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Post by matt on Feb 8, 2016 18:38:29 GMT
I'm especially surprised by Darmian Yeah me too. I've never doubted he was a good defender, but I found him too cautious, too predictable and failing to add weight upfront. But he is starting to show more potential, especially from an attacking perspective. And I very much appreciate that. Same for BJ who is actually grwogin really, really well. It's funny how LVG says he hasn't given more freedom to his players, but all of a sudden every individual plays with more freedom, more composure, more trickery, more attacking intent. Not just upfront, but everywhere. Such an awful liar, Louis. Why not just admit that your stubborness has cost us the first half of the season? I however still disgaree with you Jie: LVG's changes came way too late as it allows Chelsea to come back in the game way too easily. You're all focusing on Blind's slip, or BJ keeping him onside, but that's not the real story. The truth is we let them come back in that game, because Fellaini tired, we had no engine any more in the centre, and it allows them more freedom and more time to pass the ball around and settle comfortably into our own half. Herrera and Schneiderlin should have come on earlier to press Chelsea properly and keep control. I can't blame the players, because they have all been playing well in my books, and showing everything I would expect as a fan. That being said, I am still full of praise for LVG's initial tactical set up. That Arsenal game aside, we have responded really well in those big games, and that is down to Louis, no doubt.
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Post by matt on Feb 7, 2016 17:58:03 GMT
Why LVG waited so long to introduce Schneiderlin and Herrera is beyond me. It cost us the game.
When we scored, we chose to defend and sit deeper: that's a choice I respect. But Fellaini was tired and needed replacing a lot sooner, while Mata was of no use to chase the ball and harass them, while Herrera's energy would have done us the world of good. And what does LVG do? He introduced Memphis, who on the only great occasion he gets misplaced his pass, which leads to a counter that leads to a goal.
LVG is an amazing tactician. And it wasshown again today where we dominated that Chelsea side. But as I've been saying all along, he is a terrible manager. The game went too fast for him, he didn't react quickly enough, and it cost us the game eventually. We shouldn't have let them come back into the game so easily.
Congrats to the players though, who are playing much better and it's a lot more enjoyable this way. The defeat is on LVG in my books. Although I truly recognise the quality of his tactics and how he prepared the game.
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Post by matt on Feb 7, 2016 9:13:21 GMT
Vital game to win. City have dropped points, a victory places us only 4 points behind. So a win is the only acceptable outcome. We can't keep blowing those chances to climb back when our rivals drop points. Today is going to give a clear indication of what the lads are made of and what our intentions truly are. If we don't win, I at least hope to see an excellent display, no matter what tactics LVG favours. Defensive, counter-attack, possession, it's all up to him: but go for it, show your intent. That's all I am asking.
Out of topic, but imagine if we could get City out of the top-4, now that would be a good way to welcome Pep.
