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LIVE BLOG: United vs Chelsea

August 26, 2013

Tom Coast

Follow @sardinetrawler on Twitter.

VIEW FROM THE ENEMY: Chelsea fan on Mourinho, being “ethical” and signing Ando

Reaction to United’s draw with Chelsea

317 Comments

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Wakey August 27, 2013

@denton

If it was me I would be tempted to play Valencia at RB with Young as RW. RB is Jones weakest position so you don't lose much defensively as both are good tracking back and I think offensive its much stronger.

I Nani was going to be fit then that would change things but I doubt he will be fit to start.

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wayne August 27, 2013

Overall i thought the game was pretty low quality there was a lot of poor passing and control not just from Valencia so why he's being singled out is beyond me,it's only the 2nd game of the season so players are not a peak performance yet.Very rarely Utd play great football out of the gate and the game yesterday just became a chess match by the way Maureen set up his team,personally found the game boring.I was expecting a open high tempo game but i guess it's just going to be the same old with Maureen and i think the game was just to big for Moyes to lose so it just became a matter of playing between the lines,it became obvious from early on wasn't going to be much action.Having said that Utd should've had 2 penalties,fucking Lampard literally put his arms out and made a save,Mikel shout not as obvious but could've been called

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Ash August 27, 2013

http://www.grantland.com/blog/the-triangle/post/_/id/72625/boring-boring-man-united-and-chelsea-too?

Look at the hypocrisy of this stupid writer, calling moyes and his football boring and conservative but chelsea have found a gem in Oscar.

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Wee Toms Ligaments August 27, 2013

@Wayne - the ABU talking heads have singled out Valencia because he did not punish Cole and Hazard. The sheep are merely repeating the verdict. Of course, what is lost in the anti-United analysis is that Hazard and Oscar were completely shut down when they ventured over to the right side.

Agree with your though that Moyes was hell bent on not losing. A good test to see how daring Moyes is going to be and unsurprisingly, he chose the safe path.

Other than Welbeck rushing shots, no real complaints.

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Canada August 27, 2013

@ Wee Toms Ligaments

Not to nitpick but I'd hardly agree that playing Rooney in this game helps to reason that Moyes choose the safe path?

Maureen brought on Mikel to kill it off.
Moyes brought on Young to get forward.
Again, not so sure that was the "safe" path?

Just my two cents.

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gingerprince18 August 27, 2013

I had a feelings that we will thrash the CuntMou side before the game. And when the line up was announced I had this weird old feelings of CuntMou Anti-Football tactics. He did this before, but at that time he had Robben and Drogba. So i was not worried but I know it would be hard to break them. I know it is still early, but the way CuntMou set his team against tittle contender would be the same like he did before. With his current selection of players I dont really think they will be able to win the League (unless he splash more cash for a World Class striker, a proper centre mid and a cover for Tiny Teard and Cashley Cole. At least I have more respect for Pellegrini compared to CuntMou. CuntMou seems obsessed with all thing United. Pelligrini keeps his head down on only focus on City.

My take on the game,

DDG - What can I say....our GK position is untouchable and covered for at least 10 years (unless Barca and RM comes calling, not in the near future though)

Jones - Solid but never a full back
Rio - I believe he could have find times to tweet if he had his smartphone with him (rarely troubled)
Vidic - World Class! Immense! Unplayable!
Evra - Solid but less attacking threat (The way Moyes set up the team is to attack and at the same time ready to face any counter attacking threat Chelski could pose)

Carrick - Mr. Perfect, what would we do without him
Cleverly - I always thought he will be a fringe/squad player, but yesterday he was faultless. Keep the possession well with MC16 against 6 international midfielder. If people can give him credit for this then I guess no point of arguing. And I believe he kept Hazard at bay!

AV25 - I hope Moyes will start converting AV25 to a fullback/wingback. He works so hard without the ball, attacking wise never a threat and too predictable. He will be better deputy for Rafael. Not Phil Jones.
WR10 - Work so hard off the ball and you can always find him closer to the ball than any players. Always want the ball. I guess OT crowd did help him in a way, but in attacking third his touch, pass and decision making is average. He still needs more game under his belt to improve that.
Danny Boy - Had a great game against Swansea, but was OK against Chelsea.

RVP - Starved of service from our wingers/fullbacks.

All in all, I was pretty happy the way we played but not the result. I still think we lost 2 points. But cant blame Moyes, He set up for attack but at the same time he is prepared to face any counter attacking threat from Chelski. But in the last 20 minutes, I think Moyes was prepared to protect the 1 point, hence the unpopular subs. Right move if you are in his position. Imagine what would happen if he went Gung-Ho and Chelski counter us and get a goal. English media and plastic fans will go for his head.

