Yes and Aubameyang would be ideal. Is quick, scores goals and can play on the wing to allow Martial some time up front.
Do we still need a #9?
- Thread starter Devil may care
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Zlatan in, Rooney out.
Then a right winger and we'd be sorted.
Then a right winger and we'd be sorted.
I still remember that Kane, Dybala, Vietto and Lacazette where the players we wanted inthe forum last summer. I wanted Dybala as a wide forward in a front of 3.
Now, the main options are Kane/Lukaku (in the league), Aubameyang/Higuain (available top scorers) and Ibrahimovic (world class player for free). The others strikers are quality but not the best we can get, some of them to young and we need someone who scores 20+.
If we sell Rooney/Mata, I would like to see Griezmann or Dybala coming in. However, it seems that Dybala also wants to play in Spain. So Griezmann would be my choice.
In an ideal world I'd play Kane as the #9 and Dybala as the #10, but I don't see either being available and in truth I don't see us buying a #10 this summer, I think we'll concentrate on the spine and the RW, then look at RB and #10 next summer.
No but we need Kane and get rid of the cpt.
I know that Martial is a striker but I like him a bit more as left winger. However, I think he would be more effective as a wide forward in a front of 3. We need to sign 2 players (striker and right winger).
If we play 433, which front of 3 would you like to see next season?
If we play 433, which front of 3 would you like to see next season?
That's a lot of unfounded assumptions right there. We can still sign world class attackers to improve the team (RW/CAM) and play Martial at #9. Signing a #9 isn't the only way we can improve our attack. A new manager and a Griezmann or Mahrez type signing would go a long way imo.
The thing is Martial is better on the left than as a #9 right now.
We've certainly seen more of him there but I'm not so sure. When he does play up front we look more threatening than when someone else does and in any case, I think CF ends up being his best position most of the time.
He's looked better on the left and we do need a more prolific scorer at 9 for the team to grow, right now. As a goal threat he certainly has some way to go so it's not far fetched to say that if rely sorely on him as our main goal scorer we'd struggle to win things and that would diminish how players view us, we arw currently doing worse than the post-invincibles Arsenal on the pitch. Pretty soon players like Martial will be seeing us as a stwpping stone to the big move not THE big move.
Fair point about him possibly not being a consistent enough goal threat atm. I'd argue we don't have enough of a sample size of him playing upfront to make that judgement though. That being said, I wouldn't be averse to signing a top class CF. I'd just prefer to see us spend big on RW/CAM. I think Martial will end up being better as a CF than LWF.
Ibrahimovic is a no brainer. Add Aubameyang with his pace and ability to play out wide and our attack would be re-vitalised.
Ok, I think a striker in the Cavani/Higuain age range would be appropriate in as they would give us the two to three seasons we'd need to wait on Martial. The key is ensuring that we become a competitive force whilst he grows lest he will outgrow us, nothing against him or any other young gun but if we are not careful we risk becoming a nessary for Barca, Real or God forbid City.
I'd take any one of the suggestions made in this thread. We can't have another season with such a lack of options and a reliance on a couple of young lads.
We need quality and unfortunately, given our likely omission from the Champions League, it will cost us.
We need quality and unfortunately, given our likely omission from the Champions League, it will cost us.
I don't believe it is as simple as that. We need another top defender including a midfielder.
I think when he plays from the left we can utilize his dribbling better than when he plays central, of course that could change in a proper 4-3-3 where the #9 role has more freedom to drop deeper. Ideally for me we'd bring in someone like Ibra to give Martial another couple of seasons to find a more consistent goal return.
On July 2015, there was a poll about which striker we want. This was the result:
Basically Lacazette won, and now no one is talking about him (I know about his poor form this season). The point is that every year there are new potential strikers, so if we sign Ibra, we could go for one of the best strikers in 1 or 2 years.
It would be nice if someone can make a poll with strikers like Ibra, Aubameyang, Kane, Lukaku, etc. So next year we can compare with our new targets. I'm pretty sure Dybala is going to be one of them.
- Cavani
93 vote(s)
8.1%
Benteke
26 vote(s)
2.3%
Higuain
24 vote(s)
2.1%
Bring Chicharito back
162 vote(s)
14.2%
Lacazette
406 vote(s)
35.5%
Kane
241 vote(s)
21.1%
Other
192 vote(s)
16.8%
Basically Lacazette won, and now no one is talking about him (I know about his poor form this season). The point is that every year there are new potential strikers, so if we sign Ibra, we could go for one of the best strikers in 1 or 2 years.
