Manchester United Transfer News: Does not Mata who, just bring new player(s)?

Although not officially announced at this point, the arrival of Juan Mata from Chelsea has been dominating headlines for days – suggesting that the Spanish playmaker is on the verge of being the latest Red Devil. Is Mata’s signing even necessary, or is he just a statement signing?

Breaking News: Liverpool 0 Southampton 1

Yes, that's right, toothless Kops can't cope with Southampton, losing 0-1 at Anfield. Why is this of interest since this is a Manchester United's blog? For starter, the rivalry between United and Liverpool is one full of history and with their flying start to the season, majority of Kop's fans seems to not only live in the land of delusion but also unashamedly claimed the bragging rights - for being at the top of the table in a season of 5 games (or less). Now the defeat comes as a big slap for those who thinks leading the table by one point (to Arsenal) after only 4 games is something to celebrate!!!

 

How Manchester United fans wondered if 2 weeks ago David Moyes' men would take their chances and fight like a cup final, the results may be different. Anfield is not such an intimidating place to go after all. Liverpool's confidence would also take another dive after such demoralizing defeat to Southampton at home and ahead of the 'Big Clash For A Small Cup' this coming Wednesday night at Old Trafford. Brendan Rodger's team might want to remind their fans of their midtable permanent residency and that the real title contenders are the two Manchester clubs and Chelsea, with Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs having some slim hopes of upsetting the top three.

 

This results also highlight the importance of tomorrow's Manchester derby where Manuel Pellegrini and David Moyes will begins their derby fight for their new clubs. Winners will surely give themselves a good pat on the pat where the 3 points are all that matter comes May 2014.

Transfer News: Cristiano Ronaldo Signs New Deal… With Real Madrid

Yes, he finally did it – he got things his way, again. Cristiano Ronaldo has just sign a new contract extension with Real Madrid and with that ends any hopes for Manchester United’s fans worldwide. Just as Gareth Bale did less than two weeks ago, United’s fans are disappointed yet again (read this), for these two players are supposed to be the marquee signings for United in the new era (at least either one of them).

Manchester United Vs Crystal Palace: Moyes must do better!

This should be another first – David Moyes first competitive win at Old Trafford. It is also the second competitive game at home for Moyes. The one against Jose Mourinho’s side is one to forget – never mind Wayne Rooney’s performance, he is not available for this game anyway.

Transfer News: Latest updates – Manchester United left ‘red-faced’

Never before in the transfer market have supporters seen such ‘disorganized’ last minutes scramble for signature of targeted players, not even those last minutes deal involving a certain Daniel Levy and his Tottenham Hotspurs’ players – Michael Carrick and Dimitar Berbatov. The farce on the deadline transfer will make Manchester United a laughing stock among rivals’ fans for weeks and months to come.

Transfer News: Final – Welcome Marouane Fellaini (and Fabio Coentrao..??)

Manchester United were kept busy until the very last minutes and in the end secure Marouane Fellaini from Everton at £27 million and pull a last minute coup on a possible loan signing Fabio Coentrao from Real Madrid, while the deal for Athletic Bilbao’s Ander Herrera collapsed on the last hour. A midfielder (instead of two) and a leftback for United.

Transfer News: The last hours… Ander Herrera and Marouane Fellaini in

With less than 6 hours before the transfer window closes, it has been frantic – with clubs engaged in multiple transfer deals, most of these deals have been stream live over major media organizations. Let’s concentrate on Manchester United’s transfer activities…

 

The biggest news would be the arrival of 24-year-old Ander Herrera from Athletic Bilbao. Manchester United had reported agreed to meet Athletic Bilbao’s release clause for Herrara – reported to be in the region of £30.5 million. Herrera is a midfielder in the mould of former Bilbao’s man – Javi Martinez, now at Bayern Munich. Not a world class player but rather a midfielder with a lot of potential. At 24 years old he will fit into United’s buying policy.

 

The other credible news for Manchester United’s fans is the expected signing of Marouane Fellaini from Everton. While it seems that United had given up on Leighton Baines, the news on Fellaini are more credible. Baines had reported for international duties with England while Fellaini has been given extra time by the Belgian FA – presumably to conclude the deal with United.

 

Elseway, Roma has flatly rejected Manchester United’s attempt at signing Danielle De Rossi and Mesut Ozil has reportedly agreed terms with Arsenal just hours ago. Ozil, a creative midfielder had been reported to be in favour of a United move but with United eyeing Luka Modric, he settle for Arsenal instead.

 

Meanwhile Manchester United’s supporters had to ‘feast’ their eyes on Gareth Bale being unveil – as Real Madrid player!

 

Well, enough said, we wish him the best, if La Liga for some reason do not work out, a loan move to Old Trafford is possible – seriously, Bale will be fine, everything could however hinges on Cristiano Ronaldo….

 

There are still a few hours of the transfer windows remaining. It may looks like two quality (but hardly marquee signing) midfielders are coming to Old Trafford but be prepare for further twists in the transfer market (remember Manchester United’s ‘cheeky bid’ at Neymar on the last day of previous summer transfers?). Watch this space!

Transfer News/Updates: Desperation signing time!

Less than 12 hours to go, we take a look at Premier League title contenders’ last minutes probable signings. And out of the six from the Manchester clubs, and the London’s top clubs (Chelsea, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs), Spurs, Chelsea and City had done their signings – the bulk of them. Only Arsenal and Manchester United are now frantically working out last minutes deals.

