The exclusion doesn't have much to do with Sandro's quality or apparent “World Class” categorization, really. Brazil are just spoiled for choice at the position - like the 2010 World Cup - where they had Maicon and Alves for the right, in contrast with a fairly mediocre (in relative terms) leftback in Michel Bastos (with Gilberto in a reserve leftback role). Marcelo starts for the team, obviously - weaker than Sandro in defensive terms, but one of the greatest attacking fullbacks of all time - let alone this era, and a perfect complement to Neymar. Filipe Luís is the reserve leftback - weaker than both Marcelo and Sandro in attack, and less balanced than the latter, but the perfect player for a more defensive-minded approach and Tite also seems to like him on a personal level as a member of the team (according to reports). It's like Cabrini missing out on an All-Time Italian XI spot because he has Facchetti and Maldini ahead of him. If Sandro was a rightback, he would be one of the first names on the team-sheet - ahead of both Fagner and Danilo.
Alex Sandro
- Thread starter davidmichael
- Start date
I've just seen that Spinazzola, his supposed replacement, tore his ACL and is out for 6 months. Could put a spanner in the works for us.
Yes very true. I just think of this and combine it with his below par season and wonder whether he's going to be the big upgrade we were always after.
Hopefully the news is true.
Sandro and Toby for £80m would fix so many fecking problems. Add a £40m RB and we're sorted in defense for the next 3 years or so.
How did you conclude that? Marcelo is a candidate for the GOAT left back and Luis is a top quality more defensive LB (given the manager another tactical option on the bench).
Fully on board with Alex Sandro and a top CB (Alderweireld, Koulibaly etc). I think we might go for a younger RB, though, someone to compete with Valencia for a bit (Mukiele, Odriozola perhaps).
Because Sandro has also had an underwhelming season?
To be fair, his performances in a below par season are still better than a lot of alternatives being linked with United - and there's reason to believe that the temporary loss of form is due to a lack of motivation after being linked with a move away in the summer. Unless we sign someone like Marcelo or Alba, or pursue a more defensively predicated target like Lucas Hernández - who's been sound for Atlético, it's impossible to sign a bigger upgrade at leftback than Sandro in the current market considering Alaba is of a similar-ish level in terms of overall quality and athleticism, and crucially, more unattainable - and someone like Ghoulam comes with significant fitness concerns. Additionally, Sandro's age profile is really enticing for United - young enough to be a fixture in the starting XI for the foreseeable future, but old enough to be a seasoned semi-veteran for Mourinho - with close to 50 Champions League appearances under his belt.
You put Sandro at Alaba's level? I have always felt that he was slightly below Felipe Luis.
Yep, probably an unpopular opinion but I think Alaba was better in the past and retroactively benefits from his lingering image (kinda like Boateng - who's admittedly evidenced a greater drop in quality vis-à-vis peak Bayern). Still a top-shelf leftback, mind, one of the best around, in fact - it's just that I don't believe he's significantly better than Sandro in a tier below Marcelo. Reckon Sandro is stronger and a more astute defender while Alaba is better going forward and in terms of passing.
Just found this compilation of him in 2017/18. If this is supposed to be an underperforming and unhappy player then we could have a serious player on our hands. Even now I can tell how he'll improve the team. Has the ability to cover the whole left side, can dribble, also capable of moving into midfield at times. We've desperately needed a LB who can do even the basics and Sandro is a very complete fullback. Will improve our attack so much.
We are sending Darmian the other way, supposedly
I agree but think you are over harsh on Valencia. He’s been good this season at right back (age and expectations) but as you rightly say both have their limitations and that was my point. But we cannot expect him to be what he’s not so if we go another season with either then we will be lucky to get the same out them.
Has anyone saw much of Sarr from Marseille? He looked like he had something last night but only ever noticed him one game so have next to no idea on him.
To be fair the fact he’s mentioned in the same breath as these two are enough. I’ve saw Sandro live and if he has the same drive and fitness as he did he’ll be a top signing. I wouldn’t be too concerned if we went for Tierney as that kid is quality already and he will still I’d imagine keep getting better. Either or will improve us greatly. I hope Sandro is the correct age etc and not drop of like Essian who had these rumours around him. Whether it was age or injuries with Essian I’m still not sure.
Oh, I'm not concerned, Alex Sandro is a decent player and in theory he could improve us a lot. I was just interested in Invictus's ranking.
The second you watch one of these 'welcome to United' videos you jinx any chance of him signing.
There's one for every player in the World TBF.
Yeah lol sorry @JPRouve i wasn’t meaning that directly at you. I have a habit of replying to posts when i should just post in the thread without replying to someone.
Lol - and 99% of them aren't signing. Just proves the point!
Thing is, it's all kind of a moot point if our tactics limit him from playing as offensively as he's used to. All of his strengths will be void pretty quickly.
TFM for me.
So, why the hell isn't he in the final squad for Brazil?
Has barely played under Tite. Tite has his favourites. Marcelo is first choice as attacking left back, Felipe Luis first choice defensive left back.
Marcelo is first choice and Felipe Luis is the back up.
Interesting rankings. Where would Alex Telles come in then... Bottom of the pile?
Looks a real player & is coming off a great season. Surprised we've not been linked to him.
He's probably the best alternative to Sandro. His crossing and set pieces are superb.
Thank you for humoring me
Alaba is heavily living off his reputation from 2013. In the last few years, he never came close to that level and there was some time where he wasn‘t even the best leftback in Bundesliga. His national team performances have been woeful and he is comfortably behind Kimmich in terms of importance for Bayern.
After returning from injury this spring was the only point where he looked to perform like he is thought of.
Mahrez and Savic are going to cost around £150m combined, don't think we have that big of a budget this summer. We need at least two new CMs, a LB, a RB, a CB and if Martial leaves a new winger. We'll probably sign 4-5 players in region of £40-50m and improve the overall squad than go out for a big marquee attacker.
Ooh, I really like Telles! But would place him in a tier below, to be honest. Offensively skillful and excellent in terms of his final delivery (from open play as well as set pieces) - ranking as one of the best for league assists from a fullback last season:
As well as this (13 assists is pretty absurd):
And you get a sense that he's stalling at Porto (will all due respect to them) and need to move to a bigger stage, much like Sandro circa 2013 and onwards.
However, he's not as complete or astute or robust in defensive terms, and hasn't proven himself in the Champions League to the same degree — so I'd hesitate to place him in the same bracket.
This would be my dream summer
The four above and a blockbuster signing like Dembele if Barca buy Griezmann.
Marcelo is their left back.
Sort of like Carboni getting 15 caps because he played the same position as Maldini or Jose Francisco Molina playing less than 10 games for Spain due to Zubizureata, Canizares then Casillas.
In positions like LB, RB, GK it's possible to be a special player and not get many call-ups.
I'm assuming there's some kind of friction between him and the manager. You can understand Marcelo getting the nod but to lose the back up spot to Felipe Luis is strange. considering how recently he broke his leg
Of the options available under our current circumstances, he's probably the most logical LB signing we can make.
DembeleThis would be my dream summer
The four above and a blockbuster signing like Dembele if Barca buy Griezmann.
Good stuff mate.. Hoping United have him as backup in the event the Sandro deal falls through for whatever reason, instead of Ghoulam, Tierney, Sessegnon & Rose.
C'mon Ed, announce Sandro already!!
Overrated one, would have a lot of difficoult in England
If tierney signs you will not be disappointed @sideshow_bob he’s a cracking player and will only get better.