It would be nice if someone can make a poll with strikers like Ibra, Aubameyang, Kane, Lukaku, etc. So next year we can compare with our new targets. I'm pretty sure Dybala is going to be one of them.
Yeah, Zlatan for a season or two would be great and would still allow for Martial to eventually take over as our CF. Unlike Kane/Lukaku, where we'd basically be deciding Martial is going to play on the wing for the foreseeable future (and resigning ourselves to Memphis being a backup player in the process). Other options like Aubameyang/Dybala would work for me as well, given they're more versatile attackers and would allow us to play a very fluid front three with Martial/Memphis.
We absolutely do. Martial and Rooney isn't enough if you want to be a top side. Ideally it should be Martial and someone older and presently better than Martial.
Where it is on the priority list is another matter given were poor out wide as well but our strike force definitely needs improving.
Where it is on the priority list is another matter given were poor out wide as well but our strike force definitely needs improving.
Kane, Lukaku, Zlatan, Dybala, Aubamyang, Higauin, Benzema... do people realise we are shite and that these type of strikers probably don't dream of Thursday night football.
Berahino is more realistic
Berahino is more realistic
Lacazette got more votes than Harry Kane 
what on earth. I bet half of the 406 who voted for him had never seen him play!
what on earth. I bet half of the 406 who voted for him had never seen him play!Could be available. Nope, not photoshopped
Even without Champions League football, I think we can sign Lukaku. Also if Mourinho arrives, Ibra wouldn't be impossible. But I agree with the other players.
Yep without doubt we need a 9 plus a 7 and an 11.
Ibrahimovic. World class player who is on form and for free. The problem is that he is a short term answer and other top teams could sign the likes of Lukaku/Aubameyang/... this summer.
Kane/Lukaku. Both 22 years old with potential to be top scorers for the next years. They could make history with Martial in the striker position.
Aubameyang/Higuain. Good strikers that are in their peak. However, we would have to think in a new striker in 3 years.
Cavani/Icardi. Decent strikers that would cost too much in comparison for what they would offer. But they can be Mourinho's type of striker.
Dybala/Griezmann. Attacking players that can play as second strikers, wide forwards or even as No.10. But they are the most difficult (unrealistic) to sign in this moment.
Lacazette/Vietto. Young and talented forward that are in bad form. The caf wanted them last summer. They are having a poor season compared with the last one.
Muller/Neymar. Top players but totally unrealistic.
Lewandowski/Benzema. There's a small chance they will sign for another team. However, they would sign for a top 5 club, with Champions League football.
I hope we can sign Ibrahimovic, Kane, Lukaku, Griezmann or Dybala.
Kane/Lukaku. Both 22 years old with potential to be top scorers for the next years. They could make history with Martial in the striker position.
Aubameyang/Higuain. Good strikers that are in their peak. However, we would have to think in a new striker in 3 years.
Cavani/Icardi. Decent strikers that would cost too much in comparison for what they would offer. But they can be Mourinho's type of striker.
Dybala/Griezmann. Attacking players that can play as second strikers, wide forwards or even as No.10. But they are the most difficult (unrealistic) to sign in this moment.
Lacazette/Vietto. Young and talented forward that are in bad form. The caf wanted them last summer. They are having a poor season compared with the last one.
Muller/Neymar. Top players but totally unrealistic.
Lewandowski/Benzema. There's a small chance they will sign for another team. However, they would sign for a top 5 club, with Champions League football.
I hope we can sign Ibrahimovic, Kane, Lukaku, Griezmann or Dybala.
@.Rossi mentioned in another thread that he read Lukaku doesn't want to come here, so that would leave Ibra with Martial groomed to take over from him, or Morata IMO.
DDG (Fingers crossed)
Varela - Smalling - I don't know! - Shaw
Kante (Bit of a Gamble) 1 x Schmidfield
Herrera
Griezmann Kane Martial
Varela - Smalling - I don't know! - Shaw
Kante (Bit of a Gamble) 1 x Schmidfield
Herrera
Griezmann Kane Martial
That'd get things done I reckon. I think we all want to see some pace brought in for the wide areas with Martial operating on one side, and a proper goalscorer brought in for the Centre. Kane for my first choice, then Lukaku or possibly Ibra for a season before reassessing again the following summer.
