Nicolás Hernán Gonzalo Otamendi

Originally Posted by saffers

Apparently Mendes being a c***/not helping us with De Gea means we don't want to get involved with his deals. Not sure thats a war woody wants.

To be fair to Woodward, we seem to have gotten £#%&!ed over with every one of Mendes' players we did sign! But as you're alluding to, Mendes controls so many of the Spanish/Portuguese and South American players that we could miss out on future targets because of it!

Originally Posted by tetrisblock

To be fair to Woodward, we seem to have gotten £#%&!ed over with every one of Mendes' players we did sign! But as you're alluding to, Mendes controls so many of the Spanish/Portuguese and South American players that we could miss out on future targets because of it!

Yep, just look at how many future stars he has stashed away at Valencia in the last year.

But Mendes also has to realise United are the most cash rich club out there not dependent on russian/arab oil money. He needs us as much as we need him.

Dont forget Bebe.

This and the Firminho thread have taken some big victims.

Heard Otamendi was backup for Ramos but United not convinced at all about £ involved for a player whose had one decent season. Watched him at Copa and thought he was nothing decent.

Otamendi? Sooner have that Dutch CB at Celtic.

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

This and the Firminho thread have taken some big victims.

Heard Otamendi was backup for Ramos but United not convinced at all about £ involved for a player whose had one decent season. Watched him at Copa and thought he was nothing decent.

If you're going to drop £36m on a defender who is 27-28 and already in his prime, it needs to be a certified proven worldy.

Disappointed at the lack of strengthening in that area, but Smalling has been outstanding defensively so far. If Blind or someone else can help with the other side we might get away with it, because it doesn't look like Mike is getting any better on the ball.

Originally Posted by Whalefish

Otamendi? Sooner have that Dutch CB at Celtic.

He's turd.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

If you're going to drop £36m on a defender who is 27-28 and already in his prime, it needs to be a certified proven worldy.

Disappointed at the lack of strengthening in that area, but Smalling has been outstanding defensively so far. If Blind or someone else can help with the other side we might get away with it, because it doesn't look like Mike is getting any better on the ball.

Smalling has been ace. The transformation has been remarkable, Young has got his plaudits but for me Smalling has been even better in a key area of the pitch. He looks comfortable on the ball, doesn't overcomplicate things and has grown to be a reliable defender, mental as under the previous bloke he was completely gone.

The £ involved for Otamendi just isn't worth it, he'll do well for City but not convinced he would suit under this manager and how he wants us to play. Reckon Stones is the one he wants.

If there's no one "available" blind and Rojo should be enough.....

We currently need a striker over a CB imo

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

He's turd.



Smalling has been ace. The transformation has been remarkable, Young has got his plaudits but for me Smalling has been even better in a key area of the pitch. He looks comfortable on the ball, doesn't overcomplicate things and has grown to be a reliable defender, mental as under the previous bloke he was completely gone.

What?

I agree he's been excellent defensively in these first two games, although that horror show at Goodison that didn't reflect well on his leadership skills is still in the memory. But if we want to build from the back, he still has a long way to go in that area.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

What?

I agree he's been excellent defensively in these first two games, although that horror show at Goodison that didn't reflect well on his leadership skills is still in the memory. But if we want to build from the back, he still has a long way to go in that area.

For me he does. I'm comparing to where he was 12 months ago for example, be interesting if he can improve even more.

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

For me he does. I'm comparing to where he was 12 months ago for example, be interesting if he can improve even more.

The lad is in danger of becoming a seriously good defender, but his distribution still verges on embarrassing at times imo.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

The lad is in danger of becoming a seriously good defender, but his distribution still verges on embarrassing at times imo.

This. His passing on Friday, at times, was £#%&!ing diabolical.

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

The £ involved for Otamendi just isn't worth it, he'll do well for City but not convinced he would suit under this manager and how he wants us to play. Reckon Stones is the one he wants.

£28m is not that much these days when trash like Lovren goes for just above £20m. Stones will go for £35m minimum....

Really hope these stories of a late united 40m euro bid for Otamendi arent true. Would expose Woody as a joke again. If we wanted Otamendi we should have bid weeks ago. Looks pitiful now as City seal the deal.

Originally Posted by That Boy Ronaldo!

For me he does. I'm comparing to where he was 12 months ago for example, be interesting if he can improve even more.

