Amorim's Rebuild

[Highfather_24]

Onana/Bayindir

Maz/Yoro
MDL/Maguire
Martinez/Shaw

Amad/Dalot
Ugarte/#6
Mainoo/#8
LWB/Malacia

Bruno/Mount
#10/Garnacho
Hojlund/Zirkzee

So we need a left wing back, couple of midfielders, and a skillful #10. Probably even a striker, but our mainfocus should be to able to create more chances for our strikers.

 

[DJ_21]

Chelsea spent over a billion the past couple of years bringing in loads of promising players from all over… let’s not act we have the same potential within our squad that just a couple top players changes everything.

Now, that doesn’t mean I think we need some 3 or 4 years to rebuild. Just that Chelsea is a poor example of turning around a sinking ship with a new manager.

It takes a lot longer to bed in 20 new players than it does to bed in 3. Our squad is good enough to be above Brighton, forest, spurs, Brentford, Villa. So all this rebuild stuff is nonsense. We just need to sell the likes of Rashford, Shaw and replace them. Your not telling me Brighton have a better squad than us yet a win tonight puts them level with city…

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

It takes a lot longer to bed in 20 new players than it does to bed in 3. Our squad is good enough to be above Brighton, forest, spurs, Brentford, Villa. So all this rebuild stuff is nonsense. We just need to sell the likes of Rashford, Shaw and replace them. Your not telling me Brighton have a better squad than us yet a win tonight puts them level with city…

Oh sure, I thought you were saying a good summer and we shoot to 2nd place…

Obviously we should be ahead of the clubs you mentioned. And I even said when Amorim came in that we will play much better but I wasn’t sure if we’d score enough to be where we probably should results wise.

 

[imonkmc]

Utd will take most of the season to fully settle into a new system, utd should obviously strive for top 4 finish, if our attackers aren’t clicking, Amorim should have a low threshold of trying youngsters out as unlikely utd will spend big in jan..

 

[DJ_21]

Oh sure, I thought you were saying a good summer and we shoot to 2nd place…

Obviously we should be ahead of the clubs you mentioned. And I even said when Amorim came in that we will play much better but I wasn’t sure if we’d score enough to be where we probably should results wise.

Fair enough mate. My bad if you misunderstood. I don’t expect us to shoot straight to 2nd but I don’t think we’re miles away like some have mentioned. Another couple of windows where we can sell all the deadwood and not good enough players and sign some quality players that fit Amorim’s style and I think we’ll see massive improvements.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

Fair enough mate. My bad if you misunderstood. I don’t expect us to shoot straight to 2nd but I don’t think we’re miles away like some have mentioned. Another couple of windows where we can sell all the deadwood and not good enough players and sign some quality players that fit Amorim’s style and I think we’ll see massive improvements.

Agree with this. Biggest thing for me is if we have the balls to sell players that people don’t think we’ll sell.

 

[El Jefe]

We need a striker and AM. We can’t just buy one player in attack.

I’d be very happy to just spend good money on two forwards and one CM and fill out CB and wingback positions with free transfers and youth team players.

By adding real quality in CM and attack it will completely transform our team. It will allow us pin other teams in their half because they now fear our attackers which means we defend far less.

 

[Ish]

We need to make tough decisions. There needs to be a 3 year plan ending with challenging for the title. Anyone that wont be needed needs to be sold. For example - Rashford - Will be 30, doesn't fit the system. Sell. Bruno - Will be 33. Sell. This needs to be discussed and decided with all players but I can see these players not fitting or getting too old

1) Garnacho. Yes class player but does he fit as a 10
2) Rashford
3) Bruno
4) Martinez - Does he really fit. Too slow and too short. Brilliant player though but feel he will be exposed.
5) Dalot - Dont think he is suited as fist choice. Need someone like Frimpong
6) Maguire - Think he should get a new contract. Ideal back up in a 3.
7) Shaw - Done
8) Mount - Needs to step up. If not sell

Thats a lot of our main players and people will try and hang on to them for dear life. But other teams dont do that. Chelsea, Arsenal, City all get rid of players that dont fit even if they are good.

