Robbie Boy
Full Member
Not far off from what his defenders talk every day as serious arguments.
All 3 of them....
Not far off from what his defenders talk every day as serious arguments.
Minus ScholesThat's pretty much the squad SAF had for his last season + Fellaini & Mata.
I'd say we have a squad filled with players with x-factor and our problem is exactly the opposite, we don't have an efficient way to isolate attackers 1on1 to give them platform to do their thing.We are too lightweight in attack still. We are missing that someone with an X-factor that will win you a tight game. Hojlund may be someone a few years down the line, but not right now.
We missed a trick by keeping Rashford imo. His salary and squad status suggests that he should have been our difference maker a la Salah, Saka, Son or Haaland, yet he's nowhere near those guys. Ship him to PSG, get Kvara in and this team is completely transformed.
But we still made a significant overhaul and you can't do it all in one window I suppose.
Anyway, I expect us to significantly underperform our xG and xPTS, but all in all, we're heading in the right direction.
That and a Kobbie replacement. There's no one that can cover for him and he ain't playing 50 games. Eriksen is a fossil.
"One of the weakest"? I get your doubts over this squad but as far as I remember we always used to have some serious (IMO more serious than now) problems. Like mentioned in my original post, we made it quite far with Maguire-Lindelof and McFred midfield, with Pogba and Matic around! Granted we had a better attack, but that was only for a while and overall I think on paper this squad looks better. What other configurations from the last 10 years would you put ahead of this current one?Our squad is better than it's been in a while but still one of the weakest I can remember. Woefully short of a reliable goal-scorers up front, issues at left back and doubts over our keeper. Plus central midfield is heavily reliant on a teenager and a player we all thought was over the hill last season (and could go off the boil again at any time) Comparing our squad with past crappy United squads tells us very little. We should be comparing it with our current rivals.
Hojlund had better conversion rate than Haaland last season, in fact one of the best in the league. The problem is he went a few games without a shot.We still lack a striker who can score lots of goals (20 goals+ EPL; 30+ all comps)
and a fast winger in the mould of Robben/Hazard/Salah/Saka etc
Do we? Did anyone say that last season? I also think with a bit of negative vibes at the moment it's just a nice spin.I swear that we have a version of this thread every start of the season (and another one where the last transfer window was the best post-SAF). We will eventually be correct.
We have a better squad than the one that finished 3rd, and even without those summer reinforcements we won 2 trophies in last 2 seasons.Sure. We've just come off the back of finishing 8th and our attack is still impotent, but we have our best squad in a decade because we've signed a few defensive players.
Let's not make it about the manager indeed, plenty of other threads to moan about him.Is anyone else just sick to death of the stroppy bollox posting in every thread?
I get it, you wanted ten Hag fired after the 7-0. You wanted him fired even after the cup final. You want him fired two games into the new season.
Here's the thing though. He isn't going to be fired until at least the end of the season. The sooner you accept this, the sooner you can give it more than two games under the new coaching team, with several new players still bedding in.
If he fails, you'll get plenty of time to jubilantly bang on about how right you were all along.
Bottom line, the owners decided he was getting one more go... so why not just give him that go? You'll get your new manager eventually and then you can finally enjoy the success you seem convinced will instantly arrive.
We've got a lot of youth across the team, but we don't have a top striker or winger.
Keeper has it all to prove still, we haven't been able to field a specialist left back for more than 20% of the last 15months, and we're placing a lot of hope on the new signings.
We don't need 30 goals a season striker, it's uncommon to score more than 15 goals a season in EPL these days anyway. What we need is everyone of the attackers to chip in with goals and by the looks of things it looks like it will be the case.With everybody fit, we have a good squad. Still think we need to get rid of Lindelof, need another midfielder (one that can pass / retain possession / etc) and need a goal scorer. And long term get Sancho and Antony out and bring in another attack.
