On Wednesday night I was writing something for Red News about the pros and cons of signing Robin van Persie. With the deal having not been done, but the conclusion likely to have been reached by the time the issue went to print, it was important that a fair summary was given.
I had come up with several reasons why the transfer wouldn’t be ideal for United (and I will address these later) but my reaction last night to learning that we had agreed a fee with Arsenal gave away my true feelings about the situation. Like most reds, I was over the moon. Signing big players like van Persie is something United rarely do. Whilst we’ve paid big money for players in the past, like the £29.1m for a 24-year-old Rio Ferdinand and the £27m for an 18-year-old Wayne Rooney, we were paying for the potential after the bright starts to their careers. I was so excited when we bought Andy Cole, absolutely made up when we signed Juan Sebastian Veron, but pre-Glazer as much as post-2005, United rarely sign players of the calibre of van Persie. United now have the top two scorers from last season playing for us. That is huge.
But we do still need to address the less than positive aspects of this signing. The fee being reported is £24m which, quite frankly, is too much for a 29-year-old player in the last year of their contract. This price hasn’t been confirmed by either club and is way above the figures that had been quoted previously, but let’s just presume, for the sake of argument, that this is what we’ve paid. Of course the Dutchman is quality, but it’s incredible that United would have been held to ransom for that much. If he’s cost us £24m, we’ve overpaid, unless included in that figure are the add-ons based upon the success he has with the club. However, when you consider that United were apparently prepared to pay £30m for a Brazilian teenager, totally untested in England, who couldn’t even make the starting XI of their Olympic squad, I’m definitely happier to see the money go on van Persie. Let’s not forget that Kleberson was a starter for Brazil when they won the World Cup, assisting a goal in the final, yet had very little to offer us, so the idea of forking out the reported sum for Lucas Moura didn’t sit well with me at all. Last season’s top scorer is definitely a safer bet.
Another issue is how injury prone van Persie has been throughout his career, only managing more than 28 league games once in his career, which is a fairly poor record. Of course, in the season when he managed this he scored 30 goals in 38 league games and a total of 37 goals in 48 games in all competitions. However, even with not so many appearances to his name, his goal and assist tally is high. Basically, when he plays, he scores and assists a lot.
With Javier Hernandez, who scored 20 goals in his first season in England, and Danny Welbeck, who is already scoring big goals against big teams, waiting in the wings, it’s not as if we will be relying on van Persie to play every game anyway.
This brings us to another negative, which is our two young strikers will obviously move further down the pecking order, particularly with the addition of Shinji Kagawa too. Chicharito was brilliant in his first season, pushing Premier League top scorer Dimitar Berbatov out of the starting team, but was unlucky with injuries in his second second. Welbeck had his first season in our first team after returning from loan at Sunderland and scored against City, Arsenal, Spurs and Everton. Still only 21-years-old, Welbeck was starting for England this summer and scored a late winner against Sweden in the group stages. Van Persie’s arrival certainly means less playing time for these two lads and nobody can be happy about that.
However, before van Persie’s signing was announced, an interview with Chicharito was published on the club’s website.
“I think having that competition in the team can be good, to keep fighting for that place will make you and the other players play at their best,” he said. “It’s normal for a footballer, so I’m going to be ready whenever the gaffer wants me to play. If it’s one minute or 90 minutes, I want to do my best to help the team win titles.”
Our youngsters have the right attitude and maybe competing with the likes of van Persie and Rooney will inspire them to do even better. I certainly don’t think it will harm Rooney knowing that his place is under more pressure either. However, I do worry that being part of a squad that contains talent like Rooney and van Persie has come too soon in the careers for Chicharito and Welbeck, who have still yet to peak and totally prove themselves, and need as many minutes on the field as possible.
The final drawback is the fact everyone can see that United are crying out for a player to boss our midfield, so if we can afford top wages and a decent transfer fee, why haven’t we made an effort to lure Luka Modric or Javi Martinez? With the options we have available to us up front, van Persie is definitely a luxury signing. Whilst I don’t begrudge the club taking the opportunity to sign someone of van Persie’s quality, it certainly makes our lack of interest in any central midfielders all the more puzzling.
