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

Bestietom

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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.
Well said, it's the way we are heading unless someone comes to the rescue. We need a buyer who is football crazy about Manchester United.
 

El Zoido

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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.
This is not an overreaction, it’s a genuine reality. This squad is mid-table quality without Pogba and Lukaku. Unless more than one youth player becomes a sensation we’re in deep trouble.
 

Saffron

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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.
”But Woodward only did what I would have done, so therefore he’s good at his job.

I, esteemed FIFA player, am the benchmark for good Premier League CEO decision making.”
 

MUFC OK

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The problem we have with this group and this manager is that we never recovered when our fortunes downturned last season.We simply cannot bounce back from adversity and that's why we will be lucky to finish in the top half. I actually expect our wins, losses and draws to all be roughly the same figure come the end of the season. As a prediction I think we will lose 12 games in the league.
 

sunama

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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
Like last season, Ole will rely on Fergie's boys. He'll pick the likes of Jones, Young, etc, above and over the youngsters.
 

Crackers

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Like last season, Ole will rely on Fergie's boys. He'll pick the likes of Jones, Young, etc, above and over the youngsters.
And if he follows through with it, we'll end up midtable. Hell we'll probably end up there anyway but we need to aim higher
 

Eric's Seagull

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Well said, it's the way we are heading unless someone comes to the rescue. We need a buyer who is football crazy about Manchester United.
Jim Radcliffe. Man United fan. Richest man in Britain. Apparently put off because our greedy owners wanted stupid money. If reports are true would have been great.
 

Eric's Seagull

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Need to boycott the club(tickets, merchandise, jerseys etc) and and their sponsors if we're going to get anywhere
Not sure ecxactly what would have the most impact but I definitely agree with you that someone thing should be gone. But I think if the share prices decreases significantly I think they may sell so that get the maximum of return for their so-called 'investment in the club'.
 

VP89

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Exactly one month away from kicking off the new season. We haven't replaced Ander, we don't know if Pogba stays or goes, with no replacement lined up, we don't know who our centre back partnership will be, we don't know if Lukaku will stay or go, nor do we have his replacement lined up. We also don't have a right winger, nor are we looking to sign one.

This is beyond incompetence to be honest. Manchester United should not be in this position. After the season ended last year with our bitter rivals sharing champions of Europe and champions of England crowns between them, you'd think the board would act efficiently if they had an iota of sentiment towards the club.
 

Eric's Seagull

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Exactly one month away from kicking off the new season. We haven't replaced Ander, we don't know if Pogba stays or goes, with no replacement lined up, we don't know who our centre back partnership will be, we don't know if Lukaku will stay or go, nor do we have his replacement lined up. We also don't have a right winger, nor are we looking to sign one.

This is beyond incompetence to be honest. Manchester United should not be in this position. After the season ended last year with our bitter rivals sharing champions of Europe and champions of England crowns between them, you'd think the board would act efficiently if they had an iota of sentiment towards the club.
Doesn't seem as if the board give a crap. I thought that after our failure to qualify for the Champions League next season that the board would have invested significant funds to get us into top 4. To me this seems that either the board think we have got enough quality in the squad to get us into the top 4, which is naive bordering on stupid or that they plan on making significant signings between now and the end of the transfer window. Which I'm my opinion will be stupid as clubs will ask extortionate fees as they know we are desperate.
 

Crackers

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Doesn't seem as if the board give a crap. I thought that after our failure to qualify for the Champions League next season that the board would have invested significant funds to get us into top 4. To me this seems that either the board think we have got enough quality in the squad to get us into the top 4, which is naive bordering on stupid or that they plan on making significant signings between now and the end of the transfer window. Which I'm my opinion will be stupid as clubs will ask extortionate fees as they know we are desperate.
Or they just don't care about the results anymore.
 

