Rice and Haaland join United in 2022?

[GreenFieldsGoldenBarley]

I know we say it every year but I reckon next summer we are going to have a lot of out going players.

Lingard
Mata
Matic
Henderson/De gea
Pogba?
Martial
Cavani
Bailly/Jones/Lindelof
Pereira
Williams/Dalot

Lingard Mata Cavani and Matic will leave 100% which frees up plenty of funds. We will also off load one of the goalies and at least another CB. If I'm being conservative I reckon we'll get rid of 5 first team players but my guess is it's going to be around 7-8. There will be plenty of funds to spend, Haaland will be the crown jewel and will be chased by all of Europe's elite clubs. Personally I don't get the Rice hype and I will be hoping for someone else for CM.

Good post. Considering that Cavani is definitely leaving and Martial likely as well (unless he does exceptionally this year) that leaves us with only a 37 year old Ronaldo and Greenwood up front, neither of whom can hold the ball up. We're gonna need a player like Haaland, so I really hope we're preparing for that. Cavani and Martial (+Lingard) off our wage bill is massive.

Although obviously we need one, I am ok with the club not buying a CDM this summer cos I just don't think there's a candidate on the market who can do what we need. Neves is not so much better than what we have and if we bought him we'd be back in for someone else next year. Camavinga is too young to be instant impact and anyway wanted to go to Madrid. Saul isn't a DM or someone who can control a game's rhythm. Rice is massively overpriced. I doubt Bissouma could play as a single 6 for an attacking team United (though out of the 5 I think he was the best option).

Better to wait to see who is on the market next summer than just spend on more warm bodies.

 

[Strelok]

Agree with everything you say, example milstones and continues evaluation.

What I wanted to say is this project doesn’t depend on CL or PL trophy this season or maybe even next season, but in 23/24 I think it will be hard to ignore the fact that this project depends on winning PL to be a success. Our ambitions is to repeat the glorious 90’s.

Agreed.

By 23/24 if we still don't manage to win a PL then it'll be very disappointed. Of course that given us to be able to continuously and progressively strengthen ourselves. Pep will be leaving by 2023 and Klopp I don't think he'd stay till then either given the lack of investment he's suffering. Maybe it's our time again then

That's why imo signing Haaland will be very very crucial for us for the next 5 years. Imagining if he goes to Chelsea ...

 

[Poborsky's hair]

I can see Ole being a bit unimaginative and go all in for Rice & Bellingham. Haaland makes a lot of sense too, that front 4 would become suddenly very crowded, but perhaps Ronaldo would nto play as much as this year and Greenwood could continue from the right and some of them could rotate with Bruno..

Question is can we find enough money for these players? I can't see we would do two big transfers of this size in one window..

 

[Rojofiam]

I can see Ole being a bit unimaginative and go all in for Rice & Bellingham. Haaland makes a lot of sense too, that front 4 would become suddenly very crowded, but perhaps Ronaldo would nto play as much as this year and Greenwood could continue from the right and some of them could rotate with Bruno..

Question is can we find enough money for these players? I can't see we would do two big transfers of this size in one window..

If we go for Bellingham some time in the future, I don't think it will be earlier than 2023.

 

[Andrew7582]

Agree with everything you say, example milstones and continues evaluation.

What I wanted to say is this project doesn’t depend on CL or PL trophy this season or maybe even next season, but in 23/24 I think it will be hard to ignore the fact that this project depends on winning PL to be a success. Our ambitions is to repeat the glorious 90’s.

Not even next season??? What will the excuse be then? The only thing that's left to strengthen is the midfield, once Ole gets his midfield signings next summer the team will be complete. If he still can't win anything after that why would you give him even more time?

 

[tob]

Kalvin Phillips would suit us better than Rice, me thinks.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I am not AWB’s biggest fan, but he has definitely improved us. And I think signing Rice would be more akin to the Maguire transfer. Overpriced but a huge improvement in a position of serious need. This coming from someone who was totally taken aback at the fee we paid for Harry but has come around to appreciate his influence. A reduced fee with Lingard going the other way next summer is the dream.

