I don't think that they'll get him for that. But, also if he's out of favour, I can't see the price tag being 120 million.
Gareth Bale
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I don't think that they'll get him for that. But, also if he's out of favour, I can't see the price tag being 120 million.
Couldn't agree more. For all of Mata's great touch... It still frustrates the hell out of you seeing him not been able to leave a defender.
Me too. I hate the whole galactico approach anyway. I just think you have to have a bit of faith that Van Gaal knows a good player when he sees one. If not, then there's no point giving him any money at all. I don't think it's a coincidence that Blind and Rojo are the two players he had the best chance to assess for himself. I think that's more relevant than their transfer fees. If we do sign a galactico in the summer, it will have hopefully been with a bit more input and planning from the manager this time round. Which is the main thing IMO. Far more important than worrying about any similarities to currently underperforming players.
Yeah, fair points, however the current system is one thing and we could be fairly sure Bale will be here beyond LVG's three years. LVG will undoubtedly plan ahead as well, so it's looking at the bigger picture. Nice that we're considering Bale as an option while talking about Di Maria at United, back in the days of value in the market, this would have been laughed at tripe!
Oh, I do, and I should've probably made more clear. Blind and Rojo were clearly his signings (although the fact that Vermaelen was his first choice is concerning) and are both working out well. I just don't really trust him to, as you say, buy Galacticos. Or maybe just the club in general, because it seems we're doing it just to flex our muscles these days more than anything.
I know what you mean, but I don't think it applies to Bale. Only an injury would result in him failing, in my opinion. He's proven here and he's really a Premier League player. It would be one of the better 'Galactico' signings we could make.
Edit: the only issue, for me, would be if Woodward/the club prioritised signing Bale for 'Galactico' reasons and it resulted in us not sorting out other areas properly.
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If United go for Bale, it will obviously be the stuff of dreams. But I think a more realistic target would be somebody like Depay, who could possibly be just as effective in a slightly less "star quality" way. And then focus more on positions in desperate need of overload, which is the rubbish defense obviously.
I can't believe some people are still saying no to the ''£120m'' million, he would never be sold for that it was just an article months ago from some shitty paper. The reality of the price tag would be equal or less than what Madrid paid for him.
As for Bale I just feel like Madrid doesn't suit him, especially having to play as a winger. He needs room to roam, basically having the freedom he had at Spurs or the freedom Ronaldo has at Madrid. I'd pay up to £60 milliion for him myself, he's gonna be as good if not better than he was at Spurs once he's giving the freedom he needs.
As for Bale I just feel like Madrid doesn't suit him, especially having to play as a winger. He needs room to roam, basically having the freedom he had at Spurs or the freedom Ronaldo has at Madrid. I'd pay up to £60 milliion for him myself, he's gonna be as good if not better than he was at Spurs once he's giving the freedom he needs.
Bale would be a megastar at United. Unquestionably.
Anything up to the fee Real paid for him would be absolutely worth it.
It seems plausible that there is a chance of this happening. May also depend on whether Ancelotti is there in the summer or who replaces him.
Anything up to the fee Real paid for him would be absolutely worth it.
It seems plausible that there is a chance of this happening. May also depend on whether Ancelotti is there in the summer or who replaces him.
Eesh. I'd forgotten about that
What's the craic with him anyway? Still broken?
I will never understand why LVG bid for Vermaelen..... Vermaelen hasnt completed one full game for Barcelona yet.
Great piece of business by Wenger to get him off the books.
Real are not selling Bale. They already said they're not going to and Bale already said he does not want to leave. If anything they would sell Ronaldo first. I saw a tweet somewhere saying 30% of fans want him dropped, not a majority by any means, but still. Its fantasy us buying him in summer.
Does Ancelotti like Mata? They could do a deal involving Mata plus money.
To me Bale is in a group of maybe 10-15 players that, if they become available, you just try to get them and worry about everything else later. He'll be better than any of the players he'd be coming in to replace.
They will play this card to ensure he leaves for top dollar, if real come out and say he is for sale then they can kiss goodbye to trying to recoup the majority of the fee they paid for him.
Can we change the title to 'Gareth Bale'. It's annoying my OCD.
If Real Madrid came to United at the end of the season and said give us Di Maria back and we'll give you bale....
how many United fans would turn that down? Personally I'd snap their hand off.
how many United fans would turn that down? Personally I'd snap their hand off.
Me too.
