Analysing our Squad - the rebuilding job

Sparky Rhiwabon

New Member
Joined
Jul 10, 2013
Messages
16,946
Here is my attempt at analysing our current squad - what we have, what we need and who is surplus to requirements. This assumes that we can keep the players we want to keep (DDG!). Anyone want to comment? Anyone else want to have a go?

GK
If we can keep De Gea then obviously we are OK. Romero is OK as back up

RB
I think Darmian needs to go and I’m not convinced about Varela. Valencia is Ok as back up for another season and Fosu Mensah can also cover. Need to sign a new first choice RB

LB
Shaw should be first choice if he comes back strong. Blind is decent back up as well as CBJ and FM - position sorted

CBs
Smalling is the only nailed on option we have at the moment (if only he could pass the ball better!). FM may develop here (but he’s very young and not sure what his best position is yet) and Blind can cover but we need a regular partner for Smalling. Jones and Rojo are not good or reliable enough. Need to sign a new first choice CB

CMs
Schneiderlin and Herrera both deserve another season although neither are without their faults. Carrick and Schweinsteiger are both past it sadly. Fellaini needs to go. Fosu Mensah (him again!) looks like he could be a very good prospect in this position and Blind can provide cover. Need to sign a new first choice CM.

AML
Martial is the only one who looks good enough in this position at the moment. I would keep Memphis even though he has shown only glimpses of quality in the hope that a new manager can give him new confidence. I would get rid of Young - he’s done OKish but I think his time is up with us. Position sorted (ish)

AMC
Our current incumbent is Lingard, which tells you everything you need to know about this position. Mata has had a reasonable season but assuming Jose is taking over, his days are numbered and he wouldn’t be a huge loss. I would keep Lingard as useful cover. Need to sign a new first choice AMC.

AMR
Mata isn’t quick enough for this role (plus see above re Jose). Valencia’s days in this position are over. Need to sign a new AMR.

N.B. I would like to think that Januzaj and Pereira could offer more under a new manager and provide additional cover across the AM positions

STR
Martial and Rashford are two good prospects here but I reckon we need to put an experienced but quality player in there as well (Zlatan?). Rooney needs to go. Need to buy a new Striker.

So, ideally:
In: new RB, CB, CM, AMC, AMR, Striker (6 players!)

Out: Darmian, Varela, Rojo, Jones, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Young, Mata, Rooney (10 players!)

A big rebuilding job in the summer
 
Don't think it needs to be that big, but we definitely need 3 first team-ready signings, incredibly (given how much we've spent):

RB: We don't have one that is any good. TFM has played less than a match there. If Shaw is fit on the other side, I'd be looking for a defensive minded, experienced option with some height.
CB: If we buy an actual CB, it would make a HUGE difference to our squad. It would mean we have height and strength, ability to stop crosses and set pieces and perhaps most importantly, free up squad player Blind to fill in the gaps at midfield and LB when needed. If we get an experienced one, can even make up for Smalling's lack of leadership and intelligence in shaping the back 4. Most important signing imo.
CF: We need an actual centre forward in the squad somewhere. Rooney is done, and in fairness only led the line alone once in his career. Martial is still a kid, and seems most dangerous on the wing.

If we somehow sort those 3 - and personally I'd give two f*cks about youth and potential, we need proven quality right now - I think the rest of the squad isn't nearly as bad as people make out. Players like Mata, Herrera, Memphis, Schneiderlein and even Young, Jones and Valencia are not nearly as poor as they've shown under LVG.
 
GK - assuming that we keep De Gea, we are fine there. If not, then we should get Navas as part of the deal.

RB - call me crazy, but I still think that Darmian can be the solution to it. TMF and Varela are decent backups (especially TMF). Get rid of Valencia.
LB - Shaw will come back and we won't have to think about that position for an another decade. CBJ to provide cover and rest for Shaw. Get rid of Rojo.
RCB - unlike Caf, I don't rate Smalling that high, although I think that he can do a decent job under Mourinho. Definitely not a priority, but I think that we need a CB to replace, or at least, challenge Smalling. Get rid of Jones.
LCB - a big fan of Blind, but he isn't the solution to the defense of a top team, unless that team is something like Barcelona (see Mascherano). He must be replaced in the starting lineup.

