Kante is a defensive midfielder so his defensive attributes are important, very odd comparison.Just like Kante's defensive ability made him stand out for Leicester?
Are you aware of the numbers WB is putting up? He's number 2 in the premier league for tackles. Number 1 RB in the league for interceptions and as for attacking he averages 1.8 dribbles a game, which to put into context is more than Walker/Trent/Trippier/Cesar combined.
Because Barca desperately needed to make a marquee signing at the time after Neymar - and he was one of, if not the, highest rated teenagers at the time. He was more establishedDembele went for such a stupid fee a couple of years ago though.
Kante is a defensive midfielder so his defensive attributes are important, very odd comparison.
Fullbacks should almost be wingers for us against every team from 7-20th. From what I've seen he doesn't tend to overlap and put lots of crosses in. I'd rather put our faith in Dalot as he's much better going forward.
This is one of the worst posts I've ever seen and that's saying something
Zagadou has played 14 games this season but he's Dortmund's best defender? Adam Ounas who can't even get in the Napoli team? Grealish? This type of stuff is why we desperately need the newbie system back.
Dembele went for such a stupid fee a couple of years ago though.
"Hi, We're Manchester United. We are the richest club in the world. How much of our money would you like?"
Because Barca desperately needed to make a marquee signing at the time after Neymar - and he was one of, if not the, highest rated teenagers at the time. He was more established
Sancho won’t go for that fee
Because they knew Barca had the £££ from the Neymar deal.
We aren't the "richest" club in the world though. City or PSG clearly have the most resources.
We are the third highest in terms of revenues behind Barca and Real.
And know we are desperate and they have a potential superstar on their hands who happens to be English as well.
The precedent is set. They don't want to sell either.
It will be at least the Dembele fee.
So if Shaw's injured, we have no experienced full backs? Laird looks a potential prospect but were not going to be playing teenagers at FB and challenging for PL or CL.Central back: Alderweireld (25mil), Zagadou (40mil), Lindelof, Smalling.
Left back: Shaw, Dalot, O'Connor.
Right back: Dalot, O'Connor, Laird
Holding midfield role: Van De Beek (30mil), Matic, MCTominay.
Central midfield: Maddison (40 mil), Grealish (25 mil), MCTominay, Fred, Perriera.
Right wing: Maddison, Lingard, Adam Ounas (20 mil).
Left wing: Martial, Adam Ounas, Lingard.
Central forward: Rashford, Lukaku, Greenwood.
I know some would question some of my options such as Grealish but let's not forget he's been doing quite well in the championship since last season and let's not forget that the likes of Neves and Maddison who also did well in the championship last season have had no difficulty with the intensity of the EPL and have been doing quite well for their respective clubs so far. Besides, Grealish is no stranger to the EPL. He was once highly rated as one of the top young midfield talent after he had dominated City midfield comprises of Yaya Toure and David Silva and also, Liverpool midfield comprises of Coutinho, Henderson and Steven Gerrard before the screw in his head went nuts but at least, he's back to his sanity and his best once again. We shouldn't also forget about players such as Dele Alli, Liverpool's Robertson, Maddison were all snatched off from the lower English league. Even the likes of Vardy, Kane, Mahrez were once playing in the championship at one time.
As for Adam Ounas, he's another trouble kid who once clashed with his coach at Bordeaux but prior to that, he was highly rated. He's become cool headed after he was given a reality check. From his few appearances at his new club, Napoli, he's been solid and was Napoli's best player, especially whenever he's been deployed in his best role, which is the right wing. The likes of Insigne and other older Napoli forwards have been rightly keeping him out of the team but he's been solid whenever he's called upon. I feel we should take a punt on him. He's definitely going to offer something valuable to our squad, pending the time Sancho eventually becomes available. Ounas with his flashy style, pace and crossing skill would do better than Lingard on the right for us.
No use in introducing Maddison. He's been doing quite well at Leicester and has a terrific cross whipping skill, similar to that of de bruyne. Just like the latter, he can operate in the central midfield, attacking midfield and on the right wing. His technique under pressure looks good as well as his vision. He's no slouch while defending too. I feel he will eventually end up as a central midfielder like David Silva because he's of similar mould. Another bonus is he's English and unlikely to leave us by the time he hit his prime. Likewise Grealish.
