Question most Manchester United supporters and the majority will say that the club’s priority this summer is to acquire a top-class creative central midfielder. With Anderson having failed to blossom into the attacking talent once displayed at the FIFA Under-20 World Cup and Darron Gibson never good enough to make it at Old Trafford many pundits claim that Sir Alex Ferguson will spend this summer. It’s a feeling strengthened by Paul Scholes’ expected retirement and move into coaching.
However, Ferguson’s reported first choice Luka Modric of Tottenham Hotspur will not be allowed to leave White Hart Lane this summer. Could Arsenal’s Samir Nasri or Wesley Sneijder of Internazionale be the cherry on top of the icing on a decent transfer window for United to date? Neither will come cheap, in terms of transfer fee or wages, but each has the quality to improve United’s central midfield in the coming season. Only time and the Glazer family’s desire to spend millions of their hard pilfered cash will tell.
But which of the pair would you, the fans, prefer to grace Old Trafford next season? To aid the decision here are some facts, as Rafael Benítez might add.
Samir Nasri
Age – 24
Fee – c£25 million
Wage – £120,000 per week
Total financial commitment (five years) – £56.2 million
2010/11 statistics (all club competitions):
Games – 50
Goals – 17
Assists – 4
Shots – 108
On goal – 50
Pass completion – 88 per cent
Wesley Sneijder
Age – 27
Fee – c£35 million
Wage – £250,000 per week
Total financial commitment (five years) – £100 million
2010/11 statistics (all club competitions):
Games – 38
Goals – 7
Assists – 7
Shots – 148
On goal – 44
Pass completion – 85 per cent
[poll id=”65″]
Even though he is more expensive, it would be incredible to have Sneijder at Old Trafford.
If we want to compete with Barca then Sneijder is the man we need, he is the only midfielder in world football right now comparable with Xavi and Iniesta.
Nasri turned 24 last week actually.
the stats speak for themselves
I’d say Nasri, he’s younger, cheaper wages, cheaper transfer fee, and he’s already got Premier League experience. Sneijder looks like a great player on paper, but he could easily become another Juan Sebastian Veron.
Alun Vaughan >>> well said man !
I think Sneijder is a top top player but I would go for Nasri. I just think that £250000 per week is beyond obsene. Also Nasri is younger and Sneijder is a little more prone to injury. Value for money wins it for me
only 100 mill thats nothing for old red nose.he wasted more than that on other players.manure doing what it does best buying titles,.
I think you should go for sneijder cuz wenger won’t sell nasri to you
I’d prefer Sneijder to Nasri, but would pick Schweinsteiger ahead of both. I think his box-to-box style would suit United better and he has the leadership skills required to command the United midfield, which Nasri lacks. And accourding to reports in the media he would represent a economical commitment at about the same level as Nasri. The big question is whether is prepared to leave Germany and Bavaria.
Both. Let’s not have to choose.
If we sign Nasri, we’ll claim we’ve signed the better player.
If we sign Sneijder, we’ll claim we’ve signed the better player.
If we sign neither, we’ll claim Darren Fletcher’s a world-beater.
Worst thing about this is that Gibson is likely to still be around. I’d see Gibson’s presence as a reason NOT to sign.
Although having Sneijder would be great I have read (on the Guardian if I remember rightly) that he has never completed 30 league games in a season because of injury. Now at the age of 27 would he be able to cope physically with the intensity of the Premier League?
Has to be Nasri for me.
Looking at the stat I would say Nasri comparing the money and product. But if United doesn’t have to worry about money I will chose Sneijder coz he is already world class. 27 okay. he can be on his best for the next 4 or 5 years as long as he is injury free.
Do either of them do the boring stuff that we require from a central midfielder
Defending, positioning, tracking runs etc.
Yeah, while your billion pound deficit fecks you into oblivion, when the 2012 fair play ruling comes into play.
Lets see then who will rise, FAIR PLAY!
