The Ongoing Serie A, La Liga, All English Football, Champions League Thread - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Part 26

[Zeus]

He'll somehow end up in Rome instead of Milan.

He'll find a way to miss his flight

 

[Van Petrol]

I agree, the links with you and Falcao seem to have a degree of hope in them since sources are now saying that Real aren't interrested and Monco seem to want his wages off their bill.

Yeah. I don't think anything will materialise from that for us, personally.

He has tremendous workarte to go with his flair and talent, it's what I think Mourinho wants to see from Hazard. Wilshire is a good talent I just think Merson is right that him and Ramsey are not ideal in the same team. Do you think Chambers might take Debuchy's spot at RB over the season?

Yeah, I agree. Yeah, same, I don't think they go well together either. Not really, I think Chambers is destined for the CB role, personally. If anyone takes the RB sport from what we currently have, then I think it will be Bellerin.

 

[BlackFox]

Looks like Chelsea have activated Remy's release clause in his contract as a replacement for Torres. Dont hang about do they.

 

[Van Petrol]

Indeed. Got to give it to some of these clubs. They identify the problem/need and they act. They don't faff around like United and Arsenal.

 

[Two-Face]

Manchester United set to sell fringe players to reduce bulging wage bill

http://www.theguardian.com/football...d-sell-fringe-players-welbeck-kagawa-anderson

Young on £115K a week lol Sell him fast back to Villa Cleverly ears £30K man I feel for him even though he's isn't good.

 

[Grommers]

Indeed. Got to give it to some of these clubs. They identify the problem/need and they act. They don't faff around like United and Arsenal.

It's a strange thing, because Fergie managed to win with a team I considered really under-par, so his strategies and what not, must be on point, but everything else about the club seemed to be falling apart.

I'm just so confused on how he was able to maintain success for so long.

 

[Iceman]

It's a strange thing, because Fergie managed to win with a team I considered really under-par, so his strategies and what not, must be on point, but everything else about the club seemed to be falling apart.

I'm just so confused on how he was able to maintain success for so long.

His teams at the peak of his reign were great teams. After that the competition was poor in the later years, the management very unstable at the clubs with resources to compete on an even playing field. Mourinho came in and did a job and might have continued winning out if he'd stayed. Wenger lost to him every year after the Invincibles but his resources during the stadium plan were significantly less, losing his best players every couple of seasons. He was one of if not the best manager ever but he would have struggled to keep wining titles without a complete overhaul of this current team with Chelsea & City now with managers who might be there a while and Arsenal finally freed of the stadium debt.

He coped with a very average midfield through having a very solid defence and great attack. Once the defence joined the midfield as a problem area it was too much for any manager to do much with without major changes (as LVG is trying to make happen). It's so strange as Utd's midfield used to be one of the best in the world.

 

[BlackFox]

Manchester United set to sell fringe players to reduce bulging wage bill

http://www.theguardian.com/football...d-sell-fringe-players-welbeck-kagawa-anderson

Young on £115K a week lol Sell him fast back to Villa Cleverly ears £30K man I feel for him even though he's isn't good.

I think selling Rio, Evra and Vidic would have already significantly reduced our wage build anyway but getting rid of this on top is a great help, especially as these fringe players seem to be on a fair whack to.

 

[DeadPresident]

Young makes £115k a week...? Which genius negotiated that contract...

 

[BlackFox]

BBC breaking:

Manchester United have agreed a fee with Ajax for versatile Netherlands international Daley Blind.

 

[DeadPresident]

The thing is Blind is uber slow and physically weak, in this league that is going to be a huge issue, and him and Carvalho both play the same role of sitting in front of the back 4 so I don't think they really compliment each other, the midfield situation is an absolute mess right now and we are running out of time to fix it.

To be honest I am just not convinced Blind is suited to the PL no matter what formation or personnel we use, Cruyff was pretty damning about him the other day and I had to agree with his points about why he isn't good enough for a top league.

In regard to his strength, that's a legitimate point, PL games will be far more physical than both the Dutch league and the opponents faced during the WC. His pace though I think is adequate, when he was used at LWB during the WC he didn't seem to get left behind by opposing wide players, I don't think he'll chase down a guy like Walcott on a counter, but I think he'll be able to keep up with midfielders for the most part.

It seems like United are moving in that direction, so it'll be a case of waiting and seeing. I like the guy's potential, but I agree there are some warning signs that he might be ill-suited to the PL.

Yeah I think thats why its so hard to get excited about Di Maria signing when we should all be ecstatic about it, our squad now looks so lop sided with 3-4 decent forwards but with a weak midfield and defense stood behind them.

