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Daily Manchester United - Episode 163 - Pre-Season Preview: Leeds United
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Kieran and Toluwa join you today to discuss Mbeumo and preview our pre-season friendly against Leeds United!
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Transcript
Introduction and Match Excitement
00:00:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to the daily Manchester United part of the Global Sports Podcast Network. We're here on a Saturday. This isn't like us. This is uncharted territory. ah But we're here to really revel in this because today is one of the first match days we've had in quite a while since we came up against Hong Kong i in 3-1 victory. Achito Obi-Brace hoping we can see more of the same in today's game. My name is Kieran. I'm joined on this episode by Tolua. Tolua, how are you doing?
00:00:38
Toluwa
I'm good as always. How are you?
00:00:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm not too bad. I'm not
Transfer News: Brian Mbumo's Potential Signing
00:00:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
too bad. First off, though, we start with the news that we received on the day of recording earlier today that the signing of Brian Mbumo is apparently over the line. Although at the time of recording, there's been no official club statement.
00:00:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
That saves me having an egg on my face when this episode comes out, when you listen to it and the deal has fallen through. I've got my caveats in. If the deal is done, Tolua, what do you make of it?
00:01:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
If it is done, what do you expect? And sort of where do you expect him to play in the system? you
00:01:10
Toluwa
Yeah, if the deal is done, then this is probably one of the more exciting signings we've had in a long time. um I'm looking forward to Mbuma coming in and completely just revolutionizing in our attack. Because I feel like for a lot of periods of the season, we were kind of flat and we missed a lot of chances. And Mbuma finished fourth in the Premier League in terms of goals.
00:01:31
Toluwa
overperformed in XG, which I'm not a big XG guy, but if you're overperforming in XG, it means you're doing something right at least. So I'm looking forward to that. I think the price tag is a bit high, of course. We always seem to pay a lot.
00:01:44
Toluwa
We always seem to pay a premium for these players, but I guess that comes with the territory. um But if he can...
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
United tax, isn't it?
00:01:51
Toluwa
Exactly. I mean, if he can produce at least a quarter, ah at least at least half of what he had done for Brentford for us with all the other guys around him, I feel like that'll
Team Dynamics: Where Would Mbumo Fit?
00:02:01
Toluwa
be a huge success. He gives us something different, something more, I would say, in terms of our right winger or right 10 or whatever you want to call that position, just something different.
00:02:11
Toluwa
to give opposition defenses, you know, a scare. Like, I feel like he's more threatening than anybody we've had in that position. So I'm excited to see him in a United shirt. And obviously, I think he's going to play in that on the right hand side. And I think that might make that might push Ahmad to right wing back in some situations and could give us a completely different.
00:02:30
Toluwa
I don't even know what to say. Dimension going down the right hand side. I think a lot of teams would be scared coming up against that because you can't match Ahmad for pace. You can't match and Buma for pace. So it's looking scary.
00:02:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
It is, yeah, especially down that right-hand side as well, as you said, if Ahmad then gets put back to right wing back. I mean, he's had a couple of good games in sort of midpoint the season when he played there. I don't think it's a natural position for him. I think he can be exposed if he needs to defend.
00:02:55
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's okay, but his main point is going forward and giving us the width
00:02:57
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:02:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
much like Dorgo on the other side, to give us the width down the you know the outside and rely mainly on kind of your anchor in the midfield to drop back and cover. So that's what it relies on. ah Your wing-backs to just go forward and act like wingers and then not get too stuck in when it comes to it. But it could happen. It could work.
00:03:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just feel as well... Umbermo, would he play better as one of the 10s? Would he actually go up top? I still feel like we're going to miss that. as As Tom was saying on yesterday's podcast, we are missing a number nine. And there aren't many out on the market right now that are a available. B, willing to join United. You know, Isak could have been one, but there's talks of him now, I believe, going to Saudi
Transfer Market Challenges
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
Arabia.
