Our Senegalese striker, Mame Biram Diouf, was granted a work permit in December and is now awaiting his debut after settling well at the club.
He will wear our number “32″ shirt, formerly worn by Carlos Tevez.
“He has adapted very well to our training regime and has looked very impressive,” said Ferguson. “He is quick, very good in the air and a good striker of the ball. Overall, he is a really good centre-forward and he will play a part this season.”
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can’t wait to see him in action
Throw him at once!! Cant wait to see him play
EXCITED!
Now if we could only add a certain Ribery…
GREAT! cant wait to see him play!
its always exciting when you get a new player in, possibly even more so when they are a relative unknown, as you hope the are gonna be the buy of the century!! But im trying to remain calm. He looks a decent player with a fairly good strike rate in morway, although one of the biggest critisisms of him over there was that his finishing wasnt up to , but that can always be improved as hes still young at 22.
Hes also very different to what we already have, he looks a big, strong quick, direct kind of striker, probably more similar to Drogba, although not as lethal in front of goal yet. It’ll give us a different option up front, and his pace is well needed i think, especially on the break against smaller teams, which is where Ronaldo used to tear them apart.
Im excited, and i hope he’s brilliant, but we’ll just have to wait an see! Remember Fergie said Welbeck and Macheda would play a part this season and they’ve hardly played, so lets just wait an see!
Looking forward to seeing the kid in action.
Cant wait…
I agree pondave he’s an unknown quanity and just the type of striker we need.
Has he played for the Reserves? Fergie shows a lot of faith for him. I think Fergie might use him in the Carling Cup.
Going by his shirt, it’s not like he has big shoes to fill…(Just kidding)
is he going to be another “wait another 5 years till he gets his first team football” If so…im not excited.
ood, now for a good centre-half, and a decent goalkeeper. A lot of window shopping, but is there any money in the piggy bank? Douglas Costa is gone and so will others to clubs who put their money where their mouth is.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oC2B0JwSYik
heres hoping our number 32 can score more than 5 goals this season that would be f u n n y
Cherry you are a retard.
“Throw him in at once, Can’t wait to see him play”. Wouldn’t it be more prudent to watch him play before making a judgement about whether he’ll be good enough for the first team.
hope Ole train him up well in reserves to get ready for é first team. always excited with new player.
Diouf and Cleverley are gonna be stars
Ste RDLK – Hope so pal. Cleverley certainly is. A cracking little player in the mould of Becks. Can’t comment on Diouf as haven’t seen much of him. Really looking forward to seeing him. Have you seen much of him?
king eric
I know its a youtube video but its over 7 minutes of what the guys like
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4YFLjCj0svY
hehe! o well, doesn’t take much to get us excited these days…
UMM off topic guys: but can anyone see anything lately of Hargo’s return? Is he training yet? is he nearing fitness?
Diouf! Diouf! Diouf is on fire! (sorry, but that song surely will catch on?!)
Excited for him – scoring four goals in a match before he joined – but let’s not build him up too much.
I doubt he will get near the bench for Birmingham, let’s just hope he gets 45 minutes at home to Burnley.
TonyBee –
There is just no point in thinking about Hargreaves
Even Fergie doesn’t know. It was going to be November, then December, then early Jan… etc….
After reading the description of his good points, i do hope he play wells. If he does play well, future is bright not only for him but for the club. One person will be sad and frustrated is Berbatov. I think Berbatov is a big waste of money. He is given too much time and more than Nani.
Yeah, I too can’t wait to see him play in a Utd shirt. Hope he makes a nice impact with some power and pace up front to compliment Wayne. Off topic, I was really disappointed to read that Douglas Costa has joined Shakhtar Donetsk. Thought he looked class!
http://www.goal.com/en-us/news/69/transfer-zone/2010/01/07/1731242/official-shakhtar-donetsk-sign-gremio-starlet-douglas-costa
Not too sure about Hargo….doesn’t look good, I’m sure they said he’d be back this month. Diouf looks handy in the air!! Keepers in Norway look pretty poor!
