Transfer Rumours Let's ignore the big ****ing elephant and blame the latest manager, again. Are we nearly there yet?

[Diego]

Do you not think the problems were there when we came back after the lockdown? So I don't think it's do with getting their rhythm back

The good football we were playing at the start of the year was largely down to Fernandes... without Pogba.

Coincidentally that period after the lockdown was when Pogba came back.

If it isn't the coaching then the problem lies somewhere in there

TBH Pogba does throw the midfield balance all to cock and actually slows the game down.

 

[Treble]

TBH Pogba does throw the midfield balance all to cock and actually slows the game down.

He's a waster

You know, when you map the year out like that it's fairly obvious he's the common denominator. I really was expecting him to be sold and I wouldn't have blinked an eye if he had tbh. He's no loss.

 

[Diego]

He's a waster

You know, when you map the year out like that it's fairly obvious he's the common denominator. I really was expecting him to be sold and I wouldn't have blinked an eye if he had tbh. He's no loss.

I was a little amazed at the new contract, maybe Woodward thought someone would come in with a big offer during the transfer window ?

Like you i wouldn't care if he never played another game for us. A bit sick to see Donny getting 30mins at the back end of every game whilst Pogba is starting them all.

 

[Treble]

I was a little amazed at the new contract, maybe Woodward thought someone would come in with a big offer during the transfer window ?

Like you i wouldn't care if he never played another game for us. A bit sick to see Donny getting 30mins at the back end of every game whilst Pogba is starting them all.

What's so **** in all this is Ole will now play Donny. Now that the fans, pundits and commentators are saying it. It's all very reactive. I would've liked to see Ole make that decision (an obvious but bold one) for himself.

 

[Diego]

What's so **** in all this is Ole will now play Donny. Now that the fans, pundits and commentators are saying it. It's all very reactive. I would've liked to see Ole make that decision (an obvious but bold one) for himself.

This is where we differ, i think Ole can't win with this. If he had made the change right away and we played bad it would be "why has Ole chucked VDB in and dropped Pogba"
Now it will be "why didn't Ole do it straight away". I don't know (and i doubt you do) if Ole thinks a few more training sessions/part games might give Donny more chance of actually fitting in and making a difference as opposed to struggling to relate to the others game.

 

[Treble]

This is where we differ, i think Ole can't win with this. If he had made the change right away and we played bad it would be "why has Ole chucked VDB in and dropped Pogba"
Now it will be "why didn't Ole do it straight away". I don't know (and i doubt you do) if Ole thinks a few more training sessions/part games might give Donny more chance of actually fitting in and making a difference as opposed to struggling to relate to the others game.

I don't begrudge him starting Pogba. At the time all I wanted was McTominay instaed of Matic. But it was clear early on that Pogba was a liability and he should've changed it some point in that first half.

If you go down to 10 men and you're 2-1 down I wouldn't want Pogba near that pitch. Not a fcking chance. You're asking for trouble and that's exactly what we got.

I'm not saying we would've turned it round by bringing Donny on but I know we defo wouldn't have in those circumatances with Pogba.

 

[Chief]

What is your opinion on the Cavani signing ? He's been an brilliant striker through his career, but I'm not sure he's still got what it takes at the top level to be honest. It's going to be a big shock coming into the premier league. Can he cut it ?

If this goes wrong, I think it could be the end of Ole. (Although it's as much the fault of Woodward)

He'll score loads of goals like Zlatan did and then everyone will moan he "slows play down" or something.

 

[Chief]

I did wonder if you might try and bring him back. Didn't he have something like 1 in 2 for you when he played there ? Was a bit surprised he went off to the States when he did as the guy clearly still has what it takes at the very top level. Even at 39.

One of the many stupid decisions the management of the club has made over the years!

I think Cavani will be a superb No.9 for a couple of years though.

Definite starter for me.

 

[cytrax]

Let’s keep No. 6 out of this thread, please. He’s not even worthy of the new thread title.

 

[Christiansmith]

This is all so depressing after the optimism of the end of the season.

