[dpak3000]

Thierry 'talked out of' United switch

Thierry Henry was reportedly on the verge of a move to Manchester United two weeks ago - but changed his mind after talks with Pep Guardiola.

The France striker had a disappointing first season at the Nou Camp following his £16million switch to Barcelona from Arsenal last summer.

The main reason for his poor form was being asked to play in an unfamiliar left-wing role by Barca coach Frank Rijkaard, who has since left the club after failing to win any domestic or European silverware.

Guardiola has taken the reins at the Catalan giants, and is believed to have talked Henry out of a £10million switch to Old Trafford.

The Sunday Mirror quotes a source as saying: "Thierry was told by the new coach he didn't want him to leave, that he was going to be a big player for Barca next season and would have an important role to play for them.

"That reassured Thierry - but United were ready to buy him."

Samuel Eto'o and Ronaldinho are widely expected to leave Barca this summer, meaning 30-year-old Henry could become their first-choice striker.

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this is obviously a very interesting proposition that seems to have occurred. Henry would definitely fill the veteran forward that SAF is looking for. maybe this story will build some steam during the summer.

[Dirtycheat]

you know what's ironic?

robsonlegend posted only a few weeks ago about how united could do with a theiry- like striker.

it would have been a very interesting signing. Still, depending on what happens with eto'o might decide whether he leaves barca.

we will wait and see but i am actually very surprised.

[mark08]

wow!
henry at united!

didnt think that would ever happen!

seems a bold buying attempt that nearly came off!
would be great seeing him upfront wid rooney tevez and ronnie!

[crored68]

Would be interesting to see Henry at United and he is the type of player our squad could use but a few injuries have crept in and there seems to be a question of motivation for him.

It's hard to judge his temporary status on Barca performances because he was playing every position except the one he should've played.

Depending on price he could be a good signing but looks risky.

[lytec]

I really don't think we need Henry.While a good player I don't think he would suit United or the fans.Maybe its best if he stayed where he is

[funkdoctorspock]

I'm sorry, but what exactly is Henry talking about with regards to playing out of position?

He played on the left with Arsenal for years. he was brought up on the left, then shifted to the center forward, and then moved back to the left when his injury concerns crept up.

Then he goes to Barca, complains about playing on the left, gets asked to play up front and then says he'll have trouble remembering how to play up there.

I would like to thank Pep Guardiola for convincing him to stay right where he is. He has a sciatic nerve injury permitting him to play a match a week.

[RobsonLegend]

Originally Posted by Dirtycheat

you know what's ironic?

robsonlegend posted only a few weeks ago about how united could do with a theiry- like striker.

It was a stab in the dark, really, but when I first started thinking about it (when we were playing against Barca and he was hounding us yet again, thankfully not in a starting role), I began to think: "What could he do for us? At the very least he wouldn't be playing against us anymore!"

[jeremyb]

I think that it would have been a bad buy. Henry needs to be on a team where he is a one man show and the centre of attention. When he was at Arsenal every move revolved around him. Look what happened at Barca. He would not fit into the total team atmosphere at ManU.

[Ultimate_Red_Devil]

I'm going to have to call utter bollocks on that story.

We already HAVE a crippled french striker, his name is Saha

[Dirtycheat]

Ferguson to launch £20m bid to land Henry

By Bob Cass Last updated at 11:27 AM on 10th August 2008

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Manchester United will launch an astonishing £20million bid to land Thierry Henry before next weekend's Premier League curtain-raiser against Newcastle United.

Sir Alex Ferguson, whose team warm up against FA Cup winners Portsmouth in the FA Community Shield today, has made the ex-Arsenal hitman his top priority following the breakdown of United's attempt to sign Dimitar Berbatov from Tottenham. Appropriately, if a deal goes through this week, Henry could make his United debut against Newcastle on his 31st birthday next Sunday.

Coming back: Former Arsenal striker Thierry Henry could be on his way from Barcelona to Old Trafford

United will move quickly with their approach to Barcelona, the mercurial Frenchman's club, now that any interest they had in Berbatov is almost certainly at an end. The relationship between the domestic and European champions and Spurs has hit rock bottom, with bitterness deteriorating into open warfare.

Tottenham are determined to press home with their charge that United made an illegal approach for the Bulgarian, despite strong indications that a Premier League inquiry will rule that the champions have no case to answer.

Only a totally unexpected and completely unforeseen climbdown by Spurs could put the Berbatov deal back on, but by then it is likely to be too late - and Henry could be in the bag for the big kick-off.

The Frenchman is by no means a consolation prize. He has long been admired by Ferguson, coveted during his eight seasons with Arsenal from 1999-2007 and never off the United manager's radar, even after what many people regarded as, by his own standards, an uneventful season at the Nou Camp.

Ferguson has not forgotten that Henry, capped 102 times by France, was top scorer almost every season at Arsenal, achieving the distinction of becoming the club's all-time leading marksman with 226 goals in all competitions. He was Footballer of the Year on three occasions, and the main man in Arsene Wenger's march to two League titles and three FA Cups.

It has also not escaped Ferguson's notice that in a season at Barcelona when he was employed mainly on the wing, he still finished top scorer with 19 goals, one more than Samuel Eto'o and three more than Lionel Messi. Ferguson is also reassured that the series of injuries that blighted Henry's final months at the Emirates Stadium are behind him.

Ferguson to launch £20m bid to land Henry | Mail Online


20 million is a bit much imo. I personally though 16 million was too much for him when barca bought him given his injuries. I dont follow barca much so i dont know how bad his injuries are and whether or not he has most of his pace still but if there are no injuries then i think he would be great.


I said 100 times on here that we need an experienced striker to complete the team. I think Henry will have the same impact as laarsson and more. Our attack as a whole is relatively young and henry will bring something different and compliment our attacking style very well.