Agreed. Our midfield's problems have been masked by the quality of attackers (Ronaldo, Rooney) and defenders (Rio, Vidic, Evra) we have had at the club. Could give us a good chance to sort the midfield out once and for all. And in Berbatov we still have a striker who can be top class.
Replacing Rooney
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I know, puts this whole Rooney thing into perspective doesn't it.
Theres no question about that...
Bale, Bale, BALE!!
Sneijder
Rodwell
All three this summer. We need a good injection of new talent.
In fact, I would say this is a full scale rebuilding project for Fergie like that we saw after RVN, Becks and Keano left.
Sneijder
Rodwell
All three this summer. We need a good injection of new talent.
In fact, I would say this is a full scale rebuilding project for Fergie like that we saw after RVN, Becks and Keano left.
Pastore, Bale, Rodwell/Defour
----Berba-Chicharito
Bale-Pastore-Rodwell-Nani
HNNNG
----Berba-Chicharito
Bale-Pastore-Rodwell-Nani
HNNNG
Benzema is a bluff, he is the new Pauleta
Jovetic. We must sign Jovetic.
He's injured, out for the season.
Jovetic when fit. Must sign Jovetic when fit.
Torres?
I reckon Hamsik and Benzema on second thoughts. Even with a new contract I'd say Sneijder is off limits. It's amazing how quickly the guts have been ripped out of our CL winning team.
Tevez gone
Ronaldo gone
Rooney going
Neville going*
Hargreaves crocked
VDS going*
Scholes going*
Giggs going*
*speculation obviously but it's a distinct possibility
Tevez gone
Ronaldo gone
Rooney going
Neville going*
Hargreaves crocked
VDS going*
Scholes going*
Giggs going*
*speculation obviously but it's a distinct possibility
with Ozil dominating for madrid its seems sensible that Kaka could be available. If he would want to really play for us then i say give him a chance.
Kaka and Benzema would seem feasible targets given their situations at Madrid, its whether we're in a position to offer Rooney to them given there's reports hes already agreed a deal with city, and also whether Madrid would want him in the first place, id argue Higauin would be a bit pissed if the current performing Wayne Rooney was going to oust him from the team.
Either way i dont see anything with Madrid being possible in January, Rooney would be ineligible for europe for them as would Benzema for us.
Either way i dont see anything with Madrid being possible in January, Rooney would be ineligible for europe for them as would Benzema for us.
Torres is too much of a sick-note.
I wouldnt getting an established superstar -- just an emerging superstar like what we did with Ronaldo & Rooney.
I wouldnt getting an established superstar -- just an emerging superstar like what we did with Ronaldo & Rooney.
Forget Bale, quality player but I'd rather give Antonio a chance than spunk 30m on Bale.
But those other 2/3
Would rather have a quality striker in aswell, cant expect to rely on both Chich and Berb. Especially considering that Berb has only just started to get some form and is also coming to the wrong side of 30. And Hernandez is simply too young.
Benzema would be a great pick-up, and am 100% certain that Fergie would get him onside pretty sharpish. Benzema of Lyon would be devastating here, as long as we get the right midfield support. Pastore and Rodwell would be perfect for us, they really would. I just cant see it though
Are people actually considering Torres? Do you think their new owners will try to endear themselves to the fans by selling one half of their first team to their most hated rivals?
Kaka' has the potential to be a talismanic player which is what we need if Rooney goes, a true world star of the game and if we can help him rediscover his form he'd be the best option as an on the pitch and off the pitch asset.
If he wants to leave like Wayne Rooney, what can they do??
Torres and Kaka are sick notes.
Benzema or Dzeko.
Benzema or Dzeko.
if we are going to do business with madrid, kaka must be in the discussion.
Berbatov - Dzeko could become a great attacking couple.
Dzekatov
Id sign pastore from palermo, get benzema from madrid + bale or rodwell. if possible both. and a new keeper of course.
This is of course assuming that the money that was there before the sale of rooney is used in addition to the funds obtained from the roo sale.
This is of course assuming that the money that was there before the sale of rooney is used in addition to the funds obtained from the roo sale.
Why does everyone want Benzema??
Midfielder/Winger = Gourcouff (Lyon) / Robben (Bayern)/ Mirko Marin/ Ganso (Brazilian U-23)/Renato Augusto/Kaka
Striker = Muller (Bayern)/Lloriente/Forlan/Rossi/Benzema/
Striker = Muller (Bayern)/Lloriente/Forlan/Rossi/Benzema/
Pastore dreams of Barcelona though.
