28 Mar 2017 12:47:28
Hi eds - long time lurker and appreciate the constant hard work you do.
I was wondering if I could per chance pick ed002s brain regarding the future of Zlatan?
I saw on another post that his agent has asked for more money and an extension of 2 years otherwise he will seriously think about mls or Napoli.
Do you a. Believe the club value him enough to up his already high wages and sign him for another 2 year at his age
B. Know what the feeling of the club is regarding rashfords development being potentially stalled for another year minimum?
C have a personal opinion on whether you think he is worth it or if it would make more sense to move on from one another now.
Sorry for being convoluted and I appreciate your time and hard work greatly as I'm sure we all do on the whole.
{Ed002's Note - (a) It is a major decision for the club to commit to a further two years - a year perhaps but two years would in my view be dumb. (b) Ibrahimovic staying at the club will prorogue the development of others, e.g., Rashford, and would need to be considered when replacing the likes of Rooney - does the club need to buy someone who can fit in with Ibramovich - or someone who might prove to be his eventual replacement. (c) No, it was a mistake bringing him in from my perspective - I appreciate he scores goals but it is not a progressive step forward for the team, and I would certainly not consider two more years to be beneficial to the development of the team.}
28 Mar 2017 14:12:41
Ed2 right on the money imo an interesting view.
28 Mar 2017 14:42:40
Good post ed002, I agree.
28 Mar 2017 15:05:01
Agree with all that. Also, my hat is in the off position ED002 for the use of the word prorogue -not often see in these here parts.
28 Mar 2017 16:31:20
thanks for the speedy reply ed002
i would have to agree with you however i am slightly concerned that mourinho and the powers that be will bow into the demands - especially if rooney leaves this window.
can i ask what you think the outcome will be, bearing in mind you are wise like the owl from winnie the pooh.
{Ed002's Note - I suspect in the first instance MU will agree to the wage demands but try and offset that against a one year deal and perhaps look to someone like Kane in 2018. If it were down to me I would cut him loose this summer and replace him.}
28 Mar 2017 17:32:05
Replace him with who ed2 if I may.
{Ed002's Note - Lukaku would be a good option for Manchester United if they qualify for the Champions League.}
28 Mar 2017 17:43:04
I would take lukaku over Ibra all day long.
28 Mar 2017 20:47:26
Good post/ questions highpants and fully agree with the Ed. In my view ibra staying longer will not only inhibit the development of Rash and Martial, but also the wider team from becoming more dynamic and varied in attack.
Don't get me wrong, he's been a class signing for this season and exactly what we needed in terms of character, presence and 'immediate success' to get the new era going, but we need to broaden our horizons with more pace and fluidity. One further year as a max for me.
28 Mar 2017 21:49:35
Lukaku and Griezmann please, imagine having them with Pogba, Martial, Mkhitaryan and another DM/ CM, I think Ibrahmovic been brilliant and would give him another year if we can but his wage demands may put us off.
{Ed004's Note - I agree. Ideally the holding midfielder would be Fabinho and that midfield and attack would have everything. Creativity, strength, height, speed, technique and goal scorers.}
28 Mar 2017 22:32:41
I await scorn but I've been somewhat underwhelmed by Zlatan. We have got a tight ass defence we don't concede a lot of goals but to have someone like Zlatan up front and not winning us points in those mid table crunch games what's the point? There's 5 others in the top six and we can do well against them all we want it's the mid table draws we have dropped points in.
I know I might sound like I'm being harsh but he's no Ruud Van Nistelrooy IMHO and I'd be very happy for him to move on now instead of becoming a new distraction like the Rooney situation has become over the years.
Thanks again eds you are legends.
29 Mar 2017 00:40:30
Lukaku, really? Rooney turns faster and has a better first touch!
