The Fallback Option - Luka Modric...

[Raees]

Apparently we're too good to be signing Madrid rejects and this guy would be a letdown in light of Fabregas potentially and quite likely not joining us. In what world would this guy come to this club and not be the best midfielder at the club... he'd be an outstanding signing, we could get him for less and we could buy a Cabaye/Fellaini to go with it and spend potentially £40 million and get 2 midfielders (one world class and one premiership proven and an international player) for the price of one.


He's a better dribbler than Fabregas, I reckon he'd age just as well as he has barely any meat on him and is arguably more mobile too. So why would some be disappointed if this guy was brought in instead? In my opinion he is a class above the other backup options bar Gundogan/Wilshere which are not likely to happen. I wouldn't mind someone like Marchisio/Banega if we got really desperate but they'd be more of a risk than Modric who'd be a guaranteed hit at this club and is better than both.


The thought of him and Kagawa and Carrick in the same midfield is jizztastic. I won't be too down on losing out on Fabregas if we get this guy instead, I've been wanting us to sign him for years and he still hasn't found the right club to make the most of his talents. United is that place in my opinion.

http://www.givemesport.com/360573-manchester-united-turn-to-luka-modric
http://www.express.co.uk/sport/foot...ss-David-Moyes-plots-Luka-Modric-back-up-plan

 

[coolredwine]

Thiago, Fabregas... Modric?

 

[bosnian_red]

He'd be absolutely brilliant for us, its shocking that some people don't rate him that highly. He's proven to be world class in a midfield two and he'd easily become our best midfielder in my opinion and would bring us to another level. He's a hard worker as well and not completely useless defensively like some people think.
Whether we can get him as another matter altogether, personally I don't think we are capable of signing either Fabregas or Modric.

 

[NotoriousISSY]

Quite arrogant for anyone to regard him as a back up plan. He left the Premier League only second to Toure in the CM rankings.

If there is any hope in signing him, we simply should. I've a feeling he'll get his chance under Ancelotti though. Was he the manager when Chelsea first made a move for him or am I making that up?

 

[Brightonian]

I agree with the overall principle, but don't go overboard with this 'immediately be the best midfielder at the club.' Carrick was better last season.

 

[jeston]

If we sign Modric does Scholesy get unbanned?

 

[Cina]

I agree with the overall principle, but don't go overboard with this 'immediately be the best midfielder at the club.' Carrick was better last season.

That's a very unfair comparison given how Modric was used at Madrid in comparison to how Carrick was used here. Carrick was better than Fabregas last season too but everyone with their mind intact knows the latter is a better player.

 

[Comsmit]

Can't see him being remotely available, class as he would be.

 

[Sunny Jim]

him or Fabregas would do great. shame we are not getting either of them.

 

[Aporkalypse]

We won't even get Fellaini (who is rubbish) because we're a laughing stock.

 

[Brightonian]

That's a very unfair comparison given how Modric was used at Madrid in comparison to how Carrick was used here. Carrick was better than Fabregas last season too but everyone with their mind intact knows the latter is a better player.

I can only go on the evidence we had. Carrick was better. I don't think that's a slight on Modric, Carrick was one of the best midfielders in Europe last season.

 

[Ole's_toe_poke]

Have we seriously been linked with him? Or has it just been papertalk? Modric used to be my dream muppet signing. Awesome player.

My only concern is that the way Carrick has played the last 18 months, signing another deep midfielder to play next to him might inhibit him.

 

[Cina]

I can only go on the evidence we had. Carrick was better. I don't think that's a slight on Modric, Carrick was one of the best midfielders in Europe last season.

He was better last season but he's not a better midfielder.

 

[Brightonian]

He was better last season but he's not a better midfielder.

Over his career he hasn't been, no. But in the present, which is what matters, yes he is. Or it might be more fair to say that they're on a par.

 

[Cina]

Over his career he hasn't been, no. But in the present, which is what matters, yes he is. Or it might be more fair to say that they're on a par.

But Carrick was better than Fabregas last season too, is he better/on par with him?

 

[Raees]

Modric is a better player than Carrick even taking into account their different roles and responsibilities. They would complement each other greatly imo and would dovetail brilliantly behind a free-roaming Kagawa in a 3 man midfield in games where we choose to go 4-3-3.

 

[JaffyJoe]

I think Real still want him? But he would be a great signing, if he took on the creative responsibility as he does for Croatia it would make our attack better and he would help us dominate the midfield more, which was a problem last season. He dictated from deep for Spurs but here we have Carrick to do that.

 

[The Taurean]

Who doesn't rate Modric? Wouldn't see Real letting him go easily though.