Credit to Moyes though. After 3 games, I can see that our team is much more fitter and have been excellent in ball retention. Maybe if we give him 1 or 2 seasons, he will learn from Sir Alex and the players that United will never go for a draw, especially at OT. I believe he will learn that pretty quickly.

Oh and interesting news on how BVB fans rate Shinji http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/freeshinji-bvb-fans-launch-twitter-campaign-to-resign-kagawa-from-man-united/?. I hope he wasn't playing because of fitness. Hate to lose player of his calibre. In Moyes We Trust.

-Not Arrogant, Just Better-

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Canada August 27, 2013

C'mon Moyes, finish out a great week by submitting a bid for Mata!

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Wakey August 27, 2013

@ Wee Toms Ligaments

We setup with 3 Strikers on the pitch one of which lacks fitness so I'm not sure how 'Safe' that really is. Playing safe would have been

DDG
Smalling Rio Vidic Evra
Valencia Carrick Jones Cleverley Giggs
Rooney
RvP

Or even sticking Anderson in rather than Rooney or Giggs in Rooneys place and Young as LW

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Mav August 27, 2013

#freeshinji

http://www.101greatgoals.com/blog/freeshinji-bvb-fans-launch-twitter-campaign-to-resign-kagawa-from-man-united/

.....and you cannot blame them. Shinji is way to good to NOT be a starter or play on the freaking left wing. I AM MAD LOL.

Him and DeGea are my two favourite players at the club right now, and just, ugh, after last season and its early to jump to conclusions about this season, but shit man, drop Rooney and play Shinji behind the stirker.

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gingerprince18 August 27, 2013

@Canada

In a Fantasy land, I would choose Ozil over Mata. The real Assist King. But I do rate Mata. A class act, Chelski don't deserve him.

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mjcRED August 27, 2013

If there is some substance in Kagawa wanting a move back to Dortmund, I don't particularly want him to go but what about a swap deal involving Gundogan? Perhaps he might be a better fit of what we're lacking right now, a goal getting midfielder with the ability and discipline to work in tandem with a sitting or combative midfield duo/trio of Carrick and possibly Fallaini? Just an idea. Be interested to hear what you think.

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Toms August 27, 2013

People say 3 strikers but Danny's beginning to look more and more like another Valencia. Ofc, he did score that gem last weekend.

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Midfield-man August 27, 2013

Dropping shinji would be the most stupid thing to do... Once (if )we get a proper partner for Carrick we'll get lot more out of shinji.

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Wee Toms Ligaments August 27, 2013

@Canada - the setup including Rooney was indeed a risk. I was referring to the discipline of the midfield. Cleverley rarely ventured beyond 30yds from the Chelsea goal and both Valencia and Welbeck chose to stay goal side when presented a chance to get behind.

I am not moaning or criticizing Moyes. I am pleased with the point. I was trying to point out that Moyes is going to play it straight this season in order to not fail. I strongly agree with this approach because winning the league is about beating the bottom 14 teams and not losing to the top 6.

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Sushi August 27, 2013

I say we let Lindergard play in goal for a few games and use De Gea in midfield lol. Does anyone know if you are allowed to play a GK in other positions??

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AlphaRS August 27, 2013

@Midfield-man
Moyes seems to value hard workers over technical ability.
Carrick and Cleverly did a good job of protecting the back 4 against counter attacks. Also when The Renties were in possession of the ball Welbeck and Valencia moved goal side to protect Evra and Jones from a 4-2-3-1 to a 4-4-1-1. The importance of these players helping out defensively is extremely important. Even players like Roben and Ribery at Bayern Munich have realised they need to put in their fair share of defensive work.
I don't think that Shinji would have done that which is why Young and Giggs were brought on instead. It would be an absolute waste of talent if Shinji was kept on the bench though as we have seen what the boy can do at Dortmund. It remains to be seen what Moyes intentions are though.
One thing that SAF was amazing at was squad rotation and keeing everybody happy. We will see where Hernandez will fit in to United though, and whether more skilfull players like Shinji, Nani, and Zaha will feature.

