Manchester United Banter Archive June 02 2015

02 Jun 2015 22:36:24
5-6 years ago MU were paying £68.8m a season in interest on the debt and turning over less than £200m a season. Next season we will be paying just £13.2m a season in interest and turning over £500m+ in revenue streams. The new refinancing of the debt is safe for the next 10-12 years.

We as a club are now in fantastic shape financially so we should see some more significant player purchases in the near future. We can finally say that the debt is irrelevant and it really is nothing to worry about. Credit to Ed002, he always did tell us not to worry about the debt.

02 Jun 2015 23:44:31
I would take Pjanic any day over Gundogan , I think he's a class act and comes without all of the injury concerns . I know he would be more expensive but for me he's one of the best around

03 Jun 2015 00:07:06
Agreed. Gundogan will be a big mistake and is over rated. Pjanic is a very tidy player and will work very well for us.

03 Jun 2015 00:18:36
If the Glazers decided to sell (as Ed002 said some may well sell up in the next few years) it will be interesting to see what they get for the organisation. I wasn't the biggest fans of them when they came in but credit when it is due I feel they have done a pretty good job. I just hope if and when they do decide to call it a day we stay away from the Mike Ashley's of this world.

03 Jun 2015 01:01:54
We may even be able to raise enough money to bring back Best from the dead and what would be the figure to bring in Maradona after a couple of prosthetic limbs attached and a new ticker that has been ravaged by recreational drugs and amateur dramatics? Everything has its price. Sorry bit too much vino tinted this smug evening. The games up guvnor monsieur Blatter.

02 Jun 2015 20:08:52
I hope if we sign a rb that it's going to be Coleman,for me it's like a tradition to have an Irishman in the team,I hope they can get him in but the money Everton are looking for is suppose to be a bit on the high side

03 Jun 2015 00:26:14
For me Leahy12 Coleman would be first choice. Always enjoyed watching him from back when he had that spell with Blackpool. If the cost is right by all means get the lad in but I would still settle for twice treble winner Dani Alves.

03 Jun 2015 01:10:44
Alves is one of the best rb,but he is 32 now so how long more can he play at the top of his game,might get a year or 2,Coleman is 27 I think he would fit in at United,he is hungry to win doesn't like losing,you can even tell that by his face the boy never smiles,Everton are looking for a lot of money and they bought him for 60,000,

03 Jun 2015 06:45:56
Looking at it in isolation, the money being asked by Everton seems high. Let's not forget we are talking about one of if not the best rb in the league. He scores goals and is considered home grown. He is also established in the EPL. Just because they paid a low fee does not mean they should let him go on the cheap. £25-30m albeit expensive is probably fair.

03 Jun 2015 10:29:31
Probably Evans and sending either of Blackett/McNair on loan or heck even give rafael would certainly help the deal.
Coleman in exchange of money, rafael, evans and blackett on loan sounds a very fair deal

02 Jun 2015 14:37:04
Genuinely p*sses me off, the amount of fickle fans regarding Di Maria. Watch a Champions League final, and we all now know everything about the play.

Angel Di Maria is as inconsistent as they come, produces some special moments, very very special moments, but he will lose the ball 10-15 times before that one special moment, of which will not always end up being a goal.

Real Madrid fans always said they had a love hate relationship with ADM, because he was so good, yet so sh*te at the same time. Anyone who watched Real Madrid more than a few times, would have known exactly the type of player we were signing.

I haven't been too surprised by his performances this season, although he has let himself down by not seeming interested. I am hoping he performs better next season, but to be perfectly honest, I wouldn't be surprised if he won a second Gammy award two years running.

Youtube shows the best bits from a 50-60 game season for Real Madrid, my nan could look half decent given a 3 minute video of her playing 50-60 games for Real Madrid.

{Ed007's Note - I said the exact same the other week, MPez. Considering the money involved as of right now he is by far one of Utd's worst ever signings.}

02 Jun 2015 16:09:00
While he obviously hasn't had a great season to say he's one of the worst signings we've made is a bit silly considering he finished the season with the 3rd highest amount of assists. Let's be honest he could have done a lot worse. The thing I dislike is mainly the awful attitude he showed in the second part of the season.

