Manchester United: Louis Van Gaal Becomes A Joke

MANCHESTER United’s Louis Van Gaal was once hailed as the team’s savious. Now he’s the great rebuilder, spending oodles of money in a desperate bid to get back on top.

The Guardian peers inside the Dutchman’s head.

Anorak

Posted: 30th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)

Transfer Balls: Manchester United And Arturo Vidal Twice Agree Five Year Deal

TRANSFER Balls: The Daily Express has news for careworn Manchester United fans. The team’s rebuilder (former United saviour) Louis Van Gaal has signed Arturo Vidal from Juventus. Well, sort of:

MANCHESTER UNITED have agreed terms with Arturo Vidal over a five-year contract, but are yet to negotiate a fee with his club Juventus.

What facts?

…according to reports in Italy and Spain, the Dutchman has reached an agreement with Vidal over a long-term deal worth £182,000 per-week.

What reports? The Express doesn’t say.

However, Juventus are yet to accept United’s bid which is believed to stand at £34million as they look to beat Real Madrid to Monaco star Radamel Falcao.

Anorak

Posted: 28th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Arsenal And Manchester United Were The Only Clubs In For Mehdi Benatia

TRANSFER Balls: Arsenal and Manchester United never did sign Mehdi Benatia.

That’s a big shock to readers of Nick Lustig, one of the Star’s football writers:

Arsenal and Utd in two-horse race for Mehdi Benatia as Roma scrap Bayern meeting

Anorak

Posted: 27th, August 2014 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Get Arturo Vidal For £10m Less Than Arsenal Bid

MANCHESTER United have moved to buy Artuo Vidal, the Chilean midfielder. The fee is a £34m plus one Mexican striker namely Javier Hernández  (Guardian) or  £31.8m (Independent). Vidal, the Juventus skipper – they are the Italian champions – must be overjoyed to be heading to Manchester United, England’s seventh-best team.

But, then, the Belfast Telegraph calls Vidal “fragile”, which is a comment on his right knee rather then his mind. The Indy says that knee is so dodgy any move “may require a complex, appearance-based contract”.

Back in Manchester, United manager Louis Van Gaal is talking players:

“I cannot say anything about transfers and you have to understand that. When a transfer is finished, then we say anything. But now you have to wait and see. If the moment is there Manchester United shall announce it. But it is not only Di Maria. Maybe Vidal or Messi. We are a big club.”

Anorak

Posted: 26th, August 2014 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Sign Angel Di Maria For £35m More Than His Asking Price

TRANSFER Balls: The Angel Di Maria saga, as told by the media.

On June 7, Angle Di Maria was worth £40m. Well, so said the Daily Star.

That number rocketed. On Augut 18, The Evening Telegraph said Di Maria would csot United £100m.

On August 23, the Observer said Angel Di Maria was heading to Manchester United for £60m.

And the signs are that Di Maria is not all that keen on United. The report states:

…that transfer to the French capital collapsed as PSG were unable to meet Real’s asking price, thought to have been £50m.

Anorak

Posted: 25th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Arsenal Get Khedira Before Chelsea And Manchester United Turn Down Angel Di Maria

IS Sami Khedira heading to Arsenal, Chelsea or Manchester United? Transfer Balls investigates what the media experts have been reporting on the Real Madrid player.

August 23:

The Daily Mail announces:

Sami Khedira could be heading for Bayern Munich, as he misses Real Madrid’s Spanish Super Cup clash to watch his brother play in Germany

So. German goes to Germany. Read all about it! Did Khedira met with Bayern Munich? No.

But Charlie Eccleshare has more facts:

…it is unclear whether Bayern’s manager Pep Guardiola is interested in the World Cup winning midfielder.

By “unclear”, he means ‘I have no idea’. But.,.

Sportsmail understands that Khedira is not Guardiola’s first choice for the central midfield position, which could put the breaks on the deal.

Anorak

Posted: 23rd, August 2014 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Are Desperate To Force Out Danny Wellbeck To Anyone But Arsenal

TRANSFER Balls: Danny Wellbeck is leaving Manchester United for Arsenal or Spurs, says the The Telegraph,:

Danny Welbeck has been told he can leave Manchester United during the final week of the transfer window. The news will be of particular interest to Arsenal and Tottenham, who are both big fans of Welbeck and have checked on his availability in the past… United value Welbeck at around £15 million which would comfortably fit into the budgets of north London rivals Spurs and Arsenal.

But the Mail says Spurs might not have the money:

England forward is unsure how much of a role he will play this season with Louis van Gaal and will weigh up his options over the next fortnight. Hull have tried and failed to sign him while Sunderland are keen as their search for strikers continues. Tottenham and Everton would be expected to show an interest also although the latter may struggle to afford a deal.

Anorak

Posted: 23rd, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Chase Arturo Vidal To Fredy Guarin’s House

IS Aturo Vidal heading to Manchcester United? They certainly need a dynamic box-to-box player. And Vidal is just that sort of footballer. But United haven’t said a word about pursuing Vidal. They did, however, comment on reports linking them with failed bids for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller and his German compariot Marco Reus.

