05 Jun 2023 12:54:33
Let me add to our rumours page what I read from a senior Muppet today. Afterall sharing is caring :D
A summary below:

Mount - personal terms non issue, united know what he wants. They’ve said they’ll pay them. Fee likely to be around £55m + maybe some classics for addons. Talks started with Chelsea 9-10 days ago. Probably our most likely signing. Erik has spoken with him.

Hojlund - I don’t know a ton but referencing a while back I was told he was a serious option. Laurie’s article for the athletic has a lot more detail. What I can say is United absolutely are strongly considering it and have held extensive discussions including with his family. If they want him he’s theirs. They’ve even reviewed medical records. Which leads to…

Kane - United will make an offer early as possible and then move on quickly. As I’ve said for a while they continue to not think they’ll get him. I THINK that’s why Hojlund is being brought forward, to where they can get it done in an instant if Kane doesn’t happen. I haven’t heard a lot of activity on other strikers in terms of talks and offers, I wouldn’t end up being totally surprised if they sign just Hojlund as a striker and spend money elsewhere.

Rice - I’ve been told United intend to make an offer. A serious one. Still expecting Arsenal to get him. Again I don’t know how they could do this with Mount and Kane, but I think it’s more likely a situation where they expect Kane not to happen and as such could make an offer for Rice while getting Hojlund.

Rabiot - Still in discussion. Still a serious option.

Costa - Scouted every game. Good chance he gets sold. United have spoken with mendes about it. United want a keeper.

It’s hard to put a finger on all the plans because obviously they can’t just go and get all these players but it seems that they’re acting rather competently - lining up every player to the point where they can pull the trigger on multiple based on different scenarios. As the season ends, and we move into hopefully the takeover wrapping up too, I will work to figure out within all these names what happens but some of it could be done pretty quickly (or moved on from fairly quickly) .

There are other names further down the lists should they not obtain the priority targets in these areas but these are the main names for now. For example Goncalo Ramos for whom mendes may broker a deal for him so that could be discussed along with costa.

A contact was asked if United would press ahead right away on these after the final, and replied yes. Mount and Kane to be the first moves with Mount very likely. I’m still told despite reports of Chelsea playing hardball and wanting to keep him, they’re not making any offers and Boehly hasn’t spoken to him.

Still pessimism on Kane but early move then move on as stated above. Ten Hag is definitely also thinking about a goalkeeper make no mistake about it. Hojlund is a deal that could get done in a matter of a couple weeks as well.

1.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 13:16:16
Very happy with all the above targets. Agree it's unlikely Kane and Rice could arrive in the same window.
Would prefer MacAllister over Mount if we're looking at that type of player, valuations seem similar but Mac has a preferred destination.

2.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 13:26:43
I don’t think there is anything between mount ( last season) and Mcallister! In fact I’d lean towards mount! Can’t believe the negativity towards mount think he’d be an excellent piece of business!

3.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 13:28:41
What about Kim Min-jae?

4.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 14:01:01
Not negativity Chris, just a preference 'if' there was a choice between Mount and Mac All-star. But I don't mind Mount at all, I too think he would be a shrewd bit of business.

5.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 14:29:16
Damn that auto-correct feature!

6.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 14:38:18
Great stuff mbd. Hope most of that that pans out. We should be able to get 100M from outgoings so it could be feasible (Maguire, McT, Fred, Henderson and possibly Martial or Sancho all appear to be on the outgoings list) . Supposing it's Costa, Min Jae, Mount, Rabiot, Hojlund and a RB I'd be happy enough. Getting Kane instead of Hojlund would be a dream of a summer tbh.

7.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 18:08:53
Not a massive fan of Mac Allister. Doesn't offer enough going forward for me. Good player, just not great and never will be. Safe, tidy and active player, but no Xfactor for me. Not over impressed with Mount either, but he does have a better eye for goal and can go to the next level. Questionable whether or not he will mind.

Spenno, not sure Mac Allister has a preferred destination so to speak, as opposed to a single destination as it stands who he has agreed terms with. Clubs do hold an interested in him, but I don't think he is a main target for them, so a good time for Liverpool to get him wrapped up. United should be concentrating on Rice in my opinion. Said it before we were even linked, when Arsenal were nailed on to get him, we need to get him in the door. Model professional on and off the pitch.

We hold an interest in several players, but we must go for the best this season. I've been saying for a while Kane and Rice. Mount would be a good bonus.

8.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 18:52:14
I rate MacAllister really highly as i do Mount.

Any side needs to have players who do their job amd just make it tick, that's the role both players play.

9.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 20:19:42
Oakbark - Completely respect your opinion. However I'd rate Bellingham really highly, I rate Rice really highly. Players like Mac Allister are what I call decent players. For £50m or so you would expect to see the best teams in the world trying to buy him if he would improve their team significantly. So far it is just Liverpool. No one else is making their move on him.

I like him, but would he improve our first team significantly, nope. He wouldn't. Better than Fred yes, better than McTominay, better than VdBeek, but I want a higher tier midfielder. The ones the likes of Bayern Munich and Real Madrid want.

