₦airaland Forum

DeadPresidents:
Rashford is yet to take the Hippocratic oath sire.

Can't remember him having more than 2 major injury layoffs for us and he's been here 5 years already.

But I disagree with Mrviktor. Rashford is not a CF and can't lead the line consistently. Sure he can do a job there but he is not a dependable CF.

Rashford has the potential to become a World Class LWF like Son and I think consistency is key as he is already delivering world-class numbers albeit not with the requisite consistency needed to be truly world-class.

Son could be better than Rashford, but you need to check their stats for last 2 season to draw your conclusions. Rashford is a quality player

patrickmuf:
Doc, is DM the only position? While they might edge it, aren't we better in other areas?

They will avoid this question. So because City have a better DM than Man Utd just a single position, that means UTD as team lack quality?

chidexxy007:
The question is, why are we still clamouring for DM if we have McT that is better than one of the top 3 DMs in the league?

Nobody is saying Mctoms is better than Rodri. The question is does City have more depth by far than Man Utd? Its by all means a capital NO.

GloryIsaac:
From which Mata?

I said 5 games agaisnt the likes of Norwich and Bretford, thats not a big ask

patrickmuf:
Okay, I'll do...

Goal Keepers...

Manchester United - De Gea, Henderson, Heaton

City - Ederson, Steffen

Verdict - I think it's a par, although we have better quality sub...

Defense...

Right back options
Manchester United - Wan-Bissaka, Dalot

City - Walker, Cancelo...

Verdict - City is clearly better here...

RCB -

Manchester United - Varane, Lindelof

City - Stones, Dias

Verdict - Manchester United edges them out as Dias plays mostly from the left and Stones is not better than Varane...

LCB;

Manchester United - Maguire, Bailly

City - Dias, Laporte

Verdict - Nothing to choose from here, Maguire is always available and his solid much like Dias...Laporte is better option from the bench though.

Left back;

Manchester United - Shaw, Telles

City - Zichenko, Mendy

Verdict - Manchester United are clearly better here...

Defensive Midfield;

Manchester United - Matic, McTominay

City - Fernandinho, Rdodri

Verdict - City arguably edges things out here, Matic cancels out Fernandinho whilst Rodri and McTominay are good in their own ways depending on the style of play of each team...As I said, it's arguable but let's give it to City...

Center Midfield;

Manchester United - Pogba, Fred, VDB

City - Gundogan, Rodri, KDB

Verdict - Manchester United edges it here as they have the players better suited to the role...

AMF

Manchester United - Bruno, Pogba, VDB, Mata

Manchester City - KDB, Grealish, B. Silva, Gundogan, Foden

Verdict - Availability plays a crucial role here, Bruno is almost always available compared to KDB and his numbers speaks so, I'd look at the other options and think it's a par, Pogba is more than capable of slotting into the role too just as City have Grealish...

LWF

Manchester United - Rashford, Martial, Sancho, James

City - Sterling, Torres, Grealish, Foden

Verdict - Both sides have the quality and numbers thus it is difficult to choose which is superior...

RWF

Manchester United - Sancho, Greenwood, Rashford, James...

Manchester City - Mahrez, Silva, Sterling, Foden

Verdict - Again, both sides are loaded with quality and numbers here, difficult to choose...

CF

Manchester United - Cavani, Greenwood, Martial, Rashford

City - Jesus, Torres, Sterling

Verdict - Manchester United edges it here...

Combined team...

Goal keeper - De Gea/Ederson

LB - Wallker/Cancelo

RCB - Varane

LCB - Maguire/Dias

LB - Shaw

DM - Rodri

CM - Pogba

AM - Bruno/KDB

LWF - Rashford/Grealish

CF - Cavani

RWF - Sancho/Mahrez

Both teams are loaded with quality players, in my opinion, the difference swill come down to the ingenuity of the respective managers and how lucky they are with injuries...

If you think otherwise, let's read your take...

Cc: Afrodoc2 CapitalCee GloryIsaac melodyogonna nitrogen and others...

I dont think Pogba/Fred/VDB edges out Gundogan,/Rodri,/KDB in CM for me the reverse is the case.

City also better in GK dept because Ederson is better than all Utd keeper and GKs are rarely unavailable.

Every other thing i agree. Although your pairings did not clearly show how star studded man utd are in attack

Now banking on Bruno, Greenwood and Antonio this week is rubish

TheLequte:
There was a huge gulf until we signed Sancho and Varane.

The midfield is where we’re really thin compared to city.

Thing is they have quality attacking players who will deputize perfectly in midfield without the team suffering in attacking positions.

If we drop Bruno to CM- he can do a very good job there, he will be missed in AM.

If B. Silva drops to CM, Mahrez will handle LWF perfectly.

We dont need to drop Bruno to CM, there is Pogba, VDB and any of McFred, why will we need to drop our attacking players to CDM? Like you said now Varane and Sancho are in now to bridge the gap, City doesn't have a huge depth more than us, thats the truth. Infact we are more studded with quality in some positions

ChristoBam:
Bruno won't slow down if we find a way to manage him. He shouldn't play FA cup or league cup. And definitely shouldn't be playing 90 minutes every league game.

