(Football) Soccer thread (English Premier League, Champions League)

[scruffynick]

Maybe hummels as a bid was sent in but can't see it til summer, vlaar is injured for 6 weeks so that's dead...........valdes signed which probably means de gea is off in the summer. If so United can't get their pants pulled down by real again, want at least one top player in return. But considering the horrific injury list this season, van gaal has down wonders and if we win on Sunday United are in a great position to finish 3rd.........plus I want a trip to wembley in May, always a top day out!

 

 

That would be great if they could get Hummels and co, but realistically I imagine it will be a quiet summer. Now Strootman says he wants to stay with Roma.

I hope United can pen a new deal with De Gea so he doesn't go for cheap to Madrid...

 

The most funny rumour is United being the only team able to afford Messi due to the FFP rules, and he won't go to Madrid

 

If the £500 million is to be believed as the true price tag I don't think even United could afford him with FFP as they still need to balance the books over the course of the year. He's a phenomenal player but nobody is worth that.

 

Look at the biggest transfers in Europe over the years and the fact that £100 mil has never been breached. Is messi worth 5 times that? I don't think so. He's unproven outside of La Liga and plays in a team built around him. Yes he has an unbelievable record but in my mind there's a few telling things from the last few years. When Barca played against Chelsea in the champs league put him against a strong prem league defence and he looks very ordinary. He was also pretty unimpressive at the World Cup

 

If he decides to leave it might be nearer the end of his contract but couldn't see it ever being more then £150 mil.

 

I do have a feeling that De gea will leave in the summer, but I'm hoping some good transfers are done. Overall it's ok as long as we win tomorrow....just watching match of the day and Chelsea are just miles ahead of us but United are slowly bit by bit are getting there

[Golfingfanatic]

Sad news from Germany: Belgian prospect Junior Malanda (20) died in a car crash today. My thoughts and prayers are with his family and his team mates from Wolfsburg

[scruffynick]

Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants

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[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421007141' post='10727909']
Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants
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I need to go for a swing to release stress...

[Fastboy]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421007141' post='10727909']
Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants
[/quote]

I'm a Chelsea fan (and have been since the days of Kerry Dixon) so I won't gloss it over for you United guys.

I personally think Van Gaal has done an ok job, however I personally feel United are artificially higher in the league then their performance suggests they should be as with a few exceptions most of those games even against much lesser opposition could very easily have gone the other way.

Southampton under Koeman are a very difficult side to break down and I'm not particularly surprised they beat United. The minute United come up against a well organised midfield now they're in trouble and just get totally pacified.

We all have bad days (s*** we lost 5-3 to Spurs and nobody would have seen that coming) but I reckon your end of season run in *might* get Van Gaal the sack - Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Liverpool in a short period of time right towards the end of the season which could really be the difference between CL or Europa League which I assume might not be enough for the board. Van Gaal was very naive 3 or 4 games back to start openly saying Utd could win the league based on performance and the teams they'd been playing.

The other thing that's killed United off was last season and moyes. Nobody fears going to old Trafford anymore as so many teams have beaten them there now. It took Fergie 25 years to build that fear factor but that got smashed to pieces last year as it happened fairly frequently so teams don't fear it anymore much as United fans probably like to think they still do.

[scruffynick]

[quote name='Fastboy' timestamp='1421019685' post='10729015']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421007141' post='10727909']
Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants
[/quote]

I'm a Chelsea fan (and have been since the days of Kerry Dixon) so I won't gloss it over for you United guys.

I personally think Van Gaal has done an ok job, however I personally feel United are artificially higher in the league then their performance suggests they should be as with a few exceptions most of those games even against much lesser opposition could very easily have gone the other way.

Southampton under Koeman are a very difficult side to break down and I'm not particularly surprised they beat United. The minute United come up against a well organised midfield now they're in trouble and just get totally pacified.

