Leighton Baines

Dominos said:
Hopefully Kenwright was serious when he said none of his players were for sale.

Coentrao is on the market this summer.
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Coentrao is not better than Baines.
 
Manchester United have made a bid for Leighton Baines as David Moyes looks to reunite with the Everton and England left back at Old Trafford.
Baines said this week that he was looking forward to working under Roberto Martinez, Moyes’s successor as Everton manager, but United’s approach is certain to turn his head.
It was unclear this afternoon exactly how much United have offered but the bid is thought to be in the region of £10 million to £12 million, with Baines about to enter the final two years of his contract at Goodison Park.
Bill Kenwright, the Everton chairman, has spoken on several occasions in recent weeks about his determination to keep the club’s reigning Player of the Year and has indicated that they hope to tie the 28-year-old to a new long-term contract this summer.
But Baines, who has admitted publicly that he has been flattered by United’s interest in the past, may consider the opportunity to join the Barclays Premier League champions as too good to resist, especially with Moyes having succeeded Sir Alex Ferguson as manager and the World Cup finals taking place in Brazil in 12 months’ time.
Baines, whom Moyes brought to Everton from Wigan Athletic for £6 million in 2007, is second to Ashley Cole as England’s preferred left back but a move to United could increase his chances of usurping his Chelsea counterpart.
Baines created 116 chances for team-mates last season – more than any other player in Europe’s top five leagues – and was named in the PFA Premier League Team of the Year for the second successive season, ahead of Cole and Patrice Evra, whose future at United he could put under threat.
Evra, 32, enjoyed a return to form last season after a disappointing two years when his performance level dipped markedly and only has a year left on his existing contract. He has already been linked with a move back to Monaco, from whom he joined United in 2006.
With Fabio Da Silva returning to United after a disastrous loan spell at Queens Park Rangers last season and Alexander Buttner to call upon, Moyes may feel he has enough cover to let Evra leave if Baines joins, although the manager is not yet in a position to make that judgement.
Moyes will not formally begin work at United until Monday but he has wasted no time in the transfer window. United remain hopeful of signing Thiago Alcantara, having already agreed personal terms with the Spain Under-21 midfielder, but the club are concerned that Barcelona may still be able to talk the highly-regarded 22-year-old into staying at the Nou Camp.
The pursuit of Cristiano Ronaldo, the former United forward who is unsettled at Real Madrid, remains ambitious in the extreme and it remains to be seen if the club could fund moves for the Portuguese as well as Thiago and Baines. Robert Lewandowski, the Borussia Dortmund striker, has also been heavily linked with United.
Wayne Rooney’s future at Old Trafford should become clearer next week when the England striker holds talks with Moyes. United’s players return for pre-season training on Wednesday.
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http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/clubs/manchesterunited/article3802036.ece
 
Whats wrong with giving both Evra and Fabio next season somewhat in the region of 20-30 games? We then can decide in next summer if Fabio can really make it to us or not. And it's not like many clubs are going to sign Baines, in fact I don't think that someone else is interested to get him.
 
Cina said:
he's nearly four years younger though, and there's not much between them.
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On what basis though Cina?

Baines has generally outplayed Coentrao in the last two years and has been probably the best left back in Premier League in the last two years or so whereas Coentrao has stalled at Madrid and lost his place to Marcelo.
 
How was Fabio's loan spell "disastrous"? Aside from the fact that QPR got relegated, of course.
 
If Paddy is the one leaving, then it would be a pretty ballsy start from Moyes. Getting new coaches and also moving an established and well liked member of the squad.
 
I don't think £12 million is enough to make us accept. £15-20 would probably be our valuation which is fair for his quality and value to our team.
 
KM said:
On what basis though Cina?

Baines has generally outplayed Coentrao in the last two years and has been probably the best left back in Premier League in the last two years or so whereas Coentrao has stalled at Madrid and lost his place to Marcelo.
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Madrid is hardly the best place to judge a player though, is it? How many have moved on from there and ended up being brilliant again? Coentrao came there as second choice to Marcelo and generally only got a chance at left back when he was injured, in fact he was regularly used on the left wing and even as a defensive midfielder. Baines has been first choice for Everton, playing pretty much every game for them.

Coentrao was also brilliant for Portugal at the Euro's as I recall, better than anything I've seen by Baines. Baines may be the better of the two now but in my eyes Coentrao still has it in him to become the better of the two (much better actually) at the right club.

(Also, Cole has been better than Baines, still a cnut, mind)
 
Cina said:
Coentrao was also brilliant for Portugal at the Euro's as I recall, better than anything I've seen by Baines. Baines may be the better of the two now but in my eyes Coentrao still has it in him to become the better of the two (much better actually) at the right club.

(Also, Cole has been better than Baines, still a cnut, mind)
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Definitely. Both in last Euros and in last World Cup, Conetrao has been brilliant and one of the best in that position. Much better than Baines ever was.

In Madrid he was a bit shit though, and Baines has been best left back in England in last 2 seasons (better than Evra and Cole for me).

Baines would be a more safe signing, Coentrao can become the better player though. But, Baines good, Coentrao better, Fabio best for me regarding our new permanent left back.
 
KM said:
On what basis though Cina?

Baines has generally outplayed Coentrao in the last two years and has been probably the best left back in Premier League in the last two years or so whereas Coentrao has stalled at Madrid and lost his place to Marcelo.
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He made more appearances than Marcelo last season (who is also a very good full back) and played all the big CL games.

He's proved himself on the biggest stage in international and European football and is significantly younger.
 
Revan said:
Definitely. Both in last Euros and in last World Cup, Conetrao has been brilliant and one of the best in that position. Much better than Baines ever was.

