It the multiverse theory is to be believed then somewhere in the universe United have the cheapest squad of all.
Our Rivals Squad next year - Arsenal
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
Counter attacking is our speciality. That's completely untrue.
He's ok. He's nothing special and Lukaku is a better player. He's better than Balotelli, but if Balotelli starts showing some consistency then it's a no contest (possibly the biggest 'if' in the world, to be fair).
I refuse to edit Welbeck in the squad. It hurts.
ROFL ! We did this Welbeck vs Sturridge thing last season. There simply is no contest, you'd best gen up on your stats with this one, Sturridge is streets ahead.
We'll see now they both have a run in the team. Welbeck is class. He'll be top scorer this year.
They have just bought bargain of the summer, I can't believe how stupid we are.
You better take care of our Danny boy.
You better take care of our Danny boy.
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In fairness to storey, he's been going with his "welbeck is the new thomas muller, sturridge the new defoe" line for some time before this. So he can be written off as mad.
People are comparing them cos their careers are similar. Young attackers at big clubs, played out of position most of the time, with Sturridge not showing anything special before moving to Arsenal. The question is whether Welbeck can emulate that kind of career trajectory now.
Arsenal now look an easier pick for top four along with Liverpool miles ahead of united. How is it that united would sell Welbeck to a potential top four rival?
So now both Lfc and Arsenal have built strong squads with a young English flavor for years to come while united opted for copying the sugar daddy( city,chelsea) model. Strange
So now both Lfc and Arsenal have built strong squads with a young English flavor for years to come while united opted for copying the sugar daddy( city,chelsea) model. Strange
What a weird post. You're miles ahead of us, yet we're now similar to clubs who actually win titles?
Put me down as another who believes Welbeck will be a star turn at Arsenal.
Absolutely stupid of us to even entertain selling him to them.
Soured a transfer window that looked like it was on the up before this stupidity.
And then to sell him for so cheap as well.
Absolutely stupid of us to even entertain selling him to them.
Soured a transfer window that looked like it was on the up before this stupidity.
And then to sell him for so cheap as well.
Sanchez-----Wellbeck-----Walcott
----------------Ozil-----------------
Counter attacking heaven
----------------Ozil-----------------
Counter attacking heaven
Been a fairly average window in total. Good on attacking recruits, Welbeck wouldn't have been my first choice but I do think he is a good addition because our other targets didn't materialise. I do think he gives us a lot of what we are missing up top, mobility, pace and he is a hard worker. He needs to improve some parts of his game but strikes me as someone who isn't too big headed to realise that. Fergie depended on him in big games and he never let him down so that is a positive. Sanchez also is a very good addition to the squad, apart from Walcott we didn't have anything else from wide areas so I think he will definitely help there.
The defensive side is a massive worry, we only have two senior CBs in the squad and still haven't replaced Arteta. We are relying on keeping them fit for most of the season or we need to go back in January for defensive targets.
The defensive side is a massive worry, we only have two senior CBs in the squad and still haven't replaced Arteta. We are relying on keeping them fit for most of the season or we need to go back in January for defensive targets.
Carvalho instead of Flamini would have been really great
Szezesny - Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs - Ramsey, Flamini, Wilshere - Walcott, Welbeck, Sanchez
Ospina, Chambers, Arteta, Cazorla, Özil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
Szezesny - Debuchy, Mertesacker, Koscielny, Gibbs - Ramsey, Flamini, Wilshere - Walcott, Welbeck, Sanchez
Ospina, Chambers, Arteta, Cazorla, Özil, Oxlade-Chamberlain, Giroud
Monreal would be on our bench.
Sanogo, Campbell, Gnabry, Bellerin, Martinez and maybe Crowley will get time on the bench.
Sanogo, Campbell, Gnabry, Bellerin, Martinez and maybe Crowley will get time on the bench.
That would be my line-up if all players are fit
Monreal would be on the bench, too little defensive cover otherwise.
Chambers can cover RB, CB + Flamini
And if Gibbs would be injured then surely Debuchy would be a better LB then Monreal (Sorry awful player....Büttner level)
Btw why is Gnabry is still in the squad....i thought a loan deal to Southampton, Crystal Palace or Swansea would be fantastic for him.....any reasons for that decision??
He might be, he's not great on the right. Monreal is definitely backup LB. Having Chambers as your cover for three defensive positions is a bit mad.
I haven't seen much of himself myself so can't comment, but a few people have said vastly over-rated and PL teams did well to avoid. Maybe the Portuguese lads on here can comment.
Good core of British players at the club now, although our Academy's rate of producing top talent has dropped off rather startlingly.
Yep nice to see with Arsenal, Liverpool and us
That Chelsea and City have together just 4 english players is a joke
While technically not academy produce, Zelalem, Gnabry and Crowley are all going to very good.
That's what they told me about Tom Cruise.
