Memphis Depay | PSV confirm deal with Man Utd is agreed!

[Walters_19_MuFc]

There's no way I see us starting next season with two nutters and the still uncertain Smalling as our only CB options, we desperately need real quality and leadership back there to get it working, if Smalling gets injured we'd be fecked as Rojo and Jones are a recipe for disaster.


The issue is that LvG isn't using actual wingers and sees the front 3 as forwards. now bar Mata none of the others offer much in the way of goal threat, I guess that is the idea behind Memphis as if he can replicate his goal scoring from wide in the Dutch league here, then he'd fit well with the system as I doubt Rooney will be rested all that often regardless of how many games we play.

Why do people keep saying this? Sounds similar to the 'we only play long balls when Fellaini plays' argument. Preconceived ideas with nothing to fall back on. Despite Rojo and Jones playing together a few times, they've looked fine when they've partnered up with each other. But hey, because it's Rojo and Jones, it'll be a recipe for disaster.

That makes no difference to what I have said, though. Wingers, forwards, call them what you want, it would be silly to overload in one position, meaning certain players miss out. Especially players we want to see progress at the club.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

I really think Depay is too good of a talent for us to ignore. If would be a shame if we let him get away just because we were afraid of not finding a place in the squad for Young. We should sign him and figure out the rest later.

 

[Devil may care]

Why do people keep saying this? Sounds similar to the 'we only play long balls when Fellaini plays' argument. Despite Rojo and Jones playing together a few times, they've looked fine when they've partnered up with each other.

That makes no difference to what I have said, though. Wingers, forwards, call them what you want, it would be silly to overload in one position, meaning certain players miss out. Especially players we want to see progress at the club.

I am saying it because it was what I have seen, both look much better with the calmer Smalling next to them and neither of them are trusty, you cannot play two mad dogs together, Regardless though there is little point in us arguing that here, I am 100% sure we will invest in a proper top CB in the summer.

What you have suggested is bringing in a player who can play as a striker and a wide forward, yes? What I am saying is that would barely make any difference as they'd spend the bulk of their time taking the wide role as Rooney will almost always start as he is LvG's captain, so Januzaj would be no better off than if Depay was bought. I'm not sure how your Januzaj concern can be allayed in truth as we have already established that LvG likes his wide forwards to be inverted, which means even if we don't buy anyone Januzaj will still be stuck trying to displace Mata and Di Maria from the right.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I am saying it because it was what I have seen, both look much better with the calmer Smalling next to them and neither of them are trusty, you cannot play two mad dogs together, Regardless though there is little point in us arguing that here, I am 100% sure we will invest in a proper top CB in the summer.

What you have suggested is bringing in a player who can play as a striker and a wide forward, yes? What I am saying is that would barely make any difference as they'd spend the bulk of their time taking the wide role as Rooney will almost always start as he is LvG's captain, so Januzaj would be no better off than if Depay was bought. I'm not sure how your Januzaj concern can be allayed in truth as we have already established that LvG likes his wide forwards to be inverted, which means even if we don't buy anyone Januzaj will still be stuck trying to displace Mata and Di Maria from the right.

Not arguing, because you can't base your argument on anything. The shakiest our defence has been is when we played Burnley, and that was with Smalling and Evans in defence, but like I said, preconceived ideas.

You're very right, and to be fair, my first team I posted had Di Maria on the left, as Van Gaal has used him there quite a few times this season, which would have meant Januzaj and Mata competing.

 

[Devil may care]

Not arguing, because you can't base your argument on anything. The shakiest our defence has been is when we played Burnley, and that was with Smalling and Evans in defence, but like I said, preconceived ideas.

You're very right, and to be fair, my first team I posted had Di Maria on the left, as Van Gaal has used him there quite a few times this season, which would have meant Januzaj and Mata competing.

The best our defense has looked was also when Smalling and Evans played together before spitgate. You want me to give examples yet you are basing your argument on nothing but saying the opposite of the general view? Ok then, just this past weekend we let Benteke in behind as Jones got lost half way up the field and Rojo was too far up as well and had to chase back to make the save, this is the exact same positional incompetence they displayed for Berahino's goal away at West Brom. Neither of them are good positionally, they are instinctual and rash, they need an opposite to help them.

