The 20-year-old Serbian striker looks set to sign for United by putting pen to paper on a five-year contract with the Magpies hopefully bringing to an end to what had threatened to become one of those protracted and frustrating deals.
I’ll confess that I know next to nothing about the lad however some fans seem to be suggesting that we’re about to witness the second coming of Jesus. Whist I remain dubious about that fact, there does seem to be a train of thought which suggests that we will have pulled off a coup in the transfer market by bagging one of the most highly-rated young strikers in Europe should the move actually be confirmed. You can check the odds of the transfer being completed, amongst other things, in this special betting promotion.
So what exactly is it that United are buying into? As mentioned previously, prior to us being linked with the striker I actually didn’t know too much about him. I knew of him (mainly from watching Anderlecht in the Champions League), but that isn’t to say that I know all about him. Nevertheless I’ve been reading up on him, collating thoughts, studying his record and analyzing video footage to try and bring you the pros and cons of Aleksandar Mitrović, starting with the cons.
Cons
At 6ft 2in he is certainly no shrinking violet on the pitch, and that follows him off the pitch too! Indeed one Belgian journalist once described Mitrovic as “making Mario Balotelli look normal” which could lead to some interesting times ahead if it turns out to be true.
His celebration (as pictured) also courted controversy when he first unveiled it, and that fact he hasn’t changed it would suggest he likes to do things his own way. Whilst I have my own opinion on how his celebration could be perceived, as did many others, it is apparently an answer to his critics. Essentially he is putting two fingers up to them and cutting off their tongues. Hmmm…. And quite how that would fit into an image conscious Premier League remains to be seen.
On the pitch you can’t really argue with his goal return, but his style of play has led to accusations of laziness in the past and his disciplinary record is not exactly sparkling which makes it likely that we’ll lose him to suspension at some time during the course of the season. Not that I’m expecting Mary Poppins from a player who is essentially still a young lad, but maybe some of that aggression needs to be curbed.
Pros
Just expanding on that last point, I’d counter the laziness part of the argument by saying that I’d prefer the strikers to be up front, you know where the goal they are supposed to be scoring into is. And aggression, channeled correctly, can actually be a good thing.
Goal return is something else that we’re buying. It’s been impressive to date and he’s bagged 69 goals in 158 senior club appearances which is a goal every 2.2 games, which is not bad at all. Granted those aren’t Premier League goals but if you watch the video below you’ll see that the majority of goal actually come about through being in the right place at the right time.
Mitrovic, should he arrive, has been courted by some of the biggest sides in the Premier League and beyond. Now a lot of that may have just been newspaper speculation but it seems he has an admirer in the form of Jose Mourinho. The Chelsea boss spoke about Mitrovis after watching score for Serbia against Croatia and is quoted as saying:
“Mitrovic was the best player on the pitch. He managed to keep the ball well and that was the key. That boy has everything to be a European star.”
High praise from the Special One!
Now any transfer is a risk. I’ve seen people pitch for Charlie Austin because he’s done it in the Premier League but realistically he’s done it for one season and nobody knows if he will replicate it again. The same can be said for Mitrovic – nobody knows how it will work out, if indeed it does turn out that he signs for us.
But what we are seeing is a pitch up in ambition of signings, and at the very least that is the most positive thing that we’ve seen for a long time.
Just watched the game and I thought De Jong was absolutely anonymous.
Munich Mag(Quote)
All quiet on the western front I see
icedog(Quote)
I like this Monaco c/h think he could do a job at the toon,now says he would like to come after saying he would only go to CL club,but could we pay the wages he would want?
icedog(Quote)
Yes agree de Jong was unfit. Takes a long long time to get back from busting a lung. I only hope he gets back close to his best.
griff(Quote)
Is Misalotavic heading to the toon for a medical on a skateboard, or is he waiting on Chelsea stepping in at the last minute ?
Munich Mag(Quote)
In my opinion we also could do with a left sided player, perhaps one who can play LB and left wing. Hiadara and Aarons are the only decent options there atm and have both had their share of injury issues. Once one is out we have cover in Obertan, Ferguson? Dummett. Not good enough to cover more than a game in my opinion. I don’t rate Dummett at LB, he’s a centre half playing there because he’s left footed but he’s not a natural LB, I don’t care what anyone says about him playing there for Wales or youth level or whatever. I’m right. 😎 He’s defensive cover there but that’s it. Also the other options at left wing are very inconsistent and even Aarons is still relatively unproven. Cabella is injured currently and I’m not sure he could nail down a place there.
