Redcanuck

Actually I thought Bakayoko looked a bit clumsy, I know he is not match fit but, he sure crashed into a fair number of Spurs players. He gave up the foul that led to the own goal and just after that gave up a foul on the edge of the box that Spurs should have down better from. I would have to see him play a few times more before I pass judgement.

No but I might have to suppress a chuckle or two.

Has there been confirmation from the club yet or is it just media speculation based on one tweet from a journalist who is supposed to be close to the club?

I agree about the penalty or red card risk with Bailly. He is really inexperience and raw, he only played 30 odd games of first team football before he came to United. However, he has all the tools, he is big, strong and fast and his defending can be very good, when he gets it right. I think they can rid him of his rashness and make a good defender out of him. At least I hope so. To me CB is the hardest position to learn, it takes time to develop a really good one and they are becoming harder to find. United have improved a lot since Moyes and LVG, (because we were really bad then), but they have not improved as much as people are saying. We are not title contenders as of yet and the games against Barcelona and Real showed how far we are behind the top teams in the Champions League. But we are getting better, just a lot slower than most of us would like.

Some people wear red tinted sunglasses (and blue). I like the looks of Bailly, but he is young and makes rash decisions, but Bailly should benefit from playing a year in the Premier and we finally got rid of the African Cup of Nations in January, so his seasons won't be split up anymore. Lindelof seems to be having a little trouble adjusting to United and I think it will take awhile for him to find his feet in the Premier. However, Lindelof showed at Benfica and with Sweden that he has the talent and Mourinho will bring him along slowly like he did last year with Mkhitaryan. I think they can grow into a pretty good centre back pairing, but it will take a lot of games before they become familiar enough with each other before that happens. Good CB pairings don't happen over night, so I would hold off on saying they are one of the best until they play at least game together in the Premier.

It is just getting interesting, more than 3 week to go yet.

I know there is a month to go and expect to see a lot of moves, especially if Neymar and Mbabbe change teams. Could break the log jam and lead to a wild finish to the window. Regarding Matic, I realise he has lost pace and is one footed, but I suspect he will not be asked to do much running. I imagine his role will be well defined, sit just above the back four, protect them and break up the other team's attacks. Whether he can do that or not remains to be seen, hopefully he can do that and free Pogba to take up a more advanced role.

I didn't know Matic signed a 15 year contract. As for players leaving Chelsea, aren't you worried about the size of the squad ? Especially the first few games with Hazard and maybe Pedro out, with Bakayoko yet to play and Rudiger playing less than a half of football ?

So that is why he made an appearance in the Real/Barcelona game last night., show casing him. Was stunned to see him, thought he had retired.

You don't think Conte is just trying to save face or attempting damage control?

I think Aquero to Arsenal for Sanchez is more likely than City selling to Chelsea.

More likely Sky looking to intice people to bet. There are always smoke screens and Chelsea have to sign some striker if they let Costa go.

Seems highly unlikely that City would sell Aquero to a club that finished above them last season.

Is that an actually quote? Is Lukaku going to wear the number 9? Would mean we stil need somebody to wear the numberb10.

Lacazette has had a very good season and does seem to be getting better the last couple of years, but at 26 he should be approaching his peak. If this an addition it's a good move, Lacazette on the wing, if he can play the team will open up space in the middle for Giroud. However, if it is a replacement, maybe not. If Giroud leaves, is Lacazette coming in that much of an upgrade? Lacazette scores more goals in a weaker league, but Giroud adds more assists. Deschamps thinks Giroud is the better player, he plays him over Lacazette all the time for France. Plus if Lacazette is a replacement for Sanchez, there is no way this is an upgrade.

You don't think Jose has Woodward's cell phone number ? City looks like they are building a good team and should challenge for the title, though they have had a better team on paper than their results for a few years now. United has added a CB to a team that couldn't make the top four last year, let's see where things are a month from now. Bit early to see where any of the top teams will finish til the windows over.

I think he could be a replacement for Giroud, who could be off now Lacazette is about to sign. Lacazette does seem to be improving, last season was his best, 37 goals in all competitions. Funny about the price though, Lyon are claiming that they are receiving a few million less than Arsenal claim they are paying. Maybe Wenger trying to impress the fans claiming they are spending big?

Wenger has been after Lacazette for awhile. There was £29m bid rejected by Lyon last year I believe.

France-based football writer & broadcaster, Matt Spiro is saying 15%

It would be disappointing if those 4 are the only additions come the end of August. I have to think there will be a surprise addition or two to that list. As for Perisic, Mourinho likes him. He is a workhorse and a winger that actually keeps his width, every other winger has a tendency to cut in side too much. Plus he is a good crossed of the ball. Perisic maybe good for United, not every signing has to be a household name.