23 Aug 2013 15:21:46
Waiting for all the 'told you so' posts after moyes' press conference but I still believe we will sign players.
After a public chase for fabregas which looks to have failed and perhaps made us look a bit silly maybe there's a change in approach to avoid it happening again.
Ed woodward has made a complete t**t of himself with his 'urgent business' and 'no limted funds' comment so surely he would want to save any more ridicule and actually sign players we obviously need.
That said I would be extremely annoyed if no midfielders are bought as that's an obvious problem and i'd have to question the what the hell is going on.
I agree we should only be looking at the very best players but the fact is our midfield is so far behind europes top teams in terms of quality and depth that there's so many available players better than what we have now.
Or playing the game with everton regarsing fellaini and baines?
Probably.
Thoughts welcome

1.) 23 Aug 2013
I'd have to agree with you last comment, Barnes and Fellaini are better than what you have, however as a blue I have to wonder if its Moyes style of management that puts players off?

2.) 23 Aug 2013
The way things are progressing ed woodward is becoming a damien comoli type figure by the day, obviously not by making crap signings but by showing how completely inept he is in the transfer market and in his dealings with other clubs. Even DM has admitted midfield needs strengthening so time to open the safe and pay for what we need. Imagine going in to a car dealership and offering 10k for a car with a 15k market value. It's that simple pay the going rate now can somebody please tell Ed Woodward this

3.) 23 Aug 2013
"Yes I do [believe there is value in the market] but we've only targeted certain players.
"We don't have a big, big list because there are only certain quality players we want to bring in to the club. The plan is we'll bring in one or two if we can."

- David Moyes

I at least find some reassurance from this quote. This is what I believe has happened, we have specific targets and won't move away from them for the next 'in thing' that happens to become available like WillIAn.

Whether that's the right decision or not we shall see but I've thought for a while that we are after Baines, Fellaini plus one top quality creative mid. I do worry that we're leaving it too late either to try and get a lower price (Baines/Fellaini) or perhaps because we've chosen an almost unattainable target (Fabregas) so we need to see how things develop e.g. his playing time.

Let's hope we get at least 2 of our targets in though, there is still time. I do wonder whether we have many backup options or if we'll just go with what we've got if our 1st or 2nd choice doesn't come off.

Big week in the short term future of United! Let's hope Woody pulls something decent out of the bag.

4.) 23 Aug 2013
I believe it's all hinging on the Bale transfer. I think it's a case that Moyes and Woodward have put all their eggs in one basket, believing that if Bale goes to Madrid players will become available.

We have a very weak set up regarding attracting players to the team. Fact is, the name just isn't enough anymore. It's about so much more. Spurs have done well in the market because I think players are excited by working alongside a young manager and with a team who are clearly on the up. Liverpool are attractive because young players see a good opportunity to break into the EPL and know they will get game time, Chelsea are attractive because of Murinho and the type of free flowing, attacking football they play. United and Arsenal have been least successful in the market for a few reasons. the unwillingness to spend, the belief the name alone will get players, relatively unexciting football (lets be honest, we have flashes but that's it) and two people unproven at the helm - Moyes and Woodward.

I saw a post a few days back saying Woodward is great at the commercial side of things but not the buying of players, and I agree. The offer for Baines and Fellaini proved this, whoever it was that posted about Woodward said it right. commercially you can start low and work up, but in football there is a certain amount of respect involved. I also think a lot of young players and definitely the experienced ones will be thinking, 26 years of SAF and now a relatively unproven manager. do I really want to be part of that just in case it goes t**s up?

This season more than ever, the Rios, Evras, Carricks, RVPs, Giggs and Vidics will be vital. I do think we may see one signing. but not a huge one. My money is on Cabaye.

5.) 23 Aug 2013
Sligo Red

woodward got his job based on his success in marketing and his lack of experience in football is obvious.
Also with no disrespect to everton who IMO are a great club, moyes has no experience of dealing with the level of scrutiny and expectation he now has which is why I think we maybe made a mistake bringing both in at the same time simply because its new to both of them and theyd need time to adapt and tbh I think we've witnessed that lack of experience this summer.

avitURS

Id like to think the lure of playing for manchester united would be enough for many.Im happy to give moyes time just like we gave SAF but the longer it goes without making a quality signing the more questions will be asked about his pulling power by some supporters

6.) 23 Aug 2013
Sligo, ALL clubs and chief Ex's start with a lower bid and work their way up. It's how negotiations work.

Sydney!

7.) 23 Aug 2013
23 Aug 2013 16:44:08
Andy!

I agree which is why I believe the first thing moyes should have done is spent big on a big name at the start.
People may say its about building a team and I agree with that but a big name signing wouldv shown everyone we can attract the big boys without SAF because tbh is a top quality player going to be excited at the prospect of playing with carrick, cleverly, young etc? No. And the longer it goes the more questions will be asked.

8.) 23 Aug 2013
HB

I think we will bring in 2 but if 1 is fellaini i'd ask why we didn't pay his release clause weeks ago if he was always a target.

Syd

We all know how negotiations work but do you not think we've wasted too much time between bids? If we have genuine targets why are we not getting them tied up quicker? IMO it boils down to woodwards experience.
If you deal in a commercial/marketing role you have more time to negotiate the best possible deal than in football where as we know if you mess about you lose out

9.) 23 Aug 2013
BFA, I think the Cesc bids were very close together. That's why I was shocked there wasn't a third offer. £30m plus add-ons for me wasn't our limit. I think there was/is one more bid to come. If that was our last bid then I think something happened to prevent us going in for the third and final offer. Delaney believes that Cesc's reps pulled the plug, so perhaps Cesc realised he wasn't going to be allowed to leave or perhaps he wanted to give it one more year I do not know? But I think a third bid was imminent.

Sydney!

10.) 23 Aug 2013
Syd
I am well aware of the process of coming in low and then raising the bid as one goes along. The problem however is Woodward seems to be constantly lowballing. The initial bid for Fabregas was so far off as to be laughable, if our midfield wasn't so badly in need of quality it might be an okay strategy. Yes in the past we missed out on a few players for the want of a few million but when our challengers are all visibly strengthening it makes no economic sense to penny pinch. I would not suggest we overpay like Madrid seem to be doing for Bale. Kondogbia would cost about 20m and is young and would be good cover for Carrick and looks like he will be world class in a few years. Shaw at LB seems a better fit than Baines long term and would cost about the same. If they really want Cesc go back with a 40m bid and see how that goes with the Barca board. Not wanting to seem panicky but there is a real danger of slipping unless some investment is made in the team. The midfield has been wanting obviously since being twice destroyed by Barca, the question is do the Glazers have the ambition and if so let them back their ideas with money

11.) 23 Aug 2013
I don't think we would stop at £30m either so why is a higher bid not been submitted in the last 2 weeks? I think about the £12m offer for baines at the beginning of july and wonder if he was a genuine target why wait a month then make an offer for him and fellaini which values him at the same price as the £12m bid that was rejected? I understand were trying to play hardball but as much as that works in commerce/marketing it doesn't always work in football and that's my point mate, other clubs seem to be able to get deals done in a few days and we appear to have dragged our feet for 6wks.I do think we've got things lined up but I think we couldv moved quicker on baines and fellaini if theyv always been targets instead of risking missing out for the sake of £3-4m