Jun 29
United to overpay for Valencia this week?
The Mirror carries the story today according to which, Antonio Valencia flew in last night for a medical to sign for United. It’s only the Mirror that’s running the story, sans quotes, but considering the Ronaldo transfer was confirmed at the end of last week, it was only a matter of time this happened.
The sum quoted is £16m which is what I have a problem with. Personally, any sum over £12-14m is too much for a winger who’s been consistent, but not outstanding. True, he’s an out and out winger and does give us some width.
But his stats don’t necessarily pop out to hold anyone’s fancy. I would hope this is only a straight buy, unlike other media sources that revolved around using Nani as a makeweight in the deal; that, to me, would be unacceptable because despite his reduced appearances last season he deserves a season where he’s given the chance to express himself and step out of Ronaldo’s massive shadow. He may never come close to Ronaldo’s ability, but he still deserves a chance.
Valencia again, might be a player that hugs the touchline and tries to cross it in, but our system has evolved to the extent that we don’t really have a striker that lurks in and around the box. Berbatov may have been bought for that purpose, but his lack of pace makes it difficult to have him in the area during a counter. I would pitch for Huntelaar, but there seems to be very little talk about the Dutchman. And I think Ferguson might opt for giving the likes of Macheda and Welbeck more of a chance the next season.
Valencia might be an improvement over Park or a now past-it Ryan Giggs (at least as a winger), but he’s an expensive one at that. But then, we seem to be having little options in the market with players either pricing themselves out of a move or just declaring their interest to play for Madrid.
I hope he turns out to be a great buy; to be honest, the compilation video (not that they are the final say on any player) show him to be a more direct player. It will be great to be proved wrong on him. But for now I’m not sure I can say I’m overjoyed by this transfer. I’m sure I may be stuck up in the ‘we-need-a-Ronaldo-type-player’ mode, but there are so little of them around these days. I believe Ferguson will change the system to a more orthodox 4-4-2 system now.
* * *
In other news, Rooney, in an interview with the Times has made it clear that he’s ready to flourish if he gets a more central role — which is his preferred role.
The confidence in the lad is good to see, and I’m sure the manager sees it too, but has perhaps been hamstrung by the need of his system, which sought to accommodate Ronaldo. Now that he’s gone, I see SAF go out of his way to satisfy Rooney. If he does that and stays injury free, I can see Rooney help shoulder a burden of our goals.
We have also been linked to Sergio Aguero, and his release clause is well within our reach. I like the player, but with Berbatov and Rooney expected to partner upfront, Aguero might be bought to provide a creative spark in a wide floating role behind the strikers — if at all he’s bought.
And that should wrap it up for today. Updates, if any, on the Valencia transfer will be added to this post. So watch this space.
* * *
Also don’t forget to hop over to Scott’s ROM blog who is running a Summer competition for which, anyone with a passing experience dabbling with MS Paint can join.
Related items from Red Rants:
- 7,000 Reds and one Roaring Valencia – Wallpaper
- Live Match Blog: Manchester United vs. Valencia
- Second motive for Sir Alex’s Spanish scouting trip?
- United Host Chelsea With European Semifinal At Stake
- United Lock Horns with Liverpool in FA Cup Clash
Tags: Manchester United News
Opti (541)
Stephen (487)
RedDevilEddy (459)
Craig Mc (348)
Moscow is my heaven (272)
@RedDevilEddy: Nobody but nobody loves Huntelaar more than me mate. Make Huntelaar and make me proud. I want to see his bicycle kicks and long range shots as well. Also, putting him in a Man Utd uniform for a few goals would just make me a little emotional. It might make me say nice things about Anderson.
I look forward to it with great anticipation. Love the Hunter.
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Seriously?!
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: Well I wouldn’t go that far but I think I get your drift. It has something to do with the fact Alves has never defended in his life, right?
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Sorry dude, I like to keep it Real. No Hunter in United, but Ajax and Real/Holland will do.
