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

[soap]

my concern about buying a direct replacement for Carrick this summer, is that Carrick hasn't retired yet. Assuming he has better luck with injuries Carrick should still be able to start around 30 games in all competitions. Would Verratti, Xhaka or someone like that be able to play alongside Carrick? Maybe sometimes but it doesn't seem ideal. Cos theyre definitely not gonna be happy being on the bench most of the time. That's why I think Schneiderlin would be a smart buy, I can see him playing with Carrick more easily.

Not to mention we have Blind. I really don't see him as just a back up to Shaw like a lot of people do.

 

[bucky]

my concern about buying a direct replacement for Carrick this summer, is that Carrick hasn't retired yet. Assuming he has better luck with injuries Carrick should still be able to start around 30 games in all competitions. Would Verratti, Xhaka or someone like that be able to play alongside Carrick? Maybe sometimes but it doesn't seem ideal. Cos theyre definitely not gonna be happy being on the bench most of the time. That's why I think Schneiderlin would be a smart buy, I can see him playing with Carrick more easily.

Not to mention we have Blind. I really don't see him as just a back up to Shaw like a lot of people do.

Verratti and Xhaka aren't players that just sit in front of the defence. They probably could do the job, but I think it would limit them. Xhaka and Kramer played as box-to-box midfielders and whoever was further forward, the other dropped deeper. Especially Xhaka likes to get involved offensively and he's quite mobile. I haven't seen that much of PSG this season, but if I'm not mistaken then Thiago Motta is the holding midfielder of the three. Verratti's only issue is probably his height, but he makes up for it in other areas. IMO both would work very well with Carrick.

 

[sullydnl]

my concern about buying a direct replacement for Carrick this summer, is that Carrick hasn't retired yet. Assuming he has better luck with injuries Carrick should still be able to start around 30 games in all competitions. Would Verratti, Xhaka or someone like that be able to play alongside Carrick? Maybe sometimes but it doesn't seem ideal. Cos theyre definitely not gonna be happy being on the bench most of the time. That's why I think Schneiderlin would be a smart buy, I can see him playing with Carrick more easily.

Not to mention we have Blind. I really don't see him as just a back up to Shaw like a lot of people do.

At Carrick's age we can't rely on him to play those 30 games though and that's exactly what we're doing atm. Given this could very well be Carrick's final season here it would be prudent to bring in his replacement before it becomes a bigger problem.

 

[soap]

Verratti and Xhaka aren't players that just sit in front of the defence. They probably could do the job, but I think it would limit them. Xhaka and Kramer played as box-to-box midfielders and whoever was further forward, the other dropped deeper. Especially Xhaka likes to get involved offensively and he's quite mobile. I haven't seen that much of PSG this season, but if I'm not mistaken then Thiago Motta is the holding midfielder of the three. Verratti's only issue is probably his height, but he makes up for it in other areas. IMO both would work very well with Carrick.

I've not seen much of Xhaka at all tbh. Verratti isn't a Carrick clone, it would still be fair to describe both as deep lying playmakers though, no? I don't think he and Carrick would be awful together or anything it just seems quite imbalanced.

At Carrick's age we can't rely on him to play those 30 games though and that's exactly what we're doing atm. Given this could very well be Carrick's final season here it would be prudent to bring in his replacement before it becomes a bigger problem.

That doesn't really address what happens if Carrick doesnt pick up as many injuries next season, which is hardly unthinkable. Someone who can play with Carrick and also cover him when needed seems a better option to me, because they'll still get games and be useful when Carrick is fit.

 

[sullydnl]

I've not seen much of Xhaka at all tbh. Verratti isn't a Carrick clone, it would still be fair to describe both as deep lying playmakers though, no? I don't think he and Carrick would be awful together or anything it just seems quite imbalanced.



That doesn't really address what happens if Carrick doesnt pick up as many injuries next season, which is hardly unthinkable. Someone who can play with Carrick and also cover him when needed seems a better option to me, because they'll still get games and be useful when Carrick is fit.

Worse things could happen than being able to rotate between Carrick and someone else. We will (hopefully) have plenty of games for them both.

Agree generally though, ideally whoever we sign would be a #6/#8 hybrid who can play instead of and with Carrick. Tbf a lot of the midfielders we've be linked with (Schneiderlin, Gundogan, Schweinsteiger) could probably do that to varying degrees.

 

[bucky]

I've not seen much of Xhaka at all tbh. Verratti isn't a Carrick clone, it would still be fair to describe both as deep lying playmakers though, no? I don't think he and Carrick would be awful together or anything it just seems quite imbalanced.



That doesn't really address what happens if Carrick doesnt pick up as many injuries next season, which is hardly unthinkable. Someone who can play with Carrick and also cover him when needed seems a better option to me, because they'll still get games and be useful when Carrick is fit.

We made it work with Scholes and Carrick. Carrick was playing slightly different then, but so would Verratti compared to Scholes. Verratti has too much to offer to not make it work in my opinion. He's also more actively trying to win possession back and presses the opposition more compared to Carrick.

 

[Dante]

I think we should focus on becoming CL contenders rather than just PL contenders. That means buying as big as possible and accepting that we're not going make a concerted challenge on the league in the first few months. In the long run, it's going to be for the best.

