Im looking forward to this transfer window closing so that we can assess the squad and analyze our options for each position etc. The following can be considered my preliminary analysis:
At this point I think the only way for Ole to have a fighting chance of finishing in the top four this season is if Sarr is brought in as our RW. Now, I know he isn’t as highly rated as Sancho. But he is fast, strong and plays with a directness that I think could be very useful against the top teams that are likely to dominate possession against us. For low-block teams we have Greenwood and Mata who I think should be used more. Finally, even though he’s likely not the long term solution to the RW/RF, Sarr is also more reliable than Démbélé which makes him the best currently available option there IMO. Maybe Chukwueze too.
We could then afford to move James to the left as Rashford’s back-up. I know some people don’t rate James, but for me he’s already shown he is good enough to be the back-up LW. It’s all about finding confidence and form for him, as for any player. Confidence is everything in football. Elanga to be our third choice LW/LF.
For CF we have Martial, Ighalo and Greenwood. Consider signing Cavani or King when Ighalo leaves.
Moving on (down) to midfield: BF and VDB are the 10s, Pogba and McTominay are the 8s and Matic and Fred are the 6s. Even though Fred is actually more of an 8, I think he can deputise at 6 in the CL where teams don’t press as much.
In defense, the other area (apart from RW) where we really, really need reinforcements is at LB. If Telles is deemed too expensive perhaps there is someone available on the cheap from the relegated PL teams or the other teams in the Championship.
At RB we have AWB, Williams and Laird.
At CB we have Maguire, Lindelöf, Tuanzebe, Bailly and Mengi. If rotation is used that could be enough. Rotation will be key this season at all positions.
At GK we obviously have DDG, Henderson and Grant plus Romero if he stays.
Lingard and TFM are the versatile squad players that can fill gaps in any position across the pitch. Lingard for all the attacking positions and TFM for all the defensive positions.
So in other words, top four will be hard and difficult to achieve, especially with so many of the teams around us strengthening, but if we sign Sarr or Chukwueze and a LB then we’ll still have a chance. Those two acquisitions would also be far cheaper than the likes of Sancho etc. Signing Sarr or Chukwueze now does not mean we can't come back in for Sancho (or Amad Traoré who I think we should sign) in the future. Players may go out on loan or lose their form etc. But we do need a big squad this season to have a chance of getting top four. Perhaps we can look at getting players in on loan for the CDM/DLP, CB and ST positions in January as well.