Long time United target Douglas Costa has signed for Shakhtar Donetsk for 12 Million Euros!! Missed out there i think- Great talent,Fair price too!!
@TonyBee
I thought I read that both Rio and Hargo were training with the first-team. Could just be my wishful thinking, though.
“he [Diouf] looks a big, strong quick, direct kind of striker, probably more similar to Drogba, although not as lethal in front of goal yet”
Yeah ! maybe not as lethal as Drogba “yet” but Diouf has a massive opportunity in front of him – right in front of him, in fact. IF he can establish a chemistry with Wayne Rooney then he has a chance to supplant Dimitar Berbatov and LittleMikey – and cut into the line ahead of Danny Welbeck and KikoTheKid.
About Douglas Costa – he has to prove himself as an adult footballer, playing in a competitive league before I’d splash out that kind of ca$h on him. Sure, if he does well at Shaktar then his price will rise but, on the other hand, the risk-factor will be addressed.
What’s going on with Macheda? Is he injured or what? He’d better be because if Wellbeck is getting more time on the pitch out of “talent” then I’m going to open this bottle of scotch and numb the pain…
lol King George.. I’ll join ya mate
Sounds like macheda is off to Bologna on loan
He looks amazing. Can’t wait.
I can’t wait to see him as well
@Tonybee
i think hargo might be back in time for the arsenal game month end. i think rio might feature against burnley next week as well as vida. by then we’ll look good. i have to say diouf has electrifying pace just like wayne. i think berba’s best role would be up front and rooney in the whole. it’s just that these two world class players like to drop and fetch the ball from midfield instead of being in their positions. guys does the ACON play yearly or every two years?
Hope he’s not another Manucho!
Hey guys correct me if i’m wrong but i think fergie said after the wigan game that by the 19th of january we should have a fully fit squad by then which is good news. guys i think nani might be on the bench for birmingham and kiko is almost fully fit. to add great news VDS will be available. thank GOD his wife has recovered.
it’s good that we have diouf as he will definitely offer something fresh upfront. look at what a fit saha did when he was with us. hopefully diouf will develop a good chemistry with rooney and those two will form a lethal strike force. as for kiko going on loan, that will not only help his development but improve his temperament as well.
we need to win on saturday against a decent birmingham side. performance and result is needed lads!
come on United!
it’s funny how Ukrainian side Shakhtar Donetsk have signed highly-regarded Brazilian youngster Douglas Costa from Gremio for a fee of €12 million. when not too long ago they were asking us to pay €20 million. so his price has already depreciated by €8 million in the space of approx 5 months!
well done to SAF for not buckling under their inflated pressure.
Guys, anyone worrying about Macheda should stop:
He has a groin injury.
think the 20mill price is whats commenly known as the ‘over inflated because it’s united asking price’. Something shitty are experiencing at the minute but like the fools they are they actually pay the price.
Lets not start the comparisions with drogba,ole or any other player.if he is a drogba type striker i would be pleased because that is exactly the type of striker we need to complement rooney.
H Curly Hair – Every 2 years I think mate.
Owen must be thinking wtf..
It´s a large step to the EPL from the Norwegian League, lets be fair.
He´s not going to be our saviour nor should we expect him to be.
ut looks a VERY good prospect and wish him LOADS of good fortune.
COME ON UNITED
Fully fit squad coming soon this guy looks fantastic coming in
I think its time for a sing song everybody join the united fans in singing
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HLf3Un6qc9U
Any updates on the young Brazilian defender Dodo?
hmm interesting if tevez never had the no 32 shirt would anyone even read into this. but people said he is a star in the making lets hope to god diouf is that no 9 I have been banging on about that united need. like I said what united are desperatly missing is that outlet, that direct pacey forward that can make our attack hit teams with more punch.
