Manchester United Rumours Archive June 06 2012

06 Jun 2012 22:54:06
Has Pogba officially gone to Juve now?

Do hope so, Its about time he packed his bags.

Why do you say hope so ? Do you know the real story ? No you dont and that lad has worn the red with pride and passion ! Until
You have done that you have no place to slate him. We all make mistakes he has had like 3 agents in as many years . People are after making off him and it's been confusing for him. I think he's been a bit daft but nothing is signed yet so unless you know the facts then You should respect the club and it's players until you get official notification . If not there's always citeh we don't need your kind embarrassing the rest of us

Yeh pogba has gone jus bin on sky sports news.

Why do you say hope so ? Do you know the real story ? No you dont and that lad has worn the red with pride and passion ! Until
You have done that you have no place to slate him. We all make mistakes he has had like 3 agents in as many years . People are after making off him and it's been confusing for him. I think he's been a bit daft but nothing is signed yet so unless you know the facts then You should respect the club and it's players until you get official notification . If not there's always citeh we don't need your kind embarrassing the rest of us
--------------------------------------
No we don't know the full sorry but has chosen the agents, he has let this drag and I'm sorry if you disagree but need this resolving quickly in or out.

I made the point last night is he good enough at present to demand a regular first team place, the answer is no, we all know he will be but he needs to have patience, sack his agent and go with his gut, get his head down and demand that place.

If he leaves United then good luck to him, but the whole saga has dragged on far to long and I for one will be glad when it has ended.

Not going to support City as you suggested above but I think a lot of people will have the views of the earlier post.

You need to accept other peoples views as well.

A

Paul has gone, moved out of his house in Manchester but I guarantee that the twitter account is fake. Massive loss.......... I'm a Liverpool fan but went to school with a united reserve who is friends with pollo. Unlucky guys!!

Is the anonymous poster above Pogba's Dad or something? Calm down everyone is due an opinion, and we're all agreeing Juve is an odd choice
Hallis

It's not been on sky sports news at all

MUFC1990

Yeah it is an odd choice. Bar big signings (which hopefully now happen) in central midfield it was pretty obvious he would get more opportunities this season. Let not pretend Juventus arent a massive club as well, but unless he has been given some kind of (bs) guarantees by the club, I think it will be harder for him to actually get games in there midfield than ours and the stadium though a great one hasnt exactly got the best atmosphere or attendances. Either the guy is a bit stupid or surely there must have been mre problems behind the scenes to get him to make that choice rather than just agents. Still each to there own, I think he could end up regretting his decision when he matures far more than we will.
Invisible STuey

06 Jun 2012 22:31:47
Does anyone really believe Sir Alex would pay €11 million for Viktor Fischer who is only 17 years old? Is he really that good?

£12 million - Ronaldo. Just saying.

Percy

We paid 7.4 million for an unknown bebe....so someone who is rated as highly as fischer, i think it is a possibility.

And 27million Rooney.

He paid £7million for Bebe. It's possible.

Andrew B

06 Jun 2012 21:37:26
Pogba finally signs 4 year deal with juve, why has he gone, must be awful Turin, small crowds, a corrupt league, worst Italian football league in living memory and not getting in their team, all that would attract anyone

What a shock, at least it's over and we can move on.

Lets hope we draw them in the CL and kick his arse.

A

Good riddance

Proof? Nothing I can see, all rumours again.

GDS

Are you really asking why has he gone ? Thought that was obvious , we won't hear about him again I think

Dustbin

06 Jun 2012 20:37:20
ed004, do you think the asamoah transfer to Juve is taking a while because asamoah has his heart set on united?
he seems to be dropping hints that he wants to join us, is there any interest in him at all?
looks a good young talented player an would only cost 12M.

JK92 {Ed004's Note - I am not sure... Never seen him play so can't pass judgement...}

He seems a good player...my only concern from watching his youtube clips is that he seems to be very one footed...maybe they are a bit misleading

Pistol

I've watched him plenty of times and can confirm he does actually have two feet;-) lol.

Shappy

I can pass judgement. I have watched him play for both Udinese and Ghana, and I can comfortably say that he's not the kind of player we need. At Udinese, he plays very deep and is often defending in the penalty box. For Ghana, he is often given something of a free attacking role behind the striker, and has been terrible here. He's not very creative, or a great passer.

06 Jun 2012 18:15:22
are manchester united intrested in signing a striker .
When the rumuors about robert lewndowski surfaced up, his agent came out and confirmed united's interest ,that cleary shows that we may move for a striker .
Your thoughts ED? {Ed004's Note - I don't think we will sign a forward...}

Even i dont think we will sign a forward, Hernandez and Welbeck should be given more chances this season. Also when Will Keane will recover from his injury, he might be given chance in the 1st team this season. Atleast he will be used as substitute. The boy has great talent and could become one of the best striker in the world. He need to play with guys like Rooney and learn from him..
We will sign 2 or 3 more players. One will definitely be a CM/DM. One Right Back and one young winger.

DC

With Berba and Owen leaving I think that we need a striker as there is not much option for SAF. Rooney, Hernandez and Welbeck. Kean is out injured and Macheda should try and get some Prem. experience

I think that was just his agent name dropping to get a better contract at BVB

Last year we played with two strikers and Owen and Berbatov hardly got a sniff, next season it looks like we'll be playing with one up front so what chances would that new signing get? Plus Kagawa is a high scoring and chance creating player so I don't think we'll need another striker yet.

