I wouldn’t expect a successful tilt at top four.
——-
At this point top half of the table would be a shock. The players really don’t have any fight in them.
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
We are now looking very likely to not be in the CL until 2024 at the earliest and possibly longer.
Good luck attracting top class players to that.
Club is finished. The owners need to sell up as things are going to get ugly for the club on and off the pitch this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
he's dead right btw.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he is.
It’s (well beyond) clean slate time. It’s the only way to stop the rot.
United need a buyer with a real vision for the club, coupled with a board with real and proven expertise in sporting management/strategy.
comment by Slippin’ Robb (U22716)
posted 2 minutes ago
I wouldn’t expect a successful tilt at top four.
——-
At this point top half of the table would be a shock. The players really don’t have any fight in them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I honestly don’t believe that.
Confidence is shot for many of them, and ETH’s most difficult job right now, by far, is dealing with that.
But there are more than 15 players in that squad who care enough and have the quality and work ethic to churn out good performances.
Fair point tbh. Mourinho's been your only manager since 2013 who saw (or probably got the club to realize) your urgent need for midfield balance with the defence Ferguson left you with, and Maguire's only been more of the same (slow & press fragile) so that hasn't evolved much on it's own either. Matic wasn't the best option but he was at least something.
Managing Man Utd, even taking away the issues of the squads mentality, must be such a headache. You need to play attacking football or the fans & owners will get on your back for different reasons, and you have enough attacking players to do it in theory (imagine everyone's in-form), but you either need two holding midfielders to shield the defence (hello McFred), to play a back 3 to directly protect Maguire, or just play out & out counter attacking football like Solskjaer did a lot of the time. It's not a group fit to play dominant football & that'll be frustrating for any top level manager, particularly one coming from a team in their league who'd grown to expect it.
Obviously this is a completely moot point, but considering how much your owners as a general rule favour the sexiness of big name attacking players over the nuts & bolts that make a team function properly, they should've moved heaven & earth to try & get Kante in 2016. He'd have been overrun every game but he's so good you probably wouldn't have noticed a problem for about 2-3 years.
comment by Devil (U6522)
posted 1 minute ago
Fair point tbh. Mourinho's been your only manager since 2013 who saw (or probably got the club to realize) your urgent need for midfield balance with the defence Ferguson left you with, and Maguire's only been more of the same (slow & press fragile) so that hasn't evolved much on it's own either. Matic wasn't the best option but he was at least something.
Managing Man Utd, even taking away the issues of the squads mentality, must be such a headache. You need to play attacking football or the fans & owners will get on your back for different reasons, and you have enough attacking players to do it in theory (imagine everyone's in-form), but you either need two holding midfielders to shield the defence (hello McFred), to play a back 3 to directly protect Maguire, or just play out & out counter attacking football like Solskjaer did a lot of the time. It's not a group fit to play dominant football & that'll be frustrating for any top level manager, particularly one coming from a team in their league who'd grown to expect it.
Obviously this is a completely moot point, but considering how much your owners as a general rule favour the sexiness of big name attacking players over the nuts & bolts that make a team function properly, they should've moved heaven & earth to try & get Kante in 2016. He'd have been overrun every game but he's so good you probably wouldn't have noticed a problem for about 2-3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose did try to get Kante and phoned him personally in 2016 to join United. Kante said he felt the Conte project was more appealing even though he was tempted by United and then chose Chelsea
If we can't get anyone else in, I'd probably try Martinez at DM. Get Varane into the defence, with Maguire or even Lindelof.
I still think we will then need Fred OR McTominay to go alongside Eriksen OR Bruno.
Get some semblance of solidity and surely Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo can produce something.
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 53 seconds ago
If we can't get anyone else in, I'd probably try Martinez at DM. Get Varane into the defence, with Maguire or even Lindelof.
I still think we will then need Fred OR McTominay to go alongside Eriksen OR Bruno.
Get some semblance of solidity and surely Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo can produce something.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It might even be time to jam the midfield to get a better grip on the ball, just for a few games.