And if you have seen my previous vids, you know I am good with bicycle kicks. 
I will start next week, cause Im busy this week. Arite mate? 
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: I’m fully aware that you wouldn’t do a Ballack video. I was teasing. Riquelme though has tremendous skills. They may not be step overs but they are sublime. But he too would be a tough video to do. Huntelaar is the man for me.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard:
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: I suppose having to wait until next week is justifiable punishment for all my Anderson bashing. Sounds good mate.
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Yep, bloody ramos is a better defender then him, and ramos got shown up for the fool that hes by bloody USA!
Ramos took a touch in the box, alves would have dummied it right to dempsey
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard:
Nah maate, it sjust that I have a busy schedule. Football training, my girlfriend and… dude, ITS SUMMERBREAK!!!
But I will tell you as soon as Im done. 
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Oh, and BTW mate. This is a goal I scored with Hargo today, starting on my free-kick compilation. Check it out, will ya?
http://www.eafootballworld.com/en_GB/video/6682373
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: I think he is a great player, maybe I am a bit anti Argie at the moment matey!
Like?
0 
0
@Dan:
Like?
0 
0
Hey what if Nani got #7 and Valencia took #17? Well that’s a half joke but what are the available numbers for any potential signings?
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: Nice. I too have success with Hargo in short range free kicks. I have always had problems with Ronaldo at short range but I do better with him from 30 yards.
Also, it’s too bad I don’t know how to do the video stuff you are doing within FIFA 09. Great stuff. I just finished a season where I played Hamburg with Huntelaar as my lone striker up front in a 4-2-3-1 formation. He broke Gerd Muller’s 40 year Bundesliga goal scoring record of 40 with 41 goals and was everything I would expect of him in real life. Scored beautiful goals, timely goals and poacher goals as well. What I would give for FIFA 09 to have a recorder feature where you could save all your special highlights and then take those and make a video. That would have been special 26-4-2 was my record at the highest difficulty level and I am still pissed off with myself over my two losses as I had those games won and lost my concentration. Just like real life.
Like?
0 
0
@TurkishRED: I think Fergie will save #7 for that special player who shows up. An Aguero, Villa etc. I don’t see him giving it to Valencia but then again, if he really rates this player higher than we do.
Like?
0 
0
Yes but is there anything else to give to Valencia?
Like?
0 
0
@TurkishRED: I would like to see nani get the number 7 shirt, that kind of act would show a confidence in the lad, and i think nani would do a very good job in it and become world class within a few years i really do.
That would free up the number 17 for valencia, isnt he 17 at wigan?
I would also like to see macheda given a better number, 41, just looks like a number given to a reserve player. Hes past that stage now and should be given a good number to show he has moved on up in the pecking order of the team, maybe take tevez’s old number 32 shirt.
In the end though they are only numbers on the back of a shirt i guess apart from a massive number like the number 7 or 10, it really isnt such a big deal. However with some players the number on their shirt is a big deal but i would think we would do well to avoid them players, its the front of the shirt that matters not whats on the back.
Like?
0 
0
@Matt: Just looked at Sky Sports’ list of United’s squad and numbers and they gave Febian Brandy #7!? Also Hewson and Martin have #30… It really is in disarray.
Like?
0 
0
@TurkishRED: Damn that is messed up, huh brandy number 7 lol. If your a fan of the sort of big numbers which have a meaning which some players do, then we really dont have much. I expect macheda will get a new number, maybe 25 if simpson leaves or maybe the 32 vacated by tevez. Other than that there aint a great deal of numbers around. But as i said mate i cant see a number mattering much to a player, its only a number after all.
Would be nice to know the players numbers for the new season though, friend of mine is thinking of getting macheda 41 on the back of his shirt, ive told him to wait cos i think his number will be changed but hes not the waiting sort so it will be kinda funny if he gets the new shirt with machedas old number on it.
Like?
