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13 Jan 2025 17:59:47
Possibility that Garnacho might be heading to Napoli. Well there's interest in him anyway. Whether they make a bid or can get close to agreeing a fee is another matter.
Can't see the club letting garnacho and rashford leave in the same window.
1.) 13 Jan 2025 19:10:27
Probably just paper talk but selling Rashford, Garnacho and Casemiro and potentially Malacia, Eriksen and Antony.
Would be a huge PSR boost and allow Amorim to make significant changes.
2.) 13 Jan 2025 19:31:20
I agree it would free up cash. But it’s difficult to get good players in January without over spending. Could end up with a lack of numbers.
But as you’ve said, it’s all likely paper talk and nobody will end up leaving.
3.) 13 Jan 2025 21:05:53
Of that list only Garnacho should stay. Unfortunately he is the one most likely to make the biggest impact on PSR.
I think that he will end up staying and we move Rashford (loan fee and salary) and Casemiro (sale fee and wages) giving us a small hit.
I think that Amorim will see develpment potential in Garnacho and will want at least the rest of the season with him.
It will be loans in if anything, LWB and Striker. We will have to make do for the rest of the season.
4.) 13 Jan 2025 22:18:07
I'm on the fence with the idea of selling Garnacho.
On one hand I'm loathed to sell a talented young academy graduate who looks like he has the talent to become a top player. For me giving academy players a chance and helping them become top players is a big part of the clubs identity and sets us apart from most other top clubs. It would be a transfer that feels opposed to what the club should be about.
However, on the other hand it is a deal that could make a lot of sense. I like Garnacho, but currently he isn't a natural fit for any of the roles in Amorim's system. While there have been more than one rumour about a lack of professionalism or questionable attitude from Garnacho. Talent alone will not carry him to the top, you need to have the work rate and the right attitude/ mentality. Therefore, selling a young player who isn't a natural fit in the team, and who might struggle to realise his potential due to his attitude/ mentality for a large fee (all of which will be considered profit which important for PSR) that can be used to bring in a top class player who is suited to how this team will look to play under the new manager makes a lot of sense.
In an ideal world we'd keep Garnacho and he will continue to improve and develop (he has shown glimpses in recent games of taking on board the managers instructions) and we offload other players who are contributing less. But the reality is that this isn't an ideal world, and Garnacho might have to be sacrificed for the greater good. Which will be a crying shame, but maybe a necessity.
5.) 13 Jan 2025 22:36:17
I read somewhere that the reports of United having no cash due to PSR aren’t accurate and there is money to spend if needed. Don’t know how true that is.
6.) 13 Jan 2025 22:52:59
Selling Garnacho would be stupid. He’s quality and will only get better. A replacement would cost more than we’d get and be on more wages!
Ed0002 is this genuine news that they want to sell him?
{Ed025's Note - ED002 will not be answering you anytime soon mate..
7.) 14 Jan 2025 05:27:00
I'm seeing figures of around 40 million for Garnacho. I know that is 100% profit but it would be ludicrous to sell him for that low.
8.) 14 Jan 2025 09:21:39
The article I read, and take it with a huge pinch of salt, said that Napoli were looking to pay around £40m but United want £60-£65m.
9.) 15 Jan 2025 06:58:43
we would not sell for under 60 mill. Ignore the noise.
10.) 18 Jan 2025 17:29:45
Ed025 thanks. Is he not around anymore? I’ve not been around since pre season if anything has happened.
Do you know if this is genuine or just nonsense? Surely they can’t be looking at selling Garnacho or Mainoo?
{Ed025's Note - sadly LEE ED002 passed away just before Christmas mate, i cant see them 2 going anywhere now mate because you were within the PSR regulations it may change in the summer but i would hope not..
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.
1.) 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.
2.) 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) .
3.) 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.
4.) 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.
5.) 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.
6.) 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.
7.) 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.
8.) 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.
9.) 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.
10.) 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.
11.) 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.
12.) 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.
13.) 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.
14.) 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.
13 Aug 2024 17:26:55
Rumours going around that United are looking at De Jong. Again.
Could be made up by lazy journalists or his agent.
Not sure he's the player we need anymore. With my amateur perspective he seems like he would suite a role where Mainoo plays. Rather than someone to do the dirty work in midfield.
1.) 13 Aug 2024 18:32:48
I mean, he's fantastic IMO. It would allow us to control more games, higher rate of possession. The need for someone to do the 'dirty work' doesn't become a necessity if we had De Jong.
But I fear this rumour is the work of 'journalists' or maybe his agent just doing his job.
It would have to be a huge reduction in wages for FDJ to even consider us.
2.) 13 Aug 2024 18:49:38
If you believe everything that's written, we are making a bid for Fofana, Ugarte is back on, even Branthwaite and now this. That's about 150 to 200 mill whichever way you cut it. not realistic and did not even go into the striker and winger rumours being written. They do this every window.