02 Jun 2015 16:32:49
I'm sorry but when you pay £60m for a player who hasn't been good enough for the first 11 and doesn't look arsed about it, that is the definition of a flop

02 Jun 2015 17:17:53
Ashley Young being picked constantly ahead of ADM should sum this up!

02 Jun 2015 17:31:49
young has played well , if ADM had played as well we wouldn't be having this convo

02 Jun 2015 17:40:51
Young played well for Young, hardly Sanchez or Hazard well. ADM was a big mistake, said so at the time. Then was told to eat my words after his great start, did the same with LVG during our purple patch - hated humble pie but it was premature. Shows me to trust my instinct more!

02 Jun 2015 18:12:32
beast
if i remember you did eat your words .

young is a great example of people making there mind up on a player before a ball has even been kicked.

young has played well this year both as a wing back and part of a front 3 but then again its only young

02 Jun 2015 18:43:59
Beast actually stole my thunder regarding Young.
He has shone a little, out of a bad bunch. Hopefully Depay will step it up. Di Maria has been a huuuuge disappointment and as I said before, it would be great if there were some legs to Bayern/Gotze rumours.

02 Jun 2015 19:49:00
Jred - I sure did on both occasions. I admitted ADM looked quality and I was amazed he adjusted to our game so well. I also said that if LVG has us playing this way he will have no more complaints from me. I hate humble pie and I sure as hell won't rush into eating it again!

Young has done well, but the benchmark is much lower for him.

02 Jun 2015 20:04:53
ADM is a luxury player. if the rest of the team was sorted and playing really well he is the icing on the cake and would plat well. He is never going to grab a team and drag them through. add to that the style of league and it looks like an odd purchase.

02 Jun 2015 20:17:36
ADM is a top player, but he clearly doesn't want to be here. If you are unhappy that will inevitably show on the field.

02 Jun 2015 21:04:31
Highly talented but his attitude is terrible and doesn't want to be here. I'm sure lvg will be selling him this summer.
For the money we can get Greizman and have change. Or sell him and get Bale.
We cannot have him at the club next year as his value will go down drastically and he'll be useless anyway.

03 Jun 2015 00:30:28
That's the thing Beast when some folk get it wrong they will happily have a chunk of that humble pie and put their hands up which is commendable. It's the ones who can't take those red tinted glasses off that get to me. Fair play to you mate.

I think MPez, 007 and Nomid have it here. He was an odd purchase, a panic purchase. As much as I want it to work out for him I will not lose any sleep if he departs for his beloved chateau in Paris.

02 Jun 2015 13:14:28
Just Released it is 1st july not the 1st June the transfer window opens.
Realistically will deals be announced before then or do we now have a month of guessing. virtually signed and then notvreports!
Could be a long month!!

{Ed004's Note - Well Depay has already been announced and LvG wants deals tied up quickly}

02 Jun 2015 11:09:26
Would you guys take Benteke for 20 or 25 million?

02 Jun 2015 11:12:30
I would take a chance on him at the right price. I think he is a handful but would need the right service to be prolific.

02 Jun 2015 11:31:39
Would rather £20 million than £25 million.

02 Jun 2015 11:47:29
No shit Fresh! haha

02 Jun 2015 11:51:14
Haha quality beast!

02 Jun 2015 12:00:12
Not suited to the possession game imo

02 Jun 2015 12:13:20
I do like to think I have a good eye for a deal.

02 Jun 2015 12:40:04
His attitude seems all wrong for me, anything over £15m would be a big gamble imo

02 Jun 2015 12:40:26
£18m even better if you ask me.

Move over Woodward!

02 Jun 2015 12:58:42
Never met him in person like some of you so don't know what his attitude is like but I would be happy to spend £30m for him. Said it before he had a first season identical to Kane but because Kanes english he gets hyped up a lot more. Young Strong can take players on can score in and out the area and good in the air. All round striker.

{Ed004's Note - For the reported 30 million I would go for Lacazette. I just think he offers more tbh. I reckon a front 3 of Di Maria, Lacazette/Benzema, and Depay would be fantastic. All work very hard, all three can take a player on and create something. It's been a long time since we had a lightning quick attack}

02 Jun 2015 13:10:04
Apparently woodward has looked at your advice Fresh and offered £35m.mumbled something along the lines of. over paying is how I roll!! (Mata,.Fellaini, ADM)

02 Jun 2015 13:32:10
Totally agree ed, Lacazette above all others would be my main centre forward target. For me he could have the impact on the EPL that Thiery Henry did.

