Manchester United Rumours Archive July 08 2012

 

Use our rumours form to send us manchester united transfer rumours.


08 Jul 2012 18:51:22
Whats the situation on Belhanda? Is he looking to go to a bigger club this summer or stay at Montpellier or what? Would think hed be worth a shot to improve our midfield, i like the looks of him. What do youll think, Syd, Ed?

Daniel

Believable4 Unbelievable8

He says he wants to play in champs league in the colours of montpellier but a big club might turn his head

Agree0 Disagree0

Wasnt he the one going to lille to replace hazard? I thought that deal was done?!

Agree0 Disagree0

He's a good player but he has already confirmed he will be staying put
Sparky

Agree0 Disagree0

Kalou has gone to Lile

Agree0 Disagree0

No Marvin Martin went to Lille to replace hasard
RJ92

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 14:46:30
This is mainly a question for Sydney, why do are you adamant that Fletch will not return? The boss doesn't seem to have said anything and as far as I can tell, he is back in training...If however you are right and Fletcher will not return, then I can see the alleged bid for Dembele making sense. Although not for a penny over £10 million. He is by no means my first choice, he hardly gets you excited, but I suppose the manager likes versatility, and Dembele does offer that. If we were to just sign Dembele for the midfield though, I would be desperatly dissapointed as we need more of a creative spark in their. Dembele would point to the end for Fletcher, Anderson will probably leave and Pogba has gone - but we would still need a replacement for Scholes (i use the word replacement carefully as no one is a direct replacement for anyone). Moutinho or Modric are still necessary targets for me even if we did sign Dembele. Baines or another good left back is also a necessity.

RedDevil19

Believable11 Unbelievable10

I agree dembele is a converted striker, i think there are better options out there but looks like again we are un willing to pay for better quality. With modric looking real bound and moutinho supposedly spurs bound who else do you think saf will turn to? Sahin?

Agree0 Disagree0

He had a chronic bowel condition, it'll be hard for his body to get back to his previous levels of fitness and wellbeing. Plus, he's been out for over a year.

tbir.

Agree0 Disagree0

I have said it's highly UNLIKELY that Fletcher will return and if you have seen him recently then you would know why. He is not back in training so not sure where you got that one from mate. If the manager broadcasts that we need a midfielder then the selling clubs will up their price. It's easier to bring in Fletch's replacement before his future is confirmed to the media. Fletch will always have a job at United if he has to cut his playing career short. The club would never turn their back on him.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

No name, Dembele will not be instead of Moutinho. They are two different players. Dembele is in the mode of Fletcher, whilst Moutinho is in the mode of Scholes.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

Sahin wont leave Madrid, you'd be stupid to think he would. The next likely target after Moutinho, i'm guessing would be Yohan Cabaye. Won't be cheap but surely no more than Mods, or Joao!

Ozwald

Agree0 Disagree0

RedDevil19

Unfortunately Fletcher isn't back in training yet, and there's considerable doubt as to whether he'll take part in any pre-season activity at all. I think the club are keeping fairly low-key to keep him out of the spotlight and respect his privacy.

DarkLard08

Agree0 Disagree0

The glazers are going to play midfield for us
sorry about that rubbish but they are the reason we seem to be struggling to sign peeps nowadays and also the reason(one) why peeps are leaving imo the midfield is not
good enough atm they need at least one more in there. saf must sign one asap
but i think its going 2 be the same as last year saf said we have the players to do the job.
a disgruntled utd fan

Agree0 Disagree0

I think Moutinho is either ours or Spurs, there is a good chance. I hate to say it but I keep getting drawn back to Sneijder, who else would we turn to if we missed out on both Moutinho and Modric? There is of course Strootman who I don't think has enough experiene yet, there is Martinez but he will be Barca bound at some point. Then there is players we have been previously linked with like Bruno. Or we could try for Marchisio.

Sneijder out of that lot, seems the only likely option who is of a good enough standard for us. His experience would be useful as next season I don't expect we will still have Evra, Scholes, Giggs, Berbatov, Fletcher and possibly Ferdinand's experience. So a player like Sneijder who has basically done it all would be useful if we could snatch him for £20 million and he lowers his wage demands. As for Sahin, he has said that he has no inention of leaving Madrid, that boat has sailed.

