Manchester United Banter Archive August 14 2014

14 Aug 2014 22:26:18
Quite interest to hear peoples views on this subject. Last year moyes was blamed for being tough in his training and players picking up injuries. By the looks of it LVG is also a big proponent of fitness and we are even more crooked than last year even before the season starts and we all know rooney, rvp, jones and smalling are also going to spend weeks on the physio table.

I wonder if we just have players who are very injury prone no matter who is the coach. I remember steve bruce telling me that under fergie he and some players thought our training was very light and we were never the fittest team in the league and that has carried over as this is till by large a fergusen era squad.

14 Aug 2014 23:58:25
I guess u have reading that dutch fitness bloke, honestly mate I think injures are part of the game and the simple fact is we should have cover in our squad to cope, if we don't then that is another topic all together.

Arsenal go through this every season and are really hampered by it, because much like us they have a number of players in the same position, take mert for example, if he got injured chambers is covering, but then some1 else has to cover RB, but if ozil get injured its a simple shake around and cazorla plays and covers the area no probs.

Witg us if RVP gets a knock we use wellbeck or Hernandez, not much of a massive disruption, but if we lose a CM or defender we look thread bear and light.

Chelsea and city dnt have this problem they now have a good player for every position. Which over the season might be the difference.

CTR

I actually read what the dutch guy said this morning and was going to post this a few days ago. I just find our volume of injuries odd as we seem to have this issue every year and near the top of the league table that tracks injury days for teams. We do definitely have quite a few China men in the squad.

14 Aug 2014 21:42:51
I think that we will definitely sign at least 2 more players, who they are only a very select few will know up until the deals are done. We all have our preferred choices but ultimately it will be LVG who has the final say on who stays, who goes, who we buy. Don't think Ed Woody did himself any favours by saying about our huge budget & I think he is now realizing that we are going to be paying way over the top for potential signings. Things are clearly going on behind the scenes on plenty of players otherwise, the likes of Blind, Vidal, Rojo etc wouldn't be demanding transfers, not turning up for training, leaving their options open etc. Still over 2 weeks to go so I am not panicking (yet). Have faith in LVG, he knows the squad isn't good enough & he knows who he wants. Its down to you now ED!!

14 Aug 2014 19:38:07
Evening everyone!

I've just come back from travelling & really want to drive up for the game on Saturday. I know it's possibly a long shot but does anyone have any, know anyone who has any or know the best route to take to get tickets for Saturdays game? Thanks!

14 Aug 2014 20:51:24
I have a spare ticket

Teddy, just the 1? Looking for 2 minimum really! Don't fancy driving up on my own lol

14 Aug 2014 22:55:14
Yeh sorry bud. Like rocking horse shit these.
I'm sure there will be some going spare

14 Aug 2014 18:56:40
Its being reported that Barcelona have ended interest in Cuadrado.
Wonder why!
Maybe United need to push on. We really need a few signings. The squad is there on paper but a challenging first team looks thin.

I want that to be true, but I am not convinced yet. The report of his preference for Barcelona still lingers. Cuadrado would be a great signing of we could pull it off.

14 Aug 2014 17:57:38
Interesting question that someone posed to me today and I was wondering how you guys feel about it.

Lets say we sign Rojo and Cuadrado to improve the heart of our defence and the wing back roles.

But we miss out on Vidal, the club need to sign someone to come in and play as a central defensive midfielder,

Would you prefer De Jong who knows the league and could slip straight into the team or Blind who is more talented on the ball but by his own admission not so strong physically and has never played in the EPL.

So totally disregarding the other position Blind can play, for a player to play along side Herrera this season in the heart of midfield would you go for De Jong or Blind?

I would go for De Jong.

The other role which Blind would play is that of LWB and we already have Shaw, Young, James and if needed Rojo who can play that role.

De Jong everyday of the week - even considering Blind's versatility. I'd rather have a player who is good in one position than a player who is distinctly average in three.

I think you might want to start accepting the fact that darren flecther is going to be partenering herrera until we either get vidal or buy stootman in january/next summer.

De jong, and kewp Fellaini . If Young can be transformed so can Fellaini.

Neither, we should look at Khedira if Vidal isn't available.

