Manchester United 13/14: Mid-table or Bust
- Thread starter Zomp
- Start date
- Status
Dude. Apples to helicopters. During his time at Leeds, Clough could charitably be called a martinet. By all accounts, Moyes had the exact opposite personality - far too nice.Nick Kaufman said:
Ancelloti would be an outstanding choice, but I don't know if he'd leave Real. I like Spalletti, too, but if the Glazers and Woodward are making the call, they probably won't go with a guy who was just sacked at Zenit. Just too much PR downside.
My entertainment choice would be a total Fuck You pick by the Glazers: Bob Bradley.
My entertainment choice would be a total Fuck You pick by the Glazers: Bob Bradley.
What about Ole Gunnar Solskjaer?
Former popular player, managed United reserves a few years ago, title-winning manager in Norway, Premier League managerial experience with Cardiff. Whether Cardiff stays up or goes down, I think he'd be a popular choice.
Former popular player, managed United reserves a few years ago, title-winning manager in Norway, Premier League managerial experience with Cardiff. Whether Cardiff stays up or goes down, I think he'd be a popular choice.
The best fuck you pick would be a godfather-type offer to Brendan Rodgers. Rodgers currently makes 2m gbp/year and only has one year left on his contract, what would he/Liverpool do if United offered 10?
Is Dario Gradi MBE still alive? He built an empire at Crewe Alexandria. He'd get those Johnny-come-latelies revved up on match days. Knows how to slice a half time orange an all.
I think Gradi came out of retirement at Crewe a few years ago, turned the side around immediately, then retired again. Hmmm....
The Guardian has a story up this morning saying that Ferguson wants Giggs to get the job. The absence of any speculation that this could drive a wedge between Ferguson and Woodward or the Glazers suggests to me that it's more Ferguson saying nice things about a member of the Class of 92, but stranger things have happened.
Agreed. Especially since this was said at a benefit dinner and not really a press conference. Also, you can't really say, "Well of course we'll hire someone else in the summer regardless of what Ryan does". So I don't think its a big deal.
A few reports out of Holland are saying Van Gaal is a done deal and will be given a 100 million pound war chest. United have denied the report but were curiously careful in their wording, so naturally people are assuming its just a matter of time before he is hired.
I hate to say it, but I don't think 100 million is enough if they want to compete for the title. I won't believe Luke Shaw is ours until he's holding the kit...and for some odd reason there are many reports saying we're after Edinson Cavani. Don't get me wrong, I love Cavani and think if Van Gaal is insistent on playing a 4-3-3- he is a perfect foil to Rooney or Van Persie out wide like he plays for PSG...but for the quoted 60 million he'd cost, he better score a lot more than he does right now. I just think the investments would be better spent elsewhere. If we get Shaw, a CB and midfielder are still needed...with a wideman also preferred.
A few reports out of Holland are saying Van Gaal is a done deal and will be given a 100 million pound war chest. United have denied the report but were curiously careful in their wording, so naturally people are assuming its just a matter of time before he is hired.
I hate to say it, but I don't think 100 million is enough if they want to compete for the title. I won't believe Luke Shaw is ours until he's holding the kit...and for some odd reason there are many reports saying we're after Edinson Cavani. Don't get me wrong, I love Cavani and think if Van Gaal is insistent on playing a 4-3-3- he is a perfect foil to Rooney or Van Persie out wide like he plays for PSG...but for the quoted 60 million he'd cost, he better score a lot more than he does right now. I just think the investments would be better spent elsewhere. If we get Shaw, a CB and midfielder are still needed...with a wideman also preferred.
I'd heard earlier this week that they were planning to spend £150 million this summer. Of course, if they consider Shaw for £30 million a done deal, the difference isn't that great.
One thing worth watching, assuming Van Gaal is the choice, is how involved he gets with transfers in the upcoming window. Not only would he be coming in late after managing the Netherlands, but he's never been in a traditional English setup where the manager assembles the squad. I'm not suggesting he can't do it--I doubt whether there are any candidates who know the European talent pool better than he does--but it's an unknown.
One thing worth watching, assuming Van Gaal is the choice, is how involved he gets with transfers in the upcoming window. Not only would he be coming in late after managing the Netherlands, but he's never been in a traditional English setup where the manager assembles the squad. I'm not suggesting he can't do it--I doubt whether there are any candidates who know the European talent pool better than he does--but it's an unknown.
Vinho Tinto said:
Final match at Old Trafford?
Giggsy is my all-time favorite player (Cruyff is my idol but I never got to see him play live). Grew up watching him and am a United fan because of him. Was home sick yesterday so I actually got to watch the match. Glad I got to see that because I suspect that was his final appearance at Old Trafford as a player. Only negative was Hull's keeper making the save on his free kick. If he had scored that, pretty sure OT would have exploded. Nice send off for Vidic as well. Finally, I thought it was a nice touch for Giggs to give first team debuts for Wilson and Lawrence. And Januzaj was the best player on the pitch. It was an optomistic end to a disappoiting season. Hope to see Giggs on the coaching staff next season with an eye to becoming ManUtd manager in 2-3 years.
I just caught some Sky Sports:
Reporterl: "What do you know about Manchester United?"
Van Gaal: "That's a stupid question because they are the biggest club in the world."
I don't think there will a shortage of sound bites if he gets the job...it should be quite entertaining.
Reporterl: "What do you know about Manchester United?"
Van Gaal: "That's a stupid question because they are the biggest club in the world."
I don't think there will a shortage of sound bites if he gets the job...it should be quite entertaining.
Reports are trickling in that Rio Ferdinand will be leaving the club after not being offered a new contract. I know he isn't everyone's cup of tea but from his transfer to United from Leeds to about 2008 he was the best defender in the Premier League, imo. Vidic always got the plaudits because of his hard style but Rio was a Rolls Royce back there. Hardly ever putting a wrong foot in and controlling play from the back.
So Vidic, Ferdinand, and possibly Evra will leave. Squad turnover was vital this summer anyway but now it seems to be out of necessity rather than choice.
So Vidic, Ferdinand, and possibly Evra will leave. Squad turnover was vital this summer anyway but now it seems to be out of necessity rather than choice.
It would be interesting to know who actually made the decision not to offer Rio a new contract...Giggs, Van Gaal, AN Other, or did the board make the decision themselves?
Zomp said:
I think it is a choice. I've assumed that these three were leaving and that the club has finished the process of who to target.
I did wonder if there was a chance they would opt for RVP over Rooney, but that contract they gave Rooney put that to bed.
cjdmadcow said:
LVG has never been afraid to show popular veteran players the door - just ask Luca Toni or Mark Van Bommel or Martin DiMichelis. I don't know if he made the call on Rio but its fairly likely that Rio played no part in his plans, due to both age and skill set.
This should open the door for Phil Jones to lock down a starting spot at center back for United. Michael Cox had a good article on ESPN a few months ago where he argued that if Jones isn't given a regular position sometime soon, he'll turn into John O'Shea. If they let him play week-in, week-out at his favored position, he'll become the world-class, dominant defender he was projected to be a few years ago.
Yeah I don't think there is any doubt that Jones.will be one of the center backs, but I'd like another one bought as Smalling hasn't showed he is capable of locking down the position yet.
Strong rumors that Shaw is all but done. I'd love to see it happen but we'll see.
Strong rumors that Shaw is all but done. I'd love to see it happen but we'll see.
Rio has joined the BBC World Cup Pundit Squad...don't think he'll be first name on team sheet, they might blood him with a Honduras match, but I'm keen to see how he performs.
- Status