That would be the logical approach but this is the modern United transfer era we are in, so logic, and common sense doesn't come into it, hence a potential Bale bid to come.
Gareth Bale is...The most expensive player ever?!
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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.
It would take Bale himself saying he wants a move back to England, specifically to United, at which point we would simply buy him for a reduced rate to what they paid.
That rules that one out then, short term at least.
And how many of them are not United fans?
He was ranked #1 on Gazetta's Top 60 players under the age of 20 list as well. A few below average performances this season and a lot of folks have seemingly erased his 2013 performances from their memory.
No he wasn't, if he had a great World Cup then the hype would have grown a lot. Maybe his agent said this to get him a big contract with us but we'd be fools to believe it.
If Januzaj plus £40 million for Bale became an option, I'd go for it all day.
Obviously Madrid wouldn't even entertain it though.
Obviously Madrid wouldn't even entertain it though.
Bale rejected us, f*ck him. If players don't want to play for us when we offer them the best deal then why chase them after that?
I'm pretty certain most United fans would've accepted C Ronaldo + £40 million for Ronaldo or Zidane in 2004 too. Of course now we have the benefit of hindsight to categorically say it would've been a monumental disaster but one never knows how talented young players might develop given time and patience. We should try to get Bale provided Madrid are willing (no signs of it yet) but asset stripping by getting rid of De Gea or Januzaj in exchange is not the way forward. I'm also of the opinion that many United supporters under-rate our players, Pogba wasn't considered much cop either by a section of fans until he left and we got to see his potential blossom at Juventus.
Only the ones that never watched him play and just followed Fergie's opinion without thought.
Anyway it's too early to say what way Januzaj will go, could end up the next Bojan (similar build and style of player) rather than the next Ronaldo or Pogba.
Because we're interested in building a world class side and he's a top 10 world class footballer. Whether or not he wanted to play for us two summers ago is utterly irrelevant.
Personally, I just saw something in Ronaldo that meant I was more certain (you can never be fully certain) that he'd become great. So I wouldn't have taken such a deal involving Zidane.
Pogba just had a bit of everything. Again I always saw him becoming a good player. And more than anything - we had space for him. He was tailored made for our weakest spot in the team.
However, had someone offered me Modric in return, I'd probably have taken it. And would still go for Modric over him now.
I guess it's easy to say now though, and maybe I wouldn't have seen it this way back then.
As for Januzaj - I just don't see him in the same way others do. I'll be surprised if he hits the heights some (most?) United fans predict. I think some United players are underrated and some are overrated by United fans. Heck - maybe I am underrating him here right here.
I also think Bale is that rare type of match-winner that takes a team to a new level. Me being up for that deal probably says more about how good I think Bale is (and would be here) than anything against Januzaj.
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IIRC there were plenty of people who watched him regularly in the reserves and were underwhelmed by his performances, which were admittedly subdued for the large part.
Totally agree with the second sentence though, it's a bit of crap-shot at times with youngsters. Even Ronaldo could've turned into the next Eusebio or Figo (like he thankfully did and maybe even exceeded wrt the latter); or descend into a Quaresma level waste of talent. We'll just have to wait and see with Adnan I guess.
That said, lots of players from within United have talked at length about Januzaj's potential. Van Persie called him one of the 2 best young players he's ever seen. Pretty bold statement when one considers he saw Ibrahimovic, Robben, Sneijder etc at close quarters in Holland, and Cesc, Nasri etc at Arsenal. Mata mentioned Adnan in an interview and said that the sky is the limit for him. And Fletcher said he's right up there with a young Ronaldo and Rooney. Considering these are people who train with him on a daily basis, I pay a lot of credence to their assessments.
Exactly. As an example Van der Sar rejected our offer to succeed Schmeichel in favor of signing up for Juventus. United's primary motive should be improving the first team squad, not seek a game on one-upmanship.
Was he thus at Januzaj's age ? When his club weren't winning any games he was starting in (20 match 'Curse of Bale' streak IIRC) ? While Harry and a majority of Spurs supporters wanted to get rid ?
Adnan has lots of time to grow, let's not jettison him at the risk of ruing that decision at a later date. Not saying it'll definitely happen, but IMO he's a massive talent that can be a top top player for United for the next 10-15 years. If he does, I'm sure those that didn't rate him will claim they always held the opinion that he would be special, resembling the retrospective claims wrt Pogba in that sense.
