Jack Grealish / signs new 5 year contract

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SoCross

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An inter-changing line of Rashford, Bruno & Grealish behind Martial will be difficult to handle for most sides. With Bruno, Pogba (if he stays) and Grealish providing the creativity, we will have a seriously good team.

But! Sancho should be our first choice target this summer (if Pogba doesn't leave). Grealish should be our second if we don't land Sancho.

If Pogba does leave, we should prioritise a creative midfielder.
 

BenitoSTARR

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No worries, I think he would be a good upgrade on Lingard and Pereria but am not dying for him to sign either.
I’d be more worried about where exactly he’d play could see him being pushed out to the right to accommodate him in the team, then that leads you to thinking why not just sign a right winger instead.

Sancho seems to tick so many boxes it takes away from other options also.
He would be an upgrade but he won’t improve our first XI. I do think there’s a lot more improvement to be made in the first team before we spunk £50m on someone who does a worse job than Bruno and Rashford. I just don’t see how he’s worth it.

I’m not questioning his talent he’s clearly a good footballer I just don’t think he answers a problem in the squad worth that much.

Grealish for me has only really performed to a top class level as a roaming LW in the PL and we don’t need that. He could play CAM but then why not just buy someone proven at CAM (spoiler alert we did Bruno).

I just don’t see the logic is spending so much on him I’d much rather we keep Pogba and replace him next summer or sell Pogba and go for a top level player/players to replace him.

I understand what the previous posters meant about him being an Everton signing I don’t think he starts for any top 4 club in England.
 

Robertd0803

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We've got very different definitions of the word if 60-80m for Grealish or 50m for VDB is considered cheap...

Would much rather we take a look at a star in the making in Havertz if we're indeed looking to spend big money on a midfielder
VDB is reasonably cheap considering the fees being quoted for Grealish/Maddison/Saul Niguez. And Id imagine we are hoping Villa get relegated so we get Grealish cheaper somehow.


Why? We are Man Utd, we should be looking at quality players every summer. By the way some fans react we are only allowed a handful of players, and, if we look to build on them, its because our quota is full and a sale is on the cards
Not disputing that but my point is if we sell Pogba next summer for lets say £98 Million (random figure) and then try replace him every team will have a bigger field day than normal when quoting us prices. We seen to have a chance to pick up some quality players now for not insane prices, if they are already established in the team by the time Pogba inevitably moves to Madrid then we shouldnt have to spend a fortune to replace him.
 

MadDogg

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One worry I have is that we might be overrating Bruno a bit. Obviously he's had a fantastic start to his time here, but he's only played 9 games. Even in those 9 games he's had a couple of matches where he was fairly average for most of it but then obviously ended up making the difference with a goal or assist. On the one hand that's a great attribute that you can make the difference even when you aren't playing all that well, but is it something that he can do consistently or was it just a purple patch? He did have a great couple of years in Sporting as well but with all due respect that was in Portugal so we don't know how his consistency level is going to be in the premier league yet.

Bruno is obviously a massive upgrade on what we had before, but I'm just a bit worried that we're making him 'untouchable' too early. Hopefully that is going to be the case but I just think it's a bit too early to talk about him as if Grealish has no chance. Plus of course Grealish would play other positions as well.
 

Slysi17

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He would be an upgrade but he won’t improve our first XI. I do think there’s a lot more improvement to be made in the first team before we spunk £50m on someone who does a worse job than Bruno and Rashford. I just don’t see how he’s worth it.

I’m not questioning his talent he’s clearly a good footballer I just don’t think he answers a problem in the squad worth that much.

Grealish for me has only really performed to a top class level as a roaming LW in the PL and we don’t need that. He could play CAM but then why not just buy someone proven at CAM (spoiler alert we did Bruno).

I just don’t see the logic is spending so much on him I’d much rather we keep Pogba and replace him next summer or sell Pogba and go for a top level player/players to replace him.

I understand what the previous posters meant about him being an Everton signing I don’t think he starts for any top 4 club in England.
Donny Van De Beek is who we should go for. Could replace Paul Pogba when he leaves. I have said something similar but Jack Grealish doesn't make you win titles if he starts most games.
 

BenitoSTARR

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Donny Van De Beek is who we should go for. Could replace Paul Pogba when he leaves. I have said something similar but Jack Grealish doesn't make you win titles if he starts most games.
Agreed on this. If you want another midfielder added to the side DVB is a great option.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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He would be an upgrade but he won’t improve our first XI. I do think there’s a lot more improvement to be made in the first team before we spunk £50m on someone who does a worse job than Bruno and Rashford. I just don’t see how he’s worth it.

I’m not questioning his talent he’s clearly a good footballer I just don’t think he answers a problem in the squad worth that much.

Grealish for me has only really performed to a top class level as a roaming LW in the PL and we don’t need that. He could play CAM but then why not just buy someone proven at CAM (spoiler alert we did Bruno).