Zagadou has been one of Dortmund's best defender, if not the best this season. He was fantastic against Bayern and didn't give Lewandoski any space in the last Dortmund clash against Bayern. He was also the reason Dortmund crumbled against Spurs in the first leg match which happened as soon as he left the pitch after he got injured. He's left footed which means he can take over our left side of the defence and most importantly, he's a ball playing defender and terrific in the air which is our achilles (apart from Smalling who's quite good in the air). Having him beside Alderweireld in our central defence would be fantastic.
Lastly, I don't see why one of O'Connor and Laird or both can't make the step up for us as regard to our fullback roles. There's no use in splashing funds on another young talent when we have our own.
The likes of Mata, Herrera, Young, Jones, Rojo, Darmain, Bailly, Valencia, Sanchez should all leave. Likewise Pogba if he doesn't want to stay at the club. We shouldn't be held to ransom by mercenaries.
They may have benefactors and trillion dollar 'market rate' handkerchief sponsorship deals but they have to be wary of FFP too.We aren't the "richest" club in the world though. City or PSG clearly have the most resources.
So if Shaw's injured, we have no experienced full backs? Laird looks a potential prospect but were not going to be playing teenagers at FB and challenging for PL or CL.
Those centre mid choices look weak... hardly top.6 quality, never mind trophy challenging. Grealish isn't some 18 year old, there's a reason he's never made the step up.... to quote a couple of ok games as a rationale to buy him is a massive stretch.
All of those players who show its possible to make the move from Championship to PL .... Mahrez played a few months, Kane was on loan (for experience).
Maddison will be a bit of De Bruyne AND another David Silva.... that did make me chuckle.
Looks like you've made a list of average players to try and explain how we can buy squad players cheap. We don't need squad players, we've got several... they're in our first team. We don't need cheap either, we need top quality in 3-4 positions and that'll cost... thankfully we can afford it but whether old Scrooge McEd will do so is unlikely.
We have a few very good players and lots of 6/7 out of 10s. Don't buy a few cheap players... buy 2-3 top ones that'll make a difference - CB, RW first. Maybe buy one cheaper from your list but other than that, what we need will cost... tough market, a few big European teams need players too and everyone will be out to get every penny out of us once were interested.
(P.S. your user name rhymes with Dalglish?)
I don't understand why everyone wants Wan-Bissaka, going forward he isn't good enough for a top team. His defensive ability is making him stand out because he plays for Palace. We need someone that can be a reliable attacking outlet.
Exactly, signing 4 first teamers will create 4 squad players. We shouldn't be aiming to sign average players for depth. That being said I would take someone like Rafael on a free, just so Ashley Young is another step away from the first team.We don't need cheap either, we need top quality in 3-4 positions and that'll cost... thankfully we can afford it but whether old Scrooge McEd will do so is unlikely.
The fullback we have been linked to is a young crystal palace player who had just started his trade. Why not look at our own academy kids and promote one of them? If Klopp hadn't promoted Alexander Arnold, he would still be languishing in the youth team as we speak. Besides, there will be enough preseason matches to assess the kids and see if they are good enough. If they ain't good enough, we can then decide to look outside but I want them to be tried out first.
Nothing harsh about it. He’s not good enough and should be playing for Bournemouth not Manchester United.Harsh on Lingard in my view, he's proven a scorer of significant goals. He'd be good to keep as a squad player. Bit mean re Mata also, he's not been a complete waste. Agree on Darmian, Valencia, Rojo, Jones, Young and even Alexis, which is a shame as I thought he'd be gold. Instead of which, he's been pyrite.
Nothing harsh about it. He’s not good enough and should be playing for Bournemouth not Manchester United.
As a squad player, I still maintain that his habit of scoring important goals represents useful value. Nowhere did I suggest he should be a regular starter, but as an impact sub...Nothing harsh about it. He’s not good enough and should be playing for Bournemouth not Manchester United.
Even players in smaller clubs score important goals. That doesn't make them at the required level to play for a club aspiring to compete for the title. Does he contribute enough when he doesn't score? I don't think so.As a squad player, I still maintain that his habit of scoring important goals represents useful value. Nowhere did I suggest he should be a regular starter, but as an impact sub...
Even players in smaller clubs score important goals. That doesn't make them at the required level to play for a club aspiring to compete for the title. Does he contribute enough when he doesn't score? I don't think so.
