United in this Summer transfer window

Feed Me said:
Neville previously gave the CM issue an explanation - he said Fergie hadn't invested because he was considering how to give some of his young player ample playing time. He suggested that given Rafael is first choice at right back, and that it's hard for the central duo of Rio and Vida to be broken up, someone like Jones needs games in midfield. Buying an established CM would deny Jones the opportunity to develop. I can see the logic, but tbh I'm sick of us having to mend and make do in that area of the pitch.
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I love fergie but that's terrible logic. Central midfield isn't a joke position where we can sacrifice quality to give Phil jones the opportunity to wander about aimlessly, making scary faces. Anyways, now scholes has retired too so hopefully moyes doesn't the same stance.
 
Sunny Jim said:
The problem with midfield has been a rising issue for a few years. It's hard to blame Moyes or Woody.

But i fail to understand why they decided to go for unattainable target and didn't take a risk with Alcantara. This looks pretty bad right now.
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Well once Pep came in for Thiago, we had no chance. Regardless of who was manager.
 
Kevin said:
Question to my interweb stalkers: do you still believe that Barry/McCarthy/Parker/Fellaini sound like a bad idea?

Teams will not want to lose players with little time to buy replacements so late in the window and so close to the start of the season... the above are capable and available. Makes sense to swoop in behind the scenes and be done with this, so we can prepare for the season.
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I'd cry if we signed Parker or Barry, I can't believe anyone would suggest them as options for United.

McCarthy and Fellaini would be fine.
 
Feed Me said:
Neville previously gave the CM issue an explanation - he said Fergie hadn't invested because he was considering how to give some of his young player ample playing time. He suggested that given Rafael is first choice at right back, and that it's hard for the central duo of Rio and Vida to be broken up, someone like Jones needs games in midfield. Buying an established CM would deny Jones the opportunity to develop. I can see the logic, but tbh I'm sick of us having to mend and make do in that area of the pitch.
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Somehow it didn't relate to the biggest midfield talent we've had in the last decade or so who had to leave to get any playing time at all.
 
I just wonder if we never actually had a backup plan as such, it was more a case of Fabregas is the one they want and if they cant get him then they are prepared to wait
 
Sunny Jim said:
Yes that is true. However we had nearly two months to conclude that business.
Seriously, even if he failed (physically-wise) in this league there would be a hosts of clubs int rested in signing him.
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I do think that can't handle it physically talk was bollocks from the media. Moyes played Osman, Gibson and Pienaar in midfield and they hardly giants.

We were close to signing him and then Pep must have talked to him late into negotiations. Hence why the transfer seemed to be delayed. As Thiago would been given time to think about it.
 
golden_blunder said:
I just wonder if we never actually had a backup plan as such, it was more a case of Fabregas is the one they want and if they cant get him then they are prepared to wait
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There is a different question- if we decide to go for Plan B how will we conclude the business. You know the player will know he was a second- choice and that.

I said that few years ago- our midfiled situation can be resolved in two ways, either we pay over the odds and take top player or we decide to for a stop gap solution, that is buying mediocre players and hoping for a miracle signing in the future.
 
Bojan11 said:
I do think that can't handle it physically talk was bollocks from the media. Moyes played Osman, Gibson and Pienaar in midfield and they hardly giants.

We were close to signing him and then Pep must have talked to him late into negotiations. Hence why the transfer seemed to be delayed. As Thiago would been given time to think about it.
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I hope you're right. Otherwise neglecting the Thiago business would have been amazingly stupid step. I can understand the player wanting to work with a particular manager (we had this extra leverage with SAF) so i have no issue with out come...providing we did inquire for the player.
 
Players like Cabaye or Fellaini wouldn't care if they second choice. They'd jump at the chance to play for us.

Wasn't Kluivert our first choice in 98 and we ended up with Yorke? The above players for me would be enough to win the league, but challenging for Europe would be a lot harder.
 