I don't see Real Madrid selling Bale to us unless the number really does get close to 120m, but the unexpected can never completely be ruled out.
Among other things, we're lacking speed and power, which Bale has in abundance. I worry, however, that if we do end up spending 80m or 120m on Bale that we'll miss out on the quality striker that we actually need more than another winger. Bale isn't just another winger, but I'm confident in the job that Di Maria can do next season -- assuming, of course, he remains a United man -- and see Januzaj breaking out of his sophomore slump to have a great season. And Young has been a pleasant surprise this season. Valencia isn't the offensive force he once was as a winger, but he's not ready to be put out to pasture just yet.
For me, the real question is that if we bring in Bale don't we necessarily have to sell Di Maria? It seems to me we would. That might be tthe best course of all action for all parties involved, but it's something to keep in mind as we dream up hypothetical starting XI squads.
Among other things, we're lacking speed and power, which Bale has in abundance. I worry, however, that if we do end up spending 80m or 120m on Bale that we'll miss out on the quality striker that we actually need more than another winger. Bale isn't just another winger, but I'm confident in the job that Di Maria can do next season -- assuming, of course, he remains a United man -- and see Januzaj breaking out of his sophomore slump to have a great season. And Young has been a pleasant surprise this season. Valencia isn't the offensive force he once was as a winger, but he's not ready to be put out to pasture just yet.
For me, the real question is that if we bring in Bale don't we necessarily have to sell Di Maria? It seems to me we would. That might be tthe best course of all action for all parties involved, but it's something to keep in mind as we dream up hypothetical starting XI squads.
Why? Bale's a match-winning forward. Di Maria's more of a side-role midfielder/winger. If anything Bale would help raise Di Maria's game. Di Maria probably needs the load taken off of him, whilst Bale could probably do with being the focal point again. You'd also expect Rooney to enjoy playing with someone as quick, powerful and daring as Bale.
You could actually fit them either side of Rooney in an asymmetric 433, with Bale effectively upfront (roaming) with Rooney, and Di Maria playing a sort of midfielder/winger hybrid. The energy would be ridiculous.
-Bale --Rooney--
----------------Di Maria
--CM----------CM
---------DM-----------
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I honestly think Di Maria was a player he wanted and based off his previous season with Real I could see why. In Bale he'd have a PL proven player and I don't think all this talk of us not being able to utilize him in fair. The reason we are playing so cautious all of the time is her doesn't have a ball winning powerful CM he trusts or a CB leader he trusts, so we need to be careful, especially since we are knee deep in a dogfight for the top 4. We just need to get across the line and things will improve next season IMO, with LvG surely having a much better idea of what and who he needs than last summer when he came into a confidence damaged squad late into the pre-season due t the WC.
As for Bale himself, I am neither for or against, my preference would be two younger wide attackers for the price we'd pay for Bale, but I wouldn't be spitting blood if we bought him.
As great as he was that season, I'd suggest that it was the exception rather than the rule. Everything he hit seemed to go in, from all types of distances and angles. He just had one of those years where everything went right for him. I don't see him having that kind of season every season and don't think that he has enough variation to his game to be able to maintain that kind of performance year in year out. If he's denied space and shown onto his weaker foot I think he's pretty tame.
Completely wasting his time there, in my opinion.
He actually has it in him to win games like that with a couple of goals. Obviously he'll never be Ronaldo, but he's better with that kind of responsibility. He's a match-winning forward, yet Madrid seem to be using him for... I don't actually know. What is his actual role on the pitch?
As poor as he looks it doesn't turn me off him, because I think he's a different beast in the Premier League.
He actually has it in him to win games like that with a couple of goals. Obviously he'll never be Ronaldo, but he's better with that kind of responsibility. He's a match-winning forward, yet Madrid seem to be using him for... I don't actually know. What is his actual role on the pitch?
As poor as he looks it doesn't turn me off him, because I think he's a different beast in the Premier League.
There's nothing wrong with how they're using him. He's playing absolutely awful but it's all down to him, not the system/tactics/whatever else. His lack of technique is his biggest problem right now, teams are closing him down quicker now and he hasn't been able to adapt.
He's a good player, but his kick and rush style is easy to stop...
Its not Real Madrid's fault. Its just that playing both him and Ronaldo puts a lot of pressure on the team in the big games as neither does much defensive work. Would love to see him here though. He'd be great for us.
Knock a "0" off and we have a deal.
It's kind of no brainer.
