Manchester United 13/14: Mid-table or Bust

[Zomp]

The fixture list has been released today and I hope Moyes knows what he's getting into.  Its a brutal start for United with Swansea away, then Liverpool, Chelsea, and City all within the first 5 fixtures.  
 
When July 1st comes around Moyes' first order of business will be sorting the Wayne Rooney situation out.  To be honest I'm at the point where I don't care if he leaves or not, it just needs to be settled quickly so we can bring reinforcements in if needed.  As usual, I think the papers are way off with their transfer predictions.  Gareth Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo, and Cesc Fabregas are not walking through that door.  Thiago may, but even then I'm not convinced.  If Rooney goes, a striker would be nice.  I think midfield is the priority and you can sign either a destroyer to free up Carrick or a creative presence and have him sit back but he can't be expected to do both again.
 
 

 

[Jeff Frye]

I agree with the absurdity of the transfer rumors. As much I would love Ronaldo back at OT I just don't see it happening.  I think Rooney will ultimately stick around, but I expect Nani and maybe Anderson to be gone. I'm interested to see how much Zaha will be used by Moyes.

 

[soxfan121]

Ryan Giggs appointed player-coach and Phil Neville added as a first-team coach.
 
EDIT: Thanks to Zomp for correctly identifying the proper Neville.

 

[Zomp]

The Neville that will be coaching is Phillip.
 
I'd love Gary as a coach but I think he's enjoying being a pundit too much, and biased aside I think he's the best in the biz at it.
 
First PC today and Moyes says Rooney isn't going anywhere.

 

[Dummy Hoy]

I find the pictures of Moyes in United garb to be disturbing and a bit gross.

Sorry Zomp.

 

[soxfan121]

Not real news: 
 

"We don't want to sell Wayne Rooney and that's that," Moyes told reporters. "So I've come up with a compromise that will suit both parties. We're confident that it doesn't matter to him so much who he's sold to, just as long as he's sold. With that in mind, we're going to sell him to ourselves for, let's say, £62 million and pretend he's gone to a new club. He'll be happy about the large fee and since Sir Alex [Ferguson] is gone and we've got a new backroom staff is in place, he probably won't realize he's still at Manchester United until after we've won the league again. Because, well, Wayne isn't exactly the smartest lemur in the car dealership now, is he?"

 

[Bailey10]

FWIW Vidic has told the press that Rooney is currently in the best shape he has been in the past 5 years.
 
If Wayne ends up staying, it will be nice that he won't have to play himself back into shape as has been the case in previous seasons. 
 

I find the pictures of Moyes in United garb to be disturbing and a bit gross.

Sorry Zomp.

 
Thing I find more unusual is Moyes smiling in almost every picture that's been released. I barely recall him ever cracking a grin at Everton.

 

[Zomp]

Its looking like Bayern will beat us for Thiago.  I've got no issue with a player following a manager, especially one of Pep's quality, but I'd question if he is really leaving Barca for playing time if he goes to Bayern and their 17 midfielders.

 

[allaboutthesox]

Good luck to Moyes and I will be looking forward to watching him progress and win silverwear at Manchester United.  Hope you don't mind a Toffee fan posting in here from time to time.  I plan on watching a few more Manchester United games this year.

 

[DLew On Roids]

FiOS tells me this match against Singha All-Stars XI is being played in Bangkok, Singapore.

 

[Stanley Steamer]

And the Singha All-Stars XI triumph, 1-0. Perhaps Man U should have set the bar lower to build confidence. I hear FC Bangkok Tire & Muffler was free.

 

[DLew On Roids]

MOYES OUT

 

[Zomp]

 
 
 
I'm a huge fan.  I may have to get this one.

 

[teddykgb]

Any truth to the rumors that United have already placed a bid on the royal baby, but it was rejected?

 

[SoxFanInCali]

So, a shirt that looked like a dish rag in your team color wasn't enough?  Now you need a dish rag in another color?
 
And yes, I realize the Liverpool away/third jerseys do not put me in a position of strength in this argument.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Call me nuts but I like them

 

[Senator Donut]

Good thing they hired another Scottish manager so the plaid still works.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

Call me nuts but I like them

You like anything blue.

 

[JayMags71]

 

[Snakebauer007]

Wow

 

[soxfan121]

 
I just blue myself.

 

[PedroSpecialK]

United ready £40m bid for Fabregas

 

[EP Sox Fan]

United ready £40m bid for Fabregas

 
It really doesn't seem that Barca is all that motivated to let him go. Not sure that 5 million more is going to change their mind, especially with Tiago bailing to Bayern.
 
I was disappointed not to see more interest in Kevin Strootman.  They really need someone to pair with Carrick or play as a sole holding midfielder. Having someone who can pass, can tackle and is generally a workhorse is a real need since Fletcher is probably never going to recover his prior form. Fabergas seems unnecessary with Rooney and Kagawa already vying for time at the #10.