At this juncture I’d be tempted to play all of McT, Eriksen, Fred and Bruno from the start in a 4-3-1-2 (which is more or less what I was hoping for opening day, but with Bruno up the pitch and Eriksen in with McFred, rather than the quite bizarre decision to play Eriksen as false nine).
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 53 seconds ago
If we can't get anyone else in, I'd probably try Martinez at DM. Get Varane into the defence, with Maguire or even Lindelof.
I still think we will then need Fred OR McTominay to go alongside Eriksen OR Bruno.
Get some semblance of solidity and surely Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo can produce something.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It might even be time to jam the midfield to get a better grip on the ball, just for a few games.
At this juncture I’d be tempted to play all of McT, Eriksen, Fred and Bruno from the start in a 4-3-1-2 (which is more or less what I was hoping for opening day, but with Bruno up the pitch and Eriksen in with McFred, rather than the quite bizarre decision to play Eriksen as false nine).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Martinez
Fred Eriksen
Bruno
Sancho Rashford
Diamond days
I've given him stick but I thought McT was one of our better performers yesterday! At least he tried to get things going.
The team clearly needs a leader in there right now. Someone who is willing to do the dirty stuff and is also willing to give the players a rocket. We
When we concede it doesn't look like the players are too bothered. We need them to take it personally when they do badly.
Ronaldo clearly has standards but storming off yesterday without going to the fans and acknowledging ETH was pretty poor. I'd allow him to go now. It may send a message to the rest that no one is bigger than the club.
Herrera was awful. Completely unsuited for epl football so that "axis" was never remotely "decent".
Fred, Bruno and Pogba was more than fine. But the problem was both pogba and Fred were asked to work to deep in order to protect a defence that invariably offered a line-up that involved other non-EPL level players like dalot, telles, lindelof, bailly and coco. And also, of course, the gormless mctominay was all to often also over-present.
And also of course, they have never had proper centre forwards or wingers (except Ronaldo for one season) to work with.
United need to find a genuine keeper, a centre back partner for maguire, two 25-yr-old epl experienced wingers and a proper, experienced (but not old), goal-scoring centre forward.
Then drop the wing back bollox (defenders are there to defend) and play with a proper 442 (451 when necessary) shape.
May sound like quite an ask, but it really isn't. Indeed it's all very basic stuff.
comment by IAmMe (U18491)
posted 1 minute ago
Herrera was awful. Completely unsuited for epl football so that "axis" was never remotely "decent".
Fred, Bruno and Pogba was more than fine. But the problem was both pogba and Fred were asked to work to deep in order to protect a defence that invariably offered a line-up that involved other non-EPL level players like dalot, telles, lindelof, bailly and coco. And also, of course, the gormless mctominay was all to often also over-present.
And also of course, they have never had proper centre forwards or wingers (except Ronaldo for one season) to work with.
United need to find a genuine keeper, a centre back partner for maguire, two 25-yr-old epl experienced wingers and a proper, experienced (but not old), goal-scoring centre forward.
Then drop the wing back bollox (defenders are there to defend) and play with a proper 442 (451 when necessary) shape.
May sound like quite an ask, but it really isn't. Indeed it's all very basic stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So Fred and Bruno in a midfield two, right?
Team for next week v Liverpool
Heaton
AWB
Varane
Bailly
Martinez
Garnacho
Garner
Fred
Malacia
Eriksen
Rashford
Get all of our new signings in there and a youth or two and tell Rashford just to run for an hour. Malacia has something about him so play him at LW and he can also help as LWB. AWB in there just to add a bit more physicality and bite.
It's unrealistic I know but I'd rather that than see us play our 'first team' and get done again.
It might even be time to jam the midfield to get a better grip on the ball, just for a few games.
…..
At least try and match up the oppositions midfield.
When was the last time we did not struggle against a team playing three at the back and either four or five in the midfield areas?
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 6 minutes ago
Team for next week v Liverpool
Heaton
AWB
Varane
Bailly
Martinez
Garnacho
Garner
Fred
Malacia
Eriksen
Rashford
Get all of our new signings in there and a youth or two and tell Rashford just to run for an hour. Malacia has something about him so play him at LW and he can also help as LWB. AWB in there just to add a bit more physicality and bite.
