Manchester United Banter Archive May 24 2014

24 May 2014 22:44:19
Very quick question about a point I may raise again tomorrow. What do you make of the rumour that van Gaal sees Mata as unneeded? Paper talk or some substance behind it? Will be sacrifice him and go big for two new wide men or is it all nonsense and will he have a great season for us? Interesting.

I think there's no chance he will sell him before giving him a chance so much carp in the squad lots to shed before him

I also saw nonsense that LVG only fancied 4 of our squad, fact is no one has a clue who we want, or rahter who LVG wants

Mata is a good player but I don't know why we bought him.
Mata or rooney, well no surprise rooney for me

I think it's the papers spinning off of the Kagawa comments and putting two and two together to make five

It's a nonsense story. It is no more than a journalist's personal opinion. He feels that LvG may sell him as there is no need for him and Rooney. That is the basis of the whole article. Pointless even writing it. He doesn't even say that he heard it from his sources, it is merely what he thinks may happen. I cannot believe people even read the a newspaper, the same paper that said we had agreed a deal for Kroos.

It probably is paper talk although I don't think mata and rooney work in the same team.
But this site would of went in to melt down if it was rooney lvg was thinking of moving on in the papers .

Mata never fit into Mourinho's " system ". He's not your garden variety hard working attacker ( blazckowski, Valencia, . ), the kind Mourinho likes, nor did he have the pace to play counter attacking football. 2 aspects that Van Gaal rates much less highly than Mourinho.

What Mata has that LvG rates above all is tactical intelligence. He knows his role, and he can fulfill it. Mata is not your stereotypical footballer, he has university degrees and is a pretty intelligent individual. This is something Van Gaal appreciates imo.

Totally agree Mick. Mata can be the brain of the team. And much more so than Rooney who often lacks the discipline to stay in 'his' position.

Lvg will be more concerned what he does on the pitch.
At lot has been made about jose getting rid of mata because he's not hard working but that's only part of the story.
jose teams have always had a good number 10 type player deco, sneijder, ozil all these players could also press the game and drop into cm, mata lacks this and pace imo .
He needs to play in the last 3rd and offers little with out the ball imo

I said it a few weeks ago and it seems that it could happen - he will be sold if we can recoup most of the cash we paid. Mata doesn't fit in, he doesn't have the legs for a fast paced Utd team and he certainly doesn't for a big pitch like Old Trafford.

Great player for the right system and style, he is simply not mobile enough for us.

Jred, there have been articles about Rooney leaving this summer, but like this article they have no basis. Just one man's opinion of what he thinks MAY happen. It's no different from me or you writing an article on what we think may happen and then printing it. It's a shocking piece of journalism.

This may happen in the future of course, but this is just another man's opinion of what he thinks MAY happen.

Syd
Nobody has said the article is true have they?
People have just commented on it.
The whole article is based on reports in spain that barce might be interested but a bit like united barce get linked to a lot of players

But that's the point Jred, it isn't a case of whether it's true or not, it's just a bloke's opinion. He hasn't said "my sources claim" or "I have heard" or "reports in Spain", it is merely him saying Mata could leave because in his opinion he doesn't fit LvG's style. It's a pointless article and that's why it's the only article. He has heard a rumour that Barcelona may want Mata and he's added his opinion on why MU may sell him. It doesn't even deserve this thread to be honest. It's a case of Fresh reading a headline without reading the story and posting on it. I am surprised it even made the newspaper as most journalists wouldn't write something like this, they may Tweet an opinion of theirs, but to write it in an article and print it, I'm quite surprised it was allowed. The journalist clearly had nothing to write about this Sunday so he manufactured something out of nothing. It's journalists like this who give the real journalists who do have genuine sources a bad name.

Jred, take a look at the Mail Online. Breaking story at 10:55am. It's another pointless article. The headline "Wayne Rooney failed at Manchester United last season and he may face Louis van Gaal wrath, according to Ruud Gullit" It is a pointless article. It has more credence than the Mata story because it's an opinion from someone linked to football and from someone who knows LvG and not some nobody journalist, but it's still a pointless and shoddy article about one man's opinion of what he thinks MAY happen. There is clearly nothing for the papers to report this Sunday so they are talking nonsense. It's really not worth discussing just like the Mata story. There's nothing in either story.

