Erling Haaland

[CG1010]

Who wouldn’t Greenwood be one of the three starters out if that 4?

Not necessarily mate but what it will do is force Greenwood into showing us, and himself, how good he really is and / or can be. Ball is in his court.

Thankfully most top level footballers are stronger mentality than the picture you paint here. He's not going to give up and shrivel under such challenge. If he's good enough, he'll play.

Its not about strong or weaker mentality, its about what's best for your football career, which is a choice any top player would make. If Van Persie was told to play potentially second fiddle for his entire career, behind say Messi, would he want to stay? I rate Greenwood so believe he will be snapped up by any top club. Even if he shows his best, competing against Haaland who has come at a huge cost and is barely older than him is bound to limit game time.

Like I mentioned before, even 18 year old Ronaldo got Fergie's guarantee of 50% appearances before signing for United. Pogba left United early on to get more first team opportunities. Its very natural, especially with very gifted players who believe in themselves. Another example is Pique who chose to leave to Barca rather than sit behind Vidic and Ferdinand wait for his chances.

 

[Volumiza]

Its not about strong or weaker mentality, its about what's best for your football career, which is a choice any top player would make. If Van Persie was told to play potentially second fiddle for his entire career, behind say Messi, would he want to stay? I rate Greenwood so believe he will be snapped up by any top club. Even if he shows his best, competing against Haaland who has come at a huge cost and is barely older than him is bound to limit game time.

Like I mentioned before, even 18 year old Ronaldo got Fergie's guarantee of 50% appearances before signing for United. Pogba left United early on to get more first team opportunities. Its very natural, especially with very gifted players who believe in themselves. Another example is Pique who chose to leave to Barca rather than sit behind Vidic and Ferdinand wait for his chances.

Ok, in which case the harsh reality is that regardless of Greenwood being ‘one of ours’ the club should always make decisions based on what is best for the club.

If UTD have a better future with Haaland first choice and Greenwood leaving then it’s ultimately an easy choice.

 

[CG1010]

Ok, in which case the harsh reality is that regardless of Greenwood being ‘one of ours’ the club should always make decisions based on what is best for the club.

If UTD have a better future with Haaland first choice and Greenwood leaving then it’s ultimately an easy choice.

Yes, which is why I am hoping Greenwood basically negates the need to even buy him. He certainly has the talent to become a top striker.

 

[Judas]

I'd be surprised if Greenwood reaches his potential that we would ever choose Haaland over him, for the simple fact Haaland isn't sticking around more than a few years wherever he goes next. He's going to have another release clause in his next contract and the circus will keep on rolling.

We'll still be going all in to sign Haaland though, and rightfully so.

 

[Volumiza]

Yes, which is why I am hoping Greenwood basically negates the need to even buy him. He certainly has the talent to become a top striker.

I doubt anyone on here wouldn’t love that scenario.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Its not about strong or weaker mentality, its about what's best for your football career, which is a choice any top player would make. If Van Persie was told to play potentially second fiddle for his entire career, behind say Messi, would he want to stay? I rate Greenwood so believe he will be snapped up by any top club. Even if he shows his best, competing against Haaland who has come at a huge cost and is barely older than him is bound to limit game time.

Like I mentioned before, even 18 year old Ronaldo got Fergie's guarantee of 50% appearances before signing for United. Pogba left United early on to get more first team opportunities. Its very natural, especially with very gifted players who believe in themselves. Another example is Pique who chose to leave to Barca rather than sit behind Vidic and Ferdinand wait for his chances.

Players aren’t guaranteed anything.

if he doesn’t make it, because there’s competition, and he doesn’t get games, so be it. He can move on.

however, as others have pointed out, thankfully players have a stronger mentality.

did RVP play in other positions at the start of his career? Did he have competition at Arsenal? Could he have played in the same team as Messi? The answer is yes to all of these.

these are not problems. If Haaland joined, it would be exciting to see how the competition pans out.

 

[Pexbo]

if Real get Mbappe and City get Kane...

it would be just us and Chelsea in the running, right? Can't see him joining PSG but who knows

I think Chelsea know that and are trying to get something in place for next summer. Even if it’s just a good relationship with Dortmund.

