Manchester United Banter Archive February 17 2014

 

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17 Feb 2014 22:17:21
There was a post further down the page about which 3 signings are most likely, I will give my opinion but thought I'd post it up here as the original is getting further down the page.

I'd say that our 3 main targets and therefore 3 most likely signings are Shaw, Garay and Gundogan. I think its between us and Madrid for Gundogan but Madrid seem to favour Pogba or Vidal. Garay has been touted for some time now and he seems to be holding out for the move - someone that keen to play for us who is so good should come in (hopefully not Caceres). And then as for Shaw - I suppose it depends to some degree of the interest of Chelsea, but just because he is a Chelsea fan does not mean that he will go there (John Terry was a United fan after all). Mourinho seems happy with Azpillicueta, Cole and will have a more experienced Bertrand next term so Shaw probably isn't a priority opposed to a Cavani type player.

I would also put Coleman in the bracket of a likely signing as he has played under Moyes before and a new right back certainly seems to be being looked at.

I would be happy with those 4, if we were to have the cash and the desire I could see us go after another attacker, but that may be for another window. Nevertheless, Reus, Lucas, Griezmann, Diego Costa will continue to pop up in the tabloids, just depends how much we want one of them - But I don;t think that sort of player is one of Moyes priorities.

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According to mouse we are only after the best so players like log a and Vidal who are the best shouldn't be overlooked as Madrids after them. We need 5 minimum and they are all first team starters.

Vidal, gungoden (sp), rues, shaw and a top cb.

You could add another cb and another winger to that but not essential with what we have so if we end up losing players of that calibre to others while signing Coleman, a striker and other lesser players that are not 'needed' yet then it shows more inneptitude IMO and highlights the need for a mr fix it right now.

Funny as the man for that job now has a position in the blue of London!

But we didn't want him remember ;) haha

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Would be shocked but pleased if either Gundogan or Shaw were signed. Garay I could see happening. Left back, centre defense, and centre midfield are definitely the areas we need the most strengthening though.

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I wouldn't say I'm overly confident, but Gundogan and Shaw would be the two players that I would want over more or less anyone else for those positions. I also want Garay in the back line because I think our other targets are shaky - Astori, Benatia, Rami and even Mangala at times can throw in an absolute shocker. If we don't get Shaw then I would hope that Filipe would be the one.

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Garay Shaw Coleman and even Gundogan are possible targets the would dramatocly improve us and Jones would be my captain

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17 Feb 2014 19:11:09
realistically I think these are the players we can get this summer

Ezequiel Garay - CB - think the deal is all aranged but waiting for vidic & rio to leave first
Ricardo Rodrigues - LB - with shaw more lkely to go to chelsea, rodrigues is a very good alternative for half the price
Ilker Gundugan - CM - real looking to prefer vidal, gundugan would be a brilliant fit for us
Ander Herrera - CM - would be perfect as a deep lying playmaker able to control the tempo and move the ball forward
Dorian Rotariu - AM (L/C/R) - young player much like januzaj, would be back up for now but great prospect for future
Julian Draxler - AML/FWD - would be perfect to add balance to side, has pace and often beats defenders, if we let one of rooney/ rvp this is the player we should replace him with

dags

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Your defense choices are great. Garay is experienced, very good, and fantastic with the ball, his pace and positioning allowing us to play a higher line. Rodriguez is very talented, and has a lot to offer to the team and imo is the best option out there ( at least pound for pound ).

I disagree with the midfield. Unless we're moving towards a 3 man midfield, I don't see us getting both Gundogan and Herrera. Both are central creative midfielders, and they are too similar. One of the 2 is a must ( or similar ), with another enforcer if Fellaini does not prove to be improving until the end of the season. carvalho and Axel Witsel ( who would be my first choice for ball winner due to his superior technical ability compared to any other player in his position ).

Dorian Rotariu, while reasonably talented, is not someone we should be after. After Januzaj grabs a starting spot, we still have quite a good number of attacking midfielders/ wingers we're going to have to blood in. Zaha, Powell and Herrera are the most talked about, and if we are to buy a young player with potential, I'd rather we go after Daehli. The lad has Modric written all over him. Also, in the coming couple of seasons, we should keep track on Morrison. One of the most talented individuals in the country, and he seems to have put his head down and worked on his issue. He might come with baggage, but he would be worth it especially if reports about his falling out with West Ham is over him not agreeing to be pushed towards signing with an agent that dies most f West-Ham's dealings.

