Talk of a surprise loan move for Fabio Da Silva to Benfica emerged from the manager last week and after confirmation from his agent, the player himself has commented.
“I am excited about the opportunity to play for Benfica – a very famous and big club,” Fabio told A Bola. “I feel very honoured by Benfica’s interest, but my transfer now depends on negotiations with Manchester United.”
With Patrice Evra’s form being generally below par since the World Cup it seems very strange that the club are open to loaning Fabio out next season. It’s disappointing too. However, there are rumours that the deal has been put in place as a part exchange for Benfica star Nicolas Gaitán.
Man Utd News 24/7
Not a fair exchange.
He needs first team football and I guess he will feel familiar with a country like Portugal. I just hope 2 things: 1) That he will play a lot of games and 2) That we won’t go into the next season with Evra as our only left back. That’s suicide.
mmmm is NG good enough for united?.
Meow !
I still feel we were robbed of Eikrem.
I don’t.
just hope he gets enough games to prove his worth. I for one really believe he has the ability to succeed at united. Rafael is now a regular & given how evra has been playing tis season, he’ll get into the team straightway when he returns !
Evening fuck bags. I can’t see Sir Alex letting Fabio go without having secured a replacement left back. He was in Lyon recently rumoured to have been checking out Hazard, however it might have been their left back he was checking out. Either way I’m sure he has someone in mind other than Fryers or else I’d have expected to have seen more of him this year.
This is a no brainer. The lad needs game time. If he isn’t getting that at United, I don’t see the problem with this move. No idea if it’s connected to the Gaitan rumour. Nothing from the club yet, that we’re in for him.
Good luck Fabio! You will love playing for Benfica, and I expect there will be a tug-of-war for your signature come contract renewal day. Come back and join Rafael in a year, and forge the Brazilian brace of wing-backs that we hope will grace Old Trafford for the rest of this decade.
we’re definitely getting a new LB i reckon. wasn’t supposed to be a pressing need (cue strengthening the CM area), but evra’s form of late is probably forcing the gaffer to have a think about LB.
Would Scholes have beeen left out of the CL Final against Barca this season if we were in it? I don’t think so! He’d be the first player on that team sheet. Its very interesting to see that the Ginger Prince never started in both finals that we lost to Barca in 09 and 11. The giggs carrick combo was used both times with the addition of anderson in 09. To be honest there’s no real difference between the Scholes of today and the Scholes of a season or 2 or 3 ago and that’s just my opinion. I remember watching the lad bossing games like he is doing for us @ the minute and if I was Fergie I’d have started him in every single BIG game no question about it. What u think people?? Another interesting thing is Park a player who we have hardly used thi season started both these finals ahead of a player like nani who was the players player of the season last year. He was ineffective in both finals it has to be said. Nani has the game to change a game he’s that good. Its really weird that both nanai and scholes didn’t start these games and if we were in the finals vs barca this year thse 2 lads would be the first on my teamsheet. Just my opinion…
This Gaitan story has been going too long for there not to be some truth in it. Strange choice to let Fabio go indeed but I’m sure fergie is fully aware of the lack of cover at left back so I’m not worried.
So much Evra slagging. Sorry if his standard of overall LB play hasn’t been the best world-class of late. He’s been much more inconsistent over the years getting beat, but he’s playing against top quality players and there hasn’t been a left winger who he can establish a playing partnership with on a weekly basis.
You all clamor about Evra, but who has played the most for the past I don’t know, four or five years and taken all these knocks…Evra, United’s captain. Bombing forward, tracking back, bombing forward, tracking back, covering inside. His positional play has been erratic because he’s so far forward, but that’s why Rio is there and Carrick plays the way he does now.
best of luck Fabio. Come back sharper than ever.
With the fact that he may form part of a tansfer deal for Gaitan, I sure hope that it’s only a Loan deal, and not a permanent one. Remember how before they played, Fabio was always touted as the “better” twin, Brazil U-17 Captain, and their top scorer(Joint) for an U-17 World Cup. Plus, he was their designated PK taker.
Off topic
After one of the mist inept refereeing displays I’ve witnessed ymthis year (and there have been a few!) I see that Phil Dowd has been rewarded with the FA Cup final!! Good luck Chelski and Dippers, the outcome is in the lap of the gods!!!
Wait please can anyone confirm this for me. Is is just a loan deal or a permanent one? Please I hope it is just a loan. Fabio is a really good LB. We should prolly get him in for Evra real soon.
It’s a loan move miss Massey!
Mikekelly- perfect choice for the teams involved. If he fucks up I hope its not in favour of the scouse .
I agree he should go to benfica for more games, but evra should be performing better & he shouldn’t think that he doesn’t have to fight for a place!
But good luck Fabio….
will ctrl alt delete be providing the cover for left back?
why a loan deal outside of the epl?
fergie you beauty
However I am glad to report that I am staying at Manchester United
No transfer for me, phew!