De jong definitely. Somebody who knows exactly what the dm position entails and will break play up a lot better and that's what our midfield is lacking

De Jong can tackle, but I don't think he can do what Fletcher has been doing offensively. And LVG's system seems to require real ability out of the two CM positions.
If I had to choose between these two, I would go with Blind, who seems very good in possession. But if no Vidal, then I do hope we would go for Carvalho.

Neither De Jong is not good enough so no point buying him just for the sake of it and Blind i'm not sure about whilst it is good to have a utility man in the squad i'm not sure it is worth paying 15m for someone who will never nail down a position for himself

14 Aug 2014 20:29:13
I'd take De Jong as he is a specialist defensive midfielder who played there for Holland in the World Cup when LVG could easily have played Blind there.

However, Carvalho should be the fall back if we fail to get Vidal.

Probably de Jong.

Dont rate him highly but he's more of the specialist we need there IF we sign Rojo. If we dont, then Blind due to being able to cover more positions.

I would rather have Guerin instead of de Jong.

Good shout Shahram, how about Gustavo he will do a decent job.

Yep

Gustavo or even Song. I always thought he was an excellent midfielder when he played for arsenal and killed his career moving to barca as he was never going to get much game time.

Personally I feel Song fits best into the system LvG want's to employ.

Vidal would be my first choice with Khedira and Song as back up options.

14 Aug 2014 17:12:13
If the only player they bring in now is blind, that will be in my opinion an awful window. Failing to deal with central midfield weakness. Shaw out for a month etc

14 Aug 2014 17:32:34
I will be extremely upset if we sign a blind player, we should at least be targeting players with perfect 20/20 vision. Sorry I couldn't help myself!

You mean the window we've signed one of Spain's most promising box to box midfielders, a left back who will be in our jersey for years and years and, if we do sign Blind, the Dutch footballer of the year who is an incredibly accomplished defensive midfielder in Holland. The names who have held that award are some of the greats. Van Basten, Bergkamp, Van Bommel, Van Nistelroy to name a few.

Calm down. the editor has said countless times how long the transformation of the team is going to take in terms of transfers. Those three would be a fantastic start.

14 Aug 2014 18:32:21
I personally think its been another average transfer window.I know it's not over yet but with all these reports of between 150-200 million supposedly available it's not looking good.Heres hoping

Come every window needs a Blind. lol.

14 Aug 2014 15:51:25
Do people think there is any truth to the welbeck to hull rumours.
Hull have just sold long for 12 mill

I doubt welbeck will go to hull. hull are intrested but he won't be

Sure, Brucey would take him in a heartbeat. But we won't sell him for £14m. If Long is worth £12m and McCormack £11m, then Welbeck is worth more than £14m surely.

They may well want him, Bruce is a fan of his after having him at Sunderland on loan. But I don't see him wanting to go to Hull with the greatest respect to them. Nor do I see LvG wanting to sell him.

With the new formation and with RvP's injury record and the fact that Rooney has a tendency to go wandering deep when played up top and the impending departure of Hernandez that Welbeck will be a vital player for us this season. So I doubt it.

We were told by ed that there is interest from them but Welbeck would not be interested in a move to Hull.

14 Aug 2014 16:20:15
Who knows with rumours, but I would prefer to keep Welbeck and sell Hernandez. I wouldn't want to get rid of both unless we have a replacement lined up.

I can understand welbeck not wanting to go to hull its a bit of a step down from united.
But I wonder if united would be willing to let him go

I still think Welbeck can become a very good striker. That said his development has been affected by the signing of RVP

Shappy

God help us if we are going to be relying on welbeck being a vital player for us. He is so overrated and pif we can get 18 million and enough new players in, we would be mad to keep him. Never will be good enough.

Not a chance Jred. MU do not want to sell Welbeck, hence the new contracts. Hernandez is surplus which leaves just Rooney, Van Persie & Welbeck. Welbeck is our only pace upfront. It would take much more than £14m for MU to consider letting him go. With two weeks to go there simply isn't time to sort any extra deals out. I think it's a case of Bruce wanting Danny, but Danny or MU not wanting Hull. Stranger things have happened, but I'd be very surprised if Welbeck is playing in a Hull Shirt next season.

