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Circus ManUnitus - Erik's At The Wheel

How was your relationship with José Mourinho?
I can imagine that Mourinho wants the chair of the manager of Manchester United because it’s, in my opinion, the highest chair in England. Before I signed for Manchester United, Tottenham Hotspur was here in my living room – Mr Levy. I could sign also for Tottenham Hotspur and I have said to my wife that Tottenham had the better selection [squad] than Manchester United. But I chose United for the challenge and because I have always managed the number one club in a country!

So glad he chose Utd tbh. I remember.how so many Spurs fans wanted him. Poch is a much better fit for this club.
 
So glad he chose Utd tbh. I remember.how so many Spurs fans wanted him. Poch is a much better fit for this club.

At the time it was Van Gaal, De Boer or Pochettino.

My head said LVG, clearly the best and most successful of the bunch, no brainer.

My heart said FDB, young, exciting, total football disciple, could build something...

I wasnt interested in Poch. Wasnt against it, he was clearly decent enough, but my thinking just didnt extend as far as him or to whether or not he was worth considering.
 
At the time it was Van Gaal, De Boer or Pochettino.

My head said LVG, clearly the best and most successful of the bunch, no brainer.

My heart said FDB, young, exciting, total football disciple, could build something...

I wasnt interested in Poch. Wasnt against it, he was clearly decent enough, but my thinking just didnt extend as far as him or to whether or not he was worth considering.
I was just the same, although I can't remember Poch being mentioned at all until just before he was actually announced.
Thankfully we were not in charge!
 
At the time it was Van Gaal, De Boer or Pochettino.

My head said LVG, clearly the best and most successful of the bunch, no brainer.

My heart said FDB, young, exciting, total football disciple, could build something...

I wasnt interested in Poch. Wasnt against it, he was clearly decent enough, but my thinking just didnt extend as far as him or to whether or not he was worth considering.
Pleased to say Poch was the only one I wanted based on the fact that he had already done well with Southampton and he was the only one with PL experience. Didn't like Van Gaal's personality and thought he would wind up Levy. As for De Boer I didn't see the point of taking another risk on a manager with no PL experience after the AVB debacle. We got lucky with Poch and we haven't looked back. I love the bloke he is the only Spurs manager since Burkinshaw who hasn't disappointed me..
 
"For me, I have been for three years in Manchester and have been doing great; some good moments and some bad moments, like everybody. Like everywhere else.

"After this season and everything that happened this season, with my season being my best season as well... I think for me it could be a good time to have a new challenge."
 
Against that backdrop, Smalling, who joined United from Fulham for £10million in 2010 as a raw 20-year-old, has given an insight into the pressures of playing for the Reds and what it takes to achieve longevity at Old Trafford.

“It’s about making sure you can keep to those standards,” said Smalling.

“Everyone can have a breakthrough season but it’s about consistency, when you’re tested to see whether you’re the best of the best.

“Ultimately, kids are learning at a young age and need to be mentally strong. It’s all good to have the talent, but the mental side is massive, as some kids are exposed to that pressure at a very early age now.



I suppose Id have to agree, Smalling is consistent. Though Im not sure he is qualified to be talking about maintaining high standards...
 
Was having a look at United's record in the transfer market and you have to go back to Fellaini in summer 2013 and then Mata in Jan 2014 for signings they could claim to have got good value from. I include Fellaini as he suited their style more (not something you would have said when he signed) and been a regular. Before then there were van Persie (2012) and De Gea (2011), the last good signings.

Since 2014: Di Maria, Shaw, Herrera, Depay, Martial, Schneiderlin, Mkhitaryan, Bailly, Pogba, Sanches, Lindelof, Matic, Lukaku, and Fred (all over 30m euros), plus Schweinsteiger.

Compare with the early 2000s: van Nistelrooy and Veron (2001-02); Rio (2002-03); Ronaldo (2003-04); Rooney (2004-05); Vidic, Evra and van der Sar (2005-06); Carrick (2006-07); Anderson, Nani, Hargreaves and Tevez (2007-08); Berbatov (2008-09); Valencia (2009-10). A player they got good value from every year and only one big dud.

It was largely downhill from Bebe and Smalling in 2010-11.

Source: https://www.transfermarkt.co.uk/manchester-united/alletransfers/verein/985
 
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