I just don’t see the logic is spending so much on him I’d much rather we keep Pogba and replace him next summer or sell Pogba and go for a top level player/players to replace him.

I understand what the previous posters meant about him being an Everton signing I don’t think he starts for any top 4 club in England.
What improvements? Sancho is our no.1 target and I'd say a back up AM like Grealish should be next. What other improvements are needed more that this
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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He would be an upgrade but he won’t improve our first XI. I do think there’s a lot more improvement to be made in the first team before we spunk £50m on someone who does a worse job than Bruno and Rashford. I just don’t see how he’s worth it.

I’m not questioning his talent he’s clearly a good footballer I just don’t think he answers a problem in the squad worth that much.

Grealish for me has only really performed to a top class level as a roaming LW in the PL and we don’t need that. He could play CAM but then why not just buy someone proven at CAM (spoiler alert we did Bruno).

I just don’t see the logic is spending so much on him I’d much rather we keep Pogba and replace him next summer or sell Pogba and go for a top level player/players to replace him.

I understand what the previous posters meant about him being an Everton signing I don’t think he starts for any top 4 club in England.
What improvements? Sancho is our no.1 target and I'd say a back up AM like Grealish should be next. What other improvements are needed more that this
 

RUCK4444

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Donny Van De Beek is who we should go for. Could replace Paul Pogba when he leaves. I have said something similar but Jack Grealish doesn't make you win titles if he starts most games.
Would be happy to sign VDB but he absolutely does not replace Pogba.
 

BenitoSTARR

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What improvements? Sancho is our no.1 target and I'd say a back up AM like Grealish should be next. What other improvements are needed more that this
I think we have 3 holes in our first XI that I personally would like fixed before considering a squad signing. Two I feel are quite obvious RW is glaring, CDM is just obvious and then CB is more of a personal gripe.

I believe when possible it’s far better to fix a first XI and then naturally you move the previous starter to the squad role than it is to buy squad players unless they are young U21 players that we don’t feel we have coming through the academy. James is a good example of this. We didn’t have a winger in the academy at the time that had his skill set so we signed him. Grealish is a good player and talent wise is better than Lingard and Pereira but his price appears is that of a starter which I think along with attitude is an issue.

I believe all the best teams in the past few seasons have signed starting XI players as the priority Liverpool is an unfortunate but good example. Now you can’t really see a glaring hole in their first XI.

So 3 holes but not all of equal size and one of the holes I feel is more of a divot. Here we go.
  1. RW - It’s obvious so I don’t feel I need to expand on why I want Sancho
  2. CDM - I think our midfield is severely lacking either a quality deep playmaker or breaker up of play or both. I believe this will help us be more attack minded against smaller sides if we know we have someone we can rely on. I think Matic does a good job here but hasn’t the legs to take us much further as a side so needs replacing. I’d add to this I love Fred and McTominay I think they have been brilliant as a midfield pair but I worry that a side with Pogba and Bruno probably needs a dedicated holder. I think McTominay is too good going forward to waste and Fred isn’t really as composed.
  3. CB - This is the divot for me. We have lots of good options Lindelof, Bailly etc but no one (other than Maguire) has stamped their authority here. I’m not hugely concerned but I think the £50m+ we’d spend on Grealish could buy us (or contribute toward) Upamecano. So of the two I’d prefer him.
So in an ideal world RW and CM need addressing first and maybe CB. Then have your fill of squad players.
 

Anustart89

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Would love for us to sign van der Beek only for the "Donny on de breek" puns after a counter-attacking goal.
 

BenitoSTARR

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Do you think he’d sit at CDM for us? I think it wastes his threat in and around the box.

He’s also not at all the defensively aware kind of DLP. He can play a long pass very well but I would not trust him to screen our back 4 like a Xabi Alonso/Carrick etc
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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I think we have 3 holes in our first XI that I personally would like fixed before considering a squad signing. Two I feel are quite obvious RW is glaring, CDM is just obvious and then CB is more of a personal gripe.

I believe when possible it’s far better to fix a first XI and then naturally you move the previous starter to the squad role than it is to buy squad players unless they are young U21 players that we don’t feel we have coming through the academy. James is a good example of this. We didn’t have a winger in the academy at the time that had his skill set so we signed him. Grealish is a good player and talent wise is better than Lingard and Pereira but his price appears is that of a starter which I think along with attitude is an issue.

I believe all the best teams in the past few seasons have signed starting XI players as the priority Liverpool is an unfortunate but good example. Now you can’t really see a glaring hole in their first XI.

