Manchester United transfer news and rumours for summer 2014

[Rednotdead]

Van Gaal no doubt had an initial assessment of all the players from Giggs, now he's seen them in training and will see them in a competitive situation over the next couple of weeks. He's probably got a fair idea of their capabilities already and once he's seen them competitively he will pretty quickly start to get his squad sorted out.

He will no doubt also have realised the job at hand is far harder than he first thought and will be straight on the phone to Woody to get the transfers going for the glut of new players he's realised he needs.

 

[Dreaded]

Not hearing much about potential departures. Think it's going to be a real struggle to shift some of the shite we have in our squad.

I can't wait to see the back of:

Nani
Young
Anderson
Bebe
Fellaini
Cleverely

As well as Valencia but that's not happening.

Never understand the obsession with getting rid of players. Hope we sign players to take their places in the first XI but they may always be useful as backups.

Certainly Cleverly and Nani could be very useful players if LVG can get the best of them.

 

[Rednotdead]

Never understand the obsession with getting rid of players. Hope we sign players to take their places in the first XI but they may always be useful as backups.

Certainly Cleverly and Nani could be very useful players if LVG can get the best of them.

I think it's fairly certain we'll be operating with a reduced squad this season so if we sign players it's fairly obvious we'll need to let some go. Keeping players as "last resort" backups isn't commercially sensible.

If we clear out the deadwood now and operate with a smaller but stronger squad we'll be in a good position to enlarge and strengthen that squad next Summer if we make it back into Europe.

 

[J-Stander]

Van Gaal no doubt had an initial assessment of all the players from Giggs, now he's seen them in training and will see them in a competitive situation over the next couple of weeks. He's probably got a fair idea of their capabilities already and once he's seen them competitively he will pretty quickly start to get his squad sorted out.

He will no doubt also have realised the job at hand is far harder than he first thought and will be straight on the phone to Woody to get the transfers going for the glut of new players he's realised he needs.

Harder than first thought? I know LVG is a confident bloke but we finished 7th. Everyone knows we need more players. I'm hoping we start doint business again soon, as waiting until late august is just another disaster waiting to happen.

 

[Dreaded]

I think it's fairly certain we'll be operating with a reduced squad this season so if we sign players it's fairly obvious we'll need to let some go. Keeping players as "last resort" backups isn't commercially sensible.

If we clear out the deadwood now and operate with a smaller but stronger squad we'll be in a good position to enlarge and strengthen that squad next Summer if we make it back into Europe.

Don't disagree at all we will need to trim the squad. But getting rid of players just doesn't excite me, if it wasn't for commercial reasons it would be better to just keep them.

 

[Godfather]

I'm getting a bit worried. Being linked with players that will obviously not come (Hummels) or players that can be squad players at best ( Blind, Vermaelen) reminds me a lot of last season.
Add to that that the only transfer that would really bring us forward seems off as well I'm in for another dissapointing summer window when this actually should have been the one where we spunk cash like crazy after last season.

Compared to the other teams in the PL we will struggle to get fourth with the current crop of players. I really hope we will sign some quality and do it soon.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

I'm getting a bit worried. Being linked with players that will obviously not come (Hummels) or players that can be squad players at best ( Blind, Vermaelen) reminds me a lot of last season.
Add to that that the only transfer that would really bring us forward seems off as well I'm in for another dissapointing summer window when this actually should have been the one where we spunk cash like crazy after last season.

Compared to the other teams in the PL we will struggle to get fourth with the current crop of players. I really hope we will sign some quality and do it soon.

Can't disagree.

I'm actually getting a bit worried that Woody wants to spend the money, but Louis wants to prove his 'philosophy' and probably doesn't want to be tagged with the 'you bought the title' line.

There are so many players out there that would improve our squad, I personally would try and get Barkley and mould him into our next star. For all the talk about our money and transfer records - the elite European players are almost impossible to get.

