Ballack off to united?

[west cork rebel]

from breaking.ie
'Germany captain Michael Ballack looks set to leave Bayern Munich after the club officially withdrew their contract offer.

Ballack has been stalling over signing a new deal at the Allianz Arena amid reported interest from Real Madrid and Manchester United.

Bayern’s patience has now run out with chairman Karl-Heinz Rummenigge telling the club’s annual general meeting on Monday: “We officially withdrew our offer today.”

Rummenigge’s decision came after he met with the player earlier in the day and was told the 29-year-old had still not decided what he wanted to do when his contract expires in June 2006.

“(That) does not necessarily mean that Michael will leave us but I say point blank that we will immediately sound out the market to look for a replacement,” Rummenigge added.

Bundesliga champions Bayern may now decide to offload the current German player of the year in January.'

he will be a big boost to United if Fergie can manage to get him.

[Del]

I really hope he doesn't go to United. Don't get me wrong he's one of the best midfielders in the world but United really don't need a big girls blouse in their squad. He moans and complains about everything and as they already have a mercenary in Ferdinand they don't need another one.

He'll probably go to whoever offers him the most cash and where the sun is shining.

Get your Wigan jersey now!

[ho chi feen]

Ballack + Duscher = Midfield problems solved.

[Philby]

I don't know much about Duscher but Ballack is gifted and has the physical stature to make it in the english game. He would be Ferguson's best ever signing if he were to get him on a free.

[Fat Tom]

Hard to say that before he signs but he could go on to be Fergie's best ever signing if he does well for the club for free.

It would be a massive boost to morale to have a world class player like Ballack in the middle 3 and him and Keane and Scholes would compliment each other well.

[Coin]

I don't know much about Duscher but Ballack is gifted and has the physical stature to make it in the english game. He would be Ferguson's best ever signing if he were to get him on a free.
If he goes in January it won't be for free?

And unless he's one of the best 2 or 3 players on several league winning teams (unlikely since he's nearly 30), I think the small fee paid for Cantona would be the better signing.

[Duke]

Supposedly ballack doesn't rate utd's chances of winning the champions league over the next 4 years so i'd say ballack going to utd are slim.

[ho chi feen]

I don't know much about Duscher but Ballack is gifted and has the physical stature to make it in the english game. He would be Ferguson's best ever signing if he were to get him on a free.

Duscher's your classic midfield destroyer, and composed on the ball to boot. Very energetic. By no means a brilliant player, but perfectly suited to that kind of role, and hardworking.

The way the modern game is going, players like this performing a prescribed and relatively limited role (by comparison to the Keanes, Gerrards, Robsons and Vieiras of this world) is not a set back. With players like Scholes, Ballack and Keane in the mix, and Park, Giigs, Ronaldo and Richardson on the wings, our midfield would look far more formidable.

Unfortunately, I'm not sure we'll sign Ballack, but as there is clearly no player capable of directly replacing Keane, Duscher (who wouldn't break the bank) would be a sound investment, IMO.

[Teknique]

He would be Ferguson's best ever signing if he were to get him on a free.

It'd still be Keane , no matter how much he paid for him

[markinmanc]

Will Ballack be eligble for the CL if he moves in January? His desire is the win the CL - can't see that happening at Man Yoo in their present state.

Man u aren't even first choice in England these days, no mind Europe.

[Fat Tom]

I think so too.

As for Duscher - could do a job all right.More naturally defensive than Smith and Fletch. 8 million sounds reasonable.

[ho chi feen]

I think so too.

As for Duscher - could do a job all right.More naturally defensive than Smith and Fletch. 8 million sounds reasonable.

Very reasonable indeed.

I'm only going off the paper talk since Heinze apparently said 'sign him up!'. Is there any more word oin whether we've an interest or not?

Certainly would add some steel.

[Up For The Ba]

Will Ballack be eligble for the CL if he moves in January? His desire is the win the CL - can't see that happening at Man Yoo in their present state.

Man u aren't even first choice in England these days, no mind Europe.

No he wouldnt.

I cant see Ballack signing, especially in January for a lot of reasons;

1: If it is all about money, he`s not likely to get what he`s looking for at United either.
2: As a footballing decision it wouldnt make any sense, he`d be leaving a team in good form who have genuine credentials for winning the champions league this year to come and sit out the champions league and a very slim chance of winning the premiership.
3: I think he`ll stay at Bayern anyway, is he really that unhappy there??? I`d have my doubts, looks like a load of mind games to me.

Maybe he is looking for a new challenge at this stage in his life, but i`d be sceptical to say the least.

