Manchester United Thread 25/26 - Teamtalk/Transfers/Gossip Mod Note in OP 26.09.24

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Nothing would surprise me this window to be fair. Cunha, Mbeumo, Sesko all wrapped up. Fees high but in line with the current mad market. Wages reasonable compared to the madness we've become known for. So if the club have briefed that they're after Baleba, I'm not going to ignore it.

Plus with Garnacho seemingly close to a Chelsea move and rumours of Antony to Benfica, we might just have the cash to pull this off.

If we get Sesko I think get rid of Hoijland. Berrada's big thing at City was if players don't perform for 2 years then get rid. If we get a loan with a fee at least we can use that to go towards a GK or CM. Next year then if he performs alright we might get the 30-40 million that would align with his PSR cost so you're not financially making a loss or you keep him in the squad as back up.

At the moment he's not even a back up, I would still have Sesko, Zhirkzee, Mbuemo or Cunha in ahead of him in the starting line up and his value will just plummet more.

I don't think we'll be able to sell Hojlund immediately. Best bet would be send him out on loan with an option for recall in January. That may reduce the loan fee we get for him. But allows us to see how he does - hopefully increase his value, and if we're in a position where Sesko is injured and we're desperate, we can take him back.

Harwood reporting all player stuff agreed except for fee. I know he's not tier 1 but he was certain from the start that Sesko was only going one way. Doesn't give Brighton much time to replace but ye never know

I wonder would BHA look at Yalcouye as the replacement.

By all accounts he had a good season last year in Austria but maybe a season too soon to be promoting him as a first team regular/Baleba replacement.

I am unusally positive on Baleba.

I really do think we are gonna push for him this summer, cause waiting to go again for him next summer carries too much risk - you could easily see Liverpool in for him next summer (wouldn't rule out this summer tbh), Chelsea cause Chelsea. City I could see going for him if Madrid follow through on trying to get Rodri. Hell, you could see Madrid in for him.

Liverpool are the only side i would fear trying to grab him this summer, so it feels like this is our chance to get him.

Also, regardless of competition for him - you could see us having another average season, and either not being in a position to get him or just being that bit more unattractive.

As long as we are hearing stories of Brighton valuing him something then he is available to buy. Just do we have the finances to get close enough to their ask. IMO we HAVE to know that its going to need close to 100m (could be 90+10, or even more!) so if we are seriouly interested, the talk of him being valued at 100 (or 104…) shouldn't be a surprise or something that scares us off.

Yup. I read his preference has been Chelsea since the fall out but it’s quite telling how few clubs showed interest. People half-jokingly mentioning making him as part of a swap deal with Brighton but clubs like that probably wouldn’t want the attitude even with plenty of potential to work with.

Anyone remember that Hojlund, Garnacho, Mainoo celebration on the hoarding? Could be down to one soon.

I agree. But 'counter' that he is 20.

He does need to up his agreesion and intensity, and get better at anticipating danger the other direction.

but he is 20.

I think he has the time and ability and tool set to do it.

He might not do it, but I think there is a good chance in 2 years time if he does work hard and develop that him and Baleba could be the best CM pairing in football.

And looking at him in pre-season… he is looking very good. He is looking lean, strong and getting around the pitch. I'm liking what I am seeing as a step up in the aspects of his game that are the worry.

He's been totally crocked by injuries for quite a long while now. Can't see it happening

You would hope the club are sitting down with Mainoo over a new contract and explaining this. That right now he's just not ready as a weekly starter and is back up to Bruno, so learn off him. Then next year with Bruno leaving (imo) he'll take over that spot if he puts the effort in this year. He needs to work on his positioning as a no.8 and toughen up a bit.

If this is the plan perhaps they would need to bring an experienced squad midfielder for a year or two as backup/mentor to both Mainoo & Baleba next year as they (and Collyer) are young, with only Ugarte as a senior MF.

i worry about paying 104m for him(if its true). hes a good midfielder but crazy money..