[elnorte]

We finished 2nd last year with a EL final and semi finals of the league cup.

I guess that means you dont rate Ronaldo, Pogba, Sancho, Varane either then?

Ronaldo might be an all time favourite but I don't think it needs said what stage he is at in his career.

Varane has obviously been a class act throughout his years playing for Madrid (and France) but they've likely sold him at the right time. He's either been injured or made to look ok by those malignant cnuts Shaw and Maguire.

Pogba has been eye-wateringly disappointing waste of money.

The reason we were the only club Sancho wanted is because nobody else wanted him. In due course his limitations will mean he'll be receiving as much flak as all the rest.

No more ridiculous than you saying he was of the best around. He would be considered at least a level below the required quality for those clubs with a realistic chance of winning the Champions League.

 

[Champ]

Ronaldo might be an all time favourite but I don't think it needs said what stage he is at in his career.

Varane has obviously been a class act throughout his years playing for Madrid (and France) but they've likely sold him at the right time. He's either been injured or made to look ok by those malignant cnuts Shaw and Maguire.

Pogba has been eye-wateringly disappointing waste of money.

The reason we were the only club Sancho wanted is because nobody else wanted him. In due course his limitations will mean he'll be receiving as much flak as all the rest.

No more ridiculous than you saying he was of the best around. He would be considered at least a level below the required quality for those clubs with a realistic chance of winning the Champions League.

Whatever you think!

When you're putting in the numbers and performances Bruno is, you deserve to get recognised as the best, if you can't see that then fine, but it's right there in front of you!

 

[elnorte]

Whatever you think!

When you're putting in the numbers and performances Bruno is, you deserve to get recognised as the best, if you can't see that then fine, but it's right there in front of you!

Have you been impressed with his performances these last few months or longer even if we're being brutally honest about it? I mean what you're seeing with you're own two eyes.

 

[Wolf1992]

The issue with Bruno is that he masks his poor performances with goals, as much as goals are needed to win games, that's not the main job of a midfielder.
United's midfield has been overrun even by mediocre sides in the EPL, let alone in european games.

I can't see United winning anything with the current midfield, including Bruno.

He will keep stat-padding goals against midtable teams to mask a poor performance, but that won't be enough to challenge for titles.

Giving him a renewal when United haven't yet decided who is gonna be the next manager seems bonkers.

Good player but not sure if he is what United need to challenge for titles again.

 

[NewYorkRed]

The issue with Bruno is that he masks his poor performances with goals, as much as goals are needed to win games, that's not the main job of a midfielder.
United's midfield has been overrun even by mediocre sides in the EPL, let alone in european games.

I can't see United winning anything with the current midfield, including Bruno.

He will keep stat-padding goals against midtable teams to mask a poor performance, but that won't be enough to challenge for titles.

Giving him a renewal when United haven't yet decided who is gonna be the next manager seems bonkers.

Good player but not sure if he is what United need to challenge for titles again.

You’re wrong.

 

[MattofManchester]

Having Bruno on one side saying "keep trying till its mathematically impossible" to get top 4, then having Pogba on the other saying there's nothing left to play for this season because there's no trophies, all in one international break.

Crazy state of affairs that nobody in that squad is on the same page.

 

[romufc]

The reason we were the only club Sancho wanted is because nobody else wanted him. In due course his limitations will mean he'll be receiving as much flak as all the rest.

If you are going to judge a player by who was interested in him means you think Mbappe has his limitations because only Madrid are in for him? Or you dont rate Salah, Jota because no other teams were in for him?

That is one of the worst ways to judge a player.

 

[Matt851]

Bruno Fernandes being extended is one of the most obvious things the club had to do going forward. That we legitimately have posters here not playing april fools is outright depressing.

"What is the point of re-signing him, he was under contract"

Well first of all, if you want to keep your staff happy, wagging the middle finger and pointing to the contract like some kind of gilded "gotcha" is not the way to go about it. Over the sum of his career here, Bruno Fernandes is by far and wide the most important individual player we have. Bruno is 27. The new contract will keep him at the club until he is 32. This is the last huge-money long-term contract Bruno will sign. He is looking at a 2-3 year contract at most after this.

