Quarterly Quarrel - The Financial Discussion Part 5

Interesting that United has paid Maguire's fee to Leicester in one lump sum.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/footbal...80m-lump-sum-manchester-united-harry-maguire/

Sidenote, Leicester are legit this season and have a real shout at top 4. They've done well rebuilding after they won the title. The article mentions they're targeting a CB. If they can find a viable alternative/successor to Vardy, that could be a very dangerous team for some time.
Also, strong links from Ornstein suggesting that Maddison will be a United player within the year. United will surely be looking to make a real move next summer (don't see Leicester parting with him in Jan). And while I like Maddison a lot, I shudder at how much they'll ask for him.
We've seen in the Maguire deal that they don't get pushed around. And I imagine that for the price that Maddison will end up costing us, we probably could get Fernandes and perhaps even another player (like a LB for instance).
Something worth noting, with the hopes that the focus of our transfer business will not be restricted to British players. Not only that is a very costly business strategy, but bottom line, cutting ourselves off from the best available talent everywhere else is just plain stupid.

 

We apparently have spent big on building and maintaining a database of players with a 15 man data team.

This database was used to magically go from 804 right-backs to AWB (only a database could mine the secret nugget that he was the best right-back in the league last year).

Also Ed doesn't need to recruit based on old fashioned things like scouting, character references, criminal history, injury history etc.

Just Fifa type stats and he now has an app for that. Who needs a DoF?

 

At least we know Moyesies iPads are still getting good use.

 

Leicester will drop off massively. They are scoring at almost double their xG (for which they are 19th in the league) and are conceding well below what is expected.

 

so they're good finishers?

 

Unsustainably so.

 

We'll see how things shape out, but the 5-0 win vs Newcastle was an outlier. Obviously they're not going to win that many games with that kind of scoreline, but then again they don't need to either. I see them going the distance as one of teams in contention for a top 4 spot. They've started well but there is every reason to believe they could actually improve.
Rodgers is still underestimated in some quarters for some reason and while he's obviously not at the level of Klopp or Pep, he's a good manager. He had a transformative effect on that team from the moment he came on board midway thru last season. With more time to implement his vision and the players to get used to it, it stands to reason they will only get better.
Second, they don't have the distraction of European competition to worry about, which is obviously a major plus, considering they are not necessarily the deepest of squads. Their starting XI is very strong and perhaps are 13-15 deep but that should be enough to see them remain competitive throughout the season.
Their starting XI is a pretty strong and balanced team from front to back. In the goalscoring dept, they may be a bit light after Vardy. But Perez who was an important buy for them this past summer is yet to fire for them and if he can, as expected, he will bring a whole new dimension to their attack (and possibly make Vardy even more dangerous)
Their young and dynamic midfield is one of the best in the league, bar none. And defensively, they barely miss Maguire with Soyuncu having done a terrific job stepping up next to Evans. Schmeichel remains a top gk in the league and they have excellent FBs in Pereira and Chilwell.
They won't challenge for the top 2 spots, but top 4 is still very much within their grasp, as far as I'm concerned, even if it will still be a fierce fight with Chelsea, Arsenal and probably Spurs despite their current problems. But it always going to be that way anyhow.
Anything can happen and they could flounder, but it would be a surprise for me, since the ingredients are there for them to have a very successful campaign this term.

 

Leicester score a record 9 away against 10 man Southampton in a 9-0 win - biggest EPL away win and equals our EPL record win.

That’s on you guys

 

..and i was wondering where this discussion took place..

 

Hmm cant be true ? How could this big be kept so low ..

Word from Saudi Arabia is that the club will announce the sale to Saudi investors very soon.

There is no way to authenticate this information but it does seem that the sale might actually happen...

— The United Link 🏆 (@TheUnitedLink) November 1, 2019

According to @moaidmahjoub, via his LinkedIn, a Saudi Arabian investor purchased Manchester United yesterday after a delegation visit https://t.co/XlUEPDoPLg pic.twitter.com/SvVi3vh8Qw

— utdreport (@utdreport) November 1, 2019

 

I'm sure it's bull, but if it does happen then that'll probably be it for me as a Utd fan. About time I started supporting Brighton.

 

What happened? Why?

 

Richard Arnold in Saudi Arabia.


The rumors of a sale of the club look to be wide off the mark. Makes a lot more sense to believe that United are trying to negotiate some type of sponsorship deal or something of that, get their hands on some that money over there but not for a sale.
Don't think Arnold would be man handling those type of negotiations. Worth noting also that Arnold has apparently made a few visits there this year alone, which supports the case for the club trying to build some new relationships with business leaders over there.

 

Manchester United’s Stock Slump Is Due to Horrible Signings, Claims Shareholder

https://www.ccn.com/manchester-uniteds-stock-slump-is-due-to-horrible-signings-claims-shareholder/

Ultimately the waste of money under Ed’s watch cant be completely swept under the carpet.

 

The truth behind the Saudi takeover rumors of United.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...l-news/man-utd-saudi-arabia-takeover-17189875

 

Oil money isn’t gonna help if that piece of shit Woodward is in charge.

 

No revelations, but interesting interviewee and some interesting discussion.

 

Reportedly Woodward has signed a Recruitment Analyst, worked at Watford and Brentford and was Head of Analysis at Rangers ....

https://www.footballfancast.com/pre...ruitment-analyst-is-appointed-at-old-trafford

 

I think there's a better chance of hell freezing over than him signing a DOF

 

Absolutely absolutely need a DOF but I'm not mad at signing someone with this pedigree. Brentford's recruitment was excellent and Watford punched above their weight for a well. Importantly, Brentford had a data driven approach so if this guy brings some of that to our shop, I'd be happy.

 

Today's investors call following the club's latest financial report.

https://www.manchestereveningnews.c...ball-news/man-utd-woodward-call-live-17273763

 

It’s almost been a year since we pretty much acknowledged we would appoint a DOF. It’s clear at this point that Woody has no intention of hiring a DOF until he finds one that agrees to be a figurehead without any actual power.

 

Interesting to note that the club's revenue continues to grow, yet our net spending has clearly decreased steadily (with the debt increasing as well).
Also it's clear, if it wasn't already, where the emphasis lies in regard to the club's major shareholders and investors when Woodward/Arnold were asked just a single question in the Q&A part of the call about the app and its potential.

 

Manchester United not in the Champions League, performances stuttering and revenue static, but all six Glazer siblings will be paid their dividend by the club, half of their annual £15m to be paid in January. #mufc https://t.co/kXGu4giKt1

— David Conn (@david_conn) November 18, 2019