On a serious note, haven't seen much of Crowley. Looks the business? Zelalem looked impressive, if a bit lightweight for first team action right now. Gnabry has bags of potential, but could also be the new David Odonkor.
On a serious note, haven't seen much of Crowley. Looks the business? Zelalem looked impressive, if a bit lightweight for first team action right now. Gnabry has bags of potential, but could also be the new David Odonkor.
I watched the reserves play Harrow a month ago and Crowley was on another level to everyone else. Made Afobe look like a mug.
Did anyone say that about Tom Cruise? All the hype there was because of his name, he was an unremarkable full back.
Twas a joke.
I swear I spend half my time explaining Donaldo's posts to other people.
I swear I spend half my time explaining Donaldo's posts to other people.
Can be a bit of a detriment to the player too, as seen at United with Jones.
And I don't think Gnabry will make it with us, there's too many similar/ bigger talents in his position who are still young, while he's not an exceptional talent. It's just hard to see how he gets significant time over Wilshere, Sanchez, Chamberlain and Walcott in the next two to three seasons.
D'oh.
I think he is an exceptional talent, but I also agree that it's a troublesome position to be coming into at Arsenal.
He looks an interesting player but the kind of money they want was ridiculous. A lot of clubs didn't bother and I think they wanted a rather large amount (if not all) of it upfront which was never gonna happen.
We really fecked up not bringing another CB in, only have two senior CBs and a good prospect but inexperienced Chambers. Then when you take into consideration that Koscielny has an achilles problem that he will have to be nursed through it makes our decision appear even worse. I know we were trying hard for Manolas & Sokratis but we should have moved a lot earlier than we did. We knew Vermaelen was leaving but we have this habit at times of first selling our player before we bringing the replacement in
Have appointed LVG's former right hand man Andries Jonker to lead the academy because it was a right mess so we should hopefully see that side of things pick up.
Behind the scenes there have been much needed changes at the club. Shad Forsythe has been bought in as the new fitness coach and even though the results won't be instant I do think over the next season or two the fitness of our players should pick up and hopefully less injuries. He isn't going to help cure players on the receiving end of bad tackles or unlucky twists but the amount of soft tissue injuries we've had has been a joke. Hopefully he can improve that side of things because he has done a very good job with Germany. Been rumoured for years now that the fitness methods used at the club were playing a big role in a lot of the injuries we've had.
Hopefully next thing we can look to improve on is the scouting side, tried to get an ex Spurs guy but he has rejoined them but sure we will be recruiting there again.
Right I was meaning to do a post about our squad for ages but thought I would wait it out until after the transfer window was done. I'll try to be fair and balanced.
Goalkeepers: I don't envisage Chesney becoming one of the world's best. In fact a few goals we conceded over the past few seasons I thought he could have saved. His kicking is average at best, still much improved though but I feel we can do better. If Fabianski wasn't so injury prone and mentally fragile at times, he would be our number 1 right now. There's a feeling, at least to me, that Wenger doesn't have complete faith in Chesney yet either. He could have bought a John Ruddy or a McGregor, an older goalkeeper who wouldn't mind sitting on the bench and just filling in. Instead he goes out and buys Colombia's number 1 who made a name for himself at the world cup. If he gives Ospina a chance and he proves himself better than Chesney then its great. If this pushes Chesney on to fulfil his potential and become a better keeper, great.
Defence: Despite what people say, its pretty much as you were numbers wise. 2013/14- Sagna, Jenkinson, Per, Kos, Verm, Monreal and Gibbs. Now its Debuchy, Bellerin, Per, Kos, Chambers, Monreal and Gibbs. Monreal is now the 4th Cb option in much the same way Sagna was. Chambers is a bit young but its likely that he will play far more than Vermaelen did. I do have a few worries though, if Bellerin isn't up to the task then we have a problem. He has played 0 minutes for us in a competitive match as a right back I think. Wenger needs to start bedding him in soon before Debuchy goes down and he has to be thrown into the deep end. Gibbs is another worry as he hasn't really kicked on since he broke into the team and he's injury prone. He's the most easily replaceable of that back 4. Mertesacker is a great individual defender but he can't seem to play with anybody but Koscielny and his lack of pace hampers our overall game as he can't cope if we're being pressed by a pacy counter attacking team. Germany dropped him and looked better for it, I think we should do the same.
Midfield: Wenger's been talking up Wilshere recently and since we haven't bought a DM, I would like to see Wilshere and Ramsey in the base of midfield. Neither of them are over 6 ft though and although Ozil is taller than both that is still a pretty lightweight midfield. Then again Arteta isn't the tallest and he did alright. Right now I feel Wenger is handicapping the entire team to fit in Wilshere with this new 4-1-4-1 formation. It pushes Ozil out to the wing and Ramsey further up the pitch comprising both their games. Our midfielders operate best in a 4-2-3-1 situation and Wilshere is never going to take Ozil's shirt or Ramsey's so the only position open for him is Arteta's. Beyond that I think we're fine, they are all good players who contrary to the media aren't all the same.
