The left-back market…

SilentWitness said:
I think Doughty has the potential to be the next Robertson in terms of an LB pick up. Relatively cheap option as he's playing for Luton and they'll be relegated. Picked up a goal and 8 assists this season in the league.
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Doughty is my first choice pick too. He's hard-working, has a nice left peg, 6ft tall, tough and a great engine. Great mentality too. He won't be very expensive and doubt he'd command big wages either.

He's played 36 out of Luton's 37 games this season so seems robust too.
 
Amass is the "closest" thing to a sure thing we have in the academy behind Mainoo in recent times. Whilst you never know how his career will pan out, it would be good if the club has a clear plan on how they will bridge the gap between Shaw and Amass.

Alfie Doughty is one I definitely like. I think he has the ability to be a real gem and a great find. If im not mistaken he would be available on a free.
 
Remember the geese said:
I'd prefer to give him games here. As a deputy of course.
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Both Malacia and Shaw are injury prone which means that whoever comes in will get regular football. Amass had just turned 17 years of age. I can't think of many 17 year old FBs who cemented a regular role at a top club. The only guy I can think of was a certain Paolo Maldini. He did so in a defense which was way stronger then ours, under a manager who was way better then ETH and a time when it was considered acceptable for FBs to just sit deep and defend their quarter if they wanted to. Thus a new LB is a must unless we want to risk another season without a LB.

We are now part of a multi club model. Well its about time we use it. If needs be we can send Amass to Nice or even Lausanne with specific instructions that he is played regularly. By the end of that season then we have a clear view of the situation on the LB position. I struggle to believe that both Malacia and Shaw would suddenly become fit enough to be relied on and so good that it would be unthinkable to sell them off. The latter has missed more games then Martial because of injury.
 
Redivy said:
Amass is the "closest" thing to a sure thing we have in the academy behind Mainoo in recent times. Whilst you never know how his career will pan out, it would be good if the club has a clear plan on how they will bridge the gap between Shaw and Amass.

Alfie Doughty is one I definitely like. I think he has the ability to be a real gem and a great find. If im not mistaken he would be available on a free.
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If you really think Amass can start games by 19, we could buy a backup for Licha who can play LB like Hincapie. It makes even more sense to do that if the new manager is someone who switches from 3 to 4 at the back at times like Tuchel or (yikes but who knows) Southgate.
 
Rojofiam said:
Right back, centre back, defensive midfielder, and right winger are all way bigger priorities than left back
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Right back is definitely not a bigger priority. A new LB (or at least CB who can play as LB) is essential. No professional club would ever trust a 17 year old to start 30 games, which will happen with the constant injuries of Shaw and Malacia. Imagine him against the likes of Palmer or Saka. We gotta carefully integrate the youngsters, as not everyone has the same development tempo as Mainoo or Garnacho.
 
devilish said:
TBH I can't see him turning Manchester United down for Ipswich for 3 reasons

a- salary. Leaf Davis is at around 10k a week.
b- Considering the competition Leif has one hell of a chance of becoming United's no 1 LB. If he does that then the path for him to become England's no 1 LB is way open
c- I can't see him swapping Manchester United for a club who has a decent chance of getting relegated next season.
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Is it really? Playing for United will at least not next season offer him a platform to really show off on the biggest stages. To win titles with the national team you need players who can deal with the highest pressure knockouts. CL experience is more relevant to that than PL experience. I know Southgate doesn't seem to watch anything else than the PL, but we aren't sure he is staying, are we?
 
bitcoin said:
He's played 36 out of Luton's 37 games this season so seems robust too.
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At LWB, I don’t think he’s good enough defensively to play in a back 4 personally so it’ll be interesting to see how you set up next season.

I like him a lot though, would be a great pickup for us as well.
 
Shipperley said:
At LWB, I don’t think he’s good enough defensively to play in a back 4 personally so it’ll be interesting to see how you set up next season.

