Toni Kroos Agent At Old Trafford

During their 4 – 0 thrashing of Norwich at Old Trafford, Manchester United’s former boss Sir Alex Ferguson was caught on camera sitting next to Sascha Breese, the agent to Toni Kroos, Marco Reus and Mario Gotze. And I don’t believe it was a mere coincidence.

It is a well documented fact that United are looking to sign some world class players this summer. This was further amplified when Sir Ferguson was spotted sitting beside the agent to Kroos, Reus and Gotze.

With the sacking of David Moyes, Fergie was seen last weekend discussing with Sasach Bresse who is the agent to Kroos, Reus and Gotze. Of the three players, Manchester United have been heavily linked to Toni Kroos all through this season.

Breese is a part of the agency (Sports Total) that represents Kroos and his Bayern Munich team mate Gotze as well as Marco Reus of Borussia Dortmund. He had previously met with David Moyes earlier this season in Germany. His presence at Old Trafford was probably a continuation of their discussion in Germany.

You know how fast news travels especially on social media. The sighting of Breese at Old Trafford is fuelling speculations that Kroos would be on his way to Manchester United in the summer.

But for the avoidance of doubt, Breese is not Toni Kroos’ agent as that is Volker Struth.

When will these speculations about Toni Kroos and Manchester United end? It’s been a very long chase. Let’s hope it ends in United’s favour this time around.

World Class Player Wants To Join Manchester United – Robin Van Persie

Manchester United’s goal poacher Robin Van Persie had revealed that a world class player would like to join Manchester United. Who is RVP talking about about? None other than his former team mate at Arsenal, Cesc Fabregas.

According to a report published by The Guardian, Van Persie told United that Cesc Fabregas was willing to come to Old Trafford last summer. Despite all the drama that surrounded United’s chase for the player and his insistence on remaining at Barcelona, Fab really wanted to be at United last summer? Boy, that sounds great!

This revelation has spurred United into considering a move for the Spaniard once again. With their transfer ban temporarily lifted, Barcelona may want to sell if the price is right.

The Guardian reports that

“United’s chief executive has been made aware that Cavani might be available and is also tempted to look at Cesc Fabregas’ position at Barcelona, despite the unsatisfactory way it turned out when they tried to sign him last summer.

“Their interest is sustained in part because Robin Van Persie, Fabregas’ close friend, has reported that the former Arsenal midfielder wanted the move to happen, using the striker as an intermediary, and Woodward was told exactly the same by relevant agents.”

I have no doubt in my mind at all that Fabregas would make an instant hit at Manchester United. He’s the ideal midfielder we need to solve our problems in the centre. He’s very creative, two-footed and has the ability to connect with forward passes like no other.

Manchester United should look beyond how their chase for the player ended last summer and make a bold bid for him. With Fab in our midfield, we’re sure to be on the path to our glory days.

United Plans £84 Million Double Swoop For Cavani, Shaw, Lines Up New Bid For Fabregas

Manchester United are reported to be planning an audacious double swoop for Edinson Cavani and Luke Shaw. Reports Today reveal that the former English champions are hoping to sign the Paris Saint-Germain forward for £54m and Luke Shaw from Southampton for £30m. They are also reported to be preparing a new bid for Cesc Fabregas.

According to The daily Star, Manchester United’s officials flew to France last week to open discussions about a possible transfer of Cavani to Old Trafford. The player was said to be reluctant to make the switch while Moyes held sway at United, but with his exit and a £54 million deal, United are confident he would make the move.

With Moyes in charge, United had an underwhelming season and potential transfer targets were reluctant to come to Old Trafford. But with his sack, things just would be different. We look forward to seeing the signing of world class players before the start of the next season.

Cavani himself appears to be unsettled in the French side. The 27 year old has said he would hold talks with officials of the club at the end of this season. He has been playing under the shadow of Zlatan Ibrahimovich. He also complained of been assigned a more defensive role rather than his traditional attacking position.

Also on United’s radar is Southampton’s teenage sensation Luke Shaw. The Red Devils are reported to be putting finishing touches to a five year contract worth £100,000 a week.  Shaw is seen as a long term replacement for Evra who is set to leave the club at the end of this season.

