370: Scary ANDERSON Transfer Update! Rashford & Onana RETURN?

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0:35Wherever you dine, four times the membership rewards points at restaurants worldwide are piling up. Learn more at AmericanExpress.com slash Explore-Gold. Terms and points cap apply. Hello everybody, welcome to the United Stands. I'm Mark Goldbridge and this is your latest Manchester United news and transfer news. And I tell you what, some of the updates to this morning have the potential to be quite terrifying for Manchester United summer transfer window. Fabrizio Romano, Ben Jacobs talking about Manchester United targets such as Tonali, Wharton, Anderson and how they all may not actually be heading towards Manchester United.

1:13And if they're not heading towards Manchester United, then what is it we're actually looking to do? So, look, we'll delve into all of that. also Rashford and Anana could be heading back to Manchester United this summer. Doesn't mean they're going to be part of the plans next season, but they could very realistically be heading back to Manchester United for training in July if Barcelona and nobody else want them. So is that the case? Barcelona fans, I think, unfairly going in on Rashford after last night, but there is that chance that Barcelona just say no, thank you. And certainly I don't think anyone's going to want So some interestingly concerning updates this morning.

1:50And we'll start off with Elliot Anderson and Romano's update, plus some big stuff around Tenali as well. And I think we are sort of in that situation that we were talking about last night, that if it is going to be Carrick, and it looks like it will be, what is the summer transfer window that we're selling? Has Carrick just said, we don't need that much, I can work with what we've got? Because the updates just don't, it's just not good enough. It's not good enough. I don't care if you say, oh, you know, this transfer window's not even open yet. It's going to be a short transfer window. The World Cup basically starts when the season ends and we didn't do anything in the international break around manager or players.

2:25And we're sat here crossing players off. It's like the managers. Tuchel staying at England. Ancelotti staying at Brazil. Enrique staying at PSG. Nagelsmann might be going to Real Madrid. Oh, what are we supposed to do? Pick up the phone and offer them something. Oh, Anderson's going to Man City. Tenali's not coming. Pick up the phone and actually go after these players. So let's delve into what the latest is on all of that. Before I do that, though, just want to say happy birthday for tomorrow. 40th birthday to Daryl Boyle. This is from Emma, Frankie and Arlo. They've asked, could we give him a birthday shout out for Friday morning?

3:01It's Thursday, I know. But happy birthday tomorrow for Daryl from not just Emma, Frankie and Arlo, but everyone, including myself, as part of the United Stand community. Happy birthday, Daryl. OK, let's delve in. So this was an update from Fabrizio Romano overnight. Manchester City have been very serious and are actively working on signing Anderson since February, with ongoing conversations involving the players camp and advancing negotiations. Manchester City are pushing really hard. And although nothing is finalised yet, talks with Forrest will be crucial, influenced by the club's Premier League status and with mutual respect on valuation.

3:44United are attentive and keeping him on their list as a potential target this summer. This will be one of the key battles to watch in the upcoming transfer window. I mean, that concerns me. That whole update concerns me. This is from somebody that said three weeks ago, Man City were in advanced talks. This is from one of the two best transfer update journalists in the world. And this, again, is another update where what you've got is Manchester City are out negotiating at an advanced level whilst Man United are keeping an eye on it and putting him on the list. And I just think that terrifies me in the sense that we've spent from September to today telling our fan base that this is our priority signing.

4:36And yet the update yet again is that Man City are doing everything they can to sign him whilst Manchester United are attentive, are watching. He's on their list. and I just think, well, the very clear update there is you've got one club doing everything they can saying we want you, we want you, we want you and we've got Man United going, yeah, we like the look of him and we're not doing anything and unfortunately, when you compare the two clubs one club, I think, wins the league next year, Manchester City and one club, we don't really know what's going to happen next year so if anybody should be in advanced talks doing everything in their power since February.

5:16It should be us. I think Man City could afford to be attentive to the situation and just watch from afar. I think we should be the club that's actually out there doing everything we can. And it sounds like we're the ones going, well, we are interested, but we're attentive to the situation and he is on our list. Whereas Man City are going, we don't care if Rodri stays or not. We want you at Manchester United. So that was Romano's update on the situation, but that wasn't the only update. There's also an update coming in from Ben Jacobs saying that Manchester City are optimistic on persuading Anderson to join this summer and are prepared to make the move, even if Rodri does sign a new contract.

5:57And that Nottingham Forest's Marianakis will handle the Anderson exit personally this summer. So it doesn't sound like they're about to do the deal now. and I've actually seen some United fans say, oh, it doesn't matter that we're just watching from afar because the deal won't get done till the summer anyway. So let Man City put all the effort in now and then we'll just swoop in in the summer. And that's fine. That's fair enough. It's not a bad interpretation. If you operate on a basic level, yes. If Forrest say we're not talking to anybody until the summer, Man United waiting till the summer might work.

