MasterVillan

-Our average PL finish is 6th

-The last three seasons we've finished 6th

So, yes I would say he's underselling us by saying (7th-12th). I actually find it a bit worrying tbh.

Can't say i'm to pleased with Houllier tbh, If people thought MON was poor in the transfer market they're in for a shock. He'll probably try and drag milan baros back here!

I will definately give him a chance, buti just don't see how he will enable us to make a step forward(or stand still).

General, Ottmar Hitzfeld is the manager for us!

Quite Embarrassing, being beat by an Austrian league team two years running.

Quite Embarrassing, being beat by an Austrian league team two years running.

Frank Rijkard?

Good performance, was really impressed by Albrighton and Jimmy(be sad to see him go).

Where was Gabby today? is he injured?

Hitzfeld would be a great appointment

Was rumoured to be interested in the Fulham job

Would love Jol but can't see him ditching Ajax this close to the start of the season

A big appointment for Randy, if it's one from Bradley, Pearce, Curbishley, Southgate or Sven i'll be very disappointed

Hitzfeld is the only name that stands out to me, and I think he is a realistic option, depending on whether the board can back him!

Which players were there last night? crap i should have gone in! anyone know who's there tonight?

Good Luck Jimmy! He gave everything for us when wearing the shirt, and now we'll recieve a nice wad of cash and possibly Ireland in return, good deal all round.

Has MM given any ideas as to who we're after this summer?

what date is it out?

He's not the world beater people think he is, excellent work ethic, but will never be a top player, bit like Dirk Kuyt, I think ireland has far more talent, but has he got the head?(I don't know, its a risk)

4 - Keane, Ireland, Onouha + some squad filler

Eh?

Managers make mistakes. Sorry, when I see all those misplaced passes I am clearly misinterpreting the grand plan for Carrick! Francis Jeffers has played for England and is now on the bench of some crappy league one side. Carrick has been good in the past, and at United there is talent around him that can carry shite / underperforming invididuals from time to time. mOst mancs I know say he's been very poor all year round, by the same token Gerrard has been very poor all year round acknowledged even by the most defensive of scousers. Yet he's guaranteed to start - partly and to an extent reasonably enough - based on his achievements to date with England.

what achievements to date with England?

It's widely accepted that Gerrard is in general a shadow of his usual self when playing for England.

I don't think anyone's saying you don't deserve an opinion but when your opinion goes against that of experts (i.e. actual football managers) it can be difficult to take it seriously.

Isiah Osbourne is an average poor - to - average footballer, Michael Carrick quite blatantly isn't.

I completely disagree about Carrick.

Ferguson bought an average player for over £20 million, he's given him alot of time(helped by Hargreaves) and Carrick has failed to shine, playing alongside excellent midfielders, the team around him has carried him, and his general performances could be described as anonymous.

Definately imo not the kind of player we need at Villa, would be a massive step back from Jimmy, and probably on higher wages.

I'd love Milner to stay but the fact is that he's a £30m player and that's a luxury that we cannot afford. £30m to us will buy three very good players.

I'd sell for £30m+ and use the money to buy an international striker and 2 international central midfielders (one attacking, one more more defensive/holding). With the money we get for sidwell, etc. we could buy a top quality RB.

People will say that selling shows a lack of ambition but if somebody's daft enough to pay £30m+ for a lad (albeit with a great future) who's only got two years of his contract left, it's too big an opportunity to ignore.

Thats the thing, its quite tough to find a very good player for £10 million nowadays.

Ireland meandering from one end of the penalty area to the other waiting for someone to pass to him, while Carrick stands in the centre circle staring at the sky looking at the seagulls isn't really what dreams are made of.

and like dunne being the woeful defender everyone bar about 3 of us said he was last summer eh?

Nope, not even slightly like that.

Ireland would be fine, even if he is mad. Carrick would be the most pointless investment we could make this summer, short of putting Heskey on a five year contract.

Completely agree on Carrick, we should set our sights higher!

I'd take...

10m + Joe Cole

15m + Steven Ireland (add another 5-7m as its Man City)

Isn't Joe Cole out of contract this summer?

Couple of things

Firstly, I've still not seen a reliable source confirming Milner has 2 years left on his deal. I think it's highly likely the club have an option for another year on top.

Secondly, If Milner is sold, I'd imagine Newcastle will have a sell on clause and Milner will pocket a good chunk (circa 10% unless he hands in a transfer request). 30 million gross might not yield that much of a profit - especially when you factor in the wages he has been paid. I still don't think he will go until he goes to the press and makes his position untenable.

There was no sell on clause in his transfer from newcastle

I can't understand why people would want Carrick, he's completly anonymous when playing, Central mid is Man Utd's week spot and Carrick hasn't been playing much even still, I think Fegruson has accepted he's not up to it at this stage.

Personally i'm not that concerned with the outcome of this transfer, if Milner stays i'll be happy, also if he went to city for £20 million + Ireland.

In fact the more I think about it, the more i'm leaning towards £20 million + Ireland.

I've read some peoples posts here about a swap deal for Carrick if he went to Man U, this would be my nightmare scenario, do not rate the lad at all!

id be delighted with £20m plus ireland, absolutely delighted. and i think city would be happy with it too

The only thing about signing Ireland would be, we'd have to switch to a 5 man midfield or replace Petrov IMO.

Personally i'm not that concerned with the outcome of this transfer, if Milner stays i'll be happy, also if he went to city for £20 million + Ireland i'd be happy.

In fact the more I think about it, the more i'm leaning towards £20 million + Ireland.

I've read some peoples posts here about a swap deal for Carrick if he went to Man U, this would be my nightmare scenario, do not rate the lad at all!