Keeper and 2 midfielders for me. I think you can get a bit more creative in addressing the attack, but there’s nothing to be creative about with the other two. De Gea is a black hole of incompetence these days, and at bare minimum we need a true ball carrying 8 AND a holding mid. Thus the majority of funds should go to those positions seeing as striker isn’t going to be worth the price of what we could get
Highest Priority Needs
- Thread starter FrankWhite
- Start date
we don’t need 2 GK and 2 CDMs. Also a CB is not the highest prio. Realistically we can make 3 expensive signings which should be a striker, a gk and a CM, in this prio.
New wealthy owner
I am hoping that we could at least get 5 players in, and if we could then I think our priorities should be as follows
1 - Striker - There's nothing more to be said than what has been said already. Its a difficult market and there's a dearth in quality (apart from the obvious options) , so I am hoping our Scouting and EtH are able to find a gem here.
2 - Goalkeeper - Teams will exploit our lack of ability to play from the back and even more in the upcoming season. Love DDG but its time to explore other options.
3 - CM - Need a partner for Case and Bruno. Eriksen can't do it anymore over 90 mins.
4 - CB - A 3rd CB who can take over from Varane.
5 - CM - DLP/DM Cover, someone like Rabiot
1 - Striker - There's nothing more to be said than what has been said already. Its a difficult market and there's a dearth in quality (apart from the obvious options) , so I am hoping our Scouting and EtH are able to find a gem here.
2 - Goalkeeper - Teams will exploit our lack of ability to play from the back and even more in the upcoming season. Love DDG but its time to explore other options.
3 - CM - Need a partner for Case and Bruno. Eriksen can't do it anymore over 90 mins.
4 - CB - A 3rd CB who can take over from Varane.
5 - CM - DLP/DM Cover, someone like Rabiot
I worry we won't be able to spend much at all. Which is OK as long as we get the Glazers out at some point. Seems like Kane will go to Madrid. So the next best Striker 60-70% of funds and the bulk of the rest on a Middie. I think we will have to put up with DDG for another year.
In reality every position in the squad could be improved...so we shouldn't be surprised if EtH buys a player for any position.
It also depends on who is available and how much it will cost...the talk of Kane/Osimhen has always been a little silly to me as the club needs to operate within FFP and doesn't have a bottomless pit of cash.
The talk of Mount at first was a shock, but if he is available for around 45-50 million and can cover/improve a few position in the team, then it becomes a more sensible transfer.
It also depends on who is available and how much it will cost...the talk of Kane/Osimhen has always been a little silly to me as the club needs to operate within FFP and doesn't have a bottomless pit of cash.
The talk of Mount at first was a shock, but if he is available for around 45-50 million and can cover/improve a few position in the team, then it becomes a more sensible transfer.
Looks like Mason Mount and a central defender is allready incoming.
After that we need a striker and hopefully a new GK.
That said.
We need a quality striker over anything else. Its crucial.
After that we need a striker and hopefully a new GK.
That said.
We need a quality striker over anything else. Its crucial.
1. New owners.
2. Two strikers.
3. Two midfielders.
4. A goalkeeper.
Many people are concerned about De Gea and want him replaced. I'm not sure that the benefits would be as good as people think. Yes, we want a goalie who commands his area, comes for crosses and distributes quickly and accurately. However, even if we get one who can do all that, we still have players who can't string more than three passes together, don't win headers, don't win 50-50 challenges, don't break quickly enough. Hence, the priority need to buy new strikers and midfielders, to benefit fully from a modern style goalkeeper.
2. Two strikers.
3. Two midfielders.
4. A goalkeeper.
Many people are concerned about De Gea and want him replaced. I'm not sure that the benefits would be as good as people think. Yes, we want a goalie who commands his area, comes for crosses and distributes quickly and accurately. However, even if we get one who can do all that, we still have players who can't string more than three passes together, don't win headers, don't win 50-50 challenges, don't break quickly enough. Hence, the priority need to buy new strikers and midfielders, to benefit fully from a modern style goalkeeper.