The 18 year old England international has had an amazing season at his club. The thought of a first team starting lineup for him in a club like United is surely a good incentive.

Manchester United are also preparing another bid for Cesc Fbaregas. United’s attempt at signing him were rejected several times last summer. But with the Spaniard frustrations at been played out of position and the taunting from the stands, he just might make the switch if United offers to pay good money.

As United makes a bold move for these world class talents, would their absence from UEFA Champions League and even the Europa Cup influence these players decisions? With or without these competitions, United is still a great club players would like to be in.

Five Things Ryan Giggs Must Change In Manchester United

Manchester United’s interim manager Ryan Giggs is on the threshold of history. With the sacking of David Moyes earlier this week, it is expected that Giggs would make a number of changes to the way things were done at the club. Here are five things Giggs would need to overhaul:

1. Style of play

Moyes foisted on United a very defensive and weak attacking style of play.  Any close observer of United in the past would agree that we operated from the flanks and played an aggressively attacking football. As a matter of urgency, we need to return to our traditional style of play that has seen us win so many titles and trophies. And good enough, Giggs has been a part of it all and to me, is the best person to bring back what can be regarded as Manchester United’s traditional way of playing the beautiful game of football.

2. Bring back the champions mentality

"We don't see ourselves as underdogs. We see ourselves as Manchester United, playing at home in the Champions League." The words of Ryan Giggs in their first leg encounter with Bayern Munich at Old Trafford.

The interim coach should ingrain in the consciousness of the players a winning mentality. That drive that saw us come from behind on several occasions and win matches even when all hopes appeared to be lost. The never-say-die spirit. ‘It’s never over till United wins’. We’re still ‘the come back kings’. This season, when the opposing team are leading, they most often feel they are leading and going to win the match. This is was never the case in the past. We need to go back to create fears in the minds of the opposing players even when we are 2-0 down.

3. Be adaptable

Unlike his predecessor, Giggs should learn to be pliant. In his ten months reign at Old Trafford, Moyes showed very little signs of been adaptable. His much disliked training methods, his poorly managed disagreements with his players and his gaffes in public all give him away as someone that is not adaptable. This is one thing Giggs should by all means avoid.

4. Play himself a little more often

While I agree that Giggs is not the best solution to United midfield worries, but I feel strongly that the Welsh was grossly underutilized by Moyes. Fellaini has turned out to be a big flop and a huge fraud ( talking in football terms), Tom Cleverly’s performance is abysmally poor and Michael Carrick stretched thin, it becomes necessary to bring in experienced legs. And hey, why not Giggs himself?

5. Player management

Under David Moyes, it was quite rare to see United’s players were a happy, cheerful face. From Van Persie’s outbourst team-mates are "occupying the spaces I want", to the alleged complaint by two players of lack of playing time, there had been several cases of dissatisfaction and near disaffection.

This is one area Giggs must address and help to put smiles on the faces of everyone at Old Trafford.
As he starts his first match in charge as interim boss this weekend, we’ll be watching out. Let’s see if things would really change.

Manchester United And Liverpool May Miss Out On Barca Star

English Premiership clubs Manchester United and Liverpool will most likely miss the signing of Barcelona striker Alexis Sanchez to Italian side Juventus. 

According to talkSPORT, the Barcelona forward is considering a return to the Serie A this summer. Sanchez has just two years left on his contract with the Catalan club.

Reports reveal that Juve who are on the verge of lifting the Serie A title would want the player on a loan deal with the intension of making it a permanent deal after next season.

Alexis Sanchez joined Barcelona in July 2011 from Udinese. The 25 year old Chile international has made 30 La Liga appearances for Barca this season scoring a total of 17 goals. He is a key player in the Spanish club and was a very good option during the time Lionel Messi was out due to injury.

The Italian club had been an admirer of  the Barcelona striker right from his time at Udinese. Reports claim that Juve have contacted the player’s agent and from the feedback they got, they learned that Sanchez would be interested in a move back to Italy.

