Manchester United rumours 2

29 Aug 2024 19:17:15
Looking at our options in midfield we look really light for quality depth and now Mount has got an injury to make us even lighter. Ed002, is there any hope of us getting another midfielder over the line tomorrow?

{Ed002's Note - Sure - I think there is no barrier to Ugarte.}

29 Aug 2024 21:09:16
Think tomorrow could be busy for us.

Ugarte and Scott deals to be confirmed

Kone as well although that might not be a big announcement.

Sancho out to either juve or Chelsea.

If Chelsea sterling in maybe?

Ed has said he expects another bid for Branthwaite but nothing yet maybe we sense opportunity of a deal tomorrow?

If not sterling maybe another forward?

My hope would be an extra cm to ugarte and a LB.

30 Aug 2024 01:38:04
Rabiot and Brathwaite in, Sancho out would be perfect.

With the Saudi window open for a while yet we could also somehow offload Casemiro, Anthony and/ or Maguire/ Lindelof.

All the above and not even Carlsberg doing transfer windows could pull that off.

30 Aug 2024 07:53:36
Goal scoring is an obvious issue, I am not sure we have a goal scorer but unless one arrives today, and I can’t see that, we may continue to struggle scoring.

29 Aug 2024 21:16:54
Ed002 other than ugarte deal being completed would you expect any other business from Utd late in the window? I know you’ve said we’d like to add 1 or 2 more but end of the window is now very close.

Thank you also for all your insights and info throughout this whole summer.

{Ed002's Note - See previous answers.}

30 Aug 2024 14:36:37
I don't see anything special happening. Soon as McTom is confirmed, so will Ugarte.

I think Sancho will prove to be too expensive to sell. Maybe a loan.

I'm sure United would like to press ahead with Branthwaite, but time an issue now. And no real takers for Maguire.

30 Aug 2024 16:39:13
Everton are already in enough trouble without selling Branthwaite or DCL, surely they'd be mad to let them go now unless they've got 3-4 quality players ready to bring in in the next six hours.

29 Aug 2024 16:58:33
Reading that Mount will be out for several weeks with a hamstring injusy.

29 Aug 2024 17:08:37
Has he been hanging out with Luke Shaw? Both made of glass.

29 Aug 2024 18:34:39
I've heard they spent time together over Christmas, guzzling down bottles of Baillys.

29 Aug 2024 18:36:38
People suggest Antony is the worst signing in recent years but for me it is Mount, £60m for a player who plays in the position our captain and ever present player plays, he had a year left on his contract and had just had a season where he was poor or injured. It made no sense to sign him and it makes no sense now, we also gave him ridiculous wages so we are stuck with him and he’s constantly injured. Just glad we didn’t give him the number 7, oh wait.

29 Aug 2024 19:01:04
Damn, we look suddenly short of options with mount injured and mc gone.

29 Aug 2024 20:16:41
But everyone said we needed a LB more than a midfielder 🤷🏻‍♂️.

29 Aug 2024 20:56:20
videos of malacia training on grass, so a bit of good news.

29 Aug 2024 21:00:11
I’d go get Rabiot.

30 Aug 2024 09:43:23
Rabiot would be a great signing, especially if we can negotiate a good deal (2 years with a 1 year option, wages around 150-180k per week) .

Just want to make sure we don't go full Glazer on a deal and give him a 5 year contract on 300k per week.

30 Aug 2024 10:12:06
I've been saying all summer I would prioritise two midfielders even if Casemiro stays. Agree with Shappy here, Rabiot on 2-3 year deal on reasonable wages would be absolutely ideal.

30 Aug 2024 20:37:30
Lots of psychics here, anyone predict the lottery numbers or shall we stick to the told you so approach 😂.

28 Aug 2024 15:14:47
Sancho to Juventus done.
Loan with obligation to buy.

28 Aug 2024 15:43:57
Great note we need another forward in. 🤣.

28 Aug 2024 16:20:44
Wouldn’t mind Toney me, think he would suit us well as another forward

Ideal signing would be the winger from Napoli, can’t spell his name but think he’s quality and would suit the prem

But glad the club have stuck with a manager, sancho thought he could outlast another manager like most players because the culture has been shocking

Hopefully now we kick on Sunday.