Gundogan rather than Schneiderlin. Carvajal rather than Clyne. Bale if he's at all available. Spend stupidly big in one window and then just wait for everyone to bed in.

 

[devilish]

GK: With DDG probably gone we have to bring someone. DDG was not only our best player but also he was the one who kept the defense tight. In my opinion there's two options. Cech is the an experienced goalkeeper who would settle down quickly considering he knows the EPL inside out. Leno is younger but will require time to settle down.

DF: With DDG gone, we need to heavily invest in this area. Not only we need experience and leadership but we can't afford defenders who suffer from lapses of concentration and who are constantly in and out of the treatment room. In my opinion we need 4 players there, 2 RBs and 2 CBs. For RB role we can go for Alves and Darmian, who are cheap and have great talent. At CB I'd go for 2 between Otamendi, Laporte, Howedes and Williams (Swansea). Darmian and Alves on the right, Rojo and Shaw on the left and 2 CBs + Smalling and Jones would probably be enough for us to ensure we'd have a solid defense available throughout the season.

Midfield: Carrick needs replacing and we need more steel in midfield. In my opinion we should achieve that by bringing two midfielders who are defensively sound but aren't incompetent in terms of maintaining ball possession. Schneiderlin and Verratti would fit the bill perfectly so does Gundogan although there's question marks whether he can regain his former form. 2 other players who deserves mentioning are Sissoko (Newcastle), Cabaye and Ki (Swansea). On the flank, Bale would be a magnificent signing. He's a regular scorer and a great assist. If we can make a deal which involves DDG and Di Maria that would be great. Else I don't mind allowing Di Maria and Nani contending the RW role

STK: In my opinion we can easily get away with what we've got (Rooney, RVP and Hernandez). If we can get a young quality striker on a decent fee fine. However its really not our no 1 (or 2-3-4) priority


--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Otamendi------Laporte-----Shaw

----------------Schneiderlin----------------

-------------Herrera-----Sissoko----------

Di Maria------------------------------Depay

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

That team would be competitive

 

[JPRouve]

I think we should focus on becoming CL contenders rather than just PL contenders. That means buying as big as possible and accepting that we're not going make a concerted challenge on the league in the first few months. In the long run, it's going to be for the best.

Gundogan rather than Schneiderlin. Carvajal rather than Clyne. Bale if he's at all available. Spend stupidly big in one window and then just wait for everyone to bed in.

I agree with you at the exception of that, if we play in 4-3-3 we need two CM/DM so it's not Schneiderlin or Gundogan but both. If we play in 4-2-3-1 then we should sign Schneiderlin because the flat midfield needs to be able to support efficiently the front four and Schneiderlin is a lot better at that.

 

[sun_tzu]

--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Otamendi------Laporte-----Shaw

----------------Schneiderlin----------------

-------------Herrera-----Sissoko----------

Di Maria------------------------------Depay

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

That team would be competitive

whilst it looks solid enough written down how many teams have managed to put a whole defence together who have never played with each other before and been a success right from the outset? - especially with two new midfield players as well!
Add in the fact we have a manager who has a certain philosophy he wants to install which he says himself players often take time to adapt to - we would probably drop so many points in the early games (like this season) that we would be out of the title race by October / November

 

[devilish]

whilst it looks solid enough written down how many teams have managed to put a whole defence together who have never played with each other before and been a success right from the outset? - especially with two new midfield players as well!
Add in the fact we have a manager who has a certain philosophy he wants to install which he says himself players often take time to adapt to - we would probably drop so many points in the early games (like this season) that we would be out of the title race by October / November

No one will be forcing LVG to play with that team from day 1. For example it would make sense to play Carrick as first teamer whenever he's available especially in the early part of the season. Not only he'll be more effective than Schneiderlin, Verratti/Gundogan/Sissoko etc but would also allow the midfielders time to settle down. Same with the defense. If Alves fecks up there's Darmian, if Otamendi/Laporte fecks up there's Smalling and Jones, if Shaw fecks up there's Rojo and Blind.

That's the beauty of having quality strength in depth, everyone will be on his toes knowing that one mistake can easily take you from first teamer to 4th option. We miss that for a long long time. Some players simply have nothing that motivates them to do better. We've got no real competition for Valencia (Rafael is injury prone) and little competition for Smalling (Rojo is meah, Evans is shit and Mcnair/Blackett cant be seriously considered as regular first team players at least at this stage of their career)

 

[Hernandez - BFA]

I think we should focus on becoming CL contenders rather than just PL contenders. That means buying as big as possible and accepting that we're not going make a concerted challenge on the league in the first few months. In the long run, it's going to be for the best.

Gundogan rather than Schneiderlin. Carvajal rather than Clyne. Bale if he's at all available. Spend stupidly big in one window and then just wait for everyone to bed in.

Always confused when people say this. They are different type of midfielders. Schneiderlin more of a Carrick and Gundogan more of a Herrera (if I had to compare from players in our team). It's not "one or the other" when it comes to these two.

Ideally, signing both would be great. But if I had to choose, it would be signing Schneiderlin.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

Isn't anyone else a bit worried that we have to sign half a new team, and then we have to hope that all these players bed in pretty much straight away?

