Manchester United Rumours Archive August 21 2012

21 Aug 2012 21:26:29
A small rumour doing the rounds today is that SAF would like to take Mexes on loan , anyone else here the same thing. Wouldn't be a bad short term solution

Winston

Mexes is way past it but would be an improvement over what we've got now. Then again I would probably be a defensive improvement

No chance,his French and they have got French team in London call arsenal.

ferdcoast

Have you ever watched him ? He is pants.

Pip

I'd have no problem with it. Or any other experienced loanee.

What's the gist with Veselli then? Was he a pointless signing?

RED_SKY

I think he'd get sent off more times than not

Dustbin

Would be a great signing for you hope you get him

21 Aug 2012 20:20:28
Announcement from United on MUTV. banner rolling across the screen

Manchester United are pleased to announce that Angelo Henriquez, 18, has been granted a Governing Body Endorsement which will allow him to register and play for the club. He will play his final game for Universidad de Chile tomorrow and a further announcement on him joining United will be made in due course.

Daz Wrexham

21 Aug 2012 20:08:13
Would anyone object to having Gary Neville as number 2 to Fergie?

G.A.G.U.S

No i'd be over the moon with that. Although i think him and Ole could make a good manager/coach partnership.

Shappy

I presume you mean assistant manger here? If so I would say no, but i'd bring in Ray Wilkins, yes ex Chelsea man, but he played for us many years ago, and would be great for us, look what happened when Chelsea sacked him...

Jake F

GAGUS

I don't think Gary is far enough removed from SAF to stand up to him. Let him develop under Hodgson who he will learn from. If we went down the route of Guardiola then Gary would be useful for him

Red Man

G.A.G.U.S I couldn't agree more. He's knowledge of football is second to none. He tells you how it is, he's Red through and through, but is not afraid to make judgement...when it's needed. I personally believe he has the makings of a great manager.

I've rather have baby face

Ross

Think he would show a bit passion which is more than you see from Phelan!

Not at all. Would be a great move. Phelen just sits there never moving or motivating anyone At least nev shows his passion on the sidelines.

Fantastic idea he seems incredibly knowledgeable,a true red and has a great vision of where the game is heading!

Or Ferg being Nevs'!!

I've got a mate that reckons Giggs will take over, in the same way that Barca promote from within. How about Giggs and Nev? Can't see it myself, but watch this space!!

On Gaz Nev, he's done nothing, but impress since leaving. The TV work has shown him to be articulate and very knowledgeable, as well as changing people's perceptions of him.unfortunately, I think he may stay with England.

Think he would be spot on, but would Fergie want hi as his #2?

Mad Hatter

I mentioned that a while back, since seeing him on Sky I believe he would do a great job.

Sydney!

I don't agree with all the phelan critisism at all, why anyone would think he's rubbish but fergie just happened not to notice everyday he works with him is beyond me, I'd love Gary Neville involved though I think he'd have some important input

Dustbin

I wouldn't object he appears to know what he's on about

Pardoe

Really good idea ...... He loves the club an I can only imagine he would jump at the chance but does he have his bages.....


CAIN

Id love it if gary was number 2, but i would miss his post match analysis on prem games, he is very astute when it comes to the tactics and understanding of the game

No rather have baby face

I would be delighted to see that. He really seems to have some good tactical abilities.

RedDevil19

Yes,yes we have needed a number 2 with tactical awareness for years.

I couldnt agree to no.2 GAGUS. But i would love to see him take some role in the club. He represents everything united. Maybe some coaching role now and no.2 to the next manager after Fergie? When he has more experience? Carry on the hardworking never say die attitude through to the next managerial team.

GALWAY RED

Not in the slightest Gary has Man Utd in his blood.Gary has done a great job with Sky Tv and shows his tactical knowledge in great detail.

I watch that documentary Ole's first year management at Molde. The way he changed their footballing philosophy. Incase for those who didn't, they had the highest scoring from previous year, a tall guy and they used to just long pass to him( just like everton or west ham) and they scores. But since Ole got there he started playing with more short passing and creating, whilst being able to control the tempo of the game. And gave players the room to be more creative. They won, even at training he change a lot. With that sort of confident and footballing brain. i think he would be good assistant manager. His player are saying in dressing room baby face scary if and when needed. So I think Ole being more experience would be better then Gary Neville. Gary is excellent commentator, there is big difference between being critic and actually managing, let alone one of the biggest team.

