Manchester United Banter Archive May 25 2014

 

Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.


25 May 2014 23:31:53
Out of all the players we have been linked with at CB I think Steven Caulker at Cardiff isn't a bad shout and most attainable

Strong, reliable, scores goals.

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English as well which is useful.

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25 May 2014 23:29:51
It's not the end of a May and the media are linking United to every good player and dunces on twitter speculating on offers for players - then we all get despondent

For a high go on twitter and search under "mufc rumour" and see us bidding for every big name.

Then come on here and see the Eds tell us there is nothing in it! Ha! :-)

Does anyone believe that we will spend anything like the £200m being speculated about in some parts of the media

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{Ed007's Note - Tw@tter is a nonsense during transfer windows, that's why we delete posts mentioning what they have read on there.}

That's fresh screwed then ed lol

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Jacko - I think we will spend £100m-£120m but recoup roughly the same amount. Not to mention the savings we will make on players leaving for free in wages.

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Ed can you see us buying any of these "Big" names? I honestly think we will only sign Shaw, Martins indi, Clasie and possibly someone like Depay. I know I'm going pretty double Dutch here but I just can't see us getting the likes of fabregas etc, just my opinion tho

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{Ed004's Note - Hopefully}

25 May 2014 22:48:28
Interesting piece in the Guardian about Welbeck thinking of leaving because he wants to play in the no9 position, now not sure what he's been on but he has to improve hugely before he can even considering leapfrogging RVP and Rooney

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He is a donkey and they should sell him, os he can fail somewhere else and he will. He is rubbish as a striker and would not be top 50 in the world. To play as no 9 for united, I would hope we don't go that low.

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GCU - He always looked a good threat for us when he played up front by himself, he just lacked support which is what many people say about RVP. Our midfield has been woeful and most strikers need a midfield to perform.

Obviously Welbeck has a lot of areas to improve about his game I'm not disputing that, but I see him as a perfect option for one of the 3 strikers with his pace, physique and technical ability. Yes he looks leggy, but so did Henry at his age.

I know your mind is made up, but just give him until Xmas and I reckon we will see a much better Welbeck if he starts with an attacking creative team around him, he will thrive. If he doesn't perform I'll be happy to accept I was wrong about him, but I think he is a rough diamond that LVG will get the best out of.

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Beast

He can't finish and is pathetic in the brain department. Most number nines are either lethal finishers or very smart footballers to make up for their short comings, he is neither.

He is never going to be even remotely good enough for United and eventually even the most optimistic believers will come around to the idea.

Only reason he gets in the team is because our left back is like swiss cheese.

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Shahram, I think if Welbeck played for someone like Spurs as a number 9, he would score 20+ goals a season. Especially if he was the penalty taker too. He scored something like 10 goals for us playing on the left. I would sooner play Wilson though. Stunning finisher, he has Welbeck's speed and his control and balance is exceptional. You can understand DW frustration having RvP, Rooney & Hernandez to compete with, then seeing an exceptional talent like Wilson who is five years his junior ready to overtake him. He was leading the line for England, now that's gone as Sturridge had an excellent season. Wilson will be pushing him in the England team too soon enough.

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The left prong of attacking 3 Welbeck will be quality, so long as we have pace on the other wing and a box to box midfielder to open up space.

I agree he is not good enough to spearhead the attack, but one of the 3 definitely.

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Syd

He would never get ahead of adebayour and that should tell you he is never going to lead the line at United.

He will need 70 to 80 goal opportunities to score 20 and that is if he get to take penalties.

His issue is when it matters most he seems clueless and most of his goals are a flick here and there. He has zero composure and could be twin brothers to Nani. Both can have the occasional moment but predominantly make you want to slap them LOL.

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He scored 6 in 7 games when played as a number nine last season. Are you saying he couldn't score 20 in 50+ games? I think he could.

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I rate him very little and scoring 6 in a united set up is deceiving. I am pretty sure in 2 years time on current performance he will not be here unless he shuts his mouth and just does what they want him to do.

Never good enough to lead the line for any team with top 5 ambitions and more an 8th to 15th place team kind of striker.

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25 May 2014 21:54:56
Big Al, you referred to me earlier as Cornish. How did you know where I was born? Do I type with an accent or what?

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Now now.betty, .that would be telling ;)

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Big Al, all joking aside how would you get that info? I have never exchanged any banter with you before, and have only mentioned where I'm from once before on here. And that was a long time ago.

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Betty I think you may have answered your own question if you have mentioned where your from before. That said big al must have a good memory if it was ages ago.

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Redmole, I didn't actually say where I was from, just that I lived near a place that Sydney! was talking about. I think Big Al is either a stalker or a hacker :)

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25 May 2014 20:52:36
who remembers juan manual iturbe? he's been playing for verona in italy and although STILL only 20, he's already dubbed the next 'messi'! now I know we'd been linked some time ago and we failed to sign him, I say let's be bidding NOW! this guys immence and only going to get better!

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Posted something similar a few months ago, he will be superb and anyone who has watched him this year can see one of the best left sided players that can go past almost anyone with such ease. Still raw but better than every winger we have.

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25 May 2014 19:04:28
I think a good option to tide us over for a little while would be Mathieu Debuchy. He plays right back and has played as a deep lying midfielder. I see he is available and think £8 million would get him. Good cover for Raf and another option as cover midfielder should we get rid of Failani.

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If only it was as simple as that

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25 May 2014 18:55:33
Plymouth Red, why do you spend so much of your time on the United page? You only come on to try to stir it up a bit and deliberately disagree with everyone. Why don't you stick to the scousers page and you can all praise Liverpool's achievement of winning nothing last season. Explain how happy you all are at how well your team did, how you exceeded all expection. And how you are not the slightest bit disappointed you are that your team bottled it, and threw away the best chance of the last, and probably next 20 odd years.

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I enjoy taking part in both pages, if you check my recent post's, you'll see that I've been having discussions about players not related to United, you're only saying this because I said Arsenal wouldn't take Fellaini for £5M let alone £17M, which is the truth, stop throwing your toys out of the pram.

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Deary me betsy
Your crush is out now, coulda sugar coated.it me.Cornish darling x

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In response to your last sentence, am satisfied with how we performed, over the last 4 seasons we had finished no higher than 5th, so to be battling for the title in only Rodgers 2nd season, I am delighted yes, it would of been nice to win it, we however didn't bottle it, we won 11 out of 11 and drew 1 and lost 1 in the last 3 matches, winning 11 out of 11 was extremely unlikely, and had the 1 draw and 1 loss been before the 11 wins you wouldn't be saying we bottled it.

Now we have UCL, we'll be able to attract more sponsors, better players, we have the 3rd younges team in the league (this experience will do them the world of good), more money to level our books, our future is looking extremely bright with FSG and Brendan in charge, can you say the same?

