Current Avatar:
No Avatar image uploaded
No Avatar image uploaded
Manchester United Rumours Member Posts
GrimisnotDead's Profile
GrimisnotDead's Posts and Other Poster's Replies To GrimisnotDead's Posts
To GrimisnotDead's last 5 rumours posts
To GrimisnotDead's last 5 banter posts
To GrimisnotDead's last 5 rumour replies
To GrimisnotDead's last 5 banter replies
GrimisnotDead's rumours posts with other poster's replies to GrimisnotDead's rumours posts
11 Jul 2022 16:16:58
So Richard and John are holidaying together today in Barcelona. Let's hope they bring us something decent home from the duty free.
1.) 11 Jul 2022 16:43:52
No grim they are fools there is no way they will pull off any transfers! Really they should shut the club down or try and merge with our neighbours.
2.) 11 Jul 2022 17:04:58
No doubt trying to outsource a multimillion pound deal for a large container vessel full of prawns for the terraces.
3.) 11 Jul 2022 20:37:33
It's a good sign IMO. Why are you bringing the man who signs off on the signings? ?
I'm sure they are not there for the good of their health.
4.) 11 Jul 2022 21:35:51
We are all hoping for de jong and they will probably bring back dembele and his glass legs.
5.) 11 Jul 2022 21:49:55
They make a lovely couple, Richard seems very attuned to John's needs.
6.) 12 Jul 2022 00:36:29
Preferred him with Judy.
7.) 12 Jul 2022 03:14:23
Deal will be done trust me they are not going to waste their time for 2 months i am sure they knew about the deferred payments for wages or whtever they need to pay i am sure they knew about it.
8.) 12 Jul 2022 07:13:48
I think they are both fans of Catalan Modernism and gone to check out Gaudi’s works, tell the club they are going to ‘negotiate’ with Barcelona and they get a free trip!
9.) 12 Jul 2022 09:52:10
Maybe have a bit of faith in them to get the deal over the line instead of constantly taking the p*ss and moaning all the time.
10.) 13 Jul 2022 09:15:16
Sim, there is frustration with these guys not getting more signings done prior to pre-season and the tour, particularly compared with other teams that have new signings and settled squads ready for the start of the season.
I was hoping more of an overhaul would take place at this point, considering the EPL starts in 3.5 weeks. We all know the areas that require additions and we know what ETH wants but yet again the club are snail pace in the transfer market.
I really hope Richard and Judy, sorry, John can get the necessary players in asap but there hasn’t been enough to give me faith in them yet.
28 Jun 2022 16:45:12
Fabrizio reporting that we are now trying to hijack the Malacia to Lyon deal deal, Feyenoord have accepted Unied's bid and its now up to the player.
Its all go over the last 24hrs.
21 May 2022 11:07:48
Saw a comment from Juan Mata that he won't decide his future until speaking with EtH.
Is he thinking of staying in a coaching capacity, now Neil Wood has moved on, is he thinking of bringing through academy players.
1.) 21 May 2022 12:00:59
Let's hope he has no choice and gets no offer.
One of the worst signings in our history in terms of return on investment.
Nearly 10 years and I can only remember half a dozen top games from him.
A record signing on huge wages delivered little or nothing.
Nice guy all the same.
He doesn't want to leave as he has several business interests in the UK and in Manchester.
If he wants to stay and be a jnr coach let him by all means but on 100k per year not per week.
2.) 21 May 2022 14:33:45
That's a little harsh on Mata. Was over the moon when we signed him. A great No.10 who was consistently never played there! I think it would be more Mata regretting signing for United than United regretting buying Mata. He just wasn't used in his best position.
3.) 21 May 2022 15:06:45
Mata is one of the few players that always tried. Completely wasted at United, but nowhere near the worst post-Fergie signings.
4.) 21 May 2022 16:04:57
Have to agree Ken on the content of your reply- youve got to be cruel to be kind. Mata is undoubtedly a good guy and hasn't caused any problems at the club but its time to cut ties with the big earners who don't play for whatever reason, be it selection, form or injury. if the rumors are to be believed we could save over 1.2m pw in wages by getting rid of out of contract and those who don't play, bailly, tuanzebe and henderson for eg.
5.) 21 May 2022 16:34:31
Always wondered what he is still doing at United. Just a very odd situation. He’s a very good footballer who’s won the lot but has wasted a good 5-6 years at United. A move back to Spain with Barcelona or Valencia would’ve been better for him.
6.) 21 May 2022 17:03:35
This season he's been reduced to cameos and without setting the world alight has generally improved the line-up when called upon. but that's more of a statement against how weak it has been as opposed to his impact. I feel he's the kind of player the youngsters look up to and has a good impact behind the scenes, obviously does a lot of good in the background and would probably be a good coach some day. But he's obviously too slow for this league now, is probably on a fair whack per week and should have gone last season as I'm sure he'd have a few decent suitors.
