#9 The Priority For Jose

Infra-red said:
No, we're not. We're just not buying a player from a club that has a ban on registering new players.
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Tried replying in the transfer thread, but that has been locked now.

Fair does, turns out you were right. It was a turnaround because of the ban. It's being reported did change his mind through loyalty towards the club.

Like I said, the timing is very daft from him to say he wants to go, then the verdict was announced and he backed down, but it turns out that was likely the case.
 
2 Man Midfield said:
I know, so why tell everyone we're actually prioritising a number nine? It's just going to raise the price when we go to get one. The only thing that makes sense is that we're bluffing.
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Whole world already knew we neede #9 when Zlatan got big injury 3 months ago.
 
Drainy said:
Tried replying in the transfer thread, but that has been locked now.

Fair does, turns out you were right. It was a turnaround because of the ban. It's being reported did change his mind through loyalty towards the club.

Like I said, the timing is very daft from him to say he wants to go, then the verdict was announced and he backed down, but it turns out that was likely the case.
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Agree with your assessment re: the ban. If United were to force the issue and the buyout, it's akin to basically ruining Athletico's season and kicking them when they're down. They'd probably never do business with us again of any sort for the foreseeable future.
 
Well lads look like we got Rooney for another season. Silent Domination.
 
There's absolutely no shame in facts that we won't be seeing 4-4-2 with Griezmann as a SS, nor Antoine cutting it out in unpreferred position on the wing, or witnessing the Frenchman getting destroyed playing as the lone striker. We've just saved ourselves lots of different troubles as well as tons of cash.
Add to it him being a bit of a numpty... I for one am happy with this development. It's not like it was a two way dilemma of getting Griezmann or finishing upcoming season in 5th or 6th place again.
 
fallengt said:
Whole world already knew we neede #9 when Zlatan got big injury 3 months ago.
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Is it possible that it took 2-3 months for the penny to finally drop (in the heads of the media)?

I still feel that the Griezemann deal is done, but only time will tell. The marketers wants to turn the AG transfer into a long saga, so the best thing (after releasing the watch advert a few days ago), is to cool the talk of the transfer.
In a week or 2, the AG deal will probably re-surface and a company will feature him in an advert, which gives clues of his imminent transfer.
Pogba's transfer dragged along for the whole Summer. During that time Pogba declared his love for Juve. The Juve manager (a few days before the transfer was completed), stated that Pogba would be joining Juve for pre-season training.

IMO, we will get 2 attackers this Summer. One of them will be AG. The other...your guess is as good as mine.
 
If we're after an out and out striker then Jose gave Ed his wish list 2 months ago so he'll know who he wants so go out and sign them, I've long said that Griezmann was NOT a priority signing seeing as we have Mkhitaryan and Mata who can both play 10 if needed.

We NEED a quality centre back, a quality left back, a quality defensive midfielder, a quality right winger/forward, a quality left winger/forward and a striker and it'd be nice to have an alternative to Valencia although that's not as pressing as the other positions.

For me Sanchez has always been the one we should have as our number one target over Griezmann as Sanchez is best as either a left sided forward or up top and unlike Griezmann is proven as one of (if not) the best attacker in the league, he's in his prime, has a year left on his contract and wants to leave.
 
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Android1974 said:
In the second formation, I'd say Mkhitaryan would probably start as #10, with James as right-winger.
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Well obviously both can play wide or centrally, but I'd prefer James to be at the heart of everything. Also, Mkhitaryan has more pace and defensive work rate so I think he's more suited to the wide role. James is so dangerous in a free role, as his performances for the national team has shown.
 
With griezemann staying and ibrahimovich looking more likely to leave, where on earth are we going to find the 55+ goals required for us to mount a serious title challenge. Martial is wasted on the left and Rashford is nowhere ready to step up and lead the line at his age, especially now that he'll have to deal with canny ucl defenders. Let's hope mourinho has a good plan B
 
I'm gonna try and sneak this suggestion in and hope that German lad who hates us doesn't see it! :nervous:

