The domestic season may be four days from conclusion, but column inches are there to be filled, speculation to be drawn and presumptive deals scooped. There is, after all, nearly a month before the 2012 European Championships in Poland and Ukraine, almost 15 weeks before the 2012/13 Premier League season begins in earnest on 18 August, and 114 days before the transfer window slams shut at the end of August. And it always slams. Start the Sky Sports ticker rolling, stir Jim White from his hibernation, for silly season has begun!
Except, at Old Trafford, there are likely to be few dramas this summer, with Sir Alex Ferguson seeking just “two or three” additions to his squad, with the manager adding youth and pace to his squad. More to the point, few believe the great Scot will be afforded any significant sum to invest in the market this summer. It leaves Ferguson wrestling with a squad that is likely to finish trophyless, and in need of a refresh if it is to compete at home and abroad next season.
While Sir Alex can boast youth in depth, the 70-year-old United manager must also consider question marks hanging over more than half-a-dozen first team players, including those perennially injury-prone, sick or under-performing.
That United is stronger than after the club’s last silverware-free season in 2004-5 is not in doubt. After all, Ferguson’s team featured Eric Djemba-Djema, Kleberson, David Bellion and Dong in that campaign. But the competition for trophies will be more intense next season than seven years ago. Manchester City, Chelsea, Arsenal and perhaps even Tottenham Hotspur are likely to be highly active players during the summer window.
Indeed, City will invest from a position of strength and unlimited sovereign wealth at Roberto Mancini’s disposal. In west London Roman Abramovich will once again sign-off on a Chelsea rebuilding programme, while at Arsenal the penny may have finally dropped – Arsène Wenger securing two productive acquisitions in Lukas Podolski and Yann M’Vila.
Ferguson’s limited transfer budget – thought to be less than £30 million unless there are substantial player departures – leaves the Scot in a now familiar position of working the market for bargains and ‘value’.
One wonders what Wayne Rooney must think of it all 18 months on from the player’s now infamous “lack of ambition” press release at the height of the October 2010 contract dispute.
Rooney handled that affair with a gross lack of tact, allowing agent Paul Stretford to conduct a media campaign that brought embarrassment on his client, but was rewarded with a very large cheque nontheless. Yet, whatever assurances the 26-year-old striker received on signing the new five-year contract alongside a beaming David Gill and Sir Alex, United’s strategy has changed little since. It should surprise few if the Rooney camp once again agitates for change this summer.
Typical of recent seasons, United will seek to acquire younger players in the break, although having spent around £38 million net over the past 12 months the smart money is on a far smaller outlay this window. The family’s average net spend of around £7.5 million per season during its seven year Old Trafford tenure should provide ample guidance that the purse strings will remain tightly guarded until United IPOs, perhaps in the autumn.
However, the Reds may have already tied up a deal for Crystal Palace defender Nathaniel Clyne who has been outstanding at right-back for the south London side this season. The 21-year-old Englishman is expected to compete with Rafael da Silva for United’s full-back slot next season. Clyne, who is out-of-contract, will join for a low seven-figure fee.
Meanwhile, speculation that United has already secured a deal with Borussia Dortmund for Japanese midfielder Shinji Kagawa is premature, but the Reds remain in a good position to conclude the transfer. After all, it is an archetypal Glazer purchase, with Kagawa just 23-years-old and out-of-contract in 2013. With the player unwilling to sign a new deal in Germany, Dortmund will accept a transfer at a far lower fee than in normal circumstances. Reports of a €10 million fee may well be wide of the mark, but United could still secure a bargain deal for the two-time Bundesliga winner.
Kagawa will add pace and guile in what many expect to be a more flexible attacking formation next season than the oft-pedestrian performances during the current campaign.
Elsewhere, United’s strategy is less clear, although fans can be certain that the club is not in the frame for Arsenal’s Robin van Persie, despite the column inch filling reports on Wednesday. Nor in fact any of Europe’s leading names, including Eden Hazard, Fernando Llorente, Iker Muniain, Nicolas Gaitan, or half-a-dozen other £20 million plus moves who will head elsewhere in the summer.
However, Ferguson does have gaps in his squad that younger players cannot fill. At left-back the Scot needs cover for Patrice Evra at a minimum, with Fabio da Silva set to spend the season away from the club on loan. Meanwhile, in midfield persistent injuries to Anderson and Darren Fletcher’s long-term illness dictates the need for additional resources whatever the eventual outcome with Kagawa. After all, Paul Scholes is yet to sign a new deal, and is unlikely to play more than 30 games in a campaign anyway. Owen Hargreaves has never been replaced.