 

[JPRouve]

Isn't anyone else a bit worried that we have to sign half a new team, and then we have to hope that all these players bed in pretty much straight away?

I'm not worried because we don't have to do that. In my opinion there is only 2 and half 'free' spots in the team, RB, CM and Winger. The rest of the recruit will have to fight strongly for their spot in the team.

 

[SammyUnited_83]

I'm not worried because we don't have to do that. In my opinion there is only 2 and half 'free' spots in the team, RB, CM and Winger. The rest of the recruit will have to fight strongly for their spot in the team.

We are miles behind Chelsea and need to upgrade the positions we have, I have us down for 5 free positions.

GK
RB
CB
CM
CF

 

[JPRouve]

We are miles behind Chelsea and need to upgrade the positions we have, I have us down for 5 free positions.

GK
RB
CB
CM
CF

We don't need to upgrage all that at the same time, for example defensively I stumbled on that article.
http://www.london24.com/sport/footb...chester_united_surprisingly_impress_1_4090315
That correspond to my impression that we don't really concede a lot of opportunities.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We are miles behind Chelsea and need to upgrade the positions we have, I have us down for 5 free positions.

GK
RB
CB
CM
CF

A lot of us were hoping against hope that DDG would stay, as that seems unlikely it means more money out of the transfer budget. Just hope that doesn't impact on the quality of signing made in other positions.

 

[finneh]

GK: With DDG probably gone we have to bring someone. DDG was not only our best player but also he was the one who kept the defense tight. In my opinion there's two options. Cech is the an experienced goalkeeper who would settle down quickly considering he knows the EPL inside out. Leno is younger but will require time to settle down.

DF: With DDG gone, we need to heavily invest in this area. Not only we need experience and leadership but we can't afford defenders who suffer from lapses of concentration and who are constantly in and out of the treatment room. In my opinion we need 4 players there, 2 RBs and 2 CBs. For RB role we can go for Alves and Darmian, who are cheap and have great talent. At CB I'd go for 2 between Otamendi, Laporte, Howedes and Williams (Swansea). Darmian and Alves on the right, Rojo and Shaw on the left and 2 CBs + Smalling and Jones would probably be enough for us to ensure we'd have a solid defense available throughout the season.

Midfield: Carrick needs replacing and we need more steel in midfield. In my opinion we should achieve that by bringing two midfielders who are defensively sound but aren't incompetent in terms of maintaining ball possession. Schneiderlin and Verratti would fit the bill perfectly so does Gundogan although there's question marks whether he can regain his former form. 2 other players who deserves mentioning are Sissoko (Newcastle), Cabaye and Ki (Swansea). On the flank, Bale would be a magnificent signing. He's a regular scorer and a great assist. If we can make a deal which involves DDG and Di Maria that would be great. Else I don't mind allowing Di Maria and Nani contending the RW role

STK: In my opinion we can easily get away with what we've got (Rooney, RVP and Hernandez). If we can get a young quality striker on a decent fee fine. However its really not our no 1 (or 2-3-4) priority


--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Otamendi------Laporte-----Shaw

----------------Schneiderlin----------------

-------------Herrera-----Sissoko----------

Di Maria------------------------------Depay

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

That team would be competitive

That's ridiculous. As if any team can just change 7 of their starting XI including 4 of the back 5 and still be competitive (especially because 5 of those have never played in the Premier League). The line-up you've posted would take a full season to gel and we'd be lucky to get 4th. There's a reason Mourinho added two first team player's in his first Summer and two in his second Summer: because continuity in the line-up is key.

A more common sense line-up using some of those player's would be (tougher games):

--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Smalling------Otamendi-----Shaw

----------------Carrick----------------

----------Herrera-----Schneiderlin----------

Mata------------------------------Di Maria

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

Easier games:

--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Smalling------Otamendi-----Shaw

------------Carrick or Schneiderlin----------------

----------Herrera-----Di Maria----------

Mata------------------------------Depay

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

 

[DomesticTadpole]

We don't need to upgrage all that at the same time, for example defensively I stumbled on that article.
http://www.london24.com/sport/footb...chester_united_surprisingly_impress_1_4090315
That correspond to my impression that we don't really concede a lot of opportunities.

I don't care how impressive our defence is (the CB's are pretty good) if they can't stay fit. Which they can't and you know that it is never one of them injured at a time. It has to be two or three of them. I don't want us to be in the position of McNair/Blackett in there with a new goalie as well. We need an authoriatative figure back there.

 

[JPRouve]

I don't care how impressive our defence is (the CB's are pretty good) if they can't stay fit. Which they can't and you know that it is never one of them injured at a time. It has to be two or three of them. I don't want us to be in the position of McNair/Blackett in there with a new goalie as well. We need an authoriatative figure back there.

I agree with the fitness problem, but the new signing won't be a guaranteed starter that's what I said.

 

[DomesticTadpole]

I agree with the fitness problem, but the new signing won't be a guaranteed starter that's what I said.

If a new signing isn't going to be a guaranteed starter then surely if someone is injured the quality coming in won't be as good. I would want to be signing an experienced defender who can organise them and other teams have some fear coming up against him.

 

[JPRouve]

If a new signing isn't going to be a guaranteed starter then surely if someone is injured the quality coming in won't be as good. I would want to be signing an experienced defender who can organise them and other teams have some fear coming up against him.

