Summer transfer window

[hungrywing]

I think you'll spend around 60m net.

Ship off Evra, Vidic, Hernandez, Nani, Kagawa, Van Persie, Anderson and Buttner. You won't receive much in transfer fees, but the wages saved will be massive. I'd then look at bringing in a left back, a cheap full back that can play either side, a winger and a centre mid. Maybe a centre back.

I think it'll be something close to this because it's the only way for Moyes to avoid certain job-specific pitfalls.

 

[Sarni]

I think you'll spend around 60m net.

Ship off Evra, Vidic, Hernandez, Nani, Kagawa, Van Persie, Anderson and Buttner. You won't receive much in transfer fees, but the wages saved will be massive. I'd then look at bringing in a left back, a cheap full back that can play either side, a winger and a centre mid. Maybe a centre back.

Yeah and we'll finish 5th, this time just 4 points behind top 4 and everyone will say Moyes has done sublime job. It's nailed on.

 

[Gandalf Greyhame]

We must keep Tottenham's transfer window in mind while making our purchases, and not make their mistakes. These are the basic blunders Spurs should have avoided, IMO:

1) Avoid selling our superstars. RvP may or may not fit into the current system, but he is a world-class talent, and unless we get a lucrative offer for him (or a player exchange), we must do our best to keep him.

2) Spend the big money only on proven talents, not upcoming ones. We need players who can step into the first team and deliver us a top 4. In this regard, fortunately, Moyes seems to be looking at the biggest names, not bargain deals. Koke, Kroos, Vidal - he's not compromising on proven quality while scouting.

3) Have a Plan B. We must be prepared for a situatio where our new buys don't fit in. No point selling off Evra without seeing whether Shaw can effectively fill his boots. Similarly, no point letting Kagawa/Nani leave without knowing how well their replacements perform. Hold on to your 1st backups.

 

[soapythecat]

@Kill 'em all and @Anderson18

I honestly think all you need to do is buy a LB, a CM, and a RW/LW. That would take the total to 60-80m depending on who you purchase. 180m is just far too excessive in my eyes.

Couldn't agree more. If United bought quality in those positions, then it would have been an immensely satisfying window. Some of the muppetry going on in here is not even achieveable in a FM cheat mode!

 

[Kag]

It depends on the Europa league I think.

It depends on nothing. There is no way we will go into next season with two strikers in Rooney and Welbeck.

Hernandez will leave, certainly. If Van Persie does leave, which is unclear, then it's likely we'll purchase a striker.

 

[Getsme]

It depends on nothing. There is no way we will go into next season with two strikers in Rooney and Welbeck.

Hernandez will leave, certainly. If Van Persie does leave, which is unclear, then it's likely we'll purchase a striker.

Wilson could be promoted this season, if both do leave which is very unlikely then I'd imagine that we will buy another forward. However if Hernandez leaves, his agent said that he isn't BTW, then I'd imagine we could go into the season with 5 forwards.

 

[TheNewEra]

Wilson could be promoted this season, if both do leave which is very unlikely then I'd imagine that we will buy another forward. However if Hernandez leaves, his agent said that he isn't BTW, then I'd imagine we could go into the season with 5 forwards.

Thing is with players like Wilson, he's promising from what I hear, but is he ready to come into the fold? it's a difficult choice.

I personally think the club needs 3 CMs and possibly a winger, plus a LB but.. CB partnerships depend on now to the end of the season, how well Smalling/Jones do together, plus if players like Keane are promoted how well they do.

I've not seen much of players like Keane but the problem is with the Man Utd squad is the ambition should be to win the Champions League, not just the league, I think RvP will be off in the summer, I think Hernandez is a big possibility too, none of our CBs are capable of getting their head up and picking a ball out to a winger or a forward, I think we need a ball playing defender personally, instead of giving the ball away under pressure and then adding more pressure on ourselves.

To have a chance of the league, and also the champions league the squad needs strengthening quite a lot, I'm all for giving the youth a chance, we've lost Dæhli and Pogba already, if the players coming through are anywhere near that level then give them a chance by all means, but there needs to be experience in that team that has won medals too, can't turn into another Arsenal.