Julian Draxler is one of the best youngsters in the world, absolute quality. I'm amazed no big team has paid his release clause yet, he'd be wirth every penny. Up there with your Pogbas and Goetzes.

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I think besides Gundogan and Draxler those are pretty realistic signings for United. Draxler only if Rooney/RVP/Kagawa left as you said.

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Generally a well picked selection Dags. I don't think Draxler will be in a red shirt any time soon. Gundogan on the other hand I think is a good bet, I also think that Shaw or Filipe will be the left back. There does seem to be strong interest in Carvalho. You never know, perhaps Moyes is looking to shift towards a 4-3-3 with Rooney, Mata and RVP up front with Januzaj back up. Its certainly something I would welcome as I think it is increasingly becoming the way to play.

Having a midfield 3 supporting that front 3 would offer creativity, stability and a heck of a lot more effective possession.

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I would personally go for 4 positions one cm (this could be Carvalho considering we have scouted him so often but could quite easily be vidal/gundogan etc). I think we also need a rb, lb and CB but god knows who this will be. I think a few will go this summer through sales, free transfers and retirement and this will shape our spending but expect certain youngsters to get first team squad positions next season. At the moment I don't see a formation that allows all our star names to start in their favoured positions so in my opinion something has to give and moyes can't keep playing square pegs in round holes. I'm hoping personally that we move to a 4-2-3-1 formation but having decent wing backs with energy is key to that.

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With Anderson gone and the players we will have at our disposal, long term I think we need to buy at least 2-3 central midfielders over the next few years.
one is essential for next season that much is a given, this will/ should likely be Gundugan, but given that next season could well be the last for Carrick, we should also be looking at some one who can dictate play and link with attack. As Carrick will not be able to play every game, and a new player will need time to bed in, hence my pick of Herrera.
i agree Calvalho could also be another option, but I just believe Herrera would be suited better for the task as too would Kroos and Koke but I think it would be much harder to get them on current form.
the third midfielder will have to wait till the following summer when Fletcher will be near the end of his faithful term and it is probably far too early to speculate whom it would be to be brought in,
as for Rotariu, I think he is a talented youngster and would essentially be brought in to replace Nani as back up, and if we do bring in Draxler (tho Reus would be equally as good) it would also mean we could let Ashley Young go to as both Draxler and Rotariu are technically gifted players who would link well with the likes of Kagawa, Mata, Powell and Januzaj.

Dags

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Dags, but buying 2-3 young capable midfielders would make it even more difficult for our younger players to get a look in.

Powell and Perreira are magnificent talents, who are more likely to get chances in the middle of the pitch than as a number 10, where we are well stocked.

Petrucci is looking for a step up ( though it remains unlikely ) while Rothwell and Pearson are not too far, especially the former.

Sean Goss is also one of the most naturally talented players in he club.

That in itself is 5 talented youth players, who should be in and around the first team for years to come and it would be a real shame to see another Pogba situation.

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Mick

Agree mate but we cannot wait 2-3 seasons 'just in case' one of these lads is the answer to our prayers, and go into yet another season with Carrick/Fletcher/Cleverly/Giggs/Fellaini. Its simply not good enough, by a long way too. We need at least one world-class midfielder. Two might be a stretch but there is no guarantee that of the young 'uns are going to be the next Scholes and we've needed that player for years now.

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Giggs and fletcher are not midfielders that with all due respect a top team can go into a season thinking they will win with. Need 2 Midfielders.

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17 Feb 2014 19:05:34
Hi Eds, is there interest in Isco?

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{Ed002's Note - Not from Manchester United.}

17 Feb 2014 18:14:28
with all this talk of massive rebuilding and recruitment in the summer, is any one worried?
1- its world cup most massive players will be on audition and without champ league football in the bag it might b difficult to attract them.
2- if bayern retains the champ league. what repurcussion will this have on other big clubs like real, barca even psg. would thy have a bigger command on the transfer market?
3- if Rooney signs the bumper contract and have a poor wc but rvp does better. how would we keep him? surely we would have to offer huge wages. would that have an effect on the debt situation?