Red Samurai

I wish this could be true. Gary Neville is a legend and his tactical awareness is fantastic. Unlike Phelan, who has NOT got a clue.
About time this change is made. Please make it happen !

Now that's worth a post. Top draw call that one. Would be a belter.
Redchad.

I see what you mean Red Man, but Neville seems to be tactically astute and he would certainly be a much better option than Phelan.

G.A.G.U.S

Phelan is as average as a coach as he was a player..I'd be over the moon with Gary as No2

I think he would do a good job allong with OGS, and I think that quite a few of the older players (Griggs,scholes, rio) will want to be a part of the club either in a management role at some level or a club representative.

Red samurai i like how you said everton and westham just hoof the ball up field.... that may be true for west ham but didnt everton just destroy you guys by doing the opposite.... im not a fan of them but credit where credit is due to them

Ray F*****G wilkins, he not only is an person but one of the bias sky sports pundits against united, he sees everything against united

If not anything else, there would be a riot at the away dugout of Anfield every year we play them, that's for sure.

I would love to see him in some capacity contributing to us than with the England setup.

As Fregie has said TWO YEARS and I retire, I believe the next Manager designate needs to work as Asst. to learn the MUFC ways.
Perhaps he needs to have a "PEP" talk with someone who is on sabbatical in the USA extending his English.

Love it! Nev and Ole. Bring back Becks and teach them how to cross a ball.

Boyley

Well wasn't it SAF that got Gary his job as Hodgson's No.2 for England? I think it was because i remember Gary saying he went to tell SAF about it and he said he already knew, and that he should take the opportunity. So maybe he's trying to get him some good experience under a fairly decent English manager.

Ozwald

What as phelan done wrong? ok maybe not the the best player but was saf? neville as been at united 20+yrs im sure saf knows him inside out so if he prefers to stay with phelan i back him

I'll like that. GN doing it again at anfield.

21 Aug 2012 18:42:26
Hi Guys
Eds can we assume that our spending is over or do you think there might be more to come.I can't understand why Fergie isn't strengthening the midfield

Bazza The Red {Ed007's Note - I don't think Utd are finished yet in the transfer market.}

I hope Ed is right!! We still need strength in the middle, Scholes deteriorated last night and it was Plain to see Fergie 'could not' take him off for a suitable replacement.... Fingers crossed for one more signing to really complete the squad

Ren

21 Aug 2012 18:37:24
Eds who do you rate higher fellani or witsel two great players and great site

Fellaini For the win!

Cban

Fellani played good for one game, get over it hes average the rest of the season.

WYTHENSHAWE RED

Blue in peace.

Fellaini is class all season. He only comes into the media limelight in games vs teams like United (that are on tv). Say that again in about 6 months.

Wytheshawe Red strikes with asome good old fashioned common sense..careful mate, common sense doesn't go down too well round these parts!
:)

Well said non the less.

RedMist

Fellaini is class but wouldnt suit us. weve just bought Kagawa in the position Fellaini plays. Witsel on the other hand will take over from Carrick if we buy him

GALWAY RED

Fellaini is very rarely average, but he's not usually as good as he has been the last couple of games against us either.

He'd probably do quite well for us sitting deeper and applying his power against the opposition midfield, but he's perhaps not quite quick enough to play as a proper box-to-box player. On the other hand, he'd stop teams trying to play in the air against us, between him and Rio, Vidic, Smalling....

I think Witsel is probably more what we want, but I haven't seen that much of him so I'm not 100% on that.

I'd still rather have Moutinho over both of them.

Thorne

21 Aug 2012 16:09:29
Can we say a BIG thank you to Arsenal for paying RVP wages for 3 months during pre-season. Saved us a few million. they could have left more match fit mind you.

Looks like Spurs are kindly doing the same for RM with Modric....

CAW

Think Spurs have fined Modric quite a lot for missing training, doubt they'd keep hold of him for this long if they weren't gaining something from it..

