Who stays and who goes? I think we need to sell 2 in order to improve the cohesiveness of the squad. In some ways getting rid of all 4 would be ideal. Our squad churn is going to be high anyway though, so it appears unrealistic that we'll shift more than 2 of these. Not to mention the cost to replace them all. At the same time, it's tempting to say keep them all because they each offer something different to the squad, but that would hurt our chances of developing the type of squad that can deal with a few injuries and still maintain high standards without having to adapt our style of play.
We have plenty of other players in the squad who need to go anyway because they're not good enough, either due to age(Eriksen, Casemiro) or ability(Lindelof, Antony) or their contract has run out. These four however, are very good PL players who have all been important to us at times during their spells here. But I think it's fair to say that all four have limitations in their game that don't suit a club aiming for the top.
Maguire: On the face of it we'd struggle to get a better 3rd or 4th choice CB. But there's a very good reason he can't be 1st choice anymore. He's too slow and too ponderous on the ball. So if, like this season, he's required to start many games then our build up from the back will suffer. As well as making it far too risky to play a high line.
Wan-Bissaka: One of the best 1-on-1 defenders I've seen. He covers the ground well. Seems content to play a rotation/backup role. But his limitations are clear.
McTominay: Who doesn't love his attitude and effort? He has certain physical strengths that we lack when he doesn't play. There aren't many midfield players that offer his level of goal threat. But, unless we sit in and defend, he offers far too little in his actual position to be a starter.
Rashford: When playing well, he's one of the most dangerous in the world at what he does well. And a genuine goal threat is one of the most difficult things to buy in football. But he's not a great possesion player. Seems to lack the steely mentality to thrive under the focus of such a big club and his workrate is decent at best and sometimes absolutely woeful.
Obviously deciding which of these four to sell depends largely on what offers we get for each. Who would you prefer we kept and sold?
We have plenty of other players in the squad who need to go anyway because they're not good enough, either due to age(Eriksen, Casemiro) or ability(Lindelof, Antony) or their contract has run out. These four however, are very good PL players who have all been important to us at times during their spells here. But I think it's fair to say that all four have limitations in their game that don't suit a club aiming for the top.
Maguire: On the face of it we'd struggle to get a better 3rd or 4th choice CB. But there's a very good reason he can't be 1st choice anymore. He's too slow and too ponderous on the ball. So if, like this season, he's required to start many games then our build up from the back will suffer. As well as making it far too risky to play a high line.
Wan-Bissaka: One of the best 1-on-1 defenders I've seen. He covers the ground well. Seems content to play a rotation/backup role. But his limitations are clear.
McTominay: Who doesn't love his attitude and effort? He has certain physical strengths that we lack when he doesn't play. There aren't many midfield players that offer his level of goal threat. But, unless we sit in and defend, he offers far too little in his actual position to be a starter.
Rashford: When playing well, he's one of the most dangerous in the world at what he does well. And a genuine goal threat is one of the most difficult things to buy in football. But he's not a great possesion player. Seems to lack the steely mentality to thrive under the focus of such a big club and his workrate is decent at best and sometimes absolutely woeful.
Obviously deciding which of these four to sell depends largely on what offers we get for each. Who would you prefer we kept and sold?