Feb 26
United’s own Turkish delight?
Considering the abundance of striking options at Sir Alex Ferguson’s disposal, one would think that a striker isn’t a necessity for Manchester United but, over the last few weeks, rumours linking some of Europe’s frontmen with a move to Old Trafford have intensified.
While any transfer speculation at this stage of the season must be taken with more than the traditional pinch of salt, United have matured a reputation for sealing their deals well before the opening of the transfer window and, considering David Gill’s imminent departure, Sir Alex Ferguson is likely to be willing to have business done and dusted in the early stages of the summer market.
United have, for quite some time now, been linked to Robert Lewandowski with reports in Germany and Poland suggesting that the Borussia Dortmund striker will trigger a two-horse race for his signature, with United and Bayern Munich likely to go head-to-head in an attempt to lure the Polish striker, who’s allegedly repeatedly stated his desire to move to England, away from the Westfalenstadion.
According to the Guardian, though, United might have identified a surprise target to bolster their front line, in the shape of Galatasaray’s striker Burak Yilmaz. The Turkish striker scored 33 league goals in 34 games last season and has so far netted 14 in 16 games this season, to add to the seven goals he has scored in the Champions League.
At 6ft 2in the 27-year-old offers a towering presence, but has educated enough feet to prevent being dismissed as simply a battering ram a la Andy Carroll – which is just as well, for at least he won’t fetch £35m.
The only player to have scored as many Champions League goals as Burak Yilmaz is that Cristiano Ronaldo who, according to the reliable and authoritative that is the Daily Star, could be on his way back to Old Trafford, particularly should Nani refuse the £90k-a-week deal he’ set to be offered.
According to the Star – who had already reported a similar story earlier in the week – United’s only hope to see the Portuguese back at Old Trafford is a breakdown in talks between Ronaldo and Real Madrid over his new contract. At that point, United could lure him back to England for just £55m.
If you believe the story you are, quite frankly, rather sad. But then again, if you believe the story you probably read the Star, which makes you an incredibly sadder individual.
Dan (@mufc_dan87)
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Tags: Manchester United News
The_Philosopher (486)
Redrich (253)
Opti (215)
Stephen (187)
Moscow (150)
Another QUALITY striker would be great.
Rooney has his days where finding the net is mission impossible.
Welbeck dreams of the day he will perhaps maybe score his next goal eventually.
And RVP isn’t gonna last forever so a new striker is a good investment if you ask me.
Angelo Henriquez is still learn to tie his boots so the new man is definately needed.
You can’t over emphasise the need for a quality striker.
Goals win championships. Strikers score goals.
Thats all Robin van Persie has been doing all season. . . scoring goals.
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Burak Yilmaz is Turkey’s best striker, but that is more a damning indictment of Turkish football than anything else. He is a good poacher, but he will not replace Van Persie’s total mastery of touch, dribbling, passing, vision and expertise. We shouldn’t be in the market for a striker, we should get rid of Welbeck who I think is a waste of space.
BUY A MIDFIELDER FOR GOODNESS SAKE
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@Moscow: You’re a true red Moscow.
Fergie loves Welbeck too much to chuck him. And he sees potential in him.
Anderson is also in Ferguson’s plans. Think Ferguson has gotten soft and sentimental in his old age. He tolerates mediocre performances from players.
Just look at how patient he has been with Macheda, Bebe, Anderson and Welbeck.
Anderson has shown signs of brilliance but he has also been irratic. And Ferguson is very patient with him with regards to him maturing into consistency.
I just feel like a lot of time is spent on waiting for players to get their act together.
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Awful lost of posts… how about combining them to keep discussions going? Like a weekly roundup post and then game pre/reviews?
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The Copa Del Ray Classico has been a cracker.
Real were getting stuck in. Hopefully after two rounds of this in one week they will be exhausted come the champions league game at Old Trafford.
I’m a bit concerned though. Real look hungry and their dominating Barca.
Is that because Barca’s off form (I mean they did go down 2-0 to Milan)
Or is it because Real are getting their confidence up?
Ronaldo is the real deal. His composure to score his second goal was amazing. The goal was wide open with the keeper chasing down his impending shot. Defenders scrambling to block him off as well. What does CR7 do? Calmly chest controls the ball lets it bounce once and slots it into an impossible corridor of opportunity. one inch to the left and the keeper gets it. One inch to the right and the defender blocks it. Wow what class1! Ronaldo is the real deal.
The round of 16 second leg against Real on Tuesday will be a tough game to say the least. lets not fool ourselves.
We have to beat them. We can’t park the bus. We’re going to have to gamble and have a go at them.
Its going to be massive!!!
But if we beat them. . .
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@The_Philosopher: The Special One has won at the Nou Camp again and emphatically. If they can score 3 goals against Barca with a quarter of the possession, then I can see us conceding more than 1 at Old Trafford. Which means we need at least 3 goals. It’s going to be a terrifying game.
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@Moscow: Terrifying is the wrong word.
We can beat them. But it will take a herculean effort from us.
And beating Real would be easier if we just had a bit more quality in midfield and on the left wing and Nani was in form on the right.
Antonio Valencia against Real Madrid is like taking a knife to a gun fight. He is out of his depth.
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@The_Philosopher: Still an in form Valencia and Rafael is our best combination on the right side. They compliment each other very well and seem to have a telepathic understanding.
The other day I was wondering if we can try playing Rafael in an advanced role. We can have Rafael (advanced role), Valencia (RM) and Jones (RB) manning the right side and Nani (advanced role), Cleverley (LM) and Evra (LB) manning the left. Play 2 CBs and Carrick to protect them. Let RVP play on his own upfront.
No Rooney there! The bigger question is – Can Rafael do a Bale? He has all the ingredients – super shot, dribbling, aggression etc. Will be interesting to try that. Of course RM and LM will have to come inside to help Carrick but we’ll still be having 2 guys on both flanks. If it clicks it can be very attacking and also defensive as well at the same time. Its something that can be tried against the likes of Real/Barca. Let them have midfield. We anyway cannot match them in midfield. But we can counter at devastating pace on both flanks. I would love to see Carrick venturing forward to support RVP in this configuration. Valencia and Cleverly to stay behind when that happens.
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@Moscow: @The_Philosopher: But Ferguson will find a way.
He always does.
Sir Alex Ferguson will win us the game on Tuesday.
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