I guess the master plan all along was to bring back a certain Irish legend out of retirement.
Welcome back Deniis Irwin.
What? We never bring players out of retirement?
Where’s portugeseprincess to advise on the matter
And where is soren?
United ladies enjoying the weather, whilst here the weather for MG is as unpredictable as AR
Thought: with our two primary left-wingers right-footed, maybe Fergie just doesn’t see a right-footed left back as a viable option?
There is no way we will buy another LB otherwise Fabio would go on a permanent deal.
We have paddy, Fabio, and fryers. Paddy and Fryers is enough whilst paddy winds down and Fabio gets a proper season in at a big club.
It’s a great move for all concerned.
Are we going to see the promotion of Fryers then to understudy for Evra? Not sure if I like this or not, on the one hand I hope he gets a lot of games, but if he does well Benfica will push to make it permanent and we could lose a promising LB to replace Evra. The summer transfer window is certainly going to be interesting.
Fucking typical! Wolves lose their best player Hennassey right before the city game!!
maybe fergie will go for lb
http://hereisthecity.com/2012/04/16/the-telegraph-and-the-times-clash-over-gaitan-to-manchester-unit/
I cannot believe we are spending 25 million on Gaitan. I really hope this huge investment pays off. Can he play in the centre of midfield?
It will be quite a predicament if we have to play against a team like City or Arsenal and Evra is ruled out. Not sure how ready Fryers is for this. Or if he will stay at all.
@dannysoya
I hope he can, because if we bought him as a winger, I don’t know whose place he’s going to take.
@Mike
I admire your optimist mate.
That match has thrashing written all over it I feel. Hennassey or not.
Mikey12 – Conspiracy, I tell ya! Wolves keeper isn’t injured.
Evra sucks and Evr-yone knows it! He not been on form for a long time! Fabio was our only credible defender in the CL Final Last season and it’s just wrong to bench him because of an out of form elderly player! Fabio deserve more! He’s more mature than his brother and can play both full back positions! Should be in the first team!
Mike Kelly – Hey up pal. Gotta say I do like that mate of yours. Top lad. I agree. I don’t think for one minute he was scouting Hazard but the left back whose name escapes me. Fergie isn’t an idiot who will only leave us one option at left back. Anyway can see Fryers being that man or De Laet given a go.
No Eikrem was a good player but has found his level with Ole at Molde. Never really developed physically and mentally and was 21 or 22 when we let him go.
I know Paddy isn’t always great and drives me mad but i still love the bloke and he offers so much going forward. His defending and positioning are poor alot of the time but I wouldnt swap him for anyone.
Cannot see us getting this Gaitan. How many times when a big rumour come in the public domain it actually happen?
When asked if he would miss his Brazilian counterparts, Fabio was quick to comment that “it will be a difficult transition to be away from my brother as we’ve rarely seperated since birth.” When asked about Anderson, the young LB asked “who?”
Get yer shit sorted Anderson, the clock’s ticking…
The strangest part of this story is the valuation of Gaitan and the statements from the Telegraph that
somehow Fabio and Macheda were the make weights for Gaitan in a 25M quid deal that approaches Gaitans buy out clause, rumored to be 45M euros.
Now way Macheda transfer plus Fabio loan is worth over 12M in my view.
Only right minded way to look at this is that Benfica have agreed to let Gaitan go for way under their buy out value. If that is all true, then I can see it.
As has been said above, Fabio needs games. But is also very injury prone.
Fergie needs to decide about Fabio in the context of a 40+ match season expected of most of our senior defenders. Is he the lad to be our go to LB for extended runs moving forward.
Otherwise, the club needs to go out and get someone. With Evra starting to slow with age, most would be pleased if we got 2 more years of solid duty from Patrice. For next year, we probably can gamble on other players filling. But I feel this is about a stern test for the lad that will impact the managers plans and commitments long term.
Definitely a good move in my view.
Costas/Wille
I’m telling you, after we beat Everton to go 8 clear, city have to go to wolves knowing anything but a win could see us win it at the council house! Now that will get them nervy. I could easily see the wolves scrapping for their lives and robbing a point!! But Hennessey was part of my master plan !
really don’t get this one – I know Evra has never really missed a game – but he’ll have no cover next year – unless De Laet stays another year – or we bring up someone from the reserves etc
but like Scott mentioned on his Twitter page – Evra has not really been on the form he was during 2007-2010 – he really should have been dropped for a few games – but I guess since he has been given the temporary captaincy he’s gotta start!!
I REALLY hope Fabio comes back the following season a Much better player and ready to take the Left back position!!