Thing to remember also is, City and Chelsea are very far ahead of Man Utd in their squads, and will strengthen even more in the summer, can we really risk settling for top 4 over the next few seasons?

 

[KingMinger22]

I fully expect us to have one of the biggest transfer window activities ever in the PL.

We will sign at least 3 or 4 players that are in the Mata level category IMO.

RVP will go no were. At least, I hope he doesn't.

 

[Van Piorsing]

I fully expect us to have one of the biggest transfer window activities ever in the PL.

We will sign at least 3 or 4 players that are in the Mata level category IMO.

RVP will go no were. At least, I hope he doesn't.

If we won't sign at least these 3-4 elite players he may think about it at some point.

He wants trophies badly.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

If we won't sign at least these 3-4 elite players he may think about it at some point.

He wants trophies badly.

He needs trophies badly.

 

[TheNewEra]

If we won't sign at least these 3-4 elite players he may think about it at some point.

He wants trophies badly.

It's a difficult situation with the club this season.

Obviously Moyes wants to make some kind of statement, he can clearly see that Man City and Chelsea are the benchmarks right now in the premier league, but he also needs to look at Europe, how Bayern, Real and Barca are dominant too.

A club like Manchester United should be targeting European Glory, and being dominant, beating those teams means you can beat Chelsea and City anyway.

With a club like Manchester United, obviously the youth side of things is a hugely important part, and we do have young players, we had Pogba, Dæhli who have left who are both gifted, same with Morrison, now we have Januzaj still, but it shows there is promise there, the club needs to see both short-term and long-term, Januzaj is obviously a glimpse of potential not just individually but for the team and the club.

Long-term the club can afford to have a whole youth-academy similar to Barcas set up, or even City have done something similar recently, to proudce top youth is a huge priority, having under 5s under 7s if possible with top quality coaches schooling, teaching and taking the very best at later years to throw into a bigger set-up, that's long term, the next decade then the players play the "Manchester United way", similar to class of '92.

Then obviously there's the short-term, where are the weaknesses in the club? well arguably its in the midfield right now, and defense, multiple positions that need to be strengthened and the squad needs to have a strong spine, world-class if possible, that cash injection this summer needs to bring the squad to the same standard of City and Chelsea, but also gives the likes of Januzaj stability to learn and youth coming through to learn also... it's a balancing act really, I do think this summer 3 midfielders, and a left-back/cb depending on what happens between now and the end of the season, I think having Moyes he knows what he needs to add the the squad, he's targeting younger players who can play in this "project" planning for the next 5-8 in squad togetherness and we have missed out on some young talent in recent years, I think that can't really happen anymore.

The cash injection this year isn't going to happen every-year but it does need to happen to path over the gulf in class right now, then buy young players when possible, bed them into the squad, replenish, adapt playing styles, always evolve, always look to make the squad stronger.

The club now vast in its resources, this summer is pivotal.

If the club looks at the youth academy, we don't have the player there who can fill that role or up to that level, it's important if that player is on the market elsewhere that the club wins that players signature, there has been some great Manchester United squads down the years but recent years its been more of a emulation of 99 where it's been more "team-spirit" that has seen us through the league wins, the late goals, the moments of brilliance, this year the belief has wavered slightly.

 

[Van Piorsing]

It's a difficult situation with the club this season.

Obviously Moyes wants to make some kind of statement, he can clearly see that Man City and Chelsea are the benchmarks right now in the premier league, but he also needs to look at Europe, how Bayern, Real and Barca are dominant too.

A club like Manchester United should be targeting European Glory, and being dominant, beating those teams means you can beat Chelsea and City anyway.

With a club like Manchester United, obviously the youth side of things is a hugely important part, and we do have young players, we had Pogba, Dæhli who have left who are both gifted, same with Morrison, now we have Januzaj still, but it shows there is promise there, the club needs to see both short-term and long-term, Januzaj is obviously a glimpse of potential not just individually but for the team and the club.

