Mesut Özil

Viper KGB

Modric seems to cope fine.

Gambit

When he's on form he's destroyed Inter Milan, Roma and god knows how many European teams with bothb his short passing and long passing game that have been up there with the likes of Veron etc. We haven't seen that side of him for 2 seasons now though. Scholes passing is sublime but Scholes has had some terrible games as well over the last 2 seasons that has led t people on this forum calling for him to retire so which Scholes do I compare him to. (I know Scholes is far better you numpty he's one of the best the worlds ever seen) bt he (Carrick) is easily up there with the Alonso's and Diegos of the world when he's on form.

Sultan

Modric
Scholes
SWP

Longsden_7

silva
hernandez
lennon


etc,etc,etc

SecondFig

You do realise two of those players haven't played a single Premier League game between them right?

Gambit

Mail.

Talking Vulture

I'd hardly call Scholes slight.

Raees

Alonso is a superior passer, he passes in a far more attacking manner than Carrick and rarely passes back. Italian teams gave Carrick plenty of space hence why he was made to seen god like against them.. those Italian teams were not great sides, Inter were still going through some development. Where Carrick is arguably superior to Alonso is his ability to read the defensive side of the game and have the legs to track back and occupy good positions. His passing is overrated in general, but perhaps if he was more mobile on the ball.. he's be able to create more space for himself in which to unleash more attack-minded passes. His recent game against Chelsea there was a notable change in his mentality, only time will tell if it was a one-off or a sign of things to come.

Diego is a more creative passer than the either of them, seeing as he used to be a trequartista.. he can split defences and think outside the box.. the other two are more metronomic and just there to supply the more creative elements in their team, doesn't make them lesser players than Diego.. far from it, just that they're different and occupy differing positions to a player like Diego.

Crispy71

I know he doesn't play in the prem before some numpty has a go - but being small and slight doesn't seem to hinder messi at all even when teams try rough tactics on him. Maradonna seemed to cope quite well also, which proves it's down to skill and mental toughness with a little bit of grit thrown in - how many players were shit scared of our own Nobby Styles?

Longsden_7

Well yeah, but its the same argument. To say a player wouldn't be suited to the PL because its "a bit rough" is stupid these days. It's not 1970 and he played in a league with the likes of Van Bommel

Gambit

Seen Carrick do that as well and Alonso is not as good a passer as Carrick regardless of your love for non united players. Spanish teams give Alonso tons of space as well and Diego was shiter than Carrick last season.

Red Pavan

1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)

How is that small in any sense?

kietotheworld

For every Modric there is a Deco or a Reyes. Of course some players of that build can make it, particularly those brought through the English system, where aggressive football is a given, but a lot of players can't. I'm not saying it's definite that he'd be unable to adapt, but it's something to take into consideration.

kietotheworld

I wasn't aware of that. Build is much more important than height though.

Raees

Carrick and Diego were both shit last year.. but thats besides the point, they're incomparable because totally different type of players. They'd be unable to do each others jobs.

Carrick splitting defences? when has he pulled out passes for us like that one Essien pulled out for Sturridge the other day? Nor do I believe Alonso is famed for these type of passes either. Fact is at Sociedad and Spurs.. both these players had a more attacking role, but they're playing at a higher level now and theres people in the team alongside them that split defences etc on a consistent basis which has meant their talents are better suited in deeper positions.

Sultan

Ozil is not short

See Pavan's post above.

Sultan

Keep changing your goalposts.

Being good at football is the most important criteria.

vanthaman

breaking news on SSN - Ozil fee agreed with Barca

Raees

Deco is a has been.. a peak age Deco would've succeeded in the premiership no doubt, he wasn't outmuscled in the premiership.. more outran and thats purely down to his stamina levels and pace not being what they used to be.

As for Reyes, he's just shown he wasn't a great player in the first place as he can barely hack La Liga.. let alone the physicality of the Premiership.

Class will always handle whatever situation its thrown in, generally.

Raees

Has Pep agreed though?

Gambit

Sky Sports news are now saying that Barcelona and Bremen have agreed a fee. Sounds like its from all these stories but the fact they're picking it up seems like he Barca bound to me.

gaffs

Daily Mail say Chelsea are in the race...

Chelsea and Manchester United in Mesut Ozil transfer tussle | Mail Online

Mitch Conor

i would also say that a player like Ozil is not one that goes toe to toe with the opposition. Any lack of physicality won't be exposed too often as a result of him trying to burst through defences. His game is based on passing, vision and positioning. getting those things right keeps you away from defenders and midfielders a lot of the time.

I would also say the premiership is a lot less physical than people credit it for. Defenders are still a tough bunch, so forwards are generally given a rough time of it, but in midfield 'tough' tackles are far less tolerated than they used to be and it is generally the players that consistently run at people that get tackled anyway.

kietotheworld

Agreed, but other criteria should be taken into account. I think Messi is the most 'good at football' in the world, but I'd much prefer we resigned Ronaldo than signed him.

RedThaiDevils#7

Bookies got it wrong again ?

gaffs

They are quoting reports in Spain.

Blair

Oh for fucks sake!!!!!!!!

Decotron

Rip

Mitch Conor

which are the reports that came out yesterday right? So basically nothing has changed?

Mainoldo

It's the same quotes that reported the deal yesterday. So no one really knows but i'm sure a confirmation or denial will come out soon.

Raees

Theres also not many instances where a player couldn't hack the premiership and suddenly played at a higher level and was outstanding.

Pique.. but he was barely given a chance at this club due to the competition for places. If Rio was injured back then like he is now, who's to say Pique wouldn't have hacked it.. far too much is made of that error he made in that Bolton game.

Forlan.. outstanding in La liga now.. but he's still not playing for a top top club, who's to say if he didn't play for a Spurs or a lesser side in this league he'd have had less pressure on his shoulders and shown the English League what he's made of. If he moved to Real Madrid after leaving us and was amazing there.. then I could understand why someone would make a fuss on the physicality element.

oleonenumber20

ha ha mass Muppet suicide!

OneUnited24

Funny all the United rumours started because odds on skybet favoured us, the Barca rumours started from some posts on twitter, i wonder if Chelseas interest started with a post from a chelsea forum saying "we should enter the race to sign him"

MacMUFC

We've got Darron Gibson remember, who needs Ozil? Ha, I remember Souness saying something exactly the same "Who needs Zidane when we've got Tim Sherwood?"

Absolutely ridiculous if we didnt even attempt to bid for Ozil, ludicrous.

Gambit

Playing a through ball for a winger to cut in on. Lots of times.

Enigma_87

That is bollocks IMO. No way the fee is 8.3m. For that fee I'm sure Bremen would rather keep him for another year.

Blair

For £8M we'd be daft not to take a punt.

I mean, he was only one of the best players in the world cup after all.

Longsden_7

The press are being worse than the muppets with this one.

Chelsea have just signed Ramieresand with Kakuta coming through can't see it being them.

Red Pavan

8m

After the impact he had in the world cup, his price is at least double the amount quoted.

Trigg

You do realise there's a chance that we have made an offer and Ozil would rather go else where right? Its all very well saying we're daft for not making a bid etc but we don't know that we haven't made an offer.