Evra doesn’t suck at all. He is a damn good player just gets caught napping too often. I love Paddy.
dean – Good points about Scholes and the Champions League Finals but lets not forget leading up to it last year Giggs and Carrick had been excellent and Scholes looked finished. If it were now he would definitely start. The Scholes Carrick partnership since Jan has looked better than ever. Carrick seems to have more license to get forward knowing Scholesy will be covering deep. They have bossed every single game they have played with possession being about 70 per cent. I was gutted when Scholes went down on Sunday as he doesn’t go down for anything. I genuinely thought if he is injured thats our title bid over. Thats HOW good he has been. Genius of a player and always has been.
There are better options than Gaitan. From what I’ve seen I think Christian Eriksen (Ajax), Eden Hazard (Lille) and Gylfi Sigurdsson (Swansea) all seem like a better buy than Gaitan.
edcunited187 – Spot on pal. Agree with every word.
LB from Lyon? Brazilian Michelle Bastos?? (Spelling Butchered)
I am a positive lad but there is not a hope in hell Wolves will get anything from City. Tell you now lads. The title will be won a week on Monday at the council house and it will be beautiful.
Cover at LB = Jonny Evans?
Vidic back healthy again. Rio winding back the clock. Smalling and Jones to cover at CB
Fryers (if here) waiting to get a bigger chance.
ididnotzeeit – Hello pal. No mate. Just remembered it. Its Lilles left back as it was Lille v Lyon and its Cissoko,. Agreed about Anderson. I think he will go in the summer. Think there will be quite a few changes actually. Its pretty much nailed on Berba will leave and as I said I think Park could go too.
Sorry didnt mention Park on this thread but the previous one. I think he could be on his way. I may be well wrong but he never plays or features these days. Previously he was first choice in the big games.
King Eric
Yeah mate, he’s a good lad, salt of the earth. And the boy can drink! Fuck me can he! Paddy can infuriate at times but he’s a class act. Did he not put in that teasing ball that got us our second before half time and eased the nerves??!! Mate, I agree. I shit it when Scholes went down, so many things went flashing through my mind.
Mike – Yeah he is a good lad mate, really like the bloke. Yes it was Paddy. I was at Wembley last May and Evra had a horrorshow. Constantly letting Pedro in. Why do some think Fergie is a clown and would leave us with ONE left back and not think it through? Ha.
Siggurdson? Yes looks decent but only seen him a few times and no doubt is a flavour of the month. Like Ba who looked a world beater now couldn’t hit the floor with his fucking hat.
Mike
I got it
we get Van Der Sar out of retirement for one last match
2012
The year of coming out of retirement.
Failing that Shearer Ginola Asprilla for Newcastle
@MikeKelly
Yours and wayne’s.
I hope you’re right. Like I said the other day, relegated teams are hard to predict. I also thought about City playing under pressure if we go 8 points clear. But I won’t take anything for granted.
Oh shit just thought Giggs may become left back..
Ginola Asprilla? That sounds lovely!
An exotic drink!
Giggs12 – Ha. Like he did at West Ham last season!
@ king Eric re your Park comment on the other thread.
I agree it is weird that Park has gone from big game “cert” to start, to fringe player who cant get a game. Its the same with a few others, Berba etc.
I will be sad to see park go as he has been another unsung hero at the club who gives 110% in all his games. However as always as soon an SAF feels a player has had his time he is on his way without emotion. Allthough this can be tough at times, its a main reason why he has been a succesful manager.
I will always have faith in SAF choices even if I cant see the logic at the time.
Just been watching the Paddy Crerend show on MUTV and Stuart said that the club have categorically denied any interest in Nicolas Gaitan, make of that what you will.
Ginola Asprilla
Not suitable for city for alcoholic content
Ahhh, correct King Eric, my mistake. Bastos is quality imo. Was just thinking french league LBs playing for a side starting with L….came pretty f’in close
I don’t necessarily see Park getting shipped out in the summer. Berbatov, yes, Anderson, yes. At this stage in Park’s career I’m pretty sure he’s quite comfortable being a squad player, training his arse off and playing when needed. Maybe I’m wrong but I don’t think the transfer would be initiated by him and I don’t see SAF shipping him off just to reduce wages. If all 3 go though AND Scholes goes back into retirement we’re back to this past August when some of the faces long associated with United are all of a sudden gone.
I dig at Anderson but honestly, I can’t help but remember our early season form, the partnership of him and Clevs, thinking, once again, SAF’s a mastermind and all of a sudden kaboom, everything blew up. We all seem to agree Clev’s one for the next generation but sadly, the same can’t be said for Anderson. Sir Alex seems at the end of his rope and once that happens….fuck me that boy’s an enigma.
Off topic, but if it hasn’t been mentioned already today, John Terry is a cunt of the highest order.
Additionally, we have lots of young talent that can work in with Patrice next year. DeLaet and Friers will fill in and Smalling is also a good option for some games. We also have some other reserve lads that may get a game in Michael Keane and the new swiss lad Veseli)
Evans has done the job but feel Evans has staked a claim at CB until Vida earns it back.