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I think the third point is irrelevant, the second one - it really doesn't make a difference who wins the CL in my opinion. And one season out of the CL won't hurt us too badly, players are still drawn to Manchester United for what it is.

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None are relevant points.You guys seem to forget football is more than the 10 names that suddenly become media darlings. There are 32 teams and I believe 24 players each on show at the world cup. FFP will make it difficult for many teams to go about stuff this umber than previously and I believe you will see the big teams also selling players before buying.

It is not as easy as collecting cars or watches mate, some are already struggling keeping their squads happy as too many big ego's to make happy.

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Not worried at all mate. Money talks and Utd have lots to spend.

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17 Feb 2014 17:10:48
I would just like to have my say on Wayne Rooney and his 'supposed' 300k pw deal.Some people seem to think he has walked into DM's office and said "I want 300k pw or i'm off!" but if you think about it realisticaly he probably dosent have much say in his contract negotiations, that's why he has an agent, who's sole purpose is to get the very best deal for his client, that's his job and is what he gets paid for. The agent is looking at similar deals being given to players around Wayne's level and obviously wants at least the same if not a better deal for his client. Its nothing personal its just buisness, the agent will know how much MUFC will be making off Wayne Rooney each year and wants to make sure Wayne gets his fair share of that. I know it sounds wrong to life long fans like us who would probably play for UTD for free given the chance but Wayne is not a MANC or a Manchester United fan, he's just a guy who left his beloved childhood/family club to play at the very top level, to win trophies and to make shed loads of money. its just the way of the world :) and nobody can say he has not given his all for our club, he's been a key player if not 'THE' key player of our team season after season (maybe barring one?).Im glad he's at MUFC and think he deserves to be one of the highest paid players in the prem. i'm not looking for confrontation as this is just my opinion, I hope he stays and finishes his career with us :)

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"similar deals being given to players around Waynes level"

Who exactly would they be?

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Rouge

It is media reporting stuff wait and see how thing pan out.

Devil Dust

I agree far and few players in world football get paid that and not sure he is in that league. The highest paid players at Bayern are on 12 mill euros. @ 300 k that puts him at 15 mill pounds. Never going to happen.

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I just mean in general, top players at top clubs :) i'm not suggesting that they are getting 300k pw deals, but i'm not too sure Rooney will be either? Media or fact? :)

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I really think its Media. the money men at United are not complete idiots.

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I think its media too, yes footballers get paid stupid amounts now days, players/agents want the most they can get, I don't think its anything personal its just the way it is and if Wazza can stay fit and continue to perform for us then i'd be happy to pay him a top salary (maybe not 300k haha), its not as if United can't afford it :)

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17 Feb 2014 17:06:13
Did anyone see pellegrines comments about City being the bigger team in Manchester he should of said the biggest spenders in Manchester What have the won in the last 10 years a titleand a fa cup we have a champions league a few titles and a fa cups

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I think what he actually said was:
"If we only consider this season, there is just one club in Manchester and it is ours. But you cannot forget what United have done."
That's quoted from the beeb.
I've been a United fan for longer than I care to admit but you can't really argue too much with what's written above. sadly.
R

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17 Feb 2014 16:04:18
just listening to Gordon hill on with the figures being put out what we are supposedly spending in the summer he seems to think with 200 mil we wjll be lucky to get two world class players because of fees and wages and he agrees with most of the fans that if mata is not going to be played in the right position he is lost what are your thoughts please

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I think we will get 4-5 players, but it's unlikely we'll get one ( 2 at a stretch ) world class players.

It also comes down on the definition of world class. Garay, Mangala, Carvalho, Rodriguez, Shaw, and even Coentrao are not what you can call world class, but if we get 2 or 3 of them, we have a significantly better team.

And of the " world class " players we're after, neither Kroos nor Gundogan are undoubted world class players. Gundogan had one great season at Dortmund, and Kroos is unlikely to keep his spot once Schweiny and even Martinez are back to the team ( though both are not too far from that category and will probably become the best in their position while they mature ).

