We will sign 7 players minimum this Summer

[JSMHE]

First of all, Gerrard can defend quite well. It's not his natural type of play, but he can defend, and would do a better job than the likes of Carrick. I don't expect a manager to pick Gerrard as a defender, but he could play there if needs be, like Carrick could, but would it be comfortable....No. Carvalho may be an ok defender, but again, it's not his main position



I assume you mean small as in build, because he is about 6ft2", and again, is very good defensively, but as I said, I wouldn't want to play him in defence.
As for a small guy as a center back, a few posts back you said teams like Barca play defensive midfielders in defence...You mentioned Mascherano. What is he...5'8 or so?



I agree, there are some more important positions that need filling first....LB and CDM of course, but I still believe a CB is up there on the to do list.
Why not give Varela a chance, rather than signing another RB. You want Carvalho as a potential player who can slot into defence when needed. Well why not do that with Jones and Smalling at RB. In my opinion, they are not good enough there, but again, it's not their natural positions. A CB is clearly more needed than a RB right now




This is what I am saying. Varane is a top defender, who is young, yet he plays second fiddle to an experienced pair at the back. Jones and / or Smalling in my mind have to do that also. I don't want to rotate in defence. I want a reliable pairing at CB, and I just don't think they are it. They also get injured to much to play a full season together.
I'd happily sell Smalling if it meant improving our back line.
As for Jones at CDM. He played some of his best football their 2 seasons ago. So far, I think he has shone there, a lot more than in defence, although I do think he will be a defender.



Kompany is a guaranteed starter at City. Demichelis to be fair hasn't had that bad of a season. I think the press have made a lot more people think he has been worse than he really has been this season.
Mangala would always play second fiddle to Kompany, and although I believe would start the majority of games, he would sometimes be dropped for others in the odd matches. Nastatic does have a few injury problems, but he is better than both Jones and Smalling currently

As for United, Mangala would be the number 1 choice at CB. He would be the one we rely on. He would start every game that he is fit, then it would be a decision of who plays with him. Is he better than what Vidic or Ferdinand was? No, but is anybody available who are better than they were



Right now, I would prefer Jones and Evans, but I do think they are all of similar quality. Again, I do think there are other area's we need to improve first, but the squad in general does need a bit of an overhaul

If you think Gerrard can defend well then your assumption on Javi Martinez or Mascherano will be a great defending. That's why Javi and Mascherano can play as a centre back. Nor Gerrard!! When we were talking about a player who can also play in centre back as a cover, I just never understand that you used Gerrard and compare him with Javi and Mascherano. Biased.

Being short and small is two different thing. And also clearly Masherano has strength, energy and a tackler. It's not really hard to understand how much difference between Khedira and Mascherano. Even both of them play in different role as a midfielder. I still can't believe that you even try to compare Khedira role with Javi Martinez or Mascherano role.

I already said if we can get a defensive midfield, a left back or "may be" a right back. It will improve our defense enough. I don't see a 30 million to spent for a centre back is important with an excuse of "injury prone" While clearly the most injury prone is right back position this season. And I said if we are worry with that injury (even with 4 total CB, Jones, Evans, Smalling, Keane/Rio) we can still have another cover if we can get a defensive midfield who can do the job done. And then suddenly you changed your mind into "Smalling/Jones" is not good enough. If you think so then sell one of them and buy Mangala. Why do we need non good enough player when we have enough cover. Mangala, Evans, Smalling, Jones, Rio/Keane are too many. Unless you like the idea of rotation pair of CB (I don't know how many times I said this already). Unless if we convert Jones as a defensive midfield. Then I can see a 30 million spent for a centre back additional is very important.

Smalling is most likely a starter in England with Cahill. And yet his current level isn't much different with Varane. And Smalling is most likely our 3rd choice CB. Wait is he even a centre back, he even played more as a right back. Poor him. And people think he's not good enough when he's been playing out of position. It's also funny how you judge Demichelis and you think he can challenge Mangala more than Smalling does. I don't think Nastasic's current level is proven to be a better centre back than Smalling while he's been an injury prone, I won't judge him this season. If you want to talk about last season then I might also mention Smalling performance in his first season with us was really promising.

