At this point I'd be ecstatic if Mou starts Lukaku on the right wing. Shit touch to be a winger, but at least he knows how to dribble, gets past his players and cross.
Edit: being sarcastic of course.
Edit: being sarcastic of course.
Im working on the basis hell have four targets again, or rather four is his aim and hell settle for three
By recon_zero Go To Post
La flor
rekt
a shame though, he would've been a guaranteed red card. dumb cunt.
By Oddinho Go To PostI think Liverpool is already more attractive than United for young players who want to make a name for themselves. Money is obviously a big factor in the decision, and Liverpool can’t match United there. But players will definitely be looking not just at the style of football but also the atmosphere in the club, and how the manager treats his players.
Oh, absolutely. There’s a sense of excitement and vigour about Liverpool since Klopp arrived and you play lovely football and buy wonderfully. That’s not something that can be said for United in recent years.
By Dan Go To PostA distorted mess is a bit harsh.
A typically earnest and over-the-top attack from lil Arnold. Bloke talks more about City than we do, and could never handle the bants. Has the hide of a fruit bat.
Still hasn’t gotten over 2014 and blames us.
I do think he would function much better in a team that is far superior to the others and just asks him to compliment them
Never mind the excitement around Liverpool, I'm not sure why a player would join United over Liverpool or City based solely on how players seem to just regress at United recently.
Lingard has had a great season and has obviously improved, Young has had a strong season. Lukaku has done.....ok? But the rest? Right now United seems like a good place to go if you fancy wounding your career.
Lingard has had a great season and has obviously improved, Young has had a strong season. Lukaku has done.....ok? But the rest? Right now United seems like a good place to go if you fancy wounding your career.
I still remember everyone telling us how actually shit we were when Fergie had us winning tiltes at a canter (yes it did happen because that's how long we've all been doing this) so I'm not even a little surprised by the narrative.
By FlutterPuffs Go To PostWait hang on how did the narrative change to players regressing in United.
Wait...why would it be anything else?
I should specify, I mean under Mourinho
By Willkiller Go To PostWait…why would it be anything else?
I should specify, I mean under Mourinho
It doesn't seem especially consistent with, y'know, our performance/results improving overall though does it?
Martial has been one of our best players this season. He hasn't regressed under Mourinho at all. His problem is his wildly inconsistent form. He can definitely do better but that doesn't mean he should be sold. I'd be disappointed in the club if he leaves.
Suppose you could argue Mourinho should be coaching the inconsistency outbid him. I'd agree with that.
Suppose you could argue Mourinho should be coaching the inconsistency outbid him. I'd agree with that.
Think there's a case to say Mourinho has improved Lingard, Jones, Rojo, Young, Valencia, Herrera, Lukaku and possibly Rashford.
The rest have either regressed, stagnated, or it's too soon to tell.
The rest have either regressed, stagnated, or it's too soon to tell.
By Willkiller Go To PostWait…why would it be anything else?I rather discuss how players have been improving under Rafa, Will.
I should specify, I mean under Mourinho
Who is this Diaminho you're talking about?
By Laboured Go To PostIt doesn't seem especially consistent with, y'know, our performance/results improving overall though does it?
I mean, you've already lost more league games this season than last. Finishing second (probably...maybe) compared to sixth looks like a huge improvement, but we know in reality that doesn't really tell the whole story. You've improved yes, but the performances have still been less than convincing, not once this season have United looked like a team that would seriously challenge for the title.
But anyway, I was talking about individuals.
Your signings, Matic, Sanchez, Lindelof and Lukaku have been ranged from good (Lukaku, Matic) to poor (Lindelof and Sanchez). Sanchez and Matic you'd certainly say have been noticeably worse than last season. Lindelof is player new to the league so fair enough. Lukaku has done ok, but he's still got 10 less league goals than he got at Everton last year.
And on the players that have been there for a while, Rashford and Martial are young players who have struggled to get game time this season and may look to leave to stop their careers from stalling. Shaw is dead. Darmian is dead. Smalling continues to get worse and worse. Bailly was just rested for 'tactical reasons' etc etc etc.