Depth Chart for start of next season:
CB: Rio, Evans (Smalling, Vidic, Jones, Carrick)
RB: Rafael (Smalling, Jones, Valencia, Carrick)
LB: Evra (De Laet, Smalling, Friers and M Keane potentially Veseli)
Evening all
Have I missed much?
Depth Chart for next season:
MG and usual suspects
sachu and usual suspects
Transfers welcome to our team only.
Out of all the players we’ve been linked with, I’d prefer Christian Eriksson over Nicolas Gaitan.
Cedars!
How long have you been flying?
(in joke – you’ve probably missed it)
The club deny any interest in Gaitan. Rene is openly talking about our interest in Hazard. Something stinks! And I’m not talking about Cedars cooking!
MG – I’ll have one of those Ginola Asprillias?
Willie
I’ll have 2
I think Rene has been playing Football Manager
Does anybody on this blog know anything about Davide Petrucci’s contract situation at MUFC?? Anyone??
Oh by the way the lad is fucking world class! Cheers
Willie, I’m with you on the Gaitan thing. Just isn’t adding up yet. Still think the club loves it when we are linked with half decent players in the press. Any free press is probably good for the brand.
I still believe that we will be signing world class striker Michael Owen after his contract is up
Wait, let me think.
40 games a season Hargreaves anyone?
MG
I did catch glimpses of your jokes about my flight, so it does make sense!
Willie
M y cooking does stink mate ha ha, my mum’s on the other hand, well that’s another story! Will make the most of it whilst I am here
Just feels wee bit ott when we get praise from the likes of Alan %&*@! Shearer
http://www1.skysports.com/football/news/11095/7678784
Best Manager: Fergie
Best Team: United
Best Player: Giggs
Ha, anyone complaining about Young needs to take a look at that Ribery flop, wowwie that was a doozy. Ramos completely pulls his leg out before the scarred french pedophile even gets close and he goes all greg louganis up in the air and into the ground. Howard Webb with a great look but for some obscure reason doesn’t book him for simulation.
Cedars
Where have you been Cedars! It’s not been fun doing Mancini without you reading!
(There was a Braveheart version, a transformers version and even Messi got into one)
MG
I’ll have an ginola asprillias top please with a bag of pork scratchings!
We’re probably starting these rumours so city will spend £50m on them. Out of all the players we’ve been linked with I’ll go with Gascoigne!
Cedars – how were the beach babes of Limassol?
MG
Will read back and catch up on the Mancini phone calls!
Mike
Was raining for the first couple of days mate, I will raid the beaches tomorrow pal, KEO in hand and eyes wide open!
Dean,
Last I heard of Petrucci was that he will negotiate a new deal this summer.
He has had some diabolical injuries but he looks the real deal. He played in the last reserves game and looked really good, including a goal.
Feel United will want to keep him. Most fans, who have watched him feel he has real potential.
Nothing yet, but expect some action this summer.
Mike
Do you want a Keegan special to go with that?
Cedars and babes?
Why wasn’t I invited!?!
Ah Cedars it’s never fun without you, don’t leave me like that again
I’ll be off too from tomorrow for a few days having said that
Anyone know what is up with Bebe and Besiktas? Has there been a falling out? or just working back to fitness??
http://www.goal.com/en-gb/news/2557/news/2012/04/17/3042520/bebe-forced-to-train-away-from-rest-of-besiktas-squad
Cedars
You’re still there? Lucky sod!
MG
I’d love a keegan special. I’d love it!!!!
MG
I promise! Just needed a couple of days to sort out the internet connection and being Easter weekend here made it difficult…. All connected now and still celebrating the win over Villa and looking forward to another 3 points on Sunday
FletchTHEMAN – Makes sense to deny any interest. He ain’t our player! Everything is a rumour at this stage anyway.
Mike
I am here for another 20 days at least mate! Free accommodation, great food and now that I am online I could do whatever work I have from here!
Cedars
Once a Devil, always a Devil
Mike
‘I’ve kept really quiet, but I’ll tell you something: he went down in my estimation when he said that,’
Cedars
Wish I was there pal. Just been out for a run in the pissing down Manchester rain! I did athletics with my year 8 kids to day and it started fucking hailstoning!!
Willie, Also on the Gaitan thing. Most all of this is coming from the Telegraph. James Ducker of the times has posted several twits saying there is no way this will happen and that City arn’t interested either.
take it as you will. I could see a 20M deal, but after that I really don’t understand it.
He is not a Scholes or a Carrick. I also don’t think he speaks much english which would be hard to fathom in the middle of the park.
De gea never spoke any english either and united bought him. Language is no excuse to stop the purchase Of the talents.
Maybe FERGIE wants something different, another plan rather than the typical box to box midfielder because it clearly hasn’t worked in europe.
