Why has nothing happened yet? | Things are now happening

[shiranaiotoko]

We don't have mentality of big club. SAF elevated us to the top, but now we're back to average level, just trademark left and will stay for a while until it fades away completely.

Real thinks big, they make big moves. Our moves are not existent, which shows there's no ambition in the club, no mentality to set big goals. As long there's top 4 we're fine. Pathetic.

 

[Keefy18]

We don't have mentality of big club. SAF elevated us to the top, but now we're back to average level, just trademark left and will stay for a while until it fades away completely.

Real thinks big, they make big moves. Our moves are not existent, which shows there's no ambition in the club, no mentality to set big goals. As long there's top 4 we're fine. Pathetic.

That's absolute rubbish!

We've repeatedly broke transfer records post Ferguson and signed some huge, huge names.

Pogba, Zlatan, Falcao, ADM, Shaw, Lukaku, Martial etc etc...

We've signed a mix of proven talents and highly sought after talents with huge potential.

 

[Di Maria's angel]

That's absolute rubbish!

We've repeatedly broke transfer records post Ferguson and signed some huge, huge names.

Pogba, Zlatan, Falcao, ADM, Shaw, Lukaku, Martial etc etc...

We've signed a mix of proven talents and highly sought after talents with huge potential.

Zlatan was 35? when we signed. Falcao just came off a serious injury and it's been well documented that ADM didn't want to be here. The other three aren't huge names in any way at all.

 

[fps]

That's absolute rubbish!

We've repeatedly broke transfer records post Ferguson and signed some huge, huge names.

Pogba, Zlatan, Falcao, ADM, Shaw, Lukaku, Martial etc etc...

We've signed a mix of proven talents and highly sought after talents with huge potential.

Pogba's the only one of those who came to United in his prime and was a huge name. Literally no-one knew who Martial was, DiMaria didn't want to join, Shaw isn't a huge name, he's a decent left-back, Lukaku is a famous figure but for international not club reasons, Falcao wasn't fit at all, Zlatan arrived at 34/35, a huge name but 5 years too late on a free for a new experience before retirement.

This is a list which underlines how poor United's recruitment has been.

 

[Keefy18]

Zlatan was 35? when we signed. Falcao just came off a serious injury and it's been well documented that ADM didn't want to be here. The other three aren't huge names in any way at all.

And yet, when Zlatan signed folks said we were back! That he was world class. He's still our best performing striker in a single season post Ferguson.

ADM and Falcao were still huge talents and wanted by various top clubs. It's the narrative that we can't attract big names which is BS!

Pogba's the only one of those who came to United in his prime and was a huge name. Literally no-one knew who Martial was, DiMaria didn't want to join, Shaw isn't a huge name, he's a decent left-back, Lukaku is a famous figure but for international not club reasons, Falcao wasn't fit at all, Zlatan arrived at 34/35, a huge name but 5 years too late on a free for a new experience before retirement.

This is a list which underlines how poor United's recruitment has been.

Again, Rubbish! Zlatan confirmed at the time he had options and our supporters demanded we were back with Pogba, Zlatan and Jose all signed in a summer.

Martial was highly sought after as well at the time.
ADM may not of wanted to join, fact is he was in his prime and arguably the best wide attacking player in the world so to say Pogba is the only one is crap!
Falcao went on to prove himself in France and Champions league 2 season's later. He still had plenty to offer and was well worth the risk.

 

[wolvored]

Pogba's the only one of those who came to United in his prime and was a huge name. Literally no-one knew who Martial was, DiMaria didn't want to join, Shaw isn't a huge name, he's a decent left-back, Lukaku is a famous figure but for international not club reasons, Falcao wasn't fit at all, Zlatan arrived at 34/35, a huge name but 5 years too late on a free for a new experience before retirement.

This is a list which underlines how poor United's recruitment has been.