Don't think there is any issue with discussing what papers say as it is what a banter site is all about. unfortunately there is a minority that believe all that is written is gospel and then use such stories to back up their claims that united have somehow failed or are falling apart.

Syd
Its a topic of discussion on the site why are you getting your knickers in a twist?
There has been loads of posts about who lvg will and will not sign who he does and doesn't rate.
90 % of it has been journs opinions whys it suddenly a problem

Is it because its something you dony agree with?

Because it's a journalist's opinion Jred. It's not a rumour or from a source, it's just another man's opinion. If you do not know the difference between speculation and an opinion, then it's understandable that you do not know what I am saying.

So if it was a journalist saying that he thinks MU may sell Rooney to PSG because in his opinion he doesn't fit into an LvG team, you would seriously sit here discussing it? It's not a rumour, it's not speculation, it's just another bloke's opinion of what he feels could happen.

We always sit here discussing speculation in the papers and rightly so, what we do not do is discuss a journalist's opinion. Because it's unimportant what some other bloke thinks may happen. If you cannot see the difference then there's no wonder you do not get my point.

I'm not interested in knowing what some nobody journalist thinks may happen. He certainly shouldn't have been allowed to write an article on it with a misleading headline. If he had heard from his sources that LvG was considering selling Mata then fair enough, but it's just his opinion.

It's no more important than one of our opinions.

Syd
If you don't want to you don't have to be part of the banter on this topic.
You don't have to post on this particular topic .

Why is it upsetting u so much

Speak for yourself Syd, my opinion is highly sought after in some circles.

Jred, it's not a topic. It's just another man's opinion. I don't mind discussing Barcelona's apparent interest in Mata as that is speculation. It's worthy of a discussion and that's what we are discussing further up the page, but I think it's a bit silly discussing another bloke's opinion that he doesn't believe Mata is a LvG player so we could sell him. If someone on this page brought the subject up then fair enough, but you especially seem to be embracing this journalist's opinion as it fits in with what you also believe, where if it was Rooney you would be stamping all over it. There is no evidence, not even speculation that LvG wants to sell Mata. It's all come from this worthless article and some bloke's opinion. Until we have even the smallest shred of evidence or even speculation that LvG doesn't want Mata, then it's not worth posting about.

Unless of course you want us to sell Mata? Then it may be worth a discussion. I couldn't give a monkey's about some bloke's opinion that has nothing to do with this page. That's all I am saying.

Danny, if anyone on this page had an opinion on this I would give it the time of day, but not some bloke from the Express. Who cares what he thinks may happen? The headline was misleading and he made it as though he knew LvG wanted to sell Mata. When it's just his opinion based on these Barcelona links. Shoddy journalism.

The mind boggles, Danny, as to which 'circles' they might be :)

Is anybody seriously going to come out and say "LVG told me he wants rid of etc". because he wouldn't tell them anything again. It doesn't happen, if anything is ever leaked it's because puppet masters want it to leak. A newspaper journalist is just the same as an agent, probably more reliable as they have their credibility to think about, not just a better deal for their player!

Mostly when my dog chases his tail.

Beast, why do you think journalist's use the term "sources close to". This is just one man's opinion based on nothing. It is nonsense, are you suggesting LvG and Anthony Chapman know each other?

It's hardly surprising the two people on this page who would sell Mata are the very two embracing this naff article.

Syd
You have been discussing rooney going to psg for 2 year what's the difference

Syd
Just to point out nobody has said the article is true

I have no idea what you are talking about Jred. How is that even the slightest bit relevant to what we are talking about? Twisting things again?

"Syd
Just to point out nobody has said the article is true"

Wow, are you really this stupid or are you just pulling my leg?

How can someone's opinion be true or false? It's an opinion for Christ's sake.

Incredible :)

Syd
Many have been speculating that rooney would move on this summer with out a credible source .
yet if someone mentions mata moving u have taken a hissy fit.
I don't think many believe what they read in the papers but that doesn't stop people talking about it.
there has been discussions about cavaini being linked but I don't think anyone really believed it.

