Whilst we have confirmed that Cristiano Ronaldo is staying next season, we still could do with a new striker for the start of the season, to take the pressure off our limited forward positions. With Frazier Campbell currently looking good to be in the starting team against Newcastle, it is clear United don’t have the depth they would like up front.
“We are looking at three or four different options in the striking department which I hope will come to a happy conclusion,” said Ferguson. “Hopefully we will have someone in for the start of the season.”
Klaas-Jan Huntelaar
RoM reported on this Dutch talent last month, following a good couple of years of interest in the player. He seems to be someone reds always mention when asked about ideal signings. What are the chances of securing his signature before the start of the season?
- August 9th 2008
Asked if he thought his future may lie in the Premier League, the player said: “I don’t know, we’ll see.” But the 24-year-old did confirm that he may play abroad in the future, saying: “Of course – everybody wants to play at the highest level. I want to play also at the highest level but at this time I am in Ajax so I will see what is happening.”
- August 3rd 2008
When asked if Ajax had received any bids for Huntelaar, Van Basten said: “No, and I hope that we don’t receive them.”
- July 8th 2008
“We really don’t want him to leave and we are going to do everything we can to make sure he doesn’t,” said Van der Aat.
- July 5th 2008
“I love clubs with great history like Ajax, I also love United,” Huntelaar said. “It’s a club that makes me dream, especially as Ruud van Nistelrooy played there and did great things with them. I know certain English clubs are following me, like Manchester United, who are very interested in me.”
- June 28th 2008
“When you look at the Ajax salary structure he could get a huge deal,” said Ajax’s technical director. “But he doesn’t want to see a release clause set at 25million euros (£19.75million) in his contract. We didn’t want to go any lower.”
Dimitar Berbatov
Here is a player who we have been linked with for some time, following his decision to sign for Spurs instead of waiting for an offer from United. Last season I asked whether he was a player we wanted, with the general response being positive.
However, the situation has turned sour since Spurs decided to report us to the Premier League for tapping him up.
- August 8th 2008
“Nobody from Barca has asked me about Berbatov,” said Spurs’ manager Ramos. “There has been no movement on that front. All I know is what I read in the papers. We will have to wait and see what happens. It is a question of waiting a bit more and then we will see how things turn out.”
- July 18th 2008
“Today’s public comments by Manchester United’s manager, announcing that he has made an offer for Dimitar and is confident that the deal will go through with time working in their favour, is a blatant example of sheer arrogance and interference with one of our players,” said Daniel Levy. “This comes after a series of events, dating back to last summer, which have shown Manchester United to be in breach of Premier League (PL) rules. As a result, we have today made an official complaint to the PL about the conduct of Manchester United.”
- July 17th 2008
“We will see what happens there, but we are talking about two very important players,” said Ramos, of Berbatov and Keane. “For the moment they are with us, but whatever happens the idea is to have a great squad, with the potential to allow us to aim to improve on what we managed last season. We have to be realistic and see what we are starting with and who we are competing against. There are some big clubs who have spent a lot of money over many years and have a certain advantage, in fact they claim they want to sign some of our players. At Tottenham, we have had a clear philosophy regarding buying and selling for years. The idea is signing young players, promising and talented ones, and if important offers for older players are made, studying it to see what is the best for the club.”
- July 12th 2008
“I know for certain Manchester United have shown interest in signing Dimitar Berbatov,” said Berbatov’s agent. “But I’m not entitled to make any more comments.”
- April 26th 2008
“We know the situation of Berbatov and we are calm about it,” said Ramos. “If a team comes along and pays the asking price the chairman wants then possibly yes, but we’re delighted to have him here.”
Roque Santa Cruz
Following a brilliant debut season with Blackburn Rovers, Santa Cruz, who was a bargain signing for former manager Mark Hughes, has got a lot of people talking.
A couple of months ago I questioned whether his injury problems of the past would put Fergie off putting in a bid.
- August 9th 2008
“We are trying to understand what the new manager wants and is trying to bring to the team,” said Santa Cruz. “It will be an interesting season after the moves going on here. We need to prove we can continue without some players who were key last season.”
- July 14th 2008
“A lot of people said my transfer to a bigger club was about to happen, but I live in the present and I’m focused on Blackburn,” said Santa Cruz.
- June 25th 2008
“If he [Fergie] comes on asking about Santa Cruz then I’ll just tell him he’s not having him,” said Paul Ince.