I agree. We only buy big names if it suits the club image ie sales. Pogba was signed because they know he would shift a shit load of shirts and other merchandise with the romanticism of returning to the club he 'loves'. It was reported Mourinho didnt want him.He was also the only big player signed who could have gone elsewhere. Falcao ADM and Zlatan came for the big bucks and Woody could say they were galactico signings, but who else was after them? ADM stated beforehand he didnt want to leave Madrid or sign for us, would prefer Paris, but they didnt want him at £69 million. Instead they waited a year and got us to knock £14 million off the price. Shows the competence this club is run by. The other two big names, one was injury prone and the other a senior citizen, that no 'big' club wanted.

 

[wolvored]

And yet, when Zlatan signed folks said we were back! That he was world class. He's still our best performing striker in a single season post Ferguson.

ADM and Falcao were still huge talents and wanted by various top clubs. It's the narrative that we can't attract big names which is BS!



Again, Rubbish! Zlatan confirmed at the time he had options and our supporters demanded we were back with Pogba, Zlatan and Jose all signed in a summer.

Martial was highly sought after as well at the time.
ADM may not of wanted to join, fact is he was in his prime and arguably the best wide attacking player in the world so to say Pogba is the only one is crap!
Falcao went on to prove himself in France and Champions league 2 season's later. He still had plenty to offer and was well worth the risk.

Can you name me the 'big' clubs that were after these players when we signed them?

 

[devilish]

We keep talking about the galacticos route but in reality we barely ever used that

- Zlatan - he was ancient when we signed him
- Falcao - he was returning back from injury. Monaco were so keen to see his back that they loaned him
- ADM - He came to United because neither Real nor PSG were ready to fork the money needed to keep him/bring him in
- Valdes - another player who was heading towards the end of his career
- Bastian - same as Zlatan and Valdes
- Sanchez - he was already in decline prior of us signing him
- Mata - he was deemed as a surplus at Chelsea.

The only true galactico we've bought was Pogba. He's our main scorer and assist man. The rest weren't even at par to RVP who was, at Arsenal one of the best strikers in the EPL.

 

[Keefy18]

Can you name me the 'big' clubs that were after these players when we signed them?

Well no doubt in your mind the only big clubs are probably Real, United and Barca. So its probably a wasted venture to suggest Chelsea and PSG.

Falcao was good enough for Jose to consider as well at Chelsea and as mentioned proved himself in Europe with Monaco against some of Europe's top sides.

 

[wolvored]

Well no doubt in your mind the only big clubs are probably Real, United and Barca. So its probably a wasted venture to suggest Chelsea and PSG.

Falcao was good enough for Jose to consider as well at Chelsea and as mentioned proved himself in Europe with Monaco against some of Europe's top sides.

PSG and Chelsea could have afforded them. The fact they didnt go for them suggests they didnt want them when we signed them, so thats wrong. You dont know what I think of as big clubs. I would include Bayern Juve City Liverpool Atletico even Arsenal, with Spurs not too far behind.

 

[Mark1361]

Man Utd might stand a chance of being galacticos when the glazers sell up and the debt is paid off. until then me the money cow football. off the pitch profits are up but sadly on the pitch the team is in free fall and decline

 

[ryansgirl]

We don't have mentality of big club. SAF elevated us to the top, but now we're back to average level, just trademark left and will stay for a while until it fades away completely.

Real thinks big, they make big moves. Our moves are not existent, which shows there's no ambition in the club, no mentality to set big goals. As long there's top 4 we're fine. Pathetic.

I know what you're saying - Manchester United was THE CLUB in Britain under Sir Alex and it has stumbled into mediocrity in terms of what United stands for and expects, especially with some of the plain awful performances over the seasons since Sir Alex left.

But you're far too pessimistic. Some of us believe in Ole because the time is now ripe to get back to the future. Moyes, LVG and Jose didn't work at United - although the last two names were better than credited. However, our club is supposed to be built on winning the title, dominating the Premier League and always challenging for the European Cup. That is why Ole might very well prove to the be the solution - providing continuity with the most successful era in United's history, having trusted and proven winners like Mike Phelan with him, etc.

