[funkdoctorspock]

I think it isn't rocket science that with United's buying in the the current transfer window, that sales would have to made to recover some of the money spent.

So far, we've sold Richardson for 5.5 million.

Smith, I figured was a goner... Although I hoped that his heart, determination and re familiarization with the striker role was an asset which United wanted to keep. I saw him as a sub for Saha. Anyways, if he is going, I hope we can get close to 8 for him.

Now Rossi... with the "addition" of Tevez. He gets dropped down the pecking order... and this really pisses me off. I have a funny feeling that if he goes, he's going to be a top forward. Being fortunate enough to see a couple of Parma games last season, his movement, shot and team play are getting stronger. Shoot, he played a large role in getting Parma out of the relegation zone. All this and United still wont' give him a chance... and that is just puzzling to me. His it his height? lack of strength? Why not give him a chance... The Newcastle stint wasn't a true reflection of him... I refuse to put up a transfer number because I just don't think he'll be sold.

Rooney
Tevez
Saha
Smith/Rossi
Ole

Saha you can almost be assured will be injured for a least 2 months... Ole has been injury prone as well.

So why would United sell off both Smith and Rossi?

Have United tipped there hand with regards to who they want to keep by including Smith in the Asian Cup tour?

Sir Alex Ferguson has admitted that Alan Smith and Giuseppe Rossi could leave Manchester United.

Smith made a number of useful contributions towards the end of last season after returning from injury, while Giuseppe Rossi has long been tipped as a star of the future.

However, competition for places up front is already fierce at Old Trafford and United are hoping to bring in Carlos Tevez before the transfer window closes.

Ferguson has yet to make a decision on Smith or Rossi and is looking to keep his options for as long as possible, but he accepts it could be difficult to keep both players.

"We have had offers for Giuseppe, which puts us in a bit of a situation, while the quandary with Alan surrounds his long-term future and getting regular games," Ferguson explained.

"There is no doubt Alan did fantastically well for us when he came back last season.

"He gave the team a spiritual lift and because he is such a fighter, he was an inspiration to us. But he is 26 now and he wants regular football.

"I have to look at Manchester United in terms of how do we improve to get better. And when someone like Tevez comes along, it makes it difficult for people like Alan and Giuseppe in particular.

"The most important thing is that they are our players and we can make decisions when we like."

Parma are eager to sign Rossi after he impressed on loan there last season, while Middlesbrough are reportedly leading the chase for Smith.
Here

[Dirtycheat]

i remember fergie said before that he dreamt of having 5 strikers like we did in 99.

but tbh, no we play with a different style where the midfield move a lot, almost acting like strikers at times.

so perhaps we dont really need all those strikers, or maybe its a case of one or two strikers wanting to leave.

[dimz]

Originally Posted by Dirtycheat

i remember fergie said before that he dreamt of having 5 strikers like we did in 99.

but tbh, no we play with a different style where the midfield move a lot, almost acting like strikers at times.

so perhaps we dont really need all those strikers, or maybe its a case of one or two strikers wanting to leave.

5? Yorke, Cole, Teddy, Ole and........?

[GocartMozart]

it was 4 strikers, but regardless, our striking situation is a bit out of control. We have to account for Dong as well, who imo isn't that good and six strikers is just too many. We all agree with randy that we really don't need him.

I just realized that even if we obtain tevez, it's still not over. The drama then just shifts back to Sheffield vs. west ham. It's chaos.

[randy420]

Well this is a no brainer comment from Fergie really.

IF Tevez comes (I hope not) then we'll have Rooney, Tevez, Saha, Smith, Ole, Rossi and Dong.

To me, Dong is useless, and should be sold. ASAP.

Ole is a bench player, and will only start in drastic situations. He knows this, and I feel this will be his last season. We won't be getting rid of him.

Rossi is young and very very promising. I would hope we don't get rid of him as that would be retarded. I guess we could loan him out again, but I don't like that idea either. I'd rather he stayed and got regualr playing time.

