18 Jul 2024 18:10:34
Ed002. Has there been any discussions with rabiot and united? I like him as a player just curious as to where he will end up. I think he is suited to the epl. Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - Adrian Rabiot (CM/DM) Juventus are looking to replace their midfield misfits. They are looking to sell and move off the wage bill players they no longer want to fund replacements they have already identified. As a free agent, Rabiot will, like every other player, be offered to Newcastle. A third party has been instructed to find him a new home and whilst he could have been used in part exchanges previously he has let his contract run down and will leave as a Free Agent in the summer. Liverpool offer an unlikely, at least to me, solution but they have declared an interest and know what the financial implications are. I suspect Manchester United interest has gone. Milan and Real Madrid offer wildcard options. Turkey could provide a solution. Wage demands are excessive.}
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19 Jul 2024 08:21:22
Isn't United's new transfer strategy to buy younger players with potential rather than players at the end of their careers on big wages?
{Ed002's Note - No.}
19 Jul 2024 11:09:48
I think United's strategy is to favour younger players who can grow into the side over time. But they are also exploring what options and opportunities are on the market due to a restricted budget and the size of the overhaul needed.
MdL and Rabiot are examples of players the club are looking at because they are available (potentially for less then they otherwise would be) . While Yoro might have been a primary target, it was expected that he'd go to Real Madrid, with any approach considered unlikely to succeed. Yet when United realised the door was left open a crack, they stuck their foot in the door and managed to get a deal over the line. Yes they've probably paid more than they should have given he had a year left on his deal. But by going in aggressively with a higher bid put Real Madrid on the back foot and made them unwilling to match it. Which to Yoro probably looked like they didn't value him as much as United did, which probably swung the transfer in United's favour.
18 Jul 2024 20:32:12
Well, well, slap my thigh and call me Gladys! I never thought it would happen but the club have officially announced the signing of Leny Yoro on a deal to 2029 with the option of a further year.
They have also officially announced completion of the sale of Mason Greenwood to Marseille.
Move on to the next one now.
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18 Jul 2024 20:39:49
Bugger, I missed.
Can I still call you Gladys?
Oh yeah, it seems like our club is no longer the shambles with custard it was before SJR came in.
Next one please.
18 Jul 2024 21:48:59
Rumour is we have agreed terms with Ugarte with just the fee to be agreed with PSG. That could move quickly too if true.
19 Jul 2024 07:48:31
PSG buying Neves it's rumoured so it makes a lot of sense that they will sell Ugarte.
19 Jul 2024 11:15:59
Greenwood moving on is excellent news in its own right. It allows both the player and the club to draw a line under the situation and move on. While I think the deal with Marseille is about as good a deal United could expect under the circumstances. They receive a decent fee initially, with potential for more add-ons down the line. While a large sell on percentage of any future transfer means the club will get something closer to his real valuation if he succeeds and gets a big move from Marseille.
As I've said previously, it's the out goings that are probably more important this summer. We seem to be clearing the decks fairly well so far. With the transfer of several others likely to happen over the coming weeks. I've got my fingers crossed that they can move on Sancho, clearly a talented player, but he has a very poor attitude that will only resurface at some point down the line. We need to move him on, but I appreciate that he will be the hardest player to sell of those we need to move on this summer due to his wages and the fee the club will need to sell him for. Maybe a loan with an obligation to buy next summer is the most realistic solution.
18 Jul 2024 16:12:56
Now that we are looking at younger players with the potential to improve us now and then get better as a team, does anyone think Adam Wharton could be the player we look for at CM if we sell Casemiro etc? Looked good at Palace and has been mentioned previously. Apparently Ashworth was keen during his time at Newcastle.
Him and Mainoo in CM for United and England ??.
{Ed002's Note - Wharton is not moving this summer. Another side has already held discussions.}
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18 Jul 2024 16:44:54
Fair enough, he looks a decent prospect.
Thank you we will wait and see what happens then.
18 Jul 2024 20:21:25
He'll be part of the post-Pep City next summer.
18 Jul 2024 21:32:36
What and play in the National League Spenno? I think he’s better than that ??.
