United Thread 2014/15

[IrelandSuperman]

What makes it even worse for them is to see City signing the players that would do them the most good, Mangala, Fernando, Sagna and Lampard.

Lol, if I was a religious man I'd me thinking that God is a bit of a sadistic City fan.

Well He is a City fan. We're not called God's Own for nothing.

 

[Wiirdo]

Only PSG have spent more money than them in the last 5 transfer windows. I think it's a disgrace that they are trying to buy 7th place. They are ruining football
[bigimg]http://imageshack.com/a/img539/5628/jB53sh.jpg[/bigimg]

You sure that's right? Just added up our net from the past 5 windows (including this season) on Transfermarkt and it comes to £296m. Last season we were in the green was the season we sold Shauny to Chelski.

I think you're getting mixed up, perhaps thinking of summer transfer windows only. Remember that this is the last 5 transfer windows so:

Summer 2012
January 2013
Summer 2013
January 2014
Summer 2014

If you look at our transfer activity over that 5-window period, a net spend of £107 million is about right.

The United stat is astonishing really - despite being the second biggest net spenders in Europe during that period I think it could be legitimately argued that they have a worse squad now than they did immediately before they embarked on that spending spree, yet all the other clubs on that list can claim that their squads have improved.

Right, I fucked that one right up hahaha.

 

[Allendintiers]

Rojo is a very interesting case.

He arrived at Sporting with no credit. Out of favour at Spartak Moscow. Sporting was a sinking ship in 12/13 and he looked awful. Got sent off in the big games. Completely out of sorts. Amazingly enough... he was still getting called up for the Argentina NT and playing out of position. He was a centre back at Sporting and a left back for the NT. 13/14 was a much better year for Sporting and for Rojo as well. Much more solid and composed, but still... he was sent off 3 times. He wasn't tested in Europe since Sporting had failed to qualify for Europe the previous season. Even among Sporting fans the opinion about him only changed over the last few months, especially with the World Cup where he did well.

I don't know what to believe, the Rojo centre back who was always getting sent off against Porto and Benfica or the Argentina left back. One things is for sure, buying a playing for big money based on a few games is not a very good idea. He is not United material(haha, as in, for a team that wants to be among the top of Europe), it's a big jump in the dark. I suppose he is a good option for the wingback position in that 3-5-2 formation, because as a centre back... he is very very dodgy.

I think United are being betrayed by that early success in pre-season and with Van Gaal wanting to show his 'authority' or 'identity' by giving every player a chance. Things went well and there wasn't much urgency in signing people. Just look at Herrera and Shaw - not Van Gaal's targets, he gave the ok and United splashed out ridiculous amounts of money for them. So now, the house is on fire, the romance is over and they must sign players and must ditch other ones as soon as possible.

Di Maria was very very inconsistent throughout his career(only had a top season at Benfica, before being sold). At Madrid he was always a bit erratic - his decision making was typically very very poor. Last season he reivented himself. From his traditional winger position, he moved back on the pitch and he was really great in many games. So fast and running all game, he was capable of pressuring people, recovering balls and carrying the ball down the picth at great speed. He was vital for Madrid last season, giving them a great injection of physicality in the middle of the pitch(with Alonso and Modrid they were soft). Thing is, what position will he play at United? And how will he handle being the 'main star'? It is one thing playing second fiddle to Ronaldo, it is a different one having to be the main man.

I would imagine that if Van Gaal sticks to his silly system, Di Maria would be like a Robben, but unlike Holland, who seemingly were happy being boring and playing counter attack, United will have to create much more and boss games and there won't be much space for a runner like him. Then there is the issue of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. I think ideally, Van Gaal, ditches his system and adopts a more conventional lineup and almost inevitably with Mata starting from a wide position and cutting inside, he will have freedom, but on paper he will be a winger. This is the only option because Di Maria should start on the wing and then Rooney probably roaming behind Van Persie as a sort of number 10.

Good post, I have been hearing lots about Van Gaal only interested in a left sided defender who can play both at central or on the left side of defense. Which is why they were interested in Vermaelen. With Arsenal not willing to sell him to a rival, I think that Rojo is a pretty good acquisition, he's young, just come of a good season for Sporting and played in a world cup final for Argentina. Van Gaal has seen him first hand, but most of all he really wants to come and that makes a huge difference.

 

[nobody can eat fifty eggs]

Rojo is a very interesting case.

He arrived at Sporting with no credit. Out of favour at Spartak Moscow. Sporting was a sinking ship in 12/13 and he looked awful. Got sent off in the big games. Completely out of sorts. Amazingly enough... he was still getting called up for the Argentina NT and playing out of position. He was a centre back at Sporting and a left back for the NT. 13/14 was a much better year for Sporting and for Rojo as well. Much more solid and composed, but still... he was sent off 3 times. He wasn't tested in Europe since Sporting had failed to qualify for Europe the previous season. Even among Sporting fans the opinion about him only changed over the last few months, especially with the World Cup where he did well.