To answer the post a couple above, a lot of people want Benzema because he has fantastic potential, even if he isn't showing it now. He suits the premier league as well.
To answer the post a couple above, a lot of people want Benzema because he has fantastic potential, even if he isn't showing it now. He suits the premier league as well.
Who knows. He has been shite for the last 2 years. He's already rejected us once and he's also currently embroiled in the underage prostitute saga.
Phew. Not just me who feels this way then.
Everyone seems to be keen to offload Rooney for Benzema all because he scored a half decent goal against us a few season back.
Muller is a good shout. The muppetry will be ridiculous until January/Summer.
Chicharito and Macheda will be enough to replace Rooney.
We need a replacement for Scholes and Giggs, that's it.
We need a replacement for Scholes and Giggs, that's it.
For me, Benzema would be a great player at United - he can dribble, shoot long range, score in the box and is great in the air. Essentially, I feel he is the nearest thing to Thierry Henry out there and like Henry, he left his successful (domestically) French club for a European giant and found out like Henry did at Juve that he made the wrong move.
I'm not sticking Rooney and Benzema on the same pedestal in terms of ability or prestige, but he would be a great acquisition none-the-less.
I feel that even if Rooney were to not join Real so we'd get Benzema in a player-plus-cash deal, then we should go for Benzema if Rooney were to join City.
The thing with Real is, we have the options to ask for cash plus a player, and one player that intrigues me would be Kaka. I can't see Real wanting to let him go, but Ozil has stepped into the same role and is making it his own. And with Ronaldo also firing, Kaka seems too good a player to be on the fringes at the Berbabeu, so hopefully he might be a realistic option.
Lassana Diarra is not an option for me; if he's not good enough for Chelsea or Real, he shouldn't be good enough for us.
Sorry mate, this keeps being said but would Macheda make the Chelsea, City, Real or Barca starting eleven?
Good squad player to have and he may mature into a good player but let's be honest, he's in his third season with us now and a few glimpses of quality aside, hasn't produced, just like Danny Welbeck.
We need to be realistic, not optimistic - Macheda would be a less than sufficient replacement for Rooney.
Hands down for strikers that are 26 up for me, we will certainly go for another potential world beater...
Benzema ? I know SAF rates him but... Its gonna a be a big gamble with his current price tag... I'd really go for Lukalu if we go for Benzema, younger and is currently on form and would cost possibly the same... Also, even though most people don't rate Diouf/Macheda/Welbeck that much yet, I'm sure we will see more of them in 2011's preseason and will be surprised of their improvements from their loan spells and hoping that Macheda gets more chances.
Wingers ? Even with Giggsy out we'd still have Obertan/Bebe/Nani/Park/Cleverly fighting for 2 positions... Not to mention Morrison has caught the eyes of people who watch the reserves... Still with the 5 people mentioned, we have the best wingers in the PL... in terms of youth and potential... ( Especially with Nani's hot form )
If we were to go for one, I'd say one of the above has to go, either E.Hazard/A.Sanchez would be nice, pacey but small... but still very efffective from what I've seen... Bale would be lovely but Spurs don't have the need to sell their best player.... Unless they are relegated or something.
The biggest point... of course is MF..
With out Scholes we really lack a player who controls games/dictates and just makes our play look smooth... I know Scholes is the best at what he does... but if he steps down... Who is the possible candidate ?
Pastore would be worth a shout last season... but he's definately out of the value policy for me... Would cost close to what Benzema left Lyon...
Hamsik ? Watched him, liked what I've seen but he really isn't similar to Scholes.... The passing of course is not as good, but the way he gets into things, tackling, shooting, defense, he's an all rounder and looks really impressive for such a young MF.
Defour is the only player we're linked with that I haven't seen much of as I don't watch the Belgium league... Youtube clips suggest an allrounder with quite a good but then again, if you compile Fletcher with his best moments, he also looks world class...
Cheap option would be to play Cleverly in CM... which of course we haven't seen yet... Possible ? Certainly is for me as he does look elegant, but again... its not been tested yet and like Fletch, for me Cleverly should get into the team from a wide position first where you can make mistakes but you have to try to express yourself as much as possible... If we play Cleverly in MF, a Fletcher and Carrick would be needed to cover him up like when we played with Keano imo.