00:03:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
There was talks with him going to Arsenal to another Premier League club. Jocarez, Arsenal seem to have pretty much got the deal over the line, although they've got the deal over the line for, I think, the last week and a half. at the moment. so It's very a slow burner, much like any Manchester United signing.
00:03:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
and But we haven't had a Hiwi Mbuma. I'm sorry. Sorry.
00:03:59
Toluwa
yeah
00:03:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Sorry. That's terrible. That is terrible. I stand by it, though. um so you know, is can we put Mbouma up top or is he one of those players that has drop into the midfield? And if so, what say of the likes of Bruno Fernandes? Where will he fit into the system? Because he he is the star player. Surely he's going to be the one that starts. And I kind of feel like with Mbouma and Cunha in the same side, they might be fighting over and squabbling over the same position.
00:04:28
Toluwa
That's a good point. I mean, I was going to say with Mbumo and Kunia coming in, now we have players who can also play as striker, if need be. ah Although we are still looking for a proper number nine, these guys can't fill in. They've played there at some point in their career, and they've done particularly well. I think Kunia is a good finisher, so that automatically puts him in the contention if...
00:04:49
Toluwa
if Zerxe is not having a good game or if Hoyland's not having a good game, I think we could stick him up top and then try and make something work. We have options. I feel like our squad depth is improving tremendously with these signings like this.
00:05:00
Toluwa
um But I feel like Mboumo is a player that can really play anywhere. I mean, for Brentford, he really just seems like a great utility player until last season where he turned into the star. Him and Wisa together were just tremendous. And I think both of them, I think, played up top for Brentford at some point in the season, um when whenever Thomas Frank would change his system.
00:05:19
Toluwa
So I think this is another signing that gives us a lot more versatility going forward. But Mbuemo is another player that like works hard off the ball too. So it's it's just positives all around with a signing like him. His age, the price point, yeah, is a little high, but his age is perfect for what we're trying to do. We need somebody who's established, but not too old where we won't see the return in the next five to six years.
00:05:39
Toluwa
So I'm excited about that.
00:05:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, it's a reported combined roughly £130 million for both Cunha and Abouma. And I feel like that's going to come back to bite us. um you know
00:05:49
Toluwa
Hmm.
00:05:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
We saw Arsenal signing yeah a Brentford midfielder for, what was it, fifteen twenty million. And you just feel like, why can't you not make difference? you What is it that other teams are doing that they can bring in talent for you know better value for money? Maybe they're still going in at the same prices for these players, but Arsenal are going in £70 million for Giocarej, who he's made his worth in port in Portugal.
00:06:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
He had a stint in England earlier in his career. It didn't quite go to plan, but he might have a second chance at Arsenal. Arsenal have been crying out for a striker ah for the past two years, it seems.
00:06:21
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:06:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And
Youth Development: Opportunities for Young Players
00:06:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
if they get one in Gjokarish, they're going to be pretty pretty terrifying to to come up against on the first day of the season. But we're looking for number nine.
00:06:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I am always a case of give youth a chance. I'm always of that mantra. It's it's been instilled into me because but I've been supporting Manchester United for too long now. Too long.
00:06:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
um So just Cheeto Obi get the nod here.
00:06:48
Toluwa
I feel like he'll get an opportunity this preseason especially. um especially in today's game. I feel like he'll get that opportunity if it comes down to it, especially with how preseason normally goes. There's always a bunch of rotation to see what players can do. I feel like he has the tools to be able to play for us up top. but The cameos we saw last season were evident.
00:07:10
Toluwa
I feel like he was gelling well with the team. You can tell he's still young, though, and I feel like that's what Ruben Amarim always used to say about him. He's a little naive. I saw a press conference. He's a little naive. with the understanding of playing and and in the top level, which is understandable. He's what, 17, 18?
