Career “Man. United REJECTS FC” - finished season 1

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 transfer update
 

What If … ?
Think of all the star players Manchester United have lost / sold over the pre-Ten Hag years. Ibra. Depay. Pogba … er … Rojo …

… what if one club reunited them all - replacing Luton Town - what if we setup ‘Man United Rejects FC’ ?!

 
Tactic
For season 1 - we will use this beast from @sscout - it’s a two at the back, overload tactic …

… to be honest - it scares me 😱 

Spoiler

 

Coaches
It’s surprisingly difficult to find 4 coaches who are ex-Man United - but we did manage it.

When legendary 73 year old Assistant Brian Kidd retires, I’m hoping Tom Huddlestone would have retired from football to take on a full time coaching role.  
 

Players … 
So which players should we bring in?!

• Ex Man Utd - players must have ‘Man Utd’ in their player history in FMM (excluding loans).
• Pre Ten Hag - players must have left Man Utd in/before the same summer that Ten Hag joined.
• Depth - we need at least 2 players for every position (yes including full backs) for a three season career.

 
Thoughts? 🙂 

Edited August 16, 2024 by DanEnglish

[sscout]

Well I definitely want to see this one play out, hope you'll stick to the tactic for a long while. It's fun when you never know if you're winning 5-3 or losing 3-5.

 

Anywho, I'll make my prediction extra specific and say that I predict a second place finish a la Mou. 

[Titjes]

Can't wait to see how this will go 🙈😁

How about: Lukaku, Macheda, Matic, Mata & Pogba to start with 😛 

[bayerdo]

Sehr interessant ich freu mich schon auf die Saison 

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 transfer update

Note - all players were moved in using the editor.

 Stars 
The game shows these are our 3 best players (highest valued) …

The game is probably right - all 3 have great attributes, but Lukaku is famous in FMM23 for being … inaccurate 🔻
 

Our Squad
We have a huge 35 player squad. 

• 1st season squad - we will have ~25 players in our squad for season 1, but expect the elderly guys to decline quickly (Ibra, Cavani, Di Maria, Fellaini, Matic  A. Young). 
   
• Loaned Out - then we have another ~10 ex-Man United rejects who will be loaned out in season 1 - returning to the squad for season 2 onwards, to replace the elderly guys above.

 

Our Squad (4231)
Another reason we have so many players is in case we need to switch formations - especially in season 2 on …

Then we’ll need some FBs - like this …

 
 

🔻 Weak Spots 🔻
A squad of ‘Man United rejects’ has some weak positions:

• GK - Johnstone (aged 29) is probably our best keeper. Pity De Gea couldn’t be used (as he played in the Ten Hag era).  
   
• DL - we are pretty weak at full back, especially on the left. Blind is good, but slow. Young is old. And let’s hope we never have to use Mitchell 😬 
   

Thoughts? 🙂 

Edited February 22, 2024 by DanEnglish

[Dai_]

This is pretty cool, tbh.

 

I've voted top half but that's because I think player decline will hit you hard after Xmas. Although, if you manage to stay in most competitions that should delay the drop off in some players (what I've noticed with some better older players anyway).

 

Best of luck anyway. 😂

[DanEnglish]

I have never conceded 6 CCC (clear cut chances) before. This tactic from @sscout is nerve-racking 😬 

Though we did beat Man City with a 95th minute free kick hahahaha

 

Next will be an update after our first 10 league games …

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 transfer update.  

Warning - this is ridiculous. 
 

⛔ Injuries ⛔
First we lost Ibrahimovic to a 2 months injury in pre-season. Then we lost Lukaku, Cavani and first choice DC Rojo to injuries in our first few league games.

Spoiler

League
This is unexpected. This is our league position after 10 league games

Spoiler

1st place?!

44 goals scored + 15 conceded, in just 10 league games. @sscout your tactic is ridiculous.

9 wins, 1 draw. Unexpected!

Plus 2 consecutive ‘manager of the month’ awards … these go to you @sscout

Players
If we had a better keeper, I wonder if we’d be performing even better … ? 