28 Aug 2024 17:16:23
Can't help but feel that Liverpool signing Chiesa for 10 plus 2.5 million in add ons is going to be the deal of the summer.

Now maybe I have missed something that's happened to him, but I always thought he looked very good.

Bolger if right about KK though, would be a dream signing for the wide forwards.

28 Aug 2024 18:14:05
He looked really poor at euros and even last season watching some of the juve games against better opposition. Maybe liverpool brings out the best of him. pl is not going to be easier league but who knows. very cheap deal comparative to deals being done, wonder what it was that other teams don't like.

28 Aug 2024 18:34:57
In the current climate, Chiesa seems like a steal and would likely have been a solid signing for us with Sancho leaving.

In terms of replacements, I’m not really sure who I’d go for this late in the window. Under the previous administration we’d have probably moved for somebody like Kingsley Coman on loan, but he doesn’t really match what INEOS are looking to build.

28 Aug 2024 18:59:58
Can’t see another winger being signed. We didn’t have sancho last season so no different to this season if he goes.

We will have 4 wingers in the squad for 2 spots. Granted, they aren’t all great. But I doubt they’ll add another one to the squad.

28 Aug 2024 20:02:17
Great buy by Liverpool. He is a really good player. He will take the load of salah and Diaz as he play either side. He will make a very good contribution there i think.

Hopefully his injuries are behind him. He won't play every week I think but what a good player to have to call on. We had no interest I don't think and I've read that he would only consider a cl club.

I think it will be a hectic last 2 days with players moving all over. A few mad ones and possible loans for good players.

Will we get another 1 or 2 in remains to be seen I've high hopes but low expectations. Hope to see a couple more leave anyhow.

28 Aug 2024 20:16:05
Oak,

Chiesa did his cruciate 3 years ago and hasn’t been the same player since missing a large number of games. If Liverpool can get him back to his previous level he will be a decent signing but I wouldn’t be too worried, can’t see him playing much.

28 Aug 2024 20:28:58
romano says no obligation to buy agreed. says juve have improved loan terms with an option to buy. it will be a very busy helter skelter crazy last few days for many teams.

28 Aug 2024 21:53:42
Chiesa is going on a free next year and the latest victim of big clubs happy to move players on if they are on monster wages and not in the manager’s plans. Juve’s latest manager prefers other options.

28 Aug 2024 21:54:54
What’s more bizarre is that they want to replace him with the Utd version :D.

28 Aug 2024 22:17:41
I knew about his ACL rear but they often take a couple of years to get back from close to wear you were.

And 13 million doesn't buy much in the EPL nowadays. So I think its a good huy given their other options means he can be used sparingly become an impact player off the bench.

As for United I don't think we buy another forward this year. I think we wait and love next year when we can sink more money into getting the right player. I also think we might see Lacey start to get bench time at least. He will be 18 in April and will start to push the incumbents here, so far I haven't really seem anything too special in front of him.

28 Aug 2024 22:33:16
Chiesa has struggled to get back to his pre-injury form.

If he can return to that form then Liverpool have a great player.

While given the low fee even if he flops badly and spends the majority of his time at Liverpool out injured it won't be a big loss.

29 Aug 2024 07:49:53
Can’t see us bringing in a winger to replace him.

Garnacho, Amad, Rashford and Antony will be our four first-team wingers.

Mount and Bruno can play there, whilst we could always move to a diamond in midfield with split strikers if necessary. That’s before looking at the like of Lacey, Ibragimov etc.

Selfishly, I’d like Toney and Chilwell on top of Ugarte over the next 37 hours. But I think it’s unlikely. Incomings probably all done.

29 Aug 2024 08:45:55
Downsie, I agree I can't see us signing a winger this summer to replace Sancho.

To be honest he has hardly played for us over the last couple of years. He spent most of last season either training with the youth team or out on loan, the year before he played a few games, had some mental health struggles and EtH allowed him to go off for three months of the season.

