Manchester United Banter Archive August 23 2013

23 Aug 2013 23:33:49
Has the Moyes press conference totally killed all the rumours? No recent posts!

99% of the stuff written in the paper about us is bs anyway and I believe dm when he says we are only interested in very few players. None of the eds have been able to accurately guess who we are interested in and I have stopped guessing.

I do believe if we do sign players they will be expensive and at the top end. I would not be surprised to see a couple 30+million signings or nothing.

I never believe the papers anyway. Just wondered why nobody has posted on the rumour page. Hope we can get one or two quality players in and I mean quality! But will have to pay top money if we want to. With the 80 mil they still have not spent from 2009 and the annual amount they generally have not spent they should be able to do it. If they don't they don't not the end of the world but expected!

DM said hopefully we will sign one or two players, I assume you know we have bid for baines and fellaini, that's two and we surely won't be paying 30 mill for either of those will we, or do you believe we will sign them and a couple of 30 million pound players, I really can't see that, hope your right though but seems like your dreaming a bit to me.

Pancho

It is too much hassle to post rumours on the rumour page because they get dismissive abuse. I welcome the move towards registered posters as hopefully it will lessen that. It may take a little time for posters to realise there will be less dismissal of them. Sightings at the airport and snippets of information should be what it is about with people making their own judgement whether it is true, but the rumour page hasn't been what it should be.

We're all just exhausted and pessimistic after a summer of transfer rumours constantly turning out to be false. Despite how much we need to make a move, I, and many others, are ready for it to just be football again, without agents, and british newspapers playing such roles in our lives.

Mick

I don't think we will go back for the Everton pair and if anything expect something coming from Madrid our way. This week will see some key players from Madrid moving and some late deals.

When I said expected I meamt I don't expect them to spend big. Because they are still soaking up the money for themselves and the debt. Is be dreaming if I expected them to come out admit that instead of the rubbish we get fed.

We usually have a quiet January, but hopefully Moyes will have learned a harsh lesson this summer and hopefully if there is cash for players this summer, that cash can roll over to January.

23 Aug 2013 22:29:28
So 10 days 2 go and we hvnt sign ny1 excpt varela and city, chelsea is looking to complete their squad with one last signing.Lets forget tht for a moment and just think from neutral point of view and from view of the youngsters who have strtd following football and some of them wil be future of footbal. My point is who wil they like 2 watch and support a team which has ronaldo, ozil, benzema, casillas or a team whch have goetze, robben, ribery, muller or hazard mata oscar and same with barca, dortmund etc. or a team with rich history one of the best club in the world but have rvp, rooney, carrick as their star players.i am not saying that we lack quality players but youngsters do tend to attract towards team playing attractive football and having top players in evry postn. I am saying this because I have come across people who tend to say we are the best team but we do lack attractive footbal and star players to attract neutrals.I am proud to be supporting my club but I guess we need to show that we are one of the best clubs in the world and sign players tht allow us to play better footbal and attract more youngsters from future point of view as well.

I inherited supporting United snd will ne passing it down, regardless of who we sign. Funny that.

U really need to chill mate, I supported utd because I didn't have a choice, its the same for my kids, in my house we have the freedom of choice, but when its comes to football I run a dictatorship tighter than north Korea.

Yes I too will be supporting United til the day I die regardless of who we sign and what our league position.

We all want Ronaldo, Fabregas, a quality LB and some steel in midfield but if we don't sign em we are still United. Still best team in England.

I'm not blind. We are not good enough in Europe and Prem rivals have strengthened markedly.

But to all the incessant whiners here please get behind the team or move on!!

23 Aug 2013 22:10:27
According to family in spain Cesc
Fabregas is not even going to be
considered for a place on the
bench (spainish press are saying
sanchez and Neymar are favoured?)

23 Aug 2013 21:19:37
We have history of penny pinching in the transfer market even before the yanks took over although it has got worse since they did. Now they have got their own guy in place in wooden head it will the norm. Hope I am wrong but I doubt it. Not saying it because we have not signed anyone we still might but we will always be looking not to spend too much. In which case we won't get the top players I am just surprised everyone is surprised. They still should have the Ronaldo money from we sold him because they have not spend it on the team . They just come out with lies take the dosh and people lap it up because fergie managed to win despite them. Now he is gone if we don't win things watch everyone start slagging them off and jumping ship

Gill may have already been at the club when the Glazers came on the scene but he was definitely their guy.

He became their man after seemingly being against them at the beginning but he did have some clue how to deal with a transfer. He was also fergies man! Fergie probably squeezed a couple of deals with Gill out of them that the new regime won't get. If they spend the 80 mil they still have from Ronaldo deal plus more I will take it all back.

23 Aug 2013 20:58:02
My god today's press conference has gotten a lot of people really horny.THere was nothing said that we didn't know before today, DM. was hardly going to come out and give names of who we are after.
Regarding the Everton duo Utd have managed to scare Martinez and unsettle Fellani (not so sure with Baines)with the derisory bid.Also as been already mentioned the next ten days are going to be very hectic, a lot of transfers will happen after Rm finally get Bale.
So all us fans should calm down concentrate on Mondays match then fasten our seatbelts and enjoy the ride til the window shuts.

Betting for Fellaini to join 4/11, Betting for Baines to join 1/6 bookies don`t get it wrong too often. My original post of 3 to join before deadline from source within the club is coming to fruition. The 3rd signing ( his words ) will raise the roof at OT! He said the 2 were premiership names, so I`m now assuming the two Everton lads were who he was referring to. I am hoping the marquee is Ronny or Fabs, as I don`t think either deals are dead in the water yet.

Annie,

Unfortunately the bookies very much get it wrong a lot of the time, on occasions quite deliberately.

Anniewithoutmakeup

Sorry but No3. total boll# ers. I have been out tonight with an ex very recent United insider. No bull. There is no big surprise transfer coming, Fellini is the best we can hope for.
Wish up everyone

Red Snapper

I hope Annie is correct because if Fellaini is Moyes only answer and our main signing this summer then it will tell me a lot about our new manager. It would likely prove to many that he was brought in as a budget manager, unable to attract top players trying to re create Everton rather than realising the size of where he is. He isn't competing for 6th now.
It would also prove that everything we have said about the owners not wishing to spend big.
No doubt some will defend it but come 3rd Sept if Fellaini is the main signing I will be very concerned at the clubs direction in both playing and manager positions. After all we could have guessed when Moyes was appointed that Baines and Felaini would be his choice rather than the top level players.
Annie, I hope you are right and the club actually has ambitions and on 3rd Sept we are all happy but recent comments from Moyes is starting to make me fear not.

Red Man, have you considered that just maybe Moyes wanted Cesc as the main signing with Fellaini, but could only get Fellaini? If we end up with just Fellaini, that doesn't mean he was our main target. Moyes will tell the board which players he wants and then it's up to the board to make it happen. Moyes clearly wanted Cesc to replace Scholes.

23 Aug 2013 20:13:01
Any truth that Woodward has flown out to Germany to speak with Kroos? Have you heard anything eds?

Unless kroos is rich enough to become a sponser of the club - probably not!

That sounds about right for utd the last few years. sign up a top midfielder as a sponsor rather than a player lol

23 Aug 2013 19:03:52
Just read Neville Southall's paddy power blog, absolute legend, nothing but the truth, UTD fans should have a read and you might understand how all Evertonians feel, this is not a poke at any UTD fans.

