Dutchman Could Replace David Moyes As Manchester United's Manager

Given the string of poor results and form of English champions Manchester United, no one will be surprised if there are plans under ground to replace David Moyes. 

Though there’s a seeming willingness by United’s board to give him more time to get the desired results, the steady fall of the reigning English champions from UEFA League to Europa League hopefuls is a serious cause for concern that requires urgent attention.

Already someone is been rumoured to be considered as a replacement for David Moyes should there be no improvement in the fortunes of the team: Louis Van Gaal, who is the current head coach of the Dutch national team.

Should Van Gaal be given the job, he would be coming to United with a wealth of experience and huge success in almost all the major leagues in the world. Ironically, Louis Van Gaal is yet to coach any club side in England. He may just be the one to turn Manchester United’s football fortune’s around although given his age (  62 years old) he may not be long in that position.

According to Ronald De Boer, youth Coach for Ajax, he believes Van Gaal has all it takes to succeed in the Premier League with United. “He is one of the best coaches in the world and can really prepare a team. He can find weaknesses in any opponent and present them with solid opposition as he analyzes the game really well. He has so much quality he would be successful in England, especially if he is given time to set out his team.”

While there is very little to suggest that the Glazer family and United’s boardroom would considering sacking Moyes, Metro reported that "Louis van Gaal would jump at the chance to become Manchester United boss if under-fire David Moyes is axed. 

Moyes is under increasing pressure at Old Trafford and Hilland manager Van Gaal is part of a contingency plan being considered by United chiefs if Moyes cannot halt the club’s decline”.

Van Gaal current contract with the Dutch national team would expire this year after the world cup.

In his career as a coach, Louis van Gaal has won the Bundesliga with Bayern Munich, La Liga with Barcelona, and the Eredivisie, UEFA Cup, UEFA Super Cup, and the Champions League with Ajax.

Things Gets Worst For David Moyes As United Players Kick Against Scottish's Training Methods

Things appear to be getting worse for David Moyes at Manchester United day by day. According to reports, Manchester United fans made very spirited efforts to remove the now unpopular banner ‘The Chosen One’ from Stretford. The banner was heavily guarded by stewards after their 3-0 defeat to city rival Manchester City as irate fans attempted to pull it down.

Quite obviously, and for good reasons too, fans of the Red Devils are beginning to get very impatient with their under-performing coach. A fan revolt just may be under way any time soon.

Worse than fan revolt, David Moyes is now been faced with players revolt according to daily telegraph. Daily Telegraph revealed that there are serious concerns among the players about the coach’s training methods as well as his tactics. While the club management may overlook calls from their fans to remove Moyes, his grip on the team would be severely undermined should he lose hold of the dressing room. Whether or not he has ever had the dressing room under his control, is a completely different issue.

The criticisms go as far as Holland, where there is a mounting displeasure over his high-handedness in dealing with Robin Van Persie. The Dutch has been very unsettled under Moyes.

While the hierarchy at Old Trafford may seem to be in support of the coach, the tension among the players, staff and fans over whether or not the Scot is well suited for the role is growing by the day. There are also doubts whether or not world class players like Toni Kroos would like to work under David Moyes.

There are no signs of any visible improvements to the team and his approach, especially in the derby against City, left much to be desired. Moyes was clearly out of his depth in that game and for most part of this season.

His responses on Tuesday night only goes to show that the job is too imposing, way too intimidating for the former Everton boss who never won any trophies in his former club. And with the growing unrest and discontent at United, he may be shown the way out before he has a chance of winning any.

Charlton Athletic Targets Manchester United Youngster

Championship strugglers Charlton Athletic are said to be keenly interested inManchester United’s Davide Petrucci on a loan deal that would keep him there till the end of the season.

The 22 year old Italian midfielder is yet t make his senior debut for Manchester United since joining them from AS Roma in 2008. He was only sixteen then. He has however made about four appearances on loan at Peterborough and also had a stint with Antwerp of Belgium.

It is believed that United would be favourably disposed to the loan deal for the Italian and Charlton are seriously considering the offer.  His stay at United has been riddled with nagging injuries. But the Italian was very impressive at the U-21 level and even captained United’s developmental squad.  He scored a total of eight goals in 25 matches for United’s u-21 side in the 2011/2012 season.