FDJ already said he does not want to come and wants to stay at Barcelona and I doubt we will chase a player who does not want to come.
Personally would be happy if we get a proper cdm and shift some guys and bleed in a couple of more youngsters.
3.) 13 Aug 2024 18:59:51
His wages do look ridiculous. But I read the other day they are artificially high at the moment as Barcelona are paying him back money owed due to covid through his weekly wage. So not sure what his true weekly wage is.
Currently say online he’s on £617k base salary a week with another £332k a week in potential bonuses. That is Saudi level money!
If true, signing him would probably be impossible like last time as Barcelona would have to pay all that is owed.
4.) 13 Aug 2024 20:35:43
Angel I agree with that outlook. De Jong and Mainoo allows us to play a different way in midfield. The only problem would be if one of them is injured / suspended, but they’d be box office together when they play.
5.) 13 Aug 2024 21:33:59
If we could find a way to make it work I’d happily take De Jong. Barcelona supposedly want rid (or a new contract on reduced wages), so there’s definitely a deal there to be done.
Who knows. He may see the appeal in reuniting with all of his old Ajax buddies in Manchester.
6.) 13 Aug 2024 22:07:35
De Jong didn’t want to come when ETH wanted him. We should not want him now.
7.) 13 Aug 2024 23:13:37
FDJ isn't some magical cheat code. In some leagues, that kind of possession might be possible without a player doing the dirty work in midfield, but not in this league. Even City don't try it outside the odd game here and there.
Now it doesn't have to be the number 6 doing it, or just one player, but would people really be ok with Mainoo losing his place to someone like McTominey just to fit FDJ in?
Tactically, FDJ just isn't the right fit for us in that position. He's an excellent player, but I feel the role he d full for us is too close to what Mainoo does, and I'd much rather we got a suitable partner for Mainoo than someone who'll push Mainoo out of the starting lineup.
8.) 14 Aug 2024 00:35:32
Didn't Frenkie agree that a large portion of his wages could be deferred to help Barcelona out of their financial plight.
Any transfer would require this to be resolved as well as the fact that Barcelona are for many Dutch players the dream club.
9.) 14 Aug 2024 04:06:25
We are putting a squad together of players who will be great in a season or two. We are not looking for a star player looking for their last big deal before saudi.
10.) 14 Aug 2024 07:02:12
“Staying at Barca? Yes, I’m very happy in Barcelona with my family, for sure, " De Jong said. "Hansi Flick wants me to be key. I talked to him. It was good. "
11.) 14 Aug 2024 07:29:46
RM,
I'm with you, leave FdJ alone. We messed around during EtH first summer when FdJ wasn't interested in joining.
I'd much prefer to focus on negotiating a deal for Ugarte.
12.) 14 Aug 2024 08:14:07
Mad Hatter
Yes, I don’t think we should go for DeJong, he can stay where he is happy, we have had enough mercenaries. Let’s get someone who wants to play for us.
I haven’t seen Ugarte but if he is the one they have identified, get him and don’t go for fourth on the list as they have done before.
13.) 14 Aug 2024 09:26:04
I can't see the new people in charge at the club going for FdJ.
They've done some really good business so far and are making good, sensible and intelligent decisions.
I doubt they are the kind of people to waste time, energy and money chasing a player who turned the club down flat after the club had agreed a deal with his club previously.
The guy doesn't want to come to Manchester, he's made that painfully clear. At best he'd reluctantly join the club if Barcelona forced him out.
The new guys in charge have stayed they won't keep anyone here who doesn't want to be here and they will sell anyone who wants to leave.
So it wouldn't make any sense for them to then actively sign a player who doesn't really want to be here.
I'd put this rumour down to either lazy journalism or down the Barcelona trying to tempt offers from other clubs knowing that they either need to sell the player or get him to agree to a new deal on a much lower wage.
With the emergence of Mainoo I don't see a player of FdJ's profile as being a vital signing. Both of them are technically gifted press resistant, ball carrying midfielders. There have been whispers and rumours over the past couple of days that the club don't want to sign a defensive midfielder in the same mould as Collyer because they don't want to block his pathway into the team. If that is true then I don't see them signing a player in a similar mould to Mainoo as they would block his pathway also.
I think it's pretty clear that Ugarte is the top target, and given that PSG want to sell him, and the player wants to join United and his agent has even agreed a package with the club for him then I still fully expect this transfer to go ahead. It's just a matter of wrangling the price to an acceptable amount for both clubs.
Which is exactly what happened with MdL and Mazraoui, Bayern demanded a certain figure, United thought that was too high and wouldn't pay it. The clubs had a little dance, United cooled interest and explored other options and started to line up other deals, Bayern realised that they wouldn't get the fee they initially wanted, then when United came back to the table a compromise deal was sorted.
I expect something similar with PSG for Ugarte. United have gone away, explored deals for players like Berge, Fofana, Gomes and Danilo along with a few others most likely.