DMF - Schneiderlin should play better than this season, and we know that he can do it. Schweinsteiger might be an okay backup, as could be TMF and Blind. Get rid of Carrick.
CM - We definitely need someone there, while Herrera can be a good backup (or play as part of the midfield three). Gi.ve some matches to Pereira. Get rid of Fellaini.
RW - absolute priority. Neither Mata, nor Lingard have any business in starting there. Give some matches to Januzaj. Get rid of one (or both) of Young/Lingard.
LW - I think that we are good enough there with Martial and Memphis.
AMF - I am still a big fan of Mata, and think that he can do a very good job there as long as he is surrounded by fast players in attack.

CF - an another priority. We must sign a top striker there, with Martial and Rashford/Wilson providing cover there. Get rid of Rooney.

Dream signings: Godin, Gimenez/Laporte, Gundogan, Griezmann *, Ibrahimovic.
More realistic signings: Koulibali, ?, ?, Mahrez, Ibrahimovic.
Youngesters who should play matches: TMF, CBJ, Varela (maybe), Pereira, Januzaj and one of Rashford/Wilson.

So, in the end, something like:

De Gea/Romero

Darmian/TMF/Varela CB1/Smalling CB2/Blind Shaw/CBJ

Schneiderlin/Schweinsteiger CM/Herrera

Winger/Januzaj Mata/Lingard Martial/Memphis

Striker/Rashford​

wouldn't be that bad, although it would probably be a couple of players short knowing our injuries.


* His best position seems to be supporting striker, but he can do a good job as right winger too, especially if he alternates his position with Mata during the match.
 
Last edited:
This rebuild term only exist with us. No top teams have so called rebuild. They add 2-3 players at most per season, and they have fully rebuilt in 2-3 season while maintaining performance.

It's the manager
 
Rooney shall always play so please do not talk about strikers here.
 
Sky1981 said:
This rebuild term only exist with us. No top teams have so called rebuild. They add 2-3 players at most per season, and they have fully rebuilt in 2-3 season while maintaining performance.

It's the manager
Click to expand...
Manchester United has always gone through some sort of retooling most seasons. SAF would always be refreshing his team. Now for some reason it is a complete rebuild instead of a steady process. He has done far too much, far too quickly and completely destabalised the club.
The fact he said he wanted a small squad so he could use kids. Rubbish. He has been lucky that we do have a couple of good kids. They could easily all be duds.
 
I was of the opinion up until about a month ago that we only needed 3-4 players but I actually think it will be more likely 6 if we lose De Gea to.
Certain members of our squad I think will improve if we get a new manager like Darmian, Memphis, Herrera and Schneiderlin (funny pattern that they are all LVG signings). I'd like to think a new manager would give chances to Fosu Mensah, Rashford and Pereira, Varela would be nice aswell. We could probably persevere with the likes of Valencia, Young and Rojo as squad options.

So when you look at it we need:

- 1 x Starting CB (Smalling as the partner and Blind \ Rojo as backups)
- 1 x GK (If De Gea leaves. I'd prefer Johnstone as backup but Romero is fine)
- 2 x CM (To replace Carrick and Schweinstieger. Leaving Herrera, Schneiderlin and Fosu Mensah as the other options)
- 1 x RW (Let's face it, Lingard isn't anywhere near good enough to be a starter)
- 1 - 2 x Strikers (We definitely need a top class experienced forward. 2 if you were ruthless and turfed Rooney out which should be the case)

The rebuilding job is going to be alot harder this Summer as everyone will be spending big because of the TV money. City, Chelsea and Liverpool will spend big from the EPL IMO. Abroad we may get Real Madrid spending big depending on their transfer ban verdict. PSG will spend as always. Bayern will be changing manager so will buy a couple.

Not an easy task for whoever is in charge of us in the Summer.
 
Sarni said:
Rooney shall always play so please do not talk about strikers here.
Click to expand...
This is key imo and its pointless signing a striker if he is going to maintain his privileges. Signing a starting striker will take us back to last season where we would have to shoehorn him into the hole where his shortcomings will hold the whole forward line back. If we are going to move forward he should be amongst the first names out of the door.
 