If you are genuinely saying you think Smalling is comfortable in possession then I'm sceptical that you actually watch the matches.

His positioning has improved, as has his strength in the air it seems and his challenges are now better timed and more accurate, but his distribution is £#%&!ing Blue Square level. His accuracy over 25 plus yards must be about 10%.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

The lad is in danger of becoming a seriously good defender, but his distribution still verges on embarrassing at times imo.

It is unreliable, but then Vidic was not significantly better, short passes to Scholes or bunt it long under pressure were his typical choices.

He is a very talented out and out defender, very few out there to match his physical gifts, great in the air but also very quick and agile. His reading of the game is improving all the time and the addition of Darmian is making his job easier. Too often last season he was pulled out of the middle because of Valencia being out of position. Keep working on his distribution but do not over complicate his job.

Originally Posted by Whalefish

This. His passing on Friday, at times, was £#%&!ing diabolical.

Friday? His entire United career mate.

Originally Posted by saffers

£28m is not that much these days when trash like Lovren goes for just above £20m. Stones will go for £35m minimum....

Really hope these stories of a late united 40m euro bid for Otamendi arent true. Would expose Woody as a joke again. If we wanted Otamendi we should have bid weeks ago. Looks pitiful now as City seal the deal.

They aren't. United aren't in for him.

City will be getting him for less than any others. Valencia still owe them £ for Negredo.

Originally Posted by Tiberian

It is unreliable, but then Vidic was not significantly better, short passes to Scholes or bunt it long under pressure were his typical choices.

He is a very talented out and out defender, very few out there to match his physical gifts, great in the air but also very quick and agile. His reading of the game is improving all the time and the addition of Darmian is making his job easier. Too often last season he was pulled out of the middle because of Valencia being out of position. Keep working on his distribution but do not over complicate his job.

Agree but we know the pressure to build from the back is greater now than it was for Vidic. The one thing I'd say about Smalling is that he does stride forward more confidently than before. It's just the execution is often poor and if anything he does over-complicate. A few occasions the other night you wondered why he was being so ambitious when it's not his game. Clearly getting lots of encouragement.

Originally Posted by S/Side.Red

Agree but we know the pressure to build from the back is greater now than it was for Vidic. The one thing I'd say about Smalling is that he does stride forward more confidently than before. It's just the execution is often poor and if anything he does over-complicate. A few occasions the other night you wondered why he was being so ambitious when it's not his game. Clearly getting lots of encouragement.

It's possible that the space and time afforded Smalling, and latterly Evans, to stride forward 30/40 yards is because the opposition know they can do £#%&! all with it at the end. Midfielders of any quality will know who they have to close down and who can have it.

Originally Posted by utd99

It's possible that the space and time afforded Smalling, and latterly Evans, to stride forward 30/40 yards is because the opposition know they can do £#%&! all with it at the end. Midfielders of any quality will know who they have to close down and who can have it.

How many CB's in the world are there who will do something after a charge forward? Hummels? Who in the PL? Vertonghen maybe but he is a step down in his defensive ability, Koscielny might be the best in the league at this stage but even in a passing team he keeps it simple the majority of the time.

Blind has the potential if he shows he can cope physically over a full season.

Originally Posted by utd99

It's possible that the space and time afforded Smalling, and latterly Evans, to stride forward 30/40 yards is because the opposition know they can do £#%&! all with it at the end. Midfielders of any quality will know who they have to close down and who can have it.

Oh no doubt. And in the modern game of teams playing one up front the centre-back is increasingly the new spare man with more time, which is why getting them playing his huge. But I remember at Sunderland at the start of last season, Poyet had clearly told them to let Smalling have it, because he didn't know what to do with it. He had acres but refused to move forward in possession. Now I think he at least shows more intent, if not greatly improved execution.

Originally Posted by Tiberian

How many CB's in the world are there who will do something after a charge forward? Hummels? Who in the PL? Vertonghen maybe but he is a step down in his defensive ability, Koscielny might be the best in the league at this stage but even in a passing team he keeps it simple the majority of the time.

Blind has the potential if he shows he can cope physically over a full season.

Not many in the Premier League, but you look at Mascherano at Barca and Ramos at Real. It's why Pep wanted Benatia for Bayern, although I think his erratic defending is making that a big gamble. Of course big David Luiz at PSG; best footballer around in that area

So the best four sides in Europe all have someone.