Wouldn't mind having him. I'd take him over van Dijk at this moment in time purely for the experience he brings. At the moment we have Bailly (22), Shaw (21), Jones (24), Blind (26), Smalling (27) and TFM (18). Most of these are yet to reach their peak. Having an experienced head at the back with leadership qualities would also stop us conceding stupid, last-minute goals.
Jose Fonte
- Thread starter Tiber
- Start date
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Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) discuss United's fantastic win away against Athletic Club in the semi-final of the Europa League.
They also pick out the positives of United's 4-3 loss away at Brentford, and Nik reviews a day out at Old Trafford watching Manchester United Women qualify for the Champions League.
His form hasn't been good in 2016
Smalling really matured and improved under Van Gaal but in the last few months of last season he wasnt great and was caught out a number of times - this season hasnt been great for form/injuries
Can anyone think of any games this year where you watched Smalling and thought he was a real rock?
Bailly instantly stood out this season as the first defender to dominate in our box for a long time
I think if we bought this guy, he may be cover for our 1st choice CBs, but I see him being more like Morgan Sch. ie. we buy him, we think he'll be great, but when he does play, he plays as a similar level to our existing CBs. And a few months later, we'll be saying, "we need to buy another CB".
We'll end up with another average player on huge wages which we won't be able to sell.
Fonte's true level is Southampton and without sounding snobbish, MUFC should be looking for a better calibre player.
We'll end up with another average player on huge wages which we won't be able to sell.
Fonte's true level is Southampton and without sounding snobbish, MUFC should be looking for a better calibre player.
Smallings stock has really fallen on here recently it seems.
Smalling almost cost us in both the cup semi and final.
He was amazing in the first half of the season but seemed to fall of in the second half. That sticks in people's minds.
33 years of age in two weeks, not sure he's the direction we should be heading.
Possibly not.... but for the prices being bandied about, less than £10m seems good cover (at least) when the alternatives to partner Bailly are Smalling, Rojo and Jones (tbf, Jones has surprised me last few games though).
Southampton would never let it happen but buying Fonte AND van Dijk would be interesting. Bailly/van Dijk as the long-term partnership but Fonte as cover/instant experience and an existing understanding with Van Dijk when partnered together (noting only three teams have a better def record than Southampton.)
Agree that there's a direction we need to head in but not sure whether we're kidding ourselves we can spend our way out of trouble and be back challenging in one season just because we're United .... it hasn't worked the last 3 seasons and maybe we have to be patient and work our way back.
Yeah i figured, lots of people remember the bad and forget the good.
So last season wasn't enough to convince you huh? Its what it is.
This is something LVG praised Smalling for countless times. Mourinho has given him the captains armband as well in the absence of Rooney
This wreaks of the time Fergie signed Blanc as a stop gap.
I trust Jose's judgement, and will back whoever he wants. I just hope he doesn't want Fonte.
I trust Jose's judgement, and will back whoever he wants. I just hope he doesn't want Fonte.
Does Southampton zonally defend or man mark?
We were pretty much in this same situation back then. We had a number of incredibly hyped young defenders which convinced SAF to sell his top defender and get some relic from Inter's reserves as a stop gap. I still remember his 'if Rio is worth 18m then how much Wes would cost, 30m? Jap.
Brown was an incredibly talented defender, blighted by injuries.
Was that against CFC?
Of course he was. On paper he was mint. Unfortunately we barely ever seen that on the pitch. We tend to produce alot of those players. OShea, the Da Silva twins, Mcnair.....Fabio Da Silva was considered one of the most promising left backs in the world at times despite barely every playing for us.
This is the right stop gap option for January. But yet the green smilie inside me is still restless. 
He's alright.
Given that I personally think CB is a massive problem for us still, I'd rather hear about links to the few top CBs out there but Fonte is probably better than at least 50% of our current lot.
Given that I personally think CB is a massive problem for us still, I'd rather hear about links to the few top CBs out there but Fonte is probably better than at least 50% of our current lot.
Personally, I think its a perfect addition. He's experienced & appears to be a good leader. Utds backline needs leadership material the most.
It is also Jan, so who else are Utd going to get? Very few 'experienced' options. Unless you want another 'wonder kid' which is silly, when our defence is so young already.
