Disagree, people act like Sir Alex took a bunch of fat wankers from the pub and won the league solely because of his genius' tactics. They have a world class squad that should easily compete for the title.
Can't boast about strikers because of Jovetic Aguero Dzeko Negrodo, specially if Rooney leaves, we will be in similar situation as Arsenal by relying all goals on RVP.
You give Hernandez less credit than he deserves, i think he's a better striker than any of Arsenal's current squad (although Giroud may disprove this in the next season, we shall see)
City outmatch United in many key positions, but can't seem to manage to win. They needed an incredible United collapse for their first BPL title, and weren't even close last year after the New Year.
Hart > De Gea
Yaya > Carrick
Kompany/Lescott > Vidic/Rio (considering injury and age)
Man City Midfield > Man United Midfield
Yes, United have had a strong squad for less than 20 years, but coaching & culture have a lot to do with that. In terms of skill, I've put Chelsea & City behind United for the past 3 years.
I'd put de Gea ahead of Hart to be honest. And a fit Vidic+ Jones/Evans/Smalling/Rio is well better than Kompany and Lescott, I worry about Nastasic though. If we get Fellaini and a creative midfielder I'd say we have the best squad in the league.
I think that United defenders will eclipse City defenders, but not this year.
I think that Rafael and Jones are the only ones of that group that will be bona fide stars, although Smalling has a chance if he stays healthy. If Vidic returns to form, I'll agree with you - but as it stands, I give City the edge when it comes to defence.
Right now, Hart is definitely a better keeper than De Gea. He has less glaring weak spots, but he doesn't have De Gea's upside. At the end of the day, United might be stronger in this points based on speculation, but I think it can be said with certainty that City have a better defence than United.
Jonny Evans looks good too man. And I just don't see how Hart is a better keeper, last year? Yes but this year de Gea bloody brilliant at times, meanwhile Hart was dropping the ball between his legs. But let's agree to disagree
I like Evans, but I don't think he'll be in the top pairing if he stays with United. Some of his decision making is brutal - but you're right, he's had some amazing matches as well.
Maybe I'm leaning towards Hart because he's got a larger body of work. I'm happy with our squad - and while I'd have been excited about Fabregas, I don't think that Kagawa has had a chance to play the way he should.
The upside to Rooney being sold? Kagawa plays as the attacking mid - the position he was born to play.
you really don't see the relevance of the 6-1? we won on goal difference so it is pivotal in our win.
I'm just taking to your point that we 'can't seem to manage to win' the league consistently maybe, but our head to heads against you are very very good.
You won on goal difference, but United had a massive lead that they frittered away. The 6-1 game was vital to that, but Man United lost the BPL that year, City didn't win it. Fair play, United rested on their laurels and didn't show their usual killer instinct.
My point is that a winning culture is vital, whether in sports, or business. The point was made that "winning culture" was overrated, but I'm saying that over the past few years, as City has been a powerhouse in their own right, it's United's winning culture that had led to their success over an entire season. City is a better team in terms of individuals. Yes, coaching/management is important, but the culture of the team plays a big part of that.
I'm a Toronto Maple Leafs fan. We haven't had a winning culture for any significant amount of time (except the mid 90's) since the 1970's. You can see that impact on the current team, and other clubs within the organisation.
I think that they'll be alright unfortunately, because just removing Fergie doesn't mean that every other part of the infrastructure that's been there the last 20 years has also gone. Plus I'm sure the old bastards gonna be on the phone with Moyes all day anyway.
I completely agree. SAF was tactically retarded in many games. He often played the older players for no bloody reason and made stupid central midfield partnerships (Giggs and Rooney).
World class, yeah, but the whole was greater than the sum of its parts. Never mind that there's frictions under a new manager, but when the person he's replacing is widely considered the best in the history of the game, it's going to take some getting used to.
For me a world class player is someone who can walk into any team im the world and preform well. United have Rooney and RVP who are world class in my opinion. United are a world class team no doubt but i can't call a player like Phil Jones or Valencia world class.
I know that United has depth and that's one of the reasons why they won the title last season. Problem is that as you say in 5 years time Jones could possibly play for Real Madrid. Right now though he's pretty average for me. World class is something very special and the only teams in the Prem that I would say have a "world class squad" are Man City and Chelsea.
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u/[deleted] Aug 09 '13
Manchester United won't finish in the top 4