: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:13 am  

PAUL M wrote:

... or has the money been used to service the debt?

I would think that's your biggest question/concern.

I thought that the talk from the club had been that Fergie would have the money to spend? What do you think has changed that? Was it just bluster to keep fans quiet at the time?

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:23 am  

The title will be going to Anfield this year I think.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:28 am  

Mintball wrote:

I would think that's your biggest question/concern.

I thought that the talk from the club had been that Fergie would have the money to spend? What do you think has changed that? Was it just bluster to keep fans quiet at the time?

There was the £25m we offered to Tevez and then the £80m from Ronaldo plus any cash from who we sell so well in excess of £100m.

I do think Fergie has the money to spend, I just don't think he is choosing to spend it which imo is a big mistake. The defence and goalkeepers looks good to me but the midfield and strikers are in need to strengthening. Scholes looks about finished now and there has to be a question mark over Owen, whilst Berba still has it all to prove. There will be way to much reliance on Rooney and we still have no sign of Hargreaves coming back.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:34 am  

PAUL M wrote:

There was the £25m we offered to Tevez and then the £80m from Ronaldo plus any cash from who we sell so well in excess of £100m.

I do think Fergie has the money to spend, I just don't think he is choosing to spend it which imo is a big mistake. The defence and goalkeepers looks good to me but the midfield and strikers are in need to strengthening. Scholes looks about finished now and there has to be a question mark over Owen, whilst Berba still has it all to prove. There will be way to much reliance on Rooney and we still have no sign of Hargreaves coming back.

Anyone who writes off the Rags would be naive at best – but there are some strange things going on (or not).

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:36 am  

Never ever doubt Fergal...far too early to say what's going to happen this coming season IMO.

And his announcement that he's making no more signings could easily be taken with a pinch of salt...maybe he's just trying to dampen down the hugely inflated market, maybe he's happy with the squad and some of the younger players coming through...and he's yet to use the old favourite re Hargreaves (if he ever gets fit again that is) - it's like a brand new signing

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:42 am  

Mintball wrote:

Anyone who writes off the Rags would be naive at best – but there are some strange things going on (or not).

I agree Fergie is a master so far be it for me to question him but I just can't see how we can win the title or the champions league with our squad. Unless Scholes has one final huge year, Owen and Berba perform to their best and Rooney goes on to be world player of the year. That's a big if though.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:51 am  

Mintball wrote:

You guys were confusing me, so I had a quick check. According to official lists, Wayne Bridge, Richard Dunne, Pablo Zabaleta, Micah Richards, Nedum Onuoha, Javier Garrido are all defenders – and that's without mentioning Shaleum Logan and Tal Ben-Haim, who spent much of last season on loan.

Plus, (when fit) Vincent Kompany can very easily slot back into central defence.

HTH

Don't forget that we signed the 17 year old lad from Schalke 04 - Nils Zander. A prospect by all accounts.

I think some have also forgotten that we signed Barry, who will give us some defensive solidity, albeit from a position in midfield. We also snapped up De Jong in January and he was just settling in at the end of last season as he was getting used to the pace and coming back from a significant inujry. I expect the Dutchman will provide more defensive steel.

I still think we need two centre-halves. I rate Nedum very highly but with his injury record, he cannot be relied on.

[Chris71]

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 8:56 am  

PAUL M wrote:

I agree Fergie is a master so far be it for me to question him but I just can't see how we can win the title or the champions league with our squad. Unless Scholes has one final huge year, Owen and Berba perform to their best and Rooney goes on to be world player of the year. That's a big if though.

I just think that Fergie doesn't see anybody worth the money or suited to his team. I have no doubt that if someone else were to become available that he rates and sees as a player who would fit the Man Utd ethos then the cheque book would be out.

Fergie has proved over the years he is no mug when it comes to restrengthening. I seem to remember we he let Ince, Huges, Kanchelskis go the media were up in arms thinking he'd lost the plot by not signing anyone, Mr Hansen famously said "you win nothing with kids", but they never looked back.

Hoping it will still be the case.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:04 am  

saintyick wrote:

I mean as much as i'm not a city fan, they are buying all these strikers and no backline.

Which is funny!

What you have to realise is that we were totally bereft of any decent striking options last year and we NEED to add three strikers to the squad just to get to where we should be. At this moment, we have bought two.

We do need a centre half and I don't know whether your heads been in the clouds for weeks but we have been chasing John Terry and are interested in Joleon Lescott. Just because one hasn't signed yet does not mean we are not trying to address the issue.

There is a month till the start of the season and a further couple of weeks to the end of the window. I can guarantee you, with our money, the spending isn't over yet. If we haven't signed a defender by 31st August, then you can mock.

: Tue Jul 14, 2009 9:06 am  

Fresh Prince of Chesh-air wrote:

The title will be going to Anfield this year I think.