Sure, we have ended their reign as champions most likely. And they already have no 10s in Rooney and Kagawa, so they may not even need him. But isn't Jose being too cocky considering selling Mata to a "rival"?
The board wouldn't allow it. Simple as. We do t need to sell him, let alone to a rival. If he goes, he'll be going abroad.
Would hate to see Mata leave. Love him as a player! Can't see why Jose has shown such little faith in him. It would be sickening to see him in a United shirt, but it looks increasingly likely that that is what's happening! Should the deal go through as expected, then who will we bring in? I can't see us finishing the season well with only Schuerrle as cover for Oscar, Hazard and Willian. Lewis Baker??
We did this with Sturridge, thought that Liverpool were not a threat. And now look where Liverpool are, with Sturridge being a key player Two options for me, send him to Atletico on loan with first option on Diego Costa in return. Or sell him abroad to the highest bidder. I would not sell to United for less than 50m, Rooney or not. They are a rival and they always come back, Fergie or not.
Lets assume for a moment the deal to United goes through. It could be paper talk but there is a lot of talk about it. I literally can not see why we would do it. Cons - Losing a quality player and main back up to the three starting attacking mids - Have already sold KDB, so if Mata goes we are suddenly light in this area. What happens if Oscar or Hazard get injured?! - Makes United stronger. Maybe they aren't a rival this season but they will be in coming years. Why make the task of improving their squad easier when there would be plenty of takers abroad? - The deal doesn't involve Rooney - why?!?! If United wont sell to us, surely that in itself is reason not to sell to them? - Atletico are interested. Could be used in a deal for Costa which sorts the striker issue. Pros - We get a decent wedge to re-invest. However again we could sell abroad, as they will with Rooney. We could also raise funds if needed by selling other players. Not saying I would but we'd fetch 40-50 million out of Courtois and Lukaku if we wanted to. Ba will probably fetch near 10 million in the summer, Luiz 30-40 if we wanted to sell him. Plus we clearly have money anyway given we bid for Rooney in the last window. - He will play against our rivals this season but not us. I've seen this argument but is ridiculously short sighted. Not withstanding it is really only 2 games we are talking about. Is it worth stretching our squad for the run in and strengthening a future rival in case Mata performs wonders v City and Arsenal this year? No is my view, 100%. Am I missing something or are we really this stupid!!?
If true this will be the second case of idiocy to benefit Utd the first time was when Leeds sold Cantona to them. They are out of contention for this years championship I can't believe we're about to kick start their bid; if Jose is intent on putting Mata out of his misery, sell him abroad - never sell a player of Juan's age and quality to a major rival esp for the short term gain of taking pts off city & the Gooners.
Couldn't agree more. If United involve Rooney then fair enough; as the risk of improvement to them is balanced out by our chances of improvement. But why would we possiblY entertain a cash deal if they wont let us take Rooney? Especially when we can get that money from abroad in the summer. Absolute and utter madness and one I'm sure we will live to regret.
It was only a couple of weeks ago he was saying that no one was leaving our squad! I have a feeling he will be a "book balancer" if we scoop an expensive target before the window closes!
Still no excuse for this lunacy the point has been made that they have no intention of selling Rooney to us because they know it'll hit them on the rebound. Then again why should we be surprised when you consider that our transfer decisions over the years: (1) selling osgood & Hudson and not getting adequate replacements; (2) Shevchenko; (3) Torres (4) Sturridge.......if someone produced a balance sheet for this it would read far more quality be sent out than brought in.
Seriously seriously idiotic if this happens, United are on the ropes and if they don't get CL this year I can see them in the wilderness for a few years. Please don't gift them a gem of a player like Mata - it will give them a surge in belief and talent at a point when they are slipping further down the table
100% agree. Though ultimately United will spend money, Lamela for instance has proven that even 30+ million foreign players need time to settle/can't settle. With Mata they'd be getting a player more than proven in the P.L. Really hope this is not happening but hard to ignore a story that gathers such pace. You have to wonder why we are seemingly prepared to harm our own squad at this stage of the season, regardless of where we view United.
could it be a ploy by mourinho? drawing this out over the next week or two means United can't fully concentrate on other transfers, he could then pull it at the last minute and United would be screwed
Would be hilarious of course but would mean 1 of 2 things. Firstly United being that dumb to put all their eggs in one basket and allow it to drag on so long that they can't sign anyone else. Chelsea/Jose being that 'petty'. Whilst us as fans would love to do something like that, reality is, clubs don't tend to do business in this manner. Even stranger decision to sell given their apparent brick wall response re Rooney to us.
Can't see it Dave. If United aren't prepared to entertain it as part of the Mata deal, why would they for straight cash? I think they'll do their upmost to get him to sign a new deal or ship abroad.
I wouldn't like to think mata wants to leave, if he doesn't then it looks like were forcing him out. To be honest for the player and man that he is i'd rather him leave, play footy and be happy. just not at another english club.
Agreed. Mata is one of many talented attacking options Spain have and he'll not get in the team at this rate. I think he jump at the chance to go to a club like United if they give him first team football. I know I'd be royally pissed if I wasn't getting games given he was our best player pre Jose. Mata leaving looks a matter of time, if not now then certainly the summer. Seems Jose has made his mind up and doesn't think he is either good enough or suits what Jose is trying to implement. If that's the case, let him leave, use the money on a player Jose does want and let everyone move on....just not to United!
Mata is a superb player, but doesn't fit in to how Jose wants the team to play. Player of the season the last 2 years, but Chelsea didn't win the EPL, and to be frank weren't even close to doing it. With Mata playing less this year, we're right up there and still in the CL. He has to learn to be part of the squad and not have an automatic starting place. He got taken off at Southampton and we then won 2-0. Should Jose be doubted? Were Chelsea the ones putting all their eggs in one basket the last two years with Mata? The European trophies were good prizes, but over the course of the seasons Chelsea weren't at the races with the league.
