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"I Don't Want Someone Like That Running My Football Club" - Mainoo, AFCON, and Attack vs Defence
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Kieran and Sam jump on to today’s episode to talk about how AFCON affects squad selection and formation, what happens if performances change if the formation changes, and what to do with Kobbie Mainoo
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Transcript
Match Analysis: Recent Draw and Future Games
00:00:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the daily Manchester United. It's the day after the night before. We're here to talk more about maybe kind of what went wrong, but mainly hopefully looking towards the future. These games in the festive period come thick and fast, so there's no point sticking around on a draw.
00:00:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, I reminded myself of it. My name is Kieran. I'm delighted to say I'm joined again by Sam on tonight's episode or on today's episode. When you listen to this, whenever you're listening to this on your favorite streaming platform, Sam, how are you today?
00:00:43
Sam Brady
yeah Not bad, mate. Obviously, yeah as you said, the the time of the recording, sort of the the day after the game, I had a bit more time to reflect. um you know Emotions have sort of calmed down a bit now.
00:01:00
Sam Brady
yeah not Not bad, um but you know still ah still sort of slightly annoyed from yesterday.
00:01:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
still sore from sort of conceding four and kind of throwing it away multiple times. I get that. I get that. I i feel like i yeah I'm ever the sort of trying to find the positives in the play that I sort of was blinded by the the big negatives that we came across yesterday.
00:01:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think just to put a pin on yesterday's game, I think it was a case of, like you said yesterday, Sam, so we're so much better offensively, so much better than we were 12 months ago.
00:01:32
Sam Brady
Mm-hmm.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But let's face it, Putting me in the team would a bit a huge upgrade on the attack 12 months ago and I'm badly out of shape. So, you know, what can you say? um But I just wanted to sort of point on, you know, look at this from a stats point of view. We've scored 30 goals so far this season, which is on par with Arsenal. And out of the top four, it's more than Aston Villa. It's more than Chelsea, both of 25 and 27. More than Palace, who are above us. They've scored 20 so far this season. Liverpool have scored fewer as well. But again, they've had their
Defensive Concerns and Midfield Gaps
00:02:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
own sort of offensive and goal scoring, I would say issues, but definitely they should be doing a little bit better than they are.
00:02:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
And, you know we're one of the top goal scorers in the league. There's only a couple of a handful of teams that scored more. Manchester City, shock horror, have scored 38. But I think we're the second highest goal scorers in the league. um No, we're not because Chelsea... i is No, no, Chelsea 27. So, yeah, we're the...
00:02:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
Joint second highest goal scorers in the league so far this season. 30 goals. Where it falls apart is that we've conceded 26. twenty six Now, no one above us has conceded more than that.
00:02:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
And you have to scroll all the way down to yesterday's competitors in 13th. in Bournemouth to find a team that's conceded more on 28. Then you have Leeds, West Ham, Burnley and Wolves who have conceded the same or more goals. And the common theme for them is they're in the bottom four places. So when it comes down to it, it kind of feels like the progression from last season is we're conceding silly goals still.
00:03:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think that the attack and and that mantra of, oh, we'll score one more than you has saved us more points than maybe we're we're comfortable with.
00:03:16
Sam Brady
Yeah, I mean, like I said yesterday, I may have you know calmed down a bit and and had more time to reflect, but the point still stands where we're very good going forward.
00:03:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:03:26
Sam Brady
And look, on reflection from yesterday's game, of course, there's there's positives to to take from it. I mean, yeah, that that first half was one of the best first halves I've seen United play all season.
00:03:38
Sam Brady
and you know Going forward, we looked we look bright, we looked energetic, we looked like we we had a bit of intent in our play. you know There was less sidewards, backwards passing.
00:03:50
Sam Brady
We created a hell of a lot of chances. um um i mean Fortunately, we we did go into half-time leading, but it was deservedly so. and I think you know yeah we we created a hell hell of a lot of chances that that first half.
00:04:06
Sam Brady
And as I said, we deserve to go into the break 2-1 up. However, and and this is you know this is going to be our downfall, I believe, throughout the whole season, where it's our defence. Our defence just cannot withstand any pressure. I mean, literally Bournemouth's two first shots on target in the second half were two goals.