Much will be expected of Tom Cleverley once again, but the 23-year-old has suffered lengthy injuries in each of his four seasons of first team football to date, whether at United or elsewhere on loan. It would surely be a strategic mistake to bet on the fitness of Cleverley, Anderson, and Fletcher next season.
Meanwhile, in attack, Dimitar Berbatov is set to leave, although United will demand a fee for the Bulgarian, raising the spectre of the striker warming the Old Trafford bench once again until the club raises the cash it is after. Tomasz Kuszack, Darron Gibson and Mame Biram Diouf will each attest to that strategy.
However, Michael Owen will surely not be offered a new contract after a third unproductive season in a row, although the ex-Liverpool forward’s ‘cost-effectiveness’ remains attractive to Old Trafford bean counters. Federico Macheda will leave the club on loan, if not permanently, while a number of younger reserve players, including Will Keane will be sent to the Championship for a season.
This leaves Ferguson in search of a fourth senior striker if one can be found in the bargains bin.
Yet, for the most part while the campaign has proven to be highly underwhelming, it is likely that silly season will follow a similar pattern. Those fans seeking big name acquisitions will be disappointed. It is a strategy that may leave United playing catch up in a little over 100 days time.
Silly season underway, but United unlikely to spend big
(97 posts) (12 voices)-
Posted 1 year ago #
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Pebblesmeller
Member
Posted by unregistered user: PebblesmellerI have had a sick feeling for over a year that Fergie has been forced to play along and make do with his current squad and wait for the resources that may come from the IPO. The Glazers probably had hoped to have the IPO sorted before this summer at the latest, but given the current global economic situation, it has been delayed and now will not be finialised to provide Fergie with the funds needed before the next transfer window “SLAMS SHUT”.
Either way, I don’t think we need a total re-vamp. Our early season form with Cleverly, Rooney and Anderson interplaying to great effect was exciting and effective. A left full back, as you said yourself Ed a mean bastard for centre midfield and a centre forward. Sell/move on Park, Anderson, Berba and Owen. Fletcher deserves our patience and support to see how he gets on with his recovery.
The last time we ended up trophyless we did O.K. over the next few seasons after all.Posted 1 year ago # -
Michael llcoolt
Member Posted by unregistered user: Michael llcoolt2 CMs 1 of which attacking 1 defensive like Martinez 2 defenders someone like Baines and Mbia Montpellier and a top quality striker anything less and next this will be very poor indeed Cleverley ain’t good enough and is always injured welbeck’s 1st touch is poor we’ve enough could be young player time for proven talent and back to ferguson he blotted his legendary record when he started lying for the glazers for money at anytime he could and still can tell it the way it is tell the fans exactly how it is let’s face it they ain’t gonna sack him there would be a outcry and anyway he’s nearly 71 FFS but he isn’t doing that cos they’ve promised him a back hander to keep up with the no value in the Market bulls..t and his six and half million a season it’s a f…..g disgrace is ferguson now part of the problem and NOT the solution he’s a greedy old man
Posted 1 year ago # -
Michael llcoolt
Member Posted by unregistered user: Michael llcooltThen we are f….d next season if that’s true need to spend big on proven talent 2 CM 1 striker a left and right back if not 4th prem and no chance in CL and ferguson needs to stop lying for the glazers so he can pick up is 6 and half million a season and I wouldn’t blame Rooney if he asked for a transfer he’s been lied to by the glazers and ferguson just like us fans
Posted 1 year ago # -
Jack
Member Posted by unregistered user: Jackgiven our team this season, we have done well to be in the title race considering we have been missing 2 key players for most of the season.
it looks like pogba is finally gone too.
i hope you are wrong and fergie gets a good budget which he is willing to spend. if the glazers have any brain cells they need to realise its spend now or start a downward spiral.
looking at our squad Clyne would be good, cheap, young and fit in well. cbs we are strong at when Vidic is fit but we could maybe do with a guy who isnt too young or old plus a LB to compete with and eventually replace Evra.
central midfield is a nightmare and we need at least 2 quality signings a ball winner and a modric type.
