Transfer targets

With just one game - the UEFA Champions League final - to play in the 2010/11 season, every single Man United supporter have to change focus in June, July and August. No football (except the European U21 Championship in Denmark and pre-season friendlies) is actually played on the pitch for most of this period, but there is still enough to read about in the papers. Silly-season is upon us, and here is a briefing from a Manchester United supporters' point-of-view.

by @Nicopoleides


Likely transfers out:

Owen Hargeaves: Sir Alex has confirmed that Hargo won't get a new deal, and this is the most obvious departures of the summer. Not good news, as he was a brilliant player in 07/08, but suffering injury after injury after injury unfortunately makes him unable to return for United - and possibly as a footballer at all. Still we've really got to admire his never-say-die attitude and fighting spirit. I want curly hair too!

Wes Brown: Not a lot of joy for the 'Longsight Libero' over the last twelve moths, following reports of a quarrel with Mr. Ferguson at the USA Tour of 2010. And as both we supporters and players like Paul Ince, David Beckham, Roy Keane and Ruud van Nistelrooy have experienced before, you can't become the gaffer's opponent and still remain at Old Trafford. Wesley signed a trainee contract back in the summer of 1996, so it would be hard to see him leave, and I guess it would be hard to leave for him as well. But this season has just contained 10+5 games for the first team and with only 4+3 in the league he didn't even get a winners' medal. Anything else than a transfer seems unlikely at this point. No matter what, he should be honoured for his effort for this club, both as a squad player and as a regular. The Champions League winning season of 2008 was possibly his best at United, featuring at the right back for most of the campaign, but not forget that he was a decent centreback around 2004 as well.

Tomasz Kuszczak: Around ten games a season since his arrival back in 2006 is not enough for a goalkeeper about to reach his prime. And despite he's a quite good shot-stopper, Ruud Gullit seemed to have a point when a 'keeper's a 'keeper because he can't play football. Tomasz' footwork is capable of making heart-trouble for anyone, and even though he has improved in the box, he's unfortunately not good enough to be a first choice in United. Professional lad giving his all, and should be credited for that, but now it's time to say goodbye. Let's hope he can become a regular somewhere else.

Gabriel Obertan: Even his former manager (at Bordeaux), ex-Red Laurent Blanc, was surprised when United payed £3m for the frenchman in 2009. Two years later we can agree with him, and even Gabby is one of the best players at the reserves' level, his pace isn't enough in the Premiership. Seems to suffer lack of the right mentality, and could a transfer could be good for him. Next season both Welbeck (primary striker), Cleverley and Morrison deserves games more than him, mainly because every one of the three have the potential to become MUFC regulars, in opposition to Obertan. It's time to move on.

Mame Biram Diouf: Blackburn isn't known for playing like Barcelona, but the Senegalese hasn't shown any proves of being United quality. We've already got a lot of strikers, both young and old, and I think Diouf would be happier as a regular for a Blackburn-esque club than sitting on the bench for United. Positive lad with the whitest teeth in our club, but unfortunately what we're looking for in terms of quality. Good luck wherever you go, Mame! Except of Manchester City or Liverpool, of course.

Paul Scholes: Our Ginger Prince is the best passer in the Prem, but his lack of pace becomes more and more obvious. I think he should retire (transfer is absolutely NOT goint to happen) and keep his dignity, not being remembered as one who played too long, like Gary Neville. But the decision is up to Scholesy himself. No matter what, one of the greatest players to ever wear the red shirt and an MUFC legend.

Possible transfers out:

Michael Owen: He's got what he came for, some winning goals and the 19th title. As he's not getting better, I'd like Fergie to choose Welbeck over Owen anyday, as the mancunian needs games to evolve. Owen is past his prime, as even if he's been professional and acted loyally, the time's up for him. We've got a lot of youngsters who need games more than him. Arguments for a stay is that he's not compaining about his presence at the bench and if Welbeck and Macheda head for loan spells he could be a decent back-up. Best fourth choice in the league?