Ozwald

You're welcome- we can afford it (totally debt free in 2 seasons time...) - he only cost us 2.7 mil :)

Gooner for life

You will Need the money to pay for his medical bills. Would you take Chamakh as well
Paul Belfast

21 Aug 2012 16:00:21
Manchester United football club have made a stunning 25 million bid for Gaitan Source Understands Fergie wants to sign the player this week and United now have made there move for him '; Source ''''' United have made a bid for Gaitan as they fear Liverpool are watching his movment United now undertood to have made there move '''.


DiX0n (iNdiA)

We need a destroyer in the middle to protect the back four. kagawa, scholes, van persie, rooney will provide the creativity.

After watching Nani on the left then I hope that is true, he just isn't cut out for that side and we need a left sided player.

RedDevil19

I can assure you he is way better than nani. Watched him loads of time but would be surprised if benfica's let him go for euro 25mil

21 Aug 2012 14:44:36
Buttner has signed for Manchester United on a five year contract.

Welcome to Old Trafford!!

MDJ

I know we need a left back, but not heard many good things about this guy. Hopefully he will shine. Now for a midfielder. I hope we go for witsel or the cheaper wanyama. If Fergie wanted m'vila I think he would have gone for him by now. Any of these 3 will be good. Heres hoping!!


MUFC 88

21 Aug 2012 13:04:22
Reports that we have put an offer in for hector herrera, mexican international midfielder. Any truth to this and anyone seen him play and is this the signing ferguson was hinting at. Eds any reply would be welcomed.

shahram

His club has confirmed that utd have shown an interest. That's all.

Saw him at the olympics a couple of times, not a bad player, wasn't the stand out player in that gold medal midfield, Jorge Enriquez and Marco Fabian were better

=v1=

Dembale for 15m would be a perfect fit and price, for our team snd almost empty safe.
Mik

21 Aug 2012 13:27:22
A lot of people are missing the point in my opinion. It was not about the goal we conceded or how Felliani played but the zero in our goal scoring column that should worry us. We need a CM desperately to replace Scholes and Nani needs replacing not because of last night but because of a huge number of performances like that.

What is really worrying is SAF comments about not using RVP not getting the ball to him. Hello SAF you left him on the bench for all but 22 mins or did you not notice ?

Then there was the sight of clueless Phelan sat slumped next to SAF not doing anything looking confused, this is also something to note

I see people saying only one defeat and how can we react like this. Well simple it's the same problems as last season and the season before and yet SAF has still not bought the players needed to solve it and there are 10 days to do it. The need for a Nani replacement , a CM and a number 2 did not spring out of last nights game but have been discussed for a long time. The clock is ticking SAF

Red Man

Red Man... your are so spot on and yet i have mentioned this over 12 months ago...that after our defeat v Barcelona first time...then things had to change drastically otherwise we wont compete... When Ronaldo left then it was obvious he needed replacing.... made massive deifference ie goals tally.. the Paul Scholes retiring as not suddenly hit Fergie all of a sudden surely.. i hear same old comments from Fergie... we have a network of scouts and we do our homework early... well heyo does not look like it Sir Alex !! ie Hazzard , Moura Silva, Schneider, Nasri...there are aplayers that are just not good enough ie Anderson,Nani , Raphael,Evra,Bebe ah ah! 7 million scandalous signing... and yet Fergie does not see this...
Phelan needs changing big time...
our problems are competing moneywise( Glaziers giving permission for signings) the old man syndrome ...from Fergie ...being obstinate and cant be told...Phelans tactics and coaching as now run its course and everybody as got new ideas... the shining lights for us are Kagawa... will be great player for us...RVP good signing and will get goals

we need Javi Martinez ...who can play defensive and midfield and will cost same as RVP ?... everybody says Knee jerk reaction but this as been staring in our faces for a long time...
stockport red

I agree 100%

I actually think Kagawa would suit the scholes role, looked very good last night. Just wish the others where on the same wave length. But we need DM urgently as teams seem to go through us in the centre at will.

Also young and nani need to be replaced there service is poor, and they don't play the percentage game.

Also Rooney had another poor game, needs some time on the bench.

