Show of hands....

Siorac said:
Yes but not the way you mean it. I can't believe it has to be repeated again but there you go...

IF Fletcher recovers. IF Anderson and Cleverley manage to stay fit for reasonable periods of time. IF Scholes can replicate the form of his last few months, as opposed to the form of his last two full seasons. IF Pogba stays and actually turns out to be any good.

Well yes in that case we would have enough players for midfield (enough in numbers, not in quality, but that's another story). By this logic we definitely shouldn't have overpaid for Ashley Young; after all, Valencia, Nani, Park and Giggs can all play wide if needed. Yet we did.

We heard this "happy to wait until Scholes retires". You know what the club did when he actually DID retire? We called him back after half a season and extended his contract. If that isn't a "position of desperation" I don't know what is.
Click to expand...
You're looking at every part of that in the negative. When you do that it paints a bad picture. Worse than the reality of the situation.

We'll only really know at the end of the summer. No way the club is going to risk screwing up our season for the sake of being frugal. They'll keep the wallet closed only if they feel that its not needed.

Important to trust Ferguson here. He has one, maybe 2 or 3, seasons left. He'll want to go out with a flourish.
 
Bilbo said:
You're looking at every part of that in the negative. When you do that it paints a bad picture. Worse than the reality of the situation.

We'll only really know at the end of the summer. No way the club is going to risk screwing up our season for the sake of being frugal. They'll keep the wallet closed only if they feel that its not needed.

Important to trust Ferguson here. He has one, maybe 2 or 3, seasons left. He'll want to go out with a flourish.
Click to expand...

Are you sure about that?

Fletch has a career threatening injury. Clev/Ando has yet to prove that they can stick to 1 injury free season and next year Scholes/Giggs will be one year older + Pogba will probably be at Juventus. I can't see how we can miss out on a CM.
 
Siorac said:
I don't think Fergie believes there's any issue. Not if the last two summer transfer windows are anything to go by.

He's got Scholes back, he's happy. He was happy enough to not sign anyone even after Scholes retired and now he's here for another year.
Click to expand...

I agree with this view; he hasn't strengthened the central-midfield after the Rome final or the Wembley final, or after having Hargreaves ruled-out for an initial season (which of course became three), or Scholes retiring. Now we have real injury concerns over three others in that position (Anderson, Cleverley and Fletcher) added to the departures of Gibson, Pogba and Morrison (more of an attacker I know, but I'm on a roll here) - and two of our three best players in that area have gone from being mid-30s to now being late-30s.

Perhaps the best we can hope for is Kagawa playing deeper with Carrick? Seems a complete waste but might still happen.
 
Antisocial said:
I agree with this view; he hasn't strengthened the central-midfield after the Rome final or the Wembley final, or after having Hargreaves ruled-out for an initial season (which of course became three), or Scholes retiring. Now we have real injury concerns over three others in that position (Anderson, Cleverley and Fletcher) added to the departures of Gibson, Pogba and Morrison (more of an attacker I know, but I'm on a roll here) - and two of our three best players in that area have gone from being mid-30s to now being late-30s.

Perhaps the best we can hope for is Kagawa playing deeper with Carrick? Seems a complete waste but might still happen.
Click to expand...

He had Pogba in mind, Ando was not yet considered injury prone + he believed that Fletcher's condition wasn't as bad as first thought. Next year Giggs and Scholes will be 1 year older and there's no guarantees that Fletch can return to his former self

I sincerely hope we don't mess with Kagawa as we did with Ando. He's a no 10 for fecks sakes.
 
Bilbo said:
You're looking at every part of that in the negative. When you do that it paints a bad picture. Worse than the reality of the situation.

We'll only really know at the end of the summer. No way the club is going to risk screwing up our season for the sake of being frugal. They'll keep the wallet closed only if they feel that its not needed.

Important to trust Ferguson here. He has one, maybe 2 or 3, seasons left. He'll want to go out with a flourish.
Click to expand...

The reality of the situation is that
1) we have a midfielder with a career-threatening condition
2) we have another one who's yet to really impress after five years at the club and who's very prone to injuries and takes a long time to get back to fitness after each injury
3) we have an unproven midfielder who is also injury prone, spent most of last season on the treatment table
4) we have a 38-year-old who's been called back from retirement because of 1., 2. and 3.

That is the reality of the situation. There is simply no justification for failing to sign a CM yet again but atm it seems we're not even in for one. Or the club keeps it under wraps much more effectively than usual.
 
If it is we're in trouble.

That midfield is crying out for someone. I can't believe we'd go another summer without addressing such a glaring issue. It's crazy.
 
devilish said:
He had Pogba in mind, Ando was not yet considered injury prone + he believed that Fletcher's condition wasn't as bad as first thought. Next year Giggs and Scholes will be 1 year older and there's no guarantees that Fletch can return to his former self

I sincerely hope we don't mess with Kagawa as we did with Ando. He's a no 10 for fecks sakes.
Click to expand...

