Manchester United Summer Transfer Window 2015: What do we still need?

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Devil may care

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We've had a good run of results but LvG himself has said the performances have not been up to his expectations most of the time, and I don't think we can ignore that De Gea has had to pull it out of the fire for us on more than one occasion with the amount of chances we give up.

I think overall the squad is in good shape but we need one more strong summer transfer window to get us in title/CL competing shape. I know some want another RB or for some odd reason another #6, but personally I think 3 additions will see us sorted.

Defense:
Smalling has shown what he can be in the last half dozen games bar the derby brainfart and I think Jones is certain to be given more time. So for me it's someone that can play as the LCB and give Rojo competition that we need. My head says someone experienced like Hummels or Godin, but LvG loves the juice so he may prefer Laporte, but I do think we need one CB in.

Midfield:
I'm fully prepared to get shit for my views here but whatever. I think Carrick and Blind are set as the #6's, but regardless of whether we play the diamond or 4-3-3 I think we need one more box to box CM to add to Rooney who I expect to mostly play deeper for LvG. I don't think Fellaini is good enough to be more than a squad player and I think Mata is too slow. Whether it's Strootman, Koke, Gundogan, Verratti or even Barkley, I think we need to add another technically efficient but strong CM who can drive the ball out of midfield to the mix.

Forward:
This is tricky as we don't know if Falcao is staying or not, if he is then I don't know if we will add as we'll probably need to use the diamond with him and RvP up top, but I think we really need more pace as an option. If we were to shift to 4-3-3 and RvP and Falcao had to compete for the #9 spot then a versatile wide forward like Reus, Bale, Lucas, Firmino or Memphis could be good options.

Anyway, that's my take, I'm interested to see other Caftards views.
 
Right back cover, 2 centre backs, a cm and a winger. Maybe kill 2 birds with 1 stone and go for Cuadrado? Or Depay and someone like Clyne?

Reckon we're getting Strootman and a centre back in the summer. Who though is anyones guess.
 
Need to be looking at moving on the permacrocks in defense, or at least a couple of them.

An established right back to replace/give competition to Rafael (depending on whether he can stay fit) - Clyne wouldn't be a bad shout, unless he signs a new contract and Southampton try to extort us again.
An established, experienced centreback (Evans/Smalling moving on) - Godin or Hummels, somebody of that ilk.
Strootman to be combative in midfield (replacing Fellaini)
Depay or someone similar to give us some pace out wide.
 
A right back who can stay fit. I like Coleman.
A centre back to take control, ideally Hummels or even Chiellini who i believe is out of contract this summer. He is a monster
 
Nothing in January.
Last thing we need is another period of new players settling in, getting used to the league, new country, new language etc. Stick with our lot until summer. The defensive injury crisis has been so bad it can only get better, right?
 
World class centre back - Right Back - Upgrade on Fellaini - Winger
 
Right back. Genuine competition and cover for Rafael.

Central defender. Quality, fit and reliable.

Two all-round central midfielders, albeit one may be enough.

A goalscoring wide man.

A dynamic centre forward that will replace Van Persie.

Clyne, Godin, Strootman, Schneiderlin, Depay and either Falcao or a fitter alternative would be the players I'd like to see at the club. I think all those are attainable, too.
 
Surprised no one has said cover for Shaw. I'd rather Valencia getting a run in the team at full back than Young.

We also need a quality CB , preferably a left footed one.

A box to box midfielder.

One or two wingers.
 
A CB, a box-to-box central midfielder and a winger. RB cover too.
 
sizzling sausages said:
Surprised no one has said cover for Shaw. I'd rather Valencia getting a run in the team at full back than Young.

We also need a quality CB , preferably a left footed one.

A box to box midfielder.

One or two wingers.
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Young has been excellent imo. Shaw is easily the better defender but he seems to have found his confidence again under LvG and we look threatening from the left again. I'll probably get shot for this, but arguably more threatening than when we played our 60m signing on the left. Shaw and Young is adequate for now.
 
A back up Goalkeeper, Right back, Right centre back depending on if Jones/Smalling/Evans can stay fit, Left footed left centre back, Box to box CM, Winger who can play on both flanks.
 
