Manchester United Banter Archive January 04 2014

 

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04 Jan 2014 23:20:33
According to tomorrows papers, moyes has said he will NOT be signing anyone in january, I really hope the headline isn't the real story.

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04 Jan 2014 22:33:23
Rodriquez salah ribeiro carvalho cabella Fernando konoplynka are realistic signing from smaller clubs the names been banded about aren't realistic like Vidal like reus ain't going to happen footballkeano

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04 Jan 2014 21:20:11
Not much happening in the window yet but there are options if we are bold. Chelsea would give us £20m plus Mata for Rooney.
We could play Kagawa in the hole, his best position.
We could probably get Vidal from Juve for £30 plus Nani.
Sell Anderson, Buttner and Young for £15m in total.
Buy Sandro or Moreno for £20m.
Buy Rakitic and Konoplyanka for £60m
Net outlay about £75m for a potentially fantastic team.
The possibility also exists of selling Hernandez for about £10m and recognising that Wellbeck would be back up for RVP.
I accept that Rooney has been good this season but there is an argument that he holds the team back. Just idle thoughts but what do people think? Alternative purchases could be Koke and Di Maria.

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I think for everyone's sake, yours included, its best to not get wound up in transfers that won't happen! You don't just offer a club X amount of money and expect to get the players you want. There's a lot more to transfers than that. It appears the club are working on an offer for Vidal. so focus on that for the time being.

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Some of this would be nice if you were playing Football manager but in the real world its not that easy, and to say there is an argument that Rooney holds the team back is even more fictional he drives us on and with better midfielders he would be even better, yes we need some new players and we do need to get rid of some dead wood but we should not have to sell to buy we are a massive club and the owners will have to spend big to keep us at the top we will have to take loses on the likes of Anderson and Nani

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I completely accept that we shouldn't have to sell before we buy. However, there are compelling reasons for selling at least three players, say Anderson, Nani and Young. First it would free up the numbers we are allowed in the squad and secondly it would be a sharp reminder to the rest of the squad that a certain standard is required otherwise they leave.
I think we can get Vidal and Contraeo in this window and that would be a start. Also not sure the issues around Rooney, his long term fitness and commitment, are resolved.

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04 Jan 2014 19:45:31
Well Koke played today and scored their winner. Doubt anything will happen with him and doubt the stories about having a delegation in spain negotiating. Teams generally don't play players who might be getting sold.

we can safely scratch him off I would say.

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Apparently he was questioned after the game about utd. he said utd? all I can say its a dream for many. can anyone confirm this?

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Dont know how credible some of ye find Ballache but he basically laughed at the idea of him joining United in Jan.

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04 Jan 2014 19:15:23
Delighted for Ole today and here's hoping he keeps up this progress.

I think his man management & motivational skills are excellent and players will raise their game as a result . Personally, I think this is the area where Moyes will struggle as he tries to manage the egos within the dressing room at Old Trafford.

Interesting to read the earlier post on Rooney and the difference in him this season to last. I think there's a lot more to this situation to the point SAF clearly had enough of him whereas with Moyes it is almost the opposite. As the previous poster suggests one wonders has this has impacted on the other players at Old Trafford?

Personally I am tiring of hearing about Rooney's future and if he wants out then let's get it sorted sooner rather than later and invest the money & effort into having players who want to play for us and commit their futures in doing so. During the next 18 months I can see more than 10 players leaving the club, a huge rebuilding project by any teams standards but whether Moyes is the person to both bring in and then manage the players we need remains to be seen.

The Glazers management of our finances remains the biggest concern and as our form dips our ability to remain a force within the transfer market is questionable and think that the club has a very interesting 12 months ahead.

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Same here, can't stand Pardoe. The only thing that is maybe not in our favor, is teams like Spurs, Newcastle are out of all domestic competition now and can focus on the league. Same goes for liverpool. We are besieged by injuries and in all competitions and the vole of games we have coming is quite substantial, which will not help when you are trying to push up the league table.

I do hope we buy some players from in January even if some are not household names. In reality we have a squad of 17 to 18 players and not 25.

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04 Jan 2014 18:14:05
dear all, I think we all need to get a grip on reality in this window. Firstly ED thanks for the breakdown on the various alleged transfer targets. However none will be coming. We will not be buying anybody in January. I would prefer to be wrong, but it isn't going to happen.

In the short term things will look bleak, no CL football next season as we will not be finishing in the top 4. David Moyes has a real job on his hands to rebuild this united team. It won't happen in one season as are owners are not known for spending the cash. look at how they run their NFL Franchise the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

To my mind we need to follow the lead of Barca in the late 1980's who realised that they could not compete with the likes of money rich Real Madrid. Go back and develop your youth set up, to genuinely bring forward the stars of the future. We haven't done so, despite all the guff you sometimes see here about our youth set up. Moyes has set up a great youth set up at Everton and it is developing quality players. This is where he needs to start, start with the youth set up and get it producing talent. Remember Pogba and Janujza where bought in at 16, we didn't develop them.

Stop looking for expensive mercenary signings and go back to our past. Clear out the deadwood, including Rooney and promote our youth. Yes it means no CL for awhile and maybe we just focus on Domestic cups for a while but it means we get players who have united in their blood and not just in their bank balance.

For those of you who weren't around pre the Premier League, this is the Manchester United way, the foundations were layed down by the Great Sir Matt.

United through thick or thin, not just because we win :-)

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Jesus mate what a Chrimbo your family must have had they must have been on suicide watch

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I agree with a lot of that Empty but I can't see anyone at OT, board, management, current top players, roo, Januzaj etc waiting that long. Bringing youngsters through can only happen with world stars helping them along as with Becks, Neville's etc. the truth is, we don't have enough class players.
I do feel SAF has rather left Moysie as deep in it as he could have, but to be fair, Moyes and Woodward had plenty of time to reinforce this squad.
Losing matches isn't the end of the world, it's the way we are losing. Back line react very slowly to danger, midfield can only play sideways, and forwards wait for through balls and crosses that never arrive.
We either buy a couple of class players now, or we write off the next few seasons and promote from the kids.

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We didn't develop januzaj and pogba? So wot were we doing with them at 16? We have coached and corrected a lot of Januzaj's and pogba game, the fact they are playing and competing at the top level is because of us!

Ure a right ray of sunshine ain't ya lol!
We will buy this window that i'm sure of wether its the level we are hoping for remains to be seen.

