Con

Man Utd look like an exciting team going forward but they haven't sorted out the centre back position - unless, of course, as I have suggested, they convert Luke Shaw to centre half. could be a Kevin Keegan at Newcastle kind of season. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manchester_United_F.C.#First-team_squad Rafael (BRA) Jones (ENG) Evans (ENG) Smalling (ENG) Varela (URG) Vermijl (BEL) Keane (ENG) Shaw (ENG) Or maybe they have high-hopes for 21-year-old Keane? Never heard of him but it is rather odd they have decided to leave the gate open at the back... unless, of course, Keano is the new gateman.

Kevan, just tell him to shoot on sight son. He doesn't need to do all the hard work work and then lay it off to someone else who'll mess it up. Just tell him to do what he did then smash it into into the net ala Messi. The lad's got the talent to do it, he just needs to trust in himself. Mate. We've all told him. Me, dad, mom, friends even football coaches but I dont know he just seems to want to pass it. When he was younger he never used to. But ever since it got serious he just plays it instead of taking the glory himself. I just hope he realises soon that he will get more recognition by trying this shots rather than giving it someone else. And in response to viva la villa its because PL wants to keep him grounded and not be another delfouneso... IMO. Maybe he stopped shooting because he didn't want all the attention on him. He has been so ahead of his age groups in ability, he must have been worried about provoking jealousy if he also scored all the goals. On the other hand, maybe a coach told him he needed to learn to play a team game. Or learn how to shoot properly. Interesting to learn. It's a hidden aspect of his personality as a footballer - currently suppressed now but maybe still to come out of him when he gets established in the first team? He may be far better than we even hope he is...

to stop Liverpool getting him?

I would start Wilson ahead of Rooney given the choice between them for a forward position. Wilson is a more natural finisher and he can also score from outside the box. Rooney should be used as a utility player. he can play in the midfield-attack link position, on the wing or in CM. they pay him enough money so they can play him where they like.

He might not have got rave reviews at Liverpool but he would have learned from that experience. It is always hard in your first season in the Premier League.

It’s not easy to break into the first team when Lambert is the manager and your being cock blocked by the dross he signed like Bowery, Tonev, Helenius, Luna, Sylla and Holt. He wasn't being blocked by them. Remember he is a CM. It's Delph, Westwood and Gardner.

He trusts his own talent and I'm sure he'll back back in the PL. Have to admire his desire to play games and prove himself.

Better than Crowley? Crowley is now 17.

You're right. Knew nothing about him until this summer. He's exactly what Man Utd didn't have last year. Only thing is, there is only one of him. They will need more depth in that position to sustain a title challenge.

With the extra game time Ward-Prowse is going to get he will be a star this year - a great value choice for your fantasy team YHIHF. He's a potential £20 million sale at the end of next season so it would be very rough on Southampton fans for the owners to cash in at £5 million. I'm lost for words how the owners have shaken down the tree for cash. Worst owners ever.

I hope his nickname isn't "early." In all seriousness, I'm sure he'll be able to soak up the pressure of the Premier League and exsponge any doubts people may have about him coming to Villa Park just to loafer around.

Batth is not a playmaking centre-half. he is a traditional water-carrier. OTOH if we're behind with 5 minutes to go we can throw the Batth and the kitchen sink at the opposition in a Flash, he would be clean through. Edit: I hope you can't get disciplinary points for making too many bad puns...

it's just the usual media talc. next thing they'll be saying we tapped him up.

those who want Batth should know that Randy Lerner will throw in the towel on the deal. Randy Lerner cannot afford a Batth at the moment. Bub-bye Batth.

He's on their US Tour and got an assist. http://www.fiveyearplanfanzine.co.uk/features/4952-palace-usa-tour-diary-day-5-eagles-end-tour-with-richmond-win.html In terms of set piece ability Bannan has everything that Pulis wants. He knows how to get the ball into the box. Does that with incredible consistency and his crossing % last year was again outstanding. I'm surprised Pulis doesn't built the team around him like he did Delap. Bannan's got to be better than Delap in his last two seasons.

Ward-Prowse is superb and should break into the England team this year. They may have more younger talent coming through. That said, it will take miracle management even if they get 6 replacements in to repeat their achievement last year.

Squawka on 20-year-old Nick Powell. Just a thought: would he cost too much for Villa to sign if Man Utd did sell? I know we already have Gary Gardner but we could always do with another. Would be a shame for Leicester to get him then sell him on for treble his price tag in 4 years time. http://www.squawka.com/news/why-van-gaal-should-look-to-keep-hold-of-nick-powell-this-summer/143689

I wasn't suggesting Januzaj for central midfield role. That's Powell. Januzaj would be central attacking midfield, in the hole. Mata and/or Januzaj (hype version) Herrara and/or Powell (hype version) and Felliani. I'd take that central midfield into the PL. But obviously it all depends on the kids stepping up and being as good as hyped. if they're not they need a couple of new midfielders.

I was using the fact I'd never heard about Herrera as evidence he wasn't as good yet as the players I had heard about. Carrick news is a blow but maybe Van Gaal would have benched him anyway? Who knows what he will do... that is what makes him an exciting manager. Man Utd's midfield talent - Mata Fellaini Herrara Powell Januzaj Valencia Carrick Nani ... could Van Gaatake the bold decision to start a relatively unknown like Nick Powell, or Januzaj to midfield (where they say he will end up eventually). Man Utd really need some of their young players to step up and become stars, so they get some star players without having persuade established stars to take a step down to join them.

I forgot about Herrera. Don't know anything about him but I'll assume he is the replacement for Carrick, the guy they bought instead of Kroos. Can't assume anything until he plays but he'd do well to be as good as Aaron Ramsey, Ozil or anything Man City or Chelsea have. I'm not convinced he'd get into their teams.

5-0 then changed all 11 players at half-time because that obviously wasn't good enough. in all seriousness that has to be a fluke result. they won't create that many chances in the PL.

if Man Utd get at least 1 world class CB in during summer transfer window Chelsea. Man Utd. Arsenal. Man City. if Man Utd don't get a world class CB in Chelsea. Arsenal. Man City. Man Utd.

Read the thread before you make incorrect statements like this. I changed my opinion before Van Gaal was hired based on a new coaching team that contained Paul Scholes and young talent that I never knew about before that impressed me, like James Wilson. Post #2822 is when I started "buying" Man Utd again confirmed at post #2868. I feel sorry for Liverpool fans next season because they will be pushed out of the top 4 again. However, I still say Utd need two non-jokers at CB for this season or they will high-scoring but inconsistent.

That could mean they think he'll make us significantly better, which could knock them down a position in the league. It could also mean they want more money and we'll have to wait to the nth hour to sign him.

Rio Ferdinand is the best pundit the BBC have... so he'll probably go to ITV. I was watching ITV. I don't mind Townsend. When Bale scored, I was saying "get in." My favourite commentator duo this world cup was Matterface and the guy with the dull voice who I've got used to now and think says some really great stuff.