[Poll] We desperately need a striker

Which striker should we buy ?

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    1,144
  • Poll closed .
finneh said:
Likewise Young is seen as a mid table player who we should be looking to sell asap, whereas Willian is great because he perfectly "does the job he's asked to do".
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This is what happens when you split hairs. Neither Willian or Young are good enough to start for Chelsea or United, if either team wants to compete for the CL.

I'd say Willian is Chelsea's worst or 2nd worst starter in a battle with Cahill, firmly behind the rest of the back 5, Hazard, Costa, Cesc, Matic and Oscar. If they want to stay ahead of the pack in England and really compete for the CL they need a more dangerous player on the right. Willian is a great squad player who works hard, links play and is comfortable on either wing or as a 10, but he shouldn't start for them.

Young is at a similar level. A worse overall footballer but with better end product and you can bring him on with 20 to go and have him stretch play out wide and hit crosses against a team sitting deep.
 
NoPace said:
This is what happens when you split hairs. Neither Willian or Young are good enough to start for Chelsea or United, if either team wants to compete for the CL.

I'd say Willian is Chelsea's worst or 2nd worst starter in a battle with Cahill, firmly behind the rest of the back 5, Hazard, Costa, Cesc, Matic and Oscar. If they want to stay ahead of the pack in England and really compete for the CL they need a more dangerous player on the right. Willian is a great squad player who works hard, links play and is comfortable on either wing or as a 10, but he shouldn't start for them.

Young is at a similar level. A worse overall footballer but with better end product and you can bring him on with 20 to go and have him stretch play out wide and hit crosses against a team sitting deep.
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I think potentially we have 2 devastating wingers if they are used to their full potential in depay and di maria. Yes depay is new, but if he and di maria hit the ground running, we will cause problems in the attack. This is where we could have the better of chelsea, we could have a threat on the right and the left if di maria settles especially

While young is of that level of willian, depay and di maria are a level or 2 better than young, and hopefully has the season progresses the latter 2 can tear defenses apart with their pace and movement, where young could never get to
 
Oneunited26 said:
I think potentially we have 2 devastating wingers if they are used to their full potential in depay and di maria, yes depay is new, but if he and di maria hit the ground running, we will cause problems. This is where we could have the better of chelsea, we could have a threat on the right and the left if di maria settles especially

While young is of that level of willian, depay and di maria are a level or 2 better than young, and hopefully has the season progresses the latter 2 can tear defenses apart with their pace and movement, where young could never get to
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I agree with that. I'm not sure Van Gaal sees it that way, though.

I think if Ferguson had this squad (and let's assume we sign one of Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger, who I'll call Schweiderlin) we'd see this, basically:

Home/Normal Games:
----------Rooney-------
Memphis--Mata----DiMaria
------Herrera----------
------Schweiderlin-----

Away/Tougher Games:
---------Rooney-------
Memphis-------DiMaria
--------Herrera--------
-Carrick-Schweiderlin-

But Van Gaal is tougher to predict and more about system and less about getting the best players in their best positions and sorting it out from there.
 
NoPace said:
This is what happens when you split hairs. Neither Willian or Young are good enough to start for Chelsea or United, if either team wants to compete for the CL.

I'd say Willian is Chelsea's worst or 2nd worst starter in a battle with Cahill, firmly behind the rest of the back 5, Hazard, Costa, Cesc, Matic and Oscar. If they want to stay ahead of the pack in England and really compete for the CL they need a more dangerous player on the right. Willian is a great squad player who works hard, links play and is comfortable on either wing or as a 10, but he shouldn't start for them.

Young is at a similar level. A worse overall footballer but with better end product and you can bring him on with 20 to go and have him stretch play out wide and hit crosses against a team sitting deep.
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Most Chelsea fans would only swap Willian for a truly great player like Griezmann.

The likes of Salah, Cuadrado & De Bruyne have all been sold or benched in favour if him.
 
Benteke would be a good choice tbh, hes a little pricey but he's prem proven now there's no doubt about that, hes actually younger than I thought and he's obviously outgrown aston villa and he's ready to make a step up imo.

I reckon he could get 20 goals a season here.
 
dannyrhinos89 said:
Benteke would be a good choice tbh, hes a little pricey but he's prem proven now there's no doubt about that, he still actaully younger than I thought and he's obviously outgrown aston villa and he's ready to make a step up imo.