Darron Gibson: Has shown improvement over the last year, and is in my opinion a good back up as he keeps professional and not complains at the bench. The 24-year-old is a safe back-up and able to make a good job as a squad player, but could be sold to give more talented Pogba, Tunnicliffe and/or Cleverley more games for our first team. As well I can understand if he wants to leave to play regularly in a smaller club. His contract expires in 2012 and to keep him for one more season and release him seems not to be the best option in economical terms. But if Scholes retires, there may be space for Gibbo alongside Fletcher, Carrick and Anderson. In my opinion we should sign him up for three years and put off a sale until we don't need him or he wants to leave himself. Homegrowns are always welcome at Old Trafford.


Players leaving is just 50% of the business. A lot of supporters are buzzing for the players we're linked to every summer, and with the Ronaldo money in hand, Internazionale's Wesley Sneijder seems to highly desired by red devils all across the world. The northern part of London is a home for two lads linked to MUFC as well. Additionally, Udinese winger Alexis Sánchez has been rumored for a move to Manchester - but the red or the blue part of town?

Possible transfers in:

Luka Modric: In my opinion a perfect choice on our central midfield, able to play in a duo, covering space defensively and making magic at the opponents' half. Modric is a top box-to-box midfielder and could be played in the trequartista as well. Main obstacle is Tottenham Hotspur and their transfer fee demand. They're obviously not very interested in selling a key player to a competative side and last year's Champions League money could give the Lillywhites more strenght to refuse a bid. An argument for a transfer is the lack of Champions League football at White Hart Lane in the upcoming season(s).

Wesley Sneijder: This man is probably the best trequartista in the world, highly desired by a lot of reds. United have been under-fire for playing boring football, and the dutchman is certainly able to do something with that case. Still, a purchase of such a highly rated player is un-Fergie-like; the Scotsman is not known for paying the highest transfer fees, especially over the last couple of years. And like Juan Sebastian Verón was, Sneijder is used to play in a league with a slower way of play, than he will experience in England. But my heaviest issue with signing him is where we should play him. In the 'hole'? Well, Rooney is world class when he's dropping deep (or, for that case, playing as a striker), making us able to play Chicharito up-front. With Sneijder in, we need to play Wazza as a lone striker and leave both Hernández and Berbatov on the bench. The Bulgarian is simply too good to be sold/become a regular benchwarmer and there is no reason to want the Mexican out either. In other words, I don't think there is space for Sneijder in our teamsheet, even though he's a brilliant player.

Alexis Sánchez: Udinese's winger has been linked with an Old Trafford move over the last couple of years, but I wonder if his physical abilities would be enough in the Premier League. More muscular power needed if he should be able to make some impact on the English top flight. With that said, he has the potenial to become a superstar if he keeps working hard and is able to mix his natural talent with knowledge of how to use it effectively.

Ashley Young: Personally I believe more in the former Watford player Ashley Young. Has proven he's able to perform in the EPL and a transfer could be the way to go for him to realise his potential. Good crossing ability combined with pace could make Young a hotspot in this year's silly season. With Nani, Valencia, Park, Cleverley and Morrison, I'm just wondering if there's enough minutes for everyone throughout a season to keep happy. If yes, Young could be a quite good signing. The most important part would though be to avoid a merseyside move; paired with Andy Carroll he could end up vital for the scouse.

David De Gea: A few days ago, Fergie revealed that he was set for a career in the red part of Manchester, but Atlético Madrid didn't agree there actually had been any contact at all between the clubs. Confusion among the supporters at the moment, but I think he'll be signed up when the transfer window opens. Could be a world-class goalkeeper in a year or two, but do we have time and accept his eventual 'junior' mistakes? In that way, Stekelenburg would have been a safer choice, even though De Gea's potential is higher. A transfer fee of £17m was mentioned, and that would be either a scoop for a world-class player or another failure to replace a great GK.