No worse than Rio or Vidic imo
Nicolas Otamendi | City Player
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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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No worse than Rio or Vidic imo
Since Real Madrid sold Casillas I don't think we need a leverage any more. They need a top goalkeeper. It must be crucial for Benitez because he knows he will not last long without results. So we can just refuse to sell and they are likely to buy another keeper, thus De Gea to Madrid is off. So I'd say Real Madrid lost their leverage when they made it clear that they need a keeper.
I don't think they would go with a temporary fix. If they do we have a whole season to pursuade De Gea or find a replacement for him.
I don't think Benitez will want to wait with a quality keeper. Real Madrid is not a club known for their patience like we were.
Good to hear!
That's not news. Ramos was the vice captain, and with Iker leaving he's the only choice. Madrid chose their captains based on how many years you;ve been with the club. Marcelo or Pepe will be next in line.
This seems to make sense. The 4 signings we've made were probably completed quickly with a view to getting them integrated with the squad on tour. Otamendi wouldnt have played since he's on holiday after playing the full Copa America so we've got significantly more time to negotiate, maybe we've not even started with Woody focusing on the other 4. Hope it's true he'd be right in line with our other 4 acquisitions.
Yep - exactly. We hold all the cards in that negotiation. Pay what we want or you don't get him. Simple.
It seems that Kiko Casilla is on his way to Madrid, probably as a backup to Navas. Madrid's position vocally will be that Navas is a great goalkeeper and if they have to wait for De Gea until next Summer to avoid overpaying then so be it. United's stance will be that the only way they're getting one of our top players is by letting us have one of theirs in return. I think our stance only weakens if Madrid recognise that we've already bought in that position. Personally I don't think Bentiez will have any say about any of it, he'll have to take whatever squad he's given next season.
Who knows: we may end up in some kind of compromise whereby Madrid let us have Navas and pay around £20m on top.
Just get this done... 
!!
!!Agreed. Other than the fact that I don't necessarily find Rojo to be terrible at LB, but he's much better at CB. And Blind, and Shaw, are both much better than him at LB, and more than good enough to cover that position between them. I believe Shaw will make the position his this coming season, but I was seriously impressed by Blind when he got his run there towards the end of last season. I thought his lack of pace would prevent him from doing well there, but it never even became an issue.Sorry to disagree with you man
Blind is a better LB than Rojo imo. Him & Shaw have that position sorted for quite a few years to come thank God..
Pepe will be gone soon. He's too old to keep around and will be gone long before Ramos. I really can't see Marcelo getting it. Still, a captain after Ramos would be interesting. They chuck their toys around so frequently very few seem like lead-from-the-front-line quality.
Not overly fussed who we sign at CB now tbh. The signing of Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger have made our midfield much more solid and tough to break through, meaning our defence is better protected and won't be exposed anywhere near as much; similar to how Terry was EBJT when Makalele was at Chelsea, then he left and Terry was finished. In steps Matic and he's suddenly the Renaissance man...
Obviously, that's not to say I would want any old tat coming in, but the midfield signings now at least give us some breathing space and time to ensure the right one comes in rather than someone, anyone, at all costs.
Obviously, that's not to say I would want any old tat coming in, but the midfield signings now at least give us some breathing space and time to ensure the right one comes in rather than someone, anyone, at all costs.
When is he back from his hols....I can imagine we will make our move once he returns to Valencia for pre season training.
I reckon the paperwork for this is pretty much sorted. We're just keeping it quiet until he's done with his holidays and is ready to take up the stress of completing a transfer and moving to a different country. He couldn't have joined in on the pre-season tour anyway, so it doesn't make sense to bunch him in with the three other newcomers just to get him on the plane. It'll give LvG more time to focus on getting as much out of pre-season as well without having to faff about with all the formalities and extra press that comes with a new signing coming in.
