January Transfer Window

Would love Van Judas to go grovelling back to you guys.

United will strengthen, of that there is no doubt, but the crucial factor here is retaining Moyes as manager. Someone so far out of his depth isn't suddenly going to be able to handle the job. Let's hope good old Dave remains and sees his current work in progress through to the deserved 7th place finish

No longer welcome

True they'll no doubt look to strengthen but I can't see them bringing in top players with no CL football. They had the whole of last summer to sign players after they've just won the tittle and the best player they could sign was Fellaini, how on earth are they all of a sudden going to bring in top players with no CL football + star players looking to jump ship?

By the way, I get what you mean. Ideally we'd all love Moyes to last at least 2-3 transfer windows. could take them years to clear his mess after they've sacked him.

The Pröfessör wrote:Mata to ManU - what the fuck are Chelsea smoking?????        

Moyes won't get the best out of Mata anyway.

The Pröfessör wrote:Mata to ManU - what the fuck are Chelsea smoking?????        

Swap him for Rooney     

Fucking Mourinho   

Let's hope Moyes fucks it up somehow.

I don't see this as a great move for Mata. Man Utd are obviously going to have to rebuild, and presumably over several seasons since it's unlikely they'll have the money to overhaul their squad in one summer. As it is, they are only strong in the central attacking positions; but Mata's signing indicates that they expect at least one of Rooney and Van Persie to leave, while Kagawa - who perhaps could interchange effectively with Mata playing behind a striker - doesn't seem to have a future under Moyes.

Mata will essentially need a team and a squad to be built around him, without an excess of money, and with Moyes appearing the last man you'd entrust with such a task. Perhaps he's just desperate for games; perhaps he figures that he's moving to such a big club, they'll gain ground quickly, hire a new manager if and when it is required, and then he will be the central figure in their next strong side. It seems risky, and I can't imagine it will be lots of fun for the foreseeable future.

This move is all about the WC for Mata. Jose doesn't want him but he is going to pick where he sends him. Was the same when he sent Sahin to Liverpool and not Arsenal. But Mata is quite versatile he could play on the left or even drop into centre midfield in addition to his more natural role behind the forward(s).

If this move means that Man Utd won't have the money to buy a proper cm next to Carrick than it is a massive fail. They need to shore up the defence and central midfield. The only problem as I see it with this transfer is that they can only play Mata on the wing because Rooney is assured of the Am position where Mata is best. Also it will mean that Man Utd are open down the wings and possibly mess up the balance in the team. While Chelsea could afford a player like Mata with his weak workrate and poor defensive attitude, I'm not sure Man Utd can get away with it and especially considering their defence already looks weak. I gues this move is happening because the owners are really scared they might not get Cl football. But even if they are desperate it's strange they want to strengthen their wings.

seems Chelsea have gazumped Liverpool for Salah from Basel. guess he's their Mata replacement.

Seems like fuck all will happen with us this window. The latest is that Cabella won't move until summer, and Montpellier's owner makes Joe Kinnear look rational, he has even claimed that if you live in Newcastle you have to piss yourself.

Oh well, at least got those dunkin' donuts.

We just aren't good enough in the market to really take advantage of clubs being in transition. We get one quality player every two windows and about 4 or 5 average to poor players. It's going to be mental when we finish 5th or 6th yet Suarez will be top scorer in the league with about 34 goals.

Rather disappointed that Mata is being allowed to go. I'd hoped Chavs would dangle him in front of Moyes until 11.59pm on Jan 31st, then pull out and bench him for the rest of the season.    However agree with the posts here that he's the wrong player for the wrong position anyway.

Nothing to do with PL but Diego Forlan has signed for Cerezo Osaka.

Super Progress wrote:If this move means that Man Utd won't have the money to buy a proper cm next to Carrick than it is a massive fail. They need to shore up the defence and central midfield. The only problem as I see it with this transfer is that they can only play Mata on the wing because Rooney is assured of the Am position where Mata is best. Also it will mean that Man Utd are open down the wings and possibly mess up the balance in the team. While Chelsea could afford a player like Mata with his weak workrate and poor defensive attitude, I'm not sure Man Utd can get away with it and especially considering their defence already looks weak. I gues this move is happening because the owners are really scared they might not get Cl football. But even if they are desperate it's strange they want to strengthen their wings.

