The old Man Utd Thread

[ryodi]

I imagine your support would lose their minds if Austin was brought in. He's not a big name, the club won't sell many shirts with his name on the back and the days of United signing forwards from mid tier clubs like Cole and Yorke were are long gone. It's almost a galacticos policy at this point.

He'd do a good job for you of he did, look at how many goals he managed for the awful QPR sides he's been part of the last few years.

[boxoctosis]

Marca now claiming a deal has been agreed for DDG with Keylor Navas going the other way. Must be true as someone has edited his wiki page to update for his new club.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Keylor_Navas

Edit. Now edited back. Booooo.

[ckny]

It was fun last year, but I hope this deadline day madness isn't an annual thing now.

[Dark Soldier]

I'm all for spending a ton on a potential prospect. Its not like we haven't done it before (Bellion, Kleberson, Bebe, Djemba-Djemba and many others), its just the market is at ridiculous levels, all foreign clubs know they can fleece the English clubs if they like. Martial is a better signing than nobody.

Its not like we're gonna drop Rooney, and he looks about ready to be put out to pasture.

[Gabe]

I don't think the issue is spending lots of money on a prospect - hey, we spent £20m on Markovic and have now loaned him out this season (grr!) - the issue is spending loads of money on a prospect and then putting enormous pressure on him to do a job straight from the off. Just seems unfair on the guy, but also not helpful for the team if the focal point of your attack isn't scoring - after all, that's exactly the problem you have with Rooney at the moment, so it would solve nothing.

[davejm]

[ToastedBread]

Looks like a good move for Januzaj to spend some time at BvB, the way they play seems like something he will enjoy.

Still, it's really puzzling to me how Man Utd is willing to let him go on loan, and yet is rumoured to spend 36 million pounds on another (unproven?) teenager in Monaco's Anthony Martial.

[feltmonkey]

It's really weird. I'm happier with Januzaj being loaned to Dortmund than Sunderland. I wonder if he'll get games for them, though. It's a shame Klopp isn't there anymore, as he could have learned from him. The German league could be good for him, though.

[Dark Soldier]

I don't think the issue is spending lots of money on a prospect - hey, we spent £20m on Markovic and have now loaned him out this season (grr!) - the issue is spending loads of money on a prospect and then putting enormous pressure on him to do a job straight from the off. Just seems unfair on the guy, but also not helpful for the team if the focal point of your attack isn't scoring - after all, that's exactly the problem you have with Rooney at the moment, so it would solve nothing.

We put Ronaldo straight in (not comparing the two!) and he was generally pretty poor for that first season/eighteen months. If the talent's there, let them play. He played 40 games last season in one of the better leagues in Europe (doesn't compare to the main three but its still highly competitive), scored 10, at the age of 18/19. The only real way is up with regards to his ability, unless he's hit his peak which is highly doubtful.

Anderson came straight in pretty much and looked a world beater at 19. His attitude and injuries fucked it up, but if the talent is there, I'm all for giving them game time. If he fails, its a bad deal, but as awful as it sounds, the amount we're paying isn't that much due to what we bring in.

[feltmonkey]

Sad to see Hernandez leaving. He was always one of our most likable players. That brings the tally of United players you wouldn't probably be disappointed with if you met them in real life down to just three: Mata, Schweinsteiger, and possibly Luke Shaw.

[feltmonkey]

We put Ronaldo straight in (not comparing the two!) and he was generally pretty poor for that first season/eighteen months. If the talent's there, let them play. He played 40 games last season in one of the better leagues in Europe (doesn't compare to the main three but its still highly competitive), scored 10, at the age of 18/19. The only real way is up with regards to his ability, unless he's hit his peak which is highly doubtful.

Anderson came straight in pretty much and looked a world beater at 19. His attitude and injuries fucked it up, but if the talent is there, I'm all for giving them game time. If he fails, its a bad deal, but as awful as it sounds, the amount we're paying isn't that much due to what we bring in.

This is true, and hopefully he'll prove that if you're good enough you're old enough. However, we've paid more for him than we did for Memphis Depay, who has already played at a World Cup and done well, and was the top scorer in his league last season.