18 Jul 2024 22:20:12
If there’s a joke in there it soared way over my head.
19 Jul 2024 11:27:41
Wharton looks a real gem, and I wonder whether United might have made a move for him in January if the INEOS purchase happened much quicker.
Personally I really like how Palace have started under Glasner, and I think Wharton might be best placed to stay at Palace for at least another season or two. We've seen how highly talented young players can have a break out six months in the EPL only to struggle a little the following season (Evan Ferguson) . That's pretty normal for young players, they catch opposition by surprise initially, but once they know what to expect they deal with them better. While for the young player they tend to thrive doing what they've done best, but once the opposition figures them out they need to round out their game to become effective again. They can also struggle with higher expectations in their second season, so might have some growing up to do mentally to deal with playing at the highest level.
Wharton staying at Palace for another season or two is probably best for his development. While this summer he'd cost a massive fee 70m+ I'd imagine. Much like Ferguson would have cost reportedly close to 100m last summer after his breakout. This summer Ferguson wouldn't cost anymore, maybe a little less that last year.
The difference between paying for potential and proven quality isn't that big anymore. Which means as a club we probably are better off waiting and allowing these players to develop at other clubs for a couple of seasons and pay an extra 10% to sign them once they have proven themselves.
Look at João Neves this summer for example. He'll cost PSG close to 100m, even if he's a massive success at PSG and proves his quality no one will pay more than 120m at most for him in the next couple of years.
Last season PSG paid a reported 60m for Ugarte, while he's been solid for them this season and he hasn't let them down, he'll likely be sold for less this summer to ourselves.
Paying massive fees for potential means that at best they prove themselves to be worth that amount of money, but rarely do they prove themselves to be worth more than that.
You are almost better off waiting a a few seasons until they prove their worth and then buy them for a similar amount.
18 Jul 2024 10:42:13
PSG seems to be signing Neves. Are we going for Ugarte now or there are others wanting to sign him?
{Ed002's Note - Manuel Ugarte (DM) Agent has said that the player and PSG may be open to a move if the right offer is made. He has spoken with Chelsea but it is difficult to see if they have a need. He has also spoken with Manchester United, Juventus, Newcastle, Milan, Spurs and Arsenal. I suspect Italy is the most likely destination but PSG might see any sale being dependent on adding Guimaraes or Neves although, right now, he appears to be heading elsewhere. Manchester United may well push to add him as a Casemiro replacement.}
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18 Jul 2024 11:30:22
Thank you very much.
18 Jul 2024 13:43:19
Sounds like interest isn't as concrete as once thought.
Id imagine, a lot has to do with who we can get out. If we see more departures, we will see more signings.
18 Jul 2024 13:58:20
A decent money move for Casemiro to Saudi helps everyone.
18 Jul 2024 15:12:02
If we don't have the budget for a new DM/ CM, I'd like to see us take a punt on Rabiot. Yes he comes with baggage but he is a great player and would surely be a good squad addition until funds become available longer term.
18 Jul 2024 15:55:38
How dare you refer to his mother as “baggage! ”.
18 Jul 2024 16:34:40
Or just keep Cas for a year and play him in his correct position if we can’t sell him on.
18 Jul 2024 16:52:27
If we were going to go down the free agent route, I would have preferred to have seen us go for Ndidi. Sadly, that ship has now sailed.
Wouldn’t be surprised to see us sign Rabiot alongside another CM, especially if Erickson, Cas, and Mctominay all end up leaving, as they probably should.
18 Jul 2024 18:34:36
Red7 - What about replacing those 3 with Ugarthe, Rabiot and (the promoting of) Collyer?
With Mount staying fit, this would be a decent upgrade in midfield I reckon. Plus a handy reduction in wages. Although losing Scotty's goal threat, plus his and Cas's height would worry me slightly.
18 Jul 2024 19:12:42
"Scotty's goal threat". This made me laugh. Scored a couple of lucky late goals and suddenly he is a goal threat. He's not. One of the worst incompetent midfielders I've seen in United shirt.
