Man Utd - The Gaalacticos thread

[Ent]

First topic message reminder :

Can see the same thing happening with Kroos, when Bayern stump up the wage & then the pressure will be on Moyes massively, after constantly telling everyone that he's been given the nod by these agents that these players wanted to come to United.

He shouldn't be saying things like that IMO. Just making things harder for himself.

[Champagne_Socialist]

I'd expect city and Chelsea to be easily top two, with arsenal, Liverpool, Everton and United battling it out for the top four.

It'll be tight, I don't think United have done too badly so far but they do need some extra help in defence

I Think Tottenham will be fighting for a top 4 place as well.

[Good Golly I'm Olly]

Yeah but they'll drop off about March time as per usual CS

[Ent]

Moyes is gone so that's a big bonus, lvg knows what he wants from the players and I think he'll get enough out of the team to get us in the top four.

Liverpool are worse.

Arsenal haven't really addressed any of their issues.

City haven't addressed their main issue.

Chelsea look better on paper but they will be relying on new signings to fire to solve their issues.

We've no cl so should be for and fresh for every pl game.

Think a centre half would make it a very good window for us.

[Duty281]

Whilst United have a weak defence, I don't think it will be their undoing as that is a feature they share with Liverpool and, to an extent, Arsenal (who suffer from weak depth).

Hmmm keep dreaming! At this moment in time I don't think you can get back in the top 4. That might change with a few signings between now and the 1st

Who's this you that you are referring to?

[Liam]

We need Vidal desperately. If we get him then we have a good chance of getting hummels. I imagine Vermaelen is our back up CB option and Strootman our cm if Vidal doesn't come. We still have very good players, Fletcher has been superb pre-season and keeping him fit will be a massive bonus. Fellaini leaving isn't going to weakness in the slightest and I think we'll keep Kagawa. Herrera has been fantastic, giving us good energy in midfield, some tenacity and creativity. Also seems as if our defenders are adapting very well to the new formation.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Moyes is gone so that's a big bonus, lvg knows what he wants from the players and I think he'll get enough out of the team to get us in the top four.

Liverpool are worse.

Arsenal haven't really addressed any of their issues.

City haven't addressed their main issue.

Chelsea look better on paper but they will be relying on new signings to fire to solve their issues.

We've no cl so should be for and fresh for every pl game.

Think a centre half would make it a very good window for us.

What issues have Arsenal not addressed? A new striker in Sanchez (also the return of joel campbell), A new GK and 2 new defenders and we haven't lost any players.

City have bought a really good Cm in Fernando and a new defender in Sagna and lampard on loan. Man City already have a really strong squad so they don't need that many new players but they will buy a new CB.

Chelsea look really strong and have improved in CM and CF positions.

Man U have a really weak defence and CM even after spending 55 mil this window already. Luke shaw is 18/19 has 1 year of epl experience and no experience of playing for a top team. Relying on him is a gamble. Your CB and RB look even weaker. You seriously need 3 new defenders and a CM to stand any chance. Your current team is poor.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Still spouting the same old tired garbage I see Dior, Shaw has two years premier league experience and I don't see why having no big team experience makes a difference. Don't forget that your lot couldn't score last season against that weak defence.

Aside from Sanchez, Arsenal haven't bought anyone that's going to push them forwards, Debuchy is a poor right back and Chambers well I just don't understand that deal.

Fernando, Sagna and Lampard offer nothing to the City squad, the former isn't that good while Sagna well nor is he and Lampard is just a quota deal.

[Ent]

Well we will see.

Arsenal need a new back 5 and a cm. Sanchez is like ozil, very good player but not in the positions needed.

City have brought in a second choice right back, and 2bavk up midfielders. They need a centre half.

Chelsea much improved on paper but need Costa to fire to improve on last season.

Liverpool much worse.

Think we have enough to make top four. Still a few weeks left in transfer window so it can all change.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Well we will see.

Arsenal need a new back 5 and a cm. Sanchez is like ozil, very good player but not in the positions needed.

City have brought in a second choice right back, and 2bavk up midfielders. They need a centre half.

Chelsea much improved on paper but need Costa to fire to improve on last season.

Liverpool much worse.

