bale rodwell and johnson would be good targets, however we are already well stocked on the wings. we definitely need more quality in CM though. Andersons fate should be cleared up by the end of the season, ditto hargreaves, and with giggs and scholes possibly retiring, we need a major boost in the middle of the park.
Are we heading for a big squad clear out?
- Thread starter KM
- Start date
I agree - not "world class" but its a vague concept and thats the point I was trying to make.
As I've said he's probably the best left winger around at the minute, a young lad who could, based on current performances, be one of the very best players around over the next few years.
His performnces in some of Spurs "big games" have been brilliant over the least year so it all points to him being a great player, especially given his age.
And since when did silence imply him ... yes Michael Carrick, Ji Sung Park and Wes Brown are going out and Bale, Rodwell, Benzema, Higuan and co are coming in.
Fergie isn't going to listen to some stupid Goal.com muppet who wants United to spend money they don't have being Man City Mark II. Look what such overspending did to Liverpool this season!
He's probably lost half the games he's played for Tottenham at the same rate, and rarely wins for Wales either. Yes he scored a hattrick against Inter, but David Healy scored a hatrick against Spain! World Class?
I never said it implied anything, I said it didn't adress this story in any way and gave a mock example of what Fergie wouldn't say.
Read my post before you comment in future.
The point I'm making is that "world class" is a pointless tag bandied about by loads of people about loads of players. I'm simply stating that he has been very very impressive over the last year and is right now, on current form, one of the best players about.
You can point to win ratios and various other stats if you want, and on that note I'd be interested to see what his personal (and the team's) record is in games he's played left midfield rather than at left back.
He was excellent after Christmas last year - was fantastic in some of Spurs "big" games (Chelsea, Arsenal and City) and has now seemingly made the step up to Champions League with relative comfort, despite being fairly inexperienced.
I'll always be impressed by any 21 year old who scores a hat trick away from home against the European Champions, at 4 nil down with a man sent off. Call me old fashioned but that shows character.
Good player with a bright future and would love to see him in a United shirt.
But would you rather see him in a Utd shirt ahead of someone in a position we're in far more need of a top player? He'd be so expensive that I just couldn't see SAF forking out as much on another player then, namely a CM that we desperately are in need of.
Modric.
Modric maybe, he's a better player than Bale anyway, and he's very versatile. Probably cost even more though seeing as Spurs paid £20m for him, and didn't he recently sign a new contract?
I'd go Schweinstiger if we were paying that much, otherwise Defour.
You don't rate Bale ? He's not been poor from what I've seen and he's hardly the player to blame for Spurs ( Mind u the initial thread that Bale will never win a game for Spurs was hilarious ) losses back then...
Bale has just excelled and shown a lot of quality since last season until now... The potential is certainly there !
Arghhhh the muppet in me is itching to post more names
Anyhow, how many games to you actually watched Defour play in ?
As long as the players we bring in are young, but definitely have enough games under their belt.
It seems an academic argumemt given that Fergie has himslef alluded to the fact that we need to stregthen in a couple of areas.
Long term I'd say we need a replacement for Giggs as much as a central midfielder so I don't think its one or the other.
He may be £30 million but if he continues to develop he'll be worth every penny in the future over at least a decade, or failing that a lucrative move abroad. That to me seems a better investment that £30 million on a 27 year old on a 5 year contract.
He'd be more than £30m, for sure. If we go for anyone from Spurs it should be Modric. We're hardly short of quality and potential on the wings anyway, midfield is a far higher priority.
Players likely retiring at the end of th year: VDs, Neville, Scholes, Giggs
Players unlikely to get contract renewals: Hargreaves, Owen
Players unlikely to get contract renewals: Hargreaves, Owen
Bale can occupy both defensive and offensive functions. He'll be a great addition to the squad cause:
he's young - 21
He's pretty quick and can cover a lot of ground
He's Welsh
He's lefty
With him and Nani on the wings we are sorted for years to come(if someone doesn't come with 80m bid of course)
However the priority is CM. We don't have enough quality there and with Giggs and Scholes retiring I can't see that getting better. Carrick and Anderson(granted he's young and learning) I can't see them making it as a guaranteed name on the first team sheet.
Sneijder if we can get him is the best possible option. Others like Hamsik, Banega, Defour would be hot prospects but gambles and would need time. Rodwell, can't see the fuss about him(maybe cause he's English), Henderson can't see him being better than Anderson.
GK is a priority since VDS is 40.
