Time, they say, waits for no man. There is a proverb no truer in football, which has the fortunate habit of punishing those who rest on laurels. While Manchester United’s achievement in topping the Premier League during a transitional phase is remarkable, Sir Alex Ferguson will know there are areas for improvement. Indeed, with retirements set and question marks hanging over several squad members, Ferguson could well be in for a very busy summer.
The great Scot’s transfer market activity depends on the Glazer family’s attitude to the market of course. The club’s recent financials showed strong growth in commercial revenue tempered by flat ticket sales quarter-on-quarter. Most importantly perhaps more than £100 million was sat in United’s account as of late March, with a strong start to the new financial year expected due to the club’s Champions League run. As ever, United is a financial powerhouse, with an awful balance sheet.
But whatever the budget available Ferguson is keen to continue a rebuilding process that has successfully integrated Javier Hernández, Chris Smalling and Fabio da Silva into the side this season. The trio, together with returning loanees Danny Welbeck and Tom Cleverley, add an increasingly youthful look to United’s squad.
It’s required. After all, Gary Neville has already retired, Edwin van der Sar is due for the same fate and the smart money says Paul Scholes will follow suit. Meanwhile, Michael Owen and Owen Hargreaves are each out of contract in the summer.
“There’s a responsibility as the manager of Manchester United,” Ferguson told MUTV after United sealed the Premier League at Blackburn Rovers on Saturday.
“It doesn’t go away. I’m not changing anything. I’m not going to take it easy because we won the title. Hopefully we’ll be better next season. Hopefully we’ll be adding two or three players in the summer. We’ve got some young players coming back like Welbeck, Cleverley and Diouf and we want to be better. I think the ambition of the club doesn’t alter.
“One league title opened the door for us because we won the Double the next year with a great team and since then we’ve carried along in the sense that we’ve always been challenging for the title. It’s an amazing feat. For 19 years we’ve been competing for the league.
It’s an incredible achievement and every young player that comes to the club gets engrained into the fabric of that. Chris Smalling’s got his first medal, so have Darron Gibson and Chicharito. It’s a wonderful experience for them because they are the future.”
But Ferguson’s soliloquy on youth cannot mask the challenge ahead. Not only from the resurgent Liverpool and big-spending Manchester City, but Chelsea and Arsenal. While Roman Abramovich will surely sanction another transfer-market splurge for whomever he brings in as Carlo Ancelotti’s successor, Arsène Wenger has spoken recently about bringing much-needed experience into his side.
Should Ferguson be successful in bringing in “two or three players” most pundits point to a new goalkeeper, creative midfielder and left-winger as priorities in reshaping an already burgeoning squad. Should, as expected, Hargreaves leave the club, then Ferguson may also seek a tough-tackling midfielder.
Yet, with so many youngsters now pushing for a place in Ferguson’s side, or the wider squad, the Scot hardly needs any more fringe players. Indeed, most supporters will look forward to United attracting the “world’s top players,” as Wayne Rooney put it last October.
United’s fixation with David de Gea should see the 21-year-old join the club in June, unless the 21-year-old Spaniard decides his immediate future is with Atlético Madrid. Ajax’ Marten Steklenberg is an experience back-up should plan A fail.
Meanwhile, silly season press reports have frequently linked United to a huge offer for Inter Milan’s Wesley Sneijder, with the 26-year-old Dutchman finally ready for a Premier League move. The player’s huge fee and even bigger wages will almost certainly put the kibosh on any deal with United.
Similarly, another oft-lauded creative player, Tottenham Hotspur’s Luka Modric, will not be moving to Old Trafford this summer. With Spurs unwilling sellers, and the player in no mood to rock the boat, Modric will again be wearing white in 2012. Lille’s Eden Hazard might be a more realistic option, although the Belgian is also coveted by Wenger and a host of other European clubs.
The Reds have lofty ambitions for the vacant left-side attacking role, where Park Ji-Sung has performed well in recent weeks but faces little competition. Here Udinese’s outrageously gifted Alexis Sanchez is a long-admired player within the Old Trafford hierarchy. City’s come-hither eyes and bloated wallet could yet scupper the deal, which those of a more cynical bent might add is convenient for the normally parsimonious Glazers.
Finally, Ferguson is set on bringing a defensive or utility midfielder into the squad this summer. This is true despite reports United has offered Hargreaves a pay-as-you-play deal. With no naturally destructive player in the Scot’s squad it would, arguably, be negligent for United to not look at the position.
Here Everton’s Jack Rodwell has long been coveted, although the players average form this season has brought criticism from the Goodison Park faithful. Moreover, the young and English normally command a price premium, which might bring Stade Rennais’ Yann M’Vila into sharper focus. With Rennes now unlikely to qualify for the Champions League, the French international is almost certainly available.
