Thiago Alcantara | New contract

Fair enough.



I take your point, but playing regularly for Utd in a more physical league, is not really that much different to playing regularly for Barca.

If Gibson isn't ready to play regularly for us despite having much more experience, what makes you believe Thiago would be any more ready?
Because experience clearly isn't everything?
 
Together with De Gea, Thiago and Martinez would be super additions if the club don't want to pay a kings ransom on Modric or Sneijder. Their stock will always rise, so even if one of the big Spanish teams come calling they'll have to pay a massive transfer fee.

We'd have an amazing pool of young players.
 
I have to admit I think Alcantara'd get me a bit muppety. Pogba, Tunniclife and Morrison already do this, don't worry there, but the ability to retain possession and keep the play moving is something that we're looking to replace from Scholes and I think our three kids have other strengths than this while it's what Alcantara excels at - he's a different type of midfielder. Always have to be wary about bringing in players that are going to get into the way of promising youth players though, I agree.
 
Isn't it a case of creaming over everyone elses kids and ignoring the talent we have coming through our ranks? He looks good from what I saw of him but so do our kids. If Barcelona had any sense they would have learnt from losing Fabregas and others. Clearly this kid is raw but with kids you have to embrace what you have and not be scared of it. If Sir Alex came out and said Pogba or Morrison or Tunnicliffe and maybe one or two others would feature, I'd love it. Not because I know more but because I don't think the grass is always greener. If we bought this kid, you only reduce the chances of one of those making it and that would be a shame. The people who pay attention to their own club would surely know that.

Currently the two best playmakers are Fabregas and Iniesta all Barcelona products. The last United playmaker to actually be world class was Scholes who had recently retired paving the way to likes like Gibson. Considering that our CM is weak, that England U21 CM is weak and that Spain/Barca has total dominion on this area can you blame SAF for getting a midfielder from Barca?

If the kids are good enough then they'll compete and win their place. It always happened like that at United. If not they will vanish. I can't think of many players who left United ahead of their time and became world class players.
 
To be honest all I want is a midfielder who can play that killer pass and unlock any defense,if Thiago Alcantera would provide this then im game as he'd be alot cheaper than other targets and would leave funds available

Javi Martinez would also be a great signing,havent we been watching him before? it would be a good coup to bring one of these in along with De Gea to help him settle in
 
The type of player I like to be linked with. He's young and very gifted and would represent good value for money.
 
I have to admit I think Alcantara'd get me a bit muppety. Pogba, Tunniclife and Morrison already do this, don't worry there, but the ability to retain possession and keep the play moving is something that we're looking to replace from Scholes and I think our three kids have other strengths than this while it's what Alcantara excels at - he's a different type of midfielder. Always have to be wary about bringing in players that are going to get into the way of promising youth players though, I agree.

Yep, I wouldn't be able to contain myself if we got Alcantara. We'd probably have the best young collection of midfielders on the planet, barring Barcelona who probably have 79 other young ones lined up in their own ranks.

In fact, as you say, next to Morrison, Pogba and Tunnicliffe, and then factoring in the likes of Anderson, Nani, Hernandez, Rooney, Fabio, Rafael, De Gea and the young centre backs, I'd say we'd be fecking sorted.

Yes please.
 
To be honest all I want is a midfielder who can play that killer pass and unlock any defense,if Thiago Alcantera would provide this then im game as he'd be alot cheaper than other targets and would leave funds available

Javi Martinez would also be a great signing,havent we been watching him before? it would be a good coup to bring one of these in along with De Gea to help him settle in

There aren't many in the league better than Anderson at playing the killer ball. It's that old chestnut again though, isn't it....?
 
We should get his brother as well, cracking player and would make it much harder for Barcelona to drag him back in 3 years.
 
Alcantara and Javi Martinez were the ones who made Spain U21 midfield tick. The likes of Henderson, Mancienne and the next coming of the christ (Rodwell tm) looked a bit cack against them.
 
