Manchester United Banter Archive September 10 2014

10 Sep 2014 16:35:41
Good evening guys.

Could someone tell me if the latest figures that have come out today include all the recent transfers ins and outs as well as payouts for Moyes and his mob.

{Ed002's Note - It will include the cost of Mr Moyes and his staff. Summer transfers are not included.}

Only Herrera's

Hi Guys

So the fact our profits are down by 84% are quite worrying then taking into account the next figures will include all the transfer money.

{Ed002's Note - There is nothing to worry about - as football fans you should ignore the finances as it just tends to confuse.}

11 Sep 2014 12:59:39
Ed,

Have you ever thought about having a finance page where all the people who know nothing about finance can debate until their heart is content loads of things they don't understand?

10 Sep 2014 12:17:52
A reply to Sid_Mumbai from quite some time ago, sorry I didn't see your question earlier.

My answer is yes, I see Ronaldo as a much more likely signing than a world class centre back. The signs are pointing to a Ronaldo departure from Madrid, they want Hazard, Di Maria has hinted he may leave, he has once again said he would like to return and there is seemingly tension between Ronaldo and Mendes with the club. If it is going to happen it will more than likely be this coming summer.

In terms of a centre back, what 'world class' centre back is available. In all honesty I can't think of many off the top of my head anyway but the likes of Pique, Hummels etc won't be available. We may push for a centre back, but I think our next to signings of note will be Ronaldo and Strootman + a new second choice keeper.

Scousers on their page have already started linking Sterling to Madrid as Ronaldo's replacement.

That has made my day. But I definitely think that Ronaldo will be leaving soon and I can't honestly see him going anywhere else.

I can see Chelsea coming in for him as well when the time comes. I know many of you think he will come back to us, but he will go where the money is and where he is most wanted, would LVG want him enough?

Mourinho could be a factor and whether we are in the CL or not. I don't think it will be just as easy as us bidding what Madrid will want and him saying yes. His age will be a factor as well as our current wage bill.

The Gunners all thought Fabregas would go back home, he did the opposite in the end. It would be a major kick in the teeth seeing him play for another PL team, but frankly I don't pay much attention to all this media spiel and Ronaldo has a habit of doing and saying what is best for him, no shame in using our name to get what he wants contract wise as well I might add.

Sometimes I wish he would just shut-up about Man Utd, he chose the greener grass remember that.

10 Sep 2014 13:52:16
I agree regards centre backs, there truly is a shortage of top class ones and the ones aren't available and would come with a hefty premium. Look at what Luiz went for and he's a terrible centre half.i think we'll end up going for someone in the next bracket down.

10 Sep 2014 14:03:59
As for Ronaldo I do see him leaving at some point. And if you work through the options there's a few possibilities.

We can obviously rule out barca. And also Milan as their finances aren't great. Not sure juventus could afford him either. Inter maybe but think they other priorities.

Dortnund couldn't afford him and doesn't fit their transfer policy. Bayern could but not in the market for that sort of player.

We can discount Liverpool. And city have to watch their spending, I understand they can't increase the wage bill too much.

That leaves Chelsea and arsenal or Paris.

10 Sep 2014 14:10:19
Fresh I would be suprised to see united spending huge money on ronaldo before improving our defence and midfield especially whn ronaldo have already signed new contract last summer. We already have januzaj who can be a top class winger and di maria ofcourse. We need two more midfieldrs and two defenders and a right back if rafael doesn't step up this season to have a team competing in all fronts next summer and don't forget if falcao proves himself we need to spend on him as well espcially with rvp n rooney getting a year old we anyway may have to sign a striker if not falcao.I would love ronaldo to come to united but I guess we have terrific strike force but in next two windows we have to invest more in defensive part and a player like vidal,fernando,yaya toure, busquets, matic some who can boss the midfield is what we are lacking. I hope di maria becomes our new ronaldo this season.

Personally I don't think that Ronaldo or a centre back will be brought in January. Assuming we are working well as a team I think they will try and get Strootman (as he could be easier then than in the summer depending on his recovery).
Next summer will be interesting as by then we will know more what LVG's plans are to evolve us and whether we are going 433 or sticking with the 352. Also, it will be interesing which of the 3 forwards stick around as I don't think they all will, whether that is Falcao off after his loan, Rooney as he has not performed or RVP due to injuries.
A top CB will be brought in, however it may not be an obvious one at the minute (bare in mind Benatia whilst good was not seen as the top class player he is now this time last year.). As for Ronaldo.we would all love it. The marketing machine would love it and whilst his age is against him he has looked after himself so well that he will be terrorising defences for years yet. That said I just can't see it!

10 Sep 2014 15:44:05
I think the only reason its a 352 is because he's waiting for strootman. Now he's changed agent only makes it more likely.

