Rashford is a modern wide forward. In the same way that Ronaldo played there for most of his career, and that the likes of Mane and Salah are. Whether you want to call that position a winger or not is up to you, but not many classic wingers are around anymore and that's because the modern game has moved more towards playing wide forwards. Mason so far has tended to be similar, although he does play some matches in the centre and may end up playing there in the long term.
Priority Signing: CB vs DM vs RW vs Striker
- Thread starter Devil may care
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I'm not surprised there are so many conflicting opinions because the truth is everyone is right, arguments involving Mata, Matic, Lingard and Jones are invalid, and a Manchester United team should not be going into another season with any of Lindelof, Fred or McTominay as starters, nor should James and Amad be our only RW options or Martial and Greenwood as our striker options, but we have the greediest, most self serving owners of the big teams in the PL, the others want to be the best, ours just want to be the most profitable so they can bleed their dividends out of the club every year. The kicker is we also have the poorest, most inexperienced manager of the top teams yet he has more holes in his team than his rivals so he can't be expected to progress from where we are.
I honestly think each position is as important or lacking in quality as the next with the four options.
Problem we have is why wont the owners fund upgrades for all four positions rather than moving at a snails pace and dealing with one or two problem areas at a time, by the time we've resolved a couple of positions, other positions have become stale and become problem areas, it's abit of a shit cycle were stuck in.
Never has the need for a transfer market genius been more, somebody like Steve Walsh who Indentifies gems for fun. If Our owners are going to be tight with the purse strings we need shrewd affordable, effective options.
Andre Silva at £30m is one
Konate at £36m is another
Two problem areas solved for around £66m. Question is how much would be left over for the other two positions? Can we afford Sancho for 60/70m , do we go with Diallo and put the rest towards somebody like de Jong for 60/70m?
Problem we have is why wont the owners fund upgrades for all four positions rather than moving at a snails pace and dealing with one or two problem areas at a time, by the time we've resolved a couple of positions, other positions have become stale and become problem areas, it's abit of a shit cycle were stuck in.
Never has the need for a transfer market genius been more, somebody like Steve Walsh who Indentifies gems for fun. If Our owners are going to be tight with the purse strings we need shrewd affordable, effective options.
Andre Silva at £30m is one
Konate at £36m is another
Two problem areas solved for around £66m. Question is how much would be left over for the other two positions? Can we afford Sancho for 60/70m , do we go with Diallo and put the rest towards somebody like de Jong for 60/70m?
I haven't really changed my opinion too much since my last post in this thread, still leaning towards a CB being the priority though with Cavani's recent form and Pogba moving to the left I'd now place a midfielder higher than it was back in March
Depends on if Cavani stays.
If he stays, CDM > CB > RW > CF
Otherwise CF > CDM > CB > RW
If he stays, CDM > CB > RW > CF
Otherwise CF > CDM > CB > RW
Every now and again our cbs pop up to remind us how shit they are. CB is priority in my opinion if cavani stays
RW
Yes, we'd all like to upgrade on Lindelof, McFred and bring in Haaland but Magalof is pretty decent CB partnership (not greatest in the world, of course) and Ole is comfortable with McFred.
We've just extended the contract for Cavani so we're not bring in a new proper 9.
What we really don't have is a world class RW, which Sancho clearly is. Greenwood is fantastic but he's not really a RW. We need to get on with the project of developing him into the top CF he clearly can be if allowed to do so. Diallo isn't ready for regular first team action and we've barely seen Pellistri on youtube videos.
Yes, we'd all like to upgrade on Lindelof, McFred and bring in Haaland but Magalof is pretty decent CB partnership (not greatest in the world, of course) and Ole is comfortable with McFred.
We've just extended the contract for Cavani so we're not bring in a new proper 9.
What we really don't have is a world class RW, which Sancho clearly is. Greenwood is fantastic but he's not really a RW. We need to get on with the project of developing him into the top CF he clearly can be if allowed to do so. Diallo isn't ready for regular first team action and we've barely seen Pellistri on youtube videos.
Can we switch CF to backup RB now Edi is staying for another year
CDM so we can play Pogba next to him. Otherwise it’ll be McFred and Pogba on the left.
Do you think Pogba would go back to being part of a double pivot if Ole could get the CDM (Rice) he wants, only ask because he seems to have really flourished playing off the left and shown his best form since the Juve days
doesn’t matter who we buy in midfield, Pogba as a 2 does not work. We do need a midfielder, but pogba works best on the left or as a 3.