Kagawa would be a smart signing but i would want him in addition to those midfielders, he could play on either wing or behind a striker.our wings seem full at the moment despite the players we have been linked with, so unless someones leaving then no one new should be brought in.
up front we are losing berba and if we are after someone new he needs to be someone of high quality or someone who offers a different option to the guys we have so a llorente would be perfect.
in a perfect word we would sign
Clyne/ Iraola(i wanted him last summer and his had a great season)
a cb/lb
Javi Martinez
Modric/there are cheaper options but that type of player
Kagawa/Sneijder
Iker Muniain/a good young winger (if we sell a winger)
Llorentebut from the past few summers i know we will be lucky to see anyone great sign let alone that many and i doubt Bilbao would let them all go.
i would be happy with cheap well scouted players in those areas too.
but we cant afford to sit on our hands for another summer.
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member
How can you say anderson played exciting football so we don't need a revamp and then say sell him
I personally don't think we should or can afford to sell him. He is only 23 and still has time - look how shit Fletcher was before he was suddenly our best CM. Think he was 25 then.Also our early season form was not effective. Conceding the amount of chances and goals that we were is not sustainable, especially when you play a top team. Scholes, Hargreaves and Fletch all need replacing - thanks to Cleverley emerging as an option, we probably only need two CMs. I would much rather have a CM who was comfortable in possession with a good range of passing than a 'mean bastard' as well.
I think we'll get one established CM (24-27 yrs) and a younger prospect. Given our need at CM not sure why there is so much talk of LWs. We have the best and most productive wingers in the league (silva aside). Can't see a new striker either. Owen is easy to keep and can't see Macheda going out again given his past experiences. He'll be sold or given a chance.
Also, for everyone saying Kagawa is a CM. He clearly isn't (wouldn't replace Fletcher/Hargreaves/Scholes) so signing him would not address our deficiencies in the squad, it would merely signal a change in formation.
I remember at he end of last season a few people were saying at would have been better (long term) if we had lost the title because it would have forced the club to address our deficiencies. Maybe this season we will.
Waiting for the IPO to go through in the Autumn may well mean that we miss out on a lot of players with clubs looking to get deals done before the start of the Euros. We'll likely be picking through the dregs anyway though.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Alfonso Bedoya
Moderator
"look how shit Fletcher was before he was suddenly our best CM."
"Badges, to god-damned hell with badges! We have no badges. In fact, we don't need badges. I don't have to show you any stinking badges, you god-damned cabrón and ching' tu madre! Come out from that shit-hole of yours. I have to speak to you."Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member
Thanks again Ed for telling it like iot is and not hiding under the covers like a few United supporters are now. The season hasn't even finished yet and there seems to be a lot of pessimism about next season which can't be good fort the club. VBut we have to face reality that there will be no big signings in the summer and we may have to make do with our pensioner MF. Sad but true.
Oh and to address a few earlier points...
1. There is no way we'll pay 15m pounds to get Baines - who is 27.
2. Anderson has had his chance and should be out the door while he can still fit through it.
3. Kagawa is not a CM as someone pointed out and would be a welcome addition as an attacking player. But there would still be a huge void in central MF.
4. Arsenal - yes ARSENAL - have already made signings andspent money to make some good signings. We could get left behind next season by the otehr top clubs because you know th elikes of City and Chelsea will spend loads of cash.Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member Our current CMs: Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs.
Giggs will play less and less.
Scholes might retire.
Fletcher might retire/ never return to his best.
Cleverley & Anderson are injury prone.
That leaves Carrick as the one CM we can rely on. As we obviously can't afford to buy three new quality CMs it seems foolish to sell Anderson and I don't think his sale would fund a better replacement.We obviously need some new players, but surely we are more in need of 2-3 top talents rather 5-6 'squad' players.
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member marlon said:
Our current CMs: Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs.
Giggs will play less and less.
Scholes might retire.
Fletcher might retire/ never return to his best.
Cleverley & Anderson are injury prone.
That leaves Carrick as the one CM we can rely on. As we obviously can't afford to buy three new quality CMs it seems foolish to sell Anderson and I don't think his sale would fund a better replacement.We obviously need some new players, but surely we are more in need of 2-3 top talents rather than the 5-6 'squad' players which would be required to replace all these sales.
Also I get people wanting to cut their losses etc. but given we payed between £15 - 25 million for the guy, the loss doesn't seem worth it. And wouldn't it be cheaper to invest £10 million in our medical staff?
Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member marlon said:
Our current CMs: Cleverley, Anderson, Carrick, Fletcher, Scholes, Giggs.
Giggs will play less and less.
Scholes might retire.