We all have bad days (s*** we lost 5-3 to Spurs and nobody would have seen that coming) but I reckon your end of season run in *might* get Van Gaal the sack - Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Liverpool in a short period of time right towards the end of the season which could really be the difference between CL or Europa League which I assume might not be enough for the board. Van Gaal was very naive 3 or 4 games back to start openly saying Utd could win the league based on performance and the teams they'd been playing.

The other thing that's killed United off was last season and moyes. Nobody fears going to old Trafford anymore as so many teams have beaten them there now. It took Fergie 25 years to build that fear factor but that got smashed to pieces last year as it happened fairly frequently so teams don't fear it anymore much as United fans probably like to think they still do.
[/quote]

Cant disagree really. But what bothers me is the lack of anything, United are 442 with width and wingers....and ffs we have the players to do that right now. Van Gaal needs to learn what United was built on by Sir Matt, and nobody minds losing if you give it a go which I'm afraid isnt happening at all. Wouldnt say United are in a false position as the league never lies, its just Arsenal and the scousers are worse than us this season. But if its still this dire to watch come April and United are out the top 4 after spending £150m he'll be gone, and in truth I would have Giggs because the 1st thing he did after moyes is play 442 and played much more attacking football. Belive me, many of us natives in Manchester arent too impressed with Van Gaal....needs to buck up!

[mnplayer]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421184409' post='10741089']
[quote name='Fastboy' timestamp='1421019685' post='10729015']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421007141' post='10727909']
Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants
[/quote]

I'm a Chelsea fan (and have been since the days of Kerry Dixon) so I won't gloss it over for you United guys.

I personally think Van Gaal has done an ok job, however I personally feel United are artificially higher in the league then their performance suggests they should be as with a few exceptions most of those games even against much lesser opposition could very easily have gone the other way.

Southampton under Koeman are a very difficult side to break down and I'm not particularly surprised they beat United. The minute United come up against a well organised midfield now they're in trouble and just get totally pacified.

We all have bad days (s*** we lost 5-3 to Spurs and nobody would have seen that coming) but I reckon your end of season run in *might* get Van Gaal the sack - Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Liverpool in a short period of time right towards the end of the season which could really be the difference between CL or Europa League which I assume might not be enough for the board. Van Gaal was very naive 3 or 4 games back to start openly saying Utd could win the league based on performance and the teams they'd been playing.

The other thing that's killed United off was last season and moyes. Nobody fears going to old Trafford anymore as so many teams have beaten them there now. It took Fergie 25 years to build that fear factor but that got smashed to pieces last year as it happened fairly frequently so teams don't fear it anymore much as United fans probably like to think they still do.
[/quote]

Cant disagree really. But what bothers me is the lack of anything, United are 442 with width and wingers....and ffs we have the players to do that right now. Van Gaal needs to learn what United was built on by Sir Matt, and nobody minds losing if you give it a go which I'm afraid isnt happening at all. Wouldnt say United are in a false position as the league never lies, its just Arsenal and the scousers are worse than us this season. But if its still this dire to watch come April and United are out the top 4 after spending £150m he'll be gone, and in truth I would have Giggs because the 1st thing he did after moyes is play 442 and played much more attacking football. Belive me, many of us natives in Manchester arent too impressed with Van Gaal....needs to buck up!
[/quote]

Van Gaal won't get sacked. He'll be given the time that Moyes wasn't allowed based on reputation alone. I think United will probably still finish in the Top 4, there's just way too much quality in the side despite the weaknesses.

I hope Mourinho buys a CB in January or the summer. Cahill and Ivanovic were absolutely awful against Spurs and Cahill especially has been pretty poor the past month or so.

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[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421184409' post='10741089']
[quote name='Fastboy' timestamp='1421019685' post='10729015']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421007141' post='10727909']
Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants
[/quote]

I'm a Chelsea fan (and have been since the days of Kerry Dixon) so I won't gloss it over for you United guys.

I personally think Van Gaal has done an ok job, however I personally feel United are artificially higher in the league then their performance suggests they should be as with a few exceptions most of those games even against much lesser opposition could very easily have gone the other way.

Southampton under Koeman are a very difficult side to break down and I'm not particularly surprised they beat United. The minute United come up against a well organised midfield now they're in trouble and just get totally pacified.