Honestly I'd rather just get solid players for all of the holes in the squad rather than prioritize one position over another. Get a striker, midfielder, goalkeeper and centre back for 50-60 million pounds each and ship out as much of the deadwood as possible. That's going to make more of a difference than having a world class player but still having to hide 2 passengers on the pitch every match.
Maybe swap 4 and 5,however worrying there seems to be strong indications we are only looking for GK good with his feet and commanding to provide competition for DDG
When the Utd/Spurs big guns start talking up Kane to Madrid then I will give it credence
A sensible post.
We're all still fuming over the debacles v Sevilla and West Ham, but in truth the albatross around our neck this season has been our lack of goal production. Blame it on some combination of poor play by our forward and midfielders, but somewhere among our attacking 6 we're not getting the job done. Maybe that can be resolved by continued training, or maybe we need a better striker -- as you say, two strikers -- and better midfielders (Eriksen is almost done now), but we need to correct the deficiencies of our front six above all else.
New owners would be great too, but that's a different problem to solve.
Considering that we have to manage Varane's minutes more carefully, I was prioritising a CB cover slightly higher.I am expecting(hoping) Maguire to leave as well.
Highest priority:
ST - Kane
Afterwards:
GK - Costa
And in the end but not least:
Midfielder - Caicedo.
1 More Midfielder needed too.
Buy these 3 and after sales add some more and we are ready for the next season.
ST - Kane
Afterwards:
GK - Costa
And in the end but not least:
Midfielder - Caicedo.
1 More Midfielder needed too.
Buy these 3 and after sales add some more and we are ready for the next season.
Striker - Hojlund.
CM - Kokcu/Caicedo.
GK - Costa/Raya.
Mandatory positions this summer.
CM - Kokcu/Caicedo.
GK - Costa/Raya.
Mandatory positions this summer.
In order of priority:
- GK and ST.
- Selling off the dead wood including Sancho and Martial
Keeper. Striker. Midfield. In that order for me.
In this order:
Must have
1. Center forward
2. Central midfielder (possession specialist who also thrives under high pressure)
Should have
3. Winger/wide forward (especially if Sancho gets sold)
4. Center back (Varane's injuries are a worry)
5. Goalkeeper
Must have
1. Center forward
2. Central midfielder (possession specialist who also thrives under high pressure)
Should have
3. Winger/wide forward (especially if Sancho gets sold)
4. Center back (Varane's injuries are a worry)
5. Goalkeeper
1. Striker/forward who can bag 20+ goals
2. Centre Midfielder
3. Goalkeeper
2. Centre Midfielder
3. Goalkeeper
I know little an I am sure there are others who know better but Matej Kovar is ours and qualifies as home grown, is he good enough to be De Gea NO.2 and if so, has he a chance of taking the NO.1 shirt should we keep De Gea another season?. We should also forget Kane & Rice etc immediately and move to get players who actually want to be here. Højlund is along with Caicedo a least United supporters. The Kane thing will be a soap opera , we have Levy immediately devaluing him by refusing to sell him to the premier league so should walk away and not have another FDJ nonsense. Anyone know if Gravenberch is a possible? Having played for Ten Hag I'm sure if he was interested he would be all over it.
I think we need an out and out goalscorer. @We need an rvn
Striker/GK
CM
RB
CB
CM
RB
CB
Striker
Ball playing CM
RW
Ball playing CM
RW
Striker
GK
CM
CB
GK
CM
CB
Two Strikers... we can't go into the season with 1 striker. Martial is never fit nor does he have the heart/intensity needed for a forward to succeed.
GK. De Gea isn't good enough anymore and constantly gives the ball away by kicking it long every time.
CM - Eriksen too slow, Fred too erratic, mctominay not good enough.
we seriously need players that want to win...that will give 100% every time.