 

[DLew On Roids]

Somehow I suspect that Ferguson and Gill wouldn't have blown half the summer trying to convince Cesc Fabregas that he wants to live in Manchester instead of Barcelona.

 

[Bailey10]

RVP picking up where he left out last season.  Still think this team is missing something and is trailing both Chelsea and Man City are far as favorites to win the league. Definitely need another signing or two, hopefully someone like Modric who could really change the make up of the team for the better in the midfield.

 

[Zomp]

Very, very good win yesterday over a tough Swansea side.  They were always going to boss possession but United were clinical in making them pay for mistakes.  Good to see RVP get on the score sheet but I thought Danny Welbeck (one defensive gaff aside) had an excellent game.  His reading of the game and touch were fantastic and he's always been a world class athlete...quick and ridiculously strong on the ball. Rooney came on and gave 2 nice assists while the commentators on my feed analyzed every thing he did (including clapping when United scored, warming up, jogging, and talking to teammates).
 
One way or another, I'll be glad when September 2nd rolls around this year.

 

[Granite Sox]

With Chicharito, Kagawa, Young, Nani, Henriquez on the bench, isn't there enough auxiliary firepower to let Rooney go?  He was very productive with his runs yesterday, but if Welbeck has jumped to the next level, I think an RVP/Welbeck/Chicharito strike force with the aforementioned support players is more than adequate, n'est-ce pas?
 
On NBC yesterday, the game announcers were generally complimentary towards Rooney, but made the comment that Rooney desires to play a position/role currently occupied by RVP, and there's no way to justify bumping RVP while he is exhibiting his current form.

 

[URI]

With Chicharito, Kagawa, Young, Nani, Henriquez on the bench, isn't there enough auxiliary firepower to let Rooney go?  He was very productive with his runs yesterday, but if Welbeck has jumped to the next level, I think an RVP/Welbeck/Chicharito strike force with the aforementioned support players is more than adequate, n'est-ce pas?
 
On NBC yesterday, the game announcers were generally complimentary towards Rooney, but made the comment that Rooney desires to play a position/role currently occupied by RVP, and there's no way to justify bumping RVP while he is exhibiting his current form.

I think they would let him go for sure. They would not let him go to Chelsea, ManCity, Arsenal, Spurs or Liverpool.

 

[Zomp]

Its an interesting conundrum, for sure.  Damned if you do, damned if you don't.
 
When motivated, he is an exceptional player.  I actually think his best season wasn't when he was the lone striker up top for United, but when he, Ronaldo, Giggs, and Tevez all interchanged positions in a fluid front for United.  The problem with selling him to Chelsea is that he would be playing with very intelligent players in Oscar, Mata, and Hazard (and Du Bruyne) and would fit seamlessly ahead of them.  Chelsea are direct competition so how can you put a price on essentially giving them a leg up in the title race?  Unless they bring in someone very good I can't see him going there.
 
Arsenal, on the other hand, I'm not so sure.  I don't think they pose a serious challenge to the title (sorry Arse fans) so if he HAS to go, maybe he goes there?  
 
If it were up to me I'd take half of what Chelsea or Arsenal are offering from Monaco but I'm not sure if they're interested any more.
 
Also, Welbeck is still young enough to where he can be expected to have an inconsistent season.  He was brilliant yesterday but I'm not sure if he is ready to play nearly every game.

 

[Stanley Steamer]

God, RVP is good. He seems to be getting better, so it's a no-brainer to make Rooney play elsewhere. It's hard to know how good he is. He, not RVP, used to be in the discussion for best player in the world, but he's clearly not at that level. But you're right, Zomp, that he could be a lethal finisher on Chelsea, who need that ruthlessness in front of goal. ManU might need some cover at striker though.

 

[EP Sox Fan]

RvP is a man possessed. Both finishes were total class. Swansea bossed possession and the United midfield really look uninspired.  Giggs is my favorite all-time player but they really need something more in the middle of the field. Still pissed they didn't even try and grab Strootman who may be as good, if not better, as a deep lying playmaker than Fellaini.
 
Agreed with everyone who says United simply cannot sell Rooney within the Premier League. Or especially not to Chelsea, who's attacking trio of Mata/ DeBryune , Oscar, Hazard are in need of someone like Rooney to be the best team in England (swap Torres / Lukaku for Rooney...who would have a massive chip on his shoulder to take the golden boot from RvP....that's a scary thought).
 
Looks like Everton have also immediately rejected United's latest offer of L28 million for Baines and Fellaini. Apparently Fellaini had a L23.5 million release clause that expired at the end of July. If that's the case, I have no idea what their FO is doing. Only explanation is that he was a plan C and they were really betting on Thiago and/or Fabergas. Not covering themselves with glory with their handling of the transfer market.

