Manchester United Rumours Archive March 14 2015

13 Mar 2015 10:05:59
Ed002 - you said to remind you on Friday about posting an updated detailed version of a summary of Man United's potential recruiting this summer. Well it's Friday!

If you have time to do it mate I would also be keen to hear what your choices out of all the players available would be.

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Much of this will change by the summer and there are major dependencies on (a) players leaving (b) if there is a change of manager, and (c) Champions League qualification. However, there is known to be (or have recently been) some level of interest in the following players:

GK: If De Gea goes perhaps Krul or Handanovic will be added. Romero was looked at but as an alternative to Valdes, so unlikely.

RB: Coleman would be expensive and remains "not for sale". Perhaps Clyne would be a better option. Alves is negotiating with PSG. Danilo of Porto has been looked at but is heading elsewhere. Darmain was looked at but there is no interest right now.

CB: It seems likely that Manchester United are looking for two centre backs. Mats Hummels remains the primary target, if available. The summer is certainly realistic, particularly given the Champions League situation and Dortmund are looking at a possible replacement. Godin may well alo be a serious target for the summer. Garay could certainly be an option for the summer - he will be leaving Zenit. Alternatively, Howedes if available but I doubt a first choice. Virgil van Dijk has been looked at but there is interest from elsewhere and I cannot see him sitting on the bench. Miranda - only makes sense at a much, much lower fee. Terence Kongolo remains of interest to both Manchester clubs and Southampton. Tyrone Mings has been looked at but remains one for the future and with Rojo and Shaw at the club seems an unlkikely choice. Otamendi was of interest to Barcelona, Zenit, Chelsea, Napoli, Manchester City and CSKA before a move to Valencia in January 2014 and a subsequent loan to Atlético Mineiro. As Otamendi has only effectively been playing in Spain since August 2014 a move in January was unlikely - but he was of interest. There has been interest in Dragovic but if he forces a move from Dinamo Kiev I suspect he will end up elsewhere. PSG had no intention of selling Marquinhos but he may well be sacrificed in the summer to raise transfer funds. Manchester United, Bayern Munich and Chelsea are are very interested in the player.

DM: Vidal is due to be sold in the summer and I suspect there is still interest. Nainggolan might, if his complex ownership can be resolved, be an option. Strootman has been injured for a while and whilst he remains a target there may be too much of a risk with his injury issues to make a move for him. Carvalho remains a player that both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in and his situation remains the same. He is for sale, but the asking price would need to come down to make any move possible.

M: Gundogan is refusing to agree a new deal and is seen as a shadow of his former (pre-injury) self - could be a dumb move but he will be available and Manchester United are interested. Pogba will be outrageously expensive and there is strong interest from elsewhere. Pjanic was a Moyes target and I suspect interest has gone. Transfer fee and wages are very high. Khedira has been of interest but a move seems unlikely. Matuidi is a player the club has considered but he has no interest in leaving PSG. Interest in Viktor Fischer will have gone completely.

W/AM: Whilst Depay is not seen to be ready for the EPL at this time, by someone very respected within the game, I suspect Manchester United will be able to complete the signing in the summer. Douglas Costa has been of sustained interest to Manchester United but I suspect he is heading elsewhere. A tentative enquiry was made Wolfsburg's Kevin de Bruyne but it I think it very unlikely that a move will be possible this summer. Pedro will leave Barcelona this summer as they start raising funds for rebuilding from January 2016 - it is not out of the question that the club could rekindle previous interest, but I think a move is unlikely. The club will be approached about Arda Turan but I do not know if the club will be interested at all.}

FW: Santos' Gabriel Barbosa continues to be of interest to Chelsea, Fiorentina and Manchester United. However, much is expected of him and there is an agreement between Santos and Barcelona that will be exercised in 2016 if he does not beforehand - if he does I don't think it will be to Manchester. Do not be surprised by a bid for Benzema. Cavani is being offered around the clubs who have previously shown an interest. Surprisingly, rumours of Manchester United and Manchester City interest in Danny Ings are true. Kenedy remains of interest and if a deal can be done he would likely go on loan. Interest in Bakkali has gone completely. Mandzukic will be sold this summer as Atletico look to fund a bid for Cavani. Manchester City see Mandzukic as a replacement for Dzeko and it is a solution that suits all. "Apparently" (an agent's "apparently"), Manchester United and Arsenal remain interested. Maybe not.}

14 Mar 2015 12:59:26
Thanks ed great insight as always!

14 Mar 2015 13:12:51
Thanks Ed. Depay looks a cracking talent. What's all this paper rubbish linking us with Bale and Ronaldo? Is there anything to it?

{Ed002's Note - Twitter?}

14 Mar 2015 14:31:43
Fantastic Ed002.

Very well summarised.

Thanks mate.

15 Mar 2015 12:36:09
Gundogan, Vidal, Garay and Depay with maybe a forward coming in too would be decent. All should be getable for a reasonable cost.

Thanks for that summary Ed002, interesting stuff.