manchester united Category
Manchester United football club news, Manchester United transfers, Premier League
Transfer balls: Manchester United await Paul Pogba as Juventus get a new number 10
It’s been 15 days since the Daily Mirror said Manchester United had signed Paul Pogba. Today the Manchester Evening Post reports that “Paul Pogba is still a Juventus player”.
The paper adds: “Manchester United want to sign the France international before the Premier League season starts.”
The Telegraph says Pogba “is expected to sign” for Manchester United. The paper of record then states: “The Manchester Evening News believe Paul Pogba is officially a Manchester United player.” No, they don’t. The MEN says he is expected to sign.
The Mirror says, “The Frenchman is expected to complete the world record transfer form Juventus to Old Trafford before the Premier League season starts.”
The Mirror then adds: “Twitter reactions to Paul Pogba leaving Man United in 2012 now look a little silly.”
Sillier than the Mirror which reported 15 days ago:
Total balls.
But Pogba surely is leaving Juventus. AS reports that Pogba’s number 10 shirt at Juve is to be worn by Dybala.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 4th, August 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Paul Pogba worries Manchester United by telling fan ‘I’m staying at Juventus’
Transfer balls: Paul Pogba is not joining Manchester United for a huge sum of money? In New York, Pogba reportedly told fans he is staying with Juventus.
A fan asked the Frenchman if he was going to continue playing for the Italian club. Pogba replied, “Yeah.”
It’s been 14 days since the Daily Mirror told us Pogba had “signed” for Manchester United.
You can follow our tracking of the media balls on Pogba’s transfer to Man United here.
Spotter: Pies
Posted: 3rd, August 2016 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: 13 days after Manchester United sign Paul Pogba Real Madrid ‘gazump’ the deal
Paul Pogba Watch: It’s been 13 days since the Daily Mirror told us Manchester United had “signed” Paul Pogba. Today the trusty Daily Mirror says:
“Paul Pogba jets into New York and sparks fears that Real Madrid could gazump Man United’s £100m bid.”
Paul Pogba has not signed for Manchester United. But he could sign for Real Madrid because “Zinedine Zidane’s side play Bayern Munich at the MetLife Stadium on Thursday morning”.
Before we go on, let’s recall what the Mirror reported as fact:
The Mirror now adds:
United continue to play the waiting game with no official agreement in place for Pogba’s signature.
No official agreement. Is that the same as no agreement whatsoever?
The Express states: “Man United meltdown as Paul Pogba jets into New York ahead of Real Madrid game.”
The Sun says: “Paul Pogba to Manchester United: Fans worried Real Madrid will hijack deal as midfield star flies to New York City.” Adding: “Real Madrid being in the same city is believed to be purely coincidence.”
The Telegraph just has a question:
Manchester United transfer news and rumours: Could Paul Pogba be heading to New York for a medical today?
The paper has no idea. And having asked its readers, it still has no idea.
Over in the Daily Mail, news is that “Manchester United are on the brink of breaking the world transfer record to sign Paul Pogba from Juventus.”
On the brink? Fours days ago it was a done deal. Martin Samuel and Simon Jones told us the deal had been “finally agreed”.
It took two reporters to tell us the facts:
Paul Pogba is set to be officially confirmed as a Manchester United player again after his world record £100million move was finally sealed on Thursday night.
He hasn’t signed yet.
After weeks of negotiations, United have agreed a huge fee for the Juventus star to complete Jose Mourinho’s summer spending spree.
He hasn’t signed yet.
United are eager to parade their new signing – who completed a medical in Los Angeles.
He hasn’t signed yet.
Over in Spain, news in AS is that Pogba is expected to sign for United on Wednesday. Madrid have given up the hunt.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 2nd, August 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: teasing Paul Pogba says his Manchester United medical was ‘nonsense’
Paul Pogba Watch: It’s been 12 days since the Daily Mirror told us Manchester United had “signed” Paul Pogba. Today Sky Sports has more news: “Paul Pogba prepares to fly to England to complete Man Utd transfer.”
He’s not signed for Manchester United.
After news that Pogba has been “partying” in Las Vegas, we learn that “Pogba offered no significant update on his pending move to Old Trafford”.