23 Aug 2013 19:44:26
I see the drama queens are out in force tonight. I think Moyes did well today - he knows we need players but he is being cool and not allowing other teams to think we are desperate. I think it was a subtle message to Everton - take the money or we will move on.

As a couple of the more coherent posters have said, we need to sign the right players, not just any players. I think we will sign 1 or 2 and I just hope we keep our nerve and don't panic as things get hairy towards the end of the window. I also think we should promote Januzaj and Limgaard and inject some youth.

Ajh you say sign the right players, if the 2 everton lads are all we sign it will not bridge the gap by much if anything between us and the big european teams.if these 2 are who he wants then why didn't we put a decent offer in early doors? they could of been integrated into the squad by now instead of leaving it till the last minute where things can sometimes go tits up.i live in hope of a surprise and we indeed sign some quality that will push the team forwards, unfortunately I can't see it happening.with the games coming up by the end of september he will either be a hero or under severe pressure from fans and especially the london media utd haters

John

I age our transfer dealings have been amateurish - we don't seem to have a clear strategy and the bids for Fellaini and Baines were late and low. My wider point was we shouldn't panic into buying whoever might be available. I thin Fellaini and Baines plus a top notch creative midfielder would address our immediate issues. The concern is where the top notch midfielder is coming from.

23 Aug 2013 19:18:21
After Moyes sets the scene for a barren transfer window and tries to covers up EW's inadeqacies the 5 stages of loss are

1. Denial (Plenty of posts at this stage)
2. Anger (Plenty here as well)
3. Bargaining (Mata!)
4. Depression (wow you think the world ended today)
5. Acceptance

Everybody spends thier own amount of time at each stage. Which stage are you!

Come on the reds and bring on Monday. Yes we deserve better but come on!

23 Aug 2013 18:55:17
Special shout to Goldfinger Diamond Ron and wish him all the best in Celebrity big brother

23 Aug 2013 18:46:37
You couldn't make it up could you. Once again we may not buy what we have been crying out for at least the last 5 years. What is next the old there is no value in the market quote. When will you lot see what is happening. Look at the squad when the Glazers took over and look at it now. Getting weaker and weaker with one world class player in the team. We make ridiculously under valued bids for players after making statements about how we have lots of money to spend. I said for years that Sir Alex managed to win trophies in spite of the Glazers not because of. Still on the bright side The Brand and Anderson get another week when they are not playing for Stoke or Hull. Oh yes and we have probably bought another one of the Glazer brats a beach side property

Sorry only just seen this post. Just the point I am trying to make later!

23 Aug 2013 18:22:52
Marcellus Wallace

I hope you got over your traumatic experience with Zed. Perhaps that is why you sound like you have a stick up your ar5e all the time.

Zed's dead, G.A.G.U.S. Zed's dead.

23 Aug 2013 17:57:03
If you haven't seen the press conference from earlier then I would suggest you hold your opinions and judgement till you have. At no point does Moyes say we are not trying to sign players or that he has given up, far from it! More that he is trying to sign the right players and we will not be panic buying because of the media pressure. I think this is a change of tactic from Moyes, instead of being so public i.e Fabregas, he's now keeping his cards close to his chest. So stop all the negativity and go watch it from the horses mouth so to speak. Jeeze, this sight is becoming depressing!

Hi Elvis. Unfortunately I didn't see the news conference. But did Moyes give us any updates on signings. Some posters had suggested that the news conference was to announce signings.
Nomidfield

No, he was very coy, just spoke about trying to sign the right players, but it wouldn't mean we necessarily will sign anyone and how the youth are up and coming etc. He did say maybe one or two would be brought in and how he was under no pressure

23 Aug 2013 17:13:25
Hey you guys saying Moyes said no players listen to what he actually said. This is a rumours site (the clue is in the name) now stop and think. Will we all be a lil disappointed if we sign nobody? Will we all still be Man U. supporters if we sign nobody?
If we signed Vidal, Ronaldo and Baines (or name your favourite LB here) would we all be a lot happier? If we win the league and the CL this year will we all be back next with who we should sign? F***(ing A we will and a big yes to all questions.

Read this six times now and really have no clue as to what the hell you are going on about.

23 Aug 2013 16:55:39
Oh woe is me, we might not sign anyone and now we might get relegated and the nasty scousers might laugh and me and take my lunch money.

Or maybe i'm being abit of a drama queen.

Charisma! Mouriho has it, ABV, Laudrup, Pellegrini, Pochettino & Martinez, all these managers have it, players want to play for that.

Is it any wonder Moyes can't make a signing, total gloom even listening to the blokes voice,

Should now be called mono tone Moyes.

You're not Shappy. Right.

Short Post, No Analysis :)

LOL

Some memory you have.

Thats see if you feel the same about Martinez, come the end of the season.

AvitURS, in that case why did SAF choose Moyes for the job over all the other managers you mentioned?

Players play for money, simple as that, the truth is often sad, but that is the truth.

23 Aug 2013 20:03:20
AvitURS, you clearly don't know what your talking about.

How can it be Moyes lack of "charisma" when we haven't had a bid accepted for anyone? Unless we have a bid accepted then a player turns us down could you possibly say that they turned us down due to Moyes.

We had many players turn us down during Sir Alex's time, was that due to Sir Alex's lack of charisma?

Our lack of transfers so far this season is due to two reasons. First off we haven't had suffcient time early in the window to have a new manager assess the squad find out what he feels it needs then locate the right player.

The second reason is because of Woodwards hard nose tactics when dealing with the potenial selling clubs which has alienated him and the club some what.

None of these things are because Moyes has a lack of charisma.

23 Aug 2013 16:53:37
I keep hearing how good the following are and how they will improve our team
Kondogbia. Hardly proven but I admit he looks like 1 for the future.
Modric. Not in Madrids 1st 11 and didn't stamp his authority in many games in all his time with spurs.
Willian. never played in a top league
Lemala. achived little or nothing
Di maria. Nani in disguise
Strrotman. decent but no top team were after him or else he would not have gone to roma
RVP had won nothing either I agree but was proven in our league and single handedly kept Arsenal competitive and holland to world cup final I can't say the same for any of the above

These guys are over hyped and in reality have achieved nothing in their careers at the highest level

I understand us going for
Cesc, with world and euro medals +proven in EPL which is a different game
ronaldo for any reason you care to mention
ozil as he has great international and club experience at highest level
mata. same as cesc + champions league
Our squad players can win us the leage OK not champions league but none of the names above on top list will win us CL either

Good post, Ken. I coudn't agree more.

I persobally would like to see someone like Powell given a proper chance in the first team.

Ken

Didn't Modric change the game and scored a great goal against us that sealed our fate in the champions league.
Absolute rubbish. Modric is a top player.
Di Maria is nothing like Nani and is streets ahead of him.
I don't know why your bringing Strootman because we were never interested.
The reason why we won that league with that midfield was down to Fergie getting the maximum out of his players, no other manager could do it like he could.

Simmo1975

Modric is a good player. but I think ron atkinson signed a lot of players based on how they did against us. in 4 years in EPL he had less goals and less assists than most players in his position. so he is no super star.
Di Maria has a shocking disciplinary record and goes missing more than nani and scores less goals than nani in a league where goals are easier to come by
I never said we were in for these players this but said they were all wanted by posters on this site.

