White text noted, but is it still a hell no? If it is, that's a strange opinion all things considered.
James Rodriguez | joins Bayern Munich | 2 year loan
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) are here to discuss Amad saving our blushes in a win against Southampton as well as our now annual loss at home to Brighton. They discuss Amorim's post-match comments, revisit how mid-table we may or may not be, and discuss some transfer news.
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Nothing strange about it.
Don't want him here.
Don't really rate him and I believe we have zero interest in him too.
Same as you. We have no need for him. I think a lot of people are desperate for a big signing. If there is no one available wait for next summer to get Griezmann or whoever is there to take us to the next level. Who knows maybe next summer is the year Alli and Kane decide it's time to ditch Spurs.
I'm not desperate for a big name signing.
Especially one that I don't really think is the right one.
Our zero interest in him shows that the manager thinks similar thoughts.
Did you read my post I was actually in agreement with you
and if he joins?
It'll be one of the worst transfers in the history of our club if we decide to go for him. Madrid will be laughing.
He'll go to another club, be their main man and play brilliantly and then people here will say "yeah but dont want Madrid's leftovers anyway, wouldnt fit our system"
Also a bit ironic to me that people criticise the transfer habits of a club thats won 3 of the last 4 Champions Leagues 
I see how it looks ridiculous constantly needing galactico signings but how do you argue with success really.
I see how it looks ridiculous constantly needing galactico signings but how do you argue with success really.There last "galactico" was probably Gareth Bale back in 2013. Who were the "galacticos" in their team yesterday? Probably just Ronaldo. You could argue that Real Madrids most successfull spells have been in periods where there have been few "Galactico"-purchases.
I am not sure if a front 4 of lets say James-Perisic-Mkhi-Lukaku is such a big improvement compared to eg Mata-Martial-Mkhi-Rashford in the long run.
However, I did not expect Ibra to be such a success as well so I might be a bit clueless.
However, I did not expect Ibra to be such a success as well so I might be a bit clueless.
Actually, that might not be a bad idea. Lot of players could become available next year. If Lukaku is still unsold then it might be easier to get him. Also, Aguero might also become available because of reduced game time, and that could set other things rolling. Griezmann might be ready to finally make a move. We will also know how ready Rashford is to lead our front line and if we actually need a big name striker.
Things look really tight this year. Think we should think twice before splashing the cash. We need to rebuild our side and that takes time. If we spend big and end up with a dud then that could be very harmful because we now have to think of moving that player on which is not easy.
Sometimes, things just don't happen in year and a little mediocrity needs to be accepted. Tottenham also did it that way, where they were just lurking under the radar and all their players were developing, and then things clicked.
Not saying that we don't need to strengthen. Just that we need to look for the right players that fit our system. Like, we need to strength about 4 or 5 positions, but we won't get perfect players for all of these positions, so in that case, I think it would be better if we get only 2 or 3 players and let the other positions remain the way they are and think about them next year.
Or he'll come to our club and be a complete let's down. You do know that it's gone both ways in recent years?
I could actually see that happening. That or bemoaning that we did not bring get him when we had the chance (while the same person did not want him at this point of time).
The pros and cons with James Rodriquez for me is the following:
Pros
- At 25 (soon 26!) he is at a nice stage of his carrier physically. Several good years left. His situation at Real Madrid could make him available at "fair" price.
- His talent and quality is there. Midfielder of the year in La Liga in his first season at Real Madrid at the age of 23 proves that.
- He is a goalscorer! One goal every 178 min in La Liga as a midfielder (no pens) is an excellent return. He also has a conversion rate of 23 % in La Liga. The goalscoring record is largely due to being able to time his movement into the box. He has more shots from inside that box than for instance Isco per 90 min for Real Madrid the past three years (he also has a higher conversion rate compared to Isco's 16,5 %). Not even Frank Lampard in his prime (anno 2010) for a free scoring Chelsea (+ 100 in the league that season) matches James Rodriquez' numbers from open play in terms of conversion and ability to get shots from inside the box per 90 min.
- He creates a lot of chances for his teammates.
Cons
- There is question marks over his mentality.
- There is uncertainty about his abilities as a "defender".
- Is he actually what we need?
If we buy him these cons should not concern us much. James has played for Porto, Monaco and now Real Madrid. Jose Mourinho is well connected in all these clubs. I'm sure he would know if there was issues with his mentality. Same point could be made regarding James as a defender. If Mourinho decides to bring in James, that alone should tell you that James is decent at "tracking back". Statistically, James is actually quite good of the ball (interceptions and tackles), and for Ancelotti he actually played as a central midfielder.
But is he what we need? That question is a bit more difficult to answer. In my opinion we need a 9 and a winger with pace. However, I do think James has abilities that we lack in our team. He certainly will score goals and create chances for his team mates. If we play 343 he could probably adapt to being one of the three attackers as well.
