Fergie's Transfer Target List: #2 David Villa

If we are to believe the media, Sir Alex Ferguson, has been trying to sign Valencia's David Villa, 28, ever since the club off-loaded Ruud Van Nistelrooy. The Spanish international has been linked to United and Chelsea over the last few seasons, but until now he has spurned a move to England; the latest speculation suggests the Valencia star could be the subject of a 40m Euro bid by Fergie, but as ever, there are no quotes from United, the player or his agent.

Whenever Fergie talks to prospective new signings, one of the first questions asked is... 'how much do want to play for United'? In practise, United's transfer 'fixers' will have asked the question before any talks between manager and player get under way, but in the case of Villa and Karim Benzema they have so far rebuffed the idea of a move to Manchester.

If David Villa fancies a move to England, United will almost certainly find that Chelsea and possibly even Manchester City would be competing for his signature. Chelsea could be the favourites given Carlo Ancelotti is likely to be around for quite some time; Fergie cannot go on forever and any would be signing is likely to take the managerial situation into account and of course Chelsea are the champions.

David Villa would be an excellent addition to the squad and like Wayne Rooney, he isn't a one dimensional striker. While Villa has the ability, his age could be a problem given that David Gill, CEO, has gone on record hinting United are unlikely to sign players over the age of 29 for big money.

The bad news for United, Chelsea and City is that reports in Spain are claiming Villa could be about to join Barcelona.

Verdict: Unlikely.

David Villa wiki

Fergie's Transfer Target List: #1 Sergio Agüero*

Aguero, 22, has been linked to United on several occasions and he's said to be a big admirer of the Red Devils and Sir Alex Ferguson.

The Argentine is the son-in-law of Diego Maradona.

Aguero is very different from any of United's current strikers; he's very skilfull and can beat his marker with his quick feet. Augero is more of a playmaker than an out-and-out-striker. The asking price could prove to be prohibitively expensive and a lot will depend on what type of striker Fergie is looking for.

The Athletico Madrid striker has been linked to United, Chelsea and Liverpool over the last couple of seasons and he could be open to offers.

Fergie will no doubt have been impressed by Aguero in last night's Europa League Final, in which Athletico Madrid were the victors over plucky Fulham.

Aguero didn't score, but he played a big part in both of Diego Forlan's goals. Athletico's opening goal came about following a 'fresh-air' shot by the diminutive Argentine striker and Forlan made no mistake with a well placed effort that gave Mark Schwarzer no chance. Simon Davies brought Fulham back into the game with a well taken goal, but the West London club were hampered by an injury to star man Bobby Zamora. The final went into extra time and the Spaniards made the vital breakthrough when Aguero laid on a decent chance for Forlan who once again found the rigging with a cute effort that left Fulham's Australian goalkeeper stranded.




References:

*Fergie's Transfer Target List isn't in any particular order. The list will feature players who have been linked to United and those who might be deemed suitable by this blog.

Hargreaves shouldn't be going to the World Cup...

Fabio Capello, has according to reports, informed Owen Hargreaves that he's among England's provisional 30 man squad for this summer's World Cup. Hargreaves has played for one minute this season for United's first team and so if this rumour is actually true, then you have to ask what this says about the quality of the players at Capello's disposal? Not a lot I'd venture.

I don't know how much United pay Owen Hargreaves, but it won't be insignificant. Money issues aside, if Owen has any sense and serious ambitions about playing for United next season, he will decline Capello's kind invitation.

The former Bayern Munich star has suffered with terrible knee problems over the last couple of seasons, it must have been heartbreaking for the United midfielder. However, going through the rigours of an arduous World Cup campaign and then having little time to prepare for next season is a bad idea; instead, Owen should be working throughout the summer on his fitness under the guidance of United's backroom team in preparation for next season.

Hargreaves needs match fitness, of that there's no doubt, but surely he'd better off playing for United on tour rather than the white hot heat of battle? Going to South Africa represents a big gamble for Hargreaves and you do wonder what Fergie thinks of the idea...

