18 May 2023 13:15:34
@ed002

I think I have read that United have a preferred midfield target, any chance you could give us a clue?

Also just as I respect your posts, I wondered if you was placed in charge of United transfers this summer who would you target as priority?

Thankyou.

{Ed002's Note - Manchester United are trying hard to reach agreement with Rabiot.}

1.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 14:54:21
As a squad option I’ve no problem with Rabiot joining, with Cas, Bruno and Eriksen being our first choice 3 I don’t see us having the need to splash big in this area when CF and CB are bigger concerns imo.

2.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 15:46:41
I'd say Rabiot is a good but not great player. Personally wouldn't start him ahead of Christian Eriksen but I'd much rather have him come into the side ahead of Fred or McTominay.

Seems like the majority of funds will be going on the striker and centre back signings.

3.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 16:31:22
For his wage demands, he’s simply not worth it.

4.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 16:43:45
We don't have a bottomless pit of cash to strengthen the squad, and more depth and quality in midfield is probably our third priority behind a striker and a keeper.

So we cannot afford to just ignore potential free transfer players.

I'd say he's every bit as good a player as Sabitzer, maybe better but would be on a free rather than costing a reported 20-25m.

Bringing him in on a 3 year deal with an option for a fourth (potentially taking him up to his 32 birthday) wouldn't be awful business.

Could play alongside Casemiro or even deputise for him if needed. While giving time for players like Mainoo to develop.

5.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 16:49:23
Oh god i hope not.
Sh*tty attitude, wants a shed load of cash and is an average midfielder at best.

6.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 16:55:21
Don't get the hate against Rabiot personally, he's a decent player who starts in a very strong French midfield and is definitely an upgrade on most of our mids inc Sabitzer. Ok Sabitzer is only 'ours' for three more games but this certainly opens up a conversation about this midfield. We don't know what Bayern would want for him, or even if ten Hag would consider him permanently.

7.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 17:00:46
Changing the keeper does not add an extra 30 goals to the team.

Much more important to get a better midfielder and even a second young striker.

When cassemiro is out, we struggle.

When eriksen is in our midfield and we go away from home against strong teams, we struggle.

We need to get someone in there as an upgrade to the midfield. But maybe we can only afford a free transfer with the clowns involved.

8.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 18:36:38
It's funny how everyone wants "whoever the manager wants", right up until the manager wants a player they don't ?

Rabiot is a good player, I've never really heard much about him having an attitude issue, just that his mum's a pain the arse.

9.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 21:03:42
Whilst Rabiot is not top of my wanted list he is obviously someone that EtH likes and wants. Second time we are linked with him so at least we are being consistent.
He seems to have had a good season for Juve.
As some have pointed out we may be limited on a budget so we need to look at some of these cheaper options.

10.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 21:12:28
Rabiot is better than ericson.

11.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 22:07:53
Rabiot starts in a woeful Juventus side who have no issue letting him leave.

12.) 18 May 2023
18 May 2023 22:15:32
Rabiot wouldn't get anywhere near a City team. He flatters to deceive. We don't need second rate players on big wages coming to the end of their careers. Getnin hungry talented younger players especially in the 24-27 age group and mold them into a winning team.

13.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 06:12:19
Salford, you want players in the 24-27 age bracket then write Rabiot off as a player coming to the end of his career. The guy only turned 28 SIX weeks ago.

14.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 07:07:55
If this isn't a sensible question, would this be tied to Mac Allister, as in an alternative, or 2 different positions/ 2 midfielders wanted?

15.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 10:15:47
Shappy I didn't realise he was only 28 but I still don't think he is good enough for us. He seems to have been around for a long time at several teams and never been a stand out player at any of them. As a squad player he is ok but no more than that. If PSG and Juve who are no world beaters don't want him that tells you everything.

16.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 10:44:48
Whatever ETH wants. But I hope he wants him regardless of the money situation. My fear is that he is a choice out of situation that the club find themselves in. Like ETH is being forced to go after this kind of player, on a free, because of the uncertainty surrounding the ownership.

17.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 11:28:33
Rabiot is on about £120,000 a week at Juve and was looking for more last summer. Given that he’s a free agent now, I think it’s fair to expect him to be looking for around £150,000 a week plus a substantial signing on bonus. That’s outrageous money for a second choice player, who has never played in the EPL.

18.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 15:25:35
Wouldn't go near him.
We just got rid of a certain problematic french fanny to Juventus.
We don't want another.

19.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 19:05:31
He is a very good player who is an upgrade to our midfield. wanting to get paid more is not a crime and having your family rep you seems to be not an issue when it comes to kane, rashford, and plenty others. why have an agent make a bucket load when you can have family members benefit.

Starting for france is no small feat given their factory of talent in midfield and half the other french midfielders we get linked to don't even get into the french squad.

he also brings experience of having played on the biggest stage both in club and country. if eth wants him i am all for it.

20.) 19 May 2023
19 May 2023 22:03:14
Ed Are we still chasing Frenkie De Jong as a MF this summer?

{Ed002's Note - Try the search engine.}

21.) 20 May 2023
20 May 2023 13:24:28
Nobody is saying that he shouldn’t be looking for the best contract. But paying upwards of £150,000 for a second choice player is madness.

For comparison, Arsenal’s captain, Ødegaard, is on £120,000. He’s one of their best players and got 20 plus goals and assists this season. Rabiot isn’t going to have anything close to that impact. Even on a free transfer it’s bad business.

22.) 20 May 2023
20 May 2023 19:31:23
You say Rabiot wouldn’t get near the city side but Pep bought Kalvin Phillips
I know who I’d rather have.

23.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 08:15:41
Rabiot at 28 would actually bring some much needed youth to our midfield.

24.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 09:09:01
Rabiot would be a very clever signing. Any time Casemiro has been out, we’ve looked horrific. Rabiot could do that job. Away from home against top 10 sides, Eriksen has looked a liability. Rabiot would solidify us in those kinds of games.

People saying £100k p/ week plus for a back up, he’d still end up starting 30 and coming off the bench in 15!

On a free, allowing any transfer fees to be spent elsewhere makes it a no brainer. In fact, it’d also SAVE us money as it would allow us to sell one of Fred or McTominay, both of whom would (believe it or not) fetch at least £20m.

25.) 21 May 2023
21 May 2023 13:50:52
Ed002 if I may ask, with united trying hard to reach an agreement with rabiot, what would happen to united's interest in mac alister?
I remember reading at the liverpool's rumour page that united has declared interest and made a bid for the player.
Thanks in advanced!

{Ed002's Note - They are unrelated.}