Manchester United Banter Archive July 11 2013

 

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11 Jul 2013 23:15:09
Faith why same thing happens every year only difference this year is not all season tickets have been sold I've had text and a letter to remind me to renew mine well money gone on some decking for garden
boarshawred

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All the tickets didn't sell last year bore, happens quite often now, takes time over the summer to sell. You keep mentioning you haven't bought your ticket but I keep asking why and you won't give me an answer.

I also asked why you post on this site, and where your passion is for the club. You sound like a moaner and I imagine you were happy with the thiago news so you could say 'I told you so' despite ignoring the big signings we made last year.

I think I speak for the club here when I say that your support won't be missed, and from my point of view I don't want fans like you at the ground, I want passionate fans who love the club no matter what.

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Big signings are too an far between for a top club trying to compete on all levels

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No name,

Constructive well thought out post, thanks for your input mate. Lots of no names on here today slagging off the club, coincidence?

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GDS, get off your high horse. It's not your club more than anyone else, and the fact that you post here so often merely suggests that you have more time for this than the rest of us, not that you're more of a supporter. And don't mistake loving a club and agreeing with everything they do. I love my family, but I don't agree with them quite often. And for the big signings from last season, RVP and Kagawa are great, but clearly even they aren't enough for us to win in Europe, and with our competition improving, we desperately need to fill two gaps in our team, a CM who can get forward better than carrick and connect carrick to the attacking players, and one more world-class attacking player to complete a four with Rooney, Kagawa and RVP. Just because we want to improve doesn't mean we aren't happy, proud, or grateful for the title this season, but I for one remember the second Madrid match and I would like to try and win that match next season, which means top signings, which don't appear likely this summer.

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Oh, come, come, Mr. Glazer, no need to hide behind a non de plum like GDS, which guarantees the same anonymity as Anon. Surely?

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KG,

Your posts appears to bear no resemblance to the point I was making to Boarshaw does it?

Who said I am a bigger fan or that me posting on here means I am a bigger fan. I agree that people can disagree with things that the club do, but that isn't what boarshaw is doing.

Are you saying you agree with all of Boarshaws posts? He has not posted one positive post about the club in the whole time he has posted on here. I have asked him for an explanation as to what enjoyment he gets from it.

I fully agree with you that we need to make top quality signings this summer and I am disappointed if we do not get Thiago, but it is July 12th. If on the 31st August we are sat here bottom of the table with no signings made then I will probably be in the same boat as you and boarshaw, but we are not, let's enjoy the transfer window with the ups and downs and see who we sign, rather than whinging and complaining after 12 days of it.

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11 Jul 2013 23:15:08
Right I have the answers, I've been doing my maths here it is, Rooney is headin 2 Madrid wit a few bob for Ronnie and it won't cost much as Thiago and a few bob are coming our way for Vidic so its a nice deal, Nani and Anderson are moving on which is going to bring in a few quid and Garay will come in along with a 'surprise', I don't want to ruin everything for you all! A new batch of young lads are coming through, we can call these 'Daveys babies' and that's this window done. Now that I've broke the news its all going to happen in the next few days. Remember where you heard it first.
Redken.

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My 'you heard it here first list' is growing ever longer :/

Ste.

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11 Jul 2013 23:07:09
I don't believe thiago going to bayern, I just think its a ploy by Barcelona officials to get us to pay whatever they want.

singh

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This crossed my mind as well

Ste.

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11 Jul 2013 23:04:16
Whats this? Thiago may choose to go to Bayern rather than us? Well that's it then isn't? We've had a good run, let's sell off the players, sell the ground and training complex and hang up the "gone out of business" sign then shall we?

Thiago is a very very good player who in a year or two's time could ge considered one of the best in the world.

But tell me when have Manchester United ever been a one man team?

Why are players such as DDG, Rafael, Vidic, Carrick and RvP no longer good enough?

We have missed out on several players over the last few years, that may go some way to explain this long barren run we've had in terms of titles and trophies. Oh hang on a minute, you mean even though we've missed out on players before we have still been able to win titles and cups.

The moment there is a rumour and at the moment that is all it is, that we may not sign a player and everyone starts acting like its the end of the world.

Yes missing out on a player of Thiago's ability will be abit of a blow, and after the work put into it a bit of a bitter pill to swallow. But if he does choose to move else where then so be it. We will move on and look at other options.

I find it funny that all the people who came on here when we were first linked to Thiago and at the time were saying things like he isn't physically strong enough or that he'll want to go back to Barca after a year or two, are the same people who are coming back on here now berating the club for missing out on this obvious world class talent.

Its almost like some people are only happy if they can have moan about the club.

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Interesting how the players you list as our best are predominantly defenders.

Anyway; Vidic has been injured a lot and Carrick turns 32 later this month. Rafael is still some way from the finished article but I suppose will continue to improve. The rest of our midfield/wingers (with the exception of kags) are not good enough, Rooney looks like he may leave, Welbeck can't finish, Smalling and Jones are still too young, Evra and Rio are on their way out.

We won the league last year - but were poor. The past 2+ seasons we have not been good enough domestically nor in Europe.

The only players I'm really happy with at the moment in terms of a starting 11 are;

-----------DDG----------
RAFAEL-VIDIC. OR. RIO-?-?
------CARRICK--?--------
----?----KAGAWA---?----
-----------RVP-----------

Chico is a great back-up for RVP as well.

As far as I'm concerned we need 3 midfielders or a midfielder and 2 wingers. A new left back and an established CB wouldn't go a miss either. If Rooney goes a striker might need to be added to that list as well.

We could have done with bringing in a new CM or two last year so that in 2 years time we're not fielding a midfield with just 1 years' experience for us - but we missed the boat on that.

I'm annoyed with missing out on Thiago but more than anything this has served as another example of how inept we are when it comes to transfers.

redseven

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Those players are not good enough to win us the big big games against the best in Europe when you need a midfield to control the game.

We've won titles. We haven't cups since 2008 when (surprise, surprise) we were carried all the way by one player, Ronaldo.

You can make up all the BS you want about Manchester United moving on as a club and always winning. Fact is, we will NEVER win the CL without a midifled (or our current one). Thiago would have been a huge step forward for us.

If the rumors about us being hesitant to pay the extra VAT on top of the 18m clause are true, it just goes to show what a joke the club's management is becoming.

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12 Jul 2013 08:09:40
Redseven, I actually named players who made a big difference to the team last season. But we still have Rio who is still a top defender even if he has lost a yard of pace, Smalling and Jones will be top defenders and will be better next season. Evans has quietly becoming a top defender for us, and last season was probably our most consisitant defender.

I didn't mention Rooney who on his day is world class, but he had an off season last year. If he stays and rexovers some form he will win us games.

Valencia also had a poor year last year, but that doesn't mean he'll have another poor season next season. On form there isn't a left back in the league who doesn't s**t himself at the sight of Valencia running full flight at him.

Then we have Hernandez and Kagawa, two excellent players who need and deserve more game time to show what they can do. If given it they will shine.

Then we have Welbeck and Cleverley, neither had a great season last year. But that doesn't mean they aren't good players, they are just young and learning. All young players need a run of poor form to be able to learn how to bounce back from it.

Anderson and Nani are the forgotten men on this page. It's assumed that they will be leaving. But a new manager and a slight change in direction could be what they need to kick on. I'm not holding my breath, but I can remember Anderson having Fabregas and Gerrard in his pocket during his debut season, and Nani carried the attacking threat of the team for 6 months and that won us a title. So we know they can do it.

We also have players like Young, Fabio and Buttner, great squad players who can bring depth to the squad.

Then we have our next generation, players like Zaha, Powell, Januzaj, Micheal Keane ect. Anyone of these lads could well stap up and make abit of a difference next season. They won't be the star of the team but they could well make a valuable contribution which we aren't expecting.

On top of this excellent squad, we will add to it. Hopefully with a few world class additions, if not world class then potentially world class.

We are Manchester United and we don't win by playing fantasy football, but by being the best TEAM. We have choosen Moyes as he is great at getting the best out of his team of players, rather than relying on one or two superstars.

Noname, obviously you have a very poor memory, as in 2008 we were far from a one man team. We had Van Der Sar in goal, probably our second best goalkeeper ever in our history. We had Rio Vidic and Evra at their peak. This was the best defence in club football at that time. It allowed our midfield and forward to attack with more freedom as they knew the defence was safe. This was also the season that Hargreaves and Anderson played their best football for the club. Add to that Carrick and Scholes who was younger and still class. We had competition in midfield which pushed them to excel. Yes we had Ronaldo upfront, but we also had Rooney Tevez and Berbatov. So on refection we were far from a one man team.

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Shappy we used to play fantasy football, I've been going to the games for a very long time and witnessed some amazing football, last season bored me to death.
johndenton

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11 Jul 2013 22:38:34
Everybody on this site is being ridiculous atm read it everyday and post occasionally but this month everybody is being unbelievable. Thiago is sort of out of our hands he has all the power and will choose whoever he wants if you believe nothing is being done on transfers then you don't know much about football. United usually do deals out of the spotlight I remember when we signed Anderson nani and Hargreaves on the same day I doubt any of you predicted that. Everybody is also very disrespectful to the current squad especially considering we won the league at a stroll last year. It is a very strong squad and it will be added to a bit of patients would not go a miss and a bit more support from the supporters.
Browred

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Hargreaves was a given. Nani and Ando were a little unexpected - but look how they turned out. Hargreaves too - wasn't exactly a good bit of business. Imagine someone in the medical team got the boot for that one!

redseven

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11 Jul 2013 21:48:32
Early days as we're told, but if we go into the season with carrick and Kagawa as the only quality midfielders, then I think we'll struggle this year.
Furthermore, If we sell Rooney and don't replace him, then that will be a bit of a disaster.
Why are we finding it hard too attract big talent? I don't know, but it might be time for a change of policy on that front.
Nomidfield

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11 Jul 2013 21:43:46
Reports coming out that it is a grade two hamstring injury and is genuine. But I am sure it will not stop the Wayne Rooney conspiracy twaddle.

Deeps.

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11 Jul 2013 21:40:47
Lets face it our so called targets
have never been released to the
fans or the press. Whos to say
thiago strootman lew GARAY where
ever on the DM hit list. DM is a
very good tactiction he knows where
we need strengthening. I think his
targets are more like BAINES FELLAINI
MODRIC ZOUMA AND SHAW

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Could be much worse Bfro, I'd settle for that.

Brendan81

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There seem to be a lot of reports that Shaw is preparing to sign a five year deal with Saints, however, if we were to get Baines and still have Büttner and potentially Fabio as cover, I'd be happy with those names.

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Brendan -

See my post earlier re; settling for mediocrity.

We're supposed to be the biggest club in the world and are aiming to win the Champions Leagues; and yet we're being linked with mid-table players for far more than they are worth.

The £40m being reported for Fellaini and Baines (£22m + £18m) is a joke considering the level of football they are capable of playing at. They're great for Everton - but not us. Baines probably only has another 2 good years left in him as well.

Modric mightn't be a BAD signing (although would cost us £30m or so) - but he wasn't good enough to cut it at Madrid - so what makes you think he'd be good enough for us? He did OK at Spurs - but hardly set the league on fire with 34 combined goals and assists in 127 games.

Zouma and Shaw wouldn't make a scratch on the first 11 for a few seasons - not to mention the fact that we already have two of the best young CB's in the world and two young left backs (not to mention 2 experienced left backs if we sign Baines).

For the £90m those players would cost us, I'd much rather we put in a silly bid for Ronaldo or Bale. It probably wouldn't cost more than another £30m to sign them both.

redseven

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11 Jul 2013 21:30:55
okay I know many will say he's not utd quality but (even as a squad player) what do people think of getting aiden mcgeady?
would only cost (max) 4m, has a good relationship with baines (v. likely signing), is left footed, can cross, low wages and is capable of coming up with something special.
plus moyes is already a fan (wanted to sign him when he went to russia) and would bring a bit of balance and width to the team if needed
i would still prefer gaitan but mcgeady would be a good (cheap) alternative.

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I'm Irish and I will tell you McGeady would honestly be a horribly buy
he has absolutely no end product he will constantly try and fail to do it all on his own might aswell call him McGreedy {Ed007's Note - It was bad enough having to watch him at Celtic, he is nowhere near Utd class.}

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Dags
This is Manchester United rumours not FC United
Dylan

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We don't need cheap alternatives we need top quality pl end up like the scousers over at the temple of doom.

BABY FACED ASSASIN

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Nani is better than him and that tells you everything! I don't think he has ever played in the same team as baines

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And he's right footed.

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Jesus I can't believe what I'm reading. Are you serious? We want to win league and CL, while the other big clubs sign the likes of cavani or falcao, thiago or lewandowski, you want him?

You don't work for our club by any chance do you?

Alex Fergusons Condom

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Again, I'm Irish and find him really frustrating. As 007 said, it was bad enough watching him for Celtic! Young is even loads better (Criiiiiinge). Please please please let us be after Ozil, Rues, Vidal, Veratti. These are boys who would walk into our starting 11. I'd be happy with just 1 of them! lol

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11 Jul 2013 21:13:21
What does everyone think about Vidal? Personally I think the guys is quality & just what we need. Hard as nails, can pass a ball & has the engine we've been missing.

Sorry if this has been done before & I've missed it.

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Vidal sassoon?

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Great player. Probably out of our price range though.

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Just what we need but we won't pay it

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Not out of our range. £35mil should be enough. Not bad for a player rated by many to be the best in the world at what he does.

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Don't know why we wouldn't pay it for quality. He's exactly what we need.

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Agree "The warrior" is exactly what we need though Juve have declared him "untouchable". Interestingly I have read somewhere in the past week him denying he had renewed his Juve contract, which I believe runs to 2015. If he was for sale Real are definitely interested.

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11 Jul 2013 21:12:56
Hi Rooney doubters. He is injured and going no-where soon. Any one with an ounce of common sense would realise that Moyes would not announce in his first major press conference for the biggest club in the world a blatant lie. If he did that he would lose 99% of the fans backing before he even named a team sheet. You so called fans need to have a hard look at yourselves. The meetings went well, he's not going to go into training then fly half way across the world to come back 2 days later because he's agreed to sign elsewhere. He deserves more respect than some of the dillusional
fans give him, and Moyes and the club whilst were at it. Don't believe everything you read, and you ever thought SAF might have told a white lie about Wazza to get the best out of him when he had gone. A fired up Rooney is world class. Fact.
SHANDY!