As for Real Madrid, they're coming from a position of strength, not weakness like us. They have won the Champions League more than once in recent years, their title drought is not as long as ours. They have the appeal for a number of reasons including the Spanish League in which big name players and up and coming ones want to play.

How on earth do you know Manchester United are not thinking big? Ole and Co would be fools to advertise everything they are planning and they do want those young players such as De Ligt and would love to have established stars come to Old Trafford.

But how do you think playing in the Europa League sounds to such players? This is a significant part of the problem, Real doesn't have the same situation.

Re-building after blips on the radar and uncharacteristically one or two bad seasons in terms of United's expectations is one thing but re-building after six years of no title and no European Cup with a managerial merry-go-round at a club noted for stability under Sir Alex is not a draw-card.

We can think big but it won't change those realities. Top players and potential stars want to play in the Champions League and for a club that was near to winning the title even if it didn't. 32 points behind Manchester City is a big turn-off. However, I think some people will be proved wrong about Ole.

 

[wolvored]

I know what you're saying - Manchester United was THE CLUB in Britain under Sir Alex and it has stumbled into mediocrity in terms of what United stands for and expects, especially with some of the plain awful performances over the seasons since Sir Alex left.

But you're far too pessimistic. Some of us believe in Ole because the time is now ripe to get back to the future. Moyes, LVG and Jose didn't work at United - although the last two names were better than credited. However, our club is supposed to be built on winning the title, dominating the Premier League and always challenging for the European Cup. That is why Ole might very well prove to the be the solution - providing continuity with the most successful era in United's history, having trusted and proven winners like Mike Phelan with him, etc.

As for Real Madrid, they're coming from a position of strength, not weakness like us. They have won the Champions League more than once in recent years, their title drought is not as long as ours. They have the appeal for a number of reasons including the Spanish League in which big name players and up and coming ones want to play.

How on earth do you know Manchester United are not thinking big? Ole and Co would be fools to advertise everything they are planning and they do want those young players such as De Ligt and would love to have established stars come to Old Trafford.

But how do you think playing in the Europa League sounds to such players? This is a significant part of the problem, Real doesn't have the same situation.

And re-building after blips on the radar and uncharacteristically one or two bad seasons in terms of United's expectations is one thing but re-building after six years of no title and no European Cup with a managerial merry-go-round at a club notes for stability under Sir Alex is not a drawcard. We can think big that it won't change those realities. However, I think some people will be proved wrong about Ole.

I am still keeping the faith with Ole as well. We saw at the beginning he could get the team to play. He said fitness issues caught up with them and the way he wanted them to play. If he can whip them into shape in pre season and along with new recruits, it could be the start of something special. It is all a wing and a prayer, but did VG or Mourinho do any better?

 

[Compton22]

One of the worst things is the main Man Utd twitter account is constantly tweeting about Daniel James and the fixtures. I know this is to be expected, but you can see how ut would wind fans up where Real Madrid waste no time in getting their business done and we go on and on about the Daniel James transfer when there is so much more to be done.

 

[GDaly95]

Why does it feel like nothing can happen until we get AWB done?

Like I saw an article stating the AWB deal has to be squared away before we can push on for Longstaff, and with our inefficient form over the last few years it's easy to believe. Just so bizarre.

 

[Needham]

Be patient. It's only a decade since Ronaldo left.

 

[Bestietom]

8 weeks tomorrow we play Chelsea in the first game of the season. Hope we are not left wanting with the transfer window closed.

 

[Class of 63]

Why does it feel like nothing can happen until we get AWB done?

Like I saw an article stating the AWB deal has to be squared away before we can push on for Longstaff, and with our inefficient form over the last few years it's easy to believe. Just so bizarre.