18 Jul 2024 19:49:21
A couple of late goals created club legends for life Ziko.
18 Jul 2024 20:24:49
I'm sure you know the difference between significant/ big goals, bringing cups and titles and just late goals meaning 3 points and nothing more (like the one vs Brentford) . McT will not go down as a club legend, he is just another young player coming from the youth team that was lucky enough to play so many games. In fact, I rate Danny Drinkwater better midfielder than him (just to compare him with someone) .
18 Jul 2024 20:53:09
Does he even play football anymore?
Fact is, McSauce scored 10 goals for us last season. Always puts in a rubbish and doesn't cause any problems. He deserves a spot in the squad for sure. Not to forget that in the Euro qualifiers he was joint 5th top goalscorer and outscored Haaland, Bruno, Morata, amongst others.
I know he won't go down as a legend, I was merely over-emphasising your dismissal of late game-winning goals.
{Ed025's Note - im with you Bobbie, good honest pro who never lets you down, he may not be the most cultured of players but what he lacks in style he certainly makes up for in substance, gives 100% every time he pulls on the shirt (which cannot be said of all of them mate)...and he gets some important goals as well..
18 Jul 2024 21:16:40
Rubbish = shift above ?♂️?
He's in the Wes Brown, Phil Neville, Darren Fletcher kind of bracket for me Ed. Loyal, head down, 6.5-7 out of 10 every week with the occasional 8. I'd take a bench full of those types of players any day. Especially coming from the academy.
{Ed025's Note - a good role model for any youngsters Bobbie your right..
18 Jul 2024 21:19:05
I'm not talking about commitment at all guys. Just because he isn't complaining or is committed, doesn't mean he's at the level a Man United player should be (even as a squad player) . Just tell me, if he wasn't brought from the youth teams, how long he would have last at United?
{Ed025's Note - so you would sooner have a player like Anthony, Sancho, Mount or even dare i say it..Rashford and Bruno who down tools when things are not going for them Zico?, i dont care how skillful or talented they are mate if they dont respect the shirt or the supporters i would,nt want them in my team im afraid..
18 Jul 2024 21:19:54
I'd love for McTominay to stay for a few more seasons. Rotation option starting the odd game, whilst being an ambassador for academy production such as Collyer, the Fletcher twins, Fitzgerald etc.
{Ed025's Note - absolutely Bobby..
18 Jul 2024 17:35:38
Ed when. You said heading elsewhere did you mean Neves or guimares? I've seen you say guimares looks most likely to city on other sites, if it's neves is it us that he may be heading too?
{Ed002's Note - Both.}
18 Jul 2024 22:03:15
Ed025. Bruno down tools ??.
{Ed025's Note - absolutely angel, when united are behind and things are not going for him he gets all stroppy and is a liability mate...do you not watch many united games.. :)
18 Jul 2024 22:10:05
Exactly this kind of thinking brought us to where we are today as a club. Holding on to players that "run a lot" or "he is an academy player". My opinion is if you are not good enough - you have to go, doesn't matter where you came from. Just tell me what McT brings to the team? Is it passing, defending, key passes, progressive passes, assists? Is he a midfielder or just put him in the last 5 minutes as a striker, at least he won't do damage in midfield. I can name you better midfielder from every Premier club from last season.
18 Jul 2024 22:13:57
Challenge accepted Ziko
Sheffield United.
19 Jul 2024 05:53:04
I think Scott is an easy target for a lot of the haters. We all know he is lacking in the technical department. But we all know that when he comes on he provides energy, usually at a time when the team needs it, and his physicality will always cause problems for the opposition. If a move materialises for him I’d be wishing him all the very best. But if he stays, I’m good with that too. Sometimes a decent attitude and willingness to fight for the shirt is worth just as much as a few ‘cultured’ passes. I’d also throw Victor Lindelof into this bracket as well. He’s quite clearly not good enough to start, but he doesn’t moan and always gives his all. You can’t have a squad of 23 world beaters, you need some players who are solid and happy to help the team when they can.
