Manchester United Seasonal Blog 2022/23 - the Erik ten Hag era

[Darbyand]

It doesn't rain...

https://www.football365.com/news/de-jon ... elling-him

De Jong saga takes fresh twist as Barca president reveals: ‘We have no intention of selling him’

[murf]

It doesn't rain...

https://www.football365.com/news/de-jon ... elling-him

De Jong saga takes fresh twist as Barca president reveals: ‘We have no intention of selling him’

Same attitude as Man U have over Ronaldo.

Often translates as "we are saying this to ensure you offer top doĺlar".

[forestfan]

No obvious number 9 in his absence.

A lot of United fans would say Rashford... not sure he's good enough, myself. Some might say Martial (and others might die laughing or break down and weep).

I thought Martial had gone? Could be what Rashford needs to drag him out of his slump, assuming he’s not involved in a Labour leadership contest by then

[Bob Newhart]

No obvious number 9 in his absence.

A lot of United fans would say Rashford... not sure he's good enough, myself. Some might say Martial (and others might die laughing or break down and weep).

I thought Martial had gone? Could be what Rashford needs to drag him out of his slump, assuming he’s not involved in a Labour leadership contest by then

No, he was out on loan. He's back.

I personally think he's way more talented than Rashford and could be an excellent #9, but have no idea how a Manager can get past the weak/lazy/unconfident/whatever mentality in order to properly unlock it...

[blahblah]

I agree that Martial isn't as bad as Rashford as a CF. Didn't he have a purple patch when he was a great buy in FPL who listed him as a MID?

[Bob Newhart]

Didn't he have a purple patch when he was a great buy in FPL who listed him as a MID?

That was at the end of 2020/21 IIRC.

[thebillfella]

Neither are CFs to be fair - they don't have that central striker instinct that you need to be successful there which means they are rarely in the right place at the right time.

Both are better as wide forwards where they can isolate a single opponent and use their skill /pace to get in behind the line. This does of course only work effectively when they are focussed purely on the game and put in maximum effort - something that has been found wanting with both.

If Ronaldo goes we won't really have a natural no. 9 in the first team squad - plenty of wide forwards though so unless we play with a false 9 it will be a square peg in a round hole.

[Darbyand]

Didn't he have a purple patch when he was a great buy in FPL who listed him as a MID?

That was at the end of 2020/21 IIRC.

Previous season I think during the first lockdown. Scored a hatrick Vs Sheff Utd and finished that season looking like the real deal. Quickly regressed when they signed Cavani summer 2020.

[Darbyand]

So this FDJ stuff looks like posturing for their fans by Barca after all. They're trying to cut their wage bill but make the player look like the bad guy if he doesn't accept it. It's gonna backfire when someone says "fine, I'll sit on the bench and pick up my contractually agreed wage thanks". Like Bale did at Madrid. Hopefully not this time though.

[murf]

How can they say he isn't for sale yet force him to sign a reduced wage contract? Just posturing all round.....

When do Barce start pre-season training?

[Darbyand]

Elsewhere it's been pointed out that Dembele has been doing exactly that at Barca the last few years and still been picked.

What I don't understand is why Ten Hag is chasing a player* who doesn't want to leave unless, again, that's all bollocks and he's up for it and this is just about the fee.

*A former Ajax player he managed and he can call at any time and ask him directly.

[blahblah]

Yep. I think Barca are calling his bluff re not wanting to go ie if you want to stay take a pay cut as we're kinda skint......

MU should step back saying sign this week or fook off.

[blahblah]

Erikksen agreed in principle before terms and medical... (SSN)

[SUZYKINS]

No obvious number 9 in his absence.

A lot of United fans would say Rashford... not sure he's good enough, myself. Some might say Martial (and others might die laughing or break down and weep).

They were on about Rashford on the radio & how far he has fallen.
Hard to believe he is still only 24 & not far off England cert.
Looks like he has been working hard in pre season so maybe not all is lost although needs to try to nail in one position at OT.

[forestfan]

Looks like Eriksen’s joining. Low risk move financially and in terms of his PL track record, but wary of calling it a masterstroke given the medical risks involved.

[blahblah]

He's not passed the medical yet, and is only cheap if he is fit to keep playing, unless the Contract is suitably worded....

I'm starting to not consider Free Transfers as cheapies. Agents are more than wise to this one, and are charging "market rate" ie they and the player get the Transfer Fee.....

