Real Madrid bought Ronaldo off us in 2009 for a then world record fee.
We all know that replacing him with Owen and Valencia that season is probably where our recruitment issues were laid bare for all to see for the first time. Since then it has been a chaotic scattergun approach to say the least.
In 2009, Madrid sold Sneijder, Robben, Huntelaar, Parejo, Negredo and Javi Garcia, just to reel off a few. Any combination of these could have helped us massively, Sneijder and Robben being the notable 2. However our ineptitude and lack of “transfer savvy" took us down a road of mediocrity.
Pogba this season cuts the figure of a man on the way out. Madrid clearly, if reports are to be believed, will have a massive transfer churn again this summer. I would happily sell Pogba to Madrid regardless, but should we be looking at any of their unwanted “stars" to be included in any such deal?
- Modric
- Kroos
- Benzema
- Bale
- Varane
- Marcelo
- Isco
- Navas
- James Rodriguez
I’d say all these players have a question mark over their Madrid futures. Are any worth taking a punt on if they really want Pogba? Would you want include any these players in a deal or just take the cash straight up?
For once hindsight could be a “wonderful" thing with history slightly repeating itself.
The shat transfer window of 09
posted on 3/5/19
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 50 seconds ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 3 minutes ago
I'd take Modric, Isco or Kroos in a heartbeat.
Bale has touted a being a loan option. Wouldn't say no to that either.
We do need a couple of top, top players, either if they're the wrong side of their best years. Modric has still got it, and bags of energy, too. Could be a useful short term stop gap whilst younger players are brought in from elsewhere and the academy.
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Is that what Utd are being reduced to? Galactico has-beens in the twilight of their careers.
Surely you are building for the future, not just for the next 2 seasons.
I would be disappointed if you were looking at Real cast-offs
United could buy anyone and have been missing out on the quality talent for years now! Cannot remember your last top quality signing thats been a success.
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Sneijder, Robben and even Van der Vaart were seen as “has beens”, “injury prone” and “cast offs”.
How would you rate their careers post Real Madrid?
posted on 3/5/19
Crikey, we're talking about one, maybe two players... Modric for example is still a top top player, and our team lacks seasoned winners that other players - younger ones especially - can look up to.
The Process,
Bastian had known injury issues. Sanchez's legs have gone. Matic isn't better or worse than he's ever been. He's a decent player who has had a mixed time for us.
Modric, for example, is still top class, doesn't have a history of injuries and is very fit. I think we could accommodate a player like that in the squad/first 11 no problem.
posted on 3/5/19
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 3/5/19
Isco and Kroos stick out a mile, in terms of ability, consistency and where we are weak
posted on 3/5/19
It is funny how fussy we’ve become where we’d turn down a squad of players miles better than what we have
posted on 3/5/19
Don't forget Obertan.
posted on 3/5/19
comment by Robb Ferguson (U21234)
posted 2 hours, 47 minutes ago
It is funny how fussy we’ve become where we’d turn down a squad of players miles better than what we have
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Depends robb, don’t think it’d be wise to take say Bale as an example. Huge wages and injury prone, if anything would set your rebuild back further.
But taking someone like kroos would be a good option.
posted on 4/5/19
Which ones want to play Europa League?
posted on 4/5/19
Kroos and Isco would be good.
Varane has injury issues that put me off. Bale on loan might be good. But we need Sanchez off the books first.
posted on 4/5/19
Up until recently I've always been miffed that Fergie didn't ask for Robben in that Ronaldo deal. If he did, we would have had him on our right wing for the past 10 years.
But I think these past few years have explained his line of thinking a bit. I dont recall Fergie ever signing a player who didn't want be here. And Robben, by his own account didn't want to leave Madrid. He said that at the time, he was pretty much forced to go to Bayern to make room for Ronaldo. And its pretty evident the same thing happened to Di Maria when he was sold to us.
In hindsight Robben was definitely one he got wrong, but it's a line of thinking that probably helped us avoid signings like Di Maria and Sanchez when he was in charge.
Just something to be wary of I think, when asking for any of their superstars in return for Pogba.