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

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Interesting selection of names, I admit I don't know some of them but I have liked what I've seen from Geis the couple of times I've watched him. Has Gonalons developed into the player he was expected to become? I mean he's nearly 26 and can't get past Cabaye for the national team. Xhaka has always looked to have a lot of potential but also seems a bit mental.

The thing is if we buy Hummels and Laporte we'd be talking about £70M on CB's and Rojo relegated to squad cover for CB and LB, I am just not feeling that LvG would go that route as he seems to really rate Rojo who was one of his personal choices.

I like Rojo as well and have been pleasantly surprised, but LvG doesn't exactly have a great choice available regarding CBs.
 
Not a re-planned alternative or replacement for Shaw per se mate. I'm just of the mindset that sometimes you need as much healthy competition in the squad as possible to avoid complacency or stagnation, that keeps everyone alert on their heels and gives them an incentive to continually evolve. Signing another good young player will send a message that every player (even one viewed as a long term fixture in our XI) needs to keep fit and perform at a good level every week because the guy on the bench might usurp him once the level starts dropping.

To cite a fairly successful example at that position, IMO Madrid really benefited from having a similar structure with Marcelo and Coentrao, and the latter's performances drove Marcelo to a higher level. Beyond that, I think there aren't a lot of experienced and quality left backs available right now so it would make financial sense to sign a cheaper one who could be later resold for a higher price given his age profile and talent. I just think given the Jones and Evans experience, it's always prudent to stockpile more ammo while there are viable alternatives available than putting all you chips in one basket. eg. We could have signed Varane * just a hypothetical example mind.

Not that their situation compares with Shaw TBH, but with proper contingency planning you always have a good option if a player doesn't pan out as initially prognosticated. Again, in saying that - Shaw is a great player and I'm sure he'll do well long term. But it's always prudent to strengthen the core of your team, particularly when there's viable young talent.

I can certainly see your logic I just usually think that staggering the ages of the players in positions is a good idea. I guess much of this would depend on what LvG does regarding the CB situation. If, as bucky suggests, he buys Laporte then it may be that he wants Shaw and Rojo to compete with each other for the LB role.

Wow. I don't even....
Can't believe I forgot to mention Lucas. For shame... :(

Heh! :D This has been his season for turning the corner and converting potential into product, for me he is the ebst attacking player in Ligue 1 along with Lacazatte.

Yeah that's what worries me reg. Kane. If we're to sign him, the club should be decisive and sign him while he's still at a fairly decent sub £40m range because that price will skyrocket given his contract status provided he keeps performing at a similar level next season. That said, as things stand it's a bit unrealistic because I think he'll stay at Tottenham and continue to improve. Dybala is another worthy shout, great talent and one of my favorite players in Serie A along-with Felipe Anderson, who could be another young transfer target for United.

Yeah I feel Kane is going to be made the main man at Spurs and wont uproot himself in the near future, and if that time arrives I dread to think where transfer fees will be at given how they are getting crazier each summer. I'd say those 2 are the 2 young breakout stars of the season in Serie A, it's a shame to see them playing in front of half full stadiums. Do you think Dybala could work in the PL? I know some will worry about his size but I think he has the low center of gravity that negates his frame.

Really excited about Wilson though. Early days and might be hyperbolic praise, but even if we don't sign someone this coming summer, I think next season and by the time Van Persie totally declines/ leaves/ retires - Wilson will be more than ready to claim that #9 position. Exciting times for the club with the likes of him, Januzaj, potentially Pereira, Tuanzabe, Mensah in the fold. :D

I agree on Wilson, I do think he will do very well here, but as you mention about the LB situation, it wouldn't hurt him to have competition and a potential partner in the squad, given there's a decade or more between him and our 3 senior strikers. We do have some good young potential, I just hope Pereira stays first and foremost.
 
I like Rojo as well and have been pleasantly surprised, but LvG doesn't exactly have a great choice available regarding CBs.

Agreed on both points but given he asked for him based off scouting him for the WC game with Argentina, I think he sees him as a fixture in the team in one of his two roles.
 
