De Rossi, not Hargreaves, for Manchester United
In Europe, Manchester United need someone to protect our defense. The strongest name that is linked with United is Owen Hargreaves. Many fans want him desperately because he is English. Nothing wrong with that except the cost on him. He costs 20 million.
Manchester United get one quality defensive midifielder if we go for Owen Hargreaves. But one is not enough. We need a backup.
Look at ACMilan, they have got Ambrosini, a decent defensive midifielder if they have got Gattuso injured or suspended. Liverpool have got both Mascherano (The way he played the Chelsea game, makes you think what losers West Ham were) and Sissoko. Chelsea have got Makelele, Diarra and Obi Mikel. Barcelona have got Motta, Edmilson, Marquez and Gio Vanni if needed.
To get two defensive midfielders, Manchester United need to look at De Rossi rather than OH. Although De Rossi is not as proven as Owen Hargreaves, he definitely has the potential, up there with the Owens and the Mascheranos. Not to forget that he is a world cup winner, which means he definitely has got the temperament too.
He would cost around 12-14 million, which would save around 6 million and Manchester United can use that to buy a low-profile defensive midfielder who would be a cover if one gets suspended or injured. After all, we are out of CL if we lose one match. Aren’t we?
So Manchester United definitely need two defensive midifielders and not just one. If OH is coming, I dont see another DM coming in. But if De Rossi comes in, there is every possiblity we can get a decent DM for 6-7 million. What do you guys think?
Manchester United’s defense needs double protection. It does.
This is an extract - to read the full article, please see “De Rossi for Manchester United” on Red Rants, the Manchester United blog.
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Defintely agree with De Rossi. He is 23 and has been booed at Roma recently because of rumours he was leaving. I think he is a great player and along with Mascherano will be the leading defensive midfielders in the world, taking the reins from Makelele and Gatusso. Not sure Fergie would go for two midfielders in that position. He has a lot of faith in Fletcher. Interesting summer!
For the longest time i have been saying that we dint need Hargreaves himself but just a similar player. De Rossi has as much quality and though he is untested, is showing a lot of potential, not to mention his goal against united was world class. De Rossi plus another would fit into hargraves budget alone and i quite like poulsen.
“Not to forget that he is a world cup winner, which means he definitely has got the temperament too.” Mate, did you forget what DeRossi did? He elbowed an American player in the face and was suspended throughout the World Cup all the way to the final.
But that doesn’t change the fact that he is an excellent player. But it doesn’t look like he wants to leave Roma for the time being. Plus, I think he would cost more than 14 million. I think Fergie has set his sights on Hargreaves so I guess we’re going to have to live with that. He is very versatile, and very energetic. I think he would make a good signing.
Fred, there are rumors that DeRossi wants to leave? Which clubs has he been linked to?
We have Fletcher and carrick already and the option of O’shea, if we get De rossi plus another DM then that would just be pile up.
im a firm believe that one DM is enough and that we should go for Hargreaves
Yes De Rossi elbowed someone and Cantona kicked someone, Rooney stamped on Carvalho’s crotch and Scholes took a swipe at Alonso. I think he fits right into the club ! But seriously, i like Hargreaves, i really do, but this season showed we can do without him if we really needed to and i dont see the point in being held to ransom by bayern. all im saying is that there are cheaper equally good options out there and we should go for one of them, de rossi being an excellent example of that.
De Rossi has pledged his future to Roma on several occasions (and again last week) and stated that he’d only leave should the club want him to do so, they don’t.
His price would be significantly more than the £12-14m you pointed out, Roma aren’t going to let arguably their most influential player go for that amount. Don’t forget that Madrid have tried to lure him over in the past for £15+ and Roma have knocked them back.
Hargreaves will not cost United £20m. I’m certain it will be a deal similar to the Rooney and Carrick ones, in which the club will pay X amount (probably around £14m) plus certain performance related clauses.
Nor do we need to sign two defensive midfielders in the summer.
It’s not going to happen and nor could it happen, it’s rather farfetched to even contemplate it never mind stick it in an article.
Why do you believe De Rossi would be cheaper? He said he wanted to finish his career at Roma and you can bet they would ask for at least 25 million for him. Anyway, he’s an aggressive, cheating Italian git. Hargreaves has a great desire to play for us whereas De Rossi wants to play for Roma.
