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28 Nov 2023 12:45:15
Hi Ed,
Have the club approached Ancelotti?
{Ed002's Note - As coach? I would very much doubt it - he has an offer on the table from elsewhere but I suspect he will stay on at Real Madrid for prhaps a year or two more.}
1.) 29 Nov 2023 09:27:28
Will be interesting to see how the new hierachy (including some of the Glazers) view the manager position going forward past this year. Do they want a full clean house and reset with a new manager, do they view EtH position as not being fully supported and given the right structure round him so give him another couple of years.
Personally think the latter should be the case but he must be encouraged to find the identity and be provided the players for that identity.
If they make the change it will be interesting who they look towards, an older head like Ancheloti or a young up and coming manager. Aside from the Liverpool connections Alonso looks good at Leverkusen but I expect him to be a future manager for his old Liverpool/ Real/ Bayern teams.
2.) 29 Nov 2023 10:59:29
Think they’ll aim towards a Nice-style model where DoF looks after main daily duties while manager more of a coach.
3.) 29 Nov 2023 16:56:20
Loads of rumours online that Ratcliffe wants the Don Carlo Ancelloti whether hed come to utd is another matter but wow what a coup if u get him class manager similar level to Fergie.
14 Nov 2023 13:11:43
Afternoon Ed hope all is well with you.
What is the situation with Osimhen? Are United looking to sign the player?
{Ed002's Note - Victor Osimhen (S) Napoli made it clear to Chelsea who enquired in 2021 that even €100M would not buy the player - but they do maintain an interest and he has been first choice and expect an offer to be made. Al Hilal may well offer Napoli the €200M they will look for, but that may not suit the player just yet. PSG and Real Madrid could look to him as an option but Madrid would want to offer players in exchange and have two preferred targets. There is a suggestion that Liverpool have negotiated directly with the player and his agent and not spoken to Napoli. Given Napoli registered a complaint against Liverpool over another player last year, it would seem unlikely, or particularly stupid. Napoli will seek a new contract in the first instance.}
1.) 14 Nov 2023 17:54:01
Osimhen is a good striker, bit not worth anywhere near the fee Napoli would demand for him. Inconsistent touch and a poor injury record create enough doubt to easily decide that anything over 80m is too much.
The club have spent big to bring in Hojlund so I don't see them spending another huge fee on another striker. Obviously we do need another striker, but I'd expect a move for either an older player. Or a move for a good striker whose not quite in the top tier of forwards. Ivan Toney on the face of it would be ideal, 27 years old and entering his prime, EPL proven and would fit the homegrown criteria, also capable of playing wide on occasion. The only downside is that he wouldn't be that much cheaper than Hojlund most likely as he'll be coming from another EPL club. Possibly move for someone like Santiago Gimenez from Feyenoord.
2.) 14 Nov 2023 23:26:04
Crazy that people think we can't have 2 top strikers to play 1 position fergie had 5 to play 2, hojlund needs someone to challenge him not a 30-40m player to come on as a sub now and than and not really put him under pressure.
I wouldn't touch Toney he's done good for Brentford but his attitude towards his betting was awful didn't think he'd done anything wrong and in my opinion he's lucky to play again.
Giminez I'm pretty sure ed has said on the Chelsea page will cost a ridiculous amount. If we want to get serious we need top players challenging each other in every position not one comfortable player and a clear "back up" like we have at the moment.
For me we need a top striker or another young striker to get them both trying to better each other or maybe form a partnership, playing Rashford and hojlund as a 2 through the middle could be and interesting option also. We need to look to the future and building a squad to compete, all round, there aren't lots of "top" strikers out there bagging loads of goals so we should be looking to younger players like hojlund for it.
Marcos Leonardo is one linked, we were looking at sesko but he's only just moved to Leipzig, we should definitely be looking at Ferguson but he seems to have injury issues atm, I don't know enough about Giminez but I have seen he would be very expensive, Jonathan David is also a name that always pops up.
3.) 15 Nov 2023 08:17:30
Brooks, it's not about not needing/ wanting another top striker, it's about making sensible choices when rebuilding the squad.
At best we might have 200m a season to rebuild the squad. Players like Osimhen or Ferguson will cost over half of the transfer budget, seriously restricting who else we could bring in.
If we are honest we need a CB, a RB, two midfielders, and a RW for the starting first 11.
We also need a second CB, a ST, another wide player and another midfielder or two for the squad to allow rotation without a drop in quality.
A striker is in the second category, not someone needed to start, but someone needed to challenge the starter. It would be madness to spend the bulk of our budget on a player needed for squad depth thus restricting us signing one of the five players we need to actually improve our starting 11.
4.) 15 Nov 2023 08:48:18
agree with your thoughts shappy on what we need with the exception of 2 cb tbh, but i think that is what we need pdq. Factor in the next couple of windows and we could lose, maguire, lindlehof evans, varane,
midfield- eriksen, casemiro possibly even fernandes, donny
up front, martial, sancho, pellestri, antony.
Really think they could be realistic departures and soon due to form, fitting the play and age which leaves even more gaps to fill both first team and squad players.
5.) 15 Nov 2023 06:43:28
Dbrooks
David's first touch is also poor and I would think he is way down the list for us. I think the guy from forrest, Awoniyi is a good striker and maybe not as sexy as some of the guys playing in other European leagues but PL proven and you know what you are getting.
Ed002
Is there any interest in him from United or any other teams.
{Ed002's Note - ten Hag tried to sign him for Ajax butif the price can be resolved he will move to Milan.}
6.) 15 Nov 2023 12:13:53
We have to be sensible but the players your linking are stilly crazy expensive. Brentford have repeatedly said they want near 100m for Toney and he is not near worth that amount.
Marcos Leonardo is supposedly around 25-30m in Jan young and lots of potential could be a good option.
I'm not saying I have the answers but never ever should you sign "back ups" when building a team if your building your saying what you have needs improving so why would you buy someone to keep them first choice?
I agree with what we need not sure on 2 wide players we need 1 Rw with amad and pellistri. Think we definitely need 2 CBS maybe 3 Maguire and varane have to be gone for next year, Maguire's been good but playing him changes the style we play same with mctominay, varane cannot stay fit You probably keep lindelof for a year as a 4th choice so you don't have to spend silly.
