Transfer Tweets - Manchester United - 2022/23 | Follow the OP rules and check the quality of your sources before posting. STAY ON TOPIC!

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SAFMUTD

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James plays in a back 5 which makes his job far easier for a start. If he is caught out of position, he has an extra cb who can easily move across to the position he has vacated. I suspect if he was playing in Liverpool's back 4, where not just Trent but also Robertson gets forward constantly, he would be caught out a lot more. Hakimi is similarly part of a back 4 with another very attacking full back on the left in Nuno Mendes and overall I would say a pretty weak defence in general at PSG which again will make his job more difficult. City's defence just functions brilliantly as a whole, Cancelo never seems to get caught out, though it is worth noting that Walker tends to stay deeper, which might explain why Cancelo rarely gets caught out despite playing in a back 4. TAA and Hakimi's best assets are definitely the incredible abilities they have in attack, but their defensive abilities are massively underrated imo. The role they play is very difficult and requires incredible levels of fitness.
A direct example would be Robertson, he's equally as offensive as TAA but he doesnt get caught out of position as much. I would say TAA is a greater ofensive threat but Robertson is better defensively.

TAA is clearly targeted by teams, they know he's the weak spot in Liverpool's defense. I do agree we would look better in a back 5 though, where you have a CB covering your back.
 

m1tch

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Ronaldo will sell his soul for one more CL goal than Messi next year. That’s why this is about, no way he thinks Atletico are challengers for the competition
It's what I imagined would make him want to leave at the end of last season. He knows he's unlikely to play at clubs realistically in with a chance of winning it, but he probably wants to stretch his goal record in the competition. That's why it's surprising that he didn't seem to angle for a move straight away, or have a clause to help enable that. If the reports are true that he now wants to leave then I'd assume there's confidence a suitable team is interested in making a deal.

Imagine him going through the pain of moving though (to Bayern/Athletico) for this sole reason, then failing to notch a single goal before they're knocked out / or picking up an injury/suspension. I know it's unlikely in as much as he is almost guaranteed to score goals, but it's still possible.

Maybe we should loan him to Sporting for half the season, let him have the 6 games to stretch his record, then have him available for the crunch moments in the second half of our season. (I'm not serious about this by the way!)
 

mazhar13

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Two key snippets from this interview:

Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course, I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead. I have a strategy, it’s a process, it takes time but in the end, we have to make sure from the outset there is a winning team.
On whether ten Hag has spoken to Ronaldo in Bangkok:
The same status as last week in Bangkok. No change.
We are looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position, but it has to be the right one. There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can’t find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position. I will not react on a certain player. We need the right player. We have a list and we qualify as the player who has the competence to play that role. We will strike the moment the player is available.
It's going to be de Jong or no one for that midfield role.
 

Erik the Red

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Ronaldo will sell his soul for one more CL goal than Messi next year. That’s why this is about, no way he thinks Atletico are challengers for the competition
This looks very much like what Ronaldo did last year with Man City / Man Utd. Threaten to join Barca / Athletic to whip up a frenzy among the Real Madrid fans, demanding the return of their golden boy. Real Madrid can't tarnish the Ronaldo at Madrid reputation, so decide to buy him. I think a return to Real is Ronaldo's dream scenario.
If only Madrid would offer us silly money to take him (or Vini jr).
 

Swedish_Plumber

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Two key snippets from this interview:



On whether ten Hag has spoken to Ronaldo in Bangkok:




It's going to be de Jong or no one for that midfield role.
Alarm bells. If he doesn’t come, I’m not sure we can truly expect much in terms of trophies as we *still* won’t have the control in midfield that it takes to win.

Young players look good in pre season but they should not be expected to work wonders as actual starters. And we all know what our crop from last season are capable of.
 

Superden

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All you spurned lovers who are hating on our boy Big Ron, better be quiet when he scores a last minute equaliser against Brighton.
 

Matt851

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Alarm bells. If he doesn’t come, I’m not sure we can truly expect much in terms of trophies as we *still* won’t have the control in midfield that it takes to win.

Young players look good in pre season but they should not be expected to work wonders as actual starters. And we all know what our crop from last season are capable of.
Forget trophies, top 4 would be an uphill battle with mcfred as starters. Really dont understand how we would consider not strengthening that area
 

Scorpy

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Imagine not signing anyone after spending the whole fecking summer chasing De Jong :lol:

Would be fecking abysmal to say the least.
 

