The Official Manchester United Thread

[Agony]

Nani being dropped for a good reason is cool but not when Valencia has a similar performance and gets a 2nd and 3rd chance.

/

I've criticised Fergie in the past for being tactically inept so yeah he deserves some of the blame but I can't overlook the fact that Valencia hasn't adapted his game, doesn't cut inside or get into the box as much as he should and doesn't play with the same confidence as he does for Ecuador.

/

10/11

Nani's best season, 10 goals, 18 assists, pictured above with the united players' player of the season award, made it into the pfa team of the year and played a major role in us winning #19.

In that same season Valencia broke his ankle and was out injured for 6 months.

[Lieutenant]

Valencia not too bad

My big issue is Ashley young

Never liked him from before he joined us

Can't believe he's now a man utd employee, I'd even be pissed if he was a receptionist at carrington

[darkman]

Nani support on this forum is a joke. He has hardly shown any progress since he's been at the club

 

Guy deserves to be sold

[Benicio del Toney]

 

The anti-Valencia movement doesn't even start from his poor performances last season.

It goes back to the fact that him starting on the wing meant that Nani, who plays his best football on the right got moved to the left to accommodate him.

And it even goes further back to when he replaced Ronaldo and the part that signing played in the way we regressed tactically as a team.

Based on this the movement shouldn't be a anti Valencia one, as none if these decisions were or are his fault/decision, it should be an anti Fergie movement, surely?

Indeed.

 

I was gonna say it was Fergie's fault.

 

Valencia has done well at times but he just ain't a Man Utd type of winger.

 

 

Zaha is.

[darkman]

How is it Fergie's fault exactly? Nani aint good enough. Simple

[Horatio Caine]

the reason valencia got more chances last season is because hes more disciplined than nani, i forgot wat game it was( i think it was chelsea,league cup) but i remember him costing us the game, 

 

 

nani at his best is devastating but he jus doesn't show it enough

[Agony]

Nani in his best position on the right for the majority of the season = 10/11

Nani out of position on the left = Some decent performances here and there but nowhere near as consistent as he would be on the right.

Getting rid of a right winger because he's not living up to his potential on the left wing is foolish. Just play him in his best position.

[Gambino]

Can't see how Moyes can not start Zaha the way he is looking.

 

I'm still looking forward to Ronaldo returning next week as well 

[Kompressor]

You've jinxed it now.

[JOHN DOE]

 

[Fresh]

Valencia is a ball of shite and I don't see him ever getting any better

[stacksbranning]

nani doesn't deserve a payrise or a new contract tbf .

HOWEVER , he is miles better than valencia and young so imo we have to give him one .

[Anderson]

I dont even think there is a real 'anti valencia' movement.

In his first few seasons i rated him as a player. His main issue was confidence. When he got that up, he went on a 6 month blitz of form and showed he can be devastating in certain games/situations.

As agony said though, the problem comes when nani and valencia are both fit. Nani gets played on the left (because he can, but obv right mid is his best position).

If it was the other way round and nani was playing on the right with valencia on the left...can you imagine?

So because of his versatility (down to his technical ability) our best winger (and one of our best players) doesnt play in his best position.

When rooney doesnt play upfront and has a shit game people say 'well thats not his position but he does it for the team'. When nani doesnt play his best position its 'that nani is useless with his shit hair and diving about'

[Horatio Caine]

rcastuff @barcastuff

Martino: "I've talked to Cesc, I explained him my idea. Of course we want him to stay, he's one of the best in the squad, so it's up to him"

11:13 PM - 2 Aug 2013

[Agony]

Forgot all about the Milk Cup

Manchester United win prestigious Milk Cup tournament

Manchester United’s U18s have won the 2013 Milk Cup tournament in Northern Ireland after beating County Tyrone 1-0 with a late winner from Oliver McBurnie.

The striker was taken only taken on loan from Bradford especially for the competition and it proved to be a great move thanks to his winner.

County Tyrone defended staunchly throughout the whole game but fell short at the final hurdle with United able to clinch a late winner.

Their triumph was their first Milk Cup victory since 2009 and now means that they have now lifted the trophy five times.

The tournament is highly regarded as one of the best youth competitions in the world and it is a great testament to the quality of our youngsters to have pitted themselves against the top youth teams in the world and come out victorious.