 

[Wibble]

United gossip: Juve seek Vidal replacement, Arsenal want Jones, Cuadrado links

 

[Kag]

Be chill. Every day I remind myself that David Moyes is no longer our manager and that the only possible way is up. Players will come.

 

[Barca84]

I think we will struggle even to give away Fellaini and Young - due to their large wages

What's Young on a week? £110k or thereabouts? The purchase of this twat on a 5 year deal at the salary he was reportedly put on is, for me, the most infuriating bit of transfer business we've been involved in the past couple of years or so. It boggles my mind what the club were thinking.

 

[Hamadovich86]

From Old Trafford faithful

http://oldtraffordfaithful.com/manc...en/?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter

Manchester United’s defensive targets revealed by Mitten

Manchester United lost two of the best centre-backs in the clubs history in just a matter of days in May, when Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic both left on free transfers. Since then, the club have been linked with a whole host of central defenders, and the usually reliable Andy Mitten has given us an update on United’s targets.


You can see the full video below, and in the clip Mitten mentions names such as Mats Hummels, Stefan de Vrij, Daley Blind and Thomas Vermaelen.

Andy mentions that Manchester United are indeed interested in Hummels, but the club believe that Borussia Dortmund are very reluctant in selling him which would obviously be a big blow.

The more realistic targets seem to be the other three – the Dutch duo are currently playing their football in Holland for Feyenoord and Ajax respectively, meaning the Premier League would be an attractive proposition for the pair.

Onto Vermaelen, who found himself sidelined for the majority of last season due to injuries and an excellent partnership formed between Koscielny and Mertesacker. He’s still Arsenal captain, but Wenger couldn’t guarantee that the Belgian will be a Gunner come the start of next season.

Edit: Video of Mitten

 

[RedorDead21]

Can't disagree.

I'm actually getting a bit worried that Woody wants to spend the money, but Louis wants to prove his 'philosophy' and probably doesn't want to be tagged with the 'you bought the title' line.

There are so many players out there that would improve our squad, I personally would try and get Barkley and mould him into our next star. For all the talk about our money and transfer records - the elite European players are almost impossible to get.

Barkley...he plays in a position which is the most well covered in our squad? To pin the hopes of regaining top 4 on the success of converting Barkley into anything other than a number 10 would be insane right now. Added to that for his price you'd get far better in Europe.

 

[ryan_forlan]

Vida
Evra
Rio
Buttner
Bebe
Gone.
Let's get rid of the other obvious ones for now, like -> Young
Then evaluate which ones to keep or let go of, from the following:
Fellaini
Nani
Kagawa
Chicha

 

[Hal9000]

So Mitten basically just repeating stuff that's been in the media for the last month.

 

[Roboc7]

I think it's fairly certain we'll be operating with a reduced squad this season so if we sign players it's fairly obvious we'll need to let some go. Keeping players as "last resort" backups isn't commercially sensible.

If we clear out the deadwood now and operate with a smaller but stronger squad we'll be in a good position to enlarge and strengthen that squad next Summer if we make it back into Europe.

I agree it is time to streamline the squad whilst we have no European football and place the emphasis on quality rather than quantity, when we return to the Champions League we can then build around a quality core rather than either signing or retaining players who ‘can do a job’. This would also allow us to offer more opportunities to younger players who either come through the academy or are brought in from other clubs. Players like Young are signed because they are seen as safe options but in reality they are over-priced and over paid and have limited ability, we would have been better off investing in a youngster like James Rodriguez/Griezmann etc who at the time would have been a similar price or even cheaper (less wages as well) but viewed as too risky. Of course it won’t always work out but it is much easier to offload a youngster rather than someone like Young who is earning a fortune. Anderson, Bebe, Young, Nani, Cleverley, Fellaini, Kagawa and Hernandez are all players I can see LVG being prepared to let go, some would have to go out on loan and we can’t sell all of them but it is the right time to have a clear out.

