Manchester United Banter Archive June 27 2013

27 Jun 2013 22:16:42
The next one to leave will be Albert the kit man. then we've got no-one left of the backroon staff who know anything about winning! Not a happy chappy with Meulensteen leaving the club. Obviously he could have just decided that he's had enough but if this is down to our new manager then I feel it is absolute folly to get rid of your entire first team coaches. Moyes has come into Manchester United not because our last manager was unsuccesful, but because he retired and he left us the most succesful football club in history, and at the top! Why on earth would you replace an entire team of winning coaches, who know how to win, how to ready a team for an entire season battling every game as if was a cup final, with a bunch of coaches from, with all respect, Everton, who have experience of winning. erm, nothing! Why take control of a well oiled machine and replace all the parts with inferior ones. If this is because Moyes wants to have some 'friendly' faces around him. well boo hoo, get a grip man. How on earth can they say 'this is the Manchester United way', when they haven't a clue what the Manchester United way is!

Not very happy J - Stand

Fortunately the players no a lot about winning.
Carl

I hear Everton's kit man is a wizard with the iron.

Who do you think does Fellaini's hair?

Sydney!

Nearly every club in world football that changes management does the same thing. we are no different, the new manager has his methods of doing things and he will use people he knows and trusts to achieve his goals. The last thing he needs is to instigate some plan or method and be told by an underling that we don't do that this way or that dosnt work here etc. Moyes has to lay down a marker and say this is the way its going to be from now on, He cannot in any way be undermined because that will be deemed as weakness. I wasn't overenamoured about the style of some of our football last season so a change of direction may be just what we need. If Moyes comes in with his own people and fails there are no excuses and he will suffer the cosequences.

togthered

Right we let's put it like this, moyes is his own man he will make his own decisions and will bring his own ideas, if he feels having a backroom staff that was very successful for him at Everton will help him here I'm all for it, we can not say the Everton coaches are poor because with all disrespect to Everton they just did not have the same calibre of a player as they will now be working with. People have to stop questioning moyes and get behind him!

Everyone whined about Phelan, Steele was retiring anyway. Rene wants a new start elsewhere. Nothing new with a new manager.

Still have Choccy, probably Scholee, Phil Neville is also likely. Not to mention Giggs doing his coaching badges. We will be fine don't worry.

Brendan81

Utd wanted Meulensteen to stay althouggh I did read elsewhere he may have wanted assistant managers job but that's guessing imo.

Good coach hope he is successful whereever he goes

Not very happy j-stand
We all knew the challenges the club would face when Sir Allex retired its only natural, however Moyes by making these tough decisions is already showing he's strong and not afraid to act at the end of the day it's a tough act to follow and he may last 12 months or 12 years but he can say he's done it his way with his beliefs.
I for one applaud him we need a very strong character and we should not underestimate the power of psychology in a dressing room Sir Alex was the master it's upto the players how they respond that's key and as much as Albert was appreciated he's replaceable if this is the case.
It may not be the Manchester United way because of our stability but the squad is very strong and the signings if they come off will improve us and we fans have always suffered that's the Utd way that's why it's so special.
Hard work, a little bit of luck and stiff competition is what's required bring it on where ready for it!
Dylan

Great post Dylan
Stagmufc

27 Jun 2013 22:01:36
when is strootman and thiago going to be confirmed?

seems transfers take all summer when the fans were expecting them finalised ages ago and moved on to other targets by now

same stories everyday (other top clubs also) and no further forward. yawn

Window isn't open yet, 'fans' like yourself are people if you think all the deals will be completed already.

The window does not have to be open to announce new recruites they just can't sign on dotted line said before don't go holding your breath about quality incoming signings we are now once again talking off bains soon it will be fallaini

27 Jun 2013 21:23:14
I heard thiago ordered a greek salad for breakfast, is he moving to olympiakos?

It is slightly odd that he has written his tweet in English as opposed to Spanish like his other hundred tweets. Is he just teasing the MU fans or is he going to have to start getting used to writing in English and now would be a good time to start?

Sydney!