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Shandy. You need to look at urself, talking drivel pal! Don't for one second believe that just because we have said Rooney is staying that means his is 100% stayin put! Do you not remember us saying we wouldn't sell RM a cold, Ronaldo saying he's staying, a week later he's gone!

Talking of respect, what to respect does he show out club? First he tries to force a move to Citeh to then land himself a monster contract extension, then complains we're not ambitious enough in our signings so what do we do? Buy RVP a world class player! Then he throws his toys out pram because he takes his place! Now he's at it again! He's shown us no respect! The lads on 250k a year and can't even keep himself fit! Your having a laugh when u mention respect!

Alex Fergusons Condom

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You my friend are a proper clown. Do you remember the last lie you told, do you remember your own name? Ronnie did not go that window did he? As for your name it's an insult to a legend. Now think before you speak boy! And change that name it's disrespectful. Morale is a lie here and there is necessity. Moyes is not in a position to do that and he and the club know it. You know nothing of what went on behind closed doors so stop judging the players who make out team.

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11 Jul 2013 21:07:10
"Gutted to have picked up a niggling injury especially as training was going so well, heading back to Manchester to have it assessed fully but early indications are nothing to worry about, " Rooney

Jred

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11 Jul 2013 21:05:27
wanyama signs for Southampton. I thought he would be awesome in the middle for us, only hope they passed on him because fellaini is imminent. Hope I am wrong but think this is going to be another summer where we don't fill the voids in midfield that urgently need filling.

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11 Jul 2013 20:54:39
Other than chelsea is there anyone else who is linked with bruma?

Special K

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Galatasaray I think

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11 Jul 2013 20:05:40
I don't know about anyone else, but I reckon I'd really benefit from learning how transfers are conducted.

To my way of thinking, I don't understand why you can't just get everyone in a room and thrash out a deal which everyone is happy with or reach a point where there is no deal to be made. Either way, seems to me in all my ignorance that the whole thing should only take an afternoon.

What I'm going to do now is a little research to try and find out what I don't know about the complexities of football transfers. I'd really appreciate it if anyone can steer me in the right direction of some useful info.

Thanks!

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Put Ronaldinho and Kenyon into an Internet search and read what was allegedly in Jethro Soutar's biography of Ronaldinho which allegedly illustrated how that transfer played out

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11 Jul 2013 21:34:42
Don't think of transfers as a step by step process. There is no formula or rule as to how a transfer is conducted.

But a general idea would start with a club scouting a player and not just watching games but tring to find out info as to what he's like as a person as well.

Then the club may put out feelers to see if the player would be interested in a move. This wouldn't be a direct meeting but maybe a quiet word with his agent or getting an international team mate from your team to ask him how he feels about a move to your club.

Then if after the scouting and finding out if he would be open to a move, then comes the club valuating what they feel he's worth. This would be a discussion between the finance people at the club and the chief executive and maybe the manager.

Then the club may make contact with the selling club. After which several meetings will take place to discuss all manner of things from fee, to taxes due, to time scale of payment, and bonuses and other such potential payments.

At this time the selling club may allow the player to speak to the buying club. If this is the case then the club would speak with the player and his agent about things like wages, bonuses, contract length, and advantages of moving to the club, the manager may well speak to the player if he needs some convincing to give reasurances on things like playing style or time or the players role within the team.

This means the club is trying to negiotiate with both the player and the selling club at the same time, these talks can take along time. Especially if the club is trying to work to a budget. This quite often causes problems as when a club is playing hard ball over a transfer fee or the method of payment then this will directly effect how much the club can offer in wages and bonuses.

So if your dealing with a difficult club and a powerful agent then these talks can take quite some time.

After all has been agreed all that is left is for the player to pass a medical. Then the club needs to have all the paper work sorted, this in itself is a huge job. There are agents, insurance companies, governing bodies, clubs and agents and several sections within in the club from club lawyers to the finance department, and in the case of the club having shareholders either to the private shareholders or to the stock exchange if the club is floated on one.

There is so much more involved in signing a player than people realise. Its not like going to the shop and picking something off the shelf and taking to the till and paying for it.

If the club has no budget to work to then obviously deals can be done much quicker as you can just pay the club and the agent what ever they ask for so you save weeks of time but you certainly pay for it.

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For a start, do the opposite of whatever United's transfer policies are. Because whatever the lot at the top are doing transfer wise, ain't working.
Nomidfield

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Thanks for the responses folks. a couple of helpful replies and a good chuckle from nomidfield.

I looked up the ronaldinho transfer and its a good example of utd losing a target because of penny pinching. I appreciate a few million quid is not peanuts but a club with utds finances shouldn't messing around in such a fashion with key transfer targets.

shappy, informative as ever. I knew before I even started reading or saw your name it was from you! it seems that over the years utd seem to be very poor at the negotiation part you describe. the club appears to lose its targets at this stage when it comes to the business of talking numbers with both the selling club and the player. if the offers we make are too low then the buying club won't take us seriously and we're likely to be gazumped by a club which isn't bothered about paying the extra money. if the offer to the player is too low then they must feel that we aren't too fussed whether we sign him or not. also, much as I don't like the demands of the agents, we have to accept that their fees (bribes?) are just part of the transfer fee.

what this suggests to me is that utd are in real need of a top class negotiator. someone who can charm the player and his agent to make them feel wanted plus who has the gravitas and nous to ensure the selling club believe they are getting a good deal.

the skill set required is very different from that of a CEO (Woodward) who runs the club.

more importantly shappy, the whole negotiation phase you describe seems unnecessarily long winded. why all the toing and froing when it just needs two meetings to agree two prices - one to agree the selling price and one for the players wages/agents fees. everyone knows how much they are prepared to pay/accept at the start of the negotiation. either the amounts coincide or they don't. it doesn't take multiple meetings to work this out (unless people have to "ask their dad" but that just means you're talking to the wrong person)

my experience in business has taught me that if deals are going to happen, they usually do so quickly and without much faffing about. this is because all parties want the deal to happen so they do what's necessary to make it so. the longer you leave a deal up in the air, the less likely it is to happen, mainly because one or more parties aren't that keen.

the alcantara episode is a perfect example. barca don't want to sell so we have to motivate them and at least make them believe they are getting a good deal. if this means a few extra million to make them feel better and pull their finger out then its worth it. the financial cost of us losing out on players like alcantara is more severe.

same with the player. its so pivitol we sign someone of his quality in his position, Moyes should be camped outside his house with a big banner saying "we love you tiago"' we should invite him to Manchester and show him what a great city it is and most importantly we should offer him a wage which makes it impossible to say no.

I'm going on a bit now. to conclude, I just think utd aren't assertive enough in going all out to get the players they need and that's possibly because they use the wrong people to do the deal.

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Sorry, just a last thought. I wonder if there is any merit in a standardised transfer process? if Fifa sets out the steps for a transfer to happen and adds time limits to each stage?

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11 Jul 2013 20:26:03
Thiago will still come
Pep can say a lot but
we can promise the lad
a place in the starting
eleven

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Is this meant to be a haiku?

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At first glance I thought it was a team formation, lol.

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Name, its a limerick or maybe one of the Shakespeare things

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11 Jul 2013 20:25:06
Quick raise of hands, although I really want to thiago. who would of have had him in their thoughts if that release clause didn't exist? Would he have been a suggestion?

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He's a player of immense talent and still incredibly young - so with that in mind - I'd have always been thrilled to bits to see him signed.

The clause changes things a little though - as were it not in effect - there's no chance Barcelona would ever have sold. Thus I wouldn't be calling for us to sign him on the basis that I'd think it impossible (in the same way that I'd love Messi but would never see him coming to OT).

redseven

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The only reason no one did was because we all thought he'd be untouchable with a huge transfer fee, since becoming aware we could get him for 20m it's deal of the year! A steal! But it's not going to happen now is it

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11 Jul 2013 20:24:45
All our rivals are strenghening and were flying around the world secureing shirt sales. brilliant.

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11 Jul 2013 20:09:06
This is really starting to get to me now, A huge United fan myself I don't need telling just how huge the club is. But our board who constantly say we have funds available for top players etc, and saying we are the worlds biggest club, Cannot seem to tie down a single top player or target anymore. Numerous times over the recent its happened, Sneijder, Hazard, Ronaldinho, Lucas Moura and now with Thiago looking like signing for the Germans I just want to know what is going on with United recruitment policy? Surely for David Moyes a new big signing or two would do him favours as well as the club but there are very few options left in my opinion. What do others think? {Ed007's Note - There are still about 50 days left in the window. If Thiago goes to BM, who will be the next 'big' name Utd will be linked with until they sign for someone else or stay where they are? Newspapers still need to sell, Sly still need to fill TV time and make money on their betting on player's destinations...So what's the suggestions lads..}

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I think the next name could be back to modric
Jred

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Fellaini I think

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Modric, good shout Jred

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11 Jul 2013 23:39:33
Gaitan or Munua�n

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Ronaldo of course!

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11 Jul 2013 20:04:30
There is a sudden panic when news that Pep wants Thiago and he may now go to Bayern. This panic has probably been generated because of a build up over a few summers of generally not achieving the level of target we expect. let's stay calm, he may only have been one of our options. It is true however that if Thiago goes to Bayern they look a formidable team and one which could likely conquer Europe again.

However let's remain calm and see what our club have in mind, our opponents supporters must be laughing at the panic being displayed on here. Of course if we don't buy the quality of our direct opponents then we will struggle but we have said that for a while.

Still there is time for Mr "No retooling" Woodward to make an impact, he could come up with Fabregas and Ronaldo and would that not allay the nerves? I have a feeling some of our targets have had to change, I wonder if SAF felt he had Lewandowski in place so could afford to sell Rooney? we don't know that Moyes did not like the look of Strootman. We may have had to adapt. There were ups and downs chasing RVP. It could also be that Moyes is not as attractive a proposition to play for as SAF and the original targets have cooled on us.

The team have to hold their nerve at key times and so do we. I also saw someone saying no matter what happens we should support the men who wear the shirt and so we should but come 1st Sept if the nearly excuses, the no value nonsense is trotted out again maybe it will open some eyes about our owners lack of ambition. I hope we are not saying that as we sit watching the sky countdown on 31st August.

Keep calm and believe until proved otherwise this summer, then if we are let down we know where the fault is

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Then some optimist like u will come and say. common whatever we have is better. get behind the team lads.
Then without depth we will get kicked from league cup. Fa cup. Uefa qiater final and then may be league.
U don't need to loose 10 matches to loose the league. 1 game is enough.

So dnt try to be some1 special. quality and midfield is simply required.

Rodio17

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Rodio

You clearly don't know Red Man very well.

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11 Jul 2013 20:00:15
Saw this today and chuckled:

Rooney: "I want to leave, boss".
Moyes: "Put it in writing, son".
Rooney: "Er. I think I'll stay, boss".

StevieK

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Quality made me chuckle
Jred

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Lol, made me laugh after reading all the depressing posts on here today!

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11 Jul 2013 22:24:44
nice one mate. a bit of laughetr to clear al this transfer panic

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11 Jul 2013 19:40:23
Thiago will join Bayern and all I can see us doing is spending 20 million on Baines! Don't get excited folks the board have spent to much time with their heads up their bums! Thiago should have been signed and sealed weeks and weeks ago! The whole situation is a complete and utter sham and the powers that be need a rocket up their arrogant backsides! The amount of other players we've missed out on due to this stupidity is an absolute outrage! I am livid!

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You're right fella, united think just being linked with a player is enough for them to come running, those days have long gone and playing for united is not the be all and end all, they wll end up signing nobody because that ginger tosser is clueless and completely out of his depth!

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Do people actually think we could have tied up the deal before Bayern realised or something? I don't get it. If that were the case then Thiago's agent (father) would be doing a poor job and so would those in power at BM who have reportedly been interested for a while.

IMO Thiago was always going to see what options he had available, any sensible person would! Now he's got 3 amazing options to choose from, us Bayern or stay at Barca.

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Gav, stop talking sense man. You need to join in the panic with everyone else

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AJH

Exactly! Let the paranoia take you Gav. i'm sitting in the corner of the room in the dark with a shot gun pointed at slysports news as I type.

Rk16

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Haha, give it a few days and I might join in. Will have to dust off the straight jacket.

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11 Jul 2013 19:36:17
not going to talk about any transfer rumors just yet, let's see how the team plays on Saturday @ 2pm and then judge who needs to go and who needs to join our great club.

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Based on 1 friendly?

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Wow that's some name tag. Can we call you TAP?

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Well no. but its a start, i'm not going to get myself wound up over "possible" signing, if I've learnt anything from my 25 years supporting this club is it to "in fergie we trust". ohhhh yeah "in davie we trust". but seriously guys, if we don't make any changes to the team that won it last time, don't you think we can compete with the rest?, I think we can

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We won last year playing boring crap football a lot of the time we won't get away with it again. I sometimes wonder if the people on here saying we won last year the squads fine and doesn't really need much change actually watched us play last season
johndenton

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11 Jul 2013 19:08:53
very odd that the same day guardiola announces that he wants thiago, rooney is sent back home with presumably a hamstring injury or perhaps guardiola just sparked manchester united transfer activities.

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Good point, never thought of that. Or maybe they don't want to risk any injuries & jepordise any potential sale. MIDDLETON RED

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Maybe Rooney has been sent to kidnap Thiago on his way back to Manchester? I guess anything is possible.

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11 Jul 2013 18:59:46
Looks likely we've lost Thiago, Pep and Bayern will be a strong pull if he feels he'll get enough games. Looks likely he's been convinced.

Rooney coming back - Hamstring or to sign for someone else? Any proof of injury anywhere?

I predict we spend a fortune on Baines, £20M ish, plus maybe Fellaini or Cabeye after failing to capture anyone better.

Would love to see a big offer for a player like Gundogan, wouldn't mind over paying a bit to capture him. This sort of player would help bring the best out of Kags, possibly Welbeck, Cleverly.

