Manchester United Rumours Archive August 16 2014

16 Aug 2014 17:52:35
Hearing that highly-rated centre-back Mehdi Benatia on his way from AS Roma to Manchester United.
Jim white just said this on twitter, thoughts?

God I hope so.!

Haven't seen much of him to be honest, but after today we badly need somebody. I wonder if this is "as well" as Rojo or "instead" of. Could be Shaw, Benatia and Rojo in a back 3.

Hope its true!

I only believe Sky Sports reports/rumours even if they're never 100% accurate.

Just think that we were recently linked with 15million for Vermaelen and we could get Benetia! I'd happily pay up to 30million for him!

It's a start but the game today like all of last years shows we lack quality in defence and midfield, need more

Wouldnt expect shaw to be playing as a lcb sambo, but with a top cb like benatia and a top cm and forward we could go 4-3-3

Today showed we need a warrior who can bring the ball out into midfield. Clearly with our interest in Vermaelen we also need a Rojo. Add Vidal & a quick wide man (Cuadrado or Di Maria) and when RvP & Shaw return we are back in the mix. But I just cannot see it all happening.

Shaw will play as wing back not in a back 3

I hope so as jones and smalling are useless

{Ed002's Note - I am sorry that you are unable to provide support to Manchester United players.

Here is the latest information regarding Roma. Sabatini was in London yesterday and at least until lunchtime today. Roma wants to keep Benatia and buy an English based player (Jovetic) but they need to raise money. There is a figure which will tempt them to sell Benatia if the player says he wants to leave. Chelsea have previously had an offer turned down. Their preference is for someone else and whilst I suspect they would offer a little more for Benatia, they will not pay over the odds. As of earlier today there was no MU bid - I did not ask directly but would have been told if there was. If MU want to speak to him and look to making an acceptable offer - or try to negotiate - now is the time to do it. Roma are willing to sell Destro with interest from Spurs - interest from Juve was fleeting and Milan has seemingly dropped their interest. But this has dragged on and it is thought the player may not want a move to Spurs - and that might foul up a deal for Jovetic. Finally, Sabatini is prepared to let Adem Ljajic leave with interest from Atletico - but again it is far from clear if the player is keen on the move.}

He is a very, very good player would be my preference over Hummels only my opinion of course before I get smashed

Sambo, Shaw won't play in a back 3. He's a left back. I'd be happy with Jones, Benatia and Rojo as a back 3.

Thanks for the update Ed, do you think MU will step up now, especially after the day we have had with only two fit senior CB's and a poor start? Is the reported €30m figure enough to get him if he wanted to sign? Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - I am not going to get in to the money Syd as it causes too much confusion. I can tell you that MU also made an enquiry for Manolas but if he moves I am sure it will be to Arsenal. Joël Veltman remains someone who might still make a move this summer. Barcelona may well return again for Hiummels as Bayern Munich may also look to make some changes over the next couple of weeks. Benatia is as I explained. I have also said it will take three windows to complete the rebuild and VdG will not necessarily be making friends en route. He cannot get in to buying for the sake of it but I am still expecting Blind to move to Old Trafford.}

Thanks ed

Really hope this is true. Would be very good news.

We are going to have to pay premiums on whoever we sign. The squad has to be rebuilt, and fast. So long as we purchase players that are proud to join and put a real shift in, I think there is a good reason to pay the extra 5-6 million. I feel that way about Herrera and Shaw, and I think it will be the same with Benatia should he arrive. GGMU!

Can Rojo play centre back?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

Thanks for this update Ed. I'm of the opinion that Blind will be a good signing. I don't know how the Rojo situation is going, however hopefully he'll join up.

Dean1210

I also prefer him over hummels and believe he is better suited to the PL.

16 Aug 2014 20:00:37
Today's result, disappointing as it was, may prove to confirm what LVG was already thinking. If we are to get top 4 we can't drop many more points like today's. We clearly need more quality in CB and MF as a matter of urgency. I suspect a wide man may have to wait for another window.

I see, thanks Ed. I suppose the Rojo transfer may be related to LVG's statement about the use of a left footed defender on the left side of a centre back 3. I couldn't understand the situation having signed Shaw already, but this makes sense now.

Tyler Blackett played very well today, definately one for the future, but there were still moments of inexperience in both goals. He let a man cut inside on the wing for the first goal, and froze a bit on the second. That doesn't take away from a great debut, but Blackett should be eased in. Rojo had a decent world cup, - don't really know how good he is though. Hoping LVG and co. have identified new recruits for this role, and still make the effort to slowly bring Blackett in over time.