00:04:31
Sam Brady
um And that's just not on and that just can't happen. and even i mean you even look at look I just don't think it's a defence's issue. I think, look, there's um fundamental players in there that I just don't think are good enough to to play for United. But I also think the system doesn't help them either. I think, you know, Tavernier's free kick, the one that he scored off, came through gaps in the midfield.
00:04:57
Sam Brady
you know they were they were running out defence and Casemiro had to take take the yellow card and had to give up the free kick in a dangerous area. I think if you play another system, teams don't sort of break through your midfield so easily. that that i mean So many times yesterday, Bournemouth were three on three or four on four or or one on one and That just can't happen. And that just can't happen. And the thing is, ah i say, yeah, it's a defence's issue, but it's also a midfield. they're not They're not getting any help from the midfield. Although, you know, Casemiro is trying to hold the fort down all by himself, but he can't. And and and that's a real issue. So...
00:05:36
Sam Brady
you know There's gaps in the midfield and then as i go as a you know revert back to my original point of you've got fundamental players in in that back five that just either aren't good enough or they're out of position.
00:05:51
Sam Brady
you know it's just It just makes no sense to me. I mean, I've been saying it for the past couple of weeks and I'll say it again. You've got a natural right back playing at left wing back. You've got a natural left back playing at centre back. You've got a kid at Aidan Heaven playing at the back who who's struggled for game time because of injuries. And then you've got Yoro, who's only, what, a 19, 20-year-old kid as well.
00:06:14
Sam Brady
um And then you've
Leadership in Defense and Player Positioning
00:06:15
Sam Brady
got Ahmad, who just isn't a right wing back. So that whole back five is just... just it shouldn't that that combination of players the players in the wrong positions I mean it's just fundamentally wrong and I don't get how Almorin can set up with that defence thinking we're going to be okay I just don't I just don't get it I honestly don't get it and look Maybe the logic of of bringing Casemiro in and and and playing him there, maybe armmarin that is Almorin being somewhat aware that that he doesn't have his his ah full defence back there. And let's be fair, he doesn't. you know Martinez was on on the bench, De Ligt was out as well. um
00:07:03
Sam Brady
But do I think a defence of Joram, Martinez and De Ligt is a massive upgrade on on what we had last night? I don't, to be honest. like of like of a fourthno
00:07:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I would say massive.
00:07:16
Sam Brady
yeah
00:07:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's an upgrade.
00:07:17
Sam Brady
no Of course, it's an upgrade. of course And look, we might not have shipped four goals to Bournemouth at home with deli De Ligt and Martinez in there. But I still wouldn't be confident that we wouldn't ship any goals. Like, I still think I've seen enough evidence now of De Ligt and Martinez and, you know, Jorot to be like, OK, you're decent players. Like I've been saying this whole season, they're not bad defenders. They're decent defenders.
00:07:44
Sam Brady
But we're still going to concede goals. and And look, you can bring in De Ligt.
00:07:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:07:49
Sam Brady
And I'm not saying, you know, we we would have conceded four to Bournemouth. But I still think we would have conceded one or two. and And I just think we need, I've been saying it all season, I'll say again, i feel like I'm repeating myself every week, but we just need that one leader at the back,
Impact of AFCON on Team Lineup
00:08:08
Sam Brady
which I think we' we're...
00:08:10
Sam Brady
we're fundamentally missing. I think to be a successful team, to win trophies, to compete, you need a leader at the back. And look, Dalic brings that that bit of experience, brings that bit of leadership. But I think as a player, he's not at the level that that we need our centre-backs to be at for where we want to go as a club. Look, as I said, they're all decent defenders, but I think in the long term, I'd be i'd be very surprised if we're challenging for for serious trophies with those three at the back, to be honest.
00:08:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I do see Martinez being a leader. I think there's a massive leader in that dressing room who I'm going to say his name and we're both going to say he wouldn't be good enough to start for United.
00:08:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
He wouldn't be good enough to sort of, if we get back to Europe, he'd be starting.
