Most important summer window in years (100-150m budget)

[acnumber9]

I disagree. That is the job of a sporting director, which we're looking to appoint and which Woodward currently de facto operates as: To look at the bigger picture, the long-term plan that the club has layed out and which might not necessarily be compatible with the more short-sighted priorities of a manager like Mourinho. That doesn't necessarily mean you don't support your manager, just that the manager shouldn't be allowed to completely unravel a long-term plan over one or two transfer windows, the same way I always hate it when people say you can't judge a manager until it's "his team", as if every new manager who comes in every two or three years should just sell and replace the entire squad, undoing years and billions of investments.

The way to become a modern, well-run club is to lay down a long-term plan and some club principles that every new manager is hired to execute, not to rewrite.

How many times have we heard that? It’s not far off two years since Mourinho was sacked as we still haven’t got one. United had no long term plan. Woodward was happy for us to bounce along so long as we qualified for the Champions League and sponsorships kept coming in. To Solskjaer’s credit he is looking to the long term, but it’s not thanks to any vision Ed Woodward has.

 

[arnie_ni]

For me its clear what we need over the next couple of windows.

A good attacking rb to swap with awb when we needed.

A cb with pace to start with maguire.

A dm to replace matic eventually

A tidy centre midfielder to come in and out with pogba

A 10 to rotate with fernades.

A starting rw

A backup 9 when ighalo goes.


3 starters and 4 squad additions.

Laird could be your rb, mct or fred may develop into your dm and cm so i would go for the rw, cb and 10 this sunmer and give the others a year to kick on.

 

[Mainoldo]

I think Rice has to be our prime target for the role especially if we are playing Pogba in that deep role long term. We could take a punt of Koopmeiners who would cost much less or on Zakaria but I doubt if he has the passing required.

If it was up to me I'd sell Fred to supplement funds because if we get those three we will have a solid team plus some depth and competition for the creative roles. But having signed on Matic to a big contract I don't think DM will be high on the priority, which would be a mistake in my view because Matic can't play consistently through the season. He'd be good to have around and starting matches after a long Euopean away trip for sure.

Yeah the Matic renewal just reminded me of Mata’s last year. Meaning a decision has already been made to not upgrade the DM. Which is silly just on my assumption on how the management team wants us to play. Rice would allows Bruno and Pogba to get forward whilst also having the engine to play 7’s every week. Matic is too inconsistent because of his age and legs.

 

[Jev]

How many times have we heard that? It’s not far off two years since Mourinho was sacked as we still haven’t got one. United had no long term plan. Woodward was happy for us to bounce along so long as we qualified for the Champions League and sponsorships kept coming in. To Solskjaer’s credit he is looking to the long term, but it’s not thanks to any vision Ed Woodward has.

You're completely ignoring the general point I was making because you're focusing on the farcical sporting director non-appointment.

 

[AneRu]

Yeah the Matic renewal just reminded me of Mata’s last year. Meaning a decision has already been made to not upgrade the DM. Which is silly just on my assumption on how the management team wants us to play. Rice would allows Bruno and Pogba to get forward whilst also having the engine to play 7’s every week. Matic is too inconsistent because of his age and legs.

I still hope not cause that would be a damn shame, you build the best attack around but if you have a soft centre you are liable to being overrun and it's not like we have prime Rio and Vidic at the back to keep teams out. I sincerely hope that new contract was merely a ploy to get a fee for him after a season of phasing him out.

In fact our defensive spine leaves a lot to be desired. We need an upgrade on Matic and Lindelof though on recent showings it fees like its Maguire who we might need to improve on but Lindelof just doesn't have a single redeeming physical attribute to give him an edge.

 

[El Zoido]

Every summer is “the most important in years”. You can always make that case. I’m not even bothered, I trust Ole to make the right decisions, I just hope the club can back him to rebuild. When we first signed Ole as a player, did anyone expect him to score the winning goal in injury time of a Champions League final for us? This guy is a perennial underdog, dismissed as if he’s nothing, yet does the business out of nowhere. Underestimate him at your peril.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Not sure why you keep going back to Jose here. That's not the point. We were at the highest point since SAF and there was an opportunity to attract quality players who wanted CL . We just didn't do it and missed a window putting us back by another 2 years. Ed can approve or reject Ole's options but end of the day we need the money to be spent on quality players and it needs to be done this window. Not next year or January.

The aim was to build a team so we can win major trophies not so the manager can build one season team to achieve "the highest point since SAF". That's pathetic.

The point is that Jose is a spoil manager who has been backed with lot of money for 3 years budget, wasting money on new toys, not pleased with them & he wanted new ones. Just like Jose, Ole will be given certain budget he will spend in 3 years and it's up to the manager to spend the money wisely rather than throwing them away. The money isn't arab money mate.