6:36The big thing everybody's missing is it's what Elliot Anderson decides to do. If Elliot Anderson gets persuaded that City's his club, then City's his club. And then Man City negotiate with Forrest in the summer. So Forrest might not negotiate until the summer. But as we know with Declan Rice, he chose Arsenal because Arsenal were putting the work in from Christmas until the summer. And here, Man City have been putting the work in for two months, apparently. Whereas United seem to be sat there going, going, well, you know, let's wait and see. So look, I think the worrying thing for me is that a couple of nights ago, we had that story in the mirror that Anderson had chosen Man City.

7:17In the preceding two days, we've had Ben Jacobs saying Manchester City are optimistic they're going to get him. And we've got, and that they'll go for him even if Rodri stays. And we've got Fabrizio Romano saying Man City are working really hard on this deal and Man United are attentive. And I just think it's not just the mirror now, is it? There's two other journalists that are pretty good saying Man City are very optimistic. So I think that we shouldn't be surprised if we don't get this deal done. And obviously, I'm not going to sit here and say it's done. It's not necessarily over. But I think United have wasted the last three weeks.

7:58Absolutely wasted it. I mean, when we came into this international break, I was like, we will definitely speak to some managers and we will definitely advance some transfers. And all we've really done is sit on our arse and wait for the Dublin trip for a bit of PR and give Maguire a new contract. That's it. That's what Man United have done with three and a half weeks off. Three and a half weeks off in March and we've progressed nothing. and people will say, well, you don't know that, mate. How long have you supported Man United? How long have you followed Man United? Maybe we're doing things in the background.

8:37Man United leaked like a sieve. You don't do things in the background anyway, because if you're an agent of a player and Man United say, let's do advanced talks, but tell nobody, you go, yeah, okay, pick up the phone for Rizio. It's not in a player's agent's interest to do Man United favours by keeping it really, really quiet. It will always leak out, always leak out. So whether we're talking to a manager or talking to a player and it's advanced, it will always leak out. Look what's happened with Elliot Anderson, with Romano. Man City are in advanced talks. Man City are doing everything to get Elliot Anderson.

9:10Who's leaking that to Romano? Man City? Anderson? Somebody? Somebody's leaking that out because that's what happens when a club is in advanced talks with a player it leaks because it's in everybody's interest really so I don't feel we've done enough over the last three weeks um answers on the postcard as to why we're not why we're not I mean we're pretty much nailed on to get European football anyway even I mean we're nailed on to get European football like even if we finish sixth it's still Europa League I think it were pretty much nailed on to get Champions League football so I don't know what it is we're waiting for and also we need a bigger summer than everybody Man United summer's more significant than Chelsea, Man City, Liverpool, Arsenal, Villa, Newcastle.

9:54We need more work than anybody. So why we're not doing anything? I don't know. I don't know. Are we just doing the Semenu tactics again of let's wait and see if he doesn't want to go to Man City and if he does, we'll go elsewhere. So look, it's scary how predictable we are being at the moment. And I refuse to say that it's not impossible that we get Elliot Anderson, but it's not looking good at the moment, is it? And how many times are we going to miss out on these supposed number one targets? But then it gets worse because then there's another update coming in from, I think it's Ben Jacobs again, around Tonali.

10:28So basically, it says that Manchester United aren't as enthusiastic on signing Tonali due to his high wage and fee. They believe they would not be getting their money's worth with him. Adam Wharton has also been deemed too similar a profile as Maynou, leading to him being almost completely discarded. And you go, oh, my God. Oh, my God. Like, what the hell is going on? And like, we had a prat. We had a prat in the chat this morning saying, oh, scaremongering headlines on the United stand. And I'm like, what's the headline? What's the headline of the show? Scary Anderson transfer update. Rashford and Inanna return?

11:14Oh, yeah. Definitely scaremongering headlines. I mean, it's not like it isn't a scary transfer update and it's not like Rashford and Inanna could return in the summer. I mean, it's... I wouldn't even... Scary is probably a tame word to the updates we've got this morning. I mean, give me a... I mean, I think we've gone quite tame with the word scary. I think you could use effing shit or, you know, disgrace. or you could use a lot of words. So I don't think it's scaremongering when credible journalists are basically saying that Man City are getting very close to signing Elliot Anderson and we're not in for Tonali and Manu, Tonali and Wharton.

