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Bruce: "Squad Depth Is Needed"
With the new season coming over the horizon, kicking off in just five weeks, Steve Bruce, the current Hull City manager and former Manchester United player has commented on the squad David Moyes has built, and with the transfer window opening tomorrow, suggested what should be done in the transfer market, in terms of both buying and selling players.
Bruce took over Hull City in June 2012, after leaving his position as Sunderland manager in Sunderland 2011. Hull City sacked Nick Barmby in May 2012 after just 33 games, winning less than 40% of them, giving Bruce the opportunity to shine. In the transfer market Steve Bruce has become known for spending as little as possible, using any loan opportunities or free transfers that arrive. During the 2012/2013 season, Bruce spent just £600k, while bringing in three players. Now although the 2013/2014 transfer window is yet to open, Hull City have already agreed deals with 2 players, both on a free deal.
Steve Bruce said that many managers could see the squad depth was an issue towards the end of the season, particularly due to the number of injuries suffered by first team players at the same time. As a result of these injuries, David Moyes had to play some players not ready for first team football, but needed in the case of an emergency. Some younger players stepped up and performed, mainly new signings Julian Brandt, Hachim Mastour, and Manchester United wonder-kid Maets Daheli. However, Ashley Fletcher, a striker currently in the Under 18 squad was called up with no experience, having to play top premier league sides, which affected his confidence due to not scoring through regular, but short, appearances.
It is expected David Moyes won't spend too much on big players, although he has been given the funding, but instead backup the players in their already successful Starting XI. Nevertheless, the club would be able to bring in players for back up good enough to battle with other team members for the first team spot, which could help players a lot boost confidence, but also try harder to get the vital spot in the starting XI. Moyes is also expected to release a large number of youth players, meaning money may be spent on improving the class of players in an already solid youth system.
Bruce told BBC News, "David is an excellent manager, at an excellent club. However, at the end of the season, and I think David himself realised, that the squad didn't have enough first team players to cope with the amount of injuries. If it was to happen again this year with the current squad earlier on in the season, I don't think they could achieve the same remarkable feats. David will need to backup his squad in the upcoming window, but I believe he will bring in the perfect players to do so, and United fans should put all their faith in both Moyes and any players he brings in to the squad. I am an admirer of David Moyes and his squad, of course."
The transfer window opens tomorrow, and Manchester United are expected to bring in a large number of players.
Oh Bruce...Moyes knows what's he's doing dont worry
Loanees Return To Old Trafford
Manchester United have recieved a big boost with numerous players returning from their loan spell. Although many youth players returned, as they do every year, a number of first team and reserves players have returned, who could feature a lot this season for Manchester United.
Wilfried Zaha is possibly the biggest star to return from his loan spell. Following his sale from Crystal Palace to Manchester United in January 2013. However, Manchester United agreed to loan him back to Palace for the rest of the season to help them compete for a place in the Premier League this coming season. Wilfried became a Crystal Palace regular throughout the season, featuring in 43 games, 33 being in the league, while also scoring 11 goals and assisting a further 12. Zaha also showed his danger from the penalty spot, scoring 2 out of 2.
Meanwhile, left back Fabio Da Silva also returned from a loan spell, from recently relegated side Queens Park Rangers. Fabio earned a solid spot in the starting XI, and played 37 games for the London side, including twice against Manchester United. While putting in some fine defensive performances, Fabio also managed to score twice, and assist twice, all in the league. Fabio also won the Fans Player of the Year Award during the QPR Awards Evening.
Angelo Henriquez returned from his loan spell, from Premier League survivors Wigan Athletic. However, Henriquez was less of a regular for Wigan, only managing 8 performances throughout the season, scoring 2 goals. Angelo had to battle with the likes of Arouna Kone, Franco di Santo and Mauro Bosselli. David Moyes has said he felt Nigel Adkins treated him unfairly, not considering Henriquez when he took over from Roberto Martinez as boss.
Furthermore, Federico Macheda returned from Germany after a loan spell at Stuttgart. Macheda had a very successful season, and managed to score 25 goals in 41 appearances, an excellent record in a league as strong as the Bundesliga. As a result of his performances, Kiko clinched the Managers Player of the Year, Fans Player of the Year and Golden Boot awards.
Many youth stars also returned from loans, including Scott Wootton, Davide Petrucci, Julian Brandt and Sam Johnstone.
Lots of players coming back but I can't see Macheda staying :p would love to see Zaha in the 1st team squad next season though as well as Fabio and Henriquez because he is class
Your loanees seem to have starred at their clubs, well, except Henriquez unfortunately. Macheda seems to have done a great job at Stuttgart!
9th Codebreaker: Leave Bruce alone!
k1rups: They should all get a chance, but Zaha probably the most. Although due to the lack of wingers or wide midfielders I will try him out as a striker, his second position.