My point is that we have a team ethic and system and unit and if we can't get the very top guys we should not over spend just to appease the fans the team we have are better than a lot of people on here recognise.

Such a narrow minded post Ken! Have you even see any of the players you talk about or just mindless opinion? I'm pretty sure Lamela, Kagawa and Di Maria behind RvP and with Modric in midfield would make us even more competitive in the CL than we already are. Are we guaranteed winners? No. But neither is Munich, Madrid, Real etc etc. Of course we need players, that much is clear. but to belittle players just because they aren't Fabregas, Ronaldo or whoever is, frankly, immature. All of those players you mentioned would a lot to our team, as squad players or in the first XI.

Modric only did well against us when we were down to 10 men and disorganised

Modric is not good enough for Manchester United

Andy,
My post was not intended to belittle any player as all mentioned are fine players but they are not what our manager wants or indeed belives he needs and I agree with him
We have proven winners in our squad and until we get the ones we want we should not settle for second best when we are achieving very well domestically at the moment and we should remember and show respect to the players as it was them not SAF alone who played the games.

Di Maria is a much more direct winger, traditional if you will, and isn't as good in a fluid, inter changing set up

I have copied and pasted this from a post you made earlier in the day.

so is that your stance or do you want him in a 3 behind
RVP?? come on chap what do you think really lol

Ken what have evra, vidic, chicharito, ronaldo, stam, solsjkar, schmeical, Henry viera, ljunberg have in common?

None of them had achieved much in their career before coming to the premiership so don't right off all the player you mentioned. Yes we won the premiership, but if you watched the games you would have to admit we lacked invention and creativity and tended to get bullied in midfield. We definitely had a soft centre.

Our team will not suddenly become awful, but we do need reinforcements. To go the whole transfer window and not sign anybody would be criminal.

Ken, Lamela has scored plenty of goals for Roma this season and would be a massive improvement on our current wingers. Di Maria has scored a lot and assisted loads every season at Madrid and again would be a massive improvement on our wingers. Modric was class in the Premier League and would also massively improve our team.

I've never read such a load of rubbish ken. Sorry. Modric is a superb player. If he was at Chelsea or united, he would have won loads of pl titles. Mourinho did not accommodate him correctly into his team.
De maria is the same as nani? Are you kidding? He's not the best winger around, but he's a load better than nani, he runs at the fullback unlike any of our wingers.
Lamela is 21, he is a fantastic talent. And has more skill and potential than Anderson, nani, young and Valencia put together.
Let's stop the bs please. All these players will be a vast improvement on our team.
Nomidfield

Ken,
I was simply using it as an example from your post. I could have easily used Kagawa, Lamela and Willian behind RvP. Also. Di Maria is a better winger than Young, Nani and Valencia. If you want to remember and show respect for the players who did so well domestically, maybe we shouldn't bother adding to the squad? You're tripping over yourself here mate. we need small additions to improve, it's not a case of getting the biggest names. Sure, every team in the world would like to sign Ronaldo, but realistically what we need is some solid, hard working players who give it all for 90 minutes. players like Di Maria, Strootman and Kondogbia, In a perfect world we'd line up with Fabregas, Ronaldo and Thiago. but as we all know that isn't happening.

23 Aug 2013 16:28:04
Hats this Adem Llajic of Fiorentina like? Is he the guy we kind of signed once before?

Yep, we pulled out at last minute.

23 Aug 2013 15:41:11
Ed004 and all other regulars - as of right now who do you think we'll sign? (Not who do you want us to sign).

I guess right now I'd say Baines and Fellaini as I think we may miss out on that all elusive 'marquee' signing.

I do, however, have a feeling that Rooney will go to Chelsea after Monday in a deal involving Mata. I guess that game could be telling by whether either player features.

I think there's a lot more twists to come than many people think. The Bale deal should set off a couple more bigger deals and add Suarez into the mix and there's potential for a lot of movement between some of the bigger clubs. I can see Real Madrid, United, Chelsea, Arsenal, Barcelona, PSG and Man City all being involved in this final week and a half. {Ed004's Note - I'm quietly hoping for Ronaldo but probably just fellaini and Baines}

I think we are trying to buy Baines, Fellaini and either Fabregas or another top quality creative player. The only one I'm confident of us landing is the one I want least lol, Fellaini. Hoping we get at least 1 of the other 2 perceived targets though.

I think it will be baines, fellaini and maybe 1 from modric/ozil/khedera depending on bale transfer

23 Aug 2013 15:48:51
People you need to realize a lot of stuff is press based and Manchester United bids are now being more scrutinized due to change of management!

I personally think we should stick with what we got and give powell a chance and some expeirence

We will always be a big club people need to stop panicking

I'm starting to hope/wish that Powell isn't loaned out and that him and Januzaj get a chance to play a lot of first team football. Dortmund did it with Gotze and look how far he's come in just 2 and a half seasons! We should be doing the same.

Mary Wallace or what every your name is one question just who are the CHAMP2ONS?. That midfield was good enough to win the league by 11 pts and should have been more. your reserves out on lone better than our first team midfield I don't think so . Go back to your own page, I think you could be a bertie .You Sir are the End Of The Bell .#20

23 Aug 2013 15:45:06
Oh my god some people, moyes makes one comment and because it could be seen as negative every person believes him. How many fergie press conferences did we have to listen to last year where he just lied to us. He isn't going to come out and say yea we are desperate for baines and fellaini and are winning to go to 45 million is he?

Everton have already started to panic, they are the only ones talking about the bids from united, united haven't said a word, look at all the Everton fans coming on here slagging us off because they are worried we are going to sign their best two players.

If on 2nd September we haven't signed anybody then every single one of us has a right to go mad and kick off, until then take every single little thing moyes and anybody else says with a pinch of salt.

The regulars left this site for a few weeks because of the posts below this, people believing bad news but ignoring any part of anything that might be good news. I like posting on here and seeing who we will buy, but for god sake people have some common sense.

The site has seemingly gone into muppet meltdown again this afternoon.

23 Aug 2013 15:35:26
Hi all, long time reader of the site first time poster!
Its quite clear to everyone that the club doesn't have the funds to compete with the big boys anymore! It's a sad situation to see our great club being reduced to this by those parasites across the pond. Season by season we've gradually gone backwards in the quality of the football we're playing and the type of player we should be signing
The real fans who pay thousands of pound a year to follow the best team in the land are being driven away at alarming rate. I for one hope we can pull a rabbit out of the hat and get some real quality in the squad but I not that hopeful!
As the song goes 'keep the red flag flying, cause man united will never die'

Ralph,

We won the league 5 out of the last 7 seasons and last summer we signed the Bundesliga player of the year and the Premier League player of the year. So where is this gradual drop in the type of player we should be signing?

The 'fans' are not being 'driven away'. If people are driven away from a club because they are only winning league titles and challenging every year then maybe that would suggest we don't really want them as fans anyway?

How exactly is it quite clear?

If the real fans aren't being driven away, how come uniteds ticket office staff are being reduced to cold calling anyone who's had a membership or season ticket begging them to buy one this season! I've got mates who haven't had a season ticket for 10 years receiving calls, texts and emails daily! If signing fellani and baines is a good summer god help us! Kagawa flatters to deceive and RVP is the exception to the rule with our recent transfer activity!
The quality of our play has dropped everyone can see that!
Even so I'll still be there Monday night to support the shirt!

