Breaking the Habit - A Man United rebuild
Forum Discussion
- @JustinCase0110
Good start to the season. It's also good to know that Ander Barrenetxea seems to be fitting the bill at Old Trafford.
I like it when a recommendation comes good...
@CO88LER5 wrote:
Good start to the season. It's also good to know that Ander Barrenetxea seems to be fitting the bill at Old Trafford.
I like it when a recommendation comes good...Thanks, I do too. He did start slowly for me though, as I had this idea that I wanted him on the right side and use a left-footed on the left. But all his best performances have come from the left so far.
I watched some of Real Sociedad's game last night, where he also came on and scored a goal. Ruled out for offside though. But it was an inspiring cameo IMO. As a player, I was only familiar with from the game, it was also fun to watch the real version of him in action. Looks promising indeed.
RKC in Europa League, meaning they'd won the Dutch Cup?!?...
And then winning their opening game at Besiktas: wow!
I think pigs can fly before that happens...I don't mind such unrealistic surprises, but I do wish the game makers would address the away game-bug (AI simulated teams away win more in Europe, than at home)
That 1-0 win over Man City seems like a vital 3 points, well done.
@Danimal5981 wrote:RKC in Europa League, meaning they'd won the Dutch Cup?!?...
And then winning their opening game at Besiktas: wow!
I think pigs can fly before that happens...I don't mind such unrealistic surprises, but I do wish the game makers would address the away game-bug (AI simulated teams away win more in Europe, than at home)
That 1-0 win over Man City seems like a vital 3 points, well done.
I was surprised to see Waalwijk in Europa League too. Not that I'm an expert in Dutch football, but that was a team that surprised me, when I saw the draw for the competition. Didn't know about the away bug, haven't noticed myself, but I agree nonetheless.
City win was vital, yes, especially after a few poor results. Leeds were the better team by far at Elland Road, and I have no words for the collapse in Istanbul. So going from that to a derby win was pretty sweet.
@CO88LER5 wrote:
You've still got Antony, then.
Any particular reason why? Are you playing him much?Two reasons, I suppose.
1 - I deemed it unrealistic to sell him, since he probably wouldn't have anyone interested in buying him. So while Rashford, Bruno, Casemiro and others went away, I decided to "force" upon myself to make it work with Antony.
2 - While I struggle to see his potential on the right flank (often stopping and playing backwards), I felt some time ago that he might actually be useful on the left. He is a hard worker, and he does keep the ball quite well, compared to some United players like Bruno, who is often in a hurry to decide things and throws the ball away too quickly too often.
He was actually off to a flying start in my save, assisting my first two goals, if I remember correctly. His goal contributions have been few and far between since then, but I find him to be helpful in regards to width, possession and fight. Currently he and Ander Barrenetxea are rotating the left flank, the latter playing it a bit more attacking-minded than Antony. In time I have an idea to test him (and train him) as a left back, but his current defensive abilities are so poor that I'm not sure he'll ever be suited for that role.
Solid arguing: this is of course a game, but if this was real life, you'd look for ways not to lose too much money on Antony. He's got a big salary so you either make it work, or you try to get rid of him, but only a fee that cover the expences made in 2022 (minus write-off). But you made him work, the lazy sh!t... I'm still laughing my teeth out that Ajax received nearly €100 million for him; but then we spent that money on junk players for the two transfer windows after that: Karma, I guess.
@Danimal5981
Ajax were lucky that they were dealing with incompetents at the time.
It's not unusual for a club to waste a big receipt like that. For instance, I remember Tottenham wasting the big fee that they got for Gareth Bale...
I'm rather hoping that, with the arrival of Jim Ratcliffe and his mates, we've seen the back of United being taken for a ride, like they have been since Sir Alex retired.
I think summer 2024 is going to be an interesting indication of what the 'new' Manchester United may well look like.It might help to look back and see how Man United became a big club once more under Alex Ferguson. He took over in November 1986 and apart from a decent 1987-88, he noted an 11th place twice and a 13th, before ending 6th in 1991. They didn't become true title challengers until Ferguson's fifth (!!) year.
Fans and press are too impatient, the longevity of work needed to make any team a success is often overlooked. How long did it take Klopp at Liverpool? Arteta is at Arsenal now a bit over four years and the pieces are finally starting to fall together. That's what it takes: 5 years at least - at Man United, they start roasting a manager if he doesn't perform in his 2nd season and it's not just the board, that's equally fans and press alike.
@Danimal5981 wrote:Solid arguing: this is of course a game, but if this was real life, you'd look for ways not to lose too much money on Antony. He's got a big salary so you either make it work, or you try to get rid of him, but only a fee that cover the expences made in 2022 (minus write-off). But you made him work, the lazy sh!t... I'm still laughing my teeth out that Ajax received nearly €100 million for him; but then we spent that money on junk players for the two transfer windows after that: Karma, I guess.
Yes, I suppose Ajax may not have won too much from it after all. Ind the end it all comes down to having the right sporting setup. Ajax had a good thing going on in their ten Hag days with van der Sar and Overmars overseeing things. And United haven't had anyone competent doing this since David Gill left in 2013. 11 effing years ago. I can't wait for Berrada, Ashworth and the lot to get to work.
I don't expect much from the 2024 window though, @CO88LER5, with the club also balancing the financial fair play regulations. But in time I hope and expect that we are over the days where every selling club can push the fee beyond belief, knowing that United will pay up in the end.
