The hunt for Keano's sucssessor: Essien vs. Gattuso. Vote.

[Dark Savante]

Now this should be an interesting one. We are widely tipped to go for the one this Summer and it seems to have come down to these two. Both have now come out and said they wouldn't mind a move to United. Who would you take if you had to pick?

[Motterman]

Gattuso or Essien?

If other, name him.

[Dark Savante]

Was just about to ask you to add the poll onto the thread. Never mind, lol.

Cheers.

[Achtung]

Hmm, tough call. I just haven't seen enough of Essien to be sure of him, but I think that right now his combination of youth, strength, and smart tactics makes him the best choice overall.

The only drawbacks I can think of is that Ligue 1 is not nearly as physically demanding as the Premiership (though it hasn't hurt Heinze), and that because he is a Ghanaian international, he'll disappear in the middle of the season every other year for that African Cup of Nations. Also there is the matter of whether or not we have the money, given what Gill has said about Rooney costing us this year's budget.

[billyho96]

Not Gattuso . . . anyone but him.

One my favorite possession, is an autographed Gattuso Milan kit that a friend of mine from school got me in Milan where he works now (sounds tough)

I'd have to part ways with it.

[listen_up_fergie]

Not Gattuso . . . anyone but him.

One my favorite possession, is an autographed Gattuso Milan kit that a friend of mine from school got me in Milan where he works now (sounds tough)

I'd have to part ways with it.

Why would you have to part with it?

[Leto]

Why would you have to part with it?

See: Allegiance, club.

[listen_up_fergie]

See: Allegiance, club.

Yeah, I saw that, but just coz he's an Arsenal fan doesn't mean he can't have a signed kit from a rival team's player especially since the kit isn't going to transform into a United kit. If you were a Leeds fan with Alan Smith's Leeds kit, that would be a different story...

...but keeping things on track...I really haven't seen too much of Essien to be able to compare him with Gattuso. Personally I would take Gattuso over Essien because he has already played for Rangers and I think that will be an important factor in how he settles into the premiership (i know, i know, the SPL is way below the EPL's standard, but I'm talking about more in terms of style and tempo). Gattuso has already been tried and tested at the top level, i.e. Serie A and Champions League. But I still think if we can we should wait one more season before signing either of these players (and cross our fingers that Real or Arsenal don't make a move for Essien before we do)

[Achtung]

I don't think you have to stop liking a player just because he goes to a club you don't like (though the Arsenal Kangaroo Court might think differently). There are players who I like on clubs I don't like. Claudio Reyna is the obvious example for an American fan of United--heck I had my picture taken with the guy! My friend is a Liverpool fan and has an Ireland shirt with Roy Keane's name, same idea.

[Cou5]

Gattuso; although older than Essien he has spent time in Scotland and will be accustomed to the climate and culture of Manchester. Shouldn't be as big of a shock as it may be to Essien. Also, he's a proven player with Milan; Essien has done well with Lyon but give me a guy that has already won the CL and knows what it takes.

[Vermont Red]

Essien. Younger, bigger upside.

[Achtung]

...but keeping things on track...I really haven't seen too much of Essien to be able to compare him with Gattuso.

I think that's the biggest drawback here. Gattuso is a more-established name while Essien is, for lack of a better term, sort of a flavor of the month. That's not to say he isn't great, just that we need to see more of him on a long-term basis.

[billyho96]

Why would you have to part with it?

I'm spoiled, childish, and I like to complain ;)

[listen_up_fergie]

I'm spoiled, childish, and I like to complain ;)

Fair enough :p

[JN13]

I voted for Essien because of his age. With the way the market is going with the likes of RM and CFC driving up the prices, we might as well sign younger players and get them to sign 4-5 year contracts instead of looking around every year or two with an aging squad needing to be replenished.
Given that Keano, Giggsy, and Scholesy are past 30 years of age, I think we
need to sign young MF players who can hang around for awhile.
Of course I hope he doesn't turn out to be a DJ2 once he switches to the EPL although his performances for Lyon in the ECL have been a good sign.

[listen_up_fergie]

I voted for Essien because of his age. With the way the market is going with the likes of RM and CFC driving up the prices, we might as well sign younger players and get them to sign 4-5 year contracts instead of looking around every year or two with an aging squad needing to be replenished.
Given that Keano, Giggsy, and Scholesy are past 30 years of age, I think we
need to sign young MF players who can hang around for awhile.
Of course I hope he doesn't turn out to be a DJ2 once he switches to the EPL although his performances for Lyon in the ECL have been a good sign.

Gattuso is 27, I think. Still has at least another six seasons in him. And the thing with young players these days is that there is no guarantee that they will commit their future to a club.

[Soccerholic]

Essien. Younger, bigger upside.
Since Essien is from Ghana, he is really 30, not 22. :D

[Achtung]

Since Essien is from Ghana, he is really 30, not 22. :D

Enough out of you, Kornheiser. ;)

[prk166]

Now this should be an interesting one. We are widely tipped to go for the one this Summer and it seems to have come down to these two. Both have now come out and said they wouldn't mind a move to United. Who would you take if you had to pick?

Come down to these two? Based on what? The media?

Surely SAF is looking at others. And I doubt he's looking for a succesor to Keano so much a damn good midfielder he can bring into the club.

[Dark Savante]

Come down to these two? Based on what? The media?

Surely SAF is looking at others. And I doubt he's looking for a succesor to Keano so much a damn good midfielder he can bring into the club.
Based on:

1. What is out there, quality-wise and what seems possible.

2. The fact we are talking about Roy Keane's successor and that in Fergie's reign that position has had the most quality - Robson, Ince, Keane. It is ludicrous to suggest a similar quality wont be brought in to succeed Keane. Essien and Gattuso actually look like they can meet the standard to come in to Man Utd's midfield and hopefully become thw teams' new engine.

3. These two quality players have actually made comments about us, which is encouraging. The Gattuso one may not be accurate but, Essien verbally spoke on wanting to join United. The media may be the vehicle, but at least one player has said our name first-hand whilst being complimentary.

Also, I did say 'seems' to have come down to these two.