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Rukky August 27, 2013

Fair enough it was a poor game but antonio was least effective and he will always prove me right against top teams in the epl(no case against the likes of stoke) not just because he is playing to his limit but because every Lb in the epl just has to close his rightside and its finish but i really wish he could prove me wrong, FGS his only left footed cross resulted in a goal(against norwich). On shinji I really wish he could play as a central midfielder, he is absolute class. Apparently he is only effective as an ACM or trequartista. Although i doubt he would be first chioce for moyes in his favoured role which (i think with the capture fellani would aid his output),i just think its to early to say he isn't in the gaffer's plan.

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xyz August 27, 2013

@Wakey 17:20 - yes, playing 12 men would be classed as safe.....

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

If kagawa wants to leave then so be it, he has been tapped up enough times anyway, the comfort zone of signal iduna park but he needs to realise that he is at a huge club and competition is fierce, no one will hand him a starting position based on previous achievements for dortmund, he will have to show his mettle and show that he desrves to be ahead of equally ttalented players, it is a squad game and every pllayer will play their part.. "free shinji", what a load of bollocks

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In David We Trust August 27, 2013

Mav - what has kagwa done to suggest he can get in ahead of rooney, not being funny but kagwa is very overrated, yea he is a good player, but some fans are making out kagwa he is this complete player who can pass score and cover ground, and dictate play. He is not fit to lace rooney's boots in the number 10 position, he will get you 12 goals, rooney can get twice that number, round up the assists. Kagwa playing behind RVP is not the way forward, he only scored 6 goals, to rooneys 17 goals, kagwa looked lost in allot of games. Give me Rooney and RVP every day of the week, because the combo will give united the edge in the title race.

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In David We Trust August 27, 2013

I ask this question, who would united miss more, kagwa or rooney, exactly. Heck the stick berbatov got was way OTT, with some of it justified, kagwa has been left off the hook quiet allot, he has been poor at times yet no one flinches an eye. This pipe dream with some united fans that kagwa should play in rooney's position, is borderline laughable. Fact remains he does not fit into united's system, Moyes is not going to drop the rooney RVP axis, and kagwa's only position he can play is the LW, for Kagwa who will get you 8 or 9 goals, unless we play a diamond, there is no way Moyes is going to drop rooney for kagwa, who has not cut it in the PL

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Rukky August 27, 2013

Plus, i forgot- shinji will never work to full with valencia on the wing. I think with time zaha make makes us alot happier with link ups with the midfielder unlike antonio.

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Diego August 27, 2013

So a couple of things regarding Rooney:

Moyes: "I told him I might only play him for 60 or 70 minutes and see how he was. But he worked back, he tackled and he was great. He closed two or three people down in the corner and the crowd realised the work he did.

I don't know if it is just me but I don't want to see one of our strikers be judged on how much he "works back" and how he tackles. That's like judging a CB on his ability to take free-kicks

Moyes: "He was desperate to score and nearly scored with an overhead kick in injury time."

Yeah, perhaps too desperate. A level-headed Rooney would've passed the ball to RVP here and we would probably have won the game.

http://24.media.tumblr.com/9f674a4c1fbc02c9dcd806e5d9ffa243/tumblr_ms6gdgXBjM1qc85nuo1_400.gif

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Rukky August 27, 2013

*Zaha Will make us alot happier

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nairobired August 27, 2013

Having read numerous opinions about the game, the most general conclusion from yesterdays dour performance was that it was a very big game for moyes as it was his first @ OT and it was against a big team so he is excused for being overly cautious. My question is, when will moyes be allowed to loose? I'm not saying I want him to loose as that might lead to even more negative football, but surely he has to be allowed to express himself and try and play exciting football and if he looses, he should still get the support from fans.
The whole idea of playing not to loose is just not right. Choosing players who are better at defending than attacking is too negative and that's just not the kind of team we should be building.

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Dred August 27, 2013

@samuel - united WE stand says: "he will have to show his mettle and show that he desrves to be ahead of equally talented players"

Don`t you think samuel that to show that he deserves to play, he HAS to be given the chance to play and see how he does?

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WeAreUnited August 27, 2013

look sometimes we have brilliant argumenst and sometimes some ver ysilly ones

@samuel what is that you don't like about Kagawa, yes he's been tapped in but so what, it's not accidental that Klopp is genius on getting Kagawa back, he's not playing so he will do everythign to get a strikeforce back. And then you go on a personal vendetta against Kagawa, no offense mate cause you "know" me, but that's BS, when your own opinion about Rooney is very deep, even though he's shitted 2 times on our beloved club. You know my stance on rooney, should stay if he RESPECTS the shirt, but to call Kagawa out it's total BS, and I am just saying and not attacking you.

@dred makes a valid point, he needs that gametime to show us what he can do,

Silva got his chance at City, played a terrible first season and got his chance on his secondand look at him now.