Smith is an interesting topic with me. He's got heart, and such a drive and determination to do well and for the team to win. He is 100% committed to the cause, but the only problem is that the talent isn't there to go with it. imo, he's a lot like Keano, in that, what he lacks in natural talent, he makes up with intangibles, but he's nowhere near being the impact player that Keano was for us. His goal scoring record is fairly crap as well, especially considering he's a striker. Smith is one candidate for being sold off imo.

Saha is another interesting one. There is no question whatsoever that Saha has a great amount of talent, and makes an amazing contribution to the side through goals, and his off the ball play. However, the major major major strike against him is that HE'S ALWAYS FUCKING INJURED!! He's been with us since January of 2004 (so three and a half seasons now) and I would be surprised if he's played in two seasons worth of matches in that time. He's has just been ravaged by injuries during his time here and I think it's starting to get to Sir Alex a bit. It really takes the piss imo. Saha should be another candidate for being sold, BUT ONLY IF WE ACTUALLY GET TEVEZ..

Speaking of.. Carlos Tevez. He's a great talent, and towards the end of last season he seemed to adapt himself to the English style of play quite well and show what a capable player he is. There is no doubt that he would be a great addition to the squad, but I'm not entirely sure we need him. Aside from the fact that getting him would give us 6 strikers (not including Dong) and would require us to sell a couple of them. Not to mention the fact that, as we've seen, he'll bring a bunch of off-field headaches. This whole ongoing saga around him has grown tiring already and I wish it would just stop already. If this is a sign of how hard it'll be to sign him, then I really just want us to back out of it.

Rooney. No brainer. He's 21, and has amazing talent. He's one of our stars of the future. We'd be stupid to sell him.

[GocartMozart]

I really do have some major issues to sort over, and there isn't much in what you've said that any rational person can disagree with. Tha said I do need to make my opinion felt in regards to Mr. Tevez. I've seen him change games, i've seen him break past defenders, but maybe it's just me, but I don't think he was that amazing. He definitely wasn't 30 million pounds amazing and surely isn't worth more than Rooney. I just can't believe that price.

For me there is no player better than Saha for what he does give us. Now I'm incredibly frustrated with Louis - he's painful, but when he's on, there is no one better for United. Now if we did hypothetically sell Saha and bought Tevez, would the cost of those 21 million pounds (assuming Saha sells for 9 mil) really justify the change? I just can't say yes.

Rossi cannot be let loose. end of story

Smudge. You are such a painful ghordian knot. With a deft touch, unflintching drive and often needed raw aggression, you give us a backbone. Unfortunately, you don't give us goals, and to be a striker at Manchester United, your number one rule is that you score.

[pantlessjim]

Here is what really needs to happen. We need to get off of the Tevez train. He is shite, and he will always be shite. We don't need Tevez.

Smith has the heart of a lion, and will play anywhere we need him on the pitch. He is too valuable in my opinion to give up.

Dong...Ship him back off to Antwerp, or sell him.

[ja_shotta]

Originally Posted by pantlessjim

Here is what really needs to happen. We need to get off of the Tevez train. He is shite, and he will always be shite. We don't need Tevez.

Smith has the heart of a lion, and will play anywhere we need him on the pitch. He is too valuable in my opinion to give up.

Dong...Ship him back off to Antwerp, or sell him.

Its unanimous that Tevez is a greater talent that Smith so you're wrong from the very first statement.

but hey I guess you're just a big Alan Smith fan so I get it

I donm't think Tevez is the player that would suit United best but if they want to go for him it would be an upgrade on Smith . They have enough cover in midfield so no need for him to play "anywhere" but upfront and there he would be 5th choice if not 6th therefore making him expendable IMO

[Dirtycheat]

it looks like we will be using silvestre prtty soon,he hasnt really excelled recently but i credit him for staying and rejecting offers 2 season ago to go lyon.

Originally Posted by daily mirror

Gill also admitted defender Mikael Silvestre may leave this summer, following a £3m offer from Lyon.

Gill said: "Mikael has got two more years on his contract but we have had one offer for him."

[dimz]

Originally Posted by Dirtycheat

it looks like we will be using silvestre prtty soon,he hasnt really excelled recently but i credit him for staying and rejecting offers 2 season ago to go lyon.

I'm grinning ear to ear!

Just you try and stop me ja_shotta!!!!! LOL