Also surly people can discuss what they want on the site if u don't like it don't post on it

Nobody is saying that the journo really knows that mata is not a lvg player, they are discussing if they agree or disagree with his opinion.
why are you getting your knickers in a twist.
if you don't like the subject don't post on it and leave it to others who would like to

Name calling again eh

"Also surly people can discuss what they want on the site if u don't like it don't post on it".

Damn right, jred! Me and all the other surly people on here have just as much right to speak as anyone else.

I don't think either Mata or Rooney will be sold. Certainly not this summer. Just like I don't think RvP will move to Italy like you do. I certainly do not entertain silly posts of journalist's opinions. I will comment on speculation, but not some nobody's opinion.

You have to admit it is annoying that every day there is someone new leaving MU.

Stevie
Lol that is exactly what I meant, honest

StevieK, very good :)

Syd
I wouldn't be surprised if rvp moved to italy but its very unlikely now lvg has come.
I would be surprised if mata or rooney left but it won't stop people on here discussing it

I'm here all week, guys.

25 May 2014 22:06:03
Ha Ha. That made me laugh out loud. The words "journalist" and "credability" in the same sentence. Classic!

PS. Hope that didn't offend Ed02 seeing as so many on here appear to think he is a journalist. (which is feasible) lol

24 May 2014 22:40:15
I've always looked at di maria as a better slightly more consistent less frustrating version of nani but not just tonight for around 18 month he's been brilliant. Tonight he was the best player by a long shot although I felt bale and Especially ronaldo were to narrow thus less effective. Di maria should be the winger we try and sign.

That's an insult to di maria comparing him with nani, nani is over-hyped and shouldn't even be mentioned in the same breath as di maria, sure he has good technical ability and skill but he has no end product and that's what football is all about when you play in his position, I've even watched him make a 5 yard pass with nobody anywhere near him look difficult.

Last night was the best I have seen Di Maria play. He has been a bit quiet most games I have seen him. However delivering on the big occasion is a major bonus. Something our players lack, especially Rooney.

I would hope we can get him but yesterday's performance alone will mean all the sharks will be swimming for him. Price hike.

Beast, Di Maria has been very good all season.

Di Maria has always been a top player, and I've said so often enough.

I think he just gets overlooked with Ronaldo in the team, and maybe he felt a little overawed at first as well.

StevieK, I was surprised that he was linked away for as little as €20m. I thought he would for at least €30m.

Me too, Syd. After Ronny and Messi, he's up there with the best of him IMO. Should have made a bigger effort for him when he left Benfica, but don't honestly know if we were even interested back then.

Can't see us ever getting him now.

Me too, Syd. After Ronny and Messi, he's up there with the best of him IMO. Should have made a bigger effort for him when he left Benfica, but don't honestly know if we were even interested back then.

Can't see us ever getting him now.

24 May 2014 21:16:42
Modric and Bale have been superb this season.

Modric is such a fantastic player, if I could have a creative deep lying playmaker it would be him.

Bales been poor though tonight in my opnion, been none existent, and for the price tag.

I'll eat my words a little, but still hasn't played brilliant tonight.

I've always wanted Modric here. Such an intelligent little player. I'd have paid the money for Bale, too, despite a sub-par performance tonight.

Well we had enough opportunity to buy Modric, met with his agent several times which amounted to nothing.

Bale was better than ronaldo

Bale was awful, he had 3 great attempts and scuffed them all, fair play he was in the right place at the right time, so overrated though.

Overrated, my ar$3.

Plymouth let me guess, Suarez is better than bale

{Ed007's Note - I have gave Bale pelters on here many a time, while he was at Spuds all he had was his pace IMO, typical British athlete rather than a footballer, but I've watched a lot more of him this season (Real Madrid are my Spanish team) and I hold my hands up that he has become a great player. His all round game has vastly improved this season and I think it just shows the upside of quality coaching and joining Madrid is probably the best move he could have made for his own career on the park. If he keeps progressing the way he is I have no doubts that he will win at least one Ballon d'Or in his career.}

When you can show the quality to score that goal against Barcelona, you can't be called overrated. He was quiet tonight, but so was Ronaldo, and in sub-par performances, to still get make the game winning goal is a sign of top players

Quiet game AM were so defensive and worked very hard. Ronaldo was anonymous, Bale was better but not by much. Last week Messi was the same against AM - it's players like the wing backs and Sami that should have excelled against them, only one that did was Marcelo when he came on.

