[Vitalstatistiks]

Originally Posted by saildrive

ManC should win it easily... let's see if the invincible's record gets broken, knowing Pep he will go for the kill

Aresenal's Invincibles shall remain remain the only team to wear that badge. Till the next season :-) Class stuff from Liverpool, regardless of unnecessary scramble at the end. YWNA !

[vb-san]

Originally Posted by Vitalstatistiks

Class stuff from Liverpool, regardless of unnecessary scramble at the end. YWNA !

A bit too unnecessary indeed! The last 90 seconds or so really felt like 90 minutes.
I hope they invest in quality goal keeper with the Coutinho sales money.

[Chetan_Rao]

A keeper (rumors of interest in Butland) plus a central defender to partner van Dijk (de Vrij possibly?), and Liverpool will be right up there challenging for stuff.

[Chetan_Rao]

Sanchez moving to United makes very little sense.

He's in his prime and has probably got 3-4 of his best years left in him. Spending some or all of those playing for a defensive-minded manager, in a team where the only first-team guy he could currently displace is Mata on the wings doesn't seem very exciting.

Pogba and De Gea probably won't take very kindly to him getting paid double what they're on either, and imagine the chaos if Ronaldo leaves Madrid as rumored at the end of this season and returns to Old Trafford, reclaiming his #7 shirt.

Put all that together, and it doesn't seem very well advised or thought out.

Mkhitaryan, on the other hand, could probably slot in directly into Sanchez's vacant spot at Arsenal and take his career back to the kind of player he was at Dortmund. He could also end up reunited with Aubameyang if things work out for Arsenal. It looked like a mess but Arsenal may still emerge the better for the saga.

[saildrive]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Sanchez moving to United makes very little sense.

He's in his prime and has probably got 3-4 of his best years left in him. Spending some or all of those playing for a defensive-minded manager, in a team where the only first-team guy he could currently displace is Mata on the wings doesn't seem very exciting.

Pogba and De Gea probably won't take very kindly to him getting paid double what they're on either, and imagine the chaos if Ronaldo leaves Madrid as rumored at the end of this season and returns to Old Trafford, reclaiming his #7 shirt.

Put all that together, and it doesn't seem very well advised or thought out.

Mkhitaryan, on the other hand, could probably slot in directly into Sanchez's vacant spot at Arsenal and take his career back to the kind of player he was at Dortmund. He could also end up reunited with Aubameyang if things work out for Arsenal. It looked like a mess but Arsenal may still emerge the better for the saga.

Spot on!

It broke my heart when a colleague told me that MU were looking at Alexis and now the sore feeling will remain!

But if Henrikh has joined us and is given the freedom to play his Dortmund position with (fingers crossed) PEA joining - it will be a delight. But we will need the player and the team to then start clicking.

Ozil signing still seems unclear - but if we get top 4 who knows we could land a good CM and a DM before the next season and the magician signing a record deal.

I feel it's a good deal as Alexis looked frustrated every single game this season... he had made up his mind to leave, just that MU got lucky instead of MNC.... and for this Mourinho will be worshipped by the devils

[vb-san]

And after ending Man City's run last week, Liverpool just meekly surrendered to the rock bottom Swans…! Unpredictability is something we are so good at

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by vb-san

And after ending Man City's run last week, Liverpool just meekly surrendered to the rock bottom Swans…! Unpredictability is something we are so good at

These are the sort of games where a world-class pair of centre backs and a good goalkeeper can make a difference and help grind out a result.

The only way to beat stubborn defensive sides is to keep probing and pushing around their box (nearly succeeded in added time yesterday), but the dodgy defence and poor keeping leaves one susceptible to counterattacks. Won't win any trophies until a partner for van Dijk and a solid keeper are brought in.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

These are the sort of games where a world-class pair of centre backs and a good goalkeeper can make a difference and help grind out a result.
.

This is what Sir Alex has said in his autobiography. Attack wins you games but defense wins you championships.

Rebuilding always starts from the back.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by joslicx

... Attack win you games but defense wins you championships.

One of my favorite football quotes. Advice worth its weight in gold, several times over.

[vb-san]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

These are the sort of games where a world-class pair of centre backs and a good goalkeeper can make a difference and help grind out a result.

The only way to beat stubborn defensive sides is to keep probing and pushing around their box (nearly succeeded in added time yesterday), but the dodgy defence and poor keeping leaves one susceptible to counterattacks. Won't win any trophies until a partner for van Dijk and a solid keeper are brought in.

Originally Posted by joslicx

This is what Sir Alex has said in his autobiography. Attack wins you games but defense wins you championships.

Rebuilding always starts from the back.

So true! Especially when you see the difference made by world-class goal keepers like De Gea. And Liverpool is stuck with the likes of Karius and Mignolet.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by vb-san

... Especially when you see the difference made by world-class goal keepers like De Gea. And Liverpool is stuck with the likes of Karius and Mignolet.

When Ferguson left and United were a bit rudderless for a year or so, De Gea pretty much carried the whole team on the back of his world class displays, game after game.

