Manchester United Banter Archive May 26 2014

 

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26 May 2014 20:57:24
any truth in the rumours that Van Gaal is going to bid for Strootman instead of Fabregas

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I have said all along he wants Stroots more than any player, if you had seen his interviews the reason he has changed to a 5-3-2 formation for the WC is purely down to his injury.

He has always said he makes Holland tick

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26 May 2014 22:12:29
I see pottechino is in talks with spurs. I am wondering if he wants the move as he sees it as a step up or if he has decided to move on due to Southampton being willing to sell some of their top performers this year. Doesn't mean we will get Shaw of course but its interesting news. Depends on their chairwomen really and if she is looking to cash in. This is purely a thought of mine and wondered what others thought.PS.hoping gmans post is linked to this and comes to fruition.

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26 May 2014 19:44:22
Interesting to see LVGs comments about Atletico. I think we are going to play in a very similar way with this 'aggressive pressure' that he talks about. We are going to see a frantic, fast paced United next season who move the ball around quickly, chase everything down and press high up the pitch. This pressing I suspect may favor Rooney who likes to get in the face and attack.

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The only player we have capable of playing that type of football is Rooney. Everybody else is too immobile.

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Then we better get the players to play that way.

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That is why I think two midfielders will come in and a new winger. There will be a lot of changes needed to make his system work.

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Fresh hope you are right. Nothin would mae me happier than to see a Utd side that is energetic and presses the ball uch higherup the pitch. Just a change in style would improve us as much as a change in personnel. Hopefuly we will get both!

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With the players we have we won't be playing that way. We would need 6 new starting players for lvg to implement these tactic. I think a lot of people are getting carried away. We are in a bad position at the moment and with woodward the man in charge of recruitment we could still be 4 playets short. It will also take lvg time

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26 May 2014 23:05:24
Fresh I agree especially would be the case if we get the players who want to play for the manager and the shirt, I also commend LvG for supposedly picking players to fit his system and not the other way around like what was some of the biggest criticisms that Moyes got last season
That's why I applaud van Gaal for supposedly dropping our interest in Cesc and Kroos because they only wanted to come for the money. (in Kroos' case if we supposedly offered him 250k a week to join us) that's why I think players like Jordy Clasie could flourish under van Gaal at United should they sign, it's a long process that takes time but I'm sure van Gaal will get us through it and create a Manchester United side that can play for the shirt playing innovative fast-paced football

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26 May 2014 19:23:56
I know the World Cup is just around the corner and Manchester United's lack of movement already is such a worry. Yes I know the transfer window officially opens July 1st and no official signings are made until then, but our lack of movement is worrying and reflective of last year. If it continues as it is then this year will be just as infuriating as last year.

It would brim me with confidence if United had at least conveyed any agreements that they have or will certainly have. With the World Cup coming, Van Gaal will not start his job late so it is almost a repeat of Moyes from last year starting on July 1st. If we don't announce signings or agreements before the world cup then I was only see this summer being an absolute flop. Just my opinion so no narky comments would be appreciated. Let me know your thoughts.

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I too have this worry.

I just hope we are waiting for the new manager to take charge before we announce any pre-agreed signings.

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Like you say the window doesn't open until the 1st july and with most of our target likely to be involved in the worldcup its very unlikely that we would disclose this info. it could quite possibly unsettle players, annoy their national teams and would they allow them to go for a medical? plus most teams would quite possibly like for negotiations to happen post worldcup as if they have a good tournament their value would increase.

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Well said dannyc. We have tobe realistic is not like all the other teams are signing lots of players while we sign no one. it will be a tough summer for utd as with no CL football next season we have to accept that certain potential targets will not come unless we pay way over the odds on both transfer fees and salaries. This approach is exactly how Chelsea, Man City and PSG have guaranteed themselves getting into the CL.
Players who have no CL football are generally more realitic targets such as Shaw.
Next seaon I just want to see a few signings that will improve the squad and more importantly a better standard of football.