Sydney! - wouldn't Jones be ideally suited for that sort of role?

Obviously his lack of regular game time has left some work to be done on his defending, but as a player widely touted as a future defensive midfielder for some time now, who is comfortable on the ball and passes well, surely he could be the one bringing the ball forward out of defence?

After the signing of luis chelsea have 4 players fightng for cb role(terry, cahill, zuma, ivanovic).but we are lacking defenders consedring we want to play 3 at the back.so I think if we can offer an accptbl amount we can convnc benatia to sign for us.

Ed. It's been widely reported that failure to qualify for the champions league this season (not in any way writing our chances off), would result in a percentage drop in the shirt deal from Adidas. Do u know if that percentage drop would be applied for the remainder of the deal or for that season where they aren't in CL?

Regards

{Ed002's Note - I don't want to get in to any financial stuff but it will apply when not in CL.}

We all know Jones has great ability as a footballer, but whenever he has played midfield he has suffered the same problem he does at centre back, - no positional awareness. I have high hopes for Jones, his natural talent is phenominal, but I wander sometimes whether he has the ambition. He seems to have fallen into that comfort zone with friends Cleverly, Wellbeck, Smalling and other fringe players. i'd rather see Jones trying to take a leaf out of Roy Keane's book, - don't have any friends at all, start a rivalry with the next best up and coming centre back, and put him on your dart board! that's the spirit.

Im a fan of Wellbeck like u Thorne, but I think he has this problem too. These players have been wrapped in cotton wool too much being Uniteds next big prospects, and now its coming to the crunch they haven't developed enough mentally. The sooner these players realise it the better. They need to step out of their comfort zones.

Sky sports now saying that he and his representatives are travelling to England

Thorne, LvG prefers Smalling to Jones in that position so what does that tell us?

You may be right (although I still maintain that Welbeck has kicked on).

I remember Smalling when he played at Maidstone (where my wife and I have lived for the last 9 years), I thought he looked like he'd develop into a Rio style defender, big and strong enough to match almost any forward for power, and fast enough that only the very quickest can outrun him. I still thought that when he came to united, but he also seemed to get a lot more comfortable on the ball. Then his development seems to have slowed drastically.

I have assumed that odor both Jones and smalling it was just a lack of regular game time due to injuries as well as being behind Rio and Vidic. Similarly I prescribed Cleverly's backwards drift to loss of confidence, and playing safe backwards or sideways passes because he was afraid to get slated for giving he ball away trying a riskier forward pass. Maybe you are right though and with all of them it's just that they've got too comfortable.

If so, that's probably good. I don't imagine LVG will put up with that sort of thing for long, he'll fix them or get rid of any who don't respond.

I want these kids to stay and do well, but if they won't push on, they should go, and I expect that this time next year, any who won't make it will be gone.

Have to agree with you. These players all have potential. We should wait a while and see how far they go.

Its a knee jerk reaction wanting to get rid of them all. I expect at least one of them will go on to prove themselves. Wait until they get to 25-26 then let them leave if they have not taken the step forward.

17 Aug 2014 08:27:24
Thank you ed.

Its surprising to see United bidding for variety of targets. Rojo and now Benatia. Were we always looking at 2 defenders to be signed this window?

Also, who are we looking at in terms of the midfield apart from Vidal? Any new information Ed002?

Cheers

{Ed002's Note - Daley Blind.}

16 Aug 2014 11:18:14
De Boer on Blind exit: "I'll wish him all the best in the future. The temptation is there to go if such a big club comes in for him."

I guess Ajax are expecting Blind to leave in the coming days.

I'd be happy with blind coming in. Seems a typical united player that has strengths in several different positions. Hope we can sort one of do Maria or cuadrado before close of window, and possibly a CB and unnamed centre mid as well. May have a decent chance

Cuadrado for me is an important one as I think he will brilliant at right wing back.

Vidal is a must

17 Aug 2014 13:04:27
Both Rojo and Blind will bring much needed stability while Vidal and Cuadrado can add attacking midfield but saying that, anyone coming in after yesterdays result will be a positive as we edge towards transfer deadline day!

15 Aug 2014 23:21:50
Hi Eds, just wondering if United have displayed any interest in Benedikt Howedes?

26, Captain of his club team Schalke and recent world cup winner with Germany, Plays CB but can play LB, not the quickest but is experienced. Arsenal rumored to be interested. Would be a good alternative to Hummels and Rojo.

Cheers Eds

{Ed002's Note - Other sides have shown interest, but not MU.}