own ability to recognise the requisite skills he needs.
I wonder if Arsenal fans felt the same way back in the 90's when Arsene Wenger was using his knowledge of French football and his connections to sign players like Henry, Viera, and Pires?
14.) 29 Aug 2023 13:25:54
Rjmanutd, yes some of the links are getting a bit silly now agreed. Journalists are trying to find links everywhere. Next it'll be EtH watched the player on TV ?
Good news Ed002 is about for deadline day. Can remember when he broke what Wenger shouted at SAF in a London pub (I think) or hotel bar perhaps regarding Van Persie.
15.) 29 Aug 2023 13:33:36
One advantage you get from knowing the player personally is knowing their personality, their attitude and their mental abilities. You can get reports about this, but no one knows better than yourself when making a judgement.
However you do have to take chances on unknown players as you have to widen the talent pool.
16.) 29 Aug 2023 13:54:27
The links to ETH bear out what I've been suggesting, that our scouting/ recruitment system has been completely broken under Woodward. There has been no continuity, no adaptation to the post Northern European centric system that served SAF so well. Now we have to rely almost entirely on the manager to come up with names. It's a step forward from the CEO doing it. At least he's recruiting in accordance with a footballing strategy rather than with an eye to shirt sales. But for the club to really recover from the Woodward era we're going to need to look further afield than those with whom ETH has had previous connections. Eventually he'll run out of them. Then what? I think we're still way behind in this area.
17.) 29 Aug 2023 14:44:47
Contrary to posts above, there is a theme running through the players ETH is looking at. The Manchester evening paper has this very day written a piece about it naming the connections and how this strategy is limiting us. I agree and taking someone not good enough for Spurs is a joke quite honestly. The strategy is flawed and someone needs to grab it before it goes too far.
18.) 29 Aug 2023 14:45:32
Shappy, there's a difference between Arsene Wenger using his knowledge of French footballers and seeking out opinions on the players you mentioned, and Arsene Wenger bypassing those players to only sign ones he's worked with previously. Not what I was suggesting at all.
19.) 29 Aug 2023 14:49:25
Signing Malacia was using 'his knowledge' and networking to only sign Dutch players which of course I'd expect from a manager who has been working in that league for two years.
He seems to prefer moving for players he's worked with in person, bit like Danny Ocean. Understandable in a heist but seems like a bit of a restriction and oversight in a sporting environment.
20.) 29 Aug 2023 14:56:15
Spenno, it may be a money thing. It's easier to bring in players who you know. Easier for them to settle and there is little risk regarding their mentality.
But it really does limit our access to the larger talent pool.
Perhaps if we had more money. Needed less work on our squad, he would look further afield. ?♂️.
21.) 29 Aug 2023 16:11:00
Sydney
More money? We have spent what, £500m, on players at ETH instruction. The Glazers are a poison but ETH has spent on players he feels comfy with, that is a limitation which is a real concern. Let’s see if £85m on Antony was really worth it in the coming months. There has to be someone at the club with concern or at least uncomfortable that players generally have had to be connected to the manager to be seen as suitable. The only proviso is whether someone at the club wants to make ETH feel comfortable, but that would be amateur.
22.) 29 Aug 2023 17:33:58
Half a billion hardly smacks of Glazers not releasing money, my concern is the players we keep buying are bang average, and I don’t get hoe Ten thinks these players are good enough! I know we need numbers but to me it should be quality over Quantity I keep being told they need to settle well Sancho now had years, Antony now in 2nd year Malacia is not good enough, neither is AWB and we spend huge money on these and now add Mount to the list, not one of these are good enough for city, even Arsenal nor Munich nor Madrid, so how are they good enough for united if we expect to win anything. I want players who make a difference and are better then what we got, we are just swapping average for average, but they are said to play the Ten way, which I’m still waiting to see what exactly that is! I agree we improved from Ole which was not that difficult but are we anywhere near standard required our forward front three add Sancho that’s 4 of them and zero goals, that’s a major concern. Add to that Varane injury problems and two left backs out and Alvaro clearly considered not good enough it’s worrying.
23.) 29 Aug 2023 18:30:20
I think too much of the money spent was panic buys.
We paid well over the odds for Antony, Martinez and Casemiro. Other clubs coming in for Martinez, Hojlund, Ronaldo pushed the prices up significantly. Antony and Casemiro were panic buys after EtH crisis talks. Necessary, but going into the summer with the plan to penny pinch.
24.) 29 Aug 2023 19:09:44
Penny pinch this year…. Mount 60 million, is he really any better then what we had, marginally if he is
Rasmus 70 million for what really should be one for future who can be eased in whilst learning from a proper striker, not bought into be main and only man
Onana 40 million, ok he will play a different style we hear what Ten wants, so that’s fine, will he cost us more points with mistakes over 10 years who knows
That’s before we get in to 80 million for Antony, who forget the money is just not good enough, Sancho same ok not bought by Ten, but not sold by him either.
Although I like Ten I really don’t understand what is he trying to do, it’s seems to be changing every game if you ask me and I think he bit too stubborn for his own good, at moment he is a good manager doing a average job for money spent, he needs to be great manager but I can’t see that whilst buying bang average players….
25.) 29 Aug 2023 19:53:27
Jesus what a toxic group we have here! Get a grip! New signings getting thrown u see the bus already! The manager getting criticised for signing players he wants or knows or trusts! What a terrible idea!
