2013

[BUCKnation]

Poch to Spurs official. Should be interesting to see if/who he brings anyone over to Spurs.

[Ted Lasso]

Expound on that.

If United make their way back into the Top 4, someone will obviously be dropping out. I have a hard time believing that the combination of Van Gaal and United's money won't net a CL place. Of the current Top 4, which team(s) would you say is (are) the most likely to drop out?

[Ted Lasso]

Poch to Spurs official. Should be interesting to see if/who he brings anyone over to Spurs.

My guess is Jay Rodriguez.

[IronChef]

Speaking of Southampton, here's Ward-Prowse' free-kick for the England youth team against Brazil.

[youtube]https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oRqIWBMAlgg[/youtube]

Kids got skills

[Boognish]

If United make their way back into the Top 4, someone will obviously be dropping out. I have a hard time believing that the combination of Van Gaal and United's money won't net a CL place. Of the current Top 4, which team(s) would you say is (are) the most likely to drop out?

It's hard to imagine Citeh or a strengthened Chelsea missing out. Liverpool's depth could be put to the test by CL. I think they'll regress. Will be interesting to see what Arsenal is up to this summer (not much probably).

I suppose Arsenal would be my primary candidates to fall out, followed by Liverpool.

That said, United looked like **** last year, well and truly deserved 7th place. They're still struggling to sign anyone. Between Van Gaal, no CL distraction, maybe a fit RvP, new signings (?) they should improve significantly on last year, but they were 15 points off 4th. I don't think they're a lock by any means.

[Ted Lasso]

That said, United looked like **** last year, well and truly deserved 7th place. They're still struggling to sign anyone. Between Van Gaal, no CL distraction, maybe a fit RvP, new signings (?) they should improve significantly on last year, but they were 15 points off 4th. I don't think they're a lock by any means.

Are they though? It's very, very early. They're probably looking to sign Shaw, Strootman (recovery permitting), an experienced centre-back, and a defensive midfielder. They might be able to wrap that up for about 120-130 million euros and relatively easily.

If they intend to sign an offensive star, that could both prove difficult and cause issues in the locker room. We'll see what happens. They're obviously not a lock though. I'll amend my original statement and say that one of Rodgers, Wenger, and van Gaal will look bad next season.

[Boognish]

Cesc, Thiago, Coentrao, Baines, Kroos were all linked pretty strongly last year and they all fell through. The Shaw transfer is supposedly a done deal but has hit a hitch.

No doubt that they'll make a few major signings, but Ed Woodward still seems like he's bumbling around

[Ted Lasso]

Cesc, Thiago, Coentrao, Baines, Kroos were all linked pretty strongly last year and they all fell through. The Shaw transfer is supposedly a done deal but has hit a hitch.

No doubt that they'll make a few major signings, but Ed Woodward still seems like he's bumbling around

Why is what happened last year relevant? They are not after those guys any longer. They have more straightforward options for the kinds of players they are likely to look to sign now.

[Boognish]

How is it not relevant? Woodward is still there and he's proven himself inept. I don't doubt that United will manage to spend 100-150m but I'm not certain they'll spend it wisely

Aren't they still after Cesc?

[Geddy]

Was reading an article from last month about Super Kev retiring. Didn't realize he had been playing for 20 years - time flies.

[Ted Lasso]

How is it not relevant? Woodward is still there and he's proven himself inept. I don't doubt that United will manage to spend 100-150m but I'm not certain they'll spend it wisely

Aren't they still after Cesc?

They've brought in a manager who has vast experience with reclamation projects at huge clubs and the likelihood is he'll handpick familiar targets and avoid wasting time with impossible transfer missions. I think Woodward's involvement will be more limited this time around. They can sign players for those four positions of need without being taken for a ride pretty easily. There are enough options.

Fabregas is no longer a mission impossible but he is the sort of player i referred to who'll cause depth chart issues. That would be not be wise unless they've got a surprise sale or two planned.

[Boognish]

Fair enough, I just don't think it's a foregone conclusion