Manchester United Banter Archive July 17 2015

 

Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.


17 Jul 2015 23:24:15
A few rumours surfacing about us being in for Barca's Pedro for his release clause of £22 million. javing watched him throughout Barca's dominance in Europe a few years back I think he would be a quality buy. he has the work ethic instilled by pep and has a good goals to game ratio as well as being versatile across the front 3. I hope this wouldn't mean losing ADM but can't help thinking home coming would mean ADM leaving. Imagine if we had both with Rooney, Young, Valencia, Depay, Januzaj And Fellaini. Wow How different this squad looks to that under Moyes a CB and we look like we mean business

Believable2 Unbelievable2

17 Jul 2015 22:37:41
So now I feel foolish. After declaring my undieing love for the sinewy Fabian Delph and lauding him for his loyalty to Villa, he does the dirty and jumps ship. Mathis s,like that unreliable girlfriend who told you she will love you forever and then shags your mate, Fabian, I take back all I said, you are just like all the rest. All that talk of loyalty was weasel words, you dug a,hole for yourself and then fell in it. Enjoy yourselve on the bench mate.

Believable5 Unbelievable0

18 Jul 2015 00:23:46
money talks AJH , i would take a job that doubled my wage

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18 Jul 2015 03:09:03
Precisely jred, always say this when people complain about players moving for money.

At rhe end of the day, you are going to take 100 at City over 60 at Villa. Not saying those are the figures, just an example.

Football has now become more of a business, rather than a sport, and it's a shame, but it's a harsh reality we have to face.

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18 Jul 2015 04:39:15
would you do it to join city?

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18 Jul 2015 06:45:19
I have no issue with hm moving for money but to declare your loyalty one week only to change your mind the week after is a bit pathetic.

The amusing thing is he will be another English bench warmer at City and his career that was starting to take off will stall.

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18 Jul 2015 07:58:52
mpez, i'd take the 60k, ask them to halve it. Just so that I did not have to join City!
Good player. just can't see him getting a good run in the team.

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18 Jul 2015 09:02:38
What can you do with 100k a week that you can't do with 60? Especially after a couple of years earning 60. Last weekend he was being applauded for turning down big money and showing some loyalty to an employer that stood by him through all his injury problems. A week later he u turns. Disappointing.

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17 Jul 2015 22:37:30
Many rumours as you all well know, but in your honest opinion 3 questions on my mind are which CB, ST and even the DDG, STAY OR GO?

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17 Jul 2015 22:54:35
Just wondered does anyone think Pedro could be an option for an attacker? I would love Lewandowski but I really can't see it. Pedro can play the wide man. And is available? With Rooney taking the number 9 role ( thank god he won't be playing CM) then would Pedro become another option?

Believable3 Unbelievable3

17 Jul 2015 23:15:03
If we are in for Pedro, it must make the departure of Di Maria much more likely. Don't think Pedro is an option through the middle, much better out wide. Moreover, I'd still expect a striker, in one way selling Di Maria and buying Pedro would allow for more money to be spent on a striker and a centre back.

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17 Jul 2015 23:27:58
The reported twenty million is not bad money for a proven player but the current surplus in this position would put me off. I've said it before though we more than have the money to make mistakes.

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18 Jul 2015 00:22:21
If it was down to me is keep ADM as I think he'll come good, and go all out for Lewandowski! Bring in Ramos/Otamendi and we're done! Keep De Gea another year. Tidy!

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17 Jul 2015 22:52:02
I know the subject has been done to death but i do actually think that Ramos is coming to UTD!

There are certain key things that make me think this.

1) His wag has come out and said she would love to live in england and said that they are both taking english lessons (this was in a live interview)

2) Spanish international coach coming out and saying that he hopes ramos is still able to play as good if he moves to another club where the football is different. Surely for the international coach to mention this must means there is some substance.

3) Reliable sources i.e Don Balon have said that ramos and his entourage have told utd that the deal will still go through but they need to quiten it down due to the departure of Casillas and think how bad it would have looked if both casillas and ramos went at the same time.

I still believe the marquee signing for us is ramos and will be signed after the adidas deal kicks in on or after august 1st.

I for one hope that this does happen but also would love Otamendi to partner him with so many games to be played it would be good to have a decent rotation of defenders that can play many defensive positions.

To have someone like ramos with vast experience will help our youhn guns such as jones, smalling, mc nair

To end i would just like to wish our red devils the best of luck against club america this morning.


Respect

RD4L

Believable1 Unbelievable1

17 Jul 2015 23:15:14
I think he's getting closer to his new fat pay deal at Real

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17 Jul 2015 22:09:39
Looks like we're signing a young right back Mason Holgate from Barnsley, anyone know much about him?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 23:02:53
I know 3 things. He's from Barnsley,he's young and he's a right back.

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18 Jul 2015 00:30:32
I also know his forename is Mason, and i'm led to believe his surname is Holgate. Just a rumour though, can't quite be sure!

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18 Jul 2015 06:46:44
It's actually Mason Barnsley from Holgate

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17 Jul 2015 20:29:53
I say cash in on Di Maria, more than covered in that area with youth. A top striker and centre back and we will be very strong, Periera's one to watch if given the odd chance.

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17 Jul 2015 22:18:24
Sorry Di Maria is a worldie he will live up to the No 7 shirt now we have a midfield we will see a different player the player who was the best player in the champions league final in 2014 .He is one of the best crossers and will make the most assists when he is on his game have faith my child

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17 Jul 2015 23:13:13
I am not so sure he has the control to fit into a slower possession game He's virtually one-footed, and one cannot help question whether there's a lack of commitment, desire and dedication. I recognize he can produce some exquisite crosses, as his assist ratio from last season shows, but in the EPL will he get the time and space he requires in a non-counter-attacking team?

It would be a shame to lose him, because it would be great to see a player of his quality and international appeal providing the X-factor we need on a weekly basis, and I'd like to see him playing in Europe. With some success, he could become a firm crowd favourite as he looked like he would be after his first games with us. However, if the right offer comes in, and there's a more suitable replacement incoming, then why take the risk? With deprecation cost and salary he costs 25m a year. Could that money be spent better?