I don't know what to believe, the Rojo centre back who was always getting sent off against Porto and Benfica or the Argentina left back. One things is for sure, buying a playing for big money based on a few games is not a very good idea. He is not United material(haha, as in, for a team that wants to be among the top of Europe), it's a big jump in the dark. I suppose he is a good option for the wingback position in that 3-5-2 formation, because as a centre back... he is very very dodgy.

I think United are being betrayed by that early success in pre-season and with Van Gaal wanting to show his 'authority' or 'identity' by giving every player a chance. Things went well and there wasn't much urgency in signing people. Just look at Herrera and Shaw - not Van Gaal's targets, he gave the ok and United splashed out ridiculous amounts of money for them. So now, the house is on fire, the romance is over and they must sign players and must ditch other ones as soon as possible.

Di Maria was very very inconsistent throughout his career(only had a top season at Benfica, before being sold). At Madrid he was always a bit erratic - his decision making was typically very very poor. Last season he reivented himself. From his traditional winger position, he moved back on the pitch and he was really great in many games. So fast and running all game, he was capable of pressuring people, recovering balls and carrying the ball down the picth at great speed. He was vital for Madrid last season, giving them a great injection of physicality in the middle of the pitch(with Alonso and Modrid they were soft). Thing is, what position will he play at United? And how will he handle being the 'main star'? It is one thing playing second fiddle to Ronaldo, it is a different one having to be the main man.

I would imagine that if Van Gaal sticks to his silly system, Di Maria would be like a Robben, but unlike Holland, who seemingly were happy being boring and playing counter attack, United will have to create much more and boss games and there won't be much space for a runner like him. Then there is the issue of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. I think ideally, Van Gaal, ditches his system and adopts a more conventional lineup and almost inevitably with Mata starting from a wide position and cutting inside, he will have freedom, but on paper he will be a winger. This is the only option because Di Maria should start on the wing and then Rooney probably roaming behind Van Persie as a sort of number 10.

Good post, I have been hearing lots about Van Gaal only interested in a left sided defender who can play both at central or on the left side of defense. Which is why they were interested in Vermaelen. With Arsenal not willing to sell him to a rival, I think that Rojo is a pretty good acquisition, he's young, just come of a good season for Sporting and played in a world cup final for Argentina. Van Gaal has seen him first hand, but most of all he really wants to come and that makes a huge difference.

He likes the money you mean, it can't be for trophies.

 

[squirtyflower]

Rojo is a very interesting case.

He arrived at Sporting with no credit. Out of favour at Spartak Moscow. Sporting was a sinking ship in 12/13 and he looked awful. Got sent off in the big games. Completely out of sorts. Amazingly enough... he was still getting called up for the Argentina NT and playing out of position. He was a centre back at Sporting and a left back for the NT. 13/14 was a much better year for Sporting and for Rojo as well. Much more solid and composed, but still... he was sent off 3 times. He wasn't tested in Europe since Sporting had failed to qualify for Europe the previous season. Even among Sporting fans the opinion about him only changed over the last few months, especially with the World Cup where he did well.

I don't know what to believe, the Rojo centre back who was always getting sent off against Porto and Benfica or the Argentina left back. One things is for sure, buying a playing for big money based on a few games is not a very good idea. He is not United material(haha, as in, for a team that wants to be among the top of Europe), it's a big jump in the dark. I suppose he is a good option for the wingback position in that 3-5-2 formation, because as a centre back... he is very very dodgy.

I think United are being betrayed by that early success in pre-season and with Van Gaal wanting to show his 'authority' or 'identity' by giving every player a chance. Things went well and there wasn't much urgency in signing people. Just look at Herrera and Shaw - not Van Gaal's targets, he gave the ok and United splashed out ridiculous amounts of money for them. So now, the house is on fire, the romance is over and they must sign players and must ditch other ones as soon as possible.

Di Maria was very very inconsistent throughout his career(only had a top season at Benfica, before being sold). At Madrid he was always a bit erratic - his decision making was typically very very poor. Last season he reivented himself. From his traditional winger position, he moved back on the pitch and he was really great in many games. So fast and running all game, he was capable of pressuring people, recovering balls and carrying the ball down the picth at great speed. He was vital for Madrid last season, giving them a great injection of physicality in the middle of the pitch(with Alonso and Modrid they were soft). Thing is, what position will he play at United? And how will he handle being the 'main star'? It is one thing playing second fiddle to Ronaldo, it is a different one having to be the main man.