But not too worried about last night as players where played out of position due to injuries.

So, it is the same problem as when we won the EPL and when we came second by goal difference.

I am sorry, but these knee jerk reactions must have City fands laughing their asses off.

Nani most likely does need to be replaced, but if you are looking for a Scholes replacement I have only 3 responses:

1) We still have Scholes.
2) You don't just replace a player like Paul Scholes.
3) Kagawa is capable of developing into that same player. Constantly finding space, quickly making himself avaiable for the obvious, ball moving passes and with a range of passing to boot.

In an ideal world, i think we all want that 'solidifying' central midfielder. If it doesn't happen, we still have one hell of a team and squad and once again will be righ tup there at the end of the season.

At times I wonder how people even manage to enjoy their football with all the doom and gloom they bring to every football debate.

MDJ

I agree with you that we need a new CM, but not on the basis of last night. If we had a CB next to Vidic and Carrick in the midfield then the defense would have been much more covered. We would have also won a lot more high ball sow e would have been in possession much more and wouldn't have given away so many free kicks in the middle which gives them possession and territory. I agree we need a new CM but not because of us not scoring yesterday as if we had two CB's I think we would have done.

Welsh Dragon

Also 100% agree with last post
Rooney doesntdeserve to walk into the team. is he really that good?

Nani his early card was a joke his corners are appauling toni v would of been so much better right wing (injury allowing of course)

young well hes allways been a lightweight i dont understand what fergie saw in him.

we move the ball forward way too slow too. needs to be worked on

I think all teams need a new No:2 after a while. New ideas, a freshness to things. Fergie usually changes them, Mclaren, Kidd, Quieroz etc etc all came and went. Its obvious we need something different. Teams are sussing us out way to easily and like before posters I am not referring to last night but last season too. We are predictable and sadly easy to defend against. We refuse to play down the middle and we always play via the wingers which are the weak link at the moment. So Teams will pack the middle like last night and rely on our midfielders to pass to the wingers which is safe as there is so often no end product.

Sambo

Will those be the seasons when we were level on points with city and the season we won the league and qualified for the champs league final. nice problems to have!

So, so negative. Get a grip and support our tram

MDJ

What i am says is replace scholes, and put kagawa in the central mid position. Kagawa movement, position and passing was a lot better than scholes last night, ans he was player of the year in German last year. He was making him self available for the pass all the time last night, as Gary N commented.

But we do need a defensive midfielder along side or just behind him

Red Man United took the words out of my mOuth, it's crazy

Ren

We need a destroyer to protect the back four. kagawa, scholes, van persie and rooney will provide the creativity. nani = waste of space. valencia number 7 = joke of the year. pheelan needs to be replaced.

It's easy being a Manager of Manchester united isn't it!
Think I'll apply for the post once fergie steps down.......
Tongue held firmly in cheek... Some people on here don't remember the 70s and 80s. All they have known is continued success...and why is that, oh yeah, cos a certain Sir Alex Ferguson has been the manager!

J - Stand

At last someone hits the nail on the head. No midfield and Nani should be ashamed. We really need a midfield general who can tackle and strike fear into the enemy. Sounds like someone in the Roy Keane mould. The only two who currently tick those boxes are Wiesel or strongman. Time to pay up saf.

J-stand

I started watching United in the late 60's so was around and going to games in the 70s and 80s before SAF.

I worry SAF is losing sight of things as his major successes have had a good number 2 to consider minute detail and likely challenge him. Believe me when you sit at the top if someone doesn't point things out you can lose sight of the obvious occasionally.

Red Man

Red Man

Unbelievable one game and all the doom merchants r out telling saf where he's going wrong! It's true we need a defensive mid fielder and abit of cover at cb cos we had the same problems last year with injury prone defence but things ain't that bad. It's a marathon not a sprint remember!

Please dont take anything away from everton the way they plyed last night specially can beat anyone in league we werenot at our best but werent that bad we won loads game played worse than that just need someone dose some magic sometimes and have some beleive thats diffrent between champion and the rest top five in league and we got alex for belive and van and rooney for magic

We had 70 per cent possession on mon night, we dont need a destroyer to break things up we need more creativity, if nani has a bad game we dont score. nani is our only creative player . we shouldnt be getting rid of him we should be looking at how to get the best out of him. People calling nani a disgrace should look at the Basle game last year only nani and evra gave a stuff, all rooney cared about was nipping off after game to get his ban reduced.

