You wouldn't sign with United, would you?

Maciej

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Let's forget we support this club.

Imagine you're a member of the squad, either somebody like Pogba or de Gea (who could easily play somewhere else) or somebody like Mata or Rashford. I'm not talking about people who are too poor for Manchester United (Jones, Rojo) or too old to find a top club for themselves (Young, Matić).

If you were considering your wage and potential trophies, success and popularity, Manchester United wouldn't be your choice, right? Or would it?

Discuss, tell me why you'd choose this club, because I'm pretty sure you wouldn't. No Champions League, no hope for the nearest future... maybe wages, but you never know as some players are paid too much and some too little.

My point is that we often forget that Manchester United is not a club that player want to sign with. Not anymore. Solskjaer or Old Trafford or whatever else doesn't work anymore. Some of you don't realise it, that's why I want to see what would be your opinion on this.
 

Robert

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I'd choose for the history, the potential, the money and then quite simply the fact that despite all our current misgivings, we're still in a healthier state or better positioned than 95% of clubs in europe.
 

DWelbz19

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Yes, unfortunately we are now a tier below the most attractive sides in football. Which explains our transfer targets this summer.

Bizarre thread, though. Almost like you're happy about it.
 

MrSingh2002

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I would. To join the great players in the history of the club. The City's and Chelsea's don't have the same kind of pull for me.
 

Maciej

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I would. To join the great players in the history of the club. The City's and Chelsea's don't have the same kind of pull for me.
99.99% of footballers don't care about history. They start to say some things about the history of the club they chose, because that's something what allows to buy fans immediately.
 

passing-wind

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I personally would for the club, but being a footballer looking to improve individually
with coaching I wouldn't have enthusiasm in playing under Solskjaer. Sancho's decision to wait and see how things turn out is the closest reality to how any good young prospect will perceive the club. I know the people will say AWB, but there's a difference between playing for Dortmund and playing for Palace.
 

MrSingh2002

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99.99% of footballers don't care about history. They start to say some things about the history of the club they chose, because that's something what allows to buy fans immediately.
Footballers weren't born money grabbing. They might not be anywhere near as humble as your average guy but I'm sure they do factor such things in their decisions. If not De Ligt would be going PSG or City no doubt.
 

Addled

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I think there is something in what you say when you talk about players at the very top. However, they probably wouldn’t ever have signed for Utd anyway given that they would have offers from top continental clubs that have nicer cities, better climate and better lifestyle. I still think Utd are attractive for English players and while they may be struggling at the moment there is nothing to suggest that it will always be this way. Maybe I am being overly optimistic but I think the current run of form will improve and when it does the bigger(as opposed to the biggest) players will return. In the meantime look at the welcome and reaction to the club in Australia. If players are watching that they will want to be part of it. China cannot offer this. So if a player is ambitious and determined then there are much worse places they could be. In fact when you look at the wages that Utd offer there are very few in England who can compete.
Sorry if I am being too optimistic!!!!!
Oh and btw I would sign for Utd any day, everyday.
 
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Walrus

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If I could be persuaded that I would be a key player, maybe a captain, and that the rest of the squad was going to be getting improved... basically being a central figure to a “project”, then sure.

Don’t really care about the history, and once you are earning silly money, the odd 10k here or there is largely irrelevant. I would rather be a key player than just another squad option for City, for instance.

That is how United should be marketing themselves to players at the moment. Become part of the exciting new project, be one of the central figures who pulled us back up to the top of the pile - the fans would bloody love you.
 

Alabaster Codify7

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Nope.
Nothing appealing about this current version of Unted to anyone who isn't a fan. I would steer well clear - poor squad overall, lots of mediocre players including in the starting 11, best players seemingly wanting out, unproven manager, incompetent board.
 

thesheriffjw

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Depends on the club/managers vision.

In PL id like to play in Pep/Klopp or Poch team. They have an identity and a style that is easy on the eye.

The 3 above a progressing. A CL would complete city. A PL Scousers and a trophy for Spurs.

Its hard to see utd doing any of the above at present
 

Snafu17

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They pay good shit, I'm a fan, It's a big club, I'm 24 so I can still feck off to another club and I am, comparatively to the top level, abysmal, so yes, I would gladly sign for United.
 

