Would Davids be a good signing?

[johno]

Well, he is about to be released from Juve - its the end of his contract, and it does not appear Barca have the $$ to keep him... how is his relationship with Ruud? That might be a key factor in convincing him to play here, or causing him not to want to come.

I know he is oldish... at 31 I believe but we wont have to pay a transfer fee, we could just sign him for 2 years or so. Its not the type of thing we usually do, however - if we cant get Gerrard, or Ballack or someone of that quality who is young, I think that Davids might be a decent signing. Firstly he is very experienced and knows how to win. He is also versatile and full of energy, a true box to box type player. If we played a 4-5-1 in Europe with Keane, Davids and Scholes in midfield we would rarely be scored upon. He can be used to rest Keane. He can bide his time and be used in a rotation system, because at Juve he was freezed out near the end, but did not complain much. I think he is good for atleast 3 more seaons, which I think would see him outlast Keane - which means we could use him then as a primary defensive mid and allow other youngsters to grow into the position and not depend on them.... As good as Fletch has been recently, he has been mediocre or decent for the most part and we cannot afford to field players like that on a consistent basis, however there is nothing wrong with them getting 15 well placed starts a season...

[Kavster]

I'm totally with you on this one, he would provide superb cover for Keano, and if and when Keane is judged to have had enough at the top level, i reckon Davids will stick it out a bit longer. I think it is about time that MU made a signing that wasnt for the future, and started thinking about next season; we want to win things now and maintian our dominance in English football for many years to come, not in 5 years time when our youngsters fit into the squad.

I think Davids would be a good stepping stone to signing other big name players.

[Motterman]

He and Ruud had a bust up and don't like each other.

Ruud > Davids

[Dark Savante]

He and Ruud had a bust up and don't like each other.

Ruud > Davids

You'd have to wonder about Keane and Fergie as well that would be very explosive..implosive even.

[johno]

He and Ruud had a bust up and don't like each other.

Ruud > Davids


Well, in that case... too bad... but still.. exactly what Kavster was saying... we have done alot of building for the future, but we need a now for now, signing... someone who will help at the highest level at crucial times... I hope Keano can have a better season next because I would hate to see him go... but this is a huge club and we need players at their best and great players at every position... Roy's leadership is second to none... he would still be a great influence on the bench and signing someone like a Davids if we cant get Gerrard or Ballack...

[prk166]

Davids on the bench? Ain't gonna happen.

[eto'o 1987]

:mad: United ALWAYS do this, 4 years ago I THINK we wanted to sign Kluivert for £10 millino and now he has been released we don't wanna know him. Also, I am SURE we wanted to sign Davids about 3 years ago and now we are not bovered about him either. What is it with United???? the last big name we signed was Rio, nowadays I think we run scared of investing big ucks for established players, remember Ronaldhino??????? what a circus that was, I spent all last summer on edge reading the papers abut his "definite" mve to MU, then all of a sudden United underestimated his skill and PSG's tolerance and we ended up having to rush five non-established players in the last 5 weeks to make up for our embarrasment. tut tut, I think United are trying to grow players once again. . .

P.S. I suspect we won't sign none for over £12 mil this summer either.

[johno]

:mad: United ALWAYS do this, 4 years ago I THINK we wanted to sign Kluivert for £10 millino and now he has been released we don't wanna know him. Also, I am SURE we wanted to sign Davids about 3 years ago and now we are not bovered about him either. What is it with United???? the last big name we signed was Rio, nowadays I think we run scared of investing big ucks for established players, remember Ronaldhino??????? what a circus that was, I spent all last summer on edge reading the papers abut his "definite" mve to MU, then all of a sudden United underestimated his skill and PSG's tolerance and we ended up having to rush five non-established players in the last 5 weeks to make up for our embarrasment. tut tut, I think United are trying to grow players once again. . .

P.S. I suspect we won't sign none for over £12 mil this summer either.


I am less perplexed... as it seems to me that United a) dont want to spend a whole lot on a player who they are not sure about... ie... what if Ronaldinho became Veron it would have been a disaster... Ronnie would not have thrived the way he has in Spain.. he would still have been excellent but not as amazing as he is in Spain, but thats beside the point... we are afraid to spend for someone we are not absolutely sure of... also... as to why we dont want Davids, Kluivert is because they are oldish... we spend lots of money on young players but not too much on older ones... as for the summer... I don't mind if we spend 25 million GBP or less on 2-3 players and bag a quality CB and another Ronaldo :) seriously we should be trying to land a young LW to spell Giggs, it would be great I think... he could learn the English game at his pace, benifit from a mentor and wont mind being on the Bench....

prk166, I was not suggesting Davids on the bench... I was suggesting Keane on the bench... at this stage I think Davids is a better player... he certainly was a difference maker last year for Barca...

We can put Davids out of our mind I think we wont get him or even go after him... but Ballack would be an ideal signing imo...