The manager hasn’t got a hope in hell of succeeding at the club if he’s trying to win over a fan base as spoilt and self entitled as some of our lot!
26.) 29 Aug 2023 20:06:26
So Trafford, he’s buying “bang average players”, and doing an average job whilst finishing third and winning a trophy and getting to another major final in his first season. Your own argument makes no sense. Surely if he’s buying “bang average players” we should be finishing in a “bang average position” considering in your eyes he’s doing a “bang average job”. Seriously get a grip.
27.) 29 Aug 2023 20:47:30
The penny pinching aspect is going for a kid on low wages like Hojlund over a proven player like Kane or even Osimhen. Kane overall package probably £250m no sell on value, compared to Hojlund £85m with huge sell on value.
Going for Mount simply because they thought they could get him on the cheap, being in his last year of contract.
Both will be good signings, but we are Manchester United. Kane should be a United player now. Any other owner he would be. So yes, penny pinching.
28.) 29 Aug 2023 22:22:23
Trafford,
Notice you didn’t heed the advice to stop just posting the same negative stuff over and over, I think we all know your opinion now, ‘Ten’ as you call him is useless, all the players are useless, winning games isn’t good enough, maybe just try and find some balance.
29.) 29 Aug 2023 23:46:55
We have spent close to 400 million and only players we overpaid is Antony imo. None of the players that have come in have been a disappointment for me, unless people are going to judge players on 2 games. I give antony stick because i expected a lot more given his price tag. If we had spent 40 mill I would be okay with his inconsistency.
All managers have views on players and bring players they rate after taking a new job. Remember mourinho at chelsea when he arrived and the Portuguese signings.
Nothing wrong with buying good players who started their career in the Dutch league as it produces a ton of talent, who go on to top European leagues. Suarez and ronaldo come to mind as easy ones.
People seem to like Gravenburch and i have no opinion and hardly seen him play but many here advocating we should get him.
If he turns out to be a tulip people will say its eth fault as he only buys players he knows from the Dutch league, if it turns out to be good nothing will be said about the fact, him being here probably influenced the player decision.
Finally this is the same manager who on a very small budget and wages put a team together that got to the semis of cl a few years ago and probably played the most attractive football.
Even before a player joins people are labelling them as rejects. Plenty of players don't work out under one manager at one club and go to another club and do very well.
30.) 30 Aug 2023 00:23:37
Paying over the odds for a player has nothing to do with whether or not they are a disappointment Ahmed. It means we paid more than what they were initially priced at during the time of sale. Price driven up by other teams bidding higher for example.
Players like Martinez will end up being a steal in years to come. However we paid over the odds at the time for him. That's what I meant. If my memory serves me correct his price went from €40m up to whatever we paid. Hojlund was priced at €40m too, paid significantly more.
Even if these guys turn out to be the best. In the long run they'll seem like bargains, but at the time we paid over the odds.
31.) 30 Aug 2023 06:00:35
Price makes no odds to me, I expect a certain level of player, if they disappoint they disappoint don’t matter if 2 Bob or 200 million
And Giggs your making stuff up again I never said Ten was useless I said good manager not a great manager and concerned with his purchases and stubbornness, read properly and please don’t tell me not to post, it’s rather childish.
32.) 30 Aug 2023 06:20:43
We have spent circa £500m for ETH, yet have a ropey central midfield, one striker who we don’t know yet and no one else capable, our central defence is shaky and we don’t know how long Varane will go before the next injury.
Any competent board would question this strategy and would have agreed a plan for what was needed. Any competent board would question why the manager seems to want to know a player to be interested. There again a competent board would be the vision of the owners to produce the desired goal. That goal has been financial for the leeches, the club has bled £1.5Bn it didn’t need to, in order for them to be here. If we can get rid of the leeches and get Qatar in it will be a great day. They would likely give far better direction and that produces the plan. If they get a competent board I would expect there to be challenges to what we are seeing.
ETH had a good season, the aim should be to improve on it, yet with the weaknesses we can see, that’s going to be tough. Third can easily become sixth when ambitious clubs like Villa are improving. Two days left and we seem more bothered about a left back. We seem unable to shift players and it’s not just their wages, it looks to me like the club are being accountants and not wanting to write amounts off, plus don’t like to be proven wrong for what they did previously.
We are now in the panic section of the window where we usually end up. It’s not good enough for a club like us.
33.) 30 Aug 2023 07:37:38
Have to totally agree RedMan, the manager is buying exactly what he wants and to me they appear not the standard required to catch city, and when Ten moves on, we are left again with a major rebuild needed, I agree manager does have to have final say on which players he thinks suit but the club should have a vision and focus on when he leaves a succession on style comes in and 99% of the players are already in situ for new manager to add a couple that take us up a level, my concern is the players being purchased are not good enough, Shappy says 8 purchased for this manager, I say none of them would get in city team and that’s the benchmark, I am not so sure we are not weaker then last year and other teams have improved, so could be a problem, no problem if Ten buys everyone he knows but having coached them before or know them very well he should also be aware if they are good enough…. Last year he could have been shocked by EPL but no excuse this year.
34.) 30 Aug 2023 01:22:40
Ed the reference to Hojlund having links to Ten Hag is an interesting angle, one I’ve not seen before.
