The old Man Utd Thread

[V3zna]

Nah, there is no way we won't sign anyone else. In terms of the 'big' players left i'm not overly keen on Aguero although Ribery may still be available as Real surely can't find another 40-50 million. Especially as they will have to spend something in defense.

I think we'll see a surprise signing or two now. I do find it strange that we never even bid for Benzema, or at least not that we know of. It makes me think that Fergie is set on playing a more conventional 4-4-2 next season and if anything we'll probably see another attacking midfielder or striker to play in the hole. Will be interesting to see if we bring in Costa too, Gremio rejected the request for us to take him on trial for a few weeks so there is obviously keen interest but with another young attacking player arriving in January and Wellbeck sure to feature how many inexperienced attacking midfielders can one team contain?

They've already signed centerback Albiol and look very likely to get a fairly cheap Arbeloa.

[DC Lemon]

I think the closest we will come to a 'big' name would be David Silva, but I very much doubt he would want to come either. Spain is the place to be at the moment.

Real will probably be picking him up next.

http://www.goal.com/en-india/news/2175/la-...er-xabi-alonso-

Goodness knows what the rest of the footballing world will do if they bother to find a good coach to gel all those new Galacticos together.

Now Benzema has gone, I wouldn't bother looking for an alternative this summer because there simply are none on the market. After the World Cup next year there'll be a batch of new superstars to splash that £80m on. For now I'd just go for an experienced stopgap, even if it was someone like Michael Owen, and hope that Rooney and Berbatov stay injury free.

[The Fox]

Fuck Spain. Their league is shit on a whole. With Valencia going down hill fast it might as well be the SPL. These players don't have any bottle. I admire players like Torres who want to come and test themselves in the hardest, most competative league in the world. Barca doing the double doesn't change anything, the fact is they were lucky to be in the final, and lucky that for some unknown reason, Fergie decided to do exactly what Guardiola would have wanted him to.

Christ on a bike. This is pretty fucked up, even for you.

[MojoChin]

Now Benzema has gone, I wouldn't bother looking for an alternative this summer because there simply are none on the market. After the World Cup next year there'll be a batch of new superstars to splash that £80m on. For now I'd just go for an experienced stopgap, even if it was someone like Michael Owen, and hope that Rooney and Berbatov stay injury free.

Bolded statement is just crazy talk!

But say we don't sign a striker, we cannot guarentee that Rooney and Berbatov will stay injury/suspension free. If, for example, Rooney and Berbatov are unavailable for a match, would you be happy seeing Macheda and Welbeck sitting up front?! What if it happened against Liverpool, Chelsea, Arsenal or (this season by the looks of things) Man City?! I do believe the 2 of them will be decent footballers, in a few years time, but we cannot rely on these 2 if we are going to challenge for anything next season. At the minute I'd take Huntelaar, I don't rate him that highly but he has to go somewhere and I'd hope he'd be happy playing second fiddle to the R&B. Having someone like him, not Owen , would be good for backup.

Whether we need to sign anyone apart from a striker is up for debate, but surely the fact that we have lost one striker and our top goalscorer dictates we need another striker brought in. I do believe that the R&B partnership can bring us 40 goals in the league this season, but we need experienced back up should the unthinkable (probable) happen and either Rooney or Berbatov are unavailable. Even for 1 match would be a bit of a disaster to be honest.

EDIT: Fuck it offer £50m for Pato and see what happens...

[Trigg]

Not Michael Owen, please no!

Villa is reluctant to leave Spain it would seem, so that's out of the question. I like Aguero and have always been impressed with him when I've watched him play. That might be an avenue but I'd be worried that he's a bit too similar to what we already have in Rooney and Berbatov.

I wouldn't be surprised if we got some like Douglas Costa and/or Alexis Sanchez. Players who we can mould and also ones that are adept at playing in a couple of different positions.

[Mr Do 71]

Not Michael Owen, please no!

This.

[Rorschach]

Fuck it, our squad's great, let's just leave Real to their crazy spending spree and hope it backfires. We can mop up the talent then.

