Marko Arnautovic

[Snow]

He's a tricky player who can cause problems, I do think he deserves a chance at a much better club than Stoke and West Ham but I'm not sure it should be us. That said I do think he'd be able to do a job for us as a backup when selected. Both able to get a goal and create for a teammate.

I'm not sure he'll function in a squad as a backup.

He's just had one of his best seasons as a striker. He won't play that role here. We're already stacked with left sided forwards so he'd be coming in on the right most likely where he will do very little defending so I don't agree with people that see him as a José type player.

 

[sam147]

Better option than Willian. Better cover for Lukaku than Rashford. Wouldn't be too expensive so wont take anything away from other areas that need investment. So why not.

 

[Ekeke]

I'm not sure he'll function in a squad as a backup.

He's just had one of his best seasons as a striker. He won't play that role here. We're already stacked with left sided forwards so he'd be coming in on the right most likely where he will do very little defending so I don't agree with people that see him as a José type player.

He can play that striker here, but it'll mean Rashford and Martial get less chances there. If he gets all their games as a striker he gets like 9 starts up front. I don't see him doing much more than that, maybe 3 or 4 matches on the wing.

 

[sam147]

You rate him that highly? I'm not convinced. Would much rather we went for someone like Jamie Vardy.

And then complain when he doesnt hold the ball up or win aerial duels. Do you have any idea how we play football?

 

[Aboutreika18]

This would be amusing considering he was on loan at Mourinho's Inter during his treble winning season of 2009/10 and Jose decided against signing him permanently and said "he is a fantastic person but has the attitude of a child".

 

[kouroux]

Do not want ffs. The guy is so inconsistentand will require a system tailored to his strength to get the best out of him and he ain't nowhere near good enough for that to be happening.
Such an underwhelming if not shite player to be linked with

 

[Raoul]

This would be amusing considering he was on loan at Mourinho's Inter during his treble winning season of 2009/10 and Jose decided against signing him permanently and said "he is a fantastic person but has the attitude of a child".

Yeah saw that earlier. I do believe he has improved a lot during the intervening years.

 

[Ekeke]

This would be amusing considering he was on loan at Mourinho's Inter during his treble winning season of 2009/10 and Jose decided against signing him permanently and said "he is a fantastic person but has the attitude of a child".

Mourinho seems to go back for players he saw potential in at some point, but it didnt work out when they were younger. Like Lukaku

 

[Aboutreika18]

Mourinho seems to go back for players he saw potential in at some point, but it didnt work out when they were younger. Like Lukaku

Yeah saw that earlier. I do believe he has improved a lot during the intervening years.

Personality wise though, it's amusing to imagine Mourinho having to deal with Balotelli and Arnautovic in the same dressing room:

'The English press liked to talk about Mario - but I promise you Marko will make me looking like the most boring guy in the world. He is one of the funniest and craziest people I have ever met - there will never be a boring moment when he is around. In a few months the English journalists will be asking themselves Mario who?

'We do speak and are friends because we have to put up with similar things in the press. He told me, "Mario it is always so hard to get hold of you - why are you always changing your number." I just laughed and told him after playing in England for six months he will see why.

'It is important to remember he is a very good player though. He has real strength and toughness about him - he will adapt very well to the English game.

'Jose (Mourinho) acts like a grandpa and pretends we caused him a lot of trouble - but he has admitted to me that he had the most fun coaching players like us. He knew there was never going to be a boring moment for him.'

'We were at Abu Dhabi for pre-season with Inter in 2009,' Arnautovic told Sportsmail this week. 'I overslept for breakfast. Late No 1.

'Then there was the team meeting. The hotel was huge and my room was on the 75th floor. I am waiting for the lift and I press and I press and still I have got seven minutes so I am OK. But then I still didn't make it. Disaster No 2.

'Then before we meet for the game it was happening again and I was like: 'He is going to kill me'.

'So then we fought a little bit and I was out of the team that day, training on my own.'

Arnautovic learned from that mistake. Sort of. 'Back in Milan I thought we were training in the morning and I went in just perfect,' he reflected. 'There were no cars there. We were actually training in the afternoon that day!

'Mourinho is there with his staff and he stands up and starts applauding and laughing. He said: 'You are my man. You come here five hours before training. I love you! Here, take my watch'. I still have that watch in my house.'

 

[kouroux]

I don't see him being good enough to step up and an ego like that will find it tough to accept being on the bench.
What makes some of us think that all of a sudden he'd be ready for United ? Everything went through him at West Ham, the whole system was built for him to shine and it "only" resulted in 11goals

 

[ash_86]

Marko is strong as a Ox and can score. He would be a very good player for us .

 

[ravi2]

Is this a joke?

 

[P-Nut]

With Martial liking leaving and Rashford being a bit of an unknown going into next season (will he progress or stay at this season's level) we need a player who can fill in when Lukaku is out.

People moan about Mourinhos 'presence' comment, but without that presence teams will just sit in their box and know you can't play through so many players and countless crosses to Rashford aren't going to work.

Also, what other suggestions are there for a back up?