7.) 21 May 2022 18:58:36
Mata in his first 3-4 years was good, was easily one of uniteds best players. I think you've got short memories or didn't watch united at all between 2013-2017.a brace at anfield, needed goal in cup final. and actually a player that could control and pass the ball. Worked much harder than the rest of waste of spaces. No way near one if United's worse signings post Ferguson, god knows where you get that from. Only criticism that he should have left around 2019 back to Spain or Portugal.
8.) 21 May 2022 23:20:53
Seeks we are collectively rounding on everyone, when the good guys who played well for us. Mata is a class player. Wasted at United on the right for years.
Pitch forks out and at the ready. Beginning to sound a lot like the Everton page on here. Go and check it out you’ll see what I mean.
9.) 22 May 2022 05:22:19
Mata has always been a great professional and a good character to have around the squad. In his first few seasons he was better than most probably remember. However, he is one of those players that need to have the right sort of players around him to get the best out of him, rather than the sort of player who lifts everyone else to his level.
Ironically he is best suited to a possession based side that plays with intelligence and ideally high up the pitch (meaning he doesn't have to cover large distances) . We haven't had a manager who plays like this, but we are about to get one.
I think he could be a good option to keep as a coach, his links to the players and his high level of football intelligence suggest he might be a good coach. I don't think there is much point in keeping him as a player though.
10.) 22 May 2022 10:14:17
Mata has sadly been a good clubman rather than a great first team player. I get the impression he would get clubman prize every season. That’s not to decry his talent, but the idiots bought him at a time when we needed something else and the team wasn’t set up for how he played. Another example of muddled club thinking. However, he comes over as bright and highly intelligent, if he can get his message over then he would be very good to have as a coach. I suspect he may still want to play though.
11.) 22 May 2022 11:18:26
Probably outstayed his welcome, but he was another example of a player not signed for a role. I can’t remember him playing much as a 10 and he was always shoehorned onto the right. He’s never had pace, but he’s always been very intelligent.
I reckon if he went to a slower league he would still look great.
12.) 22 May 2022 15:49:22
Christ you are so so touchy.
Mata is a lovely fellow.
He is a great pro. He was a very good player.
However he has never been great for us as somebody says above less than 10 highlight games in 10 years for a players that's cost over 12m a year in fees and wages.
Stats worse than pogbas but because he is a nice guy we accept that.
Crap value for money but a lovely guy. Achieved little or nothing but a nice guy.
Do we judge people by their effort and professionalism or by their results and end product?
Standards and expectations are on the floor as much from some fans as well as the players.
Mata could have achieved so much more he should have achieved more but he didn't.
13.) 22 May 2022 19:23:40
He has a lovely smile though.
14.) 23 May 2022 10:01:11
Would definitely give Mata another 12 months, albeit not on rockstar wages. No, he’s nowhere near first choice, but with a new manager who likes to keep the ball……he’s a good option to have to fill the occasional hole. Plus, he’s a handy player to have around the young lads on a day to day basis.
15.) 23 May 2022 23:57:12
Matt isn't the answer could have been useful to EtH several years ago but not now.
23 Apr 2022 08:07:38
With our centre backs under performing this year and a possible refresh coming in the summer, what does everyone think of James Tarkowski. Free agent in the summer, premier league experience, no nonsense defender and a massive United fan, would be a good sensible signing.
1.) 23 Apr 2022 08:19:52
Nope, he isn't good enough. We need to be buying better CBs than we already have.
I understand that the bar has been set low, but it is time tor air the bar in terms of quality, otherwise we won't make progress in the right direction.
2.) 23 Apr 2022 08:21:24
Couldnt be worse than what we have. Even later, he could be a good bench option.
But there is always fear, how would he do for a "bigger" club. Different tactics, more pressure.
3.) 23 Apr 2022 08:35:21
Why would he join to sit in the bench? Decent player, has Newcastle written all over it that transfer.
4.) 23 Apr 2022 09:08:42
We should stop going after average players.
Else we will become a permanent mid-table club.
5.) 23 Apr 2022 09:28:23
The only free agent centre back we should be looking at is Rudiger.
6.) 23 Apr 2022 10:47:48
I like Rudiger, my feeling though is at 29 and 3 years if all goes very well from realistically competing then he is not for us or rather we are not for him. As I said good player though and better than what we have.
7.) 23 Apr 2022 10:53:42
This prompted me to look into CB free agents this summer. Stand-out names include Romagnoli and Ginter. Plenty of others who could do a job in other positions (unless I've overlooked that they've already signed pre-contracts elsewhere) including Mazraoui, Zakaria, Belotti and Kamara who we know about. Because of the sheer number of ready-made replacements Utd could need perhaps we'll see a couple of players along these lines come in. We only tend to specialise in these types of players at the end of their careers ie Schweiny, Ibra, Cavani, even Ron.