23 Aug 2013 15:21:46
Waiting for all the 'told you so' posts after moyes' press conference but I still believe we will sign players.
After a public chase for fabregas which looks to have failed and perhaps made us look a bit silly maybe there's a change in approach to avoid it happening again.
Ed woodward has made a complete t**t of himself with his 'urgent business' and 'no limted funds' comment so surely he would want to save any more ridicule and actually sign players we obviously need.
That said I would be extremely annoyed if no midfielders are bought as that's an obvious problem and i'd have to question the what the hell is going on.
I agree we should only be looking at the very best players but the fact is our midfield is so far behind europes top teams in terms of quality and depth that there's so many available players better than what we have now.
Or playing the game with everton regarsing fellaini and baines?
Probably.
Thoughts welcome

I'd have to agree with you last comment, Barnes and Fellaini are better than what you have, however as a blue I have to wonder if its Moyes style of management that puts players off?

The way things are progressing ed woodward is becoming a damien comoli type figure by the day, obviously not by making crap signings but by showing how completely inept he is in the transfer market and in his dealings with other clubs. Even DM has admitted midfield needs strengthening so time to open the safe and pay for what we need. Imagine going in to a car dealership and offering 10k for a car with a 15k market value. It's that simple pay the going rate now can somebody please tell Ed Woodward this

"Yes I do [believe there is value in the market] but we've only targeted certain players.
"We don't have a big, big list because there are only certain quality players we want to bring in to the club. The plan is we'll bring in one or two if we can."

- David Moyes

I at least find some reassurance from this quote. This is what I believe has happened, we have specific targets and won't move away from them for the next 'in thing' that happens to become available like WillIAn.

Whether that's the right decision or not we shall see but I've thought for a while that we are after Baines, Fellaini plus one top quality creative mid. I do worry that we're leaving it too late either to try and get a lower price (Baines/Fellaini) or perhaps because we've chosen an almost unattainable target (Fabregas) so we need to see how things develop e.g. his playing time.

Let's hope we get at least 2 of our targets in though, there is still time. I do wonder whether we have many backup options or if we'll just go with what we've got if our 1st or 2nd choice doesn't come off.

Big week in the short term future of United! Let's hope Woody pulls something decent out of the bag.

I believe it's all hinging on the Bale transfer. I think it's a case that Moyes and Woodward have put all their eggs in one basket, believing that if Bale goes to Madrid players will become available.

We have a very weak set up regarding attracting players to the team. Fact is, the name just isn't enough anymore. It's about so much more. Spurs have done well in the market because I think players are excited by working alongside a young manager and with a team who are clearly on the up. Liverpool are attractive because young players see a good opportunity to break into the EPL and know they will get game time, Chelsea are attractive because of Murinho and the type of free flowing, attacking football they play. United and Arsenal have been least successful in the market for a few reasons. the unwillingness to spend, the belief the name alone will get players, relatively unexciting football (lets be honest, we have flashes but that's it) and two people unproven at the helm - Moyes and Woodward.

I saw a post a few days back saying Woodward is great at the commercial side of things but not the buying of players, and I agree. The offer for Baines and Fellaini proved this, whoever it was that posted about Woodward said it right. commercially you can start low and work up, but in football there is a certain amount of respect involved. I also think a lot of young players and definitely the experienced ones will be thinking, 26 years of SAF and now a relatively unproven manager. do I really want to be part of that just in case it goes t**s up?

This season more than ever, the Rios, Evras, Carricks, RVPs, Giggs and Vidics will be vital. I do think we may see one signing. but not a huge one. My money is on Cabaye.

Sligo Red

woodward got his job based on his success in marketing and his lack of experience in football is obvious.
Also with no disrespect to everton who IMO are a great club, moyes has no experience of dealing with the level of scrutiny and expectation he now has which is why I think we maybe made a mistake bringing both in at the same time simply because its new to both of them and theyd need time to adapt and tbh I think we've witnessed that lack of experience this summer.

avitURS

Id like to think the lure of playing for manchester united would be enough for many.Im happy to give moyes time just like we gave SAF but the longer it goes without making a quality signing the more questions will be asked about his pulling power by some supporters

Sligo, ALL clubs and chief Ex's start with a lower bid and work their way up. It's how negotiations work.

Sydney!

23 Aug 2013 16:44:08
Andy!

I agree which is why I believe the first thing moyes should have done is spent big on a big name at the start.
People may say its about building a team and I agree with that but a big name signing wouldv shown everyone we can attract the big boys without SAF because tbh is a top quality player going to be excited at the prospect of playing with carrick, cleverly, young etc? No. And the longer it goes the more questions will be asked.

HB

I think we will bring in 2 but if 1 is fellaini i'd ask why we didn't pay his release clause weeks ago if he was always a target.

Syd

We all know how negotiations work but do you not think we've wasted too much time between bids? If we have genuine targets why are we not getting them tied up quicker? IMO it boils down to woodwards experience.
If you deal in a commercial/marketing role you have more time to negotiate the best possible deal than in football where as we know if you mess about you lose out

BFA, I think the Cesc bids were very close together. That's why I was shocked there wasn't a third offer. £30m plus add-ons for me wasn't our limit. I think there was/is one more bid to come. If that was our last bid then I think something happened to prevent us going in for the third and final offer. Delaney believes that Cesc's reps pulled the plug, so perhaps Cesc realised he wasn't going to be allowed to leave or perhaps he wanted to give it one more year I do not know? But I think a third bid was imminent.

Sydney!

Syd
I am well aware of the process of coming in low and then raising the bid as one goes along. The problem however is Woodward seems to be constantly lowballing. The initial bid for Fabregas was so far off as to be laughable, if our midfield wasn't so badly in need of quality it might be an okay strategy. Yes in the past we missed out on a few players for the want of a few million but when our challengers are all visibly strengthening it makes no economic sense to penny pinch. I would not suggest we overpay like Madrid seem to be doing for Bale. Kondogbia would cost about 20m and is young and would be good cover for Carrick and looks like he will be world class in a few years. Shaw at LB seems a better fit than Baines long term and would cost about the same. If they really want Cesc go back with a 40m bid and see how that goes with the Barca board. Not wanting to seem panicky but there is a real danger of slipping unless some investment is made in the team. The midfield has been wanting obviously since being twice destroyed by Barca, the question is do the Glazers have the ambition and if so let them back their ideas with money

I don't think we would stop at £30m either so why is a higher bid not been submitted in the last 2 weeks? I think about the £12m offer for baines at the beginning of july and wonder if he was a genuine target why wait a month then make an offer for him and fellaini which values him at the same price as the £12m bid that was rejected? I understand were trying to play hardball but as much as that works in commerce/marketing it doesn't always work in football and that's my point mate, other clubs seem to be able to get deals done in a few days and we appear to have dragged our feet for 6wks.I do think we've got things lined up but I think we couldv moved quicker on baines and fellaini if theyv always been targets instead of risking missing out for the sake of £3-4m

23 Aug 2013 15:14:35
Calm down boys. I don't think by what he said he was ruling out signings I just think he has said it because teams are playing hard ball and also we have been embarrassed so far by going public so I think from now until the end we will be quiet about everything we do.

Also by saying this I think clubs we are negotiating with will now think we are in no need of their players and may drop their prices?