 

[Name Changed]

Ballague said we have 330 million to spend, not that I believe that for a second. If true though, we could certainly afford 7 players!

 

[Slevs]

We don't need seven.

We need 1 left back, 1 defender, 1 world class midfielder, and possibly 1 midfielder.

You don't go to purchasing seven players to fix a team that won the league at a canter last season. Let's not forget we were managed by a relatively inexperienced man at the very top level for about a year.

 

[sullydnl]

We very obviously don't need seven players.

We need to get 3/4 in this window and then try to slowly upgrade in a few other positions over the next few years. We can't expect to instantly fix every flaw in our squad and we don't need to either.

Priorities for this window (IMO) are a LB, two CMs and a CB. Getting first teamers for those four positions would be a massive summer by any normal standards and would have us back competing for the PL (provided the manager does his job).

If Van Gaal is our manager then we're even less likely to make that many signings as he tends to promote a lot of youth players.

The absolute most I could ever imagine us possibly signing would be five players and at that point I'd actually be worried if we'd made the right decision as it would take so long for the players to bed in.

 

[Sied]

Ballague said we have 330 million to spend, not that I believe that for a second. If true though, we could certainly afford 7 players!

If that includes salaries it doesn't sound too far fetched!

We don't need seven.

We need 1 left back, 1 defender, 1 world class midfielder, and possibly 1 midfielder.

You don't go to purchasing seven players to fix a team that won the league at a canter last season. Let's not forget we were managed by a relatively inexperienced man at the very top level for about a year.

I'd throw a winger in there as well.

I think CB isn't actually urgent either, with us not having CL next season. We could afford to wait until next summer to bring one in, or whenever the best CB opportunity becomes available in that period. I still have hope for Smalling/Jones/Evans, as this season hasn't exactly reflected well on many of the players. Even those who are tried, tested and proven talents, haven't performed this season, so I see no reason why the youngsters can't potentially prove themselves yet. I'd just promote someone like Keane as the backup 4th CB and see how he does when called upon.

 

[Van Piorsing]

Yes, we don't need seven players but if they were world class or talented prospects, available we could surely use them.

We can make space for that number with so many futures in question. (Young, Ando, Rio, Evra, Zaha, Clev)

 

[Twigg]

Okay, feeling a bit muppet-ish right now so I might as well express my thoughts a bit.

If we get van Gaal then I reckon chances will be given to Cleverley, Keane, Zaha, Wilson, Lingard and Powell next season, and I think he'll be able to get the best out of them all. I think Kagawa will be off simply because we've got too many attacking midfielders. Nani and Young will be leaving too, IMO, and we'll probably bring in one established winger, preferably a pacey left-winger to replace them. I think we'll sign Carvalho and Shaw, and hopefully Kroos. I would like to see one of Rooney and van Persie gone because we simply don't function well with both of them on the pitch at the same time, and neither of them will want to play second fiddle. And I think we'll promote Keane rather than buy another centre half. So I expect four signings at the very most this window and next season we'll be looking at something like:

De Gea

Rafael
Jones
Evans
Shaw

Carvalho/Carrick
Kroos/Cleverley
Mata/Powell

Valencia/New winger
van Persie/Rooney
Januzaj/Zaha

 

[Igor Drefljak]

@JSMHE

Firstly, Smalling will not start the world cup next to Cahill unless Jagielka is injured.
I am not saying Smalling and Jones are bad players, I just think they are not to the standard of what we have had, and if you gave me the option, would I sell Smalling or Jones to buy a Mangala or Hummels?, then yes, yes I would.
(Again, I think they are good players, but good squad players, not particular important players.)
As for rotating CBs. I also never said that. I'd like a back two of one of the 3 we have, plus a top CB, then, the other to, play more bit part roles, filling in so one can be rested, or for injuries etc)