 

[devilish]

Mou seem desperate to replace one tall talentless player with another

 

[Snow]

Mou seem desperate to replace one tall talentless player with another

Are you honestly saying Arnautovic is talentless?

 

[trafford1980]

With Martial liking leaving and Rashford being a bit of an unknown going into next season (will he progress or stay at this season's level) we need a player who can fill in when Lukaku is out.

People moan about Mourinhos 'presence' comment, but without that presence teams will just sit in their box and know you can't play through so many players and countless crosses to Rashford aren't going to work.

Also, what other suggestions are there for a back up?

I don't question Arnautovic's ability, he's more than decent.

West Ham signed him for 20-25 mil less than a year ago and he's just had his most productive season yet. We will have to pay stupid money for him. Perhaps 35-40 mil plus?

Far too much for what will be required from him. Rashford and Sanchez can cover Lukaku centrally when need be.

However, maybe Mourinho sees him as an alternative to Willian for the right?

Sanchez Lukaku Arnautovic
Pogba Matic Fred

Still an underwhelming bunch for me. Screams a comfortable 3rd place finish.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

Is this a joke?

Just don't complain in the future why Man Utd can't unearth a Salah, Firmino, Mane or Robertson. These players all played for mid table clubs before they joined Liverpool, and not Utd quality.

 

[devilish]

Are you honestly saying Arnautovic is talentless?

he is not united's level

 

[kouroux]

Just don't complain in the future why Man Utd can't unearth a Salah, Firmino, Mane or Robertson. These players all played for mid table clubs before they joined Liverpool, and not Utd quality.

The biggest difference is their manager who has improved them a lot. What's the room of improvement left for Arnautovic under a "terrible at improving players " manager anyway ? His best season ever has him with 11 goals and we ain't talking about a young player who can improve. This would be such an underwhelming signing

 

[PieCrust]

Would be a terrible signing.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Not convinced by this fellow. Plus, I'd rather give Rashford and Martial opportunities instead. You never know though. Sometimes a player needs an environment that fits. Im skepticsl, but maybe for this guy United brings out the best in him.

 

[P-Nut]

I don't question Arnautovic's ability, he's more than decent.

West Ham signed him for 20-25 mil less than a year ago and he's just had his most productive season yet. We will have to pay stupid money for him. Perhaps 35-40 mil plus?

Far too much for what will be required from him. Rashford and Sanchez can cover Lukaku centrally when need be.

However, maybe Mourinho sees him as an alternative to Willian for the right?

Sanchez Lukaku Arnautovic
Pogba Matic Fred

Still an underwhelming bunch for me. Screams a comfortable 3rd place finish.

Yeah I tend to agree with regards to the price. We'd need him to kick up a fuss in order to get him cut price as there's no point at all if we're talking 40-50m

 

[redIndianDevil]

Except Tottenham and Liverpool both played more longballs than us last season, yet are considered great attacking teams. We might not be the best attacking unit by any standards, but this nonsense that all we play is hoofball needs to stop.

Because Liverpool's forwards are all very short and those long balls are just long passes. Whereas we specifically have huge targetmen upfront and most of our hoofs don't even reach them. We basically use the physicality of Lukaku and Fellaini to keep the ball which is what all relegation contenders do and that's why it's criticized and Liverpool's is not.

 

[coolredwine]

I guess every signing Fergie made was world class. I guess every signing Klopp, Conte, Potchetinno or Guardiola make is world class.

Because there is no other level of football between world class and average, right?

 

[coolredwine]

Except Tottenham and Liverpool both played more longballs than us last season, yet are considered great attacking teams. We might not be the best attacking unit by any standards, but this nonsense that all we play is hoofball needs to stop.

Spurs and Liverpool are currently better attacking units compared to United. Both are better and entertaining to watch compared to United. Shock, horror.

 

[Womp]

Because Liverpool's forwards are all very short and those long balls are just long passes. Whereas we specifically have huge targetmen upfront and most of our hoofs don't even reach them. We basically use the physicality of Lukaku and Fellaini to keep the ball which is what all relegation contenders do and that's why it's criticized and Liverpool's is not.

Yes because Fellaini has played so much for us this season?

BTW, all long balls are just long passes. The fecking point of the whole concept is to get the ball up field as quick as possible, avoiding it being on the ground.

You can assign whatever name you want to it, a long ball is a long ball. Liverpool under Klopp resulted to "hoof ball" or long ball, whatever the feck you want to call it numerous times this season too.

Fact of the matter is when you pass the ball a long way up field, up in the air, off the ground, it's a long ball/hoof. It's also a fact that Liverpool have done it more than us and it's also a fact that this stance that it's the only football we play is rubbish.

If you're going to criticise someone for something, at least be consistent. I could start branding all our hoofing as 'long passes' too.

 

[Womp]

Spurs and Liverpool are currently better attacking units compared to United. Both are better and entertaining to watch compared to United. Shock, horror.

I agree with you, that's got little to do with what I said though. Doesn't change the fact that the opinion that the only football we play is hoofball is still rubbish.

 

[ThierryHenry14]

I don't question Arnautovic's ability, he's more than decent.