Think were two short and really need somebody to score goals (unless Ruud helps to transform one of our attackers into a 30 goal a season player especially as our midfield doesnt chip in as much as it should)
If we get top striker or winger we might probably challenge for top 3. But even with this squad we should be top 4 contenders at the very least.We've got a lot of youth across the team, but we don't have a top striker or winger.
Keeper has it all to prove still, we haven't been able to field a specialist left back for more than 20% of the last 15months, and we're placing a lot of hope on the new signings.
Agreed, hence my statement. We dont have midfielders (im gonna count the wide players as that) who chip in like they should. So we either need that, or a goal scorer getting big numbers. Also a season (meaning all comps not just the league)We don't need 30 goals a season striker, it's uncommon to score more than 15 goals a season in EPL these days anyway. What we need is everyone of the attackers to chip in with goals and by the looks of things it looks like it will be the case.
If we get top striker or winger we might probably challenge for top 3. But even with this squad we should be top 4 contenders at the very least.
We've finished 2nd and 3rd with worse squad. Granted, with some luck and opponents having a tough season, but still.
It doesn't really need much explanation, but I do wonder if people get the same feeling.
Onana - very rounded goalkeeper (worse shot stopper than prime De Gea, but useful in the buildup)
Dalot / Mazroui - two versatile and athletic fullbacks
Shaw - good when fit, obvious concerns about his injury record
Martinez/de Ligt/Yoro - probably the strongest we've been at CB for many many years, and we still have Maguire/Lindelof as backup
Casemiro/Ugarte - defensive midfielder, not one, but two! And each one a completely different type.
Mainoo/Eriksen/Mount - not super exciting options apart from Kobbie, but at least our first choice looks great
Bruno/Mount - got the #10 covered, and I could throw in more players who can do the job there as we love stacking up #10s
Rashford/Garnacho/Amad - whatever is happening with Marcus now, he IS capable of scoring goals, and we're pretty covered on RW as well (funny we've spent 150m on RW and neither of them is even considered here)
Hojlund/Zirkzee as strikers - IMO here we are the weakest as far as "first choice goes" (I have doubts over Rasmus), but still we do have two strikers, plus good cover in Rashford/Bruno for different purposes
In Ole days we used to have much stronger attack (with MMM and Bruno when he joined), but our midfield and defensive line was very poor quality, so I still think we're stronger now. This must be the best, and definitely most balanced squad we had since Fergie left? Ten Hag has been backed plenty, I expect us to start flying really soon.
We don't need 30 goals a season striker, it's uncommon to score more than 15 goals a season in EPL these days anyway. What we need is everyone of the attackers to chip in with goals and by the looks of things it looks like it will be the case.
Are you counting penalty goals as well? Last time I checked it was 5 teams. Half of those players had twice the xG that Hojlund had.What? Literally half the teams in the league had a player who scored more than 15 last season.
Casually puts in Rashy and Shaw as if they are proper working options. Both are broke in different ways.It doesn't really need much explanation, but I do wonder if people get the same feeling.
Onana - very rounded goalkeeper (worse shot stopper than prime De Gea, but useful in the buildup)
Dalot / Mazroui - two versatile and athletic fullbacks
Shaw - good when fit, obvious concerns about his injury record
Martinez/de Ligt/Yoro - probably the strongest we've been at CB for many many years, and we still have Maguire/Lindelof as backup
Casemiro/Ugarte - defensive midfielder, not one, but two! And each one a completely different type.
Mainoo/Eriksen/Mount - not super exciting options apart from Kobbie, but at least our first choice looks great
Bruno/Mount - got the #10 covered, and I could throw in more players who can do the job there as we love stacking up #10s
Rashford/Garnacho/Amad - whatever is happening with Marcus now, he IS capable of scoring goals, and we're pretty covered on RW as well (funny we've spent 150m on RW and neither of them is even considered here)
Hojlund/Zirkzee as strikers - IMO here we are the weakest as far as "first choice goes" (I have doubts over Rasmus), but still we do have two strikers, plus good cover in Rashford/Bruno for different purposes
In Ole days we used to have much stronger attack (with MMM and Bruno when he joined), but our midfield and defensive line was very poor quality, so I still think we're stronger now. This must be the best, and definitely most balanced squad we had since Fergie left? Ten Hag has been backed plenty, I expect us to start flying really soon.