21 Aug 2012 12:32:34
ed002, is it good for united that George Soros has bought 8% stake in united?
what will this mean for us ed?

thanks {Ed002's Note - It means nothing and the stake is about 1.8%.}

George Soros makes leftfield play for Manchester United

George Soros has bought up 1.9% of Manchester United, according to a recent filing with the US Securities and Exchange Commission. That's 8% of all the shares floated - quite a substantial slice of Red Devil pie. He spent over $40m on the deal, which would be a significant investment for most but is just a drop in Soros’ existing $25bn asset portfolio.

This is an interesting punt, given that Manchester United’s share price has been steadily sinking since the August listing. Last night, the company’s stock closed at $13.06, down 6.7% since the IPO.

So what does hedge fund legend and financial maverick Soros see in Manchester United? Well, it looks like the Glazers can rest easy - it's unlikely that he's trying to muscle in on their action. Firstly, he’s not a ‘hostile takeover’ kind of guy (although, conversely, he did consider a takeover of debt-ridden Italian club AS Roma back in 2008). Secondly, the Glazers have constraints in place to stop that happening. Their Class B shares have ten times the voting power of the publically traded shares. This is part of the reason investors have been somewhat thin on the ground.

Soros isn’t in it for the divis either: Class As pay out no dividends, which has also been a bit of a turn off for investors. These are the ‘No Frill’s variety of shares: you buy them and hope they go up in value. Soros could be doing just that if he believes the club is undervalued.

He might have a point too. There are some seriously lucrative media deals in the pipeline. The English Premier League’s media rights are growing fast, with a 70% increase forecast for the 213-2014 season. And Soros has made a nice early play, just in time to reap the benefits of the international rights announcement in late October too.

Or, perhaps more likely given his hedge fund roots, he’s going to short the shares – bet on them losing value. Manchester United did just lose their first Premier League game of the season on Monday against Everton after all. While the signing of Arsenal star striker Robin van Persie is a coup for the club, one man does not a team make.


Investors will be watching Soros like a hawk over the next few weeks. If he bets against Manchester United, it could be bad news for the club. Lest we forget, this is the man who nearly sunk the pound single-handedly in 1992, selling short $10bn of British sterling. Much will rest on Manchester United's next match. The team plays Fulham on Saturday and a win could do a lot for investor confidence. No pressure then, RVP.

It's a 7.85% stake

It always helps to have one of the world's most successful investors in your corner. The purchase of shares by George Soros could help lift investor sentiment about the recent flotation.

Besides, he is too canny an investor to put his money in a loss-making prospect. He must have envisaged some long-term value in those shares, maybe because the club's value will increase with new revenue streams and then eventually sold. Most optimists believe that is what has attracted him.

The man who destroyed the Bank of England.
If he's in, then i's only for the money.

20 Aug 2012 15:36:40
Ed002, do you think there is a chance Spurs may go back for Berbatov if they become too desperate for a striker? His salary his around £100k a week, similar to that of Adebayor after City's contribution, there is that awkwardness between him, Levy and the fans. But for around £5m-£8m he could be a good stopgap for a year or two. Any latest on Berbatov Ed? Thanks.

Sydney! {Ed002's Note - No, I think it very unlikely.}

Adebayor signed for totenham today, so yeah agreeing with Ed. It$s unlikely

21 Aug 2012 11:47:10
Just on SSN and it says Rennes general manager Pierre Dreossi claims there are 3 offers for M'villa. 15 Million is the asking price but for a player of his quality and the fact our squad is crying out for a player like him, I think 15 Million would be more then worth it. Eds, do you have any idea who the offers/interested clubs are? I know Arsenal and Tottenham have been credited with interest and Arsenal have even made a bid, but have Spurs gone that far yet?
James. {Ed004's Note - Spurs have bid...}

Spurs and Arsnal are two. I also saw a rumour that United were credited with interest in 2 midfielders. 1 in England. But I thought the second was in Spain? Not France. Maybe Dembele and Isco? Like many on here I would prefer Witsel (given the option).

