04 Nov 2021 12:26:16
Ed002 if you are about is there any update on the pogba situation? Please tell me it will all be over soon and he'll be gone!

{Ed002's Note - Nothing new.

Paul Pogba (CM) offered to Real Madrid, Barcelona, PSG and Juventus and will be available as a Free Agent in 2022 and a pre-agreement will almost certainly be signed in January. 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. PSG are looking to add an experienced midfield player still and lost out on two of their targets in the summer but are the least attractive of the options due to the profile of the league and they will be making a significant fee for a preferred option. However, paying a significant fee for the hostage was never part of their plans but if something can be done at a reasonable price, they may provide an option - don't lose sight of them as a new employer. Real Madrid have a preferred target as a Luka Modric replacement although discussions will continue with his agent. With other plans for the summer the wage bill will be a major issue - else something can be done. Pogba has made it clear he really wants Real Madrid to be his next destination but again the relationship between some in Madrid and his agent is not great, and Zidane has gone. Juventus have other priorities in CM but there have been general talks and he might be a realistic option at the right price if he can be picked up as a Free Agent. Juventus would have looked to including a player in the deal (Federico Bernardeschi) last summer - which would be great but he is also represented by Mino who the amateurs don't want to deal with - so that ended that option. Juventus have a significant financial advantage due to tax laws in Italy and others departing but are planning on another but won't want to put the funds up for Pogba in January and will look to a pre-contract agreement. More attractive than PSG but not as attractive as the Spanish clubs. Mino has approached Barcelona but their financial problems are not resolved and his wages would be a problem. Their plans are fluid with a new coach coming in and further departures being planned. Financially, running his contract down offers the best option to the player - and it gives him an escape plan from Manchester.}


1.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 13:21:12
ed i love your info and respect your views but pogba being labelled a hostage come off it.

dont sign a contract then whinge when the club don't want to sell you for a price that they don't deem acceptable just because you want to leave.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United have blocked his departure for the past 18 months. }


2.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 13:31:01
Thanks Ed. And on the manager front, any developments?

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United have a manager.}


3.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 13:50:55
Sorry Ed - regarding the future of that manager, is ten Hag a realistic option should the club look the make a change in the Summer?

{Ed002's Note - No.}


4.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 14:16:33
Great summary Ed002. As much as it pains me to say at this point Pogba walking away for nothing is a better option than him staying because we offered him huge wages and there was no other option for him. Very good player with the right club, manager and players round him but unfortunately that is not our club now.
We need to move on and allow the future manager to.


5.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 14:18:22
Hit send too early!
Future manager whether that's Ole or not to move on without being saddled with the circus that has surrounded the past couple of years.
Let's thank him for his services and say good luck in Spain.


6.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 14:21:12
Thanks Ed for the detailed response, insightful as always. ?.


7.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 14:16:33
Great summary Ed002. As much as it pains me to say at this point Pogba walking away for nothing is a better option than him staying because we offered him huge wages and there was no other option for him. Very good player with the right club, manager and players round him but unfortunately that is not our club now.
We need to move on and allow the future manager to.


8.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 15:38:56
thanks for your comprehensive reply ed002.
Value you your opinion but could you reasonably see a scenerio whereby mufc if no suitors in january would be prepared to let him free to save wages and a space in the squad or are they so bullish as to even think of that scenario?

{Ed002's Note - No, that won't be happening.}


9.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 15:43:35
Great overview Ed002, much appreciated.

Also to those who think the use of the word "hostage" is too harsh.

What would you call it refusing to allow an employee to live and work somewhere else?

Players signing a contract isn't slavery, the club don't own them.

It is simply a legal document designed to financially protect both parties. For the player it means they have a guaranteed wage for a period of time regardless of injuries or ability to carry out that work. For the club's it provides security of an asset they have normally paid a large sum for. While modern contracts also stipulate things such as image rights which is a relatively new thing in terms of top level football.

It's understood that a club will not block a player in their attempts to leave but the contract means they get some return on what they paid to obtain the rights to the player in the first place.

It's often assumed a player will appreciate in value, but like many things that isn't always the case. Sometimes a club have to accept that the player has deprecated in value from what they paid for him.