It's unrealistic I know but I'd rather that than see us play our 'first team' and get done again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
its a bold move to be seen to be doing something. to ring the changes... but that team would get absolutely trounced by Liverpool or City.
Next week could be a bad week for ETH. Its not even his fault he's just dealing with the cards he was given.
Its the ownership model and methods that needs replacing and resetting. It will just get worse which if not checked which will lead to relegation. Eventually. It sounds dramatic now but it's how it happens at all clubs in the end. Still plenty of time before then but United's circles are only going one way now under the current owners and ways. Downwards.
BTW I don't mind that if it means a reset.
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 45 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 6 minutes ago
Team for next week v Liverpool
Heaton
AWB
Varane
Bailly
Martinez
Garnacho
Garner
Fred
Malacia
Eriksen
Rashford
Get all of our new signings in there and a youth or two and tell Rashford just to run for an hour. Malacia has something about him so play him at LW and he can also help as LWB. AWB in there just to add a bit more physicality and bite.
It's unrealistic I know but I'd rather that than see us play our 'first team' and get done again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
its a bold move to be seen to be doing something. to ring the changes... but that team would get absolutely trounced by Liverpool or City.
Next week could be a bad week for ETH. Its not even his fault he's just dealing with the cards he was given.
Its the ownership model and methods that needs replacing and resetting. It will just get worse which if not checked which will lead to relegation. Eventually. It sounds dramatic now but it's how it happens at all clubs in the end. Still plenty of time before then but United's circles are only going one way now under the current owners and ways. Downwards.
BTW I don't mind that if it means a reset.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That may well be the case but Fulham showed Liverpool can be got at if you hassle and harry them. I just want players out there who will give their all. Hopefully we get one or two signings in this week.
CNN Portugal analysis team absolutely tearing strips off the club’s executive management, Neville-style.
The words ‘estrutural’, ‘fundamental’ and ‘mudança de treinadores’ (change of coaches) have been used a lot.
The best part of it all, though, is Abel Xavier’s haircut. Absolutely magnificent.
https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/abel-xavier-everton-liverpool-la-galaxy/
Players and owners getting a lot of stick but am I the only one that thinks ETH hasn't actually set up well? Twice.
Changed the system completely halfway through the game against Brighton, made three changes at half time yesterday. Why aren't you getting it right from the start?
Every man and his dog knows DDG is mince with his feet and that Maguire is slow and can be pressed so he has them playing it short in the box? Really?
People quoted stats from Holland but you'd have to be incredibly optimistic to think that a 5ft 8in centre back is going to match up well one on one in the air in the Prem.
Starting McFred last week? Really? Then going with Fred and Eriksen.
Play that system against us next week and we will annihilate you I'd have thought.
comment by Robbing Hoody - Legacy Fan (U6374)
posted 1 minute ago
Players and owners getting a lot of stick but am I the only one that thinks ETH hasn't actually set up well? Twice.
Changed the system completely halfway through the game against Brighton, made three changes at half time yesterday. Why aren't you getting it right from the start?
Every man and his dog knows DDG is mince with his feet and that Maguire is slow and can be pressed so he has them playing it short in the box? Really?
People quoted stats from Holland but you'd have to be incredibly optimistic to think that a 5ft 8in centre back is going to match up well one on one in the air in the Prem.
Starting McFred last week? Really? Then going with Fred and Eriksen.
Play that system against us next week and we will annihilate you I'd have thought.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He’s certainly gotten a few things wrong this season so far. Perhaps he’s underestimated how competitive the league is even with the smaller sides. I know he doesn’t have a wondrous canvas to work from but I’m sure there are smarter choices to make. It should have been obvious to him before he joined that DDG just isn’t good with the ball at his feet or that McTominay is the most limited midfielder we’ve ever had.
It will be very interesting to see how he sets up against Liverpool as a third straight loss is not acceptable
comment by Robbing Hoody - Legacy Fan (U6374)
posted 5 minutes ago
Players and owners getting a lot of stick but am I the only one that thinks ETH hasn't actually set up well? Twice.
