The Skipper

They're a very solidly run team with a very careful, conservative manager. I don't think it'll be a goalfest at all, think we'll nick a 1-0 or 2-1.

Haha that's the biggest lie, Arsenal fans used to scapegoat Ramsey and blame everything on him and generally almost every one of them wanted to get rid of him. I know, I'm surrounded by them.

Also at fault for the second goal conceded, completely ball watching instead of watching Berahino. He won't ever be a top class left back simply because his defensive game isn't strong enough, and I don't think it ever will be.

True, but then again Siggy will get you bags of points as well, IMO he'll get close to Gerrard's pts this season, maybe even more, so he won't be missed too much. The collective points of Siggy and a top striker will bring you more pts than Gerrard and Lambert IMO.I think Bentekkers is a month or so away.

I would replace Gerrard with Siggy and get a better forward.

Fergie and Moyes never really used a pure #10 in their system anyway so it doesn't matter. About LVG, we don't know yet whether Kagawa isn't favoured or not. It's only the start of the season.

You can't compare Kagawa's situation to the Torres one. Kagawa was frozen out at United and never properly used and the system in United never favoured him. He never ever got an extensive run in the team or at the #10 position. IMO there's nothing wrong with anyone preferring Mata over Kagawa or vice versa. They've both been excellent when used in the right system and when they play regularly. Actually Kagawa's situation at United is quite similar to Mata's here last season, Mata was very average for us because he didn't play extensively and wasn't used correctly by Mourinho (to suit his strengths). You could say the same about Kagawa at United. Mata isn't light years ahead of Kagawa at all, that's overrating Mata.

Agreed. Fergie never knew how to use a pure number 10 IMO. He's more of a 'second striker' manager - likes a technical striker up front to drop deep and connect play.

Exactly, might've been an okay signing back then but right now he would be pretty unnecessary.

Good signing for United, signing someone they actually need right now. We don't really need a CB IMO. Would've been a waste of money. United however are in desperate need for a top quality CB and Benatia is exactly that.

No space for Ki in our squad tbh, would rather have MVG and Ramires in that b2b role, and he isn't an improvement on either. Good player though.

Kagawa is just as good as Mata in the right system IMO... Nothing wrong with saying either is better, just depends who you prefer. They're both very good players though, of around the same quality IMO.

Was immense for the u21s against City. He's going to be some player.

He's much more of a number 8 than a number 10 anyway IMO, not too fussed tbh.

I don't think Mikel is Matic's back up per se, what Mikel offers us is a different option in midfield. He can play the anchor man role in a three man midfield very well, and is a good shield for the back four. He's also an okay option to have in the pivot - especially next to someone like Fabregas as Mikel doesn't offer much offensively. A Mikel - Fabregas pivot is okay. If anything, MVG is more of a back up to Matic.

Hmm I don't think so. Costa's technical ability is actually very underrated, whilst he is unorthodox he's still a technically good player. I don't Khedira think can be categorised as the same. Khedira is almost like Ramires technically (only he makes better decisions in his passing). Khedira's football IQ isn't as bad as people make it to be however.

He's on loan... And they can choose to buy him for £10m at the end. And it's not like Shane Long was in a similar position like Bertrand - unwanted.

Sack everyone!!!

The new LED lighting system is doing brilliant things to these photos.

Huge responsibility.

What does changing numbers have to do with preparation or training...

We'll see how all of that plays out over the course of the season but I think Koeman is a strong enough manager to handle it. Whether that'll prove to be right however we'll see.

Matic is the first name on the team for me.

If we're selling Cech, £20m at least for me too, if not we shouldn't sell.

I know you meant RvW, I just brought Van Persie to the table of incredible Dutch strikers that have graced modern football. Van Wolfswinkel has never been anything special IMO. I'd definitely rather have Pelle tbh, who isn't amazing per se, but definitely a better striker IMO.