Ander Herrera is a Manchester United Player!

[Red Hand Devil]

And for what it's worth, I think two midfielders is plenty. What we have currently are more than capable of filling in as squad players. It's when they're first choice it's a worry. Carrick, Cleverley and Fellaini are more than capable backups to two first choice centre mids.

Fully agree. They haven't transformed into horrible players, they just simply do not possess the quality to be key players for us which unfortunately they are at the moment. I'm expecting Herrera to be first choice pretty much straight away to be honest, we'll see during pre-season anyway.

Completely disagree about Cleverely lads. Fellaini isnt a proper CM by the looks of it either - certainly not United mid-field quality. He's a causer of chaos in the last 3rd. We're not that sort of team - its not the United way, but only a Plan C,D,E etc. Carrick on form is exceptional. I'd have Fletch in CM all day everyday ahead of Fellaini & Cleverely..

Its all about opinions at the end of the day & with United - we all like to be proved wrong about a player who excels for the team..

 

[Red Hand Devil]

You're one of my favourites. As nutty as squirrel shit.

Thanks man. I would hate to be boring in fairness

feckin hate those Grey Squirrels though. There needs to be a cull of those cheeky feckers..

 

[bosnian_red]

Available are: 5, 7, 9, 11, maybe 14, 15, hopefully 18, 21, 22, 27, 28, etc.
I think 21 is the most fitting tbh. He isn't a signing that would fill the 7, 9, or 11 role.

Who's number 6 for us? Evans? He'd fit a #6 or 8 mostly, 18 would be good too. Mata should have been #7 though, but maybe it's being saved for Sanchez and Januzaj for 11

 

[The Neviller]

Completely disagree about Cleverely lads. Fellaini isnt a proper CM by the looks of it either - certainly not United mid-field quality. He's a causer of chaos in the last 3rd. We're not that sort of team - its not the United way, but only a Plan C,D,E etc. Carrick on form is exceptional. I'd have Fletch in CM all day everyday ahead of Fellaini & Cleverely..

Its all about opinions at the end of the day & with United - we all like to be proved wrong about a player who excels for the team..

I think Cleverley might surprise a few people. I could see van Gaal making a much better player out of him, given the right role. Fellaini, I've never been keen on, but if van Gaal sees enough in him to keep him in the squad as a backup then I'll go with it. Carrick still has bags of ability. Fletcher I love dearly, but it's hard to see him as any more than a bit part player, with his illness. I'm surprised he managed to get back to playing at all. I can see him calling it a day and joining the coaching set-up.

Two starters would do for me, and the rest as squad players. I don't think Vidal is realistic, as much as I'd love him to be. Herrera and Strootman to play behind Mata and I'd be delighted.

 

[goldenstatesplash]

You're one of my favourites. As nutty as squirrel shit.

You were all giving me shit, this is a great rant. Quoting you TN cause I cbf spoilering @Red Hand Devil 's long post.

Completely disagree about Cleverely lads. Fellaini isnt a proper CM by the looks of it either - certainly not United mid-field quality. He's a causer of chaos in the last 3rd. We're not that sort of team - its not the United way, but only a Plan C,D,E etc. Carrick on form is exceptional. I'd have Fletch in CM all day everyday ahead of Fellaini & Cleverely...

He is a decent enough option there if used properly. He's not a close and hose midfielder but he's better in that respect than Carrick who is a 'screener' and obviously vice versa. Herrera has the compactness to play that role that TC23 was trying to play under Moyes at the start of last season. I agree with @The Neviller above as well when he says TC will surprise people. Move the players around the ball and you will see TC's role be more useful.

 

[RedBistro]

You were all giving me shit, this is a great rant. Quoting you TN cause I cbf spoilering @Red Hand Devil 's long post.
He is a decent enough option there if used properly. He's not a close and hose midfielder but he's better in that respect than Carrick who is a 'screener' and obviously vice versa. Herrera has the compactness to play that role that TC23 was trying to play under Moyes at the start of last season. I agree with @The Neviller above as well when he says TC will surprise people. Move the players around the ball and you will see TC's role be more useful.

A what and a feck?

Carrick is a "screener"? Does that mean we'll finally get a better quality version when it is released?

(it's the beer talking, no offence intended).

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Spoiler

 

[Red Hand Devil]

I think Cleverley might surprise a few people. I could see van Gaal making a much better player out of him, given the right role. Fellaini, I've never been keen on, but if van Gaal sees enough in him to keep him in the squad as a backup then I'll go with it. Carrick still has bags of ability. Fletcher I love dearly, but it's hard to see him as any more than a bit part player, with his illness. I'm surprised he managed to get back to playing at all. I can see him calling it a day and joining the coaching set-up.

Two starters would do for me, and the rest as squad players. I don't think Vidal is realistic, as much as I'd love him to be. Herrera and Strootman to play behind Mata and I'd be delighted.

