It seems as though Laurent Blanc isn’t the only person surprised by Manchester United’s latest transfer, as even the player himself, Gabriel Obertan, didn’t expect the move to happen either.
“I knew they had been following me for a few years but I did not think it was going to happen this season,” said Obertan. “We had no longer been in too much contact until the England Under-21s game where I played well for France and scored a goal. That helped things along. We spoke again, and I ended up signing. Ferguson has put me at ease. He said to me that he knows my pros and cons. It’s my potential that interests him. He has confidence in me. It is flattering and surprising. But I know I still have a lot of work to do to get to Ronaldo’s level.”
Man Utd News 24/7
How come there is no file for obertan yet Scott?
he really looks like Silvestre
Hmmm, not sure why he’s inadvertently comparing himself to Ronaldo, does it imply that Fergie is ready to hand him no.7? – Hope not.
Fergie knows best
He is obviously one for the future and not for this season..
SAF will try and develop him… as he is pacey for such a tall lad, and does have good feet… but seems very week on his shooting accuracy..
I think we will try and increase his intelligence with regards to the game, and bring him on where is current weaknesses are..
SAF is taking a no risk gamble… he is a french U-21 and in two years if there is no progress, we will sell him on for the money what we bought him for no worries.
You may get a glimpse of him in the League Cup etc, but i think thats about it.
Plenty of potential but don’t expect too much, perhaps will appear in the reserves and League Cup.
lets hope so what u r saying is true lad,otherwise we cud have bellion2.but i feel he will be a decent.
our scouts must have seen something special in him.nyways hope he settles quickly.
ahhh, i do love my manchester united
i just heard frm my friend who’s been watchin’ him for 2 year..he said this guy got talent, but so inconsistent.. 2 years ago, he was hailed as future star, unfortunately he could find his best since then,,maybe SAF is d right person for him
OH AH OBERTAN!
has anyone asked him where he dreamt to play? we do not want another joseph the dreamer. real franco can also start to save. i am optimistic about this guy.
MIG – I’m waiting to see how much of a role he plays next year. There’s no category for Welbeck and Macheda either. It’s generally just first team players. If Obertan is a first team player next season, then he’ll get a category too.
I would go out and give him the number 7 shirt in the same way Fergie did with Ronaldo. I would throw him on as a 2nd half sub against Birmingham and say “Go out and express yourself”, as Fergie did with Ronaldo against Bolton all them years back.
The new number 7 will be Adem Lajjic (sp?) in January, I’m certain of it. The kid looks genius
Obertan will feature in a handful of games next season, and if he does well then we can probably expect him to break into the first team the season after
The manager must have told him that he’s gona be like Ronaldo, I hope he doesn’t become a Quaresma!
Give Rooney the 7 shirt seems the most logical choice, then Owen would where the number 10.
I hope he can replicate TearyHenry’s career – the next big thing, then a flop in Italy and, so flogged to TheArse where he was fantastic.
Next year – a few starts in the Carling Cup and, perhaps, one or two versus the DeadMenWalking to judge him against nearly-men.
As with Nani and Tosic, the door is now open and it’s up to one of them to walk through and establish their credentials.
Jesus I meant wear!
@stephen
Couldn’t agree more.Rooney takes the no7
..But I think Michael Carrick is our new number 10
Maybe mate but Rooney is the only player who should take on the 7, we don’t know how Laijic and Obertan will work out so giving them the 7 shirt firstly might not do the shirt credit but also heap a lot of pressure on a young mans shoulders when they are just getting settled into the club, it worked with Ronaldo but he was exactly shy was he?
Stephen – you said it. Nobody knew how Ronaldo would turn out. No different if he gives it to Laijic then is it?
Ronaldo was playing in the regular for Sporting and was one of Europes hot properties we also paid £12.6m for him and had little other option, Laijic has been playing in Serbian league so we really can’t judge him until he actually plays in a league of any note, Rooney is the only player who deserves the shirt.
The young lad might turn out to be a World beater but it is far too early to heap pressure on the lad, also he won’t be with us until Jan so lets give the lad time.
Silvestre and Lewis Hamilton’s love child?