00:07:25
Toluwa
eighteen So it makes sense. But there's that saying, if you're ah good enough, you're old enough. So he could get that start. i just ah For me, I really want to see us try and revitalize the game of Hoyland.
00:07:38
Toluwa
I know it's crazy to say because of his form and kind of the attributes that he possesses, they don't really fit this system. But I feel like he's ah he's a professional at the end of the day. You have to bounce back. And I want to see what he does at the start just to gauge what his mentality is like, if he's on point or if he's not.
00:07:57
Toluwa
And if he's not, then I i don't see why Chido can't come into the team. He's already done it before. And playing around players like Mbuemo and Cunha I mean, that's only going to raise your game, especially at such a young age. You're going to learn so much from these players.
00:08:10
Toluwa
And I'm sure Chido is very receptive to so being in the first team and and and the advice that's been given to him from our senior players.
00:08:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I feel like he probably will be given a chance because it's about 80-odd years that Manchester United have played someone who's come through the academy, at least in the matchday squad.
00:08:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
So either on the bench or starting the match. And I feel like Chido Obi, being a product of the academy, is going to get that chance. So you've got Kobi Mainu, who will be taken to the field. So that's that one covered, but they will need backup because that's a stat they do not have.
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
want to go amiss at all. I mean, Fredrickson as well, getting bumped up the number list. I think gets 33 this season, the centre-back.
00:08:52
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:08:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's a sign that maybe more minutes are coming his way. And when we come back after this short break, we'll be talking about the pre-season friendly against Leeds that's happening today ah when this video when this podcast comes out. And we'll have a couple of squad predictions and see who we think could be starting in the side. We'll be back after this.
Preseason Plans: Sweden Tour and Player Updates
00:10:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
So there's 29 players going with Ruben Amirim to Sweden to play in the Strawberry Arena and we'll hopefully be hearing Strawberry Fields forever. We will wait and see. But two players who won't be a part of that. Obviously, we know about Andre Onana, who's out and could miss the start of the season with, I believe, a hamstring injury.
00:10:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Joshua Zerksi is another one that has remained in Manchester today. to ah essentially recover from little issues, according to the club website. But the pair are expected to join the rest of the squad for the tour of the US next week.
00:10:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
So the keepers are Bayon Deer, Tom Heaton and Dermot Mee, who go along. We've got Diogo Dallo, Maz Rauwi, Matthias De Ligt, Harry Maguire, Patrick Dorgue. We've got Lenny Yoro, Luke Shaw, Aidan Heaven, Diego Leon, the new signing, Tyler Fredrickson, Rhys Munro, Godwill Kukonki. And we've got midfielders in Mason Mount, Bruno Fernandes, Casemiro, Manuel Agate, Kobi Mainu, Jack Fletcher, Sekou Kone, Toby Collier. It's easy to me to say for some reason.
00:11:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
And our forwards, Rasmus Hoyle, Mateus Cunha, Ahmad, Chido Obi, Ethan Williams and Bendito Mantato. So out of that then, we've got to try and put together a predicted 11, Toluwa. And I feel like goalkeeper, which has been such a well, a stalwart.
00:11:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
if If ever there was a stalwart penalty in picking out an 11, it was a goalkeeper. But with Anana out, who gets the nodding goal? you
00:11:27
Toluwa
Yeah, I think that's pretty easy. It's gotta be Bayandeer. He's our number two. And Bayandeer is a funny one. Despite some good performances, I feel like he had decent performances. It was just overshadowed by mistakes. And I don't know if that's just rustiness from not really playing a lot,
00:11:42
Toluwa
um But I feel like at the end of the day, you got to take your chance when it's given. So this would be a good opportunity for him to kind of prove the doubters wrong, to prove that he can be a keeper that Ruben Emmerim can rely on.
00:11:54
Toluwa
And if he does well this preseason, then that might change things, you know, in terms of maybe trying to sign a new goalkeeper. Maybe the club will stick with looking within. So I think Bindir would get the nod for this one.