That lyon left back fergie went to see was matthieu debauchy.
He’s 26 and seems quite good. He’s no evra going forward though.
I think there’s some weight to these gaitan rumours. If fergie wanted to send out fabio on loan wigan sunderland bolton etc would’ve been the obvious choices. Benfica is a weird choice.
Also don’t write off gaitan, if we want him that bad fergie must have a plan!
Oh and debauchy plays for lille not lyon
Say we do buy gaitan fella we can play in europe with a lineup of
Ddg
Rafa evans vidic evra
Carrick clev
Nani gaitan young
Rooney
With the three behind rooney switching. Sounds good on paper
FletchTHEMAN – Also, I’d take what the club say on potential signings with a pinch of salt. We can be economical with the truth.
Yeah, I can’t see us going for another LB either. I think by loaning out Fabio he is buying time both for him and Zeki, as Paddy is still (whatever some of you rabble think) one of the first names on the team sheet. Michael Keane and Sir Giggsy are both very viable back-up options.
Not sure what happens when Vidic comes back – obviously it’s been a long time since we’ve had an Evans-Vidic combo but I can imagine that working for us as much as a Rio-Evans. Ice-Cold and Phil Jones have got quite the job on to stake a place in that 4.
De Laet – possibly out at the end of the season? Or the new JOS?
There’s a few players with question marks floating over their heads at the moment, and not just the obvious. I think Anderson, if he keeps his head on through the summer, could stay, if only because of the promise shown in his early-season combo with Clevster. Park will probably stay too, I don’t think he’s quite used up all of his lungs yet although chances may be few next ‘un. The likes of Park and Carrick I think will become our next line of elder statesmen in the side after Giggsy and Scholes have retired. And then unretired. And retired again…
I think we all know Berba has gone. Shocking, after the joy he gave last season.
More uncertain for me would be whether we can keep hold of Nani – ideally we’d obviously like both him and Valencia – but Toni V seems to have properly staked his claim on that right wing and Young seems to offer too much in terms of delivery, set pieces, and flying through the air with the greatest of ease on the left. Nani is too good just to be a squad player.
Owen, really don’t know at this point what he offers if he’s not available for most of the season. Really like the lad, seems like one of the more intelligent footballing brains out there which, like Carrick and Park, could be useful for the young lads coming through. After pretty much another whole season on the sidelines, there’s not really any clue what sort of player is left, although his finishing has always been fairly sharp. Could go.
Lindegaard, will he stay to fight on for one more season, because De Gea looks properly nailed on #1 at the moment? Is Ben Amos content to be #3? Think we could lose a bloody great keeper here.
A few will go from the reserves, I don’t think there’ll be any huge surprises – Tunni/Pogba/W&M Keane/Lingard/Cole/Vermijl will all definitely stay on, Petrucci is maybe 50/50, probably less if he’s already been named as a make-weight in this Gaitan story. A shame, I hope we don’t lose him because to me that could be another Pique/Rossi moment, he’s a talented lad and to me as shown far more application this term than Pogba has. Apart from maybe John Cofie and Tunni, don’t know how many of the loanees will return. Looks like Bebe might have binned it at Besiktas since his recent return – a bit of growing up in public, perhaps, I certainly hope not.
@willie : these days when our club categorically denies interest the media take it to mean definitely buying. That’s how economical we are with the truth
Shit off, sorry for the essay guys
Maybe we will sell berba and go with three strikers. This may be fantasy, but its an option. With gaitan in the team.
A shot in the dark but here goes
De Gea
raf Rio / Evans Vida Evra / New comer?
Carrick Clevers / Progba
Valencia Gaitan / Hazard Nani / Young
Rooney
Maybe have three attacking players with one striker. Its how we play with rooney behind wellbeck atm with carrick and scholes holding…
I am not saying its what I want, just a thought re all the rumours, based on us not needing another winger if we play 4 4 2 or keep rooney in the hole.
Side thought, maybe hes lost faith in Nani too? (hope not)
Twins are both good lads like their attitude on and off the pitch too bad injuries have hindered progression
KE think the rumor from the Spurs fan about Modric is bollocks mate.Spurs fucked up royally by not taking the rent boys 40 mill
I’ve come to the conclusion him and Bale are the most over hyped overrated couple of cunts in the Prem,never fucking deliver
Wayne – evra’s a better winger than bale, that shows how overrated that guy is
Eriksen would never join united. Has his heart set on Barca, doesn’t favour the premier league at all.
Petrucci has great potential. Was a number 10 at roma but clearly he’s getting turned into a complete midfielder. Has all the repertoire to be a quality player. Skillful, very creative, good passer. An all round technical player but he needed to work on the defensive side of his game and has impressed the manager clearly. Injuries have stopped him progressing like pogba and unlike pogba, petrucci badly wants to make it at united and that’s what i like to hear. Hope he’s taken to pre-season and afforded the opportunity to stake a claim.
