In that case I'm not overly concerned, we'll just switch targets, that's more of an issue for Chelsea than us I reckon. I don't think we'll get Matic either way to be honest after the Lukaku thing. I'd much rather we changed targets now than focused on a lost cause.
Matic anyway strikes me as the 'safe' option - a player Mourinho already knows and trusts to do quite a limited job. My worry would be that bringing him to Utd would not really improve us, it would only be a short term solution like when LVG brought in Blind or SAF brought Jim Leighton in from Aberdeen. Better to go for someone like Dier or Fabinho who is actually better than what we already have and will improve us more in the long term imo. Even if the adjustment period is a little more painful.
I'd be happy for Jose to play Fosu-Mensah in there to be honest, especially in the games we should be winning against bottom half teams and smaller European teams. I know Chelsea attempted similar with Zouma but that lad seems a bit less technically able than Timmy imo. I reckon Jose has identified it as the least important of our priorities, we do have some options there and it might be better to wait than to settle on a poor deal.
Fabinho is more of a ball carrying midfielder - is akin to Kante in that once he wins the ball he can take it forward and start moves. What Mouriniho seems to want is a water carrier - a proper holding midfielder to screen the defense and allow everyone else to play. Two players adept at doing that in Matic and Dier. Chelsea have finally agreed a fee for Bakayoko - thing is that it is £10M more then predicted so can see them adding that to Matic's fee and asking for £50M out of vindictiveness.
Can see him using Blind there if you don't bring anyone in - has proven himself to Mouriniho last season.
Can't see that happening mate, Blind doesn't strike me as the type of player Mourinho would rely on. He said when he arrived that he doesn't like utility players, I doubt that has changed much.
Yup - last season is was no surprise that he was one of the ones most likely to be offloaded but due to your injury crisis he has proven himself to Mourinho and it is notable that no one is linked with him now even though you have brought in another CB. As his favoured position is DM and given the amount of games you have, can see him covering for Herrera at least. Another player from last season that is doing well now is Luke Shaw - apparently he has got his act together and is impressing Mourinho https://www.theguardian.com/football/2017/jul/12/luke-shaw-jose-mourinho-manchester-united-la-galaxy
Not totally convinced by shaw. He was absolutely shredded by Mourinho. I think Jose praised him a few times but that never really did the trick. I am a bit surprised you guys aren't going for a new left back
Jose has always had the mindset that he needs players that can take a battering on the chin. Shaw's main problem apparently was his attitude to training, showing up late and acting the clown. His natural fitness is incredible according to Sir Ryan, and his ability as a left back is better than anything in this league. I reckon at some point JM has just thought if this kid wants to act like an idiot I'll treat him like one. If he grows up and screws his lid back on, we don't need a new left back for the next 10 years.
Yup, he's talented even if his stats don't show it. I remember seeing him and thinking he would be great. On the other hand there seems to be a lot of issues with him. Whether thats attitude (Van Gaal and both Jose have shredded him) and injury issues (whether thats just luck or he's very injury prone) but it is a big unecessary gamble with him. I guess there aren't that many decent left backs out there at a reasonable price. I guess Blind and Darmian can do a job out there too
I think that probably links back to the issues we've had in the past with ones like Morrison, Macheda, Wilson and Januzaj. Too many young lads thinking that being at Utd and playing some first team games means they have made it and are set for a career at the top. Better to give them a public kick up the arse in the short term and see what they do, rather than let them drift along until they are beyond redemption.
I was reading that everyone from the international coach to his club coaches have been frustrated by shaw and his attitude to fitness. Think it was something like 5 high profile managers who have slated him. Apparently he has an entourage of mates who live with him etc Does make you wonder what the scouts were doing of he has had issues from a young age
He was apparently a saint when he was a Saint - when he was away from home he became a normal English teenager/20 odd year old as we seen. Seems to be finally showing commitment now according to the article I posted above - he is the second choice LB behind Darmian and behind his replacement at Soton for England so has some motivation.
He seemed brilliant in LVG's 2nd season here, before the leg break. I thought he was the real deal. I suppose after 10 months of boredom recovering from a broken leg you might pick up the odd bad habit, the minor injuries are natural after a prolonged period away from training.
Wasnt it pochettino who spoke about him losing his focus? He has the talent no doubt but as with many youngsters its the mindset that sees them fail
Don't think he said anything about his fitness which was what you were talking about - what you said about mindset is most likely a big part of it as he has moved away from hom to one of the biggest clubs in the world on much bigger money so job's done. Januzaj was guilty of that - was given a big contract and made Giggs's heir and did bugger all.
I was talking about his attitude to fitness. Poch had said shaw loses focus and he had to work hard with him. Hodgeson referred to it too. When I mentioned mindset with shaw its there early on, talent but no commitment it seems
Ah ok mate. Wouldn't surprise me seeing what he has been like since. It did have a lot to do with the leg break as well - grown men have been buggered in the head after such an injury so no telling how it affected a kid.