… but most players are doing well - especially our SS Depay, who has 22 goal contributions in 10 games! 🔥 

Ibra has been a disappointment. Just 1 goal and 1 assist so far 🔻

Note
Some eagle-eyed observers in the Discord wondered how I replaced Luton (who were in the Championship in FMM23) yet am playing in the EPL …

Spoiler

… after FMM24 / Netflix came out, I updated my FMM23 with the latest transfers update, promotion / relegation update + real name fix (all in changes.txt). 

That’s how I can replace Luton + still be playing in the EPL 👍 

 
Next
Will give a half-season update. Hopefully none of the elderly guys will decline too much … yet 😬 

[sscout]

You flatter me tell much haha

That's a great great start to the season, but I'd expect the results to normalize soon enough to about an average of 3 goals for and 2 goals against per game. 

Also regarding Daley Blind performing relatively poorly, I posit that it's due to low shooting. While the RP still hangs back behind the two BBMs, he still takes some long shots. And missed shots never rate well, I've had many midfielders who've played perfectly fine games get rated a 5 due to all the missed shots. 

[leedsunited87]

Always interesting what you do on here, I see it's FM 23, you not playing the 24 version? Also I didn't know United had that big of a budget haha 😆 will be interesting to see how you fair, how far back are you going? I can think of some really S*** players if you need help haha! Buy Scott Wotton, we bought him from you, no idea why he's a footballer lol 

[DanEnglish]

4 hours ago, leedsunited87 said:

Always interesting what you do on here, I see it's FM 23, you not playing the 24 version? Also I didn't know United had that big of a budget haha 😆 will be interesting to see how you fair, how far back are you going? I can think of some really S*** players if you need help haha! Buy Scott Wotton, we bought him from you, no idea why he's a footballer lol 

Haha - yes there are some rubbish ex-Man Utd players, so I’m only taking the better ones for each position!

Yes am using FMM23 as don’t have Netflix (so don’t have FMM24). Also I’ve used the editor to:

1. rename Luton Town to this Rejects FC,
2. edit the ex-Man Utd players to Rejects FC,
3. edit the finances so we can afford their wages.

🙂 

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 update.  

Warning - this is STILL ridiculous. 

⛔ Ouch ⛔
This 235 tactic is not exactly ‘defensively solid’ 🔻 Arsenal hammered us 7-2, with Havertz scoring five including one from inside his own half

 
League
But that was our only loss! This tactic + team of Man United rejects still goes surprisingly strong!

We have a huge TEN point lead over 2nd place + it’s only mid-January 😱

That loss + two draws were after coming back from the winter Qatar World Cup - thankfully we had some easier fixtures afterwards + the lack of European football really helps.

Players
As it’s the January transfer window, this chat amused me …

Lukaku is still scoring a lot (inc. 4-5 penalties though) now partnered by Cavani up front.

Star SS Depay’s form has normalized a little. Just 4 extra goals + 5 assists in the last 11 matches (league + cup). Tut tut.  
 

Next
Surely these aging stars will deteriorate in the 2nd half of this season. But by how much?! 

[leedsunited87]

59 minutes ago, DanEnglish said:

Haha - yes there are some rubbish ex-Man Utd players, so I’m only taking the better ones for each position!

Yes am using FMM23 as don’t have Netflix (so don’t have FMM24). Also I’ve used the editor to:

1. rename Luton Town to this Rejects FC,
2. edit the ex-Man Utd players to Rejects FC,
3. edit the finances so we can afford their wages.

🙂 

Ahhh nice one, fair play. Looks like your doing awesome, both sts doing really well! 👌 

[Dai_]

Really shocked at how well you're doing. That tactic shouldn't work that well with those players. Ha! I want to change my vote to top 4 finish, at least.

I always liked Depay. His teamwork is too low for me to use him most of the time but I remember using him as a backup to my target player for challenges and he was always very good.

Keep it up, man. 👏

[deepheat83]

Flying with them. 

Enjoyable read this 

 

Edited February 22, 2024 by deepheat83

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 update.  
 

🔻 Failure 🔻
We lost the Carabao Cup final.

Chelsea’s annoyingly effective 4312 formation dominated the center + was too much for us.

  
 

League
Somehow we are still 1st - with a 12 point lead with just 10 league matches remaining. Crazy.

Look at that. 89 goals scored in just 28 games so far. Wow.  
 

Stats
@sscout was surprised his 235 tactic was still scoring so many goals …

… but unfortunately he was 100% right. After our first 10 games, we have dropped down to ~2.5 goals scored (GF) per game, exactly as he predicted.