Sanchez, while a very brilliant attacker, is by no means indispensable at his club. In the last two El Classico matches against Real Madrid, he was left sitting on the bench.

With their two season transfer ban temporarily lifted, Barcelona may be willing to sell him to fund their other transfer targets. Gerald Deulofeu, who is currently on loan to Everton, would be making his return to the first team next season.

Much as I would want an Alexis Sanchez in United, it seems the player’s mind is already made up about his future. It won’t be easy convincing otherwise if at all.

Manchester United And Arsenal Go Head To Head For Juan Cuadrado

Manchester United and Arsenal are both reported to watching Fiorentina winger Juan Cuadrado according to Italian newspaper LaNazione. 

The £24 million winger has been in very impressive form for the Serie A side. His performance has generated several interests across Europe especially in England where Arsenal and Manchester United are both keen on signing him. Liverpool too have an eye on him after they lost Salah’s chase to Chelsea.

The Columbian international sure knows how to score goals and has scored 11 goals in 39 appearances for his club this season. The Italian side are believed to be determined to keep their star player but would most likely succumb if the offer is right. And £24 million looks tempting enough to lure the player.

Fiorentina are in contention for Champions League qualification which could serve as a good motivation for the player to remain with the Italian club although Inter Milan are seriously breathing down their neck. Fiorentina are just two points ahead of Inter after 34 matches.

United’s scouts were reported to have watched Juan in action against Udinese. The Daily Mail reports that United’s scouts were quite impressed with his versatility. He was initially a right winger but was converted to a right wing-back. He is doing so well in this new role.

David Moyes has put in some efforts at getting the winger to sign for United but with out of Old Trafford, whether or not United would continue in their quest for the player, only time will tell.  This then gives Liverpool and Arsenal an upper hand in the race. And according to Liverpool, money won’t be an issue in signing players for next season.

 The Reds coach Rodgers has assured that the club is ready to pay whatever price it will take to attract big names ot the club as they hope to maintain their very impressive campaign of this season.

Having successful booked their place in the next UEFA Champions League and the title well within their reach, it will would be relatively easier to lure world class talents to Anfield in the summer.

With Cuadrado’s pace, versatility both up front and at the back, his ability to find the back of the net and the fact that he is worth  about £24 million, it would be a good thing if United would continue their pursuit of the Columbian.

Manchester United Set To Complete £100,000 A Week Deal

Manchester United are steadily closing in on Southampton’s defender Luke Shaw. The 18 year old would be offered a whopping £100,000 a week deal. 

Shaw’s very impressive form at St Mary’s stadium has made him one of the most highly sought after full-back in Europe. Several clubs had indicated their interest in the 18 year old including United and Chelsea.

Shaw grew up in west London and Chelsea was his boyhood dream club. Many bookies felt Shaw would snub other clubs and sign for his boyhood club Chelsea. And to Jose Mourinho, Shaw was a long term replacement for Ashley Cole.

United’s former coach david Moyes had done a lot in persuading Shaw to sign for United instead of Chelsea. When Chelsea heard how much United were willing to offer the teenager, they were alleged to have backed out of the race to sign him. 

According to The Guardian

“Despite being relieved of his duties, Moyes is recognised at United for being largely responsible for persuading Shaw to place United ahead of Chelsea, with the Scot having put in long hours of work to try and secure the hottest prospect in the domestic game.

Chelsea were considered firm favourites to land Shaw, a lifelong Chelsea supporter whose parents live near the club’s Cobham training centre in Surrey. Yet the terms on offer plus the lure of becoming Patrice Evra’s instant successor at left-back has boosted confidence at Old Trafford that Shaw will join the club.”

With United’s Alex Buttner failing to impress, The Red Devils are hoping to spend some good money on Evra’s replacement. The French man was alleged to be willing to stay back at United to mentor his successor. And for £30 million, it is worth every penny of the long term investment.

With newspaper making so much speculation during transfer windows like this, it remains to be seen how true this report is. Personally, I fervently hope this is true as I would like to see Luke Shaw in the colours of Manchester United come next season.