Manchester United Banter Archive March 17 2013

 

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17 Mar 2013 22:31:53
Eds this will potentially be my last post as I am growing extremely frustrated by the lack of respect you show me as a regular "blogger". This is my 8th post to your United page in 2 weeks and none of my main blog posts have been posted. I would like to know why. Is there some offence in what I post or are u just not willing to hear/post the accurate suggestions I am told? Please email me with anything that might clarify my queries as I am beginning to think I am wasting my own time and then other United fans as a result.
Many thanks and I look forward to your reply via email.

PJ {Ed007's Note - A regular 'blogger' your last 6-8 posts are just really generally short 2/3 line posts. If you want us to advertise your blog then get your chequebook out. Why should Eds show you any more respect than we do others? If it wasn't for you being on here girning like a menopausal goldfish I wouldn't even know who you are.

17 Mar 2013 10:25:55

A) Which one of our strikers (if any) would you swap for Lewandowski?
B) Also, who is everyone's first choice winger signing this summer?

PJ

I know a few respected bloggers, they are safe enough if you are coming out with this kind of thing. The most words you wrote in any post apart from the above was all about Arsenal and Bayern Munich, this is a Man Utd site. Are you sure you are allowed near keyboards?}

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Bond,

That had me in stitches. Suck it up pj sometimes posts don't get posted, you will get over it I'm sure.

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18 Mar 2013 11:32:27
Bond you crack me up. The goldfish line was brilliant. MrE

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17 Mar 2013 21:51:33
Over the past day or so, reports have merged in the Danish press of another youngster on his way to Carrington to show off his skills. This time it's young defender Jacob Rasmussen, who is a 16 year old defender currently registered with Danish club OB. Tipsbladet excitedly call him 'One of Danish football great talents' and say that the experience will be a great one for him at his age.
Sorry about cut and paste, thought I'd post it for interested people.

Supasub

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17 Mar 2013 21:31:59
I've been looking at our team and the possible in's and out's over the summer and this is what i've come up with.

Now i'll start in midfield, it's not the normal starting point but taking into account that it is the most vital area for us to upgrade it seems more logical to start here.

So what do we need? well we need a prescence in the middle, too often are we over run by teams in the middle. Then we need to look at who is leaving, Fletcher unforntunately doesn't look like making it back, i'd keep him at the club maybe even with a squad place if we have one spare but in all honesty he won't be a playing part of our team next year. The Scholes will retire, he has hardly played any games since january due to constant injuries as his body is giving up on him, he will bow out this summer. Finally I see Anderson leaving, he hasn't performed as he promised when we signed him, a combination of injuries and poor off field attitude has made him a shadow of the player we signed.

So this leaves us with Carrick, Cleverley, Giggs as regular midfielders of which Giggs can only play a bit part role next season. We have Jones and Powell who can play in some games in midfield for us but I feel that long term their positions will be further back and further forward respectively. So we have a distinct lack of power and running in midfield, plus we are alittle short on numbers. This is why I feel we need TWO midfielders this summer.

The two i'd go for are:

Kevin Strootman, this guy is the complete midfielder. Full of running, with great vision and reading of the game which allows him to control games through a combination of cutting out oppositon attacks with his tackling and interceptions while also orcastrating our attacks with his passing. He would be the long term replacement for Carrick and an excellent partner in the mean time.

Victor Wanyama, this guy looks like he is suited to the prem like a hand to a glove. What he lacks due to rawness he more than makes up for in drive. He has a lot to work on to perfect his game but he has the ability and potential to be an absolute beast in the middle of the park for us.

I think with signing these two we would have a player who would give us the edge in europe and another player who'll give us a boost in the prem. Both are young and we can mould into United players but both still have enough talent to offer us an improvement in our midfield imediately.

Midfield options of Carrick, Cleverley, Strootman, Wanyama and Giggs with Jones and Powell as cover would give us a much stronger and complete midfield.

With two midfield options signed I feel there will be less chances for Jones to play in midfield so he can move back more permanmently as a option in central defence. With Vidic Evans and Smalling along with possibly Rio for one more year I see no need to sign a CB. So if we need to improve in defence it is our full back positions. Now Rafael is our undesputed first choice RB but we need a proper understudy for him, Jones and Smalling aren't full backs and couldn't play a run of games there if Rafael was out injuried. So maybe a back up RB should be sought or maybe promote Vermijl into the first team squad.
LB is also an issue, Evra has been better this season but his legs are going/gone, Fabio I feel as talented as he is isn't suited to the rough nature of the Prem, even at QPR he has had constant niggling injuries. And Buttner looks more of a squad player than first choice LB. There isn't a real LB option in our academy as Blackett is more of a CB, and I can't see us signing a first choice LB so I think we could see someone like Lucas Digne maybe sign in defence with Fabio being sold and Buttner going out on loan to see if he can step up consistantly at Prem level. Leaving Evra with Digne as cover.

Right our forward line needs tweaking, we have signed Zaha who will be in and around the first team next season. He offers a more direct winger, I feel he will be a replacement for Nani in that role. Who else we sign will depend on who else leaves, Rooney Valencia Welbeck and Hernandez have all been touted as possible options for leaving.

Personally I don't see Valencia leaving, he is too good a worker and deserves a chance to prove himself, plus in current form won't raise much money. Welbeck I don't see leaving yet also as he is home grown and is a great squad option to have as he offers plenty of cover. Rooney I only see leaving IF we have a big name player coming in like Ronaldo, Since Ronny left Rooney has taken over as the face of the United brand and we would want to see him go without signing someone who'll have as much pulling power when it comes to marketing deals. This sadly leaves Hernandez, i'd be gutted if he goes as personally I feel that if RVP is injured Hernandez offers us the best finisher of chances in our squad, plus he doesn't seem like the trouble maker type of player.