Forwards: Welbeck is an unknown in an Arsenal shirt but if he fulfils his promise and displaces Giroud, I'm happy. I've always felt that alongside Arteta and Mertesacker that Giroud has been holding us back. Its bizarre for me how Giroud gets so much praise yet everyone says we need a new striker, if he's that good why do we need a new striker? He isn't even that good at his supposed strengths, his hold up play is unbelievably poor at times and moves break down at his feet. He's a big lad but sometimes gets muscled off the ball too easily and he is easy to mark. His finishing ability is poor, lack of pace and barring that goal in the Community shield he rarely creates goals for himself. Walcott hopefully returns the same player and Sanchez can only improve our team.
Verdict: Its not so bad at Arsenal. We just need to keep our boys fit and we're in with a shout, its usually the injuries that cripple us.
Goalkeepers: I don't envisage Chesney becoming one of the world's best. In fact a few goals we conceded over the past few seasons I thought he could have saved. His kicking is average at best, still much improved though but I feel we can do better. If Fabianski wasn't so injury prone and mentally fragile at times, he would be our number 1 right now. There's a feeling, at least to me, that Wenger doesn't have complete faith in Chesney yet either. He could have bought a John Ruddy or a McGregor, an older goalkeeper who wouldn't mind sitting on the bench and just filling in. Instead he goes out and buys Colombia's number 1 who made a name for himself at the world cup. If he gives Ospina a chance and he proves himself better than Chesney then its great. If this pushes Chesney on to fulfil his potential and become a better keeper, great.
Defence: Despite what people say, its pretty much as you were numbers wise. 2013/14- Sagna, Jenkinson, Per, Kos, Verm, Monreal and Gibbs. Now its Debuchy, Bellerin, Per, Kos, Chambers, Monreal and Gibbs. Monreal is now the 4th Cb option in much the same way Sagna was. Chambers is a bit young but its likely that he will play far more than Vermaelen did. I do have a few worries though, if Bellerin isn't up to the task then we have a problem. He has played 0 minutes for us in a competitive match as a right back I think. Wenger needs to start bedding him in soon before Debuchy goes down and he has to be thrown into the deep end. Gibbs is another worry as he hasn't really kicked on since he broke into the team and he's injury prone. He's the most easily replaceable of that back 4. Mertesacker is a great individual defender but he can't seem to play with anybody but Koscielny and his lack of pace hampers our overall game as he can't cope if we're being pressed by a pacy counter attacking team. Germany dropped him and looked better for it, I think we should do the same.
Midfield: Wenger's been talking up Wilshere recently and since we haven't bought a DM, I would like to see Wilshere and Ramsey in the base of midfield. Neither of them are over 6 ft though and although Ozil is taller than both that is still a pretty lightweight midfield. Then again Arteta isn't the tallest and he did alright. Right now I feel Wenger is handicapping the entire team to fit in Wilshere with this new 4-1-4-1 formation. It pushes Ozil out to the wing and Ramsey further up the pitch comprising both their games. Our midfielders operate best in a 4-2-3-1 situation and Wilshere is never going to take Ozil's shirt or Ramsey's so the only position open for him is Arteta's. Beyond that I think we're fine, they are all good players who contrary to the media aren't all the same.
Forwards: Welbeck is an unknown in an Arsenal shirt but if he fulfils his promise and displaces Giroud, I'm happy. I've always felt that alongside Arteta and Mertesacker that Giroud has been holding us back. Its bizarre for me how Giroud gets so much praise yet everyone says we need a new striker, if he's that good why do we need a new striker? He isn't even that good at his supposed strengths, his hold up play is unbelievably poor at times and moves break down at his feet. He's a big lad but sometimes gets muscled off the ball too easily and he is easy to mark. His finishing ability is poor, lack of pace and barring that goal in the Community shield he rarely creates goals for himself. Walcott hopefully returns the same player and Sanchez can only improve our team.
Verdict: Its not so bad at Arsenal. We just need to keep our boys fit and we're in with a shout, its usually the injuries that cripple us.
Look at all you crazy lovebirds in here, birds of a feather flock together they do say.
You might have to suspend your disbelief for this one... Nikola Zigic has confirmed that Arsene Wenger made an enquiry about bringing him to Arsenal during the transfer window.
The former Birmingham City striker, 33, told the International Business Times UK: "Everything that you saw in the press was true. My agent was talking with Arsenal but they finally opted for another player.
"We talked with them until the last few days of the market. I am very happy because Arsenal had me on their list."
BBC Sportsday
These things happen. We went a step further and actually bought Aspas with real money. Managers aren't infallible.