Manchester United Banter Archive May 19 2014

19 May 2014 21:23:04
What about an orange away kit. just
to make the incoming manager and
players (lets face it most are going to
be dutch)welcome!

19 May 2014 20:49:45
Well, an eventful day to say the least. Glad that LVG has finally be announced, now we must press on with transfers, get his targets in. With the right signings we can return to were we belong. Very impressed with what he had to say, especially the together we will make history comment.

But the end of an era is finally upon us, we knew this day would come and that's the retirement of Giggs. For me one of the best players to ever grace the game, a total legend. I just wish he could have went out on something better, I feel he deserved to go out on a major high. I don't know about everyone else (I know shappy said something similar) but I feel his retirement has been swept under the carpet. We've been blessed with some great wingers here such as Ronaldo and Beckham. But Giggs has been incredible, will we ever see another player here, who will have his longevity or even his ability? The only wide player in the squad or even at the club that I can say I believe could fill Giggs' boots is Adnan Januzaj. I hope he gets the number 11 shirt because imo there is no other player worthy of taking over it.

19 May 2014 20:28:39
Another player I forgot off my post about the quality Feyenoord posses is Janmaat - an accomplished right back just coming in to his peak years. If Van Gaal is looking for more strength in depth for that area then I expect that he will be looked at too.

19 May 2014 20:12:27
although we have a lot of good youth players at utd, so do the dutch! do you think we will go 'all' dutch at utd? ie, how many dutch players do you think he'll bring in? or any players you'd like him to bring in?

cheers, scott.

19 May 2014 19:57:22
The dictator has arrived ;)

Good! Just a Dutch version of Fergie!

Nothing like Fergie and he won't get anywhere near the respect Fergie got, he'll also irritate most of the squad bar RVP.

{Ed002's Note - And Robben.}

Are MU trying to buy Robben Ed?

That would be a great prediction from your LvG post a month ago when Moyes was sacked.

Any chance we are trying for Kroos too?

{Ed002's Note - I suspect that there will be a little effort to get Arjen to call in for a couple of years. Kroos remains of interest.}

Several Mandzukic rumours Ed. What do you make of them?

Is it fair to say that Shaw, Hummels, Kroos, Robben are the main targets?

Did you enjoy your gins last night?

{Ed004's Note - There's nothing in them}

004, is that your opinion mate or is it confirmed? Thanks.

{Ed004's Note - Opinion just there was about 10/15 posts asking Ed 2 questions so tried to cut them down}

19 May 2014 19:31:20
Really very pleased with the new manager. I was desperate for Moyes to succeed I saw it as a chance to continue the longevity of our success.

Someone posted earlier that DM didn't seem to feel he was big enough/worthy of the job I completely agree with that view. LVH by contrast seems to have the same swagger as JM but a little more class. He seems stern but also someone who instantly commands respect wherever he goes. We are in for a treat imo with the additions so desperately needed (CB, LB, 2XCM and winger?) I think we will be right up there I have already had £20 on us winning the title ;D. I know a lot won't agree with me but if he decides to go for Robben I think it would be a fantastic impact signing the guy is electric. Him and Januzaj switching with a decent midfield behind them would be something to behold add to that Rooney, Mata & RVP and its as good as any attack in football atm.

19 May 2014 18:29:22
Just a little snippet which made me smirk whilst reading it

''While David Moyes often looked like a man who wondered if he was big enough for Manchester United, Louis van Gaal is so unburdened by modesty that he may wonder if Manchester United is big enough for him.''

I personally love that little edge arrogant managers have, only if they can back it up of course. Plus after the season we've just had, LvG is right up there to put some players in their place.

19 May 2014 18:06:02
Going into a bit of a fantasy world here, but Sanchez, Fabregas and Pedro are all allegidly available (as well as Mascherano and Dani Alves but I wouldn't want them). Wouldn't say, a £90 million bid for the three be welcomed by Barca? I know they would be welcomed here. Pedro and Sanchez either side of RVP with Januzaj rotation and then Fabregas in midfield alongside Mata and another.