While PSG have probably spoken with other clubs about Ugarte and no doubt found that no one else is biting at the figures they are proposing.
PSG and United will now sit back down and negotiate a deal somewhere in the middle, both in terms of total fee, how much is dependent on meeting certain success criteria, and the payment schedule. Gut feeling says this deal will be agreed early next week, and completed before the Brighton game.
Which will give us a week to finalise any remaining out goings. Players like Lindelof, Hannibal, Pellistri and Eriksen I think are all certain to leave. While Sancho and McTominay look likely if deals can be arranged. I also wouldn't be stunned to see Maguire leave. With Yoro and MdL signing along with Martinez already a head of him it will be becoming clear to him that he is down the pecking order. Evans might even be ahead of him.
I think any more in comings after Ugarte will depend on who leaves. If McTominay goes then I'd expect a cheaper midfielder along the lines of Berge or Fofana to join. If Sancho leaves then I could see the club looking at another forward player, maybe that's why the club continues to be linked with Ivan Toney. While if Maguire decides to leave then the club might go back in for Branthwaite, especially if Everton are prepared to come down on the price maybe to bring in the money needed to starve off administration (which comes with a hefty points deduction, probably along with another one for PSR breaches, if they get two big points deductions that would make staying in the EPL very difficult for them this season) .
It could be a busy final couple of weeks, but with more outgoings than incomings. At least 4 more to leave, potentially as many as 7, with one more to join, possibly a couple more depending on who leaves.
{Ed002's Note - There is certainly remaining interest in de Jong.}
14.) 14 Aug 2024 10:11:35
I'd want FdJ all day long. He dictates and controls the tempo, is the heartbeat of the midfield. Not had that since Scholes.
I don't see it though. Not that anyone is truly privy to the financials but they do seem rather hefty, and not many players leave Barca.
Ugarte seems the more likely, which I do find bizarre as the two players are like chalk and cheese. Ugarte is a no-thrills ball winner there to protect the back four. We need both!
15.) 14 Aug 2024 12:33:27
To be honest Shappy, I didn't see the new people in charge going for De Ligt.
28 Jul 2024 17:33:08
Apparently Yoro has a hairline fracture and will be out for 6-8 weeks. Not sure how true that is.
Back to Maguire being first choice again!
1.) 28 Jul 2024 17:51:10
An 18 yo boy taking a huge leap in class and physicality no huge surprise he got injured. It will be 2 years before we see the best of him. Maybe longer.
2.) 28 Jul 2024 18:13:13
Agreed. Surely they have to go get MDL or somebody else. Can’t go into another season relying on Maguire, lindelof and Evan’s at the back.
3.) 28 Jul 2024 19:43:30
Some over the top reactions here.
4.) 28 Jul 2024 20:17:17
Not sure it’s over the top to worry that we actually haven’t improved the back four. Only one addition, and that’s a young lad with limited experience, who is now injured.
Maybe I’m in the minority, but I’d rather not have another season watching Maguire and Evans starting loads of games. If that happens we can’t expect anything different to last season.
Still time to get more signings, fingers crossed they do.
5.) 28 Jul 2024 20:23:22
Yoro/ MDL/ JB that's the window.
I'd rather promote Fish than have another season with donkey.
6.) 28 Jul 2024 20:45:51
Mad Hatter is right spot on, some massive over reactions.
Firstly, if it's true and he's got an hairline fracture then that's just bad luck. Nothing to do with additional physicality (this was a pre-season game, not a blood and thunder battle with Stoke on a rainy Monday night after all) .
I've raised concerns about his ability to step up to a more physical league, and generally about over playing young players while their bodies are still growing/ developing.
Yet a hairline fracture 30 minutes into a pre-season game does not validate those concerns.
While the woe is me/ end of the world reactions are so premature that I doubt you'd need to even take your trousers off to lose your virginity.
We know the club still hold an interest in Branthwaite, as well as MdL, and that we are in talks with Mazraoui. The idea that the "only player brought in to improve our defence is out injured so the season is over" malarkey is frankly a little embarrassing.
We'll almost certainly sign at least one maybe even two more defenders. While hopefully Martinez and Shaw won't spend nearly the entire season out injured.
We are also chasing Ugarte and probably other CDM's to improve the defensive solidity in front of our defence.
Yoro wasn't signed just for the first 6 weeks of this season, but for the next 5 years or more. Yes it's frustrating and disappointing to see him miss the start of the season. But it's not the end of the world.
7.) 28 Jul 2024 21:32:19
Happy how dare you speak sense.
8.) 29 Jul 2024 06:28:49
We need De Ligt either way because we are only 1 injury away from Maguire. That has now become reality once again. We have to let one of Maguire or Lindelof go, and bring in a much better CB.
9.) 29 Jul 2024 10:11:34
Both Wazza, let them both go. They are substandard. Promote from within and reduce the wages. It is probably the most important business we will conduct this window.
