So we should buy no midfielders from Italy, seeing as he was the best?
Sergej Milinkovic Savic
- Thread starter R'hllor
- Start date
Let's see how you feel if he comes here and stars for us. We will leave it there.
That's a dumb way if looking at it.
I've no problem signing ones from Italy who are more suitable for the PL.
I'd be delighted if that happened obviously.
Well it seems as though the Bruno deal has run out of steam, and the feeling is that Pogba will stay, does SMS work alongside Pogba..?
No.
Sooooooooooo,he's not rated by the Caf then.
Yes, both Pogba and Matic may be on their way, and 2 or 4 midfielders may be on their way in. We don’t know yet, and have very few ways of knowing before 6th of August.
I’m talking about the present, though.
BTEC Pogba. If we spend 70m plus on this guy we are really stupid.
I think you'll find my description of the lad as a means to suggest for his size and frame, the guy can play football but then again I only ever suspected to get the negative stuff to picked up on here rather than the basis of my argument.
I was also trying to use that description to justify why we shouldn’t be going for the flashy silky player but rather someone with a good set of skills who will improve our midfield instantly.
So you think SMS is not good enough then?
I agree with you that we should buy 2 CMs, maybe even 3 if Pogba and anyone else leaves.
Reviewing the players from a viewpoint of improving from last season:
Matic: I think he played some good games and quite a few bad. When good, he was as good as ever. I’m not convinced he’s entirely past it, but I’m certain he can’t play week in/week out with Pogba to his left. With a good preseason and no WC, and his build/position/playing style, I don’t see why he can’t have a better season than last year.
Fred: Like Lindelöf, a first season enigma. If he does a Lindy, and establishes himself at a level of the best games he’s had for us, I think he could be a very good no 6. If not, I’m still convinced he’ll improve on last season.
McTominay: i would expect him to continue progressing, albeit more slowly. I don’t see him as a world beater, but he’s already an improvement on Fellaini.
Pereira: Think you’re harsh. He has shown technique on a top level, hard work and willingness to learn. He has shown lack of confidence, lack of understanding of his roles and bad decisionmaking. I think the last three is highly improvable in his case. Will he ever be a United starter I don’t know, but he’ll be better than last year.
Gomes: Yes, I don’t expect him to be a starter this season.i do hope he’ll get chances enough (and take them) to be a squad player i midfield. I may be too optimistic. He’s due another level, though.
Garner: Expect him to go on loan too. I wouldn’t shit myself if he was option seven in midfield based on the little I’ve seen, though.
Pogba: If played as in december/january, he’ll be a beast if he stays. If we sell him, we’ll buy someone, and likely someone who fit’s better into Solskjær’s preferred style of football. Useless to speculate, but there won’t be a gaping hole, I think that’s pretty obvious.
From a midfield capable of second place two years ago and a fifteen game record run last season, we’ve lost Herrera, and several players can be expected to improve. So I think gaping hole is exaggerating. I still think we should strengthen, but maybe I’d prefer one perfect fit and space to grow for Gomes, than three more players around Fred/Matic/McTominay’s level.
I don't rate him. Slow, poor press resistance and loose passing. I don't think he's the answer at all.
I agree with you pal. Most people on here that are slating him have most probably never seen him kick a football. The guy is a complete player and would be an astute signing. Didn’t have the best of seasons last year but still ranked very high on the list for player of the year in Serie A.
It’s a young midfield, so will improve.
They are two great players so you would hope so. Will we sign SMS if Pogba stays? I highly doubt it.
Mate his passing and ball distribution is one of his biggest assets. I’m so confused right now. Slow? Okay, maybe but the guy can control a game, he’s supposedly a leader in the dressing room. I forgot we had so many leaders already. He brings a lot more to the table than you think. He’s technically very very good
We both think we should buy 2-3 midfielders but you don't think there is a gaping hole in midfield? I find that a little bit odd. We named a few players but I can name 2 that I feel we can rely on to provide decent performances on a regular basis. We will need at least 5 over the course of 50+ game season. What phrase would you use to describe that situation?
