Ramifications of Rags finishing outside top 4

[Plain Speaking]

If they manage to overtake Spurs and Everton for 5th place, we could expect a lot of sabre rattling on the FFP front. Threats in the media, that we may be kicked out of CL for non compliance. They have a numbers of ex and current directors in high places.

United's best chance of getting in CL will probably be winning it, like Chelsea did with a poor team. With us playing Barca, and Arsenal playing Bayern, 2 of the top teams will certainly go out. Depending how the draw goes they could be very lucky?

How many people thought Chelsea's team would beat Barca over 2 legs and Bayern at home? In a cup competition it's not always the best team that wins.

[strike]I'm sorry, but[/strike]there is no way whatsoever that Scum have any chance of winning CL this year. None!
yes, Chelsea shocked the world and won it a few years back, but that was down to a very good defense. Can you really see Wio, Vidic, Smalling, et.al. to hold their own against us, PSG, Bayern, Real, Barcelona?
They might make it past Olympiakos, but they won't make it further than that.

Edit: I'm obviously not sorry.

I was just saying I think it is their best chance of getting in CL. They are 11 points behind Liverpool!
I agree it's extremely unlikely! However I don't think there is "zero chance".
If they beat Olympiakos they would have to beat 2 teams over 2 legs, that could be the likes of Milan and PSG?
If they reached the final they would have to beat a real top team, (eg. Real/Barca/Bayern or us?). They are low on confidence and Moyes is apparently making matters worse!
It would be perfect for me if they went out to Olympiakos!

[Slim]

I don't think they can make it past Olympiakos.

[zuricity]

I don't think they can make it past Olympiakos.

Beat me to it.

[Bridge'srightfoot]

I think a lot depends on whether they change manager or not. Although Taggart certainly got them overperforming, Moyes has them underperforming. Their squad imo is still good enough to challenge for top 4 and they are far short of that.

They have Mata, Rooney and RVP. On paper that's a front 3 as good as anyones. For some reason this season Rooney and RVP look like they don't want to know each other. In the game against Fulham, RVP passed to Shrek twice.
Mata is not being utilised properly.

The worry is that they will get even a half decent manager and he'll make that front 3 click. Also they have Januzaj coming through and whilst I can't stand the diving cheating little runt, he has a lot of potential, although whether that develops is another matter.

I even think they could get away with their current defence as no body knows how to defend this season. What they really need are two central midfielders. Two box to box, powerful, driving midfielders. Even one will drastically improve them. Who do they have in midfield now? I guess Carrick is okay but they've partnered him with an ancient Giggs, Phil Jones and Fletcher. None are good enough for a top 4 side never mind a title challenging side. Out wide they're suffering too and that was always their strong point. Valencia has taken a dramatic decrease in form these last two seasons whilst Nani and Young have been crap for ages.

If they get rid of Moyes, hire someone decent and give him some money they'll be fine if not they'll hang around the 6th place mark for years to come.

[zuricity]

Perhaps it's just me , but i just don't get this constant crapping on about the rags.

Bf left them in a mess. Moyes is never going to do anything there. It's not Moyes, he's just the current caretaker

The squad is crap, they are going nowhere.

Who in their right minds would build a team around Jones, Smalling,Wellbeck etc.

[SkyBlueSteve]

I dont think the sponsors would ever let Man U go without money to spend, that club is like a cash cow to anyone involved in massive markets all around the world. I wouldnt be surprised if they get a massive sponsorship deal that allows them to not care about the losses of not getting CL football, pass FFP rules and not be out of European football for too long. As for Moyes i have no idea, they seem to be clinging to this pride they have in not sacking people but i'm not sure how far he will be able to stretch that before they sack him.

[Beefymcfc]

I dont think the sponsors would ever let Man U go without money to spend, that club is like a cash cow to anyone involved in massive markets all around the world. I wouldnt be surprised if they get a massive sponsorship deal that allows them to not care about the losses of not getting CL football, pass FFP rules and not be out of European football for too long. As for Moyes i have no idea, they seem to be clinging to this pride they have in not sacking people but i'm not sure how far he will be able to stretch that before they sack him.

I'm sure I read that they've just got a huge increase on the Nike deal, something around the 70 mil mark. Businesses don't invest that kind of money knowing that it's going down the drain, they use it in this scenario as a loss leader. Throw the dodgy Chevy deal in, who have just pulled their models out of Europe, combined with the extra income from the PL, then you just know that all os rosey on the commercial front. The issue is, 'How much is it going to cost to put things right?' as I think they need at least 3 top quality players to start forcing it.

Gill said a year or so back that alls they needed to do was challenge and that's what they expected this season. What they expected and what has happened is probably a complete shock to them and without that challenge (exec speak for top 4) they could have real problems in the long run.

[Tim777]

Countless cleansing ceremonies for rags wanting to defect to City.
Besides the financial implications, if they keep Moyes on indefinitely because they're "not in the business of firing managers", I would imagine much more than a truckload of rags finding their new-found status as a mid-table outfit, not competing in Europe, unappealing. Alternatives such as Arse, Scouse and Chelsea wouldn't be an option for many, too much bad blood there.

"So, which team do you support?"
"Me? Er, Manchester."
"Manchester...?"
"Manchester bzz."
"Sorry mate, I didn't quite catch that."
"Manchester czzz."
"Manchester United?"
"Hell to the no, the other one, cztz."
"City? Ok, good for you, cheers mate :)"

Shortly afterwards our very own Breks will vehemently break out in a thread sequel, Glory Hunters Part II - That'll be there day!

[nottsblue]

Constant piss taking for starters. Lets us not kid ourselves. The rags wont suffer a huge deal financially with a year, or even 2 or 3 out of Champs league. Yes, revenues will be lower but they will still generate huge amounts from the 659 million fans.

Do think they will struggle to sign top notch players but reckon they would struggle with that anyway. You only have to look at last summers transfer window. They will sign good players, just not the best.

Moyes will be gone by Xmas if not in top 4 by December and we can only hope his replacement is equally as bad. Jose anyone?

[Chopper]

Constant piss taking for starters. Lets us not kid ourselves. The rags wont suffer a huge deal financially with a year, or even 2 or 3 out of Champs league. Yes, revenues will be lower but they will still generate huge amounts from the 659 million fans.

Do think they will struggle to sign top notch players but reckon they would struggle with that anyway. You only have to look at last summers transfer window. They will sign good players, just not the best.

Moyes will be gone by Xmas if not in top 4 by December and we can only hope his replacement is equally as bad. Jose anyone?

Hopefully giggsy wiggsy in the interim

[Saul Goodman]

I think it's awesome that new football fans who just started watching this season only know United as shite. Hah

[nottsblue]

Hopefully giggsy wiggsy in the interim

Is that Giggs as manager with Shrek sssisting him. What a dream team

[Chopper]

Hopefully giggsy wiggsy in the interim

Is that Giggs as manager with Shrek sssisting him. What a dream team

Would prefer Giggs and Ince. Development is key.

[RodneyRodney]

Hopefully giggsy wiggsy in the interim

Is that Giggs as manager with Shrek sssisting him. What a dream team

Would prefer Giggs and Ince. Development is key.

Sam, and / or Keane

[bayblue]

Loved the article in the guardian today by Barny Ronay (made up name???)

Compared Moyes tactical approach to a man turning up at a light sabre battle wielding a baguette !!!