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That would be great except English players are generally not very good, which is why England doesn't win anything. Within the foreseeable future, there is no way any English club will win a major domestic or European trophy without serious investment in top international players. And without trophies and champions league football for an extended period, United's whole youth development, recruiting, marketing and financial structure of the club could disintegrate. There's a side of me that would like to see that happen if it were to result in forcing the Glazers to sell. The problems we are seeing are entirely down to them - and they would have been apparent earlier had it not been for the brilliance of SAF.

I know the financial collapse concept is not one that the Eds believe is a possibility, but revenues are tied to results, stock price is tied to revenues, and the ability to raise capital is tied to stock price. With an income reduction of 50m+ per year and debts still in the 350-400m range where is the 100-200m needed for new players going to come from?

Its a new world. Football is now a global branding business. The Busby way is gone.

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Peashooter

Agree, mate.
The pieces are all in place for a Liverpool-esque meltdown. How we handle the next 12months could be pivotal to the future of this club.

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04 Jan 2014 17:32:01
I can't believe some people are saying we shouldn't go for some players only because they won't be able to play for us in CL.

Given the current squad does anyone here think that we have a realistic chance of winning the CL?

Call me a pessimist, a negative minded person but I can't see us beating the Bayerns the Barcas the Reals of this world over two legs.

Our main target has to be top 4 & maybe FA or COC but we cannot let good available players(if there are any) slip through our hands just because they can't play in CL.

The thought of us not qualifying for CL scares me.

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I agree Mumbai Boy

Winning the CL would just paper over the cracks anyway. It would be bitter sweet doing a Chelsea this season, can't see it either. I don't think the Glaziers need much encouragement to delay spending, so winning the CL and finishing 6th in the league would be terrible for us fans in many ways, but incredible for the Glaziers.

We need to start building for 15/16 season now, next 1.5 years are to restructure.

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Winning the Champions league may well prove to be our only chance of playing in the competition next year (something which is potentially worth £70m to the club) and so I do think we should do our best to do so.

Generally speaking I would not want the club to settle for a second rate player for the sake of them being able to play in the Champions League. I would, however, rather we prioritised positions where our targets could play in the champions league in this window.

I think it's optimistic hoping that we will sign 2 first team players this window let alone the five we need. As we need 2 cm's I'd rather we got Vidal now rather than one of Gundogan and Koke who could be signed in the summer.

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Rooney Must Go

Why do you think not qualifying for the CL would be incredible for the Glaziers?

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PR - you misunderstood my post. If we win the CL the Glaziers will see that as reason not to spend as much as is needed we have a "good enough" team to win the CL, will be their rationale/excuse.

If we don't win the CL and finish 6th if will be a nightmare for the Glaziers as they either have to spend big or see their asset dwindle.

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Rooney must go,
U honestly think the Glazers are just looking for an excuse not to spend? Come on lol they i'm sure will spend but its the senior figures working day in day out at the club that will determine if we sign players, the Glazers i'm sure will spend if asked for a player, I just hope Moyes has targes lined up and ain't gone into this window amateurish again.

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04 Jan 2014 17:23:06
Son of Sir Matt has just introduced a concept which I feel strongly about. If you are Mr. Short Term, or Mrs. Believe the Commentators, then no need to read further, I will save you the enlightenment, which you will no doubt endeavour to pick fault with anyway so don’t waste your time.

This is already an essay, but I could write a lot more. Thanks if you bother to read.

Rooney is the primary reason for our poor results this season, without a shadow of a doubt. He may seem like the man who tries the hardest, the guy who has that magic in his locker and the only player that any top 6 club would sign from us (currently fit). However it is an illusion and a lot of people have been suckered in. Apparently, Rooney is our talisman, if he doesn’t play we don’t play, it is ridiculous – we may not have too much X-Factor if he doesn’t play, but we do win ugly or used to at least.

I look forward to watching us play every game, despite knowing we will be boring to watch and our only attacking outlet of note will be Rooney – I am a sucker for it like most fans, we rave about Januzaij and a fit RVP, but mostly we all want to see Rooney on our team sheet for that special something, if he is missing we are fearful and don’t the media let us know it. It is all delusion, if you swapped Rooney for Gerrard, or Lampard in a Utd shirt it would be the same articles written, English players the figure heads of the top teams in England. They are trying hard with Wilshere & Walcott at Arsenal, but it isn’t quite going to happen!

He treated our club like dirt a few seasons ago with the contract and last summer was identical, but that is personal and every man deserves to do what’s best for him, my major gripe isn’t about that as such, but the repercussions of that past and what it has led to.

Now we aren’t sure if he will be with us in 18 months and the current signs are that over the next 6 months a “clever” plan will be actioned, which will mean he leaves in the Summer due to the “club not meeting his expectations”, that would be my guess anyway. Fans will be annoyed but ultimately a man has to do what’s best for him! Not in this case though, we need to keep our memories and realise this is all one big money making game and Rooney is better out than in as far as I see it!

He played second fiddle to RVP last season and we walked the league, granted we played badly for a lot of the season, but by hook or by crook we won those games that we currently lose or draw. The key reason for our immediate decline is that Rooney has destroyed all team spirit that made us great. Yes we can blame the change of manager, but SAF was more of a figure head toward the end and everyone was calling for Phelans head last season anyway, I would rather Moyes than Phelan, so I don’t buy it. Yes Fellaini has been a flop thus far, but hasn’t Kagawa, Nani, Anderson and Young been worse over previous seasons?! Yes our competition has gotten stronger, but have they really – City have spent a fortune and only really added a couple of squad players and Chelsea are always the same. The only real change is the players at our club are one year older and Rooney is now top man, when he was heading for the exit until SAF retired.

In years gone by, generally we have had better players than our rivals, but gradually we have more and more squad players or ageing players replacing world class stars and our rivals catch up and take over in the case of City & Chelsea (Arsenal, Liverpool & Tottenham are pretty much neck and neck now imo). The key ace card was our team spirit, the UTD CLASS, the aura we have, which is now horrifyingly evaporating. Just like it did for Liverpool during the 90’s.

What happened last season was SAF realised Rooney had reached his sell by date and understood he was playing off his reputation and ability to pull the very very occasional rabbit from a hat. First chance SAF had, he replaced him with RVP, a newcomer to the club who replaced our talisman with no hint of regret and we didn’t miss him one iota. Everyone wanted a midfielder, but we signed another striker that would put Hernandez and Welbeck further back, but in fairness who could turn down RVP, sheer quality, especially when we can now see what SAF could see, if we dare to open our eyes that is.

