Man Utd thread

[Liam]

First topic message reminder :

There are a few Utd fans like myself on the board but like the LFC one set up, everyone are welcome to discuss Utd's results and news etc..

Playing Barca tomorrow night, only a pre-season game but would like to see Kagwa given a run out tomorrow night see what he's got against the best.

[Liam]

Without Valencia Utd wouldn't have come close imo to winning the PL. The season before that, when he returned from injury he was one of the main reasons why we reached the final of the CL.

Nani was superb the season before last, outstanding he really was. I'd still have him starting, but on the left. He can cut inside but also he has got a good left foot, which he can put good crosses in if he's shown onto that foot.

Its a nice problem to have, but Nani is on the left for me. Valencia provides cover for whatever RB we have on the day, uses is electric pace like an old fashioned winger and put's plenty of crosses in. That's why I wouldn't mind us signing Llorente. Talk of him leaving Bilbao in search of CL football, plus he's into the last year of his contract, won't want to lose him on a free. Would give us a target man in the middle but also a big man who has superb technical ability, age on his side and would make a real difference I feel.

[Crimey]

I think that most people would rather have Valencia in their team than Nani.

[Guest]

Rafael is embarrasing. Absolutely appaling player who cost United the title last season and now Brazil the gold medal today. How on earth SAF has not gone and got Debuchy is beyond me.

[Ent]

Really not quite sure how he cost brazil the gold medal.

People just like to have a go at anything united.

He is a crap defender though.

[Crimey]

Really not quite sure how he cost brazil the gold medal.

People just like to have a go at anything united.

He is a crap defender though.

The initial goal was because of his poor pass and getting caught on the ball. So he did play a part, I don't think he can be given sole responsibility though.

[Ent]

Really not quite sure how he cost brazil the gold medal.

People just like to have a go at anything united.

He is a crap defender though.

The initial goal was because of his poor pass and getting caught on the ball. So he did play a part, I don't think he can be given sole responsibility though.

Thought it was Sandro that was caught napping.

He is a crap player but people just have a go at anything united related.

[Crimey]

Nah, John just has a go at everything and everybody that isn't Newcastle (apart from Obertan)

[GSC]

Yeah the England side are all league 2 standard apparently

[Liam]

Well stunning game in Hannover tonight, good run out for the lads. 3-1 down to win 4-3 is superb, Kagawa scoring again and having a decent game is great news. Linked up well with Rooney and Hernandez finding his scoring touch again.

Still feel if we can hijack the Sahin deal to what looks to be Arsenal and get a creative midfielder we'll be in good shape going into next season.

[Guest]

haha boys u make me laugh. I actually like Man utd wanted them to win the title last season. All i was saying was that rafael is appaling and you even agreed, yet somehow you turn it into me hating the whole squad. united need a rb urgently, so im suprised van der wiel or debuchy havent been snapped up by SAF.

I actually said that walcott would not even make league 1 if he didnt have the speed......and alot of people actually agreed with me. Once again you exaggerate what people say just to create more discussion, otherwise you will get bored on your beloved football section that you try to monopolise.

[Liam]

I agree John, can't believe we didn't go for debuchy. Rafael is awful, defending wise anyway and has a terrible temperament. But with Phil jones being able to play there I doubt SAF will be looking to purchase a rb, seems we simply don't have the money.

[Guest]

Phil Jones is wasted at RB, he's more than capable of playing there but his crossing is atrocious

Unfortunately I don't see anything other than persisting with Rafael and hoping he improves. Going forward he's incredible, defending he has the potential to be good, not world class, but certainly good enough to be first choice at a lot of teams. He just needs to stop diving in and keep a cool head.

I'm one of his biggest critics, but I think I'm only critical because I think I know he is better than he shows and I would just love him to prove it

[The Special Juan]

It's a Brazilian FB thing, you wouldn't understand

Are Marcelo and Dani Alves really any good at defending? They're ok but their main strength is going forward. Rafael is atrocious at defending but he will improve. Remember, he is a converted winger whereas Fabio was already a FB. Total liability though, I'd like to get in a good RB though at the moment.

[two_tone]

I'd rather see them used as wingers as they have a goal or two in them and they are fairly good at crossing plus they can take on players and beat them. While not completly useless at defending they do make mistakes that cost the team and personally would rather Fergie started using Smalling more and bring in some recognised full backs.

[Liam]

seems this rvp deal is pretty close. at first i was apprehensive but the guy is world class and due to him not being a speed merchant, getting older shouldn't really impact his game too much. would also allow rooney to drop deeper and impact the game more.

