07 Feb 2015 04:28:34
Hey all/eds
Just a few questions Ed002 if you don't mind answering if you get a chance as a know you are very busy.would i be right in thinking united want to bring in a RB, 2 CB'S, CM, WINGER and possibly a ST in the summer?if so who do you think united are proritising as targets for the positions.theres a lot of rubbish in the tabloids as usual but seems clyne is a priority target for RB?I don't know about the rest.a lot of talk of united making moves for bale but i see that as rubbish talk and will never happen.strong talk of marquinhos for CB?Please please say united will switch cm targets from strootman, he's like hargreaves too injury prone.pogba i reckon is chelsea/madrid bound i fear.
Massive apologies for the long post/rant and any reply
{Ed002's Note - I have no idea what the question really is Dave. I don't see that there has been any real change to the targets than I have explained before - aside from a couple that have moved elsewhere.
GK: If De Gea goes perhaps Krul or Handanovic will be added.
RB: Coleman would be expensive and remains "not for sale". Perhaps Clyne would be a better option. Perhaps Alves.
CB: Mats Hummels remains the primary target, if available. The summer iscertainly realistic, particularly given the Champions League situation. Garay could certainly be an option for the summer - he will be leaving Zenit. Alternatively, Godin or Howedes if available but I doubt a first choice. Virgil van Dijk has been looked at but there is interest from elsewhere and I cannot see him sitting on the bench. Miranda - only makes sense at a much, much lower fee. Terence Kongolo is of growing interest to both Manchester clubs and Southampton. Tyrone Mings has been looked at but remains one for the future and with Rojo and Shaw seems an unlkikely choice. Otamendi was of interest to Barcelona, Zenit, Chelsea, Napoli, Manchester City and CSKA before a move to Valencia in January 2014 and a subsequent loan to Atlético Mineiro. As Otamendi has only effectively been playing in Spain since August 2014 a move in January was unlikely - but he was of interest.
DM: Strootman has been injured for a while and whilst he remains a target the summer would be lower risk. Carvalho remains a player that both Arsenal and Manchester United are interested in and his situation remains the same. He is for sale, but the asking price would need to come down to make any move possible. Previous interest from Monaco, Inter, Chelsea and Juventus has gone because of the price. Vidal is due to be sold in the summer but I suspect Juventus would listen to a decent offer now. Nainggolan might, if his complex ownership can be resolved, be an option.
M/W: I have dealt with Depay, Pogba and Reus at length, but Depay is not ready at this time, Pogba will be outrageously expensive and Manchester United would need to make an offer for Reus very soon (and there is a major stumbling block).
FW: Santos' Gabriel Barbosa continues to be of interest to Chelsea and Manchester United. However, much is expected of him and there is an agreement between Santos and Barcelona that will be exercised in 2016 in all probability. Do not be surprised by a bid for Benzema.}
07 Feb 2015 14:16:44
Thanks ed, great info. I would love Benzema at the club, i think he is very underrated and there aren't many ST's as good as him available.
07 Feb 2015 15:13:15
Ed do you still think Strootman will still be a target for the summer considering the new injury?
08 Feb 2015 06:39:06
Very detailed and intresting ED. Couple of quick questions is Kongolo any relation to the young lad we have playing at Youth level at the moment? Also could you elaborate on the Reus 'stumbling block'? Is it because he wants to play in La Liga?
Thanks.
{Ed002's Note - His younger brother Rodney plays for Manchester City. The issue over Reus is not something for discussion.}
08 Feb 2015 10:37:40
Sorry Ed I mean City!