I reckon he could get 20 goals a season here.
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Don't get why people say he is pricey tbh, it's Aston Villa, not Real Madrid, surely we can negotiate with them to reduce the price, we just need to reach an agreement with the player.
 
dxadel said:
Don't get why people say he is pricey tbh, it's Aston Villa, not Real Madrid, surely we can negotiate with them to reduce the price, we just need to reach an agreement with the player.
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Isn't his buy out 32 million or something though? I think villa would stick to their guns and ask for that. We could always sweeten the deal and send evans to them too I suppose
 
£32M for Benteke to warm the bench would be a complete waste of money, we seem to be trying to not get shnozzed this summer.
 
The more people mentioning Benteke the more I think it may be some possibility with having already two Belgians in the club. If LVG knew from months that RVP is set to leave he may already have someone in mind with perhaps plan B in case of complications in negotiating.

If he can at least emulate at some point Louis Saha's brilliance before the injury storm then we may be really lucky to have that kind of striker in the team. Won't be easy though but potential may be there.
 
dannyrhinos89 said:
Isn't his buy out 32 million or something though? I think villa would stick to their guns and ask for that. We could always sweeten the deal and send evans to them too I suppose
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:lol: You know I also thought about sending Evans the other way, I didn't want to say anything because it might have seemed harsh to him, in fact I fantasise about including Evans in every deal.

I wouldn't mind signing him for 28m so the 32m fee isn't that big of a deal for me in this climate, if I'm being honest.
 
While I personally quite like Benteke and think he could work under van Gaal, I'm not convinced we'll sign him. Memphis and Darmian weren't that expensive, Schneiderlin/Schweinsteiger wouldn't be either. After buying Ramos/Otamendi + a GK we'll probably have a fair chunk of cash left from our budget and I assume that will be for a striker to keep Rooney on his toes. He normally is undroppable but when he's out of form van Gaal will drop him.

I think we could be surprised by who we're going to get since we definately will bring in one striker. Wilson is too unexperienced and has his share of injuries so can't be 2nd choice yet, as 3rd striker he should still get gametime just like he did last season when we had 3 topstrikers on our books. Van Gaal doesn't like to loan his best talents so I can't see him leaving.

Hernandez will be sold if clubs are interested aswell, van Gaal his comments made that clear. A broken collarbone wouldn't hamper a medical, it can only put off clubs since he's still recovering.
 
dxadel said:
Do you want a main striker or a back up for Rooney?
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Main striker type player who can both cover for Rooney and raise his game to United level in case of critical situation would be safest option.

Let's be honest and we know it may happen: Rooney's injured before Champions League match against tricky Portuguese side or something like that... Of course we want someone who can get things done and be ready for every scenario. We can't just enter four system competition with mindset that Rooney's undroppable. He'll be tired as anyone else from playing two matches per week plus the injuries which are part of every season's story.

We need someone who at some point may even dethrone him from being LVG's main player type figure someday. The potential and talent needs to be there to take responsibilities. No escaping from that.

It all make things complicated because it's hard to find someone with so many attributes but that's what needs to be done if we're letting Robin van Persie go just before start of a tour.
 
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Van Piorsing said:
Main striker type player who can both cover for Rooney and raise his game to United level in case of critical situation would be safest option.

Let's be honest and we know it may happen: Rooney's injured before Champions League match against tricky Portuguese side or something like that... Of course we want someone who can get things done and be ready for every scenario. We can't just enter four system competition with mindset that Rooney's undroppable. He'll be tired as anyone else from playing two matches per week plus the injuries which are part of every season's story.

We need someone who'll at some point may even dethrone him from being LVG's main player type figure someday. The potential and talent needs to be there to take responsibilities. No escaping from that.

It all make things complicated because it's hard to find someone with so many attributes but that's what needs to be done if we're letting Robin van Persie go just before start of a tour.
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This. And hopefully someone who can get there fairly soon.
 
finneh said:
Most Chelsea fans would only swap Willian for a truly great player like Griezmann.

The likes of Salah, Cuadrado & De Bruyne have all been sold or benched in favour if him.
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Griezmann is the sort of player they need on the right to compete for the CL.

Hindsight being pretty damn good, Chelsea would have been better off selling Oscar for lots of cash, making De Bruyne the 10 and buying a truly great player for the RW spot with the Oscar + Cuadrado money, like some Godfather offer for Reus or Griezmann.