Glenn T: It was a shame about Henriquez, but I feel he can still blossom soon.
k1rups: They should all get a chance, but Zaha probably the most. Although due to the lack of wingers or wide midfielders I will try him out as a striker, his second position.
Glenn T: It was a shame about Henriquez, but I feel he can still blossom soon.
Nineteen Players Released
Manchester United announced today that they will be releasing 19 players following the end of their contract with the club. David Moyes decided to look at every contract individually and choose whether to offer the player or staff member a new contract or simply release them.
All of the players released either played in the reserves or under-18 side, with Giggs and Scholes the only possible candidates, with one year remaining on their contract, but with the option to retire this year. Both players decided to play out at least one more year with Manchester United. However, the club regret to say the following players have been released: John Cofie, Luke Giverin, Reece James, Ryan Tunnicliffe, Michael Keane, Scott Wootton and Tom Thorpe. The club wished the players the very best in the near future with their careers.
Four of the players have already agreed a deal with new clubs, and surely it was just be a matter of time for the remianing three to find new clubs. Ryan Tunnicliffe had in fact agreed a deal with a new club in January, with discussions with David Moyes allowing him to run out his contract and find a new club immediately. Ryan Tunnicliffe has now joined Aberdeen. Michael Keane has also joined Tunnicliffe in Scotland. Moyes stated his regret at having to let Michael Keane go, as he did have potential, but the wages he wanted were in excess of what we were happy to pay. Keane has now moved on to play for Scottish champions Celtic.
Meanwhile, Scott Wootton, now 21, has left to join Sheffield United in League One, after a successful loan spell with Peterborough United in the nPower Championship. Wootton had been on loan to different clubs since 2010, and felt it was best to move on for good. And finally, Tom Thorpe agreed a contract with League One side Gillingham. Thorpe had a successful loan spell last season in League One with Preston, and expressed his enjoyment in the league.
12 players were released on youth contracts: Kenji Gorre, Ben Pearson, Jonny Sutherland, Jack Rudge, Joe Rothwell, Declan Dalley, Louis Rowley, Donald Love, Matthew Wilkinson, Liam Grimshaw, Josh Harrop and 2012/2013 Under 18 Player of the Year Patrick McNair. David Moyes felt they had no future at the club, and felt it would be better to release them now to give them the chance of success at another club.
Big call on Wootton & Tunnicliffe. I thought they were talents :s
King Padster: It was tough deciding. Scott Wootton just didn't have it for me, only 1 1/2 PA. Also, Tunnicliffe I had no control over. I didn't of offering a contract earlier, and with 6 months to go he didn't want one, and decided to go to Aberdeen without me being able to do anything. It's a shame, but I think he can be replaced.
Okikos: I thought of you when choosing to get rid of him.. which gave me extra joy!
Okikos: I thought of you when choosing to get rid of him.. which gave me extra joy!
Balleste and Platt Arrive
David Moyes was happy to welcome new signings Pol Balleste and Darren Platt to the club. Both players had agreed a deal and contract to join Manchester United, but the signings had to wait and both players were announced after the ending of the transfer windows. Pol Balleste had been announced in October as a new signing due to arrive, missing the shutting of the Summer transfer window, while the signing of Darren Platt was announced in April.
Balleste started his career at Barcelona, but after not playing a single game for the first side in two years, he left for Malaga on a free. After a season at Malaga, he performed well for the U17 side, but again didn't play for the reserve side. Pol is now currently on loan to Salamanca, where he has played 4 games. Moyes will hope to take advantage of this, to get Balleste a bit more experience for coming to England.
Manchester United and Malaga agreed a fee of just £350k for the goalkeeper, who has been named as the next Iker Casillas. The Spaniard has already become known in Spain for his handling and refelexes, which he will hope to develop further at Old Trafford, hopefully using the help of fellow Spanish goalkeeper David De Gea.
Meanwhile, Darrem Platt signed for just £80k from Crewe Alexandra, the same team that produced Manchester United youngster Nick Powell. Platt may have only played twice for the side, both in non-competitive games, but the two goals scored, and the man of the match award coming with them, had been enough to impress David Moyes and the Manchester United staff to bring him to the club.
Darren has become known for his exceptional dribbling, bravery and pace, even at such a young age. Platt has been signed with a youth contract, due to being just 15 years old, but it is expected he will be given a professional contract as soon as he turns 17.
Platt has been linked as the next Michael Owen, although his pace suggests Platt could be a whole new type of player to grace the field, possibly being a future England star, compared to having the same ability as Wayne Rooney and David Beckham at the same age.
Pol Balleste has been selected to play for Manchester United reserves, but may feature occasionally for the senior side, while Darren Platt will play for Manchester United Under 18s.
Sounds like two great signings! I can't wait to see if Pol can fight his way into the United first team.
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