Man Utd - The Gaalacticos thread

[Ent]

First topic message reminder :

Can see the same thing happening with Kroos, when Bayern stump up the wage & then the pressure will be on Moyes massively, after constantly telling everyone that he's been given the nod by these agents that these players wanted to come to United.

He shouldn't be saying things like that IMO. Just making things harder for himself.

[Ent]

Anyway I think we should drop Mata and go 4231 - no time for passengers.

When fit:

De Gea
Rafael Smalling Evans Shaw
Herrera Carrick
Januzaj Rooney Welbeck
RVP

[Hammersmith harrier]

Big couple of important weeks coming up now for united.

£750 million kit deals and pre season crowds in excess of 100k count for nothing unless they're reinvesting the money from those into a very poor squad.

I would hope thatthe announcement from Adidas that the kit deal value drops without Champions League Football so it might force the Glazers hand and we sign players (still not buying into without Champions Leaguie football nobody wants to come.....money can and will talk)

Unfortunately the one big stumbling block seems to be Ed Woodward, who in his third transfer window still seems out of his depth. Quality at making money, rubbish at spending it

I agree completely, Ent can bang on about no CL football hurting our pulling power but it really doesn't, we just need to stump up the cash and players like Vidal and Di Maria will join us, we can offer wages very few teams can thanks to FFP. We could spend I believe in excess of £300mil and it still wouldn't put us in danger of failing FFP.

[Ent]

Not being in the CL definitely affects our ability to attract players - there is just no denying this.

£300 million spending? Are you mad?

[CFCNick]

Wow. Never thought of Ent being the voice of reason.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Our inability to attract players is down to not offering the asking price, Vidal has said nothing to suggest he wouldn't be interested in joining, in fact his comments suggest the opposite that he is interested but won't force a move. All we need to do is bite the bullet and spend big on these players, until then we're not going to get anywhere.

Champions league football is over rated, it has very little pull on it's own, it's all about the money these teams offer and teams out of it like us can offer big wages anyway.

[Ent]

Look we have the money, we've just spent £30 million on a 19 year old left back and nearly £30 million on a 25 year old midfielder who isn't a regular international.

There is no evidence to suggest we wouldn't or couldn't pay £45 million for someone like Vidal.

It just isn't reasonable or rational to suggest otherwise.

Top players can earn big money all over the place, there are huge numbers of wealthy clubs currently. They want to compete at the top level and that involves the CL - it is in no way over rated as a pull factor.

[Hammersmith harrier]

So you genuinely believe that players would turn down the offer of a 200% pay rise for the sake of Champions league football, if you do then you give them too much credit.

[Hero]

It's horses for courses. Some players want only to play for the CL clubs, some the wage is more important, City and Monaco have shown they can bring in top level players prior to getting the CL by throwing wages at them, unfortunately we will have to go down the mercenary route whilst we are not in the Champions league.

[Hammersmith harrier]

All bought players are mercenaries though Hero, they all talk a good game when they sign but ultimately they're thinking more about their bank balance. Look at Vidic, Ferdinand and Evra, all three became integral and much loved players who respected the club in turn but it didn't happen overnight.

[Liam]

Jim white: benatia on his way to utd

If we pulled this off, it'd be a very good start. Better late than never but will be surprised if Chelsea don't put in a bid for him

[Hammersmith harrier]

Some wishful thinking on his wikipedia page.

[Ent]

So you genuinely believe that players would turn down the offer of a 200% pay rise for the sake of Champions league football, if you do then you give them too much credit.

Where are the deals then? We have money and haven't been shy in spending it.

[CFCNick]

The difference between United now and City before they got UCL is that they were playing nice football and getting results. United are sh!te compared to that old City team.

Difference for Monaco is the tax laws and it's a nice place to live.

[Guest]

Jim White Tweeting

Hearing that highly rated centre back Mehdi Benatia on his way from AS Roma to Manchester United

[Hammersmith harrier]

So you genuinely believe that players would turn down the offer of a 200% pay rise for the sake of Champions league football, if you do then you give them too much credit.

Where are the deals then? We have money and haven't been shy in spending it.

Ent there's no point discussing anything with you to do with anything, you're far to pessimistic to listen to anything that doesn't fit into your miserable way of thinking.

[Guest]

So it's Benatia for £30m & he's nearly 28? Going to be honest, not seen too much of the player. If he was of serious quality, you'd imagine he would of been snapped up years ago & not now he's nearing 30. Interesting to see how this pans out but I guess it's at least signs of progression in the market for United.

[Hammersmith harrier]

No different to Barca signing Vermaelen and Mathieu, Chelsea with Felipe, the market has gone a bit insane.

[Ent]

The difference between United now and City before they got UCL is that they were playing nice football and getting results. United are sh!te compared to that old City team.

Difference for Monaco is the tax laws and it's a nice place to live.

The difference is that city had two billionaire owners and took several years building their squad - hoovering up sub elite pl players and any decent player available on the continent.