I like him a lot though, would be a great pickup for us as well.
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I think he can improve in that area and if you have a manager who can set up accordingly with a robust defense and cover it would be alright.
 
stefan92 said:
Is it really? Playing for United will at least not next season offer him a platform to really show off on the biggest stages. To win titles with the national team you need players who can deal with the highest pressure knockouts. CL experience is more relevant to that than PL experience. I know Southgate doesn't seem to watch anything else than the PL, but we aren't sure he is staying, are we?
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As said before I can see Leif Davis route to the first team as pretty straightforward. Now what United will bring to the table from a career perspective?

A- The biggest spotlight in world football. If Leif does well then all the world would notice and that include England's manager
B- A team that must play attacking football. That's something Ipswich and its ilk can't provide him with if they are playing in the EPL
C- We're going for best in class people football wise ie guys like Ashworth and Wilcox. Ashworth in particular is well known within the FA inner circles
D- A number of English internationals to work with.

Now let's say he does well with United ie he provide 50% of all assists he provided to Ipswich this season (9 assists). Who can really compete with that? Shaw is always injured, Chilwell is not doing great at Chelsea while Trippier is 33 years old and he's predominately a RB. Southgate is being forced to play CBs (ex Tomori vs Malta and Colwill against Australia) as LBs because he has no choice.
 
devilish said:
A- The biggest spotlight in world football
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That's the point I am not so sure about. I am aware that there is massive media coverage for United in England, simply because United still has a huge amount of fans and therefore it sells well. But is it the biggest spotlight in the world? I don't think so. When I look at German media for example the clubs who are in the CL spotlight get much more coverage while United is rarely mentioned at all. So clubs like Real, Barcelona, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, I think even PSG got much more coverage than United during the last years. The clubs status is slowly fading and when it's mentioned it's usually only when it hits a new low as an update "the fallen giant falls further".
 
stefan92 said:
That's the point I am not so sure about. I am aware that there is massive media coverage for United in England, simply because United still has a huge amount of fans and therefore it sells well. But is it the biggest spotlight in the world? I don't think so. When I look at German media for example the clubs who are in the CL spotlight get much more coverage while United is rarely mentioned at all. So clubs like Real, Barcelona, City, Liverpool, Chelsea, I think even PSG got much more coverage than United during the last years. The clubs status is slowly fading and when it's mentioned it's usually only when it hits a new low as an update "the fallen giant falls further".
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In England it surely is and that's what often matters for England's manager.

I've been watching football for 4 decades now and here's what I think. If I am a national team manager and I have to pick one between a player who is giving a 6.5 rating at a big club and the other who is giving a 7 rating at a smaller club then I'll choose the former every single time. That's because the former knows how to handle the stress of playing top level football on a week in week out basis. If that player happens to be a defender then I'll go for the former every single time. Smaller clubs defend deep and in numbers. That means that things such anticipation, positioning and passing the ball accurately is less important to them then someone playing a high line. They are new to the pressure of having to win every single game. If Leif does well with Manchester United then I'd be shocked if he doesn't earn his first senior caps with England in that 6 months period.
 
We need a hybrid LB/LCB player like Gvardiol to cover for Shaw & Martinez.
 
devilish said:
Both Malacia and Shaw are injury prone which means that whoever comes in will get regular football. Amass had just turned 17 years of age. I can't think of many 17 year old FBs who cemented a regular role at a top club. The only guy I can think of was a certain Paolo Maldini. He did so in a defense which was way stronger then ours, under a manager who was way better then ETH and a time when it was considered acceptable for FBs to just sit deep and defend their quarter if they wanted to. Thus a new LB is a must unless we want to risk another season without a LB.

We are now part of a multi club model. Well its about time we use it. If needs be we can send Amass to Nice or even Lausanne with specific instructions that he is played regularly. By the end of that season then we have a clear view of the situation on the LB position. I struggle to believe that both Malacia and Shaw would suddenly become fit enough to be relied on and so good that it would be unthinkable to sell them off. The latter has missed more games then Martial because of injury.
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I'm of the opinion that we need a new left back. We can look to sell one of Malacia or Shaw. I'd probably keep Shaw as depth. Amass can deputise for the new left back.
 
Remember the geese said:
I'm of the opinion that we need a new left back. We can look to sell one of Malacia or Shaw. I'd probably keep Shaw as depth. Amass can deputise for the new left back.
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In my opinion we should be realistic.

