Have to agree with this. James and Mason give us new options for the time being. My reading, maybe totally wrong, is that Ole is concentrating on the defence, and possibly one midfielder this window. Having said that I think we will replace Lukaku if he goes.
Nicolas Pepe - Signs for Arsenal
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Have to agree with this. James and Mason give us new options for the time being. My reading, maybe totally wrong, is that Ole is concentrating on the defence, and possibly one midfielder this window. Having said that I think we will replace Lukaku if he goes.
How so? James is a backup winger that can hopefully develop into a starter and Mata, who can't play out wide anymore, appears to be the alternative option to Lingard as a 10 since one can press and run but not pick a pass and the other can play against defences that sit deep and are happy to concede possession. That combination won't be good enough, but there is a clear logic to have given Mata a final season if we're buying a winger and not Bruno or another 10, and Ole has said we're playing 4-2-3-1 and Lingard doesn't need to be upgraded this summer (which is madness of course).
Or maybe it's an indication that his goals and assist does not reflect his actual ability like you are claiming is the case for Pepe?
So Sanchez, Martial and James fighting for the left wing this season?
Not sure about Sanchez on the left, but that’s a different story. However, I don’t think we’ll bring in more forwards this window, other than a Lukaku replacement. Not much over 2 weeks left in our window. We’re into Fergie time, Ed time expired about 3 months ago. If we manage to get a CB, DM and possibly one other I would be astonished.
The issue for me is that if we buy Pepe we don't buy Sancho or someone of that quality.
I honestly think Greenwood would prove himself the better player if given a season or two at RW. Pepe looks decent, but as many have said, not elite.
His technique seems a little sloppy and his pace not quite enough to make up for it. Of course I've only really watched footage online (full 90 all-touches) so could be way out there.
Either way I say run with Greenwood, possibly bring in someone to back him up who wouldn't cost the earth or cause disruption if used in a rotation. Lozano possibly?
Yeah, we probably need more than just Greenwood. We should give him as many minutes as is good for him but not put too much pressure on him either. Having an experienced player for the right wing or a loan would be ideal IMV, if there is no top top quality available.
Seriously, if I am Sancho I wouldn’t join the current United. Would you?
I think I know why he does deals sequentially.
Woody: We had 20 quid to spend. We have spent 6 quid already
Judge: Ok. Macquire cost 8quid. And deal done. Who do you want next with that remaining 6 quid?
Woody: Ok, lets ask our crack scouting staff. Matt, can you arrange for a meeting next week, on say 29th afternoon or 30th of July? I have a Rugby 7s tourney I need to attend this week.
Judge: Sounds good. I will push back the recruitment meeting with Ole till next week too?
Woody: ....... the sound of the loo flushing is heard in the background.
So that’s my point you can’t pick the stats then when I do the same say “oh maybe it’s because the team they play in”
Fyi we were the second team not 6th
I’m just saying he doesn’t seem to have a great footballing brain just a tricky winger that won’t get away with the same stuff in the prem
Second team in what? We finished 5th when before Zlatan got here and 6th the season he was here. We were not as dominant as PSG are in their league hence why Zlatan scored more for them.
Apologies I was thinking shit I got that wrong ha
But the point remains the same I could use that same argument for pepe
You get away with much much more
Of course sign players from there but players with more to their game
He isn’t special
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Never mind, I retract my previous posts from weeks/months past about wanting Pepe.
The more I think of this rationally, the more it clears itself up. Despite being a scorer, Pepe is overrated by us and not as good as he really is just because we think he’d fix a RW need for us & is the best available target left in the market. He’s a good player but I wouldn’t say world class let alone even great and definitely not worth £70m. He has a few top qualities but no where near the complete package.