 

[acnumber9]

You're completely ignoring the general point I was making because you're focusing on the farcical sporting director non-appointment.

Your general point doesn’t exist. We didn’t not back Mourinho because of a long term plan. You’ve created that reality.

 

[Hanky panky]

Sancho, CB and DMF. Lets say, if we have funds only for two, i would buy Sancho and defensive midfielder and keep Smalling.

 

[Mainoldo]

I still hope not cause that would be a damn shame, you build the best attack around but if you have a soft centre you are liable to being overrun and it's not like we have prime Rio and Vidic at the back to keep teams out. I sincerely hope that new contract was merely a ploy to get a fee for him after a season of phasing him out.

In fact our defensive spine leaves a lot to be desired. We need an upgrade on Matic and Lindelof though on recent showings it fees like its Maguire who we might need to improve on but Lindelof just doesn't have a single redeeming physical attribute to give him an edge.

Yeah I’d be really for a new CB with pace to replace Maguire. Lindelöf has had his number recently.

 

[sparx99]

Don’t be so sure of that, I can’t see Dortmund accepting that. More likely we will have to pay most of it now. 100m out of 150 most likely.

Sure they could but given the situation, with the pandemic, everybody is paying in installments this summer. A lump sum of cash should come with a significant overall price reduction.

Most transfers are paid in this way.

 

[Hanky panky]

Vertonghen is leaving Spurs. How about him for a free transfer for couple of seasons? Cheap option if we need to spend big for Sancho and some other positions.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Yeah the Matic renewal just reminded me of Mata’s last year. Meaning a decision has already been made to not upgrade the DM. Which is silly just on my assumption on how the management team wants us to play. Rice would allows Bruno and Pogba to get forward whilst also having the engine to play 7’s every week. Matic is too inconsistent because of his age and legs.

Let's be realistic mate. Both Mike & Ole already made the statement last season when they became permanent for us that we need about 9 new players, there is never a chance for us to solve everything in 2 windows alone and the current situation is also not helping. Lot of clubs are in disadvantage due to covid19 which including us & our money isn't arab money. The fact that we offered that new contract to Matic in July, pretty much tells you that the manager has no choice but to stick with him and try to give a chance to Scott McTominay or even Fred in the role which is fair things to do.

 

[Sandikan]

Ole was pretty clear after the game today.
He's told the board who he wants, and we'll see what happens!

However, I doubt he'll exactly admit they let him down when interviewed next season about it!

 

[Mainoldo]

Let's be realistic mate. Both Mike & Ole already made the statement last season when they became permanent for us that we need about 9 new players, there is never a chance for us to solve everything in 2 windows alone and the current situation is also not helping. Lot of clubs are in disadvantage due to covid19 which including us & our money isn't arab money. The fact that we offered that new contract to Matic in July, pretty much tells you that the manager has no choice but to stick with him and try to give a chance to Scott McTominay or even Fred in the role which is fair things to do.

Like a poster said. Sell one of them and get Rice. No point waiting on windows to get the job done. Things change all the time and we need what we need. No more rushed January signings.

 

[AneRu]

Let's be realistic mate. Both Mike & Ole already made the statement last season when they became permanent for us that we need about 9 new players, there is never a chance for us to solve everything in 2 windows alone and the current situation is also not helping. Lot of clubs are in disadvantage due to covid19 which including us & our money isn't arab money. The fact that we offered that new contract to Matic in July, pretty much tells you that the manager has no choice but to stick with him and try to give a chance to Scott McTominay or even Fred in the role which is fair things to do.

We will always stay behind other clubs with that approach though, solve the obvious weak areas then look to spend less over the next couple of summers but avoid suffering next season because the thirty two year old player you put your faith in can't play 50 games. McTominay is a good defensive box to box mid in the Fletcher mould and though he can play the DM role there are requirements that he must can't meet in the role.

 

[12oskell]

I couldn’t guess what we are going to do in the window this time around. Sancho seems to be the main deal we will go for (hopefully not drawn out over the whole window.) But looking at how little Ole has used his bench or rested players even when it’s been clear that he should, tells me 3 players coming in won’t be enough. Either that or Ole needs to learn to use his squad better. Minimum; CB, DM, CM (Playmaking mould) and Sancho. With more deadwood out the door.