Dont forget people it is basically the same squad that won the premiership 3 times and european cup but without ronaldo and a phew others. United just need that type of forward that can score week in week out and can give united that outlet.
WOW CANT WAIT!
off topic:
I’ve got to this argument with this manc who i dont know, he said im not a proper fan if I aint from Manchester… I said everything I do and described my love for United in brief, He said he doesnt care im not true manc.. End of.
Then said what abt our global fan base, ur throwing this at the bin… and this other guy came and said its ppl like me who gives United a bad name.. I replied Cuz im from Bangladesh? Bollocks!
So Scott, if im not from Manchester im not a true fan? nor a proper one? I’ve been feeling low ever since
Dodo was supposed to come in February….. not sure how that works with the transfer window?
About time we had a reliable goalscoring 32
“He will play his part this season” i belivee the same was said about fraizer campell and guiseppi rossi? and that never really materialised?
Bangladeshi Red
Which half witted cunt told you his fucking nonsense. United fans are not just in Manchester but what makes United special is its appeal and fanbase all over the world. There are a few fools who preach this idiotic belief that if you arent from manchester you arent a United fan. On ROM itself we have so many people from all over the globe who know so much about United.No one has the damn right to judge whether you are a true fan or not. Ignore such idiots and what they say.
Cheer Up!!!!
be interesting to see how he handles the pressure, that will play a part in determining how well he will go on to play.
Bangladeshi Red – My personal opinion is that if you’ve supported United all your life and you support them no matter what, then you’re a United fan. If you go to bed at night either on a high or feel sick depending on the result, then you’re a United fan. If you refer most things back to United, then you’re a United fan. If you defend United to all the ABU’s, then you’re a United fan. If you love Sir Bobby Charlton, Sir Alex, Nobby Stiles, Eric the King, Robson, Keano, etc, then you’re a United fan. If you feel pride in the shirt you wear, then you’re a United fan. Someone, I’m sure, will write something more poetic, but keep the red flag flying high. I think the lad you were talking to probably is fed up of glory hunters who know nothing about the club and are “Man U” fans (jesus I hate that saying).
well excited bout diouf he looks good. That will mean the end of berbaslob then can’t wait for that. Already read one good news that gary neville is fininshing at the end of the season so hopefully that fat waster berbaslob will go with hin.
@rubito – “It´s a large step to the EPL from the Norwegian League, lets be fair.” Aye, just ask Ole Solskjaer.
@Bangladeshi Red – support whoever you want, mate.
@7 the king 7 – We had a much stronger pool of strikers when Rossi and Campbell were trying to break through. Berbatov and Owen aren’t going to win the golden boot any time soon.
Also, the comparisons wit Manucho are way off. From what I’ve seen of this guy on YouTube and comments from Fergie, Ole and Carrick, Biram has much more to his game than Manucho ever did.
mcarticlep, any chance you’ll be hanging up your keyboard at the end of the season?
fuck offmcariclep
well mcarticlap if he gets the fantastic support your so excellently showing to a club legend then i’m sure diouf will be well happy with your support. Then again…
why didnt Ryan Giggs ever get Dani Behr knocked up
united could have a 17 year old Giggs in our team by now
@mcarticlep
What’s with bashing United players like that? Did they steal your food? Your girlfriend? Have a little respect.
sppibsihmkcrkg, you should have heard the way the clown was talking about Fergie recently. Getting giddy about some unknown striker we’ve signed but seems to hate Gary Neville and Sir Alex. Could there be a more pathetic excuse for a United fan?
HEY EVERYONE READ WHAT MCARTICLAP HAS TO SAY
thats all these guys want why replyto them
THANKS
i support UNITED no matter what… and everything Ironmanramsey said, I told that to him before… in a different way 
Im proud to be a United fan, I cried when we won the league for the 18th time in joy! I really cant describe my love for the club.
@Big bad wesly Brown- iSUPPORTUNITED!
mcariclep – Your the kind of “fan” we don’t want at the ground or on this blog. We all agree Neville isn’t putting in performances as he once did but he’s a United legend and as performed at the highest level for over a decade….what the fuck have you done?! Idiot!!
