Erling Haaland / signs for Dortmund

[Leftback99]

The transfer rumour nonsense has started early then.

The way i see it transfer priorities for this team (if we are sticking with 4-2-3-1) should be:

1. Back up number 9 happy to start on the bench when Martial is rested/unavailable.
2. First XI number 10
3. First XI/rotation Centre Mid
4. First XI right wing
5. First XI left back

Buying a number 9 who would expect to start most games might make more sense if we don't go for a new right winger, relying on James, Rashford and hoping Greenwood comes good.

 

[VP89]

Is Sancho bordering on the point where the praise is going to his head?

No

 

[Renegade]

The transfer rumour nonsense has started early then.

The way i see it transfer priorities for this team (if we are sticking with 4-2-3-1) should be:

1. Back up number 9 happy to start on the bench when Martial is rested/unavailable.
2. First XI number 10
3. First XI/rotation Centre Mid
4. First XI right wing
5. First XI left back

Buying a number 9 who would expect to start most games might make more sense if we don't go for a new right winger, relying on James, Rashford and hoping Greenwood comes good.

a good striker shouldn’t be happy to be on the bench. Don’t think I’d want a striker content with the bench either.

 

[zenith]

I'm finally beginning to see what martial fc is all about.

 

[Posh Red]

I'm finally beginning to see what martial fc is all about.

Me too. I rate him really high as well, and want him to stay and develop at United. If anything, the competition could spur him on

 

[Posh Red]

I predict that United will not sign Sancho and Haaland for £200m in January.

Me too. I reckon it will be £201m

 

[Jibbs]

Me too. I rate him really high as well, and want him to stay and develop at United. If anything, the competition could spur him on

And if it is a choice between the two, due to financial constraints, we should priorities signing Haaland, we can find a lesser replacement of Sancho in many players, but once in a generation talent like Haaland is hard to come by.

 

[Eckers99]

I see the anti-nuance brigade are out in full force again.

I'm pretty sure most posters would love for us to sign Haaland, Sancho and a (potentially) top CM. That would immediately sort our problem positions out. The fact is, we don't have a limitless budget, so need to prioritise. And CM and RW are more pressing areas of concern than CF. If James, who plays best at LW anyway, gets injured we have no alternatives outside of Greenwood - a youth striker - Mata or Jesse fecking Lingard. If Fred, who has only recently shown decent form after 18 miserable months, gets injured, we're playing unproven youth products at DM.

Making out that anyone who has any doubts about the overarching logic of this smacks of fingers-in-ears naivety. And it's exact same the kind of misplaced condescension we saw when the Sanchez/ Lukaku/ Ole/ De Gea deals were remotely questioned. And none of those deals were/are convincing.

 

[Momochiru]

Sometimes I wonder if people enjoy the FM types of transfers more than the actual football. None of this is realistic for this January:

1. Back up number 9 happy to start on the bench when Martial is rested/unavailable.
A backup who is happy to start on the bench? That's the definition of deadwood - I would rather get someone hungry who is going to provide real competition for the #9 spot.
2. First XI number 10
I am very cautious about the #10 spot - for the last several years we had an abundance of #10s, some of them very good, and yet it never worked for us with any of them. We were always in the position of being thin in many areas of the pitch, but having too many players for the #10 spot. Currently we have Lingard, Mata, Perreira, Gomes - all specialist #10s fighting for one spot. On top of that we have plenty of other players who can play there in different kind of circumstances: Pogba, or even Greenwood, Martial and Rashford. I would say the #10 the last possible priority in the team and only after getting rid of some of the other players like Mata/Lingard.
3. First XI/rotation Centre Mid
That's the only position where I partially agree with you.
4. First XI right wing
The RW was very urgent last year, but with James doing great there and Greenwood also getting good amount of minutes and already scored 3 goals from there I would say the RW not such a big problem anymore.
5. First XI left back
Show signed a 5 year contract recently and was a POTY a year ago, we have also Williams coming up as a very exciting option and you already want to get a new LB?? Not to mention we a lot of depth there in Dalot and Young both able to slot in.