Think we have enough to make top four. Still a few weeks left in transfer window so it can all change.

sorry I had to laugh reading this post. Keep up the delusion that Man U will qualify for the top 4 based on what has happend so far. It was the same last year where Man U fans were just as deluded and you finished 7th.

[mystiroakey]

Ok I know its only pre season- but Rooney is on fire. He looks so on his game..

Zaha wont start a game , with Rooney playing like this and RVP waiting , then  hernadez and welbeck showing they can play a typical strikers role better than Zaha - I just cant see him getting a game bar cup games.. I hope he comes back home or goes Southampton(which for his own benefit could be a very good move)

I would rather him there than West ham. 

If Zaha went to palace he would get drilled and made to work as hard as anyone if not harder than anyone else under Pulis- That could be the best thing for him as he will not want to be shown up at palace - he will put the work in- But will that stunt his attacking development. At Southampton it seems like a very different attitude in regards to what would be required. They need to fill holes where lallana fitted in- Zaha could fill that adequately and be offered a pretty free role in the team and guaranteed game after game. I dont even think he would start every palace game under Pulis.


On United. I think they are back in the top 4. I think the game last night/this morning is a mini 'tell' who will make CL and who will miss out!!

Arsenal have no worries at all. I think they can even push for the Title. I think people concentrate on negatives too much. Arsenal are strengthening so much in there strong areas that injuries are less likley to impact the way it has before. Wenger cares about his team and his strengths rather than countering the  oppositions.. And with that mass of midfield with not only a new signing in sanchez he also has ramsey, ox and walcott back fit or coming back into fitness soon.

[Guest]

The game last night showed that A/ Liverpool definitely need a striker as back up for Sturridge and B/ any team with a decent attack will tear Utd a new ar$ehole. Their defence is shocking and makes ours from last season look brilliant in comparison. (Still think Glen Johnson needs to go, he was a liability last night as well as in the other matches)

[The Special Juan]

The game last night showed that A/ Liverpool definitely need a striker as back up for Sturridge and B/ any team with a decent attack will tear Utd a new ar$ehole. Their defence is shocking and makes ours from last season look brilliant in comparison. (Still think Glen Johnson needs to go, he was a liability last night as well as in the other matches)

Lucky for Utd that only City have a good attack then.

[Guest]

The game last night showed that A/ Liverpool definitely need a striker as back up for Sturridge and B/ any team with a decent attack will tear Utd a new ar$ehole. Their defence is shocking and makes ours from last season look brilliant in comparison. (Still think Glen Johnson needs to go, he was a liability last night as well as in the other matches)

Lucky for Utd that only City have a good attack then.

Didn't say good, I said decent...Smalling, Jones and Evans looked like strangers at times last night. Made the Sakho, Skyrtel and Toure combination look like rock solid operators at times.

[The Special Juan]

The game last night showed that A/ Liverpool definitely need a striker as back up for Sturridge and B/ any team with a decent attack will tear Utd a new ar$ehole. Their defence is shocking and makes ours from last season look brilliant in comparison. (Still think Glen Johnson needs to go, he was a liability last night as well as in the other matches)

Lucky for Utd that only City have a good attack then.

Didn't say good, I said decent...Smalling, Jones and Evans looked like strangers at times last night. Made the Sakho, Skyrtel and Toure combination look like rock solid operators at times.

Sorry, I read good for some reason. I don't think 3 at the back works IRL, only on FIFA.

[The Special Juan]

Rooney looks really lean! What's going on there?

[Guest]

Terrified that prostitute he sh@gged who's on Big Brother is going to let something slip

[Ent]

The moyes factor is gone thankfully. We will see.

[Hammersmith harrier]

It's hardly delusion to take into account pre-season, a new manager and our signings so far.

[Soldier_Of_Fortune]

Not really.....you still need at least 3 quality signings

[Guest]

Soldier, we still need a striker. I suggest they spend the Suarez money cloning Ian Rush and just have seven of him in reserve.

[mystiroakey]

Rooney looks really lean!  What's going on there?

The world cup goal- He got his monkey of his back!!

But in all honesty he is showing maturity not many of us would have expected.

Rooneys professional ethic is probably the main reason with LVG wants the 352 system. He doesn't want to leave him RVP or Mata out.