Not sure Fellaini or Cabeye would have the same effect on our first team.

Fellaini is a red card waiting to happen, can you imagine him in Europe? Like Peter Crouch he'll get pinged for fouling every time he goes anywhere near anyone, particularly clever players in big games who are too clever for him (Xavi and co).

Cabeye didn't look anywhere near as good after his injury. Did he just have a one off stella season?

Everyone keeps forgetting we've already signed 2 new players. Zaha needs to get a chance, if he plays now he may be a little rough around the edges, but he'll improve exponentially. Young right back sounds like great signing for the future.

Looking forward to watching some games soon!

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11 Jul 2013 18:57:45
Rooney returning from tour.
Reason given is injury. Now suddenlly this has happened. I m fearing that may be just may be club have agreed to sell.
I m not in favour of this

Can any1 put more finding to it?

Rodio17

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11 Jul 2013 18:56:40
I just don't understand how we can be negotiating with Barca for nearly 2 months with no results, and Bayern nearly have the deal done in a day.

I have to question our negotiators.

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Don't you think that possibly behind the scenes Bayern have been interested for much longer?

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Guardiola said today that he had spoken with the Bayern board about Thiago, and that they were yet to decide whether to pursue the player.

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Must be true then ;)

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11 Jul 2013 18:55:58
And the day keeps getting better.

Rooney has been sent home from the tour due to an apparent hamstring injury.

Given that he hasn't played/trained over there yet and following the logic that we wouldn't have taken him over there if he had some sort of niggling injury - my guess is that he'll be leaving in the immediate future and that this 'injury' is a ploy to send him home and allow him to discuss terms with other clubs.

I know it seems like I'm predicting the worst - but we all remember the last 'injury' Rooney had which kept him from his club duties around the time he wanted to leave last time.

It really wouldn't surprise me if our shortcomings re Thiago made up Rooney's mind for him.

I'm now predicting that we'll sign Garay, Baines, Fellaini and Benteke this summer; with Rooney, Nani, Ando, Evra and potentially Vidic leaving.

redseven

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We are struggling to get our preffered targets, let alone potential replacements. If we sell Rooney, it will be suicidal. Form or not, it can hardly be argued that selling him when we are not getting a world class replacement will be stupid. I genuinely hope that this is legitimate (injury). And by replacements, I don't mean panic signings. I don't care what Wayne wants right now, the present state of affairs we can't let go of one of the best that we have, specially with almost zero reinforcements so far. If we get an able world class replacement, we can contemplate it. Present state of affairs, an absolute no no.

Deeps.

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What makes you think Rooney leaving would be solely Rooney's decision? SAF done his best to make Rooney's position untenable. He wouldn't have done that if he wanted him here. If the club have sent him home for the sinister reasons you are suggesting then we wouldn't be sending him home if "he wasn't for sale". If the club didn't want to sell, then they wouldn't be sending him home to discuss things with other clubs.

Sydney!

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Would he of gone on tour if United were close to a deal to sell him.
If he was that close to signing for a new club he had to go home would the club of felt the need to say he is injured would they of really been able to keep it a secret.
Would Rooney really be sent home to discuss things, would his agent not do all that.
Is there any chance he has pulled his hamstring
Jred

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Other than the fact that he appears to have been pushed out rather than actually wanting to leave; my real gripe with the Rooney saga is that we're still having to deal with it and that that may have cost us in terms of signing a replacement.

My guess is that SAF thought that Lewandowski was a sure thing and decided he'd had enough of Wayne's antics - throwing him under the bus by publicly announcing that he'd asked for a transfer.

Now that the Lew deal is not on - Wayne is still needed and the ball is firmly in his court. I cannot blame him if he wants to leave after the way he has been treated in recent months. Fan opinion of him has been dumped on by SAF's announcement and he may be questioning whether he wants to play for both a club and fans as fickle as we have proven ourselves to be.

I wonder why, however, Moyes didn't sit down with Wayne as soon as it became evident that a deal for Lewandowski wasn't going to happen and ascertain (in the form of a yes or no) whether Wayne wanted to stay. At least then we could have been looking at another replacement before they were all bought up. Now I'm not sure who is left who is really top class and might be available (It says a lot that City are having to look at players like Negrado who are 'good' at best).

redseven

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This injury does seem very convenient but I don't think it has anything to do with thiago,
maybe rooney to chelsea, has been mentioned before but torres and 20m for rooney could be option but straight cash more likely.
arsenal look set to miss out on suarez so could look to rooney and if they are willing to pay 30m for him then they could be serious option, but any deal would depend on wages (the reason I think they chose to bid for suarez instead of rooney in the first place) with rooney pos getting 100% image right or something to make up difference.

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Agree with jred, could be wrong but this theory seems a little silly given they flew out there just yesterday!

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Syd

Do you really think Rooney leaving is in the best interests of United given the circumstances right now? Definitely not. Who do you think will be a realistic replacement? If we are indeed haggling over a couple of million here and there for someone who was coming to us so cheap, I am afraid we will not be pulling up trees to get a Reus, lamela type replacement for Wayne. So I don't care what Rooney wants right now, but he should not be allowed to leave at any cost.

Deeps.

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11 Jul 2013 19:21:45
I can definitely see why people are annoyed at missing out on thiago, this guy is going to be a star. I'm annoyed because its always same old story. And I no the transfer window is still young but do we get excited bout new targets?

Also how can people want Rooney out, would we honestly replace him?

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11 Jul 2013 18:47:36
Rooney sent home because of a hamstring injury. Trying desparately hard not to put a cynical slant on this. in Fergie we trust?
DL10

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11 Jul 2013 18:47:14
Brilliant! Wayne Rooney has done his hamstring. More than that the papers are going to put a massive spin on this, I get it, I will have to be off the internet for a few days. Not a great day so far : (

Deeps.

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So much for being in the best shape.

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11 Jul 2013 18:41:20
Yes he may be a bit raw still but 12.5 million for Wanyama is a steal IMO, he'll be class I reckon! Southampton have got a very decent deal tbh, and lads, don't worry about the signings, it's the 11th of July and if I'm correct the window shuts on September the 2nd, so if come September the 1st and no signings have been announced then be worried, but I reckon we will see some activity within the next week or 2 so don't worry lads just get behind the team behind DM and behind the staff behind the scenes doing the work to get the signings finalised!
Tommy!

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Few to many "behind's" In the last bit!
Cfcmatt.

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11 Jul 2013 23:46:17
The worst thing is if we ever see activity then it'll be overpaying on players who aren't good enough for us and who we don't need (Garay)

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11 Jul 2013 18:31:32
Thiago will be a Bayern player by the end of tomorrow. am I gutted? of course I am.

but, United existed before we had the chance to sign Thiago, and United will exist once Thiago has retired. To be fair, I don't see it as a HUGE loss anyway, especially when you look at the physical conditioning of Rooney and Anderson. Yeah, he chose Bayern, what can we do?

Lets just hope De Gea is on the phone to Thiago right now persuading him to come to England.

final point,

apparently Martinez will play CB, I don't see that, so I think that there's a good chance we will see Kroos become available. - hardly a bad choice is he!

Just out of interest and to get another thread going, what do we all think of Kroos? (NOT in comparison to Thiago).

The Moon.

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No shock there then about thiago

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Moon - I like Kroos but he is better in a more advanced position and lacks pace. He is a very good option but I would imagine £30 million + would have to be offered and for that there is better central midfielders available.

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May be united was never after him any way they have never bid for him so barca say just paper talking full crap have united ever said they was in for him

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Chelsea fan here (and I come in peace, so no need to start yapping at me ;-)). Kroos is brilliant. He sees the game very well, often seems to be a step ahead of the others. His long range shooting is just outstanding, and he can hit it with both feet!
I just love him as a player, one of my personal favourites

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Don't think the united as you have known them for last 20 years are going to exist much longer we need to start paying the going rate for players of the best quality, my thought now lucky to make top 4 next year, that will be food for thought for the glazers when revenue stars to fall trouble is then we will have a massive rebuilding job on

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11 Jul 2013 18:04:05
And, let me tell you why I am hacked off. Not because of Thiago or Strootman, but because when we all know we need strengthening, the new Manager is half way around the world on a money making tour. No point making money if we don't spend it. Who exactly is 'working hard' to bring new players in?

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AJH do you think Moyes/Ferguson did the hard work? Really? I thought you were brighter than that :-)

They say who they want and leave it to Gill/Woodward etc to sort.

Brendan81

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Brendan

SAF did indeed often involve himself personally in talking to potential targets. Has Gill not now moved on? So with SAF away, Gill away, DM in the Far East, who is doing all the hard work?

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You do realise it is not the manager that works to bring players in don't you? He and his scouts get the targets and the list of players and take it to the chief executive Ed Woodward and then he does the negotiating.

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AJM
I'm communicating with you am I not for all I know you could be in Barcelona
I doubt for one minute that at this level a manager turns up on a players doorstep pleading for his signature.
Thiago through a clause in his contract became available and we have been chasing him since however before this Utd would know who they intended going for with Moyes being consulted.
I for one will be gutted if Thiago signs for Bayern who without him will be the team to beat to win the CL but all is not lost this isn't the first or will it be the last player we lose out on and we always seem to respond so hurt as I am I'm still confident the club will be ready for the challenges ahead this season.
Dylan

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Calm it AJH you sounding negative have you been taking on board what I have been saying

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Steady now boarshawred, humour might be catching :-)

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AJH I'm not sure it has much bearing on our transfer capabilities TBH but it does worry me slightly the number of games and amount of travelling the squad is doing. We'll be knackered by the charity shield game, lol.

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Well ajh now you should relise where I've been coming from eh

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11 Jul 2013 18:03:10
It looks like the circle is complete. When DM came to OT, straight away everyone said Fellani and Baines will follow. Then we had Thiago, Strootman etc etc. where are we now?
Right back where we started. Baines and Fellani in, Evra and Nani out as the most probable movement this window.

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Manumick I posted same 4 weeks ago

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I hadn't realised we'd announced these 2 signings? Surely your circle is still far from complete.

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11 Jul 2013 18:01:39
Dear Mr Condom

I'm as frustrated as everyone else and have been for the last 2 years. My comments were aimed at the hissy fits and big girl outbursts of the 'we're all doomed' variety. No probelm with people being frustrated or p1ssed off but some of the comments a ridiculous. I don't remember Thiago being mentioned much until we had an apparent interest in him and now he's the saviour. If you've seen my earlier posts I have agreed all along that we need 2 top class midfielders and my opinion hasn't changed. I suspect there will be plent of ebbs and flows before the window shuts but I also expect us to have strengthened the middle considerably by then.

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Anyone holding there breath don't worry fallaini on he's way

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Bore,

It's their, fellaini and his.

Your posts as positive as always, bet you are delighted today you can say I told you so!

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Fellaini may be on his way, but it is to arsenal not utd

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11 Jul 2013 17:55:58
Lot of website from germany, spain and england are now reporting that thiago to bayern is done deal. So we can say its a matter of time it becomes official.
Gutted was lukng for this transfer from weeks.

Sid

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11 Jul 2013 17:36:27
Seems a lot of fans have lost faith in our transfer dealings. A couple of months ago nobody had mentioned Thiago, and now it appears we are going to lose his signature it's suddenly the end of the world and we won't Finnish top 4.

Other fans stating that now we will end up going for Fellani and this is a disaster, yet at the start of last season most people were demanding we went and signed him after he destroyed us.

David Moyes has said this week that they are working on a couple of signings in the background.

Everybody needs to keep calm and have faith!


Fred the red

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From my point of view it would be the fact that we could sign the perfect replacement for scholes in ability and attitude that we've needed for years. Its not the he wasn't mentioned its just he always seemed too vital t barca and too special a talent to b available at a amazing price. that's why i'm gutted. United99

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A lot of fans had lost faith in our transfer dealings long ago.

RVP was a short term solution to a problem that we didn't really have and seems to have pushed Rooney out of the club.

Kagawa was a good signing although Hazard would have been a better signing. My guess is we went with Kags because he was cheaper and helped strengthen the brand in Asia (Park left shortly after).

We've missed out on top players time and time again and Thiago is just another name on a long list.

Although those of us who have known about Thiago since he broke through into Barcelona's first team will probably be a little more frustrated by todays events - those who weren't familiar with him have every right to be disappointed too.

On one level we've missed out on a fantastic player who would've blossomed at OT - but much deeper than that the reputation of the club has been further damaged.

redseven

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Faith why same thing happens every year only difference this year is not all season tickets have been sold I've had text and a letter to remind me to renew mine well money gone on some decking for garden

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Some good points but we do make good signings (also miss out on a lot) and to "blame" rvp for the fact that rooneys a bit of a diva is harsh! Kagawa will b a realy important player fot utd the asian things a branding bonus. But our 1st team needs some class and thiago Iis class. United99

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I'm not blaming RVP personally - but think that signing a striker when the best player we had at that point was also a striker seemed foolish.

Had we planned to play two up top it would have been a little different - but as it is - signing RVP was always going to mean that either Rooney would be forced to play out of his best position (a total waste) or that RVP would need to be dropped/played out of position to accommodate Rooney (also a waste).

Kagawa will be a fantastic player - if indeed he isn't already one; but Hazard is and will be a better one. The only difference aside from ability which I see is that Kags was cheaper and helped sell the brand in Asia. If that's how all of our footballing decisions are going to be made in the future then I am worried.

redseven

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Boarshawred, I hope you're still so smug about your decision when you're sat out in the rain sipping your Pimms come September. You could chuck a tarpaulin over it and use for storage I guess ;)

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11 Jul 2013 17:27:30
When Pep comes out and says he wants Thiago then you now a deal has already been struck. Why is that we never ever state that we want a player? All the big clubs do it and if they fail they move on buy not at United. Nobody knows what happened with the negotiations with Thiago, was he just waiting for BM to step up or were we haggling over a few million. If its the latter than every United fan should be pissed off, this was a chance to get a great young player at an unbelievable price. But I guess we will never know

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I'd be against - 'we're going to sign so and so no matter what' - but something as simple as; 'They're a fantastic player who would strengthen any team. Of course we'd like to sign them' would suffice.