7.) 15 Nov 2023 15:38:41
Thanks Ed. So no interest from United?
8.) 15 Nov 2023 16:24:15
Funky, If Martinez fully recovers and gets back to last season's form then I think we only need one starting CB to play along side him. While a second would be needed for squad depth.
If we are looking at our "best" starting 11 if everyone is fit then it'll be something like:
Onana, Dalot, Varane, Martinez, Shaw, Casemiro, Eriksen, Antony, Bruno, Rashford, Hojlund.
For me the ones that need replacing are Varane, Casemiro and Eriksen due to their age and the fact they are declining. With Dalot and Antony needing replacing due to them not being good enough to be first choice (maybe decent as squad options) .
Which is why for me it's RB, CB, CM, CM, and RW. Maybe players like Mainoo or Amad make a case for a spot at CB or RW if they can step up.
For me the issues at RB and RW while troublesome are not as impactful as the issues in the heart of the team at CM and CB. It is our soft centre and lack of ability to dominate the middle of the pitch that makes it impossible for us to play well with any sort of consistency.
This is compounded by the fact that the back up options are a massive drop off in quality. Maguire, Lindelof, Evans, McTominay, Donny, and Amrabat are just not good enough.
Maybe Lindelof could stick around as a decent 4th choice CB, but ideally would be replaced. Yet I can't see us signing 3 CB's in one or two summers.
In midfield we have a few youngsters who could step up in Mainoo, Hannibal and Gore. Yet they are the only one's I'd keep. Mason Mount for me is the longer term Bruno replacement and occasional cover deeper in midfield depending on how we set up. However, we need a minimum of two probably three midfielders if we are going to control games and be more tactically flexible.
For me the order of priority would be CDM, CB, CM, RW, RB. Then after those 5 positions are bought I'd look at ST, CB and another CM (although I'd hope Mainoo has lessened the need by this point) .
How quickly we can get these players in will dictate how quickly we start seeing a more consistent style and higher level of performance.
Brooks, I tend to agree that Toney would be too much. I'm not sure what sort of price Gimenez would command. I'd have thought playing in the Netherlands for Feyenoord would mean he'd be at the cheaper end. However, if the Ed's say differently then I'll bow to their superior knowledge.
Either way the point remains the same, we need to find a cheaper back up player, but one with enough quality to be able to make a difference and for us to not see a massive drop off when they play. That is much harder than it seems.
9.) 16 Nov 2023 00:15:19
I agree we need to look to build for me we need to look at having a 1st choice and a young player to go with that position my target age range would be 18-24 no older, younger would be longer term unless it's a crazy special player.
GK onana and bayindir with a youth player or someone like Heaton that's pretty much sorted
RB I agree dalot probably needs to be let go and improved on AWB can be very useful to see games out or for a specific man marking job
CB needs a clear out only one to keep is Martinez maybe lindelof gets a year for the budget
LB for now it's ok I've always had concerns over Shaw his tracking back isn't great and he doesn't stop crosses at all malacia is a back up you may let him go to keep Fernandez around
DM casemiro was too much and too expensive needs to go, amrabat just doesn't look good enough
CM mount needs time, McT needs to go, eriksen and casemiro were bad signings for the money/ wage/ age they provide no energy to the team, as you say mainoo Hannibal and gore offer depth options we need 1st choice I think 2 with mount and those 3 would be enough
RW Antony probably needs to be moved on and same for Sancho leaves you with pellistri/ amad you probably want a first choice or you sell pellistri use amad to back up Bruno play mount here and buy a youngster bargdhi?
AM Bruno all day every day, amad/ mount can offer back up if their other positions are correctly filled
LW Rashford and Garnacho this spot is sorted for a while
St hojlund and the new Phil Jones Anthony martial needs someone to actually challenge hojlund for his spot push him to be better.
So sell:
Dalot
Maguire
Varane
Lindelof (maybe keep 1 more year)
Malacia (maybe 1 more year)
Casemiro
Eriksen
Mctominay
Antony
Sancho
Pellistri (? )
Martial
Buy
RB
2x CBs
2xCm (maybe 3 depending on mount and rw)
1x rw (young or first team depending on mount)
ST just a top quality challenger for hojlund
With the youth in midfield you maybe get 1 slightly older midfielder but is say aged between 22-26, striker could go either way but again wouldn't go older than 26.
We have to build which means the players have to be around for a couple of years, buying younger should also help those players keep their value of they don't work out.
10.) 16 Nov 2023 10:53:08
Brooks, I think we are pretty much on the same page. The only slight difference is that I'd be considering a third midfielder depending on how the youngsters do rather Mount. I think we need 4 really good options for the deeper midfield positions (No.6 and No.8).
At the moment the only one I'm fairly convinced has a future there in our squad if Mainoo. Gore will need more time and probably a loan, and while Hannibal has the talent it's yet to be seen if he has the temperament. He needs to learn to control his emotions and channel his frustration. Otherwise the manager will have to keep subbing him off to avoid going down to 10 men. You can't be successful at the top of the game when you are a liability.
I don't think either Casemiro or Eriksen were bad signings. Both played a big role in our successes last season. We overpaid for Casemiro, but that seems pretty standard for our club. Eriksen was probably the best free agent available when we signed him. I also think both add qualities to the dressing room that this squad lacked. The only downside to both of them is that they were 5 years older than would have been ideal. They were only ever short term options. The short-term solution to not being able to sign FdJ.
