6 realistic signings to improve us?
- Thread starter Schmeichel's Cartwheel
- Start date
Houssem Aouar
Thomas Partey
Hakim Ziyech
Thomas Partey
Hakim Ziyech
We've actually looked quite solid at the back. Conceded very few chances. The chances we have conceded this season have basically just been broken plays, CB gets beaten in the air a couple of times and both punished, a shot outside the box going top corner, the Palace shit show at the end with everyone pushing on for a winner but getting caught out on the break and De Gea fecking up. It's not the sort of thing that continues long term, it's just a bad run of events rather than an ongoing trend.
Though we do lack control of games, and that is entirely a personnel issue. A Pogba-McTominay midfield pivot was always going to have that issue and it always will. McTominay isn't a defensive mid, and certainly not a good one in any sense. Pogba has never been someone who is at his best that deep, he takes too many risks on the ball in his natural game, and defensively isn't aware enough. If you have a prime Kante next to him, sure, it works. But not with anyone else. We don't have a natural controlling midfielder, and we don't have a natural defensive midfielder to organize everything. Get those 2 as the #6 and #8, push Pogba up as the 10 or even sell him, but we'll be far better and more balanced for it.
If we only make 3 signings next summer, types of players would have to be:
This is why scouts exist though, and these players are out there, we just have to get a couple of midfielders who can provide the balance of passing and talent between the two of them, intelligence, positioning and enough steel to hold down a midfield pivot in the premier league.
- #6 - Holding midfielder who can hold/organize the midfield and pass it around really well with good range (aka not just some random ball winner, but basically a Carrick).
- #8 - box to box all round midfielder who is first and for-most a quality passer, but not someone who will over complicate the situation and always try to dribble out of trouble.
- #7 - Right winger - Someone to balance out Rashford and Martial from the left and middle, but more of a creator than a scorer themselves probably.
This is why scouts exist though, and these players are out there, we just have to get a couple of midfielders who can provide the balance of passing and talent between the two of them, intelligence, positioning and enough steel to hold down a midfield pivot in the premier league.
This idea that we are only signing British players is a load of crap. Who were we closest to signing after those three? Dybala. Believe it or not, he is not British.
The Maddison and Longstaff rumours had about as much reliability to them as Fernandes. Maddison was obviously a load of rubbish as we would have known we would not have been able to sign him and Maguire.
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Realistic players to improve us (next summer):
Maddison
Ziyech (Albeit, I think almost anyone can improve our right-wing, since we have nobody in that position)
Bentacur
The Maddison and Longstaff rumours had about as much reliability to them as Fernandes. Maddison was obviously a load of rubbish as we would have known we would not have been able to sign him and Maguire.
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Realistic players to improve us (next summer):
Maddison
Ziyech (Albeit, I think almost anyone can improve our right-wing, since we have nobody in that position)
Bentacur
Each of those signings would offer something in the set-piece department... I would hire anyone to not see Rashford take our freekicks or corners.
DM-Florentino Luis: Only just turned 20 but is already displaying signs of being a extremely well rounded DM. Can pass to a very good level, has excellent composure, physically strong and quick and is very strong in the tackle. Looks an absolute monster DM in the making.
CM/AM-Houssem Aouar: Turned 21 in June and has already shown why he's so highly rated at Lyon. Plays as a box to box #8 with excellent ball retention ability under pressure. And off the ball he's a dream for managers who adopt a high pressing style due to his extremely high work rate. Also a very creative player who can break lines with his passing and dribbling and is someone who sure does express himself whilst in possession of the ball which we're lacking. A very well rounded player who would fit into our team like a glove IMO.
RW-Jadon Sancho/Federico Chiesa: I actually wouldn't mind either tbh. Both players are extremely talented and I would be overjoyed if we signed either one. Chiesa is excellent on the ball and has a brilliant first touch and reminds me somewhat of the former Arsenal great Robert Pires in some ways. Excellent technique when it comes to dribbling, good pace and a real know how in one v ones whilst in possession playing on the wing. Also comes with the added bonus of being very adept at pressing from the front which makes Chiesa a real gem IMO. Sancho we all know about.
Strengthening the aforementioned positions with those players would IMO galvanise our team.
CM/AM-Houssem Aouar: Turned 21 in June and has already shown why he's so highly rated at Lyon. Plays as a box to box #8 with excellent ball retention ability under pressure. And off the ball he's a dream for managers who adopt a high pressing style due to his extremely high work rate. Also a very creative player who can break lines with his passing and dribbling and is someone who sure does express himself whilst in possession of the ball which we're lacking. A very well rounded player who would fit into our team like a glove IMO.