0 
0
I have to be honest Im impressed by the German number 10 Ozil he looks amazing, and it makes me wonder why not we all forget about Benzema, Huntelaar or Ribery and all the other players we have been linked with and look into these players who have impressed in the Euro under 21, I also am a big fan of Marcus Berg
Like?
0 
0
@Matt: You know Macheda 41 is what he made his name with last season vs. villa… That alone is reason enough for some to get it even if he does change his number down the road.
Like?
0 
0
@Hannoodi: Turkey has always tried to get him to play in the senior national team, but he keeps refusing… He’d be a starter, no doubt.
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: Why not make a Fifa compilation dedicated to Grognard featuring, wait for it,
Drogba
Terry
Pienaar
Platini and
Maradona?
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Germany Under-21s 4-0 England Under-21s, I can imagine you are loving it mate
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: What the…
Drogba: FIFA have got to make a diving button before I can do that.
Terry: Got any bananas?
Pienaar: Way to good a player for me to handle!
Platini: Might as well use Paul Robinson, cause he is the fattest player in da game.
Maradona: … ehh… watta… hmm… FUCKING NOOOO!!!
Like?
0 
0
Someone posted this on RoM?
Roy Keane, anyone?
Like?
0 
0
Grog, If I read an ‘I told you so’ type comment from you, I swear I will track ur IP address, then ur residential one and come over to Canada and strangle you !!
Germans deserved the victory though, poor play and tactics by England!! 
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy:
Like?
0 
0
@Grognard: Ive played 3 full seasons with United. Won absolutely every game, on legendary diffculty!
Top scorer? Here goes…
2008/09, part 1: Cristiano Ronaldo, 72.
2009/10: Cristiano Ronaldo, 98
2010/11: Wayne Rooney, 102.
2008/09, part 2: Cristiano Ronaldo, 86.
Ronny and Rooney wer always my two top scorers, but in my current season, without Ronaldo, this is my record.
United, 31-0-0.
Top scorers: Wayne Rooney, 64. Nani, 28. Dimitar Berbatov, 27. Danny Welbeck, 21.
Without Ronaldo I play Nani as the W as winger, so it becomes a 4-4-3. When playing lef winger I use Hargo on the right, but when I use him as a right winger I use Welbeck on the left. Danny is also my thrid striker, since Macheda is still very young and not so good. I change my fre-kick takers, Hargo, Wazza, Nani and Scholes are the ones that take them in between. Of cource Anderson takes my penalties, as he has proven himself in real life as a ery good one. Plus, you know what he means to me!
I usually buy a winger in the summer of 2009, either Silva, Young or Valencia. My style of play is unpredictable, and as some of the guys I have played against on Live says, “My style in unique”! So I enjoy myself each time I play! 
Dude, I really wanna play you one day! Why dont you get Live, so I can test your skills.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB:
That lad looks more roy keane then roy keane 
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Holy shit mate, he plays like me!!!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Double holy shit, he is Albanian too??!! Im 1/4 Albanian, that fucking dude IS me!!!
FERGIE, FERGIE SIGN HIM UP!!!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: hes a fucking axe murderer haha
Like?
0 
0
@Dan: @RedDevilEddy:
The good news: He’s apparently on the market..
The bad news: Liverpool are interested
Like?
0 
0
Remember when Keane’s wages of 50,000 £ per week caused massive indignation?
Well reports are that Valencia is going to earn 75,000 £ / week!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Pathetic thing about that is i think he was earning about £20 odd thousand a week at wigan, im sure he would have been happy on £50k a week, so why do we offer him 75. God the way football has become is a bloody joke. Especially us, i mean what the hell is wrong with us and player wages, whoever works in our finance department needs the sack.
Im hearing were spending £3 million a year in wages on scholes and neville alone which is bloody astronomical for players their age. As with valencia im sure being fans of the club and being the loyal players they are, they could be on £30k a week and be happy. I know all about this bull of players wanting to be on par with the other top earners, but i would only consider the top players to be on top wages. The ferdinands, vidic’s, rooneys of this world fair enough can be on say £75+k a week, but that much on two oldies who are past it imo and a player like valencia who was on a quarter of that at wigan is pathetic.
