Blaise Matuidi

[Yagami]

I know, I know.... but there's nothing about Matuidi that makes me think he'd be a worthwhile signing. I mean, I don't even think he's that good at breaking up play as well. With PSG having usually dominating possession, Silva sometimes steps into the midfield to win the ball back the majority of the time the opposition are on the break making his job a whole lot easier.

If we do sign him, I hope I've just not seen him at his best and he comes in and becomes a rock for us, but, at the moment, that's my opinion of him.

 

[Pexbo]

I might be wrong but I reckon this is all his agent's work. Much like Pedro last year, he's decided to move and he's doing all he can in the press which includes pulling out name into it to get maximum coverage. I expect it's his agent that has offered him to us for €25m and we're mulling it over because, why wouldn't you?, he's a good player but I doubt we are actively chasing him as any sort of target we identified ourselves.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him get his premier league debut at Everton if Mata decides he doesn't want to go there.

 

[ThanksBoss26]

This would be a Mourinho style signing for me. Hard working, functional, team player who he can fully trust to carry out a job for him consistently.

Not idea if the rumour is true but he wouldn't be the last player with those characteristics he signs during his time with us. I wouldn't have been alone in wondering what the hell he was doing signing Willian to edge out Mata at Chelsea, but it soon became apparent he was far more his type of player.

I still don't think this would affect any potential Pogba deal, though I don't think that particular saga will reach a conclusion for some weeks.

 

[Millertime88]

Excellent post.

Moreover, United is not Ajax Amsterdam: our business model is not to hire very young players and sell them at the age of 25 in order to survive or make money.

However, you can't compare Di Maria with Pogba who already knows life in Manchester.

True, I have no doubt I am just overly paranoid after the Di Maria blunder.

 

[Oneunited26]

Especially when 3 of the 4's legs have gone and one of them can't stay fit for five minutes. I'm hoping the fact Jose chose to sign Carrick to 1 more year means he'll move Schweinsteiger on, the MLS might be a good fit for him now.

Agreed, if Matuidi is replacing one of the CM's in the squad and we still buy Pogba or another creative CM then it's good, but another water carrier is all we add it will be a let down.

Jose should just have let carrick go, his legs have gone, same with bastian. In rooney, carrick and bastian they are passengers, already we do have to move on mata and fellaini, 2 no10's we don't need when we have herrera and rooney fighting for that no10 position. That leaves us with just Morgan has our only CM player not ageing, the options currently in our CM are not great. In reality, we do need 2 more midfielders, because bastian, carrick, fellaini I feel should be gone. I feel next season 2017/18 Jose may get his squad he wants in place, that is balanced, and already established. If jose some how manages to convince Pogba, it will be some manager coup, because all I see from pogba is Madrid bound

Our current CM options
CM
carrick, bastian, morgan
no10's
fellaini, mata, herrera, rooney
wideboys
martial, memphis, Mkhitaryan

We still are overstocked on no10's, 2 of those 4 have to go, which fellaini and mata will make the cut. Has we see, we are very short on actual specialist CM players, when 2 of the 3 are ageing and injury prone

 

[izec]

I might be wrong but I reckon this is all his agent's work. Much like Pedro last year, he's decided to move and he's doing all he can in the press which includes pulling out name into it to get maximum coverage. I expect it's his agent that has offered him to us for €25m and we're mulling it over because, why wouldn't you?, he's a good player but I doubt we are actively chasing him as any sort of target we identified ourselves.

I wouldn't be surprised to see him get his premier league debut at Everton if Mata decides he doesn't want to go there.

What? If i understood correctly, you suggest Matudi could go to Everton?

No chance

 

[Pexbo]

What? If i understood correctly, you suggest Matudi could go to Everton?

No chance

I meant to say "payday" rather than debut there. I think that's what he's looking for and fair enough at 29. I'm actually a really big fan of his, I just don't see a spot for him at United, Tottenham, City, Chelsea or Arsenal and Everton have a lot of money now. I wouldn't rule it out.