We all have bad days (s*** we lost 5-3 to Spurs and nobody would have seen that coming) but I reckon your end of season run in *might* get Van Gaal the sack - Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Liverpool in a short period of time right towards the end of the season which could really be the difference between CL or Europa League which I assume might not be enough for the board. Van Gaal was very naive 3 or 4 games back to start openly saying Utd could win the league based on performance and the teams they'd been playing.

The other thing that's killed United off was last season and moyes. Nobody fears going to old Trafford anymore as so many teams have beaten them there now. It took Fergie 25 years to build that fear factor but that got smashed to pieces last year as it happened fairly frequently so teams don't fear it anymore much as United fans probably like to think they still do.
[/quote]

Cant disagree really. But what bothers me is the lack of anything, United are 442 with width and wingers....and ffs we have the players to do that right now. Van Gaal needs to learn what United was built on by Sir Matt, and nobody minds losing if you give it a go which I'm afraid isnt happening at all. Wouldnt say United are in a false position as the league never lies, its just Arsenal and the scousers are worse than us this season. But if its still this dire to watch come April and United are out the top 4 after spending £150m he'll be gone, and in truth I would have Giggs because the 1st thing he did after moyes is play 442 and played much more attacking football. Belive me, many of us natives in Manchester arent too impressed with Van Gaal....needs to buck up!
[/quote]

Do you think Giggsy has the ability to pull off a Pep? I dislike how LVG didn't play Falcao, he's the best thing going forward we have got in the last few games. We definitely need proper defenders to help out. David De Gea as world class as he is in the top 3 Goalkeepers right now, cannot save everything. Get those Strootman, Hummels and Progba deal done NOW. Two of them have CL football this season so offer something bigger to buy them.

I would also like to add that the rumoured De Gea wage package of around 140,000 pounds a week is not good enough in modern footballing, but be that as we may we don't really know their bonuses, i.e. a clean sheet could mean an extra 20,000.

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[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421184409' post='10741089']
[quote name='Fastboy' timestamp='1421019685' post='10729015']
[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421007141' post='10727909']
Well that was truely awful......United are painful to watch now, just utter pants
[/quote]

I'm a Chelsea fan (and have been since the days of Kerry Dixon) so I won't gloss it over for you United guys.

I personally think Van Gaal has done an ok job, however I personally feel United are artificially higher in the league then their performance suggests they should be as with a few exceptions most of those games even against much lesser opposition could very easily have gone the other way.

Southampton under Koeman are a very difficult side to break down and I'm not particularly surprised they beat United. The minute United come up against a well organised midfield now they're in trouble and just get totally pacified.

We all have bad days (s*** we lost 5-3 to Spurs and nobody would have seen that coming) but I reckon your end of season run in *might* get Van Gaal the sack - Arsenal, Chelsea, City and Liverpool in a short period of time right towards the end of the season which could really be the difference between CL or Europa League which I assume might not be enough for the board. Van Gaal was very naive 3 or 4 games back to start openly saying Utd could win the league based on performance and the teams they'd been playing.

The other thing that's killed United off was last season and moyes. Nobody fears going to old Trafford anymore as so many teams have beaten them there now. It took Fergie 25 years to build that fear factor but that got smashed to pieces last year as it happened fairly frequently so teams don't fear it anymore much as United fans probably like to think they still do.
[/quote]

Cant disagree really. But what bothers me is the lack of anything, United are 442 with width and wingers....and ffs we have the players to do that right now. Van Gaal needs to learn what United was built on by Sir Matt, and [b]nobody minds losing if you give it a go [/b]which I'm afraid isnt happening at all. Wouldnt say United are in a false position as the league never lies, its just Arsenal and the scousers are worse than us this season. But if its still this dire to watch come April and United are out the top 4 after spending £150m he'll be gone, and in truth I would have Giggs because the 1st thing he did after moyes is play 442 and played much more attacking football. Belive me, many of us natives in Manchester arent too impressed with Van Gaal....needs to buck up!
[/quote]

I loved that mentality United had before. That was what it felt like in 98/99, I even have the book 'The Unique Treble'. So amazing how they made comebacks which today's United totally lack.

