Ole: "We should look for quality players that can improve us. We’ve got to think about longevity"

By the sounds of that, Ole wants to target youngish players, which I guess makes sense when you look at our current squad.

Sir Alex was a genius at mixing youth with experience, and I guess Ole wants to follow that model.

When you look at our typical starting eleven, we've got quite a few experienced heads in there:

De Gea (28)
Young (33) Smalling (29) Lindelof (24) Shaw (23)
Herrera (29) Matic (30) Pogba (26)
Lingard (26) Rashford (21) Martial (23)

Romero (32) Jones (27) Dalot (19) McTominay (22) Fred (25) Sanchez (30) Lukaku (25)

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Under Sir Alex, it was a constant cycle. He more or less had three age categories:

28 and over

24 - 27

23 and under​

When the over 28 started to fade, the next categories would step up. Then the under 23's would move into the 24-27 and so on so forth. He was so good at doing this, and because of this, as I said, it was a good mix of youth and experience.

Having looked at our first team squad, in regards to age, we seem pretty balanced. Obviously we want quality with that, though.

I would love Sancho, but I look at our front line and think would a three of say Sancho, Rashford and Martial be too inexperienced?

I also think we need to be looking at buying someone quite young for our midfield spot who can play as an 8/10.

The right back position with Young at 33 would also need someone coming in. As much as I'd like Wan-Bissaka, at 21, it would totally mess up the progression of Dalot, so it would make more sense to get a right back in the 24-27 category, allowing Dalot to step in when they get to the over 28 mark.

Ole seems really clued up and doesn't seem like superstar status would sway him, although Ed likes himself a galactico every now and again.

Whatever he does, I believe he'll make good additions to the squad.

Looking forward to the summer.
 
Milenkovic should be 1 to look at. He can play RB,CB or DM. A very good player to have in your squad.
 
In order to move to the next level we need 2 senior players Koulibaly and Alderweireld and an experienced right back - someone like Coleman who would be an improvement on young but also could be replaced by Dalot and Laird in the next 2 seasons. We should also be looking to buy the best young talent like Sancho, Brooke's for RW. If Lukaku were to leave a great option would be Jovic (he looks like he'll be one of the top strikers around in the next few years). De ligt would be a great buy but he's going to end as Barsa. Next season we should start to integrate Garner, Gomez, chong, Greewood and laird into the squad on a permanent basis. Bring back Tuanzebe, move on Jones, Rogo, Damien, Sanchez.
 
JJ12 said:
People keep saying Wan Bissaka. Would be completely nonsensical to sign another young RB when Dalot is already fancied.

A veteran RB is what we should be looking at but that's probably going to be Young for next season with Dalot taking the reigns as the number 1.
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I'd be happy with that, given Dalot's potential and attacking ability. We have a lot of other areas that need strengthening (we have no right winger and need to do something about centre back with all our injury prone players).

Really hope we start integrating Tuanzebe (22 next season), Garner, Gomes, Greenwood, Chong etc. over the next few years too
 
Kostov said:
Positive words from Ole and that seems more in line of a sustainable transfer strategy. Getting world class players in a good age like we did with Pogba is a no brainer but bringing very talented world class talents seem to work for the best. Let's hope this rules out Koulibaly and we go all in on de Ligt. If we can get de Ligt, Sancho and Rabiot for free, it would be a great summer window.
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Spot on ie Sancho and Rabiot,these two would be perfect in every way.
 
Superconfident that another of the 6-year-long problems OGS will solve is the scatter-gun purchase of 80% sub-par players. I predict he'll get 2 major names (one big, one very big) and scout out 2 rock solid "developmental players" who will have everything he wants in terms of character and long term talent.
 
It looks like he is SAF's apprentice. The best one. Yes, character matters and that's why we will keep Lukaku.