Shappy

I think we will sign a striker if berba leaves. 3 is not enough, if Rooney gets injured it might be a lot to ask for welbeck and Hernandez to lead the front line.

Erm sorry to slash on your BBQ editor but arsenal confirmed via their board that we enquired about RVP so I'm guessing your not a red or following this transfer window closely .No offence just honesty. Guess you will pull this post to save face ? Or will you chance it with a comeback you fail to put on here ? Nameless and shameless {Ed004's Note - I am sorry where did I say we wouldn't sign a striker? I say I don't think we will as Kagawa has recently signed and will be therefore played as the second striker. We only played this season with 3 strikers and Will Keane is highly rated by Fergie by the looks of it. Also this young lad Powell who we are interested in could cover striker as well as midfield... So I am not a Red for having an opinion... *sigh* some posters... Why sign a injury prone 29? year old striker who has only managed one real full season without getting injured to block the progress of Hernandez and Welbeck. And if you followed this SITE more regularly you will have noticed how I have said since the Sunderland game how I feel we will be playing with one up top. Tell me how could that formation occupy both RVP and Rooney?}

Ed, I have to agree with the previous poster.

Fergie has always prefered 4 top class strikers, and whenever we have been successful in Europe this has been the case.

We have 3 top class strikers (Rooney, Wellbeck & Hernandez) but all of them are prone to picking up an injury. Both Owen & Berbatov are leaving leaving us, Bebe & Macheda will hopefully be loaned pr sold leacing us with untested youth players, the best of which, Will Keane will unfortunatly most miss most of this season with a serious knee injury.

Surely there is room for at least one striker, and bearing in mind this will be the last team Sir Alex assembles, he will go all out to leave one hell of a lasting legacy.

Bring on this season, beautiful football and goals aplenty!

@->- {Ed004's Note - I think Kagawa will take over the 4th striker role...}

With both Kagawa and Young able to play off the striker (Young playing there for england may give SAF additional food for thought), I don't think we will go for another striker, and if so, expect something more like the move for Owen.

I predicted the move for Owen as it seemed clear that we didn't need another top striker who'd be expecting to play all the time, just a usefull backup. Same thing now, if we get a striker it'll be someone who will expect relatively little playing time, and just come in now and then to let us rest the others, or when they are injured. I really don't see SAF bringing in another striker to go ahead of Hernandez and Welbeck, he wants to develop them, that's kind of the point of developing young players.

Thorne

Del Piero! Number 7..

@->-

06 Jun 2012 19:25:37
I'd say I'm not the only one who gets sick of all the BS that gets put on ere, happens every transfer window, don't agree with it what so ever so I'm gonna let u all in on some of the FACTS that I've been told by a friend of a friend, cant mention any names because it would lead to it of people getting fired and sued from within the club. The most obvious ones that everybody knows about....mike phelan is to become WBA new manager, Steve Clarke to replace him as fergies assistant, Jose mourinho next manager. Yann M'Villa negotiating personal terms for £18 million move that will be announced next week to add steel to the midfield. Christian Erikson as signed a pre contract to join for the 2014 season. Nicky Powell as already signed and will be loaned back to Crewe for 2 seasons. Demba Ba is having a medical next week. They are all the typically known obvious ones but the major transfers that will be for this summer are that sir Alex Fergie and his old friend Brendan Rogers are tieing up a double swap deal for Patrick Evra and Dimitar Berbatov for Jose Enrique and Louis Suarez, when this is finalised which is hopefully before the end of the euros then I honestly can't see anybody beating us next year, especially Chelsea or stoke, fergie is pulling a master stroke with this coup, I've said all along IN FERGIE WE ALL TRUST HIM, thanks

Micky Charlie boyyy {Ed004's Note - You seriously think Suarez would step foot onto the OT pitch in a Man Utd shirt?}

Defo a dipper!
CardiffRED

Are you on CRACK! Suarez at OT. Rehab for you mate!

Or even Evra at pondfield? lol.

Most rediculous post ive ever read on this site


Parks

Dude i would have beleived u to some extent until u wrote uis suarez to old trafford.
cant see this happening

Sounds a bit far fetch mate....love to see it all happen,but for the double swap mentioned not a chance in hell that will happen.

Plausable....until the Sarez came into the theory!

Ha sick of the bs and you come out with that! saurez would never be accepted at OT the sane with evra at anfield!

Haha... Thanks man, now I can go to bed with a smile on my face. You made me laugh... and the worst part was that I actually believed the start of the post.

Steffen

Can i have a doggy bag of the assorted hallucinagens this guys using!

Nutter! :)

PIT APE

And Evra play for the Scousers?!

Can I have some of those mind-altering drugs that you are on?

Absolute nonsense. One of the most outlandish posts I have ever seen on this forum or any other for that matter. Completely outrageous.

Who is patrick evra

Dont ever post on this page again!

What would happen if evra steps in liverpool suit to crackfield?

Haahahhahaahah......honestly what a load of bs especially after the suarez evra saga......i think i just pissed myself.....

