K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
I'm back playing Football Manager 15 now after a bit of a break. It'd be an understatement to say I've not really got into this years version of the game, although I think that's more me and not actually the game itself. Hopefully taking the reigns at my beloved Manchester United will spark that addicted save game feeling only football manager can truly deliver. I've taken charge at the Theatre of Dreams and have made things difficult for myself right from the word go as I've been as realistic as possible by giving myself no coaching qualifications and a Sunday league reputation.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Hancock_zpsdpgr5a35.png


The board at Old Trafford have entrusted me with a transfer budget of £60 million with the expectation that I secure Champions League football for the 2015-2016 season. Personally I don't believe I'll use any of that money before the transfer window slams shut on the 1st September as I'd like to potentially give younger players like James Wilson, Jesse Lingard, Tyler Blackett, Ben Pearson and Timothy Fosu-Mensah first team opportunities if the chance arises.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/August_zps9zozhqbh.png

My first competitive game in charge will be against fierce rivals Liverpool and I'm sure it'll be a baptism of fire at Anfield on the opening day of the Premier League season. I'm going to set a minimum target of six points for the month of August as I feel we should really be beating West Brom at Old Trafford and QPR at Loftus Road.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Falcao_zpsbkbysaca.png

The first big decision of my reign at Old Trafford could be seen as quite controversial. I've decided that not only will there be 0% chance of us making the Falcao loan deal a permanent one for more than £46 million, I'll also be terminating his loan deal before the Columbian star even plays a single minute of football for the Red Devils.

For me paying the Columbian a whooping £275,000 a week when he's likely to be third choice behind Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie just didn't make sense. Also throw in the fact we've got bright youngsters in James Wilson and Marcus Rashford on our books and you can see why I've decided to let Falcao return to AS Monaco.
bmg033
10 years ago
4 months ago
2,268
Good luck Mile Jed...sorry I mean K3VO!
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Good luck Mile Jed...sorry I mean K3VO!


That's the amazing Thomas Broich btw, not Mile Jedinak
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Things are far from rosy at Old Trafford on 1st November. In fact a narrow and nail biting win against Birmingham City in the Capital One Cup actually saved my job, although that may prove to be a short lived stay of execution as Manchester City visit us at Old Trafford and defeat would surely see the board relieve me of my duties. Things just haven't gone well, we've leaked goals, especially after taking leads and we've dropped points when we shouldn't have. We led against QPR, Newcastle, Stoke and Hull and in my opinion should be 11 points better off at this stage.

How I turn this around I don't know and I wouldn't be surprised if my next update is about my search for new employment. The only saving grace has been the outstanding performances from Angel Di Maria and Wayne Rooney, the pair creating and scoring basically all our goals. I need big performances from the pair against City.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Fixtures_zpsjtqdpx8b.png



The table below does truly paint a horrible picture. We've one of the worst defences in the Premier League and when you concede on average two goals a game that's going to make it very difficult to pick up maximum points. The only consolation is the fact Sunderland, who occupy the final Champions League place, are only seven points above us which isn't that much of a gap. If we could string together a good winning streak we'd close that gap quickly.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Table_zpshdakse61.png
Johno
17 years ago
1 week ago
2,643
Premium
Shocking start K3VO!
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Shocking start K3VO!


It's been pretty bad hasn't it?

Just fingers crossed we can deliver in the Manchester derby.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
A massive result in the Manchester derby sees the pressure on my shoulders temporarily lifted. It was a tight affair until we found the breakthrough, which was slightly fortunate. In the end though we had the game all wrapped up by half time and hopefully after this superb result we can kick on as we head into the busy festive period.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Utd4-1City_zpskss0blz3.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Match%20Stats_zpsiyr59x3d.png
Shedender
17 years ago
1 month ago
13,751
You aren't very good at this game, are you? Great win over City though.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
You aren't very good at this game, are you? Great win over City though.