DJG(Quote)
Very odd that Mitrovic flew to London. Taxi to Schipol, flight to Newcastle. Very odd unless our medics are flying in from California for the medical. I’m suspicious as usual.
georgio(Quote)
Me too
icedog(Quote)
Georgio- That’s just so he can get to a medical for Chelsea or Arsenal quickly if they move late for him.
Stuart79(Quote)
STUART don’t joke,talk on some blogs he’s been seen at Chelsea training ground,could be **** stirring like
icedog(Quote)
Didn’t the kid not post on Facebook that he’s playing in B&W again though. Mind you, after Delph – anything can happen … oh then there was Remy as well of course 😕
Sharpy17(Quote)
It was a fake account. Although it’s unusual for him not to have been pictured anywhere today. Normally have pics arriving at the airport, the ground and having a ****. But nothing today!
Stuart79(Quote)
The scary thing about this US tour is that the amount of playing time being given to Williamson and Obertan means we are set to keep them. I hope I am wrong and McClaren is using these games to assess his squad and will conclude what we have all known for years. Williamson was appalling last night and single handedly tried to gift them the game with a rash challenge and bad positioning – nothing changes.
Where is Dummett?
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Of course, right on cue, Sky Sports have pictures of him landing at ncl airport.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – it’ll be because Mc has banned the players using their mobiles at work mate – Mit is trying to give a good impression
Sharpy17(Quote)
Chelsea’s Cobham training ground is only about 20 mins from Heathrow. I drove by it when I was back earlier this year.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Stuart: you put an end to my sh!tstirring there 🙂
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Eric
I think Dummett didn’t travel due to injury mate.
DJG(Quote)
Stu – any chance Mbemba was carrying his bags mate?
Sharpy17(Quote)
Thanks DJG: so he really has no choice but to play Williamson as Taylor is coming off a bad injury and Coloccini has a knock. So much for people saying we had 7 centre backs as they seem to drop like flies (Curtis Good) and we are always left with Willo.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Doubt it but he’s not playing in their game today so reckon he could be on his way too. Never heard of him though, so no idea if he’s any good.
Stuart79(Quote)
Stu – he’s a big strong lad, quick and good on the ball. But he’s only young & he’s obviously used to playing in the Belgian league and not facing top quality forwards week in week out. He’d be a good buy I reckon, but we need a PL proven CB who can go straight in I reckon.
That said, I reckon Aymen would do capable of going straight in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Isn’t this defender only about 5’11” and his age widely disputed? I don’t have a great feeling about him, especially if he’s our only CB signing. Guess it’s a case of ‘suck it and see’ if he comes in. Complete unknown. Would rather we just went full out for the real deal at CB and signed somebody who’s been there and done it. No messing about with unknowable in that position, we have needed real quality there for a long time…
Shamrock(Quote)
Either way I think it’s safe to say the club is indeed working hard to turn this squad around. Be interesting too who goes through the exit door in the next few weeks…
Shamrock(Quote)
Well having a re-think because I never trusted jabba but it seems he might just mean it this time,I think we will sign this guy and the Monaco c/h plus
Austin,then there be a out pouring,cissie,Colo, Willo, Tiote,Eliot plus a couple more,and a couple on loan
icedog(Quote)
Maybe Cardiff will take Williamson? They seem absolutely delighted with the Sammy signing so maybe they would see Willo as a Coup? One write up on him made him sound like the likes of Robert Pires!http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/football/football-news/cardiff-city-boss-russell-slade-9687533
Shamrock(Quote)
Mirror reporting Villa in for Austin .
kimtoon(Quote)
If Austin were given the choice between Villa and us, I’d be confident of us getting him. They have just sold their best 2 players and their squad is *****.
Shamrock(Quote)
I hear villa are in for the waste of space from Spurs,they have been trying to get rid of him for a couple of season but he’s on silly money and takes some shifting
icedog(Quote)
Krul completes 10 years at the club then. Good effort 😀
Shamrock(Quote)
Shamrock
Another 10 years to go to match Steve Harper!
Now released by Hull at 40 yrs old. Good luck with whatever you decide to do in the future Steve.