I wont hold my breath. If I’m not mistaken he is 22 and cant break into his country’s national side…. Not exactly awe inspiring. But I haven’t seen him play so I guess its unfair to judge already. I will hope and pray he can come on and do a job for us, but as I said, I wont hold my breath.
As for Cleverly, I can’t wait to get this lad back next season. He is outstanding. He has been head and shoulders above his peers in the Championship every time I’ve seen him play.
mcariclep
you can go fuck yourself
to the fan from Bangladesh.. we all love United. I’m from Malaysia, and I love United. Just ignore him, and keep on supporting United.
Back to the topic. I hope this guy can make it big here, because then we will have another thing to brag to Liverpool fans: Our Diouf is better haha..
ya know what big bad wes brown, i know you are right but i just can’t help myself ha! Had enough of some ‘fans’ since leeds defeat and sometimes it just gets too much! Then again, he’s probably a dipper in disguise!
Drew Vader Said,
January 7th, 2010 @19:45
“I wont hold my breath. If I’m not mistaken he is 22 and cant break into his country’s national side…. Not exactly awe inspiring. But I haven’t seen him play so I guess its unfair to judge already. I will hope and pray he can come on and do a job for us, but as I said, I wont hold my breath.”
You sound like a real optimist!
Patrice Evra had only won 5 caps when we signed him at the age of 24.
A certain Steve Bruce never broke into his country’s national side either. Gary Pallister, Nicky Butt, Andy Cole, Michael Carrick and Anderson are more examples of top United players who were never regulars for their countries.
Diouf won his first cap for Senegal in August. I’m sure he will win plenty more now that he plays for United.
Perhaps we should wait to see him play before we write him off, eh?
we hope this player replace tevez . thats all we want finger cross
Talking of over priced players. Ben Arta ‘s manager has said he can go for 45 million euro’s. Fucking piss take.
Mcarticlep – Good to see you are back. Mug. Last time you were on you were accusing me of being a 20 year old “JCL”. I put you right but never heard a response. Scott I know everyone is entitled to their opinions but can’t you ban this cunt? No way is he a United fan. Only 2 weeks ago he wanted Fletch stabbed.
why would united buy Ben Arta when he is the carbon copy of nani it makes no sence to buy another nani. but this diouf thing has really caught my attention, we can well and truly nail the rumors of buying a striker. Because now our strike force is rooney berbatov owen welbeck macheada diouf. I think fergie thinks this is enough firepower to win the premiership, lets hope diouf does a saha in 2006 and becomes a reguler to partner rooney.
Let’s hope Diouf is better than Manucho…
I’m keeping my feet on the ground.
The Ben Arfa thing was never going to happen anyway. That price tag is a joke though. If he is worth that much why is he struggling to settle down over there?
Mcarticlep – when you make stupic comments about flecther who is our best CM player, and is up there with rooney as united player of the year you cant be a united fan just an idiot who knows nothing about the game let alone united.
KIng Eric & Rooney the new king
Ben Arfa is a real talent. Seen him play for OM and he really has pace, his crossing and shooting is very good too. What has done him is his temper which has led to him falling out with players and managers and he is just 22 years old.SAF is good at handling those type of players but 45 million is way way too much. if he is available for 10-12 million we can think about it but no club will buy him for such a high price
IF Diouf and Rooney click we can maybe use Berbatov as a playmaker because he can keep the ball well and has good vision
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Douglas_Costa
apparently hes only gone for 6.5mil.
thats a strange one, his asking price in the summer was near 20mil and now this, surely hed of been worth a punt for 6.5!
@Bangladeshi Red:
I am from Harare, Zimbabwe!!! and I am a red, a red, a red! Man Utd is Big in Africa, we may not have the big name African players at United like Chelsea and such but half of English-speaking Africa support United with Arsenal a close second…Liverpool & Chelski share the remaining 15% or so. United is a global brand, it cant be limited to the 400,000 mancs, it simply cant. Thanks.