Certainly been struggling with this version of the game lad
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
At the halfway mark of the Premier League season we're still in with a chance of qualifying for the Champions League. Personally I feel Chelsea, Tottenham and Arsenal will finish within the top four so it'll be between us, Manchester City, Liverpool and surprisingly QPR who continue to defy all the odds. I don't think Crystal Palace or Everton will have the legs to continue their fine form. We could be in a much better position currently, but we've had some disappointing days lately and we'll need to be more consistent in 2015 to secure a top four spot.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Table_zpspwo2fm00.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Fixtures_zpszfz2aobc.png


As you can see those draws against Aston Villa and Swansea at home weren't good at all and the shock loss at the hands of Leicester City set us back further. We've dropped seven points at home in fixtures that included two teams in the bottom three. Also we conceded in stoppage time against Swansea which adds salt to the wounds. If we'd done better in those games we'd be currently sitting level on points with Arsenal. Getting knocked out of the Capital One Cup at the hands of Nottingham Forest was a disaster, but in fairness they got us at the perfect time with Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie both out injured. We're struggling for goals and will be relying on James Wilson for most of January as Rooney is out with a torn hamstring until late February and van Persie will miss most of January.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Signings_zpsw1czepjm.png


It's January 1st which means the transfer window is again open and I've wasted no time in bringing in new recruits. One is very much for the future, one will create competition at the back and the other is a world class central midfielder that I feel we've been lacking. I've also made the tough decision that the Manchester United futures of Darren Fletcher, Michael Carrick, Tom Cleverley and Anderson are all over. They'll leave the club when their contracts expire during the summer so the addition of Gundogan was crucial to soften the blow of their departures.
Johno
17 years ago
1 week ago
2,643
Premium
Doing better overall Shame you not beating teams like Leicester/Swansea etc etc.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Doing better overall Shame you not beating teams like Leicester/Swansea etc etc.


Definitely better, but still not really good enough I think.

Should have beaten Villa, Leicester and Swansea at home and hopefully those games don't cost us!!
bmg033
10 years ago
4 months ago
2,268
Surprised to see QPR and Palace up there, no doubt they'll fall away so that would bump you up to at least 6th.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Surprised to see QPR and Palace up there, no doubt they'll fall away so that would bump you up to at least 6th.


That's what I was thinking, but to be honest I just want us to make sure we keep winning and do the job ourselves.

I don't want to be relying on others slipping up or falling away to make the top four.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
A very interesting turn of events at Old Trafford in January. To be fair I'd expected the board would wait until practically the end of the season before contract negotiations took place, but after stressing how important it was that the players knew they backed me they offered me a new three year deal that takes me through until June 2018.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/New%20Contract_zpsqkps2kfe.png


Unfortunately as you can see January wasn't the greatest month as we suffered for large parts of the month.

We let leads slip against Liverpool and QPR at home, whilst dismal displays against West Brom and Newcastle ensured I went into the final game of the month against Arsenal under severe pressure. A defeat, according to the media, would see me sacked, but thankfully we rose to the occasion and beat the Gunners.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Jan%20Fixtures_zpsdfqenbs6.png


http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Table_zpsmxjbgpko.png


As you can see it's still anyones guess as to who will finish in the final Champions League place. I can only hope Liverpool suffer some heavy defeats or simply start dropping points because they've a huge advantage with their 16+ goal difference. There's 42 points left on offer to all of us, excluding City of course who can pick up a remaining 45 points due to their game in hand. I have a feeling we're going to need a minimum of 60 points to secure fourth spot and that would be the absolute minimum. That means we must win 9 of our remaining 14 Premier League fixtures.
Tommo.
12 years ago
1 year ago
2,272
Bet they are regretting that new contract now :L Hopefully you can turn it around
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Bet they are regretting that new contract now :L Hopefully you can turn it around


Yeah I'd say a few eyebrows are beginning to raise as we continue to struggle. However I changed our formation and tactics for the Arsenal game and we absolutely dominated. Hopefully it's the start of something special and at least we're still within touching distance of that last Champions League spot.
Johno
17 years ago
1 week ago
2,643
Premium
K3VO to get sacked soon?
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
K3VO to get sacked soon?


I've so far survived two board confidence reviews, so I've probably used up my lives already.

Hopefully though that win over Arsenal will spur us on.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
"Football, bloody hell." Those were the now famous words of Sir Alex Ferguson following his sides remarkable comeback in the 1999 Champions League final and they fittingly apply here. A 12 game winning streak has propelled us to fourth place and an all important spot in next seasons Champions League. During that 12 game run we scored an incredible 38 times and conceded only 13 times. The standout performer during those victories has to be Robin van Persie who scored 11 of his 16 Premier League goals during that time, a truly remarkable run of form.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Fixtures_zpsziehep3d.png


The board expects us to challenge for the Premier League title next season and if we're to close that gap on Chelsea at the top we'll need to tighten things up in defence. Only six teams had worse defensive records during the course of the season and three of them were relegated, which in my opinion says an awful lot. In truth the magnificent performances from Robin van Persie, Wayne Rooney, Angel Di Maria, Adnan Januzaj, Jonny Evans and Chris Smalling from February onwards helped us achieve our minimum target of Champions League football.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Table_zpsiaxyrb9a.png


Chelsea completed the treble as they beat Arsenal in Champions League final and Capital One Cup final. The FA Cup was won by Manchester City as they beat Leeds United. Sunderland, West Brom and Burnley were relegated and will be replaced by Sky Bet Championship winners Watford, runners up Nottingham Forest and playoff winners Wolves.

