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

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#07 said:
We can win the title with our current squad.
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You said the same thing last season mate.

Imo it's obvious that we have an improved squad, but any title winning team needs to have a striker banging in goals left and right, and even though i still think we're 3 players away from having a title winning squad, signing a top striker could prove to be enough, without that i highly doubt it.
 
Am I the only one who thinks we DON'T actually need a CB?

We've had the best defensive record in the league since November (a miracle when you consider the defensive injuries/instability we've endured).

Smalling, Rojo, Jones and Blind is not a bad pack to pick from.

Our CB options in 98/99 weren't great (apart from Stam ofcourse - but neither Johnsen nor Berg (and definitely not May and Brown) could really nail down that other CB position (partly due to injuries, irrc).

The only thing we need right now is another forward option to threaten Rooney's name on the teamsheet every week. Maybe Berahino.
 
Rubbish (reference to the Pedro/Otamendi reports), we need to buy at least a winger/striker and in my opinion a CB. I just can't believe we are risking going into the season without another forward or centre back. The moment Smalling gets injured we are back to square one with centre backs. I don't personally rate Jones very much due to his rashness and a Blind/Rojo partnership doesn't exactly settle the nerves. Our biggest issue last year was goals. I'm happy with Memphis but he seemed our only outlet and that too versus a very open Brugge side. We have the Young and Fellaini route I guess but it's depressing to see us resort to that. We badly need a RW/Striker. I trust Pereira and Januzaj but they are too young and should be brought in slowly through cup competitions and no-risk situations. Then we have the GK situation.

I sound negative so I apologise, as I am normally quite up beat and just love watching United regardless. I'm over the moon with our signings so far but I just think we are so close to having such a strong and deep squad that we should not stop now. Every media outlet said United still had more business to do and with Di Maria's sale we haven't even spent that much. It's still two weeks but I'd be disappointed if we fail to bring anyone else in.
 
Someone said:
You said the same thing last season mate.

Imo it's obvious that we have an improved squad, but any title winning team needs to have a striker banging in goals left and right, and even though i still think we're 3 players away from having a title winning squad, signing a top striker could prove to be enough, without that i highly doubt it.
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We would've won the title last season had Van Gaal not spent ages mucking about with the formation. Our record against the top six was incredible, second only to Chelsea. We lost the league at places like Burnley (A), Villa (A) etc. where we failed to beat poor teams while experimenting with 3-5-2.

This season we're settled. The Memphis as a #10 experiment has already been abandoned and he's getting played in at least once every game now. We've got the players, and I've put my money where my mouth is at William Hill.

We can win the title.

jderbyshire said:
Am I the only one who thinks we DON'T actually need a CB?

We've had the best defensive record in the league since November (a miracle when you consider the defensive injuries/instability we've endured).

Smalling, Rojo, Jones and Blind is not a bad pack to pick from.

Our CB options in 98/99 weren't great (apart from Stam ofcourse - but neither Johnsen nor Berg (and definitely not May and Brown) could really nail down that other CB position (partly due to injuries, irrc).

The only thing we need right now is another forward option to threaten Rooney's name on the teamsheet every week. Maybe Berahino.
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Mostly agree. We don't need a centre back. Blind has been a lot better than I thought he'd be, arguably Rojo is better than him as the left centre half, and Smalling is in beast mode.

Sometimes I think some fans, not you, but some fans forget football is not FIFA. Coaching and match practice can improve players, its not all about buying.

I wonder what some on the Caf would have thought of the 2005 version of Cristiano Ronaldo. Would they have given him the chance to become the Ronaldo of 2007? Because, skilful as he was, he was a lot like Quaresma at that stage. People who say 'you could always see him becoming a 50 goal a season player' are just lying. There was no sign of that at all.

Seems today everyone wants a quick fix. They see a cow in another field and think its better than their own cow. Nobody has given any real reason why Januzaj can't get better, why Pereira won't realise his talent, why Hernandez won't score goals (when his goals to minutes ratio is still mad good).

I am happy with our squad, the manager seems to be too and now...

...WE GO FOR IT!
 
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#07 said:
People said this kind of thing when Van Nistlerooy was sold.

Chicharito's last season at United under a competent manager saw him outscore Rooney with 18 goals from 36 games. He looked very lively up front last night too. Had Fellaini missed that header Hernandez was lurking at the back post.