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17 Jul 2015 22:45:46
Personally hope we keep ADM but if he goes does everyone not think that we will lack pace in the side? We would hopefully replace him with another winger. Reus would be my preference other than Bale of course, whom looks like he's staying at Madrid. Although I remember a while back ed002 said that they would sell bale if someone matched there valuation of him.

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18 Jul 2015 07:56:06
My sentiments Bro and Gman. I he will better much better for us this season

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17 Jul 2015 18:48:42
Haven't posted in a long time, though I read religiously. I was having a discussion with a friend about the dearth of truely world class English players and yet, the ridiculous amount in transfer fees and wages the players seem to attract. The Sterling deal is really worrying. I have a feeling it might just result in another Andy Caroll. My question is why are English players priced this way? We just bought Morgan Schneiderlin for just over 26million. If he was English, I am sure that amount would be doubled.

Believable1 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 19:27:56
cos thete aren't that many top class english players

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17 Jul 2015 19:52:47
Totally agree, why do you there are/is so many foreign talent applying their trade here, also compared to Italy, France, Holland and Germany we pay double or nearly triple the wages too!

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17 Jul 2015 20:30:04
In answer to the original question it would be easy to say supply and demand, however the actual issue is probably more to do with the available quality of English talent. Just my opinion but aside from society changes, attitudes and play stations reducing the desire to play football I believe the instinct , the verve is coached out of our players now , so even decent ones cost more than they otherwise would

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17 Jul 2015 21:37:48
Aren't clubs required to have a certain number of home grown players? That's what puts the price up on the good ones. If it wasn't a requirement they would not attract a premium price.

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17 Jul 2015 22:03:26
Any half decent player with potential is straight away jumped on by tbs media and hailed as world class. How many genuine works class English players have there really been in the premier league era? I'd say about 6: Scholes, shearer, lampard, sol Campbell, Rio Ferdinand, Ashley Cole.

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17 Jul 2015 22:58:21
I think a lot of it has to do we how wealthy our English stars are when they are still in their teens. Average players from the championship are millionaires before they are 20. a lot of foreign footballers from less developed countries and football is their only way out m. Similar to basketball in the states. Very few of our players have the hunger there's no need when their wealthy straight from the get go

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17 Jul 2015 22:38:27
dont blame the media , kane played ok for a season , nothing special 20 goal and people on the site wanted to buy him for 50 mil

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18 Jul 2015 03:26:53
If there wasn't stipulations regarding English players I wonder how many home grown ones would playing regularly for top four sides in England. Makes you think

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18 Jul 2015 06:58:56
Thanks guys for your replies.
a. RedMan - true. what is fueling this declininig desire to play football. Clubs, media, coaches?

b. Mort - I see what you mean. But, I feel that list should contain Gerard, Le Tissler, Beckham

How many current English international can walk into any Top European club and start?

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18 Jul 2015 09:36:22
Peeboaly

For me there are several reasons

Kids can achieve their dreams of winning the cup on a play station when in the past it would have been on a pitch. You only have to look at the increase in obesity and realise sport is not as important as it once was for younger people.

Secondly is risking political disagreements but the attitude over the years in youth to competitive sport , the everyone has to be a winner mentality. I think it discourages people trying to excel and therefore lessens the enjoyment of winning. Basically a changing attitude to sporting excellence

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18 Jul 2015 11:31:51
Agree, Red Man. Especially on the 'everyone has to be a winner' point. Plus the wholesale selling off of playing fields throughout the country by successive governments, hasn't helped.

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17 Jul 2015 18:47:27
Hi Guys

I am not sure what the hold up with Ottamendi is.He clearly wants to join us we want him.Agree a price and get him in.

Believable3 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 20:00:22
Im worried were holding out for ramos and i fear we could end up with neither as a result. Hope i'm wrong.

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17 Jul 2015 20:20:58
I imagine we're waiting till he is back from his holiday, then everything will be sorted in one go. No point announcing everything now, with him having a medical a week or so later.

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17 Jul 2015 18:34:25
Otamendi left out of valencia bew kit launch!!! Hooefully meaning he's on the way to us!!! Looks like ramos dead in water, think otamendi be a excellent signing

Believable3 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 17:04:59
Youve got to love Delph having a medical and looking like he is joining Citie just for the comedy factor.Delph & Sterling = $$ trouble $$

Believable2 Unbelievable2

17 Jul 2015 18:31:37
Both good players and should do well for them.

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17 Jul 2015 18:40:33
We were linked to Fabian at one point. So happy we didn't get him

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17 Jul 2015 16:46:21
With Chelsea rumoured to have bid £20m for John Stones, does anyone know if United have any interest in rivalling Chelsea for his signature, or is LVG happy with McNair and Blackett as the future centre back partnership for United?

Believable1 Unbelievable1

17 Jul 2015 18:48:05
Looks like he is going to wait for ramos so no otamendi this sounds like a high risk game of poker from the club by the time real calls their bluff otamendi will probably have went elsewhere and we'll be left with same central defence as last season 3 centre half's who were never off the treatment table and we only played 40 odd games last year were probs gonae be playing 60 this year this is a risk we can't afford to take IMO we should forget ramos and get otamendi in ASAP

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17 Jul 2015 20:03:33
Judging how well we have conducted our transfer business this season I find that highly doubtful

Expect 2 signings as quoted by LVG, who is anybody's guess but I'm pretty sure they're lined up

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17 Jul 2015 21:15:20
Lvg has said 2 more areas are to be strengthened, I would not at all be surprised if the deals for players in these positions were already agreed, he will get his cb he wants

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17 Jul 2015 21:46:32
He said at least 2 . so that could mean 3!!!

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17 Jul 2015 15:49:29
Real have signed goalkeeper Kiko Casilla (I believe from Espanyol). Can we now assume they are prepared to wait until next summer for big Dave? do any of the eds or posters think we can tie De Gea to a new deal by then?

Believable2 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 18:49:56
Hopefully we get De Gea to sign a new deal

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17 Jul 2015 16:14:20
I wouldn't get too hung up on working out where the 2 positions are as LVG later in his interview said he needs to improve at least two positions so depending what happens it could be more and with exception to our central midfield we could easily see additions happening.

