I would like to think we won't need to see Fellaini actually start a game in CM for us this season, barring an injury crisis. He can be on the bench as a last resort from 85+ minute in matches if needed, I'm fine with that.

I'm not fine with him coming on after 65/70 minutes to help us 'see out the game', because all it leads to is sitting deeper and losing control of the match and inviting pressure.

comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 41 seconds ago
comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 2 minutes ago
Long passes aren't a problem if it's on the counter, it's when we make 6 sideways passes and lump it forward.

We just don't have the defenders to play football or the midfielder to control the tempo (I don't believe this is Fred either).

We still need a Modric/ KDB/ Thiago imo.
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I reckon Pereira could be that player for us. I'm almost certainly projecting here but we're due a gift from the gods.
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I didn't see that in him at Valencia, but I'm well up for giving him a go. Having a decent threat from set pieces would help.
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by all accounts he is being coached by Carrick to play the number 6 ( or whatever you wanna call it) role.

he deifinatley has the ability on the ball and more legs than carrick did.

he is also pretty snappy in the tackle too.

this could work out to be a jose masterpiece.

"Nobb"!
Still cracks me up that one!

"I'm not fine with him coming on after 65/70 minutes to help us 'see out the game',"

Forgot about how often we do that.

We would be much better served to bring on someone like Periera to see out the game, and try to take the sting out of it by keeping the ball more.

comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - 2017 joy squids (U2958)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
I'm not excited by Sanchez at all after the shower of s... He served up last year. Preseason is just that. He had about 2-3 good games. The only reason for any hope is that he had shown he was a good player in the past, unlike, say Depay, who was only potential when we bought him.
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Isn't that a reason to have "some" excitement?
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Not really. He has done it in the past for other teams. He was poor last season for both Arsenal and us. I'd get excited when he does it for us in actual matches and on consistent basis. He isn't a hot prospect, he isn't young. If he's poor again, then we're lumbered as Chelsea were with Torres.

comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - 2017 joy squids (U2958)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
I'm not excited by Sanchez at all after the shower of s... He served up last year. Preseason is just that. He had about 2-3 good games. The only reason for any hope is that he had shown he was a good player in the past, unlike, say Depay, who was only potential when we bought him.
----------------
Isn't that a reason to have "some" excitement?
----------------
Not really. He has done it in the past for other teams. He was poor last season for both Arsenal and us. I'd get excited when he does it for us in actual matches and on consistent basis. He isn't a hot prospect, he isn't young. If he's poor again, then we're lumbered as Chelsea were with Torres.
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I wouldn't say 'excited', but I'm certainly optimistic of Sanchez having a really good season.

comment by CurrentlyInChina (U11181)
posted 3 minutes ago
comment by Ji Sung Park's Cousin - 2017 joy squids (U2958)
posted 1 hour, 18 minutes ago
I'm not excited by Sanchez at all after the shower of s... He served up last year. Preseason is just that. He had about 2-3 good games. The only reason for any hope is that he had shown he was a good player in the past, unlike, say Depay, who was only potential when we bought him.
----------------
Isn't that a reason to have "some" excitement?
----------------
Not really. He has done it in the past for other teams. He was poor last season for both Arsenal and us. I'd get excited when he does it for us in actual matches and on consistent basis. He isn't a hot prospect, he isn't young. If he's poor again, then we're lumbered as Chelsea were with Torres.
----------------------------------------------------------------------Isn’t it just possible that he was poor for Arsenal because he was wanting out and had just done his 4th straight full summer of football?

Needs more than 4 months with us to be called the new Torres, especially with how fit and fast he’s looked in pre season

One thing about Sanchez (aside from the arguments about whether it was a good signing): I found I was able to see him from the start as a United player in a way I couldn't when we bought Van Persie. With RVP, having associated him for years with Arsenal and somehow seeing him as a quintessential Wenger player, it just seemed weird seeing him in our shirt. It was undoubtedly nice-weird in that first season when he won us the title, but it always felt incongruous to me. With Sanchez for some reason - maybe the fact that he hadn't been at Arsenal for so long, maybe because he comes across as an archetypal Fergie player (not an aesthete, but snarling, hard-working, obsessed with winning) - it felt like the United shirt fit him.

Sanchez isn’t past it. He’s only 29 and in great shape. He had a bad start to his United career that’s all. Still managed a few MOTM performances included one in a cup semi final. The summer break will hopefully do him the world of good.

RVP was loyal to Fergie more than the club, like many of our players were. I loved that first season and he very much felt a part of the club at that time.