I think Rudiger has been great this season, one of the best in the league. I'd be very surprised if Utd was a realistic destination though. Think he'll go to one of the usual suspects ie Real or PSG.
8.) 23 Apr 2022 12:22:48
I'm pretty sure we'll target Timber at CB, if we do want a second CB (which with possibly Jones, Bailly and Tuanzebe leaving we might need a second CB) then one option could be Zagadou from Dortmund.
I wouldn't go for him as the only CB signing as his injury record is a little sketchy. But he is a physically imposing, ball playing, left sided CB who while lacks pace is used to playing in a pressing side that plays with a fairly high line.
The club have supposedly spoken to Dybala who could be an interesting option for EtH as a striker. Would probably play more like a false 9 like Tadic did for Ajax a couple of season's back.
Kamara would be a good option as a free agent in midfield, I think he'd be well suited to how EtH plays.
9.) 23 Apr 2022 12:53:35
We got ourselves a Rolls Royce CB in Varane, unwhelming would be a good description of his year with us. Maybe time to get someone who has premier league experience.
10.) 23 Apr 2022 12:47:37
As I understand it Kamara can also play centreback. Seems a no-brainer really, if he's up for it of course.
{Ed002's Note - I would not hold your breath.}
11.) 23 Apr 2022 14:51:36
I wouldn’t be against tarkowski. He’s a better player than Lindelof, and maguire has really struggled recently. Think Bailly Jones and Tuanzebe will leave. A free CB and a more specific purchase will be necessary at CB.
{Ed002's Note - Tarkowski will not be joining Manchester United.}
12.) 23 Apr 2022 17:03:42
To be honest a traffic cone would be an upgrade on our current defensive options. However, Tarkowski is not the standard we should be aiming for.
13.) 24 Apr 2022 05:22:48
What is the standard we should be aiming for, the best available is Rudiger, he has no interest in coming to us, similar with Torres.
We have been linked with Timber a 20 year old kid from Ajax, could easily be found out in the Premier league, Ronald Araujo not going to happen, Kilman similar to Tarkowski, Manuel Akanji unknown in the Premier league, could be another Varane.
So where does that leave us for next season, Varane, Maguire and Lindelof again, not a leader amongst them. Let's go get a decent no nonsense defender who knows the league and might actually be able to lead the back line.
14.) 24 Apr 2022 07:44:52
Grim, Tarkowski is average and isn't the leader/ organiser of Burnley's defence that's Ben Mee.
If you want a no nonsense leader at CB with EPL experience then we should be looking at Coady from Wolves.
Although like Kilman questions about whether he can be as good in a back four as opposed to the back 3 he has excelled in remains to be seen.
15.) 24 Apr 2022 11:46:04
Ed 002, when you get chance, do you have any insight as to who the club will be targeting for defensive positions?
{Ed002's Note - The problem is that the new coach will have an input but the club have been looking to the likes of Sam Johnstone (G), Calvin Ramsay (RB/RM), Nordi Mukiele (RWB/CB), Max Aarons (RB), Luca Netz (LB), Armel Bella-Kotchap (CB), Pau Torres (CB), Manuel Akanji (CB), Nico Gordon (CB), Dan-Axel Zagadou (CB), Eric Martel (DM/CB) and Tyler Adams (DM/RB).}
16.) 24 Apr 2022 12:19:31
That’s a worrying list Ed. Thank christ for Google search… guess this is where Utd are now.
{Ed002's Note - Why worrying?}
17.) 24 Apr 2022 13:09:08
Thanks Ed. That's quite a list. Big changes a foot, thank crunchie.
18.) 24 Apr 2022 14:08:12
We have been linked previously with Aarons for RB and Torres at CB. Key is do they fit with Ten Hag view of what he needs in such positions. I can see moves for players he has worked with before and both rates and trusts. I wouldn't be surprised if we looked at Timber for CB and De Ligt also. De Ligt would be a big money signing that may still be lusted after from the commercial side. Still only 22, Timber is 20. Far more likely we look to buy two CBs young enough to form a great partnership in future than go for someone with prom experience but ultimately you'd feel would fall short at the highest level in Tarkowski.
19.) 24 Apr 2022 14:09:58
Think the above poster is worried they’re not all big sexy names but isn’t this what Ralf was here to bring Ed? To suggest names that weren’t 80-100m at every cost but high potential for less money.
20.) 24 Apr 2022 14:16:42
No worries on that list at all spenno. Why worry? Not well known or expensive enough for you like the likes of dumb ass players like pogba martial sanchez?
21.) 24 Apr 2022 15:03:20
Those players above have very high cieling. I would love it if they listen to Rangnicks recommendations.
22.) 24 Apr 2022 15:19:25
I just meant it was worrying sign of how far we've fallen that they are all low-key targets. But I have no problem at all with this profile of player, we've tried the sexier players to abysmal effect recently so let's try a different approach.
{Ed002's Note - Most would be very good additions.}
23.) 24 Apr 2022 16:19:06
United fans: were ready for a revolution and clear out.
