Has our window of opportunity to sign world class attackers just closed?

JohnnyKills said:
If it's closing because we're incapable of or unwilling to spend £200 million on a player, then slam the door shut for me.

The Neymar release clause was set so as to be unattainable. No club was supposed to pay such an outrageous amount. The fact that PSG have paid it demonstrates that they're not operating by the same rules as everyone else (well, anyone apart from City) and that they don't care about distorting the market.

Personally I think the brethren of the Caf are too fixated on signing big-name world-class players. None of our great players has been a world star before joining United; in fact if you look at the history of mega-transfers they tend to fail more often than they succeed.

I'd rather we rely on our new network of scouts to find up-and-coming stars in future, as we did with Ronaldo, Solskjaer, Kanchelskis, Vidic and Evra.
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In all honesty it was Qatar the country that has paid that clause.
 
It is all about timing. We are still an attractive and wealthy club, however - there is generally a cap at the player's we attract. Future Balon D'or level players don't want to come here typically.

Timing plays a huge part though. We need to let Real and Barcelona, and now possibly PSG sort themselves out first. If a top attacking star emerged in a year we needed an addition, but Real, Barca and Paris had already sorted theirs out, we would likely be right up there. If the likes of Mbappé and Dembele emerged while Barca had MSN, and Real had BBC at their prime - they wouldn't be in any race. We unfortunately need such talent in a market where firstly, there are hardly any available - and secondly, Real and Barca are also sniffing for replacements. They eat first.
 
Ramshock said:
Like I alluded to in a thread I think our transfer ceiling has been exposed this window.
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It's always been there, and more a matter of desirability than financial I would say.

It is becoming more and more apparent as there is less talent on the market than ever.
 
Ramshock said:
How we finish this market and how we will approach the next two markets will be very telling IMO
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Indeed, but the main issue is whether enough new elite talent will come into the market in that time. The hope is that Real, Barca and PSG sort themselves out this summer with Neymar, Dembele and Mbappé - and then hopefully it's the turn of the PL money next summer. If not, we'll have loads of money chasing talent that isn't even first rate. This year, England's finest were duking it out to break their transfer records for Lukaku and Morata.
 
Why are people acting like if us behaving sanely in the transfer market is a bad thing? We're a business, a company, an immensely rich and historically successful football club. But we cannot tap into the wealth of the world's fossil fuel behemoths like others can.
PSG will have mad talent going forward, but just like the galacticos of yesteryear, too many shiny toys can only get you so far. I don't fancy them winning games at Allianz Arena, the Bernabeu or Old Trafford for that matter.
 
Prices being thrown around today Griezmann's clause all the sudden seem a real bargain.

Hope to feck we don't get competition for him. Both Bayern and Chelsea could do with someone like him.
 
SwansonsTache said:
Prices being thrown around today Griezmann's clause all the sudden seem a real bargain.

Hope to feck we don't get competition for him. Both Bayern and Chelsea could do with someone like him.
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Was coming to post the same.
 
SwansonsTache said:
Prices being thrown around today Griezmann's clause all the sudden seem a real bargain.

Hope to feck we don't get competition for him. Both Bayern and Chelsea could do with someone like him.
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Would guess he would choose united over both of them, but maybe that's just red-tinted specs
 
If Mbappe moves to PSG. I would make a massive offer for Julian Draxler. Proper winger. Would slot into that RW position.
 
Jig1234 said:
If Mbappe moves to PSG. I would make a massive offer for Julian Draxler. Proper winger. Would slot into that RW position.
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Good point. And PSG has to start selling to at least give the impression of trying to comply with FFP.
 
As seen with how difficult Barcelona are finding it to get Dembele or Coutinho, it's going to be very hard for us now and it's a big problem because options are slim and our attack is very poor. The Neymar stupidity has ruined an already ridiculous market, now every team is ready to demand blood for their star asset.
 
JohnnyKills said:
If it's closing because we're incapable of or unwilling to spend £200 million on a player, then slam the door shut for me.

The Neymar release clause was set so as to be unattainable. No club was supposed to pay such an outrageous amount. The fact that PSG have paid it demonstrates that they're not operating by the same rules as everyone else (well, anyone apart from City) and that they don't care about distorting the market.

