Manchester United Rumours Archive September 08 2012

08 Sep 2012 23:26:14
Just wanted to offer my opinion on the Nani discussion:
For me he is a valuable member of the squad. A player who I would rather have than not. Phrases like "he's rubbish" are worthless and naive the guy has alot to improve upon granted but why do some people have such knee jerk opinions, they change more than the weather.
Should Nani have been sold this summer? Absolutely not is your answer, who are you going to replace him with? Our left side might be an area to debate but there really is no other player in Europe currently that I think is worth paying £30-£35 million for to take a chance on. Even Neymar I would be interested in, why take the chance? The only signing we MIGHT need to make in Jan is a CM/CDM, switching Nani for some other player with no PL experience for the prices being quoted is nonsense.
Give the guy a break, get over the Ronaldo factor, he isn't Ronaldo and he isn't trying to be Ronaldo.
Rant over (for now).

The much hated: PJ

Amen PJ

Arron

Lets be honest most of the time he does more harm than good in the team and i would rather play a youngster from the reserves.

Just read that Nani is threatening to run his contract down with us and priced himself out of a move to Zenit. Now we cant even get rid of him even if we want to!

Dan

It's not about him being Ronaldo. It's about him playing as well as we know he can on a far more consistent basis. How many brilliant games did Nani have last year? Let's see, Arsenal 8-2, Chelsea 3-1, Everton 4-4. That's 3 games I can think of. 3 GAMES! How many times does he cut in and have a shot instead of going for the simple ball. How many times are his crosses over hit? How many corners beat the first man? How many times does he stop, try a trick and the chance is gone?

Who are we going to replace him with? Well, we tried to replace him with Hazard. Then Moura. It'll probably be Rodriguez or Muniain next. The fact is, Fergie wants him sold. Zenit clearly agreed a deal and were allowed to talk to him. So who is right? You and Percy or Sir Alex?

G.A.G.U.S

Many years of inconsistency isn't knee jerk, that's prob why you're hated!lol

Charla

100% agree PJ, him & Rooney dragged us to a title in 2010 and now they are both being hunted down! Why is beyond me!?

Gpot7

Nani + 15-20 million = bale........ i'll take this deal any day

For the last few years, he has prospered on the right, scoring ten goals each season, In the new year Toni returns from injury, gains confidence and nails the position, Nani is then moved to the left and loses part of his momentum. Nani created more assists than anyone in the portuguese team this summer. Ashley young on the other hand appears to be a one trick pony and found out too frequently resulting in theatrical dismounts.

Good comment. People who think players like gaitan and rodriguez really represent an upgrade on nani are indeed naive. Nani was in the same position as they when he joined us. Basically one of the best young players in portugal at that time. Now with inflation the price of players like that has moved up. Thats the only difference.

Nani is not at his peak yet, and has matured greatly in the last 3 years. Thats evidence enough to suggest he can continue to do so, and gives him a half way shot at reaching a world class level. Why gamble on another player who only has the potential to do the same thing? Nani is in no different a position to them.

The only thing that would make replacing nani worthwhile is if we are going to buy someone like gareth bale. Then i would completely agree with getting rid of him, but its not like we are a free spending side, so how realisitc is this?

these nani comments are knee jerk reactions. People are thinking the other side of the grass is greener etc.

Its not a knee jerk reaction. Everyone is fustrated by his continued lack of consistancy and fustrated by the fact he has made no improvements from 2 seasons ago when he looked like stepping out of ronny's shadow. He also does not suit the way we are trying to play as he gives the ball away far to often (G.A.G.U.S post has detailed his other obvious flaws, bravo btw!)
G.N.G

The simple fact is that there are few players who could replace him, and they would be extremely expensive.

People see younger players have a few good games and don't realise that they are just as inconsistent and frustrating if you watch them every week.

Thorne

I have given Nani the time to proove his worth. he won;t improve because the main thing he is missing is a footballing brain. He has talent, the problem is that he is too often responsible for breaking up the way we play. I don;t understand why he doesn;t play more like Toni; when he does he tears defenders apart.