DJG(Quote)
Well Wijnaldum in for 14.5 m Mitrovic 11.5 and Mbemba for 7.5 if the last 2 happen , thats 33.5 m in 1 transfer window . IT looks like they Will happen and if the media is right it wont stop with those 3 , Well i have a question whats the most that we have ever spent in one window ? because it looks like the fat skinflint is going too get near too breaking the record . 😯 😯 😯
Axel(Quote)
Axel – We should wait and see who we sell before working out what we have spent. I personally think Cisse, Sissoko and Tiote will be sold.
Stuart79(Quote)
Good balanced article. Nice one!
There are always going to be cons with every signing unless you’re spending mega money on a sure thing. But these two certainly seem like a move in the right direction!
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
djg i read somewhere harper had signed for stoke….
Munich Mag(Quote)
Stu – I see Cisse & Tiote leaving leaving mate, but I reckon Sissoko will stay. If we get these players in and he’s pretty much guaranteed first team football at Newcastle on that right side – and that’s what most players are looking for this season to try & secure a place in the national side for the Euros. If we loose Cisse then Austin is in. If we loose Tiote then maybe someone like Leroy Fer in.
Sharpy17(Quote)
SHARPY a while I read QPR took a chance on Fer as he has failed a medical at two clubs how right that is I cannot say
icedog(Quote)
We’re worried that we haven’t signed many players, but also good that we haven’t seemed to have any serious offers for any of our top players too right? I definitely want us to keep hold of Krul, Janmaat, Colback, Sissoko and Perez.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
What excites me about Mbemba is he is lightening quick and is adept as a Rb as he is at Cb apparently . meaning cover for Janmaat ,HIM and one other good cb in keep Taylor als Squad player plus Lascelles ,Dummet , haidira and satka and all of à sudden we have at last depth in defence, we can let willo and collo go.
Axel(Quote)
AXEL the Monaco c/h looks good to me,and he wants to come which is a bonus imo
icedog(Quote)
Ice – there has also been links with Kara Mbodj from Genk who can play CB and DCM so he could be an option. Alternatively McClaren could think he already has Colback, Gini, Anita, Sissoko, Abied and Kemen all able to play that position – and focus on improving our wide players. Is Cabella good enough? – Obertan certainly isn’t. Perez & Aarons look good in that left channel, but both are young and Aarons fitness may still be an issue.
If he’s getting Mitrovic & Austin in, he’ll want someone who can get the ball into the box from wide areas as well I reckon.
Sharpy17(Quote)
Axel – yeah I’ve seen Mbemba in the RB role & the kid is rapid. He loves getting forward as well and although he’s short for a CB he’s still strong in the air. Good versatility but he’d probably be on the bench for me due to his age & inexperience – would we shell out £7.5m for a player that may not be a first team regular – I hope so.
Ice – I really hope we get Aymen like. I wonder whether he wants to come to us for the money & because he seems us as a stepping stone to of the top 4 – but he looks like such a commanding CB and well add that steal & organisation our defence has lacked for a long while.
Sharpy17(Quote)
<<<<<<<<<<<< was keen on Mbemba over here til it come out hes only 5 foot 11 inch when i checked the other day he was 6 foot 4
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
so we should swerve the defender 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
we need some1 a lot bigger than him
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Fabio Cannavaro was 5’9″. Behave…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TOONDARNSARF
you behave ya not learned yet what happens when ya got short **** cb
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Yeah. Cannavaro was ****.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Puyol is 5’10”. **** too.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TOONDARNSARF
and just how many Cannavaro are in this world buddy you not trying to say hes Cannavaro i hope 😆
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Cannavaro
guessed you missed how many times we got owned in the air last season maybe it would help if ya watched a few games,or you 1 of them dudes that makes the same mistake over and over 😯
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
I’m trying to say 5’11” isn’t short.
He could still be bloody decent if he’s got a good jump on him and excellent positioning.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
a good jump on him you say 😆 he would need it giveing dudes a good few inchs start 😯
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Cannavaro and Puyol have done pretty well over the years! I’m just saying, no need to get negative about a player we haven’t even signed yet.
Apparently Steve Howey was only 3cm taller…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
lets just find some1 that dos not give theses dudes a good few inchs head start eh
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
So Cabella, Riviere, Good, Colo, Marveaux, Abeid, Elliott and Dummett all injured apparently. Coincedence that most of them have been talked about as being up for the chop?
Shamrock(Quote)
Mbemba sounds a good young player, but if he came in I’d still expect an established CB to join. Would be great if we could get 2 in and ship out 2 from Saylor, Willo and Good. I’d still keep Colo as a squad player. He is still a better player than any of our other CB’s and would give us good experienced depth for another year.
