smp20 Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 This is The One: Madchester's Back! Yes, another thread by me. This time I want to try something a bit different. I'm going to be managing Manchester United, but with a twist. I want to bring back the Manchester identity with the club and develop Manchester as a hub for footballing talent. I will be using the following rules: Every player in the squad must have been born within a 30 mile radium of Old Trafford - therefore the North-West - with the exclusion of Liverpool. Exception number 1: Northern Irish / Irish players with a long standing connection with the club from a young age (e.g. Jonny Evans) Exception number 2: Players born outside of the North-West but moved at a young age and have a long standing connection with the club (e.g. Angel Gomes) The first season is a transition season. As much as I'd love to sell everyone and use the rules from day 1, it will be impossible to move on the latest signings, or even sign all of my targets as they are new signings elsewhere. From the start of the 2nd season, all players must meet the criteria from 1, 2 or 3. I've gone with Becks as manager - the adopted Manc - who is ideal for this kind of challenge. I will be looking to get the class of '92 back together as backroom staff, but unfortunately Scholesy is not in the game as a coach Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Absolutely loathe the club. Absolutely love the approach. P.S.: I do like Becks, though, and somehow that avatar looks eerily like the real thing... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 7 hours ago, dllu said: Absolutely loathe the club. Absolutely love the approach. P.S.: I do like Becks, though, and somehow that avatar looks eerily like the real thing... Haha, I can't say that I'm a fan of Utd at all, but this way I'm going to make them likable for myself. Never managed them before so will be interesting. Yeah I'm happy with the facegen - much better than the normal blob you get! Cheers for following. First update imminent, it's been a busy transfer period! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 First Update: Complete Overhaul July/August 2017 I don't think I've ever been this busy in a transfer window! First of all lets take a look at the outgoings. Transfers Out I went all out trying to offload as many players as possible that didn't fit the criteria. This meant sales of top class players such as Bailly, Pogba and De Gea and where I couldn't sell players I offered out on loan. Missing from this is the sale of Luke Shaw to Brighton in August. We still have Rojo, Ibrahimovic, Sanchez, Lindelof and Matic on our books who I will look to move on in January. I've decided to go all out and not use them from the start, so if they haven't been sold they're in the reserves. Transfers In As expected we had to pay over the odds compared to normal prices I see certain players sold for, but I wanted to assemble by squad together as soon as possible and we had plenty of cash to splash with the amount of players leaving. In hindsight I've signed a few too many centre backs, let's see who stakes a claim in the squad. Staff Of course I had to bring in the Nevilles and Keane into the coaching setup, whilst McGuinness re-joins and we've thrown cash at the likes of Peters, Rui Costa and Speakman to get them to be our coaches. England's number 2 Steve Holland joins as my right-hand man as well. I accidentally forgot to sign any fitness coaches, so hopefully we are allowed to get a couple more in soon. Pre-season Odds After considerably weakening the side on paper in order to meet the criteria, we're now predicted to finish 6th, well off the pace odds wise compared to the other big guns. We're expected to get CL football which could prove difficult. Main Squad This is how our main squad looks at the moment, bar a couple of other youngsters brought up and a backup keeper. The only player who doesn't meet the criteria is Carrick, who will see out his last season at the club. Angel Gomes and Scott McTominay have both been with the club since the age of 6! I think it's a decent enough squad, though we do lack a bit of creativity. August Results As you can see Rashford and Welbeck have been providing the fire power. We've been very good on the counter, but our defence was torn apart by Leicester's Vardy & Mahrez. I've been tweaking as I go and we're hopefully less vulnerable to pace at the back now. Tactics This has been tweaked a lot already and it's even tweaked since the above screenshot to fluid instead of very fluid, but this is the gist of how I want to play. Solid defence, play it out from the back, short when we need to, but look to get it into space for our pacey front 3 to exploit. We've not got the technical ability in midfield to control games so we will look to pick teams off on the counter. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 22, 2018 Share Posted July 22, 2018 Brilliant... and bonkers! I'll definitely be following. To say that squad is bottom-heavy would be the grandest of understatements... I'll be looking for an innovative 7-2-1 formation! And let's not contemplate an injury to Welbeck or Heaton. Good luck!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 7 minutes ago, warlock said: Brilliant... and bonkers! I'll definitely be following. To say that squad is bottom-heavy would be the grandest of understatements... I'll be looking for an innovative 7-2-1 formation! And let's not contemplate an injury to Welbeck or Heaton. Good luck!!! Cheers @warlock - yeah I didn't really need to sign all those centre backs . Formation wise I'm as bottom heavy as I'd like to get, I've got my eye on Jay Rodriguez and Tom Ince as attacking options to sign in January. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 22, 2018 Author Share Posted July 22, 2018 September/October 2017 Update Going reasonably well, but not spectacular. I'm still tinkering a lot with tactics, currently going strikerless. Results League Table Latest Tactics Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
