Manchester United Banter Archive July 30 2013

30 Jul 2013 23:45:50
What was the code for joining the private league for the fantasy football league?

ZigZag

30 Jul 2013 19:37:02
How much would people expect it to cost to get snjieder from gala? ;)

Typed it as a joke but am actually genuinly curious as well {Ed004's Note - No idea}

The sanity of everyone who reads this site

30 Jul 2013 22:50:52
I am amazed that a lot of people Fellaini bashing, cast your mind back to the antics of Sergio Ramos at old Trafford every time Madrid got a corner, pushing our players around like rag dolls then claiming we were fouling him, which I found disgracefull. my point is at times we are a physically weak and easily pushed around. this never happened in the days of Roy Keane or Ince. Fellaini would install a bit of fire in the belly in midfield and yes he might get sent off now and then, but we were happy enough to put up with keane taking an early bath every now and again. don't be fooled into thinking he can't also play football because he can. the boy Kondogbia also looks

I agree simz. We are in need of a character or 2 in my opinion too. Moyes sees Fellaini as a no. 6, he's not my first choice as Martinez would have originally been that. He could be good for us though for the reasons you say and be pushed up late on and for corners when need be for reasons we've witnessed against us. Carrick can be rotated or moved further forward when need be. You could even have fellaini for some games supporting someone like Chicharito when we are rotating. He could be a good signing but we would need another cm in my opinion besides him.

Supasub

Ramos is just a disgrace.
DHK

"don't be fooled into thinking he can't also play football because he can"

made me chuckle. has Fellini really spent several seasons fooling us into thinking he's not very good, when actually he's a brilliant footballer?

that's dedication

No, Feilaini is just a jack in the box midfielder/forward, yes I take your point on the aggression and winning headers, a target man!but I can tell you this much, that's all he has!he cannot play football, he cannot set pace of a game, cannot spread the ball around, he's extremely slow?Paul Scholes is a better tackler!he uses his elbows ina game more than his feet!he is not what we need!roy Keane and ince could win the ball and play intelligent football without being 6ft tall!Sure why don't we buy Andy Carroll and stick him in midfield eh?we don't need him!
Arturo Vidal now there's a player we should invest in.

30 Jul 2013 22:39:58
Hi all. my first time post
I am just curious if Jurgen Klopp has said that he contacted Kagawa recently and asked him to come back to Dortmund, is this not highly illegal and aginst every rule in the book?

just saying like

I wouldn't believe its any different to the conversations SAF and Ronaldo have probably had in the past.

Both Klopp and Kagawa remain good friends, he may of simply asked if there was any possibility that he would like to return to Dortmund this summer.

I believe 'Tapping up' only really occurs when the talks are more to do with contracts and incentive rather than just a friendly chat.

The Moon.

30 Jul 2013 22:36:50
So bales bid is a week old now apparently which is ludacris that Madrid are willing to spend this sort of money on a 20+ goal a season player but 85 million. 50-60 is still over paying IMO but it could be worked if he kept developing which makes me ask what has prompted this huge bid, could Ronnie want out an they need to save face by buying bale for a stunning amount thus making a statement, could it be that there hand has being forced by attention from elsewhere. For me its strange that Ronnies contract has not being sorted and they are already trying to bring in the next big thing. So all in all two things you should take from my post is I don't give a monkey's about fab an really couldn give a toss about rooney if he's still here at the start of the season ill support but fingers crossed he sorts himself out

CAIN

I was thinking earlier if either Ronaldo really wanted to stay at RM or RM really are keen to keep him then why is it taking so long for him to sign a new contract? Perez said a while back it would be a priority, doesn't seem that way though.

Ozwald

Let's hope the conspiracy theory is true and we get Ronaldo back this summer. This is extra important if Bale moves bc an attacking group with Ronaldo, Bale, Ozil and Isco is just terrifying to think about.

30 Jul 2013 22:20:53
Can anybody elaborate on the financial situation at Barcelona?

Is it a case of they need to sell to buy? (apart from Neymar)

No Barca have over €70M in cash reserves despite spending so much on signing Neymar, Summary of Barcelona's finances for 2012/13 - Gross Revenue: €491M. Gross Expenses: €443M. Net Profit: €32M. EBITDA: €118M. Net Debt: €331M.
This were figures given by Barca's vide president the other day they are willing to spend big on Luiz and Thiago Silva but none are for sale.

Red91

Barca don't need to as sell they make more money than us and have not spent much in the window. The site is turning into a conspiracy theory site with people trying to come up with stuff to help their side of the argument.

Shahram

Red91

I recall several years ago that Barca had to take out a large loan to cover player payments and it was around this time. It is the middle of the night so research is not my strong point right now but I also seem to recall Barca pay their players in a strange way, possibly in two payments a year and needed the loan to pay them as the main payment became due plus this time of the year income is lower with no games or TV.

Also profitable companies can get into trouble, it is cash and cash flow that is vital and unless you know the real cash flow situation at Barca then it is impossible to know how they are really doing, e. g, they may have £70m in the bank but have to pay out £100m next week.

Those figures are fine and dandy, but it also depends on the Spanish economy, which is in deep trouble. Those blank checks that Spanish banks gave Barca and Real are starting to become less and less bearable, and even the blind devotion that led to them in the first place can't hold up if a bank is going under or needs to collect on assets. Not saying it will happen, but it's hard to see Spanish banks being able to lend money freely right now. And that profit is already wiped out when u take away the neymar spend, plus his salary plus messi's new salary. They sold Villa for peanuts and unlike Madrid haven't been able to raise substantial funds thru sales.

30 Jul 2013 21:49:40
I know Gundogan is not for sale this summer but with Klopp saying he tried to persuade Kagawa to go back to Dortmund and he said he wanted to prove himself at United, do you think maybe a p/x between us may happen next summer.

I think kag will be massive for us next season, I really wouldn't get rid of him

Kagawa rejected the move mate.

Sydney!

Kagawa is already a top player for us and he's only going to get better. I hope he stays for many years.

Ozwald

Already a top player for us. not going off last season he wasn't. He even admitted that himself.
Kagawa needs to do a lot betterb this season, big things are expected from him.