- June 5th 2008
“The interest from Manchester United is real but I’m busy now so my representatives will handle anything if there is a concrete offer,” said Santa Cruz.
Karim Benzema
- June 13th 2008
“With €40m (£31.7m) or €50m (£39.7m) we would sell Benzema’s ear,” said Lyon president, Aulas. “It is not a question of money. The player wants to achieve something big in the Champions League with Lyon. He is happy at the club and this can be seen with his latest contract renewal. I am sure that he will stay with Lyon until the 2010 World Cup finals.”
- April 17th 2008
“He is not going to leave Lyon,” the player’s agent said. “I know that there are a lot of interested clubs, but he is still young and wants to stay and gain more experience. Next season he will continue to play for Lyon and then we shall see.”
- March 1st 2008
“In recent months my name has been linked to Barcelona, Real Madrid, Juventus and now Manchester United have appeared,” said Benzema. “That is high praise and I’m sure I’d be able to play in England. But I believe my style is perhaps better suited for Spain or Italy.”
- February 28th 2008
“Great strikers score great goals,” Ferguson said of Benzema’s goal against us. “That was a great goal, nothing you can do about it.”
- January 9th 2008
“Milan makes me dream,” said Benzema. “Also because Ronaldo is there – he’s my idol. He’s from another planet. But I also love Juventus, Inter and Manchester United – the big clubs. What’s important is to win. I would leave Lyon only to continue to win and when I also feel ready mentally.”
Which of these four strikers would you most like to see at United? Or do you think there is another striker Fergie has his eye on?
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I think that Klaas-Jan Huntelaar is probably our man, given that spurs just want too much for the Berbster. As Berbatov’s would only have about five seasons with us and then have no re-sale value, I think that the dutchman represents much more value for money. Also I would love us to give Levy the one-fingered salute for reporting us on the grounds of alledgedly unsettling their star man, the cheeky, money-grubbing tw*t.
Berbatov is too old, in my opinion to be a third-choice striker, and Tevez or Rooney are just too good to be considered thus. Huntelaar is still young and would be more suited to a little rotation than Berbatov.
Benzema would be a fantastic coup for us but I just can’t see him coming for some reason. I hope I am proven wrong
Berbatov will do. but at the right price. The best alternative would be Santa cruz for me.
Santa Cruz is too injury prone for the money asked. Benzema has ruled himself out time and time again.
So its down between Huntelaar and Berbatov.
Huntelaar is too slow (slow, not not fast!). In combination with his below par passing a very bad fit to the counter attacking tendecies at the core of our game. I don’t think he is even an option.
And considering how he prostituted himself to clubs at the start of the summer and that AJAX declared themselves willing to make business:
If Huntelaar does not move this summer the big European clubs don’t see him fit enough to make their squads.
So its Berbatov, or some completely different solution, like the Silva one, coming up just yesterday.
Realistically, Berbatov, although I would prefer Benzema. Both players are in the same mould – dynamic forwards with the ability to score, playmake, lead the line etc – but Benzema is younger and would have the potential to develop into a more amazing player (just like ronnie). However, it seems he doesn’t want to be here, so Berbatov would be my choice.
Huntelaar is not the kind of striker we/big teams competing in the CL need. He is not a dynamic/versatile forward and most teams in Europe/England are opting for more dynamic forwards who can do more than score goals. That’s probably why no one has showed a great deal of interest in him. Don’t get me wrong, he is top ‘Klaas’ but in the current game, he brings little to the plate in terms of versatility.
no,no
i know everybody like players who already play in the premier league
Berbatov or santa cruz is very good, but i think we should go for hunterlaar because for 3 reasons
1) He likes man u and will play wz confidence to get in the 1st team
2) He has a good finish as he already proved it in la league 1
3) bebatov likes barça while santa will always look to play at the higher level wz team having great reputation like real madrid same for bezema
United is the best team in the world and any 4 teams in the top of the premiership table are far better than a Spanish team.
So guys, let’s hope hunterlaar over berbatov but if he comes, it will be also fantastic as his shirt num is 14.
What about Aguero or Villa? They would be my top two choices then Benzema.
dare devil – man u? get a grip man.
out of all of the current names being linked i’d love to see benzema in the shirt, but i don’t think it’ll happen.
i think berbatov is over rated and not an out and out goal scorer, which is what i think we need. which is why i think huntelaar would be the better choice. everyone says he’s a one dimensional player, but if that one dimension is sticking the ball in the back of the net, what’s the problem? besides, he’s young and would improve his all round game dramatically if he came to united.
it’s good to see we’re actually trying to bring someone in. so far we’ve only brought in petrucci (although he does look good).
