To put it in context, Xavi's now at the age Scholes was when he scored that volley against Barcelona. And that feels like fecking ages ago. With runners either side of him Xavi could play on for years.
Xavi
- Thread starter NoPace
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Would take him certainly. Has great confidence and if used wisely could do good things. A new challenge might do him the world of good. We still need to bring in other bodies and Xavi could help the kids transition. If LVG comes to United, I don't think Xavi being 34 would worry him.
To be honest it wouldn't surprise me if Xavi was looking to leave Barca. There seems to be something going on behind the scenes which has made this team almost dysfunctional. I've heard that Victor Valdes has opted to not be present during Barca's final game of the season where they can potentially win La Liga and also say their goodbyes to club legend Carlos Puyol and Valdes himself at the Nou Camp.
For a player like Valdes, who is one of the captains at Barca, to not want to be present for that occasion means there's something terribly wrong with the club. Whether it's the board or the actual players, I don't know, but I know that at the moment there are several Barca players who will be leaving.
Puyol
Valdes
Alves
Sanchez
Mascherano
Song
Pinto
Tello
And possibly Xavi
For a player like Valdes, who is one of the captains at Barca, to not want to be present for that occasion means there's something terribly wrong with the club. Whether it's the board or the actual players, I don't know, but I know that at the moment there are several Barca players who will be leaving.
Puyol
Valdes
Alves
Sanchez
Mascherano
Song
Pinto
Tello
And possibly Xavi
We seem to be heading in a youthful direction and as great as Xavi was I don't think it would make any sense to bring him in at 34 with dodgy knees.
Get Xavi and Sanchez; Sanchez would be wonderful in our more direct set-up. He has bags of pace, is technically gifted and a decent passer - I'd love him here. Both would instantly improve our team and not for a heck of a lot of money, probably.
Has he been injured a lot? Nobody is saying Xavi at the expense of youth, but Xavi AND youth may prove quite useful.
Agreed. Considering all the experienced players who will be departing this summer such as Vida, Rio, Giggs and possibly Evra, it's important to have a bit of experience.
He's had problems with his knees for the last few years and at 34 I think he'll struggle to adapt to our league, I just can't see the point.
He's played 45+ games a year for the last 8 years....wow such injury problems. If only any of our supposedly fit players could show such consistency.
Still not happening though.
The only thing is, couldn`t you see Luis Enrique asking him to stay and be basically his assistant? What does Enrique gain from shipping off Xavi? Unless they bring in Vidal or another CM who can improve their mobility, they`ll need Xavi for depth even if they start Iniesta-Fabregas-Busquets as a 3. Song, Rafinha and Sergi Roberto isn`t that convincing as depth.
Good point. It really depends on Xavi himself and whether he wants to stay at Barca. As I mentioned, a lot of the players aren't happy at the club at the moment, mainly because of the board but I'm sure there's more to it than that.
He may be in decline, but if we managed his fitness carefully and used him as a rotation player I don't see why he couldn't give us 2 or 3 years of good service. LVG would also know how to utilize him best. Woody sign him up!
Sergio Busquets broke through in 08/09 aged 20. By the age of 23 in 2012, he had won every top prize there is to win at club and national level. Incredible.
Was he in the Euro 2008 squad?
i would without a doubt take him. He will be a stop gap for Kroos who we could get on a free next year.
This would be great
Wouldn't and shouldn't be the answers to our CM problems, but if we brought him with a long-term CM for a good price then I am totally game for this. 2-3 years with him playing the Scholes role of providing experience in certain games would be great.
No, but he was in the Euro 2012 squad.
(Senna was the holding midfielder in 2008)
Oh yeah, forgot they retained it.
If we bought another, younger midfielder alongside Xavi I wouldn't mind this at all. Let him become a 'stop gap' to our midfield and give Van Gaal more time to assess what needs to be added in the midfield and who to buy in January/Summer to strengthen it more.
I can't see him leaving to be honest.
I can't see him leaving to be honest.
Then again, he'll probably start bitching about the Old Trafford pitch or something.
I think you guys are spot on. Buying Xavi, alongside a younger and more energetic midfielder could be a masterstroke. Would do wonders for a few seasons.
Why would anyone even think of second guessing when it comes to Xavi? Obviously it aint going to happen but if there was a chance, then hands down YES!
Only thing obviously is the age, but a man of his experience would be incredible to have.
Don't give a shit if he's past his prime. It would be an absolute joy to see Xavi in a United shirt.
Very good squad player to have and has a lot to offer to young players through experience. With Rio, Vidic and Evra leaving we are losing strong figures and having a player who won't cost much and can be rotated in and out of the squad is incredibly handy to have. I don't look at this as a first team player.
would love seeing him play for us (thought this would happen in 2007/08), when it looked like he was willing to move to us
The Bayern and Germany core in the 70's (72-76) won 3 consecutive European cups form 74-76 along with the worldcup in '74, the Euro in '72 and reached the Euro final in '76 (lost on penalties). That's probably the only time a group of players dominated club football and international football in a similar way than Spain/Barca did from 2008 to 2012. Maier, Beckenbauer, Schwarzenbeck and Hoeneß played all 6 finals, Gerd Müller all but the Euro '76.
I would really like to know who started this rumour. 
Off to the USA to join Beckham.
Would absolutely love to have him here for a couple of seasons!
I suppose it comes down to would you rather have an ageing Michael Carrick or an ageing Xavi pulling your strings.
Which, when put like that, leaves only one realistic answer TBH...
Which, when put like that, leaves only one realistic answer TBH...
Of course we'd be stupid not too. 2 years of him. We'll need experienced winners in the squad since Vidic, Rio and probably Evra and Giggs will be gone.
If he can come into the squad and help bring on a few youngsters then it's a no brainer.
If he can come into the squad and help bring on a few youngsters then it's a no brainer.
Old Trafford, Theatre of Dreams!
not..
Old folks home, Payday of Dreams..
not..
Old folks home, Payday of Dreams..
With the players we have and the league we are in, still would prefer Carrick.
Good lord!
Just imagine Xavi starts making those short passes in our midfield, and then left scratching his head why those passes never come back to him. Rinse repeat.
Please don't write Young with a capital Y. Though three-man midfield of Xavi, Carrick and Young would be kind of groundbreaking.
We all dream of a team of Ashley Youngs.
Valdés won't be at the last Barcelona game and won't say goodbye to the fans in proper manner because he is an idiot, and has always been. Simple as that. Very poor behaviour by Victor.
Also, he is ruined after some very bad investments and that's why he's leaving to Monaco for the big payday. There's nothing 'terribly wrong with the club', but with Valdés.
I'd take Xavi in a heartbeat
Who cares if hes a bit older, I bet he still has a couple of good years left
If we also get some young energetic players in CM we would be looking pretty damn good in that part of the pitch next season
Probably won't happen but whatever
Who cares if hes a bit older, I bet he still has a couple of good years left
If we also get some young energetic players in CM we would be looking pretty damn good in that part of the pitch next season
Probably won't happen but whatever