Interesting selection of names, I admit I don't know some of them but I have liked what I've seen from Geis the couple of times I've watched him. Has Gonalons developed into the player he was expected to become? I mean he's nearly 26 and can't get past Cabaye for the national team. Xhaka has always looked to have a lot of potential but also seems a bit mental.

The thing is if we buy Hummels and Laporte we'd be talking about £70M on CB's and Rojo relegated to squad cover for CB and LB, I am just not feeling that LvG would go that route as he seems to really rate Rojo who was one of his personal choices.

From what I've seen and read of Lyon, Gonalons seems to have stepped up this season. He's always been decent, but this year he has been that bit better. I don't think he's as good as Schneiderlin for example and France really have a great bunch of talented players for midfield, but he could become a regular for the national team. I'm not sure whether Cabaye is still ahead of Gonalons and Schneiderlin in the pecking order for France, but IMO he shouldn't be. Xhaka and Gonalons aren't necessarily players I'd like us to sign, but they are certainly alternatives. Koke, Schneiderlin, Geis and Sanson are my favourites from that list.

You are right about the amount of money, which would be required for Hummels and Laporte, but I think they are worth it. Rojo wouldn't automatically become second choice IMO. As good as Laporte is, I think he would need time to adapt and he shouldn't start every match. Let's face it, there's no way that we will start the same centre-backs for most of the season.
 
I think we need four players:

IN:

Centre Back - Hummels - 30M
Right Back - Clyne - 15M
Centre Midfielder - Pogba - 70M
Winger - Reus - 25M

= 140M


OUT:

Evans - 7M
Rafael - 7M
Hernandez - 12M
Cleverley - Free
Nani - 10M
Young - 8M
Mata - 20M
Falcao - Free

= 64M

Net Spent:

76 Million



Squad:

  1. De Gea
  2. Valdes
  3. Hummels
  4. Rojo
  5. Jones
  6. Smalling
  7. Shaw
  8. Clyne
  9. Blind
  10. Carrick
  11. Pogba
  12. Herrera
  13. Fellaini
  14. Reus
  15. Di Maria
  16. Januzaj
  17. Valencia
  18. Rooney
  19. Van Persie
  20. Wilson


De Gea
Clyne - Jones - Hummels - Shaw
Pogba - Blind - Herrera
Di Maria - Rooney - Reus

Valdes - Smalling - Rojo - Carrick - Fellaini - Januzaj - Van Persie


 
I'd not be too bothered if we just brought in a couple of CB's, and a RB, and then keep all of our current squad minus Evans, and one of Valencia, or Young.

Reckon we'll do more than that but I hope we don't go too mad with the ins, and outs, and I hope we do things earlier this time round, we need a settled squad for the start of the new season.
 
@Walters_19_MuFc - I think many will agree a RB, CB, CM and winger are needed. I don't think we stand a chance for Reus, it's either Bayern or Madrid. Hummels may be possible, he's saying the right sort of stuff so you never know, but his injury niggles worry me. Pogba would be some sight, if it happened.
 
I expect us to bring in a rb, 1 maybe 2 cb's, a cm, a winger and a striker which isn't ideal but it's pretty clear LVG wants to continue re shaping the squad and doesn't have the players he wants at his disposal. Other than De Gea (if he signs a new contract) rojo, shaw, blind, di Maria, Rooney, carrick, Valdes and the youngsters like januzaj, Wilson etc I think pretty much everyone else has question marks against their future, they won't all go of course but anyone could.

Top targets should be reus, varane and pogba but I doubt we can get any of them, especially if we don't make the top four.

I could easily see us bringing in Clyne, marquinhos, hummels, schneiderlein, depay and dybala with maybe a youngster or two as well. There are plenty of good alternatives out there though I just hope we stay clear of falcao, strootman and vidal because of the inflated fees and injury concerns.
 
At this stage:

Right Back
Centre Half
Central Midfielder
Pacy attacker (either a Winger or Centre Forward, or ideally someone who can operate in either position. Depay maybe.)
 
Yeah I feel Kane is going to be made the main man at Spurs and wont uproot himself in the near future, and if that time arrives I dread to think where transfer fees will be at given how they are getting crazier each summer. I'd say those 2 are the 2 young breakout stars of the season in Serie A, it's a shame to see them playing in front of half full stadiums. Do you think Dybala could work in the PL? I know some will worry about his size but I think he has the low center of gravity that negates his frame.

