2013/2014 English Premier League Thread

[devo22]

Originally Posted by diane_phaneuf

Rooney for captain:?

pretty much guaranteed at that point.

[The Big Chill]

The guy that keeps threatening to leave to get more money?

[devo22]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

The guy that keeps threatening to leave to get more money?

well who else would it be? If Giggs finally retires and Rio retires or goes somewhere else, as expected, then Rooney is the longest-serving guy on the club anyway. Heck, it's very much possible that him and Carrick will be the last guys left from the glorious night in Moscow 08. If he signs a new contract, I have no issues with him being captain at all. Say what you will about him, but the work ethic on the pitch is always there.

And really, there are no other candidates. Jones will be a captain at some point, but it's way too early for that. Same for Evans. And if it's between Rooney and Carrick, I choose Rooney.

[d_phaneuf]

it all really depends on the Rooney contract, if he signs an extension this summer its him

if he doesn't then he's gone anyway and its probably Evans

[cam_wmh]

I am soooo bummed. I'm trying to think of a worse scenario for united & this is about as worse for me as fergie leaving.

And yeah, has to be Rooney as captain. Unless he leaves too. Evra & Rio are surely gone.
Then Evans or Carrick.

Spend ####ing 50 and get Hummels.

And Gundogan


And Reus.



####

[devo22]

seriously though, United will have to shell out a lot of money this summer. They now need two centre backs, a left back, one or two central midfielders and probably a winger ... and that's me being generous, maybe they'll need even more. Has to be a crazy spending spree for United this summer or they're ####ed beyond repair.

[The Big Chill]

That's why I thought buying Mata was strange. It was a massive investment for one of the positions United already has quality at.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

That's why I thought buying Mata was strange. It was a massive investment for one of the positions United already has quality at.

I think that was one of those situations where you don't plan to do something major, but an opportunity comes up and it's just too good to pass. Similar to buying van Persie back in 2012 - they already had top strikers in Rooney and Hernandez, but the chance of buying a player of that calibre from a rival team doesn't come up very often.

[The Big Chill]

Originally Posted by devo22

I think that was one of those situations where you don't plan to do something major, but an opportunity comes up and it's just too good to pass. Similar to buying van Persie back in 2012 - they already had top strikers in Rooney and Hernandez, but the chance of buying a player of that calibre from a rival team doesn't come up very often.

RVP put that squad over the top though, and brought them a title. Mata is a phenomenal player, but United are a few players away from getting anywhere near Chelsea's or City's level. I guess it really depends on how much the owners are willing to spend in the summer. If the Mata purchase prevents them from reinforcing the defence and the midfield adequately then it's a deal that doesn't make sense to me. If they still are able to buy a couple defenders and a couple midfielders then it could go down as a great bit of business.

The reality is though, United will need to buy a LB, 2 CBs, and 2 CMs in the summer, having already spent 37 mil this year.

[cam_wmh]

Spot on.

All that said, Evra, Vidic, & Ferdinand -- the old back line workhorses, will be 33, 33, & 36 when the next season rolls around.

Kind of a perfect storm for Moyes in that regard, as the former and latter, had fantastic seasons last year, and now Vidic is doing the same. Been a helluva drop off for Rio though.

[devo22]

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

I guess it really depends on how much the owners are willing to spend in the summer.

well I guess if they want to continue to use the club as a cash cow, they won't have a choice. After buying Mata, Moyes said something like they intend to buy 3 or 4 more Matas in the summer, so I guess they realize how desperately the club needs fresh faces.

Originally Posted by The Big Chill

The reality is though, United will need to buy a LB, 2 CBs, and 2 CMs in the summer, having already spent 37 mil this year.

agreed. I expect the following players to leave:

- Vidic (confirmed)
- Ferdinand (either retire or go to the MLS or Qatar)
- Evra (probably goes back to France for a couple of years before retiring)
- Nani (Italian clubs want him)
- Young or Valencia (ideally both)
- possibly Kagawa and/or Hernandez if they can't get regular playing time

so United will essentially have to bring in about 4-6 players IMO.

- CB: guys like Dejan Lovren or Ezekiel Garay would be interesting. Mangala would be a pipe dream, but there'll be lots of clubs after him.
- LB: Coentrao would be a safe bet at this point. Real has already signed Moreno as a replacement. Shaw would be great, but I think he'll go to Chelsea.
- CM: here's where they have to shell out a lot of money. One of Kroos and Vidal would be perfect here. Koke would also be a fantastic buy as he can Play both in CM and on the right side.

If you go for Lovren, Mangala, Kroos and Koke and maybe round it out with a guy like Adam Lallana, you're probably looking at something like 100-120m, minus the money they can get from sales ... it's crazy money, but they absolutely have to spend that if they want to compete. Part of this is on Fergie who left Moyes with an average and aging squad.

Might even be positive for Moyes. All the transfers that are about to happen might buy him more time.

[Delthefunky]

Up early for this Liverpool/Arsenal game. Also looking forward to a Stoke win today

[Delthefunky]

Wow. What a start to this game. Arsenal completely undone!!

[cheevers]

I don't know if I have seen a team look as uninterested in playing as Arsenal look right now. And Liverpool look absolutely ruthless.

[agulati]

This is pretty bad for Arsenal. 5-0. Wow

[Barnet Flame]

Well that sucked.

[flamesfan6]

Originally Posted by Barnet Flame

Well that sucked.

wrong

[The Swedish Flame]

YNWA!

What a magnificent display today. All Liverpool fans should savor it for as long as possible.

[Lego Man]

Chelsea took care of business today, with Hazard looking untouchable with as many touches he's getting.

Norwich almost stole the game in the last five minutes. Why did Pellegrini move Yaya back today?

[Locke]

That was sweet.