And speaking to BBC Northern Ireland, Wilf McGuinness was effusive in his praise for United who looked a class above throughout the tournament.

“It was great for them to get the victory and they’re following in some good footsteps,” he said.

“We played all amateur teams, rather than professional sides, so you have to be realistic as it’s hard to gauge how good they are but they’ve had a great time and mixed really well. Tyrone made it difficult and their goalkeeper was outstanding – he made three or four fantastic saves.

“In terms of Oliver McBurnie – I think what we will do is pay tribute to Bradford who loaned him to us. He enjoyed his week and will go back there a better player so it’s great for everybody.”

United starlet Pereira collects Player of the Tournament trophy

Manchester United’s Andreas Pereira was named Player of the Tournament at the 2013 Milk Cup.

The 17-year-old midfielder scored three goals on route to United lifting the trophy in Northern Ireland and stood head and shoulders above everybody in the competition. His brilliant brace against Tus Altenberge was his personal highlight but it was more his leadership qualities that made him stand out.

U18s manager Paul McGuinness revealed that Pereira had dropped down a level to play in the Milk Cup so that United could get a look at this leadership skills.

“Andreas did very well in the game,” McGuinness told the Belfast Telegraph after United beat South Coast Strikers 2-0.

“He’s training regularly with the reserves at the minute so he’s dropped back down into this group for the tournament.

“He’s showing great leadership skills among the boys and we’re very pleased with him.”

Earlier this year, Pereira signed professional terms with United and his performance in the Milk Cup certainly justify that.

Fellow Belgian Adnan Januzaj, who is only one year older, has just broken through into the United first team set-up and if Pereira continues to progress as well as he has, his chance could come round sooner than he thinks.

/

Milk Cup, Monday 29 July:

CO ANTRIM 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 3

(McBurney 5, Mitchell 16, Croskery 23)

29/07/2013 21:53, Report by Mike Shaw

Co Antrim 0 United 3

Manchester United's youngsters kicked off the 2013 Milk Cup campaign with a comfortable win over County Antrim at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

An early goal helped settle any nerves the Reds might have had as Andreas Pereira's free-kick caused havoc in the and Bradford's Oliver McBurney, with the club on work experience, stabbed home from six yards out.

It was one-way traffic and Demetri Mitchell doubled the advantage, capping a fine solo run with a slightly fortuitous deflected finish.

Ruairi Croskery's fine free-kick completed the scoring, the lead allowing Brian McClair to give a run-out to almost his whole squad ahead of games with South Coast Strikers and TuS Altenberge in the days to come.

United: O'Hara; Reid, Tuanzebe (Scott 62), Borthwick-Jackson, Thompson; Riley (Rathbone 62), Willock, A.Pereira (Nicholas 58), Mitchell (Rashford 46); Croskery (McTominay 50), McBurney.

http://vimeo.com/71346635

/

Milk Cup, Tuesday 30 July:

SOUTH COAST STRIKERS 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 2

(Riley 21, A.Pereira 43)

30/07/2013 21:57, Report by Mike Shaw

Strikers FC 0 United 2

Manchester United's youngsters took a huge stride towards a Milk Cup semi-final berth with a 2-0 win over Californian side South Coast Strikers FC.

The Americans were full of confidence having thumped Tus Altenberge 6-0 in their opening game and, for 20 minutes, they matched the Reds in front of an appreciative crowd at the Showgrounds in Coleraine. But the game turned on two pieces of magic by Andreas Pereira, first his through ball allowed Joe Riley a clear run on goal and he rounded the keeper before rolling into an empty net.

Then, in the second half, the Belgian curled home a wonderful free-kick from wide on the left touchline to double the lead.

United were good value for the win and could have added more goals with a fluent second-half display. Ruairi Croskery smashed a drive against a post and Demetri Mitchell was unlucky to see his lob drop wide. The Reds are back in action on Wednesday night against Tus Altenberge in the final group game.

United: J.Pereira; Reid, Tuanzebe, Borthwick-Jackson, Thompson; Riley, Willock (McTominay 61), A.Pereira, Mitchell; Croskery, McBurney (Rashford 50).

http://vimeo.com/71407503

/

Milk Cup, Wednesday 31 July:

MANCHESTER UNITED 4

(Croskery 30, McBurney 38, A.Pereira 51, 63)

TuS ALTENBERGE 1

(Hunker 39)

/

31/07/2013 20:49, Report by Mike Shaw

United 4 Altenberge 1

Manchester United's youngsters secured a semi-final berth at the Milk Cup with a 4-1 win over TuS Altenberge in rain-soaked Limavady.

