FA Carling Premiership and Milk Cup thread 2024/25

[tiger_rick]

I know success in football is often gained by doing something different but, I do wonder what makes United think Amorim's 3-4-3 system will bring success. This is different to their other appointments in that they'll need to go and find players that suit the system and presumably adopt it through their younger teams. It's a massive decision to commit to it.

Agree with Bomber though, surely they have to if they believe in it. They've tried most other things. As piss poor as Spurs and United's league finishes are this season, they need to look beyond them when deciding on the future. Both clubs have pretty much chucked the league away for the last 4 months. They both realised, rightly, that the Europa League was the opportunity, they've put all the emphasis on it, given the players a handy excuse week after week and both lack the depth of quality to really battle on both fronts. They lack some depth anyway and then with a bunch of injuries, it's killed them. I wouldn't completely give up yet.  

If you want a positive, I thought Dorgu looked pretty handy and delivered some good crosses. He did well in a massive game for a kid who's come from nowhere in the last couple of years. Maybe a sign of some improvement in United's recruitment?

[air_raid]

It needs to be said, I was also very happy for Richarlison. He put a shift in, and I felt bad for him when he got injured last year at the peak of his goalscoring form. He did the ugly work very well last night. Although the booking worried me, so it was a blessing in disguise when he pulled up.

As my Everton mates used to tell me when he was theirs - he's an utter twat, but he's our twat.

[SuperBacon]

Richarlison is a fantastic lad and a good socialist comrade. 

[Devon Malcolm]

4 hours ago, tiger_rick said:

I know success in football is often gained by doing something different but, I do wonder what makes United think Amorim's 3-4-3 system will bring success. This is different to their other appointments in that they'll need to go and find players that suit the system and presumably adopt it through their younger teams. It's a massive decision to commit to it.

The system is an easy target for pundits to go after at a club which has far, far deeper issues. It simply doesn't matter what system you play with this squad. It's not good enough and it will continue to fail, just as it did under ten Hag's style.

No playing system is perfect and there's no reason why it can't succeed. The problem is that United don't have the funds to provide Amorim with the players who suit that system and the age group teams have previously not been coached in that playing style.

United have pinpointed a young, talented coach but not seen any of the issues under the surface to his appointment. He's not going to change his style and maybe he has confidence he can convert these players into a success in it. I don't see it. United have to do sensational business in the summer on a small budget or throw the academy kids in and hope for the best. I don't see either happening. The club is fucked and it's getting what it deserves.

[Carbomb]

United would ruin Pep or Ancelotti, the way it's run at the moment. 

[Mr_Danger]

When identifying Klopp’s replacement we obviously cast admiring glances at Amorim as one of the hot young thangs in Europe but ultimately decided it was too expensive and would cause too much upheaval and went for a mellow Klopp instead. United probably need the upheaval and chaos of a top to bottom rebuild and reshape but have neither the money or patience to see it through. I think Amorim is the right man at the wrong club.

[Carbomb]

2 hours ago, Mr_Danger said:

When identifying Klopp’s replacement we obviously cast admiring glances at Amorim as one of the hot young thangs in Europe but ultimately decided it was too expensive and would cause too much upheaval and went for a mellow Klopp instead. United probably need the upheaval and chaos of a top to bottom rebuild and reshape but have neither the money or patience to see it through. I think Amorim is the right man at the wrong club.

Rangnick even said the club needed open-heart surgery. It was disappointing when he left as football director, as I think he could have turned us around, but there were reports that Ten Hag didn't want to work with him.

The lack of patience is something I just don't understand about United at the moment. You'd think that staying the course and trusting the manager's vision would have been woven into the club's ethos after what SAF accomplished. Hindsight's a wonderful thing, but we shouldn't have got rid of van Gaal or Ole so soon. They needed more time than they got.

[Guest]

14 hours ago, Devon Malcolm said:

The system is an easy target for pundits to go after at a club which has far, far deeper issues. It simply doesn't matter what system you play with this squad. It's not good enough and it will continue to fail, just as it did under ten Hag's style..

Carl Anka was asked not that long ago if this squad could play this system and he said something like "no. Bluntly. They also can't play ten hags style of football. Because they can't play any style of football. Because this is the worst assemblage of talent you have ever seen"

he said it was like "taking filet mignon, burning it to a crisp, taking some good potatoes, mashing them to a pulp with cheap butter, pouring custard over it all and then topping it with caviar. Yes, you've spent a lot of money on it, and it's technically a meal, but noone will eat it. 

I thought that was harsh at the time, but the more I talk to united fans, the more that kind of thing keeps coming up. 

Edited May 23, 2025 by Duke

[Tim Healys Chutney Spoon]

It's telling that the positive from the game United have is that they don't have to pay out CL qualification bonuses! How far have they fallen since the Fergie days? He must have some sway at the club still and surely it must be ripping his heart to pieces seeing them fail like Spurs have done for many a year.

 

 

 

[Mr_Danger]

1 hour ago, Tim Healys Chutney Spoon said:

How far have they fallen since the Fergie days? 

Well, when he left they were champions and now they’re just above relegation.

 

1 hour ago, Tim Healys Chutney Spoon said:

surely it must be ripping his heart to pieces seeing them fail like Spurs have done for many a year.

Good.

[Cod Eye]

3 minutes ago, Mr_Danger said:

Well, when he left they were champions and now they’re just above relegation.

 

Good.

Back in the day, I hated Ferguson(as I think most non-Utd fans did). I used to be of the belief that anyone with the slightest bit of management knowledge could win what he did with the difference in budgets he had between the rest of the league for a lot of his tenure(until Chelsea was purchased). 

Now though, Ive got so much respect for him and what he did with that club. The guy was a master of his trade.

I'll agree that after having to endure Utd being THE team for so long and everyone else feeding off scraps(and the attitude of a lot of their fans), it's sooooo enjoyable seeing them as also-rans(if they are even classed as that anymore).

[Mr_Danger]

Yeah nothing but respect for the old codger, even his petty nasty side but that fucker deserves every morsel of misery that club can give him for ruining my childhood!

[thevestofdeanambrose]

Even as much as I hate Spurs, for every bit of pain Fergie caused my childhood. Seeing that video and look of disgust and despair on his face after watching Manchester United lose to Tottenham Hotspur in a cup final was beautiful.

Also just to say even as an Arsenal fan genuinely happy for Son finally winning a trophy.

Edited May 23, 2025 by thevestofdeanambrose

[gmoney]

Ferguson isn't innocent in the mess United are in now. He happily waived through the Glazers and defended them. He seemed to change his tune only when his ambassadorial role was cut. 

[Devon Malcolm]

26 minutes ago, gmoney said:

Ferguson isn't innocent in the mess United are in now. He happily waived through the Glazers and defended them. He seemed to change his tune only when his ambassadorial role was cut. 

He also recommended David Moyes as his replacement.