Eric's Seagull

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Or they just don't care about the results anymore.
You could very well be right on that one. Which is very sad and if true the state of the club is getting worse than I thought it ever would. But not a lot surprises me any more with these leeches in charge and Woody running the show :(
 

Stubble

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Doesn't seem as if the board give a crap. I thought that after our failure to qualify for the Champions League next season that the board would have invested significant funds to get us into top 4. To me this seems that either the board think we have got enough quality in the squad to get us into the top 4, which is naive bordering on stupid or that they plan on making significant signings between now and the end of the transfer window. Which I'm my opinion will be stupid as clubs will ask extortionate fees as they know we are desperate.
. If we don't address most of these glaring and obvious issues soon considering we spent peanuts (in club terms) in the last window it indicates more than incompetence. It suggests we are in cash saving mode and maybe a sale could be on the cards. Alternatively it could mean we are penny pinching and missing out on our main targets which will mean lower quality overpriced players being brought in late in the window especially if Lukaku / Pogba leave. Not like that hasn't happened before...
 

Bestietom

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. If we don't address most of these glaring and obvious issues soon considering we spent peanuts (in club terms) in the last window it indicates more than incompetence. It suggests we are in cash saving mode and maybe a sale could be on the cards. Alternatively it could mean we are penny pinching and missing out on our main targets which will mean lower quality overpriced players being brought in late in the window especially if Lukaku / Pogba leave. Not like that hasn't happened before...
Think the second option ( pennypinching) is the right one. Even if we sell Pogba and Lukaku Woodward won't spend it all on transfers.
 

Shark

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Exactly one month away from kicking off the new season. We haven't replaced Ander, we don't know if Pogba stays or goes, with no replacement lined up, we don't know who our centre back partnership will be, we don't know if Lukaku will stay or go, nor do we have his replacement lined up. We also don't have a right winger, nor are we looking to sign one.

This is beyond incompetence to be honest. Manchester United should not be in this position. After the season ended last year with our bitter rivals sharing champions of Europe and champions of England crowns between them, you'd think the board would act efficiently if they had an iota of sentiment towards the club.
That’s where you’d be wrong, the board aren’t hurting at all like we are and it’s spread through the club and players like a virus. We have allowed ourselves to become Arsenal of the past 10 years, but it’s even worse, at least they managed top four finishes.
 

El-Manos

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Best case scenario is that we still manage to buy Maguire& Fernandes. Wouldn’t classify that as a good window for us to be honest. (James, AWB,Maguire, Fernandes) in & out probably (Pogba, Herrera, Lukaku).
 

Eric's Seagull

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. If we don't address most of these glaring and obvious issues soon considering we spent peanuts (in club terms) in the last window it indicates more than incompetence. It suggests we are in cash saving mode and maybe a sale could be on the cards. Alternatively it could mean we are penny pinching and missing out on our main targets which will mean lower quality overpriced players being brought in late in the window especially if Lukaku / Pogba leave. Not like that hasn't happened before...
Good post. Totally agree with the part in bold. Although I would like us to spend significantly I would reluctantly accept us not significant spending money if the Glazer's are going to sell the club, my concern is that if they do sell the club that they would leave it drag on for a stupid amount time making us fall further behind the teams at the top. Regarding your second point that is a scenario that I have been dreading. I think that we should pay what it takes for our targets so that they don't end up signing for a rival club fior the sake of us being too tight to cough up a few extra million. I am also concerned about us buying players at the the end of the window as you said they will be overpriced. An example being Fellaini.
 

Bestietom

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Best case scenario is that we still manage to buy Maguire& Fernandes. Wouldn’t classify that as a good window for us to be honest. (James, AWB,Maguire, Fernandes) in & out probably (Pogba, Herrera, Lukaku).
If Pogba and Lukaku go and Herrera and Fellaini already gone, we will need 3 midfielders, mate.
 

Crustanoid

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Sack the 60 scouts and buy 2 midfielders.
Does anyone know what the 60 scouts actually do? If they’re supposed to be identifying new under the radar talent for bargain prices, then why are we terrible at signing anyone/getting bargains?
 

VanGaalyTime

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Does anyone know what the 60 scouts actually do? If they’re supposed to be identifying new under the radar talent for bargain prices, then why are we terrible at signing anyone/getting bargains?
Yeah that's been my question for a while. I mean it's not exactly complicated to find Harry Maguire now is it? Why aren't they looking at under-the-radar players like Adam Webster at Bristol City? Why have we just stopped buying players under 20m?
 

dmode

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Seeing all that kind of comments from the caf, it makes me think of what if we do a killer season for pride and glory and win the league? What would you say then?

