I don't think we'll see him turn out against Chelsea. Or many, if any, other PL clubs unless there's an injury crisis. I think its more about maintaining his fitness during the MSL close season. Not having to traipse from one club to another as Beckham did. He'll probably play a couple of Capital One Cup games, it will be useful having him on the bench for CL games and he might play in the final group game if its a dead rubber.

I can understand the New York club wanting Lampard to be fit at the start of the MLS season.

It will be interesting if City's front line misfire at the start of the season...David Villa anyone?!

He's foreign, City couldn't fit him in within the quota. Besides Jovetic seems to have put his injury problems behind him. Looks sharp, like a new signing.

What a pointless thread.
I know one need not read it, but I can only deduce that the creator (the egomeister) likes the Xfactor and other airheaded nonsense.
Come on you Clarets.

So, here we are on the eve of a new Premier League season. Anyone care to venture any predictions?

Top 4: Chelsea
City
Arsenal
Man Utd

FA Cup: Chelsea
League Cup: Spurs

Feel a bit sorry for Palace fans, Pulis walking 2 days before the season starts

Their survival odds must have just plummeted.

Also, I see on BBC Sport that Man Utd got Ander Herrera a cake for his birthday. Hope they made sure to shake his hand and tell him how much they love him as well.

Top 4:
Chelsea
Man City
Arsenal
Man Utd

FA Cup: Everton
League Cup: Spurs

City
Chelsea
Arsenal
Liverpool

FA Cup Chelsea
Capital One United

Top 4:
Liverpool
Chelsea
City
Arsenal

FA Cup: United
League Cup: Chelsea
Champions League: Chelsea

Van Gall already breaking records in his first game in charge.

I dont really understand what United have been playing at this summer. It was obvious last year that their defenders weren't good enough and since then they've lost Ferdinand, Vidic and Evra with only Shaw coming in. If they do bring in better players in the next fortnight it will take them time settle and develop an understanding. At the same time Van Gaal is demanding more of his defenders, expecting them to switch seamlessly between a 3 and a 4 during the course of a match.

Unless they sign Juve's defense en masse I cant see them achieving defensive stability anytime soon.

What on earth has been going on?

When they got van gaal I thought right, experienced, decent appointment, now they'll start motoring in the transfer market and they'll hit the ground running.

Instead they've overpaid for shaw whom I don't think van gaal really rates and signed a midfielder. It's nowhere near enough surgery when you think of the strength of the team last season, the players they've lost and the players their rivals have signed.

It is early days though. This time last year they thrashed swansea 4-1 and it looked like the transition from fergie to moyes had been seamless. Van Gaal isn't superman but I think he's too experienced to let things slip too badly. I think he'll quickly work out a system which picks them up points with the players they have and they'll be in and around the top 4.

Man Utd seem to have a real problem with recruitment ATM, and their youth system is struggling to dig them out of the hole. Last year you wondered if it was partly the Moyes factor, if they don't get 3 or 4 serious signings before the end of this window I think maybe it's time to wonder whether or not Woodward is a problem, or if the lure of Utd is starting to dwindle. Utd fans want to hope for the former, because it's much easier to fix.

Woodward IS the problem

Regards

King James

He's the one scoring/not scoring the goals is he? Or being the leaky one in defence? Or not winning the ball in midfield???

Woodward may be a problem but the main problem seems to be that they've appointed two consecutive managers who have started late and then wanted time to assess the squad before buying players.

Fernando was very effective for City yesterday.

He's part of the problem. United aren't getting the business done and he must shoulder some responsbility.

With no CL football it will be more difficult, we knew this and it's why so many were happy that united missed out on CL, because we knew it would make recruitment more tricky.

Its his fault they dont have the required players. Im not going to go into detail, but it was his fault last season that man united didnt end up with Fabregas bossing their midfield. Fabregas wanted to join, Barcelona wanted to sell and then Woodward screwed it up. Those in the know, know what happened, but im not going to publish it on a public forum.

Regards

King James

So you'll slag him off, blame him for something but won't explain it? Christ.

Who did van Gaal identify for Woodward to go and sign then? He could have got the club to move for Fabregas or Kroos; why didn't he?

I'm going to be mighty cheesed off if nothing happens regarding signing Hummels. The Utd defence is dire. Certainly not convinced about a back 3 either.

That's funnier than us being linked with Falcao. Cheers

I'm just going off rumours, but I don't think anything is as funny as Falcao going to Liverpool



You might get Balotelli though

£75m for Di Maria? Go home, Real... you're drunk.

Nah, only £64 million



United really are finding out about the consequences of last season's 7th place finish, now having to pay ridiculous money for players who aren't really worth a half (or closer to a quarter in DiMaria's case) of their cost.

Unless United are getting a different DiMaria from the one I've seen playing for Real Madrid and Argentina, then I'd reckon this is up there with the Andy Carroll-to-Liverpool transfer, for being vastly overpriced... He isn't a bad player, and definitely has his 'wow' moments, but he often goes missing and frustrates a hell of a lot - A sort of poor man's Mesut Ozil....

If i was involved with the club, i'd be asking serious questions of that deal. I suppose you could argue that £60+ million to Man Utd is a drop in the ocean, but loss of CL revenue, both tickets and the money for just participating, you'd have to imagine a small tightening of the belt. If Di Maria is signed for £64m, he would surely go down as one of the most overpriced deals in history.

Good to see 'Arry's new stint in the Prem is going so well