He has used him on the left that is true, but I think we need an addition to the front 3 with pace, skill and a real goal output, if we go in with the current 4 we have then Rooney has it all on his shoulders yet again.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

The best our defense has looked was also when Smalling and Evans played together before spitgate. You want me to give examples yet you are basing your argument on nothing but saying the opposite of the general view? Ok then, just this past weekend we let Benteke in behind as Jones got lost half way up the field and Rojo was too far up as well and had to chase back to make the save, this is the exact same positional incompetence they displayed for Berahino's goal away at West Brom. Neither of them are good positionally, they are instinctual and rash, they need an opposite to help them.

He has used him on the left that is true, but I think we need an addition to the front 3 with pace, skill and a real goal output, if we go in with the current 4 we have then Rooney has it all on his shoulders yet again.

I disagree. I think the best our defence has looked is with Smalling and Jones, who I'd love to see get more time together.

What you have to realise is, I never once said i'd have Rojo and Jones as my first choice pairing, but I think people go a bit mad when discussing the two starting toegther. I mean you've mentioned two examples off the top of your head, but Burnley could have had like 3 goals in 5 minutes. Funnily enough, Jones went off injured that day for Smalling. Also, Smalling got sent off for being 'rash' against Citeh.

That can be the winger/striker, or forwards as you like to call them.

 

[Devil may care]

I disagree. I think the best our defence has looked is with Smalling and Jones, who I'd love to see get more time together.

What you have to realise is, I never once said i'd have Rojo and Jones as my first choice pairing, but I think people go a bit mad when discussing the two starting toegther. I mean you've mentioned two examples off the top of your head, but Burnley could have had like 3 goals in 5 minutes. Funnily enough, Jones went off injured that day for Smalling. Also, Smalling got sent off for being 'rash' against Citeh.

That can be the winger/striker, or forwards as you like to call them.

That's fair enough, personally I don't rate Jones much at all, he'd not be in my future plans in truth.

Are you just trying to establish all our CB's are a bit crap? Smalling had one instance of rashness that is true, but overall I think he has clearly been the only one of our CB's to show noticeable progress under LvG this season. I think it's common practice to mix and match when it comes to CB's, you rarely pair the same type with the same flaws, you choose pairings that compliment each other and Jones and Rojo don't from what I have seen.

Whatever name you give to the player any new player coming into that front 3 set up is going to cause Januzaj the same problem, whether it's Depay, Felipe Anderson, Firmino, Dybala, Lacazatte etc.....As any one of them will spend almost all of their time as a wide option with Rooney as the #9. The only way to fix your worry over Januzaj is if we sell one of the current players IMO and that seems unlikely, hence why I said earlier in this thread I think a loan would be a good idea for Januzaj next season while we see how Di Maria does in his second season and see if Young continues to do well enough to warrant another years extension in 2016.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Don't think Van Gaal sees him as a midfielder, though. He bought him to play on the wing.

What teams in the EPL, or Europe for that matter, have more than four first team wingers?

Neymar, messi, pedro, iniesta, rafinha...
Hazard, Oscar, cuadrado, Willian, Ramires..
Milner, nasri, navas, silva, jovetic...
Walcott, Sanchez, Ramsey, Ozil, Welbeck, Gnabry etc.

The list goes on and that's just off the top of my head. All good teams have options for different positions, not just 3 players to use all season.

 

[dasty]

As good as Young had been for us this season, if he leaves next season with Memphis coming in I do not see a problem with that. And I personally thinks that he can play as a striker too, and that will be an invaluable asset.

 

[GledTheRed]

As good as Young had been for us this season, if he leaves next season with Memphis coming in I do not see a problem with that. And I personally thinks that he can play as a striker too, and that will be an invaluable asset.

Correct as can Januzaj.

 

[Red Shorts]

Can't really claim to know anything about this guy nor see much of him at all, which wing does he primarily play off?

 

[GledTheRed]

Can't really claim to know anything about this guy nor see much of him at all, which wing does he primarily play off?

left cutting in, he's right footed.

 

[Red Shorts]

left cutting in, he's right footed.

Noiceee, love these type of wingers. Plus the youtube vids, I'm all for this

 

[itso 7]

You can laugh all you want, but you've just mentioned three players. Add Di Maria to that and that makes four players competing for two spots. If we were to add Memphis, it would mean five players. Like I said, this isn't fifa. You have to be realistic. If we are to buy Memphis we would have to get rid of at least one winger (preferably Young). Even then, that would mean one winger missing out on matchday squads quite often, and it seems that would be Januzaj, which would mean slowing down his progression.