But he’s preparing to fly to England to complete his move to Man United, right? Maybe. Because having made that claim, deep into the story Sky admits it doesn’t know what Pogba plans to do:
Pogba was due to return to Miami after his weekend in Las Vegas, however it is unknown whether he then travels to Turin or flies straight to Manchester from the United States.
The Express has more: “Paul Pogba to fly to England to complete Man Utd move: Responds to question about transfer.”
How did he respond? Well, the paper says, he was “coy”. No. He was taking the mick. He wrote on Instagram: “news: we catch Pogba with his contract in Universal Studios LA amusement park #Imonholidays #nonsense.”
The Mirror adds that he did say something:
Sky Sports News presenter doorstepped Pogba in Vegas on Monday to ask him about the prospect of him going back to Old Trafford.
“We’ll see,” Pogba teasingly replied.
The Indy hears those words and says:
Paul Pogba has hinted that his long-awaited move to Manchester United is nearing completion while speaking to a journalist in the United States.
Spain’s AS newspaper says Pogba is “oblivious to everything” as he went partying in Hollywood with his entourage.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 1st, August 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment (1)
Transfer Balls: Paul Pogba takes his Manchester United medical at Universal Studios
Paul Pogba Watch: It’s been 11 days since the Daily Mirror told us Manchester United had “signed” Paul Pogba. Today the Metro says Pogba remains a “Man United target”.
The Telegraph says “Paul Pogba move edges towards completion”.
The Mail says Enligsh footballer’s first £1m player, Trevor Francis, is “surprised at Manchester United’s record bid for Paul Pogba”. Says Francis on BBC Radio 5 Live:
“I’m surprised £100m is going to be paid for a midfield player. I really thought if it was paid, it was going to be for a striker who could be a match-winner and probably provide you with 30 goals a season.”
The Sun says “Juventus replace Manchester United-bound Paul Pogba with Marko Pjaca – ‘a mix of Cristiano Ronaldo and Kaka’”. Cost of the Ronaldo-Kaka hybrid: £20m
The Mirror, which told us Pogba had already joined Manchester Untied, now tells us that he hasn’t.
Zlatan Ibrahimovic has hinted Paul Pogba ‘s Manchester United transfer could be getting closer. Pogba is nearing a world record move to Old Trafford with negotiations over a £100million switch nearly finalised… “It looks very interesting,” he told Swedish television station Kanal 5 . “Let’s see if Pogba will also (come), then it will be even more interesting.”
Meanwhile, Pogba tells his followers:
“Pogba passing a medical at the Universal Studios park”
Such are the facts.
Posted: 31st, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Paul Pogba signs Manchester United shirt and is better than Messi
Paul Pogba Watch: 10 days since the Daily Mirror told us Manchester United had “clinched” Paul Pogba, The Telegraph says: “Paul Pogba drops MAJOR hint he’s joining Man Utd.”
A hint? Sky Sports explains:
Paul Pogba has been photographed signing a Manchester United number six shirt with his name on the back. The snap was taken by United fan Jonathan Perkins in Los Angeles, where Pogba has been finishing up his post-Euro 2016 holiday.
United fan asks footballer to sign his shirt. Footballer graciously does so. And that’s news?
Jack Pitt-Brooke has more news in the Indy, where Pogba as Jose Mourinho are revered:
Both Jose Mourinho and Paul Pogba could each claim to be the most talented, intelligent, individualistic and talked-about man in his field and of his generation.
Jose is a top manager. But do position Pogba above Ronaldo, Bale, Neymar, and Messi is nonsense.
The Sun says “POG DEAL CLOSE – Paul Pogba to Man United: Agent Mino Raiola reveals deal for Juventus midfielder should be completed by next week.”
Super-agent Raiola, who also represents United striker Zlatan Ibrahimovic, reportedly said: “Next week [the deal] can be closed.”
Can be. Not will be. Can be.
The final word in this ball comes from the Daily Mirror, which having confirmed Pogba’s signing ten days ago, today reports:
Paul Pogba signs Manchester United shirt for fan in LA as £100m world record transfer looms..
Paul Pogba has given possibly the clearest sign yet he will join Manchester United – by signing a Red Devils shirt with his name on the back.
