United Thread - 2021/22

[Kippax77]

Not sure if this has been posted, but it is an absolute pleasure to watch

Seems to get better with every post

 

[FogBlueInSanFran]

I think United have now got huge problems. I don't buy the suggestions that all they need is a new manager to inspire their so-called "world-class" squad. I think they need a squad re-build because they do not have players who can survive in modern football. The goalkeeper kicked it long every single time on Saturday and we just lapped it up. They need a new defence with fast mobile players and a new midfield with smart creative and technical players.
The club itself needs a complete re-structure from top to bottom with new people appointed in all the key roles, especially the coaching side, and they need to sideline Alex Ferguson. It is a minimum 10-year project starting from now and that's assuming the Glazers are prepared to invest.

Ahhhhhhh . . . now: finish the thought.

In order to rebuild -- with a brand new side, and a brand new manager who they are patient with, what has to happen?

They have to sell players. Big money, overpaid players. At a loss. And then they have to find the guy to reconstruct the side. Assuming he exists, he will want huge money and some type of guarantee he'll be given that time and the budget.

And during this reclamation effort, where will Utd finish? Surely well out of the CL running. Maybe worse. And do you think the owners -- in it for the money they can squeeze from the golden goose -- or the fans -- in it only for the glory, especially the overseas ones -- are going to stand for 3, 4, 5 or more years wandering the desert?

Of course not.

So . . . what do you do? You glue the thing together with money and tape. You bring in "stars" to give hope/promise. You bring in "legends" who understand "the United way". And you can spend your way not to glory, but at least to the hope of future glory reclaimed.

The problem is . . . that worked when there was only one or two teams better than you -- you could buy top four. But now? Now there are more. Potentially several more coming.

And that worked when some of the competitive clubs had down years. Not happening now.

I keep saying I try to look at Utd as a company, not a football team. As such, this is a dying brand with an antiquated business model. A brick-and-mortar retailer in the age of the internet. A propeller plane in the age of jets.

They don't have the balls nor the smarts nor the time nor the soft competitive base nor, increasingly, the money to tear down and rebuild.

Until the Glazers sell to someone who has all those things, AND the competitive environment changes to benefit them (which it may not) . . . .

They. Are. Fucked.

 

[Roy Munson]

I.Have.Never.Ever.Lost.Sight.

As someone getting on the edge of the FOC side of our club, one of the things I'll be most gutted about as I'm about to peg it (hopefully, in many many years time) is that I can't hate the cunts anymore.

If there's anyway of coming back I'd cause fucking chaos at the swamp.

Good lad. That's the spirit :-)

 

[alexmcity]

Many of those pundits are still saying United have a world-class squad. Dwight York said this morning that United's current team is good enough to win the PL. That team includes Lindelof, McTominay, Fred, Wan Bisakka, plus Maguire the Wardrobe. On what planet are they "world-class." This is delusion of the highest order and the longer they remain in denial the better.

Pep could win the league with their squad. Half of their players would look great under him. They are just 5 pts off Liverpool, despite being poorly managed by Solskjaer. It's potentially misleading to judge the quality of players when the team struggles. When we have problems, we also can be critical of our players. E.g., even though we won the title, many were critical of Rodri and Cancelo and found it perfectly logical that they lost their starting places toward the end of last season. They were convinced it was a good idea to look for their replacements.

 

[StillBluessinceHydeRoad]

I recall the Maguire one being a header over the bar and the Ronaldo one being their only shot on target.

I don't recall the other two touches. I assume the Greenwood one was a failed cross or dribble.

Edit: Ignore the Greenwood assumption, AHT below cleared that one up.

The Maguire "header" was from a free kick and appeared to come off his shoulder rather than his head and was not only too high but well wide. The Greenwood touch was contact made when Eddie palmed Princess R's volley out and it hit Greenwood and went out for a goal kick. Don't remember McT being on the pitch so don't remember his touch.

 

[kippaxwarrior]

Saint Marcus Of Fish Fingers has withdrawn from the England squad due to a "knock". Pretty sure it wasn't during the game he got this as he did absolutely fuck all

 

[kippaxwarrior]

The Maguire "header" was from a free kick and appeared to come off his shoulder rather than his head and was not only too high but well wide. The Greenwood touch was contact made when Eddie palmed Princess R's volley out and it hit Greenwood and went out for a goal kick. Don't remember McT being on the pitch so don't remember his touch.

Mctominay was flagged offside so his touch shouldn't count

 

[Citizen of Legoland]

Mctominay was flagged offside so his touch shouldn't count

Stop being mean, let them have it.

 

[KentBlue]

Saint Marcus Of Fish Fingers has withdrawn from the England squad due to a "knock".

And still some people think the bullying pisscan has nothing to do with the rags anymore.

 

[MCFC1993]

Nowhere to be seen when they spent £110m+ on Sancho and Varane and give Ronaldo £500k a week back in August though.

Pathetic if this is true and they do this.

No doubt they'll all be there in their new Ronaldo shirts.