Jun 12
Ribery, Sanchez, Silva or Eto’o? Who will replace Ronaldo?!
So Ronaldo has finally got his way and his extensively protracted move to Real Madrid is happening. To be honest I’m gutted that we’re losing a truly terrific talent but then again the Madrid switch was an inevitability and in a way it’s good that it’s over without dragging on into the summer which gives us a chance to find apt replacements.
Although rather than discuss replacements for Ronaldo, a nion impossible task as, in my opinion, only Messi comes close to the Portuguese winger and we’ve no chance of landing him, let’s look at what Sir Alex may decide to do with that handsome sum of money.
Franck Ribery
I’m more inclined to say that we would have had more chance of landing Ribery before Ronaldo’s impending departure. Only because Bayern are clearly going to demand an astronomical fee for his services and while Ribery is a fantastically gifted player, he’s no Ronaldo.
All pessimism and financial constraints aside, Ribery would go some way to filling the boots of our departing number seven and his direct style coupled with his ability on the ball would make him a valuable addition to the side.
My View: I think the price will inevitably be the problem with Ribery. I can’t see Ferguson shelling out stupid amounts of money on any player this summer despite us having a substantial transfer war chest. In this sense Bayern aren’t stupid and they know Ribery is the wanted man now so they can demand as much cash as they so please. For me Barcelona is still Ribery’s most likely destination but then again if Fergie does see the Frenchman as Ronaldo’s ideal successor, he may just make a move.
Transfer Likelihood: 6/10
Likely Fee: Around £50-60 million
Antonio Valencia
Probably the most likely bit of business that Sir Alex will do over the next couple of months but it would be outrageous to label Valencia as the heir to Ronaldo’s right wing thrown. No the Ecuadorian clearly won’t have the same impact as the Portuguese but a useful addition he would prove to be nonetheless I’m sure.
My View: This one really does look on the cards. He’s proved he’s a decent player for both Wigan and Ecuador but it remains to be seen whether he would be good enough to make the step-up in the famous red shirt. Wigan chairman Dave Whelan claims Fergie is a huge admirer of young Valencia and if that is the case then now would seem as good a time as any to add him to the ranks at United.
Transfer Likelihood: 9/10
Likely Fee: Around £20 million
Carlos Tevez
Ronaldo may definitely be on his way but the Tevez transfer episode continues to ramble on. Manchester City are undoubtedly keen to get him onboard and I’m sure Rafa Benitez would love to give us the two fingered salute by making him a Liverpool player.
There’s no doubt in my mind that Tevez would be happy to stay at Old Trafford and now it all comes down to whether Ferguson still wants him at the club. His tireless workrate is certainly an asset but is it really a £25 million asset? That said money can no longer be the excuse in the Tevez transfer saga so we shall we see.
My View: Something tells me that despite Sir Alex Ferguson’s now bulging wallet, signing Tevez still won’t be anywhere near the top of the Scot’s agenda. Although it is fair to say that the permanent capture of the Argentine does make sense. It would appease the majority of supporters and soften the blow of Ronaldo’s departure that’s for sure. I just don’t believe that Tevez fits into Ferguson’s plans but I may be wrong!
Transfer Likelihood: 7/10
Likely Fee: £25 million
David Silva
The Times reports that Valencia attacking midfielder David Silva is being eyed as Ronaldo’s replacement. With the La Liga side’s financial worries the sale of their top players has become a necessity and we have shown an interest in Silva before don’t forget.
My View: Judging by what I have been reading, I believe that with David Villa on his way to Real Madrid (god knows where this cash is coming from by the way), Silva may just be staying put at the Mestalla. That said even if he was to move on I see Juventus and Liverpool being more plausible destinations. Although Fergie is certainly fond of the Spanish international so there’s nothing to say I could have totally lost the plot with my prediction.
Transfer Likelihood: 4/10
Likely Fee: £25-30 million
Arjen Robben
The Daily Star is claiming that Arjen Robben could be on Fergie’s wanted list. There’s certainly going to be competition for places at Real Madrid next season and Florentino Perez may even be willing to listen to offers given our co-operation over the Ronaldo deal.
My View: When we were chasing Robben before he moved to Chelsea I remember thinking that we’d missed out on a top class player there. I still believe the Dutch international is a quality winger now but I don’t think he’ll tickle Ferguson’s fancy. Tabloid gossip at its best for me.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £7-15 million
Alexis Sanchez
Setanta may be on the brink of crisis but today they’re reporting that this Chilean wonderkid is Old Trafford bound. I’ve watched Sanchez on a few occasions and he certainly has raw talent, not too dissimilar to a Ronaldo of yesteryear.