West Ham signed him for 20-25 mil less than a year ago and he's just had his most productive season yet. We will have to pay stupid money for him. Perhaps 35-40 mil plus?

Far too much for what will be required from him. Rashford and Sanchez can cover Lukaku centrally when need be.

However, maybe Mourinho sees him as an alternative to Willian for the right?

Sanchez Lukaku Arnautovic
Pogba Matic Fred

Still an underwhelming bunch for me. Screams a comfortable 3rd place finish.

I highly doubt West Ham will sell him after the relegation of Stoke. West Ham needs her best player for next season, let alone thinking about sell him for cheap. West Ham just hired a new manager trying to prove the team.

 

[iamkiranks]

I highly doubt West Ham will sell him after the relegation of Stoke. West Ham needs her best player for next season, let alone thinking about sell him for cheap. West Ham just hired a new manager trying to prove the team.

Agree. They'll surely ask upwards of 30m for their best player. Between him and Mandzukic, I'd prefer the latter. We can probably get for around 20m. Proven physical CF, a perfect backup for Lukaku. Juve CEO has also confirmed that they'll not block moves of players that want to leave

 

[Godfather]

Has immensely improved in the last couple of years. By far Austria’s best player. Could be interesting

 

[devilish]

I am sure that Mourinho could find a big lump on cheap to act as cover for Lukaku if he wanted.

Why go for someone whose got a reputation of disrupting the dressing room?

 

[Godfather]

I am sure that Mourinho could find a big lump on cheap to act as cover for Lukaku if he wanted.

Why go for someone whose got a reputation of disrupting the dressing room?

What. He is technically very very good and I never heard of him disrupting the dressing room either. His biggest weakness is that he’s a confidence player.

 

[devilish]

What. He is technically very very good and I never heard of him disrupting the dressing room either. His biggest weakness is that he’s a confidence player.

This guy had problems wherever he went. He switched clubs 5 times between the age of 9 and 16 because he couldn't give a feck. At Inter he was described by Mourinho as having the attitude of a child, at Bremen he had the police after him. Do you really want this guy at OT? After all he's hardly very good

Maybe we should resign Ravel Morrison while at it.

 

[kouroux]

Because Liverpool's forwards are all very short and those long balls are just long passes. Whereas we specifically have huge targetmen upfront and most of our hoofs don't even reach them. We basically use the physicality of Lukaku and Fellaini to keep the ball which is what all relegation contenders do and that's why it's criticized and Liverpool's is not.

Exactly. I find it weird when playing a long pass into space to run into is confused with what we do with Fellaini and Lukaku. Just because a pass gets off the ground, it doesn't mean long ball tactics are in effect

 

[vanderpants]

fcuk me, have we really dropped our expectations that much, we should be being linked with better players, much better players

 

[Godfather]

This guy had problems wherever he went. He switched clubs 5 times between the age of 9 and 16 because he couldn't give a feck. At Inter he was described by Mourinho as having the attitude of a child, at Bremen he had the police after him. Do you really want this guy at OT? After all he's hardly very good

Maybe we should resign Ravel Morrison while at it.

Had you asked me this question 4 or 5 years ago I'd have said no. Since he got married and a child he has grown up a lot though I feel. Still not the brightest and he will never be but his attitude on the pitch is top notch. He needs the right environment and a manager that trusts him though.

And as a footballer he has grown a lot a lot as well in the last couple of years. I'm not saying he is worldclass but he could be a good option. And tbh I have not often seen a player give Smalling that much of a horrid time as he did last season.

 

[SteveW]

Wouldn't want him.

However he's the one striker this year that Smalling could not handle at all. He gave him a horrible time. You could see how Jose might have been impressed.

That said, no fecking way should we be signing him. Just play fecking Martial

 

[devilish]

Had you asked me this question 4 or 5 years ago I'd have said no. Since he got married and a child he has grown up a lot though I feel. Still not the brightest and he will never be but his attitude on the pitch is top notch. He needs the right environment and a manager that trusts him though.

And as a footballer he has grown a lot a lot as well in the last couple of years. I'm not saying he is worldclass but he could be a good option. And tbh I have not often seen a player give Smalling that much of a horrid time as he did last season.

We thought the same about Dwight Yorke. Andy Cole seemed to have earthed him somehow. Then Bosnich stepped in........it only takes 1 bad thing for these sort of players to go downhill.

Also it isn't that difficult to give Smalling a horrid time. Just force him to pass under pressure or ask him to sort a simple arithmetic problem.

 

[GuyfromAustria]

We thought the same about Dwight Yorke. Andy Cole seemed to have earthed him somehow. Then Bosnich stepped in........it only takes 1 bad thing for these sort of players to go downhill.

Jesus Christ, you really don't know him AT ALL.

 

[Smores]

Exactly. I find it weird when playing a long pass into space to run into is confused with what we do with Fellaini and Lukaku. Just because a pass gets off the ground, it doesn't mean long ball tactics are in effect

Clearly in certain moments we've used direct football out of tactical ploy or desperation but we play this way less than 5% of the time. It's a bit worrying how many are fixated on the idea thats our standard model of play.