Was Hojlund at Bayern as a young player? He started his professional career a good 5 years after Ten Hag left Bayerns 2nd team.
It would be interesting if their paths have crossed in the past. Thanks for the info.
{Ed002's Note - It should have read Hojbjerg at Bayern, but the entiore post is nonsense.}
35.) 30 Aug 2023 10:35:11
‘Ten’ finished 3rd last year so if he was shocked by the premier league then he managed it pretty well. I agree we won’t catch city this year, I don’t think anybody will for a few years yet, we just need to be ready for when they start to falter, which hopefully with new ownership we will be, until then this is where we are at.
The issue last year was the away games against the top teams, after spurs it seems like that may be an issue again this term, I can’t see us getting much on Sunday but hopefully I’m wrong. I can only imagine the meltdown on here if we don’t get 5 shiny new signings by Friday and beat Arsenal 3-0.
36.) 30 Aug 2023 10:49:37
Truth is Red Man, there was so much work that needed to be done when EtH arrived, it was a huge rebuild. Greenwood situation hasn't helped either as I suspect EtH was expecting him back. The manager for me has bought were is needed, but to buy everything we need in a couple summers is impossible with the spending restrictions. The amount of money clubs want for players when United are interested is staggering. This is why I am slightly amazed why we haven't gone for Amrabat yet. Reasonably cheap and what we need. We clearly don't have the money. I think that's pretty obvious. Brighton have signed Baleba for £23m. If United, Chelsea, City etc went in for him it would have been closer to £35m. If I was in charge at United, I would seriously consider bringing in a South American Scout with great pull. Our best signings should be new scouting staff, we should be finding these players before they are unaffordable.
37.) 30 Aug 2023 11:47:29
We did, Sydney. His name was Moises Caceido!
38.) 30 Aug 2023 13:07:36
£4.5m wasn't it? I seen a list of United near misses once. It was hard to read.
06 May 2023 12:20:25
Ed, I've watched a little of Napoli this season, mainly to see the fuss around Osimhen. But it's Kvaratskhelia I've been most impressed by. I haven't worked out how to pronounce his name yet lol but what a cracking player. He seems most suited to left attack, which doesn't seem a priority position for Utd. I can't think of many top clubs in the Prem lacking in that department either. Has there been any Prem interest in the player?
{Ed002's Note - Khvicha Kvaratskhelia (LW) In late 2021 Torino, Borussia Dortmund and Lokomotiv Moscow were speaking with Rubin Kazan who said they were not willing to sell at that time. Previously the player had been watched by Bayern Munich and his agent had been hawking him around the Premier League clubs including Everton with, according to him, Leeds showing some interest. Ancelotti had been open to the idea of replacing Bolasie and Bernard with him but it was clear something was going on in the background. Remarkably he was sold to Georgian side Dinamo Batumi for a small amount of money but well beyond their means in March 2022. For 3 months Napoli and Juventus discussed a deal with his agent and on July 1, 2022 he moved to Napoli, giving a small profit to Dinamo Batumi. A move to Spain with Real Sociedad was ruled out. Paratici had originally identified him for Juventus and it is was surprise Spurs did not follow up. Roma waited too long to be a viable option. The transfers are potentially going to be looked at by UEFA. Don't rule out Real Madrid or Manchester City looking at taking the player in a year or two and he has also attracted scouts from Liverpool and Juventus but interest from both has gone with other recruits. Newcastle have a declared interest but a move seems unlikely. Napoli have no intention of selling and will offer a new contract - I expect to be agreed.}
1.) 06 May 2023 13:41:17
Very informative Ed, thanks. For me he's the player City should have gone for over Grealish.
2.) 06 May 2023 16:45:12
Spenno, don't worry about pronunciation, he's known as Kvaradonna!
His performances of late have not quite been up to the same standard, but his potential is, I think, very very high.
Many have compared him to George Best and one similarity he shares is that he learnt his football playing on the street's (in Georgia) and it toughened him up.
Clearly we are not going to go for him given our left wing options, but I agree with you, think he is going all the way to the very top.
3.) 07 May 2023 21:17:16
What left wing options do we possess
Not one of them is any good
There all shocking wingers who couldn’t beat an egg yet alone a defender.
4.) 08 May 2023 09:46:25
Come on Blackpool, it's Rashy's best position we're he's scored the majority of his goals from and we have probably the most exciting prospect we've had for yonks in Garnacho.
5.) 08 May 2023 09:56:29
Its the position we least need to address, i have long criticised the qualit of both the starting 11 and the squad but thisbis the one spot i don't think we need to touch.
13 Apr 2023 08:53:34
Hi Ed02, are Utd likely to be interested in Felix this summer? There were plenty of rumours that Utd were interested in a loan at the time Chelsea got him and wondered if there was genuine interest in him or whether the player will hope for a permanent move to London. Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Joao Felix (AM/F) Chelsea have no option to buy in the loan agreement but Atletico have given them an eye watering fee for which he will be available, but it may be possible to include a player in the transaction but Chelsea will not pay the full asking price, and they have already agreed the transfer of a similar player for the summer. Real Madrid are keen on him but would want to include players in any deal. Barcelona may look to him again but they are still working on wage issues that need to be resolved. Manchesteer United may offer a wildcard option but they already have Bruno Fernandes and there pressing need is for other positions. The player has made it clear he wants to stay at Chelsea. Interest of Bayern Munich and Manchester City will have gone.}
1.) 13 Apr 2023 10:14:27
Very informative as always Ed. Thanks.