What, clearer than when he agreed to join them?
Pogba signs shirt. Pogba does not sign contract.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 30th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: nine says after Manchester United ‘clinch’ Paul Pogba his agent says they haven’t
Paul Pogba Watch: Nine days since the Daily Mirror stated that Manchester United had “signed” Paul Pogba, we read on the BBC that Jose Mourinho is “planning a clearout at United with nine players set to leave to make way for Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba, 23.”
WOW!. Paul Pogba is as good as nine players. He’s that good. Play Pogba in the centre, De Gea behind him and maybe a defender and United are as good as they were last season. Utter balls, of course.
The nine killed in what the Sun calls a “brutal cull” – Tyler Blackett, James Wilson, Will Keane, Andreas Pereira, Paddy McNair, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson, Adnan Januzaj, Bastian Schweinsteiger and Guillermo Varela – don’t play that much for United.
But they all might play more than Paul Pogba, because the Manchester Evening News says Manchester United are considering alternatives to Pogba, and are looking at Blaise Matuidi, 29, who plays for Paris St-Germain.
The Express says Real Madrid want Pogba.
But the Mail now agrees with the Mirror:
Pogba set for United medical after £100m transfer with Juve is agreed…United are eager to parade their new signing – who completed a medical in Los Angeles and will wear the No 6 shirt – and are set to officially announce his arrival…
Pogba had a medical in Los Angeles after his recent holiday in Florida before signing a five-year contract worth £290,000 a week.
Meanwhile, over in Spain AS reports that Pogba to Real is still on:
Mino Raiola , agent Paul Pogba has broken out against the English and Italian press. “Journalists, parrots. There is nothing between the clubs. Everything is a game between the English pair Italian press and see who is first and who is the worst ” he wrote in his profile Twitter .
Or as the BBC puts it:
Real Madrid are planning a move for Paris St-Germain midfielder Marco Verratti, 23, after accepting defeat in their pursuit of Paul Pogba. (AS)
Such are the facts.
Posted: 29th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: seven says after Manchester United ‘clinch’ Paul Pogba Real ‘gazump’ the deal
Paul Pogba Watch: Seven days since the Daily Mirror stated that Manchester United had “signed” Paul Pogba, we read on the BBC that the player’s agent, Mino Raiola, “has cancelled Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba’s medical with Manchester United”.
The BBC links to the Daily Star, wherein we read:
…the super agent phoned the doctor to tell him not bother jetting home from a holiday in Europe to undertake the medical, as a deal for Pogba isn’t close.
The source for this is AS. It says Pogba is waiting for Real Madrid. It is his “dream to train under the orders of Zidane”.
Or as the Sun puts it:
POG IN BAG.. .Manchester United have sealed a world-record £105million deal for Paul Pogba – just as SunSport told you on Saturday.
Or as the Guardian writes: “Manchester United expect to seal £100m Paul Pogba deal within 48 hours.”
So not sealed, then?
ESPN says “some among the United hierarchy even suspect Pogba may be ‘stalling them’ to see if Real Madrid come in with an official bid… There has long been a suspicion Pogba is still holding out for his first choice and Real finally acted on that in the last 48 hours by making contact with Juventus.”
As ever, we’ll end with a look at what the trusty Daily Mirror are saying today:
Zinedine Zidane has claimed Real Madrid could gazump Manchester United in their world record pursuit of Paul Pogba…
The Reds are set to make a fresh bid of £92m for the France midfielder, but Madrid coach Zidane raised the prospect of the Spanish giants stepping in to beat United to his signature.
Zidane said: “I don’t know if he will come. Until the 31st of August anything can happen. Everyone is interested in Pogba. “
So much for “CLINCHED”.
Posted: 27th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United balls: Mourinho gets another ‘One’
One Watch – a look at mainstream-media mentions of Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho being ‘something One.
The Independent’s Mark Ogden says:
Jose Mourinho became the ‘Generous One’ on Manchester United’s flight to China by taking a seat in economy in order to ensure all of his players were able to take advantage of the flat beds in business class
Add it to the list.
