They let the manager choose training bases, time between fixtures etc. Summer before last we zig zagged across the US. Last summer LVG insisted on minimal travel and longer breaks in between games. He got his wish and it had no positive effect on our season but that's the LVG philosophy at work!
Makes sense, though. A lot of teams have **** pre- and post-season games now. Our season started very poorly because of it, in my opinion.
I don't buy this idea that the decision is already made, if that were the case they might as well have got rid of van Gaal two months ago. God know's there was absolute justification to sack the useless ****er so there's no reason why they wouldn't have if Mourinho is already definite for the job. There will be the pay off van Gaal gets of course but considering how much money United have wantonly pissed up the wall since he was in charge it's nothing in the grand scheme of things, obscene as that sounds. Mourinho would have given a way better shot at securing top four than van Gaal has/will, especially given the weakness of City and Arsenal. No, van Gaal very much still has his job and is very much still very likely to be in charge next season. Depressing, but true.
I'm thinking that Woodward has an inordinately big say in all this. He seems to have the Glazer's ear, and he was reportedly instrumental in getting LVG in. On the other hand, Maureen has been very quiet recently. Not like him at all. Maybe there's a reason for that!?
This is why I see United being as ineffectual next season as they have been this. Incidentally, one reason why United might baulk at getting in any new manager - let alone Mourhino - is the certain knowledge that the entire squad will have to be completely overhauled. Half of United's team would probably go, especially under Mourhino. I know the Worlds biggest club (debt) like to brag about how much money they have to play with, but I think a lot of that is lip service. For United to build a title-winning side under Mourhino (who doesn't like to scout and nurture young players) is going to cost them £50 million per player, and since they need about 6 players, that's £300 million right there! Plus the wages, plus the cost of getting in Mourhino, plus the cost of getting shot of LVG. Not to mention the fact that they'll have to offer improved contracts to those players that they intend to keep. The total package could end up costing well over £1 billion in the first year alone. That's what it could cost to get Mourhino into the club.
Four players and we're in business. Right wing, right back, striker and centre half. None of which need to be anywhere near £50 million.
Possibly. He's got a job lined up perhaps, whether it's the United one remains to be seen of course. We're all just guessing!!
Bobby Charlton does not like Mourinho. He's dead against it. That's why there seems to be a lot of dithering. Mourinho has no shame...he's begging United for the job..he wants a written guarantee. If I was a United fan, I wouldn't want that **** at my club. He will drag you down, yeah you might win the odd trophy, but he will give you some serious bad rep. That's Bobby Charlton's issue. Plus he plays boring football, forget stats, let's leave them for the Pool fans. You don't want to watch that **** on a weekly basis. You'll end up doing things like throwing black people off your trams in a desperate effort to look for entertainment.
Surely United wont keep LvG, that would be a monumentally stupid decision. He spent £300m to scrape 4th place, and now this season looks like he may not repeat even that achievement. Plus the horrid way he has you playing. The fans would be pissed if he was kept on.
Charlton has a modicum of influence, I believe, as does Fergie. But, Woodward is the one who's opinion the Glazer's seem to value. Although I can't believe they've been too impressed with the LVG debacle! As for Maureen, he's always fancied stepping into Fergie's shoes. Now he has the added incentive of trying to get revenge on The Russian gangster. It's no surprise that he's desperate for the job!
I genuinely don't think the Glazers, or Woodward as it goes, give a ****. Ferguson does though so with any luck he can wield a bit of influence.
I'm not sure we need a new right back. Darmian is decent enough and there seems to be enough coming through the academy. I do think we need another midfielder as Carrick is nearly 90 and Bastian's knees seem to be quite ****ed, although if we signed another centre half then Blind could play in midfield where he was always very good. I agree we need a striker and a right winger. As I've said all season, the squad is not in bad shape, it has however been suffering from injuries and a manager who doesn't understand English football. Herrera is wasted under LVG, he has broken Depay, doesn't know how best to use Mata and forgetting to sign another striker has meant Martial has had to play on the wing too often (although he's ****ing good out there as well as up front!). So sack LVG, give the new manger £100million plus the money recouped from player sales (see ya Rojo) and we'll comfortably challenge for fourth again next season...
You did and I didn't disagree with you. I just didn't agree that our defence was ****e. I still don't think it is. My concern was with the attack. We've conceded the second fewest goals in the league but scored the second fewest in the top ten. So basically, Stan knows.
We've always needed a centre half as Blind isn't one, Rojo isn't good enough and Jones is never fit. Buying one allows Blind to become a back up CM again, which is why I don't think we need to buy given we've got Herrera and Schneiderlin with Schweinsteiger and Carrick to play as and when and Blind in the mix. I agree that maybe a right back isn't necessary as Varela has shown signs of being decent, along with Darmian. Reality then is a centre half, striker and right winger. I would, given my own personal choice, go for Williams, Muller and Mahrez to fill those positions.