2.) 13 Apr 2023 11:40:32
He’s so not what we need!
3.) 13 Apr 2023 12:00:50
Not sure about that, yes we need a CF more but I don't see much creativity in the squad beyond Fernandes and at a push Eriksen myself.
4.) 13 Apr 2023 12:38:56
I think we need a Striker, CM possibly 2, CB, RB and GK for a start before we need a number 10 to compete with Bruno.
You coukd argue that the RB CM x2 and Str are positions where you can add significantly to a teams creativity if you buy well.
5.) 13 Apr 2023 15:37:06
I think the order of importance is ST, GK, then CM. With what sort of CM very much dependant on how EtH wants to set the team up next year.
After those three positions which I think are vital it become much about who leaves. If Greenwood leaves then we probably need another ST. If McTominay leaves then possibly another CM. If one of Maguire or Lindelof leave then we will need a CB. If one of Dalot or AWB leave then a RB.
6.) 14 Apr 2023 08:10:40
More and more games happen, the more I feel GK is as important as striker.
I love de gea to the core and think he's one of the best keepers we have had.
But stylistically the way we want to play, he does not fit.
Rumors of david raya etc who imo is a decent keeper, but i'd rather us blow money on the best prodigy available in diogo costa.
We need 2-3 50m signings.
I particularly hate the expensive 100m + signings which more often than not absolutely flop.
7.) 14 Apr 2023 11:15:59
Backpass, I'm torn over which keeper we should sign. On one hand Diogo Costa could be the best in the world in a few years time, on the other he is totally untested in the EPL and much like DDG before him could have a tough couple of years to get through before shining.
David Raya might not be the sexy choice, but he might be the right one. Stylistically a good fit, great age for a keeper, EPL proven and due to his contract situation would be cheaper than he normally would be. But he does lack the "wow" factor.
I'm swaying more towards Raya, he'd make an instant impact and given his age and cost we could look at another keeper in a couple of years time if he doesn't work out.
8.) 15 Apr 2023 11:39:54
Raya for me could have a similar impact for us as Ramsdale at Arsenal.
May not have the massive upside but offers a step up on DDG in the key metrics EtH likes whilst being PL proven.
9.) 16 Apr 2023 21:37:54
Why would he want to drop down a level to go to Chelsea?
10.) 16 Apr 2023 21:37:54
Why would he want to drop down a level to go to Chelsea?
08 Jan 2023 17:41:32
Hey Ed, any truth in Villa interest in Maguire, loan or otherwise?
{Ed014's Note - someone’s beaten you to that question mate and is waiting for ed02 to answer if he hasn’t already.
1.) 08 Jan 2023 18:19:17
More excited by this potential deal than any striker we could sign this month.
Maguire is the epitome of everything that has been wrong with our squad and transfer dealings in recent years.
2.) 08 Jan 2023 18:29:43
Being reported as completely false…hope not! Maguire is clearly 5/ 6 choice so moving him on would be best for everyone concerned.
3.) 08 Jan 2023 18:23:24
Many thanks Ed, shall keep an eye out for it!
{Ed014's Note - no probs, I put it back for him earlier, he’s obvs just busy today.
4.) 08 Jan 2023 18:52:05
Would be great if Weghorst came in AND the money from a Maguire sale went towards Felix.
We can dream!
5.) 08 Jan 2023 20:33:49
United in Focus are reporting that it makes no sense to get rid of Maguire with the fixture pile up.
I would argue that it makes total sense. That way there is no chance of him playing for us again, otherwise the fixture pile up will be fixed!
03 Jan 2023 15:43:04
Ed, I've read a few snippets suggesting Utd are interested in Randal Kolo Muani. I've not heard of him, what do you know of the player and might he be a target?
{Ed002's Note - Randal Kolo Muani (S/F) Eintracht Frankfurt have said they rejected an approach from Spurs for the player they only signed in the summer. Representatives are trying to set up a deal with Bayern Munich but it is being suggested that if EF were to sell they could look for as much as €75M - which they won't play. Offered to Manchester United and Milan by his representatives who see a potentially huge payment to themselves. Having a good season and did well at Nantes although Germany is a step up. High risk at that price.}
1.) 03 Jan 2023 16:05:39
Thanks Ed. Very informative.
2.) 03 Jan 2023 17:09:38
That's interesting ed002 do you see the German league as a much better standard of football than the French one?
{Ed002's Note - Yes.}
spenno's banter posts with other poster's replies to spenno's banter posts
14 Apr 2024 11:33:39
6 points from the last 21.
On the brink of 8th place if West Ham win today.
Question - would be genuinely be better to remove the manager now and put an interim in charge for the remainder of the season? If have no idea who it would be, but could the tactics or desire be any worse than they are right now?
You often see a bounce when such appointments are made. Maybe enough to at least keep in the fight for sixth.
Genuine question.
1.) 14 Apr 2024 12:00:12
I see your reasoning, but for financial reasons it won’t happen! If it were me I would let him go now rather than let this fester for another 2 months.
2.) 14 Apr 2024 12:07:51
Would you rather spend £15m today on Dan Ashworth or removing ten Hag?
3.) 14 Apr 2024 12:35:55
I'd absolutely pay the £15m for Ashworth now.