Their wingers (Valencia, Nani, Young etc) have been a joke this season, Man United are a team that rely on their wide players for creativity (mainly through crosses), and Januzaj is the only one that does something useful for them these days - he creates all their chances. Adding Mata to their line up will add a lot of goals and creativity to their team.

And it won't weaken them defensively IMO, plenty of teams regularly play 1 or 2 players that don't contribute a huge deal to the team defensively, all they need to do is play with 2 holding midfielders - that will be enough to cover the wings:

-------------RVP
Mata-------Rooney------Januzaj
-----Fletcher/Fellaini--Carrick
Evra---Vidic--Evans/Smalling-Rafael
------------De Gea

- Fellaini is very good in a destructive role, he has frustrated us a few times with Everton in that role at the Emirates.
- The likes of Rooney, RVP etc all work extremely hard without the ball, Mata alone isn't going to fuck up their defensive balance.

I really don't know what Chelsea are thinking, this is a very stupid deal in my opinion.

It's simply the sort of money you can't turn down for a sub. They now have a new striker more or less paid for in the summer.

It isn't half as stupid as the Van Persie deal and thankfully won't have half the impact

You would fancy United to sneak 4th now though if they have Mata, RVP and Rooney on the pitch until the end of the season.

COTR wrote:It's simply the sort of money you can't turn down for a sub. They now have a new striker more or less paid for in the summer.

It isn't half as stupid as the Van Persie deal and thankfully won't have half the impact

You would fancy United to sneak 4th now though if they have Mata, RVP and Rooney on the pitch until the end of the season.

If there's only one club willing to pay it

Can't see Liverpool for example turning down the chance to buy Mata if you sell Suarez for £70m+ in the summer.

PSG can pay it too.

They could also do a swap deal (maybe plus cash) with Atletico for Costa in the summer.

Do you think Spurs would turn down the chance to sign him for say £30-35m in the summer? I don't think so.

Chelsea just sold Kevin de Bruin for 22m euros to Wolsburg, they aren't  going to struggle to get at least £30m for Mata in the summer.

It was stupid of us to sell Van Judas to ManU, but he only wanted to join them despite our attempts to sell him to Juve and he only had a year left on his contract. We couldn't keep him because he had already burnt his bridges by criticising the board and the manager. I'd forced him to play with the reserves till his contract expires, but again, we needed the money, so it was kinda difficult.

COTR wrote:It's simply the sort of money you can't turn down for a sub. They now have a new striker more or less paid for in the summer.

they've effectively already spent it this window on Matic & Salah. not that that'll stop 'em spunking another 50m+ in the summer of course..

The Pröfessör wrote:
-------------RVP
Mata-------Rooney------Januzaj
-----Fletcher/Fellaini--Carrick
Evra---Vidic--Evans/Smalling-Rafael
------------De Gea

- Fellaini is very good in a destructive role, he has frustrated us a few times with Everton in that role at the Emirates.
- The likes of Rooney, RVP etc all work extremely hard without the ball, Mata alone isn't going to fuck up their defensive balance.

yeah I was thinking that'd basically be the team they'd go for full strength - though I suspect they'd keep Valencia on the right for a bit more balance & defensive cover, have Januzaj as impact sub.

COTR wrote:thankfully won't have half the impact

That's debatable.. Signing a fantastic experienced, very creative midfielder who can do what none of their current crop of shite seem able to do might make half the impact that RVP did.

Chelsea player of the year two years in a row wasn't he? Arguably the best in his position in the league last season..

If they do manage to sign maybe one more midfielder with some quality and a jet left back they'll be quite alot stronger. Only problem then is the Moyes factor.. And who knows how much of an issue that will be when they're at full strength.

Amazing bringing in one player can do at United specially in the midfield where they have been the weakest for years. Of course it is all to be seen how Mata will impact team for me is was an excellent buy and will make things happen for Rooney and RVP. Could make for a brilliant dogfight to forth this season. Liverpool, Spurs, Everton will have to pray they do not jell to quickly.  

Mata isn't a wide player or a CM though, to get the best out of him you have to have him in the same space Rooney occupies. And then there's Moyes, who only knows how to play one way, get it out wide and put it in the box. So Mata will end up on the left being played as a winger, and he will be totally ineffectual. And no matter where he plays it still won't address the real problem with their midfield, they can't tackle and they're average at retaining possession.

Mata played wide left for Valencia to great success when he first went there. He won't do a lot of tracking back, as Super always mentions, but he can play there and be very effective.

