05 Jun 2014 17:25:12
Last Christmas I argued that a lack of CL football would have a negative impact on our summer transfer targets. I was told by a few people here that I was spouting nonsense and scaremongering because players would always come if we offered them enough money.

With the events of the past few weeks, and even players like Konoplyanka stating that they will only move to a CL club, do people still think that our lack of European football will not prevent us bringing in our targets?

This isn't a 'told you so' question, it's just reading the site in the last few days it seems as if expectations have taken a massive dip. We've gone from (in the club's words) expecting to sign the world's best players, to for anticipating the arrival of young, unproven (and mostly Dutch) lads. Are people happy with us bringing in lesser talents, and do ye think that we will be able to bring in enough quality to get back into the CL if most our top targets are unwilling to move?

1.) 05 Jun 2014
05 Jun 2014 18:10:26
I think you were right. There's still a chance we could attract a couple of very good players who will buy into the 'project' (I know, sorry for using that term) and happy to accept a good wage with the aim of reaching the CL next season. Most of the top, top players won't accept that though which is why we need to look at things as a 2-3 season process. let's hope we make astute enough signings to get us back in the top 4, then next summer we get a couple of real gems to finish the puzzle.

2.) 05 Jun 2014
05 Jun 2014 18:16:23
I've no problem. If their good enough and van gaal thinks their good enough then it doesn't matter what their name is. The problem on here is there is too much of a fad of the week. We get linked to someone with barely a shred of evidence and then he's the hot new thing and just what we need and some people get a bad case of the Mr toads. I don't care how big the name is or what the fee is as long as they can do the job. If its Ronaldo or a Dutch lad no one had heard of 12 months ago as long as he performs.

3.) 05 Jun 2014
I think a lot will come down to if the player thinks we will be in the cl the following year.some may be happy to have one year out if they though we would be challenging for the title this year and cl place.
But i'm not sure that looks likely at the mo

4.) 05 Jun 2014
I think it is safe to assume that what ever happens - who ever comes in, we are going to be a lot better.

I for one think we have some formidable attacking options. If we can get the CM right, and sure up the back, we will be a force.

As long as we finish above those jumped up dippers, I will be happy.

5.) 05 Jun 2014
Danny, may be just may be, we just don't have the funds everyones been talking about. Edmund Woodskull is doing a good job, if you know what I mean. I for one believe, if we show the cash, it should not be a huge deal. I hope my serving of humble pie is not very far away. But to be honest, the shambles that we are in has got as much to do with Gill retiring as it is with SAF calling it a day.

Deeps.

6.) 05 Jun 2014
Pink Floyd:

A club who spends 65 million on two players' we actually didn't need, isn't short of a bob or two.

Just saying.

7.) 05 Jun 2014
I was just at an event and was talking to Solgado, which said something interesting. "all the big clubs United, Real, Barca will do their business after the world cup"

Had so many awesome nuggets of info on players past and present and is the fittest guys I have seen in a long time given his age.

So relax and let's see how it works out. He also said do not be fooled by players shining for a month in a world cup because the top players are knackered and going into the world cup like always with injuries and being pumped with pills and injections just to play and in many ways are just not physically able to go at their best.

8.) 05 Jun 2014
Sam - The total outlay was still a paltry 27 millions and some change for one complete transfer window. That was also a desperate buy plus Mata was more a show of strength and an isolated purchase. If the club had endless funds at its disposal, how do you think we missed out on Fellaini's release clause? What about the combined offer we made for Fellaini and Baines. What were we doing trying to haggle over Herrera's release clause? This when every man and his dog knew we needed reinforcements.

Either Woodward was pathetic or we do not have endless funds. Either ways it makes me cringe. I will be happy to be proved wrong and would wait till September to make a final judgement on this transfer period.

Deeps.

9.) 05 Jun 2014
I think clubs like Monaco, City etc have proven that if you have a "project" or pay the money, you will get the players. I do not buy into the stories that LvG doesn't want Cesc and Kroos because they do not suit his system, of course they suit his system. Personally I think in Kroos' case we couldn't agree a fee with BM and in Cesc's case he prefers London. We need to be prepared to offer decent money this summer.

Shaw and Hummels will not come cheap and we are apparently close to tying them deals up. Close is subjective of course, but the club feel these two are the closest to joining according to one or two good sources. Two quality signings if we can wrap them up. I would be much happier going into the WC knowing these two are going to sign on July 1st. Fingers crossed there.

10.) 05 Jun 2014
GCU, don't be offended if I'm not convinced that an ex-Real player has any idea what is going on inside the club. But the fact of the matter is that neither Real nor Barca are in need of the type of rebuild that we are. Plus, after finishing seventh in the league I'm not sure we can wait around until after the world cup and go toe-to-toe with the other big clubs. Because at the moment we don't have a squad anywhere near the standard required of a big club, and we aren't playing in the biggest competition.

Deeps, I agree that it could very well be a case of the money not being made available. The Glazers have always been about smoke and mirrors, but if they don't cough up major investment this summer, we won't get back into the top four.

11.) 05 Jun 2014
Danny

It was just sharing what he said mate. I agree we are in dire need of quite a few players but will spend money. He also said the perfect player for us is Pogba and not fabregas which I found interesting:) His wife is ex real presidents daughter and they are very connected and she is extremely knowlegeable.

12.) 05 Jun 2014
PMF,

I don't believe we have the reported 200 million pound to spend, but I do think we have at least 100 million, plus any monies received from player sales.

I don't think LVG would have taken over if he wasn't promised significant transfer funds.

I must admit to not having much faith in Woodward. It does worry me that he will run around looking busy, but not actually getting much done, although I suspect that Van Gaal would step in and maybe take the lead in signing the players' we need if Woodward is struggling.
The one great thing about Van Gaal is his standing in the game and the contacts he has.
A lot of players' on the continent would give their right arm to work with him, so that alone could make the difference.

13.) 06 Jun 2014
Oh how the mighty have fallen ''I don't care as long as we finish above Liverpool''
what happened to ''We're Manchester United we can attract anybody even without CL'' ''We'll never be as bad as Liverpool were''
Typical case of hating us more than you love your team

14.) 06 Jun 2014
06 Jun 2014 14:31:09
I get the feeling MU will become a lot more decisive, desperate and more generous with money when time is running out. This for me is a mistake, but I think there will be a flurry of activity in the last couple of weeks of the window.

Ed002, I have read your opinions on Hummels, but is there anything more recent to report on in regards to MU? It seems Barcelona have turned their attentions to Marquinhos and there are sources saying MU are trying to do a deal for him. Thanks as always.

{Ed002's Note - The lost world of Mu not Merrell Fankhauser have any interest in Hummels. However, Barcelona and Manchester United do have an interest. A deal can certainly be done.}