Look, we are manchester United, and yes players have to show they desire to play for this club and show what he can do, but don't you think that he does? he was not brought here for no reason, SAF said it that he's a brilliant little player, and I am not excluding that Kagawa will not have his role cause Moyes is not stupid, he made Pienaar look like Iniesta, so he can improve Kagawa,

sometimes when you have a gem in your hands, we need to adapt our game for his, take example of RVP, we had to change our gameplan so that we could get the best out of RVp, and the same should go on Kagawa.

we'll see what happens, it was only our second match so there's plenty to come, we gotta stay patient with this kid Kagawa, he's a GEM and using him properly we could have another dimention in our game.

peace .

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WeAreUnited August 27, 2013

@IDWT mate, don't hate participate, but

the same could be said to you too abotu Kagawa. yes who would we miss more, Kagawa or Rooney, well Kagawa has not had his chance that much, and ROoney has been here for how long?

I pointed my stance about Rooney, RESPECT the shirt, STAy, if not get the hell out of here.

and if we want to develope our gameplan, and I can see it with Moyes, saw a lot of glimpses against Chelski and it's only our second match, then we HAVE to bring Kagawa in and mould him into our team, players like Kagawa and Nani for example are players who can decide games if given the opportunity.

that being said, I'll wait and see, as Isaid on my previous comment, we’ll see what happens, it was only our second match so there’s plenty to come, we gotta stay patient with this kid Kagawa, he's a GEM.

peace guys.

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WeAreUnited August 27, 2013

*TYPOS

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WeAreUnited August 27, 2013

last comment before I go to bed.

we are always complaining that we don't get certain players or how we wiss some, or how others are developing their gameplan or how football is going forward,

then we have players like Kagawa who can be THAT players for us and make us move forward on some areas, but still we can't appreciate him or see that.

not saying that people who comment about Kagawa can't see it, cause I know you guys see it, but we are always looking for certain players, and to put him down this early and comapring him to a player who has been here forever, is not logical. everyone will have their problems.

a decent Kagawa gave us ver ygood glimpses, imagine what a full fit full of motivation and opportunities Kagawa can offer to us.

NOW I'm out, peace once again.

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

Dred - he will get his fair share of game time like everybody else and in those few games, he'll have to prove himself. I said he needed to show more authority, he needs to believe he belongs at united and can be a decisive match winners. United are littered with quality, even the under 21's are coming through, they all have belief and it's up to kagawa to show he is better than them both in training and matches. I don't know if he is fully fit yet but moyes does rate him and will give him opportunities. Kagawa seems a tale of people singing sentimental tunes about how he's being treated terribly but there's no place for that at the top. Shinji has the quality, his character to step up at united is the next test.

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In David We Trust August 27, 2013

WeAreUnited - Kagwa is not going to get united 25 goals a season that rooney provides, kagwa could not even get 10, so how does it make sense to drop rooney? for a player who has not done the business in the PL. Plus you start playing kagwa behind RVP, united are going to be overlying on RVP.. That is what Moyes was saying in July, we need rooney just incase RVP gets injured, because rooney can play both behind the striker and the main striker role, did anyone forget 2009/10 season when united relied on Rooney's goals, has soon has he got injured, we were fucked. Kagwa was never going to solve what we were missing, united are missing a wing wizard, not a Kagwa, but a consistent to a world class wider player, who can stretch sides to feed guys like rooney RVP and welbeck. and score goals, and no Nani is not the problem solver, that ship has sailed a long time ago So its a myth united needed a kagwa, because he has no wingplay speed, we were lacking creative speed to move some of those very slow legs

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denton davey August 27, 2013

mjcRed @ 17:29: "If there is some substance in Kagawa wanting a move back to Dortmund, I don’t particularly want him to go but what about a swap deal involving Gundogan?"

I do that in a NewYorkMinute.

It wouldn't be because i don't rate KagawaBunga but, rather, Ilkay Gundogan would be a perfect fit for what this team needs. In fact, I rate Gundogan so highly that the extra money involved would be money-well-spent - better than Cesc and much, much, much better than Fellaini. Sometimes you have to pay for what you get - not all transfers can be daylight-robbery like the one involving Chicharito.

That said, losing KagawaBunga without ever seeing him get a proper run of matches would be rather like prior scenarios with J-S Veron and Dimmy. The same might be said about the rumours concerning Mesut Ozil. These are high-skill guys but not hard workers and at the level that we all want UTD to play at, a hard worker like TheWayneBoy (when motivated) is preferable to a high-skill guy like ShinjiSan. I hate to admit that but it seems to have been borne out by "history", too.

