And the fact that Meireles and Ozil are so dissimilar that they're not linked in any way, if we wanted Meireles we'd be getting him regardless of Ozil and vice-versa.
Raul Meireles
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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?
What kind of midfielder would people categorize Meireles as? When I've seen him play he looks neat and tidy in possession, and makes some decent runs in to the opposition area. But I wouldn't say he's the most creative passer. What's he like defensively? Is he a box to box midfielder?
Not what we need. Next.
Weren't there rumours on twitter that we'd had a bid turned down by Porto for this guy?
He's box to box and can score a couple of goals. He's got a pretty handy shot. But another Fletcher/Anderson which is simply what we do not need in a midfielder. I mean maybe we do short term with Anderson's injury. But when he returns we'd have too many of the same type of midfielder.
Yeah, he's much more comparable to Darren Fletcher than Mesut Özil.
This article sums up the British press' lack of knowledge regarding European football.
You can say that about any paper or website. Occasionally, they get it right but I doubt it this time plus, he's 27.
That's probably the biggest obstacle; his age. We only sign Bebes nowadays..
(I'll get my coat...)
He is basically a slightly older slightly more defensive Darren Fletcher.
Indeed
ManUtdPortugal - @BenHibbs @stevebartram1 @nickcoppack We understand that Manchester United have been in touch TODAY with FC Porto about Raul Meireles
Hargreaves replacement then I guess.
Fergie, you can't possibly go tell that the 28- year old player who would cost a minimum of 15 millions and would be a backup for our current midfield is "value for money"?!
The most obvious gap in our squad, that's for sure.
Can this cnut take a decent free-kick?
27
He was Portugal's stand out man in the WC imoHas he got Ozil's jersey yet?
I'm not sure but he's got a good shot on him. So I wouldnt be a surprise if he can.
Probably wouldnt be able to match Hargreaves' accuracy from a freekick.
Yes, he was....and I hoped we would sign him.....two years ago!27
Now, I don't see what he can bring to the team that we don't already have.....and we would be spending money needlesly...
We already have a hardworking defensively solid player in Fletch. Anyway even when Hargreaves was fit he didn't play in the middle that much.
I've watched Portugal a few times, can't say i noticed him much even if he had played.
Was he in the Porto side when we played them a couple of seasons ago?
Was he in the Porto side when we played them a couple of seasons ago?
Well he'd improve our midfield 3. And with say Fletcher and Raul Meireles next to him, Scholes should have enough freedom to be as effective as he can be at this point.
Not sure a combo of Fletcher and Meireles would get us anywhere in a 4-4-2 though.
Could do with some back-up though.
Hargreaves didn't play in the middle much because we had better options, I doubt this will be the case much longer.
At the end of the day, Hargreaves' is an experienced international in the peak of his career who brings a lot of drive, energy and determination to our midfield (at least in theory). If Fergie sees a need for a player like this in our squad - and the presence of Hargreaves suggests he does - I wouldn't be surprised at all if he cut his losses and signed a ready-made replacement.
Not my first choice - but he would certainly improve our midfield. He has some qualities we lack.
The lack of effective cover for Darren Fletcher has cost us far far more in recent years than the supposed lack of "a creative midfielder." Staggering to think anybody could have missed this, just look at the big games we've lost due to Fletcher's absence.
I don't know much about Meireles, but if we were to sign any kind of player I'd want it to be somebody who could cover for Fletch and Meireles seems the type. To my mind Defour would be ideal, but really anybody who is good enough would be hugely useful.
I don't know much about Meireles, but if we were to sign any kind of player I'd want it to be somebody who could cover for Fletch and Meireles seems the type. To my mind Defour would be ideal, but really anybody who is good enough would be hugely useful.
Like tattoos.
Is he a playmaker kind? Or a Fletcher kind?
If he is more Fletch than Ozil and is a good quality player, then I'd be happy we got him. I only saw him in the WC and even then really wasn't watching for how he played.
But, having only Fletcher as a Fletcher type player right now is my biggest worry going into this season. Anderson - he can fill the role but, with a serious knee injury - who knows how many setbacks he may face and how soon he'll get back to even his previous levels - let alone improved levels.
Maybe he isn't the guy for the price but, a player that can back up Fletch this season I think is very important.
But, having only Fletcher as a Fletcher type player right now is my biggest worry going into this season. Anderson - he can fill the role but, with a serious knee injury - who knows how many setbacks he may face and how soon he'll get back to even his previous levels - let alone improved levels.
Maybe he isn't the guy for the price but, a player that can back up Fletch this season I think is very important.
Whats his pace like?
He's a strong runner but an average footballer and a complete knob.
Would be a very underwhelming signing, this. Doubt there's anything to it.
How reliable is this guy?
Fletcher part 2
Probably what makes it likely. What with Sir Alex's comments about not needing anything major. And our general transfer policy over the past few seasons.
Thats not to say that the signings end up underwhelming with their contributions. Usually they've ended up good players. But we rarely go for the perceived best players out there/available.
I would be very happy with this signing but £15M is alot.
considering it looks like we are going to go 442 more often than not, and when we do go 451 we do it with 3 more traditional centre mids, a traditional centre mid (as this guy is) is a more likely signing than someone like Ozil.
I do think we need someone to share the burden of defensive responsibility off Fletcher - and I doubt Hargreaves is going to be the one that does that.
I do think we need someone to share the burden of defensive responsibility off Fletcher - and I doubt Hargreaves is going to be the one that does that.
yet we paid that kind of sum for anderson and hargreaves
Will never improve your first team, can be a decent back up. Many Porto fans will be happy to see him leave for the kind of money being quoted, which doesn't happen with world class players.
Is Hibbs remotely reliable? I'd have thought if we wanted a Hargreaves then Khedira would have been a more likely choice.
Anderson is a potential star and Hargreaves was a very important part of one of the major teams in Europe, Meireles is neither.
Would be strange to see us pay £15m for someone who's not going to be a starter, but maybe it just reflects the market really. Can't see it but who knows.
The tweet above isn't from Hibbs but, directed at him and the other 2 people from ManUtdPortugal - whoever that is.
Hibbs is somewhat reliable as he is a journo at United but, not 100%.