I actually wouldn't be against Casemiro staying next season as an experienced squad option alongside a youthful Mainoo to act as the back up to two new signings. With a view to maybe one of Gore or Hannibal taking his place the following year or if they aren't going to be good enough sign someone else then. However, that very much depends on whether Casemiro wants to stick around that long playing more of a bit part role. If a big offer comes in from Saudi Arabia then I can see him wanting to head there for a big final pay day. I actually think the decline in Casemiro is being slightly over egged. I think the issues that are exposing him more this season are more tactical in nature as opposed to him not being fit enough or losing some pace. The defence has dropped 10 yards deeper due to having to play players like Maguire, Lindelof and Evans who all lack pace and could be exposed by a higher line. This coupled with the forward players being asked to press high has meant the midfield has to cover a much larger area of the pitch. When you ask a two man midfield to cover that much space they will struggle, especially when they are often outnumbered. That's made it look like Casemiro has declined as it looks like he's chasing shadows, as he's effectively playing Rondos every game in midfield. Unfortunately due to the imbalance of the squad it's a tactical issue without any real solutions until players return from injury. But with the right players in the squad I think Casemiro would still be a very good player for us.
I tend to agree with the age profile your suggesting. I'd probably say we should be looking at players between 21-25, this rebuild will take 2-3 season's so you want your team to be hitting their peaks around that time. There is little to be gained from adding older players to this squad. They would only eat away at the budget and become another player who needs replacing before the team is ready to challenge. While signing players under 21 means they come with very little experience and while they might be an asset in 3 years time, they can't be relied on to perform right now. We still need players to be able to perform over the next couple of seasons, to be able to play most games in order to grow as part of the team. So I'd steer clear of players with less than 2 full seasons of top level football under their belt, as a minimum.
I'm on the fence between Dalot and AWB. One needs to go and create space for a genuine first choice option. With the other staying as back up. On one hand I can see the advantage of having a more defensive option like AWB as back up. On the other hand do you really want you back up player to be at the opposite extreme to your first choice option. That means having to make fundemental changes to how your team plays when you have to play AWB. Is being a good defensive option a little to niche?
Dalot on the other hand while not specialising in any particular area is much more technically sound and tactically flexible. He can play as a third CB, a fullback, a wingback and as an inverted fullback, as well as being able to cover both right and left hand sides.
Purely as a back up/ squad player Dalot is the much better option. He'd be able to fill in any role to a decent standard, which is what you need from your squad players. For example he'd enable us to have just one fullback on the bench as he can cover both sides. Meaning the manager could put another option on the bench to allow for greater flexibility and more tactical options to influence the game. Typically your bench is made up of only two types of players, the ones needed to act as cover in case of injuries of sending offs, and the ones who you want to be able to put on to change/ influence the game. Back up keeper and defenders tend to be in the first category, forwards or midfielders with a different profile to their on pitch counterparts tend to be in the second category.
If it were me I'd be far more inclined to keep Dalot over AWB even though currently I think AWB is performing better than Dalot. I just think for the role as a backup/ squad player Dalot offers more. Also typically a defence doesn't change how they play. Defending is far more dependent on consistency and reliability. I'm not sure the niche tactical option of a player like AWB will really be of any huge benefit to us.
You have a question mark over Pellistri, I haven't. Sell him. Talented enough young player but a little too lightweight and one dimensional to be anything more than a sub at the top end of the EPL. He also needs to be playing 90 minutes every week to develop any further, he won't get that at United.
Sell him and let him develop. I also think Hannibal might end up needing to leave to develop. Although it's his temperament that holds him back. Both are talented players, but maybe lacking a little something needed to play at the highest level, especially at their ages. And if they don't play regularly then they won't develop. Both might need to leave to have any chance of reaching their potential.
Very few players under the age of 21 have the talent, physical and mental resilience to play regularly for a top side. It's easy to think of the exceptions, but literally every other player probably didn't have what it took to play at those clubs at that age.
Some players at 18 have the talent and mentality, but haven't grown into their man's body yet. Others might have the physique and the mentality but not the level of talent, while the ones that always leave us most disappointed are the ones who have the talent and physique but lack the mentality. That's are the ones who tend to get a shot, they get chances and look like they might become future stars only for it to fizzle out due to them not being mentally ready. Either they get crushed by the expectations or they get an inflated ego and stop doing the work that is needed.
That's why I wouldn't sign a young player without at least two full seasons of experience under their belt. That normally means they have proven they have all three.
30 Oct 2023 20:50:20
Evening Ed, lots of rumours circulating that EtH is on the verge of being sacked.
What is the situation as you understand it?
Thank you.
{Ed002's Note - My understanding remains that if a new owner were to arrive there will be cahnages.}
1.) 30 Oct 2023 21:18:40
Maybe not sacked yet but I’d say there’s a few at the club having second thoughts about eth. There were rumours a few months back about giving him a new deal and that’s all died away massively.
2.) 30 Oct 2023 21:34:23
There were rumours the other week that SJR likes Graham Potter. He could be high on the list of potential replacements if EtH is sacked.
3.) 30 Oct 2023 21:57:53
Well that's depressing. or it could work. Be an interesting international break if utd go out to Newcastle and get beat on Saturday. ten hag could be in very big trouble, but I suspect he'll get something.
4.) 30 Oct 2023 22:03:33
Sweet Jesus. Think I'd rather have a Shappy/ Ahmed job share. The dream team!
5.) 30 Oct 2023 22:13:50
I'll put my CV forward Spenno?.
6.) 30 Oct 2023 22:47:24
Thanks Ed - daunting times.
7.) 31 Oct 2023 00:41:59
If someone comes in amd is incharge of the sporting side, then they would need to bring in people who fit their philosophy. I would naturally expect someone competent to replace anyone who didn't for that philosophy.
8.) 31 Oct 2023 08:12:15
At this point, I’d be very surprised if Ten Haag is still at the helm come the end of the season regardless of whether or not there are new owners in place. I still think he’ll by gone by Christmas.
For whatever it’s worth, I’d have liked to have seen him given a bit more time, but he really hasn’t done himself any favors with his poor team selection and his inability to instill any kind of style of play. Granted, a lot of the latter is down to the players, but it’s Ten Haag’s job to get them firing, and despite replacing half the dressing room, he continues to fail on that front.
9.) 31 Oct 2023 08:24:52
I'd be quick to defend ETH. He inherited a mess at all levels and has tried to set us up to be challengers despite probably knowing it'd require some backward steps as he uncovers those who are incapable of adapting. However more important is that we've a coherent vision at the club and if SJR and team decide he's not the man then fine. But I maintain that until that point he get the support from us all to continue to push the limits of these players. We're going nowhere if we hedge like he did last year. He could have done so this year and protected his job, but he hasn't, and to my mind that is to his credit.