[Guest]

Well SkyBettweeted that they'd slashed his odds on joining us to 1/6 but UI wonder how much of this was just to get gullible punters throwing money at it

Apparently though the long agreed first option on Angelo Henriquez has been all but confirmed today after passing a medical

[Crimey]

I don't think United need to spend £20 million on Van Persie, that money could buy them two decent full backs where they need the improvement.

[compelling and rich]

Well SkyBettweeted that they'd slashed his odds on joining us to 1/6 but UI wonder how much of this was just to get gullible punters throwing money at it

Apparently though the long agreed first option on Angelo Henriquez has been all but confirmed today after passing a medical

as someone who frequents all the football managers quite alot, im suprised to say that ive never even heard of this guy. i know he's chilean thats about it. how old and what postion does he play? one for the future or step right in?

[Guest]

Aye Crimey, I said it on the transferes thread, sure it will nice having a player the quality of RVP in the squad but its a luxury as opposed to a necessity. Part of me feels that Fergie won't quit on this transfer because he doesn't want to lose out again liek he has with Nasri, Hazard and Moura

Been reading some articles about this Henriquez, 18 yer old chilean striker highly rated. Obviosuly at 18 won't make waves straight away, and we probably have only triggered the first option clause now with City sniffing about.

[The Special Juan]

1 random thought has just come to me.

Do you think Van Persie has such a bad injury record because he was Arsenal's main man and never got rested? Therefore, moving to Man Utd may be good for him as he won't have to play every single game. Hopefully he's available more than Michael Owen.

[Guest]

Saw on Twitter that Fergie's apparently looking at one more signing after this deal.

I don't trust Twitter as far as I could throw it, but I pray that we bring in the midfielder we desperately need.

[Josiah Maiestas]

Yep... Jay Spearing is for sale apparently. Perfect match.

[Guest]

1 random thought has just come to me.

Do you think Van Persie has such a bad injury record because he was Arsenal's main man and never got rested? Therefore, moving to Man Utd may be good for him as he won't have to play every single game. Hopefully he's available more than Michael Owen.

I'm not so sure Juan. Soldier posted a record of his injuries at Arsenal on another thread at and it makes grim reading. My guess is he'll play as many games at Utd as he did at Arsenal meaning he'll miss only League cup and FA cup matches.

[The Special Juan]

I noticed. It was worth a thought.

[Guest]

If he stays fit he'll be a blinding player for Utd. It's certainly leveled the playing field.

Fergie has likened this current strike force to the one from 99. No pressure there then!

[Josiah Maiestas]

He could of went to the Serie A champions instead he goes to a club that Pogba ran out on. Bizarre!

[The Special Juan]

Italian football is as corrupt as it comes. I think the fact that the title winning coach got banned for (not "from" as I wrote) match fixing says it all.

Is Man Utd's plan simply to outscore their opponents?

[Guest]

He could of went to the Serie A champions instead he goes to a club that Pogba ran out on. Bizarre!

And go to the most bent league in the World?

Robin definitely made the best call! As for Pogba, how good he is remains to be seen, but for an unproven 18 year old to try and demand as much as he wanted out of this great club and legendary manager just smacks of disrespect on his part. I hope he rots at Juventus, just like I hope one day you actually get a glimmer of common sense and decorum, but at the same time, I do appreciate the scientists haven't cracked gentically modifying pigs so they can fly just yet.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

He could of went to the Serie A champions instead he goes to a club that Pogba ran out on. Bizarre!

And go to the most bent league in the World?

Robin definitely made the best call! As for Pogba, how good he is remains to be seen, but for an unproven 18 year old to try and demand as much as he wanted out of this great club and legendary manager just smacks of disrespect on his part. I hope he rots at Juventus, just like I hope one day you actually get a glimmer of common sense and decorum, but at the same time, I do appreciate the scientists haven't cracked gentically modifying pigs so they can fly just yet.

#boom #yougogirlfriend #suckonthoseapples

[Liam]

On the verge of signing the highly rated left back Buttner as Matt alluded to, thought i'd put it in the Utd thread.

Pretty cheap and at 23 he really is a long term solution. TBH, I'd rather take a punt on him at 23 for just a mere 3-4m and hopefully he can fulfill early potential. He's already on Holland's radar which is a real bonus and highlights what a potentially good player he could become.

A more sensible move finacially than on Baines, who we would only get 4 seasons out of really, rather than almost 10 years with Buttner.

