Baby James has something extra, yet sometimes she can seem sluggish and indecisive. Not atrange considering her age. I think it makes sense she will be a bit inconsistentstill in terms of building the attack around. I really like Leah and Kirsty Hanson, yet having more class available for the attacking positions is only a problem in the men’s forum it seems.
Christen Press and Tobin Heath sign for United | Alex Morgan signs for Spurs!
- Thread starter Affirmation
- Start date
Baby James has something extra, yet sometimes she can seem sluggish and indecisive. Not atrange considering her age. I think it makes sense she will be a bit inconsistentstill in terms of building the attack around. I really like Leah and Kirsty Hanson, yet having more class available for the attacking positions is only a problem in the men’s forum it seems.
https://www.manutd.com/en/news/deta...-the-signing-of-usa-international-tobin-heath
The deal for Heath has been officially confirmed, no word yet on Press nor where Russo is going (we've been linked along with others).
The deal for Heath has been officially confirmed, no word yet on Press nor where Russo is going (we've been linked along with others).
We've signed Press as well according to this: https://www.skysports.com/football/...united-sign-world-cup-winner-on-one-year-deal
Yep, it was announced a couple of hours after I posted. Two terrific signings that take United from a team with a lot of young talent but probably still a distance off the top 3 to a serious contender to break into the top 3.
Alex Morgan joining Spurs
Alex Morgan has joined Tottenham....why not United?
Alex Morgan has joined Tottenham....why not United?
yeah I don’t get it.
Alex Morgan must be the most famous name in football, United women deserve that coverage and star appeal.
Fecking Spurs
Are spurs any good?
They've spent all Jose's budget on her.
Wow. That's one out of the blue. I think she's only just gone back into normal training after having the baby. Looking around, it seems like it may just be until Christmas rather than the full season.
I guess we'll find out when the official announcements appear.
I guess we'll find out when the official announcements appear.
For the second time, this week.... Oh, Alex.
I would have actually watched us more if we had pulled of Alex. Its not like she would have cost a fortune either. Only reason I can think of is she wanted to be in London.
Why are all these US stars playing in England all of a sudden? Something going on with the US women’s league?
Yep. Her young family is in London and Alex is a bright woman who has a huge marketing halo, which will be much more optimized in London.
Yes. These are one year deals and the domestic league for women in the US isn't guaranteed to play next year nor will they have enough matches for them to earn a living and compete most weeks. US Soccer also cannot guarantee them international matches, which also contribute to their annual wages/earnings.
Thanks for the explanation @edcunited1878
Covid - I think Orlando Pride currently only has four more matches to play this year due to changes in the season with regional mini leagues rather than a full fixture list.
The national team players are chasing playing time, as preparation for the Olympics.
It sounds like she has barely played any football since giving birth in May. She's probably just looking to build up her fitness before going back to the US at the start of 2021. Morgan at United would be great, but I'm much happier with both Heath and Press here instead.
At the moment, from a results perspective, I can't get too bothered by it. She's got a new baby and I just don't see her as being a game changer from day one. If things go to plan she's scheduled to leave just at about the time when she should be getting back to 100%
From a marketing perspective - yeah, wow, what a coup for Spurs. I am a bit surprised that Woodward didn't jump in, but maybe he's busy right now.
That said, there's a good chance that the first match she starts will be against us on the 11th October. So probably safest to reserve judgment
Incidentally
It seems like she was 'shopped' around the WSL, looking for a club for just till January.
As said, she's not played in a year and she's not been prolific for club since she moved to Orlando.
So I guess she's looking for game time and Spurs were happy to provide. She also doesn't seem to be in the UK and will have the 2 weeks quarentine afterwards. Looks like she'll maybe only be available for a few games? It's good for marketing but maybe not for the actual game.
It's a stange one but I think Stoney looks longer term than that, Heath and Press have the whole season and will only miss the first 2 games for definate.
As said, she's not played in a year and she's not been prolific for club since she moved to Orlando.
So I guess she's looking for game time and Spurs were happy to provide. She also doesn't seem to be in the UK and will have the 2 weeks quarentine afterwards. Looks like she'll maybe only be available for a few games? It's good for marketing but maybe not for the actual game.
