Manchester United 2015-2016

[red amoeba]

Talking about physio, the zhar boh physio for Singapore team oso buay pai.

 

[yinyang]

Rear reinforcement? :p

Nicolas Otamendi to Manchester United: Transfer of Valencia defender 'close'

http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...sfer-of-valencia-defender-close-10452166.html

The centre-back has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for much of the summer
SIMON RICE Author Biography Wednesday 12 August 2015

Nicolas Otamendi is close to a move to Manchester United, according to Valencia based TV station SillasGol.

The Valencia centre-back has been linked with a move to Old Trafford for much of the summer, although Sergio Ramos is the preferred target of United manager Louis van Gaal.

But with Ramos expected to sign a new contract at Real Madrid, speculation the club will turn their attentions to alternative options in defence is growing.

SillasGol claim to have seen legal and tax documentation that proves their claim that Otamendi is on the verge of a move to the Premier League.

Otamendi, who only joined Valencia last summer from Porto, has reportedly indicated he is a keen on the switch. The 27-year-old was one of the stand-out performers in Spanish football last term, earning a place in the La Liga team of the year.

 

[yinyang]

Talking about physio, the zhar boh physio for Singapore team oso buay pai.

What were you thinking Mou!!!! She's the most watchable person on your bench. Eva, please come to United. Fans and players will appreciate you better than that dick.

Lobby from medic sector :p

 

[Gallego99]

LVG to make Eva Carneiro top signing this summer!!!!

It will be the biggest coup since Eric Cantona!!!!!! WELCOME EVA TO OLD TRAFFORD!!!!

 

[red amoeba]

Man U vs Aston Villa...last season escaped with a draw - thanks to Falcao...
this season..that Gestade showed he is a big aerial threat...
Blind is not exactly a tall & robust defender...

some more Friday night and Van Gaal reserving his ammo for Brugge....bored 0-0

 

[yinyang]

Match preview early tomorrow morning, vs Villains. How? :p

Barclays Premier League
Venue: Villa Park Date: Friday, 14 August

TEAM NEWS
Aston Villa's Rudy Gestede may have to settle for a place on the bench against Manchester United on Friday despite his debut winner at Bournemouth. Jack Grealish and Carles Gil are back in training but not fit enough to play.

Manchester United midfielder Marouane Fellaini continues his suspension carried over from last season, while Phil Jones is out with mild thrombosis. Bastian Schweinsteiger is pushing for a first start after making his debut as a substitute on the opening day.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES
Steve Bower: "Having both started with 1-0 victories on the opening day, we may discover more about the new-look teams after this one. "Villa simply have to improve their home record this season. They have to believe they can alter their record against Manchester United in recent times in the process. For some reason it's always been a ground where United have always done well.

"They'll want that to continue as they try to give themselves an early-season foundation to build on and stay as close as possible to the leaders. It will be intriguing to see how quickly the new faces on both sides can gel."
Twitter: @SteveBowercomm

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY
Aston Villa manager Tim Sherwood: "Some of these foreign boys we've gone for are better than the English ones. They have played a lot more games at a very young age. You look at the English boys, they've played five games and cost a mountain.
"We fancy ourselves against any team. You have to have that mindset."

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal: "The key for success this season is improving in away matches. We were one of the best last season at home, third. I want to create a fortress at Old Trafford, we did that - but away we have to improve and we can improve because last year we were not good."

MATCH FACTS
Head-to-head
Manchester United are unbeaten in their last 19 league matches at Villa Park since a 3-1 defeat on the opening day of the 1995-96 season (W12, D7).

Aston Villa's most recent home win against United in any competition was by a 3-0 scoreline in the League Cup in October 1999.
Villa's only victory in 39 league games against Manchester United came courtesy of Gabby Agbonlahor's headed goal at Old Trafford in December 2009.

United have won eight and drawn one of the last nine meetings home and away, scoring 25 goals and conceding only six.

Aston Villa
Villa won five of their Premier League home games last season - only Sunderland and relegated Burnley fared worse.
They have lost 34 of their 70 league games at Villa Park since December 2011, winning on just 17 occasions and averaging exactly one point per match during that period (W17, D19, L34, Pts 70).
The Villans have fared slightly better under Tim Sherwood, taking 10 points from seven home games (W3, D1, L3).
Villa have not won their opening two games of a Premier League season since 1999-00.
Rudy Gestede has scored 20 league goals with his head since August 2013, more than anyone else in the top four divisions.

