OneMoSalah

Leicester reportedly looking to the loan market to replace Maguire. No definite links as of yet and maybe Tomori will have to work hard to get in the Leicester team but I think it would be a good fit, good mobility for a CB and also comfortable with the ball at his feet under a manager like Brendan (who maybe has tainted links with us due to how Charly Musonda was handled at Celtic)... if theyd be interested I think it would be an excellent move.

We will truely see if the good old he never played with players on his level excuse will make a difference this season at Real in bringing him on that extra bit. Edens not been good in pre season but again pre season is a fitness and team shape thing more than anything. Real will have a tough season regardless too. Too much players in attacking positions and poor balance. If they lose Casemiro to injury they are fucked as they dont have a back up and when Real won the CLs he was a very underrated part of their team, masked Kroos' lack of mobility and defensive output while keeping it simple and letting those 2 dictate the game. Not the most glamorous player but a good one and theyve no back up. Plus the whole Bale scenario is a negative cloud and doesnt help.

Good move for him. Surprised that Everton or even Wolves didnt take a look at him to be fair. Still think he can play above Palace and Burnley (another team who were credited with interest) level but he will play every week still.

Was reading the first few pages after we signed him and its funny so many people thought he was better than both Matic and Chalobah (although he waa brought in to replace Nate). He was a waste buy although there was soem games with Conte he looked alright (well a lot better than the disaster that was Bakayoko). Dont think he even amounted the same game time Chalobah did under Conte that previous season before we bought him either. For the sake of his career, which he still has plenty to offer at a bit of a lower level, he needs to leave. And another thing nobody has considered is Reece James surprisingly confident and natural performances in a MF role for Wigan as well which is another option for Frank in and around there as well as at RB if Zappacosta goes. I think if we played 433 and it was still Sarri, he would of really fancied him in that 3 man MF but also think Frank might see him as a very capable option in those 2 deeper positions. Drinkwater could maybe cover those roles as hes suited to a 2 man MF more too but I dont think his wages or what he offers on the pitch warrants him staying.

Honestly I dont think we should wait to that late because inevitably, wait and see a deal for him will collapse or something or a club will try and get him dirt cheap and it will be rejected. I get being short but again, if it comes to the end of the window and hes still here, like Bakayoko and maybe Kenedy, chances are it will be another guy we will have sitting about costing the club money when he clearly isnt in Franks plans, where as Reece James obviously is one player he sees as a part of his squad. I do hope we manage to bin at least 2 of Bakayoko, Kenedy and Zappcosta.

Still think we should get rid of a few to trim the fat. I think Franks probably gonna have his work cut out keeping everyone in certain positions happy, the likes of at CB and at the number 10 position particularly. Thats without even mentioning Kenedy, Drinkwater, Bakayoko, Tomori who may or may jot be in the finalcut for the squad.

Hes not a bad player still, not amazing but probably wont be first choice either more than likely. Big wages for 34 maybe (coming from Juventus it doesnt really surprise me) but his playing style has never been reliant on pace so at 33 or 34 he can offer them something that Rashford and Lukaku perhaps cant. Would of been similar to us signing Dzeko with Conte few seasons back, like Dzeko he can still get goals in and around the box, threat in the air, good at holding the ball up. Can see why he is definitely not a player for Sarri though who likes his CF to come off the center backs and het involved in the build up but for a team like United who play lots of crosses from wide areas, hes got that knack of getting on the end of things. Could actually be a shrewd short term move to give them an alternative to Rashford who will be their main CF undoubtedly but given all the messages OGS sent out about wanting young players to develop at United, it is also weird to see him want a 30 plus year old.

Juve are mad getting rid of Cancelo for cash and Danilo. Danilo was decent at Porto but hasnt kicked on since where as Cancelo, for me, is one of the best offensive full backs in Europe. Every time he gets in the final third he has a real desire to contribute in a positive way. Why Juve and Sarri would even consider selling him for only 30m and Danilo is incrediblely stupid.