The squad is pretty good once you take the manager is a fecking retard factor into account.
 
itso 7 said:
This is key imo and its pointless signing a striker if he is going to maintain his privileges. Signing a starting striker will take us back to last season where we would have to shoehorn him into the hole where his shortcomings will hold the whole forward line back. If we are going to move forward he should be amongst the first names out of the door.
Click to expand...

Exactly, let's keep Rooney up front and just build behind him, otherwise it's pointless. I think for as long as he is here, and realistically it's going to be for the length of his contract, he will be automatic starter. We can thank Moyes for that, he somehow cited giving Rooney a 4-and-a-half-year deal as a success.
 
Sparky Rhiwabon said:
Here is my attempt at analysing our current squad - what we have, what we need and who is surplus to requirements. This assumes that we can keep the players we want to keep (DDG!). Anyone want to comment? Anyone else want to have a go?

GK
If we can keep De Gea then obviously we are OK. Romero is OK as back up

RB
I think Darmian needs to go and I’m not convinced about Varela. Valencia is Ok as back up for another season and Fosu Mensah can also cover. Need to sign a new first choice RB

LB
Shaw should be first choice if he comes back strong. Blind is decent back up as well as CBJ and FM - position sorted

CBs
Smalling is the only nailed on option we have at the moment (if only he could pass the ball better!). FM may develop here (but he’s very young and not sure what his best position is yet) and Blind can cover but we need a regular partner for Smalling. Jones and Rojo are not good or reliable enough. Need to sign a new first choice CB

CMs
Schneiderlin and Herrera both deserve another season although neither are without their faults. Carrick and Schweinsteiger are both past it sadly. Fellaini needs to go. Fosu Mensah (him again!) looks like he could be a very good prospect in this position and Blind can provide cover. Need to sign a new first choice CM.

AML
Martial is the only one who looks good enough in this position at the moment. I would keep Memphis even though he has shown only glimpses of quality in the hope that a new manager can give him new confidence. I would get rid of Young - he’s done OKish but I think his time is up with us. Position sorted (ish)

AMC
Our current incumbent is Lingard, which tells you everything you need to know about this position. Mata has had a reasonable season but assuming Jose is taking over, his days are numbered and he wouldn’t be a huge loss. I would keep Lingard as useful cover. Need to sign a new first choice AMC.

AMR
Mata isn’t quick enough for this role (plus see above re Jose). Valencia’s days in this position are over. Need to sign a new AMR.

N.B. I would like to think that Januzaj and Pereira could offer more under a new manager and provide additional cover across the AM positions

STR
Martial and Rashford are two good prospects here but I reckon we need to put an experienced but quality player in there as well (Zlatan?). Rooney needs to go. Need to buy a new Striker.

So, ideally:
In: new RB, CB, CM, AMC, AMR, Striker (6 players!)

Out: Darmian, Varela, Rojo, Jones, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Young, Mata, Rooney (10 players!)

A big rebuilding job in the summer
Click to expand...

I think there are other areas to possibly look at as I'm not so sure a blast of new players will fix all our problems.

Coaching staff,fitness,dietitians,training drills etc, how do we know that these guys methods arent outdated and that our progress isnt static ?
 
GK - sorted.

Rb - As much as I think Darmian is fecking useless its probably worth keeping him around for another season, because the back ups are fairly adequate in a worst case scenario.

CB - to partner Smalling, and it's probably time for Jones to go as he just can't keep fit.

CM - Carrick and Fellaini out, one in. Enough depth, reevaluate Herrera and Schneiderlins long term futures next summer.

Wingers/Strikers - at least one winger, 2 if we can't secure a top striker so Martial gets the gig full time up front.
 
Sarni said:
Exactly, let's keep Rooney up front and just build behind him, otherwise it's pointless. I think for as long as he is here, and realistically it's going to be for the length of his contract, he will be automatic starter. We can thank Moyes for that, he somehow cited giving Rooney a 4-and-a-half-year deal as a success.
Click to expand...
All true, at least if we upgrade the positions behind him he is still good enough to poach goals aginst the shit.
 
itso 7 said:
All true, at least if we upgrade the positions behind him he is still good enough to poach goals aginst the shit.
Click to expand...
Or we can just neutralize his impact, if our wingers and offensive midfielders can contribute goals we will be able to get away with Rooney, which is basically what we will have to do in order to be successful. Learn to play with 10-10.5 men.
 