I thought the same as all u guys till I seen the documentation of evidence, I wish it wasn't as awkward as it looks but it's the real deal, don't shoot the messenger, don't u realise what I've put on the line by relieving this

Micky Charlie boyyy

Aha, this guy is fluent in gibberish.

Any chance I could hire you as a translator?

Pritpal

He's obviously taking the piss cos he's sick of the bs

Iv actually heard this aswell, but it was Jamie carrager and rio ferdy who was swapping instead ov evra n enrique!

Graz duggo

I feel sick inside. If this is the case, which I seriously doubt. Then from the point of this transfer going through I will no longer be a fan of Manchester united. I will not support a team which has a openly racist player in it. Thank god this bloke is a born bulls**tter.

Joe.a

Oh Dear..this was most weird thing i have read in this site..Mate are you nuts

While we are at it, why not swap SAF and Rodgers and Stevie Me & Scholes?

Amit-Bombay

If he's well enough connected to have seen all the documentation it must be true, or did he dream that bit too?
I think not Mr Charlie boyyy, a little less cheese before bedtime for you might be an idea.

Ha ha! It's made me laugh because of the number of people that have replied to this, or think it could be a possiblity. Whoever posted this has done so purely to get that kind of response

Why are u all shooting the messanger, ive seen the proof, why would i lie?! Non of you will be laughing when this gets announced in Manchester evening news in the next fortnight, then you'll all say, "flipping tenticles, old Micky Charlie Boyy was right, and non of us believed him" non of you lot have a single clue as to what you are all talking about unlike me, I deal with facts, and big good nice facts. And why are you trying to involve rasistism into the equation, didn't you watch the news, everyone made piece after they all apologised and shook hands, obviously somebody doesn't read the news much ey? Thanks

Micky Charlie Boyyy

Look up a dictionaty mate. Your vocab needs some improvement. And about Suarez , maybe you live in an alternate universe. how old are you ? 10 ?

Did Suarez shake Evra's hand? I'm pretty sure I can remembering him refusing.

Dictionaty.....what's one of them when we're in England mate? And if it was him who didn't realise then we don't need to be worried because he will be playing for us next year, him and Rooney upfront, can't think of a better forward pairing can u?

Steve clark was revealed as new wba manager so i can't see much more of this being true although i'd love to see us get m'villa and ba

06 Jun 2012 18:41:16
hello frnds,
as in connections of my yesterdays post.
i got to found something more. looks like arsenal has given up hope of getting m'villa.
they have renewed their interest in old target lucas biglia. but information isnt fully good now. manchester shiity has entered frame again to chase united target. now in the name of de jong replacement. patric viera who had played major part in Nasri's transfer is active again and using his french connection to try for a deal. heard he likes united but i guess money mostly talks.Fergie is in france also.. ( for holidays but may be , just may be he get any chance..)

no bid from any side is still produced.
rodio17

Yann M'Vila is Man Citys back up choice behind Martinez. I personally think if we bid for M'Vila in the summer I think he would join us. He said last summer if Utd came knocking he couldn't turn them down because he was a Man Utd fan when he was growing up.

Maybe our major fan base will be a bonus in years to come with more players growing up supporting Utd.

fearny

06 Jun 2012 18:24:22
In my opinion Strootman is just what we need in our midfield, he reminds me of a carrick type player but alot better! (im not slagging carrick, believe it or not im one of his few fans).. :)... also history tells us that dutch players seem to do well in england, so hopefully he would follow suit :)... not saying it will happen but if i was Sir Alex i'd do whatever it takes to get this guy...pure class!! just my opinion tho, i trust fergie will do whats needed to get us back to the top whoever he signs....... any thoughts?

Rouge Diablo :)

I think Strootman is a quality player who is heading for the top, in fact I was one of the first to mention his name on here long before we had even been linked with him but i'm not sure he is quite the player we are looking for atm. I'm basing that on what Sir Alex has said and the kind of players we are actually pursuing. Carrick will be our first choice midfielder next year and he likes to sit deep and dictate play with his passing, this is how Strootman likes to play, I can't see us having two.players to do one job. Also a midfield of Strootman and Carrick would lack movement and energy as both prefer to sit deep. I think we need a high energy box to box player who never stops running and is a good reader of the game thus allowing him to score and set up a few goals and also make tackles and interceptions.

Shappy

Fair comments shappy :) i suppose im saying push carrick out and get him in allthough i like carrick (very underrated imo), i think strootman is a better, younger version of him.. but yeah i agree there wouldnt be room for the both of them :)

Rouge Diablo :)

Strootman is better than carrick and ideal for utd he is a box to box midfielder !!!

sparkyred

06 Jun 2012 18:18:09
When several newspapers all come out with the same story, especially papers of different news groups then there is usually a bit, if not a lot of truth in it. Therefore, it looks likely that we could well be having both Baines and Modric in our ranks next season.
To be honest I don't really have a problem with Baines, as for Modric I've said on here before he would not be my number one choice, but if he comes he will get my full support....My question though and I would welcome comments from others on here, but with Kagawa, Carrick, Scholes, Claverley, Anderson ?, and now Modric in our mid field I can see all the silk but where's the steel?

Fletcher, when he returns from his illness.


Joe.a

All these players you mention have balls of steel but you don't see it.there all looking to get on the ball and keep possession throughout a game.
Modric would be a great addition always performs in the big games. Forget mvilla& stroopman there this summers overated/hyped players that would not improve Sir Alex's squad.

