[Invictus]

Its not stereotyping, Im just not sure if he's as good as he is made out to be. He needs to get off his line and be more commanding at times, close down and make to goals smaller but he seems to stay on his line far to often. Unbelievable reflexes though.

No no no.

1. He doesn't need to do that. De Gea is not a sweeper keeper in vein of Lloris or Neuer. A lot of keepers have different playing styles and De Gea has forged his own identity.

2. Did you see the last 2 seasons ? De Gea is as commanding as they come. His claiming of crosses has been exceptional and he does hand out a few bollockings from time to time. Of course when you have Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Patrice freaking Evra in front of you, it's not that easy to be a leader of the back. This season both De Gea and to a a degree Jones will take a quantum leap in leadership ability.

3. No he doesn't. He's not from the Yashin school of keeping. Many continental goalkeepers from the past decade and even more tend to stay at their lines rather than charging out like a maniac. Early Casillas is a good example of that.

There is room for improvement of course but De Gea is probably one of the Top 3 and definitely one of the Top 5 keepers in the world :

City : Hart : De Gea is better.
Arsenal : WS : De Gea is better.
Chelsea : Courtois : Debatable. Before Thibaut came along De Gea was excellent for Atletico, helping them to a UEFA Cup and Supercup at age 20, Spain to the final of the U17 World Cup, won the U17 Euro, the U21 Euro twice, has already won the league with United. He is definitely more accomplished as of now. Better ? We'll find out this season now that they're in the same leagues.
Liverpool : Mignolet : De Gea is better.
Atletico : Moya : De Gea is better.
Madrid : Casillas : De Gea is better.
Barcelona : Ter Stegen : This dude is definitely not better. Dunno why someone would say that.
Bayern : Neuer : Better tha De Gea by a wide margin as of now.
Dortmund : Nope.
Juventus : Buffon : All time great but has regressed massively. De Gea is better.
PSG : Sirigu : De Gea is better.
Monaco : Stekelenberg/ Subasic : De Gea is better.

He's also better than Handanovic, Lloris, Leno, Ochoa, Moraes etc.

 

[gasmanc]

Has the De Gea thread been moved or what lads ?

 

[Triple.Threat]

i would actually take him ahead of Bale and Robin. He's that good.

 

[Offside]

Just going on tonight there's no question, we haven't seen talent like his in Old Trafford since you know who left.

He hasn't been able to get a game at Benfica so maybe even he's not as good as Angel.

Bebe lolz

 

[Adnan]

 

[MoneyMay]

Match comp is up. Uncropped. Hopefully the music is a bit better this time, but you can tell how awful my audio editing skills are. Still, great quality unlike the other match comps of Di María vs Germany - everyone wants to be first to release such performances, but they always miss out lots of footage. Anyway, enjoy!

 

[Devil may care]

He was fantastic against Germany tonight, it's going to be exciting watching him every week for United after the last few years of Valencia and Young. His acceleration, skill and inventiveness on the ball are a joy to watch and we have him right as he's hitting his peak.

 

[::sonny::]

Didn't watch the game, but I don't think he played as CM/DM

 

[Vato]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United back where they belong.

 

[NK86]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United where they belong again.

*Wipes a tear drop*
We have to win the damn thing now

 

[kouroux]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United back where they belong.

We felt a lot worse that's for sure.

 

[Treble]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United where they belong again.

I hope you are right. But I very much doubt it.

We don't have a settled defence. It will take time to build one.

We have a new midfield. It will take time for it to start functioning well.

We have big names up front, including Mata, but their best performances were 18-36 months ago. They haven't performed at world class level over the last 18 months. Apart from that, they cannot all play at the same time. Maybe only 2 out of Falcao, Rooney, RvP and Mata will start in the big games, otherwise we won't be good defensively wise. Besides, no one of them is particuarly pacey.

Unlike our forwards, AdM has been genuinely world class recently and is a truly fantastic addition. But he doesn't have as good team mates here as he did at Madrid. He wasn't the main man at Madrid at it was easier for him to shine. Now every fan and his dog knows that you have to stop AdM if you want to win against United.

