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13 Aug 2024 12:13:26
West Ham have announced the signing of AWB for 15 million. I wish him good luck for the future.
1.) 13 Aug 2024 13:21:02
Great news.
Antony pellistri hannibal erikson mctom sancho casimero maguire lindelof.
If we can get 5 or 6 of that 9 out before the window closes and another couple in it will have been the best window in many a year imo.
On the ins imo
Yoro I'm not over excited about. So much to prove. If you watch his 'low lights' as well as his highlights you will see a young kid who is a long way off ready for the epl. I doubt he will play a big part of things this season or indeed possibly next season. One for the future let's hope he fills his potential.
Zirkzee intrigues me. I think he can offer something different. Plays off the cuff in a maverick style.
Deligt. Again a lot to prove. Not pushed on and not been kept by 2 huge clubs. Sold at a significant loss. Hopefully eth can get him playing to his best again.
Mazraoui, is imo the best and most exciting of the 4 signings. I expect him to be a permanent fixture in the 1st 11 quite quickly.
I'd like us to sign ugarte rabiot and if we can get sancho and Anthony out either cheisa or raphina on the right would be astute signings imo.
2.) 13 Aug 2024 13:27:55
Me too. He was a good solid professional. He came in did his best, worked hard and never caused any problems.
He's not an awful player, he's just not suited to playing for a team that looks to play a progressive technical style of football.
His touch and technique are not at the required level.
I wish him the best and hope he has a good time at West Ham.
3.) 13 Aug 2024 13:55:23
Chiesa? Really? God, I hope not!
Why would Juve be so eager to get rid of him, if he was that good? Also, if I remember corectly, he is injured more often than not. And most importantly, i'd rather give a chance to Amad.
4.) 13 Aug 2024 14:13:22
Yoro is the most exciting signing of the lot.
5.) 13 Aug 2024 14:19:33
Juve offered him a contract which he didn't take up.
He only has a year left so they need to sell.
He is a very good player imo.
He played 46 games last season for juve and Italy.
Still a starter for Italy still has plenty to offer.
Amad and him as rw options would be strong imo.
6.) 13 Aug 2024 14:59:26
How much have you seen of him caolan?
What has you excited about him? People talking about him a lot over past 6 months or so. People talking about him as highly as they did januzai and ferdinand, i'm hopi g he does as well as the latter, but from the limited pieces I've seen he looks a long way off and that was all in the French league not the standard of the epl. I've no doubt he will do well but I don't see him being a regular starter for a season or 2.
7.) 13 Aug 2024 15:03:28
Bayern made a profit on De ligt.
8.) 13 Aug 2024 15:25:14
I think AWB and West Ham are a good match, they have brought well and with Lopetegui they have an astute manager. Always gave his all and a decent human, just not the atributes for a team looking to control the ball.
Whilst I would love to solve all of our problems this window the reality is we need to prioritise our resources. If we can solve the defensive issues we had last year as well as HM I will take that. I think we have enough in other positions to get by with young players improving, injured players coming back and youth players seeing time with the first team.
9.) 13 Aug 2024 15:30:15
Some players do well at some clubs, and badly at others. Cantona never settled anywhere and yet he was a super hero for us.
De Ligt had huge potential bit hasn't pushed on, hopefully he finds his mojo; he and Martinez as a partnership looks very interesting.
We need to look after Yoro and ensure he builds on what is clearly huge potential. As for Zirkzee, never really seen him.
10.) 13 Aug 2024 15:52:35
I'm not intimate with buyers accounts fuser. They bought him for 69m euro on a 6 year contract sold him 2 years later for 43m euro with potential add ons not guaranteed and paid him in excess of 25m euro. Again this is from the Web so can't say with any real accuracy.
11.) 13 Aug 2024 16:21:47
I think Yoro will be a regular this season once fit.
12.) 13 Aug 2024 17:07:25
I like the Mazraoui signing because he can cover on the left if needed and I don't want us signing someone who will limit Amass chances and further money tied up in Left backs doesn't make sense hivenbour financial plight.
It seems under the current management including Ten Hag that they will being youngsters through and have them an pathway, that's whatvinpersonally want to see and would like. And yes they will make mistakes, its part of the growing into men's football but I will will take a few points dropped as he learns if he does have the opportunity to make it here.
Zirkzee I want to see in that false 9 role which he is supposedly suited for and where he like to play. It's an option that we looked quite good in at times with Bruno playing. This lad adds a physical presence to the role, it could be interesting if Ten Hag can set it up right. I do t think we will move to this as a primary system, more it's another bow in our strings we will use at times.