10.) 31 Oct 2023 08:27:03
Graham Potter………no no no no
Supported United through thick and thin and handed over season ticket money for nearly 20 years, but the state of the club is driving me to despair……. it’s actually doing me in because it’s all I think about.
ETH has to see out his contract at least, I agree with Richard Arnold, we have made progress. Maybe not on the pitch, but in the mentality of taking the power away from the players and back into the hands of the manager. Forget the first season, it’s the honeymoon period where in more cases than not there’s kneejerk improvement. If we think about it, there was always going to be a step back before we stepped forward. Goes without saying when a manager tries to impose his philosophy on a football club. The acid test will be in the next two seasons.
If Chelsea season ticket holder Ratcliffe comes in waving a big stick and replaces ETH with Potter then I’m done I reckon.
11.) 31 Oct 2023 08:39:16
Thanks for info Ed002 - your clarity at the moment very much appreciated.
If new owners - or part owners - do come in, do you think they’ll initiate an internal audit before making changes, or do you think they’ll make changes straight away?
Thanks for any more clarity you are able to disclose.
{Ed002's Note - I don't know what you mean in respect of audit, but it is pretty clear who both potential owners will look to run the club on a day-to-day basis.}
12.) 31 Oct 2023 08:54:54
FiremanC, I do think there was that first season bounce last year. But to ignore last season completely as you suggest, if what we have now is the shape of things to come then these are extremely worrying times. I fully agree that he talks a good game in terms of structure and discipline. Maybe he should apply for the Director of Football role instead.
13.) 31 Oct 2023 09:00:51
Thanks for swift reply Ed. By audit, I mean identifying why so much has failed up to now and why were such a poorly run club, plus keeping those who’ve been doing a good job and those that haven’t.
Or maybe prospective new owners have already been doing due diligence and know exactly what changes need to be made ASAP?
By who both potential owners will look to, could you be hinting at Paul Mitchell there, or another manager? (Sorry, not aware of other managerial names being circulated)
Thanks again for your time here - appreciate that there’s only so much you can reveal.
{Ed002's Note - Paul Mitchell is someone Jim Ratcliffe would take.}
14.) 31 Oct 2023 09:12:50
Thank you for the really quick reply Ed002.
15.) 31 Oct 2023 12:22:07
I'm pretty sure Jean Claude Blanc at least initially and Paul Mitchell are the ineos/ sjr options.
Haven't read anything on Qatar but doesn't look like they will be in charge as it stands.
16.) 31 Oct 2023 13:53:43
I’ve read the same DB90.
Sooner the better to untangle the chaos at United and rebuild a better structure geared towards sporting success.
17.) 31 Oct 2023 16:43:38
Hi Ed002. I was talking with an old colleague last week and he seemed to be under the impression that Sheikh Jassim may still be interested in purchasing United and hasn’t actually withdrawn. I’d assumed that he was mistaken on this front, but notice you said “both potential owners”. Are both Sir Jim and Sheikh Jassim still in the running?
{Ed002's Note - He has not made an acceptable offer.}
18.) 01 Nov 2023 01:27:52
Thanks for the clarification. Has he withdrawn from the process or indicated that he won’t be making another offer to the Glazers / Raine Group, or was that all just paper talk?
{Ed002's Note - Things can always change.}
10 Oct 2023 20:38:09
Hello Ed, progress with the sale?
{Ed002's Note - When someone makes an acceptable offer there will be.}
1.) 11 Oct 2023 09:53:20
Thanks for taking the time to reply Ed002, must get repetitive for you!
Thus, and really sorry if either you don’t know, are fed up with questions about it, or you’re not allowed to say, but any further information on how close interested parties might be regarding an acceptable offer, whether that be an acceptable monetary value, an acceptable structure - or a bit of both?
Thanks again for your time and patience!
{Ed002's Note - It is as I have explained.}
2.) 11 Oct 2023 14:08:02
Thanks again Ed002. Fingers crossed there’s some movement soon.
{Ed002's Note - That would be a need to change your diet.}
3.) 11 Oct 2023 15:02:31
Nice one, Ed, this whole takeover drama is such a strain!
4.) 11 Oct 2023 18:22:12
I was really bothered at first but after about 8 months I gave up and don’t even read anything about the takeover now. It was all far too frustrating and depressing.
If it happens and is an Improvement then that’s great, but we have zero control over any of it so it’s not worth the stress.
5.) 11 Oct 2023 18:34:40
Ed002, in your opinion do you think the the price the Glazers are asking for/ willing to accept is reasonable?
From the outside looking in it just seems like they want to have their cake and eat it. Surely they are aware that the club needs significant investment in facilities such as the training ground and stadium. While clearly time and money also need to be spent on getting the football side up to scratch, in the academy and the women's team as well as the first team.
They seem to ignore the fact that any buyer would need to either invest or find financial solutions to what will probably amount to the best part of 2bn or more to have any chance of getting the club close to the value the Glazers seemingly want right now.
{Ed002's Note - They will not be simply setting the price themselves - the banks will be heavily involved. Future investment was critical in the sale of Chelsea, but that is very unusual and typically the seller will not want to make such caveats.}
6.) 11 Oct 2023 18:39:05
Thanks Ed - who do you think will end up owning the club?
{Ed002's Note - Whoever makes an acceptable bid.}
7.) 12 Oct 2023 22:44:42
SJR bid values the club higher with the structure of the bid by all accounts, so I guess if Qatar want it they’ll have to match/ beat the SJR valuation is. Of course it could be that SJR bid is in the press so that Qatar will up their offer. As an above poster said tho it’s boring reading about it now, I don’t want the Glazers to remain in any capacity so I’m firmly behind Qatar.
8.) 13 Oct 2023 01:31:36
I don't have a preference, I don't for one minute thing Sir Jim will be mugged off nor do I think the Al Thani family are inevitably better, and I use the experience of Málaga who were bought by an Al Thani as an example by the same token it doesn'tean the annoyed bid will end up the same.