On Eriksen
Don’t rate him at all
A fit Cleverly is better so fingers crossed
I certainly don’t think we’ll be buying a CM this summer. With petrucci pogba cleverly tunni we have amazing potential in that area!
I believe tunni can nail a place in the 11 next season!
He’s the kind of player fergie loves and he’s also a born and bred red
Is it a transfer or a loan? Rafael’s comments make it sound like a transfer is being discussed not a loan.
I also dont think we will buy a centre midfield player. I would like an Ozil or a Kaka. But tbh, if you guys are waxing lyrical about our youth, then I have faith in your opinions.
Utd is youth.
Everyone knows I’m a fan of Modric, but he’s been poor this season. Clearly the speculation has affected him. Never got the hype about Bale. People talk about Valencia being one dimensional. Bale is the definition of that! I think it was Samuel said, they don’t have the winning mentality, our players do. that makes a huge difference. Who knows how they’d fare at United, playing under Fergie. Bale has missed his chance. Modric might yet get that chance, if you believe some rumours!
FERGIE wouldn’t use petrucci as part of the bait for gaitan or whoever else Linked with the club. i think that’s another gabbage conjured up by glue sniffing sports journalists. Petrucci was part of the squad at spurs this season, an indication that he’s close to breaking in. He’s a very talented player and would be starting for roma now if he stayed. I’m hoping he’ll be part of the team next season.
We issa will buy a midfielder this summer
Let the bets begin
Whoa, I’m going to Benfica
Whoa, playing in the Portuguese Liga
Whoa, I’m going to get more football
Whoa, with the sunny Portuguese
I don’t wanna be understudy all my life
I’ve seen too much of Old Trafford from the side
Fly away on Turkish Airlines
Fly me high, Benfica skies
Whoa, I’m going to Benfica
Whoa, going without my brother
Whoa, I am my fortune-seeker
Whoa, in the sunny Portuguese Liga
We will have a fabio-less time without you son, but never you mind.
Play out of your skin and take benfica to heart!
Willie – it makes a massive difference, winning mentality and drive that is. It gives top players the edge over other talented players. If bale had joined then FERGIE would instill that priceless edge and belief into him in order to move from good to outstanding. Ronaldo is a prime example Of this, his precocious talent was never in doubt but FERGIE has played a huge part in him turning into an efficient goal-machine that madrid now benefit from.
New thread
Dean @ 18:06: “To be honest there’s no real difference between the Scholes of today and the Scholes of a season or 2 or 3 ago and that’s just my opinion.”
I’d completely agree – except that I’d say that TheGingerNinja is actually playing better NOW than two/three years ago because (for some reason I can’t explain – and/or no one has explained to my satisfaction) his partnership with Michael Carrick seems to function better. They seem to be on the same wave-length whereas last year, and the year before that and the year before that, too, Michael Carrick seemed too deferential to playing beside a living-legend.
NOW, they seem to have worked that out and I think that’s why there’s less of that sideways/backwards passing from Carrick.
Perhaps that mutual-confidence might have something to do with about personality – MIchael Carrick seems a diffident person who seems to lack the self-confidence that most other top-flight players draw from their testosterone.
“seems” is the operative word in that sentence since I have no idea about Michael Carrick’s personality except what I can infer from his body language.
dannysoya @ 19:09: ‘I cannot believe we are spending 25 million on Gaitan. I really hope this huge investment pays off. Can he play in the centre of midfield?”
Maybe the thinking is that TheWayneBoy is an adjustable piece-to-the-puzzle ? – moving back into midfield to alternate with TheGingerNinja in the EPL and forwards to play as the “1″ in a 4-5-1 away formation in the CL.
Also, having Gaitan – in addition to Valencia, Young, and Nani – makes one wonder about how SAF plans to deploy his “resources”. My guess – and you all know that my guesses ain’t worth shit ! – would be that the wily OldFootieKnight has some very different (and unexpected) plans for deploying those “resources” – not the 4-4-2 of days gone by.
The left back at Lyon is Aly Cyssokho, a name I have tossed about for weeks and months, hell I wanted him since he contained Ronaldo back 2009 at Old Trafford for Porto. I think he is now 24, reliable, he’s no Paddy but defensively sound.
Michel Bastos is a left winger like Coentrao and Gareth Bale who are often mistake for Left Backs by people that have no knowledge of the player. Doubt United are linked with this 28 year old winger.
I am for Fabio to go out on loan but it would be nice at a premier league club for the experience. I Think SAF will buy a left back which is why he has given Fabio the loan move.
Do we really want a 21 year old Fabio who’s barely played as our left back for consecutive matches when he can’t even stay fit for two matches in a row?