RW-Jadon Sancho/Federico Chiesa: I actually wouldn't mind either tbh. Both players are extremely talented and I would be overjoyed if we signed either one. Chiesa is excellent on the ball and has a brilliant first touch and reminds me somewhat of the former Arsenal great Robert Pires in some ways. Excellent technique when it comes to dribbling, good pace and a real know how in one v ones whilst in possession playing on the wing. Also comes with the added bonus of being very adept at pressing from the front which makes Chiesa a real gem IMO. Sancho we all know about.
Strengthening the aforementioned positions with those players would IMO galvanise our team.
Director of Football
CEO
Attacking coach
CEO
Attacking coach
You know that the Lukaku money will be spent on the Glazers failing business empire in the states
Emre Can left out of Juventus Champions League squad.
Juventus have a ton of midfielders, they'd probably sell for a not bad price. Thoughts?
Juventus have a ton of midfielders, they'd probably sell for a not bad price. Thoughts?
Sancho
Maddison
Longstaff
Maddison
Longstaff
With Solskjær in charge. No chance, would never be considered.
Partey
Digne
Eriksen
Digne
Eriksen
Wonder if you'll replace Pogba with Rice and Maddison next summer. Would be sensible.
Nice list, i love Chiesa!
Emre Can. Omitted from the Juve champions league squad. he could be a realistic january signing for us.
You might be right, but I'm curious why you think so. He would obviously walk into our side. I wouldn't be thrilled with it, due to his past teams, but we might be desperate for some quality for the second half of the season.
I would say, Arthur, Partey and Bernardeschi with a switch to 433.
How is Arthur realistic?
He isn't first choice in Valverde's eyes and I think that both Barcelona and himself could see a move positively.
Even if Barcelona opts to sell Arthur I very much doubt he will agree to join us under our current situation.
The midfield has to be/will be the main focus for next summer. Say Pogba leaves and Matic "retires" in MLS or China (both probable), then we will have lost those two, Herrera and Fellaini over two seasons.
Those three you mention would be great, but I seriously dont get why we did not get at least one midfielder in this summer to at least start the revamp that now needs to happen next summer all at once.
I fail to see the logic of getting three new midfielders in during one summer (even if its major talent like those three) and expect them to gel immediately under the pressure that always is at United.
Three midfielders might not even be enough if Pereira does not suddenly turn into a top-6 club player overnight. He is not even close to that now and should maybe go as well.
I dont get the thinking around this. Really dont.
It’s too shroud of a business move for Ole I think. They will regard his injury record, previous club and lack of minutes as someone that isn’t a candidate for the future. Just my feelings. I mean he was pretty much available in the summer and we decided to buy zero midfielders.
Emre Can, Christian Eriksen, Jadon Sancho
Rice is dog shite . McTominay is better than him
For me a lot depends on how McT performs this season, if he locks down the Box to Box role besides the DM role then we just need to sign a DM and push Pogba up, if he still here, or replace him with a player more comfortable behind the strikers. The young Benfica DM, Luis or go back in for Longstaff. Then follow that up with a right sided attacker and a left back.
Maddison
Neves
Sancho
Neves
Sancho
Apparently Lionel Messi will be allowed to leave Barcelona on a free transfer next Summer(El Pais, via L'Equipe c/o the BBC), he'd probably want £1,000,000 a week, but would he be one of your three?
These reports also mention it's only applicable for clubs outside Europe so it's a non starter.
I mean, Rice isn't dog shite, is he? He's a starting midfielder for a top half PL side and is one of the best players in their team. And I wouldn't start him instead of McTominay either - they're different types of players so there's no point comparing them. I'd play them both together with Maddison in a three-man midfield.
He’s pretty shite.
Fabian Ruiz (CM) - I think he'll fit Ole's system well from 4-2-3-1 to 4-3-3 and compliment Pogba well because of his passing abilities. He has a great technical ability and is able to play accurate passes even under pressure and not only keeps it so simple but his ability to play through ball in for forwards are a real threat which will enable us to create chances, he'll increase AWB's offensively because of his through ball which can create a space for AWB to cross, low cross or cutback pass. His key assist is pretty high compared to most CM and has good high work-rate movement off the ball where he can move intelligently which will open space to exploit. He has very good defensive work rate where he can read the game so well and intercept the ball before he could launch a counter-attack with his dribbling and passing.
