The comparison isn't really valid tbh. When the Glazers took over the Buccs they were on the verge of bankruptcy, having just set an NFL record of going 12 seasons with at least 10 defeats (out of 16 games) each season. The Glazers did actually invest a lot in the team to push them from being **** to being Superbowl champions in just seven years, but after their shopping mall businesses went tits up they couldn't invest and thus slid back down, bit like Leeds, Newcastle, Blackburn etc in the PL after their owners were priced out. Utd don't need the external investment, we just need to reinvest our own cash in the right players. We don't seem to be scared of spending the cash, dumping £28m on Fellaini and breaking records for Mata and Shaw, we just need to get better at identifying targets and negotiating for them quicker and more effectively.
So most things involved with transfers then? Now that Rojo's done, who else do you think you'll get in (if anyone)? Another midfielder e.g. Vidal?
Well yes. 25 years of relying on what SAF tells them to do seems to have left our scouts and board unable to tie their own shoelaces. I think we'll get another CB and CM, but probably not the ones we want. Vidal and Hummels would be ideal, but I reckon we'll end up with Di Maria / Guerin and Benatia / Blind. Maybe also a few smaller signings like Alonso and Silva if they are available.
Any idea what the hold-up with Vidal is? Is it his knee? Don't think you'll get Hummels (if I'm honest, I hope you won't), but the others should be available if you throw enough money at them (which you appear to be prepared to do). Which Silva do you mean?
From the looks of it, Juve and Dortmund don't want to sell, and the players don't want to force a move. We've made offers, but there's been no report of anything other than "not interested" from the clubs - the rest is just media noise. So there's really not that much we do other than hope the players will push for moves. I mean Lucas Silva, the young Brazilian lad.
I thought Vidal had been making noises about wanting to leave? Could have just been media noise, and I don't remember a transfer request or anything. Hummels seems fairly happy and cosy at Dortmund, so think you'd face a challenge to get him to want to move (i.e. pay him an absolute bomb). I admit that I have no idea who Lucas Silva is.
