Bruno responding to the claims (from Castles among others) about a supposed bust up with Ole. That is proper skip behavior right there. He's more of a captain that Mag has ever been and really should have the armband.
That's nice. If Ole is actually fighting with Bruno though his days are more numbered then even I thought.
I don't know how much more obvious it has to be made that those stories were utter bollocks. It's the new "United are actively looking for a Director of Football". Ed's obviously bought his second book on PR strategy, even if it's still more pictures than words.
https://www.espn.com/soccer/manches...n-united-have-mentality-to-win-premier-league Does the Premier League currently have a drug testing system in place?
34 goal contributions in 35 appearances for Manchester United.Truly remarkable. 👏#MUFC pic.twitter.com/vsD4kdVkqY— Man United News (@ManUtdMEN) November 24, 2020
We better surround this guy with some talent before a bigger club poaches him. Think of what he could do with some actual weapons around him.
🏅 February🏅 March🏅 June🏅 August🏅 𝐍𝐨𝐯𝐞𝐦𝐛𝐞𝐫A fifth #MUFC Player of the Month award for @B_Fernandes8 🤩 pic.twitter.com/LPGRYDPJcK— Manchester United (@ManUtd) December 2, 2020
From ESPNFC: ""A Bola has revealed that Manchester United have paid another €3m to Sporting CP as part of the transfer deal for Bruno Fernandes. He moved to Old Trafford in January for a reported €55m, plus €25m in add-ons. And he has started to trigger those bonuses. The payment was revealed in Sporting's quarterly accounts for the season, which could be down to United qualifying for the Champions League this season." https://www.espn.com/soccer/blog-tr...elsea#:~:text=He is a 32-year,€25m in add-ons. Worth every penny...
I think thats a problem because Pogba isnt a 10. I like to rib @johno a lot for his defense of Pogba, but one point he made always sticks with me: Its like people expect Pogba to win the ball like a 6, control tempo like an 8, and create and score like a 10. Meanwhile doing this with industrious partners with no skill or ability to help.
Pogs for me is a defensively poor but very good attacking #8. Consequently when judged to the standards of a #10 he gets unfair flack for insufficient goals and assists. As an #8, his is usually the key forward pass to the guy doing the assist - so his forward passing stats (the ones that matter most for an #8) are usually top-end. Those comparing him to attackers and #10s just dont get it. I dont have an issue with his offensive contributions, good #8s are often under-appreciated and overshadowed by #10s and attackers by many fans. Problem is though we usually play him in a midfield 2 in our usual 4-2-3-1 - a system not best suited to a defensively poor #8. Especially if you dont have a mobile #6 in the squad at all. We only have one proper DM/#6 - Matic, who for all his faults (mobility mainly) is at least a proper #6, so would at least play more centrally / conservatively when paired witn Pogba. McT on the other hand (and Fred to some extent too) are not specialist #6s and tend to cover their side without covering for Pogs who gets exposed. Pogs defensive stats this season have been bad as have his defensive performances. In the game where a gave away a pen a while back (v Arsenal where he didnt track Bellerin all game), Pogs said he needed to learn. Aint gonna happen - if you are not a good DM at 27 coming to 28 it is too late. We need a mobile #6 to allow Pogs to do his #8 thing without over-exposing our defence. Though pre-contract Matic held it together end of last season, post-contract Matic aint it. McT definitely aint it. We should have got one in the summer.
People expect more from Pogba because he is a big name player. Even if the team was shit, they expected him to look good in a shit side. Unfair but that is what I think they expect from him. Not exactly what I am referring to, though. More a sense of the club thinking that Pogba was going to be the spark that shifted the trajectory of the club.
Chances created in the Premier League this season:35 — Bruno Fernandes (🥇)34 — 33 —32 —31 — 30 —29 —28 — Kevin De Bruyne (🥈)27 — 26 — Jack Grealish (🥉)It’s lonely at the top. 👑 pic.twitter.com/YMDFIuPDdY— Statman Dave (@StatmanDave) December 5, 2020 The way he tends to lose pretty cheaply and at a high rate still grate me a little. But when you see what he brings to our attack (on top of his winning attitude), it becomes much easier to overlook how wasteful with the ball he can be at times. Simply do not get any comparison with Pogs though. They're erroneous for me, given the fact they are not the same type of player (and don't even play in the same position). The ultimate goal and what we should be focusing on as far as those 2 are concerned, is having them play well together, as was the case in the 2nd half today or after the restart last season. The obvious way to do that is to acquire a rock solid, athletic and mobile DCM who can mostly handle defensive duties in midfield pretty much on his own, protect the back 4 and provide the other players in midfield license to do their thing in the middle and final third. There is a reason that many were clamoring for Partey but there are others who fit the bill: Ndidi and Zakaria would be at the top of my list. After that there is a drop off in terms of quality but guys like Rice (although he'll surely be very expensive), Soumare and Dendoncker are potential worthwhile options. A right sided attacking player is still a priority for us but this season so far has made it clear that a top class holding mid is at least equally important as far as I'm concerned. Our midfield would be completely set, with guys like Donny, Fred and McTominay able to come in, in very specific situations as required or simply for depth, complimenting the main 3. Could potentially be one of the best midfield units in the league, adding just one (albeit vital piece).
I agree @Ashur We have the makings of a fine team just that right now it seems like it is a collection of players because of a missing vital piece. Honestly Solskaer is doing a good job building this squad. He struggles though with the first team and tactics.
Bruno Fernandes’ Premier League Rankings (2020/21):1st – expected assists1st – chances created1st – passes into the box1st – progressive passes1st – match-winning goals2nd – passes into final third2nd – goal involvements3rd – expected goal involvementsInevitable. pic.twitter.com/QXl72hk3aX— UtdArena (@UtdArena) December 6, 2020