I'm just surprised that we haven't even bought any youngsters... we'd normally get one or two u18's, a ressie (well we did get Varela) and maybe a punt for the first team like an Obertan or similar. It's all been about Fabregas and nothing else. There's also this strange assertion that we're definitely going to get Baines and Fellaini at some point... but surely we would have got them already if we were going to. It's a very weird summer.
 
Sunny Jim said:
There is a different question- if we decide to go for Plan B how will we conclude the business. You know the player will know he was a second- choice and that.

I said that few years ago- our midfiled situation can be resolved in two ways, either we pay over the odds and take top player or we decide to for a stop gap solution, that is buying mediocre players and hoping for a miracle signing in the future.
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Why do we have to talk about extremes? Why is the next option after fabregas a mediocre footballer? Personally most players would jump at playing for united so being second choice won't be an issue. If we don't get fabregas I still hope we improve the midfield.
 
With each new week that passes I slowly start to get more and more concerned.
 
Sunny Jim said:
There is a different question- if we decide to go for Plan B how will we conclude the business. You know the player will know he was a second- choice and that.

I said that few years ago- our midfiled situation can be resolved in two ways, either we pay over the odds and take top player or we decide to for a stop gap solution, that is buying mediocre players and hoping for a miracle signing in the future.
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sorry but I dont like that terminology for United players. Mediocre would suggest lower league players and thats probably an insult to them saying that.

Whilst we may not buy a world-class player, the players we target will still be high-end players (occasionally we get it wrong)
 
This has been really disappointing so far. Moyes has identified that we need players and midfield in particular. He was appointed in May. The season in less that two weeks away. I know we were trying with Fabregas but this saga could have been concluded a long time ago. We have had all summer to sort something out and we are now looking like we are going in to the start of the season without buying what Moyes said we needed. And it's not as if it's an easy start.
 
Name Changed said:
This has been really disappointing so far. Moyes has identified that we need players and midfield in particular. He was appointed in May. The season in less that two weeks away. I know we were trying with Fabregas but this saga could have been concluded a long time ago. We have had all summer to sort something out and we are now looking like we are going in to the start of the season without buying what Moyes said we needed. And it's not as if it's an easy start.
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That's the issue. Our start to the season a very tough one. And anyone following sir alex can really do with a positive beginning.
 
What concerns me even more is that I am convinced Moyes and Woodward are trying to play football manager in real life.
 
The closer the end of the window, the harder it will be to secure players of the correct standard. Players get scarcer as other clubs snap them up, they agree new contracts or become indespensible due to the departure of other key players. When I look at what I see it's been a piss poor window for United, and that is putting it mildly. All our major rivals at home and abroad have strengthened either through players and managers. The only real positive is that so far there have been no key departures, thereby the squad should be keen to impress the new manager hopefully translating into good performances.

If a midfielder is not bought in this will be the 12th window in a row without a key addition in this area (Scholes & Powell you can argue if pedantic). When you think of all the talent that has been transferred during this period the mind boggles. How much longer we can rely on the amazing fitness record of Carrick is a dragging concern. The guy is basically being asked to be the main playmaker, break-up opposition attacks through interceptions and an occasional destroyer. Absolutely indespensible. We lose him we have a distinctly average engine room. Cleverley is a WIP, Anderson is once again struggling to break down his fatty deposits and is inconsistent, Giggs is nearly 40, Fletcher is battling a chronic illness and has barely played in 2 years, Powell is a rookie and Jones is a central defender.

Fellaini would be a great start.....adds depth, an option in a 3 and as cover for Carrick. At £22 million that should be loose change if Woodward is to be believed. Even if we just bought in cover for Carrick it would be progress. The club is hardly looking sure of itself in the immediate aftermath of Ferguson's departure.
 
Whilst it's disappointing not to have a marquis signing as yet, not for the want of trying, a little bit like the Ronaldinho fiasco a decade back...

anyway, don't we have Darren Fletcher back this season ? and what about Bebe ? :-o
 
misterredmist said:
Whilst it's disappointing not to have a marquis signing as yet, not for the want of trying, a little bit like the Ronaldinho fiasco a decade back...
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Moyesy Moyesy sign him up.
 