Memphis will also score a decent amount with his runs, dribbling and shooting.
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You mean when we still had Rooney, Ronaldo, Saha and even Ole still around?

We currently just have Hernandez, who yes looked lively when he came on... but do you really think you could base a title winning attack around him?
 
I think we could do with a winger or a striker too
But theres really no point unless hes a reus or muller level player.
Our defence and midfield are good enough to keep us in the top 4 at least imo.

Its putting a fair bit of faith in the likes of januzaj and rooney but i'm inclined to give them the benefit of the doubt and trust them to come good.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
You mean when we still had Rooney, Ronaldo, Saha and even Ole still around?

We currently just have Hernandez, who yes looked lively when he came on... but do you really think you could base a title winning attack around him?
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Saha was crocked for most of that season, its not even worth factoring him in. He missed the entire run-in. Likewise Ole who made some very credible appearances but it was mostly Rooney and Ronaldo.

As for Chico, Rio Ferdinand thinks Hernandez is capable of scoring 25 goals if given an extended run at #9. Given Rio has played with Chico, and trained with him loads, and is one of the best defenders England has ever produced, I'd say yeah Chico could score the goals we need.

After all he's done it before.

People seem to forget we won the title and got to the European Cup final with Chico as our starting front man.
 
#07 said:
Saha was crocked for most of that season, its not even worth factoring him in. He missed the entire run-in. Likewise Ole who made some very credible appearances but it was mostly Rooney and Ronaldo.

As for Chico, Rio Ferdinand thinks Hernandez is capable of scoring 25 goals if given an extended run at #9. Given Rio has played with Chico, and trained with him loads, and is one of the best defenders England has ever produced, I'd say yeah Chico could score the goals we need.

After all he's done it before.

People seem to forget we won the title and got to the European Cup final with Chico as our starting front man.
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Yeah, along with Wayne Rooney alongside him... Hernandez has never been a solo striker for us, so we've got not that much to base on him doing it for us up there this season (especially after 2 years of barely playing any football) other then the words of people like Rio.

Also, Saha made 34 appearances for us in all comps that season, so he wasn't that crocked... and "mostly Rooney and Ronaldo" was a hell of a combo back then, far ahead of what we currently have.
 
I feel our defence is fine and if DDG does end up staying for another season, then we don't need to sign a new GK just yet.

I think Pedro would have been brilliant. Perfect type of player for us. Creative and speedy. It's unfortunate he's going to Chelsea but ah well, this Summer has been brilliant regardless.

I can't see us doing any more business with incomings. It's a bit odd how the Pedro thing died so quickly so a part me thought that he was plan B to someone and maybe he just had enough of being in limbo. But I just don't see who we could get. KDB will go to City I'm sure.

Ah well, I'm still confident about this season. The CL might out of reach for us unless we pull a Chelsea, but I think we have a good chance in the league.
 
Pace and creativity in our attacking midfield. How about Di Maria.....We sold him? Ok..then, we need pace upfront with a player who is great at holding up play. How about Welbeck...We sold him aswell. Ok...then, I will have to say a world class keeper..De Gea perhaps? It looks like he is about to be sold....:nono:

In all honesty, I can not see any good players available this summer that we need unless we entice them by paying a huge amount for them. I would have loved to have Kane at United, alongside a proper keeper and perhaps a attacking forward with pace, but at the moment, I m content with what we have.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
Yeah, along with Wayne Rooney alongside him... Hernandez has never been a solo striker for us, so we've got not that much to base on him doing it for us up there this season (especially after 2 years of barely playing any football) other then the words of people like Rio.

Also, Saha made 34 appearances for us in all comps that season, so he wasn't that crocked... and "mostly Rooney and Ronaldo" was a hell of a combo back then, far ahead of what we currently have.
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Rooney was in great form from spring that season but we played 4-4-1-1 that season, which isn't a world away from the 4-2-3-1 we're playing now. In both systems when Hernandez has played he's been the '1' up top. He always has been. To say we've nothing to base on him doing up there this season is not correct. You are ignoring his role with Mexico, you are ignoring that he played at the '1' up top for Real Madrid's 4-2-3-1 when he played there (and his goals to minutes ratio for them was still well above average).

Saha was incredibly crocked. How many minutes did he play? There's a reason we loaned in Larsson. Saha was injured for ages. There's a reason why Alan Smith played up front for us during the title run in. Saha started the season well but after that he contributed little.

