Frenkie de Jong | The last muppeting lap

Frenkie to United?


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Mickeza

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Paying insane fees for players who aren't worth it (Coutinho, Dembele, Griezmann). Giving said players wages to match. Paying Messi enough money to start his own Barcelona with blackjack and hookers while he was there.

Basically the same stupid shit our owners did + Messi's wages.
It’s absolutely nothing like what we have done. When has our wage bill been higher than our turnover? When have we spent above our means? The financial side of the club has been exceptionally run. The fact the footballing side have wasted that money on utter bollocks has nothing to do with the financial element.
 

V.O.

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It’s absolutely nothing like what we have done. When has our wage bill been higher than our turnover? When have we spent above our means? The financial side of the club has been exceptionally run. The fact the footballing side have wasted that money on utter bollocks has nothing to do with the financial element.
That's what I mean, Messi's wages were in the stratosphere, and to be forking that out, you need to be careful with the rest of your budget. You can't spaff near £400m on three players that have done next to nowt on top of that.

They were even more profligate that us while having the Messi financial albatross around their neck as well. The way they've been run is insanity.
 

STYLOISRED

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The amount of self undermining of us by our own fans is so irritating. If you don’t even know how huge Manchester United is then what the fecking point of your existence as a united fan ? Spanish and Portuguese speaking players preferring Spanish clubs is your benchmark of downplaying us ? Yes, Madrid is the most successful club but even they don’t stand near us in some parameters of huge clubs like popularity and fanbase of united. Their mouthpiece newspaper had to fecking edit a photograph to show the stadium in USA was full of Madrid fans when it was all red. That’s how inferior they feel of us interms of global appeal. And don’t even get me started on Barcelona.

Forget about mid table clubs ,Sometimes I wish some of our fans were fans of other big clubs like Arsenal, Chelsea, or even Liverpool to truly get how fecking huge is Manchester United because them clubs and their fans feel that inferiority despite big clubs themselves. And your point about Real and Barcelona, if there is one English club which gets the appreciation and admiration of a huge fecking giant club similar to them or better in case of Barcelona, it’s Manchester United. Go to some other countries and talk to some neutrals or see the media of these countries and see what they think of us and how they portray us and then realise how big we are. We might be shit at the moment but every club go through cycles and even in these shit years we were signing players other clubs can only dream of. We will get through this shithole eventually and when we do maybe then only you would realise that we are fecking behemoth of a football club.
The day i fully grasped just how popular Man Utd is the day we organised a Jersey party in my final year of Uni and everyone was to come in their club Jerseys... The amount of Red shirts was absolutely staggering. And that was in 2018.
 

Red the Bear

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Real and Barca are bigger than Manchester United will ever be. Sorry to burst many bubbles around here but that’s the truth.

Even when we were the champion of Europe, Ronaldo wanted to leave us for Real. Ronaldinho also rejected us for Barcelona. Our history has a total of 3 Champions League trophies only. Not good enough to be a tier 1 powerhouse.
While they're certainly bigger now that hasn't always been the case , as of now clubs like the aforementioned two, bayern,juve and Liverpool are ahead of us but that could certainly change with a few years of sustained success.
 

TrebleChamp99

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Someone will have to explain the Barca situation I think because no matter how much they have spent their revenues should account for most of it unless the full extent of wages wasn’t revealed.

They are in a dire state with players not being paid etc but desperately scrambling around to sign average players like Soler and Gaya.

Lewandowski is worth it but he’s well into his 30s and probably on crazy wages at Bayern. Why not go for the younger players on less money? I just don’t get it.

Or clear house and promote from La Masia like the famous Pep side?!
 

Red the Bear

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While the comparisons with di Maria are fair, lots of players have been moved out despite their own interests and many of them have indeed been smashing successes.
The thing about di Maria was his abhorrent mentality, any player with a half decent one would continue to perform because after all its merely a job.
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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De Jong did not drop into the backline as standard. That Ajax team were a dominant side, why would you actually describe the formation as a 4-2-3-1 if De Jong started in defence every time they had the ball?

In reality, that was one of the ways in which the team shaped up to progress the ball when met with a defensive shape and pressure from the opposition which made it difficult to get the ball forward with De Jong in his standard position at the base of midfield, which isn't a particularly unique piece of positioning - there are other examples of the deepest midfielder doing exactly this.

Yes, De Jong dropped in to the backline and Schone positioned himself at the base of midfield to maintain a good structure to the side - in certain situations. On other occasions though, De Jong maintained his position in front of the defence, and Schone would make a run forward or occupy a higher position.

