Manchester United - Theatre of Dreams - Part 38

[jahtl62]

Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim has admitted he hopes to welcome centre back Harry Maguire back to the team before next week’s trip to Nottingham Forest.

After an incredibly challenging few years at Old Trafford, Maguire has firmly established himself as a key part of Amorim’s three-man defence—a tactical switch which the boss believes has brought the best out of him.

Now in the final season of his contract, Maguire finds himself at a career crossroads. He is understood to be keen to sign an extension but much will depend on finances, with his high salary not expected to be matched in any fresh terms.

Maguire, for his part, is reportedly prepared to lower his wages on his next contract but, given the delicate nature of the subject, talks over a new deal are expected to be complicated even if there is a mutual desire to get a deal done.

https://www.si.com/soccer/ruben-amorim-man-utd-fitness-boost-nottingham-forest

 

[white_prince]

Nice play overall that gave out good vibes. I think many of the positions are picking the players, and the stability is helping with the performances. Hopefully at the end of the season, we can all say that yes indeed, it wasn't a problem with the system but with the players and unfamiliarity..

The only position I have a problem with is the left wingback - I'd rather see PatrickD or NoussairM than DiogoD. Can't remember how many times I got fed up with his positioning and movement. Staying up and leaving space while we have a no-longer-able-to-run LukeS is suicidal.

Looks like it will take a few more games for BenjaminS to find his footing and hopefully activate his scoring boots. Hopefully when that happens, that front 3 will pose a much bigger threat and create more space between the opposition defenders.

Still early days for SenneL, let's not put him in big boots and gloves for now. Hopefully the defenders don't give him unnecessary stress! But I like the fact that there is no insistence on playing out from the back, definitely credit to the manager/coaches. Let's get the other positional plays sorted out first.

Our players played once a week without european games nor carabao cup.
They should be running more and fitter than the opposition.

 

[YorYor]

Agree, and I think they are doing so.
At least they aren't exactly huffing and panting after 60mins, even though it was apparent BrunoF was knackered towards the 70+mins.

Food for thought: look at Bryan Mbeumo, a recent import, and how he kept going at the same level even at the 90th minute. Now think back to when one of our past managers mentioned that the team isn't fit enough and he got flak for it?

As things unfold, we can think back to past statements by the various managers, and realise how much truth they were putting in front of us. It was many a supporter who decided that the managers were the ones spewing rubbish to protect themselves.

 

[cracker]

Credits need to be given when due.

3 consecutive wins is definitely good.

There are times when decision making is still very poor... example the lead up to the 2 Brighton goals can be prevented.

Good thing is the team had met Arsenal , Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea without getting beaten as most believe could be a possibility.

Need to go all out for victories in all the remaining game before Mbeumo and Amad go for Africa Champ competition.

 

[WhiteHunter]

Agree, and I think they are doing so.
At least they aren't exactly huffing and panting after 60mins, even though it was apparent BrunoF was knackered towards the 70+mins.

Food for thought: look at Bryan Mbuemo, a recent import, and how he kept going at the same level even at the 90th minute. Now think back to when one of our past managers mentioned that the team isn't fit enough and he got flak for it?

As things unfold, we can think back to past statements by the various managers, and realise how much truth they were putting in front of us. It was many a supporter who decided that the managers were the ones spewing rubbish to protect themselves.

this is why the toxic culture in utd needs to change and sancho, onana, rashford etc must not return. utd needs more players like mbeumo who is willing to play for the badge.

easy to blame everything on the manager and cheaper to replace him than the few average players.

 

[jahtl62]

this is why the toxic culture in utd needs to change and sancho, onana, rashford etc must not return. utd needs more players like mbeumo who is willing to play for the badge.

easy to blame everything on the manager and cheaper to replace him than the few average players.

Signings in 2024 (Matthijs de Ligt, Leny Yoro, Ayden Heaven, Dorgu, Mazraoui & Ugarte) & 2025 (Mbeumo, Cunha, Sesko, Lammens & Diego Leon) are willing to play for Man Utd. Next captain for Man Utd after Fernandes could be Matthijs de Ligt because he has the experience.

 

[jahtl62]

Credits need to be given when due.

3 consecutive wins is definitely good.

There are times when decision making is still very poor... example the lead up to the 2 Brighton goals can be prevented.

