Potential Matic Replacements

croadyman said:
We could really do with signing someone who is capable of taking the ball from our CB's and giving it to the forward players, however there doesn't seem any desire from us to bring in that sort of player which I find astounding
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I don't think we are looking for a midfield player, we have plenty of decent players in those positions, probably not world class, but ok at the moment, and with Garner, Hannibal, Galbraith and Levitt all pushing to get into the first team squad, there may be no need to buy anyone else. We should be looking at a CB, and depending on how Amad gets on this season, we could just bring a striker in. I think Ole will have to move several players on if we are to bring in more than one big signing.
Matic is regarded as a DM, but in my eyes he's a box to box player, who tends to pick up deep positions.
 
red woppit said:
I don't think we are looking for a midfield player, we have plenty of decent players in those positions, probably not world class, but ok at the moment, and with Garner, Hannibal, Galbraith and Levitt all pushing to get into the first team squad, there may be no need to buy anyone else. We should be looking at a CB, and depending on how Amad gets on this season, we could just bring a striker in. I think Ole will have to move several players on if we are to bring in more than one big signing.
Matic is regarded as a DM, but in my eyes he's a box to box player, who tends to pick up deep positions.
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I just worry about our lack of quality on the ball in midfield and don't think it's fair to put pressure on those fringe players that you mentioned to deliver something when we really need someone capable of just slotting into the first XI. Would say we still need either a RW/CF depending on the Cavani/Amad situations for the rest of this season. I just worry about putting too much expectation on him and feel we could do with a starter option in that position.
 
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croadyman said:
I just worry about our lack of quality on the ball in midfield and don't think it's fair to put pressure on those fringe players that you mentioned to deliver something when we really need someone capable of just slotting into the first XI
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You're right, there is a bit of quality missing in there, but like I said, I don't think the club will be looking for a player in one of those positions.
I really think Hannibal could slot into one of those positions, he seems to have the X factor to me, probably a few run outs this season, and then phased into the team next season, it's just a shame he's injured. Garner is looking good at Forest, but he may need another loan next season, Galbraith and Levitt are possibles at the moment.
 
Riechedly Bazoer deserves a mention.

A PSV youth, he transferred to Ajax after not wanting to play centre-back.
He was hailed as Ajax's biggest talent playing DM some years back, was benched after a dip in form, then went to Wolfsburg.

At Wolfsburg, he struggled to integrate into the side fighting relegation. Acquired an injury after he got going, but then struggled to get back into the first team, Wolfsburg had 30+ players at some point. Decided to go on loan to FC Porto, but was put in the reserves after returning late from holidays.

Found his way back to the Eredivisie, first with FC Utrecht, now with Vitesse. He seems to have shaken off the attitude problems these last two years. Some credit manager Thomas Letsch, but it could also be due to age. He's still only 24.

Letsch moved him from DM into a sweeper CB in a 5-3-2 system. He's exceptional playing out from the back and he has good pace and physicality to recover.

Matic's contract isn't up 'till the summer of 2023. Could be some shrewd business to gamble on this guy for less than 10 million.

 
Garner and McTominay, 2 proper CMs, no need then for a pure DM. sorted for next decade.
 
LovelyLittlePanda said:
Riechedly Bazoer deserves a mention.

A PSV youth, he transferred to Ajax after not wanting to play centre-back.
He was hailed as Ajax's biggest talent playing DM some years back, was benched after a dip in form, then went to Wolfsburg.

At Wolfsburg, he struggled to integrate into the side fighting relegation. Acquired an injury after he got going, but then struggled to get back into the first team, Wolfsburg had 30+ players at some point. Decided to go on loan to FC Porto, but was put in the reserves after returning late from holidays.

Found his way back to the Eredivisie, first with FC Utrecht, now with Vitesse. He seems to have shaken off the attitude problems these last two years. Some credit manager Thomas Letsch, but it could also be due to age. He's still only 24.

Letsch moved him from DM into a sweeper CB in a 5-3-2 system. He's exceptional playing out from the back and he has good pace and physicality to recover.

Matic's contract isn't up 'till the summer of 2023. Could be some shrewd business to gamble on this guy for less than 10 million.