Sydney, in my opinion it was just so that the greeks could understand it because of english being a more global language than spanish. Pessimistic I know, but he has tweeted in english before. but deep inside, me things we have our man

Why would he be talking to the Greeks DJ? I think you are being a little pessimistic, or I'm being too optimistic ;)

Sydney!

Because he is in greece? lol
I did the same when I went to Venice, not that i'm thiago but i'm just relating stuff ;)
DJ

27 Jun 2013 20:30:18
Ins:thiago, strootman, baines, suarez (if rooney leaves)
Out: evra, anderson, young, macheda, buttner.
Note: suarez on the basis of just pure football reasons and he will play behind rvp happily as a second striker.

Suarez? You need to get real mate, never going to happen

You've had a funny 5 minutes there I feel!

Are you joking about Suarez? Don't want him anywhere near our club no matter how good he is!

He wants to leave England, so no chance mate

27 Jun 2013 21:59:41
You must mean either Mario Suarez or Matias Suarez. Cus you sure can't seriously mean that rat faced down the road.

27 Jun 2013 19:35:48
If Baines doesn't end up coming, who would everyone want as a replacement for Evra? I could still see Fabio doing well for us if he gets a good run in the team!

Its Baines or bust.

Alba not available
Alaba not available
Izaguirre dropped off
Willems too young
Shaw too inexperienced
Sandro too expensive

struggling to think of any other realistic possibilities.

I think it will be Baines in almost definitely with Fabip & Evra being sold. Expect our fullbacks to be Rafael / Varela down one side and Baines / Butter down the other.

I think Baines will end up coming. With Evra & one of Buttner/Fabio sold.

Sydney!

Hopefully Buttner then, he seems like more of a left winger than a full back

27 Jun 2013 21:32:39
Bastian Oczipka, he's fantastic going forward and a better crosser of the ball than Baines, is quicker than Baines, younger than Baines and would be cheaper than Baines. Only downside is he needs to work on his defensive side and has no Prem experiance.

Shappy, so he's like Fabio, Buttner & Evra then ;0)

Sydney!

27 Jun 2013 22:38:40
Exactly Syd, but then how are Alex Sandro, Jordi Alba and David Alaba any different? Lol. Top modern full backs tend to be more attack first defend second. But with the emergance of a style of football more built around possession then you no longer need a solid back four. This means a full back has much more time and space to get forward. Its no coincedence that the best modern full backs are all converted wingers.

Interesting read Shappy!
JS

27 Jun 2013 19:17:18
Does any1 have any idea on our transfer budget? I'm hearing its round the 60 million. We look like where going to bring in 4/5 players. Would like to see 2 class signings come in like di Maria. Thiago

Marm

27 Jun 2013 18:58:52
Thiagos brother rafhina (spelling) has signed a new contract?

maybe they both get new contracts keep family sweet?

Also anyone tell me if its david gills last day officialy tommorow

I Heard Raf was not for sale but may go on loan to Everton not sure how accurate that was.

28 Jun 2013 12:07:11
Rafinha was never leaving possible loan deal only
Jred

27 Jun 2013 18:42:19
I really would like to see Leighton Baines in the starting 11 next season. He would be a huge improvement on Evra and for anything under £15 million would be great. A summer of Baines, Varela, Zaha, Thiago, Strootman, Lewandowski and Ozil would be sensational if Rooney, Nani, Bebe, Evra and Anderson left.

Lol, 7 new players all wanting to be in the 1st team (poss not Zaha). I don't see more than 4 including Zaha unless Rooney leaves in which case we may well sign a striker as well. If Rooney stays, can't see us signing a striker.

He is 29, and there are much better options out there. Such an overrated LB.

Fingers crossed he stays!

NoMOreVerAgeLaYers

27 Jun 2013 18:07:47
So we have had an official bid for Baines rejected. Hopefully we should start to see something happening with our club over the next few days, as far as Baines is concerned I would imagine regardless of this bid being turned down we will get him Moyes loves the lad and we have been linked with him for ages now. I for one would be pleased as he is a much better proposition than Evra for me genuinely believe he is one of the best in his position plus its nice to read something that doesn't have Thiagos name in it ;)

27 Jun 2013 17:43:17
Everton have rejected an official bid from Manchester United for left-back Leighton Baines, according to tv.

