ffs why did we draw Man U.
Why not? Have to face a team like that if you want to win a trophy.
Let's see if Xavi really turned it around or the performance against RM is a clone of what happened last season and we end the season with nothing. Way better placed now though.
So, who are the 6 or 7 clubs you would trade squads with [MENTION=15262]serghei[/MENTION]?
I feel we are on the verge of something special while most other top teams are declining. Just need that one damn rightback and a true difference maker in attack (both hard to find).
There is a difference between getting knocked out first round of finals and the final.
Something special? Come on, you are getting carried away here. We beat Madrid 4 0 last season and we've still been inconsistent. In Europe we've been farcical, struggling to cope with the pace and intensity. We were good but Madrid didn't show up and their midfield is looking OLD now, especially without Casemiro.
We need a proper DM, RB and a gifted forward. Thats a minimum of three positions there. With the club being broke, getting quality in will be tough. The jury is still out on Xavi too. People are getting carried away just like before.
United tie is probably 50/50, not sure why cules are scared of them though. Purple patch + Rashford on fire but other than that.. Antony and Martial hardly strike fear into opposition, Araujo will eat them alive. They also miss Lisandro for the first leg. Europa league, will be a tie to enjoy, if we lose, focus on La Liga which is the #1 goal anyway not really the end of the world.
Beat United and then give us Arsenal please.
United in recent years have a terrible record against Spanish teams, even historically also. Actually lost to Sociedad in groups of EL this season, lost a EL final recently to Villarreal, lost to Sevilla a few years back etc. Their playstyle might be a poor match and it could be an easier game than some are foreseeing provided Xavi gets the same motivation from the boys as we see in these Clasicos.
Don't agree, I think our squad on balance is probably the best in the world considering future prospects as well as current level.
Our current 11 + bench puts us firmly with the top squads in the world, but further, the majority of the core is young and have very long careers ahead of them. Managed right, it could be a big revolution and keep us at the top for years to come regardless of if big investment comes in. The quality is there already and we have great players on the bench too who can develop and come into the fray for starting roles, like Fati, Raphinha, Kessie etc.
We have impending holes at FB/ST/DM but in truth the only one that can't be worked around is fullback, where we probably need to sign a great one. There is alternatives already there for midfield and we have been testing schemes like this 3223 business that allow us to play without a fixed DM/single pivot. Lewa should hold for a year or two more at striker, we either bring someone in or hope Fati develops to fill it.
Don't think would've been 3-1 if Tchouameni weren't injured, think worst showing by Camavinga I've seen. The goals we scored weren't from high level midfield play which Gavi isn't capable of. Match reminds me of last year when Pique said "we're back."