24 Feb 2021 00:06:28
Hi eds I read a couple of weeks ago on the bbc website that we were interested in raphina from leeds. Do you know if there is any truth in this. Thanks in advance
Niall.

{Ed002's Note - Raphinha (RW) Leeds are expecting offers in the summer and want Michael Olise to replace him should a significant offer be accepted. I am not aware of any approach or declaration of interest from Liverpool or Manchester United at this time.


1.) 24 Feb 2021
24 Feb 2021 11:11:01
I think he would be a very good option, has a good relationship with Bruno as well from their time at Sporting apparently.

I often think we are too easily seduced by fancy names or "big money" players playing in foreign leagues, when actually there are some potentially very good options playing closer to home who could prove excellent signings. Raphinha, Ismalia Sarr, Emi Buendia and Pedro Neto have all had good seasons playing in England and would not cost half of what Sancho would while could be considered less risky as they have actually played professionally in England.


2.) 24 Feb 2021
24 Feb 2021 19:25:46
Sancho would have no problem in England imo, but I don't think he's the right player for us and if he doesn't hit the ground running the pressure from the media will weigh heavy on him.

I really like neto he will be a top player for years to come, if we were to spend decent money on a winger I don't think we should look past him.

I watch a lot of wolves as they were my grandads team and he impresses me more everytime I see him play. Its only a matter of time before he get a move to a top team.


3.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 09:46:39
Danny, I don't think Sancho would have an issue moving back home to England. I mean it's his home country after all, so he won't have issues like language, or culture barriers that can make it difficult for other players.

I don't for one second believe his current numbers of goals and assists would be as high in the EPL as they are in the Bundesliga. At least not initially, maybe in a few years when he really starts to fulfill his potential. Ultimately the quality of defending in the EPL is far superior to the Bundesliga.

However, for me while I think he would stylistically he would be a good fit. I'm not sure that we can afford to spend 80m+ which it will cost to sign him. In my opinion we need a top class CB and a CDM. Those two positions will cost us the best part of 100m if not more. If there is money for a third signing them I doubt it'll be enough for Sancho. So for me signing Sancho means comprising on the signings that we really need.

I also really rate Pedro Neto, I think if someone doesn't snap him up soon then he'll be a 70m+ signing in two years time.

{Ed077's Note - Isn't Pedro Neto an LW who can play RW. Man Utd are better off going for an RW/RM who can cover other positions not the other way round.}


4.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 10:36:15
Ed077, Neto is comfortable right across the frontline, at No.10 and even as a No.8. He tends to play on the left for Wolves more often than not because Adama Traore and Daniel Podence play best off the right, and in Traore's case can only really play off the right.

However, I see Neto's flexibility and comfortability on either wing or as a No.10 as a huge benefit. It would allow us to sign a player who can play on thr right but without stifling Amad or Greenwood who'd also look to get minutes. While he can cover Rashford on the left if we either needed to rest him or play him as a striker. He's better than James and more consitent on the left than Martial. He is also capable of playing in the No.10 role to a high level giving us a genuine option to play and rest Bruno.

Very few players can play to a high standard, score and create goals from both wings or the No.10 position with near equal impact in all three positions.

{Ed077's Note - So what you are saying is Neto is a LW who is very versatile and can play on the right or through the middle. Neto, no doubt has been really impressive this season but he is (or has been) playing mainly as a LW.

Man Utd has a first choice LW whose primary position is LW but is versatile enough to cover at RW or CF, in Rashford. It would then make more sense in going after a player whose best position is off the right hand side but can cover other positions ideally. For example Raphinha at Leeds.
But that's just my opinion.}


5.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 14:41:10
Ed077, Raphinha would also be a great option.

Pedro Neto before moving to Wolves has played primarily on the RW, or as a second striker, similar to Joao Felix. But at Wolves due to them having Podance and Traore who almost exclusively play RW, and with Jota leaving the obvious gap in the first team was on the left at Wolves which is where he has tended to play.

So far this season he has played on the left 11 times.
On the right 5 times.
as a striker 4 times.
as a No.10 on 3 occasions.
And as a No.8 twice.

So very versatile. To be honest with what will likely be a limited budget this summer we are unlikely to be able to buy a wide player, a back up for Bruno and a striker. Yet signing someone like Neto who can play most positions with little to no drop off in performance would mean we are stronger across the front line by only signing one player.

{Ed077's Note - Jota was replaced in the wolves side , by Neto which led to his sale. Not the other way around. Neto had 8 senior career appearances before moving to Wolves so your conclusion about him being a RW primarily before signing for Wolves is frankly untrue because of the sheer lack of game time.

Neto is having a really good season and might be a really good player for Man Utd to look at but he has played more times at LW than RW which is a fact yours "stats" back up Shaps.}


6.) 25 Feb 2021
25 Feb 2021 20:45:43
Sarr and Buendia drew so much laughter when they were suggested last season. Are they any more desirable now after a year in the Championship? Buendia by all accounts is doing well but Sarr doesn’t seem to be setting it alight.


7.) 26 Feb 2021
26 Feb 2021 10:43:15
Spenno, Buendia is probably the best player in the championship this season and a big reason for Norwich being 7 points clear at the top currently. He is 100% good enough for the EPL, although most people on here could probably guess that I'd say that.

Sarr has been solid if unspectacular, on balance of play he has probably been Watford's best player. Currently they sit 3rd 7 points off of top spot.

Ultimately though football is a team game and many aspects of that will impact how effect a player can be within that team.

I think Sarr has the ability to step up in a better team. Is he good enough for us? You'll never know unless he gets given the chance. We've signed top players who have flopped and young unknowns who have become stalwarts of the side.

If I'm honest I wouldn't have either of Buendia or Sarr as first choice if money was no object. But the reality is that we are going to have to be clever with our money this summer and prioritise positions other than RW. In that situation then putting talented players who are already settled in England and tested in the EPL makes a lot of sense, especially as they will be half the price of a Jadon Sancho, or proven in the EPL and less injury prone than a Ousemane Dembele or Kingsley Coman and would significantly less on wages.

In an ideal world we would make 4-5 signings and all of them would be top class players. Jules Kounde, Declan Rice, Jadon Sancho, Erling Haaland and a top RB.

The reality is we might be able to afford 1 or 2 of those players and maybe 1 or 2 cheaper alternatives to those players if we are lucky. So it all comes down to who we can get, and which positions we prioritise.