Long-term the club can afford to have a whole youth-academy similar to Barcas set up, or even City have done something similar recently, to proudce top youth is a huge priority, having under 5s under 7s if possible with top quality coaches schooling, teaching and taking the very best at later years to throw into a bigger set-up, that's long term, the next decade then the players play the "Manchester United way", similar to class of '92.

Then obviously there's the short-term, where are the weaknesses in the club? well arguably its in the midfield right now, and defense, multiple positions that need to be strengthened and the squad needs to have a strong spine, world-class if possible, that cash injection this summer needs to bring the squad to the same standard of City and Chelsea, but also gives the likes of Januzaj stability to learn and youth coming through to learn also... it's a balancing act really, I do think this summer 3 midfielders, and a left-back/cb depending on what happens between now and the end of the season, I think having Moyes he knows what he needs to add the the squad, he's targeting younger players who can play in this "project" planning for the next 5-8 in squad togetherness and we have missed out on some young talent in recent years, I think that can't really happen anymore.

The cash injection this year isn't going to happen every-year but it does need to happen to path over the gulf in class right now, then buy young players when possible, bed them into the squad, replenish, adapt playing styles, always evolve, always look to make the squad stronger.

The club now vast in its resources, this summer is pivotal.

If the club looks at the youth academy, we don't have the player there who can fill that role or up to that level, it's important if that player is on the market elsewhere that the club wins that players signature, there has been some great Manchester United squads down the years but recent years its been more of a emulation of 99 where it's been more "team-spirit" that has seen us through the league wins, the late goals, the moments of brilliance, this year the belief has wavered slightly.

Great post, as always.

Letting Pogba go in that situation was almost unforgivable, even if it was under The Boss and wasn't exactly his fault. Now we may be even forced to spend in a City's manner to rebuild the youth and a squad as a whole. It maybe unhealthy at some point but something must be done and radical measures seems like the right way so far.

One of 'To be or not to be' for Moyes.

 

[didsbury1982]

It's a difficult situation with the club this season.

Obviously Moyes wants to make some kind of statement, he can clearly see that Man City and Chelsea are the benchmarks right now in the premier league, but he also needs to look at Europe, how Bayern, Real and Barca are dominant too.

A club like Manchester United should be targeting European Glory, and being dominant, beating those teams means you can beat Chelsea and City anyway.

With a club like Manchester United, obviously the youth side of things is a hugely important part, and we do have young players, we had Pogba, Dæhli who have left who are both gifted, same with Morrison, now we have Januzaj still, but it shows there is promise there, the club needs to see both short-term and long-term, Januzaj is obviously a glimpse of potential not just individually but for the team and the club.

Long-term the club can afford to have a whole youth-academy similar to Barcas set up, or even City have done something similar recently, to proudce top youth is a huge priority, having under 5s under 7s if possible with top quality coaches schooling, teaching and taking the very best at later years to throw into a bigger set-up, that's long term, the next decade then the players play the "Manchester United way", similar to class of '92.

Then obviously there's the short-term, where are the weaknesses in the club? well arguably its in the midfield right now, and defense, multiple positions that need to be strengthened and the squad needs to have a strong spine, world-class if possible, that cash injection this summer needs to bring the squad to the same standard of City and Chelsea, but also gives the likes of Januzaj stability to learn and youth coming through to learn also... it's a balancing act really, I do think this summer 3 midfielders, and a left-back/cb depending on what happens between now and the end of the season, I think having Moyes he knows what he needs to add the the squad, he's targeting younger players who can play in this "project" planning for the next 5-8 in squad togetherness and we have missed out on some young talent in recent years, I think that can't really happen anymore.

The cash injection this year isn't going to happen every-year but it does need to happen to path over the gulf in class right now, then buy young players when possible, bed them into the squad, replenish, adapt playing styles, always evolve, always look to make the squad stronger.

The club now vast in its resources, this summer is pivotal.

