The moment that we signed Blind, Rojo as CB, Darmian, Dalot as RB, tell me so much about our scout. RB that are slow and can't turn, CB that are short, what is their chance of "survival" in EPL, let alone a top team.
Ole's clear-out
- Thread starter Bastian
- Start date
The moment that we signed Blind, Rojo as CB, Darmian, Dalot as RB, tell me so much about our scout. RB that are slow and can't turn, CB that are short, what is their chance of "survival" in EPL, let alone a top team.
I expected a massive clear-out last summer. What happened? Two players were cleared out: Smalling and Sánchez. Both had been on loan. Ole will first get new players in before clearing any out. I'm not saying what he should do. I'm describing what he does.
That was more down to Covid and it's impact on the global football financial system than anything else. We had at least 6 players available on the market from day one but we just couldn't shift so many of them on permanent moves.
If it was up to Ole, I reckon they'd have been paid off and out on their arses a long time ago.
Here's a balance sheet for 2020. Ins and outs, and potential outs next summer. I ignored Odion Ighalo, as the came, left and didn't play much. I included peripheral U-23 players who are now squad members. I only included one academy player because he cost so much for a 16 year old.
A few things to note:
| Weekly Pay (£ m) | Fee (£ m) | |
| | | |
In: | 0.120 | 35 | Donny van de Beek from Ajax, £35 million plus add-ons |
| 0.210 | | Edinson Cavani, free agent plus agents' fees |
| 0.150 | 13.6 | Alex Telles from Porto, £13.6 million plus add-ons |
| | 19 | Amad Diallo from Atalanta, £19 million plus add-ons |
| | 10 | Facuno Pellistri (from Penarol), 10 million plus add-ons |
| | 1.5 | Willy Kambwala (Sochaux). 1.5 million |
| 0.110 | | Dean Henderson |
| 0.040 | | Mason Greenwood |
| 0.040 | | Brandon Williams |
| 0.100 | 49.5 | Bruno Fernandes |
| 0.770 | 128.6 | <= Total |
| | | |
Out: | 0.390 | | Alexis Sanchez |
| 0.070 | 13.2 | Chris Smalling |
| 0.080 | | Marco Roco |
| 0.015 | | Timothy Fosu-Mensah |
| 0.120 | 1.5 | Ashley Young |
| 0.675 | 14.7 | <= Total |
| | | |
Potential | 0.030 | | Lee Grant |
out: | 0.070 | | Sergio Romero |
| 0.390 | 50 | Paul Pogba |
| 0.075 | 20 | Jesse Lingard |
| 0.025 | 15 | Diogo Dalot |
| 0.030 | 20 | Andreas Pereira |
| 0.015 | | Joel Pereira |
| 0.075 | 8 | Phil Jones |
| 0.163 | | Juan Mata |
| 0.014 | 2 | Tahith Chong |
| 0.050 | 8 | Axel Tuanzebe |
| 0.045 | 20 | Daniel James |
| 0.983 | 143 | <= Total |
A few things to note:
- The wages are approximately in balance!
- Fans always expect United to sell players for far more than the market will bear.
- It's now a very fit squad - compared to the last decade.
- there are a lot of players fans want to see leave next summer but the only 3 certs IMHO are: Pogba, Romero and Grant. Even Mata, on his massive wage, is no certain leaver.
Delighted with the players he's gotten rid of. Our squad is in much better shape than when he took over.
For a strange reason Phil Jones is still here.
Have patience mate, he's the new Duncan Edwards.
Our new signing for Europa
From what I heard from people who got mates close to the club there is an explanation to this paradox. However I still don't believe it completely tbh.
20 Million for Andreas Pereira, not a chance were getting anything over 10 million for him.
It should be remembered that Solksjaer hasn't only gotten rid of the obvious ones who for some reason other top managers didn't see fit to get rid of over the last 7 years. Felliani wasn't going to work out long term but getting rid of him from Day 1 was a ballsy move. Same with Lukaku.
That’s a comprehensive and detailed analysis. Do you do this as a hobby ?