The club obviously want Bruno to stay here for the remaining part of his high-performance career. Extending him now ensures that he is under contract for the remaining years of his most productive period, and more importantly: His wage is reflective of his status in the team.

KDB earn more than twice the salary Bruno does. Jadon Sancho earn significantly more than Bruno does. Harry Maguire earn significantly more than Bruno Fernandes does. The man is underpaid in our hierarchy.

KDB play in a significantly more successful team, but the player himself has not been that more productive than Bruno has. The importance to their respective teams are equal.

Politics does play a significant part in the huge football clubs. Manchester United chose to flaunt financial muscles during the covid-19 pandemic and chose to keep paying full player wages and keep staff on. The players themselves chose to donate part of their salaries to charity. To keep Bruno on his current contract is a bad look for the club front-office, as it displays a lack of "respect for the players accomplishments" compared to other high earners.

The contract extension signifies that Bruno Fernandes is one of the clubs absolute flagship players. Its a move to keep the player happy and motivated as well as signify outwardly that the club backs Bruno as "their guy" both to the public but also in the squad hierarchy. Its an expensive version of "keeping up appearances" if Hyacinth had access to Richards bottomless platinum creditcard.


What if we just wait until his final contract year to re-sign him?

At that point a few things could conceivably have happened:

1. The player does not feel the club appreciates his contributions on the pitch. At which point he will not sign a new contract and will look to run the current one down and sign for a new club, like Real Madrid.

2. Same as 1. Except the player openly wants a new challenge as the club does not wish to extend his contract on the players wishes, and openly seeks a new challenge. Any time a player is open about wanting a new move, a LOT of noise comes hurdling in and it causes enormous disruptions in the club. Paul Pogba said as much during a sponsor press conference with Adidas and everyone lost their collective minds for months. Now imagine a player who is significantly more successful individually for the club doing the same. It wont just be an upset, it will downright hurt.

3. The player enters his final contract year and the conversation about Bruno Fernandes new contract, or lack of it, is the only talking point for months.

4. Players are normal people with fancy jobs. They think the same way you or I do about everyday problems. A unsolved issue relating to your near future is certainly going to cause a distraction.

5. The player understands and respects the clubs decision and is happy to wait until his final year to negotiate a new deal. I will add this here for the sake of fairness, but this is not a realistic option. Bruno was nominated for the Ballon D'or. His salary status in the club is not representative of his contribution.

With regards to the re-signing of players already under contract: This is what big clubs do. Again with the politics of relevant contribution and hierarchy status.

"Why are we re-signing him, he hasnt won anything"

I dont know how to respond to this.. what?

It's still legitimate to questin whether he could be a part of a successful team, liverpool and City wouldn't play someone who is so careless with the ball.

In his time at the club he has only played well in a 4231 and the new coach may well want to play a 433.

As others have mentioned his form has been poor this season and this looks like we are rewarding that form, in a typically united fashion. If his poor form continues he will be another player we can't sell because his wages are higher than anyone else will pay

So many people on here say he deserves the contract compared with our other high earners. But it ignores the fact we are a basket case of a club paying big money for average players for many years. It's not exactly working out so we have to reset pur wage structure at some point

 

[devips]

Bruno Fernandes being extended is one of the most obvious things the club had to do going forward. That we legitimately have posters here not playing april fools is outright depressing.

"What is the point of re-signing him, he was under contract"

Well first of all, if you want to keep your staff happy, wagging the middle finger and pointing to the contract like some kind of gilded "gotcha" is not the way to go about it. Over the sum of his career here, Bruno Fernandes is by far and wide the most important individual player we have. Bruno is 27. The new contract will keep him at the club until he is 32. This is the last huge-money long-term contract Bruno will sign. He is looking at a 2-3 year contract at most after this.

The club obviously want Bruno to stay here for the remaining part of his high-performance career. Extending him now ensures that he is under contract for the remaining years of his most productive period, and more importantly: His wage is reflective of his status in the team.

