Ah so January is nearly upon us and the rumours are rife.
Rumours always tend to draw excitement from fans as it gives us something to natter about but usually this is only if the rumour is realistic so this leads me to my first United rumour:
Alberto Gilardino to United
Gazzetta dello Sport are reporting that United have approached Fiorentina in view of signing the striker. Alberto Gilardino has scored 5 goals this term for Fiorentina and has a decent goal scoring record at Parma, Milan and current club Fiorentina. This one kind of popped up out of the blue and the fact that Kiko Macheda is being linked with a loan back to Italy gives what I think is essentially nonsense a decent grounding as he has been touted as part of a deal sweetener.
I don’t expect this to happen and I don’t think you’ll find many United fans crying out for this deal to take place and whilst he broke Scouse hearts last season in the Champions League who can forget this?
Lassana Diarra for £12m
I actually like Lassana Diarra decent player, good engine and you always hear Arsenal and Chelsea fans complaining that they shouldn’t have let him go. He’s a realistic target as he shouldn’t be massively expensive and has faced serious competition at Madrid for a starting place. The fact he plays in a position we actually need strengthening adds credibility. One thing I have noticed is fans regard him as a Chelsea, Arsenal and Madrid reject and ‘we don’t sign rejects’. Lets be a bit mature about this I mean we would have all been happy with rejects like Sneijder, Robben or Van der Vaart so if the man can do the job why not?
Here’s an aside though keep him away from Xavi, after the recent El Clasico having been subbed on to deal with Barca and failing, man of the match Xavi offered him the matchball and said “you’ve been chasing it all night so you can hold onto it now.” Cheek & insult!
Others
From being he can leave full stop now it appears Kiko Macheda will only be going out on loan. It’s a possibility and having seen Welbeck and Cleverley benefit this too could be a good idea. Italy is looking like the likely destination with Palermo and Lazio apparently leading the race.
Here’s a funny one, John O’Shea to Wolfsburg! Steve McClaren is said to be interested in the Irish defender having worked with him when he was at the club under Sir Alex. A fee of €7.5m is being touted but realistically I can’t see this happening, looks like we’re lumbered with JOS forever! ( I kid I like Johnny, his goal against Liverpool goes a long way to making up for ANYTHING he has or will do bad in a United shirt)
Go for Diarra, plain and simple. Oh, and Pastore too!
On another note, have you heard the news with what’s going on a Preston with our loanees? Honestly, it’s a bit embarassing and the few times Fergie’s involved his personal life with the club, it’s never turned out well. Does he think DeLaet and co. are better off in the reserves again? This feud is different than the BBC one as it affects more than just himself. Preston were dead last, and I don’t know what business he has in being upset and interfering.
I would prefer to see Rodwell than Diarra though Diarra would be cheaper. But he would definitely add some strength to our midfield. But would that mean an end to Hargo’s chances?
Rather predictably SAF has now confirmed that there will be no new signings in January. He now thinks that loaning out Macheda is a good idea. I have my (humble) reservations. Why did he not do that in the summer ? If he returns to Italy he will not be gaining EPL experience in the manner that Cleverley and Wellbeck have. Do we understand from this that Macheda has not ‘come on’ in the way that he hoped ?
Lots of questions I know, but it seems a strange way forward to me.
You raise some good points concerning Macheda Pip
Get oliech who plays for auxerre he would be good cover for park
The Kenyan, I remember him from years ago in the ACN. Don’t quite think he is what we are looking for.
I have to admit something I kinda only like him because he is Kenyan but auxxere have changed him he normal plays as out and out striker but they moved him to the wing he is the leader in assists in ligue 1 I bellive
I seemed to be aware of this previously, but nonetheless there was clearly several useful pieces that concluded the picture to me, thank you so much!