10.) 29 Jul 2024 11:02:14
Jb is the primary target hopefully a deal to be done there.
Looks like rb is also a primary position to fill which was blatantly obvious to nearly everybody.
Don't know anything about this lad from Morocco. Hope he can make a good contribution.
11.) 29 Jul 2024 16:40:41
Wayne Rooney had a fractured hairline, but went to Turkey to get it fixed, came back with a new set of teeth too???.
12.) 29 Jul 2024 20:55:32
You’ve attempted humour and it wasn’t an essay…. Shappy, what’s going on!?
{Ed025's Note - we are conducting drug tests on him as we speak FC.. :)
27 Jun 2024 06:56:26
Read this morning that Maguire is set to be offered an extended contract.
Crazy decision if true.
1.) 27 Jun 2024 08:52:34
It has felt for sometime that one of Maguire or Lindelof might stay and based on the past season Maguire is probably the more likely with Lindelof gaining some interest on the market.
Extending for a year does maintain his value for future sale and could indicate that we may struggle to bring in 2 new CB's along with everyting else.
Reality is that he would be 3rd/ 4th choice, get games in the cup competitions
The rebuild is going to take a number of windows so we may have to accept some players remaining who we would normally want to move on.
2.) 27 Jun 2024 10:50:01
While we would like to see at least 2 CB's join this summer, the reality is that we might only be able to afford 1.
Which means we have to keep at least one of Lindelof or Maguire.
On last season's form, as well as keeping an eye on homegrown players in our squad Maguire might be the better option to keep.
It might be a case of the club activating the one year option taking him to 2026, meaning he could still potentially be sold next summer. Or the club might look to a 2 or 3 year extension instead, which might be on more favourable terms for the club.
If they activate the extension then I believe that the club needs to agree something with Maguire for any fee received next summer.
So it might be better to give him a new two year contract with an optional 3rd year, taking him to 2026 (2027 if the optional year is taken up) . Meaning his contract effectively would be the same length as it is now, maybe on better terms for the club, but all the transfer fee the club could get for him next summer would go to the club and all counts as profit.
This is most likely just the club trying to be sensible with finances and juggle the books to improve profitability.
3.) 27 Jun 2024 12:42:46
Thought it was just his optional 1 year being triggered as his contract is up next summer.
4.) 27 Jun 2024 13:17:17
Shappy a new deal for Maguire would be a terrible idea his inability to trust himself and defend high means we have to change the way we play to suit him or accept the massive holes in midfield we had last year.
And when we adapt to him we are so deep we can't press, he can be a passable defender like last year just not for the style we want to play he drops deep too early worried about people getting in behind because he can't anticipate quickly enough or get back quick enough.
We should sell him this year keep lindelof as 4th choice and as it's a lower wage and he's gone for free next year but that still means we need 2 defenders minimum Evans and Kambwala should be looked at as last resorts.
5.) 27 Jun 2024 23:31:07
Dbrooks, I don't want Maguire to stay, I was one of the first on here to say I didn't want him a whole year before we signed him. I never thought he was good enough.
However, the reality of the situation that has to be considered. Branthwaite will cost 60m plus, anyone is a similar standard will also be about the same price (Inacio, Yoro, Antonio Silva etc) . The only high quality CB available at a reasonable price was Todibo, but UEFA have put the kibosh on that happening.
Which means we will either have to accept paying 60m+ for a top level or potentially top level CB. Or we will have to accept buying a lesser quality player.
A Chalobah or a Kilman type player who should be available for 35-45m.
The problem is that level of player doesn't really improve us, certainly not significantly.
So if we want top quality signings at CB we will have to pay the higher prices.
But we don't really have the funds, we have PSR breathing down our necks, and we have to sell to buy. The problem with that is we have few players clubs want to buy, and the few weeks do are only of interest to clubs with their own financial issues meaning they can't afford to pay us high prices. So we might be forced into selling players below market value in order to raise any funds.
Given the fact we also need a CM and a ST, as well as a CB, a second CB and midfielder seems highly unlikely. Especially if we have to dip into the fullback market to replace one of ours that could leave this summer.
I think our plans to sign two CB's this summer relied on getting Branthwaite for less than 50m and cutting a deal for 35-40m with Nice for Todibo. Bringing in two quality CB's for 75-80m.
The reality looks like Branthwaite will cost close to that much alone (60-70m), while Todibo has been blocked. With alternatives either going to be a level below or 10-20m more than Todibo was going to cost.
Meaning two CB's this summer is likely to cost us north of 110m. Which would use up any budget for either a midfielder or a striker this summer.
So I'd imagine we'll see one CB, one CM, a ST with maybe either a fullback, midfielder or a cheaper (lower quality) CB for a squad rotation role. Depending on departures and how much we raise through sales.
