Manchester United Banter Archive February 25 2013

25 Feb 2013 23:05:05
Gareth Bale or Ronaldo? Who would you rather.

2-3 months ago would of said ronaldo but bale is starting to do what ronaldo and messi do. Not at that level but is scoring individual goals and carrying spurs at times. Would love him at united. {Ed004's Note - Ronaldo}

You've answered your own question. Bale is starting to do what Ronaldo and Messi do but not at the same level you say. Well that leaves a fairly obvious answer.

TK-Red

If bale is carrying spurs? then van persie knows exactly how it feels!

Ronaldo every time.

i said before, ronaldo at the same age won the ballon dor and won the double.

Ronaldo had a much much better team around him. Who else can score for Totenham?

It's getting to the point now with bale that this isn't so straight forward for me anymore.
I love ronaldo but if I put sentiment to one side would I rather us pay £70 million for a 29 year old Ronaldo and £250k minimum a week wages or pay £40 million for an improving every week it seems 24 (I think) year old bale and prob £150k a week wages.

I agree that bale isn't quite at ronaldo's level but is ronaldo at this stage of his career worth that much more than him?



Karllap

The thing that separated Rooney in his prime to that of Messi and Ronaldo was his consistency. Messi and Ronaldo are consistently great. Rooney could not be great on a consistent basis. Until Bale can go a full season doing what he is doing now, he cannot be put in the same category as Messi and Ronaldo. I am not sure Bale could do what he is doing for more than a third of a season, let alone for the past five years or more.

Sydney!

All though Ronaldo is the better player I would sooner have Bale.
If we were to buy Ronaldo it would cost us 55 million pounds and by the start of next season he would be nearly 29 years old, crazy money if you ask me.
Bale is 24 and will get better and better and at United will become one of the top players in world football.
Offer 20-25 million pounds and throw Nani into the deal as well.

Simmo

Simmo, you are correct. Bale is the better deal financially. Although I will add he has been central this season so would he replace Rooney?

Sydney!

Sydney

He's been quality all season, its just that he's upped his game to a different level in the last 4-5 weeks.
That's more than a third of a season isn't it?
If we nabbed him at the start of next season how good could he be in a couple of years?

Simmo

Why would he replace Rooney?
Just play him on the left where we struggle and he can drift into the central areas, it's perfect for him.
Giggs hasn't got long to go, Nani is to inconsistent the position is made for him.
If we managed to get Bale and a really good central midfielder we have a side easily capable of winning the Champions League.

Simmo

Simmo, he hasn't been good all season though has he, he has had a good couple of months like he does every season. Can he do it for years on end like Messi & Ronaldo? I doubt it very much.

So seems as he has been playing centrally this season, would you swap him for Rooney? I would ask Jred the same question but it would be like Sophie's choice to him ;)

Sydney!

Simmo, I think Bale is highly unlikely, I think Ronaldo would be more likely and that is saying something. Bale would make better financial sense, but I think five years with Ronaldo would be better for the team. Doubt either with join though.

Sydney!

Syd

Bale has been good all season but has hit a purple patch in the last 8 games. You tend to be biased against Bale, if he played for United you'd be putting him right up on his pedastal. In fact, Bale has been very good for the last 2. 5 seasons IMO and let's not forget he's still only 23! People mention consistency with Bale but in all honestly he's been consistently the best winger in the EPL for years and his consistency is many levels above the likes of Nani, Valencia and other 'top' winger's. His goal scoring ability has improved no end and now he's a very dangerous all-rounder.

No player on the planet comes close to Messi or Ronaldo in terms of ability so pointless mentioning them to a certain degree. Bale has the ability to become the next best (after those 2) though, so what more could we want?

Last point, if we did sign Bale (won't happen unfortunately) it would be as a LW with the ability to drift inside or even swap sides. He'd be great in a 4231. I hope you are not hinting that Bale is now only good if played centrally? He's only played there in recent weeks due to Spurs' desperate lack of striker's.

