I know we're going to buy somebody, but none of it is going to happen until the World Cup is over, right? I mean, I can put Kermit away until the tournament is done, yeah?
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- Thread starter Raoul
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Well, some teams go out earlier than others.
This world cup is going to suck.
Riots and a bunch of star players injured will be the story of this world cup.
Riots and a bunch of star players injured will be the story of this world cup.
I wish people would look at the accounts they post quotes from. That "Tim Pearson" is a WUM of the highest order.
I had a look around and I can't find the quotes anywhere. Does Tim usually BS?
Rooney is really a #9 that wants to be a #10, more of a second striker, his best work is done in the box, and neither of Mata or Kagawa go all that deep when I've seen them play, to me those are players more suited to the left or right of a front 3 in 4-3-3. I'd rather not see us go square pegs, if we are going to play a proper 3 man midfield then stack it with actual midfielders.
Not that I have ever noticed. Only started following recently though.
He's a bullshitter.
What are the chances of that happening though?
And yet they played their best football centrally in a 4-2-3-1. Don't know why it's such a difference to you, but Mata and Kagawa are similar players to Iniesta, whilst obviously not as good, they could play in Barcelona's 4-3-3 and wouldn't look out of place.
Seemed sensible at first. Ill steer clear of him for now then.
If that is a real price for Fabian Delph then god help football.
It's a big difference in that if you play with a genuine midfield 3 you have much more solidity centrally and thus better protection for your defense, something we lacked numerous times last season as teams ran through our slow midfield and straight onto our CB's.
He also said that Liverpool's interest in United 'starlet' Patrice Evra is becoming more concrete by the day.
Oh okay, that's a shame.
Dear jesus, he's as bad as Jamie Feckin Jackson.
Err? The point you are now making has nothing to do with Kagawa and Mata, since it's the lack of class behind them in a midfield 3 which exposes us. We don't need 3 defensively-minded midfield players in a midfield 3.
Liverpool for Suarez.. 
Rooney I agree with, always saw him best as a striker. He is versatile though and who knows, could perhaps adapt to a midfield role. Mata is mainly a #10 but again, he's played as part of a midfield trio before and wouldn't be out of place there at all. For Kagawa, it's probably his best role. He played as a pure #10 for Dortmund but for United whenever he plays, he always goes really deep to pick up the ball and keep possession, controlling the game. The way he plays is perfect for that role, the only problem last season was that we didn't play in a system like that so it was kind of out of place. Most likely scenario though I can see Kagawa being used as the attacking point of the midfield trio, with Mata on the left or right. Wouldn't be square pegs in round holes at all though. A midfield trio in a 4-3-3 the way Van Gaal likes it (or says he does) is a defensive midfielder, a box to box player and then the #10 being basically like Iniesta. Kagawa is a similar type of player although obviously nowhere near Iniesta.
What Vidal rumours indeed. Sanchez next.
Yep, Mata is certainly more urgent and equipped to influence proceedings in the final third, due to how direct he is. With Kagawa, he is more instrumental in helping the team dictate and control the game from deep, with his energy and quality off-the-ball movement. Seeing as van Gaal advocates constant ball circulation and working the opposition until an opportunity arises, playing Kagawa as part of the midfield trio and Mata as part of the front three would seem logical in many ways.
Agree. Could work brilliantly without being too offensive. In that type of a 4-3-3 the 2 wingers are a lot more attacking and have much less defensive responsibility, and the fullbacks don't charge forward much. Would make us stronger defensively with Evra and Rafael not getting caught out of position all the time, and Mata being able to influence proceedings high up the pitch with Kagawa also playing in his proper position. The only thing is that you need a box to box player like the ones we are reportedly going after, Strootman, Schweinsteiger, Vidal, etc.. Whether we can get them is another story, the latter two would be amazing signings but a bit unrealistic, while I think we will get Strootman in January.
It seems the logical move from the possession side of things, but at the same time van Gaal is an ardent believer in maintaining width and someone providing that in the team, so for those reasons, LVG might opt against it. The role of wide forwards in a 4-3-3 system is predominantly to make penetrating runs beyond the opposition defence and provide the width and an outlet. With that in mind, LVG might not deem Mata suitable for that role with Welbeck and Januzaj more befitting players to play there, as Mata would still come very central at times, considering his lack of pace and with him being a natural number ten. It could just end up congesting things in midfield far too much, especially with fullbacks playing with a bit more restriction.
Time will tell I suppose, it'll be interesting to see what LVG and I'm sure many of his decision will be very surprising. He puts emphasis team balance and cohesion ahead of individual requirements, so I think he'll be very specific about what he requires of the team. There is bound to be some surprising big-name omissions with that in mind.
If you play 4-3-3 with 3 genuine midfielde players who are all comfortable on the ball you don't need a completely defensive one and we don't have one of those anyway. If you use Kagawa, Mata or Rooney you are just playing 4-2-3-1, which got us nowhere last season.
I've never seen Mata play as a part of proper midfield trio, I've only seen him play as #10 or from one of the flanks, when I first watched him he was a left winger. Kagawa played well on the left for Japan and as a #10 for Dortmund, the sides he has played his best football for, so again I don't see him as a natural in a midfield 3, and I don't see us playing the Barca type of midfield 3 as they are able to do that because they are the masters of possession, in our league you need different attributes in your 3. If anything your initial point on Rooney is probably most likely, since he's on such huge wages LvG will try and mold him into a midfielder if he doesn't buy a proper AM.
