Yes it is obvious we'll be looking at Shaw. Helps with the English quota and we will almost certainly need a left back if Cole leaves (as expected). However there is nothing but hot air in support of your assertion that you've agreed a deal for Shaw. Could be true, most likely bollox given the source. We already have a top class full back doing an amazing job on his bad side so it may well be that we would rather invest the money elsewhere, hardly 'out muscling' us. Costa's buy out is reportedly 32 million to put things in perspective. Keep mentioning Mata all you like, we sold a player who couldn't get off our bench and all clubs will have to be a bit more careful now with FFP, not just us. We've been completely open that we are going to try and comply. Luckily we have a quality first team squad containing lots of youth and bags of talent on loan. We thankfully don't have to spend 30 million on a teenage left backs to try and get back amongst it. The desperation at United is tangible and it has nothing to do with financial muscle.
In a word, yes. He looks a fantastic player. In fact he'd have been a more sensible and better option than Mata at nearly half the price given your midfield issues.
Mmmn, so Salah, Schurrle, Azpilicueta, Oscar & Hazard (to name a few) are ancient?? If you are trying to insinuate that we are only talking "home-grown", then why bring in buying Luke Shaw? I think most teams will say that if someone is good enough for their team/squad (based on their aspirations), then they will play.
£30 million for a Left back? Pshaw! You could almost buy Andy Carroll for that much money! Shaw will be a fantastic signing for whoever gets him- but £30mill for a full back is pushing new levels of WTF spending! Shell out £30mill for Shaw and every club you approach is going to add £10mill on the cost of your transfer targets. You'll be like us 10 years ago- when everyone inflated the price of their players dramatically when Liverpool came sniffing... didn't get anyone at a reasonable price. Shaw is a fantastic prospect though.
That is exactly the point I had been making in the last few months. Woodward and Moyes can forget about ****ing saving money or getting bargains. This is NOT Fergie's United when every top player might wish to join (with the right money). This is a team which a significant premium needs to be paid both in transfer fees and wages for any top quality player to join. The ******ed scousers found to their cost that no one wanted to join their mediocre team unless they paid over the odds. United have to learn that lesson and unless Moyes and Woodward are extremely thick, they will already have realised that any valuation will include a "United without CL" premium.
Why is everyone so adamant Chelsea need Shaw? One word: Azpilicueta. Hes having an outstanding season (made Spains first team), hes young enough at 24 and he can play either LB or RB (not a problem for a right footer when your good enough, see Lahm!) They might desperately need a LB when Ivanovic Leaves (if Azpilicueta moves to RB) but right now, their 2 FB's as a good as any pair in the PL.
Exactly right. Apil has been one of the revelations of the season for me, especially at Chelsea. An outstanding full back and the fact he's doing it on his 'weak' side makes it even more impressive. Probably the best defensive full back in the league at the moment and pretty useful going forward too. We also have 2 good left backs on loan in Bertrand and Van Arnholt so not sure our money is most wisely spent on Shaw.
Given the price I would rather have Fabio coentrao. Hes a brilliant left back and was highly sought after before moving to Madrid. Hes also anything but a bench warmed there.
Agreed. He's only 26 as well so another 5 years left in him at least. The thing with Shaw, unless he turns into another Bale, his price (save for inflation / market forces) is not going to go up so there is no real need for clubs to panic and buy now. 30m is pretty much top end of what a full back costs, even a world class proven one.
Matic would have only been a short term fix, as we are getting Carvalho in the summer, so Matic would have been on the bench next season
I would also prefer Coentrao. But your second point rarely applies to United as we don't often buy players for re-sale value. Rio was bought for £30m also and he's been well worth every penny. The thinking for Shaw is the same, but I have my doubts he'll live up to the hype. Positionally he has real problems, will get turned easily imo. Time will tell.
Bayern would not sell Alaba for 30 million, and Madrid wouldn't sell Marcelo for that price either, as they know they wouldn't be able to get in a replacement as good, no matter how much money they got. So yes 30 million for a left back is a lot, but we're getting a left back who's 18 and already looking like a world class player in that position, and has been called up to the England team. Imagine how good he will be in a few years? He will be worth a lot more to us than 30 million, mark my words
Potentially. Rio was of course Leeds capatain and playing european football when we signed him. Regarded as one of the best CB in the world... hence the fee. we also helped leeds out by paying more ( and more up front ) but dont tell them that
How do you know he'll be better than Matic? He might well be, but to make that claim now is crazy. Anyways, Matic last 11 games for chelsea in the pl = a 7.96 average rating on whoscored! Not bad.
Well presumably had you signed Matic you wouldn't be after Carvalho as well so rather moot. Matic player of the season in Portugal 2013 by the way...ahead of Carlvalho.
The likes of Bayern and Madrid wouldn't sell these players because they don't need to. Same reason Barca wouldn't sell Messi for 100 million despite no one player being worth that. Southampton are a different kettle of fish entirely and the players you mentioned are miles ahead in their experience and development than Shaw. Anyway you carve it, the reported sum of 30 million is ludicrous for a guy of his age, position and experience. You might spend 30 million on a flair attacker with potential (i.e Rooney) because if they become world class they will make a massive difference to a side - left backs can only have so much impact on a game in comparison.