00:08:56
Sam Brady
knew you were going to say
00:08:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
As a leader, though, um and and creating so many magical moments, not by his defending, but by his goals. Harry Maguire, he is a leader and there's there's no two ways about it, but he's more of that squad player now where you bring him in.
00:09:08
Sam Brady
yeah
00:09:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, he's sometimes he's used as a target forward, for goodness sake, to lump balls up top for him to head it down. I mean, it worked against ah in the in the semi-final, but... The point is that, yeah, it it does feel like, you know, there it would be an upgrade.
00:09:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
I see De Ligt as a Champions League defender, but not to win it. You know, he'd be good in that sort of group stage era, round of 16 to get you through there. But is he, you know, the elite defender that we need to get to the semi-final or the final and eventually over the line to win it?
00:09:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Maybe not. Is Martinez, I think he... It's hard to say because seeing Martinez the last couple of games, it's great to see him back on the pitch, but you can tell that he's not match fit. He's not match sharp.
00:09:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
I missed the butcher of of you know a month ago, you know of a year ago, year and a half ago, because we've really missed him. in that defence. So I hope he gets back up to speed soon. And if it takes the sort of festive period to get him back up to proper speed, then hopefully that's the case. But there's going to be a couple of talking points we're going to come across, one being major and one being very major for Sam. We'll come back after this.
00:11:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So a great tournament is coming up very, very shortly. In fact, for two players in the Manchester United side, they're pretty much on the plane, ready to go to the competition itself. And that is AFCON. We love AFCON. Unfortunately, though, Sam, it's going to take away our top goal scorer in the league and Brian Umbermo and everybody's favourite player in United, Ahmad.
00:11:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
How big of a golf is there going to be up top, you know, because of those two going to AFCON?
00:11:56
Sam Brady
Yeah, I think, I mean, AFCON's basically going to wipe out our our whole right-hand side. I mean, that has been, you know what, pretty much our are starting right-hand side this season with Ben Buomo off the right and Amad at that right-wing-back position.
00:12:13
Sam Brady
um You know, I expect De Lott might slip into his more natural right-back, right-wing-back position. position and then it'll be interesting to see how the the front three interchange um while Mbwemo's away. and But yeah, i mean, it is massive. It really is. I mean, Mbwemo's been really effective and and and really, you know, and looked like a Manchester United player. um Him and Kunya, to be honest, since they've they've come in. So, he's a big loss going forward. And then Ahmad, look, we we know what Ahmad can do. I mean, he's just um he brilliant. I mean, he's just...
00:12:53
Sam Brady
He just gives you so much energy and and so much intent every time he gets the ball, so much and excitement. um And I think, look, when he's on when he's on form and he's really cooking, like he was yesterday, to be honest, I mean, he's unstoppable. I mean, some of the runs he went on yesterday were actually unbelievable. So I think... Look, it's a big loss. we look It's only two players. we We should be able to cope. This will also give opportunities to to other players, potentially. Sesko in particular, I'm now i'm now looking at um eagerly because I think, look, this is a big chance for Sesko. I think with him by more away, I think Sesko, you know, he's guaranteed to scott to start pretty much every game, um you would think.
00:13:41
Sam Brady
So for me, it's almost like now's the time for Sasko. Look, we've been patient and we still are being patient with him. um But if he can't sort of, you know,
00:13:54
Sam Brady
you know really get get involved in games and and not seem like games are sort of just passing him by. and At the minute, it's been Kunio and Mbwemo and then Sesko doing his own thing, whereas Sesko now, he needs to get involved. He needs to start contributing significantly. Look, I'm not even asking him to to put up 20, 25 goals. I'm just asking a solid first season.
00:14:21
Sam Brady
because if he doesn't do that it almost begs the question of why did we get rid of Hoyland when when you know and we've we've brought in someone putting and got the same numbers as him.
00:14:33
Sam Brady
So look, there'll be pressure, there'll be attention on on Tesco in particular, but going back to your original question, yeah, it's a it's pretty pretty significant loss, but we should be able to to handle it.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it was pretty significant because Amram actually underwent a formation change you know during the match. And I think this is his kind of, what would you say, this sort of underlying message that things are going to have to change and he might have to sacrifice that sort of three at the back, five at the back system to be able to bring in players more naturally positioned.
