22 Jul 2015 21:03:40
Sometimes it is interesting to reflect on what is in front of you and today I did just that. No one knows what is going to happen but if I put a few things together it does point in a direction which isn't expected but could be more possible looking at the picture. Certainly I don't think LvG will give the target away just yet.

Let's start by saying we are fast approaching 1st August when Uniteds new kit will likely be unveiled. Maybe I missed it but surely that will be a major event and it cannot have gone unnoticed that Madrid unveil players in far more pomp and ceremony than we do, something I would imagine a kit provider might be more happy with than a few pictures with a scarf. So it makes sense to have the kit launched at a major event asap on or after 1st August. The club owners are masters of commerciality so I can't see the kit being launched with Lorrente or Pedro, surely Adidas will want a spectacular opening. No problem parading the engine room as we have been able to get them on board and inducted. However the true face or faces of the new kit will surely be shown to the world in a blaze of glory in the newest shirt.

So who is it. The dancing around by LvG, it is, it isn't a striker has the hacks all over the place, nicely putting them off the scent for a few more days until 1st August. Before dismissing this, can anyone remember a less glamorous or publicised pre season tour? After all why would United do any more than contractually obliged to for Nike who, by all accounts have proved awkward over the final date of the contract.
Let's now consider recent events. Casillas shunted out of Madrid riled his agent, an agent who has been integral in Madrid for years and who then hit out at them. However it highlighted the image rights deal that Ronaldo had openly signed with Peter Lim's company and Casillas's agent clearly thought it would bring about Ronaldo leaving. Let's also remember Peter Lim is close to the main class of 92 at Salford City, involved previously with Red Cafe and presently with Hotel Football next to OT, the same Peter Lim who bought Valencia and appointed Phil Neville as assistant manager.

Now back to Ronaldo, with his new image rights deal, starts the pre season as less than the main man. Suddenly Perez has Bale in that position, so apparently does Benitez and that is where Bale starts. That doesn't strike me as where Ronaldo wants to be, especially with a new image rights deal. In all of this Peter Lim knows Ronaldo's agent Mendes. Worth then asking whether Ronaldo will leave or whether Perez will buckle and put him back to his No1 status. It isn't about Bale not passing to Ronaldo but to me it appears to be who is the biggest star. Ronaldo has options, his left knee has had problems so can he really hack a swan song in our league or will he chance PSG? Or will he use leverage to get his own way? Whichever way, will the loss of Madrid's cash cow Ronaldo concern their hierarchy enough to see a threat to Perez being pushed out before Ronaldo or will they sacrifice Bale, who despite being given such a status, is seen waiting outside a dressing room for the autograph on a shirt of another player, something that Madridistas will not necessarily see as a strong image from their supposed main player at what they consider to be the worlds biggest club.

So having analysed all that it points to Ronaldo, however it wouldn't surprise me if the pressure on Perez to keep his cash cow may see Bale sacrificed no matter what Benitez thinks.
I would not therefore be surprised to see Bale stood in an Adidas United shirt on 1st August, because Lorrente would just not have the same impact and Bale is and isn't a striker.

1.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 21:19:25
Good post red Man but lvg, if he's to be believed, did say that it will be someone the media have not mentioned. And as you know, the media have been putting us in with Bale for the past 6 months.

2.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 21:20:01
i don't buy into the whole adidas thing, there is no way a club would risk losing a player or a player getting injured or miss the chance to get a player in training and games at united just so we can unveil him in the new kit .
can u imagine if we had a 80 mill deal in place for bale and he done his knee while we waited for the new kit deal to happen .
could you keep a deal for ronaldo quite , would city and psg not be all over it .

3.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 21:24:25
People are looking into this adidas deal far too much. I work in the "fashion industry" (quotations as I hate the term) and I know adidas are not interested in the so called big player.

I've seen next seasons kit and it is very basic and classic. I was told by adidas "this one is simple, everyone will buy it anyway. Next year we introduce design to make sure they buy it again".

I wouldn't get drawn into any kind of 'adidas embassador signing' as it is a load of rubbish.

4.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 21:39:17
Love the theory Redman, I've been saying for a while now that we wl sign bale, ed002 said a couple of months back that rm would sell but only at a high price, unfortunately rafa told Pérez that he wants to build around bale. IMO the deal with ddg will go through and we will sign bale to coincide or just post the Adidas launch.
I believe what ed002 said was true at that time but circumstances may have changed, as reported by ed001 yesterday I think.
Pérez could come out a hero signing ddg and then Ramos to a new deal and sacrificing bale in order to keep their beloved captain.

5.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 22:12:17
I'm with you redman. I think it's either Bale or Ronaldo

6.) 22 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 23:10:07
Benitez is a yes man and is only there keeping the managers seat warm for someone else to sit in in 12 months time. In short he'll do whatever Perez says.

7.) 23 Jul 2015
22 Jul 2015 23:39:58
Don't believe our signings have anything to do with Addidas. If bale or Ronaldo move it will be for footballing reasons and not sponsorship stuff. Ronaldo imo is untouchable and madrid can say what they want but bale would go if someone cmd up with a number that was acceptable.