I guess what I am saying is if either wins I will judge them on what they do when in charge nothing else.
9.) 13 Oct 2023 07:54:36
Oakbark
Totally agree. As they say don't judge a book by its cover and read the content. I doubt SJR will just hand over a check to them even as a minority investor if that's the only route to dilute the glazers control and grip on the club and allow things to stay as they are. It makes zero sense for any investor to do that unless they operators were doing an incredible job which they are not.
10.) 14 Oct 2023 09:12:11
Oakbark
The difference is that Ratcliffe leave the Glazers involved and that is totally unacceptable. Ratcliffe claims to be a United fan, if he was he would want them 100% out. I do not want Ratcliffe at all on that basis. Also does he have to borrow to invest through his company? Qatar for me unless Elon Musk wakes up and jumps in.
11.) 14 Oct 2023 10:57:19
Totally unacceptable ?? to who?
I'm sure if you tell them you won't accept it redman and that it's simply not on that they will abandon the idea.
Totally unacceptable you make me laugh ???
It's the glazers club they will decide what is acceptable to them what you think is totally irrelevant your just a customer and a moaning one at that.
I hope they sell up and leave but it's in their hands to decide what's acceptable. Know your place. Your not in any sort of position to determine what is acceptable. If you want to discontinue your custom and support that's up to you if you don't like the owners decisions. You'll never be happy either way.
12.) 14 Oct 2023 11:35:18
Red Man, While my preference is for the Glazers to be 100% gone ASAP we have to accept that it might not be entirely possible.
Like it or not the Glazers are in control of this process, they will only sell if someone pays a price they are willing to accept. If that is more than anyone is willing to pay (because its well above the actual value of the club) then there isn't anything anyone other than the Glazers can do. Unless they are prepared to bring their demands down or come up with some sort of compromise then we are at a stalemate and stuck with the Glazers in sole charge of the club. And we know what that means.
It's not fair or realistic to expect someone to pay a massively inflated price out of their own pocket to buy the Glazers out of the club for us fans to be happy the Glazers have gone.
There is also a "better the devil you know" angle that we should at the very least be mindful of. There are no guarantees that any potential new owner will either have the clubs best interests at heart or actually run the club any better regardless of intentions. The club could be run just as poorly or even worse than it has been under the Glazer ownership regardless of the new owners intentions. Many a bad thing has been done with good intentions.
Whoever decides to spend 6-8bn of their own hard earned money on buying our club will have their own agenda and reasons for doing so and those may not align with the agenda of us supporters. Maybe they will build a new state of the art stadium, and maybe the price of your season ticket will double to help pay for it. Maybe they will rejuvenate the academy at the club, or maybe they will do a Brentford and disband the academy for a B team type set up. Losing a key part of the clubs identity in the process. Who knows. I think we have become so frustrated by the Glazer ownership that we have forgotten that previous owners made decisions we didn't agree with and future owners will as well.
That said I do feel like the club needs to move away from the Glazers and cut those ties as the whole situation has become too toxic between the fans and the owners and the club needs a fresh start. While fans need at least some hope that things will start to get better regardless of whether that becomes a reality.
Personally I'd prefer a clean break, for someone to come in and buy the club outright from the Glazers. For them to have a vision for the club to return to the pinnacle of world football once again. For them to hire the best people to put plans into place to create a footballing powerhouse, to sort the academy and the men and women's teams out. To revolutionise the scouting and recruitment and to put in place a solid structure of command and roles that can bridge managers without having to rip everything up and start again when inevitable manager changes happen. To find ways to invest in the club and build or renovate Old Trafford to make it the best stadium in the country once again, to bring Carrington into the 21st century with state of the art training facilities.
However, that is a dream, and probably not a realistic one. The realistic one is removing the Glazers stranglehold on the club is as likely to be as difficult as living with their ownership over the past 17 years. It'll be a drawn out and uncomfortable process. Maybe Ratcliffe is working on the only realistic way of wresting control away from them. Taking it bit by bit until they are gone, and gradually fading their influence on the club. If he can come in and just sort out the management structure and start getting the club to be run as a football club with more of a focus on developing and modernising our approach that would be a positive thing and start to move us forward. If then over time he can remove the Glazers and find ways for investment in the facilities then even better.
We all want a swift resolution, but that isn't going to happen, the clubs been up for sale for a year and we still aren't close to an agreement. What we want, will not be what we get. My advice is make peace with that now to avoid bitter disappointment further down the line.
13.) 14 Oct 2023 22:06:24
And so the nightmare continues if the reports are true and the Qataris have withdrawn. The Glazers will remain and probably pocket the SJR money for themselves.
Will SJR be taken for a ride by the Glazers like the rest of the United supporters, time will tell?
14.) 14 Oct 2023 22:34:34
If stories are true and it is Sir Jim then hopefully the club gives some clarity as to what this means in the short and long term. With all the silence the fans deserve to be informed.
Will he have any control immediately, will he look to bring in his own sporting people. Will funds be made available, what is the plan for the stadium, clearing of the debt. Most importantly what is the commitment for the Glazers full departure, 2/ 3/ 4 years etc.
15.) 14 Oct 2023 23:33:51
If this is the end of the Qatar interest, and if, remains the question, this is a disaster. I hope the club get relegated, take the glazers and Ratcliffe to the second division. Let their asset be worth half what they were trying to extract. Let Ratcliffe realise that keeping the leeches involved is unpalatable for a United fan. Ratcliffe out.
16.) 15 Oct 2023 00:13:45
Let the club get relegated - wow. Pick up your rattle Redman you seem to have dropped it. And who says relegation means the Glazers sell? If anything, it will mean we are stuck with them longer because they’ll want to get promoted to increase the value.
Talk of relegation is entitled. You want to speak to fans of Sheff Wednesday, Wigan, Bury, Macc and the growing list of football league clubs who have bad owners, but also have no trophies and no CL to show for it.
Yeah we all want the Glazers out but be careful what you wish for. SJR might be the only answer and spitting your dummy out because the Qataris pull out is a waste of time.