You look at the final last week and even some other games and there's a clear difference between sides when it comes to 50/50 balls... we have too many players that are soft/unwilling to give 100%. we need players with the mentality and willingness to get physical like Martinez rather than Lindelof (nothing against the iceman, just for comparison sake).
GK. De Gea isn't good enough anymore and constantly gives the ball away by kicking it long every time.
CM - Eriksen too slow, Fred too erratic, mctominay not good enough.
we seriously need players that want to win...that will give 100% every time.
You look at the final last week and even some other games and there's a clear difference between sides when it comes to 50/50 balls... we have too many players that are soft/unwilling to give 100%. we need players with the mentality and willingness to get physical like Martinez rather than Lindelof (nothing against the iceman, just for comparison sake).
Exactly, people get too torn up with players, it really means nothing for the long-term of this club.
No 1 priority would be a ST, we can't begin the next season with Martial as our only option.
No 2 would be a CM next to Casemiro
No 3 a better GK
Bonus 1 - a CB if Maguire leaves
No 2 would be a CM next to Casemiro
No 3 a better GK
Bonus 1 - a CB if Maguire leaves
- Striker - Rashford still doesn't strike me as a true CF and Martial is awful
- Midfielder - Need someone to accompany Casemiro that can last more than 50 minutes and isn't Fred or McTominay
- Goalkeeper - been a low priority for a few seasons now but we've reached a tipping point
We might need a RW if it's true that Antony has done a Greenwood 
Seriously though, we probably do need a winger if we're not going to start using players like Pellistri because none of our wingers create chances for other playes. There'll be little point in getting a player like Harry Kane if we don't create anything for him.
Seriously though, we probably do need a winger if we're not going to start using players like Pellistri because none of our wingers create chances for other playes. There'll be little point in getting a player like Harry Kane if we don't create anything for him.
We might need a RW if it's true that Antony has done a Greenwood
Seriously though, we probably do need a winger if we're not going to start using players like Pellistri because none of our wingers create chances for other playes. There'll be little point in getting a player like Harry Kane if we don't create anything for him.
He was playing for us at Bournemouth
The match wasn't 24 hours long & there's no reason she couldn't have been with him in the UK? I'm not saying it is true, just that we'd suddenly be short on the wings again if it is true.
In:
1. Striker. We have Martial and Rashford. The first you cannot trust, the second is best utilized on the wing. We need a forward that can play week in week out, able to score goals but at the same time have strong capabilities in retaining the ball while we attack
2. Midfielder. A combination of Eriksen and Fred. Someone that can get down and pickup the ball from the defense, run with the ball, make the dangerous forward passes but also have enough strength and energy to do that for 90 minutes
3. Keeper. A player who should be very strong technically with his feet, not be afraid of playing as sweeper, and most importantly should be strong in getting out of his goal line to pickup high balls
in addition, there are also some outgoing priorities:
1. Maguire. Won’t get much playing time, and I am afraid that it will impact his mood especially when he loses his spot in the national team and then he might be a negative voice in the dressing room or cause negative news to the media. Also, selling him could potentially fund the transfer of a new more dynamic center back (not a priority unless Maguire is sold)
2. McTominay. Even though I do like him, and believe that he has his uses in the team and is homegrown, we need to stop being sentimental and earn a profit on him given the high interest in his signature. Won’t make sense to have him on the bench as 4./5. choice if we can sell him and use the money for players that are more suited
3. Elanga. He is young and still has some potential to be unwilled. Extremely important to sell him this summer as I am afraid another season on the bench or a less successful loan would significantly reduce his value and the potential that some clubs might expect from him yet. Unfortunately he don’t have the potential to be a player for us and we should start earning profits on young players. He is homegrown, explosive and still very young so there should be enough interested clubs in him
