The Official Players not yet linked to United Thread

[433tom]

As the transfer rumour threads are gettig a bit stale these days. I thought I would start a thread where we could discuss players who might be available but have not yet been linked with United.

Tell us why you think they might be available and either how they can fill a need or generaly improve the first team.

I'll start off by throwing out Julio Baptista. After a great start in La Liga with Sevilla he moved to Real where he has been somewhat of a bust. But then again Real were a bust last year too. With RVN going to Real, I have no idea where Baptista fits into Capello's plans. I think they will offload Ronaldo first but you never know. I doubt Baptista would be happy coming off the bench. Last season aside, he would probably still be pretty expensive. But he would give us some nice options. He is equally capable of playing Striker or Attacking Mid. He could both rotate with Saha, and spell Scholes as required. I would think he would get more than enough starts to keep him happy. In a pinch he can also play DM as he started off his career at DM. And if I'm not mistaken, I believe he qualified for Spanish passport at the end of 2005. Oh yea, and his nickname is "the Beast"... You got to love that. :)

[barthez4]

On the topic of Madrid, if we were to get a player who is likely available, I would want Graveson. He's a powerful midfielder who has performed in the EPL, and in my opinion he is one of the main reasons why Everton were able to place 4th two seasons ago, even after the departure of Rooney. He's a ballwinner with steel, and I believe he is the same age or around the same age as Senna, who we have been linked with.

[gazza]

I'll go with Huntelaar. Having only really seen him in the U21 EURO I'm not an expert but reading what others have said and then seeing him perform in a few decent games he seems like the real deal. Young with a great nose for the ball. Seemed pretty strong in the air and was physical enough. Seems like a natural replacement for Ruud and a very complimentary style to Rooney.

[Ruud v.Nistelrooy 10]

I'll go with Huntelaar. Having only really seen him in the U21 EURO I'm not an expert but reading what others have said and then seeing him perform in a few decent games he seems like the real deal. Young with a great nose for the ball. Seemed pretty strong in the air and was physical enough. Seems like a natural replacement for Ruud and a very complimentary style to Rooney.

thats what ive been saying forget that torres nonsense everyone was buzzing about ive always wanted hunt over that cvnt :D

if not him villa is the only other young hot property i can think of right now that wouldnt cost an astronomical fee altho valencia will want cristiano for him

p.s. it pisses me off when ppl spell it christiano worse yet ruud's last name ive seen spellings closer to jan vennegor of hesselink

[sdotsom]

huntelaar would be incredible. I was very surprised he didn't make the WC squad after the kind of season he had in the Dutch League. That guy will make his move soon, just like every other top AJAX striker. I wouldn't mind going for him.


at the same time Kezman scored alot in the Dutch league as well

[Ruud v.Nistelrooy 10]

huntelaar would be incredible. I was very surprised he didn't make the WC squad after the kind of season he had in the Dutch League. That guy will make his move soon, just like every other top AJAX striker. I wouldn't mind going for him.


at the same time Kezman scored alot in the Dutch league as well

yea but look where that idiot went. he basically started from scratch at atletico again. iirc his first chelsea goal was a pk even tho it was well taken he struggled oh so badly there

as for hunt not part of the oranje he must have asked sven for advice on naming his 23

he carried vennegor dont think he played him at all and left hunt(who was top eredivisie scorer was he not?) which made no sense

[barthez4]

yea but look where that idiot went. he basically started from scratch at atletico again. iirc his first chelsea goal was a pk even tho it was well taken he struggled oh so badly there

as for hunt not part of the oranje he must have asked sven for advice on naming his 23

he carried vennegor dont think he played him at all and left hunt(who was top eredivisie scorer was he not?) which made no sense
I believe Vennegor did get some late game action during the World Cup.

[Joep]

he carried vennegor dont think he played him at all and left hunt(who was top eredivisie scorer was he not?) which made no sense

It was a question of function, role, not of quality. Huntelaar is a better number 1 striker than Vennegoor, that much is obvious, but Vennegoors physical presence was possibly needed to break a game open. Huntelaar is a good header and strong physically aswell, but not so much as Vennegoor.

There has been a very active and heated debate over this issue in the Netherlands.

Especially after it was obvious that Kuijt didn't show up as our number two striker in the game against Portugal

[433tom]

I'll throw another name out there who has been linked to us in the past but not to my knowledge during this transfer window.

Wesley Sneijder of Ajax. He is 21 and would be a natural replacement for Scholes. Strong on the ball, good with either foot and can put the ball into the back of the net. He has a heck of a shot from 20 to 25 yards out. Looked very good against Inter the other day.

I know he was on Fergie's radar screen last year. I hope we would make a move for him in either this transfer window or the next as I fear someone else will snap him up next season.

Perhaps a few of our Dutch friends can offer some opinions on him.