Has he even made more than 10 league starts for us over the last two seasons?

Like you say, we have four first team wingers, along with two players in Bruno and Mount who can play wide. I'd also point out that both Zirkzee and Højlund have played on the wing at times in their careers as well (although seeing as they are the only two options through the middle I doubt they'll play wide unless needed) .

Effectively we have 6 to 8 players for a those front three positions.

People can point out the lack of quality or form from some of those players, but we will have to make do this season and try and get them back into form.

Personally I'd say if we can do one more deal after Ugarte then it should be for a midfielder.

I get the LB argument, yet the issue is potentially a short term issue due to injuries. While it is apparently thought that Harry Amass might be ready for some first team appearances by December/ January. With Dalot, Martinez and Mazraoui all able to cover there as well.

LB will probably have to wait until next summer when we can move on one or even both of Shaw and Malacia to make space for a first team quality LB.

Midfield though looks very thin even with Ugarte signing.

Casemiro looks to be in better form than last season, but has looked like he is starting to run out of steam after 70 minutes or so. Certainly his performances dip a little in the last 15-20 minutes of the first few games.

Eriksen can only last 60 minutes, and is likely to leave.

Mainoo is brilliant, but is just 19 years old and cannot be relied upon to play every game. There will be times during the season where he'll need taking out of the line up either to rest his developing body or to take him out of the limelight if his form dips.

Collyer is the only other option beyond those three currently in the squad. He's a young lad who made his debut this season. He's looked solid in his appearances, but we shouldn't be relying on him like we might have to if we suffer a couple of injuries.

That will leave Ugarte when his deal is made official. He will be the only first team midfielder who isn't either a youth player learning their trade or a veteran in decline. He will have to carry this midfield at times, which isn't ideal for a new signing adapting to what is known to be a tough league.

Without another signing we will at best have Ugarte, Casemiro, Mainoo, Collyer and Eriksen as options.

Although it's likely you can scratch Eriksen off that list.

If we can make another signing this summer it has to be in midfield. While I understand some people's reservations over Rabiot, he would without doubt be a brilliant and vital signing if we can agree a deal with him.

Experienced, proven at the highest level, good age still, tactically intelligent and flexible (capable of being a sitting or box to box midfielder) .

If we can get him on a two year deal with a third year option on wages in the region of 150-180k per week then he'd be an absolute superb signing.

His attitude and work rate have never been in question, the only real negative I've heard about him is that his mother interferes too much, and as his agent she has over stepped her boundaries at other clubs. That said he has apparently hired a new agent with his mother taking a step back (although this remains to be seen) .

I'd say sign him up if we can, and set clear boundaries about agents access to the training ground.

29 Aug 2024 11:03:50
I thought Bruno and Mount were midfielders?

29 Aug 2024 13:48:12
Patrick, technically they are, but they play further forward.

I'm thinking about if we play a 4231 type shape where we look to play with a double pivot in midfield, is that an area you'd want to play either Bruno or Mount?

Probably not. They will typically play much further forward either in the No.10 position or even in the wide roles.

29 Aug 2024 15:00:36
I am at a loss as to what system ETH will adopt! My concern is that it will be really difficult to bring in a top midfielder (thinking about Rabiot) only to spend most of his time on the bench. At this stage of his career that surely would not appeal. 433?

29 Aug 2024 15:15:59
what about the african boy having his medical today? or is he not for the first team?

29 Aug 2024 16:46:48
Chiesa didn't have a future at juve and no other teams in for him says it all. He was decent a few years back but that injury he had killed him. I think he will struggle with the physicality of English football.

29 Aug 2024 17:12:24
dio, you are referring to Sekou Kone, an 18 year old defensive midfielder.
He is going into the U21s, although he is considered as having very high potential and could be fast tracked if he demonstrates he can operate at the level required.
He may well need time to settle and acclimatise to a very different culture.
Manchester may well be a tad cooler than Mali! then again he might want to see a bit of snow!