[Boobni82]

Do we still have any option on Rossi? Was always suprised that Fergie got rid of him as he looked useful when he got playing the odd time.

[phresh]

I have to say I wouldn’t mind Owen coming in. If we do move to a 4-4-2 next season then it will be near impossible to accommodate another world class striker. He could easily fill the role that Larsson did for a few months and could have a Solskaer-esque impact in having an eye for goal. I’d obviously rather we did sign Benzema but Owen could be the perfect ‘bridge’ between our first choice pairing and Wellbeck/Macheda. I’ve got absolutely no desire to see Villa at United, he is a poor mans Torres on a good day and is no better than what we have already.

I think Fergie will probably end up gambling on Costa, especially with the cash we’ve got knocking around. I’m not sure we’ll see any other midfielders come in, especially with Ljajic joining in January and Petrucci likely to make the step up to the first team this year. If we do sign more midfielders I would expect to see someone experienced come in but who knows.

[Trigg]

I have to say I wouldn’t mind Owen coming in. If we do move to a 4-4-2 next season then it will be near impossible to accommodate another world class striker. He could easily fill the role that Larsson did for a few months and could have a Solskaer-esque impact in having an eye for goal.

A year ago I'd have probably agreed with you. He's a very capable goal scorer. However, I think he's lost his desire for football now, he seems more interested in Horse Racing than Football. He might do a job, but I'd much rather Welbeck/Macheda get the chance to shine than bring in an over-the-hill striker.

I’ve got absolutely no desire to see Villa at United, he is a poor mans Torres on a good day and is no better than what we have already.

I think you're been incredibly harsh on Villa. He's a fantastic striker and fantastic goal scorer. He might not be a Torres or not be 'better' than what we have, but he would be different to what we have. I'd personally like to see him at OT but its very unlikely as he's stated he doesn't want to leave Spain.

I think Fergie will probably end up gambling on Costa, especially with the cash we’ve got knocking around. I’m not sure we’ll see any other midfielders come in, especially with Ljajic joining in January and Petrucci likely to make the step up to the first team this year. If we do sign more midfielders I would expect to see someone experienced come in but who knows.

I'd like to take the gamble, we've obviously seen something in him so I'm sure he's got the ability. I do think £20m is a bit steep and I reckon thats pretty much why we haven't got him as yet. His recent injury of course could be a stumbling block, however.

I'd like to see another player come in, I think Valencia is fantastic addition and with another player coming in I think we'd be in fantastic position for next season.

[Boobni82]

Would be interesting to see if either Lisandro López or Hulk from porto are available for sensible money. Was impressed by both of them at OT and they have a decent scoring record. Think it would have been best for us to try an arrange a signing or two before the Ronaldo deal was announced. Everyone knows the amount of cash knocking about OT so are asking for silly money.

[fatbob]

EDIT: Fuck it offer £50m for Pato and see what happens...

Chelsea already had a bid of that rejected.

Thats absolutly stupid money for him too, half that at a push as good as he is.

Milan won't let him go, anyone who wanted him should have done it last summer.

[fatbob]

Are poeple realy talking about Owen seriously? Have the gossip pages and youtube links to unknown players from Portugal and Brazil dried up?

[fatbob]

I doubt we will get another striker now. Keep, Frazier, keep Manucho, keep Wellbeck and Kiko playing and we might be able to scrape enough goals if Rooney and Berbatov stay fit.

[kamaran]

I doubt we will get another striker now. Keep, Frazier, keep Manucho, keep Wellbeck and Kiko playing and we might be able to scrape enough goals if Rooney and Berbatov stay fit.

Not exactly the inspiring season I was hoping for.. Especially with many of the big teams looking their best for a long time.

I hope we get Hargreaves back, that will at least be 1 big positive.

[bowser123]

Let's bring back Bobby Charlton. He's experienced, a proven scorer and can wallop a ball. He'll start more games than fucking Owen, too. Seriously, it's like Saha and Hargreaves never happened.