When you say Cleverley might surprise some people, do you mean he'll come out & say he has Autism?

In fairness Nev, i seen many of his interviews & my mind was already made up on that score along time ago. Same way as i always thought a wasp was staking Robbie Keane when he did interviews - eyes all over the place looking for something!

I think van Gaal can get the best out of any player, but i hope he can assess & improve a player quickly before the window closes. If not, he's stuck with with that player & no upgrade to the level needed to win the league - which is his objective & i admire that greatly.

Our key players in the past that have depreciated last season can be resurrected for sure, but its the unproven players i worry about. Carrick is a no-brainer to excel under Van Driver, but I dont see Smalling or Jones as United centre-halfs - especially considering they were supposedly replacing Rio & Vida a year or 2 ago. That duo won us so many games - same as goals scored at the other end.

Fletch has been a great player for the club (he never gave up his dream etc) & i'm sure he's been spending his time during the break to get himself healthy & fit. I still hold out hope we can get atleast one season out of Fletch to the standard he was before he got ill & took time off.

I think if we could get Sanchez, we might have a great chance of gettin Vidal. But Herrera, Strootman & Mata is fecking wicked all the same..

Although, add in Carvalho too & we're really in business Nev

 

[NMF]

When the deal expected to be officially announced?

 

[alibaba]

When the deal expected to be officially announced?

When a picture of him and Woodward is taken with the signed contract.

 

[Adnan]

When a picture of him and Woodward is taken with the signed contract.

Like John Obi Mikel with Jim Ryan?

 

[pseudo_canadian]

When the deal expected to be officially announced?

From what we heard Tuesday it looks like it could very well be announced Wednesday.

 

[goldenstatesplash]

A what and a feck?

Carrick is a "screener"? Does that mean we'll finally get a better quality version when it is released?.

How dare you ask to explain!

'Close and hose' is basically the role that Cleverley was asked to play at the start of the season. You do the leg work for your partner and you close play and challenge at every moment possible. The opposite of that is the 'screener' who doesn't mark tightly but sits off and waits for the pass and tries to intercept. It's what Carrick was doing for the majority of the season but was awful as there was literally nobody else pressing at all. Especially when TC23 and Fellaini played beside him.

 

[tombombadil]

OK, let me get this straight. I'm not from the UK, so I'm not really familiar with your news sources. The BBC has two sections. The rumor mill and their news section. If they report something sourced from 3rd parties, they chuck it in the rumor mill and link the source. If they have their own sources confirm it, they report it in the news section. And they have a reputation and good track record for this. So with the BBC reporting this as news, it is more or less a done deal. Am I getting this right?

And for what it's worth, I think two midfielders is plenty. What we have currently are more than capable of filling in as squad players. It's when they're first choice it's a worry. Carrick, Cleverley and Fellaini are more than capable backups to two first choice centre mids.

I agree with you almost completely. The squad is good enough as it is. It's the spine of the team that needs rebuilding. For me, it's key positions in central midfield, central defence and left back. But I have to disagree about Carrick. I think he can still do a job as part of the spine with a good partner to complement him. At least for 1 more season. This will allow the club to spread 2 expensive midfield purchases over two seasons rather than both in the same season. Helps with the FFP and cash flow and stuff like that. And also keeping in mind that purchases will be needed in other positions like left back as well.

 

[Red Hand Devil]

You were all giving me shit, this is a great rant. Quoting you TN cause I cbf spoilering @Red Hand Devil 's long post.

He is a decent enough option there if used properly. He's not a close and hose midfielder but he's better in that respect than Carrick who is a 'screener' and obviously vice versa. Herrera has the compactness to play that role that TC23 was trying to play under Moyes at the start of last season. I agree with @The Neviller above as well when he says TC will surprise people. Move the players around the ball and you will see TC's role be more useful.

Ah, ya cant beat an aul rant from time to time man. Just get things off yer chest like fanny juice. Oh & women physically cumming is a myth - its a woman pissing themselves or her waters have broke - but feel feel safe in the knowledge that you are not the father, if its the only time you've had intercourse with said bird in more than 10 months (to be sure).

What am i talking about though? Sure, you know all about it man, given your name "Golden Splash"

I have to say Splashy, that post about Cleverely was like reading the script of Robocop. No mention of ED209 though - poor show man... poor show

 

[RedRonaldo]

Sign him quick, he can't be worst than Cleverley and Fellaini! Besides, he is Spanish and their midfielders are all great.

 

[Red Hand Devil]

Like John Obi Mikel with Jim Ryan?

Or Michael Jackson with Jimmy Savile?

 

[Lynk]

Sign him quick, he can't be worst than Cleverley and Fellaini! Besides, he is Spanish and their midfielders are all great.

Listen to this man!

 

[NMF]

From what we heard Tuesday it looks like it could very well be announced Wednesday.

Awesome

 

[goldenstatesplash]

Well.. At least he took the focus off me!

 

[Adnan]

Well.. At least he took the focus off me!

