Atlas Lion

-------------Lukaku------------ Hazard-------------------Mata ------Oscar---DeBryune----- ------------Essien-------------- Cole--------------------Ivanovic ---------Terry---Luiz------------ --------------Cech-----------------

Fair point. Just feel that we can't rely on the old guards for long, our young blood need as much experience as they can get to blossom.

Even if we do purchase Rooney, I can put 100 quid down that we will be facing the same issues in terms of distribution. In some extent, Torres was right about our midfield and it's incapability of handling transition under pressure. Both Lukaku and Torres were isolated up top and we had to rely on hoof or the occasional counter attack. Our build up play was slow and patient (something I found quite liked) but when it came to the final third or working through the middle, our midfielders couldn't cope with the pressure. DeBryune and Van Ginkel I blame no part, considering they are both raw and young talents. Lampard is being played out of position and certainly isn't getting any younger. Mikel shows brilliance than fades away and Ramires lacks the one ability we probably need the most from him, which is distribution. My Opinion is that we go into the season with a 4-3-3 with Van Ginkel/Oscar, DeBryune, and Essien into the midfield. Especially against top sides. I feel Ramires and Lampard would be most effective against sides that park the bus against us. Mikel is a mystery for now

Was there a happy ending afterwards?

And that was exactly the case. Yesterday's match was just in reality a training session and testing certain aspects. The fact Madrid went into this match with some personal vendetta against Mourinho is bar none hilarious ,

I remember pre-season 2007/08. Ronaldo was exactly the same kind of player. Got passed players, but his execution was off. Several months later, he ended the season with 40+ goals, a Premier League title and A European Cup. All he needs to do is work on certain aspects and have confidence, which I am sure Mourinho is trying to instill.

Not taking a jab at you, but one must truly understand the significance of a holding midfielder's ability. Busquets, Xabi Alonso, Illarramendi, Toulalan, Yaya Toure, etc. Players that have the ability to be aware of their surroundings and to successfully lead a transition under enormous pressure, picking out the right pass and to dictate the tempo of their team's overall play. They play a significant importance to the squad, much more than the striker imo. I will go out on a limb and actually rate Carrick among the likes of Busquets and Yaya Toure. I've been watching Carrick since West Ham and the player he has developed into has been outstanding. His composure, passing ability, awareness, and movement off the ball is sheer class and there is no other in England who can match his quality in that aspect. He has been bar none United's best and most consistent player and to truly understand the role he is in and to actually watch him week in week out, you will realize just how much quality he has. Criminally underrated player

I find myself awkwardly agreeing with the fact that Carrick is a sublime player and truly underrated for quite some time. More instrumental to United's title last season than RVP imo

Think we'll be fighting for second. Can only see City winning it and us winning the odd cup

Diego Costa? Negredo? Llorente? The reason they scored against Madrid was down to the fact they were supplied beautifully by players who could lead a transition under pressure. Something we either lack or have players inexperienced in doing so, IE Van Ginkel and DeBryune. Not too bothered from this result tbh, just a training session and what's laughable is how Madrid treated it. Fielding a starting 11 with rarely any subs until the final minutes. We were testing players and Mourinho was studying certain aspects. One thing we all know, is that Mourinho always has the last laugh.

Hazard definitely needs to work on his composure in his shots, once he masters that, he could become absolutely unstoppable

Result of fatigue, as well as ball watching. Mentality aspect and focus goes right out the window. But that is what pre-season and training is for.

Even though this is pre-season, I feel that the more we face top teams throughout the season that pressure our double pivot, the end product will be just the same. Juventus, Manchester city, Shakhtar, etc. Think we should change the formation

What could Torres do? Or Lukaku? We are facing the same issues we have faced last season, our pivot lacking a proper transition to our attackers, thus having our players constantly dealing with longballs. As beneficial Ramires is in the attack, he cannot lead a transition properly under pressure and Van Ginkel is far to inexperienced. This is our transition season though, plenty of things to work on.

Disappointing to see our strikers so isolated and our players ball watching. Still need to work on things but that is what pre-season is for

Can't even keep possession without kicking it long

any good streams?

Delay?

Can't really like one thing about this current Madrid side, even with Jose managing them .Just glad he left

In comparison to now and almost 10 years ago was the mere fact our board and Roman were looking for instant success. Buying players that were in the prime of their game and guaranteed 2-3 years at top level and continuing to buy buy buy. What is different now, is the fact the last 3 years our facilities have focused primarily on youth level academies and to hopefully formulate a method of introducing youth potential on to the side. That is why we have the likes of Piazon, Ake, Loftus Cheek, Kane, Chalobah, etc, players with such a high potential that we couldn't find nor develop players nearly as brilliant back in 2002-07. Bertrand and Ake are primarily example of players from our academy that will eventually break into the first team. When you give the lads a chance, they might just surprise you. That is why I was absolutely thrilled when Mourinho during his press conference stated that he is hoping to develop youth and transition them into the first team, methods like this guarantees stability so that we can become a sustainable club. We are heading in the right direction for once with a great future ahead of us so I fail to see any point of finding something to be cautious about.

Was our Village Idiot back in Totalfootballforums, I hope he is behaving himself here

Why would Luiz want to leave? He has Brazilian connections at Chelsea, a fan favorite, future captain possibility, and a starting spot. Not to mention he has a comfortable living environment here in London, I can't see him leaving to join a Barca side imo that are currently crumbling within the squad and appointed a manager with zero experience in top flight football. Sure the weather is a massive upgrade there and you have the chance to play along side Messi, Iniesta, and Xavi, but on a realistic view, our future at Chelsea looks much more promising than at Barca.

Rooney or no Rooney, we have a squad and a manager capable of anything. One of the most exciting squads we've had in years. My only concern is Mikel, he has one year to make it or break it imo

In General Hello (Swifty), So this is your new 'alias'

Has an Iniesta esque approach to him, but much more physical. For some reason, I feel he will play a more important part for the future of this squad than Mata, Hazard, and Oscar.