***Official Soccer Discussion Thread*** (4 Viewers)

[The Gator]

Michael Cox rather convincingly makes the case that Di Maria will play in a diamond midfield for United. Which seems plausible. Of course, that means getting Rafael healthy or *shudder* starting Smalling as a RB.

As one of the CMs or CAM?I like the fact that since Di Maria played centrally as #10 a lot last season fans think he can slot in deeper as a CM.

I'm all for it, get him as far away from goal as possible, please.

Cox describes Di Maria as a "shuttler". He starts in narrow positions but can sprint forward diagonally into wide positions at times.

If they don't go to a 433ish formation, this signing didn't make sense. It's the EXACT same thing as buying Mata last season and not playing him in his best position

 

[Eephus]

So on an epic scale of being a really ####ty team, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst loss imaginable, where would today's potential loss rank for ManU?

5

Want to reconsider?

Nah, unfortunately no one cares about the league cup. Fantastic for MK and non-United fans but they need to win in the EPL and not here. Completely embarrassing though.

This will be a big deal until ManU can string together a few wins. The fact that it is coming on top of a very lackluster start to the season, just exacerbates the situation.

Hell, maybe this will force them to spend even more. The side should be embarrassed but I still don't think anyone but Eephus cares.

Even I don't care. It's the League Cup. I'm not enitrely sure who's sponsoring it this year.

/rationalizing

ETA: FK MK

 

[The Gator]

So on an epic scale of being a really ####ty team, on a scale of 1-10, with 10 being the worst loss imaginable, where would today's potential loss rank for ManU?

5

Want to reconsider?

Nah, unfortunately no one cares about the league cup. Fantastic for MK and non-United fans but they need to win in the EPL and not here. Completely embarrassing though.

This will be a big deal until ManU can string together a few wins. The fact that it is coming on top of a very lackluster start to the season, just exacerbates the situation.

Hell, maybe this will force them to spend even more. The side should be embarrassed but I still don't think anyone but Eephus cares.

Like I said above, this isn't losing 1-0 where the MK's packed it in and scored on some random set piece goal against the run of play...EPL don't get embarrassed like this often in any Cup competition, so LVG will take heat until they string some wins together.

At least their start of the season is easy

OH WAIT

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

Eh, this is probably the best thing that could happen. They get a few results in the league and the narrative writes itself. "It had to get worse to get better!"

 

[Eephus]

Eh, this is probably the best thing that could happen. They get a few results in the league and the narrative writes itself. "It had to get worse to get better!"

Yeah, I suppose getting beaten up by a prostitute is bottoming out.

 

[The Gator]

@EdDzeko: Hahahaha

????

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Kind of odd the way these two United players completely gave up on the second goal.

https://mediacru.sh/n9isVIEZe99o

 

[SmoovySmoov]

The entire MK Dons squad cost £235,000. The equivalent to less than a weeks wages (£300,000) for Wayne Rooney.

 

[Sammy3469]

4 - Manchester United have been eliminated by lower league opposition in four of the last eight League Cups. Humbled.

This shows how little depth Ferguson had/left them. With their pitiful transfers in the 2010-13 timeframe, it was bound to catch up to them at some point

 

[El Floppo]

I've been surprised for years that Anderson is still playing. Even as a young guy, he couldn't match old-man Scholes pace or work-rate.

 

[Eephus]

4 - Manchester United have been eliminated by lower league opposition in four of the last eight League Cups. Humbled.

This shows how little depth Ferguson had/left them. With their pitiful transfers in the 2010-13 timeframe, it was bound to catch up to them at some point

Their historically strong youth system hasn't produced top quality talent lately

...except for Paul Pogba

 

[The Gator]

4 - Manchester United have been eliminated by lower league opposition in four of the last eight League Cups. Humbled.

This shows how little depth Ferguson had/left them. With their pitiful transfers in the 2010-13 timeframe, it was bound to catch up to them at some point

Their historically strong youth system hasn't produced top quality talent lately...except for Paul Pogba

That's a bit like saying Sterling is from the Liverpool youth system.