A- Amass needs a 1 year loan. He won't get many games at his age so he's better going somewhere were he can
B- Neither Malacia nor Shaw will leave the club in the near future for the simple reason that no one is interested in players whose been injured for most of the season

Thus let's bring in someone young but not too young, who won't cost us a bomb and whose good enough to play regularly but won't mind the bench if need be. Once that happens then we've got a year to assess Malacia/Shaw fitness + we'll be providing Amass with 1 year of regular football

PS its not wise to keep a 150k a week LB to spend his time between the bench and treatment room. Therefore assuming we but a new LB then if 2 out of the new guy, Malacia and Amass do well then we'll probably push Shaw out.
 
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devilish said:
In my opinion we should be realistic.

A- Amass needs a 1 year loan. He won't get many games at his age so he's better of somewhere were he can
B- Neither Malacia nor Shaw will leave the club in the near future for the simple reason that no one is interested in players whose been injured for most of the season

Thus let's bring in someone young but not too young, who won't cost us a bomb and whose good enough to play regularly but won't mind the bench if need be. Once that happens then we've got a year to assess Malacia/Shaw fitness + we'll be providing Amass with 1 year of regular football
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I agree. When fit it's hard to find anyone better than Shaw, at least someone obtainable. Malacia is fine as cover. People are being unrealistic if they think we'll be able to sell one of them. I agree about Amass as well, we should be looking to prepare him to be our starting LB if we really think he can be that good. Even Mainoo could have done with a year on loan somewhere. The fact he's a nailed on starter right now is as much to do with our poor midfield options as it is to do with his own ability and potential.

The obvious issue is that both LBs have been injured most of the season, and we know that for Shaw this is a regular problem. He's unlikely to ever go a full season without at least one muscular injury that keeps him out for a month or two. We just have to hope that next season they'll both have more luck, and at least one of them will be available at any given time.

I also think Dalot can play there. It's not ideal, but he can do it. I think it actually makes more sense to replace AWB with a more technical RB. However, it's unlikely we'll be able to sell AWB either, and the RB market isn't great right now.

What we should really do is make sure we sign at least one CB who is both athletic and technical enough to play RB comfortably. Arsenal have been very clever in signing not one but two players that can do this in White and Timber.

The ability of our current defenders to play multiple positions effectively is really poor. It's something we should try to improve so as to offset any kind of injury crisis during future seasons.
 
devilish said:
Its not just Southgate. The Italians and the Spanish do the same.
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With Southgate I feel he only rates PL performances and nothing else. Other international managers seem to rate more the performance in the CL as well. But as I said, just a feeling.

And if a manager cares about CL performances, than a move to a club that isn't playing there doesn't put you in the best spotlight.
 
jderbyshire said:
We need a hybrid LB/LCB player like Gvardiol to cover for Shaw & Martinez.
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There are a few of those around which I think are options:

Hincapie
Facundo Medina
Arthur Theate
Mika Faye
 
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Crimson King said:
I agree. When fit it's hard to find anyone better than Shaw, at least someone obtainable. Malacia is fine as cover. People are being unrealistic if they think we'll be able to sell one of them. I agree about Amass as well, we should be looking to prepare him to be our starting LB if we really think he can be that good. Even Mainoo could have done with a year on loan somewhere. The fact he's a nailed on starter right now is as much to do with our poor midfield options as it is to do with his own ability and potential.

The obvious issue is that both LBs have been injured most of the season, and we know that for Shaw this is a regular problem. He's unlikely to ever go a full season without at least one muscular injury that keeps him out for a month or two. We just have to hope that next season they'll both have more luck, and at least one of them will be available at any given time.

I also think Dalot can play there. It's not ideal, but he can do it. I think it actually makes more sense to replace AWB with a more technical RB. However, it's unlikely we'll be able to sell AWB either, and the RB market isn't great right now.

What we should really do is make sure we sign at least one CB who is both athletic and technical enough to play RB comfortably. Arsenal have been very clever in signing not one but two players that can do this in White and Timber.