We well know LVG is a poker player and will keep his cards close to his chest.

Believable2 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 16:06:39
Madrid are signing Casilla, does that mean the DDG saga is over until next year?

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17 Jul 2015 12:47:20
ed's just wondering if you had any info on g. varela's situation. is he going to get his chance in the 1st team? cheers

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{Ed007's Note - I've no idea mate but with him not going on the tour it doesn't like like it. I wouldn't be surprised to see him go back out on loan.}

17 Jul 2015 16:30:12
Who outside of the big 6 (yes that does funnily include liverpool) do you think have made the best signings?

Obiang, Ogbonna and Payet are all good signings IMO for West Ham. I think they could certainly push for Europa league again. Especially with a more positive manager and stadium coming, they are making progress.

I think Joselu, Van Ginkel (loan) and Wollscheid will also be good additions to Stokes side.

Ayew could be a good signing for Swansea too.

Thoughts guys?

Believable0 Unbelievable0

17 Jul 2015 16:45:26
west ham got a good manager

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17 Jul 2015 16:47:55
Sunderland with Kaboul, lens & Matthews are gunna be better than last season

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17 Jul 2015 16:56:57
I really hope not harry their the team I most want to see get relegated. Should have happened last two seasons yet they scraped out of it.

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17 Jul 2015 17:13:07
I think delefeou ( spelling is a top signing for Everton)
Newcastle adding some talent with wijenaldem( spelling again) and if they can get Austin they will look strong.
But West Ham look the most improved.

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17 Jul 2015 17:42:02
Hands down West Ham, Obiang will be at a top 4 club within the next 3 seasons. Absolute beast of a player.

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17 Jul 2015 19:43:57
Really rate him that well Moonrinho? He has the potential, will be interesting to see how he develops. Good player nevertheless.

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17 Jul 2015 21:06:39
think southampton have quietly done some good business yet again.

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17 Jul 2015 15:18:09
Thanks eds for posting my post about Paul McGrath I really appreciate it. I didn't think it would get much notice. I loved his talk where he still refers to United as WE. Also he said he would of loved to of played with jaap omg what a partnership that would of been.
I thought it was very nice to hear Paul express his love for our club still, just like becks.
Thanks again eds

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{Ed007's Note - There's no need to thank us mate, you're welcome.}

17 Jul 2015 16:58:49
If you've got twitter there's an account on there called united before Fergie that talks about older players. They usually pick a player a week or a day if there's not much happening and get fans to tweet in their memories. Some really good stuff comes up.

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17 Jul 2015 14:36:24
I think Rooney is capable of scoring 20+ goals next season.

Lets not forget despite not playing as the furthest forward in majority of the games he has managed to score 15+ goals in the past few seasons.

Also considering LvG's fondness of discipline he will make sure the kind of positions he wants Rooney to stay in so that he can play as a striker.

Also, people saying we need to keep ADM even though we sign Cavani or Lewandowski, how do you envisage us giving playing time to Mata, Young, Rooney, Depay, Fellaini, Januzaj/Lingard(1 will stay imo other will be loaned)
(And don't point out technicalities like how I can use ADM and Fellaini in the same sentence as they play different positions becuase I am just talking in the sense of making numbers up on the pitch)

So ADM gets picked ahead of Young just because of his reputation? Because if I remember correctly Young was a better player than ADM last season(stats aside)
I personally am in favour of keeping ADM but if we were to sign a striker like Cavani or Lewandowski or Benzema then I would definitely sell ADM.

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17 Jul 2015 14:54:20
if we buy a top striker rooney will still get you 15 goals .
if rooney plays as the lone striker, i agree he will get 20 + but who else will chip in with a few

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17 Jul 2015 15:02:27
Memphis Depay might surprise a lot of us. He is a true goalscoring talent on the wing. Plus with a stronger midfield I can see Herrera and Mata scoring a fair few.

But if Rooney is our main goal threat, I would be worried because his goals come in bursts of a few games and then he dries up a bit.

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17 Jul 2015 15:04:46
jred, if Wilson and Chicha stay that should get 15 among themselves imo.


Also last season we saw Fellaini, Herrera, Mata, ADM all chipped in with goals add to that Depay who is a goalscorer and is deadly freekick taker then I think we should be covered in the goal scoring department.


Obviously if we have an opportunity to sign someone like Lewandowski, Benzema, Muller or Cavani I would definitely go after them in exchange for ADM and loan out Wilson.

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17 Jul 2015 15:13:48
is it not good to have competition for places, we were plagued with injuries last season, and with all the players leaving we need a big squad, especially if we get into the group stage of the CL.

so signing another ST imo is good for the team. we need 2 quality players for each position.

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17 Jul 2015 15:36:50
We're going to be playing 50+ games next year. If our main striker is going to score only 20-ish goals, then I'd say he isn't good enough.

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17 Jul 2015 15:49:51
If we continue with 4-3-3, a goalscoring right winger is equally if not more important than a striker.

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17 Jul 2015 15:57:40
mubai
i don't see wilson or chica leading the line to be honest .
im also not sure how much mata will play.
herrera has a few goals in him
i would be surprised if we don't buy a striker

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17 Jul 2015 16:05:52
imbs,

Then I reckon you would say Lewandowski and Diego Costa are not good enough because both just scored 20-ish goals last season.

My main point was that I would not prefer keeping ADM and signing a world class striker as well. For me its either keep ADM or sell him and buy a world class striker.

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17 Jul 2015 16:11:57
id still start adm should be playing instead of young.i don't even think young was great last yr but we were so poor. he was chosen as hs can defend aswell but if we sort the defence out di maria should start. despite being poor i think di maria got more goals and assists than young

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17 Jul 2015 16:53:43
Mumbai boy
Lewandowski scored 25 goals in 43 matches and some of them from the bench, and he's apparently on the market.
Costa scored 21 goals in 33 matches.

I am talking about a scenario in which our main striker plays 50+ matches. Then is 20 goals enough? Remember this is not the role in which he has to make play or defend, he just has to play main striker. Now does 20 seem enough?, for a team that is expected to fight for the league, cl and the fa cup?