Personally I think the brethren of the Caf are too fixated on signing big-name world-class players. None of our great players has been a world star before joining United; in fact if you look at the history of mega-transfers they tend to fail more often than they succeed.

I'd rather we rely on our new network of scouts to find up-and-coming stars in future, as we did with Ronaldo, Solskjaer, Kanchelskis, Vidic and Evra.
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This man knows.

- All the academy products
- Ronaldo
- Solksjaer
- Vidic
- Evra
- Cantona
- Kanchelskis
- Van Nistelrooy
- VDS
- Schmeichel
- Irwin
- Sheringham
- Saha
- Valencia
- Nani
- Carrick
- Park

Some of our best signings in recent years, from lower tier leagues, small clubs, or totally off the radar.

We've had some great big money signings too of course, Ferdinand, Keane, Pallister, Robson, Cole, Ince and Rooney but they were all domestic. Who have we signed from abroad for big money who's actually worked out?

I don't mind the thrill of signing stars, but the media hype has us way too swept away in this. I'd prefer just to do good business and buy players we can improve and build on. Fergie was the master at this.
 
Devil may care said:
As seen with how difficult Barcelona are finding it to get Dembele or Coutinho, it's going to be very hard for us now and it's a big problem because options are slim and our attack is very poor. The Neymar stupidity has ruined an already ridiculous market, now every team is ready to demand blood for their star asset.
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Very true. 150m for Dembele, 160 for Mbappe. Total joke. Two good players with the potential to be great, but that's it. Glad to stay out of it.
 
SwansonsTache said:
Prices being thrown around today Griezmann's clause all the sudden seem a real bargain.

Hope to feck we don't get competition for him. Both Bayern and Chelsea could do with someone like him.
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Griezmann had his chance, rather not go back for him.
 
simonhch said:
This man knows.

- All the academy products
- Ronaldo
- Solksjaer
- Vidic
- Evra
- Cantona
- Kanchelskis
- Van Nistelrooy
- VDS
- Schmeichel
- Irwin
- Sheringham
- Saha
- Valencia
- Nani
- Carrick
- Park

Some of our best signings in recent years, from lower tier leagues, small clubs, or totally off the radar.

We've had some great big money signings too of course, Ferdinand, Keane, Pallister, Robson, Cole, Ince and Rooney but they were all domestic. Who have we signed from abroad for big money who's actually worked out?

I don't mind the thrill of signing stars, but the media hype has us way too swept away in this. I'd prefer just to do good business and buy players we can improve and build on. Fergie was the master at this.
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Fact is, a top footballer who's already a household name probably won't want to come to Manchester, unless they're being forced out of their existing club or only coming for the dollar. So we're better off signing lesser-known talents - with our brand profile we'll turn them into stars if they do well at OT.

As you say Simon, our best 'big buys' tend to be domestic so England's recent success at age group level bodes well for us.
 
Handsome Devil said:
Yeah, but that's just it, do they give a damn? Is FFP not now dead in the water?
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Good question. I think PSG has little to fear from FIFA and UEFA that love their oil money.
But Aulas (Lyon president) has begun rattling the sabre and talking about going to competition authorities. If the EU gets into it, then PSG is in trouble. The Commisioner for Competiton Vestager is a fierce lady that has fined the likes of Google and Apple for billions. She won't be intimidated by the sheikhs.
 
For me, it shows 2 things. We cant spend whatever or compete with those clubs. We are run like a business and need to work within a budget (and rightly so). I'm not complaining as we spend big usually, but it's a level below the sugar daddy clubs.
2nd, we are not a top top destination anymore. The past 4 years hurt us and we need to live that other clubs are more attractive to young, top talents.
 
simonhch said:
Very true. 150m for Dembele, 160 for Mbappe. Total joke. Two good players with the potential to be great, but that's it. Glad to stay out of it.
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The problem is we can't afford to stay out of it if we want to compete for the PL and CL as our attack is still miles off being good enough.
 
May have got this wrong but was under the impression AG agreed to stay for year and transfer next year. Honestly think in current market this is to be applauded (not leaving athletico high and dry).

Hopefully next summer this is the first one through the door.
 
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