January Transfer Window 2014

First topic message reminder :

I'm gonna open this up now as I contemplate watching the shower of poop I'm about to watch.

What strong rumours have we heard? What do teams need? Where do you think the money will be spent?

I shall start you off with rumours surrounding Lambert maybe considering West Ham and similarly West Ham going to Spurs cap in hand to request a loan of Defoe or Adebayor (sources not so tight haha)

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Isn't your star a player a former Real Madrid bench warmer too?

he was never a bench warmer at Madrid unless you want to tell me when.....

Hope we don't sign him, he's not very good.

I do I actually quite like him and he's what 25/26.

25.

I don't think he's up to much, considering he can't get a game at Madrid and Marcelo keeps him out of the side - he's only played 5 times this season.

Gonna cost a bomb too considering what they paid, ancelottis statement and the fact Madrid don't sell cheap.

Plus I'd rather avoid dealing with real altogether.

Liam wrote:I do I actually quite like him and he's what 25/26.

Problem is he has only played 4 times this season for real madrid so he will not be match fit and will need at least 5 games to get up to speed.

Champagne_Socialist wrote:

Hammersmith harrier wrote:Isn't your star a player a former Real Madrid bench warmer too?

he was never a bench warmer at Madrid :)unless you want to tell me when.....

Yes a bench warmer who had over 150 caps in 3 years, I don't know when he is going to get tired of making things up and damaging his own credibility. Silly really his bias against Arsenal overwhelms his loose grip on reality.

He was sold CS because he had lost his place in the side to Isco something that happened at the beginning of this very season.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:He was sold CS because he had lost his place in the side to Isco something that happened at the beginning of this very season.

That doesn't make him a benchwarmer  , a benchwarmer is someone who is a substitute for the overwhelming majority of the games.

Ozil started the 1st two games of the spanish season before being sold. He never sat on the bench

2010/2011
appearances-53
starts- 45

2011/2012
appearances-50
starts-42

2012/2013
appearances -50
starts- 38

2013/2014
appearances- 2
starts- 2

still yet to see why any united fans are still backing nani (couple on the previous page) how many poor performances does he have to put in before you see past (technical ability or "potential") to realise the guy hasn't got a brain on his head to do anything with it

just gone back and checked his stats compared with our one footed, only knows one trick and sometime much maligned valencia, since valencia has joined the club nanis league stats have only beaten valencias in one season. and that was a season when valencia missed the majority through injury.

valencia- 09/10 goals 5 assists 7
valencia- 10/11 goals 1 assists 2
valencia- 11/12 goals 6 assists 16
valencia- 12/13 goals 1 assists 7
valencia- 13/14 goals 1 assists 2

nani- 08/09 goals 1 assists 2
nani- 09/10 goals 4 assists 6
nani- 10/11 goals 9 assists 14
nani- 11/12 goals 8 assists 10
nani- 12/13 goals 1 assists 2
nani- 13/14 goals 0 assists 0

before united fans start making excuses for nain about injuries etc, Valencia in all those stats only had one full season without injuries, not to mention he went right off the boil for a couple of seasons and still beat nani in the stats!!

To veer this thread back on track a little...

We've been linked with Heitinga (we need a CB, so meh), and Zaha on loan (not sure this makes much sense)

Olly wrote:To veer this thread back on track a little...

We've been linked with Heitinga (we need a CB, so meh), and Zaha on loan (not sure this makes much sense)

i would love to get this thread back on track unfortunately our manager signed only one dud in the summer and is now sat back whinging about how difficult it is to sign players in January despite our need for them!   

Can we have an "We're Man United/Arsenal fans and our dad could beat up Arsenal/Man United fans" thread?

Coentrao would be decent, kept out of the team by one of my favourite left backs in the world. Love Marcelo.

No idea at West Ham. Lescott, Traore and Belfodil I think are the three prominent names.

