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Daily Manchester United - Episode 194 - Garnacho, por favor
20 Plays7 days ago
Niall is joined by Kieran to discuss the upcoming Chelsea game
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Transcript
Introduction to Episode and Themes
00:00:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
Hello everyone and welcome back to another episode of the daily Manchester United podcast. I have a friend this evening. I'm not alone on the episode. I'm hosting tonight Niall Hannigan and I'm joined by Kieran McGinley. Kieran, how are you?
00:00:27
Kieran McGinley
i'm I'm all right. I'm okay. I'm sizing up my options for what's to come.
Manchester United's Current Form and Rashford's Performance
00:00:33
Kieran McGinley
um yeah when We're not in the greatest of form, are we, coming into this weekend? But let's see.
00:00:39
Kieran McGinley
Stranger things have happened, but more often now it's two United rather than four.
00:00:44
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, exactly. And i mean, weighing up your options, if you were to leave, I hope you have as good a circumstances as Marcus Rashford because he's just after banging into tonight for for Barcelona in the Champions League. I mean, talk about failing upwards. But anyway, fair play to him. I hope he can bring that form back to us at some stage.
00:01:02
Global Sports Podcast Network
But we are not here to talk about Rashford for once. We are here to talk about the Chelsea game coming up at the weekend.
Manchester United vs Chelsea: Past and Predictions
00:01:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
We had a bit of a look back at our previous results at Chelsea. I thought I had heard a random stat saying that we hadn't lost at Old Trafford to Chelsea in absolutely ages.
00:01:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
And we just had to check it out across transfer marked and 2013 at home. Old Trafford, we lost 1-0. Ciarán, that's madness.
00:01:29
Kieran McGinley
That is.
00:01:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
12 years?
00:01:30
Kieran McGinley
ah it's and that's in the yeah And that's in the league. so Because we did lose in the FA Cup semi-finals to to Chelsea um as well.
00:01:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
In the cup, yeah.
00:01:38
Kieran McGinley
But that probably, if it's semi-finals, would have been at Wembley. So that is probably, yeah. Because semi-finals are weird in the FA Cup. They get hosted at Wembley.
00:01:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Or like Villa Park or something. Yeah.
00:01:51
Kieran McGinley
on So it may well be, yeah. I'm trying to think now. I'll have to find out. But anyway...
00:01:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't think they would have been at Old Trafford, but yeah. I mean, as we said, if we haven't lost there and in 12 years, then we know that come this weekend, that'll all change.
00:02:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
So that might give you a sneak preview of what we think the predictions might be for this weekend. But...
00:02:12
Kieran McGinley
Record-breaking season. I'll tell that right now.
00:02:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you'll never sing that, as Ciarán says.
00:02:17
Kieran McGinley
You'll never sing that.
00:02:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
um
00:02:20
Kieran McGinley
What else have we got to sing about? It's ridiculous.
00:02:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, Ciarán's trying to pick himself off the ground after some um emotional episodes this week. So it's tough
00:02:29
Kieran McGinley
Oh, honestly.
Analysis of Manchester United's Strategy and Tactics
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
times.
00:02:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's tough times. But it's great for all you. You're getting great content, and whether it's a hate listen or a hate watch. ah views of you our book so um we'll take it we'll take it but I mean Kieran before we get into lineups and score predictions and who's going to be the the danger man for for Chelsea like what can we what sort of positives can we take from from these opening few games to actually go into the Chelsea game with some sort of semblance of a chance I suppose
00:03:00
Kieran McGinley
I mean, if there's one thing I can take, apart from the you know drubbing against City, is that we're making chances. we This system is creating chances. It just needs clinical finishes now.
00:03:12
Kieran McGinley
And now we've got a clinical finisher in Hoyland who, I think, picked up two goals in his last game for Napoli. He got Rashford out on loan, who's just scored a brace for Barcelona, as we're speaking tonight.
00:03:22
Kieran McGinley
and our Clinical finishers seem to all be finding their form away from home.
00:03:27
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:03:28
Kieran McGinley
But you know that's just this that's just the United way at the moment. I think the service needs to be a lot better to Seshko. I think the team needs to figure out a lot quicker if floated crosses aren't working.
00:03:39
Kieran McGinley
Because in the last match, City were absolutely dominant in the air. you know And it it didn't even take 95 minutes because nobody realised at that point. All the crosses kept coming in and they all either didn't get past the first man or they were just looped in and City dealt with it with a header away.
00:03:56
Kieran McGinley
They were just too good in the air. They were superior. And you get days like that and that's where you have to figure out another way. You know, play past them, play through them, which is, again, not easy to do against City.
