Are some of you struggling through a midlife crisis or something? Never known a set of fans to be as obsessed with age.
Mario Mandžukić
- Thread starter roonster09
- Start date
No comment.
Not in my opinion, but again just an opinion.
I'd love Madzukic here, so it's not about age. I just don't consider Larsson as a important player that impacted us in some tremendous way.
I doubt we even want Mandzukic. Ole ships out Lukaku but tries to buy an older one who has a pretty much similar skillset too? I reckon it's stupid paper talk. Mandzukic himself hasn't even said about leaving Juve or finding a new club
Now that Dybala isn't coming, what's happening? Lukaku for cash + Mandžukić?
At his age he could become unplayable at any time, but he's so good at everything Martial is deficient at that if Ole is smart and able to platoon them depending on the opposition's center backs and the style of game (space in behind good for Martial, teams sitting back you'd prefer Mandzukic), it could prove a decent move for this year, less likely for next.
We don't have a striker who's a target (not just in the air, Martial's moving is shockingly terrible for a 9 in the box, like a reverse Chicharito) for crosses and James in particular seems capable of beating a man wide and getting low balls in to the box, could see them coming on when we're drawing or losing with 20-25 to go and the other team is happy to sit back and let us have the ball.
-----------------------Martial/Mandzukic-------------------------
Rashford/Gomez-------Dybala/Lingard------James/Greenwood
We're still short of a proper RW, and of course a smart club would be buying the next Mandzukic for about 30-35M (he moved from Atletico to Juve at 29 years old for 22M, to Atletico from Munich for 25M to Munich from Wolfsburg for 16M and from Zagreb to Munich for 8M) but we're not one of those.
The Juve forums are full of fans who thinks he's a club hero and love him but think his legs are gone. They say he's still useful in the box (though a poor finisher with his feet) and great in the air in general. Often struggles to get into the game and get touches (normal for an older striker). There are stats that show they won a much higher percentage of games with him in the lineup than without (no indication of the opponents strength though).
Seems like he had a better start to the season than end. Maybe with less playing time he can hang on for another year or two of effective play. There's probably a hungry #9 out there aged 28 who we could get for the same job for 20M (since wages would be half Mandzukic's or so) in a 2nd tier league and has more upside scoring (Mandzukic never been that profilic). But it'll be good for Martial, Rashford and Greenwood to see what a striker can get out of their skillset when they have the mentality of a midfielder or defender working for the team. No coincidence that the World Cup final saw him and Giroud start as unselfish #9s who were good in the air and at making teammates better but still useful against bunkering teams.
I'd have spent this money combined with a Lingard sale for a proper RW and just given Greenwood lots of time as a 9 but I can absolutely see why we're doing this and 15M isn't a big deal for us all in all, so yeah it's fine.
We don't have a striker who's a target (not just in the air, Martial's moving is shockingly terrible for a 9 in the box, like a reverse Chicharito) for crosses and James in particular seems capable of beating a man wide and getting low balls in to the box, could see them coming on when we're drawing or losing with 20-25 to go and the other team is happy to sit back and let us have the ball.
-----------------------Martial/Mandzukic-------------------------
Rashford/Gomez-------Dybala/Lingard------James/Greenwood
We're still short of a proper RW, and of course a smart club would be buying the next Mandzukic for about 30-35M (he moved from Atletico to Juve at 29 years old for 22M, to Atletico from Munich for 25M to Munich from Wolfsburg for 16M and from Zagreb to Munich for 8M) but we're not one of those.
The Juve forums are full of fans who thinks he's a club hero and love him but think his legs are gone. They say he's still useful in the box (though a poor finisher with his feet) and great in the air in general. Often struggles to get into the game and get touches (normal for an older striker). There are stats that show they won a much higher percentage of games with him in the lineup than without (no indication of the opponents strength though).
Seems like he had a better start to the season than end. Maybe with less playing time he can hang on for another year or two of effective play. There's probably a hungry #9 out there aged 28 who we could get for the same job for 20M (since wages would be half Mandzukic's or so) in a 2nd tier league and has more upside scoring (Mandzukic never been that profilic). But it'll be good for Martial, Rashford and Greenwood to see what a striker can get out of their skillset when they have the mentality of a midfielder or defender working for the team. No coincidence that the World Cup final saw him and Giroud start as unselfish #9s who were good in the air and at making teammates better but still useful against bunkering teams.
