I didn't expect us to go through, let alone win so comfortably. We didn't even get out of the second gear.
This was what I expected in the first leg and was surprised it didn't happen. I know Bayern sat back and decided that preventing Liverpool scoring was key, but I still expected them to do it.
As for us, we desperately need to win some silverware. I totally expect Zidane to be provided with a massive transfer kitty and he will most probably come for Salah. For those who don't know, one of the reasons he resigned was because he wanted to replace Bale with Salah and Perez denied his request. Can't see him saying no to Zidane again.
Ideally I don't want to lose Salah, but he can be replaced and we have options, including the young Wilson who has been brilliant at Derby. However, if they come for Van Dijk and if they succeed then the club will substantially regress in quality. The man is not a rock but the entire Himalayas and frankly can't be replaced.
I agree with you about Van Dijk. While Salah had a world class season last season, I still don't think he's world class and, while he's very good in that system, I don't think he's irreplaceable at all. I also don't think he'll ever have another season that good. That's not to run him down, just that if Real come in with a stupid amount of money (which if they want him, they'll have to) then I don't think it's the end for this Liverpool team so long as they replace him with the right player. Of course, I also said that we'd seen the best of Ronaldo at United, so I have history of being monumentally wrong when it comes to this stuff.
I'm a big fan of Van Dijk though and wanted him and Wanyama for United when they were at Celtic. Still a little baffled as to why both of those players were 'allowed' to move to the Premier League for 'so little' when United needed both (and they were both better than what we had in their roles, IMO) and we were running the club on bargains anyway. If he went, I think he might be irreplaceable. For that season, anyway.
Messi is still better then Ronaldo, and will always be.
My point wasn't about the overall player, just pressure penalties.
Well, we're out of the cup. I know a lot of people run the cup down, but I'm old and therefore can still remember when it was every young boys dream to lift the cup for their team, as it was mine and I love the FA Cup. Also, as a United fan in the 70's and 80's, with Liverpool dominating, it was our best chance of winning something most seasons.
That was the performance I was expecting at Arsenal last weekend. After the emotions of PSG, there's got to be a drop and I'd have rather it came last week (when we lost anyway) than a FA Cup quarter final. We looked tired and out of ideas. Wolves seemed to make just as many mistakes, but had it when it counted. But for a couple of good saves, it could've been a lot worse. Or, maybe it would've woken them up a bit?
I think pretty much everyone sees the CL draw playing out the same way. Oddly, the one tie which might cause a shock is the City/Spurs one, IMO. Odd because City are probably the best team left in the competition. Odds on a Messi/Ronaldo final?
As for the Europa League, I'd think that if Napoli can get past Arsenal (which I think they well) then they've got to be favourites for the whole thing.
Lastly, another one for the Spurs fans (well, anyone, but it's their club so I'd like to hear their thoughts) how many players are you going to lose this summer? I think Poch will stay (I couldn't see him leaving for United this summer but did think he'd be off to Real) and Real has said Zidane will have a huge amount of money this summer (I've seen £300m but I don't know if they actually have that much to spend unless it includes sales) I don't see either of the PSG prizes going there this summer, but I think Ericsson could well be on his way and I thought they'd go for Kane last summer and think moreso this. Toby's available for £26m this summer, so I think United (among others) will be in and I wouldn't be completely surprised if someone came in for Lloris either. I'm not saying all those player will go, but if one or two do, surely it's only a matter of time before others finally take the cash from someone.
Do we have any Real fans? Again, who's coming in and going out this summer? I don't know about Bale. I keep hearing he'll go to United or that it's the only feasible option for him, but I think the most feasible option for him is to stay where he is. £100m for a 30 year old with his injury record and £600,000 a week? Even if Woodward wanted to play fantasy branding football I'm not sure the numbers would add up and I really don't see Ole going for it (if he stays) when we're already well stocked for players where he plays and, if we're going to get a new player wide left, Jadon Sancho would be a more likely option, IMO.
The midfield needs refreshing. It might just be a world cup hangover, but Modric and Kroos both look spent. Marcello has made noises about his time maybe being up at Real and if they do bring in a real world class striker, I don't see the point of Benzema hanging around or of Real wanting to keep him.
There might be a few out at Barca too, with rumours constantly flying about Malcolm, Coutinho and Rakitic.