Fletcher might retire/ never return to his best.
Cleverley & Anderson are injury prone.
That leaves Carrick as the one CM we can rely on. As we obviously can't afford to buy three new quality CMs it seems foolish to sell Anderson and I don't think his sale would fund a better replacement.We obviously need some new players, but surely we are more in need of 2-3 top talents rather 5-6 'squad' players.
Where are these 'top talents' you suggest and who's to say that we could afford them anyways? We've already heard from Hazard on his potential destination.
We have had a few years now to sign some top quality central MFs and chose not to do so while our rivals have strenghtened in that area - Yaya Toure, Silva, Nasri, Mata, VDV, and now Hazard, M'Vila and on and on it goes. Why haven't we tried to sign any of these players? No, this trend will unfortunately continue and we'll sink while the others will rise.
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member 19 and Counting said:
Where are these 'top talents' you suggest and who's to say that we could afford them anyways? We've already heard from Hazard on his potential destination.We have had a few years now to sign some top quality central MFs and chose not to do so while our rivals have strenghtened in that area - Yaya Toure, Silva, Nasri, Mata, VDV, and now Hazard, M'Vila and on and on it goes. Why haven't we tried to sign any of these players? No, this trend will unfortunately continue and we'll sink while the others will rise.
My point was better to spend what money we have on a few good players, rather than fill our squad with another 5 Parks. I have no idea who is available or who would want to come (obviously).
I was really just bring to make the point to everyone who said we should sell Anderson that it would be a bad move financially speaking and we can't afford to replace him as that money is desperately needed to buy players in the same position. As you say, we can barely afford a 'top' talent as it is.
And of that list of players, only Toure and M'Vila are the kind of CM we most need. When Toure was sold we were still OK at CM - had a fit Fletch Carrick anderson and a younger scholes giggs. And lets be honest we couldn't compete with City on wages even if we went for him. On M'Vila, maybe we missed out I don't know. I'd be surprised if Fergie didn't have some CMs in mind and if M'Vila was one of them we could definitely have got him - Arsenal have strict wages and fee is reportedly €22 million - even we could manage that. I reckon we did't want him. I have heard he has some off-field issues which may yet scupper his move to Ars anyway. If he really chose Arsenal over us for the money that would be a new low, but I think its more likely we have other targets in mind.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Michael llcoolt
Member Posted by unregistered user: Michael llcooltCarrick in CM is a paper bag useless passé at best fletcher was never better than just a squad player no disrespect to him at least he’s a tryer but nothing more scholes and giggs should retire cleverley is passé overrated and injury prone Ferdinand is past it welbecks 1st touch is terrible and he’s not world class don’t think he ever will be how he’s kept Hernandez out of the team is beyond me no wonder he’s lost form and young plays 1 or 2 good games then he’s poor and ineffective don’t know why he was bought and Evans is also passé need a clear out and need to buy at least 4-5 class players next season shitty will get stronger still Chelsea will vastly improve and if they get pep and spend big oh dear Arsenal will improve the squad and get far better even spurs will improve unless we spend big this summer the leeches release the required funds ferguson stops lying for his cash we are in big big trouble we need to spend at least 100 million in this window and get rid of the deadwood could also do with giving phelan his P45 he’s about as much use has a condom with a hole in it END OF!
Posted 1 year ago # -
Michael llcoolt
Member Posted by unregistered user: Michael llcooltRage against the machine lyrics suit the issues we face perfectly ferguson’s bull for the glazers – NO MORE LIES! gullible stupid fellow United fans who thInk nothings wrong – WAKE UP! getting rid of the glazer leeches – WE’VE GOTTA TAKE THE POWER BACK!!!!
Posted 1 year ago # -
marlon
Member Apparently there will be a big talent drain out of France this year since Hollande won the presidential elections (said he would tax anyone earning over €1 million/year at a 75% rate). So we might see a few transfer requests and maybe some good deals. France has a lot of very good young players but no stars (excluding Hazard). As we're a club who looks for 'value' we might get a couple from there.
Nuri Sahin (CM) has played a handful of games for Madrid this year despite being Dortmund best player last season. Definitely a possible signing. Prob 10-15 mil.
I really hope we don't sign Javi Martinez. His lack of pace and agility was really shown up in the EL final and we don't need another utility defender playing CM. We already know that doesn't work.
