Agreed, City were 15 points behind Chelsea last year and are now 15 points ahead. You can get huge swings in football, sometimes based on actually relatively modest changes.
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Anyone know the last player(s) that have been announced before a match or just after one on the same day?
Normally I would agree, but Simon Stone has been like that since he got the job of covering the Manchester clubs. There's a huge difference in quality compared to his colleagues like, let's say, Ornstein. Stone has been more like the traditional tabloid sports journalist. I mean, look at his contribution to this saga. All he has done is post his own opinions and what City has briefed the press with. Look at that article, it's no better than what we get served from DailyStar and The Sun.
I'm surprisingly okay with all this. I really did think he wanted to go to Pep and Manchester City, and would have preferred it since they're so far ahead already, but it looks like it will be a good deal. If that money is put towards a replacement I'd say the best was made of a bad situation. Maybe I'm just punch-drunk.
This seems to imply he they have a chance to match our offer now. Which would be ridiculous after going all PR about not wanting to give into his ludicrous demands.
I don't understand this. If we're signing him, how would he be available for nothing in the summer? Surely that only applies if City are his only option?
this would stunt the growth of Rashord, Martial and Lingard. Huge mistake! I was looking forward to seeing more of that Martial-Lukaku-Lingard-Pogba
I still fear that there will be a sting in the tail, and that Sanchez will opt for City.
I'll try to keep my feet on the gound and not believe anything until I see him wearing a United shirt alongside Mourinho...!!
But the foaming at the mouth ranting from the ABU nation has been hilarious entertainment over the weekend...
I'll try to keep my feet on the gound and not believe anything until I see him wearing a United shirt alongside Mourinho...!!
But the foaming at the mouth ranting from the ABU nation has been hilarious entertainment over the weekend...
Evil in a footballing philosophy sense City are being hailed as hero's from a playing style point of view.
absolutely nobody is going into politics. Except that RAWK worthy post I was initially referring to.
He would become available in the summer only if he chooses to stays at Arsenal and doesn't sign a new contract with them.
If United sign him, he will be granted a 5 year deal minimum.
Don't read too much into the United being favourites for him stuff.
The press is going off City supposedly not willing to go above 20m and United being ready to. That is an over simplification
There are a lot more components to this.
The press is going off City supposedly not willing to go above 20m and United being ready to. That is an over simplification
There are a lot more components to this.
Between this thread and the crypto currency one, this forum is under heavy load!
City will just cave in and match our offer, i'm certain it won't be this easy to sign him.
Unless Pep actually isn't that fussed (which could be true) given their squad is full to the brim with very good players.
Unless Pep actually isn't that fussed (which could be true) given their squad is full to the brim with very good players.
Been doing some scouting of Sanchez, and trying to figure out where we should play him and get the best out of him and the current side too.
Current position at Arsenal
At Arsenal, he plays inside left/second striker.. pretty much where Martial operates and where Lingard does too. Which at first glance presents a bit of a problem as that is where we are strongest, and those two are our biggest threats. No doubt, Sanchez is superior to either so if that is 100% his best position, the other two would have to move around to adapt.
Current position (Chile)
For Chile he used to play on the right, like at Barca but with more freedom to come in and playmake.. bit like Mata but combined with Nani if that makes sense. These days, he's more of a LW/10.. bit like at Arsenal but more direct.
Where will he play at United?
Its a tough one to call. I have seen calls to play him at striker.. but honestly, he drops very deep to even play as a false 9 and I don't think he has enough goals in him to put him as our de facto striker and older he gets, less pace he will have to be the lone forward. Therefore I see him operating behind a 9 for sure.
Now, is it behind the striker or on the right/left where we will see him. Once again, I would argue that whilst we should try and use him down the right in combination with Valencia.. the chances are, he will ask to be used in a free role.. more to the left and behind the striker. Which means either he takes Martials place down the left, or Lingards (who would shift to the right temporarily or be benched by end of the season).
I personally think Martial and Sanchez up top as a duo would be deadly, as a counter-attacking duo that is pretty scary. Him and Lukaku, would be decent but if we want the best out of Sanchez.. we need a fluid set up with plenty of runners, one-touch passing ala Chile/Arsenal. Making it too static would not suit him and would limit his impact.
So initially..
Really tough to envision how his role will pan out and what signings we get. All I know is that the key is to build around him, as he is at his best when you don't put him in chains.
Current position at Arsenal
At Arsenal, he plays inside left/second striker.. pretty much where Martial operates and where Lingard does too. Which at first glance presents a bit of a problem as that is where we are strongest, and those two are our biggest threats. No doubt, Sanchez is superior to either so if that is 100% his best position, the other two would have to move around to adapt.
Current position (Chile)
For Chile he used to play on the right, like at Barca but with more freedom to come in and playmake.. bit like Mata but combined with Nani if that makes sense. These days, he's more of a LW/10.. bit like at Arsenal but more direct.
Where will he play at United?
