Manchester United Banter Archive February 20 2013

 

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20 Feb 2013 22:59:36
Congratulations to my home team Southend United who will definitely make more appearances at Wembley this season than Liverpool.

MEF

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20 Feb 2013 20:37:36
Obviously there's a lot of speculation about transfers in the summer, but I'm interested in the who the ed's think are the most likely additions to squad?

Gary {Ed004's Note - I reckon Baines, Strootman and Rodriguez. I've seen quite a bit of Rodriguez and Baines but very little of Strootman who I don't rate that highly tbh}

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Ed004 - who would you rather have in CM (for similar money)?

TommyH {Ed004's Note - Probably Wanyama but he would need a modric/Cabaye/Wilshere beside him}

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Would you say Baines is likely? I think we'll stick with Evra for a year. As for Rodriguez, surely he'll be too expensive? Di Maria might be the better option.

Fresh! {Ed004's Note - We have been watching Rodriguez a lot though and we have already bid for him in he past so hopefully we make a move for him}

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Would it be fair to rate a player in which you concede to seeing very little of?

BornIntoIt {Ed004's Note - No but I've read quite a few reports and what people on here have said}

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21 Feb 2013 11:40:31
I honestly don't see us spending thirty million on Rodriguez when two midfielders is a higher priority. Scholes is most likely to retire, Fletcher could as well, and I honestly think Anderson should go as well, this season was always last chance. that's three out. It leaves us Carrick and Cleverley. I imagine both Powell and Petrucci will get season long loans to Premier League teams so we need two signings. I'd try for Strootman, Modric, wanyama go that order. I think we'll try for another winger but lower priced someone no ones mentioned yet. That a fair assessment ed? MrE {Ed004's Note - Yes it is. What I would do is... I'd sign Baines for around 15 million then I reckon you could sign Wanyama and Cabaye for around 30-35 million for the pair of them. That would mean a spend of around 50 million but Evra (maybe) and Nani will be sold along with a few retirements, I'd try and keep Rio another season, and then there should be enough left for a move for either Gotze or Rodriguez IMO}

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21 Feb 2013 12:17:15
I'd rather go for Gotze, Nani and Anderson have put me off Latin players a little bit unless we get them young like the twins. I'd rather see a Northern European spine to the team, go Dutch and German. I agree on trying for Baines, price might have come down a bit on last summer. I still say Strootman unless the agent issues foul it up. Cabaye depends on the price I wouldn't want to over pay and we know how the Geordies negotiate ;) Wanyama looks a decent option. I think centreback doesn't need touching till next year. I also think Valencia has one more season left before he gets replaced. MrE

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20 Feb 2013 22:15:17
And the Br1t award for best post of he day goes to TK for this little beauty:

"Shappy I sincerely hope you have better things to do with your day than sit there waiting for his posts. that's like waiting to catch syphilis.

TK-Red"

I think a little wee came out I laughed so hard ;)

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I coughed my tea out my nose when I read it. lol.

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20 Feb 2013 21:24:55
el shaarawy. what a great young talent he is, I remember mentioning him a few months back and people said he's over rated, well he's been brilliant this season and tonight against Barcelona.

JK92

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JK92,

Can't see us signing him, no way would SAF would have a player with that haircut :)

Ports

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Ports can you not remember Giggs' blonde barnet;)

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Tommy, I'd forgot about that one. Probably can't criticise to much as I've had a few dodgy barnets in my time.

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20 Feb 2013 20:57:09
who do you think is the most likely busquets fabregas scweinstiger marcheisio or wilshere
paddy the irish man

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Strootman.

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None, but if I had to choose then I'd actually go for Schweinsteiger. With the whole host of changes being brought in at Bayern he may leave - his brother is also a huge Manchester United fan and wants him to join haha.

Fresh!

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Most likely to what? dress in drag? busquets i'd say.

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None.


TRUMORS

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Wilshire's definitely the most likely lad ;)

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20 Feb 2013 23:06:38
what wholesale changes are these at Bayern? O you mean Pep. Well he'll keep most of the current staff he'll need people there who know the club. And he won't change much with the playing staff. He moved to Bayern because its the closest club to barcelona. Both have squads with lots of players from the same country the club is based, backed up with some top foreigners. Both have excellent youth systems and an emphasis on youth. Both have cash to fund one superstar transfer per summer. I expect you won't see much change in munich. {Ed004's Note - I disagree. Bayern are going to spend by the looks of it a huge amount this summer}

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20 Feb 2013 23:22:45
ed I didn't say they wouldn't spend just said there won't be massive changes. I clearly said bayern have the money to follow the barcelona model and buy a superstar every summer. Look at the munich squad, how much change is needed really? Top keeper, strong defence and midfield. They only really need a top class striker which is where the money will go. Probably replace robben as well. But nothing drastic. They have plenty of talent already all through the side: neuer, lahm, dante, alaba, martinez, schweinsteiger, muller, shaqiri, ribery, gomez. In that line up you just need a centrehalf and a world class striker in place of gomez. I think three top signings, centreback, striker and a robben replacement. Big money Yes, massive change No.

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20 Feb 2013 20:21:50
Watching Barcelona and frankly, I'm bored

Believable13 Unbelievable0

Terrible first half of football. expected more from Barca

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I understand their philosophy, and I respect it. Their ability to win back possession is as impressive as their ability to keep it. And for some reason, their " bore other teams to death, while destroying their spirits " philosophy works for them. I hope we don't play like this though.

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For me the German style is the most entertaining they have very good players on the ball who can play good passing football like the Spaniards yet they don't over do it, they take more shots and try to be more direct. that's why in the euros I was hoping for a German-Spanish final, I honestly think Germany would of beat them. Just look at BD against city or Madrid absolutely destroyed both of them, and Bayern yesterday aginast arsenal. Barcelona aren't as efficient and if messi was injured they'd have a serious problem scoring goals.

Sulei

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Tbh i'd have to agree with sulei
paddy the irish man

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20 Feb 2013 17:42:43
There has been a lot of talks lately aabout guetting a new winger, with goetze, Isco and Rodriguez beeing touted as potential targets, it baffles me how Erik Lamela has yet to be mentioned.

