Manchester United Banter Archive August 10 2014

10 Aug 2014 21:44:59
Fiorentina have signed Marko Marin on loan from Chelsea, I imagine as a replacement for Guardado who will presumably move somewhere this coming week

Bilko, it's almost certain Cuadrado is leaving Fiorentina. He has asked to leave and the Fiorentina president has said he can leave. It's a case of where to, Barcelona or MU? No doubt others will be interested mind.

10 Aug 2014 22:53:48
Honestly don't know why Chelsea don't just sell Marin rather than constantly loaning him out.

I posted long ago that we might sign Cuadrado as a wing -back and was ridiculed. Now most seem to be onboard with the idea. Vidal is a must sign, unless permanently crocked, Vlaar was outstanding in the world cup but 29 cb is a tough choice.

Vlaar is poor. If it wasnt for the WC nooone would wabt him. I hope we don't sell rafael. Couple of seasons ago he was outstanding, we can't judge aftee everyones poor form last year. He still has a lot to offer

10 Aug 2014 21:24:47
Hi folks, not posted for about a year, honestly I can't believe I didn't lose it completely after the debacle of last season.
I've been reading the posts again for some time and I have to say not much has changed, the passion, the tactical astuteness and of course the bullshizzle.
A question for everyone. Over the last 10 years we have not been able to bring a top quality midfielder in to the club. Simple question is WHY?
It's almost like an unspoken agreement between every top midfielder to not sign for United. I don't think SAF did us any favours with the "no value" comments but how come it's not happening, I don't get it. We've got the money, the prestige, facilities and staff to attract players (admittedly no CL is a negative) but no worldies seem to want the move? Frustrating to say the least.

Money talks

For at least 5 we have not brought in a top class midfielder Hargreaves was before that but he had bad injuries its like we thought Schols could go on forever

I get that JRED but we have the money mate, is it just a case of not knowing how to spend it?

Welcome back - and just in time for another disappointing end to a transfer window!

Hope not R7, however, it cannot be as bad as last season, can it!?

10 Aug 2014 17:00:27
afternoon edds,

can you really see utd getting in anymore prime targets before the window shuts in order to finish respectively in league, ie CL place? of course we want to win the league, goes without saying, but it appears everythings subject to us not being in the CL? I mean to play for MUFC SHOULD be enough in my eyes but hey I love the team and just want them to be doing well! I want to see us challenging for everything again, and it seriously kills me to see us in this predicament?

OK. on a serious note I do understand nothing comes overnight, but before the end of aug i'm hoping ill be feeling a WHOLE lot better and begin to see some light at the end of this tunnel. . or maybe even January?! cheers.

I think we'll sign three more players. One we'll all be chuffed with, one we'll be content with and one that we'll not be too happy with.

10 Aug 2014 19:45:47
35 entries so far, 21 tipping Chelsea, 7 tipping United, 6 going for City, and 1 for Arsenal (you may be right at Christmas jred but not convinced about May). So far, if we include 3 to be relegated, no duplications either.

Still missing some regulars - HoneyBadger, StevieK, Jono, REDFAITH to name a few. Eds, do you want to predict?

{Ed007's Note - I'll give it a bash:

1. Man Utd.
2. Chelsea.
3. Man City.
4. Arsenal.
5. Everton.
6. Spurs.
18. Swansea.
19. Leicester.
20. Burnley.

Sorry to be a pain but could I change my prediction!

1. United
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. Chelsea
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool

18. Soton
19. Burnley
20. Leicester

AJH, great call, Arsenal are always top or near the top at Christmas, then they crumble. I think their defence will let them down this coming season.

10 Aug 2014 20:30:45
1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. United
6. Spurs
18. Palace
19. Burley
20. Leicester

10 Aug 2014 20:50:48
1. Chelsea
2. Man Utd
3. Man City
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool
6. Spurs

18. West Ham
19. Swansea
20. Burnley

I know I am not posting much, but I do read on a day to day basis, I ain't going anywhere lads!

Can I have a go please?