BBWB — I agree, a fact i acknowledged when i said, “But I haven’t seen him play so I guess its unfair to judge already.”
Look i understand optimism, but some people are just a tad unrealistic. They see a new signing and expect them to come in and be legends right away, see for example Obertan.
aig alex is god – I totaly disagree, if diouf breaks through and does a saha in 05/06 season and diouf is that no 9 there is no way fergie will play berbatov has the playmaker when rooney has it all.
- Rooney is the best playmaker and no 10 in europe and the world at the moment, he can get the ball from deep he is the heart beat of any counter attack or normal attack, he can pick out a pass out of nothing he scores all types of goals.
- When united get a no 9 striker or diouf maybe that player I am talking about united dont need to play both rooney and berbatov, you are trying to fit square pegs in round holes when for any succeful side it is about balance not crame in has many names has possible.
But to your point, I would say that breaking into the English or Brazilian national sides (carrick, wes and anderson) is a different kettle of fish to Senegal…
He’s a big bloke, with plenty of pace as well. Looks well suited for the prem.
- REDS ALERT
I am doing REDS ALERT whenever someone writes off united, here is another clown writting united off here it is its another bullshit cloqn qho qill get egg on his face again.
http://www.sportingpreview.com/aff/bfair/000929.php
Rooney the new king
Just an idea. My reason is because we lack a playmaker and often when we are deprived of the ball Rooney is the one who drops too deep and hence no one is in the box when the crosses come in as Berbatov does the same and lacks pace to get back in the box quickly.Berbatov can be used in that role because he has great vision and that means neither Rooney nor diouf will have to drop deep. Also Berba being there will give us added dimension as all three can interchange positions and make if difficult for the opposition defenders.
Saying that i cant see SAF messing with the 4-4-2 formation and playing players out of position.
aig alex – you are saying rooney should be playing playing in straight lines and ristrict rooney to do what he does best create and set up chances. rooney is all action he likes to drop deep that is what rooney is a second striker, he likes to create chances for others. you do not restrict our best forward to accomidate someone else, fergie did it in 2001/02 and he learned his lesson.
The difference is rooney is explosive and dynamic not pacey but you partner rooney with a direct powerful no 9 you have the perfect balance. starting berbatov with 2 other strikers will totaly give united no balance, you need balance you dont play 3 strikers who all play narrow we have seen this method used at anfield in sep 2008 it was awful.
RTNK
i am not saying that should restrict Rooney, course he can be his mobile self but more often than not i want to see him around the penalty are and not chasing the ball trying to make something happen which he has done a lot of times this season when nothing is going our way
As i said just a thought, i know i will never happen. We have fletcher who can do the mopping up and valencia and giggs both perform their defensive duties well. However it is worth trying at home when teams defend deep and we have plenty of the ball.
aig alex is god – United have won trophys without using a playmaker, but to try and fit square pegs in round holes will by fitting in 3 strikers who will all play narrow will make things worse.
@ RTNK, AIG
Hi, mates. I’ve always said I’d like to see Berba in the ‘Kaka’ role, almost as an attacking mid with both Owen and Rooney playing ahead of him. Valencia/Giggs on the wings with Giggs pushing centrally if necessary. Fletcher of course cleaning up the mess in midfield. It seems like we’ve never really tried a 4-3-3 with Berbatov, Rooney, and Owen playing up front, unless we’re chasing a game and even so Rooney is shunted out to the left.
Although im sure he’s worth a gamble we still need a top class striker and SAF should be looking at the likes benzema (i no he supposedly turned us down but so!) torres (if possible) Aguero or Villa. Berbatov if were ALL honest doesn’t look the part so how long can we give him while we keep losing ground this season, it could put us in a worse situation next season!!
@mufcmyreligion
One question, how can MUFC be your religion if you want that ladyboy Dipper c*nt Torres?