21 Aug 2012 09:57:21
provide me with some info about Kurt Zouma

& Eds whats about the midfield saga.....will we get one??

[plz do post]

omar {Ed004's Note - Zouma is a young centre back and I hope we get a midfielder}

21 Aug 2012 00:06:21
Good lord, give me strength!! Not for United's performance tonight but for the usual knee-jerk reactions on here after any defeat, especially away from home to a very good Everton side. I can say with some confidence that City wont come away from Goodison Park with 3 points.

TK-Red

U sure?

Only thing is though we dont need the team revolving around kagawa and van persie when there are other great talents there!

It's our own fault. We don't have anyone who can match players such as Fellini, yaya ect. Until we get a big strong midfielder we are always going to struggle

Fellaini was brilliant , used brilliantly , he man marked scholes amazing . Don,t give a dam , I found that a brilliant game , Kagawa our best player tonight , Cleverly getting a rhythm goin , things not quite getting there so what , I saw a great Man United side happening there wonderful game . A great work in progress , don,t need the valium tonight , and I won,t have any nightmares in pale blue.

Sorry but im sick listening to this nonsense. We dont need a big strong 6ft ball winning midfielder. Yes Feliani had a blinder and we struggled to handle him, thing is Barcelona dont have that player. I know they have Busqets but hes no match for yaya. I think we have good options in midfield. Two of our midfielders played in defense tonight and thats why we lost the game. I see Jones emerging as our ball winner in the next couple of years I think he is emense. We had a very tough game tonigjt and it was the first game of the season. Take the possitives: Cleverly, Kagawa, De Gea and Vidic were fantastic. My problem is Wayne Rooney, and Nani. Nani is so inconsistent its so fraustrating and i am one of Rooneys biggest fans but tonight his first touch was attrocious and i really do believe that he has too many spells like this! He is seen as one of the best in the world but i believe he is the least consistent of the elite..
MUFC333

They will actually...because Toure is way better at that role than Fellaini, and the entire rest of City's side is better, and the majority of their CB's are not injured....

The only reason this works for everton is because they just punt the ball forward and he heads the ball, we simply dont do this because we actually play quality football, this is just start of season nerves(lol) but seriously we will be back and scoring lots and playing like an MUFC side should.

Aaronaldo7

Oh yeah? Don't be so sure. City have got good players and steel in midfield and defence. Unlike us, we have no steel in midfield and Fergie can't see it. Worrying. Same old storey.

Totally true its not knee jerk its FACT we need a ball winner in the middle how thick can you all be to see we have missed that for years now

True no need to press the panic button but i do think that is the worst opening day performance from United i have ever seen. I think it was the manner of the performance not the result, we were shocking !

Very good Everton side..............there midfield consisted of one phil neville and one Darron Gibson............If we can't out pass outmanouvre and steamroll our former reserve players what chance have we..............the midfield issue has not been addressed and playing carrick centre half is like having a poodle as a guarddog!

Guess you didn't see how City responded to going behind 1-2 down then.First game of the season and they showed their quality.Before anyone says I am a City fan I am not.However I don't choose to ignore the obvious just because I love Utd and hate City.

I agree that the knee jerk reactions can be annoying but i dont think its that this time i think its the manner in which we lost!! we got outplayed by one player last night thats what upset me!! and i wasnt happy the way we were laid out!! everton rip us open numerous times and we failed to make really a clear cut chance besides cleverley's chance!!

we spent millions this summer and we still cant pass it around an everton side all be it a good everton side!! this is why people are worried what man city might do to us if everton can!! and he should of taken off rooney lets be honest

fat bear {Ed004's Note - Didn't Everton beat Man City at home last season 1-0?}

City will destroy Everton no harm mate ..


we were crap last night ..

Everton aren't as good as we made them look

MUFC333 - I disagree, Jones needs to be developed as a centre-half, not turned into a midfielder. Being able to cover there is great, but if you look at the teams playing the best "modern" football, both at club and international level, usually at least one of the centre-halfs can distribute the ball well. Jones can do this for us, he just needs a few more years experience before he becomes a first choice starter, and he should make an awesome pairing with Smalling in a few years, with Smalling providing the blend of pace, power and aerial abillity which made Ferdinand such a legend.