The 20-year-old attacker has had a decent season for Udinese and Setanta claim Sanchez’s agent Fernando Felicevich is in talks with a number of English clubs over a possible move to the Premier League.
My View: I like this kid, I really do but I feel he may be a little too erratic and too much of an unfinished product for Ferguson’s liking. With the likes of Nani, Zoran Tosic and potentially the likes of Ljajic and Valencia to chose from, I can’t see this one happening.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £15-25 million
Samuel Eto’o
The man who got the ball rolling for Barca in Rome a couple of weeks back has been mooted as the surprise target by a few of this morning’s papers. Eto’o is a pacey, decisive striker that would be a quality signing in my view and the Catalan giants appear ready to cash in on the Cameroonian this summer.
My View: Like I just mentioned, I’m a great fan of Samuel Eto’o and I reckon he would do a decent job at Old Trafford but unfortunately I really don’t see this materialising. The 28-year-old is apparently being courted by Inter and City and while I don’t see him ending up at Eastlands, a swap deal involving Zlatan Ibrahimovic doesn’t seem too unrealistic.
Transfer Likelihood: 3/10
Likely Fee: Between £15-20 million
Karim Benzema
Related items from Red Rants:
- Who is this Alexis Sanchez Chap?
- What is your formation?
- Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid
- Possible transfer targets and their chances of coming to Manchester United
- Hot News Ahead of Barca | Gattuso and the Usual Nonsense
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (484)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (345)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@Matt: So we’ll get a proper winger. We buy Aguero and Valencia and also go after Sanchez or David Silva. With 100 million, we can do this.
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@RedDevilEddy: Is Torres a wet dream for you because of the quality of the player or is it because Torres is the sexiest girl in football today?
And if we were to have any chance at him. It would cost us over 60 million to get him. It’s not worth it to Liverpool at 40 million.
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@Dan: Agreed. United are a now and have been for a very long time a highly marketable and highly successful brand throughout the world. The Beckham’s and Ronaldo’s go and there always is someone new to step in and be their king of marketing. United is one of the top five marketable brans world wide in pro sports today.
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@colver: Agreed. However among the easiest to land, not the cheapest would be Aguero. He is United fan and he also hates Real Madrid so that would be a bonus for us. Atletico would also be willing to listen to offers.
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@gaitherAnt: Have you not been reading the soap opera of financial events that have been taking place at Anfield mate? Liverpool are deep doo doo financially and are being asked to make a large loan payment which they don’t have the money for. There is talk of the team going into receivership and Hicks and Gillette being tossed out like garbage and losing everything they put into the team. Damn straight they will listen to good offers because they need money disparately. Rafa might bitch and argue but I think his days with that sinking ship are truly numbered unless some kind and generous Arab sheik shows up with money to buy and bail out the team. Audacious a move it is, impossible, not quite.
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@RedDevilEddy: Liverpool are not stupid mate. Liverpool are scum.
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@gaitherAnt: I think it’s time to put that goal scoring responsibility on Rooney’s shoulders and play him in his preferred striker’s role. Buying wingers who can help service him is a key but I still think buying a Hernanes or a Yaya Toure in the middle is what we need most. We were taught a lesson by Barcelona that it appears Fergie was asleep during the lecture. Our central midfield was made a laughing stock yet nobody seems to concerned that we are ill equipped there.
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@RedDevilEddy: Valencia are having a major fire sale mate because they are in worse financial shape than Liverpool. Villa went today to Madrid and Silva is the next one out the door. Believe it.
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@Grognard: Oh grognard, i know we can buy a world class winger, we have the money to, but without selling a winger first we would be left with 5 wingers. That sounds a bit too much for me and i cant see us signing another one before one leaves and that leaves us a problem, i dont see fergie selling another winger, i just get the bad feeling we will be left with valencia and thats it for midfielders when its clear we need at least 2 and also a CM, with my personal favourite yaya toure being included.
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@Grognard: Exacly, the way i see it, all the fans that support united only for ronaldo dont watch the games and dont even buy the shirts
its not a loss in the slightest.
I generally think that when it comes to shirt sales, ronaldos marketability isnt the greatest, most united fans were probably put off of putting No.7 on the shirt last season, with his shenanigans last summer, it wouldnt surprise me if last season someone else got more shirt sales.