Crazy talk in here... hey, instead of trying our own youngsters we'll buy a Brazilian for £20 million, whose literally played all of 10 competitive games and is a midget. Sounds ideal to lead the line.

I don't like Adebayor and aren't even convinced he's that good... but fucking hell, at least mention somebody like him than Costa or fucking Owen.

[sith]

I couldn't have put it better myself Bowser.

Its all looking a bit grim right now

[Trigg]

Crazy talk in here... hey, instead of trying our own youngsters we'll buy a Brazilian for £20 million, whose literally played all of 10 competitive games and is a midget. Sounds ideal to lead the line.

Costa as played 19 games actually, he's not going to be leading the line either, seeing as he's more of a midfielder/winger and no one has said we shouldn't play our own younger players. I would reckon most supporters are excited with the like of Welbeck and Macheda. Don't let that stop you having a good old moan though!

In all seriousness though, we shouldn't not buy him just because we have some talented younger players at the club already. Who cares if he's untested? Ronaldo had only played 25 games or so when we bought him and look how that turned out. He's got obvious talent, it just needs harnessing in the right way and I think we as a club are better than most at doing that.

I would be worried about going into next season without any other player(s) coming in though. I have really high hopes for Welbeck and I think he could be a star of the future, but he's still very young and as plenty to learn. Should Rooney or Berbatov miss any prolonged period of games it would leave us with a massive void to fill. I'd question if Welbeck could fill that void, even more so Macheda.

[Rockboy]

Maybe we could get Diego Forlan back, the guy's a goal machine now!

For me Villa is the type of player we need, a real goal poacher. Phresh, to say he's a poor mans Torres is extremely harsh, I thought in the Euros that Villa looked the more deadly striker out of him and Torres, and I could see him scoring an absolute hatful at United with the amount of chances we create. Him and Rooney would be deadly together. Saying that, it does sound like he doesn't want to leave Spain which leaves our options kind of limited.

From what I've seen of Aguero he does look like a fantastic player, and I'd love to see him at United, but whether we could persuade him to come and stump up the cash is another matter.

[Rorschach]

Maybe the money could be spent on a south stand extension? I'm not sure we need any more players, quite frankly I think our firxt XI should be great, maybe we won't still have such a packed second string, but at least the likes of Nani, Welbeck, the Silvas, Macheda etc etc will get more playing time.

[FATEone]

Maybe we could get Diego Forlan back, the guy's a goal machine now!

For me Villa is the type of player we need, a real goal poacher. Phresh, to say he's a poor mans Torres is extremely harsh, I thought in the Euros that Villa looked the more deadly striker out of him and Torres, and I could see him scoring an absolute hatful at United with the amount of chances we create. Him and Rooney would be deadly together. Saying that, it does sound like he doesn't want to leave Spain which leaves our options kind of limited.

From what I've seen of Aguero he does look like a fantastic player, and I'd love to see him at United, but whether we could persuade him to come and stump up the cash is another matter.

??? Na

[Rorschach]

I don't think a poacher is what we need, after all we sold Nistelrooy and found a way to replace his goals without buying a similar player. I loved our play in the 07-08 season, where our only strikers were really Rooney and Tevez. The movement was good enough, though, that there was usually someone available to finish off a move. I think with players as intelligent as we have, it's a waste to assign one purely to the task of scoring goals.

[FATEone]

I don't think a poacher is what we need, after all we sold Nistelrooy and found a way to replace his goals without buying a similar player. I loved our play in the 07-08 season, where our only strikers were really Rooney and Tevez. The movement was good enough, though, that there was usually someone available to finish off a move. I think with players as intelligent as we have, it's a waste to assign one purely to the task of scoring goals.

Villa is not a goal poacher!!!

[Lucky]

What have you lot done to upset Real?

First they buy your best player, then buy your replacement. Even Ribery has come out and said he wants to join the Galactico's.

Are you lot a bit worried about next season or is it too early for that?

[redbloodcell]

Villa is not a goal poacher!!!