27 Jun 2013 17:31:14
I would be astounded if our opening bid was as high as £10m-£12m. To get the ball rolling we would have went in with a cheeky £8m IMO. I think it would end at around £12m mind if we did agree a deal.

Sydney!

2bh I was suprised Baines is 28 and will be 29 this year I always thought he was 26 my bad would not go any higher then £15 Mil for him.

MANRED

27 Jun 2013 17:05:27
MUFC have bid for Baines but it's been rejected, expect Baines to force the move during the summer.

I wouldn't bank on it. Baines isn't one to rock the boat. He's a genuine down to earth lad who loves EFC but MU would be hard to resist for any player.

27 Jun 2013 16:44:50
According to daily mail utd have bid £12million on leighton baines am I the only utd fan that doesn't want either baines of fellaini? Baines has a decent left peg but nothing more as shown against brazil for england

I would take Fellaini anyday.
I think he could do as good a job if not better than Strootman and the best thing is he would keep that clown Tom "The Brand " Cleverley aka "The Crab" out of the side.

Simmo

Have you been watching Evra for the past three seasons? Baines would be a massive improvement on Evra defensively and on par going forward. Not just the fact Baines can defend, but he can cross, he can hit a good free-kick and he can take a great corner, which means Rooney and RvP can stay in the box instead of taking the corners. If we sign Baines and Garay along with Varela we will be very strong defensively. If we sign Strootman & Thiago we will be strong in midfield. Hopefully if we can tie-up these signings we can concentrate on the attack for the next couple of months.

Sydney!

How can you base you opinion on a player on how he plays for England? Have you seen England play?

I have to agree with Sydney! here. In particular Evra. He has been pinpoints as our weak link and exposed time and time again. He has had a better season this year baines would indefinitely improve us defensively. I think Evra may well move on this summer and either fabio and/butter may get a loan or one will be sold.

Mad Hatter

£12 mil bid rejected the max I would go to is £15 Mil anything over that is overpriced.

RED91

Completely agree Sydney! we would be pretty strong all the round the park if they all came off and I think we should be looking to get them sorted out ASAP. Then would you say, we are only likely to sign another forward, depending on what happens with Wayne's situation?

I'd like Baines but only at the right price, he's getting on a bit now. Don't want Fellaini.

So Simmo, you rate Cleverly highly then? ;) Never seen so many put-downs in one sentence!

Come on Gav, at least with Simmo we know where he stands!

Baines i'd love, Thiago as I've said before is going to be in for worlds best soon, Strootman good option ( would prefer Vidal) Garay gives us nothing we don't already have as good as he is. Nice to see a few new names banded about today. By the Way Sydney, I thought the lol might give it away, playing Evra on the wing was a joke sadly obviously not a good one.

He will be standing in Pacha with a bottle of water in one hand and a glow stick in the other.

Sydney!

Really AJH, I thought he was beating about the bush TBH :) I just found his wording funny!

Grund, didn't realise mate. Many have actually proposed we play Ev on the wing so didn't think it was a silly idea.

Sydney!

27 Jun 2013 14:58:11
Ed's are we still being punished for other people's abuse, or is it just a case of everything being really slow and quiet these days?
Any updates would be greatly appreciated.
Shane {Ed007's Note - See my answer above Shane.}

27 Jun 2013 14:28:32
Eds if you are available.
How likely do you see it that Rooney will move to Arsenal this Summer? There is some chat of a swap deal involving cash and Walcott being mentioned.
Personally I can see Di Maria moving to Spurs as part of the Bale deal (if it happens), Theo might be an option, not that I agree with it.
Paul {Ed007's Note - I can't see Rooney at Arsenal Paul.}

27 Jun 2013 16:34:15
I've been speaking to a club insider, Terry Yaki and according to Terry he says we've bid for Leighton Baines but its expected that Everton will reject it. He also says Thiago is really close and should be done early next week. Bertie Wooster

Think we should leave the defence this season and focus on our midfield an wing thing we struggled there last season

27 Jun 2013 16:23:25
The Times reporting we have bid for Baines in the region of £10-12m!

27 Jun 2013 16:18:54
Graham Hunter, spanish sports journalist who has contacts with barca and is reliable says Pep called Thiago but he's still on course to join ManUTD. He's waiting to meet Moyes before making confirmation. Both on holiday.

