Do we still need a #9?

It doesn't matter what we do with Martial it won't change the fact that we need to buy 2 players for our front 3.

If you prefer to use Martial as a #9, we will need to buy a LW because Depay has done nothing to prove that he's good enough to warrant a guaranteed spot in our starting XI particularly in attack where we've struggled. If you want to use Martial as on the left, we need a striker because Rooney isn't very good anymore and Rashford is nowhere near ready yet.

I also think if Jose comes in Rooney will be used as #10. He's long admired Rooney and he likes his #10's to be hard working and defensively strong. Perception is reality, and most people still view Rooney this way.
 
Mike09 said:
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.
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My main point was that while Messi was young he did not have the sole responsibility, he shared it with experienced top class strikers in Henry and Eto'o. Right now we don't have that kind of support for him and it seems more likely we'd groom him on the left for now IMO.
 
manutddjw said:
I also think if Jose comes in Rooney will be used as #10. He's long admired Rooney and he likes his #10's to be hard working and defensively strong. Perception is reality, and most people still view Rooney this way.
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If Jose comes in I am hoping his eyes have been working, if he we still have Rooney starting regularly it will be another wasted season.
 
Devil may care said:
My main point was that while Messi was young he did not have the sole responsibility, he shared it with experienced top class strikers in Henry and Eto'o. Right now we don't have that kind of support for him and it seems more likely we'd groom him on the left for now IMO.
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But Messi was their main player that they rely on scoring goals. Unlike Barcelona with Henry, Eto'o and Messi they were targeting La Liga and Champion League. We are not planning to go that far next season. I'm not saying we have to rely on one player (Martial) to score goals what I meant is if the player is ready to step up then age isn't matter. Basically I understand your point but you didn't get my point. Read them again and you realise that I never said we don't need support for Martial.
 
Mike09 said:
But Messi was their main player that they rely on scoring goals. Unlike Barcelona with Henry, Eto'o and Messi they were targeting La Liga and Champion League. We are not planning to go that far next season. I'm not saying we have to rely on one player (Martial) to score goals what I meant is if the player is ready to step up then age isn't matter. Basically I understand your point but you didn't get my point. Read them again and you realise that I never said we don't need support for Martial.
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I know you're saying if he is ready then age doesn't matter, I am saying that examples of age not mattering always come with support, so I guess we are on the same page to a degree. I think it would be easier to get a #9 that allows his continued development on the left though, rather than play him as a #9 and try to find someone of top quality to play from the left and make up the goals from there.
 
We need goals from across our front three consistently. That is why I feel we need a scoring winger and a scoring ten way more than a 9. For example, if we got in Mahrez and Griezmann and they scored regularly and we got the likes of Depay, Martial, Januszaj, Lingard, Young, Mata, Pereira and Herrera to chip in, our goal tally would significantly increase. Even before we start assessing the potential contributions of Rooney, Rashford, Wilson/Keane
 
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Maybe we could look at Vietto? For once we could be the smart team and make a deal that Juventus or Atletico would do.
 
VorZakone said:
Has been a bit underwhelming though at Atletico, right?
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He barely played in the first part of the season and was doing better around January. But that's the potentially smart move, Griezmann is there number one striker and the others are sharing the playing time, maybe we could convince him and Atletico to make a deal.
 
Zlatan
Rooney
Rashford
Martial

Those at the moment look like they would be 4 good options for next season
 
charlenefan said:
Zlatan
Rooney
Rashford
Martial

Those at the moment look like they would be 4 good options for next season
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You know that if Rooney stays him and Ibra will start together and it'll be slow and awkward, both need pace around them. I think if Ibra come in Rooney has to go as I don't see him accepting a squad role.
 
If Rooney stays, I would like to see 442 formation. Because If we sign a new striker, for example Ibrahimovic... in a 4231 Rooney would play behind him and could make our attack slower. With a 433 formation, he would play as midfielder. So having 2 strikers up front could be a good option in case Rooney continues next season, mainly because it would be easier to rotate him compared with the other positions.