Javi Martinez is a step or three ahead of everyone else in terms of development (he's played more professional games than Busquets for instance) in that team, so it's expected he should dominate. He's a good little player but I think by the time he'd be an upgrade on Carrick Pogba would be more than ready to have his shot.
 
Yeah, I agree, I think people are getting a little bit carried away with a few u21 performances here from Martinez. I do like him but he hasn't suddenly shot up to being one of the first names we should go looking for.

When did you watch 'Rafinha' (the Alcantara brother), out of interest?
 
Absolutely no way Barca are letting him go. Alacantara is excellent..even though I'd love him to be part a Fabregas move involving cash, I can't see Barca parting with him. You never know though.
 
I only really saw him at the U21's, but if he is as good as everyone is saying then why do Barcelona want Fabregas so desperately. Surely having three world class midfielders, with a hugely talented youngster with the potential to be a world beater himself sat on the bench is pretty much the perfect situation for any club to find themselves in? Or do Barcelona just want world class cover for their already unrivalled team?
 
We've got a lot of money to spend. We've hardly spent any since Ronaldo was sold. Berbatov was the last player that cost a bundle and IMO he turned out well.

Who cares what we will spend on players? With Chelsea spending 50m on Torres, 20m+ for Luiz, City spending ludicrous money on transfer and wages. Who can blame Liverpool for paying what they pay. Lot for Henderson and Carroll, fair amount for Suarez. If we we're to buy this guy I wouldn't care if it were 10, 15 or 20m in all honesty. Not one bit. Arsenal has to buy as well this season so what are people afraid or sceptical off? It's not like their spending your money or wasting it carelessly.

Exactly my sentiment. At the end of the day everyone here watches football because they find it entertaining and enjoyable to watch, signing quality players will only enhance that experience. If it means spending money so be it. If we signed this kid or someone of his caliber for even 25M I would welcome it and look forward to seeing play in a red shirt, at the end of the day its not my money and it will only make next season more exciting to watch.
 
I have to say I would love to sign this kid. But there's no way Barca would let him go, they'll not make the same mistake again after letting Cesc go.
 
When did you watch 'Rafinha' (the Alcantara brother), out of interest?

A couple of B games that pop up on streams and the A team game against Deportivo where him and Deulofeu ran the show.
 
People are talking about our youngsters but they do need the experience. Pogba, morrison & tunniclife are fantastic prospects but so was eagles, david jones & kieran richardson. Untill you try them out we just not going to know how they will react. Those guys physically need another year or two with 1st team experience.

Thiago is about 2 years ahead of these guys that is why someone like him would do well. One thing most people say is that you don't know how they will settle as these are young players coming from abroad but look at chico, he done fantastic. Any transfer is a risk, but thats the name of the game...
 
No doubt Thiago has the talent and skills to go all the way. But I havent been particularly impressed with his decision making during the tournament.
 
People are talking about our youngsters but they do need the experience. Pogba, morrison & tunniclife are fantastic prospects but so was eagles, david jones & kieran richardson. Untill you try them out we just not going to know how they will react. Those guys physically need another year or two with 1st team experience.

Thiago is about 2 years ahead of these guys that is why someone like him would do well. One thing most people say is that you don't know how they will settle as these are young players coming from abroad but look at chico, he done fantastic. Any transfer is a risk, but thats the name of the game...

Mate I don't think Eagles, Jones and Richardson were fantastic prospects....I remember Eagles debut actually. Though he improved, he wasn't convincing. Jones was decent but he wasn't special. Added to that, our midfield was strong at the time. God knows who people imagined he'd get in ahead of. Richardson....I don't think so but I went off him early when he did Giggs old celebration that he did with Ince. To me he was a player who thought he'd already made it and he wasn't all that. I wouldn't compare that group to this group. I think you are doing them a disservice.
 
Mate I don't think Eagles, Jones and Richardson were fantastic prospects....I remember Eagles debut actually. Though he improved, he wasn't convincing. Jones was decent but he wasn't special. Added to that, our midfield was strong at the time. God knows who people imagined he'd get in ahead of. Richardson....I don't think so but I went off him early when he did Giggs old celebration that he did with Ince. To me he was a player who thought he'd already made it and he wasn't all that. I wouldn't compare that group to this group. I think you are doing them a disservice.