So 3 holes but not all of equal size and one of the holes I feel is more of a divot. Here we go.
  1. RW - It’s obvious so I don’t feel I need to expand on why I want Sancho
  2. CDM - I think our midfield is severely lacking either a quality deep playmaker or breaker up of play or both. I believe this will help us be more attack minded against smaller sides if we know we have someone we can rely on. I think Matic does a good job here but hasn’t the legs to take us much further as a side so needs replacing. I’d add to this I love Fred and McTominay I think they have been brilliant as a midfield pair but I worry that a side with Pogba and Bruno probably needs a dedicated holder. I think McTominay is too good going forward to waste and Fred isn’t really as composed.
  3. CB - This is the divot for me. We have lots of good options Lindelof, Bailly etc but no one (other than Maguire) has stamped their authority here. I’m not hugely concerned but I think the £50m+ we’d spend on Grealish could buy us (or contribute toward) Upamecano. So of the two I’d prefer him.
So in an ideal world RW and CM need addressing first and maybe CB. Then have your fill of squad players.
Sancho is the club's priority and I'm quite sure on that. Next should be a DM but based on what I've seen from Ole he has identified his starting midfield as Bruno with Pogba and Fred/Mctominay in a pivot. Notice the lack of DMs being linked yet alot of people see DM as a priority. I think Ole doesn't care much for a holder and likes the trio of Bruno Pogba and Fred/Mctominay.

If my reasoning is true that Ole like me is fine with that midfield trio then the next priority after Sancho should be replacing Lindelof. But right now looking at the CB options available there really isn't any solid replacement. Upamecano is good but he's not much of a significant improvement from Lindelof and Baily. I don't think a young CB coming from the Bundesliga is actually going to displace Lindelof.

For me after RW the next priority is a CB but i wouldn't say there's a CB available that's a significant upgrade on Lindelof an Baily. So that leaves the next priority to be making sure we hardly see Lindelof and Pereira on the bench and that explains the Tolisso Grealish and VdB links
 

Bebestation

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@BenitoSTARR I think Pogba does play as a deep lying playmaker but doesn't just always sit around completely deep all game. He can pass from deep enough to the point where if he stays then I dont think a significant passer is what we need. We dont need three passes with Bruno Pogba and another one - atleast not straight in a 4231.

I agree with you though - we need a destroyer CDM and I'm 100% sure Ole will go for one if given the backing to do so ( maybe if we qualify for CL?)
Matic is the only true CDM we have in terms of a pure destroyer and he needs to be replaced either by this summer or January - Mctomminay is too early in his development to know if he's better box to box or CDM and Fred is kind of the same.

Even if they are both end up as great CDM, Matic will need to be replaced eventually.
 

Walters_19_MuFc

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We currently have no backup for Fernandes. Grealish should be a priority because we're fecked if Lingard or Pereria have to step in.

I was thinking a nice back up 10 would be a good addition, but I can imagine Ole would use Pogba there if needed. Or who knows, Lingard might be a new man following the pandemic and surprise us all.
 

croadyman

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I think we have 3 holes in our first XI that I personally would like fixed before considering a squad signing. Two I feel are quite obvious RW is glaring, CDM is just obvious and then CB is more of a personal gripe.

I believe when possible it’s far better to fix a first XI and then naturally you move the previous starter to the squad role than it is to buy squad players unless they are young U21 players that we don’t feel we have coming through the academy. James is a good example of this. We didn’t have a winger in the academy at the time that had his skill set so we signed him. Grealish is a good player and talent wise is better than Lingard and Pereira but his price appears is that of a starter which I think along with attitude is an issue.

I believe all the best teams in the past few seasons have signed starting XI players as the priority Liverpool is an unfortunate but good example. Now you can’t really see a glaring hole in their first XI.

So 3 holes but not all of equal size and one of the holes I feel is more of a divot. Here we go.
  1. RW - It’s obvious so I don’t feel I need to expand on why I want Sancho
  2. CDM - I think our midfield is severely lacking either a quality deep playmaker or breaker up of play or both. I believe this will help us be more attack minded against smaller sides if we know we have someone we can rely on. I think Matic does a good job here but hasn’t the legs to take us much further as a side so needs replacing. I’d add to this I love Fred and McTominay I think they have been brilliant as a midfield pair but I worry that a side with Pogba and Bruno probably needs a dedicated holder. I think McTominay is too good going forward to waste and Fred isn’t really as composed.
  3. CB - This is the divot for me. We have lots of good options Lindelof, Bailly etc but no one (other than Maguire) has stamped their authority here. I’m not hugely concerned but I think the £50m+ we’d spend on Grealish could buy us (or contribute toward) Upamecano. So of the two I’d prefer him.
So in an ideal world RW and CM need addressing first and maybe CB. Then have your fill of squad players.
The less we get linked to any proper DM's the more convinced I become we are looking at signing a deep lying playmaker instead.
 

simonhch

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I think we have 3 holes in our first XI that I personally would like fixed before considering a squad signing. Two I feel are quite obvious RW is glaring, CDM is just obvious and then CB is more of a personal gripe.