SAMFORD

27 Jun 2013 15:18:02
I know it is probably just a dream for most United supporters, but the rumours of a Ronaldo return keep coming. The saying 'no smoke without fire' keeps springing to mind whenever I read something new. Maybe it is just the kid in me, dreaming of seeing him in the famous red number 7 shirt, banging in a 35 yard free kick which is clouding my judgement. Could it really happen this summer? Maybe not, but I would be very happy if it did.

People are worried because we need to strengthen other areas first, but if he did come back it would never be at the detriment of other signings, it would be a special one off deal along with players needed for other areas. I'm pretty sure we could use him to bring in even bigger sponsorship deals around the world including Nike (Nike won't pay for him or his wages, they would just up their offer a bit as he is at their biggest sponsored club and it will benefit them aswell). It would be a big outlay right now, but over the next 5 years we would get the money back and more besides not to mention the publicity the club would enjoy with him here, which I'm sure the Glazers would love and exploit.

People say 'why would he leave Madrid for cold, rainy Manchester?'. Why wouldn't he? It's only a small part of his life and if United make him happy and feel wanted and fulfilled I don't see it being a problem. let's face it when he retires in say 10 years, he will have 40+ years, if lucky, to enjoy his millions living in any sunny part of the world he chooses. This time is about his happiness as a professional footballer and as long as he has been telling the truth all along, his happiest place is at United.

I hope it happens and I would have no problem spending £65m or whatever on him as we would earn it back over the next 5 years and that, as the fat waiter would say, is a 'Fact'. He and Messi are one offs and the chance to have one of them at our great club should not be passed up.

Maybe there has been smoke with no fire and he is just after a new, huge deal at Real. I don't see it though, I think he is a better man than that and I don't think he would use us in that way. I may be wrong, but I don't think I am.

His mother said she wanted to see him play for Real before she died, and as with most kids in that part of the world, he probably wanted that too. He has now fulfilled that and maybe realised childhood dreams aren't always the dreams, and needs that you have as an adult. He had everything at United and maybe he wants that back.

After he stated he was unhappy, he said it was not to do with money and that in time we would all see that. Maybe we will see that this summer, maybe not. I am still hoping we will though, no matter what anyone else thinks.

Brendan81

27 Jun 2013 12:48:34
Thank god i'm off to Ibiza for 10 days, I can't bear this time of the year when we are linked with every Tom, Dick and Harry.
I just hope we are not dissapointed about what comes (or doesn't) come through the door at Old Trafford this summer.
Sick of speculating now so i'm just going to relax in the sun and buy a paper each morning to see if there is any update.
Lets hope by the time I get back Thiago, Strootman and a winger are in the bag and Rooney is still at the club.
That would be my ideal pre-season.

Simmo {Ed007's Note - Have a great holiday Simmo.}

Yup have a great time and I Know you meant Baines, Thiago, Vidal ok ok Strootman :).

Wow a reply. em i'm off on holidays too and would love some info.

CAIN

Wow, eds are back. Thanks a lot. It's been dry here since u guys left. Benoit

Cheers Ed007

Ed007 is the strike over? {Ed007's Note - There was no 'strike'. I didn't even know what was going on until this morning, I have just been very busy elsewhere.}

Welcome back 007! you where always my favourite! ;o)

RedDub {Ed007's Note - Crawler :-)

27 Jun 2013 10:55:54
Yesterday I posted "City will bid for Rooney"
Most people agreed with what I was saying
but some will not get over Rooney questioning
our ambition. Few english players can b put in
the world class bracket but he is one of them
Just look at the managers who praise him
and more so the managers who want him.
The lad is a winner and loves winning he wants
to do it with us and nobody else


Bfro

Well offer him a 4 year contract on about £125,000 per week with bonuses taking it to £200,000 and see if he still wants to be a winner with us. I think you may be disappointed with his answer I'm afraid.

