Manchester United Banter Archive May 22 2013

22 May 2013 23:02:08
Is anybody else worried that we are going to be blown out the water this summer as far as transfers are concerned. Looks like we are going to sell rooney one of our best players, along with some of the dead wood which is fair enough. But I'm worried that the top players in the world will be out of our reach because of money issues and I think the fact sir Alex could attract these players himself. I will be really gutted if we decide to sell a player like rooney and not bring in a player that will at least fill the void he leaves.
Walldog

We'd need Neil Ruddock to fill any void left by Rooney if he has another summer like he did last year.

Kagawa will step right in to that spot, get a good midfielder and winger and we will be set.

Laughable, a good winger and a midfielder and we'll be set? What rubbish.
If we sell Rooney, then we will regret it. We'll need to replace him as we'll only have three strikers left. Welbeck scores five goals a season and if rvp gets injured then, we are screwed.
Our midfield consists of carrick and kagawa. The rest are totally no it up to the task at united. We will need at least another two midfielders to even compete domestically, let alone in Europe.
Nani, young, Valencia, the lot of them can go if I'm honest, they are useless and have underperformed. So one world class winger is required.
Left back, I'm glad of the interest in shaw, evra played well last year but I think he needs to be replaced sooner rather than later.
Central defence needs reinforcements as smalling is average, Jones is not good positional defender, Evans is good but injured a lot, Rio and vidic only have a season left in them at best.
As for the original poster, I agree entirely, we will not nuy anyone of note, thiago is supposed to be the big name, but he can't hold a spot in barca midfield and has serious discipline issues, so why bring him here. The press mentioned Ronaldo, but he'll go to PSG or Chelsea. Bale might stay or go to Madrid. Lewindawski will motive to Bayern who already have a ridiculously strong team and now one of the best managers in the world.
I see a summer of more average signings playing for an untried trophyless manager for a club whose owners care more about how much money they make rather than ensuring we have a world class team in this great club of ours. Everyone laughs at comments kloot has made in the past, but he's right. We just go along and now that saf has gone, there is only one way we'll go, downhill. Unless the owners are prepared to back the manager properly and show us their ambitions match ours as fans.

My thoughts aswell great post, no quality in squad and this year it will show

22 May 2013 22:38:49
saddened to hear of the untimely passing of Brian Greenhoff, Brian was a wholehearted player and when he played centre half in the seventies one thing you could be sure of was one hundred per cent commitment in every game I can't remember many centre forwards getting the better of him, let us also remember his brother Jimmy who also served the club so well my sincerest sympathy goes to him and the Greenhoff family and friends.

You are absolutely right. He was a fantastic player, under rated and a total professional. Played in the fantastic docherty team, and I think that team would have achieved a lot more had we not sacked docherty for his indiscretions.
Rip Brian greenhoff.
Nomidfield

For any of the younger fans who never knew of or saw brian play for utd, have a look on the manchester evening news website, on the utd section under the headline biographer pays tribute to brian greenhough. a short but moving and fantastic insight on what it meant for brian to play for his beloved manchester united.
johndenton

22 May 2013 20:50:18
I must say I find the view of X why or Z player is not "strong enough for the Premier League" as hugely out dated.
Firstly, look at some challenges from 10 or 15 years ago and look at todays. Protection of players is a big priority, and more and more Physical 'behaviour' is being penalised. The physicality of this League is more than most, but it is slowly being squeezed out. Rightly or wrongly.
Secondly, are Cleverley, Silva, Mata, Hazard, Nani, Young, Stirling (The list goes on) have the same issue? I'd suggest they are broadly speaking the same ilk in terms of size/weight/physicality etc.
Just my opinion.

Whistler.

Are you coming on here saying "x, why or z" just to wind me up?! Seriously?

The game has changed on that I would agree. I have also argued that players like Scott Parker needed to show more than being able to break attacks down. Barcelona developed a style of closing down high up the pitch with plenty of energy to win the ball back. That style doesn't need any ball winners or players who can break down attacks however relies on that formation Barca play almost in waves in order to get the ball back.

