The old Man Utd Thread

[FATEone]

Benzema would be a quality addition, but he does seem to favor a move to Real Madrid from past interviews.

I still think Ribery would be my number one priority. He's a very good wide player and up there with the best in the business in those wide areas.

Oh definately, he'd be mine too, but doesn't look like the money men will do it.

[phresh]

My first choice would be Benzema as he could occupy the wing striker position that Ronaldo did. He's also of a similar stature and is about as strong as they come. I do like Villa but his size and slight lack of pace over 40/50 yards (like Aguero) would lead be to choose Benzema.

I would rather the money from the Ronaldo transfer was invested over two or three seasons instead of blowing it all now for short term gains. Even if it means going tropyless this season I would be more than happy if we bring through the youth players that showed so much promise last season along with signing some young stars like Benzema.

@Trigg - I think Benzema has given interviews praising both clubs in the past so I wouldn't put too much importance on them.

[Guest]

Benzema would be a quality addition, but he does seem to favor a move to Real Madrid from past interviews.

I still think Ribery would be my number one priority. He's a very good wide player and up there with the best in the business in those wide areas.

Doesn't Ribery prefer Spain too?

Looks like they're ready to think about a deal now too, according to Sky Sports. Here. Not sure how much truth there is in that though.

I've said it before, but I wish we'd hurry up and get some players sorted. With the way Real are going, there'll be nobody left to buy!

[cantonarv]

I'd personally like to see Aguero or Benzema too over Villa, as in terms of the money you could probably get one of them for under 30 million where as Villa would be over 40 million, and of course he is 27.

One of those two, Ribery and Valencia as well as a surprise youngster or two is what would please me most assuming that Tevez is gone.

If you think Kun or Benzema will leave for anything under 30mil your kidding yourself.

Man Utd has never been into buying superstars like these two. I still am in shock for the 32 mil for berba to be honest. We can bring our youth through without having to spend anything this year. I hope we dont get anyone to be honest - it will make it even sweeter when we win the league for a 4th time without ronaldo or tevez

[phresh]

I admire your confidence but i'd still ilkea few players to come in!

@jon1 - Clubs can't actually 'sign' players until the 1st July so although negotiations will be ongoing in June most of the announcements won't start until then.

[FATEone]

Doesn't Ribery prefer Spain too?

Looks like they're ready to think about a deal now too, according to Sky Sports. Here. Not sure how much truth there is in that though.

I've said it before, but I wish we'd hurry up and get some players sorted. With the way Real are going, there'll be nobody left to buy!

Yeah the money-grabbing bastard

[Trigg]

Doesn't Ribery prefer Spain too?

Looks like they're ready to think about a deal now too, according to Sky Sports. Here. Not sure how much truth there is in that though.

I've said it before, but I wish we'd hurry up and get some players sorted. With the way Real are going, there'll be nobody left to buy!

He probably does, although I've not read that.

Either way, a wide man is number one for me, even if we get Valencia seeing as we were interested in Valencia when Ronaldo was at the club. Then once we've got a winger sorted, a striker would be next on my list. Eto'o would be choice, reports saying he might be able to leave for £20m. Failing that Benzema would be nice, although you'd be talking serious serious wedge to get him.

I hope we get the transfer all sorted quickly too, preferably in time for Pre-Season training and the games.

[Gringo]

I reckon a central midfielder needs to be high on the agenda saying as Hargraves is fook. For the life of me I cant think of any.

[Trigg]

Central midfield is fine for this season I think. Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Hargreaves (whom I'm confident will be a success when fit) and then Scholes and Giggs who'll still have a part to play next season.

Compare that to the wide areas at the moment we've got Nani and Park (and maybe Giggs). Tosic might come on next season but I'm yet to see that he will. He still looks some way off first team football for me. Valencia will help (which seems a certain) but I do think someone of Ribery quality would be a huge benefit.

Quality wingers are hard to come by, but they have also been mentions of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese and Douglas Costa from Gremio. Both look like prospects but it would be a gamble should be get someone of that ilk.

Interesting times.

[FATEone]

Central midfield is fine for this season I think. Carrick, Anderson, Fletcher, Hargreaves (whom I'm confident will be a success when fit) and then Scholes and Giggs who'll still have a part to play next season.

Compare that to the wide areas at the moment we've got Nani and Park (and maybe Giggs). Tosic might come on next season but I'm yet to see that he will. He still looks some way off first team football for me. Valencia will help (which seems a certain) but I do think someone of Ribery quality would be a huge benefit.

Quality wingers are hard to come by, but they have also been mentions of Alexis Sanchez from Udinese and Douglas Costa from Gremio. Both look like prospects but it would be a gamble should be get someone of that ilk.

Interesting times.

You should have tried to get Barry, he's better than anything there.

[Rev]

He probably does, although I've not read that.