Whatever the names coming in the summer, Ferguson has little doubt where the challenge is coming from next season.
“It was Liverpool’s time in the ’80s, it’s our time now and we always expect them to challenge us and we also expect Manchester City to challenge us. The great thing about us is that we accept challenges. It doesn’t matter where it comes from.”
It’s a contest that promises to be even more keenly fought in 2012.
The concern is that Welbeck, Diouf and Cleverley just aren’t going to take us to the next level. I think Modric is a dream but someone who is exactly what we need. All the talk of a 1 year contract for Hargreaves is crazy. If we have signed up Carrick and Fletcher to extended contracts then it is an attacking midfielder we need.
Huddlestone would be my buy. Good anchorman, can give the long, quick passes to set of a counter attack. Plus he gets goals from CM (something we miss) and adds height to a team that really lacks it.
We need a left footed winger to give the balance to Valencia’s right foot. The Owen’s ought to be retained on ‘pay as you play’ – although a cheap move for Van Nistrooley or Huntelaar (even Raul) instead of M. Owen wouldn’t be a bad move. An experienced CF who can come on without a run of games and grab a goal is ideal. But any fee has to be small/non existent, + someone who wont require massive wages. Hence M Owen is a decent guy to keep. Hes only 31! Plus he doesn’t get rushed into games at Utd.
Snejider, Modric would be great. Ideal. I’d prefer Modric but the cost is going to be sky high. We could sell Brown, Evra or Nani to help raise funds (would like to keep Nani for his impact though).
Theres not a lot missing from the team. The home form is immense, but that bit of quality to go away and unlock a team, give rotation and keep players rested and ready will supply those extra 10-15 points to really dominate next year.
The silly season rumour mill is always good for a laugh… but I’ve completely lost faith in United, when it comes to making exciting signings.
De Gea has supposedly been, “the guy” to replace VDS… but I’m expecting us to sign, “the other guy”… but of course he’ll be introduced to the fans as, “the guy”.
Cleverly will be the “new midfielder”… Hargreaves will get another chance, and be sold to the fans as “like a new signing”.
Then there will be a young lad from Tuktoyaktuk, who we’re told has a lot of potential and fits in with the United way of bringing in young players.
And as United fans come to terms with the disappointment of no big names… the anti Glazer protests will kick off again… but not before the new season starts, but by then it will be too late, as fans start to go to matches, and get too caught up in the competition to care about the financial situation.
I should just hang myself now… save myself the agro.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
I agree with you (now, there’s a turn up for the books!) that a smoke and mirrors trick could happen and we end up just with our returnees and some bargain basement players who probably will not perform anything like Hernandez has done this season (though I do look forward to Cleverley coming back). I think you and I and the fans who agree with us want a marquee signing in midfield (plus a very solid GK), anything short of that and then as fans we won’t be coming to the new season with expectancy and anticipation but waiting for wheels to fall off. And it will also be a sign that we don’t have the money to transform what has shown itself to be a good team, into a great one I don’t think any fans believe that if you are right in your prognosis (and I have an awful feeling you may well be) and if City, Liverpool, Chelsea and Arsenal strengthen, that winning the league next season will be a possibility.
I hope you’re wrong Alf – it would appear that this guy is most certainly NOT the ‘Guy’:
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/16/ajax-maarten-stekelenberg-drops-eredivisie-trophy
This question is inappropriate to the topic. But I would love some help.
I am not from the UK/Ireland.
I am considering buying ticekts from onlineticketexpress.com for the Champs League final.
Can anyone verify if its a credible source to buy authentic tickets?
Thanks in advance.
Have you ever heard of Google? It’s really cool! You like, type in what you’re interested in, hit “search” and it tells you loooooaaaads of stuff.
And if I can find the answer to your question in about 30 seconds… so can you ;o)
http://lmgtfy.com/?q=onlineticketexpress.com
The Jack Rodwell rumours have been going on forever, it does make me wonder if there is maybe something to it. He may be exactly what we need to get the best out of Carrick and Fletcher again, remember they were at their best when they had Hargreaves behind them doing the dirty work, and you say about his poor form this season, but it’s possible he’s just gone stale at Goodison Park and needs a new challenge to reinvigorate his career. He’d be among a far greater quality of player at Old Trafford too, which may be what he needs to fulfill his potential.
Much has been made of this not being a great United side. I think thats a little harsh but there’s no doubt we’re in transition, which makes our title and a CL final thsi season all the more remarkable.
