Manchester United And City Battle For £12.3 Million Argentine Defender

Manchester United and their city rivals Manchester City are set for a bidding war on the closing day of the transfer window over the highly rated Porto defender Nicolas Otamendi.

Duncan Castles reports that Manchester United have already placed a £12.3 million for the Argentine international. But FC Porto have not said anything on whether or not they would want to sell him. The 25 year old central defender joined Porto in 2010 and was an integral part of the Andre Villas-Boas side that won the treble.

Manchester United’s bid for the player however took an interesting twist as their rivals City too are bidding for another FC Porto defender Eliaquim Mangala. The Times report that Manchester City are ready to pay over £30 million for the French man. But Porto are said to be keen on holding on to their player.

Now this is where it gets complicated for the Red Devil: The Times also stated that should City fail to reach an agreement with Porto for Mangala, they would turn their attention to Otamendi. Eliaquim Mangala has been the subject of a £38 million bid from the Citizens and they are looking at snapping him up quickly before their city rivals United does.

Txiki Begiristain of Manchester City was reported to have travelled to Portugal to watch the Porto star in action. Mangala did not disappoint as he scored the only goal on the match. Manuel Pellegrini’s men have moved ahead of the chase and are already talking personal terms with the player.

Now between the two Manchester clubs who will eventually get the Argentine defender- United or City?

Let’s wait and see.

Wayne Rooney And Robin Van Persie Are The Best In The World - Juan Mata

Manchester United striking duo Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie are the best in the world. This is according to their team mate and latest signing Juan Mata.

The Spanish international had joined the Red Devils from Chelsea during the January transfer window. He put up a stellar performance in his first appearance against Cardiff City. He scored the opener for United with a stunning finish. Wayne Rooney who was just returning from injury also put up an impressive performance. United won the match 2 – 0.

Juan Mata was forced to leave because he wasn’t having regular play time under Chelsea boss Jose Mourinho. 

"Rooney and Robin are two of the best strikers in the world. Mata said.

It will be amazing to play alongside them. I just want to help them and help the team win matches.”

Manchester are presently rooted to the seventh position on the league table, six points behind Liverpool who are placed fourth on the table. But the Spaniard feels that United can climb to the top of the league table before the end of the season.

The 25 year old former Chelsea midfielder is also excited about how easily he has settled down at Old Trafford. He said that the reception accorded him by the club is simply amazing.

Coach David Moyes has defended himself on why he had to leave Wayne Rooney and Januzaj on the bench. According to him, it goes to show that Manchester United now has strength in squad depth.

Do you agree with Mata that Rooney and Van Persie are two of the world’s best strikers? Would the coming of the Spaniard make any significant difference in United’s performance this season? Let’s watch and see.  

United Makes £22.5 Million Bid for Chelsea Target

With less than one week to the close of the January transfer window, some big clubs in the Premiership are doing some last minute shopping to booster their squad for the rest of the season. 

In the face of stiff competition and the recent string of woeful results, David Moyes led United are trying to do everything they can to turn things around. With the successful signing of former Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata, Moyes is not done yet with the transfer market.

This morning, The Mirror reports that Manchester United are making a £22.5 million for Southampton’s young talent Luke Shaw. Shaw is also on Jose Mourinho’s radar.

With veteran defender Patrice Evra’s career at Old Trafford fast coming to an end and their failed attempt to sign Everton defender Leighton Banes and Real Madrid’s Fabio Coentrao, David Moyes is turning to the Southampton’s defender as a viable replacement for the departing French man.

Shaw, since his graduation from the youth academy, has transformed to one of the most highly sought after young talents in the Premiership. The 18 year old England international may soon turn out to be the subject of a bidding war as the transfer window draws to a close, with two top Premiership clubs battling to secure his signature.

Chelsea are reported to have made an offer of  £21 million for the player and Mauricio Pochettino and his team are said to be considering the offer. However, Manchester United are willing to top up that figure setting the pace for a full scale bidding war.

Shaw recently signed a new contract with Southampton last July. But given his increasingly brilliant form, it would only be a matter of time before Mauricio Pochettino would have to let go of his teenage sensation when he is offered good money for the young prodigy.