00:04:07
Kieran McGinley
You know, do you set up and take the the pressure? No, because City will probably overwhelm you. Even if they're not in the greatest form themselves, they will always find a way if they have Haaland on their side. In fact, I think he's just broken the record for fastest player to 50
International Duties and Player Challenges
00:04:21
Kieran McGinley
Champions League goals tonight, I'm pretty sure.
00:04:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
He did score.
00:04:23
Kieran McGinley
um I'll have to fact check that.
00:04:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
right. Yeah, r a c yeah.
00:04:25
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, so that's you know that's great. It's great. I'm having a lot of fun being on that this side of Manchester. um Yeah.
00:04:35
Global Sports Podcast Network
When's the next international break? or
00:04:37
Kieran McGinley
ah oh Oh, now you're a fan of international breaks. No, I see. I see how it is.
00:04:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, ah I'm pledging my allegiances to Armenia now after our um after international break.
00:04:45
Kieran McGinley
it's ah I wasn't going to mention it.
00:04:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
so
00:04:48
Kieran McGinley
I'm glad you did, though.
00:04:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it was inevitable.
00:04:49
Kieran McGinley
Goodness.
00:04:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think me and Mkhitaryan are coming out out of retirement to play for Armenia. and the next We've got a chance. We've got a chance. but I mean, from from my perspective, I think Mbomo's been incredible. Mbermo, Mbwemo, whatever you want i call him, seems to be the only player that's actually bringing the fight to teams and actually has enough quality to cause a bit of damage.
00:05:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
My one concern is with that is... More than likely coming up against Cucurella, who is, I hate to say it, an incredible defender and a brilliant one-on-one defender as well. um And will probably relish the challenge of playing of coming up against him.
00:05:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
So, you know, probably one of one of the key strengths that Chelsea have is him. um Which a few years ago, I don't think we would have been saying because he had a bit of a shaky start at Chelsea. But he's been absolutely excellent since the...
00:05:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
the Euros in Spain and the confidence in him has been brilliant. So I've been really impressed with Mbembo on the right-hand side, but with Cunha still out and and Mount still out, you know, you're looking for that bit of creativity and that bit of quality and and Bruno's going to be playing more than likely in that deep lying position again.
Midfield Battle and Chelsea's Threats
00:06:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
we'll get on to the midfield battle, et cetera, a bit later on, because that's going to be interesting.
00:06:01
Kieran McGinley
Thank you.
00:06:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah, I think to be honest, that's probably the only positive I can take from the opening games. There's been a couple of decent performances from Yaro and Dargu maybe, but you know, these aren't our mainstay players, which are going to move the needle when it comes to United getting results. It's just more for the future and them kind of being able to survive in a team that isn't playing that well. But yeah, it's um not a great position at the moment to be in, is it?
00:06:29
Kieran McGinley
Not really. Not really. Thanks for reminding everyone, though. That's that's great.
00:06:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:34
Kieran McGinley
um A few more danger men for Chelsea. um Neto, when he is in form, he's going to be, you know, he is incredible. I think Jean-Pierre Pedro as well is one of those kind of hot and cold players.
00:06:48
Kieran McGinley
When he's cold, he sort of, you know, goes past him.
00:06:50
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:06:51
Kieran McGinley
90 minutes go past and you don't really notice him. But when he's in form, he's absolutely lethal in front of goal. He's very, very peculiar player. But I think that's what makes him, you know, the enigma about it makes him so interesting to keep an eye on. But I think Neto is going to be one.
00:07:06
Kieran McGinley
Kaiseido, I mean, what player?
00:07:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:08
Kieran McGinley
What a player Kaiseido is.
00:07:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:10
Kieran McGinley
He's going to be absolutely, you know, shutting down. You know, he's going to dominate midfield. I mean, well, very true.
00:07:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
There'll be nothing to shut down, but yeah, he can...
00:07:19
Kieran McGinley
Very true. But, you know,
00:07:20
Global Sports Podcast Network
You have to open up to shut
00:07:23
Kieran McGinley
I mean, Chelsea are probably never going to find a Kante ever again. You know, a man who could just run the midfield. He's basically two players in one. But Caicedo
Line-up and Tactical Considerations
00:07:31
Kieran McGinley
is pretty damn close to a player like that.
00:07:33
Kieran McGinley
very Very good going forward as well, I think. Scored as well in the last game against Brentford that briefly had them three points in the pocket before they lost a point.
00:07:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:07:43
Kieran McGinley
And I think... and i think Enzo Fernandes, I think he's he's quite good. he's He's definitely made a great start this season.
00:07:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:07:50
Kieran McGinley
I've i've had my doubts about him at multiple points you know last season and and and beyond. But I think he started this season well. And as you said, Niall, the midfield is probably where this game is going to be won and lost.