For those who don't know him, he plays for Roma as an inverted winger/ wide forward. He is let footedand plays on the right. He is a great free kick taker. As for his playing style, he is a slower, technically superior and with a much better decision making ability to Angel Di Maria. This boy is immense and he is learning his trade under Totti.

Imo, he has been serie A's best player this season, even though El Shaarawy has been grabing the headlines.

But right now Roma are in 9th place, and with little hope of European football, I think it's possible to try and lure him to us.

Ed, has any team registered any interest in Lamela and/or Marquinhos?

Believable5 Unbelievable0

20 Feb 2013 20:56:15
Mick mate that's the simple reason most people haven't heard of him.

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He is an excellent young player and one we should be looking at. But atm I think a watching brief is probably where it should end atm.

He does have a lack of raw pace which in Italy isn't an obvious problem but in England it would be more an issue. I think at the age he is currently playing on the wing in the italian league is best for his development. Without real pace the wing will not be his long term home.

I think long term he should position will be the number 10 role. Atm we have Rooney and Kagawa ahead of him in that position and with his slight lack of pace maybe a wider position isn't best suited to him in England.

I think we maybe best letting him gain experiance with Roma with maybe a view to see if he could be the long term replacement for Rooney in a couple of years time.

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Mick mate, I ment to ask before but I understand you have a very good knowledge of french football. A player i've been made awear of is Remy Cabella, who from the games i've seen of him looks a great prospect.

I just wondered if you've seen much of him and what you make of him?

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20 Feb 2013 19:15:50
Just wondering, does anyone actually think Wilshere is at all plausible? I don't.

Fresh!

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Nope. and neither is Ronaldo

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Fresh, truth of the matter is if Wilshere could be tempted away from Arsenal, Wilshere, Rodriguez & Lewandowski could be bought with how much Ronaldo would cost the club. This is why Ronaldo must be a pipe-dream, it doesn't make financial sense to sign him no matter how much we all want him back.

Sydney!

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I think it would take £35 million each for Rodriguez and Wilshere. And at the moment there is no room for Lewandowski, even though he is the ideal future replacement for RVP. Maybe Chicharito leaves, he's more likely to go than Welbeck is.

Fresh!

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20 Feb 2013 19:44:48
Red Snapper

Im down on course 4th-8th so hopefully done by the Wed and can swally the night away watching the Utd - Real game with no alarm in the morning haha.

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20 Feb 2013 18:42:50
Was just playing Fifa (lol) when it twigged, I wonder why united have never really been interested in German players? Been so much quality over the years but we have never seemed bothered. Who was the last German player for united? (Yes I will probably google it before getting a answer)

P. S don't write out your post and then click log in, you will not be happy! {Ed004's Note - The keeper Zieler}

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I think it is the same reason you don't get much foreign interest in english players, they hardly ever leave their national league.

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It got a little swamped, but I think the key question there is why haven't we invested in German players?

Its an interesting point. I can only offer the idea of a language barrier. We've had a lot of Europeans with a national second language of English. And Queiroz would have helped the Portuguese and Spanish contingent. Is there any more to it? Taking into account a pursuit of Mesut Ozil recently.

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I wouldn't have thought language barrier would havr anything to do with it, both Kagawa and De Gea struggle with the language

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Dont forget Anderson, and he's been here for years!


TRUMORS

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I think its just that Top German players prefer to either stay in Germany or go to the sunshine of Spain.
How many top German players can you say have played in the Premier league?
It tends to be good German players leave Germany to go to top teams to win things and the great German players go to Bayern to win things.

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Think ballack was a great German.


TRUMORS

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20 Feb 2013 18:24:30
Shappy I hope this helps. Let me remind some of you that David Gill was adamantly against the Glazer take over and was telling everyone that debt was a terrible thing in football and we did not need it. They then offered to make him the highest paid CEO in the country and he did a 180% turn and became the ultimate yes man. He has always been an ambitious man and has been eyeing a seat at the top table of football's ruling bodies for a long time. His replacement Ed Woodward is a real Glazer man so expect the money to continue flowing in one direction. I suppose if you sit in a pub somewhere in your replica shirt then it has no effect on you who owns or runs the club. But tell that to the thousands of working men who have been priced out of the club. Our socialist manager doesn't say much about that when he is talking about his labour roots does he?

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Thought they'd all bought FC United tickets

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Absolutely Brilliant.

He's got a negative opinion on everyone and everything from the bottom up and the top down.

He's knowledgeable about the intricacies of everyones decision making.

He expects perfection in everyone. Any flaw is sufficient to question their entire integrity.

He does not have any other motivations in his life than a love for Manchester United.

He Is Kloot.

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If it wasn't for the replica shirt wearers we wouldn't get the huge sponsors from nike.

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20 Feb 2013 20:15:04
Kloot mate, We all love the club, the difference is I think you're still stuck in the 50's. In so many of your opinions. I'm sure you're a good lad 'off screen' but I think much of what you say is based on an inaccurate perspective.
I get your passion, but you set yourself up for a fall.
Unfortunately the Glazers are here to stay, until 2017 I reckon, so expect money to still be used to leverage the debt. Nothing to do with the man you're going to develop an inevitable fixation over, Woodward.

Whistler.

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I know KLOOT can annoy people just for the fun of it but he's right about Gill, that's exactly what happened. Just saying.

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Not what I heard a few years ago Kloot. I heard the manager and David Gill made a packed so to speak, that they will stick around and see United through the worst of it. I would say with Gill and possibly SAF moving on in the summer they have stuck to their word. United as a financial power are now in the clear. I cannot wait to read SAF's final book. Many truths will come about I'm sure.

Sydney!

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I'm beginning to think I AM KLOOT is an unusually subtle scouse wind up artist.

TommyH

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Tommy just read what I am saying look at who I am defending. Manchester United supporters the ones who go through the turnstiles at football grounds all over the country and give the best support. The people I criticise are the ones who are taking things out of the club rather than putting stuff in. Just take your time and look at what I am saying rather than following the pack

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RFT you're not some kind if anti-hero despite what notions you might hold of yourself. I feel like a broken record saying that but then if repeating ones self if good enough for you then I'll go along with it.