Over the last three years we did not have a spine to speak of which meant we always had the icing first without the cake. Now we have Bailly, Pogba and we will certainly buy a DM and striker. Couple that with Rashford's growth and a return to form of Martial/Mkhi or signing a LW we will have the team for an AM like James to flourish.
I don't think he's what we need. In my opinion, he's not a significant improvement over our attacking options (Mkhitaryan/Mata) - our money is better spent elsewhere.
I love how all these people seem to have this direct line to Jose Mourinho. How do you know this??
I really hope he comes to United. He's better than most of our squad. Would take him any day of the week.
Would be a very good signing for me. The fact that he hasn't worked out at Real shouldn't blind people to his talent. He looked excellent at the world cup before his move and had looked consistently brilliant for Monaco before then. He obviously just needs the right club atmosphere to rediscover form and I think at the right price he can do that here.
I wouldn't even say that it hasn't worked out for him there. The fans like him, the club ideally would want to keep him and when he has been picked regularly, he was performed well.
I don't even think it's an issue with form. I think the manager just doesn't fancy him or feels he has better options...doesn't make him a bad player. I think he'd be excellent at United. Would love to see him with Pogba and Herrera.
I'd go along with what both of you said and when I say from I probably should have emphasized more that it might take him a while to get back into his groove(he hasn't been that bad for Madrid when I've seen him but seem to be playing only bit parts off the bench).
A big club who simply play him which Madrid haven't been doing regularly will be getting a good player possibly and excellent one. I'd be happy to have him here for the right price(considerably under 40m).
I agree, I don't know why people want us to sign a Real Madrid reject who is not even good enough to be on the bench for a CL final. If he was that good he would be starting for them. I think he had only one good world cup and one good season for Real.
Would be a quality signing if we played with a number 10 regular.
My issue is, a midfield 2 of Pogba and Herrera just won't work, so just seems another misfit
My issue is, a midfield 2 of Pogba and Herrera just won't work, so just seems another misfit
It's not that he is Real Madrid reject. They have been plenty of Real rejects that I wouldn't be against signing.
This one is hardly impressive, would require a shift in tactics that simply is not worth it for a player of his calibre.
100% agree.
I don't see this player as what we need.
If we buy him we would again be caught in a square peg round hole problem. He can't play as a winger in a 4-3-3.
Jose would have to use a 4-2-3-1 formation just to accommodate him in the #10 position, I don't know if Pogba will be comfortable playing in a 2 man midfield. I would prefer Mkhitaryan or Mata (if Jose doesn't sell him) to play in that #10 position if we use that formation.
My thoughts exactly.
We simply can't play a 2 men midfield against the bigger clubs. Jose tried but it failed and he's gone for the 3 mostly.
I can understand changing the system for a Messi, but James has been a benchmarked for the last 2 years with Madrid trying hard to get rid of him. Some might argue that he is better than the 10s we have, but I wouldn't change the system for any of them either, which is why they have all been shunted to the wing.
It would be foolish to buy someone for more than 50 million and play them in the wrong position or play your best midfielder in the wrong position to accommodate the new player.
Great player but I don't think he'll have the mental aptitude to be decent for our side. He'll have to play against 10 defenders most of the time, along with tracking back and defending like a Mourinho player. I just feel the frustration will get the better of him eventually.
When said midfielder is your club and world record signing.
Madrid themselves tried to pigeonhole him into the team. They realised the futility of it all and its paid dividends.
The only reason I don't want Rodriguez is because signing him would suggest us going back to a 4231, which I hope we don't do.
Same mistake Van Gaal made in his second season, after being so successful in a 4141, and having the players that suited the system more.
Unless we're playing a diamond, we shouldn't be buying any 10's, in my opinion.
Same mistake Van Gaal made in his second season, after being so successful in a 4141, and having the players that suited the system more.
Unless we're playing a diamond, we shouldn't be buying any 10's, in my opinion.
I feel the same, how can anyone not want a player that would significantly improve our first team.
Well the only Madrid "castoff" we've bought as a glactico type signing would have worked out if it wasnt an issue of mentality. Di Maria had real quality, people tend to forget the incredible things he did in his short time with us. Too bad he had the mental strength of spaghetti
We've played that formation frequently against the lesser teams in the league though, it wouldn't be a change at all.
And when we play against the better teams?
I changed my vote, think if the price is right we should go for him. He needs to want the move also. Thinking of his delivery alone would improve us. He could be explosive in the premier league.
We switch to a three man midfield obviously; where James could either play on the right or in midfield. I think he'd suit us just fine really.
Against teams defending deep, the teams we really struggled against this season, he could be an option nex to Pogba in a 343 or a 433 (a role similar to the one he had in his first season). That could leave us with five players able to create and score goals.
Against better teams he might rather be one of the attackers. James might actually give us options.
We will see. I trust Mou on this one.
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