03 Aug 2015 09:20:32
Hi Eds

2 quick questions if that's alright:

1) Do you think Utd will sign Pedro before the first match of the season or do you think it will drag on and he won't sign in time?

2) Do you think we will sign Zlatan? Only asking because I was at a party in Newcastle on Saturday night and my fiancée's brother was sure that it would happen (he works in a bookies & has told me about Newcastle signings in the past way before they happen but this is the first time he has said anything about Utd).

Any thoughts?

{Ed001's Note - 1) I think Pedro has become a very real possibility, van Gaal wants him, but Barca will drag it out a bit I think in order to get the best possible fee. With Barca offloading a number of fringe players already, this might be a difficult deal to get done, if Woodward can make it happen at all, he will deserve great credit as Barca are reluctant to sell him before January now.

2) His agent certainly thinks there is a chance of a deal being done, he has spoken to United about him. PSG are very keen to get his wages off the books, so they will not be an issue. The only question is LVG, this is not a player he would choose if there were other options, so it is a maybe for me mate.}

1.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 10:07:40
Having a big lump like Zlatan up front would certainly suit LVG a little 001, rather than him throwing Felliani up there when the philosophy fails to reap rewards!

{Ed001's Note - I am not sure Zlatan is just a big lump to be fair! He is very technically accomplished. Though it would give that option in times of need. Nothing wrong with it as a tactic for a change anyway. The problem is when you only use the hoof, rather than it being a deliberate tactic to suit a need sometimes.}

2.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 12:45:55
dont know if zlatan would like the fact that rooney is our no.1 striker. we'll have to wait and see

3.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 13:15:06
i think zlatan would be no. 1 striker if he came. especially if he shows his worth early on! he's world class!!! rooney is a great player but not world class in my opinion. atleast not at his level.

4.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 13:27:39
the next cantona!!

5.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 13:30:57
Talking of Swedish.
Remember the little stint Larsson had with us?. I was gutted when he went!!
Wonder if he's bent Ibra's ear a little?.
Ibrahimovich would b an amazing signing in my eyes. If he did come, he would know what to expect from LVG
😉😈😈

6.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 14:05:39
Ibra for me would bring the sparkle that Cantona brought. the arrogance and the skill to back it up. He would be strong enough to deal with the PL (look at his handling of Terry).
He would be an ideal signing for me. even if it meant Rooney dropping in behind him as number 10 with Deepay and Pedro either side.
He would be effective. fun to watch and as with LVG it could blow up quickly . but he is the sort of class we could do with

7.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 14:25:05
Ed001,you mentioned about 2 or 3 weeks back that we had interest in lewandowski, but had probably put in on back burner while we explored a deal foe zlatan. Have we still got btw rest in RL or have we moved on completely from him? I think zlatan is a wonderful player but fear that between sweinsteigger Carrick and ageing Rooney we are just setting ourselves up for another major squad overhaul in two years time. Thanks for your time Ed!

{Ed001's Note - the interest is still there, but you have a lot to buy and even United have FFP constrictions that stop them just paying what is needed. Which is why a deal for Otamendi has been a problem, you simply can't meet the asking price and pay out for a forward too, just yet anyway.}

8.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 17:17:46
Manchester United's twitter account is re-tweeting @Zlatanfacts. done deal me thinks.

9.) 03 Aug 2015
03 Aug 2015 17:42:39
Ed001 is that last part to mean United will be able to complete some signings once Di Maria and/or De Dea is sold?

Also, if United are restricted in their spending by FFP would that make a deal for the Bales or the Mullers of the world impossible regardless of the player's stance and his clubs stance?

{Ed001's Note - no, it is simply that a deal for Otamendi requires the club to make a large up front payment, whereas a lot of deals can be done over a 3 year period, which is standard. So you could pay the money, you just want it spread over a period of years, rather than one up front payment, so that the increase in revenue lessens its impact on the club's finances. With Zlatan, PSG just want his wages gone, so they are willing to agree terms more favourable to United, whereas Bayern are not just looking to offload Lewandowski so want terms favourable to them.}