Red Devils 2017-2018

[Gallego99]

The player inventory at Mou's disposal suggest that he'll switch to a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 this season. We have 6-8 players that can play center back. He'll rely on speedy wing backs the likes of Darmian, Shaw, Valencia or Aurier. Mou is leaning to that tactical formation IMO and that's the reason for his interest in Perisic and Aurier.
Van Gaal didn't have the correct set of players during his tenure and needless to say we played like a bunch of clowns with comical consequences.

 

[red amoeba]

The player inventory at Mou's disposal suggest that he'll switch to a 3-4-3 or 3-5-2 this season. We have 6-8 players that can play center back. He'll rely on speedy wing backs the likes of Darmian, Shaw, Valencia or Aurier. Mou is leaning to that tactical formation IMO and that's the reason for his interest in Perisic and Aurier.
Van Gaal didn't have the correct set of players during his tenure and needless to say we played like a bunch of clowns with comical consequences.

LVG did play 3 5 2 initially. he debut that during their pre season in US and beat Real Madrid with it. he only stopped after that 5-2 defeat to Leicester. which also coincide with loss of form of Angel and the impotence of Falcao.

after that man u retreated into their shell and till today shades of it still evident.

 

[Gallego99]

LVG did play 3 5 2 initially. he debut that during their pre season in US and beat Real Madrid with it. he only stopped after that 5-2 defeat to Leicester. which also coincide with loss of form of Angel and the impotence of Falcao.

after that man u retreated into their shell and till today shades of it still evident.

LVG played 3-5-2 against PSG in pre season friendly and Blanc probably instructed his players to bypass the midfield with long balls. We didn't have the quality and pace at the back to check them and they went on to win easily.
It shows how vulnerable the team is if you dun have the right set of players to pull off a 3 central defenders strategy. The confusion among the players didn't help. You need CDs with pace like Varane and Bailly. it takes discipline and regular drills to make players understand their role in that setup. Conte did it last season.

 

[Bad New Brown]

Manchester United will win UEFA Super Cup 2017.

A trophy to start the new season

 

[Gallego99]

Transfer roundup: Manchester United’s Fosu-Mensah to join Palace on loan

Timothy Fosu-Mensah is set to join Crystal Palace on a season-long loan from Manchester United, with the defender due for medical on Monday.........

https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/aug/07/transfer-round-up-manchester-united-timothy-fosu-mensah-crystal-palace

 

[Gallego99]

Aurier is on his way I guess....

 

[yinyang]

Manchester United considering two more signings in transfer window

[FONT=&amp]Man Utd transfer news features an update on the Ivan Perisic pursuit and the possibility of another summer signing.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Manchester United are expected to make another attempt to sign Internazionale winger Ivan Perisic this week.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]M.E.N. Sport understands Jose Mourinho remains intent on making at least one more addition before the transfer deadline and United have not ended their Perisic pursuit.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]Mourinho is also open to signing a defender - preferably a left-back - as Luke Shaw and Ashley Young continue to recover from long-term injuries. United have expressed interest in Tottenham defender Danny Rose.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]
There have been no further developments concerning Perisic since he flew to China for Inter's pre-season tour on July 18 and United have since gauged the possibility of signing Gareth Bale from Real Madrid.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Inter are believed to have insisted on including Anthony Martial in any Perisic deal but United have dismissed that as brinkmanship and have no intention of selling the France international.[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Mourinho has not concealed his desire to recruit a forward over the last month and has repeatedly nudged Ed Woodward during his press conferences.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]The United manager said earlier this week he would 'fight' for Gareth Bale if Real Madrid did not play him in Tuesday night's Super Cup but the Welshman started and Mourinho insisted afterwards it was 'game over' for United's hopes of signing him.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]When asked if that was the end of United's chances of luring Bale to Old Trafford, Mourinho replied: "I think so, I think clearly the club wants him, the manager wants him and he wants the club so it's game over, even before it started.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]"I think game over because now everybody knows he is going to stay."[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]United could reinforce their flanks with a left-back, although a deal for injured England international Rose is likelier next summer. United unsuccessfully attempted to sign Rose's Tottenham teammate Eric Dier despite the midfielder's desperation to make the move.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Right-back Timothy Fosu-Mensah is on the verge of joining Crystal Palace on loan but Mourinho could strengthen the other wing to accommodate United's tactical shift to a back three. Jesse Lingard started as an auxiliary left wing-back against Madrid but was hooked at the interval.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]United have shown interest in Paris Saint-Germain right-back Serge Aurier but that is believed to have been overstated elsewhere.
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]A week ago, Mourinho stressed: "I was hoping for four players to improve the squad. And the club did a fantastic job, absolutely fantastic, by getting three of them, which is difficult in the crazy market where we are now.
"To get three out of four, I thank the club for that. I would be happier if they gave me four of four but they did a great effort for me."
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]Ahead of United's Washington friendly with Barcelona last month, Mourinho said he wants 'an attacking player, especially that can play through the wings to give me also more attacking options.'
[/FONT]
[FONT=&amp]The transfer window closes at 11pm on August 31.[/FONT]

