Just because we've had a good pre-season doesn't mean he buy anyone else, we're still lacking here and there when it comes to the strength of the squad

He is probably going to buy vermalen and another midfielder. But it should be clear by now that our team was not as rubbish as it appeared last season. With a half decent manager many players seem like new signings (yup very cliche)

I like what Zaha offered us yesterday just like he did the previous game. Pace. He seems faster than last year and for the most part he has tried to do what was the right thing. This cannot be even said for Nani. For this formation to ultimately succeed, it is going to need a "Robben-lite" component, a wing-forward who can peel away from opposition defenders and run at them with pace when we need to counter. Its why I thought Di Maria would have been a good signing or one of Nani, Zaha and Adnan is going to need step up and be the first sub for the strikers.

Fergie said this for ages and I agree, our midfield is not bad. Everyone keeps saying "injuries" but that escuse can be used to justify any signing that looks half good.

We also want to avoid another fellaini by using the "he is better than what we have escuse without checking just were they will fit. On this issue I have massive doubts about Vidal.

It's never been the case that we've had a bad squad, but no matter who is the manager, you always need to freshen up the squad, no matter what has happened the previous season.

Of Course LVG is a strong personality with proven success at the top level, and that alone will also affect the players in the positive way. There will also be a determination in the squad to prove themselves after last year's meltdown.

We have known for a while where the problem areas are, LVG has started to address that, but he's also shown himself capable of being able to get the best out of what he inherits.

At the very least, I strongly feel that LVG will be able to get top 4 with this current crop of players, and if 1 or 2 additions come in for the start of the season, then the title becomes more realistic.

Strootman coming seems to be the worse kept secret ever, but that won't happen til January at the earliest, and LVG may wish to bring in another CM before then, or he may feel he can cope with what he has meantime.

Of course us fans want him to bring in this top player and that top player, but LVG certainly gives the impression, and I go more on his previous record than what he has started doing with us, that he will get the very best out of our players, so those that have struggled previously and been ruthlessly criticised on here will show significant improvements.

The only two positions where we have as much depth as City and Chelsea is goalkeeper and upfront.

In midfield and defence we don't have enough quality in my opinion.

How many of our midfielders and defenders would City and Chelsea want, if they were available? Not too many, that's for sure.

SE85 - whilst we are lacking quality in the areas you mention, and I think we would all like to see another CM and CB come in soon, I think LVG has shown there is very much a plan in place and all the players are buying into that.

Of course to compete at the very top level, there needs to be a certain amount of quality in the side, but LVG is showing (and has shown with previous teams) that he can get the best out of 'non-star' names.

A couple of extra additions would be ideal, but at the very least we look like being able to compete with the other big teams - over previous years, individually we may not have looked as strong as others, but Fergie got that extra 10% from them - I think LVG is able to do the same, so that doesn't mean we still don't need to improve the squad, but it's not a complete disaster if it all doesn't happen in the next few weeks.

I do feel he will buy two defenders (Hummels, Vermalen/Blind ) and one other player.
Encouraging signs, especially the new system and form of players like Fletch, Young, Jones. Hopefully they can keep it up and be consistent.
The final should be a good test as the scousers too have been playing well and we all know of course that they finished second.

Just goes to show that often when players get blamed but the manager is the route of the problems. Hopefully the FA will see this and appoint an LVG type manager for England. Like United there is a good squad there but needs the right man to make them click.

comment by Faran Van Jiniho (U5318)
posted 1 minute ago
Just goes to show that often when players get blamed but the manager is the route of the problems. Hopefully the FA will see this and appoint an LVG type manager for England. Like United there is a good squad there but needs the right man to make them click.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You do wonder about our coaching in this country, nice guys like Moyes, Hodgson, Bruce etc but they are a million miles behind the Mourinhos, Klopp, LVG, Ancelotti, Simeone managers in every way !

This sounds very encouraging, but lets not get too carried away, preseason games are little more than fitness excersises for the most part. Madrid dont care about this result one bit. Id still expect a competative CL (if only!) Madrid team to comfortably beat us when there's something at stake. However, it sounds like LVG is having a rejuvenating effect on the players, squeezing the most out of them and most importantly reinstalling the arrogance and never say due attitude.

I have high hopes for this season.

He certainly seems to have the squad performing better however even if it comes down to. Umber , we are light in defence and midfield. I expect him to make signings

It was a good game to watch, but as many have said it's just preseason. Anyone could tell you that Real Madrid had many players unavailable, plus they lost all their games which shows how well they are prepared right now. We looked much fitter too!

