Ross Barkley 'open to the idea' of joining United

World class players are as rare as hen's teeth. Ronaldo stood out in one of United's best ever teams. That's world class.

Best, Law and Charlton stood out in one of United's best ever teams. That's world class.

Di Stefano and Puskas stood out in a great Real Madrid team. That's world class.

Gullit, Van Basten and Rijkaard stood out in a great Milan team. That's world class.

There's barely any around today other than Ronaldo and Messi. Both are getting on. United should be scouting their balls off to find the next few in line under 25. Probably under 20 as that's the only way we're going to get one.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Possibly hard to put him in the world class category for the same reasons. Cantona had genuine world class ability; one of the most naturally gifted players you'll find. But you could argue his lack of success in European or international football goes against him.

Yeah but he's qualified to comment on managers, right?

Originally Posted by Whip Hubley

Yeah but he's qualified to comment on managers, right?

Siders wasn't the one who brought up Eric's opinion of managers

Originally Posted by andyroo

Siders wasn't the one who brought up Eric's opinion of managers

ey up siders entourage are in town

Originally Posted by andyroo

Siders wasn't the one who brought up Eric's opinion of managers

Wanna crawl your way out of Sider's arse pal?

Originally Posted by dragflick

Wanna crawl your way out of Sider's arse pal?

Not particularly. Nice in here.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Possibly hard to put him in the world class category for the same reasons. Cantona had genuine world class ability; one of the most naturally gifted players you'll find. But you could argue his lack of success in European or international football goes against him.

Would we see someone who only did it in the current Serie A but not in Europe or international football as world class?

Absolute balls.

He barely played in Europe in 1994/95 because of that stupid foreigner rule.

Didn't play in Europe in 1995/96 because we got beaten by Rotor Volgograd.

We got to the semi final of the CL in 1997.

Didn't really have much of a chance to prove himself but everyone knew he was world class ffs.

Originally Posted by andyroo

Not particularly. Nice in here.

Making Whippy look a clown is a 24-hour job. Appreciate the support, pal.

Originally Posted by lindelof

Absolute balls.

He barely played in Europe in 1994/95 because of that stupid foreigner rule.

Didn't play in Europe in 1995/96 because we got beaten by Rotor Volgograd.

We got to the semi final of the CL in 1997.

Didn't really have much of a chance to prove himself but everyone knew he was world class ffs.

Yeah isn't that pretty much in line with what I said? It's not that he couldn't do it, but he didn't prove it.

If you're a huge star in the mid '90s English league, to reach world class status you probably have to go to Italy. Or do it in the European Cup/international level. Think Shearer was linked with Juventus around '95. That was the platform.

Cantona almost joined Inter Milan in 95. Not like he wasn't coveted by the big clubs.

Originally Posted by lindelof

Cantona almost joined Inter Milan...

Indeed, was going to use that example but decided to save myself any grief

And again, I reckon Cantona with his head right would have been great in prime Serie A. But it didn't happen, so he didn't prove it.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Indeed, was going to use that example but decided to save myself any grief

And again, I reckon Cantona with his head right would have been great in prime Serie A. But it didn't happen, so he didn't prove it.

Ok I'm kind of on your wavelength...

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

He was a force of nature in a bad league. You could genuinely argue that the '90s Prem was the 4th or 5th best league in Europe. Which would make it similar to be current French league. Like I say it's not that he didn't have the talent; I just think he needed to step up a level.

you could genuinely argue that united were the best team in europe for 3 straight seasons at the end of the 90s as well.

very unlucky to get beat off dortmund, the best team in europe in the 1st half of 97/98 for sure, and treble winners in 98/99

we also beat cruyff's barca at the start of the decade and were an irresistible force in 93 and 94 too, without ever getting the chance to prove it in europe.

Originally Posted by Tumescent Throb

you could genuinely argue that united were the best team in europe for 3 straight seasons at the end of the 90s as well.

very unlucky to get beat off dortmund, the best team in europe in the 1st half of 97/98 for sure, and treble winners in 98/99

we also beat cruyff's barca at the start of the decade and were an irresistible force in 93 and 94 too, without ever getting the chance to prove it in europe.

Spot on, great post.

Shearer was absolutely world class. Not prepared to argue with any of you rems about it but he was. So was Eric obv.

If we hadve signed Shearer, we would've beaten Dortmund in 97 and won the Champions League. Remember saying exactly that to my old man when we left Old Trafford after the second leg. I was right then and I'm still right now.

Yeah, I know we all like to hate SoP - and for very sound reasons - but there is no doubt IMO that he would have been fantastic for us.

Originally Posted by red in cumbria

Yeah, I know we all like to hate SoP - and for very sound reasons - but there is no doubt IMO that he would have been fantastic for us.

Have at least two more CLs to our name that's for sure.

Originally Posted by Tumescent Throb

you could genuinely argue that united were the best team in europe for 3 straight seasons at the end of the 90s as well.

very unlucky to get beat off dortmund, the best team in europe in the 1st half of 97/98 for sure, and treble winners in 98/99

we also beat cruyff's barca at the start of the decade and were an irresistible force in 93 and 94 too, without ever getting the chance to prove it in europe.

All ifs and maybes though at the end of the day. Much like Shearer's hypothetical success and CL wins for United.

World class is proven in reality not on what ifs.

Originally Posted by lindelof

Have at least two more CLs to our name that's for sure.

6 goals in 20 European matches during his heyday.

Worked out all right for us anyway

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

All ifs and maybes though at the end of the day. Much like Shearer's hypothetical success and CL wins for United.

World class is proven in reality not on what ifs.



6 goals in 20 European matches during his heyday.

Irrelevant.

He wasn't playing in a United side.