Sofyan Amrabat | signs for United on loan

[croadyman]

If I were them, I would stick around at Real than joining United. Zero chance of us prying them loose, this summer at least.

What's the harm in at least giving it a go

 

[December_16]

What's the harm in at least giving it a go

I’m confused. Aren’t you the same one who said in the Tchouameni thread that this wouldn’t happen in a million years, literally today?

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Henderson yes but I don't think we could have feasibly expected more for the other two.

You don't think we could have possibly expected to get more than 10m euros up front for a Brazil international midfielder who's been a starter for Man Utd for most of the last 4 years and has very good stats?

I would have personally.

 

[croadyman]

I’m confused. Aren’t you the same one who said in the Tchouameni thread that this wouldn’t happen in a million years, literally today?

Yeah but tonight's transfers is giving me stupid belief we should give it a go

 

[December_16]

Yeah but tonight's transfers is giving me stupid belief we should give it a go

Haha a go to what end? Ask Real if any of their young CM stars are available, and they say: “Come back with £150M and we’ll talk”, is that the scenario in your head? When Rice or Caicedo go for what they went for, is there even the tiniest possibility that a Valverde or a Tchouameni be any less than that? And even if we somehow miraculously sign one, where do they even play? Benching any one of Casemiro, Bruno or Mount?

 

[croadyman]

Haha a go to what end? Ask Real if any of their young CM stars are available, and they say: “Come back with £150M and we’ll talk”, is that the scenario in your head? When Rice or Caicedo go for what they went for, is there even the tiniest possibility that a Valverde or a Tchouameni be any less than that? And even if we somehow miraculously sign one, where do they even play? Benching any one of Casemiro, Bruno or Mount?

Worry about where they play when you actually manage to get them through door

 

[December_16]

Worry about where they play when you actually manage to get them through door

This mentality is what got us to sign Pogba, Ronaldo, Sancho, etc. Chasing after the hottest names with no real plan what to do.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Worry about where they play when you actually manage to get them through door

Be totally honest, you've seen that Liverpool have a shiny new player and you're just feeling a bit jealous aren't you?

We don't need a starting holding midfielder right now, we need backup and also need a backup defender on a finite amount of money.

Once we need a new starting midfielder in that position (assuming Mainoo hasn't worked out) we will sign one don't worry. There will always be good players to sign.

 

[croadyman]

This mentality is what got us to sign Pogba, Ronaldo, Sancho, etc. Chasing after the hottest names with no real plan what to do.

I am absolutely shitting it with our midfield quality,we shouldn't wait until Casemiro is declining before planning for his successor

 

[December_16]

I am absolutely shitting it with our midfield quality,we shouldn't wait until Casemiro is declining before planning for his successor

Like OverratedOpinion said, you should chill out for a bit and see what transpires over the next year or two.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

I am absolutely shitting it with our midfield quality,we shouldn't wait until Casemiro is declining before planning for his successor

I’m not shitting it but for me
Amrabat
Casemiro
Mount

Feels very much like a midfield put together for this coming season or two. In the long run we’re leaving ourselves too much rebuilding to do very soon in the deeper areas to match our rivals - no huge dead cert talent in there in those roles. Can only hope Mainoo steps up.

 

[croadyman]

Be totally honest, you've seen that Liverpool have a shiny new player and you're just feeling a bit jealous aren't you?

We don't need a starting holding midfielder right now, we need backup and also need a backup defender on a finite amount of money.

Once we need a new starting midfielder in that position (assuming Mainoo hasn't worked out) we will sign one don't worry. There will always be good players to sign.

So are you in the Pavard/Todibo camp in regards to a backup CB then. Also should we go for Lavia or Amrabat for that backup midfielder

 

[OverratedOpinion]

So are you in the Pavard/Todibo camp in regards to a backup CB then. Also should we go for Lavia or Amrabat for that backup midfielder

If I had my choice out of those 4 I'd go with Todibo and Lavia.

 

[croadyman]

If I had my choice out of those 4 I'd go with Todibo and Lavia.

I would only go with Todibo IF that's who Erik sees as his Varane successor. However if he's still not sure then would sign Pavard for the experience and flexibility to play two positions.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

I would only go with Todibo IF that's who Erik sees as his Varane successor. However if he's still not sure then would sign Pavard for the experience and flexibility to play two positions.

Fair enough, I'd worry about getting pinned back aerially if Varane was unavailable and we were starting Martinez and Pavard.

 

[croadyman]

Fair enough, I'd worry about getting pinned back aerially if Varane was unavailable and we were starting Martinez and Pavard.

Pavard is not a complete mug in the air,also keep hearing contrasting things about Todibo in terms of aerial ability

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Pavard is not a complete mug in the air,also keep hearing contrasting things about Todibo in terms of aerial ability

He's not great honestly.

Over the last year he lost 1.28 aerial duels per 90 and won 67% of his aerial duels.

That puts him just above average compared to centre backs. Then when you consider nearly half his starts were at right back where he would have been competing with wingers who are typically not as good in the air as strikers.

That might be fine but he'd be covering for Varane who is one of the most dominant defenders in the world in the air.

Same stats

Varane only lost 0.66 duels per game and win 77%. Both put him in the 97th and 99th percentile (basically the best in Europe or very close). I think this is hugely important for Martinez.

Todibo is much closer to Varane than Pavard in this aspect. He only loses 0.87 aerial battles per 90 which puts him in the 90th percentile compared to Pavard who's in the 54th percentile for this stat.

