21 May 2023 12:20:00
If the club need to work on a budget this summer then what is everyone's opinion of signing Paulo Dybala from Roma, who has a release clause for between £10-11m for non-Italian clubs.

He could be an interesting option, capable of playing on the right and in the No.10 as well as a No.9.

Has had a very good season at Roma and could add some top quality and experience at a bargain price.

I think he could play as a creative false 9 in a similar way to which EtH played Tadic at Ajax in the first side he built. Starting high then dropping deep to link play, pulling a CB out with him and creating space for players like Rashford and Antony to run into and shoot.

His low cost could enable the club to maybe sign someone like Højlund alongside him to offer something different and to rotate around. You could probably get both for under or around the 50m mark, which is likely to be half of what someone like Kane or Osimhen would cost on their own.

1.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 12:37:03
He's not my preference personally, although it's good to have fluid players who can play various roles on this occasion I'd prefer an out and out no.9 machine.
Everything depends on the budget and what we're working with. If players like Osimhen/ Kane/ Ramos are being discounted for their high costs and because we need 2-3 starters, we need to get creative with the money and free transfers/ low buy-outs have to be considered.
Agree that a second up and coming striker like Hojlund would be a good move.

2.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 15:09:53
I think he plays as second striker so whilst I think he is a good player I am not sure it solves our problem.
For me the striker is the one area the saving should not be made. Other areas I think you can pick up some bargains.

3.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 16:54:40
Problem for me Brad is that I look at the big priced options and I'm not blown away by any of them. Spending 100m+ brings a certain expectancy, and I'm not sure any of them could live up to it.

Typically very few big name, massive fee signings have worked out for us. I think we need to spend smart and not just splash out big.

4.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:03:43
Shappy, if Kane signs for us, you will be eating your words.

5.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:16:57
I think our big problem is that we are not creating and scoring enough goals.

I would love to see 2 strikers come in. Especially if they can play different roles - as long as they can also score in the box. We rely too much on shots outside the box and break aways.

Only seen youtube clips of Hojlund, but that profile of young up and coming starlet is what I would love to see. We should be making superstars and not the final hurrah for other teams stars.

Kane plus hojlund type young player would be the dream, but not sure we have the funds. We also need a midfielder. We better get to selling players, and fast.

Unfortunately, it seems utd is on freeze until the sale is further along. We need the leaches to get a wriggle on.

6.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:23:37
Not blown away by player who has scored close to 30 EPL goals, so why not take a punt on a playmaker who was deemed surplus at Juve and isn’t a guaranteed starter at Roma, and just stick him up front for a side that has the second lowest goals scored in the top 10.

Hmmmmmm, a cunning plan.

7.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:47:44
shappy he is a light weight and luxury player. will go missing like Jao Felix in big games and teams that are tough.

On an interesting note had dinner with a french midfielder/ legend who has won everything at club and country in multiple leagues. It was interesting listening to his view and general assessment of the game and players.

whilst he said its the market his view was over 80/ 90 percent of players currently going for what they are going are not worth half the money and will disappoint clubs.

8.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:49:18
UA, if Kane signs for us we'll get at best 2 good season's from him, followed by 2-3 injury plagued season's paying him a fortune while needing to go out and sign another top level striker for between 50-100m.

9.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:55:40
Only 2 players in double figures for goals this season, one on 11 the other 29 tells the story of our season.

10.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 18:59:21
Why is anyone convinced that Kane wants to sign for us. If he wants to win the PL, we are about as far from winning it as every other club at the moment.

If he wants to win a league wouldn't it be better for him to move abroad.

11.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 20:35:31
Danny, we struggle to create good scoring chances. Most of the shots we take are punts from distance, at wide angles or through a crowd of players. They are half chances really.

So yes, signing a player who can create goals as well as score them does make sense.

No point signing a tap in merchant, no matter what their goal record is as simply they won't get that many chances in this current side.

He wasn't deemed surplus at Juventus, they just couldn't afford him.