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Yeah just the kind of deal that a well run club like Everton or Leicester would do
 
if i am United manager. After Matic i would free that cm spot for a really really good nr.8. A new Paul Scholes.
I am satisfy with McTom and Fred as DCM. Pogba is the creative one. Nr.8. But with Pogba it is uncertain. I want another top 8. Behind Bruno and attacking 4. Most of the attacks start deeper than from Bruno and the nr.10. Without Pogba. United were struggling in the end of last season and this year against Sheffield and West Brom.

And about the Beek. The benchwarmer this season. Before he came to United. I state him as a nr.10 and the RCM in 3 men midfield. Not the 8 in a men midfield. And it’s look like United is not gonna to use 433 or 451 in the defensive like Liverpool or City. Ole prefer 4231 and 4411.

So with the 4231 or 4411. Bruno as Beek as nr.10. Pogba future uncertain or Pogba show glimpses of consistent really good as the creative nr.8,with few really good goals. And if Pogba is leaving. Then United clearly need a new top level nr.8. Equal or above Pogba level.
But if Pogba is staying for a reason or long. Then the level of a new nr.8 shall be a really good squad depth and quality. Don’t need another expensive nr.8. Because Bruno can play as nr.8 and Scholes role too. Maybe some really good upcoming nr.8, with huge potential. All from 17-22 age and not playing for a European top club.

Conclusion. Before going out to get a new central midfield player. You have ask yourself what you need most. Where you can strength most?Then you circle around your transfer targets. United have two aggressive, hard working cm player in McTom and Fred. Don’t need for a third one. That is my personal opinion.

And if Pogba is leaving. Then the only replacement United shall get is Italy and Inter Milan : Nicola Barella
Nicola Barella has everything as a cm player and right now. Barella is one of the best cm in the world. Both helping Inter and Italy back to they best. Inter top of the Seire A and Italy won all theirs 10 games during Euro 21 qualification.

So sum up. For me, the next central midfield United is gonna to buy shall be a nr.8. Not a nr.6
 
I always overrate people from one match against us, but is Soualiho Meite an option? He looked like Vierra against Scott and Matic.

Frank Kessie also looked amazing, but he wasn't as much of a defenisve mid I don't think.

I admit that I have never heard of Meite before today. And maybe it was his best performance in a while.
 
Leroy The Red said:
Frank Kessie without a doubt. He’d actually be signable and would genuinely be a perfect signing in terms of what we’re missing, in terms of replacing Matic and in terms of being an upgrade to the two we have. I don’t watch him every week of course but he looks to have the tools. Maybe @Markolan can expand?
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Yeah, this needs to happen. I hope our staff were watching tonight and took in that performance. He’s everything our central midfielders are not.
 
LuckyScout78 said:
if i am United manager. After Matic i would free that cm spot for a really really good nr.8. A new Paul Scholes.
I am satisfy with McTom and Fred as DCM. Pogba is the creative one. Nr.8. But with Pogba it is uncertain. I want another top 8. Behind Bruno and attacking 4. Most of the attacks start deeper than from Bruno and the nr.10. Without Pogba. United were struggling in the end of last season and this year against Sheffield and West Brom.

And about the Beek. The benchwarmer this season. Before he came to United. I state him as a nr.10 and the RCM in 3 men midfield. Not the 8 in a men midfield. And it’s look like United is not gonna to use 433 or 451 in the defensive like Liverpool or City. Ole prefer 4231 and 4411.

So with the 4231 or 4411. Bruno as Beek as nr.10. Pogba future uncertain or Pogba show glimpses of consistent really good as the creative nr.8,with few really good goals. And if Pogba is leaving. Then United clearly need a new top level nr.8. Equal or above Pogba level.
But if Pogba is staying for a reason or long. Then the level of a new nr.8 shall be a really good squad depth and quality. Don’t need another expensive nr.8. Because Bruno can play as nr.8 and Scholes role too. Maybe some really good upcoming nr.8, with huge potential. All from 17-22 age and not playing for a European top club.

