Raheem Sterling | Signs for Man City for £49,000,000

[Nozzy]

I'm of the opinion that Young was just a quick fix last season and feel the same way about Fellaini. They played their part in getting us through a tough season both will be nothing but squad players next season.

I agree - Depay will keep Young out of the side, unless LVG needs him as a wing back & I certainly hope you're right about Fellaini too. Also I can see Herrera, with his extra energy & covering ability, keeping Mata out of the starting 11.

 

[In Rainbows]

Can't believe people are even letting themselves get drawn into this, it will never ever happen.

.

 

[Nozzy]

Me. Young is a very good squad player but sterling can get numbers in terms of goals and assists that Young cannot. Young did well, had some quality games but sterling is simply more productive and obviously younger so has more room to improve further. That's not to say sell Young, but we're not a retirement camp. If someone else comes in, people have to fight for their place. There is no lee way or free pass.

Just thinking about our wing play last season sends shivers down my spine. Young how many goals and assists? Adnan? Valencia? Shaw (quality in the chelsea game but mostly injured) - not one dominant creative spark there. Depay will hopefully be an improvement but Sterling would also.

While I don't disagree with your first paragraph, I cannot see Depay & Sterling starting in an LVG side. That we could have Young, Nani, Di Maria, Valencia, Januzaj & Depay in the squad, I can only see the Sterling story as being mischief, if it's come out of OT.

 

[Sassy Colin]

Would it be legal if say Southampton signed Sterling for 30m and then we sign him from them for 40m?

It would be idiotic.

 

[Mainoldo]

While I don't disagree with your first paragraph, I cannot see Depay & Sterling starting in an LVG side. That we could have Young, Nani, Di Maria, Valencia, Januzaj & Depay in the squad, I can only see the Sterling story as being mischief, if it's come out of OT.

Valencia, Nani, Young and Januzaj wouldn't not affect us signing Bale, Felpe Anderson, Gruizmmen, or Firmino so I don't see why Sterling would be any different.

 

[stu_1992]

There's no chance of this happening, and I'm not sure I'd want it to anyway. Especially at the price being quoted. The only reason to do it is to make a statement, it's not a necessary signing at all. Much more pressing areas of the team to sort.

 

[Nozzy]

Valencia, Nani, Young and Januzaj wouldn't not affect us signing Bale, Felpe Anderson, Gruizmmen, or Firmino so I don't see why Sterling would be any different.

Well, in my opinion, Sterling would not be an improvement on any of those listed. I really, don't rate him. Strikes me as a sprinter, in the wrong sport. Yes he's quick but his end product? Young, Valencia are far more versatile & useful in the squad, Sterling is a one trick pony, pretty poor shot, pi$$ poor crosser. Would he help against the parked bus we're facing more & more? Perhaps but he strikes me as weak in his character. I don't see him progressing at all, unlike Januzaj, who has for me, the greater potential.

As to your muppet transfer suggestions (which we're all capable of) - we're not getting any of them this summer so their inclusion is moot but my point was that with those on the wage bill, we are indeed restricted in the extent of our signings, IMO.

 

[Angelinho]

Would it be legal if say Southampton signed Sterling for 30m and then we sign him from them for 40m?

Yes, provided he didn't actually play for Southampton. Fifa regulations state that “players may be registered with a maximum of three clubs during one season. During this period, the player is only eligible to play official matches for two clubs.”

 

[Mainoldo]

Well, in my opinion, Sterling would not be an improvement on any of those listed. I really, don't rate him. Strikes me as a sprinter, in the wrong sport. Yes he's quick but his end product? Young, Valencia are far more versatile & useful in the squad, Sterling is a one trick pony, pretty poor shot, pi$$ poor crosser. Would he help against the parked bus we're facing more & more? Perhaps but he strikes me as weak in his character. I don't see him progressing at all, unlike Januzaj, who has for me, the greater potential.

As to your muppet transfer suggestions (which we're all capable of) - we're not getting any of them this summer so their inclusion is moot but my point was that with those on the wage bill, we are indeed restricted in the extent of our signings, IMO.

Sprinter in the wrong sport lool. A bit hash. Your opinion of him is pretty clueless and half Stacking. His football brain is already better than Januzaj's for instance, so potential wise that doesn't add up.

