Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Mitch Connor · 02-03-2010 11:51AM

mars bar wrote: »

My fear is that if they finally begin to feel the fire in that massive pocket of theirs the bank, out of spite of the fans, they will sell Rooney.

selling Rooney would only be an issue of spite, and be a terrible move, on many levels.

1. Selling Rooney makes United far less competitive on the field.
2. Selling Rooney makes United less attractive to sponsors due to (a) reputation as a selling club (b) weakening of competitiveness on the pitch (c) lack of a world footballing icon
3. Selling Rooney would result in, imo, any fans still currently undecided, to decide the Glazers are indeed terrible for the club, thus increasing the protest.
4. Selling Rooney, resulting in the above, makes United worth less, which would hurt them if they did end up having/wanting/needing to sell.

Boggles · 02-03-2010 11:54AM

mars bar wrote: »

My fear is that if they finally begin to feel the fire in that massive pocket of theirs the bank, out of spite of the fans, they will sell Rooney.

Don't be afriad, that scenario is as likely as you getting eaten by donkeys.

Spud83 · 02-03-2010 12:01PM

I'd be more worried about the Glaziers letting Alex going on a spending spree as a PR exercise than them selling Rooney.

Yes the spending spree could be good in the short term, but it would just be piling on more debt.

Boggles · 02-03-2010 12:10PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

I'd be more worried about the Glaziers letting Alex going on a spending spree as a PR exercise than them selling Rooney.

Yes the spending spree could be good in the short term, but it would just be piling on more debt.

Again unlikely.

That doesn't really suit anyone if the club starts failing more than it all ready is.

Irishcrx · 02-03-2010 12:12PM

Anyone heard anything on Owen Hargreaves??...He has been back in light training since November but still no sign of him. Has he played for the reserves even?

Boggles · 02-03-2010 12:12PM

Irishcrx wrote: »

Anyone heard anything on Owen Hargreaves??...He has been back in light training since November but still no sign of him. Has he played for the reserves even?

"Mental Problems" appartently.

Mitch Connor · 02-03-2010 12:14PM

last I heard he had played for the reserves in a match vs the first team a few weeks ago, maybe a month back. Nothing heard on him since.

I have completely given up on him to be honest.

Mars Bar · 02-03-2010 12:22PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

selling Rooney would only be an issue of spite, and be a terrible move, on many levels.

1. Selling Rooney makes United far less competitive on the field.
2. Selling Rooney makes United less attractive to sponsors due to (a) reputation as a selling club (b) weakening of competitiveness on the pitch (c) lack of a world footballing icon
3. Selling Rooney would result in, imo, any fans still currently undecided, to decide the Glazers are indeed terrible for the club, thus increasing the protest.
4. Selling Rooney, resulting in the above, makes United worth less, which would hurt them if they did end up having/wanting/needing to sell.

I agree with everything you said, great post and I really hope you are right.

But with this lot, you just feel they will do anything to stay at United. It's like they want to have, we "owned" Manchester United for "x" amount of years on their CV before they sell it for their next venture...which I hope isn't too far away.

Bunch of clueless tools they are...

Boggles · 02-03-2010 12:26PM

mars bar wrote: »

Bunch of clueless tools they are...

They arn't.

Mitch Connor · 02-03-2010 12:28PM

Boggles wrote: »

They arn't.

oh yes they are!

Boggles · 02-03-2010 12:30PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

oh yes they are!

Ssssh, They're behind you!!

Peyton Manning · 02-03-2010 12:34PM

Evans has pulled out of the NI squad with a "knee injury".

Mitch Connor · 02-03-2010 12:36PM

its Evans, it actually could be a knee injury.

IvySlayer · 02-03-2010 12:40PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

selling Rooney would only be an issue of spite, and be a terrible move, on many levels.

1. Selling Rooney makes United far less competitive on the field.
2. Selling Rooney makes United less attractive to sponsors due to (a) reputation as a selling club (b) weakening of competitiveness on the pitch (c) lack of a world footballing icon
3. Selling Rooney would result in, imo, any fans still currently undecided, to decide the Glazers are indeed terrible for the club, thus increasing the protest.
4. Selling Rooney, resulting in the above, makes United worth less, which would hurt them if they did end up having/wanting/needing to sell.

The worst would be Ferguson though. He would never sell him. He'd have a fit. The only way they'd chance Rooney leaving if Fergie retired. And the next manager (whether it be Mourinho) would defintely want Rooney to stay.

Rooney will not leave Manchester United while fit.