HBadger

Syd

Have you been watching Bale all season, how the hell can you say he hasn't been good all season. That is just a stupid comment.
Of course he's played well all season it's just that he's been absolute world class for the past month which is probably when you have started to take notice of him.
For god sake Syd take them red goggles off for a minute.

Simmo

Syd

Read my reply about Rooney
I said why move Rooney I would keep Bale on the left drifting inside and Rooney and RVP up top.
Read the post properly before you respond.

Simmo

Utter dross Badger, I have nowt against Bale and this purple patch is what I am talking about. Ronaldo and Messi have been having a "purple patch" for years, not 8 games. That's kind of my point. I am not convinced Bale will keep this up, he has purple patches like this every season.

Sydney!

Syd
What has the op ( bale ronaldo) got to do with me or Rooney I think your getting obsessed
To answers your question I wouldn't sell one top player to buy an other it to much like 2 steps forward 2 steps back.
Would United be a better team with bale in it or Rooney, I'm not sure
Would United be a better team with bale and Rooney in it imo yes.

That said if I was looking to buy bale or Rooney I would prob go for bale.
I don't think Rooney ever reached the heights expected of him and while he is a very good player I feel bale has the potential to be even better.

Now I know that might come as a surprise to you as you don't rate bale and think he is only good enough to play lb for United, a statement that is nearly as daft as you saying we will build our team around clevs next season and must raise some question about your ability to judge a player I have been singing bales praises for a while now

Syd

Why does Bale have to be as good as Ronaldo or Messi? I don't see the relevance in mentioning them in this discussion - nobody on this planet is likey to match those 2 so is nobody worth buying?

Bale has consistently been one of the top 10 wingers in Europe for 2 years and IMO is now one of the best. He is only 23 remember so some of the derogatory comments made about his inconsistency were when he was 21 and only just moved position from LB. I'd say to those people, give the lad a chance.

You say you watch him regularly - well if you did you'd know he's been consistently very good since before this season. He's had an absolute worldy in recent weeks but was still very good before. Also he has lots of these 'purple patches' which is promising. I'm not expecting his form from the last 8 games to stay consistent for the rest of his career, I think that would be unfair and unrealistic. But I am expecting him to be a top player.

You may call it 'utter dross' but I'm confident if Bale was a United player you would be far more complimentary. I've seen your early comments on Cleverly remember ;)

Also, I agree with jred's assessment of Rooney/Bale. I'd love to see both in a team with RVP though!

Simmo, sorry I had already sent the post before I read your post regarding Rooney.

Jred, I was joking due to you having a man crush on both Bale & Rooney. I also said I would play Bale as a left wingback at United, Like Harry Redknapp I believed he would end up there. I also never said we would build a team around Cleverley. I said the manager will build our midfield around him. I still think that is possible.

Sydney!

Badger, I never said Bale has to be as good as Ronaldo or Messi. Bale is a good player, I have always said he is a good player. Not sure about him as a winger though. I do like him in a more central role.

Bale is in my Dreamteam midfield. I know what Bale is capable of which is why he is in my team, I just do not think he is anywhere near the level of Ronaldo and it makes me laugh when people say he is.

Sydney!

Man crush or being able to rate a player, still think welbeck will get 20 goals this season ;)

Welbeck was never going to get 20 goals with RvP being bought.

Sydney!

25 Feb 2013 22:10:22
antoine griezmann linked with move to spurs 8m
looks cheap and its just paper talk but even at 10m good player young talented attainable.

zaha griezmann quintero wanyama zouma

nani young scholes fletcher macheda andersson

would be my ins and outs

cjwales82

25 Feb 2013 21:56:22
Just watched the Spurs game and thought Bale was superb. Right now, he his up there with the best. Don't think it will happen but he would be a tremendous addition

25 Feb 2013 21:53:03
Gareth bale showing his class again, surely SAF has to be thinking of breaking the bank? Is there any hope? {Ed004's Note - No doubting his ability but does he suit being the big fish in a small pond?}

My worry is that if he goes in to a team that doesn't rely on him and he gets less touches etc will he kind of go missing?