There are reports of Martial being lightning quick, which will be handy. I worry that the expectations that will now be on him could make things difficult for him. We don't know much about him apart from the price-tag, and a lot of fans are going to already be getting crazy ideas about what he's going to be capable of. Those fans are going to judge him straight away in his first game.

[Dark Soldier]

Yeah it is a massively inflated fee considering Spurs nearly had him for 20mil a short while back. But it is, to some extent, a panic buy so time will tell. The usual muppet fans will have the knives out for him as you say though if he isn't instantly a hit. Quite a few kicking off at Depay already.

[Gabe]

We put Ronaldo straight in (not comparing the two!) and he was generally pretty poor for that first season/eighteen months. If the talent's there, let them play. He played 40 games last season in one of the better leagues in Europe (doesn't compare to the main three but its still highly competitive), scored 10, at the age of 18/19. The only real way is up with regards to his ability, unless he's hit his peak which is highly doubtful.

Anderson came straight in pretty much and looked a world beater at 19. His attitude and injuries fucked it up, but if the talent is there, I'm all for giving them game time. If he fails, its a bad deal, but as awful as it sounds, the amount we're paying isn't that much due to what we bring in.

The thing is, the game has changed a lot since Ronaldo was dropped into the team, plus it was a bit easier to get away with being a bit iffy on the wing. Playing as the main striker is a different proposition; if he doesn't score pretty early, it can be a hard road. For comparison, Origi played 44 times for Lille, scoring 9 goals last season. He's also quick, has decent feet and is a full international (something not true of Martial yet, though he's in the squad) and has World Cup experience. We could have loaned you him for less

[Dark Soldier]

I doubt he'll be starting every single game and be the main focal point up front for the season. Yeah the game has changed a bit (buy proven is the way these days) but I'm happy to give him a chance and support him as a fan. Origi was voted into the worst team of the season in Ligue 1 last time around so I'll take the comparisons with a pinch of salt If you don't play them, how will you know how they'll cope? Dybala has been playing regularly since the age of 18/19, likewise Lacazette and others.

Besides, who else could we buy this late in the window? Austin is the only other real viable, and while he'd do an okay job, he'd be a stop-gap. Would rather splash the cash on potential.

[Bleeders]

It's really weird. I'm happier with Januzaj being loaned to Dortmund than Sunderland. I wonder if he'll get games for them, though. It's a shame Klopp isn't there anymore, as he could have learned from him. The German league could be good for him, though.

I agree, I think Adnan will thrive under Dortmund better than he has done under Van Gaal's 'philosophy'. He'll come back a better player. I am worried our squad will be threadbare though.

[SaintM]

I thought you were signing Neymar, Bale and Ronaldo before the deadline for 250 trillion or somesuch?

[Bleeders]

Nope, we've got Charlie Austin coming instead. He's a world-beater, or something.

Reus to United is being thrown around now, just to keep the fans clinging onto that hope that we'll sign an established attacking star in this window.

[davidcotton]

Reports on SSN now saying that talks with RM over DDG are at an advanced stage fwiw.

[Bleeders]

Yeah, with Navas coming the other way apparently. Really is some rank amateur dealings this late on in the day. Farcical really.

Wilson to West Brom is being bandied around as well. We surely cannot be even entertaining this?

[ckny]

LVG was yesterday saying how ridiculous it is that the transfer window is still open. Why then does he insist on buying and selling 10 players every deadline day (eve).

[Majora]

Van Gaal's reaction to scoring 3 goals in 4 games is to make sure we have less attacking options. We get 65%+ possession in each game so that's basically winning anyway isn't it?

Over the course of two seasons we've basically gone from loads of attacking options and fuck all midfield options to loads of midfield options and few proven attacking options.

[Gabe]

I doubt he'll be starting every single game and be the main focal point up front for the season. Yeah the game has changed a bit (buy proven is the way these days) but I'm happy to give him a chance and support him as a fan. Origi was voted into the worst team of the season in Ligue 1 last time around so I'll take the comparisons with a pinch of salt If you don't play them, how will you know how they'll cope? Dybala has been playing regularly since the age of 18/19, likewise Lacazette and others.