However we haven't packed midfield or displayed energy further forward to win the ball and we rely on an axis of two in midfield. It is entirely possible Moyes will notably change the way we play but it would have to be notable to enable us to play Thiago in a central position. Cleverley couldn't hold that position and Thiago, new to English physical football would struggle, add Kagawa into that and our midfield lacks the strength in my opinion to compete. Let us remember the physicality of City and Chelsea's midfield and that lack of physicality in our own would concern me.

22 May 2013 22:02:25
I definately wrote "Y". Does the rest of my grammar indicate I'd do so? Ask the ed's if any of their filters would ever alter it. or them for sh#ts and giggles.

Whistler. {Ed004's Note - Nope don't see why it would edit it ;) }

Dodgy, relax mate. I get irked with loose/lose, your/you're, there/their, the list is endless.

22 May 2013 22:06:02
I agree to a degree, I just think a balance would need to be met.

Whistler.

22 May 2013 22:31:42
Good banter ed!

Whistler. {Ed004's Note - I don't know what you are talking about?}

The site automatically changes *y* to why to stop the txt speakers from being annoying. All of them things also do my head in AJH but have to realise even illiterate people support united!

22 May 2013 20:24:55
Ed who would be your choice to replace rooney realisticaly? {Ed004's Note - It would have been Gotze now it is Kagawa central and sign two wingers or Lewandowski and a winger and play Kagawa out left (looking the most likely imo) or sign Ozil and play him behind RVP with Kagawa out wide and Rodriguez on the other side}

22 May 2013 19:30:33
The rumours over Thiago are not new however my concern is whether he would be strong enough to be in a midfield 2 or whether we would have to constantly change style to bring a stronger player in to midfield. Such changes are disruptive and I would be concerned if we continued to play the same style as before that saw Kagawa and Rooney moved around to cover for the lack of power in the middle

This is not to say I don't like Thiago, I do because he is a good player

I wonder if our interest in Thiago, if true, gives Barcelona some food for thought. Do they want to sell Thiago or Fabregas more, they may sell both but I doubt it. Interest in Thiago could push them on a decision on Fabregas as well. We shall see, but physically Fabregas is a better fit unless we change our style. Either way Barca may have some decisions to make

Red Man {Ed004's Note - The thing is Alcantara is a more better version of Osman but doesn't get stuck in as much and Carrick is a better version of Gibson both offensively and defensively and then hopefully Kagawa plays the Fellaini role though I could see him playing the Piennar role and coming in off the line for an overlapping football to provide width and RVP played central}

A more better version of Osman!
He, s at a club who currently have the best 3 midfielders in the world keeping him out.
Can't tackle (what like Scotty Parker)!
He doesn't do much of it because his passing is excellent
Dylan {Ed004's Note - Sorry should be far better}

Tbh how can you really judge his defensive abililties when he plays for a team who always have the ball,

i think it could be a good move as he is used to playing a pressing game, something I think we will be moving towards

My worry is why do barca want to sell him when xavi is getting on and he should be the natural successor.
It is well documented that he has a lot of off field disciplinary issues, so do we need that in our team? {Ed004's Note - Xavi's game does not rely on pace at all and he is 33, he could easily play on for another 5 or so years}

22 May 2013 19:12:59
R. I. P Brian Greenough

I saw his whole career at Old Trafford and perhaps my strongest memory was in the Semi Final of the FA Cup in 1979. I was at Maine Road and saw Brian score, something that was imprinted in my memory given it was against Liverpool at the peak of their powers. I couldn't get to the replay at Goodison but huddled around a radio to hear his older brother Jimmy score the goal that took us to Wembley. Sad that Brian has been taken from us at such a relatively young age, he should not be forgotten.

Red Man

You are right red man. I also saw him in the semi at sheffield Wednesday ground when we beat derby, who were top team then, 2-0.
He was a great player and should have played for england on regular basis, but never really got his chance.
Nomidfield

NoMidfield

Derby semi would have been 76 and I couldn't get a ticket as I think it was the token scramble back then. I remember that for Gordon Hills brilliant goal

Very sad about BG my thoughts are with his family

Red Man

22 May 2013 18:28:32
R. I. P BRIAN GREENHOFF, watched you play along side of your brother jimmy, god bless you and your family, will be greatly missed by all.
BIGAL REDFOREVER

Amen to that. The Greenhoff's were wholely committed players for MUFC.