While I see the point, for years and years players like Drogba, Lampard, whoever else have also reportedly fallen out with manager X or manager Y or a coach or whatever, theres been this issue or that issue and lasted past the managers and nobody batted an eyelid. Willian, who other than that one moment with Conte (ho also had repeatedly fallen out with Luiz and Eden) hasnt done anything else. The club could have thrown their weight behind Conte but it was so clear they would sack him in like Feb or March, so dont see why its a huge issue. If Willian had done a Tevez and gone AWOL or was being a continuous fuss yes I would see the issue but one moment (which yes it was wrong) is hardly enough to throw him out after what I would say, has been a successful period (2 PL titles, 1 Europa League, 1 FA cup and 1 EFL cup). If it was another player it wouldnt be half the issue, I get Willian splits opinions, he always has like many players here but I feel he continously is one that is repeatedly highlighted for next to nothing in the grand scheme of things. Lampard when AVB was here for instance, while none of its been 100% confirmed etc was reportedly speaking with Roman regarding AVB bla bla bla while its maybe not true or even if it is, compared to that post Willian put up on instagram, that is barely anything in todays day and age in regards to what has happened with other players at other clubs (Pogba-Mourinho bust up at Utd last season too). The likes of Serge Aurier slating Laurent Blanc and calling him a homosexual or whatever comes to mind. Willian hasn't done half as much as whats made out. We can definitely improve on him though. Undoubtedly.

Still waiting for him to sign this new deal. Hope the shirt number like previously mentioned with some of speculation around the deal isnt anything to do with it though. Still though think giving him 10 while it would of been an encouraging thing in CHOs eyes maybe, giving it to a more senior player whos done more for the club and been in the first team longer is the right move considering he also wont be here for longer than another 3 years more than likely.

Dont see the outrage in all honesty. Its just a shirt number. Yeah fair enough number 10 is iconic in football history with the likes of Maradonna, Pele, Messi etc but still its just a number and in reality means bugger all as it doesnt make a player any better or any worse. Also as stated by someone else, if Hazard didnt wear it beforehand it really really wouldnt be half the issue I feel. And also, if fucking Yossi Benayoun could wear the number 10 for us why shouldn't Willian 🤣 Hes probably one of the most senior players in the squad in attacking areas, has been here for what 7 seasons, been a regular player throughout that time so I dont see why its really a massive issue or debate as if we have a genuine major contender for who should of taken it instead. Callum was obviously who many wanted to take it being a young English, homegrown academy player but he definitely still has work to do to get such a prestigious shirt number if you will, but again I honestly don't care who wears what number except for that time Cuadrado wanted the number 74 or whatever when we initially signed him.

Kante being back is always good. Monchengladbach will be a tough opponent. Marco Rose is a very good young manager, Monchengladbach will undoubtedly be more of the same as Salzburg (Rose coached them last season and they still play very similar), high pressing in numbers, good mobile attacking players. We need to be very wary and improve with our play on the ball in our own half based on how we did the other day. Hopefully keep a clean sheet.

Id agree in a way. I would say in terms of having specialists in each full back position with Wan Bissaka and Shaw who are both good players compared to having Young and Valencia, as well as having Lindelof and Maguire in the middle, their back 4 is probably a lot lot better than what it was under van Gaal or Mourinho. Dont think Maguire is ever a 85m player though and still fancy United to concede goals at times to that back 4 gel but I think their fullbacks will really give them a lot going forward. Like I have said a few times United and Arsenal will surprise a lot of people this season. Utd potentially getting Dybala in, who although he has fallen behind where he should be, still has plenty of ability and keeping Pogba gives them a huge huge chance of being up there for top 4 minimum. They dont have any glaring weaknesses in any positions I would say. Arsenal still short at the back but if they sign Tierney and a CB better than what they have as well as keeping Torreira they will be stronger too.