I don't know if Kamara is a suitable partner or not, but based on the descriptions of his game here it doesn't sound like he would be comfortable moving or running into more advanced areas or generally being the second function midfielder.
So you asked why would you actually describe the formation as a 4-2-3-1 if De Jong started in defence every time they had the ball?
The answer is 4-2-3-1 doesn't mean it's 4-2-3-1 when on the ball, it could also be 4-2-3-1 in defensive transition but different shape when on the ball. For example 4-2-3-1 could look like 3-4-3 if the full back are pushed forward when they had the ball or 4-3-3 could also look like 3-2-4-1 when they had the ball. Lot of variety.

FDJ received free role where he can drop to the defensive line or stay in midfield next to FDJ or drive/dribble the ball from deep defense area to midfield area, he's basically roaming in different places and this is why you want the deep-lying midfielder played next to FDJ who was given the modern libero role if we play like the Ajax 18/19 season.

Pictures below show Schone position is deeper than the full backs means he's not really box to box or someone who gets license to go forward but his role is more deep-lying midfielder while FDJ was deeper than Blind (he played the modern libero role).








Pictures below show Schone position is on the similar line as FDJ but the full backs are higher than Schone means, again, it shows Schone role was more a deep-lying midfielder.



 

croadyman

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I think we’ll know in the next two weeks. It is all fairly dull though. Personally I think they want to sell him. Neves, Raphinha, Soler and Lewandowski are all wanted by them apparently.
Yeah see Erik trying everything to persuade him to buy into the project (team built around, attracting future signings), however fear it will all be to no avail
 

croadyman

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I'm already bored of this saga. I just hope we don't waste all summer for him to turn us down
Think Erik knows he can't waste all summer trying to sign him and will already have an alternative.
 

SadlerMUFC

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I have no problem with signing De Jong as a replacement for Pogba, but that's just it...he's a #8 just like Pogba. What we need is a #6. So as long as there is a specialist DM coming in I'm good
 

croadyman

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Anybody who mentions DiMaria or says ‘we shouldn’t sign him if he doesn’t want to come’ should face some kind of forfeit or punishment when FDJ signs and wins our POTY next season.
Confident then I take it
 

RedRonaldo

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How many Champions league’s did Barca when we Ronaldinho rejected them for us?

They are attractive in certain contents but they don’t have a Rich history of players drawling to play for them as they only became a real powerhouse once Pep evolved them.

Maradona, R9, Figo just to name a few that dipped with no hesitation.
Cruyff Barca during early 90s wasn’t too bad either.

I’d say prior to Ronaldinho joining us, we are more or less similar to Barca. But Spain is always more attractive to Brazilian players.

CL
Man Utd - 2
Barca - 1

League titles
Man Utd - 15
Barca - 16

European trophies
Man Utd - 4
Barca - 7

Domestic Cups
Man Utd - 11
Barca - 26
 
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UNITED ACADEMY

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Yeah see Erik trying everything to persuade him to buy into the project (team built around, attracting future signings), however fear it will all be to no avail
I think he's interested in ETH's offer but he wants to stay at Barcelona because it's the club he supported and watched when he was younger. So of course he's reluctant to leave the boyhood club. However, Barcelona must sell so FDJ has no choice but to find a new club. Based on the links so far, we are the front-runner of this. The fact we are the front-runner of this means that he might not interested playing for other clubs other than for Barcelona or for ETH.
 

sherrinford

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So you asked why would you actually describe the formation as a 4-2-3-1 if De Jong started in defence every time they had the ball?
The answer is 4-2-3-1 doesn't mean it's 4-2-3-1 when on the ball, it could also be 4-2-3-1 in defensive transition but different shape when on the ball. For example 4-2-3-1 could look like 3-4-3 if the full back are pushed forward when they had the ball or 4-3-3 could also look like 3-2-4-1 when they had the ball. Lot of variety.

FDJ received free role where he can drop to the defensive line or stay in midfield next to FDJ or drive/dribble the ball from deep defense area to midfield area, he's basically roaming in different places and this is why you want the deep-lying midfielder played next to FDJ who was given the modern libero role if we play like the Ajax 18/19 season.

Pictures below show Schone position is deeper than the full backs means he's not really box to box or someone who gets license to go forward but his role is more deep-lying midfielder while FDJ was deeper than Blind (he played the modern libero role).








Pictures below show Schone position is on the similar line as FDJ but the full backs are higher than Schone means, again, it shows Schone role was more a deep-lying midfielder.



Everyone describes their shape as 4-2-3-1 because that was the best way to describe the team overall, and that was because they largely played from that shape in possession as well. If they operated with De Jong playing from defence as standard when they had the ball, being such a proactive side, they would very likely be described as playing a very different shape. I understand that De Jong had actually played in defence in a prior season, and displayed the same ability to drive forward with the ball then. The term 'new libero' would probably be more accurate in that case.

