*Transfer Window 2014/15 Season Rumours/Signings *AKA Man U fans listing every player under the Sun

[FrankJH]

Why do they? Judging on this season they don't have as good a chance as any at all?

You also said they'd easily get 4th this season, Frank.

And after 34 games Utd still arent that far away from 4th, and Utd still have the best away record in the league.( 10 points out of 42 dropped so far, and looking at the matches its happened in they should easily be recoverable with the right attitude going in).

It wasnt what was expected by a lot of fans, but its also not as bad as people are trying to make out. The players attitude in the first 2-3 months especially was a major factor in where Utd have been stuck for majority of this season.

No reason at this point to judge it on the whole of this season. There is every chance the performances will be considerably better than a lot of the outings before Jan (esp at OT)

Even just two or three good quality signings in the right area , even if they arent absolutely nailed on 1st class world beaters will improve the mentality of what happened in the early parts of the season.

Not like I was alone amongst Utd fans hoping for a top 4 finish.

 

[Duff-Man]

And after 34 games Utd still arent that far away from 4th

Really?! They're currently 10 points behind Arsenal in 4th place, and this is with Arsenal dropping like a stone in the past few weeks, and Everton dropping 3 points tonight.

...That's like saying that West Brom "aren't that far away" from 10th place.

Be realistic - United haven't looked like they could challenge for a Champions league spot since well before Christmas.


United have the name, they have the money, and they have the fan base. There's every reason to assume they will turn things around in the near future. But they're in a transitional period, and things aren't exactly going to plan right now. United still have plenty of "pulling power" as far as transfers go, and can offer top-level wages, but I can't see many world class players lining up to get on board with a club in transition that won't be playing Champions league next year (at the very least).

They will strengthen, and undoubtedly they will be better next season than they have been this one. But so will Arsenal. And Liverpool. And Chelsea... I think it'll be a tough ask to get top-4 next year, even with a few good new signings, but it's plausible.

 

[sunama]

And after 34 games Utd still arent that far away from 4th,

And you also rubbished my suggestion a few months ago that winning the league is near impossible.

Now, we are having the same conversation about 4th place.
Personally, while Moyes is in charge, Man Utd will become Everton. What does this mean? It means they will never beat a top 4 side. They will be hard to beat. And should finish consistently between 6th and 8th. The statistics show a remarkable similarity, between Everton last year and Man Utd this year.

With regards to transfers:
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/27055412

Toni Kroos will not sign for Manchester United this summer and will stay with Bayern Munich "until at least 2015", according to his agent.

I cant help but feel that top players may wait until Moyes gets fired OR wait to see how Man Utd perform next year.

I remember earlier this year when people were craving Pjanic.
People genuinely believed that he would sign for Man Utd in January.
I asked the question: why would he sign for Man Utd given that Roma were competing for the title and Man Utd were losing many games. Apart from money, nobody could come up with a reason. I suggested that he would stay with Roma.

Again, some fans are now getting excited about signings. IMO, if we signed Ronaldo AND Messi, we'd still struggle to make the top 4, simply because our manager is completely out of his depth and has sucked the ability/confidence out of most of the players under him.

We have already broken our own transfer record this year - and the result: 7th place. The absolute worst thing we can do is give Moyes money to spend.

And with regards to transition. This club is not in transition. We simply have a manager who can't manage these players. I remind people that no other club on this planet has gone into transition, except for Man Utd. Some people are making excuses for Moyes' ineptitude. He is completely out of his depth and out of ideas. I want to highlight that he has never won a trophy in so many years of management. He has taken the reigning league champions - a top side - to 7th place, breaking numerous negative records in the process.

Guardiola said that if he doesnt win the treble this year, this season will be a failure. Moyes goes from 1st to 7th and says next season we shall aspire to play like Man City. WTH!!!

 

[drunkenmaster]

Bayern are in a league completely of their own in the german league. No one can outspend them and the nearest clubs are spending what, less than half as much on wages. Utd have two teams(or had) outspending them, capable of outspending them and one team that is only 10-15mil behind in wages. Guardiola is taking over Bayern at their peak, without any players leaving(significant wanted players, some probably did leave) and bringing in a couple very good players.

Fergie however, left Utd pretty much at their weakest in the past decade, with 3-4 players in their final year and none in great form or anywhere near their peak.

Utd are certainly in transition. Utd NEED 2 central mids minimum, wingers, fullbacks, CB's. The biggest problem with Moyes is Fergie left the team open for transition. The team needs transition and Moyes didn't provide it. He bought one central mid who the team didn't need at all. Utd would be doing significantly better if Moyes had bought a few more players for key positions.

He's not the right guy, but comparing what him and Guardiola are saying is complete madness. Bayern were WAY better than Utd last year in a league in which no one below them is capable of building such a squad. Utd have a painfully weak squad and really just highlighted how poorly City/Chelsea/Arsenal did last year.

The biggest problem is Moyes hasn't done anything, shown anything inventive or new, hasn't bought anyone interesting or suggestive of his ability to find real top notch players. Nothing he has done suggests massive improvement next year.

