I've seen a lot of negativity on here since the Varane transfer was announced. Some of it is shocking... instead of the majority feeling excited and happy about our signings so far, people are just looking at negatives saying we need at least another 1 or 2 players and also pointing out how much we've spent since OGS took over. Whilst I will gladly admit that we have spent a reasonable amount since his appointment, there are valid reasons for it.
Firstly, the team Ole took over was a total mess with several key players under Jose coming to the end: Valencia, Matic, Mata, Young and Fellaini all needed replacing with a different type of profile and due to inflation this has cost us quite a lot.
Secondly, I mentioned inflation in my previous point but I want to re-iterate it. Funnily enough it was Ole's predecessor that started it in the EPL by spending so much on Pogba. To put into perspective, since Pogba's transfer in 2016 the likes of VVD, Dias, Mahrez, Fabinho and so on have all had their values inflated and this has impacted our spending under Ole too. Pre 2016 Sancho would've cost probably 50 million, Maguire 40 million and Bruno 45 million. It's not Ole's fault that Jose upset the apple cart.
Thirdly, the quality of player Ole has been bringing in has commanded higher transfer fees. This is probably the most important point! We have spent well but we have bought well. The likes of Maguire, Bruno and AWB have already turned us into a formidable team and Sancho with Varane will only add to that. These are all stellar names and as such they cost more. It's been that way since the 1980's and it won't change anytime soon.
The last thing I want to say is that in another year or two, City and Liverpool's 'superstars' like KDB, Salah, Walker, VVD, Mahrez will all need quickly replacing within about 2 years of each other and I guarantee you'll see them spend similar amounts to us in such a short period. It's what is necessary when a team needs to be rebuilt.
Ole's Total Spend Justified
posted on 28/7/21
comment by Clockwork Red: Jadon and the Argonauts (U4892)
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He was just bored in La Liga after winning the World Cup. The thought of gunning for fourth in the PL will reanimate him.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
ole as herbert west?
posted on 28/7/21
trying to justify £80m for Maguire and blaming Jose for player inflation Deperate and idiotic!
posted on 28/7/21
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by Culér (U9489)
posted 41 seconds ago
comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted 1 minute ago
He isn't performing at the same levels as he was a few years ago, but then again neither are Real Madrid. It's a very good signing though, most clubs in the world would have taken him at £42m of what have you.
I still think United are a few players away. The team is certainly better and the feeling at United has improved massively under Ole, but with the nature of Man United, if he doesn't back that up with some concrete silverware he will come under pressure sooner rather than later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could argue that a lot of your players aren't performing at the same levels as a few years ago though. You wouldn't say they're all suddenly in decline though would you?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is that not the very definition of decline? Performance levels dropping from what they were previously?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it's the suggestion that any perceived decline is a permanent trend, when in Varane's case he's only just turned 28 and is about to embark on an exciting new chapter. Surely it's equally as likely that he'll now have a renewed desire and his performance levels will return to what we know he's capable of. Isn't it also possible that he could even surpass previous levels and be about to go to a whole new level of performance? CB's in particular have traditionally improved with age to a certain degree, so 28 could still be a few years off his best!
I know what I'm basically saying is anything's possible (heck it's 'possible' Phil Jones is about to miraculously mend himself and go all Maldini!), but I think with Varane the chances of this being the truth are pretty good.
posted on 28/7/21
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/7/21
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 8 minutes ago
comment by Cheeser (U1422)
posted 23 minutes ago
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 1 hour, 35 minutes ago
comment by Culér (U9489)
posted 41 seconds ago
comment by JustYourAverageFan (U21016)
posted 1 minute ago
He isn't performing at the same levels as he was a few years ago, but then again neither are Real Madrid. It's a very good signing though, most clubs in the world would have taken him at £42m of what have you.
I still think United are a few players away. The team is certainly better and the feeling at United has improved massively under Ole, but with the nature of Man United, if he doesn't back that up with some concrete silverware he will come under pressure sooner rather than later.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
You could argue that a lot of your players aren't performing at the same levels as a few years ago though. You wouldn't say they're all suddenly in decline though would you?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Is that not the very definition of decline? Performance levels dropping from what they were previously?
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I think it's the suggestion that any perceived decline is a permanent trend, when in Varane's case he's only just turned 28 and is about to embark on an exciting new chapter. Surely it's equally as likely that he'll now have a renewed desire and his performance levels will return to what we know he's capable of. Isn't it also possible that he could even surpass previous levels and be about to go to a whole new level of performance? CB's in particular have traditionally improved with age to a certain degree, so 28 could still be a few years off his best!
I know what I'm basically saying is anything's possible (heck it's 'possible' Phil Jones is about to miraculously mend himself and go all Maldini!), but I think with Varane the chances of this being the truth are pretty good.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Which is a fair point, but... his performances have regressed over a couple of years, including with the national team. At 28, he could easily find his best form again, maybe even better. My point to our friend Culer was, that he isn't the best CB in the world, or top 3 based on performances over x amount of time. He has regressed from where he was.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Can't argue with you. It's one of those that could go either way, but as a Utd fan I'm excited at the possibilty it could go my way. Plus, given the price it's a no-brainer really
posted on 28/7/21
Comment Deleted by Site Moderator
posted on 28/7/21
Care to point out the negatively by our fan base or are you just looking at what other fans are saying and quoting it as ours
posted on 28/7/21
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 4 hours, 40 minutes ago
trying to justify £80m for Maguire and blaming Jose for player inflationDeperate and idiotic!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't know we had to justify what we paid to a fan of another club.
Oh we don't? Right you can feck off then
posted on 28/7/21
comment by Boris 'Inky’ Gibson (U5901)
posted 5 hours, 31 minutes ago
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Culér (U9489)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Culér (U9489)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by GTWI4T- some people deserve to get trolled (U6008)
posted 1 minute ago
Why did you filter Robb
----------------------------------------------------------------------
He was disrupting article flow. Why how do you know??
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I just do.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I will consider potentially removing him from the filter list, but not immediately. To be fair I do like Robb so putting him in the sin bin is a bit harsh as he always contributes to a debate but he went too far.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
disrupting the flow of an article is going too far.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Outrageous behaviour, Admin should remove him and his immediate family from the site completely.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Robb comes across as a bit of a cry baby and a hypocrite, seeing as he's created an article announcing that you've filtered him.
He filtered me for simply calling him out on his repetitive 'Ole out' agenda. Think that might actually have been the first time I had posted on one of his articles.
Funny enough he disappeared for a few months when Ole started getting a tune of the team.
posted on 29/7/21
comment by manusince52 (U9692)
posted 19 hours, 5 minutes ago
comment by Devonshirespur (U6316)
posted 4 hours, 40 minutes ago
trying to justify £80m for Maguire and blaming Jose for player inflationDeperate and idiotic!
----------------------------------------------------------------------
I didn't know we had to justify what we paid to a fan of another club.
Oh we don't? Right you can feck off then
----------------------------------------------------------------------
indeed but the OP felt the need to post an article about it