The old Man Utd Thread

[Gabzy]

I think he looks scrumptious.

[Zappster]

Are you serious?! Berbatov has been our best player this season. Everything he does has been brilliant. Berbatov, Rooney, Fletcher and Evra would be the first names on my teamsheet if all are fit.

I don't know about best player. Personally, I think Giggs, Rooney and Valencia have been better than him.

[Gringo]

Berbatov is the critical link to Utd's attack. His ability to hold the ball up, link the play and make dellicate through balls. Giggs has been brilliant this season but at times when he has a bad game and is in for Berba the Utd attack is so static and slow it beggers belief. Rooney is not good alone without two attack minded wingers who get by the defenders. Valencia is starting to do that which is encouraging. He's gonna be great. On the left flank it is still much more uncertain. Without Berba, Utd's attack will always struggle against a top opposition's defence.

[Liamness]

I suppose in a discussion of what our first XI is now or may become, it has to be acknowledged we do play different styles of football to suit the opposition. Domestically, we'll play instinctive, all-out attacking stuff for the most part. In Europe, especially at the knock out stages, it's a different story. A more thoughtful approach is required, and yes Berbatov's sublime 'playmaking from the front' style of play is less urgent, but could be the difference we need in such high-profile games. If we are playing the possession game, rather than counter-attacking at every opportunity, then he is great. I don't think that's how you win the league, though.

[FATEone]

I suppose in a discussion of what our first XI is now or may become, it has to be acknowledged we do play different styles of football to suit the opposition. Domestically, we'll play instinctive, all-out attacking stuff for the most part. In Europe, especially at the knock out stages, it's a different story. A more thoughtful approach is required, and yes Berbatov's sublime 'playmaking from the front' style of play is less urgent, but could be the difference we need in such high-profile games. If we are playing the possession game, rather than counter-attacking at every opportunity, then he is great. I don't think that's how you win the league, though.

Have I missed something? Did Vidic come out and quash the whispers of a move? Really don't get all the hate for Wellbeck and Gibson. The guys doing it really show a lack of knowledge. Football is as much about what you do off the ball as what you do on it. Wellbeck's movement is excellent for someone so young, seriously, it's really really good. I bet he makes it. Likening Gibson to Fletcher is also silly, they're different players.. despite what most of you seem to think, he's much more akin to Scholes.

It's not how you win the league if the only player who is truly good at it is Berbatov. Liverpool almost won the league playing posession football last year, but lacked the depth.

[ckny]

Have I missed something? Did Vidic come out and quash the whispers of a move?

Yep.

[Eats hoops and leaves]

Yep.

I hope he stays, but comments like that generally mean nothing.

[FATEone]

I hope he stays, but comments like that generally mean nothing.

Well, I was wondering why all the talk of him going to Barca started in the first place. I know what you're saying hoop, but at the same time it's not like he did a Ronaldo and said, yeah 'one-day' I wanna play for ......... so no reason to get worried I'd say.

[Trigg]

Have I missed something? Did Vidic come out and quash the whispers of a move? Really don't get all the hate for Wellbeck and Gibson. The guys doing it really show a lack of knowledge. Football is as much about what you do off the ball as what you do on it. Wellbeck's movement is excellent for someone so young, seriously, it's really really good. I bet he makes it. Likening Gibson to Fletcher is also silly, they're different players.. despite what most of you seem to think, he's much more akin to Scholes.

It's not how you win the league if the only player who is truly good at it is Berbatov. Liverpool almost won the league playing posession football last year, but lacked the depth.

I don't think people mean that he's similar to Fletch in play style, but Gibson will 'do a Fletcher' and will be a bit of a late developer in terms of maturing as a player.

Like I say, I'm still undecided on Gibson, I'm not writing him off. Just unsure.

[FATEone]

I don't think people mean that he's similar to Fletch in play style, but Gibson will 'do a Fletcher' and will be a bit of a late developer in terms of maturing as a player.

Like I say, I'm still undecided on Gibson, I'm not writing him off. Just unsure.

Ah I see... though I don't see how, Fletcher was a late 'bloomer' because he had an engine and not much else... well nothing else. He's gotten slightly better at tackling, and now he only passes backwards 8 times out of 10. Gibson already has a football brain, the communication between it and his feet will come as soon as the experience does, which it is beginning to now. Do you guys really reckon he'd have been given the time to 'bloom' if he wasn't Scottish? I very much doubt it, judging on the players that have been tried and sold by Fergie.

[Zappster]

Berbatov is the critical link to Utd's attack. His ability to hold the ball up, link the play and make dellicate through balls. Giggs has been brilliant this season but at times when he has a bad game and is in for Berba the Utd attack is so static and slow it beggers belief. Rooney is not good alone without two attack minded wingers who get by the defenders. Valencia is starting to do that which is encouraging. He's gonna be great. On the left flank it is still much more uncertain. Without Berba, Utd's attack will always struggle against a top opposition's defence.

I can't remember Berbatov having an impact against top opposition since being at United. Those are the games where he seems to be anonymous, if indeed he does play. I don't really know what his stats are like against teams like Liverpool, Chelsea etc. I don't get the point about Giggs having a bad game either... surely the same is true of Berbatov? If he has a bad game then the attack is also static and slow. What I meant by my previous comment was that those were the players that I think have had more of an impact in more games and thus have been better than Berbatov this season.

[phresh]

Fletcher himself has admitted that he didn't put enough effort in earlier in his career, engine or not he needed to put in the work to build up physically and improve his skills. It's strange really as apart from 'pressing the opposition' you couldn't really say he excels at anything but he has something intangible about his influence on a game and the results with him in the team show just how important he is.