RIP Brian - you will not be forgotten. Hope you have met up with the Busby babes so tragically lost at Munich.
Mike B.

22 May 2013 18:20:11
Now i'm glad were being linked with a player such as Thiago Alacantra, and I think he is a great little player with a sack load of potential.

But and there is always a but. He isn't suitable for us.
His style of play requires him to have players in midfield for him to link passes with plus someone to sit and hold/cover the defence. So he requires to be part of a midfield three. This would mean a total change in tactics, not something that in itself is not a possibility. But isn't too likely in the imediate future ( even though I think we should, but that's for another time).

He is unable to play as part of a midfield two unless it was with a fully defensive midfielder and we played with someone like Kagawa off of the front man thus giving him the ability to like up play. He would have to play with someone like Lars Bender, Capoue or Romulo. Carrick or even Strootman would be too forward thinking and would leave us too open in the middle. So signing Thiago would mean the phasing out of Carrick imo. Unless we were to sign someone like Bender as well to play with Carrick and Thiago in a midfield three, with Bender sitting deeper and covering the defence with Carrick being the play maker and Thiago the creative box to box players. Although this would play to Thiago's strengths, it raises questions as to what to do further forward. Do you play Kagawa in the hole then play with two strikers? But then what would you do with Zaha, Young and Valencia and possibly Nani if Moyes want's to keep him? Or do you play with wingers in which case there is no place for Kagawa and then how do you keep RvP Hernandez Welbeck and possibly Lewandowski happy with only one strikers birth?

Then there is the question of do you think Thiago will be as good in the premier league or when he's not in a very good Barca team which is built for players like him.

I think signing him would mean a total change in our tactics and would also dictate who we HAVE to sign this summer to make him fit in the squad. Alk this with a player who isn't certain to play as well in our league or for our team as he does currently.

Thats why as good as he is, I just don't see the sense in signing him.

Rubbish he would fit in fine he is a much better version of cleverly

So in a nutshell to sign Alcantara we would also require a holding midfielder!
Why?
Is it because he isn't 6ft 3 and a so called box to box player.
We currently have in Carrick one of the best players in breaking up play and controlling the pace/tempo of most games.
Alcantara is potentially one of the best
c/m players around & £15m would be a top deal.
Dylan {Ed004's Note - The thing is Carrick needs a bit of help as we have been left too open at times and powerful midfield might bully us in the premiership that's why I feel signing Bender and Alcantara would be a massive step forward. Do people on here think Alcantara could reach the level of Fabregas or Gundogan though?}

Shappy

He would fit into our system because he is defensively just as good as cleverly and anderson and miles better than them offensively. Carrick is our defensive holding midfielder and has played there most of the year.

Our entire issue has been the lack of an advanced creative midfielder and that is why we are linked with players like Marchisio and Alacantra.

Alacantra is no slouch when it comes to sticking a foot in and is much better than anything we have today to provide carrick with an outlet pass.

He does fit what we have and if you went by your theory we could always play with 3 at the back with Jones as the defensive midfielder, who slots back into a back four when defending and when going forward he becomes the defensive mid with Carrick and Alacantra playing further forward. That would set us up with Kagawa playing in the hole and pick any 2 of Zaha, Valencia, Young, Welbeck playing on the wings.

It kind of works out to 3-1-2-3-1 which means one lone striker. However the real issue is our wingers, who are poor to start with and we need 2 winger/strikers and need to sell 2 out of the 4 we currently have on the books.

Nani is going and we might get a surprise of another one being sold this summer. If not Valencia/Young/Welbeck, I reckon will have 1 more year to either stick or will also be moved on. I realize Welbeck and young have some fans here but neither do anything for me on the left and a waste of money and not good enough for united.

I still think Gaitan is a high possibility on the left side with Dimaria on the right with Gaitan being 10 times better than Young and Welbeck on the left. If Di maria comes in I reckon Valencia has one more year with the club assuming Zaha comes good at some point.