 

[weetee]

I think Chelsea know that and are trying to get something in place for next summer. Even if it’s just a good relationship with Dortmund.

Why would they need a good relationship with Dortmund for next summer? If that buyout clause is for real they don't have to talk to Dortmund at all come next summer.

 

[alexthelion]

If (IF) we get Haaland too this or the next summer, is it the end of Greenwood's United career? Going behind two transfer record signings in his age bracket for RW and CF is not something he would like for a long term. Unless he moves to left wing and pushes Rashford to the bench. Which is unlikely.

Sancho (left), Haaland (centre) and Greenwood (rght).

Problem solved.

 

[3vra]

For me looking at the profile, current form, potential, decision making and also how those players improve in the past few years i would be willing to bet that if we sign Haaland then our forward line would look like this

Sancho - Haaland - Greenwood

Rashford is clearly less talented then other 3, at the beggining of his United career you could see his determination his work rate, that he was running and fighting for the ball its all gone recently and when It’s not there you see his flaws more then before.

Maybe he can turn it around, maybe being sure of the place in the team even playing good game 2 out of 10 times makes him as bad as he was recently. I really hope he can come good after that operation and a little rest, but i think the biggest problem is his decision making and that has nothing to do with injury. If you compare Sancho and Rashford performances against Ukraine It was like older brother (Sancho) was playing with his mates and then at the end they decided to let younger come in. Rashford was trying to dribble all the time and hitting she wall of players.

So yeah i think that buying Haaland would be challange for Marcus rather then Mason but i think we should focus on what is best for the United not players feeling. If we somehow manage to buy Haaland let the best player on each position win for United sake. But still City had 2-3 players for every position and being able to change player who is not performaning very well for another good player is a big advantage. In our last game in Gdańsk (that i had a chance to be part of ) Rashford was having a terrible game but because of the importance of the game Ole prefered to keep him to maybe do some magic then changing him with James. We play around 60 games a year there is a place for 17-18 players to be quite regular and have good amount of minutes among them.

few years ago when Rashford and Martial were competing for LW spot and together played 90 min like one player would their goals + assist per 90 were outstanding. Its great to have more good players on the bench then not if only we can get that kind of players we should not worry about who would play.

 

[Kentonio]

if Real get Mbappe and City get Kane...

it would be just us and Chelsea in the running, right? Can't see him joining PSG but who knows

Supposedly Real wanted Mpabbe this summer and Haaland next.

 

[RedRonaldo]

if Real get Mbappe and City get Kane...

it would be just us and Chelsea in the running, right? Can't see him joining PSG but who knows

Next summer? It would be us, Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern (depends on how long Lewandoski would remain in top form as he isn’t young), Juventus? (They won De Ligt signature afterall and they have good relationship with Riaola), and of course PSG, why not?

 

[RedRonaldo]

No. Far from the end.

Greenwood, Rashford, Sancho, Haaland for 3 positions.

Don’t forget Diallo too. I believe he would develop into top talent.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Don’t forget Diallo too. I believe he would develop into top talent.

indeed. More the merrier.

 

[mitchmouse]

Said it before (and got the abuse)... bid what they are asking and see what happens. If he doesn't come now, I don't think we'll ever get him

 

[red thru&thru]

Said it before (and got the abuse)... bid what they are asking and see what happens. If he doesn't come now, I don't think we'll ever get him

Why pay double to see if he wants to come? Surely off the buyout fee next year and then see if he wants to come to us?!

 

[mitchmouse]

Why pay double to see if he wants to come? Surely off the buyout fee next year and then see if he wants to come to us?!

but others will be in better shape to bid too (such as Barca and Real)

 

[UncleBob]

Just bid what they're asking, good one

 

[MDFC Manager]

Said it before (and got the abuse)... bid what they are asking and see what happens. If he doesn't come now, I don't think we'll ever get him

Nobody bids for a player and then checks whether they're interested in moving. You first check with the player if they want to join you, broadly agree at wages and stuff and then put in a bid with the club.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

but others will be in better shape to bid too (such as Barca and Real)

Barca are a fecking shit show at the moment, it’ll take more than a year to sort that mess out. I can’t see them forking out mega wages for Haaland and a huge bonus for Raiola, they’re literally trying to give players away for free at the moment to try and reduce their wage bill.

