United linked with Anelka

June 01, 2007

SEE YOU LATER: Nicolas Anelka takes on Tugay

MANCHESTER United have been linked with a swoop for Bolton striker Nicolas Anelka.

It was thought that after the capture of Owen Hargreaves, Nani and Anderson for a combined total of around £50million that the Reds summer spending had been completed.

However, Sir Alex Ferguson would still like to bring a striker in, and with the likes of Samuel Eto'o and Dimitar Berbatov now beyond budget, 28-year-old Anelka may become a target.

Anelka scored 13 goals for the Trotters last season and showed signs of the form that saw him move to Real Madrid for £23m back in 1999.

He has since had spells at Paris St Germain, Liverpool, City and Fenerbahce.

United chief executive David Gill has indicated the Red Devils triple transfer swoop of Nani, Anderson and Hargreaves could mark the end of their significant summer outlay - but did not rule out further additions to the squad

"We will see what happens over the next two or three months but by and large that will be the major element of our business," he told MUTV.

"If a player comes up that Sir Alex is convinced will make us better, I am sure we will find the funds but that is a major bit of business we have done this week."

Comparisons

In 19-year-old Anderson, who is part of Brazil's Copa America squad, and Nani, the 20-year-old who is already a Portugal international and earned favourable comparisons to Cristiano Ronaldo, whom United also signed from Sporting Lisbon, United are clearly looking to the future.

Hargreaves though is a signing for now, the Red Devils completing a deal Ferguson hoped he would force through before the start of last season.

The Calgary-born players left no-one in any doubt he wanted to make the move, only for Bayern to block the deal fearing supporter unrest after losing Michael Ballack to Chelsea.

Ferguson was hopeful of resurrecting the deal in January but those plans were scuppered when Hargreaves - who has family which hails from Bolton - broke his leg on club duty against Armenia Bielefeld in September.

However, there was little doubt the United boss was determined to push the transfer through once the season was over and Bayern's failure to qualify for next year's Champions League only made it more certain Hargreaves would end up at Old Trafford.

"It is no secret that we tried to get Owen last summer," reflected Gill.

"We tried again in January but to no avail. Thankfully, we have managed to secure him now and we are delighted with that.

"It is good business for us, good business for Bayern Munich and good business for Owen. He is a great signing."

Would you like to see Anelka at United? Have your say.

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Liam, Manchester (01/06/2007 at 09:35)

Not someone I'd want to see at OT. Undeniable talent but too tempremental and I'd rather go for someone a bit younger (although Berbatov isn't young either).

Duncan, London (01/06/2007 at 09:38)

Good news - Anelka would be great pace, skill, strength and finishing ability - just what we need. Would love to see him score a hat trick against the gooners in a United shirt.

Rob (01/06/2007 at 09:53)

Absolutely yes! Bring him in, pace, power and a great finisher. I don't think it would be too hard to persuade him to leave Bolton somehow!! Also, he'd only cost about £8m

Birdy, Ireland (01/06/2007 at 10:04)

Yes i think he'd ne a good signing. He's scored goals everywhere he's been. He's not called Le Sulk for nothing but as far as i'm aware he caused no trouble at Liverpool, City or Bolton. I think he forged his reputation yrs ago when he was younger and more immature. I'm not claiming he's suddenly a great fella just because we may be interested in him, but he's undeniably a very good player with an excellent goal scoring record. Pace, strenght and a clinical finisher. If availble for under £10m, which you would think he would be, then i say snap him up.

Loyal to the End, Nottingham, ex-Malaysia (01/06/2007 at 10:07)

I'd bring him in just to wind Arsene up..

Jonathan Chin, Truly Asia (01/06/2007 at 10:09)

nah nah nah.. i not gonna believe all this rumours... SAF will sign someone out from the blue.. May be we should predit in this way.. Next striker .. Del Pierro? Kuranyi? Peter Crouch?Samaras? ( no...!!! )

Hilton (01/06/2007 at 10:10)

Anelka was born for UNITED. I used to just watch and drool when he was still at Arsenal. His partnership with one Berkamp was terrific. Berkamp (spelling) once said Anelka is better than Henry (not in so many words). He is experienced he has played in Turkey, France, Spain and England.
That's experience alright. He has been unfairly labelled 'le sulk' by the tabloid press in England and it has stuck.
Ask other pros, they will tell you he is a nice enough person, especially when he is enjoying his football. Something tells me he has always wanted to play for United and he will bust his gut to play for us. And do well.
Smudge to Tottenham for 8 million and get Anelka.

RCH, Salford (01/06/2007 at 10:26)

Agree his rep as le sulk was forged along time ago and he's been saddled ever since. He's a fantastic talent and its obvious he'd be out the door along with a few others at Bolton, so I wouldn't be surprised if this isn't just paper talk. If we did go in for him that would be curtains for Saha for sure. I am glad it looks like Berbatov is staying where he is, it would be good for a few of those teams below the top four are able to keep what they have and build. This years title race was good but if this league turns into a two horse race every year its dull.

Justin The Great, manchester (01/06/2007 at 10:29)

birdy is correct, hes a great forward with alot of proven qualities. He would fit in to a team with two first team french players and he will settle quickly and easily after playing most of his career in the prem he wont need to "settle in" like most players from abroad. 100% yes please

Jaco, South Africa (01/06/2007 at 10:36)

We definitely still need an out and out striker / goalscorer. With our finances now being more limited, I would be delighted if we could get Anelka, or Benni McCarthy.

Saha must be shipped off - the only question is who would want to spend money on a "sick note" player.