To be honest I dunno man. Lamela for one was arguably the best young player in Serie A, quite decently put together physically but has been relatively weak for Spurs despite their considerable outlay so it's hard to predict the transition for Dybala who has a similar kind of skillset. Not necessarily worried about Dybala's size, because like you said he has a low center of gravity and is quite shifty in terms of avoiding tackles. Would do quite well in the PL once he gets acclimatized. As would Felipe IMO, if not more so because he's just super fast like Moura and very stocky like Alexis Sanchez so he's probably more suited to a rapid style of play. Would love to see either (or both) at United. :drool:
 
He is weird I agree, but his other obsession over right footed and left footed players may be to our advantage here as we clearly lack a right footed CM that he trusts, hence Rooney playing there all the time.

Yes it's one thing playing a left or right winger/fullback/wingback, polar opposite sides, but to be obsessed with right and left CB's and CM players is just going a bit overboard. If they can play in the centre, they will be fine. Because the centre positions do move about the pitch far more, than the wingers
 
IN:

Dragovic - £12M
Laporte - £28M
Clyne - £15M
Strootman - £28M
Depay - £18M

OUT:

Lindegaard - £2M
Amos - £500K
Evans - £6M
Jones - £10M
Thorpe - Loan
Rafael - £8M
Varela - £1.5M
James - £400K
Cleverley - Bosman
Powell - Loan
Nani - £11M
Hernandez - £12M
W. Keane - £2.5M
Henriquez - £1.5M

Manchester United squad 2015/16:

1: de Gea - First Team
2: Clyne - First Team
3: Shaw - First Team
4: Laporte - First Team
5: Rojo - Substitute
6: Strootman - First Team
7: di Maria - First Team
8: Mata - Substitute
10: Rooney - First Team
11: Januzaj - First Team
12: Smalling - First Team
13: Valdes - Substitute
14: Depay - First Team
15: Dragovic - Substitute
16: Carrick
17: Blind - First Team
18: Young
19: Wilson - Substitute
20: van Persie - Substitute
21: Herrera - Substitute
25: Valencia
26: McNair
31: Fellaini
35: Lingard
42: Blackett
44: Pereira
50: Johnstone

XI:

de Gea
Clyne - Smalling - Laporte - Shaw
Blind
Strootman - di Maria
Januzaj - Rooney - Depay

Subs: Valdes; Dragovic, Rojo; Herrera, Mata; van Persie, Wilson
That's probably my optimistic outlook on the United squad next season. In all likelihood, one of Mata or van Persie will leave if not both, but I think that's a fairly reasonable estimation of what our squad and best eighteen could resemble next season. I don't think the positions of the acquisitions are in question, it's just the personnel. I'd be very surprised if we failed to sign at least one centre back, a right back, central midfielder and wide player.
 
In: Some good players.

Out: Players not needed anymore.

Squad: Better than the current one.

Best 11: a mixture of current and new signings.
 
Essential: First choice RB, CB, CM and wide forward.

What lots of people have already said, but hey I want to say it too!
 
From what I've seen and read of Lyon, Gonalons seems to have stepped up this season. He's always been decent, but this year he has been that bit better. I don't think he's as good as Schneiderlin for example and France really have a great bunch of talented players for midfield, but he could become a regular for the national team. I'm not sure whether Cabaye is still ahead of Gonalons and Schneiderlin in the pecking order for France, but IMO he shouldn't be. Xhaka and Gonalons aren't necessarily players I'd like us to sign, but they are certainly alternatives. Koke, Schneiderlin, Geis and Sanson are my favourites from that list.

You are right about the amount of money, which would be required for Hummels and Laporte, but I think they are worth it. Rojo wouldn't automatically become second choice IMO. As good as Laporte is, I think he would need time to adapt and he shouldn't start every match. Let's face it, there's no way that we will start the same centre-backs for most of the season.