Januzaj will just have to prove himself worthy of that spot on the bench/starting eleven or risk deteriorating into another one with a great future behind him. Next season we need a player to give us what Nani gave us in that glorious eighteen months before things went south for him - an unpredictable goal threat from the wing.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Neymar, messi, pedro, iniesta, rafinha...
Hazard, Oscar, cuadrado, Willian, Ramires..
Milner, nasri, navas, silva, jovetic...
Walcott, Sanchez, Ramsey, Ozil, Welbeck, Gnabry etc.

The list goes on and that's just off the top of my head. All good teams have options for different positions, not just 3 players to use all season.

You named players that can get used as wingers. If I do that, then currently we have got:

Di Maria, Januzaj, Mata, Young, Valencia, Herrera, Pereira.

 

[Invictus]

Right now only 2 of our loosely defined 'wingers' are conclusively better than Memphis at that position on a qualitative basis. You don't stop buying better players who have great potential just because there is a surplus at that position, that just leads to stagnation and as the rule says - if you're not moving forward, you're only going backwards. This is why replenishing the squad whenever an opportunity arises is so important.

 

[united_99]

With our history, status and money we should be fighting (again) for trebles/quadruples - at least being in all competitions for long enough. This would give us 60 + games per season, add to that injuries and rotation and we can easily buy a winger, indeed we have to as among the current options only Mata and Di Maria are better than Depay and both of them can play other positions as well and they will (once we have added a quality CB and another CM).

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

That's fair enough, personally I don't rate Jones much at all, he'd not be in my future plans in truth.

Are you just trying to establish all our CB's are a bit crap? Smalling had one instance of rashness that is true, but overall I think he has clearly been the only one of our CB's to show noticeable progress under LvG this season. I think it's common practice to mix and match when it comes to CB's, you rarely pair the same type with the same flaws, you choose pairings that compliment each other and Jones and Rojo don't from what I have seen.

Whatever name you give to the player any new player coming into that front 3 set up is going to cause Januzaj the same problem, whether it's Depay, Felipe Anderson, Firmino, Dybala, Lacazatte etc.....As any one of them will spend almost all of their time as a wide option with Rooney as the #9. The only way to fix your worry over Januzaj is if we sell one of the current players IMO and that seems unlikely, hence why I said earlier in this thread I think a loan would be a good idea for Januzaj next season while we see how Di Maria does in his second season and see if Young continues to do well enough to warrant another years extension in 2016.

Nope. I actually rate them highly, especially given that we've had to continually chop and change our back line throughout the season. I mean, just imagine what they could do with a run of games together.

Or not buy another specialised winger, meaning Januzaj will have a guaranteed bench spot. Look at the team I posted, and put in Januzaj for Depay.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Januzaj will just have to prove himself worthy of that spot on the bench/starting eleven or risk deteriorating into another one with a great future behind him. Next season we need a player to give us what Nani gave us in that glorious eighteen months before things went south for him - an unpredictable goal threat from the wing.

The only reason people are raving about Memphis is because he is playing for a team where he gets constant games. If he was to come here and take on the role Januzaj has, maybe he wouldn't be so convincing this season either.

Having said that, I do agree we need a goalscoring winger. If Memphis fits the bill, then we'll have to think about what we're going to do with Januzaj.

 

[Raoul]

The only reason people are raving about Memphis is because he is playing for a team where he gets constant games. If he was to come here and take on the role Januzaj has, maybe he wouldn't be so convincing this season either.

Having said that, I do agree we need a goalscoring winger. If Memphis fits the bill, then we'll have to think about what we're going to do with Januzaj.

Its quite obvious Januzaj needs a year long loan somewhere, where he can get weekly playing time. Sending him for Wolfsburg for a year to sweeten the pot for a potential De Bruyne deal would make perfect sense imo.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Its quite obvious Januzaj needs a year long loan somewhere, where he can get weekly playing time. Sending him for Wolfsburg for a year to sweeten the pot for a potential De Bruyne deal would make perfect sense imo.

Funnily enough, Januzaj's situation reminds me of De Bruyne's at Chelsea. Very rarely played, got sold, now people want him here. Just goes to show what playing time can do.