1 City
2 Chelsea
3 United
4 Arsenal
5 Liverpool
6 Everton

18 Swansea
19 Burnley
20 Leicester.

10 Aug 2014 21:11:25
1 chelsea
2 united
3 city
4 arsenal
5 spurs
6 everton
18 west brom
19 burnley
20 leicester

1. United
2. Chelsea
3. Liverpool
4. Arsenal
5. City
6. Everton
18. Southampton
19. Aston villa
20. Burnley

1. Chelsea
2. Man utd
3. Arsenal
4. Man City
5. Liverpool
6. Everton
18. Southampton
19. Leicester
20. Burnley

Man United
Chelsea
Arsenal
Man city
Liverpool
Spurs



QPR
West Brom
Southampton

Mrs Beasts Predictions:

1st - Chelsea
2nd - Utd
3rd - Arsenal
4th - City
5th - Liverpool
6th - Spurs

18th - Southampton
19th - Burnley
20th - Leicester

She has a crush on Jose I think!

10 Aug 2014 21:42:03
United
City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool
Newcastle

Swansea
Leicester
Burnley

1 Chelsea
2 City
3 Manchester United
4 Arsenal
5 Liverpool
6 Spurs

18 Leicester
19 Hull
20 Burnley

10 Aug 2014 22:02:10
1. United
2. Chelsea
3. City
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool

18. West Ham
19. Burnley
20. Leicester

Chelsea
United
City
Arsenal
Liverpool
Everton

Leicester
Aston Villa
Burnley

10 Aug 2014 22:24:53
1.Chelsea
2.Man City
3.United
4.Arsenal
5.Liverpool
6.Spurs
18.Southampton
19.Swansea
20.Burnley

1. United
2. Chelsea
3. City
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool
6. Everton

18. Swansea
19. Burnley
20. Leicester

Fancy QPR to get into trouble as well but went for Swansea.

1. Chelsea
2. Man City
3. Arsenal
4. Man Utd
5. Liverpool
6. Spurs

18. Swansea
19. West Brom
20. Burnley

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. United
4. Arsenal
5. Liverpool
6. Everton
7. Spurs.

18. Hull
19. West Brom
20. Burnley

10 Aug 2014 23:26:02
1st City
2nd Chelsea
3rd Arsenal
4th Liverpool
5th United
6th Spurs

18th West Brom
19th QPR
20th Burnley

Chelsea
United
City
Arsenal
Spurs
Liverpool

18.swansea
19.leicester
20. Burnley

01) Chelsea
02) Manchester City
03) Manchester United
04) Arsenal
05) Liverpool
06) Everton

18) Aston Villa
19) Swansea
20) West Brom

1. Man Utd.
2. Chelsea.
3. Man City.
4. Arsenal.
5. Liverpool
6. Everton
18. Southampton
19. Leicester.
20. Burnley.

AJH

1) Man utd
2) man city
3) arsenal
4) Chelsea
5) spurs
6) Liverpool

18) Leicester
19) west brom
20) Burnley

01. Chelsea
02. City
03. United.
04. Arsenal
05. Liverpool
06. Spurs

18. Swansea
19. West Brom
20. Burnley

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Arsenal
4. Manchester city
5. Everton
6. Liverpool

18. Leicester
19. West Brom
20. Burnley

1.man united 2.man city 3.chelsea 4.arsenal 5.liverpool 6.spurs. Relegated Burnley,qpr, leicester

*dependant on our signings*

1. chelsea
2. man city
3. arsenal
4. liverpool
5. man united
6. spurs

18. villa
19. hull
20. burnley

11 Aug 2014 10:10:18
1)Chelsea
2)Manchester United
3)Arsenal
4)Manchester City
5)Tottenham
6)Everton

18)West Ham
19)Aston Villa
20)Burnley

1. Man United
2. Chelsea
3. Man City
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool

18. Burnley
19. Sunderland
20. Leicester City

10 Aug 2014 17:04:05
Chaps

Re the top 6 predictions competitn, I take the point on the window still being open but that's part of the fun. If you want to take part you need to commit your predictions before the 1st game. Lock down is Friday night

In that case I will say 4th, simply because I think we may be struggling to bring in the likes of Vidal, Hummels & Cuadrado/Di Maria.