17.) 15 Oct 2023 00:32:43
Oh Red Man,
Stop spouting rubbish. Already reported that Ratcliffe will have control over the sporting side and will seek to invest in the club on top of his purchase.
You wanted Qatar based off a PR statement at the outset. Now they’ve failed to even entice the glazers and wasted everyone’s time, you’re throwing your toys out the pram. Pathetic.
18.) 15 Oct 2023 08:02:51
How does SJR having sporting control help Caolan. It probably means Brailsford being brought in and let's be honest, unless its cycling, the other sports, sailing and football he has been involved in haven't really been successful.
If you remember, SJR bought Nice saying he wanted to learn how to run a football club, he still has a lot to learn.
19.) 15 Oct 2023 09:56:37
The club will be a toxic mess. Most fans Caolan, want the club sold fully. I expect plenty of self serving announcements from Ratcliffe on how he will rescue the club. Like how he will have control over the sporting side. If his proposal goes through just expect to see more and growing protests in a very divided club. The same amateurs and the same leeches will remain. Would I take relegation to get rid of these leeches, yes I would.
If this is confirmed, it is a dark day for the club.
20.) 15 Oct 2023 10:42:51
Just another con from the Glazers, more money for them, and SJR walking away in a few years because he finally realised the Glazers never intended to sell and just wanted someone else to pay the bills for a while.
Let's remember that the Glazers have no interest in United, to them it is just a brand which they keep rinsing until there is nothing left.
21.) 15 Oct 2023 16:06:30
Grim,
There will be clauses and options legally drawn up about future acquisition of shares.
22.) 15 Oct 2023 16:32:43
Will they Caolan? We don't know that, and the Glazers aren't going to agree to future share prices now.
If the wanted the reported £6-£7bn now, how much will they want in a few years time and will SJR be willing to pay it.
Then you have the added issue of two owners trying to run the club, can only see issues and arguments going forward, and ultimately us supporters having to suffer.
23.) 15 Oct 2023 21:28:00
Grim
Inoes supposedly is big in Data Analytics and recruitment, sports science, structuring of our recruitment and a host of things we do very poorly. Read his interview from a few months ago and he talk about how poor our transfer business has been and a lot of what he says is not show boating and straight talk.
Can't buy into the evil glazers and evil SJR have teamed up to ruin and destroy the club. Its like a children story you tell kids to scare them.
personally, I don't care if they are in the background and can take their dividends as long as it is not to the detriment of investing in the facilities and the squad, eventual clearing of the debt, significantly improvement of how the club is ran and winning major trophies.
24.) 16 Oct 2023 10:55:41
Grim,
That is what is to be agreed now between the parties via different put and call options.
It’s very common in M&A.
25.) 16 Oct 2023 15:07:37
Caolan you're going to explain that simply for the financially ignorant like myself.
26.) 16 Oct 2023 19:08:11
Grim,
Basically trying to simplify it for myself (wasn’t my strongest subject in law school) . It’ll mean there are predetermined options which can be triggered on the stock- so he can buy more at certain times. There will likely be obligations placed on him if say the stock reaches a certain price, he has to buy more.
The could even be something as simple that each year he agrees to buy a set amount of shares at a premium price already agreed.
There’s a lot more complexities too it, but that’s as simple as I can break it down. If there’s anyone else who can offer a better explanation please feel free to add!
26 Sep 2023 16:56:36
Hello Ed, hope all is well with you.
Please could you provide an update on the sale process?
Thank you.
{Ed002's Note - The situation as I understand it is the owners want further offers but both parties, certinly Ineos, will look to perhaps some restructuring of the offer but that may not see additional funds.}
1.) 26 Sep 2023 23:36:42
will that restructuring involve Sir Jim giving them the voting rights that they want or something totally different.
{Ed002's Note - Not such they will have any significant control.}
2.) 27 Sep 2023 07:56:04
Thanks for update Ed002, always good to get some truth amid the social media speculation.
3.) 27 Sep 2023 20:18:38
Thank you Ed.
4.) 28 Sep 2023 10:51:30
Basically they want to sell enough for someone else to come in and heavily invest and try and make their leftover share worth more.
5.) 28 Sep 2023 20:07:53
We are basically at the point now where the vendor has been told by the estate agent that there are two offers on the table, and the vendor has asked the estate agent to try and shake them down or play them off against eachother to get the best deal they can.
I suspect if one of the buyers pulls out then a deal could be concluded fairly quickly. But the whole time there are two people fighting over it then the Glazers will see the dollar signs and keep stringing out the process to maximise their profit.
6.) 30 Sep 2023 19:48:56
It’s a multi billion pound deal not a 2 up 2 down in Manchester…
One thing is for sure when it gets done, it’s goodbye to ETH and whoebver buys bring in there own team, that’s what’s needed.
7.) 30 Sep 2023 21:41:00
Who do you think is the ‘right team’ then Maze?
8.) 01 Oct 2023 15:04:19
Not sure what Maze thinks but imo clearly the right team would be You and Shappy! As one
Just not sure what name you’re using this month, or we back to GDS2 now Giggs been retired! And here is you constantly going on about people using different names! Mind boggles.
9.) 01 Oct 2023 23:20:42
Maze / Trafford,
The difference is I made it clear I was GDS when I was posting as G2S, it was hardly difficult to work out was it? It’s practically the same! An Ed who isn’t on the site anymore blocked GDS so I was asked to create a different profile which I did.
I’ve no idea whether all of your previous incarnations have been banned or what but the fact people are immediately aware it’s you within 2 posts possibly suggests the same will just happen again. Everyone worked out Trafford was just a wind up merchant, possibly not even a United fan, and now back as Strangeways, just all a bit weird isn’t it?
10.) 02 Oct 2023 12:17:59
I can't believe people want ETH out already. He is clearly a talented coach. Has not has a settled defence since he started. Suffered significant squad injuries. Unable to get rid of players he clearly does not want due to previous management errors and hamstrung by FFP rules.
Give the guy time to rebuild the squad to how he wants and also have a full squad to pick from.
11.) 03 Oct 2023 08:51:08
Salford
I personally ignore it and most are never going to be happy, I am convinced of that.