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26 May 2014 17:26:29
There is so much speculation on who LvG is going to sign. He is well connected to world football in a way Moyes and even SAF were not he has ties all around the world and from my understanding from what I read he knows the top players inside out. I do believe he has looked at the potential transfer list we had and has gone for one or two but I think we will not see any transfers in before he takes over full time after the world cup. I think he will want to do the press talk with his new players at the same time and we will not know who the transfers are until the last minute which for all of us is going to be frustrating as hell, hope i'm wrong and Woody has an announcement to make on transfers but i'm not holding my breath LvG will keep his cards close to his chest he seems like a good poker man to me and that's what we need if we want a good transfer window last years was the worst ever it has to be done with real purpose and meaning this time i'm hopeing for Shaw or Rodiguez, Carvalho and Racitic and was hopeing for Garay but would be happy with Indi just don't sign us Vlaar and tell us Strootman will be here once he has over come his injury.

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I disagree Kate. I think that we will signings announced whilst he is at the World Cup. He has Giggs here and Woodward here to delegate to (whether Woodward being in charge is good or not is a different question). But I don't see us waiting for example to finalize Shaw if it is going to happen. I must admit though, during the World Cup we will be quiet and very little will go on in the way of negotiations as most of who we want will be at the World Cup. The best scenario possible is that the Netherlands don't do well and get knocked out early so that LVG can start here and bring in a few of the players from there that he will want like Clasie, Janmaat and Depay.

I do think one or two names of our original list will last. Reus and Hummels being the main ones but I think without CL football getting either would be a struggle. I hope we buy young, with the odd bit of experience as we will have a hungry squad then.

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We will not announce any signings during the World Cup, Fresh. Why in gods name would a national team coach want one of their players to be mobbed by the press about a transfer during the middle of the World Cup? Why would the players want that distraction?

We may well wrap up some deals before the World Cup and they could well be announced before. I expect they will be announced after, however.

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As I said, they won't be announced during but will be before and after.

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How silly of me. It's not like your first sentence was 'I think that we will signings announced whilst he is at the World Cup.'.

To be fair you do state that it will be quiet during the world cup later on though.

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I think Fresh meant to put a full stop after announced. Then his second post makes absolute sense.

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26 May 2014 16:58:23
Javier pastore made available by psg. I would love to have him. thoughts?

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Great player when he is on but I don't think he does it enough times and the PL will not suit him because of being too physical.

I think he is made for Italy or Spain. He can be very loose and gives the ball away and when he is having a bad game he usually has a stinker LOL.

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Great player but don't think LvG will take him I can see us signing a few midfielders but he is not one of them but stranger things have happened in football.

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Talented lad but a bit hit and miss, a lot would depend on price

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Pastore is a good player and a couple of years ago I thought he would be good at Utd. However with Kagaw, Mata, Januzaj and even Rooney a player like this is a waste unless we are going to get rid of some players first.

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26 May 2014 16:32:53
Batsy
"Cornish science lab is missing a dangerous creature, creature doesn't get.much air, if in light it becomes confused and falls into a personical state, has no comman sense"
Betty youve been all over the weeks papers :/

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Ha
Nicely done ed ;)

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{Ed002's Note - It would be the swear-o-tron.

Big Al, WTF? Now you've completely lost me. lol

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26 May 2014 15:26:39
out of all other BM players we have been linked with in recent weeks, wouldn't holger badstuber be an option to go for? personally again i'd like bruno martins indi but hey? personal preferences and all that? I know from personal statements LVG has made, he likes badstuber ALOT?

i see inter have stepped up interest in depay, someone who I again think should wearing red next season! sorry MUFC red!

we were also contacted about carvalho, regarding our interest - still hope its there? please tell me also clasie is of a high priority?

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{Ed004's Note - We are still interested in Carvalho according to Ed 002}

I've advocated Badstuber, I really really rate him as a player and he can cover left back too. Depay, yes, brilliant signing and for £15 million? Must be worth it. As for Carvalho, not sure. Massively over priced and would take Schweinsteiger over him as he is proven and better value. I see Monaco paying the money to get Carvalho, most others won't. Also think we are in with a shout for Daley Blind - utility man, left back, and central midfield - we have needed a true utility man to fill in for a while now and he won't cost the world.