 

[dinostar77]

Nobody bids for a player and then checks whether they're interested in moving. You first check with the player if they want to join you, broadly agree at wages and stuff and then put in a bid with the club.

Yep thats how it works nowadays. Either via the agent, representatives or intermediaries find out the players interest and the financial package they would want and agree those before offically approaching the players club.

 

[Cloud7]

I'd be surprised if Greenwood reaches his potential that we would ever choose Haaland over him, for the simple fact Haaland isn't sticking around more than a few years wherever he goes next. He's going to have another release clause in his next contract and the circus will keep on rolling.

We'll still be going all in to sign Haaland though, and rightfully so.

As I've said before with Haaland, we don't need him to spend his entire career with us. If we get 3-4 years out of him and some trophies and lots of goals along the way, then he leaves us for another club, then I would consider that a worthwhile investment.

 

[Borussia Teeth]

Avoid him and his shitbag agent. Cavani up top this season, Greenwood next season.

 

[Highfather_24]

Need Haaland to replace Cavani+Martial next season.

Saying he will stunt the development of Greenwood is foolish. Comparisons to RvP being under Messi's shadow more so. The gulf is class is much narrower here, so nobody will be under anyone's shadow. They are top players who will want to play with other top players and winners. Think Rooney, Ronaldo and Tevez playing together. That didnt have any problems, so neither should this. Rashford and Diallo would be good competition as well.

Sancho--Haaland--Greenwood

 

[red thru&thru]

but others will be in better shape to bid too (such as Barca and Real)

This is the best time to see whether a player wants to come to you or not...when there is more than one option!

 

[Gambit]

Next season is the season of Greenwood., We may not need him.

 

[mitchmouse]

Yep thats how it works nowadays. Either via the agent, representatives or intermediaries find out the players interest and the financial package they would want and agree those before offically approaching the players club.

Isn't that called "tapping up"?

 

[mitchmouse]

Nobody bids for a player and then checks whether they're interested in moving. You first check with the player if they want to join you, broadly agree at wages and stuff and then put in a bid with the club.

Isn't that known as "tapping up"? which is illegal

 

[Tarrou]

I have a bad feeling Chelsea will snag him this summer

be hard for Dortmund to turn down 50m above the release clause just for one season

 

[mitchmouse]

I have a bad feeling Chelsea will snag him this summer

be hard for Dortmund to turn down 50m above the release clause just for one season

which is exactly why I think we need to go for him now... but, hey, some people here tell me we need to negotiate (possibly about negotiating)

 

[CG1010]

@mitchmouse that's why contact is through intermediaries and hardly ever directly. Plus clubs don't try to aggressively go after such practices as it affects the industry in the long run, unless the buying club crosses the thresholds.

 

[MadDogg]

Isn't that known as "tapping up"? which is illegal

Technically yes, but in reality there's a certain amount of contact for that stuff to be worked out on all transfers. How often do you hear about two clubs agreeing a fee for a player but it not going through because the player didn't want to go or wanted a higher wage than the buying club would offer?

 

[MDFC Manager]

Isn't that known as "tapping up"? which is illegal

It is, technically, as others have explained. But has somehow become normal practice.

 

[dinostar77]

Isn't that called "tapping up"?

Happens all the time in football now.

 

[UncleBob]

This isn't FM, where someone has suddenly signed a player with everyone left behind surprised.

Dortmund have been fairly clear about Haaland not leaving this summer and Raiola hasn't made any noises.n

If someone enters into negotiations with Dortmund and Haaland, others will follow. It's not like clubs aren't already, and have been for some time, in contact with Raiola about next season.

If he's convinced about joining Chelsea, then he's convinced about joining Chelsea, but it won't be because they're the only club willing to buy him from Dortmund.

