Manchester United F.C Thread [2010/2011]

[Help?]

We got probably our toughest stretch of 3 games in EPL coming up. That creativity needs to come back quick!

 

[Recrero152]

Those three games will make or break United's race for the title.

 

[MikeyM]

Well, that was not at all what I expected. I thought we might actually attack them and try and get an away goal. What we have effectively done, is remove the safety net. Any single slip up at Old Trafford, a dodgy penalty, a moment of magic, a lucky bounce - leading to a Marseille goal, and we're out the Champions League.

Our midfield just seems to get worse with each game. I'm not gonna single Gibson out, but he is part of the worst central midfield I've seen at United in the 27 years I've been supporting them.

Arsenal have closed the gap, and I have to say with the way we've been playing recently, I have serious reservations about winning anything this season.

But then perhaps that's what needs to happen to finally convince Fergie to get some world class additions to our midfield, and ship the constantly underpar Gibson and some others, out.

 

[Pogba4Now]

smalling didnt.

Well, actually the back 4 did well. Not just Smalling. But year Smalling is impressive. I love him already. I love his runs forwards. He looks so confident. He's like a young Ferdinand.

Those three games will make or break United's race for the title.

I have a feeling we will screw up BIG time. Reason is because our away form is horrible. This is completely unacceptable. We look like a mid table team at best playing away from home.

Well, that was not at all what I expected. I thought we might actually attack them and try and get an away goal.

Well given our piss poor away form, I'm not surprised at all by the way we played. If I was Fergie, I'd be furious at our away form.

Our midfield just seems to get worse with each game. I'm not gonna single Gibson out, but he is part of the worst central midfield I've seen at United in the 27 years I've been supporting them.

Remember 2005-2006 when we played with Ferdinand-Rooney as central midfielder? Or O'Shea-Richardson as CM. LOL. I think our midfield was worst ever that season. This season I'd say its "decent". We have good central midfielders IMO. But they're not worldclass. They are not players who would drive the team forward.

Luckily we've got good wingers to make up for it (Giggs, Valencia, Park, Nani - all excellent creative wingers). Rooney and Berbatov also play a vital part in creativity.

Arsenal have closed the gap, and I have to say with the way we've been playing recently, I have serious reservations about winning anything this season.

But then perhaps that's what needs to happen to finally convince Fergie to get some world class additions to our midfield, and ship the constantly underpar Gibson and some others, out.

I'm pretty sure Fergie is aware that our midfield is crap. The thing is, who would be ideal for us? We play 4-4-2 so you need someone who can attack and defend. I'm confident Fergie will do something about the midfield. Give him time...

 

[cfdemarco]

We wouldn't be having these problems in the midfield if we had gotten Sneijder when we had the chance two seasons ago. And the fact that Inter got him for a pittance compared to his worth just makes it all the worse.

Sometimes I hate being right all the time.

 

[Help?]

I'm pretty sure Fergie is aware that our midfield is crap. The thing is, who would be ideal for us? We play 4-4-2 so you need someone who can attack and defend. I'm confident Fergie will do something about the midfield. Give him time...

Its just the fact that we got Gibson, Carrick and Fletcher starting most games, when they can neither win the ball nor keep it nor distribute it well. So far this season, every team's midfield looked better than ours when Scholes wasn't playing.


They won't leave easily either, since Ferguson gives everybody lots of chances to make things right.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Sometimes I hate being right all the time.

Haha !

I agree. But it was a risk that I guess Fergie wouldn't want to take. Sneider had behavioral issues which Fergie doesn't like. His type of character could create more bad than good in the dressing room. I said "could". Sneider would be perfect because he can defend and attack. Good for 4-4-2. One thing for sure is that Ozil would never fit in 4-4-2 and he would most likely end up as LW in United.

I wonder if Fergie is gonna replace the players leaving at the end of the season. i.e. VDS and Neville. Giggs and Scholes are leaving soon as well.

 

[Help?]