10.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 16:11:59
shappy we have been through this before about pogba and his hostage status


the club regardless do own the player for the lenth of the contract they signed, unless someone buys them.

it doesn't make it slavery and its totally different to a job like me or you have, where we can just leave.


11.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 17:43:44
The club is a laughing stock.
Allowing the same player to leave on a free TWICE.


12.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 17:59:12
TRD, the club is a laughing stock for many reasons. Pogba leaving on a free isn't anywhere near the top of the list sadly.


13.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 19:34:20
Ole being manager is the biggest reason why we're a laughing stock.


14.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 18:44:39
I am looking for a position as a hostage @ £300k per week. A three month stint will do me nicely.

That being said I have to agree with Ed about the stupidity exhibited by the club. A couple of years ago they could have taken maybe £50m and got rid of £15-£20m a year in wages. So, this whole venture must have cost the club £100m. And given how little he's played, how patchy his form, and that he doesn't even have a position he can claim as his own, they could have done just as well without replacing him.


15.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 18:51:52
Ed002.
With united refusing to deal with mino dies that count it any other of his players joining or is it just with pogba that they won't deal with him on?
I'm assuming things can change or is that a daft assumption on my part?

{Ed002's Note - There is little or no relationship between the club and Mino. Other clubs have also had a reluctance to deal with him - Manchester City is an example. Other clubs are run on a professional basis and are happy to work with agents. Manchester United coul have resolved the issue by accepting a swap with Bernardeschi last summer but again they screwed up and won't deal with his agent. But they managed to buy Sancho and have decided not to play him. I assume you are thinking of Bernardeschi as other player they would be interested in?}


16.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 20:27:03
Ed002 cheers. Nobody in particular but he does have a growing clientele so I was curious.
I'm certainly not thinking Haaland as I've said in here many times that imo we have no chance of signing him. Our amateurs have made a right pigs ear of the pogba situation he should have been sold when Jose wanted rid along with martial but we are where we are I'm afraid.
Thanks for the reply.


17.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 21:43:56
Thanks as always for all detailed info and responses Ed002 - you’re definitely the yardstick to measure other media United-related content producers against!

I know that you gave details about potential managerial alternatives after the Liverpool debacle, but, if United are thrashed by City this weekend and United finally ask Ole to leave, are there any new names being considered for the position - and do you think United have used the breathing space afforded by the Spurs win to start sounding out managers just in case they have to make a decision to sack Ole? (Or would the prospect of an interim manager seem more likely? )

Apologies again For asking for any new info given you’ve given us loads about their preferred candidates of Southgate, Pochettino and Rogers.

Anything you can divulge would be most appreciated!

{Ed002's Note - The club are not looking for a new manager at the moment.}


18.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 22:47:34
Ken, the one Mino client I'd love us to sign is Ryan Gravenberch. He looks like he's going to be some player. I was also impressed with Dumfries during the Euro's and if we needed a more offensive right back he looks decent. Haaland is obviously a special talent but he is destined for other clubs.

However, the club have burned their bridges it seems with Mino so just pipe dreams now it seems.


19.) 04 Nov 2021
04 Nov 2021 23:46:15
Won’t be at all disappointed to see Pogba finally leave - much like he won’t be sad to leave Utd. Should have gone back to Serie A 2 years ago.


20.) 05 Nov 2021
05 Nov 2021 08:17:37
We'd be more of a laughing stock if we'd got Pogba to agree to the measly 400k pw - it could even have been more! I don't hate the boy, I just don't think we are ever going to buy or produce enough holding mids that can cover for all his generous moments. And they are bountiful.


21.) 05 Nov 2021
05 Nov 2021 15:28:30
Hi Ed can I ask a daft question…. if you know Pogba is leaving, sure as hell the club and the coach do too. So why persist in playing a player that is off, leaving his supposed replacement on the bench (Donny) every week and risk him wanting out too?

{Ed002's Note - DvsB will not be his replacement.}


22.) 06 Nov 2021
06 Nov 2021 11:53:02
Anyone know why we bought Donny?