Bacary Spiderhead Sagna

Confirmed, 150k a week.

Reflects badly on him if he rejected us for more cash and being zabaletas deputy.

Originally Posted by Sparky***

I think people are seriously underestimating the mentality of the modern footballer.

Established premier league and big european players aren't going to join United and hang around for 3 years whilst the club tries to get itself back on the rails after last season's utter disaster. They want chances of the big trophies NOW and the best place for that is either City or Chelsea.

Exactly.

Somebody yesterday suggesting Fabregas had to 'settle' for Chelsea. Oh, the poor thing. We're not in the CL and from the outside looking in, we're on a downer. The name will attract to a degree, but people need to shift this (pretty arrogant) mentality that players will always choose us over anyone else. City are the champions, Chelsea have the draw of being in London, both are in the CL, both have class players that players want to play with and both will offer more money than us.

Originally Posted by The Return of JC

Exactly.

Somebody yesterday suggesting Fabregas had to 'settle' for Chelsea. Oh, the poor thing. We're not in the CL and from the outside looking in, we're on a downer. The name will attract to a degree, but people need to shift this (pretty arrogant) mentality that players will always choose us over anyone else. City are the champions, Chelsea have the draw of being in London, both are in the CL, both have class players that players want to play with and both will offer more money than us.

Chelsea used to routinely pip us to players before. It does not appear that we went back in for Fabregas this summer.

Some players are moneygrabbers, simple. You and sparky like you've just told us something new and revolutionary. Chelsea and City better sporting options? Don't make me laugh. If you offer equal money then United will always be the choice. Sagna has gone for money. But who really gives a shit, would be nothing more than a depth signing at RB. Got faith in Rafael, he'll come on loads under LvG.

Originally Posted by The Return of JC

Exactly.

Somebody yesterday suggesting Fabregas had to 'settle' for Chelsea. Oh, the poor thing. We're not in the CL and from the outside looking in, we're on a downer. The name will attract to a degree, but people need to shift this (pretty arrogant) mentality that players will always choose us over anyone else. City are the champions, Chelsea have the draw of being in London, both are in the CL, both have class players that players want to play with and both will offer more money than us.

Exactly. Why do you think Van Persie wanted to join us? because the clock was ticking on his career, Arsenal were going nowhere and he wanted to win the league and play for the best manager.

Mata is a complete exception to this as he was desperate to get off Chelsea's bench with the world cup looming.

You're going to attract 2 sorts of player being in the situation we're in - A young up and comer, hungry to win things and play for a big club and players in their 30s or late 20s looking for one last big money move.

Big, established players in the 23-27 age bracket, forget it.

Originally Posted by saffers

Chelsea used to routinely pip us to players before. It does not appear that we went back in for Fabregas this summer.

Some players are moneygrabbers, simple. You and sparky like you've just told us something new and revolutionary.

Not really, mate. I'm not saying we were in for Fabregas, but nobody even considered the possibility that we may have been and he chose them. Like the idea is just ridiculous.

I'm not saying he's a money grabber either. Most players would choose City at the moment. Mate, they're champions. We finished seventh. We have no CL to offer. That makes them a more attractive proposition to most players.

That's our own stupid fault for hiring a third - rate manager. We have to deal with it and admit that we aren't the biggest draw right now. Suggesting any player that goes to a team that Is currently much better than us is going purely for money just smacks of arrogance and bitterness. If they were seventh and we were top, then fair enough. If it was at the beginning of city's 'project' then fair enough. ....but it's not. They're better than us.

Relying solely on our tradition and players supposed 'integrity' is a downward spiral. Liverpool spent 24 years scratching their heads with that attitude.

Sagna is 31, he just went to City to be back up purely cos of the wage on offer. Simple as that.

RvP isnt something you'd want to bring up, he chose us ahead of City despite them offering more money. He's an example of a footballer who values the sporting option over cash. This was despite us still not having a midfield and having thrown the league away to Ciddy the past season. We are the biggest club in this country by far and have 20 year long dynasty, that matters.