With Zaha coming in I can see us signing a slightly less direct player but also someone who can have in imediate impact. I'd go with one of Rodriguez, Lamela or Ozil with Rodriguez being most likely imo.
If Hernandez leaves then we will need to sign another ST most likely Lewandowski, but personally i'd rather keep Hernandez.

This is how I see our summer panning out. I doubt we'll sign a keeper unless one leaves, which I also don't see happening. We were linked with Keepers earlier in the season but this was when DDG was struggling according to the media, now he's flying again the reports have seemed to stop.

So i'd say imo i'd like to see us sign:
Lucas Digne
Victor Wanyama
Kevin Strootman
Wilfried Zaha
James Rodriguez {Ed004's Note - Would be very happy with a summer like that but how about keeping Fabio as cover for Rafael? He was very good at rb a few seasons ago vs Barcelona in the final?}

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It's an option but I feel it might be time for him to move on. {Ed004's Note - I don't I think he could still offer a lot to the team}

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I'd go along with that apart from the LB area. I'd like to keep Fabio as cover for both sides then either stick with what we've got or go for a real star in the making like Shaw. I've not seen much of DIgne to cast judgement TBF. The rest I'd be happy with - personally don't see the need to meddle with our CB or striker options so we can concentrate on CM and the wings.

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Shappy, I get to see a lot of french football and Lucas Digne, atm, is not such a good player. He's been having a bad season, and if you watch him closely you notice he rarely tackles, and when he does its scholesesque. He also can't cross.

I would rather have Ben Davies, who, unfortunatly, is even shorter than Rafael and not a good header. He is also very average attackingly or Shaw, who is better than both. He is also quite tall and strong, he just needs to improve his passing.

My favourite left-back option is Alex Sandro. The lad is clearly special, but for Porto to sell us 2 players, I think it's really unlikely. Apart from that I agree with everything you said

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That would be my absolute perfect summer.

Quality post Shappy, agree with everything.

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The way I see it, there is a very distinct possibility that we won't sign another winger if Porto don't play ball. This will mean that we keep Hernandez and sign Lewandowski as a forward option. Zaha is going to have more game time next year than we think. I've encouraged the signing of Digne for a while, and also agree than Fabio is perfect competition at right back with Buttner out on loan. Strootman and Wanyama would be ideal, even if I would like a Modric type. I also tk that Lindgaard is destined for the chop with Begovic on his way in.

Personally I'd be happy with a summer of Begovic, Digne, Strootman, Wanyama, Zaha and Lewandowski. However realistically Digne could wait a year and sign at the same time as Zouma next year (which is very plausible).

Fresh!

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He could but he is stagnating while not getting games on a regular basis. I think it's time for him to move on for his own good.

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Mick, that's interesting. I'lk admit I haven't watch much french football this year but ladt year Digne caught my eye on a few occasions. But you do seem to be more of an expert than me on french football so i'll take your word on Digne.

I'm not so kean on Ben Davis but Luke Shaw looks a talent. I hear he's a Chelsea fan and that they are kean to sign him next summer when Cole moves on. So he might be out of reach.

Alex Sandro has impressed me each time i've seen him, I just expect him to cost more than we would be willing to spend on a LB. Also I would expect he would want to be first choice. I see whoever comes in will have to split playing time with Evra next season. that's why i've said about younger players. It will be interesting. Shame Fryers buggered off, he had talent. He could be first choice now if he stayed, but apparently his attitude was a problem.

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17 Mar 2013 19:37:26
When people post possible formations and teams on here for next season they are always 4-2-3-1. I'm unsure whether Ferguson will go down this route, or whether he will stick with 4-4-2 or 4-4-1-1. Over the last few years we are a team renowned for width, so whether we will make the transition I am unsure. Obviously we have Kagawa but he seems to be a utility forward player who can play out wide, in the middle or behind the striker.

I certainly want for us to adapt, but I have my doubts over whether that will be the case, especially as soon as next season and maybe as long as Sir Alex is manager.

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If you look at the 4-2-3-1 formation, it is basically 4-4-1-1 but with the wingers pushing on higher and someone dropping in behind the striker or ultimately 4-4-2. Wouldn't over think it to much, just fancier ways of putting things. SAF will always line up with 4 at the back and with 2 CM's and then the other 4 would have just a little bit of freedom to rotate but ultimately the structure remains the same.

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But my point Ports is SAF may want real wide men on the wings, e.g Valencia and Young and a striker dropping in i. e Rooney. A 4-2-3-1 usually consists of players who are more central and drift in on their favoured foot, Mata, Gotze, Rodriguez.

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I would say the formation is slowly becoming less of an issue with us. We seem to be strating in a 4231 like formation but with all four of the front four all moving and floating about so as to make it hard to mark players and so we can find the space against more ridgid opposition. Personally I think Rene Meulensteen is having more and more of an effect on our tactics and coaching. He has had a huge effect on our academy set up, he wants to get players playing in different positions to bring on their weaker skills so as all out players are comfortable in playing many different positions so that the team can change and morph during a game to target the oppositions weaknesses and cover up our own.

Since he moved into a role with the first team we are seeing his philosophy more and more with the first team squad.

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Think is an interesting point IMO and I've often thought the same. A lot of us would like to see us play with inverted wingers in a 4231 but I'm unsure as to whether SAF is willing to move from old fashioned wingers i. e. 4411.

Zaha can play as a touchline-hugging winger which seems to suggest we will stick to that shape but then when we signed Kagawa I was sure we would move to a narrower, more modern shape with him and one other either side of Rooney. All very confusing!

I guess our summer signings will show us how SAF feels as to whether we stick to traditional wingers or move to a narrower 4231. If we signed Rodriguez he could easily play in an intrecate front 4 with Kagawa, Rooney, RVP and then we could still have Valencia and Young to play as more traditional wingers against lesser teams - the best of both worlds?

