According to the latest news, Manchester United could be about to miss out on Samir Nasri, who is expected to sign for Manchester City along with Gael Clichy in a deal worth £27m. It was a different story last week with media reports claiming that Ferguson was confident of signing the Frenchman. However, over the weekend that scenario didn't seem likely after the Mail on Sunday ran a story in which it was suggested the United manager was resigned to losing the battle with City to sign Nasri.
Nasri scored 20 goals last season in all competitions and there's no doubt United need to sign someone who can score and create goals, but despite his impressive goal tally, it's fair to ask if Nasri is the right player to replace Paul Scholes. The reaction of Arsenal supporters to the news that the Frenchman could be about to quit their club has been mixed. Of the two players, and given the option, it seems most Arsenal fans will prefer to keep Fabregas if it came to a choice. Nasri is viewed as replaceable, but according to many Arsenal fans that is not the case with Fabregas.
Arsene Wenger wasn't going to allow Nasri to join United, and you can understand that. Ferguson and Wenger do not get along and of course the Gunners haven't won a trophy for six years - the thought of an ex Arsenal player rubbing the club's nose in it when winning silverware at United will have given everyone connected with Arsenal nightmares.
From an Arsenal perspective, Manchester City are without doubt the lesser of two evils and of course it is by no means certain Nasri will be a success at his new club where there's no guarantee of a starting place, given the size of Roberto Mancini's squad. City have also qualified for Champions League football and this will have been a factor in the player's mind - but let us not forget wages and it is unlikely that United could match City.
Over the weekend it was also reported that Ferguson was hopeful of signing Alexis Sanchez, only for the manager to learn that the Chilean winger is about to sign for Barcelona.
So the search goes on for Ferguson; Wesley Sneijder and Luka Modric are still on the manager's radar but both could prove to be unattainable.
If Fergie cannot find a top class midfield general, he may well decide to bide his time and keep his powder dry until the right man becomes available; there is no point in wasting money on player's who will not improve the manager's midfield options.
It was only a newspaper report that suggested that Nasri "might" sign for City. You do realise that this might not be the absolute truth
ReplyDeleteLet's see what happens in the next 48 hours....
ReplyDeleteIf nasri go to city, then he just looking for money and money...
ReplyDeleteI think that is EXACTLY "Anonymous@09:50"'s point, Mr Editor! As ever, a lot of nonsense being spouted right now by lazy journos and bloggers desperate to fill column inches and garner hits.
ReplyDeleteit would be an even quicker turn around from nasri, since he stated yesterday that he cared about football not money. yet today chelsea/man city are heavily linked and the only reason you move to those clubs is for the cash.
ReplyDeleteproven class is always tough to buy, but i have faith that ferige will be happy with his squad when the window slams shut. as prove by last summer it doesnt matter if me or any other fan is happy as fergie knows what his doing.
I think given the fact that Wenger himself has said he won't sell any players to Man U makes it pretty clear that the chances of United getting him is very very slim. Which if he did sign for United that would purely be down to the players own determination to go to United.
ReplyDeleteWhilst I agree and except (even as a City fan) that for pretty much any player wanting to play in the premiership, if Man U came in for you then surley that'd be the most exciting. If your club won't sell u to that club then there isn't much u can do.
Well written piece. Just a small point, as an Arsenal fan. Most of us do not consider Fabregas irreplaceable and have accepted with good grace that he will leave, grateful for the years of service. We are covered in midfield with young Jack who is a match for anyone on his day, pretty much hardy enough to play a full season and probably a more wholehearted competitor than either Fabregas or Nasri. The potential to bring Ramsey into the side if those too leave is an exciting one for us. Should Wenger spend on another flair midfielder, so much the better, but I feel he would be better served by a defensive midfielder to compete with Song and allow emergency cover in defence when needs be.
ReplyDeleteAs you say, Fergie could do worse than wait for a Scholes replacement on his own terms. Let's face it, he was hardly playing every 90 minutes anyway lately and Man U hardle seem to be struggling in this department all told.