I don't quite like to criticize our players, but in this case . TAXI

Deeps.

P.S - How are you Shahram mate?

Jred I have a feeling he maybe for sale otherwise there wouldn't be any interest in him.

Singh, I think if DW was available, there would be many more clubs trying to sign him. Especially for a mere £14m. Personally I would prefer Welbeck, than £14m. I think he will have a good season.

Sing
unlike syd i'm just guessing but I would be surprised if we sold him.
Then again we have a new manager who may have different plans.
I still think there will be a big surprise with our transfers, we will find out soon

Syd
Are you talking about the 4 year deal he signed 2 year ago or has he recently signed another

Shahram, Welbeck will never be a world beater but he is a very useful player to have and to rotate.

It's not hard to imagine a time this coming season where we need some pace and strength up front in order to push a defence further back and to create some space between the oppositions defence and midfield, especially now that we don't play with out and out wingers. None of Mata, Rooney or RvP have real pace and that will be an issue in some games. If we are to get the points we need from those games then a player like Welbeck could be the difference.

He is one of those players who gains you 10-12 points a year without directly scoring or assisting, just his power pace and work rate alone will open up the space for the better players to work in.

So without him we can knock 10 points off our end of season total, are you so confident that we will win the league by at least 11 points that you feel we can afford to discard such a player? If not then he will be vital in the team achieving as high a finish as possible.

Do you think Depay would be a good alternative or if we get a pacy winger can he not play as a forward if either Van persie or Rooney gets injured.

Singh, Depay is at least a year or two away from being able to be a regular for a top team. He has great raw attributes and can be unstoppable at times but his consistancy is awful.

Shappy
So its 0-0 in a tight game with 20 minutes left and lvg takes of rooney or rvp . don't see it myself maybe if we are 3-0 up

Cool Shappy, It will be better that we keep welbeck for another year and see how he does this year as I think this would be his last chancr to make it here.

14 Aug 2014 21:36:09
Jred do you know much about van Gaal? You can find loads written about him and his methods if you don't have any first hand experience of watching him.

He is a man obsessed with tactics, if he feels Welbeck will do what he wants better than anyone else on the pitch then he'll put Welbeck on in their place regardless of what their name is or what people think of that player.

Do I think he would take RvP or Rooney off for Welbeck, no I know he would if he felt it was for the good of the team.

He took RvP off for Depay and Kuyt during the world cup with his team drawing at the time. So why wouldn't he do it at club level?

He replaced his first choice keeper before a shoot out because he felt it was the best tactic at the time.

He will replace any player on the pitch with who ever he wants if it will suit the tactics he wants to play.

Shappy

Pace and power are of little use when you have a poor final ball, composure, can't shoot or finish.

I guess it says a lot about our team when he is looked at by some as being important.10 years ago he would not even make the squad. We have truly regressed.

Guys like him and cleverly are here because we are poor in so many areas and hence we have to resign ourselves to watching them for another season. BTW he has a bum knee since march last year and I will not be surprised to see him out for an extended period of time this year.

Shappy, I agree Van Gaal will not hold back when it comes to making tough calls if need be, but Welbeck is not good enough for that. He helps us earn 10-20 points a season? Another of those vague statements similar to Rooney being a bad egg. I think none of us know what Van Gaal would do, so making statements like "Do you know Van Gaal" etc is a bit childish. Or is it the same way that you thought "It is safe to assume that Rooney won't get the captaincy". Anyways, Welbeck is just not good enough, so this will never happen.

Deeps.

Shappy actually I was a major fan of lvg during his ajax years not so much after that .
he and is ajax team where a breath of fresh air and I took a major interest at the time.
so i'm not just going of what I've read about him over the past month.
You are making the assumption that lvg would think welbeck could do a better job than either rvp or rooney .
Rvp and rooney are much better players than welbeck and 9 times out of 10 lvg will go with them 2 especially when chasing a game .

you hit the nail on the head last month when you posted " the more I read about lvg the more I like his tactics "
Its like watching a player on youtube it only tells half the story nothing beats actually watching him.