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26 May 2014 14:50:39
Some reporters now saying that van Gaal doesn't want Fabregas either. In some ways, if it is his decision, I applaud him in doing that. He has put his system first and has not bought someone that would keep the fans happy like Moyes did with Mata (in my opinion Moyes had no idea where Mata would fit in, but it would win people over). If it is van Gaal that is turning these guys down then it is clear how important his system is, and instead of looking at all these stars, we should instead look at those who are ideal for his system. I think Clasie is a van Gaal type player, intelligent, mobile and a good passer. He would like Strootman but may have to wait until January, perhaps this £10 million move for Schweinsteigher bid could come off after all. An experienced head who has done it all and may even win a World Cup. Shaw is also a van Gaal kind of player, gets forward and works hard all the time and has quality. I also can see Janmaat being a target to compete with Rafael - his lack of competition may be a reason for his stagnation as well as the Moyes factor. If we don't get Hummels then Badstuber could be a good buy, also de Vrij or Indi. And then up front I can see Depay - but I feel there may be interest in Di Maria, and if Madrid get Vidal then Di Maria will probably be the midfielder that loses his starting spot - the ed's have said that Di Maria may be expendable. Reus will also be up there in the targets but his move doesn't seem likely.

Shaw, Janmaat, de Vrij, Schweinsteiger, Clasie and Reus/Di Maria/Depay.

Lots of young, hungry players with an experienced player thrown in there for good measure.

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Schweinsteiger is an interesting option, his brother, I recall, may be a big United fan, but also would he be a potential captain as well?

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I think you're spot on Fresh. LVG isn't the kind of manager to sign players' for the sake of it. No matter how good they are.

The players' you have mentioned are the types of players' I also believe he will bring in.

Schweinsteiger would be an excellent addition IMO.

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Samthered

Unfortunately, Nani and Anderson would have been considered to be in that bracket of player, when we signed them. So would Zaha, to an extent.

The problem with those sort of signings, is that they could quite easily flop and become the next Anderson&Nani. Scholesy seemed to suggest we need 5-6 proven top quality players - most pundits, fans and rival fans would agree.

I agree though, we aren't likely to buy those top quality, proven players so its a gamble. Disclaimer - I DO trust LVG to target the right players within our reach, but it's infuriating to be lied to by the club.

Woodward shouldn't have opened his trap yet again about targeting top-tier players when he had no proof we could attract these players.

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Yes RED_SKY, that is the difference, we CAN trust LVG. How the player fits is important, not what his name is - a brilliant way of picking and choosing. Definitely something I could take note of when looking at players that is for sure. I also think we may have a look at Daley Blind who is a fantastic player to have as a squad player that can fit in to many positions - every squad needs a utility man.

And as for Schweinsteiger - I think he would be the perfect man at the base of the midfield with Clasie pulling the strings ahead of him.

LVG is not against signing big players though: I think Schweinsteiger would be classed as one. Reus is a target but we may have to wait a while for him. So he will go for the big names, but not for the sake of it.

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I think reus may end at munich

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Personally see Reus as either coming to us or Barcelona with Barcelona being more likely. If they are getting rid of Pedro and Sanchez then would I be too presumptuous to assume that he must be on their list this year? Messi, Reus and Neymar as a front three?

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RED_SKY,

I think we have to face the fact that the sort of big name signing's everyone craves, isn't going to happen until we get back into the CL. That is just a sad fact of life in the egotistical driven world of football. Most top players' want to showcase their talents on the biggest stage, which is the CL.

I would be more than happy with 2 or 3 players' from the current Dutch squad. Players' who are already at a high level, and have the potential to move to the next level. This is why I agreed with the potential signings Fresh mentioned we might make: they are players' who will fit the LVG system. They are also players' that the club can develop.

I am in the minority of people who think that we have enough big names at the club. Yes, we need to massively improve the CM area; but we can do that with the likes of Jordy Clasie, who I believe has the potential to be a United great. We also have some top young players coming through, who might shine next season, given the chance.

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Samthered

I'll be honest, I haven't seen much of Clasie at all, what type of midfielder is he?

My concern is, I read another United forum and there are some posters based in Holland. They consider Clasie to be a standard midfielder - one poster even said he was a little better than Cleverly.

They also feel that the truly talented Dutch players leave the Dutch league very early on, due to it being a low standard. Obviously there are exceptions to the rule, like RVN!

I just don't want us to be lumbered with more decent, but not great, midfielders. We have enough of them.

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RS, do you have access to Youtube? That will show you exactly what type of player he is. He reminds me of a young and fearless Cleverley. Shame he never continued to play that way. Maybe LvG can get more out of him?

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Syd,

I don't put much faith in Youtube vids mate, they can make Cleverly look like Iniesta with carefully chosen highlights.

