09 Mar 2021 11:35:48
Rumours today that cavani will not be extending, any truth in this Ed’s?

{Ed002's Note - Edinson Cavani (S) out of contract and wants to move to Boca Juniors. His agent has a plan to offer, as I have mentioned before, Andre Silva (S) who was recomemnded to several clubs, certainly including Everton and Manchester United, by a very high-end independent scout who used to play in the Premier League. This dates back to last summer before his loan became a permanent move. But his agent may look to figure out a move to Old Trafford if Cavani leaves.}

1.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 12:43:02
Not a good news that Cavani would be looking to leave. With Martial blowing hot and cold, we would definitely need a reliable Centre Forward.

2.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 12:32:42
Ed, if its not too much trouble could you tell us what other forwards we may look at as replacements?

{Ed002's Note - There is not much at this time - if Kane were available at a reasonable price they would be keen. There has been interest in Moussa Dembele (S) whose loan is not going at all well at Atletico Madrid and that may put them off taking up their option to buy the player - would now be seen as risky but Manchester Inited could yet offer an option. Or they could look to the versatility of a Leon Bailey type player.}

3.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 13:12:28
Wow I wasn't expecting that. Such a shame as he's made a positive impact when available. One of those players I wish we'd signed a number of years ago.

It makes signing a centre forward a top priority if Cavani is to leave.

Thanks for the info Ed.

{Ed002's Note - The alternative would be another Falcao, ZI, EC type player at the end of their careers that MU might be able to squeeze a little more out of him.}

4.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 13:32:37
Ed002 Can I ask if there's any interest in Dominic Calvert-Lewin? I couldn't find anything on a search so perhaps not.

{Ed002's Note - No there isn’t.}

5.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 13:51:02
Thank you Ed.

6.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 16:28:36
I don't proclaim to understand all the nuances around contracts but I always thought it was a 1 year deal with the option to extend for a further year and that the club could trigger that extra year.
Apologies if this is wrong and I have missunderstood how this works.
I have always liked Cavani and wished we had got him years ago, beast of a team player.

{Ed077's Note - I have really liked Cavani when he has played; but he has missed too many games and struggled to get an extended run to make a big difference on a consistent basis.

7.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 17:52:43
His dad has pretty much confirmed he’s going to boca in the summer.

8.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 17:54:30
If Utd want to compete they’re going to have to bite the bullet and buy a top striker in the summer. Cavani has been pretty good but he’s too injury prone for another season. We may end up wasting our time on a fruitless pursuit of Haaland.

9.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 18:37:13
Or play Greenwood up top and buy a Sancho type player.

{Ed002's Note - Like Bailey.}

10.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 18:53:02
I think Bailey doesn't have an attitude problem or ego like Sancho has.

11.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 20:44:24
When did martial blow hot this season. been blowing cold and colder.

12.) 09 Mar 2021
09 Mar 2021 22:45:48
Aguero is available on a free 😉.

13.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 08:37:55
Martial had had an average season. However the season before he was excellent. Maybe now he knows Cavani is off has improved his performance and mood.

As per Ed’s comments, I think the club know they’ll not get Haaland, C.V. has stopped them splashing mega millions, so Bailey or similar etc will come and Greenwood will rotate up front with Martial.

Should Pogba stay and extend, we will not need an extra creative midfielder.

Let’s be honest, last season’s front three of Rashford, Martial and Greenwood was awesome. Just lacked strength in depth and options.

Not sure who made the point but goals aren’t the issue it seems - goals against are.

I think a summer of three signings is the absolute maximum we will see/ require - CB, DM, Forward. Maybe a punt on Jovic/ Dembele/ Bailey would be sensible.

{Ed077's Note - really Martial has had an average season in you eyes?

Martial has had one good game this season which was against City last Sunday and has consistently been one of the worst players throughout the season IMO.}

14.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 08:53:27
I think we are too quick to want to offload players Ed77. Yes he’s been below par this season, but last season he was one of our best players. There’s a quality player in there, and it’s up to him, OGS and coaching team to get that player out consistently. Whether it’s because he’s sulking, hates competition, has personal issues or the tactics don’t suit him. I have no idea but I for one would be keen to keep him over spending £50m+ on someone else who we don’t need.

