I wouldn't mind a Bayern - Real final. We never had that, even though that game is the most played in the history of the competition if I remember correctly. It would also be epic to have the 10th title for Real vs first title defence for Bayern build-up.
Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!
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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.
Well, the last time a team set out to defend this title, it got thrashed by a Spanish club. 
We've been time and time again the underdogs against Real and always did a hell of a job to annoy the shit out of them and win more games than they did. It's time that we beat them as the favorites for once, that would be sweetWell, the last time a team set out to defend this title, it got thrashed by a Spanish club.
.Now watch us go out against Chelsea in the quarterfinal and Dortmund win the final vs PSG or something like that
.I doubt Dortmund have a great chance to reach the final. Looked pretty dire in the 3-0 loss on Saturday and have lost Bender for 10 odd weeks if I am not wrong.We've been time and time again the underdogs against Real and always did a hell of a job to annoy the shit out of them and win more games than they did. It's time that we beat them as the favorites for once, that would be sweet
Now watch us go out against Chelsea in the quarterfinal and Dortmund win the final vs PSG or something like that
And yeah Bayern - Real final would be good, though I'd back Bayern to win.
Yeah, that would be an awesome finale I think. We'd need a very good day to beat Bayern though, you guys are a well oiled machine, thrashing everything in sight at the moment.
Would love to see it happen though, would be a great game.
Ps: How many CL's does Bayern have? 5?
Yeah, we need 5 more years to win the 10th before you guys do
.Yeah, we need 5 more years to win the 10th before you guys do
never!!Real waited more than 3 decades once before, so don't be too surprised if you need another 20 years . But seriously, if I watch Bayern surpass Milan's 7 in my lifetime, I'm probably the happiest football fan around. fecking Milan, we've won a single game against them in our history and that was an extra time win that still saw us go out on aggregate. Denying Real the 10th and getting closer to Milan would be sweet, very sweet. Still doubt it's possible, there's a reason no one has done it in the CL before, it's just incredibly difficult .
. But seriously, if I watch Bayern surpass Milan's 7 in my lifetime, I'm probably the happiest football fan around. fecking Milan, we've won a single game against them in our history and that was an extra time win that still saw us go out on aggregate. Denying Real the 10th and getting closer to Milan would be sweet, very sweet. Still doubt it's possible, there's a reason no one has done it in the CL before, it's just incredibly difficult .
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He's been doing well from the goals/assists point of view whoever he's played with. It's his general game, even running with the ball, where he's been a bit disappointing, but it's early days. Between the injuries, the new team and the new league, he's done as wll as anyone could have expected him to.
After yesterday's game Ancelotti described him as "adequate" until he scored and then "very good" afterwards. Good for his confidence according to him.
They've been playing better, with or without him, for the past couple of months. The only challenging game in the missing three was Villareal who were in their worst run this season - they've won 2 and lost 3 of their last 5 games.
Indeed. I'm sure it's not all about the formation but the change to 4321 has improved the team dramatically. Di Maria and Modric have been liberated by it and whichever combination of Bale, Jese, Benzema, Ronaldo have played up front has been absolutely full of movement.
Whether they can carry that into the big games coming up, particularly in Europe, I don't know, but they've certainly found an entertaining formula. It's interesting that it came about partly/mostly because of the number of goals they were conceding.
Real waited more than 3 decades once before, so don't be too surprised if you need another 20 years
Some of the Madrid commentators refer to the 3 CL's they won around 2000 as the "European Cups in colour". If they have to wait another twenty years, I wonder what they'll be calling the next ones, European Cups in the current kind of 3D will be rather old technology. It makes you think
Some of the Madrid commentators refer to the 3 CL's they won around 2000 as the "European Cups in colour". If they have to wait another twenty years, I wonder what they'll be calling the next ones, European Cups in the current kind of 3D will be rather old technology. It makes you think
Carlo sure loves his Christmas tree 4-3-2-1! Haven't seen them enough this year, on a regular basis, who plays in the 3-2-1? Alonso-Modric-Di Maria; Bale-CR; Benzema?
We don't but I probably could have used a better example (long term ban).
He is having a good first season, not 85m worth but in two years time the guy will be entering the peak of his career. Barring any unfortunate injuries I think that he will have developed into an Ronaldo-esque monster by then.
More or less. Alonso's in the middle of the 3 and Di Maria and Modric seem to have a lot of freedom to join the attack. They've been helped by the fact Jese has done so well coming in for Bale or Ronaldo - it's meant they could stick with the same formation and basic tactics.
Isco's the one who has fallen (for now at least) out of the picture, he's basically been used as a false 9 sub for Benzema or been given a few minutes when Bale or Jese gets tired. I must admit I'm surprised, I thought he was flexible enough to play in the 3, but Ancelotti says Isco's still learning to play there. Whereas Di Maria looked good there almost immediately - good news for Argentina maybe?
Does that mean Khedira is failing to get a game? More importantly, does this mean we can put (another) cheeky bid for him in summer?
Khedira tore his ACL in November, he's most likely out for the season and the worldcup.