We can’t rely on a player like that to push Evra throughout the season. When Evra was bought in 2006, he was brought in to compete with an Old Heinze who wasn’t great going forwards plus he was sidelined for a long time. Evra proved to be a bargain and better so he pushed forward to 2nd choice and then beat off Silvestre for Left back around mid-season.
I doubt Fabio could do this while the 31 year old Evra is still going strong ( well a bit). What Evra needs is serious,young competition, someone who will definitely replace him, not a “maybe”. But the point is this potential signing will scare Evra into raising his levels. It is then up to Patrice to try and delay the inevitable, Paddy cannot play 45+ games in his remaining years which is 2 seasons more at max, so it’s about time we strengthen.
Fabio should be in contention to compete with the potential new left back…once….once! Evra has been displaced, in the meanwhile a loan move, a right back and left midfield role should suffice during his education. By the time Paddy leaves Fabio will be 23/24, which is hardly old is it.
I’m sure SAF has a plan with him, the boy is more than decent he’s great for his age and has good discipline, he and his brother are educated with game time like all good players, you don’t learn and become the best overnight.
What is certain is that, this summer we need a left and a centre midfielder !
I don’t care for Gaitan just like I didn’t care for Young,Jones De Gea last April because it was too early. Lets not judge any potential signing ability wise…who knows we might miss out on Gaitan and he may well become the next…say Iniesta !
dean @ 19:59: “Does anybody on this blog know anything about Davide Petrucci’s contract situation at MUFC?? Anyone??
Oh by the way the lad is fucking world class!”
My understanding is that he’s a free-agent/out-of-contract this summer. Since he was signed by UTD he has been plagued by leg injuries BUT he seems to have finally got through that and shown himself to be a very, very intriguing prospect as an “attacking midfielder” – AND that may be why all the talk about Gaitan, Hazard, Eriksen, etc., is just a smokescreen.
Given his “druthers”, SAF would always choose to stick with kids he knows and when assessing Petrucci’s chances it’s important to keep two things in mind: first, UTD have a big investment in him; and, second, he’s been able to show his class (NOT “fucking world class !”). Keep in mind that SAF was bound-and-determined to keep faith with DarrenFletcherinho when everyone else called him “the Scottish player” or “Fergy’s love child”. The wily OldFootieKnight ain’t lost his marbles.
eric keane @ 21:03: “With petrucci pogba cleverly tunni we have amazing potential in that area!”
Yeah, but you can’t win anything with kids.
Has anyone mentioned De Laet? He could be the understudy of Patrice Evra next year along with Zeki Fryer.
As for Eriksen joining, nah he’s prolly gonna join Barcelona or Madrid or something like that. Do oyu know who I think we should look at. Nuri Sahin. He isn’t getting any gametime down in Madrid and he was the man who started the dortmund revival two years ago plus he is very young like 23 or something like that. Let’s look at him. Can’t cost more than 19 million at this point. Van der Vaart was in a similar situation at Madrid and Tottenham took a chance on him and he has repaid them. Let’s not let this slip.
Eriksen, Hazard…they fit in in our sistem…so i would think only about two of them…Modric to expensive not that good….
and other one is Mateo Kovacic from Dinamo Zagreb…great investment…
I hear people saying Fergie might buy Gaitan because he’s looking at doing something different in Europe. I’d be cautious if that’s the case….coz you don’t buy a big player JUST for Europe. For £20m+, that player will be getting regular football. Which means the Gaffer will try and blend him into our team in the League as well. And it’s essential he adapts.
Veron is a prime example. Fergie bought him for the Champions League really. And tbf….in Europe he was magic. But having paid £28m for him….Fergie wasn’t just gonna use him in Europe. So he incorporated him into our League line up, and it was to the detriment of the team. For the most part, he wasn’t comfortable, and neither was the team.
Point I’m tryna make is this: Its risky to buy a player specifically for European purposes. He’s gonna need to be able to adapt to our League style as well.
Just an opinion I’m putting out there…..
@ King Eric – I’m not sure if you know Gylfi SIgurdsson’s history. Started out as a teenager at Reading. In his first full season 2009-2010 he scored 21 goals in 44 matches, pretty decent for a 19 year old midfielder. The season after he was voted the player of the season at Reading. The German side Hoffenheim bought him for 6.5m pounds after that season in 2011. He started out brilliantly for his new side, kept scoring his signature goals from long range and making assists. He was voted the fans’ player of the season at Hoffenheim despite starting only 13 games in his first season. The club then changed managers and the new manager didn’t give Sigurdsson any play time this season. Therefor he was loaned to Swansea where he has now scored 7 goals in 14 matches and has won the EPL player of the month award. Hoffenheim have now sacked the manager that loaned him to Swansea. Sigurdsson is 22 years old, speaks fluent English and knows England. He would need much less adjustment than a Portuguese player coming from a different league. Plus he has followed United since he was a small boy and his dream is to play at Old Trafford.