Syd, looking for the top 6 and 3 to go down. 20 entires so far

1 Chelsea
2 United
3 City
4 Arsenal
5 Liverpool
6 Spurs

18 Leicester
19 Hull
20 Burnley

1-chelsea
2-united
3-arsenal
4-city
5-spurs
6-liverpool
relegated
1-southampton
2-qpr
3-wba

United
City
Arsenal
Chelsea
Liverpool
Everton

West Brom
QPR
Southampton

Sorry

Liverpool 6th, Spurs 5th.

1. Chelsea
2. Arsenal
3. Liverpool
4. City
5. MUFC
6. Spurs
Relegated:
1. Burnley
2. Leicester
3. West Brom

10 Aug 2014 16:00:47
Dortmund have announced that Hummells will replace Kehl as their new club captain. He will not be leaving anytime soon.

10 Aug 2014 15:57:06
Van gaal wants to bring in a winger in the transfer window;
"We've no wingers of the highest level like Ronaldo or di Maria so that is necessary" Ssn report

10 Aug 2014 15:23:18
After they were beaten by Liverpool, Dortmund have said that Matts Hummels will be the team Captain next season. Based on that I think any possible transfer involving Hummels can be ruled out.

Was RVP captain of Arsenal when we bought him?

Red Man - Was RVP made captain of Arsenal a week or two before we signed him?

After the Dortmund B team were beaten by Liverpool?

Hummels was always going to be the main candidate for captain when Kohl stepped down.

Redseven, Hummels was always going to replace Kehl as captain. If he's sold then someone else will be the captain. Personally I don't see us paying up for Hummels, but I don't think this captaincy thing is that relevant here. It may be a stunt by Klopp to try and keep him at the club.

Syd - Why on earth would they make him captain if there was any chance of him leaving? It would be incredibly embarrassing for them were their captain to leave just after being made captain and it's embarrassment that could easily be avoided. They could have waited until the window was shut before announcing a new captain - but instead decided to make a statement that he'll be captain and staying with the club.

The chances of us signing Hummels were always going to be slim - but this has to be the end of it now -even to the most optimistic fans.

Hummels was always going to be captain, unless dortmund where planning on selling him

Dortmund have never planned on selling him. They do not want to sell, they don't need to sell. But that doesn't mean he will not be sold. Every player has their price.

I think us enquiring about Benatia tells us a story too. It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if we have balked at his price and we have for now at least moved on to other targets.

Completely agree syd. just because dortmund have made him captain means he can't joing another club. every player has a price on their head by the manager or club. captain or not if that price is met they won't stand in the way of him leaving if it increase their bank balance. its up to utd to offer a price that will make dortmund sell. simple. hummels would join us he has said in the past.

10 Aug 2014 14:06:28
ED given the rumours we are reading in the media it seems we only scout/monitor all the big names is it?

All 20-25 million + players like Vidal, Cavani, Carvalho, Strootman and Hummels etc . Of course some of them may have been cooked up by the media but I think you get the point i'm trying to make here.

Are we not scouting for under 10 million potential bargains? I mean its not just the transfer fee that decides whether a player can have an impact.

Are we not scouting/monitoring such players which could be signed for the first team and make an instant impact?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you have been reading nor what you are talking about. Sorry.}

We need some World Class players Mumbai, the problem has been we have been shopping in the same markets as Tottenham, Arsenal (until recently), Liverpool for far too long - but that market instead of £15mil is now £30mil. We needed to be buying ready made talent like City, Chelsea, Bayern, Real, Barcelona.

This is why we have dropped so far so quickly. We have too many potentially good players and not enough proven quality. We have now started spending World Class money on potential stars like Herrera & Shaw, potential is fine if we have class coming in as well.

10 Aug 2014 12:35:33
1 week to go people - tell me your predicted top 6 in order and I'll keep a record, update you all at Christmas and at the end of the season. Also your 3 to go down?

