It is inconceivable I know but there are worrying signs and I am sure few Liverpool fans or opposition fans for that matter imagined their club would fall behind clubs like chelsea less than 20 years after they had dominated the domestic and european game.
We know their massive financial resources will allow them to continue to be a force but there are 2 things that stand out that should worry any united fan.
Losing key players
Missing out on transfer targets
Those 2 things describe liverpool's current situation and although they can throw money at it like City, they are losing the competitive advantage they had over all the domestic clubs. They used to have a vice grip on all the best british players hence 5 years ago John Stones would not even look at a chelsea offer once united came calling. When players like De Gea & Di Maria are desperate to leave the club it hardly inspires confidence to potential arrivals.
The other issue is what looks like a flawed transfer policy.Contrary to most people I actually think united will be a lot better than last season.They have a better shape, aided by 2 top fullbacks and are generally defending better. Mata, Depay & Herrera have enough goals in them but they have a huge problem with Rooney up front. He looks bereft of any confidence and if he is their main striker this season then they are in big trouble.
Fergie hardly makes a bad call on a player and the fact that he wanted Rooney sold 2 seasons ago tells you everything. I still expect them to get top 4 as I think they are a much more solid side as compared to last season but when you compare them to sides like Bayern, Real or Barca the gap is getting bigger.
Was funny seeing some ill informed united fans question Pep when he sold Schweinsteiger to replace him with Vidal and the same thing happened when Perez sold them Di Maria to replace him with James. They are behind the 8th ball now and unless van Gaal can start performing miracles then their standing in european football as a top 5 club is under serious threat
Will United go the way of Liverpool?
posted on 31/8/15
It's one thing not being able to get your targets but consistently losing players is something else.
Rooney is a huge problem for them. For anything to work for them this season he must perform. They have invested time, energy & finances. If it doesn't come off then they are in trouble.
posted on 31/8/15
I think the pressure to deliver will either hurt them or result in quick progress. Unlike Arsenal where the pressure was a touch relaxed allowing us to build slowly and consistently
posted on 31/8/15
I think the end of FFP will be Utd's biggest hindrance
When a club with Utds resources cant compete financially with clubs with oil money, then you know you're in trouble.
A player like De Bryne cost over £50M
That's absurd
Dont think we'll see a team without oil money winning the league for a very long time
posted on 31/8/15
comment by jebbush (U20649)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
I think the pressure to deliver will either hurt them or result in quick progress. Unlike Arsenal where the pressure was a touch relaxed allowing us to build slowly and consistently
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Eh? Build your ground, yes. But the progress of your team has stagnated for a decade barring a couple of cups.
posted on 31/8/15
comment by TheWhiteWall (U17633)
posted 51 minutes ago
comment by jebbush (U20649)
posted 1 hour, 42 minutes ago
I think the pressure to deliver will either hurt them or result in quick progress. Unlike Arsenal where the pressure was a touch relaxed allowing us to build slowly and consistently
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Eh? Build your ground, yes. But the progress of your team has stagnated for a decade barring a couple of cups.
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Building the ground was kind of a big deal...
posted on 31/8/15
comment by HUNTING FOR GLORY (U16317)
posted 56 minutes ago
I think the end of FFP will be Utd's biggest hindrance
When a club with Utds resources cant compete financially with clubs with oil money, then you know you're in trouble.
A player like De Bryne cost over £50M
That's absurd
Dont think we'll see a team without oil money winning the league for a very long time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arsenal have 2 billionaire owners. What is stopping them from investing in their club?
Anyway, Chelsea and City owners serves like a vitamin thing to you gunners. Something to console yourselves with everytime you fail to win the PL.
posted on 31/8/15
mancini seems a bit touch on the subject of spending.Best we say that Debruyn was a bargain and City have a financial model to die for.
best run club ever and better than Barca at the moment.
posted on 31/8/15
if they waste the rest of their cash on dross then it's very possible, amazing how average their squad is with the money they spend.
posted on 31/8/15
comment by mancini (U7179)
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Arsenal have 2 billionaire owners. What is stopping them from investing in their club?
Anyway, Chelsea and City owners serves like a vitamin thing to you gunners. Something to console yourselves with everytime you fail to win the PL.
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No idea what your talking about!!!
Do City or Chelsea fans have a say in how their clubs choose to splash the cash?!?!?
I would love Arsenal to spend to solve all our problems, but unfortunately its not down to me.
But at the same time, im not blind to the fact that the reason City & Chelsea have had recent success is due to money - its the truth
posted on 31/8/15
comment by mancini (U7179)
posted 1 hour, 9 minutes ago
comment by HUNTING FOR GLORY (U16317)
posted 56 minutes ago
I think the end of FFP will be Utd's biggest hindrance
When a club with Utds resources cant compete financially with clubs with oil money, then you know you're in trouble.
A player like De Bryne cost over £50M
That's absurd
Dont think we'll see a team without oil money winning the league for a very long time
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Arsenal have 2 billionaire owners. What is stopping them from investing in their club?
Anyway, Chelsea and City owners serves like a vitamin thing to you gunners. Something to console yourselves with everytime you fail to win the PL.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Because 1 of them ain't allowed to give funds to Wenger and the 1 who is is not fussy on doing it