[Alemar]

Mate, @Alemar has been in the reserve forum since last season demanding every kid above 16 starts on Saturday.

Yea, and you could see how last season ended without…

 

[Al-T]

Anyone know much about how Brighton will line up without Bissouma and to a lesser extent Cucurella?? I.e. have they a replacement or can we hope McFred or whatever combo we go with has the advantage in midfield. If Brighton have a real rookie in there, may be a chance for Iqbal to be put in...

I don't think they have a like for like replacement for Cucurella, his sale coming only on Friday. Trossard might play as a wing back.

I believe they will miss Cucurella more than Bissouma. It was clear for ages the latter would not sign a new contract. They had already been planning for his departure and there won't be a complete rookie in their midfield. I imagine we shall be facing Mwepu, Caiceido and Alexis MacAllister in a slightly deeper role. All high energy, physically robust footballers whom Potter will have very well drilled. I wouldn't be confident that McFred will be enough.

 

[Todd]

De Gea

Malacia
Varane
Martinez
Dalot

Fred
Eriksen
Fernandes

Sancho
Ronaldo
Rashford

1-1

 

[sunama]

Lads... We have a good enough team to beat Brighton. We should expect to beat Brighton comfortably here.

We should and usually do apart from the fiasco last season.

Agreed. But the issue is that the team which stank up the place last season is pretty much the same team that will play against Brighton.
My suggestion was to buy 4 new starting XI players this Summer, with another 4 next Summer. Unfortunately, the people responsible for buying players screwed up yet again, forcing ETH to make do with a very similar roster to that which we saw last season.

Last season, most of us found it impossible reliably predict the result of any game against the teams which were mid-bottom of the league and I still believe that to be the case. Against the top sides, I expect us to lose. Against MCFC/LFC, I expect us to be humiliated.

Jose and Ralf both said that the players have a weak mentality and I believe that still to be the case.

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

De Gea

Dalot - Maguire - Martinez - Malacia

Eriksen - Fred - Fernandes

Sancho - Ronaldo - Rashford​

Heaton, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Iqbal, Hannibal, Garnacho, Elanga

Manchester United 3-1 Brighton

 

[Long Time Red]

This will be a good barometer as to how much we've improved already under Ten Hag.

They completely outplayed us at Old Trafford and we were very lucky to win and then they battered us at their place.

The way we played pre-season should see us be a lot more dominant.

 

[NLunited]

Agreed. But the issue is that the team which stank up the place last season is pretty much the same team that will play against Brighton.
My suggestion was to buy 4 new starting XI players this Summer, with another 4 next Summer. Unfortunately, the people responsible for buying players screwed up yet again, forcing ETH to make do with a very similar roster to that which we saw last season.

Last season, most of us found it impossible reliably predict the result of any game against the teams which were mid-bottom of the league and I still believe that to be the case. Against the top sides, I expect us to lose. Against MCFC/LFC, I expect us to be humiliated.

Jose and Ralf both said that the players have a weak mentality and I believe that still to be the case.

That‘s nonsense, I think it has more to do with the inaptitude of the managers. A good manager scolds his players in the dressing room, not publicly.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Agreed. But the issue is that the team which stank up the place last season is pretty much the same team that will play against Brighton.

Also the same (imperfect) team that olengot second and third. Embarrassing to think ETH doesn't have the tool to beat Brighton

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Also the same (imperfect) team that olengot second and third. Embarrassing to think ETH doesn't have the tool to beat Brighton

2nd in empty stadiums and when the other two rivals had horrendous seasons. Still managed to finish only 5 points ahead of 3rd.

This false narrative of the team being good based on 3rd and 2nd place finishes needs to die.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

2nd in empty stadiums and when the other two rivals had horrendous seasons. Still managed to finish only 5 points ahead of 3rd.

This false narrative of the team being good based on 3rd and 2nd place finishes needs to die.

Every team had the same circumstances.

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Every team had the same circumstances.

Yes, that's why also mentioned bad seasons for rivals.

 

[RedRonaldo]

This will be a good barometer as to how much we've improved already under Ten Hag.

They completely outplayed us at Old Trafford and we were very lucky to win and then they battered us at their place.

The way we played pre-season should see us be a lot more dominant.