Gopher Brown

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Let's forget we support this club.

Imagine you're a member of the squad, either somebody like Pogba or de Gea (who could easily play somewhere else) or somebody like Mata or Rashford. I'm not talking about people who are too poor for Manchester United (Jones, Rojo) or too old to find a top club for themselves (Young, Matić).

If you were considering your wage and potential trophies, success and popularity, Manchester United wouldn't be your choice, right? Or would it?

Discuss, tell me why you'd choose this club, because I'm pretty sure you wouldn't. No Champions League, no hope for the nearest future... maybe wages, but you never know as some players are paid too much and some too little.

My point is that we often forget that Manchester United is not a club that player want to sign with. Not anymore. Solskjaer or Old Trafford or whatever else doesn't work anymore. Some of you don't realise it, that's why I want to see what would be your opinion on this.
Think of all the players who would love to play in the Premier League and will never get the chance. Think of all the players already in their country’s top league but have no chance of even being in the conversation for a trophy. The majority of players in the world would kill to get the opportunity to play for us. This is utter United-centric, defeatist nonsense you’re spouting.
 

JPRouve

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I would sign for United and try to do a Darmian or even better a Rojo, do nothing but stay silently at the club.
 

Rado_N

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One of, if not the biggest football clubs in the world, where you can earn as much as anywhere else if not more and potentially play a part in bringing a sleeping giant back to the top if you back your own abilities. Why not?
 

Wednesday at Stoke

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1. Owners don't own slaves
2. Excellent wages
3. Chance to start week after week if performance level is good
4. If you resurrect United, its much bigger than winning at a plastic club few people care about
5. Owners don't own slaves
6. Top tier stadium and a chance to play in front of 75k fans every week + a tremendous traveling support
7. Probably the most well known brand in world football so great endorsement opportunities
8. Transfer spending has always been healthy if sometimes not prudent so good chance of playing with other top tier players
9. United take care of their ex-players with coaching opportunities and ambassadorial roles where you can travel the world hyping up the club
10. Owners don't own slaves
 

Thepinhead

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It would depend on my age. Pre 25 years of age then I would. If you were to be a part of the team who turns United around you would become legendary in this club forever. If I were past 25 years of age I would probably chose another team where the odds of me winning something would be higher.

However I wouldn't play for any other team in England. If I were to play somewhere else IT would be in another league.
 

Shane88

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I'd choose for the history, the potential, the money and then quite simply the fact that despite all our current misgivings, we're still in a healthier state or better positioned than 95% of clubs in europe.
That's not who we should be comparing ourselves too though.

Among the elite clubs, where we want to be, we're languishing near the bottom of that table. We're close to becoming something like AC Milan, if we're not already.
 

OnlyTwoDaSilvas

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It's not really possible for any of us to answer that without bias.

We can all go on about history and general stature, but in the short lifespan of a footballers career, the vast majority don't care about that. They want to play for clubs that are currently the best teams and have the best chances of winning trophies. That used to be us, but now it's not.
 

el3mel

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I'm a Darmian. Gonna enjoy not playing a minute and getting my wages per week without any effort. Easiest job in the world. :drool:
 

SportingCP96

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Despite everything...this is Manchester United people. Sometimes I feel people forget who this club is this club is not what it has been the last few years that is a blip that every team and everyone in general goes through. The other teams want to see United the sleeping giant that it is down because everyone knows United at its best and Old Trafford rocking being the fortress it once was is the scariest thing in England.

No club will ever dominate England the way United did under SAF. It takes time but don’t worry guys United will be back.

I know it sounds “RAWK” like but I feel this is something people need to hear.
 

Bwuk

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Truthfully - no.

We are a mess. If you’ve got better offers on the plate your going to take it.
 

hobbers

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I absolutely would sign with United if I was someone like Rashford or AWB, or a similarly-levelled young player. Basically getting over double my market value in wages, huge exposure and good chance of playing.

But were I an elite player, no, not a fecking chance. :lol: I'd wait for a City, Liverpool, Bayern, Dortmund, Juventus, Real, Barca, Atletico or PSG to come in for me.
 