Is he a goal threat? Can he tackle? Can he assist? because our midfield options seem to lack all three of those contributions.

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RS, Youtube will show you exactly what type of player he is and what he can do. What it doesn't show is whether he can do all of those things consistently.

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Adel taarabt would look the best player in the world on youtube

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That's not the point. He wanted to see what type of midfielder he is. Youtube will show him what type of midfielder he is. I agree it cannot show a player's overall talent and consistency though. Anderson looks like Messi on Youtube :)

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26 May 2014 13:42:10
Betty I have superpowers, I could tell by your banter me duckling'
GCU, man you make me nearly' laugh, welbeck a donkey and dumb as sh*t LOL

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Nonsense. You are either a stalker or a hacker. Or one of the Eds in disguise. Do you know my home address too? Creapy! lol

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Big Al

Players now a days at all clubs need to learn that first they have to perform on the pitch and then they can mouth off to the press.

He is overrated and tolerated by the fans because he is home grown. Had we spent 15 to 20 million on him people would be asking for his head LOL.

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26 May 2014 11:35:53
Is it not possible that we may hold off signing a first team left wing this year with us still having evra and buttner, both poor in defence but brilliant in attack. Could us on as back up to shaw and move one into lw

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None are an improvement on Young, Nani, Adnan or even Giggs, so I will say no.

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Syd you honestly saying evra isn't better at crossing a ball than young? I wouldn't personally play evra there but youngs end product is disgracefull

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Evra's end product is even worse. He probably finds his man once in ten attempts. Evra's end product is one of his biggest issues after his defending. I have always said getting from his box to the opposition's box there isn't many better in the game, but in both boxes he is a liability. The problem with Young has been Evra. Young has been doing both Evra's and Young's job when he plays. Same with Nani. If we had a solid LB that didn't venture forward too often and let the likes of Nani or Young stay in the attack and just attack, then they would be better and would give opposition defences issues. The biggest problem with Nani and Young has been them having to track back too often covering for Evra. I am all for bringing in a better LW than both Young and Nani don't get me wrong, but we will not see an improvement from Young, Nani or any LW until our LB position is sorted first.

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Evra is better going forward then all of them but still wouldn't play him there.

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You must watch different games than me syd :)

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Ryan, there is a reason Evra doesn't play as a LW. He isn't any better than the wingers we have.

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Holy sh1t never saw that one coming.

Brilliant? Does it mean something else in Britain?

In what word are Evra and Buttner brilliant at attacking?

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In the same world young is

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I read something earlier stating that aside from adnan evra actually created the most opportunities last year

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I wouldn't say that Evra or Buttner are 'brilliant' in attack. Just look like full backs attacking to me - I would genuinely play Young over Evra at left midfield, that is how bad I think Evra would be there. Not many full backs can step into midfield, Dani Alves, Lahm, Coentrao and Marcelo are probably some of the only ones that coudl manage it.

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What has evra's poor defending got to with young' s inability to cross a ball with either foot and his predictable move of moving down the left to pull onto his right to either put in a poor cross or just get blocked? Nani is just as bad .

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It's easier to attack from full back than the wing. You have more space and receive the ball with the whole pitch in front of you and typically minimal pressure. A Winger often is under pressure before even getting the ball, Evra would be next to useless on the wing. Buttner isn't good enough anywhere for Utd.

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Van Gaal's full backs defend first and foremost that comes before any attacking intent

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Evra has more assists in the last two seasons then most our wingers and can actually cross the ball. I wouldn't play him there but then again wouldn't play Valencia young or nani either

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26 May 2014 11:30:07
We know we need signings at CD, LB, CM x2 and W. Reality is that we won't get the 40m player in each position and as such level of signings will be based on our needs. so 2 questions:
Which of the positions is our most pressing and who should we go for in that position. money no object?
Which of the positions can be filled cheaply but still with good quality. who should that be?

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I think each position is as important as the other. Personally I'd like to see our wings take priority as wing-play is a big part of our history and seems to be a big part of LVG's plans.

I don't see the point in talking about money not being an object - but there are plenty of players I think could be available for £30m or less.

Sanchez, Pedro, Griezman and Draxler would all work on the wings. I'd make Sanchez our priority signing there and Pedro for the left.