I'd have spent this money combined with a Lingard sale for a proper RW and just given Greenwood lots of time as a 9 but I can absolutely see why we're doing this and 15M isn't a big deal for us all in all, so yeah it's fine.
I would probably be more willing to do this at this point then before. If Dybala was coming, then the attack would've been too crowded for the youth to get proper chances. Mandzukic on a short term deal works really well, especially as he'll only be a squad player, will offer a much better fit to change the game for us rather than Lukaku being here (especially as Mandzukic is class in the air and always a hard worker). 60m and Mandzukic for Lukaku maybe?
With no Dybala, I think he makes sense now. Only one who would be able to offer something different in attack once Lukaku is gone, while being the only one with experience. Provided we play a 4-2-3-1, can have 2 lineups like this:
Rashford
Martial - Lingard - James
Pogba - McTominay
Shaw - Maguire - Lindelof - Wan Bissaka
De Gea
Mandzukic
Chong - Gomes - Greenwood
Fred - Matic
Young - Tuanzebe - Smalling - Dalot
Romero
Grant, Darmian, Jones, Bailly, Rojo, Pereira, Mata, Sanchez completing the squad (most of whom should leave anyway).Martial - Lingard - James
Pogba - McTominay
Shaw - Maguire - Lindelof - Wan Bissaka
De Gea
Mandzukic
Chong - Gomes - Greenwood
Fred - Matic
Young - Tuanzebe - Smalling - Dalot
Romero
Believe it or not I actually do see the sense in such a signing. Youth players need experienced leaders in the dressing rooms and the (in)famous class of 92 had the benefit of having characters like Cantona, Robson, Bruce and Schmeichel in the dressing room. Our subsequent squads through the years have a good mix of youth plus experienced leaders in the team.
I am just making fun of the how much our marketing is about youff!
No way would swapping Lukaku for him be a good deal.
At 33 Sheringham was helping us win the Treble, and two seasons later was winning Player of the year with us. If Mandzukic can have even some of that impact for us it’ll be a worthwhile signing.
now that Dybala is off the table, I'd happily take him. Didn't think both of them made sense because we already have so many attacking players. Now it makes sense to bring him in as as a plan B. Martial and Rashford would benefit I think.
Yeah think he'd be more useful and more beneficial than Lukaku being here. Plus short term enough that it won't impact any youth, while he'll also probably be better in terms of an older head with experience for others.
I'd imagine this will be off now unless someone stumps up the cash for Lukaku. No point having them both
Would also give us a plan B, which we'll lack if we lose Lukaku. Not exactly going to go long to Rashford and Martial.
Suddenly seems like a terrible deal. Alongside Dybala it could be seen as sensible but a direct Lukaku replacement? feck that.
That front 4 in the first team is horrible. Put Gomes as no.10 and Chong or Greenwood on the right and it's much better.
Also, why do you have Chong playing on the left when he's mostly played on the right so far?
Glad you put Maguire and Lindelof the right way round at least.
Am I the only one not real happy?
Sure he has bags of experience, but him in the squad takes time away from Greenwoord, Chong, and other youngsters.
We need some real quality and of the younger kind. I really hope Dybala or Bruno are in the cards otherwise I think we will have so much trouble this year.
Sure he has bags of experience, but him in the squad takes time away from Greenwoord, Chong, and other youngsters.
We need some real quality and of the younger kind. I really hope Dybala or Bruno are in the cards otherwise I think we will have so much trouble this year.
Weren’t a lot of news outlets saying this was a completely separate deal anyway? I wouldn’t be unhappy if he and Lukaku traded places with us getting a bit of money too.
With that said bit of money, we can go out and land Longstaff or Rice for that DM slot, coupled with signing Bruno. I’d say we’d have had a good transfer window if all this played out like that.
With that said bit of money, we can go out and land Longstaff or Rice for that DM slot, coupled with signing Bruno. I’d say we’d have had a good transfer window if all this played out like that.
Chong has mostly played on the left in pre season and looks far better on the left. And if we're looking at a starting 11 in the premier league, we aren't going to be starting every week with a 17 and 18 year old as the #10 and #7, so forget that. They're all going to rotate of course, but in terms of likely lineup against Chelsea, I'd say that's it. Possibly another midfielder for James and Lingard going to the right. Not necessarily what I would do, just saying what is likeliest.
Would prefer we got Ben Yedder if we’re looking to add some experience to our front line.
Personally I think midfield is a much greater priority.