 

[Raoul]

Funnily enough, Januzaj's situation reminds me of De Bruyne's at Chelsea. Very rarely played, got sold, now people want him here. Just goes to show what playing time can do.

Possibly, although De Bruyne seems to have a world class football IQ about him, whereas Adnan may or may not ever develop one. He just needs a year of consistent playing time to gain some confidence and we shall see.

 

[Will Absolute]

Imo there's nothing wrong with Januzaj's football intelligence; he's simply been overanxious to impress with the limited chances he's been given. A world-class player in the making, but he needs to play. Another season like this one would set him back.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Possibly, although De Bruyne seems to have a world class football IQ about him, whereas Adnan may or may not ever develop one. He just needs a year of consistent playing time to gain some confidence and we shall see.

I never would have thought that when he was at Chelsea. Looked pretty poor whenever I watched him.

Also, De Bruyne is nearly 24, whereas, Januzaj has only turned 20.

 

[itso 7]

Funnily enough, Januzaj's situation reminds me of De Bruyne's at Chelsea. Very rarely played, got sold, now people want him here. Just goes to show what playing time can do.

There is a reason why clubs like us, Madrid, Chelsea and others of our ilk spend so much on players and young players like KDB, Januzaj and others suffer at these clubs. We simply can not afford to give him the minutes he needs despite all the best intentions. The only way out of this is a year long loan to a club like Ajax, PSV or Swansea, he stil has three and half years on his deal so we are still safe.

 

[Devil may care]

Nope. I actually rate them highly, especially given that we've had to continually chop and change our back line throughout the season. I mean, just imagine what they could do with a run of games together.

Or not buy another specialised winger, meaning Januzaj will have a guaranteed bench spot. Look at the team I posted, and put in Januzaj for Depay.

I tend to imagine how many we'd have conceded if De Gea hadn't bailed them out time and again this season. Other than Smalling I can't see the rest as part of a title challenging CB partnership.

I did as you asked and looked back at the 18 man match day squad you posted, in your eagerness to keep Januzaj happy you've demoted Wilson, sold RvP and decided we don't need a top CB. To me I doubt LvG prioritizes Januzaj high enough to make all those calls in his favour.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I tend to imagine how many we'd have conceded if De Gea hadn't bailed them out time and again this season. Other than Smalling I can't see the rest as part of a title challenging CB partnership.

I did as you asked and looked back at the 18 man match day squad you posted, in your eagerness to keep Januzaj happy you've demoted Wilson, sold RvP and decided we don't need a top CB. To me I doubt LvG prioritizes Januzaj high enough to make all those calls in his favour.

Oh, the old, 'we would have conceded a lot more if it weren't for De Gea' argument. He's a keeper, and a very good one at that. His job is to keep goals out. He's not the only keeper who have bailed out our centre backs.

Wilson is not ready and wouldn't need to be on the bench if we had another striker there. If RVP isn't sold, then he would take the new striker/wingers role and I personally don't think we need a centre back, unless we get rid of one of Smalling, Jones or Rojo.

If Van Gaal thinks Januzaj's not ready, and that a loan will be beneficial, then so be it, but a young winger would slow down his progression, in my opinion, then you'll get people moaning that he hasn't fulfilled his potential.

 

[Devil may care]

Oh, the old, 'we would have conceded a lot more if it weren't for De Gea' argument. He's a keeper, and a very good one at that. His job is to keep goals out. He's not the only keeper who have bailed out our centre backs.

Wilson is not ready and wouldn't need to be on the bench if we had another striker there. If RVP isn't sold, then he would take the new striker/wingers role and I personally don't think we need a centre back, unless we get rid of one of Smalling, Jones or Rojo.

If Van Gaal thinks Januzaj's not ready, and that a loan will be beneficial, then so be it, but a young winger would slow down his progression, in my opinion, then you'll get people moaning that he hasn't fulfilled his potential.

Come on man, the amount of times De Gea has been our MOTM this season is not regular for a keeper in a supposed top side, he's had to do way more than most to keep us in games due to how poor our defense is.

So what happens with Wilson then? I mean you say he's not ready which is fair enough but are you saying loan him? We are probably on the same page as regards RvP, my worry is that LvG will keep him. We are miles apart on the CB thing, I especially think it would be crazy not to figure in their injury records as they are a reality. I know that Chelsea and others only carry 3 CB's but I prefer Fergie's method of at least 4 to be safe.