10.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 22:30:07
I think for a 'decent' player who starts in the World Cup holder's midfield, Mac Allister for me probably currently gets into any midfield in the Prem bar Man City's.

11.) 05 Jun 2023
05 Jun 2023 23:46:28
De Paul was also in the WC winning first team midfield. But I wouldn't want us to sign him. You want Di Maria back here?

You are correct though about him getting into all midfields bar City. Would he dislodge Fernandez? No, Casemiro? No, Eriksen, I'd say yes.

Hence the need to improve our midfield. We need top class midfielders. We must replace with much better than we already have.

I'd have only been happy with Bellingham or Rice next to Casemiro next season. So my standards are pretty high Spenno.

I just want us to aim higher. Time to turn the corner. We need to be challenging again.

12.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 10:05:54
Completely understand Sydney although I'm sure there are dozens of midfielders who are world class and would improve us. Bellingham is incredible - equally good at attacking as well as tracking back and doing the dirty stuff, and a club captain already as a teenager. Rice for me is exemplary, great leadership skills with excellent energy and defensive qualities, not sure I'd class them in the same bracket though as they are very different players.

13.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 10:37:45
Liverpool fan in peace here. Always interesting to see what other fans think about players and respective signings.

I honestly do think Mac Allister is a very good player BUT I don't think he would work in every team. I think for us (Liverpool) he will be excellent as he fits the bill as to what we need. High energy, technically impressive and rarely ever loses the ball. We've missed that since Wijnaldum has left. I feel though he needs to have a fellow combative midfielder as, in-spite of him being good defensively, he doesn't quite have the pace/ speed to effectively cover large areas of the pitch.

I think he would be effective for Man United too, but that depends on your tactics going forwards. If you're looking at a more attacking midfielder I think Mount would make far more sense than Mac Allister who has practically dropped into the No8 role and has found himself playing deeper under De Zerbi. If you want someone to keep possession with a good passing range then Mac Allister is the better option. Completely different players imo.

For Man United personally I would snap up Mount and then focus on a good forward and GK. I think GK is a position where you really need to invest. De Gea is really poor.

14.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 11:17:36
Thanks for coming on and giving a fair footballing appraisal MM. Agree with most of what you are saying tbh. I think Mcallister will be a solid signing for you, he’s not flashy but he keeps the ball well which is what you’ve been missing like you say.

Agree completely about DDG. I’ve been a massive fan over the years and I remember been stood in the Stretford End after his Real Madrid move collapsed…. nearly brought a tear to my eye the fact he was staying and felt the same about us as we felt about him. I digress……the game moves on, and what we are trying to achieve is a high energy counter attacking style. This is reliant on good distribution across the back five. For me his kicking has become a liability. His short game is fraught with danger, and his long game lacks accuracy and distance, it comes straight back from the second ball when opposition still have attacking numbers to hurt us. Shot stopping he’s brilliant, but you have to balance that against where he’s caused us issues either defensively or attacking wise. I think there are a number of keepers out there now who are equally as good a shot stopper as DDG, but are better footballers. And I think now we need a number 1 who’s just fresher and can distribute.

15.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 11:58:15
Yeah Fireman I agree on DDG. He was absolutely world class a few seasons back. The best GK in the world for a time without a doubt.

Whilst I think he is a good shot-stopper I think this season has even seen this wane slightly. His passing is also really poor and has led to quite a few moments where you've conceded from it (it was ludicrous in the Sevilla game) .

A modern GK is essential now. De Gea is a great traditional GK but really lacks in terms of high claims, commanding his box (eg coming off his line) and his overall distribution. I think Costa would be a decent pick up, but having watched him I remain largely unconvinced. He's rash at the best of times and has had some really horrible performances in the UCL. Perhaps this is because he's young? Raya would be my choice and, if you can afford it, Maignan would be the perfect GK pick-up.

16.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 12:09:53
Interestingly the young Dutch GK at Anderlecht just gave an interview talking up his own confidence in having the ball at his feet. Hmm, sowing the seeds.

17.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 12:43:18
I can only comment from what I’ve seen as a fan, ETH sees him daily and I guess he knows what he wants from a keeper more than I do. However, it’s a position we need to have a look at imho. In terms of what we are looking for and what’s out there…. we aren’t spoiled for choice. Raya probably fits the bill of a modern sweeper keeper. 40 million is ridiculous though. I wouldn’t touch Pickford with a barge pole despite us having some links to him in the past. Had Everton gone down I reckon we’d have gone for him. For me, Ramsdale should be ahead of him in the England pecking order.

18.) 06 Jun 2023
06 Jun 2023 18:21:59
MM - I cannot disagree with that. Mac Allister looks good in a packed midfield, but we don't play with a packed midfield unless City are in town. He is a good, tidy little player, but nothing spectacular. A solid player that clubs need. We had Park who had a great engine, but no other great traits, you need these kind of players in your team. With one spot in midfield available, I want it to be a player with more to his game. I really like Rice, obviously Bellingham was the perfect fit, but he was always RM bound. And like you said a keeper and CF is very important. Ideally for me someone like Kane. Someone who doesn't need a season to fit in.