We will need - First team 1 CB / 2 Midfielder / LWB / RWB / 1 Number 10 / 1 Striker and Back Up LWB and Back up CB at least. This is what I think a first 11 will look like that could challenge. Obviously we cant do this in one window and the names will change on availability/price etc but over 2/3 seasons we need to get to this level of quality plus good back up options

Onana
Yoro De Ligt Lukeba
Frimpong Ugarte Mainoo Davies
Amad Wirtz
Goykeres

Back Up
Bayendir
Mazroui Maguire Tah
Amad/Mazroui Stiller Reijdeers Alvaro
Mount Zirkzee
Hojlund
​

Ideal Next Window
Stiller - 40 mill
Reijdeers - 50 mill
Frimpong - 40 mill
Davies - Free
Tah - Free
Goykeres - 70 mill

Yes its unlikely but we should at least have an ideal target. 200 mill for the above - up to 250 if Im way wrong is doable if we sell Rashford and one or two others. We can also drop one midfielder and/or Frimpong etc and get the equivalent in the next window

200m + Wirtz? Would be lovely but good luck landing him/spending that amount of money.

Agreed around ruthless though and making tough decisions. Hell, promote some youth if we must.

 

[ROFLUTION]

We have a lot of players for Amorim's system really. It's quality we lack and clinical finishers/great creators. Sell some who'll never reach the high ceiling we expect and buy a star imo.

Go for Wirtz. Or highly technical players like Davies or Joao Pedro (not fit enough though, but what a player he can be at times)

 

[SparcMac]

If Eriksen, Casemiro, Mount? maybe all leaving then Baleba from Brighton would be a dream signing.

 

[MCDC]

With just the 3 teams in the bottom 3 we could improve this team.

Southampton:
Tyler Dibbling - CAM

Wolves:
Joao Gomes - CM
Rayan Ait Nouri - LWB
Matheus Cuhna - CAM

Ipswich:
Liam Delap - ST
Leif Davis - LWB
Omari Hutchinson -CAM

I think we could massively upgrade the technical and physical floor of this team, with just a handful of players from potential relegated clubs.

I think with FFP breathing down our neck, we need to be looking for bargains and all of these have some premier league experience.

 

[Trex]

Being realistic between now and the end of next summer. In this order
High priority
Left wingback: Davies/ Ait Nouri
Striker: Gyokeres/ Osimhen.

Further additions
Antony replacement: Quenda
Eriksen replacement: (someone young, but shouldn't cost much, we already have Mainoo).
Evans/Lindelof replacement: either Kukonki breaks through or some cheap young talent.

 

[Baneofthegame]

Hopefully we can sell a few players and generate 50-80 million to fund some summer transfers whilst utilising the free agent pool.

Gyokeres 60-70
Wirtz 100
Dorgu ?
Davies Free
Tah Free
David Free
Gomes Free

Other free agents potentially available:

Kimmich, Anguissa, Mitchell, Kyle Walker Peters, Roony Bardghji (Dec 2025),

Sell

Rashford 25
Lindelof 5-10
Maguire 15
Antony 15-20
Shaw 10-20
Eriksen Free

Obviously Wirtz and Davies are pipe dreams and I doubt we make loads of free agent signings, if we can’t get Wirtz I’d like Quenda instead and move Diallo to one of the 10 positions, also doubt we shift a lot of our dross either.

Potentially add in Hojlund/Bruno/Dalot if we needed the funds.

 

[Insanity]

Being realistic between now and the end of next summer. In this order
High priority
Left wingback: Davies/ Ait Nouri
Striker: Gyokeres/ Osimhen.

Further additions
Antony replacement: Quenda
Eriksen replacement: (someone young, but shouldn't cost much, we already have Mainoo).
Evans/Lindelof replacement: either Kukonki breaks through or some cheap young talent.

I'll add Kerkez to the list of LWB's.

Osimhen is like a better Hojlund. I don't think he'd work in a system which asks more from a striker than simply score goals. We would have the same issues with holding up the ball in the final third that we face now when Hojlund starts.