00:15:07
Sam Brady
Mm-hmm.
00:15:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we talked
Kobi Maynou's Future and Management Style
00:15:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
about it as we were sort of in that cool down after we recorded yesterday's episode. And you mentioned a certain player to go in a position that I just think, is that going to work?
00:15:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's one Bruno Fernandes. Do you remember?
00:15:25
Sam Brady
yeah Yeah, and and i I would like to see it tried again, and to be honest, because I remember last season, I believe it was, where Bruno was playing on on that you know right sort of ah forward position, and I actually preferred him in that right-hand channel than the number eight. I think, look, naturally we've brought in Mbwemo, so Bruno has naturally had to drop, and we've sort of had to just accept that this is Bruno's position now, this number eight position in as one of the the two centre mids. And to be honest, he he still does a very, very solid job. I think he actually does a better job in this position now than he does than he did last season, just purely because I think he has better options attacking-wise, so he can feed the ball balls through and he's actually that there's going to be some end product to his hard work, which I think last season that that wasn't.
00:16:22
Sam Brady
um But, you know, with Mbwemo away, actually wouldn't mind, you know, seeing Bruno in that right-hand channel again. um And then maybe a certain, you know, Kobi Mehnu can finally maybe get some game time.
00:16:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
There he is.
00:16:37
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:16:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
there i actually had this as my next topic. um yeah We saw Cobby's half-brother. Wear the shirt, free Cobby Maydo. I know your feelings on it, Sam.
00:16:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And my feelings are that you know give the give the kid a chance.
00:16:49
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
But this could be his greatest as chance yet. Because if he doesn't get this chance, if he's not given this chance, he's going to push for a loan in January. And that's just going open a whole can of worms.
00:17:01
Sam Brady
I think, look, i I don't like the way Almorin's handled the Manu situation. I think to treat a player who's done so much for us in in the past couple years, he's been one of our greatest academy sort of graduates in recent years. i can only think of maybe Marcus Rashford. who has you know gone on to to reach the heights of Kobi Meynu. I mean, for God's sake, he was one of our best players ah ah in the Euros for England and a couple of seasons ago.
00:17:32
Sam Brady
And yeah, i just don't i don't think Almorin's handled it well. I don't think he's he's talked about the academy well recently either. I just think sometimes Almorin... Look, he's a really nice guy and he's a really honest guy, but sometimes he's a bit too honest.
00:17:46
Sam Brady
And and sometimes you think, was was that needed? Did you have to say that? It's almost, I just don't, yeah, go on.
00:17:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I remember i do remember a press conference where he did say, you know, he lets his emotions get the better of him, which is like, why why would you say that, Ruben? But like, get...
00:18:01
Sam Brady
new yeah
00:18:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
i get
00:18:03
Sam Brady
I don't know if it's you know emotions getting to him. I just think sometimes he doesn't really think before he speaks. I think people ask him a question, he answers it honestly, but then by him answering it honestly, it opens up another can of worms, which was just a bit unnecessary.
00:18:21
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:18:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
But then we do we do like managers that just sort of, you know, they might have had media training and have just gone, nah, don't need that.
00:18:27
Sam Brady
Yeah, yeah.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nah, not a chance.
00:18:28
Sam Brady
life like I like that, but when you're speaking negative negatively about your own club, that's when it gets a bit weird.
00:18:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Not me.
00:18:37
Sam Brady
You're like, why are you doing this when you're already under Mass's amount of pressure? So again, and this seems to be a run, look, we'll we'll get on to Maina, I know it's about him, not Almiron, but This does also seem to be a running theme under Armourin, where he doesn't help himself in the systems he plays and the things he says.
00:18:57
Sam Brady
It's almost like, bro, like we're we're trying to back you here, but you're not helping yourself. So how can anyone else help you in a way? and But yeah, I mean, look, going back to Maynou, look, I don't think he's handled the situation well at Armourin.