[Rebelred]

I don't know much about Duscher but Ballack is gifted and has the physical stature to make it in the english game. He would be Ferguson's best ever signing if he were to get him on a free.
Denis Irwin for a fiver,a moro and the ass off a can of tanora will always remain fergies best ever signing, but Ballack would be a great one too.

Still would prefer Mascherano ahead of Duscher

[Fat Tom]

Haven't seen much of Mascherano but he is supposed to be class and younger too.

[Rebelred]

Haven't seen much of Mascherano but he is supposed to be class and younger too.
the full package,currently out through injury.have seen a fair bit of him in the last 12 months.Best midfielder in Argentinas ranks,including Riquelme.Will probably end up at Atletico Madrid as their Coach is an Argie, but the fee they're talking about is 9 million.At that price he would be a far better investment than Duscher,I'll be disgusted if United dont show any interest in him, but as I said,he'll probably end up in spain

[Sound]

the full package,currently out through injury.have seen a fair bit of him in the last 12 months.Best midfielder in Argentinas ranks,including Riquelme.Will probably end up at Atletico Madrid as their Coach is an Argie, but the fee they're talking about is 9 million.At that price he would be a far better investment than Duscher,I'll be disgusted if United dont show any interest in him, but as I said,he'll probably end up in spain

Better than Riquelme?!? Feckin' Hell!

[Fat Tom]

the full package,currently out through injury.have seen a fair bit of him in the last 12 months.Best midfielder in Argentinas ranks,including Riquelme.Will probably end up at Atletico Madrid as their Coach is an Argie, but the fee they're talking about is 9 million.At that price he would be a far better investment than Duscher,I'll be disgusted if United dont show any interest in him, but as I said,he'll probably end up in spain

I remember Arsenal being linked to him a year or so ago.
Well to be honest its a different type of player to Riquelme we need.
Someone box to box, ambitous, motivated, tough, good tackler and passer without the whole 50 yard shit - not a necessity.

[STEVIEG]

Very reasonable indeed.

I'm only going off the paper talk since Heinze apparently said 'sign him up!'. Is there any more word oin whether we've an interest or not?

Certainly would add some steel.


There's alot of talk of it but Fergie is gonna keep his cards close to his chest
As for the Ballack talk, i'd love to see him there but fear it won't happen

[Rebelred]

Better than Riquelme?!? Feckin' Hell!
different types of players though,ala keane n scholes.

[Rebelred]

Someone box to box, ambitous, motivated, tough, good tackler and passer without the whole 50 yard shit - not a necessity.
you've just selected Mascherano there

[Fat Tom]

Good - now how do we go about making sure Fergie snaps him up pre world cup coz if he is as good as you say he is then after World Cup Milans Barcas and Reals of this world will be bidding a lot higher than 9 mill for him and Chelsea will probably join in if we are interested.

They probably don't even have scouts just Kenyon's list from when he was with us.

[ho chi feen]

Actually, it's true. Mascherano is a very special player.

Not a hope of getting a work permit just yet though, I'd say.

[Fat Tom]

Corinthians's highly-rated midfielder Javier Mascherano has quelled speculation he could be set for a move to La Liga by signing a contract extension until 2007.

The Argentina international has been coveted by the likes of Atletico Madrid but will now continue his football education in Brazil.

Mascherano has made a quicker than expected return to first team action having been sidelined for the past three months after an operation on his left foot.

The 21-year-old joined Corinthians from River Plate in the summer and prior to his injury had made seven appearances for his new employers.

[Rebelred]

Actually, it's true. Mascherano is a very special player.

Not a hope of getting a work permit just yet though, I'd say.
capped by his country before he played for his club? pretty good case for work permit i'd reckon

[MonTheHoops]

capped by his country before he played for his club? pretty good case for work permit i'd reckon


Two words: Raphael Scheidt.

[ho chi feen]

capped by his country before he played for his club? pretty good case for work permit i'd reckon

These things can be funny though, as you well know. What % of games has he played in the last two years, for example?

[Rebelred]

These things can be funny though, as you well know. What % of games has he played in the last two years, for example?
yeah thats true enough.I do think he'll end up in spain sooner rather than later

[dotty]

would to see united sign Mascherano and as has been pointed out they must try pre world cup,otherwise his value will just soar because i believe he will be one of the stars next summer.
fergie is always going on about buliding his team around young players - rooney ronaldo o shea etc...so given a choice between duscher and mascherano it should be mascherano everytime.

the worrying thing for united fans is the lad is at corinthians,the chelsea of south america..in fact some view the club as a potential feeder club for the blues..so i wouldnt be surprised if he ended up at stamford bridge should jose show interest...

