Manchester United Seasonal Blog 2024/25 - oh Amor

[thebillfella]

Yeah, given PSR constraints I'm slightly surprised we haven't at least made an enquiry as well. Even more surprised we didn't go for Cherki as well but again may be due to change in tack to players with Prem experience.

The hierarchy mustn't have been following me when I first spotted him in 2019

I think Giggs is being used as a scout atm!

Watching BM vs. OL tonight, recon we should get onto Lyon to see if we can grab Rayan Cherki now before Real or Barca inevitably come in for him - looks a real talent.

And tbh I'm also slightly surprised that we are looking at £50m for Mbuemo rather than £25m for Cherki say given PSR constraints but again may be due to change in tack to players with Prem experience.

[thebillfella]

In other news, Juventus in advanced talks to sign Antony for €45m with personal terms agreed. The purge begins...

[blahblah]

Do you lot want Frank to take Muembo with him?

[blahblah]

Manchester United (2024–present)
edit
Georgson became a set-piece coach at Manchester United in July 2024.[26]

During a press conference on December 4, 2024, Ruben Amorim explained that Carlos Fernandes is now in charge of the technical area whenever Manchester United have a set-piece to defend, taking over the role previously held by set-piece coach Andreas Georgson. [27]

He's gone to Spurs. Any idea what he was doing after Carlos took over defending those set pieces?

[thebillfella]

Do you lot want Frank to take Muembo with him?

Looking that way isn't it

[blahblah]

Do you lot want Frank to take Muembo with him?

Looking that way isn't it

My aged gut was rumbling about it when Frank emerged... I'm not sure they, or he, have made the right decision. But hey ho I still remember a night in December 1980 when "nice" Spurs kicked 50 shades of shite out of my then mighty Ipswich, and I blame them for us not doing the Double and UEFA Treble.

Obviously my loathing will be doubled if Brentford take McKenna, but is the job that appealing? Also the contract he signed last summer means we'll get a whack of cash, unlike then.

Is there any story on Carrick when he was with Kieran and OGS? I don't go on Ipswich (let alone 'boro Forums) and he'd be free and must have some sort of similarity?

Tbh, I'm not sure Cunha and Muembo is a good idea: one yes, but both They're a tad similar and both could get a Club to 6th, but above that? I doubt it. Since at least the days of OGS the problem has been breaking down parked buses, or "settled defences" and neither have much recent experience of that.

[forestfan]

6th would be ahead of schedule for United next season… first time in probably half a century that’s been the case.

[blahblah]

6th would be ahead of schedule for United next season… first time in probably half a century that’s been the case.

But the aim is higher

[Dr. Giggles]

6th would be ahead of schedule for United next season… first time in probably half a century that’s been the case.

But the aim is higher

And the expectation lower...

[Dr. Giggles]

Tbh, I'm not sure Cunha and Muembo is a good idea

It's not.

[hancockjr]

Both seem to come with risks.

Cunha has demonstrated issues with his temperament and work rate in the past - and both are issues Man U have been trying to eliminate from their current squad. Always hard to tell how these translate to a new manager in a new team though, and clearly Amorim thinks it’s worth the risk. Would have thought “character” was top of the list of must have qualities though.

I think Mbeumo is a really good player, but he doesn’t obviously fit the system. Again Amorim obviously has a plan.


Man U probably have to take risks though - in their situation they don’t get first pick any more. As illustrated by Gyokeres (apparently) turning them down.

[forestfan]

Question is how much rope Amorim has, i.e. what’s acceptable performance in terms of him lasting beyond next season or even through next season? CL is typically their main objective but it seems far-fetched from where they are, if you assume Liverpool, Arsenal and City have three places wrapped up in advance, then there’s the likes of Chelsea, Newcastle, Villa and perhaps others competing for probably two more. If they’re not pushing top eight, though, I suspect they’ll have to roll the dice again, so they might be wary of going ‘all-in’ on players specifically for his system.