Simmo

30 Jul 2013 21:31:12
Do people on here think we will sign two midfielders, or one? When speaking about transfers, Moyes always mentions that he is confident of adding new faces to our squad, so obviously he is thinking about more than one signing. Personally, I believe we will sign two midfielders and possibly a centre back. Kondogbia/Fellaini, Fabregas/Modric and maybe Garay. If Rooney leaves, then we might be in for a striker. Are there any strikers that are availablr and able to replace Wayne, except Lewandowski?

ZigZag

We need 2 I was hoping for better than fallaini but he is an improvement on what we have

30 Jul 2013 21:10:20
Jono, Red Man, Jred, Mick, Brendan, HB, TK, GAGUS, GDS, AJH, Andy, Whistler, Kloot, Ryan, Dean, CTR, Aesop, Patzi, REDFAITH, Dylan etc etc I cannot see your fingers crossed, get em crossed! Even you 007 ;)

Sydney!

If you don't mind me asking, fingers crossed for what?

I'm even crossing my eyes now!
Anyone working on a new Anderson chant?. and he's a bench warmer for Fabregas!
Flyhalfmitch.

Believe me Syd, I have everything crossed. I'm not the type to panic about lack of activity but if we fail in getting Fabregas and sell Nani then Kagawa would be our only genuine creative force from midfield next season and that concerns me.

TK-Red

Someone seems a tad desperate ;)

Kloot is always crossed. No need to let him know.

I've got my fingers and toes SO crossed I'm developing arthritis by the second :/

I ave al my fingers crissed and I'm struggling to type!

Its all crossed Syd! my kids are starting to look at me funny but its worth it ;) still no news though you know what they say!

I just hope we sign someone, anyone who would improve the team and maybe, just maybe, we would be taking a step towards the top of european football once more

Here's a thought for you Syd. Right now people are getting so fed up, nervous and desperate about signings that they would be relieved no even joyous if we signed Fellini. And maybe that was the plan all along and it stops people being underwhelmed by our signings. Just a thought

Got them all crossed Syd! and if it was long enough that too!

Red Pedro

Agree kloot thought the same myself

Kloot, certainly a pessimistic way of looking at things, but we are lacking midfield creativity, does Fellaini fix that issue? Most certainly not.

Sydney!

I have all fingers and toes crossed, arms crossed, legs and feet crossed and eyes crossed. Typing this with my nose as I speak :-)

Seriously though, I do believe Fabregas will be at United come the start of the season, even if KLOOT disagrees. I also think Real signing Bale will make Ronaldo want to leave. The number of people at Real who have come out heaping praise on him from all angles is exactly what Ronaldo has been wanting more than anything. Now Bale gets it plus the world record fee, I think he is going to be one unhappy boy. I also think Real know this and need/want him to go now rather than run his contract down. To me, they are making him remaining at Real impossible.

I think Baines, Fellaini, Ronaldo, Cesc is our summer. Nani, Evra, Rooney, Anderson and maybe Vidic to leave.

Cue the bashing.

Brendan81 {Ed004's Note - In all honesty there are far better midfielders than Fellaini and for less}

Agreed ed, but I think Moyes will buy him, not my choice tho.

Brendan81 {Ed004's Note - Unfortunately so do I}

They are mate :-)

If Fellaini was a part of that summer quartet, I could make my peace with that though :-)

Brendan81

Syd. fingers crossed, oh I get it! it must be that time of the year again! the Man United yearly financial report is published lol

trev the gooner

Oh dear trev, that's just awful banter now go away and write 100 times 'i will learn to banter banter better' and then come back

30 Jul 2013 20:45:31
A little speculation and fun, well that is what the site is about and I have a vivid imagination.

Barcelona need to buy a defender and have their eye on Luiz, who Bayern have now shown an interest in at a hefty price tag. Barcelona don't have enough cash having bought Neymar and perhaps United have got wind of that. (Remember Barcelona had to take a large loan mid summer previously) United are holding back on making another offer for Fabregas and not dismssing rumours about other cheaper players so Barcelona may have concern they will not pay the money especially as Fabregas will not go to just anyone. The other option, Arsenal, are hoping for Suarez and would not offer as much to Barcelona as United. Therefore Barcelona are mindful of losing Luiz to Bayern, so United are waiting to time their next offer for Fabregas correctly and at the right level.

Madrid are desperate for Bale that much is evident partly because of prestige, the president promising it but also because Barcelona got to Neymar first. I suspect Spurs may want it all in cash or nearly all cash, much as we did with the Ronaldo sale where it was pure cash. United will not match the £85m for Bale (nor shoud we) but by United making Madrid think we are still in the game, even if we don't make an offical offer Madrid may be worried they may lose Bale and go well beyond a reasonable figure (about £50m IMO, he is not in Ronaldo's league) to buy him. It helps Spurs because any inferred interest from us inflates the price. This will leave Real in a position where if Spurs don't take the players offered Madrid have far too many attacking players and someone in Ronaldo with two years left and a dramatically dropping value next year. Ronaldo has said little to my knowledge on Bale but the cringeworthy stuff coming from Real about how good Bale is everything Ronaldo has craved from Madrid but not had.

United offer £60m possibly plus Vidic, (as Madrid need to repace the City bound Pepe) for Ronaldo who will not sign a new Madrid contract and will only come to us.

Fantasy, However I can dream and it helps not to think about Modric!

Red man
Can you just explain all that once more

It all sounds very reasonable Red Man.

I don't know about the madrid offer for bale? As I understand it they still owe a huge chunk of the modric deal

Genius.
Nomidfield

30 Jul 2013 19:41:36
Red Man, I would hope the powers to be at MU aren't dumb enough to judge Modric on a fan's poll LOL. Who would you buy Red Man? Still waiting.

Sydney!

Sydney

What's this "still waiting" nonsense? As an example before this I suggested Kagawa for Gundogen but primarily have made it clear for a long time Fabregas was the man for us, even when you amongst others scoffed at it. Now you like me are crossing your fingers.

I would make Barcelona a higher offer for Fabregas, an offer they can't refuse. Alternatively I would swap Kagawa for Gundogen, in fact I would go for Khedira and Fellaini before Modric.

Your plan to buy two because Modric isn't enough on his own should tell you enough. Then what about our left side or are we to watch Nani, Young or Giggs patrol down there for another season.

Carrick is not getting any younger but he doesn't need replacing and I would be surprised if we go too narrow except in tight games.

