nani

We're not the only ones concerned about goalkeepers, right ? I couldn't agree more, we are terribly in need of a goalkeeper as Foster and Kuszczak really don't seem to be coming along. Fergie looks keen on Foster though, so we'll see in the long run. He could be a good goalkeeper but he often has these gruesome dips in concentration.

How is this lad showing up ? I was impressed by him during Serbia U21's encounter with Italy at the youth European championships in the summer. He skinned players half his size with impressive pace. Linked with United afterwards but to no avail.. What do you guys make of him ? Has he been good with the Reserves lately ?

I live in France and seldom observed so much self-insurance among Lyon fans. They haven't beaten an English team at home for over 40 years, tonight is a conducive windfall. However one shouldn't under-estimate Benitez's class in the CL.

Spot on, he operated far too curtly. However the likes of Arshavin, Rosicky and Eduardo can prove experienced fulcrums in the next couple of seasons, and bring the younger lads to the fore. All will depend on their physical form throughout the season, as Arsenal must be the most injury-prone team in the PL (Clichy injured again yesterday).

Cheers loz, indeed the gist is that posters who feel up for it provide their ratings of the United players and their performance straight after the Chelsea game on Sunday. I'll ask some of our own posters to judge your players too. Also, as you have quite a few insightful posters, if any of you feel like writing something on our team that is biased without being insulting, feel free to write it here, and we can publish your thoughts on our blog.. Diversity is the key. good luck for sunday!

I actually think Wenger is the most spoilt manager in terms of midfield choices when his team is injury-free; Rosicky, and ultimately Nasri's return can virtually allow him to play any midfield formation to decent avail. Whether he will do it or not is indeed questionable; the reason why I quoted Arsenal was mainly to underscore their team's youth, and the fact their players will improve in the next years. If we stopped the transfer flow for every big 4 club for the next two years, I can definitely say Arsenal would clinch the title at the end of next season. As for United, I completely share your views that we still need to make up for Ronaldo's departure; however I feel we are already going through a period of transition at the moment (our players getting used to playing a more orthodox 4-4-2 as opposed to the convoluted 4-5-1 in CR7's days) and this transition will shortly come to an end with the likes of Valencia and Berbatov (at last) settling in well.

One of Aguero's biggest assets as a forward is his versatility; although it's nice to make his abilities up so as he only fits your tactics, he would probably prove as good playing up front on the same line as his co-forward, which in our instance could be Rooney. If anything, that's how he's playing at the moment with Atletico, Forlan hardly being a target man in Drogba's mould.

Let me ask you back - why is that, that Drogba and Ballack finally display their very best abilities ? In my opinion, it is entirely down to Ancelotti's tactics, and his innovations in midfield that also bear upon the attack. Chelsea is currently enjoying the relative advantage implemented by Ancelotti's strengthened central midfield, however every tactic has its flaws, and what is currently making you so strong also bears the germ that will hinder you next season, when the other teams get used to your play and, so to say, find you out. For instance the obvious lack of width in the midfield. In parallel to that, your defence is definitely on the wane, although Ivanovic has come to the fore in the past months. I think Terry, Carvalho will be worse and worse as time goes by. That's why if you aren't able to innovate in next summer's transfer window by bringing in fresh blood, I doubt you'll compete with the likes of United or Arsenal who, in spite of all that is said, have blended youth with experience in their first team and will doubtless improve in the next couple of seasons.

thanks for listening, all the best

other than Jamie Carragher of course

in related news, I think John Obi Mikel is the most over rated player in the big 4...

although the former would have been ace at United

I'm not too fond of Drogba and Ballack..

Chelsea's players I like include Lampard, Deco, Cech and Ivanovic..

I started supporting United in 1999, after the magnificent turnaround against Bayern..

I live in Paris, France... nice place all round

if you don't mind, I need 15 posts to be able to send a PM to loz, thus I'll spam this thread instead of flooding the other sections

cracking youngster, the best in Italy alongside Balotelli and Hamsik. I think he'll still spend a couple of season at Fiorentina though.

there's a possibility Pato leaves AC Milan as they are still in a dire financial situation; indeed Aguero seems more likely to move at the end of the season though

Drogba evidently. Alex had a good game too.

Beautiful brace yesterday; I think he'd suit Man United more though!

I think you have a decent enough squad to cope with a transfer-less January and keep up your good form; however if the ban isn't lifted by the summer you can already say goodbye to next season's silverware.

I'm a young Man United fan, shocked by the inclusion of 5 Chelsea players in the FIFA World player of the year list, but still in awe of Ancelotti's tactical work at the helm of Chelsea in the past few months. I'm looking for some of your fans to take part in the Red Cafe blog in the next few days, and more importantly monitor the progress of the Blues who are in my opinion set for the title this season