I also wouldn't call him a bit part player at Roma, he is in the top ten in their squad for minutes played this season.

12.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 21:04:28
Shappy, you have said that for way too many players. I am sure i can find a post from you where you would have said the same about Casemiro. I don't care if it costs us 100 or 200m. Its not coming out of my pocket. A high quality striker is the need of the hour and i would definitely go all out for Kane. If he gives me 50 goals in 2 seasons, so be it. United are not the training ground for up and coming kids anymore. Its not the 90s where United was top dog Look at Amad and Pellistri. They were signed for the right wing and yet 2 seasons later they were not ready and we went ahead and splashed the cash on Antony. You need to stop your love for the young kids.

Dybala is another round peg square hole. Another player who likes to roam around and wouldn't be making those near post darts. Do you really want one of those? Look at how Chelsea are struggling due to that exact problem.

13.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 21:45:19
Tap in merchant?

14.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 22:13:54
Among the reasons for our lack of decent scoring chances are movement and decision making.

Sancho, like Martial, is frequently seen strolling around watching others do the work - these others will frequently find themselves able to see the position they should be in but aren't because they're having to compensate for a lazy toerag who, in turn, gets less service from players under greater pressure.
The exact same scenario happens with Martial.
However, at least Martial has the IQ to release the bloody ball when a teammate is in a better position.

Antony, despite the tricks, is actually quite predictable and, because of his single decent foot, frequently fails to keep the ball moving quickly enough.

Rashford, although a little greedy, has all the tools to scare any defender on the planet.

Garnacho will become a truly world class baller. Ruthless and switched on, he should start ahead of Sancho in every game.

Pellistri has shown flashes of real quality, he just needs a decent run.

Then, we have the one-dimensional Elanga and Volvo Weghorst.

Of those 8 players, only 2 will move about, mix it up, scare defenders, pass and move quickly, and score goals. Sancho, it seems, lacks all of those requirements.

Dybala, for me, would tick all of those boxes.

As for midfield, one of our biggest issues towards the end of the season has been fatigue. Bruno looks shattered and Eriksen still isn't quite there. Sabitzer has done well, but lacks that finesse.
Dybala would tick the boxes there as well.

Ahmad H
The suggestion that he's lightweight is ridiculous. He's no unit, but he's not at all lightweight. He's about the same size as Martinez.

15.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 22:14:14
Dybala is not what we need. Not another undersized skillful type. We need a real #9, someone who will trouble center backs with size, speed, strength, and be an aerial threat. Someone who is attacking the six yard box on every cross will ultimately create a lot of space for cutbacks.

16.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 22:24:11
We need to stop signing the players like dybala who are already or about to be hitting their peak we need to build a team and buy the 19-24 year olds so they grow into the team kind of like city did like Fergie used to the odd big name/ established player like RVP or VDS but those that can be shaped form the majority of the team then all you have to do are use youngsters or buy from the same bracket to replace/ upgrade.

17.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 08:54:37
Woggle

Martinez is unique and by any measure an enigma given his size and what he can do. Just my humble opinion Dybala will find it very tough going against PL type cb's and midfielders. its a much more physical fast pace league. Even if cheap, I don't think eth looks at guys like him as a squad improvement as he will be that at best.

I doubt we have any interest in him.

18.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 09:01:28
If we are looking for number 10 type player, Eze from Crystal palace or Kudus from Ajax would be great signings. Both will be top players imo. Both can play on the right too.

19.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 10:14:09
My views on kudus even before today has been the same for a long time. Funny thing is tons of stuff on Kudus today in the press.

I think he solves the a lot of things eth is looking for as far as a guy who can receive a pass in various parts of the field, can dribble and has pace and strength to get past people with the ball at his feet. ie De Jong. ericson is great passer but never going to run by people. Can play as false 9, right wing, attacking mid great age too.

20.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 09:30:19
What planet are you on Shappy. I wouldn't go near Dybala.
It's a backwards step and definitely not what we need.
A luxury over hyped player who puts in a handful of decent performances every season and by the way will be 30 in November.
One of the worst posts i have seen from you on this site.