[FONT=&amp]http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/man-utd-transfer-news-perisic-13451797

[/FONT]

 

[Gallego99]

if the Super Cup is anything to go by, the Devils have not fixed the front man issue. Personally, we witnessed 75 million pounds of thrash and Rashford is absolutely hopeless with one one one opportunities.
Maybe the cheque book manager should look at others rather than splash money for the likes of Bale. Munir could be the answer upfront and give Rashford a run for his money. What Rashford needs is competition, earn his spurs cuz he's the only teenager who has been given countless opportunities and yet deliver so little.

 

[red amoeba]

Aurier is on his way I guess....

Cannot really get my head around why fosu is allowed to leave on loan unless he is gonna be playing week in week out. Hope it's just pure loan without purchase options.

Aurier if he joins will top the yellow & red cards chart. But I do like his power and if he sorts out his legal case.

Stop chasing after the ass of bale and Ronaldo. Sign perisic, once again lack penetration against Real Madrid. Only resort to tall players and pumping high balls.

 

[Gallego99]

Cannot really get my head around why fosu is allowed to leave on loan unless he is gonna be playing week in week out. Hope it's just pure loan without purchase options.

Aurier if he joins will top the yellow & red cards chart. But I do like his power and if he sorts out his legal case.

Stop chasing after the ass of bale and Ronaldo. Sign perisic, once again lack penetration against Real Madrid. Only resort to tall players and pumping high balls.

Mou wants to play 3 CDs and 2 wing backs, the flexible 3-5-2 formation this season. Fosu is a better DM and at his age, he needs more competitive games than Mou is willing to risk. Can't blame Mou as he has 3 young players already in the team-Pereira,Lingaard and Rashford and if you include Martial we're closer to half the team. There are others coming through which makes Mou's job a little harder.

It's better for Fosu that he gets play time and with Frank de Boer at Palace, the manager will give him that opportunity.

 

[Gallego99]

Aurier if he joins will top the yellow & red cards chart. But I do like his power and if he sorts out his legal case.

Aurier is the Mou type of player. He doesn't like the skinny scrawny type like Mahrez.

 

[yinyang]

Anybody's guess on EPL contenders. By Phil McNulty, BBC Sports

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40816204

Manchester United

This season: 3rd

Last season: 6th

It is testimony to Jose Mourinho's built-in winning mechanism that a campaign that appeared a disappointment for so long still ended with Manchester United winning the EFL Cup and the Europa League, confirming Champions League football this season.
United and Mourinho will be under pressure to offer a serious title challenge this season and I expect them to do so.
Victor Lindelof from Benfica will be asked to provide added central defensive reliability with the shield offered by midfield enforcer Nemanja Matic.

The big arrival, however, is £75m Romelu Lukaku from Everton, apparently stolen from under Chelsea's nose.
Lukaku will be under huge scrutiny to deliver but his track record suggests he will. The Belgian has been accused of being "a flat track bully" - United should not worry too much about that because that is exactly what they required during too many draws against sides beneath them last season.

Mourinho will be back in the title shake-up.

