That's probably true. It's weighing up the need for players who are fully invested in your philosophy against the reality of building a squad over time but in the meantime not being able to move forward because of the rot within the existing squad. The danger is, if you don't have the numbers within the squad who are fully invested, then the rotten and the lazy and the indifferent will bring down the few fresh faces who come in. I suspect Bruno and Sancho are two of those who've been brought down. Eriksen to follow? When that happens you're forever rebuilding.
Why is there never enough opportunity for United to just do what is fkin necessary? Look at how Chelsea went out to replace Rudiger as an example. They were decisive and ended up with a far superior player. But here, we seem paralyzed because we are continuously waiting for the stars to align for us. Lack of availability of great talents that want to come is probably not the problem. Our problem is deep within.
Exactly my greatest fear! We don’t have three transfer windows because the mental disorder will poison tactically introduced players.
I don't think EtH would have any problem in benching those who aren't buying into his plans and playing the youngsters. I believe he said as much when he started. It strikes me that he is more concerned with the manner in which we play rather than the results themselves at this early stage. If he starts to worry about where we are in the table we will never progress. Sort out the issues and we will rise up the table.
Well like I said, if he gets the 5 players in and he develops 2 or 3 of the youth players to come in, that's 8 players he can call his own and he then has the numbers to change the team's mindset. We also have to bear in mind Martial hasn't played. That must've set Ten Hag's plans back after the pre-season.
I should have pointed out youth as well in my previous post. There is no better time to get the likes of Garner and Garnacho in for a run. I suspect that both of them will be an improvement on McTominay and Rashford. Sadly, with the next game, I don’t think it will be the time to make a wholesale change. We will probably get a McFred again to be safe.
What I am shocked about more than anything is how low Bruno Fernandes has dropped for the last 8 months. He’s moved from one of the best midfielders in the premiership to a less than average one. Is he being intimidated by Ronaldo’s presence or is the system not suited to his skills or is he on a permanent slide? If TenHag could revive his form, that would be a massive boost to his midfield.
I really think you need to take this in because I've said it before. Bruno has been poor since March 2021 But yeh, Ten Hag needs him to improve and regain the form he had in his first year.
Is it possible the bloke just doesn't play? Not sure how rigid ETH is with any 'system' (prefer line up, but then I'm an old **** stuck in my ways) Personally, I'd have a three at the back. Those three would be Varane, Martinez and Maguire. Then I'd have Malachia and Dalot (reluctantly) as the wing backs. Three man midfield of Fred, Erikson and Sancho. Two up front; Garnacho (I would previously have said this is where Bruno plays) and Ronaldo. It's amazing how low AWB has fallen. He's a better defender than Dalot, 100%. Big shame.
You’re still refusing to acknowledge that Ronaldo may have a hand to play in the lack of balance in the team since his arrival. There is actually not a single player that has got better in that period of time. Including Ronaldo!
Believe it or not yes it has nothing to do with Ronaldo. You might have a point IF I hadn't posted repeatedly about Bruno's poor form in the 2nd half of that season BEFORE Ronaldo's arrival. I can even specifically pinpoint it to Pogba's injury at the time which meant he was out for months, my memory is that good.
I would play a back three of Varane, Maguire and Malachia. In front of them I would have a diamond of Martinez as a central DFM with Bruno to his right and Eriksen to his left. Busting up the wings I would have Dalot and Shaw (alternating in forward runs with Malachia) - and up front Rashfors/CR/Sancho in combo
We are allegedly looking to conclude the Rabiot deal and then will focus on Cody Gakpo for LW and the complicated priority target Antony as the CF. I'd love that to be true tbh.
Ok ignoring the fck up, I think it's not bad tbf. But I'd have a back 3 of Varane, Maguire and Wan Bissaka. Martinez in front as the DM. Eriksen and Sancho either side. Play Malacia and Dalot as wingbacks. CR and Martial up front.
Who would you have as deepest CB? Maguire is slow so maybe him but Varane is also slower than his best but has better positional intelligence. Think i would go with Varane and keep Maguire to the left where Malacia has the speed to get back and help out.
Three centre halves and a dcm? Very defensive. Agree that AWB is a very good option on the right of a back three mind. If this were the case, I'd be half inclined to play Sancho as wing back instead of Dalot. Admittedly, we don't know whether Sancho could do the defensive side of thing. What we do know though, is that Dalot ****ing can't.