I would welcome that, all three great players who would fit the Van Gaal philosophy, assuming he doesn't change it up of course. I know variations of 4-3-3 are his best bet, but given the current squad we have, there are 3 players who just can't play their best in the same team, especially in that formation: RvP, Mata & Rooney. I've had enough of players being played out of position and I just can't see any of them being benched continuously unless they will be sold.

That said, RvP won't go anywhere, who would take Rooney on his wages and the price tag on him? Would LvG really want to let him go, I don't think so, whatever you say about Rooney - he is a valuable asset on and off the pitch (and i'm not his biggest fan). That leaves us with Mata, who after just half a season in a United shirt - I personally would feel bad seeing go. He came here expecting football and trophies, I hope we can give him both.

I'd love it too happen. I would be delighted if we could get Sanchez or Fab. Or Both.

The Managers in now let's the transfers done.

Is anyone hoping Holland get knocked out of the WC early, So that we can get some business done

Ay3, RVP is perfectly suited being the focal point of a front 3 and then its either or Rooney / Mata for the number 10 slot / most advanced of the midfield three. Depends who is playing best.

And I don't think Holland being in or out the WC will make a difference to our business. Van Gaal has given Woodward his targets and it's up to him to do the business, if he doesn't, he will be fired.

I would be shocked if we didn't get some business done before the new manager officially takes over. He would have given Ed his wish list; plus Giggs can take up the slack until our manager (that is nice to say) gets back from the world cup.

Ay3, who says Rooney, Kagawa and Mata all have to play every week?

Lots of people seem to forget about squad rotation and there's no point depreciating the quality of the team when players are rotated.

I think it's a good combination. Rooney and Rvp share the centre forward position plus kagawa and Mata rotate at No 10. Sorted.

19 May 2014 17:48:56
Dutch football expert Van der Kraan has said that he expects van Gaal to make a move for Hummels who he has been most impressed with over the last two years. I must say, if we aren't going to go for Reus then it may make a deal for Hummels slightly easier, especially if they have an interest in taking Kagawa back who I can't find a place for.

Fresh. either you are 712 insider, or you just republish all the rubbish he posts on twitter on here!

He tweeted it, doesn't mean that he made it up mate. I can't be bothered to trawl through pages of google, it's more convenient to allow others to do it for you.

Fresh, you can't find a place for Kagawa? Does this mean you think mata should 50 or so games next season?

Maybe if kagawa and Mata played 25 each it might work a bit better?

20 May 2014 09:12:59
Personally I think the best option is to just wait for any info from Ed02!

19 May 2014 16:21:36
Now that Van Gaal has been appointed I was starting to wonder about the holding midfield role in his set up. Personally I think we need at least 2 CM but I can also see a team next season where Carrick thrives in the holding midfielder role if he has say a Strootman/Fabregas working with him. Certainly someone that will improve on this years performances and would probably be happy as a squad player.

He may make it Kroos if we can get him as a deep lying play maker. Fabregas seems more likely though and he is not suited to that role at all.

People are misunderstanding van Gaal's system. People are describing this number 6 role as almost another CB who does nothing but shield the defense. This is not the case, van Gaal likes to play with an attacking CM (essentially a number 10 but sitting a tiny bit deeper, and pulling his weight when off the ball), a box to box carrier and deeper player pulling the strings. A deep lying playmaker is not a defensive midfielder. DMs aren't really needed in van Gaal's set up as his CB partnership is a tight unit who can pass the ball very well and have the discipline to play a high line (expect Evans to thrive in this system).

Carrick does not have the vision to act as a deep lying playmaker, the years under SAF converting him into the holding player we see today will make it very difficult from to play any other role. For me, I think Fabregas (if coached and utilized properly) could be an incredible deep lying playmaker. his vision, read of the game, passing and awareness are incredible. we just haven't seen his best at Barcelona, the other thing is he likes to pop up in and around the edge of the box. making himself available to the wider players and more advanced CMs (a la Pirlo). Fabregas as deep lying playmaker, Kroos as the carrier in attack and interceptor in defense with Mata/ Kagawa as the advanced would be incredible.