While Shaw may have a bias for Chelsea been his boyhood club, I feel he would be better off at Old Trafford where he most likely would command a regular first team jersey.

Manchester United Battles Chelsea For Kurt Zouma

Just yesterday Manchester United signed midfielder Juan Mata from Chelsea for £37 million which was a record transfer fee for them. David Moyes Coach of Manchester United has said that “it was the first of many”.  He is still very active in the transfer market searching for players to strengthen his squad.

Yesterday also French news media Le10Sport reported that west London club Chelsea had agreed to sign the highly talented Saint Etienne defender Kurt Zouma for a five and half year deal.

According to Le10Sport, Chelsea and Saint Etienne has been discussing about the deal a few days ago. Talks are said to have reached an advanced stage with Chelsea willing to pay as much as  €15 million for the French man.

And according to Sunday People, Manchester United too have joined the battle for the Saint Etienne defender. It was reported that Saint Etienne officials met with both Chelsea and United last week in London.

With United’s captain Nemanja Vidic set to leave the club at the end of the season for Serie A club Fiorentina and Rio Ferdinand on his way to a MLS club, David Moyes would certainly need replacements for these veterans. A move for one of the best young defenders in the French League would just in order.

Zouma would prefer a switch to Stamford Bridge but David Moyes believes that he has a better chance of regular first team action at Old Trafford. According to Simon Jones of Mail Online.

“Manchester United have an interest in Saint Etienne defender but believes the 19 year old is destined for Chelsea.”

Mourinho isb trying to build a youthful Chelsea team and Zouma is seen as a long tern replacement for aging Chelsea skipper John Terry.

 United are also linked to several other central defenders like Ezequiel Garay. Of these two clubs, who will win the battle to sign the French defender?

Shinji Kagawa To Remain At Manchester United Despite Mata’s Arrival

Agent of Manchester United’s winger Shinji Kagawa has insisted that Kagawa would remain at United despite the imminent arrival of Juan Mata from Chelsea.

Chelsea midfielder Juan Mata would be joining Manchester United in this winter window after both clubs reached an agreement on transfer fees. This move is expected to bring some spark into United’s midfield and hopefully improve their position on the league table. This move however could spell an exit for Kagawa.

The Japanese international has been struggling to put up the stellar performances he had while at his former club Borussia Dortmund and does not have a regular place in Moyes’ starting lineup. His future has been the subject of several controversies and rumours has it that with Mata set to join Manchester United, Kagawa could well be on his way out of Old Trafford.

The Japanese international has been linked with a return to his former club Borussia Dortmund. Some aspects of the media are also linking the 24 year old winger with a switch to Spanish side Atletico Madrid.

Thomas Kroth, agent to Kagawa had insisted that the arrival of Juan Mata from Chelsea would in no way affect the player’s future. He told Sky Sports that.

“At this moment I ‘m sure Shinji will stay. There had been no contacts and so it is just rumours.  It is my opinion that he will stay” he said.

Juan Mata is a talented midfielder who would be playing in the middle of the park. Wayne Rooney and Shinji Kagawa also operate from that position. But with Rooney been so central to Moyes’ plan, if anybody must leave, it has to be Kagawa.

Shinji Kagawa has made just seven appearances for United this season and is yet to score a goal so far.

The question is should Kagawa leave to make way for the arrival of Juan Mata?

United Transfer Target Fredy Guarin Wants Emergency Talks

Marcelo Ferreya, agent to Fredy Guarin has requested for an emergency meeting with Inter Milan’s President Erick Thoir so as to resolve the lingering crisis surrounding the player’s future. 

Manchester United are reported to have sent their representatives to discuss with his agent on a potential move to Old Trafford. The player was initially insisting on remaining in the Serie A.

The 27 year old Columbian was already headed for Juventus in a deal swap striker Marco Vukinic but the deal did not go through. This sort of left the midfielder in the limbo.

Recently Guarin has been linked with a move to England with Chelsea and United reported to be interested in the player. Given the crisis surrounding the player, his agent has thus requested for an emergency meeting with club President Erick Thoir so that they can resolve the crisis.