I would imagine that if Van Gaal sticks to his silly system, Di Maria would be like a Robben, but unlike Holland, who seemingly were happy being boring and playing counter attack, United will have to create much more and boss games and there won't be much space for a runner like him. Then there is the issue of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. I think ideally, Van Gaal, ditches his system and adopts a more conventional lineup and almost inevitably with Mata starting from a wide position and cutting inside, he will have freedom, but on paper he will be a winger. This is the only option because Di Maria should start on the wing and then Rooney probably roaming behind Van Persie as a sort of number 10.

Good post, I have been hearing lots about Van Gaal only interested in a left sided defender who can play both at central or on the left side of defense. Which is why they were interested in Vermaelen. With Arsenal not willing to sell him to a rival, I think that Rojo is a pretty good acquisition, he's young, just come of a good season for Sporting and played in a world cup final for Argentina. Van Gaal has seen him first hand, but most of all he really wants to come and that makes a huge difference.

He likes the money you mean, it can't be for trophies.

tbh, i'm not sure what he's agreeing with as the other post basically slates the signing and the current state of affairs at his beloved rags

 

[sir baconface]

What makes it even worse for them is to see City signing the players that would do them the most good, Mangala, Fernando, Sagna and Lampard.

True.

It must have been blatantly obvious - even to their tea lady - that they would need at least one, preferably two, central defenders. Did nobody realise Vidic and the Camel would be in their mid-30s? And that's not to mention midfield.

Yet here they are, scrabbling around like rats in a tumble dryer.

They've gone from being almost infallible to making a passable imitation of Fred Karno's.

Arf, arf.

 

[supercity88]

I think Van Gaal has got things completely wrong with the whole 3-5-2 he is trying to play. They desperately need a defensive midfielder to sit in front of their defence but he has ignored their inability to defend in order to accommodate Rooney and Van Persie. That will get found out in the prem. You can't play in this league with the hope of scoring more than the opposition. Liverpool tried it with better players last season and failed. The rags need a new defence, but they should at least play 4 at the back to give themselves more stability. It might have worked for the Dutch in the WC and in pre-season but it won't in the league. They've not got a true central midfielder to dictate the game in the middle of the park. All their formation does is allow the opposition time on the ball in the middle and Swansea showed you cannot do that. I thought the Rags would get top 4 with no European football but I am not so sure unless they add some more quality. I'm not writing them off after one game, but they seem to be far too focussed on this 3-5-2 which leaves them very open to counter attacks and being dominated for possession.

 

[Sky Blue]

Rojo is a very interesting case.

He arrived at Sporting with no credit. Out of favour at Spartak Moscow. Sporting was a sinking ship in 12/13 and he looked awful. Got sent off in the big games. Completely out of sorts. Amazingly enough... he was still getting called up for the Argentina NT and playing out of position. He was a centre back at Sporting and a left back for the NT. 13/14 was a much better year for Sporting and for Rojo as well. Much more solid and composed, but still... he was sent off 3 times. He wasn't tested in Europe since Sporting had failed to qualify for Europe the previous season. Even among Sporting fans the opinion about him only changed over the last few months, especially with the World Cup where he did well.

I don't know what to believe, the Rojo centre back who was always getting sent off against Porto and Benfica or the Argentina left back. One things is for sure, buying a playing for big money based on a few games is not a very good idea. He is not United material(haha, as in, for a team that wants to be among the top of Europe), it's a big jump in the dark. I suppose he is a good option for the wingback position in that 3-5-2 formation, because as a centre back... he is very very dodgy.

I think United are being betrayed by that early success in pre-season and with Van Gaal wanting to show his 'authority' or 'identity' by giving every player a chance. Things went well and there wasn't much urgency in signing people. Just look at Herrera and Shaw - not Van Gaal's targets, he gave the ok and United splashed out ridiculous amounts of money for them. So now, the house is on fire, the romance is over and they must sign players and must ditch other ones as soon as possible.

Di Maria was very very inconsistent throughout his career(only had a top season at Benfica, before being sold). At Madrid he was always a bit erratic - his decision making was typically very very poor. Last season he reivented himself. From his traditional winger position, he moved back on the pitch and he was really great in many games. So fast and running all game, he was capable of pressuring people, recovering balls and carrying the ball down the picth at great speed. He was vital for Madrid last season, giving them a great injection of physicality in the middle of the pitch(with Alonso and Modrid they were soft). Thing is, what position will he play at United? And how will he handle being the 'main star'? It is one thing playing second fiddle to Ronaldo, it is a different one having to be the main man.

I would imagine that if Van Gaal sticks to his silly system, Di Maria would be like a Robben, but unlike Holland, who seemingly were happy being boring and playing counter attack, United will have to create much more and boss games and there won't be much space for a runner like him. Then there is the issue of Mata, Rooney and Van Persie. I think ideally, Van Gaal, ditches his system and adopts a more conventional lineup and almost inevitably with Mata starting from a wide position and cutting inside, he will have freedom, but on paper he will be a winger. This is the only option because Di Maria should start on the wing and then Rooney probably roaming behind Van Persie as a sort of number 10.