I haven't seen much of Gyokeres to comment.

The best overall striker in the Pl right now is Isak and I would love for us to go for him if there is a chance he is available. Although, I doubt that Newcastle are going to sell him to us.

I agree that those two positions are the utmost priority. And we need upgrades on the positions you mention under "Further additions". I think we'd be a much much better team if we can get the right additions for these 5 positions. Almost a complete team.

 

[Trex]

I'll add Kerkez to the list of LWB's.

Osimhen is like a better Hojlund. I don't think he'd work in a system which asks more from a striker than simply score goals. We would have the same issues with holding up the ball in the final third that we face now when Hojlund starts.

I haven't seen much of Gyokeres to comment.

The best overall striker in the Pl right now is Isak and I would love for us to go for him if there is a chance he is available. Although, I doubt that Newcastle are going to sell him to us.

I agree that those two positions are the utmost priority. And we need upgrades on the positions you mention under "Further additions". I think we'd be a much much better team if we can get the right additions for these 5 positions. Almost a complete team.

I love Isak as well, the closest thing to a complete 9. I've followed him since his time at Real Socieded, he'll be very difficult to get, will cost a truck load and I'm a bit worried about his injuries.

Ideally I'll like to bring in another player for the left CAM too but the presence of Rashford and Garnacho wouldn't allow.

 

[MonkeysMagic]

It's absolutely imperative that we buy a proven, high quality striker, i know not many of them about, but we have been severely lacking in this area for years and it shows.

We create chances but far too often these are squandered and I think if we don't make top 4 this season, it will be due to lack of goal scored from the opportunities presented. Don't believe anything is going to happen in Jan so we really need to keep clean sheets and be defensively organised, can already see Amorim's work here, and hope our collection of 5 very average forwards between them can muster 30 goals!

 

[Teja]

We create chances but far too often these are squandered and I think if we don't make top 4 this season, it will be due to lack of goal scored from the opportunities presented

We're 12th on xG.

 

[Highfather_24]

We're 12th on xG.

Yep. I cant remember us creating a lot of chances for Hojlund/Zirkzee that they have missed. Our issue is creating chances, not missing them. Gyokeres wont fix shit.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

Hopefully we can sell a few players and generate 50-80 million to fund some summer transfers whilst utilising the free agent pool.

Gyokeres 60-70
Wirtz 100
Dorgu ?
Davies Free
Tah Free
David Free
Gomes Free

Other free agents potentially available:

Kimmich, Anguissa, Mitchell, Kyle Walker Peters, Roony Bardghji (Dec 2025),

Sell

Rashford 25
Lindelof 5-10
Maguire 15
Antony 15-20
Shaw 10-20
Eriksen Free

Obviously Wirtz and Davies are pipe dreams and I doubt we make loads of free agent signings, if we can’t get Wirtz I’d like Quenda instead and move Diallo to one of the 10 positions, also doubt we shift a lot of our dross either.

Potentially add in Hojlund/Bruno/Dalot if we needed the funds.

Just FYI - Maguire and Lindelof both have contracts set to expire end of season, nobody is paying £10 to 20m for Shaw with his wages and injury history and years left guaranteed at that wage, I think you'd struggle to get £15 to £20m for Antony too with his wages

 

[Trex]

Yep. I cant remember us creating a lot of chances for Hojlund/Zirkzee that they have missed. Our issue is creating chances, not missing them. Gyokeres wont fix shit.

The job of a 9 isn't just converting chances though, it includes good hold up and link up play. it's crucial for ball progression and dominating in the final third. The best 9s Benzema, Kane, Lewandoski, Ibrahimovic had this in their locker. Neither of this two are doing it well enough. They both have potential but we'll learn a lot about them from now till the end of the season. And that's just one area they need to get seriously better at.

 

[MCDC]

It's absolutely imperative that we buy a proven, high quality striker, i know not many of them about, but we have been severely lacking in this area for years and it shows.