Next up I'd go all out for Vidal. If we can't get him I'd take Carvalho - but only if we could get him for less than £25m. If Sporting refuse to budge on the price I'd take a punt on Gundogan. For the other midfield spot Cesc is my first choice - but I see him heading to Arsenal. If we can't get Cesc then I'd like to see us push for Kroos. If Kroos is unavailable - Modric.

LB has to be Shaw. I've been incredibly impressed with him this last season and he will only get better. He'd also count as a homegrown player which is always handy.

CB will prove difficult. There seems to be a shortage of top CB's around atm and none of them are available. Barcelona seem likely to push for Hummels and if he leaves I don't see him choosing us over them. Subotic could happen although I'm not sure Dortmund would want to lose both CB's. I'd take Garay if that were the case - but that would need to happen soon.

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All these positions need filling with new reliable recruits. They have needed adressing for too long for them not to be filled now. Incompetence should not be tolerated at any position in a club the size of Manchester United

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Central Midfield is by far and away the most important. We have been lacking here for so long and the whole teams shape is based on having good central midfield players with energy and class. If we don't but at least 1 central midfielder we will continue to go backwards.

Then wingers, a left back and finally a CD.

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26 May 2014 11:11:31
Just seen Editors comment about English players how they are athletes rather than technical.

Totally agree, i'm a coach for under 16 team and there's a guy who's 14 on the team, he's as a winger and has a knowledge for the game next to none, always knows hard going on, he even comments to me what he thinks the team should do on certain games. I'm not going to say he's 'the best player ever' but he's a great winger, his flaws are his strength and height. He got scouted last year, he was one of th best players their, yet he didn't get in, some tall dude that just ran through the whole team with pace and power got scouted, couldn't shoot or pass.

Eds comment was exactly right, I tried to convince the scouters at te academy, they 'replied 'hell get shrugged off the ball and didn't do to well in our beep test'. Was a bit of a joke considering this kid was absolutely brilliant, I've told him to apply next year and keep trying, I'm sure hell make it.

The team he got scouted for was reading in case you were wondering

Cheers

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Agreed, I doubt the likes of Messi or Mata would of made it if they were English. They would be classed as too small and would of been dumped long before fulfilling their potential. That is what is wrong here, it's all about how they look, not how they play.

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26 May 2014 10:47:36
I wanted to post this last week. I expect Welbeck to leave.
Newcastle could be an option.
With Remy moving on.

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I think newcastle are looking to Saido Berahino as Remy's replacement, looks pretty decent.

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26 May 2014 10:25:10
Just like to wish us all a happy 26th May.

many should remember this date.

it was the day Ole and Teddy made our dreams realities.

15 years since the Treble. The promised land.

'Full steam ahead Barcelona'

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15 years! Wow can remember it like it was just last week

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What a fantastic day and night, I was up in the top tier and lost my voice for 2 days lol

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I was behind the goal that our goals were scored at and it was one of the greatest football nights of my life probably the only thing that came near it was the Barcelona game in 84. Where has 15 years gone?

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Same here Redman just to left of the goal as looking from the stands right behind where the ball hit the top corner. Was also in stretford end in 84 as we mentioned in the past. Remember in 99 it would have been Sir Matts birthday as it would have been today . It was my birthday on 22 same day as George Best . In 99 is was same day we beat Newcastle at wembley was at that too and a fantastic night. Unfortunately on my 40th we got beat at Cardiff off arsenal

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Me and my mate starred in our own remake of Planes Trains and Automobiles for that one.

Drive to Dublin, flight to Paris, train to Montpellier, overnight stay there, and a bus over the border to Barcelona the next morning. All along the route, in every village we stopped in, there was at least one other intrepid soul in a United shirt.

Mass kickabout in the sun in Las Ramblas. Walking to the ground and meeting John Virgo - he had Virgo on the back of his shirt, just in case no-one knew who he was.

No tickets, couldn't afford the tout's prices, walking back from the ground to the bar, thinking 'well at least we're here, heard Bayern score, then met two Barca fans walking down the concourse to the ground.

Asked if they had tickets, they did. Barca fans got so many allocated to them. Quick negotiation, and tickets bought for 80 euros for the pair (up to 3000 before the game).

Quick sprint into the ground. 80 minutes spent wondering why we bothered. Then 5 minutes of absolute ecstacy. Told off by suited European types for standing up and cheering when Teddy scored. Still standing up and cheering when Ole got the winner. Cue further admonishments for our behaviour. Celebrating our team scoring by cheering and singing, imagine! Much two-fingered gesturing in return.

