In the past week or so it became clear that Manchester United were stalling for time over Morgan Schneiderlin, now they face losing him and other targets.

What has become clear in the past week or so is that Morgan Schneiderlin is not the first choice for Manchester United or several other clubs for that matter, the Red Devils initially seemed very keen to land Schneiderlin ahead of Arsenal, but after appearing to convince the player that he should head to Old Trafford rather than the Emirates their behaviour since then has suggested that they are trying to keep Schneiderlin warm whilst chasing their priority targets.

That has been evidenced by the way they have chased Sergio Ramos whilst putting Schneiderlin on the back burner.

Yes they have bid for Schneiderlin but given the figure being quoted to bid far less and then fail to sit down at the table to negotiate suggests that the Saints player is a fall back option to them rather than a priority choice, you would have thought they could have easily have bought both, so the question is whether they have enough money to do that and land other targets, or whether Schneiderlin is a fall back option.

Certainly I think Schniderlin himself is starting to realise that as the Sunday papers are full of sources close to the player quoting that he prefers Arsenal anyway.

This could be a problem for him in that Arsenal have shown no inclination to sign him so far, they have not are any firm offers, they have been linked with other midfielders and there is also the suggestion that they may feel they have enough already at the club for their needs, certainly enough that they do not need to pay £25 million for another one.

So Morgan Schneiderlin finds himself in a bit of limbo, he doesn't appear to be the main target for anyone and a over to a Premier League team in the Champions League is looking more unlikely with the only two of the four remotely interested not acting.

Photo: Action Images

montecristo added 09:46 - Jul 5 Im beginning to think th if he wants champions league so badly he will have to move to a club on the continent PSG, or an italian club maybe. But there have been absolutely no leads in the press of any interest in him, mmaybe Spider s best bet is to knuckle down stayat Saints for another season and see where that takes him.
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SonicBoom added 09:59 - Jul 5 Maybe united know there is no hurry. They might feel secure that they can take him at anytime with the right offer, even up to the last day of the window. As you say there seems to be little competition so why should they rush. Maybe they know we would like it done, so the longer they wait the more likely we will move on the price.
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Rednose added 10:45 - Jul 5 I think we all accepted that Morgan was off at the end of season. For me I was disappointed, but accepted that at this stage of his career he needed a bigger stage etc, etc and there were suiters ready and waiting. but it all feels a bit farcical now. Our star man standing proud and tall ready to take on the footballing elite is now waiting on the shelf while only one club deliberates on whether he's worth the punt at the price that Saints are willing to sell. Simple answer is sign a new contract with us, improve is employment package at the same time blah,blah,blah. But more importantly get us to top 4, receive the praise from all the pundits, solidify his position in the French national team and then if he must sign for Barcelona for £35 million and a massive pay rise. Utd and Arsenal would then be kicking themselves and Morgan can play anywhere he wants with dignity, but more to the point the respect and continued support of all Saints fans. Okay Not sure if that's important to him, but would be for me. The point is if he stays he plays, if he goes he starts again and that might not be a good idea at this stage of his career. Morgan I'm sure you reading this, so stay with us and take on the world in two years time either with us or Barca :-). Love the saints COYR!!!

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SanMarco added 11:30 - Jul 5 This could become very difficult indeed. Saints have every right to have a minimum price in mind while the likes of Man U have every right to go for the lowest price possible. If there is only one bidder (cf Clyne and Liverpool), given MS's desperation to leave, we will end up with an ugly stand-off. As SonicBoom says Man U hold all the cards unless a second serious bidder comes in. MS will NOT be a Saints player come Sept 1st (I fear the toys will start heading out of the pram soon if they haven't already) - the big thing for Saints is to get the 25m or whatever the minimum is that they want.

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IWOZTHERE added 11:51 - Jul 5 Can't see it but I'd love him to do a 'u' turn and stay (where he's really wanted.) Whatever though, make it soon so we can sign a top replacement.
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gpsgm added 13:00 - Jul 5 Morgan can't argue with the facts, if it ain't happening it ain't happening. He wanted to go last year and had a good season, as Rednose says, so stay and play so bloody well that there is real competition for him. More goals this season and we may not be able to hold him again. Our current status gives him very few options, he's not going to go to Swansea or Stoke is he! He needs to leave us with a bang and a fanfare and this is feeling like less than that.

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SanMarco added 13:09 - Jul 5 I wonder how long it is before MoPo slithers out from under a rock and offers 20 quid for him...
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gpsgm added 14:56 - Jul 5 Thanks SM the image of MoPo slithering out from under a rock has cheered up a weekend without football. Is Count Rogula going to be flying in through the window under cover of dark to deliver a fatal bite to Morgan's neck and make him one of the Liverpool undead! ... Or is Zombie Wenger stalking him to eat his brains .. or is Frankegaals monster thinking he's pretty enough to take as his Bride? OK I'll stop now.

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SaintBrock added 10:09 - Jul 6 The point I made before, Saints English players fetched high fees only because of the new quota system - in effect they were over-valued. French players are a different kettle of fish altogether. Also bear in mind that most Saints players have disappointed elsewhere and their high fees now seem excessive. Hence the reluctance with Morgan. The market thinks he is over-valued, ask what you like for a player (or house) but it is what people are willing to pay that sets the real value.

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