05 Jul 2019 15:46:40
"I think we've been quite calm and good in the market as we've got the right people, and we're still working on a case or two.
"Of course, we're always looking to improve the squad and, all over the summer, I've been in touch with Joel [Glazer] and Ed [Woodward] and all the recruitment people, and analysis people. I've got to say it's been very good so far . I've got the backing and we've got the people we wanted, for now, and there will probably be some more business being done. "
Ole's latest comments do nothing to dispel the idea that he's in post purely to be a cheerleader for the club's owners. In May he said that he wanted signings in place by the start of preseason, but now he's fine with it dragging on until the window shuts.
No more than two signings. Where does that leave Pogba and Lukaku? Both players trying to push through moves, but the club isn't looking to replace them?
05 Jul 2019 16:10:00
Harsh Danny, how many other clubs have done any business? Not many yet. I suspect it’s 2 unless people leave but hey, what do I know.
05 Jul 2019 16:23:07
If they leave the club will look for replacements.
What do you expect him to say? To be honest press conferences are largely a waste of time anyway. Its all lies.
How often do you see "we're not interested in this player. " Two days later said player signs. Or "the player is injured and will miss the game. " Come the day if the game said player starts.
05 Jul 2019 16:29:17
His comments are worrying Danny. But I highly doubt he’s going to go out and put the sword in the glazers or Woodward. Something about biting the hand that feeds you, or something along those lines.
I have no doubt we will see more additions. It’s clear that we are after Bruno and Maguire (or a cb) . The worrying thing is there were players such as Rojo, Jones, smalling and young that we could have had off the books if we hadn’t handed out large contracts. I know from a commercial perspective it means we don’t lose them for nothing. But it will be even harder now to shift them.
I’m of the view that I’m not going to criticise until the window is over. Let’s just wait and see.
05 Jul 2019 17:15:04
I don't see where you get, 'no more than two signings', Danny.
05 Jul 2019 17:36:17
What do you want him to say publicly? Criticise the club, the board, the owners, the players? Not how the world works. Utterly ridiculous to criticise OGS for sending out a few mundane sound bites in a press conference.
05 Jul 2019 17:55:53
I think it’s ridiculous if the club haven’t been looking for replacements for two players who have publicly stated a desire to leave.
And Tony, I’m going on the basis of what Ole said. He wanted to get players in quickly, the club failed to do this, but Ole still claims they’re doing a great job.
It seems like a similar situation to what Jose complained about last season: failure to bring in players for key positions (cb, cm, rw), failure to move players on, and uncertainty surrounding key players.
Personally I couldn’t care less what other clubs are doing. This club needs some massive changes if it wants to get anywhere near challenging for titles. Adding a championship winger and a young fullback isn’t going to cut it.
Every manager since Fergie has said the same thing about our transfer business, the club didn’t back them. In contrast, Ole’s statement could have been drafted by the advertising department.
05 Jul 2019 20:34:11
How do you know we haven't been looking at replacements?