21.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 09:45:45
I really don't understand the doubts over Kane. He's a top, top goalscorer, who's also clever enough to have adapted his game in recent times. He's no age in these modern times, and saying he'll be injury prone for 3 years out of 5, is just pure guesswork. As for Dybala, I seem him as another Felix. And that's not a compliment.

22.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 10:46:33
Since Harry Kane became a regular for Tottenham, his goals scored each season have been 21, 25, 29, 30, 17, 18, 23, 17 and 28.

At the same time our top scorer has been 12, 11, 17, 16, 13, 17, 18, 18 and 16.

We've not had a striker score 20+ Premier League goals since Van Persie. Although Harry Kane is not my preferred choice of striker, if we were to sign him, I think he makes a massive difference to the team and puts us as the team closest to City.

23.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 10:54:25
I think this window will give us a lot of clues in terms of what kind of team we are building. eth has said last summer it was difficult convincing some players to come whilst this window he says the ones we are interested in all want to come.

We have Cas, Ericson in their 30s. Varane is up there too and you have DDG, shaw, lindelof, rash and few others who are seasoned professional. So a good balance of youth and experience.

I would be more encouraged personally by signing players with high ceilings and age profile at a reasonable fee and wages where hopefully if you get it right you are not back in the market 2 years from now trying to replace them and if you get it wrong you can move them on without taking a massive hit and in some cases unable to move due to their wages.

There are exceptions as always and the likes of kane if available is hard to pass on as long as you sign a younger striker too that eventually takes the mantle or have someone through the youth ranks coming through with high degrees of certainty.

24.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:31:21
Ahmad

I completely disagree.
You think Kudus would be sure to adapt to the PL better than an experienced player who has encountered a wider variety of opponents than you clearly believe in Serie A?
Yes, it's a league that is a little slower and less physical, but do you really believe that the Eredivisie is better? Really?
How good did Antony and Gakpo look before their moves?

As for size comparison, Kudus is only slightly taller and actually more slender, he's far from a bull.

Eze is actually smaller than Dybala.

So you're presenting two options that are no more physically imposing than Dybala, each of whom not as gifted, each of whom would cost £50m+, each of whom brings far less top-level experience, as better options than a guy who would cost much less and actually cover more positions.

Mate, let me put it this way.
The Glazers and the Raine Group have no reason to get the sale done quickly. They've seen 3 rounds of bidding followed by a 4th offer from Jassim - they all know there's potential to rinse the bidders a little more.
So, irrespective of what's reported, there's going to be an initial trepidation in the market because the sale will not be completed any time soon. That's business.
The Glazers do not need to sell so, with the potential to draw even more into their pockets, they will 100% drag it out for as long as they feel suitable. This 'end of May' garbage is precisely that - garbage.
Offers are what we are going by for now, the proper negotiations have not yet begun, even the end of June is, to me, unlikely.

So we are where we are. Players like Dybala, Rabiot and Tielemans are perfectly reasonable options when we a; haven't yet brokered a sale of one of the players we're looking to sell, and, b; still have no idea what budget ten Hag will be working with.

As made clear many times, the spine needs addressing. Dybala, Eze and Kudus are all versatile players who do not best address particular positions along the spine.
So, let's say Jassim buys the club and we have, say, £300m to spend.
We need a GK - £40m+, CB - £50m+, a top CM - maybe £100m, a top CF - maybe £100m.
That's only almost £300m if we're lucky.
So then, for any 'luxury' players, we'd need to be savvy.

25.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:32:34
The description of Kane as a tap in merchant is something else. One of the most complete strikers in the modern game, can drop deep to create, excellent first touch and hold up play, has never relied on pace, so his age isn’t a huge concern. Guaranteed goals, and a leader.

But yeah, let’s bring in a player that has squandered his talent and seems content to languish in mediocrity. Then play him out of position. A perfect recipe for success.