Lee565

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Two key snippets from this interview:



On whether ten Hag has spoken to Ronaldo in Bangkok:




It's going to be de Jong or no one for that midfield role.
OK I get the idea of not panicking and buying an alternative to de Jong for the sake of it but when we literally have no defensive midfielder worthy of even being a back up choice we will be in panic mode all season when we get bossed in midfield and seeing similar problems we had last season.
 

Dazzmondo

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Two key snippets from this interview:



On whether ten Hag has spoken to Ronaldo in Bangkok:




It's going to be de Jong or no one for that midfield role.
Bloody hell, that De Jong quote is absolutely terrifying. I love a lot of what ETH is doing and feel confident with how he's handling the team but his approach to transfers and recruitment concerns me. I don't mind him prioritising players he knows well in his 1st season, but he needs to trust our scouting network to some point. Going without a cm again this season is absolutely not acceptable. If FDJ doesn't come we need an alternative and these quotes are just adding onto what I already suspected from the lack of links, that we have literally no backup plan for him.
 

mazhar13

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Bloody hell, that De Jong quote is absolutely terrifying. I love a lot of what ETH is doing and feel confident with how he's handling the team but his approach to transfers and recruitment concerns me. I don't mind him prioritising players he knows well in his 1st season, but he needs to trust our scouting network to some point. Going without a cm again this season is absolutely not acceptable. If FDJ doesn't come we need an alternative and these quotes are just adding onto what I already suspected from the lack of links, that we have literally no backup plan for him.
There is one notable backup option: Youri Tielemans. Ten Hag does like him, but our problem is that the player prefers Arsenal at this time, so convincing him to join us would take some more effort. Beyond that, I don't know who else ten Hag and co. have shortlisted, but ten Hag himself is also open to sticking with the midfield options and making them work in his team (which includes the younger players in Savage and Iqbal).
 

Kill 'em all

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Bloody hell, that De Jong quote is absolutely terrifying. I love a lot of what ETH is doing and feel confident with how he's handling the team but his approach to transfers and recruitment concerns me. I don't mind him prioritising players he knows well in his 1st season, but he needs to trust our scouting network to some point. Going without a cm again this season is absolutely not acceptable. If FDJ doesn't come we need an alternative and these quotes are just adding onto what I already suspected from the lack of links, that we have literally no backup plan for him.
Our scouting network has produced a lot of gems in recent years.
 

peridigm

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It's going to be de Jong or no one for that midfield role.
That's been my thoughts since it was evident we're FDJ or bust. ETH will go back for him at a later time, maybe even January. Of course, the fee will be higher if he has a great WC.
 

Matt851

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We already got Eriksen wich is a HUGE upgrade to McFred and we have not given up De Jong quite yet ;)
I like erikson but wonder if he can be effective as part of a double pivot behind Bruno in difficult games. Particularly given neither Fred or mctominay is any good positionally.

By basically giving ETH full responsibility over transfers (something neither klopp or pep have) the club is putting a lot of pressure in him
 

BarstoolProphet

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Two key snippets from this interview:



On whether ten Hag has spoken to Ronaldo in Bangkok:




It's going to be de Jong or no one for that midfield role.

Happy to hear that about de Jong or no one. No poor alternative please.
 

Rojofiam

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If we don't get Frenkie (I think he will come) I can see Garner breaking into the team
 

AndySmith1990

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That's been my thoughts since it was evident we're FDJ or bust. ETH will go back for him at a later time, maybe even January. Of course, the fee will be higher if he has a great WC.
Why would we go back for him? If we don't get him this window then he clearly isn't interested in joining
 

Josep Dowling

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I like erikson but wonder if he can be effective as part of a double pivot behind Bruno in difficult games. Particularly given neither Fred or mctominay is any good positionally.

By basically giving ETH full responsibility over transfers (something neither klopp or pep have) the club is putting a lot of pressure in him
It’s the same mistake we have made with previous managers post Fergie. De Jong or no midfield signings is a ridiculous stance and proves the club’s strategy has not changed. We also need a few more players.
 