Jaime wrote:Mata played wide left for Valencia to great success when he first went there. He won't do a lot of tracking back, as Super always mentions, but he can play there and be very effective.

Well I don't know shit about Valencia, but for Man U these days the other team gets alot of the ball and their LB is past it, Evra gets skinned regularly. Midtable teams like Newcastle go to Old Trafford and have the majority of possession, so defensively that left side could end up looking like a prolapsed anus.

You'd rather Man Utd spent that money on Mata instead of someone like Gundogan, so it's all good.

Sky Italy confirming West Ham have signed Marco Borriello on loan, and Antonio Nocerino is on the verge of joining on loan as well.

Kimbo wrote:Mata isn't a wide player or a CM though, to get the best out of him you have to have him in the same space Rooney occupies. And then there's Moyes, who only knows how to play one way, get it out wide and put it in the box. So Mata will end up on the left being played as a winger, and he will be totally ineffectual. And no matter where he plays it still won't address the real problem with their midfield, they can't tackle and they're average at retaining possession.

I can see Mata and Rooney working out great, it is all about creating space and up front United have another creative option. To say they cannot utilize both and become a offensive threat is showing zero confidence in the players. Moyes just needs let them play and allow them the attacking freedom to create their own inventiveness opening up back lines.

Kimbo wrote:

Jaime wrote:Mata played wide left for Valencia to great success when he first went there. He won't do a lot of tracking back, as Super always mentions, but he can play there and be very effective.

Well I don't know shit about Valencia, but for Man U these days the other team gets alot of the ball and their LB is past it, Evra gets skinned regularly. Midtable teams like Newcastle go to Old Trafford and have the majority of possession, so defensively that left side could end up looking like a prolapsed anus.

Yes, but they are most likely signing Coentrao on loan as well so that will be a huge improvement over Evra.

Kimbo wrote:

Jaime wrote:Mata played wide left for Valencia to great success when he first went there. He won't do a lot of tracking back, as Super always mentions, but he can play there and be very effective.

Well I don't know shit about Valencia, but for Man U these days the other team gets alot of the ball and their LB is past it, Evra gets skinned regularly. Midtable teams like Newcastle go to Old Trafford and have the majority of possession, so defensively that left side could end up looking like a prolapsed anus.

It will be great football going forward. Surely the most potent in the league?


Januzaj-Mata-Rooney-RVP

vs

Silva/Nasri/Navas-Yaya-Aguero-Negredo

Chelsea with Diego Costa or somebody similar might be even more dangerous. Liverpool is also pretty good and works better as a team.

Super Progress wrote:

Kimbo wrote:

Jaime wrote:Mata played wide left for Valencia to great success when he first went there. He won't do a lot of tracking back, as Super always mentions, but he can play there and be very effective.

Well I don't know shit about Valencia, but for Man U these days the other team gets alot of the ball and their LB is past it, Evra gets skinned regularly. Midtable teams like Newcastle go to Old Trafford and have the majority of possession, so defensively that left side could end up looking like a prolapsed anus.

It will be great football going forward. Surely the most potent in the league?


Januzaj-Mata-Rooney-RVP

vs

Silva/Nasri/Navas-Yaya-Aguero-Negredo

Chelsea with Diego Costa or somebody similar might be even more dangerous. Liverpool is also pretty good and works better as a team.

It won't be though, because of Moyes. This is a man whose tactics at Everton mainly consisted of hoofing it up to Fellaini to gain territory, then someone would dive and Baines would take a set-piece, and his tactics haven't evolved with more accomplished(i'm not going to say better) players at Man U, it's still quite basic stuff. In fact we have seen Martinez get way more out of the Everton squad than him, it seems like all these years of people saying Moyes is an overachiever have been bullshit, you look at them this season and it looks like he has held them back if anything.

Mata Rooney and RVP (along with Januzaj) should be enough for United to finish 4th even with a woeful defence and Moyes as manager.

Spurs, Everton and Liverpool can't compete with that and rely on two players each.

Spurs signed about 9 players in the summer, Everton haven't got a pot to piss in but I'm not sure what our excuse is. We had the opportunity to capitalise in this window, we needed 2 midfielders and a fullback and we've got no one. With Lucas out we're going to have play Gerrard or Allen in a holding role which is pretty rubbish.

It's very frustrating but we seem to have accepted mediocrity for the last 5 years so not surprised.