It seems that the club are scared to openly identify their transfer targets these days for fear of them falling through - but given that our interest in all of the players we have missed out in recent times has been clear enough anyway - the silence annoys me and probably doesn't help boost the confidence of the incoming player (s).

redseven

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11 Jul 2013 16:48:51
Thiago to Bayern looks to be done, 4 year contract.

Another top young player we've missed out on, pity considering he's not overly expensive.

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11 Jul 2013 16:53:57
source has told me thiago has agreed 4 year deal with BM and a fee has also been agreed. the deal is subject to a medical and will be announced in next few hours. a minimum game clause has been agreed in his contract where he must start 15 games and play 25 or a release clause in his contact for 25m or there abouts.

another great player slips from utd.

100% real an will happen

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Why post lies just to make us real fans anxious?

Fred the red

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15 games or 25 will not be enough for Thiago, he played more than that at Barca, while it may come to pass he chooses Bayern and I'll be annoyed if he does life goes on. I honestly can't think of a young player with his potential and playing at his current level atm so I guess its a more established player or another high potential kid and I'd choose established.

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Looks like we're not as attractive to top players as we might think.
If we want the best to come to Manchester we will have to pay over the odds to get them, both transfer fees and salary.

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Are we even sure we have bid for Thiago?

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11 Jul 2013 16:53:47
We need Beckham to be our Zidane here to deal with the transfers.

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Just as I suggested the other day. Would make a massive difference.

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11 Jul 2013 16:53:22
Long time reader, first time poster.

If Thiago goes to Bayern, I say we immediately bid 30 million for Toni Kroos. According to Bayern's website, their midfielders are:

Ribery
Robben
Martinez
Shaqiri
Goetze
Weiser
Alaba
Luis Gustavo
Schweinsteiger
Emre Can
Kroos

Now Guardiola could vary the formation a bit to play his midfielders centrally, but with Robben, Ribery and Shaqiri at least staying, I don't see that. Moreover, Robben, Ribery, Martinez and Schweinsteiger are mainstays. Pep can't bench Martinez a year after his huge transfer fee and monster season. Goetze will play, and Emre Can and Kroos are local boys come good. Playing Thiago over either would probably ruffle some feathers. and if I were Thiago, I'd be asking whether Bayern Munich would sign me at the risk of displacing super talents like Kroos.

Of course Guardiola knows things I don't but I just don't see how the BM move makes sense for Thiago's aspirations. Like I said, if he goes, though, bid big for the classy Kroos.

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No arguments here about the quality of kroos but as I understand it isn't he a more attacking player than alcantara? would he not be competing for a place with kagawa and blocking the emergence of Powell?

the reports I read were that guardiola plans to move Martinez to defence which would open up his deeper midfield position for alcantara

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11 Jul 2013 17:56:12
Pretty much all of those would improve our squad amd surely one will become available, I have a hunch they're more likely to move Gustavo on than Tony K though.

Ben

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For thiago's sake I hope they don't move him to martinez spot, I think a deeper role would do the same as it has with anderson. thiago is not that type of player and is far better further upfield. if this is the sort of call he's making I think pep could be out of a job within a few seasons.

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11 Jul 2013 17:10:20
Sky Italy are saying Thiago is signing for Bayern

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11 Jul 2013 17:07:18
A lot of people panicking over lack of transfer activity and while i'm not at the panic stage yet I can see the whole scenario unfolding.
Miss out on thiago then were told there's no value as all the other players who would improve us have either already signed with someone else or aren't available. rooney agrees to an extension on his £200k wages and were told he's focused on winning things with united and its like signing a new player. its the best squad we've ever had and doesn't need much doing to it because were the champions of england
Hope i'm wrong and i'm still hopeful of us getting the players we need but if the midfield isn't strengthened again then i'd be dissapointed

BABY FACED ASSASIN

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Well said we being left behind and this year it will cost united dearly

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11 Jul 2013 16:46:46
Funny thing in the last few weeks we were hearing that the delay was because thiago wanted a clause with regards to playing time! funny thing is he'd get straight into our mf along side carrick or strootman.
If thiago was signed he'd be our best cm. So why didn't we just agree?

Sulei

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Because united wanted him for nothing sulei

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11 Jul 2013 16:44:01
Why are we so conservative in our approach when trying to get players? I'm not moaning i'm just honestly asking? how come we never state we want this or that player publicly?
Is it out of respect? Class? One of the most classiest managers today announced he wants thiago!
Why hasn't moyes done that? Shows the player we really want them!
Everyone does it from mourinho to guardiola, madrid, psg, zidane, barcelona, milan, juventus!
So why don't we, being hush hush hasn't really worked we really need to change our approach in the transfer market!

Sulei

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11 Jul 2013 16:13:45
With Stootman likely to stay put and Thiago probably off to Bayern its looking like another summer will go by without us getting a quality midfielder. Who else could we get or do we have an interest in any other midfielders to solve this problem?

Danny14

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11 Jul 2013 16:07:27
Will be gutted if thiago goes to Munich but what a team they are going to have and they are all ready a very good team.
Martinez is a top player and one of his best attributes is his ability to step out of CD and play cm it really gives the team tactical options.
Thiago and schwein I think would make a great cm pair.
Then a 3 of gotze robben and ribery behind maybe Muller or maybe a new striker.

Munich where amazing last year and won everything to then go out and buy gotze and thiago is the type of aggression and ambition that many fans have been hoping United would show
Jred

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Martinez is the best holding midfielder in the game and to move him to cb is a huge mistake. They were fantastic last year and now Pep is going to start playing people out of position. Thiago is perfect for United and United perfect for him. If he truly cares about playing he will get more games with us.

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Martinez played at cb quite a lot for bilbao but he would step out of defensive and move in to cm when they had the ball very impressive
Jred

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They have ambitious owners who want on field success we have owners who recognised united fans will pay money to watch the teams kit dry in the wind

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Jred, that is what Garay does. I think it's something we have been missing since Ferdinand was weary of getting too far forward.

Sydney!

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11 Jul 2013 16:01:37
Come on guys so if thiago goes to bayern, can u blame him? You can't blame a 21 yr old making the biggest decision of his carrer so far being lured to another club by a man he describes as his 2nd father in pep, with assurances of playing time can u? We had a chance but in the end he dragged his feet hoping for this situation. Players are human like everyone else.
CTR

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Not sure I agree CTR. it depends how much effort utd put into securing him. did Moyes go and meet him personally to tell him how much he wants him as our main midfield player? have utd offered him the requisite wages?

its all a bit premature though 'cos he's not even signed for anyone. let's just wait and see before any further hysteria

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11 Jul 2013 15:58:30
it look like all our target are gone, but there is one player who can improve our squad that's cristian erikson, why we r not in for him?

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Because he plays too high up the pitch for what we need. We already have Kags, Rooney, potentially Zaha, and Powell for that position.

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11 Jul 2013 15:54:35
Ok so we have had the standard tripe from Marcellus, now I personally can't wait for the I told you so from KLOOT, this after all somehow gunna be Rooneys fault ;-)
CTR
P. s dnt take life to serious guys, u will never get out alive :-)

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11 Jul 2013 15:54:26
As everyone is attacking the club today, can someone answer me this?

If we want a player and agree a fee with the selling club, but the player then decides he wants to go elsewhere, what do you expect United can do about that? Do you want us to kidnap him or his family? Offer him £350k+ per week? Send him threatening letters? Give him a stupidly underpriced buy out clause?

I'm seriously baffled by the reaction on here today, it's been getting worse by the day, but today has taken it to a whole new level altogether. United? That's the wrong name for our club at the minute guys.

Brendan81

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Brendan
I may be wrong but was it not reported reporters had agreed a deal with the player but the issue was with the club
Jred

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Lol i'm trying hard to stay out of this on here today brenden.
Ppl need twi lighten up a bit, we can't force players to sign, and u can't blame the club over a 21 yr old choosing a club managed by the man that gave him his chance at Barcelona with assurances of playing time, he has moved for personal reasons, not money as many do, but to many on here think its as easy as chucking £££'s at him. We were close very much if u believe a few, but in the end he has gone to play for his mentor and friend.
CTR

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I agree just pathetic

SPB

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JRED it was reported yeah, we know how accurate reports are though no matter who they come from. Maybe he did agree personal terms, doesn't mean he had decided to come to us though. Maybe he was unsure whether to stay at Barca or maybe he knew Pep would come calling, he can still agree terms though without committing to the move if he was unsure.

Brendan81

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11 Jul 2013 16:51:52
Maybe we could give players deadlines to sign by and show their commited rather than using us for better deal elsewhere and then when they drag their feet we tell them they blew it and move onto plan b rather than doing what we done and looking like mugs.

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The issue is not with Thiago wanting to go elsewhere - but with United taking three weeks to try and agree a fee with Barcelona for the sake of saving a few million pounds.

Of course - a few million pounds is a lot of money - but Thiago at anything less than £30m is a steal. We were naive to think we could haggle over the price for this long and that other clubs would not come in for him.

Had we simply paid the income tax on the deal or offered to meet Barcelona somewhere in the middle - a deal could have been finalised weeks ago and Pep/Bayern's interest would be irrelevant.

Instead we've lost out on ANOTHER top player.

This is not a case of attacking the club; but the few people who are constantly messing up when it comes to incoming transfers.

You may be happy to settle for mediocrity - but I am now.

redseven

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Brendan
Or maybe United have been haggling over a few mill and have now missed out.
I can't help but wonder if we had of gone in an offered 25 which the player is worth could we of tied up the deal quickly, a bit like Munich did with gotze.

But if I'm honest I have no idea what's actually gone on behind the scenes so it's difficult to comment
Jred

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Redseven, did you mean to write, "But I am not"?

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11 Jul 2013 15:25:53
Quite frankly in disbelief at the lack of authority from United in the market.

In disbelief that Manchester United are potentially letting slip arguably the best young midfielder in the world, over a couple of million.

If it weren't for the buy out clause we would be paying an extra 15 million at least, yet we're moaning about a couple of million, when in fact we should be jumping on this with everything we've got.

Every fan knows how weak our midfield is, and it only takes a game against a decent side to highlight it. It's amazing how fickle the club are being, GET THE DEAL DONE.

I think this will be the angriest i'll be over missing a player if we happen to miss out on Thiago.

If the buyout clause is 18 million, I'm pretty sure the amount we have to give to Thiago is 23.4million. For a player of Thiago's quality, and at his age, is very very very minimal.

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You sure he hasn't just decided to play for Bayern instead? I know, let's post Barca a £23.4m cheque and then send the heavies over to kidnap him. Does the player not get a say anymore or am I mistaken? Maybe he wants to play for Pep in a fantastic Bayern side who have just done the treble and in a beautiful city like Munich. A strange theory for most on here, but maybe just maybe it is the true reason.

I know everyone will be hugely disappointed if he doesn't come (me included) but it will be because of Thiago's decision and not our unwillingness to pay a couple of million more.

Brendan81

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Never mind at least we've got zaha who is better.

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I agree sadly, its a shame manchester united with all their history seem to encourage rival bids and offers for targets by delaying for whatever reason?

i am not condoning spending £100m every window but I would love to see the club every now and again really flex their financial muscles every now and again and not take no for an answer!

safwetrust87

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11 Jul 2013 14:49:18
Not sure what has happened over the past few days, have we dragged out feet like I was dreading and missed out? When a player of his ability is available for around £20m-£25m (all costs), you have to get him. I do not know if BM have stolen the march, and I imagine we still can agree a deal if the money is paid, so f***ing pay it. If he wants a clause, then give it to him. Get the deal done!

Sydney!

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Wow syd sounding desperate. its not your best colour

CAIN

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Days? Try weeks. The deal should have been wrapped up as soon as the U21 champs were over.

To be honest we deserve to miss out. Why would a player want to play for a club who are more concerned about saving a few million Euros than signing a top player?

This deal alone is a fantastic representation of our ambition. Success - but only on a budget. Unfortunately the two do not go well together.

redseven

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Syd

Always been in complete agreement with you about this particular scenario. I hope it acts as a major kick up the back side for us. I don't blame Moyes for a second, but people who are into this weird "every penny saved, is a penny earned" while negotiating are persons.

Deeps.

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Guys come on, Thiago has been dragging his feet as he couldn't decide where he wanted to play. We can drag him to Manchester can we? If he had accepted our offer and said he wants to come to us, we would have finalised it with Barca. He hasn't done that and now Pep has had his say and it looks like Thiago has decided on Bayern.

Why does everyone just point a finger at the club? It is the player who decides where he plays his football.

Brendan81

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I have seen syd closely monitering the thiago deal and he has provided us with updates for weeks now. I knw he lyk evry1 of us wil be very disappointed 2 miss out on thiago. let's hope he choose us over bayern.

Sid

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We're not even making the right noises about the player! I mean listen to Guardiola- "it's Thiago or nothing" he's a "super super player". DM hasn't even mentioned him let alone make it sound likes he'd be a hugely important first team player. Who knows, maybe Moyes doesn't want him. I hope that's not the case or else it shows he like SAF Moyes is blind to the needs the team has for a quality central midfield player.

BennyBlanco!

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Again always seems to coincide with the the season ticket sales.

ms85

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How can you say the Thiago deal would be a kick up the ar$e? when the past 5 years we have missed out on Falcoa, Sneijder, Moura, Hazard, Silva, Villa, Sanchez to name a few. I appreciate the different reasons we let them slip through the net but if you want top talent you have to pay top dollar and I think people now need to realise that this won't happen. I hate to admit it as much as the next fan, but Moyes has already defended this by saying "MUFC will always be close to top players, but a big part is to bring youth through" in essence "close" means linked and "youth" means no major moves.

I may, and I hope I am wrong, but we need top quality, and I think we will bring in Baines, Fellaini and one other. In my opinion not the level we should be looking at.