Not necessarily, the new signing could be Thiago Silva or Ramos, he would have to prove that he works well in our system with our players, that's what the 'no guaranteed' means. Ideally all our signings will be an upgrade on what we have and ideally they will be able to go straight away in the starting eleven without creating collective troubles, but realistically we will have to introduce them gradually and in my opinion central defense is a strong position for us when our players aren't injured, therefore it should be the most complicated spot to take.

 

[devilish]

That's ridiculous. As if any team can just change 7 of their starting XI including 4 of the back 5 and still be competitive (especially because 5 of those have never played in the Premier League). The line-up you've posted would take a full season to gel and we'd be lucky to get 4th. There's a reason Mourinho added two first team player's in his first Summer and two in his second Summer: because continuity in the line-up is key.

A more common sense line-up using some of those player's would be (tougher games):

--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Smalling------Otamendi-----Shaw

----------------Carrick----------------

----------Herrera-----Schneiderlin----------

Mata------------------------------Di Maria

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

Easier games:

--------------------Leno-------------

Alves----Smalling------Otamendi-----Shaw

------------Carrick or Schneiderlin----------------

----------Herrera-----Di Maria----------

Mata------------------------------Depay

-----------------Rooney-----------------------

I acknowledge that its far from perfect. However our situation isn't ideal in the first place. For too many years players had been kept here despite showing very little that deserved such treatment. The likes of Evans, Rafael, Cleverley, Ando etc will need to be replaced. Also some players were promoted to first teamers despite showing very little that they deserved it in the first place. The likes of Jones and Smalling had yet to provide 1 full season of consistently good football as first teamers.

Now I understand that some people here would like to consider the likes of Smalling and Rafael as players with great potential until they are probably 35. However with Carrick (whose been our best midfielder for many years) showing clear signs of ageing and DDG (who had been our best player for over 2 years) leaving we simply cant afford that level of cuddling and optimism anymore. Drastic situations demands drastic actions.

Just because we should be adding a number of players that doesn't mean that they would be playing regular football from day 1. For example it would be wise to consider Carrick as first teamer at least for the next couple of months until everyone settles down. If Otamendi or Laporte need time to bed in, than Smalling or Jones can cover the role. The idea here is not to punish the players we've already have. The idea is to make it frigging obvious for our players that there's people out there who can easily replace them. Silly mistakes like the one done by Smalling against City or the ridiculous pitch heading done by Jones may realistically cost them their first team place. Its time for some players to acknowledge that they are at a big club and not at Fulham/Blackburn anymore.

 

[devilish]

1

I agree with the fitness problem, but the new signing won't be a guaranteed starter that's what I said.

No one should ever be offered a guaranteed place. We're a top club not some third rated team. A United first teamer should constantly justify his role as first teamer while his competitor (I stress on the word competitor not squad player) should be talented enough to step up and take his chances forcing his manager to think twice before making his next selection.

 

[sun_tzu]

If a new signing isn't going to be a guaranteed starter then surely if someone is injured the quality coming in won't be as good. I would want to be signing an experienced defender who can organise them and other teams have some fear coming up against him.

Thats the key for me - particularly if we loose de gea and potentially have a new right back as well - a good defence works as a unit and typically has one player who organises it - we dont seem to have that leader at the moment and when we are linked with players like ottamendi my first thoughts are how good is their English - will they be able to be that focal point and communicator who organises the defence into a unit? - worryingly I keep thinking we will revert to a back three with carrick in there as that organiser and that bloody terrifies me after some of our performances last season

 

[JPRouve]

No one should ever be offered a guaranteed place. We're a top club not some third rated team. A United first teamer should constantly justify his role as first teamer while his competitor (I stress on the word competitor not squad player) should be talented enough to step up and take his chances forcing his manager to think twice before making his next selection.

You said it better than me, we could sign 11 players and it won't change the fact that there isn't 11 free spots. At the moment I only see two and half spot. Basically Fellaini, Young/Mata and Valencia are in doubts, and even then Young in his current form is a very tough opponent and Valencia isn't the type of player who will be happy as a squad player, they will both fight fiercely.

 

[devilish]

You said it better than me, we could sign 11 players and it won't change the fact that there isn't 11 free spots. At the moment I only see two and half spot. Basically Fellaini, Young/Mata and Valencia are in doubts, and even then Young in his current form is a very tough opponent and Valencia isn't the type of player who will be happy as a squad player, they will both fight fiercely.

My point exactly. That's why I always get pissed off with this 'great servant of the club BS'. Mind you, I love loyal players and I find them a dying race indeed. People like Scholes and Giggs who had turned down big clubs to stay with us deserve a friggin monument. However I'd rather have a quality player in our team despite he'll probably fecks off to Real in 4-5 years time than a 'great servant of the club' whose here because...the other option would be Sunderland.

 

[An Irish Red]

We are miles behind Chelsea and need to upgrade the positions we have, I have us down for 5 free positions.

GK
RB
CB
CM
CF

You have to remember that Chelsea have Matic shielding their defence, which makes a big difference. Schneiderlin would make a big difference for us defensively even if we didn't sign a centre-back.

Players have knock on effects after all.

 

[Speak]

I like what I see here.