 
Devil may care said:
I know Lukaku's name will jump forth and he has his fan club here, but we wont do any better than we did last season with him IMO, his hold up play is crap and he's not good enough to cater the attack to. I think we need a striker that can hold the ball up like Jose demands and operate as a true fulcrum that will help get the best out of our other attackers, as if we are only bringing in one goal source we are simply in the same position as last season, which means to me this striker needs to be a team striker that will get more out of the likes of Martial, Rashford and Mkhitaryan, a more selfless striker than Ibra and Lukaku, someone in the mold of Benzema.
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"If I can't hunt with a dog, I will hunt with a cat. With a dog you hunt more and you hunt better. But if you have not got a dog and you have got a cat, you hunt with a cat."
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I like big Benz, but not gonna happen, IMO. But i totally get your idea, a big number 9 should be made an absolute priority for Manchester. Robert Lewandowski comes to mind and he would be so perfect. Great athlete, scoring buckets of goals, complete professional and very intelligent on and off the field. I'd take him over Griezmann any day of the week. A friend of mine keeps telling me that with Griezmann in the team, we'd be devastating on the counter and he's able to make the most of one opportunity. But Mourinho has history with having a big lump of a man upfront and the way we've been playing, someone is needed.

I think your assessment of Lukaku is a bit too harsh, nevertheless for 100 mio. i wouldn't do it either.

Looking forward to the forseeable future, because i still think that Mourinho wants to get his business done early.
 
I'd be underwhelmed if we end up with Belotti or Lacazette

I just can't envisage them as great United strikers who'll take the leave and CL by storm
 
Is it me or are virtually all these number 9 links not particularly exciting. Havent seen hardly anything of Lacazette or Belotti but Morata and Lukaku certainly dont excite me.
None of them seem up there with the likes of Costa, Aguero, Jesus, Sanchez or even Kane for me, let alone your Suarez, Neymar, Lewandowski, Benzema, Dybalas etc. Surely there ar eother names not so well known that can add more to our current Ibrahimovic. Martial, Rashford options....are any better than what we have really?
I see Juve getting linked again with promising talents in Bernaschedi and is it Patrick Schmidt? Why do we currently not seem to be linked to these type of players who would surely be a lot cheaper as well? Of course it is all just press rumours but this is such an important window, we really need to get it right
 
Mourinhonista said:
I like big Benz, but not gonna happen, IMO. But i totally get your idea, a big number 9 should be made an absolute priority for Manchester. Robert Lewandowski comes to mind and he would be so perfect. Great athlete, scoring buckets of goals, complete professional and very intelligent on and off the field. I'd take him over Griezmann any day of the week. A friend of mine keeps telling me that with Griezmann in the team, we'd be devasting on the counter and he's able to make the most of one opportunity. But Mourinho has history with having a big lump of a man upfront and the way we've been playing, someone is needed.

I think your assessment of Lukaku is a bit too harsh, nevertheless for 100 mio. i wouldn't do it either.

Looking forward to the forseeable future, because i still think that Mourinho wants to get his business done early.
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Oh I wasn't suggesting Benzema himself as I know he's not leaving Real Madrid, I was just using him as the type of striker we need, a one that is strong enough to hold the ball up but also has a properly rounded game and who will benefit the players around him, not just be a 1 dimensional target to hump balls up to. Lewandwoski would be the dream but dealing with Bayern would be even more difficult than dealing with Levy.
 
The options touted are just so underwhelming to me.

The Griezmann news sucks.
 
A number 9 was always going to be a priority if Ibrahimovic is going to leave. Lukaku is probably the obvious choice as out of the current crop of centre forwards, he fits the profile of 'target man' the most. I'm not a huge fan of the player, but maybe playing on a bigger stage and with better players might bring on his game more.

If that was to be our sole forward signing, then our options would be Lukaku (or other striker), Rashford, Martial, Rooney (if he stays) and with the choice of Pogba, Mata, Miki, Lingard in the other attacking positions. Unless, these players are a lot more productive this coming season, our attack won't be any better than last years. So regardless of who we go for to lead the line, we must be looking at another attacking player.
 
Looking at the options out there, I'd say Lukaku looks the most promising.

From Spain the only option is Morata and he's more keen to go to Italy, plus his scoring record is pretty underwhelming.
From Italy the options are Belotti and Icardi. The former is too expensive for just 1 decent season and a high risk of being a one-season wonder. The latter is decent option.
From France it's only Lacazette really, but I don't think he suits us.
From Germany it's only Auba but that ship seems to have sailed anyway.
From England it's only Lukaku really.

From these options I'd rather take the lad that despite some obvious flaws has a very consistent high-scoring record in the EPL and is keen to move to a new club.

I'm putting Lewa, Kane and Mbappe in the "unrealistic" category as I don't think they'd want to move here and the money would have to be ridiculous. Although the first two especially, would really suit the profile of player Mourinho wants.
 