Brendan81

If he's world class why does he always come into the season overweight and out of shape

Brendan
Don't believe what u read in the papers Rooney is only on a 160 plus bonuses now

Thanks for the info Mr Stretford

Brendan81

27 Jun 2013 17:24:40
The bounder is actually on a retainer of 180k plus bonuses, which are fairly whopping! Still rather handsome remuneration. I would do as Brendon says and offer lower terms and see the response. Bertie Wooster

27 Jun 2013 10:47:44
I think realistically we can expect another 3 signings along with Varela this window. Perhaps another youth player as well. For me, we need to be looking at players who can instantly improve our team, as RVP did. Thiago, Strootman and Di Maria certainly offer this.

Last season we lacked energy and creativity. and the above 3 players offer both of those things which we're going to need to defend the league title. Strootman is an obvious choice to play alongside Carrick and Thiago could also play very well in a midfield 2 IMO. An attacking midfield behind RVP of any 3 of the following would be fantastic. Kagawa, Thiago, Di Maria, Nani, Zaha and Valencia. Obviously Nani and Valencia had poor seasons, but I think they would would improve in a 4-2-3-1 as the both like to cut in and drift to a central position sometimes.

Personally I don't think we need another CB, and spending something like 20 odd million on Garay would be pointless to be honest. If we have 20 million available for him, why not just sell Rooney for 30/40 and land a marquee signing instead? I know that's not how it works but i'm just meaning that CB isn't an area that needs addressing IMO.

Agree with everything you say andy except the CB think without vidic and rio the others are suspect at best we need another quality CB

27 Jun 2013 10:20:46
Still seeing a lot of people on different sites/ phone-ins doubting whether we will be able to attract players due to David Moyes being our new manager. I must be missing something. We are the biggest and best supported football club in the World and have just romped to a 20th Premier League title. We have world-class players like Nemanja Vidic, Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie, as well as a great bunch of young talent like De Gea, Phil Jones, Rafael & Danny Welbeck. We have one of the greatest sporting arenas on the planet in Old Trafford and a fantastic training facility at Carrington. We can still offer astronomical wages, granted not as much as PSG, Monaco and City, but those clubs will never be anywhere near the level of Manchester United. If people don't want to play for us it is because they are driven by money over success, therefore we don't want them here anyway. David Moyes is a great manager who is still relatively young and despite not winning anything with Everton he is respected greatly by people throughout the game. I was sad to see Sir Alex go but the time was right and I'm more excited about this season coming than I have been for many, many years. I hope we really kick on from last year, get a few quality players in and silence the critics right from the start of the Moyes era by winning yet another league championship and having a good run in the Champions League. The players and manager are more than capable.

GRD

Exactly GRD, the doom and gloom merchants need to get a grip. Yes SAF has moved upstairs, but the club is in a fantastic position thanks to his hard work. We won't crumble, we will carry on getting stronger in my opinion.

Opposition fans can have their few weeks of hope that we will fall apart, but come the start of the new season, those hopes will be well and truly blown apart and they can all crawl back into their holes again and watch us march on.

Brendan81

To be fair it's probably mostly LFC fans who are wishful thinking that we will go down the same route as them and become a mid-table/ europa league club. However the fact is, Manchester United are in such a good position with such a strong global appeal in the modern World that there is just no way that will happen. But I understand why it will be so hard for them to stomach those facts.

GRD

Well said, nice post.

HB

It gives me giggles too, u get 1 fan saying we are nothing without rooney a year and another trophy later we are nothing with RVP now its we will crumble without sir Alex lol they all neex

27 Jun 2013 09:48:38
not sure what's hapoened overnight but the net awash with thiago to bayern, I know there wss a story in mundo yesterday but i'm starting to get the feeling this could be going the same way as the attempted lucas signing, would be an absolute sickener.

Bayern are interested, definitely. But the it going viral had more to do with the reports in Mundo and Marca. The Spanish papers know that Thiago wants more first team football and that is why he is moving, so the papers have managed to somehow change Bayern's formation to three at the back, and here is the funny part, the three central defenders being Martinez, Alaba and Lahm! It is absolutely ridiculous.