This summer in steps Moyes – Rooney’s PR machine in overdrive, he either gets Rooney in the team or not only does Rooney leave to join a key rival, but the fans/media will be after blood. With SAF gone and Moyes looking like a poor-mans replacement, our young starlets future in the air (Janujaz) and now even our best players are off to pastures new given half a chance, it looks bleak. Well not exactly, Rooney was surplus to requirements by our great SAF and by the body language the rest of the players and whilst Janujaz looks promising, he is not anywhere near the finished article obviously and it was only the Pogba fiasco that made this story bigger than it was.

However under the media & PR pressure, Moyes has tried his utmost to keep Rooney, he makes him captain now and then, demands the team play through Rooney, yields to the players demands for freedom and most importantly allows the one unique selling point we had over our rivals to be destroyed over night. We have lost our team spirit - bad behaviour/poor performance has been rewarded for the first time in living memory of our club and the old pros have lost heart.

Senior pro’s are clearly disgusted with the double standards that have been afforded to Rooney. Players that rarely made mistakes, always tracked back, always cared now seem to be going through the motions, mistakes happen more often and despite it being a season on, a drop off in effort like this doesn’t happen at Utd over a pre-season (look at Giggs). Somebody like SAF demands respect and Moyes isn’t quite the same, but these guys being managed are seasoned pros, they wouldn’t suddenly not care, they have their own legacy’s to take care of and Moyes is a passionate manager who they would listen to ordinarily.

They don’t care because overnight they have seen a player who typically would be out the door, (McGrath, Stam, Beckham, Keane, Ince, etc), be seemingly rewarded for being a mercenary. Rooney has undermined everything that our club has stood for since we were all born, his wages were the only reason he didn’t go last summer in my opinion. We can’t blame Rooney as an individual he tries on the pitch, does well, consistently one of our better players to those wanting to see it, but at what cost? He changes the way the team play, he is too intrical to our game and delivers too little for the way our team needs to play in this current age. We are not good enough to have a player like Wayne Rooney in our team, he doesn’t fit anymore, he disrupts the whole system – Mata at Chelsea.

We are unfortunate as it is a perfect storm - a club in transition, an over-hyped media, a short-term support base (typically Asia, Africa & US – Rooney is our figurehead), over reliance on global sponsorship deals and an ageing squad that haven’t the stomach to fight any longer as they frankly don’t deserve to play most weeks now and realise the foundations the club has been built on aren’t half as important as they used to be – Short Term Thinking like society in general.

As a result of all of this coming together, Rooney is in the miraculous position of being able to hold our club to ransom yet again and further dictate the whole way we play, formation, signings maybe if today’s news is anything to go by, etc. He dominates our games because the lads are told to feed him, he runs around like a kid in a playground – but what does he deliver for all this focus and attention, he has scored a few freekicks and generally looked our best player to the naked eye, but is that too hard this season especially when 99% of the game goes through you?

People are going to say he is the only player that has fight, only one that looks like scoring, only one that should be in the team guaranteed. But he is holding up everything, he isn’t good enough to be the Messi of Man Utd, he is not a Suarez of Liverpool, he is an above average player who happens to be English and at a club in transition and he is holding that process up. I hope he goes this month so we can move on and start to build a team and formation that will work long term and not just to pacify the short term.

Despite Rooney’s obvious ability it was no more than 2 years ago that the talk was of Messi/Ronaldo then Rooney being the best 3 players in the world. Where is he now, despite him being (apparently) our best performer? He wouldn’t be in the top 30 players people would sign, maybe 50. That is some decline in just a couple of years.

The first response apart from abuse may be “So sell our best player” – Yes is my answer, because it’s a big illusion, it’s Stockholm syndrome. He is our best but worst player and we need to move on, because his best isn’t good enough to be the best at Manchester United and we have always had superstars to cover the burden, we don’t now so we need to start from scratch.

Thanks for sticking with me and I hope you can watch a Utd game with the sound off and see how much he gets of the ball and how little is actually created, because he isn’t where he should be and picks the wrong option time and time again. But I do love those raking cross field balls to Valencia time and time again, so accurate – shame he is the one making them when we are stuck with a little Pea and 4 defenders in the box and it ends up coming to nothing! Probably to a lot of people it’s Valencia’s fault for not picking out the pea amongst the haystack!

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Well worth taking the time to read interesting take on the state of our club

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I actually thought that was a well constructed essay mate. Unfortunately it was full of snippets of fact grossly distorted to suit your theory. I am sure some will agree with part of it, like your perception of Rooney holding the club to ransom, but to blame our best and most influential player (so far this season) for our poor form doesn't make sense to me. Interesting read though.

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Well I have to say that is a fairly comprehensive post. I agree with you, in your assessment of Rooney. He has no intention of signing a new contract and he will be off to Chelsea in the summer, why do you think Jose isn't buying a striker in January, because he knows Rooney is coming to the Bridge. I see the Rooney position similar to that of Roy Keane at the end of his United Career. Being selected but not truly contributing to the team. He plays for himself, never for us. After all who can forget - Once a blue always a blue.

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A good read in my eyes, but people know my feelings about Rooney. He has looked the best of a very bad bunch this season, but hasn't done a great deal even so. As I have always said he is no number 10, no target man and no CM, so where does he fit in? I get slated for saying it but it's what I see week in week out. Poor first touch, poor short passing, lots of huff and puff and not that much end product unfortunately. He may have played us for fools again, only time will tell.

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Interesting read. I would say, if we had a balanced team with good midfielders then it would be an easier discussion in terms how important he is to the team. On current form he is our most influential player and very much needed.

Given the state of our midfield he drops back very deep and picks up the ball and people applaud him for doing that.

There is an argument to be had, where is the number 10 when he is doing that and no question we do not have enough numbers coming into the box and the link up play further up the field suffers for it since he has vacated where you would generally want your number 10.

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I would just like to add, despite my comments about Rooney being our best player this season, I totally agree that if the player continues in refusing to commit to the club, then he should be sold.

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One last thing. I do believe the owners and Fergie are responsible for the current dilemma we have With Rooney.

To my knowledge we have never relied on any single player even though we have had many of great players at this club. The last 5 years of generally not investing at a level required for a club of our size has increased his profile and importance to the club and no question about us relying on him.

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Appreciate the time you've taken to write up this piece and, without sounding smart, there's a link at the top to the conspiracy site run by some of the Eds because I believe that's where this post belongs. Rooney attracts admiration and criticism from the folks on this page, but to say he is ''the primary reason for our poor results this season'' is absolute crap.