We create chances but far too often these are squandered and I think if we don't make top 4 this season, it will be due to lack of goal scored from the opportunities presented. Don't believe anything is going to happen in Jan so we really need to keep clean sheets and be defensively organised, can already see Amorim's work here, and hope our collection of 5 very average forwards between them can muster 30 goals!

I don’t disagree that ST is an issue, as shown in both the Ipswich & Arsenal game, we lack creativity and therefore cannot break teams down.

Before we even start looking at ST, we need to improve the supply to them. Then we can judge if Hojlund is good enough, don't think Zirkzee is ever going to be a consistent goalscorer he's more of a false 9.

We need to be looking for a LWB first, as we have nobody, when Dalot has played there we have created opportunities for him to create but either his touch is poor or he makes the wrong decision. This would stretch the pitch giving our midfielders and ST more space in the middle of the pitch, whereas it's currently congested as without Amad, we have no wide threat at WB.

We definitely need a CM, who can rotate with Mainoo even two to rotate with Ugarte, as we're losing Eriksen, I would personally see offers in Jan and try and get a fee for him. Casemiro has played well but will anyone take on his wages? Our ability to progress through the lines and pin teams back, hurts out chance creation, we held possession on the halfway line against Arsenal, but offered no potency to break through their low block.

We need a RWB as brilliant as Amad has been I feel he is tailormade for one of the CAM roles, unless Amorim disagrees and is going to use him like Quenda at Sporting, if that is the case then we need to be looking at a CAM, who can play between the lines and create for our ST.

All these issues need resolving before we look at ST, if we solve these issues and Hojlund, Zirkzee or whoever is upfront doesn't score then, yes replace them, but look at City, they stopped creating for Haaland and he has barely scored in the last 6 weeks.

 

[Baneofthegame]

Just FYI - Maguire and Lindelof both have contracts set to expire end of season, nobody is paying £10 to 20m for Shaw with his wages and injury history and years left guaranteed at that wage, I think you'd struggle to get £15 to £20m for Antony too with his wages

Thought both had a year option, but it’s just Maguire, thanks for your opinion.

 

[AngeloHenriquez]

Thought both had a year option, but it’s just Maguire, thanks for your opinion.

You sound sarcastic so do you genuinely think we can shift Shaw/ Antony? Genuine question. Can't see us using that extra year for Maguire but I wouldn't mind it if he's fit but even he seems to be picking up a lot of injuries the last 18 months which is unlike him before then,

 

[DuruttiColumn]

Toney on loan in January.

Haven’t checked, but I’m sure he’s probably already got himself into trouble/ is bored of Saudi by now

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

People fixate on the strikers and while they are an issue, they still aren’t our biggest issue in attack. I watched a tactical breakdown his sporting team and one thing that was mentioned was they actually didn’t have many progressive passes into the box, what they had instead was some of the highest and most successful numbers for dribbles into the box. That was primarily led by their number 10s. We just don’t have the right profile of players in that position and our squad desperately needs players who can beat someone to create. I’ve seen enough to Hojalnd to know if you give him chances he will convert. Ive also seen enough of our options at 10 to know we don’t have anyone (bar Amad) who can actually dribble and beat people.

 

[Bobby_2024]

What about trying this and bring in few 1st team players next summer?

--------------------Rasmus---------------------------

-------Eriksen------------------------Amad--------

--Malacia/Dalot-----Mainoo----Ugarte------Maz----

------------Martinez-----Deligt--------Yoro--------------

-------------------------Onana-------------------------------------

More technical players in the starting X1 and we can bring in Bruno/Rashford/Garna from bench who can run against tired teams.

 

[AdamColeBebe]

Was wondering this on my dog walk this morning, and to be honest was struggling to think of a name...

...as we're rebuilding, and with our current roster, who would you say is our most important player? Mainoo? Diallo? Bruno?

 

[devilish]

With money running dry and the squad being the quality it is, I believe its time that we admit that there's no quick fix to the situation and that its time to take some cynical decisions.

January.

Luke Shaw - he's on 150k a week and his contract runs till 2027. Its time we have a serious conversation with the lad were he's told that United had run out of option in terms of bringing him to his former best. That might lead to an arrangement. Would he accept a lump sum now (ex 1 year of salary) on top of any money he might get as a free agent? That could spare us 8m.

