21 Jul 2019 22:18:11
Hi ed002
In the situation where united find themselves in with Pogba, where the player wants to leave and a couple of clubs quite openly courting him ( and in all likelihood him them), but the club want to keep him
What do you think the club should do?
Do they give interested parties a date to come up with a proposal?
Im assuming that their is a plan if pogba does leave to replace him you mentioned sms as a 2nd choice after Saul. surely these players and their clubs also need to get their plans nailed down too asap.
Madrid seem to be shifting some major players such as bale cellebos and james so perhaps they will make an offer soon.
There seems to be a air of inevitability about Pogba moving this summer .
You have said that the smartest move is for the club to accept this and move on.
In your onion what have united got to do to make that happen and do you think sms is a good replacement?
Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - If players want to leave it is best to let them go and move on. MU would get a very good fee for Pogba and that can be re-invested. SMS would be a very good replacement.}


1.) 21 Jul 2019
21 Jul 2019 22:44:53
Thanks ed002 i tend to agree, although he is the teams most creative player.
The timings are now concerning as the longer it goes on the less time there is to integrate new players. Would you expect much competition for sms?

{Ed002's Note - There is plenty of time.}


2.) 21 Jul 2019
21 Jul 2019 22:48:55
I agree ed. SMS would be as good a replacement as we could get to replace pogba.


3.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 08:11:27
SMS or Saul, either of them will be good replacement for Pogba.


4.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 06:41:15
Ed002 if we replace Pogba with SMS who do you believe would be a good partner for him in midfield? You have already said Fernandes and SMS like to play in the same areas so is there someone already at the club or one of our other targets (like longstaff) that you think would compliment him or is there another player you would recommend?

{Ed002's Note - I don't recall saying that about SMS and BF. SMS would be a Pogba replacement, perhaps not the ideal replacement, but the most viable. BF would play as an AM player. Longstaff is more of a defensive midfield player and I would not see him as a first pick. I would doubt that the club are going to look to keep adding midfield players and perhaps they can concentrate on sorting out the other positions. SS needs a decision now - as Lazio want to bring in his replacement. The Juventus coach is not keen on SMS now and wants someone else, leaving PSG as the most likely other option for him - so it is the time to make an offer which is acceptable.}


5.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 09:19:43
Ed 02 do you know if Utd have made plans for transfers in and out to be done as much as possible in this window or are they prepared to take a longer term view. That might mean taking two or three windows to get the players they really want and potentially missing out on European competition for a season?

{Ed002's Note - From my perspective the club will continue to throw money about during this window. No long term plan exists and their approach to making offers which they know will not be acceptable is embarrassing. They need to take advice and then empower those already at the club to come up with a long term plan. I suspect much will happen with the coach going forward.}


6.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 12:05:35
Thanks Ed002, looks like they need that DoF urgently.

Preseason/ comments to the media does suggest some sort of plan (ie looking at younger players rather than older professionals) but maybe this is more by accident than design.

Imagine what we could achieve with a proper long term strategy, given the fan base and the finances in the club. Fingers crossed for successes this season though: out of his depth or not, OGS is certainly making the right noises.

{Ed002's Note - The problem is that targets are discounted and rather than look again the club are jumping around. If you look at the RW situation. There was a clear first choice (Sancho) who was not possible. Other options like Bale (on some odd loan deal with vast wages), Costa (at an €80M asking price) and Kalu (who could provide no better cover than the kids already at the club) should have been scratched from the list an age ago. Dancing around the likes of Zaha have done nothing useful which takes the club back to Pepe (who was initially discounted over concerns about his attitude and step up - MU cannot afford a potentially very expensive mistake (€80M) who might be considered as Lukaku replacement of all things. Unless the attitude to using players in trades, with prices getting so high the club can end up getting stuck until they are forced to make a knee-jerk reaction at the end of the window. Inter will likely return one more time this week before turning to their alternate CF target offering Perisic and some cash for Lukaku and Darmain - they are not going to be returning with anything like the €90M asking price. Juventus may look to an offer for Pogba with Dybala involved - but they are now looking at discussions with the next generation of leading midfield players given the prices of Saul, Pogba and SMS are so high. Right now I suspect the initial step is to get Maguire and Fernandes out of the way, sort out a contract for the goalkeeper, decide what to do with Sanchez, Lukaku and Pogba and look at practical alternatives for replacing them - but pricing them out of the market won't help anyone if they want out.}


7.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 12:52:43
Thank you so much for such a detailed reply, very much appreciated! If only they had an advisor like yourself involved with transfers!

On that subject, and linked to your comment above about time restrictions regarding g Napoli/ SMS/ needing it done soon to get a replacement etc, are the people at United who are managing transfers actually aware of all these important factors, are they blissfully unaware it do they think: we are United, we don’t give any considerations to what other clubs think/ need to do?

Thanks again fir any answer - know you’re very busy!

{Ed002's Note - They will be aware that Napoli want their side settled before the season starts - and they will be aware that Napoli want a replacement for SMS in soon - but they may not be aware the player Napoli want is also being chased by Juventus. So to me the priorities:
1. Maguire.
2. Bruno Fernandes.
3. Decide on Pogba and Lukaku.
4. Decide on Sanchez}


8.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 13:03:46
Wow! That was a quick reply!

Thank you so much for your time Ed002! Really do appreciate your insights and omniscient information. Thank you.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}


9.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 13:31:42
Ed, if there are no takers for Sanchez, what would be the right way to part ways with him?

{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you mean.}


10.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 13:33:17
Fantastic overview ed. Agree completely on those steps.


11.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 17:45:04
Just seen your reply to my question and your follow up answers to the peoples questions. Much appreciated. If Ole fails is their any chance of the club looking to Allegri. I recall you saying that originally he was intended to be the long term manager. Also if the club persist with the way they conduct transfer business presently surely it doesn't matter much who is manager.

{Ed002's Note - They would have had Allegri but the the toxics ruined that.}


12.) 22 Jul 2019
22 Jul 2019 23:24:31
Going to be an interesting season. Look forward to more insights. Keep up the good work Ed.