There are genuinely question marks over several players but we should bear in mind that making changes on a large level simply isn’t Fergie’s way. There’s no way that 10 players will leave in the summer as has been mooted. VDS and Nev have retired, with Scholesy extremely likely to follow too. Wes Brown is surely going to be shown the door and the biggest question marks must hang over Hargreaves and Owen. Whilst it wouldn’t suprise me to see either or both stay, at least one will leave. That’s 5 or 6 seasoned pro’s out of the door. He may also let Obertan go, but that’ll be it. Gibson and Berbatov will stay. I think hargreaves will get a pay as you play deal and Owen will leave.
Welbeck and Cleverley will be added to the squad but I don’t think Diouf is good enough.
He’ll obviously be after a keeper and i’d expect him to sign a midfielder – either Sneijder or Modric, but that’ll be it for big money signings. He may sign someone out of left field for 5-10 mill in the Park or Chicharito mould but I wouldn’t expect anything else.
We simply won’t look to make any more than 2 or 3 signings – when do we ever?
The worrying thing is that Taggart mentions “Gibson” and “future” in the same sentence :o(
Possible revamp:
VDS & Tommy K >>> De Gea
G Nev & Wes Brown >>> De Laet plus perhaps a new defensive signing – Raphaël Varane?
Hargo & Scholes >>> one of Rodwell/Defour/M’Vila
Obertan & Bebe (loan) >>> Cleverley and one of Sneijder/A.Young/Eden Hazard/Alexis Sanchez
Owen >>> Welbeck
So, I expect three or four signings. Do I expect a ‘marquee’ signing (i.e. one of Sanchez or Sneijder)? I doubt it, but I live in hope. Money has to be spent though, just look at the amount of experience leaving this summer.
I think Gibbo will survive and will be given a year to prove himself for a new contract. Berba will probably stay (unless big money is spent on Sanchez or Sneijder), Diouf and Macheda out on loan again. Pogba and Morrison (if he stays out of jail) promoted for Carling Cup duties.
i agree with above – would happily take M’vila, Ash Young and De Gea – cant see modric / sneijder as too expensive.
sell berba and obertan – let brown, owen, etc go.
hargeaves will surely get a pay as you play deal. cant spend shed loads of cash getting him fit only for himn to go play for someone else.
I wonder if we will get Douglas Costa (Herbie says it’s a done deal!) I’d be up for that.
Charlie Adam. Anybody think that Fergie’s “10 million” comment implied a done deal? He’d be worth a punt I reckon. Rangers lad. He’ll come if Taggart wants him…
when was this
Yeah I don’t recall this being a regular event!
We are on a springboard; with the right signings we could become a great side. Terrific opportunity. Fergie’s last and best team. What a way to go out.
But, but … VDS & Scholes (from the squad) could be massive losses of influence. Welbeck, Cleverley,Gibson (he seems to be staying), Macheda & Owen are at best squad players. Bebe & Diouf are no-hopers. We can always hope that Hargreaves will come good & one player will emerge from the ranks; but we need more than hope.
All the evidence is that there will not be a mass cull, so we could be left with quantity not quality. Does anyone think that either Rodwell or Henderson are good enough & neither would come cheap? They are not must have young Rooneys or Ronaldos. So none of us has a clue who these “two or three” players will be. The stats suggest that M’Vila could be another Busquets – defensive shield, always available, keeps things ticking over? But I don’t think that you can buy a really top class creative midfielder unless he is high profile & that means mega bucks. And who falls into that category & is likely to be available?
Hmmmm, Rodwell, Huddlestone or Sandro from Spurs, Downing and then Sneijder/Modric and we will be fine.
Berba, Owen and Scholes MUST go. Macheda needs to come back and then have a crack at the first team properly and let us know what he has. I think he has it all if only he can change his attitude.
Hazard would be a great signing but we won’t do it.
i honestly wonder if fergie will keep going if we win the Champions League. we could potentially lose 10 members of the squad we started the year with (VDS, Kuzcazk, G.Neville, Brown, Hargreaves, Scholes, Gibson, Obertan, Owen, Diouf). even with macheda, welbeck and cleaverly returning to the fold, thats still a lot of players to replace. need at least a new GK and a new Central Midfielder. and potentially a new left winger as well. now might be a good time for him to step aside. mourinho is ready to step into his shoes, and with this large exodus of players, will have the opportunity to bring his own players in.
You maybe right Alfonso. At the end of the day, the Glazers will be hanging on to that 100 million and SAF’s comments will be that there is no value in the market. Tom Cleverley will be the new midfielder and Rui Patricio from Sporting Lisbon will be the new goalkeeper because Sporting only want 12 million for him and he has already been recommanded by United scouts as a good replacement for Van de Sar. But if SAF sells a few players, we maybe lucky to get one world class player and a couple of up and coming youngsters.
