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The Game
"We’re Manchester United and we’re coming to get you." Really…?
A quick look at the mid-week fixtures and a bold claim, Arsenal have the best defence, and defences win leagues… City won again and Klopp likened his teams win against Luton to their famous win against Barcelona.
James Gheerbrandt went to see Tuchel lose out to Xabi Alonso against Leverkusen. A week later he ‘agreed’ to leave Munich, where next and what are the knock-on effects in the managerial merry go round?
Tom, Martin, James and Gregor discuss the bold new vision presented by Sir Jim Ratcliffe at Manchester United, is three years optimistic and why no backing for Ten Hag…?
Timeline:
2’ Arsenal sucker punched by Porto
3’ Different feel to European games, lots of fouls, grappling.
5’ Good for the champions league to have such a different feel. Made it tough for Arsenal.
8’ arsenal looking at not getting to quarters again, do they need to change mindset.
11’ Arsenal have the bets defence in the league, and titles are won by defences…
13’ Klopp has created, built character at Liverpool, that will get you a long way.
Tuchel leaves Munich
20’ Will Tuchel leaving mean Alonso goes to Munich?
21’ Tuchel was out manoeuvred by Alonso, he won the tactical battle.
22’ Weird move by Munich, not good for dressing room.
24’ If Liverpool want him, they need to get in now and tell him, before Munich do.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe
33’ He wants Man Utd ‘turned around’ in three years. Three years isn’t very long…can he do it?
35’ He has a helping hand with Klopp leaving, and city facing FFP investigations
37’ he was bullish, might regret that. Came close to slagging the glazers off.
38’ No mention or backing for Ten Hag
42’ slates being cleared. They’ve had good managers, it’s the system they work in that needs fixing.
45’ We’re Manchester United and we’re coming to get you.
49’ extraordinary that it has taken 11 years for this to happen for Man Utd to have a modern set up.
51’ everything is about money. Why is it surprising that Newcastle want money for Dan Ashworth…
54’ On the pitch looks better, but still a long way to go. Gregor still thinks they are miles off.
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