Barbara

nice interview, but you know it's for the Mirror when they start it with 'men want to be him, women want to bed him' LOL

I do think he could be one of our best paid players, if not the best... He's young, he's talented, it seems like a good investment, but I don't think there's no limit. Just because United are stupid enough to pay Rooney that exorbitant amount of money he isn't worth at all (I'd rather let him go, than raise his wages that much just to keep him), it's their problem. Cristiano and Messi are a category of their own, we shouldn't use their wages as the reference. If their stats and importance in their teams in unprecedented and people were complaining that isn't fair to compare any other player to them (to which I agree) then their wages shouldn't be comparable either. They're some beasts out of this world, that's why what they earn is out of this world too. I think we should raise Hazard's wages, I don't have a problem with him earning more than the others (someone has to), I don't think the others will feel unvalued if the difference isn't too big. Right now Costa and Fabregas are more productive, have better end product, are on their peak, their very best, so it doesn't make much sense for Hazard to win much more than them. He should get a new raise in a few years when he reaches his peak. So make him earn maybe 10 or 15% more than the best players in the team who are already in their peak, and include some clause, or renegotiate Hazard's wages again two years from now, when he's 25/26 and supposedly on his peak too. Let's not forget that José mentioned Luke Shaw's wages as something we couldn't do because we didn't want to disrupt the nice environment we have in the dressing room. It is important. I don't think Costa or Fàbregas - who I suppose are our highest earners would mind if Hazard earned some more than them, but to earn £100k more (supposing the formers earn £150k and Hazard would earn £250) then I think it's too much. If we start raising those wages to those levels, soon enough others will start asking for more and then we'll see our wages bill be stratospheric... How much he's on currently? I've read all kind of reports... £120, £150, £175k, £180k... maybe raising his wages now to £180k and then in a couple of years getting him to £210 for example, could be fairer to everyone... edit: there's my answer! Well, I think if he gets a 80% raise now and then some more in a couple of years to reach £210k is a good deal. Or just £200k without a new raise in the upcoming years... Just don't make the guy earn £250 when players at their peak, who are playing their socks off for us and being amazing are earning only £150k... if that's how much Costa and Cesc earn in the first place. Those amounts are never really confirmed by the club (as they shouldn't, it's a matter that belongs to the player involved and the club alone).

That's not completely fair, at least in my opinion Hazard started playing better than every one in the first half. He's the main reason why we played well and pressured Swansea in the last 15 minutes of the first half. He's the one that took matters into his hands (something I was asking him to do one day before the match - so I'm very happy he did) and he turned things around for us. He started putting the match on fire for us, leading us to attack and pressure Swansea. It's not fair to say he played only 45 minutes. There's even a high chance he was involved to win the corner from which came Costa goal. He really woke the team up in the first half already. Either way though, the stats are impressive, but what's more impressive than them is how he upped his game, how he was the one to change the rhythm and the tempo of the match. He didn't wait, he wasn't passive, he wasn't reactive. He was the guy I personally hope to see in like 80% of our matches. I'm talking about his attitude. The stats while nice, aren't the most important thing now. He's going to turn 24 in a few months, he has more than enough time to polish his finishing, to work on getting more assists. It's the attitude change that I think should be praised. The quality and the talent are always there, he's one of the most talented players in the world. How he decides to use the talent and how much hunger and drive he will show will tell how far he's going to go. I hope he goes the farthest. If he's somehow able to repeat that level of presentation - both technically and mentally - for most of the season, it'll be the most important. The goals and assists will be a consequence along the way.

We don't need the media to wank over United, some people here do that just fine For all that's worth QPR is by far the worst team in the league. Shitty Spurs also netted a bunch against them. Do people really expect the likes of di María to be quiet against a side that poor? I'm yet to be convinced this United side will get into the top 4, but some people are another win away from saying they're a threat to our title hopes. Does a forum qualify to social media? Then does it qualify to media hype as well? Maybe I'm biased by my despair for United. I hate them with a passion, but while I think their signings will be enough to make them deal with the very poor sides of the league, they'll struggle with some tough midtable sides, that like to press and control midfield and they don't stand a chance in hell against the top teams, despite Liverpool and Arsenal somewhat being considered top teams. Also their defense is a joke. Not bothered, or worried at all. Actually let them believe the hype and slip in a banana skin next (have no idea who they face). If they think they're amazing, then it's a good chance for them to fall from their arrogance.