I would say this January get Haaland for 50-60M and a young, hungry midfielder with a good engine from the Championship for 20-30M. So for 70-90M we would improve substantially. I think spending 70-90M in January is pretty realistic. We would have enough depth and quality in every area of the pitch in order to try to fight for top 4 and push for the EL this season and maybe get a good run in the other cups. After that in the summer we would need to get rid of couple more of the deadwood and get another 1-2 carefully chosen quality players and we would be in a very good position for the future.

 

[Holters]

1. Back up number 9 happy to start on the bench when Martial is rested/unavailable.

We don't need more squad players. What we need is world class players or talents with the potential to become world class. We should only aim for players that are good enough now or in the near future to dispose our current starting players to the bench. Our best eleven simply isn't good enough to compete with the best teams in the world.

 

[Leftback99]

Sometimes I wonder if people enjoy the FM types of transfers more than the actual football. None of this is realistic for this January:


I would say this January get Haaland for 50-60M and a young, hungry midfielder with a good engine from the Championship for 20-30M. So for 70-90M we would improve substantially. I think spending 70-90M in January is pretty realistic. We would have enough depth and quality in every area of the pitch in order to try to fight for top 4 and push for the EL this season and maybe get a good run in the other cups. After that in the summer we would need to get rid of couple more of the deadwood and get another 1-2 carefully chosen quality players and we would be in a very good position for the future.

Sometimes i wonder if people can read. Where did i mention January?!

I'm pretty sure we won't be signing anyone significant in January making just a back up striker more likely.

Sometimes I wonder if people actually watch us: Our number 10s Mata, Lingard and Pereira are terrible and one of the main reasons we don't create enough chances. Unproven Gomes is probably leaving.

Shaw is always injured, he could be the best left back in the world (he's miles from that) and it would be irrelevant if we can't get him on the pitch. We'll see with Williams, i remember many getting excited about Borthwick-Jackson so i'm not going to get carried away yet.

 

[Leftback99]

We don't need more squad players. What we need is world class players or talents with the potential to become world class. We should only aim for players that are good enough now or in the near future to dispose our current starting players to the bench. Our best eleven simply isn't good enough to compete with the best teams in the world.

I agree but i think we've got clearer gaps to fill with our budget before we get to displacing the good players we do have.

If it was a choice i'd rather we buy a new first XI number 10 than a starting striker relegating Martial or Rashford to the bench before we sort other positions. When we're in a position to have both, fine.

 

[Dong Fangzhuo]

Why am I seeing the phrase "generational talent" all over this thread?

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Why am I seeing the phrase "generational talent" all over this thread?

Because people have watched a 10 minute youtube video.

 

[sherrinford]

We don't need more squad players. What we need is world class players or talents with the potential to become world class. We should only aim for players that are good enough now or in the near future to dispose our current starting players to the bench. Our best eleven simply isn't good enough to compete with the best teams in the world.

We should also be looking for players to replace the weaker players in our starting lineup (I realise you only responded to the suggestion that we should prioritise a backup no.9). Striker is not one of those positions.

 

[FrankDrebin]

Generational youtube video.

 

[Harry190]

Generational is an odd word to use since Mbappe is from the same gen.

 

[charlenefan]

I'll have whatever they're smoking.

Not entirely unrealistic tbh, Sancho ain't doing well at Dortmund who have previous of selling their so called best player in January before (Aubameyang) and as for Haaland his side won't be in the UCL after Christmas so other than 'just' the Austrian domestic honours not much keeping him there either

 

[2mufc0]

Generational is an odd word to use since Mbappe is from the same gen.

Well according to his fans he will be battling him for the Ballon D'or soon.

 

[OverratedOpinion]

Generational is an odd word to use since Mbappe is from the same gen.

It is an odd word to use on account of it not making any sense in the context it is being used.

 

[onetwo3oclock4oclockrock]

Not entirely unrealistic tbh, Sancho ain't doing well at Dortmund who have previous of selling their so called best player in January before (Aubameyang) and as for Haaland his side won't be in the UCL after Christmas so other than 'just' the Austrian domestic honours not much keeping him there either

They will most likely finish third in their CL-group, and enter the Europa League. Could have enough quality to go all the way in EL, so we might get the epic battle Haaland vs United sometime spring 2020.