If the club looks at the youth academy, we don't have the player there who can fill that role or up to that level, it's important if that player is on the market elsewhere that the club wins that players signature, there has been some great Manchester United squads down the years but recent years its been more of a emulation of 99 where it's been more "team-spirit" that has seen us through the league wins, the late goals, the moments of brilliance, this year the belief has wavered slightly.

Really good post that.

 

[Blasphemy]

It's a difficult situation with the club this season.

Obviously Moyes wants to make some kind of statement, he can clearly see that Man City and Chelsea are the benchmarks right now in the premier league, but he also needs to look at Europe, how Bayern, Real and Barca are dominant too.

A club like Manchester United should be targeting European Glory, and being dominant, beating those teams means you can beat Chelsea and City anyway.

I genuinely think we're a long way from that though. If you look at Barcelona, Real and Bayern then they're essentially all three of them better than us in every area of the pitch, especially with Vidic leaving. We have a better right back than Real and a better striker than Real and Bayern but other than that we're totally outgunned. Even in terms of young players coming through we've got Smalling, Jones, Januzaj, Cleverley, Welbeck, Rafael and De Gea who are still 24 and under and hopefully going to all improve.

But then those three have:

Real - Varane, Jese, Bale, Carvajal, Isco, Illaramendi
Barcelona - Neymar, Alba, Delafoeu, Sergi Roberto
Bayern - Gotze, Muller, Alaba, Kroos, Thiago, Shaqiri.

So it's not like we have this great generation coming through who are going to push on and lead us back up there because the big three in Europe all have just as much if not more talent at young ages and that's before you go into City, Chelsea, Dortmund, Juventus and PSG who all have the basis of a good squad for years to come (except maybe City who's player are a bit older mostly).

You're 100% right that we want to be at the top of Europe, but it's a massive job we've got on our hands and serious investment is going to be needed. I don't expect us to just go straight back up to the top of Europe and spending a load of money in the summer. It's going to be a 3-5 year rebuilding.

 

[Mainoldo]

I genuinely think we're a long way from that though. If you look at Barcelona, Real and Bayern then they're essentially all three of them better than us in every area of the pitch, especially with Vidic leaving. We have a better right back than Real and a better striker than Real and Bayern but other than that we're totally outgunned. Even in terms of young players coming through we've got Smalling, Jones, Januzaj, Cleverley, Welbeck, Rafael and De Gea who are still 24 and under and hopefully going to all improve.

But then those three have:

Real - Varane, Jese, Bale, Carvajal, Isco, Illaramendi
Barcelona - Neymar, Alba, Delafoeu, Sergi Roberto
Bayern - Gotze, Muller, Alaba, Kroos, Thiago, Shaqiri.

So it's not like we have this great generation coming through who are going to push on and lead us back up there because the big three in Europe all have just as much if not more talent at young ages and that's before you go into City, Chelsea, Dortmund, Juventus and PSG who all have the basis of a good squad for years to come (except maybe City who's player are a bit older mostly).

You're 100% right that we want to be at the top of Europe, but it's a massive job we've got on our hands and serious investment is going to be needed. I don't expect us to just go straight back up to the top of Europe and spending a load of money in the summer. It's going to be a 3-5 year rebuilding.

3-5 years? Are you crazy! We are not rebuilding Liverpool.. We have always been 3-4 players away from Barca and thats going back from 2011.. 3 years ago. Not much has changed in those 3 years. Two summers without buying a midfielder, technically we need two midfielders after they destroyed us in the first final. My point is when your top of the ladder you always tweak whilst the others play catch up. Bayern Munich aren't going to make massive improvements whilst we try to catch them. Barca will have to replace Xavi and Puyol soon and simply expecting Sergi Roberto and youngster 'x' to be of the same calibre is a big if. We should have a squad capable of winning titles by next year. How they gel and team ethos will be the main thing.

 

[Red Dreams]

I fully expect us to have one of the biggest transfer window activities ever in the PL.

We will sign at least 3 or 4 players that are in the Mata level category IMO.

RVP will go no were. At least, I hope he doesn't.

I agree.