De Gea(Romero)
Darmian(Varela) - Smalling(Jones) - CB(Blind) - Shaw(Rojo)
CM(Herrera) - Schneiderlin(Schweinteiger)
RW(Januzaj) ---------------------------------------- Memphis(Martial)
ST(Rashford) - Martial(Rooney)​
 
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Yes we do need a Nr 9 as competition is always good for everyone.
 
We have been talking about Zlatan, Kane and Lukaku. Even Aubameyang, Higuain and Cavani. The question is... which striker complement better our attack?

We already have young strikers like Martial, Wilson and Rashford. Who do you think could offer something different?
 
If the chance came up to sign someone like Kane, Lukaku or Aubemayang, United should take it. Rooney's days as playing regularly as a No9 are over, Martial and Rashford both need time to develop. Ibrahimovic would be a good short-term buy if the transfer fee and wages were reasonable.
 
ZAGREB RED said:
If the chance came up to sign someone like Kane, Lukaku or Aubemayang, United should take it. Rooney's days as playing regularly as a No9 are over, Martial and Rashford both need time to develop. Ibrahimovic would be a good short-term buy if the transfer fee and wages were reasonable.
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I think we've invested too much in Martial for us to bring in a long term No.9. Imo Rooney still has goals in him whilst Martial is a year or two away from being a complete striker so I want us to stick to Rooney, Martial and Rashford for the sole striker position and bring in a right winger and a top class attacking midfielder to improve on our chance creation. Martial would start on the left, Rooney uptop but those irksome special privileges removed so that he plays according to his form so that Martial gets to come in as maun striker to showcase how he is developing as a striker, if he grabs his chance then a decision is made about Rooney.
 
ZAGREB RED said:
If the chance came up to sign someone like Kane, Lukaku or Aubemayang, United should take it. Rooney's days as playing regularly as a No9 are over, Martial and Rashford both need time to develop. Ibrahimovic would be a good short-term buy if the transfer fee and wages were reasonable.
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The transfer fee would be £0 but the wages would be pretty astronomical Id imagine.

It all depends on where we see Martial in the future. If we're planning on making him the spearhead of our attack as a striker for the next decade or so then going big on Lukaku or Aubameyang or whoever doesn't make much sense. In that scenario we'd be better getting a short term option in whilst Martial develops, and Ibra would be perfect. On the other hand if his long term future is on the left, which I increasingly believe it should be, then I'd much prefer going for a younger striker like Lukaku over Ibra.
 
Riz said:
The transfer fee would be £0 but the wages would be pretty astronomical Id imagine.

It all depends on where we see Martial in the future. If we're planning on making him the spearhead of our attack as a striker for the next decade or so then going big on Lukaku or Aubameyang or whoever doesn't make much sense. In that scenario we'd be better getting a short term option in whilst Martial develops, and Ibra would be perfect. On the other hand if his long term future is on the left, which I increasingly believe it should be, then I'd much prefer going for a younger striker like Lukaku over Ibra.
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This is true and is going to be a big decision for whoever is manager in the summer. So far he seems more comfortable on the left, but is that just because there's less pressure on him there and he needs to grow physically for the no.9 role? If it's Jose, then it's likely that he'll want to buy a big (in both senses of the word) striker either way.
 
Fer said:
We have been talking about Zlatan, Kane and Lukaku. Even Aubameyang, Higuain and Cavani. The question is... which striker complement better our attack?

We already have young strikers like Martial, Wilson and Rashford. Who do you think could offer something different?
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Ibra is basically the ideal striker to mix it. Has as good hold up play as there is, can bully any defence, great skill and can score from anywhere. He would only be here for 2 years max though and after him would probably be Kane as the best bet.
 
No, we don't need a striker. We have Ashley Young and Fellaini :lol:

I would like to see Martial more centrally, however, I think that Lingard behind him, and Mata as a winger are not going to produce too many opportunities for him.
 