Finally, for people who say Gaitan is not good enough, what does that make Welbeck and Young then?

Shahram {Ed004's Note - I don't think any of Gaitan, Welbeck or Young are good enough and feel we should be looking at signing Isco/Sanchez/Reus for the left side and Di Maria/Rodriguez/Lamela for the right side. Or Kagawa could play out left and RVP in the hole behind Lewandowski. I'd sell Young and keep Welbeck, Zaha and Valencia as cover and if Valencia doesn't improve sell him next season}

22 May 2013 19:53:48
For me Carrick has looked better when played with Jones rather than Cleverley. Carrick was a box to box midfielder who was moulded into a holding midfielder to cover for Hargreaves injuries. He is very good at what he does but playing Thiago alongside him who although is a better player than Cleverley isn't as defensively minded would leave Carrick to cover too much ground and leave us wide open in the middle.

Thiago also isn't the quickest, that's not to say he is slow but he doesn't have either power or pace. In England a lot of the play is based on power and/or pace, not to have either could limit him. Although he does have a fantastic footballing brain which would hold him in good stead.

I don't thinm he is or can be as good as Fabregas was in england, nor wil he be as good as Gundogan imo.

I think you hit the nail on the head, he is a better version of Cleverley. Although not as good defensively but much better going forward.

I think if he was to sign then he would have to play as one of the three in a 4231 formation.

He is a very good player and 15m is a very good price, but niether of those make him the RIGHT player for us. I would also worry about his more long term plans, he wants to play next season to get a place on the plane to Brazil with Spain. After that though how long will a brazillian Spainard born in Italy want to stay in rainy Manchester.

Personally I feel we are better of signing northern europeans and young south americans with potential who we can develop. If you look at the best foriegn players to have played for us the only latin players to have done well have been signed as youngsters and brought up through the club such as Ronaldo and Rafael. Our best foriegn signings have been french or dutch or scandinavian. {Ed004's Note - I reckon we would be fine if he played in a midfield 2 but he would have to have someone like Bender beside him against the top teams and then play him with Carrick vs the lower league teams initially}

Bayerns help comes from a collective effort from widemen/forwards who work their socks off when regaining possession.
Surely it's about having quality options and Alcantara would definitely improve our central midfield
Dylan

Have to say I agree with Shappy. One of the biggest issues this season was the lack of steel in midfield and people just running through. Not sure how Thiago would make that much of a difference in that regard. {Ed004's Note - As long as he is partnered with Bender and Carrick in the big games as we will look to pack the midfield I think he would be fine}

Assuming we sign Bender No4, I think we'll end up signing 1 first team mid and a squady. Something like 1 of Strootman/ Fellaini and then someone like McCarthy. Or along those lines. I think all this Tiago stuff is someone making mischief and using our name to drive up the fee or wages or whatever.

Ed004

Sanchez plays mostly on the right and so does Di Maria most times I have watched them.

I know Gaitan is not the best option but there are very few left sided player available. Rodriguez is a no starter given his price tag and Isco looks like going to City or Real and that leaves Lamela, which by all accounts is not available and does not want to move.

So if you are looking at improving the squad and not in LALA LAND i. e. Ronaldo/Bale/Reus who are not going materialize, Gaitan is a significant improvement on Young and Welbeck.

He does have a great left foot and technically miles better than both of them. I don't think it is a coincidence we have been scouting him for 2 years and by some accounts had him signed last year :)

We can always dream of getting better but the reality is they are either not available, too expensive and in some cases do not want to come to united.

I do agree that Young and Valencia are on a short leash of life and have one more season. In valencia's case it will depend on how Zaha comes along.