If we sign Rice people will realise that we still need a passer to provide the real quality in midfield and we'll be forced to spend big once again

 

[Bebestation]

If we sign Rice people will realise that we still need a passer to provide the real quality in midfield and we'll be forced to spend big once again

This is what I believe to be capable the other way around aswell.

If we go after a deep lying playmaker like Neves, we could very easily need a very defensively capable CDM afterwards.

 

[BuzzKillington]

Given we’ve been in for him before, think we’re more likely to be in for Bellingham than Rice. Probably have a similar cost too.

I reckon we’ll pass on Haaland, as much as Ole would like him he’ll be too expensive for us.

Next summer will be the Real Madrid show, I reckon they’ll go all out and pick up Gotetzka, Pogba, Mbappe & Haaland. Only one of those players has a transfer fee.

 

[Eriku]

If we sign Rice people will realise that we still need a passer to provide the real quality in midfield and we'll be forced to spend big once again

I imagine Pogba would be more freed up to provide that in that scenario.

 

[Eli Zee]

Rice maybe. Haaland is off to PSG.

And rightfully so. It would be dumb for any player to choose far less money and a harsher atmosphere to live/play in. Careers only last so long and he has a chance to make stupid amounts of money

 

[Strelok]

I imagine Pogba would be more freed up to provide that in that scenario.

If he'd sign a new contract first.

 

[Polar]

Not even next season??? What will the excuse be then? The only thing that's left to strengthen is the midfield, once Ole gets his midfield signings next summer the team will be complete. If he still can't win anything after that why would you give him even more time?

I said maybe not even next season It’s possible United win PL already this season, but I don’t think Ole’s position depends on it. When the team is complete; the DCM- and CF position are solved in a long term perspective, the build up strategy has come to an end. Then the harvest begins and United has to define and implement a new strategy - consolidation.

Five years strategies are the norm, and when Ole started I assume it was according to that kind of planning. Off course he would’ve been or are being sacked if United didn’t move forward or the club didn’t believe Ole would bring the club in position (end-state of strategy): start to bring home the most important titles on a regular basis.

It’s smart to stick to the plan and we all know United had a long term perspective when they hired Ole. It’s a bonus if “things”materialise earlier then the plan said. United’s long term perspective most likely has a longer time frame then inpatient supporters’ Times fly and major upheavals usually takes more time than people think. Everything often looks more easy from the outside.

 

[lysglimt]

We should offload exactly as many players necessary to get these 2 in - my dream signings. Cavani, Mata and Matic will probably all leave - Martial, Lingard and v.d Beek likely to leave as well. That should free up enough resources to get them in financially. Now we just have to beat Chelsea to Rice and all the major clubs to Haaland.

 

[laughtersassassin]

Rice maybe. Haaland is off to PSG.

I highly doubt Halaand wants to play in France

 

[Diabovermelho]

I have the feeling that whatever happens with Pogba will influence the Haaland saga, because they share the same agent. If we somehow bend to Raiola then it's possible to renew Pogba and get Haaland. If we them him to f** off, then Pogba leaves and we have no chance getting Haaland.

With Mbappe going to Real, and Real signing Camavinga this summer, perhaps they'll won't be all in on Pogba. I also don't think Juve will offer him a salary as high as we, so it's basically between us and PSG. Haaland have other options though, but you can be sure PSG will do everything they can to get him, should Mbappe leaves.

Therefore it's likely that Haaland and Pogba play in the same team next season, either at Man Utd or PSG. Let's hope

 

[dinostar77]

I think we might land Rice but i dont think we will be in for haaland due to the ridiculous financial pacakge his camp want. We certainly arent going to pay a Utd player more than Ronaldo gets.

Anyway the view from spain is that they think Madrid or Perez specifically has a deal agreed with Haaland. I have said it before, wouldnt suprise me to see haaland and mbappe at madrid next summer. But who knows. Theres alot of football to be played between now and then.

