Viduka in Man U's Sights

dodgey

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Thread starter #1
Reported in the Melb. HS this morning that Sir Alex has already contacted Leeds and have offered a reported $11.7m...

He is in the market for another Striker to ease the Burden on RVN and The V Bomber is his Number One target...

Jermaine Defoe and Louis Saha are other options being considered
 

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#2
not sure where they pulled this story from
but i found this story interesting

i think every non-cup tied striker is going to be linked with man u over the next few weeks :eek:
 

Shinboners

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#4
5 million pounds for Viduka makes him worthwhile.

But it would be interesting to see the Fergie vs Viduka fireworks.

If we were to sign Viduka, we would have to go to a 4-4-2 formation to make it work. However, Fergie has spent ages moulding the team to play 4-4-1-1, and there is no place for Viduka in that set up. That means that Viduka will find himself playing off the bench, and I don't think he'll be happy about that.
 

Karanicolas

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#5
Originally posted by Shinboners
5 million pounds for Viduka makes him worthwhile.

But it would be interesting to see the Fergie vs Viduka fireworks.

If we were to sign Viduka, we would have to go to a 4-4-2 formation to make it work. However, Fergie has spent ages moulding the team to play 4-4-1-1, and there is no place for Viduka in that set up. That means that Viduka will find himself playing off the bench, and I don't think he'll be happy about that.
What about playing Viduka up front, with RVN playing the Scholes' role.

My impression from the recent Guardian article is that RVN wants to expand his game beyond that of a mere striker.
 

Shinboners

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#6
Originally posted by Karanicolas
What about playing Viduka up front, with RVN playing the Scholes' role.
If you played RVN has the link man between the lead striker and the midfield, then where would you play Scholes?

Scholes has had his best form and consistency in the link man role. He doesn't have the pace or size to play the lead striker and I think he loses his effectiveness if you move him back into the midfield.



My impression from the recent Guardian article is that RVN wants to expand his game beyond that of a mere striker.
Tough luck for RVN - he can stick to finishing the work of the other players.

I would not move Scholes to help RVN expand his game.
 

Nandrolone Stam

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#7
Originally posted by GOALden Hawk
"Forlan is only considered a squad player." :p

I hope NS isn't near anything sharp when he reads that!
Fergie is a believer. I won't bother digging up the relevant article (with direct quotes from Fergie)

Besides, playing 4-4-1-1 with RVN up front it's going to be rather difficult to break into the first team on a regular basis.
 

Nandrolone Stam

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#8
Originally posted by dodgey
Reported in the Melb. HS this morning that Sir Alex has already contacted Leeds and have offered a reported $11.7m...

He is in the market for another Striker to ease the Burden on RVN and The V Bomber is his Number One target...

Jermaine Defoe and Louis Saha are other options being considered
Doesn't really make sense.

Viduka is a target man, and yes could be an RVN substitute.

Defoe and Saha are certainly not target men.
 

tribey

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#9
I don't think RVN is happy with that arseclown Forlan. How many times have we seen Forlan trap the ball like a balloon or attempt a pass to his Dutch strike partner that ends up 20 yards away? End result = RVN drops and shakes his head while Forlan holds his hands up in apology with a look on his face that says "Oops I just p|ssed on my shoes". Good one.

Realistically Viduka would the perfect foil for RVN. Look at big Mark's game. He's big, holds the ball up tremendously well, can dribble and drag defenders with him, and with his flicks, layoffs and backheels has set up many many goals for the likes of Smith, Kewell and others. Not to mention the fact he's good in the air and a skilled finisher on the ground as well.

A Viduka/RVN tandem (V1 and V2 ;)) with Scholes in behind would be absolutely sensational. And we'd finally see Forlorn back in the stiffs where he belongs.
 

Nandrolone Stam

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#10
Originally posted by dyertribe
I don't think RVN is happy with that arseclown Forlan. How many times have we seen Forlan trap the ball like a balloon or attempt a pass to his Dutch strike partner that ends up 20 yards away? End result = RVN drops and shakes his head while Forlan holds his hands up in apology with a look on his face that says "Oops I just p|ssed on my shoes". Good one.

Realistically Viduka would the perfect foil for RVN. Look at big Mark's game. He's big, holds the ball up tremendously well, can dribble and drag defenders with him, and with his flicks, layoffs and backheels has set up many many goals for the likes of Smith, Kewell and others. Not to mention the fact he's good in the air and a skilled finisher on the ground as well.

A Viduka/RVN tandem (V1 and V2 ;)) with Scholes in behind would be absolutely sensational. And we'd finally see Forlorn back in the stiffs where he belongs.
I don't know if this is some tactful setup on your behalf, but you should really have a think about what you just posted.

4-4-1-1 formations do not allow for TWO target men. Either Fergie is going to change that, or Viduka would be used on a rotation basis. How many sides play with two target men???

As for Diegoal, well we know whose been scoring when RVN hasn't of late. Fergie is a believer, and so is the coach of the Uruguyan national team. Considering OGS has been out for some time, there are only two main forwards to choose from, plus the raw talents of Bellion. Each of these are different to RVN. Not many championship challenging squads have only two strikers to choose from, thus requiring reinforcements.

How I would 'luv it, just luv it' if Australia faced off against Uruguay again and Diegoal made the Aussies cry :D
 

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tribey

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#12
Originally posted by Nandrolone Stam
4-4-1-1 formations do not allow for TWO target men. Either Fergie is going to change that, or Viduka would be used on a rotation basis. How many sides play with two target men???
Gee really? Thankyou for imparting your tactical science upon me oh great one! Ever thought of applying for Technical Director at the ASA?