Manchester United
They last started a season with consecutive league victories in 2011, when they went on to take maximum points from the first five games. United only had one shot on target in the opening round of fixtures, the lowest tally by any Premier League team.
The Red Devils are unbeaten in 14 top-flight matches played on a Friday since a 3-0 defeat at Bolton in December 1978.
Wayne Rooney has scored 13 Premier League goals against Villa, more than against any other club. However, he has failed to score in his last six league appearances at Villa Park.

Ashley Young made 193 appearances for Aston Villa, scoring 39 goals, between January 2007 and May 2011.

 

[Gallego99]

Man U vs Aston Villa...last season escaped with a draw - thanks to Falcao...
this season..that Gestade showed he is a big aerial threat...
Blind is not exactly a tall & robust defender...

some more Friday night and Van Gaal reserving his ammo for Brugge....bored 0-0

Yup, it looks like a draw.If they fail to qualify for the CL's main draw, the spending stops.IMO, Brugge will be a difficult tie if they choose to park the bus. United created few opportunities against Spurs and I can't see them improving with the same set of players.

 

[Gallego99]

Gestede will play at some point to inject pace. Sherwood is playing his cards close to his chest but it's not like Utd have options in CD.

 

[Gallego99]

Louis van Gaal: David de Gea does not want to play for Manchester United

David de Gea’s increasingly fragile position at Manchester United has been further destabilised after Louis van Gaal took the unexpected decision to go public with new details about the current standoff behind the scenes at Old Trafford, including the damaging revelation that the goalkeeper expressly told the club he did not want to be part of the team..............

His comments were unusual, not just in the way they were delivered but because they also go against the club’s usual policy of trying to keep private conversations in-house. ......................................

http://www.theguardian.com/football/2015/aug/13/david-de-gea-louis-van-gaal-manchester-united

 

[Gallego99]

I don't know what LVG is up to and I don't see how this will help in team building.

 

[Gallego99]

A polished but sterile performance from United. Certainly better than the Spurs game. 3 more points in the bag. LVG should drop Rooney who did absolutely nothing in that game.

 

[yinyang]

Rooney didn't turn up. As 1 pundit observed, he hardly had a go with ball near AV's goal mouth area until injury time

Depay with all the pre season fuss, tend to ballon his shots at goal. Consolation was his near miss at corner post. Mata was instrumental for incisive pass which led to solitary goal. But he also messed up by giving ball away at least 2 occasions.

Overall, the class divide over AV was telling. And truth be told, AV was hard done by penalty not given for some tugging

 

[Gallego99]

I'm sure Roon will score a few goal but he's highly unlikely to achieve the 20 goal target. What Roon really needs is a kick in his butt by relegating him to the bench. Roon knows there's a lack of competition for that striker's role and he'll ride his luck as long as the status quo remains unchanged.
Bring on Hernandez and see where we go from there before the transfer window closes.

We're lucky Villa's new signing was in the stand.

[video=youtube;5-9mT_bq97w]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5-9mT_bq97w[/video]

 

[Gallego99]

Wayne Rooney is burnt-out and the Manchester United captain looks as ineffectual as he has ever been

Wayne Rooney has not scored in eight games for Manchester United
The attacker failed to make an impact during Friday's win over Aston Villa
Rooney has never played fewer than 42 games in a season
The Red Devils skipper looks exhausted and could be near tipping point

It was only one game, and Manchester United won it anyway, but even so there was something deeply troubling about Wayne Rooney’s performance at Villa Park on Friday. One touch inside the opposing penalty area in over 90 minutes, and that to kick the ball into touch to waste time, having chased it fruitlessly down a channel. No shots at goal, no chances, no impact whatsoever, really.

Rooney can have these fallow spells, but they are usually brief. After getting two goals against Newcastle on Boxing Day last year he didn’t score again until February 16, a run of nine games. He is currently on eight games of blanks for Manchester United, dating back to a goal against Aston Villa on April 4. The difference being he is now the club’s primary forward.......................................................