Ronaldo was clearly injured, hope he rests now as I want him in my WC dream team. I think when Bale moved central for Spurs he showed he wasn't just pace. He has certainly outgrown my expectations. He's a good player and in a good team. I think he could be even better next season. I don't think he will ever reach the heights of Messi and Ronaldo, but he's still a good player and someone who would have fit LvG's team perfectly.

Ive always rated bale cracking player with huge potential.
Its been a long season for ronaldo and I think he peaked a bit early, could do with a rest imo

Jred, I am wondering whether or not to use Ronaldo in my DT. Is there enough rest time for him?

24 May 2014 20:17:48
Maybe we need to look at other possible targets rather than the ones the press and everyone on here seems obsessed with. If we can't get the main lot then these are all good options in my opinion. I'd be happy with 5 from this lot.

LB - if no Shaw-De Sciglio or Coentroa
CB- if no Hunmels-Chiellini or Vertongan
CDM - If no Carvahlo- Song, Martinez, Gustavo, Bender
CM- if no Kroos - Hamsik, Fabregas, Gundogan, Modric
AM - if no Reus or Robben - El Shaarawy, Di Maria, Moura, Pedro, Draxler

I think any if these would drastically improve us! Let's hope Eoodward delivers this time

I think Shaw will still happen. What about Badstuber? I think he would make an excellent signing. Griezmann should be looked at, Clasie should be looked at as should Koke.

Agree fresh, I think we will get Shaw, Clasie, carvalho and martins indi.

I really want clasie he looks a good player and he seems box to box from wot iv seen of him

Agree with a bunch of those options but definitely not chiellini, he's been playing as part of a back 3 for the past 2-3 seasons (if not longer), think he would struggle in a 2-man CB pairing.

I would deffinitely take Gundogan, Martinez, Fabregas, or Bender over both Kroos and Carvahlo. All great players but Gundogan is probably only bettered by Vidal in cm in my opinion. Martinez is one of the best passers of a ball for a deep lyinng cm. Lars Bender is probably one of the least appreciated players in the german league. Ok we all know who he is but he has such a polished game and would improve our transition from def to att effortlessly.

However I would be very happy with either Kroos or Carvahlo as second/third choice ;)

24 May 2014 18:31:51
The UCL final is nearly upon us, and there are going to be a lot of very good players on view. Therefore, I am expecting a "MOTD fever" frenzy on here. So for a bit of fun let's have a "virtual sweepstake". Between KO and midnight (BST), how many different names will be "recommended" that we should buy? I'm guessing 9. lol
Enjot the game if you are watching

{Ed007's Note - I'll say 20 and whatever subs are used.}

Not to mention the players that aren't playing - is it because we are in talks?!

Can I start it off koke and juanfran.
And that's just from watching the build up

Which 2 don't you rate then Bond? Or are you excluding the keepers? lol

{Ed007's Note - I'll decide that after the game :) Hala Madrid!!

Gabi looks different class.

All of them are just what we need!

24 May 2014 17:37:36
Most of the talk has been about the potential stalling of the Shaw deal and our midfield targets dropping one by one everyday. Kroos - no, Robben - no, Reus - no. As I have said there are many names though that are still out there. I have a question about a different part of the team, out wide. We most certainly need a new winger, but no Robben or Reus. I'd have Ronaldo but no that won't happen either. Do we go for young with Depay? A cheap option of Konoplyanka. A quality player in Griezmann? Could we get Pedro? Maybe Shaqiri? Can't see too many other options.

{Ed002's Note - The problem is you are throwing up names of players as targets who are not. Don't be surprised if random lists of players don't sign.}

We won't get none of them.

I expect us to get maybe Depay, Indi, probably Shaw. Now Cesc, Kroos, Vidal, Modric are bound for a CL club not us.

Being out the UCL is going to be a much bigger problem than first though. A lot of people said that players would come, I'm not so sure now.

Fresh
The problem is do we look good enough to get in the cl next year?
Also the top players don't just want to be in it they want to win it.

CL is a big incentive to any top player. We surely have money but we never make the last effort to meet the players demand to get them, so this going to be a barrier that we need to break.