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LOL, chill out lads its just banter.After all, that's what these pages are all about, isn't it. Your presence on here doesn't bother me at all, I actually think its a good thing when rival supporters come on ( except real trolls like the seemingly now extinct Mr.Wallace ).

BigAl, I couldn't possible have a crush on Devonian Scouser, whatever their gender :)
And what's with the "Cornish darling"? Are you a stalker?

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Plymouth. you bottled it! One hand on the trophy. no more slip ups!. oops. loss and draw. Bottled it my friend

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Plymouth, considering MU will have double the revenue that Liverpool has. Considering MU will make profits even without UCL football and you will make losses with UCL, I am not worried in the slightest. If you can equal what you did this season in the league next season, whilst juggling Europe I will be very impressed. However it will be difficult for you. Many more injuries than last season will be inevitable. And teams will know how to play against you next season. One of the biggest issues for you will be fan expectation. Anything less than last season and Brendan will go from hero to zero quicker than you can say slip.

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PR, I guess the coming season will tell us what shape we are in on the pitch. Personally, I am happy with the appointment of LvG. I don't see his age as an issue as I don't expect ANY manager to stay at a club for 20 years anymore. Off the field we are in better shape than ever, despite the debt. We don't have to rely on outside funding as we are more than self sufficient. Obviously we would all be happier if such a large chunk of that self generated money wasn't being spent in interest payment!
Our biggest issue, quite obviously, is an ageing and quality lacking squad, though I expect that to be rectified over the next 2 or 3 transfer windows. But, as United fans, we will have to be patient. Our issues will not all be sorted in the coming window alone, despite fans' expectations . But we will be back, and back stronger than ever. So for now, enjoy your "success" while you can, because we want ALL our trophies back! :)

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LOL

"Can you say the same". Are you serious mate?

We have had a bad season after losing the greatest football manager this country has ever seen. Our players' have under-performed, which was partly down to the fact we had a manager in charge who did not have the pedigree to manager serial winners at the highest level. That has now changed. Now we have a world class manager with an excellent football philosophy. A manager who has developed some of the best footballer out there today. Add to that a massive transfer kitty, and I would suggest that anyone with an atom of common sense could see that the club will be back challenging for major honours sooner rather than later.
We also have some outstanding young talent, which has already bore-fruit in with the emergence of Januzaj. At least three other players' - imo - will emerge next season from the U-21 set-up, to compete for a first team place.

I will put money on it that LVG gets the best out of the likes of Kagawa. Kagawa in particular, has the ability to be one of the best players' in the PL next season; and under LVG, I expect him to shine.

To put it simply: United are in very good shape; and are in very good hands.

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Plymouth, you really are a card. Your team has a good season and her you are banging on about it. How many years is it now? 24 I think (actually I know), and I confidently predict United will win the League again before Liverpool do. Banter is fine but you are not adding much in that regard so run along, and keep counting.

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Superb Sam great post :)

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AJH, am not banging on about anything, Betty asked my opinion on how Liverpools season went, so I answered him, then for no reason whatsoever you all come out in a defensive stance banging on about how Van Gaal is the king.

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Haha. We didn't bottle it because we won 11 games first before we lost and drew.
What sort of nonsense is that. The league was yours for the taking with just 3 games left. Whether you like it or not you bottlef it. As soon as it was in your hands and were under some pressure you threw it away.
Next season is Jose's second they will be much stronger. City the same will be even stronger. And as much as you are desperate for it not to be so(hence spending all your time on here) we will be much more of a force than the shambles we were last season.
It was your chance, you bottled it. Might be tough to take but your hero was the one who let it slip. Get over it. Next season will be yours YAWN

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Sydney, shame really isn't it, you have all this money, yet no-one wants to go to you, even Konoplyanka turned you down. , the Glazers are just eating up the profits, a few more years out the CL syd and you're fan base will shrink drastically, as will your sponsorships.

Louis Van Gaal, this is a man who left Barcelona 3 points off relegation, he also left Bayern Munich lingering in 5th place with the risk of missing out on UCL football.

Sam, the greatest manager this country has ever seen retired some 29 years ago.

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Sydney, you're in great financial health, but nobody wants to join you, even Konoplyanka has turned you down, the Glazers are just milking United for every penny, a few more years of no top four and your fan base and sponsorship deals will shrink fast.

Sam, LvG left Barcelona 3 points from relegation, he left Bayern Munich lingering in 5th position before he was sacked, do you think he's going to be happy with Ferguson telling him what to do?

The greatest manager this country's seen retired some 29 years ago.

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We didn't bottle it, because we won 11 before we lost and drew.
Haha, what a load of nonsense. It was in your hands and you bottled it end of. If you are happy with that then that's up to you.
You are desperate for us to be as bad as we were last season but unluckily for you that won't be the case.
Always next season for you eh?

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And Rodgers super teeth has won what exactly?

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Plymouth wasn't Rodgers sacked by Reading?

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To be fair to pr a lot of what he says is fair enough although I have to correct him on the greatest manager retiring 29 years ago. Fergie's trophy haul exceeds paisley albeit over a longer time frame. You have to say paisley potentially could have done more but he retired. That fact in itself is an interesting point as it is a stressful job being manager and speaks volumes about fergies hunger and desire. I would also give sir Alf Ramsey a nod as he is the only manager to have won a world cup with england. I also think pr has been a bit nieve to come on a man U page and state such comments as can you say the same and then moan when he gets a spirited response. My answer to that is Liverpool went from nowhere to 2nd and united from champions to 7th in one season. Nobody knows yet what will happen in this transfer window or next season and the above shows how quickly things can change. It is possible united could improve dramatically on this years standings and Liverpool decline. things happen so quickly in football we won't know until next season.

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Plymouth didn't BR get sacked by Reading for poor results and leaving them 21st in the table. Watford wasn't a success either leaving them in 13th place. What has BR actually won? Comparing him to LvG is like comparing Ronaldo to Assaidi.

In terms of finances, MU are about to agree a TEN YEAR kit deal that is probably three times as lucrative as your famous Warrior deal after us finishing 7th. So I think you are clutching at straws my friend. MU will not disappear, too much money for that to happen.

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Who was that then, Plymouth?

What British manager has won more trophies than SAF?

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25 May 2014 18:30:00
Okay so, maybe nothing in this but Luke Shaw has apparently (according to a mate) has changed his twitter user name to LukeShaw3? Which makes me wonder why considering his number for Southampton is 23 and again it's also 23 for England.

Evra has signed a new contract and will keep that number? Chelsea have released Ashley Cole who had that number. Just seems a bit funny is all, maybe he's staying at Southampton but getting a new shirt number. All I know is he should be our first signing, it's a no brainer.

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The truth is out there!!

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It might be nothing - but is a little worrying none the less.