So in muppet mode I'd like:
1.Sneijder
2. Schweinsteiger
3. Lloris/De Gea/Adler
4. Bale
In that order.
he's young - 21
He's pretty quick and can cover a lot of ground
He's Welsh
He's lefty
With him and Nani on the wings we are sorted for years to come(if someone doesn't come with 80m bid of course)
However the priority is CM. We don't have enough quality there and with Giggs and Scholes retiring I can't see that getting better. Carrick and Anderson(granted he's young and learning) I can't see them making it as a guaranteed name on the first team sheet.
Sneijder if we can get him is the best possible option. Others like Hamsik, Banega, Defour would be hot prospects but gambles and would need time. Rodwell, can't see the fuss about him(maybe cause he's English), Henderson can't see him being better than Anderson.
GK is a priority since VDS is 40.
So in muppet mode I'd like:
1.Sneijder
2. Schweinsteiger
3. Lloris/De Gea/Adler
4. Bale
In that order.
I can't see us engaging ourselves in a massive clear out. The reasons are obvious
a) I can't see the entire old guard retire in masse. Giggs, Scholes and probably VDS will still be here
b) some of our kids will not qualify as 'youths' anymore. The Da Silva twins, Cleverley and Bebe will all be 21 next season. All of these players will be demanding space in the 25 men squad.
I cant see us go beyond 3 new signings. A winger, a central midfielder and a keeper. Pig, Hargreaves, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Gaz and Owen are the more likely candidates to make space to these new players + kids with Bebe ending up loaned.
a) I can't see the entire old guard retire in masse. Giggs, Scholes and probably VDS will still be here
b) some of our kids will not qualify as 'youths' anymore. The Da Silva twins, Cleverley and Bebe will all be 21 next season. All of these players will be demanding space in the 25 men squad.
I cant see us go beyond 3 new signings. A winger, a central midfielder and a keeper. Pig, Hargreaves, Gibson, Carrick, Park, Gaz and Owen are the more likely candidates to make space to these new players + kids with Bebe ending up loaned.
I hope so, there are way too many passengers in our squad and this rotation shit isn't helping anyone.
My picks would be -
Neville - He's one of my favorite players ever, and if he can stay with us without us paying him anything for it, then fine, otherwise he should retire.
EvDS - We're rebuilding, we might as well start with the GK department right now rather than a year later when the outfield XI is done but the GK is someone like Taibi.
Owen - I like him, but if we're not going to play him, why keep him?
Carrick - It seems that SAF has lost faith in him, I'd rather he stayed but I doubt that SAF'd play him regularly, ever. He'd have been here for 5 years at the end of this season, having won everything, so might as well let him play regularly elsewhere. This'd also open up a spot for a good player that out midfield is crying out for.
Hargreaves - ...., and Cleverley.
O.K, now some controversial picks -
Anderson - I don't think he'd ever be what we want him to be. Before this season, Nani at least showed glimpses of potential and he's picked it up in 2010, while Anderson is still stuck in 2007 with 1 goal in 4 years and a worse shot than Gary Neville.
O'Shea - He can play in a lot of positions, but is always a liability in those positions.
Nothing is "for sure". People are ignoring the obvious possibility that if Spurs don't qualify for the Champions League then he might want to be off. Other clubs may be intersted but he might not be interested in a move abroad or to City so you never know.
Modric is decent but what makes you think he'd be any cheaper than Bale? I personally think there are a few midfielders out thre who are a better fit and maybe a better price.
James Ducker's twitter
We should really start negotiating with Evra now, Mark Ogden who is usually a reliable journo has also posted this story today
Manchester United identify Leighton Baines and Fabio Coentrao as possible replacements for Patrice Evra - Telegraph
Manchester United identify Leighton Baines and Fabio Coentrao as possible replacements for Patrice Evra - Telegraph
Baines???
Baines???
Really good player. Underrated if you will
Baines???
Has been Premier League's best left back this season, he would be a good replacement for Evra if he goes.
There's not too much talent at left back in world today.
I don't think so. If we want to keep Wellbeck then I think Owens gone. Hargreaves, Neville, VDS.
That by it's own definition is a big clear out and Scholes might retire you never know and Giggs might decide to but probably will play on. Brown and O'shea and yes Carrick...-sigh- have invaluable experience and if they are happy with the situation then why get rid just yet?
At the time this story came out, we weren't in the position we are in now. I doubt it'll be as drastic as the media make out.