Posted: 27th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: 6 days after Manchester United sign Paul Pogba Real Madrid make their move
Paul Pogba Watch: Six days since the Daily Mirror stated that Manchester United had “signed” Paul Pogba, we read on Sky Sports:
Manchester United transfer rumours: Paul Pogba deal – on or off?
So much for United having “clinched” Pogba, as the Mirror told us. Sky hasn’t a clue. It asks: “Which are the most credible Manchester United transfer rumours right now?”
None of them, which is they they are rumours. None of them are credible.
Daily Star balls
Sky then says only United are in for Pogba, which sounds absurd. Are they bidding against themselves?
It is understood Juventus have now accepted Pogba wants to leave the club, although the cost of the deal has already priced Real Madrid out of the market.
It is all laughable. Indeed, Paul Pogba and his agent Mino Raiola are laughing themselves silly.
The Mirror sees that photo are conjures the news:
Pogba is close to completing his £100million transfer to United but has kept tight-lipped over his future despite posting a cryptic post on Instagram
Got that? According to the Mirror, Pogba is now talking in codes via Instagram. What can it all mean? He and his agent are laughing in Miami. The soon-to-be stinking rich player and his soon-to-even-richer agent are laughing.
AS says Raiola is looking at a €20m commission from any sale. The Spanish paper also says Pogba is waiting for Real Madrid to make their move.
Vacations in Palm Island, Miami, United States. A 7,758 kilometers from Turin, on an artificial island of Key Biscayne where the famous mobster Al Capone lived his last days in a luxurious mansion of 2,800 square meters, Pogba hung yesterday a photo in bathing suit with his agent, Mino Raiola, and a message: “we say everything without saying anything. Holidays”.
The Indy says Paul Pogba’s move to Manchester United is nothing to do with Pogba’s “dream” to play for Real. It’s being held by a disagreement over who pays Mino Raiola’s £25m agent fee, according to the Sun.
United and Raiola are happy for both clubs to pay £12.5m. But Juve refuse to pay Raiola a penny from the money they will get from United for Pog, 23.
Raiola is laughing. Pogba is laughing. United are desperate and sweating. The Press are clueless.
Posted: 26th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: 5 days after Manchester United sign Paul Pogba Juventus up their price
Paul Pogba Watch: It’s been five days since the Daily Mirror reported that Manchester United had “clinched” Paul Pogba. Five days on from that scoop, the Guardian writes:
Juventus tell United to add another €10m to their €120m bid for Paul Pogba
As the Mirror redefines “clinched”, the rest of us realise that Pogba has not left Juventus. We might also wonder if the French player is waiting for Real Madrid to make their move. Not so, says the Guardian:
Paul Pogba is keen to return to Manchester United despite them not being in the Champions League… Juve are seeking an additional €10m and have informed United that their €95m signing of Gonzalo Higuaín from Napoli does not mean they will be forced to sell Pogba.
There are no guarantees. And the Guardian now says “if the transfer takes place” not ‘when’ it will.
It’s fitting to end this Transfer Balls update with a look at what the trusty Mirror are reporting.
It is understood United have agree personal terms worth £250,000-a-week to re-sign the player they let leave for just £800,000 four years ago… Manchester United boss Jose Mourinho is hoping Ed Woodward will get the
This is what the Mirror said last week:
Such are the facts.
PS: Higuain to Juve. No. The Sun told us he plays for Arsenal.
Posted: 25th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer Balls: Manchester United have not signed Paul Pogba
It’s been two days since the Mirror newspaper reported that Paul Pogba had signed for Manchester United. Today the BBC reports that Man United are “keen to sign” Paul Pogba.
Mourinho said of Pogba:
“We set four targets for us, we got three of them and we are going to get the fourth… Everybody speaks about one, but it wouldn’t be a surprise for me if it is not him and it is another one because we went for profile.”
The Telegraph says Pogba to United is just a “rumour”.
“Paul Pogba believes he is heading back to Old Trafford, according to reports,” says the Star.
The Express says “Jose Mourinho to pull plug on deal if Juventus continue to stall.”