We are trying to develop a better team not worry about our wage bill.

 

[Nozzy]

We are trying to develop a better team not worry about our wage bill.

Really? Like Leeds?

 

[Speak]

Well, in my opinion, Sterling would not be an improvement on any of those listed. I really, don't rate him. Strikes me as a sprinter, in the wrong sport. Yes he's quick but his end product? Young, Valencia are far more versatile & useful in the squad, Sterling is a one trick pony, pretty poor shot, pi$$ poor crosser. Would he help against the parked bus we're facing more & more? Perhaps but he strikes me as weak in his character. I don't see him progressing at all, unlike Januzaj, who has for me, the greater potential.

As to your muppet transfer suggestions (which we're all capable of) - we're not getting any of them this summer so their inclusion is moot but my point was that with those on the wage bill, we are indeed restricted in the extent of our signings, IMO.

His performance against Chelsea at Anfield (as a striker, with his back to goal for most of the game) was excellent. Scored a cracking goal too.
He's not a one-trick pony. I wouldn't even know what trick this was, to be honest.

His lay-offs and ability to link up is probably as good as (if not better than) his ability to beat a man.
I don't see Januzaj as having more potential in any way, but that's probably for another thread.

 

[Mainoldo]

Really? Like Leeds?

Yeah man. I can see it now. 2016 champions league semi finalist.

2017 relegation.

 

[Nozzy]

Yeah man. I can see it now. 2016 champions league semi finalist.

2017 relegation.

I was talking about your singularly injudicious comment, that we should "not worry about our wage bill"

 

[Nozzy]

His performance against Chelsea at Anfield (as a striker, with his back to goal for most of the game) was excellent. Scored a cracking goal too.
He's not a one-trick pony. I wouldn't even know what trick this was, to be honest.

His lay-offs and ability to link up is probably as good as (if not better than) his ability to beat a man.
I don't see Januzaj as having more potential in any way, but that's probably for another thread.

Adnan had his moments in his first season, I think we'd all admit that we hoped he would be a regular by now but that hasn't happened - doesn't mean all that promise has evaporated, never to be seen again. Sterling, well maybe I was too strong but I think he's failed this season, when he should have pushed on, given the opportunities Adnan could only dream about.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

Adnan had his moments in his first season, I think we'd all admit that we hoped he would be a regular by now but that hasn't happened - doesn't mean all that promise has evaporated, never to be seen again. Sterling, well maybe I was too strong but I think he's failed this season, when he should have pushed on, given the opportunities Adnan could only dream about.

Sterling was playing pretty well until Rodgers started using him as a striker and a wingback. When played as a #10 or out wide Sterling has still looked pretty good.

 

[dannyrhinos89]

Sterling was playing pretty well until Rodgers started using him as a striker and a wingback. When played as a #10 or out wide Sterling has still looked pretty good.

Sterling looked good when suarez was in the team, he basically made the whiole 11 look better than it actually is. He carried them in his final year.

 

[Roman Bellic]

Adnan had his moments in his first season, I think we'd all admit that we hoped he would be a regular by now but that hasn't happened - doesn't mean all that promise has evaporated, never to be seen again. Sterling, well maybe I was too strong but I think he's failed this season, when he should have pushed on, given the opportunities Adnan could only dream about.

He was probably tired of Liverpool in all fairness.

 

[JustAFan]

Sterling to United stories......fantastic click bait

 

[The Purist]

Sterling is a class player, that's not even debatable.

 

[ravi2]

He was probably tired of Liverpool in all fairness.

I think even Brentan was tired of Liverpool coming towards the end.

 

[Shark]

Sterling looked good when suarez was in the team, he basically made the whiole 11 look better than it actually is. He carried them in his final year.

It's true and many of us on here said it to the resident Liverpool fans who were so far up their arse at the time, just made up some bullshit reasons why they would still challenge without him. Incredible player.

 

[sincher]

First of all I suggested a decent initial bid. 20m + Nani and Hernandez (which would be rated around the 17-20m mark) is, in my opinion a fair price at this stage.

The reality is that Liverpool are struggling to buy the players they need and in my opinion it would be stupid not to consider the players I've mentioned. Nani has just scored 11 goals in 39 matches between club and country. He can play on both flanks. Hernandez on the other hand is a natural goal poacher something Liverpool needs. Both players would be great addition to their team especially since they play in areas they are currently weak in.

