Manchester. I don't speak Spanish.
Paul Pogba | Undergoing Medical | Helping out the Laundry Ladies
- Thread starter KM
- Start date
-
In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) is joined by CEO Duncan Drasdo and Financial Director Andy Green from the Manchester United Supporters Trust for a special episode on all things behind the scenes at Old Trafford including a brief history of MUST and their aims today, views on INEOS and Sir Jim Ratcliffe so far, and the Old Trafford regeneration.
I don't even mind. Anything to drive the price up for Madrid. Hate them and their club.
I've been arguing this for a while now. There is a very negative perception of Raiola here and I'm yet to understand why that is exactly. I've asked several times. My impression of him, as an agent, is that he works for his clients' interests. It's completely wrong that he pushes for transfers all the time or gives bad advises to the players in order to benefit himself.
Matuidi wanted to stay at PSG, at a time when half of Europe was after him. There were no negotiations, no flirting with anyone, Raiola got him a new contract. Balotelli hasn't had a good game since 2012, yet he somehow managed to keep him relevant and marketable for 3 more years. Ibrahimovic was advised by Raiola against joining Barca, who were the best club at the time, because he didn't think he'd fit in. Mkhitaryan expressed desire to join us and that's what he's trying to do now. There's been none of the usual flirting with every big club, in order to pressure any of the sides to make the deal happen quicker or on better conditions.
Why would Real have to pay less than us? If the valuation is 120 and Juve insist then that is the figure that needs to be reached then that's it regardless of who meets it.
Secondly, how are we being used to get him a better deal at Real? If they pay the required amount he can ask for what he wants, its up to them to meet his demands that has nothing to do with us, everyone is aware he is highly sought after already. That tactic might work were he already a Madrid player.
Finally, this Manchester or Madrid argument is tiring. Not everyone wants the same things, some players will require champions league football, some will want sun, some will want money, everyone is different. Just because you think Madrid is better than Manchester does not mean it is a universally held opinion.
All of your criticisms stem from your opinion that he does not want to come to us and he only has eyes for RM. Your basis for this opinion is baseless.
I'd like it to be that way too but going to Real Madrid whether it's the best thing to do or not is too much of an opportunity to miss. Playing for them is like being a financial wiz at Barclays and getting head hunted for Goldman Sachs. It's the pinnacle of your career.
Tell that to Barcelona, AC Milan, Juventus, Manchester United, Liverpool, Bayern Munich, Boca Juniors, Santos etc.
Football is not bloody banking.
120m Euros... We won't take a cent less.
We can afford that without a problem; but it must pinch a bit knowing a Europa league team - could tempt one of your better players
Only one of those is a genuine reason - the last one. We're on our third manager in 4 seasons, we completely botched Fergie's succession, we're out of the Champions League, our academy has been massively criticised and there's a suspicion that Woodward is only any use when it comes to commercial deals and not the running of a football club. It's the reason why a Director of Football has been mooted for the past 18 months or so. Only the most blinkered fan would say that we're offering stability and long-term planning. It's nonsense. We're offering the promise of an exciting new era and renewed optimism. We're now that phrase we used to deride, 'a project'. If we can sell the project and back it up with massive money they he might just come back.
Great post. Couldn't agree more.
a club that knows his potentialAgree fully.
I still think it's unrealistic that he'd come here, but if there's a chance then it's not a waste of time. We can look to sign more than one player at a given time, like has been speculated with Mkhitaryan and Draxler (though the latter should be plan a and the former plan b).
If nothing else comes of it other than Madrid having to pay an extra 20-30-40m then that's time well spent too.
We can afford that without a problem; but it must pinch a bit knowing a Europa league team - could tempt one of your better players
Na it's $$$$
I don't care about transfer fees because at the end of the day it's not my money and I'd rather see us investing money to improve the team than Glazers lining their pockets.
Having that said, 100m on Pogba OR James Rodriguez (/another No10) + Kante (/Kroos) + 30m~20m (possibly another good CB). I know which one I'd take.
100m (/world record fee) should be spent on a player who wins (or makes a significant contribution on) 75% of the games, not on someone who might or might not turn up with one or two moments of brilliance. And on top of that would need a midfield who'd need to work their socks off to compensate his lack of defensive contribution.
But I know it's manager's decision and I'm perfectly fine with that if he thinks it's Pogba that he needs.
Having that said, 100m on Pogba OR James Rodriguez (/another No10) + Kante (/Kroos) + 30m~20m (possibly another good CB). I know which one I'd take.
100m (/world record fee) should be spent on a player who wins (or makes a significant contribution on) 75% of the games, not on someone who might or might not turn up with one or two moments of brilliance. And on top of that would need a midfield who'd need to work their socks off to compensate his lack of defensive contribution.
