Erling Haaland

[Andouble]

Messi obviously would be an insane bonus, but not *needed*.

imagine ever typing this sentence. What a club.

 

[FantasyIreland]

I hope you're right, @Ric. Haaland is a dream. Luiz is someone id be more than happy with. Add a left-back to that (to challenge Zinc, presuming we've given up on Mendy) and i'm very content with that summer! Messi obviously would be an insane bonus, but not *needed*.

Haaland cant be bettered IMO.

As for Luiz,he's good,but not great.....probably the right level to do a job of challenging Rodri and rotating when required.

I suspect any leftback will be a player we have no clue about.

 

[domalino]

I hope you're right, @Ric. Haaland is a dream. Luiz is someone id be more than happy with. Add a left-back to that (to challenge Zinc, presuming we've given up on Mendy) and i'm very content with that summer! Messi obviously would be an insane bonus, but not *needed*.

If we sign Messi and Haaland it will create serious ripples around the league in ways I don't think many are considering.

I'd never assume we'll win titles before they're won on paper, but Delaney wrote an article about how the other big 6 clubs thought the league was going to be a foregone conclusion when Pep arrived for as long as he was here. If we sign those 2 players, other clubs will privately be writing off seasons before they're played.

It would have such a big effect on the long term strategies of clubs like Liverpool, who suddenly will look at their squad and think VVD, Mane, Thiago, Salah, Matip, Henderson and Firmino will all be 32/33 by the time Messi and Pep leave. Do United want to keep OGS for those 2 years or build a team to peak in 2023/24 when things might get back to normal? Harry Kane will wave goodbye to hopes of winning a league title before he's 30.

It will change the long term planning of our rivals. Are boards going to want to invest when they think there's not much chance of winning? Do managers want to wait that long? Maybe someone will decide to spend huge to keep up - but in the pandemic, who?

It could be amazing for the likes of West Ham/Leicester/Everton if a few of our rivals start taking a medium term view and focus less on the present.

However, It would probably make us as disliked as United were in the 90's/early 00s if we end up winning something like 5 in 6 and the pressure to win the CL in those 2 years will be 10x more than it is now.

It's a huge psychological blow, even more than it's a move to strengthen the squad, and it could change things for this club forever.

 

[Delphinho]

FWIW, someone I know at the club told me today that we’re “going all out” for Haaland this summer. Hope he’s right. Also said that we’re definitely activating the Douglas Luiz buy-back option.

That sounds absolutely brilliant. Haaland would be the ultimate dream signing, I’ve watched him regularly since he was 17, and he’s the real deal. Douglas Luiz would be fantastic too. PL proven, Pep rates him and still very young. Add a left back for Mendy, and maybe Messi on top of that and we would be unstoppable. Exciting times ahead

 

[twosips]

Haaland cant be bettered IMO.

As for Luiz,he's good,but not great.....probably the right level to do a job of challenging Rodri and rotating when required.

I suspect any leftback will be a player we have no clue about.

One thing is for certain - Luiz is further along in his career that Ferna was at the same age who was just moving to Ukraine! Got no doubt he has the capacity to improve a lot. He's already shown through his career development that he's capable of moving clubs, improving and rising to whatever challenge he's given. Why not at City too...

 

[domalino]

One thing is for certain - Luiz is further along in his career that Ferna was at the same age who was just moving to Ukraine! Got no doubt he has the capacity to improve a lot. He's already shown through his career development that he's capable of moving clubs, improving and rising to whatever challenge he's given. Why not at City too...

I'm always going to trust Pep's opinion on central midfielders. It's his position, it's integral to his teams, no one knows what a player needs to excel in that position under Pep better than him.

My only worry would be if it's similar to Angelino, who Pep clearly wasn't interested in. But for £25m I don't think that's likely.

 

[jimharri]

FWIW, someone I know at the club told me today that we’re “going all out” for Haaland this summer. Hope he’s right. Also said that we’re definitely activating the Douglas Luiz buy-back option.

So; you've joined the ranks of the ITKs, eh? Tolmie won't be happy!

 

[twosips]

I'm always going to trust Pep's opinion on central midfielders. It's his position, it's integral to his teams, no one knows what a player needs to excel in that position under Pep better than him.

My only worry would be if it's similar to Angelino, who Pep clearly wasn't interested in. But for £25m I don't think that's likely.

Yeah exactly, and when you add in the stories that suggested that Pep apparently sent video evidence to try and get him a work permit - well it appears Pep rates him! Bad news for Doyle, mind!

 

[BlueCityfan]

Wasn't Luiz dropped from the starting line-up recently? I have watched him a bit. And while his technique and ability on the ball are not in question. He isn't the most aggressive defensively. Basically, he isn't nearly as good as Ferna, Rodri, or the likes of Bissouma, defensively.

So i would be a bit skeptical about him replacing Fernandinho.

 

[Jam Tomorrow]

On Haaland let’s wait for his buyout clause to be activated in just over a years time, if he goes elsewhere so be it. With Gündogan in full flow why buy a striker.