Yes, but the Higuain deal has not been finalised yet and won't be unless Pogba is sold. Given the choice I'm sure they would prefer to keep Pogba and not buy Higuain.
Paul Pogba | Undergoing Medical | Helping out the Laundry Ladies
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
Good post, Scholes was my favourite modern day player, but he annoys the feck out of me as a pundit. Couldn't get a feckin word out of him for twenty years, now all of a sudden he's come down with chronic verbal diarrhoea.
The Vidal thread was funny and reached its numbers organically. This thread has been a shitty spamfest with a large number of posts being just about the post count. It doesn't even deserve to be compared.
This is a good point. This thread needs more @Olly
Yeah, hopefully that's the case, and it does make sense.
No locked thread 
I'd like to see this thread closed and a new one opened just so I don't have to wade through 50 posts about how many posts there are every time I visit to see if anything new is happening. But then, I'm a cantankerous git at the best of times.
It's ok guys if he's so overpriced we can just keep him.
This.
And I would say a plethora of posts are:
1. Tweets that confirm what we had known weeks ago.
2. Subsequent reactions to those rehashed tweets as if it was brand new information.
This thread is definitely missing some Olly magic.
Regarding marketability.
United is trying to brand themselves as the biggest club in the world.
Every new signing is told to drum that message around. Whenever Woody talk about the club he almost always mention "the biggest club", "hundred millions of followers" or a "huge fanbase". I assume it's the clubs strategy to use these lines to sell the club and strengthen our brand.
In this context it makes sense for the club to buy the most expensive player in the world. Being the best footballer player is subjective based on opinion but being the most expensive is allways a fact based on numbers.
If we buy Pogba for a world record fee then we will use this fact as a selling argument to our partners and sponsors. United don't buy any player, we buy the most expensive players. This is important for the marketing people and it will help them/us to spread the word "biggest club". That will in the long run help us to attract future prospects, new sponsors and to remain at the top.
When the deal is finalized the headlines will be something like "United buy Pogba for a record fee" or "United first to pay €100m+". These headlines alone is worth a fortune. That's one of the reasons I think that Woodward and the Glazers are almost happy to pay this insane amount of money for a football player.
United is trying to brand themselves as the biggest club in the world.
Every new signing is told to drum that message around. Whenever Woody talk about the club he almost always mention "the biggest club", "hundred millions of followers" or a "huge fanbase". I assume it's the clubs strategy to use these lines to sell the club and strengthen our brand.
In this context it makes sense for the club to buy the most expensive player in the world. Being the best footballer player is subjective based on opinion but being the most expensive is allways a fact based on numbers.
If we buy Pogba for a world record fee then we will use this fact as a selling argument to our partners and sponsors. United don't buy any player, we buy the most expensive players. This is important for the marketing people and it will help them/us to spread the word "biggest club". That will in the long run help us to attract future prospects, new sponsors and to remain at the top.
When the deal is finalized the headlines will be something like "United buy Pogba for a record fee" or "United first to pay €100m+". These headlines alone is worth a fortune. That's one of the reasons I think that Woodward and the Glazers are almost happy to pay this insane amount of money for a football player.
They aren't as bad as the posts for people who think they're the club's accountants telling us we can't afford it or stating that we should buy sissoko or something instead because that would be cheaper, I mean that sort of thing must be nearly half the post count in here.
Or the random tweets by people who've made a few lucky guesses pretending to have some sort of idea what's going on.
Yes, as long as people agree the player bought was worth the sum paid. There will always be differences of opinion on that, but people need to broadly feel it worked out. Otherwise the perception is the club was fleeced, which is counterproductive from a marketing perspective.
Btw. Scholes was a unique player in his days but as a pundit his opinions are more or less yesterday's news. Negative, bitter and out of touch with the real world. Move on Paul! Let it go.
Fecking hell just sign someone so the muppets can expel thou protein produce unto thou linens. This saga is driving me so insane that I'm losing the power of word thingy.
Very good argument. You're spot on.
But as far as I can see it there isn't a better player available out there. Based on age, potential and marketability Pogba is the best shot. He fill the base criteria. For the record I think that one of the reasons his value among the sponsors are so high is because he represent the future. Adidas, US market, black, hip hop culture, fashion, knows how to handle himself.
All in all a marketing dream.
That's not true, the Vidal thread was just as full of post count banter, I was part of it (I'm a big fan myself, it's more concrete than the rest of the crap in the thread).
Can't disagree, what was slightly disappointing is he virtually criticised LVG every week but never said a bad word against Giggs.
When you think about it, the Glazers must be fecking fuming about all of this.
