If I'm going to replace Smalling or Jones after buying Lindelof, I would replace them with a cheap backup option that's willing to set on the bench. I don't think Bartra is willing for that or he would have stayed as a backup option in Barca.
Marc Bartra
- Thread starter Raoul
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If I'm going to replace Smalling or Jones after buying Lindelof, I would replace them with a cheap backup option that's willing to set on the bench. I don't think Bartra is willing for that or he would have stayed as a backup option in Barca.
I doubt we'd be selling both Smalling and Jones. Even in that case (highly unlikely) we will have Lindelof, Bailly, Rojo and Blind plus Axel, makes no sense to sign another CB.
And rightly so.
The links to average players continue.
You have to take into consideration that Mourinho may want to buy his own players rather than be forced to continuously use old Fergie/Moyes/LvG signings. That doesn't mean we're buying this lad, but the idea that he will want his own players who have the characteristics and mindset that he wants, is applicable across the squad.
I never understood this obsession with ball playing defenders. Sure, if a defender knows how to pass the ball then that's a massive bonus. However a defender must first know how to defend
This would take some topping for the title of underwhelming signing of the summer.
Crikey, looks like we are going for the 10-0-0 formation next season. Seems to work for away teams at Old Trafford I suppose.
No one is questioning Jose wanting a certain type of players but since we already have bought one CB, the priority should be midfielders or attackers in this window and in the subsequent windows he can try and sell the players bought earlier and replace them as per his needs. And getting two new CBs in the same window just isn't right in my opinion.
We should be signing Mothra instead of batra.
Is he the new Delhi FC wonderkid ?
We really are getting desperate for any scrap 
Just my personal opinion of course but have seen this lad play for Barca B and eventually Barca's first team I think Tuanzebe is a better talent (and Fosu-Mensah for that matter). Of course this might not matter for next season since both of our lads are quite young but I'm not a fan of buying average/decent players just to fill up the squad. Plus I don't see Bartra as a type of defender that "fit" with English football.
Are you kidding? Mothra was totally outclassed by Godzilla. He is not United quality. However, as he is Japanese, he might be good marketing for that market as it has a large United fanbase.
Good player, but this report seems like a red herring because he doesn't make much sense as a United target unless we're going with a 5 (or 3) man defense where he plays through the middle as a sweeper of sorts. While he's a fairly decent defender for the most part, Bartra's biggest quality is probably his calmness in possession (stereotypical of Barcelona graduates) - and we've presumably bought Lindelöf for that, and Bartra's not going to be content with a subsidiary role when he's pretty much a starter for Dortmund alongside Sokratis unless Toprak/Ginter/Zagadou dislodge him from the starting XI for good. Even if we desperately want to get rid of Smalling and Jones, Bailly + Lindelöf + Rojo + Tuanzebe + Blind (emergency) is pretty solid from a depth standpoint in a 2 centerback formation, so adding another centerback for a good deal of money seems quite unnecessary. Would rather we sign a top, top U-18 centerback who can be developed under Mourinho, or a cheap 30+ veteran who can act as a short term bridge player than another good - but not potentially great defender when we have a couple of those already.
If are really after him then are truly struggling in the transfer market.
Our chances for top 4 derailed after defensive injuries last season.
Anyone seeing how mourinho deployed the defense in second half of MID away last season will tell you everything you need to know about how much he trusts smalling and jones.
We need 4 cbs. We have bailly, lindelof and rojo as competant CBs at the moment.
Anyone seeing how mourinho deployed the defense in second half of MID away last season will tell you everything you need to know about how much he trusts smalling and jones.
We need 4 cbs. We have bailly, lindelof and rojo as competant CBs at the moment.
Don't see the point. If anything, we need a physical CB as cover in case we move Smalling & Jones. Decent ball playing ability is a bonus not sole criteria given we can just throw Blind in there if needed. I mainly remember him from his Barcelona time due to not seeing much in Dortmund shirt, but his defensive skill is not that good that can even worth his place over Blind IMO
Surely we don't need another CB and surely we aren't buying bench warmers. I don't know much about this player but I'm wondering if Jose has a different plan for him in terms of his position on the pitch (assuming we're after him).
God Bless Luke Chadwick
All the more reason to get rid of Rooney.
It's just agent talk. We are not in for him.
The agents are the rumour starters.
The agents are the rumour starters.
If 4 is the magical number then Bartra isn't needed, Bailly and Lindelof are way better, Rojo might be a league above and from what I've seen of Blind and Bartra, I'd pick Blind as a CB every time
This is the Bartra special in a lot of his games
For a guy of his complexion he's awful at clearing with his head and his ball movement is questionable, he may have the skills to play the ball, but his decissions/mindset are awful and flops/gives it away way too much. This guy would get slaughtered in the Premier way worse than Stones on a bad day with City
The only thing he could have going is that, in a pinch, you may put him on the RB, but with Valencia and Darmian that's not why you would need a guy that may need 2 more season polishing at Dortmund
White men can't jump?
Would be signed as DM
In my view both Smalling and Jones should be moved out, as well as Darmian. This is because I have great faith in the abilities of Tuanzabe, and I assume Lindelof and Bailly will be the first choice pairing, as most do. However, if Mourinho is not convinced to trust him as a regular starter in the event of injury, surely Pepe on a one year deal is a much smarter move than paying cash for a player who- while able in many respects- seems a big gamble and would demand a transfer fee, especially given how well Mourinho knows the man from Madrid?
This rumour makes zero sense. Central defence is sorted for now - there are much bigger priorities in the team.
Ginter just won the Confed Cup
yeah in spite of him
He has a decent jump on his legs, but an awful tempo on his headers.
Most good/great defenders master the usual Jump-Hit at the top-come down mechanic, Bartra comes, jumps, eats the ball mid-jump and sometimes he does a good clearance, others not.
That and the fact that he seems more "flashy" than on the edge, like a David Luiz chillin around the field rather than Puyol eating away at you every chance he can. I can't believe Mourinho has set eyes on him, seems like the opposite type of player he would want.
I will trust Jogi Lowe's opinion over yours, thank you very much.
Rather keep Jones & Smalling and give Tuanzabe a chance.
Could he be fullback cover, perhaps a defensive option to replace Darmian if he's leaving?
Why would you rather keep them? Bartra is better.
He really isn't.
Tempo on his headers?
Really questioning the clubs ambition if these targets are to be true, Bartra? So disappointing.
I remember Januzaj putting Bartra on the floor with an average turn during a pre-season game a few seasons back and thinking he was dreadful. Bartra just looks a pretty average CB and wouldn't really get ahead of any of Bailly, Lindelof, Smalling, Jones or Rojo here imo, so I can't see any truth in this rumour.