Whilst those stats are league only Valencia's are appalling for a winger. He's had one good year.

I'd be quite happy if we could get nani back to pre injury form, 10 goals and 10 + assists a season is nothing to be sniffed at.

Plus he got played on the left a lot so Valencia could play on the right, he's much better on the right.

He's no world beater but with the side lacking creativity currently I'd love to have him fit for the rest of the season despite how frustrating he can be.

one thing those stats dont give full idea about is how many chances wasted/created.

valencia definitely creates the more chances for us, while nani definitely wastes a lot of them. 8 and 9 goals aint too bad for a winger although given how often he shoots and misses chances it isnt that great considering how we may have done better a lot of the time if he choose another option. look at walcott for instance, for me by no way the finished article but has been out scoring nani pretty much every season. if your that type of player playing in a top side 8/9 goals should be a bare minumum

We play with 2 strikers and arsenal don't though.

Valencia is very wasteful too, a poor player really. His crossing is woeful most of the time.

Ent wrote:We play with 2 strikers and arsenal don't though.

Valencia is very wasteful too, a poor player really. His crossing is woeful most of the time.

valencia had a bad dip last couple of seasons and was pretty poor, but on form or even just playing averagely id still have him over nani. much more consistent and will create more goals for the team

ultimately don't think either are good enough for united, but currently i could say that about nearly all positions!

Have to laugh when United fans state they wouldn't want Cabaye. It's like they think buying from us is too much of a 'come down' or something. Cabaye, as said, walks into that team, however, if you don't want him then that's fine by me. Just come on here week after week & keep complaining about Cleverley, Giggs, Anderson & co. If you want a shot at the top 4, you've got a hell of a better chance with an experienced, technically superb french international playmaker than what you've got now.

You keep stating, ' we should look for better options, world class players '......wake up. They didn't want to come last summer & now United are even less attractive.

who was it saying they didn't want cabaye john? id take him over the above anyday. the only problem i see with cabaye is he's similar to carrick in that he's good on the ball but not brilliant at winning it back. offers us no pace and with moyes insistent to play a flat 442 were often out numbered in midfield with two very slow players who cant get it back

Ent said he didnt rate either if I remember correctly

I bet United end up signing Ryan Babel or something... A new LB can wait until the summer but what United desperately need is what's been said for the past 2 years - another CM. I'd love Cabaye and I think he'd fit in the team well alongside Carrick. When you play Cleverley you know you need a new midfielder!! Players like Mata and Reus however don't fit the Utd system, unless Moyes decides to overhaul it and I can't see that happening.

Another thing Utd miss is the squad players they used to have. Park, O'Shea and Brown weren't exactly the greatest players ever but they could come in for a few games and cover injuries/allow players to be rested. Without them, the squad is really threadbare.

The Special Juan wrote:I bet United end up signing Ryan Babel or something...  A new LB can wait until the summer but what United desperately need is what's been said for the past 2 years - another CM.  I'd love Cabaye and I think he'd fit in the team well alongside Carrick.  When you play Cleverley you know you need a new midfielder!!  Players like Mata and Reus however don't fit the Utd system, unless Moyes decides to overhaul it and I can't see that happening.

Another thing Utd miss is the squad players they used to have.  Park, O'Shea and Brown weren't exactly the greatest players ever but they could come in for a few games and cover injuries/allow players to be rested.  Without them, the squad is really threadbare.

Why, has Moyes offically lost his mind? Even as a Liverpool supporter I would advocate signing Babel. Far too ineffective during his time at Liverpool despite the potential he was supposed to have had. One of those players who needs arm arm around his shoulder rather than a kick up the hole and sadly, Utd generally need a kick up the hole from Moyes.

Would be interesting to see what Rodgers could have done with a player like Babel especially when you consider how he's got good performances out of the likes of Henderson and, to a degree, Downing.