We're too slow when come to act in the market and if any club comes to the table for our targets, we'll lose.

I'm positive that we'll buy players to fill Vidic, Ferdy, Giggs. But I'm unsure about Cesc, Kroos, Vidal, Di Maria, Muller, Reus, Hummels are just dream.
We'll I hope to be wrong.

24 May 2014 16:01:28
GCU
who do you think united will realistically buy?
Uve no number 8ball bit who do you think.united will bring in in your opinion?

Al, MU will make many signings this summer, at least five IMO. What isn't known is if we will get our number one targets for each of the positions we are looking to strengthen. I suspect a deal will be reached for Shaw eventually. Carvalho seems a viable option, we may look to Cesc, but will face stiff competition if in fact he's interested in joining us. It's never easy, but MU will strengthen this summer.

But will they strengthen enough, I still think top 4 will be difficult

I certainly think it will be slightly disappointing, but if LvG can get them playing then it won't be. Carvalho does seem to still be an option according to the ed. I think we will go for Cesc but not get him if I am honest, if it's between us and Arsenal he will choose Arsenal - they have just won a Cup, his favourite manager is there and they are in the UCL. We are up in the air a bit, we will be fine, but we will struggle to get some top names.

I think all we can do is wait until we see what squad we have come September 2nd and then judge from there. We will certainly improve next season, it's a case of how much and how quickly we can get used to the new tactics.

Unless we do some good business this squad isn't good enough to get top 4 imo .
Im sure lvg knows that and i'm still expecting a bust summer.

That's true Syd. No amount of signing or money spent will guarantee success. And LvG admits himself that his teams and players always take time to understand, and adapt to, his tactics. I think he will be good for us, but fans expecting instant success may well be very disappointed.
PS just saw your post about Dream Team suggestions. I think all the usual suspects will do well, especially the Southern hemisphere teams. Chile and Mexico could do very well, and Dzagoev of Russia may well score a fair few points in DT

We need five positions strengthened. LB, CB, 2xCM & LW/FW. Obviously things change on a day to day basis in terms of who we are linked to, but I think we will get our first choice LB, other than that I don't think we will get our number one targets, but we will see. The players will certainly be happier next season and we will play better, we won't have to juggle European football so we will not struggle with tiredness. We can only wait until September before we can judge, fingers crossed we get some top players.

Betty, it's going to take a few months to get used to the tactics and gelling as a team, but with no European football and the players happy now the Moyes disaster is over, there will be a much bigger improvement. I think the key is the midfield signings. We need two top notch central midfielders.

Syd, yeah midfield is key. But it has been for the last 5 years and it hasn't happened. I we will struggle to gat ANY of the bid names we have been linked with. I said weeks ago that there was (in my opinion) no way we would get Kroos or Rues and I still thisnk that. I just can't see us getting Fabregas, but I do expect us to try. And for me, Vidal is the impossible dream. Personally, I think Carvalho is still the most likely. I still think Schneiderlin would be a good and realistic target too.

I think Carvalho sitting deep with Mata and Rooney ahead of him could work well. Sort of a 1-2-3 with Adnan, Van Persie and someone like Griezmann, Pedro, Sanchez as the front three.

Mata hasn't got the legs for it imo

24 May 2014 15:41:07
Spain & Chile are in the same group as the Netherlands. This will mean there will be a better chance of LVG meeting with or watching the targets he has personally. Obviously these guys will have some down time after games and I bet a lot of networking goes on behind the scenes with agents etc.

This may mean a slower process though and we need to make some moves over the next few weeks before prices start to rise and clubs get more desperate.

24 May 2014 14:46:48
I see here people being tensed for not getting Kroos and Robben. For me, I don't think it is a worrying factor. I think we were never after those players and it was only media and paper talks. For me the 1st player I would go for is Koke.This lad can genuinely transform our midfield, and for 2nd I would go for fabregas.Well! We tried when he was unavailable and now when he is available we have real chance of snatching him.Koke and fabregas are not unachievable and can make our midfield very strong. For defense Shaw and Hummels/Indi should be of great priority.These 4 signings can make us very strong and in poll position to fight for league.Hope Woodward don't mess it up this time

Robben was never an option and its people reading way too many gossip pages and believing everything under the sun.