Good thing is the team had met Arsenal , Man City, Liverpool and Chelsea without getting beaten as most believe could be a possibility.

Need to go all out for victories in all the remaining game before Mbeumo and Amad go for Africa Champ competition.

Tottenham & Newcastle remain. These 2 teams are not consistent this season because they are affected by midweek CL games. Other tricky games will be against Crystal Palace & Aston Villa.

 

[jahtl62]

Leadership has long been a defining trait of Manchester United’s finest players. The club’s story is inseparable from the giants who have worn the armband.

A four-time Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year winner, Fernandes has offered undeniable echoes of the great United captains that preceded him.

De Ligt experienced a somewhat uneven first season at United, yet he still managed to make an impressive 42 appearances in all competitions. Like many of his teammates, he found consistency difficult to maintain, and his progress was further affected by a handful of injury setbacks.

The idea was that with a season of English football under his belt, De Ligt would really hit his stride, and he’s more than living up to it, making his presence felt week in and week out.

Though De Ligt’s leadership skills aren’t new, it’s satisfying to see them fully take shape in his performances at United. In March 2018, at just 18, De Ligt was handed the captain’s armband at his boyhood club Ajax – a big ask for someone so young, yet he rose to the challenge and carried out his responsibilities with exceptional precision.

He captained Ajax during their famous 2018/19 campaign, when they achieved the domestic double and reached the semi-final of the Champions League for the first time since 1997.

For some time, leadership was a missing ingredient at United, and one of Fernandes’ most prominent qualities is how willingly he embraced that burden. It is a significant part of why supporters have connected with him so strongly. De Ligt possesses that same instinct to lead, which makes him a natural heir to Fernandes.

De Ligt’s perspective has always been centred on the team rather than individual glory – A quality that has always distinguished the great captains of United.

In a recent interview, he was asked about his drastic uptick in form, but in true De Ligt fashion, he quickly turned the question to be about the team and collective achievements.

He told club media, “I am happy with the way I started, personally. I feel good physically and mentally. I try to help the team as much as possible in every game.”

“Obviously, we are not in the place where we want to be in the long term, but I feel like we are also improving as a team and, hopefully in the next weeks, we can get some good results.”

De Ligt carries all the hallmarks of a true United captain. He looks ready to take the mantle from Fernandes and drive United into a new era of ambition and success.

https://sports.yahoo.com/article/steady-vocal-unshaken-matthijs-ligt-230000489.html

 

[jahtl62]

Manchester United have given Napoli the green light to sign Rasmus Hojlund on a permanent deal in January. Napoli signed the United flop on a season-long loan in the summer.

But the Italian champions have been so impressed with the striker, they are keen to take up the option and are in talks with United to bring forward the £38m deal. And with United keen to off-load the Danish forward as soon as possible, the English giants will look to conclude negotiations with Napoli in the coming weeks.

Napoli want to exercise their obligation to buy Hojlund, and talks are believed to be at an advanced stage. Hojlund became a laughing stock at Old Trafford after nothing up a dismal scoring record.

https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-utd-rasmus-hojlund-transfer-36138318

Barcelona most likely will sign Rashford & Mason Greenwood next yr. Only Sancho will return to Man Utd because Aston Villa most likely will not want to sign him unless he starts to perform well.

 

[jahtl62]

https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFoot...es-afcon-all-the-more-troub/1353014746194108/

 

[jahtl62]

Manchester United have completed the signing of Charlie Hardy from Derby County.

England U16 goalkeeper Charlie Hardy confirmed his exit from Derby County at the end of September.

Manchester United were heavily linked with Hardy at the time, but a deal has now materialised and the young goalkeeper can look forward to continuing his development at Carrington.

According to The Athletic, Hardy will go straight into United’s academy system.

United’s U18s manager Darren Fletcher will be in charge of Hardy, who will now sign a scholarship before trying to prove himself worthy of a professional contract when he turns 17 in July.

https://www.unitedinfocus.com/news/...g-of-england-u16-international-charlie-hardy/

 

[jahtl62]

A report from journalist Dean Jones for our pals at TEAMtalk claims Man Utd have ‘serious doubts’ about a ‘record’ deal for Baleba as he is ‘not yet worth breaking the bank for’.

And these concerns are justified as Baleba is far from the final product and there are issues surrounding his mentality; his performances have clearly been impacted by transfer speculation this season.

