DoF was one thing we were crying out for for years. Levy is generally a great businessman but a terrible football man, we hadn’t made a truly game changing signing since the summer we signed Son and Alderweireld which was about 6 years ago. This season Paratici’s signed 3 in Romero, Bentancur and Kulusevski whilst he’s also nabbed top prospects in Gil and Sarr who a lot of fans are excited for the future. Emerson’s been the only signing many would say is an outright flop due to costing £22m but that’s not down to actually being a bad player, he’s just bad for Conte’s system (was signed for Nuno), he’s a defensive RB not a marauding RWB, linked with Atleti in recent weeks which’ll suit him to a tee and we’ll probably get all/ most our money back. Will be interesting to see how Ralf does in the DoF role going forward, managing definitely ain’t for him but you’d like to think he’ll spot a few players for ten Hag whilst improving the footballing structure at the club, he surely can’t be worse than Woodward anyway.
So now add Utd players into those formations and you can see there's a tough job for the next manager.
only a few positions in the United team that need tweaking..enough money in the summer for that imo. Then they do have a team to match both them teams imo. attitude wise Not too sure
If I try to stop enjoying this for a moment I do realise that if the manager comes in and can get the players playing them some of those who are not looking good right now will improve. In the 4231 for example they could play... Fernandez DVB Sancho ? Get a good forward and there could be some good link up play and rotation. Same behind that 3, buy 1 good holding player with experience and a voice and he'll protect the back 4 and maybe bring Mctominay on as a player. The back 4 is ****ed though complete overhaul needed there other than Varane, Wan Bissaka is a decent player when left to defend but once again Ten Haag likes attacking full backs. If Dea Gea is in a good team he'll improve again. There's a few decent youngsters in Elanga, Garancha and that hairy ****er that came on and decided to run and kick everyone.
They got Varane…injured for now….just need another expensive cb next to him and they good to go. Reckon they will go for De Ligt in summer…Ten Hag link…can see it happening…his Juve team are dogshit…just like United I suppose but I can see him buying into a Ten Hag project…he was at his best under him at Ajax imo.
That would make sense and getting Gravenberch from Ajax would also make sense. It's a big overhaul CB, 2 full backs, DM, FWD. Not going to be cheap.
I don't think we need two full backs. With Shaw, AWB, Telles, Dalot, Laird and Williams, he can find two that will fit into what he needs. We do need a centre forward, 100% We alse need centre half (De Ligt would be brilliant, but unlikely), and that Jones, Bailly and (my opinion) Lindelof leave. Maguire and Varane stay, with Tuanzebe and Mengi come back into the reserves. Midfield, we need one alongside Fred. Garner can come back into the squad. Pogba, Lingard, Matic, Mata all leave. Hannibal in there as well. McTominay is subsitute at best, so someone of the highest quality like Rice is required. Again, unlikely, so they need to find a foreign import who is as good as they can get and cheaper. New keeper too, Henderson, Grant and Heaton should leave. Maybe keep Heaton as 3rd choice. It's really not that bad as people make out, the most important thing is who leaves. Then three or even four top drawer signings. Not shirt selling dancers, players.
Murtough is the DOF but from what I've read (and heard from the tealady at Carrington) recruitment will very much be a joint effort involving Murtough, Ralf and Ten Hag.
Staggered by the demise of Rashford. I would literally prefer Origi atm. If you'd have asked three years ago, I'd have said Martial and Rashford were your two players who'd ideally suit playing for Klopp. Just have no idea how good players can deteriorate that much. Form, yes - it can come and go. But this looks like they've actually lost their basic abilities. Perplexing.
Never got Lidelof. Reminds me of Skrtel and Lovren, to an extent - so easily bullied, physically and mentally. He's good on the ball when there's no pressure around. No bottle at all in adversity. As for Maguire - he's solid in the air, but no more so than Nat Phillips. Indeed, he looks like a poor man's Dawson atm.
Everton at home to Leicester... After seeing how poor Leicester are at St James park I have no doubt Everton will do them too.
basically Paul don't mind if you hate him this week or love him next cos both weeks he's getting paid