Dalot. He's a good player, however if Real is truly interested in spending 50m for him then we should sell especially if Bayern would be willing to sell Davies now for let's say 10m. Meanwhile Óscar Mingueza is doing very well in Spain and has a 20m euros clause.

Maguire - his contract is set to expire this year but we can trigger a 1 year extension. If we can get 10m out of the guy then I'd say sell.

Zirkzee - There's many Serie A clubs eyeing the player. I'd be happy if we can recoup the money we spent for him.



Sale - 106m

Signings

Óscar Mingueza - He can play as both LB and RB, he's 6ft tall which adds some height to our defence and he has a 20m euros minimum fee clause inserted in his contract

Alfonso Davies - Bayern might be tempted to sell for 10m with add-onns rather then allow the guy to walk on free.

Nypan - 6m + addons. 17 year old, he's a huge talent and he's 6ft tall. That's a no brainer to me. Norway's league has ended so it shouldn't be an issue if we buy him now. I can see him being used as a Mainoo cover up till the summer.

Tah - he's 28 years of age, he's pacey, he's 6ft5 and he's heading to his last few months of contract. If we sell Maguire now then I think we can tempt Leverkusen for a 6m + add-ons deal now. Tah-Lindelof-Martinez would provide the experienced setup for the likes of Yoro and Kukonki to develop

Gyokeres - Amorim's system rely on a proven goalscorer. If he trusts Gyokeres then he should get Gyokeres. He might be the difference between 4th place and 5th place or between Europa league and Conference league.

 

[Von Mistelroum]

The first team needs a big overhaul if Amorim is going to challenge at some point. We have players who submit can't work in this style and formation.

I would say

-----------++Onana

Yoro/Maz De Ligt Martinez

Amad Ugarte Mainoo ????

-----???? Maybe Bruno?

----------Hojlund?

Then we would also need good backups. I don't think Rashford, Antony, Mount, probably Zirkzee, Garnacho, Casemiro, Eriksen, Maguire, Malacia, Shaw (injuries) are going to work.

 

[Baneofthegame]

You sound sarcastic so do you genuinely think we can shift Shaw/ Antony? Genuine question. Can't see us using that extra year for Maguire but I wouldn't mind it if he's fit but even he seems to be picking up a lot of injuries the last 18 months which is unlike him before then,

Not sarcastic at all, I realise the effort it will take to shift some of these horrible deals and signings, but do I think we could get 10 million for Shaw? Or 15 million for Antony? Yeah, will they leave there high wage deals? Most likely not.

But if we can move Sancho anything is possible.

 

[Zed 101]

With money running dry and the squad being the quality it is, I believe its time that we admit that there's no quick fix to the situation and that its time to take some cynical decisions.

January.

Luke Shaw - he's on 150k a week and his contract runs till 2027. Its time we have a serious conversation with the lad were he's told that United had run out of option in terms of bringing him to his former best. That might lead to an arrangement. Would he accept a lump sum now (ex 1 year of salary) on top of any money he might get as a free agent? That could spare us 8m.

Dalot. He's a good player, however if Real is truly interested in spending 50m for him then we should sell especially if Bayern would be willing to sell Davies now for let's say 10m. Meanwhile Óscar Mingueza is doing very well in Spain and has a 20m euros clause.

Maguire - his contract is set to expire this year but we can trigger a 1 year extension. If we can get 10m out of the guy then I'd say sell.

Zirkzee - There's many Serie A clubs eyeing the player. I'd be happy if we can recoup the money we spent for him.



Sale - 106m

Signings

Óscar Mingueza - He can play as both LB and RB, he's 6ft tall which adds some height to our defence and he has a 20m euros minimum fee clause inserted in his contract

Alfonso Davies - Bayern might be tempted to sell for 10m with add-onns rather then allow the guy to walk on free.

Nypan - 6m + addons. 17 year old, he's a huge talent and he's 6ft tall. That's a no brainer to me. Norway's league has ended so it shouldn't be an issue if we buy him now. I can see him being used as a Mainoo cover up till the summer.