Regarding discards, well, that's a word that describes a wide variety of players in it. You have Hargreaves and Ando (after leaving United) on one side of the spectrum and Countinho, Roberto Carlos, Pirlo (Inter), Ian Rush (at Juventus), Roberto Baggio (at AC Milan), Gianfranco Zola (Parma), and Hughes (Barcelona) on the other side. Would you turn such worth of talent away because they are 'discards'? Ultimately a club must realize that for some reason, decent players may end up a surplus at a club. It would be very stupid not to consider them just because they are 'discards'.

I am aware that Liverpool would probably not sell. However I think that this mentality is somehow flawed and stupid. Under such circumstances where the club has to sell, it would be stupid to snub a bidder cause competition tend to drive the fee up. Also closing the door to 'discards' is pretty stupid too (as I have already shown)

Virtually none of the players you mention were discarded. They left for very different reasons.

 

[Mainoldo]

I was talking about your singularly injudicious comment, that we should "not worry about our wage bill"

Well if we keep winning and being successful. Unless we get relegated.. Like Leeds, it's not going to kick us in the teeth is it. Or more than likely.. We just sell the high wage players we don't need. Like most clubs tend to do.

 

[devilish]

Virtually none of the players you mention were discarded. They left for very different reasons.

As said before players get discarded for a wide number of reasons. Some believed that they lack certain skills to settle down in the Serie A(Pirlo, Bergkamp, Henry, Rush and partially Roberto Carlos) or the clubs didn't had the patience to develop them into better players (Viera or Henry). In other cases the club taught they had better players around (Ravanelli). sometimes it was due to homesickness (wife's) ex (Ince at Inter), or they didn't took football seriously (Gazza). While they were instances were a player simply didn't feature in the manager's plans (Zola or Riquelme) or simply the new manager just hated them (Baggio).

Nani and Hernandez may be in the discarded list but both have great talent and would probably do well in other clubs.

 

[EverReddy]

Would it be legal if say Southampton signed Sterling for 30m and then we sign him from them for 40m?

Didn't Heinze try this kind of move to engineer a move from us to Liverpool?

 

[Oneunited26]

I agree - Depay will keep Young out of the side, unless LVG needs him as a wing back & I certainly hope you're right about Fellaini too. Also I can see Herrera, with his extra energy & covering ability, keeping Mata out of the starting 11.

Oh I agree, young fellani and even mata for the part I feel should be replaced with much better players in those specialized positions. If VG can find the right players to replace fellaini and mata also we also become much better team. It would be great to go into the new season playing a 433, with a specialized anchor man, with another out an out CM player to play along side herrera, with 2 wingers supporting rooney, lets hope we can see guys like di maria and depay supporting rooney in a 433. Has it stands if VG has hope in Di Maria, I feel our current midfield and attack what we currently have is looking like this

---------??-----------

herrera----??--------

Depay-------Di Maria

--------rooney-------

Has you see we are short of 2 CM players, one to play along side herrera, and the other to anchor the midfield.

If VG sees Di Maria can offer united much more next season, depay, di maria and rooney could be very devastating in a counter attacking unit, and effective in a possession game, as we would have players who can run past players with acceleration and pace, with herrera and another offering the control and drive to support depay, di maria and rooney

 

[Oneunited26]

Me. Young is a very good squad player but sterling can get numbers in terms of goals and assists that Young cannot. Young did well, had some quality games but sterling is simply more productive and obviously younger so has more room to improve further. That's not to say sell Young, but we're not a retirement camp. If someone else comes in, people have to fight for their place. There is no lee way or free pass.

Just thinking about our wing play last season sends shivers down my spine. Young how many goals and assists? Adnan? Valencia? Shaw (quality in the chelsea game but mostly injured) - not one dominant creative spark there. Depay will hopefully be an improvement but Sterling would also.