However, when all is said and done, we’ve just signed last season’s top scorer and someone who is truly world class. For all the negatives, and there are negatives, I can’t get my head around how there could be any red who isn’t happy about this deal. He’s not the perfect signing but he is the most exciting for a long time and ensures we arguably have the best set of strikers in the club’s history. Dwight Yorke, Andy Cole, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Teddy Sheringham are always held up as the perfect example for United’s strikeforce, but how can you argue with Rooney, van Persie, Chicharito and Welbeck? Last season, these four players scored 96 goals in 168 games, and whilst we can’t predict the future, the potential of our squad with these players in it is huge.
Van Persie travels to Manchester today for his medical and to agree personal terms, which you assume have already been agreed considering both clubs have announced the deal on their website. All we have to hope for now is that it all runs smoothly… and our fans don’t adopt that awful “he scores when he wants” chant when he’s putting the goals away in our shirt!
Man Utd News 24/7
A fair summary, Scott.
Welcome to United RVP.
Javier Hernadez isn’t going anywhere. Twitter was buzzing w/ rumors that he was off, but that is crazy. Four forwards is exactly what MUFC need and put us back to the strong position we were in 02.
There is a very good read on terrible reporting in Mirror that lead to this story.
http://sportwitness.ning.com/forum/topics/the-curious-story-of-javier-hernandez-handing-sir-alex-ferguson-a
Wow.. So it really did happen
I read that Miror report on Hernandez as well and it was the usual dog’s bollocks from red top rag. Just ignore it or use it as toilet paper.
Hernandez will get games as will Welbeck. We need four quality strikers at United. It’s reminiscent of the 4 we had in ’99 with Solskjaer and Sheringham, Cole and Yorke. I feel more confident about our front 4 as world class than at any other time. SAF will know how to get the best out of all four of them whatever system he decides to play.
Like most here, my concerns still are with a left back and someone to boss the central midfield. But that’s another story. Perhaps SAF expects Cleverly and Anderson to step up this season alongside the steady Carrick and evergreen legends Scholsey and Giggs. I don’t expect anything from Powell this season.
But the signing of Van Persie has definitely given us a boost going into the start of the season.
Everyone is so obsessed with our midfield and have been for years now. Why cant people just have faith in Fergie? We have Carrick, Anderson, Cleverly, Kagawa, Scholes and Giggs. Plus the possibility of Fletch coming back. Ando and Clevz had a great start last season and were unfortunate to miss out through injury, plus they both look sharp especially Clevz.
Im more happy with the squad now, just cant waint for Monday !!! GGMU
The main positive of this signing – and one I’m surprised you haven’t mentioned Scott – is that it means we will no longer be so reliant on Rooney for our goals. Since Ronaldo left, it has very much been the case that if Rooney plays well, the team plays well, and if Rooney plays badly, the team plays badly.
I think Fergie always assumed that as Rooney aged he would turn into a player that would consistently put in good performances, but I think we can all agree that this hasn’t happened. Rooney is either an 8 or 9/10 player or a 5/10 player. And for a team that wants to challenge both domestically and in Europe, you can’t rely on that sort of player. The signing of RvP means that we now won’t be so reliant on Rooney, and will have someone to turn to when Rooney is going through one of his barren spells (assuming of course that RvP isn’t injured at this point!).
For this reason alone I am excited by the signing, even if I think we are overlooking the two parts of the squad – CM and LB – that more urgently need reinforcements.
RvP (30goals) +Rooney (27 goals). Last years Golden Boot & runner up. Who is complaining. United may have done this because of the IPO, but it is fine with me. Bet it woundn’t have happened if we had signed that silly lad from brazil, but who is complaining in the end.
United now boast 4 top top strikers!
Rooney, RvP, Danny, Chicharito
+ youngsters W Keane (injured) and Henriquez and Macheda (probably off on loan)
Having Berbatov won’t be a problem, but feel he will be off
#OverTheMoon
Nice reaction.
Hope Chicharito means what he says and nothing can force him out of the club.
This world needs something more besides money greed and pure run for titles.
I echo those sentiments Scott, but I feel his body has now matured and injuries look to be behind him
The only mystery is the signing price.
Lots of talk of £21-24M, but I feel that is the expected final value if all extras are paid.
There was a story that the initial fee was more like £14M which would make a lot of sense.
Need a fly on the wall.
@Sam
totally agreed with you dude…we depend on rooney so much…
RVP is a luxury signing, but the best of the season. United has to strictly focus on signing a world class defending midfielder similar to Paul Schols. If so, no team can withhold United. cheers Fergi for doing so, and keep it up.