We've no interest in Longstaff whatsoever.

 

[Scholsey2004]

This is starting to look like another bad window for us. I'm very happy with the Dan James signing but beyond that we don't appear to be making much headway.

 

[Scholsey2004]

And yet, when Zlatan signed folks said we were back! That he was world class. He's still our best performing striker in a single season post Ferguson.

ADM and Falcao were still huge talents and wanted by various top clubs. It's the narrative that we can't attract big names which is BS!



Again, Rubbish! Zlatan confirmed at the time he had options and our supporters demanded we were back with Pogba, Zlatan and Jose all signed in a summer.

Martial was highly sought after as well at the time.
ADM may not of wanted to join, fact is he was in his prime and arguably the best wide attacking player in the world so to say Pogba is the only one is crap!
Falcao went on to prove himself in France and Champions league 2 season's later. He still had plenty to offer and was well worth the risk.

Who would argue di Maria was 'the best wide attacker in the world' at the same time Ronaldo, Messi, bale, hazard, robben and so on were on the boil? Zlatan was a quality stop gap at best. Falcao was a crock, we got him on loan because everyone knew he was a crock and didn't want to buy him.

 

[minoo-utd]

What are we doing exactly? Ole and Ed are only good at talking. I thought it was going to be busy summer.

 

[Scholsey2004]

One of the worst things is the main Man Utd twitter account is constantly tweeting about Daniel James and the fixtures. I know this is to be expected, but you can see how ut would wind fans up where Real Madrid waste no time in getting their business done and we go on and on about the Daniel James transfer when there is so much more to be done.

For a club our size with such resources to consistently struggle like this in the transfer window is pretty damning of Ed and his team. Fourth manager since ed took over and we're still struggling like we were in his first window.

 

[Scholsey2004]

What are we doing exactly? Ole and Ed are only good at talking. I thought it was going to be busy summer.

I don't see Ole as the problem here. We've had other managers who've had the same problem. Ed's the common denominator.

 

[The Irish Connection]

Getting worrying now. If we don’t have a very good transfer window this summer we’re fecked, and part of that means getting most of the signings done before the tour.

 

[Foxbatt]

I agree that we would not win the PL or the CL as long as Woodward is around. He has been the common denominator in all our failures. Even if we had Pep or Klopp as the Manager so long as Woodward is around the results would be the same.
Only an empty OT can make the Glazers sack him.

 

[romufc]

Big changes are needed at the top, something has to be done to get the message to woodward and glazers. Woodward has made promises that we can do business other clubs can’t yet he cannot get AWD deal through let alone a galatico.. poor management

 

[Keefy18]

Who would argue di Maria was 'the best wide attacker in the world' at the same time Ronaldo, Messi, bale, hazard, robben and so on were on the boil? Zlatan was a quality stop gap at best. Falcao was a crock, we got him on loan because everyone knew he was a crock and didn't want to buy him.

Ronaldo was playing CF for Real, ADM was primarily their RW.

ADM was the MOTM in them winning La Decima, why attempt to revise history? But the plaudits went to Bale cause he scored the first goal in ET.

 

[jackal&hyde]

I'm starting to get a bit nervous about the lack of transfers. If we don't get the new players in by the time preseason starts (or not at all) the board is basically throwing Ole under the buss like they did last summer with Mourinho. There has been plenty of time since January to identify players, just a matter of doing what is necessary to get them. If Real can do it, then so should "the richest club in the World".

 

[2cents]

I’m not in panic-mode yet but this is good:

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

 

[Zexstream]

I’m not in panic-mode yet but this is good:

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

So Tragic, Funny and True!

