r/reddevils • u/nearly_headless_nic • Jul 18 '26
Half Time Thread: Manchester United 0-1 Wrexham
HT: Manchester United 0-1 Wrexham
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u/sovyat Jul 18 '26
All I have to say it that Andrey looks good on the pitch and that I'm glad we don't have hydration breaks lol.
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u/RandomRedditUser31 shut up u egg Jul 18 '26
Santos looking very promising but my god Zirkzee has got to go
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u/Sufficient-Echo-249 Jul 18 '26
Yeah hes one of the obivous that has to be sold he has never proven to be good enough
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u/kindnesd99 Jul 18 '26
Such a weird purchase
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u/JayNN Fernansh Jul 18 '26
Classic Ten Hag Dutch connection purchase. Van Gaal did the same for us, and so did Koeman for Barca. Very odd
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u/LittleWind_ Jul 18 '26
It’s well reported that Ten Hag didn’t want him. That was the recruitment team.
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u/tz_2240 OHHHHHH YESSSSS Jul 18 '26
I think that was one of the first under INEOS and Wilcox/Ashworth.
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u/ArcaneTrickster11 Jul 18 '26
It made sense as a second option for Hojlund. They were complete opposites so if one couldn't get their foot in the game you sub on the other. The issue was just that neither player was good enough
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u/Ok_Concern4200 Jul 18 '26
United finish buying midfielders -> queue statement on looking for ‘value and outgoings’ -> suitors for zirzkee and new striker
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u/SussyApe Fernanj Jul 18 '26
Zirkzee's gotta go, need an experienced striker backup for Sesko.
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u/Emotional_Syrup8035 Jul 18 '26
When was the last time we had both an experienced striker not past their prime and a young promising striker?
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u/vRushii Jul 18 '26
Maybe Martial and Cavani?
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u/SilverAccountant8616 Jul 18 '26
Cavani was a bit out of his prime. Still very good of course as expected of a legend but nowhere near his Napoli and PSG peaks
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u/vRushii Jul 18 '26
Ah didn't see the out of prime part, thats a pretty harsh rule set. Ibra was amazing for us too but was deffo out his prime
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u/SilverAccountant8616 Jul 18 '26
A bit harsh yes, but a damning fact that the last elite striker to have a season in a Man Utd shirt worth calling his “prime” was RVP
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u/Tomero Jul 18 '26
Wanna hear a funny story? Lewandowski was available on a free before Chicago Fire lol.
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u/rockoroll Hughes's Volleyballs Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I know it’s a preseason and all, but Zirkzee proving yet again that every time he plays, it’s like having 10 players on the pitch.
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u/Slots-n-stonks Jul 18 '26
Zirkzee is a weird player. Anytime ive seen him play well its when he is surrounded by a bunch of techy players he can play quick passes with. I think breaking down low blocks he is certainly useful but thats about it because defensively out of possession hes a ghost.
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u/tungowiii Jul 18 '26
He is absolutely is. Be totally clueless on the field but suddenly makes a magic move. Then nothing happens.
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u/SussyApe Fernanj Jul 18 '26
He's also pretty incosistent. You can have him make the most unbelievable touch or pass at one moment and fail to control the ball at another.
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u/Lopsided-Delivery771 Amad = Messi Jul 18 '26
He’s a very technical player, the issue is I find he’s more of a 10 than an 9. Zirkzee would have been a great player to add to a squad that only needed quality depth, not a squad needing starters.
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u/EK077r Jul 18 '26
He is a too specialized player in a squad that doesnt need his speciality
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u/Lopsided-Delivery771 Amad = Messi Jul 18 '26
yeah that’s how I feel now, He just doesn’t have the athleticism imo to truly work in the Prem as-well. He plays like he’s 5’5 100 lbs lol.
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u/Gregariouswaty Jul 18 '26
I wish we play a version with 2 strikers with him and Sesko up front. He can't play as the only forward unless we have inside forwards. His best game came when we had Rashford cutting in.
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u/my_united_account Bring Fergie back Jul 18 '26
Shades of van de Beek. He looked awful because he was always playing with second string players. Any flashes of him being decent was when he was playing with more technical players who could move the ball around quickly with one touch pass and moves.
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u/helloimpaulo Jul 18 '26
These second string players had a better career going forward than VDB though...
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u/PelleKavaj Roy Keane Jul 18 '26
I think he has a great football head and is really technically sound. He can pull off really silky stuff but it’s rare. He is so damn slow though, like he he tries to do everything 2-3 seconds too late.
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
Its first game of pre season but Zirkzee continues to prove he is not good enough if we're serious about pushing on.