I personally think Jones and Evans would have the cohesion to be a great CB partnership, but injuries are a worry so another CB is needed. People have mentioned Hummels, and under Moyes or even SAF I would have jumped at the chance, but I can't see him working in a van Gaal system. Subotic would be my choice, great passer of the ball and the intelligence to play that high line. good in the air too.

19 May 2014 16:18:07
Hi Guys
At last the wait is over.
I for one am very pleased with Louis van Gaal as our new manager and delighted that Giggsy is number 2.
Lets hope that this season just gone will be a distant memory and I'm confident it will be.I also think that top players will want to play for the club now I wasn't so sure they would want to play for David Moyes.I also think we can look forward to playing attacking football.
I also want to pay tribute to Ryan Giggs.The word legend is used to easily these days but Giggsy is a true legend.He has brought this club so many memories and he stands for everything that is good about our club.I am delighted he maintains his love affair with United and I personally hope he takes over from Louis when the time is right.

Thank you Giggsy.

19 May 2014 15:27:17
To the tune of "Join the Caravan"

Every woman, every man, sing for Louis van, van Gaal van Gaal van Gaal van Gaal.

best I could come up with. any more?

19 May 2014 15:59:30
To the tune of Dirty Old Town by the Pogues singing Louis van Gaal, Louis van Gaaaaaallll, that being for the main line but I'm not so sure about the rest of the chorus. Sounds good to me

If we don't sing "Louie, Louie" by The Kingsmen for LVG, then we may as well go home!

My Gal, talking about MY GAAAL.

To My Girl tune. Sad.

Elbow,
despite the same name as his band, you are no Guy Garvey are you? (•_•)

19 May 2014 23:10:54
Classic that beast

19 May 2014 15:14:03
Ryan giggs has retired!

19 May 2014 15:07:30
No sentiment so far, Ferdinand gone, Giggs retired, Vidic gone, Evra close to leaving. Major rebuild needed now. We need to buy well and buy efficiently.

Syd, don't think Evra will go. We will buy a LB and he will be the cover!

I hope you are wrong PR. If Evra stays, Evra plays.

I think Evra is off, read Juve.

We've lost a lot of experience in the dressing room already this summer. I wouldn't mind if Evra stays as back-up to Shaw.

Incoming players will have the pick of some choice numnbers

3(?), 5, 7, 9, 11

I know numbers do not mean much but it is still interesting - slightly. Exciting times this summer.

I think with Van Gaal any signings we will make will be well thought througha and with his system/philosophy in mind. What may happen is that some of the signings will not necessarily stand out as the big names mentioned in the paper.but will suit what he intends to do.
As for Evra, good servent but if we get Shaw I think we need to let Evra go.

19 May 2014 14:35:36
Before we all get carried away with LvG and all the new players we will buy, I think we should wait for Plymouth Reds unbiased assessment of our future. I just have a feeling we would all be wrong and he would make us all look silly!

No need, lvg is technically a clown and hasn't won anything since the early 1900's. Had nothing influential to do with Ajax or Barca. All players hate him. We should however look on in absolute envy at our scouse neighbours who have a revolutionary manager of a far higher calibre and track record who has implemented a new philosophy of playing called the (you must screech it) "aye, pass and move". Apparently Brendan is shaping football of the future so we are all f***ed.
So no need Plymouth to even post, thanks.

19 May 2014 14:09:07
Louis van Gaal confirmed, 3-year deal, Giggs assistant manager. Who would have thought!

The next two weeks will be very interesting for us. I think we will agree deals for a couple players before the WC.

I expect two to be annonuced, sure being a certainty and then maybe Kroos?

MU have already held talks with LvG regarding transfer targets.

Giggs retires as a MU player, LvG will not be sentimental in the slightest.

Meant Shaw, can't quite believe I have put that!

19 May 2014 12:59:23
We're being linked with Jordy Clasie today, dubbed as the dutch Paul Scholes.

Dubbed as the Dutch Paul Scholes, since today.

Still dubbed as the Dutch Paul Scholes though ;)

Dubbed the next Paul Scholes since the article was written :)

If every country has a paul scholes, then it should be damn easy getting a paul scholes.

It will be good to see how he gets on at the WC. He will be playing the Strootman role at the WC so if he does a good enough job, then maybe we will opt for him?

