Manchester United Banter Archive April 28 2014

28 Apr 2014 22:08:50
Is it true that we are being strongly linked with cesc fabregas again, apparently he is getting booed every game off his own fans and has threatened to leave if it carries on and it has.

28 Apr 2014 22:58:52
Douglas duggo your spot on pal

I don't think he has ever been a fan favourite.

I would much rather Kroos, personally.

{Ed004's Note - The one thing fabregas has is a bit of bite about him. Doesn't seem to shy away from confrontation something you need in midfield in premiership when going gets tough. Kroos seems to have a very laid back approach}

Agree, ed004, but I just think Kroos would be the next best thing to having a young Paul Scholes. The guy's range of passing is the best around, IMO. That said, Fabregas would be a great addition to our CM.

{Ed004's Note - I would happily take either. Starting to really look forward to the window now}

Same here mate.

I can see us having a transfer window to remember, as opposed to one to forget. We have had enough of them in recent years.

Fabregas every day of the week for me, he would be revelation for us

Fabregas would be an incredible signing for United but I feel like there's no way he would choose to come here instead of returning to Arsenal if he wanted to play in England again.

Lets see if Mata, DDG & Van Persie can talk him into coming here.

AW won't be at Arsenal for ever and a lot of the Arsenal players from Cesc's days there have left or on their way out. We have bid for him before, perhaps if Kroos signs a new deal, we will go back in for him.

I personally think that there are four options:

William Carvalho or Strootman
AND
Kroos or Fabregas.

I think that the preference is for Strootman and Kroso but I would be happy with any combination.

Imo strootman isn't an option for an other 12 months .
if ever

Strootman and Kroos for me too

29 Apr 2014 11:08:37
A Kroos and Strootman midfield would have a serious lack of pace, also Strootman is more a box to box midfielder than a defensive midfielder. The problem is in the premier league a box to box mudfielder needs pace.

Also even though Kroos is the more talented passer I would still rather have Fabregas as he's proven himself in the Premier league.

I think we would be better off going for Carvalho and Fabregas, they are more suited to the prem and they offer us more tactical options.

Carvalho for me is a must then one of Kroos Fabregas or Pjanic would be ideal.

I think if we get Van Gaal he will go for Strootman every time, LvG said in an interview that Stroots was the most important player for Holland and made everything tick

I don't think strootman is on the cards due to injury and I can't see fab as for me his best position is further forward and we all ready have players there.
so if lvg comes in I think we will go 4-3-3 so carvalho and kross could be a possibility with rooney just infront of them . 2 wide men reus& and valencia? With a striker rvp or cavaini?
When we have the ball rooney steps in to the number 10 with a cb stepping in to midfield making it 3_4_4. Helps keeps possesion and press the other team .

Mata?

Syd
Im not sure about mata good player but not sure he fits in .
If we go for lvg I would expect 2 quick wingers and 3 in the middle .
I still think we bought him because he was a good player that was available rather than a good player that we needed.
I think he could find himself in a similar situation as he was at chelsea

Hard to disagree with that Jred. It will be an interesting summer, we should get a few clues during preseason as to what the new manager wants to do.

Strootman Fabregas for me Fabregas has proven himself in the prem Strootman is strong and a good passer isn't really a box to box but more of a high midfield player who tracks back

28 Apr 2014 22:01:37
Not my choice but interested in thoughts for laudrup or blanc for the job?

28 Apr 2014 21:35:27
With all the rumours about Van Gaal wanting Strootman (if LvG is appointed and when Strootman is fit), does this put an end to our pursuit of William Carvalho?

You would think so wouldn't you! The only question mark is Strootman's long term fitness following his knee surgery and how well he can come back. But as its been pointed out, LvG is a huge admirer of KS and sees him as a leader and a rock in midfield.

Strootman is another who is too slow and after the injury he's had who knows what lasting damage it may have done.If he is to be signed i'd give him another season with roma to assess how he's doing first.

I wouldn't imagine it would. Through reading into lvg style it would suggest he will play a 433 in which the midfield has a defensive player, an attacking player and someone to link them much like barca. Mata would obviously be our attacking and I would see strootman as more of a link (box to box) than defensive hence a space for carvalho aswell

28 Apr 2014 20:30:55
If as ed 002 said, we approached Conte and he becomes our manager. Lol mourinho will have a buddy and Chelsea vs Manchester United ending 0-0, .1-0 lol!. Hilarious!

Actually Conte and Juve are not as defensive as everyone thinks, Simeone and Mourinho would be a 0-0 all year long even if we played 180 minutes LOL.

I would rather have Giggs than Conte. I I am not sure he would be a success. That is just my opinion of course. Truth be told, I don't know much about the man.

Giggs is not qualified and will maybe damage his legacy at the club.

Would rather have G.Neville than Giggs, Neville comes across as a great tactician, he would be a perfect number 2 IMO.

GCU,

I agree, but only insofar as I think Giggs would have a problem with getting rid of some of the dead wood, that needs getting rid of.