A quick reminder, then, of what the Mirror stated:
No. They haven’t. As the Mirror says today, the deal to sign Pogba has not been done:
And as Spain’s AS newspaper says:
Mino Raiola, agent Pogba, denied yesterday on Twitter that Manchester United have completed the signing of French after Italy leave all the covers wearing his player Red Devil: “There is no closed Pogba agreement, much blah, BLA bla…”.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 22nd, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United sign Paul Pogba (but not everyone agrees)
The Daily Mirror says Manchester United have signed Paul Pogba for £100m. The Juventus and France midfielder will very soon be back at Manchester United, the club he left when they didn’t give him enough playing time.
The Mirror delivers the Pogba facts:
Man United CLINCH Paul Pogba deal
Manchester United have now SEALED a world-record £100million deal to sign Paul Pogba .
They have agreed to pay Juventus the massive fee for their France superstar and will hand Pogba a five-year contract worth £210,000-a-week, net.
Marca agrees that Pogba has agreed to join Manchester United for 120 million euros.
The Mail says “Manchester United have agreed personal terms to re-sign Paul Pogba’.
But Sky Sports Italia says nothing has been signed, and Real Madrid are set to make their move.
More to follow…
Posted: 20th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer balls: Smoking Paul Pogba’s lost weekend in Manchester United
The Daily Pogba: an at-a-glance look at news of Juventus and Franc footballer Paul Pogba, wanted by Manchester United.
The Daily Star says Manchester United have bid £85m for Pogba. It’s not enough. Juventus have snubbed “Jose’s offer”. The idea that United manager Jose Mourinho has any say in how much the club should pay for the player is fanciful. United is run by the Glazer family from a shopping mall in the USA. They do the business.
The Guardian says the opening offer is not £85m, but £100m. And it’s not yet been made. The Guardian appears to be acting as a negotiator, adding: United are expected to make an opening bid of £100m with £13m of that performance-related add-ons.”
The Mirror also trumps the Star. Pogba is the paper’s “£100m man”. But it agrees with the Star that the money is Mourinho’s. According to both papers it is the manager not the Glazers who will make Pogba the world’s costliest player.
The Sun, having told us Pogba joined United for £105m last weekend, focuses on the player’s private life.
Today the Sun’s Phil Cadden reports: “MIAMI VICE Paul Pogba pictured smoking E-cigarette while on holiday with Romelu Lukaku in Miami.”
“These snaps of the £105million Manchester United target will have Jose Mourinho fuming,” writes Cadden of the player he told us had already joined United and is now reduced to a “target”. He adds: “Pogba, who met up with Everton’s Romelu Lukaku, is wanted by United and Real Madrid.”
Ah, yes, Real Madrid. AS (Spain) says Pogba has been using his clothes to speak of his desire to play for Real. Below the headline “Pogba’s little message to Real Madrid? He is ‘all in white'”, the Spanish tabloid reports:
Pogba posted a photo on Instagram, along with the words “all in white”, which of course set off speculation, some of it fevered, that this was a clear wink to Real Madrid, who of course play in all white…
Real Madrid do not play in trousers. Fact.
More Pogba balls all summer.
Posted: 20th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Broadsheets, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer Balls: Chelsea snubbed, Manchester United linked and Joao Mario’s vanishing ink
Trasnfer balls spots the Sun’s report on “Chelsea transfer target Joao Mario”.
On Jul 14, it was disappointing news for the Blues. Mario “snubs Blues to seal Inter Milan move” stated the Sun.
Two Sun journalists told readers:
The Portugal star, 23, has agreed a five-year deal with the Serie A giants, after Sporting Lisbon accepted a £29million bid for the midfielder.
Today the Sun delivered an update. The agreement was no agreement after all. The “exclusive” was utterly wrong.
Anthony Chapman had new news:
MUST BE JOAO-KING Joao Mario to Chelsea: Manchester United target won’t be on the move this summer as Sporting Lisbon rule out transfer away
Euro 2016-winning Portugal midfielder linked with Premier League duo and Inter Milan but looks set to stay put.
Such are the facts.
Posted: 19th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Chelsea, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer Balls: Paul Pogba makes Manchester United his last choice
Juventus and France midfielder Paul Pogba, 23, says Manchester United “are his first family“. The BBC says this “confirms” the player’s interest in joining the club.
