Manchester United Team Talk/Gossip/Rumours Thread - Mod Notes in OP,22/7

Larry Wildman wrote: »

How at this stage would Van Gaal have enough of an idea of what Valencia is about? To all intents and purposes, he's taken over in name only. He's likely to know as much about Antonio Valencia as Diego Simeone does.

Well, he could use his eyes for one, you don't think he would have been keeping an eye on Man United games with RVP as his captain internationally? He could talk to Robin about Antonio also, his character etc. Is it beyond the realms of possibility that he would have a dossier on each member of the United first team?

Particularly if he has been in the frame for the job from so long ago, you would think his team could get some work done for him before he actually rocks up at Old Trafford?

Scouting is a huge part of how players are assessed. I am sure he has someone he would be able to ask to go and bring him back reports on United players and a recommendation based on that, also Valencia doesn't play for some little known team, he has been at one of the biggest clubs in the world for years, plenty of knowledge available on him.

Bombleswizzum wrote: »

Interesting, or just plain wrong?

Didi has long held the opinion Fellaini is a striker, a shadow striker, but a striker none the less

Zico wrote: »

Fellaini is the worst signing in Utd's history. Everything about it was a complete disaster.

Juan Veron, Djemba-djemba, Kleberson, Massimo Taibi even Peter Davenport can breathe a sigh of relief, there's a new face to be trotted out whenever a new signing doesn't hit the ground running.

He has had one season where he wasn't even as bad as players like Evra, Valencia or Carrick like. This post is so mindless I'm surprised you managed the cognitive ability to type it out in the first place.

Zico wrote: »

Well if you're happy with him, that's your business. I can't help you.

I never intimated as much. However, I also didn't imply that he was a worse signing than a player that played three games had one absolute mare and never played again. Which is complete horse bollocks of the highest degree. If Fellaini is United's worst EVER player by your reactionary standards then Valencia and Evra mustn't be far behind.

Here's an original thought, maybe our new assistant manager/former caretaker manager/player for the last 23 yrs has been talking to LVG and has been left in charge of new contracts for the moment.

All the whinging about "3 year contract!!1!" is just mind numbing. Yes he isnt the player he was 3 years ago, but guess what we arent the club we were 3 years ago. As a sometime starter/impact sub Valencia will be fine. And as stated he is versatile.

Larry Wildman wrote: »

There seems to be confusion around what constitutes "logic".

Giving Valencia a new contract and allowing Van Gaal to assess him makes sense.

It also makes sense to allow Van Gaal to assess Fellaini too.

Where's the conflict in contending that Fellaini is rubbish and agreeing with giving Valencia a new contract?

What is there to assess? A player that has been woeful for 3 years suddenly merits another 3 year contract? People seem to have this belief that Van Gaal will be the turd polisher to end all turd polishers when it comes to some of the dead wood in that squad.

You said Fellaini was a terrible player. That is not true. He's a good player that had one bad season. You're writing him off as an awful signing after one year yet defending giving Valencia getting yet another chance after having three consecutive years of being clearly awful.

LeeJM wrote: »

Here's an original thought, maybe our new assistant manager/former caretaker manager/player for the last 23 yrs has been talking to LVG and has been left in charge of new contracts for the moment.

All the whinging about "3 year contract!!1!" is just mind numbing. Yes he isnt the player he was 3 years ago, but guess what we arent the club we were 3 years ago. As a sometime starter/impact sub Valencia will be fine. And as stated he is versatile.

While versatility is undoubtedly a valuable asset. Valencia at RB is really a lot worse than people recall. He was often caught out playing behind the line, like Buttner and costing goals from poor marking. I think a big one was against Everton last season? (open to correction) I'd really rather Smalling and Jones ahead of him from a defensive point of view and tbh given his last three years in attack, I'd prefer anyone over him :pac:

bucketybuck wrote: »

Yeah I saw it. And if we continue to settle for dross like Valencia in our squad we will be seeing a few more seasons like it.

Out of interest how many players do you expect LVG to sign and sell?

LeeJM wrote: »

Here's an original thought, maybe our new assistant manager/former caretaker manager/player for the last 23 yrs has been talking to LVG and has been left in charge of new contracts for the moment.

All the whinging about "3 year contract!!1!" is just mind numbing. Yes he isnt the player he was 3 years ago, but guess what we arent the club we were 3 years ago. As a sometime starter/impact sub Valencia will be fine. And as stated he is versatile.

So much wrong with this post.

If he's left Giggs in charge of contracts I would be very very annoyed. Giggs is mates with a lot of the older players FFS. What's the point in having LVG as manager if he leaves Giggs in charge of player management for the summer???

Your second point is just as bad. You think we should be settling for lesser players because we aren't as strong as 3 years ago??? the opposite is the case. We need BETTER players to get us back to where we were 3 years ago.

And Valencia is not a versatile player. He's ridiculously one-footed, and despite what some posters think, he is not a good defender. His defensive limitations were painfully exposed on numerous occasions last season. All he's got going for him is pace - but the guy hits 30 next month, and his pace aint gonna last much longer.