For me that has to be a top 4 squad. I agree with the general quality and balance, the age profile is also really good (Eriksen/Case aside). This is it, this is ETH's team. He needs to make it work, or it'll be someone else's team by January.
The last paragraph - that's all we can hope for. The point is, objectively I don't think we've had a better squad since Fergie left. We've won trophies with worse squads than we have today that's for sure, so I just think it's a positive for the future.Onana - very rounded goalkeeper (worse shot stopper than prime De Gea, but useful in the buildup) _ I am not convinced that he's a good goalkeeper.
Dalot / Mazroui - two versatile and athletic fullbacks - Agreed.
Shaw - good when fit, obvious concerns about his injury record Agreed
Martinez/de Ligt/Yoro - probably the strongest we've been at CB for many many years, and we still have Maguire/Lindelof as backup I've seen 10 minutes of de Ligt and 0 minutes of Yoro - so no idea about them. I like Martinez
Casemiro/Ugarte - defensive midfielder, not one, but two! And each one a completely different type. Yes ! One of them is old, slow and well passed his best. I've not seen the other one play.
Mainoo/Eriksen/Mount - not super exciting options apart from Kobbie, but at least our first choice looks great Mainoo good, but we will overwork him. Eriksen, same as Casemiro . Mount has not found his feet or spot in the team yet.
Bruno/Mount - got the #10 covered, and I could throw in more players who can do the job there as we love stacking up #10s Bruno is either excellent or ridiculous. Mount - see above.
Rashford/Garnacho/Amad - whatever is happening with Marcus now, he IS capable of scoring goals, and we're pretty covered on RW as well (funny we've spent 150m on RW and neither of them is even considered here) Rashford other than one season, absolutely hopeless and worse, lazy and disinterested. Garnacho, plenty of talent and excitement. Will only get better. Amad. Not at all impressed.
Hojlund/Zirkzee as strikers - IMO here we are the weakest as far as "first choice goes" (I have doubts over Rasmus), but still we do have two strikers, plus good cover in Rashford/Bruno for different purposes Hoijlund seems to be struggling to get service and to be an integral part of the team. He is better than Worthog so it's an improvement. Zirkzee, I've only see 45 minutes, but he scored and I likes that. I hope he continues this form. Rashford as a backup is more useless than he is on the wing, which is quite an achievement in under achievement. Bruno isn't a striker.
So whilst I can see that we are moving in the right direction, we haven't yet seen it on the pitch - but I hope that we do.
Would agree with this. We have hadpoor options in defence fromhe bench all heway back to Pique leaving, sothat looks stronger now. The midfield looks reasonable on paper and am interested to see what Ugarte adds as so far not sure onsistently I actually like Mainoo and Fernandes in the same midfield but they have had a poor third option all last season.....As for the attack, despite a lot of talent there isnt a single player amongst them yet that has proven to bea nailed on first eleven starter.Not sure Id agree with this. In defence, yes. In midfield though, its debatable, and in attack, its not even close to our best post-Fergie. Overall, its the same mixed bag as always.
Well, well, well.. just wait and see how a sample size of three will be enough for fans calling for Ten Hag being sacked.Yes because a sample size of two is very significant......
Let's see if this guy is right end of season. Seems pretty spot on so far.Pretty happy with this for the season to build on for future, fight for top 4 and maybe a cup run.....
If we are not competitive half way through season, RVN takes over as interim to see what he's got.