 

[croadyman]

He's not great honestly.

Over the last year he lost 1.28 aerial duels per 90 and won 67% of his aerial duels.

That puts him just above average compared to centre backs. Then when you consider nearly half his starts were at right back where he would have been competing with winters who are typically not as good in the air as strikers.

That might be fine but he'd be covering for Varane who is one of the most dominant defenders in the world in the air.

Same stats

Varane only lost 0.66 duels per game and win 77%. Both put him in the 97th and 99th percentile (basically the best in Europe or very close). I think this is hugely important for Martinez.

Todibo is much closer to Varane than Pavard in this aspect. He only loses 0.87 aerial battles per 90 which puts him in the 90th percentile compared to Pavard who's in the 54th percentile for this stat.

Whoever Erik chooses I will fully back the decision,personally think we could sign both & Amrabat if we sold McTominay too

 

[amolbhatia50k]

Pavard is not a complete mug in the air,also keep hearing contrasting things about Todibo in terms of aerial ability

For Martinez’s partner aerial ability and pace should ideally be the two main qualities we need (defending aside). On the ball, between Martinez and Onana there’s a lot of ability in playing out of the back.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Whoever Erik chooses I will fully back the decision,personally think we could sign both & Amrabat if we sold McTominay too

We won't sign both.

 

[amolbhatia50k]

He's not great honestly.

Over the last year he lost 1.28 aerial duels per 90 and won 67% of his aerial duels.

That puts him just above average compared to centre backs. Then when you consider nearly half his starts were at right back where he would have been competing with wingers who are typically not as good in the air as strikers.

That might be fine but he'd be covering for Varane who is one of the most dominant defenders in the world in the air.

Same stats

Varane only lost 0.66 duels per game and win 77%. Both put him in the 97th and 99th percentile (basically the best in Europe or very close). I think this is hugely important for Martinez.

Todibo is much closer to Varane than Pavard in this aspect. He only loses 0.87 aerial battles per 90 which puts him in the 90th percentile compared to Pavard who's in the 54th percentile for this stat.

Based on this, neither of the options seem to be the right fit for us unless we have seen potential for improvement in this aspect.

 

[croadyman]

We won't sign both.

Yeah actually not in this window,however could always pick up Todibo in January

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Based on this, neither of the options seem to be the right fit for us unless we have seen potential for improvement in this aspect.

I don't think Todibo is a bad option based on the stats (not going to lie and say I've watched him play a dozen times).

 

[KeanoMagicHat]

The prices quoted for Amrabat vs Caicedo, Paqueta and others means we need to be on this sharpish. He's as good as them and ready to move to the next level and finally not being ripped off.

 

[Rolaholic]

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[nainaisson]

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Why would Amrabat want to join that crime family of a club?

 

[crossy1686]

Worry about where they play when you actually manage to get them through door

That’s got to be some of the worst advice ever. You sign players you need in certain positions to improve your team, not sign players that might be available because Liverpool have bid daft money.

 

[AltiUn]

Presumably dead in the water now we're keeping the Scottish Zidane.

 

[Red Royal]

Such a shame if we pass on the option of picking him up for the reported £25M or so. His skillset would be do handy for our squad in what will be a long season for us.

 

[Annihilate Now!]

Presumably dead in the water now we're keeping the Scottish Zidane.

We've still lost Fred and VDB though, think we definitely need to bring someone in.

 

[Vault Dweller]

This will still get done. We've lost a few players in midfield now and even if we keep McT we still need another body.

 

[AltiUn]

We've still lost Fred and VDB though, think we definitely need to bring someone in.

I don't think Fred and VDB will cover his fee, I thought most reports said we'd only be going for someone if we sold all 3.

 

[ShinjiNinja26]

I don't think Fred and VDB will cover his fee, I thought most reports said we'd only be going for someone if we sold all 3.

According to Romano we’ll move for Amrabat as soon as Fred and VdB‘s moves are finalised.

 

[Xaviboy]

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Can't really blame him for going. Chap been waiting all summer for us to make a move and seems we are slow trying to offload players.

I do hope we get him but chap has patience of a Saint, fair play if move to us does happen.

 

[Paul778]

I don't think Fred and VDB will cover his fee, I thought most reports said we'd only be going for someone if we sold all 3.

Our third goalkeeper is also leaving for 8M. This must get done or we're going to be so short handed.

 

[RuudTom83]

The loudest voice in this transfer is Fiorentina's trying to get something for him in his last year on his contract.

 

[croadyman]

Presumably dead in the water now we're keeping the Scottish Zidane.

I think I would lose a lot of hope

 

[Trex]

Presumably dead in the water now we're keeping the Scottish Zidane.

It was never dependent on Scott. Romano always said it will be done after Fred and Donny departure. United have never been seeking to actively sell Scott.

 

[King7Eric]

I don't think Fred and VDB will cover his fee, I thought most reports said we'd only be going for someone if we sold all 3.

No report said that. Romano has said multiple times Utd will go for a new CM once Fred and Donny leave.

But, if we do manage to sell McTominay I wouldn't be surprised to see us go for a more expensive option than Amrabat. If McT is not sold, then I guess we'll sign Amrabat.

 

[Superunknown]

I'm thinking that either:

a) we're not all that serious about signing this guy.

or

b) we will take too long and he'll get moved on before we agree a deal.

Or both of these can be true.