Manchester United Rumours Archive February 27 2013

27 Feb 2013 18:48:46
Ed's - I haven't seen any posts regarding this so here goes. Are the stories being reported true that Man United watched Rodriguez again the other day. If so then they have scouted him very heavily for the last 2 seasons perhaps a move for him is on the cards.

Thanks {Ed002's Note - Interest in the player is sustained, the issue is simply the price. Three clubs spoke to Porto about James Rodrigues over the summer and two bids were rejected. Neither matched Porto's then valuation of the player (30M euro). The bidding clubs were Manchester United and Palermo whilst Bayern Munich looking looking carefully at Rodrigues as an alternative to Dries Mertens who they are keen to move for next summer. Juventus has spoken with Porto recently but again money will be an issue unless a more creative solution can be found. There may well have been enquiries from other clubs including Napoli. It may be tough to find someone to pay the sort of fee Porto would now be looking for after negotiating a much higher release fee (45M euro) for the player.}

Ed002 - without going into specific figures, do you believe Porto would be willing to negotiate a price notably below the 'release fee'? Or do you think they'd be as stubborn as to keep hold of him unless they get close to that fee?

No worries the Q is a bit too specific but thanks in advance for any further info.

Personally, I can't see United bidding much higher than the original £30m euro fee. {Ed002's Note - There are realistic and unrealistic figures - some clubs look to the numbers as a deterent. If Porto wish to keep the player they will increase the release clause which is what they have done. It means it will be tough to negotiate down too much.}

Cheers Ed002, helpful as ever.

Why would we continue to scout someone who we are interested in, doesn't make sense in terms of knowing how he plays and whether he'll suit the team dynamic, surely a scout would be put to better use scouting an unknown quantity.

Winston

Would rather bought Moutinho as CM that rodrigues as winger. If we can get Moutinho and a deal for Bale or CR7 then that will be a veryy good summer. We can get rid of Valencia, Rooney, Macheda to raise some cash.

Winston, that's a rediculous thing to say. To get a full portfolio on him you have to see him multiple times to establish things like what he does well consistently etc. Anyone can have a brilliant 2 or 3 games that can impress people - what's important is how he regularly performs.

'Winston'

How many times do we see a player play well for a season or 18 months and then see his form dip when a big club shows an interest? Continued scouting is the best way to tell whether the player can play well consistently and handle the pressures of top level football. Remember the player is only 21 and is still developing, a development that the club need to keep an eye on.

TK-Red

Fresh, but we have been watching him for 2-3 years I think that's plenty of time to build up a portfolio, and if we have put in a bid surely we think he is suitable?

Winston

TK-Red, thanks for the reply, as I have said to fresh all I'm thinking is if we have bid for him last season we must think he is good enough so why continue scouting him, I just think its a waste of resources that's all, I understand that consistency is key but we have been scouting him for years, we have scouted players for less amount of time and put in bids

Winston

Chill Winston, I'm sure Sir Alex knows how to run a club and a scouting network.

I'm not an expert on how the scouting system works but I imagine that 2-3 years ago we would've had him watched much less and as our interest grew, had him watched more often. Plus I'm sure our scouting system can easily cope.

TK-Red

27 Feb 2013 07:27:13
Press reporting PSG will put in a bid for Rooney in the summer. Interesting and if true it might give us the funds to go after CR7.

My sense is there was any truth to it fergie would be tempted as he loves CR7.

Imagine CR7 on the left a nani/valencia/zaha performing on the right, kagawa in the hole and RVP upfront with two sitting midfielders bossing the middle would be fun to watch.
4-4-1-1

LOL might as well pick up lewandowski and just light up teams for fun.


Shahram

27 Feb 2013 12:11:52
I have just the one question. Its not a negative or a criticism. But who would cover Kagawa or be back up? In case of injuries or international duty. Do you see Powell being given responsibility or perhaps Anderson if he is retained. Or even another youngster being signed? MrE

That would be pretty awesome LOL. Could even go with a front 4 of Ronaldo, Kagawa, Lewandowski & RVP.

Fresh!

I think if Kagawa got injured then we'd play more of a 4-4-2 with a pairing of something like RVP & Welbeck.

Just replying to the name, in case kagawa gets injured, rvp is very good in the hole and could play there with lewandowski or even welbeck playing the most advanced striker position.

Why would we sell Rooney they guy is still one of our most important players and yes he is not playing as well as he can. Who was our main man when Ronoldo was at Utd? Who did all the hard graft Ronaldo would not do? Rooney is still one of the best footballers in the world on his day so it would be stupid to sell him.

Damian M

I think the jury is out on kagawa

Who would replace him if he got injured, I think the question is has he done enough this season to prove he can be a top player for united

Damian I can see Rooney going because he is nearing the end of his contract, bear in mind he stiffed us with the last tantrum he's likely to want more money.

Lets say we brought Ronny back he would expect to be on a par, plus its likely only Rooney leaving would bring in the necessary to get Ronny. {Ed004's Note - Ronaldo would well and truely cover Rooneys goals as well}

Jred

No he hasn't (Kagawa, this season) but I'm confident he will kick on next season and show his worth. He has had the language barrier to overcome as well as his big move and an early injury. But IMO his biggest issue has been that SAF doesn't know how best to utilise him in our current setup. Will we see some personnel changes in the summer which allow for a more free flowing formation with Kagawa in his favoured no. 10 position? I'm not sure, just speculating for now.

Badger
I would agree with that, looked good for dourtman given time I think he will do well {Ed004's Note - I'd love to see a front four of Gotze, kagawa, Ronaldo and RVP but can't see it happening as it would cost a lot. Nani, Valencia and Rooney would need to be sold and you wouldn't even have looked at midfield and lb yet}

Ed a lot depends if kags adapts to the EPL, at the moment I would have Rooney over kagawa both haven't had a great season to be honest but I think Rooney will still hit 20 this season.
Either of gotze or reus look very good {Ed004's Note - But kagawa would assist a lot more and Ronaldo will well and truly cover Rooneys goals. If it came down to it. Would you see Rooney to buy Ronaldo?}

We can score all the goals we need with RVP, Rooney, Wellbeck (well in theory anyway with Danny), Chico, (though I'd be happy to see him replaced by Lewendowski). It's that lack of a ball winner in midfield and someone with creative nous in midfield that should be first priority this season. I think that rather than Nani going, it should be Young. Then if we add a Wanyama type midfielder, alongside Eriksen or Gotze we would look the buisness. I also think we need a good back up GK as Lindergaard is not up to it. Though I'd love to see CR7 back at OT, the cost, 70m minimum could be spent in a more productive way. If we were to buy him it would be to get one great player for 3 or 4 seasons. We need to put a structure in place that will see us evolving over the longer term. We need to prepare to replace all the older players the 32 and overs.
Mik

Ed it's a no brainer I think everyone would sell Rooney to get ronaldo back

Jred not me. Katef

I'd sell Rooney to get Ronaldo back any day! Creativity and Goalscoring and he won't hold the club to ransom for more money or sleep with any old hookers!

Katef, I love rooney as a player but bottom line Ronaldo is better, are you biased by any chance? I noticed previously that you mentioned his pavee background. Personally I would prefer to have both but based purely on their level of football youve got to go with ronaldo. I really think people are being a bit on the fickle side though as fans want to sell anyone out of form.

snakey