26 Apr 2017 18:09:53
I know this won't be a popular post but this site is all about opinions.

It looks like DDG is likely to move on this summer. The murmurs are getting louder, we know Real Madrid want him. It appeared the Mourinho dropped him for a game shortly after critizing him, he has supposedly put his house on the market and now the rumours are Mourinho wouldn't stand in his way if he wants to leave.

All in all its looking like he will move on. It's starting to feel similar to the Ronaldo saga, and we will keep having these rumours every summer until he leaves or retires.

This isn't that shocking, where I differ slightly from the popular opinion is that if we sign Jan Oblak as his replacement which is what the papers are saying today (I appreciate that means nothing) then I feel long term we will be better off.

No one comes close to DDG in his shot stopping ability, he is also one of the safest keepers in the world with the ball at his feet. But he isn't great in the air, and there have always been questions over his ability to command his box.

DDG's style suits a team that plays possession football, his ability to play the ball out from the back while being able to pull off world class saves on a weekly basis suits that style.

But that isn't Mourinho's style of football, he likes a solid shape and quick transitions into attack. DDG limited ability in commanding his area doesn't suit Mourinho's ideal game plan.

Oblak is very good and very vocal in commanding his area, while also being an excellent shot stopper and decent with his ability to play the ball out. So he could be a better fit for a Mourinho defence than DDG.

So in my opinion if as expected DDG does leave, and Oblak replaces him then although we will lose a keeper who is arguably the best in the world atm we would get one who is almost as good but far more rounded as a keeper. So I feel long term we could be better off.

Now for the pelters. Lol.

1.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 18:22:19
Shappy, well rounded post and I agree with basically all that you have said.

There is no doubt de gea would like to go home and who are we to stand in his way. He has been an incredible professional who has excelled in all areas. Possibly at this moment in time the best GK in the world with the argument of neuer.

Going forward if we are to replace de gea, whether oblak is that man, I don't know. I'm hoping that Ed002 will enlighten us to all of the comings and goings with a sharkopod very soon. But whoever it may be I have no doubt Jose will pick well. he has a good track record when it comes to GKs.

To be totally honest, I am not that concerned about De Gea leaving. I think it was one area that will be sorted ASAP when it comes to Jose. Also it might strengthen our hand if we are vying for a real Madrid player.

We have many other areas that require strengthening and to be honest I am more focused on that.

Anyway, I honestly can't have any complaints about De gea moving to real. If it happens, good luck to him and I hope we get heavily compensated with a world record transfer fee for a goalkeeper.

{Ed004's Note - I can see De Gea going this window especially if either of Mata or Herrera goes (hopefully none of them do) but I think we need a world class replacement or someone who will be world class. I'm hoping we avoid the likes of Pickford, Schmeical etc as I do not think they are good enough. If De Gea goes we need to hold firm and ensure we get a very high price for him. He's currently still one of the best players in our squad}

2.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 18:26:00
I think you are right Shappy in a similar way that I think he will move players on that the fans like and bring in players that surprise us.
It's all about the mourinho philosophy!

3.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 18:27:02
I disagree shappy, if we hold on to ddg this season he will be staying at utd for a long time, madrid are interested in courtouis too by the looks of it and will move for one of them, madrid will replace navas with someone long term this summer, if we keep ddg this summer there is no one coming to buy him next.

4.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 18:42:57
I think if de gea wants to go we should not stand in his way, he's a great player but utd will move on. I'd like to see oblak but that won't happen. I think Kasper Schmeichel will be the one bought.

5.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 19:19:13
He was the best gk in the world until it looked like he was leaving.
More important he is the best gk in the Epl and proven in the league .

6.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 19:29:08
Oblak, Leno or Donnarumma for me. Wouldn't be surprised if Jose goes for an older GK tho like Handanovic.

7.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 20:01:13
Agreed ed004. Whoever comes I'm sure it will be a proven GK. It's such an important position. But Jose has a good track record in this area.

I'm a bit bewildered by ed002s herrera comments! Would be such a shame to lose a player like him. But if Jose wants rid, we have to trust he knows exactly what he is doing.

I like mata but I'm not against selling him if we replace him with an upgrade i.e griezmann.

{Ed002's Note - Right now Herrera has miffed the manager - if he puts that right perhaps he will stay.}

8.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 20:16:40
I might be wrong but did the Ed not mention begovic on the European page.

9.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 20:18:02
Will someone explain to me why would we want to let Herrera go?

10.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 20:53:54
No idea leahy. Great player, great attitude but if he's pissed off the manager well then that's tough to put right.

However as ed alludes to he could be it right. I think he has the right attitude to do that.

11.) 26 Apr 2017
26 Apr 2017 21:28:55
Shappy. I agree. I said that few weeks back and got a lot of negative response. Ddg is great at shot stopping but not good in the air, does not command his area and doesn't talk a lot. He's not irreplaceable.

{Ed004's Note - But he needs replaced with someone like Oblak and we need to get one hell of a deal for De Gea to show we are not a push over}

12.) 27 Apr 2017
27 Apr 2017 12:51:24
Agreed Ed. But he's not irreplaceable. If he wants to go, then let him go. Oblak will be a superb replacement, very safe hands and commands his area.

13.) 27 Apr 2017
27 Apr 2017 13:24:20
Agree with CSM, if DDG stays for next season i think he will be here for the long term. Its just will he stay or not?