I would rather see a line up of Dimaria-Kagawa-Gaitan than Valencia/Zaha-kagawa-young/welbeck and to me that would be a significant improvement or as some call it evolution lol

Shahram {Ed004's Note - However when Sanchez played for Udinese and when he was at his best he played central. Therefore by playing him on the left and allowing him to come central it will hopefully help him regain his form from Udinese. Also Di Maria initially played on the left wing for both Benfica and in his early days at Madrid so I don't think either would have a problem playing in that formation as they can easily swap around. I'm not sure why you are so quick to write off Rodriguez, imo he is a fantastic player and we have scouted Porto for 10+ matchs this year to watch one of their players. We have also bid for Rodriguez in the past. Ferguson has also stated their is the possibility of a big signing and I think he would be classed as one. Also I don't think Lamela is at all likely}

Ed004

I am not disagreeing with you that Rodriguez is a very good player. I just do not see how we can justify 35 million on him.

The issue with football today is there seems to be so much hype around young players and billed as the next Ronaldo/Messi. These young players will have a blinder of a game but then are s*** and so average in quite a few other games, which everyone seems to conveniently forget about.

Honestly I have watched him quite a few times and whilst he is very skillful, he is not worth the money and at the same stage a few years ago I would say Sanchez was much better and looked unplayable. Look at how Sanchez has turned out.

I know it might sound out of this planet but I would rather spend 15 to 18 million on Draxler than 35 million on Rodriguez.

Maybe I am biased but I am more inclined towards european players and think the south americans are 90% miss and 10% hit and more suited to the Italian and Continental European leagues.



Shahram

22 May 2013 22:14:47
This is the problem though people to fit Thiago in we are talking about completely changing our formation tactics and playing personel. We need to sign Bender, Strootman, Di Maria, Lewandowski, Sanchez ect we can't change that much.

We tend to play 4231, if we sign Thiago for me the only place he could play for us would be in the three. If he played in the midfield two along side Carrick then we would too weak centrally. Or would have to sign Bender or someone like that to play alone side him, but then what about Carrick?

This is why I don't think he is right for us.

22 May 2013 17:59:49
If Rooney is denying that he wants than why did he choose to not play in SAF's last home match? Drama.

The day was about fergy it was prob best Rooney wasn't there

22 May 2013 17:36:58
Transfer rumors are rarely the place to go for sanity, but the papers and my fellow posters have lost their minds. Baines/shaw? We have evra who just had a resurgent season and buttner who despite needing some defensive work, as Rafael did, is a fine wing threat and always is dangerous down the left. So why spend money on a LB? Furthermore, Rooney is going nowhere, much to the disappointment of all of these "supporters" who want him gone (please Eds make a list of these people so they can't claim otherwise later) so we have zero need for a striker as falcao, lew, etc are just big names for the papers but won't be bought by united who already have plenty. Everyone claims we need wingers, and while I agree that we need to sell young and either nani/Valencia, we don't really need a winger replacement as the current style with wingbacks means we don't need width from otherwise useless players. Buy a cm and another attacker of some kind and let Rafael/evra provide the width along with our rotation of attackers (rvp, Rooney, kagawa, welbeck) who can shift out wide when needed and rotate thru positions. I give carrick a box to box partner who can get into attack and one more am type player who can join rvp, Rooney and kagawa in a diverse and hard to mark attack. -kg

22 May 2013 17:58:58
Ok well thanks David Moyes. So we don't need wingers or strikers but some sort of attacker. Nice to see you've sorted Wayne out as well.

So you want to rely on the full backs to do the attacking AND defending? We'd be open to counter attacks god knows how many times! And also move away from one of our tried and trusted tactics of using our wingers for creativity and assists? I'm sorry mate but that's deluded! ''Attackers who can shift out wide when needed and rotate thru positions''. we buy and train players for the positions they're best at, not to just move them around. versatility is a good thing to have in a player, but RVP is best when he's up front. moving him out wide as you suggest would be pointless. We've always been fairly consistent in the transfer market, 3/4 signings per year. why do you think this year will be any different?

I gave Syd stick earlier in the season as he was continually having a go at Evra (a bit like KLOOT's fixation with Rooney). However, Evra is often caught out of position and his legs are not what they were, we need a new left back and Buttner is not the answer.