Cheers for the clarifications jojojo
I dont think his general play will ever be that great. I always maintained that Rvp and Suarez were better than him last season because his game was all about goals whereas they were genuinely superb on the ball, whether turning defenders, hold up play (RVP), trickery (Surez) or other aspects. Maybe he will improve with better players but I'm not sure. Definitely is a game changer with goals and assists.
After a rest this summer and a proper pre-season, we will get to see more of what he is about. At best a sort of Ronaldo-lite coming in from the right, but I would look to him to create more, that part of his game is not at a high level. It will be interesting to see how he and Madrid do in the games against the bigger teams this season.
p.s Modric has been brilliant one of the best midfielders around this year.
p.s Modric has been brilliant one of the best midfielders around this year.
Definitely. If and when Bale's long range efforts stop going in, you're not left with a whole lot else. He isn't particularly creative, he's not a tricky dribbler and he really will have to continue as some kind of Ronaldo-lite goalscoring machine if he's to lift the pressure of that outrageous price tag.
We've been time and time again the underdogs against Real and always did a hell of a job to annoy the shit out of them and win more games than they did. It's time that we beat them as the favorites for once, that would be sweet
Now watch us go out against Chelsea in the quarterfinal and Dortmund win the final vs PSG or something like that
Yeah, we need 5 more years to win the 10th before you guys do
Look at you 2, insensitive, show-offs, talking about a UCL final, on a United forum, considering where we're languishing.
Wait till Moyes schools Pep and Ancelotti on his way to....feck, best I stop dreaming and get back to work!
I don't think RM is playing better than last year's and I don't think they go far in the CL, the reason they give RM too much credit is because Barca is the worst barca in years they lost 10 points since Christmas and if was last years' barca they probable would be 7 points ahead of RM. I didn't see any good game from RM against a good team yet.
Bale is an interesting case no? When you look at the stats he's been very good. When you watch them play you rarely see him and often forget that he's even playing.
They are clearly better than last season.
Since Christmas, I'd say they're playing a lot better than at any time last season and probably better then the season before as well. But you're right when you say that if we were still seeing the "old Barca," then Madrid, having fallen so far behind early in the season, would not have been able to get up to top spot in La Liga.
It's also true that the real test of their abilities is yet to come. They were very good against Atletico in the Copa, good enough to have hurt Atletico's confidence as well as end their cup run. Can they do it again this Sunday in La Liga? What will they do against a big team in the Champions League? They're still an unknown quantity, but they look like a team that's playing well and improving, which isn't what was happening last year.
I agree on both accounts. He's silently racked up some good stats in terms of goals and assists, and apart from the odd free kick and couple of long shots he hasn't stood out on many occasions. It is entirely understandable why he hasn't set the world alight, what with being the most expensive player at one of the biggest clubs in the world and an unfortunate little run of injuries; he isn't Messi or ROnaldo level to come in and be world class from the word go like these two can coming back from injury. It will be interesting to see if he does become a 25-30 goal a season man for Real, but so far for his team he has become far more creative in terms of assists than he did at Spurs.
I think the only question is whether they're the 2nd, 3rd or 4th best team in Europe, I'd hardly have them down as an unknown quantity.
Then you missed our game vs Valencia or the Copa semi final vs Atletico.
Unknowns that have reached the SF for the past 3 years! They will win the CL this season in my view, just think it's their time. And using the nobody has ever retained the CL method.
Atletico lost all the steam and just lost 3-0 against another Spanish team, I would like to see when Real plays against good European teams (Juventus didn't deserve to lose). For me they played better the last 2 years and if wasn't some players they could had the treble last year but then in Spain players have more power than the manager.
Damn it Real Madrid. He is exactly what we needed this summer, but no you had to go and snap him up.
He'll be a dominant player.
He'll be a dominant player.
Absolutely immense performance by him tonight. It's soul destroying to watch him and Ronaldo in tandem. Then back on planet United with Young and Valencia with the laborious displays.
14 goals in 21 starts this season apparently. Next season will be when he really proves himself though and maybe stay clear of injuries.
Di maria is very underrated imo. Same level as ozil.
isco will come good though, maybe next year.
Madrid are set up very well-balanced; defensively solid & ruthless in attack. Credit to Ancelotti.
Bit of an over-reaction in my humble opinion.
He seems to be one of the best in bringing out the best of players, one of the best managers around in my opinion.
He has among the highest amount of assists of all players in Europe though I think in the leagues in something like 14 starts. With Ronaldo as the main goalscorer he has really stepped up his ability to provide width and brilliant crosses/playmaking to find Ronaldo/Benzema.
EDIT: 10 goals and 9 assists in 14 starts(3 sub appearances)
He really is starting to look like a proper Real Madrid player now. He's been amazing for a guy who is discovering a big club like that and a new country.
A lot of bitterness and cluelessness here.
He's started well, overall, in a new league without a proper pre-season. He's going to be a superstar at Real and his price tag will likely prove well worth it in terms of his age, potential and marketability.
He's started well, overall, in a new league without a proper pre-season. He's going to be a superstar at Real and his price tag will likely prove well worth it in terms of his age, potential and marketability.