Yeah he definitely does and hopefully Ole has seen that throughout this season and buys a CDM
after 5 years are we still in the situation of needing to buy the right midfielder to make Pogba work in a 2 man midfield?
or how about we actually play him in a position where he’s performed consistently well?
Since January I thought CDM should be a priority.
Now that Cavani signed and we finally stopped this ridiculous experiment with Pogba in midfield and moved him to the left wing, I'm certain it has to be a CDM.
We seem to be doing OK attacking wise, but midfield needs reinforcement, plus we should try playing 3 man midfield sometimes. We can't wait for with current personnel.
Now that Cavani signed and we finally stopped this ridiculous experiment with Pogba in midfield and moved him to the left wing, I'm certain it has to be a CDM.
We seem to be doing OK attacking wise, but midfield needs reinforcement, plus we should try playing 3 man midfield sometimes. We can't wait for with current personnel.
I am saying we should play him further forward that's the point of why we need a CDM
roger that. I then agree with you, and misread your post. I just don’t want to see him as part of a midfield 2.
Yeah me neither and if Matic goes then surely Ole has to sign one then
The issue is who we will get in each position. I echo the sentiments that CDM is probably our weakest position. But it’s also not that weak. Same with CB. What is quite poor is our strength in attacking depth. This seasons Martial and James aren’t good enough I don’t think.
I’d probably put CDM> CB> RW> ST
But with what’s available I don’t think we will get much of an improvement of McFred and Lindelof. Would rather spend on Sancho. So with the players we’re linked with:
Sancho> Graelish> Pau Torres> Rice
That’s because of Rice’s ridiculous fee. I’m not even bothering putting Kane/ Haaland there as they’re not attainable.
I’d probably put CDM> CB> RW> ST
But with what’s available I don’t think we will get much of an improvement of McFred and Lindelof. Would rather spend on Sancho. So with the players we’re linked with:
Sancho> Graelish> Pau Torres> Rice
That’s because of Rice’s ridiculous fee. I’m not even bothering putting Kane/ Haaland there as they’re not attainable.
I am absolutely torn on this now
I think we need a Defender, a midfielder and a forward equally. I can't decide which i would make my priority.
We won't win the league with Lindelof as a starter. We won't win the league with Fred as a starter. And we won't win the league with Martial and 35 year old Cavani as our two strikers or Greenwood as our only right sided forward.
Fergie's words ringing in my ears say build from the back, so a defender. If i had to choose. But we need more than that
I think we need a Defender, a midfielder and a forward equally. I can't decide which i would make my priority.
We won't win the league with Lindelof as a starter. We won't win the league with Fred as a starter. And we won't win the league with Martial and 35 year old Cavani as our two strikers or Greenwood as our only right sided forward.
Fergie's words ringing in my ears say build from the back, so a defender. If i had to choose. But we need more than that
Not only do we have holes in our starting 11, but we’re also lacking depth in key positions. RB cover for AWB needs addressing, as it’s apparent that Williams needs a loan. Our midfield is also pretty light on quality.
Looking at the main positional needs, it looks as if our need for a striker won’t be addressed this summer. At this stage, I’d probably put CDM over CB and RW. Bissouma makes a lot of sense and we won’t have to break the bank either allowing us to address one of RW or CB.
Looking at the main positional needs, it looks as if our need for a striker won’t be addressed this summer. At this stage, I’d probably put CDM over CB and RW. Bissouma makes a lot of sense and we won’t have to break the bank either allowing us to address one of RW or CB.
A good transfer window would be a CB, DM and a wide player.
Release Matic, Mata, sell Bailly and promote a couple of youngsters into the 1st team squad.
Goalkeeper is going to be a difficult position to resolve, Ole needs to be brave and make a decision, if Dave isn't 1st choice then he needs to leave, can't keep a backup goalie on his wages.
Release Matic, Mata, sell Bailly and promote a couple of youngsters into the 1st team squad.
Goalkeeper is going to be a difficult position to resolve, Ole needs to be brave and make a decision, if Dave isn't 1st choice then he needs to leave, can't keep a backup goalie on his wages.
I should have asked for 2 midfielders as an option. 
I'd rather have Lindelof and Mason starting and 2 midfielders than either of McFred as starters.