I agree; I just don't see what has to happen for Sir Alex to move on a suitable (in even minor muppet terms) central-midfielder. I've been expecting moves in that area since 2009; the last central-midfielders were bought in 2007 (Hargreaves and Anderson; Carrick the year before) while I think every other area has been re-enforced sometimes multiple times since then - but not arguably the most important area of the pitch.
 
Vibhas said:
From what Kagawa's said in his interview; he said that SAF said that he'll be playing as a trequartista and that'll mean 4231 :drool:. That'll be a step forward for us given the current formations around the world; 442 is rather ineffective against it.
Click to expand...

Hope that's true, i really do! Not before time either i might add, but completely agree with your view.

They bought him for 10 million Euros, and that's a steal. But 8 appearances later, his value has still increased due to his reputation and the fact that he's got 5 years remaining on his contract! Real are in a position to keep paying his wages and see how it pans out, and from what I've seen, he doesn't mind this for at least another season.
Click to expand...

Agreed again, feck me im agreeable this mornin! :D

Seriously though, yes Real do hold all the cards, but a £20m deal would double their money, and free up a spot for their latest muppet signing.

It could happen, and when you consider what we paid for Jones and Young, £20m for Sahin would be still an absolute fecking snip for a player who would give us so much variety with both our pairings and formations! :drool::drool:
 
I've thought this since I was in the Newbies but, charlenefan seems to take some pride in being an extreme 'anti-muppet', and this thread just confirmed that.

However, I do think it's possible we're done for the summer, depending on how SAF assesses the situation with Fletcher, and how he views the fitness worries of Cleverly and Anderson. Left back is an issue, but if we have Vidic back, we can consider Evans as cover for Evra - he's played well there a few times. I do hope we make another midfield signing though, but I wouldn't be too surprised if we didn't.
 
Andrew~ said:
I've thought this since I was in the Newbies but, charlenefan seems to take some pride in being an extreme 'anti-muppet', and this thread just confirmed that.
Click to expand...

There are plenty of those on here. They do nothing but praise our players and slate anyone who suggests our squad isn't quite good enough or questions decisions that SAF makes. To the majority it makes them look like better posters I guess.

Well, apart from Twigg, he just comes across as crazy :)
 
I'll be absolutely astounded if we don't sign anybody else. There is no chance that will be us finished imho.
 
Ferguson usually points out when we are done signing players. So far it has been very quiet. I am not saying we will sign any more players - but I am pretty sure we will try to sign another player or 2
 
It's been quiet for the past three weeks because of Euro. Teams don't want to do business before or during the tournament, it's always been like that. Alba is the only high-profile transfer that seems to be completed now but other than that teams are waiting.
 
Andrew~ said:
I've thought this since I was in the Newbies but, charlenefan seems to take some pride in being an extreme 'anti-muppet', and this thread just confirmed that.
Click to expand...

lol wut?
 
SAF says we are not done.

When asked if he is hoping to make further additions, he replied: "Yes, there's a possibility. We’re working on one or two things but there’s nothing really to tell you to be honest.

Which usually means it's 50/50.
 
Personally I think this and next summer is massive in the future of United. I think we are 4 top players away getting back to top dogs. We will need a replacement for Scholes Giggs Berbatov Park possibly Evra Rio and Fletcher and cover for Carrick. We seem not to be able to shop at Harrods anymore it reminds me of Liverpool at the end of their dynasty. I hope we don't go down the line of buying too much potential or your average Joe I hope we sign some real proven class. We seem to have a void in real class players around the age of 26-30 to carry our young players onto the next level. Hope my fears are proved wrong time will tell.
 
Would not mind two center mids Chief one play maker and one more defensive minded.
 
With Fletcher no closer or likely to make a comeback and Anderson's injury record I can't believe Fergie will go into the season without a CM addition.
 
We desperately need a top class centre mid. Can we afford one? Probably not. Will we paper over the cracks for another season? More than likely.

I expect maybe one new signing still to come
 
Of the players we've been linked with so far, I would consider it a very successful summer if we managed to bag Dembele and Baines. Do I think it's going to happen? Not really to be honest.
 
Lawman said:
I think we are 4 top players away getting back to top dogs. We will need a replacement for Scholes Giggs Berbatov Park possibly Evra Rio and Fletcher and cover for Carrick.
Click to expand...

I dont think things are that bad;

Replacement for Scholes? Undoubtedly
Replacement for Giggs? Nah, surely in Valencia, Nani, Young & now Kagawa we have enough to cover for him
Replacement for Berbatov? Again not for me, if after this season Hernandez flops again and Welbeck struggles then maybe until then though a striker isn't needed. Berbatov at the moment doesn't look like leaving either
Replacement for Park? See Kagawa
Replacement for Evra? Not for me, if he has a mare of a season hopefully Fabio will return having had a blinder for QPR
Replacement for Rio? See Smalling
Replacement for Fletcher? Undoubtedly
Cover for Carrick? Undoubtedly

Personally I think we're one top midfielder away from being truly great again. Probably 2 or 3 players away from having one of the best squads in Europe.

