Should Manchester United Hold On To Owen?

Is Owen Hargreaves' ongoing knee problem going to force Sir Alex Ferguson to buy in January? What can Fergie do with the midfielder? We only just got rid of the injury prone Balsawood Man that is Louis Sahahaha and now we are lumbered with another one!

Hargreaves' recurring knee injury ruled him out for the rest of the season yesterday and while that comes as no great surprise, surely we must be asking ourselves is it worth going through the same old routine with Hargreaves as we had to endure with Saha.

Hargreaves will travel to the US to visit specialist Dr Steadman, the surgeon who has already operated on his right knee. This time he will have the same procedure carried out on his left knee.

The 27 year old has managed just 37 appearances since his £18m move from Bayern Munich. He has always been blighted by injury, which has started to restrict his opportunities in England's crowded midfield. He is an integral player for club and country and fans will be hoping for a speedy resolution, but this could be just one operation too many?

He has already had unsuccessful visits to specialists in London and in Sweden, sparking fears that his career may be cut short.

Ferguson is a big fan of Hargreaves but after just 3 games this season, will it force the club to move for a replacement in the next transfer window? Reports in this mornings newspapers have suggested that Lassana Diarra and Axel Witsel are high on the transfer wishlist of Sir Alex, but have United got enough in reserve? I believe Anderson has the abilities to be a long overdue successor to Roy Keane and you do wonder if the injury now to Hargreaves will force the boss to give the Brazilian the role.

Should United bring in a replacement for Hargreaves in January or can Fletcher, Possebon and Anderson do a job for Manchester United?

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Did Manchester United Make The £17m Bid ?

As I previously reported, Manchester United have been taking a long hard look at Axel Witsel, the young Standard Liege midfielder. However, it now appears insist that they have no plans to sell Witsel in January. In fact, they are claiming they have actually turned down a bid of £17m.

There are a number of clubs checking on the progress of Witsel but they have not revealed who the bid came from. Despite interest from Italy, France and Spain, it is the host of Premier League clubs who look keenest.

Manchester United, Manchester City, Arsenal, Chelsea, Bolton and Middlesbrough have all been linked to him or they have been seen watching him but Standard's vice-president Luciano D'Onofrio has sent out a clear message that Witsel is not for sale and they have turned down a huge offer for him.

"I had a bid of €20million for Witsel and it was refused, it is not even a question."

I very much doubt it is Manchester United who launched the bid. OK, if we could get Witsel for a cut down price of around £10m then fine, he is a great prospect but I doubt United will be involved in a bidding war for him come January......Back To Home Page...

Axel Witsel Bid May Be Imminent

Manchester United are being rushed into making a £10million bid for Standard Liege midfielder Axel Witsel before Arsenal and Inter move. Sir Alex Ferguson has had scouts in Belgium to watch Witsel in action for the last couple of matches and he turned in a great display against Sevilla in the Uefa Cup last week.

Fergie has been hit by a minor midfield injury crisis with recent news that Owen Hargreaves will be out for the season (is he the new Louis Sahahahahaha ?) and Paul Scholes not due back until the New Year. United could wait for a few months and bid for him in the summer but by doing this his price could have gone through the roof.

The 19-year-old impressed against Liverpool in the Champions League qualifiers last August and had a fine game when Standard knocked Everton out of the Uefa Cup earlier this season.

Arsenal, Inter, Bolton and Middlesbrough have also been following the pacy central midfielder who is under contract at the Stade du Sclessin until 2013. Bolton have already had a £5million bid rebuffed by the Belgian champions who are said to value Witsel at £18million......dream on !!! .....Back To Home Page

Axel Witsel

Bolton Wanderers thought they had found a future super star and crept in to buy him while no one else noticed. The player in question is Axel Witsel of Standard Liege.

On 17th September 2006 a 17 year old Witsel made his debut in a competitive game against FC Brussels when he replaced Steven Defour in the 89th minute. Eleven days later he made his European debut as a substitute against Chorley Fc.

During the 2007-2008 season, at 18 years of age, he was a key member in the team that won the Belgian League title. During this year, he formed the very young midfield together with other Belgian talents such as Marouane Fellaini (19 at the time, and now of Premier League club Everton) and Steven Defour (also 19 at the time).

He is named after Axl Rose, the musician from Guns n Roses. His father, a former footballer himself, is a huge fan of the rock group and named his son, whose full name is Axel Sweet Child O' Mine Witsel, after the hard-rocking frontman.

Manchester City and Manchester United have now joined the battle for Witsel after Bolton Wanderers were linked with a £6 million offer for the teenager last week. However, Belgian sources say both Manchester clubs have intimated they're willing to pay £9 million to bring Witsel to England in January.....Back To Home Page