Reus and Vidal are the only world class players we seem to be after, and I let's just say the most optimistic fans would not bet on us getting one of them, let alone both.

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Its looking more and more likely that Mata was bought for no other reason but that he was available.

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Gordon Hill says many weird things mate.

People believe we will land shaw this summer as not going to chelsea. Interesting to see how that works out.

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GCU do you think we will struggle to get the big targets we require to get us back in the top four next season or are we going to have to pay over the top wages because of no champs league next season thanks

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Devil, I seriously doubt a team in our position are going to spend nearly 40 million on a player, just because he was available.

I also can't imagine him signing for us, if Moyes told him he was going to be consigned to the wing for the period of his contract.

My guess is, he's been told, yes, we might need you there until the end of the season, but once I get the right players in, you'll be playing in a three behind the striker. Just my opinion.

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I get this funny feeling that Mata was not a 'Moyes signing'.

I think the board/SAF/Woodward wanted him, and Moyes just went along with it. Just the way he spoke/acted around the time, it gave off the impression that he wasn't really sure what was going on behind the scenes regarding Mata signing. The fact that he's been shunted onto the wing since joining, would support the idea that Moyes wasn't sure how to fit him into the team, which would be strange if you'd personally requested Mata's signing.

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A red fan

No, I don't believe we will struggle. I think what we want as fans is different to what the club is looking at. Many of the players being reported that we are looking at the truth is we have no interest at all and the entire scouting system and how we do things is being changed.

I think Valencia, Hernandez, Nani and potentially one more get sold this summer besides the guys who move on we are going to reduce the size of the squad.

We have a lot of wage room and transfer money available for the right players.

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Why this obsession with buying world class players? I think we just need to start with trying to field a balanced team. A team with a mixture of technical ability, basic grit, pace and power. This season there has been no balance, too many players played out of position. I hate to say it, but Liverpool are playing some nice football, in the main due to being a balanced team. Kolo toure average at best, Jordan Henderson average, skertel average, Gerard past it, coutinho who had really heard of him 18 months ago, sturidge bench warmer for most of career, but has talent, Suarez dirty f. Cheat, but world class. The team is predominantly made up of average players, but they are balanced. That is what we need first and then we need to add world class players.

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Steviek

I hope your right but for me so long as Rooney is here and that is looking more and more likely I fail to see where Mata could play with Rooney in the same team. Like you though that's just my opinion.

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Devil, I could live with a three of Mata, Rooney and Kagawa/Januzaj, behind RVP, even though I don't think Rooney is as effective there.

That front four, would negate us having to waste much needed funds on luxury wide men, and let us concentrate on midfield and defence.

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Agreed, Huggy. Moyes had Everton playing as a well-balanced unit, without any world-class players.

I still think, with a higher level of player but not necessarily top class, that we'll see a much more balanced system next season. Players actually playing in their proper positions, even if they're not the best, playing to a defined system, giving the team the balance it needs, should be the priority.

Of course, a worldie or two as well wouldn't be sniffed at :)

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17 Feb 2014 16:03:46
According to Duncan Castles, Sunday Times sports jouno Pat Evra has activated his 1yr extension to his United contract.

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According to my browser I was logged in when I posted the above.

Georgie_Bests_jockstrap

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We can still sell him for a small fee mate it just meens we get a million or two

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Paddy,

Hope that's the case mate. As much as I respect and like Evra, we've needed a new first-choice LB for about 2 years.

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17 Feb 2014 14:48:38
Hey ed's, just wondering if any clubs have made any inquires to Southampton about the availability of Lovren, I've been very impressed with how he has come on this year

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{Ed002's Note - Not that I am aware.}

16 Feb 2014 21:52:12
Hi Guys

A question for the Eds.Has our interest in Koke faded as his name hasn't been mentioned for quite a while.

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{Ed002's Note - A number of clubs maintain an interest in him, including MU.}

It's because he signed a new contact with a much larger release clause so people forgot about him but the release clause was put in mainly to stop Barca taking him if I remember correctly

I do feel we need someone Spanish in the CM position as their distribution is head and shoulders above pretty much every other nation in the world but I'd have Herrera over Koke personally

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I think it'll be herrera and gundugan personally but koke would fit just as well with either player

dags

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17 Feb 2014 13:52:48
Who do you think our 3 most likely summer targets will be? Not the favorite, but most likely.