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Guardiola wouldn't have mentioned him unless he knew he would be joining Bayern all thier efforts will go to signing him its him of noone Pep said no doubt he will end up at Bayern

Manred

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We have dragged our feet over cm for a few years.
We keep missing out on targets I honestly think we don't go " after" players like we use to
Jred

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If we miss out on Thiago what has it got to do with the release clause? As far as i'm aware nobody has actually met it yet, I would think people are dealing with Thiago before meeting it and don't think the clause would be the reason we woudl lose him to Bayern? Asm I misign something here?
Invisible STuey

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Brendan

The problem is, as much as your version of events may be right, there is an equal chance that the club are stalling over a couple of million. That is what would piss me off. I am completely fine with a player finding bayern a more attractive proposition than us, not everyone is a United fan. But what if the player would take into account the clubs penny pinching which is in stark contrast to how much we want him. That is where my problem lies. I hope we get to know what is the real story.

Deeps.

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Redseven absolutely spot on mate!

the problem with manchester united is not its ambition, it is the stubbourn nature in which we go about our transfer targets.

RVP was a brilliant signing - would we have gone in for him if he wasnt in the last year of his contract though?

Kagawa - potentially going to be brilliant next year but same as above.

would we be in for Thiago if it wasnt for his buyout clause?

i think not (unfortunately)

safwetrust87

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Brendan, as of a few days ago we still hadn't agreed a price with Barcelona and we still hadn't agreed a deal with Thiago. We have been negotiating for weeks. Just pay the player and Barcelona what they want. For the sake of 2-3 million it will be worth it.

Sydney!

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Deeps I would be very surprised if we were haggling over a few million. I know we are very careful with money but everyone knows his ability, to haggle over paying £15m, £18m or £20m or whatever doesn't add up to me. We were willing to go to £30m for Moura and he is no better than Thiago in my eyes. By paying a few million more we were saving lots in tax payments too so I don't buy it. I think Thiago has just been struggling to decide and now that the guy he has called a 2nd father has come in and told him he will get plenty of game time and it has made up his mind.

Brendan81

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Silva said a few years ago that he went to city because they wanted him more (offered more money) so I go with Deeps on this one, I believe players do look at things like money offered along with other assurances. But money does play a big part in it. And with United, we never talk about other clubs players, which I see as right. Pep just went down in class in my book, just another media loving manager that taps up players to the press.

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Who has said that though Syd? I don't trust anyone during the transfer window, Barca are out for themselves and will leak things to benefit them, Thiago will be out for his own interests as will his father, United even I wouldn't trust much as they will be out for the best deal. Everyone leaks things to help their own cause.

Brendan81

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Agree with deeps I never expected united would get strootman or thiago, as I've said in the past we will give fletcher all the time he needs to get fit and sign fallaini that's whey moyes was employed by the glazers to save money and SAF knew all about it. also I've posted in the past don't hold your breath about signing the quality we need, top six at best

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11 Jul 2013 14:40:51
Hang on a minute here, all those posting giving agro to the people who are a bit p*ssed off with out transfer policy of late, the likes of AJH and Brendan81, we have every right to be annoyed! We pay big money for our season tickets year in year out, and are one of the richest clubs in the world, yet we can't compete for the really top players. Why shouldn't we e annoyed about it? We expect to see the top players at old Trafford and in the last 5/6 years it isn't happening!

We constantly miss out on our top targets, yes so we got RVP, but in recent times we've misses out on Ronaldinho, robben, sneijder, ozil, moura, hazard to name a few, we can now add Thiago onto that list! And we're supposed to be happy with zaha are we!

Our midfield has been piss poor for the last 5 years, yes we won the league, and you all like to remind us about this but how about Europe? Are you not bothered that even in Sir Alex wonderful 26 years, we have won CL twice, once 2 goals in injury time and the other a shoot out miss by terry! Could well of been none! As long as we keep our midfield as it is, it will be another 26years before we win it again! Our CM is average to say the least. We will continue to be dominated time and time again!

So excuse us for being disgruntled but what are we supposed to feel, this will be another year buying under 20's, most of whom will never even make the first team!

I for one am sick of being conned!

Alex Fergusons Condom

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Top post!

redseven

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Pal who conned you. would you be happy with us throwing money at persons who want nothing more than cash an i'm one of the people who are not happy wit our lack of activities but dobt post crap about the team and there ambitions

CAIN

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Here here, thank f--k for at last someone with sense, I totally agree with everything you say, but still the bum lickers out there think everything is ok with us missing out on targets that should be so simple and straight forward to complete, well said mate.
BIGAL REDFOREVER

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Well said Cain.
Djay

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Yes you can be upset, but if a player doesn't want to come to us, what do you want the club to do? Kidnap them? Offer everyone £350k/week?

Ronaldinho didn't want to come, Robben who cares, Sneijder who cares, Ozil wanted Madrid, Moura went because of Leonardo and more money, Hazard money grabber. Do you really want to be a PSG or Chelsea and pay stupid money/wages? If so you can support them.

Every United fan wants the top players but I for one don't want just money grabbing mercenaries who don't give a sh*t about the club.

Brendan81

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11 Jul 2013 15:44:53
Good post Fergies Condom,
We are a huge club and worldwide brand generating a lot of revenue yet our owners just want to pocket the cash and get by with the minimal amount of expenditure possible. To get real quality you usually need to pay fair whack and we don't seem to want to do that. Meanwhile, our rivals go and spend the necessary amounts to strengthen. It's a joke!
And don't get me started on our midfield, p#ss poor! No excuse for a club of our size to have a midfield so lacking in quality!

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CAIN I think you need to realise, or at least accept that's how football has gone now. People don't do it for the "love" and "loyalty". You can count on one hand the one club career players. Its their job as players, they are going to want the best deal. Who wouldn't. So to subsidise living in The Wet North West, rather than Monaco, or Paris, Barca or Madrid we need to pay through the nose now. Especially if we want to continue to attract the Elite level players that as fans we think we should be.

Failing that, we could go for the players who "want" to play for us. but who are they. realistically?

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Meant to say I agree with A. F. C's original post lol thought you wrote it redseven!

safwetrust87

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Typical glass half empty comment when we miss out on another muppet signing. don't get me wrong, our football wasnt great last season and we certainly need key areas strengthened but people seem to forget some of the players we HAVE signed in just the last couple of years:
1) RVP Best striker in the premiership
2) Kagawa One of the best in Bundesligia
3) DeGea Arguably best young keeper in the world
4) Jones bar Wilshire probably best young English prospect
5) Zaha this year probably the ONLY English prospect
6) Anybody who watched the U20s can see this is a very good young player
One proven world class player and five very talented youngsters, not that bad surely?
Im dissapointed if we miss out on Thiago as he is the ideal player for us. But there are as the U20s and U21s have showed a lot of very good young players about at the moment, I will onyl be angry and flabbergasted even if we don't sign a central midfielder with a lot of talent this summer which there are quite a few of about in my opinion
Invisible STuey

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Cain - the club do it every year, early on we're signing world class talent, then season tickets sell out and bang. We're signing bebe!

We missed out on Ronaldinho because in his words "we didn't try hard enough or show him we really wanted him"! He wanted united.

Robben? Better than nani, zaha, Valencia. So ye I would of took him

Sneijder? Modric? Seriously? We need WORLD CLASS CM, not one. 2! I've been saying it for years! Jesus! Scholes was gone 4 years ago, Anderson never going to cut it, jones is a CB!
And as for Darren fletcher who most still go on about are you for real? He's not good enough! Christ I even remember us turning a good CF in A Smith into a s*** CM and ruined his career! Now we're trying to play Rooney in CM because we're desperate!

Martinez, schweinstieger, gotze, thiago, xavi, iniesta, bisquets, yaya, silva, nastri, fabregas, gundogan, bender, Modric, ozil, alonso, mata, just a quick short list of players on another planet to ours! And yet were still happy to pay £7m for a player Fergie admitted he had only ever seen on a video? We have gone hopeless!

Mark my words we will never win CL until we sort this out! Not a chance were miles away!

Thiago could of been sorted weeks ago if we weren't holding out on a "couple of million"! It's a steal yet we still can't do it!

Genuinely worried about next season if we don't spend on top players, 2 if not 3

Alex Feegusons Condom

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Oh and do I want us to pay big wages to lure the right players! To a degree yes. Because with winning trophys comes prize money, tv deals, sponsors and the like so yes. Look what happened last year? We sign our first true world class player in years and years. And he bangs in 25/30 goals which win a the title! Would welbeck have scored them goals? Of course not, but it's ok because he's only on 50k a week isn't he, yey!

Alex Fergsons Condom

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11 Jul 2013 14:21:56
Thiago only will sign for the team who will show more interest. He would've get more game time here at Manchester United and if we're really interested will should go and get him for good or Guardiola will.

Bayern already has a great Midfield options but they're still looking to add another quality player, that says a lot of their ambition.

I don't know how the process works but would be much better try to sign the targets earlier so that if we fail, at least we have time to look elsewhere.

The only thing I know is that we can't survive this season with current option at the midfield section.

I hope Thiago comes to us.

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11 Jul 2013 14:12:55
The funniest of it all is how many of you say, "WELL WE WON THE LEAGUE LAST YEAR"

Very true, you did, playing some of the biggest pants in any of the top leagues but it never worries you as you can all still say incorrectly about the biggest club in the world drivel.

So big that all the top players want to go else where.

I mean seriously, you lot or Bayern Munich. You really need a reallity check and I've got a great feeling "this is your year" to get it!

David Moyes. That is a beautiful thing!

Marcellus Wallace

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I wonder how you'll react if DM somehow manages to win the lot this year.

FA Cup, Carling Cup, EPL, UCL, Community Shield, etc.

You have Brenda in charge right?
well, he has literally accomplished nothing in his career, he's never even built a team before. Atleast Moyes has done that.

so, why are you so confident that Brenda can get you into the top 4, yet you think Moyes will signal the end for United?

I'm honestly intrigued.

The Moon.

The Moon.

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Wow are u really still about? Even after the last time? Marcellus u have a cheek my friend? How did u win the CL? With free flowing attacking football? NO! It was 11 men behind the ball stuff? How did u win your first titles under mour? Again 1-0 and shut up shop with 11 men behind the ball again.
So while I do admire ure attempts to have banter with us u should really pick a topic where u can win, I mean really a chavski fan telling us WE play horrible football! Really!
Just how close are ub yi signing ure top targets? Falcao, Cavani, Rooney, lewi? Exactly! U come ob here and rib us over subjects that your team is renowned for. Then wot can we expect?
CTR
P. s how much is it from waterloo to Kensington? If u give me ure card next time i'm about ill use ure cab to help u pay for your a website subscription

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Lol love it ed ;-) god my fone is pant constantly changing words spelt right for words that dnt even exist
CTR

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11 Jul 2013 14:12:39
i read this site almost everyday not just during transfer windows but also during the season and it seems every time there is some negativity there seems to be new posters popping up from every where and all they do it act negative and try to say how bad we are as a club. we might miss out on thiago but we will move on. i'm sure we will sign good enough players who are ready to play for the club, yes it is sad to miss out on potential stars or big players but that doesn't mean we are going to loose everything

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It's not a case of 'the club' being bad - but an element of it.

People complaining that those directly responsible for transfers are inept is no different than people critisicing The Glazers or Rooney. As far as I can tell they are damaging the club far more than the aforementioned - and so the criticism is more than warranted.

If a teacher couldn't teach, a baker couldn't bake, a driver couldn't drive, etc - they would be removed from their position. The people responsible for dealing with transfers have shown time and time again that they can't deal with transfers; so why are they STILL at the club?

redseven

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They are still at the club because they don't spend money

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11 Jul 2013 14:11:45
does anyone else think that utd lack of get up an go in the transfer market is down to utd doing well last season and a couple players having fantastic season that they believe there squad is good enough to challenge this season again even though chelsea and city have bought some quality players. if this is the case that utd have really lost the plot. after all don't we usually have all our transfer sorted early on so we don't have to over spend!

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No. A blind man can see that we're weak in midfield and on the wings. Although we won the league this year we were far from 'great'. Our performances domestically and in Europe have been far below the quality that should be expected from a great club like ours for two season now - and with Carrick turning 32 this month they will only decline further.

redseven

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"A blind man can see that we're weak in midfield" - erm no!
Invisible STuey

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11 Jul 2013 14:06:35
Do we even have back up targets? Isn't the reason we havnt signed a top midfielder the past 3 seasons because we've "missed out"' on our targets and don't settle for "second best". Do we even try sign half these players or not? We'll end up with a obertan type player. Shows promise but very rough round the edges. I'm not a doom and gloom merchant, I just sometimes feel we make no effort until its too late! Just to try and save the odd million here and there.

1993

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There's nothing wrong with focusing only on the very best - providing we have the means to sign them. At the moment, however, it appears that we don't. Either we need to start paying more money or lower our standards and expectations.

I hate to put it as bluntly as that; but if we want to compete in Europe, we need to stop being so frugal and start bringing in top players rather than dithering and losing out as we've done in recent times.

Barcelona, Real, Chelsea, City, Arsenal, Spurs, Bayern, Dortmund and many more will all be stronger next season. As it stands we will be only a little older and thus a little weaker.

redseven

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I am pretty sure we have back up targets, we probably look at a dozen players for positions we are keen to strengthen this is why we have scouts after all. I don't think this is what concerns me. Redseven yes I think we have been a bit frugal at times but soemtimes I do think teams have spent ridiculously on players and we have been unfortunate also, Moura for example was virtually in the bag until the last minute speakign to Leonardo and probabyl having a shed load of cash dangled under his nose. The concern for me personally the last few years and particularly evident last season is our central midfield is weak and someone please tell me which midfield targets we have missed out on there for dithering etc? As far as I am aware the only two central midfielders we have been heavily linked to were Sneider who is more a number 10 (and i'm glad we didn't get anyway) and Pastore who is also more a number 10 and can also play out wide as well. I haven't in Fergies last two or three years seen us strongly linked and any evidence of trying to actualyl buy a central midfielder? Now that IS a concern and soemthign surely will be signed this summer Thiago or someone else
Invisible STuey

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11 Jul 2013 14:01:07
All this talk of Strootman, Thiago, Garay even Wanayama after his displays against Barcelona in the Champions League are all proving just talk! No one will be signed while the team is away on tour, I really hope I'm wrong but the impending doom felt when Sir Alex stood down and Gollum was appointed is returning.
Moyes was nicknamed Dithering David as far back as his PNE days and now we will all see why. I'm having nightmares about ending up with Baines and Fellaini, FFS why let Rene leave and bring in the tactical genius Phil Neville.
I hope with all my heart I'm wrong but let's be honest we have never replaced Keane, struggled in the Champions League and most of us would swap our squads with those at City, Chelsea and even Spurs!