I'll throw a few numbers at you first, we've scored 52 goals this season (including the community shield). Rooney has been responsible (goals and assists) for at least 20, he's scored 11 and has at least 9 assists, though I think it could be more. let's take Rooney's goals (not even going into the assists) out of some of the matches he's scored in. Stoke in October becomes a 2-2 draw, Cardiff in November becomes a 2-1 loss, Spurs in December becomes a 2-0 loss, Hull on Boxing day becomes a 2-2 draw. Without Rooney's goals in those matches we would have lost points. He's received 7 yellow cards. to me that hints at how he's become quite adept at breaking up opposition play.

To say that he wouldn't be in the top 30, maybe 50, of players people would sign is, frankly, misguided and stupid. He would walk into Chelsea, Arsenal, Spurs and perhaps even Liverpool. He's on par, if not better, than Madrid or Bayern's strikers. His versatility to play in the 9 or 10 role would have most, if not all, top European clubs looking for his signature.

''The lads are told to feed him''. were you in the dressing room when Moyes said this? Or perhaps it's just because the players recognize what Rooney can offer. RVP said last season how much he enjoyed linking up with him, but I suppose the word of one the finest strikers in the 21st century isn't good enough?

It's clear that you don't like Rooney. but you don't offer any evidence as to why he's apparently the cause for our poor form so far. A lot of opinion, conjecture and conspiracy talk. but no facts. Facts are saying how Chelsea have lost when Mata has started, or we have lost when Vidic and Rio are the CB partnership. Calm down and maybe watch a game with the sound on. you might hear the chants of the supporters sticking by the season's most consistent performer.

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Well done you have won the worse post of the year by the 4 Jan. There are 10 worse players in our starting 11 than rooney. Should we a, buy better players or, get rid of our best player.
Cleverly, GIGGS, Carrick nani etc, let's get rid of rooney

Brendan you have said many times rooney isn't a number 10? But kags is, how has kags impressed you so far this season

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Andy - Rooney has 19 assists and 11 goals. He has scored or created 60% of our goals. (Just backing your point up). Imagine he had 4 in one game against Bayer Lev.

Brendan - Lack of end product? Well its his end product that has us lying in 7th and the 2nd round of the UCL. Without his "end product" we would be in the bottom 3. That is a fact mate.

Rooney Must Go - Mate I am all for constructive discussions about Wayne, Shahram can attest. But your post my friend is absolutely bitter and even though well articulated, it couldn't be farther from the truth. Very poor mate!

Deeps.

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Great write up, mate. Just wish I'd written something as comprehensive earlier today. I said in the summer that he should go as I honestly don't see a way in which united can develop and evolve with him in the team. This season has been a shocker and Moyes is under real pressure, which is why it would be difficult to make such a bold move.

For me he is the reason that Kagawa has flopped and he is the reason that united are being forced into playing an incredibly slow, stale and stagnant brand of football. Things need to change and that won't happen with Rooney as the Talisman.

This is really the sort of debate we should all be having over a few pints, isn't it?

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{Ed004's Note - I will also stick my neck out and feel we should be looking to replace him. Not this window but within next 3-4 windows he should be gone. And I will stick my neck out again and say I still think we need a replacement for him even though Kagawa is here. I feel the signing of Kagawa and attempted signing of Fabregas was to replace Rooney. I think at the moment in time we need a whole new midfield, 2 cm's (possibly 3 if Rooney sold) and two wingers. Nani, young, Anderson should all be sold leaving Cleverley, Carrick, Fellaini as midfield back ups. Though that's 5 signings over 3-4 windows would love 1-2 this window}

Wether you agree with the post or not deep down you know rooney won't be here next season

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Thanks for the feedback good and bad. It's definitely a debate to be had over a pint and no doubt SAF was having similar discussions with his advisers last season. It was clear Rooney was heading for the door and SAF knew when to sell a player.

Stats are great - but if you have the same player dominating the ball for a team like Utd then he is going to assist and score a lot compared to the rest of the players in the team. Stats don't make sense for this argument as they can't show if I am right or wrong, this is all just opinion hence being on a "Banter" website. I am saying we would be better without him over a period, not in the odd game here and there.

We can all quote what players say, but RVP clearly doesn't look happy and there is definitely not a great bond between the two in my opinion - he was maybe just being professional in his response about enjoying playing with Rooney, but it is not a marriage made in heaven.

If you were to list the best 30 players in the world, I very much doubt Rooney would feature on most peoples list (unbiased and knowledgeable people). 2 years ago he would be very high up on most peoples lists. Obviously most teams would sign him if they could, but it would be a Torres, Shevchenko, Crespo to Chelsea type deal and mainly for the Sponsorship etc it would attract. I like the pattern of has-beens going to Chelsea though and I think we will see it in the summer.

On another note with Kagawa, it would be interesting to work out how much we make from Japan - that may have a bearing on whether he stays or goes. Out with Park, in with Kagawa, not a coincidence, we need to keep Asia interested.

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I'd be incredibly surprised if he was at Old Trafford in September. Just hope a foreign team puts a decent bid in for him.

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Jred - anyone with eyes can see that Kagawa is a number 10, just because we don't currently have any players who are on his wavelength doesn't mean he isn't and Rooney is Kagawa hasn't excelled but he hasn't really been allowed to with the players we have and everything being directed through Rooney.

Deeps - with the amount of the ball that Rooney gets at United we should be seeing a lot more from him than we are. Yes he is our best goal scorer and assist maker but how could he not be???

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Brendan - What does lot more form him mean? He is the highest assist getter from the top 5 leagues in Europe. I don't quite understand wht you mean to say here. With sh!t/zero service from our non-existent midfield, he has clocked up world class stats. If we has a proper functional midfield, he would do even better. He is leading the way from the Oezil's and Mata's and Silva's of the league. That is saying something. Our play goes through him because he is our BEST player. that's rather simple, not because Moyes is asking our players to give the ball to him.

Rooney Must Go - Mate if you do not consider stats important for a AM/Second striker, then I am afraid you are completely missing the point. Its end product that matters and 30 goals scored/created halfway through the season is sensational. Not his fault, that half of our first 11 are passengers. I do not believe Robin has a problem with Rooney whatsover. He may have a thing or two to say about SAF retiring or Moyes' training methods(i am not convinced). If he has a problem with Rooney hoggin the limelight, good riddance. He has only been here for a season and if its tantrum time for him, I couldn't give a damn. I sincerely hope that's not the case.