Deeps

God post. Assuming we are going to play 3412 I can't even see how Welbeck fits into this team because he is definitely not going to replace anyone on the wings as his delivery, passing and touch is poor and we can all forget about him playing anywhere near the middle of the pitch.

The only way I see him playing is if Rooney or rep are injured or being rested, but given our reduced schedule I would think they would play whenever available.

14 Aug 2014 14:10:47
Take it however you like, but the new kit numbers are missing a 5, 7 and a 9, with the rest of the "first team" numbers all being allocated, sometimes to new players. At the very least shows that behind the scenes they are working on SOMETHING.

You would certainly hope they are, maybe Hummels or Benatia for the number 5, Di Maria or Reus for the number 7. Then number 8 for Vidal, with Anderson being released. That would be a dream summer if true. Get on it Woodwoody!

Five would be Benatias if he was brought in or Rojos maybe 7 could be Vidals and 9 could be Di Maria

There has of course to be something to that. Those are significant numbers.I suppose it does not necesserely mean they will be filled this window though!

Gilly, I'm sure Mata wouldn't be happy if his number was given to Vidal.

I expect to see the No.5 given to one of Blind or Rojo maybe Vidal if he signs but unlikely as I would expect him the have the No.7 given that he will be our big signing if he signs.

Then if we sign both Rojo and Blind then the other one will get the number 15 shirt. No.9 will stay empty this season with maybe Wilson taking next season it if he steps up this year.

14 Aug 2014 16:24:26
Mata is number 8 Gilly

Sorry guys, completely forgot Mata had number 8, for some weird reason I thought Anderson still had it. I agree that Wilson is most likely the future number 9. I know Evans has the number 6 at the moment, but I often feel that 6 is a centre mids number, bit like Xavi for Barca.

Disagree. In England number 6 is a centre back.

Traditionally 2, 3, 4 are defenders numbers, 8 is a midfielders number, 7, 9, 10 and 11 are forwards numbers.

number 5 and 6 are interesting as different cultures have a different view on them.

In Argentina for example No.5 is the key number and the number given to the most important midfielder the one who will control the tempo of the team. With the number 6 dropping into defence.

Yet in Europe that is the other way around with the No.5 in defence and the No.6 as the controller in midfield.

Essentially they are just numbers on the backs of players so that officials and fans can tell them apart from a distance. The role given to each player isn't in direct relation to the number on his back.

5 and 6 are centre backs for me, too old fashioned for a 19 year old I know.

14 Aug 2014 13:03:46
GDS

Also, could you please list what you consider to be negatives at this stage?

I never see you criticise the club whatsoever. And there is plenty to criticise, if you're being honest.

RED_SKY

------

Red_sky,

If you read all of my posts you will see quite a few where I have said what the negatives are and where I think we need to improve, I just don't go about it by slagging the club off and being pessimistic about everything. Your posts sound like you expect us to get relegated this season and that you actually believe the club are not going to sign anyone before the deadline.

I think we are in need of 2 centre backs and a centre midfielder. We have a lack of experience at the back which I think will be found out against the better teams in the division and as much as I rate Evans, Smalling and Jones they are a trip down a curb away from 4 weeks out injured at all times.

In midfield I would love for us to sign Vidal, he is the exact piece we are missing and I think it is quite clear that we are busy trying to make this dead happen. If it doesn't then obviously LVG knows we are short in midfield and will press ahead with a 2nd choice.

On Tuesday I noticed we have a lack of pace on the wings, and I cannot wait for Shaw to be back as I think he is going to be an amazing player for us.

I have a feeling we will have a tricky start to the season, everybody saying we have an easy start but promoted teams do not make it easy to travel to and we will be learning a new system.

Despite these things I am looking forward to the new season, I think LVG has given the players a new lease of life, players who looked lost last season are going to shine this season, I am happy Rooney has been made captain (think it is the correct decision) and I think we will be playing much better attacking football with lots of different types of goals being created.

Why does naming things that are negatives have to be 'criticising the club'?

Spot on get real! Pros and cons up for debate some people come across as totally blinkered!

GDS

Thing is, I could've written that entire post myself as I agree with everything you've written.

My thoughts exactly. But doesn't it anger you that for two summers running, the club have told us that we're the biggest club in the world with unlimited finances but are dithering around and not signing the quality we need?