Either way, a wide man is number one for me, even if we get Valencia seeing as we were interested in Valencia when Ronaldo was at the club. Then once we've got a winger sorted, a striker would be next on my list. Eto'o would be choice, reports saying he might be able to leave for £20m. Failing that Benzema would be nice, although you'd be talking serious serious wedge to get him.

I hope we get the transfer all sorted quickly too, preferably in time for Pre-Season training and the games.

He doesn't prefer Spain per se, he just said he'd like to go somewhere with a nicer climate. Basically Madrid, not Manchester but he didn't quite say that.

[Gringo]

Obviously wingers are the priority but the midfield needs strengthening as well. Giggs and Scholes are pretty much done. As much as it pains me to say it I think they are. That really only leaves us with 3 centre midfielders until Hargreaves comes back if he ever does. Defo not enough.

[phresh]

Gibson showed promise last year and the staff do seem to rate Possebon despite him looking more suited to the Spanish/Italian league. Fletcher has shown that some players are just slow burners and he was one of our most consistent players last year. It's been repeated a few times now but it will all depend on the formation that Ferguson intends to play next season.

[Gringo]

Yeah totally forgot about Gibson. He looks good and should defo play more next year. Possebon will hopefully come on as well. If Owen was fit all would be fine but we need a midfielder of his mould and we have to accept he may never be back.

[fatbob]

I'd feel happy with someone central coming in too. Once Scholes goes, and its close, he might not even last this season, one injury could do for him we're left with a huge gap, that as good as Anderson is, he isn't quite there yet, maybe he will be next season. Carrick is fine, and is an important part of the team, but i'm worried that if any of the mentioned central players are out for a prolonged period (particularly Carrick, Anderson or Scholes) we will realy stuggle to dominate midfield. All our closest rivels are strong in this area, Chelsea have Lampard and Essien, Liverpool have Gerrard and Alonso, even Arsenal have Febregas, once Scholes is gone, i'm worried we will not match up anymore and contest the big games. We saw it again in Rome, that this season we couldn't cut it in the centre of the field when coming up agains the realy good sides who like to take and hold possesion.

Anderson and Carrick are the people to step up and make a name for themseleves, and this season is when they need to do it, in particular Andy's Son, or I fear we might be dropping those important points again. We saw it last year, dropping lots of points to Liverpool, Arsenal and to a lesser extent Chelsea. Wheras the year before we beat all of them at least once only loosing away to Chelsea unlukily IIRC of all the top 3 other teams.

[FATEone]

All our closest rivels are strong in this area, Chelsea have Lampard and Essien, Liverpool have Gerrard and Alonso, even Arsenal have Febregas,

Gerrard is more of a stiker than a midfielder now. They have Mascherano and Alonso, Mascherano is vital to Liverpool's system and for me one of the best Central Midfielders around. Carrick is Utd's version of Alonso/Lampard which leaves a problem in the sense that you haven't got anyone who will sit and break shit up, and be good enough to break and attack, which Masch and Essien are 2 of the best at. Unless Hargreaves makes a full recovery and somehow instantly finds full match fitness and sharpness. Not likely, so this will mean Anderson having to play that role again, not really what he was bought for, and not really established there. Though with his pace and power if a decision was made to convert him he could well become very good in that position. But of course this will take time, and you'll lose some of his Scholes-esque creativity.

[Liamness]

As I've said before, I think Darren Fletcher is an incredible holding midfielder. Like Hargreaves, he stays on task and rarely makes mistakes, and is an inspiration to the players around him with his work rate. When he gets the football, he's probably even a little better. He's proven this in many big European ties. If all our players were fit, I would have Fletch in the holding position, and Hargreaves at right-back. Carrick and Anderson to me are much more in the mold of attacking midfielders, or at least box-to-box.

It looks like Hargreaves won't be coming back at all if something doesn't change soon. So we do need another midfielder who plays in that role, we were shown this year that one isn't enough.

[McFly]

Flecth can easy hold the midfield together

[Gringo]

Fletcher is great but has more of a natural attacking instinct coupled with the ability to defend. Not a holding midfielder for me.

[fatbob]

I don't think Fletcher is a holder mid-fielder at all, yes he is great harrassing players but I think hes more of an attacking minded player. And just because he often has to take on this roles mean he is the person for the job long term.

We bought Hargreaves for this purpose and to a lesser extent Carrick, although he is also better going forward and threading passes, Anderson was bought as the inevitable Scholes replacement, so unless Hargreaves makes a freak recovery we are low on options.

[Liamness]

I think Fletcher's passing ability is great, but he's more about spreading the ball about and keeping it moving, than making the final killer pass. A Carrick or and Anderson might choose a riskier pass, but they're also more likely to find that final killer ball. Which is why I think they should be playing further up and Fletch further back. Fletch does have a tangible goalscoring threat, but so does Carrick and hopefully so will Anderson in time. I don't agree that Fletch is just playing there out of necessity either, clearly he has been rested before some big European ties because he is so important in this role for us.