Shamrock(Quote)
Mbemba, Abdennour, Colo, Lascelles, Saylor sounds pretty **** good to me then replace Colo and possibly Saylor next summer…
Shamrock(Quote)
except he cant head the ball.
or should I say he can but prefers not to.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
I would like to see Arrons/Abeid playing 90 mins on Tuesday.
makes no sense whatsoever flying mustgetrich out to the states and back again by Wednesday.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
no matter what way you look at it, our defense is **** and in need of major surgery.
Its time certain players get told to look for pastures new. This week.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Shamrock
I’m with you. Though I think Colo could still have a big role to play if he had someone to do the running around him. I can’t believe we’ll sign 2 CBs so we’d have them as well as Colo, Taylor, Lascelles, Satka and Good. Those first 3 will surely expect some games.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
We need a player capable of playing RB in the PL for sure. Need to decide if Dummett is a CB or LB and need to decide if Haidara is good enough as first choice LB.
My view anyway…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
SHAMROCK @131
I wouldn’t be bothered if most of those players were moved on to be honest, although I would like to see Abeid and Dummett stay, both have played first team football, have not looked out of place and have potential. I definitely think Elliot will move on now we have signed Darlow, Woodman looked decent for a young ‘keeper against Sacramento. Apparently Jak Alnwick had a trial at Leeds but they decided not to sign him. 😕
DJG(Quote)
Most of the time I don’t want to see players leave. Don’t see any sense in shipping out some of our younger players when they can still do a job for us. We have to ship out a few to make room in the squad but it’s going to be tough to decide who. Willo might be a bit of a plodder but his experience would be useful. But if Colo and Taylor stay, I’d say he’s got to be one of the first to go. It was right to move on Jonas and Raylor with our thanks too. I’d rather see younger players get their chances.
Tough to make a call on the likes of Abeid, Marv, Dummett, Sammy etc. without seeing them in training every day and knowing what they are capable of. Certainly Dummett and Sammy have been both excellent and terrible for us.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
Are any of our players really untouchable? Maybe Perez and Aarons because of their potential. The rest can be replaced with the key thing that they ARE replaced. In years past we have let players go and left the squad short.
I keep wavering on Cisse because he is our only proven goalscorer but he doesn’t bring others into the game. He is a maverick and it seems his football is a reflection of his life. IF we get Austin I wouldn’t be sad to see him go as I think this is an upgrade.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
Didn’t they say recently that Dummett was getting the number 3 shirt? I think that puts him as first choice left back, but of course this could change. He can still cover CB, but he has about as little PL experience there as the one(s) we bring in and Laschelles.
Eric Sykes(Quote)
TOONDARNSARF
whats this big role you on about with collo 😆 he ganna be passing out the half time cups of tea or something 💡
TOONARMYELITE(Quote)
Williamson is a fair height but it didn’t do him any good.
Stuart79(Quote)
Tim Cahill isn’t the tallest (5.10) but he can out jump most people.
brisvegas(Quote)
Just read this … Obviously we aren’t the only one with this problem.
Speaking of Yarmolenko … “He’s the level of player we could like to bring in if we can,” Stoke boss Mark Hughes said. “We’ve missed out on a couple of players we weren’t able to get over the line.”
brisvegas(Quote)
Can’t remember where I read it but McC was quoted as saying we’re in for a player that if we get will really excite the fans. Must be a new name then. Any ideas?
georgio(Quote)
If Villa sign Austin, then I reckon he’s not as highly rated as many seem to think. If Spurs, Saints, Everton and Liverpool aren’t interested then maybe we’re not either. Maybe we would be at £10M, but it seems like not £15m. From the media, this Mitrovic guy has seemingly been linked with much higher quality teams.
I’m no football scout, but just reading between the lines…we’ve seen players like Ricketts, Zaki, Scowcroft and Michu have one storming season and then disappear…
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
TAE
He’s only 33 mate. I think he took on too much last season and was too stretched. He needs a mobile partner at the back. It’s horrible to see a geriatric and a plank as our back 4….
But actually, I think he’ll do pretty well alongside Taylor or this new boy.
ToonDarnSarf(Quote)
I am not sure about Austin myself but he has a good goalscoring record at every level. Not sure about £15m but he’s worth what someone will pay I suppose.
Stuart79(Quote)