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Its been 3 a while I think, 3 is the standard LB number so he will see himself as a future number 3 i'm guessing.

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Bilko!, you shouldn't say things like that. It might be seen by some as cryptic message. You'll start rumours that we are signing Mulder and Scully.

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Evra may have lost his number when he was negotiating a move away from the club and it may have been promised to Shaw when the club expected Ev to leave. Perhaps he will have a new number now.

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What's odd is Southampton Tweeted on the 22 May that Shaw and Lallana will wear the same numbers for England as they do for Southampton. Three days later he changes his Twitter from LukeShaw23 to LukeShaw3. I think because of that Southampton Tweet, this is now more promising than worrying.f

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We'll Mulder is a Dutch name I think

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Muller would do!

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Oh my God, what can it mean! It could mean this, or it could mean that, or it could mean bugger all. My God, how will be cope until we know!

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Syd - I'd be very surprised if Evra gives up his squad number; and as he's just signed a new deal I don't see Luke Shaw being our number 3 next season.

On that basis I don't see how him changing his twitter handle to from 23 to 3 could be promising from our point of view. To me it suggests he will be wearing the number 3 shirt somewhere else. Southampton or Chelsea.

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Evra was leaving the club for weeks before LvG asked him to stay one more year, he had made his mind up and he was speaking to other clubs. If the club had offered Shaw that number during that time then they will give it to him R7. Evra is here for one more season, I doubt he gives a monkey's about his number. If it was promised to Shaw, then they will give it to Shaw. Chelsea are not in the running for Shaw as confirmed by the editor. Southampton Tweeted just three days ago whilst he is in Portugal with England that he will wear the number 23 shirt with both England and Southampton, then he goes and changes his Twitter to LukeShaw3. Southampton haven't updated it on their site and haven't Tweeted it like they would do even though they Tweeted twice just two hours ago. Perhaps Ev will be number 7 for a season.

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Haha AJH, I know it sounds ridiculous but it just made me think.

Syd I hope what you say is true, but I find it hard to believe that evra will change his squad number. I really hope we sign the lad

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25 May 2014 17:31:54
Last June I posted that evra had told me he was on his way out ( I saw him on holiday) and a replacement was nearly finalised. The replacement was baines, he wanted to come but in the end utd were told he wasn't for sale regardless of the fee involved. ( utd could of actually got baines if silly bids were not made) so evra reluctently ended up staying. Then a couple of weeks ago I said shaw deal would be finalised for £27 million + buttner and that evra would sign a new deal. Shaw deal is 99% sorted just fine details and evras personal problems are much better now so him and his family stay in manchester for 1 more year. Shaw deal will be announced this week ( with official unveiling July 1) another signing is also close and could also be announced this week too. Watch this space! 😊

Gman

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MU have struggled to replace Evra for a while now, finally it looks like it will happen this summer. Long overdue, but I don't think many people would have picked anyone other than Shaw. I didn't think we would get Shaw, but if we do I will be well impressed.

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Let's hope England don't do well in brazil then otherwise there will be an empty seat in that press conference.

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Gman, have you seen him on holiday again this year then to set all this info?
What a coincidence :)

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Obviously, they're best mates now Betty. They even talk about his personal problems. BFFs!

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I think gman might go on camping holidays in evra's backyard betty ;)

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25 May 2014 20:17:56
Now now . I'm only passing on information I have received and sharing it. It's all factual, just thought I'd share with others. I do speak with a lot of the players but know evra particularly well.
Gman

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Gman, if you "know Evra particularly well", why would you need to wait for a chance meeting on holiday to get your information. Smells mysteriously like bullsh@t to me!

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Gman I was only joshing as this is a banter site. To be fair I appreciate any real info but think a lot of us get a bit cynical due to the amount of horlicks that has been posted on here in the past.

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25 May 2014 23:42:41
Betty I'm not getting into a to and fro debate. I saw him out and had a conversation with him. I've spoken to him many times through work. I speak to several players. I was relatively new to the site when I shared the original info. I've learnt more info so I shared again. I don't go in for bull@*it, there's no need. I'm 100% genuine. I enjoy reading this site and spend a lot of time reading the post. I wish I could give more of an insite to me but unable to due to work. If your a non believer so be it. I'll try and continue to give any more info I get to find out.

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25 May 2014 16:50:11
Personally I wouldn't be surprised if we make a profit this window on in/outs:

Nani - £10m (Loads at that price)
Anderson - £3.5m (QPR)
Hernandez - £10m (Athletico/Spurs)
Mata - £35m (Barcelona)
Rooney - £40m (Chelsea I reckon)
Fellaini - £17m (arsenal)

Possibly a couple of others, like Fletcher, Lindegaard & Young but he may need to keep them because of lack of activity the other way.

A young left back, CD, 2 Cm's, 2 wingers, 1 striker. Maybe break even, Woodward & LVG dream team. Probably won't be able to sign all those this window as well, so it will be reliance on a couple of signings, youth and a few of the guys that should lift their game.

I think we will see a lot of change but we will be in the black.

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{Ed004's Note - Why would we take a loss on Mata?}

So we buy Fellaini and sell him 12 months later? Possible I guess, then we buy Mata and sell him six months later at a loss. And we give Rooney a new contract and sell him? Clutching at straws Beast.

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{Ed004's Note - Also I'd expect a bit more for Hernandez. Whatever team he goes to he will score 20+ goals}

Hernandez would go for more than that I reckon

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You have one hell of a sense of humour, fair play! This MUST win this months ridiculous post of the month award.

I would be surprised if any more than 1 of those players actually leaves the club this summer. To suggest that we will sell Mata, Rooney, Hernandez particularly, and not bring in players to replace those players this window is ridiculous. Maybe Hernandez and Anderson will leave this window. Oh, and Fellaini to Arsenal PMSL

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Mata was purchased in desperation, He is a World Class player (in the right system) and Moyes needed somebody to lift us, we just didn't need a player in the hole as we already had several that could do the job. So as I don't think he is mobile enough for a 4-3-3 or Old Trafford, he could go. We wouldn't want somebody sitting on a bench like Mata and a small loss is acceptable if spent elsewhere.

Rooney - I think the Luiz money will be used and again I don't see how he fits, plus he is a loose cannon that LVG will arguably not appreciate. The whole contract thing was our way of getting more money for him from a sale to a domestic rival in my opinion.

Hernandez - One season wonder, I don't understand all the sentiment to him, he has been awful for the past couple of years with a few tap ins here and there.

Fellaini - Not a Utd player unfortunately and we would have to stomach the loss.

When Rodgers came in with Liverpool it was bye bye Carroll & Downing. If Sherwood had remained at Spurs it would have been bye bye, Soldado, Lamala, Capoue, probably still will be.