Christo> thanks

 

[Ramsay Hunt Experience]

@EdDzeko: Hahahaha

Men in Blazers ‏@MenInBlazers 35m

United fans. Let the haters gloat. They can never take the Guinness International Champions Cup away from you

 

[ffldrew]

Kind of odd the way these two United players completely gave up on the second goal.

https://mediacru.sh/n9isVIEZe99o

Not exactly a shining moment for De Gea either - already positioned on the short side and he gets beat there anyway

 

[Christo]

Kind of odd the way these two United players completely gave up on the second goal.

https://mediacru.sh/n9isVIEZe99o

Not exactly a shining moment for De Gea either - already positioned on the short side and he gets beat there anyway

No

 

[CletiusMaximus]

Not the most inspiring quotes from DiMaria today, if you're a United fan:

Angel Di Maria on departure from #RMCF: “Unfortunately today I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire.”

Di Maria: "After winning #LaDecima I went to #WC2014 with hope of receiving a new contract, which never came. Many lies were spoken."

 

[ffldrew]

Kind of odd the way these two United players completely gave up on the second goal.

https://mediacru.sh/n9isVIEZe99o

Not exactly a shining moment for De Gea either - already positioned on the short side and he gets beat there anyway

No

I question it

 

[Sebowski]

Not the most inspiring quotes from DiMaria today, if you're a United fan:

Angel Di Maria on departure from #RMCF: “Unfortunately today I have to go, but I want to make clear that this was never my desire.”Di Maria: "After winning #LaDecima I went to #WC2014 with hope of receiving a new contract, which never came. Many lies were spoken."

I'd be pissed too. Going from the Champions League winner in one of the greatest cities in the world to a 7th place EPL side that looks pretty terrible at the moment in Manchester.

 

[gianmarco]

@Futbol_Agent_:Manchester United Bid for Arturo Vidal has been accepted.

 

[SmoovySmoov]

@Futbol_Agent_:Manchester United Bid for Arturo Vidal has been accepted.

It's City and Chelsea that are ruining football, though.

 

[The Gator]

@Futbol_Agent_:Manchester United Bid for Arturo Vidal has been accepted.

Europa League well and truly sewn up

 

[The Gator]

Eta, http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2014/08/26/1409090668834_wps_2_image001_png.jpg

 

[Eephus]

@Futbol_Agent_:Manchester United Bid for Arturo Vidal has been accepted.

It's City and Chelsea that are ruining football, though.

United is just ruining themselves

 

[AAABatteries]

@Futbol_Agent_:Manchester United Bid for Arturo Vidal has been accepted.

It's City and Chelsea that are ruining football, though.

United is just ruining themselves

You're right, they should keep sending Fletcher and Cleverly out.

If true, I'm happier about Vidal than Di Maria. They still need to get a couple defenders.

 

[jonessed]

They will bounce back eventually. Way too much money in that team to suck like this for long.

 

[The Gator]

i'm dumb

 

[Eephus]

@Futbol_Agent_:Manchester United Bid for Arturo Vidal has been accepted.

It's City and Chelsea that are ruining football, though.

United is just ruining themselves

You're right, they should keep sending Fletcher and Cleverly out.

If true, I'm happier about Vidal than Di Maria. They still need to get a couple defenders.

True. Vidal fills a gaping hole or at least one of 'em.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

[cule] If you get enough world-class attackers, who needs a backline? [/cule]

 

[Sinn Fein]

#####DiMaria

fyp - he deserves this, little whiny #####

 

[Sinn Fein]

i'm dumb

Ok...anything in particular?

 

[Good Posting Judge]

#####DiMaria

fyp - he deserves this, little whiny #####

TAKE IT EASY.

 

[NewlyRetired]

The CCL quarter finals are typically scheduled very early in the MLS season.

If next season the MLS start is delayed due to the CBA I guess that means they are going to have to mass forfeit those games?

Oof

 

[NYCelt]

Compare this to what city has done in the last four years and what they are doing as an entire org. Night and day.

