Would certainly like to see Maddison sign, think he has a great future, Fernandes looks good on videos, but also decent in International matches, so he could be a decent buy, think McTominay will give us grit and determination in a CDM role, so it possibly comes down to how Fred performs, possibly on the right side of a mid three, with Fernandes just slightly advanced. I think we will change the team around for Europa and EFL cup games, some academy lads may get a run out in those, thinking of the future.
Summer 2019 Midfield Rebuild
- Thread starter bosnian_red
- Start date
I've suggested this in the Pogba thread but I would insist on Casemiero being part of the deal, the sign Fernandes and Maddison. A midfield three of them would cover an awful lot of boxes that need to be ticked.
I would then still look at Longstaff or McGinn as more long-term / squad targets.
I would then still look at Longstaff or McGinn as more long-term / squad targets.
Marc Roca or Florentino Luis to compete with Matic or take over from him. Havertz or Aouar in case Pogba is leaving, which is looking more likely (not that either is likely to happen). Fabian Ruiz, irrespective of what happens with Pogba. Can't say I'm optimistic.
Ole is going to struggle to be attractive to big names, sorry. We can sell Pogba, Lukaku, DDG, get loads of cash, but who do we get in return for it? Kids or mercenaries imo.
Not being funny but the last thing we need is a Brazilian who doesn’t want to be here. No thanks.
I didn't mention a Brazilian in that post.
Mybad wrong post
No worries. Just checked Florentino Luis's social media and he has has extended his contract until 2024 a few days ago.
Neves---McTominay
--——Bruno-——-
Backup: Matic, Fred, Pereira, Mata, Gomes
--——Bruno-——-
Backup: Matic, Fred, Pereira, Mata, Gomes
I can imagine we'll replace Pogba with Bruno.
In regards to Herrera replacement, which we still haven't got, we should be getting a holding midfielder.
We've got McTominay, Fred, Pereira and even Fernandes (if we get him) to play that role. Other than Matic, who has lost his legs, we have no one who can really play the holding role.
In regards to Herrera replacement, which we still haven't got, we should be getting a holding midfielder.
We've got McTominay, Fred, Pereira and even Fernandes (if we get him) to play that role. Other than Matic, who has lost his legs, we have no one who can really play the holding role.
Attacking Mid/Mata
Holding Mid/Matic - Fred/McTominay
Then the following season, if Fred hasn't impressed, we get rid and get a top box to box midfielder.Holding Mid/Matic - Fred/McTominay
If Pogba eventually goes, a midfield of McTominay, Pereira, Fred and Matic is lacking in every department.
Not really suitable for high intensity pressing with Matic as the sole CDM, not really built for possesion football as all of them are inclined to loose the ball at dangerous areas, and most of them are not that strong on the ball.
Lacking a metronome to pull the strings from deep and control the game, lacking creativity, lacking passing range - and really lacking goals.
You can't go into the season with that engine room. Ed needs to pull the finger out, ASAP.
We need atleast 2 midfielders, 3 if Pogba goes.
Not really suitable for high intensity pressing with Matic as the sole CDM, not really built for possesion football as all of them are inclined to loose the ball at dangerous areas, and most of them are not that strong on the ball.
Lacking a metronome to pull the strings from deep and control the game, lacking creativity, lacking passing range - and really lacking goals.
You can't go into the season with that engine room. Ed needs to pull the finger out, ASAP.
We need atleast 2 midfielders, 3 if Pogba goes.
Midfield is being destroyed not rebuilt.
We could get him thrown into the deal plus cash for Pogba.
Surely we can get Ceballos included in a deal for Pogba id ask for him and Casemiro see how much they want him
seeing the pics of the earthquakes in California makes me think of our midfield rebuild for some reason...
Saw a graphic in the paper of who is going on tour and reading the midfield section and thought damn it looks dire. We need quality in their ASAP as the only one of quality has question marks over will he stay or go.
Might actually think it’s more pressing than a CB now.
Might actually think it’s more pressing than a CB now.
They don't want to sell him apparently a loan with no option to buy, I think that is what has put Levy off.
But we have said we don't want to sell Pogba either but it hasn't put them off. Keep pressing them.
Matic, Mata, Pogba, Lingard, McTominay, Chong, Gomes, James, Garner, Andreas
Whats wrong with that? If you believe the cafe.... Chong, Gomes and Garner are amazing?
But yes, what a dire midfield, especially if you take Pogba out of it
Yes, ditto all of this - what we do now in the market regarding midfield will define our season more than anything else... the options we have at the moment are just not good enough compared to our main rivals.
Its a little different though surely, Ceballos has to agree to the move.
The way I am feeling right now I say f*ck it all and just play the kids. McTomminay, Garner and Fred with Greenwood and Gomes up top with either Martial or Rashford
Our midfield isn’t good enough to challenge for the title, but let’s not forget we beat Spurs away with a midfield trio of Matic, Pogba and Herrera. We also beat PSG away with a trio of Fred, Mctominay and Pereira! The midfield isn’t what we want because we have high standards, were clearly getting at least one midfielder, like Spurs has - potentially more depending on what happens with Pogba, I wouldn’t be so pessimistic.