Yoro I am excited to see his development, again I am happy to take the Hughes and lows as he develops. At games the fans will stick by him, they might not on message boards but he won't care about that.
De Ligt he has had a couple of rough seasons since he left Ajax, but his skillset aligns with what Ten Hag wants and he is the manager who got everyone excited about him 5 years ago. He might be the godsend Onana needs alongside Lisandro to start establishing the patterns of play we thought we might be getting with Ten Hag two years ago.
Overall thus far I think the signings offer potential and options, none are the final product and there is going to growing pains with all of them, be ups and downs and maybe some tough moments, but I can live with that if we are showing a clear movement towards an end goal.
13.) 13 Aug 2024 17:53:21
15 million for AWB. But if we were buying him the other way at least 25. And yoro I hope he will make a player but if anyone thinks he is ready for first team in the premier league there in cloud cuckoo land, at least 2 years to see whether he will be a top defender. niw he will get a few games.
14.) 13 Aug 2024 18:19:03
I don't know tumble, looking at his last 3 seasons he played:
21/ 22 867 minutes
22/ 23 844 minutes
23/ 24 2206 minutes
This is league games, ofcourse. doesn't scream injury free player to me.
15.) 13 Aug 2024 18:25:40
Ken, think it’s €45m upfront with €5m add ons which would probs just be breakeven/ sought profit. Wages are counted for profit or loss on a player.
16.) 13 Aug 2024 18:49:47
I'm aware of that fuser but there is a difference between profit and loss in accounting or on the accounts as opposed to profiting if you get me.
I can show what I like in my accounts but it's shillings in the bank that counts.
17.) 13 Aug 2024 21:10:24
He was in the team of the season at 18 in France.
18.) 13 Aug 2024 23:23:25
MEL is the exciting one for me. His injury record interest but it's been exaggerated on here. Meanwhile he was really good for Bayern. My wife is German and we have a lot of friends and family there, every German football fan I've spoken to insists he has been Bayerns best CB (although some say joint best) over the last 2 seasons. None of them understand why they are letting him go, the Munich fans are fuming about it, while the fans of other teams are delighted to see him leave.
When the opposing fans are happy to see him leave, that tells me everything I need to know.
19.) 14 Aug 2024 09:55:45
I like the look of all of our signings so far this summer. I think they all have a good profile of player, clearly we are looking at increasing the technical ability of our squad. I have a couple of minor concerns with the two Bayern lads, mostly tied to their previous injuries and Bayern's habit of being able to look at the medical data and know when to sell a player who they know will struggle to stay fit (Hargreaves and Schweinsteiger) . The saying in once bitten twice shy. Well we've been bitten twice by Bayern already with signing players from them with dodgy injury records.
That said if both can stay fit and play regularly then we have signed two excellent players for very reasonable and fair fees. That on its own is a massive improvement on our recent transfer dealings.
I'm excited to see how a MdL and Martinez partnership will work. Both are typically front foot defenders, with neither being a natural sweeper. Yet both are intelligent defenders, so I'm optimistic that they can work it out.
Mazraoui if he can stay fit is an excellent fullback who can cover both sides. Him and Dalot give us some great quality in depth and tactical flexibility. His injury record is pretty awful, and personally I'd have maybe looked at other options. Fingers crossed he come them, while when he is fit and playing he really improves the quality of our team.
Yoro is a super exciting signing, potentially a generational talent. He is young and he will take time to adapt, and he will make mistakes. For all those people likening him to Varane I actually think he looks more like a young Rio Ferdinand, especially when he was at West Ham and Leeds. Tall, long limbs, not quite filled out into his body, calm on the ball, quick recovery pace when caught out of position, and an ability to use his long legs to go around a player and make the tackle.
Unlike Rio though he will have to complete his formative years at the club under the pressure of playing for United. Rio had the opportunity to have a few seasons of EPL football at other clubs before playing for United so was already more developed and less raw when he started to play for us. So we will need to be a little more patient with Yoro.
Finally Zirkzee is an interesting signing in terms of his skillset. He is a very different kind of striker to what we have had in a long time. In terms of how he plays he's closer to Eric Cantona than anyone else I've seen in a United shirt. Tall and strong, looks like a target man, but actually has a deft touch and plays more withdrawn from the front line more like an No.10. A high energy, relentless presser, who'll win a lot of possession and link well with his teammates to create chances. He won't be a player who scores a big number of goals, but he might be a player who scores big goals (important) .