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Valencia and Young? They're both completely useless.
Nomidfield

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TBH Nomidfield I don't take "completely useless" as an insult from you any more. It seems every second subject of a post is 'useless' or 'past it'. The truth is it takes all sorts to make a successful 25 man squad. Not all players will be in form all at once. I'm guessing you didn't watch us play when Valencia was tearing opponents a new one last season and the season before?

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Honeybadger - that is ideal tbh. Rodriguez looks an outstanding talent and looks to be on his way to the top. However, if we have signed Zaha, and we may well sign Rodriguez aswell, I think another winger as well as Nani will depart, as we will have 5 wingers and possibly 5 strikers fighting for 4 places, ad although competition and depth is very good, that seems excessive. It may well be Valencia.

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Well nm, last season when Rooney was underperforming, Chicharito was on bad form, Welbeck couldn't hit a barn door, Young was having toe trouble and Nani was his typically inconsistent self, we turned to " useless " Valencia. For 6 months, he lifted the team and carried us back into the title race and 8 points clear of city. He turned in 9 whoscored mom in 12 games. He wasn't useless than, was he? Now that he's experiencing injury trouble and playing through the pain barrier, hey, let's kick him out! Let's also kick out Fletcher.

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17 Mar 2013 19:15:09
"I'm just a little concerned that Young isn't suited to the biggest stage" Ajh


I hear you on that AJH. He's shown worth on a certain level. can he do it on ours? without a run of games, injury free periods with form hit we won't know. it be a shame to be another Anderson. I got a feeling he has it in him. Predictable is ok if its effective.

I also have a feeling that the interchanging utopia Alex was hoping for shown in two seasons ago pre season has been stunted a little.

Young can play left right behind the striker come infield hug the by line get crosses in even if he isn't shazamataz blow you away he can handle that system of which i'm sure we haven't seen it to how Alex wants it yet. inconsistant Nani, Rooney and Anderson ect. I still think we are heading thhat way with the buying of kagawa ect.

so i'm hopeful and I think young falls into the principle of pass and move interchange link up ect. I actually do trust in Alex. even if it doesn't pull off for whatever reasons. I like his ideas



. constantine.

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I feel the ideas we are trying to implement are coming more from Meulensteen than Sir Alex. But this has been the way Sir Alex has worked for years, he sees things are changing in football and he brings in an assitant/coach who can move the team forward in the new modern way. We saw it with Quieroz now Meulensteen is having an effect. I think Young can have a role in this system but more as a cover player rather than a first teamer, plus he's english and brings our home grown count up.

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Cant say I agree with that wholly Shappy. even though i'd be going against general consensus. I do agree Alex recognizes changes and i'd say he reacts to certain defeats. I think the idea that Alex isn't behind the tactics of his teams at the core is a myth. how detailed he is in his tactical nous only his staff know but for certain he would be able to say I want more interchanging, faster exchanges more possession ect. as for Young. to me he is a little more than a squad player but a fair bit behind a Ronaldo. i'm certain he will never be a get you off your seat but he will prove useful and will change a few minds

constantine

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I was just thinking Shappy. would you pay what we did for young on a last year of contract for just as a cover or the fact brings the english count up? I woudnt. personally I see almost every player having the potential to pull their weight almost equally. look at rio for example. did anyone think he'd get so many games or giggs for that matter getting centre stage at Madrid? our squad is becoming almost an equal all parts for how much time played for each of them. There is no first team no more. ok now that's not strictly true but it is more so now than it was in 99

constantine

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Sir Alex is renowned for taking more of a back seat when it comes to training and tactics, at least in his later years. Obviously he has a huge impact on tactic's but I feel he has always relied heavily on an assistant or coach as to the specifics. Neville has mentioned how much Quieroz changed things and his attention to detail, this came from Quieriz himself not Sir Alex. The teams dynamics have changed with each new coach as well if you have noticed, this is because of there impact on training and tactics.

I do feel we over paid for Young but he is an excellent squad player who adds a lot of depth to our team, and on form he is more of a first teamer too. Alrthough i've always felt 12m in the circumstances woukd have been fairer.

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I think we essentially agree Shappy but my original point has been lost. I said I liked his ideas and tried to dispel the notion that he is hands behind his head sitting in office. the Man has ideas on how he wants his teams to develop, what players he needs to do it and how to develop them individually. plenty have brought fresh ideas to the table yet he still has a keen eye for subtle tactics of which is lost in this notion he takes a back seat. Believe me this is a false generalisation

constantine

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17 Mar 2013 18:37:52
I've finally come out if my deep depression of being robbed in the CL and though I'd share this?

I've seen quiet a few people linking Bender with United? Personally I just can't see it as from a marketing point of view how many fans will go out and buy a shirt with Bender on the back? We all know that we often have backroom agendas when it comes to signing players so for that reason I don't think it will happen.


IHaveNoName!

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He will have L. or S. Bender on the back I imagine because of their brother and anyone else could do the same. I see your point but I doubt it'll be a valid reason not to sign either of them.

Supasub

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Also imagine I we signed that German international a good few years back. Selling united shirts with "Kuntz" on the back would be a little tricky.

Supasub

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Or the dutch player from Euro '96 De Kock.

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Or Suarez, that's basically an insult

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Perhaps we could use it as a positive marketing tool and bring out a pink 3rd strip?

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Yeah and we could have "quim" in goal.
Shirt sales would be strange if these all needed up in the same side.

Supasub

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17 Mar 2013 18:15:56
Last goal we conceded in the premier league was 537 minutes ago. Good to have Vidic back.

Sulei

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Good stats no tell us how many minutes since welbeck last scored goal in premiership and i'm up all night so no rush

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Its not all Vidic though, some praise has to go to the keeper as well.

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Way to take a positive and turn it into a negative, boarshawred.

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Nothing positive about welbeck he's a striker and does not contribute enough goals to the cause

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"Nothing positive about welbeck"

Didn't watch the Real games then or do you just generally not have a clue, noname?