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@ROOOOONEY: I don’t know. I’ve seen this kid play twice and just recently in fact and he did nothing for me. He is fast and loves to move all over the place but I really don’t think his skill on the ball is any better than Tosic.
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Grog you want tosic to have the number 7 yes yes?
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@Dan: I always see alot of Giggs and Scholes shirts. Rooney too.
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Dans plan:
In:
eto’o £25mil
silva £25mil
valencia £20mil
toure £25mil
total: £95mil
out:
campbell £6mil
martin *£2mil
neville £1mil
scholes *£2mil
PIG £6mil
total: £17mil
*rounded up
That gives us a grand total off: £75mil net spend
Leaving us with 15mil to spear on young guns.
This plan is perfection lol. Alright, eto’o might be £30mil, but i doubt it for some reason.
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@Fred The Red: I agree. Ribery and Benzema for me are unatainable and even if we were lucky to get either, they are destined for Spain. I agree that althugh Madrid wants Ribery, they have shot their load and are asking him and benzema to be patient for one more year. Barcelona will get Ribery because they have to answer Madrid’s spending spree with some intent. Problem is I cannot for the life of me figure out where they plan on using Ribery unless the bench Henry. And I cannot see them benching a player who scored over twenty goals and is as lethal as Henry. So Ribery is a massive fool to want to go to any team where there is a chance he could end up on the bench more often than he likes. Stupid when you think that there is a tailor made position for him waiting at OT but he’s to dumb and to ugly to realize it. It’s Michael Ballack all over again. As for Benzema, his dream like Ronaldo’s is Real Madrid. He’ll play in Lyon for a year and wait for Madrid to call.
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Dans plan team:
foster
rafael rio vidic fabio
valencia carrick gibson/anderson silva
rooney eto’o
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Who would I like to see as realistic targets for United.
1. Fernando Torres. Yes he is a realistic target because Liverpool is broke.
2. Alex Sanchez. Despite what Udinese are saying. Money talks.
3. Hernanes. Consider me on the bandwagon
4. David Silva. Valencia fire sale makes it a possibility
5. Klaas Jan Huntelaar. Because he’s the best goal scorer available
6. Moutinho. In a possible loan swap for Nani
7. Antonio Valencia. Almost a certainty
8. Samuel Eto’o. Because he is stupid enough to want to leave Barca.
9. Sergio Aguero. Because he is a United supporter and because I believe in miracles
10. Pavel Pogrebnyak. Because he is a massive United supporter but not until January because Zenit will not sell until season in Russia is over.
And the usual young prospects that nobody has ever heard of.
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Grognard, I dunno about Aguero. I get the impression so long as Maradona is Argentina boss he’ll do what Maradona says and Maradona doesn’t like us as a club.
Hernanes interests me as well. Im a bit wary about Brazilian midfielders after Kleberson and Anderson! But it could be a case of third time lucky.
We’ve got scouts in Brazil and with all our Brazilian players we must be quite attractive, but it would really surprise me if we do go for either Costa, Keirrison, or Hernanes. When it comes to spending more than a couple of million, Fergie always seems to be hesitant preferring a player to prove himself in Europe or ideally the Premiership (after which point their transfer fee doubles or triples and we get stung for £18 million just like we spent on Anderson).
Danger with buying someone like Aguero is that we would stay stuck in the same system as last year which I think has its limitations. Id prefer a target man next to Rooney and a return to 4-4-2. Ideally we’d also have a creative midfielder, but I think with Berbatov and Rooney we’d have plenty of creativity in the middle and it would just be a case of having a striker who can finish off the chances and give us an aerial threat.
In midfield the priority is a combative box-to-box midfielder. Carrick has a nice pass and his defensive positioning is good. But we need someone alongside him to break up play, stamp authority over midfield and inject some energy.
Something like:
EVDS-Brown, Rio, Vidic, Evra-Valencia, Toure/Senna/Gattuso, Carrick, Nani/Sanchez/Costa, Rooney, Et’oo/Benzema
I think we should look into buying a keeper while we have the cash in case Foster never gets over these recurrent injuries.
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@Fred The Red: Our style will change but we will still play that overall Italian slow buildup and ball retention style. Our wingers will play more like wingers and I believe Rooney will finally get his wish and be moved to second striker.
