The Hokey Cokey is here again 2014-2015

[dan08]

bit surprised by the falcao move , would have thought man utd had more important needs than a centre forward

arsenal fans will be spewing as they desperately need a quality centre forward

Oh of course Utd do. But it doesn't mean that you reject the opportunity to improve your squad elsewhere, should the opportunity arise.

Look at us. We sold players all over the place this summer, and then went and spent £10m on Forster - despite GK being one of the few positions where we didn't sell! But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't have purchased Forster. I have no doubt that he will strengthen our team.

[dan08]

Sky reporting that the fee is 5 or 6 million. Bargain.

[rich1uk]

bit surprised by the falcao move , would have thought man utd had more important needs than a centre forward

arsenal fans will be spewing as they desperately need a quality centre forward

Oh of course Utd do. But it doesn't mean that you reject the opportunity to improve your squad elsewhere, should the opportunity arise.

Look at us. We sold players all over the place this summer, and then went and spent £10m on Forster - despite GK being one of the few positions where we didn't sell! But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't have purchased Forster. I have no doubt that he will strengthen our team.

not disagreeing with anything you said , doesn't mean its not a surprise to see it happen tho

[sussexpob]

It does seem strange that Man United don't have any wing backs at all, and are weakest at centre back, so play a team that has the most CB's needed, along with asking two players to play out of position. Not sure if Van Gaal has lost his mind.

Still, this will be more money laid down by United, and another issue not solved.

I'd argue that Rafael could be a very good wing back. He's not great defensively, so to have slightly less defensive responsibility by playing wing back rather than full back could suit him down to the ground.

But it's been quite widely reported that LVG doesn't rate Rafael. (And as a full back, I wouldn't totally agree with that).

The key is "could", not "is".

You cant come to a club, complain about the players not being there to play your formation you want, then shove Ashley Young in the left wing back position, while playing two kids no one has seen before at CB. Makes no sense.

[sussexpob]

bit surprised by the falcao move , would have thought man utd had more important needs than a centre forward

arsenal fans will be spewing as they desperately need a quality centre forward

Oh of course Utd do. But it doesn't mean that you reject the opportunity to improve your squad elsewhere, should the opportunity arise.

Look at us. We sold players all over the place this summer, and then went and spent £10m on Forster - despite GK being one of the few positions where we didn't sell! But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't have purchased Forster. I have no doubt that he will strengthen our team.

That thinking cost Chelsea the league last year when they spent money all over the midfield when they had a good one, and never bought a world class striker.

The Premier League is such a quality league, I think more than ever you are punished for depth of squad, or for your weakness, rather than strengths.

There isn't many stand out top of the world players in the league, that's La Liga, so you cant have any glaring weaknesses.

[st_brendy]

It does seem strange that Man United don't have any wing backs at all, and are weakest at centre back, so play a team that has the most CB's needed, along with asking two players to play out of position. Not sure if Van Gaal has lost his mind.

Still, this will be more money laid down by United, and another issue not solved.

I'd argue that Rafael could be a very good wing back. He's not great defensively, so to have slightly less defensive responsibility by playing wing back rather than full back could suit him down to the ground.

But it's been quite widely reported that LVG doesn't rate Rafael. (And as a full back, I wouldn't totally agree with that).

The key is "could", not "is".

You cant come to a club, complain about the players not being there to play your formation you want, then shove Ashley Young in the left wing back position, while playing two kids no one has seen before at CB. Makes no sense.

Well yes. That's a given. But you did say straight out that they don't have any wing backs. Well I'm saying not necessarily. Undoubtedly Shaw is a full back, not a wing back. And Young and Valencia are wingers, not wing backs. But I think Rafael will show himself to be one, should he get the chance.

As for Falcao, it'll be interesting how RVP takes this. Presumably Utd will pay Falcao's £200k a week wages. In addition to Rooney's £200k a week wages. So if I'm RVP, I'd want the same now please.

[sussexpob]

Not sure RVP has much to bargain. He is 31 now, has a huge injury past, and is currently facing a long lay off.

With all those injuries as a kid, he was never going to last long at the top. Arguably, we have seen the end of him at the very top level.

[st_brendy]

bit surprised by the falcao move , would have thought man utd had more important needs than a centre forward

arsenal fans will be spewing as they desperately need a quality centre forward

Oh of course Utd do. But it doesn't mean that you reject the opportunity to improve your squad elsewhere, should the opportunity arise.

Look at us. We sold players all over the place this summer, and then went and spent £10m on Forster - despite GK being one of the few positions where we didn't sell! But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't have purchased Forster. I have no doubt that he will strengthen our team.

That thinking cost Chelsea the league last year when they spent money all over the midfield when they had a good one, and never bought a world class striker.

The Premier League is such a quality league, I think more than ever you are punished for depth of squad, or for your weakness, rather than strengths.

There isn't many stand out top of the world players in the league, that's La Liga, so you cant have any glaring weaknesses.

Agree with you if the club doesn't ultimately improve their weak areas.