As for Rooney, he needs to go. He is disruptive having now asked for a transfer twice. He seems to believe his own hype and think he is more important than the team. We've all been over this so many times - his best days were a long time ago and if he wants to leave, thank you and goodbye Wayne. Just because I am happy for Rooney to leave does not make me any less of a supporter than you, I have a different opinion to you but I still respect your right to hold your own view. You could try this perhaps

Kg, you can stick my name down on that list no problem. I consider myself a supporter of the club, rather than wetting myself over one disruptive individual.

StevieK

Completely disagree with everyone and anyone who says he needs to go. I respect your opinion but completely disagree with it. Have stated why before. Can we move on please!

Red Bear

KG

With your sort of approach, we might be fighting it our for 3rd or 4th place next year :)

Glad you are not the manager:) or we would be looking at a very frustrating campaign next year.

Shahram

22 May 2013 13:29:30
For ed2 you've had time to sniff a couple of things out who are David's targets and in hearing lewandoski is bayern bound is that on the money?
Cheers dubred {Ed002's Note - I am travelling right now but suspect there has been no significant change in targets.}

22 May 2013 16:28:50
Just re watched the champions league final with Chelsea again and well, what I'd do for Ronaldo back. That was definitely his best achievement and if he ever wants to have an experience like that night in Moscow he has to come back!

22 May 2013 14:00:38
Article in the mirror claiming that Rooney says he never put in a transfer request. Don't know what to make of it, do you know anything about it, Ed? {Ed004's Note - Nope}

It's pretty simple really Adey, Rooney is being nudged out of the door. United will continue to look keen to tie him down to a new deal just to keep the price up. I imagine (just an opinion) that we have offered him a derisory amount which the club expect him to reject.

Ahhhh the politics in football!

Sydney!

Rooney is now saying he hasn't put in a formal, written, transfer request. If he did then he wouldn't get a cut of the transfer fee. He doesn't deny he has made an informal request!

He says he never officially put in a transfer request.
I tend to believe SAF, although he is known for mind games, but this one damages the club, what he would do on purpose.

I guess Rooney went in and asked why he was being played out of position or not at all and in the heat of the discussion said he wants to leave then.
And SAF was pissed off by him asking to leave again.

That's all that's to it as far as O am concerned.

And then SAF made an elephant out of it and now Rooney is in a corner and doesn't see a way out.
Might help getting him to sign a cheap contract or push him out

Johnny8
I agree when the story broke it was said that during informal talks Rooney had said it may be best he leave.
All fergy said was he's asked for a transfer.

Rumour has it discussions with PSG are currently underway. The plot thickens.

Sydney!

Well he is f. ed now anyway, To basically call Fergie a liar and the great man moving upstairs as a director I can't see how he will survive. No one in the executive level at the club will want him around now and to me it looks like this is actually escalating things to get an outcome.

Shahram

Has Rooney actually made a statement or is it an inside source

23 May 2013 10:31:55
Inside source off course, he did make statement about taking united off his twitter a few weeks ago, which was correct but was silent on the transfer request. I believe his camp are leaking stuff to the press for their own purpose.

Shahram

22 May 2013 13:37:05
If United were to sign Shaw, Thiago, McCarthy/Strootman/Fellaini, Di Maria (Zaha) & Lewandowski and sold Fabio, Anderson, Nani, Bebe & Rooney. Would folk be happy with that theoretically speaking?

Then potentially selling Hernandez, Young, Valencia & Giggs (ret) and buying Ronaldo the summer after? (If he doesn't sign a new deal). All in theory of course.

Sydney! {Ed004's Note - Yes but I would want any of McCarthy or Fellaini if it was for the first team would love someone like Lars Bender. As at Dortmund Sven and Gundogan are great together so I reckon Lars and Thiago could be just as good. Though not sure if Thiago is/will be as good as Gundogan who apparently has a 25 million euro release clause}

Why sell Fabio? I'd imagine his cost price is pretty low at the moment and we would be better off holding onto him as cover for RB and LB.