Obviously not ed, that's why he won't be going to old trafford {Ed004's Note - Not sure there is many bigger ponds than utd tbh. Leading pl by 12 points, good result away at former champions of la liga and still in the fa cup but suppose whatever keeps you happy you can believe in}

Same as what happened to Berba, you may agree 004?

MPez {Ed004's Note - Not quite. Berbatov just wasn't suited to the united style of play. Still a quality player though}

25 Feb 2013 20:55:19
Under 21 fornesea scored injury time winner for us against the scousers GET IN love it and all aldridge can say is its a mishit shot like that matters its still a winner
Onecut

25 Feb 2013 19:59:39
Bizarre comments from Lewandowski agent today:
"Anyone who has followed Robert's career will know that he has never played at any club for longer than two years, " he said.

"At Dortmund, he has been playing his third season.

"Anyone who can read between the lines knows what that means"

Every man and his dog knows the lad will be looking for greener pastures come the summer. I don't think Highlighting the fact that he wants to hit it and quit it in two year cycles is going to endear him to prospective buyers.

Was thinking the exact same thing when I read that, very strange!

Jamal

Or it could be that it means he is happy where he is & has decided to stay at Dortmund.

That sounds more likely to me if the quotes are correct although I am by no means certain.

25 Feb 2013 19:05:54
Crikey, things got a bit feisty today, we didn't even need Stoner, or the scousers to have people falling out. I have 1 simple question for Stoner. would he rather have RVP than Giroud or Podilski?

I can also see that Nani is suddenly a world beater. If, as a poster has suggested he is the most talented player in the squad then that makes his inconsistency even more infuriating. It will be interesting to see if, as looks likely, he gets a good run in what is sure to be big games. Let's hope the breath taking world class Nani shows up.

Lots of players etting some derserved credit like Carrick, Jones, and RVP buy player of the year for me so far. Rafael. Remember how impulsive he was and whilst he can still be, he is maturing and I think he will be a top t player in the next few years.

Sorry for the ramble.

I don't agree with your comment about Nani its not all of a sudden, on his day he is absolute quality and everyone knows that, its just that he only has about 4 or 5 days a season! It baffles me how someone with so much talent can be so inconsistent!

Jamal

25 Feb 2013 20:50:15
AJH,

Personally would rather RVP hadn't left in the first place but he wanted out.

As a person, wouldn't want him near the Arsenal, for me he is a lying little tw&t.

As far as goals go yes would want him in preference, it's a no brainer but genuinely I couldn't give a flying one about him.

Stoner,

Didn't rvp say he wanted to leave to win trophies, so surely his decision has been proved correctly. People might say we are a one man team but rvp knew he wouldn't be able to win the league if he was a one man team and came to a club where we have never relied on one man and the players around him are winners.

If it was your career and you could stay in a dead end job that you loved or take a risk and go and be successful elsewhere for more money, which of these things would you do?

26 Feb 2013 07:15:43
Yes he did GDS, but he wanted Spain, they didn't want him and hey presto the little boy in him said 5h1t I'll go to Utd then, add to that the £250k and there you have him. Don't get so bitter mate.

There is no way he is getting £250k a week here Stoner mate.

Sydney!

25 Feb 2013 17:08:18
Lets have a bit of banter, if u r to choose between bale and neymar for man utd, who would u choose and why? {Ed004's Note - Bale. Neymar wouldn't cope in the league as well}

Easy, Bale. EPL experience and better suited to our game.

25 Feb 2013 17:49:18
For me I would go with neymar, he is technical, has flair, speed and tricks, and is a goal scorer

Bale any day.