[haven]

:mad: United ALWAYS do this, 4 years ago I THINK we wanted to sign Kluivert for £10 millino and now he has been released we don't wanna know him. Also, I am SURE we wanted to sign Davids about 3 years ago and now we are not bovered about him either. What is it with United???? the last big name we signed was Rio, nowadays I think we run scared of investing big ucks for established players, remember Ronaldhino??????? what a circus that was, I spent all last summer on edge reading the papers abut his "definite" mve to MU, then all of a sudden United underestimated his skill and PSG's tolerance and we ended up having to rush five non-established players in the last 5 weeks to make up for our embarrasment. tut tut, I think United are trying to grow players once again. . .

P.S. I suspect we won't sign none for over £12 mil this summer either.

1. Kluivert sucks now. Be glad United didn't buy him.
2. Davids was 28 3 years ago. Now he's 31. And doesn't get along with one of our biggest stars.

[Achtung]

1. Kluivert sucks now. Be glad United didn't buy him.

Try telling that to the folks in the Netherlands board. To them, Kluivert is still miles ahead of RVN.

[haven]

Try telling that to the folks in the Netherlands board. To them, Kluivert is still miles ahead of RVN.

Yeah, I don't understand the Dutch obsession with Kluivert. When he was good, they thought he was the best in the world. Now that he stinks, they still think he's grand.

Kluivert never scored all that many goals. And while he's more creative than most poachers, neither is he a Ronaldinho or even Scholes in terms of creativity amongst 2nd strikers.

He's not particularly fast, doesn't dribble particularly well, isn't that good in the air, and isn't really fantastic at striking the ball. AT his best, he did all of these things well enough, and was creative to boot. Now, he's just average.

[Kavster]

as to why we dont want Davids, Kluivert is because they are oldish...
If we have to pay massive wages for a couple of years, i think it's worth it because we don't have to pay a transfer fee...

[johno]

Yeah, I don't understand the Dutch obsession with Kluivert. When he was good, they thought he was the best in the world. Now that he stinks, they still think he's grand.

Kluivert never scored all that many goals. And while he's more creative than most poachers, neither is he a Ronaldinho or even Scholes in terms of creativity amongst 2nd strikers.

He's not particularly fast, doesn't dribble particularly well, isn't that good in the air, and isn't really fantastic at striking the ball. AT his best, he did all of these things well enough, and was creative to boot. Now, he's just average.

In his day, Kluivert was indeed the best... he was a world beater... there is no denying that... also, how much of him have u seen? For a man his size, he is a good dribbler and while he might not round keepers and defenders at will, he has decent enough touch to make his shot. I don't know how quick he is now... in fact he is getting slow, but he is also out of shape so his top speed may be higher than it appears right now... however, Kluivert was, is, and will always be a beast in the air... that is his strength... Kluivert would come to ManU and instantly be the best header of the ball by far... If we had bought Kluivert while Beckham was here he would have scored 15 headers a season... he is that good in the air... for now however... he is out of shape... it would be a gamble to pick him up, especially on the wages he would request... also we dont need him.. he would have made a good 3rd striker off the bench, but again, not with the wage demands..

[Achtung]

Kluivert to me epitomizes the reason the Dutch haven't had more success at the international level. They'd rather be pretty than win. RVN and Makaay are the players the Dutch need to just score, or as Bill Shankly said, "If you're in the penalty area and don't know what to do with the ball, put it in the net and we'll discuss the options later." The killer instinct is lacking from a lot of those guys.

Kluivert, Davids, etc. from that 1998 squad may have indeed had the best players, but they weren't the best team. It's not helping the Dutch squad that Advocaat is still hanging on to that underachieving group. But that's no reason for us to take a gamble on them.

[ilv2]

we should finish strengthening our defense before buying any more midfielders.

In any case, Davids and Ruud don't get along very well.

[haven]

In his day, Kluivert was indeed the best... he was a world beater... there is no denying that... also, how much of him have u seen? For a man his size, he is a good dribbler and while he might not round keepers and defenders at will, he has decent enough touch to make his shot. I don't know how quick he is now... in fact he is getting slow, but he is also out of shape so his top speed may be higher than it appears right now... however, Kluivert was, is, and will always be a beast in the air... that is his strength... Kluivert would come to ManU and instantly be the best header of the ball by far... If we had bought Kluivert while Beckham was here he would have scored 15 headers a season... he is that good in the air... for now however... he is out of shape... it would be a gamble to pick him up, especially on the wages he would request... also we dont need him.. he would have made a good 3rd striker off the bench, but again, not with the wage demands..

Saying someone would be the best header on Man Utd is like saying he'd be the fastest man in a 1-legged race. I don't think I've ever seen a team as atrocious in the air as us going forward. Saha can jump, but his direction is ************. Ronaldo can too - but he's a winger.

Kluivert was never the best striker in the world. In his prime, the Fat Ronaldo was better, certainly. Hell, I don't think Kluivert was ever Shearer's equal, and I don't share the fascination with Shearer that many do.

Pfft. AT the very least, don't use language like it can't be "denied." You're almost the first non-Dutch fan I've ever communicated with that ever thought he was the best striker in the world... even for a year.