00:12:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
See, I think Tom Heaton might get the nod, I'll be honest with you, because Bayon Deere had a great game against Arsenal, but in all other games, he didn't look confident in himself.
00:12:07
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:12:16
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:12:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's 27 now. And I know for a goalkeeper, sometimes for a goalkeeper, they'll go into their late mid to late 30s. They can keep going in their career. But at 27, that's still an age where you need to be breaking in and and making a name for yourself and being the first player.
00:12:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
name on the team sheet in goal you've got to grab a number one shirt so I feel like Bayon Deer you're right he probably will get the chance but just to be different and out there going to go Tom Heaton because he started against Hong Kong a little bit of a mistake probably should have kept that goal out but nevertheless I think Tom Heaton for me gets the nod wingbacks then who do you think is gonna is gonna go for that for those spots to lure
00:12:56
Toluwa
This one is tricky because i feel like now we have an abundance of players that can play in that position. or players that are willing to play in that position. Wingback, I mean, my first you know my first thought would be Durgu on the left and probably Dalot on the right. I feel like that's the first thing that comes to my head. But to be honest, I would love to see Diego Leon start.
00:13:19
Toluwa
I really want to see what he's about because he looks the part. Now want to see if he can actually live up to it. And then on the right-hand side, it's like Dalot is my first choice, but I can't forget Masrawi.
00:13:30
Toluwa
I don't know what Amarim is going to do. There's so many different players that he can put in different positions, which gives us good versatility at the very at the end of the day. But it's really about finding that best 11. But if I had to say so, I want to say Diego Leon starts. I really want to see what he can do from the very beginning, not coming on in a situation where we might be winning already or it might be a no-no. Like, I want to see him from the beginning.
00:13:52
Toluwa
Because Dorigu, we know what to expect from Dorigu. um I don't think there's – I think he's going to improve this season for sure. but i already know what to expect from him in terms of physicality, getting down the wing. I want to see what Leon can do.
00:14:05
Toluwa
And on the right, I'm just going to go for Delo because it's kind of a safe option. I feel like he's always been there. um He's been here for how many years now? Five, six. So I'll go for Delo on the right.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think you're onto something here. I think it's probably Masraoui on the right-hand side, on the right wing-back, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Dallo there.
00:14:19
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:14:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
And at left wing-back, you said you wanted Diego Leon to start on the Manchester United app, ah where they put up a poll and 38% of votes so far think Diego Leon should start.
00:14:23
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:14:36
Toluwa
yeah
00:14:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
38%. we're in the minority here, if I say Diego Leon to start as well, but I genuinely want to see him. I'm like you as well. you know Get him some minutes on the pitch against Leeds. It's going to be Premier League opposition. It'll be great run out for him.
00:14:48
Toluwa
yeah yeah
00:14:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
And he's keen and eager to hit the ground running. He said in those interviews, you know there's that tenacity in him that he said, well, it's nice to be here, but... I want to play football. I know I've got to earn the shirt. So I think wingbacks, I'm going to Masraoui and Diego Leon and see what happens there.
00:15:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then for the centre backs, I'm probably going to go Maguire, Yoro, De Ligt. I reckon that's going to be your your back three. Heaven, potentially.
00:15:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, I'm going to stick with that. I thought about it. ah But De Ligt, Maguire, Yoro, I reckon that's the back three.
00:15:23
Toluwa
I'm going to be a little different just because I want to see if Ruben Amorim is thinking in this way because I know he prefers to have Lissandra Martinez in that left center back slot because of his ability to, he's a left footer.
00:15:38
Toluwa
He can kind of give us more options in that role. So I'm going to go out on a limb and say he might, he might either start eight in heaven or Luke Shaw at left center back just to see, just to see what, um how would I say this, just to see what,
00:15:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:15:58
Toluwa
I don't know, options they can give us opening their body up when they receive the ball. I feel like whenever Lenny Yoro plays at left center back, he's kind of always looking to go back on his right. It kind of limits our options in terms of progressing the ball at the pitch.