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/football/article-3200211/Wayne-Rooney-burnt-Manchester-United-captain-looks-ineffectual-been.html

**************************************************************************************************************************

He will play well once every 4 years when his contract is up for renewal. His fitness is suspect and is certainly not worthy of the captain's arm band. Give it to Carrick.




Read more: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...ain-looks-ineffectual-been.html#ixzz3j2gg0wBa
Follow us: @MailOnline on Twitter | DailyMail on Facebook

 

[Gallego99]

Man United keeper David De Gea offered £12million signing-on fee by Real Madrid to see out contract

The Spanish giants are desperate to sign the Spaniard during this window - but there is a massive financial incentive for De Gea to go on a free next year

David De Gea will be handed a staggering £12m signing-on fee by Real Madrid if he sits out the final year of his contract.

The Spanish giants are desperate to sign the Manchester United keeper during this window - but there is a massive financial incentive for De Gea to go on a free next year.

It could leave United as big losers because they would miss out on a huge fee for De Gea if they continue to play hardball over his move.

Madrid want to pay around £25m this summer but United are asking for a much bigger price in excess of £35m.
..............................................

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-united-keeper-david-de-6263424

Gossip as usual. There is no doubt that DG will get a lucrative contract if there is no transfer fee involved.

 

[yinyang]

Tonight's qualifying do with Brugge, how?

CHAMPIONS LEAGUE QUALIFYING
Venue: Old Trafford Date: 18 August Kick-off: 19:45 BST

http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33954080

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal says the "pressure is high" for Tuesday's Champions League play-off against Club Brugge.

The Red Devils host the Belgian club in the first of two legs, with the winner progressing to the group stage.
Van Gaal, who took charge in May 2014, is looking to guide United to a return to Europe's elite club competition for the first time since 2013-14.

"You cannot say it is not any pressure because they are a good team," he said.
"We have to show our quality."

Manchester United
Manchester United's last game in the Champions League was a 3-1 defeat to Bayern Munich in April 2014, when David Moyes was manager.

Faith in Rooney
United head into the game looking to maintain their 100% start to the season, having beaten Tottenham and Aston Villa in the Premier League.

England captain Wayne Rooney has been leading the line for United but is waiting for his first goal of the campaign, and managed just one touch in the Villa area during Friday's 1-0 win. Van Gaal, though, remains confident the goals will soon come for Rooney.
Play media

Van Gaal wants more 'consistent' Januzaj
"I have always confidence in my players but we don't have only Wayne Rooney in the striker's position," said Van Gaal.
"We have Adnan Januzaj, he played in the striker's position in the USA. I have given him that chance and he has shown he can do that.
"We have Javier Hernandez, we have James Wilson - so I don't think we have a lack of strikers."

Defender Phil Jones, who has mild thrombosis, remains sidelined but Marouane Fellaini could start, with his suspension only applicable to domestic games.

BBC Sport's Simon Stone: Louis van Gaal's pre-match news conference was a spiky performance from the United manager.
His side may have started their domestic campaign with successive wins in the Premier League and not a goal conceded, but Van Gaal still managed to take issue with a number of questions put to him in Old Trafford's Europa Suite.

So why was Louis so irritable? Maybe the reason lies in his first answer about pressure, for the Manchester United board certainly are keen to qualify for the Champions League - with a new TV deal in place, an English winner could earn themselves around £70m.

Beware of Brugge?
Michel Preud'homme's Club Brugge side won the Belgian Cup last season and reached the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
They finished the Belgian Pro League regular season top of the standings, but were pipped to the title by Genk in the 10-match championship play-off.

Van Gaal added: "These kind of matches are difficult and because of the draw I think it is much more difficult because we have drawn Brugge.
"Brugge can defend very well, and they can attack also.
"Everyone wants to participate in the Champions League but first you have to beat Club Brugge."