{Ed077's Note - but he has been woeful this season. If managers arent afforded the luxury of having a poor poor season than why is a player who has had 1 good season in 4-5 yrs and a horrible season so far be given the first choice role? Cavani has made himself first choice when fit this season so I dont see your argument in saying signing someone to replace him if he leaves isnt needed.}

15.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 09:15:58
Not arguing he’s been poor Ed - that’s been clear to see. But the coaching staff have to look at why, and also why do they keep playing him if he lacks the talent (which don’t believe is the issue) .

Regarding the Cavani love in that’s the point. He’s not been readily available at all due to consistent muscle injuries that have been a part of his career for recent years and he wants out - his Dad made that pretty clear yesterday.

{Ed077's Note - And most are saying if Cavani leaves we need to replace him, because he has effectively been first choice when available. The frustration with Martial isnt because people think he lacks talent, actually its the opposite, he just doesnt do anywhere near what he is capable of, for most people.}

16.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 09:32:37
He is a frustrating player for sure. He’s not a striker though either as we can all see. Cavani has highlighted a need in our team that should be addressed. A No9 who is cunning, aggressive, and occupies defenders allowing Rashford, Bruno, Greenwood, and dare I say Martial to play off them.

{Ed077's Note - Thats too many attackers lol.

Martial was played on the left wing, people said he was more of a No.9. Now he hasnt been much better as a CF so he is a CAM?}

17.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 09:37:19
Wing back next! The truth is watching the whole team is currently frustrating. They’re all hot and cold with the exception of Bruno.

{Ed077's Note - I think someone else said it here but Martial has not been hot this season, he has been cold and colder. I thought last season the penny had finally dropped for Martial but he has gone back to his previous sulky self.}

18.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 09:46:47
Then it’s a mental block rather than an ability one it seems.

{Ed077's Note - he is 25 yrs old already, he wont get over his "mental block" now if he is so weak mentally. For me he doesnt have the fire on his belly to be a top top player.}

19.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 10:36:22
martial has been poor because that is the player he is. no time for players who don't want to work hard,

he is lazy, doesn't make run doesn't stretch players, and other than the ok game against city he has been terrible.

20.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:01:00
Never seen anyone so blindly defend martial. He’s piss poor and he’s had more than enough time to showcase his abilities.

21.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:39:34
Because interestingly over 250 games for the club both he and Rashford share almost identical goals and assist records and I assume we’ve not yet got started on the Rashford bashing just yet? Nothing blind about my analysis- he’s a highly effective player when in form. Which this season he is not. Yet he is still preferred above other options byvarious managers and coaches. They must see something others don’t.

{Ed077's Note - Jose didn't want to keep him. LVG didn't have many options. OGS is the only manager that you can say has continued with him and even then Martial doesn't play the major games if Cavani is available. Cavani has shown him up, Martial just doesn't do enough to be leading the line for a team that has aspirations to compete at the highest level.


Also were you not around when people wanted Rashford to be dropped and even sold just a few months ago. And Radford offers a lot more to the team than Martial, and he is homegrown and club trained so even if you have to choose between the 2 of them the sensible option is to choose Rashford. Also don't forget Rashford is almost 2 years younger.

22.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 12:53:41
Age is irrelevant as people develop at different rates both mentally and physically.

I was around reading the ridiculous posts about getting rid of Rashford, just as I am now on Martial. You back up my point Ed.

As for Jose - this is the same Jose created an horrendous atmosphere amongst players and fans at our club, that tried to force out Luke Shaw and dropped him for Ashley Young and played Fellaini every week. The same Jose that has Bale and Dele Alli on the bench every week at Spurs? Yeah I remember him and good riddance to him.

Seems to me if there is a problem with Martial, then the criticism should be aimed at the manager, coaches and club for keeping him.