24 May 2014 16:30:04
Agreed GCU!
just because some players played under LVG before does not mean LVG is after them

The papers have had a field day, we have been linked with every dutch player out there.
As for robben he signed a new contract 3 month ago and plays for 1 of the best teams in world I think him signing for united was unlikely.
Even if he is a united fan

Robben was/is a target and has been for some time.

{Ed002's Note - Robben is off the list now.}

So it appears.
Perhaps the psg team will offer us some solace.

Magic, are you suggesting Veratti for midfield and Moura for the wing?

There's a lot worse things he could be suggesting, Syd.

Matuidi. spelling.

{Ed007's Note - Is he related to Aaron and Tori Spelling?

24 May 2014 14:26:28
Somebody please wake me up, I am not enjoying this nightmare. Kroos has said no thanks, shaw is close to saying no thanks, the media is suggesting that Fab is likely to go to the Gunners, Reus is not interested, Hummels is not going anywhere. Mangala would prefer Chelsea to City, we don't even feature.

This seems like a little bit of history repeating. I would like us to get a deal agreed for a LB, a CB and two midfielders. Sooner rather than later. We really need to get our first choices and pay the premium to get the deal done. PSG have not messed around with Luiz. I know the player can't sign until 1st July, but deals can be agreed and signed ahead of time. We agreed the chicharito deal before July 1st, several years ago.

I have concerns that our main rivals for the top 4 will strengthen again this summer whilst we chase unrealistic targets and sign no one we really need.

We need to go for players who we know we can get before their heads are turned. We can get Shaw and Carvalho if we pay what Southampton and SL want. We need to bring in a CB, LW & a top quality midfielder. Shaw and Carvalho can be bought now, let's get them done and move onto other targets.

Perhaps we will go for Gundogan?

The thing that really annoys me is we have been told by the club through various releases to the media that the club has been working long and hard to line up the targets needed to address the known team weaknesses. That deals were going to be done early. That there would be no repeat of last summer.

Can we please see some evidence Mr Woodward that you are worthy of your role and more importantly our club.

Ufcourse Woodward knows what he's doing its not as easy as signing players qith click of a finger.

Before appointing Woodward I am sure united board panel knew his abilities .

I also believe there is a lot going behind the scenes and our targets apart from shaw is anyones guess.

I also believe if it weren't for the world cup things wouldve moved faster, I just would not believe that utd chose woodward without doing background checka or without knowin his incapability in acquiring top players.

We as fans can speculate but until this window closes or wait till after the world cup then make judgements on his capabilities not saying he is capable :p .

Singh, Ed Woodward is not a football man, he had no experience of running a football club before his appointment. He is an investment banker. He was instrumental in the Glazers acquisition of the club.

No other top club would have appointed him in his current role as he had no relevant experience. He was a major factor in last years transfer debacle.

Singh

In all fairness mate, Woodward's background is solely based in the commercial side of things - prior to this job, he had NEVER been involved in acquiring players. So it makes sense that 90% of what he's done so far at the club, is sign commercial sponsorship deals while struggling with the player acquisition side.

It's only early though, I jus hope we have a long list of targets because our first choices are not going to be easy to sign.

And to be fair, look how quickly Chelsea snapped up Costa. If you really want a player, it can be done quickly.

You guya are right but all I am saying is Manchester united board must have thought long and hard over woodys appointment so let's just give him a chance this year because he has been good with sponsors wisr but just needs some help with transfers.

24 May 2014 12:42:22
Bob Dylan's birthday guys. "The times are a changing" indeed!!!!!!
Patrick

24 May 2014 12:39:50
So Robben and Kroos both ruled themselves out in the past couple of days and I can't help but think that the Evra renewal may be a precaution in regards to the apparently undeveloping Shaw deal. Arsenal are of course rumoured to be in for Fabregas and I see no logical reason as to why he would join us over Arsenal considering his history and the promise of CL football.

Anyone else have an inkling that this may be another summer where there is 'no value in the market' or am I over-reacting?

JD.

{Ed007's Note - You're over-reacting JD, kick back and chillax bro.}

24 May 2014 12:32:35
For all the tactics lovers out there. Would a midfield 3 of Carvalho, Fabregas and Rooney/Mata be up to the task? For me it would blend all the essentials together well.
Secondly, in the Japan National team Kagawa plays on the left of a front three and produces good performances, could this be where Van Gaal sees him playing next season, maybe being challenged by a young more explosive left winger?