It is a good point, di maria and depay could really up the anti in our wingplay, and in a right system di maria could really come to the fold. If VG has faith in him next season, why not a front 3 of depay, di maria and rooney. Now mata fellaini and young have done well, but lets face it, all of mata fellaini young and rooney are not going to scare many teams next season, and we will need better players. Like I responded, in our defense midfield and attack, our 11 looks like this

---------------??--------------------

??----------??--smalling--shaw/blind

---------------??----------------------

------herrera------??----------------

----------depay-------di maria-------

----------------rooney----------------

I think we will need 7 players, but? I say get the spine of the team sorted this summer, if DDG is leaving its important he is replaced. The worry is? replacing DDG carrick a new RB and another to go alongside herrera is easier said than done. But the reality is? the spine needs rebuilding, and we are short in defense and midfield, very short indeed. We cannot go into next season playing mediocre like fellaini valencia and young, atleast with mata he is a class player, but I would rather a top class CM player takes his place, and more balanced with 2 driving wingers supporting rooney to give us the balance with controlled midfielders, and attacking players who can take on defenders

 

[ravi2]

It is a good point, di maria and depay could really up the anti in our wingplay, and in a right system di maria could really come to the fold. If VG has faith in him next season, why not a front 3 of depay, di maria and rooney. Now mata fellaini and young have done well, but lets face it, all of mata fellaini young and rooney are not going to scare many teams next season, and we will need better players. Like I responded, in our defense midfield and attack, our 11 looks like this

---------------??--------------------

??----------??--smalling--shaw/blind

---------------??----------------------

------herrera------??----------------

----------depay-------di maria-------

----------------rooney----------------

I think we will need 7 players, but? I say get the spine of the team sorted this summer, if DDG is leaving its important he is replaced. The worry is? replacing DDG carrick a new RB and another to go alongside herrera is easier said than done. But the reality is? the spine needs rebuilding, and we are short in defense and midfield, very short indeed. We cannot go into next season playing mediocre like fellaini valencia and young, atleast with mata he is a class player, but I would rather a top class CM player takes his place, and more balanced with 2 driving wingers supporting rooney to give us the balance with controlled midfielders, and attacking players who can take on defenders

I think we'll end up with something like this:

---------------Cech--------------------

Alves----------Otamendi--smalling--shaw

---------------Schneiderlin----------------------

------herrera------Gundogan----------------

----------depay-------di maria-------

----------------rooney----------------


PS: I hope for DDG to stay but all signs point to him leaving.

 

[Oneunited26]

I think we'll end up with something like this:

---------------Cech--------------------

Alves----------Otamendi--smalling--shaw

---------------Schneiderlin----------------------

------herrera------Gundogan----------------

----------depay-------di maria-------

----------------rooney----------------


PS: I hope for DDG to stay but all signs point to him leaving.

That would improve us 10 fold, still the concern signing that many players, how can they play together straight away? to get Schneiderlin, Gundogan and Herrera to play in a CM 3, is going to be tough, but still its what is needed. Shaw still for me is a new player, so it would be down to smalling, herrera, di maria and rooney to make sure the new players do settle in, if it happens, we got to hope it turns out like 2007/08 has the new signings settle. But anything is better than having valencia, mata, fellaini rooney and young all starting together

 

[ravi2]

That would improve us 10 fold, still the concern signing that many players, how can they play together straight away? to get Schneiderlin, Gundogan and Herrera to play in a CM 3, is going to be tough, but still its what is needed. Shaw still for me is a new player, so it would be down to smalling, herrera, di maria and rooney to make sure the new players do settle in, if it happens, we got to hope it turns out like 2007/08 has the new signings settle. But anything is better than having valencia, mata, fellaini rooney and young all starting together

Agreed , and the players mentioned...Cech, Alves, Otamendi, Schneiderlin and Gundogan are all very gettable, especially by a LVG led MUFC who are back in the champs league...not to mention with Woodie ready to splash the cash.

Otamendi is the only one in that bunch with a crazy release clause (£50M), but both he and his agent have stated he is leaving and I think with Rojo tapping him up we are his preferred destination.
I believe that is a side capable of winning the league and challenging for the Champions League.

 

[caid]

I think we'll end up with something like this:

---------------Cech--------------------

Alves----------Otamendi--smalling--shaw

---------------Schneiderlin----------------------

------herrera------Gundogan----------------

----------depay-------di maria-------

----------------rooney----------------


PS: I hope for DDG to stay but all signs point to him leaving.

Sounds great on paper and more or less what i'd like to see but I wouldn't put it past fellaini, mata and young to be playing ahead of some of them pretty often.
At least initially to provide some continuity.