KDB earn more than twice the salary Bruno does. Jadon Sancho earn significantly more than Bruno does. Harry Maguire earn significantly more than Bruno Fernandes does. The man is underpaid in our hierarchy.

KDB play in a significantly more successful team, but the player himself has not been that more productive than Bruno has. The importance to their respective teams are equal.

Politics does play a significant part in the huge football clubs. Manchester United chose to flaunt financial muscles during the covid-19 pandemic and chose to keep paying full player wages and keep staff on. The players themselves chose to donate part of their salaries to charity. To keep Bruno on his current contract is a bad look for the club front-office, as it displays a lack of "respect for the players accomplishments" compared to other high earners.

The contract extension signifies that Bruno Fernandes is one of the clubs absolute flagship players. Its a move to keep the player happy and motivated as well as signify outwardly that the club backs Bruno as "their guy" both to the public but also in the squad hierarchy. Its an expensive version of "keeping up appearances" if Hyacinth had access to Richards bottomless platinum creditcard.


What if we just wait until his final contract year to re-sign him?

At that point a few things could conceivably have happened:

1. The player does not feel the club appreciates his contributions on the pitch. At which point he will not sign a new contract and will look to run the current one down and sign for a new club, like Real Madrid.

2. Same as 1. Except the player openly wants a new challenge as the club does not wish to extend his contract on the players wishes, and openly seeks a new challenge. Any time a player is open about wanting a new move, a LOT of noise comes hurdling in and it causes enormous disruptions in the club. Paul Pogba said as much during a sponsor press conference with Adidas and everyone lost their collective minds for months. Now imagine a player who is significantly more successful individually for the club doing the same. It wont just be an upset, it will downright hurt.

3. The player enters his final contract year and the conversation about Bruno Fernandes new contract, or lack of it, is the only talking point for months.

4. Players are normal people with fancy jobs. They think the same way you or I do about everyday problems. A unsolved issue relating to your near future is certainly going to cause a distraction.

5. The player understands and respects the clubs decision and is happy to wait until his final year to negotiate a new deal. I will add this here for the sake of fairness, but this is not a realistic option. Bruno was nominated for the Ballon D'or. His salary status in the club is not representative of his contribution.

With regards to the re-signing of players already under contract: This is what big clubs do. Again with the politics of relevant contribution and hierarchy status.

"Why are we re-signing him, he hasnt won anything"

I dont know how to respond to this.. what?

Great post.

 

[MattofManchester]

liverpool and City wouldn't play someone who is so careless with the ball.

No, of course not. KDB has 100% pass completion, and never ever loses the ball. Ever.

Jesus Christ. You can disprove this nonsense 100 times over and still there'll be the agenda posts shouting "Hurr durr, but he loses the ball, glabhghhgh".

 

[JB7]

No, of course not. KDB has 100% pass completion, and never ever loses the ball. Ever.

Jesus Christ. You can disprove this nonsense 100 times over and still there'll be the agenda posts shouting "Hurr durr, but he loses the ball, glabhghhgh".

Footballer who takes risks sometimes loses the ball. Mind blown. These people are completely insane.

 

[Matt851]

No, of course not. KDB has 100% pass completion, and never ever loses the ball. Ever.

Jesus Christ. You can disprove this nonsense 100 times over and still there'll be the agenda posts shouting "Hurr durr, but he loses the ball, glabhghhgh".

The only people who think Bruno is near the same level as kdb are a small section of the United fanbase. Fans of other clubs would laugh at the notion. And yes Bruno does waste the ball a lot, if you disagree with that then you have some sort of issue

 

[elnorte]

No, of course not. KDB has 100% pass completion, and never ever loses the ball. Ever.

Jesus Christ. You can disprove this nonsense 100 times over and still there'll be the agenda posts shouting "Hurr durr, but he loses the ball, glabhghhgh".

Footballer who takes risks sometimes loses the ball. Mind blown. These people are completely insane.