I believe when possible it’s far better to fix a first XI and then naturally you move the previous starter to the squad role than it is to buy squad players unless they are young U21 players that we don’t feel we have coming through the academy. James is a good example of this. We didn’t have a winger in the academy at the time that had his skill set so we signed him. Grealish is a good player and talent wise is better than Lingard and Pereira but his price appears is that of a starter which I think along with attitude is an issue.

I believe all the best teams in the past few seasons have signed starting XI players as the priority Liverpool is an unfortunate but good example. Now you can’t really see a glaring hole in their first XI.

So 3 holes but not all of equal size and one of the holes I feel is more of a divot. Here we go.
  1. RW - It’s obvious so I don’t feel I need to expand on why I want Sancho
  2. CDM - I think our midfield is severely lacking either a quality deep playmaker or breaker up of play or both. I believe this will help us be more attack minded against smaller sides if we know we have someone we can rely on. I think Matic does a good job here but hasn’t the legs to take us much further as a side so needs replacing. I’d add to this I love Fred and McTominay I think they have been brilliant as a midfield pair but I worry that a side with Pogba and Bruno probably needs a dedicated holder. I think McTominay is too good going forward to waste and Fred isn’t really as composed.
  3. CB - This is the divot for me. We have lots of good options Lindelof, Bailly etc but no one (other than Maguire) has stamped their authority here. I’m not hugely concerned but I think the £50m+ we’d spend on Grealish could buy us (or contribute toward) Upamecano. So of the two I’d prefer him.
So in an ideal world RW and CM need addressing first and maybe CB. Then have your fill of squad players.
Firstly we Can whole heartedly agree that our top priorities should be a RW - which is a glaring hole, and a CB, where Maguire misses a reliable quality partner. Of our existing options in that area I only have faith in Lindelof, who I think is an excellent (and underrated player) who will continue to improve; but for a title winning potential team is a little short of where we need to be. A first choice partner for Maguire will have a catalysing effect on the whole team.

Bailly has qualities but his weakness in the air and general rashness, leaves me cold. Smalling, who is enjoying a renaissance in Italy, has never been the answer. And Jones, who I feel always had the potential to be a future captain and club and country has failed to kick in due to persistent injury and should be cut loose. Tuanzebe has the tools but is a development project, and the hurt is still out on the heights he can achieve.

As for midfield. We have five first choice midfielders, who are all very good. Plus the extraordinary potential of Garner and Mejbri. If we were going to play a true inverted triangle in midfield with a dedicated holding midfielder behind two advanced playmakers in Bruno and Pogba, I think it’s essential to buy a CDM. However, I am not convinced our manager wants to play that way. And I think it much more likely we will play a double pivot of Pogba plus Fred or McTominay, with Bruno more advanced. And in that set up, I think we have all the central players we need.

Prioritising plausibility over accuracy in important, because the mooted signing of a CDM pre-supposed is playing a system - 4-3-3 - that the manager has shown little inclination for. In that case, and assuming the finite nature of our budget, I would rather earmark funds for the third player we sign to be a center forward. I believe in Martial, and a front three of Rashford, Martial and Sancho would be one of the best in the league and Europe. Extremely well balanced. But I think we lack rotational options of a sufficiently high quality. James I think will prove himself to be an excellent squad player in the long haul; Greenwood is a player I hugely admire and can play across the front line, but after that options are limited.

Lingard is erratic and ineffective, and Mata’s time has passed. Ighalo is a short term stop gap. I would like us to sign a player with vastly different qualities to Martial. A lead the line type striker, with a strong physical presence, and a poachers instincts. This I feel would give us the variety and depth to truly compete at the top end of the league table.
 

BenitoSTARR

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Sancho is the club's priority and I'm quite sure on that. Next should be a DM but based on what I've seen from Ole he has identified his starting midfield as Bruno with Pogba and Fred/Mctominay in a pivot. Notice the lack of DMs being linked yet alot of people see DM as a priority. I think Ole doesn't care much for a holder and likes the trio of Bruno Pogba and Fred/Mctominay.

If my reasoning is true that Ole like me is fine with that midfield trio then the next priority after Sancho should be replacing Lindelof. But right now looking at the CB options available there really isn't any solid replacement. Upamecano is good but he's not much of a significant improvement from Lindelof and Baily. I don't think a young CB coming from the Bundesliga is actually going to displace Lindelof.

For me after RW the next priority is a CB but i wouldn't say there's a CB available that's a significant upgrade on Lindelof an Baily. So that leaves the next priority to be making sure we hardly see Lindelof and Pereira on the bench and that explains the Tolisso Grealish and VdB links
I didn’t want to make a mega post which is why I didn’t mention Ole’s potential pretence for the double pivot with no dedicated sitter/CDM.

I’m aware of it but I think it would be a mistake to not have someone backing up Matic. I think a peak Matic type would bring the best out of Pogba and Fernandes in games where we want to be on the front foot.

Thanks for clarifying your position I think we just differ slightly on priorities but I understand your points and agree with them just in a different order.

