There is obviously a lot of disappointment and frustration after today. There is also talk about Ole, talk about Pogba and lots of details of the day to day running of the club, but I actually think we are closer to a way forward than we have been since Ferguson.
We have had years and years of scattergun buys, different set-ups and teams that you look at and wonder how all the issues will be fixed. I don’t feel like that anymore.
GK Whatever decision is made, we have three strong options in this area.
RB A young RB who is great defensively with one of Europe’s former top prospects, in Dalot, backing him up
CB Finally, a true leader in Maguire and potential options in Lindelof and Bailly. We also have Axel who could really step up and make a claim next season
LB A resurgent Shaw and exciting prospect in Williams
CM. Pogba, Fred, McTominey, Matic
AMC. Finally, in Bruno, a player with real ability and technique to build the team round
AMR. Nothing natural
AML. Rashford with Martial as an option
CF. Greenwood and Martial as potential options.
We can see immediately that the team is far closer to being “ready” than it has been since Sir Alex.
The transfer plan seems to be crystal clear for the summer. There are no arguments to be had about what is necessary and I think we can just about complete the squad with 3 deals.
RW Sancho/Chiesa. Real quality from the right hand side. Our main transfer
AMC. Grealish. Another option to provide quality and technique in our attacking phase
CF. DLC/Jimenez. A proper number 9 who can hold the ball up and push teams back with their work rate and strength, allowing our other attackers to flourish
You may need to sell Pogba, Lingard, Pereira and Smalling to make this happen. And if you did, picking up someone like Bellingham who can give you another option on midfield and grow into a future world class player would be the way to go.
All of a sudden, with three transfers (4 if Pogba has to go), we are left with this team...
de Gea
AWB
Bailly
Maguire
Shaw
Fred
McTominey
Bruno
Sancho
Rashford
Jimenez
Leaving you with alternatives in...
Romero, Henderson, Lindelof, Tuanzebe, Dalot, Williams, Matic, Bellingham, Grealish, James, Martial, Greenwood.
You can play around with the team but there is good cover for every position and it offers lots of options and flexibility, especially in the forward areas.
It also offers Ole options to change the game and to make meaningful subs from the bench.
I just think we have some real players now and are so close. To even think at times under Mourinho that we could be only 2-3 transfers away was unthinkable. We needed at least 6-7.
I think there is an awful lot to be positive about, and whether you are pro or con Ole, Pogba, Lingard, Woodward or the half time pies, we are well on our way, and I am enjoying it more than at any stage since the great man left us.