The media not getting a whiff of the Schneiderlin transfer until he was done with his medical means there are no leaks at the club that we're not in control of, and we let the journalists know what we want them to know. I firmly believe Darmian, Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin have been ready for quite some time, but we waiting with completing them until now because there was no need to do it sooner. It seems unlikely that we rushed through three transfers in two days after staying relatively quiet since the Memphis transfer.
The media not getting a whiff of the Schneiderlin transfer until he was done with his medical means there are no leaks at the club that we're not in control of, and we let the journalists know what we want them to know. I firmly believe Darmian, Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin have been ready for quite some time, but we waiting with completing them until now because there was no need to do it sooner. It seems unlikely that we rushed through three transfers in two days after staying relatively quiet since the Memphis transfer.
Most probably it will be Ronaldo next in line if Ramos indeed leaves.
Yes that could be the way. But myself, I wonder if Real Madrid can survive a season without a top goalkeeper. Wouldn't it be easier for them to buy someone else in the end? Just because De Gea is spanish and one of the top keepers in the world, it doesn't HAVE to be him guarding their posts. There are other keepers around as well.
If that is the case though, we need to stop buying spanish or portuguese players because eventually they'll all move to Spain if they are good enough...
Oh, and you are probably right regarding whether or not Benitez have anything to say.
I put my faith in that those who DO hold the shots in Madrid hold so much pride against Barcelona that they don't dare to play a season without a top goalkeeper.
I can't see Real Madrid supporters or the club's hierarchy settling for anyone other than De Gea in goal next season if at all possible. It would be a massive fail for them after all the hype, and De Gea's refusal so sign a new contract with us. I'm hoping Ramos wanting to join us is the spanner in their works. I wonder if LVG is a good poker player.
There is an article about Otamendi in the print edition of Marca. They write that Otamendi doesn´t want to go back to Valencia,literally, he should go back 26th of July but he wants his future solved before that date to go directly to the next destination. He even wants that some friends deal with issues as the sale of the house and car. The article recalls that the price is 50m€ (according to some Valencia fans should be 50m€+VAT) however they write that the situation can change since Salvo is no longer in the team. They also say that United is in pole position to get the player.
IIRC, didn't Salvo say he'd get sacked by Lim if he sold Otamendi for anything less than his buyout clause? Funny because he's no longer the president anymore. I wonder if Lim would give us a discount, since he does have connections through Salford City.
The question is who will have the last word, Lim or Mendes. If Mendes , might be a discount , but surely asking for something in return
Mendes and Lim are best friends so they can probably work something out. I'm not sure how close that leech Mendes is with Woodward anymore, given the De Gea situation and possibility of Di Maria leaving. Given how pathetic euros are at the moment, if Ramos isn't coming, I could see Woodward paying up the release clause. 50m euros is 35m pounds, and his wages probably won't be sky high.
Could we be sorting this deal out whilst on tour. He can come over with di Maria and Rojo
We can afford to pay his release clause though, it's not sky high.
Barmy Argie army
We need one CB.
Jones and Rojo are very good players. They might not have done enough to warrant a first choice status in any of the top clubs, but still they are good quality players. Both are a little rash, but are great athletes and will grow in a settled team with a senior/experienced CB.
Let's get that one CB. Neither Ramos nor Otamendi seem like the perfect fit for the team(or ones who could mentor younger CBs), but I can't think of any others who are available.
Jones and Rojo are very good players. They might not have done enough to warrant a first choice status in any of the top clubs, but still they are good quality players. Both are a little rash, but are great athletes and will grow in a settled team with a senior/experienced CB.
Let's get that one CB. Neither Ramos nor Otamendi seem like the perfect fit for the team(or ones who could mentor younger CBs), but I can't think of any others who are available.
Anyone okay with us not getting a new centre-back? Since we've gone out and got a good anchor man in one of Schneiderlin and Schweinsteiger (depending on where they play) in addition to Carrick?
We have Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Evans, McNair, Blackett on our books already. Smalling cemented his place last season and Van Gaal seems to rate Jones too. Rojo did decent enough in his first season and so did Mcnair who was exceptional for a youngster. Evans was building up a decent run of form before spit-gate while Blackett had his moments.