I wouldn't care if their Balls were from titanium....it was there ability and shear physical determination to win a 40/60 ball, or not to get knocked off as easy as I've seen Carrick on many occasions I was on about in my post. I applaud skillful football, played on the deck, but there are games when you need someone who can grab the game by the scruff of the neck and turn it around, thats what I mean by steel. Someone who will be in deep mid field to offer a get out for a defender who's under pressure and then be able recieve and turn the ball without worrying who's up hi a***. Unfortunately Robbo's and Keano's are few and far between.

J - Stand

Have to disagree. Almost every time I've watched Carrick he looks scared of the ball. He doesn't look to get in space to receive, and usually looks for the 1st available option to release when he has the ball.
I'll admit he had a better 2nd half of the season, but balls of steel?
I think not.

If we sign modric we need to sign m'villa or martinez as well ! modric and carrick will be too lightweight

sparkyred

06 Jun 2012 16:30:52
This is regarding Baines
We are willing to give Park or one of the Da Silva's to Everton to buy Baines. This is from , but not sure if it's true.

This is from by the way.

Somehow i don't think Everton will want our cast offs

Tim Howard Phil Neville, Louis Saha and Darron Gibson ring any bells? Lol.

Shappy

They did take Gibson to be fair :)

What benefit is to Everton to let their best player go in exchange for 2 loan players, and not the best ones at that i just don't see any benefit for them.

It wouldn't be loan in park's case it would perm.

06 Jun 2012 15:17:18
I really hope we don't sign Modric. Apart from the fact I don't think he's very good, I really don't want someone with such a rat face playing for Utd.

Andrew B

Why don't you start supporting City instead then? I hear in addition to the standard medical they now conduct a series of 'rat face' checks to make sure that potential signings are up to the aesthetic demands of their supporters.

I'm sure 'Utd' could manage without you...

T0MB0Z

I personally don't want Modric as a United player next season, NOT because he has a rat face but because he certainly isn't good enough and I think he would turn out lIle a Carrick.

BBR

So according to you I have to change the football team I support because I don't like looking at rat faces such as Suarez, Masherano and Modric?

Why shouldn't I want the footballers I watch to be aesthetically pleasing as well as talented?

Utds squad is ugly enough as it is.

Andrew B

Because we're so renowned for handsome models, to name but a few, Rooney Rio Park Scholes Butt Nevilles Ruud. I could go on.

Andrew B, you are either on a wind-up, or you need to re-assess a few things.

APC

Have you all forgotten the one the only......Luke (omg wtf is that) Chadwick!

: - P

Monk

If how a player looks really has anything to do with your valuation of them I suggest you find yourself a different sport - let alone a different club. Perhaps figure skating or sodomy would be more up your street?

T0MB0Z

Tomboz, you might be onto something.

Figure skating and sodomy at the same time could be an interesting watch. Not sure about the scoring system though.

For future reference, I suggest you watch your blood pressure and learn from APC. Such a strong reaction to a tongue in cheek comment can't be good for you.

Still think Modric is not up to the job of turning Utd into European Champions and it's players that can do that which Utd need.

Andrew B

BBR - the same Carrick who was a significant influence in us winning the title in his first 3 seasons and reaching 2 Champions League finals in that period too?

I'd be happy to take any player who "ended up" like that.

DarkLard08

It looks like Kagawa scholes carrick giggs will all get games in the middle. If we sign modric as well were does that leave cleverly.i would expect Kagawa carrick and modric to play the majority of games that would leave scholes giggs Anderson cleverly maybe even fletcher or pogba.
If fergy rates cleverly as highly as some people say will he go out and spend 30 mill on another cm
Jred

I really don't understand where all of this disapproval of Modric has com from this summer. He's easily one of the best midfielders in the PL. He's the reason along with Bale and VDV for getting them into the Champions league last season.. His passing is super consistent, he acts like Scholesy for Spurs but can run more.

Ozwald

Ozwald

I dont think were in for modric apparently kagawa can play alongside a dm, and a few journos in japan have said that him and scholes in midfield can be a good combination with kagawa playing a more atticking role i think this is what fergi is thinking, with welbeck up top rooney droping off and kagawa supporting rooney, and young and toni on the wings, with vidic and ferdi bk at defence i think we already have a good squad but we still need a striker if berba goes and mecheda with owen already out, which would leave us with rooney, welbeck and chicha and with the young w.keane out for next season who i think saf was planning on promoting but apparently kagawa can play upfront aswell, remeber fergi thinks of carick highly and sees him as scholes succesor which he has admitted more than once most recently before the sunderland game. thoughts anyone
kyhughes87

I would prefer to have a handsome team I wouldn't mind losing if we all looked great look good first play good second always my motto
Superdecs

Superdecs; a man after my own heart.

With this in mind, perhaps the first move would be to bring Robbie Savage out of retirement. Great hair in the centre of midfield.

Andrew B

Well Andrew B good point but what happens if the super good looking team don't want fat or ugly fans ...then we are all proper f***ked ...Apart from myself of course

Pardoe

To be fair if Mods had a nose job he would look fifty times better. He would get some stick though wouldn't he?

Sydney!

