Manchester United Rumours Archive February 14 2013

14 Feb 2013 15:06:58
Ed, regarldess of whether Newcastle stay up or not (I am sure they will) - do you see Cabaye being ready to leave the club in the summer? Recently I have called for either Strootman or Cabaye to come in - just wondering if Cabaye is as likely as I believe Strootman is!

Thanks in advance.

Fresh! {Ed002's Note - I don't see Cabaye leaving and there is no interest from Manchester United.}

Ok thanks ed. Are there any targets that you know of that we perhaps wouldn't know of or have never heard of?

Fresh! {Ed002's Note - I am afraid that I really not aware of what you don't know, so can't answer that.}

Shame, one of the few around with both the passing and control of a modern playmaker, AND the tackling, aggression and energy of an old fashioned ball winner. would be a great player for us.

Thorne

Not proved much on the bigger stage which is very important

Give it a break, do you honestly rate cabaye as a united player.
Don't see barca, Madrid, city, Chelsea rushing out to buy him.
He's a good player but not special.
Nomidfield

14 Feb 2013 12:44:29
What did people think of kagawa performance last night
Jred

Very disappointing. Never linked up play and way too lightweight to win or even hold possession as well as getting caught on numberous occasions. He was a passenger for nearly the whole time he was on the field of play - Giggs played out of his skin when introduced though.

I believe kagawa did ok he got stuck in and was unlucky to get through on goal a couple of times

Average overall imo.

He started off really well linking up with RVP, he got through a couple of times including winning the corner that led to the goal although after that he gradually disappeared out of the game.

Due to tactics and RVP I don't think Kagawa has settled into life at Utd as yet, he hasn't be able to cement a place in the team as yet although given a bit more time I believe we will

Giants14

14 Feb 2013 14:15:18
Agree, a little dissapointing, that said I feel we still haven't figured out to get the best out of him.
I actually think Rooney was worse,. had a touch like Peter Sutcliffe!
Maybe it's something about being out wide this year,. valencia: half the player he was. Young: frankly I'd be happy if he was half of any Player! Nani: Well where do I begin!
An area that needs addressing in the Summer, someone reasonably established to accompany Zaha, Rodriquez preferably.

I think Kagawa looked very promising early in the season, then had a slight injury and seems to have lost his confidence since. He was a little unlucky with his first touch a few times last night in the first half when he almost broke through but yes pretty ineffective bar those moments.
Invisible STuey

As usual this season. Disappointing. I must admit, I'm not impressed by Kagawa at all this season. Yes, he's a neat, tidy player but he contributes very little in terms of goals or assists. Park was more reliable for getting the odd goal/assist.

If Kagawa doesn't improve next season, I could see him being sold, I know he's settling in but I don't see the big deal about him - he's never going to be a goal-scoring threat and he's lightweight.

RED_SKY

Kagawa IS top class I don't know why he isn't showing it. People would stick with Welbeck and Cleverley for years why not stick with Kagawa? He had plenty of options but chose this club over all others. He didn't have a great game but got into some great opportunities on goal I think the criticism is a bit OTT.
He will come good.

Dan

Woefull, doesn't look anywhere near good enough to play for us. a lot of money down the drain. hopefully flog him asap

Kagawa is a very good player. he was injured for a while and that has set back his progress. give him time and he will settle in. then we will see his quality

Alan

2bh i've been very disappointed with him. Listened to all the hype on this site and he's so poor.

I've never liked him. he's okay for average teams but I can't never accept him playing against the likes of Barcelona/Real Madrid - who are fast and bullies. We need strong/tall players. even though Chicharito is not tall, he's stronger than kagawa and I would love to see SAF play Chicharito in place of Kagawa.

It wasn't the right type of game to play him in, we set out to defend but he was included because we had a game 3 days earlier and he was fresh.

Strong/tall players? you can't say that about Barca.

Looks like my prediction about kagawa is correct as I stated at the start of the season too light way gets knocked off the ball to easy overated
y. n. w. a

14 Feb 2013 01:17:51
Right I'm going to point out a few things.

Varane should've been sent off. He was last man and fouled Evra. Bad decision from a referee that had a shocking night. The bawbag blew the whistle just before the corner too.

United's away support is the best in the world. Outsung 70,000 Madrid fans.

Phil Jones was a beast. He kept Ronaldo of all people quiet. This boy is future captain for club and country. He's strong, quick, composed and is willing to put his head in places where most wouldn't out their foot. Top performance and only 20 years old.

If I see Asmir Begovic mentioned one more time on this site, I will tear my hair out. And I don't want that. I like my hair. De Gea proved tonight just how good he already is, and how good he will be. World class performance and he's only 22.

Rafa had a tough game, but he was facing one of the greatest players ever, so it's understandable. If he starts the 2nd leg, he needs to stand up to Ronaldo more and not give him so much space. When he got a yellow card, I feared the worst, but thankfully he improved in the second half and kept his head. Needs to keep that going in the second leg.

I already mentioned Rooney earlier, but it really is worrying how poor he was tonight. He didn't give Rafa much support and Fergie surely had to be very annoyed at this. His passing was shocking. He just isn't the same player. I genuinely think he should be sold this summer. That's not a knee jerk reaction either. He has been poor for a long time now and if selling Rooney in some way contributes to getting Ronaldo back, then I'm all for it.