[Guest]

aye just seen that on Sky. Can't say I've heard of him, according to Wiki product of Ajax youth system before moving to Vitesse

Interestingly there was an agreement for him to sign for Southampton in July but the deal stumbled

[Liam]

He must be decent Gaz if he has been involved in the Holland set up do you think. I really hope he turns out to be a good signing. I remember when Evra and Vidic signed and I can't say I'd heard of them before, they did decent didn't they haha.

[Guest]

What are your thoughts on the game tomorrow, stories today suggesting Rio could miss upto 4 weeks, that means we'll have Rio, Evans, Jones and Smalling all injured tomorrow and Carrick will have to partner Vidic

Not the best news heading into the season against what will be a very dangerous Everton side

[Liam]

Oh God if that's true that isn't a good start to the season. Evans was superb last year but Carrick has shown he is more than capable of playing there. During pre-season against Barca he was superb there. Would probably go in vs Everton with a side of:

De Gea

Rafael Carrick Vidic Evra

Cleverly Scholes

Valencia Rooney Young

RVP

Would be tempted to play Kagawa, been very good in pre-season, whether he could play deeper remains to be seen, he will be involved at some point tomorrow however.

[Guest]

Id have same team and formation but bring Kagawa in for Young. Kagawa and Rooney can interchange throughout the game.

I don't know how true those stories are though mate so we'll have to see.

Think it will be a very tough game tomorrow. Pienaar will tear Rafael a new one

My prediction 1-1. Everton will put up a very good fight after most people will already write them off as slow starters

[The Special Juan]

Nah, Everton are always slow starters. I'd rather play them first day of the season than last day. 3-2 United. We'll score but not defend.

[The Special Juan]

Good news: Fellaini is a doubt. By "doubt", hopefully I mean "on his way to Old Trafford to sign a contract". Ah, I can dream.

Anyway, I'm wondering how Van Persie and Rooney will work up front. I think Van Persie is slightly the better finisher but Rooney is the better "number 10" so they should do alright together. Plus they can switch around if it's not working well.

[Guest]

Good news about Fellaini being out, he was brilliant for them toward the end of last season

I'm still concerned about our defence. Although not so much the probability of Carrick at centre back, Pienaar will turn Rafael inside out running at him for 90 mins and I'll be surprised of Rafael doesn't cost us a goal or get sent off

The attacking options to choose from is exciting though. Attacking wise I've not been this excited heading into a season for a while

[two_tone]

http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11667/8005307/Buttner-closes-on-United-move

Hoping this wasn't the one last signing Fergie was talking about...

[Ent]

He must be decent Gaz if he has been involved in the Holland set up do you think. I really hope he turns out to be a good signing. I remember when Evra and Vidic signed and I can't say I'd heard of them before, they did decent didn't they haha.

Not prejudging the guy, but doing very well in a team that had a good
Run to the cl final and starting for a team that conceded the least goals in world cup qualifying is quite a bit more significant than being on hollands (who hae a terrible defense) radar.

Fingers crossed he's good, prob back up left back for a season to bridge until a new signing.

[compelling and rich]

i think any cover at left back is a good thing as we dont have any at all, fabio has not cut it when he's been played there. perhaps he wont make it to first choice but it puts us in a stronger postion even if he turns out to be not great

[The Special Juan]

Well.... http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/19322961

[Ent]

I agree it makes sense, give him a season as back up - if he settles and impressed let him step up- if kit nest year sign a first choice and keep him as back up.

[Liam]

Think its a good signing myself, looks a decent prospect and I'd rather, like I said spend 3m on this guy with allot of promise than Baines, who although an established prem defender, is a short term solution rather than the long term, plsu the fact Everton want 20m

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Should have gone for Jetro Willems over him. Much more potential and younger

[The Special Juan]

Should have gone for Jetro Willems over him. Much more potential and younger

He was the worst player at the Euro's for the Dutch. And that's saying something.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Well he was in the squad at 18, and this Buttner wasn't

[Ent]

Should have gone for Jetro Willems over him. Much more potential and younger

He was particularly awful at the euros, sometimes you need to look past potential and get someone who can play a bit at the moment.

Plus he probably would have cost a lot more.

[Liam]

looked good going forward, pretty ordinary going back. only 18 but this buttner looks like he's got a good defensive game as well as offensive, plus he's cheap as chips!

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

I'm just saying that Willems was picked over Buttner for the Holland squad for a reason.

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