Absolutely amazed that United signed RVP and for that much! This deal makes ZERO sense and great United now have a strike force capable of bettering City’s but will start the season with one of the weakest midfields they’ve ever fielded. Arsenal come out of this with the better deal.
I agree with Sam about having to rely on Rooney for goals but I do think this is an odd signing. We can assume that Berbatov is going but we have Welbeck and Chicharito. What about Macheda? Has Fergie given up on him? He’s also signed this Chilean lad. I know he’s only 18. Will Keane will be chomping at the bit when he recovers from injury. Then there’s Kagawa. He’s supposed to work best playing off a lone striker. The price is huge for a 29 year old. When Berbatov was bought Gill said he would be the last high priced purchse with no sell on value. RVP is a luxury and a rare bit of short termism from Fergie. Perhaps he’s planning to retire next year.
Well said.
Craig Norwood @CraigNorwood 34minutes ago
Arrived at Bridgewater Hopital ahead of Robin Van Persie’s medical for Manchester United, media already here including Sky Sports
Other reports of a major announcement at OT at noon.
So why are people speculating that OT naming rigths are the focus of the announcment?
Sees much more logical that the expectation is revealing RvP as our new number……..??? 9 maybe?
People just speculate on tosh lately.
Nice write up StR and you echo all of my concerns except the second to last paragraph – “I can’t get my head around how there could be any red who isn’t happy about this deal.”
After sleeping on it and I must admit even gong to bed at 3 it took me an hour and a half to drop off Im still not over the moon. For the first time I think as a United fan Ive been indifferent to a United signing – maybe even more than indifferent. Some people on here have said that the deal will include add ons that will bring it up to x and x ammount of money depending on trophies he wins, making it seem that thats to pay for the deal thus worth it. I still think we would win the league without him and so that money by winning the league just got less for no good reason. I realise he has a very good score rate, Im not blind, some of his goals are fucking sublime but Ive never seen Sir Alex screw with his rules of who to buy at what age for what price. Part of the fun for me following United is following Sir Alex, Im an EA sports prem league manager man not a EA Premier league/FIFA pro person. I like the idea of running the club rather than playing the sport. If I want to play I go out and put my boots on. So alot of my enjoyment is understanding the managerial side of things and I must say Im completely blown away by the decissions to bring in RvP. I can only hope that the press have it massively wrong and the deal is closer to 10million.
Im not doubting his ability and like StR said the kids will have to fight harder and that can only be a good thing for their development, theres also the fact that he will be a fantastic mentor to them and when Scholes and Giggs retire we will have a forward player in his 30′s for experience and calm, so even I see the possitives. To me its solely a financial thing and if he gets injured we would have forked out 20m? when next year hes free. It shows to me some sort of panic where Sir Alex believes he’s not in with a fighting chance to land vPersie next year if he gets to free agency. He’d rather break the rule “set in stone” about paying massive fees to over 26 year olds than break his rule for players wages. Assuming vPersies wage demands as a free agent would be astronomically more than he will sign for today. I woud be upset if its over 140 000 a week.
I dunno, alot of people believe Llorente or the polish kid at Dortmund would have cost more but they would have had resale value, cost less in wages etc etc. Even untried Lucas Moura would have had a resale value.
Im glad for all those that wanted him and I hope he isnt a flop not just for the clubs sake but for yours as well but I have to say it feels uneasy and wasteful to me.
No 20 here we come.
15 mill guaranteed is what I have been told. Seems more right. Probably some addons depending on starts and goals and such.
If there’s one thing this confirms it’s that Fergie, rightly or wrongly, for better or for worse, doesn’t share the fans’ concerns about our midfield.
Clearly the money was there this window for a Modric or a Martinez, but Fergie chose not to.
As I suggested on a thread a few days ago, Fergie’s aiming for the Barca blueprint, with Carrick (sometimes Scholes) as our Busquets. No need for a destroyer/enforcer/box-to-boxer if we’ve got 5 players keeping the ball with high tempo further up the pitch – that’s the idea anyway.
In terms of that ‘front 5′ we now have Rooney, RVP, Hernandez, Welbeck, Young, Nani, Valencia, Cleverley, Kagawa and Anderson, with contributions from Giggs and Powell. 10 key players, one veteran and one newby, for 5 positions = healthy competition and, if managed well, fatigue-reducing rotation.