He wanted out of Arsenal and performed badly, that could be an excuse there. But what's his excuse for the horrendous show last season for us?

He has played centrally in preseason. When we have everyone back, what happens then? Plays on the left? Change of formation? We still have a mishmash of players and a boring style of play, a coach who blames everyone but himself.

I'm not excited by Sanchez. I'll get excited once he does something worth being excited about.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 46 seconds ago
One thing about Sanchez (aside from the arguments about whether it was a good signing): I found I was able to see him from the start as a United player in a way I couldn't when we bought Van Persie. With RVP, having associated him for years with Arsenal and somehow seeing him as a quintessential Wenger player, it just seemed weird seeing him in our shirt. It was undoubtedly nice-weird in that first season when he won us the title, but it always felt incongruous to me. With Sanchez for some reason - maybe the fact that he hadn't been at Arsenal for so long, maybe because he comes across as an archetypal Fergie player (not an aesthete, but snarling, hard-working, obsessed with winning) - it felt like the United shirt fit him.
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I wanted him when we were linked before he went to barca from udinese

I always admired the hard working thing... But I can't shake him sitting giggling like a teenage girl on the bench at Anfield after a team mates mistake when they were getting battered early last season

Kinda shattered the "obsessed with winning" opinion i too shared of him... I just thought "what a c**t"... I've no love for arsenal, couldn't give a toss about them... But i reckon if he'd done that for us with Fergie as his manager he'd have never kicked a ball for the club again

I'd gladly have not signed him for that alone... Suggested an attitude problem... The reports of senior players having a go at him after the Sevilla game for his work rate and him just shrugging his shoulders... Could well have been paper talk but it just reminded me of the Anfield thing

I hope he's reinvigorated... I hope he has a brilliant season, as that can only be good for us... But i just haven't warmed to him yet

We've apparently fined Martial 2 weeks wages for leaving the tour without permission.

comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 27 seconds ago
We've apparently fined Martial 2 weeks wages for leaving the tour without permission.
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Apparently we’ve signed Pogba too

If that has happened, I doubt Martial will be here for long. The only way I see him staying is if Jose leaves before then.

comment by Nobb 🇦🇺🇪🇸 (U21234)
posted 12 minutes ago
comment by Eric_the_king (SE85) (U21241)
posted 27 seconds ago
We've apparently fined Martial 2 weeks wages for leaving the tour without permission.
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Apparently we’ve signed Pogba too
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Assume you mean fined and thats the first I have heard of that. Why would we fine him? Do you mean last season?

I think he's insinuating you were slow with the news flash.

Sanchez does seem to spend more time rolling around, chasing officials and throwing his arms around at team mates than playing football these days.

comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 7 seconds ago
I think he's insinuating you were slow with the news flash.
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Although I've only seen the news on Metro and the Sun.

MEN say it's rubbish

"Anthony Martial? Is better for Karen to answer if she wants to answer,"

This seems to be Jose washing his hands of Martial though.

comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Mike (U1170)
posted 7 seconds ago
I think he's insinuating you were slow with the news flash.
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Although I've only seen the news on Metro and the Sun.
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Well I did announce it on here a few hours ago, but don't mind me, I mean what do I know

Legally... Mourinho hasn't really a leg to stand on with Martial and his baby etc

If you are an employed new father, you are entitled to either one or two weeks' paternity leave. This is the same for multiple births. To be eligible, you must have a contract of employment and have been working for the same employer for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the week your baby is due.

While footballers generally don't take it, and Martial really should have returned for the Madrid game it could be interesting if the fine stories are true

Legally... He doesn't need permission to be at the birth, he's entitled... And legally he was entitled to miss the Liverpool friendly

Legally... Mr Mourinho could end up in court on yet another bullying and harassment issue

comment by Shugs (U14253)
posted 2 minutes ago
Legally... Mourinho hasn't really a leg to stand on with Martial and his baby etc

If you are an employed new father, you are entitled to either one or two weeks' paternity leave. This is the same for multiple births. To be eligible, you must have a contract of employment and have been working for the same employer for 26 weeks by the end of the 15th week before the week your baby is due.

While footballers generally don't take it, and Martial really should have returned for the Madrid game it could be interesting if the fine stories are true

Legally... He doesn't need permission to be at the birth, he's entitled... And legally he was entitled to miss the Liverpool friendly

Legally... Mr Mourinho could end up in court on yet another bullying and harassment issue
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good point