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17 Jul 2015 17:05:50
there is only 38 league games

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17 Jul 2015 17:25:36
imbs ideally I would want our main striker to get 30+

But Costa and Lewa did not score those many goals and yet their teams seemed to have performed very well last season.

I have said above that my preference would be selling ADM and buying a new striker.

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17 Jul 2015 17:40:03
Jred
You do realize we're talking overall, right?

Mumbai boy
If we sell adm, and buy a striker where do we play him?

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17 Jul 2015 19:37:19
imbso
why overall most top class don't play every game .
fa and league cup aren't important .
we need a 20 goal in the league striker
costa got 20 goals in 26 league games.
(and 1 in all other comps)
lew 17 in 31 league games.

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17 Jul 2015 14:10:42
So Real Madrid confirm the signing of Kiko Casilla from Espanyol. Looks like maybe De Gea will be staying until next summer after all.

Hopefully he will sign a new contract so we can get a fee for him but I think that's unlikely. Hopefully he performs to his best if he stays.

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17 Jul 2015 14:55:22
De Gea won't sign a new contract and he'll either be off at the end of this window or by next summer.

I don't know about him but I wouldn't want to go to a club where they have just disrespected their own legend in Casillas.

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17 Jul 2015 15:17:39
Roy Keane? RVP? Van nistleroy? All clubs let players go and its never easy. Casilles was past it so he had to go what's the problem?

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17 Jul 2015 16:14:25
It's not them letting him go is it? The whole manor of how they got rid of him didn't look nice to me.

You could see he wanted to stay and I'm sure his exit could have been smoother.

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17 Jul 2015 16:23:50
There's a big difference between players RVN and Keane, and Casillas. He came up the youth ranks and spent his entire career at the club only to be booed out the door by the fans and shunted out by the money men. Compare what happened to Casillas to Xavi's exit at Barca or Gerrard at Liverpool or Giggs's retirement with us. There's a level of respect that should be afforded to one-club players, and real once again demonstrated their complete lack of class

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{Ed007's Note - I like Real Madrid but you're spot on, Danny. They way they handled his exit was horrible. They'll be quick enough to use his legendary status with them for publicity stunts in years to come though.}

17 Jul 2015 13:05:18
Manchester United's No.9 Jersey is up for grabs and here are the two main possibilities:

Lewandowski:
+ He is a fantastic player and proven goal scorer
+ He can score any type of goal.
+ Physically strong enough to cope with PL
- Bayern just sold us Schweini and won't want to sell to us again
- Can only play up front so not sure if he fits LvG's philosophy
- £35m plus is a tad steep because it could reach the £50m mark.

Cavani:
+ Again, he is a proven goal threat with outstanding finishing.
+ isn't happy out on the wing for PSG
+ Can play there though so fits LvG's more than one posistion phhilosophy.
+ Could be cut in price because of the Di Maria fiasco
- Cost a lot on his own
- wouldn't be happy playing second fiddle
- Might mean the end of Di Maria

Give me your thoughts.

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17 Jul 2015 13:20:03
None will join

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17 Jul 2015 13:41:12
cavani is more a lvg type player imo
im sure he said something about cavaini being a EPL player when he first took over

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17 Jul 2015 14:10:27
Peirera!!!

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17 Jul 2015 14:44:25
Rodio17

I don't think we can afford to sign no ST.

We have lost RVP and Falcao- historically two world class strikers, both have lost some of that ability although I still believe RVP could have done a job for us this season.

Having Rooney, Wilson and Chico will not win you the league- we also have Depay but I see him more as a winger.

We need an out and out goalscorer- Rooney should get us 20+ goals but we need that prolific top man that going to bang in goals for fun- the goals we hoped Falcao was going to provide.

The options we have are Kane, Benzema, Cavani, Lewandoski. All should do well for us IMO but will cost considerable to get them to OT

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17 Jul 2015 16:03:35
Keep ADM and buy a younger striker with potential. We're only likely to play with one up top and we still need at least 2 real quality wide men.

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17 Jul 2015 16:47:50
I am looking at the positives here. everyone saying we have lost RVP and Falcao but neither really performed last year. So the impact is minimal Really.in Deepay we may have already covered there goals!!
Anything on top with a new striker or another winger would be a bonus.
Let's not worry too much

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17 Jul 2015 17:09:53
Was rvp not our top scorer in the league?

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17 Jul 2015 18:41:13
Lewandawaski will be a dream signing.

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17 Jul 2015 18:51:48
Brad76

I understand your point regarding RVP and Falcao- they got got 15 goals between them last season but we have a larger schedule due to the CL and will need more squad rotation - if Rooney was to get injured for any period of time we would struggle- Our system will dicate and provide more goals from midfield etc but I do think we need a new world class striker

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17 Jul 2015 19:23:58
I find it quite interesting that you say Cavani wouldn't be happy playing second fiddle (which he's been doing since moving to France) and yet assume that Lewandowski would be. Just curious s to why that was?

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17 Jul 2015 21:10:22
give it to wilson !!

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17 Jul 2015 12:52:44
Man Utd potential play-off opponents ' Sporting, CSKA Moscow/Sparta Prague, Lazio, Club Brugge/Panathinaikos, Monaco/Young Boys, Fenerbahce, Rapid Vienna . who will be easiest, trickiest and toughest opponents .
easiest be vienna, trickiest be fenerbache and toughest be lazio. banter Ed pls

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17 Jul 2015 13:05:56
i am confident that no matter who we get, we should make it through.

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17 Jul 2015 13:08:21
I'm sure Ronnie will be hoping for Young Boys!!

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17 Jul 2015 13:08:25
CSKA won't be an easy game

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17 Jul 2015 13:10:58
I think we all know the opponent that Ronnie fancies.

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17 Jul 2015 13:13:34
You say Fenerbache and I am already beginning to fear the irony in that!

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17 Jul 2015 13:38:49
going to fenerbache is going to be tough and with Rvp and nani want to make a statement its going to be tricky . on the day RVP is world class hope they get knocked out by Shakhtar

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17 Jul 2015 13:50:20
betty the young boys r going to be baptized by Monaco let's all hope the just for the sake of ronnie we face them

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17 Jul 2015 13:51:55
Yeah, I hoping for the young boys lads, 'apparently' they have some real good 'young' talent aswell! I'll be sweating when the draws made! 😂😂

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17 Jul 2015 14:00:18
Is anyone going? My tickets came through the other day.