Out - Darmian, Sanchez, Mata, Jones, Rojo, Valencia.
In - RB, RIGHT winger, DM , CB
 
kouroux said:
What's with this Wan Bissaka recent obsession on the caf ?
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It's a bit like it was with Darmian. We're obsessed with full-backs, which given the history of our tactics is understandable. It's just that we'll take anyone half-decent it seems. Remember when people were crying to replace Valencia with Darmian. The Italian came, put in solid if unspectacular performances which were naturally elevated to 'stunning'. A few weeks later people wanted Valencia back in the first team after seeing Darmian being unable to cover the whole flank and beaten 1v.1. Wan-Bissaka may well prove to be a fantastic full-back but, up until now, he's got 2 assists and 0 goals in EPL. Considering we complain about our full-backs being not top-class offensively, that's not too promising.

We've got Shaw on the left who plays well in the conservative role of his, so we need a bomber on the right side. Nurturing Dalot makes way more sense that signing Wan-Bissaka (as of now). Then again, as I said, AWB can prove a fantastic full-back anyway. If we plan to bench Young next season, having both AWB and Dalot would be fine but I do believe we could do better than him attacking-wise.
 
AKDevil said:
He’s probably the best performing right back in Europe
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If you're looking for a defensively sound right back he's pretty good, but has little to nothing to offer offensively. I'd want more from a United right back. Dalot could well be the answer, be a shame to cut off his development.
 
kouroux said:
We have a a talented player for that spot already.
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Who won’t start, because Ashley Young will continue to stink up the joint for another 12 months.
 
Spot on soundbitez from OGS as always.
Hope we can win today so they can announce him being permanent.

Then an interesting summer. Perhaps less "glamour" of the biggest names, but probably much more sensible choices that will work
 
Sounds like Sanchezs' days are numbered.

Finally got a manager that gets it though. Get in some young hungry talent and watch them blossom. Ole know's exactly what he's doing.
 
Tomuś said:
It's a bit like it was with Darmian. We're obsessed with full-backs, which given the history of our tactics is understandable. It's just that we'll take anyone half-decent it seems. Remember when people were crying to replace Valencia with Darmian. The Italian came, put in solid if unspectacular performances which were naturally elevated to 'stunning'. A few weeks later people wanted Valencia back in the first team after seeing Darmian being unable to cover the whole flank and beaten 1v.1. Wan-Bissaka may well prove to be a fantastic full-back but, up until now, he's got 2 assists and 0 goals in EPL. Considering we complain about our full-backs being not top-class offensively, that's not too promising.

We've got Shaw on the left who plays well in the conservative role of his, so we need a bomber on the right side. Nurturing Dalot makes way more sense that signing Wan-Bissaka (as of now). Then again, as I said, AWB can prove a fantastic full-back anyway. If we plan to bench Young next season, having both AWB and Dalot would be fine but I do believe we could do better than him attacking-wise.
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I don’t recall anyone clamouring for Darmian. He was a solid LVG type player that suits a defensive style more than a Utd team,

The reason Wan-Bissaka is rated, is that he’s defensively reliable, attacks with pace, has a good cross and is just the right age and development to move to a bigger club. He ousted TFM who was being praised by Palace fans and proved to be better.
Now will we make a move? I don’t know but I do get why we’d be linked with him and also why posters are singing his praises.
 
It's interesting, I wonder how long-term Ole is looking at. While I would love us to sign the likes of Sancho and players of that age, we need to balance it out. Our forward line is relatively young and inconsistent at times, and with the league being as competitive as it is, we might need a player or two who can come in and make an instant impact if we want to win the league next season.
 
Inigo Montoya said:
I don’t recall anyone clamouring for Darmian. He was a solid LVG type player that suits a defensive style more than a Utd team,

The reason Wan-Bissaka is rated, is that he’s defensively reliable, attacks with pace, has a good cross and is just the right age and development to move to a bigger club. He ousted TFM who was being praised by Palace fans and proved to be better.
Now will we make a move? I don’t know but I do get why we’d be linked with him and also why posters are singing his praises.
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Darmian was widely lauded as a great full-back after his solid first couple of games. Vaguely remember some saying he's up there with the best. 'Night and day' compared to Valencia was the moderate line then.
 