You lot are a load of bloody moaning minnies. Recent signings? Hernandez, Smalling, Valencia, the Twins. Show me some better players, anywhere in the world. Not players to get excited about?
Show a bit of faith. We will get a top GK & at least one top midfielder.
Rui Patricio is a top goalkeeper. I have faith but I do not trust the Glazers. Everyone will be happy if we get at least one top midfielder. SAF has stressed that he is looking to spend money on players this summer but those Glazers are a bunch of assholes. How much money will SAF be allowed to spend on players?
It’s pointless arguing with you most of the time Knobby, if Hargreaves had been man of the match in every game he ever played for United and scored a shit-load, you’d still claim he was shit, and that those of us who remembered his performances for United are wrong because we have a differing opinion from you! Michael Carrick especially looked a far better player and far more confident passer of the ball with Hargreaves behind him, because it meant Carrick didn’t have to track back as much or do so much of the donkey work.
He asked when Hargreaves, Carrick, and Fletcher regularly played as a c.midfield trio.
One point that I didn’t mention in the piece but meant to – United’s competitiveness is predicated not just on transfer market spending but wages.
Wages at Old Trafford keep rising but not as fast as competitors. In fact United is quite some way behind Chelsea, Manchester City, Real Madrid and Barcelona now.
In the excellent book Soccernomics (or why England lose in the UK) the authors do some very sound analysis on the market, saying that while transfer spending accounts for 70% of competitiveness, wages accounts for 92%.
The other 8% – that’s Ferguson and United’s advantage. For now.
We should be giving the younger players longer contracts, say six or seven years.
Most of the fans are right! Money has to be spent. Other teams will get stronger and will be gunning for us next season. The Glazers know that you have to spend money to make money. Mongoletsi, I would love to have Douglas Costa and we can get him for 14 million. From what I know, United put in a bid of 7 million for Rui Patricio last month but Sporting turned it down and are looking for 12 million. United chiefs went back to Sporting last week to renegociate and I don’t know what has happened. It looks like Rui is their first choice keeper at the moment. There have been reports that DeGea is a done deal, but it has resurfaced that DeGea wants to stay where he is because he feels he is too young to make a big move right now.
the thing with the wages, is that we dont really have the big names that are going to be on massive wages. rooney is by far our biggest earner. ferdy, vidic and giggs i’m sure earn quite a bit, but probably nowhere near as much as rooney. and the rest would be on average wages for players at top team
real and barca on the other hand have 3 or 4 big names each that probably earn as much as rooney. citeh just pay stupid wages cause they can, and chelski are similar.
i’d be more concerned if we were unable to complete the signing of say a sneijder or a pato (just throwing random names in the air), cause we couldnt meet their wage demands.
the probably at the moment, from what i can tell, is our restricted transfer budget, rather than our wage structure per se
Actually I think that is my point. United couldn’t really compete for the players you mentioned. Sneijder for example earns £4.5m net – so he’d need to be paid more than Rooney. United broke the bank for Rooney but I don’t see it happening elsewhere.
Ask youself this question – can United alone beat the market? Is there something unique about United that means it can attract players for less than our domestic and European competitors. Maybe for some players but I would suggest not for many. In the end money speaks… and if United isn’t competitive in the transfer market and more importantly in terms of wages eventually we won’t be competitive on the pitch….
It’s a good point that you make about wages and competitiveness; I am hoping that Uefa’s new financial regulations will even up the field somewhat!
Really if we get De Gea, Rodwell and Sanchez, which is quite likely, we shouldn’t grumble too much. Those 3 players could start for United for 10 years plus.
It definitely would seem better on first sight than we’ve brought in the last 3 summers (2009 Valenica, Owen, Obertan, 2010, Hernandez, Smalling, Bebe).
VDS, Scholes, Neville retire
Owen (New York Cosmos) and Hargreaves (Vancouver) would do well to move to the MLS. It tick boxes for all parties.
Bebe and Obertan can’t be written off yet. Obertan has been excellent in the reserves, and we’ve only just signed Bebe. Both need to go on loan to a championship side at least and that could be the making of them. If not sell them in the summer of 2012.
Diouf – not sure what the sketch is here – he is 23! Perhaps Fergie sees him as our physical threat. I would take 5 mill from Blackburn or another random Lancs prem club and be done with it. If not he can be our 5th striker when Macheda goes out on loan.
Macheda – needs to go on loan to a Premier League side and see how he gets on.
Lindegaard replaces PIG as the no 1, looks solid and reliable in similar way to Van Der Gouw was as a back up to Schmeichel. Ben Amos to be 3rd choice.
Gibson stays on as our 5th central midfield for depth.
Brown I would keep, he’s a proven performer and a Manc lad – hopefully Fergie and him can settle their differences.