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17 Jul 2015 15:20:02
Lazio and the return of Morrison.

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17 Jul 2015 15:35:00
Fernebache will be tough Vienna would be easier I think.

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mbd              

17 Jul 2015 15:41:13
Fenerbache with RVP to score.

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17 Jul 2015 12:36:23
What do you get when someone who has the height of Felliani, and the scoring ability of Messi? You get the young Serb sensation that is Aleksander Mitrovic! Buy this guy please LVG! Only 20 will serve for years!

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17 Jul 2015 13:06:49
Thought this was going to be a joke :-(

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17 Jul 2015 13:53:57
Bit overrated maybe, but hey! 😄

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17 Jul 2015 14:07:29
he will be very good buy . r we still interested in him he might be heading to Chelsea

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17 Jul 2015 15:35:54
What harm can it do to get him?

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mbd              

17 Jul 2015 12:38:45
Monkey Balls,

You posted further down the page about where you can find the Goalkeeper breakdown that I wrote.

Well, it was part of an analysis I wrote Which can be found at this link along with a whole host of player analysis' -

http://goo.gl/dBjj6p

Or the extract about goalkeepers can be found here -

http://goo.gl/u7AHOh

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17 Jul 2015 12:36:52
Good afternoon everyone, I noticed further down major spoke of Paul Mcgrath and all I could see was good things spoken about the bloke.

If some of you didn't know I am one of the younger posters and I started on this page when I was 16 (Now 19).

My knowledge about United is quite strong regarding anything after the 1990's, but I don't think after reading what you lot had to say about Paul Mcgrath that I truly realise what other great players have played for the club.

I was hoping some of you older posters could enlighten myself and maybe others of players which we were unfortunate not to see play.

Obviously I have heard and read lots about the likes of George Best, the Busby Babes and so on. But rarely do I hear about some of our unsung heroes.

Looking forward to your replies!

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17 Jul 2015 13:11:19
mrgrath, whiteside and robson where 3 worldclass players in the same united team imo

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17 Jul 2015 13:23:03
Says it all about McGrath, leaving Man Utd, seen as finished by Fergie and others, went to Aston Villa and was voted Premier League's Player of the year at the age of 33.

Watch him in 1994 for Ireland against Italy when he went up against signori and baggio. He never gave them a look in.

He read the game amazingly well. Ball always found him.

On top of all that, he was drunk for most of the best games he played. He used to say how he couldn't remember games but yet he would walk off and receive the man of the match award.

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17 Jul 2015 13:55:20
Robson, Whiteside, McGrath, Hughes, strachen, coppell, mcclair, albiston, bailey, plenty there.

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17 Jul 2015 14:04:46
Disgraceful comment about being drunk for most of his best games that must mean he was drunk all the time wheter it being utd ireland or villa he never had a bad game in fact every game he played he was brilliant also a very humble man i have had the pleasure of dealing with the man affectionately known in ireland as the black pearl of inchiccore and was a delight to deal with so before u start talking shite think about what u are saying jesus you have got my goat up one of the best players of my generation didn't train for matches cause his knees were not up to it you wouldn't think that watching him play

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17 Jul 2015 14:24:30
Stuart Pearson , jimmy greenhoff and Gordon hill loved watching these 3 with coppel on the right wing and the silky smooth Gerry daly in midfield

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17 Jul 2015 14:27:50
McGrath was a total unit. No nonsense defender. He would get his head to nearly every set piece or corner defended.
I remember him admitting to being hungover in for a couple of games, but ain't half the players of today?! Absolute legend.

💚💛😋

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17 Jul 2015 14:31:17
As a Liverpool fan I have to agree McGrath was class. Second only to Alan Hansen and I can't praise higher than that. Both players were genuine world class, far better than any centre half to have ever played in the premiership

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17 Jul 2015 14:31:29
There are many more names being spoken of here than I was expecting!

Looking at our first team right now, who would you think would improve it from the players chosen?

Just want to get an idea of how good these players actually were compared to what we currently see.

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17 Jul 2015 14:39:21
The Comments about him being drunk are in his book! Mainly during his Villa days though. There's also stories of him going missing the night before an Ireland match, still played and won man of the match in that too

I'm Irish and I love the guy he grew up close to where I live, absolute legend and a Fighter on the football pitch always gave 100%.Nicest guy you'll ever meet too

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17 Jul 2015 15:04:02
He was a fantastic baller and is one of the nicest people you can meet. He came to my mates house when his dad was dying of cancer to see him because he heard from a friend of a friend that he was a huge fan. Absolute diamond of a man but Fergie was right to get rid of him. Fergie wasn't just looking at the here and now with Paul he was looking at the future and he had to get rid of the drinking culture.

Could you imagine the class of 92 coming through with that type of influence. They all talk about how Cantona stayed back after training and that was the catalyst for them to put the extra graft in. Could that have been the pub instead of the training ground? We'll never know but he was a class player and and even classier gentleman.

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17 Jul 2015 15:27:35
McGrath was very good considering he had drinking issues and hardly trained due to serious knee troubles. He had a very hard childhood in orphanages and was physically abused, I think I remember from an interview I heard with him. Amazing he was the player he was with all the troubles, then you get the big prima donnas these days, paid an absolute fortune and most not fit to lace the boots of a non training, McGrath with drink problems!

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17 Jul 2015 16:11:26
brendan
i didn't think mcgrath would be your type of player .
missing training turning up drunk etc

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17 Jul 2015 17:13:52
Well I was far far too young to have understood all that at the time. No of course he wasn't a very professional sports person, but he had a hugely difficult life pre football and it contributed to how he ended up as an adult. I think growing up in orphanages and being physically abused is enough for me to pardon him on the things he did that weren't what we would expect. Let's face it, most players in those days were doing it and they had no reasons other than it was the norm.

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17 Jul 2015 19:40:38
brendan
i think he is a legend but i thought best was and we have disagreed over that in the past .
as well as robson and kean

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17 Jul 2015 19:58:39
Coppel and Hill. These two had me on the edge of my seat more times than I care to remember. Stood out like rays of light, in a fairly average side.