6.) 28 Jun 2024 03:41:49
Activating Maguire’s 1 year extension doesn’t make any sense. No club currently would be willing to match or get close to his current £10m/ year salary so why would they do so in a years time? United wouldn’t even get the transfer fee unless it came to an agreement with Maguire. A new 2-3 year contract on lower terms makes sense from a club point of view but don’t see why Maguire would want that. A 2 year £7m/ year contract is £14m for him. Or he can bank £10m this year, leave for free and get a nice signing on bonus and probably get £5/ 6m/ year from a club somewhere.
Realistically United should either sell now or just let him leave for free at the end of his contract. Agreeing an extension on similar terms (which I imagine he’d only accept) just prolongs the pain for United financially.
7.) 28 Jun 2024 09:07:46
Fuser, that might ultimately end up being the case. The news is that the club are entering negotiations over a possible new deal. If Maguire isn't prepared to accept what the club are willing to give then he leaves either this summer or next. The alternative is that he agrees a deal with the club that is better for the club.
It won't be a case of him dictating to the club what he wants the the club just bending over and accepting it.
It's a negotiation, if it doesn't suit the club then I expect they'll walk away from them.
8.) 28 Jun 2024 11:44:21
He can't play a high line. It changes the team dynamic too much. Maguire is a very good player he's just far more suited to a team that plays counter attacking football with a lower block. Teams figured out how to set pressing traps for him as he likes to move out the line and challenge for the ball, this creates a space in behind for a player to run into, if the player being pressed can move the ball quickly out wide there's a gap for the player to thread a ball through to the runner.
Also the reason Maguire looks for England is that the team plays a lower block and there less space between midfield and defence for Maguire to have this pressing trap set for him. Mourinho type footy would suit him down to the ground.
9.) 28 Jun 2024 14:40:09
He is miles below the standard required imo.
10.) 28 Jun 2024 19:58:15
Ken he is, I don't think any contract extension would be based on his long term future with the club, but about the club navigating the absolute mess they find themselves in.
The reality is if we got rid of every player not good enough this summer then we would be lucky to be able to field a five-a-side team next season.
We will have to keep some players who aren't good enough. Hell we'll probably have to give significant minutes to many who aren't.
This isn't a quick fix and there will be tough decisions made, not all of them the fans will agree with. Just part of the course for digging us out of this mess.
11.) 30 Jun 2024 11:17:49
I think some of the criticism of Mcguire is over the top. He was very solid last year and having lost varrane you need some senior players in any squad. We are not buying 3 CB's and will need the likes of Maguire and lindelof in the squad. Not sure if Evans is coming back.
Fallguy's banter posts with other poster's replies to Fallguy's banter posts
19 Jan 2025 08:30:05
Looking like Antony might be the first player out the door. Real Betis on loan with no buy clause.
Granted, Antony is not that good or the future, but I don't see many realistic names being mentioned coming in to the club this month. We need some attacking options, especially with Rashford not being available and now maybe Antony going. Leaving us very light. And a LWB.
Fingers crossed the club will pull something off in the next 10 days or so.
27 Aug 2024 19:51:05
Somebody please tell me that reports of United in talks to swap Sandro for Sterling is some kind of weird joke?
Who in their right mind would want to take on an almost 30 year old winger who hasn't been great for a while and is on over £300k a week. Along with helping a rival team get rid of a player and a financial burden they no longer want.
1.) 27 Aug 2024 20:36:45
It's the kind of move in previous years we would of done without thinking I hope the new regime don't go for a move like this because there signings have been positive so far it really would be a backward step.
2.) 27 Aug 2024 21:09:01
This is real head scratcher. I don't believe for a minute he would be a player we have on our list of wingers and there must be some serious positive financial ramifications or things about sancho we are not aware of that they would be willing to look at sterling just to get sancho out the door. Very very strange if this happens.
3.) 27 Aug 2024 21:48:28
Who knows what will happen. It's not a move I'd advocate for.
If we are looking to do some kind of swap deal then I'd approach Barcelona who have shown an interest in Sancho and who are open to moving on Raphinha and see if some sort of deal can be thrashed out.
4.) 27 Aug 2024 21:50:37
It seems that it’s being pushed more from Chelsea’s side, and this won’t be a popular opinion, but I’m actually warming to the idea ? I think Sterling would offer a lot more effective than Rashford, Sancho and Antony.
5.) 27 Aug 2024 22:03:35
He wouldn’t be on anywhere near the money he’s on at Chelsea or the money sancho is currently stealing at United
If it’s sterling and money and we get sancho gone and financially suits the club then although not my choice I don’t have an issue with it
But maybe we can get that cb we were interested in from them as part of any deal
Let’s be clear the new people
In charge are not idiots which they have shown so far this window
I’m sure any deal if it happens would be benifical to United.
6.) 27 Aug 2024 22:13:25
There's no cash to buy without a major sale ie Sancho / Maguire / Casemiro and there's no sign of any of those happening by friday apart from maybe a loan for Sancho.
