ferguson1

Treat them with respect and I expect us to win by 4 or 5 goals by the end. It’s hardly a patched up side and some need to impress the gaffer.

Still think we’ll see something very close to this starting: Steer Guilbert - Tuanzebe - Hause - Targett Nakamba Chuk Hourihane JPB Wesley El Ghazi

Surprised no one is really mentioning Liverpool as a major contender? If they keep the defence and keeper pretty injury free this season, then I think they’ll be there or thereabouts. It’s probably City or Chelsea’s to lose though. United are too inconsistent to be a serious contender.

Really want Wesley to score to give him a boost. He may or may not be with us long term but the guy has been on a long road to recovery and his determination to get back deserves some reward.

How can Adama be rated as a £40m plus player? Truly bonkers. Admittedly he’s improved massively since he was with us but his stats just don’t justify the price tag.

I actually think we’ve done very well out of the deal. Yes, he’ll be part of a winning team and win plenty of trophies over his contract. He’ll also earn mega money in the process. However, I honestly don’t think he’ll shine consistently and be considered a “great” for them. He’s now just a cog in a well oiled machine. £100m was always an obscene amount.

so you think none of those names or a top midfield loan can take the place if Hourihane in the squad? Even the names I used as examples improve on him.

Don’t think you read my original post correctly. They were examples. Again, a top player loan from a top club (home or abroad) should not be discounted. Most of us raved about the Barkley loan last summer. Now that one didn’t work out in the end but a high calibre loan can be useful, especially in our midfield. Hourihane is not going to be a useful option this season, so I would rather take his place with someone that can contribute.

but why not? The names I said were just examples. What I’m saying is that these elite teams have very bloated squads and we may get a loan that improves our current midfield options. I wouldn’t rule it out.

Would anyone be happy if we perhaps get a Loftus-Cheek, Ampadu, Winks, Ndombele type loan on the final day of the window? Can see this type of loan happening if we shift a couple ourselves in the next week or so.

I think we won’t see any new faces until perhaps the last day of the window. It’s all cat and mouse at present as selling clubs know we have money. However, there are plenty of clubs (home & abroad) right now who are in a mess financially due to Covid etc. The wage bill of some clubs is unsustainable and they will need to offload. Agents will be pushing moves right until deadline. We may find ourselves loaning a couple of big names, especially if a couple of ours leave. A “Barkley” type loan if you will. The elite teams have bloated squads, we just need to be patient.

I remember him years ago on the telly as a child. Nothings changed. He may as well of said these words to Jenas.

Just looked it up again and what a cracker of a goal. Should be remembered better because it is special.

We have a world class keeper, a very good top 10 defence, some fantastic forward thinking players, but a lower half midfield right now. It’s a shame because we’re really close to being a top side overall, probably two players short in fact (defensive midfielder and a top quality left attacker). Bissouma and say Damsgaard would be the dream. Alas, you’d probably have to spend £70m or £80m to get both, which we won’t do. Seen some alternative suggestions on here recently from the continent, which I confess I know nothing about but I just hope we bring two more players in before the deadline in those positions because if we get those right, we could push a top 8 finish.

Crazy decision to play that team and just won’t happen anyway. Deano will protect most of the team that started today and rightly so. We can’t afford further injuries to key players right now.

Fantastic bit of business bringing him back to the club. Experience will be invaluable.

Looks to be a little leaner and fitter right now than last season, where I was worried that he was bulking up. He’ll always try the odd hollywood pass that won’t come off but his harassing and pressing is needed in this side.

You can tell with his post match comments that the guy is loving every minute. Probably has to pinch himself at times but you can’t help but love his enthusiasm. It really is infectious.

Needs a game now and Tuesday night is an ideal opportunity. Hopefully a goal or two will do him the world of good. Perhaps after Tuesday we then make a decision on whether to loan him out or not.

They won’t drop if they keep Wilson, ASM and Willock fit. Those players alone will keep them out of the bottom 3 by the end. Although an off day today, Wilson is always good for 10+ goals a season.

Still an absolutely fantastic goal scored.

It’s a decision on whether to play a whole host of younger players, improve the fitness of some first team players or both? Think we’ll see something close to this: Steer Guilbert - Tuanzebe - Hause - Targett Nakamba Chuk Sanson/Hourihane JPB Wesley El G

Of course, yes I forgot those. As you say, all 3 were special goals.

Can only think of Rooney v Man City that’s possibly similar and better? From memory, Zlatan has scored a couple that’s similar with such power also, but Ings has really scored a goal of the season contender today. Can’t stop watching it and the reactions from the players.