Yes, and it’s no coincidence that he’s played in some of our best games under Ole. Nor that both Mourinho and Southgate fancied him over others in several positions.
If Martial had his level of initiative, quickness of the brain and activity, he would be the worlds best player soonish. Lingard helps a well set up tram tick smoother and an underperforming team less vulnerable. He’s a very good all rounder, and more individually dangerous players like Lukaku, Rashford and Martial will only play ahead of him if they manage to function as a unit both attacking and defending in a much better way than they normally have been able to.
Exactly, signing 4 first teamers will create 4 squad players. We shouldn't be aiming to sign average players for depth. That being said I would take someone like Rafael on a free, just so Ashley Young is another step away from the first team.
This isn't how a football club is run. If the youth player is good enough I am sure the staff with years of experience would know. We cannot wait and not make signings just because we want to 'try out' players. Every transfer window counts. Also transfers take months of planning. You cant just wait till pre-season to play your youth against a half-arsed Madrid team before deciding to make signings. And even if they do perform, they will not win you titles. The CO92 had a top team to walk into with quality experienced players. We cant rely on Laird to step in or Chong to provide the 15-20 goals and assists we need from RW. We need top signings, I would argue we need 5 signings and thats not taking into account Pogba or De Gea leaving.
Partey 40m, Wan Bissaka 40m, Pellegrini for 26m or Ndombele for 70m, Skriniar/Varane 80m or Toby for 25m and one of Pepe/Sancho/Lozano.
We should prioritise the quality we want in each area. Youth will not always work. Someone like Partey is currently miles ahead of Garner. We have a major overhaul incoming and we shouldn't be worried about youth players. We have plenty of young talent who will make it if they are good enough.
Southgate has broadly played Lingard out of a lack of choice in advanced midfield. He only has Deli Alli to contend with, but in the middle 3 his expectation is different to a front 3.
He wouldn't be near Southgates front 3 and yet, he's making ours.
Again you point to his versatility, and the fact that Southgate values him out of position as better than all other English player in that position.
Also the fact that several very different managers has put him ahead of fairly good players at United even in advanced positions.
It underlines his strengths as a squad option.
That's a nice long post. Doesn't say anything new.Maddison has looked good twice against us, just like his counterpart that came from the championship and I'm talking about Neves. The same Neves we talk about today was once playing in the championship. If Spurs had signed Grealish from Aston villa, maybe we would have been talking about him after all, the player he was meant to take his place, Sissoko has looked better than our midfielder save for Pogba yet Spur coach had wanted Grealish instead.
My reason for comparing Maddison to both David Silva and De bruyne is due to the fact he's got Silva's nimble feet, spatial awareness and tendency to always keep the ball flowing in midfield but has also got de bruyne's direct attacking approach coupled with his crossing ability which looks similar to that of de bruyne. He's presently the best at whipping accurate crosses, considering De bruyne has been mostly injured throughout this season.
Moreover, David Silva was quite direct at one time before he finally made the move to the midfield but from the way he played then, we all could see he was going to look good, if he moved to the central midfield. Same could be seen with Maddison. Besides, Maddison hasn't looked out of place whenever he was deployed in the central midfield this season. If Leicester had another quality forward apart from their total dependence on Vardy and a pacy centre back to complement Maguire, they could have been ahead of us in the EPL. I could recall many chances they wasted against Liverpool as well as several chances Iheanacho missed while Vardy was out of the team. The truth is Maddison has been terrific for Leicester, we all saw his performance against us for crying out loud.
Grealish has been fantastic in the championship this season and was as good as both Neves and Maddison last season, I don't see why we shouldn't consider him. People would think Grealish was in his late 20's with the way you had opined that he's no more young. How old were Vardy and Mahrez while they were in the championship? Mahrez didn't play for just a month in the championship, he played two seasons before his team was promoted to the top flight.Grealish is just 23yrs old and could have gone to Spurs during the last summer window if Aston villa hadn't blocked his move and like the loyal boy he is, he didn't want to force a move from his boyhood club. His good form has continued from last season to this season. I don't see what is bad in considering him after all, Neves and Maddison have all done well since coming up from the championship to the EPL. He's yet to even hit his ceiling and prime but has been this good.