The BBC’s story is rooted in a TV interview Pogba gave to Spanish TV. The headline of the story is “Manchester United target Paul Pogba unsure on future, happy at Juventus”. Pogba spoke in Spanish to ESPN Deportes.
Sun: “Paul Pogba receives Manchester United, Juventus and Real Madrid shirt on pre ESPYS award talk” – but not in that order.
The interviewer showed Pogba shirts from Juventus, Real Madrid and Manchester United, asking him for a view on each.
On Juventus, the first shirt produced, Pogba said: “This is my team, my family, where I am playing. I am happy there, I play football, and do things I wanted to do when I was small.”
On Madrid, the second shirt produced, Pogba said: “…the white house — which won the Champions League this year, a great club.”
On Manchester United, the last shirt produced, Pogba said: “I don’t know this one… It was my first family.”
Was his family. Not is his family, as the BBC put it.
On getting a call from Jose Mourinho to join United, Pogba added: “My response would be ‘I don’t know.’ I don’t know when. We will see. For the moment, I am here [Juventus] and I am happy here. I don’t know where I want to go.”
Which when put through the journalisamobile, becomes:
The Guardian: “Paul Pogba hints that he is open to joining Manchester United”
The Telegraph: “Paul Pogba refuses to rule out Manchester United transfer”
The Sun spins the shirts, noting: “ESPN host awkwardly hands Paul Pogba a Juventus shirt before laying a Manchester United and Real Madrid shirt alongside.” The United top was third out of the bag.
In other words, and as they say at Real, United are in Pogba’s past and only his third choice of three.
Such are the facts.
PS: Is Pogba really that good?
Posted: 15th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer balls: Paul Pogba will reluctantly join Manchester United unless Real Madrid cough up
The Daily Pogba: is the France player heading to Manchester United for £100m? News is that Juventus, his current club, are to offer the player a pay rise. Stick with Juve and earn £130,000 a week (source: The Times). Manchester United are willing to pay him – get this – £200,000-a-week. Given Pogba’s showing at the Euros, Manchester United are rich, desperate and a touch mad.
So, Pogba’s a shoo-in to join them, says the Sun, which declared on July 9:
PAYING THE PRICE Paul Pogba transfer news: Real Madrid turned Juventus star down because he was too CHEAP… and have now been priced out by Manchester United
Priced out by United. Fact. Or as the Sun puts it today:
Reports the Spanish giants are out of the race… were wide of the mark. A top source said: “Madrid are very much still in for Pogba.”
Of course, Sun readers know that. After all, on July 2, they read:
POGBA WANTS SPANISH SWITCH Paul Pogba would rather join Barcelona, Real Madrid or even Manchester City than link up with Jose Mourinho at Manchester United
One thing the Sun can agree with itself on: Pogba is leaving Juventus. As the paper says today: “Paul Pogba must make his mind up whether to move to Man Utd or Real Madrid.”
He MUST. Or as his agent tells the Times: “Paul is not desperate to move. We are very happy at Juventus.”
Such are the facts.
Posted: 12th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Manchester United’s secret deal for Ighalo and Liverpool get Clyne by default
Here are a couple of stories that offer insight into how football transfers work. First up the news that last January Manchester United offered a massive £35m for Watford’s Odion Ighalo. You didn’t know about this because both clubs kept quiet. Watford didn’t want to upset their striker. Manchester United didn’t want the markets and money men to know their pulling power was so diminished that signing a Watford player for a huge fee was beyond their reach.
On the upside, Marcus Rashford got his chance and the then United manager Louis Van Gaal looked like he knew what he was doing.
The second story is that Barcelona have not bought Liverpool’s Nathaniel Clyne. Barcelona don’t buy lots of players, of course. Clyne’s story is newsworthy because the story goes that his people offered him to Barcelona. The Catalans weren’t interested. Good for Clyne that he sees himself in one of Europe’s top sides but surely bad for his Liverpool career.
Clubs and players are not always in harmony.
Posted: 10th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Liverpool, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Transfer balls: Manchester Untied offer Paul Pogba £11m a year and Mata to Juventus
Transfer balls (with the Daily Paul Pogba) brings facts from Spain’s AS: Manchester United have agreed to pay Paul Pogba £11m a year and will table a £100m offer to Juventus for the France midfielder.