4. Henderson. With his history and the fact that the club is actively (defined by rumors) looking at other GK targets, and him being behind De Gea we should look at earning some cash from him this summer to increase our budget and potentially add the profit from him directly on the new goalkeeper target
1. Striker. We have Martial and Rashford. The first you cannot trust, the second is best utilized on the wing. We need a forward that can play week in week out, able to score goals but at the same time have strong capabilities in retaining the ball while we attack
2. Midfielder. A combination of Eriksen and Fred. Someone that can get down and pickup the ball from the defense, run with the ball, make the dangerous forward passes but also have enough strength and energy to do that for 90 minutes
3. Keeper. A player who should be very strong technically with his feet, not be afraid of playing as sweeper, and most importantly should be strong in getting out of his goal line to pickup high balls
in addition, there are also some outgoing priorities:
1. Maguire. Won’t get much playing time, and I am afraid that it will impact his mood especially when he loses his spot in the national team and then he might be a negative voice in the dressing room or cause negative news to the media. Also, selling him could potentially fund the transfer of a new more dynamic center back (not a priority unless Maguire is sold)
2. McTominay. Even though I do like him, and believe that he has his uses in the team and is homegrown, we need to stop being sentimental and earn a profit on him given the high interest in his signature. Won’t make sense to have him on the bench as 4./5. choice if we can sell him and use the money for players that are more suited
3. Elanga. He is young and still has some potential to be unwilled. Extremely important to sell him this summer as I am afraid another season on the bench or a less successful loan would significantly reduce his value and the potential that some clubs might expect from him yet. Unfortunately he don’t have the potential to be a player for us and we should start earning profits on young players. He is homegrown, explosive and still very young so there should be enough interested clubs in him
4. Henderson. With his history and the fact that the club is actively (defined by rumors) looking at other GK targets, and him being behind De Gea we should look at earning some cash from him this summer to increase our budget and potentially add the profit from him directly on the new goalkeeper target
1. Striker
2. CM
3. CM
4. Goal keeper
5. RB
6. CB
7. Wide forward
2. CM
3. CM
4. Goal keeper
5. RB
6. CB
7. Wide forward
The three immediate first-XI spots to upgrade are goalkeeper, striker, central mid. Whatever the "budget" is, we need to focus it on three quality signings that come straight in and raise the level of this team the way Casemiro / Martinez did. Beyond that, if we can sell some of the squad players and use the money to bring in better depth options, that's a bonus.
In an ideal world I'd agree with this, but based on what we hear about the funds available, the priority should be signings that come in and immediately improve the first XI.
On the bolded, I think Eriksen's place in the XI is up for grabs so one midfielder is definitely needed - a second is a luxury unless we're cashing in on Fred / McTominay / VDB and using those supplementary funds. That's lower down the list for me.
The same goes for rumours like Kim Min-Jae - great signing, if we get a keeper, striker and CM first and we can get him for the rumoured 50 million while getting rid of Maguire to offset some of the fee. If he's one of only three signings made all summer, I don't see the point when we have two top-quality starting CBs already and gaping holes elsewhere in the team.
In an ideal world I'd agree with this, but based on what we hear about the funds available, the priority should be signings that come in and immediately improve the first XI.
On the bolded, I think Eriksen's place in the XI is up for grabs so one midfielder is definitely needed - a second is a luxury unless we're cashing in on Fred / McTominay / VDB and using those supplementary funds. That's lower down the list for me.
The same goes for rumours like Kim Min-Jae - great signing, if we get a keeper, striker and CM first and we can get him for the rumoured 50 million while getting rid of Maguire to offset some of the fee. If he's one of only three signings made all summer, I don't see the point when we have two top-quality starting CBs already and gaping holes elsewhere in the team.