[forestfan]

He's not passed the medical yet, and is only cheap if he is fit to keep playing, unless the Contract is suitably worded....

Insurance might be a challenge?

As with this whole thing all along, I’m torn between seeing it as a feel-good comeback story and as a reckless pursuit that is quite likely to have a tragic ending.

[SUZYKINS]

Wow Bergwijn turns down the Reds, couldnt get a game at Spuds

[Moon Knight]

Set his heart on returning to Ajax, didn’t he?

And it’s the Red Devils.

[Darbyand]

Lots of credible rumours United have made a big bid for Martinez of Ajaz. Shopping list appears to be coming down to De Jong, Eriksen, Martinez, Malacia and a Forward....if the latter is Antony they'll all be either former Ajax players or played against them in EtH's time. Hmmmm.

This guy - a Dutch football expert - has articulated what I was trying to say here. United have spent the last 8 years indulging the whims of the latest managerial saviour compiling Frankenstein mis-matched squads. And they're doing it again. Just got to pray one of them eventually gets it right.

[Moon Knight]

Yes, my initial optimism is already beginning to wane.

[blahblah]

Yes, my initial optimism is already beginning to wane.

Rooney's next

[thebillfella]

No obvious number 9 in his absence.

A lot of United fans would say Rashford... not sure he's good enough, myself. Some might say Martial (and others might die laughing or break down and weep).

Not sure I know of many who think Rashford is a natural no. 9? Either way, they're wrong , and even more so if they think Martial is a no. 9 as well!

[thebillfella]

Wow Bergwijn turns down the Reds, couldnt get a game at Spuds

Does anyone care about that in the unlikely event the rumour is true?!! You crack on to Amsterdam Steven, we'll just have to get over the disappointment!!!

[buu1333]

Lots of credible rumours United have made a big bid for Martinez of Ajaz. Shopping list appears to be coming down to De Jong, Eriksen, Martinez, Malacia and a Forward....if the latter is Antony they'll all be either former Ajax players or played against them in EtH's time. Hmmmm.

This guy - a Dutch football expert - has articulated what I was trying to say here. United have spent the last 8 years indulging the whims of the latest managerial saviour compiling Frankenstein mis-matched squads. And they're doing it again. Just got to pray one of them eventually gets it right.

Bingo. In the rebuilding stage for past 10 years. it why most people felt Poch would of been better, Some sort of continuity between managers and playing styles. But this is done now again and i hope it works out and don't end up like van gaal

[forestfan]

City did it the right way, they got the behind the scenes structure in place first and then recruited Pep. While he will be very tough to replace when he eventually does move on, I’m sure they already have a shortlist of successors and it won’t cause any real upheaval in their recruitment strategy.

United on the other hand have just ended up with this shambolic, short-term approach where the layer between CEO and team manager is hard to really understand.

[Bob Newhart]

i hope it works out and don't end up like van gaal

Please God Ten Hags doesn't turn out to be another Leo Van Ghoul

[blahblah]

i hope it works out and don't end up like van gaal

Please God Ten Hags doesn't turn out to be another Leo Van Ghoul

Yep. You don't want to be winning anything soon

He did win something there?

[blahblah]

City did it the right way, they got the behind the scenes structure in place first and then recruited Pep. While he will be very tough to replace when he eventually does move on, I’m sure they already have a shortlist of successors and it won’t cause any real upheaval in their recruitment strategy.

United on the other hand have just ended up with this shambolic, short-term approach where the layer between CEO and team manager is hard to really understand.

But they sprayed cash about for a while, until they brought in Pep's behind the scenes from Barca in?

In theory that comparison only works with Newcastle now, with MU far more like Lpool in their wilderness years?

[forestfan]

City did it the right way, they got the behind the scenes structure in place first and then recruited Pep. While he will be very tough to replace when he eventually does move on, I’m sure they already have a shortlist of successors and it won’t cause any real upheaval in their recruitment strategy.

United on the other hand have just ended up with this shambolic, short-term approach where the layer between CEO and team manager is hard to really understand.

But they sprayed cash about for a while, until they brought in Pep's behind the scenes from Barca in?

In theory that comparison only works with Newcastle now, with MU far more like Lpool in their wilderness years?

I guess so, though the spending far outweighs Liverpool’s in those days, even after adjusting for inflation.