Paulo Dybala

[bosnian_red]

I agree that Dybala is a class player, no doubt. If we need the Lukaku cash to buy CB/DM/CM i rather prioritize those holes first. For balance.

I cant imagine it being a cash issue for CB. More Woodward/the club not wanting to spend £90m on Maguire, or £50m on Longstaff. Don't think we need 2 midfielders anymore, just the 1 would be fine. If we go with a 4231, McTominay and Pogba would be the 2, if it's a 433 then we would need a passing holding mid to come in there IMO, so I think that's why Ole wants Longstaff, but it isnt really a pressing need if we can manage Matic's game time and get a decent level out of him.

Center back is a pressing need, and the attack would be a pressing need if Lukaku left (and not ideal if he stays), so this would at least fix the attack, while it wouldnt be any reason for us not pursuing other areas. Only a week and a bit left in the window anyway, the only potential options are Maguire for CB, Longstaff at DM, and then Bruno Fernandes or Dybala in the attack. And I cant see us signing more than 2 of those, so Dybala ina swap for Lukaku and then Maguire would be the dream scenario.

 

[Womp]

What is this current obsession people have with thinking players don't want to play for one of the biggest clubs in the world?

We're a much bigger club than Juve, it's a step up not a step down. Fair enough they've got Ronaldo and they win the league every year but maybe the idea of helping United back to the top of the tree is an idea most would want to.

No it's not. There's been many a player who have tried to take us 'back to the top', fact of the matter is, we have been shite for almost a decade now and are a top 4 challenging team with no hope of winning the CL in the foreseeable future. To suggest we are a step up from Juventus who dominate their league, have shown they can build on and maintain their success (something we have failed miserably at in recent times) and who are regular challengers for the CL couldn't be further from the truth.

It's hardly as if Juve are a small club as well.

That's what makes this possible transfer even sweeter, though.

 

[Devil81]

Lets be realistic here - he'd be leaving CL contenders for an EL club. History is a nice bonus, but players (especially those of Dybala's calibre) care about present.

We're lucky to have his best mate here, and to be in financial position to double his Juve contract. Excellent opportunity, Woodward needs to get it done.

It's one season and we challenge to qualify for the Champions league for next season.

You make it out like we've got to face a lifetime of Europa league.

Juventus are a top side but it was only 8 years ago we were a top side in Champions league finals. Things change, situations improve but the one thing that will never change is the profile of Manchester United. Stop making out like we're some second rate club, we're only two seasons without a trophy, before that we won four trophies (if you include the charity shield) in two years.

People need to get a serious reality check.

 

[Devil81]

Not sure how this will work for Juve but maybe trying to replicate the Benzema role for Ronaldo

You can't honestly be comparing Lukaku to Benzema, no way on this earth does Lukaku have half the skill and ability of Benzema.

He could never ever replicate him, he can't even control a bloody ball.

 

[Devil81]

No it's not. There's been many a player who have tried to take us 'back to the top', fact of the matter is, we have been shite for almost a decade now and are a top 4 challenging team with no hope of winning the CL in the foreseeable future. To suggest we are a step up from Juventus who dominate their league, have shown they can build on and maintain their success (something we have failed miserably at in recent times) and who are regular challengers for the CL couldn't be further from the truth.

It's hardly as if Juve are a small club as well.

When have Juve been regular challengers?

In the last ten years we've been in as many finals as they have and we've also won a European trophy. All be it the Europa league but it's still European honours.

Juve go out in the quarter-finals and semi's most years. We went out in the quarter-finals this season, does that mean we are regular challengers?

 

[Ban]

Absolutely not, we are unstoppable with this one

@Ban @Acquire Me @SirAF @ivaldo @Grylte @GaryLifo @Tiber @VP89 @VanGaalEra @No Idea For Nickname Say it with me, SIUUUUUU

This is it.

 

[DoomSlayer]

If the Dybala deal means Pogba would commit his long-term future at United, I'd actually say this would be an incredible transfer. Two birds with one stone, as the saying goes.

