Sulky little ****, I don't actually think it's a talent problem with him just attitude. He will never get any better because he gives up too easily.
Where does Perisic leave Martial? I'm struggling with our first XI if we sign him and Matic/Another DM. I assume Jose plans to use the full squad given he's always keen to try to win every competition.
I'd rather we sent him to a Premier League club like Southampton if we're going to loan him out. I'd prefer it if he just grafts his arse off and stays here, but I've not seen him in any of the tour footage so far, so I'm starting to think he'll be nudged out at some point.
I think the media would have noticed if he was missing from the tour completely, I just haven't seen him training. Mourinho needs to manage this talent, not just toss it aside. One more season imo, if the lad hasn't got it in him to adapt then he'll have to go, sadly.
I would keep Martial. He's been inconsistent I admit but he is class and when he gets going he adds another dimension to the attack. I think we need to keep the squad at maximum strength. Like last season showed it is very difficult to compete seriously in 2 competitions, especially at the tail end when fatigue, injuries and suspensions start to bite.
Yeah, he seemed to be finding his old self towards the back end of the season. I remember being at the Stoke home game last season, saying to my mate that AM was perfect for opening them up, none of our players were running at Stoke's ****ty back line, and we were playing into their hands. Lingard was doing nowt, he got hooked for Martial and the kid scored a minute later. There's certain teams I'd play him against for sure, Stoke, WBA, Burnley, Palace, Watford etc, he opens them up at will. The bigger games will come with experience, maybe he can be on the bench for those and be used as a super sub.
Pretty sure Januzaj was named by Warren Joyce, alongside Macheda and Wilson, as a player who got a few games in the first team, saw some plaudits, and thought he had made it. And so stopped working in the gym and training as hard. Shame really, as those three could have had a big impact if they'd kept up the training and shown a better attitude.
Rumours are that you've given up on Matic and are after Dier who is open to a move. Levy price is that you pay for Spurs' new stadium though...
Not convinced we necessarily need a fixed 'first XI'. 99 aside, SAF never really played with a fixed side, look at the 08 CL final where we played Hargreaves at RW to nullify Chelsea and put Ronaldo on the left to target Essien. Having a settled back four is good, but ahead of that you need to be unpredictable or it becomes too easy for opponents to counter. Having Persic gives us more options as a squad, particularly with Rooney gone and no big name replacement coming in. Fits well with how Mourinho wins matches by adapting to the strengths and weaknesses of the opposition - Persic can be a hard worker and nullify opposition threats from FB whilst Martial gives us attacking options against teams who would otherwise sit back. In attack we will have Lukaku and Rashford as striking options, with Martial, Mikhy, Persic and Young as wide options. Mata and Pogba as the attacking midfield options, whilst Matic and Herrera play the DM role. Essentially the same squad as last season, but Lindelof replaces Smalling, Persic replaces Rooney, Lukaku replaces Zlatan and Matic / Nainggolan / Dier replaces Fellaini (hopefully). Makes us stronger in every area imo.
Spurs are trying to do the impossible: Keep the wages of their players low and stop them from leaving. Good luck to them. Dier was apparently a childhood United fan (do they all say that?). He is being paid £70K/week and United are willing to pay him double that. he is not even being played in his favourite position as DM - that is taken by Wanyama. Levy is trying to get >£50m for him , which is high for someone sitting on the bench. Matic or Dier? I must admit if the two were available at the same price, I would go for Matic.
Maybe it is the little Englander in me but I would prefer Dier as you could be fielding a entirely foreign starting XI next season and that isn't right. Have you ever done that before?
Matey in my United chat group on whatsapp says there's been a rumour that Martial could be involved in a swap deal with Sanchez. Not sure how I feel about that.
I don't think weve ever done that. I am sure the Chavs (under Mourinho) and the Arse have done it a few times.
Wenger won't let it happen. Martial is the future sure but Sanchez is their star. I am not sure like you that it will be in the longer term interest of United.
Well Luke Shaw has to be the LB, we can't be going into another season with Darmian as our LB. We've got a fair few English lads anyway, not worried about that. Although I'd prefer Dier too for longevity and for 'CFC can get fooked' reasons. De Gea will likely start every game, he's a Manc.
That's my concern, the long term. Wenger risks losing him for nothing soon though, there's no way Arsenal's board will let that happen. I reckon bidders are gonna put them over a barrel in late August.
Honestly, i've said it before and i will re-iterate it again, Matic is a solid pro but i think Dier is the better player at DM and has better distribution. I would happily trade Matic for Dier.
