Where are the United incomings?
- Thread starter Ranchero
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In the latest episode of the United Hour Podcast, Nik (@Rood) was joined by comedian Ali Woods to look back at the best and worst moments of a rollercoaster season with the annual United Hour Awards.
Has Ten Hag been sacked yet? We're not sure and we hope not, but it's looking more likely as the days pass.
Who should replace him and why is it taking so long to make a decision?
Say whatever you want about trimming the squad etc, and I agree it was bloated - we have failed to invest in our most critical area (DM) so it's a waste of a transfer window and makes CL qualification that much harder.
The January window gets dismissed by many, but if the two best teams in the league are buying then why the hell aren't we looking at reinforcements also? I don't believe for a second that Rangnick recommended against it, despite whatever spin we'll see over the next few days.
The January window gets dismissed by many, but if the two best teams in the league are buying then why the hell aren't we looking at reinforcements also? I don't believe for a second that Rangnick recommended against it, despite whatever spin we'll see over the next few days.
They won’t be able to afford to sanction big spending this time.
- Paying for a new manager coming in
- huge costly mistakes such as paying off Ole
- no funds raised through selling players (Greenwood, Pogba and Lingard all gone for nothing)
- Sponsership money decreasing through no top 4
- Broadcast money and ticket money decrease through no champions league
- Debt repayment and Dividends still need to be paid in full
How much money do you think will be left to spend after that ?
We're in a state of suspended animation because we've no idea how our manager will be come the summer.
That's why it's so important that we get a new manager lined up ASAP.
That's why it's so important that we get a new manager lined up ASAP.
We also signed Blind and Rojo in that window.
Not sure why anyone is moaning, most players who wouldn't get a game has gone out on loan, Lingard is almost guaranteed to play now Greenwood isn't available, with Pogba back don't need anyone until the summer.
After giving it some thought... It was wise for us to unload to give guys playing time and it gives more money for the new manager to play with in the summer when the deals will be plentiful.
I'm actually more happy that now our team is trimmed down to the point where nobody has an excuse. Nobody to push off lack of goals or desire if you are a player. This is a trimmed down squad that will need to work to get top 4. The Greenwood thing sucks, but it gives others a chance and maybe chemistry will improve.
Then come summer, we will see some more moving and a ship steering towards stability and calm waters.
I'm actually more happy that now our team is trimmed down to the point where nobody has an excuse. Nobody to push off lack of goals or desire if you are a player. This is a trimmed down squad that will need to work to get top 4. The Greenwood thing sucks, but it gives others a chance and maybe chemistry will improve.
Then come summer, we will see some more moving and a ship steering towards stability and calm waters.
The time for moaning and bitching was last summer, when Ole was given a contract extension. He bloated the squad and failed in other ways that have been extensively discussed here.
Debloating the squad was our highest priority during this transfer window. Job done. There was no point in signing players in this window we would never dream of signing in the summer, just for the sake of singing someone.
Debloating the squad was our highest priority during this transfer window. Job done. There was no point in signing players in this window we would never dream of signing in the summer, just for the sake of singing someone.
No complaints about any of the loans. It makes us weaker but at least it lets us see if those players are good enough. And it will hopefully help improve squad harmony because everyone will get playing time now. 7 games in 21 days will necessitate it.
But we should have brought in a mid on loan or bought Zakaria for 3m. At their worst they would have provided an extra body in case of injuries or to throw on to protect players. Now we just have to hope and pray that we don’t suffer too many injuries or loss of form.
Also looking forward to seeing Hannibal play some role. And maybe we’ll bring in Shoretire again to cover Mason.
But we should have brought in a mid on loan or bought Zakaria for 3m. At their worst they would have provided an extra body in case of injuries or to throw on to protect players. Now we just have to hope and pray that we don’t suffer too many injuries or loss of form.
Also looking forward to seeing Hannibal play some role. And maybe we’ll bring in Shoretire again to cover Mason.