If only England had onr now

Yes I imagine he will, he will be a target for the future I am sure. Maybe to replace Carrick who probably has one more season?

There's only one Paul Scholes.

I knew we would be linked with him after that pass to Van Persie against Ecuador!

19 May 2014 12:03:21
The most interesting transfer i'm looking forward to see come in is who LvG signs to play the No.6 position.

I can work out the likely candidates who he could go for in all the other roles on the pitch but I can't work out who he'll sign to play at the base of midfield.

He feels the No.6 position is the most important and key player in his system. This is the role of controller, this player will control amd dictate the tempo of the game due to them having the most passing lanes open to them. That is why he prefers an intelligent passer over a powerful more defensive minded player and is the likely reason for the club cooling their interest in William Carvalho.

But I can't work out who he will sign for that position, Kroos is an option but I don't feel it is his best position. Granit Xhaka is another who could play the role very well, but does LvG have any interest in him? Clasie is another who can play that role but does he have the strength to do it in the Prem? Blind is another but ye has only played one season in that role, is he ready to step up and play that role in a top team in a top league?

It will be the most interesting transfer of tye summer and the most telling in how LvG sees the squad he has.

Well, Kroos quite often plays that role for Bayern, in almost a one man midfield in a 4-1-4-1 formation. I think that may end up being the way he goes. In front of Kroos he would ideally like Strootman as the box to box engine and then stick Mata in front as the attacking playmaker. Kroos would pull the strings well and to be honest, in most games, we don't need an enforcer if we are controlling games. Maybe he will bring someone in for those sorts of games but not W. Carvalho.

Carrick may play there

Just a thought I had for this role. what would people think to verratti. hasn't really been linked and is rather a small player but there is just something about him every time I see him. I think he would be perfect in that role, if we coud every tempt him into moving

19 May 2014 11:26:07
Sydney! A question, I have not seen you drawn into the Nani debate much. What are your thoughts on him and do you think that LVG will block any move for him because he is the sort of player that he values. Personally, whilst I know he has had many chances, I think LVG could get the best out of him. And if it doesn't work out then sell him January, but we haven't lost anything by giving LVG the chance to work with him.

{Ed004's Note - Time to sell him and move on. He's had plenty of opportunities and he isn't intelligent enough to be a top player. Replace him this summer with an upgrade like Sanchez}

Fresh

LVG might be trying to get the best out of him for the first half of the season with a view to getting more teams interested in him. This is sure to Help United claw back more of the money they paid for him. Surely if LVG can get him playing well then his value will triple from the proposed 5mill to 15mill. This would also improve LVG stance as Manager.

Another theory could be to prove to Juventus just how good he could be, Thus making him a cash plus player offer for Vidal

Could the Announcement of LVG as Manager be a test to see how well he can handle himself with the Journo's? Maybe Utd are being more cautious after they way DM handled the Press.

Nani has known that MU have wanted to sell him for a good few years now, so understandably he has not shown anywhere near the form that he shown in 2011. That being said he has had his chances, but each time he has flopped. I think it's best for us to let him go and bring in a new winger, I also think it will be best for him to move on for his own career. I fully expect Nani to be a massive hit with Juventus.

Sanchez would be a great replacement for Nani, but is Sanchez available?

{Ed004's Note - Yes barca are looking to sell him apparently.}

So as ed says Barca want to sell Sanchez. Mr woodward get the cheque book out. he would be a great signing for utd.

If there's any truth to the rumours that Juventus are interested in Nani we should try and use him as part of a deal for Vidal. Apparently they ave also shown interest in Hernandez over the past 18 months as well.

19 May 2014 09:51:32
So when LvG makes RvP captain this summer, how do peeps think Rooney will react to that?

{Ed007's Note - Well let's all hope RVP gets everything his own way then. You can't have your captain down tools and pretend to be injured when the club needs it's best players to step-up and put the club and loyalty to team mates first. What kind of example is that to set young players coming through?
RVP has done nothing to deserve the honour of captaining Man Utd, your captain should show unfaltering loyalty to the team and be prepared to run through a brick wall for them, not act like a spoilt kid when he doesn't get his own way and hand in a sick-note rather than fight in the trenches with the team.}

Absolutely bang on the money bond. RVP should NOT be our captain. He's absolutely quality when he is on and not resetting his chocolate hamstrings but isn't about enough for me.