Davide is a creative midfielder who has a good eye for goals. He demands for the ball, moves it forward and picks out the right passes.  He has been likened to former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas and one can only hope he will go on to fulfill his very obvious talents.

Charlton Athletic recently sacked their former coach Chris Powell and replaced him with Jose Riga. The club is presently three points above the Championship drop zone. 

For someone who had spent about five years in United without really breaking into the first team owing to nagging injuries, this may just be an opportunity for him to re-invent and rediscover himself. A move to Charlton will not only ensure he gets regular first team football which can only do his career whether at United or elsewhere a lot of good but the fact that Charlton are struggling to avoid relegation is another advantage. It will mentally prepare the player for the rigours of the premier league. 

David Moyes Ready To Offload Several Manchester United Senior Players

Manchester United’s coach David Moyes is planning to undertake a sweeping overhaul of his lack luster side come this summer that may see long-serving players Patrice Evra and Darren Fletcher likely to leave United at the end of this season. Some of these high profile, long-serving players would be out of contract with the club at the end of this season. Other aging players in the United squad that may likely leave are Ryan Giggs, Rio Ferdinand, Nemanja Vidic and Micheal Carrick.

Patrice Evra has been linked with a return to his native France with AS Monaco and PSG both indicating interest in him. His departure would signal the end of his 8 year career at Old Trafford. Although reports has it that Manchester United may hand Evra an extension as contained in his current contract, but that would be strongly hinged on whether or not they succeed in signing any new left-back come this summer.

Nemanja Vidic reached a mutual agreement with the club to leave at the end of this season and would be joining Inter Milan at the end of the current season when his contract would have expired. Rio Ferdinand on the other hand may be may be considering a future as a sports analyst when he leaves United according to reports.

Darren Fletcher who just returned to action after several months been on the bench due to chronic bowel condition may also be sold to `raise cash to sign new players. Fletcher’s departure would be a highly emotional one having joined Manchester United’s academy way back in 1995.

David Moyes is fully aware that his ability to quickly revamp the team, get United back to winning ways, attract world class players to the club, and build a very formidable squad that would give the league title a good shot would be what he needs to keep his job. And he is doing all he can to ensure that in you go by the reports making the round both on the pages of the newspapers and on the social media.

In his team building campaign, Moyes is not predisposed to show any empathy for those ageing and underperforming members of his team. No one who deserves to go would be spared. Now the question is as Moyes is carrying out this restructuring, would he be able to attract top quality players that will stay with the club through thick and thin?

David Moyes Explains Why Cleverly Was Selected Against Manchester City,

Fans of the Red Devils are never in lack of what to criticize about United’s coach David Moyes. From his team selection, playing formation, the type of substitutions he makes, from his seeming lack of charisma to their current poor form and losing streak, Moyes have been on the receiving end of the anger and frustration of fans of the English Champions.

One of such questionable decisions Moyes made recently was playing Tom Cleverly rather than Valencia in the Manchester derby. Same Valencia that scored the match winner against Olympiakos in UEFA Champions League second last match was left seated on the substitute bench in a crucial derby against ‘noisy neighbours’ City. Can you beat that!

In the Manchester derby Cleverly was way out of his depth. Moyes’s decision to start Cleverly did not go down well with Paul Scholes, one of United’s legends. Speaking from SkySports studio where he watched the match Scholes poured out his disappointment saying

"Manchester United without pace is nothing… I'm amazed really Valencia is not playing on the right hand side.

“I would have just loved to see Valencia have a right go down right hand side. Without that we could be a bit toothless”.

And I totally agree with him. However, David Moyes has explained why he chose to start Cleverly. In his own words

“We wanted to make sure we had enough midfield players… we wanted to make sure we had an extra player in the middle of the park”.

If Moyes intension was for Cleverly to mark out City David Silva, then he didn’t come anywhere close to doing so at all.

Well his decision was not a very good one as defensive blunders by Cleverly following a super defensive work by Rafael da Silva, was what led to the buildup of Edin Dzeko’s opener within the first minute of the match. Cleverly’s substitution at the start of the second half was too little too late. My take on David Moyes’s team selection? Worse than poor.