RedDevil19

Agree0 Disagree0

In fairness I haven't seen Fletcher for a very, very long time. For some reason I remember SAF saying something about him training, but now I think of it, I'm not so sure myself. If Dembele does come in as an 'engine' then it does point towards Fletcher not being able to carry on.

RedDevil19

Agree0 Disagree0

My wife's Uncle has the same condition as Fletcher, unfortunately Fletcher will never b the same again, it's too hard keeping his weight up etc, if he does come bk, which is very unlikely, he won't last long. It's really sad for him, he's such a good player too

Big Mac

Agree0 Disagree0

19, there is a huge difference in styles of football between Sneijder and Martinez. We are not looking for any old midfielder, we are looking for a particular kind or two.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

19, Dembele would be a direct replacement for Fletcher. If we sign him then it's likely Fletch will be released not too long after. In the England/Belgium game Dembele done the most running in that match. He has good technical ability, great strength and he can tackle and he has an attacking threat. I would not like him to be the only midfielder bought this summer, but I would certainly prefer him over any other player in regards to replacing Fletcher. He would make a good squad player. We have a great relationship with Everton, Porto and Fulham so I would remain hopeful that we can tie up Baines, Moutinho and Dembele. It seems we are the only people in for Baines, we have competition from Spurs (AVB) regarding Moutinho and we may have competition from Chelsea for Dembele.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

The one point I do agree with - I'd be happy for Dembele to come in for Fletcher but I'd be gutted if he is our only midfield signing as we desperately need some creativity in there. I do think we're in for the likes of Modric/Moutinho but worry that if neither comes off that SAF will go stubborn and decide he's happy to go with the options we've got

Gav

Agree0 Disagree0

RedDevil 19 - Wes Sneijder is used to playing a much more advanced position on the pitch than Modric/Moutinho etc. He'd leave us slightly exposed at the back especially if Kagawa was on the pitch too! I think as soon as we signed Kagawa, that meant the end for the Sneijder to United rumours.

Have you considered Yohan Cabaye? Similar qualities to Joao Moutinho, only probably is Newcastle know he's essential, he's not bothered about staying for the Europa league cup run. NUFC don't need the cash so it would be difficult to make the transfer happen.

Ozwald

Agree0 Disagree0

I realise that syd, i ment if moutinho was to join spurs and modric was to join madrid, who else is there for that type of player? we know saf doesn't like to take third or fourth choice. And with regards to dembele surely mvilla or strootman would be better choices? i know they would cost a little more but both in my opinion are better players. I forgot to leave a name before sorry. tom17

Agree0 Disagree0

Dembele is nothing like fletch
Jred

Agree0 Disagree0

I have done allot of research on his condition with having a double interest in him being our national captain also. The research only points to no further playing career at the top level. There is still a chance he could mind you but IMO its very, very likely he is finished mate. I'm not entirely convinced we should be aiming for players like Dembele as our squad players when teams like Madrid and barca have sahib and thiago as back ups.

I would want 2cm's without regard of fletch or pogba so missing both I would have tunners a defo and petrucci in a year for squad places and 2 first teamers right now. Cabaye and Strootman/witsel would be my prefered choice.

Jono

Agree0 Disagree0

Dembele is nothing like fletcher used to be a striker converted to an attacking mf, dembele dribbles with the ball and try to do neat 1-2s how can u compare fletcher to him. fletcher is a grafter that is all honestly wudnt be gutted if we lost him hes not united quality

major lazer

Agree0 Disagree0

Saw Fletcher in ALTRINCHAM a couple of weeks ago, he looks so thin it's unbelievable. The lad deserves some luck, he's a great pro and apparently a really nice bloke too.

Agree0 Disagree0

Tom & Gav, I admit I do fear SAF's stubbornness, but he must make a signing this time round with Ando, Park, Fletch & Pogba either gone or going. I have faith, but SAF's stubbornness is worrying.

Jred, I 100% disagree. He's full of energy, gets forward, defends. How is that nothing like Fletcher?

