Official Manchester United FC Thread

[Matty]

Still need a proper CB and DM for a proper titile challenge

[youtube]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GjHxhV7q9ws[/youtube]

He's indicating at the very end of the clip that there is more signings to come. De Jong might be next, as far as CB I don't even know whose left on the market that's worthwhile.

[TurboTitan]

Still need a proper CB and DM for a proper titile challenge

[youtube]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GjHxhV7q9ws[/youtube]

He's indicating at the very end of the clip that there is more signings to come. De Jong might be next, as far as CB I don't even know whose left on the market that's worthwhile.

De Jong seems like a low risk high reward kind of player assuming we can get him for cheap. Would add needed aggression to midfield

[Matty]

Still need a proper CB and DM for a proper titile challenge

[youtube]https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=GjHxhV7q9ws[/youtube]

He's indicating at the very end of the clip that there is more signings to come. De Jong might be next, as far as CB I don't even know whose left on the market that's worthwhile.

De Jong seems like a low risk high reward kind of player assuming we can get him for cheap. Would add needed aggression to midfield

He is valued at £8M. The only issue is his age and the policy they have at the club but I think after the van Persie signing and given how desperate we are at the moment they'll probably get him.

would have loved bringing in Khedira but it looks like he's Bayern-bound.

[Maex]

Did already someone who watch the Spanish league told the United fans, that Herrera's best position is the OM (just were normally Mata, Kagawa, Rooney plays)?

Atm they still lack one good DM, which is not Khedira. He likes bombing forward and would need someone who could cover the holes he opens.

Best Options would be to play a 4-3-3, benching one of Rooney/VanPersie and play a midfield which looks like:

---Mata---Herrera---
----------DM----------

De Jong or Blind would just not be the level which you need to actually compete on a high level.

Additionally, the also need at least one CB to be in the equation. At the moment the structure of the squad is just to poor that van Gaal could really compete.

They need at least 2-3 more players after di Maria to do a turn around. And all of them should fit from the first moment. That will be fun to watch as a neutral fan.

[truth18]

I still can't get over how ugly that Chevy logo is. Good luck wearing your purchase outside. I would never spend that much on such a low quality jersey. I would wait until next year and see if a redesign helps things.

That was the plan since they were going to switch to Adidas for next season. But I haven't bought a jersey since the fugly ones we got in 2010, which I have no idea why I got it. I like this year's design and don't mind the Chevy logo. Plus it's the last Nike design and I generally like their products.

I also have a feeling Di Maria will be very successful in a united jersey. We really haven't had a winger this good since Ronaldo.

Chevy logo actually doesn't look awful on your third kit. Maybe go with that?

[cgf]

Did already someone who watch the Spanish league told the United fans, that Herrera's best position is the OM (just were normally Mata, Kagawa, Rooney plays)?

Atm they still lack one good DM, which is not Khedira. He likes bombing forward and would need someone who could cover the holes he opens.

Best Options would be to play a 4-3-3, benching one of Rooney/VanPersie and play a midfield which looks like:

---Mata---Herrera---
----------DM----------

De Jong or Blind would just not be the level which you need to actually compete on a high level.

Additionally, the also need at least one CB to be in the equation. At the moment the structure of the squad is just to poor that van Gaal could really compete.

They need at least 2-3 more players after di Maria to do a turn around. And all of them should fit from the first moment. That will be fun to watch as a neutral fan.

Herrera will be fine as the passer who's a little deeper than Mata and links that front three to the rest of the side. With di Maria playing a more vertical role next to him they really just need someone to replace Carrick's aging legs when needed and their midfield will be fine enough for the EPL.

That defense is still hideous though, and there's little quality depth anywhere but up front, and a number of spots could be upgraded, but if they can bring in a top notch CB next window and pick up a great utility player like Blind, who can keep Shaw honest on the left, while also giving them legit deoth in the middle, in the interim United should be back in the CL places by next season at the latest. Though finding a long term replacement for Carrick will be important to.

van Persie --- Rooney
Mata
di Maria -- Herrera/Blind
Carrick/???

would look pretty good if that back 4 could be sorted out.