4.) 14 Apr 2024 14:51:34
Sack him now and if it’s to be Potter he can get started now.
5.) 14 Apr 2024 15:12:13
Id do both…?.
6.) 14 Apr 2024 16:19:10
An interim new manager bounce isn’t guaranteed. Need only look at what happened to Chelsea after Potter was sacked. They got even worse under Lampard.
7.) 14 Apr 2024 16:39:04
We need to adhere to the rules.
8.) 14 Apr 2024 17:04:19
I would say if we lose our next game to Coventry and go out of the Cup then he must go then but the fact that our new CEO, DOF and technical director are not at the club yet will probably mean he is here till the summer.
9.) 14 Apr 2024 19:19:22
What rules are those Ken?
10.) 14 Apr 2024 20:45:21
I'm not an expert Tim.
But you are only allowed to lose a certain amount of money over a 3 year period concurrent (I think)
We have been sailing very close to a points deduction or at best falling foul of those rules.
An exit spend of eth's and staff payout will run to millions. Ideally on next years book. Next funancial year starts July 1st.
11.) 15 Apr 2024 09:48:27
It really is a bizarre system. Wish I could count on a £15m payout if I was crap at my job and facing the sack, I might try a little harder to fall out with people.
04 Apr 2024 11:42:09
Reckon tonite has a draw all over it personally.
There are similarities between Chelsea and Utd, two huge clubs who went on a new journey a few years ago even if it feels like Utd have ben on one for much longer.
However where it feels like Chelsea have spent 1bn to get their dream team with it looking anything but, I'd like to think our better signings are in the seasons ahead for us. Fair enough, we've also spent 1bn over a longer period with little to show for it. Love Poch, but I reckon he's up against it more than EtH.
1.) 04 Apr 2024 12:40:26
I think Chelsea tried to change too much too soon and should actually as a warning for ourselves if trying to do that.
They had a massive squad turn over, moving on the majority of the older, more experienced players with a big focus on signing younger up and coming players.
I'm also not convinced they hired the right manager in Pochettino (who I think is a very good manager), or at least they've made signings that don't quite fit how Pochettino has tended to play.
They've also had their fair share of injuries this season, which has also made it difficult for the new players to get any traction and build those workings relationships and start to come together as a team.
That's why it's important that we get this summer right, we need to move on several players and start to refresh the squad. But we shouldn't try and do all of that in one or even two windows.
We need a smaller squad as it's currently too big, there are players who hardly ever play and they need to move on. I'd expect to see 10-14 players leave this summer, although the majority of them will be fringe players like Donny or Hannibal. I'd then expect us to sign 5-6 players maximum.
We need to look at the examples set by Liverpool and Arsenal, two big clubs that had fallen behind. They got the right set up behind the scenes, found the right manager, then spent 3 seasons slowly rebuilding their squads, allowing them to come together and develop as a group. They had challenging times, both Klopp and Arteta were laughed at and questioned during their first couple of years. The problems in their squads were highlighted, and used as sticks to beat them and for the media to say they are failing. Yet their clubs stuck the course, kept faith with the plan and vision and it all came together in the end.
That's the sort of path we should be looking to walk over the next few years.
As for tonights game, I'm really not sure how it'll go. On one hand Chelsea struggle to finish their chances, on the other we tend to give teams far more chances than we should. I think we will score, it just depends on whether we'll concede. I'd expect a low scoring game, 0-0, 1-0, 1-1 or maybe a 2-1 to either team.
I don't think the football will be high quality, but I think there is a good chance the game could be entertaining. Both sides looking to press high, but struggle to defend well, so it could end up being an end to end basketball type game, won by whoever does the best at taking their chances.
2.) 04 Apr 2024 13:47:15
Shappy
There us a good chance it will be wet tonight if it rains if it doesn't rain it might be dry.
But it might be windy but if the wind doesn't blow it will be calm and if the flood lights are on it might be bright.
The score might be nill all 1 all or if its not a draw one of the teams might win.
3.) 04 Apr 2024 15:27:16
I think we will lose handsomely
Team full of blaggers and bluffers
Sick to death of em all
The only one who can hold his head high is an 18 year old.
4.) 04 Apr 2024 15:55:45
Indeed Blackpool Red, midfield will be interesting.
Ours went missing in a major way last time out - shocking. Mainoo's rise has been one of the only positive things I can remember about this team for a while (ok, plus Garnacho) .
Chelsea have one of the best midfields in the world on paper in Caicedo and Fernandez but you wouldn't know it based on this season, they've been underwhelming to say the least.
Shappy I'm not convinced Poch is the man for them either. Other than a brilliant season at Spurs where they should probably have pipped Leicester to the league I don't think he's done enough to be at a top club. I suspect he's a manager all the players and fans love but his trophy cabinet is pretty bare.
5.) 04 Apr 2024 16:48:04
Agree with Blackpool Red. I will be surprised by any other outcome.
6.) 04 Apr 2024 16:55:11
Wouldn't argue with any of that spenno.
I like poch but as you say he has not been great in terms of trophies.
I think every new manager at a top club should get 2 seasons to see how they are shaping up unless they are really screwing up.
If there is obvious sustainable progression then you are on right track.
I agree Chelsea have a very good midfield but are poor in defence and attack despite their spend.
Poch should be doing better with what he has at his disposal no doubt. He will be lucky to get another season imo.
