19 May 2020 11:50:27
Hi Ed002,
Could you please provide the summary of United's targets when you get time.
I believe you said things would be much clearer this week.

{Ed002's Note - The overall list of players looked at remains unchanged - as obviously there has been no football. I don't really think much has changed at the moment in terms of realistic targets and the club will look to to prioritise. Previously a DM would have been a target, but a new contract for Matic has delayed the immediate need. A versatile left sided CM/AM (ideally Jack Grealish) is still wanted. There is interest in the future with interest in Jude Bellingham remaining and Joe Hugill being taken as an option to Gelhardt. The club need to decide what to do about adding a striker with Odion Ighalo being the low cost option. There are other youngsters the club have an interest in and could still look to cherry-pick like Ricky-Jade Jones and Kalvin Phillips. Then the issue shifts to players departing to make space. Saul Niguez (CM) interest will have gone if Pogba decides to run down his contract next season because the club are holding him to ransom and have no Champions League. A decision needs to be made as Manchester United may have the chance to replace Pogba with Saul but they continue to make matters difficult for themselves. The situation with Sancho remains unchanged - although I expect Juventus to offer a selection of players in exchange for Pogba and that will include Douglas Costa amongst others.

Right now the big driver remains whether or not it will become possible to complete the season (I still think it unlikely) and, if not, how the season will be finished. Then it becomes much clearer what clubs will be able to do, who will be in the Champions League and who will be in the Europa League and how that affects transfers.}


1.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 12:06:08
Thank you for the information Ed.
As always, much appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}


2.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 12:12:02
Hi Ed this is great stuff - would Dybala be in the list if exchanges for Pogba? Seems to me to kill two birds with one stone. Replace Pogba with Saul and add Dybala for right side forward spot.

{Ed002's Note - Paulo Dybala (AM/F) is possibly available to sell or trade unless an issue can be overcome. The player is open to a new contract and getting on well with Sarri, but wants a break clause when coaches change. If that can be dropped a new contract becomes a more likely solution.}


3.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 12:58:13
Hi Ed002, thank you so much for taking the time to update us- very much appreciated.

Thank you also for update on Pogba. If I May, might you consider answering the following questions please? Completely understand if you don’t answer, as I might be reading too much into things, you’ve already given the info or I’m just being a bit of a wally:

1. When you say United are holding Pogba to random, does that mean they are holding out for a minimum fee, which is probably unrealistic?

2. Surely United know they will lose Pogba for nothing if they don’t compromise this transfer window, which must been they are prepared to lose him for nothing. Do you know if they have accepted this might happen?

3. Lastly, regarding Saul, it looks like there might be the opportunity to buy him, if we qualify for CL. Guessing this would be dependent on selling Pogba this window to get enough money to buy Saul (as well as take his position in the team; or, might Athletico even consider swapping Saul for Pogba?!

Thank you as always for any additional info you feel inclined to give. You e already taken the time to give us a wonderful detailed summary already today.

{Ed002's Note - (1) The amateurs who run the club have not been proactive in letting Pogba get his wish to leave and have not been in communication with his agent. (2) They understand the situation. (3) Saul would be a Pogba replacement. There is not going to be an exchange.}


4.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 14:39:56
Thanks so much fir the informative reply Ed002, your time is very much appreciated.


5.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 16:41:38
Seems like such an easy logical move to make. Get rid of Pogba for what we can. Get his high wages off the books. And then replace him with a fantastic midfielder in Saul.

If that's on the cards I would be very weary of the powers that be to not make it so.


6.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 16:42:07
Saul as the Pogba replacement would put most of us in dreamland. We are idiots if can’t see Pogba will run down his contract so he and his agent bag a huge fee to move for nothing at the end of his contract. We are treating him like that really gorgeous girlfriend you once had who you knew she was mad as a box of frogs and it was all destined for disaster but you refused to let go!

Not a fan of Pogba for Juve’s castoffs. Dybala - take him in a heartbeat. De Ligt has something to prove but would be a great addition defence wise. Ronaldo is clearly never going to happen. Can’t see us making a deal for others.

Suspect the amateur hour Ed alluded to will continue and we will see Saul head to City and become a colossus while Pogba steals a wage biding his time for his free move.


7.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 18:10:58
Agree completely Halesini.

If we can all see what’s staring us in the face, then surely the decision makers at United can.

I cannot think of one reason why they would want to hold onto Pogba given his underwhelming performances with us and thus why they would be making his transfer difficult.

Plus, if I were United, I’d sell him ASAP just to spite him and his agent and prevent them from collecting huge signing on bonuses next year when he’s a free agent.


8.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 18:59:42
Been said over and over we are run by amateurs. It’s not open to debate of opinion, we are. 002 knows his stuff and well informed. Allow pogba to leave either in exchange or for as much as any one is willing to offer which I don’t think will be any more than what we paid, if even that amount. What’s the point keeping an unhappy player? Or even allowing the contract to run. No disrespect to arsenal but see how they’ve been in the past allowing that. We were only ever a stopgap as the only interested party who could afford him let’s not kid ourselves that he wanted to prove himself. 002 has said time and time again, it was never us he wanted at first.


9.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 19:06:28
Hi Ed,

Thanks for such a detailed response. I wanted to enquire as to whether the club are still considering a CB as high priority - in particular Upamecano as I believe in the past we’ve been interested?

Thanks.