 

[Ali Dia]

aside from youth signings any player we go for this summer needs be starting quality. theres no point buying players to pad the squad out. what we need is real competition for places. we can use the youth players to fill squad positions until we find better players on the market over the next few seasons. i think we urgently need a starting RW (Sancho/Chiesa) DM (Alcantara/Camavinga/Tonali/Rice) and someone to push or take over from Bruno when he gets tired, injured or loses form as its become such an important position for us (VDB/Grealish). We are also going to need a LB, CB and battling striker very soon but I seriously doubt we are going to address all that in one, 2 or even 3 windows. Watch us scramble around in the winter window for a Ighalo replacement. As a poster said above we also need a left footed attacking player to come in at some stage.


anyhow im delighted we got into the CL and really hope the board are decisive in the market this summer. hopefully next season is a lot of fun for the fans.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Like a poster said. Sell one of them and get Rice. No point waiting on windows to get the job done. Things change all the time and we need what we need. No more rushed January signings.

You're not reading what I just said.

 

[arthurka]

Jones
Smalling
Rojo
Sanchez
Mata
JLingz
Pereira

They are being moved could generate about 50m so 200m buys you what?
Sancho, Grealish and a DM (who?).. Still think we need another CB.. But Ed needs to go out and fund the feck out of Ole..

 

[berbatrick]

For I don't know how many years, we've needed a left-footed attacking player. It's not changed now. Last summer Ziyech would have been ideal. I have no idea who is available but anyone with some speed who can occupy that position when Greenwood is tired or off is essential.
Sancho will be very good, but he'll also be the backup on the left and at #10, so we need that other option. (And it's not Grealish.)

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

We will always stay behind other clubs with that approach though, solve the obvious weak areas then look to spend less over the next couple of summers but avoid suffering next season because the thirty two year old player you put your faith in can't play 50 games. McTominay is a good defensive box to box mid in the Fletcher mould and though he can play the DM role there are requirements that he must can't meet in the role.

End of the day it was never going to be 2 years project and Liverpool didn't stay behind other clubs with the similar approach, in fact we are taking it much better since they need to sell way more than us to have money in their transfer budget. It's about how the manager can spend the money wisely and see what needs to be prioritised first. This is also where the club can give chances to the players to express themself means there will be no more excuse if players are sold next.

 

[Rake]

We need a DM but we need a complete player. He has to both defend and be comfortable bringing the ball out of defence. Today Matic was the one who took that load. He was the one dropping very deep and passing out.

Don't watch as much football anymore, but can't think of such a player on top of my head.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Outs:
Smalling
Rojo
Tuanzebe (part exchange deal for Upamecano)
Bailly (part exchange deal for Torres)
Dalot
Mata
Sanchez
Periera
DeGea
Pogba

Ins:
Sancho
Ndidi or Kalvin Philips
VdB or Grealish
Ismaïla Sarr
Max Aarons
Upamecano
Torres
Henderson

just the 8 then?

 

[Inigo Montoya]

just the 8 then?

Why stop at 8?

 

[AneRu]

End of the day it was never going to be 2 years project and Liverpool didn't stay behind other clubs with the similar approach, in fact we are taking it much better since they need to sell way more than us to have money in their transfer budget. It's about how the manager can spend the money wisely and see what needs to be prioritised first. This is also where the club can give chances to the players to express themself means there will be no more excuse if players are sold next.

The year Liverpool signed VVD, Allison and Fabinho is where they pulled away from the rest. I think they did this in a space of 12 months or so. The issue we have is a huge drop off when Bruno, Pogba and Matic arent on the pitch yet can we rely on Matic through a full season as he enters the twilight of his career?

Imo signing Rice in addition to Grealish gives us that dept and competition. Remember we are now in the CL so we will be playing twice a week from October onwards. Having these two allows us to completely change our midfield without compromising much in quality, Sancho simply elevates our attack into the elite category. Imo we should sell Fred to partly fund the acquisition of Rice.

 

[Mainoldo]

You're not reading what I just said.

I did. But for some weird reason I feel like your trying to give credit to the transfer policy we have when I’m pointing out what we need to progress next season. So maybe we are having two different debates.

 

[Hugh Jass]

What about Josuha King from Bournemouth as a covering striker assuming Igalo goes back to China.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

Like a poster said. Sell one of them and get Rice. No point waiting on windows to get the job done. Things change all the time and we need what we need. No more rushed January signings.

Exactly. No point hesitating till later windows if we can use a player sale to finance a position of priority

 

[RuudTom83]

Ole has a starting eleven he likes and nothing else, that won't get him through a full premiership campaign and CL run...he needs more options so he can field 2 teams without fearing the outcome.

The bench needs improving but it will take some doing to move on the players he doesn't trust.

 

[Mainoldo]

What about Josuha King from Bournemouth as a covering striker assuming Igalo goes back to China.

NO

 

[Hugh Jass]

NO

Is he not good enough? I have never watched him play.