 

[sunama]

Think he'd be a better option than lasagna?

No, but I think, he'll be better than Tagliatelle or Penne.

 

[Riz]

Hate to say it cause Matuidi has impressed me whenever I've seen him but I'll be a bit underwhelmed after all this Pogba talk if it's Matuidi that's our midfield signing.

At the moment we've got Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Blind, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Fellaini for 2 positions.

Now if we assume Blind is used as defensive cover and Fellaini is sold (at least I hope so instead of Scheiderlin or Herrera) then that's still 4 for 2 positions meaning we'd probably only sign 1 further midfielder. I don't think Matuidi adds enough of what we're missing with our current options if he's our sole midfield signing.

 

[LawCharltonBest]

Downgrade on Schneiderlin. Especially as I'd expect Schneiderlin to be a lot closer to his form pre-philosphy

Wouldn't be impressed if this is our midfield signing. At 29, he can surely only play this high intensity box to box role for a couple more seasons anyway?

 

[Dong Fangzhuo]

I don't really understand the negativity around this rumour. Admittedly I've only seen him in CL matches for PSG but I can't recall him ever having a bad game. In fact he's been outstanding almost every time I've seen him. Pogba may not be quite as unrealistic as we thought he was a few weeks ago, but it's still odds against we manage to sign him, and signing Matuidi won't impact that at all either way.

 

[JB08]

Great player, not the best signing.

 

[Carlsen19]

Downgrade on Schneiderlin. Especially as I'd expect Schneiderlin to be a lot closer to his form pre-philosphy

Wouldn't be impressed if this is our midfield signing. At 29, he can surely only play this high intensity box to box role for a couple more seasons anyway?

He's really not.

 

[Riz]

Great player, not the best signing.

Exactly this. It'd be similar to us signing Xabi Alonso in the sense of we already have his qualities covered by our current options but that doesn't detract from the quality of the player.

 

[JPRouve]

I meant to say "payday" rather than debut there. I think that's what he's looking for and fair enough at 29. I'm actually a really big fan of his, I just don't see a spot for him at United, Tottenham, City, Chelsea or Arsenal and Everton have a lot of money now. I wouldn't rule it out.

You think that Everton are going to pay him more than 12m?

And Everton don't have a lot of money, they have a rich owner.

 

[Raees]

Downgrade on Schneiderlin. Especially as I'd expect Schneiderlin to be a lot closer to his form pre-philosphy

Wouldn't be impressed if this is our midfield signing. At 29, he can surely only play this high intensity box to box role for a couple more seasons anyway?

How on earth is he a downgrade on Schneiderlin... has Schneiderlin dominated good teams in the CL?

 

[Devil may care]

Agreed with everything here, though I still think Schweinsteiger can show his quality if rotated effectively. Good point about Rooney, though - Mourinho said he won't be a midfielder, which means a 433 without him, or a 4231 with him (which changes the dynamic of the midfield completely). I'm a fan of Rooney and think we are better with him, but if the rumours about Pogba are true, this could be the season where Rooney really needs to be demoted to being a squad player, unless he seriously picks up form (which is a big if).

Weigl is excellent. I know he's young and this is his breakthrough season, but i'm still surprised at how under the radar he is. He's been one of the most impressive young players in Europe this year, for me.

The thing with Schweinsteiger is he's always injured and we are already going to be managing the games of a 35 year old in the same position, just not ideal in the PL IMO. The thing for me is even if we disocunt Pogba for a moment we have Carrick, Herrera, Martial, Ibra and Mkhitaryan all best suited to playing 4-3--3, only Rooney would benefit from 4-2-3-1 as it makes Herrera and Carrick in particular ineffective.

Then I look at this:

------------Ibra

Martial---Rooney---Mkhitaryan

----Matuidi---Schneiderlin

It doesn't really fill me with confidence in terms of being well balanced, it's too slow in the center of attack and the midfield has no creativity or real passing quality in it..

