Breaking the Habit - A Man United rebuild
Forum Discussion
@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.