11:54I mean, I don't even know where we're going. If it's not Anderson and it's not Tonali and it's not Bruno G and it's not Wharton, I don't even, forget it. And I am being petulant here, but forget it. If it's not Wharton, Tonali, Anderson and Bruno Gameres, forget it. Like, where are we going then? Where are we? If it's not Anderson, Warton, Tonali and Bruno Gameres, where are we going? Like, we need three midfielders and four, I would argue the top four targets, we're not getting any of them. so I'm sort of like that's terrifying to me and as Verdi said is it belabor calling I mean I mean I always get to the point of is it sabotage is it stupidity is it incompetence I mean look obviously things can change but these are not the sort of updates from these types of journalists that you expect to be wrong.

12:50Adam Wharton has been deemed too similar a profile to Mainu, leading to him being almost completely discarded. I think that's such a terrifying update this Thursday morning because I always felt that if we didn't get Anderson, it would be Wharton. And if we're saying that Wharton's profile to Mainu is too similar, who are our scouts? Who are our scouts and who is allowing that to go out there. If Wharton and Mainu are similar, I mean, I literally watched Wharton play against United a few weeks ago. And if you asked me to profile Wharton, the last name that would come into my head is Mainu. Who are our scouts?

13:35Who are they?

13:40I just do not see any similarity between Mainu and Wharton. and stylistically or attributes wise, I don't think there's any real similarity. And you could probably get one of those graphs that shows that they're not the same. But United, again, are comfortable with a journalist saying that we're not going for Wharton because he's a similar profile to Mainu. And also, even if he was a similar profile to Mainu, hello, what if Mainu's shit? What if Mainu gets injured? What if Mainu gets tired? would it not work having four midfielders, two in each position? So even if he was a similar profile to Mainu, which I don't think he is, why would we not sign him anyway?

14:28Because Mainu might need to be subbed or rotated or injured or bad. We need four midfielders. So surely a player that's Premier League proven and decent, even if he is a similar profile to Mainu, you'd still sign him. I mean, what's the club doing? It doesn't make any sense to me. It really doesn't. So look, I think that, and on Tonali, I mean, I read something this morning around Newcastle and how they're basically in big financial trouble if they don't qualify. Literally, it was, I think it was Sammy Muckbolt said it this morning, that if Newcastle failed to get in the Champions League and lose those financial benefits, then they are expecting to have to sell at least one, maybe two of their prized assets in order to strengthen for next season.

15:27Tonali, Anthony Gordon, Bruno Gimenez, Liberamento are all attracting interest and Tonali will generate a market Newcastle can use to their financial benefit. So look...

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16:21Are you feeling the Cheesecake Factory? Five Guys? Either of those sound good? Yes. Which one? Both. Pay with the gold card to receive up to$10 a month in statement credits at participating partners. Uncover more ways to reward yourself at americanexpress.com slash explore dash gold. Enrollment required. Terms apply. I don't like the Wharton update because I don't like the fact that we're not going for Wharton because it's a similar profile to Manu. I think that's absolutely ridiculous. And I cannot stand the Tonali update because I think it's actually true. We're not enthusiastic about signing Tonali because we don't think we'll get our money's worth because of his wages and fee.

17:05And again, you sort of like go, who are the Prats making these decisions? So let's pretend that Tonali wants 250 grand a week and he's going to cost 100 million pounds. I mean, what do you expect a 100 million pound player to be paid? And what do you expect the fee to be? So for Man United to potentially be saying we don't want Tonali because of the fee and the wages and we don't think we'll get our money's worth. So you don't think you're going to get money's worth out of 100 million pound midfielder who is 26 and is one of the best midfielders in Europe. and you're moaning about his wage, I mean, if you pay£100 million for a player, you're going to pay£250 ,000 a week in wages, maybe even£300 ,000 a week.

17:50And if you want a good midfielder, you're going to pay£100 million. So you see what I mean? I'm sort of like perplexed on why Man United don't think they're going to get value for money out of a 26-year-old tonali when he's definitely worth£100 million and he's definitely entitled to a big wage. But this is the problem when you're run by a club that's allergic to spending money. They're trying to bring the wage bill down. So they'll go, we're not paying anybody 250 grand a week anymore. But then you go, but if you want a best-in-class midfielder, they're worth that wage. So what would you do if Erling Haaland says, it's my dream to come and play for Man United?

18:31No, because we're not giving you 400 grand a week. But I'm worth it. Well, we're not paying it. it's always going to be problematic. So basically the updates we've got this morning are Man City are working harder than us to get Anderson. We don't want Wharton because we think he's too similar to Mainu. And we're not going for Tonali because we don't want to pay that much. And this is, you know, a fan base that probably will celebrate that, like they celebrate keeping a 33-year-old on a wage cut rather than buying a new centre-back. I don't know what it is, but it is scary. It's really scary. And look, if we don't get Wharton and we don't get Tenali and we don't get Bruno Gameres and we don't get Anderson, please tell me where we're going that we can have a good summer transfer window.