28 Aug 2024 10:45:04
Hi Ed are any future signings reliant on selling first? Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Not first.}

28 Aug 2024 13:54:01
Thanks.

28 Aug 2024 10:34:40
Hello there ed002, with a few days to go i was wondwring if there's any truth that we could look to sign Ivan toney or Calvert Lewin. Thank you for answering.

{Ed002's Note - Toney has a very good offer from Saudi. Calvert Lewin is of interest to others.}

28 Aug 2024 12:51:55
Calvert lewin would be shocking.

28 Aug 2024 13:20:37
Why ruud?

28 Aug 2024 17:15:36
angelred,

I suspect it's because he is average and injury prone.

29 Aug 2024 12:41:12
Exactly, we don't need players to just fill the physio room.
I'd rather play one of the u23s and blood them.

That said, Toney would give us a different dynamic.

27 Aug 2024 16:32:49
To the Eds

Are we still looking for a left back this window? And do we Sancho being sold?

Thanks in advance.

{Ed002's Note - A LB is an option. Sancho may be a tough one to shift due to his wages.}

27 Aug 2024 17:15:57
Thanks for replying - appreciated.

27 Aug 2024 18:48:56
Is the Sterling/ Sancho swap pure click bait Ed?

{Ed002's Note - Sancho has been offered to Chelsea for two different players by his agent.}

27 Aug 2024 20:32:25
I'd imagine chilwell may be one of them and I really hope not we already have two injury prone left backs don't need another one personally think Marcos Alonso on a 1 year deal would be a good option of his wages weren't obscene.

28 Aug 2024 02:38:14
Johnreese, Alonso has already signed for Betis I believe.

28 Aug 2024 08:11:39
Seen Fabrizio Romano had confirmed he had was probably the best short term option the others don't inspire me.
Chilwell plays less games than Shaw kerkez the few times iv see him has looked kinda average at times ait noiri seems like he can't defend options are few and far between.

27 Aug 2024 20:32:22
Is the other one Chilwell?

{Ed002's Note - Yes.}

28 Aug 2024 10:15:47
Thanks for the insight, as always.

28 Aug 2024 17:05:18
If you sign enough injury riddled left backs then one of them should be fit every week.

28 Aug 2024 22:35:22
Can we go all Doctor Frankenstein on Shaw, Malacia and Chilwell?

Surely we can cut them up and glue together one decent injury free LB from the three of them? 🤷🏻‍♂️.

27 Aug 2024 12:30:45
Ed02 - outside of Ugarte, are we still looking at any other incomings or is it likely to be outgoings only now?

We still look very light in midfield with McTominay gone and potentially Eriksen as well.

{Ed002's Note - Yes, Manchester United are looking to add one or two more players if they can.}

27 Aug 2024 14:57:19
ED002,

Would you be able to elaborate on those one or two signings?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - They would be from the list I provided.}

27 Aug 2024 15:20:38
Based on what ed has said recently Branthwaite and ederson could be a couple weeks try for.

{Ed002's Note - Everson is now a problem.}

27 Aug 2024 15:21:50
Cheers ED002.

27 Aug 2024 16:20:06
Thanks for the response Ed. I'm guessing another CM and a forward potentially, I just hope it's not Amrabat.

I do wonder if Antony could leave before the end of the window given his playing time is looking very limited.

27 Aug 2024 16:50:27
Ederson issue due to Koopmeiners demanding and finally getting a move to Juve?

27 Aug 2024 15:25:48
Mad Hatter, Branthwaite and Ederson might be the two going by Eds recent posts.

{Ed002's Note - Everson is now much less likely.}

27 Aug 2024 18:21:54
Still midfield options out there,

Andre (fluminense), Richard Rios, Manu Kone, Frenkie, and Taylor booth?

Lb options were really kerkez, antonee Robinson and Gutierrez

Forward options kubo, Marcus Edwards, raphinha and mitoma

Bar Rios and Andre the rest is off eds list provided April this year.

27 Aug 2024 19:06:06
De Jong or Rabiot would be the icing on the cake for me. Not sure how likely either really is at this point, but Ten Haag is a known admirer of both, from what I gather.

