It's pre-season and we are in dire straits

rpg

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Have we ever signed a player whilst on tour? Sorry if it’s been asked already.
We did signed a young cristiano ronaldo after a pre season friendly game. Supposedly the players begged Sir Alex to sign him after the game.
 

AminoAlex

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Just a rich and albeit slightly bigger/better version of Sunderland in the season they got relegated from the Championship to League 1.

Sunderland - Badly ran from the top down (US owner - Ellis Short/shite CEO - Martin Bain). A team full of players taking a big pay packet for half-arsed performances.

Due to the size and stature of the club, I'm not expecting to be relegated in the same manner as Sunderland in two consecutive seasons. However, I would recommend putting a bet on United to be relegated at 500/1 and therefore you will have something to cheer about when we finish mid-table.
 
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UnitedObsession99

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As things stand we're not improving. WanB is an improvement, but that's just one position needed and isn't going to improve us a whole by any stretch.

It's fair to say it's not looking good. Even if we somehow pulled off the De Ligt signing, which is the only big signing we're linked with, we aren't going to look like a competitive team. There's another 3 positions at the very least that would need changing for our football to improve, and that's if Pogba and De Gea stay.
De Ligt is a big signing, but Maguire and Fernandes are not?

Fernandes is one of the most exciting box to box midfielders in years.

Maguire is one of the most reliable centrebacks out there. There is a reason City are so keen. Don't get me wrong De Ligt's ceiling appears much higher, but Maguire is the better defender at current.
 

VeevaVee

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De Ligt is a big signing, but Maguire and Fernandes are not?

Fernandes is one of the most exciting box to box midfielders in years.

Maguire is one of the most reliable centrebacks out there. There is a reason City are so keen. Don't get me wrong De Ligt's ceiling appears much higher, but Maguire is the better defender at current.
Maguire isn't a particularly big signing for me in anything other than price and season old hype. Fernandes isn't a big signing just because it's exciting to you.

Anyway, that's by the by and not the point.
I'm not saying we only need big signings either. I'm saying we need big changes
 
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UnitedObsession99

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Maguire isn't a particularly big signing for me in anything other than price and season old hype. Fernandes isn't a big signing just because it's exciting to you.

Anyway, that's by the by.
I'm not saying we only need big signings either. I'm saying we need big changes
No central midfielder in Europe has scored 27 goals since Frank Lampard in 09/10. Fernandes has scored 32 goals and 18 assists in 53 games. Yes an exceptional year in his career, but the year before he still achieved 16 goals and 20 assists in 56 games.

If you see the way he plays, he is quick, dynamic, can shoot on either foot, can score from out of the box, scores free kicks, best in class at pens. Supreme confidence, great vision.

If you aren't excited, you clearly have never seen anything of him. Or are judging on one bad game!

Maguire is probably in the top 3 of defenders we can realistically talk about signing. And in the top 3 is De Ligt who seems set on teams in better shape than us and Koulibaly who could cost obscene money with no Premiership experience. Yes I'd prefer the latter 2 and Maguire is unexciting, but he would be a big signing for us.

Regarding numbers, it depends where our sights are set. Top 4 is probably as good as guaranteed with Maguire and Fernandes.

Chelsea seriously lack striking options and have lost their stand out best player by miles. Arsenal are not spending and are pretty crap anyway.

Top 3 we probably need to add Sancho, a top class forward, a new DM and even then we are only in the running. I genuinely don't think top 2 is doable. We'd need to be signing top players from top teams like Mbappe and probably another CB to add quality in depth.

Add the inexperienced Ole factor and we really are limited on how high we can go.
 

Gandalf Greyhame

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No central midfielder in Europe has scored 27 goals since Frank Lampard in 09/10. Fernandes has scored 32 goals and 18 assists in 53 games. Yes an exceptional year in his career, but the year before he still achieved 16 goals and 20 assists in 56 games.

If you see the way he plays, he is quick, dynamic, can shoot on either foot, can score from out of the box, scores free kicks, best in class at pens. Supreme confidence, great vision.

If you aren't excited, you clearly have never seen anything of him. Or are judging on one bad game!

