16 Aug 2016 13:50:36
Thanks for your opinions below ed always good to read. I still think there will be a certain amount of movement in terms of players leaving United before the window shuts which may mean that we will see a player or 2 to come in. If Jose can sell a couple of players from his current squad of 25.
Do you agree that this would be his preference or doo you think we are done for this window?
Personally I'm not sure that I would want any more major surgery but I get the feeling Jose will make it happen. with another cb and rb
I'd like your opinion on this both in terms of what you think jose wants and what may actually happen.
{Ed001's Note - I don't think you are done, he certainly wants Fonte. Though I am amazed how many think he would struggle to get in your team! He can defend, which is something Smalling can't do. He is a leader, which is something missing badly in your team. Fonte would be an excellent signing, he is like Michael Jordan was in basketball, he makes those around him better, that is why Jose wants him. It is not just how good he is as a player, it is how good he can make the rest of the team.
That looks likely to be it then though. More about outs after that, unless someone becomes available due to other moves.}
16 Aug 2016 14:16:55
Id quite like Fonte. I've thought for a while that if we can't get a top class CB from the continent it might be useful to get a competent CB with plenty of premier league experience. He fits the bill, and if Ed1 says he's a leader that is an added bonus. That would leave us with 4 good options of Fonte, Smalling, Bailly (will be off to Africa in Jan) and Blind. I would move on Rojo and look to move on Jones (but maybe next summer) .
If we do sign Fonte I hope that's us done. We have had enough changes for one summer and I think we'd be solid across all positions if we got him.
16 Aug 2016 14:31:34
I think Fonte should be the last signing for us if we ever sign one.
Don't like the idea of Gabigol to be honest.
Players like Depay, Mata and Mkhi or Lingard may not get ample gametime, addition of a brazillian winger ( brazillians who generally never make it at united) would be useless.
He'll sit on the bench and not get enough minutes.
16 Aug 2016 14:33:33
I agree ed I think fonte would be a very good short term solution. Hee appears to be a good organiser and is very dependable. Bailly and smalling would benifit from having him there.
Blind has been very reliable and has some very good attributes imo and I would rather him alongside bailly than smalling at the moment. The fact that bailly will go to the African nations cup means we need another option over and above jones and rojo.
I don't doubt he would Get into the team.
{Ed001's Note - it probably shows that I really rate Fonte. Never did until I sat and just watched him play, rather than the game. He controls the defence and organises it constantly.}
16 Aug 2016 15:10:25
We definately lack a leader at the back, and I would welcome Fonte he would be a great addition - our last this window which is more than enough.
A top 4 finish this season will see Jose really push for Varane in 12 months time -I think that's his plan - (top 4 being a bonus rather than being neccesary to attract him)
If Varane is on the fringes this season again I think he would jump at a chance to work with Jose again 12 months from now.
16 Aug 2016 15:22:58
If we are seriously after this Brazilian kid this window then I really hope its on the understanding he is loaned back to his club for 12 months - We can then see a clearer picture of where we are with the squad and see where Ibra, Rooney, Lingard are fitting in, but most of all I would hate to see Rashford pushed down the pecking order and if Jose is serious about Depay then that's a kick in the teeth for him too if the Brazilian came in now.
Fonte should be the last addition this window then move 2-3 out.
I must say I have never seen the Brazilian kid at all.
16 Aug 2016 16:13:23
Fonte is 33? He'd be a short term solution for united but mourinho wants united competing immediately off the bat so it makes sense. Arsenal really should be seeking and sealing the deal on him.
16 Aug 2016 17:03:13
Are there really that many who don't think he is good enough ed? I would think he would be a certain starter when fit . He is exactly what we need experienced in the league and excellent defender who would teach and nurture the young talented defenders at the club also to those who don't think he is good enough have a look at our signings this summer and tell me our manager doesn't know what he's doing.
{Ed001's Note - I keep reading posts on here saying you don't need him, so many don't for some bizarre reason. Mind, many on here think Smalling is the lovechild of Beckenbauer and Bobby Moore, with the best features of both, so they probably aren't the best people to judge a defender.}
16 Aug 2016 18:46:32
Smalling improved a bit but was made to look better than he is. Ball is still like a hot potato at his feet and he isn't great at defending. Fonte would be perfect for 2-3 years alongside a young quick Bailly.
16 Aug 2016 19:20:07
I like smalling but I think he would only improve with fonte at the club I would think we need at very least 4 very consistent reliable cb's in the squad and I would think fonte would be a no brainer tbh with the exception of bailly he would be the best cb at the club imo.
16 Aug 2016 20:04:03
Personally I believe an experienced CB but one who will not block the long term path of the potential youth CB's has merit. In a year we can better assess Tuanzebe and Williams.
16 Aug 2016 22:44:42
Fonte made Lovren look like a good defender, leading Liverpool to buy him. If that's all he ever did for us, he'd be worth the eight million.