[Gringo]

Agree about the passing and final ball but I think Fletcher is much better at making runs and getting into the box than Carrick or to a lesser extent, Anderson.

[phresh]

The problem with getting a specialist holding midfielder is that they will be pretty much redundant for the majority of the season. If Gibson goes then I would like to see cover come in for Fletcher but I do really think he is good enough for any game we will be required in. He does make some nice runs into the box although given a more consistent attacking roler I expect Carrick would do better.

If we play a 4-3-3 next season I would be pretty confident in a midfield of Anderson-Fletcher-Carrick.

[Liamness]

Yeah, for most Premier League games, Fletch (or anyone else for that matter) is wasted as a holding player. Against most teams we just don't need one.

[Guest]

The problem with getting a specialist holding midfielder is that they will be pretty much redundant for the majority of the season. If Gibson goes then I would like to see cover come in for Fletcher but I do really think he is good enough for any game we will be required in. He does make some nice runs into the box although given a more consistent attacking roler I expect Carrick would do better.

If we play a 4-3-3 next season I would be pretty confident in a midfield of Anderson-Fletcher-Carrick.

But what if one of them gets injured?

[McFly]

Yeah, for most Premier League games, Fletch (or anyone else for that matter) is wasted as a holding player. Against most teams we just don't need one.

Thats very true.

[FATEone]

For at least half your league games you'll need one. Teams will look at Utd last year and be much more willing to attack especially without Ronaldo to worry about. Also for Champions League games. Fletcher has shown he can do that role, but against a midfield/attack of some quality he'll struggle. With Vidic's fouling defensive tactics highlighted, ref's will be on the lookout, and so leaving them regularly exposed wouldn't be the best idea in my opinion.

[phresh]

If any of what is written in yor post comes true I will be very surprised.

Teams didn't attack more when Ronaldo didn't play last season so I don't see why they suddenly will this season. The only game we will really need a defensive midfielder for are those against the other big 4 and then possibly Villa. You're suggesting that we are going to need to use a world beating defensive midfielder (seeing as Fletcher isn't good enough in your opinion) against teams that finish in midtable just because Ronaldo is leaving?

Anyway, Fletcher actually tends to perform better against the quality midfields so I don't quite know how you've come to that conclusion on him either.

[FATEone]

If any of what is written in yor post comes true I will be very surprised.

Teams didn't attack more when Ronaldo didn't play last season so I don't see why they suddenly will this season. The only game we will really need a defensive midfielder for are those against the other big 4 and then possibly Villa. You're suggesting that we are going to need to use a world beating defensive midfielder (seeing as Fletcher isn't good enough in your opinion) against teams that finish in midtable just because Ronaldo is leaving?

Anyway, Fletcher actually tends to perform better against the quality midfields so I don't quite know how you've come to that conclusion on him either.

No, read the post. I said because you weren't exactly fearsome in most of your games AND because Ronaldo isn't there.

With Barry gone and if the rumours of Carew leaving are true, there'll be bigger fish to fry than Villa. City are gonna be up there next year, along with Everton, especially if they get Owen. Don't count Spurs out either. As of this moment in time a few teams are getting stronger, and Utd are weaker. Obviously you'll make signings, but none as yet.

You scraped a lot of wins last year, I think due to the fact that attackers were spending so much time tracking back. If you're to become a real dominating force once again Rooney will need to be used as a proper striker/2nd striker, not running back defending. No Tevez as well, to do that stuff. They were there to do a lot of the breaking up last year and now they're not. You think Fletcher can handle all that extra workload?

[phresh]

So because we weren't very fearsome we need to play a defensive midfielder more often? Ignoring that whoever plays instead of Ronaldo will put in a better defensive shift why does losing his attacking ability mean that teams will attack us more? It's not like there is a lack of attacking talent at the club so if they do attack more they are likely to concede just as many. This of course assumes that an awful lot of things increase/decrease proportionately.

We won't replace Ronaldo but we will get in at least 1 player with a level of attacking talent that will likely still eclipse the opposition. It's not like teams are going to turn up and go "Right, Ronaldo's left so we can attack at will, no need to worry about that Rib..uuhhh...Ryebe...uhhh...Ribery?". If we don't sign a single attacking player then I would believe you but to suggest that teams are going to suddenly come out more attacking is stupid.

The reason I said Villa is because they have the pace, Everton will be a good side next season but they seriously lack the pace to be able to attack the top teams.

Our scraping games had very little to do with strikers tracking back, partly as neither Ronaldo and to a lesser extent Berbatov are willing/capable of it. Our defensive quality isn't going to change and in theory should (or at least could) be slightly stronger. Tevez's defensive work varies. He defends brilliantly from the front harassing players but as soon as he is chasing a player in the area where Fletcher or whoever else could deal with it he almost always ends up giving away a free kick.

I completely agree about Rooney and hopefully he will flourish given a consistent starting position up front.