As much of a legend SAF is, his last few years of purchases have been questionable at best, RVP aside, the rest have been a mixed bad of decent to downright pap.

I'm not going to lie I am gutted about Vidal but thought that would be the likely outcome, same as last year with Fabregas and Ronaldo rumors all summer long and then........Fellaini.

At the moment we dont seem to have a clear plan or objective. Or its fallen apart with numerous knockbacks. Trouble is we have waited until we are out of the CL to do something about it rather than last summer, now we are trying to ice skate uphill. We haven't really signed anyone I hoped this summer but looking at that list we haven't since Ronaldo and Tevez left.

The purchases were horrendous. Clubs like LFC and Arsenal have done a fair amount of buying low and selling high and turning good profits to reinvest, but for close to 7 years now United have been buying high and selling low habitually. Bought Nani for £17m, can't even get rid of him. Bought Anderson for an absurd fee, can't get rid of him. Bought Young for like £16m, would be lucky to get £8m. Bought Fellaini for £27m, can't even manage to get £15m back.

The odd thing is United are fine taking a risk on a guy like Fellaini because he's "proven" (forgetting the fact he might not fit in the team whatsoever) but won't take chances on guys like Kevin Strootman for essentially half the price. They really need to reconsider their transfer/scouting policy, and quickly. I'm not sure if the scouts provide the club with the right information and it's getting ignored, or if they're just not bothered with exploring the depths of other leagues for potential talent. I'm not sure what's going on behind the scenes, but consistently ignoring strength in the midfield has become an almost conspiratorial joke. All Moyes could chase was Fabregas/Kroos allegedly, not taking time to consider Fabregas and Kroos would be highly ineffectual if they were getting ****ed up by guys like Toure and Matic without an enforcer to protect possession and the back 4.

Blind is a step in the right direction, but I'm not convinced Blind by himself is adequate. They need a textbook destroyer in, not really fussed who it is. Carvalho would be fine, I'd even take de Jong at this point in time.

 

[Iceman]

BBC breaking:

A high fee I guess. Might not be the answer long term but I think he'll be a help to the current squad and will fit well into LVG's system.

 

[BlackFox]

United team to face Burnley: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Blackett, Valencia, Young, Fletcher, Di Maria, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie.

Few goals for Burnley today I reckon

 

[DeadPresident]

So the midfield is going to be di Maria, Mata and Fletcher...Oh God...

 

[Dr Lee]

LVG confirmed the deal for Blind.

Also, what's going on with the Rojo work permit? What's blocking it?

 

[BlackFox]

LVG confirmed the deal for Blind.

Also, what's going on with the Rojo work permit? What's blocking it?

Doesnt have an Italian passport just an Argentine one and something to do with a pending court appearance as well in Argentina.

 

[Dr Lee]

Doesnt have an Italian passport just an Argentine one and something to do with a pending court appearance as well in Argentina.

So not the Botox woman trying another method of pissing off the UK then?

Didn't I read that the court case thing only surfaced recently? The bottle incident was three years ago and they only announced the charges and whatnot recently.

 

[DeadPresident]

United team to face Burnley: De Gea, Jones, Evans, Blackett, Valencia, Young, Fletcher, Di Maria, Mata, Rooney, Van Persie.

Few goals for Burnley today I reckon

Absence of Cleverley must also mean a deal is quite near.

United sorely need all the injuries to clear up. Shaw, Rafael, Herrera, Carrick and even Fellaini would give the van Gaal a lot more room to work with, he'll probably even be able to switch to 4-3-3 soon. It's not even such a fantastic back 4 but once fitness and work permits aren't an issue United might be able to play Shaw-Rojo-Jones-Rafael.

 

[Two-Face]

Dammit 3-5-2 again! just go with 4-3-3 jeez...

 

[DeadPresident]

Dammit 3-5-2 again! just go with 4-3-3 jeez...

They need signings and injuries to clear up first. He can only play a back 4 when Shaw or Rojo are available again, and probably Blind too.

 

[Two-Face]

They need signings and injuries to clear up first. He can only play a back 4 when Shaw or Rojo are available again, and probably Blind too.

You're right about that. oh well least we will try to get a win. Need to start somewhere. Ando is in the bench lol with Young starting.

AFC Ajax (English) ‏@AFCAjax_EN · 49m
Ajax and Manchester United reach agreement for Blind;

How much? And United in for Carvalho..... Don't know much about him.

 

[BlackFox]

Di Maria looks our best player already, some nice touches and two chances created already, but having a minor heart attack everytime the ball goes near our own box, shakey.

 

[Two-Face]

All the tweets praising Di Maria worth the money.

 

[Iceman]

Is this game on TV?

 

[Two-Face]

BT Sport, which I don't have.