Is Woodward still working hard on this?
Fabregas
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik and Imran hold a long overdue conversation about United's awful league form with 1 win in 7. They discuss a disappointing draw at Bournemouth, a not so disappointing draw against Liverpool and a crushing defeat at Chelsea - Is time nearly over for Erik Ten Hag?
Then in a special second half of the pod, Nik welcomes Natalie ( https://twitter.com/natalie_17) to discuss the fortunes of Manchester United Women as they booked a place in the FA Cup Final after a historic first ever win vs. Chelsea.
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We're 'desperate' and 'crazy' according to Mundo Deportivo.
As pejorative a statement as that is, it's hard to disagree!
Nothing makes much sense at the moment, but I have a feeling that there's a lot going on that we are unaware of (blind hope maybe?), so I'll wait until the window closes before forming an opinion.
I'm not forming much of an opinion before the close of the window either. But, given all the evidence in the form of public statements from Barca and Cesc, it does seem a bit mental that we apparently retain an interest. We're like a very amorous person in a nightclub at 2:55am who won't take no for an answer.
But it would only be "a bit mental" if we're wading in blind. We don't know what discussions with Barcelona or Cesc's agent have been had. We don't even know if the reports of another bid are correct! I don't hold out much hope of getting him but lets just wait and see how it all pans out.
I think keeping an eye on his appearances makes sense. If he doesn't start the first couple of matches I think a deadline day bid could be on, however that would surely mean we'd hang fire on other deals and likely lose other targets. Not a great idea. We just want them in, NOW!
I think that might be a long wait...Great, so now we have to wait for Woodward to get married before we can do any transfer business
#confirmedbachelor
Nah. He is still on his way back from Australia. But as soon as he lands, he will start working on this.
That is an old joke, the slap head was last seen in the Charity Shield match.
almost 300 pages... really? 
Probably still at Wembley.
Cesc starts.
Why is Iniesta on the bench?
Get him in
Has Moyes lost the plot? Never heard of announcing a lineup a week in advance.
Midweek Supercup match against Atletico. Tata looks like he is already understanding the value of man management & rotation better than Tito did. I like the lineup but Cesc & Xavi rarely work very well together, we'll see.
To stop us buying Cesc.
Has Iniesta got a clause that allows him to leave for £17m if he starts on the bench?
Cesc was phenomenal tonight. Barca would be raving mad selling him on this form.
just the one that got away!
Never mind!
Never mind!
He was never ours
Well...at least we know we tried (with two shit bids)
Took the piss against Levante. He was everywhere and made things happen for Barca.
feck me. Fabregas is brilliant. Today, ok it was Levante, he was unplayable.
Started over Iniesta? feck it lets bid for iniesta
Goddamnit, I didn't think Barcelona would ever find out about the real Fabregas.
The real Fabregas, terrific in the final third but still had the worst pass completion percentage of anyone in the squad for the night which is pretty much as I have long concluded. He is inadequate for this team playing from a deep position, cannot dictate play and cannot set the tempo of this Barcelona machine...relieved of those Xavi/Iniesta responsibilities, he excels in the attacking third which explains how often he has been played up front rather than strictly in midfield
Yet, he is formidable in that attacking third, even against a terrorized Levante defense. Against a side better at recycling possession and building their own attacks from the middle of the park, Cesc struggles. He's in fantastic form though, clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder which is a win win really. I expect he'll start against Atletico this week but Tata may opt for him as a sub
Yet, he is formidable in that attacking third, even against a terrorized Levante defense. Against a side better at recycling possession and building their own attacks from the middle of the park, Cesc struggles. He's in fantastic form though, clearly playing with a chip on his shoulder which is a win win really. I expect he'll start against Atletico this week but Tata may opt for him as a sub
Don't you think his pass completion is the "wrost" of the barca lot because he tries way more penetrative passes? I'm sure if his brief was to play it safe for most of the match from a deeper position, he could do that with a Xavi like completion record? Or don't you agree?
I think sometimes barca lack that "killer" instinct way too much - which is what Fabregas can improve on for your team. Almost like a plan B. But I still don't see him starting the bigger matches, unless they drop Alexis/Pedro and shoe Iniesta in out wide.
I'd put a 40-45m bid in for him to see if we can make it happen.
Barca wont sell, no point in any more bids, we should just admit we had no chance of signing him and leave at alone.
This train has departed long time ago lads. Let it go
We didn't even give ourselves a chance. 25 and £30 million bids were laughable.
Barcelona would be stupid to sell him, and that is why they won't.
This has all been very annoying, but at least it shows that we are looking at the very best players around and not just buying up all the young prospects to develop and turn into world class talent.
In today's market the bids we made for him were a little bit ridiculous. I reckon we'd have gone up to £40 million had he truly been available. It's quite obvious that Barcelona had a word with us and we were told unequivocally that Fabregas would not be available at any cost this summer.
I tilt my hat to Moyes, bidding for a Barcelona player was a brave move and shows his intentions if nothing else.
This has all been very annoying, but at least it shows that we are looking at the very best players around and not just buying up all the young prospects to develop and turn into world class talent.
In today's market the bids we made for him were a little bit ridiculous. I reckon we'd have gone up to £40 million had he truly been available. It's quite obvious that Barcelona had a word with us and we were told unequivocally that Fabregas would not be available at any cost this summer.
I tilt my hat to Moyes, bidding for a Barcelona player was a brave move and shows his intentions if nothing else.
I wouldnt want a player that would be so disappointed to be coming, that would feel so much like he had been demoted. Great player but was never going to happen.
Cesc misses even the short little passes without much pressure so I don't agree, no. He's the least technical midfielder outside of Song, in the squad. He needs to play in front of two midfielders, close to the opponents goal. Xavi, on the other hand, he cannot be compared to - Xavi knows where everyone is on the pitch and why his completion percentage is unprecedented.
But despite those sort of limitations, we do see how dangerous he can be when played high up like that although we've yet to see that against elite opposition with any sort of consistency. The onus is on Fab to show he can do that still
Agrred about the Xavi bit, he's in a class of his own. I guess it's also as much down to Cesc's development as a pro footballer - he spent his formative years in the EPL and not at La Masia, so he doesn't have that same patience as the other Barca midfielders. Oh, & he's more technical then Mascherano as well - but I suppose he's a CB these days
I agree. Only if he provides similar sort of performances against the biggest teams, will he force his way into the starting XI.
I actually think Barca have found his role, after watching him yesterday. His general passing was sloppy at times, giving the ball away cheaply, but his movement in and around the box was making things happen.
Bidding £30 million for a minimum £40 million player does not count as 'trying' in my book.
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