 

[Gerald G]

Well now seemingly the RvP uncertainty is over things look a bit clearer. I know some may not be sure but those RvP comments seemed genuine not just your average 'oh yeah I'm happy' comments.

With the Morata interest I think that could potentially be to replace Hernandez. I think Hernandez is off in the summer and Morata could be a potential replacement. But from Morata's point of view, I'm not sure why he would make that move, he would leave one bench for another.

The funny thing is I'm actually starting to believe the Kroos links. I really think we have a chance and it would be amazing if we were to bring him in. I think we should sell Valencia, Young and Nani or sell two and keep one. I would then bring in a winger, someone with pace too. Possibly Griezmann or Reus (I would say Reus is fairly unrealistic).

I would go in for Benatia to replace Vidic and promote Michael Keane to 5th choice.

 

[TheNewEra]

Well now seemingly the RvP uncertainty is over things look a bit clearer. I know some may not be sure but those RvP comments seemed genuine not just your average 'oh yeah I'm happy' comments.

With the Morata interest I think that could potentially be to replace Hernandez. I think Hernandez is off in the summer and Morata could be a potential replacement. But from Morata's point of view, I'm not sure why he would make that move, he would leave one bench for another.

The funny thing is I'm actually starting to believe the Kroos links. I really think we have a chance and it would be amazing if we were to bring him in. I think we should sell Valencia, Young and Nani or sell two and keep one. I would then bring in a winger, someone with pace too. Possibly Griezmann or Reus (I would say Reus is fairly unrealistic).

I would go in for Benatia to replace Vidic and promote Michael Keane to 5th choice.

Griezmann has been great this season at a relatively ordinary squad, 15 goals this season in La Liga, terrific for a young winger, great technique... however bringing him in would mean keeping Evra for a season I feel, because of both being french would probably help him settle.

I really think we need 3 midfielders, a winger, possibly a CB/LB so it would be interesting.

 

[Bestie07]

Well now seemingly the RvP uncertainty is over things look a bit clearer. I know some may not be sure but those RvP comments seemed genuine not just your average 'oh yeah I'm happy' comments.

With the Morata interest I think that could potentially be to replace Hernandez. I think Hernandez is off in the summer and Morata could be a potential replacement. But from Morata's point of view, I'm not sure why he would make that move, he would leave one bench for another.

The funny thing is I'm actually starting to believe the Kroos links. I really think we have a chance and it would be amazing if we were to bring him in. I think we should sell Valencia, Young and Nani or sell two and keep one. I would then bring in a winger, someone with pace too. Possibly Griezmann or Reus (I would say Reus is fairly unrealistic).

I would go in for Benatia to replace Vidic and promote Michael Keane to 5th choice.

I believe Benatia will be difficult to get. I fully expect Barcelona to go after him at full throttle and that may be too good a chance for him to turn down for us.

 

[Blasphemy]

3-5 years? Are you crazy! We are not rebuilding Liverpool.. We have always been 3-4 players away from Barca and thats going back from 2011.. 3 years ago. Not much has changed in those 3 years. Two summers without buying a midfielder, technically we need two midfielders after they destroyed us in the first final. My point is when your top of the ladder you always tweak whilst the others play catch up. Bayern Munich aren't going to make massive improvements whilst we try to catch them. Barca will have to replace Xavi and Puyol soon and simply expecting Sergi Roberto and youngster 'x' to be of the same calibre is a big if. We should have a squad capable of winning titles by next year. How they gel and team ethos will be the main thing.

In 2011 we had Rio, Evra and Vidic at the back. Three of the best defenders in world football.

Next season we'll have Smalling, Jones and a new left back. That's a pretty gigantic step down.

That's definitely more than 'not much' changing.

 

[sun_tzu]

I believe Benatia will be difficult to get. I fully expect Barcelona to go after him at full throttle and that may be too good a chance for him to turn down for us.

Plus roma will be in the cl and we most probably wont.

im not sure what barca will do but they might well get a new manager in the summer and that could influence who they go for... eg if they went for klopp perhaps he would want hummles.