You mention keane and the fuss when he was wanting his contract raised, god the way football has changed in the last 10 years is unbelievable.
Like?
0 
0
My contribution is this:.I’m not a big fan of Valencia and I don’t believe all the ridiculous stories that his employers are feeding the press.Real Madrid are not interested in the player,that was said to make him sellable.It helps in kinda appreciating his value and it would be silly and beyond comprehension for Real Maggots to get him when they already have fan favorite Arjen Robben and being linked with the likes of Ribery.
I’m not overjoyed by his purchase because I was really hoping for David Silva who is far better than Valencia and is also more versatile in attack.But thats just the thing.The Ronaldo replacement thoughts are lurking in my mind and I’m finding it hard to look at the merits of other players we are linked with.
So I’ve thought about it for a while and have begun to actually see how this could be the best available option.A more direct winger whose main agenda is not scoring goals but makin them is precisely what we need right now.We can all agree that all our strikers have not been scoring as many goals as we hoped for.I’ll exclude Tevez from this analysis but most of us can agree that Rooney can score more goals than he has.A lesser proportion will also agree that The Count can score more for us than he has.The reason why they couldn’t in my opinion is Ronaldo. His number one agenda on the football field is to be the centre of attraction and to be the main scorer of goals.Now that he is gone(finally) these guys can expect to get better in what they do due to better service.Actually we did ourselves a very big favor by getting rid of Ronaldo.Valencia can be the medicine for our ailing strikeforce’s recovery now that we have rid ourselves of the virus that was going to cripple us.Direct supply and he will give us width and maybe he could turn out to be the Premiership’s best winger due to playing with and for the best club in England
Like?
0 
0
@Matt: How do you suppose that can be solved.I do agree with you on Valencia,we didn’t, if we actually have,need to offer such a wage to him.And I actually don’t believe the press has any info at all. But say we are paying Scholes and co such huge salaries how can that be resolved.Seeing that they have contracts which we tied them down to at such amounts long before now.We all say players should honour their contracts but shouldn’t the club do the same.I mean the only solution to this is when players are signing contracts we offer them regressive wages rather than constant wages as in as you advance in age we will decrease ur salary. If we are able to sign any player under such conditions I will eat my shoes
Like?
0 
0
@Jay wire: Well i think as the players get older and thus used less and cannot perform to as high a standard why should they be on a higher wage than they were on when they were in their prime. Maybe to thank the likes of the nevilles and scholes for their loyalty so i can see this side of the argument but i definietly think £3 million a year each for scholes and neville, 2 players who imo are about 4th or 5th choice in their respective positions is just a complete and utter bloody joke.
I hear gattuso is so eager to earn a new contract at milan he wants to take a wage cut to stay on there. I am pretty sure he does this cos he loves the club and doesnt want to play anywhere else. Im sure pros like scholes and neville must be feeling they aint earning their approximate £80k a week, they hardly bloody play. I am positive when united offered neville a new deal a few months ago he must have been thinking how bloody lucky he was in earning a new deal, cos from his playing displays he didnt deserve one. I reckon if united had offered a new 1 year contract at £40k a week he would sign in a flash, that is a more realistic offer than the £80k he is on now to be getting over £3million a season in wages.
But as a said maybe united feel for their loyal service they deserve to be top earners at the club and i can kind of see that but you can balance that by saying there are better players on current not past form that deserve that and aint getting it. Players like valencia, scholes and nev are on over £70 odd grand a week, and my point is that first i dont think their talent is so good they deserve that massive wage that puts them among the top earners at the club and secondly that im sure they would have accepted lower wage amounts anyway because they probably werent expecting to be such high wages to begin with.
Like?
0 
0
Here is the list of my next FIFA video projects!