Devil may care said:
Oh I wasn't suggesting Benzema himself as I know he's not leaving Real Madrid, I was just using him as the type of striker we need, a one that is strong enough to hold the ball up but also has a properly rounded game and who will benefit the players around him, not just be a 1 dimensional target to hump balls up to. Lewandwoski would be the dream but dealing with Bayern would be even more difficult than dealing with Levy.
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Turning Lewandowski's head with the possibility of doubling his current salary. On top of that the 100 mil. war chest and bid should help to sweeten the deal with Bayern, at least it would make things quite interesting, IMO. In modern day football, it's also important what the player wants and despite Lewandowski staying in line, i think there's a real possibility of at least mentioning his wish to Hoeneß and his agents have turned out to be quite nasty at Borussia back in the day.

We pay scouts, so maybe they're already on a cheap alternative. Still thinking that Mourinho doesn't do cheap when it comes to attackers who he's intending to actually field.

Do you think that Benteke could be an alternative or is he too behind in comparison to the top dogs when taking his off the ball movements in mind and having problems with his work ethic under Klopp? Klopp couldn't get him playing but the Belgian definitely knows how to score goals in the Prem. A friend of mine is Chels' and he mentioned that Mourinho was keeping tabs on him, could be a nothing story, though.
 
Do we really need a striker?
Dont get me wrong, Auba or Lewandowski would be nice but i presume unavailable.

When the choice is to throw 80m at monaco for a promising kid or buy a mediocrity like Lukaku for 100m is there any point?
Sign Ibra up to a contract and stick Rashford or Martial up front and spend the money on someone who's suited to the left wing instead of trying to squeeze them in out wide.

Martial and Rashford aren't at the level we need to be yet, but Lukaku will never be at that level.
Give them experience and the opportunity to make good on their talent and stranger things have happened than them putting a good run of goals together till December when Ibrahimovic will hopefully be back to ease the burden

It doesn't matter if our striker is banging in 30 goals a season if no one else is scoring anyway,
Buy someone like Sanchez to spread the goals around a bit,
It'll definitely take us further in the long run and probably further in the short term too.
 
Mourinhonista said:
Turning Lewandowski's head with the possibility of doubling his current salary. On top of that the 100 mil. war chest and bid should help to sweeten the deal with Bayern, at least it would make things quite interesting, IMO. In modern day football, it's also important what the player wants and despite Lewandowski staying in line, i think there's a real possibility of at least mentioning his wish to Hoeneß and his agents have turned out to be quite nasty at Borussia back in the day.

We pay scouts, so maybe they're already on a cheap alternative. Still thinking that Mourinho doesn't do cheap when it comes to attackers who he's intending to actually field.

Do you think that Benteke could be an alternative or is he too behind in comparison to the top dogs when taking his off the ball movements in mind and having problems with his work ethic under Klopp? Klopp couldn't get him playing but the Belgian definitely knows how to score goals in the Prem. A friend of mine is Chels' and he mentioned that Mourinho was keeping tabs on him, could be a nothing story, though.
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@Sarni Has mentioned before that Lewandowski is very money motivated and at his age he might fancy that last big contract, he's not old per se but he's at the age where the next deal is likely going to be the biggest. The biggerst issue I see is he extended with them not that long ago and they are going to realize how sparse the markert is, as we are finding out ourselves.

Benteke is even worse than Lukaku IMO, both are poor technically, don't link the play well and don't make enough runs to open up spaces for other attackers, plus neither press the ball well, Jose tends to like a #9 that is the first line of defense.
 
Mourinhonista said:
Turning Lewandowski's head with the possibility of doubling his current salary. On top of that the 100 mil. war chest and bid should help to sweeten the deal with Bayern, at least it would make things quite interesting, IMO. In modern day football, it's also important what the player wants and despite Lewandowski staying in line, i think there's a real possibility of at least mentioning his wish to Hoeneß and his agents have turned out to be quite nasty at Borussia back in the day.

We pay scouts, so maybe they're already on a cheap alternative. Still thinking that Mourinho doesn't do cheap when it comes to attackers who he's intending to actually field.

Do you think that Benteke could be an alternative or is he too behind in comparison to the top dogs when taking his off the ball movements in mind and having problems with his work ethic under Klopp? Klopp couldn't get him playing but the Belgian definitely knows how to score goals in the Prem. A friend of mine is Chels' and he mentioned that Mourinho was keeping tabs on him, could be a nothing story, though.
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I like Benteke but I don't think he's quite good enough to be starting for a club that ultimately has aspirations of winning the champions league. That said I think he'd be perfect to bring on as a plan B. Imagine having rashford Griezman martial and then being able to throw on Benteke to mix things up. Would probably cost to much to come and be a squad player to.
 