Agreed on Weigl, his understanding of the holding role is very impressive for such a young player in his first big season, tremendous bit of scouting from Dortmund to pick him up so cheap.

 

[Oo0AahCantona]

He's fecking class, but Pogba is the better investment.

 

[ReDDHDevilS]

Correct me if I'm wrong, I thought he'd a rather poor season.
He isn't a bad player though and a couple of years ago, I'd have taken him without a shadow of doubt.
But now if I'm being honest, I'm not too keen on signing him.

 

[Pexbo]

You think that Everton are going to pay him more than 12m?

And Everton don't have a lot of money, they have a rich owner.

Have you got a source for that wage? I've seen €120,000 a week quoted.

It's just pure speculation from me anyway. It's got all the hallmarks of a busy agent whoring his player out. "Manchester United are actively trying to sign him", "Ancelotti promised him first team football".

As I said, I don't see any of the top teams with a great need for him (they all have other areas or players to focus on) and Everton are the next obvious ones. I'm putting 2+2 together and getting 5.

 

[Ecstatic]

Let's be serious.

Matuidi will never be interested in joining Everton.

 

[BBRBB]

No, because he wasn't injured last season if my memories are good. 2015/16: he has played with PSG & France 62 games so far.

However, he started very well last season by scoring many decisive goals but has slightly declined in quality from October

In any case, nothing to do with the story of Falcao (there is a before & an after January 2014 regarding the Columbian).

What does @BBRBB think about Matuidi?

Matuidi is a player with good all around skills. He didn't have his best season in 15/16 but I don't think he's in decline yet although at 29 most of his peak years are probably behind him.

His technique is solid but not stellar, he doesn't do hollywood balls or fancy dribbles but his weight of passing and accuracy is usually very good. His first touch is average which sometimes lead him to struggle a bit in small spaces or take a bit too much time on the ball. That makes him best partnered with more technical players like Verratti to beat pressing more easily, I don't think Schneiderlin is good enough in this regard.

His workrate and energy is his defining feature. He works a lot to harass opponents and keep a compact shape defensively and offers good runs in possession. His crossing and finishing are interesting for a midfielder and he can ping a through ball when needed. He more than once covered space for 2 when we were reduced to 10 men.

It's a turning point for him ang PSG. Either he spends the rest of his good years in Paris or he goes for one last big challenge in a foreign club. I'm not sure what's going on with the current speculation, I expect the dust to clear after the Euros.

I'm sure Mourinho rates him a lot. When facing PSG with Chelsea he made sure to strengthen his right side. €25m seems a bargain I would rather expect 40 but the market is weird and hard to predict.

 

[Ecstatic]

This would be a Mourinho style signing for me. Hard working, functional, team player who he can fully trust to carry out a job for him consistently.

Absolutely. Mourinho has said today many times the term 'aggressive'.

 

[Frank Grimes]

Matuidi is a really good player so surprised so many people are negative towards the possibility of him joining. He was brilliant the season before last but was not as impressive last season from the games I watched in CL. Still would be an improvement on any of our current midfielders in my view.

 

[JPRouve]

Have you got a source for that wage? I've seen €120,000 a week quoted.

It's just pure speculation from me anyway. It's got all the hallmarks of a busy agent whoring his player out. "Manchester United are actively trying to sign him", "Ancelotti promised him first team football".

As I said, I don't see any of the top teams with a great need for him (they all have other areas or players to focus on) and Everton are the next obvious ones. I'm putting 2+2 together and getting 5.

The source is France Football.

 

[Eddy_JukeZ]

Who's linked us with Matuidi?

Lots of new pages.

 

[Ecstatic]

Who's linked us with Matuidi?

Lots of new pages.

French journalists

 

[Devil may care]

Absolutely. Mourinho has said today many times the term 'aggressive'.