We let a valuable asset leave for free, then try to buy him back from the club that poached him off us - just a few years later - for more money than any club has ever paid for any player ever. And this is happening at a time when we've just hired our third new manager in quick succession and he's identified this one particular player as vital to his success. Which Juventus are aware off and brutally taking the piss with how they want the deal structured. All of this while they're still smarting from breaking the PL transfer record for a player that only lasted one season at the club.
Glazers aside, the shareholders should be asking some searching fecking questions at the AGM re our player recruitment policy because we've been made to look like complete fecking mugs, with this and many other deals, since Fergie retired.
We let a valuable asset leave for free, then try to buy him back from the club that poached him off us - just a few years later - for more money than any club has ever paid for any player ever. And this is happening at a time when we've just hired our third new manager in quick succession and he's identified this one particular player as vital to his success. Which Juventus are aware off and brutally taking the piss with how they want the deal structured. All of this while they're still smarting from breaking the PL transfer record for a player that only lasted one season at the club.
Glazers aside, the shareholders should be asking some searching fecking questions at the AGM re our player recruitment policy because we've been made to look like complete fecking mugs, with this and many other deals, since Fergie retired.
I don't think they'll be that fuming, it's business and they'll have encountered this kind of thing plenty of times. He wasn't worth that when he left, he commands that price now. Nothing really to be that fuming about other than the fact that we let him leave, but even then he wanted to go. Shit happens.
Ridiculous. When did we hear anyone criticize Phelan, Rui Faria, Rubén Cousillas Fuse or any other assistant manager for performances on the pitch?
And also, the negativity on Scholes's opinions is just pure BS. If anything he has been proven right a lot of the times.
I remember the caf giving him a hard time when we were top of the table and he was criticizing LVG for poor football. Look how that turned out.
Yeah, I don't think they'll be too concerned. I think the 'bringing him back' aspect is a good story that doesn't hurt our brand. Nor does breaking the transfer record. Also, in general we're being run very well financially, transfers aside, so I doubt their pockets are feeling empty.
Yeah, what they would give to have SAF younger by another 10 years. They would have tripled their wealth in that duration.
Edit - But in all seriousness, if they are smart businessmen (which they likely are), they would have realised that SAF's time was a outlier and unlikely to be repeated. To the extent we are performing below average, their overall returns from investment in United are still staggering. But if this continues under Jose too (god forbid), then they would be deeply worried too (as they should be).
I know that anyone who seems to feel this is less than a 'done deal' has been shouted down as some sort of attention-seeker, but as I said yesterday, I can't help feel this would be very different in Real were offering what we have allegedly offered. There would be no 'I don't mind if I stay' or 'If Juve agree a deal I'll go'.
I can't help feel that the player is less than convinced, and that is a huge factor as to why it hasn't gotten over the line. He may still end up here, but if Real can get anywhere close to an agreement with Juve, we have no chance. This is what he wants I believe, and I think that Real's 'lack of interest' could be overstated. I think they like the player, but don't like the fee at present.
Every day this is delayed is a chance for Conte to go and buy Morata for big money or whatever. At present, there appears to be no space in the team at Real, but this is Real we are talking about. Selling Kroos to Pep for huge money can't be completely ruled out in favour of a bigger name.
I'd say we are in pole position, and not saying this certainly won't happen, but I do think we are only at the table because we have lots of money, similar to the only reason Everton are in the conversation for Witsel. He may end up there, but if another option came up, he'd take less money to go to Bayern or whatever.
I can't help feel that the player is less than convinced, and that is a huge factor as to why it hasn't gotten over the line. He may still end up here, but if Real can get anywhere close to an agreement with Juve, we have no chance. This is what he wants I believe, and I think that Real's 'lack of interest' could be overstated. I think they like the player, but don't like the fee at present.
Every day this is delayed is a chance for Conte to go and buy Morata for big money or whatever. At present, there appears to be no space in the team at Real, but this is Real we are talking about. Selling Kroos to Pep for huge money can't be completely ruled out in favour of a bigger name.
I'd say we are in pole position, and not saying this certainly won't happen, but I do think we are only at the table because we have lots of money, similar to the only reason Everton are in the conversation for Witsel. He may end up there, but if another option came up, he'd take less money to go to Bayern or whatever.
Yes I think they are good points.
I am really conflicted about this one. Above I talked about how I wouldnt be devastated if this deal fell through. But at the same time I still hope it does happen - despite the fee. I am usually one of those posters banging on about whether a player is worth X million pounds, despite it not being my money and all that. I have always found the Madrid approach to signing players extremely vulgar and distasteful, and never really wanted us to copy their strategy. And yet these concerns havent put me off this transfer the way they might have in some instances. Yes I would rather get him for less, I dont really want us to hold this particular accolade, of signing the most expensive player of all time, but I do think Pogba would improve us, on the pitch but, as you say, off it as well.