Perhaps I am too hard on Modric but at a time when our domestic opposition are strong in midfield I don't see a Modric/Carrick partnership as working or even good enough. Then looking in Europe Bayern, Dortmund and Real would not be worried by our partnership.

If Moyes has selected Fabregas then Woodward should support his new Manager like SAF said.

RedMan
We've only lost Scholes as we speak are we not the current champions and runners up 2011/12
I'm sure we'd have been exposed in our league.
Baffles me how this squad in close season are torn apart by fans and so called media experts, we are all aware what we need and it will be addressed but United by our nature respond when written off panick as set in because of Mourinio, s return well bring it on City are our threat Chealsea will be close but we have the know how and believe it or not this dodgy squad have tasted it or have they not!
The Champs league is so tough to call at the top level fine margins take Dortmund who relied on shocking refereeing decisions to get to the final when they were outplayed and out thought against Malaga yes the mighty Malaga.
So be careful what you wish for
Dylan

Cesc is my first choice, I think I have made that very clear haven't I? But if he isn't achievable then we need to move on. I agreed with your Gundagon idea the other day, but only if Kagawa wants to leave, which he doesn't. Dortmund have said Gundagon is not for sale this summer and you have to believe them when they say a player is not for sale. They mean it.

It isn't that I don't think Modric alone isn't good enough, I have said one here that Cesc alone isn't enough several times. We need a creative player and a bruiser. Again I have said this SEVERAL times. You clearly aren't reading my posts properly.

Sydney!

Sydney

Kagawa not wanting to leave statements were not entirely convincing and do I understand that after joining the squad in Japan they let him go off training back in Japan. Did he fly back with us?

Not saying he would go but I was not convinced or clear with the position we bought him for and given the way SAF played him last season I am not sure he knew fully. Klopp expressed a real interest to take him back and who knows what may have given.

I agree with Red Man in that I don't think Modric is the right player for us.

No team plays with two playmakers unless they have a three man midfield.

And Syd your idea of having Garay step up from the back is an awful idea. If we have Carrick and Modric as possession controlling midfielders with Garay pushing up to do the dirty work in midfield then there will only be one way for teams to play against us and that is over the top. But now because you've had Garay push up we only have one defender to cover such a ball, plus with our attacking full backs we would have no cover able to come in from out wide. We would be carved wide open every time they launch a ball forward.

I think Syd you are trying too hard to try and make Modric fit into the team without really considering that he may not be the right choice.

You feel that Modric would make up for his lack of physical strength by making interceptions instead, but last season he managed an average of 1. 4 interceptions a game, and 1. 3 tackles. So he makes about as many interceptions as he does tackles. He isn't strong enough to play in a midfield two for Real Madrid in la liga where the game is far less physical yet you feel he would be able to cope in england in a midfield two where the game is far more physical.

Modric would be excellent as one of a midfield three or as one of the advanced midfield three in a 4231 formation. But he isn't strong enough to work in a double pivot system.

I'm not sure Fabregas is the right choice for us to be honest. He plays much more advanced for Barca and when he was at Arsenal playing int the thick of it in the heart of midfield he had an aweful injury record. If we bought him and played him deep I would be worried about him picking up more injuries.

If we look around all the top teams they have one thing in common, they all have a fantastic physical defensive midfielder in their team so as they can impose themselves onto their opposition.

City had De Jong, but they sold him and were a much poorer team for it so they have gone out and bought Fernandinho this summer.

Real have Khedira, Bayern have Martinez, Dortmund have Sven Bender, PSG have Matuldi, Chelsea have Mikel/Luiz, Juventus have Vidal, AC Milan have De Jong.

And we have? No one.

Until we do we will struggle to compete against the top teams.

Carrick isn't a DM and never will be, he needs a DM along side him for him to be given free reign to use his playmaking skills to full effect.

The best options imo are Luiz Gustavo, Lars Bender or Morgan Schneiderlin.

I'm think even Cabaye could do a good job if him and Carrick were to share the defensive burden, although it wouldn't be ideal.

Long story short though, Modric just isn't the ideal midfielder for us.

To be fair barce have said fab isn't for sale it hasn't stopped us bidding for him

Sydney
Bayern
Barcelona
Dortmund
Real
City
Chealsea
Man Utd
Please define a bruiser, I don't see any such player in above squads just quality intelligence and pace, is Joey Barton available or Lee Cattermole.
Barca have in Busquets a player who breaks up play who with Carrick is a master, a Modric/Fabregas type player would be ideal Jones can also do a job if required but his passing in last third not upto the very best in this position.
Dylan

Shappy
Don't mistake hard working for defensive.
All the players you mentioned there put a shift in but are good footballers.
A cm of Carrick and modric would do fine in the right system and players around them.
Some of the best midfields are small quick technical players.
The hard man in the middle has gone teams now press and defend as a team.
All the best teams press the the ball when they don't have it closing space and keep possession when they do.
Martinez for Munich biscuits for barce and Carrick for United all play a similar role all require a play maker beside them.
Look at Jones good player, technically good enough to play cm for a team like United?.
United are missing a bit of craft, guile and quality in the middle a fabergas or a modric.
We walked the league last year but some of our football was poor.
our midfield needs to improve when we have the ball, be more creative keep possession better and make that possession count, not possession for possession sake.
Jred

Long story short? Really?

Brendan81

Jred, trust me mate i'm not getting confused or making a mistake.

I'm not talking about a Keane or Gattuso type pit bull in the middle, If I was i'd say we should sign Fellaini or Gary Mendel. These players are all about getting physical and not about the finer arts of being a midfielder.

I'm talking about a water carrier type, a Didier Deschamps rather than a Claude Makelele. Someone who'll take on all of the less gamourous work so our more creative players can concentrate on what they do best.

Too many people have labled Carrick as a defensive midfielder, the fact is he isn't. He is a deep lying playmaker, as such he will do some defensive work but the key to his role is in the title he is a playmaker. Similar such players have been Pirlo or Alonso. Illrarramendi and Verratti look like they will be two of the best in a few years time. But for this type of player to be at their most effective they need a worker along side them, some one to add bite and to do the running and other such jobs in order to give them the freedom to use their passing most effectively.

Alonso has Khedira along side him at Madrid, Pirlo has Vidal along side him at Juve, they had Mascherano and Gattuso along side them at their previous clubs.