00:16:10
Toluwa
But when Aiden Heaven was featuring last season, opened up his body and kept play moving. I feel like the Aston Villa game was a great example where he never wasted possession. And Luke Shaw is kind of that player who's always kind of flirted with the left center back role or the inverted left back position where he's sitting in with the center back. So I'm going to go out on a limb and say he might try that.
00:16:30
Toluwa
But I agree with you. The other two is pretty straightforward. I think it's either DeLigt or Maguire in that center. And then Lenny Uro has to start on the right. I feel like he's going to be one of our core players moving forward because he's he has the potential to be really great.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I hope we don't get Deja Vu from last year because he got injured in pre-season and was out for, what was it, three, four months?
00:16:48
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:16:51
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
That's a long time to miss out when you're an 18-year-old. So hopefully he gets better luck this time around. But yeah, pretty strong. And of course, it's pre-season, so the entire team might be changed at half-time.
00:17:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
Because it's a friendly. because So maybe it's all pretty useless.
00:17:04
Toluwa
yeah
00:17:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
but we like to do it we like a predicted 11. We like to keep tallies against each other. And this is great warm-up to see what happens. Let's have a look at the midfield then. Let's start with a holding midfielders. Now, I think I'm going to base this on who starts further up the pitch.
00:17:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that's why I'm going to go Bruno Fernandes and potentially Toby Collier. I feel like that's something that was underused. And Amarim has gone... back and forth between brunote b Bruno Fernandes being a number 10 and more like a deep-lying playmaker.
00:17:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
I feel like it's almost as if Amirim is trying to sort of say, right, I know now Bruno Fernandes is 29, approaching 30. He's going to but maybe lose some physicality to his game.
00:17:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
So let's try him at deep-lying playmaker. Let's see what he can do. And I think... He had some good games at deep line playback. He had some games where it didn't go well because it's position that you know he's not really used to. But I feel like Fernandes and Collier is probably gonna be attempted in this game to see how it goes.
00:18:04
Toluwa
Yeah, I would honestly agree with that just because i want to see what Bruno can do. I feel like that's going to have to be his position, especially if Cunha is going to operate the left hand or if Embuemo.
00:18:14
Toluwa
I don't think Bruno really has a future at that position. And I think he's much better suited when he's I don't know, kind of dictating possession. I know Bruno Fernandez gives the ball away a lot. And Ruben Amor Madrestas, he said it, um I feel like in ah in ah an interview, where he basically was like, yeah, Bruno sometimes just tries to do too much.
00:18:32
Toluwa
And he has to trust his teammates. And now he actually has players ahead of him that he can trust. I feel like Cunha is really great on the ball. He can progress the ball without Bruno having to do too much. And Buemo is the same. So I feel like Bruno being in that position is going to kind of kind of be a good thing, maybe. I feel like that's gonna be kind of a diamond in the rough situation where, yeah, has like you said, his physicality is starting to wane a little bit. And he has such an engine that eventually he's gonna he's going to wear himself out. He runs and runs and runs.
00:18:59
Toluwa
But the good thing is that if he's gonna be able to run full 90 minutes every single game this season for us, I'll take it, even if it's at the eight. And then Collier is another player that's just physical. He likes to get stuck in.
00:19:10
Toluwa
I feel like we need that, but he also has composure. I feel like Ugarte is the one player that I want to see much more of just because he can get stuck in and win the ball back and do all the great stuff, you know, the dirty work.
00:19:22
Toluwa
But when it comes to being on the ball, sometimes he is so like, he's just so bad. I don't know what it is. Maybe he's, know. He's just so clunky sometimes. And we just need somebody to be more assured in possession in that position.