In Madrid he was a bit shit though, and Baines has been best left back in England in last 2 seasons (better than Evra and Cole for me).

Baines would be a more safe signing, Coentrao can become the better player though. But, Baines good, Coentrao better, Fabio best for me regarding our new permanent left back.
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Can't really see it with Fabio to be honest, certainly not to the extent of his brother, and he's always looked better as a right back. It's as if as youngsters they realized Rafael was the better of the two and went "shit, uh, let's play him on the left instead..."
 
I'd have no problem with paying a few quid for Baines if we are losing Evra, but if Evra wants to stay then we don't really need much more cover at full back. I really like Baines as a player though and in an attacking sense I think he's a superior player at the moment. In fact he's easily the best attacking full back in the League at the moment for my money.
 
Cina said:
<Insert Real Madrid player here> is a horribly overrated player.
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Outside of the Caf I think people have a fairly realistic outlook on Contraeo, but for some reason, some on here seem to think he is actually erm good.
 
Dominos said:
He made more appearances than Marcelo last season (who is also a very good full back) and played all the big CL games.

He's proved himself on the biggest stage in international and European football and is significantly younger.
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Marcelo was injured for much of last season, hence why Contraeo played more games.
 
KM said:
Coentrao is not better than Baines.
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Dead on. Baines is the best left back in the PL - even better than Cole for me. Good defender and offers a massive threat going forwards.

Coentrao looks decent for Real Madrid to be fair - but he only has to defend proerly for 10 games a season when they're actually put under any pressure. Add to that the fact that he's pining for a move back to Portugal makes him a hugely risky option.

Baines would slot right in and deserves a crack at a big club. He could be a brilliant for United if he gets the chance.
 
RedRover said:
Dead on. Baines is the best left back in the PL - even better than Cole for me. Good defender and offers a massive threat going forwards.

Coentrao looks decent for Real Madrid to be fair - but he only has to defend proerly for 10 games a season when they're actually put under any pressure. Add to that the fact that he's pining for a move back to Portugal makes him a hugely risky option.

Baines would slot right in and deserves a crack at a big club. He could be a brilliant for United if he gets the chance.
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Obviously you didn't watch them last season.
 
Cina said:
Can't really see it with Fabio to be honest, certainly not to the extent of his brother, and he's always looked better as a right back. It's as if as youngsters they realized Rafael was the better of the two and went "shit, uh, let's play him on the left instead..."
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Wasn't rumored that Fabio volunteered to play in the left side, because his less talented twin would had more difficulties playing there?

Fabio has looked great in many games and the potential is there. His luck with injuries and Evra's ability to play a million games in a season has hampered his developing but he still could be a success.

Anyway, back to topic. If Evra wants to go to Monaco and get a large contract, this move makes sense. Evra was/is a brilliant servant to the club and if he decides for whatever reasons (SAF, more money, home, age) to go there, then good luck to him. If Fabio is good enough, he could push Baines for left back spot and personally I don't think that Buttner is good enough even for a backup player. We need two good players in every position. But keeping Evra and signing Baines wouldn't make sense.
 
Cina said:
Can't really see it with Fabio to be honest, certainly not to the extent of his brother, and he's always looked better as a right back. It's as if as youngsters they realized Rafael was the better of the two and went "shit, uh, let's play him on the left instead..."
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The funny thing is, Fabio was widely supposed to be the real deal when they signed for us.
 
I guess Evra's departure has been imminent since the Albert the Kit man mentioned it at the end of season awards. I would be pretty happy with Baines with Fabio as a back up. We need a left footed LB as all our options on the left wing besides Giggs are right footed.

Buttner is a bit rubbish and should be sold.
 
I've said it before and others are saying it, this move only makes sense if Evra goes which is very plausible now.

If we had to sign one of Moyes' former players, Baines would be the only one I'd like to see myself.
 
Cina said:
Can't really see it with Fabio to be honest, certainly not to the extent of his brother, and he's always looked better as a right back. It's as if as youngsters they realized Rafael was the better of the two and went "shit, uh, let's play him on the left instead..."
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On the contrary, when they were in brazil. Fabio was the better player and was played at RB above RAfael but he switched to the left to allow his younger brother to get into the team.
 
Who cares who was the better player a few years ago. The fact is the Rafael is an established RB at one of the top clubs in the world and Fabio is an injury troubled player coming of a decent season at QPR. He has a lot to prove.
 
Haha, I absolutely hate this argument about how Fabio was allegedly better than Rafael, when they were about 14. The fact is, Rafael has now far exceeded Fabio.
 
Cina said:
Lies. I was there.
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Cinainho?


Shinjisan said:
Who cares who was the better player a few years ago. The fact is the Rafael is an established RB at one of the top clubs in the world and Fabio is an injury troubled player coming of a decent season at QPR. He has a lot to prove.
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For which he'd need game time. But yeah, if Evra goes, we need to get a LB in. Cant go in with fabio and buttman.
 
Shinjisan said:
Who cares who was the better player a few years ago. The fact is the Rafael is an established RB at one of the top clubs in the world and Fabio is an injury troubled player coming of a decent season at QPR. He has a lot to prove.
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Pretty much.

Phil Neville was always touted as being more talented than Gary at youth level. Yet, it can't be argued who had the better time at Old Trafford. Even if Phil had a fantastic career as well.
 
Varun_Utd said:
Who said anything to the contrary?
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Erm, where did I say that anyone said anything to the contrary? I simply stayed that I hate this ridiculous 'fact' that Fabio was better than Rafael about 6 years ago. It gets brought up on here way too often and people almost spout it as it they are ITK, and have been watching them since they were 12. Fact is, I just have to believe that Fabio was better because people on the Caf said so.
 
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