27 Aug 2024 20:00:52
I don’t believe it, but wow, Mitoma. Yes please.

27 Aug 2024 08:58:29
Ugarte is all done apparently. He's travelling over for his medical today.

€50m initial fee with €10m in add ons.

27 Aug 2024 09:39:20
Good to have that all done now let's see what else we can do before the window closes another CM? Lb? Branthwaite?

Eds said we have interest and will push on ederson?

Also says he expects another offer for Branthwaite?

What options are there for left back?

Think if we can get a cm and a lb we could have a decent team, but can the manager set them up right.

27 Aug 2024 09:49:34
Good, glad it's sorted as it was becoming a bit of a saga.

Overall I'm really pleased with the summer transfer business even if personally there were alternative players I'd have preferred. Ultimately though there is probably a reason why I'm a geography teacher and not in football player acquisitions😂

Two CB's, one with great experience and the other a potentially generational talent.

A top quality fullback who is capable of playing both RB and LB.

Those three signings have significantly upgraded our defence, particularly on the right hand side. I think we are still a couple of defenders short in terms of quality and suitability for how we look to play, with us needing another LCB and a first choice quality LB. Yet those are players that I expect we'll get next summer.

We've now seemingly got a top quality CDM in, someone who adds energy, bite, and ball winning capacity to our midfield.

Personally I still feel we could do with at least one maybe two more in midfield long term. We could do with a technical ball player, a passing metronome in the middle who can dictate play. Although they are difficult to find.

We have also signed a creative and hard working centre forward to add depth and a different option up front.

We will seemingly have to rely on young Garnacho and Amad making good on their potential this season in the wide areas, or a Lazarus style return to form for Rashford. Again this is an area I'd expect to see us look to sign someone for next summer.

These five signings along with a whole raft of departures (with still more to come before Fridays deadline) means the squad looks more streamlined and is starting to take shape with a lot of high potential young players who we can build around. The squad looks to have more fight, energy, technical ability and tactical intelligence, although it has clearly lost some top level experience.

I think a smaller squad is needed to create a tight knit group and for genuine competition for places. When you have 33 players in your first team squad and you can only name 20 to the match day squad that means over a third of your squad won't be selected for each game. Eventually that is bound to lead to those players consistently not selected to lose motivation. Ultimately it will be very hard to keep up squad morale with such a bloated squad.

Currently we have 31 in the first team squad 32 once Ugarte joins. Yet we will see anywhere between 3 and 5 leave before the window closes (Lindelof, Eriksen, McTominay, Hannibal and Sancho all being possible/ likely departures) .

That would bring us down to 27 or 28, which also includes the likes of Amass, Collyer, Gore and Wheatley. Four youngsters who will play a lot of under 23's football when they aren't in the first team squad. Which will still keep them sharp and motivated.

Which really leaves us with 3 or 4 senior players on average who will miss out each week. Although with injuries and suspensions that'll be closer to 1 or 2 at most. Which is where you want the squad to be.

Next summer I'd expect to see us sign a LB, LCB, CM and a winger at least, maybe two midfielders or two wingers depending on how players develop/ perform this season.

I'd also expect it to be more of a one in, one out policy next summer, with Maguire likely leaving to make space for a LCB, one of Shaw or Malacia leaving for a LB, Casemiro leaving for CM and Antony leaving for a winger.

If others leave then we might see additional players signed to replace them or players from the academy added to the squad to try and step up (Onana, Heaton, Bayindir at least one of the keeper will likely leave, with an academy option maybe stepping in for Heaton, but if one of the other two leave then I'd expect to see a signing made) .

27 Aug 2024 09:52:14
Can’t see Branthwaite happening unless some significant sales also happen. Could barely afford Ugarte deal.

I would imagine any other deals coming in would only be a loan.

My guess is that Ugarte is the last incoming player this window, any other deals will be players leaving.

27 Aug 2024 10:14:40
The team still needs a pulse in the middle pulling the strings, making things happen as it's all felt a bit one dimensional for a while. I expect Bruno is seen as this player but he's not one of the greats, IMO. Maybe next summer.

