[Banana-rama]

Sir Alex has said that he only expects to make one signing which will surely be a powerful striker, these are the two that are clearly at the top of our list. Huntelaar confirmed yesterday that we are very interested in his services, and we have been interested in Berbatov for a long time.

In terms of pure ability Berbatov is a better player than Huntelaar, he reminds me of Cantona in many ways. He would fit into our style of our play very well as he likes to come deep to get the ball and is very creative, but can also lead the line very well. He is already settled in the EPL so that would not be a problem, and he clearly wants the move.

Huntelaar is an out an out goalscorer in the Ruud Van Nistelrooy mould. Our style of play would change slightly with him as he would be the main player that we would look to supply to, Ronaldo would not score as many goals with Huntelaar in the team. However Huntelaar is a prolific finisher and would also be an excellent player for us. He has said in recent days that he would love to join us and emulate Van Nistelrooy, so it is a bonus when a player wants to come so much.

The amount of money we are willing to spend will largely decide which one of these two we purchase. We would be able to secure Huntelaar for around 18M, which is around the same amount we paid for Van Nistelrooy. Tottenham want more than 30M for Berbatov which will obviously be too much for us. We made an offer of 24M last season, so I expect a compromise would be made at around 27M. When you consider that Barcelona are prepared to spend 30M on Adebayor, I think it is not too bad.

In my opinion Berbatov is the one we should go for, he is a player capable of creating and scoring a goal on his own, whereas Huntelaar requires alot more from his team mates to create chances for him. Of course it is alot of money, but Berbatov does not rely on his pace, it is all about his touch and vision. So there is no reason why he could not go on playing for us till he is 34 or 35, Bergkamp played for Arsenal until he was 37.

Well that is my opinion anyway, what does everyone else think?

[Jazz 16]

great post.
Id go for Berbatov each time cos he is a class act and Ive been banging on about
him for so long. He really would bring Cantona's style back to the party.
Huntelaar would be my second choice in general...not just on this thread.
Id be delighted with either of them to be honest. They would be my top 2 more or
less. if we could get one of them wwould be laughing all the way to more trophies.

I have a feeling their ages could be decisive. Huntelaar is only 24 and Berba is
what...27/28? that could have some bearing in Fergie's mind.
preferably Berbatov but either would be great.

Ill add a poll to this Rama.

[eoininho]

Originally Posted by Jazz 16

I have a feeling their ages could be decisive. Huntelaar is only 24 and Berba is
what...27/28? that could have some bearing in Fergie's mind.
preferably Berbatov but either would be great.

Age will definitely come into it, also who's gonna be more enthusiastic about sitting on the bench and waiting for a chance to shine!

Spurs will be looking for 25m + for Berbatov, 28 year old who was signed 2/3 years ago for just 9.5.. however he has proven he can cut it in the Premiership..

Huntellaar will want it more, he's come out and said it, I like his all round play, work ethic, he pretty much IS the player we want, at 24 he has the chance to emulate what Ruud did for us.. what do you think of this formation for some games? 4-2-3-1... lot of goals in that, finally a target man!

VDS

Brown/Neville... Rio... Vidic... Evra

Hargreaves... Scholes

Ronaldo... Rooney... Tevez

Huntellaar

[Wazza1989]

THE HUNTER all the way for me.....even though Berbatov prooved he's good in the premiership....i want the hunter more...look at how many goals he scored....even though it was is holland the place where he did....that huge number can't be avoid....the new Marco Van Basten...the clone of the dutch legend should and must come to United

[nigelchin]

huntelaar! LOL. cause he's younger. and he doesnt SULK. we dont need another ronaldo in our player. only thinking of himself and not the team.

[ManU-Star]

i d love to see huntelaar at old trafford cos he already showed his class during his few years at amsterdam where he always scored more than 30 goals a year.

[Keano!]

Huntelaar for me, but only becaus eof his phyisque and age.

With regards to ability, Berbatov scrapes it, but age influences it for me, and
Huntelaar has already stated his desire to play for United too.


Huntelaar......just!

[TheManc]

definately Berbatov. after Ibrahamovic he is the closest thing to a cantona out there. Also, despite the fact that he is in his late 20's he could go on at the top level until he is in his mid thirties as he doesn't rely on pace and instead his game is based on his mental imagination.

I don't want either if I'm being honest but then there aren't many stikers available for us right now so I'd choose Berbatov over Huntellear.

edit: Althogh its unlikely we should remember that just because you score goals for fun in Holland that doesn't mean he will do it here. Remember kezmen?
The dutch league is at an all time low right now in terms of quality aswell.

[Drew9]

Huntelaar purely because of his attitude for the club, he's already said he loves United and thats good enough for me. the fact he scores goals for fun is a bonus

[RedForceRising]

Good thread and good posts all around.

Rama - you're such a shoutbox slut yet have less than 100 posts. WTF?!?!

Tp be honest, if we had acted faster we would not be having this convo.

Rumour has it that we were on the verge of signing Berbatov, but David Gill wanted to wrap up the RVN sale to Madrid before focusing on Berba.

Tottenham swooped and the player felt Spurs wanted him more than Manchester and chose Tottenham.

Is it me, or do we seem to not quite get it right in the transfer market on a regular basis?

Anyway......

Berba is a great, great stiker. He gave our defenders a really rough time last season in both league games (scored against us away, hit the cross bar and forced a goal line clearance at OT)

He was the 5th highest ranked player in both goals and assists in the league.

BUT I am quite suspicious of his character.

His putting and gesticulating is a commodity we already have too much of.

Huntelaar is a player that really excites me. The goals he scores are quite spectecular and clearly show he has vision.

In addition, Klaas strikes me as a player could handle being on the bench when tactics call for it and Berba has quite clearly shown that he's not happy to do that.

Throw age into the equation and I would have to, and did, vote for Klaas-Jan Huntelaar.