We were all promised a world class signing about 2 -3 months before the closure of the window then it all fell apart because we couldn’t afford it. Why can’t we afford it? Aren’t we the biggest (financially) club in the country? Shouldn’t we be constantly like Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern challenging or winning the title every year?

If we go back to the last 50 years of the league, the teams at the top had 2 things in common. The ability to buy the best players, together with having the best manager or coaching team. We were without question top in both during the 90s to 2000s when we dominated the league year after year with interruptions by clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea and lately City.

it may have escaped the notice of many fans but although we are still the biggest club (by revenue) we are no longer top dogs as far as recruiting the very best players. The likes of the GGs and their lackey Woodward check out the dividends that the owners can extract from the club annnually. At the latest estimate, they are taking £80m from the club every year in addition to the bank loan interest the club has to pay. An incredible golden goose. We just couldn’t afford to purchase Sancho with these restrictions. Chelsea and City don’t have those. They quietly without any fanfare just get who they need. Problem with the defence they get 2 CBs or new midfielders.

No one in their right mind would say that we have the best manager in the league.

So are our expectations realistic in the light of these 2 facts? No. We won’t challenge for the title as long as we don’t have these 2 things: new owners AND a new manager. We can keep changing managers but they will face the same restrictions as all the others after Alex Ferguson . He saw the problem and retired before the expected decline. Mourinho tried to fight the tide but was dismissed.

We will be fortunate to get into Europe this season.

 

[Chief]

This is all so depressing after the optimism of the end of the season.

We were all promised a world class signing about 2 -3 months before the closure of the window then it all fell apart because we couldn’t afford it. Why can’t we afford it? Aren’t we the biggest (financially) club in the country? Shouldn’t we be constantly like Madrid, Barcelona, PSG, Bayern challenging or winning the title every year?

If we go back to the last 50 years of the league, the teams at the top had 2 things in common. The ability to buy the best players, together with having the best manager or coaching team. We were without question top in both during the 90s to 2000s when we dominated the league year after year with interruptions by clubs such as Arsenal and Chelsea and lately City.

it may have escaped the notice of many fans but although we are still the biggest club (by revenue) we are no longer top dogs as far as recruiting the very best players. The likes of the GGs and their lackey Woodward check out the dividends that the owners can extract from the club annnually. At the latest estimate, they are taking £80m from the club every year in addition to the bank loan interest the club has to pay. An incredible golden goose. We just couldn’t afford to purchase Sancho with these restrictions. Chelsea and City don’t have those. They quietly without any fanfare just get who they need. Problem with the defence they get 2 CBs or new midfielders.

No one in their right mind would say that we have the best manager in the league.

So are our expectations realistic in the light of these 2 facts? No. We won’t challenge for the title as long as we don’t have these 2 things: new owners AND a new manager. We can keep changing managers but they will face the same restrictions as all the others after Alex Ferguson . He saw the problem and retired before the expected decline. Mourinho tried to fight the tide but was dismissed.

We will be fortunate to get into Europe this season.

But, but, but, the owners spend loads of money and that......

 

[Christiansmith]

But, but, but, the owners spend loads of money and that......

Look at the purchases we made in the last 2 years . No strategy. All piecemeal. Free transfers and players whose transfers have fallen through...

The bottom line has always been and will always be whether the GGs can get their £80m dividend every year.

 

[Chief]

I wasn't optimistic at the end of last season as it goes, we lost three semi finals.

That was more telling than finishing third for me.

 

[Chief]

Look at the purchases we made in the last 2 years . No strategy. All piecemeal. Free transfers and players whose transfers have fallen through...

The bottom line has always been and will always be whether the GGs can get their £80m dividend every year.

Well yes, I now this.

Have know this since day one and have never once swayed from that view.

They are cancerous thieving ****s, the end.

 

[Christiansmith]

Well yes, I now this.

Have know this since day one and have never once swayed from that view.

They are cancerous thieving ****s, the end.