 

[JaffyJoe]

Modric is a better player than Carrick even taking into account their different roles and responsibilities. They would complement each other greatly imo and would dovetail brilliantly behind a free-roaming Kagawa in a 3 man midfield in games where we choose to go 4-3-3.

I agree Modric is the better player, they would complement each other well either as the 2 in a 4-2-3-1 or as part of a midfield 3.

 

[OnlyTwoDaSilvas]

We won't even get Fellaini (who is rubbish) because we're a laughing stock.

I don't know if you're being facetious here, but Fellaini really isn't rubbish. Sure, we all want a bit of flair in midfield, like Cesc or Modric, but Fellaini would still improve our midfield situation dramatically. He's better than Anderson and Cleverley by some distance.

 

[stand_free]

A fallback? Harsh.

He'd be a great addition to our midfield.

 

[Fergie's Man]

I remember the days when the caf were desperate to sign Modric. Fickle feckers in here.

 

[Revan]

He was better last season but he's not a better midfielder.

Modric didn't have ever a better season than Carrick last one. Carrick is the better player for me, though I think that Modric is great too.

 

[Godfather]

He'd be brilliant for us. Though probably as hard to get as Fabregas so not really a realistic "fallback Option" at all. Now Fellaini...that is a fallback option and an underwhelming at that.

 

[vuc]

If we sign Modric does Scholesy get unbanned?

haha well played.

I think he'd be a perfect fit for United btw.

 

[GlastonSpur]

Modric is yet another unattainable target IMO.

Apart from anything else, he wouldn't be thrilled to know that he was only Moyes 3rd choice .... just as Fabregas was hardly likely to have been thrilled at knowing he was 2nd choice.

Sooner or later realism will have to set in ... but the later it's left, the narrower the remaining options become.

 

[Ruud10]

Modric would be sensational, but I can't see Real letting him go UNLESS they somehow need the cash after acquiring Bale and not selling Ronaldo (which seems crazy to me, but that's a topic for another thread). But I'm not sure Real ever "need" cash, so Modric is probably out of reach. But it's a great thought!

 

[walsh]

Wait, who thinks signing Modric would be a let down?

I'd take him just as quickly as I'd take Thiago or Fabregas.

 

[RedRover]

Modric is yet another unattainable target IMO.

Apart from anything else, he wouldn't be thrilled to know that he was only Moyes 3rd choice .... just as Fabregas was hardly likely to have been thrilled at knowing he was 2nd choice.

Sooner or later realism will have to set in ... but the later it's left, the narrower the remaining options become.

You're making far too much out of that for me. Say what you like about Fabregas - here's a player who said he'd never come back to any PL club other than Arsenal, joined his "dream" boyhood club - yet it now seems he's considering moving to United, a view bolstered by the fact that United are still pushing for a deal.

Modric may very well be set in Madrid and central to their plans - and that might make a deal difficult. But he also may not be, and if United do come in for him and offer assurances over playing time, CL football and a tidy pay rise then who's to say he won't be tempted.

A lot is made of footballers egos. Bottom line is the vast majority want to play football regularly at the top level, win silverware and collect as big a wage packet as possible. On that basis United have a chance of signing pretty much any player in the world if it comes down to it - as do all the top sides.

 

[Ringo 07]

I think madrd fully intend to use modric in their first team this season...I think we will be signing cabaye and fellaini and with a bit of luxk bale while offloading shrek who we cant offload until we have good enough replacements

 

[vuc]

I think madrd fully intend to use modric in their first team this season...I think we will be signing cabaye and fellaini and with a bit of luxk bale while offloading shrek who we cant offload until we have good enough replacements

If you got Fellaini, Cabaye and Bale would you be pleased with that?

 

[Theon]

Modric would be sensational, but I can't see Real letting him go UNLESS they somehow need the cash after acquiring Bale and not selling Ronaldo (which seems crazy to me, but that's a topic for another thread). But I'm not sure Real ever "need" cash, so Modric is probably out of reach. But it's a great thought!

They've been linked to Vidal, and have also signed Isco and Illarramendi

If they did sign Vidal then I reckon it could be possible, but I agree its doubtful

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Hey guys, Real Madrid fan here.
I'd like to start off by saying your subreddit layout is the best I've seen for any club. Seriously, kudos to the guy(s) that made it, it's amazing.
Now on to the real topic: Modric. I've been seeing a lot of Man Utd fans of /r/soccer lately saying that Modric is a realistic target. Let me explain to you precisely why that isn't the case.
I'll start off by listing some facts:

• Modric made a total of 52 appearances between La Liga, Copa Del Rey and the Champions League
• Out of the 52, he's started 36 times
• He's played 3,441 minutes in the 2012/13 season
• He's scored 4 goals and got 5 assists