Shout out for Whiteside - another local boy who shone for our club and my country.

And Micky Thomas - gave me my first autograph, ruffled my hair, and recommended a good bar for my dad and uncles to go to after the match. Top bloke.

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17 Jul 2015 20:02:42
Paul McGrath was a Rolls Royce of a footballer yet could have been even better. I watched him play regularly at OT and he had all the aspects needed to play at the very top. However I also used to frequent a pub in South Manchester on a Thursday evening and my friends and I saw the drinking aspect one evening. Very sad and SAF had to move him on. Great attributes and playing now if he was without the drink issue he would be a seriously top player

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17 Jul 2015 12:36:19
Guys when is our champions league qualifying round draw made? As I thought it was today? I'm guessing I'm wrong!

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{Ed007's Note - Utd join in the Play-Off Round and that draw is made on the 7th of August.}

17 Jul 2015 13:04:36
Thank you ed :)

Ps, good luck to you bhoys as well!

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{Ed007's Note - You're welcome mate and thank you.}

17 Jul 2015 11:31:57
well we all already knew this. but VG has confirmed it.

"We're not finished yet, " van Gaal tells #MUTV on transfers. "We still need to improve at least two positions and we shall when possible."

lets just hope they are possible very soon.

has to be cb and striker

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17 Jul 2015 12:22:28
goalkeeper?

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17 Jul 2015 12:30:57
Goalkeeper will only come into play if Madrid make a serious offer. Personally I think that we have decided that De Gea is worth more to us this season than the money Madrid are offering.

It's obvious that we need a new cb and another striker. I would be absolutely shocked if we didn't bring in players in these positions before the window shuts.

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17 Jul 2015 12:43:26
I'm thinking de Gea is staying and its centre back and centre forward.

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17 Jul 2015 12:55:08
I believe it's a striker and a central defender.

However as mentioned above, if De Gea does leave a GK will be bought too.

The question is, who on earth are we going to sign to replace DDG?

Please be Jasper Cillessen, then I'd promote Johnstone to second choice.

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17 Jul 2015 13:15:06
The way I took it he was not talking about the GK position. He spoke about improving / strengthening. To me , a new GK would be replacing. But that's just the way I interpreted it.
I would say he was referring to centre back and striker/forward.
Otamendi and Lewandowski would do just fine!

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17 Jul 2015 13:56:50
Bernd Leno or Yann Sommer!

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17 Jul 2015 14:29:36
It really is refreshing we, like the press have no clue where our dealings lay!!!

It's better this way!!
😎

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17 Jul 2015 11:19:40
So LVG has said in a interview he still wants to strengthen 2 positions! We all know CB is one! So do we think he means GK and we stick with the front line we have or does he mean ST and we hold onto De Gea for the season

Of course i'm hoping for option 2!

I think if a player of Lewi's quality is available we have to get him would do great in the prem

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17 Jul 2015 12:38:40
At least .

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mbd              

17 Jul 2015 11:01:49
Goodmorning from south africa guys, just in the goodlight of getting to know the posters.
I'm 30 years old, saw united for the first time qhen eric scored that volley in a fa cup final against pool many moons ago been a red devil since.In my country its united biggest by a mile then pool.The cheslsea fans are the most annoying here as they mostly a bunch of teens trying to work out why is united so big.
No city fans here atleast in cape town where I live.some newcaslte, spurs, everton fans here to.does anyone know when uniteds game is on as I thought it suppose to be streamed on friday but the listings say 4am saturday morning.

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17 Jul 2015 11:07:36
Sounds exactly same as UK tbf.

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17 Jul 2015 11:18:45
Welcome to the site mate! It's not just South Africa there aren't many city fans anywhere. The match is early hours of Saturday morning so around 15 hours from now if my maths is right! So I think that makes it 5am kick off your time

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17 Jul 2015 11:20:22
im pretty sure its on about 4am Saturday morning, ill be up watching due to the youngest going through a stage of deciding that's a good time to get up!

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17 Jul 2015 10:55:15
So Chelsea are in for stones, I think Evans + 15m would be a brilliant bit of business, trained with him before, good lad.

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17 Jul 2015 11:19:24
You'd be gutted if you were an everton fan, replacing one of England's brightest talents with Evans.

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17 Jul 2015 11:21:30
Evans plus £20m would be more like it, I think.

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17 Jul 2015 12:30:26
I think that's a good bit of business for Chelsea I think they will see Stones as a long term replacement for Terry.

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17 Jul 2015 10:24:33
With the Ramos /Otamendi saga everything is pointing to a major CB arriving shortly but i still think we need 2 more CBs if we are to challenge on all fronts next season .Hopefully quality and not a promising youngster .I hope we look at Laporte again .Who cares about his new contract we all know they mean diddley.

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17 Jul 2015 10:32:30
I think rojo, smalling, Jones and one top centre back will be enough. If we were going to sign 2 centre backs we would not have signed Jones to a new contract as he would get almost zero game time, especially as we are now well stocked in the other 2 positions he can 'supposedly' play.

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17 Jul 2015 13:36:07
GSD2
didnt we give Nani a new deal then sell him within the year? re Jones it could be to bump his price if any team comes knocking/ arsenal allegedly had interest didny they?

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17 Jul 2015 13:51:53
APOLOGIES GDS2
was eating fish n chips while typing . lol

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17 Jul 2015 09:05:55
Realistically, what are the chances of utd getting Lewandowski?

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17 Jul 2015 10:01:34
zero to 10.

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17 Jul 2015 10:24:55
just have to wait and see, ed002 gave a good update the other day on the arsenal site have a look on there.

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16 Jul 2015 22:57:32
Teams and player pages.

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{Ed002's Note - There are already pages on most of the sites where you can discuss teams and formations/tactics, which answers your first question. There is also a page on player profiles - which you are welcome to contribute to. So it should all be there for you.}

17 Jul 2015 09:43:26
OK, Ed. Thanks for the response. Appreciated.

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17 Jul 2015 08:42:51
first time poster.
other than the good signings we have made, and more still to come, I think one of the key factors to we having a very good season will be the management of players as regards injuries. seeing that we had one of the worst injury records last season which played a major part in finishing below where we supposed to finish. you only have to look at Chelsea last season to see what an injury free season can do for your teams performance.