If it works, this could be quite a season…
sounds a bit better, I probably would have bit at that if thats including add ons. Still want the wages lower than what Ive heard, 140 000 max
kanchelskis-I think your right we got a couple of leasons in those cup finals , i think that style of play impressed SirAlex
@Fletch
The person that revealed there would be another big announcement today said it wasn’t RVP related.
Such a long post, such little positivity.
This is a massive signing for us. So he cost a lot of money, it’s Robin Van Persie for fucks sake. If it gives Danny and Chico a bit of extra incentive to develop and improve, how can that be bad?
Bloody hell STR, never thought you were a glass half empty type.
WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP, WRVP
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!FUCK YES!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
@Costas / Fletch
Yeh, Howard Nurse – a BBC journo – tweeted yesterday that there would be another big announcement.
He’s never one to chat shit on Twitter. Only ever drops hints or says something if there’s something in it, so I’m inclined to believe him.
Couldn’t be another transfer could it? We’d have got some indication of that surely?
Naming rights? Doubt it.
Intrigued…
This is the marquee signing the one that lifts the players and the fans ,the feel good feling is back.
Heard it here first
Rooney to Madrid for Kaka and and 20million (pays for VPersie).
Saying that I could just be dreaming and blowing smoke out of my arse.
@kanchelskis
He said it wasn’t another signing either. So hopefully it’s either a new contract for Welbeck (or Nani) or just another sponsor.
As a Gunner Im always sad to see a good player leave and especially to a rival. AFC have never purchased trophies and I hope they never will . Yes its means we never win what we should as a great club but still maintain some pride in doing things right ie; no debt and no potential crash. Having said that as a Gunner of 70 years I have several friends who are close to insiders at AFC, and they all tell me that there were smiles all around at the club yesterday. This tells me that they got more than expected and know what they are doing. I suspect as usual Arsene will again build a team that will play great football and compete….no they will never have players who cost over £15 mill but they will show all our mercenaries what football is/should be all about. AFC will manage very well without RVP…after his one and only good season he has deserted the moat loyal manager he will ever know for money. Nowdays being a multi millionaire is not enough they all want more. So be it. I hope he playes more than half the season but doubt it. Watch this space all of you and unlike old grump Harry R, I expect AFC to finsih even higher now.
so chicha stays and macheda will be loaned too if not he’ll be sold. fergi may have given up hope on him. buying rvp is an odd signing agree, because he made himself available. its important we got him because anyone else in the pl getting him would mean they are title contenders.. at least on paper. SAF has bought this guy for 24, well because in my humble opinion, he’s worth that much after last years display. fergis got him in for the short term after last years disastrous end to the season. the gaffer realizes that we have to spend to win which means more revenue. we saved up all these years; partly owing to the debt, but we’ve spent well when it mattered. chicha, kagawa and young are primary examples of that. Even though rvp is here, chicha and welbeck are the future no doubt. But making the signing is an emphatic statement made my Manutd not only to the other PL clubs, but to Europe. We are back and we coming back hard at you.
What’s with all the groomers claiming Van Persie’s had only one good season. No, he’s had one injury free season, all the others he was still brilliant for them when he played, he was just injured a lot. They’re desperately hoping his injury record continues because they know he’s class.
Twitter speculation that the announcement is a sponsorship deal with Bwin
like scott said, if the fee is 24mil,then weve well and trully been duped.striking department was not our problem last season and i think this signing is more like a statement to prove we can attract big names.but to what cost.??..24mil would definately get the type of midfielder we are so desperate for…and what of the left back positon? is brady really the only cover we will have for a declining patrice evra
Interesting?
