reality hit me today

[Holland in 06]

I think over these last few weeks and years I have overrated Man U. This loss to Milan has put a very bitter taste in my mouth. Theres no shame in losing to Milan, but the way Man U lost to these guys is what bugs me. There were moments were I united felt would not even threaten Milan. Milan just flat out dominated especially in the second half of the first leg.


I can appreciate what Man U has done over the last few years in trying to develop some of these young guys i.e. Fletcher,Miller and etc. but a lot of these guys have not lived up to the hype and I feel that Man U has to make a splash this summer especially in getting an AM. The quality in creativity and the overall depth between Man U and teams like Milan, Chelsea and Madrid is huge. Check this out

0-1 loss to Chelsea
0-0 draw with Chelsea
0-1 loss to Chelsea
0-1 loss to Milan
0-1 loss to Milan

5 games,1 draw, 4 losses. Man U just doesn't create enough. I think the defense is ok. But getting a goalie and attacking midfielder is a huge priority.

[mette72]

I think the only thing that ManU need is heart. They have heart when they play Arsenal (because this is a great rivalry) but I just don't see that same heart in other matches.

I watched the match today vs. AC Milan (on UEFA.com, which is great by the way for soccer fans that can't see all the Champions League matches, like me!) and they just lacked the flare they needed to win. I also wondered why SAF waited so long to put in Allan Smith. He has heart, and why wait? So you lost 2-0 or 3-0, it doesn't matter (I say this, because with Smith in the line-up, they would be really pushing forward).

Anyway, frustrating to watch. I don't think RVN is totally match fit yet, I think Rooney was nervous, and Scholes needs to either move on or figure out he still really wants to play and actually put forth an effort. Also, I believe C. Ronaldo is not there yet, and ManU really miss Becks (those great crosses).

Oh well.....

[sitati_kituyi]

If you respect the build-up we've been trying to do in the last few years as you say, then we shouldn't buy too big or it eliminates years of work. I'm happy with letting United go 2/3 years without winning the Champions League, whatever we need for the next true team to be built.

Coz that's what's happening. We're still deep in transition, and to be challenging for the league, the FA Cup and only going out in Europe against a team as good as Milan isn't a bad return.

I'd like to see Essien and Wright-Phillips join, as there's many years ahead for those two. They would become part of the heart of the next team. What I don' want is to see signing of 30-year old players in a bid to rush a title next year, that will only serve to disrupt the development of the young 'uns.

Patience.

[haven]

The side doesn't pass well enough. It's really that simple. In the entire side, there's precisely one creative player who also passes well. That's Scholes. Every single other player is somehow limited in his execution of the creative attacking game, whether it be vision or technique of some sort. I think we might have been fine even with one more such player. But other teams seem to realize that if you put a lid on Scholes, we're nearly completely reliant on Ronaldo, Giggs, or Rooney doing something brilliant. And that doesn't happen all the time.

Milan has a # of creative players that pass the ball well. That's the difference.

[bnjamin]

If you respect the build-up we've been trying to do in the last few years as you say, then we shouldn't buy too big or it eliminates years of work. I'm happy with letting United go 2/3 years without winning the Champions League, whatever we need for the next true team to be built.

Coz that's what's happening. We're still deep in transition, and to be challenging for the league, the FA Cup and only going out in Europe against a team as good as Milan isn't a bad return.

I'd like to see Essien and Wright-Phillips join, as there's many years ahead for those two. They would become part of the heart of the next team. What I don' want is to see signing of 30-year old players in a bid to rush a title next year, that will only serve to disrupt the development of the young 'uns.

Patience.

Essien is definitely a player United has to try and buy. He is not only the perfect long term replacement for Keane, but he is able to get forward and add goals. I don't think Utd would ever get Wright-Phillips, it would be very hard for someone like him to make the move from City to United. But I would be very pleased if we got Essien and found a way for Alan Smith to be more involved.

[QuaresmaRonaldo]

Essien is definitely a player United has to try and buy. He is not only the perfect long term replacement for Keane, but he is able to get forward and add goals. I don't think Utd would ever get Wright-Phillips, it would be very hard for someone like him to make the move from City to United. But I would be very pleased if we got Essien and found a way for Alan Smith to be more involved.I think Manchester United have a good core, but its time to find adequate replacements for Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Gary Neville, Silvestre, and a capable keeper.

These should be the targets - all young and gifted.

- in with Andrade (Deportivo)
out with Silvestre

- In with Vicente(Valencia) or Joaquin(Betis)
out with Giggs

- In with Rozicky (Dortmund) or Maniche (FC Porto)
out with Scholes

- In with Essien(Lyon) or Custodio(Sporting Lisbon-partnership agreement)
out with Keane

[haven]

Overly rapid change would be counterproductive, though I am surprised by how quickly Chelsea have come together.

I think it would be a huge mistake to "get rid of" all the players discussed here. Particularly, Giggs and Scholes are both highly effective players even given substantial amounts of minutes. Keane is highly effective given limited minutes.

More than anything else, we need another central midfielder to supplement Scholes and Keane in a 4-5-1, and probably a holding midfielder to play beside Scholes in a 4-4-2.

Whole sale change, I think, would hurt more than it will help.

[johno]

LOL at someone suggesting Maniche for Scholes... HAH

[Achtung]

LOL at someone suggesting Maniche for Scholes... HAH

He'll do a great job... of falling down. :rolleyes:

[Holland in 06]

I'm not asking for a major overhaul. I just want Man U to get an attacking and/or holding MF.Ones that are proven or on the cusp.

[Omar23033]

I think Manchester United have a good core, but its time to find adequate replacements for Giggs, Scholes, Keane, Gary Neville, Silvestre, and a capable keeper.

These should be the targets - all young and gifted.

- in with Andrade (Deportivo)
out with Silvestre

- In with Vicente(Valencia) or Joaquin(Betis)
out with Giggs

- In with Rozicky (Dortmund) or Maniche (FC Porto)
out with Scholes

- In with Essien(Lyon) or Custodio(Sporting Lisbon-partnership agreement)
out with Keane



Selling Scholes, Keane, Giggs, and Silvestre might be a bit crazy... but finding good players at CM, DCM, and a winger should be goals for the summer transfer season. I actually would be happy with Essien as the only summer buy, Joaquin seems a bit of a reach ... with Real losing to Juve i expect a summer buy of Joaquin.

[John L]

Dead on post - Biggest difference between ManU and the other top teams (THEY STILL ARE A TOP TEAM) is lack of creativity and real threat from the midfield - Not a major problem in the EPL against the minnows (teams from last to about 6th), but really does show up against other top teams in the EPL and CL -

Don't know about your proposed solutions, but it will take more than just one Attacking Midfield player - You also need creativity and passing and distribution from your wings (bye-bye Cristiano) - And having one or two fullbacks who know how to do through-balls helps too - Thats why Heinze is so vital to keep