The two best teams bought players for future development, who aren't going straight in to challenge for places. Ole did that last year with Amad and Pellestri and there was plenty of moaning about it.
It actually made sense not to sign players just to fill holes that could be surplus to requirements in 6 months anyway. Better off figuring how who the manager is going to be and then doing some proper scouting and research on players both on and off the pitch and try to bring in players with the right skillset and mentality in the summer.
I don't see the reason to moan from our fans, just because we didn't get another shiny toy.
Martial, Donny, Diallo hardly played any minutes this season, it is a good opportunity for Martial to show he can play 9 and maybe engineer a move, an opportunity for Donny to show he can play in the PL, if he can't get game time at Everton then he can leave and good to see Diallo play regularly.
Regarding the incoming, we would have liked a midfielder but Ralf may have other ideas, like playing Hannibal, if he does that, I will be pleased we didnt sign anyone.
Martial, Donny, Diallo hardly played any minutes this season, it is a good opportunity for Martial to show he can play 9 and maybe engineer a move, an opportunity for Donny to show he can play in the PL, if he can't get game time at Everton then he can leave and good to see Diallo play regularly.
Regarding the incoming, we would have liked a midfielder but Ralf may have other ideas, like playing Hannibal, if he does that, I will be pleased we didnt sign anyone.
But it does't help the narrative. Liverpool were forced to make a move because of Spurs, Diaz was their summer target and City were always in for a ST since the summer.
It is weird how some fans completely fail to put context into the signings.
Why on earth would anyone assume that if we signed someone in this window, it would necessarily be someone we would not have dreamed of signing in the summer? It may be more difficult to get long-term targets in the January window, but it's not impossible.
Job done? We loaned out 2 squad players, who will probably be coming back. Jones, Mata, Henderson, Matic, Lingard and Bailly are all still at the club. All we did was temporarily loan out a backup striker and backup midfielder.
Truth is, we needed a competent midfielder to ensure we could keep challenging - even on loan - and we did not get a midfielder. We needed to permanently get rid of a number of players we no longer need, and we did not succeed in that either. Martial going away was probably a good thing though - even if it was on loan.
Hold your horses everyone, it's all good. Saw Chong in training
This is not Football Manager you can't just put every player on the transfer list and sell them and replace them and expect the team not to suffer on the pitch midseason.
Jones had a loan to Bordeaux arranged which he rejected, club cant force him to go without paying him off.
Mata deal ends in summer, was extended for 12 months to add squad depth, leaving in 4 months.
Henderson a deal was discussed with Newcastle clearly wants to leave for football, United want money for Newcastle surviving why not there richer? United get there pants pulled down to often in transfer market, not exactly a bad thing if they go down long-term.
Matic deal ends next year clearly passed it, will be sold in summer once a replacement brought in whoever that is, also got Garner to provide the Matic cover.
Lingard clearly wanted to go, United played hardball should of caved and accepted 5 million as he walks away for free in 4 month, but the Greenwood situation affected him leaving as we are short in this area now.
Bailly cant let Jones & Bailly leave in the same window without bringing anyone in especially when we have loaned Mengi to get first team football, more than likely leave in summer.
There is the rough future of 6 of these players all more than likely leaving in the summer or next January at the latest
The hoarding of players comes from the top as they hold a value they can show to the bank and investors, whoever the new manager is will be able to actually shape there squad as the deadwood will be halfway out the door.
While academy prospects will actually have room to test themselves at first team level.
Yeah, situations like that and Amad last year. They've already done the scouting and don't want to miss out after putting in all that work.
This squad already has enough overpaid and underperforming deadwood who need to be moved on. No point adding to it by bringing in more players who haven't been properly assessed over a long period.
Either way, the club is never going to win.
No signing, the club is cheap, not well run, Glazernomics. The board not backing the manager and everyone flips out
If we got someone for under £10m, fans would say, why does the club think a £10m signing that no one wanted will turn our fortunes around? Did we even scout him?