27 Aug 2024 10:41:44
If Scott and Hannibal go for the figures mentioned we have a net spend of circa £90 million which is a great window for the 5 we brought in, Ugarte medical dependent 🤞

If we manage to move on Sancho and Eriksen I personally think we will see another addition to the squad.

27 Aug 2024 10:53:29
Think that’s fair. I think we may see late deals for Eriksen and Lindelof to balance the books further, and if we can move Sancho on then there may be a late deal for another forward/ winger.

27 Aug 2024 10:57:16
This amount of activity demonstrates the serious restrucuring of the squad that is needed.

There are still a couple more that will be surplus and we continue to look light up front, but we can't do everything in one window. I don't see any more business unless we lose someone like Cas, which I am not sure is going to happen.

ETH may prove to be the right or wrong man, but this amount of change will need carful managing, those calling for his head to give their heads a wobble, the place has been a mess and this feels like the first step in trying to change that.

27 Aug 2024 11:08:21
phillip

our net spend is lower than that, looks like a 75/ 80 if no one else is sold assuming, Hanibal and mc go. Swedish rumble had an interesting piece and reckons next summer we can spend up to 250/ 300 if we wanted to given how we have managed our transfers this year. Even this jan window we can buy and have a lot of leg room.

Personally would love to see a surprise signing of Davies over any other single player:) we can all dream lol.

27 Aug 2024 12:07:24
Spenno, I suspect that the club see Manioo as that player. The one that can drop back, take the ball off the defenders, and move it forward. I’m hoping that with Ugarte holding, Manioo will have a bit more freedom to get forward.

27 Aug 2024 12:32:45
Danny if they see mainoo as a ball player we're in trouble.

Mainoo is spectacular at dribbling holding the ball special awareness and link up. However he doesn't play passes from deep control the tempo and play the ball in behind.

We need someone able to play the ball make passes and generally dictate play. Atm it's all very focused on Bruno making all the passes to the forwards so when he's not on form (first 2 games he's not been at his best) then we aren't it also means we're easy to stop as you just stop Bruno.

27 Aug 2024 13:05:57
He’s young Dbrooks. I think he has the talent to learn to play that role. He has a good range of passing, excellent at receiving the ball in tight space, and has the stamina to get up and down the pitch.

If you look at how players like Scholes and Keane developed, they started playing further up the pitch, then learned how to control the flow of the game. I’m hoping that with Ugarte sitting deep it will allow Bruno and Manioo to play a double pivot in playmaking when in possession.

27 Aug 2024 13:36:34
Mainoo will play further up the pouch not further back. Bellingham like. Put him there he will destroy brunos stats for goals and assists in 2 years time.

27 Aug 2024 14:10:38
Nevermind when Bruno isn't available, even when he's available, he just isn't that kind of player.

Bruno is a very good player, but he isn't a playmaker. His creativity is pretty good for someone who isn't a playmaker, but compared to real playmakers at the same level, the difference is stark.

It will be interesting to see how Mainoo develops. I agree with Danny that he could develop into more of a playmaker, and he seems to have the basic attributes needed to develop in that direction, but whether or not he develops that way in the future is impossible to say for now.

27 Aug 2024 16:43:09
If Bruno isn't a playmaker and a top level one I give up, Jesus Christ he's created the most big chances in the prem since he joined him and de bruyne have been a different level.

25 Aug 2024 19:51:29
Is Rabiot still an option for us, if Mctominay is sold and Amrabat gone back, even Urgarte signs we could do with another in the midfield. High wages l assume but a free agent with lots of experience etc.

{Ed002's Note - Rabiot remains an option for clubs byt wages are an issue.}

25 Aug 2024 20:47:38
Than you.

26 Aug 2024 08:18:35
Rabiot and Ugarte would transform our midfield, but both seems impossible with Casemiro still on the books, and to a lesser extent Eriksen.