I think Januzaj's biggest issue is that LvG likes inverted wide players and in front of him are Mata and Di Maria. It's not that I don't see your point it's that I'm not sure he's shown enough for it impact our transfer operations.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

Come on man, the amount of times De Gea has been our MOTM this season is not regular for a keeper in a supposed top side, he's had to do way more than most to keep us in games due to how poor our defense is.

So what happens with Wilson then? I mean you say he's not ready which is fair enough but are you saying loan him? We are probably on the same page as regards RvP, my worry is that LvG will keep him. We are miles apart on the CB thing, I especially think it would be crazy not to figure in their injury records as they are a reality. I know that Chelsea and others only carry 3 CB's but I prefer Fergie's method of at least 4 to be safe.

I think Januzaj's biggest issue is that LvG likes inverted wide players and in front of him are Mata and Di Maria. It's not that I don't see your point it's that I'm not sure he's shown enough for it impact our transfer operations.

And have you taken into consideration the amount of times we've had to change our back four? I mean, no other team have suffered the injuries we have this season. Also, you talk about our defence as if it's just the back four's fault. There's many factors as to why we've been conceding too many shots on goal. Funnily enough, since we've stuck to a system and played more or less the same personnel in the last four to five games, we've looked a lot more solid as a unit.

Yes loan Wilson. Keep Van Persie or get a striker in mid 20's that he won't interfere with Wilson's progression when he comes back.

Van Gaal cannot go into next season thinking we're going to have the injuries we did this season, otherwise what happens if all our centre backs are fit for the majority of the season next year? Currently, we have Smalling, Rojo, Jones and Evans. The latter I think will be sold. If desperate, we've got Carrick, Blind, McNair or possibly Blackett to fill in. We coped this year. Even when we played three at the back.

Might as well sell him then.

 

[Attila]

Its quite obvious Januzaj needs a year long loan somewhere, where he can get weekly playing time. Sending him for Wolfsburg for a year to sweeten the pot for a potential De Bruyne deal would make perfect sense imo.

Yeah I think Januzaj really needs to go out on loan somewhere. United aren't in a position right now to give young players a run out and see what they can do. Sadly we find ourselves trying to show the world that we are still one of the major powers in world football and that means we need to buy star players (well not star players..just highly promising talent like Depay etc) and give great performances in the league and Europe(next year).

Hopefully we can secure top 4 quite soon and give him a run out though. I really want him to make it here as he was one of the bright sparks during the utterly depressing moyes era. Those two goals against Sunderland for us were utterly sublime considering his age and profile and would make you think he has a future at United. Thankfully we have signed him on a long term contract so have options in regard to his future development.

 

[Devil may care]

And have you taken into consideration the amount of times we've had to change our back four? I mean, no other team have suffered the injuries we have this season. Also, you talk about our defence as if it's just the back four's fault. There's many factors as to why we've been conceding too many shots on goal. Funnily enough, since we've stuck to a system and played more or less the same personnel in the last four to five games, we've looked a lot more solid as a unit.

Yes loan Wilson. Keep Van Persie or get a striker in mid 20's that he won't interfere with Wilson's progression when he comes back.

Van Gaal cannot go into next season thinking we're going to have the injuries we did this season, otherwise what happens if all our centre backs are fit for the majority of the season next year? Currently, we have Smalling, Rojo, Jones and Evans. The latter I think will be sold. If desperate, we've got Carrick, Blind, McNair or possibly Blackett to fill in. We coped this year. Even when we played three at the back.

Might as well sell him then.

I have taken that into consideration, it doesn't alter the amount of simple individual errors made, as I said Smalling has shown progression since the City mistake and played well prior, I do think he can be a starting CB at United, but the other 2 are squad players IMO and given Rojo can also play LB there is no issue there. As for the midfield now offering more protection, I concede that, now we are playing a proper trio of CM's as opposed to a system where Blind was the only protection we have looked strong as a unit, yet dumb errors individually are still present, especially from Jones.

That's very specific which is not easy to pull off, I mean I can think of only one option that fits the exact criteria.

He can go into next season prepared for the fact our CB's have terrible injury records and not rely on 2 kids and playing CM's out of position. However we are beating a dead hores on this one mate and in truth it's gotten us way off topic as regards this thread, we'll see come the summer if LvG thinks we can get by with no CB purchase.