If we sign someone for £50m, over priced, no scouting done, doesn't solve the problem.
There are going to be fans complaining either way. I too dislike the Glazers but I am not too sure they didnt sign a midfielder because of money. There are many factors at play in this window.
A huge spend in the summer, we are worse off, so signing another midfielder doesn't mean we would get top 4 anyway.
Now, if we don't get top 4, at least fans can say its because we didnt sign someone in Jan.
Lingard obviously wants to surf through his contract and leave for free.
On the other side United probably think it’s more rational to keep him/let him leave for free instead of selling him for £10m or less. A bad deal may set a new precedent with negative impact on future negotiations: devaluation of United players. £10m income could in reality become £20m loss.
It’s a fair chance that bringing new players into the existing atmosphere = turning good players into mediocre players.
Right now it’s best to use the time for help. A new season isn’t far away. This season isn’t going to be a success anyway.
I wasn't expecting us to sell everyone, honestly I didn't expect anything at all.
What I was taking issue with is the idea that we have done a good job trimming down a bloated squad this window and that the "job was done". I don't see two backup players leaving on temporary loans as evidence of that. What you outline is exactly why the job isn't done, we might have a plan to recyify at least some of it, but it most certainly isn't done. This window simply showed us once again how much difficulty we have of getting rid of unwanted players permanently.That is not necessarily the club's fault given COVID and its impact on club finances, but it's an issue that we will keep having for a while. I really hope Martial does well so that Sevilla buy him outright, but I'm not overly optimistic on that front.
At best I think we got rid of a likely troublemaker (Martial) who will return and still be difficult to ship off and an underutilised squad player (VdB) who will probably do well and get a move. Not bringing in a midfielder however has implications for this season and will - unless we get very lucky - hurt us this season. It is a weak area of our team, and one that causes us all types of trouble every week. Given Garner has not been recalled he will probably not act as an option for midfield this season.
Why is Martial a likely troublemaker?
It’s not Martials faukt. The problem is he is on over £200k per week and not doing good enough to play. That is not good for the squad harmony and is a nightmare for management when renewing other players contracts.
He's not exactly seemed overjoyed at being at the club? Think of troublemaker as someone that causes disharmony in the dressing room for various reasons. Supposedly refused to be in the squad?
That doesn't mean he will be a troublemaker everywhere, we're not talking about a bad person here, if he plays I think he'll be a very positive player indeed so he will be all smiles in Sevilla I reckon.
Hmm.
He denied the not wanting to play thing... he has been at the club some years and not caused any trouble as far as I know. Seems a bit of a wrong label, especially in comparison with some others at the club...
Fair to say his form has not been great and maybe Rangnick doesn't fancy him... but that could change. A loan is a decent plan.
Being paid a lot and not doing well enough could be charged at most of our first team squad at the moment.
If we were run as a football club, I would have far less concerns about what happened this window.
But the football needs are far down the concerns of this board.
Their concerns are being compliant with the banks.
Borrowing Base Reports and such ratios.
Why we are in serious trouble.
This window means we not only wont win the two cups but are serious doubt about getting a CL spot.
If the results go south, they will react to supporters getting angry.
Usually it will be the manager that is thrown under the bus.
EDIT:
Those mentioning how much they have spent are clueless.
But the football needs are far down the concerns of this board.
Their concerns are being compliant with the banks.
Borrowing Base Reports and such ratios.
Why we are in serious trouble.
This window means we not only wont win the two cups but are serious doubt about getting a CL spot.
If the results go south, they will react to supporters getting angry.
Usually it will be the manager that is thrown under the bus.
EDIT:
Those mentioning how much they have spent are clueless.
Jones should have left long ago. We gave him a long term contract instead. The same can be said about Mata and Grant. Meanwhile Lingard should have been shown the door last year same as Pogba. Meanwhile the biggest transfer signings made in two summer windows at a row either rot on our bench or was sent on loan to Everton.