Every Utd fan in this supposed neutral area meeting on the steps and hugging and kissing - my favourite part :)

Post-match drinks with big, hairy Bavarians, who took it all remarkably well - I dread to think how it would have been if the circumstances were reversed.

Drinking with United legends down by the marina til sunrise, then two hours kip on a bench in Las Ramblas.

Back the same way we came, nursing very sore heads. Stopped off in Paris for the night, karaoeke bar til the early hours, singing United songs, and after that, un petit liaison :)

Slept in, missed our early morning flight to Dublin, forked out another 100 euros for the next one.

Got home, and listened to all my mates talking about the great atmosphere in the pub after the game, and wishing, for a second, that I'd been with them. Then catching myself on, slapping myself hard, and realising I'd just bore witness, in person, to the greatest night of my life.

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Pancho

When Solskjaers goal hit the net I was almost directly in line with its trajectory so we may not have been far from the same spot.
I remember Las Ramblas the night before was full of very confident Bayern fans who were nowhere to be seen the next night despite arranging to meet.
I remember the clock stopping at the end of normal time and a woman stood in front of me crying and after the season we had I said it's not over yet. I remember the over officious gate staff breaking my flag pole into bits and handing it back, then they ran out of food at half time. Funny but there were far more people in than there were seats, the aisles were full and it was chaos. I had to walk the miles back to the centre after the game and stayed up in Las Ramblas until light before going back to my hotel full of beer nodding off and nearly missing my flight back. Still I made it and the parade through Manchester the next day.

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It was the best season to witness.

Lost the first game in the prem.

Had to qualify for champs league.

The 2, 3-3 group games against Barca.

That goal by Giggsy.

I make my kids watch the season at least once a year. I watch it several. Sad but I can't help it!

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Yep Redman I was right behind the flight of the ball. I went flying down about 6 rows of seats on my back along with a couple of mates when it went in . All the seats snapped. We to walked back into town after the game for some big celebrations . We missed the first couple of minutes of the game because of the cops outside being over the top. A few lads behind us got kicked out at the gate for nothing. Out flight back to manchester was delayed for hours the next day so missed the parade. When were getting off the plane in manchester the airport staff were clapping us off as we were the players. Fantastic!

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The police were shocking that night - using their horses to push people to the ground. There were a few troublemakers who broke through a wire fence, but the policing was totally indiscriminate.

Not the first time I've seen that sort of heavy-handedness in Europe over the years.

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26 May 2014 10:12:44
I know this might sound a bit paranoid but I am starting to get a bit worried regarding our transfer activity. I know its very early days & the window isn't open yet, but it doesn't seem to be stopping other clubs setting up deals ( PSG etc ). Then we have numerous targets Kroos, Robben, Konyaplanka, Garay, Pogba, Vidal etc distancing themselves from us. We then give one of our problem players a 1 year contract extension (Evra ), surely if we are as close to a deal for Shaw as everybody says then this would be the last thing that he wanted to hear. There has been no mention of the mass exodus of the very average squad players ( we all know who they are ) that are not only hindering the 1st team but also stopping some of the excellent young players breaking through. On top of this LVG will have a very limited time to work on the team before the new season kicks in, serious echos of last summer!

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Bit worried myself but I can't see LVG taking the job without promises of transfer funds and players coming in. Woodward needs to get his arse into gear quickly though.

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There are plenty of funds available, however that doesn't mean they will pay over the odds for players. Certainly not for every player. MU will want the best players possible and will spend the early stages and best part of the window trying to get them, if we start to get a little more desperate then perhaps we will look at other players that will not be as difficult to buy. Obviously players like Depay and Clasie will be achievable, but players like Reus and Kroos were clearly first choice. It's still very early on so I wouldn't panic just yet.

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I'd usually be joining in with the; 'it's too early to be worried - the window isn't even open yet'; but after last year it was important for us to make a few big early signings. There's every possibility that they've already been sorted and will be announced at a later date - but judging from the way the papers are talking - it's seeming rather ominous right now.

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My thoughts exactly. But with no champions league football we are unfortunately going to have to pay over the odds to attract the top notch players we need. It worked for city & Chelsea before the oil money rolled in.