For anybody that missed it Diouf was at the game yesterday (sat next to Ferdinand) and apparently started training with the team last week so we may see him at some point in January assuming there are no work permit complications.

[fatbob]

For anybody that missed it Diouf was at the game yesterday (sat next to Ferdinand) and apparently started training with the team last week so we may see him at some point in January assuming there are no work permit complications.

It took me a moment of terror to work out who you were talking about then...

[phresh]

[Liamness]

Fletch is the kind of player who makes important interventions all over the pitch, often game-changing ones. He'll make a great pass, a great tackle, or just pop up late in the box completely unmarked. I don't think he was that late a bloomer, as he was in our first team (particularly for European games), by the time he was about 22-23. I don't think his position was locked down until then either; we bought him as a winger, then he was the utility player along with O'Shea, only to eventually settle in central midfield.

[ckny]

First Leeds in the FA Cup now City in the Carling. Couple of excellent draws for us.

[fatbob]

Drawn City in the Carling semis, would have preferred them in the final mind.

EDIT: Late!

[tonymg]

looks like ljajic won't be coming to us after all. Although i'd only seen clips on youtube I thought he looked like he had potential. http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2009/de...ljajic-transfer.

[phresh]

Reading around the reports about the deal not going through obviously all stem from a single, possibly non-existent, source. It's possibly a mistranslation from Serbian reports about him getting a work-permit or something.

This completely ignores the fact that he's technically on loan to Partisan Belgrade so how can we pull out of a deal that I presume must be more or less complete to enable said loan in the first place.

[Baring]

In a few years I reckon this'll be our first team line-up;

             Rooney

 Obertan             Valencia

    Anderson       Gibson

             Fletcher

Evra                       Simpson

           Vidic   Evans

Dunno about the keeper. I might just keep the link to this post safe somewhere, so I can look at it in a few years and laugh at how wrong I was.

Surely some bought big names would be in there. We cant go doing an Arsenal now can we?

[Trigg]

Ah I see... though I don't see how, Fletcher was a late 'bloomer' because he had an engine and not much else... well nothing else. He's gotten slightly better at tackling, and now he only passes backwards 8 times out of 10. Gibson already has a football brain, the communication between it and his feet will come as soon as the experience does, which it is beginning to now. Do you guys really reckon he'd have been given the time to 'bloom' if he wasn't Scottish? I very much doubt it, judging on the players that have been tried and sold by Fergie.

Back to talking nonsense, again.

The most unsentimental man I can think off, and you reckon he's only stuck with him because he's Scottish. Nonsense.

[Guest]

Back to talking nonsense, again.

The most unsentimental man I can think off, and you reckon he's only stuck with him because he's Scottish. Nonsense.

I don't know, he's got a point. I reckon he's Fergie's illegitimate child or something.

[Trigg]

He hasn't though, really. Lets be serious for one minute. I'll admit that I've questioned Fletcher in years gone by but never did I once think that Sir Alex rated him because he was Scottish. He obviously saw he had potential to be a very good player and he was right. He turned into a fantastic and pivotal player for Us.

Anyway, this whole Ljajic situation is a bit bizarre. So many reason doing the rounds at the moment as to why its not happening with the players agent saying he's still confident the deal will happen. Crazy.

[phresh]

It’s up on the official site now although the only quote is from the United spokesperson mentioned in all the other reports. Does seem a bit strange although I suppose we’ll get the full story today’s press conference.

Seems a shame as he looks like a promising player but maybe Ferguson believes we already have enough potential in and around the attacking positions. Obertan looks promising, Cleverly is doing very well at Watford and then there are a couple of decent youngsters in the reserves too.

There are obviously rumours about financial problems too so it will be interesting to see what does happen in January should the deal not go through. Despite Ferguson’s insistence otherwise I wouldn’t be surprised to see Nani leave and same goes for Simpson. Including the Ljajic deal that could free up 25 million to pay off interest on our loans put towards Silva/Villa.

[Trigg]

I can't see Villa/Silva coming in January if I'm honest. I'd like either/both of them as I do watch Valencia quite a bit and both are brilliant players - especially Villa who is so clinical.

Another player mentioned in the reports is Dzeko who I've only seen a handful of times but looks a handful. Good in the air and with the ball at his feet. Wouldn't cost as much as Villa and is also younger so may be better in the long run

Got to love the Transfer Window/Silly Season. We'll be linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry and probably buy no one!

[oli]

It's a weird one, I thought it was a done deal and that he was our player but just on loan to Partizan?

[oli]

Actually it seems to be on the BBC site now as well, sounds like he's not joining us - gutted because he looked quite special

[tetsuo]

The way Ljajic has been treated is an absolute disgrace, a young lad about to join one of the biggest teams in the world and then having his dream move to a club that has been paying his wages for the past 6 months is one thing but then to slander the poor lad by claiming he isn’t good enough is another. Anyone keeping an eye on him at Partisan will tell you that he something pretty special and although a little raw he would undoubtedly be a useful addition to the squad.

Let’s face it, the fact that the club is over 700 million in the red is the reason that the club aren’t buying him, United are skint. In the 4 years since the Glazers took over at the club the net spend has been nothing; if you don’t believe me do the sums for yourself.

http://transferleague.co.uk/index.php

United have not spent any money in 4 years and whilst there is not likely to be any kind of fire sale like what happened with Leeds United we are looking death by continual squad weakening.

[phresh]

[bowser123]

What's funny?

The theory over Lillyjack (maybe they've seen how poorly Tosic has come on, or maybe they can't afford it... either way it's a strange tun of events and Belgrade are blaming it on cash), or the truth about the transfers and the effect the parasites in charge have had?