Personally I think midfield is a much greater priority.
Wondering would we even be aware of Mandzukic case or interested if Dybala deal was never on the table.
Chong so far
41 games on the right: 25 goals+assists = 1.64 games per goal/assist
16 games on the left: 5 goals+assists = 3.2 games per goal/assist
4 games central: 1 goals+assists = 4 games per goal/assist
I think this is more important than a couple of pre-season friendly games.
Hopefully Mandzukic is part of a Lukkau deal still, with Juv stumping up the cash. Wouldn't mind Matuidi aswell. 55-60m plus Mandzukic & Matuidi would do. Then get the Bruno deal done...
Don't see how Juve will be able to afford it, lets see. They wanted the deal to balance their books.
Douglas Costa and Mandzukic for lukaku. I'd take that. Lukaku is done here.
If Lukaku ends up staying, can't wait for
Lukaku
Mandzukic - Lingard - Mata
Mandzukic - Lingard - Mata
That is a very good attacking lineup.If Lukaku ends up staying, can't wait for
Lukaku
Mandzukic - Lingard - Mata
Where a player plays more often in the first team is an indication of where he'll be used in the first team. Also where he impresses more. Ole likes him on the left as a classic winger and he's looked far better there. On the right, he's using Greenwood ahead of him every day.
That's what is most likely to happen, but it's not what should happen. Hopefully the next manager appreciates the importance of balance and playing players in the position they are most effective rather than where they like to play them.
Having an inverted attacker on one side and a no.10 on the other side isn't balanced.
Having an inverted attacker on one side and a FB on the other side isn't balanced.
If you are playing with inverted attackers you play with inverted attackers, one on either side, if you are playing with classic wingers, you play with classic wingers, one on either side.
Classic wingers work best with 2 strikers, 4-4-2 system, like classic United of old.
Inverted attackers work best with 1 striker, like most of the best teams in Europe currently do.
Just because some don't always play a balanced attack doesn't mean a balanced attack isn't important.
Unbalanced means the attack is handicapped and less effective, it is playing below it's potential in every game.
We've been unbalanced for 6 seasons. When will it end? How can anyone seriously think this season will be any better than the previous 6 seasons if our attack is just as unbalanced as always?
I'm not sure how can you see them this way. One is a battering ram type, the other is a poacher. One is famous for his hardwork, the other is closer to Messi in terms of work rate.
This is what i don't understand. He turned down China, so it's not about the money. The only reason i can think of is the atmosphere and the fans. And speaking of which i can't believe the reactions on here. Here you have a guy that is known for his discipline and work rate on the pitch (scarce commodity in United), a proven big game player (another scarce commodity) who scored in WC semi and finals, CL finals and numerous other crucial games. He is also a character and a presence on the pitch. Basically, he is everything this team lacks. Even if he turns out to be a complete flop, you can't argue the reasoning behind it. Considering the amount of money this club has cremated in the last 6+ years, this is a cheap gamble with superb odds. Also, he is a fan hero wherever he goes, that has to mean something.
How's he doing these days? He was an absolute pain in the ass to play against in Bayern, Atleti and Juve (and we played all three a few times), if he can be what he was he'd be a solid signing for you guys.
Maguire and Mandzukic, two José targets we apparently refused to get for him 
If we get lumbered with Perisic as part of the Lukaku deal I can see José having an aneurism.
If we get lumbered with Perisic as part of the Lukaku deal I can see José having an aneurism.
Him + Fernandez would be much better signings
The reservations about Mario that some of us have are justified imo:
1. Age. The PL is a very physically demanding league where the ball is moved very fast.
2. Taking into account the above, how exactly will Mario be used? From the start or against tired defenders? What is there about him that would scare the shit out of opposition? "Damn, we have had enough problems playing against Rashford, Martial and Greenwood, now the last 20 mins will have to survive against Mario?" It is not like we would be fielding Aguero after Rashy, is it?
1. Age. The PL is a very physically demanding league where the ball is moved very fast.
2. Taking into account the above, how exactly will Mario be used? From the start or against tired defenders? What is there about him that would scare the shit out of opposition? "Damn, we have had enough problems playing against Rashford, Martial and Greenwood, now the last 20 mins will have to survive against Mario?" It is not like we would be fielding Aguero after Rashy, is it?
At least Mario Mandzukic now knows what it's like to win the lottery.
This is the best Manchester United can do?
This is the best Manchester United can do?