As for trophy chances TODAY, I fancy us, we have a much better squad than people give us credit for. I wouldn't swap a fit and firing RvP, Mata, Januzaj, Nani, Rooney and Kagawa for any other forward line. Get 2 top midfielders and 2 top defenders and we have the best squad in the country again.

Just look at how both city and chelsea tried to throw the league away to a really mediocre liverpool side. City have added fernando(another ageing CM/DM) and sagna. By all accounts money is tight at City, how much are they really gonna improve?

Chelsea have signed fabregas who there are doubts over whether he can fit a mourinho team and diego costa who has one decent season under his belt. Seems more of a runner than proper goalscorer. Chelsea still lack goals IMO.

We really need to deliver in the market this summer. Will seriously fancy us to piss the league if we do.

Originally Posted by The Return of JC

Not really, mate. I'm not saying we were in for Fabregas, but nobody even considered the possibility that we may have been and he chose them. Like the idea is just ridiculous.

I'm not saying he's a money grabber either. Most players would choose City at the moment. Mate, they're champions. We finished seventh. We have no CL to offer. That makes them a more attractive proposition to most players.

That's our own stupid fault for hiring a third - rate manager. We have to deal with it and admit that we aren't the biggest draw right now. Suggesting any player that goes to a team that Is currently much better than us is going purely for money just smacks of arrogance and bitterness. If they were seventh and we were top, then fair enough. If it was at the beginning of city's 'project' then fair enough. ....but it's not. They're better than us.

Relying solely on our tradition and players supposed 'integrity' is a downward spiral. Liverpool spent 24 years scratching their heads with that attitude.

They are not better than us, football is more than a one year period.

This "new liverpool" shit is not only embarrassing but its also inaccurate.

Originally Posted by saffers

RvP isnt something you'd want to bring up, he chose us ahead of City despite them offering more money. He's an example of a footballer who values the sporting option over cash. This was despite us still not having a midfield and having thrown the league away to Ciddy the past season. We are the biggest club in this country by far and have 20 year long dynasty, that matters.

Yeah but that was two years ago when we had Freggle and champions league football, both things worth moving to United for. Now we have neither. Van Gaal is a draw, certainly far more of a draw than that last £#%&!wit, but it's still an uncertain future.

Originally Posted by saffers

Sagna is 31, he just went to City to be back up purely cos of the wage on offer. Simple as that.

RvP isnt something you'd want to bring up, he chose us ahead of City despite them offering more money. He's an example of a footballer who values the sporting option over cash. This was despite us still not having a midfield and having thrown the league away to Ciddy the past season. We are the biggest club in this country by far and have 20 year long dynasty, that matters.

As for trophy chances TODAY, I fancy us, we have a much better squad than people give us credit for. I wouldn't swap a fit and firing RvP, Mata, Januzaj, Nani, Rooney and Kagawa for any other forward line. Get 2 top midfielders and 2 top defenders and we have the best squad in the country again.

Just look at how both city and chelsea tried to throw the league away to a really mediocre liverpool side. City have added fernando(another ageing CM/DM) and sagna. By all accounts money is tight at City, how much are they really gonna improve?

Chelsea have signed fabregas who there are doubts over whether he can fit a mourinho team and diego costa who has one decent season under his belt. Seems more of a runner than proper goalscorer. Chelsea still lack goals IMO.

We really need to deliver in the market this summer. Will seriously fancy us to piss the league if we do.

Saffers, it really isn't as simple as that. It would be that simple if those clubs had nothing to offer more than us apart from money. ...but they do. They both finished higher than us, they both have CL football. Those are facts and we made that bed.

Tradition matters, Ofcourse, but you're looking at it from a fans perspective. Players are ambitious and will view a move by what they can achieve. ....and also how much they can earn, of course. But to suggest it's ONLY that is absurd these days.

I agree with the sentiment of the rest of your post and hope you're right.