Not for me, imo Bale would look clueless in our slow paced play. Bale too is frustrating and loses the ball clumsy, but di Maria is much more creative than him and this is what we lack most imo.
Swap him with Mata... The Premier League is made for Bale's lack of technique whilst Mata can strike with playing Ronald and Benzema through.
Na Bale can be our Dutch Robben.
His price has gone down IMO.
How dare you name Robben and Bale in one sentence?
On serious note, not really, Bale doesnt got half of Robbens intelligence, technique, souplesse to be our Robben.
Yeah, there is a fine line.
I still think he is a great player, just lacking some confidence right now, but all these poor performances are definitely lowering his value each week. Can potentially be a very good thing for United if we are seriously looking in to him in the summer.
I just wish / hope LVG has it in him to operate a more fast paced counter style football. Him and Di Maria on the wings could be excellent to watch, if played right
I still think he is a great player, just lacking some confidence right now, but all these poor performances are definitely lowering his value each week. Can potentially be a very good thing for United if we are seriously looking in to him in the summer.
I just wish / hope LVG has it in him to operate a more fast paced counter style football. Him and Di Maria on the wings could be excellent to watch, if played right
He'd just play him how Di Maria plays now except Bale will be better at it and score goals. Di Maria would just take Young's place whilst I hope we by a De Bruyne for the number 10. That would give us fabulous attacking balance with pace and power.. Sort out the back and we should be able to compete with that alone.
You know what I mean Pace and goals... I've already stated he isn't the best technically.
He has loads of pace, but how is he going to use it when we play against 10 man behind the ball and get 2 defenders in front of you as soon as you dribble? We need players who can raise the tempo, players who can make things happen in tight spaces and the final third, players like Cazorla/Silva/Isco, Reus, Ribery/Ini for example, as long as we dont have thay, I dont think pace is going to solve our problem. If SAF was still here, I'd take that deal in a hartbeat.
A lot of the criticisms of Bale now and during his time at Madrid were the same ones brought up in regards to Robben during his time at Madrid (and also at Chelsea) when he was the same age. You are calling Robben intelligent and I agree but for a long time he was not considered to have been an intelligent player. I remember years ago a good pundit referring to him as a birdbrain who keeps doing the same thing and that he never passes or works well with others. There is still plenty of time for Bale to improve in those areas. When you look at both players careers up to the age of 25 then I think Bale comes out on top with a much higher peak (12-13 season with Tottenham). Whether he will go onto do as well as Robben has done after that age remains to be seen.
I think Benzema losing his form has affected the entire Madrid team a lot. He's had such a great season until a couple of weeks ago and since then he doesn't drop down and offer that playmaking part of his abilities nearly as consistent as he needs to. When Benzema also tries to make primarily forward runs the front trio ends up miles apart from the more compact midfield and defense.
Offensively Bale starts cutting inside to get balls now when Benzema has decided not to and Bale just isn't agile and technical enough to deliver as good as Benzema can do from there. All those driving runs down his flank and looking for crosses are gone from Bale's game and now he usually receives balls much more often on the inside.
Hard to point out one of the players at fault as it is the combination that is lacking, Bale is also playing it more selfishly than before. I am more surprised they have got so many points with them just thanks to the sheer brilliance of their left side where Marcelo/Ronaldo/Isco has been outstanding and pulling the entire team.
Ancelotti has a real Ancelotti team though, any team who lets Real sit back and counter will have a very difficult time as then both Bale and Ronaldo can do their thing at the same time.
Offensively Bale starts cutting inside to get balls now when Benzema has decided not to and Bale just isn't agile and technical enough to deliver as good as Benzema can do from there. All those driving runs down his flank and looking for crosses are gone from Bale's game and now he usually receives balls much more often on the inside.
Hard to point out one of the players at fault as it is the combination that is lacking, Bale is also playing it more selfishly than before. I am more surprised they have got so many points with them just thanks to the sheer brilliance of their left side where Marcelo/Ronaldo/Isco has been outstanding and pulling the entire team.
Ancelotti has a real Ancelotti team though, any team who lets Real sit back and counter will have a very difficult time as then both Bale and Ronaldo can do their thing at the same time.
No we need Pace. We have plently of tight space spin on a 50 pence players doing nothing..
? Please tell me what you think Bale could do in matches like vs Swans or Sunderland where they just park the bus, in such matches pace as in running speed is so irrelevant but pace as in tempo and dynamism is most important, imo his running pace wouldnt solve our problems.
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