Championship side Watford have snapped up Tomasz Kuszczak in an emergency loan deal until the end of the season. The polish keeper moved to United from West Brom in 2006 and was an able deputy to Edwin Van Der Sar in that time. Yet with the arrival of Anders Lindegaard last winter and Spanish stopper David De Gea this summer, the Pole In Goal has slid down the pecking order and even finds himself behind Ben Amos too. His only appearance in a squad this year was against Stoke earlier this year, where he sat on the bench with Amos playing. Anders Lindegaard and David De Gea were out due to injury and illness respectively.

His last appearence in United colours came in the 1-1 draw with Blackburn at the back end of last season. A game memorable because we wrapped up title number 19 (Love saying that) to surpass Liverpool's 18 (love saying that too).

Lets be honest here. He has no future at Old Traffod anymore, and will leave in the summer when his contract runs out. It is a great piece of business by Watford, as he is a very able keeper, without being world class. At Championship level, he will do a good job for them.

Overall thoughts on his career at United? A solid keeper who I trusted toi come into the side and do a decent job. Never was going to be the clubs number one though. Good shot stopper, maybe just a little lacking in the mental capacity to succeed at a club like United though.

A Sky Sports News report has suggested that the vastly talented Borussia Dortmund playmaker is being lined up by Sir Alex Ferguson. This news, true or not is certain to whet the appetite of Red Devil supporters. The German international, 19, capped 12 times by his country has courted interest from a host of top clubs around Europe. His agent, Dirk Hebel, came out with these quotes.

"I think in Europe all the top clubs are interested in Mario.

"I can confirm that I have had contact with Juventus and Manchester United , but not only them.

"I don't know if he'll go away after this season, you should ask Borussia. But I think that they will not let him leave for less than 40million euros.

The Busby Babe's editor in chief Gene offers these thoughts....

"Gotze is an intelligent between the lines player that likes to come in from out wide and create. He can very much play in the 'number ten' role as well. He's incredibly gifted technically and perhaps Germany's brightest prospect of this generation. He works hard in Borussia Dortmund's pressing scheme and this perhaps bodes well in regard to the youngster's mentality. He's one of the few players in this world that I'd have no problem spending €40 million on. "

I too would like to see us splash some cash for a player, in the attacking mould who is not an out and out 10, like Rooney or Wesley Snjeider, although he can play in thay position, maybe if Wayne Rooney were unavailable. If he plays out wide then he also offers us a little different. WIth all our wingers playing in a more traditional way, mostly staying wide. He seems to be more of a David Silva type of player and that seems to be a very attractive asset. However we are far from the only big club chasing him. The agent suggest Juventus are interested, as well as other clubs that he refuses to name. So we will have to pay big money, in both fee and wages if we are to land the player, something that Manchester United have been fairly reluctunt to do as of late.

During the past summer, rumors of Wesley Sneijder to Manchester United became nearly as tiresome as the recent Luis Suarez and Patrice Evra saga. Once again, speculation flared up this past week when the Internazionale playmaker spoke about how he maybe could have left his current club during the recent January transfer window. I realize that this isn't any sort of earth-shattering news but nonetheless, I felt compelled to bring you the most recent statements on the matter. In addition to this, an update is provided on Sneijder's season thus far at Inter and I also share my continual belief that a Sneijder to United would not be a prudent move for the club.

"I always watch what can happen. I don't ever close any possibilities. I'm fine here at Inter. But I don't know where I'll play next season. If last Tuesday (January's transfer deadline day) some club had submitted an offer, maybe I could have gone. But the truth is that I'm happy at Inter."

- Sneijder | Source: Nos

When further asked about a potential move to Old Trafford, here is how Dutchman responded:

"Who would not want to play in a club like that? But there has never been real contact."

- Sneijder | Source: Nos

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In the week Manchester United lost Ravel Morrison to Londoners West Ham United, talks have flared up of another highly regarded prospect stalling on a new deal. Ezekiel (Zeki) Fryers has made a handful of appearances for the first team this year in the Carling Cup, and while the hype surrounding the young defender is not as large as Morrison, the fact these youngsters are heading for the exit is slightly worrisome. Sky Sports has this

Fryers has come through the ranks at United and made his full debut in the first-team in the Carling Cup win over Leeds earlier this season. The versatile defender has gone on to make five further appearances this term and he is highly-regarded within the corridors of Old Trafford. United are keen to tie down Fryers to a new deal, but the defender is thought to have snubbed their initial offer as he holds out for a better contract. Talented defender Fryers, 19, is coming to the end of his current deal and could be snatched away in the summer for a small fee, with Tottenham leading the list of interested teams.

The fact it appears it is only an initial offer is slightly reassuring, yet I would still rather not be having this discussion at all. These youngsters need to earn their corn instead of demanding money that is above their achievements.

Thus far he has looked a solid defender, having been deployed at both centre back and left back. He has looked assured in all his performances I have watched, including one live match at Aldershot.

Here's hoping the club get this contract tied up, as well as that of Paul Pogba's.