Thabk you. And a good manager will eke out 10/15 impactful EPL games from Matic, even 5/8 from Mata. Thats how quality managers use their squad, go and check Fergie teams

patrickmuf:
Pogba, Sancho, VDB can easily deputize for Bruno...It's up to Ole to find the right balance to cover for his absence...

If I ask you who replace KDB today, you'll struggle to tell me and if you do, was it a like for like replacement? No...Every player come with their own qualities, it's up to the manager to set up to bring out the best in his players...

They get aggressive whenever you point the obvious to them, same way Chelsea fans were defending Lampard, saying that Rudiger, Alonso, Werner, even Kante were all finished until Tuchel came.

A team with Varane, Maguire and Shaw as part of Back four tell me any team in the world with such quality?

TheLequte:
When are we ever going to learn not to sign players just for signing sake?

Hi Alexis Sanchez

Haaland is 20 we signed Sanchez at 29 not the same

patrickmuf:
Is you who claim they have a larger and better squad...We are only telling you it's not true...

No mind them. City doesn't have a larger squad the evidence is there. Last week they struggled without KDB, Pep is already crying due to the injury to KDB, all these Bruno fear is nonsense

GloryIsaac:
This isn’t about holding the fort. This is about winning the league.

You mustn't have World class players in all positions to win the league no team have WC players in all positions even City.

TheLequte:
No. You haven’t done that.

Now, rank all the players on one scale for all positions. For all positions.

For DM position now, the contenders will be Matic, VDB, Rodri, Fred, Fernandinho, etc.

A combined 50, if you may.

I dont get you but there is no massive gulf in class between.
Fernandinho/Rodri. And Matic/McFred.

Have you had a look at our attacking options? and their defence is not clearly better than ours, infact if we buy a good DM its finished

afrodoc2:
McTominay is not a DM at all so you are very wrong on this one. McTominay is a CM. This is not about trashing our players to make the manager look good. I no send the manager but that does not mean one should make emotional statements.

For team that dominates possession that recycling possession that you so easily glossed over is the most important role of a DM. Rodri as a DM is better than all our players bar Matic whose spirit is willing but body is weak.

Doc the argument was about depth. Whether or not Mctominay or whoever is a Quintessential DM or not the fact is he is a good option any day in whatever position he plays CM/DM. These City players are not Aliens.

TheLequte:
Do you know what will solve this argument Patrick?

List city’s defense, midfield and striker options. Do same for Man Utd. One player can appear in 2 positions. He’s an option.

Next, rank all of these players for all these positions.

This will make things way clearer.

I have done that already.

CBs.

City : Laporte, Dias, Stones and Ake.
Utd: Varane, Maguire, Lindelof and Bailly.

RB/LB.
City: Walker/Cancelo ; Zinchenko/Mendy.
Utd: . ; AWB/Dalot ; Shaw/Telles.

Midfield:
City: Gundogan, Rodri, Fernandinho, KDB, Foden and Bernado Silva.
Utd: Pogba, Bruno, Mctoms, Fred, Matic, VDB

Attack:
City: Jesus, Torres, Grealish, Mahrez, Sterling
Utd : Sancho, Rashford, Martial, Greenwood, Cavani and James.

Tell yourself the truth, look at that Backline can you confidently say Dias and Stones are better than Maguire and Varane. Their back ups are Ake and Laporte while we have Lindelof and Bailly.

In fullbacks we have Shaw and Telles while they have Mendy and Zinchenko. Then they are better here with Walker and Cancelo.

In Midfield: Bruno and Pogba can match KDB and Gundogan any day any time. We have VDB they have Foden, they have Fernandinho and Rodri we have Mcfred.

Our attack as you can see is Clearly better than their own, even not including the Bruno tax.

GloryIsaac:
Fernandinho swaps with Rodri.

The problem here is you people are seeing this as an Olé argument.

No wahala sha... keep comparing United and City squads.

Not Oles argument, when we talk about City's depth we shout as if the players are aliens. It is just that Pep use them. Fernandinho is 36 years old and Rodri is not that a top player.

GloryIsaac:
Fernandinho swaps with Rodri. Matic swaps with McFred.

Which means when Matic doesn’t play, United loses an extra man

Hence Varane! Ole should be bold enough to drop one of Fred or Mctoms. There are many options up front

GloryIsaac:
Their high line is really enticing, and I expect United to take advantage of it, especially as there’s no Vestergaard in their defence anymore.

James might start, so as to exploit that high line with his speed, but whether he has the awareness to run in-behind when necessary isn’t exactly sure.

Seruous teams are always ruthless, James is a backup when better players are out., he will get his fair share of games. Sancho is far better in terms of exploiting high line. He must start. Varane should be ready to replace Lindelof

TheLequte:
Nah. I think this season is enough for Greenwood to mature into that role. Any other CF acquisition should be a backup to him.

Greenwood is going to be massive for Utd.

Irrespective of Greenwood development, If Haaland os not gotten for a €75m buy out clause, then the team is not ready to win anything.