At this point I would rather we had replaced him with another youngester from the Portuguese league. because let's face it, this one has never and will never turn into the player we all hoped for.

MDJ

He has being bad for years .... Good god man open your eyes.......

CAIN

Iv been wouldering why is PJ called "The much hated: PJ" did I miss something....??
I don't hate you lol....

Also I have NO inside info but have always felt Ronaldo will return home....
Theres no better fans, no better club and no better manager....
Grass can't be any greener leaving United...
(unless he comes to the SUPER MK DONS lol)
BowlDonBowl

It is a knee jerk reaction. His form has been bad end of last season and start of this season. Its only in this period people have started saying we should get rid of him. Over the last 2 seasons he's gone through good spells as well as bad. He still has a similar value to valencia and ashley young in our squad at his present level.

About his "consistency." We all know, this is nani's weak point. Bar inconsistency Nani would already be a world class player. So the question is, is he making progress in this area? People look at him and say he's inconsistent, and thats true, but compared to the inconsistency he had 3 years ago +, he has improved a lot.

1 good game, 1 bad game does represent a serious improvement already in his consistency, and if the same type of progress occurs over the next 3 years, at which point he will be at his peak at around 28, then we will have a very good player.

The problem is our competitors are buying world class players, we can't be waiting 5+ years after signing a player for a lot of money (at the time) for them to hopefully be world class so long in the future, for that 5+ years our quality detiorates as to improve you have to play. Nani has a negative impact on other players in the team as well, people switch off when he gets the ball and get frustrated with him.

I think that he has been given enough chances at a team like Utd. Fair enough if he was at a Liverpool, Newcastle side, but not for us.

Sween

Thankyou for all the replies! I'm serious though, frustration over players is part of a supporter I can accept that but selling Nani would be a MASSIVE mistake. He is unique, a game changer, a match winner, when he was brought on against The Saints last week even I put my head in my hands because I know his form is not great. But form is only temporary, class is permanent. Nani has to do the proving himself but believe me he will. If he is sold in January, I will eat my iPhone. He will play a big part for us this season Im sure of it.

The much hated: PJ

Had 5 years to progress and has stagnated upsets his teamates with decision making ,very immature and throws a fit if he doesnt get a freekick off the ref and minutes later clatters someone and gets a card.but for me the biggest asset a winger must have is being able to put a decent cross or corner in on a regular basis and this seems beyond him.
johndenton

PJ its not just about whether we would want to sell him or not. He is asking for 130k or more a week and not budging. We rightly have a wage structure for the status of players and most first team regulars do not earn over 130k a week. Deluded, I say we give another youngster a chance. Why do you think Van Velzen has been loaned to Antwerp until January? Evan did that and then instantly went into the first team squad. He is Nanis replacement if we dont get CR7 back.

Dan

Going on his performances, I'd struggle to justify offering him 20k per week.

It's a shame that the one player who really wants to stay is so far below the required standard, but that's life I suppose.

It's not just about inconsistency with Nani, there's something missing from his brain that means he'll probably never "get it"

I would rather play a raw youth player than stick with Nani.
I yearn for the days of Kanchelskis, Blomqvist etc. Hell, I'd even prefer Jesper Gronkjaer to Nani.

Says it all really.

Pritpal

Nani has had his chances,and he must surely be down to his last to make a big impression.I would have been happy for him to go.He now has until January to up his game or it may just be taxi for Nani time or a lot of reserve team football.

"He isn't trying to be Ronaldo". What a ridiculous comment of course he is exactly the same type of player as Ronnie and plays in the same position. Unfortunately his decision making, concentration, ball retention etc (everything other than his showey step overs) are terrible so he is no where near Ronnie. Ashley young is not a very gifted player and i don't really rate him but is still far more effective. He needs to go because if you cant prove your worth in 4 years then it is never going to happen. No doubt he will have a good match in the near future then people will say he is amazing and we should keep him but it still would not be worth it.

