Tricky

Can't believe someone has raised Mikels heading ability as a plus. Guy stands at 6"2 yet has never scored a goal from a set piece for us. His lack of speed / power means he barely gets more than 6" off the ground. He is not the most mobile of players, and this can undermine the team sometimes. Especially when it comes to covering the flanks. His pass success rate is high, but when asked to contribute more creatively he struggles. Most of his passes are side ways or backwards. I've tried to track down his assist record but have not had much luck. (edit: 6 assists in 197 starts 45sub). Having said that he offers strength, teamwork, stamina and very good composure on the ball. I personally find him to be very frustrating. There are certainly better DM out there but he does enough to warrant a place in the squad and is currently more reliable than Romeou (but I do see him as the future).

I know hence my £40 million comment, I'm sure your right with regards to bonuses and increased exposure which would affect commercial sales. But I believe clubs have long term cash flow projections and I'm sure CL money is factored in as a given for us. More a case of money saved than extra money won.

AVB biggest problem was that he alienated most of the squad. You dont as a 33 tear old coach go in and make it public knowledge that you want to drop or sell most of the established stars then ask them to go out and give 100% each week. It's called man management and his in this instance was appalling (actually hear he has very good man management skills). His second biggest mistake was trying his revolution rather than evolutionary approach to a change in tactics. To change formation and playing style you need to slowly bring in a different type of player. He failed at this, and we were left scrambling for ppl such as Meireles (he best improve because I for one think he was pants last year) on transfer day. I for one don't believe he had any involvement in the Mata signing, most off our transfers are conducted by the scouting network. Most of this stems from the arrogance he showed when ever he was questioned by the media. But as ppl have pointed out he was largely hung out to dry by the Britiah rag papers. I wish him well (but not at the spuds), and think he was slightly hard done by at Chelsea. Think he could be a wonderful manager... Having said that I'm glad he was asked to shuffle on when he was. Come on RDM!!!

So what this actually means is £9 million more than last year, and increased revenue (CL spot plus world club cup) next year. It's not the £100 million extra that ppl seem to think it is. My guess would be that the CL win was worth a minimum of £40 million all in, but then I think most of the clubs future projections are based on playing CL football. So this isn't an unexpected windfall! Oh and the sooner we leave the Bridge the better. We need a new ground, I was massively disappointed that the Battersea site fell through. Earls court anyone?

Wrong, you might capture highlights but you don't get a better feeling for the game. When your watching on TV you miss so much...

Figures are probably wrong but your logic is sound. With FFP in place do we really want another £100k+ wage on our hands for a guy approaching his twilight years? Or a guy earning half that with the best years of his career still ahead? Hope common sense prevails, board have been doing a lot of that lately.

Seriously? What about Marin, Lukaka,Romelu they have all signed knowing they shall be squad players. With the super cup and world club cup we could easily play 60 plus games. Plent of first team opportunities, better players which shall improve there game, and more wedge! Not sure they would have a problem signing for us.

Spending vast sums on players reaching the end of their careers is crazy. Thank god Roman realized the error he made, we are finally building a squad with the long term in mind.

What this guy said. I expect Ramires would start on the RW in most of the away games and against the better opposition. He offers an attacking outlet with his speed and better work ethic and cover coming back. Against the Evertons of this world (at home) I think your more likely to find us playing Marin or a more technically proficient player who offers additional creativity.

If we are going to play a 4-2-3-1 then I agree he would be better suited to the RW. His pace and dynamism stretches defenses. I'm not convinced he is suited to playing in the double pivot, he has a habit of dwelling on the ball and was caught out a number of times last year.

And you leave out Lampard? Absolute madness, he is going to be a starter, especially in a double pivot. Oh and not sure Ramires is suitable for the position you've specified. Would sooner play him RB than as deep lying midfielder.

Well it's not my money, but it is our money. People like us are the ones who buy season tickets, shirts and a pie at the ground. We are tge reason Samsung offers sponsorship mobey. When your talking about a player fee and wages toppling out at nearly £80 million then you have to ask yourself is there not someone out there who offers better value for money? I'm thinking that there is, hell your talking £10 million more than we paid for Hazard, and his price was inflated due to the interest of other clubs. Only ones interested in Hulk are us.

Sorry was just being sarcastic... But this deal with agent and signing fees could get closer to £50 million. not even mentioned his wages over 5 years, which may add £30 million. Reality is this guy should be £20-25 million. And he really should be commanding a wage which would amount to twice what Mata is on.

Someone remind me how much zidanne cost. 38+7 for the third party = fuck off no thanks. Ridiculous sums of money, and this isn't even taking into account agent fees, bonuses and a £100k plus weekly wage. Time to look at cheaper alternatives, maybe Neymar! ?

Good idea, what's their current market value?

Think we need to look at purchases from a squad perspective. It's no longer a question of starting elevens given the demands of the season. And with that in mind I think he offers some versatility, certainly want someone like him when playing at home against those teams who ate parking the bus (Everton springs to mind).

Got to disagree with you. Our forward line is world class, Torres is Spain's starting CF (when they play one), hazard is Belgiums star player, Mata would walk into any PL team. Only risk would be Oscar, but given his age we could always cut our losses and recoup some of the money if it doesn't work out. Not sure of the average age of the starting line ups but I'm fairly sure ours is the youngest out of those listed. That has to be a massive plus.

His age is a problem but he has avoided major injury and has a great engine. He is also a wonderful passer of the ball, rarely gives the ball away, is good for 10 goals a season and loves the club. You don't ditch people like that (see Pirlo), you wrap them up in cotton wool and selectively play them when needed (see Scholes and Giggs). They are also the gel which binds squads / clubs together. There experience is invaluable...

So just ditch our most consistent performer for the last decade? A Chelsea legend? Jesus what happened to loyalty, people always complain that players are fickle but then how no love in return. Makes me sad...

Sounds nice when your in possession, problem comes when you lose it and we are all bent out of shape. Can't comment to much about him. But if this and the German lads bids are true then we've pulled the plug on hulk. And at £38 million I can't blame them.

Jesus, people are seriously suggesting we are going to struggle next year. I for one love the approach the club have taken this year. The deadwood has gone, they have invested in youth and building a team which can fight for the next decade. They have finally addressed the problem of width, which should enable us to win those games we were only drawing last year, also think it should free up space in midfield. A decent RB and a CM or RW and that's it shut up shop and watch the team grow. I'll leave City to spend and offer silly money for players who are 28+. This is the most optimistic I've been in years.... Only way I could feel any more excited is if the club managed to agree a deal with the Malaysians regarding Battersea.

Emm are they not supposed to agree a fee before personal terms are agreed? Just smacks of lazy journalism. But if true we should certainly look to raid RM, would have to make room in the squad for him.

I'm afraid United are always going to have money withdrawn from the club, that's how a successful business works, it's called a dividend. That being said once they float, a majority of the debt shall be written off and they shall be competing in the transfer market. Won't be Fergi though (age) and with new manages comes massive upheaval. Looking forward to that's ?

Your spending too much time on the Internet...

AVB is that you? Barcelona also play a higher line, pressing the ball is the responsibility of the entire team not just your midfield. Seems some of our current squad were not comfortable with this approach, or perhaps it was due to some of our squad being incredible slow.