Maguire is probably in the top 3 of defenders we can realistically talk about signing. And in the top 3 is De Ligt who seems set on teams in better shape than us and Koulibaly who could cost obscene money with no Premiership experience. Yes I'd prefer the latter 2 and Maguire is unexciting, but he would be a big signing for us.

Regarding numbers, it depends where our sights are set. Top 4 is probably as good as guaranteed with Maguire and Fernandes.

Chelsea seriously lack striking options and have lost their stand out best player by miles. Arsenal are not spending and are pretty crap anyway.

Top 3 we probably need to add Sancho, a top class forward, a new DM and even then we are only in the running. I genuinely don't think top 2 is doable. We'd need to be signing top players from top teams like Mbappe and probably another CB to add quality in depth.

Add the inexperienced Ole factor and we really are limited on how high we can go.
Sounds familiar, I wonder why.
 

Red_toad

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Folk have a right to complain, though, dude. They've been complaining for six seasons now and as each year goes by the number of people telling the moaners to stop complaining gets less and less because no rhetoric and "maybe things will be better this year" platitudes are going to cut it. It's time to stop saying "give them a chance" and time to say "they keep shitting the bed and refuse to change the sheets, so feck the Glazers and feck Eddy the big headed, probably parks his ostentatious SUV in family parking spots at Sainsbury's, Tory voting prick".
Yes but endless threads all about the same issues does what?
As people have been complaining for over half a decade about the same issues, when do they quit being the definition of insanity and do something else? It seems pointless to me to moan and moan, then create another thread to moan and moan about the same issues endlessly.
Why aren't people more creative? If they feel so passionately about it why aren't they taking direct action?
 

Sunny Jim

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De Ligt is a big signing, but Maguire and Fernandes are not?

Fernandes is one of the most exciting box to box midfielders in years.

Maguire is one of the most reliable centrebacks out there. There is a reason City are so keen. Don't get me wrong De Ligt's ceiling appears much higher, but Maguire is the better defender at current.
No, hes not. He is English and decent. Think Joe Hart in his prime.
 

UnitedObsession99

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No, hes not. He is English and decent. Think Joe Hart in his prime.
Who is better and getable?

There are gambles like Ruben Dias who potentially have a higer ceiling, but we've taken gambles and i think we now just need proven quality.

I do think Maguire at £70m is really a very expensive price for what he is, but Premier League proven, has the ability on the ball, great in the air, some degree of leadership. He is no Rio or Vidic, but there aren't many of those in world football.
 

Ronaldo's Love Child

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They say it's the hope that kills you....

I think many of us (myself included) have to re-calibrate our expectations for the next 1 or 2 seasons. Would you be happy on United missing out on CL for 2 seasons and not winning anything if after 2 years we then have a squad capable of great things ? Think about that for a moment as even I'm not sure I have the nerve to wait or the belief that sacrificing two years to MAYBE have a title challenging squad is something I can live with. If it was a guaranteed sacrifice then fine but there are no guarantees.
 

montpelier

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However, a top, top CB (probably not Maguire then, :D) & a revitalised Pogba/Sanchez (OK, quality replacements) & Woodward gets fired into outer space. And things can change, innit?

 

red4ever 79

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I wont have a problem with going into the season if Ole gives the young guys a chance. Tuanzebe, AWB, Shaw, Lindelof, Gomes, Greenwood, McTomminay. All of those have to play. However if Ole starts picking Jones, Smalling, Young, Lingard then there is no point
 
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I cant think of a more perfect opportunity for the likes of Everton,Leicester and Wolves to take full advantage of the uncertainty surrounding United,Arsenal and Chelsea.
 

ForestRGoinUp

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I cant think of a more perfect opportunity for the likes of Everton,Leicester and Wolves to take full advantage of the uncertainty surrounding United,Arsenal and Chelsea.
And if the team is playing with the same confidence and inspiration of April/May then not just those three clubs either.
 

romufc

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I fear for Manutd this season, last season 10 results from the Ole bounce propelled them up to challenge for top 4..

Starting a new season with the same mistakes.