Sarni said:
Or we can just neutralize his impact, if our wingers and offensive midfielders can contribute goals we will be able to get away with Rooney, which is basically what we will have to do in order to be successful. Learn to play with 10-10.5 men.
Click to expand...
You are very extreme Sarni.

I remember that you almost convinced me that we would have Moyes for the entire 6 years of his contract.

I think that Rooney's days are finished at United. If he won't get sold this summer, it will definitely be on the next one. At the end of the day, a manager is selfish and would want to stay in job. That becomes very difficult if you play with 10-10.5 men each game.
 
--------------DDG-----------
Fosu---Smalling--??----Shaw
--------Schnederlin----------
-----Herrera------???-------
-Mata---???---Marital/Rashford-

Bench: Jones, Mcnair, Blind, Perreira, Depay

In honesty, that's not a too shabby team, but we do need a new CB, a new striker and a good box to box midfielder. The likes of Carrick, Fellaini, Rooney, Dariman and Valencia are past it/not good enough and should be moved on imo. On the bright side, we do have a lot of promising youngsters on the rise, and with a competent manager and a couple of new signings, we are sure to do better than the shite we've seen this year.

Both Marital and Rashford looks like the real deal, but it's too much to ask for such young lads to be the main strikers at a big team. Getting Zlatan for a season or two would be great while they mature

For midfield, i have no idea. Pogba would be ideal, but not likely. All i know is we need some real quality there.

For defence, we need a quality CB to partner Smalling. Blind has done a decent job, but is never going to be a CB of the highest level. Jones is always injured and Rojo is an idiot.
 
Sparky Rhiwabon said:
Here is my attempt at analysing our current squad - what we have, what we need and who is surplus to requirements. This assumes that we can keep the players we want to keep (DDG!). Anyone want to comment? Anyone else want to have a go?

GK
If we can keep De Gea then obviously we are OK. Romero is OK as back up

RB
I think Darmian needs to go and I’m not convinced about Varela. Valencia is Ok as back up for another season and Fosu Mensah can also cover. Need to sign a new first choice RB

LB
Shaw should be first choice if he comes back strong. Blind is decent back up as well as CBJ and FM - position sorted

CBs
Smalling is the only nailed on option we have at the moment (if only he could pass the ball better!). FM may develop here (but he’s very young and not sure what his best position is yet) and Blind can cover but we need a regular partner for Smalling. Jones and Rojo are not good or reliable enough. Need to sign a new first choice CB

CMs
Schneiderlin and Herrera both deserve another season although neither are without their faults. Carrick and Schweinsteiger are both past it sadly. Fellaini needs to go. Fosu Mensah (him again!) looks like he could be a very good prospect in this position and Blind can provide cover. Need to sign a new first choice CM.

AML
Martial is the only one who looks good enough in this position at the moment. I would keep Memphis even though he has shown only glimpses of quality in the hope that a new manager can give him new confidence. I would get rid of Young - he’s done OKish but I think his time is up with us. Position sorted (ish)

AMC
Our current incumbent is Lingard, which tells you everything you need to know about this position. Mata has had a reasonable season but assuming Jose is taking over, his days are numbered and he wouldn’t be a huge loss. I would keep Lingard as useful cover. Need to sign a new first choice AMC.

AMR
Mata isn’t quick enough for this role (plus see above re Jose). Valencia’s days in this position are over. Need to sign a new AMR.

N.B. I would like to think that Januzaj and Pereira could offer more under a new manager and provide additional cover across the AM positions

STR
Martial and Rashford are two good prospects here but I reckon we need to put an experienced but quality player in there as well (Zlatan?). Rooney needs to go. Need to buy a new Striker.

So, ideally:
In: new RB, CB, CM, AMC, AMR, Striker (6 players!)

Out: Darmian, Varela, Rojo, Jones, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Young, Mata, Rooney (10 players!)