Surrey Monkeys!
Grego
Greg – why is it that Internet trolls never bother researching the facts, hey? FFP is designed to counter sugar daddy club ownership that distorts the market. It really has nothing to do with debt, as long as the club can service it.
Based solely on the player I’d prefer… Sneijder… because he represents the class of player that I want to see United associated with…
However… reality considered… the age difference, and the overall cost of each player… it seems to me that, for what Sneijder would cost us….we could sign Nasri…
…and Frankensteiger…
i dont really understand why we need them?doesnt rooney, nani,valencia,young delivers in the game what those deliver?i dont think barca beatn us because we didnt had sneider or nasri,they beaten us because we dont have de rossi or diarra.someone who kill there attack and be the wall of the defense
I wouldn’t be surprised if United ended up buying both of them… Infact it may just well be likely considering we’ve already lost two midfielders (scholes and hargreaves) with a third on his way out (gibson) and giggs’ retirement round the corner plus anderson doesn’t seem to be fulfilling his original potential. If we are to catch up with Barca then we have to endeavour to buy quality players when they become available.
I’ll definitly prefer nasri cos his movement on the ball makes me go crazy, he is a young and a talented player sneijder is quite ok but nasri looks more promising to me i’ll go for him.
Neither of the want to play for a douchebag outfit like yours anyway so it’s a mute point
Scott – “moot” point, it’s a “moot point”. Unless you’re just being really quiet about it?!
GUFFAW!
Nasri is the answer simple. the future will tell
Who would u choose Ed?
andrew – Sneijder for proven class at the highest level but its not really as simple as that. If money is not an issue (why should fans care) then Sneijder gets my vote.
But he’ll turn out to be twice as expensive in terms of fees plus wages. The wages part being more important to UEFA FFP.
He’s 27 so at the end of a five year contract there will be minimal resale value. This breaks two clauses the Glazers have set at United – 1) all players bought under 26 except cheap/free players; 2) players must have a resale value.
This makes the transfer unlikely IMHO despite all the media speculation.
Who would you choose Ed?
i preffer nasri,he is a young player with good talents.
Sneijder for me. Proven world-class. The stats are compelling though. Didn’t realize the Glazers had pilfered their cash.
Why not both? just imagine amidfield lineup.. SANCHEZ NASRI SNEIIDER NANI .. BOY… JUST DREAMING OR WHAT?
It boils down to who wants to play for United more. If Sneijder is willing to prove that he is United’s man, then he should lower his wage demands.
Always prefered Nasri, not because of d cost, but because of his premiership experience.
Well, in a perfect world, take both. Would love to see both of them terrorizing opposition defenses. If I have to choose one, Sneijder for me. But tough choice as both have their merits.
What if both bids get accepted?
How about we get Sneijder now while Nasri runs down his contract and come over on a free next season? Haha..!!!! Dream scenario for United and nightmare for Arsenal.
I like both be United Players but if i have to choose….Nasri is my answer with no hesitation. He is magic!
Firstly, Sneijder’s wages would be closer to £200,000 than £250,000. United aren’t stupid. His deal at Inter is about £155k-180k. Tax is really the only issue in him getting an identical deal.
Secondly, and this is a VEY IMPORTANT point, Sneijder had a terrible season by his standards. He didn’t score a goal until January and was clearly having post-World Cup syndrome even though he was arguably the best player in the competition. Nasri didn’t go to the World Cup which would have diminished his quility this season quite dramatically as France’s experience in South Africa left all of their players having much worse season (see Manchester United’s number 3). Basically, those stats for 2010-11 aren’t accurate to their abilities.
I’m with Alf on this one. Nasri and Pigsticker would be smashing additions. Or, for that matter, Sneijder and Pigsticker as the more expensive option.
