28 May 2020 15:44:22
I see today that the press are reporting that Real Madrid are prepared to include Martin Odegaard as part of the Pogba transfer.

I have no idea if this is true, or whether Odegaard would want to move to the club. But off all the possible players offered as a part-exchange Martin Odegaard might be the only one I would really consider.

He fits the mould of a creative player capable of playing either from the right or in the No.10 or maybe even slightly deeper.

If we aren't able to get Sancho then maybe Odegaard to play on the right wouldn't be an awful option, and actually has potential for plenty of upside.

I don't think it really makes much difference but the Norwegian link with Ole as manager might play a role.

What is everyone else's view on Martin Odegaard?

1.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 16:23:19
Looks like he’s started improving once the spotlight was taken off him. I wouldn’t mind seeing him come here. Definitely an option.

2.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 16:46:46
"creative player capable of playing either from the right or in the No.10 or maybe even slightly deeper" seems like the description about Mr. Bruno Fernandes Shappy.

Although Odegaard is one of the few players on an upward trajectory instead of downward like most of the other players rumoured to be available for a swap deal I think he might be very similar to Bruno in the positions he takes up but I must admit I haven't seen too much of him to be dismissive of him. Maybe both Odegaard and Bruno can play either side of a DM.

Maybe ed001 can help. Do we have a profile on him, they are very helpful in understanding a player.

3.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 18:01:17
Deependra, Bruno has never really played wide right, he has played through the middle, often on the right of a midfield three, but also as a No.10.

Odegaard started his career on the right wing, but at Real Sociedad has played the No.10 role regularly. It is thought that he could play deeper in a midfield three in a similar role to Modric at Real Madrid.

So in that respect I agree that the area he often drifts into might over lap with the areas Bruno likes to play in.

While in my opinion I feel we need a RW who stays wide more often than not, which isn't really how Odegaard plays when out on the right.

So he isn't a perfect fit. I'm just considering all options. In the event that we don't sign Sancho for whatever reason, and that the only way to sell Pogba is to accept a player in part exchange. Then in my opinion Odegaard might be the best option available as many of the other players offered either don't play in positions we are looking at or they are clearly on the downward trajectory of their career.
Odegaard bucks that trend somewhat in that he plays in areas on the pitch where we are looking to strengthen, and is young and on an upward trajectory so fits the sort of profile of player we seem to be targeting recently.

In a perfect world we sell Pogba for 120m+, and sign Sancho. The reality is we will need to compromise and be a little more creative this summer.

4.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 18:51:18
Fantastic to hear Odegaard may be a swap option. Be interesting to see what Real value him and Pogba at.

Don’t suppose they’d like to throw Varane in too? ;)

5.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 19:01:09
id be happy with odegaard. he has really been growing into a fantastic player. he was having a stella season. he has an eye for a pass and can dribble. i think if we can offer first team football it might encourage him to come. the main problem is who to buy to replace pogba.

6.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 19:09:53
No more round pegs in square holes.

7.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 20:29:32
I wish we’d stay away from square pegs round holes. We need a right winger by trade, plenty can fill in there when needed but we need a proper winger there.

8.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 21:55:45
If we didn't sign Bruno then I would be up for him. But why would we take a player like him to sit on the bench and not get regular first team football.

He a number 10 and we also have Mata and Andreas aswell. Also I would consider to a lesser extent Angel Gomes even though I'm not sure where his best position is yet. I wouldn't sign him as winger as then you stopping the progression of Daniel James and Taith Chong.


Regarding transfers. I honestly think it going to be Jack Grealish and a permanent signing of Ighalo. Outgoing maybe Jesse Lingard will be the biggest player leaving. Can't see Pogba going as I can't see United settling on anything but a really good offer

Sancho would be ideal but again can't see United spending 100 million on him. Maybe if Pogba goes then the club might be willing to spend

Honest opinion though I hope we give the likes of Angel Gomes, James Garner, Taith Chong, Levitt and Laird a chance next season. I rather promote within generally. Biggest question mark to address is the LW and RW this summer. Rashford is ok on the LW and its Daniel James preferred position so its not as needy as the RW.

9.) 28 May 2020
28 May 2020 22:46:18
Utd Road and Red Whiskey, I agree we shouldn't be looking trying to fit players into positions that they aren't comfortable in.

There was a rumour that we are looking to sign Grealish to play him on the right. Which sounds like a terrible idea.

However, Odegaard has played as many top flight games on the RW as he has at No.10, while he played the majority of his youth career out wide as well.

As far as wingers go he is more like Hazard than Bale when playing wide. In that it's his starting position but he tend to play more on the inside channel than the outside. While his dribbling is more about technical quality rather than pure pace.

So I wouldn't consider playing Odegaard wide right as putting a square peg in a round hole. All in all its probably the position he has played in most throughout his career.

10.) 29 May 2020
29 May 2020 09:32:58
It's ok Real Madrid offering all these players but the magic question is do they want to come and play for United? Remember the Angel Di Maria situation. He was pushed in to leaving Real and United were the only takers, basically he didn't want to be here.
I wouldn't touch any of them, i would demand cash or nothing.
We want players who are desperate to play for the club not these mercenary's that stay for 1 season and then decide they want to leave because it's to cold in Manchester. I've had enough of that crap for the last 5-6 years.

11.) 29 May 2020
29 May 2020 10:41:08
Simo, that's a fair point. I think in certain circumstances Odegaard is the only player from Real Madrid that they are likely to offer AND I think talent, age and playing position wise I would consider taking. But that would come with the caveat of him actually wanting the move.