DJS

Not initally but I can't see him sulking for months on end. Euros next summer too so he won't want to spend much of the season not playing or not being focused. Best scenario now is he sulks and doesn't get picked for 2-3 months, then buggers off to Madrid in January. Unlikely mind, given that he'll probably play for the Mancs in the CL at SOME point and will therefore be cuptied. You could be right but there's nearly a fortnight for the situation to calm and from De Gea's POV, knowing he's staying with them come what may now, for a few months at least, it's hard to see what's achieved by sulking and not playing games. Perhaps they won't sort things quick enough for him to play against us but it'd be typical if he did and had a fecking worldie again.

Much as the Mancs losing £20m odd on the De Gea fee is amusing, I'm fecked off that he's going to stay and contribute to their league campaign, much like last season, when he made the difference between them getting 4th and us. He'll probably play against us a week on Saturday, as well.

Echo saying Benteke should be ok for this.

West Brom reporter for Birmingham Mail now saying Enrique heading to Sunderland.

Apparently it was a fake picture. FFS, he's not gonna flush, is he?

and he's the sort you wouldn't put it past.

Bit weird that. Already been photographed at their training ground, in front of the crest with a Baggies scarf on.

Yes that's what I'm saying. Lovren was allegedly bought by Rodgers, whereas Sakho bought by committee. Hence Rodgers prefers the guy HE wanted.

That wasn't your argument though. Why have you back tracked on the 'concede 6 at Stoke' argument? He lost his place at PSG because they had 2 CBs who cost a gazillion quid between them and had to play. In any case, I'm really not arsed if whether you rate Sakho or think Lovren is better. Each to their own and the back and forth is tedious.

You think Navas is as good as De Gea? Password protected apparently. Couldn't make this up.

Yeah, think it'll happen. Good too. Losing De Gea weakens them significantly.

If the Mancs are backing up Madrid's claim that it was done on time, that reveals how desperate they are to sell now and get the cash. Which makes the redcafe notion of De Gea's move falling through being a 'victory' for United even more laughable.

Shock horror, Madrid now claiming that the paperwork was sorted 1 minute before the deadline and will manufacture have proof of this.

Basing a judgement on one game and an end of season, meaningless one at that. Ok.

I don't know anything about absence and hearts. All I know is that I've rated Sakho massively since before we even signed him and was made up (and also amazed) when we were able to get him. He's quality, if given the chance. Miles better than Lovren and comfortably better than Skrtel.

Doesn't look like he'll be playing in it. De Gea/Navas deal wasn't done in time to beat Spanish transfer deadline.

According to Balague, the registration documents for De Gea weren't submitted in time and have missed the Spanish deadline - so De Gea stays at Man Utd. This is what we should've done with Suarez.

Committee signing vs manager signing. Allegedly. It's something which, if continued, will undoubtedly end up costing the manager his job, IMO.

I knew who he was, knew his position, age, a basic idea of his main strengths & an understanding of his 'kid who could develop into a good player' status, but that was all basically from football computer games. I've probably seen him play twice or thrice at most. They tried for Bale apparently as part of the De Gea move (offered Madrid a tonne of cash plus De Gea) and Madrid told them to jog on. Elsewhere.... @TheOddsBible: Monaco have confirmed to Canal+ that the fee for Anthony Martial is €80mil. Absolutely ludicrous for an unproven 19-year-old! €80m is about £58m. PLTBT.

Lovren is just THAT bad that I couldn't imagine Ilori to be worse. Of course I can't prove that and maybe the wound of Saturday still hasn't healed but in that game itself, Lovren performed about as badly as I could imagine a PL defender to perform. Yes there's no solid evidence of Ilori being better but there wasn't of Gomez being better either, and for my money, he is. Clearly not up to it? Based on what? He may or may not be good enough to play for us in the PL but I'd rather put him in than Lovren. At least he's got raw pace which can aid recovery in the event of some errors. Lovren doesn't have that. Obviously Sakho should be first choice but I thought that before the season has started and before Lovren did what he did on Saturday. Respectfully but emphatically disagree.

Balderdash.

Aside from the teenager bit, it smacks of us and Carroll. Martial actually could develop into a great striker, but it's a hell of a long journey from here to there. That fee is obscene.

Be honest though, could he be conceivably worse?

That'd be pretty funny if it wasn't so painfully true.

Utter lunacy from Rodgers, if that happens.