7.) 04 Apr 2024 17:30:03
Class ken ?.
8.) 04 Apr 2024 17:56:54
£1bn spent and one out and out young raw CF each.
9.) 04 Apr 2024 17:57:42
I like Jackson tbf. Both he and Radmus have been put in tough spots.
10.) 04 Apr 2024 19:46:14
I see ETH has dropped his "favourite" Rashford.
11.) 04 Apr 2024 20:08:33
Shappy.
We are that dire at the moment we could change the whole playing staff and every other person in the club and it would not be immediately obvious that we had done so other than different names on the shirts.
That is how far we have sunk over the last 10 years or so.
12.) 04 Apr 2024 22:44:23
Pity he didn't drop him for the full game.
13.) 05 Apr 2024 06:00:53
Totally disagree Shappy. We’ve had the same dross far too long and they need shipping out now.
Back ETH and let’s build a new squad, or sack him now and announce a new coach in the summer. Enough is enough. Last night was a joke.
08 Mar 2024 14:08:31
Hojlund named Premier League Player of the Month for February.
Bit of a surprise but a welcome one, and a great turnaround to probably be at a stage where we're weaker without him considering only a few months ago he had a pretty terrible strike rate for our main striker.
Onwards and upwards!
1.) 08 Mar 2024 14:56:21
Delighted for him. Seems like a level headed lad eager to do well.
2.) 08 Mar 2024 15:35:56
Remember when Ten Hag was manager of the month.
3.) 08 Mar 2024 16:21:48
He done very well after a terrible start, hopefully he kicks on more, I’m not sure we should go into next season with him as our main number 9 though, I think he still got a lot to learn and would like to see him learn from a more experienced number and share the load, hopefully it’s not a sign though at his age missed first month or so with back injury, now missing again, does anyone know what injury is this time?
4.) 08 Mar 2024 16:47:35
It would be fantastic to have an excellent back-up in every position like City, but specifically up front as a few have suggested we need someone who can replace Hojlund when required without being a big name. Avoiding the big guns like Osimhen/ Toney as they'll expect to be the main guy. More of an experienced player without busting the bank although there's a strong shout that they should go for a similar younger player like Sesko / Brobbey.
5.) 08 Mar 2024 17:17:43
I'm not sure his play was terrible to be fair to him. He was not missing loads of chances.
I can imagine how frustrating it was for him to see Antony rashford and garnacho cutting inside and shooting as often as they do.
Moving garnacho to the right helped them both no end imo.
He has great attributes imo and will be a top striker I think.
We need another starting no9 to rotate/ share the load. Very few cf start more than 35 games a season so lots of games and starts for both in a 60 game season.
He displays a real hunger and wants to score goals and puts himself in positions to maximise that.
Imo him and mainoo are the brightest things in our season closely followed by garnacho and the 3 of them are on a very steep learning curve.
All 3 are still very young and inexperienced and have a great chance to have great careers.
To a large degree the 3 of them have been our best players this season as far as I'm concerned.
Dalot has been more up than down also but the rest have been 5 out of 10 over the course of the season at best.
It's been a tough season on the injury front but we do field at least 9 or 10 current full internationals nearly every week or the retired int varane.
6.) 08 Mar 2024 17:20:44
I think it needs to be other way round, Rasmus not be the main man at this moment in time, he got lot of learning to do, he not ready by a long shot to be main main…. See some said he will be a legend, hold the horses someone even compared him to Van Nistleroy, in reality he is a youngster with great potential and to realise that potential he needs good coaching and someone to learn from, his runs are not the best, his hold up play not the best and his finishing not the best, his strength not the best, plus we know he had back problems when we bought him and now another injury which is a worry.
7.) 08 Mar 2024 17:34:54
No he was not missing loads of chances because not many chances were being presented/ made for him, must be a nightmare being our number 9 in this team but in the same vein he was not actually making great timed runs either, yes he is very willing and hopefully becomes very able, but atm he is not of the quality to be our leading number 9 there is a lot still to work on, I agree Mainoo and him been our only shining light, Garnacho in patches but I have reservations with him, I think in his own head he is much better than in reality, that’s a concern, but I fear for all 3 of them unless we get some proper coaching done, because it just seems to be down to natural ability at the moment does not appear too much great coaching going on, that’s as much to blame on all the coaches as well as ETH, which is why I would like the lot gone, McLaren seems to not moved with the times was a good coach 20 years ago.
8.) 08 Mar 2024 18:07:04
He was making excellent runs. He was often in the best place. But our over elaborate team choose option 3 or 4 rather than option 1. I don't blame them, rashford and Martial have been avoiding making strikers runs for 6 years. Why would anyone expect a striker to be were they should be?! ?.
9.) 09 Mar 2024 08:28:18
Strangebloke that was me you're referring to. But I was not and he was not compared to RVN at all. Yet again you choose a snippet from a post and use it to suit your agenda. I posted a quote from Paul Scholes who said he 'sees a little bit of RVN in the lad. ' Quite different really!
10.) 09 Mar 2024 15:06:58
The kid has been excellent since he came on against arsenal .
We have had a right touch getting him.
11.) 09 Mar 2024 21:21:11
Probably not used to a striker making runs after having Martial for years.
12.) 10 Mar 2024 15:55:57
Promising player, has a great potential. I’d like to see him have some real competition though. Someone like Toney, Osmihen or Sesko.