Gar

I would take this Thiago thing with a pinch of salt it was taken from Marca a madrid based paper I am sure Man City would also be interested in the player as there have also been reports that the hierachy there would be interested if he was available

22 May 2013 18:19:29
I'd be mortified if we sold Bebe. Surely we have the Rooney replacement in house. Bebe for #10

22 May 2013 12:37:19
just wanted to share this video with you lot that I came across, watch it! I promise you won't be disappointed, awesome review of our season in the league and i'm sure it will put a smile on your face! enjoy!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?feature=player_embedded&v=wpNaT8XwWbo

22 May 2013 11:50:01
What do u think about us signing Arturo Vidal good strong holding midfielder I think would be a good addition {Ed004's Note - Would be a brilliant addition but I doubt there is even the slimmest of chances in him coming here}

22 May 2013 10:05:30
Good morning all.

Just been listening to a web site and they had a very good source on there stating that manchester united are very interested in thiago from barcelona. he said that thiago wants more games and that united have a very close eye on him and have spoken to his dad. he also said that if united put in a £15 million pound bid that would be enough for barcelona to sell has they need the money. he also said that it will all depend on thiago if he wants the move or not but that he feels thiago will move to united for more game time and that if it happens he will be a success in the premier league and that thiago is a quality player.

fingers crossed we get him.

M. U. F. C Salford

Where would he play though? is he strong enough to be a cm? {Ed004's Note - I'm not sure he has the physical strength for the premiership}

He would be a replacement for Scholes. He would sit next to Carrick pulling the strings in midfield. Remember he was earmarked to replace Xavi, but Xavi still has a few years left in him.

Sydney! {Ed004's Note - I'm not sure a midfield of Alcantara and Carrick is strong enough a lot of premiership teams would just run through it. I think we would need a Wayama, Strootman, Vidal or Bender signed to help out Alcantara vs the likes of Yaya}

Ed004, Jones would be added to the midfield when the likes of Yaya are playing. Jones, Carrick & Thiago would be fine with Di Maria, Lew & RvP ahead of them. Theoretically of course.

Sydney!

22 May 2013 06:57:30
I really hope we don't sign Di Maria this summer. He is vastly overrated by so many people on here and having watched him many times I am yet to see what he offers. He is all one footed, extremely greedy, goes down with the slightest touch and rolls around like he's been shot and although he is capable of doing it in flashes, he is ridiculously inconsistent. No better than Nani imo and would be a waste of money.

IDM

Not seen that much of him but from what I have seen, I agree with you

Perhaps we stick to playing Young on the left then? Or would you prefer Gaitan?

Sydney!

Di Maria is incredible player for me. I would rather have him in United than Gaitan, Nani, Young. Him, Ronaldo and Ozil were the best three performers for Real in the last 2 seasons. He has good pace and sometimes his passing is unbelieveble. Plus his attitude is great, always a positive guy. But I don't care which one of Di Maria, Gaitan, Rodriguez we sign because anyone would be better than our wingers this season.

People keep describing our current wingers and some wingers that are linked with us as inconsistent, yet I think this is the most inconsistent position in football. And while there are some consistent wingers out there, they are mainly very expensive to sign (Rodriguez, Bale, Ronaldo)

Nicolas_United

I wouldn't class Bale as a consistent winger, nor would I class Rodriguez as consistent just yet. Bale has been playing behind the main striker this season hence the goal rush. I would say it's most certainly his best position. Bale, Ronaldo & Rodriguez are more forwards than the typical out and out winger like Valencia for example.

Sydney!

I personally believe that in the 2 games real played against us, Di Maria was very good especially the game at OT.

I like the way Di Maria tracks back. He is often winning the ball back in Madrid's half. His work rate is unquestionable. I would choose him over Gaitan all day long. RM only paid 25m euro for him so I imagine he will cost around 20m euro now. I wouldn't say Rodriguez is worth twice as much as him, I wouldn't say Bale is worth 3-4 times as much either.

Sydney!

Only thing I agree with is him going down like he's shot but apart from that he's a good player

I thought Di Maria was one of the best players in the tie, I was quite glad when he got injured
DHK

22 May 2013 01:03:24
Hey ED, I'm hearing a lot recently - Manchester United are close to agreeing a 25m deal with Juventus for Claudio Marchisio - Any truth in this? {Ed002's Note - Search function please.}