I have watched Lyon quite a few times and I've not really noticed Gonalons but that might be a compliment in fairness regarding his role, just wonder if it's a bit too similar to what Blind gives us. I had to look up Sanson and I cans ee why you like him, tall, strong, two footed, quick and a good passing range, the kind of CM we should be getting in on the ground floor with as opposed to buying him after another club makes him a star.

I cans see your logic, with Rojo also being able to play LB and being slightly older, along with our injury record issues, having both wouldn't really make either purely a bench warmer.
 
To be honest I dunno man. Lamela for one was arguably the best young player in Serie A, quite decently put together physically but has been relatively weak for Spurs despite their considerable outlay so it's hard to predict the transition for Dybala who has a similar kind of skillset. Not necessarily worried about Dybala's size, because like you said he has a low center of gravity and is quite shifty in terms of avoiding tackles. Would do quite well in the PL once he gets acclimatized. As would Felipe IMO, if not more so because he's just super fast like Moura and very stocky like Alexis Sanchez so he's probably more suited to a rapid style of play. Would love to see either (or both) at United. :drool:

I think the issues with Lamela seem more mental than physical, I heard he cried when he left Roma and didn't want to go, then struggled to learn the language here, then he was injured and then Sherwood took over and didn't seem to rate him, so it's been tough for him overall, not that we don't know that Dybala wouldn't have the same issues of course. I like what I've seen of Felipe but I have the same issue with him I have with Depay, neither are suited to play as a striker in the diamond IMO and if we moved to 4-2-3-1 the left side of the 3 is Di Maria's role from the diamond basically, I don't think Di Maria from the right is worth it as he's not much of a finisher, he's better left where he can drive central or cut wide and cross it.
 
Yes it's one thing playing a left or right winger/fullback/wingback, polar opposite sides, but to be obsessed with right and left CB's and CM players is just going a bit overboard. If they can play in the centre, they will be fine. Because the centre positions do move about the pitch far more, than the wingers

I agree, it is such a strange quirk when you see how many defenses have two right footed CB's, yet he'll move everyone around just to make sure he can follow this rule he's set.
 
Going to assume that Herrera isn't going to become first choice for whatever reason (seems LvG isn't going to do this), De Gea leaves, and we don't sign Falcao.

We'd need a new goalkeeper to replace De Gea. Be worried if Valdes is that, he's a decent keeper but he's not in De Geas league.

A right back. Think he'll keep Valencia around as back up, and McNair able to offer back up there too. Rafael will be sold imo.

Partner for Rojo. Evans will be gone, wouldn't surprise me if Smalling or Jones left as well. In which case we'd need two centre backs, can't see him selling both of them.

Wingers. One minimum, ideally 2 if Nani doesn't stay. Depay I guess is likely as he has a connection with LvG, and god knows who else. Bale wouldn't surprise me assuming De Gea ends up in Madrid.

Partner for Blind. Carricks ageing, Herrera doesn't seem fancied and Di Maria can play in a three, but not a two. Rooney needs to be played further up if he's to play at all. Someone powerful and athletic. Pogba would be ideal but would cost too much £££ possibly.

Striker. Rooneys quality can be debated upon, fact is LvG isn't playing him upfront, and has played midfielders ahead of him. Doesn't fancy him as a #9 IMO. RvP is ageing, and should be phased out. Wilson isn't ready for such a huge responsibility imo. Possibly ok with those three if we change to a single striker formation though, as we have quality in attacking midfield positions.
 
RB= clyne or coleman
CB= 2 would be ideal. one with experience (hummels or godin) and another young with great potential (laporte)
CM= if possible pogba and radja nainggolan
WF= reus or depay
 
Bloody hell. All those pages for the winter one and we bought nobody of significance, and then the thread for the next one starts.
Take a break guys.
 
£220m and no less.
 
Clyne
Hummels and Laporte
Depay
And Either Pogba, Strootman, Nainggolan and If dortmund get relegated get Bender
 
I have watched Lyon quite a few times and I've not really noticed Gonalons but that might be a compliment in fairness regarding his role, just wonder if it's a bit too similar to what Blind gives us. I had to look up Sanson and I cans ee why you like him, tall, strong, two footed, quick and a good passing range, the kind of CM we should be getting in on the ground floor with as opposed to buying him after another club makes him a star.

