The only place to be

You're the one who admitted going over the top in defending him. I've actually agreed with the point about people being too vociferous in criticising him or too sycophantic in defending him. He's a decent player but he's not someone we can rely on because he's inconsistent. The last two games demonstrated that perfectly. Put great players around him against opposition that won't put pressure on him and he has a place in the squad. But we need a LEADER in that position and that isn't him I'm afraid. BTW, you admitted you didn't watch the game against Southampton. Maybe you need to stop going over the top in defending him and focus on what's best for this club.

Thought he was brilliant today in every aspect of his play and could be an important player for us beyond this season. Held the ball up well, brought other players into the game with his runs and took his goal superbly. Does raise the question of whether we need another big striker (Falcao, Cavani etc.) in the summer if we have this guy and Lukaku.

As close to Rafa as the restraining order allows.

He had 84% completion rate against Southampton yet a terrible game - don't watch whoscored, watch the games.

Is this supposed to mean that other supporters of this club don't make intelligent arguments about him? Which members are you talking about specifically?

The only trouble with winning a game is that this troll pops his head out. It's like having a cracking St Paddy's Day on the black stuff and having horrible, stinking runny Guinness shits the next day.

It's a point I first raised so you're probably addressing me. The question I asked was whether he tried to block it, whether his head moved towards it. It's a recurring point about his effort and commitment to the cause. I disagree with your characterisation of it and think he actually moves away from the ball and Torres does the same.

That's fair enough and you won't get an argument with me about players' loyalty nowadays but I just don't see it happening based on everything I know about Alonso, especially if Liverpool come in for him. Modric hasn't established himself in that Madrid team and they may choose to go in another direction which makes him a more likely option for us.

Over a 'fan' like you. :lol2:

I'm sorry you took it that way, but the idea of Alonso joining Chelsea is a bit far-fetched. Modric just seems far more likely to me considering our past relationship with him.

Xabi Alonso.... :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: :lol2: I should add more laughs from all the Scousers laughing at that notion. Ain't going to happen.....and yes, Rafa yadda yadda yadda.....ain't going to happen.

So you criticised him based on a 'theory' of how we might play next season, and the players we might sign?

Any discussion about his game today has to factor in the abject midfield performance put in by United today. Southampton showed on Saturday how to disrupt Mikel but none of the United players pressured him at all.

Good point, but he seemed happy enough to come here not too long ago and there's no Alonso here. He's still made 39 appearances this season too so it's not been that bad for him.

Categorising supporters of this club as haters is a tad insulting (but not surprising). Saying 'fuck them' is taking the piss. I've notice you pop up in this thread, make a silly comment and add nothing to the discussion. Stick to that in future.

So you know the role he's going to have in the team before we've appointed a manager? Oh and he'll be passing to Cavani too? Are you sure you're not confusing real life with Football Manager?

To push for the league we need at least one new midfielder, in the mould of Modric. He's proven in this league and might be available which puts him ahead of the likes of Moutinho and Benat in my opinion. Then we need a new striking option, although I'd be inclined to go for someone who can be third-choice and also contribute on the wings. That could be Moses. Beyond that it's mainly buying for the future, although if a top-class CB did become available then we should move for him but that's an issue we might have a year to solve. Then there's the likes of Shaw. But we need to appoint a manager first and he needs to assess the squad.

Massively unfair criticism of Mata. Even if you don't intend to criticise him, your comments are complete bollocks. He is our main goalscorer this season and he's carried this team for the last two seasons. 50th assist today and you've got the balls to say he shoots too much?

Wasn't that great a performance, but once again I'm left wondering how United are so far ahead in the league when they're really not that good a team.Once again their midfield was fairly anonymous and on another day we could have absolutely battered them. Nice to see us playing with a proper striker again and though we were solid enough even after losing Cole. Rami was his hard-working self and Hazard, Mata and Oscar showed flashes of magic, but it wasn't a vintage performance by any means. Got the result though and another day out to Wembley. :blue scalf:

Chalobah is better than Mikel already.

Wait a minute.....have you ever actually seen Mikel play? That would explain so much.

I don't think anyone forgets what he can do theoretically, but he seems to have problems doing it for the first-team. Leif has also mentioned problems with his character and his tendency to let his head drop. Players like Chalobah and Loftus-Cheek play with their chest out which is why people are reminded of Ballack - Josh lets his shoulders slump and his head dip. That doesn't bode well for him.

Yesterday's free kick - does he try to put his head in the way?

John O'Shea was the player I was thinking about - 393 appearances for United. I think their problem was they sold him before he was 29 - that's the magic age, as evidenced by his world class performances since leaving.