@BenitoSTARR I think Pogba does play as a deep lying playmaker but doesn't just always sit around completely deep all game. He can pass from deep enough to the point where if he stays then I dont think a significant passer is what we need. We dont need three passes with Bruno Pogba and another one - atleast not straight in a 4231.

I agree with you though - we need a destroyer CDM and I'm 100% sure Ole will go for one if given the backing to do so ( maybe if we qualify for CL?)
Matic is the only true CDM we have in terms of a pure destroyer and he needs to be replaced either by this summer or January - Mctomminay is too early in his development to know if he's better box to box or CDM and Fred is kind of the same.

Even if they are both end up as great CDM, Matic will need to be replaced eventually.
I think the trouble with Pogba is I know he can be a deeper playmaker but it’s wasteful of everything else he does and I absolutely don’t believe he is disciplined enough to screen a back 4 while doing so. That would be my reasoning behind having the option of another deep passer.

A more defensive CDM absolutely is missing though and while I love Fred and McTominay I think both offer too much going forward and Fred seems more like an engine room player than a calming DM.
The less we get linked to any proper DM's the more convinced I become we are looking at signing a deep lying playmaker instead.
Firstly we Can whole heartedly agree that our top priorities should be a RW - which is a glaring hole, and a CB, where Maguire misses a reliable quality partner. Of our existing options in that area I only have faith in Lindelof, who I think is an excellent (and underrated player) who will continue to improve; but for a title winning potential team is a little short of where we need to be. A first choice partner for Maguire will have a catalysing effect on the whole team.

Bailly has qualities but his weakness in the air and general rashness, leaves me cold. Smalling, who is enjoying a renaissance in Italy, has never been the answer. And Jones, who I feel always had the potential to be a future captain and club and country has failed to kick in due to persistent injury and should be cut loose. Tuanzebe has the tools but is a development project, and the hurt is still out on the heights he can achieve.

As for midfield. We have five first choice midfielders, who are all very good. Plus the extraordinary potential of Garner and Mejbri. If we were going to play a true inverted triangle in midfield with a dedicated holding midfielder behind two advanced playmakers in Bruno and Pogba, I think it’s essential to buy a CDM. However, I am not convinced our manager wants to play that way. And I think it much more likely we will play a double pivot of Pogba plus Fred or McTominay, with Bruno more advanced. And in that set up, I think we have all the central players we need.

Prioritising plausibility over accuracy in important, because the mooted signing of a CDM pre-supposed is playing a system - 4-3-3 - that the manager has shown little inclination for. In that case, and assuming the finite nature of our budget, I would rather earmark funds for the third player we sign to be a center forward. I believe in Martial, and a front three of Rashford, Martial and Sancho would be one of the best in the league and Europe. Extremely well balanced. But I think we lack rotational options of a sufficiently high quality. James I think will prove himself to be an excellent squad player in the long haul; Greenwood is a player I hugely admire and can play across the front line, but after that options are limited.

Lingard is erratic and ineffective, and Mata’s time has passed. Ighalo is a short term stop gap. I would like us to sign a player with vastly different qualities to Martial. A lead the line type striker, with a strong physical presence, and a poachers instincts. This I feel would give us the variety and depth to truly compete at the top end of the league table.
Good post that I enjoyed reading and I think we have similar views again just different priorities.

We have the most frustrating CB situation ever. I don’t dislike any of the 2nd choice options but the eye test leaves me worried about Lindelof at times. I don’t think he’s a bad player at all and it’s hard to put my finger on exactly what I’m unsure of to be honest but it’s not a feeling I had with Vidic and Ferdinand to use a semi recent example.

If anything I think Bailly on his day is a better partner for Maguire in terms of hiding each other’s weaknesses but he leaves my heart in my mouth at times. I think we have lots of PL quality CBs but only one title worthy.

Smalling has always been a good defender but it’s everything else that comes with the role.

You’ve got to love Jones who has the heart of a lion and a glass body.

I have high hopes for Tuanzebe who I think has the ball skills and just needs time. For his age he’s very composed and he has the athleticism to make up for teething errors.

CM the double pivot is a likely scenario but even with that I think it would be a problem not to have someone who can hold. Pogba will want to roam forward as will Bruno and I think we run the risk of being caught out.

I don’t think you need to play 4-3-3 to have a dedicated holder or more defensively inclined CM. I love our current CM options and I think the one weakness is the lack of a solid capable defender. I think Ole very much believes defending is a team job but that doesnt mean you can’t have a player better at screening as there will be games when we need that

So would you instead prioritise a No10 squad option and striker?

And if so who?
 

Le Red

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Because he was the best player in the world?
So all of a sudden it's a matter of quality and not character?
A player that I would not have on my team based on a moral judgement can bypass that same judgement as long as I deem him good enough in football?
I don't know if you were being sarcastic or not, but thanks for reinforcing my point.
 