A big rebuilding job in the summer
Click to expand...
Pretty much spot on if you ask me. The only thing I might disagree with is that Darmian should go, I wouldn't be against giving him another season as I still think there is a good full back in there somewhere.
 
Revan said:
You are very extreme Sarni.

I remember that you almost convinced me that we would have Moyes for the entire 6 years of his contract.

I think that Rooney's days are finished at United. If he won't get sold this summer, it will definitely be on the next one. At the end of the day, a manager is selfish and would want to stay in job. That becomes very difficult if you play with 10-10.5 men each game.
Click to expand...
Prepare for the worst. Next season with Rooney up front, Pereira sold to a Spanish club where he will immediately excel, van Gaal leading the club to prepare for Giggs takeover at the end of season. Martial marginalized to bench as the boldest decision of genius.
 
Sarni said:
Prepare for the worst. Next season with Rooney up front, Pereira sold to a Spanish club where he will immediately excel, van Gaal leading the club to prepare for Giggs takeover at the end of season. Martial marginalized to bench as the boldest decision of genius.
Click to expand...
And a meteorite hitting Old Trafford and destroying the Fergie statue, to only replace it with Gerrard statue.
 
Darmian, Valencia and Varela are fine, it's clear that the staff don't care much about defensive drills.
 
Going by Mourinho as manager...

GK: Hopefully De Gea stays, back up to him doesn't matter

RB: Meh right now but Valencia and Darmian could be very good options for Mourinho and his types of players. Not a priority but not exactly a strength. Varela decent too though not mourinho type I think.
CB: Smalling obviously a tank, Jones if he gets past his injuries as a squad player, TFM seems to have huge potential and Mourinho could see him like Zouma. Needs a starting option though to partner smalling as I don't think he'll see Blind as a CB even if he has done well.
LB: Shaw, Blind, CBJ, Rojo... We are set here so long as we don't get terrible injuries again. Shaw is perfect for Mourinho as well.

DM/CM: Schneiderlin is a good fit, Schweinsteiger always been a player Mourinho admired (though probably not constant starter anymore). Herrera can play a Ramires type role. We need one more here, and will probably get Renato Sanches.

RW: We don't have anyone basically. Young and Valencia could be used as the hard working squad players to balance it out I guess, but we need a starter.
AM: Rooney probably first choice at the start, Mata also an option, but neither ideal (rooney because of his age and declined). Not a priority, but maybe the year after he would replace Mata with Griezmann or look to.
LW: Martial perfect as the wide forward and creative force for Mourinho, along with being a tank and hard working defensively. Young and Memphis as good squad players for this as well, with Memphis having that physical strength that Mourinho likes.

ST: Ibrahimovic if we get him is perfect for Mourinho, with Martial, Rooney and possibly even Memphis filling in up top.

So in summary, we don't really need depth signings other then either depth or starting for midfield. But we need:

CB, DM, RW, ST

Most likely at this point looks like Ibrahimovic, Renato Sanches, James/Dembele/Mahrez/Mane/anyone else for right wing, while CB I'm not sure but we'll probably go for Varane/Stones/Laporte or someone experienced.
Best case scenario is Ibra, Sanches, James and Varane, would probably be like 150 mil total for the summer. If De Gea leaves then we'd just need to replace him with whoever (Ter Stegen? Butland? Navas?)
 
Revan said:
And a meteorite hitting Old Trafford and destroying the Fergie statue, to only replace it with Gerrard statue.
Click to expand...
No, wouldn't go that far. Our team next season:

Romero
Smalling Blind Carrick Jones
Schweinsteiger Depay
Rooney Lingard Powell
Young

Bold manager putting Rooney on the wing, bringing Powell back, Young center forward, Depay central midfield... such amazing genius!
 
Sparky Rhiwabon said:
Here is my attempt at analysing our current squad - what we have, what we need and who is surplus to requirements. This assumes that we can keep the players we want to keep (DDG!). Anyone want to comment? Anyone else want to have a go?