He needs to buy footballers and quick. Especially in the defence, because we can at least [if someone put a gun to our head] put Anderson, Fellaini in the middle. As for the defence, well all of them are injury prone apart from Luke Shaw who we have no idea about.

Either way, I don't need it to be an "I told you so" moment.

1 CB and 1 CM will have us ready for a title challenge.

Let's be honest.. if LVG can get the best out players like: Herrera, Kagawa, Mata, Rooney, RVP and Shaw, then United have already 6 world class players available.

Add Strootman/Vidal, perhaps Hummels and you have CL material

Was never really worried about the squad to be honest.

MUFC at the beginning of this season, have the 3rd best squad in the league except in two key positions (RB and GK). The problem is they also had the 3rd best squad in the league at the beginning of last season, and look what happened then.

There are reasons why many of SAF's last title winning squad had such a bad, collective, title defending following year. And it, seriously, wasn't all down to Moyes - the players have a responsibility as well. However, those reasons were not the one's put out there by the hyperbole swallowing, media following, console bashing, trolls that so often appear on the forums. You know the types, the nerdy, weedy, muppets that have never even seen a football except as a part of logo on some video game. They have never really watched the game at any level let alone coached in the game or any sport. Some of us know the type.

It was noticeable that the many of the 'silly' people on these forums (but thankfully not in the real world) had their own pantomime villains for last years scenario. For instance, trawling through the posts and threads from last season the boogeymen were, invariably and in no particular order (except alphabetically) Cleverley, Moyes, Nani, Valencia, Welbeck and Young.

Now that is all very well, but only two of those (Welbeck and Cleverley) are not, and never will be, MUFC quality. For a start Moyes was average (like SAF for more than the first 4 seasons) and not really given a proper chance, whereas Young, Nani and Valencia are quality footballers having to carry the burden of weak links in the squad. Beckham, for instance, was a great footballer who was greater enabled (at club and international level) by having a hugely under-rated and under-valued phenomena behind him. Valencia and/or Nani did not, and still do not, have that luxury.

Ditto Rio, Vidic, Stam and Pallister were also great defensive players but they had the luxury of being able to play more offensively and with more confidence because they had a spatially intelligent, intuitive and competent GK behind them. A GK that made the right decisions both defensively and (as a bonus) offensively. Evans, Smalling, Jones and Evra (except when working with VdS) alas do not have anything like that luxury. That does not make them lesser defenders. Indeed, Phil Jones is probably SAF best, latter-year, signings. And Smalling has just the right skill set to complement either Jones or Evans.

MUFC are embarking on a new era - I kinda feel sorry for Moyes who will always be the fall guy, but he should never have allowed himself to be put in that position. LvG could get it right, he does have the resources already at the club and, providing he quickly spots those two weak links, has something sturdy to build on. It is time for those weedy, nerdy, console bashing muppets to stop rehashing and recycling garbage about this or that marque midfielders year after year. You know the ones, the ones with no EPL experience, all flash and cash, the type of players that were, as a rule, avoided by SAF. There is no substitute for EPL experience.

IAmMe

You criticise De Gea and call Valencia a quality footballer - Great stuff!

Phoenix

Welcome to the world of IAmMe

He finds a way to criticize DDG on a thread about favorite movies.

I find it best not to read his posts.

Now on to the game.

Fletch had a game of two haves. The first half was the influence of Moyes. Full of some negative backwards passing.

The second half was the influence of LVG

VC, I've met the plonker before which is why I just laugh at his idiocy.

However, I did not know his obsession with De Gea spilt over to 'Favourite Movie' threads. What a bell!

I haven't seen any of your games in this preseason, is lvg setting you up similarly to Netherlands in the wc?

Phoenix

I guess you were well surprised by the result past night.

IAmMe

Fan and supporter since I was 8.

So youve been a fan for 3 years

comment by Vidicschin (U3584)
posted 1 minute ago
Phoenix

I guess you were well surprised by the result past night.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Once I noticed that they weren't at full strength and we've got pretty much our A team on, I expected us to not get torn

I was pleased we won, good showing from van Gaal but it was a friendly and Real have lost all their games I believe.

However, I stand by what I have maintained since September 2013 - We play better without van Persie. Our movement with Welbeck and Rooney is so much better. Shame Welbeck finishing is as effective as Valencia's left foot.

Melts

Not really.

Although I didn't watch all the Dutch games. IMO we are set up to attack more.

I was hoping you'd say that VC!

Phoenix

I haven't been that impressed with Welbeck to be honest. I thought Zaha offered us a bit more to be honest.

Welbeck a finishing isn't all that worries me. Many times he finds himself in good positions but doesn't know what to do.

Melts

Why