What would you say sets our current lads from the other 3?
 
None of them had the presence of Tunniclife, the class of Morrison or the array of talents of Pogba.

I thought Eagles looked pretty promising for the reserves when he was moved centrally mind.
 
Im not doubting anderson, im one of the few that rate him but he's currently lacking consistency, but cant rely on him as the only creative aspect in our midfield

Aye, it's in an unfortunare predicament. Maybe THIS will be his season. I've been saying it every year. He was very good at times last year mind, just a bit unfortunate. He's had absolutely fecked up luck with injuries.
 
None of them had the presence of Tunniclife, the class of Morrison or the array of talents of Pogba.

I thought Eagles looked pretty promising for the reserves when he was moved centrally mind.

Its hard to say they did not have the talent of those guys, although i can't quite remember the age richardson made debut against leicester at quite a young age in carling cup i think. He was then the year after included to squad and was tried was given a good chance in first team. He was a very talented guy for his age but just did not make the grade here.

I don't want to get this confused, i'm a big fan of the current young lads, my favourite player being pogba but i just don't think they are ready at the moment to take on a 1st team place, 2012/2013 seaon maybe
 
The way he played for Spain he looks like an AM not a CM at all.

Aye, a little bit. Always going for the inventive pass, always pushing the play forward, taking players on and sometimes careless and indisciplined. Much more Deco than Xavi.
 
Aye, a little bit. Always going for the inventive pass, always pushing the play forward, taking players on and sometimes careless and indisciplined. Much more Deco than Xavi.
I think it's changed a bit since everybody started playing 4231. The 2 are now basically old-style wing halves and the man in the hole is an inside forward.
 
The way he played for Spain he looks like an AM not a CM at all.

That's what I thought, he seems like he'd be suited to Rooney's role but with less goal threat.

I think it's changed a bit since everybody started playing 4231. The 2 are now basically old-style wing halves and the man in the hole is an inside forward.

True, except Barca and Arsenal seem to only play with one wing half and two inside forwards, whether Rooney and Thiago could adapt to that with Carrick as the wing half; I'm not so sure.
 
True, except Barca and Arsenal seem to only play with one wing half and two inside forwards, whether Rooney and Thiago could adapt to that with Carrick as the wing half; I'm not so sure.
Well I think Barca play 433. Arsenal play 4231 with an inside forward as one of the 2 but one who can tackle too (both Wilshere and Fabregas) but few others do now.
 
I don't think we'd get this guy, he must know he's the next cab off the rank at Barca when it comes to that midfield...may change if they sign Fabregas

Javi Martinez may be achievable

I think Spurs should probably sell Modric and get the two best Spanish midfielders that they can
 
I don't think we'd get this guy, he must know he's the next cab off the rank at Barca when it comes to that midfield...may change if they sign Fabregas

Javi Martinez may be achievable

I think Spurs should probably sell Modric and get the two best Spanish midfielders that they can

Spurs don't have the CL pull. Selling Modric wouldn't certainly lessen their chance to get good players of anything.

Of course the most important aspect is the one no one really knows about asides from those doing business. Which clubs are actually interested. It's one thing to scout a player frequently and another thing to make a bid when bids are being made.
 
Alcantara and Javi Martinez were the ones who made Spain U21 midfield tick. The likes of Henderson, Mancienne and the next coming of the christ (Rodwell tm) looked a bit cack against them.

Rodwell didn't start against Spain, instead Mancienne played and he looked cack. Rodwell came on about the 70th minute mark, and made an immediate difference to how we played.
 
Ander Herrera has played just as well in the tournament imo. Just doesnt have a big name yet
 
What would you say sets our current lads from the other 3?

They're bigger/stronger. I used to watch the kids and despair because we had talent but they were small or had no strength. The ones you listed are obviously all midfielders, different in many respects. The older three I think were just not that good. The quality of the reserve team is far greater imo then at most times certainly.