Le Red

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What did Best do wrong when he was at Utd?
I know he liked a drink and shagging good sorts but I don’t recall him driving while pissed and crashing into parked vehicles.
I don't know all the details about Best, I know he's had his share of controversies.
But are you going to pretend that if he did crash his car while drunk you'd object him playing for MU?
 

cyberman

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So all of a sudden it's a matter of quality and not character?
A player that I would not have on my team based on a moral judgement can bypass that same judgement as long as I deem him good enough in football?
I don't know if you were being sarcastic or not, but thanks for reinforcing my point.
Well, yes?
Unless they are top of the range players then they're just not worth the trouble
 

Le Red

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Well, yes?
Unless they are top of the range players then they're just not worth the trouble
I don't necessarily agree or disagree with this, but at least you're being honest in your utilitarian view.
Other people seem to pretend they are holding the moral high ground no matter what. I'd bet those very same people would jizz themselves if Suárez played for us and not Liverpool.
 

BenitoSTARR

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I don't necessarily agree or disagree with this, but at least you're being honest in your utilitarian view.
Other people seem to pretend they are holding the moral high ground no matter what. I'd bet those very same people would jizz themselves if Suárez played for us and not Liverpool.
You know people can have standards right?

I have the genuine feeling that I do not want to sign him based on his behaviour.

I don’t think he’s shown the maturity to make it at United and I think his behaviour off the field goes against everything culturally we are trying to build.

I also think he is a very good player but not someone who will walk into the first XI and he doesn’t strike me as the type to be focussed and ready if he’s not playing week in week out.
 

Bondi77

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I don't know all the details about Best, I know he's had his share of controversies.
But are you going to pretend that if he did crash his car while drunk you'd object him playing for MU?
I think you will find that his indiscretions occurred after he left Utd.
It was a different time then and as I said he liked a drink and the company of a good sort but he was known as one of the best trainers in the team.
But in answer to your question;
If we are looking at a player and he crashes his car while drunk I probably would give it a miss. The potential damage an individual can cause on property and human life when making that decision to drive a vechile while under the influence can be devastating.
 

Schmeichel's Cartwheel

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I'm sorry but £75m (the reported fee) for a player who wouldn't even start for us (unless we shoehorn him right wing) is an absolute joke. We clearly need a DM and a RW far more urgently.
 

Suvvernmanc

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I'm sorry but £75m (the reported fee) for a player who wouldn't even start for us (unless we shoehorn him right wing) is an absolute joke. We clearly need a DM and a RW far more urgently.
I dont know how many times this has to be said, we have no real cover for Rashford on the left or Bruno in AM. We do however have Matic, Fred, Mctominay and as it stands, Pogba all to play in a 2 or 3 man midfield. If we play a 3 man midfield we dont need another DM. Any 2 of our MF can play in a double pivot with a #10 ahead of them. In a 3 man midfield we need 1 more versatile player to add quality in depth. None of our best players can play 90 minutes every single game. We can play 50-60 games per season!! Rotation is important. Bruno, Rashford, Pogba or anyone else (Grealish) will have to play a substitute role throughout the very long season. It's how we you manage injury risk.

Currently our back up players that we use when we have an injury, or for cup competitions is Lingard and Andreas!!

He will not cost £75m by the way
 

Red Company

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You know people can have standards right?

I have the genuine feeling that I do not want to sign him based on his behaviour.

I don’t think he’s shown the maturity to make it at United and I think his behaviour off the field goes against everything culturally we are trying to build.

I also think he is a very good player but not someone who will walk into the first XI and he doesn’t strike me as the type to be focussed and ready if he’s not playing week in week out.
Great point.

I have been debating a similar scenario with another poster in regards to Sancho on his player thread.

I think our club must be weary and cautious when signing players who have had disciplinary issues.

Coming to United will only boost their egos higher and that will definitely impact the culture that Ole is trying to bring back.

As much as I’d love to see these players sign for us, we don’t want to get embroiled in off field issues with these players once we’ve signed them. We must ensure that their behaviour has improved.

I also agree with your point about Grealish losing his focus when he’s not playing week in week out. Unless he’ll be given assurances that that will not be the case (If he ends up replacing Pogba).
 
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Devil may care

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When you look at Ole's 3 major signings they have all been very football focused and driven, no off the field bullshit, Grealish is talented but he's a chavvy cnut and not to be trusted IMO, and certainly isn't good enough for the price he'll cost to risk the trouble or the disharmony he could bring.

People keep saying we haven't got any cover for Rashford on the left, well what did we buy James for? Why did we extend Chong? If they aren't going to be good enough to even be back-up then they are a waste of time, plus we could also play Martial left and either Greenwood or Igalho at #9 if Rashford is out.

As far as not having cover for Bruno goes, well if Pogba stays then we simply move to a proper midifeld 3, and if he goes we could get VdB who can play as a #10 and in the double pivot with Fred or McTominay at a push.
 