Where are these from? Yeah same here.

Marco Rose really done a fantastic job with them last season (got the job at Mochengladbach this summed) and I am quite surprised that they didnt go further in the Europa as in the matches I seen them play, they looked extremely disciplined, aggressive, more then capable of causing teams problems but Napoli had that little bit extra quality and knowhow. They arent a pub team, not by any stretch of the imagination. Think this is something British football fans and media outlets seem to be increasingly encouraging or giving the idea off because the Premier League is the "best league" or as I like to think most profitable league in the world where clubs like Crystal Palace and Southampton can earn more from TV sponsorships than some huge clubs like Dortmund, Sevilla, Milan etc who actually compete in European competitions. Realisitcally take away the big TV sponsorship deal from the PL and it probably would be nowhere near what it was 10-15 years ago I feel although not neccessarily a talking point (honestly dont think it will ever be as good as it was from 2000 to 2010 period for me anyway). Anyway, Salzburg are owned by one of the cofounders of one of the biggest brands in the world.... I mean they arent a massive massive team like Barca, Real, Bayern etc but people all around the world will see the logo and instantly recognise the red bull part of it and if they are football fans, manage to associate it with them or Leipzig, who are again part of this chain of clubs owned by Red Bull. People probably dont recognise pub teams logos. Also considering how the scoreline probably flattered us at moments in our pre season game with them, I dont see how calling them a pub team is neccessary or how it reflects on the results or performance at all. Even at 2-0 I thought they looked better than us. Frank has a lot to do.

Was really good for Lyon though. Proper all rounder. Not quite worked at Bayern maybe but think it was a shit move for him too with Thiago, Martinez, Vidal, Rudy and Kimmich there at the time (although Kimmich has played RB more genuinely think he is more than capable of starting for Bayern in MF though) and now, Goretzka and Sanches there too, although Rudy and Vidal arent.

Think Giroud will be first choice though because he can combine with the attacking midfielder players a lot better than Tammy and Michy. Plus he has a big physical presence although his lack of speed is a concern for high pressing and getting in behind teams.

Maybe not but him and Luiz were pretty settled together last season. I am a really concerned with how the back 4 has played with each other. And even how the shape of the team has looked without the ball. Everything looks out of sync in the defensive third.

Weve not even seen Mbappes proper level yet, hes only 20 years old. Fair enough he is probably the best 20 year old I have ever seen play. Real Madrid really should have signed him this summer though, he will only get better and cost much more. He is ready to be the lead player for a club of that stature, still has his inconsistencies but in terms of geniune talent and what he has already accomplished, I would say he is going to be the best player in the world in the next however many seasons. Our 2 lads are very good prospects and totally different players in comparsion but I don't think its fair to even put them in comparison to these 2. Its not fair to put many youngsters up against Hazard or Mbappe.

Also regardless of his situation here, I am starting to doubt he was even a Conte buy. Conte already had the likes of Kante, Cesc, Bakayoko, even Ampadu in MF and maybe if the club listened to him, Matic would of stayed and they wouldnt have panicked and felt the need to sign Drinkwater.