Ed7 I must say I totally agree with you here! But in the current squad we don't seem to have players with the passion of keane, Robson, Neville etc! You could say Rooney but after holding the club to ransom twice I don't feel he merits the role of captain either.

{Ed007's Note - Didn't Keano 'hold the club to ransom'? I'm old enough to remember the furore over his £50k a week wages. Rooney is the only choice to be captain.}

That is how he will act under LVG though. I see nothing wrong with his choice, no worse than appointing Rooney. He is a tremendous player and generally a good person. He hated Moyes, as did most of the squad and I don't think he should be singled out, I did seem genuinely injured at points. Who would you have at vice though? I would say De Gea because he is an ever present in the team, RVP may get injured but if fit, De Gea plays essentially every game and you always need either your Captain or Vice on the pitch.

19 May 2014 10:59:28
Am I the only one who wouldn't be that bothered if rvp was to be made captain? On paper rvp is our best player by a clear mile now I'm not saying this should be the reason to be our captain, but rvp has all the right reasons to be our captain. Yes he has a very poor season but besides David de gea did anyone else have a good season?

Rvp wasn't happy under moyes but hardly any off the united team was rvp just showed it more, I believe rooney should be captain has he has the passion and I believe the love for united to wanna succeed as captain. But if rvp is made captain then I certainly won't be complaining

I think people are looking to far into to things who's to say lvg doesn't rate rooney highly and some how will work out a formation where it benifiets both rvp and rooney? Everybody just needs to support our team and put players no matter who's made captain

R some maybe making it a bigger deal than what it is?
Rooney was captain a couple of times but he was behind vidic rio evra giggs . Dudnt seem that big a deal .
Seems some can't miss a bit of rooney baiting its easy to forget he is a united player when reading this site

I hope that last bit about Rooney being the only choice was a joke? This is the guy who's held the club to ransom on more than one occasion and come back for pre-season out of shape?

Jred, you are playing it down knowing full well that it's a bigger deal than you are making it out to be. If RvP is made captain that will destroy Rooney. His ego will not be able to handle such a knock and he may ask to leave (again). Personally I would make Rooney captain, I think he's best qualified and would make the best captain, but I think LvG will make RvP captain.

Syd
Honestly I 100% don't believe it will destroy him.
While its a great honour to be captain of a football team I think fans sometimes blow it up to be more than what it is .
Rooney isn't captain at the moment I don't think it is a big deal.

Destroy him? Like I say I don't think its anywhere near that important

Jred,

Agree mate, and panebello summed it up your point perfectly.

He came back to pre-season out of shape once, he admits himself he struggles to keep the weight off when he isn't training (read his book) and it was a long time ago. No player is perfect, I believe George Best had a few misgivings as well, but is seen a legend.

Keane held us to ransom too remember, but he was a pretty decent captain if I remember rightly?

The captain needs to be somebody who the manager respects and who will be the leader on the pitch so you can see why it would be RVP. He should not be singled out for last season. If we were not giving captaincy out because of last season then it would have to be De Gea because he is the only player who was any good at all.

Syd
If gerrard got injured during the wc and the arm band was give to lampard do you think it would destroy rooney?
Do you think it has destroyed rooney in the past when he has been over looked?

Rooney would by far be the better captain. He's much more passionate outfield and has a much better worth ethic than RVP. He'll get back and defend and be much more vocal.

Holding the club to ransom is a stupid thing to say when we know the first time round it was because we've sold out best players without reinvesting the money this making our team weaker and limiting our chances for silverware, it was a wake up call to the club. The second time, he was played out of position and still another summer without considerable talent brought in (that wasn't a striker) you can imagine the frustration of wanting to stay at the top.

He's almost our top scorer in the history of our club at the age of 28, some people need to realise just how immense that is. Rvp is a quality footballer but one good season does not warrant the captains armband I'm sorry.