Changed the system completely halfway through the game against Brighton, made three changes at half time yesterday. Why aren't you getting it right from the start?
Every man and his dog knows DDG is mince with his feet and that Maguire is slow and can be pressed so he has them playing it short in the box? Really?
People quoted stats from Holland but you'd have to be incredibly optimistic to think that a 5ft 8in centre back is going to match up well one on one in the air in the Prem.
Starting McFred last week? Really? Then going with Fred and Eriksen.
Play that system against us next week and we will annihilate you I'd have thought.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yes; he’s made big mistakes, particularly yesterday. He was quite naive with the shape, roles of the personnel and tactics, and seriously underestimated Brentford.
That’s normal though. He’s still very much getting to know the players and the league.
I disagree that starting McFred against Brighton was a serious mistake though, Robbing.
They played pretty well in preseason, and the much bigger mistake was starting United’s best midfielder at linking play at false nine, and having United’s most dangerous player but least careful with the ball link the midfield with the attack.
He should have had Eriksen in midfield and Bruno at false nine.
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 2 minutes ago
I disagree that starting McFred against Brighton was a serious mistake though, Robbing.
They played pretty well in preseason, and the much bigger mistake was starting United’s best midfielder at linking play at false nine, and having United’s most dangerous player but least careful with the ball link the midfield with the attack.
He should have had Eriksen in midfield and Bruno at false nine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fwiw I thought the change in midfield in the second half against Brighton worked very well and Erikson had a good influence on the game from deeper.
I've seen a few people moot Bruno at false 9 but I just don't see it myself. I don't like him as a footballer anyway, mainly because I like players who keep possession (plus he comes across as a d!ckhead - I saw him put in a terrible ball into the box against Brighton and then moaned at his team mates. I'd have loathed playing with someone like that) but I also don't think he has the qualities to play there.
He's an advanced 8 in midfield three for me and that's about it.
Forest in talks to sign Houssem Aouar, even they’ll have a better midfield than us soon.
comment by Robbing Hoody - Legacy Fan (U6374)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 2 minutes ago
I disagree that starting McFred against Brighton was a serious mistake though, Robbing.
They played pretty well in preseason, and the much bigger mistake was starting United’s best midfielder at linking play at false nine, and having United’s most dangerous player but least careful with the ball link the midfield with the attack.
He should have had Eriksen in midfield and Bruno at false nine.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Fwiw I thought the change in midfield in the second half against Brighton worked very well and Erikson had a good influence on the game from deeper.
I've seen a few people moot Bruno at false 9 but I just don't see it myself. I don't like him as a footballer anyway, mainly because I like players who keep possession (plus he comes across as a d!ckhead - I saw him put in a terrible ball into the box against Brighton and then moaned at his team mates. I'd have loathed playing with someone like that) but I also don't think he has the qualities to play there.
He's an advanced 8 in midfield three for me and that's about it.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
That change did work well, but it was a different game by that point.
McFred, if they’re going to be used against a hard pressing team, need a more progressive passer in with them. Bruno is too erratic to do it.
I feel ETH has actually been far too open and attacking the first two games, yesterday in particular. He’s wanted control of the ball, but he’s also loaded the fullbacks and midfielders far too high up the pitch rather than have them get their hands dirty with the transition. I know he wants a quick transition and playing with two eights can help with that, but it was daft yesterday and left De Gea, the CBs and Eriksen completely overrun.
Quite ridiculous that Eriksen has started two competitive games for United now; one as false nine, and the other on his own at six effectively behind two eights (one of which was Fred)
Sign in if you want to comment
Our midfield - or lack thereof
Page 2 of 2
posted on 14/8/22
I wouldn’t expect a successful tilt at top four.
——-
At this point top half of the table would be a shock. The players really don’t have any fight in them.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 12 minutes ago
comment by Glazers Out (SE85) (U21241)
posted 1 hour, 44 minutes ago
We are now looking very likely to not be in the CL until 2024 at the earliest and possibly longer.