I remember him coming on against Bolton and within a minute or two, the whole ground was buzzing. Same when Rooney made his debut. Januzaj is having a bit of second-season syndrome but he's shown that he's good enough. I know that managers have to juggle the squad but some players, Nani for example, really excel when they get a run in the side. Maybe this is what Januzaj needs to get his season going properly. They did hand him Giggs' old number after all.
He hit new heights but that was nothing compared to what Ronaldo achieved. Point is there are many players out there who hit a new height and Bale's was excellent but he was still nowhere compared to Ronaldo. The 80mil price tag was and still is outrageous for him.
Id go all in for him in 2 years time personally.
Yes he was, like I said I did mean teenager but he certainly was, and there is no way we were duped into giving him a big contract, we had to pay him more than the average at that age to make sure we kept him, and not feck up again like we did with Pogba.
Just forget about him, he isn't a realistic target anyway. We should go for Shaqiri, I think he is ready for the next step.
He's not the best teenager in Europe.
My point was he was been banded about as such very recently, just a few sub standard performances from the lad under yet another completely new management team and 'philosophy' for him to adapt to and he's suddenly crap according to some.
My ultimate point was that £40 million, and him for Bale would be a stupid thing for us to do, but it seems many would happily do it.
He's 19. It'll take him years to reach Bale's level (if he ever does). I could maybe see your point if he was a local academy graduate but if I was a United fan I'd rather have Bale now than a potential world class Januzaj in 5 years time.
I wouldn't, no chance.
I really don't get the fuss with Adnan. Over rated IMHO. Sterling is at least a level above at the moment
He's showed glimpses of quality but people certainly went overboard after the 2 goals against Sunderland.
He showed his lack of maturity in the cup match against Sunderland and struggled for form after that.
Well to be fair he came into a season managed by Moyes and at 18 was our most important player for a long period of time, apart from Sterling what other young attacking players have lit the league up like that in a while? Of course he has faded an awful lot since then.
True
He's just as likely to go the way of Macheda as he is to be the next Giggs
He came into a side that was playing shit and showed no hunger to get out of it. Was he really that good or were the others do bad that it made him look a lot better to us?
He was excellent. You and a few others here have short memories. He's a superb footballer. Balanced, clever, good dribbler, great vision and weight of pass, very good touch and skill in tight areas and an eye for goal. I can think of very few young footballers as good as him at that age. Moyes and RVP said he was one of the best players of his age they had ever seen.
A few poor performances this season and people start to rewrite history. He was dropped for long periods without really doing anything wrong. It's clearly affected his confidence a bit. It happens to young players. To compare him to Macheda is laughable also. Macheda was extremely raw and still is. I personally never thought he'd make it here. Januzaj is a much more talented and polished player and has already shown much more than Macheda ever did.
No chance he'll end up like Macheda.
Yeah, I don't see him ending up like Macheda at all. He's already shown much much more.
That being said, I don't see him ending up as good as some of the players that often get brought up either.
If I had to predict now, I'd say he'll end up at around Nasri's level. Which isn't too shabby.
That being said, I don't see him ending up as good as some of the players that often get brought up either.
If I had to predict now, I'd say he'll end up at around Nasri's level. Which isn't too shabby.
Macheda was and is a good player, his problem was bad loans and never getting enough time on the pitch. Not a very good comparison
Not quite true. Edwards had agreed a deal with Bosnich and Van der Saar knew of this. There was never a formal offer to Edwin. SAF has stated such.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/fo...n-der-Sar-in-1999-says-Sir-Alex-Ferguson.html
On a free wasn't it? Was that Edwards trying to save a few quid? Fergie was right, as usual.
Bale definitely will not be coming here anytime soon despite what mickey mouse tabloids say
What about a De Gea-Bale swap with a few million thrown Madrid's way? I see those vultures swooping in for Dave at some point
No thank you.What about a De Gea-Bale swap with a few million thrown Madrid's way? I see those vultures swooping in for Dave at some point
Dave > Gareth
Only threw Macheda in there as someone who was over-hyped and ultimately didn't make it at United (for whatever reason)
Bale would be a sensation for us we can live and dream (exactly what we need) would let Di Maria run riot in midfield also.