Fair play to Klopp, he wanted to blood a promising young keeper, but it hasn't worked exactly as intended. Karius is still young so pairing him with a senior goalkeeper may still get the best out of him. Mignolet, on the other hand, is pretty much set in his ways. He isn't exactly poor, the chap can pull off world class saves sometimes, but is far too inconsistent for a team aspiring to win trophies.

I never really understood why Pepe Reina was pushed out, when a better replacement wasn't available.

[joslicx]

Originally Posted by vb-san

So true! Especially when you see the difference made by world-class goal keepers like De Gea. And Liverpool is stuck with the likes of Karius and Mignolet.

Well, defense is much more than just the goalkeeper or the defenders. No doubt one would need very capable people out there for these specialist positions. I think what Sir Alex was hinting at with this statement was that basic philosophy behind it. Are you, as a coach, capable enough to organise your players to do the job, whether offensively or defensively.

I remember something that happened recently in the Man Utd Vs Man City game. The commentator touched upon the defensive organisation of Pep Guardiola and it was very interesting and informative. Basically the city team moves in two ranks of 4 players (even when attacking) and they always move together. Net effect of this is that opposition is boxed in narrow space and even if they somehow can win back possession and launch an attack, city will have 4 players +2 at the back to repel the attack. It's difficult to beat this. It's an excellent example of Pep's organisation and the foundation on which his attacking play is built. They will always have numbers at the back!

[Kandisa]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

Sanchez moving to United makes very little sense.
He's in his prime and has probably got 3-4 of his best years left in him. Spending some or all of those playing for a defensive-minded manager, in a team where the only first-team guy he could currently displace is Mata on the wings doesn't seem very exciting.

In his current squad condition, Jose needs someone who could be given some freedom to try to ransack the opposition defence through energy, strength & relentless effort. May be someone like Mane/Salah or Leroy Sane in their current forms. Sanchez is probably the best available player for such a role and someone who could improve the immediate success probability in the coming 2-3 years. His familiarity with the rigors of the premiere league is an added advantage and in all probability he will give more support to Lukaku's role as an out and out striker. Off-course Martial has few similar qualities but somehow he is inconsistent at times and Sanchez has more experience. My guess is, Mourinho will combine them together with Sanchez in a more central role rather than the left. Combined with Luke Shaw, it will give Man Utd a far better attacking edge. Mata is a brilliant player but his pace is a big problem and he would be better used as a back-up rather than a first team regular. Though Rashford looks likely to be the most affected player of the Sanchez deal although he deserves more playing time. And all said and done, the wage figure of Alexis is insane to say the least.

Pogba and De Gea probably won't take very kindly to him getting paid double what they're on either, and imagine the chaos if Ronaldo leaves Madrid as rumored at the end of this season and returns to Old Trafford, reclaiming his #7 shirt.

Man Utd has to take care of both of these guys as the super agents associated with them are bound to make some real noise regarding the pay rise. Ronaldo's most likely destination could be PSG, not sure how interested Utd would be to take him back now through a deal worth not less than 80-90 millions.

Mkhitaryan, on the other hand, could probably slot in directly into Sanchez's vacant spot at Arsenal and take his career back to the kind of player he was at Dortmund. He could also end up reunited with Aubameyang if things work out for Arsenal. It looked like a mess but Arsenal may still emerge the better for the saga.

Mkhitaryan coupled with Aubameyang would be a good pair for Arsenal. He had the potential of the key play maker in Utd but probably Mourinho wanted some more intensity and he is in urgency to get some good silverware in coming seasons.

[Chetan_Rao]

Originally Posted by Kandisa

In his current squad condition, Jose needs someone who could be given some freedom to try to ransack the opposition defence through energy, strength & relentless effort.

They've already got Lingaard for that, plus Martial and Rashford for pace and overlap while Pogba plays a deeper playmaker role. They have the players, it's how Mourinho utilizes them that's the problem. I've heard it discussed multiple times this season on match analyses how United have the players to play like Liverpool & City do, if only their manager would let them, and I tend to agree.

Mourinho will combine them together with Sanchez in a more central role rather than the left.....

Playing Sanchez through the middle would mean displacing either Pogba or Lingaard from their current position. Lingaard esp. is on fire right now and seems to have found his natural position so that would be a disaster. Either Sanchez plays on the wings, or one of the existing two move over for him.

....Rashford looks likely to be the most affected player of the Sanchez deal....

Rashford should honestly get out, he's never going to become a first-choice player under Mourinho.

[RedDevil_KP]

Originally Posted by Chetan_Rao

One of my favorite football quotes. Advice worth its weight in gold, several times over.

Your favorite quote you say & question Mourinho being defensive I agree that he was a "Park the bus manager" at Chelsea and to some extent at Madrid, but he's trying his best to get out of the "defensive comfort zone", I may say! This is purely because Utd have played attacking football for more than 3-4 decades. But sadly the media isn't ready to cut him some slack. If it wasn't for the run away leaders, Utd have had a decent season till now, with all the criticism. Same can't be said about Chelsea - can sack Conte anytime, Spurs - Consistently Inconsistent, Arsenal - Who? or Liverpool - Let Swansea fans comment

I believe Mourinho will try to play Sanchez alone upfront and create a competition for place with Lukaku. This should make Lukaku start banging in goals again. But what a fantastic buy Sanchez is.