Believable0 Unbelievable0

Signings can still go through while we are on tour - but I worry about WHO exactly is left to sign. Even at this early stage in the window the best players all seem to being snapped up.

I too am starting to worry a little that our summer signings will be Fellaini and Baines. Maybe a young player who MIGHT become decent as well if we're lucky.

redseven

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11 Jul 2013 13:57:08
Thiago will no doubt join Bayern because of Pep Guardiola. we have missed out again.

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11 Jul 2013 13:26:21
Thiago was never going to sign for us or anyone without first hearing what Pep had to say and we can't blame Pep for wanting him at Bayern. Please can everyone stop blaming the hierarchy within the club?

If we get him still, great. If not, we move on.

I wouldn't be too disappointed or surprised if Bayern signing Thiago meant Luis Gustavo was surplus to requirements at Bayern and we snapped him up instead.

Ben

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Well said, if anyone actually believes Bayern are only involved because we 'dragged our heels' they need to think again imo. Thiago now has a big decision to make, all we can do is wait.

Hb

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IF we'd agreed a fee with the Barcelona as well as terms with the player - and it was Thiago stalling the deal in order to hear what Pep had to say - it would be a little different. The fact that we've been trying and failing to put together a deal with Barcelona for a few weeks now is what has cost us here and that falls squarely on the hierarchy.

The fact that we've dawdled in such a manner will have made Thiago wonder just how much we want him at the club. If we're more concerned about saving a few bob than signing top talent (as it appears) then I'm not surprised in the slightest that he's start to look elsewhere. As I said in my post earlier - this deal should have been wrapped up weeks ago and Pep's interest would be inconsequential.

Our continued failure to sign top young talent is damaging our reputation and ultimately our ability to sign players in the future. Drop back ten years, and if we'd offered a 23 year old the kind of money we're offering Thiago and a guarantee of first team football (which shouldn't even need to be pointed out given our current midfield) they'd have bitten both our hands off. The fact that most of our own fans now see us as a club more concerned with pinching pennies than signing the very best says a lot. If our own fans think it - outsiders will too.

The fact that those responsible for incoming transfers at the club seem to be dealing as if we're still in the 90's when it comes to finances says a lot about how out of touch they are with the current economic climate in world football. If they can't make Thiago see that we're by far the best option for his future development in terms of game time and opportunities and make a deal happen then they're not qualified to do their job. Simple as that.

redseven

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Gustavo is a defensive player how is he an alternative to the great offensive play thiago could bring us, and if he's not good enough for munich why would you want him, we are trying to catch them afterall.

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Gav

I am full on "broken heart muppet mode". See what transfers do to you. I remember you had refused to get your hopes high fearing this. LOL

Deeps.

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11 Jul 2013 17:02:26
Mick, my guess is Pep is less likely to play 2 combative midfielders like the Bayern of last season and them signing Thiago would maybe point towards that too? To me that makes Gustavo 3rd choice for 1 place at Bayern, and whilst he's no Thiago I think he'd still improve our squad - then again there are lots of central midfielders that would improve our squad.

I'm still almost certain that whatever we agreed with Thiago or Barcelona weeks ago he would not have completed a move without talking to Pep. And I have to say, if I was in his shoes I'd choose Bayern too. Of course of it was me I'd choose United, but then Thiago wasn't born a United fan like we all were.

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11 Jul 2013 13:17:12
Has Thiago actually signed for Bayern yet? No. Therefore we are not out of this yet because until he's pictured with another teams shirt or signs a new contract at Barcelona there is still a chance we could sign him.

As Brendan81 (think it was you?) said down the page we cannot force players to sign for us. If they choose to sign elsewhere there is nothing we can do about it. We may offer better terms but if the player wishes to go elsewhere (prefers the lifestyle or perhaps in this case the opportunity to link up with a former manager) then there is no point moping about it.

Remember RVP. I think City would have offered more money, however he wanted to play for us and so there was nothing City could do about it. This is the sort of player we want at United, those with a desire to win and want to play for the club.

There are still almost 2 months to sign players so lay off Moyes until the window shuts, and then if we have signed no-one or a lack of quality then complain.

For now stand behind the team and be patient.

MEF

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Moyes and co have all said that we're after world class players.

With Thiago, Goetze, Tevez, Lewandowski, Falcao, Cavani, Neymar, Rodriguez, Moutinho, Villa, Higuain, Isco and many more having already moved/looking like moving elsewhere this summer - who exactly do you see us signing that fits the criteria (ie, world class)?

All of the top clubs are trying to do their business early for the simple reason that there will be a lot of interest in all of the players worth signing. By the time we're ready to act the best players will all be gone!

redseven

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Ill give you that redseven, but if the player really wants to join Utd then surely he would be willing to wait for the deal to be completed, or push for the move himself? In that case it wouldn't matter if the deal took a bit longer.

MEF

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MEF

Again - as I mentioned earlier - why would a player want to sign for a team who are more concerned with saving a few bob than signing him.

My guess is that Bayern will wrap up a deal within the week - regardless of cost. The fact that we didn't sort this out a lot sooner will make Thiago question just how much we want him. We're yet to publicly state as much!

If Moyes had come out in his first press conference and said that Thiago was a target and a fee had already been in place Thiago would be a United player right now.

redseven

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Redseven, he will probably be a Bayern player in the week because he actually wants to play for Bayern, he won't drag his feet because he doesn't know if he wants to go there or not. Moyes and United don't go about talking about players because it isn't the right thing to do and for that I am very happy. Are you telling me United haven't been working overtime in private trying to get him to sign? Really? Just because we don't splash it everywhere doesn't mean it isn't happening.

Brendan81

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11 Jul 2013 13:03:41
So it look like we have missed out on thiago.

Maybe moyes is planning to use the youth in the centre of midfield and surprise us with Bale?

Piper

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11 Jul 2013 13:53:35
What youth? The only centre midfielder we have is tunnicliffe and he struggled in the championship. The rest are all tiny wingers. Bale over a midfielder is a joke.

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11 Jul 2013 13:02:21
Do the eds, or anyone, have an idea of who our "back-up" targets would be if we did miss out on thiago? I would personally hope we would go for erriksen!

Thanks Jase

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11 Jul 2013 12:49:31
Guardiola on Thiago;

'I want Thiago Alcantara. I have asked Bayern to get him but I don't know what will happen. Thiago is the only player I want, that's what I told them.

'It'll be him or no one. We have many players but we the need the special extra quality that Thiago Alcantara brings.

'I know Thiago very well. I talked to Rummenigge and Sammer about him, we will wait and then see'

'I don't think adding another midfielder will be a problem for us. I spoke to club about my concept and told them why I want Thiago Alcantara. I give my opinion, but I listen to the board. If they say no, that's ok.

'Nobody will leave Barcelona, unless they feel they won't play much. He wants to play. That's why I proposed him to the club'

--------------------------------------------

It looks to me like a move to Bayern is inevitable now.

People will point to the fact that Thiago has played under Pep before as the reason for Thiago choosing them over us; but what really irks me is that the deal should have been completed weeks ago and we shouldn't have to be having this conversation.

Aside from the fact that we are a bigger club (albeit not by too much); our midfield is clearly in such a state that a player of Thiago's quality would have walked in to it (probably getting more minutes than most/if not all of our established midfielders over the next 12 months). This alone should have made us favourites for his signature given that game time is the reason he's angling for a move. The fact that we've not managed to convert our status as favourites into a signing is a sad reflection of how we deal with our transfers.

To an extent I appreciate frugality when it comes to spending; but when a player of Thiago's quality becomes available for that price there should have been no question about snapping him up - even if the talk of tax was true and it would have meant spending more than the E18m quoted. The fact that we've spent weeks haggling over a few million pounds/euros and as a result appear to have missed out on a player who in a year or two will be one of the world's best (and worth £40m+) is embarrassing.

The top band of income tax in Spain is 45% - so the most we would have had to pay to meet the clause (or allow Thiago to) would have been just under £28.3m. Admittedly that's a lot more than the £15.6m the clause stands at - but approaching Barca with an ultimatum offer (ie, accept the offer or we pay the clause and cut you out) of £22m (saves us £6m and makes them an extra £6m) would surely have pushed a deal through. Quite frankly I'd still consider £28m to be a steal for this guy and I fully expect Bayern to complete a deal within a few days now that they have identified him as a target.

As many will recall - this is one of many signings over the past few years where we have dragged our feet and missed out. This is probably one of the worst though. Moura and Hazard have both looked very good since moving to their new clubs and both will continue to improve - but Thiago would have cost us less than both players and will wind up being the best of the three in a few years time. To lose him to a club which don't even need him is a real kick in the teeth.

The club needs to oust all involved with the financial side of our signings and bring in people who realise that the economics of football have changed and that in this day and age you need to spend big in order to sign big players. Our midfield is already in tatters and as soon as Carrick starts to fade (he turns 32 later this month) we will be in real trouble - domestically as well as in Europe (which we have been for the past 2 seasons).

redseven

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Redseven, I agree with most of your post. With Pep coming out in the open and talking about it, the balance certainly tilts in Bayern's favour. I am a little gutted with how we were going about the transfer. As Sydney! had mentioned before the supposed penny pinching might come back to bite us. I think he was spot on with that. We should have long ago agreed a fee which was a little above the release clause and below the VAT added total value. This is not a knee jerk reaction but I will be gutted if we miss out on him. May be what I am thinking is way off the mark and I will be happy to eat humble pie if we sign him. But things don't look too good. This may be could have been avoided. But then again may be he had clearly identified Pep and Bayern as his future move and we never stood a chance.

Deeps.

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Deeps -

The fact that he agreed personal terms with us would suggest that he was entertaining a move at some point. Add to that the fact that player's tend not to sign the shirts of other teams unless they're pretty sure they're moving there (he signed some guy's United shirt a while back).

I suppose a deal is still possible - but as you say - Pep publicly stating that he was a target is a big indication that he'll be moving there. It's very rare a manager will talk openly about signing another teams payer unless they're confident the deal will happen (especially given Pep's relationship with Barca).

redseven

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Redseven

Agreed mate. With whatever Graham Hunter has been saying, I refuse to believe that all of this was gas. At one point in time, we were the favourites and I am sure there were discussions. I was not that upset with us missing out on Moura, Hazard etc. But this one is going to hurt. The value at which we were supposedly getting him and the undeniable class. Add to that every blind man and his dog would know that we need reinforcments in midfield. I don't usually come out and talk negative, but this one is good enough to piss me off. I hope its out in the open soon as to who messed up. And yes I will be happy to have egg on my face and see him sign.

Deeps.

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Deeps,

In the past I've often stated my belief that money was there for SAF and that he was reluctant to spend it exorbitantly (as he himself stated). I'm now wondering whether this is a case of the Glazer's wanting to spend as little as possible and thus demonstrating just how little they know about football.

redseven

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Deeps,

In the past I've often stated my belief that money was there for SAF and that he was reluctant to spend it exorbitantly (as he himself stated). I'm now wondering whether this is a case of the Glazer's wanting to spend as little as possible and thus demonstrating just how little they know about football.

redseven

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Redseven

I think I will reserve my judgement for the end of the transfer window. I have been fairly ok with the explanation SAF has been giving so far. But if this year we again fail to get ourselves a midfield maestro, there is something seriously wrong and everyone accountable should be given the boot. If you are not doing your job properly, might as well get the pink slip. Mind you, I will still back the team we have, no matter who plays for us or where we play. That will never change. But I will have serious problems with crooks who are messing around with my beloved club.

Deeps.

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11 Jul 2013 12:43:26
Pep's words that thiago is the only one I need its him or no1 and I have askd bayern to get thiago. I thnk bayern wil go all out for thiago now and sry but I dnt see us signing him now

Sid

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11 Jul 2013 12:43:14
Am I the only one to think that we are going to be left feeling duped again? Lots of talk about Thiago and Strootman to name but two and now we are being tee`d up to be "happy" that Rooney is staying. Is Moyes the man because he will follow the Glazernomics model like Fergie?Buy cheap, young and hopefully sell at a big profit? Are we going to be happy if Leighton Baines is the "Marquee" - I paid for my season ticket hoping we would get some exciting, fresh talents and hearing Thiago is off to BM has left me feeling cheated. AGAIN
United just no longer make exciting announcements and almost always seem to miss out.

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I totally agree, they push for us to renew by mid June and we are linked with all and sundry and we end up getting none of these players and it can only be put down to penny pinching in this case, yet they are quick enough to take my cash. Sick to my back teeth of the way the club is run and feel cheated!

Bazza

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There is still a chance we will sign him. Just because Bayern are in for him doesn't mean we can't sign him, it just means we have to fight for him. Everyone is being so pessimistic but I'm sure nobody thought we would sign Van Persie when it was revealed that City and Juventus were in for him but he chose us regardless of the competition. He either chooses us or he doesn't but we will get over it like we did with Lucas and we will have to hope Moyes has a good replacement in mind if we do miss out. Everyone just needs to stop worrying there is plenty of time to do business

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Hazard, Lucas. Another great prospect maybe lost again. Deep there I still think we can get him.

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11 Jul 2013 12:40:11
I am goi g to be so gutted if Bayern sign thiago every year without fail we seem to lose out on our big targets! This will be a great start to moyes reign if he fails to get this lad I just have that gut feeling its happening again. If we don't sign him does anyone know who we could get to replace him or who would you like us to sign? Dave devil

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Sorry did we miss out on rvp and kagawa last summer?im sure I saw them play for us last season. yes we missed out on moura but we can't sign everyone, if we miss out on thiago yes it'll be disapointing but what will be will be, i'd rather have a player who wants to come to play for us and nobody else, we still don't know what thiago wants so let's wait and see, bayerns interest is nothing new.

phil

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Phil

Same old talk " I rather have. "
A great (world class ) is what we need right now, no matter what we say about RVP or Kagawa.
We need to convince players to come to us, because not everybody loves Manchester United and don't forget, they are professionals, so they go where they feel more desired and important, no forgetting the $.

