comment by No Løve (U1282)
posted 48 seconds ago
comment by Clockwork Red: Rúben's Train (U4892)
posted 34 seconds ago
comment by No Løve (U1282)
posted 30 seconds ago
Madam I'm Adam.




Y'all better acknowledge this.
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I just feel that the apostrophe makes it an underwhelming palindromic experience.

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The you don't know about palindromes because it's well accepted that in palindromes, spacing, punctuation, and capitalization etc are usually ignored.
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Madam' I'm Adam.

comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by Inbefore (U20589)
posted 45 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 21 minutes ago
Can't say I've ever seen the lad play but last season was the 1st semi prolific season of his career.

It would be a huge risk spending big on him and not hugely different to Hojlund & Zirkzee.
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fee they wants ridiculous too isnt it 100m euro? itd be a gamble at half that
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Agreed. If Liverpool went and paid that after selling Nunez I could maybe understand it as the rest of you team is strong anyway and if he didn't work out it's probably not a huge disaster.

We're not in that privileged position though. If we get a new CF we can't afford him not to be a hit if we're going to get out of our current mess.
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In our financial state, we're not really in a position to buy a risk free centre forward, are we? A striker who comes with a guarantee he'll be prolific in the PL is basically the most expensive thing in football. If such a player is available on a free or on a bargain release clause, then his wages will be horrific and there will be three or four teams already playing at elite level and qualified for the CL competing for his signature.

That leaves us with the option of going for an experienced striker who will function in the PL but probably not set it on fire or a player who is unproven due to playing in a less competitive league and/or youth. And both of these profiles will cost a hell of a lot too.

The only scenario that isn't very risky and/or doesn't move the needle that much is if an 18 year-old striker from the academy or poached from Arsenal's matures into the real deal supernaturally quickly.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 11 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by Inbefore (U20589)
posted 45 minutes ago
comment by The Process (U20671)
posted 21 minutes ago
Can't say I've ever seen the lad play but last season was the 1st semi prolific season of his career.

It would be a huge risk spending big on him and not hugely different to Hojlund & Zirkzee.
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fee they wants ridiculous too isnt it 100m euro? itd be a gamble at half that
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Agreed. If Liverpool went and paid that after selling Nunez I could maybe understand it as the rest of you team is strong anyway and if he didn't work out it's probably not a huge disaster.

We're not in that privileged position though. If we get a new CF we can't afford him not to be a hit if we're going to get out of our current mess.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

In our financial state, we're not really in a position to buy a risk free centre forward, are we? A striker who comes with a guarantee he'll be prolific in the PL is basically the most expensive thing in football. If such a player is available on a free or on a bargain release clause, then his wages will be horrific and there will be three or four teams already playing at elite level and qualified for the CL competing for his signature.

That leaves us with the option of going for an experienced striker who will function in the PL but probably not set it on fire or a player who is unproven due to playing in a less competitive league and/or youth. And both of these profiles will cost a hell of a lot too.

The only scenario that isn't very risky and/or doesn't move the needle that much is if an 18 year-old striker from the academy or poached from Arsenal's matures into the real deal supernaturally quickly.
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Yep

I think there are probably 3 CFs on the market right now who would be expected to hit the ground running:

Osimhen - We're not in a position to get him

Gyokores - Prefers a CL team, and even if we did get him there are doubts about how well his form will translate to the PL given his technical limitations.

Mateta - I wouldn't be against this. But its the 'low ceiling' option.

Other than those, you're probably looking at a player of Ekitike's profile, who unfortunately will cost a lot but you hope are a big enough talent to justify it eventually.

You'd also hope that Cunha and potentially Mbeumo are able to relieve some of the goalscoring burden of whoever we put there.

Or a free transfer. Jonathan David still hasn't moved club and there was a rumour he wants to join us. Of course he'd want a big signing on fee (what's that, £5m?) but compared to spending £50+ on a striker who will also want a decent wage it does seem less of a risk.

Why are we not in a position to get Osimhen?