That's a bit of a leap from what I said. Januzaj hasn't scored enough goals or indeed created nearly enough to warrant being a deciding factor in who we bring in, that is all I was saying.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I have taken that into consideration, it doesn't alter the amount of simple individual errors made, as I said Smalling has shown progression since the City mistake and played well prior, I do think he can be a starting CB at United, but the other 2 are squad players IMO and given Rojo can also play LB there is no issue there. As for the midfield now offering more protection, I concede that, now we are playing a proper trio of CM's as opposed to a system where Blind was the only protection we have looked strong as a unit, yet dumb errors individually are still present, especially from Jones.

That's very specific which is not easy to pull off, I mean I can think of only one option that fits the exact criteria.

He can go into next season prepared for the fact our CB's have terrible injury records and not rely on 2 kids and playing CM's out of position. However we are beating a dead hores on this one mate and in truth it's gotten us way off topic as regards this thread, we'll see come the summer if LvG thinks we can get by with no CB purchase.

That's a bit of a leap from what I said. Januzaj hasn't scored enough goals or indeed created nearly enough to warrant being a deciding factor in who we bring in, that is all I was saying.

That's your opinion. I think our centre backs are good enough.

Keep RVP or sign that player then.

Terrible is a bit extreme.

Jones:

11/12 season - 40 games
12/13 season - 24 games
13/14 season - 39 games

Smalling:

10/11 - 33 games
11/12 - 24 games
12/13 - 39 games
13/14 - 22 games

And to be fair, we are beating a dead horse, in regards to talking about centre backs, but lets not forget you're the one that brought it up. I only mentioned what squad I would use, and how I feel Memphis (the thread) would slow down the progression of Januzaj.

I don't think it's a big leap at all. If we're not going to play him, or have no intention of using him as a regular in the next couple years due to Di Maria and Mata, we should sell him.

 

[Attila]

@Devil may care Has a legitimate point about Rojo and Jones being too rash to complement each other. Both of them are aggressive centre backs who should be complimented with someone calmer like Ferdinand (or Smalling). It's not even something new considering the sporting poster on the cafe suggested that Rojo will be incredibly aggressive in his play. We need someone like Hummels to complement either player because otherwise we are asking for a recipe for disaster. I hope Rojo grows into his role but I still remain skeptical because of his poor ball retention against Liverpool and his stupid challenges against Aston Villa. However I have only skimmed through the Villa match and can't make a solid judgement from that.

I think @Walters_19_MuFc is believing in some sort of fantasy if he thinks we can survive with a pairing of Smalling and Jones next year (two players who can compliment each other tbf, calm smalling and aggressive jones) but the sad truth is that neither have a good injury record. It may also be relevant that Jones hasn't quite reached the standard of defending required by a team like United (which is ok because he is only 23 years old). Walters lives in a fantasy if he thinks we can attack the premier league and europe with that defence imo.

Also @Walters_19_MuFc its a bit strange if you think that the signing of Depay and/or Felipe Anderson would be competing with the likes of Young, Valencia, Januzaj, Pereira and Herrera (the last two especially considering they don't play on the wing?)

Out of the players listed above only Januzaj provides an obstacle and most people would think that he need's a loan out to improve himself.

 

[Devil may care]

That's your opinion. I think our centre backs are good enough.

Keep RVP or sign that player then.

Terrible is a bit extreme.

Jones:

11/12 season - 40 games
12/13 season - 24 games
13/14 season - 39 games

Smalling:

10/11 - 33 games
11/12 - 24 games
12/13 - 39 games
13/14 - 22 games

And to be fair, we are beating a dead horse, in regards to talking about centre backs, but lets not forget you're the one that brought it up. I only mentioned what squad I would use, and how I feel Memphis (the thread) would slow down the progression of Januzaj.

I don't think it's a big leap at all. If we're not going to play him, or have no intention of using him as a regular in the next couple years due to Di Maria and Mata, we should sell him.

That player is Lacazette though, right?

On the defenders thing I'll make it quick, the stats suggest better injury records than I thought, fair play. We disagree on their quality by a huge margin, and I wasn't trying to forget I brought them up in relation to squad space, I just never expected it to begin a full on debate given the general consensus from pundits to fans to journos is that we'll buy a CB.

I never said we are not going to play him or don't intend to use him, I just don't think we will use what's best for Januzaj as the basis of our transfer policy.