Marcelo Ferreya, Guarin’s agent, told Skysport that

“I ask President Thoir to think for one minute of the player and his family. We will talk to Thoir about this situation, which has never happened at any club in the world. For a week no Inter director has spoken with me or Fredy, so now we want a private meeting”.

With the drama surrounding Guarin seemingly unabated, the player is in dire need of a move away from San Siro. And Chelsea and Manchester United are both gearing up to make a move for the midfielder.

 I strongly feel United should go for him. With his growing discontent at the club, his agents’ frustrations by Inter officials, United should move in and make a kill before the money bags Chelsea would come to spoil our fun as always.

David Moyes Gunning For Fredy Guarin After Injury To Michael Carrick

With Manchester United’s midfielder Michael Carrick sidelined by injury for about a month, United’s coach David Moyes is considering making an emergency bid for Inter Milan’s midfielder Fredy Guarin.  

Carrick’s injury comes as a big blow to the defending champions who have already crashed out of all domestic cup competitions and are out of the race for the League trophy as well.

Micheal Carrick sustained ankle ligament damage during their loss to Sunderland in the Capital One Cup match. This would force Moyes to make a move for a midfielder before the close of the transfer window.

According to The Telegraph, Carrick would be away for at least two weeks. Mourane Fellaini would be making his return to first team action after a wrist injury any time soon. He may not be fit enough to play against Cardiff next week however.

Manchester United have been heavily linked to several big names including Sporting Lisbon’s Williams Carvalho, Borussian Dortmund’s Illkay Gundogan, Paul Pogba and Arturo Vidaal of Juventus, and Marek Hamsik of Napoli. Sadly, all these names would not be available mid-season.

The Times reports that Fredy Guarin may be a more achievable target. With Chelsea also in hot pursuit for the same player, United would have to outbid their west London rivals. There are concerns that Inter Milan may also ask for Chicharito in return.

Juan Mata would be undergoing a medical today at Manchester before he would sign a four and half year deal with the club. The Spaniard would be at Old Trafford in Time to face Cardiff on Tuesday.

Would Fredy Guarin make a good buy for United as the transfer window is drawing to a close? Let’s wait and see.

Manchester United In Talks With Chelsea Over Juan Mata

Manchester United are reported to be in talks with Chelsea over the possibility of their midfielder Juan Mata crossing over to Old Trafford. 

There have been reports in the media about the future of the Spaniard with United rumoured to be interested in the player. With the Red Devils struggling at the middle of the table, they are looking to sign a player that would help change the fortunes of the club and Mata is definitely one of such players.

Skysport claim that both clubs are currently negotiating a £37 million deal for the Spanish international. Reports have it that this deal is likely to go through and that all the parties involved are committed to its actualization.

The only cog in the wheel of this deal is Chelsea’s interest in Wayne Rooney. Chelsea had been desperate to sign Wayne Rooney this summer. They have had their bids for the player turned down on more than one occasion by United. Yet they are not giving up on him. But when news broke that Mata missed training with Chelsea, Manchester United fans were thrilled.

Chelsea are willing to let go of Mata for two major reason: first the player wants to leave the club ahead of the world cup as he is not getting first team action on a regular basis. Chelsea are also considering the transfer fee they would make from the sale of the player which help to balance their books. Another reason is that Jose Mourinho does not see United as a potent threat to his title ambition.

Former United’s striker Andy Cole has said that Juan Mata could easily fit into Manchester United’s set-up. He believes the Spaniard can easily adapt to tactical changes and sees his joining United as a huge plus for the club.

The question therefore is: Is Juan Mata the messiah that United urgently needs to get them out of the doldrums they’ve found themselves? Let’s wait and see.

David Moyes Confirms He Won't Engage In Panick Buying, Claims United Still In Title Race

David Moyes, coach of Manchester United is not in a hurry to buy new players even as he had said that the title race is not yet over. 

Last night defeat was the fourth in United’s last five matches and things are progressively getting worse for the club and the coach. The Red Devils are now seventh on the league table with Newcastle United following closely behind. Should Everton win West Brom Albion this night, they would just be seven points shy of a top four spot.