Would a Strootman, Schneiderlin, Herrera midfield work?
None are 100% specialist defensive midfielders, but all of them have great energy and are defensively able. Schneiderlin being the most defensive of the three.
I couldn't see a midfield in the league overrunning those three, to be honest.

 

[ravi2]

I like what I see here.


Would a Strootman, Schneiderlin, Herrera midfield work?
None are 100% specialist defensive midfielders, but all of them have great energy and are defensively able. Schneiderlin being the most defensive of the three.
I couldn't see a midfield in the league overrunning those three, to be honest.

That midfield has it all, a proper CDM, box to box and creative CM...strength, stamina and tackling.
It would be great for the EPL... I like the Stroot but his injury record over the last 2 seasons is not positive.

 

[Speak]

That midfield has it all, a proper CDM, box to box and creative CM...strength, stamina and tackling.
It would be great for the EPL... I like the Stroot but his injury record over the last 2 seasons is not positive.

Crap. I didn't even realise he picked up another injury since returning. Big shame.

 

[ravi2]

Crap. I didn't even realise he picked up another injury since returning. Big shame.

He came back early last season and lasted a game or two before picking up another cruciate ligament injury and had to go into surgery again...as good as he is to buy him (especially for the EPL) at this stage would be madness... it would be almost as stupid as our Vermaelen bid.
(I still cannot believe LVG seriously bid for Vermaelen...I dont think he has completed one full game for Barca and spent about 75% of his time injured....as per usual)

 

[finneh]

I acknowledge that its far from perfect. However our situation isn't ideal in the first place. For too many years players had been kept here despite showing very little that deserved such treatment. The likes of Evans, Rafael, Cleverley, Ando etc will need to be replaced. Also some players were promoted to first teamers despite showing very little that they deserved it in the first place. The likes of Jones and Smalling had yet to provide 1 full season of consistently good football as first teamers.

Now I understand that some people here would like to consider the likes of Smalling and Rafael as players with great potential until they are probably 35. However with Carrick (whose been our best midfielder for many years) showing clear signs of ageing and DDG (who had been our best player for over 2 years) leaving we simply cant afford that level of cuddling and optimism anymore. Drastic situations demands drastic actions.

Just because we should be adding a number of players that doesn't mean that they would be playing regular football from day 1. For example it would be wise to consider Carrick as first teamer at least for the next couple of months until everyone settles down. If Otamendi or Laporte need time to bed in, than Smalling or Jones can cover the role. The idea here is not to punish the players we've already have. The idea is to make it frigging obvious for our players that there's people out there who can easily replace them. Silly mistakes like the one done by Smalling against City or the ridiculous pitch heading done by Jones may realistically cost them their first team place. Its time for some players to acknowledge that they are at a big club and not at Fulham/Blackburn anymore.

The four player's you mention have played a total of 21 games last season between them. They either don't need replacing or have already been replaced with the likes of Rojo, Valencia (becoming a full back), Blind, Fellaini etc. The main player we need to replace is still actually Vidic; I'd like to see Godin come into that role, but Otamendi seems to be the player we've been linked with most.

I don't see any real signs of Carrick ageing. He was one of our best player's last year and apart from two injuries he was great. Naturally I'd like to see us bring in a versatile midfielder who can displace Fellaini and provide cover for Carrick. I think the likes of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin are good option for that. Likewise I'd like to see us upgrade Valencia, with Alves being a good candidate for that in my opinion. Likewise De Gea will need replacing if he leaves.

Smalling in my opinion has shown a huge step up this season and should now be part of a first choice partnership. He's played 75% of our games and was one of the best centre backs in the league, one brain fart against City doesn't change that. Jones is still only 23 which is no age for a central defender, him and Rojo are fine for cover, with McNair as an emergency backup.

Also, you don't seem to acknowledgement the need for a balanced squad. We sign two centre halves and we suddenly have 7 centre backs in the squad which is unsustainable. We sign 2 more midfielders and we suddenly have Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Sissoko, Schneiderlin and potentially Mata & Di Maria if you think they're going to be played centrally, all fighting for 3 positions.

Again I think the best way to achieve success next year and not a third year in a row of transition. I would be buying a GK (if De Gea leaves), RB, CB, CM and Depay as our Summer signings. Provided these were the right signings I believe we'd stand a far better chance of competing than 7 first team player's having no clue how to play in Van Gaal's system or in the Premier League stuttering through the first half of the season and fighting to scrape 4th.

We need to be thinking about how to build a squad for the future, not just stockpiling players in the present and hoping if we buy enough some shit will stick.

 

[devilish]

The four player's you mention have played a total of 21 games last season between them. They either don't need replacing or have already been replaced with the likes of Rojo, Valencia (becoming a full back), Blind, Fellaini etc. The main player we need to replace is still actually Vidic; I'd like to see Godin come into that role, but Otamendi seems to be the player we've been linked with most.

Smalling in my opinion has shown a huge step up this season and should now be part of a first choice partnership. He's played 75% of our games and was one of the best centre backs in the league, one brain fart against City doesn't change that. Jones is still only 23 which is no age for a central defender, him and Rojo are fine for cover, with McNair as an emergency backup.