He would be MORE expensive, he doesn’t want to play for us and we already have Carrick and Fletcher so no need to sign another midfielder.
If u look at the type of season United have had (that everybody scores goals) De Rossi showed in the QF of the CL against United that he is not only a great DM, but also a goalscorer. Owen Hara has not scored since 2004! I am a big fan of Hara but i still think De Rossi is the type of player United need…Fergie desides tho
Khaled- it was in italian press and i think it was Barca, AC Milan and United. his fans booed him which was a bit extreme.
1. Hargreaves is CACK and why united want him so badly is beyone me. Beckenbauer didn’t want to sell him until he proved just how CACK he was in Bayern vs. AC Milan. Straight after the game he told the press, “maybe for 20 million…”
2. De Rossi would cost much more than 14 million, he would command a fee of more like 25-30 million, not forgetting the fact that he would never be able to show his face in italy again if he joined united after that 7-1 defeat - you have no idea what the italian press are like.
I don’t think we can pry away De Rossi from Roma. He’s a Roman, like Totti, brought up in their youth team, and he’s very loyal to the club. It would be like trying to take away Totti when he was younger.
I’ve always wanted United to get him, but I do not see him accepting any move away from Roma. And even if he did, I don’t expect it to be for cheap, he’s one of the club’s most prized players.
Also, the club’s management do not buy many players despite the manager being desprate for cover (the lack of which is the reason I think they cannot win the league), so I would think Spaletti will do everything he can to hold on to him.
de Rossi was the only good thing that stood out about Roma following their thrashing at Old Trafford. Even when they were loosing 6-0 he was running from box to box and scored a consolation goal. His head never dropped. Hargreaves has bags of energy but he doesnt have the same attitude or persona as Gattuso or de Rossi. He is over rated and over priced. I would prefer de Rossi myself.
i agree that hagreaves cost too much (20 millions, are u crazy?), i dont really think we need him, but remember fergie do, so i guess it’s fine if he come, but not for 20mil. very expensive for a DM thats dont prove much, if he stil 20 yes you can. for me if gattuso come for 20 mill, absolutely welcome becos we know what will happen, but if hagreaves, errmm, no way… even i dont think de rossi cost more than 14mill, he should be 8-10 mill only cos lack of discipline n his anger (next cassano).
His fans booed him showing how much they want him at the club. The fans love him much as Totti because he is Italian. I dont think De Rossi will turn his back on Roma.
I still think we should buy Muntari instead. Was brilliant at the world cup along with Essien. If he is good as Essien and look how well Essien has adapted to the premiership, then Muntari has shown his desire to play for Man Utd and he has the right to do have a try. Would cost much cheaper than Hargreaves.
Time to reflect the size of the club with our spending, Break the bank to land Kaka, Shirt Sales etc alone will pay the fee back and he will be a priceless addition to the team. Hargreaves or Rossi for Defensive Midfield. Offload Richardson, Sylvestre and Oshea and bring back Rossi, Pique, Foster and Evans. Also get rid of Saha and Buy Eto’o, his strength and speed will be perfect for MUFC and the premiership.
De Rossi is an Italian and takes time to get into the English culture so it wlll be a bigger risk than OH for Fergie to get despite OH’s higher price.
In fact, we have been lacking a Keano type player for a few seasons now. Definitely we have to get one now.
AT LAST AHMED!
The Guardian stupidity has left the building!
You see,De Rossi is the player for MU.The only thing that OH can do better than him is to play as a right back.
De Rossi is younger,more determined and passionate,he is dirty when the Vieiras and the Gerrards want their legs fckd up and he certainly fits in well with a creative central half like carrick or Scholes. He is also very good with the passes , the shots outside the area , he can head the ball,he ’s athletic and that off the ball playing…JUST GREAT.
Imagine this blond boy in the reds…Isn’t he great?
P.S. Tony Montana you ‘re absolutely right.There are so many more defensive midfielders that MU should be looking for. Muntari is one of them.
