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Replying To Lockjaw:  "Yeah I think Liverpool could do it, especially if Haaland doesn't quite fit in at City and it takes him and team longer than expected to adapt to each other. Some of Liverpool's key players (Diaz, Salah, Robertson) will get a nice wee World Cup break too.

The Ronaldo situation is laughable but just typical of how they've been run over the last decade. They basically signed him for sentimental and financial reasons, not football. Yes he scored goals but paradoxically he made the team worse. The best modern teams all apply a high press but Utd are incapable of this with Ronaldo in the team. Pressing only works if all components are working in tandem. If one link (Ronaldo) isn't doing it, then it's a waste of time and good teams can easily cut through the press.

If he had any manners or self awareness he'd keep the head down and work hard under the new manager. But no. The whole summer has become the Ronaldo show and what he wants. Ten Hag is being shrewd. Ideally he'd like him out the door as soon as possible but he's politically savvy enough not to be seen to wanting to chase a Utd legend out the door.

What big Champions League team realistically need or would want Ronaldo at this stage of his career?
Real Madrid - they have proven they can win it without him.
Liverpool - LOL
City - LOL
Chelsea - already ruled out signing him. Would be like signing Lukaku again.
Bayern - Ruled themselves out
PSG - Just maybe the sort of crazy, vanity type signing they might have made a few years ago but even they have appeared to realize the folly of cramming their squad full of egos.

What's stopping him taking a pay cut and moving back to the club he started with? Give a few years back to Sporting Lisbon and increase their profile as well as the leagues?"
In fairness, Ronaldo was not the only one not pressing last season. You could add Fernandes, Rashford and Pogba (when he played) and it soon becomes apparent why United were so poor last term.That and one of their best young prospects being out of commission for non-footballing reasons, as well as a comically leaky defence.

Ronaldo hit a series of late goals to get results for United last year, so I'd be hesitant to dispense with his services. It is very clear though that you can't have himself and Fernandes in the same team, they are just too similar and take up similar positions on the pitch.

Hard to see anyone challenging Liverpool and City this season, Chelsea are probably an outside bet.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 04/08/2022 11:04:38    2436146

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1. Liverpool
2. Man City
3. Spurs
4. Man Utd
5. Chelsea
6. West Ham

18. Leeds
19. Notts Forest
20. Bournemouth

It's gonna be an interesting season with the break for the World Cup. Could give some advantage for teams with players not involved to help them avoid relegation.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 04/08/2022 11:25:52    2436153

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Replying To Gleebo:  "In fairness, Ronaldo was not the only one not pressing last season. You could add Fernandes, Rashford and Pogba (when he played) and it soon becomes apparent why United were so poor last term.That and one of their best young prospects being out of commission for non-footballing reasons, as well as a comically leaky defence.

Ronaldo hit a series of late goals to get results for United last year, so I'd be hesitant to dispense with his services. It is very clear though that you can't have himself and Fernandes in the same team, they are just too similar and take up similar positions on the pitch.

Hard to see anyone challenging Liverpool and City this season, Chelsea are probably an outside bet."
I'd argue that with Fernandes and Rashford you have more scope for improvement in the pressing stakes than you'd have with Ronaldo and Pogba. I agree that Ronaldo is obviously a goal threat and can rescue points. But at what cost to the overall morale of the dressing room? He isn't physically able anymore to be the main man up front for a whole season. So rotating him is the only option. Would he be happy with that? There's also talk that he regularly undermined Rangnick & Maguire in training sessions. I think Ronaldo may feel that he's too big for the club in its current circumstances and Ten Hag is on a hiding to nothing if Ronaldo doesn't depart.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 04/08/2022 11:46:52    2436162

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "I'd argue that with Fernandes and Rashford you have more scope for improvement in the pressing stakes than you'd have with Ronaldo and Pogba. I agree that Ronaldo is obviously a goal threat and can rescue points. But at what cost to the overall morale of the dressing room? He isn't physically able anymore to be the main man up front for a whole season. So rotating him is the only option. Would he be happy with that? There's also talk that he regularly undermined Rangnick & Maguire in training sessions. I think Ronaldo may feel that he's too big for the club in its current circumstances and Ten Hag is on a hiding to nothing if Ronaldo doesn't depart."
He needs a goalscorer to replace him though. Martial and Rashford are too inconsistent for that level. Rashford will work hard even if he's not getting goals but I think Martial is overrated at Premier League level. If he doesn't get a goalscorer or two Ten Hag's man-management skills will be tested with Ronaldo. He says he's keen to keep him so should have a system to improve the team with Ronaldo in it.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 04/08/2022 14:43:27    2436213