Yeah syd, the spurs midfield would be nick named nosey parker ;)

Ozwald

No wonder we didn't sign Tevez and did the club pressure Rooney into the hair transplant? These are the real questions!

It's not just the nose, its the too close together eyes and particularly the teeth. It's the teeth that really do it.

Andrew B

Another target Hector Herrera has a rat face too. Assume that crosses him off our transfer target list ?
Does that mean you wouldn't sign Bale because he looks like a chimp ?
Or sell Wazza because he looks like Shrek?
This scouting lark is getting more complicated.

I would like to see modric signing but I think sahin may be better signing......younger and is really a very good talent being wasted at real..

This is actually a very iteresting topic.

I think there should be some kind of scientific study into this issue.

I personally don't like Modric's face, I find it hard to look at.
It was the same with Ronaldo but that was more to do with the constipated faces he pulled.

This raises so many questions; do such faces detract from the viewing experience? Do such faces come to be associated with the club/brand as a whole?

I don't even think this is an issue about ugly players, just players with weird/eerie/rodentesque faces, which is not quite the same.

Overall, I'm not that keen is signing Modric as I think he would be vastly over-priced.
The face would also be a small consideration.

It's not that weird when you think about it.

Pritpal

06 Jun 2012 15:04:48
Valencia won't budge from their 15 million asking price for fullback Jordi Alba.

Manchester United are now regarded as favourites ahead of Barcelona for the Spain international.

Barca won't go higher than 11 million for Alba, but Valencia refuse to drop their valuation knowing that United are also keen.

United have had a £12 million enquiry for Everton's Leighton Baines rejected and know that same offer would be enough to land Alba.

copy and paste from tribal football

If we're going to sign a LB, Alba's probably the only one I'd be happy with. Doubt this is true though. If the player wants a move to Barcelona he will force it.
T0MB0Z

You just contradicted yourself by saying Valencia won't budge from 15 but would accept 12 from us

Surely the above poster would've meant 15m Euros which would mean 12/13m £ right?

BBR

Considering he's openly admitted to copying and pasting the post from another source it is not him who has contradicted himself but the source itself.

I assume what it's suggesting is that if Valencia are determined to sell they will sell to the team offering the most money - which if we were to offer £1m more than the amount Barcelona are offering - would be us.

It is a slight contradiction - but makes sense all the same.

T0MB0Z

To be honest, even if this story has a grain of truth, it's probably just the typical in-public posturing that goes on between clubs in Spain when transfers are being negotiated. I would imagine that, in the unlikely event that it has come from any source, it's come from within Valencia, as they try to resist Barce's bully boy tactics and keep the Alba fee up when he goes there.

DarkLard08

I also would love SAF to sign Alba but only if he was commited to MU. Generally spanish players want to return back to spain and create disruption in doing so. A safer bet would be Willem IMO.

TRJC

Their valuation is 15m euros which is roughly £12m, so i think it's just a misunderstanding by the way it was copy and pasted. That besides the point because like the first poster said, he wants to go to Barcelona and the players and their dirty agents have the power these days. He will end up at Barca.

Ozwald

06 Jun 2012 14:57:59
According to Mirror.co.uk Fergie will now try to sign baines And modric lets see hope it happens

06 Jun 2012 13:57:37
I'm still not convinced we need a new LB this season. Yes, Evra has not been at his best (probably due to personal reasons) - but nobody seems to notice the fact that we haven't had a decent established RB since Gary Neville left us. Sure we have Rafael, Smalling, Jones and even Valencia who can play at RB - but none of them have really excelled enough in the position to make it their own. Rafael has probably played there the most this season and IMO he's not too much better there than Fabio is at LB. As bad as he's been - Evra's still much better than Fabio and IMO Rafael. Thoughts?
T0MB0Z

Rafael is an immense RB and seems to be over his injury problems. Fabio is also very good. Evra is nowhere near their level currently, 3 years ago, Evra was the best LB in the world 3 years ago but now, he's not half the player he once was. My thoughts are that Evra is currently our weakest link. He's a great character and I would love for him to become involved in the club in another way, but he just isn't good enough to play for the first team any more.

Percy

Rafael has actually really impressed me this season. His ability to win balls in the air is magnificent for somebody of his size and stature and his decision making has improved significantly.

That said I can think of a few times where he's not looked good enough. I wont go as far back as the champions league games against Munich a few years back - but imo he cost us 2 points against Everton which arguably cost us the title. I know he's still young but atm feel that Evra is a better LB than he is a RB. Were it not for the fact that Evra was not as good as he has been in the past I doubt people would be suggesting that he was a liability. I still believe he's one of the best LB's in the world atm (certainly better than Baines, anyway) and think he should be given a chance to recapture his form. If the players we were being linked with were significantly better than him I might understand it - but as of the moment that's far from the case.

T0MB0Z

Where is the worldclass midfielder that we needed last year Dont say luka!?

The thing with Rafael is I think he's still only 21 (?) and Fergie sees him as the long term solution at RB imo. For that reason alone, I cannot envisage the manager blocking his progression by buying an established RB. More likely to see someone like Clyne provide cover I feel (with the added bonus that Clyne might just turn out to be better and become 1st choice at a very resonable choice)

I actually think both LB and RB were weak links for us this season. Which is why I'd like to see Evra replaced and someone brought in to cover Rafael.