Midfield would be ok for me.
On kags I agree he plays wide for japan played there for dourtmund several times and done well there.
and yet there seems to be a belief that he can only play 10 and that his poor form is because he is played out of position?

You do know the transfer window does not open till july

I think Carvalho and Fabregas would be a great window in midfield. We are quickly learning who seems realistic or not as targets. I hope these two still are.

I do know Phil, but in a WC year the business should be done early.
Jred, is it more we as of yet have not aimed for a style of play that highlights Kags' strength?

Nathaniel. Just don't use "Young" in the wings. haha

Nathaniel
I don't think kagawa suits united or the epl to be honest.

24 May 2014 11:20:43
Lads and ladettes, I am entering a World Cup Dream team with a friend and there could be a nice chunk of money in it for me if I win. Can I get people's opinions on who they will choose for their Dream Team and why. I expect Ivory Coast will do pretty well in their group, would Gervinho be a decent option? I imagine he will be cheap and he will score. I suspect France will do well in their group, so Benzema. Have to go for Messi as Argentina will walk their group. Ronaldo for Portugal, Neymar for Brazil. Lukaku for Belgium? Obviously we cannot get their costs until next week, but would love some opinions. Perhaps a couple wild cards.

Diego Costa. I think he'll be the top scorer

I'm doing the same thing syd.
First of all, I would recommend picking atleat one Spain or Germany defender as they are both solid and organised teams. Players like Phillip Lahm and jordi alba are garunteed starters and play in strong defensive teams, can also score goals aswell.

Going into midfield, you need to look at prolific midfielders. I would recommend James Rodriguez and Marco reus( if they are labeled as midfielders)
Other midfielders such as yaya toure and Eden hazard, who are more established will do well.
Cheap midfielders like Draxler and lallana will score points.

The attackers, I personally think messi will do well, so will aguero. Also neymar, falcao( if fit) and Costa will score goals.
Wingers will probably go down as attackers, so di Maria and Pedro will pop up with goals. I also think Sanchez will do well for chile, they play very well as a team, Sanchez and Vidal are very good together.

That's just a few names I can think of :)
If you have any advice for me it would be appreciated.

Argentina will go close and score a lot of goals. So I would stick a couple if attacking players in.
spain should be close and not concede many so a couple of defenders.
I think chile will do well with sanchez getting and making a few

Jred, I have considered all three of them points. Thanks.

Loko, I am concerned about his injury and whether he has anymore left in him after a long season.

Trev, some excellent suggestions and ideas. I'm really going to study this. I am a bit lazy sometimes, but there's some good cash on offer.

I suspect the last four teams to be Brazil Vs Germany and Spain Vs Argentina. So I may stock up on players from these teams with two or three wild cards. Ronaldo is going to score goals, but Portugal will not make the last four IMO, so he will be one of my three subs later on in the tournament. May go for Suarez if fit, perhaps Cavani if he isn't, but will later sub him if Uruguay do not progress. Van Persie will be on fire, I suspect Benzema will score a few. Problem is we can't go for more than three strikers. But if Reus, Di Maria & Pedro like Trev said are classed as midfielders, I will practically have six attackers on the pitch. Need to wait for the players prices, but going to have a good think about this.

I would stay clear of rvp and holland I don't think they will get out there group 2 hard games against spain and chile.

Jred, I am thinking Ronaldo, Yaya and possibly Hazard from teams outside the four I mentioned above. We will get three transfers in the later stages so can change them if needed and swap them for Spanish, Argentinian, Brazilian & German players. I suspect Ronaldo will be prolific, he's at his peak now and probably his last WC at this level. Messi is another obvious one, but I think he's due a good tournament.

Syd
I think this will be messi tournament, argentina have a top team, its in south america and he hasn't peaked so far this year.

Ronaldo seems to be carrying an injury I do wonder if the wc will be a step to far for him this year.