I'm not talking solely about technical ability, these are all mostly a result of Mou's style. Martial is brilliant, one of your best players but he's not getting minutes regardless. My point was that I don't see why young players, or any players for that matter, would currently go to United over City or Liverpool when they look at what has happened to Rashford, Martial, Pogba etc.
in summary, "RIP United" - Willkiller
i damn sure remember it because a lot of the things that frustrate me now frustrated me in the post-Ronaldo years. we still won though.
By Laboured Go To PostI still remember everyone telling us how actually shit we were when Fergie had us winning tiltes at a canter (yes it did happen because that's how long we've all been doing this) so I'm not even a little surprised by the narrative.
i damn sure remember it because a lot of the things that frustrate me now frustrated me in the post-Ronaldo years. we still won though.
By domino Go To Postin summary, "RIP United" - WillkillerYeah me too. I mentioned a few weeks back how much this season reminds me of a classic Fergie title winning run in his last few years.
i damn sure remember it because a lot of the things that frustrate me now frustrated me in the post-Ronaldo years. we still won though.
The only difference is City has been amazing.
By batong Go To PostI rather discuss how players have been improving under Rafa, Will.
Who is this Diaminho you're talking about?
I'd rather we didn't. It needs to remain a secret while we sort out new contracts for them all.
Then we'll talk.
As long as United hold on to DDG they’ll be okay, and will continue to build. Probably just slower than they’d like.
Bloke is a freak of nature. Best keeper I’ve ever seen, and he probably kept you in the top 4 single-handedly.
Bloke is a freak of nature. Best keeper I’ve ever seen, and he probably kept you in the top 4 single-handedly.
By Kermit Go To PostAs long as United hold on to DDG they’ll be okay, and will continue to build. Probably just slower than they’d like.
Bloke is a freak of nature. Best keeper I’ve ever seen, and he probably kept you in the top 4 single-handedly.
Goes without saying that he has also improved hugely again this season, which is kind of ridiculous when you think about it.
By Laboured Go To PostI still remember everyone telling us how actually shit we were when Fergie had us winning tiltes at a canter (yes it did happen because that's how long we've all been doing this) so I'm not even a little surprised by the narrative.🐴 pls.
By Laboured Go To PostGoes without saying that he has also improved hugely again this season, which is kind of ridiculous when you think about it.
He has. He's approaching GOAT keeper status.
Then you look at what he's won and it's like....oh.
By recon_zero Go To Posti don't think he needs to worry about the wc
La flor
That Utd game at the Emirates this season physically made me angry :lol was smashing everything at De Gea and he saved them from so many pitfalls etc
Was really disgusting how good he was that evening and in full contrast to Cech :(
Was really disgusting how good he was that evening and in full contrast to Cech :(
Yeah but Cech is 36 years old. I know he has been disastrous in some matches but his regression is at least explainable.
Is there a reason Mou rates Smalling as his number one? Or at least plays him whenever he's fit.
Southgate and many others can see he's a nervous wreck at times and most importantly can't build up play from the back.
Southgate and many others can see he's a nervous wreck at times and most importantly can't build up play from the back.
By Fergie Go To PostIs there a reason Mou rates Smalling as his number one?
Like with LvG and Moyes, he seems to have some very odd favourites which could not be further from the fans' opinion.
I hope Mou is at least seriously considering dealing with the fullback situation.
Darmian and Shaw look to be going and we're left with two 32-year-old wingers converted to FB.
Darmian and Shaw look to be going and we're left with two 32-year-old wingers converted to FB.
By Laboured Go To PostLike with LvG and Moyes, he seems to have some very odd favourites which could not be further from the fans' opinion.He's got dirt on all of them.
By FlutterPuffs Go To PostOther than (and even so, potentially) Lindelof, United doesn't really have a defender that can play from the back.Rojo is capable of it as well.