Clubs are creating 'strange and out of control' market - Mourinho

Players in: Nemanja Matic (Chelsea), Romelu Lukaku (Everton), Victor Lindelof (Benfica)
Players out: Zlatan Ibrahimovic (released), Josh Harrop (Preston), Regan Poole (Northampton, loan), Wayne Rooney (Everton), Dean Henderson (Shrewsbury, loan), Adnan Januzaj (Real Sociedad), Sam Johnstone (Aston Villa, loan), Devonte Redmond (Scunthorpe United, loan), Cameron Borthwick-Jackson (Leeds, loan)

 

[yinyang]

Tomorrow's opener vs WH, how? Preview

TEAM NEWS

Jose Mourinho is likely to give new signings Romelu Lukaku and Nemanja Matic their Premier League debuts.

Luke Shaw, Ashley Young and Marcos Rojo are all long-term absentees, with the latter recovering from a knee injury. All four of West Ham's major summer signings are available, meaning Javier Hernandez is likely to start against his former club. Michail Antonio, Manuel Lanzini, Cheikhou Kouyate, Andy Carroll and Diafra Sakh are out injured.

MOTD COMMENTATOR'S NOTES

Steve Wilson: "You can't argue with two trophies last season, but this time Manchester United fans will demand a proper title challenge.
"Four seasons have gone by since United last finished in the league's top three, after 22 seasons in which they never finished outside it.
"Slaven Bilic will be among the favourites for the sack if West Ham's season doesn't show early promise, and that would be great shame.
"Signing Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta has brought in experience and some much-needed strength of character, but it's the return to the Premier League of Javier Hernandez which has caused most interest - finally West Ham may have a striker who knows where the goal is."
Twitter: @Wilsonfooty

WHAT THE MANAGERS SAY

Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho on the possibility of a new deal for Zlatan Ibrahimovic: "What he did last year was not enough for him. He thinks he can do more.
"He wants more at football's highest level, so we are having conversations and we are discussing the possibility of him staying with us for the second part of the season."

West Ham manager Slaven Bilic: "It's not ideal playing [against Man Utd at Old Trafford] first game of the season, but on the other hand, it is brilliant and one of the greatest away games in the league.
"They have improved the squad with quality and big transfers, so we will have to be on top of our game.
"We are missing players, it could be better for us but of course we are positive."


LAWRO'S PREDICTION

I see West Ham as a mid-table side looking upwards, but it is asking a lot for them to get anything at Old Trafford.

Prediction: 2-0

Lawro's full predictions v Steve Cram & Brendan Foster.

• Think you can do better than Lawro? Predict the score for this match and the rest of this round's Premier League fixtures in our Predictor game.

This West Ham side avoided relegation on the final day in 2007 with a 1-0 win at Old Trafford.MATCH FACTS

Head-to-head

• Manchester United have won 17 of their 21 Premier League home matches against West Ham (D2, L2).
• The Hammers' last win over United was a 3-2 Premier League victory in May 2016, which was also the final game at Upton Park.
• However, West Ham have not won at Old Trafford for 10 years since they avoided relegation thanks to a Carlos Tevez winner.

Manchester United

• United have only lost one of their 13 opening-day Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford (W9, D3) - a 2-1 defeat by Swansea City in 2014.
• Jose Mourinho has never lost a home match on a Sunday in his managerial career, winning 86 and drawing 26 of his 112 games in all competitions.
• The Manchester United manager has also never lost on the opening day of a Premier League campaign (W7, D1).
• Romelu Lukaku has scored in seven of his last eight games against West Ham.
• 
  

West Ham United

• West Ham have lost 10 opening-day fixtures, more than any other Premier League club.
• Javier Hernandez scored 37 goals in 103 Premier League games for Manchester United, netting a goal every 130 minutes for the club.
• Joe Hart could become the first away goalkeeper to keep three clean sheets at Old Trafford. His previous two came with Manchester City in March 2014 and October 2015.