Aside not getting the 3 points in matches, United also have injury worries. With Wayne Rooney and Robin Van Persie out due to injuries, the squad has really been stretched thin. United’s defence has been porous and their midfield has been overpowered on several occasions this season. Despite all of these, David Moyes has insisted he won’t be in a rush to buy players in the January transfer window.

When asked if the poor string of result would make him change their transfer market policy, the coach replied;

“Not because of results.

“The club know exactly what we want to do and the direction we want to go and the type of players we want to bring to the club and a lot aren’t available in this window. If we could get any of them we would do, we are trying but more than likely most people know it is difficult.

“I think the club have always said it is long-term, we know there is a job to be done and we have an idea of players we would like to bring in and we would like them now, but more than likely won’t be.

“It is a long way away [for the title race], we will never say it is gone and we will do our best to get back in and the only thing we can do is try and win our next game and we will try and do that”

Why David Moyes would choose not to buy good quality players when he can in the face of the poor run of result is way beyond me. However, if the reports linking us to Chelsea’s Juan Mata are true, then it could mean Moyes is perfectly keeping his cards close to his chest.

Robin Van Persie Headed For Serie A?

Two Serie A giants AC Milan and Juventus are reported to be interested in Manchester United’s striker Robin Van Persie. Another Italian club Inter Milan are also reported to be keeping close watch on Arsenal’s transfer target and Real Madrid talented player Alvaro Morata. 

The Dutch international is said to be unhappy with his stay at Old Trafford and has hinted at the possibility of leaving Manchester United at the end of this season. According to the report, the chances of the former Arsenal’s captain remaining at United beyond this season should they fail to qualify for the UEFA Champions League is very low.

There are also rumours that Arsenal too may be interested in re-signing their former captain. The possibility of the United striker going back to his former club is however very low if you ask me.  

AC Milan face a stiff competition from fellow Italian side Juventus in the race to sign the player. Before he was sold to Manchester United, Arsene Wenger had wanted to sell Robin Van Persie to Juventus. According to Wenger, Juventus blew their opportunity of signing the star striker. They now however have another chance of re-capturing him. 

According to the Arsenal coach, “Juventus can’t think about selling their players for €70 million and then buying new ones for a tenth of that amount. That would be too easy – it’s not possible in today’s football”.

When in January Chelsea sold Juan Mata to their arch rivals Manchester United, Arsene Wenger still reiterated that he had always wanted to sell van Persie to Juventus. "He was 29 and had played here for a long time.  It was not a club I had wanted to sell Van Persie to . I wanted to sell him to Juventus. But he had decided to go to Manchester United and at the end of the day, you need the agreement of the three parties”.

“In our defence, we were in a more explicable situation [than Mata] because van Persie had only one year to go”.

After his club failed to sign the Dutch man, Giusepe Moratta, the chief executive of Juventus said he regretted not signing theplayer.

“I have regrets about Van Persie, but it would have been a bad choice for the club if we had paid €30 million for  player who would have seen his contract expire next year”. Now he has a chance to land the player.

Van Persie’s current season at United has been fraught with several injuries. Despite that, he has scored 13 goals in 19 appearances for his club which to me shows his high quality.

Personally, I think we should keep Van Persie but I may be tempted to sell if someone is ready to pay as much as €20 Million. For a player who is in his 30s and with an injury record such as Van Persie's, it will be mad not to sell for €20 million. Especially as there are many younger and fitter players out there who can get us the goals and will be around for quite some time. 

Ferguson’s Presence Not A Hindrance – David Moyes

Manchester United again slumped to their third consecutive defeat in the first leg of the League Cup semi final match against lowly placed Sunderland – another negative record for Moyes. Sunderland last beat United about 13 years ago. 

Undoubtedly this has put the coach under intense pressure. United’s fans are increasingly becoming restless as the performance of their team appears to be getting worse by the day. With a lot of their key players down due to injury and their poor showing so far, a lot of people are beginning to query Moyes’ suitability for the job.

With Sir Alex Ferguson and Sir Bobby Charlton both watching from the stands as United lost to Sunderland, people are beginning to ask if Ferguson’s presence is not more of a hindrance than a help to Moyes.

The Scot was however quick to rubbish such assertions saying their presence was actually helpful. He said

 “Not at all.