By Laboured Go To PostLike with LvG and Moyes, he seems to have some very odd favourites which could not be further from the fans' opinion.That's true of pretty much every manager though
Other than (and even so, potentially) Lindelof, United doesn't really have a defender that can play from the back.
By Freewheelin Go To PostThat Utd game at the Emirates this season physically made me angry :lol was smashing everything at De Gea and he saved them from so many pitfalls etcThat double save against Sanchez and Laca made me wet.
Was really disgusting how good he was that evening and in full contrast to Cech :(
By Fergie Go To PostIs there a reason Mou rates Smalling as his number one? Or at least plays him whenever he's fit.Probably does exactly what he's told to without question.
Southgate and many others can see he's a nervous wreck at times and most importantly can't build up play from the back.
I got my season ticket for next season 🤙🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥
Quality use of De Hayer 👍🏻
By Scum Go To PostLloris to Man Utd. De Hayer to Tottingham.
Quality use of De Hayer 👍🏻
By Fergie Go To PostIs there a reason Mou rates Smalling as his number one? Or at least plays him whenever he's fit.Mike has dope computer hacking skills and managed to find everyone's Hentai.
Southgate and many others can see he's a nervous wreck at times and most importantly can't build up play from the back.
All of it
By Ashwinho Go To PostHas Rojo fully recovered?Jones and Rojo have been fit since March 30th.
By Bungie Go To PostI got my season ticket for next season 🤙🏻👌🏻👌🏻👌🏻👏🏻👏🏻💯 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥 🔥Are you in the new ground next season? Or another at Wembley? Congrats if so -- that should be phenomenal.
By Meier Go To PostMy guess is that it was his wife Carla’s parents’ house. Based on it looking like an old person’s house and the olds being in the video.Ahh, looks like this was confirmed:
The reason why I am not the least bit sad City won yesterday was reading this tweet:
I'm just really happy for him. It must be hard but he remained completely professional for City.
He should move to Spain next season so he can spend more time with his family.
Please move to Spain next season.
I'm just really happy for him. It must be hard but he remained completely professional for City.
He should move to Spain next season so he can spend more time with his family.
Please move to Spain next season.
By Bold 2 in One Go To PostYou're not helping yourself, Dan
#RichardMille lmao
Within Old Trafford, they’d already noticed a wild swing in Jose Mourinho’s demeanour, and his outlook. There was no gallows humour about denying Manchester City the party they wanted. There was no joking about their confirmation as the best team coming in the worst way. Mourinho has bigger concerns, and it could lead to big problems for some of United’s players.
The talk is that the Portuguese has had it with many of them, and very few are safe in the summer. Mourinho would be willing to consider the sale of pretty much any players bar David De Gea, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Juan Mata. They are currently the only ones who have his full trust.
United sources are keen to point out that such swings have been a trend of Mourinho’s time so far, and that his moods have been greatly influenced by the most recent big results. That has led to transfer plans drastically changing from month to month - in a way that just wouldn’t happen at Manchester City now due to their approach - and it is possible that victory over Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup semi-final at the weekend could cause another reversion.
It’s just that this week’s swing stood out all the more because it was in-keeping with more intense extremes.
United went from the joyously rousing performance against City to the dismally flat display against West Brom. They went from beating the top team in the league to losing to the bottom team. They went from heroically denying Pep Guardiola’s side the title to so meekly handing it to them.
And, perhaps most pointedly, they went from looking so exciting against City to so exceedingly dull and lifeless against West Brom.
The deeper question is thereby not who Mourinho will buy or sell, but how they can so readily go through such extremes. How could they so quickly lose any verve from the City match, any spirit of optimism.
It is impossible not to think that much of the searing second half of that 3-2 win was circumstantial, as has been the case with pretty much all of United’s statement performances. While it was Mourinho’s pride stung before the Chelsea and Liverpool wins, it was the players’ pride stung at half-time of the City game. They were undeniably driven by that, and released by the nature of the game and the requirement to come back.