Freak said:
I would settle for a decent one who could do a job and stay fit at this point. Even Fellaini. Throw some money at Everton and be done with it.
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This current situation points out that we won't settle for just a decent one... at least not yet. The funny thing is that we could probably, easily accommodate both elite one, with Fellaini type midfielder.

It's up to Moyes, now and it's 99% sure that he knows something that we don't because if this situation would be clear as all the media say, then we would go even for Cabaye and secure that deal in less than one day.... Same thing would happen with Fellaini, or Strootman.
 
Moyes is now in a lose-lose position by some fans.

Lose - He's gone for star names this window (Thiago, Fabregas) - but people complain they are out of our league, and a waste of time.

Lose - We go for lesser quality players (Fellaini - who I feel would be a top signing for us) - and people think that it's a shit signing.
 
Hernandez - BFA said:
Moyes is now in a lose-lose position by some fans.

Lose - He's gone for star names this window (Thiago, Fabregas) - but people complain they are out of our league, and a waste of time.

Lose - We go for lesser quality players (Fellaini - who I feel would be a top signing for us) - and people think that it's a shit signing.
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Not true. He could be in a win situation by signing a midfielder. A lot of us are that desperate. I didn't want fellaini at the start of the window. Now I would definitely take him. It's like a midfielder has suddenly become alien to us.
 
Kevin said:
Adnan could be an option. Looks a promising player.
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Not a centre midfielder, unfortunately. Probably not beyond him but I don't think we should start altering the course of his progress when he's already developing so nicely.
 
misterredmist said:
Whilst it's disappointing not to have a marquis signing as yet, not for the want of trying, a little bit like the Ronaldinho fiasco a decade back...

anyway, don't we have Darren Fletcher back this season ? and what about Bebe ? :-o
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When is Fletch going to be back? He hasn't played a game yet. We need the squad strengthening now. If Fletch is coming back, great, but that shouldn't be a reason for not signing anyone.
 
If we really are waiting to make a marquee signing before wrapping up any other signings as some have speculated, it really makes no sense. Why would we want to handicap any new players by not giving them as much time in pre-season. I just can't see the benefit of waiting for the marquee signing first.

So it makes me really wonder if we really have any other signings in mind or for this summer is it all about signing that really great midfielder and being happy with every other department.
 
Shimo said:
If we really are waiting to make a marquee signing before wrapping up any other signings as some have speculated, it really makes no sense. Why would we want to handicap any new players by not giving them as much time in pre-season. I just can't see the benefit of waiting for the marquee signing first.

So it makes me really wonder if we really have any other signings in mind or for this summer is it all about signing that really great midfielder and being happy with every other department.
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I suspect it is that to be honest. There's no sense in delaying any other signings cos the first one has to be some marquee player. Rather we have one position that we want to strengthen, we want one particular player, and we'll have to play a long game to get that player.
 
backofthenet said:
I suspect it is that to be honest. There's no sense in delaying any other signings cos the first one has to be some marquee player. Rather we have one position that we want to strengthen, we want one particular player, and we'll have to play a long game to get that player.
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other question is - who would we actually need?

we need two cms, probably won't get any. we are well stocked in other areas....doesn't make sens. i guess we will need to wait until the window shuts.
 
So, a week until the charity shield and nothing doing.

What are the chances of any deals being struck?