Time will tell if this is the best way to go or not. It will put immense pressure on the wing backs.. Well as I said- time will tell

[Ent]

Not really.....you still need at least 3 quality signings

Would be challenging for the title with 3 quality signings, never mind top 4.

Baby steps.

[Liam]

Great end to a successful tour. Not easy for the team to adapt to a formation none of them have ever played no doubt. The great thing about it is it allows us to play Mata rooney and RVP in their best positions. Couple of points from the tour as a whole and from last nights game:

- Hummels is a must now. Jones was poor last night as was Evans but I still think Evans is our best defender on his day. Jones is going backwards fast unfortunately.
- Blackett has been fantastic all tour and especially last night. Unbelievable composure for such a young player, good on the ball, reads the game well and has good pace. Van Gaal seems to be impressed with him and I wouldn't be surprised to possibly see him start a few games this season. Excellent prospect.
- Vermaelan and Blind also need to be signed.
- Herrera has added the intensity and creativity we've lacked in midfield and has a nasty side to him. Really looking forward to seeing him this season.
-Young is like a new man. Seems at home in the wing back role and fp to him. Taken allot of stick but you should also pay credit where credit is due.
- Hernandez and Nani probably played their last games last night. Think its time for them to go and allow players like Lingard a chance to shine.

[Ent]

Admire your optimism - can not see us getting hummels in a month of Sundays.

Also not sure vermaelan would be much of an upgrade for us, he isn't great (bound to be better than jones though).

Agree with Blackett, he's been excellent.

I'm not so sure about Herrera but he needs time to settle in the side.

[Champagne_Socialist]

Admire your optimism - can not see us getting hummels in a month of Sundays.

Also not sure vermaelan would be much of an upgrade for us, he isn't great (bound to be better than jones though).

Agree with Blackett, he's been excellent.

I'm not so sure about Herrera but he needs time to settle in the side.

Yeh Vermaelen has been good for Arsenal as a back up CB but I wouldn't want him to be our first choice.

Who is the Man u RB this year? is it rafael? I just think the United defence looks so weak. Sign 3 new defenders and a cm and you will be a force.

[Ent]

Managed to watch the liverpool friendly.

Positives and negatives to take from it.

We looked threatening going forward, which is very good - even with Hernandez and Mata anonymous for large periods, they popped up with 2 bits of quality which resulted in goals.

Defensively it was a mixed bag, we looked solid enough when set but pretty vulnerable in transition which I guess will be a feature of 3 at the back as you have less people back.

Some very sloppy passing.

Herrera had his best game I feel, he will need to sort out his tackling as it is all well and good putting yourself about in friendlies but he will be in the referees notebook all the time if he keeps this up. Great link play for the equaliser.

Shaw is a worry, looks lost at wingback. Fullback is one of the easiest positions to play and probably the worst implemented in modern football. You've only one half of the pitch to worry about and every one is in front of you, only 2 people to take your position off. He looks like he doesn't know what to do starting further up the pitch.

Friendly on tuesday night against Valencia and then into the serious stuff vs Swansea at home.

[Liam]

I thought Shaw did decent against Liverpool. Excellent passing, good going forward. At the end of the day, he's very inexperienced but has bags of potential. Even the 'experienced' defender in Evans and others are also having to adapt to a new formation so i never expected Shaw to take to it like a duck to water.

Blackett looked good though didn't he?

[Ent]

Yes Blackett has been great throughout the tour.

We need a left sided centre half for this formation and I think he could be it.

You are right shaw is inexperienced, I hop he will grow into the role.

[Ent]

Just watched the Valencia friendly, a few points;

We were poor if I'm honest and very lucky to avoid defeat.

I wish we could ditch this formation - in transition we are completely exposed.

Mata is an absolute passenger and does bugger all for the majority of most games.

Predicted starting line up for Swansea

De Gea
Jones Smalling Blackett
Valencia Herrera Fletcher Young
Mata
Rooney Welbeck

Long term I'd like to see

De Gea
Rafael Smalling Evans Shaw
Herrera Carrick
Januzaj Mata Rooney
RVP

[seanmichaels]

where is januzay?

[Ent]

where is januzay?

Made first appearance on Tuesday, only back in training after world cup exertions.