I like Willian, but Chelsea can't give a winger 36 starts and 13 sub appearances and get 4 goals and 4 assists. It's just not enough firepower in this era with the top CL teams throwing out insanity like Neymar-Suarez-Messi, Ronaldo-Benzema-Bale and Gotze/Ribery/Muller-Lewandowski-Robben.

If I was Mourinho, I'd sell Ramires or Mikel and buy a proper CM to play with Matic and Cesc in a trio in bigger games as my first priority, but number 2 would be finding a right-winger with end product.
 
amolbhatia100 said:
This. And hopefully someone who can get there fairly soon.
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I just can't believe such an old fox like Van Gaal didn't already prepared someone in line for RVP's departure but I definitely understand it will take some negotiations to sign someone of that importance.
 
Van Piorsing said:
Main striker type player who can both cover for Rooney and raise his game to United level in case of critical situation would be safest option.

Let's be honest and we know it may happen: Rooney's injured before Champions League match against tricky Portuguese side or something like that... Of course we want someone who can get things done and be ready for every scenario. We can't just enter four system competition with mindset that Rooney's undroppable. He'll be tired as anyone else from playing two matches per week plus the injuries which are part of every season's story.

We need someone who at some point may even dethrone him from being LVG's main player type figure someday. The potential and talent needs to be there to take responsibilities. No escaping from that.

It all make things complicated because it's hard to find someone with so many attributes but that's what needs to be done if we're letting Robin van Persie go just before start of a tour.
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Completely agree with everything in your post, but this is the wrong window for that type of player, perhaps a decent 15-20 goal striker for the mean time?

35 goals from two strikers is decent.
 
Big concern with RVP leaving is that I am not convinced we have a replacement tied up. No doubt we have targets but I think opportunism or desperation will sum up our search for a replacement. Hopefully I am wrong and we have someone lined up but our recent transfer activity doesn't inspire much faith.
 
I maybe imagined it, but weren't we linked with Morata? He would suit us perfectly.
 
dxadel said:
Completely agree with everything in your post, but this is the wrong window for that type of player, perhaps a decent 15-20 goal striker for the mean time?

35 goals from two strikers is decent.
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With just a little dose of luck with injuries Rooney and Memphis could provide that. The moment Muller or Lacazette are available we shouldn't hesitate for a second but not everything may go our way.

15-20 goal striker for the mean time... sounds like Benteke to be honest.

sully1 said:
would love Lewansowski
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He would help Rooney big time. Still in good age, too.
 
Perfect scenario :

2015 - sign Benteke

2016 - sign Kane

2017 - sign Lacazette and retire Rooney or sell him to a smaller club.

2018 - sell Benteke, keep Kane,Lacazette, Wilson as our 3 strikers.
 
dxadel said:
Perfect scenario :

2015 - sign Benteke

2016 - sign Kane

2017 - sign Lacazette and retire Rooney or sell him to a smaller club.

2018 - sell Benteke, keep Kane,Lacazette, Wilson as our 3 strikers.
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How is that a perfect scenario? Just sign Lacazette or Morata in 2015.
 
dxadel said:
Perfect scenario for me, besides I would rather sign only Lacazette than a player who scored 15 goals in 40 appearances
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But that's the thing, how is that perfect? The amount of money spent is huge for no particular reasons, I'm genuinely interested into understand what is your logic in that scenario.
 
JPRouve said:
But that's the thing, how is that perfect? The amount of money spent is huge for no particular reasons, I'm genuinely interested into understand what is your logic in that scenario.
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I don't have to explain why it's a perfect scenario to me.
 
dxadel said:
I don't have to explain why it's a perfect scenario to me.
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You don't, but you proposed a scenario on a forum, I took a genuine interest in it and asked you a question.
 