GK
If we can keep De Gea then obviously we are OK. Romero is OK as back up

RB
I think Darmian needs to go and I’m not convinced about Varela. Valencia is Ok as back up for another season and Fosu Mensah can also cover. Need to sign a new first choice RB

LB
Shaw should be first choice if he comes back strong. Blind is decent back up as well as CBJ and FM - position sorted

CBs
Smalling is the only nailed on option we have at the moment (if only he could pass the ball better!). FM may develop here (but he’s very young and not sure what his best position is yet) and Blind can cover but we need a regular partner for Smalling. Jones and Rojo are not good or reliable enough. Need to sign a new first choice CB

CMs
Schneiderlin and Herrera both deserve another season although neither are without their faults. Carrick and Schweinsteiger are both past it sadly. Fellaini needs to go. Fosu Mensah (him again!) looks like he could be a very good prospect in this position and Blind can provide cover. Need to sign a new first choice CM.

AML
Martial is the only one who looks good enough in this position at the moment. I would keep Memphis even though he has shown only glimpses of quality in the hope that a new manager can give him new confidence. I would get rid of Young - he’s done OKish but I think his time is up with us. Position sorted (ish)

AMC
Our current incumbent is Lingard, which tells you everything you need to know about this position. Mata has had a reasonable season but assuming Jose is taking over, his days are numbered and he wouldn’t be a huge loss. I would keep Lingard as useful cover. Need to sign a new first choice AMC.

AMR
Mata isn’t quick enough for this role (plus see above re Jose). Valencia’s days in this position are over. Need to sign a new AMR.

N.B. I would like to think that Januzaj and Pereira could offer more under a new manager and provide additional cover across the AM positions

STR
Martial and Rashford are two good prospects here but I reckon we need to put an experienced but quality player in there as well (Zlatan?). Rooney needs to go. Need to buy a new Striker.

So, ideally:
In: new RB, CB, CM, AMC, AMR, Striker (6 players!)

Out: Darmian, Varela, Rojo, Jones, Carrick, Schweinsteiger, Fellaini, Young, Mata, Rooney (10 players!)

A big rebuilding job in the summer
Click to expand...
I agree with most of what you're saying here, except the outgoings. The squad is thin on quality and quantity as it is, no way should we be getting rid of that many more players than we sign. I'd give Darmian and Varela another season, they aren't terrible and it would be one less player to sign during a summer when there's a major international tournament (and one less player to bed in during the season). I'd keep one of Jones/Rojo, we can't be going into the new season with just Smalling/New CB/Blind/Youngsters. I'd also keep Schweinsteiger. We don't really have any up and coming CM's and letting go of 3 CM's while bringing in only one would leave us woefully short there.

That leaves us with 6 out, 5 in. Something like:

In:
Koulibaly
Kante
Griezmann
Dembele
Zlatan

Out:
Rojo
Carrick
Fellaini
Mata
Young
Rooney

We'd still have a fairly thin squad, esp in CB and AM positions, but we'd hopefully have added a lot of quality to the squad and we aren't fixing this mess in one window anyway.
 
Last edited:
It's not that bad, just needs some additions in key positions i.e. RW, CB, ST, CM and a manager that isn't a fraud. Majority of our failure comes down to style, we're playing a system setup for failure.
 
Sarni said:
No, wouldn't go that far. Our team next season:

Romero
Smalling Blind Carrick Jones
Schweinsteiger Depay
Rooney Lingard Powell
Young

Bold manager putting Rooney on the wing, bringing Powell back, Young center forward, Depay central midfield... such amazing genius!
Click to expand...
i like how you put Blind as RCB and Carrick as LCB.

But you have Schweinsteiger and Lingard in switched positions.
 
Revan said:
i like how you put Blind as RCB and Carrick as LCB.

But you have Schweinsteiger and Lingard in switched positions.
Click to expand...

Crap, I put Schweinsteiger in his natural position by accident. Clearly I am not worthy of even making up line ups for our amazing genius who'd never make such obvious decision.
 