10 Aug 2014 12:48:48
1. Chelsea
2. United
3. City
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool

18. Southampton
19. Leicester
20. Burnley

10 Aug 2014 12:49:02
1) Chelsea
2) Man City
3) Liverpool
4) Man United
5) Arsenal
6) Spurs

10 Aug 2014 12:50:43
18) West Brom
19) Leicester
20) Burnley

Arsenal
chelsea
city
united
liverpool
everton

10 Aug 2014 12:57:58
Ajh,
Manchester united
Manchester city
Chelsea
Arsenal
Spurs
Liverpool

Burnley
West Brom
Southampton

1st Manger to get sacked will be Koeman

1st defeat by 7 or more will be QPR

Top scorer RVP

1. Manchester City
2. Manchester United
3. Chelsea
4. Arsenal
5. Everton
6. Liverpool

Can we not do this once the transfer window has closed?

Okay, this is based on our squad at present considering we don't appear to be adding to it:

1. Chelsea
2. Man City
3. Arsenal
4. Liverpool
5. Man Utd
6. Spurs

Relegated – West Brom, Burnley and Leicester.

1. Manchester United
2. Chelsea
3. Manchester City
4. Tottenham
5. Arsenal
6. Everton

18th. Leicester
19th. Burnley
20th. West Ham

I have faith LVG will sign who we need by the closing of the window.

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. Utd
5. Liverpool
6. Everton

18. West Brom
19. Leicester
20. Burnley

1 Chelsea
2 Man City
3 Man Utd
4 Arsenal
5 Liverpool
6 Everton

18 West Ham
19 burnley
20 West Brom
19

10 Aug 2014 13:32:43
Manchester United
Chelsea
Man city
Arsenal
Liverpool
Spurs

Burnley
WBA
Southampton

Top 6:

1) Chelsea
2) City
3) United
4) Arsenal
5) Liverpool
6) Spurs

Bottom 3:

18) Leicester
19) West Brom
20) Burnley

1 Manchester City
2 Chelsea
3 Manchester United
4 Liverpool
5 Arsenal
6 Totenham
Going Down Leicester Burnley West Brom

AJH, it's difficult because the window hasn't yet shut. Who we sign before September will have a massive say on our season.

People predicting chelsea and man city to win the league? if you're a united fan go and hang you're heads in shame. I wouldn't post that in a million years.

1. Chelsea. 2 City. 3. Arsenal. 4. united. 5. Liverpool. 6. Everton. Bottom 3. Burnley. Swansea. West Brom.

If no arrivals:
Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Liverpool
United
Spurs

Top 6

1 - City
2 - Chelsea
3 - Arsenal
4 - United
5 - Tottenham
6 - Liverpool

Bottom 3

18 -West Brom
19 - Leicester
20 - Burnley

Saying that I hope we do better but the sides above us have strengthened much more than we have. Hopefully we can get into Europe but without any more new signings I think it will be difficult.

1. City (if they get Mangala, best 11 by far)
2. Chelsea
3. United
4. Arsenal

Who cares who goes down LOL but here we go

QPR, Southampton, WBA

10 Aug 2014 15:25:09
Bit childish Stretfordender. It's not who they want to win the league but who the realistically think will win the league.

10 Aug 2014 15:40:07
Here here S i'm full of optimism and I can see no reason to belive we can't win the league we will sign at least 2 more players whether they will be off the a list b or c list they will be signed with their ability to do the job in mind and whoever they are they will improve us as a team and squad.
I am still hopeful of 2 really top class players in CB and CM with perhaps a utility player such as blind coming too he performs to a high level in a variety of positions.
i'm not sure what's going on with vidal and its a huge blow if its all gone pear shaped because we may have left it too late to target another player of that stature,

di maria is a really top class versatile player but the fee mentioned of 55m is a lot more than he is worth IMO even in todays market.
Cuadrado is it all made up by the press or are we trying to sign him? IMO he is a top class player with versatility pace and his stats in nearly every area are excellent

Dejong great team player does his job and does it well.

Song. not my cup of tea not sure he is driven enough.

Humells, an inspirational figure and although he does have a couple off deficiencies in his game he is the sort of leader that would drive this team forward and he would organise the defence well.