Prior to 2006/07 nobody imagined Ronaldo would contribute 23 goals for us in a season. Why can't Memphis carry on scoring if we keep playing him in? He knows where the back of the net is. His career to date shows it. You can argue that Rooney of 2006/07 was better than Rooney of today. However, didn't he go like 8 games without scoring that season until the Watford match where he lobbed the goalie? The great thing about 2006/07 is we spread the goals throughout the team and we're well capable of doing that again.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
We currently just have Hernandez, who yes looked lively when he came on... but do you really think you could base a title winning attack around him?
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Yes.

Hernandez gives you pace up front, stretching defences, giving us the option of a pass over the top. I would suggest he is a better fit for our current attack than Rooney.

Take a look at Hernandez's worst season at United under Moyes. He scored 4 goals and got 3 assists in 855 mins of PL playing time. That's significantly better than the 3 goals and 1 pen plus 2 assists (including Walker's own goal) that Rooney has contributed in his last 11 PL starts (945 mins) as a central striker for United.
 
#07 said:
Rooney was in great form from spring that season but we played 4-4-1-1 that season, which isn't a world away from the 4-2-3-1 we're playing now. In both systems when Hernandez has played he's been the '1' up top. He always has been. To say we've nothing to base on him doing up there this season is not correct. You are ignoring his role with Mexico, you are ignoring that he played at the '1' up top for Real Madrid's 4-2-3-1 when he played there (and his goals to minutes ratio for them was still well above average).

Saha was incredibly crocked. How many minutes did he play? There's a reason we loaned in Larsson. Saha was injured for ages. There's a reason why Alan Smith played up front for us during the title run in. Saha started the season well but after that he contributed little.

Prior to 2006/07 nobody imagined Ronaldo would contribute 23 goals for us in a season. Why can't Memphis carry on scoring if we keep playing him in? He knows where the back of the net is. His career to date shows it. You can argue that Rooney of 2006/07 was better than Rooney of today. However, didn't he go like 8 games without scoring that season until the Watford match where he lobbed the goalie? The great thing about 2006/07 is we spread the goals throughout the team and we're well capable of doing that again.
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You mean Madrid, who only really played him when they had to? Or Mexico, where he's no longer a guarenteed starter? Neither really relied upon him did they? Now, I'm not saying we definitely will have to rely upon him, but if Rooney a) gets injured or b) carries on like this for a sustained period of time... then who knows.

Saha missed the run in, but he still started 25 games! And he scored 13 goals that season, which if we had him last season, would have made him our second highest goalscorer. Rooney of 06/07 was better than the Rooney of today, I'm sure a lot of people would agree with that, and yes Ronaldo turned it on... but he had 2 or 3 seasons under his belt by that point, this is Depay's first season with us and he's still 21... he might well turn it on, but it's unrealistic to expect great things from him this early.
 
Annihilate Now! said:
You mean Madrid, who only really played him when they had to? Or Mexico, where he's no longer a guarenteed starter? Neither really relied upon him did they? Now, I'm not saying we definitely will have to rely upon him, but if Rooney a) gets injured or b) carries on like this for a sustained period of time... then who knows.

Saha missed the run in, but he still started 25 games! And he scored 13 goals that season, which if we had him last season, would have made him our second highest goalscorer. Rooney of 06/07 was better than the Rooney of today, I'm sure a lot of people would agree with that, and yes Ronaldo turned it on... but he had 2 or 3 seasons under his belt by that point, this is Depay's first season with us and he's still 21... he might well turn it on, but it's unrealistic to expect great things from him this early.
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So you're saying you don't think Hernandez is capable of getting into double figures for us this season? Cos for Javier Hernandez 13 goals doesn't seem like that much if he gets a good amount of games.

Hazard was young when he came to England did that stop him? Memphis has shown both against Villa and Bruges that if we play him in, in that left hand channel he will get into scoring positions and that he can take chances. I don't believe it'll take him very long to get used to English football, he looked fine at Villa Park.

You are also forgetting how credible Mata's goalscoring record for us has been since he joined.

Basically, let's agree to disagree, because I believe we've got the goals in the team to challenge and you don't. With our defensive stability and organisation I think we can win the title, you don't. Guess the proof will be in the pudding.
 
#07 said:
So you're saying you don't think Hernandez is capable of getting into double figures for us this season? Cos for Javier Hernandez 13 goals doesn't seem like that much if he gets a good amount of games.