All our signing last season just haven't worked out.
Schneiderlin has been the best of them by a distance and he was playing a good bit better for southampton last 2 seasons.
I wouldn't go overboard on new signings because really, we need to make better use of what we have

I'd be reluctant to replace darmian. Hes been getting gradually worse and his nightmare games are becoming more common but a new manager and a year under his feet might solve a lot of problems. Its his first season and the cover in the position is good enough to get us through to january if it doesn't work out.
CB we need a new first choice imo - Blind is great in a 'have lots of pointless possession' team but theres better defenders out there. Jones is a non entity and rojo is nothing special. We're short in the position.
LB is fine

Midfield - I'd let carrick go, or he wouldn't be in my plans for playing outside of an injury crisis. Schweinsteiger i wouldn't be expecting much from.
Fellaini was never a midfielder and i'd sell him so i dont ever have to see him play there again. Schneiderlin has been decent and Herrera has been pretty poor this season (worse than his first season). So i'd get one more guy in, at least. Maybe Fosu Mensah can cover. Most of my money would go there really.
Schneiderlin and Herrera are decent, we need someone great really.

AM - We have loads of options none of which are great, i'd be looking to dump a good few of them. Mata, Rooney - I'd listen to offers for both of them. Lingaard, Pereirra and Januzaj ... maybe i'd give them a year for one of them to cement the place for themselves ... depends what happens elsewhere.
Wingers - we need more, at least one RW.
Striker - Depends what happens elsewhere. I wouldn't be against Martial and Rashford but i'd be looking to get a more experienced #10 in in that case.

The front 4 positions i'd basically be looking for a world class player and i wouldn't be too picky about which position he plays. I'd just move the younger players we have around to fit him in basically.
 
Its hard to analyze this squad with LvG around. The players are clearly not firing on all cylinders because they don't have a manager who is capable of bringing the best of out of them, which is in turn, causing erratic form.
 
I just hope you lot keep De Gea - if you don't get champions league / keep Van Gaal then not sure you will.

But with De Gea, Martial, Rashford, Shaw, Fosu Mensah and maybe Smalling you have something to build with. That's how shit I rate your squad though - only 6 decent players. You have some 'ok' players after that.
 
GK: sorted if DDG stays

RB: I'd give Darmian another season, we've got Varela and Valencia as backup - sorted

CB: I like the Smalling and Blind combo, keep Rojo and sell Jones - need another CB

LB: Shaw, we've got CBJ as backup and Rojo and Blind if we're desperate- sorted

CM: Schneiderlin and Herrera must stay and Schweinsteiger will be good backup, get rid of Carrick and Fellaini - need another CM

RW/LW/AM - keep Martial, Memphis, Lingard, give chances to Peirera and Januzaj - buy a right winger and upgrade on Mata if possible

ST: Rooney is past it and should be sold (or at best needs to accept not being guaranteed to start), Rashford looks promising and Martial can play here as well if we sort out other positions - need a new striker



Short version: we need a center back, a center mid or two, and 2-3 attackers
 
GK - De Gea

RB - Fabinho, Darmian
LB - Shaw, Blind, CBJ
CB - Smalling, Marquinhos, Koulibaly, Mensa

CM - Schneiderlin, Schweinsteiger, Blind, Sanches/Gomes
AM - Kroos, Herrera,

AR - Dembele, ?
AL - Martial, Young
ST - Ibrahimovic, Rooney, Rashford

I say we need 7 players.

Out - Jones, Rojo, Valencia, Carrick, Fellaini, Mata, Depay

Maybe something like this

-----------------De Gea-------------------
Fabinho--Smalling--Marquinhos---Shaw
-------Schneiderlin-----Sanches---------
-------------------Kroos-------------------
Dembele--------------------------Martial
---------------Ibrahimovich---------------
 
Dong Fangzhuo said:
I agree with most of what you're saying here, except the outgoings. The squad is thin on quality and quantity as it is, no way should we be getting rid of that many more players than we sign.
Click to expand...
True, although some of the youngsters can come more into the first team squad and be like new signings themselves - CBJ, Fosu Mensah, Rashford especially. At least something good will have come out of this season
 
Raoul said:
Its hard to analyze this squad with LvG around. The players are clearly not firing on all cylinders because they don't have a manager who is capable of bringing the best of out of them, which is in turn, causing erratic form.
Click to expand...

I'd agree with this, I think a lot of the players people are ready to get rid of deserve another chance with a new manager. Almost no one is playing well under LVG and most of the new signings have steadily gotten worse as the season progresses which I don't think is a coincidence, give them at least until January next season to judge.
 