 

[Jibbs]

I still think Pogba will leave. Matic will retire, or won't he? But in any case we will need 3 players. 2 midfielders, Rice and Neves would be my preference and a striker, ideally Haaland.

 

[Polar]

Kalvin Phillips would suit us better than Rice, me thinks.

Not sure, but also rate Philips highly. Maybe we need more than one? This will be the last season Matic, Mata and Lingard play for us.

 

[arthurka]

Håland will be auctioned next summer so who knows what will happen to him but Rice for 80-100m is ridiculous.

 

[Andrew7582]

I said maybe not even next season It’s possible United win PL already this season, but I don’t think Ole’s position depends on it. When the team is complete; the DCM- and CF position are solved in a long term perspective, the build up strategy has come to an end. Then the harvest begins and United has to define and implement a new strategy - consolidation.

Five years strategies are the norm, and when Ole started I assume it was according to that kind of planning. Off course he would’ve been or are being sacked if United didn’t move forward or the club didn’t believe Ole would bring the club in position (end-state of strategy): start to bring home the most important titles on a regular basis.

It’s smart to stick to the plan and we all know United had a long term perspective when they hired Ole. It’s a bonus if “things”materialise earlier then the plan said. United’s long term perspective most likely has a longer time frame then inpatient supporters’ Times fly and major upheavals usually takes more time than people think. Everything often looks more easy from the outside.

You are expecting the harvest to finally start when Maguire, Varane and Pogba are over 30, Bruno is close to it and Ronaldo has left, this is when the harvest starts? At such an extremely slow rate of progression we will never get there, there will always be new things that need fixing.

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

I think Haaland is City bound. Rice? Sure, if we pay the asking price.

 

[Sandikan]

I still think Pogba will leave. Matic will retire, or won't he? But in any case we will need 3 players. 2 midfielders, Rice and Neves would be my preference and a striker, ideally Haaland.

Matic is 33.
He might well step down from United, but certainly won't be retiring in the summer.

 

[Scholsey2004]

I dont see us signing Haaland now we've bought Ronaldo. I dont think Ronaldo is someone you bench and he's here on a 2 year contract. There was talk of Haaland agrreing to go to Real which may have prompted us to go for Ronaldo, knowing that there wasnt a ready made long term option available any more.

 

[Scholsey2004]

Håland will be auctioned next summer so who knows what will happen to him but Rice for 80-100m is ridiculous.

Haaland has a release clause so it wont be an auction, itll be a fixed price sale to wherever he wants to go.

 

[tob]

Not sure, but also rate Philips highly. Maybe we need more than one? This will be the last season Matic, Mata and Lingard play for us.

I expect Matic to stay for next season. Think the club will run down his contract, that expires in June 2023. Mata shouldn't be getting too much game time this season, so I don't expect him to sign for one more season after this one. Lingard's contract runs out next summer, so yeah, there's a big chance he'll be leaving if he doesn't get into the team as much as he'd like, during the season.

I'd say we already have replacements for Mata and Lingard at the club. However, I also expect Pogba to leave at the end of the season, and with Donny's uncertainty - it's fair to say we might need to sign two midfielders next summer. Unless the club believes a youngster can fill one of the spots. Hannibal, Garner, Galbraith.

I really rate Phillips. He reads the game well, and knows where he needs to be and when. He has good vision and nice passing ability. Always seems to be moving and covers a lot of ground. He's a real leader by showing how to be professional and always puts in the hard work. I'm quite sure many club will be interested if he becomes available. Afraid Liverpool might try and sign him as an replacement for Henderson.

 

[lenny_1248]

People who think that United will sign Haaland next summer live in cloud cuckoo land.

 

[arthurka]

Haaland has a release clause so it wont be an auction, itll be a fixed price sale to wherever he wants to go.

So you think it won't be an auction who wants to pay all the people involved way too much money... Ok then

 

[Holters]

People who think that United will sign Haaland next summer live in cloud cuckoo land.

I believe it was very likely before we signed Ronaldo. Not as sure anymore now.

