Robben

he is soo fast hasn't lost an inch has he?

Pep loves him. Unlikely he'll leave Bayern.

Post this on the United board and you should get more responses

I don't think anyone is saying he's past it. But he's 30. We're also being heavily linked with 29 year old Scgweinsteiger. Those guys may well help us get back into the CL and serve us well through the duration of LVG's contract but aren't going to do much beyond that. So I can understand the reservations.

BUT I've seen some of our fans suggest investing in potential but correct me if I'm wrong but we've been thete, done that and bought the t shirt. It's a major reason why we are where we are now. Potential is just thst - something that could be delivered on but it's risky. And in too many cases that potential remains unfulfilled in spite of being given plenty of opportunity to flourish. We've spent a lot on potential with little dividends.

Then there's the even more ludicrous suggestion that we promote the youth. I don't know if any of the peoole suggesting this have actually watched them play. I have. The under 21's (somehow) ground their way to a PL final but they were rotten on many occasions along the way, as their league struggles showed. The under 18's were even less impressive. To suggest that more than 1 or at most 2 of those guys can make the grade is fanciful in the extreme. Harsh? No, because we've had far better collections of under age groups not even come close to going on to do anything at the highest kevel, to a man.

So, what do I want? I want to see us go for guys who have already shown a bit more about than potential, guys who don't have to be household names but do havw to be ready to come in and do a job for us. Ifeally in the age 23 - 26 bracket if I have to quantify it. Maybe supplement it with the odd older head (if available ay the right price). To be honest I would completely shelve the potential idea in terms of signings until we get back into a half decent position. Potential from youth within rhe club already? By all means give that a chance but they need to earn their spot, not just be thrown in for the sake of it.

Sorry for being so long winded