I cans see your logic, with Rojo also being able to play LB and being slightly older, along with our injury record issues, having both wouldn't really make either purely a bench warmer.

Which is why I am not keen on Gonalons. You asked for central midfielders and I basically named a few, bearing in mind that we should replace Carrick sooner than later. He's similar in what he does to Blind, Schneiderlin on the other hand can do both, the holding midfield role and the box-to-box role, on top of that he's obviously better. Sanson is also just 20 years old, he has potential offensively and defensively, which is something I always like. His physicality would be helpful as well, I think.
 
I agree, it is such a strange quirk when you see how many defenses have two right footed CB's, yet he'll move everyone around just to make sure he can follow this rule he's set.

Weird the way he has set played up against Cambridge contradicts the whole thinking of right and left CB's And CM's. With VG it's one step forward and 2 back.

I thought yea he's shipping out the dead wood like anderson and Fletcher, but then he pulls stunts like he done against Cambridge and it's frustrating. I just get this feeling we got VG at the wrong age, and sometimes he is acting like a senile old man lol
 
1st priority a CB: Hummels or Laporte

2nd priority a CM: Strootman (if fitness is given), Pogba (normally I dont't like the idea of signing him but he's exactly the type of player we need and I can't see anything close to that)

3rd priority a RB: hope McNair can make this his place in the team. Clyne or Coleman would alternatives

4th priority a winger: Depay (obviously Bale would be nice but, no, not for that money)

5th priority replacing RVP: Could live with him another season but soon we need to replace him. Could be Falcao this summer or someone younger next? Kane would be a dream but won't leave Spurs too soon I guess.

De Gea
Clyne Hummels Rojo Shaw
Strootman Carrick
di Maria Rooney Depay
Wilson

Valdes
Rafael Smalling Jones Blackett
Blind Fellaini
Herrera Mata Januzaj
van Persie

+ some talents like Mc Nair, Lingard etc. and useful squad players like Valencia​
 
1st priority a CB: Hummels or Laporte

2nd priority a CM: Strootman (if fitness is given), Pogba (normally I dont't like the idea of signing him but he's exactly the type of player we need and I can't see anything close to that)

3rd priority a RB: hope McNair can make this his place in the team. Clyne or Coleman would alternatives

4th priority a winger: Depay (obviously Bale would be nice but, no, not for that money)

5th priority replacing RVP: Could live with him another season but soon we need to replace him. Could be Falcao this summer or someone younger next? Kane would be a dream but won't leave Spurs too soon I guess.

De Gea
Clyne Hummels Rojo Shaw
Strootman Carrick
di Maria Rooney Depay
Wilson

Valdes
Rafael Smalling Jones Blackett
Blind Fellaini
Herrera Mata Januzaj
van Persie

+ some talents like Mc Nair, Lingard etc. and useful squad players like Valencia​

I would rather we went the extra mile for bale and pogba, than overspend on the latter 2, should we push the boat out on 2 players who will solve the wide and centre, or spend a big chunk on 2 players who are not going to solve the midfield and wide position. Depay may turn out great, but bale will score and assist.
 
I agree, it is such a strange quirk when you see how many defenses have two right footed CB's, yet he'll move everyone around just to make sure he can follow this rule he's set.

Yeah it's fecking annoying to be honest. Vidic and Rio were both right footed. Pique and Puyol, Ramos and Pepe, Terry and Cahill, it's OCD the way he insists on this. I don't see how its necessary.
 
Yeah it's fecking annoying to be honest. Vidic and Rio were both right footed. Pique and Puyol, Ramos and Pepe, Terry and Cahill, it's OCD the way he insists on this. I don't see how its necessary.

Yet he plays strikers out wide, midfielders upfront, so it makes no sense what so ever
 
In
Dani Alves and Sami Khedira free
Hummels and Reus 50 mil
Gaya 13.5 mil
Mirallas 15 mil
Depay 17 mil

Total 95.5 mil

Out
Hernandez 15 mil
Mata 25 mil
Nani 10 mil
Young 5 mil
Valencia 5 mil
Evans 5 mil

Total 65 mil

1st 11
Ddg
Alves hummels Rojo Shaw
Blind
Herrera di Maria
Mirallas rooney Reus

2nd 11
Valdes
Rafa Smalling Jones Gaya
Khedira Fellaini
Januzaj Depay
Wilson Rvp
 
We've gave the lads at the back their opportunity this season which was the right thing to do, but fitness-wise I think I've seen enough to know that we can't rely on them for a full season, particularly one which hopefully involves European football.