TK-Red

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The local chip shop, pub, car wash I support don't consult me or other loyal supporters they service if they spend a slice of profits on a fancy holiday or new car.
If they continue to provide a great service and re invest in their business which the Glazers have &continue too who are you & any of us to sound off about what they do.
It's theirs not yours or mine!

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Leave your name coward. Of course it is my club and it is your club they are just taking money out of it for a short while. People like you make me wonder what has happened to football supporters

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My name is Dylan, I've left my name for some reason it's not shown.
The only difference is we don't have loads of songs to sing about our local chippy s, car wash etc. and it doesn't make back pages or national talk rubbish radio.
However I love football and Utd as much as any of us and continue to spend money at the turnstiles and if the Glazers or any one else who ends up in control provide us with the quality both on and off the field then I for one will remain loyal.
No ego/not a clue oligarch or wrap a scarf oil prince paying obscene amounts to agents who represent players who are here for one reason only ( to satisfy you the true football supporter)!!

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KLOOT (in response to your Gill post)

You come across like a super-knowledgeable fan who sees the truth when others don't. The thing is, you make lots of assumptions which coincidentally back up your opinions. But how do you know the motives of these people you slate - Rooney, Cleverly and now Gill? You are either very well connected or just speculating, which is it?

We can all speculate what Gill's motives are/were but I for one think he has done a lot of good work with United's finances (whether or not his motives were pure evil is irrelevant to my point, and I wouldn't know either way).

You also like to come across as a visionary who is seeking to change the world (or MUFC at least), but tell me, apart from submitting these posts do you take any action against these 'evil people'? What do you expect to happen - are you trying to drive out the Glazer's etc? Or is it more an information service you are providing without any 'action' to speak of. That's a genuine question, I'm not on a wind up.

I only ask as you seem to know everyone else's motives so I would be interested to learn yours. I read plenty of anti-Glazer material and understand the risky situation they put our club in and some of the self-centered decisions they've made since (e. g. the cost of the IPO was funded by the club not them). I get that, I just don't get what you are trying to achieve all these years later?

Football has become a business sadly, particularly at top clubs like ours. I guess I am just resigned to the fact that whoever owns United will be in that position because they want to make money from the club. So the main marker for me is whether or not they keep us competetive on the pitch. I would love us to have a multi-billionaire owner with a passion for United and top business sense in equal measures - but alas, that is unlikely I feel.

Also, according to you our club would seem to be infested with evil people. You talk about it as though it is United problem but I think your problem is more with the sport as a whole or even the wider society. Yes ticket prices at OT have risen drastically, but they are still not the highest in the country and in terms of price/success ratio they are relatively healthy, just ask Arsenal fans. You slate the Glazer's but how would you react if Abramovic was in charge - trying to influence the manager's team selection and choose transfer targets? You belittle Rooney but what if we had the likes of Ash Cole or Terry at the club? Or Suarez? Or Nasri? Are these players who are morally any better? Yet they play for our biggest rivals.

Your problem with things at United seem to be issues with things that go on in modern day football and even society as a whole. You seem to have an ideology about United which in my eyes is completely unrealistic in the year 2013. I admire some of your opinions (particularly about ticket prices and atmosphere at games) but I think you are misguided if you see these things as United or Glazer issues.

NB - I don't expect a reply but thought I'd try anyway as I had a spare 20 mins and would be interested to hear any replies.

Peace out,

HBadger

p. s. I think the EPL should have made sure ticket prices were regulated under this new 'cost control' proposal - it would have been a good way to keep them as affordable as possible (like in Germany). It should be forced upon clubs IMO because no club will choose to lose out on potential revenue unless it is compulsory.

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20 Feb 2013 17:59:57
I see from the tv Football MUFC page that our FA Cup game on 5th March is listed as being against Middlesbrough. Do the tv know something?
Mike B

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I thought it was scheduled for the 10th of March? I've already taken the Monday off work, hope you're wrong.
Flyhalfmitch

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Our FA cup match between Chelsea or Middlesbrough is on the 10th, Real Madrid game is on the 6th.

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20 Feb 2013 16:58:30
Hello eds, would Nani plus 30 million pounds be a reasonable starting point for an exchange for Rodriguez and Moutinho of Porto? and in a swap of just Moutinho and Nani wich side if any would need to add in cash? thanks. {Ed004's Note - I don't think there will be such a high profile swap tbh. Also I'm not sure about Moutinho. Must be a reason he hasn't left the Portuguese yet at his age}

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Pepe hang on in there until 10. 00pm.
Boating / Sanchez will probably be all over this site & if you can wait until same time tomorrow night then Henderson/downing (now that's taking the piss) will be in demand!

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20 Feb 2013 16:03:40
For anyone hoping for a ronaldo return I just have another thought on it. From what I know when he was here his closest mates at the club seemed to be patrice, nani, ando and rio, now I think nani and andos time here will end this summer and evra and rio may also only last another season (speculation ofcourse) Sir Alex may also only be here another year or 2 so although Ronny has fond memories here if he did return it would be a different squad to the one he knew and this could have a factor in his decision. Thoughts and opinions please?

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U forgot winning many trophies, adulation of our fans and the feeling being appreciated should come into it aswell
Chris the REDman

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20 Feb 2013 17:34:50
Yes I know there is many good factors for playing for man united but he's stated a few times he misses his old friends so just a thought that I wanted to share

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20 Feb 2013 15:39:46
give it two to three years if arsenal go trophylees wilshire would be a possibilty his contract willl also be two years less scweinstiger would also be a possibilty now but I think united would have to win the champions league this year first do we could atrract rell world class young players if we won it so he woulndt be first option
paddy the irish man

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20 Feb 2013 15:20:05
Is anyone else sat here waiting for a Kloot post about Gill stepping down? Lol.

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My guess will be that the following about Gill will be included in KLOOT's post:

Not from Manchester / Glazer Puppet / Not from Manchester / Ego / Not from Manchester / SAF Puppet / Not from Manchester / Overated / Doesn't love the club / Doesn't love the shirt / Not from Manchester.