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I like your team Dan but a central midfield of Gibson/Anderson and Carrick would get overrun by the Chelseas, Barcelonas and Liverpools of this world. We need a quality defensive midfielder to firm up our midfield. Besides even Fletcher is better than Gibson and Anderson.
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@edwin: FIFA and UEFA are the real mob, not Madrid as Fergie refers to them. They are organized crime with a slanted and warped agenda where only two countries matter to them in Europe and thats Italy and Spain. Just sick.
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I’m sorry to sadden you all, but with the 6-5 rule being pushed heavily by the powers that be, then United need to be pulling all the top English talent available. Before you all go overboard and say there is nobody, we are going to have to find them, because FIFA and platini’s lot are determined to get this 6-5 malarky through
.
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Just Barcelona is better suited for the 6+5 rule better than United. Real Madrid are really wayward, so it Arsenal, Chelsea and Liverpool.
When you think about it, we have Foster, Ferdinand, Rooney, Hargreaves, Carrick plus Welbeck, Morrison coming through. So, by the time this rule will be passed, United will be well placed. Barcelona is in the best position, but Real Madrid have Casillas, Ramos, Guti, Raul, Villa, de la Red. With Guti and Raul unlikely to be there in a couple of years, they will be fucked.
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@Andrei: I hope your right Andrei, but Rio is not getting any younger, and is picking up more recurring injuries these days. Wes is a fantastic player, but he also picks up knocks that tend to keep him out for lengthy periods. We could do with buying at least 2-3 more really GOOD English players
.
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@ROOOOONEY: Looks good, even though his finishing could be more clinical.
I still think both Welbeck and Macheda should be given their chance. The thing is those playes would probably develop into top players if they platy regularly, except that at United they have much less the chance of doin so, and can miss the chance to reach their full potential during their key developing years – 19 to 24 years old…
That’s why I’m all for loanin them to smaller teams (and not mid table teams) where they would have much greter chances to start. I would go even further by agreeing with a sort of pre contractual agreement where the said small team has priority of some sort if we agree to release the player – this would encourage them to play him extensively.
Oh heck, I think I just drifted off topic!
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@NicoQB: Championship teams are they way to go. They will all play, and it’s such a hard league because the difference between everyone is so small. Also, it’s the 5th most watched league in Europe, more popular than Serie A!
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Also, European u21 Championships start tomorrow. See if Lajijc or Tosic are in the Serbia squad…
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What about Giovinco as a target, i like him but he is really short haha.
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@Grognard: I knew that question was coming!!! Was waiting for it all day, just for someone to comment one that!
Fucks sake, I wouldnt want Torres at United just for the fact that he plays for Liverpool. Born and bred to hate all of them! 
Torres would be a really god signing, but Id take Aguero, Young and Silva over him any day. He is a dipper, so he can rot in hell!!! 
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Guys, just come up with another potential good striker. Luis Faibano anyone? Hadnt thought of him till just recently, when he missed a sitter on FIFA 09 against me.
He is good in the air, fast, and will porbably be happy with being on the bench a few times. Not too young to, so maybe he is worth a shout?
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My outs and ins!
Ins:
Sergio Aguero, £46 million.
Ashley Young, £27 million.
Antonio Valencia, £18 million.
Total= £89 million
Outs:
Tommy Kuzz, £4 million.
Frazier Campbell, £6 million.
Danny Simpson, £1,5 million.
Lee Martin £2 million.
Paul Scholes £8 million.
Total=£21,5 million
Leaves us with approximately £30 million more to spend. Maybe De Rossi, Toure or another powerhoues midfielder would be the ones I buy for those money.
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@Traverse: I wanna see how Macheda and Welbeck does too…
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@Traverse:its spelt ljajic
, and he was in the u21 squad, but got demoted to the u19 squad because i think a few of theirs were injured.
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@RedDevilEddy: Im glad to hear you rate ashley young as well, i consider him a really great player and would be really happy if we were to get him. For some reason though quite a few people dont seem too fond of him tho which i cant understand.
Just a quick question though i just wanted to know how highly ashley young is rated in your country. Hes pretty highly rated here in england but i just wanted to hear the views of him from a foreign country, does norway think hes all that?
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@Matt: Ashley Young is a potential superstar, good close control, good pace, works hard for the team, great crosser, what more do you want from a winger.
With the right schooling he will become world class.