Benitta, not sure we are in for him but hope we are. another leader and has a super attitude to defending.

lets hope we get a couple of the above if we do LVG will have all the options he needs to deliver the title

10 Aug 2014 15:40:09
1st- Chelsea
2nd- arsenal
3rd - utd
4th - city
5th - spurs
6th - everton

18th - swansea
19th - Leicester
20th - Burnley

Sorry dint know it was top 6

1.Man Utd
2.Chelsea
3.Arsenal
4.Man City
5.Tottenham
6.Everton


Relegated west ham swansea and burnley

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. Utd
5. Liverpool
6. Everton

Got to laugh at the last two predictions. City are losing to Arsenal therefore Arsenal will now finish ahead of City.

You know if City were winning 3.0 that they would have put City above Arsenal. The fickle football fan, we all do it :)

Top 6.

Chelsea
Manchester city
Arsenal
Manchester United
Liverpool
Everton

Bottom 3:

Southampton
West Brom
Leicester

I'ma put my faith in Mr Woodward and assume that he'll bring in the right players before the window closes.

1. Chelsea
2. Manchester United
3. Manchester City
4. Arsenal
5. Spurs
6. Liverpool
18. Sunderland
19. Leicester
20. Burnley

Hey I've got arsenal winning it.
And was before the cs

I believe we'll make further signings.

1 Man Utd
2 Arsenal
3 Chelsea
4 City
5 Liverpool
6 Everton

Relegated: Burnley, Leicester, Swansea

Jred, I know you did :)

1. Chelsea
2. City
3. Arsenal
4. United
5. Liverpool
6. Everton

Burnley, Leicester, Palace.

1)city
2)chelsea
3)manchester united
4)arsenal
5)liverpool
6)everton

18)southampn
19)burnley
20)leichester

1.Chelsea
2.Arsenal
3.Man City
4.Man Utd
5.Liverpool
6.Everton

18. West Ham
19. Burnley
20. Leicster

10 Aug 2014 12:25:08
I think that this is without doubt what Van Gaal is trying to create:

http://www.manchesterunitedrumours.co.uk/formations/Fresh!.php

Fresh no point paying 50 million pounds for a heavily left footed right wing back whom i've never seen play as a wing back.

10 Aug 2014 12:53:32
Fresh, our 3 CB are poor but Jones would defiantly have to start out the 3. That back 3 you have is about as slow as you will get. You have to have at least one quick CB so jones starts

I'd much rather we went for Cuadrado than Di Maria - but at this moment I'd be happy with either.

Smalling if anything is quicker than Jones. And it looks like Di Maria is the one that he wants, the only place I can see him going is at wing back. Unless Mata drops into a midfield three and Di Maria joins the two up front.

10 Aug 2014 11:11:54
A few questions about our rumoured interest.
1. Dimarea, .would his purchase force a move away from 3412 or can.he play as a wing back. also could Di marea play the Rooney role as second striker.
2. Quadrado, would he bea better option this, season than Di marea but less what can gaal wants longer term for 433.
3. Hummels/benatia, assuming we only get 1 CD who fits better in a back 3 and secondly who fits better in van Gaals longer term hope for 433.
4. De Jong, setting aside his Blues history would he be a good signing as cover for Vidal (assuming we get Vidal). Allowing us to sell fallaini, cleverly, kagwa and not be short on numbers.

1/2. I think Di Maria is the better winger but Cuadrado would make the better wing-back. Given how we went about pre-season I'd be shocked if we suddenly stopped playing with three at the back and so it's safe to say that whichever we sign (assuming of course that we sign one of them) will be expected to play predominantly as a wb. Weighing up the cost and their attributes I think Cuadrado would be the better option but think we may end up with Di Maria for the sake of making a 'marquee signing'. I'd be happy with either.

3. I think Hummels is a better CB both in a 4-3-3 and 3-5-2. He'd be my first choice - but again I'd be happy with either.

4. I've said from the moment we were linked with him that De Jong would be a good signing - and I stand by that. I just hope that if he is signed it's alongside Vidal rather than instead of him.

10 Aug 2014 10:36:03
Well the press seem very optimistic that the Vidal deal will go through with Hernandez going in the other direction - if we have to use him to get the deal done then so be it!