Red Company

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When you look at Ole's 3 major signings they have all been very football focused and driven, no off the field bullshit, Grealish is talented but he's a chavvy cnut and not to be trusted IMO, and certainly isn't good enough for the price he'll cost to risk the trouble or the disharmony he could bring.

People keep saying we haven't got any cover for Rashford on the left, well what did we buy James for? Why did we extend Chong? If they aren't going to be good enough to even be back-up then they are a waste of time, plus we could also play Martial left and either Greenwood or Igalho at #9 if Rashford is out.

As far as not having cover for Bruno goes, well if Pogba stays then we simply move to a proper midifeld 3, and if he goes we could get VdB who can play as a #10 and in the double pivot with Fred or McTominay at a push.
As worrisome as signing Grealish might be, I do like the fact that he’s proven himself on the field in the PL so far.

Having someone of his caliber in the squad would be vital in our league. He can withstand the rough treatment and has avoided injuries as well.

If his price can be agreed around the $40m mark I think that’s actually a good deal. Would even go as high as $50m.

But risking $60m or higher is a huge risk incase he doesn’t improve maturity wise.

On a side note, his goal against us at our home was exquisite this season!
Just his confidence to pull off a shot like that at Old Trafford indicated to me that his confidence levels are well suited to play in our stadium. :lol:
 

crossy1686

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The noise coming out of Old Trafford is that Solskjaer sees Rashford and Martial as long term CF options, with the ability to fill in on the left side when needed. If that's the case, we will need an out and out left winger at some point. If Martial get's injured and Rashford plays CF then who plays LW? Wouldn't it be nice to have a quality player like Grealish who can play as an attacking midfielder or a left-winger?

Also, I find this judging of his character to be extremely hypocritical from some people in here. The lad got pissed on his 18th birthday once and fell over, his mates took some pictures. He recently got pissed and thought it was a good idea to drive his mate home, obviously a very silly decision and he deserves whatever consequence comes his way but let's not pretend that most of us, in our 20's have not done some very stupid things while being under the influence. Imagine you went for a job and the employer brought up something you did while leathered and said that was the reason they're not hiring you, would you feel that was fair?

Grealish's only problem is that he's obviously got mates who aren't proper mates, they're taking the piss. The lad he drove home or someone else at the party should have never let him go in the first place. I also don't think any of this shit would happen at United as he would have much more to lose, whereas at Villa he knows he'll start the first game because they need him to dig them out of relegation. If you think other footballers don't get leathered and fall over you're in for a shock lads, the only difference is they've got mates around them that don't take pictures and leak them to the press.
 

BenitoSTARR

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Great point.

I have been debating a similar scenario with another poster in regards to Sancho on his player thread.

I think our club must be weary and cautious when signing players who have had disciplinary issues.

Coming to United will only boost their egos higher and that will definitely impact the culture that Ole is trying to bring back.

As much as I’d love to see these players sign for us, we don’t want to get embroiled in off field issues with these players once we’ve signed them. We must ensure that their behaviour has improved.

I also agree with your point about Grealish losing his focus when he’s not playing week in week out. Unless he’ll be given assurances that that will not be the case (If he ends up replacing Pogba).
Absolutely. Our recent history has shown talent alone doesn’t cut it at the top.

The times in his career when he’s not playing football full time he’s done stupid things. That doesn’t bode well for a substitute.

When you look at Ole's 3 major signings they have all been very football focused and driven, no off the field bullshit, Grealish is talented but he's a chavvy cnut and not to be trusted IMO, and certainly isn't good enough for the price he'll cost to risk the trouble or the disharmony he could bring.

People keep saying we haven't got any cover for Rashford on the left, well what did we buy James for? Why did we extend Chong? If they aren't going to be good enough to even be back-up then they are a waste of time, plus we could also play Martial left and either Greenwood or Igalho at #9 if Rashford is out.

As far as not having cover for Bruno goes, well if Pogba stays then we simply move to a proper midifeld 3, and if he goes we could get VdB who can play as a #10 and in the double pivot with Fred or McTominay at a push.
If we’re worried about CAM buy DVB.

LW is fine with Rashford/James.
As worrisome as signing Grealish might be, I do like the fact that he’s proven himself on the field in the PL so far.

Having someone of his caliber in the squad would be vital in our league. He can withstand the rough treatment and has avoided injuries as well.

If his price can be agreed around the $40m mark I think that’s actually a good deal. Would even go as high as $50m.

But risking $60m or higher is a huge risk incase he doesn’t improve maturity wise.

On a side note, his goal against us at our home was exquisite this season!
Just his confidence to pull off a shot like that at Old Trafford indicated to me that his confidence levels are well suited to play in our stadium. :lol:
He’s talented but he’s got a poor attitude and has consistently shown that. The final nail for me was his corona cruise to Dickens Heath.
The noise coming out of Old Trafford is that Solskjaer sees Rashford and Martial as long term CF options, with the ability to fill in on the left side when needed. If that's the case, we will need an out and out left winger at some point. If Martial get's injured and Rashford plays CF then who plays LW? Wouldn't it be nice to have a quality player like Grealish who can play as an attacking midfielder or a left-winger?

