Is MUFC really that strong?

[Barriecuda]

They have a fantastic manager who's astute tactically and gets the most out of his players with hard work on the training ground. They also have a world class striker line up led by Rooney and RVP, along with talented players like Welbeck and Chicarito. Nani is a very dangerous player, on his day, and Ashley* Young provides some more quality on the opposite wing.

And not a whole lot else.

I still am not convinced by De Gea or Lindegaard. Carrick is getting on, while Giggs and Scholes are ancient. Smalling and Jones were playing for Fulham and Blackburn a couple years ago, and are far from world class. They have no little cover for Evra, who is another old twat. Anderson? Cleverly? Fletcher? Nah. And I think Kagawa is going to be a Nasri, good sometimes and non-existent other times. Vidic and Ferdinand are becoming injury liabilities, and I'm not expecting Powell to do much for a few seasons yet.

Are we really so far behind them? We have less lethal strikers up front but way more quality in the middle, and Vermy and Kos have been rapidly improving over the last season or two.

I am aware we finished 18 points below them last year, but we did better in 3 of the other Cup competitions. Would like everyone's opinion on this.

*later edit

[arseofacrow]

who gives a fuck?

That's it from me barrie

[Vinny1967]

I think if you look at the respective squads and first team our's is comparible, except they now have an advantage up front with Van Persie. However they have character in their team which we have lacked and I think the sum of their parts is far greater. I do think we have gone some way to adress it with more mature signings, it will just depend on how quick they settle in.

[SammyDroppedHisShorts]

When did Luke Young sign??.

[Rosie_titters]

it's the £250k a week, that has made him go there - end off

don't read all that bollocks about playing with Rooney, Giggs, Scholes etc, etc etc

Man City didn't need him
Juve weren't prepared to be held to ransom and raped by the £24m + £250k wages
United - were stupid enough to pay it, to try and keep up with City

wouldn't be surprised to hear RVP comments in a few years time, about his love for Arsenal and he was wrong to leave

[Gunnersaurus]

Believe it or not but signing van Persie hasn't strengthened them that much, granted he's a quality player who should score goals for them but he may surpress Rooney who is a big plus for them, if they work remains to be seen, can't think of many partnerships that both Rooney or van Persie has been succesful in for club or country.

Their problem last year wasn't scoring goals, Wellbeck scored plenty as did Hernandez the year before, the full backs and keeper was ropey and the midfield wasn't up to usual United standards with less creativity then usual, their best player was Scholes who can't go on forever, neither can Giggs, their younger players ain't that great in the grand scheme of things.

Signing van Persie hasn't changed that.

[Barriecuda]

When did Luke Young sign??.

My bad, I always get those two confused

[OneBardGooner]

When did Luke Young sign??.

My bad, I always get those two confused

Who the feck is Luke Warm???

wasn't he in porridge or something?

[Chippy]

When did Luke Young sign??.

My bad, I always get those two confused

Who the feck is Luke Warm???

wasn't he in porridge or something?

I think he was in a dodgy porno I watched by accident on the interweb thingy.

[Wengerball]

To answer the thread title- on paper they are closer to us than in reality. Purple nose is their trump card- at ManYoo they have a winning mentality and and ability to grind out results with what often appears to be a limited team. ODLs tactics and brand of football are based on one way of playing and if it doesn't work we are screwed. Winning doesn't really matter at Arsenal as its all about the balance sheet, if we win nothing this year everyone at the club from the players to the staff will get a pat on the back and go home with their wedge of cash.
With Purple nose, a season in 2nd place despite a pretty average squad and being up against sugar daddy funded clubs is a failure.

Thats why ManYoo are strong and why folk keep tipping them to be there or thereabouts.

Those 18 points we finished behind them are points that were grinded out when they weren't playing well but got their hands dirty to come form behind or win games through determination rather than skill. We dont have that hard edge and we need to have that resilience and ability to get points when the chips are down. If we struggle in a game you know that we'll drop points because we aren't persistent enough.Hopefully the new signings will give us an extra edge but United have it to a tee.

[Arsenal Till I Die]

United lose the midfield battle for me against us. (Assuming we sign Sahin like everything indicates) yes they signed Kagawa but we've signed Cazorla who for me is a much better player of the two. Arteta has the clinical eye for that pinpoint pass whereas Nani wants to be C.Ronaldo everythime he touches the ball and becomes the lone fucking ranger. Oxlade-Chamberlain has the legs and the mentality compared to Cleverley. Whilshere is our bulldog with attacking flair who at his age now is better than Scholes was at the same age.

Adnderson and Ramsey both speak for them selves but if Ramsey had the confidence then I think he's edge over Anderson. Fletcher doesn't play due to that problem. I think the only one we're beaten on is Giggs over Arshavin.

[highburyJD]

I think its possible for us to finish ahead of them
(in a drunken moment last week I laid them for top 2)
think Kagawa will be good though, just cant see Giggs and Scholes continuing to deliver

[Arsenal Till I Die]

I think its possible for us to finish ahead of them
(in a drunken moment last week I laid them for top 2)

We're gonna win the league

[T.S]

Are Man United really that strong?

Yes.

Shall I lock the thread now?

[supergeorgegraham]

Well they beat us twice have just purchased the best player in the Prem and have players coming back from injury and are buying more. Hell yes they are strong very strong