There should also be serious question marks about Rio Ferdinand going to the World Cup; his season has been blighted by constant injury problems. Michael Dawson is a better bet, but it seems Capello is set to make a major about-turn when selecting half fit players.

With the very real danger of being called the "voice of doom" (again), I also have major concerns about Rooney's fitness - he looks clapped out and in need of a serious break; the World Cup is the last thing Rooney needs right now and United could pay a high price next season. Needless to say, I'm predicting Rooney will have a poor World Cup as will England.

Personally, I'm looking forward to the World Cup, but I'm not expecting England to get anywhere near the final. First plane home after the first knockout round is my prediction.

I have nothing against Capello, but I don't like him, why I don't know, but I don't and in time honoured fashion the hacks have finally taken the gloves off following the launch of a website that will analyse England player performance at the World Cup.


You really could not make it up

United and Rooney limp over finishing line, but it could be worse, look at 7th placed Liverpool!

In the run up to the final weekend of Premier League fixtures, Fergie suggested United blew the season when Bayern Munich knocked the Reds out of the Champions League; Fergie was right, but he was wrong when claiming it was a travesty that United would not be contesting the final.

Bayern Munich deservedly won the semi-final; United only have themselves to blame for sloppy defending. What's more, Rooney has been carrying injuries since the first leg of the semi-final, he clearly isn't fit several weeks later.

Even if United had qualified for the final in Madrid later this month, chances are we'd be going there with a less than fit first choice striker. On top of which and as Fergie rightly pointed out, Inter Milan have improved greatly following the acquisition of two world class players last summer in Sneijder and Lucio.

United fans would love to have seen the club reach the Champions League final again, but you wonder what the outcome would have been given the limitations of the current squad due to injuries.

On the domestic front, as expected Chelsea won the title on Sunday with ease. However, Chelsea wouldn't have won the title if they hadn't been helped by the officials over the last few weeks - that isn't sour grapes, it is a statement of fact. But, Chelsea have won the title and so we move on.

United finished runner-up in a season that has seen the standard at the top go down. United and Chelsea have stood still and Arsenal have gone backwards too. But it could be worse, just ask any supporter of Liverpool; they've had a lousy season when finishing just one place above Everton.

Looking ahead to next season, it will be interesting to see what Fergie does next; will he make his moves in the transfer market, before or after the World Cup? United need at least three top class signings, but will it happen?

Not a hope in hell of Fergie signing "Spurs top targets"....

The election might be nearly done and dusted, but the really big questions are still to be resolved: That is who will Fergie sign this summer and who will he be off-loading?

As we head into the final weekend of Premier League fixtures, the tabloids are cranking up the transfer speculation. It was ever thus.

It's a curious aspect of creative sports journalism that we the public are subjected to reams of what amounts to blatant lies, in relation to the futures of those lucky enough to don the shirts of our favourite football club and those with reported aspirations of a move to Old Trafford, aka Gods Green Acre.

Ferguson refers to this part of the year as the 'silly season' and for good reason. Rooney has been linked with a move to Real Madrid several times, but that particular story has now been played down by the offending "newspapers". Needless to say, in time honoured fashioned, it will be dusted down again in the not too distant future.

For his part, Fergie has hinted there will be changes this summer, but he's played down the prospect of any big money moves, but he did say he'd pay £60M to bring Ronaldo back to Old Trafford. It's quite easy for Fergie to say such things, but in reality there's more chance of the BNP winning the election. It simply isn't going to happen.

Going off recent transfer activity, United fans shouldn't expect any big money moves. Fergie has been shopping at the lower end of the market, when signing Chris Smalling, Miram Diouf and Javier Hernandez. If any of these players actually go on to really make an impact at Old Trafford then it will be case of all credit to Fergie and his scouting staff.