Given the kind of other forwards we have (players who look to shoot rather than create) I think Zirkzee really suits them, he'll drop off the line, pull a CB out with him, and create space for the likes of Rashford, Garnacho, Amad and Antony to run into and get a shot away with less bodies to block those shots. He's the kind of striker who'll add 30 goals to the team, but won't score many of those extra 30 goals themselves. Expect him to score 10-15 goals maximum, but to see the other forwards get an extra 5-10 goals each.
I'm really excited to see how they all fit into the young and progressive team we are building. I expect to see us sign at least one more player as well, maybe more depending on out goings. If that player is Ugarte (like I think it will be) then I'm also excited to see how he fits in. He'll be a fan favourite for his tenacity, aggression and passion. A full bloodied battling midfielder who'll go to war in the shirt. I think he's tailor-made for the EPL, and would be a great player to shield the defence and give Mainoo greater licence to get forward and play to his full potential. He could be our equivalent to the Gilberto that Fabregas needed when breaking through at Arsenal.
All in all this is the most excited I've been for a new season in over a decade, I don't expect us to be anywhere near challenging for the title. But I am very hopeful of seeing a new and improved side start to come together, to see the green shoots of a potentially successful side start to take shape. A team that we can build on next summer and beyond to get back to the very top.
31 May 2020 17:31:11
Saul Niquez on his twitter posting he will announce new club in three days.
1.) 31 May 2020 19:37:18
If this is true and not a windup, then reckon he’ll either stay at Athletico, or go to Juventus or PSG (though maybe too similar to Verrati perhaps? ) : United do t seem to have Pogba sorted yet and not sure if he’ll take the risk of City getting a Euro ban.
If he goes to Juventus, could mean Pofba’s most likely escape route blocked and he has to stay with United.
2.) 31 May 2020 22:09:06
Not sure many clubs, if any are going to spending big cash in the current climate.
3.) 31 May 2020 23:06:04
Well he’s recently followed Bruno, Pogba and man it’s foundation on Instagram. Utd move confirmed :’)
4.) 01 Jun 2020 04:47:10
I m sure that " club" will not be football related. just a tease. some horse riding, golf, charity club will it be. don't expect such high profile move to be confirmed like this during this time.
5.) 01 Jun 2020 15:50:17
Saul's Nightclub!
6.) 02 Jun 2020 20:32:22
I’ve seen a few things say it’s to do with an esports club.
We will know soon enougj!
16 Jan 2020 11:24:01
I have a friend who worked with Shaw at Southampton. He says that Shaw is the thickest person he has ever met and that is the real problem with him. He says nothing ever clicks with him and he really doesn't get it.
Nice lad he says, but as thick as two short planks.
1.) 16 Jan 2020 11:41:30
He's a footballer! But to be at the bottom of the class in a class of idiots. >.
2.) 16 Jan 2020 21:43:30
Get fit - play better. Simple for him.
3.) 16 Jan 2020 22:11:50
i have heard exactly the same.
4.) 17 Jan 2020 21:44:54
so what? Rooney is as thick as they come and still had a pretty decent career with us.
Oakbark's banter posts with other poster's replies to Oakbark's banter posts
15 Dec 2024 21:12:57
Can you join me in sending our thoughts and prayers for Kyle Walker and wish him a full recovery from that horrific head injury he suffered.
1.) 15 Dec 2024 21:27:11
???.
2.) 15 Dec 2024 21:29:15
rasmus. hoejlund
Manchester is red
Violets are blue
What a brilliant performance
But the Oscar goes to…….
3.) 15 Dec 2024 21:47:09
Liked the Instagram post from Rasmus, 'Manchester is red, Violets are blue. What a brilliant performance, but the Oscar goes to. '
It was a pathetic act from Walker and he deserved to be on the loosing side for that alone.
Still think the Dias tackle on Rasmus was a penalty.
4.) 15 Dec 2024 22:00:05
It was, IWOTB. Left his leg across him.
5.) 15 Dec 2024 22:03:57
Spot on Stevie and he did not get near the ball.
6.) 16 Dec 2024 07:01:37
Walker was pathetic and as a cheat should have been given a red. The foul on Rasmus was a penalty, someone said Neville said not in a game like this. What, so if it’s Everton v Southampton it’s a penalty but not at the Etihad, because it’s City basically? Nonsense
Well done Amorim, said on live chat before the game, good strong decision. Very much behind Amorim.
7.) 16 Dec 2024 08:34:12
it was actually mike Dean who said that redman, yes Mike Dean the retired referee, thanks for giving an insight into referees thought processes Mike.
8.) 16 Dec 2024 09:16:56
Mike Dean also said during the discussion it wasn't a penalty as the defender was just a bit clumsy! Never heard that as a reason for not awarding a penalty.