19:22I know where we're going, Baleba, Gio Gomez, these all become very realistic. But is that good enough? How do you construct? Imagine this situation, right? I think we're all in agreement that they're going to give it to Carrick. So you give it to Carrick, but then you don't sign Tenali, Wharton, Anderson or Bruno Gomez. So Carrick's the manager, which is a risk anyway. and then your midfield is going to be two or three midfielders, but not any of them, Wharton, Anderson, Bruno Gormérez or Tonali. And I'm looking at next season and going, I'm already scared that we're going with Carrick. And now the midfield is really subpar.

20:05So I think United need to wake up. It's early April. You can still change direction. You need to wake up and realise that if you're going with Carrick, you better get him Anderson and Wharton or Tonali. And if you're not getting those players, you better not go with Carrick. One of them, you've got to go best in class. Ideally, I'd like us to be going best in class in both. But you can't give it to Carrick and then give him a load of shit in the midfield. You can't do that. So I'm a little bit worried by the updates because I think all we're getting is spin and PR. I mean, they've been milking the Maguire contract all week like a new signing.

20:47We're still not talking to any other managers and apparently we're not talking to any midfielders. In fact, we're deciding not to go to midfielders before we even talk to them. And look, as somebody said in the chat, do you think it's actually spin because they know that those players don't want to come? Do you think that they're discarding Wharton because he doesn't want to come? Do you think that they're discarding Wharton because they don't like the price? And honest answer to that, I think it's a strange update that we're not in for Wharton because he's too similar to Mainu. I would have thought Wharton would be right up our street.

21:18So maybe they're discarding Wharton because they don't like the fee. Maybe Crystal Palace are saying they want 70 and Man United don't want to pay it. I don't know. You never know with the Unites. Like, they will find a way to spin a story to make you happy. But the truth is, maybe we do want Wharton, but Palace wants 70 million and we're not going to pay it. Or maybe we do want Wharton, but he's already said he wants to go to Chelsea. I don't know. But it feels a little bit like we've probably been snubbed there or we don't want to pay the price. Tonali, it's about the money. We don't want to pay the money.

21:54And there's no movement on Tonali because Newcastle paid 60 million for him and he's 26 and he's very good. So Newcastle will start the bidding at 90. You're not getting that price down. You're just not doing it. So I don't think we'll go for Tonali on money. And then Anderson, it's about Man City. So look, those three updates and Bruno Gimérez is out because of age. So I look at this situation and if this was Liverpool or Arsenal or Man City or Chelsea and they needed to rebuild their midfield like we do, there's just no way they wouldn't get at least one of Anderson, Wharton, Tonali or Bruno G.

22:35and the fact that we might and I say might be ruling all four out in early April is terrifying stuff as to what we're actually going to do in the summer so look I can't add any more than that they're very strange and they're very weird updates Darius says the board has no choice but to appoint Carrick now if any manager does worse the media will bring up Carrick's name remember how Van Niseroen got mentioned during Amrim time despite playing three games mate the media still talk about Oli now I mean the sooner people just don't listen to the media, the better in my opinion, because most of them aren't even United fans.

23:10And, you know, there's so many social media outlets now. Fans shouldn't be manipulated by the media. But you're right, of course. They still get the access to spin their bullshit. And yeah, they won't shut up about it if Carrick doesn't get the job. Mike says, Morning, Mark. If they ain't coming here, they are strengthening the opposition. And that's a terrifying thought. Morning, Mike. Hope you're doing very well. Patrick Leach says, all the transfer updates seem to be a way to lull fans into accepting whatever we get with regards to the manager and the players because Carrick and some players will be seen as better than getting nothing, says Patrick Lynch.

23:46Look, I've experienced many transfer windows, as I'm sure you, Patrick, and everybody else has. If Carrick gets the job and they sign Belaber and they sign Jao Gomez and they sign a left back, I still know this fan base well enough to know that they'll get really excited about it. reality bites when the season starts. Every summer transfer window of Man United is exciting because you don't have to see the outcome. The outcome will be when the season starts. I think that having said that, over recent years, even last year when we bought Cunha, Mbermo, Le Mans and who else did we buy last summer?

24:27Sesco. Most people said that was a five out of ten. Even though we bought well, Most people said it was a five out of ten because they weren't convinced by the bomb squad and we didn't buy a midfielder. So I think I think I think people you're always going to get excited about a summer transfer window. But I think at the end of the window is when it matters. And I think I think going into this summer, I would have expected and still expect us to sign Tonali and Anderson. That's what a big club does. And let's get real. If we sign Tonali and Anderson, we're not winning the league next year. If we sign Tonali and Anderson, we're not definitely in the Champions League next year.