Jred, those example are pitiful. Rooney under Moyes was going to be made MU captain. Moyes gets sacked and LvG gives it to RvP instead. Rooney will not be able to handle that dent to his ego. He barely managed to keep his sh1t together when RvP was the main man in 2012/13 season. There have been many reports of unrest between the two players no matter what each of them say about each other in public. If RvP is made captain then Rooney will not like that one bit. In the past players like Vidic, Evra, Ferdinand etc have been more warranted captains. Rooney was always tipped to be future MU captain and he only said a couple of months ago that he would be honoured. Like I have said I think Rooney should be made captain and Rooney will think the same. He will believe that he should be MU captain and if RvP is made captain that will have an affect on him. No matter how much you try and play it down.

I think people need to get realistic about things. The captain is chosen by the manager to manage certain aspects of the dressing room. The captain is not chosen to uphold some perceived club values, they are in the position because the manager trusts them and their opinion.

Van Gaal is obviously going to chose RVP because he is the only player at the club who he knows well, who understands van Gaal's ideas and who he can trust.

I don't think not being the captain will crush Rooney. But it will gnaw at him that a player he clashes with has the manager's ear.

Ed7 that was around 2000 wasn't it? I was about 4! Haha

{Ed007's Note - Yeah 1999/2000. I was 26 :(

007, to be fair there are not a large number of options for captain. RvP, Rooney & Jones. But Jones isn't a definite starter. De Gea is not captain material for me, not yet anyway. It's highly unlikely a new signing will be captain. So for me there are just two options Rooney and Van Persie. Van Persie is LvG's Holland captain. It's looking like a formality to me. The question is how will Rooney react to it?

{Ed007's Note - How will RVP react if Rooney gets the nod? Another mysterious injury perhaps....

Oz, in all due respect Rooney wanted a bigger contract both times. He wanted more rights to his image rights and he got them. I have no issue with this as all top players deserve top salaries, but it was always about the money my friend. let's not be naive about it.

People forget that the best Captains have brains! Rooney doesn't have intelligence in his armour, he is petulant with his kick outs and his inability to do his job, whilst trying to be a Jack of all trades on the pitch is not captain material.

Irrespective of your thoughts on Rooney as a player. He can not lead a team of clever quality players. He can lead a team of underlings who would admire his talent, but Manchester United are better than that. Can you honestly see players like Mata, RVP, Janujaz, plus 4-5 quality acquisitions listening to Rooney in the changing room? LVG speaks better English.

Syd
Im not playing anything down I honestly don't think rooney not being united captain would, as you put it destroy him

007, Rooney captain, Van Persie vice captain maybe best for MU. But I think LvG will make RvP captain and like Danny said it will gnaw at Rooney. Surely he wouldn't ask to leave this summer? Would he?

Rooney captain and RvP vice could really benefit MU more in the long run IMO.

{Ed007's Note - Where does this idea it will gnaw at Rooney come from, there's nothing to indicate that except for the public perception that he is some kind of spoilt brat, which there is no evidence of either.
I sometimes think a lot of Utd fans would have preferred Rooney to leave, just so they could sit with a smug smile on their face as they call him allsorts and slate him on the internet.
Look at Beast's post above, just utter garbage, going by his reckoning Roy Keane should have never been a Utd captain, wasn't Keane petulant, and what about his kick-outs etc AND he wasn't the brightest, I didn't think you needed a university degree to be a footballer.}

Probably the wrong word to use, but it will certainly p1ss him off Jred.

I actually think Rooney will play better if RVP is made captain. He'll have a point to prove. Still think Rooney would make a better captain though and he undoubtedly deserves it more than RVP.

007 completely agree its just rooney baiting.
The double standards gets right on my t1ts.

007, if you needed a uni degree, there wouldn't be many football players in today's game. It will bother Rooney if Van Persie was chosen over him to be captain. There's no doubt about that. Whether it will make him threaten to leave again is debateable. But that was the point of my OP.

Well, here goes my toss up.

Player X - With the club for 10 years now, given his best years and played with heart more often than not. Has asked for a transfer once publicly, second time in front of SAF. Was culpable to red mist moments earlier but has controlled it to an admirable extent. Cracking player at that, will go on to be our highest ever goal scorer.