Ritchie De Laet has been a regular for Portsmouth and could come back at the season of the season but be loaned out again if isn’t needed. The next loan needs to be a Prem one after going to a couple of Championship clubs.
Welbeck to be our 4th striker, Cleverley cover for left midfield, left wing and attacking centre mid. Might get another loan spell if he doesn’t play much from Sept-Dec.
Josh King – needs to go out on loan to a championship club.
If we don’t get De Gea then I’d go for Stekelenberg, no Sanchez than go for Young. No Rodwell then M’Villa or Defour. Sneijdner and Modric look unlikely.
I think that you over-simplify, Ed. Of course we need two or three more top class players, we already have eight or nine, but at the end of the day it is a team game & the blend & the desire & spirit still matter a helluva lot. Buying galaticos is not always a sure way to success; galacticos tend to have giant egos. Antonio Valencia is a case in point; he would improve any team; he has brains, technique, works for the team & has speed & class. Two buys with the class of Hernandez & Smalling would suit me fine.
Yep that is why if we get De Gea, Rodwell and Sanchez then it would be very good all things considered. I think Fergie likes to play the squad game, and as Jimmy Armfield said it isn’t the best team he’s ever had, but its probably the best squad. You need that playing 60 games a season. Relying on too many big names is probably not best.
De Gea is by no means a lock, Rodwell has been ordinary this year, and Sanchez wants to join Inter.
We had put in a bid for Sanchez but Man City have jumped in and placed a higher bid. There is now a dog fight for the player but Sanchez is quoted as saying that he wants to play for United. But money talks and City have the money to outbid us. And yes, interest seems to be picking up for M’Villa. Should see Morrison coming into the team for a few games next season. Very talented young player. De Gea and Stekelenberg are good choices but if they can get Patricio for only 10 million, thats who they will settle with. From what I have been reading, at 23 years old and 167 appearences, he is an experienced goalkeeper and a good one.
Hargreaves WAS shit… not shit in a Djemba-Djemba way… but shit in the, “we paid £10 million too much for him”… and some of us never wanted him in the first place.
The thing will Rodwell is that he is younger than Smalling but has made around 70 1st team appearances. Smalling didn’t get in the first team at Fulham much but look at him now.
Rodwell has the similar physcial attributes to Smalling and they both come from the same Eng U21 side. The potential is there for all to see.If he came he would do well and raise him game with better players. At Everton there is more pressure on him to be a key contributor at aged 19/20.
Keeper wise the Dutchman won’t be much more than 10 mill as his contract expires in 2012 so if we don’t get De Gea he has to be next in line. I wouldn’t trust most Portuguese keepers, to replace VDS we need someone calm and measured. Patrico is 6 ” 2 so more from the Howard mould.
If we don’t get Sanchez Young would be a decent enough signing, he has plenty of Prem experience and is ready to go to the next level.
If we did get Stekelenberg, Rodwell and Young I could see some fans moaning though. They are probably 2nd choices on most peoples lists.
Should not moan if we get Stekenlenberg. Would be a wise choice but lets wait and see.
Most of the time I agree with your football analysis, but not concerning Hargreaves. I thought he was class for us in those few proper games he gave us. I honestly thought he was regularly our best player on the pitch, that not being a vintage Ronaldo season.
Either way, I do think we need someone to do the job Hargo was hired to do, and of the candidates I’ve seen I like the look of M’Vila the best, that lad looks class to me. A proper “defensive midfielder”, but one who can actually play football too, which makes him a great candidate for a two-man midfield set up.
The lack of a proper leftie bothers me, but I’m not sure who is a good candidate there. I was gutted that City got Silva last summer, and I’ll be doubly gutted if they get Sanchez, because I love watching him play. That said, he does seem very right-sided to me. But if City get Sanchez and presumably a few others, I think they will be in the top two next season.
Every summer for the past 3-4 seasons I’ve found myself in the minority who liked our squad and didn’t buy into the talk that we were in free-fall, but this summer I’m genuinely worried by the City threat. That said I do think we’ll spend some proper money, and this is the first time I find rumours of Sneijder or Pastore actually somewhat credible. We won’t spend what we should be able to without the Glazers, but I think we’re in the market properly this summer for a change. The following all look almost certainly to leave, in decreasing order of importance in Fergie’s mindset: VDS, Scholes, Hargreaves, GNev (already replaced), Scrabble (already replaced), Owen, Brown, plus a couple of peripheral squaddies and I wouldn’t rule out us cashing in on someone more central like Berba, Ando, or Nani.
Gibson I think is here to stay, and I actually am I starting to think he’ll make a decent, committed squaddie for us in the O’Shea mould, which I know some people hate, but I think contented backup players like that are extremely valuable.
