Berggy9598

Still don't know why Arsenal didn't sell him in the summer. They could have replaced him and saved themselves half a season with a malcontent. Even more comical is that with or without Sanchez, they would have never been in any kind of direct competition with City while they are with United. Not sure exactly what happened to lead to this transfer because I don't buy that a club with owners that may literally print money had reservations about spending on wages.

Can't help but wonder what Sean Dyche would do with a squad of players like Southampton or West Ham. Should be England manager although he may not even want that job.

There's a few reasons to question this move but Sanchez's quality isn't one of them. I'm always weary of bringing in a player after a move to his preferred destination fell apart which is my major concern here. United's quality in the final third has been wildly inconsistent this year and one of the main things holding them back. The lack guile and creativity when Pogba went out was alarming.

Not exactly sure what this is based on. The way they played yesterday isn't something new this year. Some games they attack very well and some games they look completely disjointed. It's usually an unknown how a Jan transfer will fit in but what is it exactly that you see?

Now Sky is stealing my material

Well that was another ugly win. Scoreline could have been a little more aesthetically pleasing with a little more composure in the final third but three points is three points. Pogba has to show a little bit more mental toughness in these games and not let teams get in his head. Not sure where Mourinho is getting the idea of playing Jesse Lingard in this box to box/10 hybrid role he had Oscar play in at Chelsea. Industry is one thing but Lingard doesn't have the guile and quick thinking it takes to excel in that role. Hopefully Sanchez can bring some more decisiveness in the final third. On another note, good to see David Silva back as much as I can't stand the team he plays on. One of the best of his era and seems like a solid human being to boot. Hope his little one born prematurely and his wife are doing ok.

Well that's a relief.

Please God let the rumors of Chelsea bidding 30 million for Andy Carroll be true. Not sure what's going on at that club now a days but you wonder what the next head scratcher will be. 50 mil for Mark Noble? 70 mil for Ashley Barnes?

Thank the Lord they don't know how to use fax machines in Madrid. Our defensive record is hardly a reflection of the back 4 this season at least.

Comeback may not have been the most apt of terms but don't tell me you've never wanted to charge full speed ahead at a ****ney.

Very meh at times United were today but got the job done. As I suspected Stoke were strolling through the midfield and with a bit more quality would have got on the score sheet. Pogba is brilliant when given free range and that's how it should stay, but even the lower tier PL teams will exploit the void left in midfield if there is no box to box playing along side Matic. Not sure what Herrera did to fall out of favor but those three are very well suited to play together and it doesn't even necessarily mean you're more defensive in that formation. Oh well, still leading the pack behind City with Alexis (hopefully) on the way. He won't work any miracles but he'll solidify our contention for second place.

Voila! Absolutely sublime goal

Pogba and Matic in a two man midfield again. The 3 man midfield dream has died a swift death.

Congrats to my "friends" down the road on a very impressive performance. One wonders how much Pep's aura of invincibility and if it's still aided by those original Barca sides that literally had no weaknesses. Klopp summed it up perfectly when he said they're incredibly consistent tactically and they have a world class player at most positions, only I'm not sure if I buy the latter. After his time at Barca, when faced with parity in regards to the opposing team's quality, that tactical consistency = predictability. They're a superb side this year don't get me wrong, but imo they're still not as good as the undefeated Arsenal team, Mourinho's Chelsea that set the points record, or both of United's (Manchester United just in case there's any confusion) CL winners under Fergie. You could throw 13/14 Liverpool and City's first title winning team in that conversation too. This game IMO was a reminder of why Liverpool were right to pay what they did for Van Dijk. First of all for whatever reason the sports media in England love to rip on how much the top clubs spend, and at the same time want to heap praise upon foreign teams for their magnificent squads. That's the market right now and those prices will only continue to rise. Pogba would have cost another 50-60 million this summer, VVD would probably cost another 30-40 million next summer. It's a brilliant buy because we know Liverpool are unplayable when they catch fire like they did today, but with more talent at the back they should be able to grind out results on off days on a more consistent basis. You don't want to be the soccer equivalent of Mike D'Antoni's Suns.

Closest think to van Nistelrooy I've seen in a while.

Referees having a less than stellar outing in the early set of PL fixtures today. How that handball in the Brighton-West Brom game was missed it beyond me.

Can I take Morata to Jiffy Lube and wring out his hair. Try taking Salford all the to the Championship or playing attractive football with United. You tell me which is more farfetched.

Football Manager, one of the biggest-selling computer games in the world, is 20 years old. Football Manager Stole My Life celebrates the cultural phenomenon of a game that has sold over 20 million copies worldwide.... That's the book I was referring to. I've gotten myself into trouble with various women throughout my life over this game my brain automatically went to ruined my marriage.

It's completely managerial but the level of detail is absolutely insane. Also the player database is so expansive and accurate that there's been rumors of clubs using it as a scouting resource. You can literally learn about the game by playing that game. On the flip side, there is a non-fictional novel called "Football Manager Ruined My Marriage" and I have no doubt as to the accuracy of the title. I mean in his first year in the league at 19 years old he looked unplayable at times.

Does anyone else play Football Manager?

I think it was more Mourinho that turned those elves into orcs but oh well. As for my discussion with GHH on Firmino, I go back to another player wasted at United that I absolutely fell in love with, Shinji Kagawa. I think the role he had at Dortmund under Klopp, who justifiably lambasted Fergie for the way he used him, would be great for Firmino. Especially considering Firmino is much more talented. If Liverpool find a number 9 as good as Lewandowski (didn't Bayern get him on a free transfer or at least for some nominal fee?) I'll be too drunk and depressed to come back here and say I told you so.

Rashford went down the predictable path of so many young English players and read his own press clippings. IMO he was always best in the box and on counters when he could rely on his instincts and not have to think. As much as Van Gaal's football gave me diarrhea he knew exactly how to use Martial and he had dominant spells as a teenager in his first year in the PL. What would you think about a world class natural number 9 and Firmino at left inside forward? I think his playmaking ability is vastly underrated. I never quite understood the fascination with the false 9 insofar as it is an incredibly hard position to play effectively, which when you think about it makes sense as it is a position essentially invented by Messi.

Seems like a natural fit. He's a great player but it'd be a bit of a head scratcher for me if United spent big on a right footed inside forward/attacking mid. I love Martial at that position unless Mourinho is dead set on making him miserable enough to request a transfer and I want to see much more of Pogba in a three man midfield. Pulisic is as about as natural a direct replacement for Coutinho as you will find IMO and he's still a puppy. EDIT: If these Sanchez rumors are true that may be it for Martial. Such a waste of a mercurial talent.

You took that far more seriously then it was intended. No offense meant.

As much fun as it would make this thread for you if Pulisic goes to United I really don't see it happening. I'm still holding out hope that Martial rediscovers his 15/16 form and makes that left inside forward position his own. He's an immensely talented player that as a 19 year old looked unplayable at times in the premier league.