Despite what Woodward says I am still expecting our signings to be De Vrij and Blind, maybe there is something in the Vidal story and wouldn’t rule out a move for Depay or another youngster but I am of the opinion a lot of what Woodward is saying is to appease the sponsors and promote the image of the club.

 

[Barca84]

So Mitten basically just repeating stuff that's been in the media for the last month.

More often than not it's Andy who puts it out there in the first place. There's some large scale lifting of stuff off UWS by some supposedly respected journos if you ask me.

 

[Stretch]

So Mitten basically just repeating stuff that's been in the media for the last month.

No. Both Ogden and Ducker said the same after the LvG presser yesterday/this morning. Seems they were all briefed off the record.

 

[Godfather]

I cant believe we really are trying on Hummels. This is exactly like last year's Fabregas. Just even more unlikely

 

[Sandikan]

I cant believe we really are trying on Hummels. This is exactly like last year's Fabregas. Just even more unlikely

The Fabregas that a year on was literally begging to come back to England?
The Fabregas who was very interested in a return last summer, before a managerial change swayed him?

Let's hope Hummels is as ""unlikely" as that eh?
I fear it'll actually be impossible.

 

[Oneunited26]

Don't disagree at all we will need to trim the squad. But getting rid of players just doesn't excite me, if it wasn't for commercial reasons it would be better to just keep them.

Well getting rid of ashley young Anderson bebe and fellaini is exiting enough

 

[FromTheBench]

Mitten naming the same names as Ogden and Ducker then.


Hummels seems unlikely given what Dortmund and Klopp are saying.

So, i guess We'll get one of De Vrij/Vermaelen and Blind depending on how Van Gaal evaluates our defenders.

 

[iBoss]

Seen a lot of people talking about Cleverley leaving. I don't think that's happening at all.

 

[Spielmacher]

Mitten naming the same names as Ogden and Ducker then.


Hummels seems unlikely given what Dortmund and Klopp are saying.

So, i guess We'll get one of De Vrij/Vermaelen and Blind depending on how Van Gaal evaluates our defenders.

Depends if we're looking to spend whatever neccessary to secure the real deal or just looking for a cheaper option and maybe look next season for a CB again (as there may be more value in the market), considering Hummels is the real deal for you of course.
Wouldn't write it off because of what Klopp said, he didn't deny that the deal could happen under specific circumstances, just said that currently there's nothing serious going on, every sane person knew that €20M is a joke and every person with a memory going back longer than a month knows that Sport are a joke too. If we're willing to spend big we'll get him, I'm talking 40-50M.

 

[Sarni]

I won't be surprised if we end our transfer business at one more signing that won't necessarily excite everyone. I'm holding very little hope for marquee signings like Vidal or Di Maria - as per usual there's been plenty of talk with not much happening in the matter. I don't doubt we're showing interest but I don't trust us completing a deal for a top, top player this season. I'll be content if we end up signing De Jong for €5m, Blind for €15m, Vermaelen for €10m or de Vrij for €10m. I won't be completely shocked if we end up signing no one until the end of window either although I think there'll be a signing.

 

[FromTheBench]

Depends if we're looking to spend whatever neccessary to secure the real deal or just looking for a cheaper option and maybe look next season for a CB again (as there may be more value in the market), considering Hummels is the real deal for you of course.
Wouldn't write it off because of what Klopp said, he didn't deny that the deal could happen under specific circumstances, just said that currently there's nothing serious going on, every sane person knew that €20M is a joke and every person with a memory going back longer than a month knows that Sport are a joke too. If we're willing to spend big we'll get him, I'm talking 40-50M.

40 million Euros ? I am not sure Dortmund would sell even for that right now given the noises coming out

Not sure we'll pay Real Crazy 45/50 million pounds type money for him. And he isn't worth that either for me.