He will get us going like a juggernaut once he has his full fingerprints on the club. We no longer enjoy a massive financial gap with other top teams and will not be able to buy our way out of this.
A revamp of the culture, players, academy and pretty much everything he is doing is needed and will take time. Going to tune in tonight and enjoy the game.
It will not be easy as they are in good form and have good players. A win is a must for CL qualifications.
Scholesy1980's banter posts with other poster's replies to Scholesy1980's banter posts
10 Aug 2023 10:51:09
Ed is there any chance we will match Bayerns bid for Kane? Even if we used players in part exchange?
{Ed002's Note - Done to death - read the posts.}
1.) 10 Aug 2023 11:06:42
Sadly not. Despite our desperate need for a proven goal scorer, we seem destined to start the season with Martial and Hoijlund as our only recognized strikers.
2.) 10 Aug 2023 11:20:05
Kane is not happening and that ship sailed a long time ago.
If martial stays healthy he has a lot of goals in him and his link up play with rash is excellent.
Maybe a good thing for Hoilund too as the British press will be licking their lips and have a filed day with him if he struggles settling in. there are so many players in our team capable of scoring so I am less concerned than most here.
I can see Richard Keys who hates United and ETH dreaming about this.
BBC has a prediction out by all these pundits, we are picked to finish 4th by a massive majority. Most of these guys has us finishing 5th or 6th last year so that's a good omen:)
2nd at worst imo and we should run a prediction once the window closes.
3.) 10 Aug 2023 11:29:33
I get everyone wanting to go for Kane, but for all of his impressive finishing abilities, for the money involved, his age and suitability to play the way that ETH wants I just don’t feel he is the way to go.
He is available as he wants out and Spurs can’t lose him for nothing next year, so If ETH had wanted him badly enough then I feel we would have gone for him. Levy is difficult but with Kane really wanting out, if ETH had really pushed then I believe something could have been done.
However he has decided to go a different way, one which suits the style of play that he wants, along with the signings of Onana and Mount, which I believe in time will reap the rewards we want.
Personally I would rather not go the short term fix route and miss out on a player who could be very very good for many years, we definitely can’t afford both. We have been garbage for years anyway so a little more patience to get everything in order isn’t the end of the world. We will improve on last year no doubt about that and then it depends on how well City and Arsenal do this year. We may be challenging anyway or it may take another year, either way it feels much better now than it has in well over a decade.
4.) 10 Aug 2023 11:33:07
Rashford?
I still think we will get another forward player in of Greenwood is not going to be played.
5.) 10 Aug 2023 12:01:06
When did Martial last have a good game? I can't remember. Ever since Samchez signed he has been pants, I don't know whether it is injuries or something else but his time had run out.
6.) 10 Aug 2023 12:42:05
Kane is off to Bayern, deal now agreed with Spurs. Kane to agree personal terms which I doubt will be an issue.
7.) 10 Aug 2023 13:00:29
I’m with you here AJH. I do wonder what I’m missing with Martial, when I hear fans say he can be a good player for us.
His personality is who he is, and that’s the reason we will never be a good player for us, nor likely for anyone else.
He’s had chance after chance, is mentally weak at best, and is way too lazy to play for ETH.
8.) 10 Aug 2023 13:54:25
To be fair, Martial still had my support until about half way through last season, but enough is enough. He’s far too fragile both mentally and physically to play for a top club and is stealing a living at United. It’s our own fault, but he is not the answer to our goal scoring problem and starting the season with just him and Hoijlund as our only out and out strikers scares the crap out of me - especially with both being out injured for the foreseeable future.
9.) 10 Aug 2023 14:58:39
Brendan, Kane was ETHS first choice was he not? So I think that tells us what we need to know about whether ETH saw him fitting in.
10.) 10 Aug 2023 15:37:44
Did eth say that. don't recall him ever saying this.
Media reports many things on behalf of people with a lot of it completely off the mark.
The Korean guy from napoli was suppose to be our first signing in early July once his so called release clause became effective. Everyone needs to move on kane is gone to Bayern.
Starting to sound like Liverpool supporters who think everyone from mbappe to Bellingham should be playing for them.
Good window so far with a possibility of being a great window. Looking forward to watching chelsea vs liverpool this weekend.
11.) 10 Aug 2023 16:55:59
I don't get it - Bayern quite publicly have been going back and forth with Spurs for almost a month, and finally when a price is agreed he most likely doesn't even want to go there? Reminds me a bit of the de Jong saga. Why not say so at the beginning lol?
12.) 10 Aug 2023 16:56:57
SSN reporting that Kane is unlikely to go to Bayern, which would seemingly suggest that this whole ordeal was about getting Spurs to agree a few so that somebody else (presumably an English club who Spurs wouldn’t have otherwise have been willing to negotiate with) could match it. If it’s not us, I can only assume that it’s Chelsea, as they’re the only big English club other than us who really needs a striker.
Either that, or Kane plans to break the scoring record this season and then claim a big signing on fee somewhere else next season. Not sure why he’d waste Bayern’s time though if that were the case, unless he was just curious to see how much he was worth.
13.) 10 Aug 2023 17:01:28
Angelred when did he say that? According to the media he seems to have had about 8 first choice striker targets. We have no idea if he actually wanted him, although maybe if he was available cheap but that was never going to happen. He just doesn’t fit the ETH playing style, so paying £100m was never going to happen in my opinion.
I am just going off my own feelings though and not media reports, which we can all take with a pinch of salt.
14.) 10 Aug 2023 23:07:41
I think the sensible thing for Kane to do is see out this season and then watch the massive offers come rolling in. If its about money the Saudis will trow massive amounts.
If Madrid are afzer Haaland that door opens. Chelsea may be in the market, and United if Hojound doesn't work out. Either way with no transfer fee involved he will make massive money and who knows who could be in the running. I imagine a lot of big Euro teams will be as well as a couple of EPL big boys.
15.) 11 Aug 2023 02:08:03
I hope kane sits in and sees out his deal. Levi has been controlling him all this time, be fun to sit back and watch kane stick it to him and take back control of his career.
