Spurs/ lfc mix... nah... thats what chelsea are trying to do... buy anyone who scores against them for LFC.
You must be joking if you think United are stronger in all areas except midfield. Rooney, Hernandez and Wellbeck doesnt come close to Aguero, Balotelli, Dzeko Tevez
Chelsea are a mess atm, they started off 10 years ago, city took it to another level and now Chelsea have made it even worse. So many good players, just wasted talent on the bench every week. Can't see them finishing any better than 3rd/4th, other teams will be far more united and be more consistent. Probably see more of this: https://p.twimg.com/AtSEzflCIAAfGse.jpg
Conveniently forgetting about Berbatov? Rooney > Aguero > Tevez > Bervatov > Welbeck > Hernandez > Dzecko.
The bizarre thing is, I think he is being serious. Honestly, I kid you not, crazy world out there full of crazy people.
He won't be there next season. And it's more like: Aguero > Tevez > Rooney > Hernandez > Balotelli > Dzeko > Berbatov > Welbeck in my opinion.
How can you justify Tevez and Aguero are better than Rooney? Regardless of wether or not Berbatov will leave, he's still a United player now.
All three are world-class, I'll say that first. Aguero is the best of the lot, he's electric. Fantastic technique, fantastic pace, fantastic dynamism, attitude, work rate. He would get on any team in the world right now except perhaps Barca (though he could probably play on the left). Tevez and Rooney are tight. For me, Tevez (when not golfing) scores consistently. He has a fantastic workrate and great technique, set piece danger and so on. Rooney has a more rounded game, can play deeper and so on (probably his best position is CF). But, he isn't consistent compared to these two. He scores in streaks and can look very poor when he's not playing well. Also, he lets frustration get the better of him quite often, and is liable for one or two crazy tackles or incidents every while. At times he's simply vicious. Both comparisons were of 23 man squads for fairness, Berbatov is half way out the door anyway so he was left out. I actually quite like him, wonderful, graceful player to watch.
Berbatov is class no doubt, but he doesnt get played and I imagine will be off soon..I only didnt mentio him because i was relating directly to one of the above posts where he was not mentioned. Squad wise, Man City beat the **** out of United...But United are very strong in other areas relating to manager team ethic and consistancy.....
Last year I felt that we were firm favourites to finish 4th so I'm not even going to bother trying to make a solid prediction this time, but my opnion is that Arsenal look the most likely to finish 4th. I do fear for us at the moment, though there's plenty of time left in the transfer window for us to sort ourselves out. I do hope we sign Ramirez instead of Dempsey, or possibly both.
Gooner in peace, good thread here, i agree with the majority of points being made. I think you'll probably finish 5th, just behind us, whilst fighting us all the way. If we don't bring in Cazorla, we'll have the usual issues at CAM (no creativity), and Poldi and Giroud aren't at the same level as Van P£rsie up front. You have good forwards (Suarez, Bellamy, Borini), a very good defence, but i'm unsure whether your midfield would be enough to make that final jump up. I see a 2 way scrap between City and Chelsea for the league, Man Utd in a safe but distant 3rd. 1. Chelsea 2. City 3. Man Utd 4. Arsenal 5. Liverpool 6. Everton 7. Newcastle 8. Spurs
I don't think you're a million miles away in terms of the individual quality, although I'd say: Rooney = Aguero > Tevez > Balotelli > Hernandez = Welbeck > Berb > Dzeko I put Rooney higher than Tevez because he is far more likely to create. In general you'll always get a contribution from Rooney, either goal, assist or key pass. Whereas whilst Tevez will score more consistently, he'll rarely create. He's a bit like Balotelli, in that in the games he doesn't score he tends to get very anonymous and whiny. And also has the ability to do something stupid like against QPR (he was just lucky Barton was even more stupid...) But for me where Utd seal it is in the teamwork and partnership between the strikers. Rooney and Welbeck work so well together to open up defences, as do Rooney and Hernandez. Whereas with City it is almost always Aguero opening up the defence for Tevez or Balotelli, or Tevez and Balotelli trying to do it themselves - they rarely look to create for their partner. When it works it is spectacular, but when it doesn't then City are easy to contain and their own worst enemies - just look at their games against Swansea and Arsenal last season. And to try and get the thread back on track, I reckon you'll have as good a chance as last season in terms of your rivals - I don't think fourth place will be spectacular, probably less than 70 points again. The question is more about whether you can pick up the 20 wins you'll need to get up towards 70 points. Which will need you to score more goals than your squad is currently capable of imo.
I think Berbatov will stay and go on a free next summer. He's a great player he just doesn't fit into the system we have setup. He had an interview recently saying he'd leave United if an opportunity arises, but if he does stay he'll be a professional and give it 100% in training and games. Personally I hope he ends up at the Galaxy. I pretty much agree with Swarbs comparisons. They're all great players, but Rooney makes his strike partner better where as if you put Tevez and someone like Welbeck you'll the players for what they are. I think Rooney makes Welbeck and Hernandez more of a goal threat. You guys have a decent squad, if the team can gel and play to Rodgers tactic there's no reason you won't have a shot at fourth.
Fair points made by both of you. Harsh on Dzeko though. He's not worth his transfer fee but that's not his fault. He's a good player, good finish, good in the air... scored some important goals this season, no?
On the basis of last seasons form I would go with Freidel Walker Skrtel Agger BAE Modric Parker Gerrard Lennon Suarez/Adebayor Bale
Fair enough, but that wasn't the original concept, which was a predominantly Liverpool defence and Spurs attack. EDIT: While you United fans are here... Lots of rumours that we want Gaitan, and as you've been linked with him for two seasons or so... thoughts?
Season 2011/2012 City v United attack and defence Goals scored City 93, United 89. Goals conceded City 29, United 33, four goals either way so if you take the freak 6-1 win out of the equation the there dosen`t seem very much between them, in fact United look stronger.
You cant take the 'freak 6-1 win' out of the equation because City deserved the win just like Everton deserved the 4-4.