De Gea in decline
Worst back 4 in the top 5 - AWB is a good signing
Midfield - Losing Paul and Herrera, prob our 2 most influential midfielders - Pogba's creativity and goals will be missed.
Forwards - Losing Lukaku and relying on inconsistent performers?

One could argue this team is actually worse than last season?

I can see a 7th placed finished this campaign.
 

ForestRGoinUp

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They say it's the hope that kills you....

I think many of us (myself included) have to re-calibrate our expectations for the next 1 or 2 seasons. Would you be happy on United missing out on CL for 2 seasons and not winning anything if after 2 years we then have a squad capable of great things ? Think about that for a moment as even I'm not sure I have the nerve to wait or the belief that sacrificing two years to MAYBE have a title challenging squad is something I can live with. If it was a guaranteed sacrifice then fine but there are no guarantees.
I would take that deal now if it was guaranteed. Think that’s the year we’d be starting with a new shirt sponsor too so we’d be buzzing about that.

It does seem like we’re taking that approach, but I personally have no confidence in Ole landing the plane safely. Think it’s more likely to go tits up. Could be wrong and would be great if I am. Just how I feel.
 

Sunny Jim

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Who is better and getable?

There are gambles like Ruben Dias who potentially have a higer ceiling, but we've taken gambles and i think we now just need proven quality.

I do think Maguire at £70m is really a very expensive price for what he is, but Premier League proven, has the ability on the ball, great in the air, some degree of leadership. He is no Rio or Vidic, but there aren't many of those in world football.
If only we had a scouting departament..
 

Beaucoup

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This is probably the first time I can remember having absolutely zero interest in a preseason tour.
 

izec

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We should be announcing signings on the weekly basis. Look at our pre tour squad, and then imagine Pogba and Lukaku are sold. They can stay, but then we have two unhappy players. We need another 2-3 signings without the pair of them leaving. When our window closes, i can see us not having the replacements in and then both of them will kick up a fuss once good offers come in from clubs and we cant sell them due to not being able to replace them. We fecked up May/June, but now in July/August, we need to pick up pace in the transfer market. There is no time for dithering at the moment, decide what you want and who you want and go for it.
 

Thisistheone

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Yeah it's all looking a bit shit right now. Still time to fix a few areas on the pitch but as it stands, we're in for a very tough season.

The decline of the club post Fergie is quite remarkable. Will probably make for an interesting documentary one day, on how the empire collapsed.
 

Bestietom

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I just wish we would sign 2 top midfielders now. We can move onto CB and whoever else after that.
 

SteveW

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De Gea's been poor for 18 months. That's a fact. Let's just be honest. I'm feeling pretty iffy about this huge new contract we keep hearing about but at least it protects his transfer value I guess. If someone like Oblak becomes available we should go for it but I imagine they feel we have too many problems to deal with this summer already without adding a high profile goalkeeper switch.

We will probably scrape through next season defensively as long as we don't get too many injuries. AWB, Dalot, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, Axel and Jones can hopefully all be relied upon to some extent. A quality CB addition would certainly help but if 90m Maguire is the only option I think we should wait until someone more suitable become available.

That's a seriously weak group of midfielders and if it's not added to we are absolutely fecked next season. Pogba and McTomminay are the only ones good enough to play for United. I'd like to see Gomes get get some chances as an AM as the season goes on. He is a pretty unique little player who could definitely add some creativity if he can handle the step up. But overall we clearly need 2 CMs pretty desperately.

I actually think we will be fine in attack next season. Martial, Rashford, James and Greenwood are a really exciting group in my opinion. There's a lot of talent and pace and enthusiasm there and I think Ole is the man to bring the best out of them. I assume if Rom goes we'll bring in Ben Yedder which I'm fine with.

Rojo, Darmian, Young, Bailly, Pereira, Fred, Matic, Lingard and Mata shouldn't have a long term future here if we are serious about becoming a proper team again.
 

romufc

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Last couple years we have been up for pre season because of the following reasons:

1. Jose singed - came with Paul Pogba, Bailly, Zlatan and Mikhi - brilliant got fans excited
2. Jose then got us a second place finish - No new players but Rashford looked like maturing, bringing youth through

This season....wow.. losing the most talented player, no style of play, big words from Ed and Ole about ruthlessness and new signings, we have 1 that will go into the first team.

