Jul 02
Time to move on after Benzema snub
United signed Valencia, but their intent to go blitzkrieg on the transfer market suffered a blow when Benzema opted to go to Real Madrid. Reports say they were willing to pay £6m more than us. This can mean either of two things: one, we were trying to play hardball with them while staying firm in our [new found] commitment towards not getting fleeced. Two, we didn’t really expect Madrid to act so quickly so as to have gazumped us to this bid.
If it was the second it’s a shame. If it was the former, I’m not sure how to react to it; I am torn between lauding them for not paying £32m for a largely unproven, albeit talented, 21 year old and expressing bafflement over their refusal to budge on £6m when we have £90m lying around. [Correct me if I'm wrong, but Fraizer Campbell's this close towards completing a £6m move to Hull.]
Personally, whilst I liked Benzema, the player, I never really found his general demeanour endearing. For one, he seemed to favour a move to Spain more than England. He was known to be moody, although I wouldn’t rate that quite as important as the first reason.
It’s obvious Ferguson loves the player, and what Ferguson likes he tries his level best to get. Predictably, a good performance against us — in particular, his blinder of a goal in the 07/08 Champions’ League encounter when surrounded by gazillion red shirts — nailed it for the manager. Only on this occasion, Ferguson didn’t get what he wanted. It’s also unlikely waiting a year for his target is bound to work this time; unlike RvN, Berbatov et al.
Our current situation resembles that line from the Rime of the Ancient Mariner: ‘water water everywhere, not a drop to drink‘ (More like money, money everywhere, not a player in sight.) Of course, there is still enough time to bring in two players to get us going before things actually escalate towards desperation but it would be a stretch to expect to bring in everyone by the cut off pre-season training date that is July 13th.
We have been linked with the likes of Aguero and AS, the Spanish newspaper, have us linked with Huntelaar. Bringing in Huntelaar should be easier, provided Ferguson really wants him. Hell, if he really wanted him, he would have come in long before Madrid even had a sniff. Aguero gives us star power, real creative energy around the box, although, if Rooney is to be played in his preferred role, the Argentinian would have to be played out wide.
Despite all this transfer talk, I really have two major concerns that need to be addressed. Which is what I want to end this post with.
1. Rooney needs a full season where he can play in a central role. I think Ferguson has little excuse to sacrifice Rooney this time round. There’s no Ronaldo to ‘accommodate’ in this team anymore. Rooney plays in the role he plays for England. No dicking about sticking him in the wing. Most of Ferguson’s rebuilding exercises have revolved around switching focus and building the side around that focus. It could be based on a good strike partnership, like the side of ’99; or relying on the interchangeable play of the front attackers, [the 2008 side with Ronaldo as a focal point]. This time attention obviously shifts to Rooney, and he needs to be played as a number ten. So why am I talking about Rooney in the midst of discussing transfer targets? In order to ensure Rooney does not get played out wide, we need to ensure there is enough credible depth on our wings. We have Valencia and Nani (and a rookie in Tosic) as attacking wingers (Park is a defensive midfielder, and Giggs is not a left winger anymore). We clearly need reinforcement there. Aguero might help, but his talent could be wasted out wide. So one more decent winger should fix that worry.
2. A box to box midfielder, or an attacking midfielder who’s capable of scoring from midfield.
The first one ties into the lesson learned from our defeat against Barcelona. Despite our success, we haven’t really got a midfielder who can grab the game by the cliched scruff of the neck. We have Hargreaves, but he’s not back until January. And I really won’t believe his fitness reports until I see him on the pitch. True Fletcher had his moments, but doubts still linger over his consistency.
The second part, regarding the need for a creative attacking midfielder, sort of ties in to our need to spread the goals around this season instead of relying on a couple of players. But this is an either-or requirement. I wouldn’t want both to be signed simultaneously. This would mean Carrick would be marginalised, or if we were to go for a 4-3-3, Rooney would be forced to plough a lone furrow on his own — again, not something I’d want.
Anyway, that should be enough tactical analysis from my side for the day. for general transfer stories, half baked thoughts during the day, you could either find me here, or in the comments section of this post.
* * *
In other interesting tidbits, Scott sheds more light on the scouse delusion.
And 101 Great Goals has a three part video link to MUTV’s Ronaldo tribute video. To be honest, despite my strong opinions over the deterioration of his attitude over the past year, there are still enough clips in the video to make me relive some of those special moments with fondness; especially the parts where he was a scrawny, little teenager.
Related items from Red Rants:
- The Karim of the Crop?