02 Jun 2015 13:46:16
That's big boots to fill Fresh.

02 Jun 2015 13:49:34
Lacazette for me too although I really can't see ADM at the club next season 004 (i don't think he's suited to the EPL). I would love us to go for Domenico Berardi as the RW, a very quick skillful goal scoring inverted winger. Depay-Lacazette-Berardi would score a lot of goals. I feel we should look at Mitrovic too, a very different player to Lacazette but potential to be a top top striker in world football

{Ed004's Note - Never seen Berardi play but I would be a bit worried starting next season with a whole new front 3 all having to adapt. I think Di Maria will be fine next season after a season adapting. Both Lacazette and especially Depay look ready made for premiership football}

02 Jun 2015 14:08:01
004 He's a fantastic player, 13/14 season played 33, scored 17, assisted 9. 14/15. 14/15 season played 35, scored 15 assisted 12. Two seasons performing at the top level in a league that's known for defending.

He has worked on his all round game specifically tracking back and is working harder for the team this year. LVG could do wonders for the lad. He has a weakness though and that's disciplin but that will come with maturity. He has ownership issues that mean he's potentially available.

{Ed004's Note - I will have to keep an eye out for him then}

02 Jun 2015 14:08:50
The only way Di Maria will be consistently good for me Ed is if we bring in someone like Bale/Reus/Robben etc for the opposition defenders to target instead of him.

Can't see him reaching the heights we all want him too but hey I hope I'm damn wrong.

{Ed004's Note - You see I think with the style of play LvG uses there will always be space to attack as he uses the whole pitch. However, our main threat used to be just Di Maria. With more players offering attacking threats such as Herrera and Lacazette through the middle and Depay out wide teams won't be able to focus on Di Maria as much. We need an attacking right back beside him though}

02 Jun 2015 14:09:38
If we lined up with your preferred option ed004 I would be more than happy. Benteke not the only option just one of a few I would be happy to have :)

02 Jun 2015 14:16:49
Another note on ADM his best ever goal return for league goals is in his entire career 7! Also his goals to game ratio this year is better than it was at Madrid last year. We really need to get rid.

02 Jun 2015 15:41:00
Someone tell Fresh its not his money!

02 Jun 2015 09:47:07
I see that Harry Kane's name is once again cropping up in the media although Levy has already stated he will not be sold. I personally can't see Spurs selling but it does make me wonder if this has any legs to it whatsoever as many outlets have ran with similar stories.

I have watched a fair bit of Spurs this season because I liked watching Poch's Southampton play last season and I have to say I have been impressed with Harry this campaign. I think the way he plays would really compliment our style and he is an old fashioned centre forward with a modern twist so to speak.

The that gets most folk is we would be worried he will not replicate this year again which is fair enough but if he does then Levy will be asking for a Gareth Bale type of fee, so if we do genuinely like him maybe it would be best to test the water this summer. The thing I will say for the lad is he seems really level headed, hardworking and seems to have been brought up well (according to his interviews).

It all depends on three factors i) do we genuinely have interest in him ii) could we agree a fair price with Levy (unlikely) iii) do enough folk believe he has the potential to be the next Alan Shearer or is he another Andy Carroll? Time will tell I guess.

02 Jun 2015 10:00:34
i don't think he has the same potential as shearer.
he has had a great season where everything went right but i'm not sure which parts of his game show the potential to be real top draw .
i would give it at least another season before deciding to splash the cash on him

02 Jun 2015 10:10:42
I really rate him. If we play in this slow way next season he is one of only a few strikers that would be 'a bit' effective.

His all round game is very good, players like Berahino or Benteke that are often mentioned in the same way are different as they have clear strengths and very obvious weaknesses to me (they will be Andy Caroll's or Franny Jeffers). Kane is an all rounder and most importantly will create chances for himself, we seriously lacked creativity last season, I hope this changes during the summer, but if not we need a Kane type striker if we want to be competing at the top.

I'd pay £50m -£55m for both Kane & Mason in an ideal world, but to put all the things that would need to happen in order for that to take place will mean this post changes direction and we have done all that before.

What do you think of Mason JMB? He stood out almost every game I watched him and he is not far behind Ramsey for me, all action energy that would do well if we can't get Vidal or Ramsey (no rumours just my hope).

02 Jun 2015 10:15:45
Business with levy has always been bad and he knows better not to sell him this season. Even if we push hard we will end up paying much higher now. Lacazatte would be a very good signing but according to Ed002 he will be staying one more season. Mitrovic is another name now popping up again in media.

02 Jun 2015 10:47:52
I agree with your entire post Beast but as much as I like Mason I think he still has some way to go to reach the Aaron Ramsey heights (maybe this is because I rate Ramsey very, very highly). I do agree though that he is a very similar player and has the potential for greater things to come his way.