We struggle to sell players because we overpay for them and we give them silly salaries in the first place. That's something which has been consistent year after year (Sancho, Maguire, AWB etc) and we look set to do the same mistake next year with Declan Rice.
Its evident that the rebuild done under Ole was a massive failure and yet we persist with keeping the same people who masterminded it in their role (Fletcher-Jon Murtough-Judge)
Same, it's just a different type of excitement to see a talented academy product try to establish himself in the 1st team.
I guess each will have their preference, but i'm more excited by an academy player making it than a new signing.
Best winter window ever.
On one hand all those wishing VdB to play, will get to see just that, and those unsure about him, will get to form an opinion.
On the other, no more hiding for the prima donas in our team, no "Bruno" type signing to save their season, so they can be properly assessed prior to appointing the permanent manager.
On one hand all those wishing VdB to play, will get to see just that, and those unsure about him, will get to form an opinion.
On the other, no more hiding for the prima donas in our team, no "Bruno" type signing to save their season, so they can be properly assessed prior to appointing the permanent manager.
Daffy: And Ronaldo makes it four-one! Surely Manchester United are out of sight n-
Porky: Ebidee ebidee ebidee that's all folks!
Bugs Bunny french kisses Dick Arnold passionately.
This is the thing that blows my mind. Woody is finally gone but the mistakes he made are just unbelievable. Yet he kept his job. Staggering and extremely worrying. If we are serious about Rangnick going upstairs and having a real say, that's a real step forward. But I won't hold my breath. We have shown that we are absolutely clueless and the owners don't care so long as the money keeps rolling in. This isn't a football club, it's a money-laundering scheme masquerading as a football club. We take years to make decisions. So what makes anyone think this summer we're going to hire a brand new manager and bring in the 4 or 5 key players he's gonna need, once half our team has left? Probably we'll spend all summer waving our dicks at Haaland. Then he'll go to Madrid or City and we'll be left with no one. We haven't bought a DM in years, yet this year we're going to tempt one with the offer of possibly no Champions League football. This means we're going to have to offer stupid wages again and so the cycle repeats itself. Probably we'll just go after Rice. As if AWB and Maguire weren't big enough mistakes to make us see the light. We'll offer 60m at the beginning of the window and end up at 120. I exaggerate but the truth won't be that far off. Unless things really have changed and simply Woody leaving changes everything.
As I said, if Rangnick is in charge of all this, I have a tiny bit of faith but that's a big if. Right now, it's just fingers crossed on 4th.
Rice for 100M, 200k pw deal.
Pogba extends on a 400k+ deal
New manager (mostly Poch because he will get fired)
And we can always wonder why things are still not working when season starts.
You forgot:
-Paying the club Ambassador x millions a year to sit in the stand looking grim and being filmed by Sky and the BBC doing so (not good for team morale) whilst behind the scenes making incredibly expensive errors (financially I mean) i.e. snatching 36 year old Ronaldo from under City's noses on the bargain wages of £2 million per month....
Personally didn't see the harm in signing a Kamara/Kessie whoever our manager is going to be in the summer
We need to understand that when such huge sums are borrowed from the bank they are effectively running the business.
The financial considerations will always over ride football considerations.
That is why our club is in such a sorry state.
Even during Fergie's time the phrase "No value in the market" became very familiar.
Its all about getting younger players and developing them so there is an asset available.
Nothing will change.
The financial considerations will always over ride football considerations.
That is why our club is in such a sorry state.
Even during Fergie's time the phrase "No value in the market" became very familiar.
Its all about getting younger players and developing them so there is an asset available.
Nothing will change.
It certainly is in a sorry sorry state. Haven’t felt this low in 34 years. Massive massive change needed from the top down to the bottom.
sorry to say but the glory days are over the start of being ordinary is absolutely upon us.
We're keeping the same incompetent lot while expecting different results.