Now with psg, city, Monaco etc there are less good players not at top clubs and we are targeting unrealistic players.

[CFCNick]

No different to Barca signing Vermaelen and Mathieu, Chelsea with Felipe, the market has gone a bit insane.

Luis was £15m

[Fernando]

So it's Benatia for £30m & he's nearly 28? Going to be honest, not seen too much of the player. If he was of serious quality, you'd imagine he would of been snapped up years ago & not now he's nearing 30. Interesting to see how this pans out but I guess it's at least signs of progression in the market for United.

Benatia is a very decent player he'll do fine for United certainly makes Jones/Smalling & Evans look Poopie anyway he worth about 18-22m at most though honestly   

[The Special Juan]

Evans isn't as bad as people say he is. Ok, he's no world class defender but put him beside a great defender and he'll do his job amicably.

[compelling and rich]

The difference between United now and City before they got UCL is that they were playing nice football and getting results. United are sh!te compared to that old City team.

Difference for Monaco is the tax laws and it's a nice place to live.

oh yeah hughes city team with jo, robinho were brilliant!! the fact that richard dunne was there best player says it all

[Hammersmith harrier]

An awful lot of rubbish gets chatted when it comes to this subject, money is the foremost concern to the majority of footballers, guys like Scholes, Carragher and Neville are a rarity but even then they wouldn't have been paid any more elsewhere. Giggs is slightly different with the Inter offer where he would have had a hefty paid rise.

[mystiroakey]

So why did Kross go to Madrid over united for 50k less a week?
200k at a 60% tax rate compared to 250k on a 50%?

[GSC]

Because Madrid just won the CL and United didn't qualify

[Hammersmith harrier]

So why did Kross go to Madrid over united for 50k less a week?
200k at a 60% tax rate compared to 250k on a 50%?

Remind me Mysti when we made a bid for Kroos or any kind of proof that we would have those kind of wages for a player LVG doesn't like?

[mystiroakey]

Because Madrid just won the CL and United didn't qualify

Exactly

[compelling and rich]

real madrid are currently the best team in the world, we are not. im a united fan but would choose madrid over united from a playing perspective

[compelling and rich]

go play with ronaldo and bale or darren flecther and fellani, hmmm toughie that one

[Ent]

It is just delusional to suggest not being in the CL doesn't effect our ability to attract players.

We are wasting our time with stupid targets and allowing good players to join other clubs.

Watched highlights again today, just really highlights were we are - avoiding stupid errors and a couple of 50/50 refereeing decisions going our way and we would have won.

Blackett and Young made big errors for the second goal, but Blackett is young and will learn from it - I can't blame Ashley Young for getting under the ball, he isn't a fullback and did his best (I don't rate him as a player but you have to be fair).

Fellaini, I wish he would just quit - he is meant to be a midfielder, says he is best as a DM yet does not mark the oppositions attacking midfielders. Honestly the worst player I've seen play for united and if his individual lack of ability isn't enough he effects the team as we start hoofing it towards him instead of playing properly.

[Ent]

go play with ronaldo and bale or darren flecther and fellani, hmmm toughie that one

This is now a rebuilding project and not a transitional phase, we need to recruit sensibly and aim for players who can influence the younger players or ones that are talented and will develop further. There is no point in aiming for world class elite level players - it is just a waste of time.

We need to aim to get back into the CL this year, consolidate the following year and aim for the title in 16/17.

Otherwise we will continue to try and recruit the likes of Vidal, Hummels, Bale with no success and the squad will get older and crapper every season.

[Liam]

Agree ent fellaini is just an ebarassment

[Crimey]

An awful lot of rubbish gets chatted when it comes to this subject, money is the foremost concern to the majority of footballers, guys like Scholes, Carragher and Neville are a rarity but even then they wouldn't have been paid any more elsewhere. Giggs is slightly different with the Inter offer where he would have had a hefty paid rise.

Suarez took a pay-cut to go to Barcelona.

[Liam]

Also I agree ent we've missed out on targets who whilst not being renowned names like Ronaldo and bale but would have been welcomed additions and improved us greatly, like strootman before he went to Roma, even matic before he went to Chelsea. There are plenty of good midfielders out there who wouldn't/don't cost a bomb which would improve us ten fold. So frustrating. We seriously needed about 6/7 players this summer and we've signed 2. Pathetic. We should have done our transfer business before the Swansea game. It's a joke.

[Liam]

Reports now bayern have come in for benatia which means we miss out again. Seriously think we should move for vlaar. Shown he's a solid defender at the word cup and if we can sign blind it's a more solid back line. Need to start being realistic with our targets now

[Ent]

It is easy to look back and get frustrated when you see the likes of Martinez, Thiago, Fabregas, Modric, strootman moving in recent years and us not being involved but circumstances were different at various times both in terms of who was in charge and finances.

I'm more focused on now, we are 7th and no guarantees of getting back into top 4 (even if I think we will) we should go for realistic transfer targets e.g. this summer I think we could have realistically had;

Smeltzer (most difficult signing to make imo, people may disagree)
Garay (went to Russia so no CL shouldn't be a problem for him imo)
Khedira (Being offloaded by Madrid)

for less than what we have spent on Shaw and Herrera.