That by it's own definition is a big clear out and Scholes might retire you never know and Giggs might decide to but probably will play on. Brown and O'shea and yes Carrick...-sigh- have invaluable experience and if they are happy with the situation then why get rid just yet?
At the time this story came out, we weren't in the position we are in now. I doubt it'll be as drastic as the media make out.
Baines would be a step up in terms of delivery imo. Evra is far more dynamic going forward, but Baines' crossing is a lot better than Evra's imo - whose final ball I find very disappointing.
There wont be a big clear out since we dont have many players coming through right now and we're skint. I can only see the obvious ones leaving
Baines???
He`s amazing this season, i wasn`t his biggest fan but he`s fantastic for Everton since 1 1/2 years.
Pogba and arguably (based on attitude and off the field issues) Morrison are coming through. Possibly include Matty James and Ryan Tunnicliffe too. Welbeck and Cleverley look set to make some sort of impact at United next season - could see Kiko return too and become a more important player.
I would say we certainly have a few players coming through that we should be keeping an eye on.
Evra and a couple of others?!
I guess one of them is Scholes. And you never know what else we have in store.
I wouldnt panic!
Evra only has 18 months on his current contract?
I honestly believe Evra could leave, more convinced of that than I was of Rooney leaving. Sure il get slated for saying that.....
Dont think it would be the end of the world, we have Fabio coming through and the money could easily be spent on Baines. Wouldnt be the biggest loss ever.
Dont think it would be the end of the world, we have Fabio coming through and the money could easily be spent on Baines. Wouldnt be the biggest loss ever.
SAF will probably
a) allow Gaz, VDS, PIG and the two Owens to leave
b) Welbeck and Cleverley will not be sent to loan again.
c) buy another keeper.
d) maybe get another midfielder
That's all.
a) allow Gaz, VDS, PIG and the two Owens to leave
b) Welbeck and Cleverley will not be sent to loan again.
c) buy another keeper.
d) maybe get another midfielder
That's all.
Evra won't go, I have full faith in him that he'll sign another contract.
A squad clear out isn't likely to happen either, SAF seems to have a hell of a lot of faith in this current breed of youngsters, maybe too much, who knows. It'll mostly be the old guns who bugger off.
I don't want VDS to leave He's still absolutely awesome. No need for retirement.
A squad clear out isn't likely to happen either, SAF seems to have a hell of a lot of faith in this current breed of youngsters, maybe too much, who knows. It'll mostly be the old guns who bugger off.
I don't want VDS to leave
He's still absolutely awesome. No need for retirement.The way Evra talks about the club and the way he winds up every other club (Especially Arsenal *which always makes me giggle*) makes me think he'll stay at united.
Although if he does go Baines wouldn't be a bad replacement, much much better final delivery than Evra. Plus another English (home grown) player isn't a bad option. And he's only 26.
Although if he does go Baines wouldn't be a bad replacement, much much better final delivery than Evra. Plus another English (home grown) player isn't a bad option. And he's only 26.
I really hope we win the league this season. That would put us ahead of Liverpool and ease the pressure for the next season, so we can give the likes of Welbeck, Cleverley and the new goalie their opportunities.
The wingers should be doing the crossing with the fullbacks providing the overlap. Nothing wrong with them putting them in every now and then, but we don't play with wingbacks. This isn't 5-3-2 or 3-5-2 or whatever you want to call it.
What was the ratios (fullback to wing player) of successful crosses that turned into goals when Irwin supported Giggs and Neville supported Beckham?
Neville was never a wingback but he sure did cross the ball. With the lack of left footed players on the left flank and the one playing left winger is likely to cut in then a left footed left back who can cross the ball well isn't a bad thing.
I'd rather not think about he scenario though ans simply keep Evra.
I'd rather not think about he scenario though ans simply keep Evra.
6 arrivals? I've got three at most. In terms of who will push for the first team straight away anyway. Goalkeeper, Left winger and Central midfielder. I think we should expect to see Hargreaves, Neville and Owen leave. Yet it wouldn't really be out of the blue if Owen gets another year. Brown might ask to leave if he doesn't get games. Anyone other than that would be a suprise for me. Even left winger might not be wanted, Nani on the left Valencia on the right, Park and Cleverley to cover, Giggs when needed. Looks solid to me.
Probably two high profile signings and then a couple of unproven youngsters at a guess.
Probably two high profile signings and then a couple of unproven youngsters at a guess.