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25 May 2014 23:25:06
Eds any chance of a poll of who United fans would prefer:

As No 10 Rooney or Mata?

As back up striker to RVP - Wellbeck or Wilson?

It's being reported that Barca will pay 67m for Mata - but I would keep him and sell Rooney for that and think a Wilson will be better than Welbeck

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{Ed033's Note - Above 2 polls now on the manchester united voting polls page.

If barca offer 67 mill for mata then I think we should let him go. 30 million profit and kagawa would get more game time. we might be able to negotiate a player plus cash some one like pedro would be quite good.

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Tbh I would sooner sell Rooney for 20-30m, even if we were to pay part of his wages we would still be saving enough to get a top midfielder that is frankly more of a requirement.
Something that had occurred to me was when you look at lvgs teams, the team always comes first, and with rvps close relationship with lvg, where does that leave Rooney?
I think it quite likely that in a 433rooney will be the one to play wider, a role he resented playing under fergie, and correct me if I am wrong, but wasn't it reported that in his new contract he was assured playing time at his preferred position. If true it would make a lot more sense to get rid of Rooney instead

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26 May 2014 08:53:31
What stupid comments from Welbeck, how highly must be rate himself? He is an appalling finisher - yes he has potential but he chokes when he has the chance like when he was through against Bayern. He is no where near good enough to play as our number 9. Do you think that LVG may hang off of selling Hernandez until he sees what the situation with Welbeck is? I wouldn't want to get rid of Welbeck and Hernandez.

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The quotes I read all seem like common sense to me. He does look much better as a striker, he has the raw pace we lack and an abundance of skill. Yes his finishing isn't great, but it is something that can be worked on and frankly if we created more chances it wouldn't be a problem.

I'd love him on the left of the 3 with RVP and Janujaz on the right. But I think we will sign a couple of wingers to spice it up a bit, dependent on how LVG sees Young, Nani, Zaha & Valencia.

Valencia would be good cover for Rafael though. I like Welbeck and he is just responding to criticism he believes isn't justified.

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I agree that welbeck is a lot better than some are stating on here and is still only 23. I do worry slightly that he appears to trip over his own legs sometimes but he has genuine pace which we are lacking and is skillful on the ball. That said if he wants to play every game I don't think he is going to dislodge rvp or Rooney as striker so may feel moving on is better for his career. It could be that lvg likes what he sees and plays him in a 4-3-3 so he could be happy at utd should this happen.

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That is the problem Welbeck is saying he wants to play where RVP plays now there is zero chance of Van Gaal picking Welbeck in place of RVP

Sounds more to me like Welbeck thinks he deserves to be the no.9

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As far as I can see he didn't say he wanted to play as a 9 he said he feels he plays better in a front 3 than on the left wing of a midfield 4 because it means he can concentrate on attacking rather than defending.

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I want to see Wilson be RvP's back-up next season. He is at the perfect age to be moulded into a quicker version of RvP. He will always score goals whatever team he is in and the sooner he gets EPL experience the better. Just like Adnan he is ready now, I hope he gets his chance next season. Even if he plays last half hour of 75% of league matches and playing in the cup games. It will be enough for him. I think we are hearing these Welbeck groans because Sturridge has moved ahead of him as the main striker for England and no doubt Hodgson has told him it's because he isn't being played as a main striker. I think Welbeck will actually play wide for England unless Sturridge gets injured.

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26 May 2014 04:00:13
Been reading what welbeck/bambi has been saying. He is truly a average footballer and dumber than sh. t to go with it. How did we end up with guys like him as our future is beyond me.

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I recently read an article that talked about why allot of English / premier league players are so far behind the likes of the Spanish or the Germans. Its because Pl clubs go for athletes instead of technical ability. Welbeck if a great example of this. Fast and powerful but no clue what to do when he has ball at his feet and has no clue what's going on around him. Compare him to Mata who his small and slow but technically brilliant. i'm sure everyone on this site will agree who is better and should be playing for united week in week out.

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His vision is awful and has legs that seem to get tangled, but I must say, he isn't as bad as Sanogo is in that sense!

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Moyes was the wrong manager for Welbeck. He has also been unlucky with Rooney & RVP ahead of him.

He is twice the player of Hernandez and given a run of games in a fast paced attacking team he will be a fantastic player for us, of that I have no doubt.