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Post by matt on Feb 4, 2016 22:18:39 GMT
The shift in two or three years from there to here, full agreement, but where will the post-UTD Mourinho be by then as he has shown that he is only as good as three seasons max and then implodes? Who do we give the mantle to then? Given his track record we will have a few titles? Mercenaries playing and nothing left when he causes enough hassle to get sent on because he is out of ideas? Unless he can evolve his childish "it's my ball and I'm going home" attitude and commit himself to a long-term contract and adhere to the UTD way...then I'll pass. If though in his latter years he can make a commitment (finally) to one club until he retires then I'd be happy to take him, but the Jose we all know and love for now...no way Pedro... You're right in what you say. Can't argue with that and give objective arguments because what you say is based on previous facts. I just get a personal feeling that Mourinho wouldn't be his usual self at United. I am sure he would show more restraint, as he respects this club and SAF a lot more than he does for many, if not for all other clubs. Besides, what club is there left for Mourinho to manage? Madrid: done, Chelsea: done, Inter: done. He hasn't gone to Germany yet, but he ain't getting Bayern soon. Klopp is meant to be at Pool for another few years, he will never join Arsenal, I doubt he will go back to Chelsea, he will never go to Barca, perhaps Atletico if Simeone moves on, perhaps a rebuilding club like AC Milan (though I doubt it because he left Inter in good terms), or we get Pochettino and Mou joins Spurs(doubtful)? but that's about it really. Or perhaps PSG if we get Blanc (in which case it's even better). Somehow it looks like Mourinho and United are bound to work with each other at this point. It's funny because many people say he will leave after 3 years. Perhaps he will, perhaps he won't. But SAF retired less than three years ago, and look how we have struggled and how long that time seemed. Anyway, we can't afford another slip, another transition. The next manager must not win silwerware at all price imo, but keep us at the very top among that group of teams who are "untouchable". It's too risky to expect Giggs to do that, especially in this time of English football when a lot will happen in the next couple of seasons that will decide many things in this league. I am not necessarily that keen on Mourinho, but I am just trying to get realistic as we have next to zero option. If we appoint Giggs, it could work, but the chances it works, while all our rivals will be in good dynamics is madness for a club the size of United. If we were planning on giving it to Giggs, we would have given him already and see how he could do till the end of the season. There was no point keeping LVG a few weeks ago then. Does anyone think that Jose could join after we have played Chelsea? Perhaps he didn't want to face his former side this season? Especially at the Bridge?
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Post by matt on Feb 4, 2016 19:31:36 GMT
If we're going to face Guardiola, Klopp, Pochettino (cause I don't think he's leaving), I'd rather have Mourinho than Giggs Indeed. I think too many people are getting emotional. You can't realistically appoint Giggs and expect him to face Guardiola, Klopp, Wenger, Pochettino and whoever Chelsea is buying. Neville is a bright example of why it is important for Giggs to get experience somewhere before being appointed as manager in such a big club. Playing and managing is a completely different thing. Mourinho is not my first choice. But I realise how important this is for us to get a winner in. We're not allowed another transition or adaptation phase if we want to stay at the top as a club. You may think I am exaggerating, but I don't think so. England is about to become the place to be once again, the centre of football, the shift is going to take place, from Spain/Germany to England in 2 or 3 years max, and we do not want to miss it. We must be a top-4 club year in year out or face being left behind on the long-term. Not everyone likes Mourinho (boring antics, and so on), but he is the winner Man United need imo. If we appoint the wrong manager, we're facing some long, painful and dark times ahead imo. No mistake can be made anymore: the board "screwed up" and appointed twice a not-so-ideal manager, they can't get it wrong again. And bar Mourinho and Guardiola who does guarantee you success 99% of the time?
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Post by matt on Feb 3, 2016 20:24:41 GMT
if and when Rojo and Jones can finally stay fit for ten minutes. The thing is we shouldn't wait on them anymore. It's about high time we get in a quality, not injury-prone first-choice CB to partner Smalling. Good if Jones and Rojo can somehow get rid of those injuries, but surely we have waited enough now.
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Post by matt on Feb 3, 2016 12:54:38 GMT
Everton are bound to lose some assests next summer, and to be honest, I would seriously consider Lukaku who is exactly what we are missing upfront: raw pace, raw power, strength and not such a bad overall footballer. I still think Martial's best position is down that left wing and I won't change my mind on that, especially if he keeps performing like Yesterday. Lukaku would be a great "anchor" in the final third, around whom our most creative players could rotate. I see him as the perfect fit for this team at the moment.
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Post by matt on Feb 3, 2016 12:48:20 GMT
Yeah I agree about Blind as well. He has toughen up playing at the back, but his passing range and composure is even better. He is the only one next to Carrick who can provide those quick and penetratives trough-balls.