I think we will need to give Rafael a run next year to see if he stays fit and develops well. His energy, enthusiasm and tackling are great at times but he needs to improve his 'rashness' in certain challenges as well as his final ball in attack

Gav

IMO Rafael and Fabio are both far better than Evra defensively and both better getting forward. The only problem with the twins is their hastiness when getting stuck in, they are almost too excited at times and rush in. Evra's experience over theirs is the only reason Evra is more trusted by the manager. But in terms of who is the better defenders, the twins are far better defensively if they can curb their hastiness.

Sydney!

T0MB0Z - Remember when Everton drew with us 4-4? One of those goals was purely down to Rafael not having a physical presence about him. I think he's good and has improved a lot this season but even still. Some people think of what Evra was they forget that he's getting older, he used to be immense and now he's just 'good'. But tbh with you he's still a fantastic player going forward that knows the team inside out. If Valencia isn't on form playing on the right wing then the majority of our attacks came/come from the left side. People don't realise how good Evra's movement and link up play with Rooney, Young or Scholes/Carrick is when going forward. His defending has been his downside the past season, mainly due to a lack of effort at tracking back and trying that bit harder to prevent a cross from coming in. In the last couple of games in the season i noticed a change with him, looked like one of the most motivated players on the pitch, lunging in for tackles then running forward straight after getting the ball.

What i'm trying to say is he's had a lot of personal issues hanging over him this season with his brother dying, the whole racism thing with Suarez really got to him and he's had to deal with captaining the team and organising the defense without Vidic and a new goalkeeper. I think he still has it, give him one more season people underestimate him in our team purely because what he used to be like. But he's still good compared to a lot of LBs and i mean a lot.

Ozwald

Ozwald - Very good post. Not sure why it was aimed at me as it seemed to agree with everything I'd already said... but oh well.

Sydney. If Fabio was better than Evra defensively he would have been our starting LB and wouldn't be going out on loan. You say that Evra's experience is what makes the manager trust him more and I'll agree. I wouldn't suggest it was the only reason - but experience can be a very important factor in defining a good defender.

Gaz - if SAF sees Rafael as a long term solution at RB, why is Fabio not seen as a long term solution to LB. I actually think Fabio has looked better than Rafael on occasions (which is some achievement given how little first team football he's played in comparison) and so am simply wondering why SAF would settle for Rafael at RB but not Fabio at LB (and that's assuming that he believes Evra needs to be replaced).

T0MB0Z

Oz, Evra has been tragic for 2-3 season's now. Not just last season. I started noticing his lack of defensive effort/qualities when we played Bayern in 2010. It may have started earlier, but it was from then onwards Evra has been awful and at fault for most of our conceded goals. It has nothing to do with the race thing, nothing to do with his brother. He has been awful for some time now. He is our weakest link in the United side by some margin. He hasn't just lost his form, he has lost his legs. Unless we can find the fountain of youth and make him drink a pint or two or find a time machine to go and get the Evra from 2006, we will not be seeing the Evra of 2006 ever again. Evra needs replacing if we are to improve our team. Like the guy or hate the guy, he is just not good enough defensively anymore. I am fed up with Young or Nani having to get back to cover him all of the time because he is too lazy to get is ass back into position. When we win possession back Nani or Young are not far enough ahead to receive the 'out ball' because they have been too busy doing Evra's job for him. He isn't just costing us unnecessary goals, he is hampering our attacks too.

Sydney!

T0MB0Z, Like I said Evra will play due to his experience and the fact he doesn't jump straight in during a moment of haste. Also with no Neville and Vidic in the back four you need experience. If it was 2007 and Evra was playing like this he would have been replaced. But we are lacking experience at the back so he must play at the moment.

Personally I think it's a waste of time talking about Evra, everyone has eyes, everyone can see he has become a liability and liabilities need replacing. I fully expect a LB to be signed this summer and Evra will play far less games than he played last season.

Sydney!

Sydney. Sir Alex, and I for that matter, would beg to differ. Evra featured in more league games (37) than any other United player this season and with good reason. If SAF felt that he needed to be replaced he would have done so last summer or in January. To suggest that he'd 'lost it' as far back as 2010 is ridiculous. No; he hasn't been at his best - but he's still good enough.

He hasn't lost his pace (he demonstrates that week in week out going up and down the pitch) and whilst there have been times where the winger in front of him has had to come back to help cover his position - this is common-place in football. I'd defy you to find me a team where players don't have to come back to help out their team mates and would argue that it's required less at United than it is at 9/10 other teams.

T0MB0Z

I posted on here before Xmas that fabio was likely to leave this summer , my only good bit of inside info
I don't know if anybody has heard anything but I was told there was some questions about his injuries , it was felt he was playing up being injured when he was having a bad game. The crystal palace match was mentioned as a bit of a final straw
Jred

We will have to agree to disagree on this one mate, but everyone has noticed Evra's frailties including opposition managers. Even our manager inquired about Izaguirre last summer and Alba this summer so he is definitely seeing what I and most of this page is seeing. The problem was Fabio wasn't ready to replace him especially as the back four was too inexperienced without Vidic.

I guarantee you we will buy a new LB this summer.

Sydney!