New managers need to stamp their own identity on the team, Moyes was a fiasco and his signings were not suitable considering our requirements, just because one of them is called Mata it doesn't mean he fits in, after all he was Chelsea's best player for 2 years and Mourinho dumped him.

2 weeks ago I said Mata could be sold and we could be after Schweinsteiger - today both of those stories are in the major press. I wasn't told any of this of course, but looking at our team, LVG and using common sense I came to those conclusions.

We have Welbeck, Wilson & Henriquez to cover RVP and we will probably by another striker that can play wide as well. Rooney & Hernandez are surplus to requirements up front and neither are technically or tactically adept elsewhere. If we were in Europe then it would be slightly different, but we aren't so a major trimming can be carried out.

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Mata was purchased in desperation, He is a World Class player (in the right system) and Moyes needed somebody to lift us, we just didn't need a player in the hole as we already had several that could do the job. So as I don't think he is mobile enough for a 4-3-3 or Old Trafford, he could go. We wouldn't want somebody sitting on a bench like Mata and a small loss is acceptable if spent elsewhere.

Rooney - I think the Luiz money will be used and again I don't see how he fits, plus he is a loose cannon that LVG will arguably not appreciate. The whole contract thing was our way of getting more money for him from a sale to a domestic rival in my opinion.

Hernandez - One season wonder, I don't understand all the sentiment to him, he has been awful for the past couple of years with a few tap ins here and there.

Fellaini - Not a Utd player unfortunately and we would have to stomach the loss.

When Rodgers came in with Liverpool it was bye bye Carroll & Downing. If Sherwood had remained at Spurs it would have been bye bye, Soldado, Lamala, Capoue, probably still will be.

New managers need to stamp their own identity on the team, Moyes was a fiasco and his signings were not suitable considering our requirements, just because one of them is called Mata it doesn't mean he fits in, after all he was Chelsea's best player for 2 years and Mourinho dumped him.

2 weeks ago I said Mata could be sold and we could be after Schweinsteiger - today both of those stories are in the major press. I wasn't told any of this of course, but looking at our team, LVG and using common sense I came to those conclusions.

We have Welbeck, Wilson & Henriquez to cover RVP and we will probably by another striker that can play wide as well. Rooney & Hernandez are surplus to requirements up front and neither are technically or tactically adept elsewhere. If we were in Europe then it would be slightly different, but we aren't so a major trimming can be carried out.

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We'll probably get £5m for Buttner as well.

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We'll probably get £5m for Buttner as well.

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Agreed Ed004, I have been saying, if we had two direct forwards and Mata and Kagawa got a run together, Hernandez would be perfect and get 20+ goals. He'd score loads at Real Madrid with Ronnie and Bale breaking the lines. I guess it all depends on who we bring in and LvG's system

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Ed - We bought Mata for well over the price any other club was prepared to pay. This is one of the only reasons Moyes was able to get him from a rival. We would be lucky to break even on him and what good would £37m be rotting if not first choice. I really rate Mata but not in a 4-3-3, even if he is the AM of the 3, as he doesn't have the legs.

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All of those players' - maybe with the exception of Ando - will be at the club next season. Of that I am quite sure.

I have a feeling we might end up signing only a few players' this window. I don't think we will sign players' for the sake of it.

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Why on earth would Arsenal pay 17M, I don't even think they'd take him for 5M.

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Is Mata being sold in today's major press or is it just a journalist's personal opinion? Where is this rumour that LvG wants to sell Mata? Can I see a quote?

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Blimey Beast, have you banged your head? You doth protest too much

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Mata is a class act, Chelsea player of the year 2 years running, scores 15-20 goals a season as well as about 15 assists, if played in his position! Much better than Rooney in the 10 .

Second thing you say Fellaini isn't a "United Player". Couldn't agree more. So what makes you think he's an "Arsenal player" then? He's not good enough for us so why is he for them? Wiltshire, Arteta, Ramsey,?

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25 May 2014 16:14:38
Luke Shaw Appart, a deal which I am still confident will happen, the trail seems to have gone cold.
Obviously it now appears that LVG has different targets to the ones that were being worked on by Woodward on behalf of the previous manager and untill any sort of progress is made on LVG's targets I feel that we will remain in the dark. One player I have had in mind for quite some time and I have read of interest today is Nigel Dejong.He would come fairly cheap and would give us a base to play from enabling us to build gradually over several transfer windows rather than trying to integrate four or five players all in one go.

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What does Nigel De Jong have that William Carvalho does not? Cost is irrelevant to us (the fan), quality is what's important and building for the future. Carvalho is 21 year's old.

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Syd, a Dutch passport. lol

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25 May 2014 15:19:15
It seems that a lot of the rumours have gone cold is there any remaining possible transfers?
Thanks in advance

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25 May 2014 14:31:23
Jred,

this is a question and no way is it ment to cause a stir. But just so we can have a discussion in the future can u tell me why and how Rooney fits into our team?

You do a lot, a hell of a lot of defending for him but I dnt really know where u see him playing in our team and who he should be taking the place of. It seems you would rather a younger and better player like Mata leave or be sold to keep him so I would just like you to go into a bit of depth on why u would keep him or play him over Mata and where u see him playing.

Thanks buddy :)

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Rooney imo will link up between cm and attack a similar role van de vart, litmanen and sneijder and bergkamp have played under lvg.
Rooney will do more work off the ball more work in the cm3 will get more goals and more assists than mata imo.

People have gone on on about selling rooney and then had a fit if someone mentions selling mata

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So would u keep Rooney over Mata?

Is it u see only of them playing?

Would u be happy if Rooney was asked to play up front and Mata behind?

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So for the record Jred, you want us to sell Mata?

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If it was a choice between kagawa, mata and rooney to be sold its a no-brainer for me rooney would have to go. To play inbetween the lines you have to be technically good which rooney isn't or isn't as gifted as mata and kagawa. I get the point about him working harder but that's half his problem imo he tries to do to much.

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Ctr
If we could only keep one I would keep rooney .i think he offers more and could also play the 9 role if required.
syd
No I wouldn't sell mata for certain games and tactics he will be perfect.
But I don't think mata rooney and rvp will always fit in the same team so 1 will have to miss out and I don't think any will want to.
If lvg can keep them all happy great but I suspect he may struggle

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I am yet to see a single shred of evidence that suggests LvG wants to sell Mata. Not one piece, not even speculation at this point. Just another man's opinion based on absolutely nothing. LvG may well want to sell Mata this summer, but until we see some evidence of this then I cannot see why we are even discussing it. No surprises that the main one embracing this non-story is no other than Jred.

Why don't we talk about how De Gea is about to sign for Barcelona? Because they cannot get Courtois. There's no evidence of this, not a shred of evidence, but it's just my opinion so let's discuss it?