DWelbz19 said:
Rojo, Young and Blind? There is enough cover at LB/LWB.
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You're right about Rojo although I wouldn't really be happy with him playing there for a prolonged period of time tbh. The other two can only really play there if we're playing a 3-5-2. I'd rather someone who can play there without us having to change formation.
 
2 Man Midfield said:
Young has been excellent imo. Shaw is easily the better defender but he seems to have found his confidence again under LvG and we look threatening from the left again. I'll probably get shot for this, but arguably more threatening than when we played our 60m signing on the left. Shaw and Young is adequate for now.
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Since Di Maria is the player who created the more opportunities in the league, you are wrong about the threatening part.
But Young has been good as a wingback can he be that good as a left back ?

Otherwise, we probably need 2 fullbacks, 1 box to box, 1 top centerback and 1 or 2 wingers.
 
2 Man Midfield said:
Young has been excellent imo. Shaw is easily the better defender but he seems to have found his confidence again under LvG and we look threatening from the left again. I'll probably get shot for this, but arguably more threatening than when we played our 60m signing on the left. Shaw and Young is adequate for now.
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Yeah, Young has been really good and I don't want to sound like I'm bashing him but I think the main reason we're playing poorly is the 3-5-2 and I'd rather we didn't have to switch to that again next season if Shaw was to get injured.
 
sizzling sausages said:
You're right about Rojo although I wouldn't really be happy with him playing there for a prolonged period of time tbh. The other two can only really play there if we're playing a 3-5-2. I'd rather someone who can play there without us having to change formation.
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Yeah, I'm hoping and imagining Shaw does an Evra sort of thing and gives us 30+ games each season with Rojo/Young/Blind covering when needs be in easier cup games, some CL group games, easier BPL home times etc...
 
JPRouve said:
Since Di Maria is the player who created the more opportunities in the league, you are wrong about the threatening part.
But Young he has been good as a wingback can he be that good as a left back ?

Otherwise, we probably need 2 fullbacks, 1 box to box, 1 top centerback and 1 or 2 wingers.
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I'm talking about him on the left wing. He looked about as threatening as a damp sponge.

Through the middle is where he got all his goals and assists from.

sizzling sausages said:
Yeah, Young has been really good and I don't want to sound like I'm bashing him but I think the main reason we're playing poorly is the 3-5-2 and I'd rather we didn't have to switch to that again next season if Shaw was to get injured.
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I'd still stick with Young. Or Rojo, Blind or even Evans if push really came to shove. It's a tricky one buying a new left back since Shaw is obviously first choice and only 19. It's gonna have to be someone else young and promising who'll cost a whack, someone old and past it but there if needed or someone making a step up. This is probably the best choice, but who? I can't really think of anyone. Apart from that Brazilian chap that we used to have that Moyes sold to Cardiff.
 
We need adequate cover for the full back positions. Valencia and Young are doing a decent job but we need specialist long term cover in those positions esp since we will likely be in the CL next season.

Central defense on the face of it looks fine but it isn't, given our unbelievable injury problems. We should stick with Smalling (has demonstrated his ability sufficiently enough), Jones (still young) and Rojo (not convinced but it's early days and he deserves a proper chance).

I guess we should do away with Evans and get a top notch CB next season ala Godin in all likelihood. I do rate Evans but he is too injury prone and I rate Smalling ahead of him currently with Jones having age on his side. We can't afford to go with 3 injury prone senior CBs into next season and we have to do away with one of them unfortunately. It would be very unwise to have an overhaul in this department despite the injury prone nature of these players and that would only wind up having a destabilizing effect in the team. McNair is a good back up option to have here as well.

Our midfield on paper looks excellent but there is something lacking there. I guess it's a proper all round physical presence in midfield that we are sorely lacking. Fellaini has done an admirable job so far but we need a more mobile and a technically gifted ball playing box to box like Strootman or a holding midfielder with a combination of steel, defensive nous and ball playing capabilities like Matic.

I've rarely seen us dominate midfield battles or cope with a high intensity team in spite of all the talent that we have in this department. The only games that we really dominated were the QPR and Hull ones, when they basically threw down the towel and let us have possession. Would love to see us go into a game against a good opponent and dominate the midfield battle.