You think he's slow? Who's a fast midfielder by comparison then? Because to me he's always seemed pretty quick given his size. Not quite as quick as Pogba but close, and really good at using his frame to gain that extra tenth of a second anyway, much like Pogba. Also quite press resistant
Agree his passing can be quite loose at times, but not nearly that much of an issue imho
We need a playmaker in the middle of the park, so Savic would be useless, especially for the quoted crazy fees. I'd rather go for someone like Brozovic in a hypothetical Lukaku deal, seams like a player that keeps the play ticking and controls the flow.
Same old comment being dished out....."will only make a bid if Pogba leaves"......Heard that same line attached to Bruno, Tielemans, Ndombele.....
Do we actually have any intention of signing another midfielder or two to play alongside Pogba, or is Ole going to announce that he is "happy with the squad at his disposal"...?
No we are only allowed one good midfielder you see, supplemented by 2 other that are no way near the required standard.
It's embarassing when the likes of city, liverpool, barca sign midfielders for fun.
I think you are more negative in your appraisal than me, which I fully respect. I think gaping hole is too dramatic for my taste even based on your description, which seems to me more of ‘a great space for improvement’
Also, it seems to me almost as if you (and certainly quite a few others) factor in Pogba leaving, but not someone else coming in. Right now, Pogba is here, and may well stay (as has happened many times with players declaring a wish for new challenges) and I don’t think the hole is so gaping. In three weeks, maybe Pogba is sold and for instance Bruno Fernandes is bought. Or Stefan Savic. Or Saul Nigez. Is the hole gaping then? Still seems exaggerated to me, but then again, I’m well satisfied with taking a few seasons with lower expectations and younger players. If that’s not good enough for you, it’s fair enough. If you for instance want a guaranteed top three position this year, I think we should definitely get in one or maybe two established, mature top notch CM’s (and even that is no guarantee) at the price of a 2/3 Pogba at least.
I would prefer us to keep Pogba (I think he is the type to buckle down if treated well), use a lot of money on the right, young players in a few positions (one attacking player, rightsided, and a CB), and fill in with local or cheaper youngsters like Tuanzebe and James. If we have enough money to buy a standout improvement to our central midfield, we should do that. But I don’t think we should spread our cash on ‘slight improvements’ in too many positions. Rather two really expensive ones each year.
If Solskjær ajudges Pogba to be a disruption if he’s denied a leave, I hope we sell him and buy one and a half top level midfielderish players (like Nigues and Fernandes or something similar, if that’s what Solskjær needs).
I’d also be more positive about buying more ‘medium priced’ ‘medium improvements’ if I thought our scouting/negotiating/decision-set up was better.
I don’t want to split hairs with you, I just like the nuances better and maybe am
a bit overly sensitives to hyperbole at the moment, due to the general caf atmosphere, which I’d never accuse you as a poster of being guilty of in general.
The fact that most people here hate this signing and thinks he's a shit player means I would totally love us to sign him. Almost every player hyped up by this place turns into a complete disaster after joining us.
He’d be perfect alongside Pogba.
I’d be unhappy if we brought this guy in.
I really don’t think we need another giant in the midfield. We need quicker players that cover a lot of ground.
I don’t believe that Ole wants this guy as I don’t think he fits our tactics.
I really don’t think we need another giant in the midfield. We need quicker players that cover a lot of ground.
I don’t believe that Ole wants this guy as I don’t think he fits our tactics.
Any Lazio fans here who’d care to offer us some insight regarding the potential of this young man?
I used to watch him a few times 2 seasons ago when he was heavily link with us. He was playing more advanced role that’s why he scored a lot but it seems last season he played deeper in central role (based on whoscored last season).
Anyway, from what I watched him 2 seasons ago, he was similar to Rabiot in style of play, but Savic is better with his passing ability, better in scoring goals when played in advanced role but he committed more fouls often.
I don’t like the idea of signing him to be Pogba’s replacement but I don’t mind to sign him so he can play with Pogba in the same team.