Valencia isn't a RB. We're not WBA to play a winger as rightback. Rojo has yet to show that he's United level to be honest and we lack any cover/competition for Shaw. Blind is a quality utility player. Id be surprised if LVG sees him more than that TBH. Fellaini had done well, but deep down we all know he's not a United type of player. You wont find a big lump in midfield whose only good in shoving people around and head balls from crosses at Real or Barcelona.

Really Its all a matter of what we want really. If we're aiming for 4th place again than the likes of Valencia, Smalling, Fellaini etc are good enough for first team. If we're aiming higher than that then we need to at least bring some quality players either as replacement or competition. Rest assured if these players are good enough than they will win their place back same as others did in the past.

Also, you don't seem to acknowledgement the need for a balanced squad. We sign two centre halves and we suddenly have 7 centre backs in the squad which is unsustainable. We sign 2 more midfielders and we suddenly have Blind, Carrick, Fellaini, Herrera, Sissoko, Schneiderlin and potentially Mata & Di Maria if you think they're going to be played centrally, all fighting for 3 positions.

Not really. Rojo can play well as LB so we would finally have someone to act as cover/competition for Shaw. Darmian and Alves would be RBs while Otamendi, Jones, Smalling and Laporte will contend for the CB role. That would mean having enough cover not to rely on midfielders, wingers or extremely average youth talent along the way. As said it depends on what we're aiming for. If we're aiming for third place than we can afford adding just 1 CB. If we're aiming to become champions again + do well in the CL than we need to set the standards high. Playing against the likes of Bayern, Barca or Real with the one who heads the pitch, Blackett and Valencia + no DDG covering their arse would be tragic in all sort of way. We wouldn't even have the 10 minutes of dominance Barcelona had been so kind in giving us in the last few encounters

I don't see any real signs of Carrick ageing. He was one of our best player's last year and apart from two injuries he was great. Naturally I'd like to see us bring in a versatile midfielder who can displace Fellaini and provide cover for Carrick. I think the likes of Schweinsteiger and Schneiderlin are good option for that. Likewise I'd like to see us upgrade Valencia, with Alves being a good candidate for that in my opinion. Likewise De Gea will need replacing if he leaves.

Don't you? He's 34 and had been in and out with injury. I understand that some people think that players can go on till pensionable age. However its really not the case

Again I think the best way to achieve success next year and not a third year in a row of transition. I would be buying a GK (if De Gea leaves), RB, CB, CM and Depay as our Summer signings. Provided these were the right signings I believe we'd stand a far better chance of competing than 7 first team player's having no clue how to play in Van Gaal's system or in the Premier League stuttering through the first half of the season and fighting to scrape 4th.

We need to be thinking about how to build a squad for the future, not just stockpiling players in the present and hoping if we buy enough some shit will stick.

I believe that most of the players I've mentioned has the characteristics to fit in our system more than a player who had spent most of their career heading the ball under Moyes or wingers who were moved as rbs because they are too predictable to keep on playing in their old role

 

[finneh]

Valencia isn't a RB. We're not WBA to play a winger as rightback. Rojo has yet to show that he's United level to be honest and we lack any cover/competition for Shaw. Blind is a quality utility player. Id be surprised if LVG sees him more than that TBH. Fellaini had done well, but deep down we all know he's not a United type of player. You wont find a big lump in midfield whose only good in shoving people around and head balls from crosses at Real or Barcelona.

My point isn't that every player in the squad is fantastic, it's that you can't change two thirds of a starting XI and expect them to be an even slightly coherent team. Rojo, Blind, Fellaini, Jones, Smalling etc may all prove to be a level below what we need to win the Champions League, but that doesn't mean we go out and sign the best part of 10 player's every Summer.

Really Its all a matter of what we want really. If we're aiming for 4th place again than the likes of Valencia, Smalling, Fellaini etc are good enough for first team. If we're aiming higher than that then we need to at least bring some quality players either as replacement or competition. Rest assured if these players are good enough than they will win their place back same as others did in the past.

It isn't about what we want, it's about how we get there. Name me a team that's won the League after replacing 7 of their starting XI in one Summer, it just wouldn't happen. The way to build for a title is to bring in a few of the right player in the right position every season, just look at Chelsea for an obvious example. This Summer a right back, centre back and central midfielder are key, with the likes of Evans, Rafael, Nani & Hernandez leaving. Next Summer I imagine a forward and a central midfielder will be our main targets, with RVP and possibly Fellaini leaving; in addition if Jones or Rojo have an awful campaign maybe that will be a priority as well.

Not really. Rojo can play well as LB so we would finally have someone to act as cover/competition for Shaw. Darmian and Alves would be RBs while Otamendi, Jones, Smalling and Laporte will contend for the CB role. That would mean having enough cover not to rely on midfielders, wingers or extremely average youth talent along the way. As said it depends on what we're aiming for. If we're aiming for third place than we can afford adding just 1 CB. If we're aiming to become champions again + do well in the CL than we need to set the standards high. Playing against the likes of Bayern, Barca or Real with the one who heads the pitch, Blackett and Valencia + no DDG covering their arse would be tragic in all sort of way. We wouldn't even have the 10 minutes of dominance Barcelona had been so kind in giving us in the last few encounters

There is no chance that Rojo accepts 3rd backup to Shaw. Likewise there's no way Blind accepts being 3rd backup to Carrick and Schneiderlin. Jones & Smalling wouldn't accept warming the bench for Laporte and Otemendi. Name me a team that has that ridiculous level of depth? Chelsea have 6 quality player's to fill their 4 defense positions in Ivanovich, Luis, Cahill, Terry, Zouma & Azpilicueta. You're advocating having 9 in Blind, Rojo, Shaw, Alves, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Otamendi, Laporte (that's if we sold Rafael & Evans). Totally unsustainable. I'd love to see your match day squad of 18 players - I bet the majority of our current team wouldn't even make the bench.