Mis-representation of his point. As you already know to be true he's simply stating that Fernandes isn't on the same level as De Bruyne and wouldn't figure in City's (or Liverpool's for that matter) team. Further reiterated below:

The only people who think Bruno is near the same level as kdb are a small section of the United fanbase. Fans of other clubs would laugh at the notion. And yes Bruno does waste the ball a lot, if you disagree with that then you have some sort of issue

 

[romufc]

The only people who think Bruno is near the same level as kdb are a small section of the United fanbase. Fans of other clubs would laugh at the notion. And yes Bruno does waste the ball a lot, if you disagree with that then you have some sort of issue

I guess you mean a player wastes the ball alot but is there with top 5 chances created this season, up there with goals and assists?

You know the 2 players that lose the ball more than Bruno? KDB and Trent, what do they all have in common? They create chances.

 

[NewYorkRed]

Mis-representation of his point. As you already know to be true he's simply stating that Fernandes isn't on the same level as De Bruyne and wouldn't figure in City's (or Liverpool's for that matter) team. Further reiterated below:

Bruno would walk into that liverpool team with ease. Klopp has publicly said he thinks he’s a top player. Also, did it ever occur to you geniuses that he loses the ball so often because he’s encouraged to constantly take risks because we’re a team of individuals?

You guys are nuts. We could have a front three of Maradona Cruyff and Pele and you lot wouldn’t be happy.

 

[Sardine]

"Bruno Fernandes being extended is one of the most obvious things the club had to do going forward. That we legitimately have posters here not playing april fools is outright depressing."

It's a completely nonsensical decision which sums up the last decade at the club. Doubling his salary whilst only extending his contract by one year is ridiculous.
You've taken probably your most valuable sellable asset and made it impossible to sell him on because no-one will pay his wages. It's not inconceivable that given they'll be a new management team in the summer that he'll no longer be an undisputed starter and they'll end up with a Mesut Ozil type situation.

 

[elnorte]

I guess you mean a player wastes the ball alot but is there with top 5 chances created this season, up there with goals and assists?

You know the 2 players that lose the ball more than Bruno? KDB and Trent, what do they all have in common? They create chances.

Have you been as impressed with Bruno's form this season as you have the other two?

 

[JB7]

The only people who think Bruno is near the same level as kdb are a small section of the United fanbase. Fans of other clubs would laugh at the notion. And yes Bruno does waste the ball a lot, if you disagree with that then you have some sort of issue

Who's saying he's as good as De Bruyne? What the poster was doing was saying that the best player in the world in Bruno's position also takes a lot of risks and often loses possession, which is backed up by the pass completion of De Bruyne which is 75.7%, for reference Bruno's is 72.7%.

You can break that down further if you wish, short passes; Bruno 86.4%, De Bruyne 86.0%, medium passes; Bruno 78.2%, De Bruyne 80.3%, long passes; Bruno 50.3%, De Bruyne 54.0%. Not too dissimilar especially given De Bruyne plays in a team that averages 65-70% possession.

Players that create the most chances generally lose the ball a lot, it's par for the course as they are the players who put the most amount of risk in their passes - ie balls into a penalty area where the attackers are general outnumbered or eye of the needle type passes where the chance of interceptions are high.

 

[romufc]

Have you been as impressed with Bruno's form this season as you have the other two?

No, but neither has KDB been anything special this season.

Form = class?

 

[bosnian_red]

Mis-representation of his point. As you already know to be true he's simply stating that Fernandes isn't on the same level as De Bruyne and wouldn't figure in City's (or Liverpool's for that matter) team. Further reiterated below:

I mean that is crazy to say. Obviously, no, he wouldn't get into City's team as De Bruyne is a similar player but just better which most people don't dispute. Bruno is still a top player though, and on the tier below De Bruyne who is on a tier of his own. Of course he would get into Liverpool's team. He is literally exactly what Klopp loves in a player. A ridiculously hard working player who creates a huge mass of chances, is very talented and is always available for selection. Who is keeping him out? Naby Keita or Harvey Elliott/Curtis Jones or Oxlade Chamberlain? Come on.