Is see a potential Centre Forward in Garnacho and love to see him get some minutes in that role. A bit like Rooney.
13.) 10 Mar 2024 16:53:10
Terrible start? Absolute troll you are, I don’t think he’s actually had 1 terrible game never mind a terrible start. Is proving to be a good signing, hopefully will be a great one.
14.) 10 Mar 2024 19:11:44
Tbf it was a poor start in terms of goals in the epl but I was looking beyond that at that time.
I think we need to strikers that can start. Competition is vital.
Obviously the thought was rasmus martial and radhford as 3rd option given the financial restrictions it looked OK however martial should never have been considered a viable option imo. But I'm sure finances dictated that nobody else could come in unless martial left.
Who replaces martial is really important imo. I don't see us going for a really big name but someone who can compliment rasmus and compete with him.
03 Nov 2023 11:54:29
I'm going to stick my neck out and predict we'll win our next three (Fulham A, Copenhagen A, Luton H) .
I don't think any will be attractive, in fact a couple might be games we should have taken nothing from, like a few of our wins have been.
1.) 03 Nov 2023 12:18:08
Spenno
You are a brave man lol. Hope you are right. Fulham away is not easy game for us atm. I think they drew with Arsenal and Brighton away this season already. Cas out for a few weeks, hamstring injury I read, so nothing going our way atm.
2.) 03 Nov 2023 12:23:41
Lose. Draw. Draw.
3.) 03 Nov 2023 13:11:40
With Cas being injured hopefully Mainoo gets a chance.
4.) 03 Nov 2023 13:32:20
Lose lose win. Fulham is always a tough game and with the way we are playing I can’t see it. Copenhagen played well last time so think they’ll do us at their gaff. Luton we have to win if not then surely there’s no way back for eth.
5.) 03 Nov 2023 14:27:03
I'm with you spenno.
6.) 03 Nov 2023 15:12:07
I agree Spenno. With some players back I think these 3 games and the international break could provide a different feel around the team.
I think EtH has it in him to adapt and get a tune out of the players, let's hope we see it.
22 Sep 2023 14:48:21
Much has been made of Utd trying to navigate a tricky bunch of games in recent weeks that most sides would have stumbled with at some point. Arsenal, Spurs, Brighton, Bayern.
However the next run of games sees four fixtures I feel we should be picking up at least a handful of wins in. With respect to Galatasaray, they're the perfect opposition after Bayern to try and get our CL campaign up and running if we're to get out the group. A double-header at Palace I feel we should be winning both fixtures.
Then Brentford, possibly the toughest of these fixtures and finally Sheff Utd away, which I'd put in the same bracket as Burnley, tough away crowd, an energetic and aggressive opponent, but a side I expect to be at the wrong end of the table come season end.
September 23: Burnley (A)
September 26: Crystal Palace (H)
September 30: Crystal Palace (H)
October 3: Galatasaray (H)
October 7: Brentford (H)
October 21: Sheffield United (A)
1.) 22 Sep 2023 15:03:42
Palace for me tougher fixture. They are very solid defensively with really good cb pair up front olise and eze can cause trouble and we struggle against them last few seasons.
2.) 22 Sep 2023 15:56:18
Ahmad, it's been mentioned Guehi is out for Palace atm, with their defensive record appalling when they've played without either him or Anderson. Not sure if he'll be back by the Utd fixtures but I'm pretty sure with those stats they'll be busting a gut to make sure he's back.
3.) 22 Sep 2023 16:27:49
I agree Spenno and was looking at these fixtures up to the City game as make or break for the season. Palace and Brentford will be tricky but we should be beating these sides.
The run has the ability of getting some of the injured players back into the team, building some morale and hopefully a way of playing good football.
I want to see by the end of thid run that we are more agressive, stronger in midfield and not run over so easily, pressing as more of a unit and Onana playing more his usual game than we are seeing at the minute.
Lets all be positive.
4.) 22 Sep 2023 20:06:18
Onana is showing rxacrly why we shouldn't have sold DeGea. That guy is simply not good enough and talks more then he actually saves us points or wins us games.
I am scratching my head thinking how the hekl we sold DeGea to buy him.
If you buy to upgrade then you buy the best and not buy a keeper becoz he's good with his toes but save a goal lmaoo.
5.) 22 Sep 2023 21:34:16
Singh. Other than the complete error against Bayern which goal do you think de Gea would have saved that Onana did not?
Onana is the basis for playing a different way from the past. De Gea could not play that way as was proved time and again during his last season. One might also argue that our inability to compete at the top was a direct result of failing to evolve our tactical approach to keep up with the times. Managers today want their goalkeepers to be competent with their feet.
Onana is not the reason for our poor start. The manager, the outfield players, and/ or injuries to key defenders are all better candidates for our current malaise than Onana. Be patient.
6.) 22 Sep 2023 21:50:37
Bar the mistake Wednesday I thought he was excellent with his feet, at crosses and when called into action! Unfortunately he’s had an absolute stinker and arguably cost us the game but I’ve seen enough in him to see how he changes so much about our play! Just need some decent outfielders fit now for him to pass too!
7.) 23 Sep 2023 02:50:42
shawthing:-
How is the manager responsible out of interest?