As for the Mascherano view. When he was at Liverpool, he was never a defender. Barca put him there because he is good defensively, and can pass the ball. Khedeira can defend just as well, the only reason you are saying he could not play as a backup defender is because Real have never needed to put him there. I am not saying they would, but thats because they have sufficient cover anyway.
Also, I am not saying Gerrard is a good defender, but he could put a decent shift in, if asked, but as I was saying about all these players, I wouldn't play them as a defender, I was just making my point that it's better to buy a proper defender, rather than sign Carvalho who could be used there if needed. Also...Biased how? I am not a Liverpool fan?

It's clear on this topic alone, most people list a CB as something they want, so I am not the only one who would want a defender to come in. Most people see the need for one, and it's not just me.
If you made a topic and asked people, if we signed a LB and CM, would a CB be a high priority, or would you be happy with Smalling, Jones, Evans and Keane, I think most would want to see another CB.

As for Nastatic and Varane, they are better defenders than Smalling.
I also was not comparing Demi to Mangala, but I was saying, here, he would be the main defender, the one that starts every match, at City, that is Kompany, and even with Managala, would still be Kompany


As I said in my last post though, we won't agree so might aswell just leave it, we are taking over this thread right now and it isn't helping

 

[Slevs]

If that includes salaries it doesn't sound too far fetched!



I'd throw a winger in there as well.

I think CB isn't actually urgent either, with us not having CL next season. We could afford to wait until next summer to bring one in, or whenever the best CB opportunity becomes available in that period. I still have hope for Smalling/Jones/Evans, as this season hasn't exactly reflected well on many of the players. Even those who are tried, tested and proven talents, haven't performed this season, so I see no reason why the youngsters can't potentially prove themselves yet. I'd just promote someone like Keane as the backup 4th CB and see how he does when called upon.

I keep forgetting we're out of the CL, good point.

 

[Name Changed]

If we have 150m-200m to spend which is widely reported, does this include players sales? For example, if we got 50m for selling Young, Hernandez, Nani and Valencia, plus take high earners like Rio, Evra and Vidic off the books, do we have that extra revenue?

 

[Pexbo]

If we have 150m-200m to spend which is widely reported, does this include players sales? For example, if we got 50m for selling Young, Hernandez, Nani and Valencia, plus take high earners like Rio, Evra and Vidic off the books, do we have that extra revenue?

I have a feeling it's all included.

We've done the figures to keep the books balanced, clearing high earners off the pay role will clear up £20m+ a year in wages added to the fees we should receive for players leaving makes the £200m easy to believe IMO.

 

[Plugsy]

If we're cutting some of the squad fat we could well sign two or three players that nobody here will get excited about but who will fit into that 'playing 15-20 games a season' niche

 

[Sandikan]

gonna be exciting. I hope!
At the very least better than last summer!

 

[Gopher Brown]

It'll be 2/3 this summer and 2/3 next summer. No massive upheavals, just gradual evolution.

 

[starman]

Does any one actually believe we are going to spend 150-200m this summer?. If the associated figure is real, its probably the budget Moyes was given if he stayed for his whole contract.

We lambaste, City and Chelsea for their spending, than break the record ourself and spend 200m in one summer! Not going to happen.

 

[Plugsy]

Does any one actually believe we are going to spend 150-200m this summer?. If the associated figure is real, its probably the budget Moyes was given if he stayed for his whole contract.

We lambaste, City and Chelsea for their spending, than break the record ourself and spend 200m in one summer! Not going to happen.

So you think the reason we won't spend it is because we don't want to come across as hypocritical?

The figure I read recently was £120m. We don't have to spend all of it, but I'm confident it's there to be spent. We won't be signing anyone until the European seasons come to a clubs, at least I'd doubt we would until that time anyway.

 

[NoLogo]

Does any one actually believe we are going to spend 150-200m this summer?. If the associated figure is real, its probably the budget Moyes was given if he stayed for his whole contract.