------------------------------------------Onana-----------------
Mazzraoui/Dalot -----DeLigt/Harry/Yoro........Martinez.............Dalot/Shaw
------------------Ugarte/Casemiro----------Mainoo/Casemiro
--------------------------------------Bruno/Mount-----------
Diallo/Garnacho---------Hojlund-Zirkzee?----------Garnacho/Rashford
Ha, thanks mate.Let's see if this guy is right end of season. Seems pretty spot on so far.
So squad with Amorim here now, I see the profiles per position like this:
GKGK - Onana, Altay
RCB CB LCB
RM BWM DLP LM
RAM LAM
ST
Pretty standard here, Onana is a quality ball playing goalkeeper.
RCB - Yoro, Lindelof... Dalot or Mazraoui potentially?
Needs to have some speed where they can cover the wide areas, need some ball playing ability to help the build up.
CB - De Ligt, Maguire, Evans
The more physically dominant CB, will be protected speed wise from the outer center backs.
LCB - Martinez, Shaw
Similar to RCB, just for the left side
RM - Dalot, Mazraoui... Garnacho?
Needs the ability to get up and down all day, hold width. In easier games, could be more of a winger like Garnacho, but generally (given fitness and general form/ability) I'd imagine it'll just be one of Mazraoui or Dalot.
BWM - Ugarte, Casemiro
Ball winning mid, there to get around the pitch and do the dirty work. I think Ugarte will play for as long as he is fit/not suspended.
DLP - Casemiro, Bruno, Eriksen, Mainoo
More conservative deep passer, needs to hold down that area next to his midfield partner, passing probably more important than dribbling so I'm not actually sure that this is where Mainoo will get most of his minutes. Could see Bruno getting plenty of time here to be honest.
LM - Amad, Shaw, Malacia, Dalot/Mazraoui, Antony
Similar to RM, except our options are a huge question mark. Amad the only left footer who can stay fit apart from Antony who is very shit, but I see him more for the attacking areas. Shaw at this point is probably more of a LCB and not the LM given he's lost a lot of pace with his constant injuries. Malacia I don't even know what type of player he'll be after basically 2 years out. So that leaves just Dalot/Mazraoui, which would probably be Dalot given he played a season on loan at Milan here. Would be nice to have someone like Pedro Neto here, we really need a left footer for this for it to work naturally.
RAM/LAM - Amad, Bruno, Mainoo, Garnacho, Mount, Zirkzee
Floating playmakers, the more that I've seen from them the less they are wingers at all, and more need to pick up the pockets of space and have press resistance, capable of playing in small spaces, and work hard all game. To me... that just screams Amad and Mainoo. Garnacho and Mount also capable of it, though Mount is always injured and Garnacho is not as natural at it. Bruno will likely play the role plenty but he's not perfectly suited to it given he isn't press resistant or good in tight spaces. Zirkzee here too because he's not a poacher type striker at all, but hard to see his fit.
ST - Hojlund, Rashford
Need a striker to play on the shoulder of the defence and just stretch the opponents all game. Obviously a problem for us constantly and I suspect it'll continue to be. If I had to bet, I'd guess that Rashford will win this battle in the short term as he has history with the new manager boost and he might actually be used correctly (not a playmaker at all, just tell him to make the runs in behind all game), and Hojlund really has been poor. But long term, still some hope that maybe Hojlund can turn into something like Gyokeres, or we just go and buy Gyokeres.
A lineup I'd really like to see and think it could have us playing some great stuff under Amorim would be:
Onana
Yoro - De Ligt - Martinez
Mazraoui - Ugarte - Bruno - Dalot
Amad - Mainoo
Rashford
I wonder if that means we'd see Amad, being left footed, as the left sided AM? Kind of feel we'll be making our usual mistakes if he lines up with two right footers as LWB and the LAM + Amad got his assist, albeit it was quite a simple pass to Bruno, from that area.Good breakdown but Amorim plays inverted wing backs at Sporting so can't see both sides being on their dominant footed side. Garnacho for instance more likely to play LWB than RWB