It's not his transfer or struggles adapting I was talking about so much. The report I read included a view by a Dortmund-based journo who suggested that Miki needed an arm around his shoulder more than other players, though the journo did admit that this was most often when he was injured. Still it's all shameless speculation, really and your BIB is the truly relevant bit.

Can't wait if and when Miki gets to grips with everything, as he just might be able to add that extra bit of creativity that we lack at times penetrating through the middle. I know that he'd probably play off the right but I could imagine him and Mata being our creative sparks linking up, if we can get the balance of things right were not too far off from where we wanna be just a few tweaks here and there. Let's beat Burnley and keep it moving

Talk about bringing random people into this, at least when I was talking about Kagawa earlier it was for a purpose, what has Di Maria got to do with this?

Miki is here, is committed to the club, and just wants to play, we have lots of players pushing for game time in the sort of roles where he might be able to play for us, so it is just a waiting game for him at the moment very sadly.
They cannot all play, so someone, or some people will have to be the unlucky one(s) each match day.

I think he will get his chance, as José is still in the process of figuring out his best side, and apart from Schweinsteiger, and the dead man that is Jones, he has given a chance to quite a fair few of the squad so far.

Miki is far too talented a player to just not be given his fair share of chances, so if we are still talking as we are here at the end of January, then that is the time to be really concerned about his situation.

According to the Daily Star, Darmian has agreed to join Inter Milan.

Thoughts on this?

Probably for the best if true, as he hasn't had much opportunities here, and with Valencia the first choice right back, if he wants more chances to play, and Inter have said so, then it might be for the best if he does leave.

Yeah. I nearly died of shock when Mourinho brought him on during the game a few days ago.

We were discussing the possibility that Mkhitaryan is a bit fragile, needs help to 'settle', and is unhappy. Not dissimilar to the Di Maria situation, with the exception that Mkhitaryan wanted to come, and Di Maria apparently didn't.

Kagawa happened to come from the same club. That's the only similarity. There was no 'purpose'.

But, hey. You just wade right in to a conversation between two other people to demand an explanation. And then wonder why nobody posts anymore.

Unless we have a replacement right back then this isnt a smart move. Yes Valencia is the first choice but after that who is there? Might be the sign that Fosu-Mensah will be the 2nd pick in this position but lacks a lot of experience.

De Gea, Darmian, Rojo, Blind, Shaw, Herrera, Pogba, Lingard, Mata, Rashford, Ibrahimovic

Subs: Romero, Carrick, Fellaini, Schneiderlin, Young, Memphis, Rooney

No Mkhitaryan in the squad!!

Valencia picked up what seemed to be a wrist injury on Wednesday, unless he picked up another injury as well since a bit of a shock not seeing him in the squad. More a shock than Miki to be honest.

Mata is captain today

That's an interesting call, I would have him at least a couple of players further down the pecking order in that team, but heck what do we know? I'd have had Blind or De Gea ahead of him for captain. Let's see how he does though.

Copied from @ManUtd_Fact


ManUtd's domestic record this season when Juan Mata has started: WWWWDW Goals: 12 Conceded: 3

47: Only Wayne Rooney (58) has been involved in more goals for Man Utd than Juan Mata (29 goals, 18 assists) since his debut.

Shame no Miki once again, but hopefully we have enough to get the win, and to my very up one position in the league, as no matter what, that is the best that we can hope for today.

I wasn't trying to suggest he isn't a good player, it's well known that I think he gets lost in too many games and doesn't contribute as often as he should. However, I've never had him down as captain material, the two I mentioned seem more captain material for me.

Yeah I know what you were meaning just saw it and thought I'd share it, been confirmed Valencia has an arm fracture and will have surgery today.

Valencia never has any luck with injuries does he? Not saying he's injury prone, but just as he starts to make a position his own and doing well he picks a knock up. I think he did this in the challenge where he got a booking as well. This opens the door for Darmian, he and Shaw did well together at the start of last season lets see if they can find that form again, if not it's curtains for his United career as TFM may find himself in the first team till Valencia returns.

No recognised defensive cover on the bench today defo need a new CB and RB unless any of the youngsters are going to get a chance.

wrong thread sorry!

We don't need to sign any more defenders, we have got a fair few youngsters that are on the cusp as it is.

Spot-on quote, proved by Valencia's injury today. Darmain has gone backwards since his bright start but he's still the only recognised cover we have.

Off-topic: Arsenal are beginning to annoy me.

Well that was a nothing first half after Wednesday. We've looked toothless, far more concerns about our forwards than our defense to be honest. Heaton having a good game for them, nice header from Lingard. I think Ibra wants a break, trying to get himself booked with two stupid fouls in quick succession.

Ibrahimovich should be given a break, whether he wants one or not. I would rather persevere with Rashford through the middle, than using him as little more than an out-ball. Ibrahimovich barely moves unless the ball is at his feet in the penalty area. He isn't giving enough.

He's still out clear as our top scorer though; Zlatan 6, Rashford 4, Mata & Pogba 3 each. Never had a good feeling about this match though, Burnley can sometimes thwart the top PL teams, even those who are currently getting better results than us. Stoke may be a one off but Stoke *and* Burnley would put a different complexion on it. We need to win today and I care not how.

Just ain't happening for us, not through lack of trying mind.