Going forward we need a right back, one or two centre half's, an all-rounder in central midfield, a goalscoring wide man and a striker, whether that be Falcao or somebody else.

6 players and probably another expensive summer.
 
In:

Right back - Clyne
Central defender - Schar and Laporte
Central midfield - Schneiderlin and Lars Bender
Attacking player - Depay, De Bruyne
Striker - Berahino

Out:

Evans
Valencia
Rafael
Mata
Falcao
Fellaini
Hernandez
 
Which is why I am not keen on Gonalons. You asked for central midfielders and I basically named a few, bearing in mind that we should replace Carrick sooner than later. He's similar in what he does to Blind, Schneiderlin on the other hand can do both, the holding midfield role and the box-to-box role, on top of that he's obviously better. Sanson is also just 20 years old, he has potential offensively and defensively, which is something I always like. His physicality would be helpful as well, I think.

Schneiderlin at the base of midfield with Blind in a 4-2-3-1 for us would work pretty well IMO, but I also like Allan for that role as he brings the ball out with pace and can beat players, kind of like Anderson but with work ethic and brains. Sanson looks like he'd be a great addition regardless of either of the other 2 as his game has so many different qualities to theirs and so far he seems under the radar to a large degree, he could be a gem signing like Blind has been.
 
I think we need four players:

IN:

Centre Back - Hummels - 30M
Right Back - Clyne - 15M
Centre Midfielder - Pogba - 70M
Winger - Reus - 25M

= 140M


OUT:

Evans - 7M
Rafael - 7M
Hernandez - 12M
Cleverley - Free
Nani - 10M
Young - 8M
Mata - 20M
Falcao - Free

= 64M

Net Spent:

76 Million



Squad:

  1. De Gea
  2. Valdes
  3. Hummels
  4. Rojo
  5. Jones
  6. Smalling
  7. Shaw
  8. Clyne
  9. Blind
  10. Carrick
  11. Pogba
  12. Herrera
  13. Fellaini
  14. Reus
  15. Di Maria
  16. Januzaj
  17. Valencia
  18. Rooney
  19. Van Persie
  20. Wilson


De Gea
Clyne - Jones - Hummels - Shaw
Pogba - Blind - Herrera
Di Maria - Rooney - Reus

Valdes - Smalling - Rojo - Carrick - Fellaini - Januzaj - Van Persie


I would agree with a lot you said here. I think Pogba and Reus are two player that would really bring us to the next level. Clyne and Hummels would be brilliant acqusitions as well. I would possible add in another winger like Memphis Depay along with Reus especially if we change to a formation with wingers.
I also think Mata's future may lay elsewhere even though he is an absolute legend of a buck.
 
In:

Right back - Clyne
Central defender - Schar and Laporte
Central midfield - Schneiderlin and Lars Bender
Attacking player - Depay, De Bruyne
Striker - Berahino

Out:

Evans
Valencia
Rafael
Mata
Falcao
Fellaini
Hernandez

I would replace fellaini with Cleverley on that list, has he is still on loan, fellaini offers us some really good things, and a plan B.
 
Why do people want us to sell Mata? Even if he isn't starting, he's a quality rotation option to have. An expensive one but still quality. Especially if we add more pace to the starting team, there's a case for him starting.
 
I would replace fellaini with Cleverley on that list, has he is still on loan, fellaini offers us some really good things, and a plan B.


Well Cleverly is really already done though isn't he. His contract runs out at the end of the season, no way are we going to sign a new contract with him, so he is gone, it is a given.
 
Think we probably need a mainstay /perma fit CB and a top class CM. Doesn't matter what style CM as long as they can help us win the midfield battle more often. Been super impressed with Blind all year too.

Could use an extra option on the wing if Nani doesn't return. Obviously someone adding pace

We probably need to let Mata go while we still can get something for him
 
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