18 Jul 2024 22:16:33
{Ed025's Note - absolutely angel, when united are behind and things are not going for him he gets all stroppy and is a liability mate. do you not watch many united games. :)
Yeah and McT on the other hand changes and becomes Ronaldinho and turns the game around by giving 3 assists and scoring a goal. C'mon man, stop this. And BobbieB, Brown, Phil and Fletcher were twice the players McT will ever be. That was such an insult to them.
{Ed025's Note - its all about opinions Zico, some people cant see something that is right in front of their face mate, as an outsider i have no loyalty to any United player and i watch most of United,s games and can only tell you what i see, Wes, Darren, and Phil were in very good United teams and got away with being average, McTom is in a very poor United side and is not afforded that luxury, but in the end its just how i see things..
19 Jul 2024 07:12:56
Agree Ziko.
Nobody I know “hates” McTominay or uses him as an easy target.
He’s a good lad who has a really great attitude. He’s also poor on the ball and not good enough for a club with Champions League aspirations.
It can be both. We don’t have to make everything black and white.
19 Jul 2024 08:55:52
Just like a few other maligned players I reckon McT would do an amazing job for a mid-table team without CL aspirations. I wouldn't say he was poor at much, just not outstanding at anything. Perfect squad material for a top team but surely better for the player to go somewhere he can make a real difference. Looks touch and go, the reported £40m tag seems steep to me but the Fulham bid below half that is off. I'd bite their hand off at £25m, but then again who can he be replaced with for that kind of money? Surely better to keep, as we run a risk of being a little light in certain areas.
19 Jul 2024 09:04:38
Wazza exactly what I'm trying to say. I don't hate him, I even love him, his passion, desire for the club, I don't doubt that. But he's not a player who has to be in our team to challenge for the title.
"Challenge accepted Ziko
Sheffield United. " Bobbie :D Little bit hard but I would say Gustavo Hamer. But ok, McT goes in the starting 11 for Sheffield U.
19 Jul 2024 11:33:48
Rumours Rabiot has explored hiring an agent to work alongside his mother which would be promising if true.
On the pitch (which is where it matters most) he has shown himself to be a very good player, he hasn't had any personal issues or has fallen out with other players or coaches. He seems to have a good attitude and works hard for the team, and to develop himself.
His mum has reportedly been too busy and interfering with clubs on his behalf, but that is something that can be handled easily enough.
I don't see much of a concern signing him for free on a 3 year deal, especially if they wages aren't too much of a problem. If he's demanding excessive wages and isn't prepared to compromise on them then it's a signing that maybe should be passed up on.
19 Jul 2024 20:59:55
He’s demanding 150k a week apparently.
20 Jul 2024 10:45:39
Fireman, if that's accurate I don't think that is too excessive given his age and that he is a free agent.
That's the same amount we are paying to Eriksen who was a year older when we signed him as a free agent.
I wouldn't expect him to accept much less than that to be fair. Although if he wants wages closer to or exceeding 200k per week then that isn't a deal we should consider.
17 Jul 2024 14:19:28
Hi Ed! Thank you for your answer the other day on Yoro. You were the first person I saw who said it would be likely if Madrid didn’t agree a deal. Always spot on. United seem in talks with West Ham to sell Wan Bissaka. Do you know who are they actively looking at for replacement?
{Ed002's Note - They have Dalot and may only be looking for cover - and they could promote from within. Those who have been scouted have been mentioned before.}
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17 Jul 2024 15:54:22
Please Frimpong! Adaptable and can also cover RW.
Who am I kidding, think that one looks like it's fading.
17 Jul 2024 16:55:40
Question to everybody, but who do we have at right back that we could promote if we sell AWB?
Think if he wants to move back down to London, West Ham makes good sense for him to play every week. Never good enough, but be happy to keep him as a back up.
17 Jul 2024 16:46:44
Thanks Ed.
17 Jul 2024 18:16:51
@Eric. Re Rb backup if we don’t sign anyone, the options are promoting Habeeb Ogunneye or else play Yoro at RB.
17 Jul 2024 20:49:44
Lindelof could play there as back up I guess? But I think best he’s moved on in the summer.