All very strange indeed. Like already said, Falcao and RVP leaves us short in numbers and experience that I'm certain neither Wilson or Depay will be expected to fill. Cleary Rooney starts but I think we need a plan B and C that hopefully doesn't include afroman (although I think he's has something to contribute)......I've got an itch that Kane is an option that a big offer would be very difficult for Spurs to refuse.
[Poll] We desperately need a striker
- Thread starter Truedevil
- Start date
14 or 21 is a huge difference because they are not playing on the same level. 14 is youth ranking level whilst 21 is professional football. You can't compare those levels.
Kane made 31 goals in the BPL, Benz and Lewa couldn't hope to do it better themselves.
Tottenham will refuse any offer we make to them and kane won't be pushing for a move, you can forget this.
He'd be brilliant for us but he renewed his contract and keeping Kane will be tottenham's main priority for this season and the coming seasons. They will be even more difficult about this than with Bale.
I'd hate to turn out to be the type of club to avoid paying attention to kane's progression.
However, get a number 3 striker this season (or hernandez) & let them compete with wilson until january. Then break the bank by watching strikers like kane, icardi, lacazette etc.
However, get a number 3 striker this season (or hernandez) & let them compete with wilson until january. Then break the bank by watching strikers like kane, icardi, lacazette etc.
Because neither of them are scoring such a number of goals atm. Not saying they'd would struggle but I don't think they would score 31 goals just like that.
21 goals.
I personally would have kept RVP for another season. Now he's gone we need someone in. From the names thrown in here, I can't say many of them fill me with any confidence. Quite intrigued to see who we go for.
Yes and 10 in other competitions
Lewa and Benz haven't scored 31 goals this season. Benzema 22 (15 in la liga) and Lewa 25 (17 in Bundesliga).
Both are playing in a better team that creates more chances and both are playing a competition were it is alot easier to get goals. So I would really say in terms of output this season Kane has outperformed both of em and that being significantly younger and mor unexperienced aswell.
We need to see if this is a one season hit but if he can deliver such results on a consistent basis he'd already be superior to be both
I think it's only a good thing even if we don't replace him this window.
We need to change and 3 ageing strikers was a major headache and made us look disjointed for most of the seasons, Rooney has a fairly good injury record and will likely play 30-40 games for us in a 4-3-3 system.
Wilson deserves a chance for sure and its the best time, add in chich who I think will be back with us as a good option and we're fine.
Ideally a striker who's quality but happy not to start all our games would be nice... But I can't think of one suitable and we need the personnel elsewhere much more imo.
We need to change and 3 ageing strikers was a major headache and made us look disjointed for most of the seasons, Rooney has a fairly good injury record and will likely play 30-40 games for us in a 4-3-3 system.
Wilson deserves a chance for sure and its the best time, add in chich who I think will be back with us as a good option and we're fine.
Ideally a striker who's quality but happy not to start all our games would be nice... But I can't think of one suitable and we need the personnel elsewhere much more imo.
That's extremely simplistic, Benzema scored 15 goals in 29 games in Liga while being a deputy to Ronaldo, he also scored 6 goals in 9 CL games. It's the same type of season. And Benzema has 11 assists against 4 for Kane.
Benzema.
After reading the Andy Mitten piece about our youth setup and the article in the guardian about a lack of top class strikers im firmly in this camp.
feck it, give him a chance, if its a disaster we can pick up benteke or some passable backup in january and how much are we really going to miss having a player of that level?
Worst case scenario would making do with mata or fellaini filling in as a #9 for a couple of matches be that much worse really?
Is it easier to get goals if you play for Bayern or a ball possession team?
Actually I would think that it is not. The opponent sits back and there is barely no space. It is a lot easier to score for a midtable club.
Lewandowski and Benzema did not play in Europa League which is much easier to score in than Champions League though. They have proven themselves at all levels during the last 5 years and have both broken 30 goals scoring in the league, Champions League and international level repeatedly.
Meaningless though as Tottenham will not sell to us because they somehow consider us their rivals.
Honestly given a chance to improve our defense or our attack (strikers), I would choose defense. If we cant get in someone good for the right price, I would stick with Hernandez, Rooney and Wilson and try to get better defenders in. And it looks like we are going to lose De Gea, so I would rather we spend the money there than upfront on attack.
With RVP going we are really short on strikers. One thing Fegie always had was four decent striker all well balanced. Goals win games. Let's hope we're secretly in for a big signing
Sakho.
