Manchester United

[Guest]

Probably not the most popualr topic right now, but what do people think of United's performance of late and the fact it's now 3 losses for 'The special one'

 

I must admit i am a fan of Jose and would like to see him do well, but it appears there might be more than the manager picking the squad. Rooney needs replacing immediately until he finds form again, yet I bet he wll continue to start games for Man United as he does for England. Is he Illuminati or something ?

[foxy boxing]

lets face it he is not so special anymore the real one is 'pep'. jose has been at big clubs too long and it always goes wrong eventually. I would like to see him at a club not at the very top and see how he does, it might work out better for him

[theboyC]

We could go and upset them this weekend !

[Finnegan]

That's what happens when you fill your team with strikers and have no creators.

 

Ibra, Rooney, Martial, Rashford all capable of finishing but collectively they're as creative as Burnley.

[pSinatra]

Mourinho is half the manager Ranieri is & it's never his fault.

 

I thought Pep might get found out after being at nothing but the top teams with the most money, but he made Mourinho look like an amateur in the Manchester derby.

 

I enjoy watching him fail

[AyewJoking]

1 hour ago, foxy boxing said:

lets face it he is not so special anymore the real one is 'pep'. jose has been at big clubs too long and it always goes wrong eventually. I would like to see him at a club not at the very top and see how he does, it might work out better for him

err, thats man utd isnt it?

 

what are the odds on us beating them and getting mourinho the sack for the second year running?

[Raj Dattani]

As bad as they maybe playing i'd like to go and watch the game with my brother and nephew...

 

If anyone has a ticket and cannot make it i'll take it off your hands

 

Thanks

 

Raj

[Guest]

I think Pep will get found out. Man City were always going to come good with the players they bought, the problem is sustaining that which  I don't think Man City will be able to do.

[Finnegan]

Anyone who doesn't think City have probably already won the league is kidding themselves.

[AKCJ]

Couldn't really care less.

 

However it's been quite funny to watch them bring in players they like Pogba and Ibrahimovic and see them line up against utter guff like Fellaini and Rooney.

 

They're a long way off winning the title. Would put them in the same category as Chelsea and Liverpool atm.

[Poznan34]

He's not special any more. I would love it if we got a result there on Saturday. So many egos in that team. 

[MrSpaM]

Rooney is never going to 'find form' again playing as a midfielder

 

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if he leaves in January on loan

[Soar Fox]

35 minutes ago, MrSpaM said:

Rooney is never going to 'find form' again playing as a midfielder

 

Honestly wouldn't be surprised if he leaves in January on loan

Best thing he can do is fvck off to China. 

 

He's finished as a top 4 player in this country. 

[Fox92]

Rooney in midfield, Fellaini still in there, £89mill for Pogba who has so far contributed nothing. Both Fellaini and Pogba tracked the same man in the build up to one of Watford's goals at the weekend. 

 

I just don't understand United at the minute. Having grown up seeing them dominate midfield - a leader in Keane and real goalscorers from midfield with the likes of Scholes and Beckham - they had fast and direct wingers in Giggs or Ronaldo. They were frightening to play and had true World Class players. Commanding, strong players with the likes of Stamm, Vidic, Ferdinand...

 

They just seem to lack absolutely everything top clubs have now. 

[Nick]

I'm glad he returned to the Prem as it was a duller place without him. His capitulation at Chelsea was weird and embarrassing to watch as he held his arrogant head high as the players, women of the world and the footballing press began to question his values and judgement.

 

Whilst Man U stick with Rooney in the team they get everything they deserve and that's why Pep has walked in across the road and swung his big Kahoona's and is subsequently doing well and Jose is sat with more of the same and just playing with his. 

 

Good entertainment if you're not a red.

[ajthefox]

1 hour ago, Fox92 said:

Rooney in midfield, Fellaini still in there, £89mill for Pogba who has so far contributed nothing. Both Fellaini and Pogba tracked the same man in the build up to one of Watford's goals at the weekend. 

 

I just don't understand United at the minute. Having grown up seeing them dominate midfield - a leader in Keane and real goalscorers from midfield with the likes of Scholes and Beckham - they had fast and direct wingers in Giggs or Ronaldo. They were frightening to play and had true World Class players. Commanding, strong players with the likes of Stamm, Vidic, Ferdinand...

 

They just seem to lack absolutely everything top clubs have now. 