I won't be surprised if we end our transfer business at one more signing that won't necessarily excite everyone. I'm holding very little hope for marquee signings like Vidal or Di Maria - as per usual there's been plenty of talk with not much happening in the matter. I don't doubt we're showing interest but I don't trust us completing a deal for a top, top player this season. I'll be content if we end up signing De Jong for €5m, Blind for €15m, Vermaelen for €10m or de Vrij for €10m. I won't be completely shocked if we end up signing no one until the end of window either although I think there'll be a signing.

I think getting De Vrij + Blind now and making move for Strootman or another MF in January is a possibility.

Not sure what's up with wide players as we aren't seriously linked with many, if any. Would ideally like us to sign atleast one.

 

[Spielmacher]

40 million Euros ? I am not sure Dortmund would sell even for that right now given the noises coming out

Not sure we'll pay Real Crazy 45/50 million pounds type money for him. And he isn't worth that either for me.

I was talking pounds of course. That's the question, whether we're willing to pay the money for the best ball playing CB around or not.

 

[Kaos]

I think getting De Vrij + Blind now and making move for Strootman or another MF in January is a possibility.

Not sure what's up with wide players as we aren't seriously linked with many, if any. Would ideally like us to sign atleast one.

That would be really disappointing. It means that until January we'd have Herrera as our only fit/not-shit midfielder, poor wingers and a host of young injury-prone defenders.

 

[FromTheBench]

That would be really disappointing. It means that until January we'd have Herrera as our only fit/not-shit midfielder, poor wingers and a host of young injury-prone defenders.

In that Scenario i am assuming Blind is supposed to do a Midfield role.

 

[Sarni]

That would be really disappointing. It means that until January we'd have Herrera as our only fit/not-shit midfielder, poor wingers and a host of young injury-prone defenders.

IMO that's very likely to be the case. Blind will cover for DM and LB and occasionally CB.

 

[FromTheBench]

I was talking pounds of course. That's the question, whether we're willing to pay the money for the best ball playing CB around or not.

While Hummels is very good, for me he is bit overhyped right now like Pique and Ramos were a couple years back when Spain and Barca were conquering. (Well, Ramos still is kind of, but Piques athletic weakness has caught up .)

I'd pay that sort of Money for a Young Rio maybe, but don't think Hummels as a defender is that level even potentially.

 

[Spielmacher]

While Hummels is very good, for me he is bit overhyped right now like Pique and Ramos were a couple years back when Spain and Barca were conquering. (Well, Ramos still is kind of, but Piques athletic weakness has caught up .)

I'd pay that sort of Money for a Young Rio maybe, but don't think Hummels as a defender is that level even potentially.

I don't think Ramos and Hummels are as overhyped as Pique. In the end it's important what LVG thinks, we know that he likes his ball-playing CB's and I think we can agree that Hummels is one of the best players that can do that, so I wouldn't rule out that he commands the club to pay everything that's necessary.
If that was the case I would be curious why we didn't bid anything so far, we clearly need the numbers in defence.

 

[backofthenet]

Because he wants to take a look at the young lads on tour. Who knows, they might surprise you.

Take Reece James for example. He plays in exactly the same positions as Blind. What would be the point in forking out circa 20 million if you had a lad in your academy that could do the same job. Not saying that he could, but you can understand why we'd wait and take a look.

Or Michael Keane instead of De Vrij. Keane is quite experienced for his age, plays regularly for England U21's and looks like he has the talent to take the next step. Why blow 15m on a player that has very similar talent sets, albeit one that is slightly more tested at the top level.

How about we all take Van Gaal's words at face value and assume that he really is waiting to see if the lads can cut it before spending. No doubt we've cautiously sounded out what the deals would take should Van Gaal decide that the current squad isn't up to it. I expect him to watch the first two to three games and then act decisively if he feels that we need to. That could break the heart of every muppet on here of course.

 

[Rednotdead]

Because he wants to take a look at the young lads on tour. Who knows, they might surprise you.

Take Reece James for example. He plays in exactly the same positions as Blind. What would be the point in forking out circa 20 million if you had a lad in your academy that could do the same job. Not saying that he could, but you can understand why we'd wait and take a look.