Tomuś said:
Darmian was widely lauded as a great full-back after his solid first couple of games. Vaguely remember some saying he's up there with the best. 'Night and day' compared to Valencia was the moderate line then.
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Widely lauded on here you mean!

Take any appraisal whether good or bad with a pinch of salt.
 
JJ12 said:
People keep saying Wan Bissaka. Would be completely nonsensical to sign another young RB when Dalot is already fancied.

A veteran RB is what we should be looking at but that's probably going to be Young for next season with Dalot taking the reigns as the number 1.
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I agree, I doubt we will be after a RB until next season and I am happy to see Dalot given the majority of game time there.
 
antohan said:
Looking for players not 4 players, standards keep dropping, eh? (Edit: writing standards, just in case)

On the DoF, I guess we need not worry about another manager hiring for yet another different philosophy to ours.

That said, I do worry about whether we are getting feelers out or will wait for Ole to be full time and throw him into a mad Summer player chase.

Not Moyes all over again, please.
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Is that not more to do with character limot on twitter?
 
I'm surprised someone who is only hired for two more months is talking about transfers at all. It would be much preferable if all transfer talk were put on hold until a permanent manager has been appointed.
 
Walters_19_MuFc said:
By the sounds of that, Ole wants to target youngish players, which I guess makes sense when you look at our current squad.
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Sounds like fairly young but also ready to me, which would what I'd want us to go for. We've got plenty of youngsters who'll take time to get into the side and we've sort of got the experience, although a few of those are candidates for replacement.
 
I am looking forward to seeing who we can bring in this summer. We certainly need a leader in our backline. Koulibaly would be nice.
 
ekestubbe said:
I'm surprised someone who is only hired for two more months is talking about transfers at all. It would be much preferable if all transfer talk were put on hold until a permanent manager has been appointed.
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No white text? Ole is the permanent manager, it's just not official yet.
 
Really hope Ole and the club pull something out of the bag this summer. Imagine following up the last few months under Ole with a brilliant summer of transfers (in and out) - the positivity around the club would be huge.

Apologies for this, but Liverpool have shown in the last two seasons you can be successful when signing a few key players even if you don't have top class players in every position or a deep squad.
 
  1. That batch of signings Fergie made back in the early 90's of Pallister, Irwin, Parker, Bruce, Cantona, Ince, Phelan, Hughes etc was such an exciting time and went to show that diamonds can be unearthed close to home. Let's face it have we had a better left back than Irwin, who came from Oldham ? Pallister from Middlesbrough and Bruce from Norwich is arguably our best defensive partnership in recent times, maybe not individually but formidable as a pair. Love him or loathe him Ince was a driving force.
 
duffer said:
It's very odd, especially when you bought another teenage right back for £20 million less than a year ago.
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I don't understand people who don't understand why people are obsessed.

I would rather keep Dalot as first choice for next season, but considering the state of our RBs over the last 5 years I fully understand people who want a consistent performer there for once. Dalot has looked great going forward but has barely been tested defensively.
 
AKDevil said:
He’s probably the best performing right back in Europe
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I dunno I reckon Cancelo would have a thing or two to say about that.

I’d rather give Dalot a chance before we toss him aside as well.
 
Quality and longevity: Players that are young, but with experience and with a certain level of ability that can serve the club for many years.

Signing for/four/4 players in that category will not be cheap if we go for the obvious WC talents in Sancho and de Ligt.
 
We wont be buying another young RB, i could make a bet on it. We will buy younger players, teenagers to mid twenties, but Wan Bissaka wont be it, unless we move Dalot to RW, which i doubt.
 
Bale is happening.

We are going for mostly long term players with one experienced (quality) player in my opinion.
 
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