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

All the players in the world and you all pick the same 4 or 5 names, talk about jumping on bandwagon, sombody says dembele might be coming and hes suddenly class. somebody says fellaini might be coming and hes suddenly class somebody says baines might be coming and hes suddenly class and you all want them to come because of cheap rumours. they're all averages players ans wont be worth the money paid for them. SAF needs to be looking outside the box for somebody alot better than these and that are cheap just like he did with kagawa and powell. you need to all get a grip stuff the rumours and wait for the announcements fergie knows best tar

Agree0 Disagree0

Fergie knows best?, you obviously didn't watch last seasons European campaign then. We desperately need some improvement in midfield and hopefully he's realized this and does know better!

Charla

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 13:53:29
Javi Martinez buyout clause at Athletic Bilbao is 'only' £32m. Surely if there was a similar amount available for Hazard a few weeks back this is THE player we could be building a team around for the next few years ?

City are looking to close-in on him. Would much rather whatever transfer dollars we have available be targeted at a Midfield stalwart than 'win' the battle with City for the signing of RVP.


Halesini {Ed002's Note - Buy out clauses do not work as simply as you realise.}

Believable12 Unbelievable7

Ed002, what do you mean? What types of buyout clauses are commonly used?

Cheers

DodgyBanter {Ed002's Note - I have explained in teh past - most people including many journalists do not understand such clauses. I have no inclination to open up the whole thing again.}

Agree0 Disagree0

I'm sorry but United are not competing with City for RVP. Unless we're paying peanuts, we have a much more sensible transfer policy than that.

Ozwald

Agree0 Disagree0

My understanding of buy out clauses is, if a player has a clause stating a set fee and this fee is matched then IF all sides agree then a sale can go ahead. But they don't mean a lot really, for instance, Messi has a crazy clause at say £200m (guessing the total) if hes in the last year of his contract then they're not going to let him walk away for free so a far less some could be agreed on...... So to sum up... don't read to much in to clauses
Mitch.

Agree0 Disagree0

Rvp isnt about the money hes more about winning the trophies its more if arsenal want silly money dont think the wages would be a problem for united

Agree0 Disagree0

Players in Europe are often given buy out clauses well above their market value. Not sure why, maybe for insurance purposes or something similarly boring? A god example is Hulk - isn't his 'buy out clause' around 100m Euros? But then it's not like they'd turn down an offer of £50m now would they. I'm sure that these clauses aren't used in the conventional sense that we're used to in this country i.e. we will not consider a transfer fee unless it's close to the buy out clause. If that were the case - surely players like Hulk wouldn't agree to such ridiculously high clauses as they could end up being tied to their current club till the end of their career, against their will

Gav

Agree0 Disagree0

I hope neither as we need an offensive midfielder with pace who will contribute 10 to 15 goals. I think the reason Hazzard was a target is that he can open up the middle because of his pace, which will opens up the wings.

Mounain would be ideal and a superstar the next few years.

Agree0 Disagree0

If you've been following united for the past month you'll have noticed we signed a pacy offensive midfielder that should score 10-15 goals in Shinji Kagawa.

Agree0 Disagree0

Why do people not want RVP. Even at 29 if he gets 25-30 goals a season he will be worth that 20m in 1 season! Not only that but i think him and Rooney would complement each other perfectly.

Agree0 Disagree0

I personally think we should be going all out to sign Javi Martinez If the money is available then in my opinion he should be the number 1 target!

Jamal Sanchez

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 13:50:57
Reports in Irish newspaper this morning saying fergie wants modric 30mil and 20mil moutinio in a 50mil swoop, sum midfield that would be, Sunday world is the paper.

Believable14 Unbelievable19

Anyone with half a braincell would know that it would be one or the other, not both. You have to question why a journalist with such a small brain can get a job in journalism.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

Probably means one or the other..
You've got to be stupid to think that we'd have Scholes to stay on (to play atleast 30 games as quoted by SAF) if we were to buy two players that expect to start the majority of games. Not to mention Carrick and Cleverley.

Ozwald

Agree0 Disagree0

Sydney if u knew about the Sunday world then u would know that none ogthenjournalists in that paper have half a brain cell between them...it makes the Sunday mail look like the oracle of all football related stories...did u see bob cass tweeted that sneider was a possibility...bloody hell!!
Npb

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 13:48:11
Does anyone know if Kagawa is a free kick specialist? Japanese players seem to be very good free kick takers such as Honda and nakamura!

Del boy!