The thing is our attack is more balanced with Rooney as of today playing upfront. If we do bring in another striker, then we are back to square 1 as last summer with Rooney having to do a job in midfield.
Wouldn't mind hijacking the Ciro Immobile deal from Sevilla, he's only 25 and has a lot going for him.
Poor season,low on confidence.
I like buying low. He has had a poor season but I think the talent is there and he's a good link-up player.
Nooooo
I have absolutely no doubts now after reading this who should be a new striker and best thing is that statistics and player's past records have a great matter for LVG, will be even more interesting who will he go for.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.
3 goals in 20 apps, 22 goals in 33 apps, 5 goals in 33 apps these are his stats in the last 3 seasons, he is not consistent, we just got rid of Falcao, it wouldn't make sense to sign a player who scored less goals than him last season regardless of how good his link up play is.
Just a thought, but evidently Morata has a €30 million buyback clause inserted into his contract at Juventus which goes upto €35 million in the future.
http://www.football-italia.net/66789/juventus-cancel-morata-clause
With the De Gea transfer looking imminent, Madrid nixing the clause removal deal with Juventus to buy Morata back, and then selling him to United might be an option worth exploring. They aren't exactly poles apart in terms of valuation, so it would kind of make sense for both parties with a minor cash transaction on top. They get a keeper they desperately need, and we get a young striker who is barely scratching the surface of his talents, perfectly fits the bill of a Van Gaal type number 9, has a bit of experience under his belt, and has the potential to score 20-25 goals in a season with proper match-time.
That said, there are some conflicting reports regarding the buyback clause activation :
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...that-isnt-what-it-appears-to-be-10264630.html
http://www.football-italia.net/66789/juventus-cancel-morata-clause
With the De Gea transfer looking imminent, Madrid nixing the clause removal deal with Juventus to buy Morata back, and then selling him to United might be an option worth exploring. They aren't exactly poles apart in terms of valuation, so it would kind of make sense for both parties with a minor cash transaction on top. They get a keeper they desperately need, and we get a young striker who is barely scratching the surface of his talents, perfectly fits the bill of a Van Gaal type number 9, has a bit of experience under his belt, and has the potential to score 20-25 goals in a season with proper match-time.
That said, there are some conflicting reports regarding the buyback clause activation :
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/...that-isnt-what-it-appears-to-be-10264630.html
Good stats analysis. Send it to Louie...
Exactly. If wilson wasnt good enough, he would be sold right now. Van gaal knows how good wilson is & can be for us. We do need numbers but having less strikers migjt avtually make Rooney a better striker too.
I have found the answer to all our problems. I was driving on my way home when it just hit me.
One of our issues is that if we buy a top class striker, he'll be rotating with Rooney/being played out of position. Or so I thought.
The answer is a formation change, one that will allow us to play a new striker while getting the best out of Rooney as well. We need to revert back to Fergies 4-2-3-1 formation with Rooney in the classic #10 position behind the striker, like he used to play behind Welbeck/Chicharito. There's only one problem with this, can Herrera play as one of the two "deep" midfielders? I think he can, whether it's alongside Carrick, Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger. I think it'll be balanced enough.
Playing Van Gaals preferred 4-3-3 forces Rooney up front where he'll be our main goal scoring threat, where he is destined to be a disappointment. The fact that Van Gaal has previously said that it doesn't really matter for him whether the triangle is pointing up or down in 4-3-3 makes me believe that this is actually something Van Gaal considers and therefore will be looking at a new superstriker.
One of our issues is that if we buy a top class striker, he'll be rotating with Rooney/being played out of position. Or so I thought.
The answer is a formation change, one that will allow us to play a new striker while getting the best out of Rooney as well. We need to revert back to Fergies 4-2-3-1 formation with Rooney in the classic #10 position behind the striker, like he used to play behind Welbeck/Chicharito. There's only one problem with this, can Herrera play as one of the two "deep" midfielders? I think he can, whether it's alongside Carrick, Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger. I think it'll be balanced enough.
Playing Van Gaals preferred 4-3-3 forces Rooney up front where he'll be our main goal scoring threat, where he is destined to be a disappointment. The fact that Van Gaal has previously said that it doesn't really matter for him whether the triangle is pointing up or down in 4-3-3 makes me believe that this is actually something Van Gaal considers and therefore will be looking at a new superstriker.
^^ I think this hit you weeks ago as you've been on the "play Rooney as a #10" thing for ages, it was at the center of your Olic quotes stuff and push for Higuain to be bought. Most here simply don't want to see Rooney in a role that is supposed to be about quality short passing, first touch and the ability to beat a man, as those are not his strong suits.
