Matty
Well-Known Member
There's no doubt that the last couple of days of the transfer window have worked out well for United, albeit seemingly entirely unplanned and haphazardly. The collapse of the De Gea transfer, and his subsequent new contract, means they've got one of the best keepers around playing for them, as opposed to Romero who couldn't get a game at either Monaco or Sampdoria the last two seasons. Now I don't for one minute think De Gea will be at United next season (his new contract just ensures United will get a sizeable fee from Real for him when they sell next summer, a fee which is no doubt set in stone within the contract as a "release clause") but his presence there this season will win them far more points than they would otherwise have achieved (who knows how the game yesterday would have finished if Fonte's header had gone in, something you suspect would have been the case if Romero was in goal).
The Martial deal, despite it being very early days, looks like its brought a talented player to Old Trafford, and with his pace up front he looks like the Premier League could suit him. He's still very young, and inexperienced though, so consistency is where he'sll struggle. Lets not mistake good form, and talent, for a "good deal" here though. Martial's fee, when add ons are considered (and most of the add ons are very easy to achieve), is still ridiculous for someone of his age and lack of football experience, and no number of early career goals will change that. Even if he goes on to become the next Henry the simply fat will be they could have got him for £20m less if they'd been even slightly adept in the transfer market.
United's points tally, and the fact they've won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1 so far this season, is a matter of some frustration. They've been pretty poor for large parts of the season so far yet find themselves just 2 points behind City, despite it being widely accepted City have been head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the league form wise. I'm not too concerned however, we have a far stronger squad than United, we have been playing far superior football, we will finish comfortably ahead of them come May. Chelsea are the side I was concerned about a the start of the season, with a slight concern over Arsenal. We're still 8 points clear of Chelsea, and 5 ahead of Arsenal, so fromk that perspective we're still very handily placed.
What our relative positions (City and United) does indicate is some of the stuff being posted on here after just 5 league games, asking whether we could become another "invincibles" etc was just laughably naïve and frustratingly idiotic. You can play well and lose, or struggle horribly at times and win (as demonstrated by our two relative starts to the season) so asking if we can go unbeaten in mid September is just farcical.
The Martial deal, despite it being very early days, looks like its brought a talented player to Old Trafford, and with his pace up front he looks like the Premier League could suit him. He's still very young, and inexperienced though, so consistency is where he'sll struggle. Lets not mistake good form, and talent, for a "good deal" here though. Martial's fee, when add ons are considered (and most of the add ons are very easy to achieve), is still ridiculous for someone of his age and lack of football experience, and no number of early career goals will change that. Even if he goes on to become the next Henry the simply fat will be they could have got him for £20m less if they'd been even slightly adept in the transfer market.
United's points tally, and the fact they've won 4, drawn 1 and lost 1 so far this season, is a matter of some frustration. They've been pretty poor for large parts of the season so far yet find themselves just 2 points behind City, despite it being widely accepted City have been head and shoulders ahead of the rest of the league form wise. I'm not too concerned however, we have a far stronger squad than United, we have been playing far superior football, we will finish comfortably ahead of them come May. Chelsea are the side I was concerned about a the start of the season, with a slight concern over Arsenal. We're still 8 points clear of Chelsea, and 5 ahead of Arsenal, so fromk that perspective we're still very handily placed.
What our relative positions (City and United) does indicate is some of the stuff being posted on here after just 5 league games, asking whether we could become another "invincibles" etc was just laughably naïve and frustratingly idiotic. You can play well and lose, or struggle horribly at times and win (as demonstrated by our two relative starts to the season) so asking if we can go unbeaten in mid September is just farcical.