Man United Still Favourites To Sign Luke Shaw

With the successful signing of Juan Mata from rivals Chelsea in the January transfer window, English Champions Manchester United is looking to add Luke Shaw to their squad. The 18 year old English left back is been considered as a long term replacement for Patrice Evra who may be leaving the club in the summer.

Joined in the chase for the Southampton’s defender is Chelsea which was Shaw’s boyhood club as he grew up close to the club’s Cobham training ground. The English champions would need to out bid the west London side if they are to secure the services of the prodigy come next summer.

According to Paddy Power, United moved to 8/11 which represents a drop in their former rating earlier this month. For Chelsea, the odds appreciated in their favour. The odds of Stamford Bridge been Shaw’s destination next season moved from 11/8 to just 6/4. But despite what the bookies say, I’m optimistic that Old Trafford would be Shaw’s new club come next season.

Although the St Mary’s side said initially that their star player was not for sale during the last transfer window, United would be willing to pip the west London club to secure the signature of Shaw. The addition of Shaw to Manchester United’s left back would significantly boost their defences and hopefully improve result. But whatever team wins his signature and whenever he decides to join them, he certainly would prove to be a very valuable addition to any team.

Although United are yet to lodge a bid for Shaw with a move likely very soon, any club willing to sign him should be willing to spend anything in the region of €30 M. And despite his very dismal inaugural campaign as coach, David Moyes seems to be enjoying the string backing of the Glazer family as he continues his efforts at revamping the English champions. The American owners of the club are reported to be willing to help him with the needed cash to sign new players to strengthen the club’s title chase come next season. 

Done Deal - Manchester United Sign 2 Signings Ahead Of Summer Transfer Window - Reports

Manchester United’s dwindling form and string of poor results is certainly a source of worry to all – club management, coaches, players and fans. However, according to reports, the club is making very frantic efforts to get back to winning ways again. To this end, they’ve started scouting for quality players that would beef up their squad way ahead of the opening of the transfer window.

David Moyes is going to have a busy summer as he seeks quality players to beef up every department of the squad- from the defence right down to the attack. According to the reports, United’s scouts have been seen watching matches in various leagues across Europe - Spain, France, Portugal, Germany and Italy and the efforts are beginning to pay off with the provisional signing of two players.

A Report by The Guardian’s David Taylor reads : “This newspaper’s information is that deals have already been provisionally agreed for two players in what promises to be an extensive recruitment programme over the summer.

“The club have deliberately tried to set up transfers six months in advance. Joel Glazer has been more hands-on than many people might realise, speaking to the executive vice chairman, Ed Woodward, three times a day on average from Florida and the club have been encouraged by the feedback from agents. Not once has there has been an indication that a player might be put off because of the prospect of playing in the Europa League next season.”

While the report does not specifically name the two players involved, but the name been bandied tallies with previous claims that a deal has been sealed with 21 year old Sporting Lisbon midfielder William Carvalho. There is no clear indication of who the second player may be but the fact that Moyes and Ed Woodward are reported to have been working on this summer’s transfer targets six months ahead to prevent a repeat of the embarrassment of last summer transfer window in which they failed miserably in their quest to sign quality players is a good sign.

United is confident that should they miss out on the UEFA Champions League, world class players would remain undeterred in joining the club. Should they succeed in signing these players, they would stand a better chance at taking back the title come next season.

Monaco Set To Challenge Man Utd For The Signature Of Young Portuguese Enforcer

The Red Devil’s hopes of landing the much rated Sporting Lisbon centre back William Carvalho would most likely face a stiff challenge from the big spending French Ligue-1 club Monaco who are said to be keenly interested in the player too.  A few factors give the French side some critical advantages over their English rivals.

Reports published by mirror football revealed that Monaco are hoping to secure the signature of the 21 year Portuguese this summer. Monaco would be leveraging on their past relationship with Jorge Mendes, the player’s agent, in trying to get Carvalho to put pen to paper for Monaco.