If Herrera and Shaw were to get injured long-term, along with 1 of our CB's, we'd be screwed.

Where do you think we'll finish, without signings? I think that despite playing better football and scoring more, we'll be leaky at the back and found out against the top 6 clubs so I'll say 5th.

With 2-3 signings, a title challenge might be on dependent on the quality of those signings.

14 Aug 2014 17:11:45
I think it is just the way you express your opinion that gets to me Red_Sky, I appreciate you just want the same end result as me but some of your posts are ridiculously pessimistic sometimes.

Even in this post, if Herrera and Shaw and a centre back get injured long term we are screwed. That goes for most teams, if they lose their best players they have to play squad players.

It frustrates me a little that we have not made any major signings for the last couple of weeks but I don't really get hung up on only being happy with 'major' signings. I trust LVG and think he is the best signing we could have made this summer, some of last seasons players will be like new signings, and I still expect us to sign 2 or 3 players before September 1st.

14 Aug 2014 12:20:18
Not really utd related but just when you are feeling down brenda rodgers comes out with another statement to cheer everyone up.
First he said that liverpool proved year that they could handle the pressure of a title run in. Mmm ok so snatching 2nd place when finishing first was the easier option not to mention throwing away a 3 goal lead at place proves the case?
Now he is saying that liverpool attract all the best players. Mmm ok so 3 of those players come from southampton, a team that finished mid table last year, and, I would challenge anyone to name, off the top of their heads, the ' best' foriegn players that have signed for liverpool this summer.
As I said this cheered me up this morning.

Not to mention, he compared raheem sterling to messi! Muppet

Alan
The same mid table team where u bought shaw from. Which world class player did u buy this summer?

Teddy, why is who we have signed relevant? The point was about what Brendan Rogers said. If LVG had made a similar claim then your counter-point might be relevant. But he didn't. So it aint.

I think our two signings will prove more effective than the signings liverpool have made, with regards to their impact on the respective teams.

Who have Liverpool signed that will actually improve them? Both our signings make us a better team.

14 Aug 2014 12:08:46
For all the doom and gloom merchants on here, can I politely suggest that you look up the meaning of the word "supporter". A lot of the posts coming in on this page are pathetic. Some of you seem more interested in moaning about Woodward, Bitching about the owner and slagging off Manchester United players.
For Christ's sake people (you know who you are), if you don't have ANYTHING good to say about the team you supposedly "support", then don't bother saying anything at all.
I want to see quality new signings as much as anyone, but the criticism of the club and its staff is embarrassing. For all of you who still think we don't have any money to spend, and that Woodward is just a "Glazer puppet" who won't spend the money, just stop and think for a minute how silly that is. Something around £120 million spent in less than a year, with probably a lot more money to be spent in the coming weeks.
I fully expect this post to be removed soon after it is posted ( if it does get posted ) because it will probably attract "abuse", so I apologise in advance to the Eds if it does cause any grief. But I just felt the need to post it anyway because the attitude towards the Club by many of its own so called fans is pathetic.
Don't bother yourselves with what City or Chelsea or Liverpool are doing. Please just put your efforts into actually supporting the greatest club in the world. We don't need, or want, to be any of the others . We are Manchester UNITED. The clue is in the name.

14 Aug 2014 12:46:11
Betty,

Spot on, couldn't have said it better myself.

Well said betty

Lots of pros but this is suppose to be a site for rumours and debates, we are all utd fans and for many of us we just want to see us back at the top and not see our club pay 100 grand plus a week on players that don't seem to put in the effort, there has seen to be difficulties in getting the right players in hasn't there it's down to debate as to why this is only a debate love my club but there is a time to ask questions! I for one hope it's not a season like the last! Chelsea better than us by a mile last season additions have been felipe, fabregas and costa wow

Hi Betty, I think we will see some players coming in. The worry, of course, is that these will need time to settle down and get used to playing with the rest of the team and tactics etc.
So it is a shame that we could not get the deals done earlier in the window to ensure the players are settled come the start of the new season.
All posters want one thing, for United to be the best club in the world with the best team in the world. Mr. Woodward came out with his stupid statements implying having endless money for transfers, so he's put everyone hopes up. And now we seem to be struggling to get the players in, and people are getting restless. So let's hope he can bring in the right quality players and everyone will be happy. I'm sure all posters want the same.