Yep. From day one, I found it inconceivable that someone could just acquire a club with a loan mortgaged on its own assets. That put an incredible financial burden on the club. Compared to the likes of City and Chelsea who had to be restrained from spending too much money.

In footballing terms we are mid ranking not top 4 or even 6.

 

[CFC: Champs £launderx17]

Yep. From day one, I found it inconceivable that someone could just acquire a club with a loan mortgaged on its own assets. That put an incredible financial burden on the club. Compared to the likes of City and Chelsea who had to be restrained from spending too much money.

In footballing terms we are mid ranking not top 4 or even 6.

Hardly, since Fergie left

 

[cytrax]

Why exactly do we keep bitching about the Glazers? Yes, I get it! They get dividends. They used the club as a vehicle for themselves. I get all that. But let’s look at the numbers...

Since Sir Alex retired, the club has spent £375m just on defenders. In total transfer outlay, we’ve outspent anyone in the league in the last five years.

As of Dec 2019, we spent £332m on player salaries which is £68m on more than Liverpool. Tottenham that just trashed us 6-1 spent £148m the same period.

Back on the Glazers. Is the argument that they needed to spend even more money on transfers? I find this to be a straw man argument given the numbers.

The fact of the matter is that the struggles of Manchester United has nothing to do with lack of funds. So let’s focus on the real issues and get away from the money argument because the numbers are not in our favour.

My problem with the Glazers is that they allow a man like Ed Woodward a complete free rein. A man without a cohesive plan for the club other than making money for the owners. But this approach is short sighted because terrible on field events will eventually catch-up. And from that perspective, yes, they are without a doubt sh**ty fkin owners! But it certainly isn’t because they are not providing funds.

 

[Chief]

Why exactly do we keep bitching about the Glazers? Yes, I get it! They get dividends. They used the club as a vehicle for themselves. I get all that. But let’s look at the numbers...

Since Sir Alex retired, the club has spent £375m just on defenders. In total transfer outlay, we’ve outspent anyone in the league in the last five years.

As of Dec 2019, we spent £332m on player salaries which is £68m on more than Liverpool. Tottenham that just trashed us 6-1 spent £148m the same period.

Back on the Glazers. Is the argument that they needed to spend even more money on transfers? I find this to be a straw man argument given the numbers.

The fact of the matter is that the struggles of Manchester United has nothing to do with lack of funds. So let’s focus on the real issues and get away from the money argument because the numbers are not in our favour.

My problem with the Glazers is that they allow a man like Ed Woodward a complete free rein. A man without a cohesive plan for the club other than making money for the owners. But this approach is short sighted because terrible on field events will eventually catch-up. And from that perspective, yes, they are without a doubt sh**ty fkin owners! But it certainly isn’t because they are not providing funds.

But, but, but, the owners spend loads of money and that......

Not sure you do get it mate, lets move on eh?

 

[Treble]

What is your opinion on the Cavani signing ? He's been an brilliant striker through his career, but I'm not sure he's still got what it takes at the top level to be honest. It's going to be a big shock coming into the premier league. Can he cut it ?

If this goes wrong, I think it could be the end of Ole. (Although it's as much the fault of Woodward)

I think Cavani would've been a great bonus buy, NOT the focal point of a transfer window (on deadline day).

Cavani may or may not score loads. In the end it's going to be immaterial when we're leaking 2 or 3 on average.

For some clubs this might work because it would be a case of "you score 2 we'll score 3" but the squad has to have a certain mentality to do that. Ours simply doesn't. We lack the mental strength and belief to do that.

In fact I can sum it up perfectly. Right now the squad feels more like "if we score 2 you'll score 3"

So in the end it won't matter how many Cavani bangs in.

 

[glazerfodder]

Evidently the Glazers blocked the deal on Sancho because the deal would have cost in excess of £235m including wages, agents fees and the transfer fee itself - if true, we were right to walk away.

As an aside, I read an article today that stated that transfers in this window actually cost 40% more in real terms because the clubs can't move merchandise in bulk to offset the transfer fee.