[wetdogsmell]

ManU lost their way. Previous seasons (not last year...) when there was 10 minutes left and they needed a goal to tie/win you JUST KNEW they would get it done. Now that doesn't exist. Their opponents don't fear those last 10 minutes anymore when Fergie would just keep throwing more and more attackers on the pitch.

I'm an Arsenal fan so you can guess how I feel during the last 10 minutes.

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ManU lost their way. Previous seasons (not last year...) when there was 10 minutes left and they needed a goal to tie/win you JUST KNEW they would get it done. Now that doesn't exist. Their opponents don't fear those last 10 minutes anymore when Fergie would just keep throwing more and more attackers on the pitch.

 

I'm an Arsenal fan so you can guess how I feel during the last 10 minutes.

 

Did someone just hint fergie time??

I love United, but i also love the humour.

 

[wetdogsmell]

Ha! Those are funny. I'm not saying he had a magic watch that got his team extra minutes. He just used those minutes better than anyone else. Instead of just doing the same thing as the first 70-80 minutes he absolutely went at his opponents and that struck fear into them. Moyes extinguished that fire last season.

Arsenal can have a 2 goal lead with 10 min to go and it is "Squeaky bum time".

[scruffynick]

Massive rumour here that van gaal is only doing 1 season, now in the Spanish press and sky sports too.....interesting!

[wetdogsmell]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421346845' post='10752001']
Massive rumour here that van gaal is only doing 1 season, now in the Spanish press and sky sports too.....interesting!
[/quote]

I have read that too..... I think it's just "Crazy Transfer Talk" though. If they finish in the top 4 I can't imagine they would scrap all the money they put into the current squad.

[Fastboy]

I've heard today's rumour is that United may blow another £150 mill in this transfer window. How much of that is pie in the sky remains to be seen although they did spend big and late in the last window however, will be interested to see if strootman magically appears at old traf and how much van Gaal is willing to pay for him? £50 mil? £60 mil??? Either way it will be well over the odds like di Maria did.

I must say scruffynick I'd agree with you on formation. Under Van Gaal they've definitely played their best football playing 4-4-2 like the Utd of old this season and I just cant understand why van Gaal wants to keep reverting back to 3 CB's especially given the holes there at the moment.

Every time he does if he seems to throw 3 points down the drain by losing to a much lesser team. Even a rival supporter can't understand the mentality.

I think in terms of finish I'm guessing 4th or 5th. I think the saints based on the way they've played this season will take 3rd and arsenal who seem to be picking up might pip Utd to 4th. The scousers won't make any charge as they now seem to be impotent with Suarez gone and sturridges injury ridden season and Spurs aren't consistent enough to pip em either.

I guess 4th will 100% guarantee the 'philosophy' continues in Manchester for a while longer but still reckon 5th might be dicey especially if Van Gaal spends big again this month and gets done by arsenal to the last CL spot.

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I agree with you guys. I hope United will spend a bit more this summer proving the rumour mill right. But seriously, why are they so quiet?
4-4-2 is much better than the 3-5-2, and I know this might sound weird but.. United has yet to lose in their [b]blue[/b] kit and have only drawn in their [b]white[/b] kit. Weird right?

I am keen for United to make some more statement signings are important defensive/striker signings as well.
Of course, I always think local fans have a far better eye and I hope they will be more patient with Van Gaal...

Wait 3 years, and let's hope a certain Spaniard from Munich will take the reins... cough*.

[Sira]

If they're (united) going to spend another 150 mil+ i hope they spend a large chunk of it on decent centre backs. It is ridiculous to think than only a few seasons ago United has two of the best defenders in the EPL; compare to now: Evans has been terribad so far this season, Smalling is inconsistent, Jones seems injury-prone, blackett and McNair need more experience, Rojo better competes for LB/WB position with Shaw, A.Young.

