Top four next year.....

Rumours are that Van Gaal will be handed a £200m warchest for player transfers this summer....that's an incredible number and shows how seriously the fall from grace is taken in the Utd boardroom. In the hands of a proven manager like van Gaal, I'm sure it will bring them back into contention for top 4.

City will remain the team to catch, Chelsea will grind out results, Arsenal can't possibly have the same number of injuries to key players as this year again could they?....and they have a rumoured £100m warchest. Throw Spurs and there annual splurge on players by a new manager (they'll get it right one year, surely ) and of course, ourselves with a talented but small squad that should be bolstered by what appears to now be a modest, reported £60m net spend and the race for top four next year looks like it will be just as interesting as this year.

Given that we essentially used a core group of 13 or 14 players this year, I'm hoping we add 3 top quality signings that would grace any competition plus bring a few of the youngsters through some more.....if we have a bench that we can look at and see game changers and depth, then I'll be reasonably confident of top four again. Such a critical summer given the above.

Really hope we don't f**k up this transfer window!

 

Everything depends on what happens in the summer... but I'd expect next year City to run away with it. Chelsea secure in 2nd. We'll probably take 3rd- and United/Arse will probably compete for 4th.


Can't see us winning the title- but think we have a good shot at top 4 again unless things go bottom up.

 

That's just what they are - rumours. The ONLY statement made so far as that they will invest. However they have not even intimated that there is a war chest. The Glazers are not known for throwing large amounts of their own money about. Sure they want to maximise their returns from United but not necessarilly increase their risk..

You also have to remember that the board at Manchester do not have the authority to make decisions without the owners approval - no matter what their personal opinions.

 

Yep, just rumours. However, I'd wager that they won't be far away from the truth. Utd are a listed company, share price is everything......investing £200m to shore up a £2-3 billion asset and maintain their market/shareholder value is critical for raising money in the future......and servicing the debt leveraged against the club.

 

I notice that the team who finished 5th doesn't even get a mention, whilst the sides in 6th and 7th are considered contenders....

 

Is the right answer.

They need to invest heavily in the playing squad to ensure that the asset doesn't devalue. A second year outside of the CL is unthinkable for United, not only in terms of direct revenue but for the value of their brand via sponsorship deals and worldwide merchandising

 

Yep.....Everton had a great season this year, shame they didn't make 4th tbh but they won't get anywhere near repeating unless they can hold onto the loan players this year AND improve incrementally at the same rate as those around them......If they can do that, then I'd throw them in the mix too. I don't believe that they will, hence the omission. I may be wrong.

 

Agreed. I think they ended the year with something like over £100m in the bank (earning virtually nothing) - if I was a serious investor, I'd be screaming at these guys to invest it in the company to ensure a healthier return than that of a bank! Basic economics....Am sure that the Mata transfer was a little of this too, if they don't do the right thing this year and results falter, share price will plummet......who wants to invest in a company that cannot prove a decent return on its capital?...even in football! Will be an interesting year for them.

 

Sign to many new players and things will just get awkward for them. United wont be a threat next season.

 

hope you're right

 

Wake up KKK. Go and have a look at what shares the Glazers actually sold. The shareholders ave NO say on what United do or not do. They have no voting rights and are merely along for the ride. The share price is nothing more than a ticket to a money machine where you keep taking but can't control anything.

Now the risk for the shareholders is minimal. The vast part of United's commercial income is guaranteed in the short term so there is no immediate commercial problem. The debt is not a prime commercial problem - it does however have major strategic consequences. The reports in the papers are a complete load of rubbish - football journos who have little or no idea about either finance or organisations work.

So there is little to no commercial pressure on the Glazers to actually change their investment policy. So I'll wager that the level of that investment is "as per usual" + player sales/wage bill reductions.

 

That's because your position this season is irrelevant to your performance next season when half your team is on tick

 

Not at the start- but they should start to gel by the end if the right players are signed by the right manager after Van Gaal gets the sack in September.

 

£200m is a tidy sum. How much for wages?

 

Yawn

 

Put your bias to one side and think about it Dave.

The Glazers aren't stupid ffs, they'll be fully aware that without a hugely successful team, their asset value (irrespective of the share price) falls sharply and damn quickly.

They'll invest heavily in the playing squad this summer - without a shadow of doubt

 

Title next year.



(Just put 30 miles on my new road bike tires/tubes so maybe the endorphins have got to me.)

 

Just been to football in the blazing sun. should have been an hour but ran over by forty minutes

 

Been a beaut of a day today hasn't it, Britain'll be back to it's ****ty best tomorrow though. I hope you kept your shirts on... how'd you get on? Had a great ride which was marred by a couple of twats shouting from car windows. Feckin' eejits.

 

The sides landed a bit **** and they got most of the runners which made it hard work. Think it ended something like 12-7 to them. I scored three cracking volleys though, shame I missed all the easy chances.