Hopefully, RvP won’t turn out to be another “Owen”
Anyone finding faults with RvP signing is just over analysing.a top,world class,technical striker he is and at just 29,is at the peak of his powers.his body is stronger and so matured nw,injuries are behind him(hopefully).he single handedly carried Arsenal goal scoring burdens last season,imagine having park and chamack as your assistants.positives written all over the deal for me.if we’d payed 50m,i give fuck all,the money will go to the glazers anyway.even the seasons he was injured at arsenal,he was world class when he plays(fact),never seen a player score as many classy goals with some wicked left foot,our setpieces sorted too.we won’t need him for all games,so if he has a little inevitable niggles,he will rest.welbeck will be class but no one shld doubt RvP and Rooney partnership,am more confident with those two.as mediocre as the dutch were in the euros,he scored their only goal,and that was a classy goal(even with his right foot)welcome RvP…. #over the moon
If fergie doesn’t think we need a midfielder,then we don’t.carrick,cleverly,kagawa,anderson,scholes,powell even giggs shld carry us this season.the boss said an enforcer isn’t needed,he must have a plan..90% of united faithfuls worldwide are happy with the signing,that’s great,we all can’t be the same.imagine city with aguero&tevez(tried and tested)…positive all over RvP,welcome cedars son…and i think the jet from brussels is RvP coming over
Nice 1 scott fella, but u’ve failed to talk about who we are really signing mate. This is RVP, a player loved and adored by probably almost every single gooner out there! He is like a god to afc supporters after his heroics for them last season! He’s been there for basically his whole career so in my opinion signing RVP and calling him a MUFC player just feels weird and strange!v when the news first broke last night I didn’t know how to feel really..on 1 hand I was delighted but on another I felt kind of dissapointed to be honest!
When I read RVPs message to the fans that he wanted to leave and wasn’t signing a new contract – not for 1 second did I think hed be coming to Man United! Seriously!
Don’t know what else to say really, I wish the lad all the best at united! If he nags in them goals I’ll be dlighted! And keeps fit and healthy…that’ll be a bonus! And as long as he’s wearing a Unuted shirt, he has my support BUT ITS GOING TO TAKE QUITE A WHILE FOR ME TO GET USED TO SEEING THE LAD WEAR OUR SHIRT AND NOT AFC’s…
I’m happy with the signing. His risk of getting injured is the same as ANY OTHER player in the league. Every player is just ONE bad tackle away from a career threatening injury. He’s a truly world class footballer and will instantly IMPROVE the team. Sure he’s 29 years old, he’s injury prone but that depends on whether United fans want him to get injured and I don’t think ANY United fan out there wishes anything evil on any of our players.
As for this midfield issue, I cannot believe I am saying this but I am actually willing to give this midfield one more chance. I have committed Cleverley to God’s hands. He will be injury-free this year. Along with Carrick, Kagawa, expect a more mobile, much more technical and much more skillful side. Scholesy and Giggsy can step in at intervals to steady the ship and be an influence in cup games and How great must Kagawa be feeling right about now knowing that most of the heavy amount of chances he will set up will be smashed into the net.
And if the midfield does not work out again then Fergie will SURELY get a midfielder in next summer So I can handle one season taking a risk on our midfield.
It’s gonna be a great season for all of us. the season Kickoff is just two days away. Cannot wait.
The after math of RVP departure, everyone check this video out.
http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/a-slew-of-arsenal-fans-post-youtube-videos-of-them-burning-robin-van-persie-shirts/?
As soon as I read this news my mind started with the different permutations and combinations that RVP gives the united attack. Like a lot of people here, I believe it is a luxury signing, nonetheless, RVP and Kagawa give us a world class attacking force. Any and every team will be scared.
Firstly, I am very excited about how The Kag and RvP will compliment each other. During pre-season some of the balls that Kagawa played were exquisite but our strikers were not able to grab the opportunities. I am not saying that they would not have adjusted to Kagawa’s play, but considering Van Persie buries such opportunities, i am very excited to see the two of them together in action and add to the mix Rooney! This is great!
Second adding RvP to the squad gives us a the option of playing a very strong 4-2-1-3 in Europe. With Ando/Scholes/Carrick making up the central defensive midfield positions. Yes, like most of us, I want to see a bigger name in that defense midfield but having two midfielder in the middle may make up for a lone defensive midfielder. In front of the two I think we would see Kagawa / Cleverly / Young (already plays such a position for England at times) / Nani. The front three is where we will be the strongest with Valencia/Young/ Nani on the right and RvP and Rooney switching the other two positions. Add to that Welbz and Chicho. I am very excited.
The regular 4-4-2 will not be a frequent sight this season, this I am sure of. I am glad these signings will give Fergie the flexibility that he always wanted from his squad especially in the attack.
Still I would love to see a defensive midfielder (not a big name, even a Rodwell would have sufficed), considering Ando and Scholes may not last the full season but all we have to do is wait and watch.
Champions League this season!!!! Believe!!
