Transfer Update: Manchester United

 

It’s been two weeks since we last posted about the transfer window and what Engalnd’s top clubs should be looking for in the market. In the time since, Manchester United have thrown a lot of money at some really good players. But is that what they needed? Let’s find out as we analyze their latest acquisitions.

Memphis Depay: A young goalscoring winger who has already been likened to be the “next Cristiano Ronaldo”. He’s been one of Europe’s rising young stars, netting 28 goals for PSV in their Eredivisie winning season and he’ll definitely be giving Di Maria, Valencia, and Ashley Young a run for their money. For a 21-yr-old to be likened to a living legend, and then be pushing a star like Di Maria towards the exit door, and costing a cool £31 million, he’s already dealing with a whole lot of pressure. He says Van Gaal was key in choosing United over other suitors and he better hope that Van Gaal gives him the game time he deserves. Is he the answer to United’s weaknesses? No. Will he be able to help them push for the title? Maybe. Is he an exciting signing? Definitely!

Bastian Schweinsteiger: Another one of United’s exciting signings, 30-yr-old Schweinsteiger is one of the most experienced players there is. His conquests for Bayern Munich and Germany are well known and he joins a reasonably young squad with a world of experience. There’s already a whole lot of speculation as to where he’ll play and how he fits the United-Van Gaal system. We think he’ll slot in as a deep midfielder – with a good passing range, a deliciously strong shot, and brilliant in possession, he could give the United defence some much needed support. Yes he’s 30, but he’s played in one of the toughest leagues, and international teams, for eons. There’s no doubt that Schweinsteiger is a huge boost to United in terms of experience, hard work, and most of all – confidence.

Morgan Schneiderlin: Schneiderlin was the subject of a whole lot of gossip last season, with Arsenal desperately trying to pry him away from Southampton. This time around, the Gunners were surprisingly quiet when it came to the Saints’ midfielder, which allowed United to snap him up. Again, a deep midfielder with proven premier league experience, he can add to the fortification program. One thing that is a bit curious though, is the absence of other suitors for such a coveted player. Is there something Van Gaal missed? Or did Schneiderlin have his eyes set on United and no one else?

Matteo Darmian: A young, right-sided full back with international experience – just what the doctor ordered. When we first wrote about what United need, a defender who could press Valencia and Rafael for a starting spot was on the list. Darmian does just that. He’s versatile and can play on either side of the pitch; He’s Italian which means clean sheets are more important than goals to him; and he came in for a relatively cheap sum (believed to be £13 million) which means good business.

Of all of United’s signings, we’d say Darmian could have the greatest impact on the way their season pans out. We wrote that a man up front is an important hole to be filled in and Van Gaal has openly declared that he’d like to make 2-3 more signings which means Manchester United’s “transition” phase could well have ended and next season could be the beginning of another Glory Era for the red devils!

Goalsquad’s Guide To Jersey Maintenance

Want to make that expensive jersey last forever? Here’s how you can make it happen.

Let’s be honest, official football jerseys are expensive, and we mostly wear them only when we’re playing football. Running around in a polyester shirt can make you sweat a lot. And what’s worse, it’s even harder to get the smell of sweat to go away. Then there’s the threat of it losing colour, or shrinking as well. If you really want your jerseys to last forever, here how you can do it.

 Washing:

1.      Never throw your jerseys in the washing machine with other clothes. Jeans, T-shirts, and any other cottons are a no-no. Coloured jerseys can be washed together but any white patterns could get leaked on so try and keep the whites separate.

2.      Always turn your jerseys inside out before washing. The printed numbers and badges can crack and the colours can fade faster if washed otherwise. Make sure you’ve also unbuttoned them if there are any buttons. 
3.      Avoid using warm or hot water cycles. As far as possible, use a cold wash to keep your jerseys in shape and to make them last long. Bucket wash them in cold water if they’re not too dirty to give them a little longer lifespan.

Note: All synthetic jerseys bleed a little so you want to make sure your lights and darks are separate.

Drying:

1.      Synthetic materials generally dry faster than cottons so your jerseys do not need much time to dry up so avoid dryers. Hang dry them on a clothesline or a clothes-stand to keep them in shape.

2.      If you need to expedite the drying process, you can use a hair dryer on the cold setting and blow air at the wet areas. In the worst case scenario, you can put them in the dryer, but again at a low heat setting.

3.      Synthetics tend to lose shape when heat is applied so never iron on your jersey. Putting it up on a hanger while it dries is the best way to keep it crease free.

De-odorising:

1.      Baking Soda is a great absorbant and can remove any odors from your jersey. Fill a bucket with clod water and add a small scoop of baking soda to it. Mix it well to make sure there are no clumps of the power and then put your jerseys in. Let them soak in the water for 30-60 minutes and then dry them.

2.      White vinegar is another common household item that can soak up smells. Follow the same process as with baking soda – using a bucket of water and white vinegar to remove any lingering odors.

3.      If you’ve got light coloured or white jerseys, you can also try a hydrogen peroxide soak for 60-90 mins. Hydrogen Peroxide is also a minor bleaching agent so you want to keep your dark colours away from it. Make sure to wash your jersey after the soak as hydrogen peroxide can irritate the skin.

4.      One of the simplest, and most obvious deodorizing tricks is air-drying. Once your jerseys have been washed, leave them out to dry in direct sunlight. The combination of fresh air, UV rays and open space will get rid of any smell and also neutralize any odors.