I am not at all afraid of our actual state because I believe in our team and coach, they will do wonders, mark my words, cannot wait for Ole to sign some good players, cannot wait for the league to start.

Pogba's episode is just a PR coup... trying to win the fans again, knowing that no other team can afford him ihmo.

Mark Knopfler is my guitar hero btw.

 

Eric's Seagull

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Does anyone know what the 60 scouts actually do? If they’re supposed to be identifying new under the radar talent for bargain prices, then why are we terrible at signing anyone/getting bargains?
https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ws/man-utd-new-scouting-appointments-16487855
Apparently we are looking to further expand the scouting department, accoring to MEN "Manchester United are looking for new scouts to operate in France and Spain to help the club identify "world class" players."
 

minoo-utd

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Still an awful lot of business should be done any one who watch football could tell, lots need to feck off, and we still need at least 2 additions and we still not sure if Pogba and Lukaku will leave or what! we just renewed to 7 8 players and keeping hold of the squad who fecked up big time last year!

It looks like no one cares about this club anymore.
 

ZupZup

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I don't really know what anyone is expecting to be honest... we are not going to sign 7 or 8 players. The club is in need of a rebuild which takes time if you want to do it properly. Even if things go well it is likely to be about 2 seasons or a few transfer windows before we are where we want to be.

Things will evolve though. We have a lot of young-ish players still who may have been written off by a few... but are still not at their peak and are definitely capable of going up a level. Rashford will get better. Luke Shaw has just played more than 20 matches in a season for the first time in about 5 years and he will improve. This could be the season that Greenwood starts to make a name for himself.

My expectations are fairly low for the coming season but I can't understand all the doom mongering before a ball has been kicked. I can't wait for the season get started.
 

Dan_F

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The thing I can’t really get my head around with the Glazers is that, obviously they just want to make as much money as possible. I get that. But surely they have to recognise that they could be making more.

We’ve missed out on the Champions League three times now since Fergie left. Someone else can tell me how much money that is total. Once or twice can be seen as a transition period, but three times is a clear pattern. As a result we’ve had to completely overspend on wages and agent fees to attract the best players.

For business men, they are extremely slow to recognise areas of weakness. It doesn’t even make financial sense to keep Woodward in charge of football decisions, as it is constantly costing them money missing out on the top four. They have to see that the bubble will burst eventually if we can’t get back to winning trophies.

So what’s their plan, are they looking to sell and just skimming as much off beforehand, or do you think they just genuinely don’t know or care how to improve things.
 

Ranchero

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Exactly. Couldnt have said it better. We are supposed to be doing the massive rebuild after 6 awful seasons and one week before our first friendly and we havent even replaced Herrera. Its a fecking joke we can should moan as much as we want.
No, we have not replaced Herrera. Or Fellaini. And I am not buying into any spin that it is a long term project. We have got to be competitive now. As it stands (and we have some time to go till the end of the window still), we are going to be relying on youngsters, especially to flesh out our woeful midfield. While Leicester snap up 22-year-old Tielemans for next to nothing in this market. He would walk, hop, stagger and fall into our side right now.

Then you ask yourself, why would Maguire come to United. When all the signs are that it is Leicester are on the up and up. While we right now are very much not. The only selling point for United is history and this 'biggest club in the world' PR spin. At Leicester, he has to look at the players around him, and find that he would not be walking into a better team. I would take Chilwell for Shaw. Ndidi for Matic. Tielemans for whoever we place as box to box central midfield. I'd have Maddison over a toys-out-of pram unprofessional not-wanting-to-play Pogba. Maguire for Lindelof. Then it is Abrighton or Barnes vs Lingard Schmeicher vs De Gea? Pereira vs Wan-Bassaka? Evans or Smalling? Not much in those. No question I would have Rashford over Vardy. But that is about it.
 

Kentish

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Chill out.