HBadger

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17 Mar 2013 17:19:15
League games played this season
Carrick 26
Cleverly 19
Anderson 10
Scholes 14
Fletcher 4

Next year I would still expect Carrick to play nearly every game, I think cleverly will get a good few games as well so for me there is only really room for 1 New Cm who would expect to play.

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Powell, Kagawa, Giggs & Jones have all played midfield too. With Scholes & Ando likely to leave I expect just one more central midfielder too. Probably Strootman.

Sydney!

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With the manager's love of strikers and wingers i'd expect one of each of them. Lewandowski and perhaps Rodriguez, although Porto are notoriously difficult to deal with so that may not happen. I think one central midfielder as I said probably Strootman. I suspect DDG or Lindegaard will make way for Begovic and if there are any funds left I would hope the LB situation could be finally resolved. Though other than Baines there isn't much else out there to shout about. I think a CB will be sought after if one of Rio or Vidic leave. Hopefully they can stick around for longer though as we have more important areas to strengthen. Could Fabio come in to play back-up to Rafael? Jones can play there, but suspect he may play midfield more often next season. Or will Fabio be sold? Outgoings will determine the incomings i'm sure. We are not funded by a sugar daddy so the manager will have to prioritise again i'd imagine.

Sydney!

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I think we may go for a 4-2-3-1 formation. I think Fletcher and Scholes will retire and Anderson will leave therefore we will sign 2 CM's. Kagawa will not be in the team as a CM. I think Powell will go out on loan for half the season and may end up playing slightly further forward and Giggs is not going to be involved as much and Carrick will be another year older and need managing more carefully. Cleverley will never be our top boy in CM but is a good squad player and Jones will end up at CB. I think it may be a case of a player SAF likes becoming available or it looks like us losing out to someone else like Rooney and Jones before will also be a factor of how many CM's we sign.

I honestly believe Strootman is a done deal and the 2nd CM I'm not sure, SAF has scouted Wanayama but maybe a smaller more busier CM like Moutinho or Cabaye potentially?

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I would hope for more quality in midfield scholsey will definately retire ando will probably leave as will nani giggs will be used sparingly for one last season I expect fletch to retire, carrick is now in his 30, s and shouldn't be asked to play every game
and finaly I donrt think cleverley is utd quality the jury was out and I was willing to give him a chance but after his performance particually against chelsea I don't think he is the answer.
johnm

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I agree we will play 4_2_3_1 which would mean Carrick and one other playing cm
Carrick has played 26 out of 29 league games so only one cm in the summer

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I think we may sign lewandowski but only if Hernandez is leaving and I think there has been some signs that this could be on the cards.
A Rodriguez type player could be on the cards but only if nani leaves
I think we may actually sign a cm this season but only one
I think we may see a surprise at cb and an established player may leave.
Lindergard could well be on his way but I fully believe ddg will be our no 1 so begovic is unlikely imo
don't see a lb or th coming in

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A lot will depend on outgoings. Sounds obvious, but the manager's hands will be tied if he cannot offload certain players. We struggled to offload Nani & Anderson in the summer and with having to pay more than expected for RvP I think the manager couldn't get his other targets. If this happens again then the manager will not be able to make all the changes he wants again.

We know via Ed002 that the manager isn't satisfied with the goalkeeping situation. Even though you and I like DDG, he doesn't ooze confidence and Rio gave him another bollocking yesterday. I think DDG may want to go home and his missus did make that pretty obvious, but I think we would struggle to receive a big enough offer to sell, therefore Lindegaard may have to make way for a safe pair of hands like Begovic.

The manager will have plans and targets, but I doubt he will be able to make all the changes he wants.

Sydney!

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Syd
I like to form my own opinions, I think it looks very much to me that ddg will be our no 1 next season, time will tell.

His bird also said in the same interview he was v happy at United

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Why would we sell ddg? Bergovic?seriously? Do u honestly want bergovic instead of ddg?
Nomidfield

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Syd
I've never seen a post from the ed saying United will sell ddg in the summer to be honest, I know you have posted a few times about it but I think you may be wrong on this issue if a keeper goes I think it will be lindergard.
I also don't agree with your argument that fergy regrets buying ddg but we have covered this a few times before so I guess we will have to wait till the summer to find out

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17 Mar 2013 22:39:42
No one has said they want Bergovic to replace ddg.

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17 Mar 2013 13:51:13
could we see his happen in the summer?

out: anderson, hernandez20M, scholes, fletcher, nani/vaelncia 15-20M

In:
strootman 15M, wanyama15M,
rodriguez 20M +Anderson.
Baines 10M

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Don't see why Hernandez has to leave, if you don't envisage United bringing in Lewandowski. Also 2 midfielders could be bought in, but Wanyama and Strootman seems unlikely

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As ed002 made it clear, Porto have no interest in Ando. I guess his wages would be too high, considering how incosistent and injury prone he is

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It would be unusual to sign 4 players all of whom woud expect to be 1st teamers.

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What's all this stupid talk of Hernandez leaving
? Who do you want to bring in to replace him who can score goals the way he can?
Nomidfield

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17 Mar 2013 13:07:08
We didn't play well but yesterday was a HUGE day in our season. Yes, that's right, we can finally stop looking over our shoulder. Liverpool cannot mathematically catch us. Phew.

Da Rob Man

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But there's always next season :/

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And they're in transition too ;-)

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Lol, I sarcastically posted on the scousers page that they are in transitn and maybe next year. Bizarrely, I got a log of agrees

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Not sure how its bizarre, they tell us it every christmas.

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17 Mar 2013 12:42:42
Why would we go all out just before the FFP rules come in? Makes no business sense at all. The prices will be over inflated in the summer as clubs with big finances but small profits rush to get players. If we wait, as we are the most profitable club in the world we will get far better value.