Which leaves us skint and forced to utilise out of form players like Antony and Rash in the attacking dept. If we want to add then we need to get creative. Sorry, there'll be no shock Kvaratskhelia or Osimhen annoucements here this week.
If there's anything in it then it's an opportunist move. Maybe PSG and Utd were discussing something similar but it didn't work both ways. I'm not entirely opposed to a short loan for the guy if it gives us a boost up front.
7.) 28 Aug 2024 00:01:24
How can this be a straight swap?
Sancho is 5 years younger, and definitely has more value than sterling.
Sterling + money
Or sterling + some academy player would be more apt.
Someone like a chukwuemeka or some other good young player.
8.) 28 Aug 2024 02:55:56
Pretty sure the move was proposed by Sancho’s agent not Chelsea.
Backpass, why would Chelsea offer a good young player on top of Sterling for a player Utd want rid of?
9.) 28 Aug 2024 06:39:29
Reality is sterling would not get you more than 25m in this market and no one would pay his wages. No chance this is a straight swap, impossible.
He also has 3 years left on his contract where Sancho has 2 years. The math given their age, wages, contracts says it will be a lot more than a straight swap, if it happens. Personally never rated him.
chelsea are on the hook for 50m pounds given sterlings wages and he will be 33 when his contract is up. we are on the hook about half that with sancho.
Given how we have conducted our business its such a far fetched/ left field idea, its hard to process.
10.) 28 Aug 2024 09:39:33
Both unwanted, both on extortionate wages, swap for the season (or xmas? ), done.
11.) 28 Aug 2024 09:48:52
Has to be coming from Chelsea, just has to be.
12.) 28 Aug 2024 10:25:49
Thinking about it, if Sterling could recapture his City form and Chilwell could stay fit, this might not actually be a terrible deal. Those are two very big ifs though.
13.) 28 Aug 2024 10:46:26
Supposedly Sancho's agent offered him to Chelsea, whether that was down to United saying to his agent it might be best to try and find his client a new club or whether it was Sancho who has asked his agent to try and find him a new club who knows.
Chelsea have a number of players they will need to sell/ move on if they can either permanently or on loan as they cannot register the sheer number of players they have. Ideally You'd imagine they will want to get rid of the highest earners who are offering the least return on the pitch. Sterling sits that description. They also need to raise funds to help balance the books.
I think they would like to get rid of Sterling as much or more than we would like to move on Sancho and maybe they are looking at that situation and trying to find a solution.
I doubt we'll see Sancho head to Chelsea, I expect we'll see a loan to Juventus with an option to buy rather than an obligation. There will probably be some jiggery pokery with the wages/ loan fee so that United pick up some of his wages, but its mostly covered by the loan fee effectively.
Then next summer he will either be bought by Juventus, or we can sell him easier at a price that means we break-even on him rather than him going down as a loss.
{Ed002's Note - Chelsea have had more departures than additions already this summer and players are still departing - three left yesterday for example. Chelsea do not have any problem "balancing the books" for this season.}
14.) 28 Aug 2024 11:00:12
Should we read any emphasis on your last 2 words there Ed?
{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what you mean. Much of what was written is simply misinformation.}
15.) 28 Aug 2024 22:30:08
Chelsea sell plenty of players every season. Their outgoing sales every year go onto that seasons accounts but they have also removed some very high earners and bought in younger cheaper options over the last few years meaning whilst they have to account for amortised fees, their large squad, their very productive academy and presumably lower wage bill are enough to balance the books and continue the spending.
So whilst they have balanced the books for this year, they will have to in subsequent years but are in a strong position to be able to do so.
04 Aug 2024 10:38:37
Anybody else extremely nervous for the new season?
Pre season hasn't been a roaring success. But I take the results with a pinch of salt, and I've only seen highlights. And there are many first team players missing still.
But looking at the results and stats it doesn't seem the story of last season and letting teams have lots of shots hasn't changed.
Other than blind optimism, I'm not seeing how the performances and results this season will be drastically any different to last season.
Obviously I'm hoping I'm completely wrong.
Seen a few clips of Rashford looking ok in pre season, so if he can get back to being close to his best we might have a better chance. We need somebody to get some goals.
Hoping for Martinez and Shaw saying fit. We need them both to stand a chance. Although I'm not that hopeful of that with the constant injuries we seem to get.
Fingers crossed. ?.
1.) 04 Aug 2024 11:00:29
Keeping players fit seems to be a big problem. and the transfers so fAr aren't as good as people make out
Need a few more signings and a few moved on.
2.) 04 Aug 2024 11:30:58
Andy Cole said pre season back in his day was against then likes of Preston and Wigan. Probably far harder physical games than these demonstration games against weak opposition. Very hard to gauge yourself against teams (including ourselves) playing so many fringe players and even players who will get minimal minutes this year.