Carrick, Rojo, Valencia, McNair and Fellaini need to be shown the door and I wouldn't bat an eyelid if BFS and Rooney followed them. The likes of Schneiderlin (to a lesser degree) and Depay are clearly playing way below their level and the jury is still out on Darmian. I think we do have some average players that I wouldn't mind seeing being shipped out like Lingard, Young, Varela and Jones but wouldn't mind if any of them stayed as squad team players only alongside the likes of Rooney and Bastian if they can't be offloaded.

I really hope Jose comes in so that will surely spell the end of Mata but with De Gea, Smalling, Darmian, Martial, Schneiderlin, Herrera, Blind (as a DM not CB), Depay and the returning Shaw plus add Januzaj, Pereira, CBJ, Mensah and Rashford to the mix we are not in terrible shape at all however I do believe we need at least three top class talents to join the first team immediately from next season if we have plans on winning trophies.

Griezmann is my muppet signing for the summer (though he may have better offers) I'd rather pay 60 plus million on him than 50m on Lukaku that's for sure.

All in all as long as the old Dutch nut job is gone I'll be over the moon.
 
Right winger is a priority. So is a striker to replace Rooney. Then we need to get some fresh blood in midfield, probably 2 players in place of Carrick and Fellaini. Another Centre Back would be nice, especially if we're getting rid of Jones (hopefully- time's up). I doubt we will get another RB, Darmian paired with a real attacking threat might be an option, plus F-M looks decent. Not this summer I'd say.

So, buy: RW, 2xCM, CB.
Get rid of: Carrick, Rooney, Fellaini.
Question marks: Mata, Depay (I think we should sell but maybe it doesn't make much sense to sell them now).

I fear we will spend loads of money to buy decent/above average players this summer, because there will be a number of clubs desperate to sign and we're not in a very good position whoever comes after van Gaal (not to mention what happens if he stays).
 
Think we currently have a lot of complementary pieces that can't shine on their own. Overhaul the squad yet again and we take 2 steps backwards. Give most of the players that have come in under LVG more time. I don't think Rojo, Blind, and Schweinsteiger have much chance at first XI places but can still be useful squad payers.

Get a CB, right winger, and striker. Buy quality there - doesn't have to be world class but has to be ready now - and the rest is enough for someone like Mourinho to get us stable. Even with shit tactics and lots of injuries, the squad should have been good enough to get top 4 this year.
 
I am quite surprised so many want a replacement for Blind, while I thought he was one of our best and most consistent players this season. Agree we need another CB but I'd leave Blind where he is.
 
GK

If we can keep de Gea we are ok but I have a feeling he has a release clause which Real Madrid will pay so we might need a first choice keeper. Romero is a decent back up.

RB

I would stick with the options we have. Give Darmian another season at least. With Valencia, Varela, Young and TFM we have enough options here. Other positions should be more important in terms of new signings.

LB

Shaw will be an excellent left back and CBJ looks a good understudy. Rojo can also play here so we have enough options.

CBs

Smalling is first choice but we need an experienced centre back with leadership qualities. This is very important because there are very few leaders in this team. Someone about 27 years of age would be ideal meaning he can give 6 or 7 years good service. We also need another decent centre back to add depth. So 2 new centre backs are needed.

CMs

I would move Blind into a CDM position behind Herrera and Schneiderlin. Carrick can be a back up for Blind. Schweinsteiger will add depth. We could do with signing a creative CM as that is something that is missing.

AML

I would keep Martial in this position because he can run at defenders and cause problems. Memphis is a decent back up and will get better. Januzaj can also play here. No new signings are needed for AML.

AMR

This should be one of the main priorities. We need someone with pace and skill who is very creative and tracks back. Lingard can be a back up to the new signing.

STR

Another of the main priorities. A 20 goal a season striker is required. Rooney is past his best and will only get worse. Martial, Rashford and Wilson can be back up options here.

In: 2 CBs, CM, AMR, Striker

Out: Rooney, Fellaini

I would like to get rid of more players but we have an injury crisis every season so that is not an option.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.