It's a stange one but I think Stoney looks longer term than that, Heath and Press have the whole season and will only miss the first 2 games for definate.
There is at least one other top US player still unaccounted for. Julie Ertz has decided not to play in the US this year, but if she's on her way to Europe no one knows quite where.
It's possible she's not going anywhere as she's married to an NFL player and she's not played in Europe before (Morgan, Heath and Press have).
I think her place for the Olympics is already secure, whereas some of the other NWSL players aren't. That said she's a class player is any team gets her this year.
I think her place for the Olympics is already secure, whereas some of the other NWSL players aren't. That said she's a class player is any team gets her this year.
Yeah, her husband is going into his free agency year and even though he's made a lot of money already, he's playing this year for a huge contract either with his current team or another NFL team. So he has a lot to focus on and it might be really difficult without his wife to provide that stability and support.
It would have put us on the map a bit, but I'm happy with our forward line, particularly if we can keep them here for longer than just 1 season.
So I would presume that Heath & Press are likely to be available from the third game
Yep, there's an international break coming up, so after today we won't play again until October 4th. Of course I'm assuming the USA team don't have a training camp scheduled in the break.
Tobin & Christens quarantine already over, eh? Seems they watched todays game.
Last edited:
Tobin & Christens quarantine already over, eh? Seems they watched todays game.
The commentator on the FA Player mentioned that they were both with the squad during warm up. I didn't see them, so I don't know if they were actually doing warm ups with the squad or not.
Yeah I heard something like that as well but you would think if that was the case the club would have had some sort of photo release of them in the kit. Nothing on their Instagram either about even being in the UK.
It's a bit of a mystery really. There was a also photo/screen capture of two people sat (apart) in the stands during the match that looked similar (and the camera didn't zoom in it was just a wide angle from the match). But "United sources" say that it wasn't them. Odd though.
The Alex Morgan Loan's become a bit more interesting (at least to me). It seems she's actually taken a reduce wage to go to Spurs, with a guaranteed agreement for minutes on the pitch. It was also sorted in 3 days, which seems mad. I'm speculating now, but she was on her way back to Orlando last week, I'm thinking that she's looked at where some of the other USWNT (particularly Press) have gone and decided she needs games ASAP to make the Olympic squad. Normally Press plays on the left when Morgan plays, but for club and when she doesn't she's the striker. It'll be interesting to see what happens on the pitch because she's not played in an age, not trained with a team in over a year and she's in a new country with a newish baby. For Spurs though it's definately good PR, just a bit iffy in regards to their actually team.
Good post. From the little I've seen of her, Press is at her best as a striker and could certainly stake a claim on that spot if Morgan doesn't grab it.
The biggest worry I have with the US players are that they only seem to be here for a season before they go back. Would really like to see Press and/or Heath here more long term.
I do think they're the best 'pairing' to get, because the teams weakness last season was goals and depth up front. This provides that. If they perform well I'd like them to stay of course, but even for a season, I think they should bring a lot of experience and professionalism. Also I think them coming together should mean they'll settle faster. I'd rather have them than Morgan, Lavelle or Mewis for that reason.
Isn't club football in the US the peak for women. Is the game as advanced here as it is over there?
If it isn't, I can't see us attacking them long term.
We'd have been better off getting Alex Morgan
Yes, that's true of course. We'd have to convince them it's worth their while. I'd honestly settle for just one of them staying on but I deduce that they'll move as a pair.
Because of the status aspect of that signing or..
Rate her higher than both of the signings we made and she is far higher status signing too, would have really raised the profile of our team
Yeah she's a better player but she's been out for a bit due to having a baby. Have to see how she comes back so it is slightly risky when compared to Heath and Press.
Don't think we need to worry about status as much, we are Manchester United after all.
Interesting analysis of how we play now (emphasising the left side) and how we might play with Heath/Press. It stopped me in my tracks really. I can't imagine dropping Galton, but it's intriguing to see how an outsider views it from the perspective of the opening games.
I do accept that my own optimism about having two equally aggressive wings might be wishful thinking. Maybe we'll start to experiment with 3 at the back?
I do accept that my own optimism about having two equally aggressive wings might be wishful thinking. Maybe we'll start to experiment with 3 at the back?