@sanj
cuz as long as a player can do the biz on the pitch i dont care bout the politics thats cuz mufc is in my heart and not in my head unlike u!!
RTNk
ok mate. We will agree to disagree on this one.
United have won trophies without a playmaker and will continue to do so without one but that has been exposed this season without Ronaldo and the Rooney Berbatov partnership up front not functioning as planned. We are relying a lot on wing play rather than ‘through the middle’ and when the crosses come in from the box there is no one to attack them. Hence i had this thought.cant disagree with you though, it may leave us more vulnerable and may expose our defence
sanj
Hi. exactly agree with you, the only time i saw the 3 together was against Villa when we were a goal down Fulham i guess when we were trailing again.However as i said dont think SAF will take that big a gamble of playing all 3 at once
rooney the new king – Rooney isn’t pacey? Of course he is. He is a lot quicker than he looks. Explosive.
As for your “Red Alert” I was listening to five live on the way home and another “expert” on United was banging on about the debt. Why the fuck is everyman and his dog suddenly an expert on United’s finances? And why after the Leeds scum defeat has this come to the fore. The debt has been here for 4 or 5 years now but why all of a sudden is every cunt in the media talking about it and saying Fergie can’t spend. If the Glazer’s need money to make the interest payments why would they not want to buy players? If you don’t buy players when Fergie requires them then we would only be weaker and therefore not win things. This would in turn mean not as much income and that would really fuck the yanks up. It is in their interest to allow Fergie to build the team he wants. Clueless cunts. Then the stupid bitch presenting the show said “surely if a player has a choice he would go to Eastlands rather than Old Trafford”. Shut your fucking cake hole you dumb cunt. Why the fuck would any player choose the bitters over United other than the obvious of inflated wages. They are acting as though United are fucked and City are gonna start winning everything in site. They will NEVER get anywhere near the Reds. I really do hope we get four on the trot as it will be sweeter than ever.
mufcmyreligion – Get real pal. United will NOT be buying Torres or Aguero.
@mufcmyreligion
Torres rivals Saha in terms of his durability. He is permanently crocked. He has also said he wants his daughter to learn ‘scouse.’ No thanks.
As for Rooney you will never stop him dropping deep. He wants to do everything. I wouldn’t want him any other way.
King Eric
what a rant!!. Spot on about everything
@AIG
You know the mentality of being down a goal chasing the game is totally different than 0-0. I always feel like trying these alternate formations isn’t truly representative of their effectiveness when you are chasing a game. But I agree with you, I don’t think Sir Alex will take that gamble. Perhaps it’s because of Owen’s fitness? Maybe he will be more apt to trying Diouf, Rooney, and Berbatov. Only time will tell.
@ King Eric
What a pleasure that was to read.
Sanj
agree there. Just as Rooney, ronaldo, Berbatov and tevez turned things around when all of them were on the pitch against Spurs and Wigan last season but didnt work out against Barca.
INTERESTING STAT:
for 100 games now (Leeds was nr 100), United haven’t fielded the same line-up for two weeks running.
Thanks lads. It really is annoying me. Don’t get me wrong I hate the fact United are saddled with this debt but why all of a sudden is everyone commenting on it? Just because of a dodgy result and the fact we haven’t rushed out and bought Villa, Ribery and Aguero. They really are sticking the boot in. Anyone would think Fergie is an idiot and the club is run by 10 year olds. We simply must win number 4 and shut these no nothing pricks up.
Need to get him involved sooner rather than later, got fuck all strikers as it is. If Rooney’s not firing we’re not scoring.
@king eric
So u think this team is good enough to win prem/champ league?
@King Eric
Well said mate, totally agree
The fact that it would be no 19 wouldn’t be too bad either. Can’t wait to finally get above the scouse cunts. 20 years and counting..