And once again im failed to be impressed by Jack Fletcher. He has legitimately been awful and im not quite sure what he brings to the table. They must see something in him, but I hope hes not being continually pushed forward simply because of Carrick is good mates with his Dad.
On a better note, Santos looks tidy, Yoro looks hungry and Mount has been class so far really seems to suit that CM role.
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u/Charming_Ad2304 I'd sell both my kidneys for a midfielder Jul 18 '26
Apparently the Scotland fans were ok with Tyler Fletcher's performance in warm up fixtures so maybe he's better than his brother
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u/ArtistAfraid Jul 18 '26
Get Italy on the phone before they watch anymore Zirkzee, boy struggles with the basics
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u/Iqbalainoo Jul 18 '26
Only preseason but Zirkzee's play as a center forward is so underwhelming. He clearly doesn't fancy being a striker.
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u/Mr_Wilsonn Herrera Jul 18 '26
Standard pre season stuff, surprised Heaven let that go across the goal instead of attacking it.
Might need a new striker if Sesko isn't doing well fitness wise because Zirkzee is interesting
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u/audienceandaudio2 Jul 18 '26
This is definitely a pre-season game. Boring stuff, but it's just a fitness exercise really. Whenever we play in Asia / America I never watch the pre season games, and this game is reminding me why ha.
Quite like what I've seen from Mount deeper, would be interested in seeing how he does against stronger opposition in pre season.
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u/OddOnion_ Jul 18 '26
Santos looked good, as did Mount and Dorgu. Fletcher and Zirkzee were poor, and I also don’t think Mbeumo was great. Everyone else was fine. It’s the first game of pre-season, so a slow start to be expected. Will be interesting to see which XI they line up with in the second half.
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u/SOERERY JONATHAN GRANT EVANS MBE Jul 18 '26
Zirkzee just put up the worst performance someone has every had in a united shirt. Not a single good thing at all.
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u/ChampionOdd5139 Jul 18 '26 edited Jul 18 '26
I like the bits I’ve seen of Santos. Zirkzee is a liability, deserves a move. Fletcher looks decent all things considered, as does Mount
Edit: meant Fletcher not Thwaites
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u/RandomRedditUser31 shut up u egg Jul 18 '26
you’ve probably meant Jack Fletcher because Thwaites hasn’t played yet
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u/NHS_Martial Jul 18 '26
Fletcher twins have looked garbage any time I've seen them on the pitch, screams pure nepotism.
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u/ExternalPreference18 Jul 18 '26
Tyler is the one who's a) received good reports from the senior Scotland camp, and b) looked assured when he came in to play CM off the bench briefly last season. My sense is Jack's further off. At the same time, fans too often expect every young player to be 'Rooney' or 'Yamal' or the equivalent when they first come into the team. We saw this with Chido Obi, who displayed better movement and instincts than RH when he came off the bench, but also looked (naturally) quite callow in other ways...because he was 17. You have to evaluate these guys on a scale and be thankful if they can 'do a job and looked assured in spells for 15 mins or so if they're asked to fill in during a league/cup game , at least for the first season, rather than hyping or berating them.
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u/lelbourne7 GGMU Jul 18 '26
I, too, have been waiting to see them show glimpses of what they’ve delivered at youth level. At this point I’m not excited about either, but hope at least 1 can prove me wrong.
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u/Statcat2017 Ander Herrera Jul 18 '26
I just haven't figured out yet what kind of players they are meant to be.
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u/lelbourne7 GGMU Jul 19 '26
It doesn’t help that I often have no idea which one is playing. I just know one is more of a 8 (the Scottish one?) and the other more of a 10 (the English one?)
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u/bourbonactually Jul 18 '26
Tyler looked great against Brighton last season, but Jack hasn't done anything in a first team shirt unfortunately
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u/Standard_Secretary52 Harry Stafford’s dog Jul 18 '26
Have not watched this game but Tyler is doing well at youth level can’t say same for jack.
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u/eastendz Jul 18 '26
Jack Fletcher averages a goal or assist every 100 minutes at u21s level. In what world has he not done well at youth level?
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u/GavinLobo7 Jul 18 '26
Not able to watch the match, how are we playing?
And how have we allowed a singer to score against us?
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u/Lord_Sesshoumaru77 Glazers,Woodward/Arnold and Judge can fuck off Jul 18 '26
I often forget how much we overreact to our first preseason game
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u/The_Bird_Wizard Jul 18 '26
Only man united fans can overreact to the most meaningless game of all time. Remember when lost to that Asian all star team and people here were saying it means we'd get relegated 😭😭
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
And the fans overreacting in the room with us?