Same United fans: let's sign a tarkowski on a free.
No better than anything we currently have.
Dumb move.
24.) 24 Apr 2022 18:07:55
Tarkowski according to the stats has outperformed all United's defenders this year, in fact only Bruno, Fred and Ronaldo have been better than him. Good squad edition and something we don't currently have in defence, someone who can defend.
I wouldn't mind either of the Kilmun of Cody Shappy, but they both have contacts until 2025-26 respectively. and will be expensive.
With the midfield a priority due to the number of them leaving, its not going to leave a lot left for that leaky defence.
25.) 24 Apr 2022 18:35:20
Lets go 3 at the back then. Ronaldo in the center for his heading, fred rcb and bruno lcb. Fixed, i'm a genius ?.
26.) 24 Apr 2022 18:03:08
Hi Ed002,
Thanks so much for the list of names - agree with you that they woukd be good additions. So much needs to change at the club, including profile of incoming transfers.
They sound like Ralf Rangnik suggestions? If so, do you know how much influence he is having on the squad rebuilt, from recommending outgoing to suggestions about who to bring in?
And do you think he is being listened to?!
Thanks again for any info you can impart.
{Ed002's Note - I provided a list of the players that I understand RR proposed to Manchester United. Others like Pau Torres and Max Aarons have been spotted by the scouting system and have been of interest in the longer term.}
27.) 24 Apr 2022 20:23:29
Thanks again Ed002, really interesting looking up the names you listed. Hope we invest in some of them!
Thanks again.
28.) 24 Apr 2022 21:33:29
Torres, aarons, and netz would be good additions to a very poor back 4 if possible Timber would really round things off.
29.) 25 Apr 2022 16:03:17
How on Earth do you know if Timber can cut it in the premier how do you even know if TH would even think he can, just because he played for him in Dutch league it’s horses for courses. DVB was good in Dutch league useless in Premier under 4 managers at 2 clubs perhaps TH also knows he not good enough for premier, we don’t know, but you can’t just say ol he is good under TH he will be great under him here, we don’t even know if TH can cut it,
Come on guys please.
30.) 25 Apr 2022 22:55:53
Juicer or Whoever he used to be is a real ray of sunshine on the wind up.
27 Aug 2021 17:50:59
So Ronaldo comes home.
1.) 27 Aug 2021 18:38:11
Fred is a better midfielder than Martial is a forward. No chance this doesn’t upgrade us. He will even make our minefield look better.
I wasn’t convinced this is the best United deal to make if others can be made - still not sure but surely signing Even this Ronaldo is a HUGE upgrade on anything we have. He chose us is still a shock.
2.) 27 Aug 2021 20:45:50
Chelsea spent 100m on Lukaku. THIS ronaldo outscored Lukaku last season.
3.) 27 Aug 2021 22:10:44
Hard not to see this as a big step up. Last season, Martial, Rashford, Cavani and Greenwood managed 32 league goals between them. Even at 36 years old, Ronaldo bagged 29. With Bruno and Pogba feeding him, I can see him banging in at least 20 for us this season, which could be the difference between 2nd and 1st.
Hopefully we can now find takers for Martial, Dalot, Lingard and James and try and bring a central midfielder in. This is probably our best transfer window ever already, but a midfielder really would be the icing on the cake.
4.) 28 Aug 2021 07:05:23
I don't know why we want to sell Dalot.
He's young, he's Portuguese we have a few Portuguese players now, he's not on high wages, we don't have a backup RB, he can fill at LB as well.
He's better going forward than AWB, technically he's quite good, but maybe his crossing isn't great, but I would start him ahead of AWB given how we will have either ronaldo or Cavani as CF both world class in the air.
5.) 28 Aug 2021 09:53:17
rohan i don't think we'll sell dalot unless trippier is coming.
6.) 28 Aug 2021 09:54:21
Rohana dalot is good going forward, but awb is hands down a better defender than him. The position is defence so I'd take awb all day long. Dalot seems to forget he needs to defend a lot of the time and switches off. he would probably be a decent winger tbh.
7.) 28 Aug 2021 09:57:42
CR92 - this Ronaldo won’t be smashing 30 goals every season in for the next 5. It’s just not smart to compare the Lukaku deal with this I would think.
United’s valuation went up $300 million with this news in addition to gaining 1M new Instagram followers.
8.) 30 Aug 2021 00:40:54
FootballGoesInCircles, were not buying Ronnie for 5 yrs, If I'm not mistaken it's only a 2 year deal plus the option of a further yr! Players Like CR7, Messi and Zlatan are truely ageing like fine wine 😂 No matter what this deal is a win win for Man United whatever way yoy look at it. Financially, Mentality of a true Winner, the experience he passes on to the youngsters ect.
GrimisnotDead's banter posts with other poster's replies to GrimisnotDead's banter posts
10 Aug 2022 21:51:01
So Frankie Goes to ChelseaWood, sorry the best I could do.