Ultimately a midfield trio of Carrick-Strootman-Herrera with Di Maria being given a roaming free role in the final third would be ideal for me. With Rooney being the workaholic second striker and RVP/Falcao spearheading the attack.

Do we need really need wingers? While they would give a different dimension and provide various options for the team tactically, we just seem to have an abundance of centrally oriented players. It would be a shame and a serious waste if we are to discard a few of them at a loss, just so we can buy one or two more top wingers at a premium.

If LVG can find a way to play successfully without traditional wingers, like he's been doing so far to an extent, then I don't really see the need for them. There have been plenty of great teams in the past who've excelled without wingers, so long as they had sufficient pace and balance in the side.

In fact I think we played our best football without wingers and we were rather mediocre with Di Maria and Januzaj on the wings (there were other mitigating factors such as 4-1-4-1 etc but still). We also have 2 brilliant attacking wing backs, players like Di Maria, Herrera and Rooney who are comfortable out wide in a fluid system. Would also hate to see Di Maria out wide when he's at his influential best in a midfield trio or a free roaming role instead of the stifled and constrained wing role, where opponents nullify him by doubling up on him. As such I don't think a winger is a neccesity.

We are well stocked in the forward department. Don't think we should go for Falcao next season by the looks of it so far.

We could go for a pacy, youngish all-round forward ala Reus as most of our forwards seem to lack the blistering pace and versatility (being able to play along the front line). Would be great if we stick by with Wilson as he looks to be a great talent who can grow into the role I've described above.
 
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An experienced CB, a right back, and a midfielder -- winger optional.
 
Centerback, Strootman and maybe a direct winger/goal threat.
 
I think the midfield isn't in such a good state that we shouldn't strengthen there further. I find it baffling when people on here come out and say it's fine as it is, especially with Carrick not getting any younger. Just because it has improved compared to the years before doesn't mean that it can't be improved further. Schneiderlin and Strootman are the choices there we should be looking at. If we are going to move to 4-3-3, they would make even more sense.

Personally I would like us to add 2 wide players, since I hope we move to the 4-3-3. Di Maria and Januzaj are the only players, who are good enough for the future there in my eyes. Young and Valencia may have improved over the last month or so, but I think they'll both leave sooner or later. Reus would obviously be great, but he doesn't seem likely. Depay is definitely the player I'd hope us to sign there. Lucas, Bale, Firmino and Rafinha Alcantara might be other players we could or should be looking at.

I really like Evans, but with his injury record and his performances since Ferguson retired, I'd understand if he was to be sold. Hummels and Varane aren't realistic. The next best thing to that sort of talent is in my opinion Laporte. He's obviously very young and not the experienced leader most want, but I think van Gaal is known for making it work with young players, so he's my preferred choice there. Whether we need another centre-half on top of that is probably depending on Smalling and Jones, whether they can stay fit or not.

The full-back cover is tricky, I guess. Rojo is fine on the left side, but I think we need some back-up for Rafael. If that's going to be someone, who's really going to compete with him, someone experienced who's fine with playing less or someone who's simply not as good as him, but knows his role and is going to act professionally about it. Personally I hope we bring someone in, who's really going to compete with Rafael for his place. Possibly Danilo from Porto? I have no idea there, since Coleman seems to be too expensive.

Rooney, van Persie, Falcao and Wilson looks fine at first glance, but a lot will be depending on how long van Persie can be a regular for us and if Falcao can return to old form. The advantage of the 4-3-3 would be that we would be fine with 3 strikers and wouldn't need to buy Falcao. Rooney could also play in midfield as the most advanced there.

So in conclusion I'd probably hope for this:

de Gea

Rafael/Danilo? - Jones/Smalling/McNair - Laporte/Rojo - Shaw/Rojo/Blackett?

Schneiderlin/Blind/Carrick

Ander/Mata/di Maria/Rooney - Strootman/Fellaini

Reus?/Januzaj - Rooney/van Persie/Falcao?/Wilson - Di Maria/Depay

​
 
Blind and Rojo is more than adequate cover for Shaw at left back.