Besides, who else could we buy this late in the window? Austin is the only other real viable, and while he'd do an okay job, he'd be a stop-gap. Would rather splash the cash on potential.

Well that's the thing, isn't it? LVG said 'no panic buys' but his tongue must have burst through his cheek when he said it.

I suppose this all hinges on what the plan for him is. Where would he fit? He's not going play up with Rooney (is he?), so you'd expect he would be playing on his own there. You're right though, he's unlikely to play all season so maybe it'll work out.

Not that I care though, hope he's a disaster

[Bleeders]

De Gea to Real done with Navas coming the other way apparently for £29m.

Make no mistake, we're not operating on the same level as Real or Barca in the transfer market. We are getting Real's cast-offs whilst they take our best players. Disappointing that this wasn't sorted weeks ago. What the fuck are we playing at?

[humdrum]

Rising to £50m with bonuses apparently. Spurs, Valencia, and Chelsea were sniffing around as well supposedly.

If you believe lequipe then its actually 80m Euros which is about £58m christ!

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transfert-anthony-martial-monaco-a-manchester-united-c-est-80-millions-d-euros/586556

Apparently he is the youngest player after Henry to get 10 goals in a season in Ligue 1, not bad a deal if he turns out to be as good as Henry was.

Still seems a bit of a risk what with apparently letting so many other players leave, I mean you earn enough in sponsorships and what not to swallow the fee if it fails but seems crazy that you are not getting anyone proven in incase Rooney gets injured with letting Hernandez and Van Persie leave.

[The Fox]

It's a shame Klopp isn't there anymore, as he could have learned from him.

Dortmund have been playing miles better under Tuchel than what Klopp had been serving up for a good 18 months.

[Gabe]

If you believe lequipe then its actually 80m Euros which is about £58m christ!

http://www.lequipe.fr/Football/Actualites/Transfert-anthony-martial-monaco-a-manchester-united-c-est-80-millions-d-euros/586556

Apparently he is the youngest player after Henry to get 10 goals in a season in Ligue 1, not bad a deal if he turns out to be as good as Henry was.

Still seems a bit of a risk what with apparently letting so many other players leave, I mean you earn enough in sponsorships and what not to swallow the fee if it fails but seems crazy that you are not getting anyone proven in incase Rooney gets injured with letting Hernandez and Van Persie leave.

It's not 10 league goals in a season, it's 10 league goals, period (he got 9 last season and 2 the season before). I presume the £58m includes signing fees and wages, too.

Even ignoring the money it's a risk, only because he'll be expected to be scoring straight away - he won't have much time to settle. Just seems strange/foolish/stupid for the club to have only 1 established striker left (Rooney). If you weren't in Europe it would be a little bit more understandable, but that's for a team that will expect to compete in all the competitions it seems very odd.

[Bennette98]

Only 6 members of United's title winning team in 2013 are still at the club

[Rev]

I was going to say I was surprised there wasn't more mention of the historic aspect of de Gea going. I tend to think of him as the last great act by Ferguson, spending way over the market on a young goalkeeper that needed, literally, his eyes seeing to. Then not only that, but also dropping him. And then him turning out to be one of, if not the, best goalkeeper in the world.

Even by Football Manager standards that's a little bit ridiculous. To allow him to get so close to the end of his contract and then sell him for just £10m profit seems impossibly bad business.

I genuinely think the way Man Utd are acting in the transfer market since Ferguson has left is damaging the reputation of the league. I'd be livid if I was a Man Utd fan today, even if Monaco have produced and sold Thierry Henry2.

[boxoctosis]

I think it's good business at c £29m for DDG.

What can you do if he doesn't want to sign another contract?! When you say "allow him to get so close to the end of his contract" - I'm not sure what anyone could do to persuade him to stay, it's been clear for a while he's been set on moving to Real.

[toythatkills]

I think it's good business at c £29m for DDG.

What can you do if he doesn't want to sign another contract?!

Sell him last summer for twice what you'd get for him now, since you're resigned to losing him anyway. Or deal with it earlier this summer instead of stringing it along for so long that you find yourself in a position where you have no choice but to accept whatever Real offer because you've only got a couple of hours left to shift him - which is exactly what Real have been waiting for all summer. They've totally played you.