Embarasinging that our recruitment team wasted 3 months chasing someone who didn't want to come here and now we are left with the Rabiot and Veronique show.
1.) 10 Aug 2022 22:30:34
When did he sign for Chelsea?
2.) 10 Aug 2022 22:35:15
De Jong pursuit was driven by ten hag, not the board or the recruitment team.
3.) 11 Aug 2022 02:16:22
Come on Ken, don't let facts get in the way of a poor pun ?.
4.) 11 Aug 2022 07:03:09
Even Rabiot and his mom don't want to come now apparently. That would actually be for the best because he is the defenition of Terrible.
5.) 11 Aug 2022 08:24:32
Don’t listen to the press/ media, most of it is all just stories a snippet from here and there and it grows arms and legs!
They love to start a story, then destroy a story! That’s what they do!
ETH don’t seem a stupid man, (good manager that we don’t know) but stupid he is not and DeJong will be on his speed dial, do you not honestly think there been some sort of green light given! Otherwise why would any sane person continue to pursue!
The press/ media run the country, not just football…they plant seeds and many follow that’s what they rely on….
This week Sky been rolling out the usual idiots to have a say…. idiots who have done nothing won nothing but suddenly they know everything! Get a grip guys!
6.) 11 Aug 2022 08:42:11
So the Rabiot fee is reported to be around €20m with wages expected to be around 200k to match his current take home pay.
He's good without being great, and potentially has a couple of issues that could cause problems further down the line.
Alternatively we could sign Konrad Laimer for around the same price, on lower wages, probably a better player and has no issues.
7.) 11 Aug 2022 09:51:21
Shappy that the sensible and sane thing to do. We do insane stuff instead.
8.) 11 Aug 2022 14:31:46
Shappy did you not say gujranwala manager should be supported in his choices last week and for us not to sign random players the manager doesn't want?
Which is it?
10 Aug 2022 07:24:22
So the Arnautović deal is off after a backlash from fans. Sums up the state of our recruitment when you need the fans to tell you that a signing should not be made.
1.) 10 Aug 2022 08:19:11
I think they thought they could get an experienced player on the cheap who could patch a hole for a year or so. Get him for £6-7m as a make do option for a year then look at a new striker next summer.
I genuinely don't think the club planned to bring in a top end expensive striker this summer. Hoping they could keep hold of Ronaldo and maybe sign a forward who could cover as a ST but mostly played wide.
However, with Ronaldo forcing a move they need to bring in someone more experienced and a special-ist CF. But ideally do so on a similar amount to what they might get for Ronaldo.
That's where Arnautovic fits in for me. Although the reality is that fan backlash, partially due to a perceived poor transfer window and rising anger towards to owners along with the realisation that Bologna want closer to double what the club are prepared to pay has shot that transfer down.
Personally I think the club should just invert their thinking. Instead of focusing on a wide forward who can play centrally such as Antony (who is being priced out of a move by Ajax) we should look for a CF who can occasionally play wide. Then maybe give Garnacho more minutes, or Amad or Pellistri.
If we were prepared to pay 50-60m for Antony then we could use that money to sign someone like Jonathan David from Lille. A multi-faceted forward who can play as a CF, a second striker or in either wide positions. Played on the right in Lille's first game and scored twice and grabbed an assist. Clinical and creative.
2.) 10 Aug 2022 09:25:19
Re: a striker, I think that was exactly the plan Shappy. The club expected to have Ronaldo for another season, during which time there was no need to buy a back-up or if they did, then a young one who could tick over in the background (I assume Sesko) supplemented by a wide player.
Still no clearer on the Ronaldo situation - I assume he'll go. But to think that this great club won't have a talisman, or lead striker, in the short-term is a huge worry. Erik is pinning his hopes on Martial. A striker who can play across the front and is good enough right now has become as imperative as this blasted holding midfielder role.
3.) 10 Aug 2022 09:59:38
Didn't we go for Nunez right at the start at the window? So we started off wanting to buy a striker before the big clubs came in!
4.) 10 Aug 2022 10:02:40
Shappy: I think the plan was always to bring in a central striker albeit whether Ronaldo stayed or went.
And as for Arnautovic……let’s be perfectly clear here. The fan and ex player backlash wasn’t down to a poor window or how much Bologna wanted for him. It was the fact that people didn’t want Manchester United bringing in players with the views and reputation that Marko quite clearly has. And before anyone jumps in and says ‘where’s the proof’? In my experience there ain’t no smoke without fire.
5.) 10 Aug 2022 10:14:52
Spenno, Looking at the team I think we need two midfielders and two forwards.
McFred are the starting choices with Garner and Donny as the back up. I don't think any of those four should be starting. Garner and Donny could be fine as back ups, but I don't see how either Fred or McTominay fit into how EtH generally looks to play. Both lack the technical ability and tactical intelligence. Both are solid EPL players, but for sides that will look to play more on the counter and have less of the ball.
