Keep seeing this beauty being peddled by opposition fans and our own.
What we have spent in the past few seasons has been well overdue, for Fergie's last few seasons we spent waaaaayyyy less than we needed to and we are now having to compensate and throw money at the problem.
Now normally, I'm not a massive fan of saying splash the cash but we failed to gradually replace key players who were becoming past their best.
We had Rio, Vidic, Evra, Scholes, Giggs etc all leave in pretty much one go and arguably none were adequately replaced, thus meaning we have been forced to go out and spend money to resolve this issue. Twinned with this, we have needed to plug other gaps in the squad and that's also cost money.
When you consider Ross McCormack went for circa 11 million, a Championship level player, the likes of Darmian and Blind were absolute steals. Equating for inflation and the money in the game, they to me are the equivalent of paying what we did for Evra and Vidic. Absolute bargains.
Di Maria was admittedly an expensive flop that didn't pay off, but we recouped a large chunk of that back. Shaw was the only other player who I think you could say we 'overpaid' for if you will, but even then, he's been purchased for the long term and we might well look back at it and think "money well spent" when he's called it a day.
Herrera, Schneiderlin & Schweinsteiger (a paltry 6 million) have made our central midfield MUCH more competitive, and have actually made it significantly stronger than in the late Fergie years in which we all collectively agreed was way off the required standard. I'd say they all fetched pretty much their market value too.
Memphis Depay is one of the hottest prospects in World Football and looks to have a swagger and self belief that will eventually see him reach dizzy heights. I have high hopes for him and his determination will hopefully stand him in good stead. Many player's from the Eredivisie make it, as many also fail, but he looks to have the raw tools to succeed. The BBC reported 31 million as the fee, but I've read that it is much closer to 25 million with add ons. Not exactly breaking the bank there!
Fellaini was a disaster in the sense that he signed for more than his original clause, but he contributed heavily last season and is an important squad member. He's not everyone's cup of tea but he's proven he is worthy of a squad place.
Mata was sensational for Chelsea and whilst he's only shown that in flashes here, he has still been a major contributor to goals and assists. We probably paid about 10 million too much for him, but in the grand scheme of things, it's like pocket change for Utd and he has been nowhere near a flop.
Di Maria and Falcao (an expensive but worthwhile gamble) have been the major black mark's in the transfer market, but I'd say everyone else pre Fergie has been worthy of persistence, exciting potential for the future or generally shrewd signings, especially Darmian and Blind.
When you consider that 30 million doesn't go THAT far these days, I don't think our business has been irresponsible nor illogical. I'd say it's been largely successful and the restoration process is in a healthy state.
We have got rid of a LOT of dead wood, and I feel we are only one or two players short of a title challenging team.
I'm excited to see what happens over the next two days and beyond that. Despite today's result, there's still a lot to look forward to.
With everything considered, have we really spent TOO much? Can we use our spending as an excuse?
The 'Spent quarter of a billion' Excuse.
posted on 31/8/15
Ahh only 3 years older than me! I'm 21
I need to think of a good name for my son whenever I have one, something United related for sure
Yeah their midfield would look very weak without Hendo too
I'd love Coutinho at Utd too! He would be very good. Quicker than Mata too. Would like to see another winder and Striker though
Ahhh mate, you need to wife her asap. What are you waiting for She sounds perfect. Mrs Marlo has a good ring to it too . They are a dying breed indeed!
Spending my night watching Southpaw online, great film so far
posted on 31/8/15
That should do the trick Robb Jack Daniel's can make even the most sensible person go baaaaaaaaadd. Mr Daniel's has led me astray many a time.
I bet a nice subtle Fellaini 2014-15 montage in the background is enough to get the juices flowing and the the little man growing.
Just don't show her 2013-14 Fellaini complilations. That's enough to kill any frisky mood. Not that you'd need me to remind you of that.
posted on 31/8/15
comment by #TopLad || Sir Alex Ferguson || (U10161)
posted 5 minutes ago
Ahh only 3 years older than me! I'm 21
I need to think of a good name for my son whenever I have one, something United related for sure
Yeah their midfield would look very weak without Hendo too
I'd love Coutinho at Utd too! He would be very good. Quicker than Mata too. Would like to see another winder and Striker though
Ahhh mate, you need to wife her asap. What are you waiting forShe sounds perfect. Mrs Marlo has a good ring to it too. They are a dying breed indeed!
Spending my night watching Southpaw online, great film so far
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Ahhhhh 21, I was in peak physical condition then, an absolute animal, irresistible to women, immune to copious amounts of alcohol, witty beyond belief, brimming with energy and enthusiasm.
3 years down the line, I'm a slightly worser model, aside from having my son, I'd love to go back to 21 , had some fun times.
A striker and a winger are your hopes for tomorrow then matey? I can't argue with that. Who you holding out for?
Mrs Marlo , haha, I will pop the question in the very near future, she's a good egg.