Sorry, but can people learn how to spell LJAJIC correctly. He is a future player of ours afterall
Why is everyone so confident that this Ljajic kid is gona be so good? Surely its impossible to tell at this stage – he might have all the talent but to make it to the very top it is all about mental development.. you just don’t know that untill they arrive and have a go
How many people in the history of Manchester united have wore the number 7 I can think of 7 best whiteside mcelroy robbo cantona becks Ronaldo. Because they made that shirt number there own . Think united think numbers like 16 20 they are just numbers that players have made special I was nnoyed so much about beckham takin cantonas number cause who was he . But Rooney should not get the number 7 because he is a number10 in the history of the players that wore the number 10
I love Rooney, but he isnt a number 7.
the number 7 is always well is normally given to an unknown star, Ljajic/ Obertan fit this perfectly personally i’d give it to Ljajic because i’ve watched him more and he looks class. Alot of people dint know anything of Ronaldo when he was given the number 7 so who knows who will be given it.
Im gonna through it in there just to get people thinking, i get the feeling Fergie might give it Valencia? not my personal choice but…
Was Beckham an unkown, Robson or Cantona?
GHTT maybe you are right mate.
joero, not as if his name is Smth or Jones mate!
I think Valencia will get it unless there is a new signing on the way I can see him gettin it and hopfully makin it his own . Number 7 won’t be a 2/3 year progect number 7 will be first team . I really think Valencia should get it. Frickin love Rooney
Nah, I can’t see Valencia get it. I see Valencia as a squad player more than a star – which the 7 shirt deserves.
Joero – Ljajic, how the feck do you pronounce it?! L-Ja-Jich?
Obertan seems like another Bellion. Lets hope he kicks on from the promise he showed at 17 when he burst onto the scene
micky as i keep tryng to explain 7 doesnt make you world class
the fact that manchester united buy you or cal you up to the big leagues means you have the gifts to be world class
7 is just a number
16 isnt even a squad number but keano is a legend
if best wore 34 and cantona wore 19 would they not be in the history books
if whiteside wore 92 would he not of run amuck around the dippers everytime he played them
give the number 7 to nani my least favourite united player not cause he has blue sq premiership skill or a tevez mouth or a steven ireland attitude
because hehas all the gifts in the world to make madrid sell there stadium to the spanish government to pay 100million for him he just needs to express it
So a kid in the Serbian league is the star but an established Premiership player (Valencia) is not the star?
Unless we buy someone else, the 7 has to be Valencia (or Nani)
In world football traditionally, no.10 usually went to the best player (Pele, Maradona etc..) so Rooney has to keep that for sure
@ Stephen I know, just messing..long day at work
I agree that maybe earmarking Ljajic as the new number 7 is a tad premature, but even viewing clips showing him playing for Partizan as a 16-17 year old he has something different about him.
I think out of all our future stars either in our academy or new signings, he shines the brightest.
Have you seen Petrucci in action?… to me he looks like our best prospect.. he seems to have gone off the radar just because he was injured at the end of the season…
tony starks
i love kiko i understand kikomania
but i have never seen kiko so good as when he links up with the vision of totti oh im sorry petrucci
so much so that i bet my mate the price of printing that if united brought out an away jersey id get his name on the back
@ Micky
I’m not 100% sure but i think you pronounce it as ‘lie-itch’ but almost as one syllable, so ‘lietch’ or something…!
I’m not Serbian so don’t quote me on that!
@ Tony Starks
Yeh fair point on Petrucci.
Ljajic, Petrucci & Macheda if they really kick on and progress they will all be world beaters.
while it’s true that a jersey number doesn’t make a player world class, but because of United no.7′s have been wore by a great players, we expect that somebody of that standard will get the number. I think anybody in the world knows that United’s no.7 is a special number. I also think that Rooney will keep no 10 and at the moment there’s nobody suitable for no.7. Well, there’s 2 option that we can do. First, froze the number and any players who impress next season will get the number or second, give it to any of our wingers. Number7 might drive them to work harder because of the number’s big responsibility…
Nani and Valenica are good bets for the number 7. both are quality in my opinion. Owen for 20. Obertan will probably be a squad player, hopefully number 14 Tosic will make the step up next season. Ljajic for number 7 in the future though…
Joero- Ljajic is pronounced Ya-ich
i read that on the official site!
It’s pronounced Lee-ah-itch,I think.
On to the topic of the next number 7,it’s just a number.So what if it’s been the number of some of our Best players(pun intended)?If I joined United(which will never happen),I would want my own number,say 94,and make it a famous number,like Ole did with 20,and Keano with 16.
@Anon
Excellent, that clears that up!