Once again though I think we're done for this summer and I think it's looked that case since we missed out on Hazard and finally confirmed Kagawa (ignoring the Powell signing)
 
charlenefan said:
I dont think things are that bad;

Replacement for Scholes? Undoubtedly
Replacement for Giggs? Nah, surely in Valencia, Nani, Young & now Kagawa we have enough to cover for him
Replacement for Berbatov? Again not for me, if after this season Hernandez flops again and Welbeck struggles then maybe until then though a striker isn't needed. Berbatov at the moment doesn't look like leaving either
Replacement for Park? See Kagawa
Replacement for Evra? Not for me, if he has a mare of a season hopefully Fabio will return having had a blinder for QPR
Replacement for Rio? See Smalling
Replacement for Fletcher? Undoubtedly
Cover for Carrick? Undoubtedly

Personally I think we're one top midfielder away from being truly great again. Probably 2 or 3 players away from having one of the best squads in Europe.

Once again though I think we're done for this summer and I think it's looked that case since we missed out on Hazard and finally confirmed Kagawa (ignoring the Powell signing)
Click to expand...

umm well great = top boys in europe....so your statement is a little confusing.

To be honest, even if we got 3-4 top lads in, I'd still wager barca would do us 7 times out of 10 given their quality, age, experience, and the fact that they actually add from a position of strength.
 
If you could guarentee me now that Carrick would be fit all next season I wouldn't worry about a midfielder coming in.

I haven't got a clue what to do really. Still think we desperately need a full back.
 
Twigginater said:
If you could guarentee me now that Carrick would be fit all next season I wouldn't worry about a midfielder coming in.

I haven't got a clue what to do really. Still think we desperately need a full back.
Click to expand...

how is carrick himself supposed to even attempt to hold the football on his own against the top boys in europe?

If ferguson does not care for europe for another season, then by all means no midfielders are necessary.
 
VoetbalWizard said:
how is carrick himself supposed to even attempt to hold the football on his own against the top boys in europe?

If ferguson does not care for europe for another season, then by all means no midfielders are necessary.
Click to expand...

He isn't. We have other midfielders capeable of that.

Cleverly, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs and Scholes are all perfectly good CM's IMO.
 
VoetbalWizard said:
umm well great = top boys in europe....so your statement is a little confusing.
Click to expand...

what's confusing? We get someone like Modric then from a possible starting XI point of view I think we're capable of beating anyone. Get 2 or 3 players in like Modric & Dembele for example I think we'll have a squad capable of matching anyone also (signing just one player still leaves us only an injury to that player away from being where we are at the moment)
 
We need a new CM to compete at the level Utd should be competing at, it's bloody obvious and has been for near enough three years. It's got to the point where it shouldn't even have to be said, it's like continually having to point out that the Earth isn't flat.

I fear that we will go yet another season relying on other areas of the team to compensate for our weaknesses in the middle of the park. What makes it so frustrating is that we have the makings of a great team but by continually skimping on (for me) the most important area of the pitch we are wasting the talent we have in other areas.
 
Twigginater said:
He isn't. We have other midfielders capeable of that.

Cleverly, Anderson, Fletcher, Giggs and Scholes are all perfectly good CM's IMO.
Click to expand...

Firstly Carrick has his limitations; the way you talk about him you would think he was Xavi. Secondly those other players all have issues associated with them; Giggs and Scholes are legends but lack mobility, God knows if Fletcher will ever get back to his best, Anderson is a crock and Cleverley, although enormously promising looks to have fitness problems. This is not the central midfield stable of a team that could win the European Cup. Whereas if you look at our wingers, strikers and defenders I am confident we have what it takes.
 
evra said:
Firstly Carrick has his limitations; the way you talk about him you would think he was Xavi. Secondly those other players all have issues associated with them; Giggs and Scholes are legends but lack mobility, God knows if Fletcher will ever get back to his best, Anderson is a crock and Cleverley, although enormously promising looks to have fitness problems. This is not the central midfield stable of a team that could win the European Cup. Whereas if you look at our wingers, strikers and defenders I am confident we have what it takes.
Click to expand...

One of the drawbacks with Carrick is that when he plays with a mobile and undisciplined partner his positioning goes to water and gets caught out trying to cover and re-position himself letting runners go by him.

I love Carrick but he definitely has a learning curve if you're going to be his partner. Some of our Carrick-Anderson midfields have been dire over the years.
 
charlenefan said:
what's confusing? We get someone like Modric then from a possible starting XI point of view I think we're capable of beating anyone. Get 2 or 3 players in like Modric & Dembele for example I think we'll have a squad capable of matching anyone also (signing just one player still leaves us only an injury to that player away from being where we are at the moment)
Click to expand...

maybe 2 or 3 times out of 10 (barca that is). you make it sound like modric is a robbo+zidane+maradona hybrid.

luka modric or his ilk alone is not going to cause barca to shit their kecks.

Dembele ffs. sounds like a musical instrument. Europe is frozen in fear.
 
I can see a Premier League midfielder like Tiote or Fellaini coming in.

If Fletcher can't come back we will be seriously lacking energy and steel in the midfield. I just have a feeling Fergie won't sign a foreign starlet or Modric or any of the expensive names out there.

If Berba leaves then I think Fergie will buy a fourth striker too.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.