00:19:34
Toluwa
I was telling one of my coworkers that we could take Ugarte and we could take Menuh and just make them win. That would be probably the best center midfielder of all time. Like, Manu's technical ability and Ugarte's ball-winning ability just combined? Oh, man.
00:19:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
You get Kante then, don't you?
00:19:49
Toluwa
um Pretty much.
00:19:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which is pretty much, don't you?
00:19:52
Toluwa
Pretty much. Yeah.
00:19:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, that's annoying. That's annoying.
00:19:55
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:19:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, well, never mind. ah No, it's ah it should be good. if ah If that happens, maybe it won't.
00:20:01
Toluwa
yeah
00:20:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But hey, that's what we're here for. um I think Kobaymenu, there's a potential for him as well.
00:20:04
Toluwa
yeah
00:20:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I'm going to stick to my guns. going to Fernandes and Collier. I'm going to let you take the the two number 10s, if you like. where what Where, who, and why?
00:20:14
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:20:17
Toluwa
Yeah, I mean, Cunha, 100%. There's no way Amarim is not going start Cunha. That would just be kind of distasteful, I feel like, to the fans because that's who they want to see. I want to see Cunha the most just because he gives us something different going forward. And I know he's going to be and just an excellent player for us.
00:20:33
Toluwa
And then on the right-hand side, because Mbumo is not with the team, obviously, I would have picked him if he was. But Ahmad Diallo will probably play there. I feel like he's just, he he's another player that is going to take another step up this season.
00:20:45
Toluwa
And that's all that's crazy to say because he's already, he's doing that every season. He's getting better and better and better. But this time he has players who can elevate his game to the next level. Teach him things and in the final third that maybe he wasn't getting with Garnacho in a round, you know.
00:21:00
Toluwa
Mbumo, Cunha, Bacchus. both established players that have played this game across the board in different competitions at different levels. So I'm excited to see what he does. But yeah, Cunha and Amar for me, that's that's a lock.
00:21:12
Toluwa
That doesn't change at all until Mbuma comes in. Yeah.
00:21:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
No notes. You pretty much said everything everything there was to say, I think.
00:21:17
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:21:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
i mean, it makes sense, doesn't it?
00:21:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Ahmad's been great. And I think until Mbumo comes into the side, think Ahmad is going to be in that sort of number 10 role. Once that happens, I think then Ahmad will go to the wingback role on the right hand side and that will push Masraoui into the centre of the park.
00:21:21
Toluwa
yeah
00:21:29
Toluwa
yeah
00:21:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah the of the defence. So it's sort of like a merry-go-round until that happens.
00:21:40
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:21:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But yeah, no, I completely agree. It'd be great to see Mateus Cunha, see what he can do in the side and then provide that dynacism. Is that the word? in In the up top
00:21:52
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:21:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
ah to be able to sort of link up with the shadow striker. Because I feel like last season, and this is why i sort of thought Bruno Fernandes being deeper in the midfield would work a lot better than him being further up the pitch, is that there was no link.
00:22:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
It sort of went centre-back straight up to attacking midfielders.
00:22:06
Toluwa
Yep.
00:22:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
It sort of kind of bypassed that holding midfield.
00:22:09
Toluwa
oh
00:22:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I feel like if you actually have someone in there that, as you say, can dictate the tempo, and they're able to slow down the play when it's needed or pick out the pass when it's needed. ah feel like that is what you need. You need someone who is calm, composed, and also has the vision to see what's happening ahead of him.
00:22:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
And now that Bruno will have those players at the top, we hope, we hope... then ah hopefully it'll be a lot better. The link-up play will be a lot better from midfield into attack.
00:22:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And that's something that was missing so, so badly.
00:22:39
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:22:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Up top then, I'm going to go out there and say it, Chido Obi. I want Chido Obi to start. I want to see what he's like from the from the off. I think there are some starts coming from him in the Premier League this season.