 Man United’s position on the EPL table is a huge setback to their ambition of signing the Portuguese. Should the league end this way for them which is looking like it now, it means they would not be featuring in the UEFA Champion’s League. But with Monaco, Carvalho stands a good chance of playing in the lucrative Champions League.

Another significant issue in the Carvalho’s chase is the buy-out clause in his contract- a whopping €45M. Would Man Utd be willing to shell out that much for the 21 year old Portuguese enforcer? I sincerely doubt it. French magazine Le 10 Sport reported that Monaco is yet to have any formal talks with the player or his agent. I see them matching their interest with big cash. Carvalho recently got his debut appearance for Portugal and with the World Cup a few months away, should he make a very good impression at the mundial, his price is certain to go up. Most likely beyond what United may be willing to offer. Only big spenders like Monaco would match their interest with such cash.

A player of Carvalho’s quality is what the Red Devils urgently need to get themselves back to winning ways. The 21 year old may well turn out to be another Yaya Toure or Patrick Viera for United. His great strength, sheer physical presence, a brilliant understanding of the round leather game as well as his depth of his technical abilities makes him a great addition to the lack luster United team come this summer.

Bad News For United Fans As Main Defensive Target Signs Contract Extension With Current Club

Man United’s manager David Moyes hopes of signing a central defender that would plug the club’s leaking defence suffered a huge setback as their main transfer target, Bayern Munich’s centre-back Dante, is reported to have signed a contract extension with the club.  With only one year left on the 31-year old Brazilian’s contract, Moyes was hoping to price him away from Bayern Munich if you believe reports on the pages of the newspapers.  But with the new contract extension stretching till 2017, all hopes of Man United signing him this summer fades into oblivion.

The number of games lost, some even to lowly rated cub sides, as well as the number of goals conceded by United in the current season is a huge source of worry for the embattled coach. Landing a central defender of the status of Dante would have significantly improved things for Moyes and the Red Devils. But all that have fallen through now, further compounding United’s worsening situation. However, I personally think the central defensive problem is not the main problem.

Moyes has grossly failed to evolve a winning strategy for the Red Devils. His style of play, his preferred formation are not getting United the much desired results.  His coaching style, selection, and worse still the string of poor results are what Man United are not used to and don’t want to ever get used to.

His current choice of centre-back defenders is not good enough. That is why Dante’s contract extension with the Bavarian football power house would significantly deal a big blow to Moyes efforts at revamping the flop United squad is currently turning out to be.  With quality transfer targets serially turning down Man United, the future doesn’t look too bright for the club with Moyes still in charge.

I shudder when I think of United finishing the league in its current 7^th position. Not only would they miss out on the elite Champions League, whatever is left of their ability to attract big names to the club will be gradually eroded the longer the club miss the champions league party. And quite honestly the rate at which world class players’ turn down offers to join United is very worrisome.

Manchester United Target Toni Kroos Confirms He Could Move To England

Manchester United target Tonis Kroos has continued his flirting with the Premier League by saying he could join this summer if an agreement on a new contract isn't reached with his club, Bayern Munich.

The German is amongst the best midfielders in Europe and can play as a deep midfielder and a playmaker closer to the striker. He is locked in contract negotiations with is club but a compromise hasn't yet been reached leaving the door open for a move in the summer when Bayern can still command a decent fee for his services.
He has been heavily linked to Manchester United and it is thought that the club are looking to double his wages and meet his wage demands which will make him one of the highest earners at the club.

Ahead of Bayern’s UEFA Champions League last-16 second leg clash against Arsenal, Kroos revealed nothing has been decided leaving open the possibility of him joining Manchester United or any other club for that matter.

“Nothing has been decided about my future,” he said “It’s no secret the Premier League is an option for me.

“No one has come to any agreement and it will stay like this until the summer.

“I think that anything is possible for me if I leave. I have to think about this for myself, and make the right decision.

“I’ve heard that people have written that I might go to England. But there’s nothing new from my point of view.

“The situation is that I don’t have any agreement right at the moment [at Bayern]. On the other side there is no agreement in place anywhere.”

“I will consider everything,” he said. “If I should leave.”

Signing Kroos will be a huge boost for the Red Devils midfield options. Is the type of player that will bring out the best from our strikers. He not only create chances for others to score, he is also capable of scoring a good number of goals as Arsenal fans will easily testify.