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Kagawa has been awful for 2 years

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I haven't seen a single piece of evidence that lvg wants to sell rooney or kagawa yet we have discussed both topics on what is a banter site.
Yet if we have the same bit of banter about mata sydney takes a hissy fit all over the page.
For the record I would be amazed if mata left this summer

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Kagawa has had injures and when we played him we played him out of position, he is no winger but a perfect back up to mata to play behind to striker

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Jred, we signed Mata 3-4 months ago. If it wasn't for that article, no one would be discussing this. That's my point. It's a nonsense discussion based on a bloke none of us know's personal opinion. If there was speculation from several different sources, then it could warrant a discussion, but it's one bloke's opinion.

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Poor Mata hasn't even found a house yet and people are debating wheather or not he's going to be sold. he's only been here 4 months! People need to give him chance to settle and then let him show us what he can do.

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I hope we sell Rooney and replace him with someone with a bit if pace and technique to be honest. He can't play in a quick passing offensive 3 as he's slow on the ball and his touch is terrible. When in a tight situation he gives the ball away 4/5 times. Anyone who makes an argument for him that he works hard or tracks back are masking over the flaws in his game as an attacker. Let's get £300k off the wage bill. Hey we could even mug PSG as Chelsea just have and get about £35m for him. Here's to hoping if happens .

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Rooney for example signed a mega deal a few months ago yet its a weekly discussion if he will leave this summer if he will fit the the lvg system . Yet there hasn't been one bit of evidence that united will sell rooney or even kags .
But when the same convo comes up about mata you don't even want people to post about it.
The op asked my opinion on where rooney and mata would play etc.
I don't even know what this has to do with you

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What evidence have you seen on anything Syd regarding deals? Not being funny, but the club have hardly said anything apart from their usual spiel which is getting old.

I wouldn't be surprised to see both Mata & Rooney leave if the money is right.

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Jred, our discussion didn't start on this thread. You are well aware of that.

I have no issue with anyone on here having an opinion on Mata, Kagawa or Rooney. My issue was having a discussion on Mata based on some journalist's opinion.

The issue I had with Fresh's OP "What do people make of the rumour that van Gaal sees Mata as unneeded" There is no such rumour. That was all I was saying.

The whole thing is based on the journalist's opinion. There is no such rumour. If there was then I would be more than happy to discuss it.

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Beast, what are you talking about? You are going to be very disappointed if you think Mata and Rooney are going to be sold this summer. There are rumours that suggest LvG believes there are four players who have a guaranteed place in the side. I would guess two of them are Mata and Rooney, with the other two RvP and De Gea. There's no evidence that this is true, just rumours and speculation, but like I have said I have no issues discussing rumours and speculation However there's not even any speculation that LvG wants Mata gone, just some journalist who thinks it could happen.

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Syd
Fine but the convo has moved on, you don't have to post.
And like I said ctr asked a question it banter

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So you wouldn't sell Mata and you would be amazed if we sold Mata.

What's left to discuss then?

My issue was with the Fresh OP, he said what do we make of these rumours.

There wasn't any Mata rumours.

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In my humble opinion lvg won't necessarily play 4-3-3 anyway as my understanding is he adapts the team to the players at his disposal. I can't state that I know how he will fit rvp, Rooney, kags and mata in the same side but don't see either of the above 4 being sold this window. My gut feeling is all 4 will not play every game together which could cause issues but I don't think lvg will care. As long as he brings a team ethic and attacking football I will be happy but expect their to be a bedding in period when results might not be as expected.

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RVP, Kagawa (best player in Germany), DDG - 4th one, probably Rafael.

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RVP, Kagawa (best player in Germany), DDG - 4th one, probably Rafael.

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Book, I too think there maybe a bedding in period, but I think he will get it right eventually. The worry is him not having a lot of time to get each player knowing their individual jobs before the start of the season. It took Liverpool until Christmas (2012) for the players to get it right for BR. So that was like 4-5 months. This is why I think we will be better prepared to challenge for the title in 2015/16 season. I hope the players adapt quick enough so we can challenge next season, but he may need a few months to get it right.

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Book, I too think there maybe a bedding in period, but I think he will get it right eventually. The worry is him not having a lot of time to get each player knowing their individual jobs before the start of the season. It took Liverpool until Christmas (2012) for the players to get it right for BR. So that was like 4-5 months. This is why I think we will be better prepared to challenge for the title in 2015/16 season. I hope the players adapt quick enough so we can challenge next season, but he may need a few months to get it right.

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Gonna go out on a limb here and say none of Rooney, Mata, Kagawa are going to be sold.

Look at teams like Bayern, Barca and Real Madrid, they all have more than one top quality player for each attacking position. I believe LVG will be much better and experienced in keeping all players (that are worth it) happy to remain at the club even if they aren't playing every single game.

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Sydney agree totally and that was the point I was getting across. If you look at lvg when at Munich he brought in youngsters (alaba, badstuber etc)and results for first 6 months were ok but not great. He won the league that year (might be mistaken but believe this is correct)but I don't believe that will necessarily be the case at united as the premiership is stronger with more potential winners. I too am positive we will see improvement in our play and development of our younger players.

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Book, We will certainly improve next season, that doesn't mean we will not get beat by City or Chelsea, it just means we will not bend over and get bummed by Liverpool at OT. The manager will have a plan, he will have direction and he will command respect from the players, something Moyes failed at in all aspects. I don't think we will see the best of us until after Christmas, but I do think we will be there or thereabouts. If we are within six points of the leaders by January 1st I will be happy.

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25 May 2014 02:06:02
Ed007 I read your reply there about how much you think bale has improved since his Madrid move, well I have to agree. My question is why is British football not producing more technically gifted players? Because you look to Spain and the players there are just technically so much better than our players! Is it poor coaching? Because at the moment the only real technically gifted young players coming through are Barkley shaw and sterling! Are the younger players in Britain just being trained as athletes and having more skill work neglected?

