United reportedly approached Nuno Mendes and have made a bid

[daba]

That's why I don't get posters wanting Dalot to be sold. He just needs to play on his better side, which is not the left.

Because he’s still not good enough on his better side. He’s a decent defender on his day but he’s still so lacking in the forward department that he isn’t a viable option at RWB in this system.

It’s also been quite apparent that when Diogo has one of his “off” days defending it’s usually because he is being required to cover large distances on the flank, and he subsequently tires easily, loses concentration and is out of position in costly moments. This will only be exacerbated if he plays the WB role how Amorim desires.

As a squad player who can “fill in” he’s fine, but we need to sell in order to rebuild and having a £40m asset on the bench who could be sold to purchase 1-2 other players in the squad doesn’t make much sense. He’s not a player we should be hurrying out the door, but if a £35-45m bid comes in from someone in January or the summer we’d be silly not to sell.

 

[the_cliff]

Soo trying to turn into Ajax didn't work. Lets hope turning into Sporting will....

 

[TheReligion]

Soo trying to turn into Ajax didn't work. Lets hope turning into Sporting will....

Do you not fancy Mendes?

 

[the_cliff]

Do you not fancy Mendes?

I think we need to get back to singing players from our league that have performed well in our league. I don't see why we should be after Mendes when we just saw Ait Nouri and Kerkez put on a clinic against us in the last couple of weeks and have been really good this season. Its like with Cunha, I've seen him rip us apart every game we've played against Wolves over the last 2 seasons but we've gone and spent 100 mill on forwards from serie A. It makes no sense to me.

Under Fergie our main signings were always prem proven, the best our league has to offer, sprinkled with the occasional young foreign signing with high potential. It's now the complete opposite.

 

[Chairman Steve]

I think just having natural left sided wingback like him playing for us will instantly improve how we play. Dalot always looks a bit lost and awkward on the left.

 

[JJ12]

Soo trying to turn into Ajax didn't work. Lets hope turning into Sporting will....

Surely it's about the individual player rather than banging on about this nonsense?

 

[the_cliff]

Surely it's about the individual player rather than banging on about this nonsense?

See my reply to the @TheReligion post for context.

 

[hellhunter]

I think we need to get back to singing players from our league that have performed well in our league. I don't see why we should be after Mendes when we just saw Ait Nouri and Kerkez put on a clinic against us in the last couple of weeks and have been really good this season. Its like with Cunha, I've seen him rip us apart every game we've played against Wolves over the last 2 seasons but we've gone and spent 100 mill on forwards from serie A. It makes no sense to me.

Under Fergie our main signings were always prem proven, the best our league has to offer, sprinkled with the occasional young foreign signing with high potential. It's now the complete opposite.

Yeah, he should've never signed that boy from Portugal

 

[JJ12]

See my reply to the @TheReligion post for context.

In an ideal world I agree. But this isn't Fergies era where we can cherry pick from 'the best of the rest'. The other clubs have so much money that they can demand huge fees.

 

[the_cliff]

Yeah, he should've never signed that boy from Portugal

You clearly are a selective reader and ignored the rest of the sentence you highlighted.

In an ideal world I agree. But this isn't Fergies era where we can cherry pick from 'the best of the rest'. The other clubs have so much money that they can demand huge fees.

Ait Nouri is on the last year of his contract. Kerkez would not cost more than Mendes. We spent 70 million on Hojlund, you think Cunha would cost more ? Antony 80 odd mill. I could go on and on.

We've spent a total of 400 + million under ETH, signing 15 players. 3 were from the premier league. Evans, Eriksen and Mount. 2 were free transfers of players 30 and above.....

 

[TheReligion]

I think we need to get back to singing players from our league that have performed well in our league. I don't see why we should be after Mendes when we just saw Ait Nouri and Kerkez put on a clinic against us in the last couple of weeks and have been really good this season. Its like with Cunha, I've seen him rip us apart every game we've played against Wolves over the last 2 seasons but we've gone and spent 100 mill on forwards from serie A. It makes no sense to me.

Under Fergie our main signings were always prem proven, the best our league has to offer, sprinkled with the occasional young foreign signing with high potential. It's now the complete opposite.

I don’t disagree as I’ve been advocating shopping at home for a while. There’s good players in the league ready to step up (Mbuemo one I like for instance).

That said Mendes is one of the best in his position in the world.

 

[JJ12]

You clearly are a selective reader and ignored the rest of the sentence you highlighted.


Ait Nouri is on the last year of his contract. Kerkez would not cost more than Mendes. We spent 70 million on Hojlund, you think Cunha would cost more ? Antony 80 odd mill. I could go on and on.

