24 Jan 2024 13:13:21
Dear Ed002,

So refreshing to have proper structures being instilled into United by SJR, as well as squad management being addressed with players going out on loan.

As such, do you think that United will try to bring in any forwards/ strikers this window? If so, any potential names to watch pls?

Thanks again for any info you can provide.

{Ed002's Note - It is difficult to redict the timing of transfers and January is difficult because clubs may not have replacements available. There will be loan options - such as Benzema who has been offered to Chelsea, Arsenal and Manchester United - but there are wages and another issue making matters difficult and his club could yet block an exit. Eric ten Hag would like Brian Brobbey but his club will not want to sell in January and there is no guarantee the ten Hag will be at the club after the summer. That sort of leaves Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting who Bayern would like to keep as cover but will not stop departing if he wants to.}

1.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 13:44:46
Thank you as always for the swift and detailed reply - very much appreciated!

2.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 13:45:57
News that Martial is out for 10 weeks (makes zero difference to us) may mean a push for Benzema? Previously I’d be against this sort of move but if it were for the rest of season and his role was clear and that it wouldn’t have a huge impact on Hojlunds game time for the rest of the season, having him train everyday with Hojlund could be a wise move. It’s whether Benzema would want to come in on non-guaranteed game time agreement.

3.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 16:43:31
Maybe hoylund could learn about the dark arts of extortion?

4.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 17:12:18
I’m sure Benzema would be happy to come here on megabucks and toss it off like Casemiro and Varane. Surely we won’t go down that road again?

5.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 20:21:17
Isn't Varane still our best CB? Wasn't Casemiro our best player last year?

A 6 month loan for Benzema surely is a significantly better move than a 6 month loan for Weghourst? I think we all think that summer will have meaningful transfers but we shouldn't give up on this season completely yet.

6.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 20:44:28
If Benzema signs and that means we can get top 4, it is a great signing.
But do you really think ETH is a manager that can handle big players?

7.) 24 Jan 2024
24 Jan 2024 21:11:32
Would not want to see benzema in a united shirt. He is 36 and the pl is different beast to playing in a star studded Real team.

Prefer signing the bayern guy on a loan and move on. He showed up two weeks late after the saudi break and a pretty lousy character if you ask me.

If you want real change signing players like him is no change and just a repeat of the past.

8.) 25 Jan 2024
25 Jan 2024 11:19:55
Not the Benzema thing again.
I think Erik wants Brobbey, but why a struggling Ajax desperate to rescue the season will sell their main man, let alone loan him, is beyond me. We're going to get Choupo-Moting I expect.

9.) 25 Jan 2024
25 Jan 2024 12:57:47
We need bodies up front. Simple as that. Choupo-Moting is a decent back up to rest Rasmus. Unless there’s a top youth prospect in the wings, but not seen/ heard of any ready for the step up right now.

10.) 25 Jan 2024
25 Jan 2024 14:57:10
I don't get the hate for Varane.
His only fault is that he's a bit injury prone but isn't every player at United injury prone.
Apart from Martinez he's by far our best centre back.

11.) 26 Jan 2024
26 Jan 2024 07:53:54
It's because Varane was never a sensible signing, he coat a fortune in few and wages for a player who by the time this team would be ready to challenge at the time we bought him would be over the hill over paid and hampering us in terms of budgets.

Varane also looked best when Ramos was telling him where to go and what to do.

Cas was the same, these aren't bad players, they just are not very sensible signings for a club that needs a total rebuild, in effect if your aim is to win title buying two players costing 250 million in wages and fees or whatever it is who will not be a part of that title team because by the time you get there are past it is idiocy, it's awful planning and a total failure of the clubs policy.

It did help RM help fund their rebuild and exciting young team though.