Good luck attracting top class players to that.
Club is finished. The owners need to sell up as things are going to get ugly for the club on and off the pitch this season.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
he's dead right btw.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Yeah, he is.
It’s (well beyond) clean slate time. It’s the only way to stop the rot.
United need a buyer with a real vision for the club, coupled with a board with real and proven expertise in sporting management/strategy.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Slippin’ Robb (U22716)
posted 2 minutes ago
I wouldn’t expect a successful tilt at top four.
——-
At this point top half of the table would be a shock. The players really don’t have any fight in them.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I honestly don’t believe that.
Confidence is shot for many of them, and ETH’s most difficult job right now, by far, is dealing with that.
But there are more than 15 players in that squad who care enough and have the quality and work ethic to churn out good performances.
posted on 14/8/22
Fair point tbh. Mourinho's been your only manager since 2013 who saw (or probably got the club to realize) your urgent need for midfield balance with the defence Ferguson left you with, and Maguire's only been more of the same (slow & press fragile) so that hasn't evolved much on it's own either. Matic wasn't the best option but he was at least something.
Managing Man Utd, even taking away the issues of the squads mentality, must be such a headache. You need to play attacking football or the fans & owners will get on your back for different reasons, and you have enough attacking players to do it in theory (imagine everyone's in-form), but you either need two holding midfielders to shield the defence (hello McFred), to play a back 3 to directly protect Maguire, or just play out & out counter attacking football like Solskjaer did a lot of the time. It's not a group fit to play dominant football & that'll be frustrating for any top level manager, particularly one coming from a team in their league who'd grown to expect it.
Obviously this is a completely moot point, but considering how much your owners as a general rule favour the sexiness of big name attacking players over the nuts & bolts that make a team function properly, they should've moved heaven & earth to try & get Kante in 2016. He'd have been overrun every game but he's so good you probably wouldn't have noticed a problem for about 2-3 years.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Devil (U6522)
posted 1 minute ago
Fair point tbh. Mourinho's been your only manager since 2013 who saw (or probably got the club to realize) your urgent need for midfield balance with the defence Ferguson left you with, and Maguire's only been more of the same (slow & press fragile) so that hasn't evolved much on it's own either. Matic wasn't the best option but he was at least something.
Managing Man Utd, even taking away the issues of the squads mentality, must be such a headache. You need to play attacking football or the fans & owners will get on your back for different reasons, and you have enough attacking players to do it in theory (imagine everyone's in-form), but you either need two holding midfielders to shield the defence (hello McFred), to play a back 3 to directly protect Maguire, or just play out & out counter attacking football like Solskjaer did a lot of the time. It's not a group fit to play dominant football & that'll be frustrating for any top level manager, particularly one coming from a team in their league who'd grown to expect it.
Obviously this is a completely moot point, but considering how much your owners as a general rule favour the sexiness of big name attacking players over the nuts & bolts that make a team function properly, they should've moved heaven & earth to try & get Kante in 2016. He'd have been overrun every game but he's so good you probably wouldn't have noticed a problem for about 2-3 years.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Jose did try to get Kante and phoned him personally in 2016 to join United. Kante said he felt the Conte project was more appealing even though he was tempted by United and then chose Chelsea
posted on 14/8/22
If we can't get anyone else in, I'd probably try Martinez at DM. Get Varane into the defence, with Maguire or even Lindelof.
I still think we will then need Fred OR McTominay to go alongside Eriksen OR Bruno.
Get some semblance of solidity and surely Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo can produce something.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 53 seconds ago
If we can't get anyone else in, I'd probably try Martinez at DM. Get Varane into the defence, with Maguire or even Lindelof.
I still think we will then need Fred OR McTominay to go alongside Eriksen OR Bruno.
Get some semblance of solidity and surely Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo can produce something.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It might even be time to jam the midfield to get a better grip on the ball, just for a few games.
At this juncture I’d be tempted to play all of McT, Eriksen, Fred and Bruno from the start in a 4-3-1-2 (which is more or less what I was hoping for opening day, but with Bruno up the pitch and Eriksen in with McFred, rather than the quite bizarre decision to play Eriksen as false nine).