Anyway, from what I watched him 2 seasons ago, he was similar to Rabiot in style of play, but Savic is better with his passing ability, better in scoring goals when played in advanced role but he committed more fouls often.
I don’t like the idea of signing him to be Pogba’s replacement but I don’t mind to sign him so he can play with Pogba in the same team.
With an Idrissa Gueye yes.
Surely this guy is the Pogba replacement if he comes.
yeah, without a doubt. They wont be playing alongside each other, thats for sure.
Yeah, but they did so well for me together on Football Manager so I think Solskjær should buy him and play him next to Pogba
Strange signing if its to replace Pogba. Transfer strategy.....have we got one?
Not impressed with this player linked to us, looking at our targets this summer makes me question if the club really know what they are doing because all the targets that would fit straight into the first team seem to be all of Mourinho's old targets.
Would prefer someone like van der Beek or rodrigo de Paul who would cost half of what Savic is valued at.
Would prefer someone like van der Beek or rodrigo de Paul who would cost half of what Savic is valued at.
I think you are more negative in your appraisal than me, which I fully respect. I think gaping hole is too dramatic for my taste even based on your description, which seems to me more of ‘a great space for improvement’
Also, it seems to me almost as if you (and certainly quite a few others) factor in Pogba leaving, but not someone else coming in. Right now, Pogba is here, and may well stay (as has happened many times with players declaring a wish for new challenges) and I don’t think the hole is so gaping. In three weeks, maybe Pogba is sold and for instance Bruno Fernandes is bought. Or Stefan Savic. Or Saul Nigez. Is the hole gaping then? Still seems exaggerated to me, but then again, I’m well satisfied with taking a few seasons with lower expectations and younger players. If that’s not good enough for you, it’s fair enough. If you for instance want a guaranteed top three position this year, I think we should definitely get in one or maybe two established, mature top notch CM’s (and even that is no guarantee) at the price of a 2/3 Pogba at least.
I would prefer us to keep Pogba (I think he is the type to buckle down if treated well), use a lot of money on the right, young players in a few positions (one attacking player, rightsided, and a CB), and fill in with local or cheaper youngsters like Tuanzebe and James. If we have enough money to buy a standout improvement to our central midfield, we should do that. But I don’t think we should spread our cash on ‘slight improvements’ in too many positions. Rather two really expensive ones each year.
If Solskjær ajudges Pogba to be a disruption if he’s denied a leave, I hope we sell him and buy one and a half top level midfielderish players (like Nigues and Fernandes or something similar, if that’s what Solskjær needs).
I’d also be more positive about buying more ‘medium priced’ ‘medium improvements’ if I thought our scouting/negotiating/decision-set up was better.
I don’t want to split hairs with you, I just like the nuances better and maybe am
a bit overly sensitives to hyperbole at the moment, due to the general caf atmosphere, which I’d never accuse you as a poster of being guilty of in general.
You are off your head if you think we could get through the season with the midfielders we have. Absolutely bonkers. We have 2/3 that are up to it. We play with 3. There are 50+ games. How is that supposed to work?
Everyone who is paying any attention can see it and the club clearly see it since they are trying to sign midfielders.
I'm in agreement that it isn't a quick process. We need to develop talented young players to improve the level of the squad. We will need to bring in quality when available too.
Guaranteeing a mid table place next season by not strengthening midfield will make that even tougher next summer. fecking nuance...
What would be strange about it? Who would you see as a conventional replacement for Pogba?
I think so too. It's the only it make sense.
Two unknown quantities over the course of a season (McT and James)
One flop until proven otherwise (Fred)
One player who doesn't want to play for us (Pogba)
One player who should be in the Championship (Lingard)
Three players whose careers in the top are over (Matic, Mata and Sanchez)
Arguably the worst midfield in the top half of the PL.
I honestly believe our battle will be with the likes of Wolves, Everton and Leicester this season. Can't see us doing well at all, atleast I'm going in this season with very low expectations, anything above 6th place will be a positive result for me.
If we get a couple of decent CM in I think we'll be fine to be totally honest. I think Martial, Rashford, Greenwood and James will do well this season.
But our CM options are absolutely shocking.