kidthekid Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 what a tactic Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 November/December 2017 Update A long unbeaten run, but despite this I still can't settle tactics wise . We're still a fair way behind our biggest rivals going into the new year, but I'm really happy with how this season has gone so far. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 3 minutes ago, smp20 said: We're still a fair way behind our biggest rivals going into the new year Looks like those draws are hurting you, although they seem to alternate with some decent wins so not sure if it's the lack of strikers or something else. Interesting that McTominay is getting on the scoresheet. Where are you playing him? He's a player I like a lot (have had him on loan in the Championship in a few saves) but he doesn't find the net very often. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hootieleece Posted July 23, 2018 Share Posted July 23, 2018 Interesting Formation...…..almost makes me want to try strikerless formations! I am a Wenger disciple 4-2-3-1 Wide on FM, but this might change my mind. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 5 hours ago, warlock said: Looks like those draws are hurting you, although they seem to alternate with some decent wins so not sure if it's the lack of strikers or something else. Interesting that McTominay is getting on the scoresheet. Where are you playing him? He's a player I like a lot (have had him on loan in the Championship in a few saves) but he doesn't find the net very often. Yeah a few too many draws against weaker sides, but I can't complain overall about results. McTominay has bagged 3 goals from the Mezzala role 3 hours ago, Hootieleece said: Interesting Formation...…..almost makes me want to try strikerless formations! I am a Wenger disciple 4-2-3-1 Wide on FM, but this might change my mind. My formation is ever-changing Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 January/February 2018 Update Transfers In Ince and Rodriguez come in to add other attacking options while Cleverley bolsters our midfield and Keane will be straight into our defence. McNair is pretty versatile so a good squad player to have. Transfers Out Sanchez, Matic and Lindelof off after a few months playing for the U23s...Chester & Blackett aren't good enough so have been shifted out on loan. Results Still decent, although PSG battered us. We played really well in the cup final and were unlucky not to win it. Table Wahay, we've leapfrogged Liverpool. We're coming for ya Pep! Tactics... I think you can call me tinkerman Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 Class of '18 A decent first intake with a 5* potebntial player and one who's ready to play u23s football at just 15! We've got a couple of foreigners in there who I won't be keeping. For the rest not born in Manchester/Salford, I will pretend they moved there as a young kid Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 I can imagine this being a big talking point among United and City fans IRL as well! Of course we've overpaid, but he's a player I want to build around. He's got the spark and creativity we're lacking. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 23, 2018 Author Share Posted July 23, 2018 March/April 2018 Update Title Race With 5 games to go it was City's to lose. Results/Fixtures Far too many draws and eventually a league loss, only our 3rd of the season, against Chelsea which put us out the race and Chelsea lost their next game meaning City were crowned champions. We're through to the FA Cup final against them!!! League Table We've secured our place in next season's Champions League, but we could finish 2nd, 3rd or 4th. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 Well that was gutting . Kudos to Rashford who bagged a brace whilst playing with an injection. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lenzar Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Ironic that you want players from Manchester when most United fans have no connection with the city. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 4 hours ago, Lenzar said: Ironic that you want players from Manchester when most United fans have no connection with the city. Maybe more local ones will be interested in us now . We are the Madchester brand. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Madchester, eh? Very much an 'Us and us only' approach to this save, I see. I'll look forward to you 'Tellin' Stories' as this goes on, but with you being United, I can't promise I won't celebrate if you choke on some 'Indian Rope' in your chase for success. 😎 Best of luck! 👊 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 League Table ~ Champions League Review ~ Facilities ~ Finances ~ Commercial Summary Runners up in the PL, FA Cup and League Cup - overall a great season really considering we're in transition and I've not had a clear tactical vision in mind. It would have been nice to pick up a trophy, but we will be more determined next season and with a creator like young Foden we could unravel defences and score more goals. PSG went on to beat City in the CL, so at least we went out to the eventual winners and City didn't win the treble! Check out that sponsorship money, over £200m! Insane, and we are rich because of it. Sorted by minutes played, Heaton and Evans were mainstay in our defence while our attacking trio of Rashford, Lingard and Welbeck were more or less ever present. I am to give youngsters more time next season, but Angel Gomes and Scott McTominay did make quite a few appearances. As it stands I've decided on the above for next season, no doubt it will be tweaked! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 11 minutes ago, withnail316 said: Madchester, eh? Very much an 'Us and us only' approach to this save, I see. I'll look forward to you 'Tellin' Stories' as this goes on, but with you being United, I can't promise I won't celebrate if you choke on some 'Indian Rope' in your chase for success. 😎 Best of luck! 👊 A Charlatans fan I see - cheers! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmileFaceGamer Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Wow... wow... will follow with inerest Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 7 minutes ago, SmileFaceGamer said: Wow... wow... will follow with inerest Cheers Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 Foden has arrived! He's got a lot of hype to live up to, very split fan base so lets hope he can perform from a young age and win them around. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
LUFCspeni Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 Really interesting save idea, but as a Leeds fan I hope you crash and burn Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 1 hour ago, LUFCspeni said: Really interesting save idea, but as a Leeds fan I hope you crash and burn How dare you! Leeds won the Championship so that old Lancashire - Yorkshire rivalry is being revived Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 Cheers Carrick - last of the non-locals to be allowed in the side. Time to be brutal and clear out the youth sides of their foreigners. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
withnail316 Posted July 24, 2018 Share Posted July 24, 2018 4 hours ago, smp20 said: A Charlatans fan I see - cheers! Everybody is a Charlatans fan, man. Some people just don't know it yet ✌ Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 96th minute winner vs City and Foden is MOTM on his debut...against his old club. Take that Pep! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 24, 2018 Author Share Posted July 24, 2018 4 hours ago, withnail316 said: Everybody is a Charlatans fan, man. Some people just don't know it yet ✌ Totally agree!!! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 I'm not happy that United won, but I'm thrilled that Guardiola lost. The day that man earns my respect is the day he achieves success with a club that doesn't have billions to throw his way.. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
SmileFaceGamer Posted July 25, 2018 Share Posted July 25, 2018 9 hours ago, dllu said: I'm not happy that United won, but I'm thrilled that Guardiola lost. The day that man earns my respect is the day he achieves success with a club that doesn't have billions to throw his way.. I respect him as a tactician. But that’s it. Lets see him try and manage in non league... anyone up for a petition to get Guardiola at a non specified non league team? Oh yeah there’s a thread going on as well. Nice one beating those sky blue frauds. And even more well done’s oN Foden, that guy is pure class Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 26, 2018 Author Share Posted July 26, 2018 I'm enjoying the dislike of Guardiola on this thread @dllu and @SmileFaceGamer If Guardiola were to get randomly assigned to a non-league side he'd fluke Billericay anyway! Yesterday I embarked on an fm session at the same time as a beers session. I wasn't happy with the amount of chances created using my 4-2-4 strikerless so I experimented with tactics. As the beers got flowing, so did the ridiculous ideas of what I should do tactically. Including this monstrosity: Needless to say that results were hit and miss, and of course i've zoomed way into the season without updating. I'm now at 1st March 2019 and I will update from there. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 26, 2018 Author Share Posted July 26, 2018 2018/19 Season Update Results Aug-Nov Results Dec-Feb Transfers In Transfers Out League Table Player Stats Youth Intake Hamilton 19A ~ Thompson 19B ~ Jackson 19C ~ Elam 19D ~ Brockway 19E ~ Kinlan 19F Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 I've seen some weird tactics over the years, but this thread is pushing the envelope . I'm curious why you're persisting with Butt as HoYD - he just isn't very good (although I'd grant you he's done OK this year). Does your Madchester requirement extend to staff as well, and is there really no-one better? Edit: Just checked in my save and a lot of the HoYD candidates don't have birthplaces in their biogs. But you can definitely do better than Butt! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
oneronaldo Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 1 hour ago, warlock said: I've seen some weird tactics over the years, but this thread is pushing the envelope . I'm curious why you're persisting with Butt as HoYD - he just isn't very good (although I'd grant you he's done OK this year). Does your Madchester requirement extend to staff as well, and is there really no-one better? Edit: Just checked in my save and a lot of the HoYD candidates don't have birthplaces in their biogs. But you can definitely do better than Butt! Judging by the golden generation he just delivered, I think Butt is doing fine for smp20 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 1 hour ago, oneronaldo said: Judging by the golden generation he just delivered, I think Butt is doing fine for smp20 Well, I've managed Man Utd more than any other team in FM18 (and FM17 come to that) and Butt sucks. He can have a good intake... anyone can have a good intake... but you have to got with the odds! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