13 Aug 2023 09:40:52
BBC article on transfer negotiations.
Interesting line about Man Utd near the bottom, when he talks about concluding deals, saying Man City is a very streamlined process involving Texi, Pep and the Chief Exec whereas with United he always felt there were too many people involved implying our processes were cumbersome and unweildy and slowed everything down.
I wonder if this has changed now, it certainly appears to have been hinted at that its just Ten Hag and Murtagh, with i assume Arnold saying yes or no as to whether he will sanction the spend, its felt as if we are moving forward in some regards compared to previously.
1.) 13 Aug 2023 12:12:32
In theory the new process should involve the management team and the scouts in the first instance to identify what is needed for the team and targets who meet that need.
It will then be down to the manager and Murtagh to speak to agents about whether those targets would be interested in a move, find out rough costs both from the players side in expected salary and roughly what the club would expect in transfer fee.
If the player would be interested, and the cost seem reasonable then Arnold will get involved with Murtagh to approach the club and start talking numbers.
Once all the numbers are agreed I believe Arnold has to get a final signing off on the deal from the Glazers. Once he gets that then the process of the transfer can start. Official bids, solicitors etc. Medical booked, media team working on announcements etc.
To be honest there are really only two ways the process could be streamlined. The first is having Arnold and Murtagh's jobs combined and having one person in this role. However, that's probably a case of swings and roundabouts. In that what you save in terms of them having to collaborate on transfer deals you lose in that that they would have significantly less time to work on deals with their added responsibilities.
The other area where streamlining could occur is in removing the need for the owners to sign off on the deals. However, if done well in the first place it shouldn't be a significant hold up. The problem will come in terms of availability. If the owners cannot make themselves available for whatever reason then that is the only reason for a hold up. Presenting them with the information and them making a decision shouldn't take more than a hour or two at most. However, if it takes two days to arrange that meeting then that's the delay.
2.) 13 Aug 2023 14:45:12
Oakbark, heard plenty of rumours that everything, every minor decision, has to be signed off by Joel Glazer, who is not only in a different time zone but is often called “Glacial” given their speed of movement.
Bring on new owners.
Please.
3.) 13 Aug 2023 17:21:19
There was last year an article on the Athletic about United. Ot was spur ed from people in football though sources aren't named. A number of themes came up. One of which was that United waste a huge amount of resources with a massivbe scouting setup all across europe watching games where there is no player they are interested in. What was then highlighted is that United aremt looking to bring in nd develop talent but buy ready made talent so why are they scouting everyone.
One executive from Premier league stated that Uniteds structure is confusing, you don't really know whobis doing what, is it Murtagh or Fletcher, that whilst one of DoF one is tecjnical director neither is a sporting director with an overall vision coordinating everything, so do you speak to John Darren or Richard the CeO. Murtagh was described as competant bit witbout the connections in the game you need a the moment.
One agent commented on United, that to do a deal with them you have to speak with three people.
11 Aug 2023 20:28:06
Am i right in thinking that its very possibke top 5 for the new champions league format in 24/ 25, given England is very possibly going to be top 2 i the coefficient for the xtra places?
1.) 11 Aug 2023 23:33:50
It would have been top 5 last season in England and in Netherlands using the rules from next year, so perhaps.
2.) 12 Aug 2023 00:31:40
Based ober last 5 years the coefficients are. So the perhaps is s lot more likely with Past rwsukts taken into account.
01 May 2023 13:43:39
If the Glazers sell the full 69% to Ineos, they would then have enough to buy Liverpool. that's a win win for me.
1.) 01 May 2023 14:21:40
Could you imagine???.
2.) 01 May 2023 14:26:46
What worries me is if Sheikh Jassim then goes and wants to buy Liverpool and we’re stuck still with debt and 20% Glazers.
3.) 01 May 2023 14:38:17
They could be a good feeder club for PSG. Bit of luck that Finnish chancer will make a bid for Liverpool now.
03 Feb 2023 22:42:37
Big week for United this, Palace and Leeds at home then next Sunday Leeds away.
All games that on current form we should be winning. With Chelsea again drawing I think this is an opportunity for United to pull away from the chasers in the top 4 hunt. If we keep on getting the results I think the lads will be enjoying the games coming thick and fast.
I am expecting Rashy to come out and put on a show.
1.) 03 Feb 2023 23:36:46
3 tough fixtures imo.
Leeds are a team I watch and they play well and create chances Adams is good in midfield and they all work hard. I see them lose games and wonder how they lost. They do give up plenty of chances so we need to take them.