- Transfer Talk: Lahm and Benzema | Evra’s Contract
- Teams Start Talking Big As Champions’ League Clash Looms
- Benzema, Benzema and more Benzema. But it’s only talk.
- Breaking News: United accept 80m Ronaldo bid
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (485)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (347)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
I guess the thing that scares me most about MO signing is that SAF has buckled to Rooney’s pleas to play CF – playing Rooney with Berbatov and MO coming off the bench.
That didn’t work last year (with Tevez on the bench) and I just don’t seeing happening this year either.
It just stinks of a “plan B”, patch up job, filling a spot on the roster, but not a need on the pitch!!
Like?
0 
0
@colver: Lets also not forget that this new United side does not include the selfishness and style of Ronaldo. It’s no secret that Ronaldo and Berbatov did not match up well on the pitch. Now that Berba has a more conventional winger in Valencia to play with, expect bigger and better things from him. He was never ever able to get on the same page with Ronny.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: How many times should I remind you to watch your tone?
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: …please, be serious!!
Like?
0 
0
@Stephen: No, it’s not okay having a pop at Dan either. This guy is a troll and I see no need to keep feeding him with our replies.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: In even bigger news, Michael Owen PASSES MEDICAL!
Like?
0 
0
@ROOOOONEY: Actually I used to hope for him to move to us. I quite often placed him on my FIFA EA teams and bought him in Football Manager because I like the idea of him teaming up with Rooney like they did for England. But we are talking five years ago.
Like?
0 
0
So in comes our striker for the new season- welcome michael owen! To be fair we have nothing to lose and whilst he will probably be 3rd choice he is the goalscorer we all wanted to compliment Rooney and berbatov. What next in this crazy summer?! Fabregas anyone….?
Like?
0 
0
soooo any predictions for our next signing? owen joining us made me curious of how we will do next season.
Like?
0 
0
gator so you cannot handle the fact that I maybe right this is the worst group of players. I cannot see anyone who the hell is out there, sorry grognard but nani is just to lightweight the only thing he as in commen with ronaldo is they are both from portugal they both played for sporting and they both dont track back. and let me resay my quote about hargreaves he is good enough but his injurys have made me think he is not good enough. hurricain madrid have just blown not only our world away but a lot of the footballing world away also. the ronaldo situation and his change of heart in 2008 has totaly got fergie to having to rebuild the side yet again. fergie is at an age where he cannot keep rebuilding teams he should be having a side rebuilt so he can go on and enjoy ronaldo as changed those plans. united is also suffering from no one coming through the ranks and finding those gems like a solkjaer.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: You should care mate because like me, you don’t like it when you are called names or abused. We all say things that can be frustrating to others. We are all different and think differently. But one thing we are all linked with is a love for Man Utd and therefore we are brothers in that case. So even though brothers can scrap and disagree, they must like and respect each other. Now show some love and respect or I’ll take a round out of you you dumb SOB.
Like?
0 
0
@ROOOOONEY: Well, im happy with thte defence, im happy with our wingers, and with owen, believe it or not, im happy with our striker force with macheda and welbeck coming through.
I say we bid £50 maybe even £60mil on De rossi, and we will be complete.
Or a cheecky £10mil on cana
Like?
0 
0
I would say Nani and Valencia have enough potential to merit a chance to show what they can do as our wingers. It is central midfield that worries me. I don’t mind if Owen misses games because we’d want Berbatov and Rooney to play most games anyways and the kids to get some. But Owen Hargreaves needs to be playing week in and week out because otherwise our central midfield is gonna remain mediocre and will get found out in Europe.
I don’t have much confidence in that happening. So I really do think we need to buy a central midfielder. But every player we have been linked with so far has been a winger or a striker. And with Owen and Valencia it seems we’ve done our business in those areas.
Is Fergie going to shut up shop for the summer and give the rest of the money to the Glazers? Or is he going to get over his loyalty to Carrick and Fletcher and buy us a world class central midfielder?
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: “I’ll take a round out of you you dumb SOB.”
Like?
0 
0
Is this the same central midfield that has taken us to three Premier League trophies and two Champions League finals? Just checking.
I find it hard to keep up with things around here. Just making sure I understand everything. As far as I can tell, we had a great central midfield before the Champions League final. And a shockingly bad one after the Champions League final. Isn’t it amazing what scapegoating can do?
Like?
0 
0
@steve: OK that is out of line mate. You opened this can of worms with your poor argument for Tevez. Look around, nobody and I mean nobody seems to be agreeing with you. Take that as a hint and concede defeat and stop telling people to shut the hell up. I just stuck up for your right to speak your mind and then you go and pull an insult out of your bag and make my efforts meaningless and pointless.