00:08:03
Kieran McGinley
And with Chelsea having players like Fernandes, Caicedo, Neto, I mean, Buenonate is now just signed for them you know coming into this. And then you've got Garnaccio as well, who will probably start.
00:08:15
Kieran McGinley
I think Gittins, probably, probably.
00:08:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
Do you think? Yeah. yeah
00:08:19
Kieran McGinley
ah think it's going to be one of those things. i think Enzo Mareska is going to go yeah, you've got a point to prove. He'll have the bit between his teeth. Go on, you start.
00:08:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's not actually mental. has zero point to prove. He just stopped playing. it's It's just like... ah I'm not getting on the top of Granato. Just too frustrating. But, I mean, there's a little player called Cole Palmer as well that's going to be in that midfield and that's going to be absolutely horrendous to watch.
00:08:39
Kieran McGinley
You know...
00:08:41
Kieran McGinley
nine
00:08:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
I mean, the midfield of Palmer, Enzo and Caicedo against... whoever we have between Casemiro and Ugarte and then Bruno trying to survive that in a two-man midfield against that juggernaut is going to be a slaughter match in there in midfield. And and it's... but We said it since the start of this formation as well. If every other team is playing three in midfield and we're playing two and our midfield is not even mobile, I mean, what...
00:09:11
Global Sports Podcast Network
What chance do we stand in these matches, and particularly against these these really, really good teams that are playing at a way higher level than us? So I think you're right. I mean, midfield is our weak point and it's it's probably one of Chelsea's strongest um sections of the pitch as well.
00:09:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's a midfield worth probably 250 million. I mean, ours is probably worth 250 million just for Casemiro's wages. But I mean, it's still ah it's still a bit of a mismatch in there, unfortunately.
00:09:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
But yeah.
00:09:37
Kieran McGinley
i I will say though as well, Cole Palmer came under a lot of fire last season for you know goals drying up, but actually it was because he was taken off penalties.
00:09:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. Yeah.
00:09:44
Kieran McGinley
If you looked further into it, his his non-penalty goals were you know roughly the same. He's still a very lethal player. And in the Champions League against Bayern Munich, yes, it was a 3-1 loss. But that's that goal he got, the disallowed goal, that finish was just class.
00:09:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:00
Kieran McGinley
And if he had just timed his run to be a half a second later, that's all it was. We'd have been talking about that goal for ages. It would have been a really good finish.
Player Roles and Injury Impacts
00:10:11
Kieran McGinley
But that's what he can do.
00:10:12
Kieran McGinley
He can change the game on a dime.
00:10:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:10:14
Kieran McGinley
And that's what's so terrifying about it.
00:10:18
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and I mean, the the game was getting away from Chelsea against Brentford as well, and he came on, absolutely changed the game, and and got his goal within five ten minutes of coming on as well.
00:10:30
Global Sports Podcast Network
um Quality just oozes out of him, and he's going to love playing at Old Trafford at the weekend, unfortunately. Yeah. That's just the position we're in, as we keep saying, and we need to suck it up and watch watch this interesting game at the weekend. But um yeah, we'll take a quick break here, Ciarán.
00:10:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
We'll be back with um our predicted lineups and how we think the game will pan out.
00:11:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
We have a couple of injuries um there's been a bit of bit of rotation in positions what with different players and tactical changes for depending on different games e etc with Agarte starting against Man City in the league Ciarán how do you think the team will line up?
00:12:16
Kieran McGinley
I mean, there'll certainly be lineup. There'll be 11 players on that pitch.
00:12:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
Try and squeeze on a 12th player there hopefully see how we get on
00:12:23
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, just, you know, just just bend the rules a little bit. Bring on, you know, bring back the De Silva twins and then we can have a free sub, you know. That'll be great. That'll be great. um Yeah, I think, where well, Widalgo is most likely going to be out because he pulled out of international duty with Portugal.
00:12:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, no. ah
00:12:41
Kieran McGinley
Cunha is the big one, I think, you know coming off after half an hour um in the last game. it was yeah That was a shame because missed out on Brazil duty. There's a doubt for this game.
00:12:53
Kieran McGinley
I would, well, we don't necessarily want to rush him back, but I'm not expecting to see him. And and and according to ah the Forza football app that I'm using, it apparently Mount's out with a knock, which, I mean, newsflash, grass is green, unfortunately.
00:12:58
Global Sports Podcast Network
No.
00:13:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Shock.
00:13:07
Kieran McGinley
Mount, yeah, Mount, unfortunately, just um is a bit susceptible to injuries.