 

[Gerald G]

Griezmann has been great this season at a relatively ordinary squad, 15 goals this season in La Liga, terrific for a young winger, great technique... however bringing him in would mean keeping Evra for a season I feel, because of both being french would probably help him settle.

I really think we need 3 midfielders, a winger, possibly a CB/LB so it would be interesting.

3 midfielders!? Why? I want us to keep Evra for another season and bring in Shaw.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

3 midfielders!? Why? I want us to keep Evra for another season and bring in Shaw.

Shaw is good enough now.

 

[Gerald G]

Shaw is good enough now.

Yes he probably is but I wouldn't want us to sign 2 left-backs. Unless we keep Buttner(hope not).

 

[Drifter]

David Moyes: Manchester United Looking to Make Signings Before World Cup

http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/david-moye...ooking-make-signings-before-world-cup-1440402

 

[Mister Ed]

Could see a summer window like this:

Before the world cup we'll annonce contract renewals of DDG and maybay also RVP. Vidic and Evra will have signed a contract at Inter and we let Macheda his contract run out. We'll make some quickfire deals for a number of players who we have already ligned up. The ones I think most likely are Coentrao (€20M) and Carvalho (€35M) (they would adress some of the most urgent needs in the squad, both are available and we have been linked numerous times with both of them for over a year now).

During the world cup we won't see much action, just maybay a couple of loan deals. I can see us Loaning out Anderson and Bébé to new clubs during the world cup.

After the world cup we'll be going on preseason and we'll bring: Varela, Keane, Pereira, Powell, Lingard, Zaha and Henriquez on tour to assess them. We'll still be looking for about 3 or 4 more players and we'll be dealing with Kagawa, Nani and Hernandez who might be leaving and Ferdinand that will retire or move to the USA.

Players I can see us going for/being linked with:
-Creative playmaking midfielder: Kroos, Gundogan, Koke, Rakitic, Lallana, Barkley
-Winger: Di Maria, Gaitan, Griezmann, Lucas, Turan
-Versatile fullback: De Sciglio, Santon, Arbeloa
-Centreback: Benatia, Mangala, Verthongen, Subotic, Godin

I think we'll sign Kroos as our biggest summer transfer for around €40M which Bayern won't be able to refuse (seeing as they won't get as much for him ever again and he also won't be signing a new deal with them) and we'll also make him our top 3 earner in the team with a wage of £225.000 a week. We'll also sign Lucas Mourra for €25M from PSG because he isn't a prominent player in their plans and we manage to convince him on the basis of a bigger role in the squad and a higher salary. We won't be signing a centreback because none of our prime targets prove to be available for the correct price and that is why we decide to take a gamble on promoting keane and sticking with Smalling, Evans and Jones for the centreback. For the fullback we decide to sign Arbeloa on a cheap €5M from Real Madrid because the other targets prove to be too costly.

We promote Varela and Keane from within

We loan out Pereira, Zaha, Lingard, Powell, Amos, Tunniclyfe and Henriquez.

We'll transfer Kagawa to Inter for €17M and Nani for €13M to Juventus, Ferdinand decides to move to the New York Red Bulls and we manage to keep Hernandez on board and Giggs will sign a new one year deal as player/coach.

IN: Coentrao (€20M), Carvalho (€35M), Kroos (€40M), Lucas (€25M), Arbeloa (€5M), Keane (youth), Varela (youth)
= €125M (~£105M)

Out: Ferdinand (Contract run out), Macheda (contract run out) Vidic (contract run out), Evra (contract run out), Kagawa (€17M), Nani (€13M), Anderson (loan), Bébé (loan), Powell (loan), Henriquez (loan), Lingard (loan), Zaha (loan), Pereira (loan), Amos (loan), Tunniclyfe (loan).
=€30M(~£25M)

In the winter well be reassessing the centreback position and if Keane doesn't cut it will loan him out and bring in a new centreback.