{Ed004's Note - Might have a better first touch at times but certainly isn't faster or quicker off the mark. He's certainly a better player than Rooney currently. Though I've a conflicting opinion on whether I want Lukaku or not. If he's signed it completely rules out Mbappe this season and probably in the near further. Although, this could all be irrelevant if Mbappe goes elsewhere (or if we are actually interested in him) I'm inclined to reason that if Ibrahimovic stays then Mbappe would be a good signing however, if Ibra goes we don't have anyone experienced enough to lead the line for us. Additionally, we would need to replace Ibrahimovic physical presence on the pitch. I can see Mourinho signing a few more physical players so our set pieces become a lot more threatening}
29 Mar 2017 10:40:54
No please not Lukaku. I rather have Ibrahimovic then Lukaku! .
{Ed004's Note - I think Ibrahimovic will stay but if he does go Lukaku would not be a bad option. Top scorer in the premiership without taking set pieces at Everton (no offence intended it's not like they're monaco creating 2 dozen chances a game although they are a very good side) is very impressive}
29 Mar 2017 11:22:54
Zlatan has one of the worst conversion rates in the Premier League this season with 39% from 109 shots finding the target and he's missed 17 1v1 opportunities (this counts headers, etc. where he is the last man) .
Lukaku on the other hand is a different level, with the best conversion rate in the premier league this season (and the best for the last 3 seasons) and a 54% of his 80 shots being on target.
He's also only missed 8 1v1 opportunities.
Lukaku even has 2 more assists.
Not to mention when you break down the goals its even clearer to see who the better player is.
Zlatan has scored all but 6 of his goals with his right foot, Lukaku has a far better spread 5 headers, 6 right foot and 10 left footed goals.
Admittedly Lukaku has played 3 more games but they'be resulted in 6 more goals.
So to answer anyones question, Zlatan is magic and he can do a lot of things which Lukaku cannot do yet, Dare to Zlatan as they say.
BUT not every chance is a magic moment, and unfortunately Zlatan has a worse shots to target ratio than Giroud (and by some distance) .
So without a shadow of a doubt I'd let Zlatan go and the end of the season providing we bring in somebody like Lukaku.
If we're going to go with Rashford then it'll be our own downfall as he simply isn't and will never be good enough to lead the line at United in my opinion.
Go get Lukaku, send Rashford to Everton, let Zlatan go and really start to be ruthless in our approach.
29 Mar 2017 11:55:05
Agree Ed but is he the best available? . He will cost a lot of money and for that money we should look for a better striker, i just think he doesn't work hard as he should and he will end up being with us for a long time.
{Ed004's Note - I'm not sure if he is the best available tbh. The likes of Aubameyang, Lacazette and Belotti will all probably be on the move this summer. However, I think he would be an improvement on Ibrahimovic and offer more going forward. Zlatan has done a commendable job but I just think he limits us a bit.
It's also unfair that all our goals have been expected to come from Zlatan. I think that is why we have been so heavily linked with Griezmann. I wonder if Jose was going into this season expecting Rooney to last one more year and therefore have goals coming from Zlatan as a striker and Rooney as the second striker. I reckon he will want to significantly strengthen our attack and that two forwards will be looked at. If Griezmann is signed we need someone that will work well in a partnership with him
Also don't get where this debate about Rashford not even being good enough for our squad is coming from - can't believe people want a 19 year old out who plays most weeks and is probably the top 2-3 English prospects around at the minute gone. Off the top of my head only Ali and Sterling are even close to his potential}
29 Mar 2017 14:49:49
I rather get Lukaku over all those other strikers, he Premier League proven first, Lacazette is suppose to be Atletico bound if they can get their ban sorted, Aubayemengdingdong wants Madrid first, Belotti needs to stay in Italy and join one of the big clubs their, he reminds me of Immobile
Regarding the DM/ CM Fabinho looks good, my personal preference is Kessie of Atlanta who reminds me of Essien.
{Ed004's Note - Haven't gotten to see much of Kessie but thought he was more of a box-to-box midfielder like Herrera. Fabinho would be my clear and ideal target to partner Pogba}
30 Mar 2017 13:17:36
Couldn't complain with either tbh, heard Fabinho choice though is City over United, as long we address the positions that need addressing I be content.