00:13:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:13:11
Kieran McGinley
But, you know, when when he's fit, he's great. And he's shown that and in the first sort of three or four games of the season, that he is a pretty good player. And it's frustrating that he's unfortunately so injury prone because it's clear to see that Amarim loves the way that he plays and loves the the energy. He's a real box to box midfielder, know, running with the energy that he needs. And this system needs as well.
00:13:33
Kieran McGinley
It needs athletes. It needs high energy. And Mason Mount was able to deliver that. And especially with that rotating triangle up the top when Sesko was still on the bench. So, I mean, I would love to see Saint-Lemain starting goal.
00:13:47
Kieran McGinley
I don't know why he hasn't started yet. But if it's anything like the last time we met on the podcast, Tom Heaton might have given away the game a little bit too much there as maybe he's not ready. But, you know, we've got...
00:13:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
Did he say that? Yeah.
00:14:00
Kieran McGinley
ah Well, I mean, he heavily implied it by what you said, though. What was it said?
00:14:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He said he was a good lad, which is concerning.
00:14:06
Kieran McGinley
Well, yeah, don't, but you don't lead with that. If they were a really good shot stopper, you don't lead with that.
00:14:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
know exactly. Yeah.
00:14:11
Kieran McGinley
Do you? Um, it's, it's like, you're trying to pluck a compliment, you know, the compliment sandwich.
00:14:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:14:15
Kieran McGinley
That's the first part of the bread.
00:14:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
He has good um fundamentals. i was like, Heaton, that is not what I... I don't need that. I don't need good...
00:14:22
Kieran McGinley
No.
00:14:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Seems like he has good fundamentals. No.
00:14:28
Kieran McGinley
It's just not great, is it? It's not what you want to hear. I mean, i would probably start Le Mans in goal. I would probably, wing-back-wise, I would probably try and put Dallot on the ah the right wing-back with Dorgo on the left.
00:14:41
Global Sports Podcast Network
Is he fit?
00:14:41
Kieran McGinley
Because, well, ah sorry, Dorgo.
00:14:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
Will they be fit, Dallum?
00:14:45
Kieran McGinley
I meant Dorgo. I don't know why i said Dallot.
00:14:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Dargu and Dargu on the left and okay.
00:14:50
Kieran McGinley
And Ahmad on the right. Because Ahmed has struggled in in in attacking midfield. It kind of feels like he's a bit isolated where he's not supposed to go out wide. It feels like the attacking midfielders in this system are meant to stay narrower and provide that sort of potency down the middle.
00:15:08
Kieran McGinley
Your wingback's providing the width.
00:15:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:15:10
Kieran McGinley
And I think Ahmad struggles when you put him further into the field. If you push him further into that sort of middle of the park, I feel like, you know, it's worth a try at right wing back because um I kind of want Shaw to be put on the bench and you have a back three of, say, Jorreau, De Ligt and Maserawi.
00:15:31
Kieran McGinley
I feel like that that should be tried. Masraoui is solid at centre-back. Is he the best? No. But I think he's certainly going to be a bit of an improvement on hopefully what we've had over the first few games.
00:15:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, I don't hate it. I mean, i think the Ahmed one is interesting. If Ahmed's playing in one of the number 10s, he'll have to play on the left, which isn't that good for him. and You're not moving our best player out of his best position. I mean, we've already done that with Bruno, but we're not going to do it with Mbwemo. So I don't hate it. I think against Chelsea, though...
00:16:03
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he'll have the same attitude to what he had against City, which is funny because you could literally say that about 14 teams in the Premier League, you know, because we're not that good. But I can see him going with Masrawi, wing back and starting Shaw to like Yarrow and putting Dorgio on the left. I can see him starting the same back five, to be honest.
00:16:22
Global Sports Podcast Network
um unfortunately, but yeah, I like Ahmed and Mbwemo on the same wing. I think it causes the opposition in a lot of trouble because basically two wingers coming at you and they're both rapid.
00:16:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
um If Mbwemo's kind of cutting inside, Ahmed's overlapping and yeah, I do like that dynamic, but I think if we are going to see it, it'll probably be you last 20 minutes, last 25 minutes or so.
00:16:45
Kieran McGinley
when it's a bit too late.
00:16:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, when we're 3-0 down. Yeah.
Bruno Fernandes and Midfield Dynamics
00:16:48
Kieran McGinley
Yeah. Yeah. kind of Kind of like what we saw against City. Yeah. That makes sense.
00:16:52
Global Sports Podcast Network
Something like that. Yeah.
00:16:53
Kieran McGinley
When they let us play, because it's like, well, actually, you've got no potency here. You won't be able to do anything. So just just have the ball.