Team for 2014/2015
GK: DDG, Lindegaard, Johnstone
Def: Rafael, Varela, Arbeloa, Coentrao, Büttner, Smalling, Jones, Evans, Keane
Mid: Carvalho, Kroos, Fellaini, Carrick, Cleverley, Fletcher, Giggs
AM/Wing: Mata, Januzaj, Lucas, Young, Valencia
Strikers: RVP, Rooney, Welbeck, Hernandez

--------------DDG---------------
Rafael--Smalling--Jones---Coentrao
----------------Carvalho--------------
----------Kroos-------------------
---Lucas---------Rooney-----Mata----
------------RVP-----------------

Bench: Lindegaard, Evans, Arbeloa, Fellaini/Carrick, Young/Valencia, Januzaj, Welbeck/Hernandez

Res: Johnstone, Keane, Varela, Büttner, Fletcher, Cleverley, Giggs

 

[Baxter]

2 midfielders, a left back and a winger is the minimum for me. I'd like to think we'd get rid of Buttner and get a second choice LB in too.

 

[Barney]

@NoArroJusBeta

I'd probably cry if youse signed Arbeloa.

 

[TheNewEra]

@NoArroJusBeta

I'd probably cry if youse signed Arbeloa.

Won't happen, better players out there the chances of Man Utd playing a 5 year old are more likely.

 

[Barney]

Won't happen, better players out there the chances of Man Utd playing a 5 year old are more likely.

Aye, I know. Arbeloa was an underrated fullback. How we sold him for £3m I'll never know.

 

[TheNewEra]

Aye, I know. Arbeloa was an underrated fullback. How we sold him for £3m I'll never know.

I'd only ever deploy him in a game where it was defensive minded, his height can offer a lot to defend crosses in for parking the bus, but I don't really think he's much of a modern full-back at all, there's a lot of promising 20-23 year olds you can get for a couple million more a lot better than Arbeloa.

 

[Twigg]

I don't like the idea of us signing five or more first team players in one go, too much change can negatively impact the team, I mean look at Spurs for instance.

 

[TheNewEra]

I don't like the idea of us signing five or more first team players in one go, too much change can negatively impact the team, I mean look at Spurs for instance.

Depends if they are brought in very early, where they can all get a good pre season under their belt or not.

 

[Red Dreams]

agree

 

[Mister Ed]

I don't like the idea of us signing five or more first team players in one go, too much change can negatively impact the team, I mean look at Spurs for instance.

Seriously wtf ?

You are worried 5 new first team players will negatively impact this team, I ask you what team ? There isn't a team on the pitch atm, there is just 11 players that aren't clicking, there are no team dynamics that could possibly be destroyed by adding new players. The only thing that could happen is that we improve the balance and quality in the team and create a solid basis to start rebuilding a new team. Because whatever team dynamics we had in place they all went down the toilet the moment SAF decided to quit and leave the job to Moyes.

 

[Hellboy]

Who are the ducks he's talking about ?

 

[Mainoldo]

I don't like the idea of us signing five or more first team players in one go, too much change can negatively impact the team, I mean look at Spurs for instance.

Didn't we sign 5 first team players in 97? That didn't work out too bad.

 

[Amir]

Didn't we sign 5 first team players in 97? That didn't work out too bad.

We also signed four in 2007 and that turned out to be a pretty decent season (though the four themselves were not exactly long term success).

As for the 1997 five... Van der Gouw was a backup keeper, Poborsky lasted a year and a half, Jordi had good moments but not a lot more, and obviously Ole and Johnsen were brilliant signings. Still, those were additions to a good team. What we're talking about this summer is a big change in the spine of the team.

 

[Anduin]

In 2011 we had Rio, Evra and Vidic at the back. Three of the best defenders in world football.

Nah, Evra was past it defensively in 2011. I very, very clearly remember dreading the final and SAF's decision to play Evra against Pedro, and right it was. His 2010/11 was the first of his (defensive) decline IMHO.
We have been in need for a new left-back since 2011. I love Patrice like every United supporter, but he really should have some serious competition, not ones who Fergie didn't trust (Fabio) or sub-par players like Buttner.

 

[Rozay]

I say throw a world record bid at Arturo Vidal in the summer. We need a warrior with some balls in the middle (who is also good at football).