As for the CM issue, I agree we don't neccesarily need a big guy, but we do need someone else who's better at winning the ball and can also distribute it well, someone to really help us dominate in midfield, although if this player is a big guy it doesn't hurt!

Thorne

Maybe - but chelsea might - dont know about rvp - better rip

City will wipe the floor with Everton. Everton are not a good team. {Ed004's Note - They didn't last time}

We need 2 major midfield signings or a commitment to play Jones and some of the younger players there and let him learn and allow them the mistakes until they hopefully get established. This constant rotating of people in weird positions is very unsettling for a side and how on earth can any footballer feel comfortable when they play a different position every other game. Scholes is a great player but the tempo of the game is too slow and easy for the opposition to defend against.

I can assure you if Roy Keane was on the pitch, fellaini would have gotten an early message if you know what i mean.

finally, the team looks out of shape from a fitness level and there can be no excuses for that. Anderson and Rooney look like they have been on an ice cream and beer diet for the summer and the Rooney fan club can get realistic. He was rubbish at the Euros and generally not very impressive the last 12 months in the big games.

Heard it here first and if we can get 60 mill pounds for him, i would sell today and buy two world class midfielders with the money or Falcao and a world class midfielder.

Nani was poor rooney was poor evra has lost it
good points
that tackle for scholes yellow
de gea laser surgery
kagawa looking sharp
cleverly looking fit
the vid is back
next game fulham
3-0 to utd

Ed004 its no use mate. People evidently have short memories.

TK-Red

Everton fan here, To the original texter is right we will do Man city at Goodison as we have done for the last 4 seasons. This is the best side we have had since the 80's. I am very confident we will grab 4th this season.

Top 10 at the end of the season.

1 Man utd
2 Man city
3 Chelsea
4 Everton
5 Arsenal
6 Newcastle
7 Tottenham
8 Liverpool
9 Fulham
10 Sunderland.

Everton to beat city at Goodison and to finished top 4 get to the bookies men its a banker.

Your right edd004 but i guarantee that everton wont beat city again this season!!

Fat Bear {Ed004's Note - No garuntee's in football mate}

20 Aug 2012 23:06:17
well done everton.... SOLID at the back and rock solid in the middle..... BIG F did not have enough pockets to fit all the players in.....

thought kagawa and de gea had great games and vidic was solid in his first game back, cleverly did well but we need to pick this up quick....and we need someone solid in the middle... weather it be witsel, m'vila, Martinez... someone of this mold is needed..

the only other issue is cb, which in its-self sounds stupid as we have 5, yes 5 quality cb's... but 4 are injured... if one of these is not available next week then wooton has to play.

oh well not the way i would have wanted to start the season but this may have made fergie seriously consider what we have all known for ages and it is that we lack something in the middle and given our present situation i do not understand why fergie is not demanding we make a offer for martinez as he could cover cb until one of the other 4 are back and then play in the middle where he is most needed.....

Oxred

Yes mate,bang on. everton were great tonight but as you say it highlights what we need in the centre of the park. i for one would love felaini n no, not just because of what we've seen tonight. big,strong,can pass n is about 7'' tall, he was amazing tonight n in his early 20's

andyred

Exactly, five injured cb and whooton still can't get a game. We play carrack out of position when he would have been better in midfield. Same old Fergie tactics. They didn't work last year and they won't this year. We've lost the plot.

20 Aug 2012 22:59:01
For the past 2 years on this site I have been saying we should buy Fellaini and tonight he proved why. How many times did he hold the ball up when none of our players could. That midfield is simply not good enough. We knew that 2 years ago after the champions league final and this won't be the only game that highlights it. Rooney won't have troubled the kit man today as he didn't sweat or get dirty as I dont think he touched the ball. It really was a very poor performance and the look on Fergie's face near the end said more than a 1000 words. I AM KLOOT

So buy Fellaini and play him where, like tonight behind the front man so drop Rooney? Or RVP?