Agree. This will be our first real test under ETH. They totally outplayed us when we played them last time.

 

[Threesus]

 

[Threesus]

I am very nervous for tomorrow. Hope the boys make us proud.

 

[Strelok]

But the manager should not be put in this position.
We desperately need FdJ and a striker

Yeah agree. Hope ETH might find a way. Tbh I'm not excited at all despite it's the first game of the season.

 

[OpenIntrovert]

On the contrary I am quite excited. I would like to see how ETH implements his tactics and uses the youngsters. FDJ will certainly improve the defensive and central midfield area, but we are not in a dire need for him. Lets wait and see how the game flows.

 

[mu4c_20le]

Really feel for ETH. He puts on a brave face in public, but when he's alone and feeling the pressure, he's probably more like

 

[tenpoless]

Posters are bumping player performance threads I thought I missed this one ffs. Cant wait to watch the first match.

 

[Vapor trail]

Yeah agree. Hope ETH might find a way. Tbh I'm not excited at all despite it's the first game of the season.

Don't see how anyone can be excited the summer window has been poor. United start with a worse squad on paper compared to last season. The only way I see a successful season materialising outside of further signings is if ETH emerges as an elite level manager somehow dragging this team to periods of consistency and good form.

 

[Salt Bailly]

We are gonna smash Brighton. You can quote me on that.

 

[suheilsworld]

Don’t know if this has been discussed yet, but can we have the option to select 5 subs in the predictions ?

 

[suheilsworld]

Slightly optimistic on this one. Our midfield needs to be on point for the entire game. That’s our pain point. Our attackers will gets chances and I hope we take our chances and are not wasteful.

 

[Strelok]

Don't see how anyone can be excited the summer window has been poor. United start with a worse squad on paper compared to last season. The only way I see a successful season materialising outside of further signings is if ETH emerges as an elite level manager somehow dragging this team to periods of consistency and good form.

Yeah agree however on a more positive thought we're often massively disappointed when the fans are confident the hype is high so maybe today we'll smash Brighton who knows.

Anyway we're lucky to have meet only Brighton in our first match. I'm dreadful to think if we have to face the likes of Liverpool City etc.

 

[Buster15]

That‘s nonsense, I think it has more to do with the inaptitude of the managers. A good manager scolds his players in the dressing room, not publicly.

What goes on in the dressing room must stay in the dressing room.
But that didn't happen last season.

 

[RDCR07]

Hopefully the atmosphere today is rocking inside OT.

 

[Buster15]

Don't see how anyone can be excited the summer window has been poor. United start with a worse squad on paper compared to last season. The only way I see a successful season materialising outside of further signings is if ETH emerges as an elite level manager somehow dragging this team to periods of consistency and good form.

Yes. The squad is smaller than last season.
But what I am looking for is a step improvement in attitude, which was on the floor last time. You don't need stars if you play as a team.

 

[Wing Attack Plan R]

I would love to see any of Garnacho, Iqbal, or Garner start. I hope we use the 5 subs and give the fringe some minutes.

interested to see what ETH does re:Ronaldo. I’d sit him on the bench, give him a 20 minute cameo if he’s not sulking. If we need the goal, let him run riot at the end. Hs Ronaldo started on the bench ever? That will be humiliating enough for him.

 

[Strelok]

You don't need stars if you play as a team.

Imo this was exactly one of our biggest issues last season. This season despite a poor summer I'm actually happy that Pogba and Lingard left. But there's still Ronaldo. Will he run, press and do the donkey works so we can play as a team?

You can argue that Ronaldo or Messi didn't do any of that at Madrid or Barca. But you're allowed that only if:
- You are much stronger than your opponent.
- Or you're not much stronger but you have a midfield a couple of levels above your opponent's midfield which can completly control the match. Barca bought Neymar and Suarez but stopped winning big things after Xavi and Iniesta retired. Madrid keeps on winning things despite Ronaldo left, Bale became a golfer and Hazard turned shit.
- And the player extempted from the dirty works must have a phenomenal offensive output.

All of the above are not true at all at the current United. We have a shit midfield. Ronaldo is 37 yo and no longer the monster he was.

 

[BrilliantOrange]

We are finally starting again! Regardless of how we line-up... I have such a beautiful optimistic feeling.. Really looking forward to it!