@JustinCase0110United pushing for the top again.
Wonder how long that will continue...Bit of a surprise in the Leicester game, given how well you've been scoring.
@CO88LER5 wrote:United pushing for the top again.
Wonder how long that will continue...Bit of a surprise in the Leicester game, given how well you've been scoring.
Yes, it was quite ironic to score freely in the Besiktas game and go goalless in the two on each side - apart from the 93rd minute winner at the Cottage.
Generally I have improved offensively, but I'm still the least scoring side in top 5, and my defence should get the most praise for the improved results.
- @JustinCase0110
Solid set of results and just one point from the top. Very tight defence but you probably need more goals. Lots of 1-goal wins leaves you vulnerable...?
Interesting commentary on the academy. How many scouts do you have and where are they scouting?
I fill my academy up pretty quickly in any career and keep it topped up. That's how I get so many coming through. It feels to me like United's history should indicate you should have quite a well-stocked academy, but you only have 4 - is that right or am I misunderstanding the image? Since not very long, I tend to specialize my search in youth academy and essentially do 4 blocks of 3 months; always Netherlands and 2 other countries per quarter. Results are pretty good, though I tend to always go for 15 or 16 year olds (unless it's a goalkeeper) and quite realistic. South America yields great attacking players, Belgium gives great defenders, Poland very good goalkeepers and other countries are there because those nationalities happen to be a lot at Ajax).
- Q3 = RB, CB, LB (Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium)
- Q4 = RW, CF/CAM, LW (Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil)
- Q1 = CDM, CM, CF/CAM (Netherlands, Ghana, Morocco)
- Q2 = ST, GK, CM (Netherlands, Poland, Türkiye)
@CO88LER5 wrote:
Solid set of results and just one point from the top. Very tight defence but you probably need more goals. Lots of 1-goal wins leaves you vulnerable...?
Interesting commentary on the academy. How many scouts do you have and where are they scouting?
I fill my academy up pretty quickly in any career and keep it topped up. That's how I get so many coming through. It feels to me like United's history should indicate you should have quite a well-stocked academy, but you only have 4 - is that right or am I misunderstanding the image?No it's true, I only have these four in my academy so far. Plus a few in my scouts report, whom I'm considering signing too.
But I'm also cautious in regards to promoting too many too quickly. I always get to a point, where I'll just prefer the young prospects, and then there are no reason for me to keep a lot of the senior players around. And I don't suppose I'm happy with a transition going that quickly. In time I'm certain my youth players will 'take over' and make the seniors redundant. But for now I'll take it slow.
That's also why I use only one scout at the time. I usually send him to the country, I'm playing in, for a 9 months period. So he's currently scouting in England due to return in April.
@Danimal5981 wrote:Since not very long, I tend to specialize my search in youth academy and essentially do 4 blocks of 3 months; always Netherlands and 2 other countries per quarter. Results are pretty good, though I tend to always go for 15 or 16 year olds (unless it's a goalkeeper) and quite realistic. South America yields great attacking players, Belgium gives great defenders, Poland very good goalkeepers and other countries are there because those nationalities happen to be a lot at Ajax).
- Q3 = RB, CB, LB (Netherlands, Denmark, Belgium)
- Q4 = RW, CF/CAM, LW (Netherlands, Argentina, Brazil)
- Q1 = CDM, CM, CF/CAM (Netherlands, Ghana, Morocco)
- Q2 = ST, GK, CM (Netherlands, Poland, Türkiye)
I good system, I think. I probably just prefer scouting for 9 months at a time, giving me more time to see the scout reports develop a bit, before I decide whether to sign a player or not.
Luca Netz was on my list as well, but under current circumstances not feasible for my Ajax due to salary demands. Also, I want to try to work this season with a clear starting eleven and decent back-ups behind so I need players that are accepting their role easily.
@Danimal5981 wrote:Luca Netz was on my list as well, but under current circumstances not feasible for my Ajax due to salary demands. Also, I want to try to work this season with a clear starting eleven and decent back-ups behind so I need players that are accepting their role easily.
It's funny, cause I usually don't feel too comfortable signing German players for Manchester United, since they don't really have a history of doing the that. The same goes with Italian players.
But recently I read a rumour about Luca Netz as a real life summer target, and he suddenly leaped ahead of everyone else on my left back shortlist.
Jonathan David has also been rumoured to United a few times, so both made sense and will certainly fill a gap I've come to realize during the fall.
- @JustinCase0110
I've had both these players in the past - Netz even in my Las Palmas career last season. He's really quite good down the left.
Jonathan David I bought a few times in the previous FIFAs and, again, he's pretty good - or was in previous versions of the game. Quite prolific and quick. I haven't looked at either in EAFC24, though.
Quite interesting to see the United rumours regarding both, though United perennially seem to be linked with so many players. It's incredible to realise how young Netz still is, (even David, to some extent) as they seem to have been available in FIFA/EAFC for a long time...
@JustinCase0110 wrote:
@Danimal5981 wrote:Luca Netz was on my list as well, but under current circumstances not feasible for my Ajax due to salary demands. Also, I want to try to work this season with a clear starting eleven and decent back-ups behind so I need players that are accepting their role easily.
It's funny, cause I usually don't feel too comfortable signing German players for Manchester United, since they don't really have a history of doing the that. The same goes with Italian players.
Realism, or likelyhood is a very big argument for me. That's why I feel stuck at Ajax most of the time: it's the only team that I know inside and out, what they would or wouldn't do.