It looks pretty much nailed on that it will be that Dutch bloke. I can't say I am completely enamoured by the idea of him; but I suppose he does have the credentials. I just fear another repeat of last summer, where Rooney decides he wants out because Van Gaal might favour RVP, and end up with another Rooney related summer transfer saga.

The difference is, if Rooney wants out this time van Gaal is confident enough to get rid of him. Fergie had grown tired of Rooney's unwillingness to adapt his game to benefit the team, and was ready to let him go. Moyes allowed Rooney to do what he liked on the pitch because he was terrified that he wouldn't be able to bring in a star name to replace him. Van Gaal will have no qualms moving him.

I'm not sure it would be as easy as that, danny.

Danny, I agree, it's looking likely to be LvG and I wouldn't be surprised if he made Van Persie captain. He is his captain for Holland. That will p!ss Rooney off as he was almost certainly going to be captain under Moyes. LvG will be well aware of the differences between the two strikers and under LvG Rooney will not be treated like a golden boy. I hope Rooney will stay for a couple more years, but he may not be looking forward to LvG taking over. We will see, but you are right, he would have no problems moving Rooney on if Rooney wanted to move.

If Van dar sar thinks he's the best manager he's played under then he's good enough for me!

28 Apr 2014 16:22:46
MU are still considering other managerial candidates despite positive talks with Louis Van Gaal. It looks like it's going to be LvG, but they want to make it look like they are being thorough. I guess Carlo & Conte is the "other candidates" they are talking about?

Hopefully they are waiting to see what happens after the champions league semi finals, all 4 managers have been mentioned as being possible, and surely at least one managers position might not be as secure when they get knocked out of the competition, it's a common reason for a manager to get fired when they fail in the champs

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United cannot approach managers of other clubs without the permission of the club itself. At this stage of the season no club will grant that. The club however has spoken with the agent of another manager as I explained last week.}

Sydney

They should conduct a proper assessment and not dive straight in. They must get it right this time. There are a couple of semi finals this week, in one, both Pep and Ancelotti have pressure in different ways. Pep because there was not enough end product and Ancelotti because it is the Madrid circus and they are obsessed with the tenth. The delay in announcement could mean they are waiting for someone else so that they can assess more than one candidate and that is right. They will likely know interest via agents and should have a short list by now.
Ancelotti has the right stature, had a double in the premier league, highly relevant experience. He would attract top players as would LvG yet LvG comes with a risk as he is fiery. I am looking forward to seeing what happens.

{Ed002's Note - I am pretty sure there has been no approach made to either Madrid nor Carlo A's agent.}

Sir Alex was fiery too.

Ed002, in regards to your last reply, do you think MU could be waiting to see if RM go out of the UCL tomorrow before making an approach if there is an approach? It would be unfair to go in just before such an important game wouldn't it?

{Ed002's Note - I would not think that Carlo A is a guy the club would look to Syd.}

Turning that round, given the criticism of Guardiola's team against Madrid, in that Beckenbauer said they lacked punch, would Pep be under pressure if Bayern go out? If I recall the Ed may have said Pep was previously first choice? Would we have interest there?

{Ed002's Note - Not an option.}

I think Bayern will knock out RM and that is how I am betting it. Might be easier than most think. I think we might see a repeat chelsea/Bayern Final, which means it will probably be a all madrid final LOL.

Shame, I like Carlo.

I think Madrid will knock bayern out and I think athletico will go through against Chelsea.

R.madrid and Chelsea final, I think Madrid will win.

I agree with herbie

Herbie hide? Or Herbie longsdale?

Final will be the madrid derby and real will put a few past munich tonight munich are rubbish at the back and reals counter attacking will expose it even more tonught and athletico Chelsea will be 1-1

3-1 to Bayern I am leaning towards. Bayern will definitely win question is will madrid go through on the way goal rule. 3-1 or 3-2 are good bets IMO.

Chelsea is just very tough at SB with mourinho and they will do the usual and win an ugly game.

Gcu
Ive gone for madrid, fancy them on the break got them a 4s as well good price

Don't care who wins it except if chelski do and I can't see that happening.

Jred

You have been getting a lot of your bets right. I think it will be a great game actually both games to see how these managers tactically try and outdo each other.

Gcu
Yer I think it should be a good game imo the bayern style is made for real you saw the problems welbeck caused them bale and ronaldo should get some joy as well.
That said if bayern play well they take a lot of beating

I should have listened to you. Unbelievable, they are destroying Bayern.

Gcu
with the high line bayern are made for madrid.

28 Apr 2014 01:07:41
Although only media-based rumours, I have seen a fair amount of Pedro to Liverpool rumours. Ed002, do you have anything on Pedro wanting to leave Barca and if so which clubs have shown any interest, and is it likely that MU would attempt to sign him?

Imagine an attacking three of Reus, RVP and Pedro. With Hernandez, Januzaj and Nani (personally prefer him to Valencia as he has more attacking technical ability) as back up. I'm not getting into Rooney debates, so I guess he's involved too :( Although my preference is that he costs too much for what he brings to the table.