I've decided there will be a considerable amount of first team players departing Old Trafford this summer. The likes of Antonio Valencia, Ashley Young, Javier Hernandez, Jesse Lingard, Tom Cleverley, Darren Fletcher and Marouane Fellaini will all be free to leave as I make room for new arrivals like promising young Belgian midfielder Dennis Praet and Spanish international Asier Illarramendi. The former joins us on a free transfer after his contract at Anderlecht expired and the latter left La Liga giants Real Madrid in a deal worth just £12 million.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Praet_zpsshwhwgwn.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Illarramendi_zpsbyljbrel.png


I've my eyes on one more signing, a world class individual, but whether we can do a deal or not I'm not sure, but I'm quietly confident. So I'll keep you guys posted in regards to that, hopefully, just didn't want to come out and say I'm going to sign this world class midfielder and then end up with cake all over my face looking like an absolute clown.
Tommo.
12 years ago
1 year ago
2,272
Great turn around there mate! Some big wins against teams close to you to. Good signings too I'm a fan of Praet
Johno
17 years ago
1 week ago
2,643
Premium
Good turn around Good signings for next season.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Great turn around there mate! Some big wins against teams close to you to. Good signings too I'm a fan of Praet


Good turn around Good signings for next season.


It truly was a remarkable run of form after the Arsenal game. To be fair we only had one really tough game away against City in that run, which we passed with flying colours, but still it's a very good run of form. I'm hoping we can start next season better so we can challenge for the Premier League title. Yeah I think Praet could become a top midfielder. I'm not sure he'll make the breakthrough here with Mata, Herrera, Illarramendi and Gundogan around.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
WELCOME KEVIN STROOTMAN

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Strootman_zpsyyrdiw2n.png

I did say in my previous post that I was chasing a world class midfielder and I've finally landed him.

We've invested a big chunk of money in Dutch international Kevin Strootman, an initial fee of £39 million, but the deal could eventually cost us almost £47 million if certain clauses are activated during the midfielders time at Old Trafford.

Strootman, 25, has signed a five year deal on £170,000 a week and will no doubt be a key player as we push for Premier League and Champions League glory going forward. We succeeded in landing the Dutch international despite offers from Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich and PSG which is really pleasing and I'm delighted he's chosen to spend what should be his best years at Manchester United. Alongside Ilkay Gundogan and Asier Illarramendi he should strive and I honestly feel like we've got arguably the best midfield in the Premier League now.
Johno
17 years ago
1 week ago
2,643
Premium
Wow, a good signing But alot of wage for him
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Wow, a good signing But alot of wage for him


He's a world class midfielder and other teams were after him so I had to make sure we'd land him.

I think we're probably paying him about £20,000 more a week then probably necessary.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Halfway through the 2015-2016 Premier League season and we've done reasonably well, especially at home, but once again we've leaked way to many goals compared to other sides in and around the top of the league. Heavy defeats against Crystal Palace and Southampton have set us back in recent weeks and we should have beaten Nottingham Forest at Old Trafford by a few. Personally I think winning the league is out of reach, but finishing second is certainly possible. We finished top of our Champions League group despite getting off to a sluggish start against FC Kobenhavn in Denmark and we'll face Juventus in the next round with the first leg being played in Italy.

In the Capital One Cup we've a mouth watering semi final against rivals Manchester City and should we beat them we'll either face QPR or Wigan in the final. Our FA Cup journey will begin against struggling Sky Bet Championship side Peterborough United at London Road in a game we should be winning comfortably.

There's been some January departures as well which has seen the club raise an additional £35 million. That means I'll have £51 million at my disposal during this January transfer window and I do intend to use it.