What would be a proper attacking midfielder for you then? Because in my eyes Mata and Kagawa are exactly that sort of player.
Fabregas, Ramsey, Gerrard, Lampard, CM's who can make the runs from midfield and support the attack, but who are primarily CM's who play a deeper role than a #10 for most of the game.
That sounds like box to box.
It does. It may mean lacking quality for a better way of playing.
Liverpool is a prime example. I don't think some of their players are top players, but it makes people like Henderson and Sturridge perform in that way
Liverpool is a prime example. I don't think some of their players are top players, but it makes people like Henderson and Sturridge perform in that way
It makes sense and tbh it's nothing new.
We have players who wouldn't get into any of the other top 4's first XI, this much has been written about for years - however they played and worked as a team for us under SAF.
If LVG believes in his philosophy being instilled in our current players, plus signings he has confidence in, then who are we to argue?
As things stand we're in a better position than we were last year because our manager at least has a plan going forward this time.
I would love some marquee signings but I believe we can get back in top 4 next year without them, and from there we continue to build.
We have players who wouldn't get into any of the other top 4's first XI, this much has been written about for years - however they played and worked as a team for us under SAF.
If LVG believes in his philosophy being instilled in our current players, plus signings he has confidence in, then who are we to argue?
As things stand we're in a better position than we were last year because our manager at least has a plan going forward this time.
I would love some marquee signings but I believe we can get back in top 4 next year without them, and from there we continue to build.
Yeah he is worth 235 million.
Spanish newspaper Sport have on Saturday covered what they explain is increased Real Madrid interest in Bayern Munich midfielder Toni Kroos. Despite the club having a wealth of talent in midfield, Carlo Ancelotti apparently wants more and Ivan Rakitic, reported to be another target, looks destined to join Barcelona for a bargain €18m.
Sport acknowledge that Real Madrid will have competition for Kroos, but they insist he fancies a move away from Bayern. The problem for Real Madrid, according to Sport, is that Manchester United have already bid €24m for the player.
The Spanish newspaper finds that amount surprising, given that Kroos only has one year left on his current contract. The British media, and many fans of Manchester United, may think that sounds a little too low... we'd probably side with them.
In addition to the €24m offer as a transfer fee, Sport say that Manchester United have told Kroos they'll pay him €16m a season, which is much higher than what he's been offered at Bayern Munich, and that's by quite some distance.
But why would Sport know what was going on? They're a mainly Catalan-centric newspaper, it's an odd area for them to have expertise. Being as kind as possible to the publication, they could be aware because Barcelona are interested too, but that would be giving the benefit of the doubt to them.
The media here have reported that Kroos is no longer a target, and surely Edward Woodward hasn't got to the level where he's double bluffing
Sport acknowledge that Real Madrid will have competition for Kroos, but they insist he fancies a move away from Bayern. The problem for Real Madrid, according to Sport, is that Manchester United have already bid €24m for the player.
The Spanish newspaper finds that amount surprising, given that Kroos only has one year left on his current contract. The British media, and many fans of Manchester United, may think that sounds a little too low... we'd probably side with them.
In addition to the €24m offer as a transfer fee, Sport say that Manchester United have told Kroos they'll pay him €16m a season, which is much higher than what he's been offered at Bayern Munich, and that's by quite some distance.
But why would Sport know what was going on? They're a mainly Catalan-centric newspaper, it's an odd area for them to have expertise. Being as kind as possible to the publication, they could be aware because Barcelona are interested too, but that would be giving the benefit of the doubt to them.
The media here have reported that Kroos is no longer a target, and surely Edward Woodward hasn't got to the level where he's double bluffing
We kroos again!
Italian newspaper La Stampa are claiming on Saturday that Manchester United have contacted Barcelona and opened talks for Alexis Sanchez. La Stampa cover it from the Italian perspective and primarily the long standing wish of Juventus to sign the flying winger.
Juventus have been trying to get the price down and there have been many reports stating that they won't go above €18m for the player, which is optimistic to say the least. The Turin club have been trying to use the wish of the player to join them as a lever to help them get his price down. Juventus are playing Barcelona like Barcelona have played many clubs before.
However, the Juve plan hasn't worked yet and the biggest threat to it was always another club coming in with a higher offer. Tottenham and specifically Liverpool have also been credited with interest, Arsenal at points too, but La Stampa say that Manchester United are now ahead and are ready to bid €25m for the player.
Sanchez would be a brilliant signing for most clubs and that includes Manchester United. He'd excite the fans and give Louis van Gaal some of the best quality available from wide positions. However, Manchester United haven't been credited with much interest before, at least since he turned them down for Barcelona, and this move would be a surprise. A welcome surprise for those who regularly visit Old Trafford.
Juventus have been trying to get the price down and there have been many reports stating that they won't go above €18m for the player, which is optimistic to say the least. The Turin club have been trying to use the wish of the player to join them as a lever to help them get his price down. Juventus are playing Barcelona like Barcelona have played many clubs before.
However, the Juve plan hasn't worked yet and the biggest threat to it was always another club coming in with a higher offer. Tottenham and specifically Liverpool have also been credited with interest, Arsenal at points too, but La Stampa say that Manchester United are now ahead and are ready to bid €25m for the player.
Sanchez would be a brilliant signing for most clubs and that includes Manchester United. He'd excite the fans and give Louis van Gaal some of the best quality available from wide positions. However, Manchester United haven't been credited with much interest before, at least since he turned them down for Barcelona, and this move would be a surprise. A welcome surprise for those who regularly visit Old Trafford.
SANCHEZTER united?
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