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17 Mar 2013 12:40:23
There was a debate on here yesterday morning about Bale vs Rodriguez, unfortunately I was unable to give my opinion as I was at work. So I thought i'd do so now.

First off the money being bounded around for Bale is ubsurd. He is a very talented player who could go on to be world class. Atm I would say he is in world class form but his current form isn't the same as it was at the start of the season. IMO a world class player will have and influance in 99% of the games he plays. Bale isn't quite there yet but I feel in the next year or two he could get there. He has 13 goals and 3 assists in his last 14 games, in his first 22 games this season he had 9 goals and 3 assists. Which shows he is scoring and assisting nearly twice as much in the last couple of months than compared to the 5/6 months before. If he is to be a world class player he needs to keep this form up consisitantly.

The fees being bounded about for him is frankly stupid, he's worth 30-35m tops atm. To spend more than 35m on a player they need to be one of the best players in the world, look at the list of players who cost more than 35m, Figo, Zidane, Ronaldo, Kaka. All these players were at the time of purchase the best player or one of the top two or three players in the world at that time. All had won the Ballon d'or. Bale isn't in their class yet and as such can't demand that sort of fee imo. So anything over 35m is very poor value for money imo.

This whole Bandwaggon thing I think is stupid too. I think it is possible to appreciate his current form and ablitiy without jumping on the bandwaggon. Only the posters themsleves will know if they have actually watched him properly and not just highlights and are making informed opinions and not just adopted the presses view of him. So let's not name call or brand people like that, it's childish.

Now let's move onto Rodriguez, he is a different player to Bale. Bale is all about power and pace, and Rodriguez will always be second best when you compare those attributes, But Rodriguez has the better touch, the better passing and the better vision. he is better at playing a less direct style and has more strings to his bow than Bale. He is a couple of years younger and has had to adapt from playing the south american way to the european way so he is effectively three or four years behind Bale in his development as a top player in europe, But has more natural ability. So if he puts the work in and steers clear of injurues there is no reason why he shouldn't surpass Bale in a few years time once he fully develops. Is he worth 25m? debateable, i'd say closer to 18m would be fair but in the long run paying slightly over the odds for a player like Rodriguez is less of a problem than playing 15-20m over the odds for Bale IMO.

So in summery I feel currently Bale is the better player but Rodriguez has more potential. Bale is ubsurdly over priced where as Rodriguez is slightly over priced. As such at the figures being mentioned for both players and taking into account that we aren't backed by some crazy billionaire who can afford to waste his money on over priced players. That really Rodriguez would be the better player for us when you consider current ability, potential ability and cost (and I have't even considered wages of which Bale would cost considerably more) as good as Bale's current form has been.

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How would you compare Rodriguez's pace and power to Valencia and Nani in their current form?
Nat

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Shappy while I agree that Bale is overpriced, that's just how it is now. Ever since the Ronaldo transfer, and with the financial rise of teams such as Chelsea, City, PSG, Anzhi and Zenit, teams are expecting more and more money for their best players.

5 years ago Bale would have been worth 30-35 million pounds. But when this sort of money is beeing paid for Hazard and Moura, while even more for the likes of Modric, Aguero and co, you can see that the prices are inflating. So a player who used to cost 20 million in the past is now beeing bought at over 30 million. The same goes for Bale, he is young, on the brink of world class and premier league proven, he will cost more than the likes of Hazard.

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Nat, on current form, Rodriguez is probably as fast as Valencia and Nani, and has about the same physical strength of Nani but doesn't come close to Valencia.

Valencia when on form, is like a train. Everyone knows what he is going to do, but his combination of pace and sheer power makes him unstoppable. Pre-injury, he was probably the fastest player in the premiership ( as fast as Walcott imo ). When he came back from injury, he was still incredibly fast ( by far the fastest player in our team ) and was about 20 pounds bigger ( all muscles ). But this season he has slowed down considerably and the medical staff needs to do something fast.

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Cheers Mick,
How likely is it that we will see Valencia return to his past form, one of my favourite united memories is Valencia shoulder barging Leighton Baines about 3 yards, would live to see him doing that again.
Is it possible to compare Rodriguez to David Silva or is that way off the mark?
Nat

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Something not taken into account is that bale doesn't want to move

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Bale doesn't want to move spurs don't want to sell so it will take a bid that is a good bit over the market value to get him

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Nat, I don't think so. You take Bale and Silva, mix them into one, and you get Rodriguez. He's more direct, faster and more of a finisher than Silva, but he is less " in your face " kind of player than Bale, less direct and powerful and more creative, better passer.

As for Valencia, he is without a doubt the hardest working player in the team. When you spend 6 month on the sidelines after an injury that a lot of people thought would end your career and you come back, the strongest and fittest player in the squad, you know the lad is special.
I would say him coming back to form depends mostly on the medical staff. If he gets rid of the backpains, he will be able to get some of his previou pace, with it comes confidence. The most important thing atm is not to knock his confidence down. He is probably feeling like he is massivly underperforming, and it's Ferguson's job to make him feel wanted and show him that all players would find it hard coming back from an injury. He should come around, just like Ferdinand.

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On Silva I've heard it's all most nailed on that he is going back to Spain this summer {Ed002's Note - Silva is one of the players that Real Madrid has identified as a player they would like to buy this summer.}

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17 Mar 2013 12:37:03
kloot seriously you make me cringe at your bitterness often. Every player out there yesterday is capable of better including Ashley. what would you be happy with. a Ronaldo equivalent in every position?

I'm guessing behind the scenes most players and management would be pretty disappointed with the champions league fall out, I know I am. Alex was selling it as the a revisit to the 99 greatness, the players sensing it would be a great year. serious anti climax

and for that reason wasnt expecting much from the Reading game. this team is jaded and a little crestfallen and without the spark of some real competition for the title. Anyone who is in any competative scenario can identify with that.

as for Ashley Young. what a stop start season he's had who doesn't need a run of games to hit form? never mind the fact the team was an unfamiliar team to each other.