I think we need a ball playing No.6 with Eriksen playing back up and Zidane Iqbal maybe being moulded over the next couple of years.
A swiss army knife type No.8 who can fill in any role in midfield, with Garner playing as back up and maybe Charlie Savage being moulded over time for this role.
We then have Bruno as our No.10, with Donny as back up and Hannibal being the young player moulded over time. Hannibal could take over from Donny as first choice back up next summer.
In our forward line Ronaldo needs to leave, he's not ideally suited to EtH's style of play, doesn't want to be here and is probably more of a distraction to the other players than a help.
That really only leaves Sancho as someone I think is good enough to be first choice in one of the front three positions. We need a first choice striker with Martial as back up/ competition. We also need a first choice wide player to play on the opposite flank to Sancho. Maybe if Rashford can rediscover his best form it could be him. He certainly has the ability in him.
After those three the options become kids with limited experience. I like Elanga, but feel he might be better suited to a team that plays on the counter where he has more space to run in behind. Garnacho who looks like a talent waiting to explode, although he is still very young and will be inconsistent. Then we have Amad, Pellistri and Shoretire who for various reasons find themselves behind Elanga and Garnacho even though 12 months ago they would have been ahead of them in the pecking order. They all need a really good loan to get their development back on track. Pellistri and Shoretire to the Championship while Amad could do with a more tactical team focused league such as the Eredivisie or the Primeira Liga in Portugal.
6.) 10 Aug 2022 10:36:47
Ed did say we had a low ball offer rejected for Darwin Nunez.
7.) 10 Aug 2022 10:43:17
Oakbark, we held an interest in Nunez, explored the idea but never placed a bid. Which suggests he was going to cost more than we were prepared to pay.
FiremanC, Completely the fan backlash was due to fans not wanting a player like Arnautovic at the club. However, I think the backlash would have been a lot less had we signed FDJ and Antony and Arnautovic was slipped in through the back door as a squad filler. However, while there are gapping holes in the team let alone the squad the idea that the club were chasing Arnautovic upset an uneasy fanbase more.
I think during the game against Brighton EtH looked at his bench for an option to change things and saw Elanga and Garnacho and realised he needed more experience and a different option.
they then explored options which were cheap (under 10m) who maybe had EPL experience and who could maybe just offer an option from the bench for a season.
Marko Arnautovic ticked all three boxes while also had worked with McClaren and EtH at Twente.
United placed an offer of around £7m, but Bologna rejected and said they wanted at least £14m. Which is too much for a player for one season to offer an option from the bench. That added to fan backlash meant there was no point continuing to negotiate a deal.
{Ed001's Note - you did make an offer for Nunez.}
8.) 10 Aug 2022 11:16:16
Good man shappy, on the ball as always ?.
9.) 10 Aug 2022 11:43:32
I didn't think we made an offer in the end, if we did then we did. I do remember we walked away or at least put the deal on the backburner before Liverpool made an offer.
{Ed077's Note - didn't we try and include Andreas Pereira in the deal too.
10.) 10 Aug 2022 11:58:13
For me regardless of his ability his views should have ruled him out, especially with the abuse some of our former players have had to endure.
To me that says no due diligence is being done on players regarding their background and suitability for the squad. That is a good example of why we have 11 individuals and not a team of 11 on the pitch each week.
11.) 10 Aug 2022 13:47:57
An offer for the sake of an offer. No doubt it was nowhere near their valuation or the player just flat turned us down.
29 Jun 2022 13:53:23
Lots of rumours that the recent upturn in transfer activity was due to Ronaldo threatening to leave.
I'm more inclined to believe that Erik rocked up at Carrington after his holiday and said where are my new signings. The silence was defening and after some Celebrity Death Match style wrestling, Murtough and Co decided they better get on with the job.
1.) 29 Jun 2022 15:43:35
I'd say it has more to do with Barcelona having a June 30th deadline in order to use to money raised and the wages saved towards next season's squad additions.
As for Malacia, I think that has everything to do with Lyon about to wrap up the deal. Forced United to act.
What this does show is that the club can pull their finger out when their is a fire under their arse. Which just makes the painfully long drawn out negotiations all the more difficult to swallow.
27 Jun 2022 18:55:04
FDJ looks like its progressed well today according to Fabrizio. Hopefully it can get across the line along with Antony and Eriksen.
I'm not too bothered if we get someone in defence, this team in 2021 only conceded 44 goals, maybe if they are coached to defend as a team then this would improve.
The main issue for me is up front, hopefully the new midfield provide a better platform for the team going forward.
1.) 27 Jun 2022 19:29:05
i still don't see us linked with a combative, energetic ball winner -McFred can't do it so who will win the ball for these silky ball players everyone wants in the team?
2.) 27 Jun 2022 20:27:25
Sangare was rumoured earlier in the week, would be a shrewd signing. However, I think our interest is elsewhere unfortunately.