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Beast I assure u welbeck is not twice the player Hernandez is, in my opinion Hernandez I the far superior player, wherever Hernandez ends up he's going to end up a 20 goal a season striker, it's him who is unlucky that he's got to compete with Rvp and Rooney. I'll miss Hernandez when he goes, I couldn't give a damn if welbeck goes, he's just an average player, no better than the likes of Jordan Rhodes. If welbeck wasn't at United how many people would want to sign him?

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Welbeck has all the physical attributes needed to be a top footballer. However to be a striker at a top club you need to have composure in the areas that matter, sadly Danny lacks decisiveness where and when it really matters in front of goal. I have concerns over our front players, RVP has injury issues, the wrong side of 30 and he doesn't offer any pace. Like Berbatov that can go against him. Top player but for those reasons we need someone up front to give us options and they should have pace. It should be Danny but he isn't up to it.
Rooney can play there but gives the ball away too easily and LvG will not accept that. Hernandez needs to play games but as I have posted before he can't play with his back to goal.
We may lose both Welbeck and Hernandez this summer and it is likely why we will retain RVP and Rooney, but leaves us too reliant on Wilson.
Welbeck isn't the first choice and if he doesn't accept that nor wishes to be played out of position then he needs to go somewhere else.

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Red Man, I agree with all of that. Wilson albeit still very young, is much better than some people think he is. The only thing he lacks is EPL experience and he will get that by playing for us. If it's at the expense of Welbeck then so be it.

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Big Mac - I think Welbeck is underated by us fans. Most teams in the Prem would want him because of what he offers. Granted he shouldn't be ahead of RVP or Rooney at the spearhead, but left side of 3 I would have him ahead of any Utd player at the minute. Pace Power, Technique, Stamina, Arial threat.

Hernandez is meant to be a fox in the box, but he hasn't been since the first season. He is worse than Rooney for giving the ball away, worse than RVP for running offside and slower/less powerful that Welbeck.

It will be interesting what happens here because I get the feeling most fans prefer Hernandez and one or two of our strikers will be going imo, (my bet is Rooney & Hernandez). Just depends what LVG and Giggsy see. He looked like he wanted out and being Mexican the Spanish league would be more suitable for him now as he doesn't have that yard he had during the first season.

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So much for us all thinking that Welbeck is a good player to have around, as he'd always be happy being a squad player.

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26 May 2014 03:09:43
Hey guys, been a wee while since my last post but still read site at least once a day ;-)
Like many I firmly believe lvg is the right choice as manager, not so much for the honours he has won but the teams he has built. If you look at bayern today for example, its successes derive from van gaals time there, he also helped reestablish Bayern's identity which, I think we call all agree is somewhere we need help post SAF.
Having said that, utd do appear to be struggling to bring in the top players (having 2such publicly renounce us dues to the lack of UCL football) so I can't help thinking we should be making more effort to make use of Paul Scholes. Widely respected across Europe and in the game as a whole, having Scholes as a visible member of the coaching team or youth set up could really help us attract talent.
Another point i'd like to make is clearly lvg is not a long term option, with the plan seemingly being for giggs to take over in 3years time. But I have serious doubts as to whether he is up to the job. Don't get me wrong, giggs will always be a club legend but is he really right for the job? Both red nev and Scholes appear to be far more tactically astute and not to be harsh, don't have the taint from indiscretions in the media that may undermine future dealings with players. I mean you couldn't imagine John terry as a manager lecturing his players on respecting one another could you?
Unfortunately I don't see Scholes as a manager at a big club as he is a quite quiet personality, but as a no 2 or head of youth development or something I think he would be fantastic as, so red nev for me would be a better choice than giggs if we do go down the class of 92 route but am interested to hear what you all think on the subject, should giggs be the one to take over or should we be looking further afield?

Dags

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I agree with everything you say especially the part about Giggs and what the media will pile on him. I quite like Gary Neville and my opinion is we have the wrong Neville at the club. Gary is quite brilliant especially when you listen to his Sly pundit stuff, seems to have a tactical view. The 4 games that Giggs was in charge he did not convince me, esp as he seemed to prefer the traditional 442. There is a chance though that it was a result of lack of proper personnel to play whatever other formation he may prefer.
I quite honestly think that if Giggs will take over as manager from LvG then we should have Gary as the Director of Football, assuming he's interested of course

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