Lukaku and Sanchez - cut our losses? Poll now added

[Stacks]

Sanchez was giving it everything, you have to give him that at least. Still not the quality youd expect for that money, but it isnt for a lack of effort or a bad attitude, at least.

Lukaku is a good option to have. If he is happy to be a squad player we shouldnt be in a rush to push him out.

I am a big fan of Lukaku but he is not a player who can come in and have a positive impact in one off games. He is a bit like Rooney used to be in that he needs a run of games and if he gets them is fully capable of scoring 8 or 9 games in a row. As such, if Ole has decided Rashford is going to be his first choice striker which I think is evident then Lukaku is not suitable for a backup role and should probably go.

Alexis I have no clue about as I find it completely perplexing that he has gone from being up there with Hazard and Aguero to being completely un-noteworthy whenever he plays. It would almost make more sense if he was completely terrible but he still works his socks off, his touch is still good, doesn't even look like he has lost that much pace honestly but it just consistently leads to nothing. I feel he should be given a season as backup striker, maybe? I don't know honestly.

What you said. He simply isn't electric enough or physical enough to fulfil this role. I would rather have someone rapid and hard working like Jamie Vardy as an impact sub or FELLAINI as at least he won the aerial battle and brought people into play. Rom needs to warm up and it is difficult for him to get going as his retaining of the ball is all over the place.

 

[Adebesi]

Is it true though? He was out in the cold for weeks when Ole first arrived, unless I am remembering this wrong the Arsenal game was his first for some time, he came in and played well on the right - he was widely praised for that performance. So Im not sure how true it is that he needs a run of games to play well. Admittedly he wasnt playing up front in that game so maybe its his sharpness in front of goal that is in question when he isnt playing regularly, but I havent really seen any evidence to prove that. He's had goal droughts when he was playing every game under Mourinho, he's played well when seldom used under Ole. So I think if he is happy to stay next season, knowing he probably isnt first choice (unless he ups his game and wins it back, which is a path that should always be open to every player) we keep him next season and see how it goes, and if next summer we want to get rid, do it then, once we have strengthened elsewhere.

 

[deadrevelz]

Is it true though? He was out in the cold for weeks when Ole first arrived, unless I am remembering this wrong the Arsenal game was his first for some time, he came in and played well on the right - he was widely praised for that performance. So Im not sure how true it is that he needs a run of games to play well. Admittedly he wasnt playing up front in that game so maybe its his sharpness in front of goal that is in question when he isnt playing regularly, but I havent really seen any evidence to prove that. He's had goal droughts when he was playing every game under Mourinho, he's played well when seldom used under Ole. So I think if he is happy to stay next season, knowing he probably isnt first choice (unless he ups his game and wins it back, which is a path that should always be open to every player) we keep him next season and see how it goes, and if next summer we want to get rid, do it then, once we have strengthened elsewhere.

He isn't a great back up striker if it takes him a while to get going and has goal droughts and he isn't a great winger even when he plays well. Like you said, we need to strengthen other areas and the club is much more likely to do so if we can recoup money from players who don't play regularly.

 

[IronCroos37]

sell them both, and mata as well.

 

[TRUERED89]

sell them both, and mata as well.

Mata was class against Chelsea, play him centrally and he doesn't disappoint! he can stay as a good squad option. coming on against Juventus made a huge impact too, he's probably the best free kick taker we have.

 

[Gehrman]

Personally it depends on who we get in as replacements. If we can get quality replacements we should just sell them asap. They offer so little and are so expensive. Lukaku is a 75 m striker who cant control a football ffs.

 

[Mainoldo]

Mata was class against Chelsea, play him centrally and he doesn't disappoint! he can stay as a good squad option. coming on against Juventus made a huge impact too, he's probably the best free kick taker we have.

Mata is finished. We can’t carry a player like him for another season and we don’t play number 10’s Chelsea was a one off and even then he lacked the engine to be effective.

 

[TRUERED89]

Mata is finished. We can’t carry a player like him for another season and we don’t play number 10’s Chelsea was a one off and even then he lacked the engine to be effective.

He may well start against Liverpool, that game could be a decider for him, in a diamond with Pogba, Matic and Herrera behind him, I don't think we'd be "carrying" him at all. He very much held his own against Chelsea and nullified Jorghinio completely, I'd say intelligence is more important than an "engine" especially when you have 3 players behind you for support, does D. Silva have an "engine" not particularly, he's just a smart fecking player. To sum up Mata deserves another season..

 

[Mainoldo]

He may well start against Liverpool, that game could be a decider for him, in a diamond with Pogba, Matic and Herrera behind him, I don't think we'd be "carrying" him at all. He very much held his own against Chelsea and nullified Jorghinio completely, I'd say intelligence is more important than an "engine" especially when you have 3 players behind you for support, does D. Silva have an "engine" not particularly, he's just a smart fecking player. To sum up Mata deserves another season..