23 May 2014 20:59:39
Eds, how come Strootman is now 'world class'?

{Ed004's Note - Cause he is linked to us}

Thought so haha :)

RD

24 May 2014 10:13:49
Love or loathe him you have to admire Mourinho.somehow manages to sell players he does not want to teams that desperately want them for inflated prices. £40 m for Mata and now £40 m for Luiz plus de bruin! It does not even weaken the team
Any chance we can do that with some of ours. roll up roll up 40m for fellaini. no. Cleveley. no.Nani. no.Bebe. no. all of them. still no!

I didn't realise Jose was in charge of club sales.

24 May 2014 09:51:49
with the appointment of van gaal it would once again seems that the board are going with a manager that won't spend a lot of money (he likes to use a lot of the youth at a given club, and moyes was just used to bargain signings even though he spent a lot!when with us) my question is though would you prefer a year of blooding our quality youngsters (januzaj, Powell, Keane, perreara etc. ) or a massive spend on established stars that will enevitibly block some of these players progress? me I love nothing more than watching a young player break into and establish himself in a team

LVG knows the amount of rebuilding that's needed, he knows it's going to take money and not youth prospects alone and there's no way he would have signed on without being sure the money was there to buy his targets

I think people need to calm down a bit and not lose the plot over every made up newspaper / twitter story

Well LvG has a great track record of bringing youth through and he could not have timed it better with the current crop. I think there are six or seven really good young players that have the makings of top players and it is always best to grow your own as they say, but with so many players leaving this summer we need three world class signings at least I hope we get Shaw Carvalho and Rakitic I don't see the need for wingers or strikers and Smalling and Jones could be the partnership we hoped for given a little more protection from midfield which has been lacking they could become great. I also would not be shocked to see Fellaini moved back to centre half, but we must sign the best around and if Woodwood does a number on us again then the people above him must be tying his hands he cannot be this bad at it in fact he would be the opposite he is the spin doctor at the club and seems very sneaky to me not how Gill came across, Woodwood seems like the Glazers puppet but time will tell if we are being short changed again this year, one thing is for sure we have never had this much top talent in the youth set up so that may be our saving grace.

Champions League is a must, no doubt, but I would rather come in 4th with a team of young and hungry players who give everything they have than come in 2nd with some overpaid mercenaries who care more about themselves than Manchester United.
We are not one or two superstar veterans away from a title. We need to make the top four and also BUILD. Unless some guy like Robben is winning us the title, I don't want him taking away minutes from Januzaj. Hope you guys get my point.

24 May 2014 07:14:10
Ed woodward needs to step his game up and pull his finger out. We cannot afford to miss out on our targets this time round.

Absolutely agree. All going a bit west tho.

Kroos a definite public no
Shaw will think he may not be first choice due to Evra deal
Carvahlo seemingly scrapped
Luiz to PSG puts Barca only sensible option for Hummels
Reus committing future to Dortmund

Add to that Mangala City bound once they jettison some squad players, Fabregas more likely to return home to Arsenal and that's pretty much all our top targets missed before June lol.

I think one statement of intent signing is needed urgently. It will never happen but a blockbuster £60m + £300k pw OFFER for Vidal would give us that. Accepting that I've more chance of signing than the Chilean leg-end ;)

I'm getting a bad feeling now. LVG, Woodward and all our ex-players agree we need a handful of top signings to compete but I'm unsure where they're going to come from.

CM - Genuinely stumped trying to think of anyone world-class who would sort us out, that's available for us.

LB - I seriously hope we have a plan B because Shaw is now seeming a bit off to me.

CB - I think we can get someone decent here, Martins Indi or someone.

WING - Again, I think we can get a reasonable signing or two for the wings.

But in term of LB and CM, our two most porous areas, I'm struggling to think of who we could be targeting.

If LVG makes Fabregas his #1 target and we waste yet another summer making ourselves look like persons, the damage could be irreversible this time - on the field and off.

23 May 2014 23:36:24
arsenal have held talks with barca over fabregas

Cesc loves the club and the manager, so I think he will sign for Arsenal.

23 May 2014 23:22:59
May not have been the best time to announce Evra new contract. Shaw apparently now considering his options thinking that he may not be first choice? To be fair I would be thinking the same. I hope Ed gives him some insurances - if that useless man fails then I hope he resigns before he is sacked.

It had to be announced because the list of expired contracts was out and he wasn't on it.