I suspect like Carrick, De gea, Evra. sir Alex's belief in him will be vindicated. this isn't a Djemba Djemba or Kleberson who came from unfamiliar leagues, Ashley has been on show in the prem for years and ran the show for Villa at a time when they were threatening to break into the four. Alex knows his worth and I'm glad to have him.

what this team really needs, and it isn't the selling of Anderson or Nani or Young, it is what Cantana done for us; someone special to get all the lesser mortals truly inspired to spark this team into consistant greatness

. constantine.

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Top post. I'm just a little concerned that Young isn't suited to the biggest stage. Some players arrive with great reputations but can't seem to deliver in such a goldfish bowl. We should support our players but I remain unconvinced by Young

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17 Mar 2013 12:06:41
So with the top two in the league almost settled who do people think will bag the other two champions league places. I'd say chelsea and spurs. Also who do people think will go down. I say reading for definite. Then I think its two from four. I'd like to see sunderland go down and their really getting sucked in now. I'd have to go qpr as well as it would be funny given what they've spent and I don't like redknapp. But if they survive I could see them buying young off us. I think wigan will just about pull it off again but surely one season they'll fail to do it. It could be this season. I'd like to see henriquez play more. I do like martinez and its a handy close club to have for loans so I want wigan to stay up. Sunderland are a poor team and having fletcher says it all after his last two teams got relegated he must be some sort of jinx. I want villa to stay up as their a young team and I think they have potential.

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I'm not entirely sure the top 2 is settled yet. I have a feeling City might capitulate, more so than they already have, giving Spurs a chance to nick 2nd place.

TK-Red

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Top four Us City Chelsea and Spurs, not necessaily in that order.

With QPR and Reading going down with one of Wigan Villa Sunderland Southhampton or Norwich.

The relegation battle will go down to the last day unlike the title this year. it really could be any of them, it depends who can put a run of form together when it counts.

Wigan have been in this postion so many times they have the experiance of getting themselves out of trouble.

Villa have a very good young team with lots of talent and play good football but they lack experiance on the field and off it.

Sunderland on paper have too good a team to go down and a manager who is too good to go down also. But they do have a lack of goals in their team. They should be safe but you never know.

Southampton play great football and they have several goalscorers but they lack consentration at key times and give away silly goals. if they cut that out then they should be safe but can they?

Norwich are very hit and miss, they can put in top performances against teams you'd expext them to lose to and seem lackluster against teams they should beat. There squad has a lack of Prem quality and they've lost some of their fighting spirt they had last season.

It really could be any of them but I think it'll be either Southampton or Norwich who'll slip down in the end.

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Reading cause they're not good enough.
Sunderland after their fans sang and celebrated on the last day of last season.
QPR for the way the capitulated against city on the last day of season once they heard the Bolton result.
Nomidfield

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Shappy I can't see Southampton slipping tbh. With players like Schneiderlin, Clyne, Shaw, Ramirez, Lallana and Lambert, they have some serious quality, too good to go down. And in Pochettino, they have a very capable manager. They've beaten Manchester City and Liverpool in recent weeks but they are really inconsistent {Ed004's Note - I want them to stay up}

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I'd like Southampton to stay up but they are so unpredictable. On there day they can beat and out play most teams in the league but are nothing short of woeful at times. It's the fact they always seem to have a mistake in them that worries me.

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17 Mar 2013 11:57:32
Once RVP gets his 20th league goal he will start to look sharp again and bang a load more in until end of season.
Every striker goes through the odd drought, him included.
Goals bring confidence and I really hope he beats that buck toothed cheating runt to golden boot
Will Red

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17 Mar 2013 11:44:11
If you could sell any 3 players from the current squad which 3 would you go for, why and who would you replace them with?

I would go with Nani, Anderson and Evra. Nani because he is so infuriatingly inconsistent. He's had so much time and has hardly improved since we signed him. Poor on setpieces, decision making. Anderson looks good when he gets a run in the team but you know there's always an injury waiting and he's out again. We need to break the cycle of the last five years. Lastly Evra. He's still a liability defensively. I did consider either Young or Valencia and one of them could still go. I would replace them with Gotze, Strootman and Baines. {Ed004's Note - I would probably agree with that but if Anderson leaves I think we will have to sign another midfielder}

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17 Mar 2013 13:04:02
True ed with fletcher and scholes retiring we'd need two to three brought into replace them all depending on what happens with petrucci, powell and tunnicliffe.

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Nani cause he is inconsistent? So why not young and Valencia, they have been hopeless. Why evra? He's performed much better this season. And while we're talking about inconsistency, you can stick Rooney's name there too.

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Welbeck, young, Valencia

TRUMORS

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Anderson, Valencia, young.

Ozil, Bender, Rodriguez.

shahrm

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17 Mar 2013 11:41:20
this season will be quickly forgotten, even before utd lift the premership trophy. to call the leauge boring would be an understatement, apart from a few bright sparks- suarez, bale, michu, the general standard of teams is enough to make people drop thier tv sports package and ask for a refund.
ps, please could someone put a- anderson must stay banner- up at old trafford, I have a good feeling he will come good next year, in his 7th season lol.

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Maybe lfc but one thing is sure he would waltze into your mid table team

But next year is going to be your year for what the 25th year?

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Feel free to forget this season lfc because the history books will forever have this down as the season we won number 20 and that's all that matters.

TK-Red

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Dont know about him coming good in his "8th season" but what I do know is next yrs defo going to b LFC's year just like the last 20 odd yrs have been! Ohh wait!!
LP

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Easy for a Liverpool fan to say, your season finished in Febuary like most years recently. lol. We've still got two trophies to play for, so forgive us for not being bored.

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He could come good next year! Shame it's your year next season.

Caolán.

