I think people are getting a little sidetracked with this out of position malarky. We know that most of the goals from open play have come from Evra's side of the pitch. But people who pay close attention will have noticed that Evra was in position for the vast majority of those goals. He just defended poorly. He's clearly lost confidence in his defensive ability, because he just backs off and more often than not allows the opposition winger to get right up to the edge of our six yard box unchallenged. Or he leaves them in acres of room to pick out a cross. At the other end of the pitch, watch how reliable full backs close down our wingers, and see how many of our crosses are blocked before they even get inside the penalty area.

Amada15:

Colonial Red:

Amada15:

Interesting signing if...erh...this rumor is true. I can not see Evra being back up to baines and I can not see Baines being back up to Evra. Eitherway, we need a left back who is good defensively as he is good offensively. I'd rather get David Alaba, but he is probably not available.

You want someone who is good in defense and going forward then you bring up Alba? Mate have you seen him play?

On some occasion. Overall is he really that..erh.. bad in defending?

Alaba is a different player to Alba. Alba is a rubbish defender, but good attacker. ALABA is a good all round defender.

Amada15:

Colonial Red:

Amada15:

Interesting signing if...erh...this rumor is true. I can not see Evra being back up to baines and I can not see Baines being back up to Evra. Eitherway, we need a left back who is good defensively as he is good offensively. I'd rather get David Alaba, but he is probably not available.

You want someone who is good in defense and going forward then you bring up Alba? Mate have you seen him play?

On some occasion. Overall is he really that..erh.. bad in defending?

Mate he is really really poor defending. Offensively brilliant but defensively he is shocking at times.

Moyesy:

Colonial Red:

You mean Nani? The same Nani that has been playing LW the last two seasons? Young who is the other option also tracks back. No mate your argument is off.

Whoever it may be, Nani, Young, Park, Rooney, they have and will always drift inside, away from the left flank. SAF gave Evra the role of being the width on the left hand side in attacking areas. Its not a case of other players not tracking back, its the inability of Evra to get back in position because of the added attacking responsibilities he has been given.

Play a traditional left footed, left winger and Evra's main responsibility reverts back to being a full back.

The same happens on the right hand side with Rafael. Having Valencia infront of him and you wont see him being caught out too often. Play Nani or Young there and you will see him pushing forward providing width if either of those two drift about the pitch.

Its not a critizism, its just the team adapting to different players and different styles of play.

I get what you're saying it's just if it were true Evra would have been shite his entire career here seeing as the left sided winger has usually been a right footed player. Evra was a beast his first few seasons then he fell off tremendously and I don't think it's a coincidence that is drop in form and hunger came with the captains armband for both club and country. When France gave him the captaincy his head exploded. He truly believed he was Roberto Carlos and is forgetting what made him so great before. He was extremely combatitive and would hardly lose a battle even against players twice his size. Rafael has the spirit Evra used to have unfortunately he just needs to smarten up the way he plays.

Colonial Red:

Amada15:

Interesting signing if...erh...this rumor is true. I can not see Evra being back up to baines and I can not see Baines being back up to Evra. Eitherway, we need a left back who is good defensively as he is good offensively. I'd rather get David Alaba, but he is probably not available.

You want someone who is good in defense and going forward then you bring up Alba? Mate have you seen him play?

On some occasion. Overall is he really that..erh.. bad in defending?

juelz111:

I don't get why people would want two established first-team players for a defensive position. Especially Baines, who I think is decent, but nowhere near world class (which Evra was in his prime. I say this because what's the point of signing a 27year old who is at/almost at his peak, and nowhere near being a world class player. I'd be happy if we signed someone like Alaba. A young, explosive attacking LB who will eventually take over from Evra.

agree with you there.

I think it would be a pretty good buy tbh - an English player fully developed in their position.

With Baines being 27 it will give Fabio/Fryers the chance to develop rather than buying another unproven youngster.

Amada15:

Interesting signing if...erh...this rumor is true. I can not see Evra being back up to baines and I can not see Baines being back up to Evra. Eitherway, we need a left back who is good defensively as he is good offensively. I'd rather get David Alaba, but he is probably not available.

You want someone who is good in defense and going forward then you bring up Alba? Mate have you seen him play?