4 - Manchester United have been eliminated by lower league opposition in four of the last eight League Cups. Humbled.

This shows how little depth Ferguson had/left them. With their pitiful transfers in the 2010-13 timeframe, it was bound to catch up to them at some point

 

[NYCelt]

Just City buying another title.

From one of my go-to FFP gurus, @JakeFCohen (some wages numbers are estimated):

Angel Di Maria will cost Manchester United £22.3m per year, based on £59.7m fee and 5-year deal at £200k pw.

PL most expensive players (est 14-15 costs)

ADM £22.3m

Torres £18.5m

RVP £17.4m

Hazard £16.7m

Ozil £16.3m

Mata £16m

Costa £16m

Rooney £15.6m

 

[The Gator]

Just City buying another title.

They paid in advance(2013 chart)

So let's not pretend City aren't buying things

 

[NYCelt]

In fairness I said top 5 not top 3.

It'll be 5+ more years until City has revenues that are near the other global brands teams. Those teams are United, Bayern, Barça, and Real Madrid. They may be able to bring in players and move them around the world and do lots of other stuff that clubs with less deep pockets can't do, but they still won't have that brand reach that these other teams have for a little bit yet. Maybe United falls off if they hit a long stretch of mediocrity, but I don't see City reaching the heights of Bayern, Real, and Barça any time soon.

 

[gianmarco]

Just City buying another title.

They paid in advance(2013 chart)

So let's not pretend City aren't buying things

I'm not sure which is more impressive: Everton and Arsenal actually making $ and yet still doing as well as they have or ManU and Stoke spending as much as they have and doing as poorly as they have.

 

[NYCelt]

City is the problem.

Just City buying another title.

They paid in advance(2013 chart)So let's not pretend City aren't buying things

 

[Slapdash]

City is playing the long game much better than any other big club at the moment. They will continue to ascend each year.

 

[bentley]

The long game = having more money to throw away

 

[Eephus]

Just City buying another title.

They paid in advance(2013 chart)

So let's not pretend City aren't buying things

I'm not sure which is more impressive: Everton and Arsenal actually making $ and yet still doing as well as they have or ManU and Stoke spending as much as they have and doing as poorly as they have.

Stoke?

Stoke has been top tier since 2008 and really hasn't been in jeopardy of relegation in any season since. They've outspent some of their rivals but aren't in the same galaxy as the top teams. They have to overspend a bit because they play in unfashionable Stoke. Hughes has done some nice business this summer on the cheap.

 

[Slapdash]

The long game = having more money to throw away

They're not throwing it away; they are developing clubs, academies, and mutual agreements with clubs in several different countries. Their network is impressive and will contain a lot of talent as well as grow their brand. City is building a powerhouse.

 

[Eephus]

The long game = having more money to throw away

I think Wayne Bridge is finally off Citeh's books

 

[Eephus]

The long game = having more money to throw away

They're not throwing it away; they are developing clubs, academies, and mutual agreements with clubs in several different countries. Their network is impressive and will contain a lot of talent as well as grow their brand. City is building a powerhouse.

Money laundering

 

[bentley]

The long game = having more money to throw away

They're not throwing it away; they are developing clubs, academies, and mutual agreements with clubs in several different countries. Their network is impressive and will contain a lot of talent as well as grow their brand. City is building a powerhouse.

Money laundering

A small club like my beloved Liverpool can't afford to invest in stuff like this, regardless of whether it is a good idea for developing players.

 

[Good Posting Judge]

We all root for rich teams.

 

[Dinsy Ejotuz]

Arsenal actually making $

So impressive to finish top-4 every year without net spending. I admire how they do things.

 

[The Gator]

City is the problem.

Just City buying another title.

They paid in advance(2013 chart)So let's not pretend City aren't buying things

If I iKnew you better, I'd say your face is the problem

 

[The Gator]

We all root for rich teams.

FM says liverpool's finances are 'Okay'

:smalltime:

 

[Eephus]

We all root for rich teams.