It would be great to raise so much money from sales - would fund 2-3 transfers. If Pogba goes, we will need a CM for sure, although can be debated what type of CM is most critical. CB is obvious.
After that, you could make a case for Right sided forward, Striker, backup RB.
James can be replaced by Elanga or Pellestri.
I would probably loan Axel though.
Mata and Matic ‘deadwood’?
I don’t think some people can see the distinction between players who are ‘deadwood’ and players who are older, maybe not as good as they were, but still useful players to have in the group.
I’ve seen Tuanzebe mentioned for Christ sake. He’s not even close to being in that group. He’s a talented, young defender who, in truth, could do with a bit of a break, a good run of fitness and perhaps a Premier League loan to fully get himself into the groove.
‘Deadwood’ is where your Jones’, Rojo’s and Pereira’s go to fester. Not genuinely good players who might be a little past their sell by date. Jesus, it was only two weeks ago that Matic was one of the best players on the pitch against Burnley.
I don’t think some people can see the distinction between players who are ‘deadwood’ and players who are older, maybe not as good as they were, but still useful players to have in the group.
I’ve seen Tuanzebe mentioned for Christ sake. He’s not even close to being in that group. He’s a talented, young defender who, in truth, could do with a bit of a break, a good run of fitness and perhaps a Premier League loan to fully get himself into the groove.
‘Deadwood’ is where your Jones’, Rojo’s and Pereira’s go to fester. Not genuinely good players who might be a little past their sell by date. Jesus, it was only two weeks ago that Matic was one of the best players on the pitch against Burnley.
Moving players + fat contracts out is a bit of a challenge - esp. in these COVID hit times. I think Lingard can be moved if he continues to do well for WHU. I think enough midtable PL sides would be interested in James as well, so maybe you can hit that 20m number.
15m for Dalot, 20m for Pereira, 8m for Jones, 8m for Tuanzebe however are all pipe dreams. At best Tuanzebe goes on a loan, and we let Jones' contract run out.
Bruno will probably double his wages soon (contract discussions ongoing), so you have to take that into account.
15m for Dalot, 20m for Pereira, 8m for Jones, 8m for Tuanzebe however are all pipe dreams. At best Tuanzebe goes on a loan, and we let Jones' contract run out.
Bruno will probably double his wages soon (contract discussions ongoing), so you have to take that into account.
If he does well for rest of the season at WHU, Woodward is going to give him a new contract for lot of money.
Oles clear out has been great. Club needs to give him better Incomings. Both of our summers under him where flawed.
1st summer. Sold Lukaku and bought no attackers to replace. Madness that was proved by us trying to get Halaand and then getting Bruno in Jan.
2nd Summer. A disaster regardless of how the players end up. Not a single starter was signed before deadline day where we panicked like mad.
We have seen some improvements but still even teams like Liverpool are showing greater ambition and that is when they where already at the top.
Club wants us to think this issue was sorted but it's still massive. I expect if Pogba goes our summer will be a shit show of not replacing him adequately. Will probably be a much worse version of the Lukaku scenario.
1st summer. Sold Lukaku and bought no attackers to replace. Madness that was proved by us trying to get Halaand and then getting Bruno in Jan.
2nd Summer. A disaster regardless of how the players end up. Not a single starter was signed before deadline day where we panicked like mad.
We have seen some improvements but still even teams like Liverpool are showing greater ambition and that is when they where already at the top.
Club wants us to think this issue was sorted but it's still massive. I expect if Pogba goes our summer will be a shit show of not replacing him adequately. Will probably be a much worse version of the Lukaku scenario.
yeah theres a distinction between players who are genuinely just not good enough and always injured, and players who have quality and declined physically. Mata and Matic have begun to decline physically due to age but still contribute. Mata gets assists and goals when he plays but he only plays in the cups etc. He hasnt got the physicality to play the press week in week out but is worth keeping.
$5m max. Ain't done shite.
i’d rip someones arm off for £5m for him as hes gone permanently and we save his wages. Everyone knows hes crap and everyone knows we dont want him so how people think we can leverage silly money for him is beyond me. Transfermarkt only value him at 9 and they are meant to be the best at these values.