Good post, I have been hearing lots about Van Gaal only interested in a left sided defender who can play both at central or on the left side of defense. Which is why they were interested in Vermaelen. With Arsenal not willing to sell him to a rival, I think that Rojo is a pretty good acquisition, he's young, just come of a good season for Sporting and played in a world cup final for Argentina. Van Gaal has seen him first hand, but most of all he really wants to come and that makes a huge difference.

What's with all this "they" bollocks ?

 

[Uptop]

I think Van Gaal has got things completely wrong with the whole 3-5-2 he is trying to play. They desperately need a defensive midfielder to sit in front of their defence but he has ignored their inability to defend in order to accommodate Rooney and Van Persie. That will get found out in the prem. You can't play in this league with the hope of scoring more than the opposition. Liverpool tried it with better players last season and failed. The rags need a new defence, but they should at least play 4 at the back to give themselves more stability. It might have worked for the Dutch in the WC and in pre-season but it won't in the league. They've not got a true central midfielder to dictate the game in the middle of the park. All their formation does is allow the opposition time on the ball in the middle and Swansea showed you cannot do that. I thought the Rags would get top 4 with no European football but I am not so sure unless they add some more quality. I'm not writing them off after one game, but they seem to be far too focussed on this 3-5-2 which leaves them very open to counter attacks and being dominated for possession.

This is bang on.

Van Gaal is hailed as some tactical genius but plans on playing 3-5-2 with only 3 CBs (who based on the Swansea game don't have the intelligence to play three at the back), 1 Left wing back and no adequate DM. They have too many No. 10s and wingers who dont fit into his chosen formation so they are just played anywhere which clearly won't work (Young left wingback / Jizzyjazz right wingback)

Its a incredible stupid decision to use a formation without the right personnel, they looked slightly better when they switched back to a more usual 433, so all pre-season playing 3-5-2 was a waste of time so far. Versus any decent attacking side they would have got hammered and they are very susceptible to injuries as has already been shown having to play wingers with no defensive discipline at wing backs and youth players at CB. If he chose 433 they would have coped much better with the injuries that they have but Van Gaal was too stubborn to change until he could see them getting outclassed by Swansea.

3-5-2 might work in certain games where they can sit back and defend all game and try hit teams on the counter but are they got to accept turning into a park the bus and try nick a goal mid-table style of football at the swamp? It might work in knock out football but not in a league where you need to win more than draw/lose.

 

[bluechampion7891]

I think Van Gaal has got things completely wrong with the whole 3-5-2 he is trying to play. They desperately need a defensive midfielder to sit in front of their defence but he has ignored their inability to defend in order to accommodate Rooney and Van Persie. That will get found out in the prem. You can't play in this league with the hope of scoring more than the opposition. Liverpool tried it with better players last season and failed. The rags need a new defence, but they should at least play 4 at the back to give themselves more stability. It might have worked for the Dutch in the WC and in pre-season but it won't in the league. They've not got a true central midfielder to dictate the game in the middle of the park. All their formation does is allow the opposition time on the ball in the middle and Swansea showed you cannot do that. I thought the Rags would get top 4 with no European football but I am not so sure unless they add some more quality. I'm not writing them off after one game, but they seem to be far too focussed on this 3-5-2 which leaves them very open to counter attacks and being dominated for possession.

This is bang on.

Van Gaal is hailed as some tactical genius but plans on playing 3-5-2 with only 3 CBs (who based on the Swansea game don't have the intelligence to play three at the back), 1 Left wing back and no adequate DM. They have too many No. 10s and wingers who dont fit into his chosen formation so they are just played anywhere which clearly won't work (Young left wingback / Jizzyjazz right wingback)

Its a incredible stupid decision to use a formation without the right personnel, they looked slightly better when they switched back to a more usual 433, so all pre-season playing 3-5-2 was a waste of time so far. Versus any decent attacking side they would have got hammered and they are very susceptible to injuries as has already been shown having to play wingers with no defensive discipline at wing backs and youth players at CB. If he chose 433 they would have coped much better with the injuries that they have but Van Gaal was too stubborn to change until he could see them getting outclassed by Swansea.

3-5-2 might work in certain games where they can sit back and defend all game and try hit teams on the counter but are they got to accept turning into a park the bus and try nick a goal mid-table style of football at the swamp? It might work in knock out football but not in a league where you need to win more than draw/lose.

The thing that I don't get is that they don't have the defenders to play 352 or the wingbacks but they want to play all of Mata, Rooney and Persie. Why don't they play 442 diamond? Add in a cheap DM like De Jong and they won't even have to buy a defender (from the point of view of Ed Woodward)