I also like
1.Raul Albiol (Valencia-you all know what a great player he is)
2.Marcelo Mattos (Corinthians-average defender,as he’s a Brazilian, technically gifted.He likes to help the creative players.MUST watch him.In the other hand he gets injured very often)
3.Juan Manuel Torres (Racing Club-You should watch him,too.His legs are something like axes.He would never leave a stupid Robben pass him.THE Defensive Defensive Midfielder)
I remember reading somewhere that owen Hargreaves was good in the wC cos other Eng players were bad…..Maybe thats the truth or else why has he not performed the same with Bayern…..De rossi will be a better player than this guy for sure cos its having that Defensive mindset that will help Man utd….Italians are bought up on that game and he would be perfect…But Man utd will still buy Owen hargreaves and cry after they concede goals against top sides…..20 mn …Too much ….overrated……
Firstly De Rossi will not come to United. It just won’t happen. He is as loyal to Roma as Totti is and as previous posters have mentioned has stated he wants to spend the rest of his career at Roma. Hargreaves has had a poor season & had to recovered from injury, he has also stated that he wants to play for Man United. We have previously offered Bayern £20mil for him, Bayern made a mistake and should have bitten our hand off then. Bayern are in not in the position to demand whatever they want for OH anymore. They have just failed to retain their title and have not qualified for the CL and need rebuilding with players who want to be there.
We would be stupid to buy OH for anything more than £15mil now in my opinion. The more we show we are willing to pay £18.5 mil for players like Carrick the less options we will have in the transfer market.
Ahmed you missed on crucial factor. De Rossi is far better than Hargreaves and is a demi god at Roma. Thus he will be as or even more expensive than Hargreaves. Also you toitally ignored the factor hat Flecther is still a United player. and he is the Ambrosini type back up you talked about. Unless you believe we are changing to 4-3-3 next season. Then you’d be right we need too. But De Rossi like Hargreaves is too expensive. Only signing the likes of Bodmer and Makoun would allow us to sign two DM’s in the same summer….
I think De Rossi is a better player than Hargreaves, but he loves Roma. He will never leave them… even if they would have been relegated. Hara is too expensive. Simple as that. We should buy Torres/Tevez, break the bank for Kaka (He said he liked United ad English football), Bale and Nani. Sell Saha, Richardson and Gaby. In Kakas selfbiography he said his family and he was United fans. If we get Rossi, Pique and Simpson back we dont need a DM.
P.S. Is it only I that think Rossi should play Offensive Mid. Like Scholes
People, you are all talking about breaking the bank to buy Kaka. This is not Football Manager 2007. We have a huge debt we need to clear and cannot afford the 60 million pounds we’ll probably need to cough up to get this guy. Obviously, I would love him but we just can’t afford him.
As for DeRossi, I just don’t see him leaving Roma. If he does, he will definitely be more expensive than Hargreaves since he is that much better. If we are being held ransom for Hargreaves, maybe we should go for Manuel Fernandes. Everton love him but they can’t afford the 12 million pounds required to get him. He’s had 1 season of prem experience, and he’s had a couple of seasons of European experience. Plus, he’s 21 and will only get better? Why not get the person who’s been called “the New Makalele”?
I forgot to add that he has a knack for scoring beautiful goals, like he did against us. And that he is slowly but surely breaking into the Portuguese national team (with 5 caps, 1 goal).
yup, fernandes is good! sign him!
Why did we not make an effort to get Mascherano? He’s proving to be a shrewd bit of business for Liverpool and I don’t understand why we didn’t make an effort to get him. Definitely agree we should break the bank for Kaka. He said Utd are the team that play the most like Brazil, he’d love to play with Ronaldo and loves Old Trafford - please buy him!!
http://www.buyingcheap.co.uk
i think that we should just get de rossi. he is younger much better and cheaper than hargreaves. ive been watching a lot of the serie a and the kid can play he would be a great addition to our team. owen hargreaves has had one good (or shall i say decent) world cup and now we are craving to get him. go for de rossi!!! bayern can shove owen hargreaves up their german asses 20 million pounds! muntari will also be a good buy but de rossi is 23 and has a lot of champions league experience.
Fergie desides people.