 

[tjb]

As much as fans complain about the team, they've always had a penchant for not supporting our players these last few years, especially the better ones. It's like they live in a dream where we sell all our best players and have the 2011 Barca team in one window.

Bruno has been terrific for us. He is consistently our chief source of creativity and has provided alot of goals to support us. He is the only reason we were second and third the last two seasons. He, unlike Pogba and the Di Maria before him, has actually suffered from lack of support behind him. In his last three season, with the productivity he has had, if he was supported correctly, he would be in a league winning team.

He has the drive, the passion and intensity you expect from a United great. Unfortunately, our fans believe in absolute perfection and consistently compare our players to one's in other teams. A no.10 does not have to be like the ones at other teams, there are different types of players. Our fans would have us not give a player like Lampard a new contract because he doesn't have the agility of other no.10's/creative 8s. That's how ridiculous this thread is. Bruno only suffers because he plays in THIS dysfunctional team. Our fans are annoyed because he didn't have the sensational 2 seasons he had prior, they would probably sell KDB this season too then.

I get thatwe are generally not happy with the team, but not everyone who has been here for the last three seasons is culpable. We are the reason Maguire is getting booed for England, we are the reason that the likes of Jones became memes. People talk about support, but I don't think we've given that to the right players. Martial had a fan club for no reason, yet Fernandes is getting questioned...how does that make sense?

 

[Matt851]

I mean that is crazy to say. Obviously, no, he wouldn't get into City's team as De Bruyne is a similar player but just better which most people don't dispute. Bruno is still a top player though, and on the tier below De Bruyne who is on a tier of his own. Of course he would get into Liverpool's team. He is literally exactly what Klopp loves in a player. A ridiculously hard working player who creates a huge mass of chances, is very talented and is always available for selection. Who is keeping him out? Naby Keita or Harvey Elliott/Curtis Jones or Oxlade Chamberlain? Come on.

None of the players you have mentioned even start for liverpool. However I really don't think Bruno would start for liverpool, for one they play a 433 and Bruno hasn't shown he is capable of playing well in that system. Klopp tends to go for a functional hard working midfield, Bruno works hard but often runs about like a headless chicken off the ball.

Also, there is obviously an element of risk and reward with being a playmaker but Bruno is especially direct and also just misplaced simple passes more regularly than other comparable players

 

[TsuWave]

Rubbish post of the day , well done

send me my flowers and ferrero rochers, you try hard.

 

[JB7]

Also, there is obviously an element of risk and reward with being a playmaker but Bruno is especially direct and also just misplaced simple passes more regularly than other comparable players

Interesting comment to make literally 15 minutes after being presented with the pass competition statistics. To remind you for those "simple passes"; Bruno 86.4%, De Bruyne 86.0%. But carry on peddling your nonsense.

 

[TsuWave]

No, but neither has KDB been anything special this season.

Form = class?

Bruno has been at United for two seasons, a good first one, highly inflated by penalties, and a rubbish second season. How are we ascertaining this supposed class, that buys him as much leeway as KDB?

 

[bosnian_red]

None of the players you have mentioned even start for liverpool. However I really don't think Bruno would start for liverpool, for one they play a 433 and Bruno hasn't shown he is capable of playing well in that system. Klopp tends to go for a functional hard working midfield, Bruno works hard but often runs about like a headless chicken off the ball.

Also, there is obviously an element of risk and reward with being a playmaker but Bruno is especially direct and also just misplaced simple passes more regularly than other comparable players

Liverpool midfield player starts in the Premier League only this season:

• Henderson - 23
• Fabinho - 21
• Thiago - 11
• Keita - 10
• Chamberlain - 9
• Milner - 7
• Jones - 7
• Elliott - 3

They basically do a lot of combinations but their best when all are fit is Thiago, Fabinho and Henderson, but Henderson and Fabinho really aren't necessarily together at all as they've shown in other games. CL knockout first leg game away to Inter, they start with Fabinho, Thiago and Elliott. Return leg Keita starts. Cup final Keita starts. You think Bruno doesn't get in ahead of all of them? Its Henderson or Fabinho for the DM, Thiago when fit as the controlling guy and 1 more, which Bruno would walk in as he is a perfect Klopp type player.

