--------------David De Gea/Lindergaard-------------- -Jones/Rafael----Evans/Smalling/Rio------Vidic-------Evra/Fabio--- -Nani/Valencia---Pogba/Carrick------Cleverly/Scholes-----Young/Giggs- ----------------Rooney---------------- ----------Hernandez/Welbeck/Keane----------- This is are current squad from them we already know berba is moving on. We need to solidify left and right back as evra is getting on and the twins are always injured, however jones has impressed me at right back. Pogba is someone ferguson and myself rate highly and needs alot more first team football to continue his development. with scholes getting on and cleverly picking up knocks we need someone who can pass the ball about sneijder would be a viable option despite his age as we have enough youth coming through that it dosent matter if he only has a few more years at the top level and he should cost around the 25 mill mark. upfront were solid even if berba leaves we have young keano ready to bring in so the many from berbas transfer could be used to grab sneijder. What do yalll think dawgs?
I think thats a team which would probably get to the last 16 of the Europa League before being dominated.
well seeing as this same team got us to three champion leagues finals in the past 4 years it's obvious that this season was a one off irdan. if Fergie sures up the defence and adds that extra bit of quality we lack in midfield we'll be in a few more !
others? you mean like arsenal who got rid of nasri and fabregas and bought in arteta and benayoun.. Or chelsea who have saw the likes of ballack, anelka, malouda, essien out the door or decline and replaced them with a torres who has missed two open goals?.. or maybe liverpool who still replaced macherano + xabi with henderson + adam? we seem to be the only team actually building on our squad without loosing important players. weve got rid of quite abit of dead wood + are bringing in alot of fresh hungry talent. Proofs in the pudding, were top of the league
Maybe try re-reading my original post. I said you, along with the rest of the Premier League (that btw includes Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool) are all in decline where as clubs on the continent are improving - as shown this year in Europe. I'm sorry but I fail to see how United can have an 'off' campaign in Europe over TEN games. That isn't an off campaign - that is being outclassed by 'lesser' teams on a regular basis. I'm not here as a WUM just stating my opinion, and many others, that the Prem is very weak compared to 4-5years ago.
Infact, I apologise, it was another thread I said the Prem was declining however the point still stands in reply to you. Sorry.
Last 4-5 years? After 1 bad year in Europe? Can you see man city and united being knocked out in the group stages next year? And if we don't are you going to say we're back on the up?
Well I couldn't see it this year either. If you get through the group stages am I going to say you are back on top? No. If you win the tournament whilst outplaying teams as you did when you previously won the CL then I will say you are back on top. Can you see that happening?
But we don't win it every year? And yet for us to not be in decline we have to win the champions league? Is that what your telling me.
No my friend - what I am telling you is to show a clear improvement you will need a strong CL showing and a great improvement on being outclassed by a team 7th in La Liga (regardless of their poor start as so many keep saying) and an weak Ajax team infront of your own crowd. That will show an improvement and that you are not declining - as you presently are. To be 'on top' as you word it, would mean winning the CL as clearly that would show you are on top and the best team in Europe like you were in 2008. A team which would humiliate this current MUFC team. IE A CLEAR DECLINE.
A strong champions league showing would be normal IMO, we usually do well. Admittedly we have been poor this season and were outplayed by Bilbao but i think this season in Europe will be a 1 on off. If we get knocked out in the group stages next season then I guess I will agree we have declined. I believe we will still be seeded in pot 1 for the champions league draw which judges us over 5 years suggesting we are still one of the better teams in europe. So in europe I see your argument but I think it's a 1 of personally. in the league we are currently top so I refuse to believe we have declined there at all.
Interesting points. I think a decent CL performance will somewhat write this season off however I'd expect atleast a semi-final (barring ofcourse you get Barca in last 16 or QF) for a campaign to be classed as successful - for MUFC. I don't think there is a doubt you will be in pot 1, I worry more than if another season or two of poor performances from English teams and Platini will be jumping at the gun to reduce our CL teams to 3! I've picked a tough day to argue with the decline domestically when you are being as ruthless as the MUFC of old today (Valencia is a player btw!) but I think previous United teams would be far ahead in the title race in comparison to this one - maybe not though all opinion/speculation. I just think the English teams have been caught up/over taken in Europe and that will be the case for a few years. But it goes in cycles.
Yeah I won't be arguing that the english teams are the best. Barcelona and Real Madrid are way above us I think. Anyone else though I don't think there's much in it.