Hargreaves WAS shit… not shit in a Djemba-Djemba way… but shit in the, “we paid £10 million too much for him”… and some of us never wanted him in the first place.
If he had stayed fit 17 million would have proved astute business, he was our best midfielder in near every game he played. Also played brilliantly when put in on the right wing or at right back.
Made a hash of his medical and he should never have been signed but thats not to say he is shit as he certainly isn’t.
Pogba looked very good in last night’s youth cup final. Can definitely see him being in the side within a year or two.
I think one of the reasons utd don’t push the big money deals is that the last two they went for – Hargo and Berba haven’t worked out as they would have liked.
Would be hard for Fergie to justify to Gill and the further down the line to the Glazers. That is why they go for the middle of the range value players who will fit into the United mentality of winning.
Silva has looked good for City but is not much better than our starting wingers. Sanchez is in a similar vein. Really a mix of Valencia, Nani, Park, Giggs and Cleverley isn’t that bad.
amazing imagination some have when it comes to hargreaves, i dont thinkhim carrick and fletcher started one game together as a three, i can only remember one time him and fletcher played together as a two and we got hammered at west ham, and the only time i can remember him and carrick playing as a two was a cup tie against spurs where ron bailed us out, he was a terrible midfielder, he played at right back and right wing because of how terrible he was in midfield, not because hes brilliant at all three positions, he couldnt pass shot protect the defence or do anything a midfielder should do, he always turned backwards when controlling the ball meaning he slowed down all our attacks and all his passes were back to rio, we signed him cause of a good twenty minutes against portugal and fergie knows it was a minute, you would all hate him if hed never got injured cause hed have shown himself to be worse than gibson,
fergie knows it was a mistake
New & old
De Gea – VDS
Lindegaard – The Pig
Cleverley – Bebe (loan)
Welbeck – Owen
TBC – Scholes
De Laet – Neville (squaddie last few seasons)
Diouf – Obertan (loan)
Rodwell – Hargreaves
Macheda loan out again
In light of this do we definitely need this winger/no 10 like Sanchez/Young that is being touted about? Giggs can go on for a while yet. Better off buying 2 central midfielders and a keeper.
Correct Fletcher was 4th choice that season. Hargreaves played alongside Anderson and Carrick more often. He had a number of excellent games, Tottenham home, Arsenal home and away and Lyon at home he was excellent in all. You go on about a good 20 minutes against Portugal, he was man of the match and England’s best player over the course of the tournament, and I’m sure Fergie knows he made a mistake as that’s why he has persisted with him for the last two years.
If I was Hargo I would get as fit as possible and get a farewell homecoming gig in Canada in the MLS with the Vancouver Whitecaps. Its their first season in the MLS and it would make sense for all parties. Its not the best standard but at least he would be able to play and he would get the star treatment. I for one would wish him all the best.
Times change. It seems that SAF now basically shares Wenger’s philosophy that the long term way ahead is to get young players with great potential & immerse them in the United (or Arsenal) way. In some ways the Barca & Ajax model. One of the reasons why SAF is a better manager than Wenger is that he is more flexible, so Alex will buy a top player, with a big fee, if he thinks he is good enough -Rooney, Rio & Berba. We must also remember he is a gambler -Eric & Bebe. M’Vila would seem to be well ahead of Rodwell; already in the national team & with great passing stats. I do not understand the Young interest, unless Nani is going.
Rodwell would make a better defender, Don’t see him in the future as a midfielder.
It really amazes me how some of you lot can remember so much about past games…
Whatever… one thing I am fairly sure of, is Hargreaves always seemd to win man of the match, in games where the rest of the team was shit… that’s because his one great attribute was his tireless tenacity… while the rest look like a waste of wages, at least Hargreaves stood out for his effort… that was the case in that whole England tournament, and that was the case whenever he seemd the best player for United.
Just like Park, he was popular because he put in the graft… and that’s fair enough… players like Hargreaves and Park are very useful tools that most managers want in their team… but that’s no reason to try and make them seem like better players than they actually are.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
I’m amazed people still give a shit about Hargreaves
He’s been a talking point for the last 2 years – more so than when he was fit
That’s because it’s silly season again Sid.