Hazard was young when he came to England did that stop him? Memphis has shown both against Villa and Bruges that if we play him in, in that left hand channel he will get into scoring positions and that he can take chances. I don't believe it'll take him very long to get used to English football, he looked fine at Villa Park.

You are also forgetting how credible Mata's goalscoring record for us has been since he joined.

Basically, let's agree to disagree, because I believe we've got the goals in the team to challenge and you don't. With our defensive stability and organisation I think we can win the title, you don't. Guess the proof will be in the pudding.
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Hazard didn't really set the league alight until his second season, and even then, his third was much better then that.

I really like our little lesbian, I think he's an excellent back-up option to have... but that's what I'd want him to be, a back-up option. Someone to play the odd game, or come off the bench to grab us a goal. In that role I can see him getting around 10 goals this season. My worries actually all lie completely around Wayne Rooney, in that I worry that either a) due to injury or b) due to him continuing to be a bit shit (either of which I think could well happen), we need Hernandez to step up and be first choice for a prolonged period of time.

But aye, agreed to disagree... there are certainly goals within the side, I think its probably just not enough to have us compete with City/Chelsea.
 
I'd be amazed if we didn't add one attacking player, we can't rely on Rooney and Hernandez all season while Adnan, Wilson and Perreira aren't quite ready in my opinion (Adnan is rightfully getting a run of games but he's not suited to start 30+ games a season yet)

Id be shocked if no more players were added before the window shuts, shocked and fecking alarmed.
 
Devil may care said:
RWF - Since we've screwed the pooch on Pedro we now need a player here as well, none of the players we have are suited to playing from the right as a proper wide forward. The calls for Grizemann make sense.
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I am not sure, whether it would make sense. Whenever I saw Griezmann, he was either playing on the left or in behind the striker, never on the right.
 
Re: Griezmann,
Attila said:
Available for the low low price of £56m. Make it happen Woodward
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Pedro was gonna be 21M and is 28, so about 9M per year for the privilege of having Griezmann's age 24, 25, 26 and 27 seasons and and then we're in the same boat as before. Sounds good to me.

Stopgap solutions and failures are expensive. Productive 24 year olds who have increased their goalscoring numbers year after year and fit an obvious hole (2nd striker) in the team are not. And when we play 4-3-3/4-5-1 to get 2 of Herrera, Schweinsteiger or Carrick in with Schneiderlin to fight the midfield battle, having Memphis + Griezmann as wingers will give us a fantastic threat on the counter.
 
I understand Bale and Muller aren't gettable right now. But why not try spend stupid money on Reus (don't think he is gettable either right now though)? Or go for Griezmann? Or if we're going for the younger option who isn't a fully established star yet route, why not go for Felipe Anderson? I think we need someone for the right flank, or at the #10 role, depending on where Mata is. Long term I can see Memphis playing on the left, Januzaj as the 10 and somebody else on the right. Or maybe Januzaj up front and Pereira as the 10. But that person on the right alongside those 3 is who I thought we were looking to buy for the future (but also can make an impact now). Sadio Mane is just ... Underwhelming, but then again, I don't think we'll be willing to match Southamptons asking price anyway.
 
bucky said:
Not exactly happy with that. :confused:
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Most aren't and I just think it'll probably trundle on to be nothing anyway, I mean the media can't even get their stories straight over whether a bid has been made or not. I'm sick of seeing Mata on the right but Mane wasn't what I had in mind to replace him.
 
Devil may care said:
Most aren't and I just think it'll probably trundle on to be nothing anyway, I mean the media can't even get their stories straight over whether a bid has been made or not. I'm sick of seeing Mata on the right but Mane wasn't what I had in mind to replace him.
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I just hope it's a smokescreen for someone better we've lined up.

Would he be in your starting XI, if someone more fitting for the right was signed?
 
bucky said:
I just hope it's a smokescreen for someone better we've lined up.

Would he be in your starting XI, if someone more fitting for the right was signed?
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Or a story designed to divert media related United chatter onto anything bar the balls up we made of the Pedro deal.

No, he's too easily knocked off the ball to play as a #10 and if we had a proper right sided forward he'd be on the bench.
 