Haha !

I agree. But it was a risk that I guess Fergie wouldn't want to take. Sneider had behavioral issues which Fergie doesn't like. His type of character could create more bad than good in the dressing room. I said "could". Sneider would be perfect because he can defend and attack. Good for 4-4-2. One thing for sure is that Ozil would never fit in 4-4-2 and he would most likely end up as LW in United.

Also at the time the picture with the midfield was completely different. Scholes was still able to play every game, Fletcher was in the form of his life (remember how we missed him against Barca?), Anderson had yet to prove his worth and Gibson looked like a very promising young talent quickly moving through the ranks. Who knew that Fletcher would develop backwards, Anderson wouldn't really step up and Gibson just turn out like that.


Things aren't over with Gibson yet though, a lot of fans didn't like Fletcher either when he was in his early twenties, then suddenly he became an integral part of our team leading United to 2 CL finals and everybody started worshipping him.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Its just the fact that we got Gibson, Carrick and Fletcher starting most games, when they can neither win the ball nor keep it nor distribute it well. So far this season, every team's midfield looked better than ours when Scholes wasn't playing.


They won't leave easily either, since Ferguson gives everybody lots of chances to make things right.

I agree. Our central midfielder is probably just as good as Stoke with these 3. Man C*ty, Arsenal or Tottenham have way better central midfielders. Leaves me to think how the **** are we 1st in the EPL? Luckily we've got good wingers and Rooney to cover for our poor creativity in the centre.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Also at the time the picture with the midfield was completely different. Scholes was still able to play every game, Fletcher was in the form of his life (remember how we missed him against Barca?), Anderson had yet to prove his worth and Gibson looked like a very promising young talent quickly moving through the ranks. Who knew that Fletcher would develop backwards, Anderson wouldn't really step up and Gibson just turn out like that.


Things aren't over with Gibson yet though, a lot of fans didn't like Fletcher either when he was in his early twenties, then suddenly he became an integral part of our team leading United to 2 CL finals and everybody started worshipping him.

Gibson is NOT gonna improve. This guy is useless and hopeless. He is 24 this year. How much more will he improve? I bet he's at his peak already. Can't see him improving.

I have high hopes on Anderson though. He's 23 this year and he proved his worth in a few games. Remember that game his pass percentage was 96.5%? He just came back from injury and it was against Blackburn.

Here's his stats from his game:
http://therepublikofmancunia.com/how-did-ando-do-wow/

if he could remain injury free, I think he can become very good. He has excellent passing skills. Just needs to refine his decision making.

 

[cfdemarco]

There are rumors about Bale being our #1 target this summer, which I think is ridiculous as I don't think Spurs would part with him for the world. Too bad, he'd be the next great #7 at United if he came to Old Trafford. Plus he is very useful as he could play LB if we were ever in a pinch.

I'm guessing we will make a GK the priority, for obvious reasons...we'll go after Llores and Streklenberg (sp?). But I really think a creative midfielder should be right up there on Ferguson's shopping list because Scholes will be gone soon and I don't think Anderson can be trusted long-term because he is too injury-prone.

I think Tomas Muller would be a great investment. He can create and score goals, is great on counter-attacks, and perhaps most importantly he is also willing to do the work defensively. He can even be used on the wing if necessary, he's young (21) so it'd be a smart investment and he is only going to get better as he continues to play and develop with the great German team that he's going to be a huge part of.

I just wonder if he'd be willing to leave Bayern.

 

[Pogba4Now]

Muller is very good... But he won't fit United's lineup. He is more an attacking midfielder/second striker. He'd fit perfectly in 4-3-3 but not in 4-4-2. If he came he'd end up on the wing most probably. Not in CM.

One player no one mentioned is Cleverley. He seems good and is a great prospect but he's 22 this year and hasn't even started playing for our first team. If he was the "next Scholes" or something, he should've started playing in the first team a few years ago. He'll either be a late developer (Fletcher) or another Eagles IMO. But you never know.