Those mentioning Young are forgetting that he may well still leave the club. He, like Rafael, Smalling, Jones, Evans and a couple of others all have less than 24 months left on their deals and the players Van Gaal wants here will get renewals come the summer. Even now, a 30 year old Young that only stands a chance of game time at left wing back isn't likely to get a renewal, and certainly not on the same wages. We'll want to halve them in all likelihood.

Any future signings does depend quite heavily on what happens to those players we have with little contract time left. Personally, I'd be shifting Evans, Young and Fletcher sooner rather than later. Not to mention the other obvious undesirables like Anderson.
 
One holding midfielder, one box-to-box midfielder, one first choice rightback.

Carrick gets shifted to centreback and Blind is cover for leftback. Rafael finally has competition so that there are enough players to play a flat back 4 in every game. The front 6 will have enough quality to sort itself out.
 
bucky said:
I think the midfield isn't in such a good state that we shouldn't strengthen there further. I find it baffling when people on here come out and say it's fine as it is, especially with Carrick not getting any younger. Just because it has improved compared to the years before doesn't mean that it can't be improved further.
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I think you're arguing against an opinion that doesn't exist. I doubt there are many, if any, that believe we don't need to strengthen further in midfield. But there are plenty that want us to focus on the defence first, which is reasonable considering it's our biggest weakness at the moment.
 
Right back is a good shout, although Valencia has been filling in admirably of late. If Rafael can't prove his fitness over the course of whenever, it doesn't matter how good he is when he does play.

I also don't think Fellaini should be starting as our box to box combative midfielder. If LVG feels Herrera needs more presence beside him, somebody better should be bought to fill in in midfield. Although, Blind-Carrick-Mata-Herrera-Di Maria aren't bad options at all.
 
I like Valencia, but he's not really been playing rightback. He's been doing well as a wingback, which has in turn forced us to play a back 3. We need a proper defender to compete with Rafael imo.
 
Globule said:
I think you're arguing against an opinion that doesn't exist. I doubt there are many, if any, that believe we don't need to strengthen further in midfield. But there are plenty that want us to focus on the defence first, which is reasonable considering it's our biggest weakness at the moment.
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Agreed.
 
Fast attacker who can run at people. Only really have AdM and Januzaj for this role, and Januzaj isn't the quickest anyway.

For midfield, assuming we have CL next year we'd have Carrick, Blind, Herrera, Fellaini, Rooney, Mata and AdM. Possibly get one more in but isn't something we desperately need if we avoid injuries.

Possibly another striker if Falcao doesn't stay, if he stays we are fine.

CB has to be the priority. Splash the cash and get the best defender available.
 
-------------De Gea-------------
Alves---Varane---Rojo---Shaw
-------------Carrick-------------
---Strootman-----Di Maria---
--------------Mata--------------
----------RVP-----Rooney------

Subs: Valdes, Smalling, Jones, Blind, Herrera, Januzaj, Falcao

Doesn't have to be those particular names but those are the areas I'd like addressed
 
A back-up for Herrera and di Maria.

First XI
De Gea
Rafael Smalling Jones Shaw
Blind
Herrera diMaria
Rooney
Falcao vanPersie
​
Second XI
Kierkegaard
Valencia Evans Rojo Young
Carrick
Fletcher Fellaini
Mata
Januzaj Wilson
​
 
Proper competition for Rafael, a world class proven CB and a goalscoring winger and we're set for 15/16.
 
We don't actually need that much, we invested heavily and brilliantly in the summer plus we're getting the best out of the players we have. If you take out injuries we have a very strong XI that can only really be made better by two world class CBs, apart from that maybe back up fullbacks and a CM.


Priority
Sell Jones or Smalling and Evans, bring in two class CBs.
Bring in two back up full backs.

Not really needed
CM - Strootman type
Winger - Reus for formation changes

Probably not needed at all
Striker - If Falcao doesn't stay.
 
An entirely new defence, another midfielder, a striker this summer and another next summer and probably wingers, lots of wingers.
 
A ST with pace and a little bit of flair

A winger

A defensive midfielder

2 quality CBs

A RB
 
I think by bellend would explode if we brought in Nathaniel Clyne, Mat Hummels and Diego Godin in the summer.
 
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