#taproot fc

You want tactics United fans? Get Højlund the ball, that’s the bulk of what we need to do. 😂 We don’t even have to put it on a platter for him; that’s why I wanted him. Carragher was asking the other day what his trick is…he doesn’t have one, that’s why he so dangerous. You don’t know when he’ll shoot or how he’ll shoot, but you probably aren’t stopping him once he shoots. All you have to do is get him the ball and he’ll do the rest. Ruud Van Nistlerooy was very similar, and like Ruud, he’s also got the mind to link up with his teammates which is exactly what Ten Hag’s system requires.

We finished third last season because Weghorst fit the system and the team thrived on it even though he personally didn’t. He still started regularly because Ten Hag ball is TEAM ball; that’s why one player alone isn’t the answer. Now imagine what happens when you put a true finisher in the same position putting in the same selfless effort. You create shooting opportunities all over the place because he’s not always going to be shooting so you don’t know who to mark. Weghorst had plenty of opportunities and didn’t finish them but Rashford did, that’s why he was so prolific. When we got away from that and reverted back to Moments FC our offensive creation suffered.

If we get fit and keep building on this foundation, we’re going to start having a lot of fun. People get confused when Ten Hag talks about us being the most creative and exciting team but I believe he’s speaking the future into existence, which is something many successful people do. He knows what he wants to build, and he knows what he’s capable of building. He knows the advantage of being at United is that he won’t have to constantly deal with other clubs destroying what he builds by taking his players. This is his dream job, and we just have to support him as he builds his dream. He doesn’t just want to win here, he wants to repeat again and again and we’re finally building the structure around him to do it.

Of course I’m watching Leif Davis, please. 😉

Jacob Greaves has my attention too. 🤔

Root Radar Alert: Harry Wilson

I first highlighted him in 2020, in the first year of this blog, when he was 22 and on loan at Bournemouth from Liverpool. He and David Brooks were instant favorites because of their creativity and boldness. I stopped talking about him because of his injury issues, but I’ve always kept an eye on him. His first season at Fulham was phenomenal for a player who struggled with injuries and couldn’t lock down a permanent move, collecting 10 goals and 19 assists. He would continue to struggle with injuries and consistency, but the form he’s in now highlights why I liked him to begin with. If I were a club looking to add an experienced and impactful super sub to bolster my late-game attack, he is the guy I’d be looking at. 🧐

I want Bergvall and Wharton. Bergvall has the engine to get up the pitch on counters and link up with the attacking players. I see him having a field day playing with Mbeumo and Sesko, making late or overlapping runs into the box to score goals like McTominay used to do. We’ll need that X factor to seize rare opportunities against low blocks.

Wharton gives us composure and quality in possession, which is why people love having Casemiro despite his age. The stats show we’re more dangerous on the counter and unlike a lot of our current players, Wharton will see AND complete that critical pass when the ball turns over. Bergvall would be a very capable outlet every time, creating space for Mbeumo and Cunha to run into because opponents have to respect his pace. 🧐

The Root Radar:

Diogo Costa (23, FC Porto)

I just did an anon response on him so I’m putting this out there now because after this season I couldn’t be more impressed. Here’s why I like him and want him at Manchester United; at this point it’s not even negotiable if we’re serious about dethroning City.

19 clean sheets in 34 matches. Only 48 saves tells you he has a solid defense in front of him and can be counted on in the few moments he’s called upon. Averages more passes per game than De Gea. Averages more long passes per game than De Gea. Had a slightly better defensive rating than De Gea. Had a better offensive rating than De Gea. Had an assist in the Champions League where his rating was significantly higher than De Gea’s in the Europa League…and he’s only 23??

He’s basically the offspring of Allison and Ederson…you break the bank for him. Any opponent’s pressing game becomes a massive liability for them if we sign him. He’s the keeper you sign to challenge for and win the league, period. You saw what Ramsdale did for Arsenal, I think Costa could be better under Ten Hag. 🧐