Colonial Red:

You mean Nani? The same Nani that has been playing LW the last two seasons? Young who is the other option also tracks back. No mate your argument is off.

Whoever it may be, Nani, Young, Park, Rooney, they have and will always drift inside, away from the left flank. SAF gave Evra the role of being the width on the left hand side in attacking areas. Its not a case of other players not tracking back, its the inability of Evra to get back in position because of the added attacking responsibilities he has been given.

Play a traditional left footed, left winger and Evra's main responsibility reverts back to being a full back.

The same happens on the right hand side with Rafael. Having Valencia infront of him and you wont see him being caught out too often. Play Nani or Young there and you will see him pushing forward providing width if either of those two drift about the pitch.

Its not a critizism, its just the team adapting to different players and different styles of play.

Man Utd should start signing some top player while they are cheap.... we are tried of waiting while some cheap and top class player are being snap up by other player.... go sign them early

Glenn Thompson:

I hope this is a joke if not a total waste of more money by SAF and Gill

Do you even know who Baines is ?

Interesting signing if...erh...this rumor is true. I can not see Evra being back up to baines and I can not see Baines being back up to Evra. Eitherway, we need a left back who is good defensively as he is good offensively. I'd rather get David Alaba, but he is probably not available.

shlongconnery:

Was reported this morning that we were in an advanced position on Baines and he could be announced as soon as the window opens, I think this is a great move for us, we could finally have a free kick and corner specialist, he is a lot more solid defensively, nothing flash about him, he just does a job and I think he'll be very loyal to us and it would do wonders for his England career, this will be Cole's last major tournament and I tip Baines to be the next England no.1 LB, very happy if we get him

P.S. Nice to have a thread not about a certain "new number 7" ;)

We need Baines. Evra is 31 now. Fabio & Fryers will loaned out next term so yeah a cover is needed for Evra. I think SAF shouldn't play him as a back up option. I suggest to rotate Evra & Baines frequently.

Fantastic news, hope its true and for everyone wondering why were getting him, Evra NEEDS realistic competition, Fabio isn't at that stage... Yet.. That's why Fryers and Fabio are going out on loan to get some game time. The idea of Baines is that we can really challenge Evra. Competition is healthy, it's not that Baines is comin in and taking Evras spot. Look at Barcelona, their midfield is Xavi, Iniesta, Fabregas, Masherano, Busquets and Thiago. There all wold class, they could gt into any team. But they all get time an they all develop. That's the idea of Baines, it's not a matter of someone becoming 2nd place. Furthermore, when Evra retires of becomes a squad player, and Baines is at Evras stage, than Fabio & Fryers can step up to he plate.

Nibor1:

leeman:

Manc263:

Nibor1:

The Mag1cian:

If Fabio goes out on loan to Benfica, as has been speculated, then I think he'd be a quality buy.

He's a proven premier league player, and he'd force the best out of Evra. £12 million seems a steal for him to be honest.

£12 million for a 27 year old slightly above average full back? I was wrong...there really is no value out there!

Average? Baines is one of the best left backs in the league. He's great at attacking, defending, and dead balls. A left footed free kick specialist is nothing to be sniffed at. £12million is a bargain for him, especially when people want to sign Alba, who cannot defend for the life of him, and would cost atleast £20million. I would be very happy with this signing. We could also give Everton Fabio or Fryers on loan as part of the deal.

Agreed, also because of baines very good defencive capabilities he should age alot better than evra. So 12 mill for a player who we could get 5years or more service out of is a real bargin. Baines can get forward and whip in a good cross but at the same time will always get back and defend which a LB should do. Im very happy if this turns out to be true but at the same time i hope evra gets games next season to prove us all wrong.

Excuse me, but I said 'slightly above average.' Didn't want Alba anyway,..and what is this obsession with how cheap a player is? Last time I looked this was the Manchester United Forum...not Oxford United! My mate is an Everton season ticket holder and I go to approx 4 Everton home games a season, and a lot of Everton fans slate Baines for being out of position too much...sound familier?

You have quoted my post but yet made know real point about what i said. I never said anything about alba and baines positioning is alot better than evra's is and is alot younger meaning we will get quite a few years out of him. I dont get what you mean about why everyone has an obsession with the players price? we want a bargain and for our club not to spend over the odds for a player, surely thats common sense or am i missing something.