If were to get a player like Cabaye he'd have to be used in rotation with Carrick, the pair as a partnership wouldn't work. I actually think we need three centre mids, get rid of the current lot and have a complete overhaul. Cabaye, Herrera and a ball winner.

Agree hamersmith and we can probably get the three in Jan. Herrera still wants to come to us, Cabaye would come if we pay his asking price and then like you said, a cdm in midfield. What cdm could we get though? always wanted Strootman, would've been a great signing for us, big slip up that was.

But would you spend £25m on Herrera or wait until the summer to spend £30m on Reus? If United hold back slightly during this window & only bring in one, I think it's got to be someone like Cabaye, who already understands the demands of the league.

Very good technically gifted players adapt & I'm sure Carrick & Cabaye would understand each others games extremely well. I don't buy all this 'partnership won't work' stuff. You either bring Cabaye in or you continue down the road with Cleverley & risk finishing outside the Top 4. No brainer for me.

-- - - - -Rooney- - - -

-Cabaye- - - - - Carrick- -

Is the issue, you think they aren't defensively minded enough? United haven't played a genuine holding midfielder for years. Cabaye can tackle, he's got a feisty & dirty side to his character, he doesn't get bullied very often. I think with that three of Cabaye, Carrick & Rooney, the problem of creativity in the central areas will be solved.

NickisBHAFC wrote:From my sources

Aston Villa will be bringing in Anthony Pilkington and Wes Hoolahan.

Hoolahan has been touted around.

Also Defour, probably wont get him though.

John wrote:But would you spend £25m on Herrera or wait until the summer to spend £30m on Reus? If United hold back slightly during this window & only bring in one, I think it's got to be someone like Cabaye, who already understands the demands of the league.

Very good technically gifted players adapt & I'm sure Carrick & Cabaye would understand each others games extremely well. I don't buy all this 'partnership won't work' stuff. You either bring Cabaye in or you continue down the road with Cleverley & risk finishing outside the Top 4. No brainer for me.

-- - - - -Rooney- - - -

-Cabaye- - - - - Carrick- -

Is the issue, you think they aren't defensively minded enough? United haven't played a genuine holding midfielder for years. Cabaye can tackle, he's got a feisty & dirty side to his character, he doesn't get bullied very often. I think with that three of Cabaye, Carrick & Rooney, the problem of creativity in the central areas will be solved.

ok you sold me we'll take him off you, how does 12mil sound?  

£18m is what Ashley wants. I'm happy for him to leave. He's planning to go in the summer, so I think a reasonable offer will make Ashley listen. We know we have to sell before he turns 28 & onwards. He deserves a shot at a big club & been a great servant for us.

if im honest nearly 20 mil for a guy closing in on 30 isnt a deal id be crazy on, same with baines although the life of a cm can be older than fb. id rather spend big on a younger player who can cement there place for the next decade, just like id rather throw money at shaw over baines. of course theres a risk with this tactic as there not proven like cabaye but thats what your scouting team are there for, although i heard moyes describe fellani as the best belgium in the prem   so cant say ive got mountains of confidence on his talent spotting

Cabaye's a good player but i wouldn't spend anymore than £15m on him..

Cabaye would be definite improvement, though I wouldn't stretch too far for him tbh. Such is the problem United face after doing nothing for most of the summer. I also tend to agree it'd be either or with Carrick, especially with 2 strikers.

If I were United I'd be chasing Shaw a lot harder than Baines tbqh. I don't think they can remotely solve their issues in this window though. A lot of deadwood to be shifted in the summer. Question is how desperate will be they be to secure CL football.

Reports that United have a 100-200 million pound war chest to rebuild the team, absolutely mindboggling when you think about it if it is true. The problem is that even teams that have the money to buy are going to find a tough time finding talent that is available. Dortmund seem to be a good target as their domestic campaign is in shambles with the injury to hummels and gundogan and the controversy surrounding lewandowski. I am sure United have money but the question bears to be asked if they had this kind of money to spend now why did they botch the pre-season window and why did they not buy anyone of note except RVP for quite some time even under Ferguson. I am bit suspicious of these types of figures.