He didn't, people have exercised the ignore function.

 

[Wednesday at Stoke]

The highlight makers don't waste any time.

 

[goldenstatesplash]

He didn't, people have exercised the ignore function.

Good for them, best way to calm themselves down and not take it all to personally is to not get upset in the first place. Very wise.

 

[Red Hand Devil]

OK, let me get this straight. I'm not from the UK, so I'm not really familiar with your news sources. The BBC has two sections. The rumor mill and their news section. If they report something sourced from 3rd parties, they chuck it in the rumor mill and link the source. If they have their own sources confirm it, they report it in the news section. And they have a reputation and good track record for this. So with the BBC reporting this as news, it is more or less a done deal. Am I getting this right?


I agree with you almost completely. The squad is good enough as it is. It's the spine of the team that needs rebuilding. For me, it's key positions in central midfield, central defence and left back. But I have to disagree about Carrick. I think he can still do a job as part of the spine with a good partner to complement him. At least for 1 more season. This will allow the club to spread 2 expensive midfield purchases over two seasons rather than both in the same season. Helps with the FFP and cash flow and stuff like that. And also keeping in mind that purchases will be needed in other positions like left back as well.

Man - we're due to bring in £420m in revenue at the years end. We've been rakin it in for feck knows how many years mate. FFP doesnt even smell United - nevermind penalise us.

We can spend whatever we like because we're payin our debts & are not spending beyond our means i.e. - more than revenue brought in. Our income is all above board - City, PSG, Monaco etc. arent bringing in legitimate revenue. Its top-ups from middle-east associated companies to those clubs. Chelsea have a solid business plan now too, so they're fine unfortunately!

Lets just say the majority of the squad is fine - like you suggest. What happens when the same shit happens like last season man? Are you gonna demand Van Gaal to be sacked??

This whole lark about the "spine of a team" is important, but its rediculous to think that all you need to be a top class team is to have a top class: GK, CB, CM & CF. You need to build a team around that spine. Thats 4 players out of 11. 4 players wont win leagues, so you need as many quality players around those players as possible if you want to be win trophies. We dont have that & regardless of Moyes management - the squad isnt good enough to challenge & Fergie has said as much, aswell as the board when they stated (via Ed) in January to the share-holders in New York, that there's gonna be "an unprecedented level of spending by Manchester United come the Summer".

 

[Red Hand Devil]

Well.. At least he took the focus off me!

And you just drew attention to yourself again man. Whatya like?

Keep the head down fella.. and dont slag the BBC - they never publish rumours on their sporting page - only in the "Football Gossip" section they do that!

Ride the storm & dont splash..

 

[Bojan11]

Anyone else cringing?

He's even asking Olly to photoshop things for him.

I have my suspicions it is a banned member.

 

[KM]

Every year there's one poster who acts like a smart arse by continuously criticising the "muppets" for being gullible and inevitably ends up looking like a giant dick himself. This year's clear winner is Goldenstatesplash.

 

[Xaviesta]

Now to complete the Spanish bromance, you sign Javi Martinez

 

[#07]

 

[Adnan]

We should sign Iturasspe along with Herrera and sort the midfield issues with one swoop.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

I'm now caught up in it all. I want this tonight.

Welcome Ander!

Too soon?

 

[soapythecat]

I know YouTube video compilations are not really the true reflection of a player but some of the passing in that clip is just outright superb. The vision and intelligence to play some of those lofted, floated balls to advancing players is just sublime and something lacking in the United midfield for some years. I don't usually comment on these threads until the player has been bought but I can't help but get excited about this signing. I really hope we don't drop a bollock with this one!

 

[NMF]

So what's this talk about us offering 40M and Bilbao rejecting and told us to pay the 36M?

 

[forevrared]

Happy Herrera Day all!

 

[forevrared]

So what's this talk about us offering 40M and Bilbao rejecting and told us to pay the 36M?

If we do the buyout clause, it's subject to all sorts of tax and has to be spent in one go. I'd assume we offered a bit more if they'd be willing to accept it spread out over a couple years. In theory, refusing the higher offer makes the transfer harder to pull off on United's end.

 

[Sb_16]

OMG! I got a muppet boner after reading that he passed a medical in BBC's gossip column. What's going on?

 

[SoCross]

Blast, I got too excited too early and bought Kroos on my FM game. Therefore, Do Not Want.

 

[ottosec]

So we expect him to be announced at 9AM?

 

[goldenstatesplash]

Every year there's one poster who acts like a smart arse by continuously criticising the "muppets" for being gullible and inevitably ends up looking like a giant dick himself. This year's clear winner is Goldenstatesplash.

Hang on, I haven't criticized anyone for anything? Is this like 'admitting I'm wrong' for saying that several outlets are reporting off the original article? Thus nothing more concrete yet?

Anyway, he'll be a fantastic signing - hope we get something a bit more concrete today!

 

[Adnan]