So in other words, we can't compare our squad to any of the other big teams? Fact is, there are at least four clubs that had a better team than us at the end of last season. Of those, City, Chelsea and even Arsenal have done better business than us. A club like City didn't even need to recruit new players but they did it anyway. Please spare us this romantic notion of 'the so called biggest club in the world' when we all know our squad is 50% average players. The biggest clubs close their deals early, attract the biggest names and not some nobodys from the Portuguese league. And they don't bitch about players costs trying to save a few cents

14 Aug 2014 13:31:41
AYE AYE!!

Betty, you are right but let's face it, if the naysayers, whiners, and people who post repetitive and/or unanswerable questions, refrained from doing so, then this site would hardly have any comments on it at all.

I concure

So if you are a supporter, you must accept everything the club do and say? Is this site only for "yes men", like MUTV? If the people you talk about Pee you off, maybe your opinion Pee's them off too? It's a debate site, or the Eds may as well close it!

I use this site to voice my concerns about things and talk up the good parts. Mates down the pub aren't interested as they just harp on about how we had our time etc and to be thankful for that.

It's rubbish, all of the mistakes we are currently making have been on the horizon for ages, hell we even had a dummy run last season and yet we still seem to follow that dead end path.

We have played 5-3-2 all of pre-season - we have 3 semi-experienced CB's and no wing backs. We are converting full backs and failed wingers into wing backs and now come Saturday we are starting off the season with a make shift back 5, that wouldn't scare Swansea let alone a top 6 team.

We have not yet strengthened the midfield to anywhere near where it needs to be in order to compete, so I am failing to see what we have to be overly joyous about?

It's ok to criticise things, otherwise you are just a passenger and let's be honest the journey isn't very comfortable at the minute!

If you just accept things the way they are then you decline, and there is no point in having this part of the website. It's about spotting problems and discussing them with fellow supporters who may have a different perspective which could make you feel better or strengthen your point (You aren't the only one that thinks this way for example).

I for one am dismayed with what is happening, we are two days from kick off and we are all over the place AGAIN!

14 Aug 2014 15:06:55
I think you're adding a bit too much together there Betty. It's appalling that one of our players was booed by his own fans, and as bad that some people here think it's acceptable behaviour. But it's another thing completely to believe that supporting the club is commensurate to supporting the actions of our owners and their lackies.

First, the owners are solely interested in securing profits, they are not interested in the success, stability or history of the club in any other respect than these things contribute to boosting their profits. The fact that van Gaal has already stated that the business aims and footballing aims are sometimes in conflict should tell you that the owners are putting their commercial interests ahead of the interests of the club that we support.

Second, last season outlined to implications of the our owners lack of investment in players since the sale of Ronaldo: too many ageing players and far too many mediocre players to challenge for trophies. How many times over the last few years have we balked at the fees required for top class players and settled for lesser players like Young and risky youth players like Zaha? Van Gaal has stated that the squad is lopsided and lacking quality and depth in key areas. When you finish seventh in the league, you need a massive investment to get back to the top level. Woodward keeps banging on about being able to attract world class talent, but these are all just empty words unless he backs it up with actions.

Finally, Ed002 has stated that the overall aim of our owners is to clear the debt by 2017 so they can sell the club for a massive profit. The potential buyers are a bank controlled investment collective who will bleed the club dry until the 'asset' goes bad. In other words, the owners don't give a single crap about the future or longterm stability of Manchester United. They saw a legal loophole that allowed them to buy the club by leveraging debt, and when they have inflated the price of the club to its highest value they will sell it to the highest bidder regardless of the consequences.

I support Manchester United the football club. But I also recognise that the goals of ManU the business are completely counter to the longterm success and stability of Manchester United football club. Being realistic about the situation, most of the damage has already been done. However, that does not mean that I'm going to pretend that the Glazers and their lackies have the best interests of the club in mind.

If we do spend very big this window great, but don't forget the reason why we need such a massive overall, the 1st seven years of glazer ownership we had a net spend of £12.5 million a year.