Conclusion. Before going out to get a new central midfield player. You have ask yourself what you need most. Where you can strength most?Then you circle around your transfer targets. United have two aggressive, hard working cm player in McTom and Fred. Don’t need for a third one. That is my personal opinion.

And if Pogba is leaving. Then the only replacement United shall get is Italy and Inter Milan : Nicola Barella
Nicola Barella has everything as a cm player and right now. Barella is one of the best cm in the world. Both helping Inter and Italy back to they best. Inter top of the Seire A and Italy won all theirs 10 games during Euro 21 qualification.

So sum up. For me, the next central midfield United is gonna to buy shall be a nr.8. Not a nr.6
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We do need a No. 8 but McFred are not good enough as DCM. They are at best bench players. I would recommend getting Aouar for the No. 8 position but we need a DM as well. I think Bissouma from Brighton for the DM role wouldn't be a bad idea. Aouar would bring us a lot of creativity in midfield that we lack when Bruno isn't playing or is having a bad day at the office. Barella is a very good option but Inter aren't going to sell their most important asset.
 
beingshe7don said:
We do need a No. 8 but McFred are not good enough as DCM. They are at best bench players. I would recommend getting Aouar for the No. 8 position but we need a DM as well. I think Bissouma from Brighton for the DM role wouldn't be a bad idea. Aouar would bring us a lot of creativity in midfield that we lack when Bruno isn't playing or is having a bad day at the office. Barella is a very good option but Inter aren't going to sell their most important asset.
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They are both very good suggestions but unless Matic decides to leave this summer then think there is absolutely no chance of us even being remotely interested in signing one and that in itself is utterly staggering
 
Aurelien Tchouameni is someone that I like the look of and he's a profile of player that is young and will develop further in the coming years. I would much rather us sign someone of this profile, rather than spend a reported 80m on Declan Rice.

Tchouameni is still only 21 but looks a very interesting prospect for the DM role. He's obviously not the finished article and there's more development to come.

 
Adnan said:
Aurelien Tchouameni is someone that I like the look of and he's a profile of player that is young and will develop further in the coming years. I would much rather us sign someone of this profile, rather than spend a reported 80m on Declan Rice.

Tchouameni is still only 21 but looks a very interesting prospect for the DM role. He's obviously not the finished article and there's more development to come.

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We were linked to this lad when he broke through as an 18 year old at Bordeaux. Good chance we'll be looking at someone of this ilk in light of our finances and the main target being reported as Haaland.
 
Lash said:
We were linked to this lad when he broke through as an 18 year old at Bordeaux. Good chance we'll be looking at someone of this ilk in light of our finances and the main target being reported as Haaland.
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How much would we be looking at for this guy and presume if there was any interest we would hear about it through the same sort of way as Moises Caicedo
 
croadyman said:
How much would we be looking at for this guy and presume if there was any interest we would hear about it through the same sort of way as Moises Caicedo
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He moved from Bordeaux for about 16m, so I don't think he'd be cheap, but still probably about half the price of Rice. Moises Caicedo didn't turn out to be true, so I'm not sure that's a good example.
 
Inigo Montoya said:
We need another class Ivorian :drool:
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Surely we have a player or two we could push towards Milan in exchange for Kessie. Its never cool when a player agitates for a move, but..... if he really is a United fan maybe we could get a deal done?

I heard people say that he isn't normally as good as he was against us in the first leg, and that must be true because otherwise he would be at Barca, Madrid, Bayern etc. But I would be willing to see what he could do!
 
Lash said:
He moved from Bordeaux for about 16m, so I don't think he'd be cheap, but still probably about half the price of Rice. Moises Caicedo didn't turn out to be true, so I'm not sure that's a good example.
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How long ago was that, any idea? Just wondering about his contract. If he moved for 16, I’m thinking they’ll want twice that, at least

Edit; just seen that Chelsea are linked.
 
Anyone else think Zakaria has regressed since he returned from injury? I've watched him a few times now this season and he's just not the dominating presence he was in defensive midfield last season.
 
Inigo Montoya said:
How long ago was that, any idea? Just wondering about his contract. If he moved for 16, I’m thinking they’ll want twice that, at least

Edit; just seen that Chelsea are linked.
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Lockdown has made me loose sense of time, but I'm pretty sure it was only last summer.