Don't you? He's 34 and had been in and out with injury. I understand that some people think that players can go on till pensionable age. However its really not the case

They said the same about Scholes at 34. He went on to have a couple of his most influential seasons in a United shirt.

I believe that most of the players I've mentioned has the characteristics to fit in our system more than a player who had spent most of their career heading the ball under Moyes or wingers who were moved as rbs because they are too predictable to keep on playing in their old role

Just like Di Maria and Falcao have all the characteristics to fit in our system? Just because a player has looked brilliant elsewhere doesn't mean he'll fit into the Premier League or into Van Gaal's system. The likes of Smalling are just starting to excel in our team and we're going to bin them and start again?

Fortunately I have faith that Van Gaal isn't going to take the Football manager approach and will actually look to build a team. That'll mean 5 signings maximum, plus a goalkeeper if De Gea leaves.

 

[devilish]

My point isn't that every player in the squad is fantastic, it's that you can't change two thirds of a starting XI and expect them to be an even slightly coherent team. Rojo, Blind, Fellaini, Jones, Smalling etc may all prove to be a level below what we need to win the Champions League, but that doesn't mean we go out and sign the best part of 10 player's every Summer.

Where have I said that it must be every summer? We're still recovering for a lack of investment/poor investment (Moyes + the 'value' strategy) which haunted us for half a decade. That's why we have to invest heavily. I'd be very surprised if after this season we buy more than 2-3 players per season.

It isn't about what we want, it's about how we get there. Name me a team that's won the League after replacing 7 of their starting XI in one Summer, it just wouldn't happen. The way to build for a title is to bring in a few of the right player in the right position every season, just look at Chelsea for an obvious example. This Summer a right back, centre back and central midfielder are key, with the likes of Evans, Rafael, Nani & Hernandez leaving. Next Summer I imagine a forward and a central midfielder will be our main targets, with RVP and possibly Fellaini leaving; in addition if Jones or Rojo have an awful campaign maybe that will be a priority as well.

Name me one top quality team who has no cover for RB? Whose defense is consistently plagued with injuries. Whose got a big lump in midfield whose good only to head the ball and shove players around. Who play a winger as first team RB etc. As said drastic situation need drastic measures

There is no chance that Rojo accepts 3rd backup to Shaw. Likewise there's no way Blind accepts being 3rd backup to Carrick and Schneiderlin. Jones & Smalling wouldn't accept warming the bench for Laporte and Otemendi. Name me a team that has that ridiculous level of depth? Chelsea have 6 quality player's to fill their 4 defense positions in Ivanovich, Luis, Cahill, Terry, Zouma & Azpilicueta. You're advocating having 9 in Blind, Rojo, Shaw, Alves, Valencia, Jones, Smalling, Otamendi, Laporte (that's if we sold Rafael & Evans). Totally unsustainable. I'd love to see your match day squad of 18 players - I bet the majority of our current team wouldn't even make the bench.

That's the point you're not understanding. There's no backup. You should aim of having 24 players whose competing for a first team role. Shaw will have to compete with Rojo. Jones and Smalling with Laporte and Otemendi etc. Also if anyone feels he cant compete than he's free to ask for a transfer. I am pretty sure that Bayern or Real would be interested in a defender who heads the pitch and make funny faces. In matter of fact I am curious were the remaining Brazilian crock left would go. Considering how overrated he is in here, anything below Bayern would be underwhelming.

When we won the treble we had 8 defenders. Irwin, Wes and the Neville brothers on the rear flanks, Stam, Johnsen, May and Berg as CB. We also had Curtis who was back than England U21 regular at a time when England still had a solid side. Nearly all those defenders were better to what we've currently got and apart from May none of them had a yearly membership with the treatment room (Johnsen's and Wes's injuries came later). That's the defense you need to compete on all fronts

Of course we can always settle for third place and who knows maybe a decent run in the CL. However if we're planning to go against the big guys with the likes of Jones, Mcnair, Valencia and Blackett than rest assured we will get skinned.

They said the same about Scholes at 34. He went on to have a couple of his most influential seasons in a United shirt.

Yeah and we kept relying on him forever losing opportunities along the way. That Juventus lad does look good doesn't he?

Just like Di Maria and Falcao have all the characteristics to fit in our system? Just because a player has looked brilliant elsewhere doesn't mean he'll fit into the Premier League or into Van Gaal's system. The likes of Smalling are just starting to excel in our team and we're going to bin them and start again?

Fortunately I have faith that Van Gaal isn't going to take the Football manager approach and will actually look to build a team. That'll mean 5 signings maximum, plus a goalkeeper if De Gea leaves.

