The old Man Utd Thread

[Guest]

i think that's the plan, isn't it? there seems to be an intention to get any business done early. Kroos and Shaw would certainly be a good start, but i don't know what to believe at the moment. something about the Kroos reports makes me suspicious that there's nothing of substance behind it. i hope i'm wrong, as he seems to be a good player. if you look at the reports of "imminent" signings that are floating around, only the Shaw one seems really likely. everything else seems to be based on either a previous rumour from last january, or even last summer (Kroos, Vidal, Fabregas) or just a list of Dutch players Van Gaal is apparently bringing with him. i really hope we're not going to sign Robben, by the way. i don't think i could ever warm to him. it'd be like us signing Darth Vader, Joseph Fritzl, or Luis Saurez.

Yeah, that's my point. All we're hearing are rumours and speculation. There's nothing concrete yet, even for something as seemingly nailed on as Shaw. I suppose I'm just being impatient after dithering Dave's debacle* last season and I'm sure they're working hard on stuff behind the scenes.

It'd just be nice going into the World Cup knowing that everything will be in place for Van Gaal to get straight to work as soon as it's over.

*The Equaliser doesn't fill me with the greatest confidence after last season either really, but i'm hoping he's learnt his lessons and doesn't try to take the piss this time.

[The Fox]

Kroos could leave I guess, but it won't be for £20m. Other clubs would be all over him if that was really the price.

Of course it could easily be that he's just using it as a bargaining chip for a new Bayern contract.

[Rockboy]

I thought it was quite telling at the end of normal time of the Bayern / Dortmund Final last week when the Bayern players were all in a huddle and Kroos was standing on his own outside of it. Looked like a player who had already disconnected himself from the team. The Mail are also running a story today that the Kroos deal is done, and Van Gaal wants Robben too. The £20 million figure does sound low though, maybe it's because he's in the last year of his contract.

[The Fox]

RVP was in the last year of his contract too, was getting on a bit, and still cost £24m.

I find it extremely hard to believe any club will get Kroos for £20m.

[Guest]

Will this "200m war chest" just make us fall foul of ffp? It's not like we have any superstars to sell to offset the costs

[whizzo]

Will this "200m war chest" just make us fall foul of ffp? It's not like we have any superstars to sell to offset the costs

Why would it?

[Bleeders]

Van Gaal ends interest in Kroos.

http://bit.ly/TxEX9x

[Mr Do 71]

D'oh.

[aidey6]

Hmmm, well we'll see who blinks first on this one...

http://www.espnfc.com/news/story/_/id/1829510/bayern-munich-no-new-contract-offer-toni-kroos?src=mobile&cc=5739

[Mr Do 71]

It's back on

[Rockboy]

I don't get why Van Gaal wouldn't want him unless:

1. He's already got one (or preferably two) better midfielders already lined up.

2. The guys wage demands are so ridiculous that we've told him where to go.

3. Because it was Moyes who originally targeted him...?

[Nicky]

Smokescreen maybe?

[Bleeders]

Some MEN reporter reckons he was on Moyes list, he's not on Van Gaal's.

I could see why. He's a fantastic midfielder, but he's not the quickest and lack of pace coupled with an aging and slow midfield have played a part in the multitude of problems we've had this season.

I hope we go for someone like Strootman or Vidal as a box-to-box player maybe. I could see Cesc happening this Summer as well.

[Dark Soldier]

Strootman has zero pace as well.

[paddyo]

How do you guys feel about England? I know there is a frosty history between utd and england and lots have disowned the national team. I am one of the anti-england brigade, not just cos of utd but also due to having a very pro-irish father, so will be looking forward to seeing them bottle it at the world cup hopefully

[bowser123]

Will this "200m war chest" just make us fall foul of ffp? It's not like we have any superstars to sell to offset the costs

Transfer fees are amortised over the length of the players contract. So if the 200 million is spent and the players are on 4 or 5 year contracts then it'd be down as a 40 or 50 million spend each year, rather than the full 200 in one go. Of course you have to add old deals to this like RVP etc, but the club is profitable enough to spend massively. Getting Giggs, Vidic, Rio and probably Evra off the books will almost certainly free up money as the replacements aren't likely to start off on the mega wages they got bumped up to.

In less than 18 months time the club will double it's kit deal and go from 30 million to at least 60 million a year from Nike, or the new supplier (rumour is Adidas or Umbro). AON have spent 150M over 8 years naming the training ground and training kits, Chevrolet have spent 350M over 7 years for the kit sponsorship. There are a million official sponsors for everything over the world like official potato chips and printing solutions partner.

The club has never been richer and importantly the amount it pays in debt repayment is low and very manageable, on much more favourable terms. The parasite owners have won and their risk paid off.

[milko]

Official Marine Diesel Engine Supplier! Official Paint Partner!

Not even making them up. Those guys are raking it in.

[whizzo]

If You guys end up falling foul of ffp you would have the most expensive team the world has ever seen

[bowser123]

My favourite, well besides Mr Potato, is the wine one.

"They say.. he is.. a legend"

I thought this was pretty decent too, though it having Anderson at the start reminded me he's back soon :/

[redbloodcell]

Strootman has zero pace as well.

...and Real Madrid will match any accepted bid for Vidal, although getting one accepted when Juve have rejected enquiries from RM the past 2 seasons is hardly a given.

[Bleeders]

I think we're destined never to sign a quality CM. James McCarthy being the latest linked this morning, in a possible swap for Cleverley.

Kroos was never going to happen, according to the player.

I would be very surprised [if Bayern let me leave before end of my contract in 2015]. The club was very clear and told me that a transfer in 2014 would not be possible.

There have been many speculations, but Manchester United was never an issue and is no issue right now.

[The Fox]

McCarthy is good! And Kroos isn't what you need. Him and Carrick in midfield would be so turgid. Slow, tidy but unambitious recycling of the ball, ad infinitum. You want some energy in there surely.

That Moyes even wanted Kroos in the first place says a lot about him tbh.

[Mr Do 71]

Manchester United announces defender Patrice #Evra has extended his contract for another year #MUFC

[ckny]

Good news. Would've been unwise to lose so much experience all at once. Don't think he'll play much next season though.

[kamaran]

Hope he does, still my favourite player

[ckny]

Mine too, but you need to take off the blinkers if you think he still deserves his place in the team! Woeful at the back this season.

[kamaran]

Weren't they all?

He still has the potential to be a great all round player if Van Gaal fixes the system

[feltmonkey]

I wonder if this might be an indication that the Shaw deal has hit a snag. Knowing the equaliser, he's probably offered £2m and is refusing to budge.

[LiMuBai]

Mata to Barcelona for £40m now?! We're meant to be buying players not selling the few decent ones we have!

[boxoctosis]

Starting to wonder here if this is going to be a similar clusterfuck of a transfer window to last year. No Robben too apparently, though it could all be bollocks clearly.