“Alex is a great sounding-board for me. He is there to help, so is Sir Bobby. He is terrific. Bryan Robson is at the training ground regularly, I speak to him regularly.

“I find the three of them terrific.”

The coach is happy with the way the players have responded to him as well as the support he has received from the club. He is confident they would be able to go through in the second leg of the competition.

 “I have always been happy with how they players have been responding. I thought they were good tonight, apart from the opening 15 minutes.

“It’s always going to be a tough game. It’s only the first part of the game, so we have got a bit more to do in the second leg.

I for one I personally feel the task of managing Manchester United is way bigger than what David Moyes can handle. Although Sir Alex had little experience at the topmost level before he joined Manchester United but he was still a of not one but many laurels unfortunately Moyes in his 18 years career, has never won a title and that fact is beginning to show in his management of the Manchester United team.

Personally, I believe he is not a manager at the level of a club like Manchester United. He could do well with a mid-table team but definitely not with a club that should be fighting for the title.

David Moyes Gets A £100 Million Shopping Warchest

Manchester United’s coach David Moyes has been given £100 million to shop for players as they seek to turn around the club’s dwindling performance. 

According to several media houses including Espn, Daily Mirror and Sky reports that the club’s management have made top four finish the target for Moyes and they’re willing to spend big in the transfer market to achieve it. 

Quality left-back and central midfielders are top of Moyes shopping list and senior officials of the club are willing to support Moyes financially for him to get them. The officials are believed to have given Moyes their full support and do not intend to appoint a director of football to oversee transfer activity. They have said they would not be caught up in a shopping frenzy in this transfer window, stressing that quality players are not available.

 “We would like to bring people in but are those players available?” Moyes asked after his United’s FA Cup defeat to Swansea on Sunday. “There is urgency but there’s no point in me hyping it up because the players we would like to bring in are probably not available in January.”

Several players have been linked to the English champions but these players would not be available till the summer transfer window. Some of the names include Ander Herrera of Athletic Club,  Fredy Guarin of Inter Milan and , Koke of Atletico Madrid.

The future of senior players like Rio Ferdinand and Patrice Evra are still hanging in the balance. Both players would be out of contract with the club this summer. Captain Nemanja Vidic and Fabio too are free to hold talks with other clubs. The club would also initiate talks with agents of Wayne Rooney at the right time.

Now with so much money at his disposal, one only hopes that David Moyes’ signings will justify their wages.

€36 Million German International Close To Old Trafford Switch

Reports have emerged in the Mirror Newspaper that Manchester United target, Ilkay Gundogan has been told by his club Borussia Dortmund to make up his mind on his future.

The €36 Million midfielder, who is one of the most sought-after midfielder in Europe, is still to sought out his contract which expires soon. As he continues to dither on the signing of a new deal, rumours continue to grow of Moyes’ interest in bringing him to Old Trafford.

Man United are in need of a world-class midfielder like the German international to replace retired Paul Scholes, whose vacuum is creating a lot of problems for the team. The player, who is one of the key players of the Jurgen Klopp’s managed Dortmund team is also under the radar of Arsenal who themselves need a box to box midfielder to replace Song that left for Barca 2 seasons ago.

So highly rated is Gundogan that Spanish giants Madrid are also interested in his signature. His inclusion in the current Man United team will in no little way help the David Moyes team find their form and savage whatever is left in the current season.

With his club now demanding answers as regards his future from him, it would seem all is not well between both parties; and this could be some good news for Man United as they plan to launch a bid for player who has just a season and half left in his current contract.

According to the Mirror, his club’s sporting director Michael Zorc, was quoted to have told German newspaper Kicker that Dortmund are "not fond of ultimatums," the "other party needs to understand."

"Our top priority is to find out if there is a willingness to prolong the contract,"Zorc was quoted to have said in Kicker.

As things stand, it does look like the player doesn’t wish to renew, which could be in Man United’s favour. If it does happen that he gets to the end of current season without renewing his contract; then the possibility of Dortmund holding to the highly rated midfielder will become even slimmer.

I am cure we could do with a player of his class as the midfield appears to be our biggest headaches.