The Teflon potato is now operating as an AM and if we do get Jose I expect he'd use him there as well, which brings us back to this. As much as I am liking the development or Martial and Rashford in the side I don't see us starting the season with either as our main #9.

It needs to be an older striker I feel to avoid preventing the progress of our two young strikers, and I'd rule out Ibra as him and Rooney would be in each others way, if he's an AM he needs a #9 in front of him that can stretch a defense and hold his position.
 
We without a doubt still need an experienced striker, though Rashford has done brilliantly. We could also switch to using 2 strikers for many league games, no reason why not. Fergie did it all the time and I wish Van Gaal would use 2 strikers more often as our striker is often too isolated up there. So if we did buy an experienced striker, we could still play Rashford there often if he keeps it up, or put Martial in the middle more often alongside another striker to link up with.
 
Yes. Memphis hasn't done enough to be given a starting job next year off the bat, and it makes no sense to spend on another LW when we have Memphis and it might be Martial's best position. Far more likely we'll need another 9, even if Martial is best there, than finding another LW.

Martial(Memphis)---Striker(Rashford)-----RW(Mata)
------------CM(Mata)---------Herrera(Schwein)--------
-----------------Schneiderlin(Blind)---------------------
Shaw(CBJ)-----------------------------Darmian(Varela)
----------LCB(Blind)--Smalling(Fosu-Mensah)---------
----------------------De Gea(Romero)------------------

with one of Valencia/Young as wide cover, Lingard for general front 5 depth and one of Jones/Rojo sticking around as defensive depth, along with youngsters not on loan from McNair, Pereira, Januzaj and Wilson.

Obviously there are smart financial and footballing reasons to determine who goes and stays from those groupings.

What Rashford has done is probably push striker down to 3rd or 4th priority along with LCB (very good season from Blind) and behind the massive holes at RW and CM.

Signing 4 immediate starters is doable, and suddenly we'd have guys like Rashford, Blind and Mata covering most absences (since the latter 2 are technically very good pros who are comfortable at a combined 5-6 positions) rather than mediocre players doing those jobs.
 
Devil may care said:
Linked with Lacazette today, the way he plays the #9 role would certainly suit Rooney.
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Lacazette is around 7 years older than Rashford. I guess he is a player that could rotate some games in the striker position compared with other top strikers. Alsp, he wouldn't cost as much as Kane or Aubameyang.

Lacazette is a decent option if we want to play a fluid front of 3 with pace. We could have a french attack with Martial, Lacazette and one of Griezmann or Dembele.
 
We can't expect Rashford to perform this well consistently through out a season. So definitely a striker is needed but as someone said, his emergence has pushed a forward down the priority list. A right winger, a central midfielder, a centreback (can't rely on Jones any more I think) and then a striker.

Fosu-Mensah should get enough games at fullback, centre-back and midfield over the season I think (although there's a danger of him not settling down on one position there then). Januzaj & Memphis...not sure what the future holds for them.
 
Fer said:
Lacazette is around 7 years older than Rashford. I guess he is a player that could rotate some games in the striker position compared with other top strikers. Alsp, he wouldn't cost as much as Kane or Aubameyang.

Lacazette is a decent option if we want to play a fluid front of 3 with pace. We could have a french attack with Martial, Lacazette and one of Griezmann or Dembele.
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itso 7 said:
Always liked the look of him and he would certainly suit our desire to have a fluid forward line. Add in a goal scoring RW and we'd have a scary front line.
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I'm not totally sold on Lacazette but bar Ibra he's on a short list of options left, although reports are suggesting he's off to Spurs.
 
Devil may care said:
I'm not totally sold on Lacazette but bar Ibra he's on a short list of options left, although reports are suggesting he's off to Spurs.
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I'm not a fan of them, but what about Higuain or Cavani? You mentioned that it would be better to sign an older striker, so Martial and Rashford continue developing.
 
