26 May 2019 14:14:48
If the De Ligt story is true and we're willing to pay a 19 year old centre back those exorbitant wages, I feel like we're not learning from our mistakes. We already have a bloated squad with many players on wages that don't match their on field quality. Paying a teenager a reported quarter of million a week is just going throw the whole team out of balance. And it's a dangerous precedent going forward to any new potential signings.

I was really hoping this season we would trim the wage budget down, stop being attracted to the shiny big name players, and start making smart signings that fit a system that Ole wants to play.

If the only way we can beat the likes of Barcelona, Madrid, Bayern, City to players is by offering them huge wages and bonuses, then we are looking at the wrong player. The squad needs a complete reboot. We need new players that are willing to buy into Manchester United because they feel privileged to play for us, not because we're doubling the wages.

The kid does look like a magnificent player, but with Mino as his agent, he's going to be angling for a move within 24 months.

1.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 14:53:31
If your good enough your old enough.

2.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 14:56:08
I would say the same about felix as well, looks an outstanding player.

3.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 15:53:56
We paid lingard a 100k when he was truly rubbish, just a few weeks ago renewed jones's contract. i think the precedent has long been set. I will never get this privileged to play for us business. We aren't some temple or church folks its a business, players are employees. Our problem isn't overpaying, it is overpaying the wrong players. Also if there is a system that some how can't fit a physically dominant ball playing cb like de ligt, I would say there is something wrong with the system.

{Ed001's Note - he wouldn't fit in either City's nor Liverpool's system, nor Spurs, does that mean there is something wrong with the way they all play? De Ligt is bizarrely overrated for someone who has proven the sum total of absolutely nothing.}

4.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 16:42:25
why would he not fit their system?

{Ed001's Note - because he is slower than a week of Mondays.}

5.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 16:59:28
come on ed. He isn't the most quickest but then niether was vidic, and my comment about the tactics wasn't about a CL finalist or current champions of epl but about a team that finished 6th and won nada this season. He is a good defender who is already better than anything we have and has potential to be world's best but most importantly he brings in a bit of leadership, something this team is very much lacking. Also is there really a better cb available that we could get.

{Ed001's Note - I don't see the relevance to Vidic? You said there must be something wrong with the system if De Ligt wouldn't fit, I was just pointing out that you are wrong. There are multiple ways of playing but there are 3 successful clubs in the English league that he would not fit in their system, so it is clearly not a wrong system, just he is a limited player that needs to play a certain way or in a crap league like the Eredivisie or La Liga. Where most weeks the only thing he will have to do is pass the ball around, not defend. The moment he gets put under pressure defensively in a high-paced game he will be found wanting.

He is not a good defender, he is very good on the ball, but he is not particularly good defensively and there is no way he is potentially the world's best! There are so many better that play in Germany, for instance, where they are playing a much closer style of play than they do in Holland, so will find it easier to adapt and are easier to judge. It is also a much better level of football.

If it was me I would be buying one of the RB Leipzig duo that are 20 years of age and performed at a high level for years, rather than having a few good months like De Ligt.}

6.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 17:18:12
Ed001 you mention the German league and I wonder what you think of Jonathan Tah? I think he'd suit the PL perfectly.

{Ed001's Note - I think so too. A bit ropey positionally but he has recovery pace to make up for it.}

7.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 17:21:08
I think we need to seriously have a rethink about what we pay players.

It's one thing to pay a proven world class player a huge 200k+ wage when they are in their prime years.

But a completely different one to pay a young player with potential a world class 200k+ a week wage. As if you start paying 19 or 20 year olds 200k a week then what will you end up paying them three years down the line when they are due a renewal? At that point they will be in their early twenties and still 3-4 years away from their peak years, which at that point you will need to renew their contract for a second time.

We are having that issue to some extent with DDG now. He wants 350k+ per week, but as a keeper he will be due another renewal in 3-4 years time. What will it be then 500k+ for a goalkeeper who will only start to decline.

8.) 26 May 2019
26 May 2019 20:02:59
Strongly agree Mumbles spot on mate.