Dazzmondo

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There is one notable backup option: Youri Tielemans. Ten Hag does like him, but our problem is that the player prefers Arsenal at this time, so convincing him to join us would take some more effort. Beyond that, I don't know who else ten Hag and co. have shortlisted, but ten Hag himself is also open to sticking with the midfield options and making them work in his team (which includes the younger players in Savage and Iqbal).
I don't think Tielemans is a 6 at all and I doubt he could ever play there. He's a number 8. If anything I'd guess he was either backup to Eriksen or is 1st choice to play alongside FDJ
 

Banat

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Yes (he could stay beyond this season), but to be honest, of course, I have signed here for three years, but in football it’s short-term as well. We have to win from the start. So I don’t look that far ahead. I have a strategy, it’s a process, it takes time but in the end, we have to make sure from the outset there is a winning team.
Hopefully we wont be a stepping stone for Bayern and the likes, and he is looking to build a true legacy here
 

AndySmith1990

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It’s the same mistake we have made with previous managers post Fergie. De Jong or no midfield signings is a ridiculous stance and proves the club’s strategy has not changed. We also need a few more players.
Apparently the club identified Torres to improve defence but Ten Hag wanted Martinez. You'd think we'd have identified a midfielder too, so if we can't get de Jong then we should go for plan B. Sticking with Fred and McTominay would be ridiculous
 

Matt851

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I don't think Tielemans is a 6 at all and I doubt he could ever play there. He's a number 8. If anything I'd guess he was either backup to Eriksen or is 1st choice to play alongside FDJ
Many would say fdj is best as an 8 too. What tielemens does have is a lot of experience of playing in a double pivot. Eriksen can play there but I don't think he is at his best there especially as he wouldn't be playing alongside a defensive midfielder with any nous.

Anyway the idea that we shouldn't sign anyone in centre mid if we can't get fdj is ridiculous when our midfield is so poor. It could cost us a chance of qualifying for the cl and then we will be struggling to attract our top targets again next year. I get fdj has the potential to be transformative but he isn't exactly a nailed on success either so our obsession woth him is a bit odd.

I just don't understand the reluctance to buy midfielders when we have bought so many centre backs over the last 10 years
 

Dazzmondo

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Many would say fdj is best as an 8 too. What tielemens does have is a lot of experience of playing in a double pivot. Eriksen can play there but I don't think he is at his best there especially as he wouldn't be playing alongside a defensive midfielder with any nous.

Anyway the idea that we shouldn't sign anyone in centre mid if we can't get fdj is ridiculous when our midfield is so poor. It could cost us a chance of qualifying for the cl and then we will be struggling to attract our top targets again next year. I get fdj has the potential to be transformative but he isn't exactly a nailed on success either so our obsession woth him is a bit odd.

I just don't understand the reluctance to buy midfielders when we have bought so many centre backs over the last 10 years
I don't think many would say FDJ at Barcelona has been better than he was at Ajax, and he played 6 at Ajax. Most importantly he played 6 under ETH at Ajax and you would assume ETH will want to play him in the same role at Utd. Totally agree with your point about not getting an alternative, but Fabian Ruiz from Napoli would be closer to what we need imo (or ideally we could get him and Tielemans since the 2 together would probably still cost less than FDJ on his own).
 

Blood Mage

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Hopefully we wont be a stepping stone for Bayern and the likes, and he is looking to build a true legacy here
At least we now have a manager who could potentially be coveted by the likes of Bayern and Madrid and isn't a has-been or a PE teacher.
 

AlexUTD

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I like erikson but wonder if he can be effective as part of a double pivot behind Bruno in difficult games. Particularly given neither Fred or mctominay is any good positionally.

By basically giving ETH full responsibility over transfers (something neither klopp or pep have) the club is putting a lot of pressure in him
More effective in a double pivot with any of our other central midfielders, Ten Hag likes creativity wich McFred does not have.
 

Matt851

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I don't think many would say FDJ at Barcelona has been better than he was at Ajax, and he played 6 at Ajax. Most importantly he played 6 under ETH at Ajax and you would assume ETH will want to play him in the same role at Utd. Totally agree with your point about not getting an alternative, but Fabian Ruiz from Napoli would be closer to what we need imo (or ideally we could get him and Tielemans since the 2 together would probably still cost less than FDJ on his own).
Not 100% sure on fdj's position, he might be best as a 6 but some analysis I saw of his time at barca said he has caused the team issues in that position when he has gone forward.

Anyway we ideally need two players, one who can play in each position. If we are
only signing one player, I don't care which position they play in as long as we improve the midfield. Someone like tielenans isn't on the same level as fdj but would be half the price
 
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