I'd rather have Lindelof and Mason starting and 2 midfielders than either of McFred as starters.CB is the biggest issue for me. I don't think I can keep sane watching Lindelof/Bailly regularly next season.
DM, RW and ST can then follow in that order. But get some proper centre backs in first and foremost.
DM, RW and ST can then follow in that order. But get some proper centre backs in first and foremost.
Reality is - we need CB and DM is equal measure right now.
Bar Maguire - we dont have a reliable CB.
Yes Lindelof can stay fit, but he's garbage. Bailly / Tuanzebe / Jones are just too injury prone. They need regular games, they can't get games cos they're never fit.
DM is also pretty grim. We desperately need quality there.
CF I think we will be ok for another year with Cavani's renewal. RW we signed Diallo and Greenwood is flying. CB and DM are desperate additions we have to make
Bar Maguire - we dont have a reliable CB.
Yes Lindelof can stay fit, but he's garbage. Bailly / Tuanzebe / Jones are just too injury prone. They need regular games, they can't get games cos they're never fit.
DM is also pretty grim. We desperately need quality there.
CF I think we will be ok for another year with Cavani's renewal. RW we signed Diallo and Greenwood is flying. CB and DM are desperate additions we have to make
Yeah and looks like GK is also on that list too after watching Deano last night
Almost certain we will go all in for Haaland next summer, if that fails then attention will switch to Kane instead
IMO we can win a title (or seriously compete) with a top quality defensive mid and right winger (and then just some depth at RB like Trippier, but nothing special there). Would require Maguire staying fit, but Lindelof is at least decent where if our defensive mid is good enough we'd be fine, if not dominant back there.
Being able to play Pogba in midfield would allow us to play Rashford on the left, and someone like Ndidi would give us the perfect defensive hold finally. Sancho on the right wing would give us that creativity from the one wing to balance out the scorers we have on the other (whether it's Sancho left and Greenwood right, or Sancho right and Rashford left). Varane of course would be further boosting us a lot, and then the goalkeeper is meh, and Pogba at most will stay 1 more season IMO. But if we're limited, I'd say a top defensive mid and a right winger will give us the best chance at hiding other issues. A CB but no CDM would still leave us not being able to play Pogba in midfield, so we still have a mediocre midfield both on the ball and defensively, and no RW like Sancho would mean we don't have a balanced attack (no mix of creators and scorers, and no left to right balance) and our players aren't in their best positions to try and get that balance.
Lindelof is at least good enough that with a quality DM he'd be fine, like Stones for City.
Cavani
Rashford Bruno Sancho
Pogba Ndidi
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan Bissaka
Henderson/DDG
Rashford Bruno Sancho
Pogba Ndidi
Shaw Maguire Lindelof Wan Bissaka
Henderson/DDG
Being able to play Pogba in midfield would allow us to play Rashford on the left, and someone like Ndidi would give us the perfect defensive hold finally. Sancho on the right wing would give us that creativity from the one wing to balance out the scorers we have on the other (whether it's Sancho left and Greenwood right, or Sancho right and Rashford left). Varane of course would be further boosting us a lot, and then the goalkeeper is meh, and Pogba at most will stay 1 more season IMO. But if we're limited, I'd say a top defensive mid and a right winger will give us the best chance at hiding other issues. A CB but no CDM would still leave us not being able to play Pogba in midfield, so we still have a mediocre midfield both on the ball and defensively, and no RW like Sancho would mean we don't have a balanced attack (no mix of creators and scorers, and no left to right balance) and our players aren't in their best positions to try and get that balance.
Lindelof is at least good enough that with a quality DM he'd be fine, like Stones for City.
If only 1, CDM. Our weak link. Yes we also need a RW but at least we have some players who can do a decent job there whilst our current DM options are poor
This is all very true.
If the Glazers sanction signing a 'marquee' forward and let us go into next season relying on a centre back and central midfield 75% made up of McFred and Lindelof we will struggle to finish 4th. City, Chelsea and Liverpool will all strengthen, while Leicester ain't going anywhere with their scouting network so strong.
For me.
We need a DM/Box to box midfielder first. We need an active, consistent link to the rest of the team between defence and attack. Our attack is deadly if we can get the ball quickly enough to them. It's the reason we can be so deadly on counters yet struggle to break teams down at times. Pogba being on the left now provides an extra layer of creativity, so to make this attack work in full throttle, we need someone be able help quicken our build up.