It only seems like yesterday (it was – ed) the media was telling readers Pogba to Man united was a”agreed”.
Does the mainstream media know anything?
Just one month ago, Pogba was a player who had joined Chelsea for £69m. A few days ago, Pogba was on his way to Real Madrid, his dream destination. And there was reporting on an agreement for Pogba to join Barcelona, his, er, dream destination.
Today’s Sun on Sunday reports that to fund Pogba’s purchase, Manchester United manager will sell Marcos Rojo, Morgan Schneiderlin, Bastian Schweinsteiger, Juan Mata and four others.
The Sunday Express says Mata will head to Everton for £20m. The Sunday People says Mata will head to Juventus as part payment for Pogba.
Mata says nothing.
PS: If Pogba does join United for £100m, the player’s agent Mino Raiola stands to pocket around a quarter of it, says the Sunday Times.
Posted: 10th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Manchester United ‘agree’ Pogba deal amongst ‘friends’
Transfer balls hears a few more words on Paul Pogba and Manchester United, the club chasing the Frenchman they let go.
The Mirror says United are “closing in” on the Frenchman.
The IBTimes says United have “agreed a deal in principle” with Juventus. The player has “informed his friends” he wants to play for United. Friends like his agent, perhaps.
Sky Sports says “Paul Pogba’s priority is to join Real Madrid over Manchester United this summer”.
The Guardian says, “Paul Pogba has hinted he will join Manchester United only if his first choice of Real Madrid proves impossible.”
With the facts established, Sky Sports asks former Man United player Paul Ince what he thinks of Pogba:
“I think his style of football will suit the Premier League more than the Spanish league. I remember when I first went to Inter Milan in Serie A and I was that kind of aggressive player and every time I made a tackle I was getting booked, that was frustrating.”
Pogba plays for Juventus in Serie A. Ince played in Serie A for inter Milan. He did not play in Spain. Ince seems unaware that Inter Milan is in Italy.
Pogba joined Juventus in the summer of 2012. Every year since Pogba and Juventus have won Serie A.
Ince adds:
“So Pogba now coming into a league where it is tough, where he can show what he’s all about, I think is a perfect fit for him and for Man United.”
It’s worth looking at Pogba’s disciplinary record in Italy, where ‘every time Ince made a tackle he was booked’:
2012: Matches, 22; Yellow Cards, 2; Red Cards, 1
2013: Matches, 45; Yellow cards, 5
2014: Matches, 35; Yellow cards, 7
2015: Matches, 42; Yellow cards 10
As for joining Inter and playing in Italy, this is the Paul Ince who said of leaving Manchester United: “When I look back it’s the best thing I did because I went to Inter Milan and had a great time.”
Leaving United was the best thing Ince ever did. Pogba might well agree.
Posted: 9th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Manchester United: Jose Mourinho says he’s The Different One
New Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho is a right one. Ever since the Portuguese manager declared himself the Special One, journalists have spoken with one voice. At his first Manchester United Press conference, the opening question was fired in:
Q: You were the special one, then the happy one. What does Manchester make you?
Mourinho: I don’t know, really. The other two times, I was arriving at the country, this is a Different One.
“Can José Mourinho be the Right One for Manchester United?” – Irish Times
“José Mourinho suggests he could be the Right One for Manchester United” – Guardian.
“Jose Mourinho is on the rebound from Chelsea but the Special One at Manchester United makes for a match made in heaven” – Daily Mail
“Jose Mourinho: The Impatient One eager to bury Manchester United’s three years of bad memories” – Independent.
“Now Mourinho is The Hungry One” – Daily Mirror.
“From ‘The Special One’ to ‘The Happy One’, Jose Mourinho’s opening news conferences have come with no shortage of entertainment.” – Sky Sports
“Arsenal news: Fans label Mourinho The Obsessed One” – Metro.
“Jose Mourinho shows Manchester United fans he means business in opening press conference as he becomes Serious One” – Daily Mail.
“Jose Mourinho doesn’t talk like The Tamer One in first Man United press conference” – Yahoo.