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Hes out in manchester not to far from old Trafford, kicking kittens while listening to the stone roses on his Sony tape player :-)
Chris the REDman

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Wats wrong wit Sony tape players

CAIN

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Nothing at all mate, I always listen to mine while playing on my bouncy hoper
Chris the REDman

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Shappy I sincerely hope you have better things to do with your day than sit there waiting for his posts. that's like waiting to catch syphilis.

TK-Red

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Not far off Ports. See above.

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I work in a Barber shop, so I only have to work when we have customers. And today we didn't have very many so I was checking the site every 20 mins or so out of boredom. lol.

I wasn't waiting for Kloots post I just knew he wouldn't be able to resist coming on and having a dig at the man who imo has been almost single handedly run the commercial side of the club thus pulling us out of the financial black hole the Glazers put us in.

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20 Feb 2013 14:31:00
a little while back a friend of mine had told me that Gill would soon be stepping down to take another position elsewhere (i assume the uefa position), tbh I had kind of forgotten about it till I saw todays papers,

i know this will sound like another 'my mothers sisters dog heard' kind of rumour but the reason I post is, my friend works for a catering agency down in London, and was told (within minutes) by a waitress who had served someone, known to be within the fa, and had overheard him talking about 'Rio's impending retirement', now obviously she couldn't stick around and listen to the conversation so I can't be sure they weren't talking about his international career or indeed another Rio, but he had been in the papers at the time (early Jan) so a likely conversational topic.

as Rio has not come out and said he will be quitting England since, nor as he signed a new contract there could be a reasonable chance he may retire at the end of the season.
this would seem more likely when you also consider he has been offered a few jobs as a presenter/ annalist and reports in the French media we have agreed to sign Zouma

i know many won't believe the source but I promise it is genuine and was only reminded of it after seeing the story about Gill.

dags

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20 Feb 2013 15:22:06
add to that the bosses press conference the other week when he said we'd go all out for the cup this year as certain players like rio have never won it.

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20 Feb 2013 14:00:48
How (if at all) do you think David Gill stepping down will affect us?

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Very little I would imagine. The club is set up to run in a particular fashion and Ed Woodward has been part of that for the last 8 years or so and has played are large part of where to club is headed off the pitch I expect us to continue working as we have been.

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It won't effect us.

Sydney!

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Could be a job for Peter Lawwell off Celtic, has made fortunes and cleared Celtic's debts. As a Celtic fan I hope not. What's your thoughts?.

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20 Feb 2013 15:35:35
maybe the new bloke is a better negotiator than Gill.

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They will make sure it has little or no effect. Ed Woodward will just step into his shoes and already knows how the club is run. As SAF has said many times, consistency of staff is an important feature of the United structure and plays a part in our continued success.

HBadger

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20 Feb 2013 13:56:04
All,
Just wanted to hear others thoughts on a slightly different issue: Wenger and Arsenal

Firstly what is with all the rubbish in the papers about Arsenal being 'outclassed'? I'm sorry but this is utter rubbish and I am sure I'm not wrong here.

I saw 4 (in the main) very fortunate goals last night and a game of two halves. Barren were terrible for 10 minutes and scored a goal which although the finish of which was good the cross was utter sack! They then get a second through poor defending, an Arsenal mistake rather than Bayern superior class.

The second half Arsenal dominated but even there goal was fortunate in that firstly it should have been a corner and secondly Neuer was in (pardon the pun) no mans land!

The less said about the third Bayern goal the better but again pure luck and good fortune.

I am so tired of hearing Wenger getting slated its making me want to support Arsenal on a perm basis. All these critics are naive and the knee jerk reactions are immature.

Bayern were average last night and poised very very little going forward, the only players of theirs that really stood out for me were the two full backs, Schweinstiger and Martinez. The German even misses the return leg.

I think Arsenal can overcome this deficit and I really will pray they do.
Good luck Arsenal, because after all that's all you need here, a little bit of luck (just like Bayern had) and you are right back in this.

If Bayern go through then brilliant as even Madrid in my opinion are a much bigger threat going forward than they are.

Cheers guys,

PJ

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Bayern were playing away from home, and have a 2 goal advantage going to the second leg. They were rutheless. I can see a Arsenal humiliated in the alianz arena. |

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Bayern were great in defense and did their job brilliantly, they went their to get a result and they got it, just like we did in madrid.

the third goal was a little lucky but if manduzik didn't run across like he did it wouldn't have gone in, good work from the striker IMO.

arsenal looked poor going forward for most the game. and their defending was a joke.

( if we beat real I hope arsenal go through so we can draw them and have an easier tie, rather draw them than barcelona, bayen or porto.
if we don't go through then ill be routing for arsenal because they're an english team. )

JK92

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20 Feb 2013 14:49:04
Why not go support arsenal then? They were outplayed. Most of their team is utter dross. The only player who'd get in a United team would be Wilshire. Bayern are a far better team than you give credit for.

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For a second there I was convinced I was on the Arsenal Page.

Melbourne CFC

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Strange post on this site, lol.

3-1 away from home in the CL knockout stages is an excellent result and one Arsenal will struggle badly to overcome. Bayern are a top team but could do with a top striker IMO, their defence and midfield is very good.

Arsenal have been fading slowly for around 10 years but TBF they don't spend much money. So perhaps we should say Wenger does well for the amount of money he spends?

If I were a Arsenal fan (thank goodness I'm not!) I'd be more angry at the level of investment in the playing squad rather than what Wenger achieves with them.

HBadger {Ed004's Note - Their defence is shockingly bad. They are giving away goals left right and centre}

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Arsenal were woeful going forward due to the way Bayern defended. They cut off any way through the middle and pushed them wide knowing that if a cross came in that Walcott was never going to out jump either Van Buten or Dante for the ball. Arsenal were the home side and didn't create any real scoring chances.