The Germans sat rock bottom of the group before kick-off but resisted United for half an hour until Ruairi Croskey's cool finish put the Reds ahead. Oliver McBurney doubled the lead, stroking home left-footed after cutting inside his marker.

The Reds then conceded their first goal of the tournament in bizarre fashion, a long ball forward looked to be running through to Kieran O'Hara, only for the goalkeeper to unluckily lose his footing on the sodden turf and allow Steffan Hunker a tap-in.

United responded almost immediately, Andreas Pereira firing home from 20 yards to quash any hopes of a comeback. The Belgian struck again to give the hardy fans something to cheer, this time finding the net from nearly 30 yards out as he continues to stamp his class on the competition.

Paul McGuinness' side will face Dublin side Cherry Orchard in the last four of the competition on Thursday.

United: O'Hara; Reid, Tuanzebe, Borthwick-Jackson, Thompson; Riley, Willock, A.Pereira, Mitchell; Croskery, McBurnie. Substitutions to follow..

/

United 3 Cherry Orchard 1

Manchester United cruised into the Milk Cup final in style, turning in their best performance of the competition so far en route to seeing off Dublin-based side Cherry Orchard.

After 10 cagey opening minutes, Oliver McBurnie finished well following a neat move. Within minutes, it was two, Demetri Mitchell and McBurnie forcing a stunning double save from the Cherry Orchard goalkeeper but Joe Riley was on hand to ram home the rebound from six yards. McBurney grabbed his second from close range after the visiting defence failed to deal with a low Andreas Pereira cross.

With victory almost assured by that first-half burst, Paul McGuinness granted opportunities to members of the squad and, despite Connor Foley's well-taken goal six minutes from the time, the Dubliners were unable to recover.

United have now reached the final of the competition for a record 11th time and will meet Co Tyrone on Friday with the trophy up for grabs.

United: J.Pereira; Reid (d*ck 62), Tuanzebe, Borthwick-Jackson, Thompson; Riley (Scott 62), Willock (Rashford 45), A.Pereira, Mitchell; Croskery (McTominay 45), McBurnie (Nicholas 55).

/

Milk Cup Final, 2 August

CO TYRONE 0

MANCHESTER UNITED 1

(McBurnie 70)

Late goal wins the Milk Cup

Manchester United won the Milk Cup for the fifth time and the first since 2009 thanks to a dramatic late winner by Oliver McBurnie.

The blond striker finally ended Co Tyrone's brave resistance as a penalty shoot-out loomed after keeper Patrick Molloy's heroics threatened to keep the Reds at bay.

This was the first time that a County team had reached the final of the competition and a record crowd of 3,602 ere clearly backing the home favourites in extremely blustery conditions at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

Demetri Mitchell registered a shot on target after only six seconds but, in truth, the Reds looked a little sluggish at the end of a taxing schedule of five games in as many days. Despite dominating possession, there were few threats on the Northern Irish side's goal - even if Paul McGuinness' youngsters were in total control throughout the first half.

McBurnie, who is with the club on work experience from Bradford City, went close to adding to his goal tally for the tournament but Molloy touched his effort wide following some neat skill by captain Andreas Pereira.

Mitchell rifled a powerful drive straight at Molloy but the Reds struggled to get the other wide man, Joe Riley, into the game and stalemate ensued until the interval. Riley was more involved in the early exchanges of the second half as he headed off target from Mitchell's left-footed centre.

With Mitchell and Pereira, who flashed in a wayward shot, striving to make something happen, United continued to probe. Mitchell streaked out of defence on the break on 51 minutes only to be up-ended by a crude challenge by Shay Duffy, who was rightly booked.

Moments later, skipper Pereira thought he had opened the scoring but his low drive hit the outside of a post from the edge of the area. Superb skills from Pereira then teed up McBurnie but his attempt was blocked at the near post. McBurnie's next shot on goal was a better one as his well-executed volley brought out the best in Molloy with the keeper also making a top save to thwart Mitchell.

