source?

Another 3rd party. No eye see la then, only look at info from official sources now. Way too much goreng action everywhere else.

Cabaye?

Supposedly that clause is active until 1st August... so yea, if there is any intention to trigger it, the clock is ticking

So... guess that release clause wasn't triggered after all

Thiago = wasn't a target, or wasn't a firm target, or wasn't interested (depending on what/who you believe)
Afroman = wasn't a target
Strootman = looks like he wasn't either

That leaves... Cabaye, Modric (speculated targets) and Fabregas (confirmed target, but with a surprisingly transparent attempt to sign him)

Good for fans
Not so good for businessmen looking for "flexibility"

Reasons are indicated in the article itself

Normally I'm very skeptical about this kinda news, but in this case it wouldn't be a huge surprise since

1) Ronaldo has been taking his time on signing an improved contract with RM
2) If you notice.. Nani has a year left on his contract and there is no sign of renewing it, instead we are seeing a lot of rumors about him leaving. Valencia has a contract until 2015.

Contractually, it wouldn't be surprising if Ronaldo joined us. And it would explain how RM are willing to pay that insane fee for Bale (on top of the 70million or so they have already spent before).

ahhhh so much good stuff! miss those days, we have had some pretty strong teams since then.. but those days had magiccccccccccccc!

also, everyone was younger then

Agreed.. nowadays it's as if everyone who spends a few seasons here and does a solid job = gets the label.

As for Saha.. still remember he had a pretty awesome start with us... really a huge pity he got injured so often, he could've been much better otherwise.

Game the day before the charity shield, of course the team won't be the strongest one available. Add injuries into the mix, and this result isn't the end of the world. Wish it was better, but it's a small game in the scheme of the season as a whole.

All in all, things so far are hardly unexpected... new manager and his backroom team coming into familiarize themselves with the team SAF tweaked over years.

Agreed about signings though, hope to see some news before the window shuts.. although in fairness he is in a spot. Why?

Sign "weaker" players and he will get flamed for signing "everton quality players" instead of "stepping up". Even afroman signing rumours was already getting comments of that kind from some quarters.

Signing big name players isn't easy though, since it's the season before the world cup, and DM is not SAF... most "big" players would rather wait a season and stick with their existing teams to see how DM and the club handle the transition, then decide after the world cup. Otherwise they run risk of moving to a team in transition, doing poorly, and falling behind for selection. Kind of the same reason why Rooney is (true or false) rumored to want out?

One thing to add.

A lot of people (myself included) were surprised when he mentioned trying to sign Fabregas, whereas SAF would have (probably?) kept quiet until the contract was signed or close to it. But how can we compare the two? SAF was a giant who could ignore any amount of fan worry (like he has been doing for years for our CM) because he had the weight of his record to back him up, and by hook or by crook, he found a way to win.

DM doesn't have that "credit" in his account, so maybe he mentioned the attempted signing to be transparent about being serious about wanting to sign big players, but it isn't as simple as snapping your fingers?

If you think about it, how many of our big signings were "difficult" or controversial in the sense the selling club was reluctant but the player wanted it and they caved in after getting the maximum possible price? Off the top of my head, Yorke, Ferdinand, Rooney, Hargreaves, Berbatov....

Comparing SAF and DM so directly in the 1st pre-season, especially after David Gill also left.... is only going to end up with a lot of unhappiness

This post has been edited by sunblaze: Aug 10 2013, 07:18 PM

Why blame Moyes for the lack of transfer activity? It's Ed Woodward that handles that stuff. Moyes picks the targets, Woodward handles the purchase process.

Yesterdays game was damn frustrating to watch. That carelessly conceded goal put us on the back-foot from the beginning! Total game changer!

Was quite shocked to see Kagawa was not in the squad at all, but it could be Moyes is taking it easy on him since he was in the Confed Cup (missing a huge chunk of pre-season) and international week is coming up?

Key thing is we see things game to game, Moyes has to see the bigger picture over the length of the season. Kagawa already had some injury problems last season, might have been planned to let him work on his fitness, go for international week (which typically means a long flight to Asia and back...), then come back and be eased into the team.

Hull City once topped the table.

It only matters at the end of the season!

Under SAF the team started slow as often as not. He only really started pushing extra hard for a blockbuster start after Mourinho had his 1st season at Chelsea and set the bar at that level. Before that, I remember some slow starts.

1W 1D 1L is not ideal, but it isn't "OMG" either.

Considering Moyes is new at the club and the opening fixtures, it's decent. Hardly surprising if he needs time to get settled and get into the swing of things!

Actually the most confusing thing for me so far has been how the Everton negotiations went.

If the interest in Baines is serious, could have just stumped up the money Everton wanted at the start of the window (17mil?) for him. Negotiate seriously, pay up what is needed, then as soon as the transfer is done.. pay the Fellaini release clause! 40mil spent, but 2 solid signings in the bag.

4million more than the 2nd offer made for them, but it would have put the club at a stronger position at an earlier point in the window.

Now it's the 11th hour, every club is going to try and raise prices as much as possible unless it's someone they're dying to get rid off (ala Madrid dumping players a few seasons ago when there was a change of President).

Pretty similar, I think.

No need for Ozil! Sign Modric or Khedira!

Woodward too inspired to try and be like Daniel Levy?

Hmmm...if we really do get Fellaini and Herrera, it opens up the chance for a formation change.

4-3-1-2, with Carrick and those 2 lining up in the middle. Kagawa or Rooney in the hole. RvP and another striker in front.

Fullbacks can bomb forward. Evra and Buttner already love to attack, same for Rafael on the RB side. Valencia can be the other RB option. Also explains the Baines interest!

erm...Berbatov and Tevez were signed before Ronaldo was sold.....

man, that is a nice clip of Kagawa moves! Hope he can stay clear of injuries and shine bright this season! His movement and the stuff he does with the ball.. so enjoyable to watch!