 

[Duff-Man]

Utd have a painfully weak squad and really just highlighted how poorly City/Chelsea/Arsenal did last year.

I agree with this... For me, last season was (comparatively) the weakest on record for the premier league's "top" clubs .

Man City seriously under-performed, despite having arguably the strongest squad (I don't really rate Manchini). Chelsea were suffering from managerial issues and a squad in transition (particularly in the first half of the season), and Arsenal were... Arsenal. I guess it showed by the premiership not having a single team reach the quarter finals of the Champions league.

For me it also shows the strength of a good manager - one who knows his players and how to get the best out of them. The United squad was weak, yes, but it was still Fergie's squad through and through. He knew the players, how to marshal them, and how to play to their strengths. He was helped by an amazing run of form (and a rare injury free season) for Van Persie as well mind you.

I think that all of the top teams in the premiership have strengthened significantly this year. City and Chelsea have gained new managers who can get more out of their players (though I still think City are still under-performing given their squad), and Liverpool have come through on a wave of belief - benefiting also from a world class striker in the form of his life, and from a lack of cup matches in the latter half of the season.

All of the top four teams (plus United) will strengthen again in this transfer market, and will improve. We won't be quite back to the 2005-2008 type levels of dominating the later stages of the CL, but it should be an improvement in the overall quality at the top-end of the league.

 

[manic111]

I'm torn on Utd. They've been much better across the last couple of months, and I think that certain things such as the possibility of RvP going would actually help them, allowing them to play Rooney, Kagawa and Mata in their preferred positions. Based on how they've played recently, they may not be brilliant next season, but I'd back them to get into the top 4. To do that, I'd argue they need a CB, central midfielder, and winger. That's a minimum, but I think it would improve them sufficiently to get back into the CL. If they don't have Europe at all next season, that will help them too (they'd be better off missing out on the Europa imo).

On the other hand, longer term there needs to be serious investment in order for Utd to compete again in anything meaningful. For their squad to be serious PL/CL contenders, they need: two full backs, two CBs (at least), two CMs (at least), a world class striker and, depending on how Moyes wants to play, a couple more wingers.

 

[FrankJH]

Really?! They're currently 10 points behind Arsenal in 4th place, and this is with Arsenal dropping like a stone in the past few weeks, and Everton dropping 3 points tonight..

Arsenal ALWAYS drop like a stone at this time of year, so no reason not to think it wont happen again next year as well

As I said above , its the games earlier in the season where the attitude was poor (along with the performances) where 10 points or more over the 40 ish dropped all season would be easier to recover when looking to next season.

We are well away from competing on their best days with the likes of City/Chelsea etc but the dropped points vs West Brom, Fulham, Spurs , Newcastle are easier to see getting something out of next season with a few good additions.

...That's like saying that West Brom "aren't that far away" from 10th place. .

That is a completely ridiculous comparision - I dont see WB (how ever good they are to be in the division to start with), having a Rooney, Mata, De Gea quality of player or anywhere near it.

Be realistic - United haven't looked like they could challenge for a Champions league spot since well before Christmas..

1stly we were mainly talking about next season, not this but even so - given Everton have played a game more , and our game in hand is vs Hull - IF (and its a big IF) Utd can beat Everton this weekend, it comes down to whether City can be bothered to compete when going to GP in a few weeks as to whether Utd can 5th , its not likely (and I never said it was) but its certainly possible (and knowing how Arsenal usually are, who knows how they will perform)

Next season, of course a top four place is possible and at this point there is no reason NOT to aim for that kind of position. It depends on who Moyes / Woodward buy (but indications are good at this point) and whether they gel with the rest of the team and can perform in the EPL (which is always a bit of risk buying from abroad).

United have the name, they have the money, and they have the fan base. There's every reason to assume they will turn things around in the near future. But they're in a transitional period, and things aren't exactly going to plan right now. United still have plenty of "pulling power" as far as transfers go, and can offer top-level wages, but I can't see many world class players lining up to get on board with a club in transition that won't be playing Champions league next year (at the very least)..

Again, I stressed that Utd dont necessarily have to go for world beaters straight away, even some promising youth will be a huge improvement on what dross Utd had to field earlier in the season. so ha;f your arguement is irrelevant

2ndly the name of Man Utd and the pull of the premier league itself will be a huge step up enough for some players, even coming from Spain or Germany (which are both vastly less competitive than the EPL) it would be a good step up, even without the Europa league (which imo I would love to avoid like the plague next season)

They will strengthen, and undoubtedly they will be better next season than they have been this one. But so will Arsenal. And Liverpool. And Chelsea... I think it'll be a tough ask to get top-4 next year, even with a few good new signings, but it's plausible.

As Ive said in a few posts, Im not focusing on Chelsea or the Scousers (even if they are lucky enough to get 10 or more pens next season), its much lower down the league where Utd can get the points difference. Even saying that its also fair to say Utd didnt play anywhere to their capabilities vs City or Liverpool so while they won on the day the gap isnt as big as the scorlines suggested this season.