00:17:00
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:00
Kieran McGinley
Have it there. um But i I think as well as that, you know, in the in the midfield, I'm going to have to sort of separate to what I want to happen and what I think will happen.
00:17:11
Kieran McGinley
And as much as I like Bruno playing deeper, He was so quiet in the City game. you know he He wasn't able to control it deeper in the midfield. If he was, it was ping passes over to the wings.
00:17:24
Kieran McGinley
I would probably like to see Fernandes pushed up higher with Cunha out with an injury, starting Mbamo and Fernandes alongside each other. bring in Mainu as your sort of deep line playmaker.
00:17:36
Kieran McGinley
But not only that, able to push forward. Because in those last minutes against City, he was putting in skills.
00:17:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:17:43
Kieran McGinley
He was positive. He was really good on the ball dribbling, really potent at trying to get forward. I mean, it was all in vain, obviously, but he was making a difference in that middle of the park.
00:17:54
Kieran McGinley
I feel like
00:17:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah
00:17:56
Kieran McGinley
If it's now or never for Maino, he'll be starting this one. And I think it probably starts it um with Castamiro as well. Again, that's what I would like to happen. What will I think happen? I think Fernandes starts alongside Agate.
00:18:09
Kieran McGinley
um I think that's what happens. um And I think it's just a lesson that won't be learned that we need... to we need What's it? Rigidity. Is that the word? It's probably not the word.
00:18:21
Kieran McGinley
We need to be more solid in that middle of the park, especially if we're, as you say, coming up against a team here that has three or four midfielders at any one time. Not only that, but the wingers as well. You need so much solidity in that middle of the park. And I feel like Casemiro can offer that. And Manu, when the ball's won back, can really drive forward. he He's a great, skillful player.
00:18:45
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, it's... um I mean, we're having the same conversation all the time around Armoured Field and who you put in there and if the players suit the style. i it's I think it's it's actually in the minority in terms of... ah um and opinion but I don't think Bruno can play the number 10s in this system.
00:19:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he plays the number 10 when there's one number 10, when there's the classic 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1, whatever, with the number 10, just because of how wide the number 10s end up being.
00:19:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And I think playing with his back-to-goal as well is in his best qualities. I like him. I don't mind him in midfield. I just think he needs another person there as well to be more disciplined and...
00:19:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
have more legs in and and around it. So, um yeah, it's it's a tricky one because he's our best player, but I don't think the system suits him at all. does Definitely not built around him anyway. um I can see Bruno starting deep lying as well.
Kobi Mainu's Development and Team Integration
00:19:43
Global Sports Podcast Network
I just hope he kind of goes with Casemiro this time rather than Agarte.
00:19:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think he will because... I mean, I mean, Agarthe wasn't too bad against City, but you might as well try Casemiro. You're getting a week off every time you have these games. He only played 20 minutes against City, so he's probably fine.
00:19:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
um And then, yeah, like I mentioned, I think he'll put Masrawi on right wing. So then he he will probably put Ahmad Mbwemo and then Cescou up top.
00:20:09
Global Sports Podcast Network
um I don't think we have too many other options there. He doesn't seem to fancy Maynou at the moment. He sees him as Maynou in the rotation with Ugarte and Casemiro, I think, as that kind of deep-lying midfielder. And if he's going to play Bruno in beside him, then there's only one spot for the three of them. So unfortunately, I don't think going be able to see a lot more of him.
00:20:29
Kieran McGinley
Which, yeah well, I mean, our our Sam will be absolutely fubing at that. ah He had some choice words on on deadline day, that's for sure.
00:20:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:20:37
Kieran McGinley
ah But yeah, no, i like Manu's shown the promise that we know he has in when he's come off the bench. He's shown the real drive to get forward, make some meaningful attack as well, not only that.
00:20:50
Kieran McGinley
So it would make sense to start him, but again, in that same grain, he probably won't start. You know, the whole saga of him... putting in a loan request, it being rejected, and now he's a squad player. Well, now that just opens up a can of worms for January when he's probably going to go on a six-month loan.
00:21:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah.
00:21:07
Kieran McGinley
instead of going for the whole year. So it's kind of like we're predicting the future, four months down the line, that Kobe's probably just going to put in a loan request again. And I think this time there'll be more pressure because, you know, will the United be in a great place? Well, we hope so, of course.
00:21:24
Kieran McGinley
But if not, then Kobe will say, well, I want minutes because he's a young player. He needs minutes on the pitch. He's not getting that right now.