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "He needs a goalscorer to replace him though. Martial and Rashford are too inconsistent for that level. Rashford will work hard even if he's not getting goals but I think Martial is overrated at Premier League level. If he doesn't get a goalscorer or two Ten Hag's man-management skills will be tested with Ronaldo. He says he's keen to keep him so should have a system to improve the team with Ronaldo in it."
That's true. The two lads are too inconsistent. Out and out top standard goal scorers are a rarity. There's any amount of nippy inside forwards who'll get 10 or 12 goals a season but the traditional number 9 isn't as fashionable. Like if Ronaldo wasn't such a mé féiner it would make perfect sense to keep him. But because of his record and status, he almost demands that the club fit around him. This doesn't always work out though and can lead to rancour and poor morale. A big decision for the club to make.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 04/08/2022 16:09:10    2436225

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Is Mason Greenwood still out of the picture indefinitely or what's the update there?

Bon (Kildare) - Posts: 1909 - 04/08/2022 18:39:03    2436248

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Replying To Lockjaw:  "That's true. The two lads are too inconsistent. Out and out top standard goal scorers are a rarity. There's any amount of nippy inside forwards who'll get 10 or 12 goals a season but the traditional number 9 isn't as fashionable. Like if Ronaldo wasn't such a mé féiner it would make perfect sense to keep him. But because of his record and status, he almost demands that the club fit around him. This doesn't always work out though and can lead to rancour and poor morale. A big decision for the club to make."
There's Harry Kane.

There was Harry Kane 2 years ago when united were crying out for a goalscorer.

There was Harry Kane last year when united were crying out for a goalscorer.

And this year, he's probably just about young enough to be worth the money he'd cost.

Apparently Woodward doesn't have as much involvement in transfers these days but whoever takes care of transfers at United is doing a pretty awful job. Looks like they'll miss out on De Jong (not sure he'd have improved the team) after chasing him all summer.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 04/08/2022 19:54:51    2436255

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Great result for St. Pat's last night, away to CKSA Sofia, which must have a budget several times higher than any Irish club.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 05/08/2022 07:21:12    2436273

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Replying To cavanman47:  "There's Harry Kane.

There was Harry Kane 2 years ago when united were crying out for a goalscorer.

There was Harry Kane last year when united were crying out for a goalscorer.

And this year, he's probably just about young enough to be worth the money he'd cost.

Apparently Woodward doesn't have as much involvement in transfers these days but whoever takes care of transfers at United is doing a pretty awful job. Looks like they'll miss out on De Jong (not sure he'd have improved the team) after chasing him all summer."
Yeah last summer was a good opportunity to go for Kane who was fairly disillusioned with life at Spurs at the time. I think Kane had his mind set on a move to City though, who were/are a team ready to win trophies whereas Utd are very much work in progress. Would Kane be any closer to winning trophies at Utd than he is at Spurs? I'm not so sure.

Lockjaw (Donegal) - Posts: 9136 - 05/08/2022 10:01:03    2436281

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Replying To GreenandRed:  "1. Liverpool
2. Man City
3. Spurs
4. Man Utd
5. Chelsea
6. West Ham

18. Leeds
19. Notts Forest
20. Bournemouth

It's gonna be an interesting season with the break for the World Cup. Could give some advantage for teams with players not involved to help them avoid relegation."
I like your rankings but I would probably put Chelsea above Man United.

Trump2020 (Galway) - Posts: 2120 - 05/08/2022 10:17:52    2436283

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Replying To cavanman47:  "There's Harry Kane.

There was Harry Kane 2 years ago when united were crying out for a goalscorer.

There was Harry Kane last year when united were crying out for a goalscorer.

And this year, he's probably just about young enough to be worth the money he'd cost.