I like Herrera but we have paid too much for him even in the inflated market.

We've also lost far too much experience in a short period of time and it is showing - players look lost on the pitch.

[Ent]

Reports now bayern have come in for benatia which means we miss out again. Seriously think we should move for vlaar. Shown he's a solid defender at the word cup and if we can sign blind it's a more solid back line. Need to start being realistic with our targets now

Still think we can do better than Vlaar who has already shown he isn't a great PL defender, despite a very good world cup.

[Liam]

Who would you go for then ent this week if your were in charge?

[Ent]

Probably try for Khedira and Blind, providing they are reasonable transfer fees.

Centre half wise I'm not sure, there is a lack of quality defenders currently imo.

It is very late in the window to be attempting major surgery to the squad. Whilst Shaw and herrera represents a decent window and two problem positions covered we really needed a centre half as a priority and have failed to bring one in.

[Guest]

No chance Khedira would join the mess at United. Too in demand. Blind is the only deal that looks remotely possible ATM because solely the LVG / Dutch connection

[Ent]

Basing Khedira on 2 weeks to go in window and no one has gone in for him, plus we can afford his wages.

If Bayern come in given Martinez' injury then obviously he won't come.

I don't think we will even go in for him.

[compelling and rich]

theres a cracking experienced defender playing in italy somewhere, nemanja something i think he's called. shame he couldnt be playing for us

the moyes effect

[Ent]

theres a cracking experienced defender playing in italy somewhere, nemanja something i think he's called. shame he couldnt be playing for us

the moyes effect

Indeed.

Vidic would be such an asset, never mind him playing but directing the other players around him. Mind you if Smalling et all haven't learned that being physical and man handling opponents might get you the odd booking and red card but it will be beneficial over the season by now they won't ever.

[Ent]

Rojo practically confirmed.

De gea
Smalling Evans Rojo
Valencia Herrera carrick shaw
Mata
Rvp Rooney.

Still think 4231 is better for is

De gea
Rafael Evans Rojo shaw
Carrick Herrera
Januzaj mata Rooney
Rvp

[compelling and rich]

the problem with that ent is rooney will spit his dummy out if played there and will be pretty useless, great captain that he is

im not convinced on the 3-5-2, you really do need world class wing backs to be able to do it. if we had the likes of cafu and roberto carlos it'd be great but at the minute were playing wingers there, and not even very good wingers if im honest

[Ent]

Just think Januzaj is our only penetrating player and needs to be in the side. You could play Rooney through the middle and drop Mata for Welbeck.

[Liam]

Januzaj just has to start, simple as that. He's an incredible talent and like has been said, is our only penetrating winger who can beat a man with ease. But he's no wing back, and would struggle to play there. We're just very unbalanced at the minute. I also agree that we should be playing 4-2-3-1 and the only reason we aren't is because of poor signings or lack of in previous seasons.

However, it is more than salvageable if we go out there and pay what the clubs want. None of this negotiating trying to lower the price by 2/3 million, just pay up and we'll get them. If we did that, we could line up like this:

De Gea

Rafael
Benatia - Available, world class cb if we pay up
Evans
Shaw

Herrera
Vidal - World class midfielder, available if we pay up

Di Maria - World class winger, available if we pay up
Mata
Januzaj

RVP/Rooney

All of a sudden, we genuinely have a team that could challenge for the title, at least top 4. It won't happen, as this 'unlimited budget' doesn't exist in my book because if it did, we get these players in a heart beat.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Vidal won't be joining Liam, that is something i'm certain of, a combination of age, price and his knee have cooled LVG's interest, it's a deal that would have been completed weeks ago if we truly wanted him.

Di Maria is a case of paying the asking price whereas Benatia doesn't seem to know which team he wants to play for next year, not as simple as getting an offer accepted.

[Guest]

Agree, Vidal deal looks off now. Took too long, he's nearing 30 & has a knee issue. LVG has probably decided to wait for Strootman, which is a cheaper & better long term investment + Strootman is LVG's go to player. Di Maria deal just seems ridiculously overpriced, he's not 'amazing' that I'm hearing all of a sudden. One good year at Madrid, doesn't suddenly eradicate a number of ordinary years. He thrived last year basically because the opposition were so frightened of Bale, Ronaldo & Benzema, they sat deep & it allowed Di Maria the freedom of midfield to express himself. Di Maria will always be a 'one week superb' & then 'next week ordinary' player. My opinion. If Godin goes to Bayern, there's pretty much no excuse not to get Benatia but I imagine Woodward will find a way of messing it all up & making a last minute deadline night £12m+ bid for Vlaar.

[Hammersmith harrier]

Saying that Di Maria has been ordinary isn't quite true John, he hasn't shone in a team that's contained Ronaldo but he's still been pretty damn good, he has the ability to be a match winner and has an immense work rate.

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