Manchester United

[Sus]

I really hope this season will show us why we swerved Amorim, from a tactical perspective.

But let's see, I guess. I do feel they are fragile, so a bad start might compound

[Charly]

They will have real ambitions this year.

Perhaps even to finish above Everton

[Exiled_red]

Not having European football will help them spend more time preparing for games and reducing tiredness, I expect they will do better than last season basically because I think that is probably their floor (I'd love to be proved wrong though...). The couple of attacking players they have signed will help them score more goals, which I think will help them pick up more points against some of the weaker teams in the league, but IMO they really needed to improve their defence and GK and make themselves more difficult to play through. They don't seem to have made signings that will help in that regard, so as things stand it will have to come down to tactical tweaks, so I guess we will see how that goes.

[Sus]

I've seen a few stories on The Athletic that are starting to gush over how good United look, especially Cunha, based on a couple of pre-season matches.

Long may that continue, as i think they've forgotten (trauma and all that) just how **** United were last season, especially in terms of conceding chances

[Le Chef]

Onana and Hojland have something going on?

[Norbs]

Personal issues - Will be joining up with them soon - Cough Onana

Onana and Hojland have something going on?

[Le Chef]

Personal issues - Will be joining up with them soon - Cough Onana

[Norbs]

What's happened to the massive headed cunt then?

[Tatterdemalion]

Bizarre to see how they've treated Hojlund really. I get that he's been a disappointment, but he's a young lad who should never have been bought to lead the line.

[spud_gun]

Headline on the BBC football website right now - 'Man Utd wont sell players on the cheap - Amorim'

Thats right Ruben you wont. Instead these **** players will go on loan in the last couple of days of the transfer window and United will supplement the players wages

And then they'll leave on a free when their contracts end

[frank the tank]

Headline on the BBC football website right now - 'Man Utd wont sell players on the cheap - Amorim'

Thats right Ruben you wont. Instead these **** players will go on loan in the last couple of days of the transfer window and United will supplement the players wages

[labourRed]

Loan offer for Martinez rejected by Villa. Whereas we're sniffing around Isak.

If there was any doubt about the gulf between the two clubs at the moment.

[Sus]

I think Utd will be top 8 this season. Their new strike force will spawn a few more wins than last season.

Yep agreed.

Their problem last season was converting chances, whereas the season before it was creating them. You can solve conversion more easily than creation, and I think their two new additions will help on that front.

They were also getting a bit more solid towards the end of the season, not as many gaps between the lines.

They still need major surgery in midfield and arguably in defence as well, so that will trip them up, but I think comfortably top 8 next season, especially with only one game per week.

Booo, would love to see them 15th or lower again

[DerKrampus]

I think Utd will be top 8 this season. Their new strike force will spawn a few more wins than last season.

[Tatterdemalion]

Has that theory every been proved? Obviously it's very unusual for 'big' team not to be in Europe, but has there ever been a practical example to confirm that it actually is that much of a benefit?

Don't get me wrong, the benefits are obvious, less travel, less matches, less burn out etc., but there are also downsides. There are less matches to keep squad players fit and healthy and less opportunities to develop younger players. Extra matches can help build momentum or help you get over a bad result. Similarly, a big win in Europe than lift the whole club and be the catalyst for better things.

Also, teams have to make the most of the time off and training be effective. Some players may not react well to extra training and if the sessions are dull and/or ineffective, then that could even be detrimental. This should really show how good Amorim is. Most top players are also used to playing twice a week now and look after themselves better so again, it's not that much of an advantage.

I think if there had of been international football on this summer, United might have benefitted a fair bit from not being in Europe, but as most players will have had a rare summer off, fatigue should be less of an issue next year (don't think United need to worry about City or Chelsea before anyone says ).

I do think it is an advantage, but not enough to be a challenger for the league. There are reasons why a big team doesn't get European football which generally involves them being ****. That tends not to get solved over one summer, so I expect United to be **** again, but just fresher ****.