Anybody out there?
It’s a ghost town just outside my bedroom window; I’m beginning to forget what it’s like to ride on a train, and I have absolutely no idea what day of the week it is!
All that aside, it felt about time to drop another edition of United Uncut, so here we are…
Yes, the footballing world is still at a stand-still (unless you’re lucky enough to live in Belarus, of course), but that doesn’t mean we don’t have things to talk about, right?
NEW HOME KIT?
Well, here’s a weird one for you; it appears our new home kit for the 2020/21 season may have been accidentally leaked online… by Barcelona!
Barca were supposedly simulating a match on footy game PES 2020 over the weekend, with the thumbnail on their YouTube channel showing Pogba alongside Messi.
Strangely, it seems Pogba was wearing the 2020/21 strip on the game, which apparently features a white collar and white trim on the arms, rather than the current kit.
Eagle-eyed fans were quick to notice that it mirrors a design that had already surfaced on Footy Headlines, with the kit featuring an unusual ‘bus seat cushion-esque’ pattern of yellow and black stripes on the front, in a nod ode to the 1992 home kit used by Adidas.
Personally, I’m not too sure on it, although part of that could simply be because I really love the one we have currently for this season.
What do you think?
WE ALL DREAM OF PLAYING ALONGSIDE SCHOLESY
I’ll be the first to admit that I’m probably not what you’d call an ‘elite’ striker.
In fact, my first touch would make Lukaku look like peak Diego Maradona, while my finishing is fairly reminiscent to Jozy Altidore’s efforts in the 2013/14 season.
But I reckon even I would find some joy in front of goal if I had Paul Scholes pulling the strings for me in midfield.
In the recent Manchester United Podcast, Rashford admitted “it would have been a dream” to play alongside the Ginger Prince at Old Trafford.
Rashy broke into United’s first-team in 2016 – some three years after Scholes hung up his boots – and had to make do with the likes of Rooney and Carrick laying on for him instead (not too bad, really).
“The biggest thing for me is the range of passing. Probably the closest thing to that was when Wazza was playing a bit deeper and it was just so enjoyable to play as a No.9 in those games when he was playing in that position,” said Rashford.
“Similar with Carras as well, as soon as they get the ball they look forward and want to play forward, not only to feet but in behind a lot of the time. As a forward, that’s all you want. As long as someone is seeing the passes and trying to make them.”
Can you imagine Rashford, on current form, with Scholes playing just behind him? Now that’s the stuff of dreams, my friends.
ROOM FOR ONE MORE?
The signing of Bruno Fernandes in January really gave our midfield a considerable boost, with the Portuguese playmaker settling into the team almost instantly.
A healthy haul of goals and assists followed, as well as a Player of the Month award, and I reckon he’s already one of the best players in the Prem.
Add the fit-again McTominay to the mix, along with the second-coming of Matic and the tireless Fred and we’ve suddenly got ourselves a pretty decent midfield. But what about Pogba?
Regular readers will remember me saying that, during some of the better moments of the last few months, Pogba’s absence from the team has scarcely been noticed – such has been the club’s upsurge in form since the arrival of Bruno.
Rumour has it Pogba will be on his way out of the club in the summer, although I’m hearing other rumours in the same vein that claim he’s keen to stick around.
Who knows what will happen, but it’s interesting to consider a United midfield with both Pogba AND Bruno pulling the strings. Now that’s something to hold onto during these troubled times, isn’t it?
Maguire was full of praise for Bruno when he spoke to Sky Sports during the week, saying: “He’s just given us that little bit more life and creativity in the middle, something United fans have said we’ve missed over the years.
“We’ve got Paul to come back as well, who I’m sure will probably make him lift his game even more.
“We have a lot of competition in that centre midfield now, they know they have to be on their game to keep their spot, so I’m sure we’ll see the benefit.”
BE RUUD NOT TO…
Do you remember the days when you’d get into arguments with your mates over who was better; Van Nistelrooy or Henry? Back when United versus Arsenal was the game of the season, and the rivalry was huge.
Scholesy was looking back at the time he played alongside Ruud as a No.10, and how the Dutchman would obsess over outscoring Henry.
He told the UTD Podcast: “I played No.10 with Ruud van Nistelrooy for a season and I loved it. He’s just a ruthless, ruthless goalscorer. He just lived for scoring goals.
“Whenever he did score or didn’t score, the first thing he would do when we got on the team bus after the game was see if Thierry Henry scored.
“If Henry had scored he wouldn’t talk to anybody for the full trip home because he was so engrossed in being the leading goalscorer, not just at United but in the league, in the world, everywhere.”
Sure, RVN only finished as the Prem’s top scorer once, but to Scholes, he remains the best finisher he’s ever played with, adding: “I loved the way he finished. Look, I played with some unbelievable centre-forwards.
“You are thinking Cole, Yorke, Sheringham, Solskjaer. There are loads. Van Persie I played with as well.
“There are some unbelievable goalscorers. But to me, Ruud was the best, he was the best finisher.”
You know what, I’m inclined to believe him.