Player Y - Had been with Arsenal for a long long period of time. Has played with us for 2 seasons, one of them being brilliant, the other being average/good. Is as petulant if not more than Player X, also prone to throwing his toys out of the pram if things don't go his way. Is a cracking player. 30 years old and historically spends more time on the injury table. Add to that, his "little boy lost" persona this season.

I know who I would prefer as our captain. But that does not matter, what LvG prefers will happen. But people somehow lapping it up and taking sly digs at Wayne is pathetic. He is been here for more years than marriages last in a country like India, when will we start treating him like "our" player?

Deeps.

P.S - Beast's posts are just what is wrong with the some of the Anti Rooney brigade. I still see reasoned arguments from AJH, Shahram and a few others who don't quite like Wayne. But with a post like the above, you just can't beat it. May be I am on the other side of the spectrum, but I don't have to call Persie names to validate my point.

Sydney,

I think there is 'doubt about that' as you put it. Like Ed007 says there is no evidence Rooney is a spoilt brat, he has always worked hard at the club. He might be disappointed, but it might actually help him to play better and prove to LVG that he should be captain if RVP leaves or is out for any period of time.

Generally the strange media type comments and behaviour comes near contract renewal time. That is a long time off yet, so I imagine we will hear only positive things from Rooney.

I think RvP will get the captaincy with Rooney vice. But I think it would be better for MU if it's the other way round and Rooney is captain with RvP vice. Especially if Rooney accepts a deeper role, he would be in the centre of everything and could see more of the game than RvP. But like Deeps says, ultimately it will be LvG's decision and it will probably be Van Persie as captain. My OP was how do people think Rooney would react to this? R7 thinks it will inspire Rooney to prove people wrong, 007 thinks it will not bother Rooney's ego at all. I think it will bother Rooney quite a lot. It was a relevant question IMO as we are yet to see both players have a good season together. Hopefully we get to see that next season. I just hope the captaincy issue doesn't ruin any chance of that.

19 May 2014 18:02:12
It was never about players that was rooneys excuse to get fans back on side and the second time his nose was out of joint. Personally I wouldn't give it to either of them.

19 May 2014 08:02:07
With appointment of LVG looking imminent, and considering the fact that new managers always prefer experienced players with whom they have previous working history, surely signing of Robben or even Sneijder can't be ruled out?

It's my guess, and let's face it, that's all we are all doing, LvG will already have talked to some of the players he will 'bring with him' and I agree, it's likely to be Robben, though not Sneijder, I think that ship has long since sailed. I wouldn't be surprised to see an influx of Dutch players, which is fine by me.
Now let's get it announced, and then move on. Lots of shopping to so, I hope!

Why would we need sneijder when we have Kagawa, Mata and Rooney to play the number 10 role. Robben would make sense but I would prefer Sanchez who is younger than him and would probably going to cost £15 million more

Robben I think is certainly on his list and I imagine Robin and LVG have had words with him. It has been Robben's dream to play for us all his career so he will jump at the chance. But not Sneijder, he is past it and not as good as Mata. Interesting if we manage to get Fabregas though as where does that leave our bid for Kroos? Would it be Kroos deep, Fabregas and Mata in front?

Its been robbens dream to play for us all his career?
Quality

Robben is a well known United fan and before he joined Chelsea it is well documented that he wanted to come here. However SAF offered a derisory transfer fee so he had to go elsewhere.

Jred Robben is a Untied fan and wanted to sign before he signed for Chelski.

Ow come on .
When he was a kid his dad said he wanted to play for united, by coincidence united where trying to sign him at the time. By the way he signed for chelsea .
Mr liverpool carragher was an everton fan

I never understood why we didn't ask for robben and sneijder as part of the ronaldo deal.

He was such a big united fan that he signed for Chelsea. I presume he bleeds red as well?

GDS2 - Our bid was poor and was not accepted by the club. He didn't have a choice between the two clubs.

19 May 2014 00:17:02
Having seen some of the golf on MUTV would it not be wise for Cleverley to take up golf instead of football? He seems much better suited to it, a good little player.

He probably has a good short game, but not much else!