Okay, so, rather than attempt to spell that Norwegian team's name, I've called them Dr. Norway; my sincere apologies for any offence caused
Yesterday's game was the first of the pre-season I managed to catch live (because the Island weather has riddled me with badness!), and I'm bored at work, so I thought I'd write down some thoughts:
AWB is already our best player, which is as depressing as it is exciting. Expect him to be a nailed-on starter, however, I do really like Dalot (who himself was very good yesterday) and want to see him press on this season; I wonder if he's going to be pushed on to RM/RW? I would also like to see whether he can play on the left.
Lindelof looks strong, continuing off from last season. I like the idea of him and Axel lining up together (I'm a big fan of Bailly, but he does need a clean bill of health for a few months, if he is to consolidate a first-team place), but I suspect Axel will be used sparingly for now. Lindelof and Mike as starters, for me...I do not want Maguire for anything north of £50m, which just isn't going to happen; ergo, I don't want him!
Phil Jones looked decent was surprisingly good at attacking set-pieces, however, still has meme-worthy moments, and one of those every three, four games is too frequent for him to be a regular starter.
Luke Shaw is good, but fat (How!? HOW!?).
Rojo can go-go.
Matic shouldn't play for us anymore; McT is like Matic but better in almost every department (or, from their current form, anyway). Some of his shots yesterday!?!? Channelling his inner Darren Gibson!
Andreas is a player I like, but I do worry that he is too physically shunted to become the PL player his talent deserves; probably better suited to Spain or Italy. Really hope he proves me wrong - you do still get some quality, diminutive little players in the PL, just a lot rarer.
Mata is definitely too physically shunted. Big shame because he's so intelligent on the ball and technically gifted. Seems like a lovely guy, too; I just wouldn't want to see him playing too often this season.
I'm in the minority that loves Jesse, despite that torrid patch he went through last seaosn.
Rashford will be the main man next season, injuries abiding.
Ant-Man is my favourite current player and is outrageous on the ball, however, I do not think his off-the-ball movement is good enough for him to be a #9 at the moment. Despite his opinion, I think he is better off the left, for now. Maybe when him and Marcus play, we can have them two and a third (Jesse, Dybala if he came) interchanging quite consistently.
Pogba is Pogba. Obviously the best, but you just get the impression that he doesn't have a collaborative, footballing brain. What I mean by that is that it's not as if he lacks footballing intelligence, but I would be sceptical as to whether he'd make the right decision in the right moment to maximise the benefit to the team, as opposed to his own performance.
Now, for the kids:
Chong reminds me of a Bebe (and not the hair) or Yannick Bolasie-type player. He looks to have raw talent, but is in need of some serious refining to become a regular.
Greenwood looked very sharp yesterday. Thoroughly impressed with him and he's actually from Bradford like me!!! That does not bode well for his footballing skills, but if we ever get into a riot or The Last of Us-style zombie apocalypse; he's benefiting from acquiring some invaluable life skills, surely.
Axel mentioned above; Andreas and McT also.
MUFC vs Dr. Norway
posted on 31/7/19
RK
That Jadon Sancho lad has done quite well at Dortmund as well.
posted on 31/7/19
Luke Shaw looks overweight because he has a low carbohydrate tolerance. If he ever changed his diet to make it extremely low or even full carnivore he would be effortlessly lean. That is the kind of change that you need to do over the off season.
This will never happen though because I don't get the impression that anyone working with United is in any way up to date with modern health research.
posted on 31/7/19
comment by rosso is facking happy (U17054)
posted 46 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by rosso is facking happy(U17054)
posted 58 minutes ago
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 4 minutes ago
The biggest concern for me regarding the new potential signings (Fernandes/Dybala or whoever), is Gomes.
He's the one I'd like to see involved in the first team more often, centrally too, not pushed out wide. If he's the one that misses out the most of our younger players this season, whether it be down to formation, or lack of opportunities in his position, then we'll lose him as his contract is done next year.
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Yeah; I don’t quite understand the cognitive dissonance of some people desperately excited about the prospect of us signing Fernandes and/or Savic, then wanting to see Gomes get more game time.
Gomes’ best position is at eight. He can play at seven at ten, but he’s at his most influential playing in Pogba or Pereira’s position.
For me, he should be the one playing on Pogba’s days off. He’s Pogba’s apprentice.
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Fernandes is 6 or 7 years older than Fernandes, and it's doubtful Pogba will be here after next summer. Mata will get even less game time, Lingard is 27... I don't think people looking towards a Fernandes or a Savic are suffering cognitive dissonance about wanting to see an 18 get some game time, too.
If we were talking about bringing in a 20/21 year old in that position then sure, it would be counter productive.
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How do we give Gomes game time if Fernandes and Savic come in?
I can’t see how that’s going to help persuade him to sign a new contract.
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And where on earth are you getting the idea that *both* of those players will come in? You yourself have been telling anyone that will listen that two players maximum will arrive before the window shuts! The chances of two midfielders coming in at this stage - with Pogba almost certainly staying - are incredibly slim.
posted on 31/7/19
comment by Rutilus (U19057)
posted 2 minutes ago
Luke Shaw looks overweight because he has a low carbohydrate tolerance. If he ever changed his diet to make it extremely low or even full carnivore he would be effortlessly lean. That is the kind of change that you need to do over the off season.
This will never happen though because I don't get the impression that anyone working with United is in any way up to date with modern health research.
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Anyone advocating "full carnivore" hasn't a clue what they're talking about either.
posted on 31/7/19
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 11 seconds ago
comment by Rutilus (U19057)
posted 2 minutes ago
Luke Shaw looks overweight because he has a low carbohydrate tolerance. If he ever changed his diet to make it extremely low or even full carnivore he would be effortlessly lean. That is the kind of change that you need to do over the off season.
This will never happen though because I don't get the impression that anyone working with United is in any way up to date with modern health research.
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Anyone advocating "full carnivore" hasn't a clue what they're talking about either.
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uhuh
posted on 31/7/19
comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 6 minutes ago
RK
That Jadon Sancho lad has done quite well at Dortmund as well.
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Playing regularly in a top league, playing champions league football and has recently broken into the England national team. Also looking at a big money move in the next couple of seasons if not earlier
It couldn't have gone much better for him
Young players like Gomes have to be looking at him and thinking they could do the same
posted on 31/7/19
Sancho is one guy who has gone on to do well but a few other lads have left and had not made their mark. Reece Oxford went on loan twice to Germany and hasn't progressed much since his first appearance for West Ham. Patience is needed. I do think they will get a chance but the manager also needs to be backed if that is the direction we want to go as it could mean missing out on CL places again.
posted on 31/7/19
Berba
Even with one in, we’ll be rotating Pogba, Pereira, McT, Fred, Matic, and the new signing in two, maximum three spots. That’d mean one or two of those players hardly getting a look-in, never mind the likes of Gomes and Garner.
As Gomes, I’m looking Pogba, Pereira and then a new signing in my best position - three players ahead of me, all well under 30 years old - and wondering how the hell I’m going to get any minutes at all.
If we want these kids to play, we have to be serious about giving them squad space; not just keeping them around on top of the 25 because we don’t need to register them.
Gomes is one I really think we might lose.
posted on 31/7/19
Gomes may get games out wide at times. I do think in the PL of his build will hinder him as it did with Lingard.
posted on 31/7/19
comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 8 minutes ago
Gomes may get games out wide at times. I do think in the PL of his build will hinder him as it did with Lingard.
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Then we’re back to square pegs in round holes, and he’s competing with Martial/Rashford, Sanchez and James.