25:05That's just the quality we need to bring in. I'm not, you know, I'm not even under any illusions that even if we bought four really good players, I wouldn't expect us to definitely be in the Champions League. It's just a step in the right direction. Raphael Liao could be sold by AC Milan for 40 million, two years younger than Rashford with Barcelona interested. That's interesting timing, says KD. Yeah, well, we'll talk about Rashford in a moment. morning Mark I'm getting married in a few hours would love a shout out for me and Lottie Mike and Lottie congratulations a little bit premature obviously but I hope you have a great day but congratulations for later and enjoy your special day Mike says the early bird gets the worm or in our case we get wormed Maliki says if we miss Anderson Tonali needs to happen mate I think if we miss out on Anderson if we miss out on Anderson the chances of us pivoting towards Tonali are next to none.

26:01I've always said this, even a couple of weeks ago when Tonali was being spoken about quite a lot, I've always said, I don't think we'll get Tonali because it's a financial. We won't want to pay£100 million on a 26-year-old and we won't want to pay the wages. And we've already leaked out that we're a bit concerned about the gambling. We're not going to go anywhere near Tonali because of the money. I'd love us to go for Tonali. I think he's the right player to go for, but financially we're not going to do that deal. Sir Jim Radcliffe's already let it be known. He doesn't want to do those sort of signings anymore, so we won't do that.

26:36We'll go for something cheap. They've successfully spun fans over the break, says VBA. Emily Derry says, I ask again, what have the board actually done apart from issue story after story of spin and soccer manager midway through the season? Actions speak louder than words. If you're doing your job, it's obvious, says Emily. Players keep passing us like buses. We're crap, says Damian. Mike, welcome. Thank you very much for the super chat. Goldfridge says, you don't go from what number one summer target for six months to on the list and attentive unless we've already pulled back because we know we won't get him.

27:09I mean, that's an interesting point as well. If you listen to what Fabrizio said, he said, Man City had been doing everything in their power to get Anderson since February. Manchester United are attentive to the situation and have him on their list. you're right you're right that's sort of like you know the girl you want to marry is out in a relationship being wined and dined by somebody having a good time but you're waiting to see if there's an opportunity later on down the road whether it works out or not you're right it sounds like we're in the background waiting to see if an opportunity opens up whereas Man City are literally you know doing everything they can doesn't mean it can't come to work towards us if anderson ultimately decides he wants to come to man united then that changes the situation but i think anderson's like there's just nothing from him at all is there like i think you could do a little bit of background work on cunha and embuermo and see that they were wearing man united kits when they were a kid and they might want to come to man united i think with anderson he's a newcastle fan isn't he so I don't know if there's anything in and hasn't Anderson always followed Manchester City on Instagram but he doesn't follow Man United so that I don't know there doesn't seem to be at the moment much around Anderson that makes you feel like we can get him um and maybe that's the feeling of the club um but you know what I would say to that the problem is Manchester United are such a commercial and PR-aware football club, the frustrating thing for us as fans is that since September, we've been told week after week that Elliot Anderson is Man United's number one priority.

28:58And the problem with that news is that United fans quite rightly think if he's our number one priority, we're going to do everything we can to get him. But you can also read that another way. I would read if Elliot Anderson's our number one priority and we need to sign two midfielders, we're going to do everything we can to get him because we need to sign two. So we better get one that's our top priority. You could also read it that I'm down my local pub in Swindon and my number one priority is to marry Margot Robbie. You know, it's never going to happen, is it? But it's still my number one priority.

29:34So maybe Elliot Anderson being Man United's number one priority isn't a lie. maybe it's just an unrealistic priority. And maybe that's the way we should read things in future if this doesn't happen. I would read it like I think most of you would be. We need two midfielders and our number one priority is Anderson, so we're going to do everything we can to get him. But you could also read it that we need two midfielders and our dream target is Elliot Anderson, but it's never going to happen. And that seems to be what could be the case. Didn't fancy them anyway, says Keel. Yeah, Keel wants Belaber.

30:09It's the Ineos effect, Mark. Incompetent as always, says Rossi. Daniel Thompson says, Hi, Mark and the United Stand. I hope you're well. Before he's even got the job, they're hanging the new manager out to dry, not getting the best players. To be the best, we need to get the best no matter what. But this board sets us up to fail, says Daniel. And Colin Clark, thank you very much. Well, look, you know, just add to what Daniel said. Thank you, Colin, for the super chat. Just to ask what Daniel said. I saw a comment in our video last night I did about the Carrick story. And you can go and check it out on the video because it definitely wasn't mine.