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{Ed007's Note - British teams seem to look for athletes than footballers Caolan, it's as simple as that. My friend (an ex-player from Scottish lower leagues but played one season in the SPL) helps run a youth team at Under-15 level and I sometime go and watch them at our local park. 99% of the players on opposition teams are tall, well built lads or just lads who can run like a whippet but they have zero understanding of how to play the game except for the big defenders get the ball and punt it up the park for the quick lads to chase, there's no passing the ball and keeping possession.
My mate has his team playing the ball on the deck, passing it about, using wingers and attacking full-backs etc and has a young lad playing the No.10 role who I am convinced will make a living out of football if a scout takes a chance on him.
The 'problem' is, and this came from a scout of an SPFL team, that he needs to grow another 3/4 inches and fill out a bit before he reaches the level of their youth players, he said level but he obviously means height because the wee lad has bags of ability. This wee lad is running the show in EVERY game he plays, from coming deep to get the ball and help in midfield to setting up and scoring plenty of goals and he is a lot stronger than he looks, scouts have asked if he is playing a year above his real age group, when they find out he isn't they cool their interest. Another very important factor for me is that he loves just playing football whereas you see other teams where players are nothing more than athletic robots.
Sorry, I'm going off on a rant but that's where I see the problem, it is the scouting and coaching of kids where problems stem from and the coaching problems seem to be part of the professional game as well now. The athletic side of the game can be worked on but do 15 year olds really need to run round the perimeter of a park for 30mins a night at training? A normal healthy 14/15 year old should be able to run all day, there's very little need for physical training and the time at training should be used working on the technical side of the game and improving ability not fitness. Too many coaches at youth level are PE/PT teachers with very little coaching ability. To be fair to other coaches working with youngsters they are producing athletes over footballers because that's what clubs are looking for these days. I hope that made sense mate, I typed it on my tablet.}

Bond, is this no.10 your son by any chance? :)

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{Ed007's Note - No mate, me and the Mrs don't have any kids. And if he was I'd be having words with her indoors, all the men in my family are big blokes, I'm 6ft2 1/2 and weigh over 16 stone!}

I wouldn't really call Bale technically gifted, without his pace he wouldn't even be half the player he is.

England are starting to produce more technically gifted players now, we'll see a lot come through in the coming years, Shaw, Lallana, Sterling, Ibe, Barkley, Solanke, Sturridge, Ruben Loftus-Cheek(looks an exceptional talent for his age).

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{Ed007's Note - That was my initial point PR, I have said the same thing on here many a time, he would be found out when his pace/legs go but you have to admit his all round game has vastly improved since he moved to Madrid.}

Good point Coalan, and good reply Bond. I totally agree. Until the onus in this country is put on skill and ability rather than strength and athleticism, our National team will continue to be also - rans. I posted something similar a few months ago and got shot down by some for it. I think it was Jred who told me my views were outdated by 10 years for thinking it. At the end of the day, the proof is in the pudding.
There are very few British, or English players who really live up to their hype.

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25 May 2014 14:57:39
Bond that's bang on. I hate that "if in doubt get it out" mentality. The problem is the British mentality of the physical approach over everything else. Its dogged the British game since the 60's. Hughes, Reep and Taylor killed the English game. I agree on training methods, look at moyes and the comments from van gaal about prehistoric training methods. We have technical beats physical but the British game is 20 years behind

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Cheers Bond! I think it's ridiculous that the technical side of training is ignored. You also make a fair point saying a lot of youth coaches are PE teachers. This is something I've had when I played before I stopped last year. Surely the FA have to do more about educating younger coaches as it will benefit both younger players and produce more talented coaches something we lack in Britain!

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My son plays for Ballymena Utd u12s over here. They won their national and all-Ireland title last season.

Their main rivals are Lisburn Youth, who, annoyed at last season's state of affairs, promptly signed some new kids, all of them big, big lads. Some may even have had moustaches.

This season, Ballymena finished second in every tournament they were involved in. The winner's? Lisburn Youth. Passed them off the park every time, but bullied out of it in the end.

Our coaches didn't mind. They knew that my son's team have been taught to pass the ball around, take a touch and feel comfortable with it. They've been complimented by every team they play, on the maturity of their football.

Unfortunately, until we get away from the over-competitiveness at kid's level football, for every team like my son's where the coaches have a forward-thinking mentality, there's a team like Lisburn Youth with coaches resorting to the 'get stuck in, and hump it up to the big lad' tactic.

Hopefully with younger coaches coming in all the time, who've been raised on watching progressive, passing, technical football, this tactic will become a thing of the past. Just doesn't seem to be happening quickly enough.

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Every team I have played in at various levels want to play quick direct football and get the ball forward as quick as possible. No more than 4 or 5 passes get strung and the ball bypasses midfield often. And that just about sums up British football. You go to Spain and watch a lower league game, and the technical ability to is far superior to this country. I don't know whether climate has anything to do with it but Its dire to play in, and to watch! I wish it would change

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Stevie that's why I eventually stopped playing, I started out as a striker and wasn't talk enough so kept getting move further and further back, eventually I played as a holding midfielder. I wasn't anything special, was decent on the ball and could read the game well. Then in my final year we signed a midfielder who was 6 foot and he played in my place all year and all he did when he got the ball was play it long to the striker. Unfortunatley that is how a lot of young players are being brought up these days!

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Bond I've said for years that if they are going to run round the perimeter then they should do it with a ball each.

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{Ed007's Note - Exactly Supa, it's not rocket science, anyone can run but running with a ball at their feet will vastly improve youngsters ball control skills.}

25 May 2014 13:55:02
now chelsea have got 50 mil for luiz I think they ll steal shaw on us. I hope not but he is a chelsea fan. what's 30 mil on shaw when you get 50 for a muppet like luiz. l expect jose to make his move

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I wouldn't call Luiz a muppet, he's a very good player, 50m is however overpriced.

I don't think Chelsea will go for Shaw, they need to spend a good 60M+ on their forward line, they also need at least 2 midfielders if Lampard doesn't sign and Mikel leaves as expected.

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How can Chelsea steal Shaw from us when he's not ours.

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25 May 2014 22:05:23
If you read Ed02's post the other day, you will see that Chelsea will not go back in for Shaw and have started looking at other targets. 30million is also a lot of money to spend on a LB when their major problem is strikers, and world class ones at that, which don't come cheap.

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25 May 2014 13:10:48
In terms of central midfielders, I think a lot depends on what happens elsewhere and how it will then effect us. By most accounts the Kroos deal is dead but we can have Schweinsteiger who is deemed as surplus by Pep who wants big changes at Bayern. The only way I see us getting Vidal is if Pogba stays and Sanchez goes elsewhere in which case we can offer Nani + a lot of cash for him - but even then it isn't likely to come off. Cesc is another one, will Arsenal make his re-signing a priority? If so then I think that is where he goes, if not then we are in with a chance because I don't see too many other clubs linked with him.

If all fails, could we go back in for Gundogan? Will Strootman be fit in time or will Clasie come in as a promising but cheaper option? Time will tell!

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We may go for none of the above Fresh, LvG is his own man. He doesn't necessarily care about big names or age, he wants players who fit his system. If they can do the job he wants to the standard that he wants, then they will do. It will be interesting to see who we do end up going for. Schweinsteiger will be 30 at the start of the season, but if he is what LvG wants, then he will opt for him. There is reports that claim LvG passed up the chance to sign him when offered, but it's just speculation.

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Thankfully he is more knowledgeable than we are as I can't think of many more players. But Atletico are testament to the fact that you don't need a team full of big names.

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Fresh, I agree, it will be interesting to see who we go for.