For me it has to be Garay, Coentrao and Carvalho.

I still hope for kroos, Gundogan, Vidal and co, but all the aforementioned players are good and might not be deterred by the lack of champions league football for a season. And while I do think we will get ourselves a world class player, I still have no idea who that would be.

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It's hard to say for sure. We will be scouting and interest will become obvious in most cases over the coming months, but you cannot rule out another shock buy like Mata. I think Gundogan maybe a real target, but I think RM have the upper hand there. I think we will go for a Dortmund player whether it be Subotic, Schmelzer, Gundogan or Reus. Garay is a long-term target, but not sure if Moyes wants him. I think he could be a likely signing this summer. Shaw will be a target, but I suspect he is Chelsea bound. We may go all out for Vidal, but he is happy where he is and Juventus would prefer to sell Pogba. I don't see Pogbe being a target for us and will very likely move to PSG. I think Moyes will go back to Everton for Coleman. I see Kroos signings a new deal at BM. We will know more in the next two months, but I think we will want to get most of the work done before the WC.

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If the Moreno to RM stories are true Coentrao looks very likely. I don't think Shaw likely and I've all but given up on Vidal. Herrera would be a very good signing but if no l we would need another CM. Garay could have been signed in the last 2 windows so it looks as if Moyes wants someone else. I believe we will use Kagawa to get a Dortmund player if Reus great if Gundogan then Antoine Griezmann would be great. So Coentrao, Herrera and Griezmann

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I really hope we go all out for Vidal. But I'm in agreement with Grund, Herrera is really progressing now. Every time I watch him he is sensational. Still young too, would fit in lovely at United.

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Lots of people are really into Herrera atm. Imo he is a very good central midfielder, and might turn out great, but you have to worry about his production.

At the moment he is playing as a central attacking midfielder, and barely registers goals and assists. His all around play is impressive, but he is not the best option out there.

Kroos, pre injury Gundogan and Mirlam Pjanic are better players, while Koke and Veratti are more promising.

Saying that, he might be the most likely one to be brought in and I for one would be very glad.

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17 Feb 2014 04:49:44
ed its the Seychelles man here. I couldn't help but notice that your a kagawa fan. how do u c the future panning out for him here at old trafford.
secondly wher the hell is nani. he seems to be the forgotten men. with all his versatility why couldn't the manager find a new role for him instead of sticking him on the wings. wasn't moyes who recently gave him a new contract if am not mistaken?

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{Ed004's Note - Firstly I think Kagawa will be sold unfortunately. I think he is a fantastic player who was never given a chance and think he's been treated horribly. Secondly Nani is injured though should be back in within the month. Id like to see a game were Mata, Kagawa and Nani line up behind either Rooney or RVP}

I too envisage Kagawa leaving, and I too would like to see Mata, Kagawa and Nani start, they apart from Januzaj, are our most technically gifted players. I still maintain that Nani should have a future, when he is confident he is unstoppable like in 2008. He is by far and away, along with Januzaj, our most effective player from the right hand side. Have him on the right, Mata left feeding Rooney and RVP and things would pick up. Then options of Kagawa and Januzaj to rotate with. He's a better option than Young, Valencia or signing a mediocre winger which I fear we may do.

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If rooney had been sold and there were two decent centre mid we might have seen the best of kagawa what a shame moyes has tretted him so shabily its beyond compehenshion him and mata love to see that let's hope before end off season don't think so though same boring 4 4 2

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17 Feb 2014 12:15:09
I agree with the ed he's been treated horribly. But I think if moyes gets in the midfield he wants and changes the teams style he will be a useful player. Also commercially he's very valuable. I'm hoping he doesn't leave as there's half a dozen that should be out the door ahead of him.

And Nani should be second of those out the door, useless player.

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17 Feb 2014 12:17:28
Fresh that was 6 years ago you can't say nani has had no confidence for 6 years!

I would to see Mata and kagawa in the same team, both on the same wavelength.