How hasn't Bruno shown he can play well in a 433? He's shown that plenty of times that he can. Bruno runs around like a headless chicken? More like we haven't had any sort of cohesive coaching structure until Ralf came in, but even then Bruno is tasked with running for both himself and Ronaldo in front of him?

Its maddening how people love to shit on even the quality players we do have. A player who matches up statistically to the very best in Europe since the day he signed. "Nah not good enough, other teams have it better".

 

[bosnian_red]

Bruno has been at United for two seasons, a good first one, highly inflated by penalties, and a rubbish second season. How are we ascertaining this supposed class, that buys him as much leeway as KDB?

Highly inflated by penalties what the feck Take out the penalties and hes still one of the most productive attacking midfielders around. Also he has been absolute quality for 1.5 seasons, and has had half a season where his form dipped as a result of the team being a colossal disaster, and even then, Bruno still has 20+ goals and assists this year, without being on penalties! He's been inconsistent this year of course, some great performances and some shit ones. He's lost form. Look at the team, who the feck hasn't lost form? Is our best player now in fact just shit? Or is it a case of it's been an impossible season for anybody to actually look good in?

 

[JB7]

Highly inflated by penalties what the feck Take out the penalties and hes still one of the most productive attacking midfielders around. Also he has been absolute quality for 1.5 seasons, and has had half a season where his form dipped as a result of the team being a colossal disaster, and even then, Bruno still has 20+ goals and assists this year, without being on penalties! He's been inconsistent this year of course, some great performances and some shit ones. He's lost form. Look at the team, who the feck hasn't lost form? Is our best player now in fact just shit? Or is it a case of it's been an impossible season for anybody to actually look good in?

Penalties don't count as goals, didn't you know?

 

[MattofManchester]

Bruno has been at United for two seasons, a good first one, highly inflated by penalties, and a rubbish second season. How are we ascertaining this supposed class, that buys him as much leeway as KDB?

The irony in that, you've defended Pogba, who hasn't had a season or impact on the team remotely in the stratosphere of Bruno Fernandes in his time here. The man you consider the "best midfielder at the club" says enough. A player that gives his all, is talented and actually gives a feck about the club. That's the guy you have a problem with. Who tops the list for chances created for the club and despite his poor form, is still outputting decent numbers. The other can barely stay fit.

"Highly inflated by penalties". You sound more like a rival fan than an actual fan.

 

[TsuWave]

Highly inflated by penalties what the feck Take out the penalties and hes still one of the most productive attacking midfielders around.

almost as if I said he’s had a good season and a poor one. did penalties not inflate his productivity numbers?

Penalties don't count as goals, didn't you know?

this was at no point said or implied, good way of muddying waters though.

The irony in that, you've defended Pogba, who hasn't had a season or impact on the team remotely in the stratosphere of Bruno Fernandes in his time here. The man you consider the "best midfielder at the club" says enough. A player that gives his all, is talented and actually gives a feck about the club. That's the guy you have a problem with. Who tops the list for chances created for the club and despite his poor form, is still outputting decent numbers. The other can barely stay fit.

"Highly inflated by penalties". You sound more like a rival fan than an actual fan.

I’ve also defended De Gea, Sancho, I’ve even posted favourably about Lindelof at times - almost as if I have varying opinions on players and what I perceive to be their quality and potential and what they contribute for their positions, but somehow thinking Pogba is a good player and questioning Bruno being given the same leeway as KdB with a sample size of two seasons, one in which he was good and the other in which he’s been crap, is ironic.

also, save yourself these appeals to emotion, “cares about the club”/“gives it his all” passion rally calls mean nothing to me

 

[romufc]

Bruno has been at United for two seasons, a good first one, highly inflated by penalties, and a rubbish second season. How are we ascertaining this supposed class, that buys him as much leeway as KDB?