Deeps.

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04 Jan 2014 15:41:23
The Telegraph highlighted this morning that £220million had been wiped off the club's stock market valuation in a month.
The share price has dropped more than 12 per cent from £10.68 to £9.36 since Dec 6 - despite share index where the club is listed enjoying a two per cent per cent overall rise in that time. The total valuation of the club was £1.75 billion on Dec 6, it had dropped to £1.53 billion during morning trading in New York and the loss in value since early December has coincided with the team's inability to break into the top four.
This should focus the owners on the need to invest in their business and the importance of finishing in the top four. Whilst our business model can survive finishing outside the top four for a year it would almost certainly give the owners a rough ride on the market and their asset value would be affected.
Let's hope Moyes pushes them and chooses the right players, then he knows what the target is.

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Its a catch 22 situation. Would live the glazers to lose out and sell up and go back to USA, but that means the club will be in a bad state for a couple of years, and non of us want to see that.

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To be honest the shares are expensive given the earnings and have a premium built in to them because of who we are.

Given the fact that only a small percentage is floated and the Glazers have not lost any money unless:

1.They were planning on an additional float

2. Are trying to sell the club

Like all financial instruments or even brick and mortar, you only realize the loss or profit if there is a transaction which in this case there is none. If I am not mistaken they don't actually own any of the shares that is publicly trading which are nonvoting shares to start with.

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04 Jan 2014 15:17:32
Vidal might be the answer to a lot of our questions but I can't help but feel we still need a winger that can cross a ball. Even if we changed to sleep 4231 with inverted wingers we will need to use a full winger that can cross as back up and give us another dimension. 2 players are a must in this window if you ask me.

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With Young/Nani/welbeck on the left and Janusaj on the right we do have inverted wingers. and we play every kind of formation at various points in a game with players switching around. All this stuff about inverted, traditional is football manager stuff and it is about the quality of the players. City are leading the league and scoring bucket loads playing a traditional model most games or at least with one inverted and one traditional winger.

We do not have good wingers and guys like Gaitan and Dimaria who people question are a significant upgrade to what we have.

I do realize this might not be a popular statement but ashley young is probably the most complete of them all when you consider, crossing, shooting, dribbling and passing ability. Unfortunately it is a rare thing when he is on form (excluding janusaj as he is too young and still developing).

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{Ed004's Note - I think Nani on form is the best of a bad bunch}

Ed004

Nani on form will score a great goal but his tactical awareness and his defensive ability puts him behind ashley young for me.

He will always make some horrendous and poor decisions in the game. I don't know if you remember but he has already cost us 2 points by trying that stupid shot from the byline when we were leading with 30 seconds to go and ended conceding the equalizer.

He is definitely not bright and thick as sh…t you can't teach him that LOL (did the same against Chelsea in the league cup last year).

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{Ed004's Note - yeah I understand he lack intelligence but if he was consistent he would be by far the best winger}

Ed004

I was watching clips from united's greatest 100 goals and Nani is in there with few crackers. Unfortunately they are all from 3 or 4 years ago and not sure what has happened to the player that promised so much.

If Juve want him, I say let them have him if it makes the Vidal deal happen or more viable.

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I don't see how anyone can put Young above nani at all. However having to rely on either is Suicide. As Ed004 stated Nani on his day is one of the best in the world, My words not his. He can tear teams apart with his ability going forward. However his day is few and far between and given our frailties at the LB you can see why our Left is exploited week in week out.

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Jrobbm

Well I do. I think Nani is surplus more than young as young is better playing on the left and nani on the right flank is not required given we have valencia and Janusaj.

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Young is Terrible. I mean on a good day he is below Par. He never EVER lived up to the hype about him. He can take on a man. Yes. What does he do with it? he can not Cross for Toffee. Only thing he is good at is going down like a sack of Spuds. Last few games he has not looked as bad as usual, but I fear that is more due to how poor we Looked as a team.

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Young gets in the side before Nani for me. The fact that neither of them are good enough for United is another matter. Nani has had at least 3 seasons too many at United.

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04 Jan 2014 15:12:53
Anyone else not given a thought about a cheeky bid for Lucas? I know he chose PSG over us, but he could provide that much needed pacey, skilful attacking threat from the wings

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04 Jan 2014 15:07:35
Is anyone else suprised at the lack of transfer movement so far, and that's not just with our club but in football in general?

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Not really. 4 days into a January transfer, FA cup weekend and the World Cup year. I expect the loan moves to be sorted first. can't see any big signings until at least the 10th.

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It is always a difficult window and the world cup makes it even more challenging this year. I think you either have to pay over the odds or get lucky where a player is desperate to leave and wants to come to us.

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Lack of Transfer activity is due to one thing - We won't be getting anybody in January. Moyes stated as much before the Spurs game.

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04 Jan 2014 13:26:15
Given we have players seemingly not in Moyes long term plans and also wishing to play regular first team football to enhance their World Cup chances what do folk think about potential cash + player deals below:

Nani + £30m to Juve for Vidal
Hernandez + £15m to Atletico for Koke
Kagawa + £25m to Dortmund for Gundogan

I'm assuming the above named potential recruits would all cost £35-40m.

That's 3 midfielders who could take us to a world class level in exchange for in essence 3 bit part players and £70m.

That's £70m that will pale into insignificance if we finish outside the Top 4.

Seems highly likely Rooney may not stay unless we at least invest in the squad. Whilst he's held the club to ransom in the past for his own fiscal gain he could actually hold the club to ransom now, ie stall on a new contract, for the greater club of the club.

Don't see it happening but a man can, and indeed needs to dream!

Dear Santa, I know it's late but.

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04 Jan 2014 13:53:57
Nani + £30m to Juve for Vidal
Hernandez + £15m to Atletico for Koke
Kagawa + £25m to Dortmund for Gundogan

If things were as easy to post. I would have bought Ronaldo.
Rooney + 60 mill

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Attitude your response is a bit childish seeing as first of all Rooney plus 60m is nowhere near enough Madrid have no reason to sell and Ronaldo has no intention to leave.

Granted it is not as simple as Halesini stated but they are at least realistic as opposed to your ridiculous response.

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Halesini

I would love to see that happen and agree the players are fringe players and what we would get in return is like dreamland:)

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We can all dream. I would love to see us get Diego Costa as well.

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04 Jan 2014 17:40:42
Devil.

That was a Joke mate.

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Helesini if we did sign those 3 how would you like to see us line up?