I actually remember reading that article now you mention it!
@ haruglory 911
I like your idea of freezing No. 7 for the coming season. However, we’ll be playing without our talisman. Just another idea: how abou retiring No 11 when Giggsy decides to call it a day? This is what AC Milan did when Franco Baresi retired.
when do these squad numbers…come out?..can some one give me that information…..my opinion on this…
one thing is for sure…SAF gives the 7 number to whoever he lets to play in first team consistently….i dont see ljajic doing it for till end of next season not even the coming season…so all those who think it will be going to him!…cant see it happening…
it may go to nani or tosic or oberton…as mentioned whoever gets the chance to play in first team through out the season…
it is not what i would do..i am just predicting what would happen!..
but its damn tough and next to impossible to predict what SAF would do!!
thats what makes it wonderful…isnt it!!
No player is bigger than Manchester United.
and can some one put up a comment…about petrucci…i really want to know about this kid…always kind of hear from fans who get to see the reserves …but i dont get that point…if he is so good why isnt SAF giving him any chances…even in the league cup matches…
what’s the news on Manucho..loan? pre with united? anyone?
@ Stephen…
i dint get you mate….
that statement is the first thing a fan would know when following a club like MUFC…
i dont see the point…why you mentioned it here…
@tobbbe
hope we sell him….not united quality to me!
speaking of valencia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjzBXzUKbsY&
thats cute and cool…@GHTT
ancha, sorry mate I was responding to the comment from noqnoq48, who said retire Giggsy’s shirt.
ancha
isnt just thou
dint get you GHTT
Micky – I think Valencia will be alot more than just a “squad player” mate. Reckon once our coaches and Sir Alex weave their magic on him he will be a star. Rooney will keep number 10 I reckon. I am not one to make premature predictions but having seen a fair few clips of Ljajic I have to admit the lad has a quailty about him.
I am really excited for next season, we will see a completely different United and I would not be surprised if we start annihalating teams again.
ancha
i was ment to write isnt she thou
freekin phone
@ghtt
a suggestion try to get the lines she is singing.. texted ..similar to the texts that you are showing up through the video….its just that she is so cute..awesome singing but i couldnt follow the lines properly…i saw the lines in the info about the video..but i wish to download it ..so,would be useful if it is there texted along the video at the instant she sings those lines…
@ Ancha
Petrucci came as a 16year old, he is a level younger than Kiko.. That is not even reserves but a level below that (academy).
Despite that he was in our Champions League squad, he was injured in the latter part of the season.. I am sure he will get a few chances next year even though in theory he should still be a second year academy player.
Very similar to Totti as has been said.
I am as sure as anything that he will make it (barring injuries) because I see that sort of arrogance he has that all the top youngsters had (like Rooney, Ronaldo, Messi, and of course Kiko…).
@ancha, why do you want to download the videos? Isn’t it enough having seen it once? A little creepy, guys.
I’d give Owen the number 19 shirt, then next season no. 20, then 21….
Nectarine – Ha ha! A possible nonce?
howdy king eric
Good evening Gotta hate, are you well mate?
@King Eric – no I wouldn’t go that far, but it seems a bit strange what’s going on here.
i am
excited about the ne jersey on thursday
which is new players getting there numbers
which is the start of this season
emily singing build a bonfire at the moment due to a youtube video we just watch cause she wanted to watch cantona
almost bed time so a beer and a bit of mutv i think
how are you my friend
did you check the valencia chant
im looking for one for our yesterday signing
any ideas
Nectarine
relax
I’m perfectly calm, man. No big deal. I’ll just let it lie.
already talking about reaching Ronaldo’s level … the boy’s got great ambitions I must say !
hopefully he would be useful next season
Fergie will have a cold, hard look at the squad & decide if somebody’s got the potential to be the next great #7 for Manchester United … or else that number can take a rest
“most of them respects manu7 but everyone respects SAF”
no body in the world knows for whom saf will give 7..its important as it is not a mere number.it is the iconic jersey of manchester.whoever wears will gain a supreme confidence within himselves.so i thnk SAF probably gives it to ljajjic or Petrucci…
i actually think he will be thrown into games a lot as substitutes. he has pace directness will trouble defences.
plus i gotta a feeling that he is one of those players that will play better in the spotlight rather than in a french league team.
dont forget ronaldo made his debut as a sub and was then rested against wolves and appeared as a sub and made no impact.
people tend to forget that.
so thats all we got to look at obertan. can he have an impact as a sub? if yes then it will be a positive first season for him.
same goes for owen really.
