Isn't Delph at least the nominal replacement for Milner? Milner had 45 appearances last year, 32 in the League.
Not really, Delph can only play as one of the Central midfielders really. So he is competing with Toure, Fernandinho and Fernando for playing time.
Milner could do that job but he was also subbing for Silva, Navas and Nasri in the wide attacking roles.
Last season especially Milner got a lot more starts due to the fact that Nasri was often injuried and when fit struggling for form.
The Guardian is reporting that Man U will sign Bastian Schweinsteiger from Bayern Munich
They lost Milner and needed a "homegrown" replacement for UCL purposes.
I do like that deal for United, Schweinsteiger is a bit past his best but I think if they split the playing time between him & Carrick it should keep both fresh enough to be very effective.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33494840Aston Villa captain Fabian Delph says he is staying at the club, following reports the midfielder was set to join Manchester City.
The England international has released a statement to "set the record straight" over his future.
"I'm not leaving," said Delph, 25, who signed a new four-and-a-half-year deal at Villa in January.
"I'm staying at the football club and I can't wait for the start of the Premier League season."
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33474195Newcastle United have signed PSV Eindhoven midfielder Georginio Wijnaldum in a £14.5m deal.
Netherlands international Wijnaldum becomes the first arrival under head coach Steve McClaren.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33455332Porto have agreed a deal to sign Spain goalkeeper Iker Casillas from Real Madrid.
Casillas, 34, who had one year left on his contract, leaves Real after 25 years, during which time he won three Champions Leagues and five Liga titles.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33497488Liverpool have reached an agreement with Manchester City over the £49m transfer of Raheem Sterling.
The transfer of the 20-year-old England winger is subject to contract negotiations and a medical.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/football/33497488
Think we all suspected this one would get done at some point.
They're working on a long term deal worth £200k per week?!?!
Wait ... 200 grand a week to ride the subs bench behind Villa and Navas, both of whom are on similar wages? Why on earth would the club do that? Seriously, Sterling is probably better than Nasri (maybe? I dunno) but those other two are going to play if they're healthy. Period.
Yeah ... dodged a bullet there. I saw no way they could replace him for what they would have gotten in return and he is the heart and soul of their possession game. I looked it up and if Villa had been forced to more Delph for his reported trigger fee, they would have actually LOST a half a million pounds on the transaction if you include the entire payment package for him. Seriously.