 

[Tom Cato]

What’s our chance to sign both Rice and Haaland next year? Would these signings make us unstoppable?

I think our chances are good Eventually I’ll think United will be hard to stop and expect us to take the treble

According to the Jamaican delegation, Haaland is interested in joining Manchester United, but only as long as eveyone gets vaccinated

 

[Tom Cato]

Haaland has a release clause so it wont be an auction, itll be a fixed price sale to wherever he wants to go.

I feel you're forgetting a smaller matter of: Signing bonus, players contract, agent fee

 

[lysglimt]

People who think that United will sign Haaland next summer live in cloud cuckoo land.

I bet you would have said the same about Varane 3 months ago and Ronaldo 3 weeks ago

 

[Ralph1386]

Next summer will be the Real Madrid show, I reckon they’ll go all out and pick up Gotetzka, Pogba, Mbappe & Haaland. Only one of those players has a transfer fee.

I was about to post exactly that. I agree.

I would bet Haaland will go to Real next year but also that he won’t stay there for the remainder of his career. Looks like Raiola will move him around like Zlatan and he will want to try different countries. He’ll probably do Spain, then England then Italy.

 

[MrMarcello]

Yes to Haaland, massive no to Rice. Could get Tyler Adams for less and he'd do the same as Rice, perhaps better.

 

[Bebestation]

People act like a 37 year old Ronaldo will be a valued as a guaranteed starter for United.

It is not happening unless he is in form and deserves it.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I wish people would stop saying the likes of Mbappe and Pogba are free signings.

PSG and United won't be pocketing the transfer fee. That is as far as the "free" reaches.

That’s abit of a myth though. Obviously no transfer is ‘free’ but signing free players is still the most financially astute way of getting a player.

Say Madrid signed Mbappe for £150 million this summer. Or they signed him for free next summer. Sure he will get a bigger signing on bonus but that’s gonna be what £10/£20 million rather than the normal £5million? He might get an increase on his wages too if he’s free, but again that’s not going to make up the difference of the transfer fee. In this example the free transfer might cost an annual fee of £25 million, but that’s still massively more cost effective than signing him for a huge fee as well as then paying all the extras.

 

[Grylte]

People who think that United will sign Haaland next summer live in cloud cuckoo land.

Care to explain?
I'd say it's very reasonable to think. Us Norwegians pretty much only care for the PL, very few even watch Spanish football, and literally noone watch French.
I'm 100% sure he'll go to either Spain or England, but the Spanish teams have no money, so i'd say we're in with a shot.
Ole was also the guy who let him play senior football first at Molde, and as far as i know, they have a good relationship.

 

[lsd]

Why is the thread here and open? May as well just post I dream't Santa is real and will deliver Mbappe this Christmas to Ole.

There is a Rice thread and a Haaland thread anyway

 

[lenny_1248]

Care to explain?

Cristiano signed 2+1. He will start most of the games, in most of the games he will play as a #9. He's still great.
So, why Haaland should come here? Just because Ole is the coach? Well, it did not work out quite like this couple of years ago. Even if it is for one year, Haaland would not seat on the bench watching Ronaldo play. You can talk about rotation etc. but Haaland will absolutely want to start every game. He has a status of a "superstar" now.
Plus, you should take into account the sum of the deal, Raiola's demands etc.

Besides that, United as a team don't need him and would be better strengthening other positions which will also be very costly.

And finally, City is the better option for Haaland if they decide to go after him.

 

[Sarni]

I don’t think that many clubs will be able to afford Haaland but the ones that will have the money will also be the ones that we will find it hard to beat - mainly PSG and City but could also be Madrid. They can all offer as much money as we can and possibly a better chance of winning trophies. PSG should be favorites as they will be keen on replacing Mbappe with the next big thing and won’t have a problem of spending €600m or so on him over 5 years - which it will probably cost including fee, salary and agent fees.

Rice will be straightforward if we decide to go into that direction, especially if Chelsea buy Saul at the end of his loan and are out of race for him. £80m or so should get it done. Whether he’s worth it is another thing.