I'm not sure what you thought you would achieve by including some images of situations I described in the very post you replied to. Not that isolated instances prove anything, but you would need to provide examples of De Jong operating in advance of Schone to make your point.

Box to box. Deep-lying playmaker. It doesn't matter in the context of what I'm saying - he was a second function midfielder. The issue with regards to using a holding player in that role, is in the instances where said player is required to vacate that area to give De Jong time and space to operate and link defence to attack - likely going completely against their natural tendencies.
 

phelans shorts

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Yes but it's still a completely ridiculous cycle for at least 24/32 teams as they have no chance to win it, but they give all their efforts to be there next year, dropping lower tiers (which probably is your tier) to be in the first, while teams which actually are in the CL but have no chance to win it have to use their best team in those games which will damage their chances to be in that competition next year (spurs and us this season).

CL should be 16 teams, 7 best league champions + 7 cup champions from those (or league 2nd if repeated) + a playoff winner among league champions and another from cup champions from leagues ranked from 8th to 15th.
What absolute nonsense that suggestion is.
 

haru krentz

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CL is just excuse, it's not like we were not regular contestant and no way Barca going to win it next season IF FDJ really doesnt want to come then we should move on to another target ASAP. The idea is to find improvement on McTomminay and Fred for next season and that should not be difficult as the bar is already low in the first place. Get the alternatives like Neves and sign a top DM to help him, then we GO BIG for Bellingham in summer 2023. That should be the plan for this summer.
 

Lynty

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De Jong is making all the right noises. If Barca end up not selling, he's cemented the goodwill of fans and board. Barca are trying the exact same thing - "we really don't want to lose him, Xavi loves him, it's out of our control."

As soon as the transfer starts to look certain - the narative will switch and De Jong will be saying all the right things to win over our fanbase.

This is currently a PR battle. He's obviously for sale or Barca wouldve come out and shut down any rumours.
 

Bogga

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If all these economic things are true, they need to act quick. Especially with all these renewals with the younger players, the contract offer to Dembele and the rumoured arrival of Lewa...

One can hope...
 

Hammondo

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I have no problem with signing De Jong as a replacement for Pogba, but that's just it...he's a #8 just like Pogba. What we need is a #6. So as long as there is a specialist DM coming in I'm good
He's nothing like Pogba.
 

christinaa

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There's only one United!
If he doesn't want to join United then i for one don't want him.
These players play games until they get their contract back with a better pay.
Bye bye De Jong - if you don' want to come here.
 

UNITED ACADEMY

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Everyone describes their shape as 4-2-3-1 because that was the best way to describe the team overall, and that was because they largely played from that shape in possession as well. If they operated with De Jong playing from defence as standard when they had the ball, being such a proactive side, they would very likely be described as playing a very different shape. I understand that De Jong had actually played in defence in a prior season, and displayed the same ability to drive forward with the ball then. The term 'new libero' would probably be more accurate in that case.

I'm not sure what you thought you would achieve by including some images of situations I described in the very post you replied to. Not that isolated instances prove anything, but you would need to provide examples of De Jong operating in advance of Schone to make your point.

Box to box. Deep-lying playmaker. It doesn't matter in the context of what I'm saying - he was a second function midfielder. The issue with regards to using a holding player in that role, is in the instances where said player is required to vacate that area to give De Jong time and space to operate and link defence to attack - likely going completely against their natural tendencies.
Pep played inverted full back but they called it 4-3-3 even though in possession of they shaped like 2-3-2-3 or 2-2-3-3. Why do people not call it 2-3-2-3 or 2-2-3-3 if that's how they shaped in possession?

Again, I told you before, De Jong gets a free role where he can roam everywhere sometime he drops deep on the same line as the defense, sometime he drops even deeper than the line of the defense, and sometime he stays on the same line as Schone. He doesn't always stick on the same position, that's why in the pictures you see him on the same line as defense or deeper or on the same line as midfield.

The purpose of the pictures is to show you that Schone doesn't get license to go forward because his role was given more disciplined role to stick in his area, this counter your argument. In those pictures you can see Schone's positioning is deeper than the full backs when De Jong had the ball in the defense line, Schone's positioning is still deep-lying midfielder positioning, the full backs were the ones get the license to go forward not Schone. Some of the pictures also show when De Jong had the ball in the midfield line, he was one the same line as Schone or even sometime stand very closed next to De Jong. This type of positioning that shown in the pictures are not the type of midfielder that gets license to forward or the box to box or no 8 role.

Your description about Schone and FDJ role is not for 18/19 system but it's bit more Ajax 21/22 season where ETH used Gravenberch as his box to box while Alvarez played the deepest area in that midfield. Of course if ETH wants to play like 21/22 is different discussion as I was talking about 18/19 system.
 

