The Manchester United Thread

Sherkey said:
Don't get me wrong, on the whole, the team would be brilliant. But 1, Mueller won't be sold, and 2, he isn't that clinical upfront, and 3, lacks pace. The team listed there will be outstanding for counter-attacking, but I dunno if Mueller has the pace for that. If we can't get a proper striker, we should retain Hernandez as rotation with Rooney.
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I think he would be a lethal STR 20+ gls from 40 games this season from out wide drifting in. Just imagine him up to with quality wide.
 
European football's governing body is preparing to relax the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules it introduced in 2011 to stop clubs from overspending.

In an interview with French radio station RTL , Uefa president Michel Platini said FFP was "working well" but would be "eased" this summer.

This followed a report in Le Parisien newspaper on Sunday that said "significant changes" are on the table.

Manchester City and Paris St-Germain were fined last year for breaching FFP.

Platini's right-hand man at Uefa, general secretary Gianni Infantino , later confirmed to the BBC that talks about FFP with Europe's leading clubs were "ongoing", with a "number of amendments" under discussion.

"Financial fair play has proved successful in achieving considerable improvement in the financial health of European football," said Infantino.

"Aggregate net losses of Europe's clubs have fallen from 1.7bn euros in 2011 to 400m euros in 2014.

"Regular review of the regulations is vital to ensure they keep pace with the ever-changing football environment and the new challenges that this often poses.

"Any potential changes will look to encourage more growth, more competition and market stimulation while strengthening the emphasis on controlling spending and safeguarding financial stability."

The guiding principle of FFP is that clubs should stay within their means when it comes to buying and remunerating players: central to this is the so-called "break-even requirement" .

The rules have been phased in to allow clubs some leeway but many have struggled to stay within the criteria and several have been given sanctions that range from bans on registering new players, fines and even exclusion from European club competitions.

But criticism of FFP has grown over the last two seasons as many observers have pointed out that stopping clubs from spending more than they earn cements the status quo - without the ability to speculate with their own money, ambitious owners of smaller clubs can never compete with more established clubs for the best players.

Platini did not go into details with RTL, saying only that the clubs had voted for FFP in the first place but Uefa's executive committee was likely to revise them by the end of June, when it meets in Prague.


But he also alluded to French critics who say FFP has made it very difficult for Qatar-owned PSG to join Europe's elite, a position fans of Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City share.

"The French press say it is not right that [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich can buy many players and in France they cannot buy them," he said.

"But if the Qataris had bought AC Milan, the French would also say we should make financial fair play even tougher. As it is, the Italians wanted it eased.

"The world is two-faced but we will say this openly: I think we'll ease things."

The article in Le Parisien went slightly further, suggesting the changes were a reaction to the "multiple legal actions (against FFP) currently in process, some of which are nearing conclusion".

Those legal actions are being spearheaded by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who forced Uefa to overhaul its transfer rules with the Bosman Ruling in 1995.

Originally acting on behalf of a football agent, Dupont's challenge to FFP has now attracted support from fans of Manchester City, PSG and other clubs.

Dupont maintains FFP is contrary to basic European Union rules on free markets and he has filed complaints at courts in Brussels, Paris and Switzerland, as well as with the European Commission.

"We welcome the announcement of a change in the rules in line with the demands expressed by our clients in their various legal actions," Dupont said.

"When the exact content and scope of these changes are known, we will consider how this development, which on first sight appears favourable, is likely to meet their legitimate expectations and influence the conduct of ongoing actions."

A spokesman for the European Club Association, the body formed in 2008 to replace the G-14 group of elite clubs, confirmed it has been involved in talks with Uefa since December, those talks continue and a final decision was likely by the end of June.

BBC Sport - Michel Platini: Uefa to 'ease' financial fair play rules
 
Sherkey said:
That forward line would be ridiculous. No real pace upfront at ST, plus no clinical finishing. I'd be gleeful otherwise. Although, defensively, Carvajal is just as suspect as anyone else..
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Agreed and was about to say the same. Not sure Muller can "lead the line" even in a system such as the one outlined above. He is basically a raumdeuter (actually the position was invented for him) so he would be better in in one of the if positions of a 433. Would much prefer somebody like Lacazette.

Also Carvajal doesnt fill me with confidence ...
 
Balague reckons Otamendi is still very much one of our targets and he is dreaming to come to Premier League, not quite sure what to make of it but he's a good player.
 
zzeezzy said:
Balague reckons Otamendi is still very much one of our targets and he is dreaming to come to Premier League, not quite sure what to make of it but he's a good player.
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Just confirming our interest. Maybe our back up for Hummels. Like you said very good player.
 
Theatreof Dreams said:
Thought this was pretty interesting Times Webchat - James Ducker - Extremely detail information about potential signings and new formation.

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They're in for a very, very busy summer. Now that they've secured Champions League, they're tearing the house down and rebuilding it from the ground up. We've been told that there could be as many as 8 out and the same amount in. The expectation is a net spend upwards of £150m, although if Bale becomes available, they're happy to get him on top of that.