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Post by matt on Feb 2, 2016 21:57:52 GMT
Finally a game where our forwards make some movements and where our full backs push higher: it makes such a difference. Finally a game with more attacking intent, that was refreshing to say the least. Hopefully we start building up a momentum like we did last season pretty much around this time as well. Who knows? Perhaps this is LVG's favourite time of the year. On a different note, it's obvious LVG has given our players more freedom and more liberty attacking wise. He can say whatever he wants (that he does give them freedom, etc.), our players are more "relaxed" and less predictable: ain't no robots anymore
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Post by matt on Feb 1, 2016 21:43:51 GMT
De Gea Varela Smalling Blind BJ Schneiderlin Carrick Lingard Herrera Martial Rooney
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Post by matt on Feb 1, 2016 20:28:24 GMT
Not so keen on Pellegrini. Good manager, but not one to rival what's coming to the BPL. He lacks bite and character to be a truly top class manager. He is too nice, too perfect, and too gentle. City's form against the top side says a lot imo.
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Post by matt on Feb 1, 2016 19:06:37 GMT
At this point, we need a manager who can keep us competitive against Guardiola, Klopp, Wenger, Simeone (Chelsea?), etc. I think you're desillusioned if you believe an unexperienced Giggs can face such a challenge. The domestic competition will be even better next season, not to mention that "smaller clubs" can now mount relatively serious top-4 challenge or give any big team a proper beating.
Next season, we have no choice but to get a world class manager, and I think there are only two available: - Mourinho: like him or not, he is a proven winner and would make us solid when it matters most. - Blanc: yeah, you may not think of him as a world class manager, but he is truly a quality manager who understands the game very well. The team he has built at PSG is excellent, playing some quality football, and has turned them into a major European force in only a few years.
Simeone imo will go to Chelsea, while Pochettino, Allegri, Conte, Tuchel could also be good second choice.
If we appoint Giggs and that we realise it's a mistake (which would be in my opinion), United's reign will be over for a long time. We're already falling behind, falling even further behind would kill us slowly. We're not allowed another mistake because all our rivals will keep advancing. City and Pool are in good hands and it's about time we stop being blindly arrogant and realise our hegemony is under real threat. Top-4 means there only 4 teams allowed. And let's be honest, do you think we're in good hands to rank among the 4 best BPL teams? Of course we aren't.
A new, proven manager is needed. Mourinho or Blanc would be my pick.
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Post by matt on Jan 24, 2016 22:11:13 GMT
A central defender and a striker are absolute no brainers. Yeah also my opinion. But it pisses me off we're not going to reinforce those areas this window, because we desperatly need it to make that push for a top-4 finish. But I can understand we might want to let the next manager decide who he wants instead of letting LVG select the player if he is to leave. But the timing is just so wrong, it's frustrating
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Post by matt on Jan 24, 2016 21:49:19 GMT
It's LVG who is failing to get the best out of them for me. Now that's a perfect summary of what we're going through. And that's exactly why I want him gone right now. He is trying to force a system on his players, while he should be building a system for his players. He is an excellent tactitian in my books, and this has been showed in the big games. But he is a terrible manager. The sooner he is gone, the better. We can't do much worse at this point. At least try to attack, produce some football. Giggs, Phelan and Rene would be a fine combination imo, at least till the end of the season. That being said, a part of me is still convinced that Mourinho is the right fix for this team. And somehow I also believe he would settle in much better than at previous clubs.
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Post by matt on Jan 24, 2016 8:54:16 GMT
I don't think it's quite that bad Matt. Of course not, not now for sure; I was thinking more like in the long-term, if we don't fix that managerial role once and for all. I think we must at least stabilize for 3 years instead of getting managers in who fail to get the best out of the team. My point was: what happens if we go on for another three years of poor football? Hence my reflexion: we have already "wasted" three years (LVG did some good things in some areas though), so are we that far off from turning into a reknowned "boring & uncompetitive United"? I think we must steady the ship now, or face degrading our reputation as a club among players. We don't want to do a Liverpool, do we?
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