1. Ryan Giggs
)
2. Klaas Jan Huntelaar
3. New United signing
4. Roman Riquelme(?)
5. Anderson(hopefully
Then there may be a few goal compilations in there, but those are the ones I have planned out at this particular moment. But what i find a real challenge? Ryan Giggs vs Arsenal, Villa Park, Semi Final, 1999. Prepare for perfection!
Like?
0 
0
Some Bruno fer y’all. If its half as funny sa Borat, we’re in for a treat!
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DchotzuAvgc
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CUhb2X1y-B4
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uBqmpeLp7FU
Like?
0 
0
@Jay wire: I am begining to agree with you. I think that Valencia will become a better player by playing with better players.
As an example I remember when we were linked with David Villa (before he joined Valencia) and I was hoping that we didn’t get him because he really did not impress on the few occasions that I had seen him to that point, but now he is one of the best strikers in the world…
I think we should be fair to Valencia as he seems to be a valued player and the complete opposite of the Iberian Lesbian as far as personality goes.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Is that Fernando Torres?!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB:
Laugh it up fuzzball. Don’t forget Vieira, Henry and Ashley Cole.
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: IT IS!!!
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: Still laughing
Like?
0 
0
@RedDevilEddy: I am VERY, VERY, VERY, disappointed that Wes Brown is not on your list of videos to be made Eddi. Mainly because after the Nani video, I thought you could continue with that line of thought, that you use UNDER appreciated players at Man Utd, so we could have a library of vids BIGGING up those who deserve to be bigged up but seldom are
.
Like?
0 
0
@Man-U-cho: Duetschland Deutschland Uber Alles BABY!
Loved it, just loved it. They showed their true class and England showed they’re truly ass.
Oh I know I will piss many off with those remarks but understand that poor England needs to avoid the German machine if they are to win anything. Other than anomaly in Munich 2001, We own Englands ass since 1970. They will not beat us in a meaningful match. Forget frakken friendlies, when something is on the line, the Germans show up and England chumps out.
Today England was completely out managed and outplayed and outclassed and I just knew the Joe Hart suspension was going to hurt them. I also was not worried because Englands two front men were suspended also. It showed that England had no quality in depth and no imagination. As for Germany, they showed their class and several players really shone. I really liked Hummels today. I also was impressed with Ozil and Wagner. Any German with a last name like Wagner just impels me to play “Flight of the Valkyrie” in the background while I’m watching the game. The Germans were those helicopters destroying the village in Apocalypse Now. “I love the smell of napalm in the morning……It smells like…….victory.” You better believe it does. 4-0 to be exact. And the Grognard is going to party.
Like?
0 
0
@NicoQB: That boy would last all but 5 minutes before he entered Fergie’s doghouse and it would take 4 minutes before he got his first red card in the EPL. He shows no skill or control of his temper and rather than just being a physically imposing player, he is chippy and dirty. He’s a punk. Roy Keane was never that blatantly dirty. When he went out to hurt somebody it was because there were hard feelings with that player or a vendetta. He was physical but controlled or he would not have survived his time with Fergie. I could see this Cana kid getting a red card every game he plays because he is stupid and has no self control or subtlety in his approach to physical play. He’s just so obvious and hard core.
Like?
0 
0
@Craig Mc: Dude, I would have made a vid about Wes, I absolutely luv the lad. A time ago when people were bashing our right backs, saying we needed to buy top class defenders in that position, I stood up for Wes. I have faith in the lad, and he is one of my favorite players in United. And, you should know, the reason I wont be making a vid of him is because my FIFA vids are not only about the history of the players, but for me to commerciate my skills and abilities. If Wes had amazing skills, or had had many highlights in his career, he would be one of the first on my list. Unfortunately the defenders in games have limited skills, dotn score too many goals nor have had too many recognised highlights. But believe me, if FIFA 10 gives a more varieted gameplay in defending/attacking, he would be one of the frist on my list!
For that matter, if I could choose whichever player, and make a perfect FIFA vid about them it would be these:
Anderson
Brown
Foster
Vidic
Carrick
Rio
Like?
0 
0