Personally I Think RVP would be more effective player than with any other English team, his style of playing and his pace is synchronizing well with Valencia, Rooney and Kagawa.Beside he was always under pressure when he was at Arsenal, every time he got an injury all Arsenl fans including the players were undergone a test of despair, that won’t happen here hopefully, since we have two world class strikers as an alternative.BTW thank you Scott for that awesome statistic, that will tell us the his whole story….
Vots up Arse fans? Vy u r veepy?
RVP! Bwaaaah!
Yes great piece of business,
Cry babies,
Michael Carrick on RVP:
“He had a terrific season [with Arsenal] and he will further strengthen our squad. It’s a great boost going into the new season. He’s a world-class player and we’ve always been about bringing in players of that ability.”
“Can it make the difference between second and first? There wasn’t much difference so hopefully we can go that step further! If it goes through, it will be brilliant. But the club has always had strength in depth and it is about the squad and not the 11 on the pitch.”
RvP is a double, double man. 10+ goals ans 10+ assists what an addition!
I have much to read yet. I saw on the big thread, some one said Gill said one more still to come. Sounds right. This could quite some.
Dr, so well said by Mike. The squad. SAF is great. So many feel a part. So many get 20+ games a year. They fight in training for opportunities. Then their performance determines the rest. The 11 for big stretch games.
@FletchTHEMAN
They are speculating its naming rights because there was an article about the value of naming rights which MUST decided to pass off as fact that it’s being looked at. Then when the announcement was known about they started pushing the story again.
Personally I doubt it’s naming rights as I don’t think they would risk it. It will IMHO be one of the following
a) Announcing the rumoured Fergie statue
b) Another signing. I said elsewhere that it’s a little odd that Fergie has confirmed bids While it’s on going. Even when the selling club announces it and the media are going crazy he usually doesn’t confirm until months later. Perhaps he has been using the clubs announcing our bids to keep the media occupied while another deal has also been being worked on
c) Stadium upgrade. They did buy land around OT
@goatinaunitedshirt
Why would anyone play the crap ,Football Management Sim for Dummies’ EA game when you could be playing ‘Football Manager’ which is about as close as you can get to actually being a Football Manager without being one. Plus atleast FM’s database is respected for its quality, so much so that some professional clubs including Everton actually licence it as a scouting tool
Wakey, thanks for all your banking knowledge.
Maybe new owners, to new expansion of the stadium, to a signing and more. Big business is this club and growing. I bet 150 people just in marketing.
http://www.sabotagetimes.com/football-sport/unbelievable-picture-arsene-wenger-hits-rock-bottom/?
InZibinho – our squad has long been the major factor in our success, especially in the second half of the season. Reaching February with a decent squad requires rotation and therefore game-time for two players in each position. Perhaps 2011/12 was a rare occasion where the non-rotation of strikers cost us confidence in the ‘second-string’ strikers, as Rooney and Welbeck forced SAF to play them to the cost of Berba and Hernandez.
“Sorry guys just reposting my comment from other post bc I am so damn excited!”
What a day yesterday was!!!
One the same day that RVP joins us my wife tells me that she is pregant with our first!!
ON FUCKING CLOUD NINE! OVER THE FUCKING MOON!!! I’M GONNA BE A FATHER!!! WHOOOOOP! AND ………………………….RVP COMING TO UNITED!!
Rite be aware I more than likely will be asking all the ROM dads advice over the next 9 months!! You have been warned! lol
on topic I got txt from my bro who works in london whos best mate is in Burnley football club (god knows what I don;t really know who he is) and he told my bro not to be getting too excited about it apparently RVP failed Medical with City last week! Obviously I am just passing on what I have heard, not claiming to be the fly on the wall or a know-it-all! Lets afce it our medical team will sail him through as they did with Hargo! Would leave sour taste in my mouth if true but at the minute I will reserve judgement bc we have just picked up last years top scorer and FPA winner along with German FPA winner for same money as that doneky carroll!! hahahahah
and I’m gonna be a dad!! FUCKING AWESOME MORNING!!!
we’ll need to have a song for rvp then instead of the usual abusive ones towards him
@FRO-NAM: congrats buddy
@Lordrt: Thanks pal
I can’t stop grinning like a spastic squirrel 
I’m really excited about RVP.. It’s not terrible if he will get injured or gets rested because we have two great backups. Good times!