@nectraine..
why would you worry about my interests….yea i am sorry for using a comment to do that…but thats just one off….and coming to the point why i want to download it…my net connection is too slow to watch the video if i want to see it again…thats why i have the habit of dowloading youtube videos which i like….
@nectraine
i dint know that you watch any video only once…..sorry mate!
i have a bit of passion..which makes me to see some..cool videos again…cant help it…..if you have a problem with it…just ignore…
ancha
ive no problem with it and there my videos of my bestie
and its to spread the chants
@ghtt..i got what you mean…keep up the good work…
its just that…
i dont see the problem in listening to chants more than once….i dont give a shit if some mofo feels it weird listening to chants by that cute kid again and again….
someone emailed me askin who uncan edwards was that emily was singing about so people need to learn i guess
watch them as many times as you want
learn them
sing them
subscribe to them
get behind a player like valencia and mostly owen with them
i cant wait to watch valencia play…its not just valencia…the whole team….we will be a different team…post RoN…thats what excites me more…than anything else…..wish preseason kicksoff now..but have to wait for one more damn week..
It’s heartwarming to have a manager who can take a fresh lad and develop him into a world beater. I love this club.
did you guys see the interview given by french expert andy brussell…to the official site…
you can see some good points about obertan…i will post some answers here..
”
What are his main attributes?
He’s a very versatile player and the way United play you need your frontmen to be mobile and flexible. He’s a right-sided attacker, but he can also drop back into midfield or play as a second striker. He could probably also play in central midfield, and I expect his adaptability is one reason Sir Alex was interested in him. He went through the famous Clairefontaine football academy so he has a lot of technical ability and he’s also very quick.
”
and to those who wonder whether he is gonna play any games in this season..
”
Realistically, how much can United fans expect to see him this season?
He’s relatively unknown so I don’t think too much will be expected of him. There won’t be too much pressure. I see it almost as a free season for him to ease himself into the club. I definitely wouldn’t like to see him go out on loan – he has such fantastic players to learn from at United and because he’s tall, pacy and has tricks I think he’ll work really well as an impact substitute against tired defenders. I can see him playing about 25 games this season.
“
rafa is out again in forse givin out on not having money and teams havin more than him,thou he can buy a defender who flopped in the big time for 13 and a half million he could of got for him 2 years ago,
united have more money to spend than them, which is man uniteds fault
its not like sir alex bought a player liverpool didnt pick up cause he was too skinny
make him the orlds best and sell him for 80million take 20 million out of that and get a free proven goal scorer “the next henry” and a winger ith 2 years of premiership exper
Tiny tears i just heard ribery is going to the murders please tell that aint so!!!!!
Who cares about what Rafa is saying man!
Let him worry about his team there is no need for us to worry about what he’s going on about.
i dont know how true it is
the odds where slashed yesterday cause about 10 people we’re in a bookies and one put 200pound on a 66/1 the odds then went down to 33/1 where some of the others put money on it till the odds got slashed down just to be safe cause they lost alot of money with bets on owen going to manchester united
could these lads know something
or could they be dippers ith a bit of stolen money that they needs to get rid of
history pointsto the last one
and on a nickname for liverpool im stickin with the dippers althou i understand the murders ill leave it to the bin dippers them self to proudly call themselves that
Tony Starks
brother good morning
im not worried i just think its funny that he says he has no money but for 2 and a half million more than he payed for a flop united got 3 guys at the peak the other hopfully the future
OMG Ribery to dippers.. It can’t happen can it ???
Hey GHTT…
Rafa is just frustrated that Barry hose citeh over his team, obviously cos of the money, they were so sure that he would join them this summer and then they could sell Alonso to Real with a replacement ready.
Anyway, I would be shocked if Ribery went there, BUT if that is the case then so be it, life goes on..
I see why the dippers counting on years…for epl title….FSW has no clue about what he got….what he is going to get..if he is to go for ribery..
they need a striker as cover to injury prone ladyboy….but they dont have one….if torres gets injured…for atleast one fouth of season( i am sure thats gonna happen)….then by next summer..theyll pop up with same old shit..that this is going to be their year….
Hope he isn’t Bellion MKII
saf has already given the #7 to welbeck wait and see