Benzema would be the best option but he looks to be “ungettable”; Berbatov would do fine in the short term but since Spurs want to play silly buggers, it looks unlikely.
This suggests that Frazier Campbell has a very, very big opportunity to impress SAF in the first few matches when Ronaldo will be unavailable and Rooney might still be on sick leave.
DareDevil: ) Huntelaar He likes man u and will play wz confidence to get in the 1st team
2) He has a good finish as he already proved it in la league 1
3) bebatov likes barça while santa will always look to play at the higher level wz team having great reputation like real madrid same for bezema
Wat a cheese stained knob – you think coz he said he likes utd, he’s gona play better than the other guys and with more confidence – of course, I mean imagine Berbatov coming – he wont play with confidence beacuse his fav club is fc knobhead.
Wat are u taking about @ 3 – these guys wont play for utd because there are teams with bigger reputations – may I remind you that we won the Champs League and are the most successfull European club in the last 20 years….of course Cruz and Benzama are holding out for Real Wank and Barcelona, coz they had sucj amazing seasons last year… I mean they lit up Europe…did u see Benzama at Euros! Wow u really are a thick , wedge shaped piece of shit……..Berbatov is the only guy good,worthy,experienced enough to come in!
Strange, I thought AC Milan were the most successful European team of the last 20 years. Certainly won more European Cups in that time (5 i believe).
I would like to see Sergio Aguero,Karim Benzema sign for Man. Utd. but i doubt.
I think we will get who Fergie thinks will enhance the team – Obviously. I like Berbatov, but like you say his years are limited. Thing is, it is alright saying stick the one finger up to Levy, and stop chasing Berba, but we don’t want to be like L’Pool, who courted Gareth Barry, and seemingly have completely left him high and dry. That is bloody awful thing to do. Same with Berba. If we have courted him, and he has been led to believe that this is his time to join us, then we might want to get one over Levy, but it is not fair to treat players thus. What about Berba?. All this paper talk about him wanting to go to Barca, is just what it is paper talk. Martin Jol said all the time he bossed spurs, Berbatovs heart was at United.
Berbatov or Huntelaar.
This Huntlearr guy gets a load of stick on web sites but he bangs in goals for fun at all levels of football and against all opposition, this year he has played 2 against 2 premier lge clubs in pre season friendlies and scored in each game .
I’d prefer berbatov but if we cant get him id be happy enough with this guy
Benzema.
i prefer none of the above.klaas isnt dynamic and he isnt all that great(we had the chance to sign him years ago…and he still hasnt shown much improvement).berba is too expensive and he’s “old” to be a 3rd choice striker (wazza and carlito will be leading the line).i’m not sure santa cruz would fit into our system effectively.i’ll give him a next year.and that lil’ punk called benzema.he aint nothin rite now…and i’m so glad the Euro’s brought him and Lalas back down to earth.Man United doesnt need a world-renowned striker.all we need is a young striker that is dynamic,clinical,and has world class potential and wont make much of a fuss to be on the bench (just like we did with 20legend).and yeah berba aint no cantona.how dare you soil the King’s name!
Huntelaar for £18-24m or Berbatov for £28-38m…I say bite Ajax’s hand off. Let Spurs and Levy go rot with their digruntled player next season
“Huntelaar for £18-24m or Berbatov for £28-38m”
OR
Frazier Campbell for free ?
I have always wanted berbatov because he’s great but most of all he’s gettable. If I could choose any though It would be benzema, He’s 19 or 20, powerful, quick, possess a shoot on both feet, agressive and has the big match mentallity. His goal against us last season was a goal you see great players score, all in one movement and surrounded by defenders, its the kind of goals only truly gifted individuals can score.
man u ar meant to be a great club with ambition. Express this intent with the nature of the signing. Get the player you want, that best compliments the current playing roster and style of play proposed by the manager and expected from the supporters, not someone else merely because they are available or cheaper.
Benzema for me.
I’m not really arsed about Berbatov – too old and too much money – but if we can get him for a good price then fine.
Benzema would be amazing but would be too difficult to get hold of.
So I think we should go for Huntelaar. He looks very promising indeed.
Villa, over any of the above mentioned.
Benzema would be the best pick out the four.but i would prefer Falcao from River Plate.bags of speed,definitely knows where the goal is,good with both feet and great in the air!!!