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17 Jul 2015 08:55:54
Great point that. I think we were constantly made to change our line up because of injuries. There were places were we were not stuffed in the times of injury. RB, CB, Holding Midfield and even strikers to some extent. We have now good backup players for each of those positions and looking for strikers. I expect we will cope with injuries better this term as we can afford rest to key players when due

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17 Jul 2015 09:04:52
Also most of the players are used to van gals training regime now so without a doubt we should see less injuries

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17 Jul 2015 08:33:29
Morning guys,
I s3e the Cavani links are still rolling on so I thought I would attempt to get you all salivating with the following stat:
Cavani played 23 games as a central striker last season and scored 22 goals!

Also I see UTD have left the no9 shirt vacant

Happy Friday banter boys

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17 Jul 2015 09:05:55
Don't understand the stick he gets, he's a top player. Obviously I'd prefer lewandowski but if cavani came in I would be very happy

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17 Jul 2015 09:09:56
WAAD,

United haven't left any shirts vacant, the squad numbers haven't been announced yet.

Good fact though.

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17 Jul 2015 09:30:46
I thought the same GSD but apparently they have. Memphis has been given 26 apparently. More than likely just provisional tour numbers but being hyped up so easily excited chaps like myself click read and share ha

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17 Jul 2015 10:05:10
Yes, you have been fooled, the squad numbers will not be announced until after the tour, the Manchester United official website and twitter have stated this so that people do not get Depay 26 on the back of their shirt. I saw someone with Januzaj 44 on last years kit at a game and there was a story in the paper of a kid who 'had his birthday ruined' because his parents were stupid enough to get Januzaj 44 on his shirt even though they were told the numbers could still change. Think they got a free shirt with Januzaj 11 on by going to the press though.

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17 Jul 2015 10:57:07
Maybe I'll get my son memphis 26 and write to the M.E.N ha

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17 Jul 2015 11:17:36
26 is his training kit number not his squad number

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17 Jul 2015 08:24:17
Give DDG the captain's armband. Now that will throw the cat amongst the pigeons! !

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17 Jul 2015 08:58:03
Or Duncan Castles will start with headlines " United finding hard to keep their Captain".

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17 Jul 2015 10:36:01
OMG! He can't even direct his defence yet alone the whole team. He is a great reflex keeper, but no leader.

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17 Jul 2015 12:39:12
Guys, that was supposed to be taken in jest as RM have offered Ramos the armband.

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17 Jul 2015 12:43:45
Patzi, no leader . yet! He is still growing.

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mbd              

17 Jul 2015 08:22:07
The coming season will be Michael Carrick's 10th at the club. He has often been underrated but has been a stalwart for us. There is obviously far more competition now and he might find his game time squeezed but I hope he sticks around, even if he eventually becomes a squad player. He has huge expertise, great talent and would still add real value, even from the bench.

It will be interesting to see how LVG fits them all in and who loses out. if we go for all out attack with 3 players high up the pitch, it may be we play 2 holding with 1 just ahead. The worry is how long it will take to work out the best formation and ayers to fit it. it would be nice to assume LVG already has a plan but who knows?

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17 Jul 2015 08:42:12
He should retire at utd. He has been a great player very underrated. He will slowly play less and less games in the coming years.

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17 Jul 2015 09:49:56
if fit carrick will do a better job than schwieny next season.
Schneiderlin will be our main man next season but that could limit herrera

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17 Jul 2015 11:35:27
Do we think Carrick and Schweinsteiger will simply share the holding midfield role between them next season?

Would mean both of them playing around 25-30 games each (assuming a successful season) . which i think is reasonable given their ages.

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17 Jul 2015 12:26:18
charlatan
that would be more games than either played last season

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17 Jul 2015 07:42:14
Well there's a shock benitez just announced ramos ain't going anywhere. Ramos throws the toys out of the pram and will probably get a new contract. Why do we always seem to be used by players on the continent to get a new improved contract

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17 Jul 2015 09:38:28
We have said the same about DDG over the last few days, u think he will stay?

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17 Jul 2015 10:33:51
id actually be surprised if he doesn't stay now, surely if utd knew he was going and wanted to go LVG would of wanted a new number 1 as soon as possible so he can work with the team before the season starts, its a big risk letting it drag on if that is what is happening as having a keeper who the rest of the team trusts is vital imo.

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17 Jul 2015 11:30:30
DDG to LVG .

"i'll give you another 12 months if you get rid of that el toolo Valdes"

You've seen it here first,

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17 Jul 2015 07:35:02
Hi eds and fellow supporters. I know we are all currently all over the transfer dealings of United which at the moment is exciting. Can I break away from it for a minute and ask eds and and fellow posters a question please.

I attended a function in Dublin last night and the legend that is Paul Mcgrath was guest speaker.

my question is and leaving out his off field troubles, how much do you think this legend would go for in today's market.

I know this is a banter page, but imo he's was one of the best. I just wanna hear what my fellow devils think

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{Ed001's Note - I think he would be the first £50m defender, one of the best defenders I have ever seen play the game.}

17 Jul 2015 08:22:47
Id agree with Ed, now that's a rolls royce defender.

Imagine if he'd never drank how good would he have been for us?

Sad story, he battled a lot of demons.

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17 Jul 2015 08:37:24
Notwithstanding their friendship Bryan Robson said he was the best player he ever payed with and he was also the best player he ever played against

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17 Jul 2015 08:49:31
There was him and Des Walker (pre Sampdoria days) that were a level above most defenders. £40/50 million in their prime.

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17 Jul 2015 09:51:24
agree with all the above , he really was a top player

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17 Jul 2015 10:00:47
I wouldn't put Des Walker in the same league as Paul McGrath , but in fairness I'm biased

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{Ed001's Note - I loved Des Walker as a player too, but McGrath was a whole other level to anyone else in the English game at the time.}

17 Jul 2015 11:24:55
Great player. When you think of rubbish like luiz going for 50 then this guy would have been Ronaldo money

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17 Jul 2015 13:25:46
Have you read his book Ed001. I am a massive Mcgrath fan. God he was something else to watch.