Liverpool have been best at selling this type of player (Ibe, Brewster, Solanke) for the crazy fees as they sell them as ‘potential’ before they have proved they are smeg on the pitch for two seasons straight.
Exactly. Problem is we kept him too long, long enough for everyone to know he's nothing special. Have to sell these lot when there's still a glimmer of hope at least.
Ole needs to stand up to Woodward & the Glaziers and show a bit more courage and determination in bringing in the players we need to compete with the top 4 and CL. Forgetting Sancho etc, there are some good deals to be had particularly as this is now a buyers market. We need a DM and a RWM desperately.
Romero and Jones are still in the team, sadly...
They’re (Liverpool), streets ahead of us in terms of recruitment, largely thanks to Michael Edwards, Ian Graham. Who have undoubtedly proved to be the best in the business.
I’ve often worried about Lindelöf’s ability, particularly when he’s under pressure. We certainly could do with a couple of quality Central defenders.
Great post. I'd disagree with getting any fees for Jones and Pereira and James are perhaps too high.
You are overestimating James Tuanzebe Periera and Jones will have to go on a free. Pogba may be correct and only Lingard of the others if he plays well may fetch £20 mill.
I got pelters for saying that he was nowhere near haha
A defender capable of going toe to toe with Mbappe on his day is deadwood at Manchester United. That's how elite our club is.
Agree they are valuable squad players today, but what about next season? It’s a fare chance both of them end up in the deadwood category during 21/22. United should take action to replace players before they become deadwood.
Great post.
How dare you?
Sir Alex was typing this prophecy the first time he saw Phil Jones on training pitch.
Editors were asking Sir Alex to take out that paragraph, but he was adamant and sure, that Duncan Edwards has been reborn.
It's been a common misconception on here for a long time now regarding what constitutes as deadwood. I mean, there are these players called 'squad players' too. We would only have a starting eleven if some had their way.
How can you say he hasnt added to the dead wood from his is it 10 signings so far? 2 are young and havent even played one of which is out on loan, one was a short term signing that barely played and has now left, 3 are barely playing and I think will actually all be dead wood and the remaining 3 cost nearly £180m and only one has so far proved to be an inspired signing, though I rate Bissaka very highly.
As for the other managers shifting almost none of it, cant really count Moyes as he didnt last long. Van Gaal moved on 16 players permanently in his two seasons, Mourinho 12, Solkjear 10 so that is actually nonsense and a myth.....you can argue about moving the right and wrong players but like the managers before him he has neither signed enough players or got rid of enough and its just personal opinion and I dont include the two youngsters as time will tell, he has made 8 signings, I would only highly rate two of them with the money paid, so in terms of transfers he hasnt done much better than the other managers. His points totals are also no better than the other managers and he also hasnt won any trophies which the other managers did. You can also say what you loike, the premiership for me dipped in terms of quality last season apart from the top two, and it has certainly defensively been very poor this season, of coruse the current situation can play a part in that for all teams.
Not saying this slating SOlkjear, but no, I stick by the points I make and when have we had no centre backs or strikers available at all? That is slightly different to having general injuries.
Not at all and yes agree with you, but all this talk about a wonderful clear out he has done in two years simply isnt true. Forgetting the transfer fees, he hasnt moved on anymore players number wise for the time he has been here than the other two managers before him.
NO, we have no divine right, quite the opposite. Personally thought it was blaringly obvious we needed to sign another centre back....that may have helped and was also an area we failed in my opinion with this clearout.
As for the preseason, nobody had one, we had about a week less than the other sides. Yes it may have hindered us for the opneing games, but we were still awful a good two months later as positionally we defended absolutely awfully, that has nothing to do with fitness or match sharpness, so that is rubbish
Or we would need a world class XI and a backup XI which was also world class. We (or for that matter any club team) have never had all XI who could lay a claim to being the best in their position or world class, even when we were regularly winning stuff.