It would be totally ridiculous to write off the aforementioned trio at this juncture, but you wonder if Fergie's eye is on the ball with regards to scouting, because there has been bargains to be had. Bayen Munich's Ivica Olic is just one goal behind Messi in the list of Champions League scorers.

Interestingly, one of Fergie's reported "top targets" doesn't even feature on that list of goal-scorers: I refer to Karim Benezma who has an impending court date in relation to liasons with an under age escort girl. The court date has conveniently been postponed until after France's World Cup campaign and so you do wonder if there's a very real prospect of the Real Madrid striker going to jail for up to three years...

Fergie should have spotted the potential of Wesley Sneijder who was sold on the cheap to Inter Milan for just 15m Euros. Sneijder would have been the perfect long-term replacement for Scholes and of course United had the perfect opportunity to make their move when the club was negotiating Ronaldo's future. United could have asked for first option to sign Sneijder, but we didn't, instead Jose Mourinho gobbled him for peanuts.

On the domestic front, Joe Cole could be on the move. The England star will be seriously hot property this summer given he's out of contract, but the latest news is Cole fancies a move to Spurs.

If we are to believe the tabloids, the Northern London club could once again be the focus of Fergie's transfer attention. Luka Modric and Gareth Bale are both reportedly on Fergie's radar; it would be no surprise if this was actually true, however, the notion that Fergie would pay £50m for the pair is surely wide of the mark. But, it wouldn't be the first time Spurs have held United over a barrel...

Berbatov signed for United two summers ago for £30m and Fergie was forced to include Frazier Campbell in the deal. Tottenham, signed Berbatov from Bayer Leverkusen for just £11m, here again Fergie could have saved United £20m if he'd made his move for the Bulgarian earlier.

United were also held to ransom when we signed Michael Carrick, once again Daniel Levy trousered a small fortune from the champions.

So United and Spurs have recent transfer history and there's no doubt the London club have done quite well out of both deals, but on the pitch, so have United up until now... The latest talk suggests Fergie would be willing to offer Carrick and Berbatov back to their former club, presumably for knockdown prices as part of a deal that would see Modric and Bale moving in the opposite direction. Bale more or less single-handedly destroyed Arsenal and Chelsea and it is easy to see why Modric interests the United manager - he retains and uses the ball well.

Spurs have this week qualified for next season's Champions League; if they hadn't it would have enhanced Fergie's slim hopes of pulling off a major double swoop. The fact is Spurs will now be looking to strengthen, added to which Bale has signed a new deal today.

United fans can rule out any prospect of Modric or Bale signing this summer and there's huge question marks about Benzema.

Let us hope then that Fergie has done his homework, but going off recent missed opportunities, that must be in some doubt. One thing is for certain, United need to bring in at least three top quality signings - if that doesn't happen we could see the club slipping out of next season's top four.

IT is all well and good that Scholes, Giggs and Neville signed those new deals, but they represent the past and not the future and contrary to Fergie's spin, the required quality for the future simply isn't there at the moment.

Fergie has much work to do this summer if United are going to mount a serious challenge on all fronts next season. United need a new striker, a central midfield player, aa central defender and you can throw in a 'keeper too, but the latter can wait.

My predictions.

Berbatov to move to Italy for an undisclosed fee.
Carrick to move to Everton or some other mid-ranking Premier League club for less than £10m.
United will not sign a world class striker, instead Fergie will go with Macheda and Hernandez (subject to a work permit being granted).

The net result will be the transfer money from the sale of Carrick and Berbatov will end up in the same place as the Ronaldo money, ie, it will be used to pay off a small chunk of the Glazers huge debts.

In summary, it is going to be a summer of concern when looking ahead to next season, that is unless Fergie has REALLY done his homework and he pulls one or two rabbits out of the transfer hat...

Why we love Fergie and why the man commands respect...

Life without Fergie is something we United fans will soon have to get used to, he cannot go on forever. The United manager will in all probability retire at the end of next season - though he insists that won't happen - not unless his health deteriorates, but for now at least he will carry on.