To sum it up, we'll do greatly to win a top 4 spot. It's far from guaranteed. On the contrary, it wil be very difficult. You can quote me on that.

 

[Vato]

I hope you are right. But I very much doubt it.

We don't have a settled defence. It will take time to build one.

We have a new midfield. It will take time for it to start functioning well.

We have big names up front, including Mata, but their best performances were 18-36 months ago. They haven't performed at world class level over the last 18 months. Apart from that, they cannot all play at the same time. Maybe only 2 out of Falcao, Rooney, RvP and Mata will start in the big games, otherwise we won't be good defensively wise.

Unlike our forwards, AdM has been genuinely world class recently and is a truly fantastic addition. But he doesn't have as good team mates here as he did at Madrid. He wasn't the main man at Madrid at it was easier for him to shine. Now every fan and his dog knows that you have to stop AdM if you want to win against United.

To sum it up, we'll do greatly to win a top 4 spot. It's far from guaranteed. On the contrary, it wil be very difficult. You can quote me on that.

Ok, let's see which one is closer to the reality at the end of the season.

 

[Joga Bonito]

@Vato Great to see a far more optimistic opposition fan than some of our fans right now. I'm pretty sure LVG is looking to challenge for the title, even though he might be downplaying expectations in public a bit, to reduce the pressure on the team.

I doubt the club approached Falcao and Di maria saying, Eh we are looking to sneak into the top 4 slots and let's see what happens next season. I'm sure we are competing for the title but I personally won't mind a top 4 place, given that this is a huge transitional season where there is a possibility that things could go wrong. The absolute minimum is top 4 though

 

[Member 21058]

Didn't see the match. From the highlights it looked like he was playing wide right, is that correct? I wonder if van Gaal will try him at right wingback. Something like this:

---Smalling---Evans----Rojo---
-------Rooney--Herrera--------
Di Maria------Mata-------Shaw
----------RVP-------Falcao-----

 

[Vato]

@Vato Great to see a far more optimistic opposition fan than some of our fans right now. I'm pretty sure LVG is looking to challenge for the title, even though he might be downplaying expectations in public a bit, to reduce the pressure on the team.

I doubt the club approached Falcao and Di maria saying, Eh we are looking to sneak into the top 4 slots and let's see what happens next season. I'm sure we are competing for the title but I personally won't mind a top 4 place, given that this is a huge transitional season where there is a possibility that things could go wrong. The absolute minimum is top 4 though

I still stand by this. Granted, the first few games have been crap but this international break couldn't come at a better time for you.
Season just started anyway, just build some confidence in your next few games and even your worst players will receive a huge boost and will start playing better. I can't see this squad not challenging for the title tbh.

 

[Vato]

Didn't see the match. From the highlights it looked like he was playing wide right, is that correct? I wonder if van Gaal will try him at right wingback. Something like this:

---Smalling---Evans----Rojo---
-------Rooney--Herrera--------
Di Maria------Mata-------Shaw
----------RVP-------Falcao-----

Rooney in midfield instead of Blind?

 

[Adam-Utd]

Didn't see the match. From the highlights it looked like he was playing wide right, is that correct? I wonder if van Gaal will try him at right wingback. Something like this:

---Smalling---Evans----Rojo---
-------Rooney--Herrera--------
Di Maria------Mata-------Shaw
----------RVP-------Falcao-----

Yes he played mainly as a Right winger, but did swap to the left every now and again.

He played next to Aguero and Lamela in a 4-3-3. They had Perez, Mascherano and Biglia in the centre.

 

[Member 21058]

Rooney in midfield instead of Blind?

For better or worse van Gaal has made Rooney undroppable when fit by making him captain.

 

[Massive Spanner]

That first assist is ludicrous.

 

[MDFC Manager]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United back where they belong.

I really really hope you're right!

 

[arthurka]

I watch this match yesterday on zdf and the germans just couldn't stop praising him, and went as far as saying it would have been a different final with him in the team. He was just so good, direct, quick just oozed class..
His finish was sublime and his crosses are so good. Young and Valencia must be shaking right now, he is just that good..