GloryIsaac:
The fact that we mention Mata, Lingard and James when comparing our squad with Man City is laughable

Matic is the only DM in Man United, 33yrs old, while Pep switches between Fernandinho and Rodri... but anything to win an argument

All these gra gra, only one injury to Bruno Fernandes and this team will collapse. Pogba sef no go gree play again .. All that hope of winning the league will just evaporate.

Not every argument must be won.

Its funny you are mentioning Matics age as a problem, then went ahead to list 36 year old Fernandinho as Peps option. Give Matic 15 EPL games max and 3/4 UCL game and see if he wont perform well.

afrodoc2:
This is not about Amaka vs Pep but if we want to analyse it Pep isn't exactly youth friendly. His youth players have been embarrassing other youth teams for the last 4-5 years and it is only Foden he can point to.

P.S I really don't like when every post gets twisted into an Amaka attack or defence. It is boring.

I am not saying so. However my point still stands. Ole might be youth friendly but he does not have the acumen to use them extensively

ChristoBam:
City has always had this kind of crazy squad depth sha. And in between their long reign, different teams pop up to win the title. From Chelsea to Liverpool to Leicester. While we'll keep crying about the difference in quality between our team and theirs.

Yes they have sqaud depth over the years but Man United have the same squad depth. Ole should use them appropriately. He will run down Bruno, Shaw Maguire etc them during the business end of the season, while city players are sharp and fit, Utd players are already knackered. Fergie do send JS park back to South Korea to keep eating frog and spaghetti only to pop up towards the UCL round of 16 and later stages of the season to be terrorising everybody, every body gets a fair share of game, thats the difference between a quality manager and a clueless PE teacher

afrodoc2:
And they have Cole Palmer and Tommy Doyle on the bench. Those 2 terrorized Academy and Reserve defenders all over England. I know Elanga is not yet fit but i hope Mejbri starts making the matchday squad regularly.

But we were told that Ole likes youngsters and Pep hates them. Even the bench players hardly get a look in how much more the academy players

Lana1:
Make he try stay one place

I am standing gidigba on my point ogbeni, stopaking up things in your head. Pep has Jesus, Sterling, Torres, Grealish, Mahrez and Bernado.
Ole has Sancho, Martial, Cavani, Rashford, Greenwood and James.

In mid field Pep has Fernandinho, Rodri, KDB, Gundogan and Foden,
Ole has Pogba, Bruno, Fred, Mctoms, VDB, Matic

Defence Ole has Shaw and Telles.
Pep has Mendy and Zinchenko.

Cb. Bailly, Varane, Maguire, Lindelof. Agaisnt Dias, Laporte, Stones and Ake.

So tell me who has more options to rotate and keep the squad fresh.

patrickmuf:
2 clean sheet is good for any defense no matter the team(s) they faced...

Ofcourse but the quality of the opposition must be put in perspective

TheLequte:
“Man Utd’s squad is on par with theirs”
“Man Utd ha a better squad”
“The Glazers are spending money”

Man United front 3 Rashford, Greenwood, Martial, Cavani, Sancho and James. Pogba also plays LW sometimes. That's 7 for 3 positions.

Man United Midfield: Fred, Mctoms, Matic, Mata, VDB, Lingard, Pogba and Bruno another 8 for 3 positions.

Man utd Defence: Varane, Maguire, Baily, Lindelof, Dalot, AWB, Shaw, Telles. 8 for 3 positions, infact 2 per positions.

I am not yet counting youngsters like Amad and Elanga who can do a job like Elliot did today and Chaloba did for Chelsea.

Yen yen yen .....more excuses for the Norwegian fraud.
We dont have squad depth.. yen ..yen ..yen..
Glazers have not backed Ole...yen yen
Glazers... are are stealing the club blind yen.. yen... yen..

Ogbeni quit the excuses Clueless Ole doesnt have the balls and the abundance of tactics to rotate his massive, quality and underachieving squad stop finding excuses. Fergie used Cleverly, Young, Gibson, Butner, Oshea, Brown Anderson, Fabio , Obertan to win league titles. Quit the tiring excuses, Ole the fraud should get down to work luke his mates

See Man city number of changes. No Foden, No KDB, No Sterling, No Stone, No Mahrez, after Xmas now they will go on a run when others are tired. SMH. I just hope i am wrong

Lana1:
2 clean sheets for Liverpool now.
God when!!

They have played Norwich and Burnley nothing special. Their next game is Chelsea

patrickmuf:
Jota...

He did well for my FPL. But Mo Sallah is about to blank sadly

PrinceOfLagos:
Soludo is undoubtedly the next governor of Anambra state

Maduka will not even see 5th position

Monogamy:
So many suspense about this Anambra guber election

There is no suspense Soludo is the next governor of Anambra state

Ole fan boys are getting their excuses ready. A team with Maguire, Shaw, Varane, Pogba, Bruno, Cavani, Sancho and Rashford unable to win anything. No single shame.
I think we will send a petition to FA to create a "We beat Pep" trophy, "i beat Nagglesmann" trophy, "I beat Tuchel" trophy. Mumu olesexuals.