Believable3 Unbelievable20

Great sample size. 2 players. Probably the only two Japanese players you know.

Agree0 Disagree0

Thanks no name, I take it you don't know the answer either or more than me about Japanese footballers!

Del boy!

Agree0 Disagree0

No he isn't! Honda is a superb set piece specialist but the only one from Japan, the only player who comes close to him is Yasuhito Endo!

Ozwald

Agree0 Disagree0

Sorry, not really a free kick specialist but he can get an accurate ball on the goal if needed...

Agree0 Disagree0

No, I don't know much more about Japanese football, although I am intelligent enough not ask such stupid questions.

What has Kagawa being from Japan got to do with him being good at freekicks?

For example, I know Valencia is a right footed, right winger. Does this make it more likely that all Ecuadorian footballers I know little about are right footed, right wingers?

No.

Agree0 Disagree0

Hidetoshi Nakata could take a stunning free kick

Jaxer

Agree0 Disagree0

No name, i think you need to relax yourself a little bit. Kagawa being from Japan has a lot to do with it as it means i know little about him as i dont have access to German football either.
From what I have seen of Japanese footballers playing in Europe they seem to be good at free kicks, just wondered if he was another.

Del boy!

Agree0 Disagree0

Baines is a free kick specialist so theres your answer to that

fat bear

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 13:32:58
Has the interest in M'villa thiago and hummels stopped?

Believable16 Unbelievable2

Thiago alcantara should be a must! break the bank jobby!! outstanding talent!

Agree0 Disagree0

There was no interest in Thiago what-so-ever. This was a rumour put in the papers a few weeks ago but Manchester United have never been interested in him.

Agree0 Disagree0

Id like to see all three of these put would be alot of money maybe witsel would be an option would be suit are midfield

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 12:16:05
Ed002, good afternoon. A few weeks ago you confirmed United's interest in Dembele so obviously it wouldn't surprise us if a bid was made very recently. Do you know if this info is correct and do you know what Fulham are looking for price-wise? Thanks.

Sydney! {Ed002's Note - I don't know of any bid Syd.}

Believable1 Unbelievable5

Think he's in his last year of his contract so I doubt it'd be a big fee

Dustbin

Agree0 Disagree0

Yes his contract ends in 2013 so should cost southwards of £10m. He is a decent player so for £6m-£8m he would be a good addition.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

I agree , think he would improve the squad

Dustbin

Agree0 Disagree0

Dembele yeah ok. Glad your not in control of our transfers or you would be off around the prem and Europe buying second rate players Sidney ! Mr Shameless x

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 12:18:16
I've seen it all now from Caughtoffside.

There latest story... Man City in for Nani

Now they really have lost the plot.

fearny

Believable6 Unbelievable23

They can have him but lets put another 0 behind his valuation for a laugh.

Halesini

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 12:00:58
Seems DDG has put on a bit of weight ready for next season. I assume he has had his eyes lasered too?

With DDG at the Olympics and Amos/Johnstone going out on loan we could only have Lindegaard for the start of the season. So surely we will either be purchasing a keeper or we will be getting one on loan? Perhaps even Amos will hang around until DDG returns before going to Hull on loan? Anyone have any ideas?

Sydney!

Believable3 Unbelievable8

Season starts 20th of August vs Everton. The soccer final in the Olympics is on the 11th of August thats considering Spain make it to the final. DDG will be around for the start of the season. He won't need rest after either cause the Olympics will be like his pre season.

Agree0 Disagree0

De gea would be back for the start of the season anyway

fearny

Agree0 Disagree0

I know it wont happen, but if anyone has watched Japan.. Eiji Kawashima! Bet we could get him well cheap at 29 he's a good age.

Most likely will just be Lindegaard, didn't play for Denmark in the Euros but has some strong displays for us just before he got injured.

Ozwald

Agree0 Disagree0

Ah yeah, of course. Also being a keeper he will not need much rest, if any.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

Golini signed pro terms last week so he could be 3rd choice.

Agree0 Disagree0

A Sarky' response Sydney, not unusual.....but I'd lay odds that we don't get a keeper either on contract or on loan!

J - Stand

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 11:43:59
There's been rumours of moutinho, modric, thiago
coming in,
but don't be surprised,
soon we will sneijder rumours coming in and i believe if we cant sign modric, fergie will go for him
with inter milan not being in the ucl , we could get him on the cheap and this is likely to happen if modric fails.