 

[2 man midfield]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United back where they belong.

I love you Vato.

 

[Kostur]

Best thing yesterday was how pin-point accurate his crosses were, it was crazy.

 

[freshibal]

Im starting to suspect @Vato is a closet Utd fan, his words are way too kind.

 

[KM]

Let's win the title for Vato, lads.

 

[Bwuk]

Can't wait to see him vs QPR

 

[MDFC Manager]

Can't wait to see him vs QPR

Its about time that OT was lit up up again.

 

[kouroux]

He's a special talent, the kind you only watch football matches for.

 

[Rozay]

He is a special, special player - but people must not forget that this is the type of player that belongs at Old Trafford. Fergie's transfer policy I think, caused some fans to think we don't deserve real top-bracket players. I don't see why a club of our stature should have second-rates. Why on earth would we be challenging on all fronts with Young and Valencia on the wing? It isn't, and has never been, good enough.

 

[Red Shorts]

I really hope he plays on the wing and thrives there. He was absolutely brilliant from the centre last season, but our wing play has been dire for 4 years now since Valencia had his last really good one. Di Maria's deliveries will be greatly desired from our strikers, and I can just picture him pinging beauties to Falcao, Rooney and RvP all day whilst also beating his man, unlike other players I will not mention.

 

[sglowrider]

He is a special, special player - but people must not forget that this is the type of player that belongs at Old Trafford. Fergie's transfer policy I think, caused some fans to think we don't deserve real top-bracket players. I don't see why a club of our stature should have second-rates. Why on earth would we be challenging on all fronts with Young and Valencia on the wing? It isn't, and has never been, good enough.

I don't think Fergie bought them thinking they would turn out to be crap or a little above average at best.
They just didn't kick on from their previous levels.

 

[Ish]

'You can quote me on that' type of post:
ADM is going to be on the shortlist for the ballon d'or next year. At United he'll be the big man and he'll thrive on that. I somehow feel like the shackles have come off now. He'll score the most goals he's ever scored in a single season if he's played on the wing as I really think that's his best position even though he was still amazing in midfield. He's just at the peak of his powers and we saw that last night.

United have a fantastic squad that won't compete for top 4. If you can get your summer signings clicking in time you will win the league.
Di Maria will really lift the team and make everyone play better, which won't be hard considering the quality of players you just bought.

Can't believe he's gone though... This must feel like you guys felt when Ronaldo went the other way. Really gutting.
At least win the title with him, you cnuts. I genuinely wish him all the best. Let's hope you get your heads out of your arses because you have a great coach, great squad, your record buy is on top of his game and only one competition to look at now. You won't get a much better chance to win the league than you have right now.
Get United back where they belong.

FFS Vato, just when I thought I couldn't like you any more.....sniff sniff....love you man! (unless you're a female, then I love you a little more )

Stop it...you're making me have a soft spot for Madrid! THAT CAN'T HAPPEN!

 

[Ish]

Match comp is up. Uncropped. Hopefully the music is a bit better this time, but you can tell how awful my audio editing skills are. Still, great quality unlike the other match comps of Di María vs Germany - everyone wants to be first to release such performances, but they always miss out lots of footage. Anyway, enjoy!

You're a star! Thanks.

 

[NoLogo]

Imagine a 4-3-3 with ihm and Reus on the wider attackier positions. They would give the Ribery and Robben combo a run for their money, hell maybe even Ronaldo and Bale.

 

[Adnan]

Angel Di Maria dampens praise after virtuoso display for Argentina

http://www.espnfc.com/international...s-praise-after-virtuoso-display-for-argentina

 

[Brown Toothpick]

Im starting to suspect @Vato is a closet Utd fan, his words are way too kind.

Well, you guys gave him Ronaldo, so its only fair.

 

[Raees]

Beastly performance, if only he had played in the world cup final...

 

[RedorDead21]

Its about time that OT was lit up up again.

Can you imagine if we get beat? You know some people call me a pessimist.......

 

[RedorDead21]

For better or worse van Gaal has made Rooney undroppable when fit by making him captain.

Why Arsenal made Vermaelen Captain?