It also would seem apparent that LVG wants Di Maria. He has said in his press conference that the team is missing a Di Maria or a Ronaldo. With no chance of getting Ronaldo, Robben, Bale then Di Maria is the best available option with PSG struggling to put a deal together. I just wonder if Mr Woodward will be able to act quickly enough to get him as he is clearly available. I'm not sure where he would play though? Is he good enough defensively to play as a wing back or will be knock someone out of the front three? Thoughts?

Although I agree with certain posters that ideas of rigid formations are unhelpful in certain circumstances, they are useful in the case of Di Maria to show how he can be a bridge between all stages of transition of Van Gaal's preferred system/s, ie between 3412 and 433, whether in-game or longer term, and the flexibility of the player himself.

Last season Ancelotti utilised Angel Di Maria largely on the left of a midfield three, and very successful it was too, making the most as it did of his energy and incredibly effective vertical movement. This would obviously be an option for United in a nominal 433 or similar with another similarly energetic player (a Hererra or a Vidal) on the other side and a sitting player, a deep-lying playmaker (Carrick, possibly Fletcher) or potentially a more ball winning player (De Jong), in the centre.

I think it's fairly obvious, however, that the current squad weakness that Di Maria would be purchased to address is pace in the final third, where currently Welbeck is the most progressed/consistent of limited options. He is obviously well suited to playing on the left of a front three in a 433, and, although he could play in any of the front three positions, in a 3412 his sheer verticality would mean he would be best utilised in a Robben-like second striker role.

On very rare occasions last season Di Maria was shifted to fill in as a nominal left back in certain stages of play. His tenacity, discipline, pace and energy could make him a surprisingly reliable option as a wingback (although I think, Syd, he is far too left footed to play on the right in anything but an emergency), but I think it unlikely that Van Gaal would view it as his primary or even secondary role, either initially or in the future.

Cheers
B

10 Aug 2014 09:15:21
ED do we have any alternative target if we aren't able to land Vidal?


I'm not asking what media is reporting, i.e:- Song etc.


Are you aware of any other targets the club is actively looking at?


Thanks

{Ed002's Note - The club will not buy for the sake of it. I suspect that the transfer of Vidal cannot be completed the club will probably wait until Strootman is fit and look to him.}

Thanks Ed.

So I suppose if we do not sign Vidal and it is almost certain that Strootman won't be match fit until the end of October/November we will continue playing Fletcher/Cleverley/Carrick in that role.


Lets hope they are up for it.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot answer these bizarre "whatif" questions.}

Expect us to sign him this week. The knee thing is overblown and just bs. It is all about the fee.

{Ed002's Note - If the knee is "overblown" he will never pass his medical.}

10 Aug 2014 10:42:08
Strootman is more than likely the back up to Vidal, 100% agree with Ed002. I still wouldn't be surprised that we sign De Jong in his own right though, he is good value for money and is very different to what we have and the other targets that we are looking at.

Vidal this window, Strootman next. If Di Maria comes in (which I doubt) I can see him being the "Robben" type player for us that LVG used in the WC, that would probably mean Rooney or RVP miss out, if Mata is Sneijder.

I don't want Di Maria, I don't rate him that highly and I would much sooner see Rooney, Mata & RVP build a relationship. Especially if Rooney continues to stay focussed.

Neither of our primary midfield targets are fit so we are in a bad way there

10 Aug 2014 15:59:56
Ed002, in your opinion, do you think the Vidal deal will go through before the 31st?

{Ed002's Note - Wouldn't going through on September 1st be enough for you?}

10 Aug 2014 06:51:57
Ed002, Are you sure were not in for Rojo? His intergram has just followed Janazaj, Rooney and RVP apparently? Bit strange if true.

{Ed002's Note - I can only tell you where I am aware of interest and I really don't know what Intergram is.}

10 Aug 2014 09:01:28
I follow them 3 on mine, I'll expect a call from lvg.

It's a place where people post pictures of food ed

10 Aug 2014 09:44:07
the whole instagram thing is built up from fake accounts linking to each other! If you check out the source there is a photo and its blatant BS!

