The Daily Express briefly reports today that Manchester United are in for Newcastle United pair Cheikh Tiote and Demba Ba.
While other media outlets are suggesting that the wanted Newcastle duo is actually Ba and Cabaye, the Express reckons that Fergie wants to get a midfield enforcer in the mould of Micheal Essien and the ill-fated Owen Hargreaves.
Many would argue that these sorts of players are becoming obsolete in the modern game, with fewer teams opting for a ball winner, but Tiote seems to be interesting a lot of top clubs after a period at Newcastle in which he has not only anchored the midfield imperiously but scored a bobby dazzler of a goal to boot.
Yohan Cabaye, one of the few French players to come out of EURO 2012 with reputation enhanced, would also fancy himself to make the grade at Old Trafford.
But, Chiekh’s mate Demba Ba, seems like a less likely option from our perspective. Whilst showing some explosive form in the early part of the season, the goals dried up for Ba in 2012 (partly due to a positional change to accommodate Papa Cisse) and he doesn’t necessarily fit well into the modern template for Manchester United attackers. Sir Alex seems to prefer lightning quick and technically brilliant forwards these days, as opposed to more traditional big target men. So, while there may be some truth in the Tiote and Cabaye rumours, we are more sheepish about Ba.
So, do you think that Sir Alex wants any of these guys? Responses on my desk by end of play today please.
As you were….
NameThatToon
Jul 5, 2012 at 12:12 pm
Check your facts mate, Tiote did not score any goals for us last season, bobby dazzlers or otherwise. His only goal for NUFC to date was his stonker against the Gooners.
Toonguy
Jul 5, 2012 at 12:19 pm
If, as believed according to the media, we’d have sold all our best players ie Krul, Collocini, Ba, Cisse, Cabaye, Tiote, Ben Arfa etc to all the clubs mentioned in this transfer window we’d be asking supporters to come and play for the team as we’d have no one left.
No one wants to leave the Toon as the stars have already said on more than one occasion.
Just give it a rest man.
Matt
Jul 5, 2012 at 12:26 pm
Tiote scored no “bobby dazzlers” last season. In fact the only one he has ever scored for NUFC was the equalizer in the 4-4 draw with arsenal in Jan 2011. Given a lack of other holding midfield options, 5 years remaining on his contract & apparent interest from Chelsea, United & Arsenal, Newcastle are under no pressure to sell & would expect £20-25M just for Tiote.
Cabaye is in love with Newcastle & is hoping to get his best mate Mathieu Debuchy to join Newcastle from Lille.
RobTooooon
Jul 5, 2012 at 1:40 pm
When will all these journalists and “insiders” stop whoring Newcastle players around. Today its Tiote and Cabaye to Man U, yesterday it was Cisse to Arsenal and last week it was Colo to Man City. All these players have factually stated they are happy at Newcastle and with The Board balancing the books and the scouting team at Newcastle continuing to find more diamonds, why does everyone assume they would just pick up sticks and leave cause a so called bigger club is mentioned. People should be giving Newcastle United the respect they deserve. Oh and by the way, Man U: £500million in debt. Newcastle: almost debt free. We don’t need your stinking money
warren
Jul 5, 2012 at 4:14 pm
In every rumour there is an element of truth. In the present transfer windows anything is possible. Lets just keep our ears to the ground and wait till the end of August. Man Utd 4ver
RobTooooon
Jul 5, 2012 at 8:37 pm
Not every rumour has truth in it. Some of it is just journalists making up stuff to sell newspapers. For every true transfer rumour there are ten false ones. NUFC for life!!!