30:44I just can't remember who it was. And they basically said, here we are in early April, no news on a new manager interview, no news on being in advance with any transfers. And our big story after a month off is giving Harry Maguire a new contract. The same Harry Maguire who was 33 and the same Harry Maguire that has made multiple mistakes over the last few years and sacked multiple managers. From Taco Night in Tulum to Sushi in Tokyo, every bite is rewarding and post-worthy with Amex Gold's four-times membership rewards points at restaurants worldwide. Wherever you dine, points are piling up. So bring your friends along for your next course because it's not all about the posts.

31:27It's about the company and the memories. How can gold from Amex sweeten your next food moment? Learn more at AmericanExpress.com slash Explore-Gold. Terms and points cap apply. Now, Harry Maguire hasn't sacked those people. But what I took from that is, here we are, not talking to managers, not talking to players, and our big news is that we're keeping Harry Maguire. And some people are really happy with that. But let's not forget, even Harry Maguire at his best has played in shit United Sides.

32:06And we're excited about that. Harry Maguire's been here for a long time. He's played in those games where we've been stuffed. He's played in those games where multiple managers have been sacked. He's not responsible for it. That's not what we're saying. What we're saying is, that's our exciting news. Harry Maguire's going to stay for another year. But even if you think Harry Maguire's good, and I do, it's not like he's invincible to United being shit and losing games of football even with Harry Maguire we still lose we still sack managers but that's our big story another year of Harry Maguire at 33 like that's going to send you know fear through Europe and the Premier League next year oh my god man United are keeping Harry Maguire for another year so you know and that's United's big news You know, anyway, let's move on.

33:03Right. I want to talk about Rashford very quickly. Now, look, Rio Ferdinand said yesterday that if Barcelona get Rashford for the reported 26 million, that's an absolute robbery. It's an absolute steal. I say good luck to him I want him to do well Because I've seen him grow As a young player at United And good luck to him In that sense This was before last night's game So basically Rio Ferdinand Is basically saying that Barcelona Getting Marcus Rashford For£26 million Is an absolute robbery And basically insinuating I suppose that It's an absolute bargain For Barcelona They'd be stupid not to do it And maybe Man United Is stupid for letting it happen I very rarely agree with Ferdinand But I don't think it's a robbery The fact that Barcelona are thinking about sending him back Means it's not an absolute robbery And it's not the bargain of the century, is it?

34:01And also Rashford is on 300 and something grand a week So£26 million for someone who's going to be 29 this year Plus 300 grand a week in wages It's not a robbery, is it? but obviously Rio's got a very high opinion of Rashford and he thinks that and you know what I don't necessarily disagree with it my issue is is that Rashford could easily be back at Man United in the summer and I think that's terrible for everybody um I think those people at United who in the fan base don't want Rashford would say look even Barcelona don't want him for 25 million the club will be like shit um how do we get rid of this player when he's on massive wages again and Rashford will be devastated because his dream move is clearly Barcelona and they kick him back after a year even though he's cheap so there is a realistic possibility that Marcus Rashford could be back at Carrington in July after the World Cup he could return very very easily especially when you look at the comments from certain media and certain Barcelona fans last night basically saying get rid of Rashford I I I've got to be fair I watched that game yesterday I actually thought Rashford did quite well I I genuinely thought Lewandowski was crap and I thought Rashford did quite well and I think Barcelona would be silly not to spend 25 million pounds on Marcus Rashford I don't agree with Ferdinand that it's an absolute robbery But I think£25 million for Marcus Rashford Who is clearly happy in Barcelona And clearly offers Barcelona something And I don't think he was terrible last night I think it's a really good deal for Barcelona And obviously it's a nightmare for Rashford and us If he comes back Because the connotations of that will be not good but I do think that the problem with playing with certain football clubs and I think Real Madrid and Barcelona can be like this is that a loan deal is very dangerous because unless you play well every week they can be a very harsh fan base.

36:10Of course he could come back but I do think it's a very good deal for Barcelona and I'm not just saying that because I think it's best for everybody if Rashford goes there but I actually don't think he played badly last night and I don't think he played badly at the weekend for them as well and I think obviously with Rafinha injured he's getting more game time but I actually think he is a good fit for them I just don't, I'm worried that they don't want to pay for him and I'm worried that we're going to end up in a situation where Barcelona say we want him on loan for another year and that becomes really problematic because another year of Rashford on loan you're two years on loan at Barcelona and they're a very demanding fan base and if he just slips a little bit, they'll be like, don't keep him.

