"If you ever question my commitment to United, that's when I have to speak up," the England forward said in a piece for The Players' Tribune.
"It's like somebody questioning my entire identity, and everything I stand for as a man.‘’
Were you committed when you went out on the lash, and faked illness in order to miss training?
Were you committed when you trotted around admiring Ross Barkleys behind instead of pressing him?
Were you committed when you were part of a stinker against city, and then went out on the lash?
Were you committed when you sent your agent brother to PSG to try and sort a deal there?
You can’t play the local boy who will do anything for the club card when for at least this season your attitude has absolutely stank, as have your performances.
Disgraceful
Rashford
posted on 1/3/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 1 hour ago
Agree with both of you there.
Normally hate these Easter friendlies but these ones seem pretty vital with so many questions needing answered.
Phillips and Henderson need looking at. On paper they shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad imo.
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They shouldn't be but who else is there once you go beyond Rice?
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I’d take JWP ahead of both for sure. I’d look at Mainoo in these friendlies too, but yeah it’s slim pickings there.
posted on 1/3/24
comment by Spurtle (U1608)
posted 30 minutes ago
comment by Robbing Hoody - I taught Szoboszlai how to cushion half volleys (U6374)
posted 1 hour ago
Agree with both of you there.
Normally hate these Easter friendlies but these ones seem pretty vital with so many questions needing answered.
Phillips and Henderson need looking at. On paper they shouldn’t be anywhere near the squad imo.
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They shouldn't be but who else is there once you go beyond Rice?
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JWP, Curtis Jones (if he's fit), Mainoo, Longstaff. Gallagher too, though he might be considered more of a 10.
It might not be the best set of options but all are better players than Kalvin Phillips at least. Henderson has more of a chance depending on how he gets on at Ajax.
posted on 1/3/24
Henderson’s going. Southgate went all the way to Amsterdam to watch him play when he could have seen multiple options in the PL. As long as he’s match fit he’ll be there.
posted on 1/3/24
Central midfield is a real concern. Most of the players named aren’t really playing as centre mids or defensive mids like Henderson and Phillips do. And even if played there at times aren’t actually any better.
I’d be seriously looking at bringing Barkley back into the squad. I’m fine with Henderson as a cm option. But there really isn’t any other holding mid that can provide an alternative to Phillips. Really need to hope he can pick up some form between now and the end of the season.
posted on 1/3/24
Actually there are more options than I first thought as I didn't instantly think of JWP but yes more deserving than Henderson or Phillips in the holding midfielder role. I suspect he's going to take Henderson whether we want him to or not and you know he'll probably use him.
Central defence isn't exactly looking great either.
posted on 1/3/24
Why is he? He very rarely plays as one because he’s shiiiiiit at football outside of his set pieces. His best work for his clubs has always been in attack, because he can cross, which is why West Ham signed Alvarez and Phillips and often play Soucek as a dm.
posted on 1/3/24
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 2 hours, 2 minutes ago
Why is he? He very rarely plays as one because he’s shiiiiiit at football outside of his set pieces. His best work for his clubs has always been in attack, because he can cross, which is why West Ham signed Alvarez and Phillips and often play Soucek as a dm.
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5 goals and 6 assists in a league much better than Henderson's. Whether you rate him or not he warrants going more than Henderson. I'd take him just for his pens and free kicks if anything.
posted on 1/3/24
That doesn’t refute the point, it just enforces it. Henderson is a vastly superior central midfielder. Taking him for his pens and set pieces when he isn’t good enough to get on the pitch is a waste of squad place.
A lot will depend on how Trent and Bellingham are viewed regarding the midfield as well. Bellingham has played cm in most of his apps, but whether he gets moved forward due to what he’s been doing with Madrid remains to be seen.
We’ve tried Trent in midfield and he’s not really shown he’s capable there, so we’ll have to see if Southgate persists with it because it’s unlikely he’ll play as a right back.
Barkley and Gallagher are cm options, though Gallagher doesn’t look like he’s capable of playing in a double pivot from what I’ve seen.
Defensive midfield we really are stuck if Phillips keeps playing shiiiiiiiit. There really aren’t many English defensive midfielders in the prem, let alone of a high standard.
posted on 1/3/24
comment by Kobbie The King Mainoo (U10026)
posted 5 seconds ago
That doesn’t refute the point, it just enforces it. Henderson is a vastly superior central midfielder. Taking him for his pens and set pieces when he isn’t good enough to get on the pitch is a waste of squad place.
A lot will depend on how Trent and Bellingham are viewed regarding the midfield as well. Bellingham has played cm in most of his apps, but whether he gets moved forward due to what he’s been doing with Madrid remains to be seen.
We’ve tried Trent in midfield and he’s not really shown he’s capable there, so we’ll have to see if Southgate persists with it because it’s unlikely he’ll play as a right back.
Barkley and Gallagher are cm options, though Gallagher doesn’t look like he’s capable of playing in a double pivot from what I’ve seen.
Defensive midfield we really are stuck if Phillips keeps playing shiiiiiiiit. There really aren’t many English defensive midfielders in the prem, let alone of a high standard.
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Is Henderson any good anymore? Has he even been good in the weaker leagues? I reckon Southgate will take him anyway so it doesn't matter. I'm not sure he deserves it but I'm not going to complain too much either as the alternatives in that position aren't that great. Although I wouldn't call a player who is a good set piece taker a waste of a squad place for England. Not when Southgate has built his team around set pieces before and we have a history of going out on pens.
Maybe we should try and get Scholes to come out of retirement for the 10th time?
posted on 1/3/24
I’m not sure, but I’ve no doubt he’s still a much better centre mid than JWP because he’s a shiiiiiiiit cm and would be playing in the Championship if he wasn’t grate at set pieces.
It’s a waste of a squad place when it’s the only thing you offer and the England team isn’t built around set pieces. Having him in the squad on the off chance we get to a penalty shootout isn’t worth it. In the positions he’s capable of playing we have vastly superior players.