Sir Alex had always planned to play Hargreaves along side Carrick, but unfortunately that was never to work out.

A midfield of Carrick and Modric will get over run by the best teams as they won't be able to impose themselves on those teams.

Last season Modric managed 1. 3 tackles and 1. 4 interceptions a match. Carrick managed 2. 4 tackles and 2. 1 interceptions. If they were are midfield pairing next season we could expect less than 3 tackles and less than 3 intercpetions a match between them. So can you see us imposing our selves on other teams if our midfield is only winning the ball back 6 times a match?

To put that into perspective Morgan Schneiderlin managed 4. 1 tackles a game and 3. 9 interceptions, meaning he was winning the ball back for his team 8 times a match. So he by himself would be better than what you would like to be our midfield.

Come on Brendan, you know that was a short post for me. lol

Shappy
Correct me if I'm wrong but isn't every out field player allowed to intercept then keep possession never had this being our problem in us dominating 90% of matches.
Most teams at OT sit 9/10 men behind the ball we need guile and craft with pace Baines and a Fabregas type is all we require
Dylan

I think one of the main problems we had last season was giving the ball away too much.

anyone who can help us keep possession better and use it more effectively has got to be a good thing.

modric isn't my first choice but I could see him, Carrick and kagawa being an effective midfield.

winning the ball back becomes less important if you don't give it away as much

30 Jul 2013 18:34:47
Another book no self respecting united library should be without is magnificent sevens. MrE

I have already ordered it (along with Bobbys) :) Thanks for the tip!

Makes our last two numbers 7s look like a total hoke

30 Jul 2013 18:03:47
If Manchester United and Real Madrid both had the same bid accepted by Tottenham.
Who do you think Bale would prefer to join?

It's an irrelevant question. As much as I'd live to see him in red, united won't be able to compete with Madrid's offer.

Matt

Maybe United because it'd be easier to settle, he doesn't have to learn a new language, and he's already used to the premier league.

Utd, from wot I've been told bale was keen on the rumours linking him to us

He isn't interested in joining united it's stay where he is or its madrid

30 Jul 2013 18:12:14
Liverpool fan here and i'm in disbelief at the 85million for bale. In a rational world he is worth half of that'. He is not AS GOOD or anywere near the same. level as messi who bangs in with ronaldo 60 goals a season to bales 20plus nor is he a great finisher that will fetch those figures. Worldclass yes, 85 million? Ridiculous

30 Jul 2013 18:46:22
Bale isn't world class mate. Ronaldo, Messi, Ronaldinho, Zidane, Matthaus etc are/were world class. Bale could be with a LOT of work, but at the moment no where near for me.

Whistler. {Ed007's Note - Bale will NEVER be classed in the same category as the players you mention Whistler. I'm astounded with the whole situation.}

To my mind, United must have had some words of encouragement to even make a bid in the first place.

I personally think it comes down to how much we want the player. If we are prepared to pay over the odds for him, we will get him IMO.

Samthered

And ure on here telling us this why?
Out of curiosity wot would u value Suarez?

The liverpool fan here
Im stating it on thissite because I honestly thought he'd go to united this summer for crazy money but. definately not 85 plus million. I think the whole situation is crazy and where is financial fair play or any type of rationalism in football? This is what is destroying the game, teams like real and city buying success and in reals case takung the money from their fans pockets because the sum of money is coming straight from the spanish banks'

Continued on in reply to chris, as of this moment I wudnt know how much I value suarez following bales bid. Suarez is a year older and scored more goals, why not value him at 90million going by the market? But that's crazy. Realisticly I vakue him at 40mil with all his baggage but it comes down to what teams are willing to oay for suarez. at.

Lancashire, the official home of personic clowns with mouthfuls of sour grapes

30 Jul 2013 17:38:22
Hi fella's big united fan here I feel at the moment to many fans are getting caught up in the while we have to make a huge statement and buy a cf type of player I would love him to come to ot but but I can't see it coming about in honesty the midfield should of been dealt with a few seasons back giggs should'nt be near our midfield now a near 40 yr old man cleverly and anderson are squad players we just need to get a few players that can work well as a unit a new engine that is well oiled and can do a better job than what we have at the moment I think if we got cabaye fellani and modric our midfield would be twice as good as it is now as these players are all better than our current midfield options this is just my opinion on the matter. cheers for reading

I would be overjoyed at those three.

I still think there's legs in Fabregas though. We should know this week.

30 Jul 2013 17:05:40
Jono, Modric is a much better version of Cabaye.

Sydney!

Syd!

I am totally with Red man on this and even though I don't rate Modric personally I also don't see how the CM pairing of Carrick and Mods would work. Both are masters at side passing and we have seen how that helps us recently! Mods is a damn sight more confident on the ball than what we have untill he gets hit and then sticks to his short game. I seen this many times when at spurs and he needed a physical person next to him to hit back for him. Carrick isn't that type either. Both Cabaye and Cesc have that bite in the tackle as well as being top interceptors so both would make a far better pairing IMO.

Plus I personally rate Cabaye higher than Mods. If you recall I never rated mods when we were after WS and I had SAF down to play WS deeper in the role Mods does regularly so it has been a long time dislike of him before anyone says i'm hating on him haha.

If he comes though I don't care as he is still a massive improvement and as I said we still need a physical player aswell Fellaini, Gustavo or Khadeira as examples.

Jono, I would sign both Khedira & Modric. Cesc is no more of a battler than Modric. Cabaye is a battler though. He just lacks the talent Modric has.

Sydney!

Cabaye in same class as Modric are you serious?
Another Carrick I hope he is, keeps possession and will take the ball when under pressure a player that RM chased all last close season and paid £34m for, unfortunately he made a great impression when given a run of games end of season and unless they have to sell then we've no chance.
Dylan

I agree with Jono.

I can't seem to think of anyone who is as well rounded as Cabaye at the £15M price he would command.

Dead balls, assists, goals, passing, tackling, interceptions, not bad in the air, ability to run with the ball and play forward.

for £15M I would struggle to find a better all round player.

Maybe Dembele & Yaya Toure? - apart from those the mind is blank.

The Moon.