Originally Posted by andyroo

Yeah but that was two years ago when we had Freggle and champions league football, both things worth moving to United for. Now we have neither. Van Gaal is a draw, certainly far more of a draw than that last £#%&!wit, but it's still an uncertain future.

We weren't on target for a CL win then with absolutely no midfield back then anyway. RvP joined us to win the league. And did so, quite emphatically.

Playing in 8 cl games over 12 months isnt quite the big deal its made out to be. Anyone who says they would reject United cos they arent in the CL for one season are kidding themselves. They wouldn't be joining us even if we were in it.

Originally Posted by saffers

They are not better than us, football is more than a one year period.

This "new liverpool" shit is not only embarrassing but its also inaccurate.

Ok, then let's take it in a three year period. ...city have two of the last three titles.....mate, it doesn't matter where we were 12 months ago, or will be in 12 months. Players will assess what's in front of them at face value. Again, you're looking at it as a fan. Being optimistic about where we can go. Players don't need to do that. They can just take their pick. I'm sure city and chelsea think and expect to improve just as we hope to.

Having said all of that, i £#%&!ing love your positivity and hope you're right. Don't ever change


Edit: hate it when saffers acts like a phone

Originally Posted by saffers

We weren't on target for a CL win then with absolutely no midfield back then anyway. RvP joined us to win the league. And did so, quite emphatically.

Playing in 8 cl games over 12 months isnt quite the big deal its made out to be. Anyone who says they would reject United cos they arent in the CL for one season are kidding themselves. They wouldn't be joining us even if we were in it.

Maybe. But anyone who would join us in order to win the league, well, wouldn't join us now either. That's self-evident.

I believe we'll make the CL next year and even have a chance to be in the title shake-up, but it's a harder sell to a player than it was under Freggle, that couldn't be more obvious. And even then we missed out on targets.

Saffers spot on, as per.

Playing for United and not winning anything is more prestigious than winning the lot with Oligarch FC or Arab Oil Athletic.

Don't care if that sounds arrogant, it's the truth. United are the biggest club in the country by a distance, the most famous club in the world, and are an institution. We're not exactly fighting relegation either.

If we offered more money than Chelsea/City then it would be a no-brainer for any player. As I said, that may sound arrogant, but it's the unspoken truth that fans of clubs like Chelsea and City don't like acknowledging. They've hit the lottery, and that's the only reason for their success.

Originally Posted by Neo

Saffers spot on, as per.

Playing for United and not winning anything is more prestigious than winning the lot with Oligarch FC or Arab Oil Athletic.

Don't care if that sounds arrogant, it's the truth. United are the biggest club in the country by a distance, the most famous club in the world, and are an institution. We're not exactly fighting relegation either.

If we offered more money than Chelsea/City then it would be a no-brainer for any player. As I said, that may sound arrogant, but it's the unspoken truth that fans of clubs like Chelsea and City don't like acknowledging. They've hit the lottery, and that's the only reason for their success.

We are the biggest and we are a draw......but that Is not the biggest motivating factor for a player.

Chelsea and City are oil-funded, but the result of that is success. Success attracts. They win trophies, they compete for the top trophies. So do we Ofcourse, but right here and now, we're in a bad spot. City and Chelsea are currently better than us. That will matter more to most players than us a intangible notion of being the biggest club.

Right now, city and chelsea are better than us, with better prospects for the coming season. And they'll offer more money. How they got there, is irrelevant.

Originally Posted by Neo

Saffers spot on, as per.

Playing for United and not winning anything is more prestigious than winning the lot with Oligarch FC or Arab Oil Athletic.

Don't care if that sounds arrogant, it's the truth. United are the biggest club in the country by a distance, the most famous club in the world, and are an institution. We're not exactly fighting relegation either.

If we offered more money than Chelsea/City then it would be a no-brainer for any player. As I said, that may sound arrogant, but it's the unspoken truth that fans of clubs like Chelsea and City don't like acknowledging. They've hit the lottery, and that's the only reason for their success.

