Manchester United

[Bender]

Real Madrid president Florentino Perez has described Manchester United's handling of the proposed David de Gea transfer as a "disgrace". Perez felt the main reason the deal to take the goalkeeper to the Bernabeu collapsed was because of a lack of experience on the part of United chief executive Ed Woodward, something he says has been an issue on previous transfers too.

"I think they didn't have bad intentions. I think they just lacked experience. It already happened to us (two seasons ago) with Fabio Coentrao and also happened to Athletic Bilbao with Ander Herrera (the summer before the Spanish midfielder made the move when David Moyes was in charge).

Perez was also strongly critical of the delays in United submitting the relevant documentation over the transfer and said: "It was a disgrace. I do not want to blame anyone, but we do not understand why they took eight hours to check the contracts or that they didn't open negotiations until 12 hours before the deadline."

[BigChief]

Why didn't Real just buy De Gea the day before? ONE WHOLE DAY. No point crying now.

[Vermilion]

Why didn't Real just buy De Gea the day before? ONE WHOLE DAY. No point crying now.

Didn't they say UTD would not open negotiations till 12 hours before the window closed.

To me, it has the ring of utd playing silly buggers, not intending to scupper the deal, but making Madrid wait till they were good and ready, till the last moment.

Madrid maybe took exception to this and played an even sillier game, or utd just cut it too fine.

[Roboklopp]

Edward Woodward - The Trebleizer.

Very good- like Jim White wetting his totaliser pants.

[Bender]

According to the club’s president Florentino Perez, Manchester United wanted three other Real Madrid players as well as Sergio Ramos.

Speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena Ser, Perez said:

We know that United showed interest in Bale, Benzema and Varane.

Perez also spoke about Sergio Ramos’ potential move to Manchester United, who he believes would never have left the club.

I never saw Ramos leaving this club. He was never close to doing so. Manchester United meddled in the situation. Those who want to do harm to Real Madrid meddle but nothing really happened, nothing more than happens every summer.
Florentino Perez

[Roboklopp]

Loving this bitterness between the clubs. Will **** the scummers off even more given Rafa is there, remaining dignified and quiet of course.

[marcus50bucks]

Matteo Darmian: "Manchester United is a beginning and not the apex of my career".

Ouch

[Roboklopp]

Hahaha.

[BigChief]

Great. Are Real, Barca of Bayern needing a class RB soon?

[redmike65]

Utd must be thrilled that two of their ahem star transfers will probably have next summer off.

[Bender]

Manchester United's senior players are unhappy with the tough regime at the club under manager Louis van Gaal. (Times, subscription required)

[Norbs]

Happens everywhere doesn't it? The old guard find it hard to take orders from the new manager

[EwarWoo]

They had issues taking orders from Moyes too. I think they're just cunts.

[BigChief]

Perfect timing. Hope there's truth in the media reports and they don't galvanise the team.

[Chazza]

Manchester United players 'confront Louis van Gaal' about his rigid training regime
A delegation of senior players reportedly complain to Dutch manager about his methods

A delegation of senior Manchester United players has confronted Louis van Gaal over his training methods, according to a report in The Times.

After only scoring three goals in their first four league games United players have apparently grown increasingly concerned at the side's inflexible style of play.

And following discussions inside the dressing room, a delegation approached Van Gaal to raise concerns about his rigid approach.

The players reportedly feel that training has become so regimented that it is actually hampering performances.

A separate report by the Daily Mail claimed that the players were led by Michael Carrick and Wayne Rooney, with one of the complaints being that the squad felt they were being turned into "robots" and that they were wearing "straitjackets".

The confontation, which took place several weeks ago, did not prompt any immediate changes in United's approach, but it is hoped the £36m signing of Anthony Martial from Monaco will give the team more of a cutting edge.

Much of the players' frustration though centres on the considerable amount of money United have spent on signings, with so far only limited results.

After a £150million splurge in the summer of 2014, a stuttering United only finished fourth in the Premier League last season in a campaign littered with stodgy performances.

They've scarcely looked much more coherent this time around - despite spending £104.5m in pre-season on the likes of Memphis Depay and Bastian Schweinsteiger.

Van Gaal of course will argue that four league games into the season is hardly the time to be judging his team, but the mixed start undoubtedly adds to the pressure of Saturday's home match against Liverpool.

Brendan Rodgers' team arrive at Old Trafford joint with United on seven points, and with similar problems going forward.

Van Gaal is expected to give Martial his debut, possibly from the start.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/football/teams/manchester-united/11855269/Manchester-United-players-confront-Louis-van-Gaal-about-his-rigid-training-regime.html