07 Jun 2022 10:56:02
Don't see how FDJ would want to swap Barcelona for OT. We'll probably sign Neves from Wolves and bring DvB back with either Fred or McTominay. Hopefully sign a CB and a young CF to cover Ronnie. Plenty of youth coming through. Plenty of rumours but think we won't buy too many.
07 Jun 2022 11:25:04
I don't think he wants to, he's being told he's up for sale. So he'll most likely have a choice of clubs, whether he chooses us is another matter.
07 Jun 2022 11:34:22
FDJ may not be getting much say as to whether he can stay at Barcelona or not.
07 Jun 2022 12:28:25
In an ideal world McTom needs to be sold and Fred should be 5th choice and sold next season.
You can look at stats and McTom would be at the bottom.
He's not a United player and for years now we have not had a good midfield.
The last midfield player I felt was quality was Michael Carrick and it's been years since he left.
I was surprised when we didn't go for Alcantara as we love to sign overpaid 30+ players. He is exactly what we needed.
We struggle to move the ball and Bruno forward doesn't help the midfield either.
If ETH wants FDJ we should go all in for him.
I don't think you'll find a lot of players like FDJ on the market, he's Dutch, he's ex Ajax and a player who hasn't grown as he wanted to.
Sounds a bit like Fabregas at Barcelona, but when he came to Chelsea he was amazing.
For a change we'll get a proper football player who plays football rather players like fred who can't control the ball.
If it was me, I'd sign 2 midfielders and a CB before I fix any other positions. Fullback next.
07 Jun 2022 13:25:47
rohanarora Michael Carrick was quality but let's not forget that so too was Nemanja Matic. He was just unlucky when Jose left that we bought in Ole and the whole structure eventually started to crumble (just after he was made permanent) . We did not really play/ use the midfield, it was more a case of get the ball forward as quickly as possible.
{Ed077's Note - add to that we got Matic at the tail end of his peak. He could manage a good outing once a month?
07 Jun 2022 13:42:51
Carrick was the most highly rated under rated player in history ?.
07 Jun 2022 13:49:36
Recon, I think we need to get away from the thought that De Jong would not swap Barcelona for Manchester. It looks like we have discussed the price and will put in our offer shortly, after the International window De Jong will need to finalise the Barcelona situation and if there intention is to sell he will need to accept this and work out where best is for him.
07 Jun 2022 14:29:20
Maybe it’s the previous link with ETH but this time it seems different to previous targets. I think we are approaching transfers with a different tact and the fact this link has stuck around for a couple weeks now would suggest ETH has been given some hope FDJ would come across. Barcelona are definitely having to sell some players so there is no doubt he’s available if they get the price they want, it’s whether ETH can convince him and I think FDJ appears to have some interest in the move. I’m not saying we’ll 100% get him but I think the chance is higher than some people on here think.
07 Jun 2022 14:34:40
Yes Matic was good, but he didn't sustain it.
He had a good first season and had a great season before his contract was expiring.
He was signed 2 years later than he should have been.
Matic was good, but nowhere how good Carrick was.
We let Herrera to and allowed McTom to take his place. I was livid when he left and still think it's a stupid decision. We are not let's make McTom a better player FC. Herrera could do a job in DM, he was one of those who didn't speak ill until his contract expired, he worked very hard, I remember there was a stat comparison and him and Ndidi were level on interceptions and tackles.
He was not the best passer but he was definitely miles ahead of McTom and Fred.
There's always a debate about oh let's sell De Gea, but nobody is aiming at McTom when he's much worse.
07 Jun 2022 14:39:04
ed77, I sort of see what you mean but he was 28 when signed and should easily have given 4 -5 very good years, for someone who can read the game as well as he does. Just goes to show how Utd have made top players look so poor in a totally disorganised football team!
{Ed077's Note - he was still good for a few games but he seemed struggle to deliver consistent performance for 2 games a week. Maybe he will be better in a different league and just aged out in the PL? I guess we will find out after he signs for Roma.
07 Jun 2022 17:29:20
Anyone criticising Carrick is insane. Scholes and Keane aside, our best CM since Robson.
07 Jun 2022 19:29:18
Carrick absolutely brilliant
Herrera was garbage, kicked a few people and worked hard but come on! Fred does that but gets slaughtered! Herrera does it and it’s a scandal we let him leave!
07 Jun 2022 20:29:58
Matic has been a top player. I have appreciated him more watching him play for us. He has a lot of experience and uses it for the most part very wisely.
He has something that so many of our players do not. a footballing brain. The regular intensity of the Premier league is now too much for him but in a slower tempo league like Italy or France he can still do a decent job. Even more so with a manager who understands how best to use him. Apart from the fact his legs have gone I would have had him one of the first names on my team sheet.
07 Jun 2022 19:07:05
I agree we need more than one new midfielder and feels risky to have all our eggs in one basket in De Jong. We have been here before with summer-long pursuits of a main target only to be disappointed. If Erik thinks he’s the most crucial player for us though we should trust his judgement.
I think Ten Hag will assess Garner to see if he’s ready to step up after his breakout season for Forest. Clearly Donny van de Beek may be treated as a new signing also given his past relationship with ETH at Ajax.
McTominay and Fred are squad players at best. Then we are down to youngsters who may or may not breakthrough.
{Ed002's Note - Don't forget van der Beek.}
07 Jun 2022 19:07:05
I agree we need more than one new midfielder and feels risky to have all our eggs in one basket in De Jong. We have been here before with summer-long pursuits of a main target only to be disappointed. If Erik thinks he’s the most crucial player for us though we should trust his judgement.
I think Ten Hag will assess Garner to see if he’s ready to step up after his breakout season for Forest. Clearly Donny van de Beek may be treated as a new signing also given his past relationship with ETH at Ajax.
McTominay and Fred are squad players at best. Then we are down to youngsters who may or may not breakthrough.