 

[Crashoutcassius]

I was going to take time out from this thread for a while but I just have to respond to this. Its such a classic example of taking something out of context, then reading it e contrario and coming to a conclusion that you pretty much made up yourself.
Woodward has said at investor briefings that our results are not dependent on success on the pitch every year. The club is financially stable. This is a completely correct statement and something that you would say to investors/shareholders to assure them that their investment is safe even if we are going to have some or many down years on the pitch. Status quo more or less. Share value wont go down.
What you are doing is reading this e contrario and interpreting that as meaning that Woodward and the Glazers would be happy with that.
That is where you go logically wrong to start with.
United today is valued at over 4bn USD. The Glazers has taken out 20-25m in dividends from the club the last three years. I might be wrong here, but I think its the first three years they have taken dividends from the club even.
What does this tell you? An asset worth 4bn with almost no debt (in relation) that generates dividends of 25m per year. Not really a cash cow is it?
What does that tell you further? Well, its a fair assumption that the Glazers dont care that much about how much dividends they can take out of the club.
So what do they care about? Because I am under no illusion that they care about anything else but the mighty dollar. That I think we can all agree on. I just believe that this actually aligns their interests with us fans. Not the other way around,
The Glazers wont make any serious money by taking out 25m from United every year. They could place that 4bn elsewhere and make much more money just on interest alone. So why? Easy answer, their real profit lies in increasing the total share value of United. To maybe 6bn over the next couple of years, maybe even more. Thats profit, 2bn, not 25m in dividends per year.
So how to do that? Go to 6bn? INCREASE income to DRIVE share value. From prize money, from sponsorships, from TV-money, from partnerships. How do you do that with a club that is already top-three in the world financially. You dont do it by finishing 4th-5th or being happy with a CL-spots. You do it by constantly challenging for the PL and the CL to drive brand recognition and to push share value.
You are not doing it by playing status quo what is what Woodward was discussing.
That is why the Glazers have put so much money into the club for transfers and wages when it started to be needed after Sir Alex left. You might not like them but they are not fecking idiots financially. And thats why I am pretty confident that they will keep on doing it until they get the share value to where they want it. And then they will sell.
You can think that they are morally corrupt for being capitalists but fact is that that capitalism actually aligns their interest with us as fans. For the reasons I stated above. For now at least.
Now I am out of this thread for awhile.

This is spot on. Dividend yield of 0.6% doesn't suggest the club is being used for stable income, but for capital growth. That said, I think you could make a case that their capital growth story has already played out and they don't see the value going up more but it will take them time to find a buyer.

 

[Rusholme Ruffian]

I don't see Ole as the problem here. We've had other managers who've had the same problem. Ed's the common denominator.

Ole is definitely not the underlying problem, but it doesn't help having a manager in charge with an underwhelming career to date, and coming off the back of that atrocious run of form. Even Ole's loudest supporters on here have held their hands up and admitted they have no idea whether he's going to be a success or not, so imagine how it looks to outsiders with no particular love for the club or affinity to OGS?

It hurts to say it, but does anyone really believe that any player is going to be looking at United this summer and thinking 'now that's a club that really going places - I want to be part of that'? Will they feck. This summer we will either be signing mercenaries, second tier talent, or players for whom there is little competition to sign for whatever reason.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

Ole is definitely not the underlying problem, but it doesn't help having a manager in charge with an underwhelming career to date, and coming off the back of that atrocious run of form. Even Ole's loudest supporters on here have held their hands up and admitted they have no idea whether he's going to be a success or not, so imagine how it looks to outsiders with no particular love for the club or affinity to OGS?

It hurts to say it, but does anyone really believe that any player is going to be looking at United this summer and thinking 'now that's a club that really going places - I want to be part of that'? Will they feck. This summer we will either be signing mercenaries, second tier talent, or players for whom there is little competition to sign for whatever reason.

Ole is a problem that I do not think he attracts top players, but he as you say is not the main problem. All I keep reading is we are going to put bids in for this player and that player. I worry that it is all talk. I just have this picture of Ed and Co. with their hands down any settee they can find searching for small change.