 

[charlenefan]

They will most likely finish third in their CL-group, and enter the Europa League. Could have enough quality to go all the way in EL, so we might get the epic battle Haaland vs United sometime spring 2020.

Wouldn't surprise me, I'm convinced we'll get Inter at some point as well

 

[He'sRaldo]

I think it's interesting how threads like these will pop up fairly regularly. We've seen similar with Mbappe thread, Felix thread, de Ligt thread, Sancho thread, Dembele thread, etc.

I think making out that missing one of such talents = destroying our future, is inaccurate. If we don't get this guy, I'm sure another "generational talent" will pop up next year that we can get.

I can definitely understand those who would want to prioritize our problems before running after yearly breakouts.

 

[SungSam7]

How does he handle pressure and criticism is what I want to know. We need a striker who is more than capable of carrying the burden he will surely face if we were to sign him. I'd be all for it if we had a leader or two to lead him if times got tough.
On top of that, do we have the service necessary to support him with? Lingard and Pereira get too many minutes as is and they aren't good enough to supply or link the midfield and attackers.

 

[SER19]

I think it's interesting how threads like these will pop up fairly regularly. We've seen similar with Mbappe thread, Felix thread, De Ligt thread, Sancho thread, Dembele thread, etc.

I think making out that missing one of such talents = destroying our future, is inaccurate. If we don't get this guy, I'm sure another "generational talent" will pop up next year that we can get.

And you've just listed some prominent recent ones who have proven, or at least seem to merit some of, the hype.

For every player that makes it to the top we could dig up 50 threads on absolute failures that fans thought we were completely inept for not signing.

 

[DFreshKing]

Are some of you in here so dumb that you can't see that nobody is saying that we should not get a striker in January. What I've been saying and will keep on saying is this. We have Martial who has just been given no.9 Ole has trusted him to lead our line and so far he has been doing exactly this. All our attacks revolve around him. We've been saying Martial has world class potential and finally this is the first time we might actually see Martial for a full season as a striker to be able to judge whether he actually has that potential.

Now I'm not saying we shouldn't get a striker in January. I'm saying we shouldn't get Haaland. He's going to be costly considering the holes we have to fill. He's going to want to start and this is me considering Martials form which our attack currently revolves around. Once again I'm basing all this on Martials current form and if he should continue like this then Haaland isn't needed but a back up option. Someone comfortable on the bench but can deliver when called upon.

Give Martial this season to prove himself heck give him till January... We still have about 12 games to go before the January window opens. All I'm saying is Martial is world class potential and this could be the season he finally proves it. But this won't happen if we sign Haaland. Which is why come January we should go for a cheaper option that can still perform when called.

If Martial fails then by all means we can get Haaland or Kane or any world class striker. However if Ole opts to sign Haaland then I will be delighted because I know Ole would have a plan for both Haaland and Martial and even Greenwood since he speaks highly of the three of them

So get someone shitter then?

Is that you Ed?

 

[He'sRaldo]

And you've just listed some prominent recent ones who have proven, or at least seem to merit some of, the hype.

For every player that makes it to the top we could dig up 50 threads on absolute failures that fans thought we were completely inept for not signing.

Yup although currently, the jury is out for Dembele, de Ligt, and Sancho with regards to maintaining their previous level. None of them are coping too well at the moment, although I'm sure Sancho and de Ligt will improve


You can never really tell with "breakout" players, so for me it's hard to view them as must buy.

 

[SER19]

Yup although currently, the jury is out for Dembele, de Ligt, and Sancho with regards to maintaining their previous level. None of them are coping too well at the moment, although I hold hope for Sancho and de Ligt.


You can never really tell with "breakout" players, so for me it's hard to view them as must buy.

Felix too. But God the players and managers that resident experts have insisted we sign.

 

[Eckers99]

Generational is an odd word to use since Mbappe is from the same gen.

It's the caf's favorite new word. Knowing what it means doesn't matter.

 

[Cliche Guevara]

It is an odd word to use on account of it not making any sense in the context it is being used.

Yeah, I think we need a recap. I originally thought it was a once in a generation talent.

Now it seems to be a good player of the age of the player.

