Afternoon all, first post.. According to The Times, we're looking to sign Tom Cleverley this summer along with the obvious in trying to retain Lukaku. Link below - http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/sport/football/premierleague/article4069135.ece What's peoples thoughts on this? Lukaku is a no brainer and much talked about, but personally I cant see us being able to afford him for 20+ million especially if he has a decent World Cup as Belgiums 1st choice Striker now that Benteke is injured. Even if we get Champions League football which he's made perfectly clear he wants next season that will take a massive chunk out of our reported budget and with a smallish squad and Deulofeu possibly not returning next year, we'll need to use that money wisely to increase the squad size to compete next season. Martinez has already said however he will look at promoting from within the club with our promising youth players coming through, but to try and compete for Champions League football again with the top teams looking to improve and Manchester United possibly sorting themselves out post Moyes era next season could be even more difficult. On the Tom Cleverley rumour, United fans have been on his back all season and dont see him as being good enough for them. If they arent satisfied, surely we should be looking at better players than him? Also do we need another CM, we've got Barkley/Possibly Barry/Osman/Gibson/McCarthy etc. If anything I personally think we need a player that can play in a number 10 role that can pick a pass and be a little creative with Barkley Barry & McCarthy behind him and 1 up top. Someone like Holtby springs to mind as a possibility? Should be available and has done well on loan at Fulham, he's also apparently an Evertonian! Young German U21 International that would suit the way we play and I could see us getting him for less than the reported 8 million we would have to pay for Cleverley. Anyway, let me know your thoughts, would be interesting to see who you feel we should be going for and whether you feel we can afford to get the likes of Lukaku if we qualify for the Champions League and still have enough left over to bolster the team in other areas to progress next year. FootballFan88
I wouldn't spend £20m+ on Lukaku based on the fact that we don't spend that sort of money often and if we did then I'd want a far more complete player than what Lukaku is. I wouldn't want to spend most of our budget on him either. What options does he have though? He is desperate to be first choice and It doesn't look like Mourinho wants that. United have their strikers, Arsenal could I guess but I don't think he's a good enough player all round for them, Tottenham won't have the champions league he wants and I can't see any of the other main European clubs coming in to make him first choice. If we are in the champions league then it's less likely we will buy him as Martinez said he'd need a squad of about 27 and I don't see us selling any players to raise funds, how counterproductive would that be? I'd be pretty pleased with Cleverley, but wouldn't want to spend £5 on him. I think he's been hindered by Ferguson's reluctance to develop players or show much interest in younger players over the last few years and obviously that wasn't going to change when Moyes came in. Rodwell or Cork for a similar price would be good as well. Neither of them are going to start ahead of McCarthy and Barry but they'd be good squad players in an area we are short of numbers.
With the money we got for Fellaini/Anichebe on top of what we'll get for our League Position, Umbro, Chang & the new TV Deal let alone what we'd get if we qualify for the Champions League, we may have enough to take a punt on Lukaku if he was welcome to the idea of coming permanently and still have money to spend to boost the numbers in the squad to 27. He's young so he's going to develop which can only be a positive investment by the Club. Imagine his price tag in a couple of years time after another few successful seasons in the Premiership. Just all depends on whether anyone else comes in for him that can offer him Champions League football and be 1st choice like you've said. There are reports we may attempt to get Traore back on loan next season too, hopefully he lasts more than 1 game this time if so. I agree Cleverley would be a decent squad player, but not at the suggested 8 million. If we could get him for less than that he could possibly be a long term replacement for Ossie? I've seen some of the quotes Martinez has said about Cleverley, seem's to really like him since his loan spell under him at Wigan. The abuse and pressure he's had this year at United has been insane, i dont blame him for playing poorly, plus apparently he's been played more defensively rather than an attacking midfielder which he prefers. Under a new positive Manager who knows his game with a Club & Fans that actually support him he could be a real good player and a bargain buy if we can push the price down. I'd love to see Rodwell back but unless Man City were to offer him to us for virtually next to nothing to get him off there wage bill I dont see it being good business as a permanent or loan transfer. He's so injury prone its ridiculous. Just wouldnt be worth wasting a loan on in the same division let alone any of our budget on as a transfer. If he can stay fit brilliant but I very much doubt it. Cork's been a regular for Southampton, I reckon he'll eventually sign a new deal there unless the lure of Europe changes his mind. I like Southampton as a Club with there core of English players, seems like a decent Club to be at.
Cleverley isn't a goal scorer, doesn't offer many assists, doesn't beat a man, isn't a great tackler, doesn't have a fantastic range of passing and has had a petition signed by nearly 20,000 neutrals begging that he's not included in the WC squad! The lad is a nothing player, bang average and has only collected some England caps off the back of the fact that he's English and occasionally plays for United, which is seemingly enough these days. I wouldn't touch him with a ****ty stick
He (Claverley) needs to play a little further up the pitch, he is a similar type of player to Ossie and Pienaar. Good passing range and keeps possesion/ball moving. Martinez's biggest task is replacing these two and Distin long term. I would trustMartinez to get the right players for his style, maybe Cleverly isn't that? But he did do well under him at Wigan??? But like Lukaku, not worth the price tag listed imo.