A shit season and has 9 goals 14 assists. I would take a player having a bad season and delivering 20 + GA. The whole team has had a bad season not just one player.

Lets see when Man City have a bas season what stats KDB puts up.

 

[TsuWave]

A shit season and has 9 goals 14 assists. I would take a player having a bad season and delivering 20 + GA. The whole team has had a bad season not just one player.

Lets see when Man City have a bas season what stats KDB puts up.

We’re speaking specifically of him though, and I’d hardly classify last season as a good season for the team, but it was much better from him, meaning we have a reference point. So “the whole team has had a bad season” to justify his current one feels…cheap. But I can understand how one would be satisfied with the numbers he puts on the board, although I don’t think his style his conducive of a dominating team or even a balanced one.

I don’t follow City like I do United, but KdB doesn’t seem to operate in as advanced areas as Bruno when I do watch them, but looking at transfermarkt his stats are consistently good, certainly a much larger sample pool to ascertain class than with Bruno and one could argue KdB is one of the core reasons City doesn’t have many bad seasons.

You at least tried to retort without weird deflections though, so thanks

 

[bosnian_red]

almost as if I said he’s had a good season and a poor one. did penalties not inflate his productivity numbers?



this was at no point said or implied, good way of muddying waters though.



I’ve also defended De Gea, Sancho, I’ve even posted favourably about Lindelof at times - almost as if I have varying opinions on players and what I perceive to be their quality and potential and what they contribute for their positions, but somehow thinking Pogba is a good player and questioning Bruno being given the same leeway as KdB with a sample size of two seasons, one in which he was good and the other in which he’s been crap, is ironic.

also, save yourself these appeals to emotion, “cares about the club”/“gives it his all” passion rally calls mean nothing to me

I mean, you're blatantly and purposely understating the amount of time he looked genuinely top class and overstating his bad spell. 1 bad year and 1 good year? Or 1.5 good seasons (where he transformed us since coming in) and 0.5 bad seasons where every single person in this club has been shit? What is closer to reality?

My point is without penalties, his stats are still excellent. You intentionally are trying to make it sound like if you took the penalties away, his stats would be average. Which he's shown this season isn't the case at all. But also, his penalty record is a big plus, who wouldn't want a penalty taker who shoots at 95%? Take away penalties and he has a better scoring rate than Gerrard (with Liverpool), Scholes or Lampard (with Chelsea) did. And he has an excellent assist rate. And he has excellent underlying stats, being an elite level creator, progressive passer, a good level goal threat and having very good defensive numbers. The penalty numbers inflated his goal stats to make him look like an elite level scorer when he's merely a good to very good scorer as an attacking midfielder.

 

[Withnail]

When people are comparing giving Bruno an improved deal to keeping Mata and Jones it’s time to give up.

Jokers the lot of them.

 

[bosnian_red]

We’re speaking specifically of him though, and I’d hardly classify last season as a good season for the team, but it was much better from him, meaning we have a reference point. So “the whole team has had a bad season” to justify his current one feels…cheap. But I can understand how one would be satisfied with the numbers he puts on the board, although I don’t think his style his conducive of a dominating team or even a balanced one.

I don’t follow City like I do United, but KdB doesn’t seem to operate in as advanced areas as Bruno when I do watch them, but looking at transfermarkt his stats are consistently good, certainly a much larger sample pool to ascertain class than with Bruno and one could argue KdB is one of the core reasons City doesn’t have many bad seasons.

You at least tried to retort without weird deflections though, so thanks

Last season was genuinely good though, and this season is genuinely awful. We are 6th this year with expected points, 13th in expected goals against, 5th in xG, have an "SPI" on 538 soccer (basically a game by game adjustment of attack and defence rating based on underlying stats, taking into account opponent level and constantly adjusting) of 78.3 (decidedly average). Last season on the other hand, by the end of March, we were 3rd in XPts, 4th in xGconceded, 4th in xG, and had an SPI rating of 87.8. That rating would have us 5th in Europe right now.

