Old Trafford Lounge

Sorry I was 20m over but that's still an absurd amount. And considering you're going to have to spend even more to get this squad anywhere near the heights it used to be is a joke to be honest.

I agree with you re: Shaw however, it was a wise investment considering how young he is and the huge potential he has. It's pretty much the equivalent of paying £3m a season for him and it isn't that bad really.

I suppose. But that's still essentially buying a new squad, I can see why it would seem better than City/Chelsea buying the League (already established club, own funds well sort of) but it seems the same. It seems like the only youngsters being blooded in are Januzaj & Wilson, I don't think Blackett/McNair would've got a look in if you done what you should've last summer.

It's almost as if United are losing their identity, it's pretty much become what Chelsea & City have become symbols of. But I guess that's the fallout of Ferguson leaving.

I highly doubt we've paid Southampton an upfront fee of £30 million. It's probably more something in the region of £15-£20 million up front with the rest in add ons. It's not a bad deal for us really given his age and ability. Those potential downsides to his transfer are the same with any transfer, Di Maria, Blind and Herrera could all want away within a season or two if we don't make the Champions League or start challenging for the league title.

Pretty sure Utd spent 150m this season, not 200m or 180m.

When you consider Liverpool spent 120m and Arsenal about 90m it's hardly ridiculous. Everyone knew there squad needed rebuilding and it would cost a fair bit.

Shaw will be a good signing and as said, potentially there left back for the next 10-15 years. 30m could be a bargain.

Rojo, Blind and Hererra have been decent signings and Di Maria has shown a lot but will just take a bit more time to get used to the league, injuries haven't helped him either. 10 assists and 3 goals in 16 starts is hardly terrible. Fucking awful at corners though.

Falcao being shit and RVP losing all form is what's hurt the most. The reason Van Gaal is getting more time than Moyes is that he inherited a squad that was fucked with no morale and has rebuilt it, I think people really underestimate how difficult it is to get so many new players (Almost all from overseas) to gel, it's going to take time. Moyes inherited a good squad that just won the league and he made no changes to it, you don't go from champions to shit in 3 months. It was his responsibility to get new players if he felt he needed them.

When I saw the team yesterday it was the first time in the last 12-18 months that I thought it actually looked strong. Given time and a consistent starting 11 it will come good.

When you look at Shaw over 10 years, sure it seems like a good investment (transfer fee wise). However, you could dispute any transfer of a similar nature using a similar argument. On the flip side of it, there's also no guarantee he'll be there for that long, let alone beyond his current contact. If United continue to struggle like they have the last two seasons, continue to finish outside of the Champions League positions, then there's a genuine chance he may even leave. Then there is the factor of having to pay him an absurd contact whenever it comes time to renewing his current one, because of what he's been given to entice him to the club to begin with. There's certainly a potential downside to his transfer too.

He hasn't been a bad signing though, just not worth what has initially been paid. Time will only tell if it's a good deal or not.

@Sam (and a bit Kevo, but I know how much Sam loves him)

After our third goal on saturday Mata ran forwards and celebrated in front of the Strety. I was sat in the front row literally 2 metres away from him, I nearly swooned.

@Sam (and a bit Kevo, but I know how much Sam loves him)

After our third goal on saturday Mata ran forwards and celebrated in front of the Strety. I was sat in the front row literally 2 metres away from him, I nearly swooned.