Joel Castro Pereira had to rush from his goal to clear but had been largely inactive for the game. The keeper's opposite number Molloy then made an unbelievable stop to parry over Cameron Borthwick-Jackson's close range shot, only for the following corner to leave the plucky Irishmen on their knees.

Andreas Pereira swung the ball across and McBurnie rose highest to power a header against the bar and seemingly over the line with Ruairi Croskery forcing the rebound home in any case.

Mark McGaray was then booked for simulation in time added on after a collision in the box with Joel Castro Pereira with the home fans aggrieved not to win a penalty.

Andreas Pereira was voted player of the tournament after displaying his vast array of skills throughout and the club was also awarded the prize for the most sporting team in the competition, which will no doubt please coach McGuiness.

"It was great for them to get the victory and they're following in some good footsteps," McGuinness told BBC Northern Ireland afterwards.

"We played all amateur teams, rather than professional sides, so you have to be realistic as it's hard to gauge how good they are but they've had a great time and mixed really well. Tyrone made it difficult and their goalkeeper was outstanding - he made three or four fantastic saves.

"In terms of Oliver McBurnie - I think what we will do is pay tribute to Bradford who loaned him to us. He enjoyed his week and will go back there a better player so it's great for everybody."

United: J.Pereira; Reid, Tuanzebe, Borthwick-Jackson, Thompson; Riley (Rashford 46), Willock, A.Pereira, Mitchell; Croskery, McBurnie.

[Mame Biram Diouf]

Seasons getting closer

 

No;

Thiago

Cesc

Strootman

 

Unlikely now;

Modric

Fellani

Cabaye

Mccarthy

 

Dreamland and probably not even on the radar;

Witsel

Oliver Torres

Gundagon

Bedner

Vidal

Sandro

 

I just can't take it

 

2008

 

2000 and fucking 8

 

Its going to happen again

[Gambino]

What you complaining about when Ronaldo's coming home within the next 2 weeks.

[Mame Biram Diouf]

What you complaining about when Ronaldo's coming home within the next 2 weeks.

 

If Bale is going for 105 mill there is no point even mentioning R****** name in this topic

[Gambino]

Bale in - Ronaldo Out

[Mame Biram Diouf]

Bale plays for Tottenham fella

 

Money from that transfer is going to them

 

/

 

Even if we did in some alternate universe sign CR7 back we still need a CM, we could sign a clone R9 and still need a CM

[Agony]

Johnstone, Vermijl, M. Keane, Vidic, Blackett, Nani, Petrucci, Ekangamene, Cole, Chicharito, Rooney

'Behind closed doors friendly' vs Betis. We won 3-0. Nani, Vidic and Rooney scored.

[Mame Biram Diouf]

Manchester United midfielder Anderson admits he has been frustrated by his form and injuries but insists he is ready to challenge for a regular first-team place under David Moyes.

 

The 25-year-old, who was signed from Porto in the summer of 2007, made just nine Premier League starts last season due to fitness problems.

 

"It’s not just the fans who’ve been frustrated, I’ve been frustrated," Anderson told Manchester Evening News.

 

"I never asked to be injured, I don’t want to be injured. I want to play every week for Manchester United, I love being here.

 

"Last season I was doing good for six games, then I started to feel my knee.

 

"I felt the pain but I kept playing because I wanted to help my team, but then I had to stop playing. I felt like I was making a step forward and two back. Just when I think everything is fine I get an injury."

 

The Brazilian hailed the influence of former United boss Sir Alex Ferguson and insists he is now preparing to become a significant part of Moyes' side.

 

"Ferguson helped me a lot. He’s a great person, but a new manager means new mentality and I’m happy with that," said Anderson.

 

"Training is hard under David Moyes but that’s good for me. I need to train hard. I need to run and I’m feeling good, with power in my legs. I need to get fit and lose weight. I need to lose two more kilos to be at my best weight.

 

"I just don’t want to have injuries. I want to train every day and play every game. I want to do my best for the team, want to play 90 minutes and not have to come off. To do that I need to be 100% fit."

[Gambino]

Bale plays for Tottenham fella

 

Money from that transfer is going to them

 

/

 

Even if we did in some alternate universe sign CR7 back we still need a CM, we could sign a clone R9 and still need a CM

 

I waited 7 years to see if 2Pac was coming back lol Am sure we can handle 2 weeks for Ronnie.

[Lieutenant]

The fuck we affording ronny?