How much are United going to have to pay RM for Ronaldo, and what's his wage going to be? 60m+ and 400k per week? Ronaldo will be 30 next year, and as fit as he is, United will need to determine whether that outlay can be recouped taking into account that in 4 or 5 years time his transfer value will be basically gone.

I don't see it, myself. I'd prefer to spend the money on a young rising star like Pogba, Hazard or even Bale, and I think United will see it that way too.

I don't think chelsea should be considered as a possible destination for Ronaldo. We only hand out 1 year contracts for players aged 30 or more ;-)

Chelsea? Can't see it he and mourinho had a bit of a falling out I think he will return but not for 2 years.

10 Sep 2014 18:19:46
Yeah to be honest, I would rather spend slightly bigger and try get Bale. His all round game is really not far behind Ronaldo's at all, defensively he's actually better not to mention the age difference and potential to become better. But I don't see RM selling him.

Beast

You are the most pessimistic fan I have seen. He will never go to chelsea and he does not like Mourinho and how much more plain can you get when he says he loves the club and sees himself returning one day.

GCU - its all hocus pocus mate. I am just being realistic. How often do players kiss the badge and spout off stuff only then to chose a more lucrative opportunity when push comes to shove.

I just take a step back. Also a 30+ Ronaldo isn't exactly mouthwateringly exciting for me as he relies to much on his pace, no doubt he will be quality but there will be far more effective players for the money he will be commanding in 12+months time.

You just see some things differently to me, Welbeck is a prime example.

10 Sep 2014 10:23:20
People having been saying that rooney has been poor in the games played lately but how poor was RVP yesterday.
Just one good pass to Narsingh in the entire game. I wouldn't be surprised if RVP is dropped and rooney mata and falcao are played upfront.

I don't think rvp has played well for a while now, i'm not sure he has been fully fit for the last 10 month or so

Completely agree, RVP has looked very poor.
I would go with a front three of Mata, Rooney and Falcao.

I don't understand why people think that both RVP and Falcao wil be able to play together.

Both are number 9's that drop to the edge of the box, pick it up, drive at a couple of players if needed before finishing.

nobody will be 'dropped' though. It's unlikely that we'll see Falcao start against QPR because of his match fitness.

However I don't expect to see much of a RVP/Falcao partnership forming anytime soon.

It's also worth noting that a HIGH percentage of Falcao's goals have come from him being a loan forward.

When he's paired with someone he's a lot less effective.

For me it needs to be RVP or Falcao and in all likelihood, I would choose Falcao. Rooney and Falcao up top with Mata behind and Di Maria the most advanced of a midfield three would be my pick. Or the 4-4-2 with Di Maria and Januzaj wide.

Jose, that is why he would more than likely be best alongside Rooney as he would not be a partner in the true sense of the word. I very much have my fingers crossed for a front three next year of Ronaldo, Rooney and Falcao - would be nearly identical to what we saw in 2008.

Moonrinho if he has scored lot of goals as a "Loan Forward" then this transfer definitely suits us.

10 Sep 2014 13:37:59
Fresh , as good as falcao is, he is not as flexible as tevez was in 2008

10 Sep 2014 13:45:37
Oh Mumbai_Boy. . this has tickled me

RVP has been pretty poor since after Xmas his first season. He has shown glimpses, but runs offside more now, gets injured often, looks shattered a lot sooner in games, contributes less and his finishing isn't as good as it was. Even some of the (few) chances he has had of late he is missing where he would have scored previously.

Saying that I think Falcao & RVP could work well, its all to do with how their brains are programmed and if they can operate together in terms of movement. It's not that often you see one forward passing to another, it is more to do with not making the same runs and closing down together etc, if they click it could be great, many people thought Tevez & Rooney wouldn't play well together as they were quite similar but they did.

Rooney & Falcao, Rooney & RVP, Falcao & RVP, Falcao alone, I suppose it would have been nice to see which works best during pre-season but we don't have that luxury so more trial and error ahead over the next few weeks. Exciting though if we can pass the ball forward at speed.

10 Sep 2014 15:16:41
RvP has looked poor of late but as someone else said he's lacking fitness. Rooneys the fittest he's been in years so why is he underperforming? Is being captain too much? Is it the midfield?

I did mention few weeks back that we needed another top striker as neither rvp or Rooney were filling me with hope. I said we'll struggle to get goals with rvp and Rooney.
I'm sorry we sold welbeck, but delighted we've got falcao. So personally, I think Rooney falcao will work great as rvp has been very poor for a year now.

MrE - the problem with Rooney is simply down to him losing that yard of pace over the past few years. He can't recover from mistakes, he can't get away from his man, he can't create space for others without that extra yard. So when he has the ball now he needs a lot more time and a lot more options, just because of that yard disappearing and he didn't have much to spare, he hasn't had time or options because of our midfield deficiencies as well. As we have slowed in midfield, so has the service and he hasn't got that X-factor anymore to make up for it.