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

WeAreUnited - nothing against kagawa, i've championed him and felt season was a settling in period, this seaaon was the one he needed to kick on but he needs to earn it the hard way rather than be handed.on a plate, it will never happen at united. Regarding klopp, he's had a keen eye on kagawa since he left united but fact is, kagawa has barely done anything and needs to prove himself, dortmund his is comfort zone.

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Diego August 27, 2013

Samuel:
Or, our style of play simply doesn't suit him.

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

Kagawa can still be a key player, he is needed but he needs to show authority and belief needed to be a key figure at united, all the best players had to do that. Shinji needs to step up.

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

What style of play? That's a cheap excuse if that's the message kagawa is passing on to klopp in order to get back to his comfort zone. United continiously evolve and do play different systems depending on the opposition but looking at kagawa, he was bought to adapt to manchester united, not the other way round. With his outstanding technique, kagawa can develop into an all round midfielder, he can step up.

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kanchelskis August 27, 2013

Liverpool have just fucked my accumulator ...

... On the plus side, 120 mins of football for Johnson, Gerrard, Sturridge. Very good news for Saturday.

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Marko Omar August 27, 2013

Why the fuck Moyes didn't play Shinji Kagawa? He keeps on playing Welbeck who is not creative and other than his running, he's pretty useless, esp against big teams.

It was clear last night that United lacked imagination, something that Kagawa can bring, but I'm starting to think that Moyes FAILED to see that. Mark my words, if he keeps on treating Kagawa like dirt, Kagawa will leave, Dortmund fans has already started to launch #freeShinji campaign on Twitter.

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King Eric August 27, 2013

Diego. Have you EVER got owt positive to say?

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Tom August 27, 2013

Metro reports FELLAINI DEAL AGREED FOR 20MIL RISING TO 24

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Tom August 27, 2013

The truth is kagawa is the biggest looser in the Rooney saga

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

Just thinking about nick powell and how he out of all the younger players can develop into a complete box to box central midfielder. He's got the technique and the passing, he can belt in screamers, he's 6ft plus and has been improving that defensive side of his game. This lad is ready to step into the first team, I think the central mid has gaps and he can at least break into there this season. Think the league cup will give these younger players an opportunity, hopefully they'll step up.

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The Hound August 27, 2013

120 minutes won't make a difference at all for Sunday. They've got 4 full days rest and even if they didn't that shouldn't be an excuse for them or an advantage for us at this level of football and this early in the season. You can guarantee Liverpool will come out guns blazing against United. United should relish a challenge like this and have to match or better the intensity of their game play because they always raise it when United are in town. Won't be an easy game and I'm going to stay away from making any predictions.

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samuel - united WE stand August 27, 2013

He would be a loser if he shirks under pressure of competing with other players, it's weak to assume players have to be moved on for a player to step up. Kagawa will always have competition at united. I actually believe kagawa relishes the challenge, people seem to think he is moping in a corner somewhere but kagawa demands a lot of himself.

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AlphaRS August 27, 2013

After all the shite I've read this Summer about Alcantara, Fabregas, Bale, and Ronaldo, I'm not believing anything until officially confirmed by United.

Apparently United have "agreed a fee" of £20,000,000 which could rise to £24,000,000 with Everton for Fellaini.

http://metro.co.uk/2013/08/27/manchester-united-and-everton-agree-fee-for-marouane-fellaini-transfer-3939741/

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Hamzah August 27, 2013

http://www.sportsdirectnews.com/premier-league/31017-man-utd-transfer-news-gundogan-bid-close.php
Yes please!
Probably just lazy journalism but how I would love this lad to end up in our team!

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dannysoya LOVES USAIN BOLT August 27, 2013

Kondogbia to Monaco...... FUCK

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LoneStarRed August 28, 2013

@ Samuel 23:02

Nick Powell is close..but not yet "ready" for consistent 1st team football. I think he will see plenty of action in the League Cup and possibly the FA Cup this season. In a big game like last night , there was too much at risk to put in a young player like him or Januzaj unless we had no other options. The future is bright for us but let's not rush them. The young lions are not quite ready to leave the pride just yet.

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King Eric August 28, 2013

Oh no I'm gonna slit my wrists if Kundogbia or whatever he's called has joined Monaco. How will we cope without him? Dannysoya joking aside mate doesn't that tell you ALL you need to know about him that he would even join that piss ant excuse of a club?