We need a centre back second. The key to use winning the league and potentially the champions league over a team like City would be to concede less goals than them. We struggle at the moment in dealing with direct play and set pieces because Lindelof is not a strong enough defender for the league. We need someone stronger there, who Maguire doesn't have to consistently support.
Finally, I would like a right winger. We don't need one, but I would like one. Greenwood will be a striker and rotate with Cavani. I would like to have a stronger presence that Rashford on the right,who can both create and score. If Pogba or Bruno got injured, I would like to think we could still create chances, but with the possibility of our wingers being Rashford or Martial in that instance, I'd love a Grealish or Sancho.
We need a DM/Box to box midfielder first. We need an active, consistent link to the rest of the team between defence and attack. Our attack is deadly if we can get the ball quickly enough to them. It's the reason we can be so deadly on counters yet struggle to break teams down at times. Pogba being on the left now provides an extra layer of creativity, so to make this attack work in full throttle, we need someone be able help quicken our build up.
We need a centre back second. The key to use winning the league and potentially the champions league over a team like City would be to concede less goals than them. We struggle at the moment in dealing with direct play and set pieces because Lindelof is not a strong enough defender for the league. We need someone stronger there, who Maguire doesn't have to consistently support.
Finally, I would like a right winger. We don't need one, but I would like one. Greenwood will be a striker and rotate with Cavani. I would like to have a stronger presence that Rashford on the right,who can both create and score. If Pogba or Bruno got injured, I would like to think we could still create chances, but with the possibility of our wingers being Rashford or Martial in that instance, I'd love a Grealish or Sancho.
I would sign Sancho and a DM who can play as a CB.
Still irks me that we could’ve had Fabinho who perfectly fits that description of a DM, but failed to move for him.
1. RW
2. CB
3. DM/CM
4. ST
1-3 Should be possible the next window.
2. CB
3. DM/CM
4. ST
1-3 Should be possible the next window.
Yeah really need to get at least two of those top three in the summer
ST completely off the list for as long as we have Cavani I think. Perhaps back on if we should lose Martial, Rashford, Greenwood to injury or unlikely sale.
From the links that are popping up it's probably:
1. RW
2. CB
3. DM
Which is a mistake imho as our midfield looks short on quality & quantity to me. Would rather:
1. CM 1
2. CM 2 / DM
3. RW
All dependent on if we have money this window of course
CDM for me. Maguire and Lindelof can be good at times and would do for another year if we can get decent protection ahead of them. Mcfred does work at times but not enough to warrant not improving that as a priority. If it was possible I'd get both CB and DM id take that over any high profile RW/striker that we could pull off
agree with this, bar Fred. He's easily our best and most reliable CM/DM at the club. Pogba is garbage from DM, Mctominey has 1 good game in 20 and hides from the ball, Matic cant run and Donny (easily the most technically gifted midfielder on our books) cant get more than a handful of minutes here and there.
We need a CB, and DM desperately. The CF i'm more relaxed but admit it can be improved easily. Cavani has been superb, Rashford is a top player and Greenwood gets better and better. Martial can do one but I think between all the forward players we have enough. Saying that, having the absolute guarantee of Kane's goals would elevate us a level again.
DM & CB are essential. CF a bonus.
If the Sancho links are genuine - we wont be in for a CF anyway so it's hard to judge what Ole wants moving forward. Sancho is a wide forward, much like what we have (Rashford/James/Diallo/Greenwood) I'd even say Martial is better off LW than CF. Our forward line with Sancho would be an odd one to work out. Pogba surely wouldnt stay LW with more natural attackers. Then he has to play CM - which he's rather dubious at.
Yeah we could ideally do with two midfielders but when you see things from Romano suggesting that if Pogba stays then there is a real possibility that none will be signed which is staggering because need one whatever happens with Paul
That's what I go by as well.
First target is Sancho, with a couple of links with other players popping up. Most probably back up plans in case for whatever reason we can't strike a deal with Dortmund.
Then CB. A few players identified. All viable options. That will be decided surely after the Euros.
I'm not sure if we'll ever go for CM/DM this upcoming window. But I won't be surprised to see backup RB to join us or even a backup GK.
I hope we could raise some money out of sales too. Jesse, Dalot, Pereira, Chong.
Yeah I am convinced it will be Sancho, CB/CDM (more likely to be the first one) & Trippier