Then you have to remember that Bailly is going to Afcon in Jan?.
So Utd 100% need a CB in Jan.
It is also Jan, so who else are Utd going to get? Very few 'experienced' options. Unless you want another 'wonder kid' which is silly, when our defence is so young already.
Then you have to remember that Bailly is going to Afcon in Jan?.
So Utd 100% need a CB in Jan.
I really think that this is a good option. For the moment I can't see him weaker than the likes of Cahill, Mustafi, Stones or Otamendi, so I really think that he can improve our defense.
He's not Sergio Ramos yes, but he's still better than Jones and Smalling.
We could build a good partnership between him and Bailly with two really strong men behind as Fonte is very good in the air too and better at passing than Jones and Smalling.
I would take him asap during the January market
He's not Sergio Ramos yes, but he's still better than Jones and Smalling.
We could build a good partnership between him and Bailly with two really strong men behind as Fonte is very good in the air too and better at passing than Jones and Smalling.
I would take him asap during the January market
Dropped by Southampton, that's enough for me to think he's coming here for the rumoured £20m in a couple of weeks time. Hope José doesn't try shoehorn him in now with Jones and Rojo actually performing or at the expense of developing Bailly. If Southampton have a choice of losing Van Dijk or Fonte I think they'd snap our hands off if we offered that kind of money.
I'd be disappointed we didn't go for Van Dijk if we get him, especially for £20m. Let's see.
£20m for a centre back who'll turn 33 on Thursday and has 18 months left on his contract would surely be crazy even for us? I wouldn't want us spending more than £5m, if we were to get him. Though I'd personally want us to go for someone younger (experience doesn't only come with age).
I don't think he's up to much, but then again, I also thought the Chelsea squad would end up getting Conte the sack pretty sharp ish, so it's fair to say you're not dealing with a particularly keen footballing mind here.
If he was playing for United he'd probably go for £6m. He certainly isn't worth £20m.
Jesus, not a chance anyone's paying £20m for fecking Fonte. He's 33 ffs, even Rio or Vidic wouldn't have went for £20m at 33.
£20m for Jose Fonte.
Jesus, could you imagine.
If he was playing for United, we would surely not get anything. If we spend any more than £6m ourselves, just imagine what other clubs will ask us to pay for younger players with longer contracts. I reckon Mourinho wanted Fonte, but we've been priced out, so we're moving for Lindelof instead (will cost much more, but is 11 years younger).
I'd imagine our interest has dropped with the form of Rojo-Jones. Get Smalling back and hope Bailly isn't gone too long and there will be no room for him anyway.
£20m for Jose Fonte.
Some other sources saying £15m, still think that's too much even with his stock at an all time high after the Euros.
Didn't pop into your mind that they might be rotating/resting a 33 year old player?
Southampton dont want to offer him a new contract. He will be 33 in 2 days.
£20m sounds pretty steep.. That said, paying over the odds does seem to be something Woody would enjoy doing.
I dont think it'll happen.
£20m sounds pretty steep.. That said, paying over the odds does seem to be something Woody would enjoy doing.
I dont think it'll happen.
I think they tried to negotiate a new deal with him in the Summer but he wants his pay day and you can understand that can't you? Good lad.
The latest rumour I have seen is that Benfica are interested in him to replace Lindelof, which would mean he must be a fair bit cheaper than that.
But the fees being bandied around for Lindelof are anywhere between £38m and £45m, that would mean Bemfica could easily afford Fonte.
Benfica aren't the type to spend huge money. Especially on a 33 year old.
Southampton will have two prices for Fonte, one for United and one for clubs like Benfica.
There's a passing reference to our ongoing interest in Fonte in the Guardian today. (Near the bottom)
But honestly, we're stacked for CBs now so I don't see it myself. When you have so many decent players that last season's first team pair are now fourth and fifth choice, you really don't need another one. Particularly a short term stop gap.
But honestly, we're stacked for CBs now so I don't see it myself. When you have so many decent players that last season's first team pair are now fourth and fifth choice, you really don't need another one. Particularly a short term stop gap.
Fonte made sense when Smalling, Bailly and Blind were our only viable options at the back. Rojo and Jones are doing well enough that we really should be looking for a long term partner for Bailly.
I would rather let Jones get a partnership going with Bailly.