As for Alan Smith - he is a good squad player and his performances next season will be back to what it was before his injury. He'll most likely never be a 20+ goals player, but he brings other qualities to the team.

Red Max (01/06/2007 at 10:45)

Great news. I was a bit worried about Huntelaar coming to OT in case we ended up with a standard target man, making our play slow and predictable. Anelka has pace, technique and an excellent strike rate on goal. And if anyone can deal with his attitude, then SAF can.

Red7, Manchester (01/06/2007 at 10:53)

Anyone any thoughts on Saviola at Barca who will become a free agent at the end of the Spanish season? Me personally am not a great fan of him but as a free agent if things dont work out we could always sell in a year or two??? Your thoughts???

Mick, Dublin (01/06/2007 at 10:56)

If we do sign Anelka I think it would be curtains for Smith, rather than Saha.

Fergie's already talked about the need for pace in our attacking players and that's one attribute that Smudger will never have.

I think Anelka would be a superb signing. The challenge of CL football and playing in a team that's fighting for the league, will bring out the best in him and he's one hell of a classy striker as it is.

Demo, Glossop (01/06/2007 at 10:59)

when i first heard bout anelka linked to united i said no as i thought his attitude may cause problems but people are right his le sulke name was years ago and he has matured.

he would be pretty cheap for a fast quality striker and he said when he joined bolton they were a stepping stone to a bigger club!

bobbydazzler (01/06/2007 at 11:01)

go get him, although it will mean the end for a couple of our current forwards.

meathman007, meath (01/06/2007 at 11:12)

I think he would be a fantastic signing, has everything we need and has a serious amount of experience in the premiership. Not bad for 8-9 million. Id agree with other people on here - id sell smith ahead of saha any day..... his goal in the last england game is bound to have increased his value by a million or 2! - it wouldnt do anelka any harm to have a french striking friend at the club either....

carlos (01/06/2007 at 11:19)

I may be wrong, but why have a brooding disruptive influence like Anelka when you can have a United "patriot"in Gusseppi Rossi & not pay a penny for him??

si, manchester (01/06/2007 at 11:23)

anelka would be a good signing if we bought him coz he as experiance and he knows the premiership well he also as pace a could come on the cheap

but if utd couldn't get him or if he didn't wanna come then i think utd should go for obafemi martins from newcaslte, he's young, got pace and as power in his shots which could cause a problem, but he wants to leave and as attracted interest from spain but if utd did go for him then it would be a young attacking team with pace and skill.

And utd could be unstopable

Essex Prawn, Billerciay (01/06/2007 at 11:32)

All very interesting but personaly I'd rather spend the money on Darren Bent. He proved at Charlton what a good target man he is and would make a good foil for Rooney. He scored a a good number of goals for CA and how many more would he get formn the chances created by Utd.

Jimmy the gent, south coast (01/06/2007 at 11:49)

Posted a few times about Anelka as a possible signing without much positive response...but the capture of Nani, Anderson and Hargreaves seems to have fired the collective imagination and perhaps he can now be seen as the icing on the cake.

I agree with the general consensus here.

For me he would be a great buy and has all the attributes/experience we need. His temprement won't be a problem I believe.

We are building a team built on pace, power and versitility to deliver free flowing football and a goal threat from all over the park..can't wait for next season.

Duncan, London (01/06/2007 at 11:50)

Agree with you Mick - a team with pace is what we need and if we are lucky enough to add Anelka to the squad then I would prefer Smudge be the one to go.

Reds4ever, Entrance N410 (01/06/2007 at 11:51)

A very classy act who has scored where ever he has played. He's got my vote.

red john (01/06/2007 at 12:03)

Quality player extremely dodgy attitude. A big risk as wenger couldnt mamage him and there isnt many you can say that about!! Would prefer bent too hope this doesnt mean the end of rossi!!

Shaz Leicester (01/06/2007 at 12:06)

Good point Mick, Anelka's pace, finishing and link-up play outside the box rivals Saha's. Out of our Strikers Smudge is the most limited. I'd sell him ahead of Saha but I doubt that SAF will off-load him. He's like a son to him.

Essex Prawn Darren Bent reminds me of Andy Cole - talented but not the finished product - I don't think Fergie or the fans will be prepared to wait 3 seasons again before he comes good (Andy Cole was awesome only post Cantona)
Si Oberfemi Martins is a good player but too similar to Rossi. No, Anelka would be a good buy as he represents a Saha-type player with a far superior fitness record.(still cannot believe that it's TWO MONTHS away from August and we are actually BUYING PLAYERS!!!

Sterling, Salford (01/06/2007 at 12:06)

Often thought Anelka would fit our style of play well but like others, have been worried about his attitude and journeyman approach to football. However, as many have pointed out, it seems Le Sulk tag has stuck with him from a younger age, perhaps unfairly, and coming to Utd could be great for both parties. Anyone remember another French striker who came to us some years ago from close by, who had a bit of attitude and a journeyman career up to then. Think he was called Eric! Not saying Anelka is another Cantona but what he does have is excellent attributes, fits our current style, scores goals and wouldn't need any time to settle. Consequently could be an ideal solution for the next 3 or so years. To the guy who mentioned Rossi - he must be given a chance in the squad as one of our 4 strikers next year but I see him as Ole's replacement and needing to gain Prem experience rather than hitting the road running. I think Mick has a point that any 'Anelkaesque' signing - i.e. striker with pace - could signal Smith's departure rather than Saha's given that we're going for raw pace. However, you never quite know with old Fergie!! Still it's been a great week and I'm still buzzing about the signings we HAVE made. Good weekend all.

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