3.) 27 Jun 2022 20:45:37
Bfbw, I don't think we will sign a combative CDM.
I think the aim will be to play FDJ as a playmaking No.6, much the same way Carrick was.
Then play either Fred or McTominay alongside him to do the pressing to win the ball.
Carrick was never an all action combative No.6, he marked space, read the game and stepped up to intercept the ball when it was there to be won.
He also played along side Scholes who was more forward thinking than defensive, Anderson who was the same, or Hargreaves and Fletcher who were more proactive defensively and would chase the ball down.
So many people have focused on a combative, proactive defensive midfielder like we can't be successful without one. Yet the last time we were truly successful we didn't have that sort of player in the line up.
4.) 27 Jun 2022 20:46:45
If we don’t improve our defense, we will struggle next season.
We desperately need new full backs. FBs are key players in the modern game. What we have simply isn’t good enough. Shaw is probably our best FB, and he’s inconsistent at best. Dallot and Telles are squad players, and AWB is just a massive mistake. A new RB is essential this summer.
As for CB, I think there is a need to bring in quality. Lindelof and Maguire are not good enough, and Varane struggled last season.
I don’t understand how supporters can look at this squad and think 3 new players is all that’s needed. If the club don’t back ETH, he will not succeed here.
5.) 27 Jun 2022 21:20:41
Football has changed a little bit from 2008 when carrick and scholes were winning trophies.
But I agree there are many ways to skin a cat in midfield, for every Casemiro there is a Rodri who is less confrontational in midfield.
Defence is down to structure and setup, whenever we play 4-2-3-1 it is easy to see the pivot in midfield have way too much space to cover, which is not helped by bruno running around like a headless chicken and our wingers being more wide strikers than midfielders.
6.) 27 Jun 2022 21:24:25
Agree with you Danny 100%
Contrary to another opinion, I think a high energy defensive midfielder would be a really shrewd signing. Yes, last time we were successful we didn’t play a defensive minded midfield player, however, we also had a world class centre half pairing!
There’s no coincidence that Maguire’s best form and what got him the move in the first place was with England. And that’s because he had either Phillips or Rice to help him out. Maguire is looking likely to be first choice centre half (go figure! ) so why not get some help for him.
7.) 27 Jun 2022 21:32:53
Shappy, yes but football has changed. Maybe the word combative was the wrong choice but let's say a hard working, ball winner and we had that in Keane - Kante, Ferdinhio, fabinho, Ndidi, casemiro are the type of player i mean - now, there are of course different ways to play but I see people excited by a midfield of Erikson, FDJ, Bruno -someone yesterday called that mouth watering. really? it would be steam rollered in the PL- Its all opinions but for me we are missing a trick by not gettign this type of player not only to win the ball in midfield but to also protect the back 4,somethign we haven't had for a while now.
8.) 27 Jun 2022 21:37:42
Not sure why people are so obsessed with “Fabrizio” the guy is clueless. You know that when he takes stories from credible journos and seems to be itk on every transfer and all the talks behind the scenes, its an absolute joke and he has a lot of people hook line and sinker.
9.) 27 Jun 2022 22:41:13
Millionaire on the back of mugs.
10.) 27 Jun 2022 22:47:21
Agree, a less glamorous midfielder quietly doing the dirty work would be fantastic. Someone like Sangare would be incredible or Laimer although that one has gone quiet. I don’t think Erik will get away with De Jong and De Beek playing silky football in the middle in this league.
11.) 27 Jun 2022 22:53:39
Danny, I don't think anyone is suggesting that we are three players ways from challenging for titles.
Just that we won't see the 10 new players we probably need in one window.
There will be glaring weaknesses to our side when the season kicks off, weaknesses that probably require bringing in new players to fix.
I'd argue that DDG isn't a natural fit for how EtH has typically played. He might need replacing. The same for the whole back four. McFred aren't anywhere near good enough. While we still have a massive hole in the right hand side of our attack and Ronaldo has one more season at most.
So that's 8 or 9 positions that need greater quality without even considering squad depth and coverage. Easily add another 2-3 players for depth. That's 10-13 players. Considering it's a 25 man squad that still assumes that 12-15 players currently at the club step up to prove themselves as good enough at least as a solid squad option.
We are never going to get that this summer, he'll we probably still won't have all those areas cover by the end of next summer. That's why I say this is a MINIMUM of a three year project to get a squad capable of seriously challenging for a title.
To the other posters (DDG, Fireman and Bfbw), absolutely football changes, there are also difference between teams playing at the same point in time.
In some games we will require a combative player, maybe it will be Fred (top 5 midfielder in the league in terms of winning back possession) or maybe McTominay. Or maybe it's a new player the club needs to bring in next summer. In other games maybe we can play Donny or Eriksen alongside FDJ.
Changing our side slightly in each game to better gain advantages or mitigate weaknesses against opposition.