Don’t you have that sinking feeling that Hargreaves will NOT move to OT this summer considering Bayern’s pricetag? I doubt that Hargreaves is worth 18M or is he worth any more than that even it is a 14M rising to 20 on some conditions. He is not a great passer of the ball nor does he have that vision to unlock doors. Makelele cost just 16M and Hargreaves should cost half that amount, if he put up a show and hands in his transfer request in. De Rossi is another player that will fit in the squad nicely but mind the pricetag. He will cost in excess of what Hargreaves is going to cost and it is really wishful thinking that Roma will sell one of their key players at a cut price deal. Inter might have a say in it as well.
Actually, is there any chance we go taboo and raid the blue half for Barton? He WILL come cheap and from what I’ve seen, he’s got the potential to be our next Keane.
Hargreaves is not worth 20m any more than Carrick is not worth 18m. Prices are not only a reflection of player quality (RVN was worth 20, not 10-11) but also of circumstances, contracts and the financial status of the clubs involved.
Why do people keep banging on about paying £18.6m for Carrick?
We paid £14m, why can’t people understand that?
Fergie will not consider players like De Rossi, Muntari etc. He has always wanted, and had, an English core to the United side, players who know what it means and what it takes to play for such a club.
Hargreaves knows all about the history and tradition of this club, and he also knows what it takes for play for a huge club, which Bayern are.
Go and watch the second half for the Milan v Bayern first-leg. Hargreaves dragged Bayern back into that game and was the reason they went away with a 2-2 draw. He was the exact type of player we lacked in the San Siro, in both games against Arsenal, in the second half against Chelsea at Old Trafford and the game at Anfield (amongst others).
He’s not the most gifted, but he does a job that goes unnoticed to many and is imperative to 90% of the top clubs.
Talk about the money all you like, fact is that nobody remembers transfer fees when a player is a success. Hargreaves will be, he’s exactly what the club have lacked in many games this season. It’s not stopped us winning the league, but he’s the type of player we lack, and to move onto another level, we need.
Everyone wanting the other players mentioned are silly, living in a dream world. Be a realist and asses the situation(s) instead of talking a load of idiotic nonsense.
I think it’s enough if we’ve got fletcher, carrick and one more as DM
What makes you guys think De Rossi will be any cheaper?
a) he is younger - likely to be more expensive as he offers more years of service
b) he is better than OH
c) world cup winner as well
@XS
YOU live in the world of the British Media!
Owen hara didn’t help Bayern.Two free kicks and some luck took it to a tie.And you should watch De Rossi in the second leg Roma-Inter.
When Guardian says something doesn’t mean it’s true!
When SAF says “we ‘re interested” doesn’t mean he ‘ll take him!It means he likes him for his price.
He never got Gascoine or Larsson (at least in his time) just cuz he was interested.There were obstacles.One of them is MONEY! He ‘ll never give silly money again!
http://www.manutd.com/default.sps?pagegid=%7BC7DF7CEC%2D3BC3%2D4859%2DA3FD%2DFE4AAD215DD8%7D&newsid=399032
XS- You think it is idiotic nonsense for Man Utd, one of the biggest clubs in the world to buy the biggest players in the world? Or idiotic for the fans of the biggest club in the world not to desire the biggest players in the world? You talk about an english base of players, which is a great idea, but can we buy the true class English Players out there at the moment ( besides Hargreaves) like Terry, Lampard or Gerrard, No because their clubs will not sell to us.
This club is so successful for the very reason you call it idiotic. A Big blub needs big aspirations within the realms of realistic, and with Kaka and Eto’o this is possible becasue of style of play and financial capabilities.
Consider this situation well and truly assesed.
When has United ever signed two of the exact same type of player at the exact same time?
Nikos - No, I don’t.
Hargreaves drove Bayern on in that game, stopped Pirlo from running the game and played as big a part as anyone in ultimately stopping Milan from controlling the last quarter of the match. And, for your information, I don’t read the Guardian.
Dreamrt - I’m afraid you didn’t asses the situation, sorry.
Do you seriously think Roma would sell for an affordable price? No. Do you seriously think De Rossi would leave the club he supports and loves? No, Italians stay loyal to their clubs, De Rossi is no different.
Both of you completely missed the point.