 

[Attila]

So you think if United are entering european football next season they can compete fine and well with the likes of Jones and Smalling as Centreback? Smalling I think is formidable against any one on one player but as a pair it doesn't have experience and Jones is known to make rash decisions

 

[Devil may care]

@Devil may care Has a legitimate point about Rojo and Jones being too rash to complement each other. Both of them are aggressive centre backs who should be complimented with someone calmer like Ferdinand (or Smalling). It's not even something new considering the sporting poster on the cafe suggested that Rojo will be incredibly aggressive in his play. We need someone like Hummels to complement either player because otherwise we are asking for a recipe for disaster. I hope Rojo grows into his role but I still remain skeptical because of his poor ball retention against Liverpool and his stupid challenges against Aston Villa. However I have only skimmed through the Villa match and can't make a solid judgement from that.

I'm not sold on Jones ever being good enough and I'll own being proven wrong if I am, but to me if we want balance defensively we need two composed, calm CB's to go with Jones and Rojo. Evans out and Hummels in doesn't seem a huge stretch to me in terms of making good squad building sense as regards balance and buying players that compliment each other.

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

That player is Lacazette though, right?

On the defenders thing I'll make it quick, the stats suggest better injury records than I thought, fair play. We disagree on their quality by a huge margin, and I wasn't trying to forget I brought them up in relation to squad space, I just never expected it to begin a full on debate given the general consensus from pundits to fans to journos is that we'll buy a CB.

I never said we are not going to play him or don't intend to use him, I just don't think we will use what's best for Januzaj as the basis of our transfer policy.

You said you can think of one player and I said sign him then or keep RVP. I don't know what player you were talking about.

Pretty sure you said we were beating a dead horse in regards to the centre backs.

You never said it, but with Di Maria and Mata ahead of him, it's as good as.

 

[Devil may care]

You said you can think of one player and I said sign him then or keep RVP. I don't know what player you were talking about.

Pretty sure you said we were beating a dead horse in regards to the centre backs.

You never said it, but with Di Maria and Mata ahead of him, it's as good as.

I took Lacazette based on you putting his name in your squad post and that he's the only striker in terms of hot ones on the market that fit with the criteria you laid out.

I did say that but I wasn't saying it in a way that was accusatory, just that I felt we'd ran it into the ground, you make it sound like you are defending yourself from blame, it was never like that.

Well both those players are already here so are you suggesting we not only don't buy a wide attacker but also sell one of those 2?

 

[Walters_19_MuFc]

I think @Walters_19_MuFc is believing in some sort of fantasy if he thinks we can survive with a pairing of Smalling and Jones next year (two players who can compliment each other tbf, calm smalling and aggressive jones) but the sad truth is that neither have a good injury record. It may also be relevant that Jones hasn't quite reached the standard of defending required by a team like United (which is ok because he is only 23 years old). Walters lives in a fantasy if he thinks we can attack the premier league and europe with that defence imo.

Also @Walters_19_MuFc its a bit strange if you think that the signing of Depay and/or Felipe Anderson would be competing with the likes of Young, Valencia, Januzaj, Pereira and Herrera (the last two especially considering they don't play on the wing?)

Out of the players listed above only Januzaj provides an obstacle and most people would think that he need's a loan out to improve himself.

No, i'm pretty sure I don't live in a fantasy. It's just my opinion that I feel our defenders, given playing time together can be good enough. You talk about experience, but the only way they'll get that is by playing.

I mention nothing about Depay competing with Young, etc. Can't really be bothered to explain, but if you go back a page or two you'll find out what I meant.

Most people weren't saying that last year or earlier on this year. How times have changed.

 

[Attila]

No, i'm pretty sure I don't live in a fantasy. It's just my opinion that I feel our defenders, given playing time together can be good enough. You talk about experience, but the only way they'll get that is by playing.

I mention nothing about Depay competing with Young, etc. Can't really be bothered to explain, but if you go back a page or two you'll find out what I meant.

Most people weren't saying that last year or earlier on this year. How times have changed.

Well thankfully our board and management don't agree with you and according to many reports we are after a new centre back like Hummels for example.

Depay is much further along in his development that Januzaj. I see no problem with loaning Januzaj out like @Raoul had suggested earlier and bringing Depay into first team contention. If you are talking about Januzaj in what people were saying a year or two earlier then I'm sorry that we adjust our opinions in consideration to what we see.