Think its almost embarrassing that as a team with the players we have we really struggled to hold onto the ball in and around our own defensive third at times today (the contrast in building up tonight under pressure compared to some of Sarris or Contes early games is frightening). Dont think its purely on Kovacic and Jorginho they were given some daft passes but again even the amount of times Azpi tried to play clever passes inside or Pedro coming deep standing 3m away from a team mate who has a man within under a meter of him but still passes the ball there.... or David Luiz doing David Luiz things... some of it was just madness, stupidity and just laziness. Once we get from the half way line up we do look capable of causing some issues but again, I think our best chances of scoring goals this season is going to be from quick transitions and counter attacking situations, although a few moments from Kovacic and Barkley tonight were encouraging, as well as the pass for Pulisic's second goal, who knows. Still in possession in the final third, we can still be improved on, not enough composure and I feel that Giroud will be our main CF because you can fire passes into him and he can just caress it off to near by players, Tammy still a bit raw and bulky if thats the right word at times but again he tried to make a nuisance of himself despite not having much luck in front of goal. Also never want to see Luiz play like that again either. Think that is up there with the worst he has played for us since AVB was here. Not even joking. My main concern though. The season starts very soon and we dont look any better defensively, in fact we look terrible and other than those handful of bad games last season I will stick my neck out and say that our defending has probably got worse. Lampard needs to sort the back 4 out or for all the talk of hard work, pressing, integrating youngsters and getting performances from other attacking players to replace Hazard... he will end up like most of the other managers weve had and that is the unfortunate truth. Its not even just that he cant buy defenders, if those 4 are gonna play vs United (depending on how Rudiger is) they clearly need to do a lot more coaching on the training pitch on the defensive side as they were all over the place. Yes Salzburg have started their season, they might be sharper than us but we are almost in August now and I am really worried by the defence. Also I dont think Kante being in the team is going to be able to completely make up for the defending weve seen in pre season. Fair enough the results arent the most important and weve played nothing special (maybe Salzburg tonight was our toughest match? Barcelona played a B team basically so excluding them) and have kept 1 clean sheet (against St Patricks or whoever the second match was). It is not the stat that weve only kept 1 that has me bothered, its the actual matter in which we have defended in these pre season games. Anyways, Mochengladbach is a bigger team and a more difficult test, still think we will see more of the same when we are defending.

Someone tell Pedro open his eyes. Needlessly selling his team mates short/passing into trouble every 2nd or 3rd pass. Just fucking look. Its not hard. Some better quick passing sequences now, that one that led to Emerson shooting in particular was impressive.

Scoreline flattering us a bit but were settling a lot better. Defence is a huge concern. David Luiz has been fucking terrible so far.

If it was a throw up between him and Bakayoko okay fair enough but if not, fuck knows what is going on.

Solksjaer played 4312 at times last season. He can play that too and having someone like Dybala who can also play in a 2 as a second striker as well as a 10 gives them plenty options and tactical flexibility. I dont think Bruno Fernandes is as close to being done as people think plus hes hardly an attacking midfielder, I think hes more a number 8. Wan Bissaka is much better than Dalot as well, theres no doubt about it but having 2 young RBs instead of 2 makeshift RBs in Valencia and Young is a lot lot better regardless of who will play and wont play regularly I would say. Luke Shaw played almost every game last season and was arguably the only United player who was consistent from the first match to the end of the season. I think if they get Dybala in like being reported as well as talk of Moussa Dembele and Harry Maguire, as well as keeping Pogba and having older heads like Matic, De Gea, Mata in and around the squad they can definitely achieve top 4. Id say they are arguably going to be in better shape than we are in terms of strengthening areas they needed to. The pressings been not bad so far but I am still very much concerned about us creating chances against teams who play with 10 men in front of the ball. Regardless it must be a nice problem to have the likes of Aubamayang, Lacazette, Pepe, Ozil, Mkhitaryan at the top end of the pitch. Ozil and Mkhitaryan havent excelled recently but again I think the signing of Pepe and losing Ramsey gives those 2 players in particular the chance to play more centrally than perhaps being shunted out wide. Aubamayang out wide perhaps a waste but again I think hes still very capable and will come off the line more often than not to come centrally and get into goal scoring positions. I feel that if Ozil plays anywhere to even half the standard he can do having the chance to find the likes Pepe, Aubamayang and Lacazette in and around the box could be big trouble for teams. Think United and Arsenal will surprise people this season and perhaps Tottenham could maybe fall away as there seems to be questions regarding Poch and whether or not hes manager or head coach, for signings etc. Somethings not been sorted since last season, if they'd won the CL as many mentioned and as he did, he would of left.