Julian Weigl (CDM) - Unlike Mctominay and Matic, he is key to play out from the back under high pressure and make himself available for a pass as always, his asset to play as CB during the game could allow us to play 3 at back with fullback bombing up high. He is also good in possession. By no means is he a playmaker but he is great passer of the ball which is his strongest key, especially with his proving both long and short distances as well as creativity in the final third and switch the play with a raking cross-field pass to a teammate on the left or right flank. Like Ruiz, Wegi will make alway make himself available for a pass or could move intelligently which will open space to exploit and keep the tempo of the game faster with his one-touch play, switching the play with his long pass which can be real asset to us when we overload on left flank which will create huge space for on right flank to exploit through his one touch to play cross-field. He has improved his defensive skills especially with his arieal battle and is much better at it right now and looked stronger than before in 17/18.
These two midfielders could take most of our burden off Pogba's creative and long passing, it gets to the point we don't have to worry about Pogba if he's marked because most of the time they can do what Pogba would do. With Fabian Ruiz and Weigl penetrating midfield and control the midfield could allow Pogba to make a powerful run whenever he has space to run which will be a real threat.
Pogba is being to asked to collect balls and being deep of midfield to play pass around CB and lose ball couple of time under high pressure, same applied to Matic. Weigl could do that as he excelled so well under high pressure when he collects the ball from defenders and broke the line with his passing. Pogba is being asked to play cross-field to both flanks which will force his positioning to be deeper to do that meaning his offensive would drop. Weigl and Fabian Ruiz could do that job without forcing Pogba to move down or play cross-field. Fabian Ruiz poses great ability movement off the ball where he can move intelligently and play in between the lines but unlike Lingard, Fabian is more threatening because of his playmaking and through ball which will cause havoc than Lingard would. Pogba is being to asked do everything we want from him when Ruiz and Wegil could do that and they always offer an option for a pass and keep it so simple until there's an opportunity to exploit
If they mark Pogba, they'll have to mark Ruiz too which will be more difficult. If we are playing counter-attacking against top sides, they'll have to stop our midfield from playing when we could posse greater offensively of long passing with Pogba, Weigl and Fabian Ruiz. Like against Liverpool for an example, they'll have to sacrifice their fullback's creativity which is is very important to Liverpool's buildup and attack otherwise they may get destroyed. if they sacrifice their fullback's creativity, they'll be toothless in attack. Not only Liverpool but if Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs knew that, they will not play their fullback high which will make it easier for our fullback to deal with one on one rather than 1v2 while we can push fullback high as long as Weigl stays as 3rd option for CB in middle at back, they'll have to ask their winger to help out defensively and force them to sit deeper and they are not strong in long passing so it'd be pointless if they can't pass long to attack and mark whoever is great at long passing.
For RW, there are not many great RW and Sancho is one of player I would not consider going for if he plays on RW because I believe he'll be more effective if he was playing on the left flank than on right flank in our system.
There is a couple of great young RW but not much with the end product, for an example, Samuel Chukwueze look so unbelievable, frighteningly fast, world-class dribbling, his close control, and trickery consistently see him outplay multiple defenders before arriving in the box. Unlike Rashford, Lingard, and James, in tight space, Chukwueze has close control to exit the pressure and penetrate the last line of defense. He is also work-rate who support his fullback off the ball and alway press player whenever they have ball.
If Chukwueze improves with his end product and can become more consistent with his final actions, as well as adding another dimension to his profile, he'll be the superstar that could rival the likes of Mbappe in the future. Is it worth risk to gamble on him? It's a question of whether we can take a gamble on him. I'd wait until he improves his end product like 10+ goal in La Liga per season playing for Villarreal. I'd take Sancho if it means we'll play him as left-winger when top right winger becomes available in the market or Greenwood to step up. At the moment, like i said there are still not many great young RW, especially left footed in the market.
Julian Weigl (CDM) - Unlike Mctominay and Matic, he is key to play out from the back under high pressure and make himself available for a pass as always, his asset to play as CB during the game could allow us to play 3 at back with fullback bombing up high. He is also good in possession. By no means is he a playmaker but he is great passer of the ball which is his strongest key, especially with his proving both long and short distances as well as creativity in the final third and switch the play with a raking cross-field pass to a teammate on the left or right flank. Like Ruiz, Wegi will make alway make himself available for a pass or could move intelligently which will open space to exploit and keep the tempo of the game faster with his one-touch play, switching the play with his long pass which can be real asset to us when we overload on left flank which will create huge space for on right flank to exploit through his one touch to play cross-field. He has improved his defensive skills especially with his arieal battle and is much better at it right now and looked stronger than before in 17/18.
