Evra I think was at City and was taken off at half time.
The only time I remember a debut against Liverpool was for two players on the same day. Silvestre and Taibi. Utd won that day in Anfield and Taibi was MOTM (I think)
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The only time I remember a debut against Liverpool was for two players on the same day. Silvestre and Taibi. Utd won that day in Anfield and Taibi was MOTM (I think)
Considerably better in deeper positions, more suited to the tasks of a central midfielder (even if he isn't one, as such - he's an attacking midfielder who frequently drops down, etc.).
In terms of less tangible qualities, he seems more gritty - in short. Not afraid to put the proverbial shift in, etc.
I dunno, less silky but more useful in a fight.
Wasn't the same thing spouted in the summer ? The deal was being held up because they wanted him for some cup game.
Every transfer deal takes time and effort. You just don't dive in depth of Barcelona, Bayern or Psg deals like that, so you could see the whole "2 weeks of pain" until they conclude with a official announcement. It's not our clubs problem, it new normal.
Let me fresh your memory that Bayern chiefs came out saying just as they went to winter break that they need to strengthen their squad this winter - and it's been crickets for the past 2 weeks in that department, I don't see a major despair around it.
Let me fresh your memory that Bayern chiefs came out saying just as they went to winter break that they need to strengthen their squad this winter - and it's been crickets for the past 2 weeks in that department, I don't see a major despair around it.
No chance of that happening, I think.
Mata seems happy at United and is on huge wages for a team like Sporting. Rojo being involved in the deal has been mentioned as a possibility already - and his wages have been highlighted as a problem, but he's on less than Mata (considerably less according to some sources).
Yes, could very well be the case (as stupid as it sounds).
For the last 7 years we've been dragging on with these type of transfers.
It leaves me breathless.
It's been 5 days since the thread was started! Pull yourself together Christina!
The Derby de Lisboa is a pretty significant game in Portugal, with the match looming so close for Sporting to sell their star player, that poses an actual problem for the club, not so much in sporting terms, but more running a risk of public lynching. It's like if Celtic would sell Henrik Larsson day before the Old Firm back in the day.
So while annoying, this one I totally get from Sportings perspective
Damn, and here I was getting all excited...
I know what you mean but this one does excite me. Been wanting this fella for the last 18 months so can't help but jump on the hype train. Just the small detail of actually signing him first.
Ah thank you that was what was at the back of my mind. Was a long time ago!
Exactly. Liverpool with VVD and Bayern still chasing Sane are examples of big clubs taking a long time to land their desired targets.
How can you forget Martial?
Ok. Trying to get an outline of this guy.
You'd not mind him in an #8 role or is he more suited to a pseudo taking up of those positions for passages of play?
Would be great for tactical flexibility if he's useful in both #10 and #8 roles.
you're right. My short term memory is terrible!
I read this and instantly visualise the scene in Airplane (great film) with the hysterical passenger.
(Pexbo is Leslie Nielsen. Other Cafe muppets in queue behind).
So will his last game for Sporting be against Benfica and his first for United be against Liverpool with a brace in each?!
There have to be some good footballing equivalents of 'a watched kettle never boils.'
Disregard anyone moaning as having no clue about football. Best way to deal with it.
Agreed, we do need some bodies fast before the wheels fall off this season entirely. I personally do wonder whether if we get towards the end of January and its still not done, with Pogba and McT coming back shortly after, whether we'd pull the plug on this deal. It doesnt feel like its in line with our other transfer targets and, for me, does have a whiff of panic buy to it.
But, its inevitable we'll end up picking up more injuries in midfield before the end of the season and we are light there and thats before the potential exits of Matic and maybe Pogba in the summer. He seems like a decent player, although he wouldn't be my personal first choice for us as I've just not seen enough of him.
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Manchester United + Transfers = Saga
In what way is this a panic buy? He’s exactly the profile of player we are looking to target. Great talent performing at a high level ready to step up into a big club. He’s not some 30 year old we’re buying from Real Madrid.
My point was that he’d signed a new contract. The other poster said one of the factors in our favor was that his contract has been run down 6 months. But it’s not a big deal if he just signed a new one
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Very short term thinking if that's the case. Risking a £50-60m investment for 1 game screams of a back water club especially when it looks like they desperately need the money.
Valdes, Eto'o, Sylvinho, Henry at that point in his career. Just my own take. iNot necessarily related to the main point you were trying to make, but curious . how many players of this line-up do you think were not world-class?
Do you think current City (when nobody is injured) has the squad to put 11 world-class players on the field, or close to it?
He was phenomenally talented. But do you honestly think with the drinking and womanising, his body would have allowed him to do what he did then, with the levels of fitness etc?
I hope we're not haggling for ages again when we'll probably end up near enough matching Sporting's demands anyway. Just give them the £30-40m + Rojo, it'll be worth it IMO.
I doubt Sporting willing to let him go for cheap midway through season. We are desperate and we’ve shown the world we are willing to spend big on some position we really need, even the player isn’t really anything special (80m for Maguire). While everyone in the world knows we badly need a midfielder, especially with Pogba and Mctominay out injured.
It’s going to cost us a fortune. Afterall if Joao Felix went to athletico for 113m, I don’t expect Sporting willing to ask for considerably less than that.
It’s going to cost us a fortune. Afterall if Joao Felix went to athletico for 113m, I don’t expect Sporting willing to ask for considerably less than that.
If Pogba and McT were available and fit, i could not see this transfer happening now, possibly the summer, but not now. We could have made it happen last summer if we really wanted it, but we were never even in for him by all accounts, it was all just paper talk.
Saga = more clicks
He isn’t covering those players he’s a Lingard replacement. We need a competent no.10 and we have a long standing interest which we are acting on. It’s anything but a panic buy.
I don't get why you think this would be an improvement, you want Andreas as the number 10 first choice?
No, if we buy Bruno he should be first choice for #10. But our current crisis is not at #10, where Pereira is adequate cover. The problem is we don’t have cover for McT and Pogba. Fred has been playing every single game, Matic’s legs are gone, and Pereira has been terrible when played in McT’s position. We have no plan B for injuries in midfield, and sorely miss Herrera and even Fellaini. So would Bruno be good in the McT position and be able to hit the ground running in the EPL?
I think this, yes - based on what I've seen. And it seems to be the consensus of people who have followed his progress closely too.
Playing him regularly as an "8", with someone else in a more advanced position (in a 4-3-3 or in a 4-2-3-1) doesn't seem like a natural fit for him - he's a decidedly attacking midfielder (the most advanced in a 4-3-3 or the #10 in a 4-2-3-1) but one who contributes significantly in deeper areas (by frequently dropping down).
Thanks, makes sense. Considering Eto'o and Henry became world-class eventually, probably the closest a team got to all-around WC?
I do agree we need both. But our most dire need is a box-to-box or a CDM to partner Fred and perhaps allow him a rest before he gets an injury too and we are totally fecked.
This deal won't be done until after Friday's game against Benfica.
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