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Luke
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Unless there is a great strength in their reserves and youth teams and there are some Utd youngster wonder kids about to be unleashed next year, then don't Utd have a HUGE number of players that their going to have to replace by next season???

 

Also clubs will know this and everything going to Utd surely will come at a premium price? Especially as desperation kicks in near transfer deadlines?

 

This btw is not me on a wind up, I'm genuinely interested in the Man U supporters views on this.

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One thing Van Gaal brings is his ability at judging and developing young players. He will quickly get an understanding of the quality coming through. He also needs to start getting more out of the younger members of the first team squad, to bring them on a little (or a lot) more. Phil Jones being arguably the most important example. United are five or six players short of a credible title challenge, but to try and rectify that in one summer could be disastrous and would certainly be high risk. Two or three genuine additions to the starting eleven should make for a squad capable of top four.

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I think it's the best of the available managers.

 

It's no secret that I really wanted to see Jurgen Klopp at OT - but it's probably not the right time after the Moyes disaster. And he has unfinished business at Dortmund.

 

So yes, I'm happy, especially as he's giving some continuity via Giggs as his No. 2.

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Us Arsenal boys know all about rebuilding the team and bring in the youth, with care you could have the same rubbish years as we had / have, and continually remodel it for nearly a decade before you win anything again.

 

What actually happened to your youth? - they were supposedly the best in the game, but mostly faded to be replaced by bargain basement buys from elsewhere...

 

Arsenal's failings have been mostly down to the board being more interesting in feathering their own nests than spending money to make the club successful. So long as Wenger finished top 4 and in a Euro spot, they were more than happy.

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I do deride the FA Cup and make no excuses for doing so.

 

It may well be the best domestic Cup competition in the world (I certainly wouldn't argue that) but the importance of it is so low now.  It is, if we're all going to be honest, a trophy coveted by underdogs or a consolation prize if your season has been a bit poor and you're a supposedly 'big' club.

 

United didn't win anything (yes, yes, before that is laid at my door) but it doesn't change the fact that the FA Cup really isn't much more than a bit of consolation silverware for anyone but the small clubs.

 

The hype and attention Arsenal fans have given their win is astonishing.  You'd think they'd won the Premier or Champions League.

 

Yet they've not won the former in 10 years and the latter in, oh, ever.

 

If they really think it demands such incredible celebration and is the cue to a period of domination or Premier League title-taking glory, then they're deluded.

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It is a shame, again I'd agree.

 

It's a shame that should be laid firmly on the doorstep of the FA, FIFA, Manchester United and other league clubs.

 

FIFA firstly, for organising that ridiculous World Club Championship when they did, way back when.

 

The FA, for basically not knowing what to do, say or advise on.

 

Manchester United for deciding they'd go for it and miss the FA Cup.  The least we could have done would be to field our 'best available' side until the World Club cup was over.  They could have done that and they may well have got the club through until United came back.  The problem was that other clubs objected and said "If you go, you can't field any team or we'll sulk".  So they were told they had to field the first team.  The moment they withdrew it showed that the FA Cup didn't matter any more.

 

History shows that the tournament was so badly organised (albeit the one they've won since is much better) and FIFA had once again cocked up.

 

You'll remember this next bit too....

 

The FA Cup used to mean a huge amount, in some ways it was even more 'valuable' than the league itself.  I used to watch every single one and the coverage would start at 9am and run through the day.  BBC and ITV used to show it at the same time. 

 

Every club fielded their strongest side.  Without question.  It mattered.

 

Now, how many genuinely do that?

 

The big clubs have Europe to think of (well, United usually do, haha), the smaller clubs are too busy fighting relegation or league position because of how much it is worth, and the only people it really matters to are lower league clubs from a payday perspective.

 

The FA allowed it to rest on its laurels and the Premier League and FIFA brought in the media money and better coverage. 

 

In summary - the FA marketing was shocking.  So slow to react it was too late to do anything.

 

p.s. the best example of how much league position matters is that Newcastle United lost £1.2m on the last day of the season by dropping a single place in the table.  How many FA Cup games would you have to play to get that?  Probably 3 or 4!

Edited by NewNiceMrMe
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The big teams are now obsessed with Champions league and winning the premiership or failing that getting on TV the most. That drives much of the revenue and to them that is all that matters, its a business not a sport really at the top. 

 

However for other smaller clubs and to me that doesn't mean Swansea or Bolton its the Marines, Southport, Whitley Bay, Yeading etc. who start playing the FA Cup far before the big teams even get involved. To them its a chance to show that they are better than the big clubs that passion and determination of a decorator or IT director are better than a professional player.

 

All clubs used to have the respect of what it meant to everyone including the smaller clubs and as you say that was reflected in the coverage, why the game  is now later in the day I will never know. Its such a shame that so much is now is driven by money and seemingly nothing else. Me personally, I always hope that a non-league team gets far in the completion and embarrass a few grandee teams who really should do better and put more effort in to the game on and off the field. 

 

But times change and not always for the better, Top clubs don't need second teams, they need to put their all into the first team and let other clubs enjoy their place in leagues and competitions, not the big clubs getting even larger. 

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The FA Cup does mean something to the likes of Whitley Bay, you're right there - money.  Enough to survive for years.

 

The players get involved more than normal but what excites them is the prospect of playing against big names.  However, have a look in recent years to see the last time a club from outside of the the Conference Leagues (Whitley Bay aren't that high up!) qualified for when even Championship clubs got involved - it is very rare indeed.  I'd agree there is something in it for the players though.

 

Anyway....

 

YaYa Toure

 

I've only just caught up with this story and thought it was a joke.  Yet he is confirming it and it is all about a bloody birthday shun?

 

The BBC article reads like a comedy, and an award winning one at that.  They've now got player quotes, agent quotes and Roberto Carlos and his agent involved!

 

It sounds to me like he's as good as gone!  How utterly petty!

 

But....

 

I do hope Van Gaal has told him United will throw a fecking big birthday party for him every week of the year.  Because he's a world class player that any team (who recognise the importance of a birthday to a grown man who really should know better) would welcome.

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