Falcao is a wreck, bringing him to United was silly. Di Maria is the EPL second top assistman and the club's top assist man. There's a reason why PSG are interested in him. I wonder whether they'll do the same if the 'work horses' Jones and Young suddenly become available.

Ultimately my team would follow (for most of the time) the rule of two

GK: Leno, Valdez

RB: Darmian, Alves
LB: Shaw, Rojo
CB: Otemendi, Smalling
CB: Laporte, Jones

DM: Schneiderlin, Blind
CM: Gundogan, Carrick
CM: Herrera, Fellaini

LW: Depay, Young
RW: Bale/Nani, Mata (Januzaj on loan)

STK: Rooney, RVP, Hernandez (Wilson on loan).

 

[Danny Boi]

De Gea is gone and RVP is making a lot of noises about going,so we will need a new GK and ST.We need a RB,CB,DM and CM aswell. We've already signed Depay.This is shaping up to be a massive summer.Listed who we have been linked to the most.

GK: Lloris
RB: Alves
CB: Otamendi
DM: Schniederlin
CM: Gundogan
St: Benzema/Lacazette/?

Lloris
Alves Smalling Otamendi Shaw
Schniederlin
Herrera Gundogan
Mata Rooney Di Maria

That's a lot of signings and a lot of change.Difficult to see how we would challenge if we had so many comes and goings,might be necessary though.It would leave us with a very good squad.We might be better off keeping RVP and giving Di Maria a fair go in CM instead of bringing new players.

 

[Oneunited26]

ideally we would:
- keep De Gea
- sign a midfielder
- sign a right back
- sign a striker
- sign a center back
(in that order)
and also get rid of Evans, Falcao and Nani. unsure about RvP/Hernandez working out either even though both are good players.

Do I expect it to turn out this way? Nope.

Does it ever turn out that way? na

 

[SambaBoy]

Most of us want to see two class players in each position but realistically it's not going to happen. For even a decent RB now, the going rate is around £10-20m. If we want to compete for the best in the positions we desperately need then the likes of Blind and Rojo will have to cover for other areas. We desperately need a top CB to partner Smalling with Jones as back-up. Rojo will still play around 30 games taking into account injuries, cup ties, CL and cover for Shaw at LB.

We should sign a RB as first choice or to compete alongside Rafael depending on his fitness as I feel if he stays fit (big if) then he's a quality player. Valencia can be back-up for the new signing if Rafael cannot stay fit while also providing cover for the wing and being an effective substitute where necessary.

A CM again is a requirement. Fellaini, Herrera, Carrick and Blind is a small pool to choose from, even if you consider Di Maria. Carrick is 33 now and struggles with injuries, while Fellaini shouldn't be used in every game and mostly as a sub where needed. W e need someone to partner Herrera- and we should be looking at the likes of Vidal, Gundogan, Konogbia, Schneiderlin etc.

And finally a striker, we should be looking at the next big talent to come through. We should forget about Benzema, Cavani and Higuain, already established stars with relatively little potential to improve. Vietto & Dybala are the sort of strikers we should be looking at, impressing in tough leagues for relatively smaller clubs, these players are very talented, young and have the desire to move onto better things and improve themselves.

And a GK should be pretty straightforward, stick with Valdes if not try and get Cech and if that fails then move onto Leno.

Probably looking at £60-80m. Keeper around £10-20m, RB (free if Alves comes) £12-20m, CM £20-25m (exc Vidal), CF: £20-35m.

 

[Kill 'em all]

Most of us want to see two class players in each position but realistically it's not going to happen. For even a decent RB now, the going rate is around £10-20m. If we want to compete for the best in the positions we desperately need then the likes of Blind and Rojo will have to cover for other areas. We desperately need a top CB to partner Smalling with Jones as back-up. Rojo will still play around 30 games taking into account injuries, cup ties, CL and cover for Shaw at LB.

We should sign a RB as first choice or to compete alongside Rafael depending on his fitness as I feel if he stays fit (big if) then he's a quality player. Valencia can be back-up for the new signing if Rafael cannot stay fit while also providing cover for the wing and being an effective substitute where necessary.

A CM again is a requirement. Fellaini, Herrera, Carrick and Blind is a small pool to choose from, even if you consider Di Maria. Carrick is 33 now and struggles with injuries, while Fellaini shouldn't be used in every game and mostly as a sub where needed. W e need someone to partner Herrera- and we should be looking at the likes of Vidal, Gundogan, Konogbia, Schneiderlin etc.

And finally a striker, we should be looking at the next big talent to come through. We should forget about Benzema, Cavani and Higuain, already established stars with relatively little potential to improve. Vietto & Dybala are the sort of strikers we should be looking at, impressing in tough leagues for relatively smaller clubs, these players are very talented, young and have the desire to move onto better things and improve themselves.

And a GK should be pretty straightforward, stick with Valdes if not try and get Cech and if that fails then move onto Leno.

Probably looking at £60-80m. Keeper around £10-20m, RB (free if Alves comes) £12-20m, CM £20-25m (exc Vidal), CF: £20-35m.

CM is an exceptionally problematic position if van Gaal continues with the 4-3-3 variant of having a that inverted triangle in midfield with the 6 at its base which he suggested he will. We could play Mata or Di Maria in that most attacking member of the 3, I just hope we don't consider Fellaini as the number 1 option in that role.