JimsAlterEgo · 02-03-2010 12:46PM

IvySlayer wrote: »

The worst would be Ferguson though. He would never sell him. He'd have a fit. The only way they'd chance Rooney leaving if Fergie retired. And the next manager (whether it be Mourinho) would defintely want Rooney to stay.

Rooney will not leave Manchester United while fit.

very true , only possibility is to maybe end his career at Everton.

Peyton Manning · 02-03-2010 12:59PM

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

very true , only possibility is to maybe end his career at Everton.

Have you watched any football in the last 6 years?

Jordonvito · 02-03-2010 01:14PM

yes he could certainly end his career in everton, however I dont think he'd be playing there if it happened

JimsAlterEgo · 02-03-2010 01:33PM

Archimedez wrote: »

Have you watched any football in the last 6 years?

they would take him back

Peyton Manning · 02-03-2010 01:35PM

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

they would take him back

...and bloody lynch him!

redout · 02-03-2010 02:01PM

Investors Confirm Man Utd Takeover 'Summit'

A group of City financiers hoping to wrest control of Manchester United from its American owners have called on the club's global support network to get behind their campaign.

The so-called Red Knights released a statement confirming Sky News' assertion that they met yesterday to discuss a possible takeover of the Premier League club.

But the group said discussions were in the early stages and no contact had been made with current owners, the Glazer family.

Members of the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (Must) were also privy to talks aimed at bringing an end to the Glazers' debt-heavy ownership of the club.

The US family has already issued its own statement saying the club is not for sale.

The Red Knights said their proposal aimed to put the club on a sound financial footing and "put the supporters at the heart of everything".

"Following the intense media speculation overnight, we can confirm that a group of high net worth individuals, who support Manchester United, met in London yesterday," the statement said.

"This group is supportive of current management but are looking at the feasibility of putting together a proposal to be put to the Glazer Family regarding the ownership of Manchester United.

"For such a proposal to be viable, it would require the involvement and support of Manchester United supporters worldwide."

The group called upon supporters to demonstrate their commitment by signing up for free online membership of Must.

Sky News City editor Mark Kleinman broke the news of the secret summit late on Monday.

He said football deal-maker Keith Harris, Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill and lawyer Mark Rawlinson were present at the meeting.

Other City figures, including investor Paul Marshall and Saatchi & Saatchi advertising executive Richard Hytner, are also believed to be involved in discussions.

Fears debt restricts talent buying

Their move comes amid growing unrest at the club's US owners and the resulting debt levels.

According to the latest accounts released in January, debts at United's parent company Red Football Joint Venture have increased to £716.5m.

Some £68.5m was paid out in debt interest in 2009 alone.

The Glazers also recently launched an operation to refinance £500m worth of debt associated with the club, prompting fresh concern about the club's finances.

The bond issue served to crystallise opposition among fans, Kleinman said.

Manchester United fans claim the debts have prevented manager Sir Alex Ferguson dipping into the transfer market.

http://news.sky.com/skynews/Home/Business/Manchester-United-Not-For-Sale-Say-US-Owners-Glazers-After-Reports-Of-City-Financiers-Purchase-Bid/Article/201003115564425?f=vg

keane2097 · 02-03-2010 02:08PM

This move seems to be gathering speed.

It would be fantastic if the Glazers were ousted before the debt causes any serious problems for the club.

Red Knights ftw!

Spud83 · 02-03-2010 02:16PM

Where do I sign?

Mitch Connor · 02-03-2010 02:18PM

alanmurphy83 wrote: »

Where do I sign?

http://www.joinmust.org/

mike65 · 02-03-2010 02:28PM

How much fresh and "free" capital are these Masters of the Universe preparing to invest? It'll need to be substantial or Utd fans will be be no better off.

Mitch Connor · 02-03-2010 02:33PM

mike65 wrote: »

How much fresh and "free" capital are these Masters of the Universe preparing to invest? It'll need to be substantial or Utd fans will be be no better off.

1. We don't know. No one outside of the Red Knights and their trusted associates know.
2. I agree. Whatever they do invest, a substantial portion needs to be free.

I would imagine whatever the Glazers are/would be given to bugger off would be free (ie. the amount of cash the club is bought for over the the debt value, otherwise they are no better than the Glazers and simply borrowing to buy just as they did) but then it is whether they freely pay off a substantial portion of the debt that is key to saving United.

kryogen · 02-03-2010 02:39PM

ill say it again, i can only see this being plenty of hype and then fizzling out

the sheer amount of investors said to be involved makes this very very complicated and how do we know, even if in the unlikely event it did happen that we would be any better off?