{Ed002's Note - Dayot Upamecano (CB) looked at by Bayern Munich as a Jerome Boateng replacement but they had another preferred plan - now that is not achievable he is back on the table for BM with RBL having a replacement in their sights. Barcelona have DU on a long list of CBs primarily because he is more affordable than others as he only has a year left on his contract - but they are fearful of making another Umtiti or Mina type error. Milan asked about a price but they have financially more viable options in what are tough times for them. Real Madrid enquired after him when discussing Werner with RBL, but they have preferred options so he will be down the list a bit. It is hard to see CB as a priority for the summer for MU this summer unless they can sell players on.}


10.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 21:11:32
Ed if you don’t mind me asking which players juventus are looking to potentially use in a deal? I’ve seen the reports of pjanic being available for a swap, and like you said Costa. I was just wondering who else? And if you were in uniteds positions would you take any of them?

Cheers.

{Ed002's Note - Something like this:
Matteo De Sciglio (RB/LB) seen as surplus and could be used as part of a trade for Icardi.
Alex Sandro (LB) Juventus want PSG to take up their option on Icardi and Juventus will exchange Alex Sandro and Miralem Pjanic plus the taxes and fees incured for the player. Alternatively Juventus would offer Alex Sandro as part of an exchange for Emerson.
Daniele Rugani (CB) not playing regularly and would provide funds

Blaise Matuidi (CM) is available for sale or trade
Nicolussi Caviglia (CM) available to be exchanged
Emre Can (CM) turned down a move to MU and heading to Borussia Dortmund in the summer.
Adrien Rabiot (CM/DM) sick of the whining already - but could potentially be offered as part of an exchange could be offered as part of a deal for Pogba or another.
Sami Khedira (CM)
Miralem Pjanic (CM) €70M asking price way too high - could be offered as part of a deal for Pogba or Icardi - or perhaps as part of a deal for Arthur.
Federico Bernardeschi (CM/AM,RW) A Barcelona move was rejected in January but he will be available in the summer. Bernardeschi's opportunities have been in decline on the RW and he has had to play out of position which has not worked out. Milan have dropped prior interest whilst both Atletico Madrid and Inter Milan are not interested in any exchange deals involving him. Player wants to stay in Turin.
Paulo Dybala (AM/F) is possibly available to sell or trade unless an issue can be overcome. The player is open to a new contract and getting on well with Sarri, but wants a break clause when coaches change. If that can be dropped a new contract becomes a more likely solution.
Douglas Costa (RW/LW) available for sale or trade - could be offered as part of a deal for Pogba or Icardi with plans to replace him with Federico Chiesa

Gonzalo Higuain (S) available but Juventus have offered a compromise where they would extend another year but he must cost no more than is budgetted for next year (so halve his package)


11.) 19 May 2020
19 May 2020 22:11:23
Ed could you give us an insight into how easy or difficult it is going to be to offload players in the current situation - especially given the high wages united tend to pay. We seem to have a long list of players we want to offload but end up playing silly-ball or giving them unnecessary long contracts like Phil Jones. Do you expect more Smalling type season long loans with an option/ obligation to buy?

{Ed002's Note - Tough - wages in England are high so that doesn't help. Many clubs don't have the cash so will be looking to stay as they are for now - others will look to trade. Players will remain unsold. Loans will need to be used to keep squads at the right level.}


12.) 20 May 2020
19 May 2020 23:39:02
Do you see uniteds approach changing regarding allowing pogba to leave? And/ or communicating with his agent?

{Ed002's Note - If the club wish to move ahead it must.}


13.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 00:09:48
Thanks Ed.


14.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 07:42:45
Hi Ed002, thanks again for all the detailed info provided (and the mega info on the Euro pages! )

Sorry to go on about Pogba and Saul but he’d be a dream signing for us. You say in your initial reply that United may have the chance to replace Pogba with Saul: this implies that could sign him if they got their act together/ CL etc.

So, perhaps the obvious question to ask is do United actually want to sign him (ie does Ole want him) and would Saul come to United?

Thanks again for everything.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United are interested in buying Saul - I have explained that.}


15.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 10:57:38
Thanks again for all your time Ed002, very Much welcomed and appreciated.

{Ed002's Note - You are welcome.}


16.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 11:00:07
Thanks Ed.


17.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 14:29:17
What would people think if we solved the RW, Pogba and Saul issues in two transactions?

Take Costa from Juventus as part of Pogba deal.

Use that cash and money saved on Sancho deal to buy Saul from Athletico?

Would give potential first team of:

De Gea
Wan Bissaka, Bailly, Maguire, Shaw
Matic/ McTom, Saul, Fred, Fernandes
Costa, Martial/ Rashford.


18.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 14:36:13
If peoples projections about pogbas “attitude” are anything to go by, should we really be signing douglas costa?


19.) 20 May 2020
20 May 2020 16:25:00
No doubt Douglas Costa is a good player, but he has been unable to consistently get a game at Bayern Munich when they had a 32 year old Robben and a 34 year old Ribery. He then moved to Juventus and has similarly struggled for regular minutes.

I'd rather take Bernardeschi from Juventus, he is after all the player who has been keeping Costa out of the side. Incidentally Juventus are happy to sell both players and look for a new option on the right hand side.

Either way I'm not sure signing a 28 year old who has struggled to be first choice at two top club's is a great idea.

To be honest if the options were 20m plus a player such as Costa for Pogba or just accept 40m

I'd take the 40m. I think the club needs to cut ties this summer however they can. They can't save face. It has to be a cash deal though even if that means waiting for the cash and taking the payment in installments. Nothing is gained from taking another sides cast offs.

We have our targets and they are the players we should sign.