Posted 1 year ago # -
19 and Counting
Member marlon said:
My point was better to spend what money we have on a few good players, rather than fill our squad with another 5 Parks. I have no idea who is available or who would want to come (obviously).I was really just bring to make the point to everyone who said we should sell Anderson that it would be a bad move financially speaking and we can't afford to replace him as that money is desperately needed to buy players in the same position. As you say, we can barely afford a 'top' talent as it is.
And of that list of players, only Toure and M'Vila are the kind of CM we most need. When Toure was sold we were still OK at CM - had a fit Fletch Carrick anderson and a younger scholes giggs. And lets be honest we couldn't compete with City on wages even if we went for him. On M'Vila, maybe we missed out I don't know. I'd be surprised if Fergie didn't have some CMs in mind and if M'Vila was one of them we could definitely have got him - Arsenal have strict wages and fee is reportedly €22 million - even we could manage that. I reckon we did't want him. I have heard he has some off-field issues which may yet scupper his move to Ars anyway. If he really chose Arsenal over us for the money that would be a new low, but I think its more likely we have other targets in mind.
I think Kagawa would be the 'highest quality' player we could hope for this summer. In the end, that's not going to be good enough! No, Fergie will continue to put his faith in our central MF and hope Fletcher comes back the same the player, Scholes and Giggsy can find the fountain of youth, Anderson can stop eating at Burger King, Pogba will stay, and Cleverley will be fit. He'll need a lot of luck with that lot.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Rich Nash
Member Posted by unregistered user: Rich Nash (URL)Money is available, but United will not be signing players who command £100-150k-a-week. Funnily enough, we don’t have a problem lavishing £20m on a young, unproven talent but we do on a proven player.
I think Kagawa would be a good signing. The stats speak for themselves. He is far better than anything we have at the moment, starts and scores goals regulary for the best team in Germany who play in arguably the second strongest league in world football.
However, as pressing as there is a need for a creative/attacking midfielder, we also desperately need a more defensive midfielder: we allowed far more shots on goal than any of the other top teams.
Javi Martinez would be my choice, but I wouldn’t rule out Tiote.
It would be a shame if we make these improvements to the squad, though, and fail to hold onto Pogba. I think Sir Alex’s conduct throughout the whole affair has been very odd, first claming that he wouldn’t be signing the likes of Sneijder because it would see the likes of Pogba move elsewhere and then lavishing praise on the young lad but inviting Paul Scholes back out of retirement.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Marlon
Member Posted by unregistered user: MarlonI know Blibao beat us but that does’t mean we need to buy their whole team. Other teams have good players.
And Javi Martinez has spent the entire season at CB. We don’t need/cannot afford another Jones. Also had a terrible game tonight imo.
Why do we need a CB? Rio, Vidic, Evans, Smalling, Jones (he’ll get there eventually) is surely enough.Otherwise I agree with you. Need specialised competition at RB/LB, two CMs (can get away with one if Fletcher makes a full recovery), a playmaker, Striker if Berba leaves and even if we don’t sell a winger a 4th who could also play through the middle would be good.
Posted 1 year ago # -
Richard – Jones was £16.5m and you’ve also forgotten the £14m United recouped last summer/ January.
Posted 1 year ago # -
If the Glazers do not invest, this is the beginning of the end for both the club as an entity able to compete successfully and the destruction of ye value of their investment. It is that simple. No half measuree, no value, just raw awesome potential, (Hazard, Muniain), proven quality (Tiote, Martinez, Kagawa) is required.
The last transfer window literally only replaced essential items - I half think Fergie reckoned Jones could be put in CM but his distribution is too gash for that. Young, as good as he can be, was a frankly bizarre and unnecessary purchase.
Unless we expenditure of circa £60m, net, and four bodies in (subject to thise being shipped out) we have gone significantly backward.
Posted 1 year ago # -
David – this is not new, but yes good of Matt Scott to spell it out in black and white. People will still deny the debt has any affect on United’s ability to compete.
Posted 1 year ago # -
MK
Member Posted by unregistered user: MKThe Pogba situation really pisses me off. We clearly need new signings in central midfield, we have a player on our books who potentially could develop to be world class & yet somehow we’ve managed to let him slip through our grasp. No matter how you look at it (he’s greedy, just listening to his agent…) it’s extremely bad management.
If we can’t convince a top player to even stay at the club then this really will be a bad summer.
How is it that a club like Man Utd can’t hold on to its young players??
This season really has been a dissapointment on and off the pitch, and the thought of a summer of cheap buys just makes things worse.
Posted 1 year ago #
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