I think Morata is going to be a world class #9, he's pushed on a lot in the second half of last season and has all the attributes to be one of the best, and he has shown a knack for scoring in the biggest of big games already. I'd be surprised if Real and United engaged in such a convoluted deal though, and of course we don't know if Morata would want to move here from Juve and be shunted around as a pawn by Real.
I was hoping to see him next to Herrera in a midfield with a defensive midfielder behind them, but then he'd play too deep to utilize his skills.
We'd avoid him having to play lots of short passes and facing opponents 1 one 1 in the Fergie formation.
There is no perfect scenario with Rooney at the moment but I just can't stand watching him being our main goal scoring threat next season and there's no chance he'll not be in our First XI.
The thing is that while LvG has said he is fine with the inverted triangle or the point forward, I still think he expects a #10 to play as a #10, not the way Fergie used it where the role was that of a second striker. We have seen already how LvG is pretty definite in his ideals and I don't see him playing a system which is more of a 4-4-1-1. I'm not hugely excited by the prospect of Rooney as our main #9 but I'd rather play him there and control the midfield with quality CM's than have him in that second striker role.
You may be right, it may be the best solution. If LvG agrees, then there's no chance we'll sign a top striker. In that case I just hope we'll stick with Rooney, Chicharito and Wilson and not buy Berahino, Sakho, Benteke or some other "mediocre" striker.
This thing may happen and at this point I don't think it's a prediction. Just five days ago there was talk in the media that Sir Alex is strongly advising Louie on shape of the new team plus Lacazette's so goddamn good on the ball he could easily jump on the wing during attacks and let Rooney poach for goals. Would be a perfect combo of strikers.I have found the answer to all our problems. I was driving on my way home when it just hit me.
One of our issues is that if we buy a top class striker, he'll be rotating with Rooney/being played out of position. Or so I thought.
The answer is a formation change, one that will allow us to play a new striker while getting the best out of Rooney as well. We need to revert back to Fergies 4-2-3-1 formation with Rooney in the classic #10 position behind the striker, like he used to play behind Welbeck/Chicharito. There's only one problem with this, can Herrera play as one of the two "deep" midfielders? I think he can, whether it's alongside Carrick, Schneiderlin or Schweinsteiger. I think it'll be balanced enough.
Playing Van Gaals preferred 4-3-3 forces Rooney up front where he'll be our main goal scoring threat, where he is destined to be a disappointment. The fact that Van Gaal has previously said that it doesn't really matter for him whether the triangle is pointing up or down in 4-3-3 makes me believe that this is actually something Van Gaal considers and therefore will be looking at a new superstriker.
The only thing is that Schneiderlin would be indeed more suitable player for a deeper role but every this and other detail are within our reach both funds and time wise.
I agree that I'd rather not buy a striker if it meant the type of ones you listed, but at the same time I don't think LvG rates Hernandez at all and I'd be very surprised if he kept him. I am honestly stumped as to what we can do as the only option I think ticks all the boxes required due to the Rooney factor, is almost certainly unobtainable.
Like Darmian, I think we've someone lined up just the press doesn't have any idea. Don't know why but I think its Berahino.
I think you are right that we will have someone in the pipeline, LvG and the club aren't stupid, there's no way we'd start the season with an unproven 19 year old as our only other striking option. Hope you're wrong about Berahino though.
Berahino isnt a bad shout. More to do with the fact he can play across the whole front line and actually can assist goals. He wont break the balance either ( the reason we are selling van persie).
We're in a tough situation, because we're likely to be playing a one-striker system this season and Rooney has his special captain's privileges. As such, we need a striker who is established, but willing to play second fiddle in the short term.
In England, my preference would be Kane, but I also really like the look of Berahino; if he played for a more fashionable club, I think his stock would be higher. I had concerns over his attitude after he was embroiled in a DD incident last season, but he gets credit for ditching his agent, Aidy Ward, who is currently making a tit of himself in the Raheem Sterling saga.
In England, my preference would be Kane, but I also really like the look of Berahino; if he played for a more fashionable club, I think his stock would be higher. I had concerns over his attitude after he was embroiled in a DD incident last season, but he gets credit for ditching his agent, Aidy Ward, who is currently making a tit of himself in the Raheem Sterling saga.
Yup and lets just leave it at that.
The discussion was that some people would prefer Kane over Benz or Lewa given the chance (i'am being one of them) but since he is not realisticaly available the discussion is a bit pointless.
They all are good strikers and we will get none of them, lets just leave it at that.