A fecking striker and a fecking CB :)

Seriousy though we are in desperate need of someone who can put the ball in the back of the net. Rooney's form is dismal and we dont have an option from the bench who can score 20+ goals. The AMs/SSs we have will not score more than 10 maximum 15 goals so a top striker is badly needed. Sadly the window is coming to a close and we dont have many options left on the market, not sure who we could get.
 
On the assumption that Hernandez is the back up striker, Blind is staying where he is, and Januzaj is going to play as the AM, then it's as clear as day that all we need is a RW player to back up, or take Mata's place.

So far we have spent about £10 m net. And saved £350-£400 k per wk on wages so we have big bucks to spend if we're willing to.
 
LvG has stated he wants a player with speed and creativity. So that's probably the priority. Would be a bit of a cock up if we fail to get at least that.
 
I think we are probably done in terms of bringing anyone in other than a replacement for de gea when he is sold to madrid late in the window. Can see navas joining on loan or in part exchange or us having to massively over pay for another average keeper like cillessen.

We do need another centre back and a forward but I think we are short of options now and will go with what we have, it will limit us to finishing no higher than fourth though unless smalling can stay fit all season and depay is as prolific as he was in holland.
 
C'est Moi Cantona said:
On the assumption that Hernandez is the back up striker, Blind is staying where he is, and Januzaj is going to play as the AM, then it's as clear as day that all we need is a RW player to back up, or take Mata's place.

So far we have spent about £10 m net. And saved £350-£400 k per wk on wages so we have big bucks to spend if we're willing to.
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This is where I'm at with it now as well, we are going to chance our arm with Blind at CB and give Januzaj a shot at cementing the #10 role, and of course we have known for ages that we'd have to wait until next season to replace Rooney. However we must now keep De Gea and get another wide option for the right in, if we fail at those two things we will put the season in a more tenuous state.
 
Januzaj is nowhere near good enough to be our number 10. There is no point playing youth for the sake of it, they have to be good enough. He should be on the bench.
 
I think we just need another striker, reckon we're well covered everywhere else, our main problem is injuries, manage to cut them out and we have a decent squad. If and when DDG goes id love for to go all out for Bale and Muller, spending the AdM and DDG money.
 
Ixion said:
Januzaj is nowhere near good enough to be our number 10. There is no point playing youth for the sake of it, they have to be good enough. He should be on the bench.
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Yeah I agree, apart from his Villa goal Adnan has been average to poor imo.
 
Ixion said:
Januzaj is nowhere near good enough to be our number 10. There is no point playing youth for the sake of it, they have to be good enough. He should be on the bench.
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He's had 2 starts there and the only way he will become good enough is if we give him game time, if he fails then we can always put Herrera or the mop on and switch it up.
 
Devil may care said:
This is where I'm at with it now as well, we are going to chance our arm with Blind at CB and give Januzaj a shot at cementing the #10 role, and of course we have known for ages that we'd have to wait until next season to replace Rooney. However we must now keep De Gea and get another wide option for the right in, if we fail at those two things we will put the season in a more tenuous state.
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Yep tick those two boxes and we're going to be fine.

Would worry if we don't get the right sided winger in though, I love Mata but I can't have him there all season, the poor guy will run himself into the ground.
 
Ixion said:
Januzaj is nowhere near good enough to be our number 10. There is no point playing youth for the sake of it, they have to be good enough. He should be on the bench.
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LvG certainly seems to think he has it in him, would love to see him step up.

If not there are plenty of other options, Mata, Herrera, and Fellaini, in that order for me.
 
Castia said:
I'd be amazed if we didn't add one attacking player, we can't rely on Rooney and Hernandez all season while Adnan, Wilson and Perreira aren't quite ready in my opinion (Adnan is rightfully getting a run of games but he's not suited to start 30+ games a season yet)

Id be shocked if no more players were added before the window shuts, shocked and fecking alarmed.
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Devil may care said:
He's had 2 starts there and the only way he will become good enough is if we give him game time, if he fails then we can always put Herrera or the mop on and switch it up.
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His decision making is wayyy too slow to be our #10, he simply isn't ready and we won't be challenging for anything if we stick with Januzaj and an off form Rooney as our front two for the rest of the season.

He was very poor against Villa (hence Van Gaal's comments to play down his performance) and hardly any better against Brugge. Neither of those teams are that good either.
 
Why are we going for 60m+ Muller when he's the most difficult one to pull off as compared to Reus/Griezman who we will probably get for 50m?
 
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