[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 544"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2, align: left"]SAM's verdict[/TH]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 544"]
[TR]
[TH="colspan: 2, align: left"][/TH]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Most probable score: 2-0[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]
[TABLE="class: sp-story-body__table, width: 544"]
[TR]
[TD][/TD]
[TD]Probability of draw: 17%[/TD]
[/TR]
[TR]
[TD]Probability of home win: 75%[/TD]
[TD]Probability of away win: 8%[/TD]
[/TR]
[/TABLE]

SAM (sports analytics machine) is a super-computer developed by @ProfIanMcHale

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40841358

 

[yinyang]

Alan Shearer puts his money on MU for league title

Man Utd: Why I back Jose Mourinho's side to win Premier League title
- Alan Shearer

By Alan Shearer
Match of the Day pundit

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40892576

 

[red amoeba]

Watched a bit of ars tipsy turvy win over Leicester. Giroud proved to be an impact player like hernandez to man utd. Playing him for 90 minutes will not yield anything from him.

I am not convinced 3-5-2 suits man utd. We r better off with 4 at back.

 

[yinyang]

Pick your favourite Premier League goal: 2012-17

http://www.bbc.com/sport/football/40868014

(click to link to watch auto vid)

• 
  

 

[THE_CHANSTER]

After watching tonight's demolition of West Ham, Romelu Lukaku's transfer from Everton may prove to be a bargain.

 

[Gallego99]

Dun judge him on one display. His first touch as usual was very poor.We'll wait for the second half of the season when just about every visiting team will choose to park the bus. Those were the games United lost points last season.

Credit should go to Bilic as he didn't opt to sit back and soak the pressure. Unfortunately for him, he'll get the sack first. WH chose to stick with him despite the poor performance last season and now that they have invested heavily on players, there'll be no more excuses.

 

[Gallego99]

Watched a bit of ars tipsy turvy win over Leicester. Giroud proved to be an impact player like hernandez to man utd. Playing him for 90 minutes will not yield anything from him.

I am not convinced 3-5-2 suits man utd. We r better off with 4 at back.

It's the tactical flavour of the year as just about everyone saw how Conte's men cantered to the finish line last season.
Methinks, once Aurier and Perisic comes with Lindelof brought up to speed on his role at the back, we'll see the 3 full back formation soon.
3-5-2 give the manager alot of flexibility and facilitates the transition game. At anytime, u can have 5 defending,5 midfielders to box the opponent's midfield or cut the passing lanes or 4 attackers.With this formation players like Blind, Rojo do not have a chance. United will probably have to rely on Valencia, Aurier,Shaw and Darmian.

 

[yinyang]

• R Lukaku (33'minutes, 52'minutes),
• Martial (87'minutes),
• Pogba (90'minutes)

Manchester United 4-0 West Ham United
By Jonathan Jurejko
BBC Sport

Romelu Lukaku is the fourth Manchester United player to score a brace on his Premier League debutRomelu Lukaku announced his arrival at Old Trafford by scoring twice on his Premier League debut for Manchester United as they embarrassed West Ham.

Jose Mourinho's team were a constant threat against a poor Hammers side, offering excitement and encouragement to their supporters on the opening weekend of the new Premier League season.

Lukaku, a £75m summer signing from Everton, put the Red Devils ahead with a rising drive off the post after racing onto Marcus Rashford's pass.

The Belgium international doubled the lead after half-time, glancing in a header from Henrikh Mkhitaryan's inswinging free-kick.
United teenager Rashford curled against the inside of Joe Hart's left-hand post before substitute Anthony Martial ended the match as a contest with a slick finish.

There was still time for a fourth, however, as Paul Pogba curled in from distance.

The Hammers offered little going forward in a passive performance, although new signing Marko Arnautovic did flick a header onto the top of the home crossbar at 2-0. The Red Devils have now lost only one of their 14 opening-day Premier League fixtures at Old Trafford, while West Ham's season began with a record 11th defeat.

Stylish United set out their stall
Manchester United might have won the Europa League and League Cup in Mourinho's debut season at Old Trafford, but Red Devils supporters will be expecting, if not demanding, a serious title challenge after a less-than-adequate sixth-placed finish last term.
Mourinho spent almost £150m on Everton striker Lukaku, Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic and Benfica defender Victor Lindelof this summer in a bid to achieve it.

Although Mourinho's new-look side were outclassed by Real Madrid in Tuesday's Super Cup defeat, solace could be taken that the European champions contained a level of quality unlikely to be seen in the Premier League this season - and certainly not from their opening opponents.