00:21:33
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, and it's a World Cup year as well. And, you know, him starting in the Euros final. I mean, it's a long wait since that. And I think, you know, us saying that we want to see Menuh playing, it's not as if starting Menuh is going to solve all our problems. Like, it's not as if he's he's that good, but it's just... He's the type of player that needs a lot of games to kind of get up to speed. And then when he's in there, he's, he's you know... i there his demeanor as well. he he has a very laid back approach. So, you know, I can imagine that manager like, Oh, it doesn't seem like he's trying or he's working that hard, but that's just the way he plays football.
00:22:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
And also he's not an impact player. So, you know, a lot of, a lot of kind of deep line midfielders aren't impact players. Like they're, They're just really good footballers, but they don't blow you away when they come on, like a number 10 or a winger or something like that. So it's a really tricky one for him because there's only so much you can show when you're coming on with 20 minutes to go in a midfield because you don't want to be forcing it. You don't want to trying things too much because that's not really his game either.
00:22:31
Global Sports Podcast Network
And then you end up trying too hard and make mistakes, e etc. So, um yeah, I am concerned for January because... if he's seeing Ugarte and Casemiro in front of him, i don't think it's going to change that quickly in the next couple of months. And the murmurs will start again coming into December, which, I mean, it's already bad enough energy around the club. We don't need that, especially with one of our homegrown players.
00:22:52
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, yeah. I mean, yeah, well said. To be honest, I hope it's resolved with the next month that we start to see Kobi Meynu actually starting games again. and Because, I mean, take us back to the f FA Cup win against City.
Lineup Uncertainty and Predictions for Chelsea Game
00:23:07
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh,
00:23:07
Kieran McGinley
You know, just phenomenal, absolutely phenomenal. Coolest man in that stadium, Kobi Meynu.
00:23:13
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:23:15
Kieran McGinley
Bring us that one back. He's cool, calm, collected, fantastic.
00:23:17
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:23:19
Kieran McGinley
And that's part of the reason why he will be so confident in in driving us forward from that deeper part of the part of the pitch.
00:23:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Mm-hmm.
00:23:26
Kieran McGinley
I just don't get why it hasn't really clicked yet. Is something going on behind the scenes? Again, we're clutching at straws as to try and figure out why certain players aren't starting, like Le Mans, why Seshko took him, you know,
00:23:39
Kieran McGinley
you know the League Cup game before he got a start. Then he got a start against City and he was completely isolated, it's fair to say. So, yeah, it's it's a bizarre one.
00:23:51
Kieran McGinley
i It's getting to a point where the lineups are predictably unpredictable, but unpredictably predictable. Does that make any sense?
00:24:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
or bad also you could say yeah but the the the main new one is is really interesting don't know what your thoughts are on but his um body profile seems to have changed as well he's gotten a lot stronger like he's like gotten
00:24:03
Kieran McGinley
That's a good synonym for it, yeah. Yeah.
00:24:15
Global Sports Podcast Network
like a lot more muscle on his body. i don't know if that necessarily suits him. um When you look at like the way he was playing when he first came on, like that goal against Wolves, the way he was kind of dancing around players, that game against Liverpool in the FA Cup where he was dancing through players, turning very quickly, getting goals. He just seems to be a lot more physically strong.
00:24:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
And like with the right training, yes, you can that can be... a positive where you get kind of like sprinting ability, et cetera, where you're getting faster. But I don't think it really suits him.
00:24:47
Global Sports Podcast Network
Um, where cause he, he wasn't rapid anyway. It it was more like a nimble getting out of tight spaces, you know, i close control with the ball. So i'm I'm just a bit concerned with that as well, that,
00:24:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
they were like, oh, he probably needs to get stronger, but I don't know if necessarily, you know, and looking at Pedri tonight, I'm not comparing both them, but they're similar type of players in a way where, you know, Pedri's in the midfield, is surrounded by Bruno, Joe Linton and Tonali, everyone trying to absolutely break him and he's just kind of dancing around couple of steps ahead of everyone, doesn't need to be that big, just needs to be good IQ and move the ball quickly and be a good dribbler in midfield which Manu has all those qualities so just concerned about that that side of it as well just seems like an unnecessary thing to do with him but I don't know if you thought that but just by looking at him in the pitch he just looks a lot stronger
00:25:37
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, and and I don't know if that's because of the role that Amarin wants him to play, that he's he's going to have to play him deeper, so he needs him to be stronger.
00:25:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
maybe yeah
00:25:45
Kieran McGinley
He needs a strong middle of the park, strong defensive midfield pairing, which is probably why the whole sort of back line has really bulked up over over the summer, you know, to to compensate for that.
00:25:55
Kieran McGinley
and In theory, that should help him in the midfield and help drive forward. But, you know, sometimes when you get stronger, you might get less agile, you might lose half a yard of pace because now you're've you've bulked up.