8.) 23 Sep 2023 04:16:40
Singh,
I don’t think you need to scratch your head, De Gea is contemplating retirement because no decent team wants to sign him, he made error after error last season including losing us the cup final, he was horrific with his feet, he had to go. Onana will be fine imo, goalkeepers make errors, he has the personality to get through this.
9.) 23 Sep 2023 06:51:50
Good to see you GDS, you took the words out of my mouth.
10.) 23 Sep 2023 07:50:16
Singh is living in denial lol :)
11.) 23 Sep 2023 09:04:35
Don't know about you guys but really like onana. We looked desperate last year kicking it away and watching team come back at us at times, when we got pressed.
With onana some teams almost give up doing it because he is so good with his distribution. The goals he has conceded bar the howler and maybe the third goal vs brighton where he got a hand to it which is 50/ 50. besides that nothing else and press are doing a hit job on him.
Our back 4 is a patch work and we are soft through the middle, that's why we are conceding goals.
12.) 23 Sep 2023 09:09:11
I'm a massive fan of DDG, but even I accept that he had to move on and Onana is the better long term solution.
But it does beg the question, why are we so bad at the back this year. Is it individual errors, or is there something fundamentally wrong there.
13.) 23 Sep 2023 09:26:58
Grim, I think it has more to do with the midfield, and a half arsed press from the front.
Our back 4 have the opposition running at them non stop with no help from midfield.
Reguilon was facing up two Bayern players for most of the game on Wednesday. The number of times Laimer received the ball down our left side was alarming.
To add to that, opposition players are waltzing through our midfield. This leaves our defenders exposed.
It’s been attack against defence at times, and we are too easy to counter against.
We need to be defending from the front as a unit. That’s how the best teams defend. Unfortunately we don’t have the players to do it.
It only takes 1 player (Rashford or Martial) to not do their job, for the press to becomes pointless.
14.) 23 Sep 2023 14:10:43
Watching the defenders and Onana play the ball to eachother for minutes at a time has become quite a chore if I'm honest. Without feigning to take a throw-in before leaving the ball for another player it's practically deliberate time-wasting watching Utd do it. Maybe it's because there really are no options ahead of them and better midfielders can help solve this as we improve. Looking forward to seeing how Amrabat fits in in this regard.
15.) 23 Sep 2023 15:56:22
Personally would not care if we were knocked out of carabao cup. prefer to focus on league and cl and Fa cup. can't be playing 55-60 games two seasons in row. it will break the players.
15 Apr 2024 10:23:33
This is where our new scouting and acquisition team can earn their stripes.
Take the plight of Alex Grimaldo, who was a free transfer to Leverkusen at the start of the season. Now one of the most desirable full-backs in Europe.
The signings are out there, but we rarely find them. I'll stand by Cantona as being our biggest ever bargain. Leeds couldn't get rid of him quickly enough and the rest is history.
13 Apr 2024 00:22:07
I don’t see EtH leaving.
I don’t see us in Europe either, but as it’d only be the godawful thursday night variety I’m happy to see us play a dozen less games and make a go of a real ‘reboot’ next season.
I know, been there done that for a decade but there’s so much going on that really no manager would have had a chance with that he deserves a final go or at least until xmas to show us once and for all what all the progess and plan is with a few more players in his vision on board.
12 Apr 2024 10:39:16
I think we're going to get different links each day now until something actually happens. If we lose to Bournemouth I imagine it will ramp up even more.
07 Apr 2024 18:45:43
Hasn't Southgate got a job?
26 Mar 2024 21:30:30
Really good player. On the negative side seemd to excel in a position we’re covered in unless something changes, and would eat up a lot of whatever budget we have. On the plus side I was dreading having to pronounce his name every day all summer.
19 Apr 2024 13:40:04
His highlights reel is fantastic. but then they all are lol.
A player to watch for sure but I hope we don't blow so much budget on any one player, we need so much.
19 Apr 2024 11:41:58
Unless we get royally spanked on sunday by a Championship side EtH has to be what we go with.
Guess Potter over other names like Southgate/ de Zerbi etc is available now and could theoretically be working behind the scenes already but with so many players signed in the Dutchman's vision surely we can't go for another complete reset.
It's been a dreadful season no doubt but a line should be drawn under it, with or without European football next season (preferably not, if it's the cruddy one Villa are in) and we see how we get on with one more window under ten Hag.
I really think failing to convince de Jong to join last season had a major impact on his plans. We ended up with Casemiro, who is a different kind of player, and Mount who may or may not be a useful player but seems to have no specific place in this team, at least while Bruno is in it. De Jong dictates play. As does Casemiro by slowing it down to crawling pace.
18 Apr 2024 15:47:35
I really don't think he will be replaced personally.
There's no funds to pay him off, then to buy out his replacement.
There's no time, in the case of a few of the mooted replacements, to wait until after the Euros before they have their holiday, then miss out on a whole pre-season.
I don't think cost and time should mean he keeps his job, but he knows who he wants, who he wants to get rid of, and still has this master plan that he hasn't been able to implement this season for several massive reasons.
Not defending him - I think the style has been appalling, and there has been scant evidence of the process he constantly references. But being realistic.
18 Apr 2024 09:13:39
You can never be 100% but I'm 99% on this we'll be in the final, then humiliated in the final.
18 Apr 2024 09:11:56
Seeing as the manager has still said CL isn't gone (and mathematically it isn't), or at least Europa, it has to be option 2.