TRUMORS

Believable4 Unbelievable18

08 Jul 2012 11:41:50
United were apparently keeping close tabs on Dembele and Fellaini all season last season. Perhaps Fellaini is being too overpriced by Everton and it could be Baines and Dembele instead of Baines and Fellaini? Dembele/Fellaini would clearly be a replacement for Fletcher who is highly unlikely to ever return sadly. I am not sure that Moutinho/Modric interest has anything to do with Fellaini/Dembele/Witsel. Remember we still need to replace Scholes by next season and Moutinho/Modric are the closest players to him.

Sydney!

Believable5 Unbelievable4

I would lose all hope if we were to sign Fellaini. I believe we do need a defensive minded player by he just doesn't have the attributes, he's just brute force and there is hardly any technical ability there.

A1tjw

Agree0 Disagree0

Can you really see Everton selling there best 2 players.....

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 11:12:11
Reports explaining united not interested in Moutinho after all, now had a bid rejected for Dembele?

Dembele? Really?. If we want a creative midfielder, get a good one. Not dembele, otherwise get a defensive mid to contrast Kagawa, like Fellani or Cheik Tiote.

Believable4 Unbelievable15

Dembele or Moutinho? Could we not be looking at both to replace Fletcher and Scholes?

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 09:34:26
why dont we put an offer in for R.VDV im sure he would come and would be superb in the middle for us.

Believable6 Unbelievable25

Honestly Van der Vart isnt a passing central midfielder at all, more a attacking central midfielder come 2nd striker. certainly not a scholes replacement. also too old, injury prone and tbh not good enough.. he plays same position as Rooney or Kagawa. Modric or Moutinho or even Anderson play deeper and are more what we need

Agree0 Disagree0

The last thing we need is another injury liability in the midfield. We have enough of them.

Agree0 Disagree0

He needs to be substituted after 60 minutes as he is out of puff. Scholes at 38 is fitter than a 29 year old VDV.

Sydney!

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 09:31:42
A burning topic " ANDERSON"
why do people want him to get sold? he had bad injury last season and rushed back at the end. every1 can remember it even if he is not fit he has been deployed to banch as we are sort of mid field options. same happened with cleverly last season. its our depth in midfield section which forces such moves. i guess we need to concentrate on bringing new quality players to give some much need enforcement rather selling already settled squad members. we play around 60+ matches in all competitions if we say we reach final to every competition. it needs lots of quality in whole squad not only starting 11.. so when carrik is abt 31+ and scholes( who shoudnt be here now), GENERAL fletcher is in full doubt of recovery.. Anderson is needed. forget arguments of him being injury prone. in last two seasons, due to our lack of options in midfield he has always been rushed back. even if he is not fully fit. he is sometimes look blank but when a player play week in,week out "the confidence" play a great role. so even if people dont see him being good in starting 11, he is a good squad player. good option at any time in opening cup 11s and fresh energy subs after 60-70 min when better physicality is required in compare to carrik & scholes.
do people think main starting 11 can open every game? ( PL, CL, FA cup, league cup) answer is no. and thats why my opinion is player like Anderson is needed, not to be sold when very cheap price is quated, moreover much hyped morrison and pogba has left who do u think be the squad player? reservewil go on loan for there development. so my thinking is we must keep him. should give him time to be fully fit and use him wisely as a squad member. and we all know if he can stay fit for whole season, there is no match for him.
thats my opinion. please share yours. logics are more wel come other than self generated arguments. difference is very thin but i m sure wise people can understand what i mean.

RODIO17

Believable20 Unbelievable17

If,and its a big 'if' unfortunately,Anderson can stay fit all the rumoured targets are not as good as him. A midfielder needs to be signed,possibly two but selling Anderson would be a massive mistake and i dont think Sir Alex will. Anderson has the talent to be the complete midfielder and an uninterupted season of being first choice and a regular would proove this i think. It would only take four or five good games from him and people on here would be claiming they never wanted him sold anyway

Agree0 Disagree0

He has had 5 years to make an impact but he very much hasn't made that impact. Time to move him on.