I dont think he will flop. Im not sure he will constitute great value for money - if you set aside who's money it is and look at the deal we got relative to other deals around Europe - but he should at least be good enough to be an indisputable starter for us. He is young. So yes, I hope we get him, but I hope Woodward extracts the best deal possible and we dont leave ourselves open to other clubs taking even more advantage of us that they already do next time we sign a player.
Quite the contrary, some fans did criticise Phelan at times and i also recall Faria being pointed out last season when things were going too well. but ultimately the buck will always stop with the manager, anyhow the fact of the matter is it is not about Giggs ability but more to due with he was involved with 2 failed managers (Moyes and LVG) and many think he should share some blame for our failings.
All the Real Madrid stuff picking up steam now there is gonna be a meltdown even if its not true, odds flying down too 
Picking up steam? It's the exact same stuff reported by different Spanish outlets. Recycled reports all saying the same thing - Real won't pay what Juve want for PogbaAll the Real Madrid stuff picking up steam now there is gonna be a meltdown even if its not true, odds flying down too
This has to be the most tedious, tiresome, pointless thread in history. This should be locked and just wait till Pogba signs or he/Juve fecks off!
A few nobodies on twitter making up rumours and quoting rubbish from Spanish press doesn't constitute as picking up steam.All the Real Madrid stuff picking up steam now there is gonna be a meltdown even if its not true, odds flying down too
According to @DiMarzio & @FabrizioRomano Juventus is now asking United to pay 50% of the bribes they have to pay to the refs in 2016/17.
Sorry i found this quite funny...
Sorry i found this quite funny...
Why do you believe that's what he wants? Because that's what Real's media outlets have been telling you? We've also been told all along that we've had a deal agreed with Pogba in principle since the start. Why do you prefer to believe the one story over the other?
The simple truth here is that if Pogba wanted to go to Real, he'd wait for them to come in for him. There'd be no agreements in principle, no protracted negotiations, he'd simply have told us "no" and had Raiola press the Madrid angle for him instead. He's young enough that running his contract down a little (if Real weren't willing to pay up) wouldn't adversely affect his career. And if Real were unwilling to pay that sort of fee, why would he want to come to us to sign a long-term contract that will do nothing other than to increase his valuation if his goal is to end up there eventually anyway?
I think the most likely explanation for the delay is the most widely reported one: there are complications with the payment to Raiola and Juve are playing hardball with us.
[edit] None of that's to say that Real won't come in with a last-minute bid to gazump us, but it would still have to meet Juve's valuation and none of that is contingent on where Pogba wants to end up. If both clubs meet the valuation, it might come down to his preference and that's really the only situation where we'll truly know his mind.[/edit]
@Olly!!!
So was Woody and he's being hailed as a god again??
Madrid stuff is absolute BS. GdS wrote today that Juve demanded Kroos, Madrid declined and they are not in the running. Now Tancredi is trying to get clickbait by claiming saying perez has gone "all in" and that Riaola going to Miami is "unusual". No idea how he comes to that conclusion but he's the one looking for clickbait.All the Real Madrid stuff picking up steam now there is gonna be a meltdown even if its not true, odds flying down too
people flushing money down the drain because they see a news clip. Seriously, do people think bookie odds have any predictive power? They are absolutely useless because they move on the outcome of stupid people betting based of no information.odds flying down too
For Moyes i would point most of the blame with Fergie so don't think we can blame Woody for this.
Loads of lengthy posts about his price and if he's worth it?
Crikey it's been done to death now surely?
Any actual news on if we're any closer to signing him?
Crikey it's been done to death now surely?
Any actual news on if we're any closer to signing him?
The delays must be because of one of three reasons IMO:
1. It's a "done deal" but a massive deal with a lot of technicalities to iron out like image rights, instalments, performance add ons, etc
Or
2. We are doing what we often do and are negotiating over relatively small amounts of money (in the scheme of things) - unfortunately this also gives Madrid more time to try and put together a deal themselves.
Or
3. Pogba himself is not 100% convinced about going to United (despite his agent persuading him to!) and is stalling in the hope that Madrid come back in.
1. It's a "done deal" but a massive deal with a lot of technicalities to iron out like image rights, instalments, performance add ons, etc
Or
2. We are doing what we often do and are negotiating over relatively small amounts of money (in the scheme of things) - unfortunately this also gives Madrid more time to try and put together a deal themselves.
Or
3. Pogba himself is not 100% convinced about going to United (despite his agent persuading him to!) and is stalling in the hope that Madrid come back in.