 

[Jinn]

You can't honestly be comparing Lukaku to Benzema, no way on this earth does Lukaku have half the skill and ability of Benzema.

He could never ever replicate him, he can't even control a bloody ball.

He's not.

 

[chb23]

What's a good video of him?

I saw one on youtube which is a welcome to manchester one and I have to say I'm not that impressed. Looks a good player, but not a 'magical' player. Not world class level anyway, a step below. Better than what we have for sure.

Also interesting that he seemed very one footed, very valencia like, not sure if it was just that video

 

[Halal Jalal]

It's one season and we challenge to qualify for the Champions league for next season.

You make it out like we've got to face a lifetime of Europa league.

Juventus are a top side but it was only 8 years ago we were a top side in Champions league finals. Things change, situations improve but the one thing that will never change is the profile of Manchester United. Stop making out like we're some second rate club, we're only two seasons without a trophy, before that we won four trophies (if you include the charity shield) in two years.

People need to get a serious reality check.

Hate to break it to you, but this isn't the first time we've failed to qualify for CL recently... Also - world class players don't want to challenge for CL qualification, but to compete for CL trophy.

This is a unique opportuinity to acquire a player far above our current standing.

 

[ash_86]

new quote from pedulla?

Nope from yesterday. But it was quite clear what juve and Sarri wanted. I think today is just a formality for Sarri to tell it to dybala face to face.

 

[Womp]

When have Juve been regular challengers?

In the last ten years we've been in as many finals as they have and we've also won a European trophy. All be it the Europa league but it's still European honours.

Juve go out in the quarter-finals and semi's most years. We went out in the quarter-finals this season, does that mean we are regular challengers?

Getting to the final is far more than being a challenger. They've been competitive and look far more likely to win it than we have, currently and in the past few years.

On your second point - no. Taking into account how we got there and that we got absolutely stomped by Barcelona, we weren't. We are a team that struggle to qualify for the Champions League, don't see how it's even a discussion as to whether or not they are a more attractive proposition.

 

[Lash]

Maybe we decided only one of the two and once Dybala was more concrete, we went for him

Yeah, maybe we even had the deal planned and we needed to sell Lukaku to fund it, then in a happy turn of events Sarri decided he wanted Lukaku.

 

[Alemar]

So if there are talks with Sarri this afternoon, could it be that Dybala flies to Manchester this evening already to have a medical tomorrow?

 

[RobinLFC]

People need to get a serious reality check.

You've finished out of the CL places 4 times out of 6 since SAF retired. No matter how you put it, this is a step down for Dybala - obviously, it could turn out to be completely different in hindsight a few years from now.

 

[SATA]

Why is the chat taking so long? Has training even ended yet?

 

[Devil81]

Hate to break it to you, but this isn't the first time we've failed to qualify for CL recently... Also - world class players don't want to challenge for CL qualification, but to compete for CL trophy.

This is a unique opportuinity to acquire a player far above our current standing.

We spent one season in the Europa three years ago.

Let's not forget most of these European powerhouses you think are bigger than United have little to no challengers for Champions league spots.

We have 5 topsides to compete with for four spots.

 

[roonster09]

fecking hell, now the tedious ManUtd vs Juventus argument stats. Who fecking cares, all that matters is whether we can sign Dybala and sell Lukaku.

 

[SATA]

So if there are talks with Sarri this afternoon, could it be that Dybala flies to Manchester this evening already to have a medical tomorrow?

No I don’t really think so. He’ll need to clear his locker and bid his goodbyes. Probably tomorrow or the weekend. It’ll be brilliant if he’s in Cardiff watching our game against Milan in the stands

 

[Devil81]

You've finished out of the CL places 4 times out of 6 since SAF retired. No matter how you put it, this is a step down for Dybala - obviously, it could turn out to be completely different in hindsight a few years from now.

Yes but we qualified via the Europa so that didn't matter that year.

Do you think your club was small when you didn't qualify for the Champions league?