Dan

Sween, appeciate what ur saying here about competitors, but with these current owners, its a hard fact for us that we can no longer go out and sign world class talents like we would do a decade ago (unless they have a contract situation or something alike.) It seems that 25m is about our limit. With that in mind we basically have to purchase players that we hope will Develop to world class levels.

nani has as much chance of maturing to a world class level as the players we would be buying for around 25m - the likes of gaitan or james rodriguez. People who really believe these players are on a different level to nani are just buying into hype.

To others who are so quick to dismiss luis nani, i think you are looking at the way our team disappointed last year and coming to quick assumptions. Nani really isn't our problem. Our problem last season was immobile c.midfielders playing in front of inexperienced defenders. This all meant we could suddenly leak goals from anywhere, and that was evidenced on numerous occasions, against teams like basel, everton, newcastle + others.

For me nani is an important member of our squad and first team until a world class player develops in his position, or until we are prepared to go out and pay for someone like a gareth bale.

'redbark

I would rather of have that shaqiri shame he's gone to bayrn now.


Anon

First timer here. nani was our player of the season 2 yrs ago. Yep he is up and down with regards to his performances but reply him? With who? Everyone who wants him out who would you want in his place? Bale yes but he'll cost 50 mill and he is not worth that money either.

08 Sep 2012 19:52:41
Now that jones is out surely one of the young guys from the reserves is going to get a call up. Any Ideas

shahram

Michael Keane if any of them.

Doubt it unfortunately. Carrick will, drop if needed. Shame as would have liked to see a bit more of them.

Sween

Yeah Michael Keane is the most capable to stand in, Wooten looked good in the pre season. When is Smalling back?! He donned last season when he played.

Ozwald

I don't think Smalling is back till the end of the month.

How about Evans - he was good

Mike

Said it before, and I'll say it again, contrary to his public statements SAF doesn't like playing youth, prefers players out of position. Why have a youth policy and then not give them a chance; madness.
RedSince68

The same saf thats been blooding youngsters for 20 yrs

He plays them when they are ready. Apart from Pogba who I thought could have taken over from Carrick this year or next he has been perfect at developing youth. It was Pogbas agent that messed things up for Pogbas future there was little SAF could do.

Dan

08 Sep 2012 14:44:25
ED's ive been away from the site for a while been checking briefly but not as much as i once did, anyway to get to my point i was just wondering if there was a fantasy league this year and if it is too late to join. cheers in advance :)

Anon {Ed007's Note - If you use the search function G.A.G.U.S and TK-Red (I think) are running them, just put their name into the search and it should be there.}

Www.manchesterfantasyfootball

Pin 8000197

league name. manchester city council ff league

Everyone is welcome to join.

07 Sep 2012 22:57:36
I've just been reading the piece on a website about why Ronaldo is unhappy, it mentions that a key reason is he is not getting along with Marcelo.

Do you think Marcelo could be a viable signing in Jan? Obviously speaking Portuguese (like several of our current players), still young 24, but experienced, like a younger Evra really and we may be able to get him cheap. Don't know too much about Buttner, but it might be a good idea to put in a cheeky bid in January to help Madrid out of their predicament - very much doubt we will be going for Ronnie of course.

I don't think Fabio is going to make it unfortunately, despite the fact he was meant to be the better of the twins when he signed. This loan to QPR is to get him in the shop window I think rather than improving his game to get back in our team so Marcelo could be an ideal signing.

Sween

I enjoyed none of this post, I must say I stand directly opposite you on this opinion. As if ronaldo would not celebrate a goal because he had a disagreement with one team mate. I also dont believe fabio is over yet just needs a wiser head like his brother

I wouldn't want him anywhere near united i absolutley despise the way the guy plays football along with Pepe. Some players are probably worth putting up with a bit of play acting like Drogba for instance. Marcelo is not. And i totally disagree with you when you say Fabio's move is to put him in the shop window, if we wanted rid we could easily of sold him, i think the kids got a good chance at United, sometimes you've just got to show a bit of patience and let these young lads develop.

Andy B

"a wiser head like his brother" LOL. I'm a fan of them both but something Rafael definitely doesn't have is a wise head! Fabio is better tempered IMO and with experience in the PL could be even better than Rafael.
Fergie has said he would spend 60m on Ronny and who knows maybe if Nani goes it could be an option. I really like Marcello and so does SAF but honestly im happy with Fabio for next year. I also believe we should keep faith in Evra he is not doing well atm but there is no reason he couldn't rediscover his old form.