Agree0 Disagree0

Completely agree with you on that one. I think ando can be very good on his day. If he stays fit and have run of games he is a great options. He is still only young lad and people seems to forget that because he has been around for a long time.

Agree0 Disagree0

The problem isn't his talent its his injury record. He has played 83 games in over 5 years with us due to repetitive knee injuries. That averages about 16 a season, of which we might only get a few good games as the others he is just coming back from injury. The pattern goes injured plays a few poor games while coming back then a few good games as he is getting back his form then injured again and start the cycle over. I like him and really badly want him to be a success but he'll never play more than 25 games a season due to him being injury prone, it was the same with Saha Owen and Hargreaves good players but unable to stay fit. So what were left with is a good player taking up one of the 25 squad places who will hardly ever play. Surely its best to sell him while we can still make some money on him rather than lose him for nothing like the other three and free up a squad place for a.player who can contribute to the further success of our club.

Shappy

Agree0 Disagree0

Rodio I think that a big part of it is Anderson hasn't played anywhere near as well as he'd liked to have, drawback is he can be great but its just too little too often

Pardoe

Agree0 Disagree0

In my opinion I honestly think he has had plenty of time and chances to prove himself but unfortunately he is not up to it. Last year at the beginning of the season when paired with Cleverly he looked good but he got injured. Think we should be more worried about why we had half the team injured last season. I cant remember us ever having such problems.

Andydee mufc

Agree0 Disagree0

I've made this point in the past, the main reason Anderson hasn't lived up to his potential isn't his injuries or fitness concerns it's the fact we have played him out of position. He was potentially the next Ronaldinho when we signed him but we tried to convert him from a out and out attacking midfielder to a box to box man. I honestly believe if we had played him as the most advanced midfielder in a 4231 formation we would have a world class player.

Rjmanutd

Agree0 Disagree0

I think you have a point RJmanutd, but he has been injured a hell of a lot which has lead to him not getting as many chances. We have on occasions played 433 or 4231 but when we have Anderson hasn't been fit to play so he hasn't had the chance to play his best position. Either way with his injury record and the signings of Powell and Kagawa and with Rooney liking to play in the hole I can't see Anderson making many if any apperances in his best position so maybe it is best we move him on. If he does leave I wish him the best and hope he over comes his injury problems.

Shappy

Agree0 Disagree0

It may have come across like I was saying his injury record didn't matter which it obviously does and I didn't mean that. It's true what you say Shappy that with the signings and Rooney then Ando is unlikely to get to play in the advanced role he should have been playing pretty much since we signed him which is a shame because all the problems we have had in terms of midfield creativity in the last couple of years could have been solved from within if he was played a bit further forward and had stayed fit for longer periods of time.

Rjmanutd

Agree0 Disagree0

Injury prove? Being played out of position ? The fact is after 5 seasons he should have had enough game time in spite of the above to have proved his quality and he hasn't.

Anderson is not good enough. Period.

Would it be a mistake to seel him ? No.
Would it be a mistake not to bolster our midfield with at least 2 quality signings in Central role ? Yes.

The point is Anderson is not the answer.

Halesini

Agree0 Disagree0

Might help if Anderson was played in his natural position instead of a deep lying midfield position where he has been deployed most of the time.

Nip

Agree0 Disagree0

Hes fat. Hes lazy. Doesnt track back. Cant tackle. No pace. One footed.
I'd rather have Djemba Djemba - at least he tried.

Agree0 Disagree0

Since we signed Andersonhe has had a handful of great performances, I specifically remember one against Arsenal. But he hasn't done it enough and I just don't think he is good enough. He is also quite unfit for a professional footballer. Personally I would sell him.
SqueakyBum

Agree0 Disagree0

To no name claiming that Anderson is lazy & doesn't track back. Don't talk b.s.

With Anderson in our team, when fit, he brings more energy to our midfield than any other we have, he works hard for the team, okay he's not the greatest tackler, but neither is Scholes, but he's a United legend.

Personally, I feel that this season will be Anderson's. If he can have a clean bill of health he will show all of the doubters what he can do!

tbir.