It would also be VERY interesting to see where Utd would have been last season with RvP's injury record from this season, but I highly doubt Utd would have been anywhere near the title (especially considering Rooney was out for several weeks earlier in the season too)

To do that, I'd argue they need a CB, central midfielder, and winger. That's a minimum, but I think it would improve them sufficiently to get back into the CL. If they don't have Europe at all next season, that will help them too (they'd be better off missing out on the Europa imo).
.

A left back should be added to that list (even if its instead of a winger).

 

[manic111]

A left back should be added to that list (even if its instead of a winger).

Possibly - I was putting forward the people who you absolutely have to have to get back into the top 4. Evra is by no means great any more, but he can still do a job for another season.

 

[BaZ87]

Arsenal ALWAYS drop like a stone at this time of year, so no reason not to think it wont happen again next year as well

As I said above , its the games earlier in the season where the attitude was poor (along with the performances) where 10 points or more over the 40 ish dropped all season would be easier to recover when looking to next season.

On New Years day Utd were 5 points off 4th and 11 points off 1st. They're now 10 points off 4th and 20 points off 1st. They've fallen further away from 4th as the season's progressed - it was not simply down to the first few months of the season.

 

[deanolfc]

I'll be happy if we just bring in reus,kroos,draxler,shaw.

 

[manic111]

I'll be happy if we just bring in reus,kroos,draxler,shaw.

Rumour has it that Messi hasn't been playing well recently as he's been dreaming of a move to Anfield.

 

[FrankJH]

On New Years day Utd were 5 points off 4th and 11 points off 1st. They're now 10 points off 4th and 20 points off 1st. They've fallen further away from 4th as the season's progressed - it was not simply down to the first few months of the season.

I also specifically listed the apponants / games where Utd should aim to gain points next season, some of which were played between Sep - Dec

Not really surprising what a lack of confidence will do

So over the double the amount of games, twice as many points have been dropped.....not that surprising ( three of the additional points wre verses Chelsea and Arsenal when comparing results from earlier in the season)

 

[BaZ87]

You were 5 points off 4th, you're now 10 points behind. How have you gained a point?

Your edit was too slow

 

[FrankJH]

I admit it. I misread it

The other thing people are not taking into account is Liverpool not being in Europe this season, so next season especially may well be more challenging for their squad (even with the likely strengthening over the summer). They may also be hit with a group of death due to UEFA's method of aggregating performances over the last 5 years (which I believe they still do). Their post-summer squad may well cope with out blinking an eye and challenge for the title again next season while storming the CL but its certainly not guaranteed.

 

[BaZ87]

Yes, Utd are capable of challenging for a top 4 spot next season. The reason they've missed out this season is not simply down to a handful of matches earlier in the season though. Utd's form and results haven't really picked up at all.

 

[dannyjo22]

I'll be happy if we just bring in reus,kroos,draxler,shaw.

Might be possible with the money you are about to get for Suarez.

 

[FrankJH]

Yes, Utd are capable of challenging for a top 4 spot next season. The reason they've missed out this season is not simply down to a handful of matches earlier in the season though. Utd's form and results haven't really picked up at all.

We shall agree to disagree - I think a lot of Utd fans would say that as soon as Utd started using Mata and Kagawa behind Rooney , and even when Rooney didnt play and Chicharito started instead, the performances were a lot better in general and the results followed.

It took him a bit longer to get settled and Moyes to play him where he could do the most damage, but Mata is starting to really show what he can do.

Obviously it wasnt feasable at the time, but with the team now Utd would have had a handful of extra points before Christmas, we would certainly be a good way closer to Everton, and maybe even challanging Arsenal directly for 4th (Newcastle at OT, Spurs away, even Cardiff away without even considering the West Brom and Southampton home games) - All of these games the Utd team now would be more capable of getting a better result. Just from current form and a bit more belief within the squad from a few decent performances - including WH away which has been a bogey ground for Man Utd for a while now.

 

[NeedAUsername]

Yes, Utd are capable of challenging for a top 4 spot next season. The reason they've missed out this season is not simply down to a handful of matches earlier in the season though. Utd's form and results haven't really picked up at all.

The only reason our season has suffered is because of our home form. Purely because of our home form. Our home form is like the 13th best in the league, 7 wins out of 17. We have the best away record, 2nd highest scorers behind Liverpool. Neglect home record and the Pl trophy would be ours.......Crystal Palace and Hull have took more points at home than us. That surely says it all.

We just need a new mf, RB and LB, but I'd like to see Butters given a proper run.

 

[omnomnom]

United need more then that this summer.... LB,CB,RB,MF,CF are absolute musts. Then if Nani,Kagawa and Hernandez leave as rumoured possibly a winger aswell

 

[Newbie007]

I admit it. I misread it

The other thing people are not taking into account is Liverpool not being in Europe this season, so next season especially may well be more challenging for their squad (even with the likely strengthening over the summer).

I see this trotted out time and time again, tell me this. If it was so easy to be challenging why has no one outside the 4 teams in the CL done it?