But going back to my example with us at Saints. We've still gone out and purchased replacements for Lovren, Lambert, Shaw and Lallana, in addition to strengthening our goalkeeper and, hopefully later today, finally adding a winger to the squad.

You can do both. You can strengthen your weak areas whilst also improving the areas which you already have strength in. Subject to having the funds of course - clearly if this is Utd's last pennies in their pot, then it's the wrong move.

[sussexpob]

Personally, I didn't rate any of your keepers since you came up, so I thought that buying a good one was key. Forster is the best English keeper there is, hopefully playing in the Premier League will showcase that. I remember a Brighton v Norwich game the season he was on loan there where he was literally unbeatable.

Btw, do you think you will have a certain French Midfielder by the time you wake up?

[Gingerfinch]

bit surprised by the falcao move , would have thought man utd had more important needs than a centre forward

arsenal fans will be spewing as they desperately need a quality centre forward

Oh of course Utd do. But it doesn't mean that you reject the opportunity to improve your squad elsewhere, should the opportunity arise.

Look at us. We sold players all over the place this summer, and then went and spent £10m on Forster - despite GK being one of the few positions where we didn't sell! But it doesn't mean that we shouldn't have purchased Forster. I have no doubt that he will strengthen our team.

That thinking cost Chelsea the league last year when they spent money all over the midfield when they had a good one, and never bought a world class striker.

The Premier League is such a quality league, I think more than ever you are punished for depth of squad, or for your weakness, rather than strengths.

There isn't many stand out top of the world players in the league, that's La Liga, so you cant have any glaring weaknesses.

Agree with you if the club doesn't ultimately improve their weak areas.

But going back to my example with us at Saints. We've still gone out and purchased replacements for Lovren, Lambert, Shaw and Lallana, in addition to strengthening our goalkeeper and, hopefully later today, finally adding a winger to the squad.

You can do both. You can strengthen your weak areas whilst also improving the areas which you already have strength in. Subject to having the funds of course - clearly if this is Utd's last pennies in their pot, then it's the wrong move.

Have Utd strengthened their weak areas?

[st_brendy]

Personally, I didn't rate any of your keepers since you came up, so I thought that buying a good one was key. Forster is the best English keeper there is, hopefully playing in the Premier League will showcase that. I remember a Brighton v Norwich game the season he was on loan there where he was literally unbeatable.

Btw, do you think you will have a certain French Midfielder by the time you wake up?

I don't think anyone rates Kelvin (at PL level, any way) or Gazzaniga. But Boruc is a decent shot-stopper. It's just he can't kick and is quite mad.

Yep, got no fear over Morgan. We'd have sold by now if he, or Jay, was going. It's all about wrapping up the deal for Alderweireld, and securing a winger. Townsend, Mane (never seen him), Capel and Redmond all linked.

[sussexpob]

Personally, I didn't rate any of your keepers since you came up, so I thought that buying a good one was key. Forster is the best English keeper there is, hopefully playing in the Premier League will showcase that. I remember a Brighton v Norwich game the season he was on loan there where he was literally unbeatable.

Btw, do you think you will have a certain French Midfielder by the time you wake up?

I don't think anyone rates Kelvin (at PL level, any way) or Gazzaniga. But Boruc is a decent shot-stopper. It's just he can't kick and is quite mad.

Yep, got no fear over Morgan. We'd have sold by now if he, or Jay, was going. It's all about wrapping up the deal for Alderweireld, and securing a winger. Townsend, Mane (never seen him), Capel and Redmond all linked.

Not sure you will get Redmond, apparently Stoke already offered up to 10 million for him, but Norwich turned round and said "not for sale".

[st_brendy]

Personally, I didn't rate any of your keepers since you came up, so I thought that buying a good one was key. Forster is the best English keeper there is, hopefully playing in the Premier League will showcase that. I remember a Brighton v Norwich game the season he was on loan there where he was literally unbeatable.

Btw, do you think you will have a certain French Midfielder by the time you wake up?

I don't think anyone rates Kelvin (at PL level, any way) or Gazzaniga. But Boruc is a decent shot-stopper. It's just he can't kick and is quite mad.

Yep, got no fear over Morgan. We'd have sold by now if he, or Jay, was going. It's all about wrapping up the deal for Alderweireld, and securing a winger. Townsend, Mane (never seen him), Capel and Redmond all linked.

Not sure you will get Redmond, apparently Stoke already offered up to 10 million for him, but Norwich turned round and said "not for sale".

They're also being linked to Lennon.

Poch isn't a fan of a winger at the best of times. But if they add Welbeck to their squad, then at least one of Lennon and Townsend will no doubt be off. Well that, or they'll be spending the next four months in the reserves.

[ddb]

Woodward gone full muppet. You'd have to feel if we don't get top 4, heads will roll. And I still don't see us getting top 4.

That Bebe signing to give Mendes a load of money working out I see. He must be a United fan.

A midfielder who Mendes also represents is Moutinho. We'll be linked to him soon.

[Aidan11]

Hernandez to Real Madrid on a season loan.