Dan

I've noticed Sween is one of the most anti-UNITED "supporters" on here your posts are always so negative towards our squad.

I am a bit negative at the moment, but shouldn't every honest fan be? We were mediocre for the vast majority of last season and this season - Awful performance against Everton, bit better at Fulham but we dropped off again and we were pretty fortunate against Southampton - a draw would have been fair. Yes we have 6 points, but that isn't great and is masking a lot of faults in the team.

I'm all for praising us to the hilt when we are performing well or the signs are good, but I honestly think that we need strong action at the moment otherwise we could slip too far, that's why I am being critical of some of the players I believe have outstayed their welcome and are playing because of their reputation and not their current ability.

Utd are no longer feared like we used to be. Old Trafford is no longer a fortress and we need to get some passion and excitement back into our play.

Welbeck, Clevs, Anderson, Kagawa, RVP, Valencia, Vidic, Jones, Smalling, Rafael, DDG - perfectly happy with, even Evra, but I think Marcelo would be a better player now. Young, Rooney, Nani, Hernandez, shouldn't be near our first team at the minute. Carrick & Rio need a bit more time as they have been filling in elsewhere or injured.

You don't get anywhere being airy fairy about things when you are a passionate supporter and there are clear failings that can be corrected. A lot of knowledgeable fans are saying similar things to me on this site as well.

Sween

Why - are u aware that a left back was just signed

fabio - he plays left back but he isnt left footed - very unfair on the boy

There a difference between honesty and negativity Sween.

We have ONE serious weakness, the central midfield's inability to dominate matches. We're great up top, Realy good in defence (albeit not as good as we could be), and it is only in midfield that we are weak.

Dominating midfield generally requires one or both of two things: Quality in posession, and disruption of the opoitions possession. Fletch's return would give us a degree of the latter, especially as he gets back to full strength, but we do need to address our quality in possession.

As or the players you mention, Rooney has been one of our best players for years, he is still improving and he was really good last season, also, he's often the one who drives us back into games when we're not doing well.

Young has barely had a chance yet, he did well at the start of last season, yes he faded later, but he should be given the chance to show what he can do before we judge him too harshly.

Hernandez hardly played at all and still racked up, what, 12 goals or so? He's young and till developing and after his first season for us, he definately deserves time to recover is best form.

Nani, well, we all know about his inconsistency etc. but the fact is he racked up plenty of goals and assists last season and can be one of our best players when he's at his best. More importantly, we can't afford to replace him. We'd have to get at least 25-30m for him, which is unlikely, and we'd still have to chip in another 5-10m before we could afford a good enough replacement. There's no point selling him just to get someone worse.

Finally, Fabio is easily one of the best fullbacks his age. The twins will be our fullbacks for years, he's just been held back by Evra always being fit.

Thorne

I honestly think all we need is a replacement for Scholes and we will be complete after this summers signings. I also dont get why people rate Cleverley so much. What is it that he brings to the team except for energy because he is a youngster? Average at everything IMO and got outsmarted and out played by a Southampton midfield based around a 17 year old. As exceptional as Ward-Prowse is a united first teamer should not be schooled by a 17 year old. Our midfield has been dominated against every team we have played this year and that is desperately worrying!

Dan

Tbf I thought that didn't get along at the start of Ronaldo's Madrid career... but i'm sure since then they've been best friends and there's always videos of them doing random pranks and stuff together? old story regenerated maybe?

1993

Maybe it is a just a journo being bored and having to get something to press, but I think Marcelo is a realistice option for the powers that be. As I said I don't know enoough about the new left back, but Fabio is not quite Utd quality in my opinion. I was of the thinking he would be the natural replacement for Evra initially, but with us loaning him out, it seems the thinking isn't quite there with the management. He would have been kept if he was our long term full back. He is going to be sold and the QPR loaning is for the UK qualification, my bet is Tottenham next season.

Sween