Also the guy on a website just showed a pic of Reals Legends and said 'there is Ronaldo, the fat one but the good one is there too! how disrespectful haha.

Exactly. Don't let logic get in the way of histrionics for some of our fellow poster's though!

23 Aug 2013 14:35:50
Ed, Do you have any new news on Di Maria? {Ed044's Note - It is not a secret that there is interest from Arsenal.}

23 Aug 2013 14:55:05
Well.im not sure if David Moyes is trying to kid us all with his statement saying "there's a possibility that we may not sign anyone" but I am getting completely p*ssed off with the whole thing now.
It's obvious that he want's to buy players because he's had bids for Fellaini, Fabregas and Baines turned down.
If we don't end up with anyone then somebody must be held responsible for this.
We have faffed about all summer wasting valuable time on Fabregas who never wanted to leave Barcelona, we have wasted another week putting in a dreary 28 million pound bid for Baines and Fellaini that was never going to be accepted.
What and who next I wonder?
If we do buy anyone and it's a very big if in my opinion I will say it's probably going to be Fellaini.
Moan over!

Well your new found positivity didn't last long did it. Different name, same Simmo.

Welcome back to the brotherhood of negativity.

Cheers Rumpelstiltskin!

Sorry but it's getting quite ridiculious now.

Who is this new Rumpelstiltskin fellow? I like him haha!

Haha, only 2 days ago you promised us positivity.

When will people learn not to take whatever a manager tells the press as the 100% truth?

Do people expect Moyes to come out and say if we don't sign a midfielder or 2 we are doomed and will finish behind City and Chelsea?

He said we still have targets and are hoping to bring in 1 or 2. He also gave the usual manager bull of the squad is good enough if worst comes to worst.

Get over it, it's a stock answer provided to the press. A manager will always back his current squad, for obvious reasons.

HoneyBadger

Does not matter how you put it, we didn't buy anyone till now.

Last season we didn't.
The season before last, we didn't.
SO it's really easy to understand why r people having this reaction. Don't like it-Don't read them.

Nick86,

I totally understand the frustration with the lack of activity, obviously as a sane fan I feel the same. What I don't understand is some people's need to jump on the back of any little thing - in this case a perfectly standard quote - to arrive at a conclusion that we are doomed. Did you expect Moyes to confess that if we don't pull off our targets we are in trouble? He's just playing it cool, as all managers do.

I just think some perspective is needed sometimes.

Like Moyes said we are working on targets and hoping to get 1 or 2. If we don't get any I will be as disappointed as anyone and will post as much on 3rd Sep. I can understand having top targets and failing to sign them occasionally but there really is no excuse for not strengthening any of the areas we need to, especially CM.

Sorry but I don't understand your comment on the last 2 seasons? We did sign players and personally I'm delighted we got RvP, Kagawa, Powell, Jones and DDG, although a quality CM would have been nice, lol!

23 Aug 2013 14:44:03
Moyes finally admits what we as fans have feared that he isn't under pressure to sign anyone. Which means he's struggling in the market. So I don't expect any signings before the deadline so looks like another season of being bossed by other teams in the middle. I now feel that tottenham have a lot stronger team than us aswell

23 Aug 2013 14:37:34
Don't understand the viewpoint that United have missed targets because they are too busy trying to make the "marquee" (sorry for using the dreaded M-word) signing.

What an utter load of lobbocks! Are you seriously telling me that with all of the might and resource of one of the top three sports franchises in the world that we can only negotiate for one player at a time.

I would however like to think that there is a level of quality that we will only invest in, and if that level of player is not available that we do not compromise.

We have enough squad/average/above average players to not need to sign the likes of Cabaye who is barely better than the likes of Cleverly.

The reality is that the quality we are looking at is either not available or is currently in discussion with us.

I'd like to think that even the inexperience of Ed Woodward can handle negotiating for 2-3 players at the same time!

We can handle negotiating 2-3 players at a time no doubt. What I have said is pursuing Cesc (a deal which was very difficult to do) is what cost us.

The club were very much fussed this season about the first signing being the right one etc. Moyes has gone on record saying that.

My point is that we tried chasing Cesc instead of getting Thiago wrapped up and signing Strootman along with that. We didn't capitalize on the groundwork that was already done on a number transfers, which has cost us.

REDFAITH

Think you're spot on mate tbh.
I think a big problem too has been changing manager AND chief exec at the same time

23 Aug 2013 14:30:09
"I have an idea of where I need to strengthen and, if the right players are available, then great. If not, the first thing we'll do is encourage our own young players in the squad to do as well as they did last year.

"There is a possibility [we won't sign anybody] but the plan is we bring in one or two if we can. I think there's value [out there] but we have only targeted certain players and don't have a big, big list. There are only certain quality players we want to bring to the club."

The manager also rebuffed another question regarding Chelsea's interest in striker Wayne Rooney ahead of Monday's game.

"We've told you, haven't we?" he asserted. "I hardly need to repeat it again. It doesn't need to be said."Moyes
Jred

23 Aug 2013 14:19:24
My humble opinion.

People here often says that they will be happy if we sign or not somebody.

I'll be p***d if we don't( is the least I can do).

We've been poor in EUROPE at least for 3-4 seasons, due to lack of quality players(mainly CM and wingers) in our team.

We're now acting like a middle table team that only thinks about internal competitions. What about the CL, I guess the great teams have to win big competitions.

We've been waiting for 3 or 4 '3rd of September' to see the change and it didn't happen, don't bs me with wait until the end of the transfer market.

We're the best team in the world and we can't settle for less than Semi-final on the CL every year. We won't win forever but at least we'll try to always win it, don't get me wrong but with our current squad, we'll need a miracle for C.L title.

Waiting for your attacks and opinions.

Totally agree with you mate. I can honestly see us signing nobody. News reports today say Moyes has said he may not sign players before the transfer window shuts. If that's not telling us something I don't know what is.Our midfield is weak and we have been living in hope all summer that Moyes would address that area by going for attainable targets. Instead we be given false hope chasing febregas and now we are hearing Modric and Ozil. I hope I am proved wrong before Sept 2nd but I just can't see it.

Setting low expectation, so we'll all be "pleased" IF we can sign Fellaini

23 Aug 2013 14:15:51
David Moyes on potential signings:

"We need to add to the squad but there is no pressure to do so."

Is this just a very clever way of dodging the question? And if not, what exactly does it mean?! Haha

People really need to take what manager's say with a pinch of salt during silly season. It's always tactical and premeditated.

Moyes will not want to make out that we are desperate as that pushes the prices up. People need to chill as we will sign players.

Sydney!

Sydney, couldn't agree more I really despair for a lot of the poster's on here. Their lives must be like a never ending roller coaster, taking everything at face value. Not aimed at you Giggs11 but the 'end of the world' brigade who have come out in force, again.

Haha This post wasn't meant to be gloomy?! Just wandering if we can take anything out of that comment he made?
Personally I think it is just a way of keeping his cards close to his chest and not giving anything away. I have never poured doom and gloom on this club and will always be faithful that Manchester United will come out the other end.
As our club saying goes, "BELIEVE!"