Both are masters at side passing? i'm sorry but did you ever watch him at spurs? He drove the team forward himsself whilst the likes of sandro played the side passes. there's a reason the madrid fans habe warmed to him this year. Perfect partner for carrick imo. Works hard, good pass, chips in with the odd goal and has creativity. Moyes won't sign him which is a shame as we need him desperately

Locky

Jono. I thought I was Cabaye's biggest fan but apparently not.

But to say Cabaye is better than Modric, well that's just plain ridiculous. I mean seriously? Modric was probably the league's finest midfielder in his last 3 years. Cabaye had one good season at Newcastle and now he's better than one of the most sought after players in last season's transfer window?

Real madrid, Manchester United and Chelsea were after modric. He might not have fit in well in Mourinho's Madrid team but he is not suited to play in a double pivot nor is he a number 10.

And yet Modric is still one of the best creative midfielders in the world, certainly up there with Gundogan and co.

While I do understand you not rating him that highly, but he is twice the player than cabaye can ever be.

30 Jul 2013 18:17:30
Sign modric and a player like fellaini or khedira. Slowly phase carrick out. Cabaye is a decent all rounder but just doesn't look like a top class player I think he's at his level.

Moon I agree that cabaye is worth 15million however I think Newcastle would demand more before letting him go. I don't know if he has any clause in his contract though and if so that would explain the Price. I like others think we need more steel in midfield plus another creative player and for those that say we have Kagawa for that role I wouldn't expect him to play every game if we progress in cups, same for carrick

Syd

I just class Cabaye as better mate. Never been a fan of Mods. Good player but I just see more in Dreamboat.

Moon

I genuinely don't think there is anyone else available at 27 who would be ideal for 3-5 years.

Dylan, Locky and Mick

Modric didn't drive forward! He played the short passes in the middle moving up with the play and would only end up near the box if the build up was at that pace. Scholes (who is what we are trying to replace) would do the same and arrive in the box far more regularly. Cabaye does the same in a midfield he has to run himself.

Granted newcastle and Spurs are different animals but when you consider Modric had Sandro etc helping him where Cabaye shines with the sporty Mr T or Gutterez (sp?) next to him it shows Cabaye's skills even more IMO. Cabaye in his first year out stated Mods by a country mile in whatever his best season for Spurs was. Plus I have just never rated him that highly.

Good player no doubt but I preferred WS playing CM with Carrick ahead of him and prefer many more just now, Cabaye included.

I think Cabaye, Fellaini and the likes get a bit of a raw deal on here. Look we don't need to be signing cast offs from other elite teams who will be far more expensive and are available by these teams for a reason. I would see more hungier type of player in Cabaye and Fellaini etc trying to test themselves at a step above and succeeding ahead of chancing it on players who might have already turned us down previously!

Plus unlike Mods you have never heard Cabaye complaining about his head not in the right place for a game against us through speculation, instead he ripped a 30 yarder into the top bag ;)

I'm a huge Modric fan and believe he's a class above Cabaye. I'd love us to get Modric but agree with the poster's who say we could do with adding some 'bite' as well like Fellaini, Gustavo, Khedira - to even things out.

Jono, you've been one of my favourite posters ever since you mentioned Cabaye, that's how highly I rate him.

While I also think in terms of price and position, he would be a better signing than Modric and would be a better partner for Carrick. he also has a much better attitude.

modric needs a destroyer next to him, Cabaye doesn't, but still Modric is much, much more talented and a much better player.

30 Jul 2013 17:01:18
£85 million for Bale unbeliavble spurs should take the money and run! Front 3 of Bale Ronaldo and Ozil wow!

Manred

Not to mention they have bought isco and ilharemendi as well. So they should be good to watch.
Nomidfield

30 Jul 2013 16:17:18
I've been thinking about what Woodward and Moyes said earlier in the Transfer Window and looking back on it now, I can't believe how stupid they were to put so much pressure on themselves.

They were talking about buying 'the best' and being prepared to spend 50m+ on the right player. (from what I remember). Now everyone expects this brilliant signing when really all he needed to do was show some intelligence in the market brought in some strength in the middle of the park and people would of said 'Finally a manager who has sorted our midfield'.

Now he needs a 'name' or I think a lot of fans will be disappointed with him before we've even played a game. I just hope he changes his tactics, uses his head and get someone who WANTS to play for United.

Red Joe

30 Jul 2013 15:37:49
Seeing as Fabregas is highly unlikely to happen, what would the fellow Reds think of Modric AND Fellaini being bought? A central 3 of those 2 plus Carrick would be very good in my opinion, covering all requirements except pace. Although Fabregas isn't known for his pace anyhow.

It's funny how many brochures, emails and texts I've had to sell me a season ticket, the most recent one yesterday, to think the season is so close now! Buy some top class players and you will sell all your season tickets easily like we used to. Does anyone feel like it's 1-way love at times recently? And please don't give me the 'support at any costs' argument, we deserve the club to invest in top talent for us, to entertain us. We are not a 'struggling for survival' club for f sake!

Investment in a club is just not money related mate. Get yourself down to watch our reserves and youth teams. Now that's investment. So invest some of your time in the young players we have. They are really good and we always give youth a shot and you should be proud of that. you should also be proud of us not getting into bidding wars and spending our money wisely.

So you will buy a season ticket if we buy good players? I have nothing else to say to you, except leave our club alone and go and support somebody else.

What a load of tosh from No Name.
Get yourself down to watch the Reserves, so what does that prove in the big scheme of things that your a better supporter than people that don't go to the reserves.
We were promised top players and we haven't had them, maybe Moyes and that person Woodward shouldn't have come out and said that we are prepared to spend 50 million upwards and we can compete for the best, he should have been quiet about our transfer business and not spouted it out all over the place getting peoples hopes up.
Which brings me to my next question, why has it been done in this way. Fergie and Gill never conducted themselves like this in the transfer window so why is Moyes doing it?

Simmo

I buy my season ticket to support the team of eleven men put out by our manager.

I don't buy my season ticket to sit on my ass watching tv and listening to talksport just in case we are linked with someone.

If you go to a match you might actually enjoy it more than the transfer window!

Gds2, that's not what he's saying.

he wants an improvement in the product he is being asked to buy. I think he's right to expect it after some of the boring football utd played last season.

we might be supporters but we're also consumers and I think its not unreasonable to expect value for money ie good entertainment.

he's right in saying it works both ways. I bet if the squad/product isn't improved the club won't reduce ticket prices to reflect this.

it wasn't the supporters who made football this commercial but if the clubs want to treat us as customers then we have the right to complain when we feel the product is inferior. otherwise we're just mugs.