We lambaste, City and Chelsea for their spending, than break the record ourself and spend 200m in one summer! Not going to happen.

People are more complaining about the fact that they spend money that they didn't earn, not the fact that they are spending money at on players in itself.

 

[charleysurf]

It'll be 2/3 this summer and 2/3 next summer. No massive upheavals, just gradual evolution.

It'll take more than 2 new players to get this squad into the top 4 next season, never mind challenge for title. One central midfielder and one left back could bring a big improvement if they are top quality. But not enough. Still problems with CB, RB, wingers....

 

[Im red2]

We need (IMHO) 3 new midfielders, a left back (Shaw?), a center back, and a winger. One of the midfielders we already have in Nick Powell (instead of Fellaini). The other 2 could be Carvalho and Kroos. Center back could be either Keane or someone like Garay or both. The perfect winger would be Marco Reus. That brings us to 4 or 5 new players. Wilson is also proving himself to be a quality player. I can see us signing 5 new players.

 

[Gopher Brown]

It'll take more than 2 new players to get this squad into the top 4 next season, never mind challenge for title. One central midfielder and one left back could bring a big improvement if they are top quality. But not enough. Still problems with CB, RB, wingers....

I repeat, it'll be 2 or 3. If it's 3 of real quality who are starters that will do it. Next season will be a struggle too -new manager, old players stuck in their ways etc.

If we get top 4 we'll be doing alright.

 

[KingMinger22]

Fabregas, Carvalho, Shaw, a CB and hopefully one of Reus/Kroos/whoever would put us right back up there.

 

[Glanville95]

If we sign two or three players that will be a massive disappointment. We should be looking at four or five, irrespective of no European football next season.

 

[Plugsy]

We need to be careful we don't sign players that'd stifle what we have. Our back-line, Evra and Ferdinand aside, are going and should be given time to breathe and develop. The likes of Smalling, Jones, Rafael, Evans and the keeper are the bedrock of this club for years to come. Perhaps adding Shaw to that list.

 

[RORY65]

We need to be careful we don't sign players that'd stifle what we have. Our back-line, Evra and Ferdinand aside, are going and should be given time to breathe and develop. The likes of Smalling, Jones, Rafael, Evans and the keeper are the bedrock of this club for years to come. Perhaps adding Shaw to that list.

We really could do with another centre half, the 3 left are all injury prone and none of them are outstanding. We're also losing loads of experience at the back as well so a quality 26-27 year old centre half would be great. Another right back/utility defender would also be useful given how brittle Rafael is and the fact he's also still an idiot after 5 years at the club. That being said, I'd imagine 4 would be the maximum number of transfers this summer and a lot of the players linked just seem very unlikely considering we won't be in Europe, are a bit chaotic at the moment and are owned by the Glazer family.

 

[Deleted 20801]

If we sign two or three players that will be a massive disappointment. We should be looking at four or five, irrespective of no European football next season.

3 players is a massive disappointment, but 4...4 will be great!

 

[Glanville95]

3 players is a massive disappointment, but 4...4 will be great!

Five would be preferable, four I'd be content with, three I'd begrudgingly accept and two I'd be downright disappointed with. Just because we've had a clown in charge for the best part of a season, who has underperformed with the players at his disposal, doesn't mean we have a superb squad. This team has needed minor surgery for a few years and more deficiencies have developed since then.

 

[Deleted 20801]

Five would be preferable, four I'd be content with, three I'd begrudgingly accept and two I'd be downright disappointed with.

I thought it was the case, it just made me laugh because of the distinction from 3 and 4.

I think it really depends on the players we go for anyway, even just 2 signings of the right quality could have a huge impact on the team.

 

[Glanville95]

I thought it was the case, it just made me laugh because of the distinction from 3 and 4.

I think it really depends on the players we go for anyway, even just 2 signings of the right quality could have a huge impact on the team.

No doubt they could, but when we have neglected our midfield issues for nigh on seven years, you can understand my apprehension if we don't address other weaknesses that may and have already arisen, like our defence and wingers situation.