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Here we go again. " we want a player to come and play for us but only if they want to"! What a load of rubbish.
Thiago rvp rooney Ronaldo Cantona, they didn't grow up and think United is the team! They all came because we had a charismatic manager and we used to pay well. Thst is a fact.

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11 Jul 2013 12:26:45
hey guys, 1st time posting, I am addicted to this site. hey I just wanted to know am the only completely worried about how moyes is going about the transfers, I know its rumours but this morning I woke up to a shoker that thiago has chosen bayern over us!i know its ealy in the transfer window but hoonestly am scared, we are losing out on our main targets and we might also lose our second best player (wazza). if fergy was still in charge I wouldn't be losing sleep, I like moyes but I hope our our signings will not be from everton

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11 Jul 2013 13:31:00
If I was a pro with no loyalty to either club I'd choose Bayern over anyone right now so it's no surprise.

Ben

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11 Jul 2013 12:13:46
For me I think thiago will go to bayern the same thing that has been happening to us in the past years will happen again. for david moyes is absolutely dull. infact I am very annoyed.

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11 Jul 2013 12:07:05
Pep has entered the frame and said clearlly he wants thiago.

Now this is what I called powerful in football.
When united will have gut to speak about it clearlly?

Some will argue that for prices to not get shoot high. Or our targets and tactics not to be open to opponents united do this. But ask urself is this a real and genuine argument. Every day we see clubs declare there interest in players and also sign them. how many time we missed our prime targets?
The last we despo will hear is " club don't have policy to comment on transfer activities"

I think they only want to cover there failure that how many times in actual they have failed in getting there target.

Wr read chelsea failed in some bid. or some1 turned down madrid. or so on and on. does this loose respect in their fans eyes? I don't think so. moreover they can have pride that their club have right ambition.
People can argue whatever positive or negative they want but failing in getting targets will only make club and fans suffer in long run.

All views are wel come. even only 10 days have passes since window opened also wel come.

Rodio17

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I agree Rodio, I've tried to be positive about thiago, I'd have been happy with just him as a signing, but now it looks as if he's going to bayern. I'm so fed up of missing out on prime targets and having to go for second rate players, especially when a lot of the good players whom we need, have been already signed by other clubs. I'm getting the same feeling here, I think if we don't get thiago, we need to pull out all the stops to get Christian erriksen, or we are going to struggle to compete next year. I may be wrong but who else is of that quality in central midfield who is available.
Jase

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11 Jul 2013 11:52:16
Good morning Guys

Now that Pep has said he wants Thiago it will be interesting to see how long it is before the signing is announced. My guess is that it won't be long. It does seem that we drag our heels on many deals not just this one. Moura last season is almost a carbon copy of this and I for one don't think we can keep missing out on these world class players.
I actually think Thiago could almost be another Cantona in time but unfortunately I don't think we will see him in a United shirt next season.
That said whatever squad we have come the first match I will be right behind the lads because United will still be the best team in the world in my eyes.

Bazza The Red

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Bazza it's not about dragging heals, the player has been deciding where HE wants to play. All we can do is offer him a deal and wait for his answer. If he decides Bayern would better suit him and the German league would better suit his style, there is nothing we can do. Same with Moura last year, the player decided to sign for PSG, we couldn't force him to come to us.

Brendan81

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We didn't drag our heels, the player obviously didn't commit and waited for all other offers before deciding. if he had committed we would have paid the buy out clause and signed him, wake up

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11 Jul 2013 11:37:36
Each year we get the mercenaries trying to grab deals on the back of Man Utd,
Sneider - what happened to him?
Moura - didn't show much last year?
Hazard - looks a good player

This year:
Thiago - "nerh, nerh, nerh, nerh play me everytime or else I'm off!"
Strootman - If you don't buy me I'll take the money and go anywhere!

Lets trust the manager and club to be careful and choose players who are both gifted but also want to play for the biggest club in the world - see the crowds greeting our players. I'm sure we will get a couple of good players yet, look at last year Van Persie, De Ghea, Kagawa, Powell each one fantastic players who are not just driven by the money or their ego. Even Van Persie recently turned down many lucrative deals to concentrate on getting the most out of his career at United - these are the type of players we want!

Ps I think Pelligeenuts looks like a Thunderbird puppet!

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I doubt Thiago will choose to go elsewhere for money. He wants to play more often otherwise he would've stay at Barca.

Most of the people here always think that a player who does not come to United will be a failure or is looking for more money. It's just pathetic.

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11 Jul 2013 11:32:07
Well pep has confirmed he wants thiago is it just me that finds it alarming we can't sign top class midfielders on potentially top midfielders. We all know if thiago was utd we'd know long before now. It does appear as if we dragged our heels. Thiago to bayern strootman to Roma god knows why next it'll be rooney to city/ Chelsea. I'm a bit disillusioned have to say.
Cheers lads
Fran

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It does seem a little concerning

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11 Jul 2013 11:07:04
Hi eds, I'm a fan all the way from south Africa, I read this site daily and find the posts entertaining be it absolute rubbish of some rumors to the rumors that we all hope are true! Just like every other MU fan I am really interested to see who we sign this season and how this new era pans out under Moyes. Everyone is worried about losing out on thiago at the moment but I have complete faith in my team to build a competitive squad for the new season, however excitement turns to anxiety when there is a twist in a story! let's all hope for the best and stand together and believe in our team! Red devil for life

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11 Jul 2013 10:09:58
Thiago is off to bayern. another year same story. this lad is world class and would have been brilliant in our midfield. I don't see any of the other top teams loosing out on players like we do. united need to strengthen this summer because at the min how many of the united players would get into the top teams in Europe van Persie. vidic. Rooney and that's about it to many squad players and not enough world class players united need to compete in Europe they are 1 of the best supported teams in the would with the biggest turnover so where is the money going all the other teams can go out and spend big money every year. sorry about the rant but I have been a united supporter all my life and if totally fed up with the way things are going.

Scotty

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Totally correct. Previous regime was useless enough at buying talent, now that we are downgraded to a middle table profile with our middle table management so the picture worsens. Strootman and Thiago lost in one week. We will be lucky to get Baines and Fellaini next week. What a shower, how predictable. Missing out on Jose was a genuine error.

Here is half a glass to the persons.

Aesop

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Aesop,

Are you 12? Kagawa and rvp last summer mate, that's all that needs to be said isn't it.

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Aesop

Congratulations on winning the competition for today's mist whiny non-constructive post. Remind me, who won the League last year?

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Ajh we won the league but if I have to sit through a full season again of 80%of games being poor technical football I won't be very happy, win or lose I want to be entertained at a football match not bored to death.
johndenton

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11 Jul 2013 09:58:37
Just been looking on the Bayern Munich website and there is no mention of Thiago at all. Is this all paper talk to worry Utd fans? I certainly hope so.

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11 Jul 2013 09:18:50
A lot of doubt coming into the Thaigo saga.

About 10 days ago, graham hunter, the a website spanish football correspondant, tweeted that the hold up in thiago's transfer was that his father and agent, ex footballer mazinho, was trying to insert a clause into the players potential new contract with any new club.

The clause is essentially the same as what he had at barcelona, where he will be allowed to leave at a reasonable price, if he dosent play in a certain percentage of games. Obviously teams will be somewhat worried about this clause, as they have already seen it activated at barcelona.

If this is accurate it appears that the team that offers thiago the most playing time, has a comparative advantage in signing him. Perhaps guardiola has come in and guaranteed thiago a first team place?

- We might aswell offer this guy a guaranteed first team place too. our midfield isn't that strong and even out on the wing, he could easily be as good as what we have at the moment, even without fulfilling all the promise.

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11 Jul 2013 09:17:44
the tosser is going to Bayern, you can't get bets on him now, really gutted to lose out on another great prospect, we need to sack whoever deals with our comings and goings, it never changes, we always lose out, not looking forward to season starting now, everyone else will get stronger with top signings and well av same crap midfield.
BIGAL REDFOREVER

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Please change who you support your an embarrassment, the window has only just opened so to suggest your not looking forward to the season is hilarious, even if we sign nobody else I still can't wait for the season to start because whatever happens ill always support utd no matter what. if we always lose out why didn't robin go to city?please think before you post utter rubbish and get behind the new manager and team, there will be new signings so just chill out.

phil

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Get a grip will you, a week ago betting was suspended on Strootman signing for us and now it looks unlikely. If Thiago signs for Bayern then so be it, move on


Parks.

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Lol, just awarded Aesop the biggest neg head prize on a post above. Looks like I spoke too soon eh Al?

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11 Jul 2013 09:15:45
This site is getting ridiculous, it used to be really good but lately, it seems, every village has let their i. diot out to run riot on our site. What the hell is going on?

City overspend on a brazilian fella and buy a guy who gets home sick going to the shop. Chelsea have signed a couple of young players who could end up very good but its not guaranteed in the PL. Arsenal have also bought just one youngster who again could turn out good but its not a given. Spurs, who in my eyes have made the best signing so far, won't be challenging and i'm not wasting my time on Liverpool. And yet, we have every half wit around coming on crying about us not signing anyone yet, and that we have no money and won't sign anyone.

People need to seriously get a grip, look around at which other teams are doing business and apart from the overspending of PSG and Monaco, there is not a huge amount happening, especially in the PL. We have 2 young players already in if you count Zaha, and we will 100% sign 2 or 3 quality players and maybe another younger player.

If people are going to come on and whine about stupid things, then why bother coming on? It won't make you feel any better and it certainly doesn't make anyone else happy. Go back to your villages and stay there, we don't want to hear the rubbish you are spouting anymore.

Brendan81

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People are entitled to their opinion - whether u agree with it or not is another thing. I love Manchester United but this window so far has been frustrating and usually we would have a player or 2 brought in before the tour. People fear the unknown - With a new manager and new ideas I think some people are just worried that things won't run as before. Hopefully we will see a signing or 2 soon but until then you will probably hear a lot more complaining

Duffman

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Brendan with all due respect yes the other teams in the prem have not signed any major players that will improve their first 11 although I bet fern will sit in behind toure this season and may be a very good bit of business. The issue is we are still a long way off the major teams in Europe and Madrid have signed isco, bar a namer and barren gotze and potentially thiago. These are the teams we are trying to catch and they appear to be getting better whilst we stand still. We all want what is best for united and I am sure we have teams working on various things as dm said, but it appears again that we will not go that extra mile when needed and sometimes you just have to say cook it and go for it. Still I am really looking forward to seeing jan play on tour so let's concentrate on that for now and if players sign they sign.

Oxred

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Duffman people are being stupid, I'm embarrassed that these people are 'supposedly' United supporters. If they are, they must be about 12 years old. They must post on here while the next game is loading on Championship Manager, they seem to confuse the real world with a game. They see DeGea roll it to Hummels, who then plays it forward to Thiago, he in turn finds Messi, who quickly flicks it wide to Ronaldo who beats 3 men, before playing in Falcao, to round the keeper and slot it home.

Unfortunately, we live in the real world where transfers are complicated and take time. Not all players want to come to United whether we like that or not. Thiago may be an example of this if rumours are true. Maybe he has decided to go to Bayern instead, it won't be because we haven't tried, it will be because the player wanted to go elsewhere, we can't tie him up and force him to come. People don't accept this though and blame the club, the Glazers, Moyes or whoever. It's stupid and people need to grow up.

Brendan81

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11 Jul 2013 11:36:53
More to the point all we've heard for six weeks is thiago and strootman were nailed on signings and now they're off elsewhere. If plan b is fellaini then its a massive come down and huge disappointment. Especially on thiago where supposedly we've been at the weeks only for Bayern to sneak in last minute. Questions have to be asked. We don't look to have learnt from what happened with Lucas moura last summer and to have the same thing happen two years in a row is well to be frank pretty shambolic.

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Oxred as I said in my last reply to Duffman, we can have all the will in the world and offer everything under the sun, but if a player doesn't want to come we can't force him. Neymar wouldn't want to come to us as his game wouldn't suit the PL, Gotze wouldn't choose us if given a choice of us or Bayern, Isco wouldn't choose us over Real/Barca either. Players from South America/Spain will nearly always prefer the Spanish league to ours if given the choice, German/Polish players will want Bayern Munich or another big German side if given the choice too, a lot of the time.

We are arguably the biggest club in the world, but we are from Manchester in England. If players get a choice of Munich, Madrid, Barcelona or Manchester, then unless the other teams aren't as good as United, they will, usually, choose the other cities unless, we offer them some stupidly high wages which isn't the way to go.

It is sh*t, but that is how it works and what we are faced with and people need to understand and accept that. As I said, this isn't a game, this is real life.

Brendan81

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No name it's all about player choice, if they don't want to come what do you propose we do? They get the final say on where they play if more than one club offers the same money and are of equal quality etc.

City and Chelsea try and get round it by offering huge wages but even they are missing targets like Isco, Falcao, Cavani etc.

Brendan81

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Brendan, great post mate

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Brendan I get what you are saying but hasn't it been obvious over the last 2 seasons that we need a quality central midfielder or possibly 2. I know you can't believe half of what is in the papers but if Thiago has chosen Bayern I think we have missed out on a good midfielder who would have suited us perfectly.

Duffman

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11 Jul 2013 12:17:19
Brendan fair enough but leaves us having to sign second tier players which sees us fall further behind. Now people are talking up eriksen who six months ago no one here wanted. Fellaini? Really hope not. People were excited by a possible midfield of carrick, strootman, thiago and kagawa. Eriksen and fellaini is second rate.

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Duffman, I along with 99% of United fans agree we are in need of midfield re-enforcements. I personally think Moyes wants Jones in CM so we will only get one CM player in. I, with you, wanted Thiago but if he has decided to join Pep then we can't do anything about that. It is a huge shame, but he is free to choose any club who makes an offer.

No name I wanted Strootman and Thiago too but doesn't look like we want Strootman, maybe Moyes wants to try Jones instead, and Thiago may have chosen a different club over us. I don't think we will go for Fellaini as it is a creative midfielder we need if Jones plays further back and Eriksen will probably go to Barca going by what ed007 said yesterday.

Brendan81

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11 Jul 2013 13:50:10
So no midfield signing this year then o but we have jones.

