Hey, Oldham fan here. Got a few questions for a few of you.
1. Is Alexis Sanchez worth the wages that are being offered to Manchester United, and how will that have an impact on future transfer windows- if let's say his wages stop United from landing a top target like Bale who would command a similar wage?
2. Would any players be offloaded to fund this deal? Where does this leave Juan Mata, with the current contract situation, will he have to leave?
3. Was this transfer, worth it just to stop City and Pep from further pulling away? Are there not other younger targets who United could have got on less wages/more value for money, or is it worth it to United to act now before he moved to City?
4. Where do some of you think Sanchez will play and who will come out of the side for him?
5. Who would you want United to target in the summer to go alongside Sanchez? How many players will be brought in? Does this mean Griezmann isn't a target and will City/Chelsea move for him instead? If he signed for either one, how would you feel about that?
6. What do you think Sanchez will bring to the team and for the rest of the season? Will his impact help you catch City?
Personally I think it's a gamble but it's a gamble worth taking due to the current situation United are in, and looking at City- they're flying and adding Sanchez would be even worse for everyone else in the league. So I think United needed to act now- whatever the price.
1. I think we're overpaying him a little if the numbers reported are accurate, but in terms of the effect on future transfers, I believe the answer is very little. These wages are a fraction of our club's turnover. And in terms of Bale, most sensible United fans would not want him anyway; great player in theory but incredibly injury prone.
2. Mata extended his contract a few weeks ago, I don't think he's likely to be affected. Even if Sanchez does end up taking his place in the team (which is far from certain) Mata can still make important contributions for us.
3. I wouldn't say its worth it just to stop Pep and City. Sanchez is a proven matchwinner; a player able to create something from nothing. You need players like that in order to win titles. It's like Jose said: when a player like that becomes available, you do anything you can to sign him. Especially if you don't have another player like him.
4. Mata and Lingard are probably under the greatest threat. I think he will start of on the right for us (sort of as an inverted winger) before eventually moving to the #10 role. He'll make the occasional appearance at LW as well. Frankly it doesn't matter much where he plays, he's quality regardless.
5. I'd consider targeting Griezmann if I thought he was going to a rival, but that kind of player is probably less of a priority now. We will probably prioritize a 3rd midfielder to play with Matic and Pogba so we can play a 4-3-3 and give the latter the freedom he merits.
6. I don't think we will catch City but as they slow down he will bring us close. We're really buying him for next season. I honestly believe that if we'd had him since the start of this season we'd be nipping at City's heels right now.
I personally don't think its a gamble at all; its a no-brainer. He's perfect for us in so many ways and I think he'll have a big effect on us.