Rarely trained and was drunk most of the time, he himself admitting that on several occasions. But yet always head and shoulders above anyone on the pitch.

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{Ed001's Note - I have never read it, I am not much of a fan of football autobiographies as they tend to be dross. Though I tend to get given a bunch of them every birthday and xmas so end up reading those one. I can't say I have ever read McGrath's though. I would actually be interested in that one.}

16 Jul 2015 23:04:15
Eds, is it possible to get a link straight to the United page as an app on phone rather than having to go through Google?

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{Ed033's Note - Browsers have the ability to bookmark your frequently visited web pages. On a mobile device or even desktop you could add the bookmarked link to your home screen.

A simple google search will show you how to do the above on your device.

17 Jul 2015 12:53:37
Mine's been bookmarked for years now!

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mbd              

17 Jul 2015 12:41:20
I understand the complications of an getting an app designed for this website and it could cost a fair bit to make it a decent quality app.

However I think what would be a real hit for this site is having some kind of a notification system.

For example every user is able to choose if they wish to receive notifications or not when somebody replies to their post. Either through emails or a message folder in the website itself.

Just thought I'd throw an idea out for you (although you have probably already considered it).

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{Ed033's Note - yes, this is something we have wanted to implement for a while now. We will start experimenting with a basic notification system hopefully by August and with feedback from the site visitors we can improve on it.

17 Jul 2015 07:01:14
If Di Maria joins PSG, then i think there will be hell of a unpredictability in case of signings. If we sell him then we definitely will need a winger. Currently we have Depay, Young, Jaunuzaj and Valencia in wing positions, considering Mata not a winger. And non of them are good at right wing so a right winger will surely needed. If we are to sign CB, ST and RW then I would go for Otamendi, Lewandowski and Reus. Reus for me is world class player on the level of Bale. He will not cost half of Bale and we still will have money to spend. He may not be a natural RW but i think he can play pretty well there.
P.S I think DDG will stay.

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17 Jul 2015 07:24:52
I think reus needs an injury free season before he should be considered

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17 Jul 2015 08:54:05
Enter the site through google, there should be 3 dots in the top right corner, press on them and you will get the option "save to bookmarks" press on that and you should get the option of where to add it, it should say "bookmarks"click book marks and you'll get the option for home screen, click that and then "ok" that should be it.

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{Ed001's Note - ?}

17 Jul 2015 09:13:58
Sorry Ed. This was meant to be in relation to Pepgiggs enquiry above.

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{Ed001's Note - ah right got you.}

17 Jul 2015 09:40:26
U just tried to explain modern technology to ed01, good luck with that 😜

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{Ed001's Note - my gf does that all the time, it doesn't work when I can just pass it to her, my daughter or Ed033 to 'fix it' for me. No need to learn about it, and waste valuable football watching time, when they already know it and I can delegate to them.}

17 Jul 2015 01:06:15
If we were to sell ADM I would like us to go after Isco, read that he might be available as surplus to requirements at Madrid not sure how true that is but think he is an excellent player.

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17 Jul 2015 06:16:44
Fantastic little player is Isco. He's one of them who has feet like pillows, he can just pluck the ball out of the air and make it look very easy. We'd have competition from City if we were to go for him but I wish we would. He's one of my favourite players.

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16 Jul 2015 23:42:10
Ed's many thanks for the info so far (you should be making a fortune at the red tops). The Ramos deal has dragged on too long and the goalkeeper situation is like a Greek tragedy. In relation to the Striker conundrum is it a case of price needs to be right or will we be signing even if it's a kings ransom.

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{Ed007's Note - I can't see Utd baulking at the price of any player they really want.}

17 Jul 2015 08:59:08
Cheers Ed007,

There seems to be a real shortage of proven strikers on the world stage. The exciting European names are there but they aren't 30 goals a season strikers.

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16 Jul 2015 23:36:00
For a change a question to all the so called mighty madrid bang on about there 10th european cup win i personaly think they try and buy it every year but how many of them were won yea4s ago before british clubs became involved and also when british clubs were banned dose anybody no

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{Ed007's Note - Well Madrid won their first one in 1955-56 which was the first year an English team (Man Utd) played in it and that was only because the FL wouldn't let Chelsea play in the previous seasons inaugural tournament.
Do you not think Man Utd have bought their successes, they've been consistently the biggest spending club in England over the last 40 years at least. The way you feel about Madrid's spending and achievements is the exact same as most English fans have felt about Utd over the years, jealous.}

17 Jul 2015 09:16:11
daz,

Couldn't agree more with Bond here, your post comes across as petty jealousy, the 'so called mighty' part suggests you just don't like them. There is a reason the top players end up there and I imagine it is not just for the money.

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17 Jul 2015 11:56:16
I don't like them as a club, but achievements have to respected, they've had some fantastic players over the years.

But back in the 50s they were given a bit of a helping hand by the Franco regime as their success looked good for Spain at a time they were politically isolated. That help enabled them to sign the likes of puskas and di Stefano and helped win 5 on the bounce, half of their tally.

You do have to wonder if they would have won all 5 if Munich had not occurred but who knows.

They had a dry patch and since then its all been about big spending to restore the glory years with mixed results. Sound familiar?

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17 Jul 2015 22:46:00
I used to have a real issue with Madrid as they won 5 European Cups back to back when the tournament was in its infancy. Essentially they were bankrolled by the Franco regime to make sure Barcelona didn't embarrass the 'true' Spanish nationals.

The government have interjected since then when their training facility was bought for 200 million and at the time its land value would have been well short of this inflated figure and it helped stave off Bankruptcy for Madrid. The direct TV deals for Barca and Madrid are a source of shame for Spanish football and their league ought to be even stronger than it is and would impact the duopoly of Barca/Madrid.

However when you take a look at what it takes to win the CL/European cup they have still won it a joint record 5 times if you exclude (which you shouldn't) the initial 5, so it is a hell of an achievement.

Sadly the top achievers in Europe have mainly declined AC Milan - happily Liverpool - Ajax. Barcelona's record until the Messi era was very poor. Munich are perhaps the other top performer that is still competing.

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