 

[yinyang]

Pedro chase :p

Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward touches down in Barcelona to complete £22m Pedro signing. Ed Woodward is in Spain to try and tie up the signing of Pedro

The Manchester United chief flew to Catalunya on Monday. The club will look to complete a £22m deal despite interest from Chelsea

PUBLISHED: 17:30 GMT, 17 August 2015 | UPDATED: 22:28 GMT, 17 August 2015
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/fo...hes-Barcelona-complete-22m-Pedro-signing.html

Manchester United chief executive Ed Woodward is in Barcelona to try and tie up the £22m transfer of Spanish international Pedro.
Woodward flew to Catalunya ahead of Monday's Spanish Super Cup second leg between Barcelona and Athletic Bilbao at the Nou Camp.

It is understood that the Old Trafford chief hopes to take significant steps towards concluding a deal that has been slowed down by ongoing interest from Chelsea.

Pedro, in action against Bilbao on Monday in the Spanish Super Cup, wants to leave the Nou Camp



Though United manager Louis van Gaal is known to have slight reservations about Pedro’s pace, the Barclays Premier League club are still keen on the deal as they look to add attacking reinforcements to their squad this season.

Pedro wants to leave Barcelona as he has become frustrated with the lack of first-team opportunities. Barcelona, meanwhile, failed to overturn their 4-0 first-leg deficit against Athletic Bilbao as they drew the second leg 1-1.
Pedro played 68 minutes at the Nou Camp before being replaced by Munir El Haddadi.

Woodward also take the opportunity to watch Bilbao’s French central defender Aymeric Laporte.
United do not have a central defender high on their list of priorities despite the fact that early summer target Sergio Ramos committed himself to a new deal at Real Madrid today. However Laporte is highly rated and United continue to have an interest in the 20-year-old, despite a buy-out clause of £36.5m that was inserted in to a new contract in June.

 

[yinyang]

Stayed up to watch Depay's brace, but missed panjang Fellani's 3rd goal. Depay's 1st was brilliant with chesting, head and bang!. His 2nd was a great curler from just outside the box. Ole2, even Brugge's manager is not confident of overcomng 0-2 deficit

Memphis Depay dazzles in iconic Manchester United shirt shirt

Memphis Depay's European bow at Old Trafford was so sumptuous that manager Louis van Gaal afterwards said he wanted to "kiss" his fellow Dutchman.

And it is easy to see why Van Gaal felt so strongly about his £31m summer signing.
Whether it's #Memphis or #Depay, his two goals and an assist on European debut made him an instant hit inside Old Trafford.
Since Cristiano Ronaldo's departure in 2009, Manchester United have struggled to find a worthy heir to the number seven shirt, but the search may finally be over.

Depay was a £31m summer signing from PSV Eindhoven
Come in number seven

The number seven shirt has an iconic status at Old Trafford - think George Best, David Beckham and Eric Cantona.
Michael Owen, Antonio Valencia and Angel Di Maria have all worn and failed to live up to the expectations.
But the heavily tattooed Depay, who was signed from PSV Eindhoven in the summer, reportedly told Louis van Gaal he wanted the number on his back.

Mission accomplished: Depay's shoelaces on his boots on Tuesday evening


Van Gaal, who coached Depay at the 2014 World Cup, had described the forward as "one of the greatest players of his generation" when he signed him in June.

And he was feeling the love again after Tuesday's match.
"I want to kiss him tonight," the United manager said.
"He's never satisfied. I like that. You have to know what you are doing and also what you can do and then your desire to improve is higher. And that's Memphis."
'I'll forget the hat-trick chance'

Depay doesn't lack confidence and seemed to find his feet on a classic European night under the Old Trafford floodlights.
But he still felt this was room for improvement when discussing his own performance.

"I'm happy that I scored, and of course I'm happy that we won," said Depay, Eredivisie's top scorer last season with 22 goals.
"But I must admit I'm a bit disappointed because I could have scored the last two chances and got a hat-trick.
"I will think about that tonight and forget about it tomorrow."

 

[yinyang]

Match report

Man Utd 3 (Depay 13′, 43′ Fellaini 90′) Club Brugge (1 Carrick 8′ (og)

Manchester United forward Memphis Depay scores his first goal for the Old Trafford club http://www.bbc.com/sport/0/football/33954080

Memphis Depay scored twice to inspire Manchester United to victory over Club Brugge in their Champions League play-off.
Brugge took a surprise first-leg lead through Michael Carrick's own goal.

