Manchester United Rumours Archive January 06 2013

06 Jan 2013 23:10:35
I was just wondering what about a summer move Alex Song? As far as I'm aware he isn't injured and is struggling to get playing time at Barca. Considering his age and form last year at Arsenal especially his link up play with RVP could he be the defensive midfielder United need? Potentially available for 10-15m? Any thoughts?

Shoppers

I thought we were silly not to go for him last summer when Barca did he would have been a great buy and a bargain.... But you also have to think about the AFCON too... I think we missed out big time.

I think its a decent call, always thought he was quite underrated in the prem. Doubt Barca will want to sell though and not many players ask to leave there either.

Parks

He is one if the highest earners at Barca (on about 130 a week I think) he'd need to half that here.

1993

06 Jan 2013 20:35:39
Beckham is holding for a a contract at man utd until the end of the season

Could take the heat off Valencia, who is definitely having a poor run of form!

Depending on his wages I would do it. If he only plays 4 or 5 matches we are a little short on the right with Nani not playing and Valencia carrying some sort of recurring injury. Can't hurt and he would be killer from set pieces. Perhaps I am being a little sentimental as well but I dont care, as long as he doesn't hinder our performances I would love to add him to the squad. Not to mention the commercial benefits he would bring to the club.

Dan

It must be April 1st his legs were going when he left donkeys years ago

Pardoe

So was I but I over did it at Christmas

So Becks could link up with Giggs and Scholes, so we can have 3 midfielders pushing 40. Give us a break, that's truly stupid. Next someone will suggest Sir Bobby should put his boots back on. - What trash
Mik

Sir Bobby? Hey not a bad idea..

Are the two people who commented and agreed the same person as the OP?

Surely there are not 3 people that think it would be a good idea?

GDS

Oh good god, sums some fans up on here, doesn't it?

Grubbo

Schmeical and Irwin would certainly solve the tricky goalkeeper and left back problem areas. But what about the centre of the park issue, need someone to break up play, grab games by the scruff of the neck, play killer passes and steam into challenges with desire and commitment then ghost into the box to notch a few vital goals. The answer is captain marvel himself.

Robbo could be the box to box midfield general we so badly crave, he's available, he's a fan, he's spotted around the place by lots of people.

I think I may have spotted him in the stand last week. What could he be doing there unless he's in talks over a new contract?

06 Jan 2013 12:42:05
Ed002, many media sources saying Spurs have entered the race to sign Zaha. Crystal Palace are being difficult with United and that Spurs are willing to be more flexible financially to land him. United seem to be making room for a young winger by selling Brady, King and loaning out Bebe. Any updates your end? Thanks.

Sydney! {Ed002's Note - Manchester United and Spurs are the primary contenders for Zaha Syd. Spurs are interested as an alternate to an expensive Willian. Crystal Palace will look to hold on to Zaha until the summer and if they get promoted perhaps after that.}

I think that the only two likely signings this January are Zaha and Strootman. We do seem to be making room for a new player, probably a new winger like you said.

Fresh!

06 Jan 2013 14:23:56
two players i think we can't really miss out on.

King, Brady & the loan moves will bring in around £4m (so far). This is £4m that will be deducted straight from the accounts in one go as all player sales are deducted in one go. With players signed the amounts taken out in one go is their fee divided by the amount of year's their contract runs for. So Zaha at £10m would cost us £2m this year. So if we were to spend £20m approx (transfer fees and other costs) and bought two players like Strootman & Zaha on five year deals, then only £4m of that (£20m) would come out this financial year. So by spending £20m and selling players worth £4m, the finances would actually show January's transfer window as breaking even. So when I see the club selling off fringe and youth players in January, I can only see it as a raising money exercise for new player/s or making room for player/s. With King, Bebe, Henriquez & Brady all leaving the club and all being forward/wingers it could indicate that we will sign a similar player this window. Is Zaha worried about lack of playing chances? If so then clearing four players in one window could make him think otherwise.

Sydney!

06 Jan 2013 16:25:05
sydney that does make sense. He'd go to where the best opportunity is. Our wingers have for a variety of reasons been poor this season so far. But i thought the biggest obstacle was palace wanting him back on loan. Which i understand we are prepared to do. I'd imagine spurs will try to offer more than us but would want him immediately. Mort

I don't think Zaha is ready for the United team or spurs for that matter if his looking for playing time he would be better of at palace because he won't get a game at United
jred

Mort, I think we will want him now due to Nani possibly going out the door this month. Perhaps that is part of the hold up? Perhaps the club want to deal with Nani first? That would be a mistake IMO. Mind you, if we bought Zaha the buying club may think we are desperate to offload Nani and offer a pittance?

Sydney!

Jred, how wouldn't he get a game at United? If Nani is sold this month we will have a poor Valencia who is badly off form and Young. If either is injured or need a rest why wouldn't he play?

Sydney!