00:22:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think if we sign that number nine, maybe not. But I... I don't know. i want him to start. I think Hoyland will start. I'm going to say it. Chido Obi to start.
00:23:05
Toluwa
I also want Chido Obi to start, but I'm going to say that Hoyland will start. And it's 50-50 because, like you said, at halftime, they're probably going to make mass changes. And Chido is going to play 45 minutes guaranteed, no matter what.
00:23:18
Toluwa
um But I need to see Hoyland just do something different. I feel like a lot of fans are, it's kind of divided on Hoyland. There are fans who want to see him do well, but there's also fans who just can't wait for him to leave.
00:23:28
Toluwa
And I'm kind of in the, i don't know if it's the minority, if it's the majority of the fans that want to see him do well. I feel like he came in his first season with a lot of pressure and expectation, and he scored a decent amount of goals for us.
00:23:39
Toluwa
Very unlucky in the Champions League that he was the top goal scorer until we got knocked out by another player's error. You know what I mean? So I feel like there's a player there. in Hoyland. I know he has attributes that don't suit what we're looking for in a top-level striker, but I like giving youth a chance as well. I feel like he's still only 22. He still has room to grow.
00:23:59
Toluwa
But at the same time, Chido Obi younger and seems more hungrier and seems like he has a higher ceiling. So it's like... I just want to see, you i just want and if if any of them can score, that'll tell me a lot about where their mentality is playing, there's no negatives to Chido playing.
00:24:17
Toluwa
Rasmus, on the other hand, if he doesn't play well, there's already going to be pressure. Even though it's preseason, there's already going to be pressure on him. So it's a tough one, but I'm going go with Rasmus to start. But like I know Chido will play, so I'm not i'm not even batting an eye on that one.
00:24:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I don't know whether it was a fact that it was when we played Hong Kong. It was pretty much right at the end of the season. It had been a long one and players just wanted to be done with it.
00:24:40
Toluwa
yeah yeah
00:24:40
Global Sports Podcast Network
um But he didn't look amazing. His first touch wasn't great and he looked a bit shaky. But maybe after a know a month or so break, like we had, we've come back nice and fresh.
00:24:51
Global Sports Podcast Network
and
00:24:51
Toluwa
yeah
00:24:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
you know hoping that this season will be much better than last. I mean, 15th is a pretty low bar. So, you know, hopefully something to aim for. But yeah, I don't find anything wrong with Hyland starting, but I just think he needs that thorn in the side with Xerxes not being able to travel this time around.
00:25:08
Toluwa
yeah
00:25:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
Rasmus Hojland needs a thorn in his side. He needs that motivation, that carrot dangling in front of him. And five goals I think it was in the Premier League last season is nowhere near good enough.
00:25:17
Toluwa
That's not good.
00:25:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Nowhere near. And and for Xerxes as well, also a low tally from the Dutchman as well. So for our um I think our combined strikers got fewer than 10 goals in the Premier League, which is not great.
00:25:28
Toluwa
That's... Yeah.
00:25:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not great.
00:25:29
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:25:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
And Bumo coming in, that will instantly double in one player. So there is that.
00:25:34
Toluwa
yeah
00:25:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But I think, um yeah... I want Chido to start. I'm going to say it. I want him to start.
00:25:42
Toluwa
yeah
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he will have an impact off the bench this season. And I want him to. And much like with Hoyland as well, I want him to have a great season. Whilst you're still playing for United, I want the best for you.
00:25:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
As long as you give the effort, give 110% in the shirt, then you're doing all i can I can really ask for.
00:25:53
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:25:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Just please, let's get better than 15. Let's get back to the top half. um I know it's a friendly to Lua, but it still has to be done. Score prediction, please.
00:26:10
Toluwa
Man, first time seeing the boys play, you always want to just predict a win, especially against leads who seem to just love giving us wins. I can see us winning this game. I don't know how comfortably, but if I had to guess, I'll probably say no. Okay. Yeah.