I am assuming Fergie would dispense with this 4-4-1-1 malarkey and play a variation of 4-4-2 again. As for RVN being a target man, how many does he score with his bonce? I envisage a system where RVN feeds off the big Aussie in a genuine strike partnership similar to the way Kewell and Smith do/did for Leeds. In the current setup Forlan seems to be competing with rather than complimenting RVN.

As for [DONKEY]Forlan[/DONKEY], he's nothing more than a pantomime goblin while Shearer is topping the scorers chart last time I looked.
 

Nandrolone Stam

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#13
Originally posted by dyertribe
Gee really? Thankyou for imparting your tactical science upon me oh great one! Ever thought of applying for Technical Director at the ASA?

I am assuming Fergie would dispense with this 4-4-1-1 malarkey and play a variation of 4-4-2 again. As for RVN being a target man, how many does he score with his bonce? I envisage a system where RVN feeds off the big Aussie in a genuine strike partnership similar to the way Kewell and Smith do/did for Leeds. In the current setup Forlan seems to be competing with rather than complimenting RVN.

As for [DONKEY]Forlan[/DONKEY], he's nothing more than a pantomime goblin while Shearer is topping the scorers chart last time I looked.
Your assuming. Assumptions have little merit. How can you compare Kewell/Smith to Viduka/RVN? Kewell nor Smith were target men, Kewell nor Smith are 6ft+. Comparing two target men to two impish forwards - well that seems equitable doesn't it. It also seems Viduka's abilities are limited to if he can be actually arsed to play on the day.

Forlan 5 in 7. Not bad strike rate at the present point. Keep bagging him though. How is that crock Carl Cort fairing? You know, the one Bobby Wobson didn't want to sign?
 

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#14
Originally posted by dyertribe


As for [DONKEY]Forlan[/DONKEY], he's nothing more than a pantomime goblin while Shearer is topping the scorers chart last time I looked.
But Alan turned down Manchester United, a crime which warrants being shot in the head. Apparently.
 

The Hitman

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#15
Originally posted by Squeak
But Alan turned down Manchester United, a crime which warrants being shot in the head. Apparently.
Nothing that drastic. Just missing out on enough medals to bring your neck down to waist height will suffice.

The Hitman
 

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#16
Originally posted by The Hitman
Nothing that drastic. Just missing out on enough medals to bring your neck down to waist height will suffice.

The Hitman
I know. I'm just a little miffed that some people take it as a personal insult.
 

tribey

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#17
Originally posted by Nandrolone Stam
Forlan 5 in 7. Not bad strike rate at the present point. Keep bagging him though. How is that crock Carl Cort fairing? You know, the one Bobby Wobson didn't want to sign?
Don't worry I will keep bagging [DONKEY]Forlan[/DONKEY]... and yes Carl Cort is complete rubbish... about as useful as a chocolate teapot to be precise. Do I care? :)
 

tribey

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#18
Originally posted by The Hitman
Nothing that drastic. Just missing out on enough medals to bring your neck down to waist height will suffice.
- Still bitter that he turned you down to play for his hometown club after all these years eh?

- Not bitter... I'm simply pointing out that we've forty-three Premierships, a European Cup, seventeen FA Cups, half-a-dozen Superbowls, an AFL grand final and the showcase on the Price is Right and Shearer hasn't LOL!!!!11111111

The same way us geordies and plastic geordies couldn't give an airborne copulation about the Man United trophy cabinet is the same reason Alan Shearer has always been 100% happy with his lot on Tyneside, silverware or no silverware - turning down the evil empire and retiring from his national team along the way.

Howay the lads.
 

Nandrolone Stam

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#20
As for Shear-envy:

You are my Solskjaer,
My Ole Solskjaer,
You make me happy,
When skies are grey,
And Alan Shearer,
Was f*cking dearer,
So Please don't take,
My Solskjaer,
Away.....


Who put the ball in the German's net?
Who put the ball in the German's net?
Who put the ball in the German's net?
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer!
 

Shinboners

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#21
Originally posted by dyertribe
Realistically Viduka would the perfect foil for RVN. Look at big Mark's game. He's big, holds the ball up tremendously well, can dribble and drag defenders with him, and with his flicks, layoffs and backheels has set up many many goals for the likes of Smith, Kewell and others. Not to mention the fact he's good in the air and a skilled finisher on the ground as well.
Certainly Viduka would add a forward physical presence that we haven't had since Mark Hughes.

However, going into a 4-4-2 formation would deny RVN the space that he seems to exploit so well under 4-4-1-1. It would be interesting to see how RVN would do. I suspect that under 4-4-2, Viduka and Solksjaer would make a more natural pairing than Viduka and RVN.


A Viduka/RVN tandem (V1 and V2 ;)) with Scholes in behind would be absolutely sensational.
Scholes playing as the forward midfielder and Solksjaer and Giggs sending in crosses.....Viduka would be thinking that all his Christmas's have come at once.
 

apollo_creed

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#22
Originally posted by Shinboners


Scholes playing as the forward midfielder and Solksjaer and Giggs sending in crosses.....Viduka would be thinking that all his Christmas's have come at once.
Take your hand off it mate OGS delivery aint that good;)
 

Shinboners

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#25
Originally posted by myee8
Who will play on the right side of midfield then?
Assuming that it's a RVN and Viduka pairing up forwad, tt would either be Solksjaer or Fletcher on the right.

Giggs would be on the left, Keane as the defensive central midfielder, Scholes as the attacking central midfielder.
 
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