[Matty]

I still can't get over how ugly that Chevy logo is. Good luck wearing your purchase outside. I would never spend that much on such a low quality jersey. I would wait until next year and see if a redesign helps things.

That was the plan since they were going to switch to Adidas for next season. But I haven't bought a jersey since the fugly ones we got in 2010, which I have no idea why I got it. I like this year's design and don't mind the Chevy logo. Plus it's the last Nike design and I generally like their products.

I also have a feeling Di Maria will be very successful in a united jersey. We really haven't had a winger this good since Ronaldo.

Chevy logo actually doesn't look awful on your third kit. Maybe go with that?

Already ordered the jersey. Would have been nice to get it but I'm not a fan of buying 3rd kits cuz the colors always change every year.

[Matty]

This game should have sealed Cleverly's fate hopefully. Don't want to see him in a united jersey again. Flethcer is on the hot seat after two straight weak performances.

As far as the defense is concerned, we simply have too many absentees so its hard to get a full picture of what we have . We're missing Evans, Rafeal, and Shaw from injuries. We might be missing Smalling as well because of an injury. Rojo is waiting for his work permit. Even Carrick could have played in the back if he wasn't injured. Too many on the injury list. We're lucky we're playing Burnley for the next league game.

Our next game against MK dones in the league cup should be the only times 2 reserve CBs play together.

[cgf]

Smalling, evans and rojo don't make your defense not a disaster.

[Maex]

Did already someone who watch the Spanish league told the United fans, that Herrera's best position is the OM (just were normally Mata, Kagawa, Rooney plays)?

Atm they still lack one good DM, which is not Khedira. He likes bombing forward and would need someone who could cover the holes he opens.

Best Options would be to play a 4-3-3, benching one of Rooney/VanPersie and play a midfield which looks like:

---Mata---Herrera---
----------DM----------

De Jong or Blind would just not be the level which you need to actually compete on a high level.

Additionally, the also need at least one CB to be in the equation. At the moment the structure of the squad is just to poor that van Gaal could really compete.

They need at least 2-3 more players after di Maria to do a turn around. And all of them should fit from the first moment. That will be fun to watch as a neutral fan.

Herrera will be fine as the passer who's a little deeper than Mata and links that front three to the rest of the side. With di Maria playing a more vertical role next to him they really just need someone to replace Carrick's aging legs when needed and their midfield will be fine enough for the EPL.

That defense is still hideous though, and there's little quality depth anywhere but up front, and a number of spots could be upgraded, but if they can bring in a top notch CB next window and pick up a great utility player like Blind, who can keep Shaw honest on the left, while also giving them legit deoth in the middle, in the interim United should be back in the CL places by next season at the latest. Though finding a long term replacement for Carrick will be important to.

van Persie --- Rooney
Mata
di Maria -- Herrera/Blind
Carrick/???

would look pretty good if that back 4 could be sorted out.

I just do not think that this is anything close to stable. With Mata, van Persie, Rooney, di Maria, and Herrera, you have four players on the pitch which are all not known for playing really good defense.

I really do think that most people do misinterpret what kind of player Herrera is. Last season he played only two times in a role which might be interpreted as a central midfielder. This was in the position I penciled before. Otherwise he did always play as a pure 10, very similar to Kagawa and Mata.

The diamond is a interesting option, where actually Herrera could find a nice position. But first, he never played in a diamond and second, I do not think that van Gaal will play the diamond here.

The top of the Premier League is just do strong that I would see this team making the Top 4. Chelsea and City are clearly ahead, and I do think that the same is true for Arsenal, Liverpool and even Tottenham. Some of the teams might have the lesser individuals, but United teams structure is just really bad.

[bryant08]

Such a mediocre performance, reminiscent of so many games last season. The reality is even if Di Maria's able to add that penetration and urgency to our attack we're far too fragile defensively.

A commanding CB and a defensive CM are still needed, our squad is full of far too many mediocre players at the moment. I love Fletch but he was shocking today, Cleverley looking average as always and Michael Keane should be miles away from the first team at this point. Although they lacked service, Rooney/RVP didn't show their class today.

