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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
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!
01 Jan 2023 00:48:03
I thought Ten Hag and Rashford today handled it perfectly.
The embrace and the genuine smiles from both men after, The maturity of Marcus in his reaction on the pitch and then in the interview afterwards was telling.
Just as impressive was the goal because Rashy bullied those defenders physically with strength and power, something we haven't always seen from him.
The lads got his tail up right now, he made a minor mistake, owned it and repaid his manager whom both said the matter is finished now.
Also watch or read the comments on Casemiro about Rashy. I just feel positive that we have good characters sorting out the dressing room with the manager and Lisandro and Casemiro. Shaw today talking about how Varane has helped him through the last couple of matches during the game and before.
It's still going to be an up and down second half of the season but my god I feel more positive about 2023 than I did on the first day of 2022.
HAPPY NEW PEOPLE
GGMU.
1.) 01 Jan 2023 01:29:29
Happy new year to you too Oakbank, I must be part of the majority here but I really liked the way Shaw has been playing as Centre back, I'd pick him over Maguire and Lindelof 7/ 7 days no doubt. Wan Bissaka has impressed me too, I thought he was finished under ETH but now I'm not so sure about it. We do need a striker, it's imperative we get a striker this winter window if we are to push for top 4. GGMU!
2.) 01 Jan 2023 11:09:06
I think we are starting to see players showing what they can do with a coach rather than a clown running the show.
It's a combination of coaching confidence and culture, now I am not thinking that guys like AWB are are the long term answer to the position but it's no coincidence that so many of our lads are beginning to show more now than they have in years.
29 Sep 2024 22:52:48
No idea why Ole is getting mentioned, a journo asks Ole a question, Ole answers and now its bandied about as a credible alternative.
I cannot believe for one minute Sir Jim would even have thought about it, I am sure he and his team have ideas of who they want, OGS won't even be discussed and mentioned as an option.
11 Sep 2024 20:16:47
One saw Gomes as am attacking midfielder. Nicky Butt, head of the academy saw him in the pivot, Butt left because he didn't feel he fitted in with the people running the show.
Games left United went to Lille who used him in the role Butt saw for him. Meanwhile United haven't been able to properly solve that position at all in the intervening years.
I haven't seen enough of Gomes to comment with any great authority on how good he eally is but he looks like he is good enough in that position to have been better than some of the players we have had playing their over the last 2 years at least.
Hindsight may well decide United made a mess of this.
28 Aug 2024 22:17:41
I knew about his ACL rear but they often take a couple of years to get back from close to wear you were.
And 13 million doesn't buy much in the EPL nowadays. So I think its a good huy given their other options means he can be used sparingly become an impact player off the bench.
As for United I don't think we buy another forward this year. I think we wait and love next year when we can sink more money into getting the right player. I also think we might see Lacey start to get bench time at least. He will be 18 in April and will start to push the incumbents here, so far I haven't really seem anything too special in front of him.
28 Aug 2024 17:16:23
Can't help but feel that Liverpool signing Chiesa for 10 plus 2.5 million in add ons is going to be the deal of the summer.
Now maybe I have missed something that's happened to him, but I always thought he looked very good.
Bolger if right about KK though, would be a dream signing for the wide forwards.
28 Aug 2024 17:05:18
If you sign enough injury riddled left backs then one of them should be fit every week.
08 Oct 2024 17:19:12
West Brom 1981. What I didn't realise at the time or for a few years until my dad or grandad told meafter was that my all time hero was playing, but for West Brom that day, one of three future United players playing for the opposition that day with Robson still the greatest player I ever saw.
I have no idea about the players playing I just remember the atmosphere was electric.
06 Oct 2024 18:34:48
I think what keeps Ten Hag on a job if anything, is there actually that the management team have only been in place a few and that there might not be the preferred option for them right now.
Realistically, the squad is not very good, it isn't a top 6 squad, they are expensive yes, they are on high wages but they aren't as good as the money that was payed. There is a lot of players needed to be moved on to give United the finances and space to bring in players.
Ten Hag offers the board a buffer from criticism right now. If they bring in a new man, he isn't going to get Champions league, I don't think we will get Europa league, there are too many stronger teams in the EPL so I would not be shocked to see them wait, to continue assessing the squad, to work on deals with agents to get players out and. Work on bringing new players in, to identify the next manager and to make a move later knowing that this season is a wrote off because we aren't nearly as good as we many thought we were and the rest of us hoped we would be.
I don't think Ten Hag is the right man any more, but I am not convinced that the right man is available or that anyone is going to get us anywhere near without massive changes to the playing staff.
Putting the new man in with this squad is probably just going to hamstring him in everyone's eyes and once a narrative is out there it's very difficult to change especially at United who are so big that the media needs a story.
04 Oct 2024 22:09:36
MancMam tou made me laugh there because I remember for many years watching Chariots Offiah at Wigan. Defensively he always seemed to reach a tackle just after someone else.
Admittedly unlike Rashy he was always devastating when going forward but for a fast guy he sure knew how to not quite be so fast defensively.
04 Oct 2024 22:03:53
Opps sent too early.
I think Ten is trying to do too much tactically and is confusing the players.
Bruno cannot play as part of a midfield three, he is best suited as a 10 with a free role and little defensive responsibility or a false 9. The false 9 worked with Jim in because it moved him away from defensive responsibility and allowed an extra man to be brought into the middle.
To counter Brunos deficiencies we are bringing the FB to play inverted to prevent us being overrun in the middle.
However Rashford doesn't get pressing and defensively is incredibly weak/ lazy. This then creates a big hole down the left side of midfield and defence meaning someone from the midfield or The LB playing inverted has to cover, you leave a hole to exploit with through the centre or down put left.
So you can't play Rashford and Bruno together if Bruno the midfield.
You can play Rashford with Bruno if Bruno is playing the False 9 role, as you are then putting Rashford higher up the pitch asking him to run and attack space behind the defenders to stretch the opposition, this role and this system is the one best suited to Rashfords skillset.
You cannot play Zirkzee with Bruno as they operate in the same area.
With our Squad, I think playing three at the back, Ugarte in front, to in CM, a combination of our wingers/ fullback out wide and Hojlund up top with Bruno or Zirkzee operating off him is the most effective we can be. Where you play your wide men (how high) dictates how high your midfield operates but Ten Hag isn't getting much out of his players trying to squeeze square pegs into round holes and then trying to ask them to do a bit more to cover for others weaknesses. The players don't seem to know what they are supposed to be doing for good reason.
04 Oct 2024 21:38:51
I think Ten Hag is trying far to hard and asking his team to do to much to cover for deficiencies.
Bruno cannot play.