I could get behind the idea of wilson as back up.
Might not pay off overall next season but long term it could be very good for him (and us).
Hes talented enough for it to be worth the risk for me, particularly with the lack of alternatives
 
JPRouve said:
You don't, but you proposed a scenario on a forum, I took a genuine interest in it and asked you a question.
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Yes, I'm fully aware, but i dont see the point in typing a long paragraph breaking down a scenario trying to convince you that it's indeed a perfect scenario when you will probably never agree, for example, you mentioned Morata - who is a good striker but not particularly consistent for my liking and is too much of a risk, but he is one of your preferred option for us (Atleast from what i read) and thats fine, now asking you to break down or apply logic to why you think a striker who managed to score just 15 goals in 41 apps would be a good signing for us (I know you also mentioned Lacazette), i will never be sold on Morata at least not this summer and you'll probably never get why i think its a perfect scenario, so there's really no point.
 
dxadel said:
Yes, I'm fully aware, but i dont see the point in typing a long paragraph breaking down a scenario trying to convince you that it's indeed a perfect scenario when you will probably never agree, for example, you mentioned Morata - who is a good striker but not particularly consistent for my liking and is too much of a risk, but he is one of your preferred option for us (Atleast from what i read) and thats fine, now asking you to break down or apply logic to why you think a striker who managed to score just 15 goals in 41 apps would be a good signing for us (I know you also mentioned Lacazette), i will never be sold on Morata at least not this summer and you'll probably never get why i think its a perfect scenario, so there's really no point.
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It has nothing to do with what I want, but only your scenario, I don't have a problem with the players you choose, I have a problem with how you organized the invents.
You sign Benteke in 2015, so we have 3 strikers. In 2016 you sign Kane at that point we have 4 strikers. Then you sell Rooney and buy Lacazette, we have 4 strikers and finally you sell Benteke and we have 3 strikers.
I am intrigued by the logic of all that, particularly the fact that you buy Benteke in 2015 and sell him in 2018. If you buy Lacazette in the first year you are almost sure to have your final group of strikers and for less money.
 
Right, so now RVP's exit looks to be officially on the way let's look at this properly. Apologies in advance as this post is going to be filled with statistical analysis.

Lacazette is probably the best of the realistic bunch. Plays the most minutes per game, scored the most league goals, the most per game, the most outside the box, has the highest amount of key passes, the lowest amount of shots per goal and highest shot accuracy and is at the best age statistically to have ironed out inconsistencies. His lack of height, physicality and over reliance on his right foot are the only concerns. Also had the highest WhoScored rating of those analysed.

Factoring in physicality, height, brand potential and Premier League experience - Kane would be the ideal pick due to his range of goalscoring attributes and while rarely best, often very good rank in these measures. Also brings the home grown, English quota up.

Personally I don't think Benteke or Lukaku are good enough for United and never will be first team starters in an ideal world but if needs must, Louis could use them but there are many better options.

Of course, if Muller etc are available - muppet mode on - then they are the best option not called Cristiano.

2uzb0aa.jpg
 
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FC Ronaldo said:
Right, so now RVP's exit looks to be officially on the way let's look at this properly. Apologies in advance as this post is going to be filled with statistical analysis.

Lacazette is probably the best of the realistic bunch. Plays the most minutes per game, scored the most league goals, the most per game, the most outside the box, has the highest amount of key passes, the lowest amount of shots per goal and highest shot accuracy and is at the best age statistically to have ironed out inconsistencies. His lack of height, physicality and over reliance on his right foot are the only concerns. Also had the highest WhoScored rating of those analysed.

Factoring in physicality, height, brand potential and Premier League experience - Kane would be the ideal pick due to his range of goalscoring attributes and while rarely best, often very good rank in these measures. Also brings the home grown, English quota up.

Personally I don't think Benteke or Lukaku are good enough for United and never will be first team starters in an ideal world but if needs must, Louis could use them but there are many better options.

Of course, if Muller etc are available - muppet mode on - then they are the best option not called Cristiano.

2uzb0aa.jpg
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Cheers for this.
 
JPRouve said:
It has nothing to do with what I want, but only your scenario, I don't have a problem with the players you choose, I have a problem with how you organized the invents.
You sign Benteke in 2015, so we have 3 strikers. In 2016 you sign Kane at that point we have 4 strikers. Then you sell Rooney and buy Lacazette, we have 4 strikers and finally you sell Benteke and we have 3 strikers.
I am intrigued by the logic of all that, particularly the fact that you buy Benteke in 2015 and sell him in 2018. If you buy Lacazette in the first year you are almost sure to have your final group of strikers and for less money.
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Has Lacazette been linked to United in this window?
 
dxadel said:
That is actually not true, he has mostly been linked to Liverpool.
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Like Benteke, for both it's the papers like Express, Metro and Miror who linked us to them. There is one article in Skybet for the odds.
 
I'm just awaiting for the inevitable link with Lukaku (though this is not an endorsement of him)
 
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