Shahram

Bale, Neymar is overhyped too much and is playing slight above average in a poor league. He wouldn't be able to handle the epl, as we saw when he faced England.
Bale on the other hand is proven, a goal scorer and his speed allows him to beat men easily, if we got Neymar, he'd be on the floor half the time

TRUMOURS

My answer to this question 18 months ago would have been different to what it is today.

Today I would have to choose Bale, I used to think he was one dimensional and innconsistant. But in the last 18 months he has shown he is has more in his locker than just push it past his man and run. He has also become the main man for Spurs and a consistant threat in all his games. He is suited to the Prem more than Neymar who has stagnated in Brazil over the last year imo.

Bale but don't think we will get either
Will Red

I've always been a big fan of bale, got everything to be a top player proved in the EPL and would give us something we are missing.
Neymar imo will be a very special player but at the price would be to much of a risk so I would have to pick bale

Bale any day. Neymar needs to prove himself in Europe.
Nomidfield

25 Feb 2013 14:40:20
GDS,


You just agree with my point and come up with the lame excuse I talk rubbish.


"Do you not think I don't understand rivalry and what it means, steviek points out numerous moments, great times etc etc but none of them were against Citeh, none of them snatched something out of your hands at the last possible moment, in Fergie time, with you all believing it was yours. none of them will match that moment and had it been the other way around you would of lived off that one single moment for ever. Because you as Manchester United will only repeat it under the term a miracle.


So instead of trying to take comfort that I'm some kind of doughnut and know nothing, grow a set and man up. Stoner"

Is this what football banter has come to? I've noticed a lot more articles on the back pages about boot colours and things of a similar standard recently. Are you the type of kid that reads them Stoner?
Get your eyes back on the game son. You keep your little moments. Keep a photo album for all we care, we'll keep the trophies and records.

Whistler.

What stoner fails to realise is that we are Manchester United and we don't have to live off one historic moment forever as we continue to create them with every passing season.

TK-Red

25 Feb 2013 17:31:14
Quality post young fella.

25 Feb 2013 13:15:47
STONER,
Since u seem to love coming on our site so much with all your 'points' how about u have a look at our team through a arsenal view?
What are the 5 biggest weaknesses u see in our team atm? List them and give your reasons, then if u do we will list the 5 weaknesses in your team. Just a bit of fun, if u can take a few truths from us about your team please list ours. Just a bit of a different topic than the usual ronaldo/strootman/rooney posts from us and change from the norm of posts about RVP etc from u. Remember people to play nice its just gunna b a bit of banter

Chris the REDman (very bored at work)

Our 5 weaknesses.
- CM
- LB
- GK dodgy at crosses. (he will get better)
- Our number 2 isn't good enough.
- Our defenders sit too deep.

id list arsenals but trying to just pick the worst 5 is gunna take me a long time.

JK92

5 is far too less to describe arsenal's weaknesses don't you think? ;)

REDFAITH

I'll have a go at Arsenals.

1) The Defence
2) The Forwards
3) The Management/coaching team
4) The 'Business Model'
5) The lack of squad depth

I'll try 5 positives.

1) 3 very good young players (the keeper, Wilshere and the Ox)
2) The style of play
3) Quality midfield (Arteta, Wilshere, Diaby & Cazorla)
4) one of the best managers ever
5) and I genuinely can't think of a 5th.


Stoner, Genuinely want your thoughts on this, Imagine if you never sold some of your better players of the past 5/6 years.

GK: szczesny
DEF: Sagna, Toure, Verm, Clichy
CM: Arteta, Wilshere
AM: Fabregas, Cazorla, Nasri
ST: Robin Van Persie

Then with players like Podolski, Walcott, Ox, Diaby, Adebayor, etc. you would have had one hell of a world class squad.

I'd go as far to say that the team above would have probably would have been winning titles left, right and centre.

The Moon.