King Eric @ 21:43: ” If the Glazer’s need money to make the interest payments why would they not want to buy players? If you don’t buy players when Fergie requires them then we would only be weaker and therefore not win things. This would in turn mean not as much income and that would really fuck the yanks up. It is in their interest to allow Fergie to build the team he wants.”
This line of argument makes sense to me BUT you also have to take into account the pressures created that their indebtedness which has created a high-wire financial situation. You could argue that the indebtedness makes further purchases more – not less – important since the pressue to win has been ratcheted upwards. Clearly, the Glazers are trying to consolidate their debts and to reduce their interest rate at the same time. The problem they face is that lenders are frightened to loan or else they are charging exorbitant rates of interest. If they can’t get themselves out from under loans that cost them 14.25% annual interest then they’ll probably sell sooner rather than later and UTD will become the plaything of a moneybags rather than a long-term “equity asset” for a family that puts money into “recreational properties”. Should that come to pass then I doubt that there will be any whip-arounds for the Glazers – right now they own a recreational property valued at between 1,500 and 1,800 million quid and they owe about 700 million. If they found the right buyer today then, accordingly, they would walk away with between 700 and 1,100 million quid.
So, it is obvioulsy in their interest – as it were – to maintain their asset’s value by continuing to win trophies and maintain their asset’s popularity in the marketplace. This kind of nauseating “capitalist” logic seems elementary. I can’t for the life of me understand why people like David Conn (who writes about UTD’s finances in the most pessimistic manner) don’t look at the up-side as well as the down-side of the Glazer’s indebtedness.
The other issues to factor in to any discussion about “the debt” and transfer money has to do with the ridiculous price demanded for British players, the declining quality of British players, AND the massive shift in the value of sterling in relation to the Euro over the past 18 months. To take an example, David Villa’s price is, say, 40 million Euros – that used to be twenty-five million quid but now it’s more like 35 million; that’s a rise of one-third in his purchase-price even while David Villa has become one year older and his career has most likely been shortened by one year. Add to this the changing tax rates which actually “punish” foreign-based footie players who relocate to England from, say, Spain, and you have an out-of-control marketplace.
In these circumstances a canny Scot like SAF must choke when he’s discussing what’s being demanded when he considering spending on new players. It’s not just that there’s no value in the marketplace, the marketplace itself has changed. That’s why taking a punt on someone like Mame Biran Diouf seems not unreasonable. After all, what’s a million ?
oh yeah one more thing this is football and anything can happen, who eva tho Robinho would sign for citeh!!
About Diouf – how big is he ?
I’ve heard him described as 5’10″ and also 6’2″ ?
I also just saw that Steve Bruce might be selling Kenwyne Jones in order to find funds to bolster his defence.
I’m a big, big fan of Jones – and he’s a big, big guys. Like the MenAtWork song, DownUnder – “six foot five and full of muscle”. Fast and athletic, too.
hehe, I can’t help but laugh about the posts regarding the transfer market being overpriced. Since when has Alex Ferguson of all people been scared to pay stupid money for players? (…al get me coat!)
Hi all
On the independent and this is esp. for King Eric – fighting away : )
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/football/news-and-comment/debt-swap-is-window-dressing-1859997.html
@denton davey jones is a good shout. I’ve seen him bully our centre halves a few times and rooney does best off a target man. For 11mil might be worth it.
for some reason my comments on here aboutthe manchesterevening news are not getting through am I aloud to post the link. check it out paul hence on manchestereveningnews has said united are a crumbling empire, and Frank Gregan on betfair said you can write united off. add the act some twat on the guardian has said the balance of power has shifted in manchester who is next to write united off.
Is he better than Manucho? or another red herring?
He looks exciting.Oh boy i can’t wait to see him in action
Good post Denton Davey – if only the times or some other major publication would print that, perhaps the ABU’s would actually learn a thing or two about football economics…
As far as this Diouf chap is concerned, I am reserving judgement until I see him put in some performances in the flesh…
Jones is a decent player, he played we against us at OT, but come on guys, is he United quality??
cant help but think manucho!