I think that's kind of the problem. Many of us were used to them being relentlessly dominant (particularly late 90s), that was just how it was when we were younger. But they'll never be the juggernaut they were under AF again. Sure they'll win titles, but they will never see such an era of dominance, the competition at the top and the money being thrown round summer after summer is making sure of that. Point being, they've been cack for a few years now (and I agree that they are lacking in the ways you've stated), but the dominance we grew up with will probably never be seen again.

[Thracian]

It'll be interesting to see how Slim' compares with Ibrahimovic when they meet shortly. I shouldn't judge on such a limited viewing but after our man's goals against Burnley I don't think I'd swap even now.

 

I don't doubt the United man's ability - his record speaks volumes - but Slimani looked like a man of a mission and another glittering diamond of a player to add to what is fast becoming a tiara of footballing gemstones.       

[MC Prussian]

Manchester United's recruitment policy cannot be based on footballing reasons. It's as if they're assembling a highly expensive puzzle, but don't know how the single pieces are going to fit.

 

On the surface, the squad looks brilliant, and there's a plethora of famous names or talented players amongst them. But in terms of squad building, they couldn't be more wrong. I'm more convinced that the only reason Ibrahimovic and Pogba are at Manchester United is because they sell shirts.

 

Mourinho is living off his past reputation and is likely never going to live up to his glory days anymore. I bet he's a genius, but also rather difficult to deal with in person (as geniuses usually are) and on the abrasive side.

 

No player, manager or team can maintain the same high level of professionalism and/or success over an overly prolonged period of time. Manchester United had their fair share of the limelight. Now it's up to their city neighbors to take over - and for me, a much more sympathetic success story (ignoring the money thrown around in recent years), as their fans still come across as relatively humble and grounded. Remember the days they were in the third division...

[Dan]

I think Mourinho's standing in the game has definitely gone downhill since he won the treble with Inter.

 

He's starting to crack up a bit. I worry that he actually believes half of the crap he comes out with.

 

There are certain elements to him I like but he isn't at Pep's level. Absolutely no chance. Mourinho buys individuals and motivates. Guardiola builds teams, and very good ones at that. Not a contest who I'd rather have in charge now.

[Dan]

8 hours ago, pSinatra said:

Mourinho is half the manager Ranieri is & it's never his fault.

 

I thought Pep might get found out after being at nothing but the top teams with the most money, but he made Mourinho look like an amateur in the Manchester derby.

 

I enjoy watching him fail

Pep gets a lot of unfair stick in my eyes. I know people will argue he had it easy but that Barcelona side was a lot down to him. He took a side that were behind Real Madrid and made a couple of significant changes that turned them into probably the best club side of my lifetime.

 

Bayern wasn't as notable as Barcelona but he still did well.

 

Mourinho has lost his ruthlessness. Would Pep still be pissing around with Rooney or Fellaini? Would Mourinho of old?

[pSinatra]

8 minutes ago, Dan LCFC said:

Pep gets a lot of unfair stick in my eyes. I know people will argue he had it easy but that Barcelona side was a lot down to him. He took a side that were behind Real Madrid and made a couple of significant changes that turned them into probably the best club side of my lifetime.

 

Bayern wasn't as notable as Barcelona but he still did well.

 

Mourinho has lost his ruthlessness. Would Pep still be pissing around with Rooney or Fellaini? Would Mourinho of old?

 

I find it difficult to judge Mourinho objectively when I seem to have an irrational dislike of someone I don't really know.  He's always been arrogant but at least it used to come with a little charm, that surely his persona was just for the cameras & that he had something more to him.  Maybe he even has a sense of humour (the miserable twat).

 

I thought he'd walk into Old Trafford, throw his weight around & do what Pep seems to be doing at the Etihad.......drop anyone who's shit, ship people he don't want & add quality where needed.  He's done none of that & it makes you wonder why he took the job in the first place.  I think he believes his own hype & his arrogance is his biggest downfall.  He thought he could simply show up, splash the cash & everything would click into place.

 

To be honest, I didn't know a great deal about Pep, only what everyone seemed to be saying.  That said, he's looking pretty impressive.  He's blown Conte & Mourinho out the water so far this season.

[Dan]

35 minutes ago, pSinatra said:

 

I find it difficult to judge Mourinho objectively when I seem to have an irrational dislike of someone I don't really know.  He's always been arrogant but at least it used to come with a little charm, that surely his persona was just for the cameras & that he had something more to him.  Maybe he even has a sense of humour (the miserable twat).