First hearing about him last season I was excited but the more you watch him from a neutral perspective, the more you realize his flaws and know that he catches your attention once every handful of games and does not have the consistency. Even watching his AFCON performances, there’s nothing special...I think it makes much more sense to just wait a year and go for Sancho then who brings a lot more to the table. Sancho around £100m or whatever >> Pepe at £70m. An extra 20%-30% for the completer player is the smart investment to make. A bit of patience goes a long ways. Pepe would just have that forced feel to it just to say we did what we could to address the RW need to get it done and dusted with. Rather wait it out and let James/the young core/even Alexis rotate this year to show what they got and make a decision next summer.
The more I think of this rationally, the more it clears itself up. Despite being a scorer, Pepe is overrated by us and not as good as he really is just because we think he’d fix a RW need for us & is the best available target left in the market. He’s a good player but I wouldn’t say world class let alone even great and definitely not worth £70m. He has a few top qualities but no where near the complete package.
First hearing about him last season I was excited but the more you watch him from a neutral perspective, the more you realize his flaws and know that he catches your attention once every handful of games and does not have the consistency. Even watching his AFCON performances, there’s nothing special...I think it makes much more sense to just wait a year and go for Sancho then who brings a lot more to the table. Sancho around £100m or whatever >> Pepe at £70m. An extra 20%-30% for the completer player is the smart investment to make. A bit of patience goes a long ways. Pepe would just have that forced feel to it just to say we did what we could to address the RW need to get it done and dusted with. Rather wait it out and let James/the young core/even Alexis rotate this year to show what they got and make a decision next summer.
Nail on the head for me
I get that people say he is better than what we currently have, but that’s the key word “currently”.
If go do for this signing he’ll end up another Fred on a high wage that will be hard to shift, eating up a wage that will prevent us from bringing in an actual top talent
Does anyone think Pepe can play through the middle ? If Lukaku goes then Rashford, Pepe and Greenwood as our central striking options is a good group and will all only get better.
If we have a chance of getting Sancho next summer (Champions League spot dependant) then I think a years loan deal for someone like Malcolm from Barca or even Bale would be best as it strengthens us for a year then allows that position to be freed up for Sancho coming in.
If we have a chance of getting Sancho next summer (Champions League spot dependant) then I think a years loan deal for someone like Malcolm from Barca or even Bale would be best as it strengthens us for a year then allows that position to be freed up for Sancho coming in.
This.
But apparently Sancho is definitely gonna join a team struggling for top 4 and every team in Europe will give us a free run at him honestly it's actually deluded the lad had his chance to join this summer but no we're not good enough currently for him but next year we apparently will, nevermind we have Jesse Lingard and Mata.
I guess it will be hard to find a vid of Lingard's amazing three assists last year.
T
My point was any player can have a highlight video, even In pepes there seems to be an amount of
Obvious he isn’t but that’s kinda the point i was making
Want the link?
My point was any player can have a highlight video, even In pepes there seems to be an amount of
look at the one from the season previous he looks like a 100mil player!
Obvious he isn’t but that’s kinda the point i was making
Also got Martial as a striking option.
Rather we play and blood James there on the right side than buy this player. He isn’t very good for that kind of money
James should be the backup, we need a good squad. If Pepe isn't the guy then we need someone, you can already see James isn't quite ready and is more comfortable on the left
Well if he keeps being the backup and not playing games, he isn’t going to improve. Just by training alone ain’t good enough. Give the boy a chance, that’s what we bought him for
Since when does a backup not play games....
Yeah, if James gets 20 appearances next season, that will be a good season for him. Any more and he has well exceeded expectations.
If someone cements their place in the team ahead of them and they are truly a backup then they really won’t play much. Coming on for, say, twenty minutes on average in substitute appearances and starting a handful of games over the season to allow for rest during congested periods is not a lot of game time.
No idea on the comparison of players, but the way everyone is sort of sticking their nose in the air about this, and referencing players past their peak or in completely different positions instead (someone said Robben, ffs) -- reminds me a little bit of the Sadio Mane situation whilst he was at Saints...
I know what you mean a bit, but Mane is quicker and technically much better. I never understood the snobbery when he was at Southampton and we were linked with him, it was clear then he would improve us.