Whatever way you look at it, we were actually good last season and playing good football. We weren't elite tier, we fecked up in the CL group stage against Istanbul and then were unlucky against PSG, but we were good and it was definitely a good season, it just ended without a trophy, for me due to Ole not being able to get us over the line.

 

[romufc]

We’re speaking specifically of him though, and I’d hardly classify last season as a good season for the team, but it was much better from him, meaning we have a reference point. So “the whole team has had a bad season” to justify his current one feels…cheap. But I can understand how one would be satisfied with the numbers he puts on the board, although I don’t think his style his conducive of a dominating team or even a balanced one.

I don’t follow City like I do United, but KdB doesn’t seem to operate in as advanced areas as Bruno when I do watch them, but looking at transfermarkt his stats are consistently good, certainly a much larger sample pool to ascertain class than with Bruno and one could argue KdB is one of the core reasons City doesn’t have many bad seasons.

You at least tried to retort without weird deflections though, so thanks

You can speak about individual players but lets be honest, If the team plays well and is in for titles, individuals will play well too. It might feel cheap, but its the truth. I am not entirely satisfied with Bruno but I would rather have a player try than just give up.

KDB has played false 9 at times for Man City and really, lets be honest they operate in a way that 8/11 players are in advanced areas for most of the game.

If you asked me who is the better player, KDB is, I am not saying Bruno is better, I am using KDB as a metric to judge Bruno.

People talk about Bruno losing the ball alot, this better player KDB loses the ball too.

 

[elnorte]

Bruno has taken over Pogba's role of indulging those who desperately cling to the idea that United still possess the best players.

 

[TsuWave]

People talk about Bruno losing the ball alot, this better player KDB loses the ball too.

Which is ultimately what I was saying, KdB is a better player and we have a much larger sample size to make an assessment on his class than we do with Bruno. I don’t think it’s surprising that people will give better player more leeway than they do others. KdB can perhaps be wasteful, but that’s a lot more tolerable when one, he’s better than Bruno, and two City are in a position that allows them to have said alleged wasteful player. I don’t think the same applies to United.

I don’t think Bruno warranted a new deal, and I have a belief that we will soon regret it. People here see it otherwise, and that’s OK.

 

[Matt851]

Which is ultimately what I was saying, KdB is a better player and we have a much larger sample size to make an assessment on his class than we do with Bruno. I don’t think it’s surprising that people will give better player more leeway than they do others. KdB can perhaps be wasteful, but that’s a lot more tolerable when one, he’s better than Bruno, and two City are in a position that allows them to have said alleged wasteful player. I don’t think the same applies to United.

I don’t think Bruno warranted a new deal, and I have a belief that we will soon regret it. People here see it otherwise, and that’s OK.

Exactly, if Bruno was probably the best player in a successful team but giving away possession regularly in order to score goals and create chances I don't think anyone would care. But as it is we are underachieving as a team and his high risk approach has been part of the reason why the team has been so inconsistent. Not saying he is the problem for the team or that we need to sell him (as some of the drama queen's on here will make out) but it does mean he might not guaranteed to fit into the new coaches plans if we go for a possession based manager

 

[Ali Dia]

It’s so obvious. You play either Bruno or Pogba in a 433 or 4231. If we are going to become a pressing team then it’s Bruno you pick because of his work rate desire fitness and creativity. He’s constantly creating moments where our forwards could be pressing “lost causes” and making chances out of nothing. The problem currently is our forwards want it on a plate and don’t want to track back. They won’t head the ball or put their bodies on the line. It’s depressing and has been for ages.

Get some fire, quality and legs into the forward line and one intelligent baller to run the middle and let Fred Bruno and the forwards run amok. Players who are also not afraid to help out in the defensive phases, especially from the front. Our main problem which was clearly highlighted last season when Cavani came alive - we majorly lack intensity. We lack intelligence and guile, we play it safe far too often and our heads drop when too many of our team don’t put in enough work. There’s no spark looking at Martial Rashford and Greenwood walking around. Losing also doesn’t seem to hurt enough of our players. Bruno is certainly not in that category. We need more of that going forward. I really don’t get how some people still can’t see that.