 

[Deleted 20801]

No doubt they could, but when we have neglected our midfield issues for nigh on seven years, you can understand my apprehension if we don't address other weaknesses that may and have already arisen, like our defence and wingers situation.

As long as we address our problems with the right quality I reckon we could be alright, I'd say 1 signing is unlikely to be enough though, 2 outstanding ones might be. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against multiple signings but for me the focus should be on quality, even if that means not making as many.

 

[Revan]

As long as we address our problems with the right quality I reckon we could be alright, I'd say 1 signing is unlikely to be enough though, 2 outstanding ones might be. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against multiple signings but for me the focus should be on quality, even if that means not making as many.

Yep. Especially considering that we won't have UCL next season, I think is more important to have a quality squad even if that isn't as big as usual. Then when we return to UCL (hopefully for 2015-2016) we can add a few squad players, but right now I think that we should sing players that will improve our first eleven.

 

[Glanville95]

As long as we address our problems with the right quality I reckon we could be alright, I'd say 1 signing is unlikely to be enough though, 2 outstanding ones might be. Don't get me wrong, I'm not against multiple signings but for me the focus should be on quality, even if that means not making as many.

Assuming we won't be in European competition next season, I suppose there isn't really a necessity for a large squad - as Liverpool have shown this season. Still, wholesale changes have been needed for a few years and I don't think our exclusion from European football should be used as an excuse to hold that off for a year, or by simply making minor changes this summer.

As it stands, we already have a very large squad, a squad that needs to be refined and well balanced. We have quite a lot of star quality, but there is a bit of a disparity between those four/five players and the large majority of the rest of the squad. If we are playing more or less the same side week-in, week-out, a large squad isn't required, but a strong core certainly is.

I've said this quite often, but I really wouldn't be adverse to seeing in excess of ten players leave. I'm not advocating plenty of outgoings and plenty of incomings is the only solution, but there really is a lot of dross in this team that needs to go sooner rather than later.

 

[Blasphemy]

Minimum
1x left back
1x central midfielder

Really Need
1x left back
2x central midfielder
1x winger
1x centre back
1x right back (backup)

We definitely need 5 players plus imo to challenge for the title.

 

[Revan]

Minimum
1x left back
1x central midfielder

Really Need
1x left back
2x central midfielder
1x winger
1x centre back
1x right back (backup)

We definitely need 5 players plus imo to challenge for the title.

We have a perfectly good one (RB) that we signed last year so it will be a waste of money to sign another one. Knowing that LVG loves young players, I think that Varela will be that player next season.

I agree about the left back, CB and one or two central midfielders (depending on how many we will offload this season). About the winger, if we can get a really great one (like Reus) then it would be good, but I don't think that we must sing a winger. All of Mata, Januzaj, Kagawa and Welbeck are able to play there while I doubt that we can manage to get rid of our three senior wingers.

 

[Blasphemy]

We have a perfectly good one (RB) that we signed last year so it will be a waste of money to sign another one. Knowing that LVG loves young players, I think that Varela will be that player next season.

I agree about the left back, CB and one or two central midfielders (depending on how many we will offload this season). About the winger, if we can get a really great one (like Reus) then it would be good, but I don't think that we must sing a winger. All of Mata, Januzaj, Kagawa and Welbeck are able to play there while I doubt that we can manage to get rid of our three senior wingers.

We need a winger with pace, Welbeck has pace but he doesn't play that well out wide.

Varela's never played for us in the first team, if he steps up then brilliant but I don't know enough about him to comment.

 

[Red Shorts]

As long as we have a more promising summer than the last, it is all I would like to see! Can't dive lower than that, surely?