Tah - he's 28 years of age, he's pacey, he's 6ft5 and he's heading to his last few months of contract. If we sell Maguire now then I think we can tempt Leverkusen for a 6m + add-ons deal now. Tah-Lindelof-Martinez would provide the experienced setup for the likes of Yoro and Kukonki to develop

Gyokeres - Amorim's system rely on a proven goalscorer. If he trusts Gyokeres then he should get Gyokeres. He might be the difference between 4th place and 5th place or between Europa league and Conference league.

You lost me at Lindelof! 1st out of the door, well 2nd just behind Antony!

Supposedly there is interest in Lindelof in Italy

Any list that does not have Antony at the top of the exits is funky, get him out at all costs

Zirkzee, will not realise the same value even sold back to Italy, if we get 75% and a sell on clause we will be very lucky

Shaw has 2.5 years left on his contract as of January so worth approximately £20m (I have not counted the weeks exactly) so why would he take an £8m pay out last time I check his injuries have not been head related

Maguire's contract expires in June 25 so unless we activate the clause in Jan he can start negotiating as a free agent, he is on £190k per week an no other club is going to offer him that, why would any club buy him in January and why would he go, ok if we extend his contract who is going to match his wage?

Realistically players who we could sell, which would incur a significant loss against book value due to offsetting their wages would be Rashford, Antony, Lindelof, Zirkzee, Mount....

Of the players you have listed only Dalot is actively making us money, not saying we would not look to sell players just to get them off our books, but the only way we make £106m in Jan is if we cashed in on somebody like Garnacho or Mainoo as well as Zirkzee, Lindelof and Dalot.

There is a possibility that we could see Rashford go in January, would depend if somebody came in with a bid and the question was asked then maybe it happens, even still pie in the sky we are likely to get £50m max and more likely half of that, however getting his wage off the books would be a big bonus

Unlikely we will sell either Garnacho or Mainoo, however I would not be surprised if Garnacho was not sold in 6 -18 months if he cannot find a way to fit into Amorim's system

 

[mikeyt]

What about trying this and bring in few 1st team players next summer?

--------------------Rasmus---------------------------

-------Eriksen------------------------Amad--------

--Malacia/Dalot-----Mainoo----Ugarte------Maz----

------------Martinez-----Deligt--------Yoro--------------

-------------------------Onana-------------------------------------

More technical players in the starting X1 and we can bring in Bruno/Rashford/Garna from bench who can run against tired teams.

With Yoro now fit I do like the idea of pushing Max to RWB and Amad further forward. But there is no way Bruno aint starting.

 

[red_de_pologne]

With money running dry and the squad being the quality it is, I believe its time that we admit that there's no quick fix to the situation and that its time to take some cynical decisions.

January.

Luke Shaw - he's on 150k a week and his contract runs till 2027. Its time we have a serious conversation with the lad were he's told that United had run out of option in terms of bringing him to his former best. That might lead to an arrangement. Would he accept a lump sum now (ex 1 year of salary) on top of any money he might get as a free agent? That could spare us 8m.

Dalot. He's a good player, however if Real is truly interested in spending 50m for him then we should sell especially if Bayern would be willing to sell Davies now for let's say 10m. Meanwhile Óscar Mingueza is doing very well in Spain and has a 20m euros clause.

Maguire - his contract is set to expire this year but we can trigger a 1 year extension. If we can get 10m out of the guy then I'd say sell.

Zirkzee - There's many Serie A clubs eyeing the player. I'd be happy if we can recoup the money we spent for him.



Sale - 106m

Signings

Óscar Mingueza - He can play as both LB and RB, he's 6ft tall which adds some height to our defence and he has a 20m euros minimum fee clause inserted in his contract

Alfonso Davies - Bayern might be tempted to sell for 10m with add-onns rather then allow the guy to walk on free.

Nypan - 6m + addons. 17 year old, he's a huge talent and he's 6ft tall. That's a no brainer to me. Norway's league has ended so it shouldn't be an issue if we buy him now. I can see him being used as a Mainoo cover up till the summer.