These two midfielders could take most of our burden off Pogba's creative and long passing, it gets to the point we don't have to worry about Pogba if he's marked because most of the time they can do what Pogba would do. With Fabian Ruiz and Weigl penetrating midfield and control the midfield could allow Pogba to make a powerful run whenever he has space to run which will be a real threat.
Pogba is being to asked to collect balls and being deep of midfield to play pass around CB and lose ball couple of time under high pressure, same applied to Matic. Weigl could do that as he excelled so well under high pressure when he collects the ball from defenders and broke the line with his passing. Pogba is being asked to play cross-field to both flanks which will force his positioning to be deeper to do that meaning his offensive would drop. Weigl and Fabian Ruiz could do that job without forcing Pogba to move down or play cross-field. Fabian Ruiz poses great ability movement off the ball where he can move intelligently and play in between the lines but unlike Lingard, Fabian is more threatening because of his playmaking and through ball which will cause havoc than Lingard would. Pogba is being to asked do everything we want from him when Ruiz and Wegil could do that and they always offer an option for a pass and keep it so simple until there's an opportunity to exploit
If they mark Pogba, they'll have to mark Ruiz too which will be more difficult. If we are playing counter-attacking against top sides, they'll have to stop our midfield from playing when we could posse greater offensively of long passing with Pogba, Weigl and Fabian Ruiz. Like against Liverpool for an example, they'll have to sacrifice their fullback's creativity which is is very important to Liverpool's buildup and attack otherwise they may get destroyed. if they sacrifice their fullback's creativity, they'll be toothless in attack. Not only Liverpool but if Arsenal, Chelsea, and Spurs knew that, they will not play their fullback high which will make it easier for our fullback to deal with one on one rather than 1v2 while we can push fullback high as long as Weigl stays as 3rd option for CB in middle at back, they'll have to ask their winger to help out defensively and force them to sit deeper and they are not strong in long passing so it'd be pointless if they can't pass long to attack and mark whoever is great at long passing.
For RW, there are not many great RW and Sancho is one of player I would not consider going for if he plays on RW because I believe he'll be more effective if he was playing on the left flank than on right flank in our system.
There is a couple of great young RW but not much with the end product, for an example, Samuel Chukwueze look so unbelievable, frighteningly fast, world-class dribbling, his close control, and trickery consistently see him outplay multiple defenders before arriving in the box. Unlike Rashford, Lingard, and James, in tight space, Chukwueze has close control to exit the pressure and penetrate the last line of defense. He is also work-rate who support his fullback off the ball and alway press player whenever they have ball.
If Chukwueze improves with his end product and can become more consistent with his final actions, as well as adding another dimension to his profile, he'll be the superstar that could rival the likes of Mbappe in the future. Is it worth risk to gamble on him? It's a question of whether we can take a gamble on him. I'd wait until he improves his end product like 10+ goal in La Liga per season playing for Villarreal. I'd take Sancho if it means we'll play him as left-winger when top right winger becomes available in the market or Greenwood to step up. At the moment, like i said there are still not many great young RW, especially left footed in the market.
Ndidi
Milinkovic-Savic
Ziyech
Milinkovic-Savic
Ziyech
Realistic for January signing improvement:
McGinn
Ziyech
Mandzukic
DDG
AWB Lindelof Maguire Shaw
McGinn McTomminay Pogba
Ziyech Martial Rashford
Romero Tuanzebe Young Fred James Greenwood Mandzukic
McGinn
Ziyech
Mandzukic
DDG
AWB Lindelof Maguire Shaw
McGinn McTomminay Pogba
Ziyech Martial Rashford
Romero Tuanzebe Young Fred James Greenwood Mandzukic
It's looking to me like Pogba, De Gea and Matic, will be gone come next Summer. Should we be picking six players now...
It’s getting a bit silly, really. We needed to do way more business than we did last summer, and the summer before that. We’ve signed 4 players in 2 years ffs, and only half of them play.
We needed 2 midfielders before Herrera left, and we signed none. Pogba is a dead cert to leave which means we need 4. The neglect of our midfield is baffling to say the least.
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1. King Salman
2. New CEO
3. Whoever we want
2. New CEO
3. Whoever we want