 

It’s interesting how our goals conceded (GA) has dropped below 1 conceded per game. Guess that won’t continue with a 235 formation eh?!  
 

Problems
Alongside the league’s final 10 matches, we also have an FA Cup semi-final vs Liverpool …

… but our older players are really deteriorating (Ibra, Di Maria, Young, Matic) AND we have got 5 players out injured …

 
Next
Can we hold on … or are we going to bottle it? … I honestly have no idea 😬 

[StuartM]

I have every faith in you Dan!

Honestly, this is going far better than I predicted. I'm happy to say I was quite wrong!

[DanEnglish]

1 hour ago, StuartM said:

Honestly, this is going far better than I predicted. I'm happy to say I was quite wrong!

On 22/02/2024 at 08:31, Dai_ said:

Really shocked at how well you're doing. That tactic shouldn't work that well with those players. Ha! I want to change my vote to top 4 finish, at least.

Haha I’m surprised as well. I fully expected a mid-table finish. But this 235 tactic is ridiculous. 

On 22/02/2024 at 08:31, Dai_ said:

I always liked Depay. His teamwork is too low for me to use him most of the time but I remember using him as a backup to my target player for challenges and he was always very good.

Yeah I’ve always liked him as well. He’s just such a good all-round attacker, though yeah his teamwork is quite poor (11/20?) 😞 

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 update.  
 

🔻 Failure #2 🔻
Damn. Liverpool smashed us in the FA Cup semi-final. We have now ‘bottled’ both domestic cups. Ouch. 

 
⚠️ Poor Form ⚠️
We have also started losing league games - convincingly losing them. 

Liverpool beat us in the league with a last minute winner, Chelsea’s central 4312 tactic smashed us again, and even a Gareth Bale inspired Fulham thumped us 4-0.

Spoiler

Surely we can’t bottle the league also - right?!

 
Injuries
During this time, we had SIX players return back ✅ from 1-2 month injuries. But as you saw from the results above - it didn’t help 🔻

Spoiler

But surely this will help us finish the season - right ?!?
 

Failure #3 ? 
The alternative Manchester derby. Our REJECTS side vs 2nd placed Man City.

Could be the match where we win the title?! We are 9 points ahead with 3 games left …

 
 

Next
Surely we can’t bottle this … again … right?! 😬 

[Dai_]

No bottling allowed! 😂

[DanEnglish]

54 minutes ago, Dai_ said:

No bottling allowed! 😂

Best case = a song quote from meatloaf … “two out of three ain’t bad” … I.e. bottling only two out of three trophies ain’t bad …

… but bottling all three? Yeah that’s pretty bad.

Edited February 24, 2024 by DanEnglish

[sscout]

2nd place, 2nd place, 2nd place

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 update.  
 

Bottling It ? (Again)  


Flashback - May 1999 - losing 1-2 in the 90th minute, they must equalize to have a chance to clinch the trophy. 

Flashback - May 2012 - losing 1-2 in the 90th minute, they need to score twice to clinch the title.

Now - May 2023 - a draw would give us the title … BUT we are losing 1-2 in the 90th minute, at home to Man City 🔻

 
 

Flashback - May 1999 - the crowd erupts as both an equalizer + then a winner goes in!

Flashback - May 2012 - the crowd erupts as both an equalizer + then a winner goes in!

Now - May 2023 - the crowd erupts as a title-winner equalizer goes in!!!

 

Flashback - May 1999 - “Soskjaer!”

Flashback - May 2012 - “Aguerooo!”

Now - May 2023 - “GOMEZ ?!”

 
History repeats for Manchester’s … er … 3rd … premier league club 🏆 

 

Next
Our end-season review 🙂 

Edited February 25, 2024 by DanEnglish

[Popart]

Incredible!!

 

Gotta say, even though the back line was nerve wracking, Ibra + Cavani + Lukaku + Welbeck felt like they'd always give you a chance. 

[sscout]

Congrats on the league win, bit sad I couldn't do the whole Mourinho routine with second place and all but hey a win's a win. 

I am interested in the stats now, how many goals, how many assists, how did the SS do and a general overview of the team

[Dai_]

Never in doubt. 😂

[DanEnglish]

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 update.  
 