00:26:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think it'd be a good game for slightly the wrong reasons. I'm going to go I think it's going to be two different games, essentially, isn't it?
00:26:32
Toluwa
okay
00:26:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
First half, second half. You're going have two completely different games.
00:26:38
Toluwa
yeah
00:26:39
Global Sports Podcast Network
And I think in one half, you'll have most starters.
00:26:39
Toluwa
Yeah. Yeah. Yeah.
00:26:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the other half, you'll have most youth. And that's going to be a telling sign for Ruben Amirim to see, well, which should I prioritise?
00:26:44
Toluwa
yeah
00:26:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Which players are ready for the season? who are Who's up for it?
00:26:51
Toluwa
yeah
00:26:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think this seat this pre-season friendly has a lot more riding on it than we realise because this is the first chance after a little bit of a break for Amram to decide, right, is here's how my squad's looking as we head to the USA.
00:26:56
Toluwa
yeah
00:27:04
Toluwa
yeah
00:27:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
So we'll see. But um we'll wrap it up there. ah But it has been ah it has been a great discussion, Toluwa.
Podcast Partner Highlight: Zencastr
00:27:11
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:27:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
And what I will say before we depart as well, we just want to have a big shout out to one of our sponsors in Zencast because here at the Global Sports Podcast Network, we spent a lot of time selecting our delivery platform and Zencast ah came out the clear winner.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
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00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
Tolua, a final word from you then.
00:27:53
Toluwa
I'm just excited for the season. I know it's crazy to say because we finished so poorly, but you know like a few episodes, we were we were together. And for me, it's just last season is in the past.
00:28:05
Toluwa
I don't even remember it anymore. I don't want to think about it ever again. I want
Season Outlook and Youth Prospects
00:28:09
Toluwa
to move forward. And I feel like Emrem has the tools. He has the idea, the mentality to take us At least to a different level than we've seen in the past few years. i feel like we've been complacent because we've won trophies, but we really haven't taken that step to get better. And all the teams around us are doing that.
00:28:26
Toluwa
But I feel like Amarim has the vision. The players that he's signing make sense for this vision, for this team. And I'm just excited, man. And we have some youth prospects, like you mentioned, Chido Obi, Diego Leon, but also Sekou Kone, who I watched some of his games and that dude is unreal.
00:28:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you.
00:28:43
Toluwa
I know he's playing against other under 18s, but my goodness, he might actually be a gem like in that academy, a serious gem. If he can go on loan and play in the championship, league one, a league of that caliber that can get his game to the next level, that can show us he can play against the big boys, then he might break into the first team sooner rather than later.
00:29:06
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's one of those decisions where it's, do you let the youth prospects marinate in the academy or do you give them proper game time? And it's always a bit of a, you know, it's a guessing game and it's a, there's a, there's a formula to it that you, these youth academy coaches have to realise, right, what is better for them?
00:29:13
Toluwa
Yeah.
00:29:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
Being in the academy against other academy prospects or going out into the, into the real world and and testing your skills there.
00:29:24
Toluwa
Yeah. yeah
00:29:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, yeah. One for the youth scouts, not for me. we we we just We're just behind a microphone, Tuluwa. We're absolutely fine. But thank you for joining me, Tuluwa. It's been great to share the mic with you. And of course, make sure you do follow us on all the social medias. We are GSPN Man United. We're on Twitter and X. We're on Instagram. We're on TikTok. We're on Facebook.
00:29:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
And if you're listening along on the likes of Spotify and Apple and you'd rather see our faces, you can join us on YouTube and you can watch our YouTube at podcasts. as We'll talk you soon.
00:29:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
you can find us at gspn daily manchester united podcast it's a long channel name she can't possibly forget it in the meantime though enjoy the game remember it's a preseason friendly and we'll be back to talk with you about it during the week in the meantime take care of yourselves have a great weekend we'll talk to you soon