Or Michael Keane instead of De Vrij. Keane is quite experienced for his age, plays regularly for England U21's and looks like he has the talent to take the next step. Why blow 15m on a player that has very similar talent sets, albeit one that is slightly more tested at the top level.

How about we all take Van Gaal's words at face value and assume that he really is waiting to see if the lads can cut it before spending. No doubt we've cautiously sounded out what the deals would take should Van Gaal decide that the current squad isn't up to it. I expect him to watch the first two to three games and then act decisively if he feels that we need to. That could break the heart of every muppet on here of course.

More likely to break Van Gaal's heart after he's seen them play

 

[bm_5]

While Hummels is very good, for me he is bit overhyped right now like Pique and Ramos were a couple years back when Spain and Barca were conquering. (Well, Ramos still is kind of, but Piques athletic weakness has caught up .)

I'd pay that sort of Money for a Young Rio maybe, but don't think Hummels as a defender is that level even potentially.

I agree on the others, but Hummels is not at all overhyped. If anything he's underhyped. He has the potential to be as good as Rio, maybe not as skilled but more agile. He would walk into the lineup of any team in the World right now.

 

[Roboc7]

Seen a lot of people talking about Cleverley leaving. I don't think that's happening at all.

I wouldn’t rule out Cleverley leaving, only has a year on his contract and there doesn’t seem to be any urgency to offer him a new one, Herrera’s arrival and the possibility of further signings will make it very difficult to get in the team on a regular basis so I think there are definitely big question marks against his future.

If he does stay he should only be offered a 1-2 year extension on his current contract as he is yet to justify a big contract and pay rise, if he turns things round we can offer him a better deal but if not we won’t be stuck with another high earner who isn’t good enough.

 

[Santos J]

Because he wants to take a look at the young lads on tour. Who knows, they might surprise you.

Take Reece James for example. He plays in exactly the same positions as Blind. What would be the point in forking out circa 20 million if you had a lad in your academy that could do the same job. Not saying that he could, but you can understand why we'd wait and take a look.

Or Michael Keane instead of De Vrij. Keane is quite experienced for his age, plays regularly for England U21's and looks like he has the talent to take the next step. Why blow 15m on a player that has very similar talent sets, albeit one that is slightly more tested at the top level.

How about we all take Van Gaal's words at face value and assume that he really is waiting to see if the lads can cut it before spending. No doubt we've cautiously sounded out what the deals would take should Van Gaal decide that the current squad isn't up to it. I expect him to watch the first two to three games and then act decisively if he feels that we need to. That could break the heart of every muppet on here of course.

Blind's a midfielder, he's not a good left back, we wouldn't be signing him to play there, he'd just cover there if needed.

 

[backofthenet]

Blind's a midfielder, he's not a good left back, we wouldn't be signing him to play there, he'd just cover there if needed.

But if you'd watched the reserves you'd have seen that Reece James played as much, if not more, at centre midfield than he did at full back. I believe he's been taken as midfield cover rather than LB cover

 

[Santos J]

But if you'd watched the reserves you'd have seen that Reece James played as much, if not more, at centre midfield than he did at full back. I believe he's been taken as midfield cover rather than LB cover

It's not his natural position though and it's pretty evident he's a better left back. Don't really want Blind here either way, don't think he's anything special and I'd rather promote from within if it's just for squad players.

 

[Lawman]

I agree on the others, but Hummels is not at all overhyped. If anything he's underhyped. He has the potential to be as good as Rio, maybe not as skilled but more agile. He would walk into the lineup of any team in the World right now.

Not sure about this but Hummels is a fantastic reader of the game but lacks the pace and not sure why agility is important in a centre back to be honest any much more than any other out field position. But he's not as good an athlete as a young Rio who was an absolute rolls Royce.

 

[Name Changed]

Blind's a midfielder, he's not a good left back, we wouldn't be signing him to play there, he'd just cover there if needed.

Personally, I don't think he's that much of a midfielder either.