GARY NEVILLE FEELS Paul Pogba should be allowed to leave Manchester United if he has decided he wants to move on, but adds that they must acquire replacements first.
Pogba, who returned to United from Juventus three years ago, has sparked transfer speculation by saying he feels it is a “good time to have a new challenge somewhere else”.
Real Madrid, Barcelona and Juve have all been linked with the France midfielder, with United reportedly rejecting a swap deal involving Neymar proposed by Paris Saint-Germain.
They don’t have to keep any player,” Neville wrote in a Sky Sports column.
“Manchester United are a better team when Paul Pogba plays but if players don’t want to be at the club – that doesn’t mean Pogba, he may want to be at the club – you have to get everybody onside and aligned with where you’re going.
“Ultimately, that’s the first thing Ole [Gunnar Solskjaer] had to do – to work out who was going to be ready for the club moving forward. I’m still unsure on many players.
I see the speculation… and it looks like it could be moving all the time. You’ve got to get players in before you let them go because being armed with the money makes you vulnerable.
“For United, it’s all about timing and manipulating and manoeuvring to a point where they know they’re going to get players in before letting some go. Otherwise they’ll become very easy to target in terms of people bumping the money up, which I’m sure they are already.”
Daniel James is the only signing made by United since Solskjaer replaced Jose Mourinho, leading to criticism of executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward, who handles transfer business.
United were reportedly keen to bring in the club’s first sporting director but, although no appointment has been made, Neville defended the lack of new arrivals at Old Trafford.
“It’s difficult to do business, it’s not easy,” added Neville, who won eight Premier League titles with the Red Devils. ”Everyone knows Manchester United want players and price tags will go up. You’ve got to try and encourage players to come to the club.
“Players don’t just jump to sign for any club – they do their homework and get their agents to get to work. They probably have 50 meetings before they sign for a club nowadays. Manchester United will be in the pit with the rest of the sharks looking for the big signings.
“It’s difficult for all clubs they all want the same players. They all want Harry Maguire, every single club wants him. Everybody wants Christian Eriksen.
“Players that are being bandied about, there are four or five clubs in for them. They aren’t just going to sign for the first club, they’ll choose wisely and look at the different aspects.
“Manchester United have got a big job to do in order to get a squad right for a championship challenge. Hopefully that’ll start this summer but it’s not just bringing players in, it’s about getting some out.”
Updated at 22.00: This article has been amended to correctly attribute the quotes to Gary Neville.
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Hope they have wheelchair positions with good views. The Aviva stadium is excellent but Croke park is a disaster for wheelchair supporters as they are put behind the crowd who block the view when they stand up.
Any residents committees to consult with first?
Good on them. Wish them all the best.
Great news and a very constructive partnership with the RDS. Hopefully that relationship never breaks down though.
Probably good idea to put in good corporate boxes and hospitality stuff. As great as the GAA is international staff at Facebook, Google, etc are probably going to be more into the rugby than the GAA. RCC games have international prestige. Huge amounts of money to be made which can help close the gap between Ireland and the UK/France without screwing the average fan.
Remember the emirates stadium corporate bits earn more than the entire old Highbury stadium. As much as everyone hates the prawn cocktail brigade they pay the bills.
Fantastic news! This will help step up our bid for the RWC 2023! Would love the Sportsground in Galway to get a revamp. Connacht Rugby is growing! Also, with the GAA redeveloping Casement and Pairc UI Chaoimh, Has any attention been given to Pearse or McHale for further development?
I doubt the RDS would be used. Lansdowne and Croker will be used in Dublin. Can’t see them using three venues in the same city.
Will still be smaller than Thomand. I would have thought given the population of Leinster that they would have the largest stadium.
The IRFU doesn’t own the stadium, they have significant debts on the Aviva, the recession has crimped revenue, they can’t be sure they would fill an even bigger stadium. Building one new stand allows the stadium to stay in use through the building and bring in revenue. They can always expand the other stands later if needed.
The IRFU is a pretty sensible organisation.
Plus they own the Aviva Stadium. Pro 12 in the RDS and some RCC matches in the Aviva might be idea.
There’s no point in a bigger stadium. Larger than 25K and you’re talking Aviva anyway.
“We often have this philosophical discussion in the office after we go to the Aviva and say ‘Where are those people every other week?’ admits Dawson.
They’re Munster fans Mr. Dawson.
I didn’t see many munsterfans at the Leinster-Northampton game last year, or the Clermont-Leinster game the previous year. Maybe think about what you are saying before you make a studpid comment :)
“Ulster have too many people standing” I think the fans would disagree Mick. There’s a reason Ulster and Munster have so much terrace space. And I’ve heard plenty of Leinster fans complaining about how little terrace space there is in the RDS.
Would you fit a country singer in with a few gaa fans around mid July …. That might cover some of the cost
An awful lot of horseshit comes out of the rds, therefore make your own mind up about this story
Taxpayers money handed to the Banks to pay professional Rugby was taken from the poorest in society and now they want more revenue. I understand promoting the game and commerce but like Garyh Brooks these are luxury problems. The members of the RDS are selling their values to Rugby people who have no moral compass.
Not too sure what your on. Ever second week 25,000 attend the RDS in the Pro 12 season. Say 10% are visiters spending on average minimum €200 -€500 for the weekend in the local economy I thought that might just create a bit of employment for the lest well of if it’s even just to give them part time work. Maybe I’m wrong?
If there are 25,000 there every 2weekend why are they increasing it to 25,000?????
Taxpayers’ money?
I get what you’re saying Mark, but current capacity is 18,000. That’s why they’re increasing to 25,000.
We dont need another big stadium in Dublin correct me if I am wrong.
I wouldn’t say a 25,000 capacity stadium is big.
Thor, you’re wrong.
Really, 25000 a big stadium,hahaha, get real pal.
The Garth Brooks Arena maybe ?
L’Oreal ?
Flash, there must not be any paving or tarmacing to be done in Rathkeale today seeing that you are on the “slag off Leinster chip on your shoulder” bandwagon. ;)
Not just leinster rugby gary, trash gordon/elrat makes a two word comment on everything or anything to do with dublin. Feel sorry for the little boy, must be lonely on his farm.
Ah Gary the number 2 Gombeen Stalker – can’t be long now before your idiot pal James from Donabate will be along!
Wow Got a new Stalker in twerp another Lonster lady boy !! One at a time girls!!
You stay classy thrash, eh flash!
Another stadium in leinster being devleoped, pairc ui chaoimh in munster, casement park in ulster. Surely to god there is a bit of funding to upgrade hyde park in roscommon. Great location for a possibly great stadium, middle of the country and in the best county of ireland! Up the ros!
Mickey Stroker
What has the RDS being redeveloped got to do with funding for Hyde Park in Roscommon???
RDS doesn’t meet expanding. 18,000 is more than enough, and when it isn’t enough they move to the Aviva. I would rather have a usually full smaller stadium than an empty big one.
Although what they do need to do is upgrade some of the stands, enclose them so voices carry. The atmosphere is alright at the best of times and the stadium doesn’t help with that at all.
Also Leinster will need to start winning again in Europe if they have a hope of filling a 25,000 seater stadium because the RDS is barely full throughout the year.
Also getting rid of the standing sections is stupid. That’s where most of the real fans go and it offers a cheaper ticket.