Bayern won't change to a three at the back, if they do, they will have to bench Alaba and Lahm which won't happen. Bayern are interested in Thiago, but they cannot guarantee him first team football either.

The report in Mundo also claims that Thiago will have to pay income tax if he is to activate his clause. They assume that it will be him paying Barcelona the money (via United giving it to him and hence him having to pay tax) and conveniently ignore that its not a buyout clause but a release clause which the club matches and pays, not the player. They also claim he needs to put in a formal transfer request and waive away his loyalty bonus (again, ignoring the release clause). Earlier the papers seemed to understand his wish for more football, but now they have started to paint him as the bad guy who is only moving for more money.

To me, these reports suggest that Barcelona are getting increasingly desperate and resigned to losing Thiago to United and are trying to paint him as the villain through their puppets in the media and prepping the Catalan public for his departure. They are doing everything they can to put a spanner in the works.

These reports actually made me a bit more confident about Thiago, although I still feel it will be a long drawn out saga with a few more twists and turns to come.

REDFAITH

27 Jun 2013 15:19:45
There is a lot of this on twitter. I guess people have finally realised BM are interested (they always were) and people are assuming he will choose them over us due to the Pep link. Thiago spoke to Pep before him and his dad agreed personal terms with us so I think that tells us he prefers the MU move. We will have to wait and see, but Ed002 told us about BM's interest weeks ago, now it's only just becoming public knowledge to them on twitter.

Sydney!

27 Jun 2013 05:29:43
Heard a rumor that Rene Muelensteen is being considered for the England U-21s job.

REDFAITH

Would be great news for england
CTR

I haven't heard this, but if true I feel this would be a good move for both Rene and the FA. excellent coach.

Del Boy!

26 Jun 2013 23:45:54
Deeps

"But there are just way too many on both sides of the camp. But am glad you don't think Wayne Rooney is a sunday league standard footballer ;). How do you rate Welbeck hehe!"

Rooney was incredible right up to 2009/2010. Since then he has never looked anything but a very good player. Don't get me started on welbeck as he makes forlan look like a great finisher :) Forlan was great after he left us lol.

The people who are saying he is s*** are just wind up merchants, but I still don't think he is worth the 200k a week and we can do better.

Shahram

Shahram

My greatest fear is if we stay put after we sell Rooney. If we have to make do with the likes of Danny Welbeck, that scares me. I am ok if Rooney goes and we buy someone world class to replace him. Rooney is one of the best players I have seen growing up, that will never change. But United will move on and so will i. Of course I want him to stay. But let's see how it pans out.

You are doing a huge disservice to Forlan mate ;). I am not into this sell your own players if they don't look good, but if I had 2 sell one player, it would be Welbeck and I will be happy with a quid or two :)

Deeps.

Deeps, if we sell Rooney I can't see us not going after someone else. Welbeck, finishing wise, is poor but played in the correct way, i. e. against Real, he can be very effective.

Earlier in the season I was one of welbecks biggest critics, but having seen him play slightly wider, he can do a very good job for the squad. If Rooney goes we will definitely need a new forward as RVP, Hernandez and Henriquez wouldn't be enough. I think if Lewandowski is a definite no, then Jovetic would be a very good signing for us.

He along with Thiago, Strootman, Shaw and Garay would be a very good summer. Only time will tell, I wish it would hurry up though, it's driving me mad!

Brendan81

Brendan

He played more like a defensive winger trying to shackle a creative outlet from the other team. he did a good job yes, but my god are we trying to get all our forward players to do such a role? And as a forward he has been abysmal to say the least. Gets the ball out of tight spaces and then does something very silly. He really can't score.

I would want other teams to try and shackle our creative outlets. I don't even fancy the idea of Jones in midfield. So if we have decent enough additions to the squad, I don't see Danny getting a sniff. Yes its a squad game, so may be.

I think Lew looks unlikely, so if Rooney goes I hope we get Thiago, Reus, Strootman, Lamela and then others. In short if we really want to play the "new" formation, I would be happy with Reus or Lamela if Wayne goes. But that my friend looks impossible. Specially Reus.

Deeps.