Manchester United 2:2 Steven Gerrard's Villa (Sat 23rd July, 10:45 UK time)

I disagree, I think McT's performance against Palace convinced Ten Hag that the McFred midfield won't work. It will be some combination of Fred + Eriksen / Donny / maybe Frenkie.
McTominay isn’t in the squad due to a small niggle. Only reason Beeky is getting a start
 
Right, let's wait until he loses the armband, then we can boo him without being labelled a glory supporter.

Look, I don't mind the guy as much as others do, in fact I think he would look solid if he had a functioning midfield in front of him. But the reality is that last season was a shitshow all around and he was awful along with being a crap captain. Fans have the right to call a spade a spade.
During pre-season preparations for a completely new season? Ten Hag's answer was brilliant because Maguire is in control of only one thing, his performances. If he sorts that, everything follows.

However, that doesn't mean it's not extremely idiotic to boo a guy during a pre-season tour for his performances last season where almost every player was poor - particularly considering it wasn't like he wasn't trying. One would have to be a really sad, bitter individual to participate in that.

It's a new managerial era, the team is trying to build positivity and forget the toxicity of the past, and some folks think it's a good idea to bring all that back? Read the room folks - Absolutely mental :wenger:

Wouldn't surprise me if some of them asked him for selfies at the end of the game.
 
Seems like ETH has a clear idea of the statting team he prefers at this point, at least without our new signings. Which is good.

Martinez will obviously replace Lindelof at some point. Will be curious to see how he uses Eriksen.
 
What you mean the half where we pinned Palace in their own half the entire game, Mctominay had a 100% pass completion rate and was key at winning the ball back high up the pitch sustaining attacks? Yeah. Sure it has. You guys really do see what you want to see don’t you. He came off at HT due to injury not because of performance ffs.
McTominay did not do anything wrong, but it worked better with VDB. VDB was far more active in making himself open, which made it easier for teammates because of the extra passing option. It was very obvious in the difference between the more static McTominay vs VDB. One of the qualities our midfield lacks is that metronome type midfielder, or really any midfielder who is far more active in demanding the ball and distributing the ball. This was one of the things I had hoped Pogba could develop (obviously he did not), and none of our midfielders since Carrick and Scholes have been able to provide that.

It's far too early to say VDB can provide that, but there is a reason why ETH is wanting to try to see if VDB can provide that. He was invisible in the role ETH usually likes VDB in, but I thought he showed enough in that deeper position to give it another shot.
 
Like that Villa side. Full strength to the max.
First real test all pre-season. Should give us a much better idea of where we are.
 
Oh look, "non existant player" VDB starts how lots of Caftards call him, of course he starts, lots of people on here were having a laugh and mocking him in first preseason games how he always started on bench saying he is finished here, it's preseason ffs. :lol:

When we have Eriksen with us, and perhaps FDJ, I can't imagine he'll get much game time. But we'll see. I've not been impressed by him so far this pre season.
 
Right, let's wait until he loses the armband, then we can boo him without being labelled a glory supporter.

Look, I don't mind the guy as much as others do, in fact I think he would look solid if he had a functioning midfield in front of him. But the reality is that last season was a shitshow all around and he was awful along with being a crap captain. Fans have the right to call a spade a spade.

Nah, there are no excuses to boo your captain in preseason game based on performances from last season, it is just idiotic.
 
I think we’ll see a much improved team this season as we’re playing as a team and look like we’ll function a lot better in a set system. I do think we should of give someone els the captains armband though… Ronaldo or Fernandes would be my 1st choice, Or even De gea.

Ronaldo the prick that doesnt want to play for United? Give him the captaincy? Really?
 
wonder is VDB a contender for that FDJ role....

Think he's a sharper and more progressive passer than Fred
I don't think he can provide that even if he does well in that deeper role. I doubt he can dribble to the same ability as FDJ. The quality that he can share with FDJ is demanding the ball more often, and having the technique to handle the ball. This is one of the qualities our midfield has not really had in almost a decade due to lack of technical ability, lack of legs to constantly provide a teammate a passing option, or just stylistic difference.
 
Like that Villa side. Full strength to the max.
First real test all pre-season. Should give us a much better idea of where we are.
When we sweep them aside (which we will) most will still say it’s only pre season so it doesn’t matter.
 
Season starts in exactly 2 weeks' time and we are drilling an XI without a single new signing. Great.
Well to be fair even if we signed 5 players including Frenkie it wouldn't change much as it looks as though we're not asking our new signings to come down under. You get what you already have (shrug)
 
Right, let's wait until he loses the armband, then we can boo him without being labelled a glory supporter.

Look, I don't mind the guy as much as others do, in fact I think he would look solid if he had a functioning midfield in front of him. But the reality is that last season was a shitshow all around and he was awful along with being a crap captain. Fans have the right to call a spade a spade.
To me booing is a bellend practice regardless which player it is. But I guess you need to make your feelings heard somehow, definitely not how I would do it.
 
Is MUTV the only place to watch it? Has anyone managed to fish out a good river?
 
When we sweep them aside (which we will) most will still say it’s only pre season so it doesn’t matter.
It doesn't matter. Preseason is all about fitness

Preseason matches have never been any sort of indication about the competitive season that was to follow. We've won league campaigns after losing against dross in preseason. We've had crap seasons after beating elite teams in preseason.
 
Just watched a interview with Savage and Iqbal before match and Iqbal said that United is the biggest club in the world. He and Savage is our future.
 
First time I can probably watch one of these live.

Should be a decent test with the side Villa have put out. Will be a shame if the pitch isn't up to scratch.
 
It doesn't matter. Preseason is all about fitness

Preseason matches have never been any sort of indication about the competitive season that was to follow. We've won league campaigns after losing against dross in preseason. We've had crap seasons after beating elite teams in preseason.

This pre season is more than just about fitness. It's about building the teams confidence back up after the disastrous last season. It is also about ETH implementing his tactics and the players learning the tactics. Learning to be a pressing team after having Mourinho and Ole as managers is going to be tough.
 
Booing one of your own players at a pre-season game for no fathomable reason doesn’t make you a fake supporter. It makes you a colossal bellend. To use the catchphrase of another colossal bellend - hope this helps.

Not really, they probably booed because they were sick of the crap performances for the past year and the only time they same him in person he still messed up.

Now if a player had a few bad games in 12 months booing him would be premature and a cause could be made for calling those supporters bellends.

Could be argued that the apathetic ans have allowed mediocrity to fester in this club, which would then make them fake fans no?

Booing is a result of continuous poor performances and the supporters having a enough so showing their anger by booing - player performs well then there will he no boos.

I remember Nani being booed at OT and THAT was harsh, not the booing of Maguire.
 
Finally. A game on the weekend, so I can watch!

Let's go lads.
 
I’m a Fred fan but that midfield is getting overrun