Palace at home will be easier than away obviously but we also need to break their packed defence.
9 points are up for grabs we need them all.
Looking forward to seeing how quickly our new guy slots in and we will see dalot martial sancho available too. So with any luck we should have fresh legs in most areas of the pitch giving eth lots of options.
2.) 04 Feb 2023 12:44:44
I wouldn't say they are easy fixture. Leeds is always a tough game, sometimes more of a battle than a football match, especially at Elland Road.
While Palace have shown us recently that they aren't push overs and took a point in our last meeting.
3.) 04 Feb 2023 19:44:15
I don't think are any easy games in the EPL anymore Shappy, unless of course your team are playing Liverpool!
19 Dec 2024 15:24:01
Didn't they sell off a lot of future incomes for cash up front last year? I can't see the problems easing for them at all.
17 Dec 2024 23:20:31
Depends on the fee United want, the lower that is the more prepared clubs will be to up the wages.
Fact is he isn't delivering what he costs so any fee and the wages cleared is going to leave us better off.
08 Dec 2024 22:56:57
No issue for me? DA obviously was the wrong man? He is gone.
They have Wilcox and Berrada in place? They have their manager now in Amorin. Not even sure they need to bring in a replacement just streamline the whole process possibly.
We expect players to be moved on if they aren't a fit, it's no different for execs. You won't get every appointment right just as you won't every player, when you get it wrong move on.
06 Nov 2024 18:59:48
Amorin was ready for it and he and the Sporting media team were totally prepared and dealt with. He was sending out the message he was solely focused on the City game and not being distracted and it worked.
I rather fancy the reporter fell into his trap, an English reporter at a press conference deliberately held in Portugese, the reported got played here.
01 Nov 2024 22:46:18
At least now we can read stories of us being linked to every Past or present Sporting or anyone Portugese. Will make a change.
12 Jan 2025 22:15:47
I didn't think I would say this but I would much rather Liverpool won The league than Arsenal. You are right that this Arsenal side are dislikeable whereas this Liverpool side aren't at all, in fact they are very good to watch and admire and there is nothing dislikeable about them at all, apart from being Liverpool.
Maybe I am going soft in my old age, I even like your manager, he just very impressive, dawn that's twice on the teot you got right, hopefully you will get Arteta next!
09 Jan 2025 09:48:49
The finances are not precarious at all.
There is a need to comply with the current PSR rules, and that compliance is going to be heavily linked to sales and reduction in wages.
It is perhaps best to think that United position financially is that to get players in they need to get players out to allow the accountants to perform the magic with numbers to create the room to get players in.
It's a problem entirely of their own making, the have overpaid for players in terms of fees and wages for so long it created an accounting nightmare which they are trying to get back under control.
Interestingly there is much discussion of the PSR rules changing/ being replaced to effectively a cap on player spending as a percentage of turnover. Those rules would out United in a much better position to spend due to their high turnover.
I think it's important to understand United are not financially in trouble at all. The are just in a mess over being allowed to spend their way out of trouble quick because the made a pigs ear of all their previous attempts to spend their way out trouble and so have to sort that before they have another go and dropping huge piles of cash on players.
08 Jan 2025 13:28:25
I believe every player has a value to the club, their worth in footballing ability in terms of both transfer value and wages.
There is a point with any player where the guys building a team can improve a team more be selling a player and reinvesting the money than keeping that player and for me, wanting to see us succeed that becomes the point at which we should sell a player.
In Rashfords case I believe the fee because of the wages would be quite low, the point at which United could improve the team by selling will be much lower.
I want Mainoo to stay and develop and be a star here but if he was sold and Amorim and Wilcox could use that money to bring in players, that improve us then I accept it is the right call for them. And if we keep making the right call on decisions like this we will get back to where we want to be.
05 Jan 2025 20:33:46
I totally agree, he was right he should be mad because why can we put a shift in today and it be missing all those other weeks.
I like hearing him talk, it isn't about systems or him getting time with the players. Firstly it's about effort a commitment and desire to win, that's the basic starting block. As he always says you have to suffer and today the players did and they got something out of a game no one was expecting.
03 Jan 2025 20:52:57
My God, 24 players need to go before thr manager. Pound for pound the worst squad in football right now and in contention for the worst value team ever.
No manager would do anything with this squad. A good manager though would split it up, there are very few pieces that should be kept.
I have a hard time thinking of a team who have spaffed so much money for so little return on the playing g staff. Fans need to leave the manager alone. The players deserve all the ire of the fans right now.
It's not just the performance on the pitch, it's the crap surrounding them off the pitch.