DDG
AWB Smalling Lindelof Shaw
Fred
McTominay Andreas
Greenwood Rashford Martial


Current side probably finishes 5th-7th.

Maguire/Toby + Fernandes + CM probably sees us finish top 4 which at this point is the best we can really hope for this season..
 

sunama

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Exactly one month away from kicking off the new season. We haven't replaced Ander, we don't know if Pogba stays or goes, with no replacement lined up, we don't know who our centre back partnership will be, we don't know if Lukaku will stay or go, nor do we have his replacement lined up. We also don't have a right winger, nor are we looking to sign one.

This is beyond incompetence to be honest. Manchester United should not be in this position. After the season ended last year with our bitter rivals sharing champions of Europe and champions of England crowns between them, you'd think the board would act efficiently if they had an iota of sentiment towards the club.
Our competition is not Liverpool or Man City.
We are competing for the 4th place trophy and Woodward (our DoF) seems to believe that our squad is good enough to get it. I wonder though, if Ole believes that we can get 4th place. Surely Woodie and Ole, can't be aiming for 6th place....could they?
 

JohnnyKills

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The thing I can’t really get my head around with the Glazers is that, obviously they just want to make as much money as possible. I get that. But surely they have to recognise that they could be making more.

We’ve missed out on the Champions League three times now since Fergie left. Someone else can tell me how much money that is total. Once or twice can be seen as a transition period, but three times is a clear pattern. As a result we’ve had to completely overspend on wages and agent fees to attract the best players.

For business men, they are extremely slow to recognise areas of weakness. It doesn’t even make financial sense to keep Woodward in charge of football decisions, as it is constantly costing them money missing out on the top four. They have to see that the bubble will burst eventually if we can’t get back to winning trophies.

So what’s their plan, are they looking to sell and just skimming as much off beforehand, or do you think they just genuinely don’t know or care how to improve things.
Let's hope so.
 

ForestRGoinUp

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Chill out.

DDG
AWB Smalling Lindelof Shaw
Fred
McTominay Andreas
Greenwood Rashford Martial


Current side probably finishes 5th-7th.

Maguire/Toby + Fernandes + CM probably sees us finish top 4 which at this point is the best we can really hope for this season..
Top 7 should happen if they get off to a solid start of the season. If they struggle out of the gates, it’s going to be a mess. With or without a few midtable quality additions.
 

VP89

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Our competition is not Liverpool or Man City.
We are competing for the 4th place trophy and Woodward (our DoF) seems to believe that our squad is good enough to get it. I wonder though, if Ole believes that we can get 4th place. Surely Woodie and Ole, can't be aiming for 6th place....could they?
Ole has made his targets clear. He wants to bridge the gap this season and look to challenge after that. He said he wants us to look up, not down.

It's evident what the goals are and we are off to a shitty start in the transfer market. That's undeniable. Slow market aside, Real Madrid can go out and tie 4 players down already. Our targets are open goals (if Longstaff or Bruno or even Lemina are to be believed) and we aren't close to any of them. We've reportedly prepared a bid for over a week for Longstaff for fecksake. We haven't turned to alternatives from Maguire nor have we upped a bid.

Liverpool didn't buy world class talent or do anything out of the ordinary when they rocketed up the league. They just bought well, bought early and it was all sensible business. Be it Fabinho and Alison or Mane and Salah, they got the players in which might not have been world beaters at the time but had all the potential. But they did their business efficiently and quickly. We are fecking around with no clue who our midfield could be, what our cb partnership will be, no clue who our starting strikers are and no fecking right wing. At that stage it's got feck all to do with who is above and below is, it's shite planning even from a standalone perspective.
 

Stubble

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The club's window seems to hinge on whether Pogba and Lukaku go. If they do it will prob be drawn out sagas right up to the end of the window as we try to extract maximum fees. This will mean bringing in adequate replacements is unlikely/impossible. In the Pogba scenario even if we keep him he'll be off soon enough so better to bring in Fernandes or whoever immediately especially as Pogba may go into sulk mode next season - it would give another creative MF option. But the club will probably sit on their hands, bring in Longstaff and hope that is enough..