He also said if he was playing against Liverpool he wood have been sent off!
Games changed slightly!
3.) 04 Aug 2024 11:43:44
I think we will improve slightly on last season, but no better than 6th -however with a bit of luck in the draw i can see us winning the Europa league .
4.) 04 Aug 2024 12:41:00
I'm highly optimistic of a better league campaign than season.
Very underwhelming transfer window so far although things are obviously in progress. Need 2-3 starters in.
CF still seems a problem position with the first choice striker for Manchester United still a raw youngster, and an injured one to boot. I'm not sure what the plan is with Zirkzee, whether they'll rotate and he could potentially be the main man as the season progresses. Either way he is unproven and both are raw. It's unprecedented for us to be so light and underwhelming up top when you look back over the years but I hope they both grow into the position.
I hope for a decent Cup run. There seems to be an opinion forming that we are somehow favourites for the Europa league, not sure where this has come from but I'll go with it lol, it would be a great coup and probably still our best chance of sneaking in the CL the following season.
5.) 04 Aug 2024 13:34:41
A big week hopefully in terms of transfers ins and outs but if all goes to plan, only 2 or 3 of the players that played these tour games (holjund and Yoro) excluded as now injured will form our first 11 so how much can you really take from this? Onana, Amad and Rashford are the only 3 near to starting 11. Anyone’s pick of which 2 from 3 Garno included play on the wings. If we sign DeLigt then back 4 will be him, Dalot, shaw and the Beast Martinez…. Ugarta, Mainoo and Fernandes in the middle and Zirkzee upfront. Want to see how we play with our best 15 before judging how this season will go.
6.) 04 Aug 2024 19:38:18
As long as we can manage our injuries and not get hammered like last year, we will be okay and expect us to do well, how well will depend on the rest of this window.
Have not seen any pre season stuff but read will fish is out with a bad injury.
22 Jul 2024 18:58:16
Seen a couple of stories today on United looking at new right backs. The two names mentioned were Vanderson from Monaco and Mazraoui from Bayern, another ex Ajax player being linked. That's got to be close to being the full Ajax team from ETH's days that have been linked at one point or another. Probably just lazy journalism.
1.) 23 Jul 2024 08:11:23
To be fair, that was a cracking Ajax team packed full of young talent, I'd be amazed if we weren't linked with a few of them, regardless of who the manager was.
21 Jun 2024 20:35:44
Reports that Chelsea have walked away from the Olise deal.
United still keen. But Newcastle and Bayern seem slightly more interested.
Olise has been linked to United for months. But I don't see United going for him. A new RW seems far down the list of requirements.
Of course, if United revert to type, expect a deadline day offer of way more than he's worth.
1.) 21 Jun 2024 20:48:58
Off to Bayern. Not the worst outcome.
2.) 21 Jun 2024 21:28:28
Unfortunately we have too many other priorities this off season. Would have been brilliant addition but we need to be sensible and focus our attentions on CB/ HM/ St.
3.) 21 Jun 2024 22:38:31
Looks like Amad be more regular next seaoan. CB, CM and striker is more of a priority.
4.) 21 Jun 2024 22:52:56
Wingers we aren't short of, Garnacho, Amad, a rested Rashford and hopefully Antony has spent the summer getting aqauinted with his right foot, throw in a few of the promising academy players and spend the cash on a CB, DM and ST.
5.) 21 Jun 2024 23:22:13
I think if we had shipped out Sancho and Greenwood by now, we would have gone in, but that hasn't materialised yet.
6.) 22 Jun 2024 14:55:47
Maybe so. Based solely off the main links so far it does appear as though the club are prioritising a CF option more than a wide player ATM. As others said it could be that Amad is earmarked for a more prominent role next year, and that Antony hasn't been written off yet!
7.) 22 Jun 2024 16:28:39
DonRed, Which makes sense when you think about it. Even after selling Greenwood, Sancho and most likely Pellistri.
We would still have Rashford, Garnacho, Amad, and Antony (who we won't be able to shift) . While Mount and Bruno are more than capable playing wide if needed.
Then in the academy we have some very talented young wide players.
As opposed to having Hojlund as the only special-ist striker at the club. While he is also young and needs to be rotated in and out of the line up while he develops.
Other than that we either have to play Rashford through the middle (which he isn't great at), play Bruno as a false 9 (something that is really a niche tactic), or play Ethan Wheatley (who himself is a youngster with limited experience) .
We are in far greater need for a central striker than a winger this summer.
While Joshua Zirkzee makes a lot of sense. He's a top player available or a below market value fee. He also has a really interesting and different profile to Hojlund. Meaning its not like doubling up and having two similar young players fighting it out for the same position/ role. We would have two young and talented strikers with contrasting and complementary skillsets. which means we can swap them in and out of the line up to suit specific tactics, or to try and change things up a little. Or we could even play them together as a strike partnership in some games.