It however, remains to be seen what happens to Mata should Toni join United in the summer. Will Mata be moved to the wing or will Toni have to play from the wings? Only Moyes knows what he has in stock.

Manchester United Open Talks For Transfer Of 29 Million Pounds Rated Midfielder - Reports

William Carvalho was seriously linked to joining Manchester United in the winter transfer window but nothing came out of the rumours. However, 2 months later, the reports linking him to a move to the soon to be dethroned English champions are back on the back pages of the newspapers. According to English tabloids, Manchester United are period to make bid in excess of 29 million pounds for the player whom they've reportedly scouted more than 10 times.

A report in the Daily Mail states that United representatives have already talked to the player's club, Sporting Lisbon, and will look to wrap up a deal before the world cup begins.

United have been tracking the midfielder for quite some time now and are willing to pay the premium to bring the player to Old Trafford. He's said to be part of the revolution that manger, David Moyes, intends to carry out at the club. With Michael Carrick turning 33 in July and Darren Fletcher only just returning from a long term injury (and isn't expected to ever reach his best form), and Anderson already looking like he's out of the club, Carvalho will be a much needed addition to bring solidity and youthfulness to the central midfield area where United need some urgent investment.

It's been claimed that Arsenal and Chelsea are also interested in signing the hardworking midfielder, but with Chelsea resigning Nemanja Matic from Benfica, it's not expected that they'll be in for another of that kind of midfielder.

The player is thought to have a release clause of 45 million Euros. 

Manchester United's Striker Could Join Inter Milan - Reports

Italian Club, Internazionale, are today being rumoured to be ready to put in a bid for Manchester United’s under-used striker, Javier Hernandez.

Hernandez’s goalscoring record isn’t shabby and he certainly has a lot of admirers given that Real Madrid were once linked to his services but he has found himself even more on the periphery of the Manchester United first team this season and is said to be unhappy about his position even though he has repeatedly stated that he’s happy at United and wants to fight for his spot and help his club do well.

According to the Daily Mirror, Inter have made contact with Manchester United regarding a proposed £12m transfer. Given that the Mexican’s contract runs out in 2016, Inter expect that figure to be enough to get a striker who has been tested at the top level and is still young, only 25, so has plenty of time ahead of him. United on the other hand are said to want something around £15m for the player.

The player has over 50 goals for United since he joined them from Chivas Guadalajara after the 2010 World Cup. He has featured in 16 premier league games for United this season, scoring 2 goals and laying on a further 2 for his teammates. He has made a total of 25 appearances all season for the club.

The player might feel that a change of scenery would do him wonders and a switch to the Italian game could revive his game and place him back in the forefront of world cup as he enters what many would consider the peak years of his career.

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Manchester United Set To Make 40m Pounds Swoop On English Duo

With the poor performances that have marked Manchester United’s season since the start of the new regime at Old Trafford, there has been more and more talk of a clear–out at the club and there has been a whole host of players linked to the club.

Two names that have continuously been linked to Manchester United are Southampton’s English duo of Luke Shaw and Adam Lallana.

Shaw is believed to have been earmarked by David Moyes to replace Patrice Evra, who looks more and more likely to leave the club at the end of the season, and he’s young enough to play at the top for the next one and a half decade so should be a good buy provided he fulfils the early promise he has shown.

Adam Lallana is 25 and is an exciting midfielder who is yet to hit his prime and he would slot in nicely, although it could be said that Manchester United already have a lot of players of his ilk not least Juan Mata, Adnan Januzaj and Shinji Kagawa. The tabloids believe space will be made for him by the departures of Nani, Ashley Young, Antonio Valencia and Shinji Kagawa.

Southampton are believed to want £20m for each player and will hold out for that. With the likes of Manchester City and Chelsea said to also be interested, it could ensure that they get the prices they want as interested clubs try to outbid each other.

Buying cubs would want to wrap up any deals quickly because of the upcoming World Cup which could see the players perform on the world stage thereby raising their prices even more.