00:26:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah,
00:26:09
Kieran McGinley
So what you gain in strength, you might lose a little bit in sort of agility and, you know, There are players that prove us wrong time and time again about about how that training goes.
00:26:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah, yeah, course.
00:26:19
Kieran McGinley
But i just I think as well, we haven't seen enough of Mainu to really judge how pretty you know pre-season and then the entire summer has treated him.
00:26:24
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yep.
00:26:27
Kieran McGinley
you know Give the fans what they want. Give Sam what he wants. Start Mainu. Hashtag. get this Go on, Sam. Get the hashtag going. Start Mainu.
00:26:38
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, because if he doesn't, the podcast might get taken down with but Sam's language, atrocious language on the on the podcast as well.
00:26:42
Kieran McGinley
It might.
00:26:47
Kieran McGinley
i I would like to say, actually, that's true.
00:26:49
Global Sports Podcast Network
It's been signed off, though. It's been signed off.
00:26:51
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, I was going to say I had to. Well, I didn't have to. I offered a public apology in our podcast community about Sam. I censored one word. I'm not going to say it, but I censored one word. And it turns I didn't have to.
00:27:07
Kieran McGinley
So I'm sorry, Sam, if if you're listening.
00:27:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, he can come back on now. That's fine. um Ciarán, we've talked a bit about some of Chelsea's strengths, some of the positives of United from the first few games of the season.
00:27:25
Global Sports Podcast Network
Score predictions. It's my favourite time of the of the of the week with the previews. And do you know what? I'm sick of going with this with my heart rather than my head. So Ciarán, take it away.
00:27:36
Global Sports Podcast Network
What are you saying?
00:27:38
Kieran McGinley
um Well, and we haven't won against Chelsea since December 2023. It's long time. um
00:27:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:27:46
Kieran McGinley
You know, in in that time, it's...
00:27:48
Global Sports Podcast Network
2013. Sorry.
00:27:50
Kieran McGinley
Oh, well, 2023, we haven't won against Chelsea at all ah since then.
00:27:54
Global Sports Podcast Network
Oh, we haven't been. Sorry. i thought it was the other stats.
00:27:55
Kieran McGinley
you
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Okay.
00:27:56
Kieran McGinley
ah Since then, we've had 4-3 defeat at Stamford Bridge, a 1-0 draw at Old Trafford, and then a 1-0 defeat towards the end of the season ah last time out.
00:27:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
I see.
00:28:07
Kieran McGinley
So we haven't won against Chelsea since 2023, but they haven't won at Old Trafford since 2013. one other things One of those things is probably going to end. i think it's probably going to be the latter.
00:28:18
Kieran McGinley
I think it's probably going to be three one Chelsea. I think. Seriously. I think it's going to be one of those. Well, I think it's line-up dependent.
00:28:32
Kieran McGinley
I'll be completely honest with you. But seeing what I saw against City... you know Yes, we're making chances, but we're vulnerable on on the counter. We're playing a high line, which I'm not against when you're 2-0 down and trying to go for a goal, but not even a sweeper.
00:28:48
Kieran McGinley
Ironically, Onana would have probably helped out in that second Haaland goal. Would he have made a tackle? I don't know. he might have fouled Haaland. I don't know. But it probably would have stopped at some point there.
00:29:00
Kieran McGinley
um And Altai is just not a sweeper. He's more of a... you know
00:29:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
He's not a keeper either. I don't know what he is.
00:29:06
Kieran McGinley
i was um i didn't want to go that I didn't want to cut that deep.
00:29:08
Global Sports Podcast Network
You were stopping yourself. yeah
00:29:09
Kieran McGinley
No, I wasn't actually.
00:29:10
Global Sports Podcast Network
You held yourself.
00:29:11
Kieran McGinley
No, you're putting words in my mouth now.
00:29:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, you did. You held yourself. Yeah.
00:29:14
Kieran McGinley
yeah ah Regardless, I think it's going to be a tough day. And I think that whole, oh, Chelsea haven't beaten us at Old Trafford since 2013. It's one of the records um that that goes that goes on Saturday.
00:29:29
Kieran McGinley
And I'm okay with it. I'm at peace with it.
00:29:32
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah. what What sort of stage of grief are we in that you're at peace with it? That can't be the final stage already, is it?
00:29:39
Kieran McGinley
No, no, because that's acceptance, isn't it? I
00:29:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
It sounds like you've absolutely accepted that you're quite content with it as well.
00:29:47
Kieran McGinley
i mean, you know, records are being broken, but all the wrong records. We've said that time and time again on this podcast. So, you know, what's one more?