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Nani has been out of favour with SAF and we have tried to sell him every year since. That's not something that will give you much belief if you're club is trying to sell you.

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LOL give Nani another chance we sure Ben isn't Percy?

Nani is rubbish he's always been crap and always will be

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The worst feeeling u will get fresh is not that your club wants to sell u but that no clubs wants to buy u.
i love nani. I why think he never got fa chance to be himself. he was always being shaped and compared to the next ronaldo.

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17 Feb 2014 13:01:37
Fresh and the reason they've been trying to sell him?

He isn't good enough. His decision making is poor, he loses possession far too much and his crossing for a winger is woeful. My gran could take a corner that clears the first man and she's 98 in four months.

It also says something that in 3-4 years on the market only Zenit and Galatasaray have bothered to bid.

The new contract was to protect his value rather than him doing one a free but he needs to be second out the door this year behind fellow flop Anderson.

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Sadly whilst we continue to play both rvp and Rooney we will not see the best of Kagawa and potentially mata too. Playing kags on the wing and expecting him to be like Valencia is not his style and until we play one up top (rvp/rooney) with three behind (kagawa/mata/januzaj)then we will not see his true ability.personally of the front men I would pick Rooney first purely down to him being better at chasing down opponents as we are obviously try to close down opponents quickly(although ageing limbs in our squad is making this difficult). I hope Kagawa stays and we change styles but fear this may not happen.

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Nani is one of the most naturally gifted players in the league, but that does not make him a great player. His inconsistency is always going to get the better of him.

Kagawa is in a similar situation. The difference is Kagawa never got a fair shot in his best position. And even when he did, playing with the likes of Valencia and Young hugging the touchline, and Carrick and Cleverley playing too deep, he never had anyone to link up with, and I for one would be very, very disappointed if he was to be moved on without trying him in a system that suits his strengths. He has poven himself to be a consistent, very productive player at Dortmund and deserves more chances.

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Ed04.

see now that is what I would like to see. and then maybe next season

isco/reus on the left of the 3 mata to the right and kags in the middle.

remember moyes at half time changing jan and kags and watching kags as he went from 45 mins of in and out to 45 mins of being the focal point and helping us score 2 in that 45 and finally thinking moyes had that inspirational moment that would transform our season.

sadly it only lasted 45mins and kags was on the bench the following week and moyes reverted back to his normal boring self.

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Nani? Just No.

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17 Feb 2014 13:34:55
I think at times as a club we can be too loyal. I applaud what we've done for Fletcher standing by him when other clubs would have ruthlessly ditched him.

But the flip side of that is you get a situation like Evra. I remember Sydney and others saying 4 years ago Evra was becoming a problem. Yet nothing was done and the decline has been shocking. Surely in 4 years we could have replaced him and found better back up than Buttner.

And so it is with Nani and Anderson. These two along with Hargreaves were supposed to be replacements for Keane, Scholes and Giggs but all failed for differing reasons. Hargreaves through chronic injuries, Anderson through a combination of poor self discipline and mismanaged development (he would have been great as old Scholes of 99 but Fergie tried to turn him into Scholes of 2005) and Nani just didn't develop as expected.

Both of them should have gone two years. People keep going give them one more chance. Why? Someone like Mourinho (and i'm not a Jose fan) would have got rid straight away.

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Everyone seems to forget that Nani is very high up on the list of assists on the last 6 years, much higher up than many preferred names. He gets bad press but is so much better than Young and Valencia.

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Carvalho is apparently a great admirer of Nani. If Moyes is as interested in him as has been reported, then it would be difficult to let Nani go.

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16 Feb 2014 11:57:56
Quick question for the Eds, the site used to stay logged in on iOS devices, but now seems to auto log us off if left dormant for a while. Is this an intentional change from the site?

Used to be really easy when it stayed logged in all the time.

Maybe I've knackered a setting up somewhere - anyone else noticed this change recently?

Thanks

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{Ed033's Note - no change has been made to the web site log in code

What IOs are you running and what are your Privacy and Security settings set to?

if you allow cookies does this work.

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When I'm on my computer its permanently logged in but on my mobile and tablet I have to log in.