 

[TrustInOle]

I would be very happy going into next season with our front 3 being a mixture of; Rashford, Martial, James, Haaland and Greenwood. Bring in a disciplined but creative outlet next to Scott and I think we are easily good enough for top 4 with huge room for improvement and development. Hope this young and hungry player scouting is a main focus for future windows, the way things stand now, build youth and helping it mature together has to be our way forward. Bring the lad in!

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

I'll have whatever they're smoking.

Would be an absolute dream but can’t personally see it, I’m afraid. Especially January.

 

[dwd]

Not entirely unrealistic tbh, Sancho ain't doing well at Dortmund who have previous of selling their so called best player in January before (Aubameyang) and as for Haaland his side won't be in the UCL after Christmas so other than 'just' the Austrian domestic honours not much keeping him there either

I think the most unrealistic part is us spending £200m in January

 

[arnie_ni]

I think it's interesting how threads like these will pop up fairly regularly. We've seen similar with Mbappe thread, Felix thread, de Ligt thread, Sancho thread, Dembele thread, etc.

I think making out that missing one of such talents = destroying our future, is inaccurate. If we don't get this guy, I'm sure another "generational talent" will pop up next year that we can get.

I can definitely understand those who would want to prioritize our problems before running after yearly breakouts.

Our problem is we dont sign any of these guys and quite a few turn out to be class.

 

[He'sRaldo]

Our problem is we dont sign any of these guys and quite a few turn out to be class.

In recent times we've signed a few who didn't work out as we thought.

Shaw, Memphis, Pogba, Martial, Schneiderlein, Darmian off the top of my head haven't gone exactly as we would have liked thus far (although how much of that is our own doing, is debatable).

 

[troylocker]

It's the caf's favorite new word. Knowing what it means doesn't matter.

Can you please tell me what other talents the CAF’s called generational talents the last few years?
If you’ve followed this thread and his thread on the football forum, you’ll see that I have followed him closely since he was at Molde and I have used the word. It might not do him any favours, but in my 40 years of playing and following football I can count on one hand the times I have been this excited about a young player. His skill set is that unique. He has tools no one else has. If you think Martial as our #9 will win us the PL or CL, you are just wrong. This guy might, and securing his signature would be the best signing we have done in a long, long time, and would be worth the risk.

 

[VP89]

In recent times we've signed a few who didn't work out as we thought. Shaw, Memphis, Pogba, Martial, Schneiderlein, Darmian off the top of my head haven't gone exactly as we would have liked thus far (although how much of that is our own doing, is debatable).

Martial was worth his transfer fee I'd argue Darmien was too given how cheap we brought him in for (and he would suit a LVG system so there was logic to it).

The rest fair enough, but Pogba was a known quantity so if he didn't turn out as we thought, it goes to show no transfer is a sure hit anyway. I'm fine for Haaland to join on a big fee. Guys like him and Joao Felix will likely be great for the next decade.

 

[troylocker]

Can you please tell me what other talents the CAF’s called generational talents the last few years?
If you’ve followed this thread and his thread on the football forum, you’ll see that I have followed him closely since he was at Molde and I have used the word. It might not do him any favours, but in my 40 years of playing and following football I can count on one hand the times I have been this excited about a young player. His skill set is that unique. He has tools no one else has. If you think Martial as our #9 will win us the PL or CL, you are just wrong. This guy might, and securing his signature would be the best signing we have done in a long, long time, and would be worth the risk.

 

[He'sRaldo]

The rest fair enough, but Pogba was a known quantity so if he didn't turn out as we thought, it goes to show no transfer is a sure hit anyway. I'm fine for Haaland to join on a big fee. Guys like him and Joao Felix will likely be great for the next decade.

That may be true, but even if we do miss out (like we did with Felix) someone else will always pop up the next year or so (like Haaland). So I don't think it's something to really stress out over if we miss one of these.

So far the only recent breakout youngster who has that status is Mbappe. The others may prove it later, but many have come and gone and been forgotten.

 

[troylocker]

A challenge for the sceptics:
Give me one example of a 19 year old in a top flight anywhere that has delivered a goal/assist ratio of 2,25/90 minutes over the course of 18 games (including CL) or more.