The report claims Adam Wharton and Elliot Anderson are ’emerging as names of interest’ and these two would be cheaper than Baleba, while also potentially being better fits for the No.6 role at Old Trafford.

And a contract ‘decision’ is another positive sign for Man Utd, with Football Insider claiming they ‘are not planning to trigger the extension option’ in Casemiro’s deal to extend his deal to 2027 on the same terms.

Casemiro could stay at Man Utd by accepting a sizable pay cut, but this feels pretty unlikely with Saudi Pro League sides ‘tracking’ the veteran midfielder. Signing Wharton or Anderson to replace him will be a necessary upgrade in a key department to take the club to the next level under Amorim.

https://www.football365.com/news/op...rious-doubts-record-signing-contract-decision

 

[white_prince]

https://www.facebook.com/TheSunFoot...es-afcon-all-the-more-troub/1353014746194108/

They will be back if their country gets thrown out early

 

[guile]

They will be back if their country got thrown out early

or...they could be injured and wouldn't get called up at all....

 

[jahtl62]

Ruben Amorim has targeted a place in Europe for next season, and certainly chief executive Omar Berrada and director of football Jason Wilcox would be satisfied with a top-six finish. As Amorim continues to develop his squad, no one at the club is getting too high when the team are on a positive run, or too low when results are disappointing.

The summer focus on strengthening the attack seems to be paying dividends. Manchester United's xG has actually been lower over the last three matches compared to the first six games of the season - but the statistics make it clear United are being much more clinical in front of goal, with a very impressive 20 per cent of their shots producing goals this month, compared to just 7.4 per cent previously.

The style of play has been tweaked, too, with United going more direct. Over the last three matches, they've averaged less than 44 per cent possession compared with over 53 per cent for the rest of the season. And with Senne Lammens between the posts, he has kicked long for almost 85 per cent of the time, compared to 43 per cent and 56 per cent under Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, respectively.

United had no plans to change goalkeeper in the summer, despite their long-term interest in Lammens. But Onana's dip in form, and Jadon Sancho's wages being removed from the overall bill, meant a deal could be done for the 23-year-old.

The stats suggest he has made a difference on the pitch. A 78.6 per cent save rate is more than 11 per cent better than Onana's, and more than 25 per cent ahead of Bayindir.

It is also significant that the focus on Amorim's chosen formation of three central defenders has waned.

But there have been signs in the last few games that the Portuguese coach has adopted a more flexible approach to his team structure. Even though Manchester United line up with three at the back, that sometimes becomes a four when they are defending, with one or both of the wing-backs dropping deeper.

But, for the time being at least, all is quiet at Carrington, as the club's power brokers feel things are moving in the right direction.

https://www.skysports.com/football/...uben-amorim-a-year-on-from-erik-ten-hags-exit

 

[ragnarok95]

13 yrs later getting in top 6 is like winning the league for us.

 

[cracker]

13 yrs later getting in top 6 is like winning the league for us.

Time has changed....lolx

the team finished 6 from bottom last season..
so finish, if possible, 6 from the top will be a nice change.

 

[ragnarok95]

i guess... getting into europe is equally as important too.

 

[ragnarok95]

Manchester United co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has reportedly vetoed a potential move for Barcelona striker Robert Lewandowski.

The prolific 37-year-old’s Barcelona contract is set to expire at the end of the season, and he is widely expected to leave.


Lewandowski has been impressive during his time in Catalunya, scoring 105 goals in his 156 games across all competitions.

Man United manager Ruben Amorim is said to be a huge admirer, but according to The Mirror, co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe has blocked any potential move.

It’s understood Lewandowski’s wage demands have been deemed too much, with the striker reportedly earning a staggering £540,000-a-week at Barcelona.

 

[ragnarok95]

Manchester United have entered concrete talks with AIK Fotboll striker Kevin Filling this week.

Two months ago, Tottenham has set their sights on Filling with manager Thomas Frank said to be very interested in snapping the talented striker up before any other Premier League side got their hands on him.


Filling has already played senior football for AIK in the Swedish Premier Division, scoring twice in seven appearances so far this season. The Sweden U17 international was handed his first-team debut by AIK in June and capitalized on his chance as he scored in his very first senior appearance, a 3-0 league win over Goteborg.

Now, according to journalist Florian Plettenburg, United are in deep negotiations with the young forward who is available for a bargain fee.