[thebillfella]

Here we are, circling back to systems again like it's the be all and end all. Top players adept to any system and can play multiple positions.

The trouble isn't the manager or the system; it is that we had a "not fit for purpose" recruitment system that didn't recruit enough top players. It remains to be seen whether Cunha and Mbeumo (if that happens) buck that trend but I don't see setting up slightly narrower than previously (in Mbeumos case - that doesn't mean he has to stay there!) as a major concern. What's more important is attitude and application.

[forestfan]

Here we are, circling back to systems again like it's the be all and end all. Top players adept to any system and can play multiple positions.

And top managers can adapt to any squad and play multiple systems

[thebillfella]

Well, that's also true!

He's done 3-4-2-1 and 3-4-3 to be fair!

[forestfan]

So he might be a two-trick pony, though not a ten-trick pony or a whole field of ponies, as per the late Mr Baggs…

[thebillfella]

I'm kinda getting lost in that metaphor now FF!

[forestfan]

I'm kinda getting lost in that metaphor now FF!

Early-years Apprentice. You’re fired

[Dr. Giggles]

I'm kinda getting lost in that metaphor now FF!

Early-years Apprentice. You’re fired

Died unexpectedly...

[forestfan]

I'm kinda getting lost in that metaphor now FF!

Early-years Apprentice. You’re fired

Died unexpectedly...

Yeah (Baggs that is, Sugar’s still going strong…) Asthma attack or something like that I think, though the guy apparently worked 18 hour days or something like that which can’t do you much good.

[thebillfella]

Wouldn't be a bad option at all if it doesn't prevent the more fundamental recruitment needs. Previously been linked with Diogo Costa but assume he'd be too expensive now (City in for him via some more back channel state sponsorship!)?

David Ornstein reports Mbuemo has also confirmed his preference for United over Arsenal, Spurs and Newcastle. Maybe United's history still has an influence after all despite no European football eh?!

It's reported that Chelsea and Newcastle submitted DOUBLE the amount offered by Manchester United for Ayden Heaven before signing for Manchester United.

Ayden Heaven REFUSED those offers to join Man United.

#Hated, Adored, Never Ignored!

[blahblah]

Going to Chelsea would have been stupid, as he'd get landed out and sold.....

It's freaking cold in Newcastle

[Dr. Giggles]

Going to Chelsea would have been stupid, as he'd get landed out and sold.....

Well, it'd keep him grounded.

[blahblah]

Damned Autocorrect

[thebillfella]

Going to Chelsea would have been stupid, as he'd get landed out and sold.....

Well, it'd keep him grounded.

The daft thing is that he is probably already a better centre half than what Chelsea currently has!

[Dr. Giggles]

Going to Chelsea would have been stupid, as he'd get landed out and sold.....

Well, it'd keep him grounded.

The daft thing is that he is probably already a better centre half than what Chelsea currently has!

He's probably better than anything they've got at centre forward, as well.

[thebillfella]

Obviously Maguire is the best striker at either club right now!

[thebillfella]

Omar Berrada: "We’re going to do our best to do more signings quickly. Sometimes when you’re not quick, it’s because you’re negotiating and you’re trying to make sure you get the right value for money. So being efficient or quick isn’t necessarily the best thing for the club."

Well hurry up will ya, we're sick of these summer transfer sagas!

[forestfan]

Suggestions of last resort washed-up free agents (Vardy, Wilson, DCL) to fill the number 9 role if they can’t offload the unwanteds for cash.

Also sounds like they’ve turned down an Amazon series. Shame, would have been the best soap opera since Neighbours was in its prime… best reality TV since Nasty Nick and Jade Goody, and most cringeworthy TV since David Brent…

[forestfan]

Apparently it was Amorim who vetoed the documentary series. Good point made that it shows the lack of self-awareness among those above him, given another shitshow of a season is odds-on!