The business of football transfer and its importance for the Manchester United fans.

The usual terms associated with football transfer – transfer windows, summer transfers, transfer gossips, transfer speculations, all comes down to one thing – the start of a new (football) season. According to one columnist, transfer speculation is like sport’s soft porn. He is not wrong. Any news, regardless of the source – is news. It makes reading materials for millions of fans, no matter how ridiculous it gets.

 

For most football fans the transfer window is one of the many parts of the football season .It is the beginning of a brand new season. It is the start of a new hope (winning trophies), a new wish (new players sign to be sign), a new outcome (a better finish than before). This is where fans get down and speculates, who should comes in and who should go. Mind you the players do the same too. At the club level the management goes about their business of signing new players, extending contracts to key players, off-loading players and to many extents – persuading key players to stay. Hence the frenzies at transfer news - be it in speculations or actual deals happening. It gets the excitement going, it gets the adrenaline pumping – all for the starts of the season. It gets even more exciting when ridiculously large amount of money being bandied for certain players.

 

For Manchester United this season is unique. Unique in the sense that a new manager comes in, and in the process replace the irreplaceable. While supporters of other clubs are rather immune to changes at the managerial level, this is not the case for Manchester United and its supporters. Most of United’s fans in the 20’s and 30’s have not even heard of any other names associated with the title – Manchester United Manager. It is just the one and only Sir Alex Ferguson all along.

 

In David Moyes Manchester United’s supporters’ opinions are divided. On one part, most supporters would heed Sir AlexFerguson’s advice – to support David Moyes. This man is new to the job, a job most football manager would die for but would rather not admit to wanting it openly. A job with such enormous expectation from the supporters as well as from the club itself. The very fact that David Moyes was handpicked by Sir Alex Ferguson speaks enough of the what the new man is and will be capable of – delivering football results.

 

The other part of Manchester United supporters meanwhile have a more ‘impatient’ tone in their opinions. This could be down to the fact is that we are all living in the result-oriented societies and football is no different. Football clubs are being managed like businesses these days. Success will be judge on silverware (s) and further translates into revenue. Gone are the days of ‘romantic’ football notion, where football is pure football and nothing else matter. This group of supporters may consist of die-hard fans, casual fans, new fans, or even ‘glory hunters’. But their voices have common ground in the sense that judgments is based on what they see and read. And what they read – in terms of David Moyes performance so far – unconvincing pre season results, the Wayne Rooney saga, and mostly – players targeted and bid but none show up at Old Trafford. Most supporters would readily agree that for the past years, most of United’s transfer were done long before the window closes, with few notable exceptions (which by the way have something to do with a certain Daniel Levy).

 

Herein lies the importance of this season transfer windows in particular. In this aspect, supporters judge and will continue to judge David Moyes until 2^nd September when the transfer window shuts. Being new to Manchester United and the job is one thing, but being able to use your personality to make the difference in persuading players to join your team is another thing. David Moyes will be severely tested even before the actual season started, having to deal with the Rooney saga being his priority now. A marquee signing may not silence the doubters but it will definitely help Moyes further in easing into his new role at Manchester United.

In the end, he may just abandon the part of football transfers and make do with the title winning squad he inherited, and plays them the David Moyes way. After all he is being good operating without big funding and producing results (at Everton), comparatively to their ‘more established’ neighbor at Anfield.

Liverpool 1 Manchester United 0: Ouch.. that hurts!!!

Never mind if they said Liverpool took their chances well, got the lucky break and hang on their life for it. Or, David Moyes saying Manchester United actually played well (in his words – “the best so far this season). Any defeat hurts – what more against Liverpool!

Transfer News/Updates: Rooney staying and still no new signing!

Looks like Wayne Rooney is staying – after the ‘show of love’ from supporters. Leighton Baines and Marouane Fellaini look set to join David Moyes at Manchester United. Samuel Eto’o has arrived at Stamford Bridge as a blues, joining former teammate Willian. Arsene Wenger goes for another free signing in Mathieu Flamini. Elseway, Real Madrid looks set to pull down the stage for Gareth Bale.

Manchester United 0 Chelsea 0: Rooney still dominates headlines

It ended a 0-0 draw. David Moyes may probably draw a sniff of relief – so do some Manchester United’s fans and most probably Jose Mourinho. It is Moyes first game at Old Trafford since replacing the legendary Sir Alex Ferguson, a historic moment indeed. But Wayne Rooney is the one dominating the headline.Was the draw fair?

Transfer News/Updates: Gareth Bale to Manchester United!

This speculation just would not go away. Just when it seems over, and yet it came alive again. The question to ask is not whether we want Gareth Bale, rather than if the Manchester United’s hierarchy will approve the kind of money involved in this deal.

The Fall of Mighty Manchester...City of course (Cardiff City 3 Manchester City 2)

Breaking news is not the norm here but can't help with this latest shocking results, Cardiff City, the Malaysian-owned newly promoted team had just beaten Manchester City 3-2 at their own backyard. Ouch, City's fans.

Cardiff who?, the one with part time golfer Craig Bellamy... the one assemble at a tiny fraction of the costs of Manchester City's squad and the one where a former Manchester United's striker scores a brace.

Welcome to the Premier League Manuel Pellegrini.