That's not all he likes though, he values a proper ball playing CM in there as well like Alonso, Modric and Fabregas, and we are short of one of those but not short of grafters.

 

[Jacky Quacky]

Hes alright but I really want to see Schneiderlin come into his own next season. Assuming we are going to play 4231 Schneiderlin is much better there than a 433. Like we saw it at times against Everton, Man City, his ability to intercept the ball then turn it into attack is undervalued, shame Van Gaal made him sit deep the entire time and never have licence to go forward. Schneiderlin and Pogba as our pivot would be fantastic going into next season, Schneiderlin and Matuidi would not as they are both similar players and dont offer much going forward. Matuidi is also quite old at 29 he is only going to get worse whereas Schneiderlin is only 26 so still has time on his side.

 

[Ecstatic]

That's not all he likes though, he values a proper ball playing CM in there as well like Alonso, Modric and Fabregas, and we are short of one of those but not short of grafters.

Let's say he is the French Ramires

 

[RC89]

What point of mine suggested we need another fundamental striker? You can replace forward poster big with a midfield poster boy, that's it. If you don't have another poster boy then you would be at risk dropping Mr. Manchester.

All sign point toward we need this statement signing even in SAF's last few years. We actively look at the big next thing while Rooney were still performing. We signed RVP and made him sound like King Eric MKII, and ready to boot Rooney if we can lure Bale.



This is opinion matter so we can disagree and leave it here.

Apologies. When you said Rooney and Zlatan I assumed you were getting at our striking options.

 

[R.N7]

Blasé, Blasé Matuidi

 

[WPMUFC]

Has Di Marzio commented yet? Considering he seems to almost be on level with the BBC for our transfers, his next MUFC post might shine a light on all this.

 

[Eric'sCollar]

Have been calling for us to get him for years now. Personally see nothing in this rumour other than getting his name out there but I would be ecstatic to see him at United. Obviously would have preferred it 3 or 4 years ago and Pogba would be a much better signing but I think he is one the most underrated midfielders in Europe. Would suit the EPL and a Mourinho side perfectly.

 

[RedPnutz]

At 25m euros, seems like good value. A Mourinho type player - strong, athletic, good work rate, technically good. However feels more like a supplementary signing then the priority.

Also, I think this is a smokescreen / bargaining position with Juve.

 

[RedTiger]

I don't normally comment on transfers or even players but I've always liked Matuidi, he's the epitome of the classic central midfielder.

 

[Fer]

Would you prefer Matuidi over Kante?

 

[reddevilz007]

The thing with Schweinsteiger is he's always injured and we are already going to be managing the games of a 35 year old in the same position, just not ideal in the PL IMO. The thing for me is even if we disocunt Pogba for a moment we have Carrick, Herrera, Martial, Ibra and Mkhitaryan all best suited to playing 4-3--3, only Rooney would benefit from 4-2-3-1 as it makes Herrera and Carrick in particular ineffective.

Then I look at this:

------------Ibra

Martial---Rooney---Mkhitaryan

----Matuidi---Schneiderlin

It doesn't really fill me with confidence in terms of being well balanced, it's too slow in the center of attack and the midfield has no creativity or real passing quality in it..

Agreed on Weigl, his understanding of the holding role is very impressive for such a young player in his first big season, tremendous bit of scouting from Dortmund to pick him up so cheap.

You've put Rooney in the most creative position. He is unfortunately our biggest problem. Because of his wages and "popularity", he cannot be benched

 

[Footyislife]

Would you prefer Matuidi over Kante?

Depends on the price. Matuidi is better going forward, while Kante is better defensively. Hard to compare the stats considering the different leagues, teams, and roles they are asked to play.

 

[Devil may care]

You've put Rooney in the most creative position. He is unfortunately our biggest problem. Because of his wages and "popularity", he cannot be benched

That's why we need a different CM to Matiudi or to pair with him, I mean even without the Rooney situation that double pivot is unbalanced with 2 water carriers and no playmaker.