I think we'll see a more positive Bayern in Munich, they left players like Robban and Shaqiri out of the starting line up yesterday as they were looking to play a more containing game rather than looking to be more open and expansive. Martinez and Schwienstiger did an excellent of shielding the back four and distubuting the ball with clever players like Ribery Muller and Kroos keeping the ball and putting pressure on Arsenal. They went with Mandzukic up front as he is a harder worker than Gomez.

This was very much a cautious Bayern side playing a european away game. They got their tactics spot on.

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Ed004 I assume you are talking about Arsenal? I would have to agree their defence is shocking. My point was just that they spend less than teams like Spurs and Liverpool but have consistently finished above them (til this year?). I think things have gotten stale at Arsenal and perhaps they need a fresh start but they will need to invest more money in the squad if they want to compete at the top. {Ed004's Note - Yes the arsenal defence is dire. Their keeper is very dodgy at times. I don't rate Sagna that highly. Mertersacker is clumsy as is Koscieny, Vermealen is quality on his day but he seems to be getting worse and worse every time I see him and its too early to judge Monreal}

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20 Feb 2013 13:22:21
David gill stepping down as chief executive.
Thank you for you loyal service and commitment to the worlds greatest sports team! Yours will be massive shoes to fill
Cheers, Tookers.

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You couldn't make it up could you.

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Tookers. Are you serious? Good riddance I say but Its pretty much a straight swap (Woodward).

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20 Feb 2013 12:51:56
You got to feel sorry for Arsenal fans. Knocked out of both domestic cups by lower league teams, struggling in the league and almost certainly going out of the Champions League. Still, they can at least console themselves with the fact that despite all their troubles they're still having a better season than LIverpool!

An Dun Red Devil

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20 Feb 2013 14:31:54
No not at all. I don't feel sorry for them at all. In fact I think its hilarious that once again their destined to end up trophyless. How many years in a row now? Why should I feel sorry for fans of a rival club? I only care about Manchester United. I don't care about Arsenal. Who are Arsenal anyway? The media myth club, all that rubbish about such a young team when the average age was a couple of months off ours. They pretend their a big club when their not, their just a feeder club for clubs with more money. Charging stupid prices to go sit in their lifeless lego kit stadium, getting excited about signing school boy spaniards who'll dump them as soon as they get into the first team to run back home-never won a european cup and the only genuine achievement they've done is tainted as the were the biggest team of cheats in the league, all that diving to save them in games they were losing and the media fawned over them. Typical arrogant London club who can only ever manage a challenge once in a generation before fading back into obscurity. No I don't feel sorry for Arsenal fans. Now Liverpool i'd be tempted as they were once somebody. But their fans are clowns and i'm sick of seeing the same deluded pathetic dribble from them. Frankly its embarrassing. Maybe if they could get past christmas and still be in a competition.

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Hmmm. To be fair I have great respect for arsenal, and can't quite understand ure lack of it.
Chris the REDman

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Me too Chris. City, Chelsea, Leeds, Liverpool are all easily detestable but I can't help almost liking Arsenal.

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Funny how you emply that we are not/ever was a big club yet your hate for arsenal is blatantly because we used to be the same if not better than united

Watford gooner

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They are, by and large, a classy club, built on similar principles to ourselves, and with a manager who has an admirable ethos about how the game should be played.

Even when they were our main rivals, I could never say I hated them in the same way I hated certain other teams. I think there has always been a healthy respect between the two clubs.

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20 Feb 2013 11:04:03
Ed.? Any Update on Jones Injury.? {Ed002's Note - Not right now.}

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Waiting for the swelling to go down before they send him for a scan.

lets hope it is just swelling and nothing else.

Oxred

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20 Feb 2013 12:07:50
Hi
I was told by a reliable source that SAF would be taking David Gill's position that would become avaiable in 2013 - if this is true would it mean we already have the new manager lined up?
Thanks
Ian

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Worst 'banter' post ever. Gill is stepping down, in the same press announcement it was confirmed that executive vice chairman Ed Woodward would replace Gill as chief executive.

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IF that is a serious post - what manager would come into the job knowing that
McBluster was 'upstairs' second-guessing every decision?

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20 Feb 2013 11:52:19
David Gill stepping down and Ed Woodward taking the role, will this have any knock on affect for the club?

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20 Feb 2013 11:54:26
Lets be honest here, Wilshire won't happen this, nor next, year. He's an Arsenal fan through and through, and all Arsenal fans hate United.

Wilshire isn't tge type of player to move for glory, nor to move for money. He plays for his passion of the game, a passion which unfortunately lies with Arsenal.

I do hope i'm wrong though, as I believe he is already Englands best player, and by quite some bit too. I would love to see him at OT, but I just cannot see it any time soon.

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20 Feb 2013 12:22:21
Arsenal are a selling club though and who else do they have that's as sellable? You have to consider the possibility of a new manager come summer who'd need the cash to sort out the weakest Arsenal squad of the last fifteen years. And their board would sell given the right offer. Would the player himself be open to the move? I think with Wenger gone and the board accepting a bid I think he'd listen. Yes he loves Arsenal we get that, you could see that with him crying last night. Which incidentally I found a little pathetic its not like it was the final. But he must also realise that they are as far away as ever from challenging again.

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Wilshire grew up a hammers fan, and of arsenal need to/want to sell he will leave
Chris the REDman

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20 Feb 2013 11:38:12
David Gill to stand down in the summer. consequences of this. Discuss.

Red Snapper

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Didn't see that coming, it will be interesting to see why he's stepping down and who's taking over

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He will be following Tevez to City - after all you are their feeder club

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Well I was just moaning yesterday about not having a British/English person on the UEFA committee (didn't know about FIFA but TK-Red let me know, thanks) and it seems that Gill has been nominated as a candidate which explains his move to Director at our club. It remains to be seen whether Gill gets the position in UEFA but from what I can tell Ed Woodward is probably more than qualified to do the job.

Supasub

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20 Feb 2013 12:27:54
puzzled once again you talk nonsense they never had anyone off us. Whereas Arsenal they've had several. Also why would they want Gill when they employed the bloke from barcelona who does the same job. I suspect Gill might be going for an FA or UEFA job and can't be in a club role.