Watch Levi try to make Kane out as the bad guy for seeing out the terms of his contract, just like PSG are doing to Mbappe.
16.) 11 Aug 2023 07:38:17
oakbark
Madrid want mbappe and kind of worst kept secret and he wants to go there as well. I still think Kane goes as it sounds odd and not Bayern like to have bid multiple times not having the player on board with the idea. Bayern and Madrid generally get the players they want and have the finances to do it.
17.) 11 Aug 2023 14:21:11
Its also been very well reported that Madrid want Haaland as well maybe in 24 when the reported clause kicks in.
I also didn't say he will or won't go to Bayern i said if i were him i would see my contract down and see what's offered from all these clubs and pick m.
08 Aug 2023 17:38:36
Ed do you have any info on Hojlund's back injury? Is it serious?
{Ed002's Note - No sorry.}
1.) 08 Aug 2023 18:58:03
Thanks anyway Ed.
2.) 08 Aug 2023 19:00:10
Not great, he's put his back out and he's only been carrying out attack for a few days?.
3.) 08 Aug 2023 19:12:53
Club saying it’s something that needs managed, some suggestions he won’t be able to play for a few weeks.
4.) 08 Aug 2023 19:23:14
We needed 2 strikers anyway but this news makes it even more important. Probably not as bad as some are making out but we need him available for most games so to have him and martial as our only options and both not fit isn’t good.
5.) 08 Aug 2023 20:03:58
Apparently it’s not too serious just requires some rest and eased in.
6.) 08 Aug 2023 21:45:53
Deadline day push for Kane?
If we sell all these players and Hojlund isn’t ready for the start of the season, who knows?!
Would genuinely make us title contenders.
7.) 08 Aug 2023 22:37:54
Greenwood. Day by day there’s more reports he’s coming back.
8.) 08 Aug 2023 22:55:06
It’s not particularly serious, just needs a period of rest and might not be able to play 2 games a week for a little bit, fortunately we don’t play 2 games a week regularly until the end of September.
9.) 08 Aug 2023 22:59:50
what injury is everyone referring to?
01 Aug 2023 21:13:50
Ed - the club isn't getting sold, is it?
{Ed002's Note - The owners are hoping to sell.}
1.) 01 Aug 2023 23:42:26
The price they are wanting is probably going to be too high so I can’t see them going anywhere. Apparently they think the club is only going to become more valuable over the next few years and they’re disappointed with the current offers. If that’s true then we are stuck with them unfortunately.
2.) 02 Aug 2023 07:06:12
Tim, if that is the case then it shows how deluded they are.
You don't sell an asset based on what ifs or what it might be worth years down the line. You sell it for broadly what it's worth at the time of selling it.
If you are buying a house which is worth 250k based on other similar houses in the same area you wouldn't agree to buy it for 600k because the current owner believes it will be worth 600k 10 years down the line.
While Manchester United aren't a ready to move into house. They are a fixer upper, the roof leaks (literally), it needs decorating top to bottom, maybe part of it needs knocking down and rebuilding, or at least a large extension to be built. It requires significant investment to realise its true value.
If the Glazers seriously expect someone to come in and pay well over the odds for an asset that requires significant investment due to their poor management and a lack of maintenance during their ownership then they really are as thick a pigs s**t.
3.) 02 Aug 2023 07:51:51
There’s been lots of rumours flying round and who knows if this article has any truth. Thing is that it wouldn’t be a huge shock if it is true.
4.) 02 Aug 2023 09:01:35
We don't know what is going on behind the scenes. The Glazers/ Raine group are saying nothing, Ratcliffe/ Sheikh Jassim can't say anything due to confidentiality agreements (some leaks maybe but take those with a pinch of salt) .
The sale unfortunately for us was never going to be a quick deal with both sides wanting to get the best price, needing to do their due dilligence etc. We have been told multiple times that the transfer window would not be massively effected by the sale due to FFP so as much as we want the big new signing for the owner not sure if that was ever realistic.
It will happen when it happens and it could be closer or further than we realise. I expect that one day we will just get the announcement out of the blue to say that it is either sold or the Glazers are going a different route and sale is off.
20 Jul 2023 12:28:03
Hi Ed hope all is well with you.
Do you think the club will be sold in 2023? I appreciate your point regarding the sale taking as long is it will take etc but how much longer are we looking at having the Glazers as owners of our club?
{Ed002's Note - Probably.}
1.) 21 Jul 2023 00:05:01
I appreciate your need for information re the sale but how can you possibly expect that question to be answered?
18 May 2023 14:02:06
Is it possible that United could offer up players to Spurs in a part exchange for Kane?
1.) 18 May 2023 14:26:50
We should offer Maguire, Martial and £150m for Kane.
2.) 18 May 2023 14:48:32
£75m for Kane, or £150m + Maguire.
3.) 18 May 2023 16:53:12
They've had a previous interest in both Martial and Henderson so maybe.
They will be looking for a new keeper this summer, while if Kane leaves they will also want a new striker.
4.) 19 May 2023 07:19:54
Spenoo
Thats funny and made me laugh. poor guy gets so much stick. Not his fault olie bless him clueless sanctioned 80 mill going out the door and his wages.
5.) 19 May 2023 09:05:41
Ahmad I'm not sure how much involvement Ole or any manager for that matter has in setting prices on players, I think they probably give a Mourinho-style list of the players they'd like or at least the positions to prioritise then leave it with the money men to negotiate. Woefully in that particular case, as with many in recent years!
6.) 19 May 2023 14:54:47
in ed we trust lol incredible ceo:)
15 Nov 2023 15:38:41
Thanks Ed. So no interest from United?
30 Oct 2023 22:47:24
Thanks Ed - daunting times.
11 Oct 2023 18:39:05
Thanks Ed - who do you think will end up owning the club?
{Ed002's Note - Whoever makes an acceptable bid.}
27 Sep 2023 20:18:38
Thank you Ed.
30 Aug 2023 10:18:52
Thanks Ed!
08 Aug 2023 18:58:03
Thanks anyway Ed.
16 May 2023 22:52:53
Literally laughing in the faces of all the above sarcasm; karma can be a funny thing….