Rooney out, Depay and Rashford/Wilson as back up. Depay needs next season as his 'big chance' to turn the corner or it'll be curtains.
Unfortunately, unless we make CL I can't see any of those signings wanting to move...even Kante as he'll almost certainly have his chance next year anyway
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I really hope that De Gea continues. He is making the difference in our team.
Kante would be a good signing, he has been the best midfielder in the league.
Even Griezmann and Kane would be fantastic additions, they could be difficult to sign without Champions League. Lukaku and Mahrez could be more realistic.
Do we need another #9? It depends what formation we are going to use next season (2 strikers? 1 striker?) and how ready Martial is to step up as our main #9. To be fair I agree with Scholes that there are not many top class #9 out there available. Lukaku? If Mourinho is the manager I don't think he wants him as he prefers a striker that is not just good in scoring goals but also who doesn't lose possession easily by keep and hold the ball for other players which make the best of the attack flow. Players like Kane, Aubameyang and Griezmann sounds unrealistic and hard to get. Ibrahimovic is a good option but do we really need to spend a lot of money for his wage when we already have another 30s years old player like Rooney and to be honest I can't see Rooney is leaving the club anyway.
^^^ Rooney is a huge roadblock when it comes to rebuilding the team, removing him will get us a clear run at putting it right, if he stays we'll be hamstrung next season as well.
Tbf Rooney is just a player, our player and a competently run football club shouldn't be hamstrung by him. Bring in a top class finisher, drop him to the bench and the rest will take care of itself. He will either ship out, rot on the bench or fight for a more meaningful role. Handing him starts on a plate has massively contributed to his decline.
Again no strikers with 20 goals
You're absolutely right but I have so little faith that our club will start actually putting the club first.
I don't think it's logical nor sensible for Martial to be our sole main #9 next season. A 20 year old should never be the main CF for a club like Manchester United no matter how talented he is. He should share the burden with someone a hell of a lot better than Wayne Rooney. That's why someone like Ibra would be absolutely perfect. We lack a presence in the box who can attack crosses and give wide players a target. Martial will take time to be more imposing in this respect, that is, unless his future lies as a left winger.
We need two arguably, or at least a 9 and a quick creative 'second striker' type., would be good to be able to go two up top on occasion, even if one drops into a 10 position or gets freedom to rove about. Marshall is class but will have to do very well to get 20+ goals next season.
Rooney for me is finished, still good when he hits a streak of form but they are getting further and further apart, he's not going to be able to provide enough goals and arguably can affect play badly when he's not on form.
Rashford is a kid, should be getting games but we shouldn't be relying on him, again would have to do incredibly well to get 20+ goals. Ibra and a Griezman type would be ace, need the finished article, not more potential.
Rooney for me is finished, still good when he hits a streak of form but they are getting further and further apart, he's not going to be able to provide enough goals and arguably can affect play badly when he's not on form.
Rashford is a kid, should be getting games but we shouldn't be relying on him, again would have to do incredibly well to get 20+ goals. Ibra and a Griezman type would be ace, need the finished article, not more potential.
Ibra is ideal without a doubt as he could give us 2 good seasons and allow Martial and Rashford to continue their development to see if they are ready to take over as our main #9 after him.
It's true that Manchester United shouldn't rely on 20 years old as their main man to score goals but the main reason of that because young player is inconsistent and inexperience. But if that 20 or 21 years old is ready to step up then why can't Martial be our leading goal scorer. Age isn't matter if he's ready, Messi did it in Barcelona when he was young because he was ready. The rest of games this season will determine if he's ready or no to be our main #9.
Messi has always been a part of a world class front 3 so it's never fallen solely on his shoulders, plus in truth we shouldn't compare what he has done with anyone coming up. Martial is also not playing as a #9 for us, even with Rooney out he's playing on the left mostly with Rashford as the #9.
Messi was just one of my example that if a player is ready to step up then age isn't matter. Rooney can also be another example 10 years ago after we sold RVN (though we relied and played two strikers formation with Saha).
Martial is not playing as #9 much true but he must and he should while Rooney is still injured because Rashford shouldn't play every single games for us and I can see him playing twice per week every games is too much for the teenager and it was a massive jump in one season from U18, U21 and then starter every single games in first team. Memphis deserves his chance on the left too.