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Here's one for you Fresh, how about Hernandez plus cash for Eriksen (Spurs). He would fit nicely into an LvG midfield.

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25 May 2014 12:16:40
Please let these Schweinsteiger interest rumours be true! He would slot in nicely!

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Are we just moving our interest through every member of the Bayern team until we manage to find a player who will sign for us? Wouldn't mind him though but it's very unlikely, I think he will retire at Bayern

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Pep 'allegidly' see's him as a player who slows things down. He prefers Kroos or Lahm so I suppose there is a chance he could move on. Hopefully his brother has a word as he is a huge MU fan.

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Haha fresh, remember another brother Mr felix kroos and you know how that's turned out.

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Haha very true Singh.

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I think bayern are still taking revenge for 99. Every player of their's gets linked to us and rejects us.

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25 May 2014 11:44:48
Good morning guys

I was just wondering what everyone thinks about the Mata to Barca rumours.Is this real or just paper talk.

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I think it's strange that they would sell Pedro/Cesc and buy Mata. I also cannot see them spending £40m on a player they do not need when they are struggling financially. They have had an interest in him in the past when he had an £18m buyout clause, but they never bought him then. I think it's speculation at this point in time, but maybe we will know more in the coming weeks.

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Im not sure mata rvp and rooney all fit in the same team to be honest .
So could be something in it

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25 May 2014 12:05:13
Its rubbish paper talk.

We would at the least want what we paid for him. Maybe more. Can't see them paying it.

They need a centre back that's likely to be their major purchase now they got a keeper.

Where would they play him?

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Can't see it. Paper talk. We need to strengthen not sell our better players. LVG isn't stupid and we are not desperate for the money.
Also is it just me or is practically every Sydney post met with a Jred disagreement? Surely you must agree on something

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25 May 2014 12:23:37
Jred you seem desperate to bundle Mata over to the trap door.

I agree the 3 can't play in the same team, and we all know rvp is lvgs blue eyes boy so that's him safe.

But out of Rooney and Mata the latter is more of an lvg player. He cares less about hard work and running around and prizes intelligence and tactical awareness.

You said lower down he cares what happens on the pitch. Yes but only if its what he likes. I've seen him in a press conference where his team had lost and he was perfectly happy because the players had played exactly how he had told them. It just hadn't came off but he was happy because the players had bought what he was selling. There will be moments like that this coming season. And he will like Mata because he is an intelligent player who listens.

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Would he maybe replace cesc?

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Would I swap Mata for someone like Cesc who can play in midfield? I think I probably would do if I had to choose one or the other. Then buy Carvalho, have Van Persie as the main striker with Rooney, Cesc & Carvalho in midfield. In theory that would be the midfield sorted. But I would prefer to keep Mata and build. Seems pretty dumb selling one of the few top notch players that we have got so it's got to be unlikely to say the least.

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There are players that should be sold before Mata. We should endeavour to keep all of our top players like Rooney, RVP, Mata, De Gea.

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25 May 2014 13:16:31
Will red I said months back that they are the James hunt and niki lauda of these pages.

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Mre
I disagree with that.
I said last summer kags wasnt a moyes player I got slated.
Lets just say

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Kagawa made 30 appearances last season under Moyes. Wasn't it just a case of Moyes preferring Rooney as a number 10? And for most of the season when playing both Rooney and RvP in a 442 (Moyes trying to convince Rooney to stay), a number 10 wasn't needed?

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25 May 2014 15:08:01
I agree with you, he wasn't a moyes player but moyes is your typical British manager conditioned to play a certain way with players of a certain skill set. Which is why I thought signing Mata was odd. But Mata and Kagawa are van gaal type players. Intelligent ball players not headless chickens.

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25 May 2014 11:08:48
Amazed to see Lampard on Chelsea's 'released list'. I imagine he will sign on for them but I would of thought that would of happened a few months ago. Some good players have been released for the lower teams to snap up - Barry, Cole, Lescott, Ferdinand, Etherington, Sidwell, Bendtner, Heitinga etc.

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25 May 2014 11:30:54
Harry is rubbing his hands. Imagine he will go in for cole, Rio and lampard. Wonder if he needs a new winger.

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Yes I can see a fair few of them going to QPR. I imagine that they will pay them what they want.

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25 May 2014 11:03:34
The more and more I see of the 4-3-3 the more I like it. I really do think it is the most efficient formation, it's the best for keeping the ball, for countering, for providing width and numbers in the attack. That all of course depends on the personnel. So who do we have that fits into that system. Well De Gea is a great keeper and will stay. Rafael to me is a bit like Marcelo but for the right (not quite as good but going forward is great). Jones would be a suitable center back and I feel should be a main stay in the back line. Januzaj could well occupy one of those wide roles, he has the skills to do so and he is no slouch. And then of course van Persie up top! Mata could fill a wide role also or he could slot into the midfield three no problem I am sure. The same could be said with Rooney.

As we all know, a centre back, left back, two central midfielders and a winger are who we should be targeting. Shaw is the ideal man for the left back and I pray that it will get done and be announced. Hummels is also the ideal center back as he can step up into midfield like Ramos does, and is very good on the ball. Now, who should play the base of the midfield three? Xabi Alonso does it brilliantly for Madrid and he is by no means a tough tackler, he is brilliant on the ball though and his distribution is excellent. Who seems to be accessible and would excel there for us? Well Schweinsteiger if available has to be the one, his range of passing is good, he is tough in the tackle and he can get forward as we saw at Old Trafford. Then we need two to play slightly ahead of him, one in the Modric role and one in the di Maria role that we saw work so well yesterday. Ideally I would have Fabregas, and there is a small chance that that could happen for us - but I think Clasie would certainly come and would cost around £10 million which would be music to the ears of the Glazer family. Then for the attacking role it has to be one of Rooney or Mata - whoever plays best out of the two.

Now we only need to address the second wide player. I am sure that Mata or Rooney could adapt to the wide role, but they will never be as good as an out and out winger with pace - that is what LvG is looking for and is probably why he is holding off from selling Nani until he can get a similar replacement. I would go all out for Di Maria if available - other than Ronaldo or Reus I don't think that there is a better left winger out there.

Thoughts guys?

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{Ed004's Note - Just going by rumours from press and what Ed002 has said. I'd be delighted with Garay/Hummels, Shaw, Carvalho, Fabregas and a winger. After Di Maria's performances over last 6-12 months I can't see him being sold though he is a fantastic player. Sign him this season, Reus next and move Januzaj central over time}

25 May 2014 11:36:54
I'm going to commit an act of what may be considered hersey on here but I am not all that keen on fabregas. Last year he used us for a pay rise and this year having been told he can go I get the sense he's just time wasting waiting for Wenger to come in. Rather than waste a second summer chasing after a player who has no real interest in playing for us and sees us as 3rd choice i'd rather go for someone who wants to come to us and doesn't see us as a fallback. Just my opinion.