So this was the post you were referring to a couple of days ago...
Eerie how similar your midfield strategy is, including Havertz and Fabián (on top of Roca and Florentino from that thread). I think I love you!
Now that Ndombele is gone we must keep Pogba.
The CAF as a think tank is a bit like a magic 8 ball, or like a 11 yr old telling you he’s banged 100 chicks and 3 of them were Victoria secret models and he has nudes of Emily Radjakowski she sent him as that’s his bit on the side.Matic, Mata, Pogba, Lingard, McTominay, Chong, Gomes, James, Garner, Andreas
Whats wrong with that? If you believe the cafe.... Chong, Gomes and Garner are amazing?
But yes, what a dire midfield, especially if you take Pogba out of it
Even with Pogba in that midfield looks in trouble and as promising as that trio might be 1 is a winger, another an attacking midfielder and none totally ready to hold down a midfield place in the team. Even if you throw Fernandes in to that I’d still be asking questions.
So this was the post you were referring to a couple of days ago...
Eerie how similar your midfield strategy is, including Havertz and Fabián (on top of Roca and Florentino from that thread). I think I love you!
I'm flattered. We were on the same page regarding Rodrigo as well. Let's hope United actually do something meaningful in terms of midfield signings. Longstaff isn't enough.If Pogba leaves then our midfield is messed up. Even if we sign Bruno as his replacement then we'd still need another midfielder. If we sign Bruno and Longstaff if Pogba goes then we're still fecked. We need midfielders that will jump into the starting 11 which might not be the case with Longstaff
I don't have confidence in a midfield of Fernandes Mcctominay and Matic/Longstaff especially when I look at the midfield of our rivals. If Pogba should go then we absolutely need three midfielders. Get in Fernandes as his replacement. Get Longstaff in to replace Matic in the future and then a Herrera replacement. A proper Box to Box that can contribute in attack and defense then our midfield is set.
Realistically who do you guys think we should get as our Box to Box who can both defend and attack
I don't have confidence in a midfield of Fernandes Mcctominay and Matic/Longstaff especially when I look at the midfield of our rivals. If Pogba should go then we absolutely need three midfielders. Get in Fernandes as his replacement. Get Longstaff in to replace Matic in the future and then a Herrera replacement. A proper Box to Box that can contribute in attack and defense then our midfield is set.
Realistically who do you guys think we should get as our Box to Box who can both defend and attack
Can you even blame Pogba for wanting to leave looking at our current midfield?
Would you want to play with Kroos Modric and Casemiro?
Or Matic, Fred and McTominay?
Would you want to play with Kroos Modric and Casemiro?
Or Matic, Fred and McTominay?
Has there been many if any rumours regarding Neves? Lots of chat about him before the window but haven't heard much since.
I am starting to get the impression this midfield rebuild consists of one player. I find it so negligent it doesn't matter whether Pogba stays or not we are still only looking to bring in a single midfielder.
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If that's how it pans out, then it will be negligent. I think we'll do a bit more. We'll get that squad player to replace Herrera (who was actually a very important first team player) and a creative midfielder. Probably won't sign a DM this window. It won't be enough to be competitive at the top end, but it will help challenge for top 4.
Ole is wants to build the team around Pogba, and has said in previous interviews that he wants to let the attacking four 'attack'. That is Pogba and the front three.
With that being the case, then players like Fernandes and Savic, who we've most recently been linked with, just doesn't make sense, unless it's to replace Pogba.
Obviously, Ole could try and convert them into box to box midfielders and put one of them alongside Pogba, but for the price being touted, it's not worth taking the risk, in my opinion. That, and it would take away a lot from their game.
I believe the reason we're in for Longstaff is because he can eventually replace Matic and play the deeper role, with Fred or McTominay next to him playing the box to box role.
With that being the case, then players like Fernandes and Savic, who we've most recently been linked with, just doesn't make sense, unless it's to replace Pogba.
Obviously, Ole could try and convert them into box to box midfielders and put one of them alongside Pogba, but for the price being touted, it's not worth taking the risk, in my opinion. That, and it would take away a lot from their game.
I believe the reason we're in for Longstaff is because he can eventually replace Matic and play the deeper role, with Fred or McTominay next to him playing the box to box role.
This is what I'm most anxious about now we've solved the right back issue.
I actually think getting at least 1 midfielder (preferably 2) is more essential than getting a CB. Our midfield causes problem in defence and attack is what I feel. We just haven't gotten the balance right at all.
I actually think getting at least 1 midfielder (preferably 2) is more essential than getting a CB. Our midfield causes problem in defence and attack is what I feel. We just haven't gotten the balance right at all.
I thought Savic played b2b last season
He probably did. I didn't watch him. However, I doubt he has the positional and tactical awareness to stay deep and let Pogba attack like Herrera did. Could be wrong, though.
What makes you think that way?
He's a forward thinking player.
And what makes you think that way? Any evidence?
If we play 4231, which DM would be ideal to partner Pogba in a midfield of 2?