The Light Knight
@waitingfordalot.bsky.social
e.g. Artist, dog-lover, and avid reader.
How does Carlos Baleba compare to Man United's current midfield options?
He's a slightly more technical Ugarte.
He's better at everything than Mainoo.
He's an actual midfielder unlike Bruno.
He can still run unlike Casemiro.
Is he a £100m+ upgrade on each one? No, but he would be the best of the 5.
He's a slightly more technical Ugarte.
He's better at everything than Mainoo.
He's an actual midfielder unlike Bruno.
He can still run unlike Casemiro.
Is he a £100m+ upgrade on each one? No, but he would be the best of the 5.
August 15, 2025 at 11:13 AM
How does Carlos Baleba compare to Man United's current midfield options?
He's a slightly more technical Ugarte.
He's better at everything than Mainoo.
He's an actual midfielder unlike Bruno.
He can still run unlike Casemiro.
Is he a £100m+ upgrade on each one? No, but he would be the best of the 5.
He's a slightly more technical Ugarte.
He's better at everything than Mainoo.
He's an actual midfielder unlike Bruno.
He can still run unlike Casemiro.
Is he a £100m+ upgrade on each one? No, but he would be the best of the 5.
I'm not going to be upset at all if Mbeumo does follow Frank to Spurs, since we already have a left footed right winger who plays well in Amorim's system and is 3 years younger. Sure Amad can play wingback too, but a good wingback wouldn't cost as much as Mbeumo.
June 13, 2025 at 12:05 PM
I'm not going to be upset at all if Mbeumo does follow Frank to Spurs, since we already have a left footed right winger who plays well in Amorim's system and is 3 years younger. Sure Amad can play wingback too, but a good wingback wouldn't cost as much as Mbeumo.
Decided to look at the ages of a couple random squads after hearing them mentioned over the weekend.
Chelsea qualified for the CL with the youngest squad, not using any player over the age of 27.
Conte may leave Napoli having won the title, maybe doesn't want to rebuild a squad with no u-23 players.
Chelsea qualified for the CL with the youngest squad, not using any player over the age of 27.
Conte may leave Napoli having won the title, maybe doesn't want to rebuild a squad with no u-23 players.
May 27, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Decided to look at the ages of a couple random squads after hearing them mentioned over the weekend.
Chelsea qualified for the CL with the youngest squad, not using any player over the age of 27.
Conte may leave Napoli having won the title, maybe doesn't want to rebuild a squad with no u-23 players.
Chelsea qualified for the CL with the youngest squad, not using any player over the age of 27.
Conte may leave Napoli having won the title, maybe doesn't want to rebuild a squad with no u-23 players.
While this thread from months ago is pretty on the money overall, it really was using Mount over Ugarte that has me very worried about Amorim. It's like he has zero understanding of why Casemiro improved in the quarter and semi finals versus earlier in the season.
honestly he’s done appallingly hasn’t he? Has been completely committed to a system that suits none of his players. Tonight I didn’t understand the use of Mount at all, and he wasted so much of the game - getting to 70mins without subs was almost unbelievable.
May 22, 2025 at 9:33 AM
While this thread from months ago is pretty on the money overall, it really was using Mount over Ugarte that has me very worried about Amorim. It's like he has zero understanding of why Casemiro improved in the quarter and semi finals versus earlier in the season.
Not really minded to do a full breakdown of "Lads, it's Spurs" but here's the underlying numbers vs United in the PL.
They create far better chances than United - how will that be affected by missing their 2 most creative midfielders?
Both sides give up huge chances, but United concede fewer shots.
They create far better chances than United - how will that be affected by missing their 2 most creative midfielders?
Both sides give up huge chances, but United concede fewer shots.
May 21, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Not really minded to do a full breakdown of "Lads, it's Spurs" but here's the underlying numbers vs United in the PL.
They create far better chances than United - how will that be affected by missing their 2 most creative midfielders?
Both sides give up huge chances, but United concede fewer shots.
They create far better chances than United - how will that be affected by missing their 2 most creative midfielders?
Both sides give up huge chances, but United concede fewer shots.
It’s taken until the semi finals, but Man United are finally underdogs in the Europa League. Athletic Bilbao are 4th place in La Liga (5th best in expected goal difference). They boast a good attack, but their success is based on a suffocating defence, with the fewest shots allowed in Spain.
May 1, 2025 at 4:00 PM
It’s taken until the semi finals, but Man United are finally underdogs in the Europa League. Athletic Bilbao are 4th place in La Liga (5th best in expected goal difference). They boast a good attack, but their success is based on a suffocating defence, with the fewest shots allowed in Spain.
Are United way better than Lyon on paper? Yes, by pretty much every metric in the Europa League this season, especially when counting Lyon's softer schedule.
Should Onana say United are way better than Lyon on paper and draw focus on himself and his team's ability to crash and burn? Probably not😶
Should Onana say United are way better than Lyon on paper and draw focus on himself and his team's ability to crash and burn? Probably not😶
April 10, 2025 at 12:07 PM
Are United way better than Lyon on paper? Yes, by pretty much every metric in the Europa League this season, especially when counting Lyon's softer schedule.