{Ed002's Note - Pedro may possibly be one of the players Barcelona will see move on this summer. I am not aware of any confirmed interest from any side other than PSG.}

Thanks Ed. Have PSG made any form of move for the player or was it just a case of announcing that they are interested.

I think he is exactly what we are missing! IMO whatever he costs (rumours suggested Barca would want around £25m, but I'd be happy to pay up to £35M) would be money well spent for what he would offer us on the pitch! Great player

{Ed002's Note - In January they did.}

28 Apr 2014 14:04:03
I know that a lot of us think it is too soon for Ryan to be manager (81% at present) but this is a report on what Lindegaard has said about Giggs.

"Ryan Giggs has always kept a king of professional distance from his team-mates. He opened his mouth when it was relevant and people have always listened", the Danish goalkeeper wrote on his Betfair blog.

"What we have seen in the first week has been more than convincing.

"The parallels with Sir Alex Ferguson are striking and it is clear that Ryan Giggs has been learning from history's most awe-inspiring manager.

"His last speech before the team went on the pitch before the match against Norwich was terrifying in a way that I have only experienced from Sir Alex Ferguson.

"It probably sounds rather naive and impetuous, and I understand people being sceptical about drawing any conclusion from four training sessions, a game and a day off, but to me we are dealing with a new Guardiola."

Grand praise indeed and only time will tell.

I was kind of thinking the same thing but then decided to park the idea because, surely the club would only go for a manager with a top CV in the wake of the Moyes debacle?

I would love it if Giggs got the job and was a success but must admit it would be a huge gamble by the club.

Promoting within the club is the best way to maintain success!

Unfortunately Giggs, Scholes, Butt, Neville etc were too young to be coaches under SAF for any length of time to take over when he retired.

However it is clear to me that Giggs has the right character and knowlege to make it as a manager at the top level. It is apparent that Giggs does not speak for the sake of speaking but when he does people really listen as what he says is already deemed as important. No one has won more than Giggs or looked after themselves better to play for so long. These attributes will mean that he will always be able to hold respect with the players.

Giggs could be the manager if he had a really experienced and good No.2 who had good tactical skills that Giggs could bounce ideas on and off. Then guys like Scholes and Butt could be a good link between the manager and the players as Giggs would have to distance himself from the players slightly in order to make the tough calls on team selection and substitutions etc.

Also Giggs could speak with SAF if he ever though he needed a bit of impartial advice.

If Utd didn't win trophies for a couple of years but there was progression and qualification for the CL I believe that most of us would accept this if the manager was Giggs as we would know that the direction that the team was heading in would be correct.

This would be a bit of a sentimental appointment but if it can happen with Guardiola then why not Giggs?
If he can win the next three games and install some confidence back into the players then perhaps it might be a reality.
If we get LVG then I just hope that Giggs etc are among the coaching staff otherwise we are back to the beginning again when he inevitably leaves in 3/4 years time.

I know this is a hyperthetical question and possibly something that could never of happened. If we had kept the coaching staff from last season and put Giggs in as manager last summer would we be 7th in the league with such a loss of confidence in the squad?
I don't think so myself. Perhaps we would not of seriously challenged for the PL title but I am convinced we would of been above Arsenal, Spurs and Everton.

If Giggs was able to persuade the right players to join then who knows how far we could of gone?

Good to see our back-up keeper has faith in Giggs' managerial abilities! But really, he definitely needs a few years of experience before taking on a job like United although I do see him claiming the position in the future.

Well that is a relief, I say we should give it to him and see what happens next:)

28 Apr 2014 09:12:57
Ferdinand has said he wants to play on, I think that will be met with a no by LvG and he will be on his way out if he doesn't retire. Well past it, if he stayed he would be 5th choice for me behind a new signing and three lads.

Fresh, like I have said before the issue we have is Keane is one year away from being ready for MU first team and Ferdinand and Vidic are both leaving this summer. I think MU would have liked Vidic to hang around for one more year until Keane was ready to replace him, but that may now fall on Ferdinand. Instead of MU buying two more CB's and then adding Keane next year, I think they will keep Ferdinand around for one more year until Keane is ready and go out and buy one experienced player this summer to replace Vidic. If they think Ferdinand is shot, then we maybe forced to go out and buy two CB's, one experienced and one younger CB with potential. Vidic leaving has made it difficult for us really, but then again MU should have dealt with all of this at an earlier date.

Sydney how can you be sure Keane will be ready in 12 moths?

Carloto
Months**

Keane is very good defender carloto. He has shown that in the championship (which is far more physical) and also he has played full 90 minutes invariably. If he goes out to loan to a premiership club next season (Leicester would be my bet because of nigel pearson) he could really develop as a good defender.

Carloto, sorry I did write a big post which took me a good 10-15 minutes, but my internet went down when I sent it and I couldn't retrieve it. In a nutshell, I don't know for sure, but he is progressing very well and the next stage is a season long loan in the EPL. He has the physique, he's exceptional on the ball which is what we need, what he lacks is the EPL experience. A loan move to Burnley or Leicester would do him the world of good IMO.