One of the biggest mistakes Fergie made was announcing his retirement plans a few seasons ago and with the summer transfer window just around the corner, he will have to convince any would be new signings that he will be around for a while yet...

Interestingly, the manager has hinted he might have to rebuild his squad, which if true would be something of a turnaround given some of his recent comments to the press. However, Fergie is a very complex character, you never know when to take him seriously, take his latest comments about Mame Biram and Chris Smalling; The Senegalese striker hasn't done much to suggest he's a good long-term bet and of course Smalling ( until recently a none-league player) hasn't yet kicked a ball for United, and yet Ferguson says both have guaranteed futures at United...

The fact that Fergie will be around for a while longer was surely a factor in persuading United's veteran trio to sign new deals; Giggs and Scholes signed up for another season, Gary Neville was the last to do so earlier this week.

There have been times during this season when the fans' have wondered if signing those contract extensions was a good idea. It has come as no great surprise to learn that Scholes wanted to hang up his boots, given some of his performances, but of late, he's been back to his very best and so no one can really argue against signing his contract extension.

Hilariously and quite brilliantly, Fergie has been quoted as saying he told Scholes when he could retire...it is at moments like this that you realise Ferguson really is a one off. It's hard to imagine any other modern day manager talking to his players like this. It is partly why the supporters love Fergie - he commands respect from his players and fans alike.

Despite what Fergie says, Scholes, Giggs and Neville are top professionals and if they really didn't believe they had one more season left in the tank then they wouldn't be hanging around, of that we can be fairly certain.

Despite the best and worst efforts of Gerrard and Berbatov, United still clinging on to title hopes...

I had the misfortune of tuning into BBC Radio 5 Live 606 on Saturday night, Alan Green was on good form; he was asked how he thought the Liverpool players would perform against Chelsea, bearing in mind what was at stake. Green stated that Gerrard and Carragher would give 100%, of that he was convinced. Green said he wasn't sure how the rest of the Liverpool team would respond. Was Green suggesting the two Liverpool stalwarts were bastions of integrity and just perhaps Johnny Foreigner couldn't be relied upon in such circumstances? We will never know the answer to that.

What we do know is Green was 100% wrong, and not for the first time. Gerrard was pathetic, as was Carragher. I cannot remember seeing a more limp-dicked performance from either, but then again I wasn't expecting anything else.

The fact that Gerrard laid on the opening goal just added insult to injury. Chelsea won two-nil - for their part, Liverpool, barely turned up.

So by the time United kicked-off later in the afternoon, they knew it was more or less all over. All credit to the champions for doing a very professional job against a hard working Sunderland team. Paul Scholes was man of the match again, he is having a very good end to the season.

While Scholes caught the eye, it was a very different story up front, Berbatov, was simply dreadful; his recent performances have been very poor, so much so you wonder how much Fergie would get for him now. The Bulgarian hasn't quite reached car-boot-sale proportions, but his worth must be a fraction of the £30m United paid to Spurs to bring him to Old Trafford

Against Sunderland Berbatov should have had a hat-trick, but he never came close to scoring any of the relatively easy chances he squandered. Thankfully, Nani had his eye in and he scored the vital goal, one that ensures the title race goes down the to the last game of the season.

Fergie's number one transfer target going to jail?..

Oh dear, if reports are to be believed Karim Benzema and Frank Ribery could be set for a spell behind bars for reported liasons with an under-age escort girl.
Worst case, the French stars could be looking at three years behind bars.

According to reports, Algerian-born, Zahia Dehar, worked as a £1,740 hooker to some of the biggest names in French football.

United fans would no doubt like to see Ribery sent to jail following his antics at Old Trafford in the Champions League this season.

As far as Benzema is concerned, he's been strongly linked with United in the past and Fergie is said to be an admirer, but the player has consistently said he doesn't fancy a move to England.