The ability of our current defenders to play multiple positions effectively is really poor. It's something we should try to improve so as to offset any kind of injury crisis during future seasons.
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A lot of what you say makes sense including Dalots ability at LB but I don't agree with the bold, we absolutely should be able to sell him, not always injured, decent for a lower positioned team, homegrown and not on £300k a week.

I think we need to hold Ineos to a higher standard, not the Arnold & Murtough standard.
 
AngeloHenriquez said:
A lot of what you say makes sense including Dalots ability at LB but I don't agree with the bold, we absolutely should be able to sell him, not always injured, decent for a lower positioned team, homegrown and not on £300k a week.

I think we need to hold Ineos to a higher standard, not the Arnold & Murtough standard.
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Fair enough mate, I hope you're right to be honest.
 
aeh1991 said:
Right back is definitely not a bigger priority. A new LB (or at least CB who can play as LB) is essential. No professional club would ever trust a 17 year old to start 30 games, which will happen with the constant injuries of Shaw and Malacia. Imagine him against the likes of Palmer or Saka. We gotta carefully integrate the youngsters, as not everyone has the same development tempo as Mainoo or Garnacho.
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Personally agreewith the post you are responding to. We have two right backs have been here for years and neither are good enough to warrant being first choice.

Of oursethe injuries are concerning butwehave a top left back, a top youngster and Malacia to come back.

Almost irrelevantasfrom reports the club seem so agree with you. If we were signing one,for me Dorgu for a decent price around £30m or ideal choice for me is Balde at Barcelona.Heard he has saidbefore the only other club he wouldplay for is us, financial trouble for Barcelona and I think he could reach prime Evra levels, very talented player
 
Selling Malacia and getting Doughty in would be good business.

Doughty has a very good fitness record, and his attacking stats have been great this year in very poor team.

He’ll only have a year on his contract left, 15m?
 
Bwuk said:
Selling Malacia and getting Doughty in would be good business.

Doughty has a very good fitness record, and his attacking stats have been great this year in very poor team.

He’ll only have a year on his contract left, 15m?
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Nobody is buying Malacia. He hasn’t played a game since April last year.
 
Redivy said:
Amass is the "closest" thing to a sure thing we have in the academy behind Mainoo in recent times. Whilst you never know how his career will pan out, it would be good if the club has a clear plan on how they will bridge the gap between Shaw and Amass.

Alfie Doughty is one I definitely like. I think he has the ability to be a real gem and a great find. If im not mistaken he would be available on a free.
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What made you think he was available on a free
 
HasHarry Amass the maturity to make the step up next season to the first team? We've seen quite a number of young players take on bigger roles for their clubs this season (Miley, Hall, Mainoo etc) but it still feels too soon. But if the potential is that big then it wouldn't make sense to buy a new left back this summer.
 
devilish said:
Now let's say he does well with United ie he provide 50% of all assists he provided to Ipswich this season (9 assists). Who can really compete with that? Shaw is always injured, Chilwell is not doing great at Chelsea while Trippier is 33 years old and he's predominately a RB. Southgate is being forced to play CBs (ex Tomori vs Malta and Colwill against Australia) as LBs because he has no choice.
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I honestly don’t know if Davis is good enough or not…. But keep in mind when comparing him to players like Chilwell: the Ipswich player nominated alongside Davis for PFA player of the season from Ipswich is on Chelsea’s books, and was not always picked to start for the U21’s prior to this loan.

There is a big playing level gap, and you guys are United.

Hincapie, to give a high quality option at two spots, seems like a good idea for you guys in particular.
 
Bluelion7 said:
I honestly don’t know if Davis is good enough or not…. But keep in mind when comparing him to players like Chilwell: the Ipswich player nominated alongside Davis for PFA player of the season from Ipswich is on Chelsea’s books, and was not always picked to start for the U21’s prior to this loan.

There is a big playing level gap, and you guys are United.