I agree Rafael has been very good at times but the game vs Everton he cost us at least two goals especially the last one

I'm still to see any concrete proof that we've inquired about the availability of either of the aforementioned and would imagine that were we to have made an offer for Izaguirre he would have jumped at the chance and been a Manchester United player right now.

At the beginning of the season Vidic was fine and Ferdinand has played double the amount he played last season so doubt that experience (or a lack of it) was really an issue.

Maybe we are looking for a long term solution for LB as we have done with both of our CB positions (with Smalling and Jones being brought in) - but that does not mean that either of the players which they will eventually replace are 'past it' just yet and nor is Evra.

T0MB0Z

Evra starts for united and France so maybe blanc and fergy rate him more than some on this site

Sorry T0MB0Z i only aimed the bit about Rafael at you the rest about Evra was mainly aimed at Percy but i forgot to say that. Sydney i think you're being a bit dramatic about it. Don't you think we would have tried out Fabio + Fryers and maybe even Jones in the LB position is Evra was really doing that bad. Also do you not think he would have been stripped of his captaincy if we was our weakest link? I'll agree that his defensive qualities have been seriously questionable but he still has loads of experience and is superb at going forward. Still has the legs just not the effort/motivation at times to get back and defend because he forgets what the rest of the defence is like with out our Serbian machine of a CB.

Baines is not good enough, yes Jetro Willems looks sensational as a project but you can only feed so much youth into a team at once. That's arguably what cost us this season, especially when defending conceding late goals and stupid goals. Besides i doubt PSV will want to sell him just yet as he's making good progress. Therefore i don't see him coming in. Jordi Alba IMO would be perfect, but like we all know he's destined to stay in spain. Then who else is there? Izaguirre is unlikely due to his lengthy spell on the sidelines this season, would Aly Cissohko be a realistic target? I just think considering Evra has been captaining the side all year he's not just going to be dropped like a dead fly from the team next season.

Ozwald

Oz, Both Fabio and Jonny Evans were both tried at LB last season (early on), Evra was even dragged off and replaced by Giggs during the season because Evra was having a shocker. Then Fryers (a player that couldn't get into the reserves) was pulled out of a hat to see if he could play there because he had the physical strength for the EPL. The manager done what he could. He even gave Evra the captaincy to see if that will improve his performances. That failed miserably too. He moved Rio over to the right hand side of central defence to help Evra out. A LB will be bought this summer, we contacted Izaguirre last summer which was confirmed by the player himself.

Sydney!

Evra has become a liability. He opens his mouth in the press too much and has embarrassed himself on several occasions since being captain

He doesn't have the stamina any more, which at 31 is no surprise, he has passed his peak for a player that relies on pace. He can get up the wing but very often leaves gaps down the wing, fails to get back and he has developed a tendency to switch off at important times.

He has been beaten a lot this season. Going forward he is great but very rarely puts in a good cross.

I agree that he has played so many games due to injuries and an ever changing defence in the last season. He has been the one constant of the back 4

06 Jun 2012 13:04:02
Just seen we'be been linked with Ajax's Viktor Fischer for €11 million in gazette dello sport. Don't know too much about him apart from a few quotes here and there!

Hobbes

One for future, dont we need to buy for now?

Really hope so .......

not ready for 1st team yet, but a squad player with a lot of talent...

in a recent youth game between ajax and liverpool he tore them apart...

oxred

If we switch to 4231 with Kagawa in the hole and Rooney up front a young promising striker like this should suffice?

Can't say I've seen him play but have heard some good things

Gav

06 Jun 2012 10:53:23
i never come on here and say i know this or that. but i have been told that united apart from kagawa and powell will sign 2 of the following 3.

Baines
Mvilla or Martinez (properly the 1st as 2nd dont want to leave spain)
Modric

Jenny

We should buy all three, Baines/Alba, Modric, M'Villa. {Ed004's Note - Would prefer Alba...}

I'm not convinced by Baines. We could get Willems, who has real potential, for cheaper than Baines and it might also mean we could bring in M'Vila and Modric aswell.

TK-Red

I would prefer alba, but rumours is he is off to RM or Barcalona.

I would be very happy with these signings.
jenny

Doubt we''l be willing to spen the money for all three.

Would be very, very happy with Baines and M'villa though.

Or even just M'villa, on top of Kagawa and a youngster or two, we'd be well set for next season.

I would like to see M'Vila, i think he'd be a fantastic player to have. Alba as well but he is more or less a Barcelona player, would rather have Evra over Baines for the next season. Then look at Cissokho next summer.

Ozwald

Really hope that we get M&M then as baines for anything over 15m is a big NO.

Oxred

Would be great to get m'villa and baines 2 great signings and would be great to see kagawa and m'villa in midfield together, also seen we may be in for dempsey hope not as he is not that great,

UNITEDFORLIFE75

We need a LB who has the potential to be world-class. Baines is not going to improve due to his age and he is far from world-class. £10m-£20m for Baines is robbery. Jetro Willems is the one to go for. Would cost between £5m-£10m and has unbelievable potential. Holland's and PSV's number one LB at 19 years old.

Sydney!

If the 2 out of 3 excluded Baines I would be absolutely delighted. Really dont understand why we are linekld with Baines, he is a decent left back but I would rather still have Evra and Fabio. Out of interest Jenny, your posts generalyl seem quite sensible, but who told you this rumour?
Invisible STuey

Is that not 2 from 4?

