One of my best friends is a Utd fan and cannot understand why Utd didn't offer Berbatov in exchange for Dembele. Apparently the Glazers offered Fulham just over £11m and refused to increase their offer. I think £11m + Berbatov would have swung it for Utd.
Would of made sense but it would have been far to sensible and United don't do sensible We will probably sign Dembele off Spurs in a few years for double or even triple what they paid. Thats the United way.
The ESPN link has my favourite quote of this summer, hands down. Just utterly brilliant, even if it turns out to be false. Re Berbatov: "Early reports suggest he rejected Juventus's bid as soon as he learned of Fulham's interest."
Certainly nice that they can put aside the big fall out when both were with Spurs. His goal stats are just superb - my new Eric Nevland! - and this could be the making of Bryan, so long as he can accept competition in the hair stakes. Sorry, getting a bit excited at the prospect. A fantastic signing if (when ) it comes off, not least because he can hold the ball which is something we have been lacking up front for some time.
May be they can have a quick cigarette together after training. If we do get Berbatov, I wonder what attitude he will bring with him. He's been languishing at United, and might take the easy life, will he play with in his comfort zone and take it easy, just as Andy Cole did when he came to us.
7 goals from 12 matches last season is hardly languishing at Utd. Alex just thought others (Rooney) was better so played more often than not. And although AF is hardly someone on my Xmas card list, I believe he knows what he is doing.
Berbatov to Fulham is also being reported on an official site "MUFC News" and a fee has apparently been agreed between the two clubs - good old Sir Alex, he may not like our dressing rooms but happy to oblige, as they say. A fee for Richardson has also been agreed. So without wanting to break the bank of excitement there could be more in the offing. We still have a bid of £6.5m in for Bafe Gomis and are close to making a bid for the young Ajax midfielder Siem De Yong. Quite a turnaround in 24 hours. And you never know, when the dust settles we might even have enough change left to pay for the new development. Richardson's cost is covered as mentioned in the other thread. The money for BZ hasn't been spent, so that's Berbatov and a bit left over. So the two D's could pay for (most) of the Riverside - maybe we'll call it the Double D. Just idle rep of course, but you know how MAFworks and he did put Saha's money to a similar project.
I suspect this will be one of the things constantly aimed at Berba, if he joins. Fact is, that's just how he plays. I remember seeing him score a bicycle kick for Utd and he just looked like he was falling over.
Richardson is not a player I would fancy but truth is that he is versatile who can play on the left side both left back and midfield. Regarding Briggs I think he is best suited in the midfield similar to Bale. Have said that in the past many times as I think his speed and athleticism will give trouble to a few defenders. Noble is a good midfielder but not of Dembele's or Dempsey's caliber, otherwise he would not be at West Ham. Still a good enough squad player that can run the midfield.
Exactly Bidley, that is just his style of play, and it's a style that has proven successful wherever he has gone (Leverkusen, Spurs, Utd etc) if he were to change and become more 'involved' with the play, who is to say he would get as many goals? If Berbatov sticks the ball in the back of the net, I don't care how many meters he had to run/walk to get there.
Quite right Bandy me old fruit. I remember one season everyone (even Utd fans) saying how he wasn't up to scratch yet he finished top scorer in the PL with limited starts. One good thing about his languid style is that even at the age he is now, and for the next few years, he won't have to change his game much.
I'm glad to see us signing (if it happens) someone of Berbatov's calibre. My only reservation is where he's going to play. Is this going to mean Petric dropping to the bench, or dropping deeper. If the latter, will Ruiz still start, and if so from what position? Jol has said that this is going to be a big year for Ruiz, so I'm sure Jol will want to make room for him in the starting eleven, and with Dembele gone Ruiz looks like our best bet for a playmaker (subject to any more new signings). But those are good problems to have, rather than 'where are the goals coming from?' and 'where's the creativity coming from?' Bring it on.