Tah - he's 28 years of age, he's pacey, he's 6ft5 and he's heading to his last few months of contract. If we sell Maguire now then I think we can tempt Leverkusen for a 6m + add-ons deal now. Tah-Lindelof-Martinez would provide the experienced setup for the likes of Yoro and Kukonki to develop

Gyokeres - Amorim's system rely on a proven goalscorer. If he trusts Gyokeres then he should get Gyokeres. He might be the difference between 4th place and 5th place or between Europa league and Conference league.

where to even start..

Shaw is staying put, why would he accept 1 years salary when he's due 3?

Dalot - Real ain't spending 50m, would be a no brainer but no chance they offer more than 30, I doubt they will even come for him in January

Maguire - doubt anyone is spending money on him in January. Maybe a free deal to move to Italy in the summer.

Zirkzee - maybe a low ball offer from Italy in January, certainly not the same we paid for him.

Won't even comment on buying Gyokeres in January, don't doit to yourself.

Honestly I doubt we will do any business in January.

 

[The Irish Connection]

I tend to agree with people who say we aren’t that far away in terms of squad. Attack especially is what needs to improve.
I would say four or five good additions and the squad would be very strong.

Gyokeres - has a good all round game as striker and obviously can score goals. (Unless Hojlund gets 20 plus before the end of the season.)

Tyler Dibling - attacking midfielder, great dribbler. Or another number 10/wide attacker.

Bruno Guimaraes - probably unattainable but he’d be my choice to partner Ugarte. Basically a midfielder who is great at passing but can also do the job defensively.

Alphonso Davies/Alvaro/Kerkez - someone to provide a consistent threat from the left.

 

[AneRu]

We need a ruthless clearout for umpteenth time but we have tied ourselves in knots with the Rashford and Bruno contracts. If we don't smoke out a buyer we are in for about three seasons of pain because to finance a rebuilt we need Bruno, Rashford, Casemiro and Shaw out so that we can buy more reliable players and their contracts don't become reference points for new signings and other renewals.

 

[Jaffa Cakes II]

It's a great discussion and I am really enjoying it. The one thing that troubles me is this, it's fine to say that we need this or that top player, that Davies is on a free but how realistic is it? We are 13th in the table. We are not going to win any of the top prizes for a long time. Excellent players on a free transfer can pick and choose - why would they pick United? Does our fabulous history and enormous reputation somehow outweigh how second level we have been for a long time now? I doubt it. Do we want to hand out huge contracts to compensate? It's not a policy that many of us think has worked well so far. Amorim will know this well. My guess he is in this for the long haul, that work in the transfer market will be modest at best and incremental, a tweak here and a tweak there. We are going to have to be very. very patient.

 

[CM]

Was wondering this on my dog walk this morning, and to be honest was struggling to think of a name...

...as we're rebuilding, and with our current roster, who would you say is our most important player? Mainoo? Diallo? Bruno?

Mazraoui or Amad

 

[Zed 101]

I would be surprised to see Amorim chasing after big name players he has no experience with, he has never been at a club where he could sign big money, I would not be surprised if we were very thrifty with our purchases over the next few windows.

Amorim wants players with a specific skillset which may not mean he can find them in the upper bracket, for instance every player he wants will be required to be very fit and fast, be able to pass well and retain the ball.

I can see us going for Hjulmund in the summer before we go for Gyokeres, I think we will have to cut our cloth to get players for all the positions, £100m on a striker just doesn't fit when we will probably need a LWB, and another CB unless Kukoni and or Amass, breaks through, then we will probably only need the one, we will probably want a striker and a player to make up the numbers next to Ugarte unless Collyer breaks through.

Shame we have Spurs in the league cup, if he had weaker opposition we could maybe have seen some youngsters given a shot

 

[devilish]

where to even start..

Shaw is staying put, why would he accept 1 years salary when he's due 3?

Dalot - Real ain't spending 50m, would be a no brainer but no chance they offer more than 30, I doubt they will even come for him in January

Maguire - doubt anyone is spending money on him in January. Maybe a free deal to move to Italy in the summer.