Its a tough one to call. I have seen calls to play him at striker.. but honestly, he drops very deep to even play as a false 9 and I don't think he has enough goals in him to put him as our de facto striker and older he gets, less pace he will have to be the lone forward. Therefore I see him operating behind a 9 for sure.
Now, is it behind the striker or on the right/left where we will see him. Once again, I would argue that whilst we should try and use him down the right in combination with Valencia.. the chances are, he will ask to be used in a free role.. more to the left and behind the striker. Which means either he takes Martials place down the left, or Lingards (who would shift to the right temporarily or be benched by end of the season).
I personally think Martial and Sanchez up top as a duo would be deadly, as a counter-attacking duo that is pretty scary. Him and Lukaku, would be decent but if we want the best out of Sanchez.. we need a fluid set up with plenty of runners, one-touch passing ala Chile/Arsenal. Making it too static would not suit him and would limit his impact.
So initially..
Martial Lukaku Sanchez
Lingard
Pogba Matic
With Sanchez interchanging Lingard, and if we get a RW this window.. Sanchez going central I think.Lingard
Pogba Matic
Martial Lukaku Lucas
Sanchez
Pogba Matic
Sanchez
Pogba Matic
Really tough to envision how his role will pan out and what signings we get. All I know is that the key is to build around him, as he is at his best when you don't put him in chains.
That's my point. "He'll be available on a free in the summer so we won't spend £35m on him" doesn't make sense as he won't be available on a free in the summer, he'll be a United player unless City act.
Now who is going into RAWK territory. We play evil football. Have a cold shower lad.
It was a dig at us paying bigger wages anyway, not the football.
Only problem with this is as soon as Lingard/Rashford has a bad game, and we get another draw, everyone will start clamoring for a world class player. City has massive depth in attacking options, and, while it might slow the development of the younger players, having a player like Sanchez in our team will give the younger players someone to learn from.
Sadly letting "the kids" win it is somewhat of a fairytale with the current market and money. Watching the class of '92 was amazing, but I don't think it's going to happen again. Relying on youth to win games is great as long as we are winning.
Aubameyang is bonkers if he goes to Arsenal.
Pep want's him to kiss the ring.
If he isn't interested in waiting until the summer to join on a free, then he isn't really as committed to the cause as Pep would like him to be.
Luckily it looks like that plays into our hands as it doesn't suggest that City and Pep are as committed to Sanchez as he would like. We will make him our 7, our talisman and pay him what he wants.
It's the height of arrogance to think you can treat a star player like that and expect him to sign. They're simple, egotistical creatures that want to be wanted.
Cryptocurrency thread? … I don't do multithread muppetization but it would be cool if we announce Sanchez, win and I become a digital millionaire all in one day
Nah in any movie involving United, this guy has to play Ed:
We could send him on the friendly tours while Ed stays at home for urgent transfer business.
Will the Sanchez deal be announced today or tomorrow? It's looking quite likely. Such an unexpected turn of events.
That's not me saying it. That's the angle the media is taking. You made it political.
Now who is going into RAWK territory. We play evil football. Have a cold shower lad.
It was a dig at us paying bigger wages anyway, not the football.
It's not over yet.
I'd also take all of the reports suggesting City have "given up" with a massive pinch of salt, given their likely source (City) and the nature of what's happening here (a very public negotiation).
I really wish he'd sign already got shitloads to do at work and I cant stop refreshing bbc and this thread!
Sign so I can go to the toilets, bang one out and get to work!
Sign so I can go to the toilets, bang one out and get to work!
City were hoping, very naively I might add, that United would follow the same path as them and wait until he is available on a free.
Silence before the storm this lack of fresh news?
And let the angry CAF mob lynch the double when Ed doesn't sign Griez and Dybala.
if we want him we have to close it asap.
Definitely. There are bound to be more twists and turns in this, even if we do get him.
If ever City wanted to make a point about being more attractive to players/richer than us, this would be the perfect time.
The player by all accounts wants City
City won't pay over a certain amount
Probably unexpectedly we then come in
City just wait for us to agree a fee and package
Come in late and match it/slightly better it
Sanchez to City, United look stupid, journos who already brown nose Pep to oblivion have a field day
If Rashford is going to be good enough he will raise his game playing with world class players.
His form has been stunted this year already.
it is not like we are 5th in the Standings. We are continuing to grow as Lingard, Martial and Rashford are getting better (while being 2nd)..plus Paul missed so many games, difficult to stay in rhythm..
The signing would be a mistake.
I am saying this 2 days now. This is perfect chance for them to demonstrate power. It is not only alexis anymore, it is united vs city also.
sosolid4u.........what is your moniker all about?
When football clubs are owned by states using them for political gain, it isn't me making it political, it becomes inherently political.
This could run for a while yet I feel.
City may very well bite the bullet and meet his demands, regardless of the problems it will cause them regarding the rest of their squad wanting parity to Sanchez's salary.
Yeah let's forget about signing any world class players for the next five years and instead cross our fingers and pray to god that Lingard, Rashford and Martial will somehow turn out to be Messi, Suarez and Neymar within a few seasons.
He has no choice. He has burnt his bridges at Dortmund
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