Oh dear.
We had all hoped that Ed Woodward would have a big ace up his sleeve towards the end of this window.
With all the forwards moving on, and Manchester United looking really sluggish up top, surely he would do a deal for a world star before the end of the window?
But perhaps it would be more in keeping with his tenure if he did a last minute deal for Charlie Austin. Sky Sports reports that the odds of a move to Manchester United for Austin shortened dramatically last night.
UNITED’S NEW STRIKER?
Last night Charlie Austin was dramatically cut to 1/2 from 33/1 to join Manchester United but the QPR striker has this morning eased slightly to 4/6.
Austin was sensational for QPR last season
He has since moved back out to 3/1 joint favourites with Bournemouth to move to United. Bournemouth!
We don’t want to be too harsh on Austin. He clearly knows where the goal is having scored at a rate of 1 in 2 for a seriously struggling QPR last season.
But if Manchester United really are interested then it smacks of desperation and no clear strategy in the transfer market this summer.
Austin would score goals against average sides for Manchester United, but would he make a difference in The Champions League?
We think not. He isn’t blessed with the sort of pace or speed of movement to do any damage at the top level.
If Manchester United make a move for Austin then we surely have to ask serious questions about the judgement of Ed Woodward and Louis van Gaal.
Let’s see Austin in action.
Manchester United fans: with Pedro and De Bruyne going elsewhere, is this the sort of calibre of signing that United should be making?
Stretford Ender
Aug 31, 2015 at 11:07 am
Just the sort of desperate move that ‘makes sense’ considering how United have been chasing world class stars who have/had no interest in signing for United.
This is the David Moyes situation all over again. Can’t get who they want so take the ‘leftovers’ and hope they come good.
Woodward needs to be replaced with United bringing in a competent football man able to make transfers happen, something Woodward in his second season still apparently has difficulty doing quickly or at times, at all!
jmb53
Aug 31, 2015 at 2:22 pm
Charlie Austin knows how to score goals… and he is very good at it! To say he would not help United is ridiculous! Charlie Austin will score goals and lots of them wherever he plays. United spends millions and millions for players that cannot score yet they could have Charlie Austin for very little money and get a proven Premier league goal man. United can’t score goals and if you can’t score goals you cannot win… why wouldn’t you take a chance on Charlie Austin?
Stretford Ender
Aug 31, 2015 at 2:36 pm
‘jmb53’ – no argument from me but my point was about United chasing world class stars and achieving absolutely nothing but frustration when players who can answer the problems which United have, go begging and then get signed up by other teams.
The ‘desperate’ part refers to United trying to sign someone before the window closes when they have had nearly 3 months to do so, no reflection on Austin.
United always seem to have big ideas and big ambitions… but how many times do they come off?
jmb53
Aug 31, 2015 at 8:00 pm
Yes agree completely. United should have stayed with the young guns! However, they picked the wrong coach in van gaal. He can’t win with home grown players he doesn’t have the ability and obviously he has to spent hundreds of millions of dollars just to lose to Swansea!!! United board think they need a big name coach… Rather have a guy like Monk who doesn’t have to spend 300 million to develop a good team. van gaal spends 300 million and still doesn’t have a good team, he needs another 300 million. United mercenaires only pay because they get paid big money not because they love the club!