Manchester United Thread [2011/2012]

[Dipanjan]

"prospects"

Haha, you're probably posting this image for the 56543rd time. In perspective, letting Pique, Rossi, Ron-Robert Zieler and Ryan Shawcross leave should be counted among SAF's worst decisions.

 

[Sevillista]

Haha, you're probably posting this image for the 56543rd time. In perspective, letting Pique, Rossi, Ron-Robert Zieler and Ryan Shawcross leave should be counted among SAF's worst decisions.

But when you're one of the biggest clubs in the world, you can't have the patience that some players need.

 

[kp41]

we lost, released or sold so many players suddenly, park, morrison, pogba, fryers, fabio, owen, Kuszczak.

I know not many key players but it reduces squad depth which was always our advantage.

 

[Pogba4Now]

But when you're one of the biggest clubs in the world, you can't have the patience that some players need.

Come on, he flopped at United. Simple as that. He was given the chance to play but failed to score in games. Ferguson kept him for 2 years. Who would've known he'd become a top scorer after that. These things are not predictable. Some other managers these days would've ditched Forlan after 6 months.

 

[Pogba4Now]

we lost, released or sold so many players suddenly, park, morrison, pogba, fryers, fabio, owen, Kuszczak.

I know not many key players but it reduces squad depth which was always our advantage.

7 players gone but 2 in. Ferguson said that he is looking at more signings. Let's hope we get another player or 2.

 

[Dipanjan]

Forlan couldn't adjust to English conditions. He was given a lot of chances but he couldn't prove himself at United. Fergie wasn't impatient with Forlan, by my reckoning. SAF has persisted with Evans for way longer than any other manager would have, though. And it finally seems to be paying off.

7 players gone but 2 in. Ferguson said that he is looking at more signings. Let's hope we get another player or 2.

Yeah. Going by the fact that we went for both Kagawa and Hazard, I think we might just buy another midfielder (I am thinking Moutinho). You never know. If there's a chance, we should try our luck by bidding for Van Persie. He might just come to United. And, talking of Dutch strikers, I've always wanted to see Huntelaar play for United. If Berbatov goes, we should either buy Huntelaar or wait for Welbeck to turn into a dependable goal scorer.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Come on, he flopped at United. Simple as that. He was given the chance to play but failed to score in games. Ferguson kept him for 2 years. Who would've known he'd become a top scorer after that. These things are not predictable. Some other managers these days would've ditched Forlan after 6 months.

I agree, he was given his chance. Just not cut out for England it would seem.

 

[kp41]

Come on, he flopped at United. Simple as that. He was given the chance to play but failed to score in games. Ferguson kept him for 2 years. Who would've known he'd become a top scorer after that. These things are not predictable. Some other managers these days would've ditched Forlan after 6 months.

Well said, I guess his style was not fit for physical EPL and tough marking (he showed same results in Serie A, although he wasn't fit as well). It worked very well in La Liga.

United's current squad:

Keeper:
1- de Gea
34- Lindegaard
40- Amos
We should be ok with them, I hope to see less mistakes from de Gea, he played with confidence at the end

Defence:
Center back: Rio - Vidic - Smalling - Evans - Jones
If Vidic can regain his form and hopefully with less injuries, we will more than ok
Full back: Rafael - Evra - (Jones - Evans - Smalling)
Unfortunately, Rafael is injury prone and Evra didn't play his best lately. Jones, Evans, and Smalling can play as Full backs but it's not their primary position. I think either we should sign a young full back or use our youth. Do we have any good full back in our youth team?

I really like to see Jones in one permanent position.

Midfield:
Center Midfield:
Carrick, Scholes, Cleverly, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs
Tbh, I think center midfield is our weakest area.
Cleverly and Anderson started last campaign well, but they are injury prone especially Anderson, he is inconsistent as well.
Carrick is average right now and he's 30, well ....
I don't know what was wrong with Fletcher and whether he's fit now ...
Well Scholes and Giggs have quality but they are almost 40 now.

Wings:
Nani-Young-Valencia-Giggs
Valencia is best among them at the moment. Nani has quality but inconsistency and fitness are always issues. Young didn't play well after great start last year. I already mentioned Giggs.

Attacking Midfielder (behind forward)
Kagawa - Powell
Two quality player, I'm curious to see how Sir Alex is going to use them.

Forwards:
Rooney-Wellback-Hernandez-Berba
Berba will be sold, most probably. If we play with single forward, I think we should be ok with Rooney, Wellback and Chicharito. We have few talented players in our youth squad as well. Macheda will be available as well.

Will Keane is a great talent.

What we need:
1- Quality center midfielder, Moutinho would be ideal
2- A full back, Although I'm against splashing 17 million for 27 Baines
3- (OPTIONAL) Young winger, center forward or center midfielder if we earn enough cash from Berba

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Your fullbacks are legitimately the worst of any big club in a decade. That's like bottom half quality. Every other position is essentially fine although CM still needs an upgrade, but you guys seem obsessed by these AMCs who don't play defense, so maybe you think Kagawa is the solution. I think you should just shell out for Javi Martinez or even Sami Khedira who could probably be had, but of course I hope you don't.

 

[kp41]

Don't worry about them. United normally sells big stars to Real, we don't buy from them. Also when there is a race for a player, Sir Alex normally doesn't want to outbid anyone.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

So then go for Lars Bender. That dude is legit. Huge lungs, great skill, big determination. And as a bonus, he's Bavarian.

 

[kp41]

Sir Alex doesn't like "typical Germans" neither.

 

[kp41]

we will probably end up buying Djemba Djemba cousin.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Flopa Flopa

 

[adedawson]

Really? Welbeck clearly had talent for years before being given a real chance with the team. I could have seen him leaving.

Yeah really, he was given his chances on loan to prove himself and that he did. That goes for all the players listed other then Brown who was something special. Shame about his injuries.

The recent crop didn't make it that far. Like I mentioned the previous listed were doing so much more at the equivalent ages.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

It is curious that the youth production has fallen so much. Even Rossi and Pique were imports. I don't mean this in a disparaging way to United specifically, I just wonder what would cause that to happen in a club. Less investing in scouting across England or youth coaches? Would they really cut back on such a small expense?

 

[kp41]

Apart from Barcelona, name a single BIG team which made 5 great home grown players in the last 5 years.

 

[1966+2006]

Ajax' academy has always been impressive.

 

[Pogba4Now]

It is curious that the youth production has fallen so much. Even Rossi and Pique were imports. I don't mean this in a disparaging way to United specifically, I just wonder what would cause that to happen in a club. Less investing in scouting across England or youth coaches? Would they really cut back on such a small expense?

I think thats a problem throughout the whole country, not only United. England has been very scarce of talent in years. Exceptions are maybe Wilshere and Welbeck. Can't think of any other right now.

 

[ShiftyPowers]

Apart from Barcelona, name a single BIG team which made 5 great home grown players in the last 5 years.

Toni Kroos, Holger Badstuber, Thomas Muller, Mats Hummels, David Alaba.

Bastian Schweinsteiger, Philipp Lahm, Owen Hargreaves, Piotr Trochowski

Emre Can looks set to be something too.