Manchester United Rumours Archive February 11 2013

11 Feb 2013 19:58:25
Now the hubub of January is out the way and we've seen players who are new to the league play a game or two in the prem who does everyone think was the best signing made in january?

I'd have to go for either Lewis Holtby or Moussa Sissoko.

Shappy

Has to be Sissoko for me - fantastic signing, especially considering his price.

Fresh!

Although I hate to say it I think Sturridge will turn out to be a great buy

Dan H

At least you're giving it plenty of time and making a well thought out and lengthy decision.

12 Feb 2013 16:03:29
Well done no name, I tip my cap to your amazing keyboard warrior skills.

I thought it was obvious and the other posters seem to have got the jist but i'll explain it further as you seem to need.

What I was asking was out of all of the players who have moved clubs in january which of them will be looked back on as the best signing in say 2/3 years time.

I was asking as i'm curious to know who everyone else rates. Personally I think two of the best January signings I can remember was Vidic and Evra, but you wouldn't have thought that in the febuary after they signed. But looking back several years later there true worth becomes apparent.

Personally I feel out of all the players who have moved to the prem in january I feel that either Moussa Sissoko or Lewis Holtby will be regarded as the best singings when refelcted apon in years to come. If I was to have to choose between them i'd say Holtby shades it for me as he has the better technique where as Sissoko has more pace and power. But in that advanced midfield role I feel technique and vision are more important than strength and speed which maybe are better served deeper in midfield. But that's just my personal opinion.

Shappy

Well put Shappy, I'm also an admirer of holtby. Looks like a clever young lad. I'm sure time will tell.

Joe. a

Apologies Shappy I had been to a funeral and was still drunk when I posted so I never got the gist.

11 Feb 2013 18:21:16
Ed is there strong interest in Eriksen? Or do you think that it will just be passing interest and he will end up elsewhere?

Fresh! {Ed002's Note - Liverpool, Manchester City, Roma, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bayern Munich, Spurs, Inter and AC Milan have shown some level of interest in Eriksen in the past year or so. He has already rejected both Manchester City and Chelsea but AC Milan and Spurs remain the most interested clubs. I would not rule out Bayern Munich, Manchester City or other previously interested clubs returning for him again - although I would say that it is unlikely that Inter or Chelsea would be interested. Back in July the Milan Press Office were convinced of interest from Manchester United and they have let it be known that they expected a bid to be made by for Eriksen. Expect both Milan clubs and Roma to press if a bid is made by Manchester United and I remain in agreement with them that there is every chance of that happening. The player remains adament that he will stay in Amsterdam for18 more months before moving to Spain but would likely jump at the chance of a move to Real Madrid or Barcelona if the opportunity arises. However, Ajax will not let him run down his contract so a move beckons in the summer. The player will see out the rest of the season at Ajax and see if he can attract attention from Spain.}

11 Feb 2013 18:19:29
Anyone hear the presspass on Talksh**e last night?
The journo from the express (can't remember his name) said Mourinho was really laying on the charm yesterday. Stopping at every opportunity to sign autograph's and bulling up United. He went on to say that he used it as an interview almost and that he really wants to impress?

Mind games behind closed doors? Never heard of it before, maybe he does really want the job.

Also the journo said that even if Mourinho went to Chelsea, it wouldn't change the fact that he could still manage United one day, but if he went to Citeh, obviously there would be no way back.

Dishforth Red

Yeah Stan Collymore's been chatting crap all afternoon as well, reckons a manager could go from city or chelsea to united, seems to think moyes is in the running then says united fans may have to get used to 6-7 managers in the next decade. Turnip!

11 Feb 2013 15:23:29
So here we are, 12 games to go and 12 points in front of 2nd place and with the highest points total we have ever had at this point in the season. We are still in the F. A. cup, which has seen some big teams exit, and still in the Champions League with an exciting clash against Real Madrid still to come.

People who still want to find things to moan about will never be happy and will only see a projection of what is going on in their sour little minds, and not look at things as a whole and objectively.

This year could be a big one, and for me, positivity is key. let's back our boys 100%, get rowdy on Wed night and smash the granny out of R. M!

Whistler.

Good post. There will always be differences between our team today and our team in days gone by, but all we can do it finish 1st and beat as many teams as possible! People moan that the EPL is poor, well yes it is, and we're showing it to be poor by being so far ahead of the other's! It's the teams behind us that really need to worry if the EPL is actually that poor.

Can't wait for Real now we have this 12 point lead, it's going to be an epic tie whatever the result! Great time to be a United fan.