Gds2, we are a club with a HUGE income, we pay £1000 plus a year for season tickets plus all the other expenses, it is not unreasonable to want quality players at our club! So pipe down a bit, your really getting on my nerves

My season ticket money was spent on decking for the garden it really is value for money should have done it about 5 years ago instead of wasting it

30 Jul 2013 14:44:30
Struggling guys and need help. Did financial fair play in football not come in or does it purely refer to us and not Monaco PSG Barca Real and THEM. City. I'm a bit confused. Thought it was being clamped down on and with Real's mess of finances at the mo where are they getting the money to spend and meet the fair play rulings.

Mr Blatter what you doing again?

Betcha any money of we spent 150mil on Bale and Ronnie he'd have us straight away.

Imo this is a banana skin waiting to happen, if they expel those teams they will fight it. If they dnt all the clubs that have fallen in line have grounds to fight it too

We could spend £150m and still break even.

Sydney!

We are in good shape and can afford to spend but the other teams are on a spending spree and still nothing is done. Weve heard for months leading up to the transfer window that real will struggle to secure big names because of their financial position, then low and behold window opens and they are buying everyone with a footy boot and offering to buy the shoe shop aswell. it seems to me we are doing it right in the hope that this issue would be policed as promised but it isn't being and it won't be until we try to spend over 100 mil in 1 transfer window then watch the officials swoop.

AGAIN, we could easily spend £100m in a window and still break even.

Sydney!

30 Jul 2013 15:22:48
Any body else think the modric link sounds a little bit like lazy journalism.

Perhaps, but he is the next logical target. We will see soon enough though.

Sydney!

The guy who wrote the Modric article is genuine and I haven't seen any stupid and lazy unrealistic pieces from him in the past. I think there is substance to this one and we are genuinely interested if a Fabregas deal fall through.

Real wanting Modric to babysit Bale is the lazier of the two stories imo.

REDFAITH

REDFAITH, Miguel Delaney has said: "if Ducker wrote it, it's true" Is that the article you are referring to? I have to agree with the babysit article, that is very very lazy if you ask me. RM are after substantial funds and £30m from us would do them a world of good.

Sydney!

All ducker wrote was " modric is seen as a leading target"

I haven't read any of it mate. I just noticed the Delaney Tweet.

Sydney!

30 Jul 2013 13:59:41
hey utd fans, what is moyes playing at, he should get his finger out and buy modric from madrid for 30 million, to enable real to buy the suarez from us.
ps, you could always throw in anderson, for modric, to reduce the fee, this should bring it down to 29 and 1/2 million.

30 Jul 2013 14:30:20
Lfc mate I swear your banter get weaker and weaker, kind of like your team. Lol.

I would love to see Suarez at Real - then they can be the ones down to 10 men in the knock out stages of the champions league.

Red Spark

Or you could even take Anderson from us. That would seriously improve your team this season. Play him instead of the 20 mil Henderson! ;)

Rumour has it, ie. the press, that Madrid want Modric to stay and help Bale to life in Madrid, both on and off the pitch.

I think we need to be carefull who we next go after. So far everyone we have made approaches to sees the red shirt of Man U and legs it

Better yet, you lot could buy Ando for 65mill?

Gar

Sydney!

At this time a year you give your predictions on how many points they will be behind us come end of play. I'm going with 29 this year! Or am I being too kind?!

Suarez will get a "BITE" of your transfer fee if you sell him.

Lfc I usually use to enjoy your jokes, but this was perhaps the worst of them all.

Singh

This can't be the same lfc from last season its shocking!
Dnt u worry lfc i'm sure if all goes well we can loan downing off u for a bit, modric or Fabregas I've heard both would love to arrive at OT on a donkey!
Tell me how is ure team these days? Happy with your over priced Spaniards? Or are u believing all the guff brent is putting out again lol :-)

Or you could sell Suarez on deadline day and make a panic 35m bid for Andy Carroll.

1redarmy

SHRIMP, ask me in five weeks mate.

Sydney!

Well shrimpie, chris the REDman, you know things are bad under moyes at utd, when even syd can't answer a question about lpool, I think he's perplexed as to why all these utd transfer targets, just seem to see utd as a sideways step these days lol.

LFC, our targets play for the likes of Madrid and Barcelona. Manchester united would be a sideway step for them, just like Mignolet made a sideway move from Sunderland to liverpool.

Thats a bit better lfc

30 Jul 2013 13:50:24
Let's be honest here, if you renew your season ticket purely based on the fact we are bidding for big name stars, you're supporting the wrong club

1993

We are supporting the right club, unquestionably. But we want more, we want to be supporting the best team and at presen, that is not the case.

We need quality signings

30 Jul 2013 13:20:05
One thing concerns me if as reported we bid 25m for Modric who's tiny fevered mind dreamt that Real would accept a 10m loss for what is a player at the height of his prowess age wise.

Smacks of Fabregas all over again going in with a totally unrealistic price with no chance of winning

Unrealistic price for Fab? Do you want us to bid 50m for him? 30m is more than fair but if the player doesn't want to come you move on. Stop saying we didn't offer enough and we were going to double his wages also. Stop all this nonsense.

Flint

It's an opening offer Pardoe.

A fairly high one at that.

Sydney!

Couldn't agree more Flint.

saying we bid for a player with no intention of signing him is ridiculous. 30 plus add Ons is more than enough for Fabregas.

More to the point we bid 30m plus for a player we know we can't get, now there is talk of united bidding for bale another player we can't get, well at least we have shown interest

You have to be realistic. would you swap Barcelona for Manchester. Doesn't help his other half is best mates with messi's other half. doesn't seem important to us but if a guys getting grief of the other you are going to listen. we think it should be all about footy but for some players it just isn't.

Arsenal sold Fabregas to Barcelona foe £25.4m.

Having sold Thiago allready I cannot see why they would consider selling Fabregas unless they received a mind blowing offer

Flint, I want utd to bid 50 mill if that's what it takes to sign him.

I don't know why you wouldn't?

30 Jul 2013 12:31:26
Really? people are complaining about Modric as an alternative to Fabregas. he's better than all our current midfielders that play in his role.