Most likely some part of truth in that mate. Difference is that Ziyech would cost a lot less.
Right now is the time to come. He'll have the same chance as in Bundesliga to perform week in, week out at United only in the PL. Our right side is vacant right now so very little competition. As a young player you might rather want go to a team that is in an transitional phase so you can become a part of that team by playing games, much like he has done in Dortmund. Plus I believe some of his friends is around the club as well, and the fans would love him. Big fan base
We are going to be playing Europa League as well as league cup and fa cup, then also 38 league games. No one is going to be playing all of those games at RW. Its why we have a squad. Backups should get around 15-20 games depending on how far we progress in cup competitions. You also have to account for injuries and form
Right now is the time to come. He'll have the same chance as in Bundesliga to perform week in, week out at United only in the PL. Our right side is vacant right now so very little competition. As a young player you might rather want go to a team that is in an transitional phase so you can become a part of that team by playing games, much like he has done in Dortmund. Plus I believe some of his friends is around the club as well, and the fans would love him. Big fan base
He would easily be among our 3 best players with DDG and PP. It is the same as with most other players; If he wants to get payed well and increase his social media following, then MUFC is the place to be. If he wants to play in a highly functional organization that wants to compete at the highest level, then MUFC is not the place to be, especially this summer.
Saw the Times are linking us with him now.
Right now is the time to come. He'll have the same chance as in Bundesliga to perform week in, week out at United only in the PL. Our right side is vacant right now so very little competition. As a young player you might rather want go to a team that is in an transitional phase so you can become a part of that team by playing games, much like he has done in Dortmund. Plus I believe some of his friends is around the club as well, and the fans would love him. Big fan base
You should represent the club to convince him to come
Seriously I doubt we were the only top club interest in him if he became available. It could turn into another De Ligt sega.
Through Castles though, right?
If the first point is true, which I believe it is, then it would go a long way to help fix the second point.
You should represent the club to convince him to come
Seriously I doubt we were the only top club interest in him if he became available. It could turn into another De Ligt sega.
But yeah, that is true, and I think it is not only us but a lot of other top clubs who is rebuilding right now and we're not really in the worst position, imo. Especially if we proceed correctly from here on out and signing Sancho would be a huge step in the right direction. Right now we are like Spurs a few seasons back but with more money and potentially more talent at our disposal.
Not this summer, but I reckon if we get top 4 next season then we are likely to go after him. And seeing as he will cost us £100m+++ then spending £60m+ on Maguire or the likes of Pepe makes little sense. What would have made sense is to make the team good enough to be CLEAR favourites for the 4th spot in the league without spending stupid amounts, then geet Sancho and additional players to continue the improvements towards a serious title challenge. Instead, we are tying up players to long and big contracts, spending big amounts on players that would not make a serious difference in regards to a top 4 etc.
I think so, my bad.
People are crazy. Talk as if Sancho is a done deal next year! Firstly if a has another good season and thats not guaranteed then what makes anyone think he will come here? Loads of other clubs will be in for him. Secondly if he does have another good season he will cost more than 100 mil. We have been screaming out for a RW for years and as soon as we are linked with one everyone says wait. I can see why Pepe is a risk but common what options are there? If I was in dreamland then Sane or Dembele would do. But thats not happening. Sancho is not happening. The only other realistic target is Ziyech - but for some reason nobody wants him. There must be a reason for that. We are 6th place Europa league level and in desperate need of a RW for years. Still think CM and CB are priorities and Im not sure this rumour is even true but if it is just do it. Its similar situation as Maguire. Sure Koulibaly is a better defender and sure play x,y,x might be good in x years and we might be able to sign them or we might not but we have to be realistic.
A thread about Pepe seems to be more about Sancho, who has said he won't come. Furthermore, if he moves on next year, unless we look like we can mount a challenge for the league this year (a proper one), then I doubt he comes next year either.
I am not sure about Pepe - I'd take him for 40m, but no more.
I am not sure about Pepe - I'd take him for 40m, but no more.
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