I've not seen that film bud, you just started watching?
posted on 31/8/15
Good article. Spot on imo.
posted on 31/8/15
Ahhhhh 21, I was in peak physical condition then, an absolute animal, irresistible to women, immune to copious amounts of alcohol, witty beyond belief, brimming with energy and enthusiasm.
3 years down the line, I'm a slightly worser model, aside from having my son, I'd love to go back to 21 , had some fun times.
A striker and a winger are your hopes for tomorrow then matey? I can't argue with that. Who you holding out for?
Mrs Marlo , haha, I will pop the question in the very near future, she's a good egg.
I've not seen that film bud, you just started watching?
_______________
I wouldn't put it past you to be fair. Peak physical condition? You gone fat now lad
Yeah 21 is a very good age, going to Vegas next summer hopefully too. Uni is brilliant too, so many horny drunk students
I have no idea who we could realistically get. I'd love Griezmann, he could play RW and ST. Bale is the other obvious choice. Wbu?
where do you live btw?
An hour into it, very good film. Think you'd enjoy it
http://putlocker.is/watch-southpaw-online-free-putlocker.html
If you wanna check it out on your week off
posted on 31/8/15
comment by KingP1N (U19240)
posted 4 hours, 10 minutes ago
It's not an excuse you clown. People have every right to complain when there has been no evident improvement in our attacking play and we still haven't bought a world class striker, winger or centre back. Undoubtedly our central midfield has improved but that wasn't exactly a difficult feat to achieve considering we inexplicably persisted with dross like Cleverly and Anderson for so long. However, our squad still lacks depth and soon we may now only have striker at the club if Hernandez is sold. The front six in particular look so devoid of pace, creativity and any cutting edge. There is no point in sugar coating it, we have been spectacularly bad in the transfer market these last few years. Almost as bad as Pool and Spurs.
_______________
Nonsense. The difference is that they have made poor signings while we just haven't signed players in certain positions yet.
If we had signed a striker and a winger instead of Schneidersteiger then people would moan that we had not addressed the CM problem.
Be patient, we will address these positions as soon as we can but you don't always get everything you want in every transfer window!
posted on 31/8/15
Nah man, not fat, just put on a bit of weight. I was quite slim aged 21 so I think I needed to fill out a bit, I look better for it I look my age now rather than a 18 year old haha.
You at Uni bro? Jesus, you must be debating which girl to go for next! I bet you're having the time of your life!
Griezmann is a wicked player, we have the cash so why not?! For once, I don't really know who we could realistically get. Now Chico's going, I wouldn't mind an outlandish attempt for Zlatan but ultimately it is pace we are lacking so Lacazette might be ideal in that sense. I still hold hope that there is a chance we could get Muller. That would be INSANE IN THE MEMBRANE. INSANE IN THE BRAIN.
I live in Mansfield TopLad. Don't come here unless you have to, it's rough in the town centre, quite a few shady characters, but I live in a nice quiet part of Mansfield, about 2 miles from the town centre Where you from bud?
I will bookmark that link and give it a whirl sometime this week when I'm in the mood to unwind and chill with a film
posted on 31/8/15
comment by redmisty (U7556)
posted 7 minutes ago
comment by KingP1N (U19240)
posted 4 hours, 10 minutes ago
It's not an excuse you clown. People have every right to complain when there has been no evident improvement in our attacking play and we still haven't bought a world class striker, winger or centre back. Undoubtedly our central midfield has improved but that wasn't exactly a difficult feat to achieve considering we inexplicably persisted with dross like Cleverly and Anderson for so long. However, our squad still lacks depth and soon we may now only have striker at the club if Hernandez is sold. The front six in particular look so devoid of pace, creativity and any cutting edge. There is no point in sugar coating it, we have been spectacularly bad in the transfer market these last few years. Almost as bad as Pool and Spurs.
_______________
Nonsense. The difference is that they have made poor signings while we just haven't signed players in certain positions yet.
If we had signed a striker and a winger instead of Schneidersteiger then people would moan that we had not addressed the CM problem.
Be patient, we will address these positions as soon as we can but you don't always get everything you want in every transfer window!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Redmisty
Ignore KingP1N, he comes across as a right f@nny There's no reasoning with spoilt folks like that.
posted on 31/8/15
"I bought her a fellaini wig but she's reluctant to wear it."
We really didn't need to know your bedroom fantasies
posted on 31/8/15
Haha that's a good thing, too skinny is never a good look on a man, Marlo.
Yeah going into my final year at Uni! Haha loving life, it's all fun and games. Need to put my head down this year, though. Still a few nights out
Griezmann is being linked with us today! Martial is the other player we look like we're signing then... I would love Muller/Lacazette too, but may need to wait til next summer for them
You're making Mansfield sound like a great place to visit. Ah that's alright, away from the weirdos. I live in London, bud. All United supporters do, right
Nice one, let me know what you make of it, if you do watch it