G. A. G. U. S {Ed007's Note - Phil Jones is fast becoming my favourite Utd player GAGUS, he is fantastic and is only going to get better.}

He reminds me of Franz Beckenauer, Bond. The way he drives forward with the ball so confidently, yet is a great defender. Looks just like the German. Only 20 years old too.

G. A. G. U. S

I will respectfully disagree. Rooney played where he is not as effective. Once he went central, he set up RVP's close range shot from the right. And I think Jones has a long way to go. He worked hard tonight, somehow escaped a card, and he does not look too comfortable on the ball, often passing backwards w/o even looking up.

I would agree with the performance of Jones. Second half of last season I thought he faded a bit and has struggled most of this with injuries and form, was superb alst night. Also one of my least favourite players I have to say Evans was excellent, was was DDG (no surprise to me, already one of the best shot stoppers in the world, talk of replacing a player as good as him at hsi age is totally ridiculous in my opinion) and Welbeck.
I would somewhat disagree on Rooney, with the ball admittedly he was pretty atrocious, even so though he absolutely worked his socks off as normal closing down holes and harrying. let's hope we get more of the attacking excellence from Rooney in the second leg as this could be key
Invisible STuey

Glad Jones is finally being played in midfield. Will like to see him and Cleverley get a run together, perhaps give Carrick a much deserved rest.

Sydney!

Rooney was out of position, and did a decent job. If you ask a player to do that, you can't expect them to light up the match. His recent performances up front have been good, and he's been trying to adapt as rvp is a very different player than Rooneys previous partners.

Very proud of the team last night thought they wordked thier socks off and were unlucky not to win. Thought Jones was excellent last night as was DDG (still not convinced on him with crosses). Rafael was poor in the frist half but improved when Ronaldo moved more centrally, I hope he learns from last night as he has a brutal habit of jumping into a tackle when there is noo need. Rooney was very dissapointing last night but as people have said already he is playing out of position and does not look happy. Why does Fergie in big game always move Rooney out to the wing when clearly he is not happy there (I know its for the team but Rooney is not a winger and never will be) Lastly I would like to see Anderson and Jones given a run in midfield to give Carrick a much need rest.

Damian M

Well GAGUS thanks for stating the obvious, must get you on master mind, "next contestant 'GAGUS' from Manchester, special subject: the bleeding obvious!'

Or at least we would if I agreed with EVERYTHING you have said. Rooney put in a shift tonight and has scored vital goals for us over the past few weeks. Last night he was played out of position and did a shift for us, maybe didn't pass his best but who did in all honesty? What you forget is that when Ronaldo left and before RVP came he was the main man, he adjusts however the manager asks him too. Lay off the man hater, he'll show his worth, plus I'd rather have Rooney in my squad than not anyway.

Look forward to your next set of obvious points GAGUS.

PJ

When SAF has played Rooney centrally for big games (see vs. Man City. ) he has big games for us, the problem as everyone has noted is playing him out of position, I feel he's only played out wide for his work rate, wouldn't have minded to see Valencia out there trying to just go at the real back 4.

Rooneys work rate was excellent and he put in a shift as I said earlier. however to the people saying he was out of position what do you expect, a player of his ability should be able to play simple passes accurately out wide even. He played a couple fo very good passes but generally his distribution was very poor and I don't think you can blame that on position.
And Sydney, for once I will agree with you. I do rememebr you saying when signing Phil Jones he should and will be a midfielder which I scoffed at pretty much at the time. Not sure if this will be the case but last night certainly puts in a good case fort this
Invisible Stuey

Rooney's problem IMO is that his touch has deserted him. His first touch on the ball was bad last night and this has been noticeable all season. At 200K+ a week I expect better and more consistency.

Being out of position is not excuse for the simple mistakes. He did however work very hard for the team. His work rate against Everton was great but we need more from him.

KB

Wow, have some of you ever even played football?
Of course being out of position affects distribution. You are used to looking for team mates in particular areas, relative to yourself. Suddenly, you're in a different position and you have to un-learn the automatic action: receive ball, control ball, look here for team mate, pass to team mate.

Now you have to look somewhere else, when you've conditioned yourself (possibly for years) to look for team mates in those particular places. This looses you time and allows the opposition to put you under pressure and you end up rushing the pass.

Not the best explanation I'm sure, but if you think about it you'll see what I mean.

This is why most players even at the top are limited in where they can play effectively. Some can play several positions, but no-one can play every position well.
Thorne.

Rooney did work hard last night but that's not enough. His first touch and passing was so bad its worrying. I don't care which position he is on the pitch, for £200k a week you should be able to control the ball and pass it. I wouldn't miss him if he went this summer. Unfortunately his poor performances are becoming more and more frequent

How can you say Rooney is a poor player. He works very hard for the team and Fergie plays him out of his favourite position a lot to make up for the short comings of others

14 Feb 2013 00:32:49
To whoever predicted a DDG shot-stopping masterclass yesterday, Kudos!

To all who want him replaced with "Linders", Adler or Begovic, hang you heads in shame. Best shot-stopper in the world today and a year or two away from being the undisputed best GK on the planet.

Couldn't agree more. DDG on his way out? f**k off!

Ozwald