August 2014 Football/Fútbol Discussion: "Can't wait for the fucking season to start" Edition

[PorkChop]

@AkydefGoldberg and @Tom - a loss at home to Swansea and a draw away at Sunderland (who were the better team for most of the game). Thoughts?

[Tom]

Watching the United vs Sunderland game. United are winning currently, but they're shit.

They can buy Di Maria all they like, they'll be far off the top of the league still.

They can buy Di Maria and waste £60million on him (huge waste of money) but until they fix the real problem which is their centrebacks they'll be nowhere near title challengers

The centre backs are just one of many problems. We need more players than just centre backs. A centre midfielder is one, one that can actually get the ball quickly from defence towards goal. Darren Fletcher was a huge problem today, he passed the ball to anyone who wasn't wearing a blue shirt. As it stands, it is taking Man Utd light years to get the ball forward. And breaking through defences is proving just as problematic for them as it is to break a wall with a feather. That is where Di Maria could come in, he will run at players, move the ball quickly and be problematic.

I don't think the system works with two strikers, which is a problem because it means Rooney or Van Persie will need to be dropped for it to work. It works better with an extra man in the middle. Maybe that's a position Di Maria could fill!

[Enygma]

I still think it's too early to judge Van Gaal, you can't start calling for the managers head 2 games into the season. LVG needs more time. Moyes needed more time imo.

[AkydefGoldberg]

@AkydefGoldberg and @Tom - a loss at home to Swansea and a draw away at Sunderland (who were the better team for most of the game). Thoughts?

It might not be a universal opinion but I felt for Darren Fletcher today. First time in years he's been able to participate in a pre-season, where he performed decent and got the vice captaincy and first two games of the season where it matters, he's struggled. TBF he shouldn't be playing the starting line up had we got things in order and it doesn't help playing alongside Cleverley who again showed his regression. I don't think besides Blackett, I can say someone played well. Young's dive was pathetic - it gets to the point where because he has got previous, I'd fine him.

Rooney's performance levels last season to this are night and day. I remember Chelsea at home last season where he worked his socks off and so far, he's been not involved. Yes, he's not had the service but I expect just abit more from him.

Smalling getting injured as another WTF moment. It's not being taken into account imo that we've lost players to injuries at the time when we've got a new manager, playing a new formation so not helpful at all.

Glad to see Mata score but like Neville said, we've spent money last season on players not the type of players we needed but I really hope Mata, as the season goes on, delivers. But he needs options when he gets the ball and he's not getting that atm. Difficult to be so critical of him yet. I'd give him the season and see what his performances and stats are.

On ADM, £64m is too much admittedly but as Neville said, if it's the right player which he is then get him. It makes me annoyed to think we're bailing Florentino out again but let's just get it done and get the best of ADM. He seems motivated, wanted and I think he will produce the goods for us.

Loved the Vidal reference by LVG but think he's hoping than expecting. Think Blind/De Jong will be the two signings incoming for me.

[Tom]

^^

I think Jones had a good game as well. He was decent enough at the back and seemed like he cared. The fact that he shows he cares makes me actually like Jones. He's the one central defender i'd actually keep in the team even though he has his flaws. I'd try and replace the other two before I'd try and replace him.

Vidal would have been an extraordinary signing. Someone that is good defensively and going forward. And probably most importantly someone who has proven experience playing in the formation Van Gaal insists on using.

Numerous Di Maria jokes are flooding the internet at the moment:

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/loads ... underland/

Even as a United fan I find some of them funny

[SKS]

Last week I picked united to draw and they lose, this week I pick them to lose and they draw.

Spurs top of the league. Who woulda thought it.

[Enygma]

So Eto'o's apparently signed for Everton...

[AkydefGoldberg]

^Everton always make out they are struggling financially from time to time yet make these big signings of Lukaku and Eto'o?

Think it's mistake, not showed alot at Chelsea last year besides a few tap in goals and temperamental at times. Surprise they didn't go for Welbeck on loan.

[prophet]

Encouraging performance at times despite the result. Liverpool were the better team throughout the first half until sloppy defending let City in, never really got a hold of the game after that. Didn't particularly expect to get a result away at City in the first place but I didn't think the game was one-sided like Sky will likely make out, if anything Liverpool shot themselves in the foot. Aye well.

[AkydefGoldberg]

Missed the first half but City definitely seemed buoyed by the goal towards the end of the first half and City defended well when Liverpool got into the attacking third.

Balotelli deal is done so see how he does - think it will work out OK although not outstanding well.

[Romo]

Missed the first half but City definitely seemed buoyed by the goal towards the end of the first half and City defended well when Liverpool got into the attacking third.

Balotelli deal is done so see how he does - think it will work out OK although not outstanding well.

It'll work out better then the Di Maria deal.... £60million United have been mugged there!

[AkydefGoldberg]

Missed the first half but City definitely seemed buoyed by the goal towards the end of the first half and City defended well when Liverpool got into the attacking third.

Balotelli deal is done so see how he does - think it will work out OK although not outstanding well.

It'll work out better then the Di Maria deal.... £60million United have been mugged there!

Hey, at least we've saved £5m or so! but I'd say if we have 'overpaid' at least that money's going into the team and not the Glazers' back pocket.

It all seems to be done. With a player like ADM, it's intriguing to see how LVG can puts him into the side but luckily he's shown he can play in midfield but great news.

Maybe Vidal could happen if we throw in Hernandez into the equation but see De Jong/Blind as the next entrants

[SKS]

Wonderful pass from Navas as Aguero scores just seconds after coming on. So smooth. Jovetic has really found himself after a rough first season IMO, will be part of a dangerous attacking trio this season. Liverpool deserved the goal but I don't think they deserved a result. City did what they had to do although were a bit sloppy towards the end of the match. Could have gotten scary if the second shot by Lambert had not been cleared off the line. Also that dive from Can was embarrassing.

[Chewy]

So stoked about Balotelli signing that I've got myself a Mohawk.

[AkydefGoldberg]

Great news! The Angel has arrived!

Pictures on the website don't see him unveiling his squad number, imagine that honour will go to LVG at the Friday press conference.

Mark Ogden's piece in the Telegraph is worrying for Mata (Ogden says Mata could give way for ADM) but he's not done too badly in terms of his stats. ATM, I'd drop RVP purely because he's returned to pre-season late and will take him time to get going again. Surprised he hasn't played tonight tbh but imagine RVP/Mata will be rotated when formations change.

Ed Woodward does all the hard yards in getting this deal done then forgets to do the most important thing of all....

Have a shave for the official pictures! Looks rough.

ADM rightly deserves the number 7 - think he's ready to be the focus of a team after his education at Madrid with the other Galacticos. I hope, unlike Veron and Tevez, he starts to pick up the language quickly and to use it. Veron didn't speak a word of English - doubt he still can - and Tevez was rusty but that's an understatement.

[Enygma]

Man Utd.... Wow.

[prophet]

*waits for aky to tell us how united didn't have any first team players out and how little the carling cup matters*

[PorkChop]

#VanGaalOut trending on Twitter, lol.

[prophet]

Sent a video snapchat to my 'die-hard' United supporting mates of me just smiling at the camera giving a thumbs up as 'dry your eyes mate' plays loudly in the background.

They're all responding with how I need to 'just wait until tomorrow'. What? When my League One team goes up against a Championship team with the (apparent) better squad of players? Better save my ice bucket challenge for tomorrow because I'm expecting to get burned from all angles!

[PorkChop]

#JusticeForMoyes #MoyesIn #VanGaalOut #SaveUsDavid