 

[Buster15]

Imo this was exactly one of our biggest issues last season. This season despite a poor summer I'm actually happy that Pogba and Lingard left. But there's still Ronaldo. Will he run, press and do the donkey works so we can play as a team?

You can argue that Ronaldo or Messi didn't do any of that at Madrid or Barca. But you're allowed that only if:
- You are much stronger than your opponent.
- Or you're not much stronger but you have a midfield a couple of levels above your opponent's midfield which can completly control the match. Barca bought Neymar and Suarez but stopped winning big things after Xavi and Iniesta retired. Madrid keeps on winning things despite Ronaldo left, Bale became a golfer and Hazard turned shit.
- And the player extempted from the dirty works must have a phenomenal offensive output.

All of the above are not true at all at the current United. We have a shit midfield. Ronaldo is 37 yo and no longer the monster he was.

Cannot really argue with any of that assessment.
There was far far too much player power last season and you have pointed out the likely culprits.
All of the team must concentrate on working as a cohesive unit first and foremost. Do that and things will improve.

 

[prateik]

I hope Ronaldo isnt even in the squad.. It'll never happen.. but what a statement that'll be.. Make him play the U21s to get some match fitness.

 

[flappyjay]

De Gea

Dalot
Maguire
Martinez
Malacia

Fred
Mctominay
Eriksen

Sancho
Bruno
Rashy

 

[villain]

Going to this one, can’t wait

 

[bludsucker]

2nd in empty stadiums and when the other two rivals had horrendous seasons. Still managed to finish only 5 points ahead of 3rd.

This false narrative of the team being good based on 3rd and 2nd place finishes needs to die.

I didn’t know that the stadiums were empty only for United games and all the other teams had to play in a full stadium. What’s this excuse that has come to knock down ole and his achievements.
Lets just accept that he had two good seasons with us but couldn’t kick on in the third and had a horrendous half season.

 

[van Persie]

Only thing I like with Ronaldo is that I have no doubt about him giving 100% especially now that Messi is making noise again

 

[avgp_1]

We will smash Brighton. Just don't play Elanga, give his minutes to Garnacho

 

[Trequarista10]

I would love to see any of Garnacho, Iqbal, or Garner start. I hope we use the 5 subs and give the fringe some minutes.

interested to see what ETH does re:Ronaldo. I’d sit him on the bench, give him a 20 minute cameo if he’s not sulking. If we need the goal, let him run riot at the end. Hs Ronaldo started on the bench ever? That will be humiliating enough for him.

He came off the bench 3 times last season. I'd have him on the bench and he needs to get used to it. I dunno what's more embarrassing, starting on the bench or getting subbed after 60 minutes every game because he's gassed.

The Martial injury may mean Ronaldo gets straight back into the starting XI unfortunately. I'd really like to see ETH to be brave and pick someone else, I don't think Ronaldo is fit, I think he needs putting in his place somewhat, and it'd be interesting to see what alternative option ETH thinks is most viable.

 

[Zlaatan]

2nd in empty stadiums and when the other two rivals had horrendous seasons. Still managed to finish only 5 points ahead of 3rd.

This false narrative of the team being good based on 3rd and 2nd place finishes needs to die.

The only narrative that needs to die is the one that implies that we wouldn't have finished 2nd if we didn't play in empty stadiums.

 

[GapMinder]

De Gea

Dalot - Maguire - Martinez - Malacia

Eriksen - Fred - Fernandes

Sancho - Ronaldo - Rashford​

Heaton, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, McTominay, Iqbal, Hannibal, Garnacho, Elanga

Manchester United 3-1 Brighton

This

 

[ayushreddevil9]

The only narrative that needs to die is the one that implies that we wouldn't have finished 2nd if we didn't play in empty stadiums.

I didn’t know that the stadiums were empty only for United games and all the other teams had to play in a full stadium. What’s this excuse that has come to knock down ole and his achievements.
Lets just accept that he had two good seasons with us but couldn’t kick on in the third and had a horrendous half season.

Quite conveniently ignored the other reason that utd needed a meltdown from rivals to finish above them.

2 good seasons? A season where we were lingering around 5th-6th up until the final matchday when we beat Leicester 2-0 to finish 3rd?