Apparently Woodward doesn't have as much involvement in transfers these days but whoever takes care of transfers at United is doing a pretty awful job. Looks like they'll miss out on De Jong (not sure he'd have improved the team) after chasing him all summer."
"There was Harry Kane last year when united were crying out for a goalscorer".

What makes you think Daniel Levy would have sold Kane to Man Utd last year, when he refused to let him go to Man City? Plus, Kane said he wanted to go to Man City, I doubt he would have been as keen on Man Utd.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 05/08/2022 10:47:03    2436287

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Conor Moore press conferences!

https://youtu.be/UNOWcp8lvVU

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 05/08/2022 10:57:23    2436289

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Replying To Cockney_Cat:  ""There was Harry Kane last year when united were crying out for a goalscorer".

What makes you think Daniel Levy would have sold Kane to Man Utd last year, when he refused to let him go to Man City? Plus, Kane said he wanted to go to Man City, I doubt he would have been as keen on Man Utd."
Levy would've sold him for the right money (albeit Levy's idea of the right price was probably close to £160m).

I do think he'd choose United over Spurs.

cavanman47 (Cavan) - Posts: 5012 - 05/08/2022 11:27:11    2436296

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Replying To Trump2020:  "I like your rankings but I would probably put Chelsea above Man United."
Fair point Trump. It'll depend a lot on ten Hag's management. Supposed to be a disciplinarian. Some players need to hear and heed home truths, in football in general in 2022, not just at Manchester United.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 05/08/2022 11:47:35    2436302

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Replying To cavanman47:  "Levy would've sold him for the right money (albeit Levy's idea of the right price was probably close to £160m).

I do think he'd choose United over Spurs."
Levy wouldn't sell him because it would disadvantage Spurs and be a huge boost to one of their rivals for Champions League qualification. Plus Kane wanted to go to a club with a better chance than Spurs to win trophies. United didn't fit the bill before last season but ten Hag should improve them so he might prefer United next summer. Good strikers last longer these days, if they keep their discipline and work ethic, so he'll still be sought after next summer.

GreenandRed (Mayo) - Posts: 7345 - 05/08/2022 12:10:29    2436308

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Some good results for LOI teams in Europe in the last few weeks.

oneoff (UK) - Posts: 1380 - 05/08/2022 12:41:07    2436317

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Klopps high octane training style combined with last year's efforts, where Liverpool played every conceivable game bar the charity shield, might take its toll, and they could have a dip towards the end of the season.
They're so far ahead that I'd still see them finishing second tho, with city first.
Spurs might have a good year.
I think arsenal are flattering to deceive, and I've no hope for Chelsea or utd to win either of the two big ones,, though the blues might finish top 4, should be an interesting one, the fight for top 4.
Think Everton will get relegated.

Galway9801 (Galway) - Posts: 1708 - 05/08/2022 12:57:26    2436324

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Anyone think that the unusual timing of the World Cup this year might impact upon the stronger teams more? I imagine that several weeks plying out in the heat and humidity of Qatar might take its toll. I stopped over there a few years back to catch a connecting flight and the opening of the plane door alone was like the blast of an oven door, LOL.

Maybe United's general sh***ness in recent seasons might be advantageous, in that they'll probably have less players represented at the World Cup than the teams around them, leaving them fresher in the second half of the season.

I know it probably won't be the most popular opinion on a GAA site, but a lot of pro soccer players have been more or less playing through the last two years and are probably knackered at this stage. And yes, they get paid astronomical sums of money to do so, but you only have one body at the end of the day.

Gleebo (Mayo) - Posts: 2208 - 05/08/2022 13:27:50    2436331

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Replying To Trump2020:  "I like your rankings but I would probably put Chelsea above Man United."
Not a big soccer fan but I would put loads of teams above UTD if Harry Maguire is on.

Saynothing (Tyrone) - Posts: 2014 - 05/08/2022 13:43:21    2436336

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Replying To cavanman47:  "Levy would've sold him for the right money (albeit Levy's idea of the right price was probably close to £160m).

I do think he'd choose United over Spurs."
"I do think he'd choose United over Spurs".
Last season, maybe. But not now.

Cockney_Cat (UK) - Posts: 2466 - 05/08/2022 13:45:57    2436337

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