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The Mirror published a story this morning about Manchester United being in advanced talks to sign Everton full-back Leighton Baines. The caveat here is that the Mirror, like all other tabloids, fabricates stories and misleads their readership on a daily basis – but let’s assume for the sake of argument that there’s some truth in this one.
A couple of other sources seem to have copied and pasted this rumour, and they all seem to agree on a fee between £12m and £15m for the England defender. That’s a lot of money.
That’s an even greater sum of money for a player who Manchester United don’t need.
Baines is a good player – he’s a decent defender, and his delivery from out wide is excellent. But is this really a signing that would close the gap between United and Manchester City? Does it get them anywhere nearer to recapturing the title? No – and that’s what everything they do has to be aimed towards.
Patrice Evra turned 31 earlier this month, and while his best years are probably behind him, replacing the Frenchman is not a priority for United. The problems with this side exist in attacking midfield and at right-back, and Baines isn’t going to be solving either of those problems.
A really strange one.
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Bear in mind that the same newspaper reported Baines was going to Utd for £5million just six weeks ago – now they more than double it – and have subsequently claimed Moyes would replace him with K Richardson.
I would take this rumour with a slight pinch of salt.
But …speculatively … Baines does offer more than you summarise. How many free kicks do Utd get over a season? And who is better than L Baines in the current Prem from such situations? The answers to those questions certainly put Baines in the £15 m bracket, and only for a club the stature of Man U.
Prior to Jelavic signing, Baines was our most potent threat, especially when Pienaar is at the club. We had the joint 3rd best defence in the league this season, which he played the vast majority of games. He is also regularly top of the assists chart for defenders in the league. He is at prime age, is an England international and provides goals from free kicks and penalties as well as about 10 assists per season. In my (slightly biased opinion) he is not quite at Ashley Cole’s level in defence, but is far superior going forward. No other full back in the league comes close really. Your standards must be incredibly high if you only think he is ‘decent’. Bayern tried to sign him last season and could then have had Lahm back on the right, with Baines on the left. Would have been a dream full back combo.
Personally, you shouldn’t struggle to understand this. Evra for the last 2 seasons (especially last) has been a defensive liability. He has been at times solely at fault for mistakes costing us 3 points.
Yes he is still very good attacking/going forward but have you seen the constant ability to ‘switch off’ and the space he gives?
Baines is solid, established. He’s a top defender with the added benefit of being a dead ball specialist.
Right back in all honesty is not a huge problem. I feel Rafael or Smalling have opportunities to establish themselves there.
No Evra is a weak link in the side who is almost never in position and almost never puts a decent cross into the box. Baines is defensively sound and has a good delivery the exact opposite of Evra. Out of interest how much united have you watched this season?
How are you privy to Utd’s resources. Utd have one left back in their squad and you think buying a RB is a more important priority? Or do you think they should get a cheaper alternative to Baines? Evra wont get any better, and will retire in a few years, having a replacement now would be a long term move if it were to go through. One of Evras main problems is that he plays almost 50 games a season, and it maybe showing its affects. A LB is absolutely necessary IMO. Lets see if Fergie feels the same.
Besides Rafael is one of the best RBs in the country, and Jones and Smalling have done a more than decent job there. With Rio, VIdic, Evans, Smalling and Jones; it seems like a good move to use Smalling and Jones as replacements to Rafael considering they would probably not get any game time if our experienced CBs are fit. Jones wouldve hardly played this season if we had a better RB behind Rafael. And they need game time. So forget RB, we have three players who can play there. And one who can play LB, but you think its a better idea buying a RB. youre tripping.
This is more to do with whether that £12m – £15m is a misallocation of resources considering the other deficiencies that exist in Manchester United’s side. The difference between Evra and Baines is marginal, in whichever direction you choose to argue, so replacing one with the other at great expense is a fairly pointless exercise.
Where I cant really comment on Man Utd’s priorities, I would like to correct a couple of your comments which came across either a little ignorant, arrogant, or maybe a mixture of the two.
Firstly that £12 million is a lot of money, ok yes in general terms it is, but in football it isn’t. If man u were to get a 27 year old, established, ENGLISH, left footed naturally attacking left full back for any less than £18 million, then the seller needs shooting. In a time where the likes of Carroll, Downing and Henderson go for £20mil, you have to start there as a minimum for Baines I’m afraid. Not to mention that he has been in the top two left sided players for the past two seasons, second to Nanimlast year and a clear front runner this year ‘decent defender’ comment up. If you think he’s just decent, then I’d hate to hear what ou think of Evra, where I won’t deny Evra’s quality, Baines has shown over the past two seasons that he has now eclipsed Evra I’m afraid, which if you cannot see, you have your red tinted glasses on.
So in summary, I can see exactly why Fergie would want Baines, he just hasn’t a hope in hell whilst the apparent bid is at £12mil. That’s where man city started with lescott and he went for £24mil. Moyer won’t sell unless he has to.