 

[Celoti23-81]

Ole is a problem that I do not think he attracts top players, but he as you say is not the main problem. All I keep reading is we are going to put bids in for this player and that player. I worry that it is all talk. I just have this picture of Ed and Co. with their hands down any settee they can find searching for small change.

I just fear given Ole's form as interim manager and praising the players to the hilt during that period, then blaming fitness the main problem thereafter, the board don't think a big rebuild is necessary. They are more than comfortable signing players on cheap wages, and are banking on Ole's first 14 games as a blueprint of going forward! This could end up finishing any unpredictable way!

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I just fear given Ole's form as interim manager and praising the players to the hilt during that period, then blaming fitness the main problem thereafter, the board don't think a big rebuild is necessary. They are more than comfortable signing players on cheap wages, and are banking on Ole's first 14 games as a blueprint of going forward! This could end up finishing any unpredictable way!

It could, then the board will get the brunt of the blame. Also the players who have been failing for years will be their share as well.

 

[jackal&hyde]

I’m not in panic-mode yet but this is good:

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

True.

We really need to get our main targets in and ready for preseason otherwise we will continue to change managers left right and center, be they amongst the most experienced and successful like Mourinho or new comers like Ole.

And i stress the importance of getting the main target rather then the 3ed or 4th option. You can't expect to mount a title challenge otherwise. None of this "he can do a job" or "is better then what we have" nonsense. We either get the best or we resign to being disappointed come December and blame it all on the manager. And it's not like we target the best from the best clubs in the Wolrd. Our targets seem to be playing at Ajax, Napoli, Crystal Palace and Dortmund. If we can't get this transfers over the line then the future is dark for the club.

There is still time, but if this situation continues then i think i'll do a Rooney and start to question the ambition of the club.

 

[MrSingh2002]

Real Madrid is a valid comparison to be made. They clearly had a few moves already made with Mendy, Jovic and Hazard. Meanwhile we've signed a youngster with potential from the Championship.

We don't have the same pull anymore so we need to make up for it by identifying the right players earlier that want to come. I'd be very dissapointed if we didn't start the season with a new RB, CB, CM, CAM if Pogba leaves, CF if Lukaku leaves. AC Milans Piatek and Lewandowski would be my targets. If we go for Lewy Bayern would surely stump up the cash for Werner.

AWB
De Ligt/Alderweireld
Rabiot/Longstaff/Tielemans/Lo celso
Fernandes/Milinkovic-Savic (if Pogba leaves)
Piatek/Lewandowski (if Lukaku leaves)

Ed, pull your finger out.

 

[Scholsey2004]

Ronaldo was playing CF for Real, ADM was primarily their RW.

ADM was the MOTM in them winning La Decima, why attempt to revise history? But the plaudits went to Bale cause he scored the first goal in ET.

Benzema was playing CF. Ronaldo was wide left, Di Maria was in centre midfield.

 

[Dolf]

I’m not in panic-mode yet but this is good:

Tweet

— Twitter API (@user) date

This hurts

 

[ayushreddevil9]

Real Madrid is a valid comparison to be made. They clearly had a few moves already made with Mendy, Jovic and Hazard. Meanwhile we've signed a youngster with potential from the Championship.

We don't have the same pull anymore so we need to make up for it by identifying the right players earlier that want to come. I'd be very dissapointed if we didn't start the season with a new RB, CB, CM, CAM if Pogba leaves, CF if Lukaku leaves. AC Milans Piatek and Lewandowski would be my targets. If we go for Lewy Bayern would surely stump up the cash for Werner.

AWB
De Ligt/Alderweireld
Rabiot/Longstaff/Tielemans/Lo celso
Fernandes/Milinkovic-Savic (if Pogba leaves)
Piatek/Lewandowski (if Lukaku leaves)

Ed, pull your finger out.

Apparently according to certain posters we aren't allowed to make comparisons with Real Madrid because we are not gonna play them next season. Our league rivals have done nothing so far so everything is chill.