STM

Already on their way. Half the game gone and Man Utd look edgy.

Yeah just posted in the other thread how frail they look. Not bothered if they win/lose but a tiring game will do nicely.

I'm fairly sure that Man Utd will win this game but jeez they look frail against a side that sits 6th in the Cypriot league.

They will have the game won in the first half and sub a few off. Europa do 5 subs?

The area I see us dominating is in fitness. If they play, Miggy, Joelinton, Willock, etc are extremely tiring to play against. Eriksen, Casemiro etc might not cope with our intensity.

I don't want to be cunty about it, since the birth of his child should absolutely be more special than even playing in the black and white, but how exactly is he supposed to know he's missing the game unless it's a pre planned birth? If its a pre planned birth, especially at a private hospital, surely they would have factored in the availability of the father for the birth or is the midwife a Man Utd fan? I'm sure there's a chance she booked in on Sunday morning or whatever but it would be bloody bad fortune on our part. I suppose we should just look on the bright side that a) Brunos having a geordie baby b) he's more likely to stay long term c) he will be available for Everton and Spurs.

Heard his name so many times now that I thought "fuck it" and did some Dennis Wising. Kid has very much the same style as Bruno (ok he's a Brazilian midfielder, so I did a thing), he plays with neat first touches, often turning the ball around a corner or turning straight on the offensive. He also put in 2 or 3 meaty challenges, so I guess they have that in common. From whatever one can garner from a YouTube compilation, he looks good. More importantly, if he has been singled out by our scouting department, he must have something about him. Hasn't he been courted by some of the other big boys across Europe? Looks like we are going after FM wonderkids.

On a wider point. Youtube pundits like JLA basically shit all over mainstream ex footballers etc. More articulate, more balanced, less bias, more researched and also prepared to have a bit of fun and be creative with their points. Sky and MOTD will barely move past possession or shots on target as talking points, where as the former will compare metrics of players all across Europe or use heat map comparisons. It really is chalk and cheese. The reality is that your average Sky Sports subscriber isn't interested in the finer details, that's why they won't delve any further.

Keane is more entertaining than interesting. Exactly the sort of guy you want as captain or "in the trenches" as they would say but ultimately he's not smart enough to be a football manager or someone who understands the finer points of the game. It's very much a science nowadays and for some reason I can't see Keane giving time of day to staff who analyse stats etc. Carragher and Neville are way more switched on to modern methods and ignoring their clear bias, offer much greater insight.

58th minute of this. @SUPERTOON

It was something mentioned on the fan debate Gary Neville does. Something along the lines of they can't continue their spending. It came from Richard Arnold, their CEO but I can't find any original quote. Make no mistake, they aren't hard up but the impression I got was that they need to start boxing smarter.

Apparently Man Utd have ran out of money or at least can't continue to spend at the rate they did in the summer. That should be a red flag to fans because their rebuild is only at phase one. They will have to be very creative in the market.

Bringing Isak off the bench with Maxi would be mint.

Defo Bruce and Souness at the bottom.

Loved to hated: Howe Keegan Robson Rafa Houghton Roeder Shearer (simply because he was a legend) Dalglish Guillit Carver Kinnear Pardew Allardyce Souness Bruce (Pardew is an odd one because I despised him because of the length of time he hung on but he did manage a 5th, he's also been nicer about us in public than Souness).

@Froggy What do you think Man Utds line up will be?

Stadium name change: no. Stadium associated name: yes. Club crest: yes but only if decent. Plenty of other priorities though. I suspect one of his first jobs is getting a training ground sponsor. The training ground itself might be a few years off but a sponsor needs tied down sooner rather than later.

What? I'm not critical of him. I'm pleased he is trying but it was hardly a gold mine of information. Perhaps the papers will have got some better stuff.

Personally didn't learn a thing. He's incredibly well media trained (Eales). Which is perfectly acceptable but doesn't give you anything to chew on. Pleased he was asked about real ales, the newcastle United sign wifi and the loudness of the music though. We will know more when our first big deal lands.

So far their strategy has been virtually impeccable. Here's some ratings for no other reason than I'm bored: Trippier: He's been our talisman. Has been a key reason for our mentality change. 10/10 Wood: Ultimately he's a dud but we were in a tight spot and at least we weakened Burnley. 5/10 Bruno: Second only to De Bruyne in the PL IMO, unreal signing. 10/10 Burn: Versatile, good with his feet, a leader, experienced, great character. Transformed our defence. 8/10 Targett: Solid as a rock. Good lad. Not blessed with attacking instincts but Mr Reliable. 7/10 Pope: Alot of raised eyebrows about whether we needed a GK but he's proven an absolute bargain. 8/10 Botman: Would it be clichéd to say Rolls Royce? 10/10 Isak: Time will tell. From an ambition perspective I will give it a 9/10 A 7/8 strike rate is good going in the world of transfers. Overall they get a 9/10 for transfer performance.

Yeah me too. Also, from a strategic point of view. If we go unchanged, regardless of the result, Eddie has a great reason to play the ones who are left out against Everton. I'd be tempted to play Maxi and Co against Everton and smash them, ensuring the 3 points.

If Leicester sack Rodgers, march up the table to relative safety, ok, Leicester might do business.

Anyone else imagining 3k geordies in Copenhagen etc next year? Shouldn't do it to myself.

Pen. Again, complete accident.