30 Jul 2013 13:22:31
Exactly people get too hung up on a player

People need to understand if Cesc isn't available, then we need to move onto the next target.

Sydney!

I look at Modric and how he would fit in a central midfield with Carrick. Personally do not see that working

Don't bother, people complain about everything. They can't even mention a better MC than him in our squad.

Red Man, if you cannot see how Modric & Carrick would work then blimey. They perfectly complement each other. Would need a Garay type signing to finish it off though. I would look forward to seeing Modric and Kagawa link-up.

Sydney!

So if we were to play a 4:2:3:1 formation, where would Modric and Carrick play.

Neither are true DMs so they both cannot play in the 'pivot'

30 Jul 2013 15:01:03
I tend to agree with Red Man, although I think a Modric/Carrick partnership would be better than what we currently have, as a midfield two they lack steel and presence. They would work against most teams in the Prem but when faced with Yaya Toure/Fernandinho or S. Bender/Gundogan or Khedira/Alonso or Xavi/Busquets or Martinez/Schweinstieger or even Vidal/Marchisio then they maybe able to match them for passing ability but they don't have that physical presence of the top teams.

Carrick isn't a true DM, he is a deep lying playmaker like Alonso or Pirlo and the one thing you'll notice about those players is they play there best when alongside a physical presence like Gattuso or Vidal, or Mascherano or Khedira.

Modric is also a playmaker but a much more mobile one. And he too needs a strong defensive body alongside him in order for him to play at his best.

Modric needs a holding midfielder alongside him, someone who'll sit and break up the opposition play, but with him sitting there it gives Modric the freedom to move about to open up and unlock the opposition with his passing and movement.

Carrick needs a physical box to box player who'll fly into the tackles the Carrick won't, but will also drive forward with the ball at his feet as Carrick prefers to sit deeper to put himself in the best position to spray his passes about.

So although Modric and Carrick prefer to play in different parts of the midfield neither of them have the defensive game needed to impose our play on out opposition.

Since Keane left with the exception of the few times we managed to get Hargreaves on the pitch we have struggled to impose ourselves on the opposition, we have tended to sit back and allow them onto us then try and catch them on the break.

If we want to dictate the play then we need to force ourselves onto our opponants and make them change their style to cope with us.

The only way we can do that is if we have someone who can stop them higher up the pitch so we can start to dictate play in the opposition half.

Personally I think its more important that we sign a proper DM to play alongside Carrick, although we will need to sign a young playmaker to eventually replace Carrick as he has just turned 32.

Luiz Gustavo or Lars Bender would be best, although Romulo or Kondogbia wouldn't be bad options but would take longer to settle in and be ready for the big games.

As for a potential eventual replacement for Carrick the best options imo are Marco Verratti or Koke.

A summer of Gustavo or L. Bender and Koke or Verratti along with someone for LB would be perfect.

Sydney

So the talking up of Modric has begun

Red Man, my opinions haven't changed in regards to Modric. I'd prefer Cesc, but if he is unavailable, what can you do? RM bought Mods for £30m+ last summer, they must have seen something in him? Right?

Sydney!

I have said many times the game has changed having 2 cm's who are mobile creative and good in possession is the way forward.
Spain/barce are two of the best midfield I've seen based on this.
Don't get defensive and hard working mixed up
Jred

Sydney

Modric was voted RMs worst ever buy and yet is deemed good enough for us?

Strootman? Lol

ALDUtd

Carrick & Modric would work if we sign Garay to push up into midfield. They would also work if accompanied by Khedira or Fellaini in midfield.

Red Man, I would hope the powers to be at MU aren't dumb enough to judge Modric on a fan's poll LOL. Who would you buy Red Man? Still waiting.

Sydney!

Sydney

You are not waiting I made several suggestions. I would offer more for Fabregas, an offer they can't refuse.

Swap Kagawa for Gundogen

Buy Fellaini, Khedira

All before considering Modric

Modric is quality IMO. Red Man I would understand if you thought we need more physicality in midfield but I'm surprised you don't seem to rate Modric. He was the best CM at linking up play in the EPL before leaving, think he'd be great at moving the ball around and picking up our forwards. I would like to get a holding midfielder to though to give us options.

30 Jul 2013 12:09:32
Think we need to test barca with 1 more 35mill bid for fabregas, if this fails then chuck that money at modric, we know Madrid want the cash for bale and Suarez, we need to act fast though because there's talk of khadira (spelling) leaving. If this fails we must bring in Fellani and baines

Marm

30 Jul 2013 11:54:36
i would rather have cesc than mod he didn't want to come to us now he ain't playing he wants to. Manchester United are bigger than any team and we should not go for players who didn't want to join us the first time round like benzemar etc

How do you know he wants to come to us?
It's a silly piece in the paper, Modric might want to go somewhere else.

Simmo

Yes I agree if he didn't want to
come first time round why bother
again. Remember u only get one
shot at the championship (mohammed
ali) the squads got better they
haven't

Bfro

I'm not sure he had much choice to be honest. We all know what Levy is like

30 Jul 2013 10:51:34
According to that reliable (!?!) publication the Daily Star, MUFC have bid for Gareth Bale. Do we believe this? Personally, no.

Mike B.

30 Jul 2013 10:12:29
like many utd fans I was hoping for some major signings but from what I have heard januzaj, lingard and zaha have loads of quality so as long as moyes plays them it would be like having new signings so come on moysie let them loose and see what happens

Ideally Powell, Tunnicliffe, Petrucci, Januzaj, Cole & Lingard could do with a season long loan and be reassessed next summer, but I think Januzaj & Powell will want to stay in the U21's and try and get games for the senior side. A lot will depend on signings, but I expect Zaha to play for the senior side next season.

Sydney!

Cannot see Januzaj going out on loan, will see some first team action this season I think.

rpc

30 Jul 2013 09:49:34
I was mulling over the Fabregas bid

We must have had some encouragement to bid and it was our opportunity to make Barcelona an offer they couldn't refuse. Even ED001 concluded they may sell on that basis

Therefore why did we offer £26m and then £30m, surely an offer Barca couldn't refuse would be higher than that

So we may not go further and turn to £25m Modric or £22m Fellaini. Yet I sense that Mr Woodward wouldn't go beyond £30m and openly ask if that is the Glazer limit as many have long suspected? At that point we turn to inferior players?