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{Ed004's Note - I'd go for those 3 in midfield sell Rooney to finance a move for two proper wingers who will contribute. All three of those midfielders are very dangerous going forward.}

Thanks ed04. That is what I was getting at. Signing those 3 would mean Rooney not playing in his preferred position if he is still here come next season. Going for rues instead of gundogan would give the team more balance. To be honest Vidal in now and an agreement for koke to arrive in the summer would be fantastic. By then we would now if Rooney was staying or going. If gone I would keep kags to play infront of Vidal and Koke and then look at wider players. A lb in now would be nice too.

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04 Jan 2014 12:32:02
Ed002, with MU having an interest in Vidal, but him being a little too pricey, couldn't the club offer Nani as a sweetener in a deal for him? If someone could choose the perfect midfielder for what we need, Vidal would be it. So at least the club are on the right track. We just need to pay what is needed to get the right player and I think Vidal is that player. I know you do not like discussing money, but in your opinion would Vidal be a more costly purchase than Herrera?

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{Ed002's Note - Yes that might be an option - and yes.}

I have to imagine there's other factors at play here aside from just the amount. Ed002 mentioned how agreeing a fee might be more difficult than people think, I assume this has got to do with things like agent fees etc rather than the actual valuation of the player. Perhaps I'm wrong! Syd I think Vidal would be rightfully costlier than Herrera. but I assume you're just trying to get an idea of just how much costlier ;)

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Just posted something similar Syd.
Could Nani at last have some true worth? ;)

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@Sydney!

There is just one problem with using Nani in the deal, i.e that he has picked up a "serious hamstring injury" as Moyes described it, so that could be a stumbling block.

I read somewhere today that "Vidal is not a midfielder, he is the whole midfield."

I think that sums him perfectly. He would be the ideal player for us right now, and with Juve out of the UCL could also play in the Champions League.

The price is an issue, but if the club can pull this one off it would be one of the best signings of the season. I have said in the past that we try to sign one too many in a transfer window and have lower valuations and perhaps an approach of just one target per window and a higher valuation would work?

We also need a winger and a left back just as much as a midfielder imo.

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He won't be able to play in the UCL, as he's already competed in it for Juventus.

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Plymouth as Juve went out of the competition if and its a big if we were to sign Vidal then he could play for us in it. The rules state that a team can play one player in the second half of the competiton who has appeared in the competition for one side already as long as that players previous club are no longer involved in the competition.

So as Juve went out to Gala, then he could play for us. But getting him to sign is a whole different matter.

Juve supposedly have an interest in both Nani and RvP, if it came down to it would people accept losing RvP in exchange for Vidal?

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Plymouth, you are incorrect my friend.

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Who cares about CL this season. We are not going to win it. But we need to get into top four and we need Vidal, koke a LB and possibly a CB just to make top four in my opinion.

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He can indeed play in the champions league I believe as Juventus are out and we are still in the competition plus I think I am right in saying it does not count as being cup tied because he only played in group stages and not knockout round

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Nomid

With a Vidal and good left back, I would not write us off in CL competition mate. If our front line is healthy we can beat anyone if we could get the right players in this window.

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Shappy

That is one step forward and 2 back IMO(losing RVP). I know this might not go down well but he is for me a much better striker than Rooney when fit and deadly like Suarez and Aguero.

Let's hope we get Nani in the deal and get it done. I am thinking it will be 30-35 million plus nani maybe. There are also rumors Juve is looking at Midfielders, so maybe that is an indication that there might be some substance to this if we can agree on a fee.

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Eh Syd we all get things wrong time to time mate, just like your prediction of Suarez leaving for under £35M ;)

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04 Jan 2014 12:08:49
Is it just me or do Man United have an inordinate number of late Sunday kick offs? They seem to be every couple of games these days? I live in work in Korea and Mondays are hell if stay up for them. Just wondering.

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04 Jan 2014 11:58:28
This will be controversial I know, but I think Rooney is the problem, not the solution. He has been playing well this year, but I think he's preventing United from evolving. With him and RVP in the team Moyes has to play 4-4-2/ 4-4-1-1. Or you play him deeper where he isn't as influential and just pings balls wide to our ineffective wingers. Without him it would be easier to play a much more fluid formation 4-5-1/ 4-2-3-1/ 4-3-3/ 4-3-2-1. All of these formations possible with the same starting 11.

Sell Rooney, sign 2 quality central midfielders to play with Carrick. Shinji & Janujaz off RVP. Control midfield, keep possession with quick passing and start scoring more goals from all over the pitch.

Just a theory.

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Dont you think the problem is then with "ineffective wingers"?

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LOL . M laughing my ass up here . U want to sell the same player which is the main source of goals in our team . the only player who can change the game anytime . I feel sad that being a striker he is the one who runs backwards to collect pass from defenders. RIP to your logic mate

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May I call you Sandy?

So whilst the team is struggling you want to sell our best player and btw our only player other teams have shown any interest in?

Rooney has proved on countless occasions over the last 10 years that he can effectively adapt his game to many different formations.

I say we should try to keep our best players, Rooney and RVP and try to mould what we have with hopefully a couple of additions around them. I know RVP has had injury issues this season but maybe that was down to the new backroom staff and just maybe they all learn from their mistakes?

Imo we have not added enough new faces to the squad over the last four years thus, our oppenents know too much abourt us, Kagawa was bought in but as yet has been mainly ineffective.

The failure to refresh our attacking opptions has lead the the likes of Carrick, Vidic, Evra and Ferdinand being exposed to pace.

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Worst theory ever, we do need a few players but not at the expense of our best get rid of the wasters Anderson, Nani and co and then sign the players we need

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04 Jan 2014 13:29:57
Rooney is a class player. But he loose himself way too often and that effect his performance. He is also at an astonishing wage. and its pitty we are playing a striker as ACM.
40 mill. and I would drive him personally.

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04 Jan 2014 13:30:44
The Only Club who would sign ANDERSON AND YOUNG would be Manchester United RESERVE.

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Sell Rooney? I've heard it all now.
Also, you're forgetting one small thing, rvp seems to be permanently injured this season.
If anything, we need to sell hernandez and get Diego Costa or do a swap plus cash with athletico.

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Son of Matt - Spot on mate, I will write why in a moment.