[Rebelred]

would to see united sign Mascherano and as has been pointed out they must try pre world cup,otherwise his value will just soar because i believe he will be one of the stars next summer.
fergie is always going on about buliding his team around young players - rooney ronaldo o shea etc...so given a choice between duscher and mascherano it should be mascherano everytime.

the worrying thing for united fans is the lad is at corinthians,the chelsea of south america..in fact some view the club as a potential feeder club for the blues..so i wouldnt be surprised if he ended up at stamford bridge should jose show interest...
hence Tevez being there too

[dotty]

hence Tevez being there too

with more to follow,wouldnt be surprised if sao paulos hotshot diego tardelli makes the move next summer...

[afeencalleddan]

Lads, United or any club for that matter should be aiming to buy or cultivate excellent young players with an eye on the long term but in United's case it's got to be more important to buy some tried and tested players in or around their prime. It's all very well dropping names of South American wonderkids but the reality is that no matter how good their potential is, an awful lot of them don't live up to the hype. United can't afford to gamble with more inexperienced players at the moment. They need stability and of course the odd talented youngster that can be picked up without breaking the bank.

[Rebelred]

but in United's case it's got to be more important to buy some tried and tested players in or around their prime.
who though?
besides Ballack,and I dont think he's really leaving germany, who's out there?

[dotty]

indeed,i just feel united should supplement the purchase of ballack who will be 30 with mascherano whose 21 not duscher...

[Fat Tom]

who though?
besides Ballack,and I dont think he's really leaving germany, who's out there?

Gattusso - no hope
Pirlo - no hope

Riquelme - not suited to England me thinks
Xavi - no hope

[Sound]

Jumimho Parumbacano + either Gravesen or Diop = Problem solved.

[Del]

Jumimho Parumbacano + either Gravesen or Diop = Problem solved.


Who's Jumimho Parumbacano?

[AmadeusDC]

Who's Jumimho Parumbacano?

Either your nailing him for his spelling or you don't watch Lyon much in the Champions League. It's too late for me to even start guessing which.

-AmadeusDC-

[MonTheHoops]

Either your nailing him for his spelling or you don't watch Lyon much in the Champions League. It's too late for me to even start guessing which.

-AmadeusDC-

He is a fantastic midfielder. Can't believe he's still with Lyon to be honest.

[homer jay]

http://www.football365.com/teams/manchester_united/story_168725.shtml

[Fat Tom]

Hopefully - massive signing but we still have to find someone to replace Keane.

Juninho is class but he is 30 and physical side of premiership game mightn't suit him.

I'm thinking more and more along Mascherano lines.

[Rolo Feen]

The 21-year-old joined Corinthians from River Plate in the summer and prior to his injury had made seven appearances for his new employers.

looks like he's a future chelsea player so...

[Fat Tom]

Yeah we've still to see that theory materialise though - Tevez and Mascherano to Chelsea?

[Rebelred]

Yeah we've still to see that theory materialise though - Tevez and Mascherano to Chelsea?
well those Abramovich links with Corinthians have never been proven and could well be fiction.The Iranian fella whose the main man behind the consortium that owns corinthians recently tried to buy West Ham.

[Del]

Either your nailing him for his spelling or you don't watch Lyon much in the Champions League. It's too late for me to even start guessing which.

-AmadeusDC-


It's very hard to follow the champions over here in NZ. The games are on in the morning when I'm off to work. I've never heard of the guy!

[afeencalleddan]

It's very hard to follow the champions over here in NZ. The games are on in the morning when I'm off to work. I've never heard of the guy!

Juninho Pernambucano is the correct spelling. He's now a regular for Brazil too.

http://globoesporte.globo.c om/ESP/Home/foto/0,,3716884,00.jpg

[Fat Tom]

Class act - never realised he was so old though.
Still super form in Champions League last couple of years.
Excellent set pieces and super passer of ball.

Maybe not physical enough for Premiership for his position.

[Sound]

Juninho Pernambucano is the correct spelling. He's now a regular for Brazil too.

http://globoesporte.globo.c om/ESP/Home/foto/0,,3716884,00.jpg

Lads, ye may want to check the time I posted that- I was on the batter all night.

[Fat Tom]

Lads, ye may want to check the time I posted that- I was on the batter all night.

Sure you were, don't be using those excuses or Fitzy will start saying the same and he'll have an excuse for all his little misdemeanours