As we are discussing Spurs I also like Bentelab, who I feel will be a great player with extreme versatility some day. I suppose we should all be grateful Spurs are a selling team by tradition!

02 Jun 2015 11:07:56
Yeah Mason reminds me of Ramsey pre-Shawcross at the moment. Obviously in a few years he could hopefully get to the level of Ramsey who I think is one of the best midfielders in world football now (funnily enough during the FA Cup commentary over here he barely got a mention it was all Santi, Ozil and Sanchez). If Barcelona manage to get Ramsey for that £50m then it would be an incredible signing.

I do like Bentaleb, he is a bit anonymous at times, but I suppose the role he plays that does happen. I think there is something special about Mason.

02 Jun 2015 11:13:47
Need to see him do it over a longer period. Also think its best for him to stay at Spurs for another season or 2.

02 Jun 2015 13:54:11
We are being linked to Gundogan, Schweinstiger, Vidal and everyone points out their floors and such, yet when RYAN MASON! is suggested people are fine with it?

Ryan mason is a very average player, very very average, with no distinguishing qualities. Why on earth are people suggesting him?!

Plus its not like he is a young teenager, he is 23. I prefer players we are linked with to have done a bit more with their career than 'break into the Spurs first team' at 23.

Schweinstiger is my first choice and Vidal my second.

Ryan Mason. HA. Have people gone completely mad!?!

02 Jun 2015 14:12:51
Harry utd
You forget his biggest quality. He's English.

02 Jun 2015 14:13:51
Guessing you haven't seen much of him this season then Harry because that's a shocking comment. He is a good footballer. So because Naingogglan wasn't established at 23 years old we should cross him of our list? Same with Otamendi? That list could go on and on.

Oh and one other thing 23 years old is VERY, VERY, VERY YOUNG.

02 Jun 2015 14:33:43
Yes JMB in a real life sense 23 is young, but in the world of football it isnt. He only broke into the Spurs first team this season. Infact my brother is a Spurs fan and prefers Dembele and Bentaleb. Says it all really. Although your praise does interest me, what are his qualities?

02 Jun 2015 16:54:33
Mason is decent but nowhere near the standard we should be looking at which is why we are not.

02 Jun 2015 18:26:13
mason is about the same level as blind maybe a bit better

02 Jun 2015 19:52:51
He has the same energy as Herrera, feisty, intelligent, keeps the ball well. Much better than Blind.

If we don't sign Vidal or Ramsey then I would choose Mason for that role. Knows the league, stood out in a decent Spurs team and would fit in perfectly for me.

He was head and shoulders above Dembele this season and was regularly 8/10 for me most games. Just my view, I really think he has a lot to offer.

02 Jun 2015 19:54:36
Beast you have lost the plot if you think Mason is something special. So so average and will be one of those pl players that bounces around the league for the next 10 years.

02 Jun 2015 21:15:59
Mason unbelievable.

02 Jun 2015 21:54:23
Lets see, I think he'll be raved about next season.

02 Jun 2015 22:54:48
Mason nothing more than a mid table player and to say he's anywhere remotely near Ramsey is scandalous

03 Jun 2015 00:33:55
Mason will be an England regular next season. As for being 23 years old, I still feel that is very young in football terms. Heck 30 is still young. Age is just a number and if a player doesn't rely on pace and has had no significant injuries they could play on for years to come.

02 Jun 2015 08:50:57
Personally i'd love to see a midfield of Herrera, schneiderlin and nainggolen, I think I would suit the premier league perfectly, creativity, steel, height and speed, one of the best midfields in the world for me there . With a cb and rb I think we'll b some force next year . I'd like a striker but I think bedding in another 5 new players could hinder the team rather than help it unfortunately ( although benzema or lacazzette up top would b awesome lol ) guess every fan can dream tho lol

02 Jun 2015 21:13:53
Completely agree. These are the two I would love to sign for United.
If we can get them, then we'll be challenging for the league next year.

02 Jun 2015 06:35:21
Very interesting reading the comments of Lionel Messi yesterday in regards to his playing future and how he plans to adapt to the game as he gets older.

He has stated he envisions himself as an out and out midfielder who will drop deep to pick up the ball. This is in stark contrast to Ronaldo who has slowly began to establish himself as a central frontman. I think this comment tells the story of both players in terms of personality and mentality.

