18 Jul 2022 17:57:50
"We are looking for a player who can play in the holding midfield position, but it has to be the right one. There are not many in that position capable of the level we demand. When we can't find him, we have to deal with the players in our squad now and we will develop one in that position. "
"I will not react on a certain player. We need the right player. We have a list and we qualify the player who has the competencies to play that role. We will strike the moment the player is available. "
This is the response from EtH when asked about the club's pursuit of FDJ.
Very interesting, it seems that he sees FDJ as a holding midfielder (No.6), and that we are in for someone who is more of a Carrick type CDM than a Makelele type CDM. Someone to control the game with the ball than a ball winning monster off of it.
Also that if the club cannot sign a player capable of playing this role to the level that he/ the club need then they will look to develop one of the players in our squad. At a guess you'd think Garner would be the most obvious one to develop.
18 Jul 2022 18:34:08
If not FDJ, let Eriksen be that player, he has all the tools to do it.
Get another CM, who is a bit more defensive minded and we will have a serious team a IMO.
18 Jul 2022 19:04:05
Ruben Neves.
18 Jul 2022 20:14:27
I think who starts the season if De Jong does not come and who ends it could be very different. I think he will look to progress Iqbal and Savage over the season. but may start with the players we have seen.
18 Jul 2022 21:14:25
Everyone loves a come back; ladies and gentlemen I give you PHIL JONES!
18 Jul 2022 21:35:05
Ivy just been discussing these comments with a friend and he pointed out something interesting.
They pointed out this line: "We will strike the moment the player is available. "
This line they found interesting as discussions are well underway with FDJ and a fee has been agreed.
My friend wonders whether EtH was talking about a different player.
He said could we be doing what we did with our other signings this summer and waiting until another club agrees a deal and then gazzumping them.
We did it with Malacia after Lyon did the leg work.
Brentford had a ln offer on the table for Eriksen long before United entered the fray.
We didn't move on Martinez until Arsenal had declared an interest and were told a price.
Is there another midfielder we are interested in but are waiting until another club agrees a deal so we don't get ripped off. Maybe someone like Tielemans who should be available for a reasonable price given he has one year left, but we all know that price will be 10-15m more to us than anyone else. Unless of course Leicester have agreed a fee with someone else.
Conspiracy theory stuff, but it is an interesting line from the manager. Who is he refering to when he says we will strike when he's available?
18 Jul 2022 21:54:59
Probably has some truth to that shappy.
It's a clever way to save money for sure.
The player could be sms.
18 Jul 2022 21:55:45
A lot of words being put in mouths here. I would have assumed the holding role is not FdJ but someone else.
18 Jul 2022 23:14:47
Other quotes from ten Hag re: midfield options:
“I think we have already good midfield players, but that type of player what you describe (in De Jong) I think it’s necessary in the squad. Of course we have players who can fill it in and we will do it if we cannot find the right player. Then we will develop a player in that position. ”
Quite like what I have seen of Iqbal so far. Maybe a diamond in the rough. Don't get me wrong, it's ok to be a bit fragile out on the wing but I think the further back the pitch you go the tougher they need to be and a few of these kids are extremely lightweight. But promising early signs from a few of the youngsters on tour.
19 Jul 2022 09:50:06
Garner?
19 Jul 2022 12:57:14
You would have thought Garner out of all of them, but he hasn't featured on the tour at all I don't think? At least 3-4 other midfield youths have been used over him.
19 Jul 2022 14:11:01
He's been injured Spennithorne, he's back training now.
{Ed014's Note - that’s some typo!
19 Jul 2022 14:35:59
It'll be interesting to see if Garner is fit enough to play against Villa on Saturday and if so how many minutes he gets.
Of the youth players you'd think Garner was the most obvious as being ready to step up.
Yet it's probably Zidane Iqbal and Charlie Savage who's caught the eye most so far on tour.
Garner being injured hasn't helped him much unfortunately.
I'm a little surprised we haven't seen Garnacho yet and that Hannibal has only played in today's game for around 30 minutes.
19 Jul 2022 14:45:01
Ed14 it auto corrected to that. Don't know what Spennithorne is lol.
{Ed014's Note - I guessed it did, made me laugh though and no idea what it is either! ??
19 Jul 2022 19:33:11
Shappy I'm a bit surprised too about hannibal and garnacho. We've got to trust ten hag and maybe he's not seeing what he wants from them. Still a few games to go so maybe we will see a bit more of them.