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I disagree - have been entertained all season watching your once great club flipping between thinking you'll be in the top 4 and challenging for the title next season to realising your still a mid table club for the foreseeable future. More flip flops than the Costa del Sol!

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I have a feeling you will be in transition for the 22 nd season.
Nomidfield

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17 Mar 2013 13:09:33
Still got more winners medals than Gerrard though eh?

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I hear Liverpool want to spend £50 million on Shola Ameobi. They are the masters of unearthing real gems for peanuts. Andy Caroll, Jordan Henderson, Stewart Downing & last but not least the magical jon jo shelvey or should that be Duncan Goodhew. Lfc you can console yourself with, its our year next year
Blackpool Red

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17 Mar 2013 11:30:33
It is worrying to see Hernandez on the bench all the time, while rvp and welbeck are not firing. Why is Hernandez not getting game time? Has Ferguson made up his mind to sell him? I hope not as he is the most natural finisher we have, he will be sensational in Spain. If we do sell him though, the only improvement we can make is to buy falcao. But we know this won't happen.
Nomidfield

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It is a worry, he needs more games and quite frankly he deserves them. He is our second highest goalscorer this season and he should be given more starts especially against teams like Reading. I don't think its a good sign.

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I think it is Lewy in Hernandez out which is a shame.

Shahram

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Hernandez was away yesterday on international duty but yes why is he always behind welbeck in being selected while you can always depend on him to get you a goal where as with welbeck we are still waiting for he's third goal off the season

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Welbeck isn't an out and out goalscorer, but he is a worker who has the talent and ability to hold up the ball, bring others into the game, his passing, vision and ability to keep hold of the ball is top notch, he is also fast and powerful. His shooting isn't too bad if he works on instinct, but if given time he tends to fluff his lines.

For me he is a more talented Heskey, now I know some people will moan at the sound of Heskey's name but he was a hugely undervalued player as most people just look at goals and not a players all round game and what they bring to the team.
I'd go as far as saying that without Welbeck in the team vs Madrid that we would have lost without the sending off of Nani. He was vital to us in those games.

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Hernandez was on the bench yesterday and not on international duty

Red Man

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Post match interview SAF said he was on he's way to play for mexico

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17 Mar 2013 11:13:36
A thought. I have been pretty convinced that Strootman is the only man that we willl sign for the central midfield this summer. However, it seems as though Powell is now going to go out on loan next season, and Anderson looks likely to leave. Scholes & Fletch could retire. So, without signings that leaves us with just Carrick, Cleverly & Giggs (as well as Tunnicliffe who may or may not get games). I would of thought we would need to go into next season with a minimum of 4 CM's + Giggs.

There are two scenario's. 1 - Strootman signs, Rooney drops back into midfield. 2 - Strootman & another signing. Now, given that Lewandowski will in all probability sign, that leaves Rooney's position underthreat. So next season, could we see Rooney & Carrick/Strootman midfield 2 with Kagawa in the hole behind RVP or Lewandowski. We would then hopefully have one more winger to come in - Valencia, Young, Zaha, Welbeck & Rodriguez would be good wing options. {Ed004's Note - I'm not sure Rooney is suited to midfield}

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Am I the only one who thinks Fletcher won't retire next season?He might be badly ill but when he finally recovers, he could be a good squad player for us. Ferguson has said that we wants to make him a holding midfielder. I think he would suit that role and he would be a decent backup.

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Rooney is certainly not suited to CM in my opinion, would prefer we keep him up front and buy 2 CM'ers (if Anderson leaves).

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I don't think Rooney should play in midfield, he doesn't have the touch or inelligence for it (always looking for hollywood passes or through balls that will never make it). But you may have overlooked Jones who could also be moved into midfield.

Although personally i'd prefer to see us sign two midfielders, Strootman and someone else would be ideal. {Ed004's Note - I would like to see Strootman and then someone like Wanyama, bender, or some other defensive midfielder you mentioned awhile back. Then you have options of Strootman, Wayama, Carrick, Cleverley and Giggs with Jones and Powell also being capable of doing a job in midfield}

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17 Mar 2013 14:15:26
Ed I was going to do a post later on today where I was going to say we should look at signing BOTH Strootman and Wanyama. They bring the qualities we need plus a boost of quality options in midfield. I won't go into it now as I need to pop out, but i'll do a proper post on it later. {Ed004's Note - I agree both bring different qualities that we need in the squad IMO}

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I too don't think that Rooney should drop back. And I also think that Fletcher will play a limited role in front of the defence, mainly in cup games. I'd like someone more adventurous to come in along with Strootman. Carrick and Strootman are solid, Jones is the man to go to if we someone destructive. Cleverly is coming on but is just a squad player. Not sure Anderson will be here.

Ideally I'd have Strootman and Modirc/Cabaye/ someone of that style.

Fresh!

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Ed 004, I see you're coming around on the strootman idea. You weren't overly impressed with him a while back.

I also think that buying both Strootman and Wanyama would be beneficial to the team. Strootman is very versatile. He can play next to Carrick as a box to box player, and he can also do a job replacing Carrick and be the DLP next to Wanyama. We would have one hell of a powerful midfield, 2 beasts. And with Jones also capable of filling in midfield, we'd have one of the most powerful midfield in world football, able to rival the likes of Bayern and City.

