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While joining a team who for me are going to cruise the league, still a backward step. After having two successful seasons in Holland, you would hope that he would defo be playing in the prem or at least another top tier league. Disappointing for me as even if he does well at Boro, which I am sure he will, he won't have a realistic chance of breaking through on his return until he proves it in the prem. A lot of sources saying it is a 2 year deal.

I still think their squad is quite weak. IMO, they need better fullbacks and need a prolific striker.

Yeah but people make it out as he is this complete shit CB who has no value at us when that as such an over exaggeration.

People never praise him when he plays well then just bombard him with 'he is shit' comments when he makes a mistake. Riles me.

Would like to see Rudiger start this. Impressed me in his stint against Arsenal. Very pacey and strong CB. Just don't think Azpi is that offensive going forward but no other option really. Really should of had a replacement RWB ready for this game and for record, Azpi is not offensive enough to play there for a whole season and expect us to win major trophies. We need two attacking LWB and RWB.

This season just has a feeling of deja-vu to it as in a repeat of 15/16 season. We come back from winning the title then lost to community shield 1-0 to Arsenal then had a awful PL season. I have already been feeling pessimistic before this game as I am not content about the transfer dealings and lack of squad depth. If Pedro is indeed suspended, we need to get busy this week in so many different departments. Look at Arsenal's offensive options for instance compared to us and this is with Sanchez and Ozil not even playing and they are still going after Lemar. This is what we need to be doing and the board's philosophy is getting really worrying. Luiz and Kante were excellent today I thought though. Big week ahead and Conte needs the board backing because right now with the squad we have, see zero chance of us retaining title yet alone sustaining a title challenge and that is not a knee-jerk reaction. That is my genuine belief.

Their not. This is technically a 'friendly' so therefore they are able to play this game but will be suspended against Burnley.

No. We won't sell Hazard at any price this summer. Ronaldo going to Real was always in motion for a while. Barca cannot reject Neymar's transfer as their is a release clause. We are thin as it is. We will not sell our best player at this time, especially as it would take time to get a replacement and with season starting soon, all teams are going to be tight on selling their best players. Can see Hazard possibly leaving next summer but this summer no chance because of the timing and simply because whatever money is thrown at us, we won't be able to get a like for like replacement. They can throw whatever but he will not be leaving. I am sure of it.

TBF, Juve played 3-5-2. So always had 3 CM playing.

Right now, he prob is better than Drinkwater however in future, Chalobah will easily surpass him imo. I rate Chalobah highly and believe once he plays in the PL regularly he will get into that England team sooner than later.

If this is anywhere near to being true which wouldn't surprise me right now with what the club are currently doing, I hope if Conte is interested he is drinking alcohol and not actually drinking)water. Otherwise that is worrying. You see what I did there

Well imo the best DM/CM in league is Pogba and Dembele. Pogba did not have his best season last one but still very young and will sure improve. Apart from that he has got all the tools for a CM. Kante is the best at what he does but I don't regard him as the best CM. Dembele I think is fantastic.

Was magnificent today and has seemed to find his best role even though he does not necessarily want to play their long term. Would be a good signing for us as he has abundance of energy, pace, strength. He is also English, still young and can rotate with Moses or one of our wingers if needed.

At the club or in general? If at the club, mixed. Kante for his stamina and work rate. Passing, Fabregas but think I will come to love Bagayoko. If you are asking me who I think the best midfielder in the league is, I don't think it is Kante and not Matic too

I think he is overrated in a sense. That is not taking anything away that he had a brilliant season but sometimes I feel the media exaggerate any tackle he does, but he lacks other qualities. He has improved his range of passing but still feel he is vulnerable against larger players and teams who press us. He does not take control of matches to. He don't have that Verratti style to him. His best assets are his stamina and reading of the game however whereas a team like United have Pogba who was not brilliant last season, I feel once he gets in his stride, he will take United to the next level. Don't think Kante will because he don't possess those technical qualities so agree in a sense.

WTF? Pogba has everything you want in a CM. Strength, technique, good range of passing and he will add goals. Ander is all round too and has a bit of all. There midfield has more creativity and technical ability than us if Fabregas is not in team.

You have to spend money in order to be a better team. Matic suits United perfectly and they got the CM they were craving.

Fair enough. Prices are ridiculously inflated in January but during that 13 game win streak or majority of games we won, he was solid. I get he was not as solid as he was when he re-joined us and that excellent first season but he still was a useful player. And FWIW, he is much more composed and reliable at holding the ball than Kante. Obviously Kante is smaller but in terms of keeping possession was more reliable because of his larger frame. I just see United being a serious force next season. Matic/Herrera/Pogba for me is a much bigger threat than our midfield provides.

Matic has been bang average and Conte still chose to play him and not by another CM in January. Ok... Matic had more solid games than poor games but fans on here just like to scapegoat certain players. Same like Cahill. Had a solid season last one but one mistake and suddenly he is awful for whole season. You wouldn't be able to tell me all the games last season Matic was apparently 'awful' in. Anyway next season will show much of an improvement he had made United I guess then we can see who was proven right and wrong.

Sanches would not be a starter here. Not going to happen. He needs to go to a team where he is playing majority of games. Fabregas has already been promised more of an integral role and Kante is a sure starter and Bagayoko will start majority of games. Going to be difficult to attract a player and convince them they will get a lot of game time. Because we have 3 CM who are all of good quality. That is the predicament. Sanches, if he leaves will go Milan for sure imo.

Such an exaggeration to say he was awful most season. So all those games we won where majority he played, he was poor? Rubbish... I have always rated Matic and always thought he has been underappreciated and FWIW I think most people are angry about who we are selling him to when it is a position they made clear needs upgrading.

It is about time we stop talking about how much we are receiving and start doing something with the money. If that is true, it is a lot of money however the squad is thin. We should have a player lined up before we even consider selling him, which I doubt we do. Mourinho clearly knows he needs a CM to be a stronger team and look there is us giving him is wish. Why we are even dealing with them after Lukaku stuff, I don't know and they are a direct rival for the title. Matic joining them is going to make Pogba much more of an attacking force next season. And no he is not useless. Ridiculous statement. We don't strengthen another team when they are making clear that is a position they want to strengthen. We made a lot of money due to the title win and Oscar/Ake sales. Why can't the club just spend rather than one in, one out policy and selling to direct rival concerns me. Especially as I think it makes them a lot more of a complete team now.

Amount of knee-jerk Jekyll and Hyde people we have on here is amazing. Sell Willian now and replace with who? Too many people been playing Football Manager

Yes but when you are coming on, sometimes you can do more than someone starting as you have fresher legs compared to majority of other players. Musonda looked very good. Shame there is no more pre-season games for him to showcase more of his talents. However regarding Willian, let's not overreact. He is not on Hazard's level but still a very important and good player for us.