27 Jun 2016 14:00:32
Not quite so much on here, but in lots of other places I've seen people moaning that Mane is costing more than Mkhitaryan despite being "miles behind" him as a player.

I would just like to know how people can quantify Micky as being miles better? He completely flopped under Klopp when he was asked to do a bit of defensive work for the team. So much so that he fell out with him. Mane is so committed to winning he would do it without even being asked. His aggressive desire to get the ball back is Kuyt/ Suarez esque.

Then people bust out the stats argument. I know I've used stats in the past, but only ever alongside a subjective view or analysis. Mkhitaryan statistically is on another level. What the stats fail to reference though is that Mane had more defensive duties than Micky, Mane played with Long and Pelle instead of Reus and Aubameyang, Mane played in the Premier league for an over achieving mid table team whilst Micky played for one of the best teams in a different league, and Mane also got moved about a lot to do a job for the team whereas Micky was consistently played on the right.

So yeah, Mkhitaryan is on paper a better player and probably does have a better end product to his game right now. But football isn't played on paper and Micky doesn't like Klopp, and doesn't like working hard for his team. As soon as you ask him to help out off the ball he sulks, and doesn't have the energy left to affect the game in possession. So he was never going to be suitable for our style.

I'm in no way suggesting Mane is a better player. But he is definitely the better player for us. When you try and press as a unit, having even just one player who isn't completely behind the managers tactics will make the whole thing fall apart. That is why Klopp likes Lallana more than Ibe, and Origi more than Benteke. Lallana and Origi despite having less ability than Ibe and Benteke, are 100% behind Klopps philosophy of pressing hard from the front. There was even hints towards the back end of last season that Klopp prefers Origi to Sturridge due to the fact he offers more to us when the opposition have the ball.

Stop comparing our business with that of other clubs. All I care about is that Klopp gets what he deems are the right players, that suit his tactical approach. He has a proven track record in management and building a team which makes his opinion much better than anyone's on this site. By all means, give your opinion on the player (that's what these pages are for after all), but until Klopp gives us a reason to doubt his transfer business we should at least back his signings until they let us down consistently, even if we don't 100% trust Klopp in the market. One failed loan deal in a difficult January window isn't enough for me to lose all faith in a manager. If he does a Brendan and let's us down with 20 transfers in 4 years, then yes let's start to question him. Blind support is just as bad as blind criticism. And for the love of god, stop comparing transfer fees and players signed between us and other clubs. Aguero cost less than Martial. I didn't see the United fans crying when he was signed though despite scoring just a hand full of goals in an average Ligue 1.

I'm just so sick of people looking for negatives in every thing to do with the club. The Eds will get sick of us abusing people eventually and just stop giving us their inside info. It's already clear that Ed002 in particular is disgusted by the vitriol that gets posted, let alone the nasty stuff that doesn't even get through the filters and editing.

1.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 14:11:51
Spot on, Adam.

2.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 14:13:45
Great read and I absolutely agree with you!

3.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 14:37:15
Good post Mk.

4.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 14:40:33
very good post! focus on us and not look on others and who others sign. we have some very good players in studge, cou, firmino, clyne, matip, can now we need some pace and hardwork down the line. Mane should be very good buy and will improve our first eleven. We need solid left-back and good creative midfielder. Our start of the season is crucial.

5.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 14:49:18
Spot on Mk.
Mkhitaryan is a luxury signing, Mane is a winger who works hard and gives us width which the team desperately needs.
Mkhitaryan is no doubt a brilliant player, but he did not get on with Klopp and his work rate remains questionable for the system Klopp has deployed at LFC so far. Like u said, the price is totally irrelevant.

6.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 15:28:17
Agree with MK.
Let's just trust in Klopps decisions and get behind our new players.
Mkhitaryan is not proven in the Prem. Mane is.
I always get the impression Mkhitaryan is not mentally strong and his head drops if things aren't going well. Don't think he likes a hard tackle either.

Welcome Mane. YNWA.

7.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 15:46:25
Some just can't stop complaining. Didn't something similar happened last year comparing Martial to Firmino's signing? Who would you pick now of the 2?

8.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 15:47:25
Agree with this 100%. Forget the money aspect we have strengthened an area we were poor in last season which is the wings. Adding to this a keeper and CB which we also needed that's been done. With Grujic and Chilwell also we will have added two younger players who are clearly talented to areas we need. To top it off with Dahoud or another central player and to keep our players like Can, Coutinho, Firmino, Sturridge and Origi all fit and firing we are already stronger.

9.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 16:11:21
I was waiting for your input on it MK. Fair play and I shadow what you said buddy.

10.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 16:15:45
MK. Maybe Ed one also.
With what you said about Mickey MK. How do you see him working out at a Mourinho team where he will have very specific defensive duties to do. I personally don't see him being the luxury player we know he can be.

{Ed001's Note - it would depend on him, and how he responds to what Jose wants, if he joins them.}

11.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 16:20:42
I just read somewhere that Mkhitaryan will be on 190k a week wages. That is just ridiculous imo, and probably twice or even thrice of what Mane will make at LFC. Put things into perspective and the total cost of both transfers will eventually even out. It all comes down to which player has more impact at their respective club.

12.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 16:33:17
Interesting read. Well put MK.

13.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 16:33:48
Nice put mate.

14.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 16:33:59
Nicely put mate.

15.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 18:05:40
Fantastic post!

16.) 27 Jun 2016
27 Jun 2016 20:02:30
I think Micky will be good under Jose. In his last full season at Chelsea when they won the league, he had 9 really hard working players with Hazard and Fabregas in particular having less running requirement off the ball, far less defensive duties, and more freedom to just roam and express themselves. I expect Mourinho will let Mkhitaryan be one of those players in his man united team with the likes of Rooney, Rojo and Schneiderlin etc putting in the mileage. Mata is another player who is stifled if you make him run about to much so he may be the Fabregas of the team.

I do genuinely believe Micky will be a success. He's a good player. But he was not right for us and his wages are just extortionate. There is no point pretending United will be a bad side though. They won't.