30 Dec 2020 12:14:22
Hi Ed002,
If time permits, requesting your inputs on United's possible transfer in's and out's.

{Ed002's Note - Potential outgoings before next season begins:
Sergio Romero (G) out of contract with an offer from Inter Miami on the table
Lee Grant (G) out of contract
Timothy Fosu-Mensah (RB) out of contract
Marcos Rojo (LB/CB) out of contract
Brandon Williams (LB) a loan consideration for January.
Phil Jones (CB) an option for Burnley if James Tarkowski leaves.
Eric Bailly (CB)
Paul Pogba (CM) offered to Barcelona - may be available as a Free Agent in 2022 - Manchester United have wrecked the relationship with his agent. I doubt that the club would meet any demands which Mino Raiola would want to agree a new contract. They have extended his contract to 2022 and will need to strike a deal with Mino over any sale next summer (I am sure he would be open to taking, say, half of the sale fee) and hope a buyer can be found - this will need to be through a third party. PSG are in discussions to add two MF players, one possibly as early as January. I don't think paying a significant fee for Pogba is part of their plans right now. Real Madrid have a preferred target although their current coach would like Pogba. Juventus have other priorities in CM but there have been talks and he might be a realistic option at the right price - but Juventus may look to including a player in the deal.
Donny van de Beek (CM) has been offered to Real Madrid and Juventus, and will be offered to Barcelona due to a lack of a plan or direction at MU. But both Spanish clubs have moved on and unless Manchester United would accept a long-term payment plan or loan to buy there would not be the spare money to buy him. If Pogba leaves there will be space in the team - but MU seem intent on holding him hostage. Juventus has a preferred CM target but might be open to a loan to buy deal. Inter may provide an option if he is to leave.


Don't expect too much in terms of arrivals January.

Manchester United have agreed to complete the transfer of Amad Traore by December 31 to allow him to move in January subject to a Work Permit etc..

Before next season starts: G (third choice), CB, DM, LM, RW (I expect Cavani to be extended)

Pau Torres (CB) Manchester City have him as an option. Manchester United have him as first choice but only if sufficient sales are made. Barcelona has a sustained interest but price will likely be an issue and they may look to horse trade some players - but little will become clear before the election is completed.
Ben White (CB) an alternative to Pau Torres for Manchester United, but seen as expensive because of the "English premium". Spurs have sustained interest but the funding will go on other priorities. Liverpool could look to white to boost their HG quota if they opt for a January addition. Brighton will look to hang on to him.
Raphael Varane (CB)

Konrad Laimer (CM/DM) RBL are aware that there are clubs looking at Konrad Laimer for next summer and some of the interest is driven by the price of Zakaria which has put interested sides off. Bayern Munich have considered Laimer, as have Borussia Dortmund (as a Weigl replacement) and Manchester United (but not until they have sorted out their midfield problems).
Declan Rice (DM) Price is against a move but there is some interest from Manhester United.

Saul Niguez (CM) Not January
Moises Caicedo (CM/DM) My understanding is that he impressed when Manchester United were following up on looking at another player who they had first seen in the Real Sociedad reserves. There has been interest in Caicedo from a couple of other sides including PSV and Chelsea.}
Jadon Sancho (RW) messed everybody around last year and may be offered elsewhere.
Ousmane Dembele (RW) would only be interested in a loan.
Samuel Chukwueze (RW) Lyon interest went after Villareal requested €75M for a player they value at far, far less. His agent is hawking him around the Premier League but clubs don't see value in the price or goals return and he comes with a required "must be a starter if fit" caveat which few English sides would agree to. Wolves may look to him if Adama Traore departs in the summer. Manchester United and others would be keener at half the price.
Jack Grealish (LW/LM/AM) and expensive option, but versatile.
Thiago Almada (AM) The situation is a little bit complicated and there is a chance of a slightly strange deal involving Sporting Lisbon and Manchester City (who were close to making the signing last season). Atletico Madrid looked to an offer but the amount and payment terms were not what Velez Sarsfield were looking for. Inter Milan, Arsenal, Manchester United, PSG, Barcelona and Zenit St Petersburg have had scouts watch the player. Concerns exist that whilst skillful, he may not be suitable for the more robust European leagues.
Isak Bergmann Johannesson (CM/AM/W/F) I am aware he has been watched by Odense and Burnley on several occasions. Manchester United, Oostende, Liverpool and Brann have had scouts at games recently. The Burnley link will be because of his father.

1.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 12:54:40
Very much appreciated Ed, thank you and happy new year 🙏.

2.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 13:10:34
Thanks ED002.

3.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 13:17:59
what was the actual point in buying vdb.

4.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 13:37:13
Bolger2,

A Woodward signing? One which OGS wasn't too keen on.

5.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 13:38:38
Thanks ED002 appreciated as always-especially during the holidays. All the best in 2021.

On a side note we have a very good player in DVDB, frustrating to see a young talented lad get messed about -no other word for it - better coaches would find a place for him at Utd.

6.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 15:43:02
Pogba to real madrid with varane in exchange, solves the pogba issue, solves the cb issue and solves the van de beek issue. if only it was that simple haha.

7.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 17:28:34
Thanks a lot Ed002.

I believe Declan Rice and Pau Torres would make us title contenders.

8.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 19:49:40
Thank you so much Ed002 for taking the time to give us this detailed update - especially at this time of year!

Really appreciated and we’re so lucky to have your impeachable insights to chew over and digest.

Thank you again - wishing you and all the other Eds a very happy, safe and prosperous New Year.

9.) 30 Dec 2020
30 Dec 2020 22:19:18
Thanks Ed002 for taking the time out as always. Wishing everyone a Happy New Year and hopefully a better 2021 for everyone.

10.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 03:44:48
Worrying that VdB is being hawked around already. Absolutely ridiculous.

If we win our game in hand we are joint top with two games against Liverpool still to play. We could absolutely win the league this year with a couple more signings (assuming we play the B team in Europa, so whether or not we sign anyone will speak volumes of the board’s aspirations for the club.

11.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 08:49:37
Maybe we should just concentrate on getting this squad playing as a team rather than looking to buy.

12.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 11:54:23
Pogba has repeatedly expressed in interviews in France that he has no desire to play for PSG as his father supported Marseille, their biggest rivals. Whether this would continue to matter if a substantial offer was made would remain to be seen, but that is something he has expressed several times.

13.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 13:08:11
Thanks a lot ed002. That was a great new year present for us.
Have a happy new year.

{Ed002's Note - And you.}

14.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 13:08:11
Thanks a lot ed002. That was a great new year present for us.
Have a happy new year.

15.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 14:25:55
Many thanks Ed002

Have a lovely new year 👏👏.

{Ed002's Note - And you.}

16.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 15:33:45
Ed002 do you also provide this info to a group called muppetiers who used to be on reddit and now are on discord is someone just stealing your info and posting it as their own?

{Ed002's Note - I don't know anything about any other sites.}

17.) 31 Dec 2020
31 Dec 2020 16:26:39
DVDB is a player who will come good for us. Some players hit form immediately (Bruno), some take their time (Vidic, Evra) . He will be a key player for us once we can get Pogba out.