It’s about going for realistic targets, whilst making sure they are right for the club. De Rossi is not a realistic target and nor can anyone be sure of him being the right player.
Hargreaves knows the language, has no problems with the climate and is desperate to play for the club. De Rossi doesn’t know the language, is unlikely to be fond of the climate and isn’t desperate to join United, but is desperate to stay to Roma.
Therefor, in assessing the situation of the player as well as the person, De Rossi is not a realistic target in considering the position top clubs are in, in making sure players fit in ASAP.
You, Dreamrt, are also being silly in pointing out players who are again not realistic. We have an English core and always have done, but we don’t go and sign established players at rival clubs, no team in the world does that. We pick out young(ish) English players who are available to the club, can improve as players and improve the team. Not top stars from our rivals, we may be a huge club, but do other top clubs do what you’ve suggested? No. Madrid of the past used that tactic, but no more.
When assessing things, take into account the person as well as the player, not just the quality you believe the player to have because I can assure you Alex Ferguson will be taking a whole lot more into account. It takes a lot more than talent for a player to be able to fit into a club as quickly as they’re expected too.
Just look at Shevchenko and Ballack as examples of that. Brilliantly talented players, but they don’t always fit in when you want them to, making it very important to take all things into consideration when signing a player.
You’re living in a dream world. I can almost guarantee that De Rossi will never come close to signing for this club when both clubs, and the player, are in their current situations.
There is just some things that can’t be explained and really, Barton is one that really get me to say, why not him. Disciplinary problem? With Fergie, that is almost unheard of and you’ll really know that there would be a hairdryer in it some where. Temperament, that is what I like this guy about. You say anger and disciplinary problem, I’d say determination and frustration. Barton has the potential to succeed and become a Keano. It’s just whether anyone will take their chances with this firebrand. Mind you, there is a reason why reports link him to Milan, and Arsenal in recent weeks, although it is more stories than anything.
@XS I think I agree.I agree that fergie “will be taking a whole lot more into account” .You see,I ‘ve already told you.Did you check the link?It says about silly money and how they will never be spent by SAF.He knows 20 million is a gob.
And maybe you ‘re right.De rossi isn’t coming but why should Owen H come for 20m?Cuz he ’s Canadian English and knows the language? When a player moves to another team he wants at least half of a season as an adadption period.Especially when this team is an English one.
It’s Manchester United and -you know- some players don’t have the strong personality to adapt in.I can see that he is a fighter in the pitch but you never know.Maybe he’s just a pussy like Veron.Maybe he just grabbed the chance in that WC2006.Maybe Gerrard and Lampard were too tired and slow that period and he wasn’t.Just MAYBE.
In Manchester United he ‘ll have 76000 fans’ pressure every weekend and not a chance in a country he became a footballer.Cuz ,you know, in Germany ,Bayern made him a great footballer.But I think he’s great just for Bayern and not for us.
We only need him if costs between 12-14m.That’s what I think.
XS
I forgot something.Isn’t Nigel Reo-Coker a good choice?
Isn’t he a fighter in the midfield?What do you think?He is English and maybe will have a quick adaption.
Whats the news about Carlos Tevez? Whats his future still with the Hammers?
I’d go with OH becoz he is english plus he will fit in perfectly at old trafford!!
unlike Sheva who struggled this season with the blues…De Rossi will take time aswell!
Hargreaves, not De Rossi, for Manchester United
David Villa possibly leaving for Chelsea they want 71.5 pounds from chelsea but mourinho is giving 45-50 pounds plus theyre trading sheva for him….if villa comes to the bridge it will be a great team
We definitely got the right man in Hargreaves. De Rossi is a great player, no doubt, but like so many Italians the pace of the game can easily make them look ordinary. Especially in the hustle and bustle of the EPL. Hargreaves played in the Bundesliga which is more like the Prem. And as someone mentioned above, he’s English and Fergie’s well into the idea of an English core to the team. If necessay he can fill in on right MF or RB too. I dont think there is a better, more suitable player for United for that role. Damn sight better than The Scottish Player. Fergie did the right thing by waiting patiently for Hargreaves. Its no surprise that Liverpool, Chelsea and Aresnal were all meant to be considering hijacking Uniteds bid.