Syd, that maybe be so, but it was more undertsand that Palace were adamant they wanted him to stay for the promotion push and we were the most likely to accept that as it gives him guaranteed games rather than sitting on our bench, things may have changed. As for Nani it depends on if there is interest? I agree we should get Zaha sorted first. Mort

Syd
I don't think he's good enough for United yet, I don't see him as a replacement for nani
jred

Jred, I tend to agree, but I think he would get games if he did join this month. I think buying and sending back to Palace my be the best option like Mort said, but if Nani is sold then the manager may need him. We have struggled without width as an option. I don't think Zaha would be a direct replacement for Nani, something tells me we may still look at a Rodriguez type player whether we sign Zaha or not.

Sydney!

Syd
for me Zaha is one for the future, I would agree if we sell nani we need to sign someone of a similar level, which is what I meant before
I thought nani might of left this Jan but I'm not so sure now
jred

I think it depends on interest, if a team doesn't make an acceptable offer for Nani to Nani and the club then he will stay. There is no way the club will try to hold onto him if a good offer comes in. The club will not want to lose him for a smidgen of the price in a year's time or for free in the summer of 2014.

Sydney!

Thing is though Syd, if we bought Zaha I'm not so confident we would see another wideman signed, which is my worry with such a deal. We need to strengthen LB and CM too. Plus we are always linked to Lewandowski and young CB's. I'm not sure we have the funds or inclination to buy 2 new widemen on top of all that. We rarely make more than 3 key signings in a summer and I'm not yet convinced we will buy in January.

Gav

Syd
i will put it an other way.
i think if we sell nani this jan we will need to replace him with a player of similar quality.
due to the injury his had, and a number of other things i dont think he will go this jan .

I also dont think we will make a major signing this jan and due to the current
state of our wingers you could argue we need one even if nani stops so i think it unlikely he will now go.

the club will not want him to run his contract down but he wont be the first i think a summer move in 2013 is more likely
jred

I depends on what offers the club receive. If the manager needs to play with Valencia, Young & Zaha? then that is what we will do. The club cannot afford to block a move if an acceptable offer comes in.

Sydney!

Syd
and if nani says no
jred

Then he will continue to be benched for the next 6-18 months.

Sydney!

Syd
would you say he got benched after he said no in the summer
jred

He certainly played a lot less. The manager benched him a lot at the start of the season.

Sydney!

To even think of Zaha in the same way as Nani is ridiculous. Nani for all his inconsistancy is a World better than Zaha. If Nani were to leave we should be looking for a more rounded player. Zaha stats are as thin as he is
Mik

05 Jan 2013 22:46:50
ED02 reports say Chelsea are close to signing Isco is this true? {Ed002's Note - Barcelona, Manchester City, Real Madrid, Juventus and Spurs have shown an interest in Isco and he came close to a move to Dortmund, who may still follow up the matter. Chelsea had someone watch Isco in a recent game against Granada and again very recently. I suspect AC Milan might look to the player as well. There were rumours of interest from Manchester United and Arsenal. If they are forced to sell - and they don't want to, I would suspect Chelsea, Juventus and Real Madrid are best placed right now to push a deal through. A move in January is by no means certain as Malaga are looking to have Isco sign a new long-term contract. Malaga wanted 21M euros and are now negotiating an increase in his release clause to 42M euros using a pay rise to tempt the player to agree - but they do fear a move for the player this month.}

05 Jan 2013 21:24:44
ED... Do you know of anyone interested in Brazilian Midfielder Fernandinho? {Ed002's Note - Try the search function - a made up quote a few weeks back.}

06 Jan 2013 11:37:27
it looks like we're having a mini clear out. Josh king and robbie brady so far and three million raised. Would have thought they'd have gone in the summer. Who's next?

Macheda M.Keane

It's dependent on who is interested my friend. But Kiko, Reece Brown, Wootton, Amos, Nani & possibly Anderson will be available for the right price, although the latter is injured so very unlikely to leave.

Sydney!

Michael Keane is not for sale. SAF has very high hopes for him and his brother.

Sydney!

Unamed - don't see M. Keane leaving. Agree 100% with Syd though.

Fresh!

06 Jan 2013 12:27:33
keane is on loan and is better than wootton so wont be sold. I do hope someone comes in for macheda, he's at an age where he should be playing or his career will stall, if it hasn't already. He wont get chances at us so might as well leave. If i was his agent or at the club i'd be phoning every team in italy.

Amos, Brown, Veseli, Giverin, Wootton, Nani, Bebe, Macheda, Cofie I'm sure are all up for grabs.

Question is does anyone want them?

TJ

Anderson has started training again and will be available soon.
Raffa

Would like Amos to stay and sell Lindegaard. Would raise some money and I genuinely think Amos is better.

Dan

Hpefully Cleverly will be added to that list too

Bilko

06 Jan 2013 09:38:49
Man united are today linked with a £15mil move for Bender according to the Sunday times. Should they fail, they will turn their attention to Strootman.

Patzi

He should be our top top top target.
Great age, good engine, good tackler & a decent passer. We'd get more out of Carrick if he wasn't given those defensive duties. Even rest Carrick & play Ando & Clev just ahead of Bender in a 4-3-3

TJ

Sven or Lars Bender?

ALDUtd

06 Jan 2013 03:28:29
Ferdinanho story is rising again. Reports clam that we have agreed fee with shakter yesterday.
Good move if true
Rodio17