I don't even know why we love to spend huge cash on big names. Even Pep that we all loves to mock for splashing funds on players didn't go for big names. He had signed young players such as Gabriel Jesus, Zinchenko, Sane and even Bernardo whose breakout season was the season Monaco won the French ligue and had a fantastic run in the CL but Pep didn't wait to see if he was a one season wonder before snapping him up. The only big names Pep signed were Mahrez, Stones and Laporte. Besides Stones and Laporte were relatively young.
The fullback we have been linked to is a young crystal palace player who had just started his trade. Why not look at our own academy kids and promote one of them? If Klopp hadn't promoted Alexander Arnold, he would still be languishing in the youth team as we speak. Besides, there will be enough preseason matches to assess the kids and see if they are good enough. If they ain't good enough, we can then decide to look outside but I want them to be tried out first.
That's a nice long post. Doesn't say anything new.
Mahrez played two seasons in the Championship? You sure? I thought he played 3 months for a team that was heading to the PL and (unless you tell me otherwise) has stayed there since?
You quoted Kane and Mahrez but anyone can Google "good players who once played in the Championship". That doesn't mean there are loads of hidden gems, it means there are a few but the vast majority wouldn't cut it at a top PL team. We're not in a position to gamble right now.
Is Maddison a decent player ... yes and if you just said he might be an option for us, fine. But to compare him to one of the top ten (three?) PL players ever is silly? Plenty of players may have a similar style but we want (need) top talent now or we'll have many more seasons around 3rd-6th. That comes at top dollar.
Grealish I've watched 60-80 times including lots live (my wife and in-laws are from Brum and Villa fans), how many times have you watched him?. He's a decent player in the Championship... could he play PL, yes. For us, doubt it. I think the Spurs thing was purely as they didn't want to pay a lot as presumably, not sure he was worth a lot.
It's all opinions? (but let me know about Mahrez)
Young British core innitI don't understand why everyone wants Wan-Bissaka, going forward he isn't good enough for a top team. His defensive ability is making him stand out because he plays for Palace. We need someone that can be a reliable attacking outlet.
I mean it’s not saying much but last season when he first came in the team he and Van Anholt ran us ragged and caused so many problems for Young and Valencia that I would have swapped them both happily. Because like you said part of the reason his defence might be so good is due to it being Palace and not being able to push forward as much. Especially with someone like Vaan Anholt on the opposite side.I don't understand why everyone wants Wan-Bissaka, going forward he isn't good enough for a top team. His defensive ability is making him stand out because he plays for Palace. We need someone that can be a reliable attacking outlet.
Wonder how Adidas will feel if we sell all our big name, big personality players? They will want a big name to pin their colours to. They would be the one sponsor I wouldn't want to be annoying.
I think you underestimated our brand exposure, yeah Pogba is marketable player but we sold most shirts sales in the world without him, even more than Barcelona, Real, Arsenal, Juve, Liverpool, Chelsea, PSG, and Bayern, etc, only Real came second with Ronaldo one of best player in the world, if we had Ronaldo or Messi, we'd be far ahead of everyone but Pogba is not close to them on marketing level.
Adidas can go feck off if they only demand big star players because they want to make money off player wearing our shirt badage
Ok, what would your 21 man squad be to compete for the title if it has 21 players better than Jess?Even players in smaller clubs score important goals. That doesn't make them at the required level to play for a club aspiring to compete for the title. Does he contribute enough when he doesn't score? I don't think so.
They need to recoup their money. They are not United fans. A bank expects you to pay back the money they lend you. These kind of sponsorships are the same without the interest.
They do expect us to sell shirts, which we do, but it depends how much they get from that. We are not doing it entirely through our success on the pitch at the moment.That's not the same thing, they want to sponsor us because of our brand and we sold most shirts in the world. They have a new deal agreement with Real Madrid for 100m+ 50m add on, that is twice as our sponsorship value.
They do expect us to sell shirts, which we do, but it depends how much they get from that. We are not doing it entirely through our success on the pitch at the moment.
If we don't get CL aren't their penalties?They are getting a lot of money from us using our brand name, like I said we sold the most shirt sales in the footballing world, they will spend 25m more with 50m add on Real who is behind us in term of shirt sales, even with Ronaldo in their team before, I'd expect their shirt sales number to decrease since Ronaldo departed from Real to Juve.