 

[Morpheus 7]

If we clear wages on Rojo, Lingard, Jones, Sanchez and Smalling it should be huge. I expect 200m with all them players leaving, no low balling either. The adidas money and champions league money is there now, if the Glazers, Ed Woodward want to save money, buy this summer. I don't want to hear excuses from anyone.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

I did. But for some weird reason I feel like your trying to give credit to the transfer policy we have when I’m pointing out what we need to progress next season. So maybe we are having two different debates.

You're not reading it mate. I'm pointing to the fact you mentioned that it was a silly decision on giving Matic a new contract when the club has no other choice to take such action given the current situation. Making progress doesn't mean solve every problems in one window and cannot plan and wait for the next one.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

You're not reading it mate. I'm pointing to the fact you mentioned that it was a silly decision on giving Matic a new contract when the club has no other choice to take such action given the current situation. Making progress doesn't mean solve every problems in one window and cannot plan and wait for the next one.

What's wrong in solving most of your problems in one window?

 

[AneRu]

Exactly. No point hesitating till later windows if we can use a player sale to finance a position of priority

Right on, you wait till next season you might risk your spot in the top four. I would rather we spend now and do like what Liverpool did, they spent big and built a complete team then cut down the spending over the following seasons. With a first 11 of-

De Gea
AWB
Lindelof/could be upgraded on
Maguire
Shaw
Rice
Pogba
Bruno
Sancho
Martial
Rashford and
have Matic, Grealish, Tuanzebe, Laird, McTominay, Williams and Greenwood in and around the first team, starting some and coming off the bench for others will be a nice mix to have.

 

[Bebestation]

RW, CM/CAM, LCB and CDM.

4 signings.

 

[kidbob]

Sancho is a must for me, you don't let players like that get away especially when they are still very young.

After that then CDM is the most important one to look at in my opinion. If we can find the perfect player to compliment Pogba and Bruno in midfield then I think that certain attacking and defensive concerns will be improved too.

For RB I trust AWB to improve (I think his form has just dropped) and if Laird can stay fit then I really believe he can become a solid rotation player who offers more going forward. Shaw is fine for now as we have bigger concerns. If we can afford another after Sancho and CDM then I think a CB to compliment Maguire would be good too.

Our back ups aren't enough right now but honestly I think we need to be focusing on bringing in 3 starters in those positions if we can. If we do then Matic is a fine rotation player, Lindelof too and Greenwood can be an option for CF and RW.

I would love to bring in Grealish but wouldn't do it before sorting out those 3 positions.

 

[Mainoldo]

You're not reading it mate. I'm pointing to the fact you mentioned that it was a silly decision on giving Matic a new contract when the club has no other choice to take such action given the current situation. Making progress doesn't mean solve every problems in one window and cannot plan and wait for the next one.

Did I say that in that context? Maybe you should read my post again. I think your carrying feelings from my other posts into this. I said in this post by giving Matic a contract we pretty much have decided this position can be left unsolved for this window. Why is this? We’ll just from previous and when you look a renewals like Mata and Periera. I then pointed out that this is an important position and should be fixed ASAP.

This was all in the support of getting Declan Rice. All the other jargon your mentioning about what the club are doing bedhind the scenes and how things take time are irrelevant. What we need is a new DM.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

The year Liverpool signed VVD, Allison and Fabinho is where they pulled away from the rest. I think they did this in a space of 12 months or so. The issue we have is a huge drop off when Bruno, Pogba and Matic arent on the pitch yet can we rely on Matic through a full season as he enters the twilight of his career?

Imo signing Rice in addition to Grealish gives us that dept and competition. Remember we are now in the CL so we will be playing twice a week from October onwards. Having these two allows us to completely change our midfield without compromising much in quality, Sancho simply elevates our attack into the elite category. Imo we should sell Fred to partly fund the acquisition of Rice.

This summer window to the next summer transfer window is also considered as space of 12 months. You also need to remember that Liverpool were targeting VVD in the summer not in January, they couldn't meet the agreement in the summer but the reality was VVD was their main target in the summer 2017.

Being honest myself, even Matic isn't the right man. This is just my personal opinion because I think United needs more pacey & aggressive DM than a slow one to recover the loss ball and help the slow defense. Someone like Gueye, Kante, Kimmich, Casemiro or may be gamble/punt signing like Marcos Llorente & Herrera would be more suitable to play with Bruno & Pogba.

However, like what I said before, the manager is taking this action because of this covid 19 situation anyway, this also allows Ole to give players like McTominay & Fred chances next season for the role which is perfect time since both of them had done very well before the restart and deserve their chance. This is Manchester United is about giving them chance especially the young players from academy after all.