JimsAlterEgo · 02-03-2010 02:41PM

Mitch Connor wrote: »

1. We don't know. No one outside of the Red Knights and their trusted associates know.
2. I agree. Whatever they do invest, a substantial portion needs to be free.

I would imagine whatever the Glazers are/would be given to bugger off would be free (ie. the amount of cash the club is bought for over the the debt value, otherwise they are no better than the Glazers and simply borrowing to buy just as they did) but then it is whether they freely pay off a substantial portion of the debt that is key to saving United.

hopefully their end goal is a Barca type situation, could take a long time to get there. My concern is that ultimately these are business men, while I would love to think this will work I think that we will simpley end up with the same situation but just with Utd fans in control. I just can't see them giving much of their own money.

The way I see MUST is just a supported group who are giving their support to this, its not MUST who will be runnign it.

Headshot · 02-03-2010 02:46PM

JimsAlterEgo wrote: »

hopefully their end goal is a Barca type situation, could take a long time to get there. My concern is that ultimately these are business men, while I would love to think this will work I think that we will simpley end up with the same situation but just with Utd fans in control. I just can't see them giving much of their own money.

They are utd fans first, business men 2nd, why i say this because a person driven by just business would never touch utd the way is atm, thats what i think

redout · 02-03-2010 03:01PM

Red Knights Explained

A group of City investors known as the Red Knights are plotting to take over at Manchester United - but who are they?

Skysports.com brings you the lowdown of the key players who could potentially take charge at Britain's biggest club.

WHO ARE THE RED KNIGHTS PLOTTING TO TAKE OVER MANCHESTER UNITED?
A mixture of City bankers, lawyers and lifelong United fans, including Goldman Sachs chief economist Jim O'Neill, Paul Marshall, a partner at the hedge fund Marshall Wace, Richard Hytner of advertising agency Saatchi and Saatchi and Mark Rawlinson, a partner in Freshfields' corporate practice who advised United on their takeover by Malcolm Glazer and his family in 2005.

WHAT IS THEIR PLAN?
Simple. To raise £1billion to buy out the Glazers, who have plunged the club into debt to the tune of £716.5million.

HOW WOULD THEY RAISE THE CASH?
One idea involves finding 40 individuals to put up £20m each, with the Red Knights borrowing around £200m to top up the offer, but the plan would be to keep debt to a minimum.

HOW WOULD THEY RUN THE CLUB?
For the fans and not as a commercial venture is the plan. United would stay in private ownership and not be returned to the public markets where it was traded until the Glazers' buyout.

WHO IS THEIR LEADER?
Seymour Pierce stockbroker Keith Harris is the man brokering the potential takeover. He is a former HSBC investment bank chief executive and well known in football circles due to his involvement in takeovers of West Ham, Manchester City and Aston Villa. He is also the financier who warned last year that football's gravy train was set for a crash.

DO THEY HAVE SUPPORT?
The Red Knights have spoken with the Manchester United Supporters' Trust (MUST), who have indicated they will back any bid. Not surprising considering the blaze of green and gold inside Old Trafford as fans protest against the Glazers in the colours of Newton Heath, the club which predated United.

WHAT CHANCE HAS THE PLOT OF SUCCEEDING?
Not good. Exploratory discussions are thought to have begun at the offices of law firm Freshfields Bruckhaus Deringer on Monday to study the viability, rather than details, of any bid. The problem is that the Glazers maintain they have no intention of selling and the Red Knights have no way of ousting them other than to make a bid they cannot refuse.

DO THE GLAZERS HAVE ANY SUPPORT?
Not among fans but their decision to alleviate high interest repayments on the £716.5million debt with a £500million bond issue last month was successful. The issue was twice oversubscribed.

IS HARRIS CONFIDENT?
Cautiously optimistic at best. He said: "There is a serious intent on the part of those people (Red Knights) who have not just support in their hearts but the ability to muster support from their pockets to get after this and the time feels right."

Sky

PHB · 02-03-2010 03:02PM

Personally, I just want to get to the point where debt isn't dictating our actions. The Glazers are making short term decisions which benefit them short-run but only work if the club keeps winning. If we stop winning, we're in real trouble. I want a club run by people who are thinking long-term, and not dictated by debt. If they take a hefty cut for profit I'm fine with that.

Long-term fan ownership is unlikely to happen ever imo.

Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread

Comments