Just saying, we bought Bebe for 7m pounds, I think we could do a lot worse than buying Sigurdsson for 10-15m pounds. We need a goal scoring midfielder to fill Scholes’ shoes and Sigurdsson is surely a goal scoring midfielder. Anderson surely does not fit the bill…
Clint. Yes mate I said Cissoko too not Bastos or that debauchery or whatever his fucking name is ha! He looks a decent player.
Wayne. Alright pal. Oh you don’t have to tell me Modric and Bale are over rated. Been saying it for years pal. This Spurs fan goes on a lot of reliable spurs blogs and that’s the talk.
Ozil? Fuck that. The mincing little cunt cannot play longer than an hour.
What a fucking horrible cunt Ribery is. Pathetic cheating bastard. Noncey cunt. Never forgive him for getting Rafa sent off.
I may get stick for this but even though he was shite tonight take Ronnie out that Madrid side and I think they are vastly over rated. Ramos is a red card waiting to happen. The fullbacks like that Paul Calf flashed mullet cunt Coantrao is a ponce. Marcelo cannot defend. Pepe is a cunt. Khedira is limited. Ozil can’t get past an hour. Alonso is decent. Irony is they are probably gonna win the league although I think Barca will piss the game on Saturday.
Anderson scored has scored 1 goal per 4 starts in the Premiership this season.
If he had kept fit and on form that might have translated into 8 or 10.
If, if, if.
No left back, no right back, no midfield.
I guess next season sees the return of the boring 2-2-6 formation.
I’ll see you shit your pants Josep.
Nah, the brothers can’t be apart for long!
Evra has not been as great as he was before the World Cup. But this season, his form is the best in the league. He is still the best LB in the league.
Having said that, I agree with Scott on our options for the position. While there is no way Fabio can push Evra out when Evra is playing like that, we do need someone who is capable of replacing Evra if something happens to him.
Fabio will be back….. has to come back coz I love the twins.. I’m still holding on to my fantasy where LB will be Fabio and RB will be Rafael. Imagine the attacking prowess we would get there.
congrats reading
2013/14 Season
David De gea
Rafael Smalling/Jones Evans/Vidic Fabio
AY/AV Carrick/Rooney Hazard/Cleverly Nani
Welbeck Chicharito/ Keane
wolves turn over the bitters. Hope, BELIEVE.
very disappointed with this news. kinda confirms that gaitan is on his way in. i’ve never really been opposed to new signings but this one seems fairly pointless to me. i’d rather we buy a center mid rather than another winger. don’t know what’s going on here.
this gaitan fellow seems pretty overrated, thoughts, and comments? any lads here following portuguese league too?
I don’t pay much attention to transfer speculation, and have never yearned for any player.
Once confirmation (by SAF or Gill or United) of a new signing is made, I am always tremendously excited, proud of our acquisitions department, chuffed for the lad and grateful for the new options now available to Sir Alex.
This is normal, yes?
I wouldn’t say Gaitan is overrated, but he has yet to convince he is the real deal. The few players from Bilbao looked a better bet. That said, Silva wasn’t exactly rated as highly before he went to City, so we would never know.
mmmmmmmmm lets wait n c.
I will not mind sending him on loan, but not make a permanent move, we need the twins at Utd, and with only Evra as the confirmed LB so far, Fabio can acquire some experience with a loan move and be prepared to take over from the former.
King Eric @ 0:01: “take Ronnie out that Madrid side and I think they are vastly over rated.”
A lot of talent there but not much of a “team-ethic”, which is why they’ll probably go down to Barcelona this week-end. I really detest RM – “I wouldn’t sell them a virus” is a pretty good way to look at them and their history – but the recent fan-gasms about Barcelona are just too, too, too much for me. So, I’d actually prefer seeing RM win “el classico” – besides, love-him-or-loathe-him, Jo$e really gives great interviews ! Indeed, if RM could somehow win the LaLiga/CL double then Jo$e would be absolutely on the top of his game – what can you say about Pep (he must might be the most boring man alive !) ?
I wasn’t able to watch a lot of last night’s match but I did get to see the last ten minutes and I have trawled the GuardianOnline blog to see what other punters have had to say. Lots of grumbling about Howard Webb’s leniency, Franck Ribery’s dramatic arts, CR7′s non-defensive role AND Fabio Coentraho’s abysmality BUT no one has said a word about Casillas’ fault for the last-gasp Bayern winner. “Saint Iker” was rooted to the line when the ball was squared by Lahm; he could have cut out the through-ball but moved backwards instead of forwards. To me, that seemed like an idiotic mistake.
I am a little surprised when people say he is not good enough for Utd!
They were saying that about David Degea a matter of only months ago??
I heard that Fabio is better than Rafael, and only recently has Rafael had the time to show his skill
They are both young and need time
People who knock them need to take a step back and give people time