Fine Tuning

I was.
I've been talking about the loss of the saf affect and the general decline of United's squad (mostly through aging) since August and was largely ridiculed for suggesting United would struggle this season (check my posting history if you wish).

United will most likely challenge for a top 4 spot next season, but I fear the rebuild is a bigger task than you realise.
Great players will always desire to play for United, but if you consider how many positions the club need to fill; even with unlimited money, it is not that easy to sign more than one or two world class players in any one transfer window. Often a club has to sign those players as and when they come available, all the while competing for those signatures with other top clubs throughout England and Europe.

All of United's rivals will compete for the same signings, some to capture the player, others to merely drive up the price to limit other options and slow the clubs recovery.

And that is before we know how eager the Glazer's are to get United back to the top.
Consider that now that the Premier League offers such lucrative returns, Champions League qualification might not look so attractive to them.

A mistake I feel, but one I can envisage them making.

Either way, this summers transfer activities will be very interesting, and the story of United'd 'bouce-back-ability' will take centre stage x

Chelsea and United have been in 5 recent c/l finals since you had your money. I have grasped that fact.

Really? Do you think our takeover was in 1999.

...and since when has 1999 been classed as 'recent' in footballing terms? The PL hadn't even started then.

United at the start of 14/15 are basically Liverpool this season so cannot be underestimated - a gash campaign before, followed by a cushty year of football once a week, added to that the fact we've beat them that many times recently, then their due a win over us if only based on the balance of probabilities, even we used to beat them once every now and then when we were total chit.

As Melton says, 3 points minimum is what we should be looking for out of each double fixture. An improvement against Chelsea and some consistency against Everton would be ideal. Also a bit of a shame we'll have to go to the Stadium of Light at some point...

...and since when has 1999 been classed as 'recent' in footballing terms? The PL hadn't even started then.

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Eh?

Oh wait, don't tell me you class the "premiership" as different to the "Premier league".

Typical Bitter

Don't tell me you're one of those guys who differentiates between the Premiership and the top flight known as the First Division x

comment by gratedbean (U4885)
posted 5 hours, 13 minutes ago
United at the start of 14/15 are basically Liverpool this season so cannot be underestimated - a gash campaign before, followed by a cushty year of football once a week, added to that the fact we've beat them that many times recently, then their due a win over us if only based on the balance of probabilities, even we used to beat them once every now and then when we were total chit.

As Melton says, 3 points minimum is what we should be looking for out of each double fixture. An improvement against Chelsea and some consistency against Everton would be ideal. Also a bit of a shame we'll have to go to the Stadium of Light at some point...
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Not really though as last season was Brendan's second season in charge and that makes a big difference.

It's mor elike us 2 seasons ago, a new manager, some new players and an international tournament curtailing pre season for the majority of the first team.

We started the 12/13 season poorly results wise due to so many changes to the squad, coaching team and of course the manager implementing a new style of play.

United are certainly better equipped to deal with the change then we were 2 years ago but again you need to rebuild half the spine of your team and midfield and defense are not easy areas to just sign a player, throw him in and it's sorted, look at Vidic and Evra, very poor at the start but after a while they developed into top defenders.

Stretty is alive!!!!

I was getting concerned.

can you even put United in that list Spur and Everton would be more relevant.

Oh wait, don't tell me you class the "premiership" as different to the "Premier league".

WTF