Rooney always had sloppy touch, the trouble is where he could nick the ball back or recover quickly he can't now and opponents know it. It happens often to players like Rooney, the major problem is most clubs phase out players like this, we have kind of rewarded it, it's backwards!

RVP has been poor since March and not right in my opinion. Rooney's issue is he roams around too much and hence receiving the ball in the wrong area of the pitch and then some poor decisions and gets stick for it. Some of it is due to our midfield being absent during many games and hence the constant debate.

I thought he had a fantastic world cup.

Beast - Most GOOD clubs sell players like Welbeck, that is what happened. So another assumption of yours goes down the drain mate.

Deeps.

Yet a team that is in the CL and look far better than us this season sign him as their main striker - yeah I'm crazy!

Welbeck was a snip for Arsenal, a quality player that we got rid of to accommodate two of the most underperforming players in the game. Consistently underperforming I might add.

Welbeck will be second choice behind giroud

A poor player who only had pace in his locker. Considered not good enough by someone better than you and me. A cheap alternative for the Gooners, ask their legends. Not fit to lace RVP or Rooney's boots. Local lad who got far too much leeway, now booted for a world class player like Falcao. I hope that is clear enough.

Deeps.

Even the best make mistakes Deep, LVG has made a fair few clangers in his time, the opening 2 months of his Utd tenure have hardly been impressive as well, all talk so far and dreadful performances - I prefer evidence rather than wishful thinking.

Time will tell with Welbeck as it will LVG, but Welbeck has far more than just pace, how he played for England the other night is how he has played most games (not even looking at the goals).

He was barely given a run in his favourite role because players like RVP & Rooney were chosen ahead of him on reputation not form, that would annoy the hell out of anybody. Both of whom have been below average for a long time (injuries aside), so you are saying Welbeck was given too much leeway, but think Rooney hasn't, give me a break?

Welbeck for Falcao was good business obviously don't get me wrong. Rooney for Falcao would have been better, as would RVP for Falcao. That is my issue with the deal, the wrong player was let go for a vast array of reasons, not least if we switch to a 4-3-3 which is the managers plan, only Welbeck can operate multiple roles effectively. RVP & Rooney are the ones given game after game despite being awful for the past 12+ months.

SAF wanted rid of Rooney, are you saying that LVG is better than SAF now? You can't have it both ways.

Beast mate, Fergie did not want to sell Wazza for footballing reasons, I think that is clear. Plus you are comparing Welbeck to one of our main stays over the last decade. Welbeck had done nothing to justify the weird martyr like feeling ever since he left.

Deeps.

10 Sep 2014 05:14:58
How good is Daley Blind really? Got to see some good passing range in the world cup. Has anyone watched him in Ajax? You can never judge from video highlights, but I couldn't notice anything 'brilliant'. I know we need someone who can do the job, doesn't need to a flashy performer, but how much is he really going to improve us? Guess we will find out soon.
Can't wait for the next game. It will be a completely different line-up.

10 Sep 2014 08:54:04
He played well for Netherlands yesterday. doesn't gives away the ball and alwys looks to pass the ball forward. Defensively he is better then fletcher and carrick I guess and will do a good job alongside herrera and Di maria.

That's all we'd ask from him! Hope he can be THAT GUY for us.

Personally I think he just looks like a steady eddy. He really lacks pace, which isn't a problem when we have the ball, but a major problem when we don't. I remember numerous teams running past our midfield like we were stuck in treacle last season, he isn't going to change that for me. During the World Cup this was something I noticed about him, how easy it was for players to glide past him.

However he is intelligent, can play in multiple positions, so is a good acquisition, just not the world class midfielder we need obviously. As a LWB I have concerns about how much of an attacking threat he will be due to this pace issue as well. Hopefully Shaw will keep fit, so he sticks to playing DM.

He played lwb last night and had a v good game

Steady player with a good range of passing. Pretty tidy on the ball and will more than likely look for others like Mata, Rooney, Januzaj etc to make the more adventurous balls. He will no doubt sit in front of the defense and help clean up.

Has more pace than Fletcher altough not a lot better passing range but we do have Di Maria Herrera and Januzai with pace so more intelligent than fast is better

It is hard to say until we have seen him in the LVG set up. What we know is that he will do a good job however he is deployed.
Assuming we have a LWB available I think he will be played as the defensive midfielder (no matter what system), from what I have seen he is a good reader of the game, strong in the tackle, comfortable on the ball and a very good passer. He will happily sit and allow the more advanced players to push forward. He will allow the team the flexibility to also play 4 at the back and slip in with the CB's to make a 3 if the full backs are pushing forward.
All in all I am quite positive about Blind. . let's hope it is not 'Blind positivity'!

I have not seen enough of him but from what I have seen is he is very tidy and cool when in possession and does not do anything stupid. He has a very good cross with some great whip on it.

If valencia is good enough to play down the right this boy is plenty good enough to play down the left. At least we will see a measured cross for a change.