Agreed Beast. We have to voice when see things go wrong and commend when things are right.
The good is that lvg seems to have injected confidence and is playing to a system and it seems to be working.
The bad, is that we need at least four players to make us competitive and time is running out!
By saying that it doesn't mean we are bad supporters, I shout louder than the twenty people near me. And all I want is for our club to have the best team. At the moment, we are nowhere near as I rate city, Chelsea, arsenal and Liverpool above us.

I'm not trying to say that everything is perfect, far from it. The site is all about debate and opinions, I quite agree. But my post was directed at the "chicken licken brigade", as StevieK so eloquently puts it. Some posters never post anything positive and just slag of the club, its staff an the players. To me, they are just spoilt glory hunters. If its upsets some people, tough. Like you ae saying, we are all entitled to opinions, and that is mine.
There I nothing wrong with talking about "the negatives", but aimless whinging is pointless.
I expect most of them are already on their way to see the King.
StevieK will explain. lol

I am actually now worried at all about lack of signing our best business was lvg who got a average group of dutch players to 3rd in the world cup, he will get us to 4th with what we have, Liverpool will do a spurs to many signing won't gel lose points, while we will be work man like, work hard for the team and get points on the board, then big signing to come the following summer, think we might see a lot of youth this season :)

14 Aug 2014 11:23:33
002, it's dragging along now (shock), so can I ask, do you see the Vidal to United deal being completed? Thanks beforehand.

{Ed002's Note - I cannot sensibly answer questions about timing.}

14 Aug 2014 13:42:35
Ahhhh guess u can't help me with my boiling an egg so the yolk stays runny question then ed :-(

14 Aug 2014 11:18:18
Is anyone else bit concern with lack of extra additions, starting to think that we are doomed again the players we have that we're useless last season( cleverly, smalling, welbeck, Nani, young and fellaini) look likely to possibly play a big part again. As well as losing valuable experienced players. Woodward needs to go transfers should have been tied up by now not good at all, in my opinion we need two CBs, a Mid, and a CF. Maybe hummels, varane, Vidal and cavani! We need to spend look at the improvements are rivals have made no champs league spot again I'm affraid! Whilst a hard working well organised team can do wonders can't see us beating arsenal, Chelsea, Man c, Liverpool.

14 Aug 2014 12:22:03
Yes we are doomed, I think relegation beckons, I am not even going to bother going, just snapped my season ticket.

GDS2 if you were serious you would have set it on fire.

14 Aug 2014 17:13:43
Haha rodders, further up the page you tell someone to 'get real' then you go and post we should sign Hummels, Varane, Vidal and Cavani?! This isn't fifa or football manager.

As much as we'd all love Hummels I don't think he'll move this window. The only genuine world class player we could sign is Vidal.

Oz,

Do you know what dream means? In the context I wrote it if you can understand English? Wtf!

14 Aug 2014 11:15:14
Reports coming that Chicharito going as a part of Vidal deal and Syd had made the same point too. But I think it's not logical. They had 3 pretty good strikers in Tevez, Llorente and Moratta. So y should they buy Chicharito?
To use as a squad player? If so he was better be here. Vidal deal may happen, but I doubt Chicharito being a part of it. It views r welcome.
Thanks.

I think Hernandez' country manager has made it clear that Juve want him mate. let's hope so anyway as we need Vidal.

14 Aug 2014 10:14:44
Thought I'd chuck my 10p in.

News coming out that Hernandez's agent has said that there will be news on the Hernandez to Juve deal 'soon'.

It looks like he is part of a deal for Vidal. £36 Million + Hernandez + 1 More (most likely Nani)

And 3 bookies have now suspended betting on Vidal joining United.

Promising.

It is promising mate. I think we may have finally made some headway. We know Juve have to sell him, but we shouldn't take anything for granted as a club. Vidal would make a massive difference to our team and we need to get this one done.

I can genuinely see myself sat glued to sky sports news for the next 2 weeks in the hope it is announced.

On another note I think its going to be Blind or Rojo, not both.

For me this is the first truly encouraging sign. Juventus will be quite pleased to add Hernandez and Nani to their roster and have the money to get a Vidal replacement without spending a penny.