Manchester United's dominance was shown by their 22 shots at the Hammers goal (top graphic), compared to just nine from the away side (bottom). As well as their four goals (illustrated by the ball icons), the home side had four more shots on target (green arrows) and eight off target (red). The Hammers managed just one shot on target...In contrast to a workmanlike performance against Madrid, the home side played with verve and purpose as the Hammers sat back in a bid to contain and frustrate them.

It was a tactic that opponents used to successfully stifle Mourinho's side on several occasions at Old Trafford last season, but once Lukaku broke the deadlock the Hammers never looked like clawing their way back into the game.

Style is equally as important as substance for many United fans and their attacking approach - which saw them rack up 22 shots - will provide encouragement to supporters hoping for a first Premier League title since 2013.

United's striking future outshines its past
The opening weekend provided a tale of two strikers at Old Trafford: one a familiar face looking to haunt some old friends, the other a new arrival seeking to make an instant impression.

New Hammers signing Javier Hernandez received a warm welcome on his first return to the club where he made his name, but saw his appearance overshadowed by the latest man charged with firing the Red Devils to success. Lukaku, who opened his account in Tuesday's defeat by Madrid, impressed throughout with his strong running, physical presence and link-up play. But his two goals were what really caught the eye.

In truth, it seemed almost inevitable that the Belgian would find the net against the Hammers, having scored in nine of his 10 games against them while at Everton. The 24-year-old eased any growing twitchiness - as United dominated the opening half an hour without testing Joe Hart - by smashing in the opener, then gave them valuable breathing space with a predatory header.

He had a chance to complete his hat-trick too, only to see Pablo Zabalata block his goalbound shot with a sliding tackle and then blaze a rising effort over. "When you play for Manchester United, you have a job to do and mine is to score goals. It is promising," said the former Everton and Chelsea striker.

Limp display dampens Hammers' pre-season optimism
Optimism has been high at West Ham after a productive summer for manager Slaven Bilic - but some of that may have disappeared after they were easily brushed aside at Old Trafford.

Bilic said afterwards it was hard to find any positives, but one poor performance on the opening weekend does not mean the Hammers should necessarily panic, especially as several key players - including Manuel Lanzini, Andy Carroll and Michail Antonio - were missing through injury.

Disaster result for Hammers - BilicThe Hammers' transfer policy over the summer has been clear: experienced internationals who have proven Premier League quality.

That arrived in the shape of Manchester City title-winning duo Joe Hart and Pablo Zabaleta, Stoke attacking midfielder Marko Arnautovic and former Manchester United striker Hernandez. Right-back Zabaleta probably came out with the most credit after a typically industrious display.

But questions may be asked over the ease with which England keeper Hart allowed Pogba's strike to creep in, while Hernandez barely had a sniff of a chance against his former club. The Hammers only had one serious chance in a limp first-half performance - Edimilson Fernandes's fierce shot parried by David De Gea in the final kick before half-time - before Arnautovic's half-chance after the break.

Man of the match - Nemanja Matic (Manchester United)

Eyebrows were raised when United managed to snare Matic from champions Chelsea for £40m. On the evidence of today, one must question what Chelsea were thinking. The central midfielder was the heartbeat of the Red Devils' impressive win, breaking up play superbly and then getting the home side moving forward quickly. The Serb had more touches and made more passes than anyone else on the pitch

Lukaku loves a debut...

• Romelu Lukaku has now scored on his Premier League debut for three different clubs (West Bromwich Albion, Everton, Manchester United)
• Lukaku has scored more goals in all competitions against West Ham than he has against any other English side (11).
• The Belgian also became the 18th player to score on his Premier League debut for Manchester United, and the fourth to score a brace
• Jose Mourinho has now won nine league games against West Ham, more than he has against any other opponent he's faced in his managerial career
• This was Mourinho's biggest Premier League win as United manager, and biggest home win in the Premier League since his Chelsea side beat Arsenal 6-0 in March 2014
• Anthony Martial became the first Red Devils player since Nani against Liverpool in March 2008 to both score and assist a Premier League goal as a substitute

What's next?
Manchester United will look to follow up this fine opening win when they go to Swansea on Saturday (12:30 BST).
West Ham face another away game - because their London Stadium has been hosting the World Athletics Championships - as they visit Southampton on the same day (15:00).