Just because your a clever player doesn’t mean you lack an engine. D.Silva has and him and Bernardo Silva ran us ragged at the Eithad. Yes he did a job but because of his lack of physical attributes and lungs he offered minimal in our attacks.

At the end of the day we pretend that Mata was a failed LVG number 10. His quality is unequestionable but we don’t need him going forward.

 

[André Dominguez]

Sanchez isn't getting younger and we need young blood with the will to prove themselves in the squad.

Lukaku is a good poacher, but his overall game is a bit of a liability to the team, so selling him should be a logical thing to do. He's basically becoming our Fellaini V2 but without the long ball goals.

 

[tomaldinho1]

I feel genuinely sorry for Sanchez. He works his nuts off and I actually think he looks pretty sharp in an odd way...... Just absolutely nothing he tries comes off.

Flicks go out of play, over hit passes, misdirected passes, every 50/50 seems to bounce of 6 or 7 sets of legs and never end up at his feet. It just doesn't work and we should offload if we can find anybody to take him.

With Lukaku, he's a very good goal scorer (You can't argue with his record). I'd sell if any decent offer came in (Around 50Mil) which I don't think is unrealistic. I wouldn't be disappointed if he stayed though as I still think he can grab goals against 70% of teams in the League / domestic cups.

I agree with this, we should move him on and hopefully a club will look at his stats and feel he can recapture his form.

It's also worth noting, we often fall back to his stats as a reason why we should keep faith but they really aren't anywhere near the Kane's or Aguero's of the world:

Lukaku: APPS 243 | GOALS 109
Aguero: APPS 229 | GOALS 160
Kane : APPS 175 | GOALS 122

 

[shaky]

I agree with this, we should move him on and hopefully a club will look at his stats and feel he can recapture his form.

It's also worth noting, we often fall back to his stats as a reason why we should keep faith but they really aren't anywhere near the Kane's or Aguero's of the world:

Lukaku: APPS 243 | GOALS 109
Aguero: APPS 229 | GOALS 160
Kane : APPS 175 | GOALS 122

I suspect that Aguero or Kane's stats might look a bit worse if they'd also been playing at West Brom and Everton for 75% of their PL careers.

 

[Saffron]

I suspect that Aguero or Kane's stats might look a bit worse if they'd also been playing at West Brom and Everton for 75% of their PL careers.

Lukaku's stats are worse at United than at West Brom and Everton.

 

[shaky]

Lukaku's stats are worse at United than at West Brom and Everton.

Doesn't that suggest he has more to offer us than he showed under Mourinho, just like nearly every other Utd player?

 

[BiggusCrickus]

Sadly i think Sanchez is done as a top 4 player and we made a mistake in signing him. As for Lukaku i think he needs a good pre season where he comes back a bit lighter and fitter and needs to be given a chance . His 1st season here he did well its only this season he has dropped off and the fact Rashford is stepping up and becoming the player we all hoped he would become.

 

[tomaldinho1]

Doesn't that suggest he has more to offer us than he showed under Mourinho, just like nearly every other Utd player?

Suggests to me he used to thrive on playing in a certain way (longer balls, crosses, set pieces)

 

[Ander herrera the warrior]

We should sell Lukaku and keep Sanchez.

Sanchez can be a very useful backup to at least 3 of our automatic starters which is Martial, Rashford and Pogba. If any long term injuries to these players, we would be lucky having such a good backup player.

Lukaku on the hand doesn't seem happy at all losing his place to Rashford and it doesn't look like there is any chance for him to get back his place looking at how he well Rashford is improving.

 

[TMDaines]

I think today was quite revealing, sadly. Both real poor again.

 

[Alabaster Codify7]

They are both terrible. I hate seeing either of them in the starting 11, guess I need to be prepared to see a lot more of them in the near future.

The lack of goals or goal threat these two provide is disgusting for the fact they earn a combined 650k a week. It is downright scandalous.

 

[sullydnl]

I'm still very much in the "they can both leave but Sanchez first" camp.

 

[NJM78]

Get rid of both asap.

 

[Yorkeontop]

The lack of goals or goal threat these two provide is disgusting for the fact they earn a combined 650k a week. It is downright scandalous.

Lukaku plundered 27 goals for us last season and created our best chance today and in recent games has had assists. Alexis reportedly earns 505k a week, your statement on their wages is kind of misleading as it makes Lukaku seem like he's overpayed on a level similar to Sanchez.

 

[m1tch]

At the moment I would say to sell Sanchez and to give Lukaku a year. Lukaku is younger and if he can sort his physique/fitness out then he could force his way into team more often potentially.

Still time till the end of the season though for Sanchez.

 

[Tapori]

I'd give Lukaku another season if he wants to stay and Sanchez definitely another season and see what he can do under ole.

I feel Sanchez needs to retire or reduce internationals and he may find a new lease of life

 

[WR10]

What is Sanchez problem with pogba? His first 20 minutes on he had purposely ignored the simple pass to pogba. Pogba seemed frustrated with his work ethic in tracking back even though we could all see Sanchez was putting in an adequate shift.

