Adam Joseph – No Question About That

Paul Pogba: the Premier League’s best central midfielder

January 12, 2017 by Adam Joseph

There’s a lot that can be bought with £89 million. That’s how much it took to free the world’s most talented young midfielder from Juventus this past summer. In some quarters it bought Manchester United an over-rated, over-dabbing, hair- changing vine merchant. The truth is very different of course. Performances increasingly show that United now boasts the best midfielder in the Premier League. Not only that, he might be on another level altogether than his rivals.

Schneiderlin’s failure a tale of ill timing and bad planning

December 30, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Memphis Depay, Morgan Schneiderlin, Premier League, Southampton

Sometimes it’s just not meant to be. Despite the best intentions the relationship just doesn’t work, the pieces just don’t fit, there’s a square peg in a round hole. It’s an apt description for Morgan Schneiderlin’s time at Manchester United, which is coming to a low-key end as he metaphorically slips out the back door – a transfer away from Old Trafford is likely this winter.

He’s Juan of United’s best, but it Matas little in José’s grand plan

December 19, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Juan Mata

Juan Mata’s recent years in the Premier League have been an enigma. While successful, the Spaniard has often appeared to be a square peg in a round hole. Somehow, and with great credit, the Spaniard has made his time at Manchester United work. The player’s style is unrecognisable from his time at Chelsea and Valencia, with his defensive workrate significantly improved, making Mata both more useful, and more modern.

United Rant Presents: The Paul Pogba Vine Theory

November 30, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Paul Pogba, Premier League

Social media is an amazing tool for sports. Twitter allows for instant reactions, enabling fanbases of all clubs to unite, or clash, in one giant community. Increasingly, video is proving a critical part of the interaction: Twitter video and Vine, which was popular until its demise. But the impact of video clips has undoubtedly had an impact on the football bubble. Not always in a positive way.

Loyalty be damned: Zlatan is up for the chop

November 1, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Management, for better or worse, is about making tough decisions. There is a line between loyalty to a player, friend, or employee and what is best for the club. Players, for all of their ephemeral worth, are never more important than the club itself. Whatever is best for the club must prevail. In this spirit, despite José Mourinho’s long-standing relationship with Zlatan Ibrahimović, it may be time for the Portuguese coach to make another big decision.

Idrissa Gueye the perfect man to partner Pogba?

October 21, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

Idrissa Gueye, Transfers

N’Golo Kante and Paul Pogba were two of the star midfielders that dominated the transfer talk during the summer as records tumbled and serious cash was spent. Manchester United broke new ground with four shiny new acquisitions, including lavishing a world record sum on Pogba. Sometimes, though, clubs do not get what they need most. United might just have missed out on a bargain amid all the spending.

Anthony Martial geared up for United renaissance

October 10, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

Anthony Martial, José Mourinho

Fans think of footballers as solely that, heroes with a ball, rarely considered beyond the pitch. Despite players’ outrageous wages, they all lead lives outside of their football. They have wives, girlfriends (boyfriends), mistresses, children, friends, pressures and stress: the same as everybody else. Much of it holds little interest for supporters. For players, including Anthony Martial, real life can get in the way.

You are the weakest link: Mourinho must not be ruled by the squad’s flaws

September 26, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Tactics, Transfers

As the saying goes you’re only as strong as your weakest link. It certainly applies in football. For all a team’s strengths, opponents will target and exploit any weakness. World’s best attack? There’s little point if the midfield can’t deliver the ball or the defence can’t keep opponents from scoring. This is the difficulty of team building, as José Mourinho is discovering.

Despite midweek struggles, Rashford’s time may have come

September 18, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Marcus Rashford

Patience is a virtue, they say. Not simply waiting, but the ability to maintain a positive attitude throughout. This can be tough for footballers. Sitting on the bench watching your teammates play is no mean feat for men made of equal parts ego and talent. Top players believe in the very best of their abilities, and it is hard for them to take being told to “take a seat.”

United vs City – a comparison from top to bottom

September 12, 2016 by Adam Joseph

Articles

José Mourinho, Manchester City, Pep Guardiola, Premier League

Derby week is done, with round one taken by United’s noisy neighbours as the world’s gaze focused on Manchester for the season’s most anticipated match. Manchester City won a tough battle 2-1, with an electric opening period enough to secure Pep Guardiola victory at Old Trafford.

adam-joseph

Paul Pogba: the Premier League’s best central midfielder

Schneiderlin’s failure a tale of ill timing and bad planning

He’s Juan of United’s best, but it Matas little in José’s grand plan

United Rant Presents: The Paul Pogba Vine Theory

Loyalty be damned: Zlatan is up for the chop

Idrissa Gueye the perfect man to partner Pogba?

Anthony Martial geared up for United renaissance

You are the weakest link: Mourinho must not be ruled by the squad’s flaws

Despite midweek struggles, Rashford’s time may have come

United vs City – a comparison from top to bottom