Gav

The prem is not poor when you think about it isit! Spain you got real and barca, who else challenges for the title? Germany, bayern and Dortmund. Italy juve are head and shoulders above everyone. In th epl you got four teams capable of winning it. Give the boys some credit for concistancy! Like the original post though bout time we had some positive thinking on here!

The prem is definitely not poor. Don't believe the hype.

It is a much tougher league these days with Chelsea, city, spurs, arsenal, challenging for honours than it was in early 90's when we used to battle with Norwich, Villa and Blackburn.

Our team of 93 was good, but I sometimes wonder how it would cope against the united of today. They were good, but only as good as they had to be at that time.

United now are a relentless winning machine, that few clubs in the world can claim are better than us.

Don't get me wrong I love united but I think a lot of people are deluding themselves. We have been slightly better than most teams we have played this season, but we have been far from great.

I can count on one hand how many times we have played very well. We have changed into a solid battling team with nominal creativity. I am amazed we are 12 points clear, our performances have no way justified that lead but maybe it's deserved for the cruel way we lost the title last year. We have had a hell of a lot of luck with the fiasco at Chelsea and the incompetances of Mancini. We are just fortunate our competitors are being managed by jokers and rejects. Fergie has worked wonders with the players at his disposal, I think it's down to the youth and experience mixing at the right time, we look far fitter than I have ever seen us at this stage of the season and our tactics have been first class.

Maybe Phelan & Carrick deserve a bit of credit as well, I remember loads of people knocking them 3 months ago!

Next season we will be much better, we are by no means world beaters, but neither are Madrid at the minute so we should out battle them to victory.

Sween

Agree with Sween not original post. The 93/94 side would destroy this team. We are crap to watch now, its not being used to success its being used to success playing great football. Barca and us in the past prove its possible to win things playing the right way. I can't remember us putting six passes together quickly all season. Slow predictable boring football.

Sorry Sween, but how have we "changed" into a solid battling team, when that has been the hallmark of SAF's reign. I started watching utd with my grandfather at the age of 6, and in the 22 years since, the team has always been built on hard work more than creative flair. The flair has always been up front and on the wings. That's exactly what we have now.

I would love to see a creative, technical player added to the centre of the midfield as much as anyone, but this has always been how the team has been under SAF.

We always had hard work in the locker but it was coupled with an ambudance of pace and flair, we lack those Utd characteristics now in my opinion, especially on the wings. We are seriously lacking on the left wing and Valencia has gone from world beater to steady eddy in 12 months - there is definitely something not right with him. Rooney is hit and miss, mostly miss but RVP is fantastic. I agree we need a creative technical player added, but that was meant to be Kagawa, just not adapting well, Cleverley keeps on improving but I doubt he will ever be a consistent world class performer. You have to admit that our entertainment factor has changed dramatically over the years, we used to excite everyone watching with our free flowing pacey football, now we only excite people because of our inability to close out games like we used to. Football has changed in general though with teams preferring the safety first option, I just hope Utd capture that attackinf flair of old.

No better time to start than tonight.

Sween

11 Feb 2013 11:29:04
Eds, what do you think the chances of signing Bale are? I think we would finally have replaced Ronaldo and would of course have our replacement for Nani/Giggs when you include Zaha. Bale, Baines and Wanyama would complete the side I think.

Fresh! {Ed007's Note - Thankfully the chances of signing Bale are very, very slim.}

I don't think its fair to say 'thankfully' ed, whatever anyone says he is one of the best in the League and is becoming a real world class player.

Fresh! {Ed007's Note - Fair or not, that is your opinion, thankfully we are all entitled to have one.}

Out come the Bale brigade ;)

Sydney!

I for one would be more than happy with Bale as our only signing this summer if it ment getting him I am not jumpimg on the hype I have thought for a few seasons he would fit in and tick all the boxes he will cost a britsh record but it would be 50m+ better spent than the last british record and if we do and he is successful there will be a lot of humble pie to be eaten on here Katef.

Wanyama and Erikson would cost the same or mabe a shred less than Bale and would strengthen the weakest part of our team. There effect would be far greater than Bales.
Mik

I think the middle will be covered more than people think Powell is going to be some player and Petrucci has always looked the part not to mention Carrick and Cleverly have been very good so if we do sign somebody it has to be exceptional talent to make us stronger ie a Bale if we sign Wanyama or Erikson great there both quilty players but are they going to play ahead of Carrick or Cleverly and make us that much better Bale would give us a whole new dimension Katef.