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
posted 53 seconds ago
If we can't get anyone else in, I'd probably try Martinez at DM. Get Varane into the defence, with Maguire or even Lindelof.
I still think we will then need Fred OR McTominay to go alongside Eriksen OR Bruno.
Get some semblance of solidity and surely Rashford, Sancho and Ronaldo can produce something.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
It might even be time to jam the midfield to get a better grip on the ball, just for a few games.
At this juncture I’d be tempted to play all of McT, Eriksen, Fred and Bruno from the start in a 4-3-1-2 (which is more or less what I was hoping for opening day, but with Bruno up the pitch and Eriksen in with McFred, rather than the quite bizarre decision to play Eriksen as false nine).
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Martinez
Fred Eriksen
Bruno
Sancho Rashford
Diamond days
posted on 14/8/22
I've given him stick but I thought McT was one of our better performers yesterday! At least he tried to get things going.
The team clearly needs a leader in there right now. Someone who is willing to do the dirty stuff and is also willing to give the players a rocket. We
When we concede it doesn't look like the players are too bothered. We need them to take it personally when they do badly.
Ronaldo clearly has standards but storming off yesterday without going to the fans and acknowledging ETH was pretty poor. I'd allow him to go now. It may send a message to the rest that no one is bigger than the club.
posted on 14/8/22
Herrera was awful. Completely unsuited for epl football so that "axis" was never remotely "decent".
Fred, Bruno and Pogba was more than fine. But the problem was both pogba and Fred were asked to work to deep in order to protect a defence that invariably offered a line-up that involved other non-EPL level players like dalot, telles, lindelof, bailly and coco. And also, of course, the gormless mctominay was all to often also over-present.
And also of course, they have never had proper centre forwards or wingers (except Ronaldo for one season) to work with.
United need to find a genuine keeper, a centre back partner for maguire, two 25-yr-old epl experienced wingers and a proper, experienced (but not old), goal-scoring centre forward.
Then drop the wing back bollox (defenders are there to defend) and play with a proper 442 (451 when necessary) shape.
May sound like quite an ask, but it really isn't. Indeed it's all very basic stuff.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by IAmMe (U18491)
posted 1 minute ago
Herrera was awful. Completely unsuited for epl football so that "axis" was never remotely "decent".
Fred, Bruno and Pogba was more than fine. But the problem was both pogba and Fred were asked to work to deep in order to protect a defence that invariably offered a line-up that involved other non-EPL level players like dalot, telles, lindelof, bailly and coco. And also, of course, the gormless mctominay was all to often also over-present.
And also of course, they have never had proper centre forwards or wingers (except Ronaldo for one season) to work with.
United need to find a genuine keeper, a centre back partner for maguire, two 25-yr-old epl experienced wingers and a proper, experienced (but not old), goal-scoring centre forward.
Then drop the wing back bollox (defenders are there to defend) and play with a proper 442 (451 when necessary) shape.
May sound like quite an ask, but it really isn't. Indeed it's all very basic stuff.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
So Fred and Bruno in a midfield two, right?
posted on 14/8/22
Team for next week v Liverpool
Heaton
AWB
Varane
Bailly
Martinez
Garnacho
Garner
Fred
Malacia
Eriksen
Rashford
Get all of our new signings in there and a youth or two and tell Rashford just to run for an hour. Malacia has something about him so play him at LW and he can also help as LWB. AWB in there just to add a bit more physicality and bite.
It's unrealistic I know but I'd rather that than see us play our 'first team' and get done again.
posted on 14/8/22
It might even be time to jam the midfield to get a better grip on the ball, just for a few games.
…..
At least try and match up the oppositions midfield.
When was the last time we did not struggle against a team playing three at the back and either four or five in the midfield areas?
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 6 minutes ago
Team for next week v Liverpool
Heaton
AWB
Varane
Bailly
Martinez
Garnacho
Garner
Fred
Malacia
Eriksen
Rashford
Get all of our new signings in there and a youth or two and tell Rashford just to run for an hour. Malacia has something about him so play him at LW and he can also help as LWB. AWB in there just to add a bit more physicality and bite.
