Pizy

Not sure how much difference it would make this season with the defense we have.

If we sell Courtois and Pep is dumb enough to prefer Ter Stegen I'd have Joe Hart in an instant. Fantastic keeper and is certainly a big game player. Always seems to bail City out in the biggest matches. Not sure they'd ever sell him to us, though.

Only real conundrum is who the CB pairing will be. No way can Mikel play there against a top side. If Bournemouth gave him fits, Spuds will brutally expose him there. Don't think we really have a choice but to start Cahill, unfortunately. Like choosing between two terrible things.

Can't see who's going to stop them now. Maybe there's still a .5% chance winning the FA Cup for the first time in years for them will convince their board to keep LvG for another season.

I would guess the only reason we went with such a strong side today is because Guus and the players desperately want to be sharp and end Spuds' season next week. He wants the likes of Hazard, Willian, and Matic at their fittest. Think Matic specifically is nailed on for Tottenham now. We'll need a ball winner in midfield.

Also must say that as average as Courtois has been this season it's clear as day that he's a level above Begovic. We miss Tibo coming and claiming most everything that sails into his area. Begovic is a good shot stopper but not a keeper who is quite good enough to be our main #1.

Now imagine getting that Fabregas starting next season with proper, class midfielders around him... We start the new season with a fully fit Hazard, Willian, Costa, a couple of new CM signings, and a defender or two and we're a top side again. Hope we keep it up and smack Spuds.

Absolutely vintage Cesc today. Beauty!

Yep. Both Lovren and Sakho have looked miles better under Klopp. Just like Vertonghen and Alderweireld look miles better under Poch. Just need to be properly coached.

Maybe even 2 new CB's. We'd be right back to being shit again if we sign a new, top CB and he gets a lengthy injury.

Zero chance we were preventing them from scoring with this team. They're carving through us effortlessly here over and over again.

Begovic has been woeful this match.

Stunning counter! Get in! ...but fuck me were terrible in midfield and defense

Oh FFS, Tony Gale is the co comm for me. This Chelsea hating twat!

Two defenders who can't defend (Ivanovic & Baba) and a midfielder playing CB. This could be comedic and sad.

Maybe Matic is getting a tuneup to prepare for the Spuds midfield? Maybe Guus will play 3 in midfield against them?

Oscar not in the squad again I just noticed. Is it really happening or is he injured? Have the club finally realized he isn't good enough?

Why is Ruben not starting and playing the full 90 for every remaining match? Like, wtf?

Mikel at CB! Nice youthful lineup in this highly meaningful match...

If, IF we sell Courtois (which I can't possibly see us doing) then I hope we bring in a keeper in the De Gea/Lloris/Neuer mould who's very comfortable passing it out from the back. Painful watching Courtois hoof the ball up to Ivanovic and fail over and over again for two seasons now. He basically gives the opposition free possession of the ball time and time again. Doesn't have to be a sweeper who takes dumb risks, but someone who doesn't flap and panic like Courtois does with the ball at his feet.

If we're playing 4 at the back then sure. I just cannot see JT in a back 3 playing a high line. It's also imperative that we get Nainggolan and another new CM to protect them.

Problem is with targeting Stones is who is going to play beside him in defense? It made perfect sense when we were after him last summer because we all had hoped learning under Mou and beside JT every day for a season or two would be hugely beneficial. If he came here now he'd what, start the season partnering Cahill? Having Baba next to him who's awful defensively? That could be as shambolic as Everton's defense. Or ours this season. Even if Zouma were fully fit and ready on match day 1 I'm not sure having two inexperienced and tactically naive CB's is too wise. Neither have so far shown that they're the JT style general and organizer but rather need that sort next to them to bring their best out. I wouldn't complain if we signed him of course and I've been one of his biggest advocates, but I think it would be more wise to target an experienced, still somewhat young, and top class CB like Bonucci or Hummels. We've displayed as a club that we're willing to spend an enormous fee on a top CB by bidding £35-40m for Stones last summer. Surely that sort of money will sign one of those two? Convincing them to come is another thing, mind.

I think it was pretty clear that he wanted him. He seemed pretty annoyed at Martinez and Everton when they kept rejecting our bids. You're right that an experienced, proven CB would make more sense for them but I think José and his ego would relish the opportunity to take credit for "fixing" Stones and making him the next great England CB. With Stones, Smalling, and Shaw you'd have your back line sorted for the next 10 years or more and have the bonus of them all being English.

Let's be real, their fans would riot if they keep Van Gaal around after this season. Mou is nailed on to be their next manager.

Think we've almost certainly lost the chance we had of signing him. Don't think there's any way he'll be able to say no when Mourinho personally calls him and asks him to come to United. He'll get to stay in the north which is apparently a thing he'd prefer, he'll get to play under Mourinho at the biggest club in the country, and he'll be playing with 3/4ths of the future England back 4.