Rubbish idea we needed someone to boss Fellaini not buy him

Pardoe {Ed004's Note - Someone like Witsel ;)....}

Get fellaini!!

Andyred

A lot of people say fellaini so don't try to shine the light on yourself

We wouldn't be playing the high ball into Fellaini on a constant basis, it would be on the floor, immediately taking out a big part of his game. He is wonderful in a side who are happy to play in that manner, but I don't believe he would be the ideal solution to our central midfield issue.

That said, he was fantastic against us tonight and couldn't have given any more towards Everton's deserved win.

MDJ

I agree witsel would be a better option, Fellaini gets long high balls with everton so he would therefore not work for us as WE DONT PLAY LONG BALLS, sick of people on this site taking knee jerk reactions saying we need a player who plays well against us, when de gea wasnt performing well and any gk had a good game against him did everyone say "WE NEED BRAD FRIEDEL NOW", on the fact that he played one good game against us.
no we bloody well didnt

Rooney did sweat, yes he played badly but he still worked hard it just didnt come off but his first touch was woeful but he alwas comes back like this wether after euros, wc or just holidays. give him time.

Exactly, the sooner our manager realizes that we need steel in midfield the better.
This is the same man who bought Keano ince and had Robson and butt in our old sides.
Surely he must see that we are lacking steel in midfield. Or maybe he is too busy making excuses about not being clinical. What a load of rubbish.

I was thinking this last night however is it just me or does he only really play well against us ? when they play Liverpool City etc he does nothing !

He was lucky not be sent off.

Thats how good he is....

Fellaini this, Fellaini that, Fellaini blah....
It's like Monkey see, Monkey do.

Serious lack of imagination from some people here i have to say.

RedMist

RFT, I thought your footy knowledge would have been up to scratch. Like Pardoe says, shall we ditch Rooney and put Fellaini there then start playing the Everton long ball game?

FELLAINI DID NOT PLAY CENTRAL MIDFIELD!

Sydney!

Fellaini is not answer to our problems as a few have already pointed out.

And even if he was, just imagine the kind of money, Everton are likely to demand for him. He is their most expensive player ever at 19 million pounds. They will demand at least 25-26 mn, if not more. For a slightly above average Baines, they are demanding 17 mn plus. For that kind of money, we should be looking at someone else for our midfield.

Sick and tired of 'Buy Fellaini' shouts every few months.

Slightly above average baines!! What ! Evra couldnt clean his boots, You silly silly man. baines by far the best player at left back in the league, fergie would by him over RVP if he had the chance. {Ed004's Note - So why does Cole start ahead of Baines for England and don't get me wrong I rate Baines and I am one of those hoping he was signed}

SAF would buy Baines over RvP ?!! You clearly don't have a clue.

Fergie paid 22 mn (or 24 mn, depending on who you believe) for RvP. He had his chances to sign Baines (for 17 mn) but he clearly doesn't rate him at anywhere near that. But for RvP he was more than happy to shell out whatever Arsenal asked for, even going to the length of talking to Wenger personally to sort the deal out. I can't see him showing the same sort of enthusiasm in signing Baines.

I am not saying we won't sign him. We may yet do that. But I don't see SAF losing his sleep if he can't get him at his price. Whereas, losing out on RvP would have hurt his pride. And that reflects the fact that Baines is not going to add so much over what we already have from Evra that would make Fergie so eager to shell out 17 mn for him.

Amit-Bombay (Forgot to sign the last post about 'Slightly above average Baines')

I agree rooney seems to have lost his passion,how many times did you see him chasing back to help the midfield?(last season as well) something he always used to do.
nani is awful,you get a handful of good performances a season from him. the rest are like last nights woeful performance.

Ed004- Because Cole is recognised as the best but is he.? does he have a magic left foot like baines, can he ping passes like baines, does he bend free kicks round walls like baines, he is an excellent defender and quick but i know who i rate as the better player. His link up with pienaar was amazing last season and i wish he was linking with our left winger instead. {Ed004's Note - I am just giving my opinion that Cole offers more than Baines. I think he is the better player and I feel offers more going forward. All Baines has on him is his set pieces and maybe delivery into the box}