And with Januzaj, Cleverley, Kagawa. we would also have a lot of technical ability. {Ed004's Note - I have seen a bit more of Strootman and he has looked good but it's just he looks a very likely signing so I have put him in there}

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17 Mar 2013 11:02:15
I think Bale is a very good player but its extremely unlikely we'll sign him. We don't have a good relationship with Spurs. They made mugs of us with Berbatov, overcharging by about ten million. Anyone who thought at the time he was worth 31 million wanted their head looking at. And so it was proved. Then last summer they wanted 35 million for Modric. Don't get me wrong, a very good player, one of my favourite non United Premier League players and one i've wanted us to sign for a long time. But 35 million was taking the Schmeical. Now we have Bale who's a flair player unlike Modric, younger than Modric, scores more than Modric, and is British so all that straight away bumps up the price. We're taking City type sums. Even Madrid are looking at chucking in players into the deal. The only way I can see us coming up with a package to suit Spurs would be cash + Rooney. And the amount of cash depends on how much you value Rooney at. I'm not saying we should make such an offer. Just that its the only offer we could make. I don't think Rooney would go to London but its more realistic than Rooney going to Paris or Spain. Myself I see Bale in Spain for a couple of years. By the time he's ready to come back to England we'll have moved on. There'll always be another must have wonder kid after all. And we're making a couple of them in our academy. MrE

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17 Mar 2013 10:50:34
Dreadful performance

We won but that was it, did what we needed to do, a win is all that matters. All platitudes that hide the fact our team didn't try very hard, supposedly because they were tired. Sorry but 75, 600 people paid good hard earned money to watch a game like that. I am not sure they are physically tired but they do look mentally shattered after the Madrid game. However as professionals trying to win the league it was far from convincing. Yesterday we knew City had lost and should have gone at Reading from the start. I felt after the Madrid game we needed to regain some momentum and quickly, maybe yesterday was the start. I believe Ferguson needs to look at their mental state.

I am critical because despite winning the effort was not there. Reading were awkward, whenever we had a goal kick they closed down our centre backs to stop us building from the back but we hardly got behind them. No one seemed to make themselves available for a pass.

The midfield pairing of Anderson and Giggs was a shambles. Anderson is not good or consistent enough to play midfield for us and it is time to sell. Frankly he looks overweight and can't command a midfield, he commits stupid fouls and gave the ball away too easily. Young is reasonable but I really wonder why we bought him, he doesn't seem to have the attributes needed to play our style, he has neither pace or trickery. Smalling had a poor game but he is a centre half not a right back. Rooney seems to have lost his touch a little but most notably he looks to have lost pace.

We need to be mentally right but maybe this international break will give them a chance to mend. Love the 15 point lead but we need to play like Champions at some point soon.

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17 Mar 2013 10:34:16
Ed's where do you expect Tom Ince to end up next season? I hope we're still interested even with signing Zaha. Provides good cover on the wings. {Ed004's Note - Probably Liverpool}

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17 Mar 2013 10:25:55
A) Which one of our strikers (if any) would you swap for Lewandowski?
B) Also, who is everyone's first choice winger signing this summer?

PJ {Ed004's Note - I reckon Welbeck could be played out wide more, surely he offers a bit more than Young? And then Lewandowski would be part of 4 strikers, Rooney, Hernandez, and RVP. And Rodriguez or Gotze.}

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I agree ed, he is getting a lot og games out wide. He will be one of the wide men next year, and Hernandez might stay as paret of 3 out and out strikers in Chicha, Lewy and RVP. Kagawa and Rooney for the hole and Welbeck starting left.

Fresh! {Ed004's Note - I reckon Welbeck will only be there for cover though. Not a garunteed starter}

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17 Mar 2013 09:28:15
Just some thought on yesterday's game and what that should mean come this summer.

1) Anderson should be sold as I can't see how much longer we can wait for a player that offers very little.

2) It is clear we need more than 1 player for our midfield as besides carrick there is very little there to give us comfort and he is turning 32 and will not be able to keep this up forever.

3) Smalling is not suited to playing right back and not ready to take over from Vidic and Ferdinand and needs another year or so.

4) We risk losing Hernandes as he is just not getting enough games and if you can't get on the pitch against the likes of reading, it is hard to see how he will get many opportunities against better teams with Rooney and RVP being first choice and Welbeck being the gofer to disrupt stuff.

5) Buttner is not good enough as a left back cover and we need a starting left back with Evra as cover.

I hope we have a clear out in the summer with 1 or 2 wingers gone as well. Whilst we are winning, we are hanging on by the smallest margins and on any other day a lot of results could have gone against us this year and can't see us doing this again next year as teams like chelsea, city, arsenal, spurs will invest in their squads and be better than this year.

Shahram

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Agreed shahram. Anderson is too inconsistent and is always injured. Valencia has lost his pace, which is the only asset he had as he is incredibly predictable. Young? What does he actually do? He's another one with one foot.
If we are going to spend, then I hope we spend on world class players to put us on the same level as barca, real and Bayern.
Saf needs to decide whether to carry on playing with wingers or go to modern tactics employed by barca and Dortmund.
Wingers always give us the edge against the lesser teams in the league, but in my humble opinion, we will never win the CL playing in this way, as we are too open.
Nomidfield

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17 Mar 2013 11:24:04
We need two maybe three signings in midfield depending on what happens with Scholes, Fletcher, Anderson, petrucci and powell. Not sure left back will be looked at. I think Hernandez will stay.

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I posted on friday that I thought uniteds midfield had no quality and the fans deserved and expected better and everyone disagreed now i'm reading we need may be three for next season lol

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Always maintained we need 2 midfielders. Strootman will not be enough and will struggle again.

Shahram

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17 Mar 2013 06:16:24
It seems that our strikeforce carried us in the
1st half of the season and our defense has taken over since
then! One things for sure though is that
our midfield is woefully short of quality (except
Carrick)and surely this will be the summer when its finally addressed esp if we are to have
a strong crack at Europe!
but until then here's to number 20 almost in
the bag and hopefully aa double as well!

LP

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17 Mar 2013 01:46:23
Poor performance
weve gone a bit flat since madrid game
15 points clear though, still in fa and unlucky to be out in champs league.
We got 4 great strikers and none in form, when 1 or 2 of them hit top form which they will then we will be on for a record points season and record winning points margin. considering what city and chelsea have spent that is some achievement.
Will Red

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Hernandez is in form he just never plays.
DHK

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