Transfer Speculation / Gossip

[Ryu]

Not having a go at anyone on here but there have been plenty of very good players who popular opinion had labelled as rubbish.  I think Darren Fletcher is a good example.

And there are plenty of players who were labelled as poor who went on to be poor.

You can only judge a player on what you see from him, and what I see from Cleverley doesn't convince me we should be spending £8m on him. He manages to look consistently poor surrounded by Manchester United players or England internationals. I can only begin to imagine how that'll look playing for us.

Imagine we hadn't been linked with him, say a week ago, and someone had said "What about Tom Cleverley?" (no need to even raise the mooted £8m). How do we think they'd have reacted?

I think many people would have reacted the same way they have to most of Lambert's signings. 

Yes, and they'd have been right more times than not, too.

I'd say he's got value for money, usually.  The ones who haven't worked out have usually been punts for next to no money.

Basically, I don't think Tom cleverly is completely useless but nor have I ever thought he's a brilliant player.  If we sign him my mindset will be that I hope he works out, rather than assuming he'll fail.  Same whenever we sign a player.

[rob_bridge]

Cleverley not a player I can get excited about.

Not as bad as some people make out just strikes me as another early/mid twenties English bod who has a few good games, get paid shedloads and then labelled as something beyond their stations by a lazy jingoistic press - file with Walcott, Wellbeck, Smalling, Walker and Wilshire.

If he comes here he could do a job with Delph and Sanchez with Westwood, Richardson and Bacuna as back up.

That leaves creative reponsibility on the improving full backs and Grealish and CNZ which is risk.

[Clampy]

If he joins, let's see how he does for us before writing off someone who didn't become a Man United regular. A few weeks ago, Cissokho was the worst left back in Liverpool's history. He's looked okay for us.

To be honest, I don't believe it'd be £8m for one second.

No, nor do I, not if he's only got a year left on his contract anyway.

[Tom_Mc9?]

Agreed with Ryu. Which of Lambert's signings can we say have been massive failures?
Sylla
Holt
Bennett
Helenius
Tonev
I'm sure I've missed a few, but that lot cost around £7m. He's got what he's paid for and in a few cases has got us players who we'll likely get a profit on.

[john2710]

My thoughts on Cleverly are that enough credible managers clearly rate him & seeing our midfield last season contained KEA & Sylla I'd welcome him. He's an improvement on Westwood.

1. Let's see if there's any truth in the rumour, probably yes
2. Let's see what the fee is, I'd suggest it'll be £4-5m
3. Let's give the guy a chance before we dismiss him as shite (if he signs).

[Ryu]

Agreed with Ryu. Which of Lambert's signings can we say have been massive failures?
Sylla
Holt
Bennett
Helenius
Tonev
I'm sure I've missed a few, but that lot cost around £7m. He's got what he's paid for and in a few cases has got us players who we'll likely get a profit on.

I even think calling Sylla a massive failure is a bit harsh.  Maybe not good enough for the Prem long term but he came in and did a job we needed when he signed that January.  And his being in the side coincided with our best run of that season. 

I still think we could do with signing a wide player though.

[David_Nab]

The Times reporting he is going to Hull for 9mil

[Ryu]

It's a bidding war!

[andyh]

I dont think its a question of him being shite.
For me, its will he improve the team, I'm not so sure. He seems to be another 'functional' footballer like KEA, Westwood and the like.
Remember, he is surrounded by quality where he is so that will influence how he appears...surround him with our lot and he'll look completely different.

I'd rather spend a smaller amount on someone who can a change a game, even if only for a short term.
Charlie Adam at Stoke, is a massive twat, but he still makes things happen when he plays.

[Ads]

£8 million?

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11061592/Aston-Villa-to-make-8million-bid-for-Manchester-United-midfielder-Tom-Cleverley.html

[pauliewalnuts]

Also:

Luna
Helenius
Bowery

The jury is still out on others, too.

nb I didn't say "massive failure".

[VinnieChase84]

A sky sports journo has tweeted that United have accepted our bid

[Ryu]

I dont think its a question of him being shite.
For me, its will he improve the team, I'm not so sure. He seems to be another 'functional' footballer like KEA, Westwood and the like.
Remember, he is surrounded by quality where he is so that will influence how he appears...surround him with our lot and he'll look completely different.

I'd rather spend a smaller amount on someone who can a change a game, even if only for a short term.
Charlie Adam at Stoke, is a massive twat, but he still makes things happen when he plays.

He makes the ground shake, the fat bastard!  Cleverley has been surrounded by quality like Fellaini, Young, Valencia and Nani.  All of whom have looked like shadows of the players they were at previous clubs in the last couple of years at Man Ure.  With the exception of Nani who never looked much cop.

Anyway, Times reporting us and Hull have bid.  If he goes to Hull he's always been shite!

[Ryu]

Also:

Luna
Helenius
Bowery

The jury is still out on others, too.

nb I didn't say "massive failure".

No Tom_mc9 did.  And he mentioned Helenius already.  And tbf I think Bowery did what he was there to do.  Come on as sub occasionally and throw his weight around a bit.

[Tom_Mc9?]

Also:

Luna
Helenius
Bowery

The jury is still out on others, too.

nb I didn't say "massive failure".

Apologies, poor wording by me. Again though, those players weren't expensive.