00:29:53
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:29:55
Kieran McGinley
Add another one.
00:29:56
Global Sports Podcast Network
Exactly. That 8th place finish went 10 hags. Not looking too bad now. But um I think I'll go with the same deficit. I'm going to go for 2-0 Chelsea. um I can't see us doing much in this game, to be honest. um I think Palmer might run a bit of a riot.
00:30:14
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think, yeah, Job Hedder is an interesting one too because he is. that's That's exactly how I would have described him as well. It's kind of hot and cold, but I just think he's going to have a ah great time at the weekend. um
00:30:25
Kieran McGinley
And don't forget as well, if Estevão's fit.
00:30:29
Global Sports Podcast Network
yeah Yeah, But if Garnacho scores, we might have to take the podcast down.
00:30:36
Kieran McGinley
Yeah, we'll pack it up. We're done.
00:30:37
Global Sports Podcast Network
I think we'd have to pack it up. Like, the Rashford performance tonight, you know, that goal, that second goal was absolutely outrageous. If Garnacho ends up cutting inside from the left and swinging it in above Bying Deer into the top right corner and he and he goes into the Stratford end, like...
00:30:59
Global Sports Podcast Network
We may as well pack it up.
00:31:01
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:31:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
We may as well pack it up.
00:31:02
Kieran McGinley
That'd be the season finale, wouldn't it? At that point, it was like, well, we had a good run.
00:31:04
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah.
00:31:06
Kieran McGinley
We didn't quite reach 200 episodes, but...
00:31:12
Kieran McGinley
you know Resignation. would Would we get sacked or was it resignation? You decide.
00:31:19
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, it can't happen. Like, oh.
00:31:22
Kieran McGinley
It can.
00:31:23
Global Sports Podcast Network
It can't happen.
00:31:24
Kieran McGinley
It can. It absolutely can. What are you talking about? It's an ex-Man United Academy graduate or you know close to you know coming through the Academy as you can scoring against United. course it's going to happen. Happened in the League Cup.
00:31:40
Kieran McGinley
Oh, he was in the United Academy in 2013. Of course he was. He scored against Of course there's some Man you United link there. The script is written. Garnaccio's probably scoring.
00:31:52
Kieran McGinley
Be prepared. Just be prepared. It'll be soul-destroying, but that's why we're here, right?
00:32:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, yeah. I don't know. Maybe God gives us toughest ah challenges to strongest soldiers and this is what we're going to be. Sunday. Is it a Saturday or Sunday?
00:32:12
Global Sports Podcast Network
I'm just going to ruin the whole weekend.
00:32:12
Kieran McGinley
it's Saturday, half five, I think.
00:32:16
Kieran McGinley
It is, yeah. yeah Can't even watch Match of the Day that night because just...
00:32:21
Global Sports Podcast Network
And it'll be first up too.
00:32:22
Kieran McGinley
Oh, yeah. Look, we're always first on match today. It's fine. Don't worry about it.
00:32:28
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, win or lose, never ignored. But, yeah, we did.
00:32:30
Kieran McGinley
we so We sort of went off the rails there a bit, didn't we? But that's okay.
00:32:34
Global Sports Podcast Network
But you know what? Kind of in line with our team at the moment. So I would thought we'd keep it nice and natural.
00:32:39
Kieran McGinley
That's fair.
00:32:42
Global Sports Podcast Network
But anyway, yeah, that definitely is a possibility at the weekend um with Garnaccio. I can see him getting subbed on and just absolute... ah the ah the roar in the crowd, honestly. it'll be It will be good drama, but um if it ends with him with a goal, oh God, I don't know.
00:33:01
Kieran McGinley
And if it's the winning goal as well, that's just going to be even worse, isn't it?
00:33:01
Global Sports Podcast Network
Anyway...
00:33:05
Global Sports Podcast Network
Yeah, the winning goal. Yeah, exactly. But 3-1, 2-0, I mean, I think that has to be it has to be the first time we've we've both gone for a loss in a prediction.
00:33:16
Global Sports Podcast Network
it's I mean, it it's gone on way too long. It should have been way sooner, but I think we're always too proud to actually say, we're like, oh, do you know what? like we could We could nick a point.
00:33:26
Kieran McGinley
Yeah.
00:33:26
Global Sports Podcast Network
No, there's none of that now. there's There's absolutely none of that. We've seen enough. So yeah, predictions are in. Let's see what happens. Ciarán, thank you for joining me. And if you're interested in any of the clips that we have, you can find us on social media at GSPN Man United and get some debate going in the comments.
00:33:46
Global Sports Podcast Network
Thank you very much for listening and we will see you at old Trafford at the weekend.