PS also bit worrying is why they have not resigned Rooney as of yet.

There's been some very good writing on why summer wasn't grand, why United have yet to move to Rooney and he has yet to move to them (for talks) and how United should move forward.

My feeling is that they can probably justify buying Herrera and Cabaye now and Reus in the summer. They've always had a big squad and they can just move out some chuff from the back end of it to make the others fit.

Vidic's agent has played his no extension card today, whether it be for bargaining or the truth. I'd let him play that game and buy a new centre half. I think Sir Alex always hoped Jones/Evans/Smalling would grow into it, but I think they need a top class and peak years commanding centre back.

The theory with United is that the summer was one of the more unique in history. Ferguson hadn't identified targets, believing that any new manager should be choosing their own players. With Woodward coming in as well, there wasn't even a man who had been in those conversations there, especially as coaching staff then settled in.

Moyes brought in a couple new scouts on top of what they had, and is known to take intensive looks at players he is going to sign. As well as that, he had to get to grips with the quality he had at his disposal, coming into a team that he only knew from the outside and had to give time to judge where the talent was; it mustn't be forgotten that this team won the league quite well. Combine that with then having to deal with the Rooney issue all summer and things just didn't fall into place, especially as they went for big signings that didnt come off. He probably wasn't quite used to the scale of a United pre-season tour too.

i was in a box for the west ham game and an ex player who came round doing a bit of meet and greet said he's heard rumors that vidic and moyes have had a falling out, think its time to start giving smalling/jones and evans a real run as a partnership at centre back as rio legs have really gone and vidic doesn't seem to be able to sustain fitness, and for me nearly all the great teams are ones that have a settled defence. this rotating is doing nothing for us

C and R, a few years back when we went through a period of having an impregnable defence wasn't it Ferdinand and Evans who were our pairing for the most part or am I going a bit insane?

More than anything we need a clear out of the players who aren't good or are now too old

Ferdinand, Nani, Anderson, Cleverly, Young, Buttner and i'm pained to say Giggs and Hernandez need to be moved on to free up both squad places and wages. That must be a good 500k a week we're spending on deadwood.

We need to tie Rooney down to a new contract, buy an experienced centre back to replace Vidic long term, a left back either Shaw or Coentrao, at least two centre midfielders Gundogan and Strootman and then another winger. Our squad really isn't that bad but our centre midfield is so weak it's diluting the quality we do possess elsewhere and making us far too predictable going forward. Teams know that other than Rooney we have no central threat so set themselves up to contain our wingers, Valencia and Januzaj both have quality but too much is expected of them.

Liam Bridcutt has handed in transfer request.

Buzzing for him to get his chance in the prem.

5 Million, and we have Rohan Ince and Keith Andrews im more than happy with that.

Get Conway, another center mid and maybe a striker with that.

Hammersmith harrier wrote:C and R, a few years back when we went through a period of having an impregnable defence wasn't it Ferdinand and Evans who were our pairing for the most part or am I going a bit insane?

More than anything we need a clear out of the players who aren't good or are now too old

Ferdinand, Nani, Anderson, Cleverly, Young, Buttner and i'm pained to say Giggs and Hernandez need to be moved on to free up both squad places and wages. That must be a good 500k a week we're spending on deadwood.

We need to tie Rooney down to a new contract, buy an experienced centre back to replace Vidic long term, a left back either Shaw or Coentrao, at least two centre midfielders Gundogan and Strootman and then another winger. Our squad really isn't that bad but our centre midfield is so weak it's diluting the quality we do possess elsewhere and making us far too predictable going forward. Teams know that other than Rooney we have no central threat so set themselves up to contain our wingers, Valencia and Januzaj both have quality but too much is expected of them.