Like?
0 
0
Dan so you have shown you cant take critisism, I am showing the obvious flaws in this team that barcelona showed in the final. xavi iniesta showed the mediocrety in the midfield. when I say berbatov is not up 2 scratch all of a sudden you get defensive. if you cannot see these flaws then you know nowt about the team.
Like?
0 
0
CONFRIMED- MAN UTD SIGN MICHEAL OWEN ON A 2YR DEAL.
The England forward was available on a free transfer after his contract at Newcastle United expired at the end of June.
A number of sides were interested in signing the former Liverpool and Real Madrid attacker, but United emerged as favourites to secure his signature.
The 29-year-old underwent a medical in Manchester on Friday and has now sealed his move to the Premier League champions, inking a two-year deal.
Manager Sir Alex Ferguson told the club’s official website: “Michael is a world class forward with a proven goalscoring record at the highest level and that has never been in question.
Fantastic opportunity
“Coming to Manchester United with the expectations that we have is something that Michael will relish.”
Owen said: “I had just begun to talk to other clubs when out of the blue Sir Alex phoned me on Wednesday afternoon, invited me to have breakfast with him the next morning during which he told me that he wanted to sign me. I agreed without a moment’s thought.
“This is a fantastic opportunity for me and I intend to seize it with both hands.
“I am now looking forward to being a Manchester United player and I am fortunate that I already know so many of the players here. I missed pre-season last year and am pleased that I will be starting at Carrington from day one.
“I want to thank Sir Alex for the faith he has shown in me and I give him my assurance that I will repay him with my goals and performances
Like?
0 
0
@Traverse: Knowing Owen I would have put money on him PASSING GAS or even PASSING A HOSPITAL.
Like?
0 
0
Grognard I said it once when I feel his quote was out of line. I like the style of tevez but like I said both are just not good enough.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: OK, dueling keyboards at dawn.
Like?
0 
0
MUTV seem to be making me more angry, the presenter is like we have signed messi he should be imbarassed with himself. the signing of owen just sums up we do now shop at happy shoppers. who in the hell is our physical presence upfront because rooney berbatov owen offer none of this
Like?
0 
0
@Hmm: Yes it’s that very same midfield that showed it’s complete ineptitude against Barcelona and lets face it, would look a Hell of a lot worse had we not escaped time after time after time due to the heroic and unbelievable feats of one Cristiano Ronaldo. Now the midfield no no longer has Ronaldo to hide their inadequacies behind. You will see what I mean in due time, believe me.
Like?
0 
0
Well it is official. Owen has passed his medical and signed. Of course this is the same medical that approved the signing of Hargreaves and the same medical team that thought it could get Saha back on his feet.
But I am pleased. If he can score double figures for an outfit like Newcastle I feel sure he’ll manage that for us. He will come to us hungry, desperate to prove his doubters wrong, get back in the England squad and show that he still has got it.
Haha the funniest thing is a friend of mine has had the biggest crush on Owen since she was a teenager and supported Liverpool because of this and hates United. Now he is playing for United she is sick as a parrot!
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Ok, i think your a great big nincompoop.
Beat that
Like?
0 
0
@steve: That wasn’t criticism mate. You told him to shut the hell up. How is that a debate or criticism? Sounds more like an insult to me.
Like?
0 
0
@steve: Fine, but if Tevez is not good enough in your eyes, why defend for him and fight for him as if he was? It was clear you didn’t think Berba was good enough but you kept making a futile care for Tevez. I have to agree with others then and say that you were instigating a fight for no reason. I’m just calling it as I see it with no personal motives or malice intended.
Like?
0 
0
is RedCafe dead?
it never loads for me.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Ok, thanks for stepping in although it’s between Dan and him. I’ll take this from here. I don’t want you to be drawn into this.
Like?
0 
0
Hmm john os hea and ryan giggs did well in the back hand of 05/2006 season does not mean we should have kept with it.
here is a stat in all comp of the midfield without ronaldo
carrick 4 goals
scholes 3 goals
fletcher 4 goals
anderson 0 goals
nani 6 goals
giggs 4 goals
park 4 goals
I will not include hargreaves because he as been injured all season. when nani is your top midfield goalscorer then you know how bad the midfield is
Like?
0 
0
@MUFC Fan in America: Sames been happening with me.
PANIC!!!!
Like?
0 
0
@colver:
We still need 1 more player in midfield who can score 10+ goals a season whether he is a winger or central midfield player – liverpool have gerrard, Chelsea have lampard, arsenal have fabregas, heck shitty have Ireland!! Problem is finding that player….. I like the way David silva operates wide and centrally but his goalscoring history is nothing to shout about, I’m pretty stumped on this one. Owen was a shock so maybe grog u will get your requelme wish after all!!!!