00:19:11
Sam Brady
I don't think Maynou should... be getting the treatment he he deserves around now. I definitely think he should be getting more minutes. Credit to Almorin. He did change his formation. He did bring Maynou on. um And then I guess, away from the pitch, I mean, what his brother did? I mean, again, is there any need? It's just a bit of a joke, isn't it, really? like Look, don't get me wrong.
00:19:35
Sam Brady
I assume Cobby would have known about it. I mean, any decent brother...
00:19:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I don't think he would have.
00:19:39
Sam Brady
I mean, any decent brother... No, and I'm not being funny. Any decent brother tells that tells their brother that they're going to do that before a game. I'd be very surprised if he didn't mention it Cobby. Look, mate, I'm going to do this thing. Are you OK with it? um But it's just a bit of a joke, isn't it?
00:19:59
Sam Brady
Like, what what are you trying to... What's that going to um fix? You know, what what's...
00:20:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
It got it got of half an hour against Bourbon. That's ah it.
00:20:06
Sam Brady
know it with it's a joke you really think Almorin's gonna just change because you brought it to you like if anything you're making the situation worse and um and like worse than it already is like by doing that you're honestly it's embarrassing like mate like really really like
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
It worked. No, I'm kidding.
00:20:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Well, I'll ask you a question though, Sam, more towards Kobi Maynou. Obviously, AFCON you know has got rid of two of our best players, best attacking players. And if there is that formation change, where do you want Maynou to play?
00:20:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Deeper or sort of more further up the pitch attacking-wise?
00:20:42
Sam Brady
Yeah, and look, this is a dilemma. and and And the thing is, I say all this about I don't think Almorin's handled the situation completely right and and and all of this. However, I do think it's a hard dilemma that Almorin's in. But I think, once again, he's put himself in this...
00:21:01
Sam Brady
ah like rocking a hard place in this dilemma by playing the formation he's playing. Look, Kobe can't play next to Casemiro and Kobe also can't play next to Bruno in that formation. However, as you've alluded to, if you start to tweak your formation and, you know, i mean, he went to a 4-2-4 yesterday. I mean, I still don't like that formation and If he does play that 4-2-4, again, it it begs the question of, again, where does Cobby play? Because I don't think Cobby can play in a midfield two. I mean, it's proven from the formation Almirin's playing now he can't. So if...
00:21:43
Sam Brady
Armouring persists with that 4-2-4 that he adapted to yesterday, I still think you're going to struggle to to get Maynou in the squad. I mean, the only way you'd get Maynou into the squad is, of course, we alluded to it before, where you push Bruno to the right, that frees up a slot in the middle.
00:22:00
Sam Brady
But then, even then, i think Almorin might favour Agarthe, to be honest, next to Casemiro or drop Bruno back next to Casemiro and play, I don't know, ah off the right, um maybe Kunja off the right, Sesko, Zurchi, Mount off the left.
00:22:22
Sam Brady
i Unless there's a three in midfield and Almiron changes formation formation quite drastically, because as I said yesterday, I still think 4-2-4 is pretty similar to to the 5-2-3s playing, because all you've got to do is, if you've got Luke Shaw playing left back and you've got that four at the back, you push Luke Shaw across, you bring the the the left the leftw winger whoever's playing left winger off for a more natural left wing back like a dogoo. And then if you're playing, I don't know, the law or whoever on the right, you just drop them them deeper. And while they don't really need to be a right wing back, you just effectively out of possession, you play that four at the back.
00:23:08
Sam Brady
but So that's why i don't think it's too dissimilar to that five at the back. And I think Almorin knows that. And I think he knows that if, you know, if he wants to mid-game, if he is playing that 4-2-4, he can revert back to his trusty 5-2-3.
00:23:23
Sam Brady
and And I think he's smart enough to know that. But going back to where Maynou fits in, I don't know. I honestly don't know and unless you're playing, you know, a completely different formation.
00:23:36
Sam Brady
Saying that, if Maynou... This is the thing about Almren. I may have my opinions on whether I think he should be in the job, other people think he might be, who knows, and and everyone's entitled to their own opinion. There's one thing that I can categorically...