Let’s face it… until a proper midfielder is signed, and Hargreaves turfed out on his crocked arse… there is a chance he’ll be here again next year… and there’ll always be some willing to give him one more chance, because he was… “ahem”… class…
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
the dead rubber against rome was the only game he wasn’t a liability and I didn’t feel we were worse off with him in the team, he’s good at set pieces and that’s all
he can’t pass the fuckin ball, it should be a pre requisite of any midfielder we sign
the fact he was shifted out to the wing to be another park says it all, he was bought to be the answer to our midfield, it took about two games for fergie to realise hed bought a not as good fletcher
even the arsenal game he scored in we got hammered with him in midfield, won with a pen and a freekick, we generally got hammered with him in midfield
we should be better than these fletcher sidwell hargreaves parker types
G Neville wants Scholes to continue.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/football/teams/m/man_utd/9489922.stm
Fantastic i can just see the headline “it’s like signing another player”
blah blah just retire Scholes. You time at the time is over.
if fergies gonna refuse to soon a midfielder who’s any good until scholes goes then yeah he should go, otherwise obviously not, he’s still our only mid who can pass, or has the bollocks to pass
I’ve never seen what the fuss about Rodwell is, but I suppose he’s a very young player still, and central midfielders often seem to show little promise in the early days unless they are real flair creative players like Pastore or Fabregas. I think it takes a real expert eye to tell if a young lad is going to become a quality defensive or distributing midfielder, but I have to confess I don’t see it in Rodwell.
I’ve seen M’Vila a couple of times on the other hand, and he looks good to me — you know he’s on the pitch at least, and looks like he has a quality pass on him.
To be fair about the buying young policy, compare our purchase of a young defender and striker — Smalling and Hernandez — with Chelsea’s purchase of bigger name defenders and strikers — Luiz and Torres. The difference in cost and results is immense, at least this season.
This is very worrying. If Alex says “Hoping for three players” & we all assume one is a GK & another is Varene then unless the third is truly world class then next season we will be weaker, with both Scholes & Giggs (it has to happen sometime) in decline or gone. We struck very lucky with Hernandez; he was not signed to strengthen the “A-Team” immediately. Lightening does not strike twice.
Why do people always assume that if a relatively unknown player does well, it must be down to luck? Chicharito may not have been expected to make quite the impact that he did quite as quickly as he did, but surely Fergie must’ve signed him knowing he always had the potential to play just as well as he has this season, likewise with Smalling, that isn’t down to luck, that’s down to Fergie recognising that he was good enough for United. I don’t see that we need more than 3 signings to keep us competitive anyway, the team isn’t THAT bad (we wouldn’t be champions if it was), and it only needs a bit of tweaking and refreshing. De Gea, Rodwell and someone like Sneijder would do us just fine.
3 signings who would start/immediately challenge for first team spots would be fine. if one or two of those signings are young talented players, then its not enough. we are losing a lot of experience and “depth” this year. and while we have a few young players coming through, we do need to add proper talent to the squad.
I keep an eye on a few agents/in the know people online and they seem to agree that:
David De Gea – Fee agreed, awaiting confirmation from the player.
Raphael Varane – Young French CB/DM – United close to signing him, possibility of an immediate loan to another club.
Ashley Young – United and player both keen; deal very close, £12-15M.
Alexis Sanchez – Going to Inter or City.
Wesley Sneijder – A deal could happen – United and player both keen – but dependent on Inter’s own signings this summer (e.g. Tevez, Sanchez, Ganso etc) and agreeing personal terms, which as Ed explained, on the face of it, that appears unlikely.
Obviously it’s up to you whether you believe this or not, just offering up what I’ve read.
Depends how you read Fergie’s comments. Personally I think he’d have meant 3 first team players, possibly with some scope for a couple of prospect players too if the prices are right, such as the repeatedly mentioned Raphael Varane, though possibly not if there’s any truth in the rumours that Lens apparently want £10million for him, which seems a lot for an 18-year old playing for a just-relegated club.
those intheknow/agents being
http://twitter.com/#!/karlsentk
http://twitter.com/#!/intheknow99
http://twitter.com/#!/theinsider9
as I say, take it with a pinch of salt but they’re more reliable than Herbs.
Can someone explain to me why we should spend “£12-15m” on Ashley Young? Decent enough player but SAF can scarcely be dissatisfied with Antonio, Nani or Park & Obertan or Cleverley might make it. Wide areas are clearly not the priority. We wasted a helluva lot of money on Bebe; could have bought Van der Vaart instead. If money is tight it should be spent on the very best creative midfielder we can get our hands on.
I think Obertan is probably on the way out and Young can also play in the hole off a striker. I think Young playing off Berba – as a second choice attack – could work well
You have said it all Triggs ….”as a second choice attack”. What we need is every penny being spent on a much better player than Carrick, Fletcher, & Anderson.
Nothing would better epitomise the reversal of fortunes in Manchester more than Shitty signing Sanchez, who looks like a prospective world-beater and has been begging to come to United since before the World Cup, and us instead signing fucking Ashley Young. I can’t tell you how much that would depress me.