You're a united fan, of course you'll say that
The simple fact is city, Chelsea, Liverpool and arsenal can offer champions league football and two of them can offer bigger wages and or a better location,

Liverpool are a massive institution with a huge trophy haul too, they will never attract the biggest players in the world at their peak simply because any sane person would rather live in Barcelona, Madrid, London, Milan etc
Northern British cities like Manchester, Liverpool or Glasgow will never have the draw that others can bring, in purely locational terms.

It'll happen in America too given time, the likes of red bulls and galaxy will offer the chance to live in L.A or New York and more money and players will jump at the chance

Sorry, but isn't Sagna £#%&!?

Originally Posted by The Return of JC

Ok, then let's take it in a three year period. ...city have two of the last three titles.....mate, it doesn't matter where we were 12 months ago, or will be in 12 months. Players will assess what's in front of them at face value. Again, you're looking at it as a fan. Being optimistic about where we can go. Players don't need to do that. They can just take their pick. I'm sure city and chelsea think and expect to improve just as we hope to.

Having said all of that, i £#%&!ing love your positivity and hope you're right. Don't ever change


Edit: hate it when saffers acts like a phone

And Utd have won 5 of the last 8

Think some of you are missing an important point. The are some in the football world that see United as in a decline, unlike us eternal optimist fans that look at 2 or 3 good signings and we'll be flying again. Some consider other things like Fergie retiring, Vidic leaving, Rio leaving, Giggs retiring, our best striker in Van Persie having a poor season last season, our best midfielder in Carrick having a poor season last season, they add all that up and think we are on the slide. I don't think it will happen, but ask any Liverpool fan that was watching around 93 if they thought nearly a quarter of a decade on they would not have recovered and they would have said no.

And here's the issue, if a player that we are trying to sign is thinking that way then there is only one way to convince them different, and that will be meeting with Van Gaal, listening to his plans, listening to his vision, and more importantly believing in his plans and buying into his vision. If a player is not convinced that we are still a force and will challenge again then the future needs to be sold to him, thats part of Van Gaal's job, but until he gets behind the desk he is unable to do the job.

United are the biggest club in the country, the most famous club in the world and that will still be enough for some players, and there will be players excited by the prospect of helping us get back on top, but there will also be others who think we are on the way down and that Chelsea, City etc are going to be the dominant force over the next 5 years, and thats how far in front most players will look.

We are still signing superb sponsorship deals, this is largely due to Woodward selling the future to the sponsors, making sure they are convinced this is just a slip and not the start of a fall. Until Van Gaal can do the same for players then some will look elsewhere.

Originally Posted by Marvel7

Think some of you are missing an important point. The are some in the football world that see United as in a decline, unlike us eternal optimist fans that look at 2 or 3 good signings and we'll be flying again. Some consider other things like Fergie retiring, Vidic leaving, Rio leaving, Giggs retiring, our best striker in Van Persie having a poor season last season, our best midfielder in Carrick having a poor season last season, they add all that up and think we are on the slide. I don't think it will happen, but ask any Liverpool fan that was watching around 93 if they thought nearly a quarter of a decade on they would not have recovered and they would have said no.

And here's the issue, if a player that we are trying to sign is thinking that way then there is only one way to convince them different, and that will be meeting with Van Gaal, listening to his plans, listening to his vision, and more importantly believing in his plans and buying into his vision. If a player is not convinced that we are still a force and will challenge again then the future needs to be sold to him, thats part of Van Gaal's job, but until he gets behind the desk he is unable to do the job.

United are the biggest club in the country, the most famous club in the world and that will still be enough for some players, and there will be players excited by the prospect of helping us get back on top, but there will also be others who think we are on the way down and that Chelsea, City etc are going to be the dominant force over the next 5 years, and thats how far in front most players will look.

We are still signing superb sponsorship deals, this is largely due to Woodward selling the future to the sponsors, making sure they are convinced this is just a slip and not the start of a fall. Until Van Gaal can do the same for players then some will look elsewhere.

Spot on and nicely put

Originally Posted by atticusgrinch

And Utd have won 5 of the last 8

My point was more that players will look at the present.