Mourinho said the same, but he also highlighted how much Ramires helped with that. So he deserves some credit too. We had already turned things around in the first half, but with Ramires addition we completely changed the way we pressed and then we started to dominate the midfield.

Well, I think we should be realistic. Unfortunately he won't score every single match and like even the best strikers in the history of the sport, he will have bad days or days when the ball just won't get in. I'm not going to look at the City game as a final test. It's yet another match. He's already proved his value, I just hope he continues to score... but we all know he won't score in every single match he plays.

few players played Confed's Cup as this is a 6 (or is 8?)-team competition that had only Spain and Italy from Europe. So most of our players - and the players in the world - had a full vacation last year. Not only Oscar didn't, but he was arguably the best player for Brazil in the competition, working his arse off even more than he usually does. So I don't think your argument is necessarily fair. We could say the same about the Spaniards, Uruguayans and Italians (who has Italians player these days though - except Italian clubs, ofc). That's a few years in a row without proper vacation as he played the Olympic Games bullshit too and before that some under-21 championship. Most top players in the world don't play the OG bullshit either (football shouldn't be included in OG).

right now, who could be playing better than him? I haven't been following much of the other leagues, I'm basing my guess here strictly based on what he's been doing and how difficult is for a FB to be as effective on both ends and as influential as he's been.

still he can pass by opponents running and with simple take ons. He's one of our smartest players, but not one of the most technical. I remember a few matches/moments last season when he was playing better than he's started and he could receive the pass (not in the run), and pass by his opponents. I do agree he isn't the player we need in the pitch if we need to control the midfield, he's much more suited for counter or matches we aren't challenged by the opposition's midfield.

not to give the same old excuse (some see it like that, I don't) but he's been skipping full summer vacations for a few years in a row, it's sort of expected he has less and less energy until he finally rests properly. It don't happen though... next year he'll have Copa América and let's hope he isn't one of the three senior players Dunga - or whoever is Brazil's manager in 2016 will choose. But there's so long a guy can season after season be either the guy who's played more, or one of them, and not start feeling the physical wearing down. I think he's doing fine, he still has to catch up some (most players do) in the fitness department after his brief vacation, he'll improve some, but I think unless he has a proper summer vacation he won't be the player he was in 2012 - energy wise.

I'm defending the second half formation - which has Ramires, and I said it has nothing to do with harmony, so tbh I didn't get your answer

It's definitely an option better than Schurrle atm, but Oscar has been playing well and it worked well. I'm not advocating harmony - as you did with the defense, I just think if it ain't broken, don't change it. Oscar had a great second half yesterday where he did a bit of everything, but of course, Willian is great and could offer a few things Oscar can't, with his silky, pace-y football.

http://www.dailymotion.com/video/x25wmao_mourinho-goals-change-games-hd_sport

Average passer Cesc Fàbregas (btw why all the other players that have some sign - don't know the proper name in English - in their names have it, but Fàbregas is written as Fabregas?) had a 95% pass accuracy today according to Squawka. Not so bad for an average passer: 6 key passes (don't remember any of them being a through ball), 95% accuracy, two assists today, six overall in four matches. I do agree about their point about the 3-man midfield. We should just switch to 4-3-3 and walk the league We do look much suited for 4-3-3 than 4-2-3-1 and at least now - during early days - I can see it bringing more stability to our defense. We must play our second half formation against City imo, though I could see Mourinho replacing Oscar - and not Schurrle - for Ramires because of his pace. I'd still rather the opposite as André seems to be having some world champion hangover.

yep, both you did say you were bored hope you have flawless taste in music

Do you? I think he's been as better as he could... how could you see him improving? If he does, I don't know who's going to stop us

I guess anyone who wants to watch MOTD in an hour from now can access it here http://www.tvpc.com/Channel.php?ChannelID=3

x top celebrations

I don't either. Took them from tumblr where people said it was from official FB and then I saw it on twitter too with people saying the same. FB is an awful experience

Official FB account

He continues to be impressive offensively after a few seasons of bad spells in the attacking half. And he's still solid as a rock defensively. If he carries on like that he will become (has been in those first weeks) the best FB in the world.

Whoever is taking charge of our social media currently is an update from previous seasons. Great stuff

This guy is bigger than any curse. winning POTM curse who? He goes there and scores a hat trick after winning the award. Is there anything this guy can't make?