It's unrealistic I know but I'd rather that than see us play our 'first team' and get done again.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
its a bold move to be seen to be doing something. to ring the changes... but that team would get absolutely trounced by Liverpool or City.
Next week could be a bad week for ETH. Its not even his fault he's just dealing with the cards he was given.
Its the ownership model and methods that needs replacing and resetting. It will just get worse which if not checked which will lead to relegation. Eventually. It sounds dramatic now but it's how it happens at all clubs in the end. Still plenty of time before then but United's circles are only going one way now under the current owners and ways. Downwards.
BTW I don't mind that if it means a reset.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by RB&W - Whiteside has done it again (U21434)
posted 45 minutes ago
comment by Diafol Coch 77 (U2462)
posted 6 minutes ago
Team for next week v Liverpool
Heaton
AWB
Varane
Bailly
Martinez
Garnacho
Garner
Fred
Malacia
Eriksen
Rashford
Get all of our new signings in there and a youth or two and tell Rashford just to run for an hour. Malacia has something about him so play him at LW and he can also help as LWB. AWB in there just to add a bit more physicality and bite.
It's unrealistic I know but I'd rather that than see us play our 'first team' and get done again.
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its a bold move to be seen to be doing something. to ring the changes... but that team would get absolutely trounced by Liverpool or City.
Next week could be a bad week for ETH. Its not even his fault he's just dealing with the cards he was given.
Its the ownership model and methods that needs replacing and resetting. It will just get worse which if not checked which will lead to relegation. Eventually. It sounds dramatic now but it's how it happens at all clubs in the end. Still plenty of time before then but United's circles are only going one way now under the current owners and ways. Downwards.
BTW I don't mind that if it means a reset.
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That may well be the case but Fulham showed Liverpool can be got at if you hassle and harry them. I just want players out there who will give their all. Hopefully we get one or two signings in this week.
posted on 14/8/22
CNN Portugal analysis team absolutely tearing strips off the club’s executive management, Neville-style.
The words ‘estrutural’, ‘fundamental’ and ‘mudança de treinadores’ (change of coaches) have been used a lot.
The best part of it all, though, is Abel Xavier’s haircut. Absolutely magnificent.
https://www.coachesvoice.com/cv/abel-xavier-everton-liverpool-la-galaxy/
posted on 14/8/22
Players and owners getting a lot of stick but am I the only one that thinks ETH hasn't actually set up well? Twice.
Changed the system completely halfway through the game against Brighton, made three changes at half time yesterday. Why aren't you getting it right from the start?
Every man and his dog knows DDG is mince with his feet and that Maguire is slow and can be pressed so he has them playing it short in the box? Really?
People quoted stats from Holland but you'd have to be incredibly optimistic to think that a 5ft 8in centre back is going to match up well one on one in the air in the Prem.
Starting McFred last week? Really? Then going with Fred and Eriksen.
Play that system against us next week and we will annihilate you I'd have thought.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Robbing Hoody - Legacy Fan (U6374)
posted 1 minute ago
Players and owners getting a lot of stick but am I the only one that thinks ETH hasn't actually set up well? Twice.
Changed the system completely halfway through the game against Brighton, made three changes at half time yesterday. Why aren't you getting it right from the start?
Every man and his dog knows DDG is mince with his feet and that Maguire is slow and can be pressed so he has them playing it short in the box? Really?
People quoted stats from Holland but you'd have to be incredibly optimistic to think that a 5ft 8in centre back is going to match up well one on one in the air in the Prem.
Starting McFred last week? Really? Then going with Fred and Eriksen.
Play that system against us next week and we will annihilate you I'd have thought.
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He’s certainly gotten a few things wrong this season so far. Perhaps he’s underestimated how competitive the league is even with the smaller sides. I know he doesn’t have a wondrous canvas to work from but I’m sure there are smarter choices to make. It should have been obvious to him before he joined that DDG just isn’t good with the ball at his feet or that McTominay is the most limited midfielder we’ve ever had.