LVG was asked in the post-match if Di Maria is a player he likes, said yes but also said he likes Messi & Vidal, and can't always get the players he likes. Over to you Mr. Woodward, 8 days to close Vidal

[Matty]

Smalling, evans and rojo don't make your defense not a disaster.

It's way better than having Keane and Blackett in the back. Jones as the RCB, Rojo as the LCB, and Smallings/Evans as the CB is by no means an elite defense but its much more reliable than we have out there in the 2nd half.

[5DOM]

[tweet]https://twitter.com/DTguardian/status/503597703319011330[/tweet]

Seeing they have other players ahead of him to play #10 position, he could be sold

[Matty]

LVG was asked in the post-match if Di Maria is a player he likes, said yes but also said he likes Messi & Vidal, and can't always get the players he likes. Over to you Mr. Woodward, 8 days to close Vidal

We're not getting Vidal. That ship has sailed a long time ago. They're gonna get De Jong which is better than nothing.

[Matty]

Come to think of it, I really hope Van Gaal ditches the 3-5-2 lineup. The team is not good enough in the back to to implement a foreign system. 4-3-3 is really the only way to go. Or even a 4-2-1-2-1 formation.

ST:Van Persie
CF :Rooney, Di Maria
AM:Mata
DM:Herrera, Carrick
LB:Shaw
RB: Jones
CB: Rojo, Smalling

[Maex]

Come to think of it, I really hope Van Gaal ditches the 3-5-2 lineup. The team is not good enough in the back to to implement a foreign system. 4-3-3 is really the only way to go. Or even a 4-2-1-2-1 formation.

ST:Van Persie
CF :Rooney, Di Maria
AM:Mata
DM:Herrera, Carrick
LB:Shaw
RB: Jones
CB: Rojo, Smalling

I really can't see that work. You plan with at least 5 players which are a liability for the defense. Rooney is no winger. Carrick is getting old. The second unit does not fit.

Why did your management sleep so long? The needs were always obvious. That is a disaster.

[bryant08]

LVG was asked in the post-match if Di Maria is a player he likes, said yes but also said he likes Messi & Vidal, and can't always get the players he likes. Over to you Mr. Woodward, 8 days to close Vidal

We're not getting Vidal. That ship has sailed a long time ago. They're gonna get De Jong which is better than nothing.

No reputable sources have made mention of De Jong to United for a while (last I remember, Mark Ogden from the Telegraph dismissed that he was on our radar). Do feel like that if LVG does decide to go in for him that's a deal that can be made fairly quickly and Milan would be willing to sell.

[DD12]

Come to think of it, I really hope Van Gaal ditches the 3-5-2 lineup. The team is not good enough in the back to to implement a foreign system. 4-3-3 is really the only way to go. Or even a 4-2-1-2-1 formation.

ST:Van Persie
CF :Rooney, Di Maria
AM:Mata
DM:Herrera, Carrick
LB:Shaw
RB: Jones
CB: Rojo, Smalling

I really can't see that work. You plan with at least 5 players which are a liability for the defense. Rooney is no winger. Carrick is getting old. The second unit does not fit.

Why did your management sleep so long? The needs were always obvious. That is a disaster.

Who are those 5 players? There is only Mata and Van Persie who are liability for the defense. Rooney-Di Maria are very good helping the defense.

[Maex]

I really can't see that work. You plan with at least 5 players which are a liability for the defense. Rooney is no winger. Carrick is getting old. The second unit does not fit.

Why did your management sleep so long? The needs were always obvious. That is a disaster.

Who are those 5 players? There is only Mata and Van Persie who are liability for the defense. Rooney-Di Maria are very good helping the defense.

While I do see that there could be some kind of an argument about di Maria, I would be quite curious why you think that Rooney is good in helping the defense.

[DD12]

It has been a while that he is not playing as a striker. Under Sir, he played Left Winger many times as well as attacking midfielder. I always see him helping to the defense a lot. Usually chases the guys all the way from opponent half to own half. I have never seen him being lazy or not helping his teammates.

May I ask who are "at least" 5 players who are liability for the defense?