 

[cfdemarco]

Muller is very good... But he won't fit United's lineup. He is more an attacking midfielder/second striker. He'd fit perfectly in 4-3-3 but not in 4-4-2. If he came he'd end up on the wing most probably. Not in CM.

One player no one mentioned is Cleverley. He seems good and is a great prospect but he's 22 this year and hasn't even started playing for our first team. If he was the "next Scholes" or something, he should've started playing in the first team a few years ago. He'll either be a late developer (Fletcher) or another Eagles IMO. But you never know.

We often use a 4-3-3 in Europe though...

And I thought Cleverley was more of a winger than a CM?

 

[Pogba4Now]

He plays both actually.

 

[ladylover]

Haha !

I agree. But it was a risk that I guess Fergie wouldn't want to take. Sneider had behavioral issues which Fergie doesn't like. His type of character could create more bad than good in the dressing room. I said "could". Sneider would be perfect because he can defend and attack. Good for 4-4-2. One thing for sure is that Ozil would never fit in 4-4-2 and he would most likely end up as LW in United.

I wonder if Fergie is gonna replace the players leaving at the end of the season. i.e. VDS and Neville. Giggs and Scholes are leaving soon as well.

Sneijder can not defend......he needs players around him who would do the defensive work for him. He never tracks back for either Inter or the Dutch national team. At Inter he has the likes of Motta and Cambiasso doing the dirty work for him, and at the national team Van Bommel and De Jong...... Even David Silva is more capable of doing a defensive job, and he does not have the physical attributes either, Sneijder is even lighter than he is.....

 

[mnj2x]

Smalling was fantastic. What a buy...Now I can breathe easy whenever RIO gets injured which is almost every other match.

As for the midfield...we have been inconsistent. Carrick hasnt found his form yet which is worrying..he's a better player than that. If carrick improves..the midfield improves.

 

[poet11]

Sneijder can not defend......he needs players around him who would do the defensive work for him. He never tracks back for either Inter or the Dutch national team. At Inter he has the likes of Motta and Cambiasso doing the dirty work for him, and at the national team Van Bommel and De Jong...... Even David Silva is more capable of doing a defensive job, and he does not have the physical attributes either, Sneijder is even lighter than he is.....

no i disagree sneijder has defensive qualities he has a unbelievable confidence level and positively aggressive and he could do well in midfield if given the responsibility.same goes for van persie he is a very good slide tackler and both of them have huge and strong heads and those mental attributes count very much.but yes your thought is logical and very much evident but i think to successful individuals succeed due to their confidence and mental attributes otherwise dirk kuyt would not be playing football.

and about RB o'shea is very good and is consistent enough his adaptability is very usefull.manutds recent successes he had his part and rafael is progressing.another player is fletcher he is huge player in manu.the only thing u need is a creative midfielder and gk

 

[farmboy]

no i disagree sneijder has defensive qualities he has a unbelievable confidence level and positively aggressive and he could do well in midfield if given the responsibility.same goes for van persie he is a very good slide tackler and both of them have huge and strong heads and those mental attributes count very much.but yes your thought is logical and very much evident but i think to successful individuals succeed due to their confidence and mental attributes otherwise dirk kuyt would not be playing football.

and about RB o'shea is very good and is consistent enough his adaptability is very usefull.manutds recent successes he had his part and rafael is progressing.another player is fletcher he is huge player in manu.the only thing u need is a creative midfielder and gk

"He tackles as well as Paul Scholes!"
Protip: If you're sliding, you're admitting you've already been beaten.

 

[cfdemarco]

The royal family of Qatar is about to bid 1.5 billion pounds according to ESPN.

I'm sure Malcolm the Deceiver and his cohorts will stupidly reject it though.

It must suck to be in a place where everyone hates you and wants you to leave and still be too proud to admit your mistakes and walk away.

 

[Pogba4Now]

These rumours are from the Daily Mail and I don't believe a single bit of it.