No outgoings of deadwood. City, Spurs, and Liverpool looking strong. Yet fans comparing to Arsenal and Chelsea when we should be setting sights on the top. Shows the decline of the club.

I would not bet against next season saying, at least Everton and West Ham look worse than us.
 

Sparky Rhiwabon

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De Gea's been poor for 18 months. That's a fact. Let's just be honest. I'm feeling pretty iffy about this huge new contract we keep hearing about but at least it protects his transfer value I guess. If someone like Oblak becomes available we should go for it but I imagine they feel we have too many problems to deal with this summer already without adding a high profile goalkeeper switch.

We will probably scrape through next season defensively as long as we don't get too many injuries. AWB, Dalot, Lindelof, Smalling, Shaw, Axel and Jones can hopefully all be relied upon to some extent. A quality CB addition would certainly help but if 90m Maguire is the only option I think we should wait until someone more suitable become available.

That's a seriously weak group of midfielders and if it's not added to we are absolutely fecked next season. Pogba and McTomminay are the only ones good enough to play for United. I'd like to see Gomes get get some chances as an AM as the season goes on. He is a pretty unique little player who could definitely add some creativity if he can handle the step up. But overall we clearly need 2 CMs pretty desperately.

I actually think we will be fine in attack next season. Martial, Rashford, James and Greenwood are a really exciting group in my opinion. There's a lot of talent and pace and enthusiasm there and I think Ole is the man to bring the best out of them. I assume if Rom goes we'll bring in Ben Yedder which I'm fine with.

Rojo, Darmian, Young, Bailly, Pereira, Fred, Matic, Lingard and Mata shouldn't have a long term future here if we are serious about becoming a proper team again.
We just have to pay the market rate for a CB, like Liverpool did with Van Dijk. If we are baulking at paying the going rate we will always be "waiting for a better option".
 

Bestietom

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We just have to pay the market rate for a CB, like Liverpool did with Van Dijk. If we are baulking at paying the going rate we will always be "waiting for a better option".
I agree, and we will keep falling further back from the pack. It's really getting ridiculous with the time it is taking Woodward to complete a transfer because of his pennypinching . He must remember he is not buying coffee beans
 

oz insomniac

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Watching the mess from afar, it's amazing the number of Glazer/Woodward supporters there are, they seem to invade any criticism with excuses, or it could be worse, without acknowledging the depths the club has descended to.

No coherent transfer strategy, no preparedness to meet the market, a need to bargain every transfer down, a willingness to sell their soul to any tractor like sponsor, an absolute willingness to either mark time on a target or the illogical only one deal at a time can be negotiated means we are exactly where we should be given the shambles that run the joint.

This may seem an extreme reaction, but look at the squad that has arrived here in Oz. it is so far from being competitive with the Citeh/Liverpool/Spurs that we are chasing , that is tragic. Who would have thought this could happen in such a short space of time, elite players wanting to move on, squad players being paid like they are top quality in their positions and no sign of our administrators understanding that to compete with Real/Citeh etc you might have to be as decisive as they are.

Rant over, this could well signal the once great Man Utds fall into mid table, and the loss of young fans who wear shirts and become life long supporters now they see success in other clubs.
 

Crackers

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I think it's going to get far worse before it gets better.
The Glazers have made it clear that they only care about profit and the share price. The club has been turned into a cash cow and its obvious the don't really care how we perform on the pitch as long as we're making money.


The situation is not going to improve until they sell up, and it will take a lot to make them sell. They'll only sell when the well has dried up, so I fear a few years of mediocrity may be the only way. I mean finishing outside the top 6/7 for a few years in a row. As long as we're in touching distance, they're not gonna sell

Buckle up, it's going to be a bad few years
 

SteveW

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We just have to pay the market rate for a CB, like Liverpool did with Van Dijk. If we are baulking at paying the going rate we will always be "waiting for a better option".
I'm fine with them paying money for a quality CB that will bring us up a level. I dont think Maguire is that.