And i'd like to see some cover for rooney if not competition.
I dont know if we can squeeze another year of form out of van persie but we do need to be looking to the future there soonish.

 

[Oneunited26]

Sounds great on paper and more or less what i'd like to see but I wouldn't put it past fellaini, mata and young to be playing ahead of some of them pretty often.
At least initially to provide some continuity.

And i'd like to see some cover for rooney if not competition.
I dont know if we can squeeze another year of form out of van persie but we do need to be looking to the future there soonish.

valencia Fellaini mata and young I feel are stop gap players from the season gone, players like herrera, smalling, jones, blind, herrera, di maria and rooney should provide the continuity for the new players coming in, but if the club are to break free, FINALLY from the mediocre garbage that has infested this club since 2009, to keep playing those players especially guys like valencia, young and fellaini, I do not think we are going to move on, atleast with mata I would call him a class player, but still a CM player I would rather see take the spot. Sometimes when the club was in this merry go round of poor transfer windows, with ageing to average players taking up starting spots since 2009 and it got worse in 2013, unfortunately drastic measures must be taken to see the club finally challenge for a league title. The club will have to rebuild its spine, especially with DDG leaving, and I do not want to still see average players like valencia young and fellaini to continue to take up starting spots that better players could improve us, which this summer is designed for us to finally be moving forward from the valencia's, young's and fellaini's of this world.

 

[soap]

Would it be legal if say Southampton signed Sterling for 30m and then we sign him from them for 40m?

They'd probably have some clause akin to we had with Heinze where they can't sell to certain teams

 

[ravi2]

Sounds great on paper and more or less what i'd like to see but I wouldn't put it past fellaini, mata and young to be playing ahead of some of them pretty often.
At least initially to provide some continuity.

And i'd like to see some cover for rooney if not competition.
I dont know if we can squeeze another year of form out of van persie but we do need to be looking to the future there soonish.

I think RVP should be sold this summer, by next summer he will be worth barely anything (plus he hasnt been in form for a long time)....if it is true that Lazio offered 15M for him we should definitely take them up on that.

Next season we will be challenging on at least 3 fronts and playing twice a week often, we will need the depth that Young, Fellaini and Mata can provide. There will be plenty of games for everyone...we have no excuse to go into next season without the appropriate level of squad depth....and something tells me LVG/Woodie will get it right.

We have cash to spend, a great manager and we are in the Champions League so lets sign some names and kick some ass next season!

 

[tom porter]

I think we'll end up with something like this:

---------------Lloris--------------------

Alves-------Smalling--Otamendi--shaw

---------------Carrick----------------------

------herrera------Gundogan----------------

----------Di Maria-------Depay-------

----------------rooney----------------


PS: I hope for DDG to stay but all signs point to him leaving.

Your lineup looks pretty good to me...made a few minor adjustments to what I expect to see...inverted wingers, Carrick starting, Lloris rather than Cech, Otamendi @ lcb.

 

[AKDevil]

Well,

Sterling and Depay on either flank supporting Rooney with Di Maria playing in no.10 position would be a fabulous top 4. Add to that the solid DM and Herrera and we will look menacing! I understand his attutude is a problem but for 25-30m he is an immense talent. Van Gaal can sort out his niggles and is used to handling young talents. I am so up for this!

Well it's not Sterling's attitude that is the problem. It's more his agent. Players/people that know him state that all of the furore around him is not him. That would have to get stamped on. Doubt his people would have much luck messing around LVG to be fair.

 

[m1y2]

Would be exactly the player we need on the other wing, we already have got powerful winger in Depay, Hazard-esque Sterling would be ideal on the other flank, send them 50 they won't turn it down.. he's worth it, his attitude is little bit cnutish but Lui would know what to do with him.. he's also childhood United fan FWIH

 

[pauldyson1uk]

not a hope in hell Liverpool will let him join us.
TBH I think the stories are all bollocks anyway, leaked by his agent to bump up his price.

 

[Chorley1974]

Amazed that some on here think he's worth 50m, trolling IMO.

 

[SonnyTheHaloPro]

People need to stop moaning. In a world where Luke Shaw costs £30million then a player with Sterlings Talent and potential could easily fetch north of £40million.

I'd be fine with paying big money for him, he is only 20 and he has gotten better and improved every season so far.