Like?
0 
0
OWEN HAS SIGNED!!!
There, it has happened!! The world hasn’t turned upside down, there have been no mass suicides outside OT and we are all still supporting United. It is a shock move, no doubt; one which could end up indifferently, but I predict a win-win situation for us.
There is no doubt that Fergie’s only choice for a striker acquisition was Benzema. As soon as Benzema was off the market, he decided to sign a stop-gap player which had had all the qualities a stop-gap player should have:
i)Experience
ii)Ability
iii)Willingness to rotate
Also, Fergie said something towards the end of last season:
“Danny’s a certainty to make it at the highest level. I’ve told Fabio Capello the boy will be in his World Cup squad next year. Wide left or right or through the middle, he has the intelligence, guts, athleticism and talent to do the job He’s going to be a big lad. His height is about 6ft 1in now but the prediction is he’ll be 6ft 3in. He’s yet to get the conformation in his thighs, so he is still gangly, but he’s brave enough to carry that. When he completes his growing, he’ll really be something.”.
I believe Fergie is going to put a bit more faith in Welbeck and he will be our 4th choice striker next season, with him possibly leap-frogging Owen the year after that. All Owen is, is a reliable and proven goal-scoring sub that we will need in order to keep our strikers fresh. He signed a two-year contract, so it is obvious that is what he is here for. Berbatov and Rooney have a partnership to forge and prove to the world what a world-class pairing they can be. Both can play deep or upfront, so can complement each other and Owen too. Forget all these established foreign stars with their massive egos, who will be pining for a move after a couple of years. Give Berba and Rooney the stage, have Owen as backup and allow young Danny to develop into the striker Fergie believes he can be.
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Ive decided not to respond to him, if you want a troll like him on the blog, thats not up to me, but im not going to get my self angry and in trouble because of him.
Like?
0 
0
wont respond to that muppet
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: As long as you’ve decided not to get involved it suits me. Regarding handling Steve, he’ll be watched if his tone is just a one off or not. And I’ll take action accordingly.
Like?
0 
0
Dan, did i just read you say you were happy with our wingers?!!!!!!!
last season showed UNITED were 2 wingers light & that was before Ron-Ron left, Valencia is a job half done in my eyes. Park is a great player when you’re holding a lead or looking for a draw but can’t really change a game, Giggs isn’t a winger, Nani is Nani & Tosic is. . . well. . . talented @ best, if UNITED go into this season without another winger they’re fooked. even if Nani stepped up, they’re a top winger short.
Ashley Young anyone?! (i’ve mentioned him in 3 of 4 posts now, i think i’m infatuated
)
Like?
0 
0
http://www.manutd.co.uk/default.sps?pagegid={F9E570E6-407E-44BC-800F-4A3110258114}&newsid=6635648
He sure looks good in a united shirt
Like?
0 
0
Red Ranter I said my view on the current squad and he cant take it it is that simple
Like?
0 
0
@steve: What is the way forward then?
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: Right thanks.
Im sure you saw the post above yours?
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: At times like this I have to bring out the best comeback insult ever invented. I quote the great Al Bundy from the American tv series “Married With Children” for this witty and highly intelligent comeback. “Oh yah, well………you’re a chicken.” Now how can you beat that for a putdown and for it’s wit?
Like?
0 
0
@Red Ranter: No problem mate. I was involved in the debate too so that is why I stepped in this time.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Well my feathers are bigger then yours.
Nuff said lol.
Like?
0 
0
My problem with Owen is that I honestly can’t believe that at this stage in his career he is better than Welbeck or Campbell. Sure he has experience but he hasn’t got the dash, speed and enthusiasm of youth and he is on the decline while they are on the incline. Just another case of Fergie having this love affair with people closer to his age group.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: That’s because you are a bigger chicken.
Like?
0 
0
Stephen the spanish league have gridlocked the transfer market. or more likely real madrid have gridlocked the transfer market wehere everyone says only madrid will do. the only hope for unitd is berbatov anderson nani hargreaves valencia park tosic step up to the plate iof that happens then we will be fine but is that likely that is the biggest hope and way forward I can think of
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: yeah, he does look good (no homo
) … maybe he could even help us sell a couple thousand more shirts!! 
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I quite like the idea of owen being a mentor to welbeck and macheda tbh. I reckon Welbeck is ahead of the pecking order tbh as well.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Touché !!
Like?
0 
0