00:23:53
Sam Brady
can say sitting here that will turn every Manchester United fan against Ruben Almiron, and that is if Kobi Meynou leaves in in the summer. If Kobi Meynou departs Manchester United in the summer,
00:24:08
Sam Brady
every Everyone should, everyone in my opinion, should be turning on Ruben Almorin. Because Ruben Almorin, if that happens, has made Kobi Meynou, one of our best graduate players in in years, so unhappy and he can't get into the squad. So he's made him so unhappy, he's had to leave.
00:24:29
Sam Brady
And if you're doing that as a manager, coming in and basically forcing one of your best academy graduate players out the door, you've got and you've got answers to, you've got questions to answer for, basically.
00:24:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think as well the pressure is on Kobi Menou because if he is given this chance, and I think he will be, he has to take them with both hands and maybe even grow two more to grab a hold of it.
00:24:50
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:24:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
If he is not putting in those good performances, if he's not you know driving forward in that midfield, if he's not you know contributing to attacks, maybe not even goals and assists, but progressive passes, you know playing well at facilitating play out the midfield, then that just backs into Ruben Amrum's corner.
00:25:05
Sam Brady
Hmm.
00:25:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
So if you're Kobe Mainu, the last thing you can afford to do in the run-up to Christmas, in the run-up to this festive period, is have bad games. It cannot happen for him.
00:25:21
Sam Brady
um the runup kar And the run-up to the World Cup as well in the summer.
00:25:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:25
Sam Brady
I'm sure Khabib Maynou will have eyes on going out to the US for the World Cup.
00:25:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:25:31
Sam Brady
Look, I don't think he will, just purely off the game time he's had. But again, i go back to the Euros, the the last Euros. I mean, as soon as Gareth Southgate realised Trenton midfield wasn't the one and he brought in Khabib Maynou, it completely transformed our squad. It completely gave us...
Strategic Improvements for Defense and Squad Strengthening
00:25:50
Sam Brady
so much more control it in that midfield. And he was literally one of our best players. And and that's that's not even me being biased to United.
00:25:58
Sam Brady
I feel like if you ask many England fans, many of them would say Kobi Mane was one of our best players at that tournament. So that's the influence he can have. And to be honest, it's an absolute travesty that he can't get into Ruben Amrind's United squad. And the reason is, I go back to it, is because of the system and the formation we're playing.
00:26:19
Sam Brady
But to have a player of his quality on on the bench, and so, so much so, and and so unhappy that he's considering leaving, I mean, it's shocking. It's absolutely shocking. And look, I have my you know ah doubts about Almorin for a number of different reasons.
00:26:37
Sam Brady
But one of those reasons is also Kobi Meynou. I mean, in my opinion, if a manager is forcing, well, effectively forcing one of your best players, one of your standout players in recent years, your academy graduate,
00:26:53
Sam Brady
out the door, he has to go. he has to go. and And also, not just one, by the way, we cannot, it it cannot happen that we let another academy graduate player leave the door. It just cannot happen. I mean, if it look, put it ah to I'll put it simply. If Almorin comes in,
00:27:16
Sam Brady
completely changes the way we play, completely changes the formation, and sells one of our best academy graduate player. He is basically...
00:27:28
Sam Brady
taken the values and the identity of our club and threw them in the bin, completely threw them in the bin. And I don't want someone like that running my football club. And look, it's not about armouring and I don't, you know, it's it's just the way he handles situations, the way, you know, it's just, look, and I actually, you know, somewhat agree with him when he says, Manu's had opportunities. I think Manu's had some opportunities. And I get, like, to be honest, I don't think Manu has played unbelievably well when he's played. I thought last night when he came on, he didn't do great. um
00:28:07
Sam Brady
But you've got to give him more of a chance. You have to. You can't judge a player off bringing him 15 minutes till the end every game. That like can't be good for a player. So, yeah, I mean...
00:28:21
Sam Brady
i Look, I don't envy Ruben Armourin. It's a tricky dilemma to fix. But he it's one of them where he made his bed, so he has to lay in it. I mean, he created his own problems.
