Reds track Ukrainian

January 18, 2007

UNITED could be heading back to Russia for another surprise transfer swoop.

On Christmas Day 2005 Fergie secured the signature of Spartak Moscow defender Nemanja Vidic for é7m. He was unknown to most Reds fans at the time but has since become an Old Trafford hero.

Now the Reds are tracking his former Spartak team-mate Maksym Kalynychenko, an attacking midfielder, rated at é6m, who has also caught the eye of Wigan.

The 27-year-old Ukrainian would be ineligible in Europe in the second half of the campaign. But the Reds are believed to have been keeping close tabs on him.

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Keane was right Sell Ronny, Birmingham (18/01/2007 at 12:27)

NO WAY - we couldnt fit his name on the shirts. Anyone heard of this one...or another spurious rumour churned out by the premium club-gossip phone companies?

Mr Blonde, Movie history (18/01/2007 at 12:32)

And the award for the most baseless rumour since the Mavuba one goes to... Never seen this guy play. Anyone with any background(as pointless as that question probably is)?

roger, norway (18/01/2007 at 12:54)

This is a good player who can both play as an attacking cm and - even more important - on the left wing. Was very good for Ukraine during the WC last summer, where he was used as a left sided midfielder. When people spoke about Ribery, I thought of this player as an alternative. Speedy, tricky with good passing and a good shot.
Not much worse to spell than Kanchelskis or Kuszczak, by the way.

Man Utd Fan, Manchester (18/01/2007 at 12:59)

Does anyone here think Gabby is holding out for a bossman. Insistant on not being sold and wanting to wait till june which is when his contract runs out?

Hmmmmm

Andy, Norway (18/01/2007 at 13:01)

This guy was actually linked to us/reported as a scouting target during the WC I seem to recall. He looked decent from what I saw of him, but whether he's United class? Who knows? Hopefully SAF and the scouting staff...

On another note: The Heinze saga. Why on earth would we sell him for Â£ 5 m and keep Silvestre and/or Smith? If Spurs or PSG want Heinze, offer them Silvestre. Heinze can play both positions MS can play, and is far more secure.

So to paraphrase 70's rockers Nazaret:
Turn on your receiver
There's a message coming through
Keep your hands off our Argie!

Christer, Norway (18/01/2007 at 13:09)

Now listen up! Its not the first time this rumour has been published. The same rumour came up during the World Cup. Kalinichenko is a fine midfielder, with a keen eye for goal. He scored a few during the World Cup, and was the best player for Spartak during their spell in Champions League. Crisp passing, good shot and trademark late runs into the box (ala Scholes) make him difficult to pick up and a dangerous man in counter-attacking moves. (United's speciality) And then add the extra bonus of him being a freekick specialist (scores plenty of goals on freekicks), I'd say we should be pleased to get him. He's like a taller, more powerful Jimmy Bullard... hehe. Same hair as well. Search for "Kalinichenko" on www.youtube.com, and you'll se he'd prove to be a nice addition to our midfield. And just to make a point; I wouldn't sell Ronaldo if I was offered Buffon, Trezeguet and half of Juve's youth team. He's the cornerstone of our attacking play along with Rooney, and to sell him now, when he's starting to really make his mark in England, is lunacy.

George, RHYL (18/01/2007 at 13:09)

28 years old left sided midfield playmaker.MOTM a few times for Ukraine.Could be something in it.

macca, cornwall (18/01/2007 at 13:11)

we were linked with this guy during the world cup i think? but he didnt impress me much during the tournament and i was glad we didnt get him in the summer.

DC, Amsterdam (18/01/2007 at 13:19)

I have some background. He's Russian, plays for Spartak Moscow, 27 years old, attacking midfielder, wigan have also been tracking him, and he's rated at Â£6m. I know, lets make a story that united are interested!!!

Mick, Dublin (18/01/2007 at 13:22)

So that's a rumour from straight out of left-field! Good stuff. And, like the article says, who'd heard of Vidic this time last year? I actually remember being impressed by this guy at the World Cup, blonde fella with an eye for goal. He certainly stood out in a fairly poor Ukranian side.