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04 Jan 2014 11:16:04
Eds or posters, does anyone know for sure where we are in terms of our 25 man squad? I think we still need to sell, or at least remove personnel from the 25 man squad before we can add to it. Am I right in thinking under 21's do no count in the 25 as long as we still have at least 8 "home grown" ( as deemed by the PL) players in the 25? Even with the likes of Bebe and Macheda out on loan I still think we have our full quota, but I may be wrong. Hopefully someone can confirm or correct this.

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{Ed002's Note - A club may have up to a maximum of 17 non HG players over 21 and then my bolster the squad with HG players over 21 to fill up the 25 man squad. Under 21s are exempt from this.}

Cheers Ed, I think that pretty much as I thought. Do you know if we have our full "quota", and need to sell before we buy? I thought we had a full 25, but also thought I heard Ben Amos ( one of the 25) went out on loan.

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{Ed002's Note - I would need to check - but why don't you do it and let everyone know?}

Fair do's ed. From what I can find it would appear that we do have a full 25. Ben Amos was one of them but went to Carlisle on loan, but I think that ended on 1st Jan? The likes of Henriques etc are out on loan but being under 21 don't count anyway, like like Januzaj who is obviously still here. So it would appear that we do need to sell before we can buy, as I can't see the club dropping players like Anderson from the squad without selling them or loaning them our due to their wages.

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25-man squad list (player name and whether they are 'home grown')

De Gea Quintana, David (No)
De Abreu Oliveira, Anderson Luis (No)
Amos, Benjamin Paul (Yes)
Carrick, Michael (Yes)
Cleverley, Thomas William (Yes)
Lindegaard, Anders Rozenkrantz (No)
Hernandez Balcazar, Javier (No)
Evans, Jonathan Grant (Yes)
Evra, Patrice Latyr (No)
Ferdinand, Rio Gavin (Yes)
Giggs, Ryan Joseph (Yes)
Almedia the Cunha, Luis Carlos (No)
Smalling, Christopher (Yes)
Valencia Mosquera, Luis Antonio (No)
Rooney, Wayne Mark (Yes)
Vidic, Nemanja (No)
Welbeck, Daniel (Yes)
Young, Ashley Simon (Yes)
Van Persie, Robin (No)
Kagawa, Shinji (No)
Pereira the Silva, Rafael (Yes)
Pereira the Silva, Fabio (Yes)
Buttner, Alexander (No)
Fletcher, Darren Barr (Yes)
Fellaini Bakkioui, Marouane (No)

The chances of Anderson, Nani, Buttner, Fabio, Amos, Young and Hernandez all being at the club come the end of January seem slim. I'd expect at least 3 to leave in some way (loan or permanent).

Ideally we will see Nani, Ando, Young and Buttner leaving with Vidal, Koke, Mangala and Ribeiro coming in.

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We don't have any problem with home grown. Since De Gea, Evra, Lindeegard, Chicharito, Vidic, Anderson, Nani, RVP, Valencia, Shinji, Buttner, Fellaini, that would make it 12.
And rest of Evans, Ferdi, Smalling, Rafael, Fabio, Young, Carrick, Giggs, Cleverly, Rooney, Welbz, Fletcher, Ben Amos. That make is it 13.

By the end of January we have to submit any change to the squad. The only way we can bring in players in January is if we send players on loan.

Most likely Ben Amos will be extending his loan for the remainder of the season. Since Carlisle united are waiting for approval for the extension of loan.
If I have to name someone else it would be Fabio. Unless we get a Left back, we can not let Buttner on loan. Obviously there is Macheda whose loan has ended but still decisions to be made since he will take a space if he is to come back.

Most likely if we send Fabio on loan, we can get 2 INs, if not there is only one spot for transfer INs.

I don't think we will sell players unless we are sure that we are getting our targets(if targets are sorted out at first place).

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REd

You have missed Phil Jones

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So to answer the original question, yes we need to move players on before we can add to the squad.

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Phil Jones does not need to be registered in the 25 man squad as he was under 22 at the start of the season.

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04 Jan 2014 10:20:34
Jonny Evans stated in the press that we must get back to basics at OT and first and foremost defend. He is spot on. Our recent home defeats have not been all bad performances however we have been defensively naïve. I read all MUFC posts with interest because I like others opinion, whether I agree or not.

What is blindingly obvious and concerns me greatly is we have needed to invest in midfield for several years and have failed to attract the quality and quantity required. We have let young midfielders leave for various reasons and this has compounded the problem. To me it is a glaring failure and issue, if we do not strengthen in midfield now we will not finish in the top 4 and that could trigger a whole load of medium to long term pain. I could not give a monkeys if a player is cup tied because number 1 priority is your league position and we must finish in the top 4 year in year out to continue to enjoy the success we have enjoyed recently. You get more cup opportunities, more dosh and more exposure if you finish in the top 4 and you attract better players, simple and straightforward.

Evra has been a great servant however on top of the above he now creates us a problem. Great going forward poor at getting back, defensively he is our weak link and is being targeted by every team we play.

I am not a PL manager nor can I predict the lottery numbers. What I can see is we need proper, professional hungry midfielders who want to play for this great club like yesterday! Plus, if we do not replace Evra now we will continue to be soft and leak goals.

I predict if we react to the above and bring in the right midfield reinforcements and a left back we can finish in the top 4, do nothing and we are banjaxed.

Happy New Year to you all and everyone who supports MUFC, the next half of the season will be interesting!

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04 Jan 2014 10:05:58
I watched the spurs game again yesterday and I will stand by my assessment we played much better than them and the watching it again the ref had a howler and not just the Young decision and Janusaj did not dive and was bumped.

BTW does anyone know who were the commentators as they could not be more anti united and I believe they do influence the common mans opinion by how they call a game.

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Totally agree mate the last 20 min was like watching united of old how spurs came out of that match with 3 points I will never know.
I have noticed this season there have been some shocking reffing displays in our games makes you wonder that all the refs SAF rubbed up the wrong way are getting their own back lol.
and I still think 1 defeat in 7 is not that bad a return over this period.

Everyone knew that teams would drop points over this period but it just seems this season that every point dropped is literally the end of the world.Sir Alex lost games too and all was not always rosy under his leadership.

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Yes your correct a couple of chances also fell to Vidic when you wanted them to fall to 1 of the forwards. I'm more than convinced we will be alright as the foundations are there and we have a young core of some good players and promising youngsters add that to some big signings over next couple of windows and we will be ok.

Problem Moyes has had is firstly he hasn't inherited a great squad (severely lacking in two areas) and also he hasn't had RVP continuously fit either which is a HUGE loss and I seriously don't think people realise that.

