16 May 2017 10:50:50
A lot of reports that a deal for James is all but done.
16 May 2017 11:15:44
Seen that. What you think jred.
16 May 2017 11:17:47
We should run a mile from him. no heart, a waster.
16 May 2017 11:22:05
They all come from a tweet by Ballague who sourced it from AS who sourced it from some Colombian radio channel. Completely bizarre reporting imo and silly season has well and truly begun.
I'm not sold on James at all and the fact that Ballague is reporting it gives me hope since he has been almost always wrong about United's dealings and seems to prop up the betting market.
16 May 2017 11:31:29
A waster? Perhaps a little over the top no?
16 May 2017 11:37:35
I know its silly season but I do love it. Would like to get the majority of deals done early but do enjoy a deadline day deal. I think James could be a gamble that might pay off especially if mata does leave the club has more pace and a eye for a goal.
16 May 2017 11:42:30
This would be a criminal waste of money signing, imagine paying 50-60mn for james and then sell ddg for 70mn to madrid. He won't fit in the side unless he takes mata's place on bench, which would make even less sense as he wants to leave madrid to be a starter.
16 May 2017 11:44:18
Fit finaly.
He is a very talented lad still only young, needs to be the hub of the team Imo .
Can be that final piece in the jigsaw type player that makes everything work .
Be interesting to see if anything comes of it.
16 May 2017 11:49:33
James is a quality player but does anyone believe that he is a Mourinho type player. He does not work hard enough off the ball for me to fit into what we will look to do next year.
16 May 2017 12:38:30
No but he's clearly a Woody type player - a big name that is overpriced.
16 May 2017 13:20:21
He's definitely being over hyped as all man utd reports are.
Fact is that lack of consistency will make him a gamble and its an expensive gamble (even tho he is talented).
Couple that with his unwillingness to track back and it all equates to paper talk. can't see jose looking at him tbh.
16 May 2017 14:13:31
If someone can just explain where pogba will play once james is here, that'd be great.
16 May 2017 14:29:05
Di Maria MkII anyone?
16 May 2017 14:56:59
If we are seriously considering Rodriguez in the summer then I'm increasingly concerned about our long term future. Not because he isn't a good player but because he players in an area of the pitch where we don't need reinforcements especially as we don't always play with a No 10 and question marks remain over Pogba's suitability to play in a two man midfield. (In the big games at least) .
Other areas of the pitch badly need re-investment and to neglect them to sign Rodroguez would have us continuing to tread water in my opinion.
A defensive midfielder must be a priority, only an ageing Carrick fulfils that role in the squad and surly we can't rely on him for another season. There are questions marks about Martial's suitability to play wide left, especially the defensive side of his game therefore that area of the pitch also needs addressing. We need cover for Valencia at right back and then there is the issue of finding a goal scorer. I'd like to see Rashford and Martial competing for the lone striker role next season rather than spending millions on somebody who's probably not tried and tested in the premier league, Belloti for example.
This brings me to Greizman, I know there has been a lot of debate surrounding him but I think he'd been a great acquisition. In games at OT he can fulfil the No 10 or supporting striker role and in bigger games where we need numbers in midfield he can play wide left. From all the reports I've read he works hard and is prepared to track back and fulfil his defensive duties. I think one of the ed's has already alluded to this. He gives us options and is proven at the highest level.
So I'm my opinion we need Greizman, a defensive midfielder, a left winger and possibly cover for Valencia at right back. Four quality additions and hopefully we'll be a different animal next season maybe 5 is De Gea is sold.
I'd give the rest of the squad one more season and if we can't find a reliable partner for Bailly and Shaw continues to struggle at left back then both positions will need strengthening next summer.
16 May 2017 15:56:31
Would stay clear we should not be paying 60m for a player who can't get a game in one of our competitors. As my Nan would say, all fur coat and no knickers.
Not sure I believe it. Madrid are desperate to get rid and will have all their 'outlets' touting him.
16 May 2017 15:49:01
Ed002 is right with her assessment "Manchester United because they are seen as stupid enough to pay what most sides would see as way over the odds for the player who some would describe as a childish flake. "
James looks good for Columbia because he is afforded a free attacking role with others taking up the slack. At Madrid, surrounded by better players, he couldn't cut it. Not for lack of talent, but lack of work rate. We don't need another number 10, we need pace on the wings and another striker. I think we would be extremely stupid to sign a player who doesn't fit the team Jose is building. If we do bring him in, I would be surprised if he didn't fall out with Jose before the season even starts.
16 May 2017 16:25:08
Radio station in Colombia makes the claim, echoed by ballbag.
Report also states it will be made known on Sunday. I highly doubt it.
I'll stick to my sharkopod:)
16 May 2017 17:07:49
I'd compare James to Oscar. Similar build, style etc. I thought he turned out to be a bit hit and miss, and I think it might be the same problem with James. I do really like him, though. Earned me a few quid at the last world cup. Really can't see him being a José-type player, though.
16 May 2017 18:12:17
For anybody who thinks James is a bit flaky and doesn't work hard enough I'd say take a look at martial and compare the 2. James works twice as hard and is a much better player imo.
He is quality.
I would imagine that most of this is being built up by the press.
16 May 2017 19:13:11
Would be a expensive gamble but I like him. He's better than what we've got currently. I don't get all this 'isn't a Jose player' nonsense. Look at his team at Real, they played some really good attacking football and scored goals. If we had a bit more quality in the final 3rd this season, we'd be challenging Chelsea. We've created the chances but not put the ball in the net. James as a number 10 will create and score.
Just worries me when Madrid want rid of any big stars they come to us first knowing Woody will pay silly money.
16 May 2017 19:18:28
Having been through about 4 summers of Gaitan rumours I am not worried, yet, about James. I would worry why we would buy James, Lacks pace and appears flakey in attitude however I remember the Ed saying James was very good commercially in South America. If James arrives he isn't a player I am convinced is the right choice for us.
17 May 2017 03:00:15
2Toms, when I say, José-type player, I mean a player who will work his socks off, not that he doesn't like to play attractive football. Though I dare say it's a lot easier to play attractive, attacking football, when you're one of three top teams in an otherwise fairly uncompetitive league. I think even the most defensive-minded of coaches would struggle not to get a Real Madrid side playing fairly attractive football.
17 May 2017 09:14:08
Fair point Noucamp99 but I just feel that we don't need to cram our team with forward players who track back. This season we have played some decent football without that little bit of quality up top. A player like James would give us that. If we can get a CB and DM in this summer then we'll be even more solid at the back and hard to beat, something I feel Jose has already improved in the team. It's creating and scoring goals that has hurt us this season.