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Tevez was purchased off of his agent by City dopey.

Sydney!

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Tbh puzzled liverpool ain't a selling club they ain't that clever, they would much rather hawk alonso around for 15m and try and buy barry, how sad is it that now even those sort of players will now turn u down in favour of city, spurs, utd arsenal etc but u do have the new barry in hendo I suppose
Chris the REDman

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No-name - I was joking, as I thought even the thickest of United supporters would see.
Disney! the same agent you 'rented' him off then. Sorry can't think of anything else to say as I'm laughing too much at being called 'dopey' by Walt! - the irony

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20 Feb 2013 16:00:30
course you were joking puzzled you weren't serious at all.

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20 Feb 2013 11:35:37
I don't think we'll go for the obvious signings in the summer. Certainly not for wingers. I can't see Rodriguez, would cost too much money and seems to be match fever favourite. I think it also depends on what sort of winger we need. A traditional style sticks to touchline crosser or a new style that's more like an inside forward, starts wide and drifts in. Either way dribbling will be important. The Zaha signing also is suggestive. I think it'll be players who can fit into a fluid front three but also be comfortable in a midfield four. I can see us playing two styles depending on the opposition, keeping the old 442 for certain games, mainly domestic, or as a plan B. And the fluid three upfront cum diamond for europe and big domestic games. Personally i'd sell Nani, shame as he'd fit the systems quite well but far too inconsistent and lacks the Manchester United mentality. I'd also tout Valencia about as well as whilst perfect for plan be he's limited and at the moment horribly off form.

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I agree with you on selling nani, and I too think porto will want too much for rodrigues, I had thought we would go for Gaitan but if madrid are looking to sell di maria then he could be a good buy depending on cost

dags

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20 Feb 2013 11:10:26
If we get around 50m plus sales (around 25m) with nani and a few others leaving we'll have around 70-75m, if we could sign Any three or more players with it, within reason. Who would you pick?
I'd have
Wilshere -30m
Fillani (sorry about spelling) -18-20m?
Sanchez or di Maria- 25m
I'm not 100% on the prices but I'm guessing that's about right, and I know wilshere seems pretty committed to arsenal and I admire that but every player wants to win trophies and let's be honest that's not going to happen at arsenal, I can't see him at citeh or Chelsea, and he'd fit in perfectly at united and we have a lot of young English players he must know which is a bonus! Fillani I think would be open to a move to us but I could see Chelsea jumping in! And Sanchez and di Maria have both been linked with us and I'd love to see one of them at united!
:) {Ed004's Note - I reckon the net spend will exceed 50 million this summer}

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20 Feb 2013 12:35:49
i think Nani, Anderson and Valencia all out would get say fifteen million for each. Plus wages and the wages of the retiring Scholes and Fletcher. And that's before we know what happens with Rio and Evra although I expect them to stay. And there's the rooney question. I expect us to have plenty of cash this summer. MrE

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Everton spent good money on fellaini an will want a good return. I'd have strootman baines di Maria an isco if there is change left over put it towards mc carty who is highly underrated.

CAIN

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Ed 004,

I noticed yesterday you mentioned you would like United to adopt the same system as Bayern. I didn't see the match but saw their line up and would I be right in saying they went with a 4-2-3-1 system?

I like this system as basically you attack with 4 and defend with 6 (obviously 7 with GK) but having the 2 CM allows the FB's a bit more freedom to bomb on as you can maintain a back 4 with the 2 CM's fropping in.

With this in mind Ed 004, who would you like realistically for United to fit this if it is indeed the system you liked?

For me, with minimum investment shall we say, I'd have Strootman next to Carrick. Then behind RVP I'd go Zaha, Rooney and Kagawa.

If we were to invest a bit heavier then I'd like Isco or Rodriguez and to rotate with the 3 behind RVP and Hernandez and Welbeck to back RVP up as our strike force.

A young LB like Shaw or Digne to gradually take over Evra throughout the season and then if Hummels was available then really try get him.

Ports

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20 Feb 2013 14:09:14
Whats with all the sudden calls for digne I must have seen three different players calling for him today. We have our own young left back developing so why block him? If Evra were to leave i'd rather bring in someone in their late twenties for the short term.

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{Ed004's Note - Sorry Ports wasn't about to reply to the post. I think we would need a minimum of 3 signings. We would need a better left back. One who is willing to work back and not dander back like Evra does. So either Baines or Shaw. Baines is probably the best attacking full back in the world but Shaw has a tonne of potential. Now I reckon a box to box midfielder who can pass the ball around with ease. Now any of Cabaye or Modric would do me but I'd push for Wilshere as not only is he a very good passer but he can drive at players which offers slightly more than Cabaye and Modric. Then we would need a Nani replacement and I would push for Rodriguez or Gotze. However, I would still worry about midfield as I think we would need a better enforcer than Carrick. I would love wanyama but can't see it happening and I would love to see a wide left player signed but I can't see money being available for wanyama and a wide left player unfortunately, so Baines/Shaw, Wilshere and Rodriguez/Gotze and if anymore money was available Wanyama and Rodriguez/Gotze/Isco/Muniain/Ozil etc one of them}

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20 Feb 2013 15:09:13
nani, valencia, Scholes, fletcher and anderson out. Baines, strootman, wanyama, zaha, and isco or gotze in. Think rodriguez would be too expensive and wilshire is a pipe dream

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Thanks Ed 004,

I suppose a lot will depend on out-goings and if that money will be made available to strengthen the team.

Ports {Ed004's Note - I reckon there will be outgoings and there will be money available and I think a lot will depend on Rooney staying or not}

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I've said all along that Bale will be out of our reach (and I haven't changed my mind) but the more I think about it he is the player I think would improve us most from those who are likely to be available.

I think if you really strip things back we don't necessarily need a LB for another year (Evra improved, Buttner, Fabio, Blackett as cover/rotation) and personally I think if Ando stays we will only get one CM'er.

If there was any way possible I would put most of our budgest towards Bale and would spend the rest on a good CM e. g. Strootman/Bender/Wanyama.