My prediction for the starting 11 against Everton:
DeGea, Evra, Rio, Vida, Valencia, Young, Carrick, Scholes, Nani, Rooney and Welbeck
subs: Lindegård, M.Keane, Cleverly, Anderson, Kagawa, RVP, Hernandez
poor berba man
let s play 2 4 2 2
DDG
RIO VIDA
Val Carrick Scholes Nani
Rooney Kagawa
RVP Hern/Welbz
and next mondays score will be 6 – 12 … good 4 me
Dr. Plenty of strikers now!
The Scottish Wonder – I could see valencia starting at RB, but I disagree that scholes and welbeck will start, I see cleverly and kagwa starting. The way cleverly has been playing for england and the olympics, we will need his energy and the ability to hold onto that ball. My 11 against everton are?
DDG valencia carrick vidic evra cleverly nani young kagwa rooney RVP
I see the boss playing a diamond formation, or if the boss wants to play a 5 man midfield, and fit in kagwa rooney RVP, I can see the boss going 3 at the back, because of our limited options in defense. So the boss could go when all are fit
DDG
ferdinand vidic evra
carrick cleverly
valencia kagwa nani
rooney RVP
PipingHot InZibinho
A good Union man always needs the support of a strong group of strikers.
Just seen on Howard Nurse’s Twitter.. we’ve signed a sponsor deal with Bwin? Was this the ‘big announcement’?
Signing RVP is huge and there is alot of talk about how he can be slotted into the club. I remember two seasons ago there was lots of talk about utilizing rooney as the scholes replacement and he was used there last season in the CL to some degree. He’s got great vision and accurate passing, and can be the midfield “boss” that UTD need. I think a big reason that Rooney could not be used more often as a deep lying playmaker was that UTD didn’t have a replacement for him up front…enter the flying dutchman. The possibility of a 4-2-3-1 or even a 4-4-1-1 with Rooney and Carrick (or Cleverly / Jones / Andersen) running the defensive / center mid slots seems like it could be the answer to UTD’s midfield problem.
Rooney in midfield still doesn’t solve our midfield prob… we need a player like boateng from milan to hold play back and take attacks out when needed…
Ok commenting first time after we signed Van persie. I read mnay comments in other thread and shocked some are against this move.
What is the problem if he is 29? I don’t believe in resale value shit. Real madrid signed Zidane and Figo late in their career. Barca signed Theiry henry at 29 and he helped them win the Champions League.
With the coming of rvp we have a good chance of winning the Champions League.
The only midfielder that can fill the void for us is Javi Garcia. A classic hard man in the middle of the field keeping a good grip on the reins. Your modern day gladiator. A rare breed of species.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lwmiEHlml3Y&feature=related
Question. What numbers are available for RVP to choose from?
A fair assessment of the transfer and am so happy that we signed Rvp, all d negativity regarding d signing is unwarranted SAF knows best and i trust his judgement.
Scott: ” everyone can see that United are crying out for a player to boss our midfield, ”
NOT “everyone” – some think that SAF’s plan is for attack to be the best form of defence.
Kanchelskis (@ 09:58) and FergieIsTheBoss @ 12:50) both make the points that SAF is looking ahead – not backwards.
In terms of “formation” – a very misleading way of thinking in a fluid game like footie – I can see some version of a 4-1-4-1 or 3-5-2; in either instance, RvP is the lead-the-line guy at the tip of a central, attacking diamond while TheWayneBoy and KagawaBunga slot in behind him while Nani/AV7 provide width and Michael Carrick is the link between defence and attack. AND defence-from-the-front is more of a pursuit/harrass/out-number game that having one guy who is a “designated destroyer”.
This is the kind of game/”formation” that Barcelona have played for years and the addition of RvP and KagawaBunga give UTD the man-power to do so – with Michael Carrick in the “BiscuitsRole”. That’s not to say that UTD will play Barcelona’s tippy-tappy game; it’s simply to point out that there are a number of different ways to organize the players on a moving chess-board.
Something like this style was already in evidence at the beginning of last year but was derailed by numerous injuries so that, quite literally, Michael Carrick was the last-man-standing by Xmas.
No question it’s a gamble, but the WilyOldFootieKnight has always gone against conventional wisdom. NOW he’s doing it again.
For me is suprise that we gave him max wages and 3 or 4 years contract…he will.be 32 or 33… Wich is a lot…