But I know it's manager's decision and I'm perfectly fine with that if he thinks it's Pogba that he needs.
Definitely - I'd happily settle for making Madrid pay a genuinely stupid fee for a fairly overrated player and then taking Kroos off them for half of Pogba's fee.
That would be sweet.
I think Kroos might be tricky to persuade to join us with no CL in the prime of his career. Maybe Juve might get him as makeweight in the deal. Of course, Kroos would be a brilliant acquisition.
I don't think Madrid is in on Pogba as much as some say. There simply isn't the same overwhelming positive press coming from the Madrid sports tabloids as there was for previous Perez signings. As much as Zidane might like Pogba, I do believe it's true what they say about Perez hating Raiola and not wanting to deal with him. Or beating the world transfer record for Pogba (pissing Ronaldo off in the process).
you mean Bale.
For £100 million the fans will expect a player who can be as close to a guaranteed smash hit as possible. There are players who would be available for less money who look like, based on experience and form, they could deliver.
Payet is a great example - his PL form was top drawer.
No transfer is guaranteed, obviously. But for a world record fee you might expect that you should see a player either at the top of his game or somewhere close to it.
I did mean Ronaldo. I don't think Bale would be too bothered about the fact. He'd be rather relieved I reckon.
Remember that when Bale was bought, the price reported was less that what he actually cost with all commisions, bells and whistles included. Madrid had a deal with Tottenham that they would report an amount lesser to what Ronaldo had cost (facepalm).
Correct me if I am wrong but hasn't payet had a very inconsistent career? I would feel much better spending a lot of money on a young star like Pogba than a 29 year old with one top season.
Bluemoon have a Pogba thread that's over 3k posts long ffs!
Take a guess when they decided he was overrated. Thousands of posts about his world class ability are just forgotten about.
Nope never happened. In fact there are a few posters now hoping we sign him!
Take a guess when they decided he was overrated. Thousands of posts about his world class ability are just forgotten about.
Nope never happened. In fact there are a few posters now hoping we sign him!
That may be the case, but he wouldn't cost anywhere near £100 million. My point was that there are other players out there who come with less of a risk factor, or who would cost significantly less.
The bottom line for me is that despite all the hype, he doesn't look anywhere near a World Record fee player as it stands. He plays for a superb side who dominate their respective league - a league which frankly, isn't what it once was, whatever people might stay. He's not having a great Euro's - which isn't itself a problem, but where's the evidence that he's going to become the player some think he will be?
I'm watching De Bruyne put on a master show here. Bale has carried Wales. These are the sort of players who he should be being compared too.
For me, if we spend this sort of money on him it's going to put massive pressure on him and with the swagger, mega pay packet, daft haircuts and clear confidence in his own ability, if it goes wrong it could go very wrong. In light of that I can see why people don't think he's worth the money.
Yeah I'm not convinced either. He's a very frustrating player, the man has the ability but whether he's get the drive to match the hype is another matter.
Well, they are hurt right now. They sound just like a friend of mine, when outbidden, he didnt really want to win in the first place.
Why would Juve sell him in the first place. Didnt Pogba say he wants to be a Turin legend like Zidane
I find it very suprising when people question whether this is realistic and whether he would come here.
Its both very realistic and very likely that he could and would come here.
I reckon this is on, short of Real stumping up similar amounts to us and him choosing them over us. However, both those things are far from certain.
Its both very realistic and very likely that he could and would come here.
I reckon this is on, short of Real stumping up similar amounts to us and him choosing them over us. However, both those things are far from certain.
Ronaldo said he wanted to emulate Giggs here, right before leaving for Real Madrid.
He's gotten alot of stick, maybe a bit unfair but he's been okay in the tournament not mindblowing, today probally his best game bar that one braindead moment he had.
I think Real Madrid got this one in the bag after the Euros. Ed Woodward and the Glazers desperately want to make a big statement to make up for past dealings, which is good to see, just wish it was earlier.
I think if he does come back though I think that's our midfield sorted for 10 years and if we add a few more players I don't see how we don't win the league.
I think Real Madrid got this one in the bag after the Euros. Ed Woodward and the Glazers desperately want to make a big statement to make up for past dealings, which is good to see, just wish it was earlier.
I think if he does come back though I think that's our midfield sorted for 10 years and if we add a few more players I don't see how we don't win the league.
He's not worth half the money Juve are asking and is massively overrated when compared to the best in the game.
He would improve United, though. Getting fleeced aside, he'd be a welcomed addition to a new look side.
He would improve United, though. Getting fleeced aside, he'd be a welcomed addition to a new look side.