wynter Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 Jackson born in Liverpool, they've implanted a spy! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 4 hours ago, warlock said: Well, I've managed Man Utd more than any other team in FM18 (and FM17 come to that) and Butt sucks. He can have a good intake... anyone can have a good intake... but you have to got with the odds! I agree, he does suck. But I did want a locally born HOYD and I couldn't bring myself to sack Butt. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 5 minutes ago, wynter said: Jackson born in Liverpool, they've implanted a spy! Good spot, almost let one through the filters. He will be released! Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 The one scouser with the sense to be interested in a proper club and you want to make a pariah of him?! As for Butt, he's a Professional, with good reputation, a sensible preferred formation and a random PA which mean's he could grow a lot. He's a pretty excellent HOYD, with the potential to be better. Only downside is below par Determination. Only reason I'd replace him is if a Professional with much higher Determination was available, or a model pro/citizen, but it's not anything I'd concern myself over. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 Ultimately a disappointing season, especially as on our watch Liverpool won the league for the first time in 30 years. We could have rescued the season by winning the Champions League, but instead we were pummeled 4-1 by a hard-working Valencia side. We started march using a wide 4-2-3-1 but switched to a narrow version after not scoring against Everton or City. We've played some nice football (particularly in the CL - 8-3 Leipzig, 3-0 Real, 2-0 Bayern) but drawn a few too many yet again. In terms of younger players breaking into the side it has been a good year for Angel Gomes, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and Axel Tuanzebe who have all featured regularly as starters. Phil Foden will be back for next season after being out for 7 months with damaged cruciates. Champions League Final March-June Results League Table Player Stats Tactics Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
dllu Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 5 hours ago, wynter said: Jackson born in Liverpool, they've implanted a spy! And ´Diamond´Scott Hamilton in London. Plus a couple of Welshmen... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 27, 2018 Author Share Posted July 27, 2018 2 hours ago, BoxToBox said: The one scouser with the sense to be interested in a proper club and you want to make a pariah of him?! As for Butt, he's a Professional, with good reputation, a sensible preferred formation and a random PA which mean's he could grow a lot. He's a pretty excellent HOYD, with the potential to be better. Only downside is below par Determination. Only reason I'd replace him is if a Professional with much higher Determination was available, or a model pro/citizen, but it's not anything I'd concern myself over. Ohh didn't know that he has random PA, hopefully its high. I'm sticking with him for now! I'm also not going to get rid of anyone from the intakes based on where they are born. For all we know they could have a story like Angel Gomes and have been with the club since age 6 Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 27, 2018 Share Posted July 27, 2018 2 hours ago, smp20 said: Ohh didn't know that he has random PA, hopefully its high. I'm sticking with him for now! I'm also not going to get rid of anyone from the intakes based on where they are born. For all we know they could have a story like Angel Gomes and have been with the club since age 6 Hell, Becks himself is a London boy, so he should understand that all too well. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 16 hours ago, BoxToBox said: Hell, Becks himself is a London boy, so he should understand that all too well. Good point, case closed Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
smp20 Posted July 28, 2018 Author Share Posted July 28, 2018 Season 3 - The Fall Of Brexit Brexit has happened, a soft one. But we had our own version of Brexit, getting rid of all our foreign staff and even selling Irishman Robbie Brady for £28m. From now on only UK nationality players and staff are allowed. I forgot to mention that this happened at the end of last season . Ancelotti is now their manager. Early Season Results What a start to the new season! 8-0 vs Spurs...insanity. We had 2 goals disallowed and hit the woodwork 5 times so it could easily have been double figures. Squad Evans is injured and dropped to the U23s, while Laird is brought into the first team in place of Danny Simpson. We're going for pace at the back and our tactic will show why: Tactic We're a high pressing machine, with a pacey back line needed to push up. I hope we can continue our fine form, some of the football has been outstanding. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
warlock Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 2 hours ago, smp20 said: I hope we can continue our fine form, some of the football has been outstanding. Impressive. Looks like you're getting some great performances out of the youngsters, too - Axel and CBJ, in particular. Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
BoxToBox Posted July 28, 2018 Share Posted July 28, 2018 Goodness, that must cause brutal overloads when you hit teams on the break... Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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