Old Trafford Lounge

Low blow! Shame Dynamo Moscow are in the Europa League Qualifying.

Really good Rio interview on Republik of Mancunia. Here.

Anyone else starting to think Moyes sold Woodward up the creek last summer?

According to reports Herrara was identified as a target 3 years ago by Ferguson, and we all know that the Thiago deal was in place until Moyes erred on him. I suspect Fabregas was a lot more doable than people thought last summer, but the dithering perhaps put an end to it.

It seems like Moyes didn't want to sign a player he had not scouted personally (hence his all expense paid European tour 2013/14) and believed that the 'time ' he had been promised made him think he could just leave the club in limbo for a year because he had trust issues.

Read last night that Herrera had passed a medical or something?

I've heard lots about him naturally but i've only ever seen him play 2 or 3 times. I'm assuming many of you on here might've seen a lot more of him than me so what are your thoughts on it? Good buy or not? Though I suppose at this point buying any midfielder is a good thing

I think he's a good player, not sure if he's worth £30m though. Prices will always be inflated buying from Bilbao though.

Played as an AMC last year, would imagine he wouldn't be doing that for Utd.

I like the sound of him, been impressed when I've seen him (which admittedly isn't much) and have heard decent reviews.

More importantly, he's the type of player we need. Bite in the midfield, mobile, and a progressive passer (even playing as a 10 at times for Bilbao last season).

You'd also imagine if LVG does play his usual 4-3-3 with one box to box cm, and another more attacking one, that he could play either role.

I'd be amazed if Mata didn't become part of the '3' next season. A midfield of Herrera-Stootman (hopefully, In January)-Mata would be pretty swell. Carrick, Fletcher and even (god forbid) Cleverley could do something in there too. The only one I'm not sure about is Fellaini.

Herrera has arrived at Carrington. Could it be? A midfielder?!

I've only seen Herrera play three times: the two times when he played against us, and when he played against Barcelona. He was impressive in those three.

Bilbao have now claimed they've rejected a €36M bid for Herrera from United.

God's sake.

Well duh, its Athletic.

The easiest way to do the transfer would be with them, we tried to do it. Them rejecting it is expected; they do not sell players. Now we have to go through the process of last summers 'three amigos' of the player buying his contract out himself. This process requires hoops to be jumped through because us just giving €36m would require us to pay 44% tax on the deal. This is exactly the situation Bayern had with Martinez and it will be resolved in the same way.

Bayern took advantage of an entirely different "loophole". Martinez did not buy his contract out. They basically complained to the Spanish Financial board or something who risked losing out on the money if the transfer didn't go through, so they pressured Bilbao into selling by saying if they didn't, they would be forced to pay all debts immediately.

The issue is that Utd didn't activate his release clause (where taxes would have to be paid), they just made a "bid" of the exact amount his release clause is, so Bilbao are allowed to reject it

The release clause is for the player to buy his playing rights, which is held by the league. At the time of the Bayern one, there was a big song and dance made about Martinez being the one to go to the LFP offices and buy out his clause.

Effectively what we did was, earlier in the week (as all media outlet sources agreed, and Athletic have not denied), bid the release clause value for Herrera. This was not an attempt to pay the release clause but just a somewhat formal way of saying 'look, this is the money you'll get anyway, lets make this easy for both of us and do this civilly' to which Athletic responded 'we don't want to sell the player regardless, if you want him you'll have to jump through every legal hoop'.

As of last night Spanish sources reported there was a 'problem with our paperwork' apparently this is over an objection as to who the €1.4m development fee is owed, Athletic want it but Zaragoza are claiming it. Bayern had the same issue with Osasuna and solved that relatively easily, but what it shows is the fact that the next stage of the transfer had already began before Athletic announced their rejection.

Martinez didn't buy out his "rights". That was the plan, but then Bayern and Bilbao agreed to transfer the funds by bank. Then Bilbao refused to accept them and Bayern went to the financial institution who would profit from the sale and they forced Bilbao to accept the money into their bank account.

Anyway, Bilbao said they rejected the bid earlier this week, and Herrera apparently bought his contract out yesterday, so I'm guessing it's done.

Bilbao just love to save face and say "We didn't sell him, he was taken from us"

Yeah, its either way just a huge exercise in politics and dick waving. They've been favouring tweets from Liverpool fans laughing all morning.

It's kind of admirable.

Edit: Deposited clause as of 10 minutes ago according to Mundo Deportivo http://www.mundodeportivo.com/20140626/athletic-bilbao/ander-herrera-deposita-la-clausula-rescision_54411313541.html

Athletic confirm Herrara has bought his clause out.

PARRRRRTY.

Herrera abona la cláusula de rescisión http://bit.ly/1o6Nryy #athletic

— AthleticClub (@AthleticClub) Permalink

mufc also close to completing a deal for Luke Shaw.

— FootballMcD (@FootballMcD) Permalink

Hell yeah!

So seems like ye paid over £40m for him including taxes etc. Hope he's worth it, should be better than Fellaini anyway, as well as all your other midfielders bar Mata

I've only watched him a few times, is he worth that price? I'm still very excited at another CM signing. I don't think Fellaini can perform lower than he did last season so with him bouncing back along with the arrival of Herrera, I think many could feel optimistic about our central midfield next season.

He's a good solid play-maker, small, quick, creative, young player with a prospective future. Pretty much just what you guys need. He isn't world class yet but he'll be a huge improvement on what ye have in the CM position

Luke Shaw spotted at Carrington apparently. Plus this:

I understand Luke Shaw's move to #mufc is getting closer & that he's due to have a medical in North-West very soon #saintsfc

— bigadamsport (@bigadamsport) Permalink

Fair to assume that as medical for Luke Shaw is happening very soon that #saintsfc & #mufc have agreed a fee

— bigadamsport (@bigadamsport) Permalink

Woodward is on a roll!

What a day to be alive.

I wonder if we have enough money left to bring in a CB. That's a lot of money for two worthy players.

Could do with at least 1 winger too, unless LVG can get something back out of Valencia and dramatically improve Nani and Young

Shaw's completed his medical. Only a matter of time now.

https://twitter.com/LukeShaw3

Professional footballer at Manchester united Football Club. Views are my own, not those of @ManUtd

Not a bad week.

He's changed his bio again, now there's nothing there. He got a bit too excited it seems.

Apparently £33m for Shaw on a 5-year deal worth £160k pw.

Don't expect the wages to be that much but there is no way in hell that Shaw is £33m good, let alone wages of anything close to maybe half that 160k, at a push. United have been absolutely mugged if those figures are remotely close.

Could you imagine if he was just trolling?

Anyway, my money is the club announcing it at 14:00 on the dot.