Wonder whether Van Gaal really sees CB as a priority.
We have Smalling, Jones, Rojo, Evans, McNair, Blackett on our books already. Smalling cemented his place last season and Van Gaal seems to rate Jones too. Rojo did decent enough in his first season and so did Mcnair who was exceptional for a youngster. Evans was building up a decent run of form before spit-gate while Blackett had his moments.
Wonder whether Van Gaal really sees CB as a priority.
Absolutely he does - hench why he's after Ramos & Otamendi.
That list of CB's you just rhymed off is not gonna win us anything - we'd be scraping 4th spot again with that crowd. Smalling is the only one who's worthy to be a 1st team starter if we have ambitions of winning major trophies. Rojo would atleast be competitive to start..
And sign Ramos too and we'd nearly have a Spain and Argentina's XI
(Assuming Spain aren't stupid and start playing Herrera) -------------De Gea
?????---Ramos--Otamendi--Rojo
---Mata----Herrera----Di Maria
?????-----Aguero
---?????Pls, there are too many games, not forgetting X'mas madness period. Injuries, suspension & loss of form, we need a C.B.
I wouldn't expect anything to happen in regards to Otamendi for the next 2 weeks at least. He's resting after Copa and we'll probably revisit this saga at the beginning of August. Very good chance he'll come here IMO.
Blackett will surely be gone and Mcnair possibly on loan. Evans might be sold too.
Lets hope he strengthens the area. I've a feeling though it will be Smalling and Jones. Hope I'm wrong!
£35m though man - that's a shitload for Otamendi; a player who's only truly proved himself in a top league last season.
We can afford it alright, but we're not just gonna pay way over the odds for the sake of it. £35m is massively overvalued for him. £25m or less, is a much more reasonable fee.
We could have got Hummels (if he was available) - a world cup winner & world class cultured CB for the same money. No way we're payin the same for Otamendi..
That, or De Gea to Madrid is a done deal already.
I dont see both McNair (loan) and Evans gone. If we get a decent fee for Evans, then he is probably gone. McNair will stay. Or we loan McNair out and keep Evans.
The improbable case we get Ramos and Otamendi, then they arent both here for the next season.
Seen as though he's not in the tour squad I'd guess Valdes is off and he's been repeatedly linked to Valencia for a while now so I wonder if we'd try and involve him in a deal to get Otamendi.
Just cant see it Cross. We're definitely strengthening at CB man - it's nailed on. Whether its 1 or 2 CB's, is the question. I'm hopin it's 2 though - but only top-class & better than what we have.
Smalling is looking like he's well on his way to living up to his potential as being a top-class player & i'm delighted about that. My only worry is him being injured (i know - boring & repetitive comment) for lengthy parts of the season, because that puts a spanner in the works.
I only trust Smalling out of all our CB's & that took some time for me to think like that, but he was quality in the last 3rd of the season.
We need Smalling to be fit & competing for a starting berth for atleast 3/4's of the season. The club seems to be engrained in him now too & that's what we all want as fans..
I think if it was a priority we would have signed one already. Right back, right footed winger and right footed defensive midfielder, those were the biggest holes in our squad last season and we have filled them all before our first pre-season game.
Centre back and striker are not as problematic and are being treated accordingly. Of course if Madrid contact us and say we can have Ramos, or Bayern do the same with Muller, then we will buy those players. But I don't see us as getting desperate with either position and either overpaying or buying someone just for the hell of it.
Valencia paid £10m for Otamendi in the first place when he was much less recognized, they will be looking at £30m definitely. I don't think £35m is outrageous, you need to look at the fee in context and in terms of supply quality defenders are not very easy to come across. Much easier to find a midfielder, playmaker or winger or even full back these days.
No, we need a CB and we will get a CB. Smalling and Rojo are the only two defenders at the club we can rely on.
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