This is by no means to say that Mourinho had little effect, since the players did directly respond to his half-time words, and that did show that he has a hold over the team. There is currently no issue with his “psychological” or “emotional” management of the side, something that had been a fear.
There still may be a big issue with his management of the side’s attacking, though, something that has now gone beyond a fear before he got the job to a fully-fledged problem.
So many arguments have been made about this topic, and a lot of the same points about how Mourinho works have been repeated, so it is perhaps worth going into how the team actually works; just why it is that this happens.
Those who have worked with the Portuguese and know him well say he still is a “defensive genius”. The organisation there remains supreme.
The organisation beyond that area is not supreme, though, and this abstract talk about the lack of modern co-ordination has a concrete effect. It is also deeply linked to that defensive outlook.
Fundamentally, the requirements of a Mourinho backline mean that full-backs aren’t really allowed to attack in many matches, in a way that has become standard at the top level. This wouldn’t be a problem if the Portuguese played with proper wide men, but United don’t really do that, either.
The effect of this can be seen in a hugely frustrating pattern of play that is itself seen far too often when United play. It is when Antonio Valencia has the ball in a promising position in the opposition half.
The nature of the modern game means that happens quite a lot, but so does the following. Because of the way that United are set up, and because of that key lack of drilled attacking co-ordination, there is very little movement in front of Valencia. There certainly isn’t the “red arrows” co-ordination that Arsene Wenger’s best Arsenal sides used to such effect, unless it’s one of those days when United are properly revved up and it all seems to come off instinctively.
When that isn’t the case, and that now feels like it’s most games, Valencia is forced to go outside. He will then try drill a cross that is blocked, and the move will usually break down.
That isn’t such a problem if you have proper creators in the middle, who can create something out of nothing, and United do have that. The issue is that Mourinho doesn’t have the patience to indulge them. With players like that, there has to be a certain risk in the sense of allowing them to keep trying things, but it doesn’t seem like it’s in the Portuguese’s nature to allow that.
Either they do it relentlessly, or they’re hooked, and abruptly dropped.
At United alone, this has happened with Juan Mata, this has happened with Anthony Martial. this has happened with Henrikh Mkhitaryan… and it’s now happening with Paul Pogba.
The Pogba situation is all the more interesting, and all the more fraught, because of what it represents. Some who have worked with Mourinho say he primarily sees central midfielders as strong players to set up a beachhead, mainly there for tackles and aerial dominance. “He would play three Nemanja Matics if he could,” one source says.
There is however a feeling that Pogba was signed because Mourinho was actually specifically conscious of this, and wanted to break out of it. He wanted to evolve his midfield idea… but then can’t truly let himself go and reverts to type.
This is one reason why the Pogba situation has grown. These are many reasons why United keep swinging to such extremes.
It is the chaos of certain games against Mourinho’s sense of control.
Others around the Portuguese and the club argue that things would be different if he had two or three key players he requires. A stronger defence would allow them to push up higher and with more confidence, a midfield passer like a peak Michael Carrick - or a current Toni Kroos - would allow more fluidity, and a winger like Ivan Perisic would have allowed that play out wide that they require and that becomes so conspicuous by its absence.
Mourinho right now wants two central midfielders and another attacker, but that could drastically change again depending on how the season ends.
That itself will be dependent on the FA Cup semi-final, and who knows what that will bring. It would be in-keeping with the nature of the season to see another swing.
The underlying reasons for it, however, won’t change.
https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/premier-league/manchester-united-jose-mourinho-tactics-analysis-transfers-news-paul-pogba-anthony-martial-romelu-a8307141.html
i wish i had the time to properly respond to that article. maybe this evening when you're all asleep because of the time difference.
The talk is that the Portuguese has had it with many of them, and very few are safe in the summer. Mourinho would be willing to consider the sale of pretty much any players bar David De Gea, Alexis Sanchez, Romelu Lukaku, Nemanja Matic, Jesse Lingard, Ashley Young and Juan Mata. They are currently the only ones who have his full trust.