It doesn't matter anyway, he'll be going to Barca.

[FATEone]

If Rooney wasn't so ugly, he'd probably be goin there too. Though I doubt Fergie would kick a boot at his head, it'd be goodnight sweetheart. Real are gonna be sick next year, but I doubt they'll clean up, a team needs time to gel, and they'll be fielding a completely new team pretty much.

[Rockboy]

I don't think a poacher is what we need, after all we sold Nistelrooy and found a way to replace his goals without buying a similar player. I loved our play in the 07-08 season, where our only strikers were really Rooney and Tevez. The movement was good enough, though, that there was usually someone available to finish off a move. I think with players as intelligent as we have, it's a waste to assign one purely to the task of scoring goals.

That's because Ronaldo scored 40 odd goals that season!

[oli]

If Rooney wasn't so ugly, he'd probably be goin there too. Though I doubt Fergie would kick a boot at his head, it'd be goodnight sweetheart. Real are gonna be sick next year, but I doubt they'll clean up, a team needs time to gel, and they'll be fielding a completely new team pretty much.

They'll have plenty of GEL with Ronaldo!!11!!

[Rorschach]

Nice

That's because Ronaldo scored 40 odd goals that season!

Yes, but that's what I'm saying, Ronaldo is not a striker, but he can still score goals. It would've been a waste to give him the poaching role, so if we're buying players than they should be able to finish, but I don't want anyone playing that one-dimensional role. No player can be more important than the rest of the team; he had to have someone tee him up, and I'm sure we'll find the goals from somewhere.

Villa is not a goal poacher!!!

I didn't say he was.

!!!

[fatbob]

Costa as played 19 games actually, he's not going to be leading the line either, seeing as he's more of a midfielder/winger and no one has said we shouldn't play our own younger players. I would reckon most supporters are excited with the like of Welbeck and Macheda. Don't let that stop you having a good old moan though!

In all seriousness though, we shouldn't not buy him just because we have some talented younger players at the club already. Who cares if he's untested? Ronaldo had only played 25 games or so when we bought him and look how that turned out. He's got obvious talent, it just needs harnessing in the right way and I think we as a club are better than most at doing that.

True, the cost of £20million is probably more of a factor.

I've never actually seen him play, have you? Cherry-picked clips on Youtube are never the best was to tell how good a player is, look at Nani!

I trust our club's scouts and Fergie, but I can't be down with the idea of hearlding a young star who hardly anyone has heard of as the solution to this problem.

-----------------------------

I think we have to be realistic about this, most teams in the league would love a strike partnership of Rooney and Berbatov, and i'm more than happy with those players. The main issue is one which was talked about last season, that even when we weren't playing well we had the depth on the bench to bring on Tevez or Berbatov etc. Thats something we are going to miss as we were in an almost unique position of depth last year, which in the end saw Tevez not wanting to stay at the club. Hopefully some of our younger strikers will take this chance to step up.

Maybe another winger/wing forward is needed just to add a bit more class in that area now that Ronaldo has gone, Valencia and to a greater extent Nani and Tosic are still 'we'll sees'. I still like the idea of someone like Ashley Young coming in on the left, David Silva is a good bet also, however if we don't get anyone else in this area it'll be because we sensibly don't spunk our money up the proverbial wall in a panic.

It may not work this next season, and we may have to take a hit or two, but we're in a transitional phase, and there are going to be a lot more gaps appearing elsewhere on the field in the next season or two which also needs considering, and careful investment of the money into other less fasionable positions might pay dividends later.

We can expect to see Scholes, Giggs, Neville and Van Der Saar play their last games next season, all these roles need filling, and to my money we haven't got anyone already at the level they need to be to fill those shoes. We will do in a couple of seasons, as Anderson, Valencia, Tosic, Nani, the twins and Foster will all be playing more, but this next season we might suffer unless we add a bit of depth into some of these positions. I've said before its a shame Palacios was snapped up by Spurs as he would have been an ideal buy for us, you all know I like Foster, but Fergie has to decide this year if he the guy to have.