10 Aug 2014 06:59:44
Interest in Di Maria baffles me a little bit. The more I think about it, you simply cannot fit him in unless one of our front three in RVP, Rooney or Mata is benched or sold. In both the 3-4-1-2 or the 4-3-3 . The wing back argument doesn't work either since we already have Luke Shaw there and I cannot see him playing right wing back.

When we buy a player for 50+mil he is going to have to start obviously. Di Maria is one of my favorite players outside of United, I would love to see him at OT, but how can we accommodate him without shifting out the others? Its a squad game of course, yet getting Cuadrado for right wing back and a center back with the money and wages Di Maria would cost, and then signing a top CM would make so much more sense.

There is a rumor going around that Van Gaal was not at all impressed with any of the wingers (not a shock at all) on the tour and has told Ed Woodward to get him Di Maria. Cuadrado is obviously very gettable at the moment, but it appears that Van Gaal wants to get exactly what he wants rather than what is gettable quickly at the moment. Perhaps a positive sign, or maybe not? It was exactly this kind of approach and failing to change strategy within a dynamic market in previous years that led to some pretty disastrous summer windows in previous years.

It would be a shame if we persist with Di Maria and then PSG come up with the cash and buy him and meanwhile we lose out on Cuadrado too to Barcelona and end up with nobody.

To be honest our more pressing concerns are center back and central midfield. Vermaelen is gone, and apart from efforts to sign Hummels (of which we don't know what has happened yet) and Vidal (another one in the balance and looking unlikelier to happen by the day) and nothing more than "interest" in Benatia or Blind, it worries me going into the final 3 weeks of the transfer window. Fingers crossed we sign a couple of top players although we shouldn't be buying for the sake of it.

We also need to sell the likes of Fellaini, Anderson, Nani, Hernandez and perhaps Kagawa to balance the books. Ed Woodward has a busy 3 weeks ahead.

The 3-4-1-2 brings out the best in all our current players imo, allows our best players to play in their favored positions and is also defensively tight and a flexible formation which can quickly change to a 4-3-3 when a more attacking approach is required. A center back and a CM is a must, regardless of what formation we play. I would prefer for us to end up like this come 2nd september, although highly unlikely :-

http://www.manchesterunitedrumours.co.uk/formations/REDFAITH.php

Completely agre REFAITH, I really don't see how he fits in to. The system LVG seems to want to play. He's a winger, can't see him really delivering at wing back. He's also very expensive and I can't see he is worth that much, we should look elsewhere.

Yeah I agree as well we have much more pressing issues to address then wasting so much money on Di Maria got to say that I can't see us buying anyone else now which is going to cost us massively as this squad will not break into the top 4 in my opinion and before everyone rants at me yes I know lvg is a superior manager to moyes but face facts we have 3 very injury prone cb's and only 1 decent midfielder while I like fletcher he is not the answer

I would love to agree with you guys but I am starting to buy the idea of Di Maria joining us.

He has real pace, at a very good age and is a real hard worker, we don't have anyone like him in the squad that could play several positions.

The only reason I wouldn't buy him if he is ridiculously expensive for e.g.50 mil, 40 to 45 mil plus 150k wages max and we have ourselves a really top player.

LvG changed the Dutch system at the World Cup to one which suited the players he had available. Similarly arriving at United he will have found our weaknesses, defending and central midfield plus for me a lack of any real pace and adapted our formation accordingly. LvG is a tactician and he wants the team to learn and develop tactically, I recall him saying about learning to play 3 at the back because they already know 442. I think the point is we actually don't know for sure how LvG envisages our style. It is obvious we need a central defender, a defender who can cover left back and a central midfield player but we lack pace and whilst personally I prefer Reus I think Di Maria would be an excellent buy. The main problem is whether Woodward and our owners would approve all the spending

Great post Redman, I wouldve personally preferred Sanchez but don't know why we didn't try hard for him and Reus will be excellent but I have a feeling he will be moving to Bayern or Barcelona.

Di Maria if he continues the fom of last year for the next 5 years then we have ourselves a really top player that will get hearts pumping at old trafford.