26.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:35:01
It’s also funny to note that Kane has consistently played more games than Dybala, and is only one year older.

27.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 11:58:56
Danny, you see Kane's tap in versus Brentford at the weekend?!

28.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 12:26:24
Just bring back greenwood :P.

29.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:00:27
Harry Kane "a tap in merchant"
I am still trying to pick myself up off the floor.
Honestly what planet are you on?

30.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:02:47
Woggle

Dybala is a light weight imo and more towards the back end of his career and best days behind him.

Gakpo at 30 or 35 mill is a good business in my opinion and you will never lose money as a club on that deal. Coming into a new league in January is not easy, I think in half a season he has more PL goals and assists than Antony probably playing for a pretty poor Liverpool team that has a pretty poor midfield. someone can dig it up and I may be wrong.

Antony at 85 million is a rip off and that's the issue, he is not a bad player, he is just not worth 85 million.

Many teams have done very well buying early from the dutch league but don't get fleeced doing it.

The Dutch league is excellent for young players development.

31.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 13:04:28
MBD

That would solve a lot of things. Lots of Talent there.

32.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 15:18:47
If United don't move mountains to sign Kane this summer, then they simply don't have any interest in being the best. Just three Englishmen added to this current team would be enough to guarantee top four and push City.

Walker-Peters
Rice
Kane.

33.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 15:23:52
Now unless we sign Kudus, any other signing would never be good enough for you, Ahmad will it?

34.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 17:47:15
Not rice for me, not for the money being touted. Watched him all season and he doesn't do enough for me. Paqueta is a far better player

I like Kyle walker Peters, decent player, would be a good signing as a backup/ pushing AWB.

35.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 17:48:31
UA

Not at all meant that way it was in response to buying Dybala. I think the guy will be top drawer in a season or too and go for lot more money compared to today.

I will be happy to see us upgrade a few positions and hope the club and manager get it right. I also think eze from crytal palace falls into the same category and one of top 5/ 6 pl clubs will buy him.

Time will tell.

36.) 22 May 2023
22 May 2023 20:51:18
Cant tell if you're joking with that Walker letters comment sydney ?.

37.) 23 May 2023
23 May 2023 06:15:13
Im wondering how old is Dybala and is he an injury prone player? Compared to, let's say, Kane?

Oh, could anyone help me?

Shappy? :D.

38.) 23 May 2023
23 May 2023 11:02:45
Trololo
Dybala and Kane are not comparable by any measure but maybe age. Kane is a world class striker as good as any out there. The obvious concern is his age but many top striker now a days play into their mid thirties.

He also seems to have a good head on his shoulder, family man and I would assume takes good care of himself. I have never read anything negative about his personal life and he is never in the news for the wrong reasons.

If he is available you would have to push the boat and go get him. We still need another striker younger one imo.

Rashford, Kane, Greenwood with Bruno playing behind will tear teams apart imo. Unfortunately 2 are not confirmed :)

A bit more speed and creativity in midfield in a ball carrier and shore up the CB position and we are not far off challenging for all trophies.

39.) 23 May 2023
23 May 2023 11:36:34
Woggle

Dybala on a cheap transfer if Shappy's release clause is correct comes with much higher wages.

I think he is on 200 thousand euros a week or maybe even more compared to a young player like kudus just making the jump to the Pl from ajax who is probably on 50k or maybe less.

Would you rather buy Dybala for 10-15 mill and pay him 200k to 220k a week for 4 years.

You reckon we can move Dybala on 220k of wages in 2 years time after everyone realizes he can't hack it in the PL at 32 on those wages. Our wage bill is killing us and signing 30 year old who has bounced around clubs is not the solution, even short term.

All hypothetical stuff and would be surprised if we went anywhere near him.

40.) 23 May 2023
23 May 2023 14:14:30
Im just joking around ahmad, since Shappy keeps mentioning how Kane is injury prone player, but then suggests Dybala as a good transfer, who keeps getting injured all the time.

Also, he is calling Kane old, and Dybala is the same age.

It was just funny to me.