The Manchester United Thread X

Left wing is my biggest annoyance, and has been for some time. We actually only have one left winger under the age of 39, and that left winger is right footed. Obviously we have Giggs, Nani, Welbeck, Rooney and Zaha that can all play there, but I always feel like everyone is out of position when they're there. It'd be nice to have someone that seems comfortable there. Basically I'm tired of seeing everyone on that flank cutting inside, Evra is our most potent attacking threat on the left. Considering we're a team that is renowned for utilising the wings, we haven't had someone that fits on the left since Giggs was younger.

I think Barcelona would want a guaranteed replacement lined up (like Gundogan) if they were willing to let go of Fabregas. Tbh, I see Barcelona adopting the double pivot in future years as Xavi fades out of their starting line-up. Busquets with Mascherano/Song/SomeoneNew with a more flexible four in front of them, consisting of Iniesta (CAM), Messi (CF), Neymar (LW) and someone else.

It makes you ask if we are getting up to these kind of numbers why we don't take a pop at Gundogan. Dortmund let Gotze go for that kind of money, the wunder kid they didn't want to sell to Bayern. I guess it depends how many players Dortmund can be forced to sell in one window, they certainly don't actually need the money but their principles might mean they could sell for that kind of money.

I don't think you need to have a left footer on the left, but they need to be comfortable using it.

I really wouldn't mind Schneiderlin of Southampton. Think he's a really tidy player, great at intercepting, tackling, covering ground. Would complement Carrick well and i don't think he would cost too much either.

We should play valencia on the left just for a laugh

We should play valencia on the left just for a laugh

There does seem to be a trend for wingers to switch flanks though, even Bale who was touted as the left winger is now more happy playing on the right. If you want someone to score they need to be able to cut inside. Not sure who really fits the bill. Ideally I think we would get a modern winger, someone who can float either way, more of a wide forward than a winger of the Chelsea or City style, a Mata who can really do it all. Muniain hasn't been great of late, and Bilbao might need to money after their little Llorente disaster. He'd probably be a mover for in the region of £20m. Someone would surely need to go though because the front line would be massively overloaded.


It makes you ask if we are getting up to these kind of numbers why we don't take a pop at Gundogan. Dortmund let Gotze go for that kind of money, the wunder kid they didn't want to sell to Bayern. I guess it depends how many players Dortmund can be forced to sell in one window, they certainly don't actually need the money but their principles might mean they could sell for that kind of money.

In regards to the public chase of Cesc; I guess this is a new partnership of Moyes-Woodward compared to SAF-Gill who kept signings pretty much on lockdown until they were officially done. From what I've seen of Moyes at Everton, he's always been pretty upfront about signings; so he's playing to his normal form. Woodward I'm not too sure about but it might be a case of both men sitting down saying we need to project an exterior image of wanting to do just as much as the other clubs - if not in actual signings but letting the fans know our new team is just as ready as the old one.

Well, you say transfers, but he's said we're looking at other players and he hasn't named them. I don't believe Baines has been talked about by Moyes either, and it's known that we put in a bid for him. It's only Fabregas he's talking about openly, perhaps there's some reason for that? I can't think what that might be, mind.

It could be a change in how we approach transfers, an article was written about it that i read earlier today by Andy Mitten, talking about the fresh approach, pleasing the fans, basically saying "We’re Man United, the champions of England and we’re going to sign this or that player’" like it says etc.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/woodward-regime-change-direction-united-5163309

But its hard to see whether this is an actual change, or if these examples of just irregular activities, or whether its just this summer because of the managerial change as a 'lets let the fans know what we are doing' thing.

Cesc individually though, the only reasons to come out with it publically if not for a general change in policy are to please the fans, to show the selling club we are seriously interested enough that we will publicly say so, and to tell the player we are willing to publicly announce we want him in the hopes it sways their decision.

If anything, i think it is just telling Fabregas "Look, we want you so bad we are willing to tell the public something we hardly ever do", which if we believe the reports Fabregas may be open to a move if Barcelona would be willing to sell him, may fit in with trying to sway his decision in our favour over staying and seeing what happens or forcing the move to Arsenal instead.

I really don't understand this transfer, it is the one of the weirdest substantiated possibilities i've seen in a while. Two bids means someone somewhere is giving this idea the go ahead as a possibility and i find that odd.

I get it completely, players hold so much power in todays game, once a player announces they want to leave the ability of the club to hold on to them is difficult, once they have a destination its near impossible. By announcing it publicly, you give them a destination, even a hint of wanting to leave makes things difficult. I don't think there is much of a downside of making it public you would like to get a player like Fabregas, most club's would, so the position you would like him but can't have him is pretty much assumed. I guess there are still some deals like Kagawa the club would like to keep quiet, mainly because there is nothing to be gained by going public, but I can't think of many high profile moves that have occurred of late on the quiet.

Do you not think such a public approach to transfers can only lead to egg on your face?

All the signs point to Moyes buying two midfielders. One creative, and the other more defensive. I really wouldn't mind Schneiderlin of Southampton. Think he's a really tidy player, great at intercepting, tackling, covering ground. Would complement Carrick well and i don't think he would cost too much either.

Felliaini and Cabaye.

I'm not convinced Cabaye is a good choice, especially as a player to play alongside (rather than instead of) Carrick. With the pursuit of players like Fabregas, it would seem very much like a step down.