To be honest, even if we do not sign anyone, I believe that we have a squad capable of challenging for the title!
It is always nice to see a new face or 2 come in though just to freshen things up a bit. But I don't think it's the end of the world if we don't THIS summer. It could even be the smarter thing to do in the long run. It will give Moyes a better chance to analyse the players he already has at his disposal and the youth team as well, and therefore have a better idea of what is needed to be brought in to fit his style of football, saving a nice chunk of money to bring in the right players, instead of just spending it on x or why for the sake of bringing in a new player.

In response to your Q Giggs11,

I think it's pretty obvious that he knows we need a couple signings and that we are working on that. The bit about not being under pressure to do so is just what any sensible manager would say, you wouldn't see a manager saying 'if we don't sign a top CM we will never win the league'. He's just showing faith in his current squad, as he should IMO.

23 Aug 2013 14:13:24
Moyes now saying its possible nothing will happen but we hop for one or two players

23 Aug 2013 14:01:22
Hi guys. If Bale goes to Madrid and they keep Ronaldo, then they will have a formidable team.
Also, with a load of people hell bent on gifting Rooney to Chelsea. And with Barca, Bayern, Dortmund PSG, Chelsea, Juve and City all strengthening considerably, I think we will be slipping behind the top teams in Europe.
It is a shame to see us in this position. And before we get people saying negative etc, I'm just putting a view across, and if anyone thinks about it, then that is the truth.
Nomidfield

Were already well behind the top teams if rooney stays
johndenton

Johndenton

Spot on mate!

23 Aug 2013 13:54:32
"No speculation. He [Mata] is a player we all like, he's a player we all want to keep, "
"We want more quality in the team, we don't want less quality. Mata is not a player we want to lose."Jose

We want more quality in the team we don't want less, simple stuff really

There was never any chance of Mata. I think it was just an enquiry from United which has sparked the speculation nothing more.

The exact same words are very much applicable for Fabregas as well.

23 Aug 2013 13:37:00
so, willian joins chelski looks like a butt kicking already for monday!

Ah yes because he is such a world star with all sorts of medals and trophies to his name, might as well just give Chelsea the title now eh!

What a load of rubbish no name, this type of post is why you won't be posting on here from next week.

GDS, do you remember me calling you 'cock-sure'? Was it me that instigated this new-found sense of humour of yours? You seem to be one of few with a bit of common sense at the moment and some perspective. Don't get too used to the compliments though, eh? ;)

23 Aug 2013 13:32:27
Question?

What gives Woodward the right to go and write to Chelsea asking not to bid for Rooney? When he is bidding for players that he had been told are not for sale?

Baz

Has he been told they're not for sale though? May be wrong, but I can't recall anyone saying it.

Moyes has said Rooney is not for sale. Not once as RM said Fellaini is not.

If you put a release clause in someones contract then there obviously for sale at the right price
johndenton

They should right him a short note so he gets the message then.

Am I imagining watching Martinez on tv stating they are not for sale? He is on the everton website stating the same, do utd & fans alike just make things up in there own heads and believe what they want to believe?

You also have the right to write to utd. Doesn't mean it will stop anyone bidding but you have the right to write! ;)

Does no one in Manchester watch tv then?

23 Aug 2013 13:13:11
Right, question for anyone who has any idea - I assume Sydney may know. What is the deal with shirt sales? I was under the impression that Nike pay the sponsorship so receive the majority of the revenue from them. I figure we get a percentage but nothing hugely significant. So how do Real Madrid make so much from it? Are the terms different for Spanish teams? I noticed Sydney mentioned that Real Madrid comfortably comply with FFRP despite their heavy spending. Given the economic climate in Spain, along with the recent tax increases, you'd have thought they'd need to rein it in a little.

Thanks to anyone who can offer a response. {Ed044's Note - From Ed02: The money from shirt sales goes to the manufacturer, the distributor and the retailer, who can make extra adding numbers and names to the shirts. If the club are the retailer (club shop, club website etc.) then they get the retailers cut. The manufacturer (Adidas, Warrior, Nike etc.) pay the club an amount each year which allows them to manufacture and sell the shirts using the correct logos etc.. That is how they justify the money given to the club. So if you walk in to a high street store and buy a Liverpool or Arsenal shirt - nothing goes to the club. There are a few clubs that have negotiated different deals with manufacturers (Real Madrid with Adidas and Barcelona with Nike are the two obvious examples) based upon joint reselling ventures. So the income from shirts is fixed to the £xM or whatever Adidas, Nike etc. pay the club plus a small amount for reselling through the club retail outlets (shop, web).}

23 Aug 2013 13:16:46
If as everybody is saying, mata is surplus to requirements at Chelsea why don't we just keep Rooney and put a straight bid in for mata, a front 4 of rvp up top with mata, kags and Rooney behind with zaha wellbeck and juanzi as backup

Snidjer has turned into Januzi - please let's hope that everyone can spell Januzaj. He's going to be around for a while!

Fresh just say adnan its easier :)
johndenton

My bad I was in a rush but sure every1 knew who I was talkin about

23 Aug 2013 12:48:35
MARCA now reporting that Bale deal done and then quotes all details.

No mention of Real doing any business with us apart from the story we could have signed RAUL years ago.

Cheers for that!

Hopefully the Bale deal being done will trigger players our way.

Its going to be a long weekend and I think the Rooney saga will be sorted come Monday evening. You have to say if Rooney plays then he's staying, if he doesn't he's probably off!

I really hate Transfer Windows and right now wish I supported Spurs!

Matt

Go on then! My love for united is not dependant on signings, I really hate qoutes like this!

And I hate people who use RED in their name for effect!

The point of the post was to make the point Spurs have done good business and we haven't. My love of UTD isn't linked to big world class signings but good transfer business and we haven't done any.

Woodward isn't the man for this job.

It isn't a quote by the way, merely a post that you can take or leave!

Matt, (just Matt!)

23 Aug 2013 12:02:34
I hope arsenal sign benzema, that leaves madrid with no recognised centre forward, with any luck they will take rooney off our hands as part of a player + cash bid for ronaldo. or ozil and modric. they have signed 3 midfielders already so they need to balance squad and balance the books. Not sure cesc deal is dead either.

23 Aug 2013 12:22:39
agree ed,

Ozil is made for Moyes preferred system of 3 behind the striker. my ideal 3 excluding ronaldo would be mata, ozil and kagawa. backed up by wellbeck, zaha, and januzi. 2 midfielders behind from carrick, fellani, modric and cleverly {Ed004's Note - Exactly the same as mine except for fellaini in midfield. I just do not rate him highly at all}

Agree that I really like that trio behind the striker but have to question whether it's the best we could have. Those three players are all very similar in that they are playmakers. They all like to play in the hole behind the striker so would they all be fighting for the same space? Especially if you play them in the order you've written them so Mata and Kagawa are inverted and cutting in onto their stronger foot. All well and good saying that the wingers will provide width but if Mata, Kagawa and Ozil were fighting for the same space then there could be a real lack of cohesion. I'd prefer two of those and another such as Di Maria, for example. Obviously Ronaldo would be the dream. I just don't see Rooney going to Chelsea without us getting at least Mata in return and for that reason, I don't see us getting Ozil. {Ed004's Note - in an ideal world we would swap Rooney for Mata and bring in Ronaldo that would give us a very strong 3 behind RVP. Kagawa could be played in his favoured position but he would interchange with the other 3. You have the goals from Ronaldo and RVP and Hernandez while others will chip in 10 or so Kagawa, Mata, Welbeck and have plenty of cover with Januzaj, Valencia, Zaha, Young and Nani though I'd sell the last two to funds moves for a midfielder and possibly lb}

Agree that I'd sell Young and also would like Baines to replace Evra. Nani. what to do with him. I'd like to think that he feels he can have a fresh start under Moyes but we've had high hopes for him before and he's flattered to deceive. I'd sooner see him stay and leave for free next year though if we don't bring someone else in.