Also, I find this judging of his character to be extremely hypocritical from some people in here. The lad got pissed on his 18th birthday once and fell over, his mates took some pictures. He recently got pissed and thought it was a good idea to drive his mate home, obviously a very silly decision and he deserves whatever consequence comes his way but let's not pretend that most of us, in our 20's have not done some very stupid things while being under the influence. Imagine you went for a job and the employer brought up something you did while leathered and said that was the reason they're not hiring you, would you feel that was fair?

Grealish's only problem is that he's obviously got mates who aren't proper mates, they're taking the piss. The lad he drove home or someone else at the party should have never let him go in the first place. I also don't think any of this shit would happen at United as he would have much more to lose, whereas at Villa he knows he'll start the first game because they need him to dig them out of relegation. If you think other footballers don't get leathered and fall over you're in for a shock lads, the only difference is they've got mates around them that don't take pictures and leak them to the press.
That first sentence is not true. He sees Martial as a striker and Rashford as a LW.

If Martial got injured you’d have Ighalo, Greenwood and Rashford to pick from. James can play LW.

Don’t try and compare a footballers life and job to an average life. You know they will have the scrutiny hence they are paid so much.

Grealish drove drunk during a national crisis and went to party with his mate because he was bored. Marcus Rashford at a younger age during that same time frame helped push a foundation feeding children in need.

If you can’t see the difference in character and why that’s important then good luck to you.

Your last paragraph is total rubbish just because you like the footballer on the pitch. Jack is responsible for his actions nobody else. If he’s got bad mates, change your friendship group. Nobody makes him do stupid things and to say that is such a terrible excuse for anyone’s poor behaviour. He grew up with very supportive parents and is from a relatively privileged background being a Solihull boy. He’s had great support from people during his formative years and he’s acted like the entitled individual that he is.

I think he’s a great footballer but he does not have the character of players in our squad who are better talents too like Rashford.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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Absolutely. Our recent history has shown talent alone doesn’t cut it at the top.

The times in his career when he’s not playing football full time he’s done stupid things. That doesn’t bode well for a substitute.


If we’re worried about CAM buy DVB.

LW is fine with Rashford/James.

He’s talented but he’s got a poor attitude and has consistently shown that. The final nail for me was his corona cruise to Dickens Heath.

That first sentence is not true. He sees Martial as a striker and Rashford as a LW.

If Martial got injured you’d have Ighalo, Greenwood and Rashford to pick from. James can play LW.

Don’t try and compare a footballers life and job to an average life. You know they will have the scrutiny hence they are paid so much.

Grealish drove drunk during a national crisis and went to party with his mate because he was bored. Marcus Rashford at a younger age during that same time frame helped push a foundation feeding children in need.

If you can’t see the difference in character and why that’s important then good luck to you.

Your last paragraph is total rubbish just because you like the footballer on the pitch. Jack is responsible for his actions nobody else. If he’s got bad mates, change your friendship group. Nobody makes him do stupid things and to say that is such a terrible excuse for anyone’s poor behaviour. He grew up with very supportive parents and is from a relatively privileged background being a Solihull boy. He’s had great support from people during his formative years and he’s acted like the entitled individual that he is.

I think he’s a great footballer but he does not have the character of players in our squad who are better talents too like Rashford.
This really hit hard
 

Devil may care

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As worrisome as signing Grealish might be, I do like the fact that he’s proven himself on the field in the PL so far.

Having someone of his caliber in the squad would be vital in our league. He can withstand the rough treatment and has avoided injuries as well.

If his price can be agreed around the $40m mark I think that’s actually a good deal. Would even go as high as $50m.

But risking $60m or higher is a huge risk incase he doesn’t improve maturity wise.

On a side note, his goal against us at our home was exquisite this season!
Just his confidence to pull off a shot like that at Old Trafford indicated to me that his confidence levels are well suited to play in our stadium. :lol:
Oh he's been cocky since he was young, I don't think his confidence is an issue, at least while he's the big fish in a small pond.

My feeiing with Grealish is that he only makes sense once we secure a CM and RW, because he doesn't fill either of the major holes in the team. Personally I'd prefer VdB to cover Bruno and CM.
 

VP89

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If Aston Villa get relegated I can see us getting him on the cheap.
 

jamesjimmybyrondean

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Oh he's been cocky since he was young, I don't think his confidence is an issue, at least while he's the big fish in a small pond.

My feeiing with Grealish is that he only makes sense once we secure a CM and RW, because he doesn't fill either of the major holes in the team. Personally I'd prefer VdB to cover Bruno and CM.
Is it just based on his style of play or did he give Zlatan esque interviews
 
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