Ronaldo 0.5/10
Fabregas 2/10
Baines 3/10
Fellaini 4/10

A month or so ago Moyes talked with confidence of signings, not just a signing, not a chance of a signing, but definite signings.
Now it's looking a bit dodgy
 
Is the below article a fair representation of our summer?

http://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/manchester-uniteds-transfer-business-summer-2126333


Manchester United's amateur and clumsy transfer moves this summer have been nothing short of an embarrassment

5 Aug 2013 12:10
'The club are working through their plans A, B and C like a dullard loudly reciting the alphabet and struggling to get past the first'
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Hey big spender: David Moyes has yet to unleash united's spending power
PA​
Next Sunday sees Manchester United take on Wigan Athletic in the FA Community Shield at Wembley.
A glorified friendly it may be but as sure as Dave Whelan will dedicate any victory to the broken leg that seemingly never healed, so the game takes on Anderson-sized importance for David Moyes as an early indicator of how he’ll cope as Sir Alex Ferguson’s successor.
It has always been the traditional curtain-raiser to a new season but as far as United are concerned you almost expect a spokesperson to comically fumble through the velvet drapes Eric Morecambe style and sheepishly announce that a special guest has failed to turn up.
It would be fitting for a close season that has seen the club descend into very public farce.
To his credit Moyes was quick to identify midfield as requiring specific and immediate attention, an admission that felt positively Archimedian to United supporters urging the club to add quality to the area for years.
Yet weeks on Uruguayan Guillermo Varela remains the club’s sole recruit - a youth player invited to train at the club during Ferguson’s reign. Moyes must feel like boy who wanted a bike for Christmas only to be told he was Muslim.
United have spent the summer​
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stumbling around the transfer market​
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like a drunk and creepy uncle at a wedding; clumsily making unwelcome passes at anyone vaguely attractive, whilst groping repeatedly and embarrassingly at the plus-ones of others.​
Getty​
Extending the metaphor further you wonder whether they’d be in any fit state to seal the deal were anyone to actually say yes.
New chief executive and Ian Hislop-alike Ed Woodward hasn’t exactly helped. At the beginning of the summer most supporters would have been satisfied enough with a decent midfielder and exciting young recruit or two.
Since then Woodward has publicly stated that United wouldn’t bat an eyelid at spending £60 or 70m on the right man, whilst the club have repeatedly briefed the media about the world-class standard of player they are in the market for.
Big names such as Gareth Bale and Cristiano Ronaldo have been banded about as prospective targets and expectations have soared.
It has added unnecessary pressure on United to produce and produce big. Whereas the club would previously be at pains to deny any such speculation, the new incumbents seem intent on fuelling it.
Whether it’s intentional or not the club have become a bit of a circus, and not in a good way. The kind where everyone looks like an incompetent clown and the wheels come off at the end.
Missing out on Thiago was understandable. He decided to join his mentor at Bayern and there was little United could do about it.
What is less becoming is the very public pursuit of Cesc Fabregas. The player himself has wisely kept his council; Barcelona have consistently claimed he’s not for sale (as they would); but United have conducted a cringeworthy negotiation-by-media like some attention-seeking Big Brother contestant eager to stretch out their fifteen minutes of fame.
The whole episode and indeed the summer has been an embarrassment. Every move has seemed amateur and clumsy. The club are working through their plans A, B and C like a dullard loudly reciting the alphabet and struggling to get past the first letter.
If they miss out on Fabregas and turn their attentions to, say, Luca Modric, how will he feel about being a very public consolation prize for the one that got away? Selling clubs will also start to sense United’s desperation and add idiot tax to any quoted price.
tty​
You’ve got to feel for Moyes in all of this. A few weeks ago he excitedly announced that the chairman had told him there was ‘no budget’ at United. He must now be wondering whether that’s the same ‘no budget’ he had to contend with at Everton.
The club need to back a manager who will be under tremendous pressure to succeed from the outset. It requires an intelligence, decisiveness and tact in their pursuit of players that looks far beyond them.
Sir Alex Ferguson famously referred to Manchester City as being United’s ‘noisy neighbours’. Recent months have seen one of those clubs go quietly and efficiently about the business of strengthening their squad whilst the other shouts very loudly and achieves precious little. There’s been plenty of talk of ‘marquee’ when not so much as a child’s tent has transpired.
Perhaps the most laughable story to come out of Old Trafford was Woodward dramatically jumping on a plane from Australia to deal with urgent business at the club. A few weeks on he still seems hopelessly unable to land.
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