Some footballers talk shite but Ronaldo is a big head and Pogba has his agent feeding his ego. So what they say means very little. We could argue Paul shouldn't have left in the first place but he was advised to and when you have a club like Juventus promising you games? It's not a problem to move. I'm under the impression Pogba would prefer Barcelona then Madrid personally but I think a United return would tempt him. Even where we are at the minute, there's going to be so much focus on the premiership next season - it's going to be the most interesting league because of the number of teams who are improving. He's got friends here and he has a lot to prove to people. He's moaned a bit but is intelligent enough not to have burnt his bridges.
Honestly, would he improve Madrid? casemiro ( not better but different position) and modric and kroos ( both better) should be their midfield for the next two years surely? I have no idea why Madrid would go after him when they already have kroos and modric who are substantially better than him. They should just let kroos play his natural game more rather than shackling him.
Pogba is still a potentially world class mid only . Right now he is just a very good CM with exceptional physical attributes but rarely bosses the game . But for the kind of money Juventus asking I want some one who consistently deliver 9/10 performance. Pogba can do that though under proper guidance but thats something could work / didnt work out. If we just get pogba we will suddenly have the most costlier CM bid still we wont dominate opposition I fear and we will crumble if the opposition press us relentlessly.
The only player ( CM ) I would play that kind of Money is Verrati . But thats something not happening atleast this summer. I think we should go for the younger route here. There are talents available in the market .
If jose wants him , then he will have some plans with him and we need to trust jose.
The only player ( CM ) I would play that kind of Money is Verrati . But thats something not happening atleast this summer. I think we should go for the younger route here. There are talents available in the market .
If jose wants him , then he will have some plans with him and we need to trust jose.
Agreed but how do you think that Madrid should play Kroos? I would love to see the version of Germany but with a 4-3-3 I can´t see too many variants
Would have to move Ronaldo properly central and get Bale and another winger to actually get involved in the game defensively for the big games. Then kroos and modric both as number 8's ahead of casemiro. As things stand Kroos has far too much tidying up to do and concentrations on positioning off the ball with the lack of tracking from others but with more involved wingers it could be remedied I think.
Woody is itching to soend big on a marquee signing, i rather it be Pogba than James.
If played deeper in a 4231, Pogba, to me, can become what Yaya Toure was for City in 13-14, where he racked up an incredible amount of goals and assists.
He has the passing range, the drive, the vision and the ability to score outside the box, which we've lacked since Scholes and the Rooney of old.
For this to happen, however, we'd need a very dynamic centre midfielder next to him - similar to Fernandinho, as Pogba isn't known for his hard work.
In Schneiderlin, despite arguably being better in the box to box role, I feel we have someone who could do that for us, but we'd need a ready replacement to rotate with him. Kante, Matic, Krychowiak, etc.
Schneiderlin/New CDM - Pogba/Herrera
He has the passing range, the drive, the vision and the ability to score outside the box, which we've lacked since Scholes and the Rooney of old.
For this to happen, however, we'd need a very dynamic centre midfielder next to him - similar to Fernandinho, as Pogba isn't known for his hard work.
In Schneiderlin, despite arguably being better in the box to box role, I feel we have someone who could do that for us, but we'd need a ready replacement to rotate with him. Kante, Matic, Krychowiak, etc.
Schneiderlin/New CDM - Pogba/Herrera
Personally struggling to see how himself and rooney fit into a mourinho midfield. Perhaps mourinho has a trick up his sleeve to bring him into a 2 man midfield. Otherwise it is either him or rooney, or mhik if he ends up playing through the middle.
Personally I see andre Gomez as a more realistic target, but if we get either and zlat it's hard to see rooney being anything other than cover
Adding to this, assuming pogba pairs up with a ball winner, there's nobody really to control the midfield. Made me think that carrick/schwein would pair with pogba and a schneiderlin type but then you think about mourinhos chelsea midfield of makele, lampard and essien and you don't really have a deep play maker either so hard to be sure where this will go
Personally I see andre Gomez as a more realistic target, but if we get either and zlat it's hard to see rooney being anything other than cover
Adding to this, assuming pogba pairs up with a ball winner, there's nobody really to control the midfield. Made me think that carrick/schwein would pair with pogba and a schneiderlin type but then you think about mourinhos chelsea midfield of makele, lampard and essien and you don't really have a deep play maker either so hard to be sure where this will go
I'm not sure how you are struggling.
There will be a CDM next to them. Rooney and Pogba will be the box to box midfielders.
I don't think Rooney is getting dropped at the start.
What about this?
4231:
Ibrahimovic
Martial - Rooney - Mkhitaryan
Pogba - Schneiderlin
433:Martial - Rooney - Mkhitaryan
Pogba - Schneiderlin
Martial - Ibrahimovic - Mkhitaryan
Rooney - Pogba
CDM
Rooney - Pogba
CDM