Edit: turns out it was Jan 2020, I'm not sure he'd move on so quick.
 
Lash said:
Lockdown has made me loose sense of time, but I'm pretty sure it was only last summer.

Edit: turns out it was Jan 2020, I'm not sure he'd move on so quick.
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Same. It’s a bit early IMO. Next season most likely but then he’ll be on everyone’s radar
 
Teun Koopmeiners would be very good, a wand of a left foot, mentally you wouldnt find more mature players at his age, good head on him, great pass and vision, he is only a tad slow. He is sound defensively as well and has played as a CB many at times, captains AZ and the Netherlands u-21, and would be a ball playing 6. He usually plays in a double pivot, but from AZ to Man United would be a huge step.
 
Adcuth said:
I like the look if Ryan Gravenberch.
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Ryan Gravenberch is an amazing player and fantastic talent, has his ups and downs and don't think he'll be as good as Frenkie but he's still only 18. Seen few Ajax talents recently have his level at 18, mainly de Ligt and Eriksen were even better. However he is not a Matic replacement, he doesn't have the defensive nous for it. He's actually always been an attacking midfielder in the academy, at the same level as Ihattaren (who he's passed again now). But because of his physique, he has been pushed further back a bit. He is tall, physiquely strong for his age, and has improved in engine so he can add defensively to the team, but this is much in the mold of Pogba. A lot of young players are compared to Pogba, but there is none that resemble him more than Ryan Gravenberch. I can see him staying at Ajax for two more seasons and then leaving. Ajax won't be able to cash in for him, his contract is till 2023 and I can see him extending it by one year (two tops) out of good will.
 
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AjaxCunian said:
Ryan Gravenberch is an amazing player and fantastic talent, has his ups and downs and don't think he'll be as good as Frenkie but he's still only 18. Seen few Ajax talents recently have his level at 18, mainly de Ligt and Eriksen were even better. However he is not a Matic replacement, he doesn't have the defensive nous for it. He's actually always been an attacking midfielder in the academy, at the same level as Ihattaren (who he's passed again now). But because of his physique, he has been pushed further back a bit. He is tall, physiquely strong for his age, and has improved in engine so he can add defensively to the team, but this is much in the mold of Pogba. A lot of young players are compared to Pogba, but there is none that resemble him more than Ryan Gravenberch. I can see him staying at Ajax for two more seasons and then leaving. Ajax won't be able to cash in for him, his contract is till 2023 and I can see him extending it by one year (two tops) out of good will.
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Thanks for this, his defensive potential was actually something I wasn't sure of given that I don't watch Ajax enough to make an educated assumption (and I won't be doing that from YouTube videos).
 
Mastoness said:
I would like to see Marcelo Brozovic as Matic's replacement. He plays as a single pivot in midfield 3 but he is versatile enough to play any role in midfield.

Guy has an iron lungs, can run for days, he is good defensively but also contributes in attack (3 goals and 6 assists in Serie A this season).

He also have a good passing range and he usually scores 2 or 3 bangers per season.

Plus it would be nice to finally see a fellow Croat in United.
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The obvious candidate to replace Matic. Contract expires in June 2022. Has some creativity too.
 
Lash said:
We were linked to this lad when he broke through as an 18 year old at Bordeaux. Good chance we'll be looking at someone of this ilk in light of our finances and the main target being reported as Haaland.
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He would potentially be a very good signing IMO.

 
beingshe7don said:
Florian Neuhaus is a German footballer who plays as a midfielder for Bundesliga club Borussia Mönchengladbach.

Full nameFlorian Christian Neuhaus
Date of birth16 March 1997 (age 24)
Place of birthLandsberg am Lech, Germany
Height1.82 m (6 ft 0 in)
Position(s)Midfielder



@Adnan - What's your take on him? Seems a press-resistant midfielder who can help us play from the back.
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He would be a excellent signing for the more offensive role in the double pivot IMO. He would definitely help improve us as far as progressing the ball goes from a deeper role too. But he's more of a box to box midfielder who would need a more defensively astute player next to him. But I like his profile and he'd be a improvement on McFred IMO.
 
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