Lvg would like to play 4-3-3 but doesn't feel he has the right players.
We will move towards 4-3-3 once we buy the correct players

Jred, he has told us the reason he is playing three at the back. It's so he can play two strikers at one time, IE Van Persie & Rooney. People are getting too fixated on the formation. He will go from a 343 to a 433 during games if things are not working out. It's only taking a CB off and adding on another attacking player. The players will learn both formation so that they can change it up mid-game when the 343 isn't working. But I agree that a couple years into the future we will probably move back to two CB's. We will not start the game with three CB's forever and we will not start the game with three CB's every game this season IMO.

Redfaith, if we were to sign Di Maria he would play as a right wing-back or a winger depending on what formation we are playing. Same goes with Cuadrado. But a RWB initially. He would replace Valencia in the current side. Believe it or not Di Maria is a handful when defending. He tracked back all the time for RM. He would suit this position fine, in fact he can play in several positions.

Its like Jred and Red Man have said, LvG will want to have a tactically flexible squad that is comfortable playing many different tactics and formations.

Personally I feel Di Maria could do a very good job, he is excellent going forward has pace and is good defensively. He can play on the wing or in midfield and in either position he has shown the willingness and ability to track back and defend. So I have every faith he could adapt to a wing back role or he could push forward and play in either the midfield or forward three in a 433 formation if needed.

My concern is there is always a chance that when you sign a player and play him in a new position that it might not work, and when you factor in the cost in signing Di Maria and his expected wages then it suddenly becomes a huge gamble.

Thats why I feel maybe pushing for Cuardado would make more sense, he has proven he can play as a wing back as well as in midfield or as a forward, and he will cost half as much as Di Maria. He is also right footed which when you consider we have Shaw and Januzaj who are left footed and can cover the same positions on the left then its clear we need someone for the right hand side which would suit a right footer better.

Ultimately though without knowing what LvG's plan is then we can't really say who is best.

With Dimaria and Quadrado if it ever happened we will see them as part of the front 3 and we will see a mass exodus of players and complete overhaul of the squad over the next few windows.

I still expect to see 4 or 5 players gone in the last week of the window. Part of the delay in us selling is purely based on securing new signing and no one wants a chelsea issue where they loaned Lukaku and failed to secure a top striker last year and the same applies to the likes of nani, hernandez etc

Red Man, playing a 3412 enables us to play our three best attacking players (Rooney/RvP/Mata) in their preferred positions. That couldn't happen in any other formation.

It's not about not having the correct players to play a 433, it's about utilising all the players he currently has. How do you fit Rooney, Mata & RvP into a 433 and keep all happy?

You can't. Playing a 3412 is keeping everyone happy and that is why we are playing it.

Syd
" at this moment we have five no9s and four no 10s and we don't have wingers to give us attacking width, or should I say we don't have wingers of the higest level like ronaldo or di maria or some one like that . So I have to play in another way and you have seen that already " lvg
he has already said the squad is unbalanced, once he has moved on a few players and got a few of his own in I think we wil go 4-3-3.

Also imagine if moyes had so publicly dist his wingers

“With the quality of the players we have, I can play 4-3-3 with three strikers on the bench, but I want to play with two strikers. We have four number 10s, so the selection is not balanced in my eyes. I have decided to play this system because of the quality of the players. But if we lose, I can change back to another system.”

I guess he's contradicting himself with these two quotes jred.

“The other system they can play is 4-3-3 and they have played it for many years. I can change it back if it doesn’t work, ” he added.

Syd
not really, with the quality of players he has I can fully understand why he wants to play 2 strikers its where we are strongest, you don't want your best players on the bench .
but like he says the squad is not balanced five 9s four 10s and no top quality wingers.

so I think once he has moved a few on, balanced the squad and got a few of his own players in we will move to 4-3-3

Sydney

Yes but where is there any pace in the team? Rooney might be ok but both Mata and RVP don't have any. The formation keeps those three happy but no pace on the break. When Berbatov played the opposition could hold a higher line and that could be more difficult to do if we have pace. Also who says LvG will want to keep them all happy?

Red Man, the pace would come from the wingbacks.

Jred, we will see the 433 a lot this season too IMO.

Fingers crossed he can get all of his targets this summer.