26 Aug 2024 18:55:07
They would indeed wazza. Not sure we would get both in every week though for me mainoo rabiot and ugarte would be the ideal midfield 3.
But that means no place for Bruno.
I'd also very much like to see a midfield of casimero ugarte and mainoo. But again it leaves no place for Bruno.
With maz there I think Bruno could play from the right and come off the wing and get involved.
We need a solid midfield we don't have one and won't have one as long as Bruno is part of the 3.
Midfielders need to be where they should be when they need to be there. Too often defensively Bruno is not.
I think mainoo will develop more like Bellingham in terms of much more attacking and when he plays further up he will get a lot of goals possibly more than Bruno.
It's just my opinion that this false 9 experiment is to cover bruno's defensive frailties (position wise not effort wise) .
Dream midfield 3 for me would be
Ugarte rabiot mainoo but very unlikely. Cas ugarte mainoo would be a very solid midfield 3 imo.

26 Aug 2024 21:32:36
The team will get no better whilst casemiro and onana are in the team.

26 Aug 2024 22:11:51
With mctom gone or going why does ugarte seem impossible?
I'd much rather keep casimero and sell mctom.
Financially it makes a lot more sense unless we get 40m for casimero which seems unlikely.

Casimero offers a lot more to the team for the season ahead than mctom also.
I'm sure ericksen will be off before the window closes too. Along with hannibal and sancho if we can get a loan sorted at worst. Getting a decent loan fee and continuing to his wages should get us out in a neutral cost situation.

I highly doubt juve who signed 2 winners last week will advertorial an obligation to buy, perhaps an option to buy is best we can hope for. He is entering his 4th season with us so his book value will have decreased substantially by the end of the season like casimero so a sale will be a lot easier next summer and a lot less of an impact on the books.

27 Aug 2024 08:34:14
if we can get sancho out, mc done and ugarte in, its a great window Imo. Anything else is cherry on top. if eriksen goes i can see us adding a midfielder late in the window. We need cover/ rest for mainoo ideally.

25 Aug 2024 15:01:11
Mctominay bid accepted, now it seems ugarte is finally going to happen on a permanent deal rather than a loan.

25 Aug 2024 16:29:54
Would have preferred a loan with no obligation for Ugarte.

25 Aug 2024 16:52:20
As I understand it, the player is yet to agree to move.

25 Aug 2024 20:26:09
Similar to awb he wants a payoff from us and still has to agree terms? Do these payoffs happen all the time or is it just us because we’ve been ran by clowns for so long. I never hear about this with other clubs! Ed’s can u help with this one?!

25 Aug 2024 22:13:19
Was thinking the same norn.

25 Aug 2024 22:24:59
Norn_84

It has to do with the wages they are paid. F. eks Antony gets paid 200K a week, and has 4 years left on his contract, no other team in the world would pay him those wages so if Utd were to sell him and the buying team are only offering Antony 100K and there are no other offers and Utd really want rid, they'll have to pay the remaining 100K a week for the remainder of his 4 year contract. Never pays off to give players the huge wages utd pay. McTominay gets 60K a week so i doubt there are the same problems there but it might be the loyalty bonus of 5% of the transfer fee he is looking for because as far as i know he never asked for a move.

25 Aug 2024 22:41:15
Not to mention Sancho on 250K a week and Casimero on 350K a week with 2 years still to go on his deal. These players will only move if they can get the same wages elsewhere.

Sancho f. eks (Juventus are offering to cover 100K of his weekly wages) and united have to cover 150K a week for the season loan.

Its very very costly to get rid of players on huge wages that are not justified on the pitch and that almost no team want due to their huge wages. Antony came from the Dutch league, why is he getting 200K a week when he was getting 25K a week at ajax. Couldn't 100K convince him? Shocking really.

26 Aug 2024 05:05:12
Taxes are different in Italy though. You can be paid £100k/ week in the UK and £80k/ week equivalent in Italy and still end up with the same amount in your pocket after taxes as an example.

26 Aug 2024 11:43:08
Good point Fuser.

26 Aug 2024 18:34:35
If I’m McSauce, a move to Serie A will see him being a top player there, at a great club that is a footballing hotbed. Food, climate etc. good luck to him.

As for Sancho, he needs to find his fire again wherever he goes. Right now, seems like he can’t be @rsed.