Don’t pay any attemtion to the rumours going around… I don’t think we’ll be signing any big name players anyway… but even if we do… Gill and Fergie will have to play a very cagey game… there is a very real chance that the Bitters will throw a bid, at every player we show an interest in… even if they’re not interested, they’ll try to scupper the deal for us, or at least try to raise the price…. and there will be heavy competition from the Renties, Real, Inter, and every other team with a few quid to spend.
It’ll be a fucker of a summer, trying to do any big money business… and I have a sick feeling that we’ll be hearing the old excuses, “it was a crazy market” and, “no value”…
I’ve no doubt we’ll see a few new faces, but they won’t be the players we want…
going on off a tangent here but would love to see Beckham end his career at OT where he belongs..makes a lot of practical sense bcos rite now our set pieces delivery is pathetic..i am sure he can put in a better shift in CM instead of Carrick; with better passing as well..would be a great one-year acquisition
Well said Hoggy.
I hear Dwight Yorke still trains these days. he might put in a better shift than Berbatov.
On reflection, I think I’m being overly negative about the prospect of Ashley Young. After all, he about the same age as Tony V, and his raw goal and assist stats are a good bit better than Tony V’s, so that’s a promising precedent. It’s also very useful that he can play in the middle and on the left, although I’d like to see us get a proper left-footed player for that side. I wonder if Fergie is not thinking of him as an Ozil substitute after we missed out on him last summer, because lately Young seems to be playing like Ozil.
tony v is better.. and we need a left footer imo
If we buy Young then we are saying that he is better than Nani – at least the manager is saying that. In my view he is not.
We need a left footer not another half/half player no matter how decent. Get me Downing before he goes to Liverpool.
is mata left footed?
vargas looks a player as does hazard he maybe a little young tho
For the last time, DOWNING IS SHIT.
FFS.
I’d rather Downing than Young… at least Downing belongs on the left, which is what we need…
But I agree… not Downing either.
Why can’t we, the fans hope for a really exciting signing for a fuckin change?
reina schweinsteiger and benzema
considering he’s english and we don’t cheat young is a fucking diving little small head cunt, we’ve got enough pricks like that with nani hernandez and some other of our foreigners
im hoping for a few exciting signings
Young doesn’t want to play on the wing any more IMO, he considers himself a central attacking player. If we buy him (and from what I’ve been told it’s quite likely) we’re buying him to play where Rooney is playing now or as a cheaper alternative to Sneijder, Ozil, Pastore etc
Mata is and he is leaving Valencia
i think he woud be worth a shot… very impressed by him
Mata looks decent but not great to me. I agree that Young might be being considered for the “Ozil role”, but I’m not sure it’s fair to call him the cheaper, inferior alternative to Ozil. Maybe we pulled out of the Ozil thing last summer because Fergie preferred Young (total speculation on my part). But Young is probably not going to be especially cheap and will get a decent wage, and I’m not convinced that Ozil is a clearly better player. Young’s got great stats at a team that has been dancing around the relegation places, almost as good at Ozil’s at one of the top 2 or 3 attacking teams in the world, in a softer league. Obviously Ozil’s younger and has potential to develop a lot more, but Young’s also experienced and has proven he can get the job done in the PL. He might be electric playing for a quality team with quality team-mates, sophisticated tactics etc. — think of Valencia for a recent example.
I’ll admit that I was skeptical about Young until now, but the more I think about it, the more I think I was just falling for the old “foreign is better” mentality.
Young might have been every bit as exciting as Ozil at the world cup if the English team had been sensibly put-together.
I’ve got this horrible feeling we’re gonna spend the Summer yearning for Sneijder and end up with Charlie Adam.
Remember who owns United, and you won’t be disappointed in who we don’t sign… because you won’t expect Sneijder in the first place.
Speaking of evolution… Smalling & Chico have won their first major honour – a massive step in their development into top players
Smalling can say he’s the bollocks now. He’s proven it. Same with Chico. They’re established. And now they’ve had a taste of glory, they’ll want more
http://www.guardian.co.uk/football/2011/may/25/rafael-fabio-da-silva-manchester-united-barcelona?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+theguardian%2Ffootball%2Frss+%28Football%29
Good article there on the twins. They’re getting too good now to backup for one another, next season Fergie needs to play them both more, maybe using one of them in midfield regularly. I think they’ll be good against Barca, as they say, Barca don’t like it when you go at them, and the twins are brilliant at that.
Good article there on the twins.
Yeah, that’s quality…
Fuckin hell Mate.
“Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don’t need badges. I don’t have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching’ tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you.”
Love Ferguson. Love United. he’s always in my mind.
I’m frightened.
There’s a man needing his back doors smashed in.
Where’s Brian…?