1. Striker
2. Gk
3. 2nd Striker
4. Midfielder
5. CB
we’re so short up top, for me we need two forwards to add goals, quality, competition in the frontline. One forward isn’t enough imo
2. Gk
3. 2nd Striker
4. Midfielder
5. CB
we’re so short up top, for me we need two forwards to add goals, quality, competition in the frontline. One forward isn’t enough imo
I mean from what we’ve heard we basically have about 100m total before sales so I’m assuming players like Maguire, McT, and others are no doubt leaving. That leaves us with literally 0 cover at DM (even McTominay was barely “cover” at that position). We are one Casemiro injury alway from turning into a midtable team currently. Not getting a young deputy there would be pure stupidity. Even if we aren’t going to go for Caicedo (my personal choice) we have to get someone in to rotate and play there. Counting on Casemiro for 50+ games is naive. So that spot and Eriksens need addressing and in my mind those are two spots that you can’t afford to just bring bodies in, we have to bring in quality.
Kim seems like a bang on replacement for a Maguire, and a perfect one at that given the release clause, his quality, and giving us 3 top tier CB’s to rotate in between.
My point was basically that given what we know about the forward market (it’s not chalk full of options), the better strategy might be to go with a younger or more versatile option (Hojlund?) and focus the bulk of money continuing to evolve what is largely a midfield of misfits and ageing players, especially past Bruno and Casemiro.
Striker
Keeper
No 8 to replace Eriksen
These are all top priority for me as they’re starting11 players and badly needed upgrades.
Then a backup no 6 to fill in for Casemiro as next priority as it’s a squad position but one where the drop off in quality is huge.
Everything else including RB and rotational CB would obviously be lovely but can wait.
Keeper
No 8 to replace Eriksen
These are all top priority for me as they’re starting11 players and badly needed upgrades.
Then a backup no 6 to fill in for Casemiro as next priority as it’s a squad position but one where the drop off in quality is huge.
Everything else including RB and rotational CB would obviously be lovely but can wait.
1- striker. This is our top priority and I think we’d all agree on that. Martial? He’s injured or underperforming most of the season to be even considered a back up. We need one or 2 (depending on the final decision regarding greenwood) up front.
2- central midfielder. Eriksen was good this year in general though his performances dropped towards the end of the season. We need someone in that position (lost hope on VDB). Eriksen would be used as a squad player to rotate bruno (who we need to use wisely going forward) and also as a back up central midfielder.
3-central defender. I think the GK position is in bad shape, but i’d like us to sort out the CB position first as I think we’ll be thin next year if we don’t sign anyone. Bailly, Jones, Tuanzebe and probably Maguire will all leave. We’ll be left with Varane, Martinez and Lindelof. Shaw can put a shift every now and then in the middle, but can’t risk not having proper depth there. Really need a CB signing.
4- goalkeeper. De gea has been frustrating for a while now. Even ETH mentioned that he wants him but cant guarantee a starting role for him. His mistakes this year made him look like a rookie at times unfortunately. His distribution is poor and coming out for crosses is also weak. He can have a fantastic performance every odd game, but generally has become unreliable. We need someone as a priority there also.
let’s hope we have a billion or so to spend this summer to put us in shape.
2- central midfielder. Eriksen was good this year in general though his performances dropped towards the end of the season. We need someone in that position (lost hope on VDB). Eriksen would be used as a squad player to rotate bruno (who we need to use wisely going forward) and also as a back up central midfielder.
3-central defender. I think the GK position is in bad shape, but i’d like us to sort out the CB position first as I think we’ll be thin next year if we don’t sign anyone. Bailly, Jones, Tuanzebe and probably Maguire will all leave. We’ll be left with Varane, Martinez and Lindelof. Shaw can put a shift every now and then in the middle, but can’t risk not having proper depth there. Really need a CB signing.
4- goalkeeper. De gea has been frustrating for a while now. Even ETH mentioned that he wants him but cant guarantee a starting role for him. His mistakes this year made him look like a rookie at times unfortunately. His distribution is poor and coming out for crosses is also weak. He can have a fantastic performance every odd game, but generally has become unreliable. We need someone as a priority there also.
let’s hope we have a billion or so to spend this summer to put us in shape.
Think you are spot on about KMJ needing to be the 4th signing after getting ST,GK,CM
Who do you have in mind for 2nd striker