25 Feb 2013 15:41:13
Hell Chris,

Like Redfaith says, I'm not sure 5 is enough, starting at the back, Shez was better last year than this but has zero competition and in reality still needs to play 2nd fiddle to a class keeper. He has the attributes but still young.

Back four, I like jenkinson, young but got a call up before he brought Sagna back. (Mistake IMO). Would like Micah Richards. Monreal with Gibbs as back up is cool. Our 3 CB's I'm just not sure about this season, Merts is a big question mark, I do like him but just not convinced, might feel different if we had a true CDM, which we don't so wouldn't mind two new quality CB's.

Midfield can't really argue to much about but wouldn't say no to maybe one more of real quality, that's in addition to a CDM.

Up front we need an out an out goal scorer, I like Giroud and Theo has stepped up but Giroud has missed some guilt edged chances that we can ill afford.

Lastly a quality winger and not Nani and and don't really want to comment on Gervinho.

So we need a lot, and not bargain basement, we now have the money, or did we always, bit like the Snyder saga. I still don't believe we've played as well as we should be but 20 points behind is in my eyes pathetic but you can't spend 5 yrs of going backwards and expect anything else.

Right your lot, to be honest Chris I am amazed how well you've done, I know a lot say not your best team but your best squad, I agree not your best team but don't see it as your best squad. Irrelevant I know but just saying.

It's difficult to say exactly how many players you need because SAF himself is like a 12th man for you guys, like us I think you need a better keeper to help DDG, he has the attributes but will be a couple more years before he's at his best, CB's I like Jones and Smalling but you'll possibly need another as Rio and Vidic getting there, LB would concern me as not convinced with Buttner, an odd purchase but he has made Evra up his game to a degree, your midfield is a must, some is age but some is form, so you need quality in there.

Not convinced with Young or Nani, both hit and miss, likewise Welbeck, just not Utd class. RVP and Hernandez are quality.
Absolutely no idea what is up with Rooney. IMO I think he needs a move.

Sorry it was a long one mate but you did ask.

Moon, but is it a quality midfield? If it was they would be doing far better than they are. Also we get accused of having a poor midfield, yet in the last two games at OT we have stamped them into the ground, beat them 8. 2 and the latest game should have been 18. 2. We trounced them. Their midfield may be quality on paper, but in reality they are not that great.

Sydney!

25 Feb 2013 17:33:47
Sydney!

You just forgot how big your stadium was and how many medals etc etc etc.

U made a few good points there, first ill start with wot we need 1/ defo 2 quality CM's, are current crop barring Carrick are nowt less than squad players so this is the area we need to strengthen the most IMO, my ideal players for this would b strootman and modric, next we move onto LB, this is very hard to call as evra really has had a top season compared to his last 2, and maybe that few mill spent on buttner was well worth it albeit a expensive kick up his arse but one that was needed.
CB i'm very happy with in general, I feel we have the best ball attacking CB in vidic, and the rest are extremely good players too.
GK for me is sewn up in terms of a no1 DDG will only get better and will.

Now onto u, unfortunately your GK is getting no help with that back four of yours, yes on his day vermaelen is quality but they are becoming less frequent, kos has too many mistakes in him and as for the german. Well slow, cumbersome are a few words the come to mind.
Your midfielder is packed with 2 many players that are the same IMO and is really lacking dominance of a CDM that u have said.
Now your forwards, to me its easy, Walcott is a winger plain and simple if he doesn't like it tough rio used to try and play CDM but never looked comfortable there imo, so for me i'd switch podolski and giroud up top and see hiw that goes for a few games, I can't understand why ure manager shoves him out wide left, he give nothing going back and it takes away a lot from his game attacking wise, although I feel even with him and giroud u NEED a top quality striker still, and now onto ya boss he needs to wake up and change formation quick the players u have are not suuted to it and results are suffering from that, never should ramsey play wide he is a CM and half decent but why wenger continues to play this formation in fast becoming silly its not like u play anywhere near the style of football u was even just 3 years back!
So all in all I think we do have the best SQUAD ever in terms of a sqaud but first 11 no!
Unfortunately for u I feel u are going backwards and if and its a big if u miss out on CL football for a few years u could end up like liverpool
Chris the REDman