36:51So I think we're in a really shit situation with Rashford actually. I think we were in a shit position last summer where we didn't even get a loan fee. They just covered off his wages. And I think the big problem with Rashford is going to be if Barcelona just don't want to pay 25 million pounds and I don't think they do. I think they want to keep him. I just don't think they want to pay the 25 million. So just be wary of the, are we shit at Barcelona? I really do not think he is shit at Barcelona. I think he's actually done well at Barcelona. I just think this is all about them not wanting to spend the money.

37:24So look, unfortunately, it sort of adds into what we were talking about at the start of the show. What is our summer transfer window? Like, what is it we're actually looking to do? Key positions, and it looks like we're heading down to option D, E and F already. But also, Rashford will take our time. If Barcelona just paid the£25 million, it's done. No work from us at all. If they negotiate with us or they don't take him, that's time for United in a very small transfer window where we have to do loads of recruitment. We could spend a lot of it working on Rashford. And as you know with United, we can't work on more than one deal at once.

38:03So it is one to bear in mind. And also another one we have to talk about is Inanna. Another story today that Inanna wants to come back and fight for his place, but Man United don't want him to do that. Look, if that's irrelevant, whether Inanna wants to come back and fight for his place or United don't want him back we're still going to have to work on something because there is nobody out there that is going to pay for him his wage is going to go up because of the Champions League to about 120 grand no football club in the world is going to pay Inanna 120 grand and give us 30 million it's just not worth it I mean he's probably not even worth 15 million pounds at the moment like he's just not he's just not a very good goalkeeper so Anana's going to come back and we're going to have to work on a solution and he's going to be back at Carrington as well smiling so you know what this is one of my big irritants every year is when we're back in Carrington for pre-season and you see people smiling walking in with their boots and you go you shouldn't be here you shouldn't be here and I think with Anana you know I don't want him by by the way.

39:12United don't want him back, but he is under contract and nobody's going to buy him. So he's going to walk in in July. He is going to be on preseason. He is going to be there. And he's going to be another player that United have got to keep because they can't get rid of him. And ultimately what will happen is we'll loan him off somewhere and pay his wages. But Inanna will come back. Like Rashford, fingers crossed, he'll get his dream move to Barcelona, but Inanna is definitely coming back. And I know United keep putting it out there that he's not, but he will because there's not a lot we can do about it.

39:45Slazy says, I hate that we're unable to work on multiple deals at the same time when our first pick chooses another club, the owner of club of the next pick, and now we are getting desperate so they boost the price. We've just never been able to do it, Slazy. Never been able to do it. Irish Whiskey says, why are we not surprised with this wank ownership? Thank you, pal. And Z3 Music Official says, there's a term in the US called Moneyball that comes from baseball it's buying cheap players with high analytics and then using math to buy runs or buy goals it's what they're doing so z3 music official yeah well they brought they brought this bloody data dean in didn't they from formula one um he probably sits there in front of his computer um you know and i'm like that's just not how football works it's not how it works at all i think patrice ebra was on about this yesterday as well he was talking about how um you know when he was playing, players listened to the manager and just got on with it.

40:40Whereas now you've got people with laptops and analytics saying this is why you're playing badly. This is why, and there's too many excuses out there. And it's right, we've gone too analytical, way too analytical.

40:53At every level of football, you could use analytics. You could use data. You could use it for an under eights team. If you had the, you know, if you wanted to do it, You could track the runs. You could tell, you know, you could make it robotic. You don't need to. You don't need to. Edit Cut says, yesterday I skipped school. What do you think my parents are going to do? Well, you shouldn't be skipping school edits, basically. You know, school's important. I'll tell you a little quick story, right? When you're at school and you're surrounded by your mates, you listen to your mates and you think it's all about being cool.

41:32You're too cool for school, right? When you get older, you go, what a prat I was messing about with my mates and listening to my opinions and not those people who are older than me. Because a lot of those mates won't be your mates when you're older and you'll be stuck with the consequences of not working hard and getting an education, which will also enhance your ability to have a good and prosperous life. So I will always say to anybody in education, put the work in because it's beneficial for you. You don't realise it at the time, but it's free and it's for you and it will set you up in life.