In the official silence, the media has been making lots of noise about the Juventus player. The papers have shoved United in Vidal’s mouth and repeatedly linked him with move to United.

Yesterday, the Daily Mirror said Vidal was wanted at Old Trafford:

The Red Devils continue in their pursuit of new players but Louis van Gaal is running out of time with the transfer clock counting down

Readers are told that Vidal is “fully fit”. And:

Manchester United have been cleared to pursue Arturo Vidal after Juventus claimed he is fit.

Anorak

Posted: 21st, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United In PR War Over Thomas Müller Marco Reus Debacle

TRANSFER Balls: Did Manchester United bid for Bayern Munich’s Thomas Müller and his German compariot Marco Reus?

The Guaridan says they did:

The Muller news coems from an interview with Bild.

 Asked by Bild if the 20-times champions had been close to signing him, Müller said: “Of course. I was aware that I could earn more by making that transfer. The amount that foreign clubs were offering me was astronomical. But Bayern are my club, a change was not an issue for me.”

Anorak

Posted: 20th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Manchester United Balls: Rio Ferdinand Says Van Gaal’s Devils Leave Liverpool, Arsenal, Chelsea And Manchester City For Dust

BY now you’ll be wondering what Rio Ferdinand has bene up since moving to QPR? Well, he’s been forwarding his media career by looking up at the Premier League title hopefuls for the Daily Express.

Can Rio be like his former Manchester Untied teammate Gary Neveille and prov to be knowledgable, erudite commentator?

Let’s find out.

Rio: “I’m backing Manchester United to win the league.”

Anorak

Posted: 20th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)

Transfer Balls: Mehdi Benatia Wants Bayern Munich, Talks To Manchester United And Hopes To Play For Chelsea

TRANSFER Balls: Roma defender Mehdi Benatia has been the subject of feverish speculation. The British press have linked him with move to Manchester Untied, Cheslea and Manchester City. So far we have learned that United have bid £24 million in a bid to, er, gazump Chelsea’s £30m bid or a player who prefers to play for Manchster City.

Yesterday the Star told its readers that Benatia is going nowhere:

Anorak

Posted: 20th, August 2014 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comment

Manchester United Balls: In 1989 Michael Knighton Had Lost A Million And Gained Michael Knighton

MANCHESTER United fans grumbling over their side’s slip from the top can cast their eyes back to August 19 1989, when new chairman Michael Knighton dressed in the team kit before going on the pitch to entertain the crowd before the first division match against Arsenal.

Anorak

Posted: 19th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Pay Over The Odds For Angel Di Maria To Live Up North

TRANSFER Balls: Is Angel Di Maria leabing Real Madrid for Manchester United?

The Sun tells its readers:

REAL MADRID boss Carlo Ancelotti has told Angel di Maria: Sign for Manchester United if you want.

Is that what he said? Did he mention Manchester United? No.

He said: “I don’t know what Di Maria has decided. Until August 31 he will be here in principle. If from there he stays, or is no longer with us, we will think about it later. After August 31, everything will be cleared up.”

Anorak

Posted: 19th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Manchester United Balls: Angel Di Maria Is Not The World’s First £100m Footballer

TRANSFER Balls: What is Angel Di Maria worth? Is he heading from Real Madrid to Manchester United? The Read Devils do look well-placed to sign the player. But for how much?

Today the Mail leads with news that the Argentiean wanted by United is worth £100m!

He’d be the world’s first £100m footballer. The Mail adds:

It is understood United have told the Argentine that, with performance-based incentives, they will pay him around £200,000 a week. Over a five-year deal that would take United’s investment to £100m when a transfer fee of around £50m is included.

Anorak

Posted: 18th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Mehdi Benatia Agrees Manchester City Deal But Joins Manchester United For £6m Less Than Chelsea Bid

TRANSFER Balls: A look at reporting on Roma’s Mehdi Benatia and his move to Cheslea, Manchester United, Manchester City and, well, anyone…

Today, Sky Sports Jim White tweets:

Anorak

Posted: 16th, August 2014 | In: Chelsea, manchester united, Sports | Comments (3)

Manchester United Balls: Did A Bird Poo In Ashley Young’s Mouth?

AT Manchester United’s 2014-2015 Premier League season opener aginst Swansea (a 1-2 home defeat), the Red Devils’s slippery footed winger Ashley Young was fed by what looks like a bird poo.

Indeed, that’s what we thought: sign up that swan!

PS – It looks more like  phlegm than poo. Or a piece of Alex Ferguson’s chewing gum… Has the old master returned with a new way of appraising the team?

Anorak

Posted: 16th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United And The Marcos Rojo Spies

TRANSFER Balls: Is Marcos Rojo heading to Manchester United or not? The Red Devils have bid for the Argentinean. But his club want more money.  In reaction, Rojos has chucked his toys and refused to train with the squad.

Manchester United, still eager to sign Rojo, have seen a £15-odd million bid rejected as reports about problems with the player’s third-party ownership by the Doyen Sports group continue to rumble on.