It would be easy for Messi to do what Ronaldo has done and decide to play as a top striker for the remainder of his career while racking up the personal records and personal accolades but instead he claims to be more driven by the success of the team and winning trophy's for Barcelona, not winning trophy's for Messi.

I know many folk would love CR7 to return and it would be hard to reject the move as he is one of the best two players in the world but I would be worried about his ever growing all for Ronaldo attitude. When Bale scored that goal earlier in the season and Ronaldo was p****d because he didn't pass to him rather than celebrate with team I lost a hell of a lot of respect for him.

02 Jun 2015 07:42:19
Yeah I agree about Ronaldo's poor attitude but I'm not sure the positional transformations of Ronaldo and Messi as they age are solely down to their mentalities. Ronaldo is a scoring machine and physically strong enough to play as a traditional center forward. Messi obviously scores plenty as well, but many of them come from picking the ball up from deep and he is equally adept at pulling the strings and finding teammates. Honestly apart from being simply the best player in the world, Messi is one of the greatest passers in the game and no doubt he would make a fine midfielder.

02 Jun 2015 07:57:26
I hear what you are saying Ruud but I think Messi could torment defenders up top by himself with his genius alone the way Suarez does. What I am getting at is you would never hear Ronaldo come out and say he would be happy to be the man in the background pulling the strings because he has got to the point were individual glory comes first and the team comes second.

02 Jun 2015 08:01:10
Completely agree ruud

02 Jun 2015 08:53:06
I think it has to do with the physicality of both individuals. Ronaldo as a number 9 makes sense due to his machine like goal scoring ability and the all rounded finishing ability.

Messi, if he loses any pace will not have that burst of speed that he needs in the final third but has a better passing range than Ronaldo does.

I don't think this is about mentality, it's just common sense.

02 Jun 2015 09:01:19
They r two different players. One was destined to break all types of records the other is a genius with the ball. Both equally as good, but I have a prefefence for Ronaldo.

I think Messi pretends to be nicer then he really is . That is my personal opinion.

02 Jun 2015 09:19:49
Who was destined to break all sorts of records Singh?

02 Jun 2015 09:24:29
i think messi is back playing his best football , he is a step up from everybody else

02 Jun 2015 09:48:59
It's a topic we could go on about all day Jred with the Pele's, Best's and Maradona's of this world but Messi is the best I have ever seen both live and on the box mate.

02 Jun 2015 10:02:50
jmb
ive always said maradona was the best I've seen i'm not sure you can get any better to be honest.
but messi is reaching that level this season , another amazing goal at the weekend

02 Jun 2015 10:11:18
Yeah yeah Messi is such a great guy who plays for the team. That's why he he keeps demanding a new contract every year. Or perhaps the reason why he had sanchez thrown out of Barcelona because he had a beef with him. He has been potrayed as the golden boy by fifa and uefa from day 1 and that's why most fans think of him as some Eternal good boy. Don't believe ask ed007.

A Liverpool fan

02 Jun 2015 10:57:57
reet
i don't really care about any of that , you don't have to be a saint to be a good footballer.

look at maradona

02 Jun 2015 11:06:18
Jred
I have not said that messi is a bad player. But look at the OP. He was talking about their characters. and egos

02 Jun 2015 11:17:29
Messi is more suited to a midfield role than Messi, not sure it says anything about how selfless Messi is, which I don't think he is in any case.

02 Jun 2015 12:01:45
Meant 'more than Ronaldo' obv

02 Jun 2015 13:23:12
Maradona for me was better and I've seen both playing live.

02 Jun 2015 15:30:37
ssi is not on Pele or Maradonas level. Pele and Maradona us to play football at the time when football was much tougher. Pitches we're not as good. The teams they played in were not as talented as the one Messi is in now. So Messi is great but nor the greatest again this is just my opinion

02 Jun 2015 14:28:43
The reason messi wants to move into midfield is because as he gets older he won't be good enough to be up front. This may sound like a crazy statement but he's really small and when his legs start going he will get bullied so much by defenders and won't be able to get into the box to shoot as much. Ronaldo will always be a big, strong player and can handle the defenders better

02 Jun 2015 16:07:17
George Best - Legendary Dribbling Skills

Watch it, and then come back and tell me who was the best ever

02 Jun 2015 18:52:14
I watched it, I'm convinced - THE BEST!! His name says it all !

02 Jun 2015 19:56:56
Messi is the best that has ever played. Watched Maradona and Messi is better.

03 Jun 2015 04:24:26
Maradona good. Pele great. George Best