Price wise he'd be similar to Gyokeres, the big issue are wages but if there is little choice for him and Napoli are pretty insistent of him leaving maybe that can be worked on?

Why are we not in a position to get Osimhen?
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I listened to a good podcast with Carl Anka the other day who basically explained that the actors involved are making it extremely difficult. Not only his wage demands but the team around him too. I'm obviously not an expert in the legalities of transfers but it did sound like a really complicated one to get done.

Basically, it doesnt sound like he'll be going to another European club unless they're able to put forward some fairly massive financial commitments. Its why Saudi is the most likely option.

comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 1 minute ago
Why are we not in a position to get Osimhen?
-----------------------------
I listened to a good podcast with Carl Anka the other day who basically explained that the actors involved are making it extremely difficult. Not only his wage demands but the team around him too. I'm obviously not an expert in the legalities of transfers but it did sound like a really complicated one to get done.

Basically, it doesnt sound like he'll be going to another European club unless they're able to put forward some fairly massive financial commitments. Its why Saudi is the most likely option.
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https://youtu.be/wXgMpiH0upM?si=K2rL9bGYUjWgtBVO

The podcast i was referring to btw. It's a great listen if anyone has an hour to kill.

comment by manutd1982 (U6633)
posted 9 minutes ago
Or a free transfer. Jonathan David still hasn't moved club and there was a rumour he wants to join us. Of course he'd want a big signing on fee (what's that, £5m?) but compared to spending £50+ on a striker who will also want a decent wage it does seem less of a risk.
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I've heard significantly higher sums for sign-on fee bandied about (up to £30m) but no idea whether anything is based on concrete knowledge. But I would assume that the combined fee and wages will be a sizeable sum - that would limit scope to invest in another CF in the coming year or two (and make it hard to sell him if he flops).

comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by -bloodred- (U1222)
posted 1 minute ago
Why are we not in a position to get Osimhen?
-----------------------------
I listened to a good podcast with Carl Anka the other day who basically explained that the actors involved are making it extremely difficult. Not only his wage demands but the team around him too. I'm obviously not an expert in the legalities of transfers but it did sound like a really complicated one to get done.

Basically, it doesnt sound like he'll be going to another European club unless they're able to put forward some fairly massive financial commitments. Its why Saudi is the most likely option.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
https://youtu.be/wXgMpiH0upM?si=K2rL9bGYUjWgtBVO

The podcast i was referring to btw. It's a great listen if anyone has an hour to kill.
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I watched that a couple of weeks ago. Second your recommendation. There's a lot of people making a living writing and talking about United these days, and Carl Anka is the one I find most useful when it comes to analysing tactics and players.

But he's rejected all the Saudi offers I thought and a large reason they wanted him was to showcase him at the CWC which they can no longer do. That link was also made before the CWC transfer deadline ended.

It seems Napoli have no desire to keep him and if he really doesn't want a Saudi move then surely it has to be to Europe? I'm not saying I want him but I'm not convinced moving to a Saudi club is his only option.

£30m! That's mental, who the f-ck is going to pay that?

Having watched that same podcast as bloodred, I can't say I remember Carl Anka saying Saudi was most likely, but I was doing a bit of work in parallel.

Ekitike is the next Henry.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 1 minute ago
Having watched that same podcast as bloodred, I can't say I remember Carl Anka saying Saudi was most likely, but I was doing a bit of work in parallel.
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Yeah, i probably added that bit in myself...but i believe he did say its going to be difficult to get him to another European club, so I guess its kind of implied.

I dunno 82, possibly. As i said im no expert, but i think we as fans overlook just how much goes on behind the scenes with transfers as large as these, beyond just wages and transfers fees. He's an absolutely top striker, who's team are actively looking for sell in a market where a lot of big clubs are looking for a CF. The fact there appear to be no concrete links to any of these teams (yet) suggests something is off though.

Why were PSG happy to sell him relatively cheap or do they have some kind of buy back clause?

Listened to that video, the guy seems pretty sure European clubs can't afford Osimhen because of his entourage but if he has rejected the Saudi clubs (as was reported) then what other option does he have?