Immediately after scoring our title-winning goal, attacking midfielder Angel Gomes has PERFECT timing …

… yes mate, yes you can 💯 
 

League
Won the league. 92 points. Not bad 🔥 

115 goals scored is ridiculous. Also, 59 conceded is more than double what I’d usually have.

You can see 4 losses in our most recent matches. The squad are deteriorating 🔻

This table shows the importance of our good start (the first 10 games). As the last 10 games we averaged <2 points per game. Ouch.  
 

Squad
Here was our tactic + 1st team for season one.

• ✅ Depay was wonderful as an SS. He averaged a huge 1.4 goal contributions (goals + assists) per game 🔥 
• ✅ Top scorer Lukaku was surprisingly good as our right-sided DLF. 
• ✅ Elderly Smalling was both our best defender AND England’s 1st choice DC in the Qatar World Cup.

• 🔻 now 36 year old Cavani managed 28 goal contributions as our other DLF, but is now rapidly declining.
• 🔻 now 33 year old Herrera only managed a 6.9 average rating, despite fellow B2B Pogba getting a 7.4 average.

If you are REALLY keen, you can see our 1st choice GK + 2nd team players’ stats below …

… worryingly, none of them scored 10 goals, even though they played many games after being subbed on from the 60th to 80th minute.  
 

Awards
@sscout these awards go to you …

Plus our players did ok - Zaha + Depay got #2 + #3 in the players of the year awards …

… while 4 of our players made it into the team of the year.

 

Next
A season 2 preview!

We will review the squad (inc. the ~10 returning loanees) + choose a new tactic!

Edited February 26, 2024 by DanEnglish

[sscout]

It's criminal how Depay isn't in the TOTS, Foden couldn't have been that good. 

Indeed that amazing start definitely won the season for you, exceeded my expectations as well. 

I'd say a new tactic is definitely needed as the team has declined in some areas more than others. 

And once again you flatter me too much with the praise, I only really wanted you to play with the tactic so that I could get your thoughts on this madness. 

Here's to a European second season. 

[DanEnglish]

Sneak Peek.  
Let’s have a look at those deteriorating players … like visiting a scrap yard of old F1 race cars …

 

Spoiler

Ibra
The Swedish legend is now 41 years old. And it shows. He has just 6 pace + stamina.

 

Cavani
Now 36 - he’s still good, but … just … good. Perhaps a 2nd season sub now?

 
Di Maria
The Argentinian legend is still technically good - but declining quickly.

 
Ashley Young
Surprisingly solid for a 37 year old footballer. 

 
Fellaini
Moyes hasn’t bought him back yet - but his (declining) 16-17 aerial / aggression / strength is still pretty useful.

 

 
Matic
He’s only 34, but continues to decline. He’ll be a backup DC / MC for season 2, but his 7 pace is a bit worrying if we want to play a high defensive line.

 
Time for these elderly players to become 2nd team / squad backup players now 🙂 …

… but who will be their younger replacements?! 

Edited February 26, 2024 by DanEnglish

[E.Y]

On 20/02/2024 at 13:23, DanEnglish said:

Man. United REJECTS FC

An FMM23 career - with the 2023/24 transfer update
 

What If … ?
Think of all the star players Manchester United have lost / sold over the pre-Ten Hag years. Ibra. Depay. Pogba … er … Rojo …

… what if one club reunited them all - replacing Luton Town - what if we setup ‘Man United Rejects FC’ ?!

 
Tactic
For season 1 - we will use this beast from @sscout - it’s a two at the back, overload tactic …

… to be honest - it scares me 😱 
 

Coaches
It’s surprisingly difficult to find 4 coaches who are ex-Man United - but we did manage it.

When legendary 73 year old Assistant Brian Kidd retires, I’m hoping Tom Huddlestone would have retired from football to take on a full time coaching role.  
 

Players … 
So which players should we bring in?!

• Ex Man Utd - players must have ‘Man Utd’ in their player history in FMM (excluding loans).
• Pre Ten Hag - players must have left Man Utd in/before the same summer that Ten Hag joined.
• Depth - we need at least 2 players for every position (yes including full backs) for a three season career.

 
Thoughts? 🙂 

Love such overloading tactics, would you be able to share the screenshots for defense and attack too?