He'd offer a load of versatility without blocking Hojlund.
Both Zirkzee and Olise were/ are available for below their market values due to clauses in their contracts, both are excellent players. But if we can only sign one of them, well Zirkzee makes much more sense.
8.) 22 Jun 2024 17:07:02
Agree with you Shappy. We can't solve everything in one window and the higher priority must be CF options. Otherwise we're facing next season with one senior striker who himself is very young.
9.) 25 Jun 2024 22:38:02
Does not matter one jot how many strikers we have if we don’t give them service.
I fear we will still have a much maligned Rashford and the one footed show pony which limits our wide stock.
18 Jan 2025 21:29:48
Chilwell will be able to keep Shaw company in the treatment room.
14 Jan 2025 09:21:39
The article I read, and take it with a huge pinch of salt, said that Napoli were looking to pay around £40m but United want £60-£65m.
13 Jan 2025 22:36:17
I read somewhere that the reports of United having no cash due to PSR aren’t accurate and there is money to spend if needed. Don’t know how true that is.
13 Jan 2025 19:31:20
I agree it would free up cash. But it’s difficult to get good players in January without over spending. Could end up with a lack of numbers.
But as you’ve said, it’s all likely paper talk and nobody will end up leaving.
28 Oct 2024 15:38:16
From what I’ve read it seems City are lining up Amorim to replace pep whenever he goes. No idea if that’s true or conjecture based on City taking the sporting director from Sporting in the same way they did with the director from Barcelona before appointing Pep.
I don’t know much about Amorim or how sporting play. Seen a few games in Europe and they looked ok. But so did Ajax under ETH, so who knows.
Not much choice out there for anybody with high level premier league experience. So may have to gamble on a foreign manager with some good experience. Needs to be somebody that can coach and motivate the players and will pick players based on performance and how they fit the system, not on how much they are paid.
I just hope they don’t go for Southgate. That would be a disaster.
I honestly have no idea who I would pick.
{Ed002's Note - Manchester City would like Guardiola to extend and have a preferred choice to Amorim - but he is certainly seen as an option for them.}
26 Dec 2024 21:26:11
No matter who plays the whole team looks slow. There aren’t any players with pace or strength. How we still get out battled in every game is beyond me.
Build up play is slow and predictable.
I like Rasmus, but I’ve never seen a player spend so much time on the floor. His link up play is awful.
Maybe it’s time to try one or two of the younger players. At least they might put some effort in.
It will be no shock to anybody if we lose the next 2 league games which could mean United being down to 16th. One of those games could be a hammering by the scousers. Be lucky to finish in the top half this season.
And after that it’s Arsenal away in the cup, don’t hold out much hope there.
Could be a while before we see a win, or even United scoring a goal based on the last few games.
05 Nov 2024 09:16:51
Zirkzee is awful. He looks like someone that should be playing semi pro football. I’d imagine he will be shipped back out fairly quickly.
11 Oct 2024 20:26:31
Nobody is paying a penny for shaw now. We are stuck with in the treatment room until his contract is up. Shame really, he’s good when fit and flying.
Same with Malacia I guess. Difference is, Malacia is never going to be good enough whether he’s fully fit or not.
My guess is they will leave Dalot at left back and play lindelof at right back.
06 Oct 2024 20:36:03
Not sure anybody can defend ETH any longer.
We haven’t scored a league goal in the last 3 games, and haven’t looked like scoring either. The players purchased are bang average, recruitment is a joke, even under this new regime.
Zirkzee would be lucky to get 5 goals a season. Ugarte can’t even get on the pitch. Maz looks ok, but that’s about it. And de ligt has been torn apart more than once.
And this all on top of the previous 2 years of awful players purchased. Antony is awful, Martinez seems to be getting worse. Casemiro is gone. Mount was a waste of money. No left back for about a year. I’m. It even sure the keeper is really any better than De Gea. It’s been years of purchasing players and we are still starting Maguire and Evans at the back!
They can’t all be bad players, well not as bad as they look right now. Must be a coaching and confidence thing.
If ETH was in charge of Man City for a year I reckon he’d have them finishing mid table.
He has to go. I don’t care if they can’t get the new guy they want. The kit man could probably do a better job at this point.
01 Oct 2024 15:45:32
Ed25 - that’s where the new manager, whoever he is, needs to be harsh and drop any player that isn’t working hard and has any kind of poor attitude. I don’t care which player it is, if they are causing trouble they have to go.
Fans keep saying they players are the ones not trying or putting the work in. But the same players keep getting picked. Can’t be the same toxic environment that’s been mentioned for years. There are only a few players left from a few years ago.
{Ed025's Note - the trouble with that FG is that he wont have a team to pick from mate, there are quite a few players in this United side who are not pulling their weight and to just play a load of second teamers could well put you in the relegation spots, i do like the theory of what you propose but in reality its a non-starter..