Posted: 7th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment
Transfer Balls: Pogba to Manchester United as talks progress
Is Paul Pogba on his way to Manchester United? Jason Burt explores the story with his Telegraph readers:
Big problem for Man Utd with Pogba remains persuading him to leave Juve and come back to them. Plus all the fees.
It’s that kind of insight that gets you the top reporting jobs.
The Guardian says United will pay the £84m for Pogba but Real Madrid is the player’s preferred destination.
Jose Mourinho wants United to agree to Pogba’s wage demands and cough up €300,000 (£250,000) a week. But – get this – Juventus, where Pogba plays, say £84m is just the starting point. They want more.
The paper adds that United’s club’s chief executive, Ed Woodward, is “holding face-to-face talks” with the player’s representatives. No negotiations via fax machines this summer at Jose’s more determined United.
Marca says United are favourites in the betting markets to land Pogba. So put your shirt on Pogba to Barcelona, then.
The Metro says Paul Pogba is heading to United because he “recently followed Memphis Depay, Jesse Lingard and Adnan Januzaj on Instagram”. How many of those three will be at United next season is uncertain, but you’d not bet on Januzaj and Depay making the cut.
Pogba also follows Justin Bieber. Make of that what you will…
Posted: 6th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Manchester City ignore Wenger’s Arsenal in war on Manchester United
It’s war between Jose Mourinho’s Manchester United and Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City. Guardiola has “come out fighting” in “the Clash of the Titans with Jose Mourinho”. So says the Sun. In a first fight, I’d go with Guardiola, a former athlete who has the height, reach and stamina on the shorter Mourinho, who could counter with a low blow, the sneaky finger in the eye and a hissy fit. But never mind the physical stuff because Pep has started “mind games”. He has made his “first dig at Jose”.
What did the new City manager says? Well, get his: “In England the most important thing is football. The people don’t come to see the manager.” Ouch! That’ll sting Mourinho, who thinks they do. “There is Klopp, Conte, Ranieri, Mourinho, Pochettino. Koeman but the reason I work here is just to help the players.”
“EN GUARD,” puns the Sun, the French twist making us notice that the Spaniard never name-checked Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger. That first dig at Mourinho looks like a first dig at Wenger.
In any case, it’s war. Or as the Express and Star put it, it’s peace in our time:
Posted: 4th, July 2016 | In: Back pages, Manchester City, manchester united, Sports, Tabloids | Comment
Transfer balls: Dortmund mock Manchester United as Mkhitaryan takes the money and runs
Borussia Dortmund midfielder Henrikh Mkhitaryan has left the club to join Manchester United. The German club issue a delightful statement:
Following an intensive round of discussions, Borussia Dortmund accepted the Armenian international’s wish to join Manchester United next season. Based on a completely new situation, this transfer was a difficult trade-off for us. Manchester made us a very attractive offer. Had we refused it, the player would have left us on a free transfer in 2017 and we would only have delayed the matter of a replacement for a year,” explained Borussia Dortmund CEO Hans-Joachim Watzke.
Borussia Dortmund would like to wish Henrikh Mkhitaryan all the best for the upcoming season in the Premier League and the UEFA Europa League.
Dortmund shoot. They score. The goalscorer leaves the club. Plus ca change at Dortmund.
Posted: 2nd, July 2016 | In: manchester united, Sports | Comment (1)
Manchester United sign Mkhitaryan and cash in on fans
More Manchester Untied news now. Having been graced with a year-long audience with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, the Red Devils have secured the services of Henrikh Mkhitaryan. The Armenian will complete his move from Borussia Dortmund to Manchester United today, says the Daily Mail.
Sky says the deal has already been done.
Man United have posted pictures on the club website with Henrikh Mkhitaryan name on away shirts.
“An accident,” asks the Star. No. It’s marketing, of course. The United site crashed amid the interest. “Unfortunately an error has occurred on the page you were trying to view,” the website told fans. “The Store Technicians have been informed of this error and will deal with it as soon as possible, in the meantime please use the menu at the top of this screen to navigate to other areas of the site.”
As United buy the message from the club’s owners continues: spend! spend! spend!
Posted: 2nd, July 2016 | In: Back pages, manchester united, Reviews, Sports | Comment