Van Gaal wants two players for each position, he's really looking for depth and balance in a squad which he intends will fight hard for four trophies next season...and that would be the expectation of the board too.

On a business level, Ed Woodward is very eager to bring in one or two of the biggest, and most marketable, names in Europe. Under Moyes, he pushed hard for Thiago, Kroos and Cavani - but Moyes was more inclined to move for players he'd personally scouted.

---------------------

Goalkeeper - Of course, they're set if De Gea stays. A few months ago, United were convinced he would, but things are very much up in the air now. It's a coin toss, really. Our information is that De Gea simply cannot make a decision. He's settled in Manchester, loves working for Van Gaal and has real affection for the club. On the other hand, Madrid is Madrid. They're hard to turn down for any player, and for De Gea it becomes harder when you consider his family and partner situation.

If he was to go, and for argument's sake I'm going to say 'tails, he's gone', they have real interest in Petr Cech; although they've received little encouragement from Chelsea to this point. If Chelsea refuse to do business with them - and they should - it's likely they'll move for Bernd Leno, Jan Oblak or Kevin Trapp - all of whom they scouted multiple times this season before signing Valdes.

Targets: Petr Cech, Bernd Leno, Jan Oblak, Kevin Trapp

------------------

Defence - Evans and Rafael will leave.

Van Gaal loves Chris Smalling. His raw physical tools are unmatched, and he's been singled out for praise repeatedly. Concerns remain, though, over his ability on the ball. It's an issue that Van Gaal and his coaches have been working on daily. They believe, with progression, he could be one of the best in Europe. United will pair him with a ball playing centre back this summer. Hummels is more likely, although an ambitious move for Varane is preferred.

Varane's Madrid teammate is United's clear favourite right back option. Nathaniel Clyne was an early target, but Van Gaal quickly ruled him out after more detailed scouting.

Targets: Dani Carvajal, Mats Hummels or Raphael Varane.

--------------------------

Midfield - Tom Cleverley will leave.

Andreas Periera is highly regarded, and will be a firm part of the first team squad next season. United's starting midfield is better than it's been in a long, long time - but very light in terms of depth. Van Gaal doesn't want a situation where Wayne Rooneh is shoehorned into midfield again next year. Carrick and Herrera are excellent, but if one of them are out it's a real struggle. United simply don't have a lot in reserve. Blind's a decent, versatile squad player but no more than that. His physical limitations will always hold him back. No team who regularly starts Daley Blind in midfield are going to be challenging for big trophies.

Which brings us to Paul Pogba. The undisputed number one target for Manchester United this summer. Privately, they're desperate to bring him back, and not at all concerned by the projected £60m fee. Pogba's agent has given them plenty of encouragement and it's a deal they're confident of securing.

A long-term replacement for Carrick - who Van Gaal recently said could play until he's 40, although perhaps moving to defence at some point - will also be bought. Kevin Strootman was first choice for this role, but interest in him has died completely due to the Dutchman's injury problems and United's reluctance to live through another Owen Hargreaves situation. Granit Xhaka is now the preferred candidate, with Geofferey Kondogbia - who's a more defensive minded player - also considered.

Targets: Paul Pogba, Granit Xhaka, Geofferey Kondogbia (central midfield)

--------------------------

Forwards - Hernandez, Nani and Van Persie will leave. Falcao's option will not be taken. The highly rated James Wilson will be loaned out to a Premier League team.

Since October, Van Gaal has been privately describing the fluid, dynamic 4-3-3 formation that he intends for United in the long term. This year, he said, was a means to an end. Next year, he hopes, will see the realisation of his plan. Before United's home game against Burnley in February, Van Gaal delighted in outlining his vision - off the record - to a room filled with freezing writers. His vision was of a Manchester United team comprised of intelligent, fast, physical players who were adept in every facet of the game. Strikers putting in defensive shifts, centre backs breaking through the lines and becoming playmakers. Total Football 2015.

In keeping with this, the plodding pair of Van Persie and Falcao will be sacrificed for mobile, inventive forwards who can press high and create chances 1v1. The misfiring Di Maria will be given another chance to show what he's capable of, in a team and system that should be better suited to his attributes. Rooney's status as a Manchester United player is safe, although his position as a regular starter is far from secure. Van Gaal has been increasingly disappointed and dismissive in regards to Rooney's ability to influence a match and, crucially, to score goals. Interestingly, Van Gaal has recently been talking about his feeling that Juan Mata could be a potential revelation as a false 9.

Memphis Depay has already been signed. Gareth Bale is United's number one attacking target. They feel he'd shine in any of the 3 attacking roles. In a reversal of the De Gea situation, Bale's family are pushing hard for him to come back to Britain, and his agent - although bullish publicly - concedes it's likely he'll move this summer. United would have competition for his signature, but they've already put a lot of work in behind the scenes and would surely be in pole position if he were to become available. In addition to Bale, United will sign a striker to replace the departing Falcao and Van Persie. The profile they have, is for a player who's adept at dropping off and creating, as much as leading the line and scoring goals. Thomas Muller and Harry Kane are being considered, although United are wary of dealing with Spurs' Daniel Levy.