So many options.... So much money to spend... Of course SAF will have the last laugh as it is his team, but we muppets can dream on and create a huge list from our FM findings or watching real football...
For me though...
To replace Rooney:
1. Suarez: Similar, is a very good goal scorer, strong, has pace and his link up play is pretty good... Some don't rate him, some do... Well I rate him not just because of what he did last season and not because of the WC, he is pretty good and has that goal scoring instinct that I like to see from strikers and he isn't shy to go for the spectacular.... Also he is pretty young... Thats just me though.
2. Dzeko: Strong, powerful, will get you goals by headers, by foot, he is a beast up front and will certainly be a handful for most defenders. The new Ruud ? TBF, I don't watch Wolfsburg that much but everytime I see Dzeko, he's always been a handful and I won't be surprised if we do opt for him.
3. Aguero: An Argie... oh not again... But if we're talking about potential... this young lad has it all... Has that individual knack in him to win games with just a touch and his pace is just blistering... Would do well out wide and cut inside too from what I've seen, relatively small for a CF but hey, Zola made it why not Aguero ? Aguero might not have Zola's technique and creativity but his blistering pace really makes up for it... Hernandez-Aguero would probably be the quickest partnership in the world ( Just for the sake of pace )
Lastly Benzema... : Huge price tag, has looked off the pace in Laliga, not the quickest but very strong... Has not progressed since he opted a big team move...
He has the skill but his confidence is low and is a bit similar to what we are seeing of Rooney at this moment... He just hasn't blended in with Real and Higuain looks a better potential...
The thing is, Pelligrini never wanted the boy... it was a Perez signing and you can certainly tell and as history goes, players that are signed by the club owners ala Sheva etc... Do not make it as they don't fit the coaches plans...
RM would have beaten Barca last season if they were smart enough to keep Robben/Sneijder/Negredo... But as Galaticos goes, those three players dont' sell enough shirts I imagine...
Benzema would have like a 20m price tag, would be a bigger risk than the above with his low confidence, you can argue that Dzeko/Aguero would cost more, but as they are playing consistently then usually the price is higher imo.
Players I've missed ( Lukalu, Llorente, Fernando T, Pato, Neymar, Rossi ? I watched Rossi vs Hercules and I mean his touch was there, good close control but he wasn't entirely better than anything we already have imo. ) Forlan is too old, even though the lad has come out with nice interviews about us, SAF won't go for a 30yr old.
Benzema ? I know SAF rates him but... Its gonna a be a big gamble with his current price tag... I'd really go for Lukalu if we go for Benzema, younger and is currently on form and would cost possibly the same... Also, even though most people don't rate Diouf/Macheda/Welbeck that much yet, I'm sure we will see more of them in 2011's preseason and will be surprised of their improvements from their loan spells and hoping that Macheda gets more chances.
Wingers ? Even with Giggsy out we'd still have Obertan/Bebe/Nani/Park/Cleverly fighting for 2 positions... Not to mention Morrison has caught the eyes of people who watch the reserves... Still with the 5 people mentioned, we have the best wingers in the PL... in terms of youth and potential... ( Especially with Nani's hot form )
If we were to go for one, I'd say one of the above has to go, either E.Hazard/A.Sanchez would be nice, pacey but small... but still very efffective from what I've seen... Bale would be lovely but Spurs don't have the need to sell their best player.... Unless they are relegated or something.
The biggest point... of course is MF..
With out Scholes we really lack a player who controls games/dictates and just makes our play look smooth... I know Scholes is the best at what he does... but if he steps down... Who is the possible candidate ?
Pastore would be worth a shout last season... but he's definately out of the value policy for me... Would cost close to what Benzema left Lyon...
Hamsik ? Watched him, liked what I've seen but he really isn't similar to Scholes.... The passing of course is not as good, but the way he gets into things, tackling, shooting, defense, he's an all rounder and looks really impressive for such a young MF.
Defour is the only player we're linked with that I haven't seen much of as I don't watch the Belgium league... Youtube clips suggest an allrounder with quite a good but then again, if you compile Fletcher with his best moments, he also looks world class...