25 Feb 2013 18:17:03
Stoner for once I actually agree with you. Mostly. Think you more or less were spot on with United. And I think over the next two windows all of that will get worked on. Regards Arsenal. I'll do it by dept. I like Chesney but agree with you he needs competition to stop him getting complacent. Defence. Well Gibbs is decent but too injury prone. Santos was a disaster but I like the look of monreal but I think we need a full season to judge. Sagna I don't personally rate but he does the job. Jenkinson looks ok. Centrebacks well Verm is good but again injury prone. Mertesacker is far too slow so I think a signing is needed. The midfield is good but players like wilshire and diaby are again injury prone. This has to be a concern. Ox is good. You do need a striker as what you've got isn't prolific enough. You have a lot of potential and I think a minimum of four signings and your back in it. But players constantly being injured has to be a concern. Mort

25 Feb 2013 19:30:36
The Moon,

Agree on the if only we had kept those players and equally if you had kept Ronaldo, Tevez, Pogba and maybe Piquet we would of had two awesome teams giving it big licks in Europe let alone the EPL.

Chris,

You didn't say about manager but he has driven me nuts this season for all the reasons you say and more.

Also would like to get shot of that bowel nugget Stan Kroenke.

But even if u get shot of him, will wenger spend money on the worldclass players u need?
how long would u give Wenger to get it right?
Chris the REDman

25 Feb 2013 20:38:19
Simply Chris,

Kroenke isn't a football fan and whether you're a good businessman or not I don't believe it makes for a good owner.

As for spending, right now I'm going to believe we will, we can't do it all at once but Arsene has to make a proper start if he's still here. If not there will be some top quality managers that will.

25 Feb 2013 12:43:30
is it safe to come on here now or are Disney! and Jred still squabbling?

Puzzled

At least Jred can have a go, not like you Scouse wimps ;)

Sydney!

Hopefully they're still squabbling so you can go away.

Ill never understand the so called scouse humour, all there points always seem to come across bitter and lacking any real common sense.
Chris the REDman

25 Feb 2013 10:08:12
Hello lads.
Just making a little assumption about our" kind of" summer targets. Wont mention a name here.
Gk: only if lindegaard leaves. Otherwise ddg will continue to be no1.
Rb : if rio stays for 1 more year than no.
Otherwise we need a natural cover here. I dnt kno if any1 from academy is ready to provide genuine option. May be m. keane for cover as well as squad player.

Cb: same. If rio stays than no one. It also depends on how jones develop more till the summer. If fergie thinks he is for midfield than a centeral defender will come.

Lb: if fabio fails to step up then some1 will come in jan. But I dnt see any1 comming in in summer.

wingers : I guess one of nani or valancia will be moved on specially nani if he fails to take his final chance. Zaha is already in but still I think 1 winger will replace nani/ valencia.

Center mid: we lack 1 from last 3 seasons. So 1 is definaltly comming. And if jones is moved fully to defence than may be 2.

Forwards: any1 who thinks rooney will be moved on is dreaming. RVP and rooney will be there next season. One of chicha or welback may leave for regular football. So one st will come in.

So overall it looks like if things stay same as now. I mean wingers performing baddly.

1 winger. 1 striker and 2 midfielder.

Any thoughts guys.

Rodio17

Why is Rio involved with RB?

