STM

Yeah but, here's the thing... I don't agree with you. Funny old world.

Lingard can play in 3 positions and is a good player. If it means being allowed to sell Murphy or Almiron to raise more funds, then its a good decision. Mind you, I think he thought PSG etc would come calling for him on a free. Not Everton and West Ham

Express. Probably bollocks.

What are silly wages for an out of contract player? If we give him a hefty signing on fee, wages can be kept low.

You have just educated me. I was thinking 22.

Yeah I think your last sentence is key. That's where the bulk of our money needs to go. Be interesting to see what sort of fee we could agree for the future. What do we think Chelsea rate him at? 25m?

No they seem to have too much going on. Linked with every forward under the sun. A deal should be relatively easy to do, which would be a pleasant change.

Interesting because we were also confident of signing Botman. I was originally unimpressed by Broja links, but in hindsight I was being harsh on the young lad. If we can get a loan with a view to a permanent, I think that would suit all parties. In all honesty, an understudy role to Wilson might be perfect for him.

When Man Utd signed the 3 you mentioned, they had other world class strikers around them, when they signed the ones I mentioned, they didn't. It's fine to add an experienced ageing striker as someone who can bolster your squad but it's not fine if they are brought in to be the main man. Where are Man Utd in the hunt for strikers? I haven't seen them seriously linked with any.

Agree with all of that.

Aye as an extra to what they already had, not as transfer strategy.

I just think with Sporting, it's the romantic option, he's not bothered about the money, he will score a hatful, still play in the champions league and his kids will get to see him playing in the sporting colours. If he could have a champions league run with sporting and win the league that would be a huge achievement for him.

Ronaldo leaving is great news for them. They can start building a serious team. What in the fuck Man Utd have been doing signing dinosaurs like Zlatan, Falcao, Cavani and Ronaldo, I don't know. The Man Utd I knew, hated but respected used to sign the cream of the crop, who were about to hit peak.

Where is your guess? PSG are moving away from that sort of deal. There's only Chelsea in the PL daft enough but that would misplace Havertz. I can't see him heading back to Italy or Spain. Bayern makes sense I guess.

Well I had wondered if they were currently discussing things but was surprised that it wasn't mentioned anywhere.

Ronaldo will be heading back to Sporting Lisbon who are in the CL next year.

Did anyone get to the bottom of whether Darlow, Manquillo and Clark were missing from training yesterday? I didn't spot them on the training photos and none of them are internationals.

We defo need to start giving Steve Nickson some credit. He's one of the few people from the previous regime who has managed to stay and actually contribute to our future. OK, Botman wasn't exactly a unknown but he was identified, scouted and signed. Fingers crossed he's as good as he looks. I presume Bruno was also one who Nickson had scouted prior. Wonder who else is on his list.

He's got more energy than Eriksen who everyone would like.

Was it Rory Jennings? Sounds like the Lampard shite he would spew. He also said Sunderland are bigger than us. He's a massive WUM.

I always think about what players under Howes coaching would look like and Tielmans would find his way back to his best. I think he had his head turned last summer but the CL interest has dried up. He might just want a fresh start.

I'd love to think that Tielmans' value had dropped enough for us to scoop a bargain. If he's late in his deal, 20m should do it. If that did happen, I could see us allowing Longstaff, Willock or Shelvey to leave.

It's dead simple Ben, Shelvey drops out and Bruno plays the deeper role.

Great spot that. Wonder if they have had a friendly drink at some point. The best part of being a chief scout is that no fucker would recognise you.