Cheap option would be to play Cleverly in CM... which of course we haven't seen yet... Possible ? Certainly is for me as he does look elegant, but again... its not been tested yet and like Fletch, for me Cleverly should get into the team from a wide position first where you can make mistakes but you have to try to express yourself as much as possible... If we play Cleverly in MF, a Fletcher and Carrick would be needed to cover him up like when we played with Keano imo.
So many options.... So much money to spend... Of course SAF will have the last laugh as it is his team, but we muppets can dream on and create a huge list from our FM findings or watching real football...
For me though...
To replace Rooney:
1. Suarez: Similar, is a very good goal scorer, strong, has pace and his link up play is pretty good... Some don't rate him, some do... Well I rate him not just because of what he did last season and not because of the WC, he is pretty good and has that goal scoring instinct that I like to see from strikers and he isn't shy to go for the spectacular.... Also he is pretty young... Thats just me though.
2. Dzeko: Strong, powerful, will get you goals by headers, by foot, he is a beast up front and will certainly be a handful for most defenders. The new Ruud ? TBF, I don't watch Wolfsburg that much but everytime I see Dzeko, he's always been a handful and I won't be surprised if we do opt for him.
3. Aguero: An Argie... oh not again... But if we're talking about potential... this young lad has it all... Has that individual knack in him to win games with just a touch and his pace is just blistering... Would do well out wide and cut inside too from what I've seen, relatively small for a CF but hey, Zola made it why not Aguero ? Aguero might not have Zola's technique and creativity but his blistering pace really makes up for it... Hernandez-Aguero would probably be the quickest partnership in the world ( Just for the sake of pace )
Lastly Benzema... : Huge price tag, has looked off the pace in Laliga, not the quickest but very strong... Has not progressed since he opted a big team move...
He has the skill but his confidence is low and is a bit similar to what we are seeing of Rooney at this moment... He just hasn't blended in with Real and Higuain looks a better potential...
The thing is, Pelligrini never wanted the boy... it was a Perez signing and you can certainly tell and as history goes, players that are signed by the club owners ala Sheva etc... Do not make it as they don't fit the coaches plans...
RM would have beaten Barca last season if they were smart enough to keep Robben/Sneijder/Negredo... But as Galaticos goes, those three players dont' sell enough shirts I imagine...
Benzema would have like a 20m price tag, would be a bigger risk than the above with his low confidence, you can argue that Dzeko/Aguero would cost more, but as they are playing consistently then usually the price is higher imo.
Players I've missed ( Lukalu, Llorente, Fernando T, Pato, Neymar, Rossi ? I watched Rossi vs Hercules and I mean his touch was there, good close control but he wasn't entirely better than anything we already have imo. ) Forlan is too old, even though the lad has come out with nice interviews about us, SAF won't go for a 30yr old.
Whilst I like the way you think, Kaka is a no go here. Fergie will not bring in a player at his age. No resale value. The days of berba-esque signings are gone.
I think benzema is the best we can go from madrid.
because SAF had his todger out for him.
I like the sound of Suarez as well, not just that it's a funny word to say but he's a quality striker with seventy goals in two years...those who claim he wouldn't be able to cut it in a 'bigger' league due to the failures of Kezman and Alves are naive.
But at twenty-nine, why would we want to re-sell him? I am saying he could come as part of the deal if Rooney were to go to Real (which is a big IF), we wouldn't essentially be paying any money for him and would also receive surplus funds in the package to add another player as well....
Pros - He has openly stated in the past his admiration for United.
Ferguson just loves players who have scored against in the past (Andy Cole, Teddy Sheringham, Alan Smith, Louis Saha, Carlos Tevez, Michael Owen etc) which both Kaka and Benzema have both done...
Proven Champions League performer.
Speaks fluent English.
Little challenge to his attacking midfielder position with Scholes' pending retirement.
Cons - He belongs to Jesus....
whilst I do not agree with evangelicals, maybe this part isn't so bad right now all things considering.
Regarding Kaka's age, any expensive players will be 26 or younger. Even if you swap say kaka + 10 million for rooney, you are effectively pricing kaka at 30-40 million quid. That opportunity cost is very real and the club wont spend it on a 29 year old player that has essentially zero value after his contract is up here.
It is a shit policy IMO, but that's the situation we are in right now.
There are also questions still about his fitness even when he comes back healthy. I am biased towards Kaka, but the club might feel that if they aren't going to get the Kaka of 2007, then it isn't worth it at all.
Some of you have replaced him with a complete midfield and striker partnership 
he's just 19.
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