 

[Glanville95]

A goal-scoring winger would add another dimension to our attacking play and it is notoriously noted that we don't possess an abundance of goals from midfield - Mata aside. That's the reason I'd like to see a winger join for next season, albeit in the hope of a marquee signing. Maybe I'm acting a bit spoilt, but the prospect of an attacking quartet of Reus, Mata, Januzaj and Rooney/van Persie could be absolutely devastating. Not to mention that Januzaj is the only winger we have worthy of a place in the squad based on the last few years. I wouldn't be at all upset to see us sign a quality winger, promote Lingard and/or Zaha and offload all three of Valencia, Nani and Young. It's never going to happen, but a hypothetical scenario I'd be very happy with nonetheless.

 

[Igor Drefljak]

I think musts for us are:
1 LB (Shaw)
1 CM (Kroos, Fabregas or Rakitic)
1 CB - In that order (Hummels, Garay, Benatia, Mangala)

I also think these would be handy
1 CM (another) (Carvalho, Song)
1 LW (Reus, Grizemann)
1 RW (If we are lucky) (Shaquiri, Moura)

It's true we won't need as big of a squad if we don't get into Europe, but having quality players is still vital in my opinion. It's a perfect way to push for the league, with less commitments.
We will have Jones, Smalling and Evans if Ferdinand leaves, and them 3, in my opinion are not title winning partnerships. It needs to be one of them, with a quality CB next to them.
I think too many people don't even expect for us to challenge the league next season because this one has been so poor. We won it last year, and equaled it the year before, we are not a bad team overnight (Albeit it not great right now)

I'd happily let go of Ferdinand, Evra, Anderson, Cleverley, Nani, Young, Macheda, Bebe and Hernandez.
I think Hernandez could be a good bargaining chip for a few clubs. Athletico would be one, but I think the player we'd want from them, Koke, won't be available.

GK: De Gea, Lindegaard
RB: Rafael, Varela
CB: Evans, Jones, Smalling **New CB**
LB: **New LB**, Buttner
CDM: **New CDM**, Fellaini, Fletcher
CM: **New CM**, Carrick
LW: **New LW**, Welbeck
ATM: Mata, Kagawa
RW: Januzaj, Valencia
ST: Rooney, RVP

Two for every position, that in my opinion, would be excellent. It takes 5 signings

 

[Loon]

I think there might be a few surprise departures as well.

 

[Van Piorsing]

I think musts for us are:
1 LB (Shaw)
1 CM (Kroos, Fabregas or Rakitic)
1 CB - In that order (Hummels, Garay, Benatia, Mangala)

I also think these would be handy
1 CM (another) (Carvalho, Song)
1 LW (Reus, Grizemann)
1 RW (If we are lucky) (Shaquiri, Moura)

Extremely handy, especially for club like United.

If we ever plan to base our attacking play on wings again, refreshing it with some quality reinforcements should be another priority after rebuilding centre midfield and finding player worthy of Evra's abilities.

Failing to sign Moura or Hazard and trying to patch it with unproven Wilfried Zaha is definitely not a solution, especially when Young can't give us a single, full, stable season without injuries.

 

[Igor Drefljak]

Extremely handy, especially for club like United.

If we ever plan to base our attacking play on wings again, refreshing it with some quality reinforcements should be another priority after rebuilding centre midfield and finding player worthy of Evra's abilities.

Failing to sign Moura or Hazard and trying to patch it with unproven Wilfried Zaha is definitely not a solution, especially when Young can't give us a single, full, stable season without injuries.

Exactly. Zaha hasn't been given a good chance yet, but even on loan at a struggling Cardiff, he isn't playing regular enough, which suggests he just isn't cut for the prem, not yet anyway.

We are United, we play wingers, and have done for so many years....We have had so many excellent players playing these positions, but this season we went in using: Young, Valencia, Nani, Zaha, who to be honest, are all not good enough for certain reasons, yet we constantly play wing style attacks. Playing Januzaj, Mata, Kagawa and Welbeck out wide to try and get things rolling, but it just doesn't work.

If we want to continue with wingers, we need better ones. A lot of our play goes out wide, and that is why we have struggled so much this season, a clear lack of quality out wide, or players playing there, that want to be in the middle of the pitch