[Rakim_22]

Perhaps a few of our Dutch friends can offer some opinions on him.
I'll start with mine. Yes I do see him as a Scholes replacement but then what will be of Jones? I hear Jones has a lot of potential and had a great season of Holland last year but I would take Sneijder over him any day of the week. He is a proven talent already and although he may lack ideal size he more than makes up for it with toughness and has the ability to backtrack and defend. Hell he can even play DMF for crying outloud. Seems like a perfect fit here and we wouldn't have to break the bank for him. He has one hell of a long shot and is a very good set-piece taker. He can ever score off of free-kicks. What more do you want. I've always said we need more Dutch players and he and Maduro would be wonderful fits in our midfield. Sign him up Fergie! :cool:

[433tom]

I'll start with mine. Yes I do see him as a Scholes replacement but then what will be of Jones? I hear Jones has a lot of potential and had a great season of Holland last year but I would take Sneijder over him any day of the week. He is a proven talent already and although he may lack ideal size he more than makes up for it with toughness and has the ability to backtrack and defend. Hell he can even play DMF for crying outloud. Seems like a perfect fit here and we wouldn't have to break the bank for him. He has one hell of a long shot and is a very good set-piece taker. He can ever score off of free-kicks. What more do you want. I've always said we need more Dutch players and he and Maduro would be wonderful fits in our midfield. Sign him up Fergie! :cool:

I obviously agree. I think he would be a great signing. The Scholes red card just illustrates we are thin at the attacking midfield position too. While Giggs can fill in, if either of them get hurt we are in trouble. Jones has the potential, but nobody really knows if he is ready. Sneijder, I believe could step right in. I have always been of the opinion that we needed to bring in three midfielders this transfer window.

It would not surprise me if Fergie signed someone that was not even on the pundits radar screen before the transfer window closes.

[Rakim_22]

I obviously agree. I think he would be a great signing. The Scholes red card just illustrates we are thin at the attacking midfield position too. While Giggs can fill in, if either of them get hurt we are in trouble. Jones has the potential, but nobody really knows if he is ready. Sneijder, I believe could step right in. I have always been of the opinion that we needed to bring in three midfielders this transfer window.

It would not surprise me if Fergie signed someone that was not even on the pundits radar screen before the transfer window closes.
That right there is the main point. We need someone who can as you said step right in. But in reality Fergie would never sign him. He doesn't like Dutch players. :( Look what he did to poor Ruud. He'll prolly sign some garbage middie.

[israbeckham]

requelme would be perfect and fergie should offer him old trafford if he wants but he wouldnt pay him that much

[433tom]

requelme would be perfect and fergie should offer him old trafford if he wants but he wouldnt pay him that much

I like Riquelme too. Many here is feel he would not do well in England due to the faster pace of your typical EPL game. But I think he would be effective. Everyone knows he is a great passer, but he also very strong on the ball, and positions himself well.

[433tom]

Ok, the Crespo deal may have made another striker available.

Apparently Obafemi Martins handed Inter a transfer request. The 21 year old Nigerian is a raw talent who is blistering fast (he would be the fastest player in the EPL, this guy has world class sprinter speed). He was hailed in Italy as Inters finest signing of a young talent in years. There have been several references to a posiible transfer price but those were based on inquires made by clubs last year (before he handed in a transfer request). I saw one reference that he may be availavble for 17m euros. I would think he would have no problem getting a work permit.

Any thoughts?

[SirManchester]

I would love to have him here. He's incredibely fast and diligent and has a #9 touch. He's got plenty of experience in Serie A and the CL. But I think 17m might be too much.

[holytoledo]

I would love to have him here. He's incredibely fast and diligent and has a #9 touch. He's got plenty of experience in Serie A and the CL. But I think 17m might be too much.

His pace is absolutely unreal. I remember a couple years back when Inter were playing Arse in the CL and Ashley Cole had a 10 yard or so head start on a ball him and martins were chasing and martins still beat him to it by a good distance.

[Teso Dos Bichos]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9198124&highlight=Martins#post9198124 :p

I suppose he brings more pace and movement to the side but, like Torres, suspect finishing. In all honesty, he is just a much younger and faster version of Saha.

[holytoledo]

http://www.bigsoccer.com/forum/showthread.php?p=9198124&highlight=Martins#post9198124 :p

I suppose he brings more pace and movement to the side but, like Torres, suspect finishing. In all honesty, he is just a much younger and faster version of Saha.

He's smaller and less physical then Saha iirc. I don't think he has the same injury problems as Saha. I think it all depends on the fee i suppose.

[433tom]

I would love to have him here. He's incredibely fast and diligent and has a #9 touch. He's got plenty of experience in Serie A and the CL. But I think 17m might be too much.

I saw him make one run where he was 5 yards onside when the through ball was played and he was 10 yards up field before the defender could fully turn. If he gets a step on a defender he is gone. He just redefines the word speed. And you can't teach speed. :)