I'm sure he means cause Jones & Smalling cover there & they are natural CB's.
TJ

I think fabio will be cover for rb because of buttners and evra on the left

Mpez. u just take objection for sake of taking it or use some common sence? The lad commented below u can actually undstand what I mean why cants u?
Let me make it simple for u.
If we have rio. vida. jonny. smallimgs. and jones, all will need game time and we can actually see right now how rafael got his reat and who covers him there. Same position stays if rio stays.
Understood now? Wiseman.
Rodio17

No name has put a point that fabio will cover on rb but I don't think he will be satisfied to be a part time player when he also is playing well. So I expect him to take lb position fully with evra to cover and buttner to use on left flank when needed either in defence or in wings for some cup games or less value matches

Rodio17

He only asked, Rodio.

Sheeeesh Rodio. calm down mate.

The guy only asked for some clarification about something, quite civilly, and without any obvious malice.

Chill out my man. or post on the Liverpool site, where your tone might be better suited.

25 Feb 2013 05:45:16
Answering a post about him. Shall I call him Mr R? If you don't like it then don't read them, just like I don't read half of yours.

Fresh!

---------------

My post was clearly in jest and a bit of banter, why get so defensive about it? I read all the posts on here and respect other people's opinions, that's what it is all about.

I was just laughing as it was the 2nd post in a row where you managed to mention Ronaldo again, the previous thread had absolutely nothing to do with him and was about Anderson leaving. You just seem a little obsessed, it isn't just me who has pointed it out, and I feel you could be setting yourself up for a big disappointment.

25 Feb 2013 02:15:34
Many of us United fans have given up on Fletcher returning.
Fergie realises he won't be the energetic box to box type anymore.
I do believe he will get a few games sitting as a deep lying midfielder from now on in a diamond on 3 man midfield. He'll get the Capital One, the odd rubber stamp game in Europe, FA Cup & easier EPL games to rest Carrick.
If we get away with playing Giggs & Scholes in midfield & let's face it they've seen better days.
I'm sure Fletcher can put some serious minutes together.

I'm not saying we don't need a midfielder but is it as bad as it seems? These are the options we have with a Diamond.

--------------Carrick-----------------
--------------Fletcher----------------
--------------Jones-------------------
--Cleverley----------------Anderson-
--Powell--------------------Giggs----
--Tunnicliffe---------------Petrucci--
--Fabio---------------------Lingard--
--------------Rooney-----------------
--------------Kagawa-----------------
--------------Young-------------------
--------------Nani/Zaha-------------- if Nani stays.

I know I've put Fabio as a midfielder. Being right footed & playing on the same side as his brother he might do very well in that position. I don't think he'll ever be left back for United because he constantly comes in field with his passes.
He was highly rated in Brazil & even a goal scoring threat.
He's had a few mom performances in midfield in the reserves 2/3 seasons ago.

Rafael has shown he's a quality player, I just think if we find the right position for Fabio he will show he's a real gem aswel.

TJ

TJ,

To be honest, I think in the Summer Strootman is coming in, I believe this has been agreed with both clubs and players but not officially announced. This is just my opinion though so not saying it is definateley going to happen.

My thoughts are though that Strootman is coming in to replace Fletcher. I've read Hector Herrera is joining Porto in the summer and I think this will be a short term move before joining us the following summer to replace Carrick.

Jones will be a CB and at the moment is doing a job for us but I see his long term position being CB. If Tunnicliffe has a good stint at Barnsley then I can see him replacing Anderson, potentially in the summer or maybe the following. SAF likes getting players out on loan so the fact he has kept Tunnicliffe at United to train with the first team suggests he is highly rated by the Boss.

Come Season 2014-2015 I can see our CM options being Cleverley, Strootman, Herrera, Powell, Pettruci and Tunnicliffe. If we opt for a 4-3-3 or 4-2-3-1 system then this gives us lots of options.

I must state that these views are my own and in no way represent the views of Manchester United FC or Sir Alex Ferguson :)

Tunnicliffe is never ever going to be good enough.

Simmo

TJ,
I totally agree about what you said about Fabio

Ports

Not sure about your Herrera assumptions so he goes to porto for 10 mill for one season and then they put us to the knife for 30 million. Don't think so.

Shahram