Agree0 Disagree0

Rjmanutd How can you play a guy, as the most advanced midfielder, who can't shoot and whose short game is poor. Have you never wondered why the Old Trafford coaching staff and SAF played him deeper? He's fairly good at breaking up attacks and running from deep, but for a midfielder his passing is average at best. Think you bought all the tabloid crap about him being the new Ronaldinho.
Thy only things those two had in common was that they come from the same area and had the same first club
Mik

Agree0 Disagree0

Mik, Anderson was played off the striker at Porto, Gremio and for Brazil u20's. We bought him as an out and out attacking midfielder. We then immediately took him away from his natural position and therefore contributed to him not fulfilling his potential. Surely if Fergie was willing to spend nearly 20 million on a midfielder why would he buy someone who doesn't play the way he wants them to? In my opinion Fergies stubborn use of 4-4-2 while trying to accommodate a naturally attacking player into a midfield 2 and his injury record mean Anderson hasn't produced either consistently or enough.

Rjmanutd

Agree0 Disagree0

Rj

I have to disagree. Anderson's had quite a few chances in an advanced role, and when he plays in a 4-4-2 he's given plenty of freedom.

The big problem with Anderson is consistency. On the occasions he's been given a run in the team, he has one or two excellent games then 4 poor to average ones. The real problem with him is the poor performances are often terrible. He shows poor positional sense and his passing is awful in them. If he could lift the standard of his "worse" performances to be on an average-to-good level, then you'd take it, as on his day he can be outstanding. But, after 5 years, it doesn't appear he can.

It's a mental rather than a physical problem, and for me the injuries should have helped him resolve this by giving him thinking time.

I don't hold out much hope for him as a United player anymore, but I'd be more than willing to be proved wrong.

DarkLard08

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 09:21:44
CNN's Portugese football expert Pedro Pinto has spoke to talksport radio station and has said that Man Utd has Axel Witsel in their sights with a potential £5 million plus Anderson swap deal for the Belgium International.

Also says that Moutinho will end up at either Tottenham or Man Utd. The lure of moving to the capital and playing under AVB attracted him initially. But Champions League football and a guarantee of challenging for silverware. Not to mention the chance to work under the greatest manager to ever live and to work with a number of Portugese speaking players will possibly persuade him to join Man Utd.

fearny

Believable23 Unbelievable4

08 Jul 2012 09:12:39
Contrary to what people on this site are saying, this mornings columns suggest Joao Moutinho is 'not on United's radar'. Could be typical united though!?! - making you look in one direction diverting your attention from what's really going on. The not on the radar comments coupled with negotiating team en route to speak with Lucas Moura's agent etc etc. When what's likely to be happening is a deal is being thrashed out with Moutinho. With all Uniited signings we never know theyre done until theyre done. This will be the same.

Believable13 Unbelievable4

08 Jul 2012 09:09:59
Sorry to burst everyones bubble but according to new reports today apparantley moutinho is not a target. as fletcher is expected back at some point and we have kagawa so if the midfield is strengthened it will be a defensive mid apparently. But then the times reports we've bid for dembele which is ridicuous. id take moutinho over dembele anyday but as we are financially crippled. it is the cheaper option..

Believable5 Unbelievable20

08 Jul 2012 08:19:40
If united are looking for a left back then surely perriera from porto would be a good shout??

10-14m and 26 yrs old must be better than Baines??

What you think?

Jple23

Believable6 Unbelievable14

Baines is to old

Agree0 Disagree0

What is everyone's gripe with baines. So what if he is 27 he can get forward and can defend really well. Look at the stats last season people very rarely get past him. He can take penalties and free kicks and is one of the best crossers of the ball in rpl

Neil

Agree0 Disagree0

08 Jul 2012 08:18:34
ED02.. if you are around do you happen to know if the latest rumour of a 25m bid being accepted for Moutinho are true....

many thanks
oxred {Ed002's Note - I don't. Sorry.}

Believable4 Unbelievable6

07 Jul 2012 21:38:20
Reports in Portugal suggesting that we've had a £25million bid for Moutinho accepted. Mufc

Believable15 Unbelievable8

07 Jul 2012 23:02:07
Looks like moutinho is coming in. For me extremly happy. One of the stand out players at euro 2012 and he has shown he can produce on big stages. He can pass and also tackle. If we can maybe bring in a striker if Berba leaves and bring Baines in. In my opinion what a summer. Best in years.

Mufc

Believable14 Unbelievable6