???
The legitimate question is whyare we waiting to fix problems that will be here in the summer as well? Well run Clubs like Real and Bayern, city and PSG don’t let past mistakes affect future dealings. We are trying to reach top 4 and win trophies. Waiting for a new manager is an absolute mistake, it’s the same shite we’ve been doing season after season since SAF retired. I love Fergie — we all do — but the minute he left us, we had to move on and have the mentality that the CLUB won those trophies, not Fergie. The CLUB has a manifest destiny to be the greatest British club and mediocrity will not be tolerated.
‘Lack of board leadership has led us down this path. *waiting* for the summer! For what??? The sooner we understand that there will never be another SAF and our ONLY path forward is to hire managers and leaders who just care about winning, the sooner we will become a truly legendary club, not the also ran we have sunk to.
Anyone else more than worried about the summer? I think we did wrong by not signing player/s this window. Zakaria for one was a steal at 5mil. So, in summer of 2022 (a year with World cup in December where every player wants game time and get into national squad):
Sure exits -> Mata, Lingard, Cavani, Bailly, Jones, Grant, Pogba, Greenwood
Almost exits -> Martial, Matic, Henderson, Ronaldo (if no top 4)
Up in the air exits -> Donny (will leave if its not Ten Hag)
Loan watch almost exits-> Chong, Pereira,
Loan watch in doubts -> Pellistri, Garner, Tuanzebe, Williams,
That leaves us with:
Sure -> DDG, Heaton, AWB, Dallot, Maguire, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Telles, Fred, Mctom, Bruno, Rashford, Elanga, Sancho, Amad.
Doubts -> Donny, Pellistri, Garner, Williams, Tuanzebe
Youth: Laird, Mengi, DiShon, Levitt, Hannibal, Shoretire
Even with the wage offload, for a new manager to get 4-5 signings will be difficult in one summer window. We will need a world class DM, almost 2 number 9s, a B2B CM, one CB. This is bare minimum need.
In reality, the Board and media will feed the fans with news of Rice and Halland all summer till deadline day only for Rice to pick Chelsea and Haaland for City. We will end up with Dembele with high wage bills to get more social media clicks. Will eventually lose Bruno in a season or two for free cause of our incompetent board. Our board will go with Poch as he can work with youth and not demand high transfer moves and keep Glazzers happy with their dividends.
If we don’t make it to top 4 this season forget all that I wrote above and be ready to inject more pain or feel numb
Sure exits -> Mata, Lingard, Cavani, Bailly, Jones, Grant, Pogba, Greenwood
Almost exits -> Martial, Matic, Henderson, Ronaldo (if no top 4)
Up in the air exits -> Donny (will leave if its not Ten Hag)
Loan watch almost exits-> Chong, Pereira,
Loan watch in doubts -> Pellistri, Garner, Tuanzebe, Williams,
That leaves us with:
Sure -> DDG, Heaton, AWB, Dallot, Maguire, Varane, Lindelof, Shaw, Telles, Fred, Mctom, Bruno, Rashford, Elanga, Sancho, Amad.
Doubts -> Donny, Pellistri, Garner, Williams, Tuanzebe
Youth: Laird, Mengi, DiShon, Levitt, Hannibal, Shoretire
Even with the wage offload, for a new manager to get 4-5 signings will be difficult in one summer window. We will need a world class DM, almost 2 number 9s, a B2B CM, one CB. This is bare minimum need.
In reality, the Board and media will feed the fans with news of Rice and Halland all summer till deadline day only for Rice to pick Chelsea and Haaland for City. We will end up with Dembele with high wage bills to get more social media clicks. Will eventually lose Bruno in a season or two for free cause of our incompetent board. Our board will go with Poch as he can work with youth and not demand high transfer moves and keep Glazzers happy with their dividends.
If we don’t make it to top 4 this season forget all that I wrote above and be ready to inject more pain or feel numb