Hi i cannot name any names, family member ex footballer, and i know a few agents. i dont normally comment on things am told etc, so many rumours that fly about, but he seemed so sure on these.
if am wrong i am wrong,

i would be happy with these. but i would prefer it not to be baines, but if no1 else is available i understand the pressure this would apply to evra. Great servant to our club, but sadly had 2 poor seasons. If competition for places improves this position in the side am all for it. Evra is sure of his place every game at present as there is no1 good enough or ready to challenge for that position in my eyes. Alot of goals conceded last season at Old Trafford came from this side of the pitch, and for me, improving the midfield would still leave this position exposed. A new LB is just as important for me.
Jenny

I am not so sure there is money to sign all these players. i would not have baines anywhere near the club. he is not good enough to be a manchester united player. m'vila i would love to get. modric is was over priced. surely clerverly will need to be given a proper run in the team next season. as for evra. he has been a great servant but has not defended for 2 seasons now. he stands off his man constantly...but fergie seems to love him. go all over to sign willem!!!

Jenny. do you have any idea (from conversations with said parties) if we are going to push these through ASAP or wait until after the Euros to see if any pick up injuries, or likewise any of our players pick up and injury and so force our hand on one position... (would consider this to be evra only) ??

Oxred

I think we have to work on the assumption that we'll have 25m - 35m tops, plus sales.
Kagawa has taken the first 12m, if we go for M'villa, he'd be 18m, Willems 9m, Cabaye 16m = 55m. I think that would mend the part of the team that is most broken. Midfield and left back. Or Kagawa, M'Vila and Erikksen for 20 -25m, if the Dane can be talked into moving and we are prepared to limp through next season with only Fryers to back up Evra at LB
Mik

Understandable why we would be interested in M'Vila, Baines and Modric which I've deliberately listed in order of what I think is priority.

M'Vila - encouraging that his talks with Arsenal looked to have stalled to give us a chance to talk to him. An impressive midfielder who, like Hazard in fairness (accepting its a different role), would make any side better by his inclusion.

I understand the Baines link but like previous posters I would rather we invest less money in world class potential rather than a 27yo 'good premiership player'.

Modric I have severe doubts about. I am not convinced he is the all-singing all-dancing creative force we are looking for or at least not in the 4-2-3-1 set-up I expect would see us make most use of Kagawa. If a playmaker was a priority then surely our options were Kagawa/Hazard/Modric of which our new Japanese cousin is the race-winner there. Would a box to box midfielder not suit our needs better, i.e. to break-up attacks / form the thrust of counter attacks supporting the front 4.

There is some simple Glazernomics here too though. Spurs want £10m more than our valuation of Modric. Everton want probably £8m more than our valuation of Baines. Accepting the bid we had agreed for Hazard at £32m I think thats the exeception that proves the rule now. I dont see us paying £25m+ for anyone.

Halesini

I have no idea about when we will push them through yet. i would think personally all after Euro's now. Modric i feel could drag on till end of window.

If i find out anymore i will let you know.
Jenny

Thanks for the info. Jenny this would make for a v successful summer! Getting Kagawa, M'villa, Modric & decent LB (+ a couple youngsters) is what I pray for each night!

Gav

No problem Gav. I think Baines and Mvilla will be completed after Euros and think they will be the 2 out of the 3 more likely.
Modric my personal opinion spuds want far too much for him. His transfer for me will drag on all summer, could be a last minute deal in august. Player wants out for CL football. he stayed last season and its not materialised. Told he is frustrated with the poor form, lack of potential signings. His big friend at Spuds Kranjcar is off too. Confusion over Harry's future all contributing to his unrest. If he comes united wont go much higher than there own valuation of 25 million for him.
Jenny

06 Jun 2012 10:12:29
INCOMINGS ~ Shinji Kagawa (done deal),, Luka Modric (talks ongoing),, Leighton Baines (talks ongoing),, Gareth Bale (inquiries made and bid ready to be made),, Yann M'Villa (inquiry made and has made player put Arsenal move on hold to listen to us),, Nick Powell (done deal,medical in 3 days time),, Nathaniel Clyne (ongoing talks).....Edd if we do manage to bring in these we will be invincible ..,What do you think? {Ed004's Note - Can't see us being able to afford to buy Modric, Bale and M'Villa}

There isn't a chance we will sign all them players! 2of them at most and that includes Powell

Bale will not happen and I think the main midfield target now is Yann M'Villa, he has said on record that he is a Man Utd fan and he and Kagawa in the middle of the park would boss most premier league teams.

fearny

Has a bid for Bale already been made?

Cant we spend the money from the chevou deal 100m+

I'd be amazed if we spend 110 - 120 million. If we did I think there are better ways of spending it. Kagawa and M'Vila I agree with, then I'd go for Gotze, I think Dortmund would sell for 35 - 40 million, though we'd need to convince the player to come too. Then Lucas for 40m, but it's all dreamland.40m -60m tops is what we'll spend -I hope!
Mik

Everyone seems to forget........it's the wages thats the problem as they dig into future turnover. That inturn digs into how much the Glazers take to pay off debt and the fact that utd have gone on record as saying that wages will not be greater than 55% of turn over. This would also effect the the potential value of shares when eventually floated on the Shanghia market. I think!

J - stand