Targets: Gareth Bale, Thomas Muller, Harry Kane

--------------------

GK: Cech/Valdes

RB: Carvajal/Valencia
CB: Smalling/Jones
CB: Hummels/Rojo
LB: Shaw/Blind

DM: Carrick/Xhaka
CM: Herrera/Pereira
CM: Pogba/Mata

RW: Bale/Januzaj
ST: Rooney/Muller
LW: Di Maria/Depay

Young, Fellaini and Lingard will make up their squad.
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Good article buddy, nice find
 
Sherkey said:
Don't want. Either one of them (Hummels!) would be good. Would still prefer to develop Jones and Smalling.
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Jones and smallings can be rotated...we'll need to rotate given we'll be in the champs league next season...

But what a CB tandem we would have...Otamendi and hummels as first choice with Smallings and jones as backups...****
 
Legend Incredimaria said:
Jones and smallings can be rotated...we'll need to rotate given we'll be in the champs league next season...

But what a CB tandem we would have...Otamendi and hummels as first choice with Smallings and jones as backups...****
Click to expand...

Too many superstars spoil the broth, just look at Madrid as an example. Hummels and Smalling starting, with Jones, Rojo and McNair as backups. Although, there is the worry of injuries with that combination..
 
Wouldn't mind Kondogbia actually, could be next best thing after Pogba without risking Strootman.
 
Dutch Football @football_oranje Memphis Depay has completed his medical with Manchester United today. Still awaiting official confirmation from the club.
 
Theatreof Dreams said:
European football's governing body is preparing to relax the Financial Fair Play (FFP) rules it introduced in 2011 to stop clubs from overspending.

In an interview with French radio station RTL , Uefa president Michel Platini said FFP was "working well" but would be "eased" this summer.

This followed a report in Le Parisien newspaper on Sunday that said "significant changes" are on the table.

Manchester City and Paris St-Germain were fined last year for breaching FFP.

Platini's right-hand man at Uefa, general secretary Gianni Infantino , later confirmed to the BBC that talks about FFP with Europe's leading clubs were "ongoing", with a "number of amendments" under discussion.

"Financial fair play has proved successful in achieving considerable improvement in the financial health of European football," said Infantino.

"Aggregate net losses of Europe's clubs have fallen from 1.7bn euros in 2011 to 400m euros in 2014.

"Regular review of the regulations is vital to ensure they keep pace with the ever-changing football environment and the new challenges that this often poses.

"Any potential changes will look to encourage more growth, more competition and market stimulation while strengthening the emphasis on controlling spending and safeguarding financial stability."

The guiding principle of FFP is that clubs should stay within their means when it comes to buying and remunerating players: central to this is the so-called "break-even requirement" .

The rules have been phased in to allow clubs some leeway but many have struggled to stay within the criteria and several have been given sanctions that range from bans on registering new players, fines and even exclusion from European club competitions.

But criticism of FFP has grown over the last two seasons as many observers have pointed out that stopping clubs from spending more than they earn cements the status quo - without the ability to speculate with their own money, ambitious owners of smaller clubs can never compete with more established clubs for the best players.

Platini did not go into details with RTL, saying only that the clubs had voted for FFP in the first place but Uefa's executive committee was likely to revise them by the end of June, when it meets in Prague.


But he also alluded to French critics who say FFP has made it very difficult for Qatar-owned PSG to join Europe's elite, a position fans of Abu Dhabi-backed Manchester City share.

"The French press say it is not right that [Chelsea owner Roman] Abramovich can buy many players and in France they cannot buy them," he said.

"But if the Qataris had bought AC Milan, the French would also say we should make financial fair play even tougher. As it is, the Italians wanted it eased.

"The world is two-faced but we will say this openly: I think we'll ease things."

The article in Le Parisien went slightly further, suggesting the changes were a reaction to the "multiple legal actions (against FFP) currently in process, some of which are nearing conclusion".

Those legal actions are being spearheaded by Belgian lawyer Jean-Louis Dupont, who forced Uefa to overhaul its transfer rules with the Bosman Ruling in 1995.

Originally acting on behalf of a football agent, Dupont's challenge to FFP has now attracted support from fans of Manchester City, PSG and other clubs.

Dupont maintains FFP is contrary to basic European Union rules on free markets and he has filed complaints at courts in Brussels, Paris and Switzerland, as well as with the European Commission.

"We welcome the announcement of a change in the rules in line with the demands expressed by our clients in their various legal actions," Dupont said.

"When the exact content and scope of these changes are known, we will consider how this development, which on first sight appears favourable, is likely to meet their legitimate expectations and influence the conduct of ongoing actions."

A spokesman for the European Club Association, the body formed in 2008 to replace the G-14 group of elite clubs, confirmed it has been involved in talks with Uefa since December, those talks continue and a final decision was likely by the end of June.

BBC Sport - Michel Platini: Uefa to 'ease' financial fair play rules
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hughesman said:
Good article buddy, nice find
Click to expand...


James Ducker confirmed he didn't do any webchat. Someone just created this whole article.
 
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