People will say Rooney has been on form but the problem is he has had to drop too deep in a lot of games to get things going and then you lose a lot of his killer instinct in the final third. I believe this along with RVP's absence as accumulated in our lack of goals particularly at home.

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I only needed to watch the game once to know we played better than them and the ref had more than a howler he had the worst stinker of a game than any ref this season it was worse than the Nani sending of against Madrid, who says we get the run of the green at OT been the other way round for a long time

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04 Jan 2014 14:22:26
Its not so much about the results we have had (not great tbf) but our performances have been shocking! we lack quality players apart from 1 or 2. We need urgent reinforcements, doesn't have to be a mass overhaul (which it won't be anyways) but some personalities to drive the team forward again. We have lost a big personality in SAF and replaced him with a piece of wood. Therefore, if 2 or 3 players was to come in this January, not only it will improve the squad, but will also give the players some confidence to play.

Redster

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04 Jan 2014 09:19:53
For once, why can't we just offer a sensible bid and get a good deal done? Mata - dithering Dave just get it done . please, for all our sakes.

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Where do you play him, do you sit Rooney or even sell him?

He is a pure number 10 and not effective on the wings and neither is Rooney. Easy to say let's buy him but it is not what we need the most.

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04 Jan 2014 09:51:20
GCU.
Brilliant. one of your most sensible replies. Most here needs big Name. Doesn't have a clue whee we going to play him. If he was effective in wings, He would have been with Chelsea.
We Need a Hazzard type player in the left side. and one on the right side.

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You make it sound so simple, even if we offered enough chelsea probably would'nt sell him to us and whose to say he would want to join us?And like GCU said, where do we play him, he's not what we need.

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IF Chelski would sell Mata to a prem rival and note big IF, then I think we would have to buy. Rooney & Mata together would be very good.

I don't buy this we already have a number 10 (Rooney) so we can't fit him in. Remember Tevez, Rooney and Ronaldo all played together.

Chelski last season, imo had their best games when Mata, Oscar and Hazard played together.

Can we not have Rooney, Mata and Kagawa together, although I'm not convinced with Kagawa atm, no doubting his ability but he is struggling to adapt to prem, maybe Mata to play off is what he needs?

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Chelsea would probably give us Mata plus £20m for Rooney. We could then play Kagawa in the hole and have enough money to buy a LB and further strengthen the midfield.

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Paulo, we should have enough money to do that anyway, without selling Rooney.

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Mata is not a pure number 10 he played as a winger for years at Valencia as well as in the middle. He would be better than anything we already have in the wide positions and can play middle to relieve Rooney when needed, but we have no chance Jose is a little rat, he talked about we should sell Rooney to them as it would be a shame to see a good player leave the league but I bet he would not sanction any deal to us involving a player that could make us better

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04 Jan 2014 13:36:59
Rooney, Mata and Kagawa together?

Jesus. what kinda formation would you play?.
Rooney in the middle, Mata and Kagawa on the wings, whom Moyes feels, they aren't good enough to track back which will pressure our full backs more than 100%?.
Some people just want some big names. why don't we buy Joe hart and play him as a sweeper?.

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04 Jan 2014 13:40:11
Paulo.

That would be a good business or we need to sell Kagawa and play Rooney in the middle.
I would only take the money If we are nailed on 2 players in the middle, or else It would Improve Chelsea with Jose Playing Rooney Top up and Hazzard and Willain on the wings.

Apart from Spurs and City, None have a decent Midfield. and moreover Chelsea have the worst striking department. But their Attack minded Wingers are Brilliant. Game changer.

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Katef

He does not have the pace to play on the left wing and neither the defensive approach to track back. Can you imagine what we would be like with Evra and no help from the let winger:)

Why do you think Mourinho is not playing him. I will not argue he is a brilliant little player but he is a umber 10. If we buy him Rooney and Kagawa will not be needed long term, as mata has demonstrated he can both score a lot and assist in a lot of goals. He is technically better than both of them, but not what we need at the moment.

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04 Jan 2014 08:34:37
How Ironic. Chelsea value Mata at 35-40 mill. and Yet they lay more than 15 reasons for him not to start in a match?. If they Believe He is 40 mill player. He would defo start for any Manager.

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04 Jan 2014 08:31:19
Las night someone posted on here that they hoped that one of our players got injured soon so that a different player would get a chance in the team. It doesn't matter who posted it, and it was rightly removed from the page. I'm not trying to take the moral high ground, but come on people we are surely better than that. Doesn't really matter whether its a United player or an opponent, we should never wish injury upon any player.

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Its getting beyond the joke its pathetic.

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04 Jan 2014 09:26:49
Spot on.

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A lot of the post at the moment are just incredibly poor, I shutter to think what people would be like if we really had a few years of adversity.

Given our rich history and incredible success, you would think people would know better than to panic.

I am quite sure people at the highest level at the club are calm and will make decisions based on longterm plan for success.

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04 Jan 2014 04:00:13
When some one fires a bullet at you and the bullet is right in front of your face you duck and take evasive actions.
United are at a stage where we need to take drastic evasive actions and if that means making short term signings then so be it.

Even if we have to sign an LB and CM with only 6 months in mind we should do it. People say that no big player will move in Jan then let's sign a player who would because I'm sure we can find an LB better than Evra(almost any LB at the moment is better than him :-( ) and same goes for a CM.

Lets face it, not making it to top 4 will be an absolute disaster.

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04 Jan 2014 08:22:24
Define Big players?. If you refer to big names. then most are cup tied. and would required a huge offer to tempt. or we need to raid clubs like Monoco, PSG, where they have abundance without playing time.

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Cup tied is unimportant we just need to make sure we finish top 4 the way this season has progressed

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04 Jan 2014 02:10:23
Hello everyone!

January is usually a difficult window to get players in, especially with the world cup in sight. It will also be a risk not to sign a targeted player in this window, if that player goes on and has a great world cup, his stock will go up and get out of our reach.

The reality is we need some new faces in the team to give everyone a boost and some competetion for places, forcing existing players to up their game.

I would suggest stop wasting time on unattainable world class targets and get players with potential that can improve the first team. Atleast we need to bring in someone who has the leadership qualities on the pitch and just gets everyone going, say a keano character guy. Then, in the next window or two, try for those world class targets if attainable.

We can't let this window passby, we need to make some shrewd signings to strengthen the first team and if required bring a few youngsters back from loan to help out. This window they fail to bring in some players, it might be too late for any sort of recovery and it would be bad for team morale as well.

Hoping for some signings that can make a difference.

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