Summer rebuilding so far

Messageboard forums and twitter are alive with rumour and conjecture, but we are not really anywhere nearer knowing whether our summer spending spree is over or not. The main player at the centre of most of the gossip continues to be Arsenal's Nasri. When those rumours first surfaced i have to admit i gave them very short shrift, but with what seems to be going on at the Emirates this summer, it would now have to be taken seriously.
I really can't see Wenger being around to take Arsenal into the 2012-13 season and if there is was any truth in Van Persie being the latest player to express unhappiness at the unfolding events it could even happen before next season. There is no doubt that his leading players have seemingly lost faith in him and his project, i can't say i blame them to be honest. How are his many acolytes in the press going to explain this away.
Mark Ogden wrote that whilst United chase Nasri, the player they really ought to be going all out for should be Fabregas. I can't really go along with that, you have got to be going for players who are really going to what to come here. And we all know where Cesc Fabregas wants to go and where he will undoubtedly end up.
Tim Rich looks at Manchester's domination of summer spending so far and argues that whenever Fergie decides to call it quits he will leave behind a far healthier squad than was bequeathed by Busby to McGuiness. I think he will find that the future will see homegrown players in the squad, they just aren't quite ready yet.

But we have landed one Spaniard who did want to come to Old trafford this season, though it was hardly a secret. I haven't seen enough of De Gea to comment on him, though i know a few reds who have seen a fair bit of him on sky playing for Athletico Madrid and they seem to rate him highly. My only concern was his English, apparently he has learnt a little but it will need to be good enough for him to communicate with his defence.
We have no right to expect him to be as good as Van Der Sar straight away, especially given his limited experience, but lets hope he can be reliable enough whilst he learns his craft. Andy Mitten argues that De Gea is the real deal and has risen to every challenge laid down to him so far. He has come to win things and is looking forward to playing in the champions league and sees no reason why United can't win it despite the brilliance of Barca. 

Paddy Crerand looks at our summer transfer activity so far and he thinks that we haven't finished yet. He looks at at the one area where we expected or should that be hoped that we would strenghten the squad, i have to be slightly cynical and say that i wouldn't be surprised if we have finished. Paul Parker is happy enough with our signings so far but is another to want the centre of the midfield to be strengthened, thinking what United lack is a new Roy Keane as he argues that we were too britle away from home last season.
One of the youngsters who some of us are looking at to pick up the mantle of Giggs, Scholes and co eventually is apparently on his way to Peterborough for a six month loan. There is some cynicsm out there with it being Fegie's son Tunnicliffe is going to, which i do understand and have some sympathy with. But in this case i think it's a prety good move that ticks a lot of boxes, he will hopefully play regularly and will play at a reasonable standard. We will end up with a good idea of how far he can go.
I suppose the question now will be what happens with Pogba and Morrison, i can't really guess what will happen with Pogba, it could be a loan or it could be raining with the first team. As for Morrison, i really can't see Fergie sending him out on loan, but am not sure whether he will be fast tracked to the first team squad or not.

One aspect of our transfer activity that has gone quiet and has seemingly gone off the radar is who will be leaving this summer. Nani has assured the press that he is happy at United and will not be one of the players leaving the club. I suppose that now we have finally entered July the player earmarked by Fergie to be moved on will on will start to leave the club.
Barbatov is still insisting that he will still be at Old trafford next season, time will tell on that score. There are good arguments for him staying and long term reasons why Fergie may decide to let him go. I suppose it says everything that as someone who was desperate for us to sign him i wouldn't lose much sleep if he were to leave.

Larry Elliott looks at the state of economy and thinks there will have to be some kind of tweaking of Osborne's economic strategy. But argues it will be a tricky manoeuvre to convince the electorate that this isn't a plan B. David Blanchflower argues that those who call for more austerity are calling for another great depression.

Stephen King compares the situation in the Eurozone with Britain's decision to return to the gold standard in 1925 as the choices facing the Eurozone look equally grim. Paul Mason argues that the Greek Euro crisis poses survival issues for the entire Eurozone and as ever he isn't sure that they are up to the challenge.
Joseph Stiglitz tells Spanish paper El Pais that the European union is not rescuing the Greeks, but German banks. And the city of London into the bargain.

One country that may be worried by Europe's problems will also see big opportunities argues Timothy Garton Ash as he says no wonder Mr Wen is on his way.  Hamish McRae looks at the protests that accompanied premier Wen's visit to this country and describes how little we appreciate how little matter to China.
The Economist argues that tensions between China's prosperous middle class and its poor wil make it a harder country to govern.

Bennedict Brogan looks at the long game being played by Boris Johnson and admires his confidence despite one or two misgivings. I'm no fan of Boris but i'd hate to imagine him up against Ed Miliband.
Banking reform is a danger to the future of the coalition report Toby Helm and Heather Stewart as the Lib dems fear that chancellor George Osborne's ringfencing could prove too weak to protect customers.

Jason Burke reports on and interprets Saudi Prince Turk Al-Faisal's speech ar RAF Molesworth to assorted British and US guests on future Saudi foreign policy direction. Olivier Roy writing in the New Statesman looks at the long war bewtween Sunni and Shia alluded to in that speech.
David Davis argues that Europe and the west should be looking for a 21st century Marshall plan to aid North Africa's transition to democracy that will be in all our interests. I go along with that 100%, but to say there is no chance of that happening is surely to state the obvious.

Adrian Hamilton looks at a meaningless promise by Murdoch. The scandal is that everybody knows how meaningless it is. I am generally a believer in the thesis that you get the politicians you deserve, but i'm not sure we deserve the current lot, and that includes Tory, Labour and Lib dem.

Music
Demdike stare - Voices of dust: I liked Forest of evil but this is even better, techno as dark and sinister as the name Demdike infers, don't file under easy listening.

Nicolaas Jaar -  Space is only: Another excellent piece of techno from this US/Chilean newbie, i read somewhere that he was influenced by Rivardo Villalobos, besides the Chilean heritage i don't reall see it myself. Cracking album though.

Tabu Ley Rochereau - 35th anniversary album: Congolese artist and his Orchestre Afrisa international have been one of the continents most influential groups. I love the way he mixed central American music into his African brew to come up with some great catchy music.

The Strokes - Angles: Still to get anywhere near emulating the excellence of their debut album, but this will do to be going on with. The best tunes are the ones that stick to the debut's formula.

The Vaccines - What did you expect from the Vaccines: A good debut from the much hyped indie newcomer, but not as good as the hype would have you believe.

Those dancing days - Daydreams and nightmares: A decent album that i still haven't made up my mind how much i really like. It definitely has its moments there are just a couple of yracks that don't do much for me at all. This is a cracker though.