I’ve not seen a lot of scrutiny on £78m Sancho at Man U. No goals, no assists, no chances created. I think if he was a foreign player he’d be getting far more stick in the media.
I don’t think Ole has helped him by playing him mostly on the left when he played almost exclusively on the right for Dortmund.
Sancho’s signing (and others) are symptomatic of Man U’s recent signings, big names that they feel they ‘have’ to sign, almost easy signings but without huge consideration for the balance of the squad and team or having a clear set of tactics to suit the player

Leeds on Tuesday in the league cup. I think we can afford to rotate and still put out a strong team to beat them.

To be fair Rich you fell into exactly the same trap when questioning Manchester United’s interest in Declan Rice. Not that long ago if my memory serves, although it wasn’t in the last few days (and I’d rather not define ‘last few days’). In my view Rice fits the current profile of what they need almost perfectly, and far better than Bellingham who I’m sure you spoke of your admiration for in the same post.

Fully agree Rich. If anyone named what they consider Arsenal’s strongest team, I reckon you could list a side with eleven completely different players that should be good enough to win on Tuesday.

I'd love to go deep into this competition. Leeds aren't pushovers.

Thinking of watching West Ham vs Spurs and it dawned me on there are a few invincibles who have never lost to Tottenham I think. And maybe only once to Chelsea. Can't swear by it and won't research it but I think so.

Victoria's fashion line must have taken a huge hit.

For me Bellingham is a better player than Rice. If I had £80m I know which one I’d buy. I think Bellingham is on a different level technically.

I’m not sure what the ‘trap’ is that you mention? I think Rice would improve Man U but that’s only because he’s better than what they have. I’m not quite convinced he’s right up there as a top level CM yet. Sancho certainly was at the top level given his goals and assists record in Germany. It hasn’t worked out for him yet though

The trap is that you were ignoring the point that Rice is exactly what they need to a bigger extent than Bellingham. Ipso facto, Rice would improve them the most.

https://twitter.com/footyaccums/status/ ... 56162?s=21
From yesterday, and why I think Bellingham is a class above Declan Rice.

Ok, I can see that a true defensive mid might serve Man U better than a type of mid Bellingham is but I just think Bellingham is so good that I’d be far more worried if Man U got Bellingham than Rice. I think a midfield of Bellingham and Fred is better than Rice and Fred.

Also I’m not sure what the correlation is between the rice/Bellingham conversation and me saying there has been a lack of scrutiny on Sancho not starting life well at Man U. Other than Sancho and Bellingham both played for Dortmund but I’m not sure how that is relevant to the points being discussed?

I think Sancho is what Man U have needed, most Man U fans I know have been crying out for a proper right winger in their team, even back to when they signed Sanchez from us a few were saying 'nice signing but he plays on the left, where is the right winger'. The problem Man U have is they are playing Greenwood on the right so have to accommodate Sancho on the left, now they have Rashford coming back who is best on the left. Greenwood has the potential to end up as the main centre-forward but the ego signing of Ronaldo will stop that this season.
Ronaldo will win games for them, and has done already, and there will be those silly stories like all the players now dodging pudding because Ronaldo did, but I don't think he's a good signing for them when you weigh everything up.

The thing with Man U was when was the last time they signed a player where you thought, that's interesting, they've done some serious homework and thinking there? Their transfer policy is like a 12 year old kid of Fifa, it doesn't mean they aren't good players or won't improve them. I thought Maguire and Wan-Bissaka were particularly good examples of this. For £130m combined I really think they could have done a lot better.

The correlation is that you feel their recent signings are, to quote you verbatim, “without huge consideration for the balance of the squad and team”. In my view Rice would be the most obvious replacement for McTominay. Whereas for me Bellingham would be a more obvious replacement for Pogba or Fernandez rather than for McTominay.

In my opinion, Rice instead of McTominay would represent a more significant improvement than Bellingham instead of McTominay, when they already have Pogba and Fernandez to put in their team.

First two yes but I'd like Liverpool to win. Manure are far bigger rivals for a Europa or, being very optimistic here, 4th place. The less they win the better.

That’s a very good point Gunfire. We also have to remember that we’re still a week away from the end of October. If it wasn’t for our friend from across the Atlantic mentioning it so much, there would be many games to go before I’d even give Liverpool going the season undefeated a second thought.

The 'Ammers are 'appy tonight.

Way too early in the season to start worrying about unbeaten records. We're 8 games in, Liverpool will lose at some point, but I hope they absolutely smash Man Utd today.

Incredible to see the amount of money Man Utd have spent on this squad to try and fight for the title, and still start with two central midfielders who doesn't belong in a top 6 club.

Man Utd missed a great chance to be 1 up and in a minute or two later down a goal. The miss at that range for Man Utd was unforgivable in such a big game. Nerves maybe.

2-0 already. The worry might be that it gets so embarrassing that they give Ole the chop and get a real manager in.

Was thinking the same! It's a fine line between wanting them to get smashed and wanting Ole to remain in charge because they're going nowhere under him. Such a poor team, only saved by having a couple of absolute elite players.

And now it's 3. If I was a Glazer I'd be on the phone to Antonio Conte by now.

At this rate we might go past them on goal difference.

Stop stop, he's dead already

Yes that's a worry. Conte is reportedly hovering the wings.

Nah. There's no fine line here for me. This is far too enjoyable. Another four from Liverpool in the second half would be super.

You get my vote!

Still on course.

Wait a minute. The comeback's on

Edit: VAR

Can't argue with this.

Looked really harsh. Karma eh?

Pogba has to go for that.

Yeah. And the sheer pleasure of Salah's brilliance.

Money may be one reason, but knowing how obsessed the man is with football I can imagine him wanting to see as many "quality" games before he pegs it! The man simply loves the game - he is addicted.

This is too good. Like a Hollywood script.

Come on Liverpool, this isn't good enough. You're slacking.

At this point, I'd like to see Liverpool win by a scoreline better than 8-2.

You are right. If Wenger had been a money or glory hunter, he would have cashed in at Real or Barca. Top Gun is full of it again. In any case, Wenger is quite right that the international calendar needs reforming.

If Arsene has sold out or not is a matter open to debate but my opinion is no way would he have backed this ridiculous 2 year World Cup idea 8 years ago.

What isn’t up for debate though is that you are a muggy little snide.