The owners still have a lot to prove this window

Ngiak has serious doubts
and unfortunately has to agree with you
moyes now talks about name and history and prestige
AKA Liverpool
ngiak strongly believes these 3 weeks will determine if we become the next Liverpool
sad indeed
gan

The first bid was a reported £25m bid. The second bid was a reported £30m bid plus add-ons (over £30m). Lucas Moura's agent confirmed MU had agreed to pay over £30m for him until PSG's Leonardo convinced him to go there. We paid £30. 75m for Berbatov. So I think the £30m limit is a myth.

I am a massive fan of Modric, but would like us to make a final offer for Cesc. Around £35m may be interesting. Cesc drives forward more than Modric, but IMO Modric has a better shot, he defends better than Cesc and has a much higher interception rate.

Carrick & Modric wouldn't tackle, but they would work hard to intercept and if we bought Garay he would push up and act as another midfielder. It could well work.

Sydney!

I'm sure a£40-£50 million bid would be very tempting for Barca. A question for everyone would you rather spend £25-£35 million on modric or £40-£50 on Fabregas?

Mad Hatter

Mad Hatter, I think a final £35m offer to Barcelona would be interesting. If that fails we should go straight in and sign Modric.

Sydney!

If we have the kind of money we say we have, why don't bid for both? It would be a clear message to Europe. I know we need a technical gifted players like them and another physically more doted, but earlier July we could bid for any one, but right now it seems distant to that.

Barcelona I don't think will accept any offer now. 35-40mil might be interesting and worth a final shot. There are no offers "that you cannot refuse". Would we sell RVP right now for any offer? I don't think so.

Personally I think we are so desperately in need that we should consider offering a ridiculous 50mi.

Cesc needs to make it clear that he wants to leave and only then might Barcelona consider a move. That was exactly how we got RVP, Berbatov, Rooney etc in the past. They made it clear to their clubs that they wanted to leave and hence we knew it was only a matter of time before an offer is accepted.

Cesc seems to be more on the fence.

REDFAITH

30 Jul 2013 09:29:01
Fan of Torquay United and went to an open day
Alan Knill was there signing autographs.
Was talking to another fan about who we should get in as a striker and mentioned to the fan Tom Lawrence, in the Manchester United Yotuh. Despite the fact that Alan Knill was ten metres away talking to another fan, his ears soon picked up the name Tom Lawrence and he said "What a great player is. " I then asked if we were signing him and he had a small smile on his face and left it at that. He did say that it would come down to finances. If we can afford Krystian pearce's wages, Tom Lawrences will be nothing.

Perhaps a loan move?

Sydney!

30 Jul 2013 08:26:27
I've been watching some footage of Gundogan as I haven't really seen him before. I have to say he looks exactly what we need out of all the names coming up on the site. Does anyone Eds especially know if he is a possibility or just on the banter wish list like most of the names on here?

30 Jul 2013 07:09:42
What would you guys think if Moyes failed to sign any more players, promoted some of the younger players into the first team and then won the league in his first season?

Is the idea of signing stellar signings needed to justify us as the biggest club in the Premier League?

I'd love a big name signing like Bale or Ronaldo. Fabregas's would be good, however seeing the next bright things integrated and stepping upto the plate would be even better in my opinion.

30 Jul 2013 04:12:36
The next two weeks will be great for united fans in terms of transfers trust me. modric, baines

I would be over the moon with Modric & Baines. These players plus RvP and Carrick mixed with our younger lads will keep us plodding along for some years. These players will be the new Rio, Evra, Giggs etc etc.

Sydney!

30 Jul 2013 01:52:34
Morning lads

I know this is only a rumour but as this is a rumour I will put my opinion, tomorrow newspapers are claiming moyes who arrives back in England today is ready for business and top
Priority is Wayne Rooney and new bids for top transfer targets possibly being Baines fabregas and bale

Now bale looks Asif he wants a move to Madrid but moyes has said that united can compete with the likes of Madrid Monaco and Psg

Moyes needs new recruits we ain't a strong squad as we used to be fabregas and bale would improve the squad largely

I also believe cabaye modric ozil fellani would improve our squad I'm not saying go for all of these players but anyone of these players would help us

Come on moyes!

Bale will move to Madrid and Fabregas will stay put.

Rooney wants out and unfortunately nobody wants in.
Tough times ahead

I'm sure he is ready to do business but not for Bale. I like him but his heart seems set on Madrid and even if it wasn't the numbers being quoted are ridiculous.

Cabaye is a decent player but not Manchester United standard. Modric cannot hold the midfield together for me alongside Carrick.

Oezil is a very good player but he isn't a left wing type nor do I believe he is strong enough to hold the central position in the way we play. The best player you suggested but we would have to tinker to find a way to play him.

Fellaini when I have seen him is a handful up front but can he really play central midfield, has he the touch and the passing? Probably the best of the four you put forward for how we play but not top level. A good Glazer price at £22m though.

Many are showing signs of desperation

I will be controversial, when we bought Kagawa it seemed to me we didn't have a position for him in the system we play. Add to that he isn't strong enough for central midfield, wasted on the left, but he also plays in positions that restrict Rooney and possibly the development of Januzaj. I believe SAF may have bought him to attract and play him with Lewandowski, who of course is now going to Bayern.

Dortmund have openly said they are keen to have Kagawa back, well a swap for Gundogen would be good for me.

Then sort out the left side and that cannot be Nani.

Red Man

Cabaye isn't even close to being good enough for United, he's a very average player and Newcastle is his limit.

Simmo

Simmo

That is what I said

I don't believe Cabaye is anywhere near good enough

If we don't up our offer for Fabregas and we buy under £30m this summer then the only conclusion I can come to is that our owners have set a control limit, a ceiling. let's hope not

So we would only be willing to go to £30m for Ronaldo would we?

Each player will be valued at different prices Red Man.

It doesn't work that way. On top of the transfer fee there are several other costs.

Sydney!

If united have te financial power as moyes has put it why don't united make these world bids for players i. e bale ronaldo? I know its easier said than done but we are a global team and world class team but were just lacking the world class players

30 Jul 2013 00:21:39
Anyone else starting to get worried? {Ed007's Note - Nope. Zee's back!}

I've been worried for the past 2 seasons.
I think our luck is fast running out