Rumoured players like Bale, Messi, Vidal or Pogba can wait, we need a top class CB (or two), ASAP!

[scruffynick]

Just been on the radio in UK that United are bidding £25m for Coleman.......see if that's true but United need a decent full back and he fits the bill. Paying over the odds but United are going to have to to get better defenders in

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Just been on the radio in UK that United are bidding £25m for Coleman.......see if that's true but United need a decent full back and he fits the bill. Paying over the odds but United are going to have to to get better defenders in
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Recall John O'Shea!

No, but all the great defenders are in Chelsea/ City/ Madrid and Bayern. A few others are in Dortmund but that weird bunch would rather sink than to join United, to which I find their perseverance admirable.

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Not looking forward to this one. But I must hope...

[scruffynick]

 

Not looking forward to this one. But I must hope...

 

Can see another loss but it may end up 1-1, but I bet it's another poor performance as the back 3 are utter dross! Oh I wish for a partnership like McGrath-Moran, Bruce-palister, vidic-Rio.....at this time I would take Brown-Silvestre it's that bad

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Not looking forward to this one. But I must hope...

 

Can see another loss but it may end up 1-1, but I bet it's another poor performance as the back 3 are utter dross! Oh I wish for a partnership like McGrath-Moran, Bruce-palister, vidic-Rio.....at this time I would take Brown-Silvestre it's that bad

 

Sigh... Evans, Smalling, etc are pretty much shadow forwards for the opposing teams.

[scruffynick]

 

Not looking forward to this one. But I must hope...

 

Can see another loss but it may end up 1-1, but I bet it's another poor performance as the back 3 are utter dross! Oh I wish for a partnership like McGrath-Moran, Bruce-palister, vidic-Rio.....at this time I would take Brown-Silvestre it's that bad

 

Sigh... Evans, Smalling, etc are pretty much shadow forwards for the opposing teams.

 

3-5-poo again, I'm off to pub but I need a few pints first just to be able to watch it! Going to be a long afternoon me thinks

[Golfingfanatic]

Poor Swansea...

[scruffynick]

United played 442 for 5 minutes and scored, then played the best we've played in yonks.......supporters demanded it just before half time and van gaal responded....well done!

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Poor Swansea...

 

No sympathy for a team that beat United.

That being said they're missing Bony and SY.

 

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[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421520399' post='10764801']
United played 442 for 5 minutes and scored, then played the best we've played in yonks.......supporters demanded it just before half time and van gaal responded....well done!
[/quote]

Yes, he finally listened. Fellaini did great too. I hope they beat Leicester and get James Vardy sent off, that elbowing *****.

[BVIChester]

Its hard work being on NZ time and trying to follow the football. Luckily i have a dog who seems to think 5 am is a good wake up time so i can catch some of the game.

Being a Palace fan it was great to watch this morning. Not often i get to say that. Some real belief in the squad now. We wont ever be the greatest squad but are up there with heart and passion.

[Nick6771]

Lambert out! Please.........

[Fastboy]

[quote name='scruffynick' timestamp='1421520399' post='10764801']
United played 442 for 5 minutes and scored, then played the best we've played in yonks.......supporters demanded it just before half time and van gaal responded....well done!
[/quote]

Not really surprised as I mentioned previously that they play better with 4-4-2 so after the first half of nothing using 3-5-2 LVG had to revert as another goalless draw would have been disastrous for United against the likes of QPR.

Whilst nobody plays great football every game all season long it's painful watching them play 3-5-2 (bare in mind I'm a Chelsea fan but like watching other teams), awful, awful, awful football !! It's the grinding out the the one and two nills against the QPR's of the prem league week in and week out that gets your CL spot.

Using games like that to keep persisting with a formation that doesn't work costs you 2 and occasionally 3 points!

On to current stuff though, surprised (even though through a penalty) that arsenal are leading city.

Would be a great result for us blues if it ends like that but city are dominating possession so suspect they'll win two or three one. If arsenal win wenger is suddenly a genius to all arsenal fans again