We've spent a total of 400 + million under ETH, signing 15 players. 3 were from the premier league. Evans, Eriksen and Mount. 2 were free transfers of players 30 and above.....

Cunha isn't a striker and yes he would cost more, Wolves paid 40-50m for him - which is part of my point. Ait Nouri would cost similar but who is better? That's all I care about.

Buying in the prem isn't as easy as it once was.

 

[RDCR07]

You clearly are a selective reader and ignored the rest of the sentence you highlighted.


Ait Nouri is on the last year of his contract. Kerkez would not cost more than Mendes. We spent 70 million on Hojlund, you think Cunha would cost more ? Antony 80 odd mill. I could go on and on.

We've spent a total of 400 + million under ETH, signing 15 players. 3 were from the premier league. Evans, Eriksen and Mount. 2 were free transfers of players 30 and above.....

Sure Ait Nouri might cost the same as Mendes but he isn’t as good defensively as Mendes. The asking amount for Mendes is £34-35m. There is no way we get Kerkez for that amount especially since he has been good this year.

Also yes while we spent stupidly on those players, that’s the reason we can’t keep spending big. So we need to wheel and deal our way to rebuild. Like Cunha isn’t going for less than £70m unless they get relegated.

 

[Nogho]

If the current form continues and the economy continues to plummet we will make signings from Championship rather the from the other teams in the Premier League.

I think we need to pinpoint every signing going forward. Sign two players instead of five, but make them proven and in their prime. We can’t continue to buy for the future or players over the hill.

If this guy is a really solid and physically strong left wing back I can’t see why not. A player in that role as mentioned above from a team like Wolves will cost at least 50-60 million. This guy may cost half of that sum. But if he is another Antony it doesn’t matter.

 

[Rossa]

Cunha isn't a striker and yes he would cost more, Wolves paid 40-50m for him - which is part of my point. Ait Nouri would cost similar but who is better? That's all I care about.

Buying in the prem isn't as easy as it once was.

I think he makes a very valid point. Paying 75 million for a 21 year old unproven striker who never played in the PL is a gamble. It may be worthwhile, but it’s a high risk gamble when the team is in dire need of a goal scorer.

Antony is the same. Hell, even Zirkzee cost a fair few quid. Also a player that never proved much elsewhere and new to the league. Take those three players and the combined sums and spend it on good to great peoven PL players, and I seriously doubt we would be worse off.

Our first choice CBs consists of Martinez, De Ligt, Mazraoui and Yoro. It’s a gamble. Not one that is currently paying off that well. Onana is another gamble. Not paying off.

So take those players and replace with above average PL proven players, and I’m fairly certain you get a much better team with less bedding in required.

Ronaldo is a great proof of how a gamble on a massive, world class, talent paid off. Ddg another actually. But normally, it was the Rooney, Rio, Carrick etc signings that were the backbone of the team. Evra, Vidic etc were cheaper players that turned out brilliant.

 

[JJ12]

I think he makes a very valid point. Paying 75 million for a 21 year old unproven striker who never played in the PL is a gamble. It may be worthwhile, but it’s a high risk gamble when the team is in dire need of a goal scorer.

Antony is the same. Hell, even Zirkzee cost a fair few quid. Also a player that never proved much elsewhere and new to the league. Take those three players and the combined sums and spend it on good to great peoven PL players, and I seriously doubt we would be worse off.

Our first choice CBs consists of Martinez, De Ligt, Mazraoui and Yoro. It’s a gamble. Not one that is currently paying off that well. Onana is another gamble. Not paying off.

So take those players and replace with above average PL proven players, and I’m fairly certain you get a much better team with less bedding in required.

Ronaldo is a great proof of how a gamble on a massive, world class, talent paid off. Ddg another actually. But normally, it was the Rooney, Rio, Carrick etc signings that were the backbone of the team. Evra, Vidic etc were cheaper players that turned out brilliant.

That isn't the goal though is it. Making bad decisions in the past has no impact on the future.

Look at the best teams in the league and tell me where their top players came from.

 

[Bondi77]

Bringing in players that are available to play would be part of the plan as well and his record with injuries is not good and he is only 22!

 

[TheReligion]

Bringing in players that are available to play would be part of the plan as well and his record with injuries is not good and he is only 22!

I mean do we think he’s a perma crock or something? I ask as I keep seeing people panicking about this. The same was said was feared with Mazraoui from memory.

In truth you can probably dig out the injury records of most players and worry. Look at Saka for instance or Odegaard. Would we turn them both down?