 

[Zoo]

It's a deal that can suit all parties. Hopefully it gets done.

 

[Infordin]

We're a much bigger club than Juve, it's a step up not a step down. Fair enough they've got Ronaldo and they win the league every year but maybe the idea of helping United back to the top of the tree is an idea most would want to.

Not denying that United are a great club, but most players would much rather be guaranteed instantaneous success than help a team get back to the top. Remember, the shelf life of most football players is rather short.

 

[izec]

Why is the chat taking so long? Has training even ended yet?

Think that will be in a few hours. Maybe in the evening we will know more

 

[StrettyEnder07]

No it's not. There's been many a player who have tried to take us 'back to the top', fact of the matter is, we have been shite for almost a decade now and are a top 4 challenging team with no hope of winning the CL in the foreseeable future. To suggest we are a step up from Juventus who dominate their league, have shown they can build on and maintain their success (something we have failed miserably at in recent times) and who are regular challengers for the CL couldn't be further from the truth.

It's hardly as if Juve are a small club as well.

That's what makes this possible transfer even sweeter, though.

I think he is talking about club wise and there is zero doubt that United are a bigger club than Juve size wise, zero denying that. IMO only Madrid can match United for size of the club, history and just everything that comes with it.

By the way, in the last 10 years, although we have been shite by all accounts, we have only won 3 league titles, finished 2nd another 3 times, won the FA Cup, league cup twice, Europa league as well, jesus how have we survived the last ten years been absolutely shocking!

 

[Lemansky]

Spotted him in a training video from today.

Sarri do your job

I thought this was tomorrow?

 

[RobinLFC]

Yes but we qualified via the Europa so that didn't matter that year.

Do you think your club was small when you didn't qualify for the Champions league?

No, nor do I think United is a small club right now. Doesn't mean it can't be a step down for a player though. On current outlook, chances of competing for the top trophies are higher at Juventus than at United.

 

[DoomSlayer]

You've finished out of the CL places 4 times out of 6 since SAF retired. No matter how you put it, this is a step down for Dybala - obviously, it could turn out to be completely different in hindsight a few years from now.

On average, your table position in the last 9 seasons has been 5th and in the last 5 - again 5th. Yet here you are, 2 CL finals in a row, one of them which you won. A lot can happen in an year or 2.

 

[Alemar]

Think that will be in a few hours. Maybe in the evening we will know more

Does it take long to book a private jet and prepare it for the flight?

 

[StrettyEnder07]

It's one season and we challenge to qualify for the Champions league for next season.

You make it out like we've got to face a lifetime of Europa league.

Juventus are a top side but it was only 8 years ago we were a top side in Champions league finals. Things change, situations improve but the one thing that will never change is the profile of Manchester United. Stop making out like we're some second rate club, we're only two seasons without a trophy, before that we won four trophies (if you include the charity shield) in two years.

People need to get a serious reality check.

THIS! Well said

 

[roonster09]

Tweet

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[Mr Pigeon]

Tweet

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Quick Ed, tell him about DisneyLand!

 

[RobinLFC]

On average, your table position in the last 9 seasons has been 5th and in the last 5 - again 5th. Yet here you are, 2 CL finals in a row, one of them which you won. A lot can happen in an year or 2.

Yeah sure mate, that's why I said that it could be a great move for him in hindsight. It's all a matter of perspective - Liverpool were going nowhere right until Klopp took over, so yes a lot can change in a relatively short period of time but you need to have the right pieces in the right place in order for that to happen. For United, I think it's just a case of whether you believe Solskjaer is the right manager to take this United side a step forward. The jury is still out on that for me. For example, if you had a manager of Klopp's caliber right now with players like Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Rashfard, Martial, Dybala, ... I'd be seriously worried.

 

[Lennon7]

Quick Ed, tell him about DisneyLand!

Is that what you call Trafford Park?

 

[roonster09]

People are just clueless on how things can change quickly in football. Just 2 years back Liverpool weren't all that and now they are one of the strongest teams in Europe.