Yesterday Sporting released a club statement in which they accuse an unnamed club  of using an impromptu visit to the Jose Alvalade stadium to sneak the CEO of Doyen Sports (a powerful group of super-agents) in for a hush-hush meeting with Rojo by disguising him as an employee of the visiting club.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls Royal Flush: Edinson Cavani Wants Manchester United But Heads To Arsenal

TRANSFER Balls: Is Edinson Cavani coming to the Premier League? And if he is, which club badge will he be kissing?

The Daily Express has a truly epic headline that takes in no fewer than four of the top five English teams:

Arsenal to gazump Man Utd, Liverpool and Chelsea with £51m bid for PSG star Edinson Cavani

 

 

Anorak

Posted: 14th, August 2014 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)

Transfer Balls: Guess Who Manchester United Are Swapping For Arturo Vidal

TRANSFER Balls: An Arturo Vidal news media round-up. Are Manchester United going to get the Juventus player? The past 24-hours news has been not all that informative.

Our headline invites you to ‘Guess Who Manchester United Are Swapping For Arturo Vidal”. Guess right and you could be a journalist with these fine newspapers.

The Star kicks things off with news that Vidal is off the radar at United because United are winning the “race” tio sign Fredy Guarin.

Anorak

Posted: 14th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Pip Liverpoool, Arsenal And Chelsea To Stroppy Marcos Rojo

TRANSFER Balls: the world awakens to the news that Manchester United are in for Argentina’s World Cup left back Marcos Rojo, currently at Sporting Lisbon. The Express says Southampton also want the player, but Marcos is “desperate” to join United.

Anorak

Posted: 13th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Sign Mats Hummels And Lose Him To Arsenal

TRANSFER Balls: Is Mats Hummels leaving Germany for the Premier League? The media hasn’t a clue. But that hasn’t stopped hacks stating rumour, speculation and utter balls as facts.

July 21

The Daily Express says Hummels has agreed to join Manchester United. The fee is £16m.

August 8

Anorak

Posted: 11th, August 2014 | In: Arsenal, manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Manchester United Sign Arturo Vidal For £7m More Than They Already Paid Juventus

TRANSFER Balls: Is Arturo Vidal heading to Manchester United?

Daily Star, August 9:

Starsport understands opening negotiations have begun towards a deal that would see United pay out a whopping club record £45m fee.

Barelona “star” Alex Song is soon called an “outcast”.

Louis Van Gaal will sign Alex Song from Barcelona if United fail in their move for Juventus midfielder Arturo Vidal. New reports claim Louis Van Gaal will move for the outcast former Arsenal star if Vidal fails to pass an upcoming medical.

Anorak

Posted: 10th, August 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)

Transfer Balls Full House: Marco Reus Joins Arsenal, Manchester United, Chelsea, Liverpool And Man City

TRANSFER Balls: A regular look at rumour and speculation being passed off as fact in the media. So, is Borussia Dortmund’s Marco Reus heading to the Premier League? As ever, the media contest is to link every top player with every top English club.

 Daily Mirror, December 26, 2013:

Manchester United target Marco Reus will cost £40m… Midfielder Reus had a £29.4m buy-out clause in his contract at Borussia Dortmund. But it is understood the situation has changed since Bayern Munich activated a similar clause to snatch Mario Gotze last summer.

Anorak

Posted: 26th, July 2014 | In: Arsenal, Chelsea, Liverpool, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment

Transfer Balls: Arturo Vidal Gets ‘Manchester United’ Shoved In His Mouth

TRANSFER Balls: Let’s see how the Press deal with Arturo Vidal.

Is Chilean heading to Manchester United?

No, says the Daily Mail.

But the Daily Mirror says:

United will look to bring in Arturo Vidal from Juventus.

The powerhouse Chilean who starred in Brazil is up for a big move and with United having already been in conversation with the Italian club over Patrice Evra’s move to Serie A the signs are good that Vidal will pump much needed strength into the Reds’ engine room next season.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, July 2014 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment

Daily Mail Attacks Manchester City’s Joe Hart And Arsenal’s Jack Wilshere For Following Its Health Tips

England’s Charlton brothers, Jack (l) and Bobby (r), relax at a pre-tournament function
Date: 26/06/1966

HOW football journalism works, with the Daily Mail’s Neil Ashton. Before the World Cup, on May 20, 2014, England were at the Grove Hotel for the Lions and Roses dinner. The charity event hosted by the England Footballers Foundation “raised £362,000 in a night for charity… and even Premier League stars were surprised at that amount of money!”

One bidder paid £10,000 for a round of golf with Manchester City’s Joe Hart and Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney. Ashton notes:

In an era when it is so easy to casually criticise the players, this event, in football parlance, could be described as ‘a leveller’. Every member of that squad, from captain Steven Gerrard and vice-captain Frank Lampard to Southampton trio Adam Lallana, Rickie Lambert and Luke Shaw, understood their roles and responsibilities.

Anorak

Posted: 16th, July 2014 | In: Arsenal, Key Posts, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports | Comment