Ten Winter’s Tales …
German striker Miroslav Klose, has become the 10th player to be linked to United in the past month. Two senior United spokesmen have confirmed that the club will be active when the winter transfer window opens in less than two weeks.
Below, AU runs the rule over the players at the centre of these ten winter’s tales
1. Rio Mavuba – The midfielder is highly rated in France but has failed to push on in the manner that had critics raving two years ago and demanding his inclusion in the national team. Then, he seemed destined for Italy but no move materialised. Instead, the player has languished at Bordeaux, sniping at the coach over his irregular starts for the first team. Like every small, black player, Mavuba has been dubbed the new ‘Makelele ’ and has the talent to blossom again. Unlikely winter target.
2. Darren Bent – As if his club did not have enough problems with new manager Les ‘Brutus’ Reed unable to halt the steady drift to relegation, Charlton’s prized striker is believed to be restless. A ‘hands off’ statement was issued last month, as a warning to United and other potential suitors. The club spokesman needn’t have bothered. Bent has pace but is not yet good enough for Old Trafford.
3. Owen Hargreaves – The England midfielder thought a deal was sealed in the summer until Bayern backed out and doubled the asking price. Now the Germans are ready to play ball but at £20 million! Ferguson likes the player. Hargreaves wants to come. With the Germans steadily climbing down from their high horse, this transfer might finally happen. If only Hargreaves scored goals too!
4. Klaas Jan Huntelaar – The forward makes all the right noises about loving United and has played up his sense of destiny – he replaced RVN in the national team, so why not at club level too? Like all Dutch players raised at Ajax, Huntelaar is technically smart but has lost his goal touch this term, which may have frightened off pursuers as much as the hefty price tag Ajax are sure to place around his neck.
5. Miroslav Klose – Looks good for Germany but has rarely interested the European powers at club level. At 28, perhaps his chance has gone. Fancies himself for any of the foreign big leagues but has already hinted that Bayern Munich might appeal more as the last big transfer of his career.
6. Jermain Defoe – Perennial favourite of hacks on a slow news day. Fergie is said to like the player and as Defoe can not be sure of his place in Spurs’ side, this deal would seem a no brainer. Er..No! The forward, short in stature, scores in bursts and not often enough against the bigger teams. Useful squad addition if available for £7 million.
7. Nani – Another Portuguese player said to be coveted by Carlos Queiroz, the reputed power behind the throne at Old Trafford. A product of the Sporting Lisbon academy whose alumni include the mercurial Cristiano Ronaldo. But the player is coy about coming to United and leans towards life in Italy. There is also the small matter of the reported £17 million fee demanded by his club.
8. Gareth Bale – Rumours are circulating of a bidding war for the young fullback with United said to have lodged their interest, waving a £7 million cheque under the Southampton chairman’s nose. Surely not. United are overstocked in defence.
9. Simao – Touted for a move to Blighty for the past two years after showing up well in games against United and Liverpool but never appears over-enthusiastic. A homer.
10. Manuel Fernandes – Regularly linked to United last year but nevertheless ended up at Portsmouth on loan. The south coast club refused to play the 20 year old at Arsenal last weekend, so as not to trigger an £8 million deal that would have been enforced if Fernandes played three successive games. The midfielder promptly returned home. Not exactly the CV of an aspiring United footballer. AU
© Copyright: Absolutely United 2006