I honestly think we would be sorted for next season. Then the following summer we could re-evaluate LB, CB and CM. {Ed004's Note - I reckon Bale would be a quality signing. He would be a player teams fear and would have to set out to try and mark out of the game giving others more time and space however, cm has to be the priority followed by a Nani replacement and a lb}

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Agreed Ed004, would love Bale + CM + LB. Personally I would forego the LB though if it meant we could afford Bale. I think LB is less of an issue now than it was a year ago, even with Evra getting older. {Ed004's Note - But what about a Nani replacement out wide right?}

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Personally I'd move for Strootman or Wanyama for cm. I don't see where Fellani would fit in with United. He plays upfront for Everton because Moyes doesn't really trust him at cm, his disciplinary record is bad enough up front never mind the fact that launching the ball forward isn't how United play. Wanyama has bags of potential and is a man mountain. Strootman has a good engine and a good range of passing.

Left back is a must for me. Evra has lost his pace and his attitude towards tracking back is appalling. His positioning when defending is a real worry and other teams target him every week. I'd go for Baines who's attacking ability is excellent, he's solid defensively and his free taking is up there with the best in the league. He seems to have the character to succeed at United.

Lewandowski continues to be linked to United and I would take him. There's got to be question marks over Rooneys future as his form has dipped dramatically. He's lost his touch, his passing of late has been atrocious and he seems a lot slower too. Van Persie is the main man now and the Rooney of a few years back would have risen to the challenge of being the main man but he seems to have gone backwards instead. Should a bid come in I would guess Fergie would look at it. If he went Lewandowski would fit the mould of how the team play now.

that would be a pretty good summer for me!

Big G

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Zaha? {Ed004's Note - Is he good enough to come straight into the team though?}

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Ed4, I'm assuming that we will still have Young and Valencia, and then there is Zaha. Not ideal IMO but if Zaha shows promise when given a chance perhaps he and Bale would be the long term starters out wide? Both Young and Valencia would have to up their games to nail down a starting berth. I wouldn't be against selling one of them but I don't think we will this summer. {Ed004's Note - I'm not sure that would be good enough quality wise for the right. The only way I can see bale coming is if there is a lot of cash available or if Rooney is sold}

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IMO it would be better than our current wing options - Nani, Young & Valencia or Bale, Young, Valencia & Zaha?

The manager clearly has high hopes for Zaha otherwise he wouldn't have dished out over £10m for him. We don't know how well he'll get on but SAF will give him chances IMO. SAF will also have faith in Young & Valencia whether we do or not and who's to say that signing Bale & Zaha wouldn't be the rocket up the a$$ they both need to improve their game? We know that Valencia especially is capable of much better.

I can't see us signing 3 wingers in one summer and I'd be more than happy with Bale & Zaha - a mix of current ability and potential. Unfortunately this is just pipedreams as I can't see us paying what Bale would cost. But if I were in charge I'd make every effort to get him. {Ed004's Note - I would complain if it happened maybe but I just think the right wing will be a priority. What would you prefer a direct set of forwards in Bale and Zaha or a creative set. Ie Kagawa onside and Ozil/some other creative player on the right?}

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20 Feb 2013 09:41:42
He's not second best at all, if you had the choice between Messi or Ronaldo coming to United, 99% of the time Ronaldo would be the chosen one.

DB-Red

I love Ronaldo as much as the next Man United fan and he was my favourite player while at United but to say 99% of the time most would pick him over Messi is mental. Messi is head and shoulders above any footballer that has ever played as much as I hate to say it and would get most peoples pick 99. 9% of the time.

Believable5 Unbelievable10

Messi for me

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Messi > Ronaldo. Ronaldo might do a few things better than Messi. But Messi is still a better player than Ronaldo.

DesiRed.

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Ronaldo for the EPL. I would take either for La Liga.

Sydney!

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Honestly, for the EPL if anyone picked Messi over Ronaldo I'd be extremely surprised, what Messi does doesn't seem to amaze me, watching Xavi and Iniesta amazes me more. Some of the things Ronaldo does blows me away. Ronaldo in my eyes is far more compatible for the Prem than Messi.

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I think its much more differcult to seperate the two of them than the media would have you believe.

Imo Ronaldo has more strings to his bow but Messi is better at what he does than Ronaldo is. This makes comparing them kind of pointless.

Ronaldo scores more goals with his head and weaker foot than Messi does, but Messi is the better dribbler and more prolific goal scorer.

But I would like to see Messi play in a different league and in a team that hasn't been built around him and for him since he was a 16yo. I highly doubt that Messi would be as prolific if he was playing for AC Milan Bayern or even ourselves.

Personally I think they are pretty tied, but if I was asked which one would I prefer to sign i'd go with Ronnie every time.

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Ronaldo is more versatile but Messi is much better at what he does. Enough said.
SK.

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Messi for me, he's the next level up even on Ronaldo. Absolute class!

Simmo

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Ronaldo is much better, Messi looks good only because he has two mid fielder around him which are above any of their kind in the world today.

If Ronaldo played with XaVI, Iniesta, I don't think Messi would come close to score what ronaldo has without those two.

Ronaldo is a much better all round player, a player which has proven in two different leagues.

Just look how rubbish messi plays for argentina. Even though argentina have more class players then portugal. But ronaldo still reached the semis of the world cup with few good players.

If Ronaldo came back to epl he would surely be winning the B'dor again.

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Messi is a better player, but Ronaldo is more complete. All in all I would prefer messi, but you also have to consider that he might fail to adapt to the premier league, and to a team that is not on the same wavelength as him. So imo Ronaldo will find the transition easier, but Messi, if he adapts, will be a better player for us.

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Ronny for me anyday, anytime! He is the best to excel in La Liga and the PL.

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Messi is clearly the world's best player, if you just watch them both play and look at their stats then I think it's plain to see.

I would agree that Ronaldo is best suited to United and the EPL but that is a different debate altogether. Not everyone need to be able to play in the EPL.

Messi has clearly been the best player in the world for a good few years. Did anyone think it was possible for a footballer to achieve what he did last year in 2013? Just his goalscoring alone - he smashed a record that had stood for many years just because it didn't seem possible to score so many. until Messi popped up.