23.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 14:59:33
Eric, Rashford's work rate is incomparable to Martial.
Even in the last match, Rashy chased down 70 yards to stop a City attack.

Will Martial do that?
Work rate and right attitude is the bare minimum expected from any player.

24.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 16:43:38
I’m not criticising either player (especially not Rashford) in any of my posts. I think they’re both valuable players for our team. In fact anybody asking for Rashford to be sold I think is a fool.

I’d love to see the stats though behind this lazy tag on how little Martial works and runs - is this published anywhere? It’s genuinely a really fascinating debate and why I love football as two people can see and interpret the same thing very differently.

{Ed077's Note - but you also seem to think that Martial is a great and has been doing well and people are wrong to criticise him; or thats how your posts portray which in my opinion, MY OPINION is surprising given how poor Martial has been all season.}

25.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 17:58:55
Not at all. Nowhere have I said he’s had a good season. Read what I have said. Although Do I think he’s a good player though? Yes I absolutely do.

To label him as lazy though is an interesting one for me - I’d like to see how much runs compared to the team using stats before I agree or disagree. The perception is he’s lazy due to his style, but not sure whether the facts back that up.

We decided to move him to a 9 - this is his second full full season in that role. l as a professional footballer at elite level. He’s learning it as he goes and was never going to be as good as Cavani at it in that side of time who is a proven craftsman at his trade in that piston albeit a dwindling force now. The fact he’s not massively improved at it, in fact regressed this season, I think is more damning on our manager (an ex striker) and coaches than it is him.

{Ed077's Note - I didnt say you said he has had a good season. Read what I have said. I dont think anybody likes his body language and application most of the times and it is understandable why it puts some people off specially during his bad runs, which have been more frequent than his good runs.

You seem to miss one very important point in a lot of this discussion; that most of the striker talk has been around the fact that Cavani seems very willing to leave for Boca Juniors and hence needs replacing. Some want to get shot of Martial instead of Cavani but that looks less likely.}

26.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 18:18:43
His body language and style do give the wrong perception Ed for sure. I also think he does run - just makes the wrong type of runs as he’s not been trained as a natural a striker.

Given Cavani almost certainly gone, who’s your pick to replace if we assume Haaland is not an option? Jovic? Silva? Greenwood moved centrally?

{Ed077's Note - DCL maybe, although looks unlikely. Maybe Patson Daka. I am a little bit skeptical about signing attackers from Frankfurt. I am unsure whether the players are so good or if its the system and the manager thats really good. But if the club is convinced about Andre Silva then he will have full support from me.

27.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 18:25:10
DCL would be my choice but he’s going to be too pricey I think.

Silva looking likely. Or keep Martial 😂😂😂😂.

{Ed077's Note - keep Martial but still need to replace Cavani. The academy lads dont look ready just yet either.}

28.) 10 Mar 2021
10 Mar 2021 18:31:00
No I’d agree on that. Few years off yet.

29.) 11 Mar 2021
11 Mar 2021 00:23:30
If I were EW I’d be going all out for Haaland. He hasn’t been able to get a proper run in the side due to injuries and suspension, but Cavani has shown us what a difference a proper CF can do in this side and for my money there isn’t a better one out there than Haaland right now.

Despite our poor relationship with his agent, I do wonder whether we’re well placed to strike a deal due to the Pogba situation. IIrc, were we to sell him this summer the fee would go to Pogba and his agent and so there’s very little incentive for us to do so unless we can strike some sort of deal. If that deal happened to be allowing them to keep all of the fee in exchange for getting a deal for Haaland over the line then I certainly wouldn’t say no. By all accounts, Dortmund need to sell, Haaland isn’t against a move to Manchester and his agent will likely push for whichever deal is going to line his pockets the most. It seems very doable, although will no doubt cost a lot.

I hate football agents and how greedy and influential they’ve become, but sometimes you have to deal with the devil in order to get things done. If we don’t, one of our rivals will.