Has to be between Lukaku and belotti i think. I think the griezmann thing has fecked us over in a big way. Now every team we deal with is going to ask for insane money as we have No strikers. The jose type striker that we need is simply not available at the right price for now. Think we may even have to take apunt on younger strikers like Dolberg/Schiik. I dont think we will go for belotti with 100 million euros on his head and Lukaku would cost same money. One thing is sure, Woodward will be even under more pressure to deliver as we have already lost our top target. Otherwise it will just be panic buying.
 
Zlatan wasn't great when fit, worst convertion ratio in the PL for clear cut chances, even if he gets back to his 'highs' of this season, he's nothing like good enough for a club with ambitions of challenging for the title.

We need a number proper number 9 with pace and a decent convertion ratio.
 
I don't know why people are so set that Lukaku would cost £100m? I know Everton said so, but that to me is just posturing before someone shows concrete interest.

The player has refused to sign a contract and he's obviously angling for a move. If a team like Chelsea or United go for him, I reckon that Everton will fold at £60m, which is still basically doubling what they paid for him.

If they keep holding out the player could be unsettled and no one is gonna pay £100m for him anyway. And if Everton keep him this season, then next summer he's entering his final year of his contract and he becomes a must sell to the highest bidder. Then it'd be out of Everton's hands and they'd want to avoid that at all costs. They'd accept a "reasonable" offer is what I'm getting at and they know deep down £100m is not reasonable.
 
Muppet in me has now been destroyed, I don't even know what transfer thread to follow .
All the other threads seem so underwhelming,nothing really excites me .
God ! I'm getting depressed, really need something to grab on to.Please Woody make something happen.....
BIG.....BIG...plse having a meltdown here!
 
Marzo said:
Muppet in me has now been destroyed, I don't even know what transfer thread to follow .
All the other threads seem so underwhelming,nothing really excites me .
God ! I'm getting depressed, really need something to grab on to.Please Woody make something happen.....
BIG.....BIG...plse having a meltdown here!
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:lol: I do love a meltdown, me!
 
Marzo said:
Muppet in me has now been destroyed, I don't even know what transfer thread to follow .
All the other threads seem so underwhelming,nothing really excites me .
God ! I'm getting depressed, really need something to grab on to.Please Woody make something happen.....
BIG.....BIG...plse having a meltdown here!
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Feel for you fella, stay strong.
 
Mourinhonista said:
Turning Lewandowski's head with the possibility of doubling his current salary. On top of that the 100 mil. war chest and bid should help to sweeten the deal with Bayern, at least it would make things quite interesting, IMO. In modern day football, it's also important what the player wants and despite Lewandowski staying in line, i think there's a real possibility of at least mentioning his wish to Hoeneß and his agents have turned out to be quite nasty at Borussia back in the day.

We pay scouts, so maybe they're already on a cheap alternative. Still thinking that Mourinho doesn't do cheap when it comes to attackers who he's intending to actually field.

Do you think that Benteke could be an alternative or is he too behind in comparison to the top dogs when taking his off the ball movements in mind and having problems with his work ethic under Klopp? Klopp couldn't get him playing but the Belgian definitely knows how to score goals in the Prem. A friend of mine is Chels' and he mentioned that Mourinho was keeping tabs on him, could be a nothing story, though.
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Muller could be more realistic.
 
Is anyone a bit concerned about buying players from Bayern Munich? For me Bayern is the football equivalent of that house in the middle of nowhere were cars love to stop in the middle of a rainy night
 
devilish said:
Is anyone a bit concerned about buying players from Bayern Munich? For me Bayern is the football equivalent of that house in the middle of nowhere were cars love to stop in the middle of a rainy night
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:lol: The Caf has been on fire today with analogies.
 
devilish said:
Is anyone a bit concerned about buying players from Bayern Munich? For me Bayern is the football equivalent of that house in the middle of nowhere were cars love to stop in the middle of a rainy night
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Always have fancied Muller though . I think he was tempted with our offer before. He don't have best of seasons with Bayern this season.
 
Devil may care said:
:lol: The Caf has been on fire today with analogies.
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After Hargreaves and Bastian, United should be careful what to buy from them. Maybe instead of a doctor we are better off hiring an archeologist to sit on that particular deal
 
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