It's happened. We reported earlier that West Ham were in talks to sign him, but it is now official. Ravel Morrison has moved to West Ham United. The boy has divided opinion among many United fans, and Fergie has had enough of him. West Ham have taken the gamble on the brilliantly talented attacker. Good luck to them and him.

It is a gamble because he has had too many brushed with the law. A gamble because he seems to have an ego that matches his undoubted talent. No doubt it is a blow to us, because we are the ones that have helped him thus far in his career, and to have lost him for an undisclosed fee, believed to be around the 1Million mark, could prove to be a big loss, considering West Ham could sell him on for major major money.

BBC Sport understands that there is no buy back clause either. Not that I could see him return anytime soon. Water under the bridge an all that.....

West Ham United have signed Manchester United's Ravel Morrison for an undisclosed fee.

The 18-year-old midfielder, who has signed a three-and-a-half-year deal, was the subject of a rejected bid from Newcastle United earlier in the month.

BBC Sport understands the deal does not include a buy-back option.

Anyway, life goes on. We saw that tonight, with the wonderful performance Paul Pogba put in. Ironically he also has had contract difficulties. Fergie needs to get that one wrapped up soon!

What's this? An incoming transfer? To us? Manchester United? Almost unheard of in January.

The Manchester Evening news report that we are set to sign swiss defender and City youngster Freddie Veseli. Ever heard of him? No? That makes two of us!

He captained Switzerland to the under 17 World Cup in what was a victorious campaign, and apparently was set to break into the first team, but decided his time was up when Roberto Mancini plumped for Stefan Savic.

The Reds tied up the Swiss starlet, who captained his country to Under-17 World Cup triumph in 2009, yesterday – and Veseli headed into Manchester, dressed in a red jacket, to celebrate. Veseli was seen as a good prospect at City, but he was frustrated at not making the breakthrough into the first team squad.

I love how the article suggests he went out in a red jacket to celebrate. Nice to know he knows what colour we play in.....

No transfer fee has been quoted. As for his prospects here. Who knows. I know we are a little thin on the ground regarding defenders but I doubt he makes a first team appearance this year. (Assuming we are not being fed a tale on transfer deadline day)

In Ravel watch, we brought you news earlier that Ravel Morrison is set for a move to West Ham. He is having a medical right now!

Lets here your thoughts on these two nuggets of information. Got any information on Vaseli? Thoughts on one of our most gifted youngsters leaving for a nominal fee?

If any more transfer news comes in, we here at The Busby Babe have got your back!

With the exception of a few astute buys -- notably Nemanja Vidic and Patrice Evra in 2006 -- Manchester United generally keep a low-profile during the January transfer window due to manager Sir Alex Ferguson's (correct) belief that there is little value at this time. This season has followed that pattern as United have been very quiet during the current transfer window -- although we did pick up a mild-mannered (except when attempting to tackle) ginger by the name of Paul Scholes on a free. The cynic might add that the club simply have no funds to offer for an expensive buy at the moment -- despite the club's impressive revenue stream -- due to the Glazer's purchase of the club being secured against the club's assets. Anyway, I'm rambling...

As the headline suggests, there are reports out there on this final day of the January transfer window that starlet Ravel Morrison may be headed to West Ham United. The Morrison saga has been extensively covered here recently on TBB and elsewhere as well. Here are your bullet points if you need to be caught up:

* Morrison is brilliantly talented. Perhaps the most talented youth player to arrive at United since that ginger who just (re-) arrived on a free transfer. He's a creative attacker that prefers to operate between the lines -- either centrally or coming in from the flank.

* He gets in trouble a lot. Like A LOT. To the point where he has to see judges and hopes that the result isn't sitting behind bars afterward. Or is part of the trouble that Morrison doesn't think that far ahead when he acts?

* Reports indicate that the club feel that they've exhausted every option in helping Morrison and they're simply to the point of giving up on the player. Even with minimal compensation. Some feel he could potentially be a £40-million player one day if he stays out of trouble.

Continue reading this post »

Manchester United have agreed to sell Mame Biram Diouf to Bundesliga side Hannover for an undisclosed fee. The Senegal international arrived at Old Trafford in 2009 from Molde but failed to establish himself in the squad during his time there. Diouf spent the past season on loan to Blackburn Rovers and during the current season, he only found playing time during a few Carling Cup matches for United. The 24-year-old was never more than a fringe player in the United squad and his departure is both unsurprising and likely needed for his development as a player. Here is what Hannover manager Mirko Slamka had to say about his new player:

"I am pleased that we now have another alternative for our attack with Mame Diouf. We are now going to have to integrate him quickly so that he can help us with our upcoming challenges in the Bundesliga and the Europa League."

Source: Hannover96.de

Diouf is believed to have signed a two-and-a-half-year deal with the Bundesliga side -- one that would potentially keep him at Hannover until the summer of 2014. The loss of the attacker will have no impact on the United squad as he was rarely considered this season during Premier League play -- even during the recent congested holiday fixture list when Sir Alex Ferguson was forced to deal with a plethora of injuries to his side. Diouf has the physical attributes to have a long footballing career but further development is needed technically and in his tactical awareness before he can ever expect to make it at a big club. Nonetheless, I wish the lad well during his future endeavors.