I think Nani has the potential to flourish in any one of the three positions under discussion and I would like to see him given the opportunity to do so. I strongly believe we could see Nani return to form this season, particularly if Rooney leaves.

23 Aug 2013 14:37:29
@Ed004

Don't you think in an ideal world we would never have bothered with Fabregas and got Thiago, Strootman, Baines, Di Maria, Garay wrapped up? {Ed004's Note - Yes and I reckon we would have with Ferguson which is annoying tbh}

23 Aug 2013 11:58:54
I keep reading "We can't let Rooney go" or "We can't win without Rooney" but for arguements sake say we did do a Rooney Mata swap.
We would make a massive saving on wages. Mata is 2-3 years younger, and I thinka better player. don't get me wrong Rooney is good, but even the most biased will have to admit his form has dropped off in the last 18 months. So I am struggling to see how we would lose out in that deal. {Ed004's Note - We wouldn't. Mata is one of the best players in the league and I'd happily do a straight swap}

I honestly would take a straight swap for either one of Mata or Lukaku for Rooney as I believe Mata is already top class and would help our attacking play speed up a lot and Lukaku is just a pure beast who imo can be better than Drogba in his prime and we haven't had a physical forward in years.

I think Mata would be a brilliant signing, but why would Mourinho let him go? Mata is Mourinho's new Robben at Chelsea - Mata will stay at Chelsea and Rooney will more than likely remain here. If we do get a versatile forward I can see it being Ozil.

We won the league at a canter last season with a rooney in indifferent form, add Mata firing behind RVP and our forward line would be immense imo

23 Aug 2013 11:48:28
Just wanted to give my two cents on the rumors surrounding some of the Real Madrid players. Have seen quite a few posts suggesting that just because Madrid will be getting Bale (seems imminent) that countless players will become available. Realistically I can only see Di Maria being available. I say this as it looks pretty clear that we'll see Isco, Bale and Ronaldo as an inter changing 3 behind the striker. Di Maria is a much more direct winger, traditional if you will, and isn't as good in a fluid, inter changing set up.

I can see Isco starting some games on the bench with Ozil coming in and Bale playing a more central role, so the only way I can see Ozil moving is if he pushed for a move so he can get more game time with the World Cup in mind. Can we guarantee him that game time? No, I don't think we can. If Rooney were to leave then maybe, but otherwise. where does he fit in?

As for the mentions of Khedira and Modric, with Alonso out injured it would be foolish to sell one of these. Yes, Illaramend is a CM but you couldn't expect Ancelotti to throw him into the deep end with start after start, especially considering he's had injury trouble of his own over the pre season.

Why people are thinking that bringing in one player (Bale, I know they have brought in others but this speculation has arisen since the Bale bids) means getting rid of 3/4 is beyond me. Especially considering the little net spend from Madrid this Summer. Personally I think the only (realisitic) player we should be looking at from Madrid is Coentrao and if Rooney goes then yes, maybe Ozil.

Andy Rooney not in same class as Ozil but your not sure there is a place for him at united. Moyes set up is 3 behind RVP. Ozil can play in any of the 3 positions behind RVP but I suppose you think young, valencia, nani, wellbeck, zaha, kagawa are all better than ozil. Come on fella open your eyes

You hit the nail on the head in the first paragraph, Madrid will play with a:

Ronaldo -- Isco -- Bale

. Behind a striker. Ancelotti I don't think will rotate that much, given that they also want Suarez then that could be even another place that is taken. Ozil or Di Maria will be sold, we need to act fast to get Di Maria.

The other thing is that its a World Cup year and Ozil has intense competition in the German team so he will need regular games. This may force him to leave.

Can we guarantee ozil a place in are tean quote if the century is quality a lot better than kagawa and kagawa would benefit from ozil playing the same still as dortman 3 in behind the St

I think it's naive to think that Ozil wouldn't get guaranteed game time with us. Even if Rooney stays, signing Ozil would certainly mean we won't get Ronaldo so with Rooney staying we'd play Ozil - Rooney - Kagawa. Surely that'd be first choice? The other options are Nani, Valencia, Zaha, Welbeck and Young. I would sell Young if we signed Ozil, were it up to me.

Moyes likes to have width, and its also something that United have been known for all through out the Fergie years. so I can't see us moving to a Chelsea style of having 3 AM's behind the striker. Kagawa and Ozil are CAMs, and it appears that's where Rooney's future lies. Would I like to see Kagawa, Rooney and Ozil behind RVP? Yes I would, and I think most people on here would like that. But where is our width? While our full backs are good, both of them have some drawbacks when it comes to relying on them for the offensive width (positioning for both Evra and Rafael and tracking back for Evra).

One of the eds said in an above reply that the German team is built around Ozil, and I agree to an extent. For Ozil to work at United, the team and formation would need to be largely based around the 3 behind the striker, i.e we would need another LB, a DM and perhaps even a box to box midfielder. Coentrao, Fellaini and Cabaye spring to mind here. Can we do all that in what? 11 days? Highly unlikely. Especially considering Ozil would cost around 35 million, Fellaini 20-25 million, Cabaye 15 million and Coentrao about 17 million.

People need to realize it's not about just bringing in players because of their stats on Fifa. It's about whether the player is right for the team, and this season I don't think Ozil is. I think Di Maria and Coentrao certainly are however. We're transitioning, throwing money at big names won't get us number 21.

And also Ken, we don't know what Moyes ''set up'' is. In his games so far he's played 4-4-2, 4-4-1-1, 4-3-3 and 4-2-3-1. So perhaps you should open your eyes and take them off fantasy football?

Above post was mine sorry, hadn't logged in! I just worry about Kagawa, to get the best from him (and dear God, when he's at his best he's sublime) he NEEDS to be the central attacking midfielder. He's wasted on the left and just cutting in. he needs that freedom to spray passes left, right and forward.

In an ideal world, we'd play similar to how Mardid lined up a week or two back (can't remember the exact game). It was a midfield 3, but more like a 4-2-1-3. Khedira and Modric as the two and Isco as the one. I see Kagawa as being our Isco. However this would still mean signing an energetic and creative CM, a left/right sided attacker and an LB. The front three of Nani, RVP and Zaha showed promise but can we rely on that all season? Nope! Kagawa behind Welbeck, RVP and Di Maria would be pretty good IMO. What would people feel about a double swoop for Di Maria and Coentrao? Surely 40 million would get them both?

23 Aug 2013 11:23:40
New member wanting to ask about ronaldo story that I have seen on . Is there any chance cr7 will come home or is it all talk to give united fans hope?

23 Aug 2013 14:36:19
If you believe Graham H. there is willingness in both parties (Ronaldo and United) for a reunion. Whether such transpires is another matter. Optimistically I do think it will happen, although not this season. However, realistically, I just can't see Real letting go until they have reaped a large part of his soul. Developments over the next year will be defining moments in the future of Ronaldo.