00:28:36
Sam Brady
And the only way to fix it, mate, is to change your your system. And is that going to happen? I don't think so. so
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
we saw We saw a formation change. Perhaps the sun is rising. Who knows? Maybe it's setting. Who knows?
00:28:49
Sam Brady
But Kieran, Kieran,
00:28:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
There's only one way to find out, though.
00:28:51
Sam Brady
the the thing just The thing is, Kieran, I want to make one more point ah in the fact that, do you think, and I'm just posing the question to you, i just thought of it now, the fact that, say if we save he changes his formation against Villa, and then he changes formation, I don't know, against Newcastle, and we win both games,
00:28:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's by...
00:29:11
Sam Brady
Do you think that might make something click in Ruben Almaren's head? Or do you think he's so stubborn that he will be in the mindset of, look, I'm changing my formation now while the players are away at AFCON, but as soon as they come back, I'm going back to back to my old formation?
00:29:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it bit of both. I think if if he changes his formation and we get two wins on the bounce, you know and hopefully you know against Wolves, if it's a case of a change of system again, a change of formation, he might have a light bulb and say, actually, maybe you know five of the back isn't working. Perhaps we should just go back to a four at the back. You know, United is not a club that's synonymous with three or five at the back. Sort of Louis van Gaal era sort of taught us that maybe five at the back isn't the way this United side should play.
00:30:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I don't necessarily mean i think that they can't play that way. i think we've had an okay start to the season. It's been a heck of a lot of fun to watch United go forward. I'll tell you that much.
00:30:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
I haven't watched United go forward yet. you know, in years and been like, wow, I am loving this. Like we're creating chances.
00:30:17
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:30:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
We are creating so many chances. The bit where it falls back on is that, you know, world-class defence and we we don't have a world-class defence. So i I just think, you know, we spent a quarter of a million in the summer and none of it was on defenders really. So I feel like that's where we need to focus. And if we can strengthen in defence, I think midfield is also...
00:30:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah one to look at but maybe not high priority but defence definitely wing backs definitely we need to we need reinforcements for Dorgou because I've missed him on the wing I love watching him play is he world class is he the greatest left wing back no he's got the potential to be a great player And I love watching him play.
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
know, he's one that wears his heart on his sleeve. So I'm very happy to sort watch him play.
00:31:02
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:31:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
These feel like players that 12 months ago, we went a goal down and they went, oh, well, never mind. At least with Bournemouth, you know, there were two quick goals. Yeah, we were shell-shocked. so You could tell the players were shell-shocked. They got back into the game and multiple times a season, this side has got back into games. So going forward, I've loved watching them because it feels like we will score in every match. It really does. Yeah.
00:31:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
But what's also a guarantee is we'll probably concede in that match at some point. We'll probably give up a 1-0 lead at some point in this match. So I am having fun watching it go forward. I'm not having fun when the other team attacked.
00:31:38
Sam Brady
Yeah.
00:31:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Any team attacks and we're in trouble, but...
00:31:38
Sam Brady
yeah one and I actually think, Kieran, look, I know we're focused on defence this episode and centre-backs, but I actually think people are not realising the enormity and the importance of that number six role.
00:31:54
Sam Brady
I mean, if you look at, I think I mentioned it before on a previous episode, but if you look at all the top successful clubs right now in the world, they all have a world-class number six.
00:32:05
Sam Brady
You've got Rodri at Man City, you've got Rice, you've got Kaiseido. You've even got Graven Birch at Liverpool, who was excellent last season.
00:32:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
Kimmich.
00:32:12
Sam Brady
um So we need that. We just need that. And I think to to be successful, you you have to have that number six in in today's, in the modern game, because I think the transitions are so quick and teams break so quick, like Bournemouth yesterday, that if you don't have a number six who just, you know, is like the sweeper and covers everything and and is that blocker in front of the defence,
00:32:38
Sam Brady
Your defence is so exposed and we keep seeing that. and I'd be very surprised if if we don't go back in for Carlos Beléber, to be honest.
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think...