 

[buchansleftleg]

Well I can see the logic behind this from Juve's point of view. Ronaldo is prolonging his career by playing in the big games in the league and champions league.

So Lukaku can play flat track bully in those games against minor opposition where his strength and pressure can be a useful force. In big games where they need someone to hold up the ball Lukaku will only feature as a last minute battering ram. If the only other alternative is the volatile Icardi then you can see why Juve are interested in the more docile Lukaku.

Watching the highlights of Dybala....well it's nice to see a forward that can control the ball and offer a variety of threats wherever he plays for a change.

If he is coming here to create a new legacy then I can see him being a success. If he is just seeing us as a bolt hole for a season or so and looking forward to playing with Pogba for a year before they both move on, then I can see the wheels coming off Sanchez style.

I know some are getting di maria vibes but we can't be slaves to the past and live in fear. Any transfer is a gamble whether big or small. He is undoubtedly a technical improvement on what we have and is going to draw a lot of attention from opposition defenders, freeing up opportunities for the other strikers.

I'd love to see us offering a diverse threat of three roaming strikers that make themselves available for passes and make great runs. I'm sick of us attacking in 1's and 2's and easily being snuffed out and bottled up in midfield. I can see it lifting the whole team and energising our midfield if this comes off and everyone has the right attitude about it. If Martial and Rashford are forced to raise their game...If Pogba has an outlet he might lose the ball less through pratting about.

That's a lot of "ifs" but we have to take a chance on him.

 

[Marcus]

He is a goal-scoring freekick specialist. Just what United need!

 

[StrettyEnder07]

fecking hell, now the tedious ManUtd vs Juventus argument stats. Who fecking cares, all that matters is whether we can sign Dybala and sell Lukaku.

Haha you would think mate, our fans are not happy unless there is some mental crisis they can moan about

 

[Amarsdd]

Some of you lot are really something. When you’re eating at a good restaurant, do you enjoy the food or only think about the shits in the morning? And weirdly love thinking about the shits?

- Some people questioning why Juve want to get rid of Dybala. You guys are forgetting how ruthless Juve are as well and a lot of business-like than any other club, and how Sarri is a stubborn sob. So as Sarri doesn’t want Dybala, Juve know his value is only getting lower next season. At the same time, Sarri is looking for a readymade target man. Thus, Juve trying make this deal happen makes perfect sense.

- People questioning if Dybala fits into Ole’s system. If you have watched the preseason games, then it should be clear. We don’t play a static front 3 or 4. Thus, for a dynamic attack, a player like Dybala who likes to go everywhere as a #10 or drift in from the right would be a perfect fit.

- people comparing this situation to Di Maria’s. When Di Maria came here, he had already won everything at Madrid, had nothing to prove and with his mind set to move to PSG for an easy life. And he came into LVG’s rigid system which I don’t think any attacking player would enjoy. Whereas Dybala still has a lot to prove; in terms of trophies, in terms of fulfilling the mantle of being Messi’s heir apparent and so on.

- people questioning his lack of pace. Dybala may not have the pace of Rashford over 30 yards, but he’s quite sharp and quick over the first 5-10 yards. Thats why you see him able to score after shifting the ball around the player a lot.

- And finally from what I’ve seen, he has that certain Argie tenacity about him. So I can see him buying into pressing from the front as well.

Anyway I’m very positive about this signing. Dybala is probably the most readymade replacement for Lukaku in Ole’s system that is available right now.

 

[Green_Red]

That's all brilliant and a nice bonus when it comes to choosing your next club. However current and potential future success is far more important

Current? We won the FA cup in 2015, the Europa League in 2016. For most clubs that is the definition of success. For Uniteds high standards that is considered failure in some way. The team we are building is to challenge for Premier League and Champions League because that is the expectation at United. Who do you support?

 

[pascell]

He is a goal-scoring freekick specialist. Just what United need!

Just a shame he wont see the light of day, Mata and Pogba are brilliant free kick takers but Rashford makes sure they don't get a look in.