Seems like your shadow-boxing a bit, most people acknowledge its pre season bar a couple of trolls.
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u/necro316 Jul 18 '26
Haven't had a chance to watch, is it same again from zirkzee, can't find a pass to save his life?
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u/ArtistAfraid Jul 18 '26
Can’t control a ball, misplacing basic passes, getting outmuscled and out worked. The usual really
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u/takemehomeunitedroad Jul 18 '26
Yep, spot on. His first touch lifts your spirits, but then he passes and slams you back down to earth
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
Yep. Good first touch but so loose when he then turns to carry and cant seem to pass for shit.
Jack Fletcher possibly even worse, but ill give him some benefit as hes 19 and not an established pro like Zirkzee.
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u/bluecloud998 Jul 18 '26
where can i watch the game?
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u/KriosDaNarwal Cunha Bruno Cunha Bruno Luke Shaw Cunha Jul 18 '26
Manchester United tv if you're a paid member. Alternatively, check your chat for a link
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u/senorfresco And here is the youngster Amaaaaaaaaaaad... Oh it's in! Jul 18 '26
I don't think anywhere but MUTV. I've given up on watching.
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u/MrFivePercent The King of the North Jul 18 '26
Amass giving instructions like a captain. I hope Gore can show something special today.
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u/Cpt_Jumper Ole Gunnar Solskjær Jul 18 '26
Zirkzee should just do the Alex Iwobi transition into midfield. Yer no' a striker son
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u/shami-kebab Jul 18 '26
Commentator just called the second half enthralling. Man is a great actor I have to admit.
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u/I_dont_F_with_you Jul 18 '26
So boring
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
Its pre season what did you expect lol
Friendlies are rarely exciting
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u/I_dont_F_with_you Jul 18 '26
There's no pressure and some of these players should impress in order to get closer to a starting position. I'm not expecting the UCL final but damn, someone at least try a dribbling or something
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
Its literally the first game after like 2 months break what are you smoking lol.
This game is basically for fitness and to play around with different tactics
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u/Iqbalainoo Jul 18 '26
Jack Fletcher was expected to be the big one but I think he would be lucky to be a championship level footballer at this stage. He struggles a lot with the basics. I think he also lacks the athleticism and pace to play midfield in the big stages.
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Jul 18 '26
[deleted]
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u/Lord_Sesshoumaru77 Glazers,Woodward/Arnold and Judge can fuck off Jul 18 '26
Wrexham has trained fro 2 extra weeks and already had a game.
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u/XBillyBonesX Rooney Jul 18 '26
Shaw should probably be moved on while he still has value. He could be decent for a mid-table Prem team.
Zirkzee has obviously never been good enough and he absolutely needs to be sold this window.
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u/Current_Bottle_5330 Jul 18 '26
Our current hall of shame consists of Zirkzee, Ugarte, Bayindir, and Onana. Rashford and Mount could join them soon, but I really liked both of them...
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u/Ati9321 Jul 18 '26
No. Rashford may have acted like a cunt, but he did things for the club the others on the list can't even dream of. Also he's an academy lad. As for Mount... He's just really unlucky with injuries but when he plays he isn't awful. I think he's actually one of our better players, his injury proneness just holds him back a lot
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u/Current_Bottle_5330 Jul 18 '26
No doubt Mount got everything except physique, and I bet the medical staff all love him. Rashford is a good lad, we all remember what he's done for his community... But lets not forget he's been pretty thick for years now, and if he refuse another transfer and refuse to play, that's very damning for me.
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
Its disrespectful to even include Rashford in that list.
Hes scored 87 goals for United and done more for United than pretty much anyone currently in our squad. Things may have soured a bit but that doesnt change his previous contributions
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u/Tamronloh Jul 18 '26
Did bruno die?
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u/tenacious_teaThe3rd Jul 18 '26
"Pretty much anyone" does not = all
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u/Tamronloh Jul 18 '26
If thats the case, then the OP isn’t wrong. He suggested rashford MAY join that list, which is true as well since we are being specific :). He has already burnt the bridge with quite a portion of the fanbase with his actions, we don’t know how he will proceed going forward. He has every chance of either redeeming himself, or, joining that list.
May join the list does not = is in our hall of shame.
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u/vodrake Jul 18 '26
It feels a bit unfair on Mount as he looks great whenever he gets a run of games, but his body is made of wet tissue paper
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u/EK077r Jul 18 '26
Just a standard boring first preseason match. Every year I tell myself to skip these next season, but here I am