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All I know is that when you clear browsing history it logs you out :)

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{Ed007's Note - Pervert!}

Haha! Someone had to say it!

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{Ed001's Note - it is the clearing of the browsing history that does it mate. You will wipe out the cookies we use to monitor that you want to stay logged in. Once you wipe out the browsing history, we have no way of knowing you want to stay logged in.}

17 Feb 2014 07:56:13
If Rooney signs a new deal worth £300k a week, then as good as he is I simply cannot agree with it. Its preposterous that anyone should earn such a sum of money for playing football.

I'd rather sell him and build a new team with Mata in mind. Would love to hear other opinions.

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17 Feb 2014 09:48:56
you have got to admit rooney has been clever
another big pay rise as he did a couple of years ago
after stalling on a new contract
not bad for someone who is not and never will be
a world class player

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He is not worthy of that amount of money. He doesn't look after himself and often doesn't perform. It's only a matter of time until this deal is signed and he then puts on a stone or two.

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Fresh

I hope you realize how much your views change with regards to Rooney. I don't know how can you just be in awe of him one day and then fall back in line with the "Rooney is crap" society the next day. But then again, its your view and you are entitled to it.

Just something to ponder on. Quick stat for you. Ever since Cristiano Ronaldo has left, Wayne Rooney has played 159 times in the league and CL. He has netted 99 times and assisted 65 times. That ratio is more than a goal created/assisted a game. Put that into context with what you have written about him in your last post. Its true, you only ever get to know a players true worth after he leaves. To even compare Kagawa to him is preposterous.

Deeps.

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Put it purely on economics to replace him with someone of similar status including his wages it would cost more.
Yes he's a snide but what would you expect from an oik

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17 Feb 2014 13:06:09
Deeps we all know he's a good player. Some just don't like him for personal reasons. But this is dragging on too long now and we really could do without yet another Wayne Rooney contract saga hanging over the club during its most important summer for years.

We know he gives it all on the pitch but off it I question his commitment. One statement would clear things up.

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MrE, I agree with you mate. I would want him to sign or declare his intentions to move on. But even before he has signed on the dotted line, look at the vile around. No one knows what he is going to earn, yet use 300,000 as a stick to beat him up. He has been our most consistent performer in the last 10 years, yet "he will grow fat", "he will not perform once he signs the contract" etc get bandied about. Infact, his best performances came right after the last contract was signed.

I am honestly sick of this. People conveniently forget that he has spent 10 years with us and inspite of all the crap spouted by tabloids about him leaving, he is still with us. Look at the amount of players who have left in that period. He is essentially a one club boy considering he joined us at 18. Evertonian at heart, I don't know what else to expect of him?

Like I said, I am ok with people having "personal" issues with him, but when they come down to "He is fat", "Cut the losses", "Play Kagawa and drop him!", "He has been poor for 4 seasons now" etc, I just don't know what to say.

Deeps.

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As long as Rooney stays fit and works hard on the pitch, I couldn't care less how much he gets paid. I do think he needs to play in the hole, if he isn't happy doing that then perhaps moving on would be best for him. Van Persie is a much better striker than Rooney. If we play with Rooney upfront on his own or continue with both Rooney and Van Persie upfront in a 442, then we will continue to struggle. Van Persie needs to play as the main striker with Rooney plugging the hole between midfield and Van Persie.

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Sydney, Rooney in the whole just does not make sense. He is/was one of the best strikers in the world, and his finishing is still his main attacking weapon.

He is not as technical as Kagawa and Mata, nor as creative. Both these players are better passers/ chance creators. What Rooney has over them is his status in the team, his driving influence and his ability to score goals. Neither comes close ( even when kagawa was at Dortmund ).

Rooney is better at striking the ball first time then controlling it with a daft touch and setting up someone else. he will always look to score before passing it to someone in a better position.

As a striker, he's up there with Van Persie. His hard work, physicality, athleticism and constant running puts him on par with Van Persie, who has a better touch, and more skill and class. Rooney is also a more accomplished finisher ( arguable ) imo.

Unless one of Rooney/ Van Persie leave, I don't see how we can create a more balanced squad, leaving the creative burden for creative players.

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