23 Aug 2013 11:16:19
So we are now into the last 10 days of the window and are seemingly no closer to anyone. I think that Rooney secretly has agreed to stay and I think that he will be part of the match day squad for Chelsea - if he is then this is the biggest indication yet that he won't be going anywhere. I think what we very badly need is the Bale deal to go through today or tomorrow as I think the players that we want are at Madrid - namely Modric & Ozil. The other two are Fellaini & Baines. If we get those this summer it doesn't matter if we keep Rooney or not to be honest, we would do just as well without him as we would with him in my opinion.

23 Aug 2013 10:37:14
Can anyone tell me if there is to be a press conferance today, and if so, what time is it please?

Usually there are some details of the press conference on the official website on the live blog but its all quiet today. wonder what's up.

I believe a pre match press conference is at 16.30

Hopefully there might be an announcement about a sigining but all the questions will probably be about lack of them and Rooney etc. If we sign Fellani do you reckon he might start on Monday or any other signing at that.

23 Aug 2013 08:43:11
What a strange transfer window this has been for us. We are usually done by now, and in truly feel we won't bring anyone in. HOPE i'm WRONG!

23 Aug 2013 06:57:33
We are entering squeaky bum time for Mr "no retooling" Woodward, can he pull off the top transfers and eat at the top table or go in lower down for the lesser level like Modric?

Ronaldo and Fabregas would make the rest quake.

Should be an interesting week I'm expecting all teams to be quite busy this year
Jred

Are Ronaldo and Cesc available Red Man? We simply do not know.

You seem to struggle with the word "available". You seem to think a club can buy any player they wish to whether the club or player like it or not. You can only buy a player that is available. If Cesc isn't available and Modric is then what? Shall we sign nobody? Or the next best option that is Modric?

Sydney!

I aim high Sydney, I watch other clubs go and push for the very top players yet you would accept second best to start with. You have already talked about available well we should start pushing to make players available by making offers that can't be refused rather than pat ourselves on the back thinking well done we got a bargain.

If, like you, we set out to be happy just to get Modric then that is the limit of our ambition. This summer we need to be aggressors not squad player buying. Ambition is what drives people, the level of ambition determines where they end up.
My ambition is to see Ronaldo and Fabregas, yours Modric say no more but I will not accept second best from our owners this summer

Doesnt seem to deter madrid syd if a player isn't availible :)
johndenton

Hang on a min syd! Are u telling me this is not football manager? Damn it! I was about to put a new manager in charge if barca and sell messi in a straight swap for lindgaard!

John, the difference is the players want to move to Real Madrid.

Red Man, we would all want Ronaldo & Cesc, but if they are not available for sale then we cannot buy them. So I will ask you again, would you buy Modric or Nobody?

Sydney!

Redman
so maybe offer 40 mill instead of 30 for fabergas and maybe see how much Barcelona want to keep him.
30 was never going to be enough imo
Jred

Sky
Just reported that modric isn't one of the Madrid players available
Jred

Jred

Hopefully Modric is not for sale

The bidding for Cesc was unusual and stopped at £30m no idea why

Sydney

Was Bale available or was Bale available at the right price. If we are shopping for bargains then we will not get the best.

Modric or no one, no one because he is not right for us but maybe he is nearer to our budget and that is why some are accepting it instead of demanding the best players

Where is your ambition Sydney?

"The bidding for Cesc was unusual and stopped at £30m no idea why"

Utter nonsense, the bidding for Cesc was normal. An initial £25m bid followed by a £30m plus add-ons bid.

Perhaps it stopped as he genuinely wasn't available Red Man. Has that crossed your mind?

Sydney!

"The bidding for Cesc was unusual and stopped at £30m no idea why"

After the £30m bid was made maybe Barcelona said he isn't being sold so don't bother coming back with an improved offer.

23 Aug 2013 14:34:08
@Red Man

Perhaps it had something to do with us finally realizing that they were not going to sell, he wasn't too fussed about leaving, or that their Manager did indeed manage to convince him of his place in the starting line-up? Since then he has started the first league game and was on the bench for their equivalent of the community shield and will probably start the next important game aka in the league.

Also United's offer was reported to be 30mil plus add ons which took it to 35mil.

23 Aug 2013 14:37:42
@Jred

Modric was available, it has changed now since Alonso's injury and Ancelotti has managed to convince the Madrid hierarchy that he values Modric a lot. He won't be let go now, we should have acted long back this summer if we wanted him, instead we chased Cesc.

But of course, Ancelotti knows nothing and we should believe that Modric is a "second rate" player.

23 Aug 2013 07:31:09
Seems like the only team paying the going rate at the moment is spurs, Chelsea don't want to pay true value for Rooney, arsenal with Suarez and utd more recently with the everton duo, this is down to one thing that no one ever seems to mention, those players need replacing like for like, you don't sell a player like Rooney / Fellaini and replace with cheap option, something Gary Neville failed to mention on MNF - just an observation.

Arsenal were willing to pay 40m for suarez. That is above his value tbh

Above his value? I hate the guy with a passion. He's a dirty, horrible little cheat but there's no denying he's
Class.

23 Aug 2013 00:05:19
There is a reason we are slow this window. We will wait until Real Madrid sign Gareth Bale. When Madrid sign Bale, either, they will allow Angel Di Maria and Mesut Ozil to leave, or they will allow Ronaldo to leave. Therefore I think we will attempt to sign both Ozil and Di Maria if Madrid keep Ronaldo and we will try to resign Ronaldo if he really wants to leave. I also think we will make a final offer for Fabregas.

Personally I would prefer Fabregas to Ozil, since Fabregas has better strength and stamina, but they both have such superb vision and passing and would improve us immensely. Also I would prefer Vidal to Khedira as he has better stamina and vision, but they share great tackling and marking, as well as great passing. Other than that, I would prefer Lamela to Di Maria, but Di Maria would improve the team nearly as much.

So, who thinks Mesut Ozil, Angel Di Maria and Sami Khedira would be reasonably realistic. Certainly Ozil are available, not certain on Khedira.

Honestly think the most likely player to arrive from Madrid would be Modric. And I'd probably prefer him over any of the others to be honest; he's exactly what United need. That being said, I really rate Ozil, and if United's need were greater in the type of player he was I would hope our interest was high.

I'd also be happy to see ozil come fellani more likely than kherida. di maria no thanks. but get mata as part of rooney deal would be good. we have seen the best of him and he clearly does not want to be with utd. I know some utd fans think he is world class. but he is not that's why utd can't get rid of him to any european club. I hope liverpool stay firm on suraez so then maybe we can shift rooney on to madrid but clearly they will only take him as a last resort

Yup seems Ozil is available as I posted yesterday great signing. RM shop had Bale in the #11 shirt later taken down and now they are in for Suarez? wtf.

Swap deals are pretty uncommon but Mata for Rooney seems possible I can't see us wanting both Ozil and Mata unless Rooney leaves it would certainly hinder the progress of are younger players.

Can't see Khedira leaving to be honest. Like you I would love Vidal but Kondogbia seems our most realistic other than Fellaini, just hope our derisory offer has p***ed Kenwright off enough that we don't get him.

22 Aug 2013 21:37:51
All gone very quiet on the Fabregas front. Does this mean we really have give up on him, Edds?
Modric, in comparison, is older, doesn't score many goals and a much poorer buy, in my opinion.