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{Ed004's Note - If we weren't desperate I wouldn't be overly keen on him either. But what world class midfielders are available that we could attract? We don't Champions League football, we aren't exactly a stable club ATM and we have an ageing team}

Mata could play the Di Maria role Vidal the Modric role and Kroos the Alonso role V

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25 May 2014 11:58:49
Ed that's all reasons why I don't think we will sign any world class mids. I think we have to go for the level underneath and bring in 5 lads who are all very good players and who can become world class players. Players like Shaw who isn't world class but on the verge.

I think we need to sign 3 mids anyway not 2. We need Carrick & Fletchers long term replacements as dlp and btb anyway as we phase them out this season and someone to do a job now.

In an ideal world we would get vidal, fabregas and strootman for sake of argument but none are likely for different reasons.

So we may have to settle for less. Not necessarily a bad thing. Get them in and let lvg do his job he's a master moulder.

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Kroos doesn't seem likely though Paddy. Mata yes could play the Di Maria role. I think Schweinsteiger is perfect for the very deep role as he is slightly more defensive minded and strong in the tackle. And I would love Cesc or Vidal but don't see it happening especially with Juve seemingly set to lose Pogba at some point.

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We should re sign pogba he is a beast :)

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25 May 2014 10:40:26
Hey guys, been reading here everyday for a few years but never posted, just thought i'd share with you a conversation I had last night. I manage a bar and while watching the champions league final I got chatting g to a Spanish guy who was from deportivo but was a huge Barca fan so was picking his brain about their players, particularly Fabregas. He told me the fans do to like him at all, that he just doesn't fit into their team and that he will never be capable of replacing xavi like for like, he told me he was as good as gone and from what he has heard, it's almost certainly going to be to utd! Personally if Arsenal are interested I can't see past him going back to the emirates but just thought I'd share what I'd heard.

Cheers

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I too see him choosing Arsenal, but there is a strong chance that they won't be in for him as they have a lot of work to do themselves and he would not be a priority. That is what we can pin our hopes upon. Kroos was first choice, Fabregas second and I think Clasie will be LvGs third choice.

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" I got chatting g to a Spanish guy who was from deportivo".

This makes no sense. Do you realise that Deportive is not a place? Deportivo is Spanish for "sporting".
The football team's is from La Caruna.
Someone winding you up, or just lost in translation?

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25 May 2014 10:19:08
Does anyone else now think luiz move to psg could start off a defender merry go round.
Chelsea now need a new cb and are reportedly looking at Varane if he leaves real are reportedly wanting Mangala to replace him which means city would then have to look else where for a top cb which could lead to hummels whom is also linked with us and barca

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Haven't Chelsea bought zouma in January?

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25 May 2014 10:15:47
Why o why is everyone panicking about signing this player that player, don't believe everything you read in the red tops and on twitter! Kroos was never coming to us nor will robben or muller and why would they, leave one of the best teams in Europe to come to a team not in UCL, they won't there will be players that will but not these, I see Fabregas maybe Claise or Strootman along with Shaw and Caulker LVG will know exactly who is in his plans at the squad and those he has identified, but I don't think he would of heard of the likes of James McCarthy never mind wanting to buy him. So let's not panic just yet and see what comes in June/July!
Certainly won't be as bad as the last two transfer windows.

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Can't see Caulker here. Hummels is his main target, then I think we could turn to Indi or Badstuber.

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"Why o why". Have I strayed into an old episode of Points of View?

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Ah, good old Points of View, the original forum for people with way too much time on their hands.

Always wondered who, 'Disgusted from Tunbridge Wells' was :)

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Ajh I usually like your posts but the above just made me think of Anne Robinson. Its put me right off my lunch

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Bookredmole, is that who presents it now? Unfortunately me and AJH are of an age where we remember the original presenter, Barry Took.

But thanks for putting me off my lunch now, too.

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25 May 2014 00:54:46
Frustration is high about transfer targets and the lack of activity. I believe the players linked with potential moves to United and are making public statements about being happy at Bayern etc, is just part of the transfer process. Contractually players have big loyalty payments built into their contracts and don't want to loose out and agents are usually on a percentage of contractual earnings too. Clubs also incentives players to extend or renew contracts to achieve higher transfer fees (Koke is potentially one of these this summer). Agents will also be playing both sides if official approaches are going on and will advise the player to make statements that best reflect their negotiating position and then they can often completely reverse their position IE see which side will give the best terms to stay or go.

I suspect the players that do come in this summer will not all be drawn from the newspaper and website links, but its hard not to hope that Reus or Kroos will land or that Fabergas may come in. In essence though United are looking at our 3rd set of targets, last Summer we had Fergie's list which was mainly overlooked by Moyes and then his lists was to much for Ed Deadwood to go shopping for while he still had his 'L' plates on. Now we have the second and revised list from Moyes being changed for LVG's targets. Meanwhile we have annoyed mainly clubs and agents due to dithering, low offers for players and not following through with intended targets. So good luck with removing the 'L' plates Ed Deadwood, hopefully LVG will have a heavier black book of contacts than Moyse to help this time!

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Good post in general but i'm not sure about the dithering and upsetting agents/clubs as we never have the full story only newspaper reports which could or could not contain any basis of fact. I think we all have players we would like at the club and the amount of players linked can lead to us believing in some way the club has failed when paper reports of x signing do not come to fruition. I love this site and visit every day but we have had posters stating nailed on players like sneider, garay, kroos etc based on paper rumour etc which then turn out to be horlicks. We all care for utd and want the best but think its better if we leave it to the club to do their business and if Woodward fails to bring in lvg targets then the club can take whatever action it sees fit. I think it is more important that lvg gets across his ideas and gets the team buying in to the team ethos. We have good promising youth and existing talent that i'm sure will be added to, whether it is added too with names in press only time will tell. Ps with regard to youth remember you don't win anything with kids lol

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. and if things weren't bad enough, now there's talk of selling Mata, one of our best players! P*ss ups and breweries come to mind!

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OT7, there is no talk of selling Mata. There's a rumour suggesting Barcelona have an interest in Mata and there's a journalist who believes Mata may not fit into LvG's plans. Other than that there is nothing else.

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25 May 2014 00:17:22
With Luiz to PSG for such a high fee, will Marquinhos be seen as surplus? I can't see them spending that much on Luiz without intending to play him, unless they see a midfield role for him. Either way, what would people think about looking at Marquinhos?

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He probably will, hence why Barcelona are rumored to be after him. I don't think we have a shot at it, not that we need him anyway.

He's young, inexperienced, and would need time to adapt to the league. We do not have the opportunity to provide him with what's needed.

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Do you then think Barcelona's interest in Hummels may have subsequently waned slightly, clearing the path to some extent?

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