Arsenal fans have been saying the same things for about 7 years whenever anyone leaves. The next player will do the job better than the one leaving
ReplyDeleteBut they don't do they? Hence going from winning trophies to noit winning anything. Arsenal fans are deluded
No matter what happens personally and whoever he joins, I am not totally convinced about Nasri; on one hand he can score goals, but according to some Arsenal fans he goes missing in action.
ReplyDelete"yet today chelsea/man city are heavily linked and the only reason you move to those clubs is for the cash."
ReplyDeleteJust plain wrong. Chelsea are a successful club. City look to have a bright future.
Dear oh dear you reds are so bitter about other clubs having more money than you.
Here we go again with the usual blind drivel being spouted by the media brainwashed masses.
ReplyDeleteI keep forgetting that players should only ever go to clubs with 'history' all mainly achieved post 1992 of course and that by leaving one club and not going to yoonited you are 'only doing it for the money !' what a crock of priceless garbage dont forget your terrace idol threatened to quit your club last year because of a lack of ambition only to do a massive 360 when he was given a massive pay rise go figure eh !
What is also interseting how one minute Nasri looks nailed on to join Yoonited he's the perfect replacement for Scholes and now he could potentially join City he's not really that good mmm pint of bitter anyone ?!
Actually the Arsenal fans said the opposite. They are resigned to losing Fabregas but spitting feathers about Nasri. Any site will bear this out. Actually the Arsenal fans said the opposite. They are resigned to losing Fabregas but spitting feathers about Nasri. Any site will bear this out.
ReplyDeletei say that because its true, if manu/man city/chelsea all offered the money, who do you think 99.999% of players would join?
ReplyDeleteall post 1992 lol, first english club to win the european cup, busby babes, the holy trinity etc etc
then on recent season we have made 3 of the last 4 european cup finals, which is pretty attractive to a player who wants glory rather than cash.
oh and the most famous and well supported club in the world.
I think ManchesterBLUE hit the nail right on the Wenger isn't willing to sell to United. Its going to have to be a solid large cash sum to benefit Arsenal to lose a player that could potentially make it more difficult for them to topple us.
ReplyDeleteAlso, Man City have shown they can now win and challenge for trophies so its time to stop this "only for cash" business. I think its exciting that both Manchester clubs can challenge for trophies. Of course I hope we come out on top :)
And Salado you're the one who's sounding bitter, if you think United only have history from 1992 you should get out your history books. Stop making it easy to stereotype fans.
Nasri couldn't be guaranteed a game at City? Because of the size of their squad? I thought all squads were supposed to be the same size now. Maybe Manyoo can't afford the full quota.
ReplyDeletethen on recent season we have made 3 of the last 4 european cup finals, which is pretty attractive to a player who wants glory rather than cash.
ReplyDeleteand the last 2 times you were humiliated by barca even Arsenal played better than you againest barca
i laughed so hard at yoonited , haha my general manager didnt show up for work for 2 days becouse he didnt want to talked about the game
yoonited what???
Nasri is a good player with great potential. However i can't understand why he would choose city when he may not even get a game when they already have an abundance midfielders. Utd or Chelsea would be his better option or unless it is down to money?
ReplyDeleteA midfield General?! He dictates the game for Argentina right now. If Sir Alex plan to play Rooney behind Hernandez, they need a player playmaking from deep, capable of moving forward, play one-touch - two-touch passes in tight spaces. Get Ever Banega now!!!
ReplyDeletewell,i surely believe nasri or wesley will end up at united....
ReplyDeleteManchester blue ! You say there is nothing Nasri can do if Wenger refuses to sell him to united! - Actually there is!!!! If I was in Nasri's place I would be bloody minded and bide my time for next season! Put in sub-standard performances or warm the bench - then go on a free to whoever he chooses nexy year! - Simplessss!!!