42:11And by neglecting that, you're just damaging yourself. Being cool when you're 13, 14, 15, 16 with your mates means nothing when you're 26, 27. It doesn't. Unless you're loaded already, in which case, just enjoy yourself. hi Mark and hope you're well before he's even done that one from Daniel Thompson as well hopefully the team gets back in time it's crazy in Ireland road blockages says Alan Noonan I'm sure they'll be flying I hate that we're unable to have done that one from Slazy as well right was there anything else I wanted to bring into the show this morning Ben Jacobs saying about Fernandes at West Ham however suggesting Bruno Fernandes has recommended him talk of an exit it for fernandez from west ham is considered premature and west ham are determined to keep him though that could change if they are relegated well i think relegation does does affect a lot i mean jiao gomez from wolves i've told you keep an eye on that one i'm absolutely convinced that that's going to happen and i think it will hit soon um and you heard that here first um from our decent source so jiao gomez i'm absolutely convinced we're going to do that deal um and And, you know, Forrest get relegated.

43:25Anderson's price comes down. West Ham get relegated. Fernandes, Somerville become possibilities. Maybe even Dioff at left back. Spurs get relegated. Maybe we'll have a look there. So, look, relegation, there are some good players that United could look at. But to be honest with you, I don't necessarily want us to be just looking at relegation as a, you know, we should be going for the best at the end of the day. I thought you'd find this interesting, by the way. You know, these little graphs that you can overlay a player's attributes against somebody else's. Remember I said if we bought Stiller from Stuttgart, which I would, I think he has to play where Manu plays.

44:05So basically Manu and Stiller would compete for that position. But this was really interesting So forward passes Mainu and Stiller are nearly the same But Sorry Forward passes Stiller is like double Mainu Forward passes Right Key passes Way ahead of Mainu Progressive passes Way ahead of Mainu Jules Defensive Jules Way ahead of Mainu Possession one way ahead of Mainu. Carrying the ball, i.e. not picking it up and running with it, but actually getting the ball and moving with it, Mainu is ahead of Stilla. So forward passes, winning the ball back, defensive duels, progressive passes, key passes, Stilla is way ahead of Mainu.

44:55Carrying the ball, i.e. getting the ball and moving with it, Mainu is ahead of Stilla. So they're not similar profile of players at all. And that's what you get with Stilla in the midfield. Forward passes, key passers progressive passers he wins the ball back a lot so look the profile of Stiller is very very interesting when you compare it to Mainou but look that's not me digging Mainou out I'm a big fan of Mainou I think if you compared Mainou to most people he'd get beat in most areas apart from progressive runs with the ball at the moment because I still think there's a lot more to come from Mainou but what I'm saying is Stiller would be a good signing for Man United but how long before Stiller is on the no list like Wharton, Anderson and Tonali.

45:39That's what worries me. Yeah.

45:46It's a different league, says Jason. It is a different league, but Sesko came from that league. Sabozlai came from that league. And if you watch that league, which I'm very fortunate to be able to watch, it's actually quicker and more intense than the Premier League, which are words I never thought I would say. I actually never thought I would say those words that the Bundesliga is actually quicker and more intense than the Premier League because up until this season that wasn't the case I would have said the Bundesliga is the closest league to the Premier League in relation to speed and intensity the Premier League being the number one league for speed and intensity but this season definitely not definitely you watch Bundesliga tomorrow night on That's Football and then watch Arsenal-Bournemouth on Saturday lunchtime compare the two games and you see what game is more stop-start.

46:35You see what game doesn't flow as quick. And it's changed. And Madge says, that's bullshit. Mate, you're not watching. Where have you been for the last year? Do you watch Premier League football? It is abs. Did you watch the Champions League this week? The Champions League didn't used to be better than the Premier League. Did you watch Real Madrid by Munich? Fucking hell. That's the best game I've watched all season. And I've watched the Premier League every week. the Premier League this season is crap the ball's never in play it's all about set pieces it's very stop starts the Premier League has lost its identity this year I admit every other year apart from this year the Premier League is the quickest and most intense league in the world but I don't know what's gone wrong with it this year it's so slow it it really is and and if you if you don't agree with that fine but where have you been like everybody admits it the Premier League this year is appalling.

47:32It's all about set pieces, two minutes to take a corner, a minute to take a long throw in. Every free kick people lie on the floor for half an hour. It's, I don't know why. I don't know why the Premier League's gone like that, because it never used to be like that, but it's so slow. I mean, I thought that that, I thought that Real Madrid-Ballon Munich game was just incredible. And Michael Oliver refereed it. So I'm even there thinking, are we blaming the refs for not letting the game flow? I mean, to be fair, he did let that game flow so I just don't know I don't know what's going on with the Prem but that's a different argument OK thanks everyone for watching we have got a preview tonight Thursday night preview is back at 8 o 'clock for the Leeds game so looking forward to that it's been a long time bloody hell I'll have to figure out how to do one hopefully the team thank you very much from Alan Loonan take care everybody stay safe and I will speak to you on the next one thanks very much for tuning in today absolute legends speak to you in a bit

49:00We'll be right back. More details.