To me Lacazette is a realistic option and at the same time he will also be a better option for Rashford development.
If we sign Ibrahimovic then we know for sure Rashford won't get enough games time as a number 9 even if it's just one year term. If we sign Griezmann as our number 9 then Rashford will be the shadow of Griezmann and it's going to be difficult for himself but at the same time we will be blessed with a world class player who can score loads of goals. If we sign Lacazette which IMO is still unproven in the top league and that means there is a chance he will become flop but at the same we are also giving Rashford to fight for his place. Depends on how much he will cost I reckon we should go for Lacazette. If Griezmann is available then I prefer Griezmann I mean who doesn't want a world class player?

And for people who mentioned Higuain and Cavani. I actually have enough with south america players in Manchester United. As for Lukaku, I don't think he's worth it especially for 60m. He is good but not that good as what people think.
 
Fer said:
I'm not a fan of them, but what about Higuain or Cavani? You mentioned that it would be better to sign an older striker, so Martial and Rashford continue developing.
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I'm not a fan of either but of the two I'd opt for Higuain, neither are great big game players but Higuain's finishing is more consistent than Cavani's.
 
Fer said:
I'm not a fan of them, but what about Higuain or Cavani? You mentioned that it would be better to sign an older striker, so Martial and Rashford continue developing.
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I know he bottles the big moments but he is the ultimate league striker as in he will score enough goals to get you in those big moments. If we brought him in and took measures to solve our creativity issues we will have a strong enough side to fight for the title.
 
Yes, we do. Martial can be our LW (1st choice)/ST (rotational).

First choice would be Ibra. If we can get in a quick skillful right winger, our attack will be quality next season.
 
Mike09 said:
To me Lacazette is a realistic option and at the same time he will also be a better option for Rashford development.
If we sign Ibrahimovic then we know for sure Rashford won't get enough games time as a number 9 even if it's just one year term. If we sign Griezmann as our number 9 then Rashford will be the shadow of Griezmann and it's going to be difficult for himself but at the same time we will be blessed with a world class player who can score loads of goals. If we sign Lacazette which IMO is still unproven in the top league and that means there is a chance he will become flop but at the same we are also giving Rashford to fight for his place. Depends on how much he will cost I reckon we should go for Lacazette. If Griezmann is available then I prefer Griezmann I mean who doesn't want a world class player?

And for people who mentioned Higuain and Cavani. I actually have enough with south america players in Manchester United. As for Lukaku, I don't think he's worth it especially for 60m. He is good but not that good as what people think.
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I see your point with Lacazette. Also, we would have a pacey forwards. I think

Griezmann should be our priority this summer.

We could have a fluid front of 3 with Martial, Lacazette and Griezmann. They can even change positions during the game because of their versatility. However, I can see Mourinho signing a more experienced target striker and playing 4231 (assuming he becomes our next manager).
 
Fer said:
We have been talking about Zlatan, Kane and Lukaku. Even Aubameyang, Higuain and Cavani. The question is... which striker complement better our attack?

We already have young strikers like Martial, Wilson and Rashford. Who do you think could offer something different?
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My first choice would actually be Cavanni. Strong, proven goalscorer, would compliment Rashford/Martial perfectly. I think they'd only sell if Ronaldo was coming from Madrid though.

Regarding the others, Kane isn't going anywhere, Lukaku isn't a bad shout but I have reservations over his attitude, the others I dunno. As for Zlatan, I have big reservations about signing a player 35 years old, no matter how much talent he has.
 
Fer said:
I see your point with Lacazette. Also, we would have a pacey forwards. I think

Griezmann should be our priority this summer.

We could have a fluid front of 3 with Martial, Lacazette and Griezmann. They can even change positions during the game because of their versatility. However, I can see Mourinho signing a more experienced target striker and playing 4231 (assuming he becomes our next manager).
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You're nuts if you think we're getting both of them.
 
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