If at this point you're wondering "Those aren't impressive stats for an AM", then I'll say this one last time:
Modric is not an AM. Seeing Man Utd fans say that Modric won't get playing time because of Isco, Ozil and Kaka makes me sad, because Modric does not play the AM role in Real Madrid. Can he play as an AM? Yes. Does he play as an AM? No.
Now on to the next point. The more "informed" United fans argue that Modric won't get any play time because of Illaramendi and Alonso. Whilst this is a better argument than the previous, it is still not one that is correct.
Modric's role in the team is to provide a passing outlet when Alonso gets marked out of the game. He can maintain possession and keep the passes ticking, as well as supply long balls into the box and he has a rocket of a shot from outside the box.
Real Madrid set up their double pivot in two seperate ways: Creative-Destroyer or Creative-Creative. The destroyers in the squad are Khedira and Casemiro, while the creative CMs are Modric, Alonso and Illara.
"3 players for one spot? Modric won't get play time". Again, fair argument, but incorrect.
Alonso sustained an injury over the summer and is taking his time in recovery, because no one wants to rush him back due to his age.
With Alonso out, Modric is guaranteed to start most games. The pivot will consist of Modric-Khedira when playing against teams that like to keep possession, which allows Khedira to run around pressing and winning balls while Modric can supply the long balls from deep to initiate counter attacks a la Alonso.
When playing against teams that sit back, which served as our biggest weakness last year, the pivot will be Modric-Illaramendi. Both of them has great vision and passing range, and Illaramendi is twice as good as Alonso when it comes to defensive positioning and stopping counter attacks.
In the early Copa games, I can see Illara-Casemiro to allow Casemiro to nab some playing time, as well as Alonso-Casemiro/Alonso-Illara to ease Alonso back in after injury.
Upon Alonso's recovery, there will be more rotation in the pivot. This will prove to be very beneficial, as Ancelotti is focusing on a high intensity pressing game, and rotation will be vital to ensure that no one gets burnt out.
There's my rant. Wanting to buy a player is all fine and dandy, but you really ought to properly understand their role and situation in the club before you convince yourself that it's a very realistic target.
Thanks

Post from a Real Madrid fan on reddit, he's pretty adamant Modric won't be sold. I reckon Madrid would sell if the right offer came in. Has Vato given his two cents yet?

 

[RedRover]

I think madrd fully intend to use modric in their first team this season...I think we will be signing cabaye and fellaini and with a bit of luxk bale while offloading shrek who we cant offload until we have good enough replacements

I'm sure he thought that when he signed - and it didnt turn out like that.

All depends on what's happening in Madrid. They tend to have an "untransferable" group of players, but then others in the team seem to be available if the price is right. If they want to go after other targets then some players will need to make way.

 

[StuCol]

Wait, who thinks signing Modric would be a let down?

I'd take him just as quickly as I'd take Thiago or Fabregas.

Me

 

[rcoobc]

If we sign Modric does Scholesy get unbanned?

He came back for a day (allegedly)

 

[Ruud10]

If you got Fellaini, Cabaye and Bale would you be pleased with that?

I would actually be pleased with Bale, Fellaini, Cabaye and Varela as our only acquisitions this summer. True, I would be more pleased if our only acquisitions this summer were Ronaldo, Thiago and Varela, but since that's not going to happen I wouldn't hold our the perfect as the enemy of the good.

The key man in your question is, of course, Bale. If somehow that were possible -- and yes, I'm up to speed on the Bale thread --I'm not all that bothered about anyone else we might bring in. Fellaini and Cabaye would add solid depth the squad, although there's no question there's a huge dropoff in quality from Thiago, Fabregas and Modric down to Fellaini and Cabaye, but the latter two are proven prem footballers and would get the job done for Moyes. Given however, what I personally believe Kagawa and Cleverley are going to give us this upcoming season I'm actually less concerned central midfield than I am our wide midfielder/wingers. Our wingers were shockingly poor and yet we still managed to coast to another prem title. If the gods actually allowed us to bring in Bale (or better yet, Ronaldo) we're easily the clear favorites to lift the prem trophy again, regardless of the questions surrounding our new manager.

 

[iSparky]

Sign him up.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

Did him and Carrick ever play with each other at Tottenham, or did their careers not overlap there?

 

[Fergie's Man]

Modric is yet another unattainable target IMO.

Apart from anything else, he wouldn't be thrilled to know that he was only Moyes 3rd choice .... just as Fabregas was hardly likely to have been thrilled at et theknowing he was 2nd choice.

Sooner or later realism will have to set in ... but the later it's left, the narrower the remaining options become.

You are assuming we are only looking for one midfielder, I would suggest otherwise. If these players were upset because we tried to get the most difficult targets first, I am sure we could counter that. I am sure that we have asked for the status of players from more than one agent already.

I think you are living in the Barbie world.