 

I thought he'd walk into Old Trafford, throw his weight around & do what Pep seems to be doing at the Etihad.......drop anyone who's shit, ship people he don't want & add quality where needed.  He's done none of that & it makes you wonder why he took the job in the first place.  I think he believes his own hype & his arrogance is his biggest downfall.  He thought he could simply show up, splash the cash & everything would click into place.

 

To be honest, I didn't know a great deal about Pep, only what everyone seemed to be saying.  That said, he's looking pretty impressive.  He's blown Conte & Mourinho out the water so far this season.

I think you've got to ask some real questions of Man Utd already. It is early days but they're proving they've got cracks already. This is a side who have spent an absolutely incredible amount of money this summer and yet they're already just one loss off what we managed in the whole of last season.

 

I agree with what Prussian said earlier up. The entire thing reeks of a hype creating, shirt selling project above anything.

 

I'm not doubting Ibrahimovic or Pogba's quality, but you wouldn't say they've really put together a team that fits would you?

 

Their persistence with Rooney above all is staggering. I actually cannot get my head around how he's still given a license in both Man Utd and England's teams as if he's as good as Messi or Ronaldo.

 

Chelsea are another who haven't really changed enough for me either. They've thrown in Kante, failed to really utilise him to his maximum ability, brought back a dodgy defender (which reeks of non-Conte signing given his defensive emphasis) and failed to even start their new £30mil striker. They've also persisted with players like Ivanovic, Oscar, Matic and Cahill who aren't really up to it now either.

 

Guardiola's beating them both in just about every department so far. It's early days but I can see no winner bar Man City this season. I've been so impressed by them and think that they might even put up a proper fight in Europe too. I know they made the semis last year but that was the draw as much as anything because they were so ordinary.

[Number 6]

Must admit I wasn't convinced by Pep before due to him inheriting great squads* but having seen what he's done so far at city I've been very impressed. 

 

Mostly with the football but also things like playing full backs as defensive mids, seems a bit of an innovator and thinker of the game. They were great to watch against Utd.

 

*yes he did again inherit a great squad.

[Fox92]

13 hours ago, Dan LCFC said:

Pep gets a lot of unfair stick in my eyes. I know people will argue he had it easy but that Barcelona side was a lot down to him. He took a side that were behind Real Madrid and made a couple of significant changes that turned them into probably the best club side of my lifetime.

 

Bayern wasn't as notable as Barcelona but he still did well.

 

Mourinho has lost his ruthlessness. Would Pep still be pissing around with Rooney or Fellaini? Would Mourinho of old?

Agree and at the minute he's walking "the toughest league in the World". Any club that finishes above Manchester City this season will win the league for me.

[davieG]

Jose Mourinho will drop Wayne Rooney for Manchester United’s game against Leicester on Saturday, according to The Sun.

United captain Rooney started the season in polarising form, scoring in their first Premier League game against Bournemouth, before going on to assist goals in subsequent victories over Southampton and Hull.

But his performances often left a little to be desired, and his regression has been highlighted in recent defeats to Manchester City and Watford.

Against the latter he was particularly poor. After that defeat, Matt Stead wrote:

‘Rooney was terrible. Glenn Hoddle reserved particular praise for the captain on two occasions: When he ran the ball out of play, and when he hit a cross out for a goal kick. Both times the 30-year-old was praised for his attacking intent, but Rooney’s determination has never been in doubt. His quality, however, is undeniably on the wane. Mourinho can play him as a No 10. He can play him as a winger. He can play him as a midfielder. He can play 4-2-3-1 to accommodate him. He can play 4-3-3 to accommodate him. He cannot reverse the passage of time, something which has ravaged Rooney’s body. The mind is willing him to do things he no longer can.’

A Europa League loss at Feyenoord – with Rooney one of a number of players rested – sandwiched those two league losses, making it three consecutive defeats for United within a week.

Mourinho will now act by dropping his captain for the upcoming visit of champions Leicester to Old Trafford.

Neil Ashton of The Sun reports that the Portuguese ‘is set to axe’ the 30-year-old ‘following another poor performance at Vicarage Road’. ‘Fans had been calling for Rooney to be left out,’ Ashton adds in a back-page exclusive.

Mourinho has previously discussed the prospect of dropping Rooney from the first team after a number of lethargic performances.

“I can take him out,” the manager said after the win over Hull in August. “It’s no problem for me to take him out, no problem for him to be out.”

United will take on Leicester looking to avoid a fourth straight defeat. The last time that happened was, well, not actually that long ago. Louis van Gaal oversaw a quite miserable December 2015, with losses coming against Wolfsburg, Bournemouth, Norwich and Stoke.