ReplyDeleteRooney could end up playing much deeper...it will happen, it is a question of when and not IF.
ReplyDeleteNonetheless, Fergie definitely needs to add more quality in central midfield.
All the big clubs have through the years and decades bought players to the club.The biggest buyers the last ten years is Chelsea and Man United.But people want to forget that.Especially Man utd fans.
ReplyDeleteI think everyone is getting excited. At the end, it's manU vs Barca for 2 years in Champ League, not Arsenal isn't it? And actual fact is Barca has a very well worked periodization training plan which Peak at Champ League Finals.
ReplyDeletethe Fact money moves the world is half true, winning a trophy may be all top elite players' motivation of playing.
Bearing in mind how much united have already splashed out and have tried to splash out, and given newbies on £130K per week and of course £200k a week for rooney, it does come across as very funny not to mention hypocritical, when united fans talk about players joining another club for the money. United of course invented the principle so it's only ironic karma that it ends up backfiring on them.
ReplyDeleteIf Nasri goes to MCFC it is not just for money, they won silverware last year and are in the CL so it's for glory.
ReplyDeleteAs for united not spending money on players who will not improve their first team, what the hell are young, de gea and jones? They wouldn;t improve any starting 11 in the top 6
I think we are all to absorbed in hearsay , the real target isnt mentioned yet to avoid undue attention . and will only be nearer the closing of the window to allow for no interferance .This is completely SAFs style .
ReplyDeleteWe don't need Nasri we have loads of home grown players playing every week that came through the youth team. Our club is owned by the supporters, we're the richest best supported team and have won more trophies than anyone else and will continue to do so with Sir Alex for the next 20 years. If someone doesnt want to play for us its cos they want more money not glory. City have no chance when the oil runs out they'll be back to playing in the 4th division. Rooney didnt want more money hes got loads he wanted to stay with us for trophies it was the press that said he wanted to leave. I love united and have done every since Liverpool stopped wining cups.
ReplyDelete"Our club is owned by the supporters"
ReplyDeleteYour club is owned by the banks.
"City have no chance when the oil runs out they'll be back to playing in the 4th division."
City have never been in the 4th Division.
"Rooney didnt want more money hes got loads he wanted to stay with us for trophies"
So he was given a huge pay rise because the Glazers were feeling uncharachteristically benevolent?
"I love united and have done every since Liverpool stopped wining cups"
Enough said!
how can any idiot say that the only reason a player would move from arsenal to man city ior chelsea was for the money, they obviously know nothing about the game, the fact that city and chelsea are bioth ambitious clubs heading in the right direction and arsenal are not going anywhere has obviously got nothing to do with it.
ReplyDeletei think its funny that people are saying rooney s a money hungry pig etc
ReplyDeleteyour forgetting we didnt have him on huge wages until he became arguably the best striker in football, and messi is on over 400k a week, gonna say anything about that? didnt think so
sometimes money is justified, and if someone says im playing for glory not money, even city supporters know thats the red side of manchester for a player.
Anonymous 4 July 2011 23:40:00 GMT+01:00
ReplyDeleteyour ironymeter on the blink?
Messi is on 400k per week? That's a good joke!! As for Rooney being the best striker in football, gees you're on a roll... keep em coming, you could be the best comedian out there. Rooney's goals/assists to games ratio is nowhere near the best in the prem, never mind the best in europe. You would never see barca or madrid bid for rooney because he is flawed and inconsistent. United have just shown everyone how to panic buy, young, jones and a 20 year old keeper, all way over their true value and none of these players will improve the first 11
ReplyDeleteIf Nasri leaves Arsenal, it'll probably for City. They're, like, the "place to be" in if you know what I mean. :/
ReplyDeleteNasri might get confused and join City at the new United stadium :0)
ReplyDeleteman utd in 1990-1999 http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xpf60R_040M
ReplyDeleteIt looks as if the Daily Mail was right. Fergie has tonight confirmed Nasri will not be joining Manchester United.
ReplyDelete