Forgive me people, did this famous Sneijder not get found out at Real Madrid? This guys has become so famous on the back ONE great season – ’09/10 season. He was in the Inter Milan side that got turfed out by Schalke last season. And now everyone seems to want him. That his famous season was as a result of Mourinho choosing an Inter side to release him. Madrid did not do that and a team that already has Wayne Rooney will NOT do that. So, he can get right lost.
Samir Nasri? goodness me. On the back of the first 5 months of last season and he is now asking for big bucks? What is the world coming to? Personally, his attitude stinks. He has the nerve to call Gallas names. Samir, William has won far more in his career, played in far bigger names than you have; so please show respect. I really can’t stand the little fella – very Arsenal type footballer who flatters a lot to deceive. So, NO for me too.
hi cal….you do have to choose one though, and downing is not an option i’m afraid
you see, this is what happens when mongs are allowed to use a computer
Buying titles? Which planet are you from? Buying and selling players is part of the modern game. So I guess your club gets players from the local pub? Paid them in pints?
This is a United site. If you have the audacity to criticize us just for the sake of spite and envy, please have the courtesy to identify yourself.
Hey moderator, we got a stray dog here.
But it’s okey. Envy is the greatest compliment.
Jamali – yes not sure how that one got through. My finger is normally very close to the delete button when it comes to Blues, Scouse, Sheep on here.
I would be pleasantly surprised if we got either player. I just can’t see it happening.
neither are midfielders
Seems to me that we’re defo trying for Sneijder. Rumours of an actual bid being tabled. Surely if we’ve bid (a big IF), we’re confident of agreeing terms with the player.
Nasri-United deal seems to have died – not sure it was ever alive now – probably staying or going to Inter/City.
Nasri makes most sense economically; but Sneijder is truly world class. His performances at Euro 08, WC 10 and in the CL have proven that. Of course we should have bought him when he left Madrid, but to be fair there were slight concerns over his fitness then.
triggs – there are concerns now, he only started 35 games for Inter in all competitions last season.
Sneijder’s the better player, but the time to buy him was two seasons ago when Milan got him. Not only was he going cheap, he was younger and hungrier. I suspect he’s played his peak season in footballing-quality terms, and that injuries are going to be a problem for him more and more.
On that basis, we should go for Nasri instead. At least we’d be buying a player still on the upward trajectory of his career.
Sneijder is the better player, but Nasri is the better option because:
1) He’s younger.
2) He scores more goals.
3) He’s more experienced in the Premier league.
Both great options, but if we had to choose one i’d have to go for Nasri.
Gotta love a spineless twat, who comes on to stir shit… but hasn’t got the stones to say who he supports…
We could always sign Lee Cattermole.
*Sighs sadly*
…and who can’t even get his facts right. My money is on the dippers. Can’t be Citeh or Chelsea else he’d be an arch hypocrite. Maybe Dirty Leeds, I suppose…
Don’t know why, but I’ve a feeling it’s a bitter blue… and that’s why he didn’t say… extreme hypocrite.
Where’s Herbie when you need him most. If anyone knows whether its Sneijder or Nasri it will be Herbie! Personally I would prefer the Bavarian option.
The games he missed were mainly due to suffering from anaemia, hardly your average football-related injury, suggesting he’s not a VDV-type who can’t play two games in a week. To be fair anyone managed by Benitez is at risk of illness.
Sneijder? I fear a repeat of the J S Veron saga; brilliant player; brilliant cameos; incapapable of playing consistently well in the EPL. The whole team would be built around him. I simply do not think that you can import a player of 26 or 27 from abroad -unless a one-off like Eric- & do that at United. Rooney has to be main man; with Sneijder here he would not be. He is Dutch & Dutch can be trouble; there are injury issues; he was bought for 27m euros by Real & sold two years later for 15m. SAF has to be bloody certain he is the right man. P/Ex using Nani -potentially a great player- would be very dubious. Too high risk.
Nasri? Would fit into the team much more seamlessly & grow with the team. Younger, quicker, scores far more goals from open play; best years ahead. But I have heard not one indication that he wants to come. SAF seems to be saying he is going somewhere else.