00:32:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:32:46
Sam Brady
I think look there were rumblings and in the final final few days of of the summer transfer window that that we were going in for him. I think the only reason that didn't materialise because I just think it was too late on in in the transfer window.
00:33:03
Sam Brady
However, I think... potentially even in January, if Brighton are willing to to let him go, which I probably don't think they will be. um But definitely in the summer, I think we'll go back in for him.
00:33:16
Sam Brady
um And then, yeah, look, he he will fix some of the problems, i think. But I also think, you know, we've we've got... I know you like Dorgo, and I don't actually have any problems with Dorgo. Do I think he's a long-term starter? I just don't. I don't i think he's shown...
00:33:32
Sam Brady
Show me enough evidence to think, well, you're a decent player, but I think you're more of a squad player. I think our centre-backs, look, I think you can play two out of the three centre-backs. You can play De Ligt and Martinez next to ah a world-class centre-back, a leader.
00:33:47
Sam Brady
but i and Or you could play Martinez and Heven or Martinez and Jorow or De Ligt and Jorow. You can do whatever combination you want with two of them, but I just don't think you can play all three.
00:33:59
Sam Brady
um And then obviously right back, we've touched on where that's a gal glaring issue as well. I mean, we just don't, we have Maz Rawi who's, you know, very, very kind of okay, Mr. Consistent.
00:34:12
Sam Brady
Sixth,
00:34:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's a versatile player, isn't he?
00:34:13
Sam Brady
Yeah, I mean, easy yeah i mean he's look, he's Mr.
00:34:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
He sort of can play anywhere in that back line.
00:34:17
Sam Brady
Consistent. He's a 6-7 out of 10 every game, pretty much. and And that's not a bad thing. But again, are you good enough to start long-term? Probably not. Ahmad's not a right-wing
Conclusion and Audience Engagement
00:34:28
Sam Brady
back. So, look, we've we've got issues all over that backfiver, in my opinion, as well.
00:34:35
Sam Brady
Hopefully, and fortunately, the only position in that backfiver well, in that defence, is the goalkeeper that hopefully is is is fixed now, fingers crossed.
00:34:46
Sam Brady
I don't want to speak too soon, but he seems pretty solid for for now.
00:34:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, for now. We'll see. Well, thank you so much for listening to today's episode. We're going wrap that up here and you let us know, is it fun to watch United attack? Is it horrifying to watch them defend?
00:35:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Have either of us struck a chord with you? Let us know in the comments down below. We'd love to hear from you. Start a conversation down in those comments below. If you're listening to us on Apple or on Spotify, make sure you like and rate the podcast. I think we're worth five stars, but I might be a bit biased. But anyway, make sure you subscribe and follow on either platform so you get push notifications whenever a new episode goes live. And if you're listening to the podcast and you want to watch us, don't forget you can watch us on YouTube as well. The YouTube channel is Daily Man United Podcast, GSPN Daily Man United Podcast. See, it's such a long name, so you have to remember it. make sure you do subscribe there and you can see sam waving right about now there you go there you see you're missing out if you're listening only make sure you go over there and watch and don't forget as well you can follow us on all the social media it's at gspn man united we're on twitter next we're on instagram we're on facebook and we're on tiktok so you can follow us along for all the clips and reactionaries it's going to be mainly sam it's always mainly sam it's okay don't worry about it
00:36:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah so He drives a good conversation. That's why. And don't forget as well, with none of this is possible without our partners at Zencastr because here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform and Zencastr came out on top.
00:36:05
Sam Brady
So
00:36:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
with 4K video recording from your phone and AI editing that can remove those ums and ahs and any swear words that Sam decides to drop, wink, wink, nudge, nudge. He didn't actually say any this episode, so that's fine.
00:36:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
We don't have to worry about that. But if we did Zencastr, we'd be the perfect platform for that. So make sure you go ahead to the show description to learn more about Zencastr if that really sounds like something you want to do with your stories and podcasts. In the meantime, it's goodbye from me, Kieran. It's goodbye from him, Sam. We'll talk to you soon on the next episode of the Daily Manchester United. Until then, chat soon. We'll speak soon. Bye-bye.
00:37:03
Sam Brady
you