12OunceEpilogue

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(Gaitan x Sneijder) + Di Maria
(Ronaldinho + Alexis Sanchez) = this FDJ saga

The player is very good, I'm sure Erik wants him and it sounds like he's available. Whether we can do the deal and whether we should do the deal are matters for Erik and the transfer team, to be tackled by adults with football brains now that most of the Disneyland wankers have been shown the door.
 

Trex

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Pep played inverted full back but they called it 4-3-3 even though in possession of they shaped like 2-3-2-3 or 2-2-3-3. Why do people not call it 2-3-2-3 or 2-2-3-3 if that's how they shaped in possession?

Again, I told you before, De Jong gets a free role where he can roam everywhere sometime he drops deep on the same line as the defense, sometime he drops even deeper than the line of the defense, and sometime he stays on the same line as Schone. He doesn't always stick on the same position, that's why in the pictures you see him on the same line as defense or deeper or on the same line as midfield.

The purpose of the pictures is to show you that Schone doesn't get license to go forward because his role was given more disciplined role to stick in his area, this counter your argument. In those pictures you can see Schone's positioning is deeper than the full backs when De Jong had the ball in the defense line, Schone's positioning is still deep-lying midfielder positioning, the full backs were the ones get the license to go forward not Schone. Some of the pictures also show when De Jong had the ball in the midfield line, he was one the same line as Schone or even sometime stand very closed next to De Jong. This type of positioning that shown in the pictures are not the type of midfielder that gets license to forward or the box to box or no 8 role.

Your description about Schone and FDJ role is not for 18/19 system but it's bit more Ajax 21/22 season where ETH used Gravenberch as his box to box while Alvarez played the deepest area in that midfield. Of course if ETH wants to play like 21/22 is different discussion as I was talking about 18/19 system.
You're right about the set up
Pep played inverted full back but they called it 4-3-3 even though in possession of they shaped like 2-3-2-3 or 2-2-3-3. Why do people not call it 2-3-2-3 or 2-2-3-3 if that's how they shaped in possession?

Again, I told you before, De Jong gets a free role where he can roam everywhere sometime he drops deep on the same line as the defense, sometime he drops even deeper than the line of the defense, and sometime he stays on the same line as Schone. He doesn't always stick on the same position, that's why in the pictures you see him on the same line as defense or deeper or on the same line as midfield.

The purpose of the pictures is to show you that Schone doesn't get license to go forward because his role was given more disciplined role to stick in his area, this counter your argument. In those pictures you can see Schone's positioning is deeper than the full backs when De Jong had the ball in the defense line, Schone's positioning is still deep-lying midfielder positioning, the full backs were the ones get the license to go forward not Schone. Some of the pictures also show when De Jong had the ball in the midfield line, he was one the same line as Schone or even sometime stand very closed next to De Jong. This type of positioning that shown in the pictures are not the type of midfielder that gets license to forward or the box to box or no 8 role.

Your description about Schone and FDJ role is not for 18/19 system but it's bit more Ajax 21/22 season where ETH used Gravenberch as his box to box while Alvarez played the deepest area in that midfield. Of course if ETH wants to play like 21/22 is different discussion as I was talking about 18/19 system.
In the set up neither of them roles involved off ball run into channels or inside the box, I'll liken it to Ole's use of Fred and Mctominay often one drops off to receive the ball (De Jong most times) while the other maintain a central position (Schone) out of possession they share defensive duties, in possession driving runs forward is allowed, something De Jong is good at doing with high efficiency to break lines.
He allowed one full back to join the attack in prolonged spells of possession while the other tuck into midfield depending on what side of the pitch the ball it at.
Basically its similar to the Ole set up which sometimes looks like 244 ( the middle 4 made of fullbacks and midfielders), other times 3313 (with De jong dropping deep and Schone and the fullbacks forming the middle 3.
The difference between this and Ole set up is the emphasis on the forward press, quick circulation of the ball and possession football, also De Jong- Schone being a more technical midfield over McFred.
 

Mikelinho

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This is starting to remind of a sad love-story..

Barcelona be like:
“It’s not you it’s me”
“I mean I have fun with you and you mean so much to me, but we can’t keep going like this”

De Jong be like:
“Please let’s make this work out, I’m willing to change”

Barcelona be like:
“I’m so sorry, but I’m sure someone else will love you again”

Just do the f**** dumping already ffs.
 

Cloud7

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Indeed. If Barcelona can sacrifice Lionel Messi for the same reason then De Jong is certainly not off limits.
Yep. Hoping we can take advantage of it. Added to that it's insane that they're in this position again after a lot of talk about their financials improving.
 
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