Of course I could be misinterpreting this and Sanchez is just truly shite and still has no chemistry on the pitch.

Get rid please.

 

[Devil may care]

I'd get as much as we can for both in the summer and replace them with two dynamic forwards that are versatile and high energy and who offer more guile.

 

[Canagel]

What is Sanchez problem with pogba? His first 20 minutes on he had purposely ignored the simple pass to pogba. Pogba seemed frustrated with his work ethic in tracking back even though we could all see Sanchez was putting in an adequate shift.

Of course I could be misinterpreting this and Sanchez is just truly shite and still has no chemistry on the pitch.

Get rid please.

I couldn't understand either. those two cannot play together on the left. it's one or the other and there's only one winner

 

[Greck]

What is Sanchez problem with pogba? His first 20 minutes on he had purposely ignored the simple pass to pogba. Pogba seemed frustrated with his work ethic in tracking back even though we could all see Sanchez was putting in an adequate shift.

Of course I could be misinterpreting this and Sanchez is just truly shite and still has no chemistry on the pitch.

Get rid please.

Sanchez can be a bit of a black hole. Ignores short passing options regularly and carries the ball a touch longer than necessary. Doesn't seem a player who knows what the word adaptation means

 

[Silas]

I'd give Lukaku another season if he wants to stay and Sanchez definitely another season and see what he can do under ole.

I feel Sanchez needs to retire or reduce internationals and he may find a new lease of life

What has Sanchez done this season to definitely deserve another? Also, why keep Lukaku as a bench option when he'd fetch us a decent amount of money and is on relatively high wages?

 

[Fosu-Mens]

I couldn't understand either. those two cannot play together on the left. it's one or the other and there's only one winner

From what i recall during Sanchez at Arsenal he seemed difficult to play with.
When pressing he most often seems to run around like a headless chicken and not pressing as part of the team.
When he gets the ball he often uses to many touch or holding the ball for to long. This worked and was acceptable when he was at his best at Arsenal, but not now in his current "form". Hazard is allowed to do his own thing at Chelsea because he is their best player, same can be argued is the case with Pogba. Sanchez is far from our best player, but behaves likes one.

 

[soaphroniscuss]

Keep Lukaku sell Sanchez. Play Lukaku on the RW

 

[kouroux]

If it was possible to ship them out both this summer, I'd go for it but it's unrealistic sadly.

 

[Sandikan]

Sanchez gets it, fails to beat a man, and is forced to do a little circle motion to keep it.
It's amazing that he seems to have lost any sort of acceleration.

 

[Sandikan]

We should sell Lukaku and keep Sanchez.

Sanchez can be a very useful backup to at least 3 of our automatic starters which is Martial, Rashford and Pogba. If any long term injuries to these players, we would be lucky having such a good backup player.

Lukaku on the hand doesn't seem happy at all losing his place to Rashford and it doesn't look like there is any chance for him to get back his place looking at how he well Rashford is improving.

Right now, I'm not sure he warrants counting as "good". He's a good "name", but not that good in reality.
And that's before you again question can you have a squad player who is by far the highest paid? That's not really on.

 

[Nr.7]

Fair play for that pass for Lingard, but Rashford played with one leg today and still looked a better player than Lukaku.

Lukaku is simply not good enough.

 

[simonhch]

The combined cost in transfer fees (including exchange value) and wages for Sanchez, Lukaku and Fred over a 4 year contract period is around 315M. Or 78.5M a year.

That is frightening. We need to cut our losses on all 3 and reinvest in the squad.

 

[Irish Jet]

It genuinely amazes me that Lukaku gets more flak than Sanchez.

He’s been far, far better than Alexis. Under Jose and Ole.

Alexis needs to go. He’s a waste of space.

 

[MyDevil]

Both were poor last night. Lukaku keeps losing the ball. First touch is a nightmare.
And Sanchez is regressing. Expected more from him. Chance after chance and he failed to take it. We missed Martial there.

 

[Reapersoul20]

Yeah, Lukaku only played three perfect crosses, which Lingard/Smalling should definitely have finished yesterday.

Useless.

Ihni binni dimi diniwiny anitaime.

 

[NoPace]

Seems clear. Sell Sanchez, keep Lukaku unless a great offer (like 50-55M at least) comes in or he begs to leave. Sign a RW.

Martial-Rashford-RW is our front 3 and Lingard, Mata and Lukaku gives us 3 decent bench options providing very qualities, with Lukaku a classic 9 and a decent option as a counterattacking RW, Mata your classic option to bring on against defences parking the bus or if a 10 is needed with Pogba and the midfield struggling to create and Lingard able to play anywhere and by far the best presser, closest to Park we have now.

Then if Greenwood can be the 9 many think, Lukaku can leave at that time and we can replace him with another wide player.