BALDERS, BACK ROW, TIER 2, STRETFORD (18/01/2007 at 13:32)

Rubbish ? but it might have some of the lads who sit around me panicking for a song to sing, ...never mind buying his shirt !!

stu, london (18/01/2007 at 13:52)

Hmmmm these kind of leftfield rumours usually have some basis in fact. But how good can he be to have reached 27 without ever attracting the attention of a top club? Could be wrong, but it doesn't inspire me with confidence. That said, if he's solid and only costs a few million, he could be a good player while we wait for OH's price tag to plummet come the summer, when it will be apparent to Bayern that they have to sell him to us as nobody else is interested and he wants to go. ANYONE is better than O'Fat in the middle!

Loyal to the End (30 years, City Fans, 30 years..), Malaysia (18/01/2007 at 14:04)

"Keane was right", if we can fit Djemba-Djemba on to a shirt, we can fit anyone's name, although I seem to remember it being shortened to Djemba.. Oh well..

Mick, Dublin (18/01/2007 at 14:27)

Kudos to MEN for the scoop (if that's what it is!), by the way, not a sniff of this story on any of the news wires.

Lee, Heywood (18/01/2007 at 14:40)

Also intresting WIGAN !! Ha ha wheres the two world class players we were promised?

REd, Ita (18/01/2007 at 14:48)

Please, no buy calinichenkyo or similar player, they aren't world class player. i prefer to see the glazer keep their money rather waste it on this "player"

Dunca, London (18/01/2007 at 15:02)

Yeah Man Utd fan - it is beginning to look that way. I was quite shocked to hear his contract only ran until this Summer.

mark, rochdale (18/01/2007 at 15:03)

Why didnt utd bang an offer in for david dunn while bolton and b.burn were bidding for him????
he went cheap enough and for that price would have gapped the midfeild for us,we have spent money more than dunn and at least dunns proven.any 1.
As for russian midfeilder no idea.

Ger, Cheltenham (18/01/2007 at 15:15)

I remember him fro the world cup too Mick - thought he was their best player but you can probably remember Inter Milan wanted Gary Breen after World Cup 2002. Dunno - could be a gamble but I like a gamble every now and then. As regards David Dunn, he'd probably just be stuck on the physio's bench collected dust and money

Mr Blonde, Movie history (18/01/2007 at 15:48)

If United are at the level of David Dunn then they may as well stick in a bid for Barton and activiate that release clause. However, the only English player even close to replacing Keano is Hargreaves and if he is not willing to come then we should look at the other foreign midfielders who would improve or cm. Come on lads David Dunn and Joe Barton. Signings worthy of the dippers this summer.

Frank, Old Trafford (18/01/2007 at 16:14)

Roger, Andy and Christer have given us a good rundown on this guy. Do you get Russian football in Norway? I'd be very happy if we got him, much happier than if we got Bale. Can play CM or wing is a good crosser and has a mean long distance shot. Could also relieve Ron from free-kicks. The best option I've heard so far this window.

Steve, Brussels (18/01/2007 at 16:37)

Heinze will consider a Bosman and see ho he does to usurp Evra until then. United signed him on a 3 yr deal? Unusual as we usually give 4 years for a 26 yr old. If so then I imagine that with his injury United wanted to see some recovery before offering a new deal knowing they had Evra there. Q is when Heinze insisted on going to the WC for Argentina did Fergie get miffed?

Kevin, Bedford (18/01/2007 at 16:56)

"Van Nistelrooy" fitted on the shirt and that was an extra letter... Dunno if he will improve the team then why not. We have done quite well from european signings... Ole, Johnsen, Kanchelskis, Vidic and Schmikes...

Graham Ford, MADOC ONT. CANADA (18/01/2007 at 17:37)

Why not give Heinze a go at CM? He could do no worse than Fletcher or O'Shea

Rick, Canterbury (18/01/2007 at 17:38)

What's the story with Heinze getting a bosman in the summer? This seems to have surfaced in the last few days, including a supposed quote by Gabby in the Star. But the only info I can find online says he signed a 5-year contract in 2004. What gives?

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