Muggaz: “Jones is a decent player, he played we against us at OT, but come on guys, is he United quality??”
Probably not BUT what he would bring to the attack is a set of qualities that are currently absent – size, strength, athleticism, and a willingness to play centrally AND forward. I think that this would make Wayne Rooney a much, much better player because he is a # 10 not a #9 – and I also think that it would enable SAF to find a way to get more out of Dimitar Berbatov who is, quite clearly, unable or unwilling to take on the role of a #9.
Kenwyne Jones was the guy I “identified” almost two years ago as the most realistic target to fill that role. I’ve also argued that EmileIvanhoeHeskey would be another. Neither would be “United quality” but both would provide a huge assist in helping others to reach their full potential.
No team – in any sport – is ever made up of the very best players; some guys are chiefs, others are just Indians. For example: a water-carrier like Claude Makalele was key to France’s World Cup and Euro 2000 victory as well as the club trophies won by TheVirus and the RentBoyz while he played for them. The two best national sides in the word today -Spain and Brazil – have similar players in that role.
Sometimes, you try to recruit “the best player available” but sometimes, equally, it makes sense to recruit the player who best addresses your needs. At this current time, this thread is all about the hopes we are investing in Mame Biram Diouf because there is clearly a problem with the coherence of UTD’s forward play. Diouf is a long-shot; Jones/Heskey might be more “realistic” hopes in that we’ve seen what they can and can’t do. In a team game, the team is made up of a blend of talents and in that sense Diouf – or Jones or Heskey – might just be the now-proverbial last-piece-in-the-puzzle.
Hi Denton . I mocked you a while ago when you suggested Owen and Heskey. Well you were right about Owen but I would hate to see Heskey in a United shirt. He is awful. I appreciate he is a good foil for Wazza but still not good enough for United.
” but I would hate to see Heskey in a United shirt. He is awful. I appreciate he is a good foil for Wazza but still not good enough for United.”
Horses for courses, my friend. I don’t think EmileIvanhoeHeskey is awful but he sure isn’t great, either. But he just might be the guy to help Wayne Rooney fully realize his incredible potential to be the world’s best # 10. I still think, however, that Kenwyne Jones would be an ever better punt for that reason.
I’m surprised that Sunderland are even considering selling Jones – he and Darren Bent have been the best part of that team since Lee Cattermole got injured and Loric Cana was left to cover for the numpties who have taken his place.
I think that the example of Eric Cantona is a relevant one. He was a talent when he played for Leeds but putting him in a much, much better environment at UTD enabled that talent to fully flower. In my opinion, we haven’t seen anything like the best from Wayne Rooney and that’s because he was either subordinated to cover for Ronaldo or else because the partnership with Berbatov has proven to be both frustrating and disappointing. Well, Ronaldo is gone and won’t come back while Berbatov has probably six more months to get his act together. However, in those six months there are EPL and CL trophies to be won and I doubt that they will be won with the Rooney/Berbatov connection.
I am certain that Wayne Rooney would fully flower with a more appropriate partner but the “evidence” from his Ingerland games does seem to suggest that he plays best when he’s given the freedom to play as a # 10, even with a car-horse in front of him. And, Kenwyne Jones is no cart-horse.
@ denton davey
“ IF he can establish a chemistry with Wayne Rooney then he has a chance to supplant Dimitar Berbatov and LittleMikey – and cut into the line ahead of Danny Welbeck and KikoTheKid.”
I can’t believe u just wrote danny welbeck’s name in front of kiko.. outrageous! =P
any new unproven striker is by default placed ahead of danny welbeck in my view.. seeing him being subbed in means only one of two things.. we are winning with a huge margin.. or we’re ready to throw in the towel.. sigh
The official press all seem to want to draw attention to Diouf being Tevez’s replacement but did Molde handing him the number 32 Shirt have something to do with Carloz Tevez aswell!!!? Pffttt.