 

[Bondi77]

Addressing the Negatives: Nuno Mendes' Injury Record

Every potential signing has its drawbacks, and for Nuno Mendes, his injury record is a point of concern. Let’s analyze his injury history based on the provided data:

Key Injury Facts:
Missed 44 games in 22/23 due to a severe hamstring injury (287 days sidelined).
Additional muscle injuries that season cost him 8 games (48 days).
Lesser injuries include minor knocks, ankle injuries, and foot bruises, each causing small gaps in his availability during previous seasons.

What Does This Mean?
- Mendes has been plagued by muscular injuries, particularly hamstring problems, which could raise questions about his physical robustness over a long, demanding Premier League season.
- The transition to England's high-intensity style may either exacerbate or resolve these issues depending on how he’s managed.

Mitigation Strategies:
A proper medical evaluation will be crucial to ensure these injuries are not recurring or indicative of deeper issues.
The Premier League’s demanding schedule may need clubs to rotate Mendes carefully and provide tailored training programs to avoid overuse injuries.

Context Matters:
- Despite the setbacks, Mendes has shown resilience, returning strongly when fit and maintaining his elite performance levels.
- The lack of repetitive injuries before 22/23 indicates this might not be a chronic issue, but rather a one-off tough season.

Final Thoughts:
While injury concerns are valid, Mendes’ talent and potential outweigh the risks if managed properly. With Amorim’s familiarity with the player and the right medical team at Manchester United, Mendes could thrive and justify the investment.

Our medical team are being kept busy with Luke and Mason for a while now.

I mean do we think he’s a perma crock or something? I ask as I keep seeing people panicking about this. The same was said was feared with Mazraoui from memory.

In truth you can probably dig out the injury records of most players and worry. Look at Saka for instance or Odegaard. Would we turn them both down?

It doesn't look good does it?

 

[Bastian]

 

[sglowrider]

I think we need to get back to singing players from our league that have performed well in our league. I don't see why we should be after Mendes when we just saw Ait Nouri and Kerkez put on a clinic against us in the last couple of weeks and have been really good this season. Its like with Cunha, I've seen him rip us apart every game we've played against Wolves over the last 2 seasons but we've gone and spent 100 mill on forwards from serie A. It makes no sense to me.

Under Fergie our main signings were always prem proven, the best our league has to offer, sprinkled with the occasional young foreign signing with high potential. It's now the complete opposite.

Prem proven = higher price. Lower risk, higher cost.


Not sure that's the new approach that ineos wants to take. They want unearthing bargains

 

[Bo_devil]

Know nothing about him and unlike others, not going to pretend that I do. I think people use injury prone too loosely, players get injured unless you are Bruno. The best players in this league have had periods on the sideline. Would you call Saka injury prone?

I agree, I mean there was a time when most of us turned up our noses at Gundogan because he was too 'injury prone'. Then said player goes on to be a lynchpin in Citys most successful era.

 

[Coops73]

Plettigoal, good strong footballing name, must be true.

Can’t wait to sign him….any good?

 

[RDCR07]

Plettigoal, good strong footballing name, must be true.

Can’t wait to sign him….any good?

Plettigoal is actually reliable. And yes Mendes is very good.

 

[bgoodall]

This won’t happen sadly. Slight chance maybe in the Summer but definitely not in January. Would love for us to go for Jedi.

 

[stepic]

Fm legend this kid

 

[Chief123]

I think we need to get back to singing players from our league that have performed well in our league. I don't see why we should be after Mendes when we just saw Ait Nouri and Kerkez put on a clinic against us in the last couple of weeks and have been really good this season. Its like with Cunha, I've seen him rip us apart every game we've played against Wolves over the last 2 seasons but we've gone and spent 100 mill on forwards from serie A. It makes no sense to me.

Under Fergie our main signings were always prem proven, the best our league has to offer, sprinkled with the occasional young foreign signing with high potential. It's now the complete opposite.

It’s because signings in our league are ridiculously overpriced. The teams in the premier league are amongst the richest clubs in the world. Majority of clubs in the prem don’t really need to money from transfers to keep their model sustainable.

Hence why we get some silly prices quoted when it comes to trying to sign any prem player.

 

[elmo]

I think we need to get back to singing players from our league that have performed well in our league. I don't see why we should be after Mendes when we just saw Ait Nouri and Kerkez put on a clinic against us in the last couple of weeks and have been really good this season. Its like with Cunha, I've seen him rip us apart every game we've played against Wolves over the last 2 seasons but we've gone and spent 100 mill on forwards from serie A. It makes no sense to me.

Under Fergie our main signings were always prem proven, the best our league has to offer, sprinkled with the occasional young foreign signing with high potential. It's now the complete opposite.

Because we’re no longer able to outbid every other premier league team. It’s as simple as that. The club would definitely love to get in premier league proven players, but the premium for it is too high, especially when we basically need to replace the whole damn squad.