Yeah I can imagine a lot of deals are a nightmare with players and their entourage. It just seems pretty depressing for a player like Osimhen who is so talented and could have the choice top European clubs to move to but potentially can't because of others.

comment by newWAYNEorder nWo nDubz (U23264)
posted 2 hours, 32 minutes ago
comment by Afc DL (U21076)
posted 41 minutes ago
comment by Inbefore (U20589)
posted 26 minutes ago
comment by D'Jeezus Mackaroni (U1137)
posted 2 minutes ago
comment by Afc DL (U21076)
posted 45 minutes ago
Eze
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Ono
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shei ojo and ozan kabak
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Also Eze's team mate Esse.
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Is that his Mexican friend?
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Haven't watched a single game he's played so hard to judge. I was reading earlier though that he's a slightly more mobile version of Zirkzee in that he's deceptively skillful for a big guy, brings players into the game very well but isn't very prolific.

Very much feels like he's 3rd or even 4th choice at this point though.

Maybe having a number 9 who is just a goal getter and offers nothing else isn't what we need though? With Cunha, Mbuemo (possibly), Bruno and Amad we should have enough goals in our team now.

comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 10 minutes ago
Haven't watched a single game he's played so hard to judge. I was reading earlier though that he's a slightly more mobile version of Zirkzee in that he's deceptively skillful for a big guy, brings players into the game very well but isn't very prolific.

Very much feels like he's 3rd or even 4th choice at this point though.

Maybe having a number 9 who is just a goal getter and offers nothing else isn't what we need though? With Cunha, Mbuemo (possibly), Bruno and Amad we should have enough goals in our team now.
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I think Amorim has some pretty specific requirements of the CF to optimise his system - stamina to run hard all game, good movement running the channels, good back to goal play. It might be (given cost of strikers and our budget) that someone who fits those needs really well but isn't prolific would be a better solution than someone who knows how to find the back of the net but doesn't really suit the system.

Also, why is his price so high compared to Marmoush who was the one everyone was raving about at Frankfurt?
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Because his name isn't a palindrome.

comment by FFS Mike. (U1170)
posted 2 hours ago
Ugo Ehiogu is so close to being a good full name one.
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He should change his name to ihiogu.

comment by Red Russian (U4715)
posted 19 minutes ago
comment by Tyranny of the majority (SE85) (U21241)
posted 10 minutes ago
Haven't watched a single game he's played so hard to judge. I was reading earlier though that he's a slightly more mobile version of Zirkzee in that he's deceptively skillful for a big guy, brings players into the game very well but isn't very prolific.

Very much feels like he's 3rd or even 4th choice at this point though.

Maybe having a number 9 who is just a goal getter and offers nothing else isn't what we need though? With Cunha, Mbuemo (possibly), Bruno and Amad we should have enough goals in our team now.
----------------------------------------------------------------------

I think Amorim has some pretty specific requirements of the CF to optimise his system - stamina to run hard all game, good movement running the channels, good back to goal play. It might be (given cost of strikers and our budget) that someone who fits those needs really well but isn't prolific would be a better solution than someone who knows how to find the back of the net but doesn't really suit the system.
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I don't think Delap, Gyokeres, Osimhen and Ekitike are all the same type of player though. All forwards of course but they all have different strengths.

Are we even certain we know what we want? Or are we just desperate for a CF no matter the profile?

SE85, sure, they're all different players, but Delap, Gyokeres and Osimhen are all good back to goal and work hard running the channels. I can't say as much about Ekitike, and also I don't know how genuine the links are (seems like both the player's representatives and his club would benefit from telling the world that United are interested).

"Are we even certain we know what we want? Or are we just desperate for a CF no matter the profile?"

Well, I guess Amorim has a good idea of what he wants from a CF. But in a market where there aren't many good players available, I guess the club has to be pragmatic about compromises between the ideal profile, quality, age and price.

Well, I guess Amorim has a good idea of what he wants from a CF. But in a market where there aren't many good players available, I guess the club has to be pragmatic about compromises between the ideal profile, quality, age and price.

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Rashford it is, then.