Hincapie, to give a high quality option at two spots, seems like a good idea for you guys in particular.
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I hear you. However you have to take United's situation in account as well. We've got a limited budget and we've got too many positions that need to be filled. We've also got 3 LBs, 2 of which are basically unsellable at this point due to injuries while one is very promising (though he needs a year on loan). In such circumstances we need someone whose relatively young (resale value), who won't cost us a bomb, whose got the characteristics of a modern attacking wingback and whose used to a physical league. Davis fit the bill.
 
jesperjaap said:
Personally agreewith the post you are responding to. We have two right backs have been here for years and neither are good enough to warrant being first choice.

Of oursethe injuries are concerning butwehave a top left back, a top youngster and Malacia to come back.

Almost irrelevantasfrom reports the club seem so agree with you. If we were signing one,for me Dorgu for a decent price around £30m or ideal choice for me is Balde at Barcelona.Heard he has saidbefore the only other club he wouldplay for is us, financial trouble for Barcelona and I think he could reach prime Evra levels, very talented player
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Luke is only a top LB when he is not injured and in good form. Other than that he is just a good defender, who can play LB and LCB. He shouldn't be a clear starter and needs competition. Sure, we could gamble on Amass, but I would prefer to loan him to Nice or Lausanne for two seasons and let him develop. When he's back he's still U-20 and will have experienced more game time and with less pressure than here. Malacia is unreliable and should be sold. Even when he was fit, he's never shown he is any good enough for the EPL imo. Having a younger LB who is available, challenges Luke and replaces him when he's injured again, would be a massive help. Basically a Reguilon in good. I don't mind Davis, Locko or Doughty. I want a LCB that can play LB too, but seperate from a new LB specialist.
 
I think we need someone who can challenge Shaw at least to stay fit:

Leif Davis
Miguel Gutierrez
Alfie Doughty

All would be reasonably priced and could come in if Shaw is not fit or has to move to LCB for Martinez if he is not fit. Also gives Amass time to integrate to the first team.
 
Gamble on Leif Davis. Did an amazing season and to be frank if Shaw is fit he's a great first choice.
 
aeh1991 said:
Luke is only a top LB when he is not injured and in good form. Other than that he is just a good defender, who can play LB and LCB. He shouldn't be a clear starter and needs competition. Sure, we could gamble on Amass, but I would prefer to loan him to Nice or Lausanne for two seasons and let him develop. When he's back he's still U-20 and will have experienced more game time and with less pressure than here. Malacia is unreliable and should be sold. Even when he was fit, he's never shown he is any good enough for the EPL imo. Having a younger LB who is available, challenges Luke and replaces him when he's injured again, would be a massive help. Basically a Reguilon in good. I don't mind Davis, Locko or Doughty. I want a LCB that can play LB too, but seperate from a new LB specialist.
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Come on when he is fit he is one of the best left backs in the world and a surprisingly good centre back. Our right backs have zero sense of positioning, sloppy passing, poor awareness in there own area and one of them cant even defend.
 
devilish said:
What if I told you that we can get a 24 year old LB whose 6ft tall, who is used to the English game, who is currently the top assist man in his league and whose got just 1 year left in his contract? I am referring to Leif Davis, 43 games, 2 goals and 18 assists. That's more then Rashford, Garnacho, Hojlund, Antony, Mount, Mainoo and Eriksen put together.

I think that deal is a no brainer. We can pick his manager up while at it.
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A system player who has excelled as an attacking player in a well disciplined Ipswich side. As a pure LB, he can't defend very well and is a bit wasted there. He probably spends around 60-75% of his time in the LW position. He could work wonders but only in a certain system where one of the midfielders (Loungo for Ipswich) covers his LB/LWB position.
 
Bluelion7 said:
I honestly don’t know if Davis is good enough or not…. But keep in mind when comparing him to players like Chilwell: the Ipswich player nominated alongside Davis for PFA player of the season from Ipswich is on Chelsea’s books, and was not always picked to start for the U21’s prior to this loan.

There is a big playing level gap, and you guys are United.

Hincapie, to give a high quality option at two spots, seems like a good idea for you guys in particular.
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Can remember Arsenal being linked to Hincapie
 
There are talks about Real planning with Miguel Gutierrez for the next season. We should go after Leif Davis or Bradley Locko if that's the case.
 
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