 

[Snakebauer007]

United already have a deep lying playmaker, they need something else to partner Carrick

 

[EP Sox Fan]

United already have a deep lying playmaker, they need something else to partner Carrick

 
Well that's what I meant. I agree that they need someone to partner with Carrick as more of a holding midfielder who is confident in possession and can pass well.  I understood that to be the definition of a deep lying playmaker.  If that was incorrect, my apologies. 

 

[CJChap]

 
Looks like Everton have also immediately rejected United's latest offer of L28 million for Baines and Fellaini. Apparently Fellaini had a L23.5 million release clause that expired at the end of July. If that's the case, I have no idea what their FO is doing. Only explanation is that he was a plan C and they were really betting on Thiago and/or Fabergas. Not covering themselves with glory with their handling of the transfer market.

They were waiting for the clause to expire so they could lowball offer, while unsettling Fellaini. And Moyes knows their financial position better than anyone. They've made a slight mess of their summer business, I agree, but this looks pretty calculated to me.

 

[Bailey10]

United being linked to Ozil now for different figures between 30-40 million pounds. After missing out on Thiago, Fabregas, Modric (unlikely to be sold now Alonso is hurt), we desperately need a creative presence at CM. Simply bringing in Fellaini won't cut it. If United don't end up with a player like Mata or Ozil, I will consider this entire transfer window a disappointment where we have yet again failed to address our glaring needs in the midfield.
 
Only reason I'm hopeful a deal for Mata or Ozil might get done is because their spots mind be under threat with Chelsea bringing in Willian and Madrid set to unveil Bale. Either player would be a guaranteed starter at United and probably our second best player behind RVP.

 

[Snakebauer007]

You already have a player in the Ozil Mata role- Kagawa, neither is a centermid like Modric, and Bale doesn't really affect Ozil as he usually plays wide not being the striker as a 10.

 

[Zomp]

Yeah I've actually heard we were offered Ozil and declined.

 

[soxfan121]

Yeah I've actually heard we were offered Ozil and declined.

 
"What would we do with Willie McGee?"

 

[Bailey10]

The truth is United aren't getting Modric now Alonso is injured. He would have been the perfect player as he is deep lying midfielder who can pass and posess the ball. Fellaini can sit deep with Carrick but it remains to be seen whether Kagawa can be a dominant player orchestrating the attack. My instinct is that player will be Rooney if he stays at United or they will try to make a splash signing a marquee CAM. Will fans really be satisfied that after all the transfer speculation this summer, United simply end up with Fellaini as a consolation prize to what could have been a perfect fit with Fabregas or Modric?
 
Edit- Bale's arrival certainly affects Ozil. Bale or Ronaldo can play down the middle behind the striker in Ozil's preferred position. That would leave Ozil battling out for playing time with Di Maria and Isco if one assumes Bale and Ronaldo are going to be automatic starters most games.

 

[Snakebauer007]

Why would Real buy Bale and switch his position to replace Ozil who is one of the top playmakers in the world, when they could deploy him in a natural wide position and replace Di Maria, the least talented player by far in this whole conversation

 

[Zomp]

Would they be switching his position though? I thought bale played centrally for spurs during the second half of last season.

Also, I believe isco has been playing left for real but I could be wrong

 

[Snakebauer007]

Would they be switching his position though? I thought bale played centrally for spurs during the second half of last season.

Also, I believe isco has been playing left for real but I could be wrong

I believe he played more on the right cutting in on to his left foot, he's definitely more suited for the wing role, and Real have little need for another central player anyways. 
 
In their first game to fit them in together, Isco was playing through the center, with Ozil shaded to the right constantly cutting through the middle like Mata was for Chelsea against Villa. Just like at Chelsea, neither will provide much width

 

[URI]

Bale either played on the left or in the center.  He played towards the middle more in the second half of the year, but him and Dempsey switched off each other a lot.
 
He very rarely played on the right because: 
1.  He's not that great cutting in
2.  Aaron Lennon played there and is even worse than Bale is at cutting in

 

[Snakebauer007]

I was thinking of something like this:
 
http://www.zonalmarking.net/2013/04/21/tottenham-3-1-manchester-city-villas-boas-second-half-formation-switch-changes-the-game/
 
which lead to this
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wUOkv82eGK0
 
but it was a switch into it
 
The 3 goals from open play in this rundown all came cutting in as well, he's just really deadly on that left foot:
 
http://youtu.be/DxTSrOximYw

 

[Bailey10]

Please, please be true. Gareth Bale is reportedly 'Manchester United-bound' in staggering £125m deal, says ex-United star.

 

 

[PedroSpecialK]

Rooney will not hand in a transfer request.

 

[Bailey10]

Today could turn out to day Christmas for United fans if both those news items come true.

 

[blueline]

I don't think spending £125 million on Gareth Bale is exactly Christmas

 

[teddykgb]

Christmas is watching United fans getting worked up over the prospect of signing yet another world superstar they can't afford and are never going to land.

 

[SoxFanInCali]

For £125 million, you could buy Everton, including Goodison Park, and have about £10 million left over.