12 Sep 2016 20:10:54
The latest finacial results show wages at around 45% of turnover, a substantial decrease compared to last year and effectively the lowest in the EPL. With 2017 expected at £540m and 2018 even higher if we are back in the CL, not only was the Pogba deal very affordable, we can expect more transfers like it in the years to come.
Additionally by my quick calculation of player values compared to unamortised registrations there is a strongly positive ratio for the fist time in maybe 5-6 years.
Net debt is very manageable at current levels.
The club is in excelllent shape from a business point of view.
12 Sep 2016 20:37:47
I think this is exactly why Ed002 doesn't like to discuss finances haha.
12 Sep 2016 20:42:37
Trimming the squad down for next season with the likes of bastian/ carrick and others going will also make big signings easier to stomach financially.
But given the upheaval we've had in 3 years i think we won't be doing the levels of business we have in those 3 years.
We should be able to settle down on a core group of players adding 1 or 2 extra quality players a year providing things go well.
12 Sep 2016 23:15:48
While we have this partnership with adidas, I think a Galactico signing will happen for another 2 transfer windows before we cool down completely. Adidas want us to be pushing as many shirts as we can. Neymar, Bale, Griezmann, Dybala, Reus, Veratti, James and Kroos. We will have one or maybe even 2 players from that list I'd say by 2018.
12 Sep 2016 23:34:25
I agree with DSG. It won't be the same number of players. Just one big name and maybe one or two other players per year, and none out of desperation. Fine tuning now rather than rebuilding. Especially if some of the younger players like Rashford, TFM, CBJ etc make good progress.
The point being that with debt now at 50% of turnover with relatively low interest rates compared to when the Glazers took United over when debt was 200%+ of turnover, the club is in a completely different position.
13 Sep 2016 09:46:14
I think with Champions League football returning this year (I am expecting as an absolute minimum) that we will be buying one or two big players. I think a chase for Bale and or Griezman are next and hopefully one top CB if we are to be serious contenders. I am very happy with the squad at the moment and I am not letting one result change that.
13 Sep 2016 11:03:33
I think we will see a couple of key signings next summer with several players making way.
Johnstone won't stay forever, and Romero isn't likely to either, plus he is a bit ropey when he has been given the chance. I could see both depart next summer, if they do then a top quality second choice goalkeeper will be required.
Damian, Rojo and Jones all have question marks over their heads.
So I would expect to see a RB and and CB. Fabinho has been constantly linked, and apparently there is interest from us. Manolas is the CB I would ideally like, but de Vrij could be an option too depending on how he does this season after coming back from injury. Both typical Mourinho CB's who can play and have good reading/ organisational skills. Beyond that I can see someone like Tuanzebe or CBJ being promoted into the first team. We aren't really lacking numbers in defence but we do lack quality.
Schweinsteiger and Carrick are certain to leave from midfield, we could see another signing here depending on how players such as Fellaini, Blind, Herrera and Schneiderlin perform this year. But I wouldn't be surprised if we didn't make a midfield signing next summer. TFM could step up as could Pereira if his loan works out.
Mkhitaryan hasn't settled quite yet, although there is plenty of time yet. But we do have history of playmakers from Dortmund struggling to step up. Mata isn't what Mourinho really wants from a creative player, he is playing and doing well atm, but I still don't see a long term future for him. Young has no future. Rooney must surely be close to being phased out. So I expect to see a creative forward player, Griezmann seems the perfect fit, as he can play anywhere from striker, out wide or No.10/ second striker.
Maybe next summer will look like Fabinho, Manolas and Griezmann. With several heading heading out the door and hopefully players like TFM, CBJ, Tuanzebe, Pereira and Januzaj stepping up.
13 Sep 2016 15:10:56
History of playmakers from Dortmund struggling to step up? Who the one case of kagawa? Come on mate that's like saying we shouldn't buy neymar we have a history of Brazilians who haven't stepped up. If mkhitaryan hadn't of played the Derby we would all be raving about how good he is, he proved to me against hull how good he can be, just because he had one difficult game doesn't mean he becomes a bad player over night.
13 Sep 2016 16:13:09
Diego, name me the playmaker we signed from Dortmund who was a success? at the moment until Mkhitaryan proves himself then 100% of the playmakers we have signed from Dortmund have failed.
I really want Mkhitaryan to be a success, and I think in time he will be. But He hasn't done anything in a red shirt that demands he starts our next game. 30 minutes of nothing special over three games then a 45 minute horror show in the derby.
As a side note Mkhitaryan struggled in his first couple of years at Dortmund and only was a real success in his final season there under Tuchel. Klopp couldn't get the best out of him.
Its how you look at things. On one side he was arguably the best player in the Bundesliga last season, on the other side he has only had one great season in one of the top leagues of Europe and he is 27?
I sincerely hope he makes it at our club, but from his showings so far? He has to go down as our worst signing of the summer.
13 Sep 2016 18:13:20
How can anyone even thibk of judging a player that has started one match and was half fit.
You need to give him time Shappy and you can't really say he is the worst signing as he hasn't even had a chance to show what he can do.
13 Sep 2016 19:27:11
Agreed there Singh. A history of dortmund playmakers sounds like we've had bucket loads shappy lol.
13 Sep 2016 19:29:36
He scored a fair amount in his first league season with Dortmund too, it was only the one where dortmund under performed in his second season that he didn't get double figures on goals, before that he scored for fun for shaktar so really he has had one average season hasn't he while he's played at Dortmund.
13 Sep 2016 19:34:45
And to say after what we have seen so far he is our worst signing this season is just stupid, we've conceded 4 goals in 5 games so does that mean bailey isn't doing his defensive work? Pogba has no goals and no assists, does that mean he's been a bad signing? Your saying that about mkhitaryan when he's been given 1 start against the hardest test we've had, and came on as a sub the previous games. Hardly means he's the worst signing. There is no worst signing as they are all top players.
13 Sep 2016 19:52:33
Singh, my post was a bit tounge in cheek.
But on a serious note if our next game was a title decider would you play Mkhitaryan based on what you've seen so far.
We had a winning side and you have to play your way into that with your performances in training and in your sub appreances.
Atm we are all wondering why Rashford isn't getting a game, he has been really positive when he has come on and his performances with the England under 21's has highlighted what he can bring to our team.
At this time Rashford is far more deserving of a place in the starting line up than Mkhitaryan.
I'm sure Miki's time will come, and I'm sure he will prove a good signing.
Also if you at this moment in time had to rank our summer signings who would you say has been the best/ made the most impact and who has been the worst/ had least impact?
13 Sep 2016 22:08:44
Pogba the best signing.
Ibra and Baily the biggest impact that is only because not many others are scoring and Baily does look good for a defender especially because he is not even that experienced.
Pogba the least impact lolll but he still is the best signing as the whole world was after him.
I completely agree with you Rashford does deserve chances but only Mourinho knowss why he played Mkhitaryan and Lingard the other day.
I evem said it the other day that the biggest mistake was startin both.
He shouldve just played one of them if he really wanted to.