12.) 27 Jun 2022 23:18:42
I believe that if we succeed in bringing in FDJ and Eriksen, we are going some distance to remedy our weakest area. I’m not sure who would accompany them in midfield. None of the current squad has done enough to convince. Both Fernandes and McTominay would likely frustrate the life out of FDJ and Eriksen. Fred can play a bit but he lacks presence and guile. A solution will probably arrive in the next transfer window. Hopefully someone in the mould of Ndidi although there have been issues with his fitness.
13.) 28 Jun 2022 08:04:33
Danny, you're spot on. Personally, I think two CBs, RB, defensive midfielder, central midfielder, centre forward. I'll give Garnacho, Pallestri or Diallo a chance at wide spot before paying millions on Antony.
Also, Fernandes is a good young left back and I would like to see him given a chance.
The club need to move players, but they are all on ridiculous wages and who is going to buy Martial, Jones, Bailly, Tuanzebe, Telles, AWB? And unfortunately, until we can sell these players, I'm not sure the club is in a financially viable position to spend and get all the players we need.
I'm not holding my breath on a major influx of incoming players. I am hoping that ETH can improve what we have and bring some young players through.
16 Jun 2022 17:23:03
I have a theory United are struggling to recruit players because of the awful home kit they will have to wear next season.
1.) 16 Jun 2022 18:06:38
I think it's more sinister than that. The Glazers are actually secret Liverpool supporters and acquired United just to destroy it!
2.) 16 Jun 2022 19:10:23
There’s some crazy conspiracy that it’s because they finished 6th in the league and the dressing room is completely toxic. But that must be bs because United are the biggest club in the world and everyone wants to play here.
3.) 16 Jun 2022 21:55:46
My theory for struggling to recruit is that after years of wasters ballsing up recruiting, United decided the best path to rectify this was to promote the deputy wasters who ballsed up recruiting into the position previously occupied by the chief wasters who ballsed up recruiting.
Thus ensuring continuity, remember its in our DNA.
4.) 17 Jun 2022 00:17:01
Joking aside. The EW years completely undermined the club's reputation and it started well before SAF retired. No value in the market. Meanwhile a host of great players - many of whom we were linked to - joined our rivals while we managed to not sign a single long term star over a period > 10 years. We had RVP for 1 year. That's it. And I still think the spat with Rooney back in the day related to his concern that the club was no longer prepared to pay the price to sign anyone of any long term quality. So, whether the new regime is just a version of the previous garbage regime, or actually quite capable, we cannot yet determine. For the time being they are hamstrung by what they have inherited. Top players will want to go to top clubs with top managers and will not commit until they know that's not going to happen for them at this time.
GrimisnotDead's rumour replies
18 Aug 2022 23:23:52
And Casemiro in Manchester tomorrow for a medical. Seven days ago we were signing Rabiot and a racist,
18 Aug 2022 23:06:01
Trouble is the next Casemiro already signed for Madrid and at the moment the young world class players don't want to come to us.
18 Aug 2022 09:25:47
Depends if they see value in United's future, how much will we be worth in 10-20 years.
The Glazers aren't adding value anymore, if you look at our operating income over the last 10 years, other clubs have now caught up and will soon overtake us, the Glazers in real terms have a depreciating asset.
Remember Ratcliffe put in a bid of £4.25billion for Chelsea, far above their actual market value and eventual sale price. If he went to the Glazers with £5billion, I think they would sell.
16 Aug 2022 21:32:55
At this stage United efforts to get a midfielder look desperate and everyone will up their fee. Rabiot was only a good deal at the right price.
Caicedo seems to be next on the United transfer merry go round. Expect a few weeks of lowball bids followed by a desperate lunge at the end of the transfer window for anyone who has ever played in midfield.
15 Aug 2022 18:49:11
Vardy will never happen, Mrs V. likes her top dog status at Leicester, part of the reason he turned down Arsenal.
GrimisnotDead's banter replies
19 Aug 2022 12:03:41
Ralf did say we needed 10 new players, this takes us to 4, only 6 more to go.
Bids flying about for for wingers, right backs, goalies, strikers anything is possible, the only signing I care about though is the one that the Glazers put on an agreement of sale.
19 Aug 2022 11:56:39
From De Jong to Rabiot to Casemiro in 7 days shows we have no strategy.
This is panic buying like we saw with Fellaini all those years ago, Casemiro could turn out to be a good signing, or like Varane, looks good on paper but turns out to be underwhelming.
Fair play to Madrid though, signed Tchouameni for €80million and gets rid of the 30year old for €70million.
18 Aug 2022 23:21:23
Who should be captain, DDG, Varane/ Casimrio/ Ronaldo, Eriksen.
18 Aug 2022 23:16:56
We have a habit of signing players who have just past their best, good to see some consistency.
18 Aug 2022 23:14:09
Our lot have probably been doping with sedatives.