Dutch can be trouble?
Pathetic stereotype your basing that on whom, Dutch and Scandinavians are often the easiest to adapt to playing in England, they play a similar brand of football and the weather holds no issues at all. For every Kluivert, I can give you Van De Vaart, Van Nistelrooy and Stam and dozens more.
Rooney can not handle the pressure of being main man, he was poor for 6 months last season and the sooner some people get over some of the hype the better. The expectation inebriates him.
I don’t think Sneijder and Veron could be any more different in terms of playing style, for two players in roughly similar positions. Sneijder is the star of a brutally thuggish Dutch national team, I think he can hack the PL ffs…
Bman,
the problem was not Veron. The problem was that we bought a fantastic footballer at the prime of his career and REFUSED to set the team up to suit him. Veron came from a system where he had NEVER played in a central midfield two; here was a man who hardly ever tackled or expected to win the ball despite how he looked. From Argentina to all his Italian sides he had ball winners around him and he was given license to go get the ball and PLAY. At Utd when he arrived there were far too many big egos – Keane was the main man, Beckham was the England captain, Scholes was playing ever so well and loved by the boss and so there was a problem. His best games were when we played a three man central midfield and he had no defensive duties. In far too many games he was partnered with Scholes and we got run over. When we had Pip Neville winning the ball for him and Scholes in that game against Arsenal at home he was sensational.
The very same thing will happen with Sneijder. He has grown up NEVER playing in a central midfield two but I can see us asking him to do the same and he will be exposed. That “brutally thuggish Dutch national team” was set-up to maximise Seijder’s strength. As Inter under Mourinho were. Madrid did not give him that luxury.
Hi Cal. I think Veron was a pure luxury player who was found out because of the rapidly-improving levels of all-round fitness and tactical discipline in European club football. That’s why he ended up back in Latin America — the big leagues in Europe just have no place for a player like him. I think the closest equivalent to Veron now is actually Charlie Adam, which is why I think he’ll be found out at Liverpool. You can’t compete at the level we or Liverpool want to and have a central midfield player who basically opts out of performing certain duties. I don’t deny the skill of such players, and on occasions when allowed they can certainly shine, but a club like United has no space for a luxury player unless it’s the likes of Ronaldo (who played as a forward, and was supremely mobile and fit to boot, so worked tirelessly in a different way).
So I appreciate the point you are making, but I don’t think Sneijder has ever been the same slow “orchestra conductor” type player as Veron (actually maybe Carrick is closer to Veron). You’re definitely right that Sneijder has been playing as an out-and-out attacking mid in recent years, but his game is based much more on movement and fast passing. I think he’s well-rounded though, can put in a shift and put in a tackle, so I think he can fit into a two-man midfield. The big question is does he realise that this is what he will have to do? As you say, he might have gotten used to having a couple of bodyguards doing the donkey-work for him further back.
I actually do not agree that teams do not have players like Veron anymore. I also do not agree that Sneijder can play in a central midfield duo. No chance. As you said he is so used to having Cambiasso and Motta at Inter while for the Dutch he has de Jong and one other. So to buy him and then require of him to start doing something he has never done in his career is wasting money.
Liverpool can set-up with a trio of Lucas, Adam and Gerrard in a narrow trio and they will be fine – at least Adam will be. Barca’s model is very dependent on Busquets’ ability to press the ball and win the ball thereby allowing Xavi and Iniesta to do their stuff higher up the field. My point has always been that just like Pirlo for Milan and Italy and Xabi Alonso, we need someone else to get the best out of Carrick. We ask Carrick to do things that are not natural to him and it seems that many of us here are also ready to ask Sneijder to do things that are not natural to him too. The worst case scenario is where we begin to ask Carrick to do the cambiasso/de jong jobs for Sneijder if we get him. Recipe for disaster again.