Should Onana say United are way better than Lyon on paper and draw focus on himself and his team's ability to crash and burn? Probably not😶
Should Onana say United are way better than Lyon on paper and draw focus on himself and his team's ability to crash and burn? Probably not😶
Sticking to a recent theme, Lyon, United’s Europa League QF opponents, are 5th in Ligue 1 and the 7th best team by expected goals, with a good attack undercut by their defence. They have improved under new coach Paulo Fonseca with 8 wins from 10 so do have a CL race to distract them, unlike United.
April 8, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Sticking to a recent theme, Lyon, United’s Europa League QF opponents, are 5th in Ligue 1 and the 7th best team by expected goals, with a good attack undercut by their defence. They have improved under new coach Paulo Fonseca with 8 wins from 10 so do have a CL race to distract them, unlike United.
Sounds like Chelsea have their right wing of the future sorted with a couple of 17 year olds*
Quenda's Champions League numbers aren't spectacular but ain't bad for a kid starting 8 CL matches
Estevao's numbers in Brazil are spectacular for any age - top 5% for shooting, dribbling, and creativity!
Quenda's Champions League numbers aren't spectacular but ain't bad for a kid starting 8 CL matches
Estevao's numbers in Brazil are spectacular for any age - top 5% for shooting, dribbling, and creativity!
March 14, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Sounds like Chelsea have their right wing of the future sorted with a couple of 17 year olds*
Quenda's Champions League numbers aren't spectacular but ain't bad for a kid starting 8 CL matches
Estevao's numbers in Brazil are spectacular for any age - top 5% for shooting, dribbling, and creativity!
Quenda's Champions League numbers aren't spectacular but ain't bad for a kid starting 8 CL matches
Estevao's numbers in Brazil are spectacular for any age - top 5% for shooting, dribbling, and creativity!
Small addendum to last week, just looking at the Europa League group stage numbers of United and Sociedad. United went undefeated with the best expected goal difference, while Sociedad had one of the top 3 defences. Sociedad faced a slightly softer schedule but were unable to skip the playoff rounds
March 6, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Small addendum to last week, just looking at the Europa League group stage numbers of United and Sociedad. United went undefeated with the best expected goal difference, while Sociedad had one of the top 3 defences. Sociedad faced a slightly softer schedule but were unable to skip the playoff rounds
Decided to have a look Real Sociedad, United's next opponents in the Europa League, who are 9th in La Liga this season with a goal difference of 0. They have combined a below average attack with a great defence, leading to just 23 goals scored and conceded in 25 matches.
2 legged snorefest incoming?
2 legged snorefest incoming?
February 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Decided to have a look Real Sociedad, United's next opponents in the Europa League, who are 9th in La Liga this season with a goal difference of 0. They have combined a below average attack with a great defence, leading to just 23 goals scored and conceded in 25 matches.
2 legged snorefest incoming?
2 legged snorefest incoming?
@goalscorerc.bsky.social No Dara O'Shea for Ipswich after 2000 minutes this season?
February 25, 2025 at 1:26 PM
@goalscorerc.bsky.social No Dara O'Shea for Ipswich after 2000 minutes this season?
Kinda forgot I had an account over here, so here's a look at 2 United keepers, past and present and it's a bit surprising.
Onana, despite a few high profile mistakes, has had a better season saving shots and in more challenging circumstances, while De Gea has shown much better long range passing
Onana, despite a few high profile mistakes, has had a better season saving shots and in more challenging circumstances, while De Gea has shown much better long range passing
February 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Kinda forgot I had an account over here, so here's a look at 2 United keepers, past and present and it's a bit surprising.
Onana, despite a few high profile mistakes, has had a better season saving shots and in more challenging circumstances, while De Gea has shown much better long range passing
Onana, despite a few high profile mistakes, has had a better season saving shots and in more challenging circumstances, while De Gea has shown much better long range passing
Decided to switch from club football to international this time and look at how Republic of Ireland players are getting on this season. 50 Irish players have appeared in the PL or Championship and 20 have played at least half the minutes available, so here are their radars with some brief thoughts.
December 3, 2024 at 2:11 PM
Decided to switch from club football to international this time and look at how Republic of Ireland players are getting on this season. 50 Irish players have appeared in the PL or Championship and 20 have played at least half the minutes available, so here are their radars with some brief thoughts.
No followers to think about so can post all the knockoff stats radars I want, so here's how Man United have gone from disappointing last year to... also disappointing in these first 11 PL matches. It's a good time to compare with Amorim's appointment being the likely end of 4231 (NB sample sizes)
November 21, 2024 at 4:19 PM
No followers to think about so can post all the knockoff stats radars I want, so here's how Man United have gone from disappointing last year to... also disappointing in these first 11 PL matches. It's a good time to compare with Amorim's appointment being the likely end of 4231 (NB sample sizes)