I would not throw away Buttner, I actually think he has some ability and can be a good left back he just is not there right now. I'd take Javi Hernandez as a good back up striker for Arsenal right now, not a long term fix but he has always produced goals in the prem, just has never regularly played, I like his movement without the ball very smart.

Mick Dennis has the latest Wes scoop at 10ish. Will basically say he ain't going, nothing to see move along here like he did with Lambert.

So expect Wes to move to Villa tomorrow much like Lambert did the day after Mick did the same with Lambert...

There's a reason Hernandez hasn't played regularly and that's because other than goalscoring he offers nothing to the team, at a top team you need more than that. Buttner is decent going forward but he's an awful defender, he really isn't a United player.

Tough market for the big clubs because all the big teams got through in the cl (Except juve and Napoli), no top players are obviously lacking playing time and no clubs in apparently financial difficulty.

Man utd could do a lot worse than cabaye, the likes of koke gundogan and Reus seem unrealistic in January. I think matuidi could do quite well for them as he's down to last 6 months but not sure that would appease the fans.

I was optimistic that we'd get a striker in at arsenal January but now looks like it's going to be tough. I think max kruse would be the best option but haven't seen links so were probably not interested. Of the strong links morata in loan would be pointless, berbatov might be ok but not sure he's 100% fit and costa won't happen.

Olly wrote:Mick Dennis has the latest Wes scoop at 10ish. Will basically say he ain't going, nothing to see move along here like he did with Lambert.

So expect Wes to move to Villa tomorrow much like Lambert did the day after Mick did the same with Lambert...

Dennis says Villa bid only 750k for Wes, NCFC tell AVFC where to go, Wes staying.

Telegraph says Wes has told teammates he's never playing for NCFC again.

Proof will be in the pudding I guess.

Wouldn't believe anything Mick Dennis says after he backed us to finish 4th and Matej Vydra to be top-scorer in the Premier League.

Berbatov would easily be the best realistic option for Arsenal. He will be fully motivated for the rest of the season, cheap and technically gifted enough to link up.

A creative midfielder is the must for United. Left backs, centre backs are for the summer.

Olly wrote:

Olly wrote:Mick Dennis has the latest Wes scoop at 10ish. Will basically say he ain't going, nothing to see move along here like he did with Lambert.

So expect Wes to move to Villa tomorrow much like Lambert did the day after Mick did the same with Lambert...

Dennis says Villa bid only 750k for Wes, NCFC tell AVFC where to go, Wes staying.

Telegraph says Wes has told teammates he's never playing for NCFC again.

Proof will be in the pudding I guess.

To be honest we shouldn't pay more than £1m fir him.
Decent player, but wrong side of 30.

Would probably only be with us for 2 seasons.

we signed anybody yet? no?     

i think arsenal would be stupid to sign berba, he would just slow everything they do down. no team plays at there best at berbas pace. even fulham are struggling with it. while arsenal have a more patient approach than united they still at there best when they move the ball quickly with one touch passes and thats what creates spaces. berba takes four touches when only one is needed and gives time for the defence to reset i should know i saw it enough at united

for 2 mill its probally worth the risk compelling. who would you rather have up front bedtner or berba?

well thats true mysti, cant believe that arsenal haven't got a single youth team forward who's worth a game. not ideal if your in the race for the title but its worked in the past (macheda being the obvious example)

I agree with CR, I don't see what Berbatov brings to Arsenal at the risk of unsettling the team, maybe 5 years ago. Giroud is fit and should start this week, Podolski can back him up and honestly I want to see Gnabry play more. Akpom has been scoring a blitz of goals at the youth level. Either get a good striker or no striker at all. And we know the difficulty of buying a top notch player in January. And St. Nick will be back in a month, at this stage I would rather have Bendnter than Berbatov.

I.dont get the issue with Berba for.cheap. Fits Arsenals tempo, PL ready