Zirkzee - maybe a low ball offer from Italy in January, certainly not the same we paid for him.

Won't even comment on buying Gyokeres in January, don't doit to yourself.

Honestly I doubt we will do any business in January.

- Its true that Shaw has 3 years left in his contract but its also true that he's 29 years old. If the club tells him that they lost hope of him ever returning to football for good and that they have shifted their aim in trying to squeeze some game time out of him then he'll have a serious rethink what he's doing next. Is 2 years worth of salary worth throwing a career off? Is it worth the risk of more painful procedures which might even leave him crippled for the rest of his life? Or would he prefer leaving and possibly get a contract with a club who truly believe that they get a tune out of him? And before you say that no one would sign him as a free agent well let me remind you that even Owen Hargreaves got a job after leaving United.

- Reports suggested that Real are desperate to sign Dalot due to Carvajal's injury . If that's the case then we should sell him up

- We can still activate Maguire's 1 year contract extension. He might not suit our game but for 10m he's quite a bargain considering his characteristics (he's perfect in a low block defence) and experience

- Zirkzee has many suitors in Italy and his minimum fee clause was once matched by Milan. Italian clubs are skint but they can afford 35m-40m

- There's persistent rumors that Gyokeres might move earlier then expected.

I am not suggesting that you're wrong. As said this is all about perspective. I admit that having all those stars aligned is highly optimistic. There again we brought the best in class for a reason and its time for the likes of Ashworth, Berrada and co to start earning their beef. Selling on high fees is part of it. If Manchester City can get 15m for Trafford then surely we can get 10m for Maguire and recoup the money we spent on Zirkzee

 

[devilish]

You lost me at Lindelof! 1st out of the door, well 2nd just behind Antony!

Supposedly there is interest in Lindelof in Italy

Any list that does not have Antony at the top of the exits is funky, get him out at all costs

Zirkzee, will not realise the same value even sold back to Italy, if we get 75% and a sell on clause we will be very lucky

Shaw has 2.5 years left on his contract as of January so worth approximately £20m (I have not counted the weeks exactly) so why would he take an £8m pay out last time I check his injuries have not been head related

Maguire's contract expires in June 25 so unless we activate the clause in Jan he can start negotiating as a free agent, he is on £190k per week an no other club is going to offer him that, why would any club buy him in January and why would he go, ok if we extend his contract who is going to match his wage?

Realistically players who we could sell, which would incur a significant loss against book value due to offsetting their wages would be Rashford, Antony, Lindelof, Zirkzee, Mount....

Of the players you have listed only Dalot is actively making us money, not saying we would not look to sell players just to get them off our books, but the only way we make £106m in Jan is if we cashed in on somebody like Garnacho or Mainoo as well as Zirkzee, Lindelof and Dalot.

There is a possibility that we could see Rashford go in January, would depend if somebody came in with a bid and the question was asked then maybe it happens, even still pie in the sky we are likely to get £50m max and more likely half of that, however getting his wage off the books would be a big bonus

Unlikely we will sell either Garnacho or Mainoo, however I would not be surprised if Garnacho was not sold in 6 -18 months if he cannot find a way to fit into Amorim's system

- Lindelof has few months left in his contract. He'll be talking with clubs in January and he will probably sign a pre-contract in the next month or so. Hence why I didn't include the likes of him and Eriksen in the January sales. I answered the rest in the previous post.

For years I had been saying that United should go for the best in class football staff (DOF, Technical director, CEO). I was so insistent that I even earned my tag (which was the direct consequence for praising the Marotta-Paratici partnership back in the day a bit too much). I wanted that because best in class people can work wonders on the transfer market. City were able to get 75m for Alvarez and 15m for Trafford, Liverpool sold Van De Berg for 24m and Carvalho for another 24m. You are free to believe that my expectations are a bit OTT and you're entitled to your opinion. However I believe that its time for our best in class football higher up to start earning their beef. We don't need Berrada and Ashworth to find a loan for Zirkzee and let Maguire walk on a free. Murtough could do that on his own.