But Depay drove in a low strike and brilliantly cut inside and curled in a 25-yard shot to put United ahead.
Brugge defender Brandon Mechele was sent off for two bookings after 80 minutes and Depay crossed for Marouane Fellaini to head in a late third.

The home side looked set to be frustrated in their attempts to add to Depay's double as the Dutchman ballooned a clear chance to claim his hat-trick. But Fellaini came on as a late substitute for the out-of-sorts Wayne Rooney and finally turned United's superiority into a two-goal cushion going into next Wednesday's return leg.

Relive Man Utd's win over Club Brugge
How good was Depay?

This is the game in which United's £31m summer signing Depay announced himself to the Old Trafford fans - and he did it in some style. He has mostly played just behind the main striker in his first two games but was switched to his more preferred left-wing role against Brugge - a move which paid off.

Depay should have completed his hat-trick, the easiest chance of his match, but shot high over the bar after a delightful Rooney back-flick. "I am very happy for Memphis because a player needs that," said United boss Louis Van Gaal. "I said it was a matter of time and hopefully he shall continue. He is 21 and he has only played two seasons for PSV, I have confidence in him."

Depay had 77 touches in the opposition half and eight touches in the opposition box - more than any other player

Is Rooney showing signs of improving?
England captain Rooney has been leading the line for United but there was little sign of his first goal of the campaign coming against Brugge. He managed only one touch in the area during Friday's 1-0 win at Aston Villa and when chances did come his way against the Belgian side he had a volley hacked clear and glanced a header wide from a corner.

Some of Rooney's best work came outside the box, with one of his passes and a clever backheel setting up Depay for two excellent chances. "He worked hard as Wayne Rooney always does but he looks like he has lost a little bit of belief in front of goal," said BBC Radio 5 live pundit Chris Waddle.
"He is snatching at things and doesn't look composed in front of goal and that must be a concern for manager Louis Van Gaal."
What can Man Utd expect in Brugge?

The Belgian side, who are four games into their league season, struggled to keep up when United upped the tempo.
Brugge, who need to win at least 2-0 next week, were not helped by captain and holding midfielder Timmy Simons going off injured and will also be without suspended first-choice centre-back Mechele.

They will also need influential playmaker Victor Vazquez, along with strikers Tuur Dierckx and Abdoulay Diaby, to show more attacking intent if they are to stand a chance of overturning their deficit - they managed just one attempt on goal and that was the own goal.

However, their Jan Breydel Stadium provides an intimidating atmosphere and manager Michel Preud'homme's side have won their three home matches so far this season.

Reaction:
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal on BT Sport: "We deserved much more because we created a lot of chances. It is what I am always saying, you have to be effective. We have a lot of chances and only three goals.
"I am happy because of the last goal. We have practised that before. We put him in the penalty area because he has that quality.
"It is not a simple opponent. It is still a game but, because of that last goal, it is more confident for us."
Club Brugge manager Michel Preud'homme on BT Sport: "You have a small chance at home but it is going to be very difficult. I know Fellaini, of course, and he is very strong in that situation.

"We tried to play with our qualities. We missed a lot of players. The red card was very far for me, it is difficult to see.
"If we have to miss our captain and central defender, with all our injured players, I don't see the solution to beat Manchester United."

Man of the match
Two goals and one assist - it has to be Memphis Depay
The stats you need to know


Depay had 77 touches in the opposition half and eight touches in the opposition box - more than any other player

The last three players to score two and assist one in a European game for Manchester United are Cristiano Ronaldo (2009), Rooney (2013) and now Depay (2015).

Nine of Memphis Depay's 30 club goals since the start of last season have come from outside the box.
Manchester United's last four home games against Belgian teams have seen them win 10-0, 3-0, 5-1 and 3-1.
Louis Van Gaal's side had 65% of possession, with eight of their 19 attempts on goal on target.

Pundit analysis
BBC Radio 5 live football correspondent John Murray: "What a disappointment for Club Brugge and their vibrant supporters, who thought they were going to have a real chance in Belgium before that last goal from Fellaini. Unconvincing from Manchester United but they have won 3-1."

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

Memphis Depay looks a real bargain for £31m. His second goal was real quality.

To all the Man Utd fans here, do you think there's a future for Adnan Januzai?