If that is the deal I am afraid we would not go ahead with it. Hernandez will still fetch us 12 million and nani is still 8 to 10 million worth.

It would mean Vidal is costing us over 55 million pounds and close to 70 million Euros I assume( not sure about the current exchange rates)I think we will not pay that.

Any of eds or anyone else, does anyone have any knowledge of what is Juventus's Valuation on Vidal?

Get it done. I wouldn't rate Nani at more than £5million right now (bear in mind we were getting £10m offers last summer and he hasn't played for a year more or less).

Hernandez, maybe £15-17million but if LVG sees both as dispensable, time to just bite the bullet.

Dont want to get into money but Even if chicha and nani amount to 20 m pounds that's 56 million pounds.Quite a raw deal, but i'll take it.

Best midfielder in the world keano and robbo in one don't care how much he is just sign him

Vidal will be great, but if we sell chicaritto, then we will be light in attack, unless lvg is thinking of promoting Wilson to the first team. I'm quite happy if that happens.

14 Aug 2014 08:14:34
Lets put our squad into perspective.

Liverpool came second last season (allbeit an over achievement). They may have lost a top play and a left back but they have now bought 8 players!

We came 7th! We have lost 4 extremely experienced players and signed a young left back with potential and a very good CM. So basically apart from getting LVG, the squad is even worse than it was last season.

Surely there must be signings to be made in the next 3 weeks? surely we cannot expect even LVG to work with such a poor squad and expect champions league.

These deals we have signed with major sponsors will most definitely have clauses regarding our inclusion in next seasons champions league, so why are we standing still.

Fingers crossed for next few weeks.

Think we'll sign a few players and hopefully fill vacant shirt numbers. Media today speculating the following:

Danny Blind apparently in Cheshire house hunting

Sporting have to sell Rojo or his majority owners will sue them

Vidal saga drags on: Chico and Nani now part of the deal? Looks like he wants to come to Utd but Juve playing hardball.

If don't get Vidal, reported we might be back infor Carvalho.

Plus youngsters: anyone know what's happened to Nick Powell? Coming back from an injury?

14 Aug 2014 10:45:06
This would sum this transfer window up if we signed Danny Blind, I know we want experience but a 53 year old would be taking it a bit far!

Lol! Was blind to that mistake!

14 Aug 2014 06:26:23
Hi Eds if you are about.

I have noticed that in a lot of our transfer dealings since Ed Woodward has taken over we have adopted the use of a third party for our transfer negotiations. This obviously failed the first time we tried to sign Herrera and then proved successful when we signed Mata.

What would be the reasoning for using a third party for our negotiations? What are its advantages and disadvantages?

I'd love for this side of transfers to be made a slight bit more clear. Thanks a lot!

{Ed002's Note - Occasionally third parties are used because they have a good relationship with the selling club that folks will try and exploit. Sometimes they can be used because the buying club does not have a good relationship. Perhaps because they brought the player to the attention of the club. Often it will not be a matter of negotiation but of carrying the message and getting feedback and giving advice. Sometimes they are used because they have an interest in the player - perhaps even a financial interest. Sometimes they are simply specialists in that sector (e.g. South America). The obvious downside is that they will want paying for this service and that might well be a percentage.}

I think I read somewhere that it's actually Doyen Sport's decision what he's sold for, not Sporting's decision. So this could be sorted very soon.

You can understand Sporting's frustrations as they will lose the player for next to nothing. But it was never there player anyway, not really. This is why 3rd party ownership is a nightmare.

{Ed002's Note - Third party ownership is critical for a lot of clubs to have players at all.}

This is the standard Portuguese posturing that we have come to understand: a failed State, and its after-shocks. Jose exemplifies this persona perfectly.

14 Aug 2014 14:43:58
Ed002, so I guess they are keeping the Iberian leagues going? Perhaps even the Italian leagues? Can I ask your opinion on what you think will happen with Rojo? Will it drag on or will SL give in before the window shuts? Thanks as always.

{Ed002's Note - Not the Italian leagues going forward. A deal for Rojo might be possible but not at the price being discussed. Some over-reaction right now for Portugal.}