[Sharpey]

I:

- making the best youth academy in the world, better than barcelona's or lyon
- start the Old trafford expansion from the south stand
- signing only 1 player: Daniel De Rossi

how about you?

[Andy]

Do you not think that this £80m will mostly go towards paying Glazer's debts? Maybe a quarter or a third of it will be put on top of the money that was already available for buying new players but most will disappear sadly I'm sure.

[shaunzo7]

Signing just De Rossi would be a mistake. Don't get me wrong he's one of my favourite players but I really think we need a winger, perhaps two as I thought we needed one before Real's offer was accepted for Ronnie. De Rossi's not really the creative central midfielder you've been calling for either though is he?

[Sharpey]

Do you not think that this £80m will mostly go towards paying Glazer's debts? Maybe a quarter or a third of it will be put on top of the money that was already available for buying new players but most will disappear sadly I'm sure.

thats a very pessimistic view Andy. some of those millions will probably go to pay the debt, but Fergie wouldnt let his best player go if he can't use most of that money to get some of the things the club needs from a footballing perspective.

Shaun, I think more importantly than a winger, who I agree is needed, is to find a creative midfielder with a strong personality. De rossi is sort of available right now, lets go for him. I still have faith in Nani, anyways, and Welbeck can also play there, not to mention a possible change in formations.

[shaunzo7]

Yeah I'm hoping Nani can impress us all next season and step out of Ronaldo's shadow and show himself in a new way. Supposedly we're in for Valencia at £16million and, as Foxy said in another thread, Real pulled out of the race to sign him a few days back so that could be part of our agreement in the Ronaldo deal. Really don't think Valencia's an adequate signing but hopefully he'll prove me wrong if we do sign him.

De Rossi's a bit defensive minded don't you think? He can sit back a bit too often although can produce moments of magic.

[Sharpey]

yes you're right about de rossi, ideally Id like someone more creative, but I dont think theres anyone avalable right now. So if we could sign de rossi, that would mean he could add his bit attacking wise and give fletcher and carrick more freedom to get into attacking positions. Like you know, my ideal signing would be someone who can keep possession a la scholes and be creative with a spark of genius, but I dont think theres anyone like that up for grabs

Valencia for 16 millions would be daylight robbery but he's decent for a cover back up, not quite for a starter. If we're going to sign a winger then go for someone like ribbery, but then bayern would ask us for probably more than madrid gave us

[shaunzo7]

That's our biggest problem, everyone now knows we've got money to spend are going to overcharge us now.

Do you know anything about Ozil from Werder Bremen? I think he's 21 so nice and young, he's left footed and is very talented. Can play in the attacking midfielder role or on either wing but do you think he's able to keep the ball well enough or just generally good enough for United?

[Foxy]

The club have said in a statement the money will go towards the transfer funds. I expect to see most of it spent on new players/development.

Your long term view of developing the youth system as much as it would be a brilliant investment I can't see much being done, we're improving though got a lot of good youngsters coming through.

Ribbery doesn't want to come to England, De Rossi would be an interesting one. Decent shot on him and good to tackle. Haven't heard anything about him though. It's a different perspectve in thinking though, get a more defensive player to allow our other players more attacking freedom. I'd especially like to see Anderson give a license to roam forward more. I think if Berba can learn to be a CF and Roo can play off him then Ando just behind him that would be awesome. Add to that Nani coming in from one side and another winger (not Park, someone more attacking - maybe Welbeck) coming in from the other side...

[Sharpey]

I've seen a fair bit of bundesliga lately, its fastly becoming my favorite league, but the ones who caught my interest were the kids from wolfsburg, particularly Dzeko, who is young, technically good, very tall 6'4, and has an eye for goal, and I doubt would cost more than 20 millions.

About Ozil, hes definitely one of the most promising german midfielders, not sure if he's ready for a United size of a club, but its an interesting option.

[Pedram]

^Been hearing about this Dzeko kid...please say more...


I'd get a winger definitely...apart from Valencia whose prolly just a great backup to have...i'd like someone world class...Ribery would be ideal...
If Tevez leaves, another striker...NOT Benzema...

De Rossi would be great and has expresed his admiration for Utd in the past but doesnt wnat to levae Roma...

[only 1 Ronaldo]

^Been hearing about this Dzeko kid...please say more...
I'd get a winger definitely...apart from Valencia whose prolly just a great backup to have...i'd like someone world class...Ribery would be ideal...
If Tevez leaves, another striker...NOT Benzema...

De Rossi would be great and has expresed his admiration for Utd in the past but doesnt wnat to levae Roma...

not a chance of de rossi leaving roma his da is the youth team coach he is to roma what giggsy is to us,

think he would be a good signing if hargreaves doesnt get his glass legs sorted

id also think david silva would be an ideal replacement for ronnie he is probably more creative than ronnie and has an eye for goal and rooney could play up front rather than being wasted on the left wing

[shaunzo7]

I think we can forget Ribery and Silva, the latter would take at least £30million and definately will not be sold if Villa leaves Valencia - this has been confirmed. Ribery isn't going to be worth what is asked for him, I think Bayern will be looking for at least £40million for him, probably nearer £50million as they realise the transfer market has been inflated by Madrid and clubs have money to spend - Fergie and United aren't stupid enough to pay ridiculous amounts like that for the Frenchman.

For me we need to be looking at younger players than Ribery anyway and I'm still doubtful over whether he'd be the player we need - he's not quick enough is he?

[aditya_reds]

Nani: I'll step up

As United are linked with a host of new signings to replace the outgoing Cristiano Ronaldo, Reds winger Nani is confident of rediscovering his best form and showing his true value.

The former Sporting Lisbon winger is certain Ronaldo will be a success at the Santiago Bernabeu, and he is similarly confident of stepping up to the plate in his countryman's absence.

"He has been doing an excellent job so I think he deserves it," Nani told Portuguese news agency IOL. "It is a fantastic amount, excellent and fair value for what he has done. Real Madrid are a great club and will be good for him.

"I think I can have more opportunities now. Cristiano was very important to Manchester but now I can show my value and they will gamble more on me."

Nani struggled to replicate the impressive form of his maiden campaign last term, but has still made 72 appearances and scored 10 goals since arriving from Portugal in the summer of 2007.

[Foxy]

Exactly what you want your player to say. Can't fault Nani's attitude his head hasn't been turned instead it has been focussed. We still need another winger as I would like to see Nani and someone else on the wing. Not Nani and Park. If Nani gets a run of games he is lethal he has torn teasm apart, his dribbling as has been said is excellent - you don't get the ball off him very often, he's got a long shot and a decent cross. He's also got a fabulous celebration on him.

[Pedram]

^Agreed completely...he also said earlier in the season that he didnt mind being on the fringes as he knew his form wasnt good...and that he'd concentrate on helping the team win this year, and next season he'll focus on becoming the best in the world...
He has so much potential but needs to make better and qiucker decisions...