Manchester United

[frank the tank]

Not sure that does hold up for me. Of course there is no way they'd have won the league if they were playing European matches that season, but there are also a million other factors that contributed to that miracle. There are about 12 Leicester's every year that never come close to achieving what they did, that was just a completely random and unexpected turn of events.

Forest could have been a similar tale if they held on, but in the end they were caught by the bigger teams, ironically Chelsea in particular who finished strongly, despite still being in Europe.

Chelsea last season essentially had a different squad for that euro Vauxhall conference thing they were in.

Bournemouth and Forest are a good example of last season having very good years because they had no euro football. A couple of years ago, Newcastle had a good season and qualified for the champions league. The following season - when they were in the champions league - they didn't do so well. Last season again they had a good year because they had no euro football.

Time will tell I suppose. I think the difference next year though will be that almost half the teams in the league will be playing European games midweek. Whereas before it was about 6 teams. So the advantage to the teams that don't have all of those extra games will be huge.

I expect United to be ****e next year but still finish something like 6th or 7th. The rhetoric will then be "Rubens project on the right path" and they could possibly bomb the following season when they will be back in the Europa

[danperkins]

Chelsea last season essentially had a different squad for that euro Vauxhall conference thing they were in.

Bournemouth and Forest are a good example of last season having very good years because they had no euro football. A couple of years ago, Newcastle had a good season and qualified for the champions league. The following season - when they were in the champions league - they didn't do so well. Last season again they had a good year because they had no euro football.

Time will tell I suppose. I think the difference next year though will be that almost half the teams in the league will be playing European games midweek. Whereas before it was about 6 teams. So the advantage to the teams that don't have all of those extra games will be huge.

I expect United to be ****e next year but still finish something like 6th or 7th. The rhetoric will then be "Rubens project on the right path" and they could possibly bomb the following season when they will be back in the Europa

It really depends on the squad you have whether you can balance playing/resting your better players. Some teams can do it, others not so much. Having full focus domestically without that distraction of European footie also can definitely prove a bit advantage as you alluded to. We will absolutely see an improvement in United this year & I think likes of Forest & Bourn will struggle with the extra European burden.

[red g]

It really depends on the squad you have whether you can balance playing/resting your better players. Some teams can do it, others not so much. Having full focus domestically without that distraction of European footie also can definitely prove a bit advantage as you alluded to. We will absolutely see an improvement in United this year & I think likes of Forest & Bourn will struggle with the extra European burden.

As i pointed out to my Spurs and United fans wo take glee from this....regress and it would be relegation.

[Deano]

Rashford takes a 25% cut, Utd left with paying the agent to sort the deal rumoured to be £5m, but they get a modest loan fee from Barca with a £30m fee if they decide to buy ( which they won't ) - After this season he still has 2 years left.

[Deano]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football/articles/c77vp1x32g5o

Bryan Mbeumo deal

United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £50m is max
Brentford - **** off
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £55m is max
Brentford - **** off
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £60m is max
Brentford - **** off
Man Utd - we will wait
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £65m is max
Brentford - Alright - Add in £6m of doable add ons
United - that's doable ta !

Jason Wilcox - Take a bow son - Following in the great United tradition of overpaying

[frank the tank]

Rashford takes a 25% cut, Utd left with paying the agent to sort the deal rumoured to be £5m, but they get a modest loan fee from Barca with a £30m fee if they decide to buy ( which they won't ) - After this season he still has 2 years left.

Rashford might be thinking that it'll be a new manager next summer if Barca don't buy him

[maxwellbaxter]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c77vp1x32g5o

Bryan Mbeumo deal

United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £50m is max
Brentford - **** off
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £55m is max
Brentford - **** off
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £60m is max
Brentford - **** off
Man Utd - we will wait
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £65m is max
Brentford - Alright - Add in £6m of doable add ons
United - that's doable ta !

Jason Wilcox - Take a bow son - Following in the great United tradition of overpaying

[Deano]

Rashford might be thinking that it'll be a new manager next summer if Barca don't buy him

From what I've read it goes deeper than Anorim - Given his contract length - he's got them over a barrel when Barca don't sign him next summer. United should have said get me a £15-£20m deal where you walk away with zero liability

[Deano]

https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/football...s/c77vp1x32g5o

Bryan Mbeumo deal

United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £50m is max
Brentford - **** off
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £55m is max
Brentford - **** off
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £60m is max
Brentford - **** off
Man Utd - we will wait
United - we will not get the piss taken out of us - £65m is max
Brentford - Alright - Add in £6m of doable add ons
United - that's doable ta !

Jason Wilcox - Take a bow son - Following in the great United tradition of overpaying

It would appear United are using Klarna to pay for it over 4 years unlike the Wolves deal

[Angryred]

It would appear United are using Klarna to pay for it over 4 years unlike the Wolves deal

Haha, how the mighty have fallen!!

[BootRoom]

I'm sure the people in the focus groups were falling over themselves to let Sir Jim know how much they love this idea .... Hurry up and take my ****ing money!

[SB]

£4000 on top of a season ticket sounds absurd

[Tatterdemalion]

I think United are more likely to get relegated this season coming than they are to get into the top 6. Their form at the arse end of last season was catastrophic and I don't see too many reasons why it would change. Sure there will be optimism initially, but it will fade real quick. I know it sounds extreme, but I wouldn't be too surprised to see them go down.

EDIT : Obviously I would really hate to see that happen to such a glorious club

[Tatterdemalion]

It really depends on the squad you have whether you can balance playing/resting your better players. Some teams can do it, others not so much. Having full focus domestically without that distraction of European footie also can definitely prove a bit advantage as you alluded to. We will absolutely see an improvement in United this year & I think likes of Forest & Bourn will struggle with the extra European burden.

I agree wrt Forest and Bournemouth, but United had a big enough squad to contend with domestic and European competition. That wasn't their problem. Their problem is... well I don't care enough to know for sure, but seems to me like there really is no-one at the club who both gives a **** and has the talent to do anything about it. Maybe Amorim is the exception, but he'll be gone this time next year.

[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 ****.