 

[Eplel]

Isn't that known as "tapping up"? which is illegal

It is illegal, but since Real Madrid used to do it with everyone and everything, and Blatter was unwilling to punish them or even call them out (even worse, he supported them), everyone started doing it and pretended that it was not illegal.

 

[Plant0x84]

Rashford is clearly less talented then other 3, at the beggining of his United career you could see his determination his work rate, that he was running and fighting for the ball its all gone recently and when It’s not there you see his flaws more then before.

Forgive me, but this is absolute hogwash. Marcus has been playing through a back/shoulder injury and a foot injury. He has put off having surgery to see out the season to benefit the team ahead of himself, and is still the second most productive player for goals and assists this season just gone. He has said himself that he knows he has been playing within himself and not hitting his highs because of this. To write him off as ‘less talented’ in these circumstances is pretty ignorant.

Our first choice front three will be Rashford left, Sancho right and Cavani/Greenwood centre. Assuming we sign Haaland in the summer he will replace Cavani in that line up. Obviously when we rotate the team Martial or Sancho might play left, or Greenwood might play right, but Ole isn’t going to drop Marcus if he’s fully fit and available to play. He’s too valuable to the way we counter on teams, as backed up by his stats.

 

[golden_blunder]

For me looking at the profile, current form, potential, decision making and also how those players improve in the past few years i would be willing to bet that if we sign Haaland then our forward line would look like this

Sancho - Haaland - Greenwood

Rashford is clearly less talented then other 3, at the beggining of his United career you could see his determination his work rate, that he was running and fighting for the ball its all gone recently and when It’s not there you see his flaws more then before.

Maybe he can turn it around, maybe being sure of the place in the team even playing good game 2 out of 10 times makes him as bad as he was recently. I really hope he can come good after that operation and a little rest, but i think the biggest problem is his decision making and that has nothing to do with injury. If you compare Sancho and Rashford performances against Ukraine It was like older brother (Sancho) was playing with his mates and then at the end they decided to let younger come in. Rashford was trying to dribble all the time and hitting she wall of players.

So yeah i think that buying Haaland would be challange for Marcus rather then Mason but i think we should focus on what is best for the United not players feeling. If we somehow manage to buy Haaland let the best player on each position win for United sake. But still City had 2-3 players for every position and being able to change player who is not performaning very well for another good player is a big advantage. In our last game in Gdańsk (that i had a chance to be part of ) Rashford was having a terrible game but because of the importance of the game Ole prefered to keep him to maybe do some magic then changing him with James. We play around 60 games a year there is a place for 17-18 players to be quite regular and have good amount of minutes among them.

few years ago when Rashford and Martial were competing for LW spot and together played 90 min like one player would their goals + assist per 90 were outstanding. Its great to have more good players on the bench then not if only we can get that kind of players we should not worry about who would play.

You’re thinking of an injured Rashford at the moment. I wish he’d have his surgery rather than going to the EC. Anyway.
Last season 21 goals, 15 assists.
Overall, 285 games, 93 goals, 56 assists. That in my book is pretty good for essentially a left winger

 

[UncleBob]

It is illegal, but since Real Madrid used to do it with everyone and everything, and Blatter was unwilling to punish them or even call them out (even worse, he supported them), everyone started doing it and pretended that it was not illegal.

Has nothing to do with Real Madrid.
It's how the world works. These days you have large agent companies, clubs are working closer with agents both in terms of signing and selling players, everyone talks. Players are in far more contact than they used to be, whatsapp etc, as well. Clubs are happy to go along with it because it works for them, but there's always overstepping certain boundaries (Liverpool and VVD) which can land you in trouble. Ole talks to Haaland, father and son, it's nothing new, and you can be certain he's trying to use it to the clubs advantage, we'd be stupid not to. Dortmund accepts it because it usually works for both parties, if they suddenly end up in a situation where players are consistently forcing their way out of the club, then they'll start protesting. It hasn't happened often, Dembele is the last one and it landed them an obscene amount of money.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

If they get a bid anywhere near 150m they are going to take it as they are only entitled to less than half that next summer.

If Chelsea get Haaland I'd make them strong favs for the league tbh. City would have to respond by getting Kane if they do.