HBadger

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Ask yourself this if Ronaldo and Messi whiched teams for a season who would have the better season, Messi for Real or Ronaldo for Barca?

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20 Feb 2013 09:00:42
Total passes
Rooney 812
Mata. 1249

pass completion%
Rooney 83
Mata. 85

Clear cut chances created
Rooney. 7
Mata. 11

Goals
Rooney 10
Mata. 10

Games played
rooney 18
Mata. 24

How well has Mata played this year

Believable3 Unbelievable2

I agree Mata is pure class but you have to factor in Rooney has been below par for a player of his quality all season bar maybe 2 or 3 games. He has looked slow, over weight, lazy, no desire, poor touch and poor in front of goal.

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Another reason rooney stats looks worse than mata is because mata has been best palyer at chelsea while rooney has to compete with rvp and hernandez in scoring department. If we compare rvp stats with mata's or rooney's with torres then its different story

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Its amazing to think Rooney has been out of sorts for the last couple of season, but you could still argue he is still one of the top ten players in the league.
Mata has been quality this year but, Rooney is not far behind and has played six games less!

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To bring some parity to your analysis, I have brought all the stats to a per game basis

Passes Per Game
Rooney: 45. 11
Mata: 52. 04

Chances Created Per Game
Rooney: 0. 39
Mata: 0. 46

Goals Per Gane:
Rooney: 0. 56
Mata: 0. 42

Mata comes out better in the majority, but the percentages are now closer. Rooney however leads in the all important one goals

You also have to factor in each players role in the team. Rooneys is to score, Matas is to create. Therefore the stats reflect each players position and role in the team.

RedDub

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Aaallj
My point exactly

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Red dub
I would also add the amount of work Rooney gets through and his defensive duties compared to mata

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Rooney is a striker/2nd striker. Mata is a left inverted winger. Pointless comparison as a striker will get more goals and assists especially playing at United with a certain RvP.

Sydney!

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20 Feb 2013 07:51:43
Last nights match does tell. us one thing. we can beat Bayern. !
If we can just pull it off. vs Madrid I am sure we can.
Madrid. then Bayer then barca. beating Dortmund in the final! Haha. far fetched. but why not dream. :-D
Ronny boy will surely come then.!

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Ronnie will come home haha. Especially when he has played at OT and misses it.

Fresh!

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Yeah why not go for Messi too! Come on give me Gotze, Fischer, Baines and Wilshere over Ronaldo.

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20 Feb 2013 06:48:35
Manuel was Neuer to be seen for that goal last night!

Sorry. couldn't help it! Bayern did look quite good though, have a feeling they'll get pretty in the CL this year!

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20 Feb 2013 04:59:15
Everyone, including myself, would love to see Ronaldo back at the club, but has anyone thought of what it could do to the rest of the squad? It would be all about "the Ronaldo show", and could have the effect that Henry had on the Arsenal squad. The Arsenal players have said how it was "get the ball to Herny", and they didn't have the freedom to play their game. It could end up de-stabilizing young players. Just a thought.

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When you have players like RVP in the team then it won't happen. It wasn't all about Ronaldo in the good old days, Tevez was still very important for a start. At the end of the day, we would want the ball to be with either RVP, Ronaldo or Rooney.

Fresh!

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20 Feb 2013 03:23:38
Just curious on the topic of replacing players, what do people think of cleverly replacing scholes, with more experience do people think be could get to that level?

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Never in a million years i'm afraid but Tom will be a decent squad player.

Red Daz

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Simple. NO NEVER! The only player in world football bar the obvious 3 or 4 players that could get to that level is Jack Wilshere. He has the potential to be great.

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Hmm yeah I agree if a replacement for anyone I would see him a replacement for carrick

Would love to see wilshere in a united shirt within the next 2years but reckon the chances are prity slim as he loves arsenal

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20 Feb 2013 00:40:15
please go for Wilshere. after tonights game, he would want to leave. don't like Arsenal, but it hurt to see a player so devastated and crushed.

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He is so over-rated, he always over runs the ball and does the odd good thing. everyone only loves him because of his desire which I can't criticise

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Lol over rated? Wilshere is a outstanding player and has even been likened to iniesta by Dani Alves! I would love him to join United.

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He is going to be one of the top midfielders in the world. He just looks like he is strolling past opponents. His deceptive acceleration reminds me of Kaka in his pomp.

But I think we should count ourselves extremely fortunate to have already plucked RVP from the Arse. I can't see anything good coming from another rummage.

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I couldn't agree more about the dribbling and pace thing comparing him to Kaka but he just reminds me Iniesta in so many ways. the way he goes by players and the passing ability he has.

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He is slightly better than tom. He is only hyped because he is english

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It's been said in the papers but he has got a bit of Gazza about him

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19 Feb 2013 23:57:43
Not posted for a while. Overall great season so far, great chance in the FA Cup, almost certain chance in the League, and a small chance in the Champions League, Barcelona being the main threat.

Most players have had good seasons, I have been especially impressed with Carrick and Cleverley, along with Evans, Rafael and of course Van Persie. I have been a bit annoyed with Valencia and Young, although with Nani back fit there may be more competition for places and therefore better performances.

For the summer, Ronaldo is unlikely, same for Bale, Falcao and Lewandowski. I would prefer we sign a centre back, a centre mid and a winger. For the centre back I would choose Hummels, an absolute beast of a defender, and for centre mid I would pick Cabaye, a great all round centre mid, or Modric, a superb passer.

Winger is another matter. That depends on whether we want to keep to a 4-4-2, or change to a more fluid 4-3-3. I would like to see us change to 4-3-3. For this Bale would be perfect, but maybe Sanchez or Di Maria would be likely given price and leagues. Even so, I would prefer we sign another young winger along with Zaha to give Young and co. a bit of competition.

So, this summer I want us to sign Cabaye or Modric, and Hummels, along with Zaha, would make a perfect summer. Last we almost had a perfect summer as I wanted us to get Van Persie, Kagawa and Martinez and we only missed one of those.

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