The Transfer Thread

[eyeamg0dly]

Re: The Transfer Thread

i just don't think Di Maria works on the wing with VG's scheme. He would probably have to play in the center but I can't see him as a box to box type midfielder.

[Brahvocado]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Dima would be filed in the same category as Mata. A flair purchase in an attempt to "show they still mean business" that manages to not plug any holes that actually need plugging.

[cdawg44]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Just so we are clear, Di Maria is an excellent talent and a wonderful player and good for Man U.

However, the problems at Man U are placed squarely on the dreadful back four that Fergie left for his successors and a weak midfield.

Yea they desperately need experienced CBs and DMs to help them get organized, especially on counter attacks. DiMaria will be great for United and is crazy versatile but won't plug all holes they need. I have a feeling if he doesn't provide 20 assists and look like a monster he'll get the Ozil treatment because he cost so much. It's almost the same situation as last year for us. Man U had to make a splash like Arsenal did last summer, but added a luxury player that will be good, but doesn't fix the woeful defending or score a boatload of goals.

One thing Di Maria will do that nobody else on the squad don't do as well is pick up the ball deep and dribble and drive at the defense with ridiculous pace. Watching yesterday and seeing Mata do that for sure bogged down many counters and didn't give you guys that extra edge to get the full 3 points yesterday.

Once United squad is healthy, I wouldn't be surprised if we see more 4-4-2 and other 4 at the back formations.

[Leon]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Just so we are clear, Di Maria is an excellent talent and a wonderful player and good for Man U.

However, the problems at Man U are placed squarely on the dreadful back four that Fergie left for his successors and a weak midfield.

Weak midfield, yes. Dreadful back four? Verdict's still up on that one. Young and relatively inexperienced, yes. Not ****.

And I highly doubt we stick to a strict 3-5-2 once Di Maria comes. That formation can easily go 4-3-3 without shuffling players all over the place.

[OSUFan_88]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Weak midfield, yes. Dreadful back four? Verdict's still up on that one. Young and relatively inexperienced, yes. Not ****.

And I highly doubt we stick to a strict 3-5-2 once Di Maria comes. That formation can easily go 4-3-3 without shuffling players all over the place.

I suppose you could say it's young and inexperienced, but Phil Jones has been in the EPL a long time and still has a long ways to go to match what they had in Vidic or Ferdinand.

And I don't need to remind you about the FB spot. I mean, Ashley Young played a game at LB. Shaw is a great young prospect who I think could become world class, but right now he's not ready for what ManU wants.

We'll see. There is a chance it all comes together for ManU this year, I suppose. But with the weak midfield, and the amount of gaffes from the backline *blame it on lack of talent, inexperience or whatever*, they are going to struggle to get back to the top 4 again, let alone challenge for a title.

[jesmith29]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Real Madrid winger Angel di Maria will fly in later today to undergo a medical ahead of his British record £63.9m move to Manchester United.

http://www1.skysports.com/football/n...united-medical

[Brahvocado]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Completely insane that RM would let him go

[Cabke]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Completely insane that RM would let him go

Well, they signed an inferior replacement for him for a ton of money. They did it to themselves.

[Leon]

Re: The Transfer Thread

I suppose you could say it's young and inexperienced, but Phil Jones has been in the EPL a long time and still has a long ways to go to match what they had in Vidic or Ferdinand.

And I don't need to remind you about the FB spot. I mean, Ashley Young played a game at LB. Shaw is a great young prospect who I think could become world class, but right now he's not ready for what ManU wants.

We'll see. There is a chance it all comes together for ManU this year, I suppose. But with the weak midfield, and the amount of gaffes from the backline *blame it on lack of talent, inexperience or whatever*, they are going to struggle to get back to the top 4 again, let alone challenge for a title.

Jones has never been used in his preferred position (CB) consistently since we bought him; he's always been played at RB/DM/CB whenever cover was needed. From all the pre-season matches and 2 league matches he's played there, he has been doing quite good, in a system he's still learning to boot. And he's only 22.

Young is not a long-term option at WB/FB, though he made a case for himself during pre-season. I fully expect Shaw to start, Young as cover until we find a natural FB/WB to compete with Shaw.

The title is always the aim, top 4 the minimum. If these young guys learn by fire and become better players, the club will be better for it. LVG's challenge is to harness our youth while still getting results.

Completely insane that RM would let him go

Well, they signed an inferior replacement for him for a ton of money. They did it to themselves.

Hames-not-James is totally better looking though, so Madrid's got their GQ-XI at the least.

[dubcity]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Well, they signed an inferior replacement for him for a ton of money. They did it to themselves.

I'm not so sure he is inferior. Di Maria had a habit of showing up huge in big games, but fading in and out a bit the rest of the time. I think James will feel like he needs to prove his worth all season long. They need that to win the league.

[TMuss]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Hames-not-James is totally better looking though, so Madrid's got their GQ-XI at the least.

Modric must be on the bench then.....

[KG]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Modric must be on the bench then.....

Naa. They play different positions and Luka is damn near undroppable. James is a behind the ST/CF type player. Luka is a box-to-box engine linking the attack. His play is why Khederia is on the way out. They are slowly phasing Alonso out since he doesn't have the legs he used to play every game which is why they got Kroos although all 3 are capable of playing at the same time in a 4-3-3 where they can/will boss the MF.

I thought James was a Galatico-type purchase until I saw him play the last 2 matches for Real. He is way more skilled than Di Maria. Not as fast but he thinks the game very fast for a player his age. They will miss Di Maria's directness but they already have the world's best at that in Bale and Ronaldo.

Besides, they still have Isco & Illarmendi for depth.


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[cdawg44]

Re: The Transfer Thread

Modric must be on the bench then.....

No chance Modric rides the pine. None. Xabi Alonso will probably be the odd man out. Kroos, James and Modric will be the mid 3 behind the BBC.

[TMuss]

Re: The Transfer Thread

I only meant Modric on the bench if we're talking about looks instead of skills.

[Leon]

Re: The Transfer Thread

What a ****ing steal for Bayern.

Was hoping we'd get him, even though he'd displace either one of Jones/Smalling/Evans.