Within 3 minutes of being on he played the most incisive pass in the entire pre season, has to be a starter when fully fit which means changing formation to accommodate him.

He has also been given the no 11 shirt.

Shaw 3.

5, 7, 9 still available.

[mystiroakey]

where is januzay?

Made first appearance on Tuesday, only back in training after world cup exertions.

Within 3 minutes of being on he played the most incisive pass in the entire pre season, has to be a starter when fully fit which means changing formation to accommodate him.

He has also been given the no 11 shirt.

Shaw 3.

5, 7, 9 still available.

better than rooneys to mata v whoever that team was?

[Ent]

I said incisive, it was an actual through ball with lots of defenders about - put Rooney through on goal which he missed.

Rooney missed a pen and 2 great chances last night, typical as he has been banging them in he goes off the boil right before the season starts!!

His pass to Mata was fantastic I agree.

[GSC]

I'd play januzaj in behind Rooney and RVP. Matas been bang average for about a year now.

[Ent]

I'd play januzaj in behind Rooney and RVP. Matas been bang average for about a year now.

Don't know if that's Januzaj's best position but I would have him in the starting 11.

Can't disagree with your thoughts on Mata, what he does generally is quality but he does bugger all and it's like having 10 men for most of the game.

[GSC]

Thats why Jose dropped him. Fantastic on the ball but when hes not hes a passenger.

[mystiroakey]

I said incisive, it was an actual through ball with lots of defenders about - put Rooney through on goal which he missed.

Rooney missed a pen and 2 great chances last night, typical as he has been banging them in he goes off the boil right before the season starts!!

His pass to Mata was fantastic I agree.

Well at least it shows united bossed the game and should have comfortably won. One average game from Rooney doesn't mean it's the start of a bad run of form.

You shouldn't be so down on your team ent. Things are looking up

[mystiroakey]

Oh and can you tell your club to sell us Zaha ASAP please

[The Special Juan]

Oh and can you tell your club to sell us Zaha ASAP please

We'll throw in Nani too to clear the dead wood.

[mystiroakey]

Nah don't want him. Like we would pay that dodos wages.

You are stuck with that lump.

[The Special Juan]

Nani for sale - free or best offer.

[mystiroakey]

Ok give us zaha for free and we will take nani...

Oh and we need a manager. Giggs will work

[The Special Juan]

"Yes" to the first, "how about Moyes?" to the second?

[mystiroakey]

John mentioned it earlier.

Imagine the irony and the torture of signing zaha and then moyes..

I think it would send me mad.

On a serious note I would take one of them only and I would be happy.

[The Special Juan]

Zaha then - he'll never make the Utd team.

[mystiroakey]

I agree with you. Zaha will go from palace to Chelsea to barca

[The Special Juan]

There's too much bad blood between him and the club. Best let him go and start again.

[mystiroakey]

He has to move on. He won't get a game under LVG's system with or without bad blood.

For his own personal goals I wanted him to go to west ham or Southampton over palace. Because I knew pulis wouldn't play him in the way he needs to play and he would be on the bench quite a bit In a pulis team , just like other talents like ince and gayle who are not natural defenders when needed under his system.

But now pulis is gone. The bright side is that we may have go back to a more footballing style that will allow players like zaha to shine.

We haven't got him off course. There are plenty of options for zaha and he may even stay( which wouldn't be a good move).

And of course may go down now. Which wouldn't have happened under pulis. But that's life as a palace fan...

[Guest]

Big couple of important weeks coming up now for united.

£750 million kit deals and pre season crowds in excess of 100k count for nothing unless they're reinvesting the money from those into a very poor squad.

I would hope thatthe announcement from Adidas that the kit deal value drops without Champions League Football so it might force the Glazers hand and we sign players (still not buying into without Champions Leaguie football nobody wants to come.....money can and will talk)

Unfortunately the one big stumbling block seems to be Ed Woodward, who in his third transfer window still seems out of his depth. Quality at making money, rubbish at spending it

[Ent]

Lack of cl and unrealistic targets is the problem.

We've wasted time chasing dead ends and now everyone has seen us play terribly and will be less likely to join.

I still think we have enough for top four with everyone fit but it wi be a challenge.

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