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Nominees Manchester United February Player Of The Month

Manchester United have announced the nominees for their February player of the month award. Club legend and former left-back Arthur Albiston has had his say on the trio that got nominated for the customary player of the month award. Newly joined Spaniard Juan Mata got himself straight into the final list of three candidates that have a chance to claim the honor.

Patrice Evra

Patrice Evra has often been heavily criticized this season and the last for not contributing defensively as much as we'd have liked him to. His best days are well behind him and without a proper alternative Manchester United was often resorted to playing him through his rough patch. February has somewhat been kind to him and the team, with Patrice playing a major role in the club's 0-2 win over Crystal Palace winning a penalty plus an assist to Rooney's goal and a good point against Arsenal. A customary 1-year contract extension is on the cards as Manchester United would lose tons of experience in Vidic and Rio next season. Here, Paddy Evra finds himself among the last three names eligible to pick up an award as a token of appreciation.

Juan Mata

It's just been a month and a half since he landed at Carrington and Mata's already notched up 3 assists in 4 games and is all set to claim the award which should be his first of many. Though he's been played down the right or left every game which is not his favorite position, he's made the most of his first team chances that were limited at his previous club. He's still finding his feet at Old Trafford and once settled, he might well provide the creative spark the team desperately craves for, in the club's upcoming crunch ties against the likes of Liverpool and Manchester City in march which could decide their league position.

Nemanja Vidic

Skipper Nemanja Vidic is playing his last season with Manchester United. He is 33 and having secured a move to Inter on a free transfer, his mind is probably in Italy now. He is not getting any younger and surely is past his prime. Yet he has been the best Center back for the club in the last 30 days. Work that out. Manchester United will miss his leadership qualities on the pitch coupled with his excellent tackling and aerial ability. His towering presence can unsettle any striker on earth and on his day he is as good as any central defender in the planet. His solid performances at the heart of United's defence, at Selhurst Park and The Emirates are enough to justify his presence among the last three.

You can vote for the deserving player here by clicking this link - http://www.manutd.com/en/Fanzone/Competition-And-Polls/Competition.aspx?id={36510C2F-0F23-4AC5-9B3C-D285374649FA}


The poll closes on the 3rd of March, 2014.

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Chicharito Clears The Air

Right after the disappointing defeat to Olympiakos, Robin Van Persie was quite vocal, expressing his dejection through a controversial interview with Dutch Channel, NOS. He seemed to have said something along the lines of him not satisfied with his teammates' input on the field and the way their teammates make it tough for him to play to his fullest potential. He reportedly said;

“Sometimes I try to find ways to do more but in the areas I wanted to play, my team-mates were often there. This makes it difficult for me. Then I have to change my tactics to suit my team-mates, and play outside my zone. It’s a pity. We played too slow and could therefore create little. I rushed that shot. That’s a shame because I don’t get a lot of chances so when you get one, you have to score.”

Van Persie missed a sitter himself in a game that was arguably United's worst of a rather disastrous season, in terms of performance all-round. The lack of urgency in the midfield was there for all to see and it affected the team so much, to an extent that they had only one shot on target the entire 90 minutes, having largely dominated the possession.

Following the interview, fellow striker Chicharito, posted a picture of him with Paddy Evra on instagram with a caption that read,

“Without your teammates you can’t be somebody in football, always be thankful.”

The journalists as usual came up with their own versions of the apparent jibe at Van Persie which was denied by Chicharito today, via twitter. He tweeted a message that read;

Before I go to sleep, I need to put this cause things get a little out of context…

Chicharito Hernandez ( @CH14_) 11:41 PM - 27 Feb 2014 

Why do the press always take comments out of context, my comment on Instagram had nothing to do with RVP. We are great teammates working for.

 Chicharito Hernandez ( @CH14_) 11:41 PM - 27 Feb 2014.

the same goal, the TEAM! & Cause the team isn’t doing as well as we’d like everyone just wants to make everything look like a bad thing!

 Chicharito Hernandez ( @CH14_) 11:41 PM - 27 Feb 2014.

Thereby Chicharito has cleared the air, denying any kind of a dig taken at Van Persie and his comments. One thing though, is evident from the incident which was even mentioned by the little Mexican. If you're poor on the pitch you will have to face the consequences off it.

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