Izaguirre claims United interest

Kelvin

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Celtic left-back Emilio Izaguirre claims he is being targeted by Manchester United, saying Sir Alex Ferguson 'contacted' the Bhoys' board.

The 26-year-old Honduras international was a revelation last season after moving to Parkhead.

He said: "Regarding possibilities, I prefer to stay silent as I did when Celtic signed me. This is a job of my agent.

"I have to confirm it's 100% true that Manchester United were following me and were interested in me.

"It was Alex Ferguson directly who made contact with the Celtic directors.

"I am aware also that Manchester United and Celtic agreed for a meeting in July. We have to see what happens if I stay or I go.

"If I have the chance I welcome the move with open arms. If that is the case I will thank God and I will take my opportunity."

Celtic boss Neil Lennon insists there has been no approach for Izaguirre or Israel midfielder Beram Kayal.

Lennon said in the Daily Record: "You're always going to get speculation about your best players. I understand that.

"But there's been no interest expressed in Beram or Emilio and I've had no one on the telephone enquiring about any other player if it comes to that.

"Every player has his price but I'm not prepared to sell my better ones and Emilio certainly comes into that category."

Izaguirre claims United interest - TEAMtalk | Football | Scottish Premier League | Celtic News
 
Normally I take these types of stories with a pinch of salt, but with Neville, O'Shea, Brown, De Laet and possibly Evans all leaving it does make sense that we're looking at defensive squad players. With Rafael and Fabio duking it out for the RB slot then a LB target isn't out of the question.
 
I just worry that the more signing we make like this, the less likely it is we'll be seeing a new midfielder.
 
he got player of the year last year, watched him alot last year good going forward but not to good in defence.
 
evra's form is definitely a worry for me. I'd like us to be looking at left backs.
 
SecondFig said:
Evra first choice, Fabio as back up - that'll do for me. If need be Evans can fill in at LB too.
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The same Fabio who a) was being picked regularly at right-back towards the end of last season and b) looked uncomfortable when playing on the opposite flank.

We need a natural left footed player, especially given that Nani, Young and Park will all drift inside a lot when they play out there next season.

If O'Shea doesn't go then it's not as big an issue even though he doesn't offer a great deal when in possession or in an attacking sense either.
 
Lots of lulz in that article. Everyone has their price but we arent selling. I prefer to stay silent by spilling the beans. :lol:
 
GCHQ said:
The same Fabio who a) was being picked regularly at right-back towards the end of last season and b) looked uncomfortable when playing on the opposite flank.

We need a natural left footed player, especially given that Nani, Young and Park will all drift inside a lot when they play out there next season.

If O'Shea doesn't go then it's not as big an issue even though he doesn't offer a great deal when in possession or in an attacking sense either.
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Spot on post.

There were noises of us being interested towards the end of last year.
 
Everytime I have seen him he has looked really good. And if O'Shea and Brown do leave it would make sense too.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
God knows why Fabio was supposed to look "uncomfortable" at LB, seeing as that's where he played for most of his career to date.
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How many professional games has Fabio played at left-back? 20?

We know from the Brazilian youth teams that he was only played at left-back because his brother was filling the right-back slot. He was even being played in midfield for the Reserves last season instead of at left-back. The very fact that Evra continued to be picked despite clearly lacking form together with the decision to play Fabio at right-back suggests that the management agree that he's not particularly comfortable there and don't see him as a long term option in that position. Time will tell but it's certainly not an outrageous claim based on what we've seen of the player so far.
 
this makes sense if o shea goes....

fabio and rafael at right back

evra and izaguirre at left back

will he be happy to be a squad player? - does fergie think evra's drop in form is a sign of him in decline?
 
Pogue Mahone said:
God knows why Fabio was supposed to look "uncomfortable" at LB, seeing as that's where he played for most of his career to date.
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I think the fact that when Fabio and O'Shea were in the team at the end of the season O'Shea was on the left says a lot.

I wouldn't be at all surprised if we moved for a left-back.
 
Decent player and I am surprised there hasn't been more Premiership interest.


Is he good enough for United? As a squad player...yes..... is he as good as Evra? Probably not, but he is far more consistent.
 
ricky-romeo said:
if that happens i hope we still go on and sign at least a central midfielder.
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Don't think it's relevant to the midfielder thing. It would be to replace O'Shea in the squad with a younger (and cheaper) player, and would only be necessary if O'Shea does leave. With Sunderland signing so many other players, I can't help thinking they're not getting all three of Brown, Gibson and O'Shea anyway.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
God knows why Fabio was supposed to look "uncomfortable" at LB, seeing as that's where he played for most of his career to date.
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Pogue imo he was getting forward and then he was finding himself in positions to deliver with his left and cutting back onto his right thus taking the momentum out the moves. Would much prefer a left sider on the left given the fact we have Nani and now Young who are right footed players on the left and will predominantly cut inside.
 
Seems very sure of himself that a meeting as been arranged.Like he says let's wait and see.
 
How about Leighton Baines, heard he is good and has a wicked free kick on him.
 
evra said:
Seeing that SAF likes to do business discretely I'd say the fact he's gone public with this is a sure sign that we haven't been in contact with him.
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It seems to me he responded to being questioned about whether it was true.


Neil Lennon did his best by saying there had been no approach for him.... probably true. I don't think the player has said there had been an "approach" as of yet.

The "meeting in July" bit interested me.
 
Pogue Mahone said:
God knows why Fabio was supposed to look "uncomfortable" at LB, seeing as that's where he played for most of his career to date.
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I don't ever remember thinking Fabio was uncomfortable at left back, either. He's probably only played about 2 games worth of matches there, mind.


Would really surprise me if we signed a left back. Just don't really see the need when we have Fabio, Evans and, of course, Evra. This 'natural left-footed' thing has never been a proper argument in regards to left back and left wing, in my opinion.
 
Sultan said:
Spot on post.

There were noises of us being interested towards the end of last year.
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Speaking in Honduras yesterday, the player swore Sir Alex Ferguson wanted him to sign in January but the Hoops refused to do business as they chased the treble.

Izaguirre said: "I am aware Manchester United and Celtic agreed to meet in July.

"It is 100 per cent true United wanted to sign me in January. Sir Alex Ferguson contacted Celtic directly.

"I think it was the time when they didn't close the negotiations with Patrice Evra. As far I am aware Celtic refused to sell me as we were concentrating on the league.

"I prefer to stay silent for the moment as I did when Celtic signed me. This is a job for my agent.

"If I have the chance I will welcome the move with open arms but I am happy in Scotland."
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