The Manchester United Thread X

'Unless I was speaking double Dutch, I've said that Wayne Rooney is not for sale. I have answered lots of questions about Wayne and it’s getting repetitive. I don’t want to talk about it all day.'

You are quite an unusual Arsenal fan in your views on Keane, I don't think he'd be valued that high, a lot of people saw him as purely a thug but he was actually a damn good midfielder, and that is what made him great. The only thing I would worry is it takes a dominant manager to ensure a personality like Keane's doesn't just engulf the dressing room, its debatable whether Moyes has that.

Well, they keep asking him because they asked whether Rooney wanted to leave and he refused to answer the question, just saying he's in the best shape of his life. The press asked again and he refused to answer again. So naturally they're going to keep asking, because his refusal to comment is an answer in itself, suggesting he has asked to leave.

Has this suddenly turned into a game where every big team just buys up midfielders?

Bayern favourites for Thiago, Strootman for Roma, Vidal stirring interest from Real Madrid,

FFS Baines and Fellaini it is then, plus the promise of Anderson being in peak physical fitness

Illarmendi off to Real Madrid too, as well as Isco, in a midfield that has Alonso, Ozil, Khedira, Modric and a host of other young players who were out on loan last year.

But we have to accept as United fans that there is a talented new generation of Southern European footballers who dream of playing for Barca and Real. There's a lot of nonsense being spoken by United fans re: Thiago. Suggestions that the club haven't done enough behind the scenes.

2 points:

1. We have no idea what's been happening privately. The Thiago 'saga' has been based almost entirely on speculation (Pep's statement yesterday isn't ink on paper) and Thiago himself has yet to utter a single word on his future.

2. The decision, ultimately, will be the player's. There are cultural, economic, social and football factors he will have to consider, so he is taking his time as any coveted footballer should.

This isn't directed at you specifically. More for United fans generally. We have to be realistic, Manchester doesn't have the draw of Barcelona or Madrid for these young players. I think it should, given the amazing history of our club, it's fame worldwide, the busby babes, Best/Law/Charlton, all the players united have had in England squads etc.

But when Kagawa, the best player in Germany for 2 years, decided to leave Dortmund he went to United. The PL is massive in Japan and Kagawa will have dreamt of playing in England. On these things transfers depend.

I'm done defending our transfer policy. We've had a slow start but we're bound to make a marquee signing soon. I know how you feel though, Europes elite seem to be buying frivolously, whilst United 'um and ah' over contractual details.




Posted from TSR Mobile

I'm not saying he should say yes or no. I'm just saying that, unless he does say one of them, the press aren't going to stop asking him about it, so he needn't complain. As you said, it's their job to get a story. There wouldn't be any if they gave up that easily.

Yeah - don't blame the transfer department, highly unlikely that a team like United has poor negotiators. It's unfortunate for us that Spanish players > English players because I'm sure not many English players would dream of playing for Barca ahead of an English team.

What happens to Khedira, Ozil etc. Do they seem happy to sit on the bench? Seems the pull of Real > playing time for us. Plus my earlier point is a bit hollow if Bale transfers to Real.

Why are English teams so anti- their player going to the top English teams? Look at La Liga, there is no additional charge just because they stay in the same league, Alba, Alves, Lopez, yet look with us and Berbatov

Who's to say either of them are good enough anyway?!

You have to question why Wanyama would be going to Southampton and not another big club. Likewise, Van Ginkel going to Chelsea, but Strootman going to a lesser team(Roma). I'd rather we buy the right players, if that means waiting longer, then so be it. Thiago is that player but it's just one of those things if we miss out on him. The desperation for a midfielder shouldn't result in being happy with any old name that's linked with us.

Ben Pearson looks like a really good player. I think Moyes will use him this season in the league cup, just like Januzaj.

We have bright prospects coming through.

If Thiago goes to Bayern, I wish that Moyes would go and get Gustavo. He is exactly what we NEED!

If we get Gustavo and Thiago, the treble is simply in the bag.

If we get Gustavo and Thiago, the treble is simply in the bag.

lol

Decent chant?

@Jay_in_Essex
I am a Spanish man, from down Matt Busby Way, and I can play. What can you play? I play the United way. Thia-Thia-Thiago, Thiago, Thiago.

Real and Barca can have massive squads because players on the periphery have the ultimate goal in mind, i.e. becoming a starter for Real or Barca. If a player doesn't hold that reverence for his club, he won't stick around.

I think we have to measure United against Chelsea and City. Ok, maybe London is more attractive for a player than Manchester, but lets be honest, the difference isn't massive. Manchester has plenty in the way cultural draws, at least when compared to London.

Is it money? Well, no, Rooney is paid as much as anyone at City or Chelsea. Maybe we're not willing to give young players very high wages when they first join. Maybe we're more cautious and that prevents us from getting deals done quickly.

Honestly, I don't know. Are you worried about the fact that City, Chelsea and Spurs have made good signings already? I am a little.

I'm surprised by Guardiola. Bayern have just won the treble and signed Götze, is it good business to be adding to a bloated midfield? Particularly a player who is said to desperate to play enough to make it into the World Cup team. United, objectively, should be his first choice if that is the case.