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@Matt: I dont think anybody but the Villa supporters over here rate Ashley Young highly. As far as I can see, they consider Downing a better player…
-_-
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Guys, I am currently working on a FIFA 09 video called “Bye-Bye Ronaldo”. Stay tuned…
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@Matt: I agree with you on Pogrebnyak mate. And I’m still crazy about Berbatov. I stiil believe he has it in him to turn things around for us. Hopefully with ronaldo gone he can also shine more.
Look I think a lot is gonna depend on what Fergie has planned for our team. Like to what degree does he want to rebuild. We all know our team was centred around ronaldo, so are we gonna see a change in formation perhaps or a new system of play.
If we for instance gonna play a 4-3-3 the Aguero would fit in perfect with Berba and Roon.
So I think it all depend on the type of personal Fergie is after and personally I have no idea.
Lol but I do want Aguero!!
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@ROOOOONEY: Giovinco is waiting to explode. He’s bloody short, but my what a player! Whenever given a chance he has impressed. After he breaks into the Juve team this year (would have long ago, but Ranieri is a fool) with Ciro Ferrara taking over, he is gonna be untouchable.
I predict “The Atomic Ant” is gonna be the player of the Under 21 tournament!
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on the 5 wingers issue, i would make silva play as an attacking midfielder, he is really good at it.
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apparently the villa move to madrid has fallen through.
Fergie, sign him up.
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@Craig Mc: I honestly believe there will be a European Super League before the 6-5 rule comes into play. Big clubs will not stand for it because it’s just not about competing for them. It’s about marketing themselves worldwide and selling their brand. 6/5 would screw that up greatly and so big clubs throughout Europe will rebel and will separate from UEFA and challenge FIFA with their own way of doing business.
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@Dan: Your vision is limited to England mate. Ronaldo is massive worldwide. My friend and I were selling official knock off shirts at sports card and memorabilia shows here the last two years and we always sold out of Ronaldo’s first and Beckham second. We couldn’t give away a Wayne Rooney. Torres and Ronaldinho were also hot sellers. People in the rest of the world do not have the slanted and cynical view of certain players that Brits have. Over here Ronaldo is a God and the pride of all the girls. We sell more shirts of him, Torres and Beckham to teenage girls than anyone else.
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@ROOOOONEY: No No
I want the #7 to go to a player who is not here yet like Aguero or Sanchez. And if they don’t show up, I’ll be happy to eventually see it on Adem LLajic because he seems the real deal. Tosic is a tosser. A real waste of money or the official nanny for Llajic.
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How do you know that Llajic is better than Tosic or that Tosic us not as good as Lliajic. We have seen almost nothing of either of them.
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@Dan:Not bad.
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@colver: My feeling on the subject is that Fergie has marbles for brains sometimes. His hubris and stubborn streak is hurting this team. I am sick and bloody tired of him pursuing players that have no interested in Manchester United and above all, have interest and their hearts in Spain and especially Real Madrid. It’s time he woke up looked a round for players who would jump at the chance and look forward with pride to wear the red and white Man Utd. Enough going after moody punks like Benzema and greedy selfish misfits like Ribery. Go after players who have made it public about their admiration for our team and for Fergie himself. Pogrebnyak, Adler, Aguero, Huntelaar and Sanchez are prime examples of very good players who are United fans and would want to play for us for more than a few years. Add to that any top players or former top player like Aguero and Torres from Atletico Madrid because they are basically conditioned to never wear the white of Real Madrid. It’s common sense and good business practice in this volatile economy and market as well as in this mercenary driven age to buy those who will stick around. So when is he going to wake up to the realization that Manchester is not a hot, smoking Spanish hot spot that attracts all those who live that dream. Fergie is not stupid, he’s just being dragged down by his own hubris.
Also, Aguero has always dreamed of playing for us. I doubt that Maradona could convince him not to play for us if we showed interest.
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@colver: Senna and Gattuso were go to guys 5 to 7 years ago mate. Both over 30, they are on their last legs. Fergie doesn’t buy players who are close to him in age.
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@RedDevilEddy: I’d take Torres in a split second and laugh all the way to the park. He’s world class, fantastic and he’s a Spaniard that has no real love or loyalty whatsoever to Liverpool. He’s a mercenary like all of them and he goes where he is paid well. If Liverpool sinks financially he will abandon ship just like that. And it would be sweet to pull one on Liverpool like that because it’s never been done. I also feel he is a safe bet because he has no love for Real. Win win for me.
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@RedDevilEddy: Luis Fabiano? YUK! Another Alfonso Alves in my opinion.
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