Catt

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Despite everything...this is Manchester United people. Sometimes I feel people forget who this club is this club is not what it has been the last few years that is a blip that every team and everyone in general goes through. The other teams want to see United the sleeping giant that it is down because everyone knows United at its best and Old Trafford rocking being the fortress it once was is the scariest thing in England.

No club will ever dominate England the way United did under SAF. It takes time but don’t worry guys United will be back.

I know it sounds “RAWK” like but I feel this is something people need to hear.
No no, you got it all wrong and this blip is permanent.
 

WensleyMU

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I would sign because it's Manchester United. I grew up watching them, all the legends of the 90s. I don't need to support them to know they are a hugely significant club.

Similar to how Liverpool have managed to sign anyone over the past 30 years.

As a fan I like to think the opportunity to become part of a new chapter of success at United will draw some players in. A vision of where the club wants to be.

This works for other clubs so it should work for us.

At the end of the day, we are talking about Manchester United. Ask the vast majority of people interested in football to name the 5 biggest clubs on earth and a good number include United.
 

Irishman

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There's a particular self loathing mood now growing across our fanbase that I find somewhat irritating.

The constant put downs are becoming tiresome.

This thread is yet another example of that expression.

When Fergie once told a fan to 'go and support Chelsea' I understand where he was coming from!
 

ArjenIsM3

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There's a particular self loathing mood now growing across our fanbase that I find somewhat irritating.

The constant put downs are becoming tiresome.

This thread is yet another example of that expression.

When Fergie once told a fan to 'go and support Chelsea' I understand where he was coming from!
Agreed
 

WensleyMU

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There's a particular self loathing mood now growing across our fanbase that I find somewhat irritating.

The constant put downs are becoming tiresome.

This thread is yet another example of that expression.

When Fergie once told a fan to 'go and support Chelsea' I understand where he was coming from!
Yeh it's boring. We are not even that bad. For many United fans this is as bad as it's ever been...

Personally I am looking forward to next season, I think we might surprise a few people.
 

Catt

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There's a particular self loathing mood now growing across our fanbase that I find somewhat irritating.

The constant put downs are becoming tiresome.

This thread is yet another example of that expression.

When Fergie once told a fan to 'go and support Chelsea' I understand where he was coming from!
Agreed.
 

Amir

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If I was an older player, United might have been an option. As a younger one - no way.

You look at our record at developing young players in recent years, and the risk is just too big. Add the rollercoaster of managers, the lack of clear style, the question marks over Solskjaer - and it's just not a great place for a developing player. It's a short career. I wouldn't take the risk.
 

Andersons Dietician

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There's a particular self loathing mood now growing across our fanbase that I find somewhat irritating.

The constant put downs are becoming tiresome.

This thread is yet another example of that expression.

When Fergie once told a fan to 'go and support Chelsea' I understand where he was coming from!
Is it not called realism and critical thinking?

I think anyone who actually stops and thinks for a minute and tries to put themselves in the position of someone like a Sancho, DeLigt or Havertz from their perspective right now United is a big risk.

Some could look at it and think ok I go there it’s a prestigious name, money is going in to it for new signings so there is a chance it might become a competitor again but then you look at Ole who is a legend to us but not sure how he is regarded outside of England or United fanbase but is also not really that experienced.

It’s a weird scenario and honestly I would say it’s on the bubble of still being a serious choice for the likes of these players.
 

Valar Morghulis

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I was actually having a conversation last week about where I would go if I was a young, world class player. I'd never really thought about it seriously before but yeah having actually given it some thought... I'd feck off to China ASAP and milk as much money as I could for as long as I could. Carrasco, I feel you brother:D
 

WensleyMU

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If I was an older player, United might have been an option. As a younger one - no way.

You look at our record at developing young players in recent years, and the risk is just too big. Add the rollercoaster of managers, the lack of clear style, the question marks over Solskjaer - and it's just not a great place for a developing player. It's a short career. I wouldn't take the risk.
You would have to be very young indeed to have seen anyone but United be the most successful club in your lifetime, at least as far as English football goes.

Say you were 18, then the whole period from 2006/07 will have been what you grew up watching of you followed English football.

We have a long way to go before we become an irrelevance.