01 Oct 2013 13:36:37
Good morning all, I have a question for Ed02 if around and not too busy. I expect MU are working very hard behind the scenes to make up for the summer's mistakes. Can you give us an update on Garay, Coentrao/Baines and a midfielder? Thanks. {Ed002's Note - I am not sure there is any real "update" Syd. Garay remains of interest. I would think that any further attempt for Baines is unlikely - and the club may look to Coentrao again at some point. Don't discount Herrera. If you want a wildcard for January, right now don't discount an offer for Konoplyanka if other move for him.}
We have concrete interest in him then Ed but whether it's January or the summer depends on others making a move for him?
Would be a good buy and would give us something we've been missing on the left for a while. Would be obtainable as well you'd of thought. {Ed002's Note - It is what I said it is - no more, no less.}
So, has there been interest in Konoplanka then ed? That's a name I haven't see us linked with. It is more plausible though than us going for Reus or someone top top class. {Ed002's Note - I rather think what I wrote was absolutely clear. Reus is simply MOTD fever right now.}
Ed, thanks for the info! Do you know If we have any interest in Hamsik? Or are Gundogan, Herrera & Lars Bender going to be our three main midfield targets this January / Summer. {Ed002's Note - Is the Orange Sunshine kicking in? Herrera is someone I would not discount as I said.}
Herrera, Coentrao & Konoplyanka would plug a few gaps. I know you say Baines is unlikely, but with him stalling on signing a new deal and him being eligible for the UCL, I think Moyes may have one more go at Baines. I think his two free-kicks may have just reminded Moyes why he wants him. I think Baines would need to push his way out though and that may be a sticking point. He doesn't seem the type. Would Coentrao be cup-tied if he doesn't feature for RM? Don't really know much about the Ukrainian lad, but we do need a left sided player as Young is not the answer. {Ed002's Note - Baines has age and price against him Syd. I also don't know how much Manchester United are suffering at left back right now and therefore I don't know how critical it is for a replacement in January. Coentrao may well be looking for a move in January and Real Madrid may well be looking for some cash as they will be looking to make a couple of changes in January. If Coentrao does not play he will not be cup tied. If he does play and either (not both) MU or RM drop down to the Europa League then he could well be selected as a CL in the second half of the season - but that would not be a driver to buying him or not.}
Ed, I agree about Baines and feel £18m is too much for a 29 year old defender. Can I ask if MU intended on taking Coentrao on loan or did we want to buy him, but time was against us so settled for the loan for now? If we intended on buying him you would have to say Baines is no longer a target. If it was just a loan MU wanted then perhaps they were planning on revisiting the Baines situation in a year's time? I have to say Coentrao would be a good signing, I think we may even use him as a left winger for the rest of the season with Evra behind him? {Ed002's Note - It was a loan - perhaps because it was so late in the day. Coentrao had been offered to clubs as part of part exchange deals and was somehow intended for Spurs but they wanted him as a separate negotiation. He was available to be sold and will likely continue to be available. Other clubs were interested - maybe they will return.}
I genuinely think we set up transfers to refuse the price/agreement just for a bit of PR and brand exposure.