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11 Jul 2013 09:13:57
Speaking to ben thornley the other day he's pretty sure thiago garay and ronaldo will all sign for united in the next week u will see activity

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Is this the Ben Thornley who left our reserve team in 1998 to play in the Northern League! I'm sure David Moyes keeps him in touch!

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Ben thornley will still be well connected at utd he came through the ranks with the nevilles, nicky butt, giggsy, beckham all of whom i'm sure he still has contact with. not saying the rumour is true just that he still knows a lot of people at ot :)
johndenton

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Thornley occasionally works for MUTV and is good friends with the class of 92 lads.
He also recently played for Manchester United legends against Real Madrid legends.
He might be more in the know than you think.

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The same Ben Thornley who's brother is our masseur or did you not know that?

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11 Jul 2013 08:49:58
Lots of media stories today saying we will not be getting Thiago. Some think he'll stay at Barca, some think he's had a better offer from Pep at Bayern. Serious blow if we have lost out because of prevarication on our part. Let's hope the stories are all wrong and, along with Strootman, Thiago will be playing for us next season.

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11 Jul 2013 08:26:54
Oh, how I love silly season!

There are a lot of you on here the past few days who clearly forget about every other transfer window. It's the same every time, we take a little while to get players signed and everyone goes wacky! David Moyes being appointed has set back the transfers for obvious reasons.

Some of these posts are classic though. Thiago is apparently off to Bayern because one. ONE rumour of this geezer supposedly in the 'know' said so on an unknown radio station?

So that obviously means the last 100 rumours we've had about Thiago coming to United must be false because the latest one said something different.

And then we have Strootman, a SAF target who supposedly isn't signing because of his price-tag set for us. It looks like Moyes has turned our interest over to a different player because he is the NEW manager.

What I am saying is the club has just had a huge adjustment and that will have frozen a lot of action behind the scenes. We WILL be signing players this summer, tomorrow, next week or on deadline day. We will be improving the team, just try to keep your minds intact guys! ;)

Get out in the sun and enjoy this rare weather we are having and get your god damn minds of all this "we aren't going to sign anyone" madness.

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11 Jul 2013 08:23:58
Exciting times ahead. I have a feeling DM will suprise a few this coming season
i just wish people would stop overreacting about united transfers everytime the daily mirror or the sun post something. we will make signings important signings for that matter to benefit the team not caress someone's ego.
my blood is red!

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11 Jul 2013 08:06:20
If Thiago joins Bayern and Strootman joins Roma, then there will be no other explanation that Signing of central midfielders at united has been cursed somehow

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11 Jul 2013 07:59:40
I am sorry! Man U will never sign any midfielder this season. we will play with Anderson, Jones and old man Carrick. with Kagawa in front of them.

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11 Jul 2013 07:53:46
Hope the Thiago news is false, but if not then we move on as always.

What would people think of Christian Eriksen as a potenital signing?

He was heavily linked with Dortmund as a replacement for Gotze, but now that they've signed the Armenian boy Liverpool were looking at, I doubt they will buy Eriksen too.

GRD

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I wouldn't be surprised to see Eriksen arrive if Thiago chose BM over us.

Sydney!

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11 Jul 2013 12:59:24
@ Syd

Interesting, have there been any discussions that you know of?

GRD

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11 Jul 2013 07:52:08
Not a rumour guys, just a thought. Lots of talk about CR7 returning home and much as I would love this I doubt it will transpire. IF though this story had any truth behind it, would the fact that Rooney seems unhappy, and DM goes out of his way to say he is NOT for sale mean he will not be sold but involved in a deal where he would be seen as the player with a lesser value? For the record I for one would love to see Rooney stay.

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11 Jul 2013 07:32:01
Guys if your worried about thiago going to bayed and then get urself down to the bookies and have a massive bet, he's 6/1 to join bayern and 1/10 to join us so 6/1 is a decent price considering how confident everyone is about him going there

Big Mac

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My thoughts exactly, this is the first time I have started to get annoyed with this transfer. There are 100 reports of united signing Thiago and nobody believes them, then 1 report about him going to Bayern and everyone thinks it is true.

Pathetic.

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11 Jul 2013 06:52:14
A question.

what leonardo and thiago silva have in common.

they both killed almost certain lucas moura transfer at last minute and now one is gone and the other is almost certain to go. what a looser lucas has thought of himself.

rodio17

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11 Jul 2013 04:21:00
What's happening to manutd now days?As a united fan I am so unhappy about the way they are leaving topics about players moving to utd in recent years. and they are nearly to sign them. but nothing happens, and they go to other clubs. we always link with strikers, winger and left back, for god sake we don't need player on those positions. our big weakness is midfield. I saw today kelvin is off to italy. thiago to munich or staying to barcelona. we have been told both was done deal. it's real pain to see us losing those players to other team. i'm starting losing trust with Ed Woodward on the transfer market or moyes doesn't attract good players to come to manutd anymore. Manchester United were a 'laughing stock on the street.

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11 Jul 2013 03:06:46
Lets see how reliable is the Bayern news. The source that broke the news said it should be announced today and that even Real were interested.

REDFAITH

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Cheer up everybody. If we miss out on thiago, we've always got cleverly! :-)
Nomidfield

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BM have always remained interested. It may well be the kick up the ass that MU need to pay up.

Sydney!

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11 Jul 2013 03:00:57
Daily rags must be getting bored.

Apprently ronaldo to city now lol

Some stories you just have to laugh

SPB

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11 Jul 2013 02:15:13
This is what Juanma Castaño said at Cadena COPE. Word for word:

Juanma Castaño: "This is from a very credible source, a source that is, let's say, directly linked to the footballer. "

"First, we have been told that Thiago Alcantara's future is not at Barca. Second, we have been told the club he has chosen. "

"The club Thiago has chosen is Bayern Munich. "

The host then goes and asks why Thiago has chosen to go to Bayern:

"There are various factors. There have been several offers on the table. From Manchester United and Real Madrid. "

"Then there's the one from Bayern Munich. Thiago didn't know if he'd play too much at Barca"

"The bid from Real Madrid was rejected because Thiago does not want to close any doors on a return to Barca in the future. "

"Therefore the two offers on the table was from Bayern Munich and Manchester United. Thiago considered both closely. "

"Thiago knew that there were several players in his position, but was told by Pep Guardiola on the phone that he was moving Javi Martinez to centre back as Marcelo Bielsa did with him at Athletic Bilbao. "

"Therefore, there was a spot in the midfield for Thiago Alcantara. "

“Take what I say with a pinch of salt due to what normally happens with these stories in the summer”

“All this makes me panic a bit, talking about ”

He also points out that this is not coming from Guardiola or Mazinho.

I would take his advice - Take this with a pinch of salt. He doesn't sound very confident about it, and in fact he ends up contradicting himself. Not sure how credible this guy is, but he made a balls of this story.

Sounds very unreliable to me.

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Sports Journalist trying to make some quick money for his summer holiday! Tell me was he listening in on Guardiola's phone call to Thiago? lol Phone tapping!

Reading the rest of the page it seems a lot of people are getting slightly touchy about the lack of signings? losing faith already are we, and pre-season has not even started! If you are one of those people I suggest you go have some nicotine, and if you don't smoke I think you should start! You seem to be getting stressed over nothing!

WE ARE UNITED!You seem to forget we are the CHAMPIONS! We may have had a pretty average season without really hitting top form, still ran away with the title. How can this possibly be a negative thing?! Now we've got a way more experienced team who i'm sure can handle themselves on any stage! We have one of the best squads and its got more depth than any of our PL rivals! At United we build teams and get stronger. We're not chelsea or city who buy teams!
We strengthen area's that we slack in Eg, lost the title on goal difference. Fergie signs RVP and says no one will have a better goal difference! Everyone knows how that worked out!

Now on to the midfield, for a couple for a couple seasons now the majority have been calling for a big name midfielder! I do understand that we possibly do need a midfileder or two, but the funny thing is we have coped fine without a big signing in that department!
I think a couple of young, up coming low priced mid-fielders is the way forward. Blending the youth with the experience we have should see us competing at a higher level domestically and in Europe.

MWRedArmy

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Why would bayern put europes best holding CM last year at CB? It makes no sense to me.
IMO most tabloids are making up utd rumours because they are hearing nothing from the club as yet, basically poking us with a stick daily hoping for a reaction to stories, my advice is just sit tight try and be calm and wait, it all works itself out in the end.
CTR

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I will believe it when Graham Hunter confirms it!
Dylan

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11 Jul 2013 01:30:13
Some of the comments on here are truely mental. Some rumour flys around and people go crazy. It's July 11th for gods sake! Support the club you love don't go mad because you hear a rumour we haven't signed player X. There's nothing worse than 'plastic' fans! Go support Real Madrid or Barcelona! Thiago hasn't signed for Bayern chill.

OT Ghost

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11 Jul 2013 00:18:41
Once more Uniteds transfer excitement descends into chaos.
Year on year we allow ourselves to be drawn into a wish list frenzy, abusing those who dare to disagree, only to have our hearts ripped out again by a club who seem to want to buy cheap yet sell even cheaper!
I'm done with this "no value" and procrastinating approach.
Pathetic.

Chief.

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There is hardly any value though. Cavani £45+ million is ludicrous, Fernandinho £30 million ridiculous, it is silly and hard to find a gem for cheap now and Thiago is no different. He is a top player who lots of clubs would like to have and it isn't as easy as paying a fee and signing him. Also how do you actually know who we are in for? You are going on who we are being linked with in the press and by what your hearing that is all. We are one of the best clubs at working behind the scenes which is why we can only guess. Stop moaning and support the club.

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Even at £25m, Thiago would be value for money.

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Plenty of value to be had IMO. paulinho for £17 mill, villa £4.4 mill, van ginkel £9 mill

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What is value though? If cavani signs for Chelsea and scores 30 goals and win the league and a cup, will that not be value?
It is supply and demand I'm afraid, if you have something which people want, then you can dictate the price. Value goes out of the window and it is basically for people who can't afford or don't want to shop at the top table.
Rvp was 29 and we paid £24m for him, so is that value? Probably not. But was it a great deal for United and the fans, of course it was.
We're all united fans and want the best players at our club, sometimes, we have to push the boat out and get the best. We all want to win the league and the CL and for that to happen, we need to strengthen midfield and we might have to pay well over the odds to do so.
Nomidfield

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11 Jul 2013 00:10:48
Constant rumours for the past 3 weeks that Thiago is definitley signing for United - People dismiss it as rubbish.

1 rumour about Thiago to Bayern from some radio station - Chaos!

Get a grip!

Exactly where would he play in that Bayern team?

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Are you suggesting we disregard this one obsecure rumour and agree with what people have been writing for weeks? Preposterous! Are you mad man?

Hassan.

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No what I am saying is people only believe what they don't want to hear.

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G. A. G. U. S couldn't be more right. Adding to his post people seem to be much more inclined to believe the negative rumours than the positive.

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Nail on the head G. A. G. U. S
too much panicking whatever happens happens

BABY FACED ASSASIN

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Only worry is that we seem to have been chasing this guy for over two months and nothing has happened for reasons unknown to us.
Bayern turn up with Mooney, as they are a no nonsense club and they have one big ace up their sleeves, Pep.
He is the reason that I think thiago will end up at bayern. I've said this a month ago. But let's see what happens.
If you listen to Bryan Robson, united midfield is exceptional and does not need strengthening!
So let's hope Moyes has got a plan B.
Nomidfield

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11 Jul 2013 00:03:43
I feel a little sorry for Guillermo Varela, working hard in the U20 world cup, helping his team to the final tonight. Have you all forgotten he has signed for us under DM?

Even if we sign no players this window, how many premier league sides can out man the team we had last season?

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If we buy no players I'd say both Celsea and Citeh will out man us next season, our midfield needs strengthening, of that there is no doubt. Come on DM, do your stuff!
RedSince68

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11 Jul 2013 00:03:01
Thiago to sign for Bayern Munich in next 48 hours.
I hope we've not missed out on other targets due to so much effort going in to this deal.

Another one bites the dust.

Nick

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Lets not panick just yet, DM is not stupid, look how well he has handled all dealings with the press so far. He is only too aware of the job in hand and the pressure that it will bring. He knows he has to hit the ground running. He will have plenty of money at his disposal especially in his first season and we have to place our trust in him, the last thing he wants is a backlash from the fans.
Remember SAF hasn't gone away the last thing he will want is city or chelsea to blow us out of the water it would kill him, after all he is Manchester United.
As for the Glazers, forget about how they bought the club they are in this for the long haul. They look at the club as a business, just look at some of the deals that they have secured recently. We are not only the envy of every sports team in the world we are also the benchmark for them when they are trying to wrap up deals of their own. They won't let Utd slide as they would hurting their own pockets. Personnally I think we have the best and most consistant foreign owners out there, would have them any day over a sheikh or a russian oil man.
So as I've said don't panick yet everyone involved with United knows what has to be done and it will be done.

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So to sum it up you prefer owners who take money out of the club over owners who put money in

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Red paddy

You would have our owners over others owners who haven't hocked their clubs up with debt?

On 1st September we will see whether the top players were attracted to United or whether the sound bytes were just to make it sound like we were interested, "we were in for" and just missed out and certain posters claiming the Glazers were willing to spend big.

We shall indeed see but I could not disagree more with your statement about us having the best owners, there are hundreds of millions of reasons why

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Looking forward to KLOOT'S reply on this one :)

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I'm not saying that I'm delighted with the fact that the Glazers are our owners. The way they have saddled the club with debt is a disgrace and should never have been allowed to happen, the people who let this happen have a lot to answer for too. But the harsh cold fact is that they own Utd now and there is nothing that us supporters can do about it. The debt is coming down and hopefully with these new deals in place it will continue to do so.
For them to make a good return on their investment they have to ensure that the club continues to challenge for trophies.
Gone is the day that someone comes along and buys a big football club because they were a lifelong fan and have a lifelong love for that club. Football sadly has first and foremost become a business the traditional values of the game has taken a back seat. Rooneys desire to leave shows this also.
Would any Utd fan like to see Ambranovich or etc own us? At least we have some level of consistency and stability. It's not perfect but its the best option out there.
If SAF was still our manager we would not have the level of paranoia that is currently floating around.

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