Surprisingly Nani wanted away, he'd achieved everything he could at the club so we sold him to Roma in a deal worth £9.25 million and Anders Lindegaard joined Everton for a small fee of £1.5 million. The biggest deal was for Eder Alvarez Balanta who joined PSG in a deal worth £25 million after just one season at Old Trafford. The Columbian, whilst he's got potential, has struggled to settle and we made a healthy £19 million profit from his sale.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/EPL19_zpskxda4ylz.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/UCLGROUPB_zpsenf9z9ts.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Fixtures_zps1dn5g1my.png
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
The January transfer window has shut and as I said I would be using the money I had available to strengthen the squad. I was thinking of bringing in another defender, probably someone who could play right back and left back, but then my chief scout Jim Lawlor brought to my attention that Mario Gotze hadn't signed a new contract and his deal was expiring in June 2017. So a £44 million bid was accepted by Bayern Munich and the man who scored Germany's winner in the 2014 FIFA World Cup final is now a Manchester United player until at least June 2020.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Transfers_zpsvveydxe9.png


There was one more departure from Old Trafford and unfortunately it was Ander Herrera to make way really for Gotze. With hot prospects Nick Powell and Dennis Praet at the club along with Kevin Strootman, Ilkay Gundogan and Asier Illarramendi the former Athletic Bilbao and Zaragoza man wasn't going to get a lot of opportunities in the first team. In the end he's joined Serie A side Sampdoria for £12 million after less then two seasons at Old Trafford.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Well we've absolutely no chance of winning the Premier League with the season drawing to a conclusion. We've conceded to many goals again and to be honest it's against teams we shouldn't be conceding heavily.

I'm not sure if it's just a bit of bad luck or if my tactics against those sides are a little bit to aggressive in terms of attacking and underestimating their threat. We crashed out of the Capital One Cup losing 2-1 on aggregate to Manchester City who went on to thrash Wigan Athletic in the final. We didn't have much luck in the Champions League either against Juventus as we went down 3-1 in Italy before forcing penalties at Old Trafford.

Unfortunately David De Gea smashed the crossbar and Juventus won 10-9, the Spanish international the only person to miss a spot kick. I feel a sense of bitterness about the result as we looked truly in control until Marcos Rojo got himself sent off for two bookable offences and I think in the end we didn't have the legs to win in extra time.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/EPL30_zpsfbew1ulx.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Fixtures_zps1q98neym.png


The target for the rest of the season is to finish within the top four and qualify for next seasons Champions League. We'll face either Everton or Swansea in the FA Cup Semi Final and I'm really confident we can book our place in the showpiece event on May 14 at Wembley. We've never lost a game to Everton or Swansea under my management.

There was bad news for Robin van Persie when we played Hull in February, the Dutch striker rupturing his anterior cruciate ligament which will rule him out for 8 to 10 months. Upon his return he'll be 33 and with James Wilson now developing well, he's scored 15 times in 26 appearances in all competitions, the Dutch international could find it difficult to break back into the first team. I'll have a big decision to make as his contract expires in June 2017 and unless he's willing to accept a significant decrease in his wages it could be the end for him at Old Trafford.
K3V0
15 years ago
1 year ago
5,966
Some poor results during the middle of the season and towards the end of the season has cost us a place in the Champions League for next season. Thankfully we've reached the FA Cup final and I'd say should we win it that'll be a saving grace and keep me employed despite this setback. We'll face Arsenal at Wembley. We actually picked up a point more this season, but everyone else did better and we've some work to do. In fairness we did lose Robin van Persie in February and then in March we lost Mario Gotze for the season after he broke his leg against Everton.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/Fixtures_zpsn6tg5c75.png

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/EPL2016_zpsrhykujnp.png


Every cloud has its silver lining though and James Wilson has taken his chance with both hands. The 20 year old scored 11 goals in 21 Premier League games and scored an impressive 21 times in 36 games in all competitions, a fantastic return for a player of his age who is only beginning to get regular first team football at this level.

http://i1176.photobucket.com/albums/x328/caoimhin89/Theatre%20of%20Dreams/JamesWilson_zpseou7ryke.png


He recently signed a new deal until 2020 worth £25,000 a week, but to be fair come December we'll probably be offering him a new deal with a larger wage that reflects his importance. I'm hoping that Wilson will be a part of the England squad that'll travel to the European Championships during the summer to cap off a stellar year.

Two big issues heading into the summer will be the futures of Argentine internationals Marcos Rojo and Angel Di Maria. The pair have both expressed their desire to leave in search of Champions League football and it's a delicate situation. I could probably get away with allowing Rojo to leave for about £20 million. In regards to Di Maria the fans love him, he creates and scores goals so allowing him to leave would be a gamble and also replacing him would be difficult. Unless we could replace him with say Gareth Bale then I don't feel like letting him go is even an option.

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