It will be very interesting to see how he sets up against Liverpool as a third straight loss is not acceptable
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Robbing Hoody - Legacy Fan (U6374)
posted 5 minutes ago
Players and owners getting a lot of stick but am I the only one that thinks ETH hasn't actually set up well? Twice.
Changed the system completely halfway through the game against Brighton, made three changes at half time yesterday. Why aren't you getting it right from the start?
Every man and his dog knows DDG is mince with his feet and that Maguire is slow and can be pressed so he has them playing it short in the box? Really?
People quoted stats from Holland but you'd have to be incredibly optimistic to think that a 5ft 8in centre back is going to match up well one on one in the air in the Prem.
Starting McFred last week? Really? Then going with Fred and Eriksen.
Play that system against us next week and we will annihilate you I'd have thought.
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Yes; he’s made big mistakes, particularly yesterday. He was quite naive with the shape, roles of the personnel and tactics, and seriously underestimated Brentford.
That’s normal though. He’s still very much getting to know the players and the league.
posted on 14/8/22
I disagree that starting McFred against Brighton was a serious mistake though, Robbing.
They played pretty well in preseason, and the much bigger mistake was starting United’s best midfielder at linking play at false nine, and having United’s most dangerous player but least careful with the ball link the midfield with the attack.
He should have had Eriksen in midfield and Bruno at false nine.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 2 minutes ago
I disagree that starting McFred against Brighton was a serious mistake though, Robbing.
They played pretty well in preseason, and the much bigger mistake was starting United’s best midfielder at linking play at false nine, and having United’s most dangerous player but least careful with the ball link the midfield with the attack.
He should have had Eriksen in midfield and Bruno at false nine.
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Fwiw I thought the change in midfield in the second half against Brighton worked very well and Erikson had a good influence on the game from deeper.
I've seen a few people moot Bruno at false 9 but I just don't see it myself. I don't like him as a footballer anyway, mainly because I like players who keep possession (plus he comes across as a d!ckhead - I saw him put in a terrible ball into the box against Brighton and then moaned at his team mates. I'd have loathed playing with someone like that) but I also don't think he has the qualities to play there.
He's an advanced 8 in midfield three for me and that's about it.
posted on 14/8/22
Forest in talks to sign Houssem Aouar, even they’ll have a better midfield than us soon.
posted on 14/8/22
comment by Robbing Hoody - Legacy Fan (U6374)
posted 1 hour, 1 minute ago
comment by Rosso out here drippin’ in finesse (U17054)
posted 2 minutes ago
I disagree that starting McFred against Brighton was a serious mistake though, Robbing.
They played pretty well in preseason, and the much bigger mistake was starting United’s best midfielder at linking play at false nine, and having United’s most dangerous player but least careful with the ball link the midfield with the attack.
He should have had Eriksen in midfield and Bruno at false nine.
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Fwiw I thought the change in midfield in the second half against Brighton worked very well and Erikson had a good influence on the game from deeper.
I've seen a few people moot Bruno at false 9 but I just don't see it myself. I don't like him as a footballer anyway, mainly because I like players who keep possession (plus he comes across as a d!ckhead - I saw him put in a terrible ball into the box against Brighton and then moaned at his team mates. I'd have loathed playing with someone like that) but I also don't think he has the qualities to play there.
He's an advanced 8 in midfield three for me and that's about it.
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That change did work well, but it was a different game by that point.
McFred, if they’re going to be used against a hard pressing team, need a more progressive passer in with them. Bruno is too erratic to do it.
I feel ETH has actually been far too open and attacking the first two games, yesterday in particular. He’s wanted control of the ball, but he’s also loaded the fullbacks and midfielders far too high up the pitch rather than have them get their hands dirty with the transition. I know he wants a quick transition and playing with two eights can help with that, but it was daft yesterday and left De Gea, the CBs and Eriksen completely overrun.
posted on 14/8/22
Quite ridiculous that Eriksen has started two competitive games for United now; one as false nine, and the other on his own at six effectively behind two eights (one of which was Fred)
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